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(Photo by Wang Junchuan/Xinhua) SUVA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrived at Nuku'alofa Port, Tonga, on Monday, starting a seven-day visit featuring medical services and cultural activities during its Mission Harmony 2025. This is the fourth visit to Tonga by a Chinese naval hospital ship on Mission Harmony. Tonga's acting Prime Minister Taniela Fusimalohi, along with military and political dignitaries, the Chinese ambassador to Tonga, local residents, representatives of overseas Chinese and Chinese enterprises, came to the pier to greet the vessel. During its visit to Tonga, the Silk Road Ark will provide medical services on the ship, conduct academic exchanges on war injury rescue with the Tongan Navy, hold medical forums with Tongan hospitals, dispatch an onboard helicopter and multiple medical teams for clinic programs in local communities and on outer islands, and send teams to local schools for cultural exchange. The navies of the two countries will also hold joint exercises in the waters off the port. In February 2022, a Chinese flotilla comprising two naval ships arrived in Tonga to deliver more than 1,400 tons of disaster relief supplies after the South Pacific island nation was devastated by a massive volcanic eruption and ensuing tsunami. The hospital ship Peace Ark visited Tonga in 2014, 2018, and 2023, providing over 15,000 medical services to the local residents. The Chinese Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrives at Nuku'alofa Port in Tonga, Oct. 13, 2025. The Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrived at Nuku'alofa Port, Tonga, on Monday, starting a seven-day visit featuring medical services and cultural activities during its Mission Harmony 2025. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows the welcome ceremony for the Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, at Nuku'alofa Port in Tonga. The Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrived at Nuku'alofa Port, Tonga, on Monday, starting a seven-day visit featuring medical services and cultural activities during its Mission Harmony 2025. (Photo by Wang Junchuan/Xinhua) The Chinese Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrives at Nuku'alofa Port in Tonga, Oct. 13, 2025. The Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrived at Nuku'alofa Port, Tonga, on Monday, starting a seven-day visit featuring medical services and cultural activities during its Mission Harmony 2025. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua) People perform lion dance at the welcome ceremony for the Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, at Nuku'alofa Port in Tonga, Oct. 13, 2025. The Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrived at Nuku'alofa Port, Tonga, on Monday, starting a seven-day visit featuring medical services and cultural activities during its Mission Harmony 2025. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua) The Chinese Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrives at Nuku'alofa Port in Tonga, Oct. 13, 2025. The Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrived at Nuku'alofa Port, Tonga, on Monday, starting a seven-day visit featuring medical services and cultural activities during its Mission Harmony 2025. 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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 This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Oct 14th, 2025 Wrexham.com has invited local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home you can find them all here. In this months column, Andrew Ranger MP said: I am delighted to see that Wrexham will benefit from the UK Governments Pride in Place funding, meaning an additional 1.5 million on top of the 20 million already committed as part of the UK Governments Plan for Neighbourhoods. The idea of the Pride in Place funding is to improve public spaces, which could include fixing broken bus shelters, reopening park toilets, more bins to help stop litter and revamping run-down leisure centres. This new money will be allocated to Wrexham County Borough Council and can be used anywhere across the county borough. This announcement scales up the work already underway, helping communities regenerate and restoring local pride. I will be working in partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council to identify what our communities would like the funding to be spent on and to consider what would have the greatest impact across Wrexham. September was an important month for legislation as the Hillsborough Law was laid before Parliament. The Hillsborough Law places a legal duty of candour on public officials and authorities to prevent the coverups seen at Hillsborough as well as the Horizon and Infected blood scandals. Furthermore, it would ensure that bereaved families will also have publicly funded legal representation at inquests, making sure both sides are on a fair and equal footing. It is testament to the incredible courage and dignity of the families and campaigners who have fought for decades to ensure the voices of those they had lost were heard. Along with colleagues, I will ensure that it passes through Parliament. The Employment Rights Bill and the Sentencing Bill also continued their progress through Parliament. Two more pieces of legislation that will have a real impact on people including here in Wrexham. We have seen 2 incredible events come to Wrexham at the start of October, with Baton of Hope and the Terry Fox Run. Both have shown the best of our community in supporting each other. Those involved in the Baton of Hope Tour experienced four seasons in one day weather conditions, starting in Chirk and ending at Wrexham University. There was incredible support along the way along with opportunities to pause and reflect at the Hope Hubs. The success of the event was testament to the strength of those who carried the baton, many of whom had been affected by suicide. As a baton bearer myself, it was a special, powerful and emotional day. The support is out there but making that step to access it can sometimes be the hardest, which is why we all have to keep that conversation going. The Terry Fox Run at Bellevue Park on Sunday 5th October saw participants running and walking the route to raise money for cancer research. It was great to see so many people involved for the second year in a row. It was fantastically organised and supported by local groups and organisations. At the start of next month, I will be hosting the first of my Voice for Wrexham events. The topic for discussion will be hospital parking. This is an opportunity for people to come together to discuss ideas for how this issue could be resolved. I know this is a subject which people feel strongly about, and many have personal experiences of. There will be representatives from key organisations at the event. It will be a chance to discuss ideas and potential solutions and share those with them. Registration for this event is now open. Please book via my website https://www.andrewforlabourwrexham.org.uk/voice-of-wrexham-01-11-2025/ or contact my office on 01978 788854 or andrew.ranger.mp@parliament.uk Chester Zoo celebrating birth of four rare fossa pups Conservationists at Chester Zoo are celebrating the birth of the UKs only fossa pups. The four rare pups, born to parents Shala and Zaza, are the first of their kind to be born in the UK this year, and one of only three litters born in all zoos across Europe in 2025. Seven-year-old male Zaza arrived in Chester from San Diego Zoo in the USA in May, having been identified as an excellent genetic match for resident female, Shala. The two male and two female pups have been hailed as vital new additions to an international breeding programme which is working to ensure the continued survival of the species. The fossa, a slender, cat-like mammal and the largest natural predator in Madagascar, is a highly threatened species with fewer than 2,500 estimated to remain in the wild, largely due to mass deforestation. Mark Brayshaw, Head of Mammals at Chester Zoo, said: The fossa is one of the worlds most mysterious and least-known carnivores theyre so secretive that even the most experienced conservationists can go years without catching a glimpse of them in the wild as they move silently through Madagascars forests. These births are therefore incredibly special. Not only are they the only pups in the UK and vital new additions to a European breeding programme designed to safeguard the species from extinction, their arrival gives us a unique opportunity to learn more about their biology, behaviours and social dynamics. This insight helps us build a more complete picture of the species, which is then used to inform conservation efforts in the wild. Fossa pups are born blind, weighing about 100g (about the same as a small apple) and first leave their den several months after birth. Having been born on 8 July 2025, the 12-week-old pups at the zoo have now been spotted venturing out for the first time by zookeepers and zoo visitors. They can grow up to 6ft long (nose to tail) and weigh up to 12kg. Fossa use their long tails for balance and can climb down headfirst with the help of retractable claws. Dave Hall, Team Manager of carnivores at the zoo, added: Welcoming four newborn fossa pups is such an incredible moment for us and seeing them venture out of the den for the very first time has been a real privilege. Theyre already showing off their adventurous sides by climbing and exploring every branch they can find. Mum Shala certainly has her paws full when it comes to keeping track of them all, but shes doing a brilliant job and is a very attentive mum. A recent vet check revealed that the quartet consists of two males and two females. Were going to start to draw up a list of potential names for them as each of the pups develops its own distinct personality a couple are bold and brave, while the others a little more cautious and tentative and tend to stick close by to mum. The birth of this litter is a major boost for the international conservation breeding programme in zoos globally. Were now really excited to see how they develop. The fossa is listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservationists from Chester Zoo, working alongside partners in Madagascar, have been protecting habitats on the island for more than 15 years. A City of Reno Municipal Court Specialty Court and program, Community Court, will close its doors at the end of the month. Community Court started in 2019 and was designed to serve the homeless community. It holds its sessions at the Downtown Reno Public Library every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the court quickly closed, but reopened in 2021. Since then, people would be referred to the court by police officers after committing low-level crimes to get better connected with resources in the community. The court would also act as a one-stop shop for resources. Many organizations would set up tables and booths so people could get the help they needed. Now, it's all coming to an end. The court's judge, Chris Hazlett-Stevens, said simply that he felt the program was not successful. 2 News Nevada reached out for an interview, but the judge said he was not talking. Instead, we received the letter the judge wrote to Reno City Manager, Jackie Bryant, about why he decided to end the program. In part of the letter, the judge said: "Our most recent data reveal that the program is not having the intended impact we hoped it would on the population weve attempted to reach. While we have poured tremendous resources and energy into this program over the 5 years it has been in operation, our success rate reflects that it is not working in a meaningful way. While we were able to help a small portion of the population, especially those recently rendered homeless and/or those truly ready to change, we were unable to have a robust impact on the chronically homeless in our community." Looking at the 2024 stats from the program in terms of discharges from the program, only 35 percent were successful. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement or HOPE team said they felt Community Court was a great resource for them, especially the team's two case managers. We did a ride-along with them at the end of last year. "So, we attend every Wednesday," said Sergeant Sonia Butler, Washoe County Sheriff's Office HOPE Team. "We offer resources to individuals because it's open to the public. What we do is we make connections and start working on what we need to do or how we can start getting stable housing for the individuals." With the closure, the team says they will still be operating business as usual, but will look toward other avenues. "We want to continue to have one area, a date and time that people can expect to go to and be able to find all the resources in one general area, which has been very successful," Sgt. Butler said. The HOPE Team says they are seeing more and more people who are homeless who have jobs, and currently, they say the biggest hurdle is access to affordable housing. The court was not open last week but will be open this Wednesday as it finishes its cases load before it shuts its doors. Here is the full letter the judge wrote to the Reno City Manager: Dear Jackie, I want to inform you that we have made the difficult decision to shut down Community Court. Our most recent data reveal that the program is not having the intended impact we hoped it would on the population weve attempted to reach. While we have poured tremendous resources and energy into this program over the 5 years it has been in operation, our success rate reflects that it is not working in a meaningful way. While we were able to help a small portion of the population, especially those recently rendered homeless and/or those truly ready to change, we were unable to have a robust impact on the chronically homeless in our community. Many of them, categorically refusing the services offered, and others, refusing by way of not following through and ultimately resulting in warrants that caused their cases to be closed while they were in custody. Similar courts confronted with the same hurdles have simply redefined success in ways that demonstrate proof of concept. We are not willing to do this. While it is important for a participant to meet small milestones as part of their case, such as making progress toward obtaining ID documents, those milestones should be seen as progress toward a successful outcome, not success itself. Through this programmatic philosophy, we have maintained that success must include identifiable progress toward sustainable solutions to end the cycle of chronic homelessness beyond an individuals immediate needs, such as treatment in mental health and addiction. Yet, meaningful engagement in those areas has proved elusive. This decision did not come easily. Community Court was staffed with individuals who care passionately about the people served. For years, we have worked tirelessly to remove any and all barriers to treatment, employment and housing. Yet, despite our best efforts, we have been unable to demonstrate lasting success that justifies the ongoing commitment of resources to this approach. The timing of this decision also coincides with several resource providers losing federal and local funding, preventing them from committing staff to Community Court. Consequently, we have only a small portion of community resource providers prepared to deliver on-site services consistent with the community court model. Much of what we do now is handled off-site, which serves as another barrier in servicing this population. We are very grateful that we have been able to touch the lives we have through Community Court. I want to personally thank you, the City Council, the Mayor, the City Attorney and the Reno Police Department for the ongoing commitment to this forward-leaning court concept. Closing this Court is not for want of support or effort. It simply reflects a recognition that this program, with all its attributes, was unable to address the profound needs of this population. Even if you've never met him personally, you know Stuart Schuffman. From his 2015 run for mayor to his SFGate dive-bar column, the writer, performer, and all around bon vivant known as Broke-Ass Stuart has been a permanent fixture on the San Francisco scene for two decades. Later this week, with the dedication of Broke-Ass Stuart Day on October 17th, Schuffman's association with the city goes on the permanent record. It's just in time for another milestone: the release of Schuffman's book The Worst of Broke-Ass Stuart: 20 Years of Love, Death & Dive Bars. Broke-Ass Stuart (Courtesy of Broke-Ass Stuart) 7x7 has its own memories of Schuffman. Back in the early 2010s, he wrote our series The Weeknighter, a column exploring SF nightlife. Since several of those original essays are appearing in Schuffman's new book (also out on October 17th), we thought it would be the perfect time to revisit one of our favorites. Here it is, reprinted in full from February 2014. Happy Broke-Ass Stuart Day! The Weeknighter: Superb Martinis and a Shot of Nostalgia at Aub Zam Zam When I started this column over two years ago, I meant for it to be what it says in the intro. I told myself and my editor that Id be doing things like talking about the most creative cocktails and the best happy hours in the city. Then I realized that I find that shit abysmally boring, and decided to do what I do best: tell stories about the places and people that make my life amazing, the ones who make San Francisco one of the most phenomenal cities in the world. By coincidence, The Weeknighter started around the same time the populace fully realized how out of control things were getting here. The city that so many of us had left our hearts in was suddenly leaving us behind. Like fickle Aztec gods, human hearts were no longer enough to appease the hills and buildings and fog and landlords we all lived amongst, between the ocean and the bay. So from the outset this column became, in its own way, a reverie or a meditation on what it meant to be in love with a place that was rapidly changing while so many people wanted it to stay the same. The Weeknighter also became a way for me to exorcise some of the demons of my sticky and complicated personal life. I started the column around the same time I was ending a relationship of over five years. The words I wrote were always a series of little love poems to San Francisco. They just happened to be filtered through the din and dimness of bars on weeknights. And in these poems the daily tragedies and triumphs of my life spread out across the digital page. Heartbreak, lust, love, and friendship were stirred and shaken with barstools and benches, drunks, and neon signs. All of it topped off with nostalgia, sometimes even for the times were living through right now. And in a way, Aub Zam Zam is the sum of all of this. Opened in 1941, Zam Zam has always been a place of nostalgia. I dont know if the original owner ever visited the Middle East or North Africa, but the official name of the joint was Persian Aub Zam Zam and it looks straight out of the set of Casablanca. A rounded art deco bar takes up most of the front room while the oil painting behind the bar depicts the love story of King Khosrow and Princess Shirin. Even when it was built it was reminiscent of a different time and place, and that feeling has never left. Theres a lot of mythology around Zam Zam and Bruno, the cat who owned it for 50 years until his death in 2000. The way the story goes is that, if Bruno didnt like your attitude, or the way you looked, hed kick you out and tell you to go drink at the Gold Cane. It seems more people got kicked out than were allowed to drink so the ones who managed to make it past Brunos misanthropy cherished Zam Zam as a personal safe haven and shrine. And its still a place to go to if you like a little abuse; my buddy Joe works there and you can tell that while he loves being a bartender, he doesnt necessarily like people. Someones gotta keep it cranky at Zam Zam and Joe does so beautifully. The Weeknighter is supposed to be a bar column, and Aub Zam Zam is a bar. That doesnt mean I really care about the happy hour specials or what the best cocktails are. What I care about is that no matter what San Francisco is becoming, Zam Zam will always be a place beyond time, where nostalgia is the floater poured on top of every drink. Its perfect for a drink with friends or for moping by yourself. Its perfect for a first date or for a tipple on the way to your anniversary dinner. And its perfect for writing little love poems for the people and the city that sometimes break your heart. It was a Monday night and even though there was no live jazz like there is Wednesday through Friday, the atmosphere was still sultry and sophisticated. In a town where most millionaires dress in hoodies and jeans, the Top of the Mark feels like a throw back to old money and elegance, while still being accessible to the rest of us. At one point I walked around enjoying the view and looking at photos of the Top of the Mark throughout the years. Apparently, it was customary during World War II for GIs to have one last drink and take in the view before shipping off. The northwest corner was even called the Weepers Corner because the soldiers sweethearts would watch with tears and running mascara as the ships departed the bay carrying the young men off to war. But there was no weeping this night. Instead, we were celebrating our histories, and telling stories, and talking optimistically about our futures. We all had great things on the horizon, especially Lindsay, who informed us about her recent engagement. We drank and offered cheers to Lindsay and her future husbandadding one more layer of historical residue to a classic establishment that already has plenty, and will receive many more. // Stuart Schuffman has been called "an Underground legend" by the 'SF Chronicle,' "an SF cult hero" by the 'SF Bay Guardian,' and "the chief of cheap" by 'Time Out New York. The release party for 'The Worst of Broke-Ass Stuart' is October 17th at 8pm at Kilowatt, 3160 16th St. (Mission), brokeassstuart.com RML INVITED TO BRIEF AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR AHEAD OF PRIME MINISTER'S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP Briefing Ambassador ahead Meeting with US President Adelaide, Oct 13, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Resolution Minerals Ltd ( ASX:RML ) ( NC3:FRA ) ( RLMLF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to report that it has received an official request from His Excellency, The Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC, the Australian Ambassador to the United States, to provide a briefing on its Horse Heaven Gold-Antimony-Tungsten Project ("Horse Heaven") in Idaho U.S., ahead of the upcoming meeting between Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on Thursday, 20 October 2025. Highlights RML requested by Australian Ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency, The Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC, to provide a briefing from the Company on the Horse Heaven Project in Idaho ahead of the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Donald Trump in Washington DC on Thursday, 20 October 2025. The Horse Heaven Gold-Antimony-Tungsten Project in Idaho U.S. hosts multi-commodity prospectivity all of which are listed on the U.S. Critical Minerals List. Located adjacent to Perpetua Resources' Stibnite Antimony & Gold Mine (PPTA.NAS, ~A$3 billion market cap), Horse Heaven is well positioned to benefit from a strategic partnership between Australia and the U.S. that support domestic supply chains as the U.S. remains heavily reliant on imported antimony. The inclusion of Horse Heaven as part of the requested formal briefing, reflects growing recognition of Australian expertise in advancing secure, responsible mineral supply chains. Horse Heaven will be a significant player in President Trump's effort to establish a domestic supply of Antimony to support the defence industry. RML continues to advance exploration and development programs at Horse Heaven, with the aim of positioning the Company as a key participant in the U.S. aim to secure onshore supply of critical minerals. RML has completed a comprehensive dossier and submitted to the Australian embassy in Washington DC and to His Excellency, The Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC. The Company has been asked to provide an update on the status of Horse Heaven, including the size of the project and prospective expansion plans as part of Australia's strategic engagement with the U.S. RML's CEO of U.S. Operations, Craig Lindsay, commented: "Resolution Minerals appreciates the opportunity to brief Ambassador Rudd on the Horse Heaven Project ahead of the Prime Minister's visit to Washington." "Horse Heaven is a significant Australian-led project in the United States, with historical and potential future production of gold, antimony and tungsten, which are all critical to industrial and defence applications. The briefing reflects the constructive cooperation between Australia and the U.S. on the development of secure, transparent critical mineral supply chains." "We look forward to contributing to this dialogue and providing an update on our progress of our work in Idaho." U.S Strategic Engagement to Boost Domestic Supply of Critical Minerals with Australia Requested by Dr. Kevin Rudd, the Company has been asked to provide information on the Horse Heaven Project to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of his meeting with President Trump, where critical minerals and strategic cooperation are set to be key points of discussion. 1. Summary of Horse Heaven 2. Update on Status of the Project 3. Size and importance of the Project 4. The value of the Mineral Resource 5. Prospective development and expansion plans for Horse Heaven The Australian Government's engagement with the Horse Heaven Project marks a notable advancement for the Company. This involvement reinforces the Project's relevance to America's critical minerals supply chain. Horse Heaven is adjacent to the large Perpetua Resources Corp. (PPTA) Stibnite Gold Project and has both historical production and high potential for future development, with recent drilling commencing to confirm and expand historical findings. Maverick Springs continues to be recognised by both Australian and U.S. authorities for its potential contribution to U.S. domestic supply superiority. Resolution Minerals commends the Australian Government for its continued leadership in fostering cooperation with the United States on critical minerals and welcomes the opportunity for ongoing collaboration with the Horse Heaven Project. Resolution Minerals will continue to keep the market informed as its U.S. operations progress. Antimony and Tungsten Antimony and Tungsten, both part of the 2025 Draft List of Critical Minerals created by the Department of the Interior, are crucial for defence and technology, playing key roles in modern military and advanced technological infrastructure. The U.S. Government is advancing critical minerals projects through expedited permitting, dedicated grant programs, and equity participation, due to the immense supply chain dependencies of Antinomy and Tungsten, underscoring the strategic value of domestic production of these critical minerals. These measures aim to speed project development, safeguard supply chains, and reinforce the global position of the U.S and its partners like Australia in the critical minerals sector. Horse Heaven Project The Horse Heaven Project comprises 729 federal lode mining claims covering over 14,580 acres and is home to a number of past-producing Antimony, Tungsten and Gold mines. The project has several high-priority target areas, including the Golden Gate & Antimony Ridge prospects. Shallow historical drilling has confirmed mineralisation from surface. The Project is close to the town of Cascade, Idaho, and important infrastructure, which is being upgraded to support the development of the Stibnite Mine. Horse Heaven shares its eastern boundary with Perpetua Resources' Stibnite Gold Project. Due to its high grade and low strip ratio, Stibnite is set to become one of the largest high-grade, lowcost gold mines in the USA and the only domestic source of antimony. Stibnite boasts significant Measured & Indicated gold reserves, with antimony and tungsten being "by-products". It also has a solid history of gold antimony production, having yielded over 980,000oz of gold, 13.5M pounds of tungsten, and 88M pounds of antimony at Stibnite during WWII and the Korean War, accounting for 90% of total U.S. antimony production at the time. Next Steps The Phase 1 drilling campaign at Horse Heaving has been completed and the Company looks forward to releasing the results as they become available. In addition, the Company is deploying a multiprong exploration program, with results expected from other programs, including but not limited to. a stream sediment program, and ongoing mapping and rock chip programs, which will be released to market as soon as available. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/R4ZKGF7I About Resolution Minerals Ltd Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX:RML) (OTCMKTS:RLMLF) (FRA:NC3) is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious and battery metals - such as antimony, gold, copper, and uranium. Resolution Minerals Ltd Listed on the ASX in 2017 and has a broad portfolio of assets, such as the Drake East Antimony-Gold Project in north-eastern NSW and George Project prospective for silica sand and uranium. Related Companies LOCKSLEY APPOINTS FORMER U.S AIR FORCE MAJOR GENERAL & GENERAL DYNAMICS IT EXECUTIVE TO ADVISORY BOARD Former U.S. Major General Appointed to Advisory Board Perth, Oct 14, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Locksley Resources Ltd ( ASX:LKY ) ( X5L:FRA ) ( LKYRF:OTCMKTS ) announces the appointment of Major General (Ret.) Peter J. Lambert to its Advisory Board. Peter brings more than three decades of leadership in intelligence, defense and advanced technology integration, combining a distinguished U.S. Air Force career with senior executive experience in the private sector most notably with General Dynamics Information Technology ("GDIT"), one of America's leading defense and technology companies. HIGHLIGHTS - Major General (Ret.) Peter J. Lambert appointed to the Locksley Advisory Board, + 30 years leadership in U.S. intelligence, defense and advanced technology integration - Former Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance ("ISR") at U.S. Air Force Headquarters - Senior executive at General Dynamics Information Technology, a leading U.S. defense and aerospace technology company - Appointment aligns with Locksley's 100% American mine-to-market vision, leveraging defense grade systems integration, operational intelligence, and secure supply-chain development - Strengthens Locksley's leadership in the U.S. race to secure domestic supplies of rare earths and antimony, positioning the Company at the forefront of America's drive for critical minerals independence - Advisory focus, strategic capability development, U.S. government and defense engagement and strategic foresight for market and policy resilience Strategic Appointment of Peter J. Lambert to Advance U.S Critical Minerals Independence Major General (Ret.) Peter J. Lambert brings more than 30 years of leadership across U.S. intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and national security operations to the Locksley Advisory Board. A retired U.S Air Force Major General, Peter served as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance at U.S. Air Force Headquarters, overseeing ISR capabilities across the Air Force and coordinating with U.S. intelligence agencies to enhance mission readiness and strategic insight. Following his distinguished military service, Peter joined GDIT, where he contributed to the advancement of secure communication, data integration, and intelligence technologies supporting national defence and aerospace innovation. His work at GDIT focuses on aligning complex technical systems with operational needs, experience that directly parallels Locksley's vision of integrating exploration, processing, and market delivery into one cohesive Mine-to-Market strategy. Over his career, Peter has held senior appointments with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Security Agency (NSA), and The Joint Staff, developing expertise in system integration, organisational transformation, and multi-domain coordination. He holds a Master's degree in National Security Affairs, a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and has completed advanced studies in joint command, cyber operations, and strategic foresight. Additionally, he served as a National Defense Fellow at the Atlantic Council of the United States, in Washington, D.C. Defense Grade Experience to Support Mine-to-Market Execution Peter Lambert's appointment brings unique defence grade strategic and operational expertise to Locksley's mission of developing a vertically integrated, 100% American mineto-market critical minerals business. His experience will be leveraged in several key areas: 1 - Advanced Systems Integration & Intelligence Driven Decision-Making Drawing on his work at GDIT and the U.S. Air Force, Peter will advise on intelligence based frameworks that enhance operational visibility, project planning, and risk assessment from mine development to market delivery. His approach to integrating complex systems will help Locksley executives establish bestin-class governance and real-time data flow between exploration, processing, logistics, and customer engagement. 2 - Strategic Capability Development & Organisational Design As Locksley transitions from exploration to production and downstream operations, Peter's experience leading large, technically complex organisations will help guide structure, resource planning, and leadership alignment across all workstreams. 3 - Government, Defence, and Industry Engagement Peter's extensive network in the U.S. defense national security and defence sectors will support Locksley's engagement with key government and strategic partners particularly in the context of critical minerals supply chain resilience and domestic industrial capability. 4 - Strategic Foresight & Risk Intelligence Peter's background in ISR and scenario planning equips him to help Locksley anticipate market, policy, and geopolitical shifts, ensuring the company remains adaptive and future ready as demand for antimony and rare earth elements accelerates. Kerrie Matthews Locksley Chief Executive Officer commented; "Peter's appointment to the Locksley Advisory Board, comes at a pivotal time for the United States as the nation seeks to secure and strengthen its domestic supply of critical minerals. His exceptional background spanning military intelligence, defence industry leadership, and strategic operations will bring immense value to Locksley as we advance our Mojave Project and broader North American expansion strategy. Peter's experience will provide strong stewardship as we continue building a secure, technologically advanced mine-to-market supply chain that aligns with U.S. strategic objectives for critical minerals independence. We are delighted to welcome Peter to the Locksley Advisory Board and look forward to his guidance as we continue to unlock value and deliver on our mission." About Locksley Resources Limited Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The Company is actively advancing exploration across two key assets: the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development in this highly prospective mineral region. Mojave Project Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project comprises over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, namely, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials' claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area. In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project hosts the historic "Desert Antimony Mine", which last operated in 1937. Despite the United States currently having no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With significant surface sample results, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S. Locksley's North American position is further strengthened by rising geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE & antimony production. With its maiden drilling program planned, the Mojave Project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security. Tottenham Project Locksley's Australian portfolio comprises the advanced Tottenham Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, focused on VMS-style mineralisation in a well established mining region. Locksley is committed to delivering value through discovery, development, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on securing access to U.S. aligned funding and downstream collaborations. Related Companies Update on Private Placement Toronto, Oct 14, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. ( ASX:RAU ) ( CVE:RSM ) ( 8TX:FRA ) ( RSGOF:OTCMKTS ) refers to its announcements of 19 August, 2025, 11 September, 2025 and 22 September, 2025 (TSX-V 18 August, 2025, 10 September, 2025 and 21 September, 2025) in relation to the non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"). The Company advises that it has received subscription agreements and anticipates being in a position to close the raise within the next week noting however that the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, which it is currently working through. The Offering is also being conducted using the Company's placement capacity pursuant to ASX Listings Rule 7.1 and 7.1A. No Related Parties or their Associates are participating in the Offering. All of the securities to be issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month resale restriction in accordance with applicable securities legislation. None of the securities to be issued in the Offering have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company in the United States. As previously announced, the Company intends to use the net proceeds of this Offering to advance the engineering program, an essential step toward the Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Company's Tiros project, as well as for general working capital purposes. No finders' fees nor broker charges apply to this placement. About Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. (ASX:RAU) (CVE:RSM) (OTCMKTS:RSGOF) (FRA:8TX) is a Canadian incorporated mineral exploration and development company, listed on the ASX, TSXV, OTC and FSE, focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in Brazil, including the Tiros Titanium-Rare Earths Project and the Novo Mundo Gold Project. The Tiros project has 28 mineral concessions totalling 497 km2 located in the state of Minas Gerais, one of the best infrastructurally developed states of Brazil, 350 km from the state capital of Belo Horizonte. Resouro's Mineral Resource Estimate for the Tiros Project contains 165 million tonne of titanium dioxide and 5.5 million tonne of total rare earths oxides within a Measured and Indicated Resource of 1.4 billion tonne at 12% titanium dioxide and 4,000 ppm of total rare earth oxides. Related Companies Assay Results Extend Halo Project Mineralisation Perth, Oct 14, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Catalina Resources Ltd ( ASX:CTN ) is pleased to advise that all assay results from the September 2025 reverse-circulation (RC) drilling program at the Halo Project, which forms part of the Company's Laverton Gold Project, have now been received. Highlights - All assay results from the September 2025 RC drilling program at the Halo Project (Laverton) have now been received. - Assay results extend mineralisation with mineralisation remaining open along strike and down plunge. - Recent results include intersections of: - 1 m @ 11.50 g/t Au from 114 m (LVRC10) - 2 m @ 3.13 g/t Au from 48 m (LVRC12) - 3 m @ 1.00 g/t Au from 118 m (LVRC12) - 2 m @ 1.28 g/t Au from 109 m (LVRC12) - 1 m @ 3.15 g/t Au from 149 m (LVRC15) - 2 m @ 0.71 g/t Au from 62 m (LVRC09) - Results complement previous results from this campaign which returned: - 17m @ 0.90g/t Au from 44m (LVRC06) - 2m @ 3.79g/t Au from 190m (LVRC07) - 5m @ 2.62g/t Au from 217m (LVRC07) - 2m @ 2.55g/t Au from 58m (LVRC08) - Results under review to determine continuity and next exploration priorities. These results build directly upon the initial assays reported in the 6 October 2025 announcement (which included LVRC06, LVRC07 and LVRC08). At that time, Catalina confirmed that Halo is a mineralised gold system with potential for extension along strike and at depth. Significant results from this final batch of assays include: - 1 m @ 11.5g/t Au from 114 m (LVRC10) - 2 m @ 3.1g/t Au from 48 m (LVRC12) - 3 m @ 1.0g/t Au from 118 m (LVRC12) - 2 m @ 1.3g/t Au from 109 m (LVRC12) - 1 m @ 3.2g/t Au from 149 m (LVRC15) - 2 m @ 0.7g/t Au from 62 m (LVRC09) These results complement previous results from AC and RC at the Halo Project (Figure 1*) and provided: - 44m at 1.01g/t Au from 44m (LVAC49) Includes: o 4m at 2.22g/t Au from 48m; o 4m at 1.96g/t Au from 64m o 8m at 1.45g/t Au from 72m - 18m @ 1.16g/t Au from 126m, incl. 5m @ 2.3g/t Au (LVRC02) - 17m @ 0.90g/t Au from 44m (LVRC06) - 2m @ 3.79g/t Au from 190m (LVRC07) - 5m @ 2.62g/t Au from 217m (LVRC07) - 2m @ 2.55g/t Au from 58m (LVRC08) With the full dataset now received, Catalina will consolidate all results to evaluate mineralisation trends, assess the scale and continuity of the system, and determine the most effective next steps to advance the project. Drilling Program Summary - The September RC campaign comprised 11 holes (LVRC06-LVRC16) with a total of 2,040 metres drilled - The design aimed to test both infill and step-out targets north and south of previous drilling campaigns which were designed to assess the mineralisation along the Barnicoat Shear Zone (BSZ) within the confines of the Halo Gold Project area. - Drilling was carried out on regularly spaced cross-sections (50 m apart), with collars located to test structural continuity. - All samples were collected and assayed at 1 m intervals, providing consistent resolution across the mineralised zones. The Halo Gold Project lies along the Barnicoat Shear Zone (BSZ), a regionally significant structural corridor that also hosts the Lily Pond Well, Mon Ami, and Ida H gold resources (Figure 2*). Geophysical interpretations indicate that the BSZ transects Catalina's tenement, providing a strong structural setting for the observed mineralisation. This context underpins Catalina's systematic drilling approach to evaluate extensions along strike and at depth. Drilling observations and geological characteristics include: - Reverse circulation (RC) drilling intersected a deeply weathered dolerite package characterised by pervasive carbonate alteration and localised sericite alteration, indicating significant hydrothermal fluid activity. - Several zones of intense sericite and carbonate alteration were identified within the altered dolerite, suggesting structurally controlled fluid flow, potentially along shear zones or faults. - Mineralisation occurs within the saprolite profile, likely representing a weathered expression of underlying primary mineralisation. - Gold mineralisation is also observed adjacent to intensely sericite-carbonate altered zones in fresh rock. - Higher-grade zones of primary mineralisation appear spatially associated with carbonate-sericite altered dolerite immediately adjacent to these zones. Regional Overview The Laverton district is recognised as one of Australia's most productive gold provinces, with a long history of discovery and development. Within a 50-kilometre radius of the Halo Project lie some of the country's most significant gold operations, including Granny Smith and Sunrise Dam (AngloGold Ashanti), Wallaby (Gold Fields), and additional deposits such as Mon Ami and Ida H (Figure 2*). Collectively, these systems highlight the proven endowment of the Laverton Tectonic Zone and its ability to host large, long-lived gold deposits. While Halo remains at an early stage of exploration, its location along the Barnicoat Shear Zone places it within the same fertile geological framework that underpins these established mines, providing a strong basis for systematic follow-up. In addition to this regional geological advantage, the Halo Project is strategically located in close proximity to established haul roads, transport corridors, and several operating processing facilities. This infrastructure position provides Catalina with flexibility to pursue a range of future project options, supported by established regional processing facilities and transport networks. The combination of solid assay results, proven district-scale endowment, and strong infrastructure connectivity reinforces the strategic significance and development potential of the Halo Gold Project within the Laverton district. Next Steps With all assay results now received and validated, Catalina will consolidate the complete dataset to refine the geological interpretation, assess mineralisation continuity and grade distribution, and evaluate potential next steps to advance the Halo Project within the broader Laverton project area. Executive Director Ross Cotton commented: "The completion of this program and receipt of all assay results mark an important step forward for the Halo Project. The results demonstrates that gold mineralisation extends across multiple sections and depths, highlighting continuity within a highly prospective part of the Laverton district. With the dataset now complete, we are seeing clear indicators of scale and potential that enhance Halo's position as a valuable asset within Catalina's broader portfolio" *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/92979NP9 About Catalina Resources Ltd Catalina Resources Ltd (ASX:CTN) is a mineral exploration company focused on discovering and advancing gold and multi-commodity projects in tier-one jurisdictions. Backed by a technically experienced team with deep industry knowledge, Catalina is committed to creating value through focused exploration across highly prospective and underexplored regions in Western Australia. The company's core assets are located in the Central Yilgarn and Laverton regions, two of the most historically productive and geologically endowed gold provinces in the country. Both projects have demonstrated the potential to host significant mineralisation, with early-stage drilling already delivering promising results. Related Companies loading......... ORIGINS IN THE MANHATTAN PROJECT - A PERSONAL HISTORY OF SCIENCE Malibu, CA, Oct 14, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Desert Mountain Energy Corp.'s ( CVE:DME ) ( DMEHF:OTCMKTS ) ( QM01:FRA ) CEO Robert Rohlfing's lineage begins at Los Alamos and Trinity Site, where his father worked on the Manhattan Project. Growing up under the influence of physicists such as Edward Teller, he learned that science, curiosity, and generosity of spirit were inseparable. Those early exposures shaped a lifelong pursuit of mathematics, geology, and experimentation that now inform Desert Mountain Energy's work across New Mexico and Arizona. THE NOBLE GASES OF NEW MEXICO - HELIUM, XENON & KRYPTON The conversation explores the state's unique geology-a living laboratory for noble-gas generation. Rolfing details how isotopes such as Xenon 130-136 and Krypton 84 appear naturally in subsurface formations north of Roswell. These gases, though minute in quantity, enable everything from robotic surgery (Krypton lasers) to ion-propulsion engines for space applications. Desert Mountain Energy's ongoing analysis of isotopic signatures could reshape how scientists locate and harvest these critical elements. QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT AND THE MOTHER-CHILD ANALOGY Asked about "quantum," Rolfing describes it not as hype but as relationship-energy bonds that persist across distance, like a mother sensing her child a world away. He connects that phenomenon to data processing, AI cooling systems, and directed-energy applications, emphasizing that energy, in any form, is simply stored potential awaiting translation. HYDROGEN, HELIUM-3 AND THE NEXT FRONTIER OF ENERGY STORAGE Few discussions venture this deep into isotope physics. Rolfing distinguishes helium-3 (a potential fusion fuel) from helium-4, explaining its scarcity and why world supplies come largely from reprocessed nuclear materials. He breaks down cryogenic diffusion, where temperature differences separate the isotopes, noting the staggering value disparity-about $2 750 per liter for He-3 versus $37 for He-4. The long-term vision: responsibly capturing these gases in small, modular plants designed for minimal footprint and maximal efficiency. AI CENTERS, CRYOGENICS & POWER ECONOMICS IN ROSWELL Desert Mountain Energy's New Mexico operations intertwine resource extraction with next-generation computing needs. Helium's role in cooling stacked hard-drive arrays and quantum servers aligns the company with the expanding AI infrastructure corridor between Roswell, White Sands, Sandia, and Los Alamos. Rolfing describes developing an underground natural-gas storage unit capable of supplying five days of fuel-critical backup for AI data centers where "thirty seconds down time equals $114 million lost." ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP & AQUIFER PROTECTION Rejecting traditional oil-based drilling fluids, the team employs air, water, and food-grade additives such as poly disaccharides and pectin. Every well is fully cemented to surface, exceeding state requirements by ~30 % in cost to ensure aquifer protection. Rolfing views environmental diligence as fiduciary duty, equal to shareholder responsibility. He ties that ethic to community impact-rehabilitating lives and careers alongside landscapes. RISK MITIGATION & THE HUMAN EQUATION Citing Murphy's Law, Rolfing argues that Earth itself is predictable; it's the "humanoids" who create variables. By anticipating operational, regulatory, and interpersonal risks, he turns chaos into continuity. His metric for success isn't headlines-it's watching people and projects transform for good. THE FUTURE OF HELIUM-3 AND HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE Desert Mountain Energy's exploration of white hydrogen (naturally occurring H2) targets a 42-mile-long swath near Roswell where hydrogen and natural gas co-exist. The company's research points toward localized fuel-cell generation and ammonia production (NH3) for agriculture-reducing transport losses and building energy sovereignty in New Mexico. INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS & THE UK CROWN AGREEMENT Without naming names, Rolfing confirms a license to drill requiring additional government approvals with one of the UK's largest land and mineral owners in Devon, a relationship earned through environmental credibility and engineering discipline. It extends DME's reputation from the American Southwest to European energy horizon. TAKEAWAYS Helium & Hydrogen Synergy - Critical to AI cooling, quantum computing, and space tech. Environmental Leadership - Food-grade drilling fluids and full aquifer protection set new standards. Economic Efficiency - Modular plants cut power use from 4 MW to 320 kW. Community - Hiring and rehabilitation philosophy that values human capital alongside natural resources. New Mexico as Energy Nexus - Linking critical minerals, AI, and national security research corridors. To Watch the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/I7566N0N About Desert Mountain Energy Corp. Desert Mountain Energy Corp. (CVE:DME) (OTCMKTS:DMEHF) is a publicly traded resource company primarily focused on the exploration, development and production of helium, hydrogen and natural gas. The Company is focused on helium extraction from different raw gas sources in an environmental and economic manner supplying elements deemed critical to the renewable energy and high technology industries. About The Ellis Martin Report The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) and Money Talk Radio feature interviews with industry leaders in mining, biotech, energy, and technology. The program is globally syndicated through multiple financial platforms and streaming services. Related Companies loading......... Adelaide, Oct 15, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Ellis Martin Report today features an exclusive interview with Craig Lindsay, CEO of U.S. Operations for Resolution Minerals Ltd ( ASX:RML ) ( RLMLF:OTCMKTS ) ( NC3:FRA ), following the company's invitation from Australian Ambassador Dr Kevin Rudd AC to brief him on the Horse Heaven Gold-Antimony-Tungsten Project in Idaho, USA. The briefing precedes the October 20 meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington D.C., where critical minerals and supply-chain security will be key discussion points. Mr Lindsay explains the importance of domestic antimony supply for U.S. defense industries, Resolution's plans for modular processing facilities to accelerate production, and the role of Australian expertise in developing ethical critical-mineral partnerships with America. To Listen to the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/U1LQQ7B7 About Resolution Minerals Ltd Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX:RML) (OTCMKTS:RLMLF) (FRA:NC3) is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious and battery metals - such as antimony, gold, copper, and uranium. Resolution Minerals Ltd Listed on the ASX in 2017 and has a broad portfolio of assets, such as the Drake East Antimony-Gold Project in north-eastern NSW and George Project prospective for silica sand and uranium. About The Ellis Martin Report The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) and Money Talk Radio feature interviews with industry leaders in mining, biotech, energy, and technology. The program is globally syndicated through multiple financial platforms and streaming services. Related Companies Dakota Rose, 8, center, performs in Benjamin Shendos hoop dancing group at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday. Under cloudy gray skies, people gathered near Albuquerques Old Town Monday in rainbow-colored ribbon skirts, beaded medallions and moccasins to celebrate New Mexicos seventh annual Indigenous Peoples Day. The state Legislature formally changed Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day in 2019, putting New Mexico among three other states to shed a holiday that many Native American advocates said was disrespectful. This years celebration comes amid tension between the White Houses vocal opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion and states that continue to honor these initiatives. The current presidential administration is actively trying to re-glorify Columbus, a man who wasnt just lost, but whose legacy is soaked in genocide, violence and the beginning of centuries of erasures, said state Rep. Andrea Romero, DSanta Fe, the co-sponsor of the holiday change. I mean, come on, we know this Columbus did not discover anything. You cant discover a place where people have lived for tens of thousands of years. In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directed the Smithsonian and the Department of the Interior to remove exhibits and signage that depicted American history in a negative light, including material about slavery and colonization of Native Americans. Here in New Mexico, tensions arent as high as on the national stage. Its unfortunate that efforts to change the messaging around these observances have caused controversy, when in truth, both deserve recognition, said Republican Party of New Mexico chairwoman Amy Barela. We can acknowledge Columbus Day as a part of our shared history while also celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day as a tribute to the first peoples of this land and all they continue to bring to our society. Mother Shanelle Yazzie, left, fixes her son Quil Thoennes hair after his hoop dancing performance at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on Monday. Jessica Baca While New Mexico was not the first state to move away from Columbus Day, which had been celebrated since 1937, it was part of the first wave of states and territories to do so. Today, 17 states and the District of Columbia celebrate Native American heritage on the second Monday of October. The change has special importance in New Mexico, a state that is home to 23 different Indigenous groups including 19 pueblos, three Apache tribes and the Navajo Nation. Albuquerque, in particular, has multiple tracts of pueblo-owned land both inside and surrounding the city. Ad Albuquerque is the hub of Indian country, said Darius Lee Smith, of the Navajo Nation. On Monday, people celebrated at Tiguex Park in Old Town, undeterred by overcast weather. Attendees gathered around booths of beaded jewelry, listened to drum circles and watched children learn how to hoop dance. Smith, one of the event organizers, said the days celebration isnt just about healing old wounds, but bringing together different tribal communities and exercising civil rights that were hard-won. Its important to exercise your civil right to come out and celebrate, Smith said as music from a Native American rock band played behind him. Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, who introduced the bill to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, speaks at a ceremony at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on Monday. Jessica Baca Mondays celebration was the vision of state Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, who spearheaded the initiative in 2019. At a ceremony at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on Monday, Lente reflected on the bills passage after opening with a greeting in Tiwa. Today, this holiday reminds us, or should remind us, that our societal battles are waged, won and sometimes lost in courtrooms, in legislative hearing rooms no longer do we use our fists, stones, bows and arrows, Lente said. Lente also sees the celebration as the beginning of a path to reconciliation and a duty to future generations. We come from a resilient culture that is thriving as we heal, Lente said. And as we heal, we continue to do so with pride, knowing that we are the blessings that our ancestors prayed for, and someday we will be the ancestors our future is relying on. Between October 2011 and December 2015, BlueCrest failed to manage fairly a conflict of interest created by its role in managing both an investment fund exclusively for the benefit of its partners and employees and a flagship fund available to external investors. BlueCrests management approved UK-based traders being moved from the external fund to work on the internal fund, in which they were personally invested and where they stood to benefit personally from those decisions. Disclosures to investors were insufficient and, at times, misleading. Investors were not told that a significant number of traders were moved to work on the internal fund. This affected investors ability to make informed decisions. The firms failure to manage fairly the conflict led to a sub-standard service for the external fund and its investors. Asset managers are trusted to make decisions for their clients. It is vital they have appropriate systems and controls in place to ensure conflicts of interest are managed fairly. Therese Chambers, Joint Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight, said: This redress scheme brings a positive end to a long-running case. BlueCrest put its own interest ahead of the external fund and provided a substandard service, which meant that investors lost out. After many years of legal challenge, the FCA has now successfully secured a substantial USD 101 million for affected investors. The redress scheme will be overseen by BlueCrest. Affected investors will be contacted on next steps by BlueCrest or a scheme administrator if it chooses to appoint one. Final Notice 2025: BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP. Redress Scheme Rules. The redress requirement imposed by the FCA seeks to redress non-US investors that were not eligible to be compensated by the SECs Fair Fund. On 22 December 2021, the FCA published a decision notice against BlueCrest for conflicts of interest failings, which BlueCrest referred to the Upper Tribunal on 22 November 2021. That Decision Notice has now been superseded by the Final Notice above. On 21 June 2023, the Upper Tribunal granted BlueCrests application to strike out the FCAs case on redress. The Upper Tribunal also refused permission for the FCA to introduce certain new allegations and issues in response to arguments raised by BlueCrest. On 20 July 2023, the Upper Tribunal granted permission for the FCA and BlueCrest to appeal its decision. On 2 October 2024 the FCA won its case in the Court of Appeal, which upheld the FCAs power to require redress from firms and allowed the FCA to amend its case at the Upper Tribunal. On 15 January 2025, the UK Supreme Court granted BlueCrest permission to appeal the Court of Appeals decision. BlueCrests appeal was due to be heard by the UK Supreme Court on 12 and 13 November 2025. That appeal has been withdrawn. On 8 December 2020, the SEC announced that BlueCrest Capital Management Limited, without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, had agreed to settle charges arising from inadequate disclosures, material misstatements, and misleading omissions concerning its transfer of traders between two of its funds. BlueCrest Capital Management Limited agreed to pay disgorgement, prejudgement interest and a penalty, which was to be returned to US investors (plus any interest or earnings, less certain administrative costs). On 18 February 2022, the SEC issued its approved plan of distribution for the purpose of establishing a Fair Fund comprising the disgorgement, prejudgement interest and penalty which BlueCrest Capital Management Limited had agreed to pay to compensate US investors for management fees paid in connection with investments in BlueCrest Capital International Master Fund Limiteds two unregistered feeder funds, BlueCrest Capital International Limited and BlueCrest Capital L.P., between 1 October 2011 and 31 December 2015. The FCA would like to thank the SEC for their assistance in this matter. The redress scheme covers UK and other non-US Investors, meaning any person, or their lawful successor, who held shares, units and/or an interest in the external fund during the relevant period 1 October 2011 to 31 December 2015, excluding any person who was covered by the SECs redress scheme and other investors such as certain BlueCrest Executives. The FCAs Principles for Businesses. Enquiries Press: Frederick.Stevens@fca.org.uk / 020 7066 0787 A woman has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly causing a deadly crash earlier this year in north Alabama while under the influence. According to the Huntsville Police Department, Chaqulia Hodo, 42, is charged with one count of murder and three counts of first-degree assault while driving under the influence. The department said Hodo was arrested after receiving tips from Huntsville Area Crime Stoppers about her location. The deadly crash occurred on Feb. 23 after a head-on collision between Hodos vehicle and another car in Huntsville, police said. Labronte Smith, 27, died from the wreck and two adults and three children were also left seriously injured also. The department said a Madison County Grand Jury chose to indict Hodo which led to warrants being issued for her arrest. Teacher concerns have varied throughout the years, but are typically topped by benefits and student discipline. Jake May Years after the COVID-19 pandemic altered school conditions, an area system continues to experience high faculty and staff resignations. Huntsville City Schools reported 350 resignations during the 2024 calendar year. Thats just 10 less than the school system reported in 2022, when it experienced the highest number of resignations in recent history. As one of the largest school systems in Alabama, Huntsville City Schools naturally sees a certain amount of annual turnover, which is typical for any large organization, HCS said in a statement to AL.com. The number of staff who transition each year is proportional to our overall size with several thousand employees. We are proud to provide professional development opportunities for our educators along with mentors for new teachers. Additionally, we are proud to partner with local organizations to support National Board Certification for teachers who wish to further their training. Forbes recently ranked HCS among the 10 best companies to work for in Alabama. Two high schools saw the largest number of overall staff and faculty members resign. Columbia High School and Mae Jemison High School both had 17 people resign in 2024. Two high schools also topped the list for the most teachers to resign - 10 from Mae Jemison High School and 9 from Grisson High School. Certified teachers made up half of the resignations. Addressing teacher concerns Lists of teacher concerns have varied throughout the years, but are typically topped by benefits and student discipline. In the last few years, the state of Alabama has made improvements on both these fronts. This legislative session, parental leave was increased to eight weeks for female employees and two weeks for male employees. Teachers wages increased by a minimum of 4% in 2022, 2% in 2023 and 2% in 2024. There were no wage increases in 2025. However, all school employees are paid monthly. This is a problem for Child Nutrition Program workers, a job with a traditionally low retention rate. Thirty CNP workers resigned in 2024, close to the highest number of all positions in the system. Huntsville City School Board member Andrea Alvarez said its difficult to move CNP workers to a different pay schedule. We all pay teachers the last workable day of the month, which meant our CNP workers and everybody else got paid then, Alvarez said. That was their number one complaint. And they will give up retirement. They will give up pensions. They will give up everything to just get paid bi-weekly. Huntsville City Schools Board has asked our CFO to look into the ability to pay biweekly. It is evidently incredibly difficult. Teacher aide retirements Resignations by CNP workers come second only to teachers aides, or instructional assistants. Thirty-nine resigned in 2024. In 2024, the state legislation passed the Teachers Bill of Rights, which requires schools to take action when a student disrupts the classroom. The Alabama Education Association advocated for the policy after educators complained of being physically and verbally abused at schools. Alvarez said an administrator will take the child out of class and write a report on the student, allowing the teacher to focus on the lesson, rather than the disruption. Its very disruptive to a student, to a teacher, to stop her lesson, Alvarez said. Sometimes it takes a minute for the student to get regulated again. All that needs to happen with an administrator. It needs to be that the teacher teaches a lesson, she does her part of the behavioral plan, but then an administrator needs to take over. Alvarez said it is not utilized often enough. I dont think we have to use it as much as our legislation probably thought, but I think it was at least a wake-up call to administrators that you cant just not go and assist your teachers, Alvarez said. It also forces us to keep our administration in the building, which is a blessing, because they need to stay in the building and not be at district level meetings and outside the building; we need them in the building. Third-grade teacher another tough spot Another position that requires a lot of paperwork is a third-grade teacher. That specific grade had the highest number of resignations of all the teachers. Fourteen chose to leave in 2024. e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}(); Alvarez said this is the year when theres a lot of documentation because of the Numeracy Act and Literacy Act. Third graders are tested on math and reading comprehension skills and must reach a certain score to move to the fourth grade. That means teachers must facilitate the testing and then provide adequate documentation if students fall behind. Theyll (teachers) do it for a couple of years and then say, Can you move me to another grade for a little bit? Let me breathe again, because its almost a full-time job depending on the kids, Alvarez explained. If you get 10 kids that are behind, thats 10 times the paperwork. You get one kid whos behind, thats not as bad. She also said special education teachers, or collaborative teachers, leave at a high rate because of workload demands. Fourteen collaborative secondary and elementary teachers resigned in 2024. First three years The school culture plays a role in whether an educator will stay or leave Huntsville City Schools, experts said. Teachers are required to stay at one school for three years to have tenure. In the first three years, the majority of teachers quit, mainly because its not what they thought it was, mainly because they go to college and they learn perfect world situations, and then they get out into the real world, and its very not perfect, and classroom management is sometimes a skill and not something that people inherently know, Alvarez said. And then sometimes they think that first school is the whole thing, thats the whole gamut. Thats what it was. And they learn, if you stick with it, you might find a school that is even better. She goes on to say that sometimes teachers leave because the career is not financially viable. She looks to the city to offer solutions to decrease the cost of living in Huntsville. So how do you survive, especially when you dont get a paycheck for your first month? So we are considering partnering with the city housing, Alvarez said. There are a lot of things up in the air about what we should do, what we could do. How do we supplement that? Now, unfortunately, theres so much disconnect with what we envisioned our budgets to look like, there are so many unknowns at this point with this administration. Hannah Denham contributed to the reporting with data visualizations. The director of the Trussville Library has died unexpectedly. Jason Baker died Saturday, city officials said. City leaders and employees are in mourning after learning of the unexpected death of their colleague at age 52. Jason was a fantastic library director and developed a great staff, and were all really still in shock and devastated by our loss of him, Mayor Buddy Choat told AL.com. He had done a remarkable job at our library and obviously our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time. Baker led the library for about five years. He previously served as assistant library director and worked for the city about 16 years. Earlier in his career, he worked at UAB as an associate professor and reference librarian. Baker earned his undergraduate degree at Auburn University and a masters degree in library studies from the University of Alabama. The city announced Bakers death on social media through the librarys Facebook page. Jason was not only an incredible leader at the library, but our friend and mentor, the post read. Our love is with his family and all those close to him during this difficult time. As we navigate our grief, we appreciate all of the support weve already received from our community. The city will share more information as funeral details are finalized. Posters took to social media to remember Baker. Comments included posts from his colleagues at other libraries around the state. Jason = Outstanding Librarian and an Outstanding Human. You are all in our thoughts and prayers from your friends at the Gadsden Public Library, one read. The Alabama Library Association also honored Baker on its Facebook page. Jason was a steadfast defender of the right to read and a mentor to colleagues across the state, the group posted. His legacy will live on in the readers he inspired, the staff he supported, and the community he so deeply loved. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and the entire Trussville Public Library team during this difficult time. A meeting on the proposed wastewater treatment plant is Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the Buckhorn High School Cafeteria. Megan Plotka A Madison County neighborhood is fighting to prevent a wastewater plant from being built in their community. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management will hold a meeting on the proposal Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Buckhorn High School Cafeteria. The Berry Hill residents in New Market have been meeting weekly since they found out in July an Integra Water sewage plant could be located in their neighborhood. Benjamin and Melissa Stafford have lived in the neighborhood for four years and they say they have a whip-smart and tight-knit community. They want to help keep it safe and clean, so they started the Keep the Flint River Clean community initiative. They say theyre worried that the facility will decrease their overall quality of life and property values. I feel concerned that this is only the beginning of this areas irresponsible development, Benjamin Stafford said. I think that the community engagement by our elected officials is insufficient, and I think that the requirement for any type of private development that impacts the greater community is inadequately represented. First, they are concerned that there will be a strong stench from the sewage facility, the river where they actively kayak, and fish will have pollutants and much more. This facility will only serve new subdivisions. The current residents are on a septic tank system. Neighbors worry leaders are prioritizing fast growth rather than serving the people who live there. A police officer involved in a high-speed chase that ended with the death of a Hartselle teenager will soon be back on the job. The Priceville City Council reversed the firing of Garry Chapman during an appeal hearing on Monday. According to WHNT, Chapman will be able to return to the job after a 10-day unpaid suspension. Once he returns, he will be placed on work probation and must complete retraining with a supervisor. Fox 54 reported the Priceville council met in executive session for three hours before reinstating Chapman. Chapman, son of Duane Chapman, better known as reality TV star Dog the Bounty Hunter, was fired in connection to a chase of an alleged drunk driver on Sept. 6. The chase ended in the nearby city of Hartselle when the suspect, Archie Hale, hit another vehicle, killing high schooler Tristan Hollis, 17, and injuring three others. READ MORE: Fired police officer made a scapegoat after tragic Alabama teens death, attorney claims Chapman was placed on administrative leave the following day and fired on Sept. 22. Before his firing, Priceville Police Department Chief Jerry Holmes determined Chapman violated the departments policy when he chased Hale into downtown Hartselle while reaching speeds of over 100 miles per hour, endangering people in the area, according to WHNT. Chapmans attorney Scott Moro said his client was a scapegoat and maintained he had followed department policy. READ MORE: Police officer, son of reality TV star, sued in Alabama beating death a week before fatal chase The hearing included statements from the public about Chapmans dismissal. Mike Silver, who said he was close to Hollis and the other victims, spoke against Chapmans firing being reversed. I dont think Mr. Chapman considered the potential loss of life that didnt just possibly occur, it did occur, Silver said. Chapmans father also spoke to the council. I would like to also commend this committee for giving my son a second chance, Duane Chapman said. Im known as a second-chance guy. And I appreciate every time, if any of you want me to stick up for you, the next session you want to be voted in, I will be here for free. Hale is currently being held without bond in the Morgan County jail on reckless murder charges. AL.coms Kayode Crown contributed to this report. Airbus officially opened its third Final Assembly Line in Mobile on Monday, cementing the Alabama citys status as the worlds fourth largest aircraft manufacturing hub behind Seattle, Toulouse, and Hamburg. The new facility will produce A320-series aircraft, a single-aisle jetliner that earlier this month surpassed the Boeing 737 as the best-selling commercial airplane in history. The expansion doubles Mobiles potential A320 output to 16 planes per month and brings total production capacity at the campus to about 20 aircraft per month, including four A220-series jets. The growth to this final assembly line has been made in record time, said Robin Hayes, chairman and CEO of Airbus in North America. That is incredible. The project was supported by more than $51 million in state and local tax incentives. Workers are currently assembling an A320 aircraft scheduled for delivery to United Airlines early next year. Supply chain Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, said the Mobile site plays a key role in the companys global production strategy. Airbus is expanding in both Mobile and Tianjin, China, aiming to build 75 aircraft per month to help clear a backlog of about 7,100 pending orders for A320-family jets. Its a big contribution to the overall production of Airbus, Scherer said. Despite lingering supply chain issues, which Scherer called noise of disturbance from the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is targeting 820 airplane deliveries in 2025. In September, Airbus delivered 73 planes to 41 customers, the companys strongest monthly output this year. Scherer said that 98 percent of our suppliers are working at the rhythm we are asking them. However, he acknowledged there are still some hiccups. There is, by some definitions, a weak link in the chain. But its a whole lot better than it was a year ago, or two years ago. Jobs, investments Airbus employees in Mobile, Ala., gather for photos during an event to inaugurate the European-based company's opening of a new final assembly line for its popular A320-series of aircraft at its sprawling Alabama facility. John Sharp The expansion is also driving job growth in Mobile. Daryl Taylor, senior vice president of Commercial Aircraft Operations for Airbus in the U.S., said the new assembly line adds 1,000 jobs, bringing total employment at the site to more than 2,000. Airbus expects to employ up to 3,100 workers in Mobile by the end of its current ramp-up phase, with an additional 300 to 400 jobs anticipated once the new line reaches full capacity. The opening of the new assembly plant comes one month after the company celebrated its 10th anniversary in Mobile, and about 14 months after it manufactured the 500th Alabama-made airplane from Mobile. The Airbus relationship to Alabama has come with generous economic and tax incentives from both the state and local governments. The latest assembly plant includes the following: $17.2 million in an estimate jobs credit, and an $18 million investment credit -- both over the course of 10 years and offered through the Alabama Department of Commerce. $8.3 million in non-educational sales and use tax abatement, $7.4 million in a non-educational property tax abatement over 10 years, and $232,720 in tax abatements for equipment used on portions of the project. Scherer declined to say how much the new final assembly line costs, other than to say. it stings and is a big number compared to the $600 million investment the company spent to build the first A320 assembly plant over a decade ago. Its a very meaningful number in this capital-intensive industry of ours, he said. Partnerships The presence in Alabama is described by Airbus officials as partnership, that goes beyond buildings and manufacturing plants. Republican U.S. Senator Katie Britt credited the Mobile-based workforce that continues to grow, while fellow Senator Tommy Tuberville praised the companys focus on hiring veterans. He said that close to 30 percent of the Airbus workforce in Mobile has a military background. U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, said the presence of Airbus also helped erase decades of struggle that the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley had come to represent since the complexs workforce dwindled during the 1960s. Brookleys apex was during World War II when more than 16,000 civilians were employed at the military base. When Airbus made a decision to come (to Mobile), the outlook in this city and this region and state changed, Figures said, thanking the company for deciding to make its initial $600 million investment in opening a manufacturing plant a decade ago. He called it restoring a sense of twinkle in downtown Mobiles eye. Community pride The expansion also brought about a bit of city pride and thumbing at past critics who claimed that Mobile did not have the capacity to build airplanes. Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who is retiring on November 3, acknowledged the past criticism from Washington Democratic U.S. Senator Patty Murray without naming her. Murray made the comments in 2009, at a time that Boeing and Airbus were in competition for a military tanker refueling contract. Ever since I heard her say that, Stimpson said, I knew she was underestimating us. Stimpson also echoed past comments from Airbus chief executive Tom Enders, who had previously said the sky is not the limit for what the company could do in Mobile. However, for the time being, there appears to be no major large growth projects on the Airbus horizon within the Brookley complex. This field has growth capacity, said Scherer about the property surrounding the Airbus plant that is about six miles south of downtown Mobile. We have to be patient. The good news is our industry remains a growth industry air transportation is bound to grow. We are cultivating a very fertile ground here in Mobile. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is distributing bait packets containing an oral rabies vaccine across 14 central and north Alabama counites to try to reduce rabies in raccoons and the related public health risks. The Alabama Department of Public Health announced that the USDA Wildlife Services is using low-flying planes and helicopters to drop coated sachet baits with the RABORAL V-RG vaccine over a zone of about 14,000 square kilometers. The area includes parts of Autauga, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Coosa, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall, St. Clair, Shelby, and Talladega counties. More than 30,000 of the oral rabies vaccine baits are being distributed from ground vehicles in the Birmingham metro area through Thursday. The bait packets used in the urban and suburban areas are square blocks made of fishmeal and fish oil that attract raccoons. When raccoons bite into the packets, their gums are exposed to the vaccine. The baits aerially distributed over most of the zone are plastic packets of vaccine coated with an oily, fish-scented substance to attract raccoons and other animals that carry rabies. Read more: Horse tests positive for rabies: Alabama health officials advise caution The oral vaccine packets pose no risk of rabies to humans or animals if exposed. People who see one of the packets are advised to leave it for wildlife. If they do handle a packet, they are advised to wear gloves, place it in an area where a raccoon may find it, or dispose of it in the trash. Occasionally, skin reactions occur in humans. It is best to avoid direct contact with the skin, eyes or mucous membranes with the vaccine. If exposure occurs accidentally, then it is recommended that the person wash hands with warm water and soap. Should more serious reactions occur, there is a telephone number on the vaccine packet to call the office of State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee W. Jones for more information. I understand the concern from citizens and owners when an ORV packet is found in an unintended place or when there is an unintended exposure, but I am hopeful that people keep the big picture in mind, and that is actually reducing the risk of rabies exposures in Alabama by vaccinating raccoons, Jones said in a news release. The vaccine packets have been proven to be very safe by historical data collected from incidental exposures. I believe the ORV program benefits public health, animal welfare and wildlife. For more information, call the USDA at 1-866-487-3297. For more information about rabies exposures or animal or human exposures to the oral rabies vaccines, please call the Alabama Department of Public Health at 1-800-338-8374. More information is available here. A century-old, leaking dam that provides drinking water to several Birmingham area suburbs, which has been due for repairs for years, has just $1 million in liability insurance for emergencies and damage to surrounding areas. Lake Purdy Dam, which has been rated as high hazard because of the potential damage a collapse could cause to the homes sitting nearby, was the subject of a budget work session this week at the water utility responsible for maintaining it. Members of the Central Alabama Water board learned of the unusually low amount of insurance coverage for the dam Monday. Right now, the board is only protected for $1 million in liability for Lake Purdy Dam. You can imagine, should that happen to fail, then it could be catastrophic, said Phillip Moultrie, vice president for client services for Valent Group, the utilitys insurance consultant. One million would be pocket change. Even $20 million would be pocket change. Its hard to fathom what kind of liability the board may face should that dam happen to fail. Both Moultrie and General Manager Mac Underwood noted that the water utility does have full coverage for the dam itself, which would pay for its replacement. But liability insurance for damage caused by a breach of the dam remains just $1 million. Lake Purdy is the major drinking water supply source for suburban Birmingham communities including Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills. The average home price in just one of the neighborhoods sitting in the flood path of the dam is more than $500,000 according to various home sites. The dam, which is in Shelby County, was classified as a high hazard by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers due to the catastrophic impact that a breach would have on nearby communities. Moultrie said he would continue to seek additional coverage options for the dam, but it wont be easy. Moultrie said construction at the site makes it unattractive to insurance companies. In the past, no markets could be found because while its under construction, no one has an interest in covering that dam. So Im looking still, as I have in past years, to find markets that would entertain, he said. It would be at significant additional cost. Moultrie said viable options are limited. Insurance companies are not standing in line to insure dams, he said. I wouldnt want to ensure it if I were an insurance company until it was complete. But Im not an insurance company. My job is to search worldwide for the best terms I can find, and so far that is a project thats underway. Water works officials for years have discussed the need for repairs at the dam. In 1980, the dam leaked about 1.5 million gallons per day, according to old Birmingham Water Works Board meeting minutes. The leak rapidly accelerated between 2018 and 2019, reaching about 7.6 million gallons a day, water works records state. At the time, engineers estimated it would cost between $75 million and $100 million to rebuild the dam. The former Birmingham Water Works Board in Sept. 2024 approved a $85 million plan to overhaul the dam after years of leaking millions of gallons of water each day. However, members of the current water utility, now known as Central Alabama Water, in July paused and then cut the scope of the project down to $28 million. A majority of new board members said they were concerned about the cost and financing of the massive improvement project. Members also pushed back against current engineer assessments of the total design and need for all improvements included in the project. The Lake Purdy Dam was also set to be discussed Tuesday at a special water utility board meeting that was cancelled. According to the agenda, the board was set to hire two new engineers to examine the dam. FILE - Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones speaks to the media after arriving at the federal courthouse for a hearing in front of a bankruptcy judge, June 14, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) AP Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones badmouthed several Department of Justice officials, claiming the agency is contributing to the demise of his company amid several lawsuits. Jones, the owner of alt-right website Infowars who appeared on Tucker Carlsons podcast on Monday, unleashed his fiercest criticism toward Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who was Trumps personal attorney before his DOJ appointment. Jones called Blanche a snake. Todd Blanche has been protecting the FBI and DOJ under orders from Obama then Biden to get me off the air, and we have all the documents where they funded illegally, we have all the proof, we sued them, we deposed them ..., Jones told Carlson. Todd Blanche has been a dyed-in-the-wool top Democrat, he lost all the cases for Trump criminally. And from what Ive heard, [Attorney General Pam] Bondis not bad, shes just lazy. [Deputy FBI Director Dan] Bonginos emotional and a big baby. [FBI Director] Patel is compromised. And its just so sad. He should have [Texas Attorney General] Ken Paxton in there. Bongino, Jones said, should stop worrying about his PR and how he looks and worry more about the future of the country here instead of being a hothead. Patel and Bondi, these are just TV heads, Jones continued. These are people who are here to be celebrities, in my view. A day after Jones podcast appearance, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal and left in place the $1.4 billion judgment against him over his description of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting as a hoax staged by crisis actors, the Associated Press reported. The Infowars host had argued that a judge was wrong to find him liable for defamation and infliction of emotional distress without holding a trial on the merits of allegations lodged by relatives of victims of the shooting, which killed 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut. The justices did not comment on their order, which they issued without even asking the families of the Sandy Hook victims to respond to Jones appeal. An FBI agent who responded to the shooting also sued. While Jones said the DOJs stance amounted to a betrayal, he did not blame President Donald Trump. If you think Todd Blanche if you think that snake is the answer for you, then you bet everything on that. But as for me, I just know the truth its up to you to make the right move here," he told Carlson. Trump doesnt understand if he cant support his supporters, I dont know what he could do. Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022, and his lawyers told the justices that the plaintiffs have no possible hope of collecting the entire judgment. He is separately appealing a $49 million judgment in a similar defamation lawsuit in Texas after he failed to turn over documents sought by the parents of another Sandy Hook victim. In the Connecticut case, the judge issued a rare default ruling against Jones and his company in late 2021 because of what she called Jones repeated failure to abide by court rulings and to turn over certain evidence to the Sandy Hook families. The judge convened a jury to determine how much Jones would owe. The following year, the jury agreed on a $964 million verdict and the judge later tacked on another $473 million in punitive damages against Jones and Free Speech Systems, Infowars parent company, which is based in Austin, Texas. In November, the satirical news outlet The Onion was named the winning bidder in an auction to liquidate Infowars assets to help pay the defamation judgments. But the bankruptcy judge threw out the auction results, citing problems with the process and The Onions bid. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Alex Jones speaks to the media after arriving at the federal courthouse for a hearing in front of a bankruptcy judge Friday, June 14, 2024, in Houston. David J. Phillip | The Associated Press The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and left in place the $1.4 billion judgment against him over his description of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting as a hoax staged by crisis actors. The Infowars host had argued that a judge was wrong to find him liable for defamation and infliction of emotional distress without holding a trial on the merits of allegations lodged by relatives of victims of the shooting, which killed 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut. The justices did not comment on their order, which they issued without even asking the families of the Sandy Hook victims to respond to Jones appeal. An FBI agent who responded to the shooting also sued. Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022, and his lawyers told the justices that the plaintiffs have no possible hope of collecting the entire judgment. He is separately appealing a $49 million judgment in a similar defamation lawsuit in Texas after he failed to turn over documents sought by the parents of another Sandy Hook victim. In the Connecticut case, the judge issued a rare default ruling against Jones and his company in late 2021 because of what she called Jones repeated failure to abide by court rulings and to turn over certain evidence to the Sandy Hook families. The judge convened a jury to determine how much Jones would owe. The following year, the jury agreed on a $964 million verdict and the judge later tacked on another $473 million in punitive damages against Jones and Free Speech Systems, Infowars parent company, which is based in Austin, Texas. In November, the satirical news outlet The Onion was named the winning bidder in an auction to liquidate Infowars assets to help pay the defamation judgments. But the bankruptcy judge threw out the auction results, citing problems with the process and The Onions bid. The attempt to sell off Infowars assets has moved to a Texas state court in Austin. Jones is now appealing a recent order from the court that appointed a receiver to liquidate the assets. Some of Jones personal property is also being sold off as part of the bankruptcy case. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Argentina's President Javier Milei in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP President Donald Trump said his body is not beach ready while claiming he would not be an embarrassment like his predecessor. Trump was asked by a reporter Tuesday if he would visit Argentina while hosting Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House, where the president announced a $20 billion assistance package for Argentina. Im just a little busy. Id love to go to Argentina. Id like to be like Biden. Id like to go to the beach, Trump said. He then compared his beach body to Bidens while saying beachgoers may not appreciate his physique. My legs are not quite as thin as his. My legs are slightly heavier, my arms are slightly larger. My body is a little bit larger than his. Im not sure it would be appreciated on the beach, but Im not gonna take a chance, Trump said. The president said he would not be an embarrassment at the beach, however, referencing Bidens struggle with a beach chair during a Malibu vacation on the Fourth of July. You wont see me in a bathing suit sitting on a beach in Argentina, falling down. Not being able to lift a three-ounce chair meant for old people to lift. And he couldnt lift it, so he had a problem, Trump said. The president then accused his predecessor of taking too many vacation days. He spent too much time in a beach, Trump said. President Donald Trump complained about the "super bad picture" Time magazine used for its cover story on the Israel-Gaza deal. Time Magazine In a late-night rant, President Donald Trump torched Time magazine, claiming the outlet used an unflattering picture of him for its cover story lauding him on the peace deal between Israel and Hamas. The living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been freed under the first phase of Donald Trump's peace plan, alongside a Palestinian prisoner release. The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle pic.twitter.com/0bZDABIDGj TIME (@TIME) October 13, 2025 Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time. They disappeared my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird!, Trump posted to his Truth Social account at 1:36 a.m. Tuesday. The president suggested Time intentionally used a super bad picture of him. I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why? Trump continued. On Monday, Israelis celebrated the return of the last 20 living hostages in Gaza and Palestinians rejoiced at Israels release of some 2,000 prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefires first phase, the Associated Press reported. Under the ceasefire deal, Israeli forces pulled back to where they were in August, before launching their latest offensive on the Gaza City. The pullback leaves a number of hard-hit Palestinian neighborhoods under Israeli control, and Israel has warned residents not to try to return to homes there. The Associated Press contributed to this report. English News Chinese robots venture abroad to compete in global market Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 11 Octobre 2025 With cutting-edge innovation and a deeply localized approach, the company has firmly established itself in Japan. Looking ahead, it will continue developing products to meet the specific needs of Japan's logistics sector, working toward mutual growth and success. By Ji Juesu, Liu Junguo, People's Daily At midday in a bustling yakiniku restaurant in Hachinohe, Japan, grills sizzled with freshly cooked meat as a delivery robot deftly navigated between tightly packed tables, serving steaming plates to diners. "The robot delivers steadily, clean and safe," the restaurant's manager remarked with evident approval. The robot was developed by Keenon Robotics, a leading commercial service robotics company based in Shanghai. It has since become an indispensable member of the restaurant's staff. Faced with high labor costs and an aging population, an increasing number of hotels, restaurants, and other venues in Japan are turning to service robots to fill staffing shortages. Five years ago, Keenon Robotics ventured into overseas markets, confident that its advanced technology would ensure success. To its surprise, Japanese partners repeatedly reported: "It's hard to sell." What was the problem? To investigate, the company's team fanned out across Tokyo, speaking with locals and observing daily routines. They found that Japanese service culture moves at a gentler pace, and customers favor robots with a warm, approachable appearance, reflecting local aesthetic preferences. The most pressing issue was size. Robots popular in China proved too large for Japan's compact spaces, struggling with narrow aisles or tight corners. In response, Keenon engineered a Japan-specific model: compact, agile, equipped with a Japanese-language voice system, and an expressive animated display. The redesigned model navigates spaces as narrow as 49 centimeters while carrying multi-tier trays. Advanced cameras and sensors detect obstacles in crowded environments. The company has now established more than 200 technical support sites across Japan, ensuring that routine malfunctions receive a response within two hours and are repaired within 24 hours. In one case, when a restaurant chain reported sensor failure, technicians arrived in less than two hours with a replacement unit. The new robot synchronized with the cloud in minutes, inheriting its predecessor's operational "memories" without retraining. The faulty unit was returned for repair. "In Japan, hiring a single waiter is costly, but hiring a robot costs only about a third as much," said Li Tong, founder of Keenon Robotics. "And robots work year-round, with consistent efficiency." China's robot exports are expanding rapidly. Today, Keenon Robotics' products are used in major Japanese restaurant chains, as well as in libraries, hotels, and other public venues. To better serve the market, the company has set up local servers, stocked bonded warehouses and maintenance centers with spare parts, and optimized its software algorithms to match Japanese management practices. Beyond service robots, Chinese-made logistics robots are also winning favor in Japan. According to Yosuke Tsuyuguchi, a professor at the Department of Economics at Teikyo University in Tokyo, the industry's evolution - from competing on scale to competing on technology, quality, and brand - illustrates the transformation of Chinese manufacturing. At the Kansai Logix 2025 in Japan, Mushiny Robotics based in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, received high attention with its sorting systems and "goods-to-person" (GTP) solutions, showcased by Japanese companies such as Toshiba and Mitsubishi. The company's logistics robots and software already support multiple pharmaceutical warehouses in Japan's Kanto region, meeting the sector's growing automation needs. In another case, a newly designed workbin handling and picking robot designed for a major Japanese automaker stood out amid fierce competition and won the client's approval. Specializing in the research, development, and production of logistics robots and equipment, Mushiny Robotics exports more than 70 percent of its products to developed countries. "Our orders are already booked through September, and our first-half sales hit a record high, up nearly 30 percent year on year," said He Zijie, head of Mushiny Robotics' hardware technology center. "Our products are becoming a familiar presence in overseas logistics automation projects." With cutting-edge innovation and a deeply localized approach, the company has firmly established itself in Japan. Looking ahead, it will continue developing products to meet the specific needs of Japan's logistics sector, working toward mutual growth and success. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Chinese surgical robot enables cross-continental operation Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 11 Octobre 2025 The ongoing innovation in remote surgery, he added, is advancing surgical robots from "operational tools" to comprehensive "medical platforms," extending the benefits of advanced minimally invasive medicine to more patients in more places. By Dou Hao, People's Daily Decades ago, the notion of performing major surgery across continents seemed nearly impossible. Yet on July 19 in Strasbourg, France, during the Society of Robotic Surgery 2025 Annual Meeting, a Chinese-developed surgical robot turned this vision into reality. Professor Liang Xiao of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine, who was attending an academic conference abroad, sat in front of a control console, his hands precisely moving the control rods. More than 10,000 kilometers away in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, an 80-year-old patient laid on an operating table. Under the close supervision of an on-site surgical team, the robotic arms mirrored Professor Liang's every movement, performing a delicate liver resection with exceptional accuracy. The patient, surnamed Wu, had been hospitalized for a scheduled procedure. However, his conditions deteriorated when Professor Liang was joining the academic conference abroad, immediate surgery became necessary. To ensure timely treatment and with full trust in his attending physician, the patient agreed to undergo the operation using the hospital's most advanced cross-border remote robotic surgery technology. Supported by the Chinese domestically developed surgical robot, the entire procedure was completed in just 50 minutes. Professor Liang successfully performed a robot-assisted remote left hepatic lobectomy for liver cancer. The patient is currently in stable condition and recovering well. "Given Wu's complicated liver condition, the surgery was particularly challenging," Liang explained. Before the operation, the surgical team conducted a thorough assessment of his liver reserve function, meticulously mapped the resection area, and obtained informed consent for the remote procedure. They closely monitored the surgery in real time and stood ready to respond to any contingencies, ensuring absolute safety. Liver resection is inherently technically challenging. Performing it remotely over a distance of more than 10,000 kilometers required exceptional stability of the robot, flawless network transmission, and outstanding surgical skill and judgment from the lead surgeon. Throughout the surgery, the robot operated steadily, with clear real-time image transmission and uninterrupted voice interaction. Through seamless collaboration between Chinese and French experts, all surgical objectives were successfully accomplished. Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital leads in developing domestic surgical robots and routinely conducts cross-campus remote procedures. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), the hospital has established innovative remote healthcare partnerships with medical institutions in Aral, Xinjiang, and Jiangshan, Zhejiang. These include remote robotic surgeries, joint consultations, and AI-assisted ultrasound examinations, effectively connecting leading hospitals with grassroots medical institutions, and mitigating regional disparities in medical resources, particularly in border, mountainous, and island areas. Professor Liang's team previously achieved a milestone in 2023, performing China's first 5,000-km remote cholecystectomy using domestic robotics on a patient in Aral. Just days before his departure to France, he conducted another pioneering remote liver cancer surgery for a patient in the mountainous region of Jiangshan. "Remote robotic surgery imposes extremely high requirements on the speed and stability of long-distance data transmission. With its high speed, large bandwidth, and low latency, 5G technology has brought a transformative breakthrough to remote healthcare, especially robotic surgery," Liang said. The ongoing innovation in remote surgery, he added, is advancing surgical robots from "operational tools" to comprehensive "medical platforms," extending the benefits of advanced minimally invasive medicine to more patients in more places. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Exploring cultural integration at source of Tibetan civilization in Shannan Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 11 Octobre 2025 Although less internationally renowned than Lhasa, visitors often describe Shannan as a portal to an ancient era where cultural exchange permeates the landscape. Just like the millennia-old Yarlung River merging with the Yarlung Zangbo River and flowing seaward, this legacy of cultural fusion remains dynamically alive, continuously expanding beyond the mountains. By Zhao Juecheng, Fan Lingzhi, Global Times; Zhang Bolan, Xian Gan, People's Daily A 17-hour flight from Athens, Greece, to Lhasa in China's Xizang autonomous region- including a layover in Beijing - bridges five time zones. This journey from the Aegean Sea to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau spans a distance once unimaginable to ancient travelers. Yet at the Shannan Museum in southern Xizang, a single artifact illuminates the miraculous connections between Eastern and Western civilizations. This item, a gilded silver plate dating back to the 6th or 7th century adorned with the figure of Dionysus, the god of wine in ancient Greek mythology, whispers tales of early exchanges between Chinese and Greek civilizations. Shannan (meaning "south of the Gangdise Mountains") is recognized as Xizang's cultural heartland, home to many of the region's "firsts": the earliest monastery, the first Buddhist chapel, the earliest scriptures. Before Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo established the Tubo regime in Lhasa, generations of Tibetan rulers governed from the Yarlung River valley in Shannan, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Drawing on its profound history, Shannan established Xizang's first museum in 1995. Among its treasures, alongside the Dionysus plate, a Sasanian Empire (AD 224-651) silver coin draws particular interest. According to Drolma, head of the Shannan Museum, the Sasanian Empire, centered in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), sat at a critical juncture along the ancient Silk Road, connecting Asia and Europe. The discovery of silver coins in Shannan, she explains, underscores the region's long-standing - directly or indirectly - connections to Central Asia via what scholars today call the "Plateau Silk Road." These exhibits are replete with stories of cultural exchanges and integration, Drolma noted as she moved among the display cases, introducing each artifact with great enthusiasm. "Consider these Buddha statues. Their facial features, headwear, and garments show clear South Asian inspiration. These thangkas retain traces of Nepali craftsmanship. And this palm-leaf manuscript, inscribed in Sanskrit, was crafted from the leaves of the Talipot palm, a tree native to tropical and subtropical regions," she noted. "Tibetan culture, at its core, is a product of openness and integration," remarked Drolma. "It drew deeply from the cultures of central China and South Asia, weaving them into a unique identity all its own." Despite Tibet's challenging high-altitude environment, its people have maintained centuries-old connections with surrounding civilizations. By timing their travels to avoid harsh winters and snowstorms, and skillfully navigating terrain using their intimate knowledge of river routes, mountain passes, and pastures, they developed and sustained trade routes linking the plateau to distant cultures. "Tashi Delek, what would you like today?" "Namaste, I'd like to have a look at your wool blankets." At last year's Yarlung Commodity Fair, a resident of Shannan and a Nepali vendor spoke briefly. "Tashi Delek" (Tibetan for "good fortune") and "Namaste" (the Nepali/South Asian greeting) now resonate commonly in border regions through sustained interaction. Now in its 44th year, the Yarlung Commodity Fair stands as a cornerstone of Shannan's annual calendar - a major platform for commercial and cultural exchanges and a window into Xizang's unique traditions and way of life. As greetings are exchanged in Tibetan and Nepali, hands are shaken, deals are struck, and friendships are forged and deepened. Last year, transactions totaled around 700 million yuan ($97.71 million), reflecting the vibrancy of these interactions. Today, as the "cradle of Tibetan civilization," Shannan is expanding its trade with neighboring regions while drawing global enthusiasts of Tibetan culture - particularly during the annual Yarlung Cultural Tourism Festival each summer. At Mindroling Monastery in Chanang county, Shannan, Australian artist Henrietta Manning - who traveled from Hobart via three flights and a train journey - marveled at the region's architecture, history, religion, and way of life. Although less internationally renowned than Lhasa, visitors often describe Shannan as a portal to an ancient era where cultural exchange permeates the landscape. Just like the millennia-old Yarlung River merging with the Yarlung Zangbo River and flowing seaward, this legacy of cultural fusion remains dynamically alive, continuously expanding beyond the mountains. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Strengthening cooperation on poverty reduction for shared prosperity and development Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 11 Octobre 2025 "The SCO will continue to strengthen its platforms for joint poverty alleviation and sustainable development, working together to build a future for our peoples that is sustainable, fair, and secure," said SCO Deputy Secretary-General Janesh Kane. By Qiang Wei, People's Daily The year 2025 marks the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Year of Sustainable Development." Poverty reduction and development is a shared aspiration of SCO member states and remains a central priority for bilateral and multilateral cooperation under the SCO framework. In recent years, China has actively implemented the Global Development Initiative, aligning high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with regional mechanisms and the development strategies of SCO member states. By promoting agricultural technologies, cultivating new talent, and building exchange platforms, China has contributed its wisdom and strength to agriculture-driven poverty alleviation and economic growth in other SCO member states. This year, apple orchards in Kyrgyzstan enjoyed a bumper harvest, filling local farmers with optimism. The apples, renowned for their diverse varieties, bright colors, and juicy flavor, not only meet domestic demand but are also exported in significant volumes to Russia, Kazakhstan, and beyond. This success stems from sustained agricultural technology exchanges and cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan. While Kyrgyzstan's Chuy Region offers favorable conditions for apple cultivation, its cold winters demand frost-resistant varieties. Chinese experts have responded by breeding and selecting high-yield varieties suited to the local climate. Last year, 60,000 rootstocks were planted in a demonstration orchard, while Chinese experts traveled frequently between the two countries to share expertise in breeding and orchard management, helping local farmers raise yields and incomes. China has likewise deepened agricultural technology cooperation with other SCO countries to advance poverty reduction. In a demonstration farm in North Kazakhstan Region, Chinese experts have continued wheat introduction trials and promoted wide-row sowing techniques, boosting yields by 20 to 30 percent compared with local varieties. In Uzbekistan's Sirdaryo Region, a China-Uzbekistan agricultural demonstration park has introduced Chinese-developed solar-powered irrigation and smart water-fertilizer systems, reducing water consumption while sharply increasing cotton output. In Belarus, the China-Belarus Agricultural Science and Technology Demonstration Park has deployed co-developed drought-resistant seeders, planting high-quality, high-yield, and resilient wheat varieties bred in China. Capacity building has also been a priority. On July 17 this year, the first group of 292 Pakistani trainees completed a three-month training program in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi province, under the Prime Minister's Initiative for Capacity Building of 1,000 Agricultural Graduates in China, a government-to-government program launched last year. As a concrete outcome of the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries on strengthening agricultural cooperation, this project will bring 1,000 young Pakistani students in agricultural sciences to China in groups for training. China regularly hosts thematic workshops and invites SCO technical experts to exchange experiences in agricultural modernization and rural revitalization. By June this year, the SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training in Yangling had organized over 120 training programs, including agricultural aid and specialized sessions, training more than 2,400 agricultural officials and technicians from SCO and other developing countries. More than 300 officials have joined poverty reduction workshops, while over 42,000 participants have benefited from online courses. Last year, during a poverty reduction and development workshop for SCO countries in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province, a business matchmaking session enabled participants to showcase unique agricultural industries and resources. The event led to more than 20 cooperation agreements in areas such as agricultural trade and technology exchanges. Poverty eradication and rural revitalization remain fundamental SCO objectives. Since assuming the rotating presidency of the SCO, China has worked with all parties under the theme of the "SCO Year of Sustainable Development" to enhance policy dialogue, share its poverty reduction experience, expand practical cooperation, and help more countries explore development paths suited to their national conditions. In May 2023, China and Uzbekistan established a sub-committee on poverty reduction cooperation under their intergovernmental cooperation committee, the first sub-committee on poverty reduction that China established with other countries at the governmental level. In May 2025, the SCO Forum on Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development was held in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, providing another vivid example of China and other SCO member states joining hands to advance poverty reduction and common development. "The SCO will continue to strengthen its platforms for joint poverty alleviation and sustainable development, working together to build a future for our peoples that is sustainable, fair, and secure," said SCO Deputy Secretary-General Janesh Kane. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Yue Fei is among the most celebrated generals in Chinese history, remembered for his loyalty and patriotism. His life unfolded during one of the most turbulent eras of the Southern Song dynasty, when northern China had fallen to the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty, and the Chinese court struggled to defend what remained of its realm. Yue Fei was born in 1103 in Tangyin County, Henan Province, during the final decades of the Northern Song dynasty. His childhood coincided with a period of cultural flourishing but political decline. The Song court, though rich in art and learning, had grown militarily weak. The empires northern neighbours, the Jurchen tribes of Manchuria, were on the rise, and by the early twelfth century they had established the powerful Jin dynasty. Statue of Yue Fei at his mausoleum. Credit: Gary Todd In 1125, the Jin armies invaded the Song realm. Within two years they captured the capital, Kaifeng, and seized the emperor Huizong, his successor Qinzong, and much of the royal family. This catastropheknown as the Jingkang Incidentended the Northern Song dynasty and divided China. The surviving members of the royal family fled south, where the younger son of Emperor Huizong established a new court in Linan (modern Hangzhou), founding what would be known as the Southern Song dynasty. The fall of the north left millions displaced and humiliated. The new government, struggling to defend its legitimacy, faced a painful choice between resistance and accommodation. It was in this moment of despair and confusion that Yue Fei emerged as one of the few men determined to fight back. Yue Feis father was a farmer, from whom Yue received most of his primary education. He studied the Confucian classics, but also trained rigorously in martial arts, archery, and strategy. He was deeply influenced by the military writings of Sun Tzu and Wu Qi, emphasizing discipline, morale, and justice in warfare. When the northern frontier began collapsing under Jurchen assault, he enlisted in the Song army around 1122. From the beginning, Yue distinguished himself not just by bravery, but by a strict sense of moral conduct. Unlike many warlords who treated the chaos as an opportunity for personal gain, Yue Fei saw the war as a sacred duty to restore the nations honour. He had the words serve the country with the utmost loyalty tattooed across his back. According to legend, this tattooing was done by his mother to remind him of his duty. While this tale may be apocryphal, it captures the moral code that defined his life: loyalty to the nation above all else. A depiction of Yue Fei's mother tattooing his back at the mausoleum of Yue Fei. Credit: Ines Yeh By the 1130s, Yue Fei had become one of the Southern Songs most capable generals. During the decades-long struggle between the Song and the Jin, Yue Fei proved one of the few commanders capable of repeatedly defeating the invaders. His campaigns in central China, particularly in Hubei and Henan, recovered vast tracts of territory lost to the Jin. He achieved stunning victories at Yingshan, Zhu Xian Town, and Yancheng, and his forces even threatened to retake Kaifeng. His army, known as the Yue Family Army (Yuejia Jun), was admired for its discipline and morale. Yue forbade looting, demanded respect for civilians, and mercy to the defeated rank. The Yue Family Army had a famous slogan of "freezing to death without demolishing houses, starving to death without looting." Over the years, Yue Fei engaged in a series of campaigns that gradually pushed back Jin forces in Hubei, Henan, and Anhui provinces. Just as he was threatening to attack and retake Kaifeng, Emperor Gaozong decided to recall Yue Fei to the capital. Yue Feis success became a subject of concern for the Southern Song court, particularly Emperor Gaozong and his chief minister Qin Hui. The Emperor feared that if Yue Fei defeated the Jurchen, they might be pressured into releasing the captured Emperor Qinzong, threatening his claim to the throne. Following the advice of officials and Qin Hui in particular, Emperor Gaozong sent 12 orders in the form of 12 gold plaques to Yue Fei, recalling him back to the capital. Upon his return to the capital, Yue Fei was imprisoned on false charges of treason. Qin then subjected the general to two months of torture, but could not get Yue Fei to admit the charges pressed upon him. With no evidence against him, Qin Hui realised that he would eventually have to let him go. Qin Huis wife urged her husband to slip an execution notice inside the skin of an orange and send it to the examining judge. This way, the general and his companions would be put to death before the Emperor or Qin himself would have to rescind an open order of execution. When asked by General Han Shizhong what crime Yue had committed, Qin Hui is said to have justified Yues execution with the infamous phrase: "Though it isn't sure whether there is something that he did to betray the dynasty, maybe there is. Yue Fei was executed in 1142, at the age of thirty-nine, along with his son Yue Yun. Yue Feis death provoked outrage among soldiers and civilians alike. In the decades that followed, his name became a rallying point for those who lamented the Songs weakness and moral decay. In 1162, Emperor Xiaozong, Gaozongs successor, officially rehabilitated Yue Fei, restoring his titles and honours. His remains were moved to a proper tomb at Hangzhous West Lake, where a temple was built in his memory. Inside the temple, topless statues of Qin Hui and his wife, and two of Qin's subordinates, Moqi Xie and Zhang Jun were placed kneeling before Yue Feis tomb, symbolically condemned to eternal shame. For centuries, visitors expressed their hatred by spitting on, cursing, and even urinating upon these effigies. The original bronze figures were eventually damaged and replaced with iron ones, which met the same fate over time. Statues of Lady Wang and Qin Hui. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Statues of Moqi Xie () and Zhang Jun. Credit: Wikimedia Commons The tombs of Yue Fei and his son Yue Yun. Credit: Richard Yuan In modern times, however, these statues are protected as cultural relics and befouling them is discouraged. On the gate surrounding them hangs a couplet that reads: The green hill is fortunate to be the burial ground of a loyal general, the white iron was innocent to be cast into the statues of traitors. Over the centuries, Yue Feis life has been woven into countless plays, operas, poems, and novels. The Biography of Yue Fei (Yue Fei Zhuan), a Ming dynasty novel, elevated him to near-mythic stature, depicting him as a man of superhuman strength, while folk tales portray him as a warrior-saint, guided by divine purpose. Although modern historians doubt the veracity of many of the tales attributed to him, Yue Fei remains one of the most revered figures in Chinese cultural memory, yet also a tragic victim of political cynicism. More than eight centuries after his death, his life continues to raise questions about duty, loyalty, and moral courage. At times, however, Yue Feis status as a national hero has been re-evaluated. In 2002, new teaching guidelines reportedly advised history instructors to refrain from referring to him as a national hero. The rationale was that Yue Fei had fought against the Jurchen people, whose descendantsthe Manchuare now regarded as part of the broader Chinese nation. In the interest of promoting national unity, Yue Fei was seen as representing one ethnic subgroup rather than the entirety of China as defined today. Nevertheless, both the Chinese Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defence have denied this interpretation and continue to officially recognize Yue Fei as a national hero. Apple likes to keep its branding simple and we can appreciate that. However, sometimes this can lead to some confusion. For example, there are multiple iPad Air models, but Apple doesnt always explicitly state which year it was released. So, it doesnt come as a surprise that Apple is hoping to tone down the confusion starting with Apple TV, which has undergone a rebrand. Apple TV undergoes a rebrand For those unfamiliar, the Apple TV brand refers to several things. First, theres the actual physical device you connect to your TV. Then, theres the Apple TV app that houses content from other streaming platforms. Then, theres also Apple TV+, which is Apples streaming subscription service. However, Apple has decided to bring it all under one name as part of the Apple TV rebrand. Now, there is no more Apple TV+, just a simple Apple TV. Is this less confusing? We think its the opposite, since like we said, Apple TV refers to multiple products from the company. However, it is simpler. Plus, as 9to5Mac notes, most people refer to its as Apple TV anyway. Also, in the past, Apple TV used to be a hub for users to discover content from other apps and platforms. However, Apple has started to push its own content, so this exercise in rebranding makes sense. A sign of new hardware? So, whats the point of this consolidation? According to speculation, it is because Apple could be ready to refresh its Apple TV hardware. The latest rumors suggest that Apple could announce a bunch of new devices this week. The company wont be hosting a big event, so the announcement could come in the form of a press release on Apples website. Were not sure what changes a new Apple TV could bring to the table, but it is due for an update. The last time Apple updated it was in 2022, so it has been about 3 years. In addition to a new Apple TV, Apple is also rumored to launch new M5 devices this week. This includes a new MacBook Pro, a new iPad Pro, and a new Vision Pro. Its already Tuesday, so if the announcement is happening, it should be soon. Chatbots arent new. In fact, you could almost consider early chatbots to be a precursor to the AI we know today. However, as more companies are turning to AI to give their chatbots a much-needed brain boost, there are dangers involved in that as well. This is why California is the first state in the US to introduce new laws designed to regulate AI chatbots. California wants to regulate AI chatbots Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 243 (SB 243), making California the first state to implement comprehensive safety protocols for AI chatbots. The landmark legislation targets major chatbot operators including OpenAI and Meta. It now requires these companies to implement specific protections for minors using their platforms. Under the new law, chatbot companies must notify minors that theyre interacting with AI, not a human. The legislation also mandates regular breaks during conversations. This will address concerns about excessive screen time and unhealthy attachment to AI companions. These requirements aim to maintain awareness and prevent young users from developing unrealistic relationships with artificial intelligence. The bill also requires companies to prevent their California AI chatbots from generating harmful content related to suicide, self-harm, or sexually explicit material. It will also allow victims of deepfake pornography to seek civil relief of up to $250,000. According to Newsom, Emerging technology like chatbots and social media can inspire, educate, and connect but without real guardrails, technology can also exploit, mislead, and endanger our kids. Weve seen some truly horrific and tragic examples of young people harmed by unregulated tech, and we wont stand by while companies continue without necessary limits and accountability. The regulation of AI Californias ability to enact these protections nearly faced a significant obstacle. President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, signed in July 2025, initially included a provision that would have barred states from enacting their own AI regulations for 10 years. However, the 10-year ban on state AI regulation faced opposition from lawmakers across both parties who advocated for preserving state regulatory authority. There are those who believe that regulation will slow down the advancement of AI. However, Newsom argues, We can continue to lead in AI and technology, but we must do it responsibly protecting our children every step of the way. Our childrens safety is not for sale. Google has quickly resolved the app-crashing issues that some Pixels have been experiencing. We wrote about this issue yesterday, and now the problem has been resolved thanks to a server-side update. The Google Pixel 10 app crash nightmare is behind us thanks to a quick fix The information comes from Arten Russakovskii, who have also experienced the problem. The issue has been hitting the Google Pixel 10 series, and some Google Pixel 9 models. The same was not the case with older Pixels. In any case, based on what Artem said, multiple Google teams have been pushed to address the issue as soon as possible, and that worked. Were still not sure what exactly caused the issue, however. Pretty much everyone guessed that Google Play services are to blame, as reinstalling them fixed the issue, at least temporarily. Users did not have to wait long for a permanent fix, it seems. Considering this is a server-side update, you dont have to update anything manually. Google will do the job for you, and chances are that the change has been rolled out to everyone at this point. This issue affected both Pixel 10 and Pixel 9 users As a reminder, this bug was crashing apps left and right on Pixel 10 and Pixel 9 devices. That goes for pretty much every app that users had installed on their phones. Theyd simply crash and keep crashing when you try to open them. Needless to say, this was a huge problem for users, as it rendered their phones useless. That prompted Google to flag this as a high-priority problem and fix it soon. It doesnt get much worse than this when it comes to impaired usability of a product. Lets hope something like this wont happen again, well, at least not with the current-gen devices. Small bugs are one thing, but this is next level, thats for sure. Microsoft is rolling out a new artificial intelligence feature in OneDrive that uses AI facial recognition. This serves to create face groupings, helping users quickly sort photos of friends and family. However, the introduction of OneDrives Facial Recognition tool has been overshadowed by a peculiar and controversial limit. Microsoft sets annual opt-out limit for OneDrives New AI Facial Recognition For users gaining early access to the feature, it is on by default. Once active, the privacy settings include a notification warning that you can only toggle on or off the face recognition setting three times per year. This unexplained limit immediately raised concerns among users and privacy advocates. Its true that the feature itselforganizing photos by personis common in services like Google Photos and Apple Photos (which have no toggle limits). However, the cap on control is highly unusual. Microsoft, when pressed for an explanation regarding the restriction, refused to comment directly. The company instead offered a general statement, noting that OneDrive inherits privacy features and settings from Microsoft 365 and SharePoint. The potential reason behind the companys decision and privacy concerns Experts speculate that the companys silence and the restriction itself might be related to the high operational cost of biometric data deletion. Microsoft states that when a user disables the feature, it will remove all facial grouping data within 30 days. Limiting the toggling frequency is likely a measure to prevent users from repeatedly forcing the company to generate and delete massive amounts of data. At the end, this would conserve server resources. The situation has fueled the ongoing debate about privacy control. Critics argue that any feature involving the collection of biometric data should be opt-in. Ideally, it should require active user consent, rather than being enabled by default. The unusual three-time annual limit adds a new ingredient to the personal data management discussion. Apple and Samsung are among the top smartphone brands in the world. Samsung, with its Galaxy S25 series and new foldables, had a very good 2025. Similarly, the iPhone 17 series is off to a good start for the Cupertino giant. However, when it comes to the top spot, though, theres only one winner. Were talking about Samsung, which beat Apple for the third straight quarter with Q3 2025 global phone sales. Samsung beats Apple in Q3 2025 global smartphone sales According to market research firms IDC (via Reuters) and Omdia, Samsung topped the Q3 2025 charts, surpassing Apple in phone sales. The South Korean giant is said to have captured a 19% market share with 61.4 million shipments. Meanwhile, Apple came in a close second with 18% market share and 58.6 million units. The numbers are reportedly up from a year ago, mainly because the smartphone market as a whole is seeing growth. This is a positive development after not-so-encouraging results in Q1 and Q2 2025. Omdia, in its report, says that the global smartphone market grew 3% year-on-year in Q3 2025. This signals a growth momentum driven by major product launches during the quarter. After Samsung and Apple, its Xiaomi, Transsion, and Vivo (in that order) in the top five chart. Samsungs new 7th-generation foldables outperformed earlier models IDCs report notes that a total of 322.7 million units were shipped during the July-September quarter. This marks a 2.6% increase from the same timeline last year. Though Apple is trailing, the reports note that the demand for Apples new iPhone 17 lineup is solid, with pre-orders surpassing those of the previous generation. We should see far better Apple results in Q4 2025, maybe even surpass Samsung. This is considering it had the iPhone 17 series on the store shelves just for a couple of weeks during this quarter. The IDC report notes that Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 outperformed all earlier foldable models. This is not only a boost for Samsung but also creates better momentum for the foldable segment. In addition to the foldables, Omdia credits even the Galaxy A-series for the companys performance in the quarter. Lastly, predicting the future, IDC maintains positive prospects for the rest of 2025. It projects strong year-end sales, driven by aggressive promotions, AI, and other innovations. An Afghan migrant who came to the UK on a small boat has been jailed for threatening to kill Nigel Farage in a TikTok video. Fayaz Khan, 26, filmed himself making the threat, mimicking the pop, pop, pop noise of a gunshot, between 12 and 15 October last year in a post that the Reform UK leader described as pretty chilling. He was convicted following a trial at Southwark Crown Court by a majority of 10 jurors to two, and has been sentenced to five years behind bars. The court heard that Khan is believed to have given a false name to British authorities after entering the UK illegally, and has a criminal record in Sweden. Nigel Farage, pictured at Southwark Crown Court, described the video as pretty chilling (Aaron Chown/PA) Swedish authorities believe he is 31-year-old Fayaz Husseini, and has 17 convictions for 12 separate incidents, which include carrying a knife and threatening behaviour. He claimed to have used a different name as he has enemies, and went by the username madapasa on the social media platform, where he had amassed hundreds of thousands of views. Several of his videos had focused on his attempts to come to the UK via Channel crossing, after previously living in Stockholm since 2019. On 12 October last year, Mr Farage uploaded a video to YouTube titled The journey of an illegal migrant which highlighted Khan and referenced young males of fighting age coming into our country about whom we know very little. Khan responded with a video on 14 October, which was played to the jury, in which Khan appears to say: Englishman Nigel, dont talk shit about me. You not know me. I come to England because I want to marry with your sister. You not know me. Fayaz Khan had accrued a large following on TikTok under the username madapasa (PA) Dont talk about me more [sic]. Delete the video. Im coming to England. Im going to pop, pop, pop. While Khan said pop, pop, pop he made gun gestures with his hand, as well as headbutting the camera during the video, and was pointing to an AK-47 tattoo on his face to emphasise he wasnt joking, jurors were told. Khan had live-streamed his journey across the English Channel from France and was arrested on 31 October last year after arriving in the UK on a small boat. Addressing the video, sentencing judge Mrs Justice Steyn said: You saw the widespread dissemination of Mr Farages video as a hindrance to your attempts to come to the UK. Giving evidence, Mr Farage said: Given his proximity to guns and love of guns, I was genuinely worried. He says hes coming to England and hes going to shoot me. Jurors were shown a screenshot of a subsequent TikTok post by Khan with the caption I mean what I say written on an image of a GB News report about the alleged threat against Mr Farage. Khan has an AK-47 face tattoo and displayed a love of guns, in Farages words (Metropolitan Police/PA) In his police interview, Khan denied wanting to kill Mr Farage, and said that he had been smoking cannabis and was high at the time of filming the video. His lawyer, Charles Royle, said: I have instructions from Mr Khan to apologise to Mr Farage and to his sister for any offence and upset caused. The prosecution said Khan had also committed multiple low-level offences, including some involving drugs. Peter Ratliff said Khan was convicted in June 2019 of using threatening behaviour towards a public servant, for which he was imprisoned. He was also convicted of carrying a knife in a public place in April 2020 and was jailed for three months in October that year for using threatening behaviour. Khan was also convicted of vandalism, which resulted in a two-month prison sentence in March 2023. Mrs Justice Steyn said: Your video was not more abuse; it was a threat to kill with a firearm and it was, as Mr Farage put it, pretty chilling. After he was jailed, Khan shouted from the dock that Mr Farage wanted to use me because you want to be prime minister. Following Khans conviction, Mr Farage told reporters, Well, I suppose we call that a win, and added: But the fact is that in 18 months time this violent criminal, somebody with 17 convictions in Sweden, in 18 months time he will be in this country, living in a house of multiple occupancy or a hotel, free to walk the streets whilst his asylum claim is judged. Asked if he was shaken by the outburst Khan shouted at Mr Farage after he was sentenced, he said: Well, in 18 months time, when hes out free and theres no order, theres no restraining order on him, Ill be very thoughtful again. Downing Street welcomed the outcome of the case, with the prime ministers official spokesman stating it was absolutely unacceptable to threaten violence against anyone, particularly MPs. The spokesman added: We thank the police and all those involved in the case for delivering justice. Airport worker drenches American Airlines plane and tarmac in gas after losing control of refueling hose A video shows the shocking moment an airport worker lost control of a refueling hose, spraying gallons of highly flammable fuel across an American Airlines plane and the tarmac at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport over the weekend. Video shared on social media shows the hose whipping violently beneath the plane, spewing fuel for more than a minute as the worker struggles to regain control before stepping back. The terrifying incident happened on Saturday while the worker was refueling an American Eagle aircraft parked at a gate in Terminal E of the Texas airport. No one was injured. American Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement to The New York Post. We are looking into the incident with DFW Airport and the airports fueling contractor, Menzies, and worked together on the cleanup per procedure, according to the statement. An airport worker lost control of a refueling hose, spraying gallons of flammable fuel on a plane over the weekend (Dallas Fort Worth Airport) Video shared on social media shows the hose whipping violently beneath the plane as it spurts out gallons of fuel (Dallas Fort Worth Airport) A spokesperson for Dallas-Fort Worth Airport told The Post that the spill was quickly contained by the airports safety systems and the surface was cleaned. The exact amount of fuel spilled has not yet been determined. The Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch appeal from right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones who is desperate to avoid paying nearly $1.5 billion to the families of the Sandy Hook massacre he falsely called a hoax. The justices turned down his appeal without comment Tuesday. Last month, Jones pressed for the nations high court to intervene, warning that unless justices take action, his Infowars website and assets will likely end up in the hands of satirical news website The Onion. That potential acquisition which was put on hold last year would support families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting, which killed 20 children between six and seven years old. Jones has called it staged and a hoax, fueling a wave of harassment against the families. Without the Supreme Courts intervention, Infowars stands to be acquired by its ideological nemesis and destroyed, his lawyers wrote in court filings last week. The Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from Alex Jones, who lost a massive defamation case brought by the families of Sandy Hook victims (REUTERS) The Supreme Court properly rejected Jones's latest desperate attempt to avoid accountability for the harm he has caused, Chris Mattei, a lawyer for Sandy Hook families, said in a statement shared with The Independent. We look forward to enforcing the jury's historic verdict and making Jones and Infowars pay for what they have done, he added. In her late 2021 ruling, Judge Barbara Bellis found Jones liable for defamation and only convened a jury to determine the amount of damages the families would receive, citing Jones unwillingness to abide by the courts orders to produce evidence to the plaintiffs. In their Supreme Court appeal, Jones attorneys claimed those were minor discovery violations that did not justify an unjust and disproportionate penalty. In 2022, a jury delivered a massive $964 million verdict against Jones and Infowars parent company Free Speech Systems, with Bellis adding an additional $473 million in punitive damages for spreading falsehoods about the shooting. A Connecticut appeals court upheld all but $150 million of the verdict last December, while the states top court denied Jones request for a review in April. A separate $49 million judgment awarded to the parents of another Sandy Hook victim in a defamation lawsuit in Texas is currently being appealed. The families have maintained that Jones conduct towards them over the years was both malicious and intentional, claiming that his motivation all along was profit, which they added was supported by his attempts to hide evidence throughout the case. During the trial for damages, the families also testified that they were subjected to death threats and harassment from Jones supporters. The Infowars founder has insisted that there is no evidence linking him to those actions. According to Jones legal team, the default ruling violates the First Amendment, and the $1.4 billion judgment runs afoul of the Eighth Amendment due to excessive punishment. It is an amount that can never be paid, and which based on the trial courts findings may not be dischargeable in bankruptcy, his lawyers argued. The result is a financial death penalty by fiat imposed on a media defendant whose broadcasts reach millions. Attorneys for Sandy Hook families say they want to ensure Jones and Infowars pay them for what they have done after massive defamation verdict (AP) His legal team has also argued that Jones remarks about the shooting being a hoax perpetrated by crisis actors werent defamatory to the victims but expressions of constitutionally protected opinion. Jones, for his part, has since asserted that he now believes the massacre was legitimately real. The media landscape is rife with groups challenging various events, including Holocaust denial, moon landing skepticism, 9/11 conspiracy theories, and even flat Earth claims, Jones attorneys wrote. However, such statements critique or dismiss the events themselves, not the character, conduct, or reputation of those associated with them. Claiming that the result will chill the reporting of news, Jones team urged the high court to review whether state courts can impose death penalty default sanctions on media defendants, asserting that the Sandy Hook families themselves were public figures and Jones was merely reporting on issues of public concern. Death penalty sanctions are generally issued by courts over discovery abuses and effectively adjudicate the case, resulting in default judgments. Joness attorneys told the Supreme Court that his Infowars empire will be acquired by its ideological nemesis and destroyed unless the justices hear his appeal (AP) After filing for bankruptcy in 2022 following the trial losses, Jones saw a Houston judge rule in 2023 that most of the judgments in the cases would not be discharged in the bankruptcy. Eventually, the bankruptcy of Free Speech Systems was dismissed, and Jones personal bankruptcy was converted from Chapter 11 to a Chapter 7 liquidation. Last fall, an auction was held to sell off Infowars assets to pay the Sandy Hook families, with satirical news outlet The Onion being named the winning bidder. But the sale was blocked in December after a bankruptcy judge ruled the process was flawed, allowing Jones to keep Infowars for now. Last month, a Texas state judge appointed a receiver to proceed with liquidating Free Speech Systems assets, once again opening the door for The Onion to purchase the conspiracy site. Jones is currently appealing that ruling with a Texas appeals court, which temporarily paused the receivership in late August. Jones has also been accused of trying to shield assets of more than $5 million from the trustee of his personal bankruptcy to avoid paying the Sandy Hook families. This included claims that Jones fraudulently transferred $1.5 million to his wife, $800,000 to his father, and tried to hide his ownership of two condos with a combined value of $1.5 million. Jones, meanwhile, has insisted that even if the Infowars brand and property are taken from him, he will stay on the air by starting another company. Still, because a bankruptcy judge ruled that the families could continue to make claims on any money Jones earns in the future through other business ventures, as his behavior was deemed willful and malicious. Apple has announced a major expansion of its renewables investment in Europe as part of efforts to cut the carbon footprint caused by customers powering and charging its devices. The tech giant is supporting several large-scale solar and wind farms that are currently in development in Greece, Italy, Latvia, Romania and Poland. This builds on its previously announced investment in the Castano solar farm outside the Spanish city of Segovia, which started operating earlier this year and can power around 76,500 households. While these projects will provide electricity directly to grids in their respective countries, Apple said the amount they generate will contribute towards its corporate climate goals. With the help of this new clean power capacity, the company aims to match 100% of the electricity used by its customers in Europe, including the UK, to power or charge their devices by 2030. It comes as part of Apples wider target to become carbon neutral across its entire value chain its operations, supply chains and the products it sells by the end of the decade. Lisa Jackson, Apples vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, said: By 2030, we want our users to know that all the energy it takes to charge their iPhone or power their Mac is matched with clean electricity. The Castano solar farm outside the Spanish city of Segovia, which started operating earlier this year (Apple/PA) Our new projects in Europe will help us achieve our ambitious Apple 2030 goal, while contributing to healthy communities, thriving economies and secure energy sources across the continent. The energy used to charge devices accounted for about 29% of Apples overall greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, according to the firms own calculations. This does not include the electricity required for its data centres, which the company said are already powered by renewable electricity. To reach its 2030 ambitions in Europe, Apple estimates that it will need to bring online 3,000 GWh of renewable energy a year to match the electricity customers use for charging. The projects announced on Tuesday will meet a third of this by generating more than 1,000 GWh a year, Apple said, adding that it will continue to expand its renewable investment in Europe ahead of 2030. Lisa Jackson, Apples vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives at the solar farm in Segovia, Spain (Apple/PA) The tech giant has recently come under scrutiny for its environmental claims amid concerns over some of the nature-based projects in which it invested to offset emissions. A German court in August ruled that adverts describing the Apple Watch as carbon neutral were misleading, and the firm is currently fighting a class action over a similar issue in the US. Asked about the legal cases, Ms Jackson told the PA news agency: We welcome the scrutiny of what were doing and were trying to be as transparent as possible about how were doing it. When we talk about our products, when we talk about our company, we were very clear to put out exactly how we intend to get to carbon neutrality by 2030. On how the firm balances the communication of its climate ambitions with the risk of greenwashing, she said: Look, we know the work were doing I know and we have an obligation to explain that work. We were proud to do it with our carbon neutral products. Solar panels at the 131MW solar farm developed by ib vogt in Segovia, Spain (Rebecca Speare-Cole/PA) Unfortunately, we cant talk about them that way any more but were not going to stop talking about the work that we do, and thats what our customers should expect from us. Apple is also promoting its investments in renewable energy at a time when many companies are retreating from climate action and the political consensus has splintered in the US, as well as in the UK and Europe. On how the company is navigating the political fractures, Ms Jackson said: Its important to note that we always approached the clean energy work as part of our business decisions. So we invest in businesses, and those businesses are investing, not out of the goodness of their heart, but because they see an opportunity to do what businesses do, which is make money selling the energy that comes from these projects. So I think whats important to us is to approach clean energy as part of the way our company operates, our values, and were continuing to do that. Apple said it is prioritising projects in regions and countries where it can maximise the impact, such as Poland, which has a higher carbon intensity grid compared with some of its neighbours. Apple said it is prioritising projects in regions and countries where it can maximise the impact (Rebecca Speare-Cole/PA) The firm facilitates the construction of projects through different mechanisms, including long-term power purchase agreements that provide developers with the certainty to secure financing with proof of a buyer, as well as some directly run projects and some equity investments. So far, Apple said its involvement in the projects announced on Tuesday has helped to unlock 600 million dollars (450 million) in financing. The company has signed a long-term agreement to procure power from a 110MW solar project in Greece, and is also supporting the development of a 129MW portfolio of wind and solar projects in Italy as well as a 40MW solar array in Poland. Elsewhere, it plans to procure power from Nala Renewables 99MW wind farm in Romanias Galati County and has signed a power purchase agreement for electricity from a 110 MW solar farm in Latvia. Rhiannon Skye Whyte, 27, worked at the Park Inn hotel in Wolverhampton, where her alleged killer was living. Photograph: British Transport Police/PA An asylum seeker accused of stabbing a hotel worker 23 times with a screwdriver and leaving her to die was seen dancing and laughing in the aftermath of the attack, a murder trial jury has heard. Deng Chol Majek, who claims to be 19, was clearly excited about what he had done after inflicting fatal wounds on Rhiannon Skye Whyte, who worked in the hotel where he was living, Wolverhampton crown court heard. The Sudanese national followed Whyte, who had only worked at the Park Inn hotel for three months, to the Bescot Stadium railway station in Walsall on 20 October last year, the jury was told. Whyte, whose shift had finished at 11pm, was heard screaming during a phone call to a friend and was found by a train guard on the platform minutes later, the prosecutor, Michelle Heeley KC, told the court. Opening the case against Majek, Heeley told the court he followed the 27-year-old from the hotel where he was living. She said: He followed her down on to the train platform at the Bescot Stadium station and then he attacked her. Stabbing her over and over again with a screwdriver. He left her bleeding to death and then casually went back to his hotel. We say you can be sure he is guilty of murder. The court heard how police were able to identify Majek because of the clothing he wore during the attack, and that he was found to have Whytes DNA under his fingernails, which the prosecution said was caused by the victim attempting to defend herself. The police were able to review the CCTV very quickly and they could see the defendant in his distinctive clothing, Heeley said. When they went to the hotel they found him and his clothes. They seized a number of items, including the jacket the attacker from the CCTV could be seen wearing. They recovered some jewellery and a pair of sandals. The jacket, a ring and the sandals had Rhiannon Whytes blood on them. There was a lot of blood because of the vicious nature of this attack. Rhiannon had been stabbed, in total, 23 times. Most of the stab injuries were to her head, but some were to the left side of her chest and left arm, indicating she had tried to fend off her attacker. Eleven of the stab wounds had penetrated her skull; one in particular had damaged the brain stem, which is what ultimately caused the death. The defendants fingernails were checked, he had DNA under them the DNA belonged to Rhiannon Whyte. It was not initially clear what motivated the attack, though earlier in the evening he had allegedly been seen staring at the victim and a co-worker. Heeley said: No one could recall any particular issue that would have caused him to act in that way. What is clear from the CCTV is that the defendant was hanging around the reception area, staring at Rhiannon throughout the evening. Majek denies charges of murder and possessing an offensive weapon. The trial continues. Rhiannon Skye Whyte died three days after the attack (PA) A man who sought asylum in the UK was seen dancing and laughing after he stabbed a hotel worker more than 20 times at a railway station before leaving her for dead, a court heard. Deng Chol Majek, a Sudanese asylum seeker who has said he is 19, was caught on CCTV as he followed Rhiannon Skye Whyte from the towns Park Inn hotel to Walsalls Bescot Stadium station. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Majek, who is on trial for murder, was clearly excited about what he had done after inflicting a total of 23 stab wounds to Whyte, primarily to her head, on the station platform. She died three days after the attack. The accused is being tried at Wolverhampton Crown Court (PA) Whyte, whose shift had finished at 11pm, could be heard screaming during a phone call to a friend and was found by a train guard on the platform minutes later, according to prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC. Opening the crowns case against Majek, Ms Heeley told the court he followed the 27-year-old from the hotel where he was living. Ms Heeley said: He followed her down onto the train platform at the Bescot Stadium station and then he attacked her. Stabbing her over and over again with a screwdriver. He left her bleeding to death and then casually went back to his hotel. We say you can be sure he is guilty of murder. Whyte had worked at the hotel for three months, helping with things including cleaning and serving food, while the defendant was resident in room 309. The prosecutor said that one of Whytes colleagues had noticed the defendant staring at her and the woman she was working with. No one could recall any particular issue that would have caused him to act in that way. There had been an issue about some broken biscuits with some of the residents, but nothing serious. What is clear from the CCTV is that the defendant was hanging around the reception area, staring at Rhiannon throughout the evening. He changed into a distinctive jacket and sandals and then waited around the reception area where Rhiannon was, Ms Heeley added. CCTV tracks the defendant all the way. He followed her from the hotel and to the station. He had been hanging around waiting for her to leave and waited until she was on her own before he followed her. Whytes friend, having heard screams, called the police, who contacted the hotel, which sent one of their employees to the station. The train that Rhiannon had been due to catch pulled in at 11.24pm, and the driver saw a figure slumped on the platform. The defendant did not go straight back to the hotel, he went to a local shop and bought himself a drink first, arriving back in the hotel at 13 minutes past midnight, Ms Heeley continued. In between the station and the hotel he had thrown Rhiannons phone into a river. Once at the hotel he was seen dancing and laughing, clearly excited about what he had done. As well as CCTV footage, Whytes DNA was found under the defendants fingernails. The prosecutor said: His clothes have her blood on, his fingernails have her DNA under them. She had injuries from where she tried to defend herself. Majek denies murder and possessing a screwdriver as an offensive weapon. The trial continues. JD Vance trolls one of Trumps oldest political foes from home soil as MAGA took a victory lap in the Middle East JD Vance was the most notable in his absence from Donald Trumps triumphant appearances in the Middle East on Monday, as vice presidents rarely travel abroad with the commander-in-chief. However, the veep still kept up the pressure on MAGAs political foes. Vance took the time to troll one of the commander-in-chiefs oldest political foes on social media. His taunting comments came after Senator Elizabeth Warren shared her relief at the release of the Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7, 2023, by Hamas. For two excruciating years, I have called for the return of the hostages brutally kidnapped on October 7th and held in Gaza, Warren wrote. Today is a good day. Surviving Israeli hostages are finally home and reuniting with loved ones. Im thinking of them and their families on this joyful day and praying for their full recovery. JD Vance mocked Elizabeth Warren's post which celebrated the return of the Israeli hostages (X/@JDVance) She also added that "humanitarian aid needs to be supported in flowing into Gaza. However, Vance hit back at Warren with a barb on X. The president told me he did this on Indigenous Peoples Day in honor of you, he said, in reference to Trump calling Warren "Pocahontas." Elon Musk posted two laughing emojis underneath a screenshot of Vances post, which has been shared by an X user who said they will be voting for JD Vance when he runs. The "Pocahontas" nickname originated during a feud between Warren and Trump about the senators heritage. Warren had claimed to have Native American ancestry dating back six to 10 generations. After releasing a DNA test to prove her heritage, Warren later apologized to the Cherokee Nation, who said it is inappropriate to use genetic tests to lay claim to a tribal nation. In a press release, a Cherokee Nation spokesperson said that they hoped that the incident would lead to an end to slurs and mockery being targeted at Native Americans. Despite this, Trump has continued to jab Warren by calling her "Pocahontas." Trump has repeatedly called Elizabeth Warren Pocahontus (AP) Vances comments came during his conspicuous absence from the historic day unfolding in the Middle East, which saw the release of all the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas. Trump was warmly received after landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, with delegates from around the world praising him for landing a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. Vance was last seen Sunday, when he clashed with ABCs George Stephanopoulos over a scandal that has hit Tom Homan, Trumps border czar. Stephanopoulos referenced a video in which Homan allegedly accepts $50,000 from an FBI agent while offering to help connect interested parties with lucrative federal contracts related to law enforcement. JD Vance also refused to comment on a video in which Tom Homan appears to accept a bribe (Getty Images) I'm asking you, did he accept the $50,000 that was caught on the surveillance tape? Stephanopoulos asked Vance. Did he accept that $50,000 or not? George, I don't know what you're talking about. Did he accept $50,000 for what? Vance responded. Stephanopoulos went on to explain the video and asked whether Homan kept the money, which he was allegedly given. Is it illegal to take a payment for doing services? The FBI has not prosecuted him, Vance replied. Homan has denied the allegations, telling a reporter from NewsNation that they were b******t. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also said that, The president stands by Tom Homan 100 percent because he did absolutely nothing wrong. Scotland Yard is accused of over-policing black Londoners after figures revealed they were nearly three times more likely to be strip searched than white suspects. Between January and August 322 black adults were given strip searches compared with 113 white adults, according to analysis by The Times. No illegal items were recovered in almost half of cases involving black people. The success rate was much higher among white people with officers 11 per cent more likely to find drugs during their searches, the newspaper said. Strip searches, officially termed more thorough searches intimate parts exposed, involve the removal of clothing beyond outer layers and the exposure of intimate parts of the body. Guidance states the procedure should only be used when it is reasonable to believe that an individual is concealing an illegal item and a search is necessary and proportionate. The Metropolitan Police says the tactic remains vital in combatting violent crime, helping to seize about 300 weapons each month. Homicide and stabbings disproportionately affect young black men in the capital both as victims and perpetrators, a force spokesman said. But campaigners say the figures highlight discriminatory policing practices and reinforce Baroness Caseys 2023 review which concluded that Britains largest police force was institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic. Habib Kadiri, executive director of StopWatch, a campaign group, said: It seems as though police operations are geared towards an implicit assumption that if you strip search a black person in London then you are more likely to find something on them. The Mets use of strip searches has been under scrutiny since the case of Child Q, a 15-year-old black girl who was strip searched at her east London school in 2020 after being wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis. Two officers were dismissed for gross misconduct this year over their handling of the incident. Andy George, president of the National Black Police Association, said the figures come as no surprise. Green Party London Assembly member Zoe Garbett, added it shows that black Londoners are being disproportionately subjected to force and being over-policed in quite a violent and dehumanising way. The Met said: We know there is disparity in the use of stop and search in relation to gender, age and race. Sadly, different crimes affect different groups more than others and it remains a tragic truth that knife crime and street violence in London disproportionately affects boys and young men, particularly of African-Caribbean heritage, both in terms of being victims and perpetrators. We use stop and search the most in areas where there are the highest levels of violent crime to protect our communities. We recognise, however, that stop and search can have a negative impact for individuals and communities, particularly when we get things wrong. Bradley Cooper on how his new film was directly influenced by British humour Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper has said his new film about a man who seeks purpose in the New York comedy scene was directly influenced by British humour. Is This Thing On?, which is part-based on the life of British comedian John Bishop, was directed by the US star, 50, who is also known for directing and acting in Oscar-nominated movies Maestro (2023) and A Star Is Born (2018). The film came to fruition after BoJack Horseman voice actor Will Arnett met Liverpool comic Bishop, who told him that he had found stand-up comedy in the midst of a split from his wife, deciding to do an open-mic night one evening as he did not want to pay the cover fee. Arnetts character in the film, Alex, has a similar experience, getting his start at New Yorks famed Comedy Cellar. Speaking at the BFI London Film Festival, Cooper told the PA news agency: Its inspired by John Bishops story, so that was the nugget of it and then he (Will) was working on that with John, and he was just telling me about it because we were friends. And I just sort of saw this image of him and I got excited about What if we set it in New York, and what if its a movie about a relationship? . Asked how British humour influenced the film, he said: I think directly, I think all of us have grown up on British humour and love it so yes, its indelible. Will Arnett and John Bishop at the screening of Is This Thing On? (Jonathan Brady/PA) Asked if it differs from US humour, he added: Its hard to put an umbrella over everybody, the great comics are so unique. Arnett, 55, told the PA news agency: For me theres a lot more nuance to British humour. And so we tried to inject some of that. Bishop got back with his wife Melanie after a short split, and she attended the London screening with their children. Bishop, 58, told PA: I couldnt write it because it was too personal, so (a producer) said, Tell Will. So that was eight years ago, and then Will said, Look, Id love to write it with my friend Mark (Chappell). Bradley Cooper, Mark Chappell, John Bishop, Melanie Bishop, Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Andra Day, Weston Middleton and Kris Thykier at the screening of Is This Thing On? at the Southbank Centre (Jonathan Brady/PA) And then we spent a bit of time developing it, and then it just became their baby, and its an act of faith. Youre handing over a part of your life to someone else, and you hope that theyre going to treat it properly, like you would with your child. And hes done more than that. Hes treated it, hes nurtured it, and he sent it off to college. The film is coming to cinemas this December, according to Searchlight Pictures. Calls for government to crack down on chemicals and metals found in period products Campaigners are calling for a government crackdown on the regulation of chemicals and metals found in tampons, pads and reusable period products. Studies going back two decades have found toxic substances and heavy metals in menstrual products, from arsenic to biocidal silver. This year, research by the Womens Environmental Network (WEN) and the Pesticide Action Network (PAN UK) uncovered pesticides in tampons at 40 times the safe limit for drinking water. Yet period products are still less regulated than candles in the UK, Helen Lynn, senior consultant and research fellow at WEN told The Independent. [Candles] are under General Product Safety Regulations and they have a requirement to label certain heavy metals in them, and tampons dont, she explained. "Despite two decades of evidence, political debates and growing public outrage, regulation has barely moved. WEN is leading the call for change demanding regulation that delivers safe products. This is the tipping point. Without urgent action, millions will remain exposed every single month. Toxic chemicals and heavy metals have been found in tampons, pads and even reusable period products, campaigners warn (Getty/iStockphoto) Currently in the UK, products are covered by the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which ensure products are safe for consumer use and must have clear warnings about the risks. However, there is a regulatory vacuum when it comes to the chemical safety of period products, experts at WEN warn. There is no specific law beyond consumer legislation requiring manufacturers to list the ingredients in products or a rule to prevent chemical residue from ending up in period products. Chemicals and heavy metals detected in tampons, pads and period pants have been linked to hormone disruption, reduced fertility, cancers and other serious health impacts. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are especially linked to gynaecological disorders and reproductive diseases, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. One 2019 study found phthalates in UK pads, which are used to make plastics more flexible and to help fragrances last longer in cosmetic products. However, it has also been linked with infertility. Another 2023 report by Which? found some period pants, which are marketed as being eco-friendly, contained silver-based textile treatments as an antimicrobial to help reduce odours. But silver could also kill beneficial bacteria on the skin. There is currently no regulation to ensure period products are safe, campaigners say (Getty/iStockphoto) Researchers also found traces of glyphosate at high levels in menstrual products, including tampons, according to a report in May. It is the worlds most commonly used herbicide, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified it as probably carcinogenic in 2015. Researchers have also linked glyphosate to other serious health conditions, such as Parkinsons. High levels of these chemicals and metals in tampons are concerning, they say, because they can be absorbed through the vagina directly into the bloodstream. Campaigners are now urging the government to introduce regulations to ensure all period products are safe from harmful residues. They also want independent testing of period products, a legal requirement for manufacturers to disclose all ingredients and additives used, and to make sure all period products provided in schools and public facilities are safe with materials and ingredients listed. In March, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle put forward an amendment to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, calling for period products to be regulated within a year of the law being passed. The amendment received considerable support in the House of Lords, but was ultimately rejected. Martin Wrigley, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newton Abbot, tabled an Early Day Motion on harmful chemicals in period products in June, suggesting there should be a legal requirement for manufacturers to disclose ingredients. A new petition by WEN, calling for legislation to ban toxic chemicals and heavy metals in period products, has gained more than 44,000 signatures and will be presented at the House of Lords next week. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: We are reviewing the need for further research and testing on period product safety ahead of launching a consultation on this issue shortly. Any changes will be made on a case-by-case basis and agreed by parliament to ensure we preserve our status as a global leader in product regulation, supporting businesses and protecting consumers as part of our Plan for Change. President Donald Trump on Tuesday posthumously awarded the nations highest civilian honor to Charlie Kirk, the late Turning Point USA founder, calling him a true American hero whose name would be entered forever into the eternal roster of American heroes on what would have been Kirks 32nd birthday. Addressing Kirks widow, Erika, who accepted the award on her late husbands behalf, Trump said she had endured unspeakable hardship with unbelievable strength and said her love and courage in the weeks since her husbands killing had been an inspiration to all of us. The ceremony, held on the patio that replaced much of the White House Rose Garden this past summer, was something akin to an officially sanctioned memorial for the slain activist, with much of Trumps cabinet and other high-ranking officials from across the administration, plus a whos who of Republican politics and right-wing media in attendance. But while the president focused his prepared remarks on Kirk and the slain conservative operatives legacy, his speech often drifted away from its script to weave through a topic more interesting to the president: his own administration. In moments that were jarring and surreal, the president would pivot from solemn remarks about Kirk and his family to brag about his work in office on seemingly mundane issues, including a frequent point of bragging: his insistence that D.C. restaurants were booming and dinner reservations were hard to find in the wake of his deployment of National Guard troops across the District of Columbia. Donald Trump posed for a photo with Erika Kirk at Tuesday's Medal of Freedom ceremony for her late husband Charlie Kirk (AFP via Getty Images) Among those in attendance Trump shouted out during his remarks were Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and Majority Leader John Thune. Others at the ceremony included a wide range of big-name conservatives including Fox News hosts past and present Bill OReilly, Tucker Carlson, Jesse Watters and others were all spotted. Trump also noted that Argentine President Javier Milei was in attendance. We have everybody, he said. Wow. Trump remarked that people are loving the polarizing renovation and suggested that the temperate weather was due to God not wanting bad weather for the ceremony to honor the late, great Charlie Kirk. He called the late activist a fearless warrior for liberty and a beloved leader who galvanized the next generation like nobody I've ever seen before as well as an American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest caliber. Many senior Republican leaders attended a Medal of Freedom ceremony for Charlie Kirk at the White House on Tuesday (AFP via Getty Images) Five weeks ago, our nation was robbed of this extraordinary champion. He was a champion in every way, Trump said before recalling how Kirks assassination at a Utah college campus last month cut him down in the prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth and loving his faith and relentlessly fighting for a better and stronger America. It was a horrible, heinous, demonic act of murder, Trump said, adding that it was a privilege to award Kirk the nations highest civilian honor. Trump continued eulogizing Kirk, calling him a visionary and one of the greatest figures of his generation as well as an amazing figure who knew that the fight to preserve our heritage is waged not only on the battlefield and in the halls of power. He recalled how Kirk had founded Turning Point at age 18 and remarked how the organization has become bigger in the last few weeks than Charlie ever thought. With hard work and joyful spirit and endless enthusiasm and determination ... Charlie grew Turning Point into the largest conservative youth organization in the entire country. He fought for free speech, religious liberty, strong borders and a very strong and proud America ... everything he did was historic, Trump said. He described how Kirk had helped him in his 2016 and 2024 presidential campaign wins, enabling him to win what he claimed was more young people than any Republican by far in the history of our country during the latter contest last year. Charlie Kirk was assassinated in a shooting at Utah Valley University in September (Benjamin Hanson/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty) After another aside bragging about his 2024 win, he shifted gears to Kirks spirituality, telling attendees that he never missed an opportunity to remind us of the Judeo Christian principles of our nation's founding or to share his deep Christian faith. In his final moments, Charlie testified to the greatness of America and to the glory of our Savior with whom he now rests in heaven, Trump said. So today, like those martyrs before him Charlie's voice, his message and his legacy, are stronger and greater than ever before. He added that Kirks death had brought out the greatness of Charlie with great love before pivoting to attacking far-left radicals who resort to desperate acts of violence and terror because they know that their ideas and arguments are persuading no one. They have the devil's ideology, and they're failing. And they know it, they feel it, and they become violent, he said. As he spoke about the supposed one-sidedness of American political violence, the president singled out Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general set to face a Republican opponent in next months election. Controversial texts wherein the candidate joked about violence against Republicans have hounded Joness campaign and pushed the race into winnable territory for the GOP, and Trump and others have used Jones as an example of a Democrat supposedly endorsing the kind of violent rhetoric they blame for Kirks murder. Lets see how that turns out, Trump said of Joness race. He has endorsed Jason Miyares, Joness Republican opponent for the position, but has avoided endorsing Winsome Sears the partys candidate for governor. " Especially in the wake of Charlie's assassination, our country must have absolutely no tolerance for this radical Left violence, extremism, and terror, Trump added. Kirk is the first person to be awarded the Medal of Freedom under Trumps second presidency. During his first term, he awarded it to other conservative allies including Rep. Jim Jordan, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh, and former Sen. Orrin Hatch. In his second term, Trump has announced plans to award the Medal of Freedom to his disbarred former attorney Rudy Giuliani, and Ben Carson. Concrete evidence: the unusual imprint was removed in 2024 when city officials decided sections of the pavement needed to be replaced. Photograph: Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/AP With a front paw outstretched and its tail at an angle, the creature that fell on to wet concrete in Chicago left quite the memento mori. Now, researchers say they have unmasked the identity of the victim, revealing the famous rat hole was most probably made by a squirrel. The unusual imprint, which was labelled Splatatouille in a public naming contest, is thought to have been made on West Roscoe Street decades ago, but gained a new wave of attention after a comedian shared a photo of it on social media in early 2024. The imprint was removed later that year when city officials decided sections of the pavement needed to be replaced because of damage. While the unfortunate animal probably died while creating the impression there are no tracks leading away from the imprint a longstanding conundrum is whether the victim was a brown rat, as initially assumed. I think its an eastern grey squirrel. I think that is what the evidence most supports, said Dr Michael Granatosky, first author of the study from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Writing in the journal Biology Letters, Granatosky and colleagues report how they examined a list of 37 mammal species that had been observed in Chicago, ruling out those that were very rare or that did not have features seen in the imprint. Among the remaining eight species were the brown rat, eastern grey squirrel, eastern chipmunk and muskrat. With the imprint having been removed, the researchers used publicly available photographs to measure anatomical features such as the width of the head. They then took the same measurements from prepared museum skins of each of the eight candidates. While none matched the imprint exactly, the researchers analysis revealed the eastern grey squirrel, fox squirrel, or muskrat had the closest measurements. The eastern grey squirrel, they added, was the most likely victim as eastern grey squirrels were more common in Chicago than the other two species. We therefore propose that the specimen be rechristened the windy city sidewalk squirrel a name more fitting of its likely origins and more aligned with the evidence at hand, the team wrote. Granatosky added that the spreading of the unset concrete could explain why the imprint was a little larger than would be expected for such a squirrel, while the researchers said their conclusion about the animals identity was backed by the concrete having been wet when the imprint was made a situation that was more likely during the day, when squirrels tended to be active. In addition, they noted the animal appeared to have fallen from a height an idea further supported by reports of nearby trees. While the imprint showed no sign of a bushy tail, the researchers said that was not surprising, as fine-scale details such as hairs were best preserved in a very fine silt rather than concrete. Granatosky added that the study, while somewhat frivolous in topic, not only highlighted the power of science to tackle all manner of questions, but revealed how difficult it could be to interpret traces left behind by organisms a cornerstone of palaeontology. When we step in mud, or concrete in this case, things spread out, things move, there are many different layers within the track, and so its a hard science, he said. The 20,000 square metre complex would be the biggest embassy in Europe (David Chipperfield Architects) The full, unredacted plans for Chinas super embassy in east London will have to be submitted before it is approved, the minister in charge of the decision has said. Housing Secretary Steve Reed is expected to make a decision on controversial plans for China to take over the huge site at the former Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London later this month. Several rooms on planning documents, including a basement area, were marked "redacted for security reasons" when submitted to Tower Hamlets council sparking concerns about how they would be used. Mr Reed said considering any threats to national security would be paramount in deciding whether the plans are approved. "I expect to see everything that is being proposed before I take a decision, he told Times Radio on Tuesday. Asked if the security risk posed by China would be a factor in the decision, he added: Speaking in general terms, because I can't comment on that particular application, then, yes, this Government recognises that China poses a threat to national security and we see that from various cyber attacks and cyber incidents that have happened. "That's one of the reasons why the Government has increased spending on security and defence by 600 million." Activists have protested the planned embassy in central London in February (PA Wire) Pressed on whether the Government was prepared to put the economic benefits of a relationship with China ahead of security concerns, he said: "For this Government, as in for any sensible government of the United Kingdom, national security is paramount, and will always be paramount. The decision will be taken on the merits of the case in front of me, we would never compromise national security. China bought the old Royal Mint Court site for 255m in 2018. The 20,000 square metre complex would be the biggest embassy in Europe if it goes ahead and includes plans for offices, a large basement area, housing for 200 staff, and a new tunnel to connect the Embassy House to a separate building in the grounds Significant concerns have been raised about the proposals by pro-democracy campaigners and residents. Opponents have argued the site could allow China to infiltrate the UK's financial system by tapping into nearby fibre optic cables carrying sensitive data for companies in the nearby City of London. Pro-democracy campaigners from Hong Kong also fear Beijing could use embassy to harass and even detain political opponents. While residents have said they fear it would pose a security risk to them and attract large protests. China's application was previously rejected by Tower Hamlets council and then Secretary of State Angela Rayner was due to make the final decision September 9 after taking control of the process last year. Following her resignation, the final decision now falls to Mr Reed. Couple ambushed by armed robbers who tracked them to their home after planting an AirTag on their car This is the moment a couple in Florida were ambushed outside their house after the criminals planted an AirTag on their vehicle and tracked them home. The victims were held at gunpoint by two men who forced them into their garage before an alarm caused the criminals to flee on August 19. Detectives in Odessa discovered an AirTag tracking device on the victims car. Both suspects have now been apprehended. Luis Charles, 26, was taken into custody in Tampa on October 8, 2025, and Odardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, was arrested in Pasco County on October 10, 2025. Rachel and Brandon died just a week before their first wedding anniversary and being found with gunshot wounds in a car. (Facebook/Rachel Dumovich) A Wisconsin couple was found dead inside their car, just days before they were set to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. The bodies of Rachel, 29, and Brandon Dumovich, 30, were discovered in their vehicle in a Chicago suburb when police officers noticed that the car's hazard lights had been left on as it was parked. Authorities immediately issued an alert to residents informing them that authorities would be maintaining a significant presence in the area as they investigated the death. It was later determined that there was a gun inside the car, leading police to determine that there was no further threat to the general public. They were found dead on October 6, their anniversary fell on October 12. Brandon and I met in middle school at 12 years old, Rachel wrote on the wedding website The Knot. I caught Brandons attention by stealing cologne from his locker and running away with it. After keeping in touch through many life stages and 15 years of friendship, we started dating in 2022. Rachel and Brandon died just a week before their first wedding anniversary and being found with gunshot wounds in a car. (Facebook/Rachel Dumovich) The couple was found dead on Division Street in Harvard, Illinois. The couple was married in Wisconsin in 2023. (Google Streetview) According to the couples profile on The Knot, Brandon proposed at Big Cedar Lake in Slinger, Wisconsin, in 2023. At that time, they had been dating for a little over two years, though they were friends for 15 years before that. Hours before her death, Rachel posted about a vacation that she and Brandon had recently taken together. "Forever chasing sunsets, she wrote. Wishing we were back in Greece." Underneath the post, family members and loved ones paid tribute to Rachel. Keep chasing those sunsets and never stop smiling, brighten up the sky, one person wrote. R.I.P. Rachel Dumovich According to Rachels obituary, she worked in Human Resources and studied at the University of Wisconsin, where she earned a spot on the Deans List honors every semester she attended. Her funeral is set to be held on October 17. In a post on Facebook, Brandon Dumovichs mother, Laura Lund Dumovich, asked for prayers and gentle understanding while her family grieves. From the moment he entered our lives, Brandon brought immeasurable joy, laughter, and love, she wrote. His sense of humor, warmth, and generous spirit touched everyone who knew him. He will forever be missed by all who had the privilege of loving him. Mohammed al-Asaliya, 22, was held at Nafha prison in the Negev desert. Photograph: Amjed Tantesh Before releasing him, Israeli prison guards decided to give Naseem al-Radee a farewell gift. They bound his hands, placed him on the ground and beat him without mercy, saying goodbye the same way they had said hello: with their fists. Radees first sight of Gaza in nearly two years was blurry; a boot to the eye left him with blurred vision two days later. Vision problems added to the laundry list of ailments he gained during his 22-month stay in an Israeli prison. The 33-year-old government employee from Beit Lahiya was arrested by Israeli soldiers at a school-turned-displacement shelter in Gaza on 9 December 2023. He spent more than 22 months in captivity in Israeli detention centres including 100 days in an underground cell before being released alongside 1,700 other Palestinian detainees back to Gaza on Monday. Like the other detainees released back to Gaza, Radee was never charged with a crime. And like many others, his detention was marked by torture, medical neglect and starvation at the hands of Israeli prison guards. His description of his time in prison is part of what the Israeli human rights group BTselem says is a policy of abuse towards Palestinians detainees in Israeli prisons and detention centres. The Israeli prison service and military did not immediately respond to a request for a comment, but in the past both have said that prison conditions comply with international law. The conditions in the prison were extremely harsh, from having our hands and feet bound to being subjected to the cruellest forms of torture, said Radee, speaking of his time in Nafha prison in the Negev desert, the last place he was detained before being released. The beatings were not an exception, but instead part of what he described as a scheduled regimen of abuse. They used teargas and rubber bullets to intimidate us, in addition to constant verbal abuse and insults. They had a strict system of repression; the electronic gate of the section would open when the soldiers entered, and they would come in with their dogs, shouting on your stomach, on your stomach, and start beating us mercilessly, he said. Cells were crowded, with 14 people crammed into a room that appeared to have been designed for five, he said. The unsanitary conditions led him to contract fungal and skin diseases that were not alleviated by medical treatment provided by the prison. Mohammed al-Asaliya, a 22-year-old university student who was released from Nafha prison on Monday, contracted scabies during his time in detention. There was no medical care. We tried to treat ourselves by using floor disinfectant on our wounds, but it only made them worse. The mattresses were filthy, the environment unhealthy, our immunity weak, and the food contaminated, said Asaliya, who was arrested on 20 December 2023 from a school in Jabaliya. There was an area they called the disco, where they played loud music nonstop for two days straight. This was one of their most notorious and painful torture methods. They also hung us on walls, sprayed us with cold air and water, and sometimes threw chilli powder on detainees, said Asaliya. Both men lost much of their body weight during detention. Radee entered prison weighing 93kg and left at 60kg. Asaliyas weight was 75kg at the time of arrest and dropped to 42kg at one point during his detention. Palestinian medical officials said many of the detainees released on Monday arrived in poor physical health. The signs of beating and torture were clearly visible on the prisoners bodies, such as bruises, fractures, wounds, marks from being dragged on the ground, and the marks of restraints that had bound their hands tightly, said Eyad Qaddih, the director of public relations at Nasser hospital in southern Gaza, which received detainees on Monday. He said that many of the returnees had to be transferred to the emergency room due to their ill health. In addition to physical injuries from beatings, he said prisoners appeared to have not eaten for long periods. About 2,800 Palestinians from Gaza are detained in Israeli prisons and detention centres without charge, according to the NGO Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI). The mass incarceration of Palestinians from Gaza without due process has been permitted by changes made to Israeli law since the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants that killed about 1,200 people. In December 2023, the Israeli parliament amended the unlawful combatants law to allow for administrative detention without charge where an officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person is an unlawful combatant. Administrative detention can be extended virtually indefinitely. Israeli legal advocates say the mass incarceration of Palestinians by Israel coincides with a drastic degradation in detention conditions and that this has become a matter of policy. Generally, the amount and scale of torture and abuse in Israeli prisons and military camps has skyrocketed since 7 October. We see that as a part of the policy led by Israeli decision-makers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and others, said Tal Steiner, the executive director of PCATI. Ben-Gvir, the far-right security minister, has bragged about providing the minimum amount of food. I am here to ensure that the terrorists receive the minimum of the minimum, he wrote in a social media post in July. Despite the intense abuse they faced in prisons, it is in Gaza that many detainees felt they faced the worst torture. Upon his release, Radee attempted to call his wife, only to find her phone out of service. He then learned that his wife and all but one of his children had been killed in Gaza during his detention. I was very happy to be released because the date coincided with my youngest daughter Sabas third birthday on 13 October. I had planned to make her the best gift to make up for her first birthday, which we could not celebrate because the war had started, Radee said. I tried to find some joy in being released on this day, but sadly, Saba went with my family, and my joy went with her, he said. Prominent Cuban dissident Jose Daniel Ferrer left the island on Monday for U.S. exile, a move confirmed by Cuban and U.S. authorities, following a U.S. government request. Alejandro Garcia, general director of bilateral relations for the Cuban Foreign Ministry, told The Associated Press that Ferrer, 55, departed before noon from his hometown Santiago in eastern Cuba, en route to Florida. Garcia added: He leaves the country due to a request made by the U.S. government to the Cuban government, which (Ferrer) is in agreement with. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Ferrer's arrival on Monday, stating he had endured years of abuse, torture, and threats to his life in Cuba. Ferrer gained international acclaim as part of a group of 75 opposition figures imprisoned and put on trial in 2003. Negotiations with the Catholic Church, Spain and then-president Raul Castro led to their freedom between 2010 and 2011 on the condition of leaving the island. Ferrer refused and instead founded the Patriotic Union of Cuba, a leading political opposition organization not legally recognized by the government. Jose Daniel Ferrer left Cuba on Monday for US exile (AP) When thousands took to the streets in 2021 to protest food shortages and power outages and call for the end of the Communist government, he was imprisoned once again even though he was already on house arrest at the time. The U.S. had already publicly called for Ferrer's release and Amnesty International included him in a list of a dozen prisoners of conscience. In his statement on Monday, Rubio called for the release of another 700 unjustly detained political prisoners. Ferrer was released in January as part of negotiations with Cuba and the Catholic Church to free more than 500 prisoners. But authorities imprisoned him again in April after accusing him of failing to comply with the terms of his release. In early October, Ferrer's family began to circulate a letter in which he accepted his exile. The terms of the agreement to leave the island are unknown, but the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday that he traveled with members of his family. The Council for Democratic Transition, an opposition group that Ferrer belongs to, called his departure a profoundly human relief after harassment against him and his family following the letter. Cuba has repeatedly accused Ferrer and other opposition leaders of being financed by the U.S. government as it continues its policy of economic sanctions against the island to push for regime change. The terms of Ferrer's imprisonment were modified so that his departure was in line with Cuban law and the constitution, according to Ana Hernandez of the Attorney Generals Office. She did not specify how the terms were modified or details of the negotiations. Denise Welch is returning to Waterloo Road (Getty) Denise Welch is heading back to Waterloo Road and shes bringing one of the shows most unforgettable characters with her. The actress, 66, has confirmed she will reprise her role as the outspoken, warm-hearted Steph Haydock in the next series of the hit BBC school drama. Welch first played the popular teacher from 2006 to 2010, earning fans for Stephs sharp wit, bold lipstick and chaotic classroom approach. Though often hopeless at teaching, she was a loyal friend to her students, always ready with life advice even if she rarely followed it herself. Her return follows the comeback of several original cast members since the shows revival in 2023, including Angela Griffin, Chelsee Healey, Jamie Glover, Katie Griffiths, Lauren Drummond and Zeriozha Annika. Adam Thomas and Jason Merrells, who also starred in the original run, appeared in the most recent series, which concluded this week on BBC One. Denise Welch said her character is 15 years older, but certainly not wiser (PA Archive) Viewers will remember that Merrells character, headteacher Jack Rimmer, shared a rocky romantic history with Steph and with both characters back in the mix, fans are already speculating about an on-screen reunion. In the upcoming series, Steph returns to the school amid a teacher shortage, stepping in as a supply teacher. Her methods may still be unconventional, but her heart remains firmly in the right place. Im thrilled to see the return of Steph to Waterloo Road 15 years older, but certainly not wiser, Welch, who previously appeared in Coronation Street and on Loose Women said. Still unmarried but eternally hopeful, shes back as a supply teacher. What shes supplying remains to be seen! Its been wonderful to step back into her shoes and reunite with old castmates like Jason Merrells. Executive producer Cameron Roach added: Steph Haydock is a Waterloo Road icon. Her one-liners are as sharp as ever, her lipstick fiercely drawn, and the staffroom will never be the same again. Originally running from 2006 to 2015, Waterloo Road became one of the BBCs most popular dramas, tackling hard-hitting social issues such as teenage pregnancy, bullying and class inequality. It was rebooted in 2023 following renewed demand from fans and younger audiences discovering the show on BBC iPlayer, where it remains one of the platforms most streamed dramas. The new series of Waterloo Road will arrive on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in early 2026. All previous episodes are available to stream now on iPlayer. Donald Trump Jr is reminding The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin of a promise she made about the release of Israeli hostages last year. Farah Griffin is a former White House director of strategic communications who worked under President Trump during his first term, but resigned and later revealed she voted for Kamala Harris in the last election. In December 2024, she spoke about her hopes and fears around Trumps second term, and claimed on air: If he does good, if he gets the Israeli hostages out, I promise I will wear a MAGA hat for one day on the show and say, Thank you for doing it! The remark caused fellow host Sunny Hostin to respond: Please don't do that. After Griffin joked that Hostin would knock it right off my head, she concluded: You have to be able to cheer for wins when they happen and call out, relentlessly, the wrongdoing. Earlier today, President Trump hailed a momentous breakthrough and the new beginning for an entire beautiful Middle East after Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and detainees. Donald Trump Jr campaigning for his father in Charleston, South Carolina in February 2024 (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Emotional reunions took place across Israel, Gaza and the West Bank after all 20 living Israeli hostages and captives were released by Hamas, before Israel released more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees. In response to the news, Donald Trump Jr retweeted the clip of Farah Griffin on The View from last December, along with the comment: Sending this to the top. Lets go. On Mondays episode of The View, Farah Griffin did not wear a MAGA hat but did praise Trumps role in securing the ceasefire, which she said would be a historic, massive diplomatic achievement if the peace deal holds. Alyssa Farah Griffin appearing on ABCs The View (ABC - The View) She added: I think everyone should be able to celebrate it. And listen, whether you like Trump or not, I think he, Steve Witkoff, and I think Jared Kushner do deserve credit for this deal. They personally met with Hamas. I used to be of the mind we dont negotiate with terrorists, but sometimes the only way to get peace is to sit down with some of the most evil people and try to come up with what we can do to end the bloodshed. So, thank God, I pray that this peace holds. At the summit in Egypt where the deal was signed, Trump spoke of how moved he was by seeing Israeli hostages being reunited with their families. It's a beautiful thing to see, he said. In one sense, it's so horrible that it could have taken place, but in another sense, it's so beautiful to see a new and beautiful day is rising. Christian Suttle, 27, was arrested around 1:30 a.m. Sunday in Kentucky after allegedly passing out between the drive-thru windows at a Burger King. (Hopkins County Jail) A DoorDash delivery driver in Kentucky is facing drug charges after he was allegedly found unconscious in a Burger King drive-thru. Madisonville police responded around 1:30 a.m. Sunday for a wellness check was after a call about a black truck parked between the Burger King drive-thru windows on Chelsea Drive, 14 News reports. The caller said they attempted to wake the driver, later identified as Christian Suttle, 27, by knocking on the window, but he did not respond. When police arrived, they observed the Suttle moving the car from behind the building to a parking spot in front of the restaurant. Suttle was reportedly found sweating profusely with dilated pupils. When questioned, he claimed he had fallen asleep while waiting for a DoorDash order. He admitted to smoking methamphetamine a few hours before the incident. Christian Suttle, 27, was arrested around 1:30 a.m. Sunday in Kentucky after allegedly passing out between the drive-thru windows at a Burger King. (Hopkins County Jail) A search of Suttle's vehicle revealed a glass smoking pipe and a baggie containing suspected methamphetamine. Suttle was arrested and booked into the Hopkins County Jail on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. A DoorDash spokesperson told The Independent in a statement, We have zero tolerance for dashing under the influence. Weve deactivated the Dasher involved and have reached out to local law enforcement to assist their investigation however possible. China's science, technology sector participates in Serbia "TESLA FEST 2025" Xinhua) 09:42, October 14, 2025 BELGRADE, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The opening ceremony of Serbia's 39th International Festival of Innovation, Knowledge, and Creativity, "TESLA FEST 2025," was held in Novi Sad on Sunday, featuring Chinese products during the event. Running from Oct. 12 to 15, the event is sponsored by the Association of Inventors of Vojvodina and licensed by the World Intellectual Property Organization. It includes exhibitors from countries such as Romania and China. "We brought 28 projects to this exhibition, including innovations from universities and research institutes, enterprises, hospitals, and even young inventors," said He Zhenfu, vice chairman of the China Association of Inventions (CAI). The CAI participates in over 20 international invention exhibitions annually, with a particular focus this year on expanding cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, he said. "The Serbian and Chinese sides are highly complementary in this regard." Feng Jikai, founder and CEO of Beijing Gene Key Life Technology Co., Ltd., told Xinhua that his company presented the "GKL-006 injection," a treatment for irregular primary liver cell carcinoma. "Taking Serbia as a gateway to the European market, we aim to promote Chinese technology globally, contributing to the health of people worldwide through Chinese innovation," said Feng. Andjelko Glavasevic, president of the Association of Inventors of Vojvodina, shared with Xinhua that he has been closely following China's technological development for the past 30 to 40 years and holds a very positive impression of Chinese innovations. "Today, Chinese tech products are embedded in nearly every aspect of daily life in Serbia," he noted, adding that he "looks forward to further collaboration with China in this field in the future." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Emmerdale will air three special standalone episodes featuring key storylines this autumn. One episode will follow April Dingle (Amelia Flanagan), who is at the mercy of drug dealers, as her worried father Marlon (Mark Charnock) tries to get through to her. The special episode will explore the fragile relationship between a father and his daughter as she slips further from his grasp. Another episode will examine Robert Sugdens (Ryan Hawleys) life behind bars. The three episodes will each follow a separate storyline (ITV/PA) He served six years of a 14-year sentence for the murder of Lee Posner, the man who raped his sister, Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins). The instalment will follow what happened when he went to prison and show if it changed him forever. The third standalone episode will explore what happened to Bear (Joshua Richards) when he left for Ireland after finding it too difficult to live under the same roof as his son Paddy (Dominic Brunt). Paddy believed his estranged father was safe with friends in Ireland but it becomes apparent he never made the journey across the Irish Sea. The episode will explore where Bear disappeared and reveal the hundred missing days of his life and show that he is trapped in an all-too-common situation for a forgotten generation. The episodes will air in the autumn. The worldwide delusion that Donald Trumps bizarre approach to diplomacy has delivered a ceasefire or even peace in Gaza is being enthusiastically embraced by Ukraines president as he prepares for a White House meeting this week. It suits Volodymyr Zelensky to join the chorus of world leaders praising Trump for having pushed Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire rather than point out the truth, which is that the Israeli prime minister had no further need of war. In Trumps words to the Knesset, Netanyahu had won in Gaza. Kyiv has kept the invading Russians at bay even after losing tens of millions in American military aid (AP) The US president spelled out how that was possible. And Zelensky wants to win too. Trump said: We make the best weapons in the world, and weve got a lot of them, and weve given a lot to Israel, frankly, and Bibi [Netanyahu] would call me so many times. Can you get me this weapon, that weapon, that weapon, some of them I never heard of, Bibi, and I made them, but wed get them here, wouldnt we? And they are the best. You obviously use them very well, but so many that Israel became strong and powerful, which ultimately led to peace. Thats what led to peace. Donald Trump bragged about the weapons the US has supplied to Israel Zelensky wants a slice of this support (Evelyn Hockstein Pool/Getty) It's debatable whether Trump could have forced Netanyahu to end his campaign in Gaza earlier by cutting off weapons supplies when he came into office. Israel was still fighting to destroy Hamas and continuing its campaign in Gaza, flattening the enclave, bombing hospitals and restricting humanitarian aid amid widespread allegations of genocide. Israels stated aim was the eradication of Hamas. But the scorched-earth approach has delivered on the strategic aim, which is to make Gaza unlivable. Any Gazan who can will leave and join the 600,000 other Palestinians who have emigrated over the last couple of decades. But Trump kept the weapons flowing to Israel just as he cut off the supply to Ukraine attempting to force a ceasefire and peace plan on Ukraine which entirely favoured Vladimir Putin at the time. Ukraine fought on. It has developed long-range missiles and drone attacks, striking 5,000 kilometres inside Russia, while Europe rushed to fill the weapons gap. Kyiv has kept the invading Russians at bay even after losing tens of millions in American military aid. Israel enjoyed a steady flow of bombs, jets, missiles, and intelligence throughout its campaign in Gaza, with the result that Trump told Netanyahu: I want to congratulate you for having the courage to say, That's it. Weve won. Despite US weapon supply being cut off, Ukraine fights on (Ukrainian 65 Mechanized brigade) Zelensky has a team already en route to the US to talk to the Trump administration about opportunities to make money rebuilding his country, repairing the energy infrastructure and mining its minerals. He knows that while Trump is ebullient over what he thinks he has achieved in Gaza, he might be mesmerised into contributing to Ukraine. We have to get Russia done. Weve got to get that one done, he said in the Knesset before directly addressing his envoy Steve Witkoff: If you dont mind, Steve, lets focus on Russia. Well get it done. The US has so far only threatened Russia with economic sanctions under Trump. US trade with Russia has always been small. But there are some small signs that Trump is losing patience with Putin. Putin has not achieved what he aimed to do in Ukraine. In Israel, Netanyahu was facing public opposition to his continued campaign in Gaza from his own armed forces. His operations in the enclave have been described by the United Nations as genocide, and Israel was facing the very real prospect of international economic boycotts, disinvestment and sanctions. Unlike Russia, Israel has no oil or gas to fuel its war. It needs American subsidy to do that and it needs US weapons to campaign. Zelensky poses for a photo with Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline positions at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region in September (Ukrainian presidential press) Israel stopped its fighting in Gaza to get the last hostages out and to avoid further global isolation. To get Putin to stop, Zelensky knows he needs help from Trump in a real military form. To get a breakthrough to either peace talks or, better still, a collapse of invading Russian forces in Ukraine, Zelensky needs Trump to hold Putins feet to a real fire. The White House is inching that way, it seems. Trumps administration is considering selling Ukraine its Tomahawk cruise missiles, which could be used to strike Russian targets deep in the country. Kyiv is already hitting Moscows fuel and energy infrastructure, but it could use some help to go after its command and control systems. Zelensky also desperately needs air defences as Moscow has upped its efforts to destroy Ukraines own energy networks as winter approaches. More than 30,000 people were left without power in Kharkiv on Monday night after waves of air attacks from Russia. Trump has said he thinks Ukraine could win its war and turn back Putins paper tiger. Since Trump himself has acknowledged that Israels victory in Gaza was due to American weapons, Zelensky is heading to Washington with one request: Give me the weapons and Ill burn that tiger. Fox News host Emily Compagno suggested that the backlash to Paramounts decision to install Bari Weiss as CBS News editor-in-chief had an antisemitic thread behind it, specifically flagging a recent article by The Independent. Compagnos remarks came during a Fox News segment about not only the broad criticism Weiss has received since arriving at CBS, but also the internal pushback from network staffers over the self-described politically homeless pundits DOGE-like directive. Following months of speculation, Paramount Skydance chief David Ellison announced last Monday that the company had not only hired Weiss to lead CBS News but that it had purchased her anti-woke and heterodox digital outlet The Free Press for $150 million. However, even before Weiss was officially brought on, network staffers had expressed trepidation about her ability to lead CBS, especially since she had no prior experience in broadcast journalism. People are using words like depressing and doomsday feels like some sort of doomsday, one CBS News reporter told The Independent earlier this month, while another noted that staffers were literally freaking out over the pending hire and Ellisons other politically charged changes to the newsroom. It's not a good place right now, one source said right before the Weiss hire was announced. There was a proper way to do this and a not proper way, and they're doing it in the non-proper way, and maybe that's by design. Fox News host Emily Compagno asserts that there is an antisemitic thread behind the criticism of Bari Weiss' ascension as CBS News editor-in-chief (Fox News) On top of that, due to Weiss stridently pro-Israel stance (she has described herself as a Zionist fanatic), many staffers felt that a major reason she was being brought to oversee CBS News was due to the close ties Ellison and his father Oracle founder and close Trump ally Larry Ellison share with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He's essentially going to hand the keys to the kingdom to Bari Weiss and to anyone and everyone who is an ideologue that supports his and his father's world, a network staffer told The Independent. During her first week at the helm of the network, meanwhile, Weiss literally made employees roll their eyes with her Sorkinesque call to arms, exclaiming lets do the f***ing news during her first editorial call. She also sent out an email to the networks thousand-plus employees demanding they detail their workday. By the end of the day Tuesday, Id like a memo from each person across our news organization, Weiss wrote. Im not looking for a JD or words like synergy. I want to understand how you spend your working hours and, ideally, what youve made (or are making) that youre most proud of. Her missive prompted staffers to quip that they got Elon Musked and DOGEd, referencing the infamous edict from the Department of Government Efficiency that was once spearheaded by the worlds richest man and one-time first buddy. Weiss email has sparked confusion at the network, as staffers have received conflicting orders on whether they should respond or not. The Writers Guild of America, which represents union employees at the network, told its members not to send the requested memo until CBS provided more details on whether their replies could serve as a basis for discipline, discharge, or layoff. Two sources at CBS News told The Independent that staffers were perplexed, though, since some managers have told them to do the exact opposite of what their union has said and respond to Weiss. Bari Weiss email to CBS News staff demanding to know what their workday consists of has been met with confusion and criticism within the network (Paramount) During Tuesdays broadcast of the Fox News roundtable show Outnumbered, Compagno noted that the backlash was swift and severe to Weiss arrival at CBS, pointing to a number of social media posts from prominent progressives. After reading pointed critiques from former New York Times colleagues of Weiss, who called her a talentless hack with zero news experience, Compagno then spotlighted The Independents reporting about the internal angst over The Free Press founder. This kind of thing would make me laugh if there was not an antisemitic thread in there, the Fox host fumed, suggesting that Weiss Jewish heritage is sparking the criticism of her. Ironically, in employment law, employees are entitled to specificity. And the whole point of articulation back and forth is that employees have the right to know what is expected of them, she continued, referencing Weiss letter to staff. And the fact that they are resisting as if it is some type of rebellion is such a joke to me and just speaks that none of them are actually in the business of transmitting actual information. Moments later, the Outnumbered panelists also took aim at HBO host John Olivers dissection of Weiss journalism career and why there is such concentrated outrage over her ascension to the top of CBS News. I wouldnt want anyone who led a pure opinion outlet, not even one that I happen to agree with, to suddenly be running CBS News, Oliver declared on Sunday. But it is especially alarming to have someone doing it who has spent years putting out work that, in my opinion, is at best irresponsible and at worst deeply misleading. Fox News host and former Trump White House spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany stood up for Weiss, insisting that she is extraordinarily talented and very smart. At the same time, according to McEnany, she was unsure if Weiss could fix what is broken at CBS News because there was a lot broken. Sebastien Lecornu told the National Assembly on Tuesday that no increase in the retirement age will take place from now until January 2028. Photograph: Teresa Suarez/EPA Frances prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, has suspended Emmanuel Macrons flagship 2023 pension overhaul until after the 2027 presidential election in the hope of winning over enough Socialist deputies to survive a no-confidence vote. In a welcome respite for the embattled French president, the left-leaning party, which holds the balance of power in a deeply divided parliament, suggested in response on Tuesday that it would not back any of the no-confidence motions to be voted on later this week. After the centre-right Les Republicains (LR) said it would back the government, no-confidence motions submitted by the far-right National Rally (RN) and radical-left France Unbowed (LFI) and due to be voted on Thursday would need Socialist party (PS) support to succeed. Responding to Lecornus announcement on Tuesday, the PS parliamentary leader, Boris Vallaud, did not explicitly say the party would not vote to topple Lecornu. But he hailed a victory and said it was prepared to take a bet on further debate for now. A PS deputy, Laurent Baumel, went further, telling BFM TV that the party, which is itself divided on how to handle the fragile government, will not vote in favour of ousting it or submit its own motion of no confidence for the time being. He added that did not mean it would not do so in the future. Lecornu, who resigned last Monday but was reappointed by Macron on Friday, faces an uphill struggle to pass an austerity budget for next year through Frances deeply splintered parliament, in which no single group has a majority. With a total of 264 deputies from the RN, LFI, Greens, Communists and hardline-right UDR pledged to vote against him and 288 votes needed to topple the government, any no-confidence motion would need the backing of at least 24 PS deputies to succeed. To applause from the PS benches, Lecornu made his pension announcement belated acknowledgment by Macron that freezing the unpopular law, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, was the only way to save his premier. I will propose to parliament, starting this autumn, that we suspend the 2023 pension reform until the presidential election, he told the assembled deputies. No increase in the retirement age will take place from now until January 2028. He also promised he would not use the constitutional tool known as article 49.3 to bypass a vote in parliament on any draft laws, and to instead put all his governments proposed bills to debate in the national assembly. The government will make suggestions, we will debate, and you will vote, he said. The unpopular pensions overhaul, forced through parliament without a vote, had been seen as one of Macrons main economic legacies. The incoming finance minister, Roland Lescure, said last week that suspending it would cost billions by 2027. Related: Disgruntled French workers encouraged to arrive late in protest over pension age rise Lecornu said the suspension would cost 400m (348m) in 2026 and 1.8bn the following year, and would benefit 3.5 million people. It will therefore have to be financially compensated, including through cost-saving measures, he said. He urged the deputies not to topple his government by default, calling instead for further debate. Which MPs will tell their fellow citizens they do not want to discuss the budget? he asked. Isnt that the very heart of parliaments function? Lecornu received early backing from Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the conservative LR in the assembly, who said his party would not be among those who bring down prime ministers. France needs a minimum of stability. However, Mathilde Panot, leader of the radical-left LFI in parliament, told Lecornu her partys position was unchanged, adding: We will not be participating in your salvation. Jordan Bardella, of the far-right RN, repeated his call for snap elections. In the national assembly, from the LR to the PS, the friendly circle of Emmanuel Macrons saviours take turns to speak, he said. The only common denominator of this nonsensical majority is fear of the ballot box, and fear of the people. France has been mired in its worst political crisis in decades since Macron called snap elections in 2024 that produced a hung parliament divided into three roughly equal blocs: left, far right and the presidents own centrist allies. The prime minister has urged his new cabinet to do everything to help the country emerge from deadlock and pass an austerity budget by the end of the year. Macron warned any vote to topple the cabinet would force snap parliamentary elections. Lecornus two immediate predecessors, Michel Barnier and Francois Bayrou, were ousted over plans to cut public spending. Lecornus proposed measures include an exceptional contribution from big companies and those with Frances biggest fortunes. Frances debt-to-GDP ratio is close to twice the 60% limit fixed by EU rules. The countrys deficit hit 5.8% of GDP last year, also nearly double the official EU target. In the draft budget approved by his cabinet on Tuesday, Frances public deficit would be cut to 4.7% of GDP, Lecornu said, saying it must remain below 5% after parliament had debated the budget this autumn. Ramadan Abed A stricken city lay in ruins with every institution destroyed and countless thousands dead. In the aftermath of the disaster, with no effective security forces to restore order, heavily armed gangs vied for mastery and anarchy soon took hold. I write not of Gaza but of Haiti, from where I reported in January 2010 straight after an earthquake had killed at least 100,000 people. As well as bringing human tragedy and physical devastation, this natural disaster also destroyed every pillar of the Haitian state, leaving rival gangs to dominate most of the country ever since. After the earthquake had wrecked the jam-packed hillside slums of the capital, Port-au-Prince, the survivors were cast onto the streets and forced to sleep in giant encampments. With no police to protect them, I found the makeshift camps patrolled by young men with handguns stuffed in their belts, saying they were members of the Le gang de Cite Soleil, created to guard that area of the capital. An armed gang member stands guard in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 2024 - Clarens Siffroy/AFP Most mornings there were fresh corpses lying near the camps, generally young men with their heads bloodied by bullet wounds, and the whisper would be that thieves or child kidnappers had been dealt with in the night. In the aftermath of a very different and wholly man-made catastrophe, does Gaza face a future of Haiti-isation, where the order once imposed by Hamas is succeeded by anarchy and the rule of gangs? How will the territory be stabilised and reconstructed? Will the triumphalism of Donald Trump and the good intentions of the world collide with the reality of an ungovernable Gaza? For months, there have been signs of this degeneration. When Israel was remorselessly pounding Hamas, established clans that have long controlled Gazas criminal underworld became steadily bolder. The Abu Shabab clan took over areas of Rafah beside the Egyptian border, making a handsome living by looting United Nations aid trucks. Members of the Abu Shabab clan, one of the groups backed by Israel to weaken Hamas - Facebook In the town of Khan Younis, a militia leader called Hossam al-Astal, from the al-Majida clan, fought regular street battles against gunmen who his followers denounced as Hamas dogs. Last week Astal spoke to The Telegraph and said that his fighters were controlling a zone that he called a liberated area from Hamas occupation. He added: We will not stop fighting Hamas. We have martyrs Hamas has our blood on their hands. Even if Israel signs a treaty and stops the war with Hamas, we will not stop. Words of this kind must be music to the ears of Israeli commanders. In line with the principle that my enemys enemy is my friend, Israel has duly helped the gangs to fight Hamas, allying with both the Abu Shabab clan and Astal. Militia leader Hossam al-Astal (centre), of the al-Majida clan - Facebook Further north, in Gaza City itself, Hamas launched an operation over the weekend designed to drive its old rival, the Doghmush clan, out of the Tel al-Hawa area. This round of intra-Palestinian fighting, beginning after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel on Friday, claimed at least 27 lives. Israeli forces have now withdrawn from about half of the Gaza Strip, including the most densely populated areas, in line with phase one of the peace agreement. As for who will secure the ground they vacate, the whole point of the deal to end the war is that it cannot be Hamas. The terrorists are supposed to disarm and either go into exile or accept an amnesty and play no part whatever, direct or indirect, in the future governance of Gaza. Instead, an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) is supposed to secure a post-conflict Gaza, at least until this unit has trained what point 15 of the Trump peace plan describes as vetted Palestinian police forces. But there is no agreement on where the troops for the ISF will come from. No one can say how many there will be, or when they will arrive, or what mandate they will have. Even supposing that all these questions are answered, assembling this force will be the work of months. Who will police the streets of Gaza in the meantime? The reality is there are only three possibilities: Israel, Hamas or the gangs. Public executions have been carried out by Hamas in Gaza after the peace deal If Israeli forces were to return, that would mean the peace plan had failed and the war had restarted. If there is a trial of strength between Hamas and the gangs, one former Western official with long experience of post-conflict stabilisation has no doubt that Hamas would win. If youre going to set yourself up against Hamas, youre going to have to be very well armed and well organised. And the clans are too small, he says. Theyre going to do deals. Hamas is reported to have already recalled 7,000 of its security forces to restore control over areas vacated by Israel. Even after the Israeli onslaught of the last two years, the fact that Hamas was able to release 20 hostages on Monday, in accordance with the agreement, producing them at agreed times and places, having kept them hidden and guarded, shows how the movement retains an organisational and logistical backbone. It remains, in effect, the most formidable gang of all. I was in Gaza for 12 days of the previous war in 2014. Israels offensive during that conflict did not remotely match the scale of the last two years, but it still involved round-the-clock air strikes and a ground invasion which, at its height, captured 44 per cent of Gaza. Even under that pressure, it was obvious to anyone in Gaza that Hamass iron grip was never loosened. As explosions echoed around the tower blocks, I would see Hamas men in ordinary civilian clothes loitering on the pavements or sitting in doorways, keeping careful watch on everything and everybody. That basic structure of surveillance and control almost certainly survives today. The former Western official believes that Hamas will have a de facto veto over whatever arrangements are made for the future governance, reconstruction and security of Gaza. It feels as if Hamas is still strong enough so that its going to have a veto over anyone running Gaza, except by its consent, he says. A Hamas fighter stands guard while awaiting the Red Cross vehicles that would be collecting the hostages - Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images If the peace holds and rebuilding begins, this will only happen by permission of Hamas. The former official predicts that Hamas may prove amenable, not least because it will be under immense pressure from Arab states, particularly Qatar, to choose that course. But all of this is a far cry from the destruction of Hamass military and governing capabilities which is what Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, defined as his countrys war aim. Instead, the likelihood is that Gaza will only be stabilised, governed and rebuilt by the tacit consent of Hamas. And this will doubtless come at a price. The former official predicts that Hamas will try to infiltrate its own personnel into whatever future governance structures come into being. Hamas will seek to profit from the huge inflow of funds for reconstruction. If and when the ISF arrives, Hamas may test whether it can get away with rebuilding any of its military capabilities. Only one development could prevent this scenario and stop Hamas from being a shadow force, invisibly pulling the strings of power in Gaza, and that would be the movements total disarmament, as specified in point 13 of Trumps peace plan. But who exactly is going to bring this about? How would disarmament be monitored and verified? The language in the peace plan, which talks of placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, is identical to the terminology used to describe the IRAs disarmament after the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. That tortuous process took years and came at a price but was eventually achieved by agreement. Has Hamas agreed to disarm? If not, will it be forcibly disarmed? If so, by whom? Any attempt to compel Hamas to relinquish its weapons might cause the movement to withdraw whatever tacit consent it may give to the reconstruction and governance of Gaza. Disarmament is going to be the big thing, says the former official. Its easy to do a token disarmament but real disarmament is what would change the mood of Hamas from passive acceptance to active resistance. Gaza will have one asset that post-earthquake Haiti never possessed: intense international interest and a willingness to invest large sums of money. Rather than trying to enforce peace and disarmament with an international force, it may prove possible to buy both outcomes. Gaza might be spared Haiti-isation by the simple device of buying off the gang leaders. In the same way, rank-and-file Hamas fighters and perhaps their leaders might be tempted to give up their weapons in return for cash. After the searing ordeal of the last two years, even the most ardent must surely think twice about going back to war. Gaza only exists because the ceasefire lines of the first Arab-Israeli conflict in 1948 came to define its borders. So far, there is still no answer to how this territory an accident of military cartography might be governed. Whether it slips into Haiti-style anarchy now hangs in the balance. Credit: Hamas Military Wing via Reuters Hostages were beaten unconscious, tortured, starved, and chained up inside tunnels for months by Hamas in Gaza, family members of those released on Monday have said. As Israel continued to celebrate the return of 20 abductees, details have begun to emerge about their brutal treatment at the hands of Hamas. Family members have given a glimpse of savage beatings and degrading behaviour that became worse following the resumption of the war in March. They have also said that Hamas tried to use hostages as human shields during Israels final offensive to seize Gaza City in recent weeks. Some have confirmed their loved ones are traumatised and unable to speak much about their ordeals. Hostages released under previous agreements - and their families - tended to be cautious about revealing the details of their ordeals in case it jeopardised the safety of those still held captive. With that fear now lifted, Israel is bracing itself for a torrent of distressing information, just as its government is under pressure to negotiate the second phase of Donald Trumps peace plan. Anat Angrest, mother of abducted soldier Matan Angrest, told Channel 12 news that his son was severely abused following his capture from his tank on October 7, 2023. Matan Angrest on route to hospital following his release. On the whiteboard, he wrote: Daniel, Tomer, and Itay [his tank crew], you are the kings of lions. Due to the heroes in uniform, Am Yisrael Chai! - IDF He remembers being beaten so badly that he lost consciousness, she said. They covered him with black sacks and dragged him away. Adding to the horror of his abuse at the hands of his jailers, Mr Angrest also suffered repeated terrifying episodes as a result of Israeli airstrikes, when the walls of the tunnels collapsed around him. Many times they found themselves buried under the rubble, trying to climb out and survive, she said. Mr Angrests family already had some idea about the extent of his suffering due to the testimony of previously released hostages. b' ' They recounted how the soldiers chronic asthma and breathing troubles were exacerbated after his frequent violent interrogations by Hamas jailers. The mother of Alon Ohel said he was chained in the same tunnel for almost the entire two years he was held captive, but added that 40 days ago, he was unexpectedly moved to a new tunnel located in the centre of the Gaza Strip, a journey that took hours. The IDF said this was to use him as a human shield to prevent Israel from taking the city. Some hostages were held in total isolation. b' Copy of Alon Ohel hostages - before and after ' Ariel Cunio only found out that his brother David, who was also released on Monday, and girlfriend Arbel Yehoud, who was released in January, were alive upon being released himself. Elkana Bohbot also spent most of his time in captivity, chained in tunnels, where he lost all sense of time and space, his family said. Despite this, he remembered his wedding day and demanded that he be allowed to take a shower in honour of the occasion. The Hamas guard initially refused, but then granted the request, according to reports. b' ' Matan Angrests mother said her son had begun to give some details of the abuse he suffered in the early days after his abduction. Every now and then he tells a few sentences. He went through very severe torture in the first months when he was defined as a soldier... I dont know where he got these strengths from. She told N12: He didnt remember how he was actually kidnapped, but he did remember the battle, and he guessed that his friends were killed that morning. He has flashbacks where he loses consciousness and occasionally opens his eyes, the kidnapping, the beating of him, the covering of him with black bags, the abuse of him... Hes been through a lot. Matan Angrest also suffered repeated terrifying episodes as a result of Israeli airstrikes, when the walls of the tunnels collapsed around him. Evyatar Davids father told Israeli media that his son had suffered both physical and psychological abuse during captivity. In August, Hamas released a video of him being forced to dig his own grave. His skeletal condition was compared to those of Holocaust victims, and intensified calls for negotiations to be restarted on the basis that the hostages were gravely ill. He is thought to be losing sight in his right eye due to his incarceration. In footage released by Hamas, Evyatar David was forced to dig his own grave In arguably the most severe case of isolation, Avinatan Or was held alone for the whole two years and did not encounter any other captives until his release on Monday. He was reportedly held in tents, rather than tunnels, in one of the vast refugee areas in central Gaza. He has lost between 30 and 40 per cent of his body weight, according to reports. Avinatan Or, pictured after his release, lost between 30 and 40 per cent of his body weight - Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg Experts at the hospitals currently treating the returned hostages have previously warned that after the euphoria of reuniting with their loved ones, family members need to learn to give the individual space, so as to avoid overwhelming them and allow them to begin to process their ordeal. After his release, Mr Or spent a quiet moment with his girlfriend, the former hostage Noa Argamani, the two sharing their first cigarette for two years. An Indian green card holder who has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for more than two months is battling a brain tumour and a heart condition, according to his family and attorney. Paramjit Singh, 48, an Indiana resident who has lived in the US for 30 years and runs a chain of gas stations, was detained by ICE agents at a Chicago airport on 30 July as he was returning from a trip to India. Mr Singhs detention was nothing short of horrific for him and his family as he was battling a brain tumour and other health conditions without proper medical support, his attorney, Louis Angeles, was quoted as saying by Newsweek. Mr Singhs wife raised concerns over her husbands health in detention saying he was getting weaker by the day because he was allegedly being kept in a cold room with no blankets. ICE authorities previously cited a 26-year-old case for detaining Mr Singh, although his family and attorney claimed there were no active cases against him and he had already served time in that old case. Mr Singhs detention is part of president Donald Trumps crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the US, specifically those with violent criminal records. The crackdown has seen over 200,000 people arrested and some 50,000 detained so far this year, with many being seized while going to work, outside courthouses, and in store parking lots. Major crackdowns in cities like Boston and Chicago have seen families hole up in their homes, afraid to leave and risk detainment. In September, ICE agents shot a man dead in Illinois after he allegedly resisted arrest and hit officers with a car. Mr Singh was just 22 years old when he arrived in the US in 1994 with his father, who was a US citizen. The family bought a gas station in Liberty, Indiana, and Mr Singh was tasked with handling its operations. The gas station had a payphone and people living in the area would often use it to make calls abroad. Mr Singh said that at the time he, like many others, thought the phone was free and everyone would make calls to India and other countries for long hours. However, following a complaint, Mr Singh was charged with a felony, instead of a misdemeanour for a minor offence, and was ordered to pay a $4,137.50 fine and remain in prison for 10 days. He completed his sentence and paid the fine but his conviction blocked his US citizenship. Some 26 years later, the case became the reason for his detention at a Clay County detention centre in Indiana. Mr Angeles said the case was a "minor infraction for which he has already taken full accountability, served his time, and paid his debt to society. He claimed that efforts to secure Mr Singhs release had been exhaustive but frustrating as tactics were being deployed to prolong his detention, despite authorities being fully aware of his severe medical condition. He said Mr Singh needed emergency surgery for his tumour but the US government was holding him without justifiable cause, exacerbating his health risks and causing immense distress to his family. Mr Singhs wife, Lakhwinder Kaur, told the Indian media outlet Quint that her husband had visited India at least 20 times over the last three decades and never faced an issue. We worry about his condition. The tumor worsens under stress. He has also lost so much weight. It's hard to live without family, she said, adding that she was speaking with her husband for five minutes every day. My husband is growing weaker. In the few minutes I get in a day to speak to him, he cries sometimes. My son has his exams coming up, but he can't focus, she added. He keeps thinking about how he can get his dad out. He's closer to his father than he is to me. Mr Singhs family previously said it was only five days after he was detained at the Chicago airport that they were told that he was being sent to a detention centre in Indiana in connection with the 1999 payphone case. They alleged that Mr Singh fell ill and was taken to an emergency room at the airport. He was kept in a cold room without blankets or clothes and his luggage containing his medicines and clothing was withheld, the family alleged. Proper medical care was only provided on 17 September after the family wrote to US Congressman Marlin Stutzman, they added. We are no longer allowing illegal aliens who have not been admitted into the US to be eligible for bond. President Trump and Secretary Noem [Kristi Noem] are now enforcing this law as it was actually written to keep America safe, assistant secretary at Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, told The Independent. She added that if an illegal immigrant is treated at a hospital in ICE custody the government will pay for the medical bills. Denying allegations that he was kept in a cold room without blankets or appropriate clothing, she said, this is more lies from this fraudster with a history of theft. For the record: It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility. Politicians and activists can cry wolf all they want, but it wont deter this administration from keeping these criminals and lawbreakers off American streets and now thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill, we will have plenty of bed space to do so. If illegal aliens dont want to end up in detention, they should use the CBP Home app to receive $1,000 and a free flight home, she said. Indonesia has nearly doubled a key allowance for its lawmakers just weeks after protests against excessive pay and perks of parliamentarians swept the country. The raise has reignited public anger as the Southeast Asian nation is still recovering from the violent clashes between protesters and riot police that left 10 people dead and at least 5,000 injured. All 580 lawmakers will now receive 702m rupiah (31,800) in recess allowance, which is meant to support work in their constituencies while parliament is not in session. Indonesian parliamentarians take about five breaks per year. The latest hike, which almost doubles the allowance from 400m rupiah (18,100), came into effect on 3 October, deputy speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said. Mr Dasco defended the hike, saying the previous sum was calculated for 2019-2024 and didn't take into account the subsequent rises in food and transportation prices. So, this is not a raise, it is a policy decided by the House's secretariat after reviewing various kinds of aspects," he said, adding the figure was not proposed by the House of Representatives but by the secretariat. Mr Dasco, a senior member of president Prabowo Subianto's Gerindra party, said parliament was developing a digital reporting mechanism to ensure transparency which would be open to the public. A demonstrator holds a portrait of Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle taxi driver who was run over by a police vehicle on August 28, during a protest in front of the Regional Police Headquarters in Surabaya (AFP via Getty) "It's like Indonesians have been pranked," Lucius Karus from Formappi, a nonprofit parliamentary watchdog, said. "We were satisfied by the abolition of the housing allowance... but, in fact, another fantastic allowance has appeared. Thousands of students, activists and other citizens joined protests in August against the government's spending priorities, including pay rises for lawmakers. Public outrage erupted after reports that members of the House of Representatives in the world's third-largest democracy were due to receive a monthly housing allowance of 50m rupiah (2,315) in addition to their salaries. The allowance, introduced last year, was nearly 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage. The protests spiralled into riots after a motorcycle taxi driver was crushed by a police operation. The violence spread to 32 of Indonesia's 38 provinces, making it the deadliest outbreak of unrest in the archipelago for over two decades. In several cities, protesters set fire to regional parliament buildings and police headquarters and looted and burnt vehicles. In the wake of the unrest, some of the benefits for lawmakers were removed, cutting the total to 65.5m rupiah (2,973). Every other week, Make America Healthy Again loyalists gather on an online call to rally behind their leader, Robert F Kennedy Jr. The meeting, livestreamed on YouTube, is hosted by the non-profit organization MAHA Action, led by activist and publisher Tony Lyons, and invites people to join the front lines of Americas health revolution. MAHA Action is unwavering in its support for Kennedy, who was recently condemned by six former U.S. surgeons general, calling his leadership a profound, immediate, and unprecedented threat to the health and safety of Americans. The warning followed President Donald Trump and Kennedy's joint, highly contested announcement last month that pregnant women using Tylenol is a driving cause of autism in children. Lyons sets the tone by hosting the MAHA Action calls in front of a bookshelf adorned with three copies of the Health Secretarys biography The Real RFK Jr, a copy of First Lady Melania Trumps autobiography and a recent memoir by Italys right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni all published under Lyons Skyhorse Publishing. Make America Healthy Again loyalists gather regularly online to rally behind their leader, Robert F Kennedy Jr. (REUTERS) Those taking part include Kennedys wife, the Curb Your Enthusiasm actor Cheryl Hines, who once commended the virtual room on their MAHA spirit, a Pussycat Doll who said she was left bedbound by the Covid-19 vaccine, and British comedian and conspiracy theorist Russell Brand, who is facing charges of rape and sexual assault in the U.K. On one of the calls, Brand, who has pleaded not guilty and is due to go on trial in 2026, appeared on screen to tell viewers that his primary value was amplifying the fantastic voices that are already in office in this movement. Brand, who is a regular on the calls, discussed the critical battle of the information space and told how comedians Steven Colbert and John Oliver have attacked Kennedy over his health policies. Comedian and conspiracy theorist Russell Brand, who is facing charges of rape and sexual assault in the U.K., has appeared more than once on the calls. Brand pleaded not guilty and denies any wrongdoing (Getty Images) Even the way [Kennedy] was attacked in mainstream media by I guess you would say authentic communicators like say Steven Colbert or John Oliver, Brand said. Comedians that I kind of respect, that the attacks that Bobby received there was a sort of an awakening for me for how this establishment works when it comes to figures that are genuinely willing to confront the establishment. Celebrity TV doctor-turned-federal-administrator Dr Mehmet Oz has also appeared a handful of times, and once called in to the livestream from his office at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. Former Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta was a guest on the groups October 9 call where she told about her experience after having the Moderna vaccine in 2021. Kennedys wife, Cheryl Hines, appeared as a guest on the livestream where she commended the virtual room on their MAHA spirit (AFP via Getty Images) After my second dose, my health was ripped from me, Sutta said, wearing an I heart RFK Jr hoodie. They had no idea what was going on with me. Sutta previously said she was left bedbound after having the vaccines, and she suffered from muscle pain and chronic fatigue. She revealed on the call that she recently traveled to a stem cell clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, for treatment. They have this technology and caring doctors that can really kind of nip, you know, autoimmune diseases in the bud, cure cancer, things like that, Sutta said. Former Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta was a guest on the groups October 9 call where she told about her experience after having the Moderna vaccine in 2021 (Getty Images) In the U.S., there are only a few FDA-approved stem cell-based therapies available and specialists have warned against predatory businesses that market unsafe procedures. There is no proof that any stem cell therapy offered by stem cell clinics is effective or safe, the University of Washingtons Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine said. Predatory businesses across the country are misusing the term stem cells to market unapproved, unproven, and unsafe procedures that are often expensive and largely ineffective, the institute added. The Independent has contacted MAHA Action for comment. Last month, Trump and Kennedy said they had found a link between mothers taking acetaminophen, Tylenols scientific name, during pregnancy and autism. But they did not announce a definitive link of causation between taking the over-the-counter drug, which mothers often take for fevers and pain during pregnancy, and autism. Many Americans seem to not trust Trump and Kennedys claims. A poll from KFF found that just four percent of Americans believed their claims about Tylenol and autism were definitely true, while 30 percent said it was probably false and 35 percent said it was definitely false. The mother of the Bipin Joshi from Nepal, whose body has now been handed over by Hamas, demonstrating in hostages square on 11 October. Photograph: Yael Guisky Abas/Sopa Images/Shutterstock The families of missing dead Israeli hostages have written to the US special envoy Steve Witkoff to urge him to pull out every stop and leave no stone unturned in forcing Hamas to bring their relatives home from Gaza. The return of 28 dead hostages was part of the agreement that ushered in a ceasefire, but only four have so far been handed over. Mediators understand that Hamas is having trouble locating all of the dead but the Israeli government believes the group is making insufficient effort. The Israeli military announced on Tuesday night that the Red Cross had received four further bodies from Gaza. The families of the dead have demanded solidarity over the fate of their loved ones. Yael Adar, the mother of Tamir Adar, 38, whose body was taken from the Nir Oz kibbutz during the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel, described the lack of a handover as betrayal a by Benjamin Netanyahus government. The struggle is not over until the last captive returns, she said. Adars aunt, Adriyana, told the Guardian: We need to make it happen. I think the United States and the other countries that are involved in this, they need to make it happen. Its not finished until its finished. In the families letter to Witkoff, they wrote: We ask you to pull out every stop and leave no stone unturned in demanding that Hamas fulfil their end of the agreement and bring all the remaining hostages home. Your assurance that you will not leave anyone behind echoes in our hearts and gives us strength to continue. Your words that you would dig with your own fingers to find our loved ones left behind are forever etched in our memory and sustain us through the darkest moments. In a bid to placate the families, the Israeli government said on Tuesday it would keep the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza closed and reduce humanitarian aid to the strip. The ceasefire deal had foreseen an increase in aid. On Monday, Hamas released the final 20 living hostages taken on 7 October 2023, while Israel handed over nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as part of Donald Trumps 20-point plan. The agreement further requires Hamas to return 28 Israeli bodies in exchange for 360 Palestinians killed in the war in Gaza. Hamas told mediators it had lost nine of them under the rubble caused by recent bombing but the Israeli government was angered after receiving only four bodies instead of the expected 20, calling it a breach of the deal. An Arab diplomat from a mediating country told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that mediators were working on the issue and did not believe the Gaza agreement was in jeopardy. The International Committee of the Red Cross has said it will take time to hand over the remains of the hostages in Gaza, calling it a massive challenge owing to the difficulties of finding bodies in the rubble. Thats an even bigger challenge than having the people alive being released. Thats a massive challenge, said the ICRCs spokesperson Christian Cardon. Cardon said it could take days or weeks and that there was a possibility the remains would never be found. The four recovered bodies were sent to the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Tel Aviv for identification. Hamas has in the past sent back unrelated bodies instead of hostages. On Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had formally identified two of those handed over as Guy Illouz, 26, and Bipin Joshi, 23. Illouz, who was building a career in the music industry, was shot at Nova music festival on 7 October 2023 and was taken to a hospital in Gaza, where he died of his wounds. Joshi, a Nepalese agriculture student who was in Israel to study, was kidnapped from the Alumim kibbutz, where he was studying local farming methods. Video footage released by the Israeli military soon after the 2023 Hamas attacks appeared to show Joshi being dragged into Gazas Shifa hospital, his last known sighting alive. The two other bodies in the possession of the Israeli authorities and undergoing identification are said by Hamas to be those of Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Daniel Perez, 22. The US Capitol building is seen behind a metallic fence on 13 October. Photograph: Gent Shkullaku/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Congress remained deadlocked on legislation to reopen the federal government, as the US Senate on Tuesday again rejected a Republican plan to end the government shutdown that began two weeks ago. The eighth Senate vote to advance a Republican bill that would fund government operations through 21 November failed on a 49-45 tally far short of the 60 needed for advancement in the chamber. In a sign that that there has been little if any progress toward ending the stalemate, no senators changed their votes from the last time the measure was brought to the floor, though there were a handful of absences. After the Trump administration began laying off federal workers at several government agencies last week, Democrats and Republicans continued to trade blame. In a speech on the Senate floor, the Democratic leader Chuck Schumer slammed the Trump administrations decision to approve a huge bailout for Argentina in the middle of a government shutdown that has closed federal agencies and furloughed workers nationwide. If this administration has $20bn to spare for a Maga-friendly foreign government, they cannot turn around and say we dont have the money lower healthcare costs here at home, Schumer said, calling the move a slap in the face to US families. The Senate majority leader John Thune accused Democrats of taking government funding hostage over their demands to extend expiring subsidies for people who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. If the tax credits lapse, millions of Americans are likely to see their health insurance premiums rise sharply. Democrats were against shutdowns when it suited their political purposes, and now that it suits their political purposes they think to keep the government closed, now they support shutdowns, Thune said, adding: I suspect their political calculations are flawed. Earlier on Tuesday, the House speaker, Mike Johnson said he wont negotiate with Senate Democrats as the government shutdown dragged into its 14th day, while defending the Trump administrations decision to shuffle Pentagon funds to make sure military personnel get their paychecks. I dont have anything to negotiate, Johnson told reporters, accusing Democrats of playing games. Related: Republican and Democratic senators dig in heels over government shutdown Johnson also dismissed Democratic concerns about the legality of the Pentagons decision to use unspent research and development funds to pay service members during the shutdown, starting with a paycheck on Wednesday. If the Democrats want to go to court and challenge troops being paid, bring it, Johnson said. Im grateful for a commander in chief who understands the priorities of the country. The payment arrangement came after Donald Trump ordered his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, to find money for military salaries over the weekend. Trump said in a post on TruthSocial that he wouldnt let Democrats hold our military, and the entire security of our nation, HOSTAGE during the shutdown. The Pentagon and Office of Management and Budget announced that troops will receive their scheduled 15 October paycheck using reallocated funds, eliminating the immediate need for a separate US military pay bill. Johnson has said the Trump administration has every right to redirect the appropriated defense department funds, though Democratic lawmakers have questioned whether the action is legal. The speaker continued to blame Schumer for the impasse, accusing him of blocking the House-passed clean continuing resolution to appease his partys progressive wing. Were certainly not going to allow the American people to be taken hostage for his political gain, Johnson said, adding that he had no strategy beyond doing the right thing, the clearly obvious thing, the traditional thing. Johnson claimed the Republican stopgap funding bill contains no partisan priorities, telling reporters on Tuesday: I dont have anything that I can take off of that document to make it more palatable for them. The Republican speaker has kept the House in extended recess and scrapped scheduled votes as he attempts to pressure Senate Democrats into accepting the Republican proposal without modifications. Playing hardball has drawn praise from the rightwing House Freedom Caucus but criticism from some Republicans who argue the House should negotiate. According to a court filing by the countrys largest federal workers union, the American Federation of Government Employees, more than 4,000 government employees have been laid off during the shutdown. Senate Democrats representing Maryland and Virginia, states with high concentrations of federal workers, condemned the dismissals on Tuesday. This is all part of the Trump 2025 playbook, said Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland senator. Stop attacking employees, stop attacking the American people, and start negotiating to reopen the federal government. Actor Josh OConnor has said it is weird to him that some people may see him as an object of desire on the internet, and that anyone talking about his image, whether it is good or bad makes him feel uncomfortable. The film star, who reached a new level of fame after his appearance in steamy tennis drama Challengers (2024), said director Luca Guadagnino had to coach him to be like his character Patrick Zweig, who is wrapped up in a love triangle with characters played by Zendaya and Mike Faist. OConnor, 35, told British GQ: He (Guadagnino) kept (saying) Confident!. He was like Get your shoulders back. Youre a sexy, confident guy. Josh OConnor, Zendaya and Mike Faist at the UK premiere of Challengers (Ian West/PA) On the idea that people fancy him online, he added: I think it is weird to me, I dont feel comfortable with the idea of that, but thats more just about me and more about the idea of anyone talking about my image, good or bad. Thats kind of uncomfortable. OConnor said the media attention around Challengers felt more hectic than his experience with Netflix drama The Crown, in which he played a young King Charles, then the Prince of Wales. Recalling the moment he felt burnt out after a film premiere, he said: I felt so little control over my life in a weird way. There was something about these two worlds of my persona, being in front of these photographers and my career, and then my sweet family who are just the sweetest, like, What are you doing here? Do you know what I mean? I think I just felt incredibly overwhelmed. OConnor, who won an Emmy for his role in The Crown, said it was so refreshing to watch A Complete Unknown actor Timothee Chalamet admit that he was in pursuit of greatness while picking up the leading actor gong at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards earlier this year. I found it so refreshing, someone being like No, I want to be f****** great, OConnor said. But my first thoughts were like, OK, one, you already are. You did it, mate. But then the other thing was like, great that you want that, but I hope you want that in your real life too, and I hope it doesnt only become greatness in acting. Josh OConnor on the cover of British GQ (Coco Capitan/British GQ/PA) I hope its greatness in, I dont know, friendship or in being a great son, which Im sure he is, Im sure hes all those things too, but I hope that that doesnt become your sole focus. OConnor, who has also starred in Emma (2020), La Chimera (2023) and Lee (2023), spokes about his own career goals and said: The truth is Ive already had my dream career, like, beyond my dreams. So Ive done it, as far as Im concerned. Originally I just wanted to make theatre. And then I fell in love with film and Ive been able to work with my favourite filmmakers. But I guess Ive just got to the stage where Im like, OK, what can I do thats going to feed me as a person in my normal life? Read the full feature in the November issue of British GQ, available via digital download and on newsstands from October 28. Firefighters who met the Prince and Princess of Wales on their surprise visit to Northern Ireland said the princess jokingly asked for the sirens to be put on as the couple took a trip in a fire engine. William and Kate made an unannounced visit to the country on Tuesday to celebrate opportunities in rural areas and the potential of young entrepreneurs. It is the first time they have visited Belfast in three years, and comes weeks after their last joint public engagement in September 2024, when they visited Southport following the fatal attack at a dance class. As part of their trip, the couple visited a new 50m fire service training centre in Cookstown, County Tyrone, where they were given a tour and saw training at the college firsthand. William and Kate made made an unannounced visit to Northern Ireland on Tuesday (PA) They saw instructors at work training the next generation how to tackle a range of challenges, from saving flood victims to rescuing casualties from highrise buildings. They tried their hand at saving mock casualties who had fallen into the raging torrents of a flood simulator - but failed to throw the line quickly enough. The couple tried their hand at saving mock casualties who had fallen into the raging torrents of a flood simulator (PA) Newly qualified firefighters Caoimhe McNeice, 25, and Piarais McCaffery, 32, joined the couple as they were driven a short distance in a red engine. They claimed Kate had joked that she would have loved to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on, and had asked if William could take the wheel. The Princess of Wales speaks with assistant chief fire and rescue officer Mark Deeney (PA) Ms McNeice said about the driver: He got us there safely, I think he was on a limit for his speed. The princess was wanting the sirens on, but he was strictly told no. It was just a bit of banter. She said: Id love to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on. Firefighters who met the Prince and Princess of Wales claimed the princess asked for the sirens to be put on as they took a trip in a fire engine (PA) Kate also wanted her husband to take the wheel, Ms McNeice said. She was wanting the prince to drive, but the driver got us there anyway. They were shown around by Aidan Jennings, chief fire and rescue officer for Northern Ireland, who described it as a privilege and a proud and unforgettable day for the service. According to The Times, he said: Im honoured that the prince and princess witnessed firsthand how the real-life scenario-based training facilities are revolutionising how we train and develop our people. Kensington Palace said the couple would spend the day visiting innovative organisations that showcase growth and investment in rural areas and demonstrate entrepreneurial and creative opportunities for young people. William and Kate visited Belfast three years ago, when they took part in a cocktail-making race at a market and visited Carrickfergus. Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Donald Trump, saying the peace agreement in Gaza was his deal (PA Wire) Britain officially recognising a Palestinian state helped bring about peace in Gaza, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Prime Minister said the UK had been able to work "behind the scenes" for a ceasefire "precisely because of the approach this Government takes". Addressing MPs following his return from the summit in Egypt, he told the Commons: "That does include our decision to recognise the state of Palestine. "Because this move, taken alongside our allies France, Canada, Australia and others, helped lead to the historic New York declaration, where for the first time the entire Arab League condemned the atrocities of October 7, urged Hamas to disarm and, crucially, demanded that they end their rule in Gaza." But Sir Keir also stressed that the peace deal signed on Monday was predominantly down to US President Donald Trump. "This is his deal, he said. US President Donald Trump holds a signed document during the peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh (AP) The agreement was signed by Trump at a ceremony in Sharm El Sheikh, along with negotiators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. Israel and Hamas were not present. All of the 20 remaining living Israeli hostages were released by Hamas the same day, while Israel released more than 1,900 prisoners under the first phase of the deal. Sir Keir told MPs the agreement provided "a moment of profound relief" as he paid tribute to both the hostages and the civilians killed in Gaza. But he also stressed that the deal provided only "a chance to bring a terrible chapter in history, finally, to a close". Negotiations will now follow on phase two of the deal, which involves Hamas laying down its weapons - an action the group is reported to have dismissed - and the rebuilding of Gaza under a "peace board" chaired by Mr Trump and potentially including former prime minister Sir Tony Blair. Sir Keir told MPs: "While we celebrate the relief of peace today, making that peace last will be no less difficult a task, along with our allies, an absolute focus in the days and weeks ahead is the relentless implementation of this peace plan. "That is no small challenge, and so we stand ready to deploy our diplomacy and expertise in three key areas." Buses carrying Palestinians released from Israeli prisons under a Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal (AFP via Getty Images) He also called for the remains of the deceased hostages to be returned to their families "immediately" and urged Israel to lift "all restrictions" on aid entering Gaza. The UK will provide an additional 20 million in humanitarian aid to provide "water, sanitation and hygiene products" to people in the territory, Sir Keir added. Kemi Badenoch accused the Government of "rewarding terrorism" and accused pro-Palestine protesters of being "relatively silent about the good news of a ceasefire and hostage return". The Conservative leader told the Commons: "In a move praised by Hamas, Labour decided to recognise a state of Palestine with no condition to release the hostages still held in the tunnels of Gaza, rewarding terrorism." She later added: "The anti-Israel protesters who have turned our streets into theatres of hate have been relatively silent about the good news of a ceasefire and hostage return, showing us their real motivation." Ms Badenoch called on the Government to "now do everything it can to eradicate antisemitism". Israelis react as they wait for the release of hostages held in Gaza (AFP via Getty Images) Ending her response to the Prime Minister, she said: "Britain is a great country and still a powerful one. "We still have agency to shape the world around us. The Government must do better and show it has the backbone to use Britain's power to make a better world." Sir Keir warned that now is "not the time for a fight about the role which any individual played" in progressing a Middle East peace deal. He told the Commons: "I was surprised and saddened that she spent more time attacking what we actually did to help the process than even mentioning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, without setting out in terms the number of people that have been killed, that are starving, been subjected to denial of aid, when the immediate task for any serious government is to work with allies to get that aid in at speed. Sir Keir faced an awkward moment at the Egypt summit when it appeared he had been invited up to address the worlds media by Trump - only for the President to apparently block him off. Loss making broadband provider TalkTalk Group has put another 100 jobs at risk as part of a massive restructuring aimed at returning the company to profit. The Standard has learned that a consultation process has begun with staff across two hubs, one at its group HQ in Salford near Manchester and another in London, where it has offices at Finsbury Square in the City. A major job reduction plan was first revealed to investors at the start of the financial year. The latest potential job losses come hard on the heels of a major restructuring of TalkTalk groups wholesale arm PXC with about 350 jobs put at risk. In 2023 the TalkTalk Group split its main business into three separate firms; TalkTalk Consumer which had more than two million broadband customers, PXC, which offers services to other telecoms providers, and corporate service TalkTalk Business Direct, which was sold . Sky News reported in September that TalkTalk Group has lined up investment bank PJT Partners to handle a strategic review that could lead to a break up of the group. In August it emerged that pre-tax losses trebled in the year to to 28 February from 153 million to 465 million. Revenues declined from 1.51 billion to 1.41 billion. The accounts filed at Companies House also confirmed that the number of people employed by the group in the financial year fell from 2,065 to 1,570. A spokesperson for TalkTalk Group said:Over the past 18 months, we have been transforming how TalkTalk Group operates, invests, and serves its customers. The proposed changes to our consumer business are a necessary part of that journey, creating a more agile and future-focused organisation that can deliver innovation and improved service for our customers. TalkTalk was founded by Sir Charles Dunstone, who is still executive chairman, and is the UKs fourth-largest telecoms group. It was taken private from the London Stock Exchange in 2021 in a 1.1 billion deal led by sister companies Toscafund and Penta Capital. Britain's altnet sector, which comprises dozens of broadband infrastructure groups, has been struggling because of soaring costs and low customer take-up. After five years of carefully managing her public image from the comfort of Montecito, California, Meghan Markle appears to be very purposefully re-entering the limelight over the past few months. And with a new era comes a whole new look. Her rebrand, dubbed Meghan Markle 3.0, has taken many by surprise. After months of watching Markle cosplay Martha Stewart in her lifestyle-cum-home cooking show, With Love, Meghan, where she cooks and prepares gift baskets for her various famous friends, Markle seems to have ditched her coastal grandmother aesthetic for a much more chic, refined style. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attends the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week (Getty Images for Balenciaga) This became evident at Paris Fashion Week, where the Duchess of Sussex dropped jaws left, right and centre as she made a surprise appearance for Pierpaolo Picciolis Balenciaga debut, looking awfully Gwyneth Paltrow-esque. Next, she was seen carefully managing Prince Harry as the pair arrived in New York to accept an award as Humanitarians of the Year. For the occasion, Markle wore a plunging black Armani power suit and statement gold chain necklace by Anine Bing, with her hair in a tousled ponytail. In another surprising turn, its being reported that Markle is to return to acting and will play herself in Close Personal Friends alongside Lily Collins, Brie Larson and Jack Quaid. She has been spotted on set in Pasadena. It is now being reported that the Sussexes are planning yet another relaunch. But why is the Duchess of Sussex suddenly returning to celebrity life now, and what is the intention behind this new pivot? High-profile engagements and behind-the-scenes movements Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Project Healthy Minds Gala in New York City (Getty Images) In October, Meghan gave a lecture on life as a high-profile business founder during an appearance at Fortune's Most Powerful Women summit in Washington DC. In between her string of high-profile engagements were some very key private meetings and some very classically celebby movements. It was reported that back in New York, Markle held meetings with Chloe Malle, the new editor of US Vogue, and Gloria Steinem, the legendary activist and longtime Megxit supporter. While not manoeuvring, the Sussexes were spotted heading out for a slap-up lunch at Soho House with close personal friend Serena Williams. All very A-list. Meanwhile, other reports suggest that Markle is looking to expand her lifestyle brand, As Ever, into markets which could include beauty, homeware and fashion. Shes already ventured into wine, having recently launched her own Sauvignon Blanc. So, could a Goop-esque empire be within her sights? A purposeful pivot in Paris Meghan Markle wears Balenciaga for a night out in Paris this October (Getty Images for Balenciaga) Even the most royal-ignorant would have picked up on a vibe switch from the Duchess of Sussex during her time at Paris Fashion Week. For the Balenciaga show, Markle arrived wearing a pair of wide-leg trousers and a matching blazer made by the brand, complete with a wraparound shawl that descended into a slight train. The look had all the hallmarks of a classic Markle outfit neutral tones, a modest silhouette yet it was a noticeable departure from type. Her Balenciaga outfit was dramatic, dignified and considerably more fashion than some of her more former-royal-friendly outfits. Her beauty look too was more elegant, considered and clearly strategic. Meghans arrival at Balenciaga may have come as a surprise to some why Balenciaga? Why now? but it was easily explained away. The duchess is widely reported to be a friend of Pierpaolo Piccioli and was a fan of his work at Valentino; he presumably extended an invitation. Not so. Asking to attend Balenciaga herself Meghan Markle at the Balenciaga show (Getty Images for Balenciaga) Markle has far deeper alliances with other brands and designers. She has previously attended Givenchy and Tory Burch shows and is known to favour designers like Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren and Stella McCartney. McCartney was also showing at Paris Fashion Week, while Givenchy had one of the only high-profile creative director debuts by a woman this season. What made things even more curious was the revelation that Markle was not invited, but instead asked to attend the event herself. Speaking to The Cut, Pierpaolo Piccioli said, Meghan and I met some years ago, and weve been texting ever since. She reached out and said shed love to come to the show. There was no strategy or big orchestration. I didnt tell anyone she was coming because I wanted it to stay a surprise. In fashion, real surprises are rare, and this one was beautiful. Back in her female founder era (AFP via Getty Images) Markle addressed last months Fortune Most Powerful Women summit in Washington DC, tackling the topic of being a high-profile business founder. If this feels oddly familiar, thats because shes already been through a female founder era, much to fans and critics disdain. Before the crafty, homebody-type Meghan of 2025, came the entrepreneurial Meghan of 2022, with her highly divisive Archetypes podcast, which focused on powerful women and the stereotypes levelled against them. The podcast was a result of Archewell Audios exclusive $20m deal with Spotify to produce uplifting audio projects. Guests on Archetypes including Serena Williams, Mindy Kaling and Mariah Carey would engage in conversations with Meghan in episodes with titles like Beyond the Archetype: Human, Being and The Audacity of the Activist. In June 2023, Spotify and Archewell released an official joint statement saying they were proud of the series we made together but had ultimately mutually agreed to part ways. After the split, details emerged that made things seem a little less mutual. Spotify executive Bill Simmons called Meghan and Prince Harry grifters on his own podcast, while a spokesperson for Markle said she was continuing to develop more content for the Archetypes audience on another platform. Next level influence Meghan Markle speaks onstage during the 2025 TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Centre on April 23 in New York (Getty Images for TIME) Now, two years later, Markle appears to be pivoting back towards her female founder era. It could be driven by the relative success of her new lifestyle brand, As Ever, with products selling out almost immediately after being put on sale. However, some experts have accused As Evers super-fast sales of being part of a PR strategy, with small product runs that appear to sell out but dont actually amount to huge sales. During her Fortune talk, Markle discussed life as the founder of As Ever, her new products and navigating entrepreneurship in the public eye and building a brand that will endure. The chat, entitled Next Level Influence, covered how Meghan plans to build a successful, long-lasting business empire. (As Ever has existed since 2024). She spoke about harnessing the power of social media Look, I have had a very complicated relationship with social media, as you can probably imagine, Meghan said. [But] I also recognize the role that it plays in business. She also managed to spin their new downgraded Netflix deal as a win, saying: My husband and I were in an overall deal with Netflix; then, not dissimilar to Higher Ground and the Obamas deal, once that had come to its term, the extension of it which was such an incredible sign of the strength of our partnership was now being in a first-look deal, the Duchess of Sussex said. Which is also exciting because it gives us flexibility to go to our partners first, then at the same time, shop content that might not be the right fit for Netflix but has a home somewhere else. Given Markles new look, public engagements, and private business manoeuvres, it seems the duchess may fancy herself a new role: stylist female founder, a la Gwyneth Paltrow or Mary Kate and Ashley. But the proof well and truly lies in the pudding. And were still yet to see if it has risen. The Duchess of Sussex has said she flew home to California from Europe for just one day before heading to New York, because she needed to see her babies. Meghan travelled solo to Paris for the Balenciaga show on October 4, ahead of a string of appearances last week with the Duke of Sussex in New York. In Washington DC for Fortunes Most Powerful Women Summit, Meghan said she made a 6,000-mile dash home for a brief reunion with Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, instead of heading straight to the Big Apple. Alyson Shontell, editor-in-chief of Fortune, said to the duchess: Youve been to Europe. You were just in New York, which, congratulations, you just won a humanitarian award for your work with online safety for parents and children, and you made it home for one day to see your kids. Meghan laughed and replied: Because I had to. We were talking about that because everyone said Oh you must have gone from Paris straight to New York. I said No, I need to see my babies. So I went back to California for a day and then continued on. Meghan also described how she and Harry had no plan when they first moved to California after Megxit five years ago, except nesting and healing. I think five years ago was a very different situation for all of us, she said. When I was on Suits, that was my last time really in a position with a very large team, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex tells #FortuneMPW and @ajs. For my business, Ive been very decisive about having a lean team. https://t.co/tH4Y2I5Pbo pic.twitter.com/Og1zLhvdSe FORTUNE (@FortuneMagazine) October 14, 2025 And you know, Archie was so little, and I had just got pregnant with Lili around that same time, so we were nesting nesting and healing. And also, I dont know I had the bandwidth at that time to think about what the big picture dream was. There was no plan. It was just, lets get through these next couple of years, create community, which was always so important to both of us in our new environment. She described how she would spend time in Birkenstocks and sweats and make a lot of jam. Speaking about the founding of her As Ever business, Meghan said people assumed she would venture into fashion or beauty, and added: But those five years at home, I wasnt running around wearing beautiful outfits. I was probably in Birkenstocks and sweats like the rest of us, especially during Covid, or just barefoot at home, but I was making a lot of jam, so it ended up becoming the thing that really was my passion project. Actor Sir Michael Caine and former England footballer Alan Shearer have called on the Prime Minister to ban smacking, urging him to be brave and lead with courage and compassion. They are among a host of famous faces and campaigners who have signed a letter to Sir Keir Starmer to be handed in to Downing Street on Tuesday. Sir Michael said he is proud to be part of the call for an end to such a damaging and harmful practice. Alan Shearer has also signed the letter to the Prime Minister (Mike Egerton/PA) The signatories, including actors Natalie Dormer and Samantha Morton, argue that in England, where smacking is not completely outlawed, children currently have less protection from physical harm than adults. Wales made any type of corporal punishment, including smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking, illegal in March 2022, while Scotland introduced a similar ban in November 2020. But according to the Children Act 2004 which applies in England, it is unlawful to hit your child, except where it is reasonable punishment, and this is judged on a case-by-case basis. There is also a similar defence to smacking in Northern Ireland and a change in the law there would require the agreement of the Stormont Executive. The letter stated that an outdated and damaging defence in the law still allows a parent or guardian to argue that it is okay to physically harm their child. The signatories insist it has no place in 21st century England. The letter, co-ordinated by the NSPCC and supported by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and childrens charity Barnardos, said: We believe that it is never reasonable to hit a child. It is harm, plain and simple. And the current law sends a dangerous message that striking a child can be excused. Addressing Sir Keir directly, signatories said: Prime Minister, this is your opportunity to be brave and lead with courage and compassion. We ask you to stand up, alongside us, for every childs right to safety, dignity, and respect. Its time to end the physical punishment of children in England, for good. Sir Michael said: I am proud to sign this letter and support this NSPCC campaign calling for the end of physical punishment on children in England. Many other countries around the world, including Wales and Scotland, have already changed the law to ensure children have the same protection from being hit as adults. Now is the moment for England to join them and draw a line under this damaging and harmful practice once and for all. Campaigners want a ban to be legislated for through an amendment to the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament. Samantha Morton is an NSPCC ambassador (Ian West/PA) Bafta-winning actress Morton, who is an NSPCC ambassador for childhood, said: Physical punishment of children is never reasonable, and the law in England needs to be changed to address this. Its vague, its harmful, and it leaves children less protected than adults. Im proud to stand with the NSPCC at Downing Street today and call on Government to act to protect children and ensure that the law is clear, equal and most of all, keeps every child safe from harm. A Department for Education spokesperson said: While we are looking closely at the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland in relation to reasonable punishment, we have no plans to legislate at this stage. The landmark Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a key part of our plan for change, represents the most transformative piece of child protection legislation in a generation, including wholesale reform of the childrens social care system and better information sharing between education, health and social workers to stop vulnerable children falling through the cracks. Michael Palin has responded to John Cleese's comments about him. (FilmMagic/Getty Images) (Mireya Acierto via Getty Images) What did you miss? Michael Palin has responded to comments John Cleese made about him being too keen to be liked, saying that his Monty Python co-star "thrives on argument". Palin was speaking to The Louis Theroux Podcast, where he was asked for his response to Cleese saying that he "put all of his effort into being affable". Cleese had also previously called him "the most boring man I've ever met in my life". The comedian and travel presenter joked that he was aiming to be "different from John Cleese" and also opened up on the difficult dynamics in Monty Python, including who took credit for which sketches. What, how and why? Michael Palin (left) and John Cleese in the Dead Parrot sketch from Monty Python's Flying Circus, 1969. (Radio Times via Getty Images) (Radio Times via Getty Images) Theroux asked Palin for a response to Cleese having said: "Michael has put all of his effort into being affable, and sometimes it's a little hard to find out what's going on underneath." Theroux asked: "What is going on underneath?" and Palin replied: "How can I be different from John Cleese!" Read more: A history of Monty Python feuds In recent years, Cleese has spoken out against classic comedy episodes being edited for sensitivity and given trigger warnings, as well as stating that he believes no subject should be off-limits in comedy. Michael Palin says John Cleese 'thrives on argument'. (Getty Images) (Dave J Hogan via Getty Images) Palin added: "I'm generally a conciliator. I don't seek arguments, I don't seek opposition. Some do it very well; John does it very well. John thrives on argument. He's very, very good at arguing, I'm not really." The actor and presenter explained that his nature had always been to get on with people, saying: "I do find being open and encouraging people to talk is the best way of getting any response from anybody at all." "I've always been quite popular because I get on with people," he added. In a 2024 interview on Lorraine, Cleese had said of Palin: "He's very boring, but he's very nice...He's the most boring man I've ever met in my life, but he's so nice you forgive him." Read more: Looking back on their Monty Python days during the interview, Palin admitted there had sometimes been "slightly difficult arguments about what was funny" and that discussions would get "a bit shouty", adding: "John was always provoking people." But he continued: "That was all in the mix of Python. All of us were very strong characters with very strong views of what we felt about the world and what was funny, what wasn't funny. Contributions were from all different directions, which I think was very important." The Monty Python stars could not agree on who wrote some of their sketches. (PA Images) (Rolf Adlercreutz) Revealing more about what they had argued over, he said that there had been some tussles over who took credit for writing the most famous sketches. "If something's very successful and Python became very successful, then issues like who thought of what becomes kind of important to the people who thought of it," he said. "It's not a big issue, but if you find someone else saying, 'we thought of this that day, we wrote this sketch', and you know patently that you were the ones who had the original idea, that didn't seem fair." He said that part of the problem was various people having a hand in each sketch: "The Ministry of Silly Walks, for example, went through three or four different rewrites from various people in the group." What else did Michael Palin say? Although he has a reputation for being "affable", Palin said that now he is 82, he feels he has more freedom to say and do whatever he wants. Telling Theroux it was never too late in life to have fun, he said: "Now I'm in my 80s, I feel a sense of irresponsibility. Nobody really bothers you if you're over 80. You're in the departure lounge, really. It's just a question of what particular ailment is going to get you. "So it gives you a lot of freedom if you feel ok. You can say almost what you want and do what you want." The Louis Theroux Podcast with Michael Palin is streaming now. Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in the UK, under plans announced by the new home secretary. Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to raise the standard of English required from the current lower grade GCSE standard to the equivalent of A-level in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Ms Mahmood said it was unacceptable for migrants to come to the UK without learning our language, claiming they were unable to contribute to our national life. Migrants wanting to come to the UK on the skilled worker, high potential individual or scale-up visa routes will have to demonstrate they can speak B2 level English equivalent to A-level standard from 8 January 2026. This is up from the B1 level already required for these routes. To come to the UK on the skilled worker visa, migrants have to have a minimum annual salary of 41,700 or earn the going rate for their type of work, whichever is highest. On the high potential visa, applicants must have been awarded either a university degree, masters or PhD. The scale-up route is used for UK businesses that are fast-growing and need to hire foreign workers. Only 116 scale-up visas were issued in the year ending June 2025. Increased language requirements will also be announced for other visa routes, including dependents, soon, the Home Office said. Changes to the English language requirement were first reported in May when the government published their early plans in the immigration white paper. The new standard requires people to express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expression and to be able to communicate flexibly in social, academic and work situations. Migrants wanting to come to the UK under these routes will have to pass a language test conducted by a Home Office-approved provider. According to the governments impact assessment of the policy changes, which was published on Tuesday, an increase in English standards would result in an estimated decrease of between 400 and 1,500 visa applicants in 2026-7. This was modelled across the skilled worker, health and care worker and high potential individual routes. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is also set to introduce higher language requirements for other visa routes too (Getty) Home Office analysis of the skilled worker route found that 97 per cent of visa holders could speak English at least fairly well before coming to the UK - with 69 per cent saying they could speak the language very well. In England, 18 per cent of adults aged 16 to 65 or 6.6 million people have very poor literacy skills, according to the National Literacy Trust. Responding to the home secretarys announcement, Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of Work Rights Centre, said that the change demonises migrant workers and arbitrarily moves the goal posts on what counts as integration. She added: The last thing anyone needs after a summer of far-right violence is more tough talk based on bad data. By the governments own admission, most migrant workers are already fluent in English. Increasing English language requirements from intermediate to upper intermediate wont make any difference to integration - this is already happening. Under government plans, the time for international students to find a graduate-level job after completing their studies will also be cut to 18 months from the current two years. From 1 January 2027, graduate students will only be able to stay in the UK for 18 months. Ms Mahmood said: This country has always welcomed those who come to this country and contribute. But it is unacceptable for migrants to come here without learning our language, unable to contribute to our national life. If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part. The home secretary also announced that travellers from Botswana will now be required to get a visa before arriving in the UK, including for short visits. It comes after a high number of Botswana nationals arriving as visitors since 2022 had gone on to claim asylum, the Home Office said. The immigration skills charge, which is paid by employers sponsoring skilled foreign workers to come to the UK, is also being raised by 32 per cent to 480 per person. How millions of car owners could be owed compensation after landmark legal battle Millions of motorists could soon be due compensation as a major legal battle have started in the High Court. Dozens of popular car manufacturers are alleged to have broken the rules over emissions as vehicle owners bring claims against them. Five major car manufacturers are in court accused of cheating on emissions tests, with many more potentially facing a similar challenge based on the result of the challenge. Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot/Citroen, Renault, and Nissan are the five companies involved, with all denying the accusations. The trial marks a significant development in the ongoing dieselgate scandal, potentially impacting 1.6 million vehicle owners in what lawyers describe as the largest class action in English and Welsh legal history. Dozens of popular car manufacturers are alleged to have broken the rules over emissions (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The companies face allegations that they used software which allowed their cars to reduce emissions of harmful gases under test conditions. The five companies were chosen by the court as the lead defendants to be tried first. Nine other carmakers could face similar claims depending on the outcome of the case. These are: Opel and Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Porsche, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, FCA and Suzuki, Volvo, Hyundai/Kia, Toyota, and Mazda. Heres everything you need to know: When did the issue begin? The action follows the "dieselgate" scandal, which first emerged in September 2015 when Volkswagen was implicated by the US Environmental Protection Agency for installing defeat devices software designed to manipulate nitrogen oxide emissions readings in its diesel vehicles. The High Court confirmed in 2020 that Volkswagen had used these devices, breaching EU emission testing requirements. The carmaker later settled a UK class action for 193m with 91,000 drivers. It has so far paid 27.8 billion globally, mostly in the US. Beginning Monday, the High Court will determine if systems in diesel cars from five other manufacturers were similarly designed to bypass clean air laws. These companies face allegations that defeat devices allowed cars to identify test scenarios, causing them to run at lower power and record artificially low nitrogen oxide emissions. Lawyers for affected motorists argue their clients were deceived about the vehicles' environmental impact, and that these cars continue to emit dangerous levels of pollution on roads. A judgment is not expected until Summer 2026. Will there be compensation? If the court finds against the carmakers, a further trial to determine compensation payments to those affected would likely be in Autumn 2026. If the court finds that sample vehicles assessed in the trial contained the defeat devices, then claimants will argue that this gives rise to claims for breach of statutory duty and contractual obligations. The action follows the "dieselgate" scandal, which first emerged in September 2015 when Volkswagen was implicated by the US Environmental Protection Agency for installing "defeat devices" (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Relying on case law from the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU), they will also contend that consumers have a right to compensation for vehicles containing defeat devices. While the exact amount that could be owed in each case would be subject to a long legal process, Leigh Day estimates it could be thousands. The law firm was the joint-lead lawyers in the original diesel emissions group litigation, and is one of the 22 law firms representing drivers at the High Court. Leigh Day says it is now only accepting claims for vehicles manufactured by Volvo, which can not be heard as part of the ongoing case but can in further legal proceedings. The deadline to make a claim with most other law firms has also now passed, but those who think they could be affected are advised to keep an eye on the proceedings for any updates that may impact them. Speaking ahead of the trial, Leigh Days senior partner Martyn Day said: A decade after the Dieselgate scandal first came to light, 1.6 million UK motorists now get their chance to establish at trial whether their vehicles contained technology designed to cheat emissions tests. Fourteen of the biggest car manufacturers operating in the UK are facing these claims which, if proven, would demonstrate one of the most egregious breaches of corporate trust in modern times. It would also mean that people across the UK have been breathing in far more harmful emissions from these vehicles than they were told about, potentially putting the health of millions at risk. Carrie Elizabeth Romney, the sister-in-law of former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, was found dead close to shopping mall Friday night just months after her nine year marriage ended. A preliminary assessment suggested that Romney, 64, may have jumped or fallen from the five-story garage in question, reports ABC News. Her car was reportedly discovered parked at the garage, which is also near the citys Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has listed her cause of death as deferred while toxicology results are currently pending. The local sheriffs department has said it is conducting a death investigation and is awaiting the medical examiners findings. Between 2016 and 2025, the victim was married to George Scott Romney, 84, who goes by Scott, the oldest brother of Mitt. Carrie Elizabeth Romney was married to G. Scott Romney, Mitt Romneys older brother, shown here at the 2012 Republican National Convention (AFP via Getty Images) We dont know if it was suicide or accidental, LA County Sheriffs spokesperson Lt Daniel Vizcarra said of the incident. There is not enough information to go by yet on what the coroner has given us so far. Her body was discovered around 9:00pm local time. Scott Romney, a prominent attorney and the father of former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel. A 1991 Associated Press report on his divorce from his first wife, whom he married in 1967, noted that she was the author of the book Giving Time a Chance - The Secret of a Lasting Marriage. The couple separated in May this year after eight years of marriage, according to the Daily Mail. Scott Romney reportedly filed for divorce on June 10, citing irreconcilable differences, bringing to an end his third marriage. The report goes on to note that Carrie was planning to go back to using her maiden name, Carrie Dimas and was seeking spousal support, which he opposed. He and Carrie were married on November 26, 2016, and had no children together. Online records show that until January 2025, she had been living in Michigan where her estranged husband resided. Since then, she has been living in Santa Clarita, California. Police at the parking garage in the Town Center area of Valencia, California, where the body of Carrie Elizabeth Romney was discovered on Friday, October 10, 2025 (ABC 7) The couple appears to have preferred to keep their relationship private: neither maintained a social media presence nor gave media interviews post-2012, and they were never photographed in public together, the Mail reports. Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives. We ask for privacy during this difficult time, Mitt Romney said in a brief statement on behalf of his family. The politician served as the governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and ran unsuccessfully as the GOPs presidential nominee in 2012, hoping to deny Democrat Barack Obama a second term in the White House. He was elected U.S. senator for Utah in 2018 and became known as an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, voting for his impeachment twice, but left office at the end of his term this January. Romney pictured after a meeting with Donald Trump in 2024 (Getty Images) An online profile says that Scott Romney now works as a lawyer with Michigan-based firm Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn. The New York Times reported in 2012 during his brothers ill-fated run for the White House that Scott Romney was among his most visible supporters. He appeared to disappear from the spotlight in the years that followed. Scott previously served on the board of Michigan State University, he graduated from the school in 1966, and later graduated from Harvard. In the 1990s, he ran unsuccessfully for Attorney General of Michigan. After that defeat, The Detroit Free Press noted in 2018 that he never ran for such a high profile job again. Had he won... it would likely givent him a clear path to the governors office, political consultant John Truscott told the newspaper. Thousands of homes need repairs following botched insulation jobs under government schemes. (PA) (Ceri Breeze) Thousands of homes need urgent repair after two government home insulation grant schemes failed to deliver, an investigation has found. A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) found that 98% of homes that had external wall insulation installed under both the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) require remedial work. The spending watchdog said an estimated 22,000 to 23,000 homes are affected after poor quality installations, inadequate monitoring and weak government oversight, leaving residents facing problems such as damp and mould, with 6% of that total faced with immediate health and safety risks. A further 9,000 to 13,000 homes fitted with internal insulation under the schemes (29% of the total) also have major issues, with 2% of that number posing immediate health and safety risks, the NAO said. It blamed an under-skilled, incompetent and uncertified workforce and businesses who "cut corners" for the crisis. The NAO said there had been "clear failures in the design and set-up of ECO4 and GBIS and their consumer protection and quality assurance system, which have led to widespread issues with the quality of installations and suspected fraud". Yahoo News UK examines the home insulation grant schemes that are available. Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Designed to cut carbon emissions and fuel poverty, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, known as ECO4, lets energy providers help households reduce their costs by fitting energy-saving measures for households on a low income. The measures available through ECO, which takes a "whole house" approach, include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation and boiler repair or replacement. Grants for loft insulation are available under government schemes. (Getty Images) (Construction Photography/Avalon via Getty Images) To qualify, you must own your own home or have the permission of your landlord, and to be eligible, you must receive at least one benefit from a list that includes child benefit, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance and universal credit. Households must have a combined income of under 31,000 a year. Even if eligible, residents must still check with their energy provider to see if they will carry out the installation. Depending on their situation, households can have multiple energy saving improvements made to their home for free under the ECO scheme, which runs from April 2022 to March 2026. Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) Another government scheme, this differs from the ECO in that it only provides a single insulation upgrade per household, as opposed to a whole home. To qualify, you must own your own home or, if renting, have your landlord's permission, and your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G, and you must be in council tax bands A to D in England or A to E in Scotland or Wales. Those who are eligible can have their homes fitted with loft insulation using government grants. (File photo: PA) (Barry Batchelor - PA Images via Getty Images) Applicants may be able to get support to install either cavity wall insulation or loft insulation, but not both. They may also be asked to pay part of the costs, but will be told this before the work is carried out. The scheme was designed to be used by about 400,000 homes and runs from March 2023 to March 2026, but you must apply by 4pm on Tuesday 14 October. Warm Homes: Local Grant This grant allows households to apply through their local council for improvements such as wall or loft insulation, heat pumps, smart controls and solar panels. To be eligible, households must be in England (similar grant schemes are available in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) and their home must be privately owned, either by the resident or the landlord, and have an EPC of D, E, F or G, with a household income of 36,000 a year or less. Insulation in a wall installed in a home. (File photo: PA) (valentyn semenov) Households may still be eligible if they earn more than this, if they live in a certain postcode area or if someone in the household is receiving certain benefits. The grant launched in April 2025 and is expected to run until March 2028, and offers up to 15,000 worth of energy saving improvements to your home, and another 15,000 towards installing low-carbon heating, such as a heat pump. Can you claim from multiple schemes? Households may apply to more than one scheme for their grant, and if eligible they may have work carried out under multiple schemes, but they cannot receive separate funding for the same type of insulation in their home. According to Ofgem, the government's energy regulator, which administers the GBIS, says: "Funding for measures delivered under the (GBIS) scheme cannot be blended with funding from other government schemes or grants. "Any measures outside of the scheme delivered to the same property would have to be installed either before or after all of the scheme measures are installed." Munya Chawawa (PR handout) Munya Chawawa has unveiled a new community-led project, Black Boys Theatre Club, designed to give young men access to a world of theatre that often feels closed off to them. The comedian said the initiative was inspired by his own experience of discovering theatre later in life and realising how underrepresented he felt in that space. Developed over the past year, Black Boys Theatre Club (BBTC) aims to break down the cultural, financial and emotional barriers that have historically made theatre feel off-limits. It invites 15 and 16-year-old boys to see major productions, meet actors and creatives and enjoy behind-the-scenes access to some of Londons leading theatres; from the National Theatre to Regents Park Open Air Theatre to the Bush Theatre. After each theatre trip, Chawawa and the group sit down over Nandos, a partner on the project, to chat about the play, its themes, and what it meant to them. Speaking about the project, the satirist said he hopes the project will inspire a generation of young black men to see the arts as a space where they belong and where their stories can take centre stage. Chawawa pictured with some students taking part in the initiative (PR handout) Black men consistently dazzle us on stage and on screen, but for young black boys - the bridge between that initial creative spark and its supernova potential isnt always easy or encouraged, he shared. Black Boys Theatre Club will act as the starting point for that journey - a judgement-free, laughter-filled introduction to the world of theatre and creative arts, because trust me, it is a wonderful world. Since its soft launch, the initiative has worked with several London schools and thus far, over 120 boys across London have participated in the project. To mark the launch, Chawawa wrote and produced a short film shot at Wyndhams Theatre, featuring Jordan Stephens, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Mohamed Elsandel, Ariyon Bakare and Top Boys Araloyin Oshunremi. In recent years, a number of creatives have worked to make theatre and Londons West End in particular, more accessible and inclusive. In 2024, American playwright Jeremy O Harriss West End production of Slave Play, starring Kit Harrington and Olivia Washington, introduced two performances exclusively for Black-identifying audiences, giving them the chance to experience the play free from the white gaze. The idea was first pioneered in New York during the 2019 Broadway run of Slave Play, which examines race, identity and sexuality in modern America. Other theatre directors following suit include Jamie Lloyd, who regularly offers 25 tickets to under-30s, key workers and those receiving government benefits for productions like Evita and Much Ado About Nothing, in an effort to open the industry to wider audiences. Oisin Murphy has been referred to the British Horseracing Authority after he was found to have used the whip above the permitted level aboard Gladius at Newmarket on Saturday. The soon-to-be-crowned five-time champion jockey was partnering the Andrew Balding-trained three-year-old in the Too Darn Hot Darley Stakes on the Rowley Mile, with the son of Night Of Thunder sent off the 15-8 favourite. He was beaten three-quarters of a length into second place by 2-1 shot Damysus in the Group Three contest and Murphys ride was considered by the Whip Review Committee, which on Tuesday found he used his whip once above the permitted level of six from one and a half furlongs out. However, as this was to be Murphys fourth suspension within the previous six months for using his whip above the permitted level, his penalty will be decided at a later date by the BHA judicial panel. The BHAs note on penalties on its website says that when considering a referral the judicial panel shall impose a suspension of between 14 days 4 months with an entry point of 28 days. Musician playing Ghostbusters outside ICE facility is arrested by agents: Why are they targeting a clarinetist? A clarinet player was arrested after playing her instrument to the tune of the Ghostbusters theme song outside of a Portland ICE facility, which has recently become a site of daily clashes between federal agents and demonstrators. Oriana Korol, 38, was playing Ghostbusters with her group the Unpresidented Brass Band during a massive protest outside the ICE facility in Oregons largest city Sunday evening when federal agents arrested her, her loved ones said. She has since been taken to a jail in Washington as her husband and bandmates demand answers about her arrest. Why are they targeting a clarinet player? A clarinet player standing on the sidewalk far away from the street, following instructions, her husband wondered, noting they share a three-year-old child. Korol was peacefully protesting, her band said in a social media post Monday. Taking us citizens out of state to detain them without charge is a new action from the Feds and should be opposed. The Portland ICE facility has become a battleground in recent weeks for anti-immigration demonstrators and federal agents, whom President Donald Trump sent to the liberal city, which he dubbed war-ravaged, as part of his crime crackdown. Federal agents arrested a clarinet player who was performing Ghostbusters outside of the Portland ICE facility over the weekend. (Getty Images) The clarinet players husband, who has not been publicly named, recalled the lively scene that quickly transformed into what he called a frightening one. It is a beautiful party atmosphere. Everybodys really excited. Then the band hits into Ghostbusters, and then at Ghostbusters, thats when ICE start storming in, he told KOIN6. The Ghostbuster theme is from the popular 1984 movie and features lyrics including who you going to call and If there's somethin' strange in your neighborhood. Footage, obtained by the outlet, captured the musician face-down in the mud, with her instrument about two feet to her left, struggling as what appears to be a federal agent straddled her backside. A police officer stood next to the pair. Korol later walked away from the scene, her arms behind her back, flanked by two law enforcement officers, the video showed. She was arrested around 5 p.m., but her husband didnt hear about her whereabouts until 2 a.m. the next day, only to discover she was being held at Clark County Jail in Vancouver, Washington, he told KOIN6. Were not seeing her. We dont know when were going to see her again, he said. Clashes have been erupting outside of the Portland ICE facility as President Donald Trump sent federal troops to the war-ravaged liberal city. (Getty Images) Jail records show she was booked on Monday. Its not immediately clear why she was transported across state lines. Korol was arrested by the Department of Homeland Security and is being held on suspicion of assaulting a federal officer, the Clark County Sheriffs Office told KGW. The Independent has asked the Clark County Sheriffs Office and DHS for more information. Korol appears to be one of three people who were arrested near the ICE facility on Sunday, according to the Portland FBI. Three demonstrators were arrested on Sunday in Portland for assaulting law enforcement including for spitting, kicking and biting officers," Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told KGW in a statement. She dubbed the protesters "Antifa domestic terrorists and anti-ICE rioters" and claimed they were staging "die-ins" by lying naked in the street to block roads near the federal facility, seemingly referencing the group of naked bike riders who pedaled past the building Sunday. "These unsightly tactics won't stop us or slow us down our law enforcement will continue to remove murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists out of our country," McLaughlin said. "This chaos and violence will end under President Trump. Law and order will prevail." Donald Trump, pictured with Benjamin Netanyahu, warned there was still work to do as the second phase of the ceasefire agreement began - Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Israel is to prevent the opening of a key aid crossing and reduce the number of trucks allowed into Gaza because of Hamass failure to return the bodies of dead hostages. Officials said the terror group had made insufficient efforts to locate all the remains. Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas was obliged to hand over the bodies of 28 hostages by midday on Monday. Its delivery of only four bodies prompted alarm among relatives, who accused the government of abandoning them and giving up the leverage needed to force Hamas to hand over the remainder. The remains of four more hostages were handed to the Red Cross in Gaza on Tuesday and driven to a forensic institute in Tel Aviv for identification. Hamas informed mediators that a further four bodies would be released on Wednesday, sources told The Times of Israel on Tuesday night. Bodies released on Tuesday were transported to the National Center for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv - AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images The terror group has argued that it needs more time to find and collect the bodies, which could be buried under the rubble of buildings and tunnel networks in Gaza. Israel rejected those claims, with Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, accusing Hamas of playing games. Mr Ben-Gvir urged Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, to issue an ultimatum to the Palestinian group and cut all aid to Gaza until every body was returned. Bezalel Smotrich, the countrys finance minister, added that only military pressure brings back hostages. The fact that Hamas allows itself to continue playing games and to delay the return of the bodies of our fallen indicates that the terrorist organisation is still alive and active, Mr Ben-Gvir said on Tuesday night. The mission to destroy it has not yet been achieved, and must be achieved as soon as possible, as part of the wars objectives. Displaced Palestinians return to rubble in the Akkad region of Khan Yunis - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images In response to the bodies not being released, Israel said no fuel or gas would be allowed into the enclave except for specific needs related to humanitarian infrastructure, according to a note seen by Reuters and confirmed by the UN. A large influx of aid, following months of either total blockade or limited access that has contributed to starvation conditions for many Gazans, is a key part of the peace agreement. But Israel said it would send only 300 trucks half the agreed aid into Gaza on Wednesday, The key Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which had been due to open in the coming days as part of the implementation of the peace agreement, would remain shut an early signal that the second phase of Donald Trumps deal may be harder to accomplish. The US president posted on social media on Tuesday, saying that the release of the bodies was needed to move on to the next phase of the US-backed Gaza deal. A big burden has been lifted, but the job is not done. The dead have not been returned, as promised! Mr Trump said on his Truth Social network a day after travelling to Israel and Egypt to celebrate the deal. Phase two begins right now! Palestinians welcomed prisoners released from Israeli jails in Khan Younis on Monday - Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg Asked later by reporters if Hamas was adhering to the ceasefire deal, Mr Trump replied: Well find out. He also said of Hamas: If they dont disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer urged Hamas to return the remains of hostages to their families in order to honour the terms of the ceasefire. The Prime Minister said: The release of the bodies of the deceased hostages is a profoundly difficult moment for the families who have endured terrible and protracted pain over the last two years at the hands of Hamas. Yael Adar, the mother of Tamir, a hostage who was killed while in captivity, said the Israeli government had given up any leverage it had over Hamas to secure the return of the dead. Yael Adar, the mother of killed hostage Tamir, feels that her family and others have been betrayed by Mr Netanyahus government - Instagram I fought for Tamirs return, and in the end I will receive a coffin, not someone I can hug or look at, Ms Adar told Channel 12. Now our mission is to find him as quickly as possible and then begin to cope with the loss and the mourning process. Difficult days are ahead. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, and issued a letter to Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps Middle East envoy who helped broker the deal. What we feared is now happening before our eyes, they wrote. Only four deceased hostages are coming home today. Only four families will be able to bring their loved ones to the dignified burial they so deserve and begin to find closure. How is this possible? How can we accept that the others remain behind? The four bodies handed over on Monday have now been identified, officials said. They were: Guy Illouz, 26, who died of untreated wounds in captivity, Bipin Joshi, 23, a Nepalese national who was murdered in captivity, Yossi Sharabi, who was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Beeri on Oct 7, and Captain Daniel Peretz, 22, a soldier hailed for his acts of bravery during the attack. Israel received the remains of four hostages. According to Hamas, they are (clockwise from top left) Guy Illouz, Yossi Sharabi, Daniel Peretz and Bipin Joshi The Red Cross has warned that some of the bodies of hostages may never be found, due to the difficulty of locating remains in the rubble of Gaza. Iair Horn, a former captive whose brother Eitan was released on Monday, said the struggle of the hostages would not end until the last body was returned. Today my heart is more full, but not completely full because many families are still in the unknown, he told reporters at the Ichilov Hospital, where his brother was being treated. Until everyone is home, we will not rest and we will not stop. The release of 20 Israeli captives triggers an emotional response at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv - Shir Torem/Reuters It came as more details emerged from the families of the 20 living hostages who were freed on Monday. Ilan Gilboa-Dalal, whose son Guy walked free from Gaza, revealed he had received a letter from his son two months ago via the Red Cross. He wrote how much he misses us, and thoughts of us strengthen him in captivity, he told the Kan public broadcaster. In the letter, he wrote that he only realised his brother, Gal, had survived the Oct 7 massacre when he recently watched television in Gaza and saw him being interviewed. The Republican leaders Destin Hall and Phil Berger talk in the house chamber in Raleigh, North Carolina, on 12 March 2025. Photograph: Travis Long/The News & Observer via Getty Images Republican leaders in North Carolina said they will redraw their states congressional maps to add another Republican seat, becoming the latest in a growing list of states conducting mid-decade gerrymandering to favor one party before the 2026 midterms. Legislative leaders in the southern state said they would use an October legislative session to block the efforts of blue state Democrats to take control of Congress from Republicans after Donald Trump had called on state legislatures to undertake redistricting to defend their congressional majority. The quest for new districts started in Texas, where the legislature voted in August to add five Republican seats despite staunch opposition from Democrats. California retaliated, pushing a ballot measure that will redraw the states maps to add five Democratic seats. Voters there will decide on the measure in November. Other Republican-led states, including Missouri and Indiana, have also sought to redraw maps to add more Republican seats. North Carolina, a swing state, has 14 congressional districts, 10 of which are held by Republicans. Before 2023, the state was evenly split in its representation, but that year the state debuted gerrymandered maps which made North Carolina and Texas the two most extreme congressional maps currently in place, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. In statements on Sunday, North Carolinas Republican legislative leaders cast blame on Democrats for their redistricting plan, naming Gavin Newsoms quest to redraw districts in California. Destin Hall, the North Carolina house speaker, said Trump won a clear mandate from the state, so the legislature intends to defend it by drawing an additional Republican Congressional seat. Phil Berger, the North Carolina senate leader, said: We are doing everything we can to protect President Trumps agenda, which means safeguarding Republican control of Congress. Picking up where Texas left off, we will hold votes in our October session to redraw North Carolinas congressional map to ensure Gavin Newsom doesnt decide the congressional majority. On X, Newsom derided North Carolina leaders for blaming him. Oh look, another lap dog Republican desperate to suck up to Trump, he wrote in response to Bergers statement. The GOP is rigging elections and trying to cover it up with lies. North Carolina Democrats called a rally for next Tuesday, saying: We need to be outside the general assembly. A seat in the US House of Representatives is on the line. Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of war, shared press credentialing FOR DUMMIES on X this week - Andrew Harnik / Getty Images Americas leading news outlets have formally rejected a new defence department policy that would force them to report only information that has been released officially. In what has been described by the Pentagon Press Association as an attempt to stifle the free press, reporters were given until 5pm on Tuesday to agree not to seek out information the department hasnt officially authorised for release, or they risk losing access to Pentagon facilities. The policy by Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of war, would also see journalists access to certain areas of the department restricted. On Monday, the Washington Post, the New York Times, CNN, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Reuters and other outlets said they would not sign the agreement. Even traditionally Maga-friendly outlets, including the Washington Times and Newsmax, also said they would not sign. The Pentagon would have control over how the press reports on the government and military under new policy - Joshua Roberts / Reuters Later on Tuesday, Donald Trumps favourite station Fox News, along with a number of other US television stations, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN and NBC News, rejected the policy. In a joint statement, the broadcasters said: The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections. Matt Murray, The Washington Posts executive editor, said the policy undermined constitutional guarantees of freedom of the press. The proposed restrictions undercut First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on gathering and publishing information, he wrote in a statement published on X. We will continue to vigorously and fairly report on the policies and positions of the Pentagon and officials across the government. The policy constrains how journalists can report on the US military, which is funded by nearly $1 trillion in taxpayer dollars annually, a New York Times statement said. The public has a right to know how the government and military are operating, said the NYTs Washington bureau chief, Richard Stevenson. Mr Hegseth, a former Fox News weekend anchor, responded on social media to statements from The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post, with an emoji of a hand waving goodbye. He later posted a list on X of what he described as press credentialing FOR DUMMIES: Press no longer roams free Press must wear visible badge credentialed press no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts. Speaking from the White House on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Hegseth said: You would think the Pentagon press corp of all press corps would be front and centre, across the board, on wanting to give credit to the president for forging [the Gaza peace deal]. Instead, what they want to talk about is a policy about them...You cant just roam anywhere you want. It used to be... that the press could go anywhere in the Pentagon, the most classified area in the world, he added. Mr Hegseth went on to insinuate that the policy would ensure journalists did not try to encourage staff to break the law, adding that it was common sense stuff. Mr Trump added Mr Hegseth finds the press to be very disruptive and very dishonest. Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, told the Washington Post that media outlets had decided to move the goal post, insisting that the policy doesnt require reporters to agree but simply understand it. Mr Parnell said that request had caused reporters to have a full-blown meltdown, crying victim online. He added: We stand by our policy because its whats best for our troops and the national security of this country. Crack down on reporters Mr Trump sought to downplay the new policy, claiming nothing stops reporters. Asked whether the Pentagon should be in charge of deciding what journalists can report on, the US president said: No, I dont think so. Mr Hegseth has sought to crack down on reporters covering defence after a leak in June reported by The New York Times and CNN suggested US strikes against Iran were not effective. The defence secretary spent much of a subsequent press conference berating the press over its reporting of the strikes, saying the media was breathlessly focusing on an early assessment from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Mr Trump also wrote at the time: FAKE NEWS REPORTERS FROM CNN & THE NEW YORK TIMES SHOULD BE FIRED, IMMEDIATELY!!! BAD PEOPLE WITH EVIL INTENTIONS!!! Police are seeking the publics help after the apparent abduction of a woman was caught on disturbing doorbell camera footage in Kansas. The Wichita Police Department said at a press conference Tuesday that it had still not been able to identify the woman, and was following numerous leads with assistance from federal law enforcement. Footage from the home shows a woman screaming as she is dragged off a brightly-lit porch by an apparent assailant who has also not been identified and taken near to a parked car. However, police said it was uncertain if a vehicle was involved in the incident. The man, who has his arms firmly wrapped around the woman, is wearing a dark top, blue jeans and white sneakers. No official description of the woman has been released but the footage shows that she is dressed in a black top, with black shorts and knee-length black boots. Police are seeking help identifying a woman who appears to have been abducted in Wichita, Kansas (Wichita Police Department) The incident occurred Sunday morning at approximately 2 a.m. in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita, close to the major Interstate 35 highway and Wichita State University. The interstate is a major north-south highway that stretches from Laredo, Texas, to Duluth, Minnesota. The circumstances that led up to the apparent abduction remain unclear, according to police. Weve worked throughout the day on this investigation, following up on numerous leads, and we appreciate the public's help, a Tuesday law enforcement release stated. Our team has processed the audio, reducing background noise, hoping that someone will recognize her voice. At Tuesdays press conference, police reiterated that the main concern was the womans safety but said there had been no reports of similar incidents in the community, and they did not believe there was any ongoing threat to the public. Wichita police also warned against unverified content circulating online and asked that people only share official information from the department. A $2,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the identification of either individual. One neighbor told KAKE News that the incident was concerning, especially for other young women in the area. "Its dangerous. Thats the truth. But, always, I believe there have always been kidnappings," she told the outlet, adding that nothing similar had ever happened in the neighborhood. Anyone with further information is urged to contact detectives or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111. The unnamed man urinates on the Altar of Confession inside St Peters Basilica Pope Leo XIV is said to have been appalled after a man urinated on the high altar at St Peters Basilica. The American pontiff ordered purification rites to be carried out inside one of Christianitys holiest sites following the incident. The man, whose identity and nationality have not been disclosed, was caught urinating on the Altar of Confession, which is located above the tomb of St Peter the first pope and one of Christianitys most revered saints. The altar is where the Pope typically performs Mass. As the man was apprehended by two officials, he bent over to pull up his trousers, exposing his backside to crowds of faithful who were visiting the basilica. Video of the incident was widely shared on social media. He was arrested by gendarmes the Vaticans own police force and is believed to remain in custody. Pontiff orders urgent response The Pope is said to have been appalled by the act of desecration and ordered a purification ceremony to be carried out urgently. He held a meeting with Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, a senior figure with responsibility for the basilica, to discuss how to proceed. The basilica, the centrepiece of the Vatican City State, was temporarily closed to the public on Monday. Prayers and psalms were read out and holy water was sprinkled on the altar, which is located beneath a vast bronze canopy known as the Baldacchino, sculpted in the 17th century. A Vatican spokesman confirmed to The Telegraph that the purification ceremony had been carried out. The American pontiff, elected in May as the successor to Pope Francis, was anxious to restore the holiness of the place and ask forgiveness from God, according to reports. The body of Pope Francis was laid out near the altar after his death in April. Third act of desecration at site This is the third time in two years that the high altar has been desecrated. In February, a man leapt on to the altar, shouted insults and pulled down six historic candelabras, leaving them badly damaged. In 2023, a Polish man stripped off his clothes and stood naked on the altar in a protest against the war in Ukraine. He had the words save children in Ukraine written on his back in black marker pen. After that incident, the Vatican performed a penitential rite to cleanse the site, similar to the ceremony that was held on Monday. St Peters Basilica was consecrated in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII, replacing an earlier basilica that stood on the site for more than 1,000 years. Renaissance artists Raphael and Michelangelo both worked on the design of the new basilica. The phone numbers of Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and the US president Donald Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., are among several private numbers that have been made public on a website. Those of the Australian opposition leader Sussan Ley, the countrys former prime minister Scott Morrison, and its former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop were also listed publicly, prompting a federal investigation. Albaneses office confirmed it was aware of the situation, while Leys staff said they had requested that the information be removed. Australias deputy prime minister said his government was aware of the website, which is based in the U.S., and had taken measures to address the leak after the privacy breach was reported by independent media outlet Ette Media Tuesday. We are obviously aware of this, Richard Marles said. Weve notified authorities and that is being worked through. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese is among those whose private numbers have been published (Getty) The website, which belongs to a data intelligence company, offers an opt-out form to delete contact details within seven days. The website claims to use AI to scan social media, job portals and other platforms for contact details. It allows users limited free searches on the database, with millions of contacts available and the option to access more through a paid subscription. However, several numbers on the website are wrongly attributed to powerful world leaders, including Indias Narendra Modi. LinkedIn may be a key potential source of phone numbers scraped by the website, but says there is no indication of any data breach having occurred on its platform. Our policies are clear that third-party companies taking personal data and using it in ways our members didnt agree to is prohibited, and these companies arent affiliated with LinkedIn, a spokesperson told The Guardian. Leys staff said they became aware of the website after being contacted by local media. We were made aware of this issue when the media contacted us yesterday, a spokesperson for the opposition leader told Newswire. This is obviously concerning, and we have reached out to LinkedIn to understand what occurred here. We are waiting for their response. New South Wales premier Chris Minns, whose number was also listed, quipped that no one was prank calling him yet, but he was concerned by the breach. This is not the first time that the private numbers of Australian politicians have been leaked. In 2017, the private numbers of hundreds of MPs, senators and staffers were published on the Parliament House website. Still from video of Hamas public executions in Gaza after the peace treaty - CHP Hamas has carried out a mass execution in the streets of Gaza as part of a series of bloody reprisals following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from key urban areas. Footage has emerged appearing to show around eight kneeling, blindfolded men, bearing signs of beatings, being shot dead in front of a crowd. The Palestinian terror group, although still capable of inflicting casualties on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), had largely been overwhelmed on the battlefield. But since the IDFs withdrawal from Gazas cities, under the framework of the Trump peace plan, Hamas has quickly reasserted its presence and is seeking to re-establish control. This has involved targeting clans, the non-Hamas-aligned family-based armed groups that gained strength during the later stages of the conflict. Donald Trump said he gave Hamas approval to assert control over Gaza after the IDF pulled out to an agreed line. Well, they [Hamas] are standing because they do want to stop the problems, and theyve been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time, the US president said on Monday. Credit: X The violent scenes will fuel fears disarming Hamas, the key next phase in Mr Trumps plan, will not be straightforward. The US president returned to Washington on Monday evening after a visit to Israel and Egypt, where he declared peace in the Holy Land after 3,000 years during a ceremony. While the ceasefire with Israel has held, allowing for the long-awaited return of the final living hostages on Monday, very little detail on phase two of the plan has been agreed. Relations between Israel and Hamas remain strained, particularly following a row over the return of the remains of deceased hostages. On Monday, Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, accused Hamas of violating the agreement by only returning four of the 28 expected bodies. The failure to locate the remaining bodies has provoked outrage from bereaved families. Much of the intra-Palestinian violence in recent days has taken place around the Shujaiyya neighborhood of Gaza City, where, according to Hamas-affiliated social media, the group carried out a widespread security campaign against rivals, believed to be the powerful Dormush clan. Hamas is also said to have moved against the Abu Samra family in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza and called for the death of Khan Younis militia leader Housam al-Astal, who was interviewed by the Telegraph last week, and Yasser Abu Shabab in Rafah. Both men are believed to have collaborated tactically with Israel and accepted material support. Dragged to the execution site The execution video showed Hamas fighters moving a large crowd out of the way so as not to be hit by bullets before the killings took place. Some of the prisoners were shirtless and some were dragged to the execution site while being beaten. Separate footage, bearing the insignia of Hamass al-Qassam Brigades, showed armed militants riding in the back of an SUV with dead bodies at their feet The Trump peace plan promises an international stabilisation force, although it is not clear which countries will provide troops and how it will be commanded. Mr Trump said on Monday he wanted an honest police force in Gaza but gave no further details. Concerns over Hamass influence At Monday evenings ceremony in Sharm el-Sheikh, the guarantors of the new peace plan, the US, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, signed a document setting out, in general terms, their responsibilities in trying to achieve long-term peace. Qatars role as a guarantor of the peace plan, coupled with the renewed presence of Hamas on the streets, has raised fears among regional powers that the group will continue to maintain influence or eventually regain control. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, who are not parties to the peace plan, are said to be concerned about this scenario, according to diplomatic sources. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, five Palestinians were killed by the IDF east of Gaza City after they crossed the so-called yellow line, Israel said. The IDF said it attempted to disperse the group, but then fired at the individuals to remove the threat. Israel still retains control of 53 per cent of Gaza, having withdrawn from most of the urban areas. It is expected to leave the Strip entirely, apart from a perimeter security zone, once disarmament takes place. The yellow line represents the boundary for an initial Israeli pull-back. The Hamas-run health authority said that six Palestinians had been killed today by Israeli army gunfire. The UKs retirement system could be improved by bringing more people, including the self-employed, into private pension schemes and raising the contribution levels required under automatic enrolment, according to a global report. The UK was graded B in the 17th annual Mercer CFA Institute global pension index alongside several other countries such as Canada, New Zealand, France, Mexico, Belgium, Croatia, Germany and Ireland. Countries which received an A grade included the Netherlands, Iceland, Denmark, Singapore and Israel. Those rated B-plus included Sweden, Australia, Chile, Finland and Norway. The report noted that in the UK the minimum contribution rate under auto-enrolment is 8%. This is made up of employer and employee contributions and tax relief. It said the overall index value for the UK system could potentially be increased by further increasing the coverage of employees and the self-employed in private pension schemes and increasing the scope and contribution levels required under auto-enrolment to deliver increased financial security for more people. Restoring the requirement to take part of the retirement benefit as an income stream could also potentially increase the index value, it said. Before the pension freedoms were introduced in the UK, people were generally required to buy a retirement annuity with their pension savings when they retired, rather than being able to take the pension pot how they wanted. Reducing the level of household debt could also potentially increase the index value for the UK, the report said. The index compared 52 retirement income systems globally this year. Countries that achieved index scores greater than 80 earned an A grade reflecting offering a robust retirement income system that delivers good benefits, is sustainable and has a high level of integrity, the report said. It added that, although the UK retained its B grade, its index value increased slightly from 71.6 in 2024 to 72.2 in 2025, primarily due to updated economic growth data. Amid rising global uncertainty, the growth and scale of pension fund assets are increasingly prompting governments to look for ways to channel some of this capital into national priorities, those behind the report said. Tess Page, UK wealth strategy leader at Mercer said: There has been little real change in the ranking of the UK since the last report. We have an opportunity with the Pensions Commission to make real changes in the UK. If we increase the scope of employees covered by private pension schemes and increase the levels of auto-enrolment, we could improve outcomes for current and future generations of UK workers. We believe there is a unique opportunity to modernise our pension system, to not only increase financial security for pension members, but to also contribute more directly to the growth of the UK economy. Mandating parts of the investment strategy, as contemplated under the Mansion House Accord, should not form part of the Governments roadmap. We would instead like for the Government to work with the industry to develop a pipeline of investment opportunities and to create a globally competitive business environment, rather than introducing measures such as mandating investments. Margaret Franklin, president and chief executive of CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Institute, said: As some systems look to pension funds to drive investments that are considered in the national interest, the professional investment community must guard against the unintended consequences that may arise when mandates or restrictions distort the system. As the index makes clear, the central purpose of pensions must remain to secure retirement income, guided by fiduciary duty above all else. Pension systems work best when they balance innovation and national priorities with the enduring responsibility to serve end-investors interests. A Government spokesperson said: Were reforming the pensions market to drive economic growth, ensure greater security in retirement and put more money in peoples pockets. Our Pension Schemes Bill will make pension pots work harder for savers and could boost an average earners pension pot by 29,000 while the Pensions Commission will tackle the barriers that stop too many saving in the first place. Released hostage Avinatan Or arriving at the hospital in Petah Tikva on Monday. Photograph: Stoyan Nenov/Reuters After the jubilation in Israel of the return of the last Gaza hostages, stories of their time in captivity, hidden away in tents and tunnels, are emerging. Some described being tortured and tormented. Others, though, recalled moments of co-existence with their captors under the most extreme of circumstances. One played cards with the men holding him and even cooked for them. Another said the captors would speak Hebrew for ease of communication. All, though, shared moments of extraordinary danger. The start of the story of Avinatan Ors abduction will be familiar to many, thanks to footage of it being shared around the world on 7 October 2023. The 32-year-old was with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, at the Nova music festival when Hamas attacked. She could be seen screaming to him from a Hamas vehicle as he was walked away at gunpoint. Now we know a little more about what happened next. Or was held alone for the two years that he was in Hamass captivity, only meeting the other remaining hostages on Monday as they were released, according to the Israeli broadcaster Channel 12. He was starved and he was terrified. An initial medical examination found that he had lost between 30% and 40% of his body weight. Upon his release, Or reportedly asked to spend time alone with Argamani, who was freed by Israeli forces last year. The two shared what they described as their first cigarette together after two years. Related: Who are the final 20 living hostages to have been freed from Gaza? Omri Miran, 48, a father of two and shiatsu massage therapist, was held in 23 different places in Gaza, above ground and in tunnels, according to his brother Nadav. Sometimes he would cook food for his captors, and they loved his cooking, Nadav told the Ynet news site. He knew exactly what the date was and roughly what day it was. He knew exactly how many days he was in captivity. They spent most of their days playing cards with their captors. Miran was reunited with his daughters Roni, four, and Alma, two, on Monday, and was captured on camera playing with them for the first time in 24 months. He looks pale, but his humour is the same, Nadav said. It feels as though he never left. Moving images were also shared on Monday of Elkana Bohbot, 36, one of the organisers of the Nova music festival, being reunited with his five-year-old son. It has emerged that he spent most of his time chained in a tunnel, where he lost all sense of time and space. But he remembered his wedding day, he told his wife. He insisted on being able to shower on that day. His captors initially refused the request, it is said, but they eventually relented and removed his chains. It is also said that he was able to view news of his family members appealing for his release and attending rallies at hostages square in Tel Aviv. It is clear that each of the hostages had unique experiences. Among the most brutal of those who walked out alive might be that of Matan Angrest, who is a soldier. The 22-year-olds mother, Anat Angrest, said her son had experienced very severe torture during his initial months in captivity. He remembers being beaten so badly that he lost consciousness, she told Channel 12. They covered him with black sacks and dragged him away. Her son also told her how the walls of the tunnels where he was held had collapsed around him under Israeli fire. Her son had been confined in a small, dark tunnel for the last four months. He was alone for a long period, under special guard, she said. But Matan told her he refused to break for the monsters who held him captive. He was shown very little news from his captors, and for the rest of the time, they suffered severe psychological warfare, that [Israelis] gave up on them, that [Hamas] was going to conquer the country, that they are planning the next October 7. Other lies told by captors, she said, included the claim that his maternal grandparents who are Holocaust survivors were dead. Learning they are still alive after returning from Gaza had motivated him, she said. The accounts suggest there was a change of approach by Hamas to some of the hostages in recent weeks as negotiations over a ceasefire progressed. Ilan Gilboa-Dalal told the Kan public broadcaster that her son, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, was held with fellow hostage Evyatar David in a tunnel until a month ago. Then they took him for a ride in a vehicle around Gaza, and did not bring him back to the tunnel with Evyatar, but put him in a tunnel in Gaza City with [Israeli hostage] Alon Ohel until their release on Monday, Gilboa-Dalal said. Over the past month, her son had been force-fed, she claimed, adding that he believed that the captors were motivated to feed him following the international outcry over the video of an emaciated David being forced to dig his own grave. The 28-year-old twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, who were taken from kibbutz Kfar Aza near the Gaza border, were held separately and completely cut off from the outside world throughout their time. While they were held in the same area, they were unaware that they would be reunited upon their release. They told relatives on Monday that there were periods in which there was a lack of food, and other times when they received more. Some of their captors reportedly spoke to them in Hebrew. A report from Channel 12 said the brothers could hear the Israel Defense Forces near them while in captivity. The brothers, who work together as lighting technicians, gave a thumbs-up to the cameras on their release as they were driven away back home together. Chris Philp has called for the director of public prosecutions to resurrect the trial if the Government provides evidence - Oli Scarff/AFP Senior Conservatives have urged the chief prosecutor to resume the trial of the two alleged spies for China if Labour declares Beijing is a threat to national security. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, and Alex Burghart, the shadow cabinet minister, have called for Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, to resurrect the case if the Government provides the evidence he has demanded. The Tories have stepped up pressure on Labour after Dan Jarvis, the security minister, on Monday blamed Jonathan Powells deputy for the collapse of the Chinese spies case. The case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry collapsed last month after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the Government had refused to provide crucial evidence that proved China was a national security threat. Both men deny any wrongdoing. Mr Jarvis said Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser, was given full freedom to provide evidence about the two alleged spies, who were accused of passing parliamentary intelligence to Beijing. The trial of Christopher Berry (left) and Christopher Cash (right) collapsed following a lack of evidence of China being a security threat - Jeff Moore/PA Wire Ministers have denied that the Labour Government was responsible for the decision to drop the charges against Mr Cash and Mr Berry, and blamed the Conservatives reluctance to designate China a threat while in office. Mr Jarvis told the Commons on Monday: The decision about whether to proceed with the prosecution was ultimately taken by the CPS, who were hamstrung by antiquated legislation that had not been updated by the previous Conservative government. However, in their letter, Mr Philp and Mr Burghart asked Mr Parkinson to confirm if the Government were to provide the evidence that the Crown Prosecution Service had requested, this would enable you to restart the prosecution. The pair noted that for the purposes of the prosecution, the definition of enemy in the Official Secrets Act 1911 included a country which represented, at the time of the offence, a threat to the national security of the UK. They said Mr Parkinson had remained satisfied that the decision to charge the case, made under the Conservative government in April 2024, was correct. Mr Philp and Mr Burghart wrote: Despite requests made over many months, the new Government did not provide the evidence to support the proposition that China represents a threat to national security, which would have enabled prosecution. By late August, you had concluded that such evidence would not be forthcoming and therefore the case collapsed. Your clarification on these points has been welcome. Please can you now confirm that, if the Government were to provide the evidence that the Crown Prosecution Service had requested, this would enable you to restart the prosecution? In the Commons, Mr Jarvis said all the evidence was based on the law at the time of the alleged offences and the governments policy towards China at the time. He rejected calls to publish the evidence on the grounds that it could be used in further ongoing legal processes but did not expand on what these were. Mr Jarvis told MPs: Every effort was made to provide evidence to support this case within those constraints. He told MPs that neither ministers nor Mr Powell, the national security adviser, were privy to the evidence that Mr Collins had given in his witness statements to the CPS. Downing Street had earlier clarified that Mr Powell had attended a meeting with other senior government officials days before the trial collapsed to discuss its impact on Britains relationship with China, but it did not discuss the substance of the evidence provided to the CPS by Mr Collins. However, Tom Tugendhat, Jarviss predecessor as security minister in the previous government, said Mr Jarviss statement had thrown out more chaff, set up more straw men than a Russian disinformation campaign. He said it was pure fabrication to claim there was not sufficient evidence that China was viewed as a threat to national security at the time because there was ample evidence from various security and defence reviews at the time that showed Beijing posed a threat. Mr Tugendhat accused the Government of deciding not to provide the necessary evidence, pointing to the director of public prosecutions explanation for dropping the charges based on the fact the evidential threshold had no longer been met. Mr Tugendhat said: No longer means that there has been a change. That change can either be a commission or an omission. It sounds much more likely that something has not been done than that it has. What this statement does is advertise that the UK is not willing to defend itself against threats from hostile states. Steve Reed, the Housing Secretary, on Tuesday morning blamed the collapse of the case on the Conservatives for not having acted earlier to strengthen national security laws. He claimed that the Tories should have worked more quickly to enact the National Security Act 2023, which would have been used in the case instead of the Official Secrets Act 1911. Mr Reed told Sky News: The Crown Prosecution Service asked the Government for evidence, it was provided to the CPS. They then took the decision independently without any minister being involved that the case did not meet the threshold for prosecution under the law as it stood at the time. Now the law was subsequently strengthened, it was under the previous Conservative government had they changed the law earlier then perhaps this case would have stood up in court. Because they didnt, this case was not able to go ahead. Thats not my view, thats the view of the independent CPS. He added: If the Conservatives want to throw mud around this then Im afraid its going to hit them back in the face. Because if the Tories had acted earlier, and they did eventually with Labours support as well, had they acted earlier perhaps this case would have succeeded. Trees are cut down outside The Osprey in East Kilbride (Collette Stevenson MSP) A South Lanarkshire restaurant has apologised for its insensitive decision to cut down 80 trees nearby to open up space. Owners of The Osprey in East Kilbride felled dozens of trees last week, causing an outpouring of anger from the local community and others on social media, who threatened to boycott the restaurant. Scottish Forestry is now investigating the incident because there was no felling permission in place for this work, a spokesperson told The Independent. Were sorry. We got this wrong, the eaterys owners, the Birk family, said in a statement on Facebook. Previous social media posts from earlier this month suggest the restaurant is currently closed for refurbishment. We have to hold up our hands and say we made a mistake in clearing the wooded area in front of the restaurant. Trees in front of a building, which now houses The Osprey, which the restaurant owners cut down as seen from the A726 (Google) They had cut down the trees to open up the space at the front and possibly extend the car park in future, the Birks added. There were no tree preservation orders and the restaurant is not in a conservation area but we know this is not an excuse for the insensitive call to take away the trees, they said. The investigation will look into whether the family was acting within the rules by chopping down the trees. Fraser Carlin, head of planning at South Lanarkshire Council, told East Kilbride News: "I can confirm that the trees were not the subject of tree preservation orders and so no permission was needed or granted. "However, we can advise that in some instances felling permission may be required from Scottish Forestry." Local MSP Collette Stevenson said she was advised by the head of planning and regulatory services at South Lanarkshire Council that they don't own the land and that a Tree Preservation Order was not in place. Given the public interest, it's vitally important to establish the facts, and to verify what happens next, she said. The family said they will now replant young trees and bring a landscape architect to look at the area. We hope you will all give us another chance, to show you who we really are and what we hope to bring to the local community, the statement added. Would-be customers were divided in their responses, with many not sold by the apology. So you're replanting it. That's nice! Maybe I can come in for a meal in 40 years time for my 90th birthday, and have some beautiful woodland to look out onto, rather than a noisy dual carriageway, one comment read. Another commenter said it is much easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, while a third said the Birk family was attempting to underplay the significance of what has been done. Other commenters praised the family for apologising and accused people of having had an excessive reaction to the felled trees. Scottish Forestry said that it takes all reports of alleged unauthorised felling very seriously. There is no felling permission in place for this work so we have now opened up an investigation and today visited the site for inspection, it said in a statement. Now that an investigation has been opened it would not be appropriate to comment further on this case until it is concluded and next steps decided. Hundreds of passwords linked to government departments have been leaked on the dark web. A report seen exclusively by The Independent shows that more than 700 email addresses and corresponding passwords from across nine government domains have been leaked online in the past year, creating fears that taxpayers sensitive data, or critical systems such as power grids, could be targeted by hackers. There have also been nine attempts to sell classified UK military and Nato-related documents to bad actors which experts warn could directly undermine national security. The report by NordStellar, a threat exposure management platform that monitors the dark web, says the UK government has dangerous vulnerability gaps in its cybersecurity strategy, making it a prime target for cyber criminals and raising the risk of sensitive information ending up on the dark web. One cybersecurity expert warned that the worst type of governmental data breach on the dark web could look like the Afghan lists on steroids a reference to the catastrophic Ministry of Defence data breach of 2022 in which the details of thousands of applicants to a UK resettlement scheme were leaked online, potentially putting thousands of lives at risk. Among the government departments, the most targeted was the Ministry of Justice, which had 195 passwords leaked on the dark web in the past year. This was followed by the Department of Work and Pensions, which had 122, and the Ministry of Defence, with 111 passwords. The Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Department for Transport, UK Parliament, Department of Health and Social Care and HM Revenue & Customs also had log-in details leaked in the past year. The Ministry of Justice was the most targeted department on the dark web (Alamy/PA) Vakaris Noreika, head of product at NordStellar, said it was unclear whether the leaked details could be or had been used to access sensitive resources. But he warned that urgent action was needed to fix cybersecurity gaps, and that there was a growing danger of major data leaks. He added that leaked passwords could allow hackers to access critical systems such as police records, databases containing sensitive data belonging to UK citizens, or infrastructure networks such as power grids or the water supply. Dr Gareth Mott, a cybersecurity fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, who made the reference to the Afghan data breach, told The Independent: If data was leaked of a sufficiently sensitive nature that it jeopardised UK national security, I dont want to speculate but, then obviously, that could impact us. The consequences of that exposure can be significant, whether its political discourse changes or worse trust between the population and the government. Depending on the nature of the data [and] how its leaked, the secondary impacts of that could be quite significant, economically or socially. The hope would be that they are old passwords for old accounts that are no longer active; that those individuals have moved on to other roles where theyre not using the same passwords... but thats quite a lot of hoping. All it takes is for one account to be active still, and thats a potential initial attack vector for an external actor, because theyre motivated and know what theyre doing. Marks & Spencer was hit by a ransomware attack carried out by dark-web-based groups Scattered Spider and DragonForce (Getty) This cyber vulnerability follows a string of institutions and businesses having fallen victim to cyber attacks. The UKs data watchdog told The Independent that it is urging the government to go further and faster to raise standards. On Tuesday, the National Cyber Security Centre said a significant threat posed by Chinese and Russian hackers had contributed to a record number of serious online attacks. The Legal Aid Agency was hit by a cyber attack in April, when a group is believed to have accessed and downloaded a significant amount of personal data from those who had applied for legal aid through the organisations digital service between 2007 and May 2025. No arrests have been made, but the ShinyHunters cyber crime group reportedly claimed on Telegram that it had been responsible for the attack. In June, HMRC revealed that scammers had stolen 47m from the online accounts of 100,000 people after posing as taxpayers in a phishing attack. Thirteen people were arrested as part of the investigation in Romania, and a 14th man was arrested in Preston. More recently, two men aged 17 and 22 were arrested by the Metropolitan Police after the nursery chain Kido experienced a cyber attack, with the private data of thousands of children including names, pictures and addresses believed to have been leaked on the dark web. Last month, a man in his forties was arrested over an alleged cyber attack that caused disruption at Heathrow and other European airports. Personal data belonging to people who had applied to the Legal Aid Agency was accessed in a cyber attack in April this year, the Ministry of Justice said (PA) Jaguar Land Rover, M&S, Harrods and the Co-op are also among businesses that have suffered cyber attacks this year. The dark web-based ransomware groups Scattered Spider and DragonForce claimed joint responsibility for the M&S hack, and the latter said it was behind the Co-op attack. The Hellcat ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack on Jaguar Land Rover. The National Crime Agency said four people had been arrested in the UK as part of an investigation into the M&S, Co-op and Harrods incidents. The National Audit Office (NAO) warned in a report in January that the cyber threat to the UK government was severe and advancing quickly. The NAO raised particular concerns around the governments new cyber assurance scheme, GovAssure, after it found significant gaps in cyber resilience with multiple fundamental system controls at low levels of maturity across departments. The risk of cyber attack is severe, and attacks on key public services are likely to happen regularly, yet governments work to address this has been slow, the head of the NAO, Gareth Davies, said at the time. To avoid serious incidents, build resilience and protect the value for money of its operations, government must catch up with the acute cyber threat it faces. Heathrow was one of many airports in Europe to be targeted by a cyber attack in September (PA) A spokesperson for the Information Commissioners Office said: Cyber attacks are on the rise across all sectors, with the government and the public sector seen as a valuable target. People often dont have a choice on sharing their personal information with these bodies, so they must trust organisations are doing everything they can to protect their data and prevent incidents before they can happen. We expect all organisations to have robust security measures in place, such as strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to protect credentials, and appropriate vulnerability management. Government departments and agencies must uphold the highest standards of security. A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said: We have robust defences to protect government systems from cyber criminals, and we are going further. That includes launching a new cyber resilience model for government, providing greater support for departments and strengthening our response to fast-moving cyber incidents. Were also responding to the increasing threats facing our country through the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which will be introduced later this year to protect the essential services like energy and water supplies, and critical national infrastructure the public relies on. A UK Parliament spokesperson said: Parliament takes cybersecurity extremely seriously. We have robust measures in place, including providing advice to users to make them aware of the risks and how to manage their digital safety, working closely with our partners in the National Cyber Security Centre. We do not comment on specific details of our cyber security controls and policies. A California prankster has gone viral after sending 50 driverless Waymo vehicles down a dead-end street in San Francisco. Riley Walz, a software engineer, announced that he was behind the stunt back in July, which caused the vehicle service to be shut down in the immediate area. The 23-year-old has also been behind other viral pranks, according to reports, including the hacking of Vice President JD Vances Spotify playlist and a website allowing San Francisco residents to track parking enforcement cops in real time. The plan? At dusk, 50 people went to San Francisco's longest dead-end street and all ordered a Waymo at the same time, Walz wrote Tuesday on X. The world's first: WAYMO DDOS. DDoS stands for distributed denial of service and refers to a type of cyberattack intending to overwhelm the normal traffic of a server, as was the case with Waymos network. San Francisco prankster Riley Walz admitted to sending 50 Waymo driverless cars to a dead-end street in San Francisco (Riley Walz/ X) Walz wrote that he felt like he was back in middle school, and claimed that the stunt had been a source of hilarity to other drivers in the area. We didn't actually get in the cars. They left after about 10 min and charged a $5 no show fee, he explained on social media. Waymo handled this well. I assume this isn't much different than if a big concert had just ended. Eventually, they disabled all rides within a 2 block vicinity until the morning. He added: Everyone was giddy, and when another car showed up there were cheers. Maybe 3 or 4 real drivers - all laughed and just drove around. Walz explained that he had intended to created a Waymo DDoS which stands for distributed denial of service and refers to a type of cyberattack intending to overwhelm the normal traffic of a server (Riley Walz/ X) The Independent has contacted Waymo for comment on the stunt. The Waymo incident is not Walzs first tech-based prank to cause a stir online. Last month he launched a website that allowed visitors to track the movements of parking attendants and their vehicles. I reverse engineered the San Francisco parking ticket system. I can see every ticket seconds after it's written, Walz wrote at the time. So I made a website. Find My Friends? AVOID THE PARKING COPS. The site was taken down by authorities after just four hours, though Walz later claimed he had found a workaround to get it back online. England boss Sarina Wiegman insisted she would always be grateful to Millie Bright after the Chelsea defender announced her retirement from international football. Wiegman will start to prepare for life without the former Lionesses captain who was not included in her latest 25-player squad to face Brazil and Australia this month after she stepped down from national team duty on Monday. The 32-year-old earned 88 caps during her England career and helped them to European Championship glory on home soil in 2022 before she captained her nation to the World Cup final the following year. Bright was not a part of the team that won Euro 2025 after she pulled out of the squad to prioritise her physical and mental health. Wiegman hailed her former centre-back as speaking at the squad announcement at St Georges Park she said: At the back of the Euros we had a conversation and Millie told me she was retiring. Shes been huge for us, me, the team, on and off the pitch. Shes been a great personality and leader. Im just really grateful Ive been a little part of (her) journey and hopefully shes grateful about being part of my team because she had a massive influence. When a player makes a decision like that, then its not appropriate to have that conversation (persuade her to stay). I just totally accept it and respect it. Back to business. Your #Lionesses squad for October! Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 14, 2025 Speaking ahead of Chelseas Champions League game against Paris FC, Bright said she will now be the Lionesses number one fan. I dont see it as a sad thing, said Bright. I see it as a celebration. Ive had an amazing England career. Im very grateful and blessed. I feel really lucky. But I see it as an opportunity now to be 100 per cent for my club. Ive still got big ambitions. Now its time to be (Englands) number one supporter. It is the first time the squad will meet since England were crowned European champions for a second-successive time this summer, following their 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Spain in Switzerland. Wiegman insisted it was nice to celebrate their achievements but quickly switched her attention to qualifying for the World Cup in 2027. She added: We celebrated a little bit but then I just took a bit of time off. Then after two weeks you say lets get started again, and I move on quickly because theres World Cup qualifying coming up and we want to qualify. Arsenals Katie Reid has been handed her first England call-up (John Walton/PA) We won the Euros which was incredible and we will always cherish it. This is the first time coming together again. When you stand still you are lost, players know that and they know they have to improve everyday, play good with their clubs. Wiegman handed maiden call-ups to Arsenal defensive duo Katie Reid and Taylor Hinds along with Aston Villas Lucia Kendall to play Brazil at the Etihad Stadium on October 25 before travelling to Pride Park to face Australia three days later. Wiegman said Lucy Bronze and Grace Clinton would not be able to play two full matches despite being included in the squad. She said: She (Reid) started playing for Arsenal this season, done well in the pathway and exciting to see her in our environment. Joining the senior squad for the first time, @taylorhinds_ pic.twitter.com/SxgTmJin7B Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 14, 2025 We have been following Taylor (Hinds) for a long time. She had a dual heritage so is eligible for us. (She) hasnt played that much but I want to see talented players in some positions. They (Bronze and Clinton) will not be able to play two full games. Lucy is fit to play (against Brazil). Grace will be assessed, she had a minor injury and when she progresses, she can be available for us. Hairdresser Lesley has become the seventh baker to leave The Great British Bake Off tent after failing to impress the judges during the shows first-ever meringue-themed week. During Tuesdays episode, the bakers were tasked with making mini meringue tarts for the signature challenge, souffles for the technical and a meringue ice cream cake for the showstopper. Business development executive Toby was named star baker by presenter Noel Fielding, and co-host Alison Hammond informed Lesley that she would be going home. Bake Off contestant Lesley said she suspected she would be leaving (Channel 4/Love Productions/PA) The 59-year-old baker from Kent said: Do you know what I knew it was coming. Its like ripping the plaster off! Thanks so much for the experience, it has been amazing. I knew I would be leaving as I couldnt get my meringue right and had resigned myself that I would be going. But I was proud that I had made it to week seven. The other bakers gave me a massive cuddle. Judge Dame Prue Leith said: I am really sorry to see Lesley go. Shes a remarkable woman, in a way shes my ideal baker shes just really having a good time. Thats what Bake Off is all about. Reflecting on her experience following the show, Lesley added: I think I have grown as a person and I feel more confident in myself and my abilities. I have learned a lot of new skills, learned to trust my gut feeling, new skills and tips from other bakers, learned that you need to step through fear and take yourself out of your comfort zone as it allows you to grow. I had the time of my life! Lesley, who has been baking since she was 10, said her best moment on the Channel 4 show was winning the technical in chocolate week. Speaking about her next steps, she added: I would love to set up a little school to teach people the basics of baking and have a cake shed where people can come and buy cake. Also write a cookbook with all my nans recipes for traditional bakes. Lesley will join comedians Jo Brand and Tom Allen on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Friday October 17 on Channel 4 at 8pm. New mothers struggling with postnatal depression could find relief through an unexpected avenue: group singing lessons, a new study suggests. Researchers behind the study indicate these sessions offer a "long-lasting effect" on symptoms of postnatal depression (PND), prompting calls for local health bodies to introduce such programmes. The findings come as nearly one in four (24 per cent) mothers in the UK are affected by PND, often facing significant barriers to accessing conventional treatments. This underscores the importance of exploring alternative, art-based interventions. But the real-life effectiveness of such approaches has not been fully tested, academics said, as they set out to examine whether or not mothers who take part in such programmes will benefit. A quarter of mothers in the UK suffer from postnatal depression - and a new study suggest group singing can help (Alamy/PA) Given the surging rates of PND and its widespread implications for both mother and baby, it is of the utmost importance to identify and treat PND as early as possible, the authors wrote in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Although the gold standard for treatment is psychological therapy and psychopharmacology, many mothers with PND experience challenges and stigma in accessing care. Academics from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at Kings College London, along with Breathe Arts Health Research, examined the effectiveness of a specially designed group singing session for mothers to attend with their babies. Some 199 mothers with PND were enrolled in the study. They were either advised to take up group singing sessions or went to existing community-based mother and baby activities. During the singing sessions, mothers and their babies sat in a circle on the floor and they would sing welcome songs and then a range of songs from across the world in different languages. The songs included multiple parts and harmonies and were accompanied by maracas, drums and other simple instruments that mothers and their babies could play together. The women were reassessed after six, 10, 20 and 36 weeks. Researchers found that after 10 weeks both groups had seen a reduction in symptoms. But after 20 weeks and 36 weeks, only the mothers in the singing group, called Breathe Melodies for Mums (M4M), appeared to show continued benefit. Researchers said that mothers in the singing group were more likely to remain in the study and reported that the programme was acceptable and appropriate. The research team also deemed it to be a cost-effective measure. M4M had a long-lasting effect on symptoms of PND and was perceived to be more suitable than existing activities; thus, M4M represents a worthwhile investment for healthcare systems as an intervention for mothers experiencing symptoms of PND, the authors concluded. After doing it for about ten weeks, many participants in the group activity reported their symptoms had alleviated (Getty Images) Carmine Pariante, professor of biological psychiatry at Kings IoPPN and the studys senior author, said: Unfortunately postnatal depression is a common illness experienced by many new mothers. While effective interventions like psychotherapy and medications can and do help, there are societal barriers due to the stigma that surrounds depression that mean other interventions are a necessity to ensure that these women can receive the support they need. Our study provides vital evidence that Breathe Melodies for Mums can offer an effective means of support that is also engaging and accessible. Dr Rebecca Bind, a research associate at Kings IoPPN and the studys first author, said, At a time when the NHS is oversubscribed and under pressure to make every pound count, this intervention is a demonstrably good use of resources that has a powerful and long-lasting impact on the mothers, and potentially their babies. Israeli troops have been accused of opening fire and killing Palestinians less than 24 hours after the Gaza ceasefire took effect. Authorities in the besieged Palestinian territory reported that at least seven people had been killed by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents on Tuesday morning. It comes the day after Hamas freed 20 living Israeli hostages, while Israel sent more than 30 buses of prisoners back to Gaza. The Israel Defence Forces confirmed its soldiers shot dead suspects in the Shejaiya neighbourhood of Gaza City. Palestinian Civil Defence told the BBC that seven people were killed by Israeli forces in two separate incidents - in eastern Gaza and to the east of Khan Younis. The Israeli military says it fired after people crossed the yellow line, where its troops have withdrawn to under Donald Trump's ceasefire plan. Under the first phase of the peace deal brokered by the United States, which secured the return of the remaining Israeli hostages captured by Hamas, Israel will remain in control of nearly 60 per cent of Gaza. Military officials claimed the suspects movement "constitutes a violation of the agreement" ratified by Israel and Hamas. This is a map showing the situation in Gaza after the IDFs withdrawal to the yellow line. The yellow area covers about 53% of the Strip, adjusted from 58% after negotiations. pic.twitter.com/pDpOn3bcYT Cheryl E (@CherylWroteIt) October 10, 2025 "The suspects did not comply and continued to approach the forces, and the forces carried out shooting to remove the threat," the IDF said in a statement. "The IDF calls on the residents of Gaza to heed the IDF's instructions and not to approach the forces deployed in the area." Israel also denied reports that other suspects or gunmen had managed to breach an army encampment in the quarter. Israelis stand outside as vehicles carrying bodies of four deceased hostages, who had been held in Gaza since October 7, 2023 (REUTERS) The killings raised concerns in Gaza about the the ceasefire holding - as Hamas was also accused of breaching the terms by failing to return the bodies of dead hostages. Tensions rose as relatives of the families of dead hostages erupted in fury as Hamas released just four of 28 bodies on Monday. The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will stay closed through Wednesday and the flow of aid into the Palestinian enclave will be reduced, three Israeli officials said on Tuesday in response to the failure to hand over the bodies. Hamas previously indicated that recovering the bodies of some of the dead hostages may take longer, as not all burial sites amid the widespread rubble of Gaza are known. US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform this evening. "ALL TWENTY HOSTAGES ARE BACK AND FEELING AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED," the post read. "A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED!" he added. Four of the 28 bodies of hostages have been returned to Israel so far, with the son of one of the hostages whose body is still in Gaza, saying that those involved in the ceasefire need to show Hamas that this is not acceptable. "Phase Two begins right NOW!!!" Trump added, referring to the next stage of negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel has agreed to release 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences, along with another 1,700 people arrested after October 7, 2023. Hamas has started deploying armed fighters across parts of southern Gaza in an apparent attempt to reassert authority. There have also been fierce clashes involving Hamass Al-Qassam Brigades and rival militias, such as members of the Doghmush family, sparking fears of a civil war. Shocking footage has emerged of Palestinians accused of being 'Israeli collaborators' being executed in the street. More than 1,200 people were killed in Israel and about 250 were taken captive during the October 7 massacre. According to Palestinian health officials, more than 60,000 people have been killed since Israels military campaign against Hamas commenced two years ago. Speaking to reporters at the White House, where the US President is currently hosting Argentinas President Javier Milei, Trump warned if Hamas do not disarm we will disarm them. "They're going to disarm, because they said they would disarm. And if they don't disarm we will disarm them," he said He adds that US officials have spoken to Hamas and the group said it would give up its weapons. "They know I'm not playing games," he added. Asked what deadline will be set for the group, Trump says "a reasonable period of time". Social media use is hurting your kids grades - and it doesnt matter how long they are spending on devices each day, new research warns. Just an hour spent on an app daily can knock down test scores by one or two points, for students between the ages of nine and 13, doctors at UC San Francisco found in new research. However, students who spent as many as four hours a day on social media saw up to a five-point drop on their tests. "That really speaks to the dosage effect of these [apps]," psychologist Sheri Madigan, who wrote an accompanying editorial for the study, explained. It's problematic at really high uses, but it's also problematic at even in small doses." Thats bad news for students who already have trouble performing academically. Using social media is hurting kids attention spans and leading to major point drops on tests, a new study found (Getty Images/iStock) Scores in reading and math have taken a dip across the country since the pandemic, and a recent Arizona State University report found the average American student is less than halfway to a full academic recovery. In spring 2023, the percentage of fourth-graders who were performing at grade level in math and reading was down by 13 percent and seven percent from 2019, respectively. It doesnt take much to make a negative impact on academic standing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill psychologist Mitch Prinstein told NPR. "Even a slight change in what they look like after a short period of time means that they're kind of now pointed on a trajectory that is different from others, he said. That means that two, three, five years from now, we might be talking about some very significant gaps between kids who might have been heavy users or not as heavy users." Prinstein, who was not involved in the new study, noted that the research appears to confirm that kids are having a hard time focusing due to the ways in which social media has changed their ability to process information. Smartphones are unending sources of distraction that researchers say lead to addiction-like symptoms (Getty Images/iStock) Research in the area is still developing, but a handful of international studies have linked social media use to reduced attention span. A 2019 National Institutes of Health study determined that teenagers who spend over two hours a day on their screens receive lower test scores. Smartphones are unending sources of distraction, experts say. The new studys authors previously found high levels of addiction-like symptoms among kids and teens between the ages of 10 and 14 who used smartphones. "Half the kids who had smartphones said that they lose track of how much time they're using their phone..." UCSF pediatrician Jason Nagata told NPR. "And 11 percent say that social media use has negatively affected their schoolwork." The governments treatment of trans people in the UK could breach the European Convention on Human Rights, a human rights expert has warned. Michael OFlaherty, commissioner for human rights for the Council of Europe, said new guidance in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling on trans people must not leave them in an intermediate zone as not quite one gender or the other. In a letter to Sarah Owen, chair of parliaments women and equalities committee, and David Alton, chair of the joint committee on human rights, Mr OFlaherty said lawmakers in the UK have viewed the human rights of different groups as a zero-sum game. The watchdog also says a debate about trans rights should not detract from efforts to stop violence against women and girls (PA) This has contributed to narratives which build on prejudice against trans people and portray upholding their human rights as a de facto threat to the rights of others, he said. He added that the approach risks certain inferences being drawn from the UK Supreme Court judgment that could lead to widespread exclusion of trans people from many public spaces. This, in turn, may severely infringe on their ability to participate fully and equally in society, he added. Mr OFlaherty said trans people may also be forced under new guidance to habitually out themselves publicly in order to access services, a potential breach of their right to private lives under article eight of the ECHR. Michael OFlaherty said trans people could be left vulnerable to harassment, abuse and even violence (AFP via Getty) He added: Beyond privacy concerns, being forced to disclose sex assigned at birth may also significantly increase peoples vulnerability to harassment, abuse and even violence. The watchdog said a debate about trans rights should not detract from efforts to stop violence against women and girls and greater gender equality. But he said the current debate is too focused on restricting the human rights and freedoms of trans people. Bridget Phillipson will have to sign off on the new guidance (PA) The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has drafted new guidance for companies and public bodies to follow after the Supreme Court ruled trans women are not legally women under the Equality Act (2010) earlier this year. The draft guidance that was submitted for consultation over the summer warns that if a service is provided only to women and trans women or only to men and trans men, it is not a separate-sex or single-sex service under the Equality Act 2010. The EHRC has shared its updated code of practice for services, public functions and associations with the equalities minister for approval after a consultation that took place over the summer. But in theory, womens and equality minister Bridget Phillipson could reject the draft and ask the EHRC to redraft it. It is expected to tell schools, hospitals, leisure centres and cinemas to ban trans women from using single-sex spaces such as lavatories and changing rooms. Hundreds of organisations have written to the government to warn that the guidance is unworkable and will cause significant economic harm. In a recent letter, seen by The Independent, firms including Ben and Jerrys and Lush said: The proposals made in the EHRCs draft Code of Practice under the Equality Act would have serious and far-reaching consequences for UK businesses, our employees, and our customers. Any final code similar to this draft would tell organisations that we must adopt practices that are incompatible with modern business values, create unworkable operational challenges, and cause significant economic harm. The prime ministers official spokesman said: We are clear that there are laws in place to protect trans people from discrimination and harassment. We proudly uphold a robust legislative framework. Trans people remain protected on the basis of gender reassignment, protected by reassigned characteristics written into the Equality Act. That was true before the ruling, and the Supreme Court underlined that. We've never supported self ID. We have a process in place when it comes to someone changing their legal sex on that process. After a visit to the UK, Mr OFlaherty also wrote to Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, to warn that the governments decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror group, as well as a planned crackdown on protesters wearing facemasks, could breach the Convention. Pennsylvania Governor's residence arson attack (Dauphin County District Attorney's Office) Newly revealed video shows the horrifying moment an arsonist firebombed the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as the suspect in the attack pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges. Cody Allen Balmer, 38, also entered pleas on charges of terrorism, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and loitering in connection with the April attack that caused millions of dollars worth of damage to the Democratic governors mansion. Under a plea deal, Balmer was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. During Tuesdays hearing, the court played footage showing Balmer breaking windows at the Harrisburg mansion and throwing Molotov cocktails inside during the early hours of April 13. He had scaled a fence to breach the property before setting a wing of the home on fire. Other footage showed Balmer inside the residence which has been occupied by the past seven governors in the state attempting, and failing, to force his way through several doors. The videos show Balmer kicking and throwing his body onto the doors, which do not appear to budge, before moving on. Video showed Balmer trying, without success, to break through doors inside the governors mansion (Dauphin County District Attorney's Office) Footage shared Tuesday in court also showed Balmer throwing Molotov cocktails into the residence, quickly starting a fire (Dauphin County District Attorney's Office) Shapiro, who is Jewish, had hosted a Passover Sader on the night of the attack. (Dauphin County District Attorney's Office) During a press conference held Tuesday, Shapiro said the footage showed Balmer had breached the residence right up to a door that led to the hallway where we were in our private living quarters. I know those videos are chilling. They have been haunting me for months, Ive been trying to unsee them for the last six months, he said, adding that it was impossible for him and his family to be in their home and not think of Balmer and the violent acts he wanted to carry out against him. I think we need real accountability for acts of political violence, and today is real accountability for the violence that came here to Pennsylvania, Shapiro said. In a 911 call about an hour after starting the fire, Balmer admitted to planning the attack because of Shapiros stance on Israel amidst the war with Hamas. Balmer told the dispatcher that he will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people. The governor has said he supports a two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians living peacefully side-by-side, being able to determine their own futures and their own destiny. The night of the attack, the first night of Passover, a Jewish holiday, Shapiro, his family and several guests had celebrated with a Seder. Everyone was asleep at the time of the attack and was forced to evacuate amidst the smoke. No one was injured, though Balmer was slapped with 21 counts of reckless endangerment due to there being so many people in the house at the time. While the attack coincided with the Jewish holiday, Balmer told the Associated Press in a May letter that Shapiros faith had not played a role in his decision. He can be Jewish, Muslim, or a purple people eater for all I care as long as he leaves me and mine alone, Balmer wrote. Balmer walking away from Shapiro's home after setting it on fire. (CBS Dauphin County District Attorney's Office) Balmer pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for the April arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros home (Dauphin County District Attorney's Office) The arson attack caused millions of dollars worth of damage to the governors official residence The 38-year-old admitted to haboring hatred towards Shapiro and said he wouldve beaten him with a hammer if he saw him during the break-in. Balmer, who is from Harrisburg, had a previous charge for allegedly assaulting members of his family. Days after his arrest, Balmers mother said she tried to get him help for mental health issues, but nobody would help. His ex-girlfriend also said that Balmer had stopped taking his medication and was missing just days before the attack, before showing up at his brothers home during an apparent mental health crisis. Court proceedings had been delayed while he received mental health treatment, Balmers lawyer said. During a court hearing days after the fire, Balmer told a judge he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and a lot of children. Shapiro and seven of his predecessors have called the 29,000-square-foot mansion, which also hosts art exhibits and public events, their home. The residence, which was build in 1968, did not have sprinklers. Officials remain working to fix the buildings damage and improve its security. With reporting by the Associated Press. Mr Swinney needs to win election majority, as well as the approval of the UK Government for referendum to get green light - PA First Minister John Swinney is taking a massive gamble in his bid to force another independence referendum, election strategists believe. Despite winning a key vote at his partys weekend conference, critics think he has little chance of forcing Sir Keir Starmer to grant a new vote on breaking up Britain. He set his party the target of winning an overall majority of the 129 MSP seats in Holyrood next May, but even were he to win the necessary 65 seats seen as a very tall order he would still require the approval of the UK Government to hold indyref2. The Prime Minister has already indicated that he would not agree to a new vote, believing that the result of the 2014 referendum still represented the will of the Scottish people. SNP grassroot members warned Mr Swinney that this refusal was likely from the Labour government. Activists wanted next years election to be a virtual referendum on independence with a simple majority of all parties which supported separation the Scottish Greens and Alba, as well as the SNP being enough to begin the process of taking Scotland out of the United Kingdom. Scotland voted no in the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence - Mark Runnacles / Getty Images It would be a sort of unilateral declaration of independence which Mr Swinneys supporters almost all of his MSPs and ministers claimed would be illegal, as the Supreme Court has already ruled that only a referendum agreed by the Commons was the only uncontested route to another referendum. The First Minister defeated that conference move and instead claimed that his party could achieve the overall majority they sought with a positive election campaign, declaring that independence was Scotlands best hope for the future. But critics believe that Mr Swinney is massively overestimating his partys chances and pointed to recent surveys that suggested that while up to 50 per cent of voters supported independence, only half that number still backed the SNP. They also point out that where the SNP traditionally notched up over 30 per cent in elections, that figure dropped to 29 per cent in the recent Hamilton by-election which was won by the Labour candidate. Labour strategists believe they are already winning the ground war, through getting more activists onto the streets in key constituencies, even if the SNP remains ahead in opinion polls. Labours major reverses were caused by what were seen as cack-handed economic, welfare and energy policies from the UK Government, most of which have now been amended. However, there is little doubt that next months Budget and the possibility of new taxes will be causing genuine concern. Nevertheless, as well as attacking the SNPs obsession with independence, Labour, Tories, Lib Dems and now Reform UK will all be seeking to win SNP seats by focusing on John Swinneys domestic policies especially on the NHS and education. But with breaking up Britain being the SNPs only real policy, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for Mr Swinney to form a coalition government as only the Scottish Greens also agree on independence. He could form a minority government its been done before, by Alex Salmond, but such a result is bound to pose questions about Mr Swinneys leadership of the party. As is always the way in politics, people are already talking about the chances of two leading nationalists who are seen as the main contenders in any leadership contest. The first is Stephen Flynn, currently the SNP leader in the Commons who is hoping to switch from Westminster to Holyrood. He is described by those who dont necessarily have his best interests at heart as being on manoeuvres. The other is the Cabinet minister for housing, Mairi McAllan. One opponent said: Shes very professional in the Nicola Sturgeon mould. But more pleasant. The blast killed three members of the Carabinieri paramilitary police force and injured up to 13 other Carabinieri and police officers Three Italian police officers were killed in a massive explosion allegedly caused by a family who were being evicted from their farmhouse near Verona. The three siblings, in their 50s and 60s, who occupied the property are accused of ambushing the officers sent in to carry out the operation by igniting gas canisters they had stored on the property. The two brothers and their sister had been in a drawn-out battle over the repossession of the farmhouse and may have filled it with gas canisters as long as a year ago, it emerged on Tuesday. Credit: X/Social Media In an interview recorded last November, Maria Luisa Ramponi, 59, said: We filled the house with gas canisters so that we can fight on (against the eviction order). Ms Ramponi said the family had been battling banks and lawyers for years over the future of the farmhouse, suggesting that they had fallen short on their mortgage payments. Along with my brothers, we have been fighting for five years for justice. They took away our farm and now they want our house, she said in the interview. They want to evict us and we are opposed to that in every possible way. We have filled the house with gas so that we can fight on. The emergence of the interview raised questions about why the officers had not been more cautious in entering the property in the town of Castel DAzzano early on Tuesday morning. Ms Ramponi has been reported to have lit Molotov cocktails that ignited the explosion, which devastated the farmhouse. As well as killing three members of the Carabinieri paramilitary police force, the explosion injured 13 other officers from the Carabinieri and the Polizia di Stato (national police force). Ms Ramponi, 59, and her brothers Franco, 65, and Dino, 63, were arrested. Flames shoot up from the building, which was almost destroyed by the explosion Raffaele Tito, a local prosecutor, alleged the deaths of the officers amounted to premeditated murder. Investigators had found five to six gas canisters on the premises, he said. We have bodycams and we will wait to see what details emerge, he added. Moments prior to the explosion, officers had heard a whistling sound probably from the gas canisters that were being opened up. Claudio Papagno, a Carabinieri colonel, called the alleged ambush an absolutely crazy act. Our officers approached the entrance to the house and as they were climbing the stairs, they were hit by a very powerful explosion, he said. The explosion was caused by the woman (Ms Ramponi), who ignited a gas canister with a lighter. A police union said the ambush was not unexpected given all the warning signs and threats previously allegedly made by the family. It was not unforeseeable, said Vincenzo Romeo, the general secretary of the union Pianeta Sindacale Carabinieri. Matteo Piantedosi, the interior minister, said survivors of the explosion reported smelling gas as they entered the property. Survivors reported smelling gas as they forced an entry to the property A few seconds later, there was an explosion, said Mr Piantedosi. Somebody inside the property seems to have detonated a gas canister. There are three fatalities from the Carabinieri, which is a horrendous toll, but there are also injured among other Carabinieri and officers from the Polizia di Stato. The explosion destroyed much of the property, and dozens of firefighters and paramedics were deployed to the scene. The eviction of the family had been planned for days, with specialist agents assigned to the task. The officers killed in the explosion were named as Marco Piffari, Davide Bernardello and Valerio Dapra, whose ranks ranged from lieutenant to brigadier. Marco Piffari was named as one of the officers killed in the explosion Three siblings lived in the house. It seems that for some time they were in possession of gas canisters and they saturated the property with gas to cause an explosion. It all happened at about 3.15am, said Antonello Panuccio, the deputy mayor of Castel dAzzano. Guido Crosetto, the defence minister, said the officers had sacrificed their lives while carrying out their duties. Dozens of firefighters and paramedics were called to the farmhouse, where the bodies of the three police officers were found in the rubble Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, expressed her condolences to the families of the officers who were killed and injured. My profound condolences and those of the government go to the families of the victims, she said. I would like to extend sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured members of the police forces and the fire service, and to thank the medical personnel and all those who intervened promptly and professionally. Sergio Mattarella, the president of Italy, said he was dismayed to hear about the fatalities and injuries. In these dramatic circumstances, I express my solidarity with the Carabinieri Corps and condolences for the family members, together with the wish for a speedy recovery to the injured officials, he said. Actor Tim Curry has said Diana, Princess of Wales once told him The Rocky Horror Picture Show completed my education. The 79-year-old played transvestite alien scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 musical film, and said Diana revealed that she had watched the movie while meeting the cast of the play Love For Love, which he was also in. Curry told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I was doing Love For Love and Charles and Diana made an appearance. So we were all kind of lined up, and Diana was wearing a blue sequined dress, and she said, is there anybody here from wardrobe? My dress is deconstructing, Ive got a trail of sequins all the way from the royal box. Then they were introduced to people individually, and Charles said, in that sort of mumble that he has, he said, I think Ive seen you on television, and I said, well, I hope I didnt bore you, sir. And Diana said, you were in the Rocky Horror Show, werent you?, and I said, yes, maam, but I dont imagine that you saw it, and she said, no, of course, I did, it very much completed my education. The Cheshire-born actor said the film gives audiences the permission to behave badly or as he said his character would say to swim the warm waters of the sins of the flesh. Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012 and says he is still unable to walk following the incident, which left him in a wheelchair. He added: The whole of my left side was paralysed, I cant walk yet, and I find that very difficult and limiting. Its horrible, I hate the idea of being an invalid, thats for sure. Along with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Curry also starred as Pennywise in It (1990), the concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) and Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island (1996). Home Alone 2: Lost in New York features a cameo appearance from US President Donald Trump, who Curry said had the most explosive confidence that Id ever encountered, saying he was entirely sure of himself when working on the film. He was also the first King Arthur in the Broadway and West End production of Monty Pythons Spamalot. Curry released his memoir Vagabond on Tuesday. Tommy Robinson claims that Elon Musk is paying his legal fees, as the far-right activist faces a three-week wait for the verdict of his trial because he is due to visit Israel. The 42-year-old, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, denies failing to comply with counterterrorism powers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone on 28 July last year, specifically by refusing to disclose his phones PIN. If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to three months. Robinson, who thanked X-owner Musk for covering his legal costs, will travel to Israel on Wednesday until 25 October, Westminster Magistrates Court heard. The far-right activist arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court (PA) The prosecution and defence cases finished on Tuesday, but District Judge Sam Goozee has not yet made a decision on whether the activist is guilty or not guilty. As the judge tried to set a date to hand down his verdict, Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said Robinson would be out of the country for some time. He is a guest of the Israeli government in Israel tomorrow, he told the court. Judge Goozee told Robinson he would accommodate his current travel arrangements and adjourned his decision until 4 November. A man flies a Union flag outside Westminster Magistrates Court (PA) Posting on X (Twitter) after the hearing ended, Robinson said: Now that my trial is behind me, I will have my verdict handed down on November 4th in London. Im leaving soon for a trip to Israel a proud patriot coming tomorrow to stand with the Jewish state and deepen my understanding of the fight against jihad. Robinson, last month, organised a Unite the Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people. The invitation to Robinson was extended in the wake of the terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester. Amichai Chikli, Israels minister for the diaspora and combating antisemitism, said he was proud to host British patriot Robinson. Donald Trump presents Erika Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Charlie Kirk at the White House on Tuesday. Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, to the assassinated far-right commentator Charlie Kirk at the White House on Tuesday. Kirk, who was shot at an event at Utah Valley University in September, was among the most significant rightwing activists in the modern political era, galvanizing a younger generation of conservatives to engage in politics and support Trumps candidacy ahead of the 2024 election. But Kirk was also a polarizing figure, who often criticized gay and transgender rights and once suggested that the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a mistake. Some critics have argued tributes to him elevated extremist views that stoked division. The Trump administration and Kirks supporters have targeted people for their comments about Kirk. Late on Tuesday, the administration revoked visas of six foreign nationals deemed to have made negative comments or made light of Kirks assassination, giving rise to free speech concerns. Related: Page one of the authoritarian playbook: how Trump and allies are exploiting Kirks killing So one month after Charlies death, we still feel the terrible shock and the pain of his loss like just about nobody I can think of. Charlie Kirk was one of a kind, and he was unstoppable, Trump said from the Rose Garden, where Kirks widow, Erika, accepted the award on her late husbands behalf. The ceremony for Kirk was held on what would have been his 32nd birthday. Trump returned to the US early Tuesday morning in time for the event after an impromptu trip to Israel and Egypt to take a victory lap after Israel and Hamas agreed to an initial ceasefire deal last week. In emotional and at times tearful remarks, Erika Kirk praised her late husbands deep faith, saying: Now he wears the crown of a righteous martyr. She also suggested that he might have run for president one day had he not been killed just weeks before his 32nd birthday. If the moment had come, he probably would have run for president, but not out of ambition, Erika Kirk said. He would only have done it if that was something that he believed that his country needed. While repeatedly thanking Trump for his support, she also gently pushed back on his assertion earlier in the ceremony that her husband was someone who loved his political enemies. I heard he loved his enemies. And I said: Wait a minute, is that the same Charlie that I know? Trump said. When it was her turn to speak, Erika Kirk smiled at Trump and shared that her late husband had prayed for his enemies in private. Surprisingly enough, he did pray for his enemies, which is very hard, but he did, she said, drawing laughs from the attenders. I saw him do it. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was first awarded in 1963. Previous recipients have included Audrey Hepburn, Milton Friedman, Walter Cronkite and Edward Kennedy. Trump has often conferred it to his supporters, such as Rush Limbaugh, and last month said he would award it to Rudy Giuliani, his former personal lawyer. Trump also used Kirks murder as an opportunity to justify the deployment of national guard troops to major Democratic-run cities over their objections. At one point, Trump digressed to speak about the beautiful sounds of sirens that could be heard from the Rose Garden. Weve watched legions of far-left radicals resort to desperate acts of violence and terror because they know that their ideas and arguments are persuading no one. They know that theyre failing. They have the devils ideology and theyre failing. And they know it. They feel it, and they become violent, Trump said. Kirk became a key ally to Trump through his organization Turning Point USA and its various offshoots, including Turning Point Action, which in effect ran the ground game operation for the Trump campaign in the key battleground state of Arizona, which Trump won. In recognition of Kirks close ties to Trumps orbit, guests included JD Vance, the treasury secretary Scott Bessent, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, attorney general, Pam Bondi, and defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, while Trumps chief of staff, Susie Wiles, sat in one of the front rows. Also in attendance were some of Kirks closest political associates, including the lobbyists Arthur Schwartz and Jeff Miller, former Trump deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich, Trump strategist Alex Bruesewitz, Turning Point adviser Andrew Kolvet and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Kirks introduction to Trumpworld came about a decade earlier. In the early days of Trumps 2016 campaign, Kirk scored a meeting at Trump Tower and offered advice to Don Jr on how to attract young voters. That meeting got Kirk hired on the spot as Don Jrs personal campaign assistant, but Kirks closeness with Trump grew in the wake of the 2020 election when he became a leading voice in pushing baseless claims that the election had been stolen. Kirk was also one of the few political operatives who stuck by Trump when he was in exile at Mar-a-Lago after the January 6 Capitol riot, which Trump remembered as a notable display of personal loyalty at one of the lowest points for the president. During the 2022 midterms cycle, Kirk encouraged Trump to endorse Vances Senate campaign and then two years later urged Trump and Don Jr to select Vance as running mate before the 2024 Republican national convention. After his death, Vance accompanied Kirks casket to Arizona on Air Force Two. President Donald Trump waits to greet Argentina's President Javier Milei, as he arrives at the White House on 14 Oct. 2025, in Washington Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States has struck another small boat that he accuses of carrying drugs in waters off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people aboard. The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike, Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social social media platform. No U.S. Forces were harmed. Trump wrote that intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics and said that it was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks but did not provide any evidence. Trump said that defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, ordered the strike on Tuesday morning and also shared video footage of the strike, as he has with prior strikes. This marks the fifth deadly US strike in the Caribbean, according to the Associated Press since the beginning of September, and comes just weeks after Trump administration officials said that the US is now in a non international armed conflict with drug cartels. An internal Trump administration memo obtained by the New York Times earlier this month reportedly stated that Trump has deemed cartels engaged in drug smuggling as non-state armed groups whose actions constitute an armed attack against the United States. The US has defendedthe boat strikes as countering narco-terrorist members of Tren de Aragua, which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization. The White House has argued that military action is a necessary escalation to disrupt the flow of drugs into the US. However, some lawmakers and human rights groups have questioned the legality of the attacks. In September, experts at the United Nations condemned the US strikes on small boats it believes to be trafficking drugs as extrajudicial executions. International law does not allow governments to simply murder alleged drug traffickers, the experts said. Criminal activities should be disrupted, investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the rule of law, including through international cooperation. Last week, Colombian president Gustavo Petro said that there were indications that one of the recently targeted boats was Colombian and had Colombians onboard. The White House quickly pushed back against Petros claims, demanding that he retract his statement, which the White House described as baseless and reprehensible. Also last week, an attempt in the US Senate to prevent further US strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats off the coast of Venezuela without congressional approval failed, after nearly all Republicans and Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against the measure. Credit: X/@bennyjohnson Donald Trump poked fun at Justin Trudeau during a hot mic moment at the Gaza ceasefire summit in Egypt. Following his address, Mr Trump shared a light-hearted interaction with Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, while his microphone was still on and cameras were still rolling. Well, Im glad you upgraded me to president, Mr Carney quipped before laughing. Mr Trump responded by playfully slapping Mr Carneys arm, shielding his mouth and saying: At least I didnt say governor. The comments appeared to be a joke at the expense of Justin Trudeau, the former Canadian prime minister, whom Mr Trump mercilessly mocked during his final months in office, repeatedly calling him governor Trudeau and threatening to make Canada Americas 51st state. Mr Trudeaus ailing poll ratings exacerbated by a trade war with the US caused by Mr Trumps tariffs ultimately forced him to step down as prime minister in January. Conversely, the presidents jibes bolstered support for Mr Carney, whose pledge to fight back against Mr Trumps threats saw him jump in the polls to win Canadas March election. Donald Trump mocked former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as governor over trade tensions and tariffs that contributed to his resignation During his victory speech, Mr Carney said: President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never ... ever happen. Since entering office, the Canadian prime minister has fostered a surprisingly warm relationship with the president despite their initial hostilities. We have great love for each other, Mr Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with Mr Carney earlier this month, calling him a world-class negotiator. During the meeting, Mr Carney listed the American presidents accomplishments, when Mr Trump interrupted to add: The merger of Canada and the United States, drawing laughter from in the room. Mr Carney batted away the suggestion, saying: That wasnt where I was going. The meeting marked Mr Carneys second visit to the White House in five months as he faces increasing domestic pressure to strike a deal on US tariffs on steel, cars, and other goods that are hurting Canadas economy. Mr Trump has promised to treat Canada fairly on tariffs, but has so far been unwilling to shift his stance, despite Ottawa dropping some counter-tariffs and scrapping a digital services tax aimed at US tech companies. Mr Carney initially responded to tariffs by pushing for a separate trade and security deal with the US, but as talks ran into trouble, he switched his attention to a review of the US-Canada-Mexico free trade deal scheduled for next year. Canada sends 75 per cent of all exports to the US and is particularly vulnerable to US trade action. Opponents of Mr Carney have called for the prime minister to hit back hard against Mr Trumps tariffs. Doug Ford, the Ontario premier, told reporters earlier this month: Its like a kid going in the school yard and getting punched in the face every day. The UK's "most remote pub" has axed a Harry Potter-themed Halloween dinner party after staff were subjected to "inappropriate grief". The Old Forge in Inverie, within the Knoydart peninsula in the Scottish Highlands, had advertised the 31 October event as a "spellbinding" night with "magic and wizarding wonder". Customers were promised a complimentary butterbeer on arrival to "Platform 9 3/4" before "departing on the Hogwarts Express". After venturing "through the enchanted forest to the great hall", diners were set to be treated to a four-course Harry Potter-inspired "culinary extravaganza". However, the pub has since cancelled its plans after the theme proved "dividing". Harry Potter author JK Rowling is a pro-women's rights campaigner and is known for her gender-critical beliefs. In a social media post, The Old Forge said: "The pub management team has decided to cancel this year's Halloween dinner party. "It was always meant to be just a fun night, but unfortunately using Harry Potter as a theme has proven dividing, and some of our staff have received inappropriate grief as a result. "We thought it was clear how we feel about everyone's rights, especially given our recent support of the amazing Knoydart Pride celebrations - we had also planned a charity collection for trans youth on the night. "Any upset caused by our theme choice was most certainly unintentional." A children's party will go ahead as planned, with all other services that day running as normal. Those with complaints were urged to raise their concerns to the management committee via the "appropriate formal channels". The pub added: "Finally, we would just like to reiterate that the pub cares about everyone in our community, and we would ask folk to be kind and respectful to each other, and our staff." The Old Forge declined to make any further comment when contacted by Sky News. Read more from Sky News: Eurovision emergency vote on Israel's inclusion called off Vodafone reveals cause of massive internet blackout The community-owned venue is famed for being the UK mainland's "remotest pub". With no roads in or out of the village, it can only be reached by walking 18 miles or by making a seven-mile sea crossing. The pub once offered a free drink to walkers if they could get there. One unlucky hiker was forced to survive for a week in Scotland's "last great wilderness" after becoming lost during his epic trek for a "free pint". Venezuela has closed its embassy in Oslo days after opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize. The foreign ministry said in a press release that the move was made to realign its diplomacy and reallocate resources to focus on the global south. Venezuela also announced it would be closing its Australian embassy and opening new ones in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso. While there was no mention of Machados victory, the countrys withdrawal from Norway after it awarded the prize has led to speculation of tension between the two countries. Machado is the Venezuelan opposition leader (AP) Norways foreign ministry confirmed the withdrawal and said it was regrettable. We have been informed by the embassy of Venezuela that it is shutting its doors and no reason has been given, a spokesperson said. It is regrettable. Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue open with Venezuela and will continue to work in this direction. Last week, Machado was announced as the Nobel Peace Prize winner for her work to bring democracy to Venezuela, which is currently under the authoritarian rule of President Nicolas Maduro. Nobel chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes, described Machados work as crucial and courageous (Reuters) The chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee in Oslo, Jorgen Watne Frydnes, described Machados work as crucial and courageous. She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy, he said. Maduro said on Sunday that Machado was a demonic witch and refused to mention her prize. We want peace, and we will have peace, but peace with freedom, with sovereignty, he said. President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduros 12-year rule is viewed by many nations as illegitimate (Nicolas Maduro Moros.) For years, Machado has been campaigning against Maduro, whose 12-year rule is viewed by many nations as illegitimate. Despite being an opposition leader, Machado was prevented from running in the 2024 election. The Nobel had been highly sought after by US president Donald Trump, who recently brokered a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. Machado, who is a conservative politician, praised Trump and dedicated her prize to the US president. We are on the threshold of victory, and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy, she posted to X (Twitter). US President Donald Trump has been critical of Venezuelas leader (AP) I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause. Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump said Machado called him and said he deserved the prize. She was very nice. And Ive been, you know, Ive been helping her along the way. She they need a lot of help in Venezuela, its a basic disaster, Trump said. The US president has a tense relationship with the Venezuelan government over claims that illegal cartels are transporting drugs to America. Earlier this month, US forces struck a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, which Trump claimed was carrying illegal drugs. Trump has also raised the US bounty for Maduros head to $50m. It might be known to millions as the Happiest Place on Earth, but Disney is also on its way to achieving another title: the most expensive place on Earth. Disney fans, including me, are angry and upset that the companys latest price hike announcement means single-day, single-park passes will jump to well over $200 per person for the first time during Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026. Tickets for this same period in 2025 top out at $199 for Magic Kingdom and less for the other parks. Its the fourth consecutive year that the company has raised prices for single-day or annual passes at its Anaheim and Orlando theme parks. And those $200 per-person, single-day passes? That includes children aged 10 or over. If youre thinking that younger kids must be significantly cheaper, Im about to burst your bubble because tickets for those aged three to nine are just $5 cheaper than an adult pass. Only those under age three can get in without the purchase of a park ticket. Thats a hefty day trip for a family of any size. And the price hikes dont stop there. Former Disney Cruise Line cast member Caitlin Hornik, seen at Disney World in 2021, reacts to Disney's latest price hikes (Caitlin Hornik) Disney has quietly raised prices across its U.S. theme parks on food, drinks, and souvenirs this month. One example, shared by popular account Disney Food Blog, was the price of Disney's signature Celebration Cake, which rose from $39 to $45 for a Mickey Mouse-inspired mousse creation that feeds four to six people. Disney is known to roll out price hikes each October as part of its fiscal plan, but this years announcement has struck a deeper nerve for fans. As the cost of a Disney vacation grows increasingly out of reach, the very enthusiasts who helped build the brands legacy are being priced out of the magic. Im one of them. Working for Disney Cruise Line as a performer in the Walt Disney Theatre was my first real job at barely 20 years old. I lived and worked on the Disney Wonder, sailing around Alaska and then the Caribbean, for more than seven months. It was every bit as magical as youd imagine. It was also my real introduction to Disney. I didnt visit the parks growing up, aside from one short-lived trip to Disneyland California. I didnt actually step foot onto Walt Disney World property until I worked for the company. But Ive now visited the Florida, California, Tokyo, and Paris parks as an adult and aim to hit all seven one day. I've been to the U.S. parks so many times that Ive lost count, but I know it's at least a dozen times in the past 11 years. Posing in front of my floating home, the Disney Wonder, while docked in Vancouver, Canada in September 2014 (Caitlin Hornik) Though its been many years since my cast member days, I take as much pride in having worked for the company now as I did then; I wear it like a badge of honor. And because of that, I love visiting the parks as often as possible. It reminds me of such a wonderful time in my life, sailing the high seas with Mickey Mouse as my boss. What more could I have asked for? For myself and millions of others, Disney is comfort. Its putting on Peter Pan when youre sick and being instantly brought back to childhood. Its listening to the Fantasmic theme when youre feeling blue and being immediately uplifted at the thought of Mickey Mouse dancing in Hollywood Studios. Its knowing you have a sense of belonging and community as a Disney fan, regardless of where you are in the world. But now Im priced out and Im only buying a ticket for one (Maybe two if Im treating my mom). Im far from being a family of four, and soon wont be able to step into a single park for less than $800. While planning a 2026 vacation to Florida's Disney World recently, I was struck by how expensive park tickets had become and that was before Thursdays announcement. No stranger to the companys prices as a former Disney Cruise Line cast member, I quickly tallied up the cost of park tickets and a hotel for four nights and was disheartened when I realized I was approaching $2,000 before even considering flights, food, and drinks. It became immediately apparent that I could no longer afford a quick weekend trip to get my Disney fix. Posing with my favorite princess and old friend, Snow White, during a 2023 visit to the parks (Caitlin Hornik) As an adult with no children, Im not someone who plans years in advance and saves for a dream Disney vacation. Sure, when I book a trip I put money aside each month in preparation, but I dont travel to the parks with any regularity, nor am I an annual pass holder. But so many people plan and save for years for this dream vacation that now just became less attainable. With Disneys dynamic pricing model, ticket prices vary depending on the date of the trip. Certain times of year are less expensive, while peak times, like holidays, are much more expensive. Even the difference of one week can mean saving (or spending) hundreds more. That means a family of four hoping to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas Day 2026 at the Magic Kingdom will have to shell out $209 per person for the day instead of this years $199. While it might not seem like a lot, it adds up quickly when you consider the other price hikes around the parks. Its a disappointing reality for me and thousands of others who see Disney (and their fellow fans) as their safe place. Of course, I could just go somewhere else. I could go to an all-inclusive resort on a beautiful tropical island or to somewhere more cultured than a theme park, but as a former cast member, Disney is a uniquely comforting place to me. My first visit to Walt Disney World in 2014 (Caitlin Hornik) The only thing more magical than landing at Orlando International Airport and taking the first ride of the trip (the airports monorail, of course) to the waiting Mears buses (RIP the Magical Express) is that first glimpse of Magic Kingdoms castle while skipping joyfully (yes, Im that person) down Main Street. Its a feeling of pure joy one that carries me all the way to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Knowing it may be a long time before I feel that again is genuinely upsetting. Its comforting to know that Im not alone in this; that others longing for a jolting ride on Space Mountain or a healing hug from Mickey Mouse will have to wait. Though for what, Im not quite sure. Prices certainly arent going to decrease anytime soon, no matter how loudly we scream into the ether or on social media. Comments on Disney Food Blogs Instagram post announcing the new price hikes ranged from anger to heartbreak. We are not renewing our annual passes next year after 11 years, one person who commented on Disney Food Blogs post promised. The prices are insane and the parks are too crowded. Not magical anymore. Another park-goer lamented the ticket prices on Facebook, saying that while he and his family have been avid visitors for the last 20 years, their Disney vacations might be coming to an end. We have loved our time there, but this [price hikes] could put us in a situation where we may never visit again! he wrote. This is so sad for young families who could be enjoying all the fun there is there, but just can't cover the cost. You should be ashamed Disney!! The most magical place on earth has become the most costly place on earth! The joy of skipping down Main Street USA is unrivaled (Caitlin Hornik) Posing in front of the castle in 2023. It will never get old (Caitlin Hornik) Meanwhile, a Disney spokesperson told Business Insider the parks have "options designed to suit a wide range of needs and budgets for all who visit." "Our commitment to creating magical experiences for everyone remains at the heart of what we do and that will never change," they added. That said, not everyone is upset, of course. Some Disney diehards argue the higher prices might reduce crowds during peak seasons. "If you charge just enough to have some people second-guess going during the best time of the year, people who are at the parks then are probably going to enjoy it a bit more," Disney fan Lucas Lozano told Business Insider. Travel planner Rob Stuart agreed, saying, It wont affect demand at all except in the positive people will think its less crowded. Maybe theyre right. Perhaps this is part of Disneys strategy not just to manage crowds but also to nudge would-be park visitors toward other, equally profitable experiences, like Disney Cruise Line. Once I realized a 2026 trip to the parks was out of the question, it dawned on me to check DCL sailings instead. Sure enough, it was significantly cheaper to sail on the new Disney Destiny for four nights than to visit the parks for the same amount of time thousands of dollars cheaper. With DCL slated to roll out the Destiny and the Adventure in the coming months, bringing the total number of ships in its fleet to eight (with several more in the works), there are more options than ever before to sail on a Mickey boat, as I like to call them. Disney knows exactly what its doing even if its at the expense of families whove spent years saving for a visit, only to have that dream priced out of reach. Maybe, instead of walking down Main Street, theyll find themselves sailing into the sunset. Donald Trump took issue with Time Magazines cover depicting His Triumph in the Middle East upon his return from a victory lap visit to Israel and Egypt. Returning from Sharm El Sheikh on Tuesday, the U.S. president was concerned that the magazine led with a cover image that disappeared his hair and had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. He said the picture may be the Worst of All Time. Really weird! he wrote on his Truth Social platform. I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing and why? Trump granted that Time had written a relatively good story about me. The article in question detailed How the Trump administration sealed the Gaza ceasefire deal, referencing envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushners painstaking efforts to quiet one of the world's most destabilizing conflicts. The deal, the article said, could become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, fulfilling his pledge to end the war and paving the way for a new era for the region, defined less by conflict than by the possibility of transformation. Trump said the cover made him look like he was wearing an extremely small crown (Time) Time unveiled the cover on Monday as Trump landed in Israel to meet the families of returning hostages and address the Israeli parliament before heading to Sharm el-Sheikh. The summit in Egypt was aimed at supporting the ceasefire in Gaza, ending the war, and developing a longer-term vision for governing and rebuilding the Palestinian territory. Trump received outpourings of support during his address to the Knesset and in Sharm el-Sheikh, where Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, the co-chair of the summit, told him only you can bring peace to the region. In his own speech, Trump said that the region has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us. He called on leaders to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past. Trump is now said to be moving heaven and earth to conclude his business in the Middle East and get back to Washington, D.C. to posthumously award the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Americas highest civilian honor, on what would have been Kirks 32nd birthday. Kirk was shot dead while debating students on Utah Valley Universitys campus in Orem, Uta,h on September 10. Donald Trump gestures as he disembarks Air Force Once after returning from the summit in Egypt (Reuters) Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump told the press: Im coming back, I believe its Tuesday night, for Charlie Kirk, a friend of mine, a friend of all of ours, a friend of a lot of the people right here. And were giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor you get outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor ones military, ones civilian but its Its the greatest honor. And Erika, his beautiful wife, is going to be here, and a lot of people are going to be here. Trump is due to meet with Argentinas president, Javier Milei, on Tuesday for lunch before participating in the Medal of Freedom Ceremony for Charlie Kirk in the afternoon. The Independent approached Time Magazine for comment. The White House declined to comment further. A missing person flyer for Petros Krommidas hangs on a telephone pole in Long Beach, N.Y. (AP Photo/Phillip Marcelo) (AP) A political candidate in the New York City suburbs vanished after a night swim in the Atlantic Ocean this spring, with his name now legally mandated to remain on the November ballot. Petros Krommidas, 29, an Ivy League rower training for a triathlon, left his phone, keys, and clothes on Long Beach, Long Island, near his parked car. Months passed, but a state judge recently ruled Krommidas is still considered missing, not officially deceased. This decision followed a challenge by two Republican voters against local Democrats' attempts to replace him for the Nassau County Legislature seat. Now, as Election Day approaches, voters in Long Beach and other South Shore communities have a curious choice: reelect the Republican incumbent or the Democrat who seemingly vanished at sea. Democrats want to elect the missing candidate James Hodge is among those calling on residents to cast their ballots for Krommidas regardless hoping to trigger a special election in which Democrats can put forward another candidate to run against County Legislator Patrick Mullaney. The Long Beach resident worked with Krommidas at the Nassau County Board of Elections and had been tapped by Democrats to run in his place. "We need to stand by and honor his name and memory," Hodge told The Associated Press. "Let's give him that victory. It's the right thing to do." The Republican voters argued in their lawsuit that Democrats couldn't claim Krommidas was dead because authorities still considered him a missing person. Under law, someone needs to be missing for at least three years to be legally declared dead, they argued. Judge Gary Knobel agreed, writing in his Sept. 29 ruling that "'missing person' status does not qualify as a vacancy that can be filled." Dead candidates have won elections before The justice, in his ruling, noted a similar situation decades earlier in Alaska.U.S. Rep. Nicholas Begich Sr. disappeared in a plane crash weeks before the 1972 vote but still won reelection. The Alaska Democrat was eventually declared dead, and his Republican opponent claimed the seat in a special election. More recently, Dennis Hof, owner of the Nevada brothel featured on HBO's "Cathouse" documentary series, died weeks before the 2018 election but still captured a seat in the state Legislature. In 2022, Pennsylvania state Rep. Anthony DeLuca won reelection after dying from lymphoma the month prior. Petros Krommidas holds up a sign during an anti-Trump rally at Nassau Coliseum, in Uniondale, N.Y. (Mark DeFrancesco via AP) (AP) Hodge and other Democrats argue that Republicans only sued to assure themselves victory as they seek to bolster their majority in the county legislature. They say the lawsuit has only prolonged the anguish for Krommidas' family. "I understand politics, but there's a time to stop and be a human being," said Ellen Lederer-DeFrancesco, who met Krommidas through the local Democratic Party. "Petros is someone's son, brother, friend." Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph Cairo Jr., in a statement, vowed the party and its candidates will "show the highest level of sensitivity during these challenging times for the Krommidas family." Krommidas' family declined to comment when reached by phone, but his mother and sister each took to Facebook recently to share a post calling for residents to "honor and vote" for him. "My Peter cared deeply about people and his community and continues to inspire kindness and unity in our community," his mother, Maria, wrote in her post. Eleni-Lemonia Krommidas, his sister, described him in her own post as a first-generation American who loved his country and "believed in equality, education, and the power of unity." Voters weigh in on the beach where he vanished In the days after his disappearance, family and friends joined first responders in scouring Long Beach's broad, more than 3-mile-long (4.8-kilometer-long) swath of sand, which is located just east of the New York City borough of Queens. Some of the missing persons fliers they put up with images of Krommidas' youthful, smiling face are tattered and faded but still visible on telephone poles around Long Beach. Meanwhile campaign signs for Mullaney, his opponent, are prominently displayed on fences along the main thoroughfares and on tidy residential lawns. The Republican didn't respond to emails seeking comment. Along the Long Beach boardwalk last week, longtime resident Maude Carione was dumbstruck at the choice facing voters in November. "It's insane to leave his name on the ballot. You'll confuse people," said the 72-year-old, who supports Republican President Donald Trump but didn't have plans to vote in the upcoming election, which features mostly local races. "In fairness, you have to give another candidate a chance for the Democrats. You have to." For resident Regina Pecorella, the decision, while grim, was clear. "If it's between those two, I'm voting for the person that's alive," said the 54-year old independent, who voted for a straight Republican ticket in the previous election. "I don't know how else to answer that." The Romanian warehouse operative believed the candy was for general consumption - Leonardo Patrizi A Boohoo worker was branded a thief and sacked for stashing packets of chewing gum to share with colleagues, a tribunal heard. The fast-fashion retailer had received supplies of Mentos chewing gum to be added to customers parcels, and Florentin Moraru had stored some under the stairs for him and other workers to consume. Mr Moraru told a panel that he was unaware that what he was doing was wrong, as he had witnessed team leaders and managers helping themselves to the gum, so believed it was for general consumption. The Romanian worker was fired for gross misconduct and took his bosses to an employment tribunal, alleging unfair dismissal. He has now won his case after a judge ruled that an employee should not be criticised for doing something that he believed was common practice. The tribunal, held in Sheffield, was told Mr Moraru began working as a warehouse operative in the stock control department at Boohoo.com in September 2020. In the run-up to Christmas 2023, Boohoo received supplies of Mentos chewing gum to be added to parcels, with boxes left around the warehouse. Boohoo had a rule that food is not to be consumed in the warehouse, but many employees would often help themselves to the gum, it was heard. The judgment said: [Mr Moraru] saw colleagues, including team leaders and managers, eating the chewing gum and believed that it was available for general consumption by staff. He took packets of gum and stored them under the stairs, so that he could share them with colleagues. However, he never left the building with them. In December 2023, a member of the site services team found the packets of Mentos while cleaning the warehouse, and he was called to an investigation with his team leader. When asked if he knew anything about the gum Mr Moraru said: Yes of course, it is for everybody to share. I just take it to share it with my colleagues. Nobody told me that is forbidden... He was called a thief during the investigation, and sacked for gross misconduct, without a notice period. He took the case to an employment tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal and race discrimination, due to him being Romanian. Employment Judge Kirsty Ayre determined that he had been unfairly dismissed in the case, but it was not the result of race discrimination. His compensation will be confirmed at a later date. Judge Ayre concluded: [Mr Moraru] did not seek to hide or cover up what he had done, and was honest and open throughout the disciplinary process. His behaviour was consistent with a genuine belief that eating the chewing gum was acceptable and common practice. The judge added: An employee can not in our view be criticised for doing something which he believes is acceptable behaviour because it is common practice, including among those in authority. Civil rights marchers in a stand-off with police on Bloody Sunday - Keystone Press/Alamy The evidence against a former paratrooper accused of murdering two men on Bloody Sunday simply doesnt stack up, a court heard. The veteran, referred to as Soldier F for legal reasons, is charged with killing James Wray and William McKinney following a disorderly civil rights parade in Londonderry on Jan 30 1972. Thirteen people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment that day. Soldier F is also accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick ODonnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person. He has pleaded not guilty to the seven counts. On Tuesday, Mark Mullholland KC, his defence barrister, submitted an application to dismiss the charges. Key evidence in the case, described as decisive by the prosecution, includes statements by two former paratroopers known as Soldier G and Soldier H. The two veterans have not been able to be cross-examined on their previous statements during this trial because Soldier G has died while H has indicated he will exercise his right against self-incrimination if summoned. The prosecution concluded its case on Friday, when Belfast Crown Court also heard that Soldier F had been interviewed voluntarily under caution across two days in March 2016 by officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland. James Wray, left, and William McKinney were among those who died on Bloody Sunday in 1972 - Bloody Sunday Trust He declined to respond to questions on the basis that he no longer had any reliable recollection of those events and made no comment to all questions put to him. Mr Mulholland KC said the evidence against Soldier F did not stack up and argued for the case to be dismissed. On Monday, he queried changes in the statements given by Soldier H to the Royal Military Police on the night of the shootings, to the Widgery Inquiry later that year, and the Saville Inquiry in the 2000s, describing him as an unreliable witness. On Tuesday morning, Mr Mulholland turned to the evidence of Soldier G, and put it to the court that the statements of G and H fundamentally contradicted each other in terms of who fired, where and when. We go from three youths with nail bombs in H, to two youths with M1 carbines in G and quite tellingly on their own accounts, G doesnt seem to see H fire, and H ... then has G fire but cant say what he was firing at, he said. At every turn, the contradictions are absolutely fundamental when one considers their bearing on the reliability of the accounts that they provide. Mr Mulholland contended they were swimming in this stagnant pool of contaminated fabricated evidence, adding: When one steps back for a moment, how does one start to distinguish fact from fiction in these accounts? Looking now at the state of this evidence in light of the unequivocal civilian evidence it just simply does not stack up, he added. Judge Patrick Lynch will deliver his ruling on the defence application on Thursday. Millions of diesel drivers are suing carmakers over claims of emissions cheating - E+/SolStock Almost two million diesel drivers could be in line for 4,000 each after car manufacturers allegedly cheated on clean air tests. Motorists claim they have been wronged by more than a dozen manufacturers accused of placing secret devices in vehicles to falsely lower emissions scores. Now around 1.6 million motorists are taking action against more than a dozen manufacturers over claims that several of their vehicles, made from 2009 onwards, contained secret prohibited defeat devices (PDDs). If lawyers for motorists win the case, then drivers who owned vehicles during this period could be in line for thousands of pounds in compensation. Last year, barrister Benjamin Williams KC said in written submissions: Even if the claims were valued conservatively at circa 4,000 per claim, that would give an overall value of at least 6 billion to these proceedings, according to The Independent. Five years ago, Volkswagen was found to have installed unlawful devices in thousands of its diesel vehicles, in what became the dieselgate scandal. The devices allowed vehicles to detect when they were being tested and to alter the amount of harmful emissions produced so that they fell within emissions regulations, barristers for claimants say. Excess Nitrogen oxide emissions caused 124,000 premature deaths and 98,000 cases of asthma in children in the UK and Europe between 2009 and 2024, according to a May 2025 report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Firms would rather be cheap than comply with the law over vehicle emissions, lawyers representing motorists said on Monday. The manufacturers named in the current claim include Mercedes-Benz, Opel and Vauxhall, Nissan and Renault, Volkswagen and Porsche, Peugeot and Citroen, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, BMW, FCA and Suzuki, Volvo, Hyundai-Kia, Toyota and Mazda. A three-month trial is currently hearing cases against 20 sample vehicles made by five manufacturers: Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Nissan, Ford, and Peugeot and Citroen. Manufacturers reject claims The manufacturers deny that PDDs were installed in their cars, with lawyers for Nissan describing the case as fundamentally misconceived and barristers for Renault saying the claimants were PDD hunting. Opening the trial, Thomas De La Mare KC, for the claimants, said each player in the industry basically took a conscious decision that customer convenience, which helped the industry sell more cars, was more important than preventing pollution. He said: They have basically said the concern about making these cars sellable by removing these inconveniences is so strong, it is so valuable, it is such an important decision or fact in any consumers decision as to whether or not to buy the car, that we would rather cheat than comply with the law. Manufacturers including Ford, Renault and Mercedes deny installing defeat devices - Stefania Pelfini La Waziya/Moment RF Those now taking legal action either bought, leased or otherwise acquired a diesel vehicle made by one of the companies, with most living in England and Wales. The other manufacturers involved in the claims will be bound by the ruling that follows the trial. Alexander Antelme KC, for Renault, said in written submissions for trial that the legal action was based on the false assumption that the features of the VW Dieselgate applied across the entire automotive industry. He said: The Renault core sample vehicles do not contain defeat devices or prohibited defeat devices, whether by accident or, as the claimants allege, deliberately to cheat the emissions regulations. The latter allegation is without merit and untenable. Neil Moody KC, for Ford, said in written submissions that the case was scientifically illiterate and flawed on the facts and the law. He said: Their case is not only that these vehicles were designed and marketed in breach of the emissions regulation; their case appears to be that these vehicles all contain PDDs as a result of deceit and fraud by all manufacturers. The inference seems to be of some sort of industry-wide conspiracy. The proposition need only be stated for it to be seen to be implausible. A Nissan spokesman said: Nissan denies the claims and we look forward to presenting our position in court. Nissan is committed to compliance in all markets in which we operate. Emissions testing regimes and standards have evolved considerably over time and continue to do so to improve air quality and reduce emissions. Nissan is fully supportive of these changes. A Ford spokesman said: We see no merit in these claims and are robustly defending against them. A spokesman for Peugeot & Citroen said: Stellantis firmly believes that its vehicles and engines fully comply with all applicable emission regulations and will strongly defend against these claims, which are unfounded. A Mercedes-Benz spokesman said: We believe that the claims are without merit and will vigorously defend ourselves against them or any group action with the necessary legal means. In our opinion, the emission control software functionalities in question are justifiable from a technical and legal standpoint. The main trial before Lady Justice Cockerill is due to conclude in December, but legal arguments will not be heard until March 2026. A ruling is then expected next summer, with a further trial to determine any compensation scheduled for autumn next year. Flood waters surrounding houses in Wraysbury, Berkshire in January 2024. Greater London and Yorkshire and the Humber are two regions at particular risk in the coming years. Photograph: Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images Millions more homes in England, Scotland and Wales face devastating floods, and some towns may have to be abandoned as climate breakdown makes many areas uninsurable, a Guardian investigation has found. New analysis from the insurance industry, seen by the Guardian, reveals the extent of concern in the sector, with bosses warning that large swathes of housing and commercial property in densely populated areas will be at greater risk. Separately, experts have said that some towns may need to be abandoned as homes and businesses struggle to get insurance in areas repeatedly battered by storms and rising sea levels. Related: Sponge, baby, sponge to deal with flooding risks Densely populated areas including London, Manchester and parts of north-east England, are likely to be worst hit. Experts also say Londons flood defences need to be updated urgently to protect the capital from devastating floods. The findings are stark, said Jason Storah, chief executive for UK & Ireland general insurance at Aviva, which published the analysis. Millions more properties will be at risk from flooding, with rising temperatures, increased urbanisation and inadequate drainage. Tenbury Wells, a market town in Worcestershire, has become the first in the country to find that its public buildings are uninsurable. The town has historically suffered damaging floods about once a decade, but in the past six years people there have been hit four times. We do feel abandoned, said Lesley Davies, the deputy mayor of Tenbury council. We are the blueprint for what could happen in the future there may be other towns getting towards that situation, there are a lot of vulnerable towns on rivers all over. Avivas report highlights growing concern within the insurance industry about the impact of severe weather events that are being driven by the climate crisis. Storah said: We are not talking about this because we are waving a flag about climate or sustainability its nothing to do with that, our business is totally correlated with what happens in the environment we are in this and we cannot avoid it. Aviva analysed every parliamentary constituency in England, Scotland and Wales to assess how vulnerable they were to flooding. In England, it found the number of properties at risk from flooding was expected to increase by more than a quarter (27%), from 6.3 million to 8 million, with the number of properties in high-risk areas for flash flooding which are harder to predict and protect against likely to increase by up to 66% by mid-century. It also found: Every constituency in Great Britain is projected to have increased flood risk in future. In England, 69% of constituencies are likely to have an increase of more than 25% in the number of properties facing flood risk by mid-century. In Wales and Scotland, every area is projected to have a similar rise with many being much worse hit. Bermondsey and Old Southwark in London and Boston and Skegness in Lincolnshire are projected to have about 90% of homes at risk from river and coastal flooding by 2050 the highest proportions in the country. Overall London and Yorkshire and the Humber collectively represent more than half of the top 20 constituencies affected by river and coastal flooding, highlighting that the east of England could be most negatively affected. Surface-water flood risk is likely to be particularly acute in dense urban areas, with 14 London constituencies ranked in the top 20 Bournemouth East shows the largest projected increase in surface-water flood risk, with its low-lying topography and inadequate drainage making it particularly susceptible. Over the past decade, 110,000 new homes were built in the highest risk flood zones, equivalent to one in 13 of the new homes built. Aviva calculates that if this trend were to continue, 115,000 of the governments planned 1.5m new homes would also be in the highest-risk flood zones. Speaking to the Guardian, Emma Boyd, the former chair of the Environment Agency, said it may be too expensive to build the flood protections needed to save some areas. She said some may have to be abandoned as it becomes too costly to protect houses and businesses. I think particularly when money is constrained, resources are constrained, some of those very difficult decisions are going to have to be made by government to make sure that the money that is available for flood prevention is having the most impact given fiscal constraints, but that is a very difficult political decision for our leaders to make, she said. Boyd warned London was also at high risk and that the government should be working urgently to improve current defences. A lot of people think that they are protected because of the Thames Barrier and the range of different mechanisms along the embankments that protect London from sea level rise and river flooding, [but] a great project needs to happen in terms of funding, raising the embankment along the River Thames and building a new barrier. There is some protection for households in frequently flooded areas; in a joint government and industry scheme called Flood Re, insurers pay a levy to pool the risks of flooding, which enables them to offer services to more at-risk households. This scheme applies to individual homes rather than business or commercial properties and is due to end in 2039, when climate-related flooding is projected to be more severe. Dr Mark Andrew, from the Bayes Business School, said insurance was likely to become more prohibitive, adding: These pressures will intensify after the expiry of the Flood Re scheme in 2039, when market-based pricing is expected to prevail. For residential properties, this creates a pronounced distributional challenge, as lower-income households are disproportionately concentrated in flood-exposed areas and risk being priced out of adequate cover. Climate adaptation experts say this highlights why flood insurance needs to be addressed at scale, rather than for individual properties. Dr Carola Koenig at the Centre for Flood Risk and Resilience at Brunel University in London said: Insurance needs to be tackled collectively as a nation. Schemes like Flood Res build back better initiative allow businesses and dwellings to be better prepared for the future. She said homeowners and businesses should check their existing flood risk, and adapt their buildings, for instance by installing flood doors, tiling floors or raising electric sockets at ground level. Dr Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, said the government was not doing enough to protect people and businesses from flooding. The future will demand more investment, more support, and more communication from the government to help prepare people for flooding, and to manage the impacts when the worst happens. She said traditional hard engineering approaches such as seawalls, river defences and flood barriers that were still favoured in many places needed to be supplemented by more nature-based solutions. We cant keep building defences taller and higher to deal with larger and more frequent floods. Working with natural processes, such as reconnecting rivers to their floodplains, restoring wetlands, and planting woodlands to intercept rainfall have the benefits of improving our natural environment alongside reducing flood risk. The government said it has set out detailed plans to upgrade Londons flood defences over the coming century as well as upgrading flood protection across the country - including a focus on natural flood management. On Tuesday floods minister Emma Hardy announced a 10.5bn boost aimed at protecting 900,000 properties in England, with new rules to get the defences built more quickly. For too long, deprived towns and cities struggled to secure the vital money needed for flood defences due to a complicated and outdated process, she said. Our reforms will rip this up and help communities get back on their feet after floods by unlocking economic growth, building new homes, and creating new jobs. The journalist said that the media networks culture of competitiveness made it hard to be open about her health - James Stack/BBC Naga Munchetty has said that being seen to be weak is a concern at the BBC, as she addressed her chronic health condition. The BBC Breakfast presenter, 50, was diagnosed with adenomyosis, a condition where the lining of the womb starts growing into the muscle walls. Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, the broadcaster said she turned down a hysterectomy, the only available cure, because she could not afford six weeks away from work. Munchetty said that she feared that coming into work on BBC Breakfast and not being up to scratch would mean she would not get ahead. She added: Legally, if you present with a health crisis or health condition, you have to be supported, but the fact is Im a journalist in a highly competitive environment, and Ive alluded to this, that being seen to be weak is a concern. And asking for help constantly is a concern. Women have periods, do you want me to go into work [...] sit on the breakfast sofa and say Im sorry Im not going to be up to scratch today Im in a lot of pain. Im not going to get ahead. Munchetty said she turned down a hysterectomy because she couldnt afford six weeks away from work - BBC She was speaking at an event titled Womens Health in Crisis alongside former Conservative MP Theo Clarke, who discussed the issues around childbirth. While she said the BBC had not been unsympathetic, Munchetty said that its culture of competitiveness made it difficult for her to be open about her health. Her comments come after Munchetty was accused of bullying a junior colleague, following a string of alleged complaints by fellow staff earlier this year. She was placed under review while bosses considered escalating complaints to a formal investigation, the Sun reported. Colleagues have complained to bosses about Munchettys hard and bullying behaviour on both the breakfast programme and her Radio 5 Live show, reports have alleged. Munchetty has not publicly commented on allegations of bullying, but the BBC previously said: We take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. The 50-year-old worries her condition was making her not woman enough - Richard Heathcote/R&A She told the crowd at Cheltenham Literature Festival that its not easy to have a chronic health condition in a highly competitive industry. Munchetty added: I dont know the answer in terms of how employers should be better because I just dont think they get it. The presenter also spoke about how her adenomyosis made her feel like she wasnt woman enough. I felt I wasnt doing woman good enough. I was left. Which feeds into all the things, male or female, whichever gender you feel that someone else is doing it better than you. It took a very long time. I was told it will get better when you have a baby. Like having a baby is a solution to anything. Thats more trauma than anything. And I didnt want to. The broadcaster said the government needs to do more to tackle medical misogyny. She said: I think we need to be equipped with enough knowledge to be able to advocate for ourselves and the people we love. George Abaraonye faces a no-confidence motion over controversial remarks he made - The Oxford Union Oxford Union alumni plan to descend on the university city this weekend in an attempt to oust the president-elect. Former members of the debating society are considering travelling from as far afield as Hong Kong and New York to vote against George Abaraonye in a poll on his leadership on Saturday, sources told The Telegraph. University alumni have been encouraged to attend the in-person vote in order to preserve the reputation of Britains historic institutions. It comes after Mr Abararaonye took the unusual step of triggering a no-confidence motion in himself on Monday, following widespread anger over his remarks about Charlie Kirk. The second-year philosophy, politics and economics student at the University of Oxford appeared to celebrate the sniper attack on the US influencer in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. The Telegraph revealed that he sent texts to a group chat on the evening of September 10, including one saying: Charlie Kirk got shot, lets f------ go a common celebratory phrase among Gen Z. The student, who is due to take over as president of the Oxford Union in January, made the comments before he learnt of Kirks death and retracted his comments shortly afterwards. George Abaraonye debated Charlie Kirk at the Oxford Union in May - Oxford Union It has stoked a fresh debate about free speech on campus as students return to university this week for the new academic year. Lord Hague, Oxfords chancellor, said on Tuesday that there would be no cancel culture during his tenure. University of Oxford alumni had planned to launch a no-confidence motion in Mr Abaraonye on Tuesday, but The Telegraph has learnt that the student beat them to it. A document declaring a motion of no-confidence in Mr Abaraonye was posted on the Oxford Unions noticeboard on Monday the first day of term and the earliest that the move could be triggered. Mr Abaraonyes signature was the first on the list. The PPE student told The Telegraph that he launched the motion against himself to reclaim true accountability over the situation, which he said had been made impossible by the violent and extreme rhetoric that has surrounded this issue. Mr Abaraonye also said he had urged his friends to sign the motion so they can be part of an open debate on the floor of the Union about his future. He added: The Union is a formative space where students learn, often through error. Making a mistake and growing from it is part of the university experience. Under union rules, 150 members must sign a no-confidence motion within 48 hours of it being submitted, writing both their name and membership number. This threshold has already been met, triggering a a four-day period to allow for open debate about his position, before an in-person ballot at the Union on Saturday. Mr Abaraonye will be forced to resign as president-elect if two thirds of the members who attend on Saturday vote against him. A large portion of alumni, with lifelong membership of the Oxford Union are expected to be unable to participate in the in-person vote. But one source told The Telegraph more than 200 are now planning to flock to Oxford this weekend to vote against Mr Abaraonye. Allum Bokhari, an Oxford Union life member and managing director of the Foundation for Freedom Online, a US censorship watchdog, encouraged union members to head to Oxford on Saturday and said one member has indicated he is coming all the way from the US. He added: There are still plenty of people who care about preserving the reputation of Britains historic institutions. Decline is not inevitable. Oxford Union does not tolerate the celebration of political violence Concerned Alumni of the Oxford Union, a group of former presidents that formed to express their outrage over Mr Abaraonyes comments, also said they would travel to Oxford for the vote. In a statement to the Telegraph, the group said: The Oxford Union and its parent organisation OLDUT [Oxford Literary and Debating Union Charitable Trust] have failed to deal with the sickening and unacceptable actions of their president. It now falls to the societys members, and particularly its alumni, to demonstrate that the Oxford Union does not tolerate the incitement or celebration of political violence. Mr Abaraonyes words upset and appalled members across the world we strongly urge all life members to head to the Union on Saturday to stand up to hatred, intolerance, and the celebration of violence. Alumni could travel from as far afield as Hong Kong to vote against the president-elect It comes after backlash against Mr Abaraonyes comments spread to Maga circles last month, with Ted Cruz, the Republican senator for Texas and an ally of President Trump, calling for him to be expelled. The University of Oxford previously said it did not agree with Mr Abaraonyes views but that the Oxford Union was a separate institution in charge of its own affairs. Lord Hague, who was recently elected as the universitys chancellor, is yet to weigh into the row engulfing the institution but called for a broader clampdown on cancel culture. He told the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Thursday that it is very important that students arrive at university expecting they will hear things that will upset them, that will offend them. Lord Hague added: Freedom of speech is not the freedom just to scream your views at somebody. It carries the obligation to listen as well. There should be debate, not just the stream of things on social media. And that means no cancel culture. That means being ready to hear things that make you feel uncomfortable. During a drive aboard the vehicle, the Princess wanted to experience the real drama of a rescue her request was politely declined - Andrew Parsons/Kensington Palace The Princess of Wales joked that she wanted to drive at full speed with the sirens on as she and the Prince of Wales were given a ride in the back of a fire engine. The couple made an unannounced visit to Northern Ireland, where they spent the day visiting innovative organisations that focus on growth and investment in rural areas. This included a family farm aiming to revive traditional linen-making techniques and an award-winning cider farm. Their first stop was a new training centre for firefighters, where they were shown how to save flood victims and rescue casualties from high-rise buildings. Both the Prince and Princess attempted to save mock casualties who had fallen into the torrents of a flood simulator, but failed to throw the line quickly enough. The Prince and Princess of Wales took part in a training scenario at the Fire and Rescue Service Learning and Development College - Chris Jackson/PA As the couple clambered aboard a fire engine for a short drive across the Learning and Development College of Cookstown, County Tyrone, the Princess expressed a desire to experience the real drama of a rescue. Newly qualified firefighter Caoimhe McNeice, 25, who joined the Prince and Princess for the ride, said afterwards: The Princess was wanting the sirens on, but she was strictly told no. It was just a bit of banter. She said: Id love to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on. The Princess also wanted her husband to take the wheel, Ms McNeice added. She was wanting the Prince to drive, but the driver got us there anyway. At the water facility, which creates rapids around the shell of a building, the couple watched staff recover a mock casualty, before having a go at throwing lines to volunteers who jumped into the fast-moving water. The Prince went first but his line just missed, as did one thrown by his wife a few minutes later. Pete Sloane, an instructor, was loath to criticise their efforts. The water was moving at 24 knots, very fast, he said. Its difficult to hit a moving target, but another go and they would have had it. The couple then visited family-run Mallon Farm in Co Tyrone, where the Princess tried her hand at an ancient technique used to break bunches of flax to soften it before being turned into fibres. They donned sturdy boots to tour the muddy fields as owners Helen Kerr and Charlie Mallon, described how they had transformed their dairy farm into a flax farm which they hoped would spearhead the cultivation of the crop for linen. The Princess spoke of her recent visits to textile manufacturers and said it was fascinating to see the whole journey. The Princess spoke of a recent visit to textile manufacturers and said the trip to the flax farm was fascinating - Chris Jackson/PA She noted that consumers were increasingly interested in the provenance of their products. They really do care about where things have come from how a product is made, she said. It was important, she added, that things were made with love. Aides said the couple were keen to celebrate the British textile industry and the best of traditional heritage crafts. Ive been amazed by it, the Prince said. I want to go away and find out more about flax. The final stop of the day was Long Meadow Cider, in Co Armagh, which has been owned by the McKeever family for three generations and has made cider, apple juice and apple cider vinegar since 1968. Shown the farms apple pressing machine, the Princess said: We tried this at home with a hand press. It was quite good fun with the children. It was very messy. Given a glass of apple cider vinegar to try, the Princess said: I like that. I havent taken it as a shot like this before but I love to put it in salads and things like that. The couple also helped out with the apple harvest, picking Golden Delicious and Bramley apple varieties, before putting on aprons to make potato apple bread. As they began peeling their baskets of apples William turned to his wife who appeared to be lagging behind and joked: Do keep up. The couple last visited Northern Ireland in October 2022. Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser, was named as being responsible for the collapse of a case against two alleged spies Deep within the Cabinet Office on Whitehall, beneath layers of government security, is the team of civil servants whose job is to keep the nation safe. Little is usually published about the National Security Secretariat (NSS), a team of around 180 staff responsible for convening intelligence from MI5 and MI6, monitoring threats and managing the decisions of ministers. It was therefore a shock when Dan Jarvis, Labours security minister, threw its chief into the limelight on Monday by naming him as responsible for the collapse of the Chinese spying trial. Addressing MPs for the first time since The Telegraph revealed the Governments role in the scandal, Mr Jarvis said Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser, had full freedom to give evidence to prosecutors in the case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry. That evidence has become key to the story of how the two men, who were accused of passing intelligence from Parliament to the top of the Chinese Communist Party, were able to walk free without facing trial. They denied the claims, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the trial could not proceed after it had tried for many months to extract from the Government evidence that China was a threat to national security. Such evidence was said to be not forthcoming from Mr Collinss witness statements. A court sketch of Christopher Berry (left) and Christopher Cash before the case against them collapsed - Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire On Monday, Mr Jarvis distanced ministers and special advisers, including Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser, from decisions around the selection of evidence and said Mr Collins alone had decided what to provide. Mr Collins is described by former colleagues as a very talented mandarin who was very obviously destined for the top. Matt is a very capable civil servant who is very much the hands and feet of the No 10 machine on national security issues, said one former colleague, who noted his ability to crack heads together and make things happen. Hes a bureaucratic street fighter who was soothing, diplomatic and very good at managing upwards. Sir Keir Starmers Government has denied Jonathan Powell (right), a political appointee, advised on evidence for the case - Aurelien Morissard/AP A former official in the Department for Education, Mr Collins has become part of Britains securocratic institutions after moving on to the national security brief. In 2018, he led a project to develop an artificial intelligence tool that would detect propaganda videos from Islamic State and request they were removed from social media platforms. The technology was later used to identify online critics of the Covid lockdowns. In a rare public-facing video, he appears on the website of Faculty, the AI company the Government commissioned to make the tool, to explain how it was developed. We had constructed analysis around a golden hour basically, if we were able to remove content within that hour, it wouldnt have the widespread pick-up we were concerned about, he said. He described working on a concerted effort to encourage social-media companies to do more to remove content which was radicalising individuals to either travel to Syria or to conduct terrorist attacks. In his current role, Mr Collins holds more power than any of his predecessors because Sir Keir Starmer appointed Mr Powell as national security adviser in November. As a political appointee, Mr Powell is banned from exercising power over Government budgets or line-managing civil servants. Mr Collins has therefore been given those responsibilities, as well as the task of sitting on the Cabinet Offices executive committee, one of the most powerful committees in the department. He advises the defence and security media advisory committee which issues D-notices to journalists about national-security news stories holds overall responsibility for the NSS in Whitehall, and has been sent on trips to India and Japan to build diplomatic ties between domestic and foreign defence companies. He has also worked with Scandinavian countries to minimise risks to undersea cables in the North Sea, which Russia is thought to have targeted. As one of the main conduits of information between the intelligence agencies and the Government, he spends much of his time frantically sprinting across the river [Thames] and back again to see the spooks, according to one insider. That perhaps explains why Mr Collins was asked to submit evidence on the Governments behalf in both the case against Mr Cash and Mr Berry and in an earlier trial of Bulgarian spies convicted of working for the Kremlin. (From left) Biser Dzhambazov, Katrin Ivanova and Orlin Roussev, the Bulgarian nationals convicted of spying on the UK for Russia. Mr Collins was asked to submit evidence in their trial On Monday, Mr Jarvis revealed that Mr Collins submitted three witness statements to the CPS, most recently in July, after requests from prosecutors for evidence that China was a threat to national security. That legal test established in an antiquated form of the Official Secrets Act from 1911 led to the case against Mr Cash and Mr Berry falling apart. Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, has said an evidential failure on that point meant he no longer had a realistic prospect of conviction. The Conservatives claim the decision not to provide that assurance that China was a threat cannot have been left to Mr Collins, and have accused the Government of lying about the role ministers took in the case. Politicians who have worked with Mr Collins, including Lord Gove, have condemned the Governments decision to scapegoat him and throw him under the bus. Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, went public with his support for Mr Collins on Monday evening, as the Government scrambled to blame him for the case against Mr Cash and Mr Berry not reaching trial. Matthew Collins is a public servant who has served our nation with integrity for decades, he said. Claiming he is the obstacle to a case of such strategic and political importance is deeply dispiriting. On Tuesday, Sir Keir Starmer rallied behind Mr Collins. According to an official read-out of a Cabinet meeting, Sir Keir told ministers that anyone who has met Mr Collins will know he faithfully carries out his job, would do exactly the right thing, and that officials like him work hard every day to keep our country safe. Mr Jarvis had argued that Mr Collins hands were tied in the China case, because the Government was relying on evidence from its Tory predecessors, but Whitehall suspects ministers are trying to shift blame on to officials to avoid political heat. Those who have worked with Mr Collins believe he was destined for the zenith of spook officialdom the job of national security adviser perhaps followed by a stint in Washington or the House of Lords, like Lord Darroch and Lord Barrow, who held the job under the Conservatives. But the Chinese spying scandal, which has become both a national security and public relations fiasco, has shot him into the headlines earlier than many expected. Leaders, innovators. and visionaries from the world of artificial intelligence gathered at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco on Monday night for the second annual TIME100 AI Impact Dinner to explore and discuss AIs far-reaching impact across business and society. The event celebrates the third annual TIME100 AI list, which highlights the 100 most influential people in AI. This years list includes 84 new honoreesa testament to the dynamism of the fieldwith those selected ranging in age from 15 to nearly 80. The aim of the TIME list is to show how it is people, not machines, that will determine the direction of AI, and honorees were drawn from every angle of the discipline. The event culminated in four toasts delivered by 2025 TIME100 AI honorees, who highlighted the importance of guiding AI responsibly, including with regulation; protecting human creativity; and fostering collaboration between human and machine intelligence. Focusing on humanity first Stuart Russell, professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, and co-founder of the International Association for Safe and Ethical AI (IASEAI), delivered the first toasta provocative call to make wise choices about how we use AI, given the high existential stakes involved. Russell, who has long warned that building AI systems more intelligent than humans when we dont know how to control them reliably could destroy civilization, called it an unsettling truth that we have no idea where large language models (LLMs) will take us. [LLMs] are trained to imitate human beings. In the process, we suspect that they absorb human-like goals. [But] this is a fundamental error, he said, adding we need to recognize the possibility that not only may the bus of humanity be headed towards a cliff, but the steering wheel is missing and the driver is blindfolded. Yet he tempered the gloom with some optimism, noting that it was possible, if we choose to open our eyes and act together, to change direction. We can build AI systems whose only purpose is to serve the interests of human beings, he said. He reflected that if beneficial coexistence between humanity and superior AI systems proved impossible, his hope was the most intelligent and well-designed AI systems would recognize this and gracefully withdraw, allowing us to shape our own future. He closed by raising a glass to a better future shaped by and for humanity, with or without AI. Advancing not stifling creativity Kakul Srivastava, CEO of music-sample marketplace Splice, delivered the next toast, which honored human creativity and emphasized the importance of technology that enables rather than restricts it. Srivastava shared her personal journey of coming to America when she was eight and how she has spent her career serving the needs of creative people, with her work at Splice now enabling music makers, including with AI tools. We also know that a world without art is dangerous, she said. She went on to highlight how creativity today was under attack on multiple fronts: from a society that still undervalues the artist; to social media which absorbs our attention and leaves little time for the introspection required of art; to some forms of AI, which treat artistic work as fodder for faceless training models. Srivastava called on those designing the tools for tomorrow to make sure they give creative people choices and pathways to explore. AI tools must put creators and their creative process first, she said. She ended by raising a glass to the quiet, difficult work of human creativity and that it continues to be fostered. Collaboration for greater connection The next toast was given by Refik Anadol, the media artist who co-founded Dataland, a museum dedicated to AI arts, and who was behind the 2025 TIME100 AI cover art. Anadol praised the potential for collaborating with AI to help us understand and feel the world in new ways. He started by turning back time to the first human painting on a cave walland what that gesture meant as an act of memory, imagination, and hope. He then drew a parallel with what he is trying to do in his work today, only with experiences coming from data. When I think about the future of AI, I see a new form of collaboration between human creativity and machine intelligence that can help us understand our world in deeper, more connected ways, he said. He explained how AI allows us, for example, to listen to the patterns of nature and help us translate complexity into feeling. It can turn data into something we care deeply about, because every dataset is a record of life, he said, stressing the importance of building AI with consent, credit, and care. He ended by raising a glass to intelligenceboth human and artificialthat helps us feel the world as something connected, beautiful, and full of wonder. A plea for reflection The final toast of the evening came from Natasha Lyonne, actor and co-founder of the Asteria Film Co. Lyonne used her toast to appeal to those in the crowd to do far more to rein in AI. She explained how she had come to espouse a measure of concern around the potential for a collective tumble down into the world of AI without clear guardrails or open eyes. Addressing the audience, whom she called winners, she implored AI leaders to responsibly reassess their own motives and the industrys impacts and direction. For reasons unknown, we have willingly submitted to a full surveillance state, done away with all copyright law, agreed to data theft for illusory convenience, and, perhaps most egregiously, allowed for sweeping and irresponsible data farming in our working class communities, a clear and present danger to our environment and society. What are we doing, friends?, Lyonne lamented. Theres no need to be quite so ruthless with our own species, folks. Still, she felt the bus could be turned around. I believe we can wrestle some grace back here if we get unified around our shared humanity, she said. An optimist? In this economy? In this regime? And yet, here I stand humbly before you wanting to believe. TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of AI was presented by PepsiCo, Cognizant, General Catalyst, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Contact us at letters@time.com. President Donald Trump has been blowing hot and cold over the state of trade relations with China over the last week. On Oct. 14, Trump lashed out on Chinas decision to stop buying American soybeans as a retaliatory measure against U.S. tariffs imposed in April and threatened potential termination of cooking oil trade with China. I believe that China purposefully not buying our Soybeans, and causing difficulty for our Soybean Farmers, is an Economically Hostile Act, he wrote on Truth Social on Oct. 14. We are considering terminating business with China having to do with Cooking Oil, and other elements of Trade, as retribution. As an example, we can easily produce Cooking Oil ourselves, we dont need to purchase it from China. China has been the biggest buyer of American soybeans, according to the American Soybean Association. Soybeans were the number one U.S. agricultural export, worth about $24.5 billion and more than half of it was bought by China, roughly $12.6 billion worth in 2024, according to Farm Action, a nonpartisan, farmer-led watchdog organization. Some of the biggest soybeans producing states are Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana. China has been buying soybeans from Brazil and Argentina since spring. In 2024, the United States received approximately 1.27 million metric tons of used cooking oil from China, which was about 43% of China's total used cooking oil exports, according to the USDA. On Oct. 10, Trump suggested that he may not meet Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of an upcoming trip to South Korea over Chinas decision to restrict export of rare earth minerals. Trump threatened impose an additional 100% tariff on all Chinese imports in retaliation. The boycott from China which purchased around half of all U.S. soybean exports last year has made this year especially hard for soybean farmers. The 100% tariff would be in addition to the 30% tariffs Trump already imposed on goods from China. "It is impossible to believe that China would have taken such an action, but they have, and the rest is History," Trump said in an Oct. 10 post on Truth Social. Meanwhile, Trump just days before, on Oct. 6, had written on Truth Social that he would be meeting with Xi, of China, and that Soybeans will be a major topic of discussion. China isn't buying American soybeans, one of the most common crops in Kansas. Here, rows of soybeans dry Oct. 9, 2025, in a field off SE Stanley Road in Shawnee County. The news was not well- received by the American Soybean Association, which was looking for a resolution on the deadlock. Caleb Ragland, ASA president, a soybean farmer from Magnolia, Kentucky, said the ASA was extremely disappointed that planned meeting had been cancelled. He said the association had been hopeful that the talks would lead to a deal that would restore U.S. soybean exports to China. U.S. President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with China's President Xi Jinping during the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. Trade wars are harmful to everyone, and these latest developments are deeply disappointing at a moment when soybean farmers are facing an ever-growing financial crisis, he said. Two days later, on Oct. 12, Trump posted on Truth Social saying it will all be fine with China. Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment, he wrote. But that was then. On Oct. 14, Trump was once again skeptical of China. We have to be careful with China, he said during a meeting on Oct. 14 with Argentine Argentina President Javier Milei. Look, I have a great relationship with President Xi, but sometimes it gets testy because China likes to take advantage of people and they can't take advantage of us. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump threatens ban on cooking oil from China Key Points Nvidia is a massive customer of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Shares of several competitors have spiked on deal announcements. Despite others' efforts, Nvidia is still the dominant AI computing provider. 10 stocks we like better than Nvidia Nvidia's (NASDAQ: NVDA) AI dominance has come into question over the past few weeks. OpenAI just announced a monster deal with Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), making it seem as if AMD could be catching up to the king of AI investing to date. However, I don't think that's a valid argument, as AMD cut OpenAI an incredible deal that Nvidia likely wasn't willing to make. Nvidia is still the largest provider of artificial intelligence computing hardware by far, and I think we'll get some news on Oct. 16 regarding the strength of the demand for AI computing hardware. That's when Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) reports its quarterly earnings, and it will give investors a hint as to the strength of the demand for chips. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue This could cause all AI hardware-related stocks to respond positively if TSMC reports great results, making Nvidia an intriguing stock to buy before Oct. 16. Image of Nvidia headquarters. Image source: Nvidia. Strong AI demand can power Nvidia's stock higher over the next few years One thing investors must keep in mind is that Taiwan Semiconductor is the world's leading chip manufacturer and is also the chipmaker for both Nvidia and AMD. So, just because TSMC reports strong numbers, it doesn't necessarily mean that Nvidia is still doing well. However, with Nvidia being a much larger customer than AMD, I think it will be safe to say that if TSMC is doing well, Nvidia is too. We won't know for sure how Nvidia's third quarter went until sometime in November, but there are still signs of Nvidia's dominance everywhere. Many of the cloud computing companies are racing to build out data center capacity to meet the demands of their customers. Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs) are best in class at high-powered general-purpose computing, and continue to be a top choice for many AI developers. Rising competition from custom AI accelerator chips from Broadcom could challenge Nvidia's leadership in the future, but for now, Nvidia is still the most prevalent computing hardware being used. Regardless of which computing chip is favored by the AI hyperscalers at the time, AI capital expenditures are expected to increase dramatically over the next few years. This year, Nvidia expects total AI data center capital expenditures to reach $600 billion. That figure is expected to rise to $3 trillion to $4 trillion by 2030. That's massive spending expansion, and will benefit all companies in the AI industry. With Nvidia being the largest market share leader by far, it will benefit the most, making the stock an intriguing buy right now. Nvidia's stock isn't as expensive as that of its competitors Both Broadcom and AMD's stock have popped on news of chip deals with OpenAI; however, this pop has caused them to get far more expensive than Nvidia. When various forward price-to-earnings (P/E) metrics are examined, Nvidia still trades at a discount to its peers despite much better results. AMD PE Ratio (Forward) Chart AMD PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts Both AMD and Broadcom have increased on news of a handful of sales; meanwhile, Nvidia is generating far more revenue each quarter than each of these announcements. Broadcom's deal with OpenAI had a value of $10 billion. AMD's deal has the potential to be worth up to 10% of the value of the company, or about $34 billion. During Nvidia's fiscal 2026 second quarter (ended July 27), its data center division alone generated $41.1 billion. This shows that Nvidia is far larger than both of these long-term deals, and investors have no reason to panic. In fact, with massive AI demand on the horizon and Nvidia's discount to its peers, it could be considered an excellent long-term investment right now. Strong language from TSMC on Oct. 16 about the long-term robustness of chip demand could be all Nvidia needs to see its stock soar, and I think scooping up shares before this event would be a wise move by investors. Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now? Before you buy stock in Nvidia, 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 Nvidia 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 $657,979!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,122,746!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,060% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 187% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of October 7, 2025 Keithen Drury has positions in Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. In life, we have all pushed our limits to test our endurance. Hikers and outdoor adventurers can especially relate to this, as we are always seeking our next big challenge to conquer. Even photographers will go the extra mile to snap incredible images of the most iconic scenes they can imagine. The good news? Arizona has plenty of destinations for these bucket-list-worthy adventures. One of the most epic Arizona hiking trails that immediately comes to mind is the Grandview Point to Horseshoe Mesa Trail. This lesser-known but epic hike at the Grand Canyon National Park is arguably one of the most rewarding treks in the park. With an elevation gain of almost 3,000 feet, this hike is not for the faint of heart or beginners (for that matter). If you're up for a challenge that will leave you with unforgettable memories, then make this your next outdoor adventure in Arizona. Editor's Note: During the government shutdown, some park services might be unavailable. Please visit the National Park Service website for more information. Before we get started, I can't stress enough that you must be prepared for this hike. Bring lots of water (more than you need), especially if you're hiking in the warmer months, and wear sturdy hiking boots. Also, it wouldn't hurt to download AllTrails+, as you never know when access to offline maps will come in handy. Of course, if you plan to camp in the area (which I highly recommend), remember to leave no trace behind-whatever you take in, take it out with you. This hike is not recommended for casual hikers or kids-avid or expert hikers only. Your pups will need to sit this one out, too. Now, if you're ready, let's begin this fun adventure in the Grand Canyon National Park. Hiking the backcountry of the Grand Canyon means exploring crowd-free trails with some with uninterrupted canyon views. That's exactly what you'll find as you head out on the six-mile Grandview Point to Horseshoe Mesa Trail. Unlike the more popular spots in the park, you could have this trail to yourself. And although it's challenging, this adventurous hike is totally worth the spectacular vistas. The trailhead is just 10 miles southeast of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center on a small road off Desert View Drive. From the parking lot, a short walk takes you to the entrance of the trail, and here, you'll start your descent into the canyon. Immediately, you'll notice the views are literally to die for. The panoramic jaw-dropping vistas of the iconic geological formations make this adventurous hike in Arizona truly amazing. Along the way, you'll encounter a series of switchbacks, steep, narrow pathways, wooden steps (built by miners), sandstone cobblestones, and a very rugged terrain as you meander along the ridgeline. Eventually, the trail levels off, which will be a welcoming break before you continue your descent around the canyon to Horseshoe Mesa. Naturally, as an expert hiker, you'll know to pay extra attention to your footing as you trek. For extra support, you may consider using trekking poles; you'll need them, especially on your way back up. Part of this adventure is that you'll scramble over massive boulders on the trail. Climbing over large rocks always brings out the kid in me; chances are, it will for you, too. Depending on when you visit, this trail has something to offer. However, in the spring and summer, be on the lookout for the pretty little wildflowers as you hike. Seeing wildflowers always puts a smile on my face when I am out in the rugged wilderness. It's like nature's way of saying hello and inviting me to slow down and appreciate its beauty. Aside from the uninterrupted views of the canyon, the area is rich in fossils and has many unique rock formations. Plus, I like the overlooks that make you feel like you're on top of the world. You'll want to carve out extra time to really soak up the picturesque views of the canyon. The trail will eventually lead you to Horseshoe Mesa, where the ruins of a cookhouse from the Last Chance Mine are located. I find it quite interesting that this trail was used by miners in the late 19th century. And if you're a history buff, you'll enjoy seeing the old mining caves and equipment left behind. This is a great spot to stop and have lunch before you head back to your car, or your campsite, depending on whether this is a day hike or an overnight adventure. If you plan to camp here, be sure to secure your backcountry permit and bring everything you need. The sites are primitive, but there are outdoor bathroom facilities and nearby creeks that might have water. The next time you're searching for a hike that is packed with adventure without the large crowds of Bright Angel and the South Kaibab trails, you'll need to add this must-do hiking trail in Arizona to your list. Not only will you enjoy the uninterrupted panoramic views, but you'll also love the historical sites and the unique rock formations along the way. If you ask me, this adventurous hike at the Grand Canyon National Park is worth all the extra effort. What do you think about the Grandview Point to Horseshoe Mesa Trail? Have you ever hiked this challenging trail before? What are some of your favorite Arizona hiking trails? Share them with us on our nomination page. Also, when you're feeling inspired, use Only In Your State's itinerary planner to create a fun trip in minutes. The popular online gaming platform Roblox, which hosts millions of user-created games, is being sued by families and state attorneys general who claim online predators can groom, extort and exploit kids they meet on the platform. Steven, a father of two, is among those who have filed lawsuits as his family tries to rebuild their life after his son was allegedly targeted. He said that allowing his teen son to play Roblox seemed like a safe bet at first. "I set up every parental control I could find and did the best I could," he told CBS News in an exclusive interview, asking that CBS News only use his first name for privacy reasons. But despite the platform's parental controls, an alleged sex offender posing as a 16-year-old befriended his 13-year-old son in the popular "Pet Simulator" game, according to the lawsuit. Steven alleged the predator offered his son Roblox gift cards in exchange for sexually explicit photos, which his son sent via Discord a separate gaming and chat platform. "At a certain point it was, 'tell me what your address is' and when he said no, he's like, 'Well, I have these photos of you, I'll tell your parents,'" Steven said of the interaction between the predator and his son back in July 2024. "He was 30 feet down the hall from us and just felt too trapped to come and talk to us." It was "pure luck," Steven said, that he found out because of a threatening message from the perpetrator that allegedly popped up as he was replacing the screen on his son's phone, which had cracked. The person has since pleaded guilty to first-degree felony child endangerment. Lawsuits against Roblox, Discord Steven's family is among dozens of families, as well as attorneys general in Kentucky and Louisiana, who are suing Roblox and other tech platforms, alleging they allowed sexual predators access to their children. Kentucky announced a lawsuit against Roblox last month, and Louisiana filed a suit against the platform in August. "For years, Roblox has ignored this crisis so it could continue turning a profit," Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said in a statement. "Our responsibility is to protect Kentucky children from online exploitation by these predators and the companies like Roblox that knowingly facilitate it." Steven said his family is suing Roblox as well as Discord, an instant messaging and social platform, because "at the end of the day, the thing they seem to care about the most is the bottom line, their profit." "It almost feels like they're a haven for predators, pedophiles, dangerous individuals and like they should do better," he said. Steven's attorney Alexandra Walsh, with the firm Anapol Weiss, is currently investigating hundreds of cases of child endangerment and grooming that allegedly started on Roblox. "Roblox was the gateway. Roblox is the site that ... in this case that gave this predator, this very dangerous man, the ability to find a target and groom this child," Walsh said. Steven has moved his family across the country to have a new start as he supports his son through depression and PTSD, he said. "This thing happens so much faster than you can ever imagine," Steven said. "You want to believe that like you've done everything you can and that it'll never happen to me and I thought the same thing until it did." Roblox and Discord respond Matt Kaufman, the chief safety officer at Roblox, said the platform does not allow image sharing in filtered chats and has rolled out over 100 new safety features this year, including age estimation and increased chat monitoring. "We have safety systems that are in place by default and a lot of these situations that you're talking about, like extortion, people sharing, graphic images, they simply cannot happen on Roblox," Kaufman said. Until recently, Roblox did not verify players' ages. By the end of the year, all users will have to pass its checks to communicate within the platform. According to Roblox, these checks will include "a combination of facial age estimation technology, ID age verification and verified parental consent." Currently, any communication between adult users and those between 13 and 17 is prohibited, unless a real life confirmed relationship can be proven. "For users 13 to 17 who confirm their age through Facial Age Estimation, adding a Trusted Connection, whether a peer or an 18 or older user, requires an existing real-world relationship, verified by a QR scan or Contact Importer," Roblox says on its site. Roblox's chief safety officer Kaufman said the company has caught and self-reported 23,000 incidents of potentially harmful content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children so far this year. "What's really important about these cases that we report is: we report when we see signs of something that doesn't look safe," Kaufman said. "Any platform of our size it draws bad actors and our job is to do the best that we possibly can to prevent anything from happening on our platform and to report those situations as quickly as possible." Discord told CBS News it won't comment on pending litigation, but said in a statement that it is "deeply committed to safety," and works to "prevent the spread of sexual exploitation and grooming." What to expect from Trump's news conference with FBI Director Kash Patel Government shutdown enters Day 15 as healthcare premium worries rise Supreme Court takes up Louisiana case that challenges Voting Rights Act Palestinians walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, October 14, 2025. REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj Palestinians walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, October 14, 2025. REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel delayed aid into Gaza and kept the enclave's border shut on Tuesday, while re-emergent Hamas fighters demonstrated their grip by executing men in the street, darkening the outlook for U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the war. Three Israeli officials said Israel had decided to restrict aid into the shattered Gaza Strip and delay plans to open the border crossing to Egypt at least through Wednesday, because Hamas had been too slow to turn over bodies of dead hostages. The militant group has said locating the bodies is difficult. Meanwhile, Hamas has swiftly reclaimed the streets of Gaza's urban areas, following the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops last week. In a video circulated late on Monday, Hamas fighters dragged seven men with hands tied behind their backs into a Gaza City square, forced them to their knees and shot them from behind, as dozens of onlookers watched from nearby shopfronts. A Hamas source confirmed that the video was filmed on Monday and that Hamas fighters participated in the executions. Reuters was able to confirm the location by visible geographic features. DELAY IN HANDING OVER BODIES Trump has given his blessing to Hamas to reassert some control of Gaza, at least temporarily. Israeli officials, who say any final settlement must permanently disarm Hamas, have so far refrained from commenting publicly on the reemergence of the group's fighters. On Monday the U.S. president proclaimed the "historic dawn of a new Middle East" to Israel's parliament, as Israel and Hamas were exchanging the last 20 living Israeli hostages in Gaza for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners. But so far, Hamas has handed over only four coffins of dead hostages, leaving at least 23 presumed dead and one unaccounted for, still in Gaza. Aid trucks have yet to be permitted to enter Gaza at the full anticipated rate of hundreds per day, and plans have yet to be implemented to open the crossing to Egypt to let some Gazans out, initially to evacuate the wounded for medical treatment. HAMAS RETURN DEMONSTRATES HURDLES TO SETTLEMENT The highly public return of Hamas to control of Gaza's streets demonstrates the hurdles to progressing from the initial ceasefire - phase one of Trump's plan - to a permanent settlement that would prevent a new eruption of fighting. Gaza residents said Hamas fighters were increasingly visible on Tuesday, deploying along routes needed for aid deliveries. Palestinian security sources said dozens of people had been killed in clashes between Hamas fighters and rivals in recent days. Meanwhile, Israeli drone fire killed five people as they went to check on houses in a suburb east of Gaza City and an airstrike killed one person and injured another near Khan Younis, Gaza health authorities said. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire. The Israeli military said it had fired on people who crossed truce lines and approached its forces after ignoring calls to turn back. A summit co-hosted by Trump in Egypt on Monday ended with no public announcement of major progress towards establishing an international military force for Gaza, or a new governing body. HAMAS ASSERTS CONTROL Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently maintained that the war cannot end until Hamas gives up its weapons and ceases to control Gaza, a demand that the fighters have rejected, torpedoing all previous peace efforts. But Trump, having announced that the war is now over, said on Monday Hamas still had a temporary green light to keep order. "They do want to stop the problems, and they've been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time," he said. Hamas sources told Reuters on Tuesday the group would tolerate no more violations of order in Gaza and would target collaborators, armed looters and drug dealers. The group, though greatly weakened after two years of pummelling Israeli bombardment and ground incursions, has been gradually reasserting itself since the ceasefire took hold. It has deployed hundreds of workers to start rubble clearing on key routes needed to access damaged or destroyed housing and to repair broken water pipes. Road clearance and security provision will also be needed for increased aid delivery. AID AND HOSTAGES The ceasefire has stopped two years of devastating warfare in Gaza triggered by the October 7, 2023 attack in which Hamas-led gunmen killed around 1,200 people and seized 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military campaign in Gaza killed nearly 68,000 people according to local health authorities, with thousands more feared dead under the rubble. Gaza's Civil Defence Service said 250 bodies had been recovered since the truce began. Swathes of Gaza are in ruins and the global hunger monitor said in August there was famine in the territory. Thousands of Gazans have been returning to homes since the ceasefire, many finding whole streets bombed into dust. UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram said that while aid was getting into Gaza with tents, tarpaulin sheets, winter clothes, family hygiene kits and other critical items, she hoped for a significant increase later this week. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Maayan Lubell in JerusalemAdditional reporting by Emma Farge in GenevaWriting by Angus McDowall and Peter Graff; Editing by Ros Russell) Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, speaks during an interview. Photo: Greg Bishop / The Center Square (The Center Square) Concerns about ghost medical insurance networks and zombie state boards and commissions were raised during a review of a recent audit for Illinois Central Management Services. The bipartisan Legislative Audit Commission met Tuesday in Springfield to review audits for the Illinois Environmental Agency, Governors State University and CMS. The commission meets monthly. State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, took the opportunity to address ghost networks for state employee health plans. If I recall correctly, our esteemed governor had an entire point in his budget address last year about ghost networks, and yet ghost networks popped up in both the Delta dental offerings in my world and also, quite frankly, popped up again in the primary health care insurance, Rose said. One audit finding was the number of boards and commissions that arent fully constituted. Officials with the agency said they dont control board appointments. State Rep. Amy Elik recognized the conundrum. OK, so again, you're sort of getting dinged on something that you don't have any control, Elik said. Auditors said they also note others responsible for appointing board and commission members get audit findings for vacancies. The agency manages the website for boards and commissions, which show 371 bodies, many of which have vacancies. Another audit finding for CMS highlighted employee performance evaluations, which were not conducted in a timely fashion, a repeated finding. Raven DeVaughn is director of CMS. The loud part unsaid is they're not tied to anything, DeVaughn told the commission. So there's not a different mechanism or motivation. Besides, yet another thing we have to do. Elik said she appreciated DeVaughns candor. I greatly appreciate your brutal honesty with that. Thank you very much, Elik said. I've always felt that you were very, very forthcoming and honest on those realities of how a state government is done. The two year audit through 2023 has 10 findings, with eight being repeated findings and two new. Two family members hug each other while waiting at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday. - Ori Aviram/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images Two years ago, almost nobody in Israel could point to Nir Oz on a map. Now, its synonymous with October 7, 2023. Located just three kilometers (1.9 miles) from the Gaza border, this small agricultural kibbutz was home to about 400 people who lived peacefully among quiet tree-lined paths before the war. That all changed during the first hours of the terror attack, when the kibbutz was all but burned to ashes, with over a quarter of its residents murdered or abducted infants, the elderly and entire families among them. Many members of their community were kidnapped by Hamas and affiliated groups that day and taken captive in Gaza. Nine of their members remained there for 737 days. Those who lived here before the war have yet to return. On Monday, the community gathered in the city of Kiryat Gat their temporary community residence as they waited for the remaining hostages to return to Israel as part of the ceasefire agreement, eager to see their loved ones back home. For them, the US-brokered deal signals the end of their living nightmare, allowing their community to begin the process of healing and rebuilding. Inside a community hall early Monday morning, Rita Lifshitz diligently organized the refreshments for the gathering. Her in-laws were taken hostage on October 7. Yocheved Lifshitz was returned after 17 days in captivity, but her husband Oded was killed, and his body was brought back in February this year as part of the last deal to release hostages and prisoners. She proudly pointed at the series of wine bottles set along the table. Now, they can be sipped with joy. She looked at the bracelets on her right wrist that she, like many Israelis, wears in support of the hostages. I hope everyone comes back so I can finally remove them, she said. Residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz awaiting the return of hostages. - Tamar Michaelis/CNN In the middle of the room, a large screen showed the developments of the day, and members of the kibbutz were rapt with attention as they searched for the faces of their communities four living hostages, set to be released: Matan Zangauker, Ariel and David Cunio and Eitan Horn. After a few hours, Rita suddenly raised her arm and declared with excitement that she had gotten the first photo that Silvia Cunio shared of her two sons. Here they are, she exclaimed as the first group of hostages were released by Hamas. In a scene of cheers and tears, she was enveloped by the crowd. We are so overjoyed that they are coming back, Dalit Ram Aharon said, standing next to a box of freshly printed t-shirts made for the occasion showing photos of the returnees. She took off the shirt calling for the hostages release and put the new one on. There were moments when I didnt believe it would happen. We couldnt focus on anything else while they were still there, she said. Soon we will be able to set the struggles aside. But as the group began to prepare for the second group of hostages to be released, the mood changed. The news was no longer only about the hostages. The arrival of US President Donald Trump interrupted the televised coverage in a way they were not anticipating. It may have been the shortest visit ever by a sitting US president, but while Trump was on the ground, he dominated coverage of the news, taking over the days narrative in a way that only he can. Trump made it clear that the end of the longest war in Israels history was his doing, and the country watched his every move for the few hours he was on the ground. As Trumps motorcade made its way up from Ben Gurion airport to the Knesset Israels parliament in Jerusalem, the broadcast gradually evolved into a split screen. The audience clamored for more footage of the hostages, longing for any clip that would show even the briefest glimpse of their loved ones. But those clips were suddenly missing from the news broadcasts, replaced instead by a convoy carrying Trump on an Israeli highway. The abrupt shift sparked confusion in Kiryat Gat, with the crowd keen to see more of the long-awaited reunions and less of the unfolding political spectacle. Two residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz embrace as they await the return of the remaining hostages in Gaza. - Tamar Michaelis/CNN So many things are happening at the same time, said Shlomo Margalit, a veteran Kibbutz member. I feel like saying wait a minute were not done yet. Our folks are not home yet. Another kibbutz member approached a local TV correspondent, urging their channel not to stop airing the images of the returning hostages even as the high-level speeches at the Knesset began. In the halls of Israels political power, a historic dawn of a new Middle East was underway, according to Trump, who addressed a cheering house full of lawmakers. Despite a ceasefire agreement whose next phase lacks crucial details, Trump declared the end of a painful chapter for Israelis and Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lavished praise on the US president, calling him the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House. When others were weak, you were strong. When others were fearful, you were bold. When others abandoned us, you stood by our side, Netanyahu said. Trump returned the favor, calling him a courageous leader and crediting him with what he defined as an Israeli victory. Israel, with our help, has won all that they can by force of arms. Youve won. I mean, youve won, he said. The American president was in his element, often departing from prepared remarks in an address that extended for an hour in front of a crowd that was more than happy to applaud at every pause. In one stunning moment, Trump turned to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and asked him to pardon Netanyahu, who is facing a long-running corruption trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Trump no stranger to legal woes himself mocked the wrangling and said: Cigars and champagne who the hell cares about that? Netanyahu looked on, smiling. In the moment, Trump commanded the attention of an entire nation, and Netanyahu was happy to follow where Trump led. Trump also touched on his future thoughts for the region without providing any concrete details. He expressed his firm hope and dream that the Abraham Accords which saw Israel normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco in Trumps first term would expand and turn out to be everything that we thought they would. Residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz awaiting the return of hostages - Tamar Michaelis/CNN Trumps dreams even bordered on diplomatic fantasy as he proposed a peace between Israel and Iran who fought a 12-day war this June. Wouldnt that be nice? Trump said, as Netanyahu reacted with a hesitant giggle. But Trump circumvented the pressing questions about what post-war Gaza will look like and how an international security force will take shape. This was Trumps moment, and he would not be distracted from his victory. Trump tried to continue the diplomatic celebrations by tempting Netanyahu to accompany him to his glitzy summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to discuss Gazas future with a gathering of world figures, including the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas. The Israeli leader initially accepted the invite, only to backtrack two hours later. The official reason given was the proximity to a Jewish holiday. But behind closed doors, officials said Netanyahu didnt want to risk being photographed with Abbas, whom he has attacked and tried to weaken for years. Despite this minor diplomatic miss, Trump and Netanyahu were unfazed. They basked in the spotlight of history. Back in Kiryat Gat, the community members of Nir Oz were frustrated, waiting for the coverage to return to their own historic moment the reason they had gathered together in the first place. Though they were jubilant for the end of the war and the return of the hostages, they mourned the deceased hostages who had yet to return. After two years of war, Israel needed to begin healing from its past, not just celebrating its future. I came here to feel, even a little, the sense of togetherness, said Amir Alfassa. This day fills the soul. Finally seeing this even if its too late still brings comfort and incredible energy. Eventually, the community of Nir Oz turned to their mobile devices. Within minutes, a close circle of friends and family surrounded one phone with tears, where they were able to see the remaining hostages many from their community gain their freedom again. As the coverage continued, news that only four of the 28 deceased hostages would return remained an open wound. Five of their own were still inside the enclave. Even after two years of war, closure would not come for everyone yet. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump addressed the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, on Monday before traveling to Egypt for a peace summit to mark the first steps of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The final 20 remaining living hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, were returned to Israel on Monday as part of an exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, officials said. Some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has for two years waged a brutal and systematic war against Hamas, are returning home and beginning to reckon with the destruction caused by the conflict. Latest Developments Oct 14, 4:06 PM 4 more hostage bodies in Israeli custody The remains of four more hostages have been handed over to Israel. Four coffins of deceased hostages, escorted by Israeli forces, crossed the border into Israel, headed to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine, where officials will carry out identification procedures. There are still believed to be 20 hostage bodies remaining in Gaza. Oct 14, 3:27 PM Aid groups able to move freely in Gaza after IDF withdrawal, UN says The United Nations and other aid organizations have been able to move more freely across parts of Gaza from which Israeli forces have withdrawn, since the first phase of the ceasefire deal went into effect, U.N. Deputy spokesperson for the Secretary General Farhan Haq said at a press briefing at U.N. headquarters in New York Tuesday. "This improved access has allowed partners to scale up the response to the most urgent needs," Haq said. World Health Organization teams reached Al Ahli Hospital with eight trucks of medical supplies on Monday, and their teams reached the European Hospital in Khan Younis to transfer critical medications and intensive care unit equipment to Nasser Hospital, Haq said. "The U.N. and our humanitarian partners have also installed a solar panel for a desalination unit in Deir al Balah, as well as new telecommunications hardware to improve connectivity for affected people and humanitarian operations," Haq said. Oct 14, 2:49 PM Red Cross on their way to retrieve more hostage bodies Members of the International Committee of the Red Cross are on their way to retrieve the remains of several hostages held by Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip, according to the Israel Defense Forces. It is unclear how many remains will be handed over. Oct 14, 2:45 PM 'We'll disarm them,' Trump says of Hamas Asked about how long it would take Hamas to disarm and if it can be guaranteed the group will do so, President Donald Trump said they would do so by force if necessary. "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them. They know I'm not playing games. Now we did something monumental. We got the hostages back. That was the first thing we had to do," Trump said in response to a question from ABC News' Karen Travers at the White House on Tuesday. Ramadan Abed/Reuters - PHOTO: Palestinian militants stand guard on the day that hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, are handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. "I spoke to Hamas and I said, you're going to disarm, right? Yes sir, we're going to disarm. That's what they told me. They will disarm or we will disarm them," Trump said. Oct 14, 1:07 PM 3rd and 4th hostage remains returned to Israel have been identified Two more hostages whose bodies was returned to Israel on Monday have been identified. Yossi Sharabi and Daniel Peretz are the third and fourth remains to be ID'd, Kibbuz Beeri and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in statements Tuesday. Sharabi was kidnapped alive, on Oct. 7 and murdered in captivity, Kibbutz Beeri said in a release announcing the identification. Courtesy of Bring Them Home Now via Reuters - PHOTO: Yossi Sharabi, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, is pictured in this undated handout photo. We miss our Yossi so deeply. He was a wonderful partner and a perfect father to Yuval, Ophir, and Oren. He was a kind-hearted man who always looked for ways to do good, Nira Sharabi, his wife, said in the statements. Now we can finally bring closure to the nightmare that began over two years ago and give Yossi the dignified and loving burial he deserves in the soil of Kibbutz Be'eri. Courtesy of Bring Them Home Now via Reuters - PHOTO: Daniel Peretz, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, is pictured in this undated handout photo. Peretz, 22, was an Israel Defense Forces tank commander. He was stationed at Kibbutz Nahal Oz on Oct. 7, 2023. Peretz was wounded and kidnapped on Oct. 7, and after 163 days in captivity, he was declared a fallen IDF soldier, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters said. All four deceased hostages whose bodies were returned to Israel on Monday have now been identified. -ABC News' Dana Savir, Jordana Miller and Anna Burd Oct 14, 1:07 PM 45 bodies returned to Gaza by the Red Cross Forty-five bodies of Palestinians who were held by Israel for two years were returned to Gaza by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health said Tuesday. The bodies were handed over to the Gaza Ministry of Health at Nasser Medical Complex. The Red Cross said they will provide names of the bodies at a later time, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. -ABC News' Sami Zyara Oct 14, 11:29 AM Israeli officials in contact with mediators, ICRC about return of remaining deceased hostages Israeli officials are in conversation with the mediators and the International Committee of the Red Cross about the return of the rest of the deceased hostages, a senior Israeli official told ABC News on Tuesday. The issue is also being addressed with other international parties and continues in our actions (the negotiating team) with the mediators, even at these very hours, Israeli government liaison to hostage families Brig. Gen. Gal Hirsch said in a statement. I am in constant contact with our representatives in the talks and have been updated on the details, the issue is at the center of the agenda, Hirsch said in the statement. The bodies of four deceased hostages were returned to Israel on Monday; according to the terms of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, the bodies of all 28 deceased hostages were supposed to be returned to Israel. Hostage families sent a letter to U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff urging him to pull out every stop and leave no stone unturned in demanding that Hamas fulfill their end of the agreement and bring all the remaining hostages home. -ABC News Jordana Miller and Anna Burd Oct 14, 11:17 AM 1,808 Palestinian detainees, 250 Palestinian prisoners released The International Committee of the Red Cross has provided an updated number of Palestinians who were released from Israel on Monday as part of the phase one ceasefire deal. A total of 1,968 Palestinians were released: that includes 250 Palestinian prisoners, as well as 1,808 Palestinian detainees who were arrested after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel but were not involved in the Oct. 7 attack, the ICRC said. Mahmoud Issa/Reuters - PHOTO: Freed Palestinian prisoners look out of a bus after they were released by Israel as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. Ammar Awad/Reuters - PHOTO: A freed Palestinian prisoner is greeted after he was released from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, October 13, 2025. -ABC News Ellie Kaufman Oct 14, 6:43 AM Iran condemns Trump address, accusing him of 'false claims' about Tehran nuclear program Iranian officials on Tuesday accused U.S. President Donald Trump of "repeating false claims" about the goals of Tehrans nuclear program, which was struck in June by Israel with the help of the United States. Trump on Monday touted those strikes, telling Israeli lawmakers in Jerusalem that "many of Iran's top terrorists, including nuclear scientists and commanders, have been extinguished from this earth." He said that the attack "stopped the number one state sponsor of terror from obtaining the world's most dangerous weapons." The Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement said Tehran condemned those statements. The ministry described Trumps statement as an effort "to justify the joint crimes" by Israel and the United States. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses foreign ambassadors to Iran, in Tehran on Oct. 5, 2025. "Boasting about and admitting to such crimes only increases the burden of responsibility on the US and reveals the depth of hostility among American policymakers toward the great people of Iran," the ministry said in its statement, which was posted on social media. How much of a role did Trump play in latest Israel-Hamas deal?: ANALYSIS Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday thanked Trump for withdrawing from a former nuclear deal with Iran. He also thanked Trump for U.S. help with Israel's attack on Iran. Saul Loeb/POOL/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump talks with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. "Iran's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program with your enormous help, Mr. President, rolled back," Netanyahu said during his address at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. Trump on Monday also called for Iran to come to recognize Israels right to exist. Iran on Tuesday said those statements, in which Trump called for dialogue in the region, were "contradictory" to U.S. actions in the region. -ABC News' Somayeh Malekian and Kevin Shalvey Oct 14, 6:19 AM 5 Palestinians shot and killed in Gaza City, IDF says The Israel Defense Forces said its troops opened fire on Palestinians, killing five, after they allegedly violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The IDF said that "several suspects were identified crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip, which constitutes a violation of the agreement." The five approached forces in Gaza Citys eastern Shejaiya neighborhood, the IDF said. "After multiple attempts to distance them, the suspects refused to comply, prompting troops to open fire to remove the threat," the IDF said on social media. A Palestinian Civil Defence spokesperson denied the IDFs claim, telling ABC News that the five people were killed within the safe-zone yellow area. -ABC News Joe Simonetti Click here to read the rest of the blog. Samir Hussein - Getty Images Prince Harry has reportedly lobbied the Home Office about his security in the United Kingdom. The Duke of Sussex allegedly didn't tell King Charles, who is "exhausted" and feels "betrayed." A courtier claims "Charles is furious." Looks like the newly minted reconciliation between Prince Harry and King Charles is officially in jeopardyall because Harry is (understandably!) concerned about his security in the United Kingdom. Turns out Prince Harry wants an official security review, a move that has blindsided palace aides. One insider tells Rob Shuter's ShuterScoop, "Its the same fight on repeat. Harry wont accept hes no longer entitled to taxpayer-funded protection. The Kings exhausted." Harry allegedly wrote to the Home Office without informing the palace, and now "Charles felt betrayed. He thought they were rebuilding trust. Then Harry dragged everyone back into the drama."Another courtier says "Charles is furious. He cant change the rules, and Harry wont stop pushing." Sources also tell the Sunday Times that Harry's decision to approach the Home Office about security "complicates things for the King," and note, "Its not going to help matters. Were back to where we were." Their insider claims that "the King cannot and will not lobby" for Harry, adding, "If you put yourself in the mind of a father who is repeatedly told he should and could intervene, that is not very helpful, complicates matters and shows a lack of understanding about the reality of the situation." You Might Also Like Maine Gov. Janet Mills meets with Nebojsa Kaluderovic, Ambassador of Montenegro, and Predrag Boskovic, Minister of Defense for Montenegro, at the Maine State House in Augusta. Photo: Staff Sgt. Travis Hill / Maine National Guard via DVIDS / Public Domain (The Center Square) Maine Gov. Janet Mills formally announced Tuesday that she will seek the Democratic Party's nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in next year's midterm election. "My lifes work has prepared me for this fight, and Im ready to win," Mills said in a two-minute campaign launch video. "I hear my fathers voice saying, Fight back, Janet. I won't sit idly by while Maine people suffer and politicians like Susan Collins bend the knee as if this were normal." Mills, 77, a two-term governor and former attorney general, is viewed by top Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as the best shot for unseating Collins, who is seeking a sixth term. For Democrats, flipping the Senate seat is key to winning back its majority in the chamber in next year's midterms. Mills joins an already crowded field of Democrats seeking the party's nomination to challenge Collins, including Marine veterans and oyster farmer Graham Platner, former congressional staffer and End Citizens United vice president Jordan Wood and businessman Dan Kleban. Mills, the states first female governor, won a second term in the 2022 elections by defeating her predecessor, Republican Paul LePage, with 13 percent of the vote. She is prevented by term limits from seeking another four years in the governor's office. To be sure, Collins is viewed as a formidable candidate and Democrats face an uphill fight flipping the seat. Collins was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and has won reelection in every term since then, despite opposition. In her campaign video, Mills leaned into Republican President Donald Trump and his divisive policies, portraying Collins as a reliable vote for the president's legislative agenda. "I've never backed down from a bully and I never will," she said. "Donald Trump is ripping away health care from millions, driving up costs, and giving corporate CEOs massive tax cuts. And Susan Collins is helping him." Mills has clashed publicly with Trump over his push to block states from allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports. She has refused to comply with Trump's transgender directives, telling the president during a recent meeting of governors: "See you in court." The state's Republican Party criticized Mills' record as governor and accused her of being Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's "hand-picked" Democratic nominee in a state that traditionally favors moderate candidates. "Janet Mills is certainly going to use her attacks on President Trump as an example of courage, but now we see she was just acting as a loyal partisan when siding with the transgender lobby and fighting Trump in court at the expense of Maine students and families, Maine GOP Chairman Jim Deyermond said in a statement. "So, once again, congratulations to Chuck Schumer on getting one of Americas most liberal, unpopular governors to join a race where moderates have had historic success." Rachel Wisniewski/Bloomberg via Getty; Dauphin County District Attorney's Office/AFP via Getty Gov. Josh Shapiro, left, and Cody Balmer NEED TO KNOW Cody Balmer, who set fire to the Pennsylvania governor's mansion in April, pleaded guilty to arson, attempted murder and terrorism, among other charges Balmer was reportedly sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was unharmed in the attack, praised prosecutors for the plea deal reached with Balmer The man who set fire to the Pennsylvania governor's mansion in an attempt to kill Gov. Josh Shapiro has learned his fate. Cody Balmer, 38, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, terrorism and aggravated arson, among other charges related to the April 13 incident, in Dauphin County on Tuesday, Oct. 14, online court records show. Balmer was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison, according to the Associated Press, which was less than what he would have faced had he gone to trial and been convicted. At a press conference, Shapiro said he supported the plea deal Balmer reached with prosecutors. "Today is real accountability," Shapiro said, also praising the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office. No one was injured in the attack but the home sustained significant damage. Hours before the fire, Shapiro's family had hosted a Passover dinner and were safely evacuated from the residence at around 2 a.m. Rachel Wisniewski/Bloomberg via Getty Gov. Josh shapiro The New York Times, CNN and USA Today previously reported search warrants that stated Balmer called police after the attack and said he would turn himself in. Balmer was taken into custody the following day. 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 AP reported that Balmer told police he had planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer had he encountered him inside. The reported court documents said that Balmer apparently harbored resentment toward Shapiro related to the governor's views on the Israel-Gaza war. Balmer reportedly scaled a wall outside the mansion in Harrisburg before smashing windows, throwing homemade incendiary devices and eventually entering himself. Read the original article on People Jon Jozef/Jon Jozef Photography Kiaira Fedorus NEED TO KNOW Kiaira Fedorus, now 23, was six months old when she was diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, leaving her without the ability to use her right hand On April 1, 2024, she gave birth to her first child, a baby boy named Arthur Fedorus is a founder of Mothers Inclusive and a pageant title holder whose platform is disability awareness When she was growing up, Kiaira Fedorus had to overcome obstacles caused by her cerebral palsy, which resulted in the loss of function on the right side of her body. Amid surgeries and therapies, Fedorus, now 23, had to learn how to wash herself, do her hair, get out of the shower and walk. But her biggest challenge came with Fedorus' first pregnancy. I thought that once I had the baby, it would just kind of be game over for me with my mobility and my life and everything, Fedorus, who lives in Grand Prairie in Alberta, Canada, tells PEOPLE about raising a child with only her left hand. I really struggled with the idea of possibly making his life not great," she says. "If I was having a hard time with motherhood I was gonna pass down some of that stress to him, and I didn't know how to navigate that. Fedorus recalled her initial concerns as a then-expectant parent in a personal essay for the CBC. Today, Fedorus is a proud mom raising Arthur, 1, whom she shares with her fiance Joey Barker, 26. Honestly, I didn't think I would be as active as I am with him, she says. I thought that it was really gonna render my mobility in the sense of not being able to go anywhere." Fedorus who does not have her drivers license, but says she still is able to get around with her baby tells PEOPLE, "It might take me a minute or two to figure out how to do it with one hand. And it is a little bit scary. It's been a wild ride, but it's been really good." Fedorus was six months old when she was diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, meaning that her muscles are tense on one side of her body in her case, the right side. What I struggled with the most is my arm and the function of my hand, she says. Right now it's stuck at a 90-degree angle. Before then, when I was growing up, it was stuck more like 45. So adapting with one hand was the main concern. [The doctors] wanted to make sure that I was able to use my right arm as a helper." Her disability didnt stress her out when she was a child, but it became more noticeable as she entered her teens and early adulthood, including when her friends got their drivers licenses. It did have consequences for my mental health, Fedorus recalls. I had experiences in the hospital under suicide and trying to navigate very severe depression, and I still struggle with it today. Seeing where I am now, I wish I could go back and tell Little Kiaira that it was okay. At age 18, Fedorus started sharing her experiences with cerebral palsy on TikTok. In 2021, she found out she was pregnant, which brought on fears of going through with the pregnancy and birth because of her disability. Jon Jozef/Jon Jozef Photography Kiaira Fedorus during her pregnancy Her mother was the one to give her the confidence to proceed with the pregnancy. She was like, 'Well, what do you wanna do?' " Fedorus remembers. "And I said, 'Well, I wanna have this baby, but I don't know how to be a mom, let alone be a mom with one hand.' And she just reminded me that most of my life, I really didn't know how I was gonna manage with one hand, so why would this be any different? Fedorus says she did not experience complications throughout her pregnancy leading up to the April 1, 2024, birth of Arthur though Caesarian section. Jon Jozef/Jon Jozef Photography Kiaira Fedorus with her son Arthur, 1 I remember laying there like, 'You just came out of me and I don't know what I'm doing.' It was really special. It was something that I've imagined since I was younger," she says. "So it was very rewarding to see my efforts in keeping my fears set aside and keeping my circle very supportive to seeing the proof of, 'Hey, we are here. We can do this.' It was really rewarding." Fedorus, who has chronic pain associated with her cerebral palsy, says that her adjustment to raising Arthur was not easy in the beginning after the two returned home from the hospital; she credited her fiance with helping her. It was hard to even sit up some days," she says. And bringing a baby into that, I was not able to bounce and burp him. I didn't even change him for the first two weeks." My mom had come down and stayed with us for two weeks, she continues. Looking back at it, I needed her for longer. We should have extended her time because there were those key moments where you were supposed to bond with your baby. I didn't have that. Everyone else was doing that." She adds, "I never talk about it enough because I feel like I still carry a little bit of guilt, not being able to do the smallest things." It took Fedorus about a month to hold Arthur, albeit for short periods of time while sitting down. Around two months after his birth, she was able to change him into "easy clothing" like a onesie, and by three months, the new mom could care for Arthur alone as she began to bathe him and do more with her newborn. Now almost two, Arthur has been imitating his mothers movements. "He sees me sweep and do everything with one hand, she says. So that kind of just shows that he's adapting as much as I am. Jon Jozef/Jon Jozef Photography Kiaira Fedorus, who is the current Miss Queen Central Alberta with Personality Pageants Canada Fedorus personal experience with her disability and now motherhood inspired her to form Mothers Inclusive. Being an advocate for disability awareness and disabled motherhood has also become a part of her platform as the current title holder of Miss Queen Central Alberta with Personality Pageants Canada. Fedorus hopes other moms feel inspired by her story and experience of welcoming Arthur. Maybe it can empower moms to feel a little bit more stable in their choosing of how they're going about [having a child], Fedorus says, whether it be the stereotypical traditional pregnancy route or maybe adopting." 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. She adds, "It doesn't matter how you're gonna do it or how your body is, or what limitations you have. I want them to see my story of resilience and say, 'Hey, I can do that for myself, because this is what I want.' " If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Read the original article on People One of the giants of the growing buy now, pay later industry, Klarna, held an initial public offering last month. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Buy now, pay later consumer loans in Nevada may soon be easier to get, and they may come with better consumer protections, thanks to a new state law that went into effect earlier this month. BNPL loans are typically interest-free and paid back in four or fewer installments. They can be seen as the modern-day equivalent to layaway, except that the customer receives the product theyre purchasing upfront rather than after the payments have been made. They are not always seen by customers as loans, but BNPL are short-term loans that have become increasingly popular with online shoppers. Sometimes called pay in 4, these payment plans are now widely available at luxury brand stores and dental offices, to retail giants like Walmart, and even delivery app leader DoorDash. Passed by lawmakers and signed by the governor earlier this year, Senate Bill 437,removed from state law a requirement that internet-based consumer lenders, like those offering BNPL loans, maintain a physical office in the state. The new law went into effect Oct. 1. The change was first pitched in 2021 through legislation sponsored by then-state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer. A representative for Affirm, a publicly traded company that offers BNPL loans, testified to lawmakers that year that it maintained a physical office in Nevada in order to comply with state law but has never had a single customer come to the location. Other buy now, pay later companies appear to have opted simply to not operate in Nevada. This year, Kieckhefer, now a lobbyist for Affirm and another fintech company, Upstart, resurrected the effort. Consumer protections Peter Aldous, a consumer rights attorney at Legal Aid of Southern Nevada who supported SB437, believes the most substantial part of the new law are provisions requiring the lenders to use Nevada law to govern the loan. This should end the use of choice of law clauses, which says a different states laws govern the contract. Typically that chosen state is one like Utah or New Jersey with more lax consumer protections. For the most part, we have strong consumer protection laws, says Aldous of Nevada. Consumers likely wont notice the change buried in their BNPL fine print, but it could make a big difference if they found themselves in a dispute. Critics of BNPL warn that these types of short-term financing generally offer less protections for consumers than credit cards, particularly when it comes to refunds after returning products. In May 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an interpretative rule clarifying that BNPL lenders are credit card providers and customers have the right to dispute charges and demand refunds. The rule followed earlier research by the CFPB found that 13.7% of BNPL loans in 2021 involved a return or dispute. Regardless of whether a shopper swipes a credit card or uses Buy Now, Pay Later, they are entitled to important consumer protections under longstanding laws and regulations already on the books, said then-CFPB Director Rohit Chopra when announcing the rule. Chopra was fired by President Donald Trump in February of this year. In May, the Trump administration announced it would not enforce the earlier Biden-era rule and is contemplating rescinding it. Also changing at the national level this year: BNPL loans may now impact your credit score. FICO this year announced it would begin incorporating BNPL data into its credit score model. Industry growth Buy now, pay later loans have been around for several years and gaining traction with consumers. PayPals chief executive has said BNPL is an area of growth for the company and is driven by younger consumers who are wary of credit cards. Another giant of the industry, Klarna, held an initial public offering last month. The Consumer Protection Finance Bureau in January released a report on BNPL and found that 21% of consumers with a credit record financed at least one purchase in 2022 using one of the six BNPL firms: Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal, Sezzle and Zip. They also found that the majority of these consumers are taking out multiple BNPL loans at a time. Approximately a fifth of BNPL users can be classified as heavy users who finance more than one purchase per month with BNPL. According to the CPFB, people with the lowest credit scores make up nearly half of all BNPL loans, though their default rate on BNPL loans is lower than their default rate on their credit cards 2% compared to 10%. Many BNPL lenders require customers to set up automatic direct deposit payments from their checking account, making repayment more likely. Aldous from Legal Aid says a BNPL loan might be the best option for a consumer who would otherwise use a credit card or high interest payday lender. But there are concerns about deceptive marketing that can lead people to taking on too much debt. While many associate BNPL loans with interest free loans over a few months, these companies also offer loans with longer terms and interest. Sometimes interest and fees can also be tacked onto the interest-fee loan if a customer misses a payment. Thats where you can get caught up, getting too used to paying over time, and not lining up your budget, says Aldous. People dont think of it as a credit card. They think, Im going to have a monthly bill. I can afford that. California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at the California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, June 1, 2019. Photo: Gage Skidmore / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cropped from Original (The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned state universities that signing the Trump administration's education agreement would put them in direct conflict with his administration. Newsom issued a statement responding to the Trump administrations Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education proposal, which offered nine universities terms that would include a commitment to stop racial discrimination in admissions and raising tuition rates for the next five years in exchange for special access to federal funding. MIT is the first university to refuse the demands. During a news conference at Alexander Science Center School in Los Angeles, Newsom said California schools should not sign the agreement. The University of Southern California is one of the nine universities. If any California University signs this radical agreement, theyll lose billions in state funding including Cal Grants instantly, Newsom said in a press release. California will not bankroll schools that sell out their students, professors, researchers, and surrender academic freedom. This proposal is nothing short of a hostile takeover of Americas universities, Newsoms office stated. The compact states that the universities are not required to sign the document, but would lose federal grants if they didn't. It would impose strict government-mandated definitions of academic terms, erase diversity, and rip control away from campus leaders to install government-mandated conservative ideology in its place, Newsoms office said in a statement. It even dictates how schools must spend their own endowments. Any institution that resists could be hit with crushing fines or stripped of federal research funding. The nine universities include: Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Virginia and the University of Arizona. People have been left trapped in cars and streets flooded as heavy rainfall continues to batter parts of Spain amid Storm Alice. Torrential downpours triggered flash floods across the countrys northeastern Catalonia region over the weekend, with some residents forced to evacuate and seek cover in emergency shelters. Streets were turned into muddy rivers in the flooding (AFP via Getty) Popular tourist hotspots in the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, have also been warned to expect disruption from the storm as torrents of rain continue to fall in the region. An amber weather warning remains in place on Tuesday as residents and tourists are urged to prepare for up to 50mm of rain. There is also a yellow warning in place for storms across Majorca, Ibiza, Ampurdan, and Castellon. A map below from the Spanish meteorological agency Aemet shows the areas that remain under a weather warning. A map shows that yellow weather alerts for rain remain in place in northeast Spain (Aemet) The agency said in a statement: Be prepared. Take precautions and keep up to date with the latest weather forecast. Severe damages to people and properties may occur, especially to those vulnerable or in exposed areas. Dramatic pictures shared online showed torrents of muddy water rushing into towns in the northeastern Tarragona province on Sunday after Aemet issued the most serious red alert. Catalonias civil protection agency declared a state of emergency in five regions and urged residents in the Ebro Delta to stay indoors as conditions worsened, with residents evacuated in the city of Murcia. Emergency services reported receiving over 2,100 calls as they rescued people trapped in cars and opened emergency shelters. Reports suggest no casualties have been sustained during the floods, but at least 18 people have been injured. The rain has caused travel chaos across eastern Spain (Reuters) The rain also caused travel chaos across eastern Spain, as at least 24 flights were cancelled from late afternoon, with power cuts affecting Ibiza airport. Train services between Barcelona and Valencia were suspended along the Mediterranean Corridor, while roads in several low-lying areas were closed due to the flooding. Because of the adverse weather conditions in Ibiza, airport operations were temporarily paralysed between 6pm and 7.20pm, officials at Spanish airports authority AENA told local press. During that time the runway was cleaned along with other areas that were affected by the storm. Tourists and locals have been warned to be prepared for flooding (Reuters) The situation is complicated, and more rain is forecast, Cristina Vicente, a senior official at the agency, was quoted as saying by La Vanguardia. Difficult conditions continued on Monday with a red alert for rain issued by the Aemet covering Valencia as the weather front continued to affect residents on the countrys eastern side. Footage of cars floating through the water as streets were turned to rivers was posted on social media as tourists and residents were urged to stay inside. Storm Alice is expected to move further eastwards on Wednesday, with brighter conditions expected across Spain later in the week. Afghanistan's Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attends a press conference, in New Delhi, India on October 12, 2025. - Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters Three days after being excluded from a press conference fronted by Talibans foreign minister in India, women journalists took their seats in a powerful show of force to question him about the social exclusion of Afghan women. An image from Reuters news agency shows Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi facing a row of women journalists inside the Afghan Embassy in Delhi on Sunday. It was a rare audience for the Taliban minister representing an all-male government that over four years has slowly suffocated the freedoms and dreams of Afghan women and girls. Why are you doing this in Afghanistan? When will they be allowed to go back and get the right to education? asked prominent independent journalist Smita Sharma. Muttaqis week-long visit to India is the first foreign diplomatic trip by a top Taliban leader since the hardline Islamist group seized power in 2021. The trip was seen as a reset of relations between Delhi and Kabul, part of the Talibans attempts to be accepted as a legitimate government. Only men were invited to Muttaqis first news conference on Friday, which was described by many Indian reporters, press groups and opposition politicians as an affront to Indias democratic principles and press freedom. The Press Club of India strongly condemned the exclusion of women journalists, and called on the Indian government to ensure that no foreign power is permitted to dictate the terms of engagement with the Indian press. The Editors Guild of India called the decision blatant gender discrimination on Indian soil. Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it had no involvement in the press interaction held by the Afghan foreign minister, local media reported. The governments response only deepened the criticism that the worlds largest democracy was apparently capitulating to the Taliban, which has been diplomatically isolated over its treatment of women and girls. Afghanistan's Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi speaks during a press conference in New Delhi, India October 12, 2025. - Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters Our first response was obviously outrage. But the real thing we had hoped for was that the Indian government would at least criticize it and say something about it, said Suhasini Haider, Diplomatic Editor for The Hindu newspaper, who attended the second press conference. It was also about a precedent, the idea that the Talibans representative and its a government thats not recognized by India could come to Delhi and host a press conference without women, wouldnt become a precedent for future interactions. Afghanistans gender apartheid Afghanistan remains the only country in the world that prohibits girls and women from getting general education at secondary and higher levels. The government dictates how women must dress, where they can and cannot go, and with whom they must go for example, they must have a male guardian with them to travel. The ban is part of a wide-ranging crackdown on womens rights by the Taliban, who UN groups and activists have accused of presiding over gender apartheid. In July this year, the International Criminal Court sought arrest warrants for two of the top Taliban leaders, citing the persecution of women and girls as evidence of crimes against humanity. In the Sunday press conference, foreign minister Muttaqi cited a technical issue to justify why women journalists were absent from the initial press event. It was organised on a short notice. (There was) a short list of journalists that were invited It was more of a technical issue but there was no other problems, Muttaqi told reporters. Our colleagues had decided to send the invitation to a specific list of journalists. There were no other intentions other than that. Haider believes that public pressure following the first conference really ignited something, and so it was really the Taliban that decided the bad press wasnt worth it. Women journalists were invited inside the embassy alongside their male colleagues to ask questions and were not required to wear head coverings. Haider said they acknowledged there was no reason to have kept women out of the initial briefing. In a moment of media solidarity, Haider said male reporters cleared the first few rows of the press conference for their female colleagues, so it was mostly women front and center. Muttaqi faced hard questions as to why Afghan girls and women were barred from schools and the workforce. We have 10 million students attending schools and other educational institutes, of which, 2.8 million are women and girls. In religious seminaries, this educational opportunity is available all the way to the graduation levels the highest levels, Muttaqi responded. The Taliban leader said, there are certain limitations in specific parts, but that does not mean that we oppose education. Haider said the ministers answers were obviously very well-rehearsed lies. We knew it for a fact, and yet he continued to repeat that statement, she said. Russia remains the only foreign government that has formally recognized the Taliban and diplomats have said steps toward recognition require a change of course on womens rights. Though India has upgraded diplomatic ties with Afghanistan, it is yet to recognize the Taliban government. Analysts have said the Talibans high-level visit to India signals a change in ties, in part, as a counterbalance to souring relations with neighbor Pakistan. After Muttaqi met Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Friday, India announced it would upgrade its diplomatic mission in Kabul to an embassy, which was closed when the Taliban recaptured Kabul in 2021. The trip by the United Nations-sanctioned Muttaqi was only made possible after the UN Security Council granted him a travel waiver. Haider said the visit was meant to normalize relations between the Taliban government and India. There are many very good reasons to engage the Taliban, she said. The question is, how far are you willing to go down the path of normalization and the path of diplomatic upgradation, and then finally, recognition, before you feel your principles have been compromised? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A skilled carpenter securing wooden panels using an electric power drill. - Virrage Images // Shutterstock Top states for contractors: Highest wages, most jobs, and booming construction If youre a contractor wondering where your skills are most valued and your earning potential is highest, youre asking the right questions. The construction landscape is shifting. While some sectors are declining, certain states are emerging as hotspots for construction activity, high wages, and job demand. Eagle Woodworkings Its latest survey reveals the top states for contractors across the country. Researchers analyzed adjusted wages, employment demand, and new construction activity to identify the best states for contractors. Carpenters are overwhelmingly the most in-demand trade across the country. They also vie for the top spot when wages and number of jobs are factored in, alongside plumbers and electricians. Carpenters are finding the sweet spot between high pay and demand Data map of the US showing the best states for contractors by pay and demand. - Eagle Woodworking Key Takeaways Illinois took the top spot when wages, employment rates, and construction projects were combined. Carpenters are the most in-demand trade in nearly 30 states. Demand for trade jobs is high in states with booming construction activity, including California, Texas, Washington, and Florida. National Trends in Trades Construction activity is down in the private sector, but the public sector is rising. This trend is driving demand. Hotspots like California and Texas are fueling nationwide demand for trades. In nearly 30 states, carpenters dominate as the most in-demand trade, though other trades show strong regional demand. Welders, for instance, are needed in Alaska and Arkansas, and HVAC technicians are the most in-demand trade in Florida. Data map of the US showing the most in demand trade per state. - Eagle Woodworking Top States for Contractors Illinois Topping the list of the best states for contractors is Illinois, with a 100 score based on the study. In the heart of the Midwest, Illinois has over 5,000 active construction projects underway, creating ample job opportunities for those in the trades. Plumber wages surpass $93,000 when adjusted for cost of living. Electricians make nearly $77,000, and wages for carpenters are just below $65,000. Job demand for the trades in Illinois is strong. Carpenters lead the way with 3.99 per 1,000 jobs, followed by electricians with 3.64 and plumbers with 2.82. The balanced combination of high wages and steady employment makes Illinois stand out as the top state for contractors. Washington Washingtons score of 98.29 solidly places it as one of the best states for contractors. The state offers competitive wages, especially when adjusted for cost of living. Electrician wages are $77,330, and plumbers earn just over $72,000. Carpenters earn $65,576. With over 10,500 active projects, theres a high density of employment and a robust project pipeline driving demand across trades. In Washington, there are 8.2 carpenters per 1,000 jobs, trailed by electricians with 5.38 and followed by plumbers with 3.1. New Jersey New Jersey stands out as one of the best states for contractors, with over 11,000 active projects and strong wages. This construction-heavy region takes third place with a score of 94.24 and offers solid performance across wages and employment. Plumbers earn over $85,000 and electricians and carpenters come in earn just under $70,000. Wage and Cost-of-Living Advantages The trades offer solid earning potential, especially when you know where to look. The data shows that, while different states offer different wages, making a living in the trades is entirely possible. In fact, wage power was a key driver of state rankings. In each of the top three states, a different trade took the top spot for adjusted wages. Illinois: Plumbers make over $93,000. Washington: Electricians lead at over $77,000. New Jersey: Carpenters lead, making over $69,000. States with Booming Construction Activity Infographic listing the top 10 states with the most construction projects and how many there are in each state. - Eagle Woodworking While construction activity as a whole is down across the country, certain regions are seeing a boom in projects. Private spending is also down, but increased public spending is keeping the industry active. Texas is expanding its metropolitan areas and has over 74,000 projects, many of which focus on commercial construction and energy-related work. In Florida and California, large-scale urban development, infrastructure, and housing projects lead the way, driving demand for skilled trade workers. In Texas and California, the demand for carpenters surpasses other trades, though electricians and plumbers are also in high demand. Trade-Specific Insights Across the country, carpenters were the most in-demand trade, ranking first in nearly 30 states, with Illinois, California, and New Jersey leading for wages and demand. Plumbers and electricians were also in high demand. Prospects for electricians are strong in Washington, Massachusetts, and Illinois, where wages are high. For plumbers, Illinois and New Jersey lead in adjusted wages. Other in-demand trades included painters, particularly in Idaho, Massachusetts, and Wyoming. Welders hold regional dominance in Alaska and Arkansas. In Hawaii, joiners are the most in-demand trade, while HVAC technicians lead in South Dakota and Delaware. Despite Industry Uncertainty, Your Skills Are in High Demand Despite an uncertain economy and a construction industry that has trended down in 2025, growth in California and Texas is sustaining demand for trade workers nationwide. Overall, the best states for contractors are Illinois, Washington, and New Jersey. Nationwide, carpenters also earn high wages, and there is steady demand for electricians in the Pacific Northwest. Welders are also in demand regionally in Arkansas and Alaska. As opportunities expand across the country, make sure your business is ready to deliver. Methodology To determine the best states for contractors and tradesmen, this study analyzed data for all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., using nine relevant metrics. The analysis considered: Wages adjusted for cost of living across key trades, including plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and construction laborers. Employment rates (employment per 1,000 jobs) for those same key trades, reflecting how common and available these roles are in each state. Demand for contractors, measured by the number of approved construction projects in each state. By combining these factors into an overall normalized score, the study ranks states based on the strength of opportunity for trades professionals, balancing earning potential, job availability, and market demand. This story was produced by Eagle Woodworking and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. A cargo ship full of shipping containers is seen at the port of Oakland, as trade tensions escalate over U.S. tariffs, in Oakland, California, U.S., March 6, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A trade group representing the aluminum industry called on Tuesday for a ban on U.S. exports of used beverage cans to China to support American production of cars, fighter jets, tanks and satellites. The Aluminum Association said the United States consumes between 5 million to 6 million metric tons of aluminum scrap annually while exporting more than 2 million tons. The group called for an immediate ban on used beverage container exports outside of North America on national security grounds, saying much of U.S. scrap flows to China where it is processed and shipped back as finished goods. The group said the U.S. aluminum industry faces a supply gap of about 4 million metric tons of raw aluminum each year and becoming self-sufficient would "take many years, billions of dollars and access to an enormous amount of affordable energy." The United States exports nearly half of its scrap aluminum. This is even more concerning as demand for aluminum grows in key areas like cars, planes and packaging, the association said. President Donald Trump in June imposed 50% tariffs on aluminum metal shipped to the United States. About two-thirds of the primary aluminum used annually in the United States is imported from Canada. In August, the Commerce Department said it was hiking steel and aluminum tariffs on more than 400 products including numerous auto parts totaling $240 billion in annual imports. The parts include automotive exhaust systems and electrical steel needed for electric vehicles as well as components for buses. U.S. tariffs are not just limited to steel and aluminum themselves, but extend to a range of 'derivative' products made from the metals. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and Chizu Nomiyama ) It isn't easy to praise someone who habitually, preemptively, and lavishly praises himself. But there is no gainsaying the fact that President Donald Trumpand President Donald Trump alonedeserves credit for the scenes of joy and relief we've seen in Israel and Gaza, respectively, over the past four days. Had it been left to the druthers of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leadership of Hamas, there is every likelihood that the devastation of Gaza would have continued into a third year. It is also certain that more of the Israeli hostages would have died in their miserable confinement, whether murdered by their terrorist captors or accidentally killed by the munitions of their own country. Instead, the guns in Gaza have quieted. And it isn't because of the nudgings of real estate developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the promptings of Qatar and Egypt, the pleadings of Europe, the finger-wagging of human-rights organizations, or the hand-wringing of the United Nations alone. The ceasefire is the gift of Donald Trump. A delayed gift Now for the caveats. As gifts go, this one comes much belatedand with a high risk of disintegrating even as it is being unwrapped. Trump could have brought us to this place much sooner if he had been quicker to apply the pressure that finally forced Netanyahu to accept the peace deal. If the president had not wasted time floating perverse ideas about real-estate opportunities in Gaza, thousands of Palestinian lives might have been saved, and more of the Israeli hostages would be in the bosom of their families. (These numbers would have been higher still if President Joe Biden had not restricted himself to pious posturing.) What finally snapped Trump into action was Netanyahu's decision to bomb Qatar in a failed attempt to eliminate Hamas's exiled political leadership in Doha. This was an attack on a key U.S. ally, one that hosts 10,000 American troops at a strategic air base and has committed to hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in the U.S.and moreover, one that has promised Trump an upgraded Air Force One. Trump's current peace deal is mercifully free of any references to a Gaza Riviera. It does not require Palestinians to leave the enclave. Now that the hostages have been released and Israel has agreed to free nearly 2.000 Palestinians, Gazans can receive life-saving aid. Families and friends of Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbot react as they watch the hostage release live stream from the home of Bohbot's mother on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Amir Levy/Getty Images Getty Images2025 Getty Images The long road ahead So far, so good. But Trumps 20-point plan is too vague on crucial details of what comes next. The nature, composition, and responsibilities of the international stabilization force mentioned in the plan has not been fleshed out. While 200 U.S. soldiers and officers will monitor the ceasefire as part of an international task force, they won't be on the ground in Gaza. Nor yet have Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the U.A.E. committed their contingents. The plan foresees the gradual development and deployment of a freshly trained police and security force, but building up such a force takes months or years. Who will provide security in the meantime? The governance arrangements are equally murky. Trump's proposal calls for a "technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee" to run day-to-day affairs in Gaza, overseen by a "Board of Peace" chaired by Trump himself and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blaira controversial choice already rejected by Hamas. But it's unclear who will select this committee, what authority it will have, or how it will function if Hamas remains a force in Gaza. There are no clear penalties defined for any side breaching the peace. Given the previous behavior of Netanyahu and the Hamas leadership, there is every chance that violence might erupt again. Israel broke the previous ceasefire in March. There are already reports Hamas is reasserting control over Gaza, battling rival factions to consolidate power. Basim Naim, the Hamas leader, has said they wont lay down their arms until a comprehensive agreement is reached. If Hamas doesn't disarmor Israel resumes its bombings of Gazathe entire peace plan risks unraveling. Citizens and relatives of Palestinian prisoners wait at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza on October 13, 2025, to welcome Palestinians prisoners being released from Israeli jails after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Doaa AlbazAnadolu/Getty Images Anadolu via Getty Images2025 Anadolu The absence of monitoring and enforcement mechanisms contributed to the failure of the 1993 Oslo Accords to deliver comprehensive peace. Trump has provided personal guarantees he wouldn't let Israel abandon the deal and resume the wara key factor in convincing Hamas to accept the peace planbut what happens if Trump loses interest or becomes distracted by other crises? Trumps plan offers no answer. Nor is it clear who will rebuild Gaza, and who will pay for it. The White House has clarified that the U.S. will not pay for reconstruction. Egypt's $53 billion reconstruction plan lacks specific details on funding sources. The Saudis and other Arab countries will be reluctant to contribute to a rebuilding effort absent an Israeli commitment to recognize a Palestinian state. Trump's plan mentions only vague language about a "credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination" and statehoodfar weaker than the explicit two-state solution demanded by Arab nations. In the absence of all these things, the deal depends almost entirely on Trump maintaining pressure on the principals. In turn, this requires him to remain closely engaged, week after week and month after month, with a broad spectrum of actorsnot just individual power brokers. Focus, stamina, and coalition-building are not the president's strongest suits. Trump thrives on dramatic breakthroughs, headline-grabbing announcements, and one-on-one negotiations. But the patient, grinding work of peace implementation typically bores him. He will need to conjure up previously unseen qualities of concentration and stamina to see this fragile peace through to something more durable. So, for now, let's hear one cheer for Donald Trump. And let's hope he earns three. Contact us at letters@time.com. FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of a China Coast Guard ship navigating near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in the South China Sea, August 13, 2025. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) -The United States said on Monday it stood by its Philippine ally and emphasized their mutual defense treaty after vessels from China and the Philippines clashed amid heightened tensions in the disputed South China Sea. Earlier, China's Foreign Ministry urged Manila not to challenge Beijing's efforts to "safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests" after Sunday's incident in the Spratly Islands, in which the Philippines said China deployed water cannon and rammed a Filipino vessel. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott condemned China's "ramming and water cannoning" of a Philippines vessel and said Washington stood with its ally "as they confront China's dangerous actions which undermine regional stability." In a statement, Pigott reaffirmed that Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty "extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft including those of its Coast Guard anywhere in the South China Sea." China and the Philippines have traded accusations over the confrontation near Sandy Cay, a coral reef within the Spratly Islands. The two nations have confronted each other repeatedly in recent years in the South China Sea, a strategic trade route that facilitates more than $3 trillion in annual ship-borne commerce, and which China claims most of. Tensions have heightened recently and Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, told a regular press briefing the Philippines should immediately stop "violations and provocations." The State Department said: "China's sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea and its increasingly coercive actions to advance them at the expense of its neighbors continue to undermine regional stability and fly in the face of its prior commitments to resolve disputes peacefully." Last year, during the former Biden administration, two senior Republican U.S. senators called for a list of options developed by the Pentagon and State Department to support the Philippines against Beijing in the South China Sea, saying that limiting responses to verbal assurances of the applicability of Article IV undermines the credibility and value of these commitments. (Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski in Beijing and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Edmund Klamann) Energy Secretary Chris Wright visits the NETL and Longview Power Plant, June 25, 2025. Photo: U.S. Department of Energy via Flickr / United States Government Work (The Center Square) India and the United States will resume trade talks this week in Washington, with the Trump administration seeking increased purchases of U.S. oil and gas while New Delhi wants to encourage foreign investment in its renewable and nuclear power sectors to help meet its soaring energy demand. Talks were suspended in August after the Trump administration hiked tariffs on most India goods to 50% as a penalty for Indian purchases of Russian crude oil, which American negotiators say has prolonged the war in Ukraine. Discussions resumed in September after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the phone as the two leaders voiced optimism they could reach a mutually beneficial trade deal. Indias Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported the countrys exports to the United States fell to $6.86 billion in August from $8.01 billion in July, which it mainly attributed to increased U.S. import tariffs. We dont want to punish India, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in September at a press briefing. We want to end the war in Ukraine, and we want to grow our relations with India. America has oil to sell, so does everybody else. We wish India would work with us to buy oil from elsewhere, said Wright. The negotiations this week in Washington follow U.S. ambassador-designate Sergio Gor's meetings over the weekend in New Delhi with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, which focused on strengthening bilateral trade and investment. "During my visit to India, I met with Commerce Secretary Agrawal and discussed US-India economic ties, including increased investment in the United States," Gor wrote on 'X' on Sunday. India is the worlds fourth-largest LNG importer, relying on imports to meet more than half its natural gas needs. The Indian government aims to increase the share of natural gas in the nation's energy mix to 15% by 2030, up from 6.5% in 2024. In FY25, Indias main LNG suppliers were Qatar with 41% of the market, the United States at 19%, and the UAE at 13%. India is likely to source more renewable energy technologies from the United States as part of a trade deal, a step that will help the country meet ambitious climate goals that include a net-zero target by 2070. Government officials seek to attract foreign investment in green hydrogen, electric vehicles (EVs), battery storage systems, offshore wind, and floating solar, according to government officials. Indian energy companies such as Indian Oil Corporation, GAIL, and Bharat Petroleum are in talks with U.S. LNG exporters to secure future supply, according to news reports. GAIL now imports 5.8 million tons of U.S. LNG annually under long-term deals, split between Berkshire Hathaway Energy's Cove Point plant in Maryland and Cheniere Energys Sabine Pass LNG facility in Louisiana. GAIL is also reported to be negotiating a long-term supply agreement with Americas Glenfarne, which is developing a large natural gas project in Alaska. Wright is planning a visit to New Delhi in November to meet with top Indian energy firms, according to the Hindustan Times. Indian negotiators aim is to finalize the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) before December and to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, as Trump and Modi agreed at a meeting in February. A weak spot in the Earth's magnetic field is growing over the South Atlantic Ocean, according to more than a decade's worth of satellite data collected by scientists. The magnetic field surrounding Earth protects the planet from cosmic radiation and particles charged by the sun. Scientists believe it is generated by the outer core of the Earth, according to a news release from the European Space Agency. The ESA said the "global ocean of molten, swirling liquid iron" in that layer of the planet creates electrical currents that generate the magnetic field. The weak spot, known as the South Atlantic Anomaly, was first identified in the 19th century, the ESA said. It is southeast of South America and southwest of Africa. In this area, the planet's magnetic field dips down, according to NASA. Satellites that pass over it are hit with higher doses of incoming radiation, which can cause technical issues and even blackouts. The South Atlantic Anomaly in 2014. / Credit: ESA (Data source: Finlay, C.C. et al., 2025) The ESA studied the spot for 11 years, from 2014 to 2025. Three different satellites, known as Swarm, precisely measured the planet's magnetic signals during that period. The data was published in the journal Science Direct. The satellite data showed that the South Atlantic Anomaly had expanded by an area "nearly half the size of continental Europe," or about two million square miles. The speed of the area's weakening has increased since 2020, the ESA said, with different parts of the anomaly changing at different rates. "The South Atlantic Anomaly is not just a single block," says lead author Chris Finlay, Professor of Geomagnetism at the Technical University of Denmark, in the ESA's news release. "It's changing differently towards Africa than it is near South America. There's something special happening in this region that is causing the field to weaken in a more intense way." The South Atlantic Anomaly in 2025. / Credit: ESA (Data source: Finlay, C.C. et al., 2025) Finlay said that magnetic field lines emitting from the core are bouncing back into it. It's not clear why this is happening, but it is contributing to the anomaly's weakening in those areas, the ESA said. The ESA satellites found other changes in the Earth's magnetic field. In the southern hemisphere, there is another area where the magnetic field is particularly strong. Two other anomalies exist in the northern hemisphere: One near Canada and one over Siberia. Both are stronger than the rest of the field. However, the one near Canada has shrunk by an area the size of India, while the one over Siberia has grown by an area the size of Greenland, the ESA said. A rendering of ESA's Swarm satellites. / Credit: ESA/AOES Medialab The satellites will continue to study the planet's magnetic field in the coming years, the ESA said. "It's really wonderful to see the big picture of our dynamic Earth thanks to Swarm's extended timeseries," Swarm Mission manager Anja Stromme said in a statement. "The satellites are all healthy and providing excellent data, so we can hopefully extend that record beyond 2030, when the solar minimum will allow more unprecedented insights into our planet." Netanyahu says Hamas must disarm or "all hell breaks loose" Instagram rolls out new restrictions for teen users Trump accuses China of "purposefully not buying" U.S. soybeans, threatens trade retaliation Every November, most Americans turn their clocks back an hour, marking the end of daylight saving time and the return to standard time. The shift brings earlier sunsets, darker evenings, and plenty of confusion about what exactly changes and why. What seems like a simple clock adjustment is actually shaped by decades of legislation, energy debates, and ongoing efforts to end the twice-a-year switch. Heres what to know about how the fall time change works and what it means this year. History Behind the Time Change Image via Wikimedia Commons/Harris & Ewing Collection Daylight saving time in the U.S. became official in 1918 through the Standard Time Act, signed by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I. Germany and Austria were the first countries to adopt the practice in 1916 as a wartime strategy to conserve fuel. The idea was simple: modify the clocks to maximize daylight during waking hours. Benjamin Franklin famously joked in 1784 about waking people with bells and cannons to save daylight, but he never proposed clock modifications. After World War I, the U.S. discontinued the policy, only to bring it back during World War II. Inconsistent rules followed for decades until the Uniform Time Act of 1966 created a nationwide standard. The schedule was altered again in 2007 under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which set the current timing. Today, daylight saving time operates under that law, with standardized start and end dates across participating states. What Happens on November 2, 2025 On Sunday, November 2, 2025, at exactly 2 a.m., clocks across most of the U.S. will turn back one hour to 1 a.m. This will bring earlier sunrises and sunsets, which means that there will be more morning light and less daylight during the evening. The alteration affects 48 states and Washington, D.C., all of which will be following the established daylight saving schedule. The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees these changes, as daylight saving time officially falls under federal authority. States that follow the system adjust twice a yearonce in March to move forward, and once in November to fall back. The difference may come off as minor, but it can impact daily schedules, sleep patterns, and even safety. Many people notice the difference immediately in how early it gets dark after the change. And though digital devices typically update automatically, analog clocks continue to require manual resets. Where Daylight Saving Time Does Not Apply Image via Pexels/Ray Bilcliff Most of the United States observes daylight saving time, but several areas remain on standard time all year. Hawaii has opted out due to its consistent sunrise and sunset times throughout the year. Arizona also stays on standard time, with the exception of the Navajo Nation, which follows the federal DST schedule. U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, also do not participate. These regions have opted out legally and remain on standard time without seasonal transitions. Their decisions are allowed under the Uniform Time Act, which gives states and territories the right to forgo daylight saving time. However, states that wish to make daylight saving permanent must wait for congressional approval. Several states have passed bills expressing the desire to stop changing clocks, but federal law still blocks any permanent adoption of DST without national action. An alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. The two living species are the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. meunierd/Shutterstock.com Louisiana is known for its giant gators, but the Marsh Island giant found in 1890 by Edward McIlhenny near the mouth of Vermilion Bay is the absolute champ of large alligators. The animals reported length has remained the stuff of legend for more than a century, both within the state and the rest of the country. But just how large was this gator, and have any other Louisiana legends come close in size to this behemoth? Today, well explore the history of the largest American alligator in Louisiana as well as how the state understands, manages, and safely coexists with these powerful reptiles today. Heres everything you need to know about the biggest gator ever found in Louisiana. Louisianas Biggest Gator: The Marsh Island Alligator of 1890 Louisianas biggest alligator was over 19 feet long. SomervilleArts/Shutterstock.com The largest gator ever found in Louisiana was discovered on Marsh Island, with the catch credited to Edward Ned McIlhenny. How big was it? The figure most often repeated is 19 feet 2 inches, an almost unbelievable length that remains unchallenged to this day. However, without a preserved specimen or substantial photographic evidence, the story remains more legend than fact. Its still the benchmark against which every monster gator story in the state is measured, even though more reliable statistics are now available. Measuring a Monster: Using a Shotgun Barrel as a Ruler A shotgun barrel was used to measure the largest gator ever found in Louisiana. TimVickers, Public Domain Original / License McIlhennys account reportedly described an animal so big and buried in marsh water that it had to be measured in place rather than removed and measured on land. Lacking a proper measuring tape, he had to use the 30-inch barrel of a shotgun to get a somewhat accurate figure. Lying it end-to-end, three full times along the body, McIlhenny recorded the gator at a whopping 19 feet 2 inches. This measuring method mightve solidified this number in history and pop culture, but modern biologists approach the claim with a mix of fascination and caution nowadays. Heres why. How Heavy Was It? Why No Official Record Exists Popular retellings of this catch place the Marsh Island gators weight close to a ton, but the animal was never put on a scale. In fact, Louisiana does not certify an official alligator record the way it does for some game species, and nineteenth-century measurements rarely meet todays scientific standards. Because this gator is not recognized with an audited state record, noting other large gators caught in this state is a must. Lets check them out now. Other Giant Louisiana Gators Worth Knowing Many alligators found in Louisiana have reached over 13 feet in length. Deborah Ferrin/Shutterstock.com There have been a number of large alligators found and captured in Louisiana. Here are some of the most noteworthy, other than the Marsh Island giant. 1916, Marsh Island: 18 feet 5 inches. A second Marsh Island monster recorded in period accounts, often cited as the next-largest historic specimen (though almost as unprovable). 1886, Avery Island: 17 feet 3 inches. Captured alive for scientific display, this outsized gator became a staple of early Louisiana alligator study and history. 2015, Toledo Bend of the Sabine River: 14 feet 1 inch. A widely reported modern catch that proves how the Sabine system produces true giants within the state. 2013, West Baton Rouge Parish: 13 feet 4 inches. A heavyweight that drew attention for its verified size and mass. What LDWF Says About Alligators in Louisiana Louisiana supports its gator population through ethical harvesting and ample wetland habitats. CrackerClips/iStock via Getty Images The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) believes that the states alligator population is a conservation success story, especially when it comes to the size of these gators. The agency notes that Louisiana and Florida each support more than a million wild alligators, a remarkable rebound from the species low population numbers in the mid-20th century. LDWF also credits its modern management practices, noting that well over a million wild alligators have been harvested under regulated programs since the early 1970s. While harvesting gators may not sound humane, data suggest otherwise; there is ample evidence that healthy wetlands and careful policy can support both thriving wildlife populations and sustainability. Big Gator Encounters: What LDWF Says You Should Do Warning signs are posted in some of Louisianas wetland areas to keep the public safe. Concepcion Gonzalez/Shutterstock.com LDWFs public guidance regarding alligator interactions is clear: always give alligators space and never feed them. The agency states that, in most cases, alligators less than 4 feet are not considered a nuisance or threat, but that doesnt mean you should approach. The state relies heavily on licensed nuisance-alligator hunters to remove gators that pose real risks to humans and animals. If you find yourself exploring any of Louisianas marshland or parks, keep dogs leashed near water, stay a fair distance away from gators, and report any gators causing trouble rather than attempting to handle the situation yourself. The post The Biggest Gator Ever Found in Louisiana appeared first on A-Z Animals. Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Midjourney Swattinga dangerous trend in which pranksters fabricate emergency reports to get SWAT teams or other law enforcement to descend on a victim's homehas had deadly consequences. In 2020, a Tennessee man swatted for refusing to sell his Twitter handle died of a heart attack when heavily armed officers arrived at his house. In 2017, a Kansas man answering police on his front porch was fatally shot after a false report of a hostage situation. Even celebrities aren't immune: twice this year, Gordon Ramsay's Los Angeles home was swatted, most recently by a caller claiming he had shot two menfortunately, Ramsay was out of the country at the time. Tragedies like these highlight a critical question: Should a simple call to emergency services be enough to justify sending heavily armed officers into someone's home, or should stricter safeguards be required? The U.S. Supreme Court will weigh in on that issue when it hears Case v. Montana on October 15. Case centers on a Montana Supreme Court ruling allowing police to enter a home without a warrant under a "community caretaking" exception to the Fourth Amendment. In 2021, officers had responded to a call from William Case's ex-girlfriend, who claimed he was suicidal and ready to "shoot it out" with police. But the officers knew Case from prior interactions, and their observations at his home suggested he was unlikely to be in immediate danger. Still, about 40 minutes after arriving, they forcibly entered his home, confronted him, and shot him. Evidence gathered during that entry was later used to convict Case of felony assault on a police officer. The Montana court considered whether evidence collected during the warrantless entry was admissible, ultimately ruling that it was. Case contends that, absent consent, government agents may enter the homewarrant or no warrant, regardless of purposeonly when they have particularized probable cause: facts known firsthand by the officer justifying the intrusion. This approach aligns with Supreme Court precedent. The Court recently rejected a "freestanding community-caretaking exception" and, in a 2006 decision, held that officers could enter a home without a warrant only "when they have an objectively reasonable basis for believing that an occupant is seriously injured or imminently threatened with such injury." Historically, the Court has consistently treated an individual's home with special protection. As it wrote in 1972, "physical entry of the home is the chief evil against which the wording of the Fourth Amendment is directed." The Court's special protection of the home is rooted in the common law. In his petitioner's brief, Case notes that under common law, a constable could enter a home without a warrant only if there is "an affray" (a dispute or fight)and even then, only when the "affray is made in a house in the view or hearing of a constable," and only "to suppress the affray." Additionally, the constable must consider the affray to be serious enough to "terrify or bring fear." Case's proposed rule also aligns with the Supreme Court's renewed emphasis on property rights as the foundation of Fourth Amendment protections. For decades, the Court focused on "reasonable expectations of privacy." More recently, however, it has recognized that such expectations are objectively legitimate when they arise from the exercise of property or contract rights. This framework clarifies why the home has always enjoyed heightened Fourth Amendment protection: a home is the place where an individual is most likely to have exercised rights to property or contract, creating a state of privacy to share with loved ones and guests. Some might think a benevolent reason for entrysuch as "community caretaking" as opposed to criminal investigationshould permit courts to apply a lower standard of cause. But government is force. As Ayn Rand warned, the state's monopoly on legal violence makes it potentially more dangerous than any criminal. The further the government strays from its proper role of protecting rights, the more its power should be constrained. "Caretaking" is not the same as rights protection, so the standard for intrusion should be even stricter. Perhaps this is why those in the Founding era recognized that, even when caretaking in the form of suppressing an affray could help preserve human life, officers still needed particularized probable cause to forcibly enter a home. Our homes are the product of a deliberate exercise of our property and contract rightsa secluded space where we expect to rest, immerse ourselves in our values, and share life with others in private. In keeping with its tradition of granting heightened Fourth Amendment protection to the home, the Supreme Court should rule in favor of Case and require particularized probable cause for warrantless entry, regardless of the purpose. The post Can Police Enter Your Home Without a Warrant? The Supreme Court Will Soon Decide. appeared first on Reason.com. Thailand welcomed over 35.5 million international tourists in 2024 (Getty Images) Thailand, a popular stop on southeast Asias tourist trail, is a favourite of young backpackers, honeymooners and solo travellers. With culture-stacked cities, a jungle interior and some of the continent's best beaches, Thailand welcomed over 35.5 million international tourists in 2024. Although holidays generally go smoothly, travellers should be aware of some strict regulations in Thailand and its islandsboth familiar and unfamiliar before planning their trip. Holidaymakers may risk fines, deportation or imprisonment if they do not follow the rules. From respecting the monarchy to the legal alcohol age, here are the local laws that tourists need to know about to stay out of trouble while visiting Thailand. Read more: Swap Phukets crowds for these Thailand islands Thailand laws and rules Drinking alcohol Unlike in the UK, the legal drinking age in Thailand is 20 years old. Even if some venues do not strictly enforce the rule, it is against the law to buy or consume alcohol if you are under 20. Criticising the Thai monarchy It is illegal to speak critically of the Thai monarchy, including past and present members of Thailands royal family. Sharing negative articles or comments in person or online can carry a long prison sentence. It is illegal to speak critically of the Thai monarchy (Getty Images) Carrying cannabis Although some low-strength cannabis is legal in Thailand, holidaymakers should not carry cannabis out of the country at risk of imprisonment or, in some cases, the death penalty. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warns: British nationals have been caught carrying cannabis out of Thailand. There have been arrests of British nationals caught transiting through airports in other countries. Many international airports have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, which may be used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. Illegal drug use Tourists should be aware that the possession of Class A drugs can lead to the death penalty in Thailand, with heavy fines for possessing even small amounts of illegal substances. Bringing cigarettes It is illegal to take more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand. Customs enforce this rule on arrival with fines up to 10 times the value of the cigarettes carried. Inappropriate social media pictures Travellers should be careful when posting images of people drinking alcohol or wearing inappropriate clothing on social media both can be considered illegal, with the photographer and subject risking fines or imprisonment. Travellers should be careful when posting images of people drinking alcohol (Getty Images) Wildlife souvenirs The capture, killing and selling of any protected wild animal is illegal in Thailand without a license. Public smoking and e-cigarettes According to the FCDO, tourists face fines of up to 5,000 Thai baht if they smoke in public in Thailand. E-cigarettes are also illegal, with fines or prison sentences issued for their use. Flying drones Flying a drone in Thailand is illegal if it is not registered with Thailands National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) within 30 days of entering Thailand or purchasing a drone. The fine for an unregistered drone with the NBTC is 100,000 baht or five years imprisonment or both, says the FCDO. Gambling with playing cards As part of Thailands gambling laws, it is illegal to carry over one hundred and twenty playing cards. Violation of the Act could lead to prosecution, a fine, or even imprisonment. Read more: Dubai laws you need to know before visiting Major land port in NW China's Xinjiang sees over 6,000 China-Europe freight train trips Xinhua) 09:52, October 14, 2025 URUMQI, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- As of Sunday, Alashankou Port, also known as Alataw Pass, a primary land port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, had handled more than 6,000 China-Europe freight train trips in 2025, according to the port. The port's customs have streamlined clearance procedures so that inbound cargo now moves through the port in less than 16 hours -- down from two to three days previously, and each return train can be reloaded within an average of just two hours. This year, Alashankou Port has seen over 21 China-Europe freight trains a day on average -- with a daily record of 30, the port noted. Currently, 127 China-Europe freight train routes pass through this port, reaching 26 Chinese provincial-level regions and 21 countries including Germany, Poland and Hungary. These trains carry over 200 categories of goods -- ranging from vehicles and vehicle parts to garments and electronics. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) by Vladimir Rozanskij At the Dushanbe summit, discussions developed on the route that would directly connect Russia to India and Iran. Moscow is unable to offer Central Asia the large investments that China and Europe can, but it is trying to catch up in terms of transport and logistics infrastructure. Astana (AsiaNews) - In response to the many negotiations and projects for the Middle Corridor from China to Europe through Central Asia, discussions developed at the Dushanbe summit on 9 October on the North-South Corridor from Russia to the Indian Ocean, the only alternative that would allow Moscow not to be excluded from East-West trade routes, after sanctions blocked the Northern Corridor from China via Russia, and it is still not easy to activate the Arctic Corridor above the Arctic Circle, despite some cargoes already managing to cross it. The President of Kazakhstan, Kasym-Zomart Tokaev, as announced by his administration, has proposed activating a joint investment programme and infrastructure plans to expand the eastern route of the corridor, forming a Council for the development of the Eurasian route. In his words, 'by 2030, the section between Kyzylorda and the Russian border will be extended to four lanes, and together with our Russian and Turkmen partners, we intend to develop the eastern part of the North-South transport corridor, where we are already seeing significant growth in freight traffic. We want to double the transit capacity of this artery by 2027," assuring that he believes in the development potential of the corridors through Afghanistan to South Asia. Uzbekistan's Shavkat Mirziyoyev, also on his official website, emphasised the vital importance of effectively utilising the transit and transport potential between our countries, primarily through the North-South corridor, stating that we are working to coordinate national programmes in the automotive, rail and air transport sectors, developing on this basis a comprehensive infrastructure partnership plan, in line with the logistical and transport capacities of our countries. The ultimate goal, in his view, must be the formation of an integrated and mutually active regional transport infrastructure capable of decisively addressing global challenges. The leaders of Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan also emphasised the importance of logistics corridors through Central Asia. Turkmenistan's Serdar Berdymukhamedov stated that Ashgabat sees great prospects in the formation of the North-South corridor through the Caspian Sea coast, which should be considered an integral part of the major Eurasian transport project. He offered Turkmenistan's full support for the joint assessment of the use of the port of Turkmenbashi. Sadyr Zhaparov commented on behalf of Kyrgyzstan that joint work is essential to implement projects to realise the transport potential of the region, connecting Russia, China, Iran and all other interested countries. For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that Russia is ready to work with you to connect new logistics and transport chains, seeing the restructuring of major routes through the territories of our countries as a crucial task. The North-South corridor connects Russia to India and Iran, and is particularly convenient for Moscow compared to other routes, especially the maritime route that must then cross the Suez Canal. During the military operations in Ukraine, cooperation between Russia and Iran has been greatly strengthened, with Iran supplying Moscow with essential weapons such as assault drones and the technology to assemble them for production directly in Russia. The first Central Asia-Russia summit was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, in the autumn of 2022, eight months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While in the early years of the war the Russian economy seemed to be growing rapidly, adding new Asian prospects to those still active in Europe, its slowdown is now evident, leading to stagnation. Moscow is unable to offer Central Asia the large investments of China and Europe, and is trying to recover at least part of the potential of this new vertical and horizontal corridor of world trade. Zhang Wenpeng, 32, has been in prison since September 2024, allegedly for offering advice to a person accused of corruption in Sanya. He was reportedly kept in chains for seven days and is not allowed to meet freely with his lawyer. In February 2023, he signed a petition calling for the abolition of the offence of picking quarrels and provoking trouble used against dissidents and for which he himself has now been charged. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Human rights defenders in China are concerned about the fate of Zhang Wenpeng, a young lawyer detained in Sanya, Hainan province. Charged with picking quarrels and provoking trouble - a charge used to suppress all forms of dissent - he was indicted on 14 July 2025 and, according to the Chinese Human Rights Defender (CHRD) network, there are fears that a heavy prison sentence could be handed down at any moment. Zhang was arrested on 24 September 2024 by the Sanya police on charges of picking quarrels and provoking trouble, presumably in retaliation for his advice in a case involving one of his clients accused of corruption by the authorities. He is currently being held in Sanya Detention Centre No. 2. Zhang is alleged to have been tortured: his lawyer reported that in December 2024, Zhang was shackled with heavy chains for seven days and seven nights. His complaints of abuse have been ignored or met with unsatisfactory responses. Although Zhang has been granted access to lawyers of his choice, in February 2025 the detention centre denied his lawyer the opportunity to review the case files with him. Their meetings were monitored. Zhang is a 32-year-old human rights lawyer from Shandong Province. He passed the bar exam in 2016 but was never able to obtain a licence to practise law because of his opposition to the government-controlled bar association. Because he does not have a licence, he has worked as an intern at law firms. Zhang was briefly detained in 2022 after accusing the director of the Qingdao Justice Bureau of corruption. In 2023, he co-signed a letter addressed to the National People's Congress calling for the repeal of the offence of picking quarrels and provoking trouble, for which he is now being prosecuted. The Chinese government, CHRD points out, is obliged to prevent and investigate allegations of torture under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which China ratified in 1988. United Nations human rights experts have also called for the repeal of the charge of provoking quarrels because of its vague wording and its recurrent use against those exercising their rights. Instead of continuing with the trial, the CHRD statement concludes, the Chinese authorities should immediately drop the charges against Zhang Wenpeng and promptly restore his bar licence. They should also investigate and prosecute the officers involved in his arbitrary detention and ill-treatment while in custody. by Dario Salvi The Chaldean Patriarch launches an appeal less than a month before the general election, inviting people to choose candidates suitable to serve the people without discrimination. The issue of the fight against corruption and the power struggle between groups. The choice of Christian candidates and the risk of infiltration. The unresolved issue of the political participation of Iraqi minorities after 2003. Milan (AsiaNews) - With just one month to go before the parliamentary elections, I feel compelled to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all Iraqis, and Christians in particular, to participate en masse by going to the polls and voting for candidates who are best suited to serve the people without discrimination. This is what the Chaldean primate of Baghdad, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, wrote in a message published on the patriarchate's website and sent to AsiaNews less than a month before a fundamental election that will shape the future of the nation. This is all the more important today, when the entire region seems to be undergoing tensions and changes, clashes between opposing interests and attempts at mediation, starting with the peace plan for Gaza signed yesterday under the aegis of the United States for a new Middle East. They must vote, the cardinal continues, for capable people, known for their integrity and honesty, who respect the pluralism and diversity of religions and ethnicities that characterise Iraq and who believe in sovereignty, progress and stability. Fragmentation and disillusionment The electoral landscape in Iraq, a nation that will go to the polls on 11 November for the sixth parliamentary elections since the fall of Saddam Hussein, is characterised by a mixture of political fragmentation, public disillusionment and shifting political alliances. As the Chaldean Patriarch pointed out, there is no shortage of problems of integrity and competence among the candidates themselves, in a country where corruption and malfeasance have too often prevailed in public life to the detriment of citizens, especially ethnic and religious minorities. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who is seeking a second term thanks to high popular support, faces opposition from rival Shia political leaders and a political system designed to prevent the consolidation of power. Almost a year after the local elections in the Kurdish-majority north, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan are approaching the new deadline without having formed a government, while Sunni political leaders remain divided. In this conflictual context, many Iraqis will choose not to participate, questioning the very importance of the elections and the decision-making power of the electorate in a country permeated by strong instability. Furthermore, the election campaign has reinforced the usual division between two main groups: those who fight for power or seek to retain it, and those who harbour vague and unrealistic hopes for change or who simply participate as decorative elements. This division is not only political, but also financial. On the one hand, there are poor candidates who run modest and sober campaigns, trying to attract voters through ideas and programmes; on the other, there are wealthy contenders who orchestrate lavish initiatives, relying on hype, media hype and visual spectacle. Most of the latter come from political forces that have ruled Iraq for the past two decades with unresolved legal and moral issues. Figures such as former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Badr militia leader Hadi al-Amiri and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq commander Qais al-Khazali have all demonstrated that they have considerable financial resources and influence within the state. In this way, the elections risk turning from a positive democratic process into a negative cycle that perpetuates corruption, bringing the same figures back to power. Christians and representation It is in this context of uncertainty and critical issues that Patriarch Sako has intervened, having already been at the forefront of the fight against corruption and the attempts of armed groups and militias to claim to represent the interests of Christians on several occasions in the past. The Chaldean Church, the cardinal emphasises, "refuses to allow Christians to be represented by individuals whose corruption has been denounced and acclaimed, or by armed groups that control their resources and dominate their cities in the Nineveh Plains. We will not accept that the Christian component becomes fuel for these foreign actors," with reference, among others, to Shiite militias and movements - many of them linked to Tehran - that exploit the Christian component for mere power. An example of this is the bitter clash that has been going on for years between the patriarch himself and the self-proclaimed Christian leader Rayan the Chaldean, leader of the notorious pro-Iranian Babylon Brigades. We had officially asked some relevant government bodies, such as the Electoral Commission, to limit voting to the Christian community, the cardinal's statement continues, as a legal solution that would guarantee its representation. The Chaldean, Assyrian and Syriac parties did the same, he warns, but no one listened to us. Unfortunately, for over 15 years, the Iraqi government has failed to protect the rights of minorities, to adopt binding measures to ensure fairness and to preserve their representation and role. Christians will not give up despite their wounds and will work with determination to realise this constitutional right that guarantees their future and consolidates their survival. The Chaldean Church, concludes Cardinal Sako, will not sell itself short, will not surrender to injustice, and its loyalty to Iraq and its love for the Iraqi people will remain intact. Pretextual exclusions The issue of representation and freedom of participation is certainly not a secondary element in the life of minorities and their participation in the political and institutional arena of the country. Proof of this is the recent move, described as unprecedented by analysts and experts, by the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to exclude Chaldean and Assyrian candidates on spurious grounds. One example above all is the rejection of Issam Behnam Matti, the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian candidate representing the Christian quota in the province of Nineveh. Matti Yakub, mayor of the Hamdaniya district until the beginning of this year when he was replaced by a candidate affiliated with Rayan the Chaldean, was excluded for alleged violation of Article 7 (fifth) of the amended Electoral Law No. 12 of 2018 of the Iraqi Council of Representatives. Despite a formal appeal against this and other high-profile exclusions based on the same provision, the Commission upheld its decisions. This decision has fuelled concerns about the transparency of the law's application, particularly with regard to subjective behavioural standards or procedural violations. Scholars and observers explain that such rulings risk undermining the chances of minorities obtaining genuine parliamentary representation in a 329-seat Assembly, of which only nine seats are reserved for minorities (five for Christians). The controversy goes beyond legal technicalities and raises deeper questions about the political participation of Iraqi minorities since 2003 and the ability of the electoral system to safeguard demographic and political diversity. For the upcoming elections, the Commission has approved the following Christian representatives, some of whom are of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian origin: Baidaa Khidhir Bahnam Yakub, Dureid Jameel Ishoh Simaan, Farouq Hanna Atto Shamoun, Hiba Jirjis Abdul-Ahad al-Qass and Aswan Salim Sadiq Sawa al-Kaldani. GATEWAY TO THE EAST IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE MIDDLE EAST. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY TUESDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. Today the pontiff visited the Quirinal Palace in Rome, the former papal palace, now the residence of the President of the Italian Republic. It was a symbolic visit centred on the relationship between the Church and politics. The pontiff called for life to be protected at every stage, from conception to old age. He urged the faithful not to let themselves be captivated by uniform and fluid cultural models. Rome (AsiaNews) Pope Leo XIV today made his first official visit to the Quirinal Palace, the residence of the President of the Italian Republic. "Multilateralism is a crucial value, he said in his address. The complex challenges of our time make it more necessary than ever to seek and adopt shared solutions. Therefore, it is essential to implement its dynamics and processes, remembering its original objectives, aimed primarily at resolving conflicts and promoting development." Papal visits to this historic palace, which was the papal residence in Rome under the Papal States, are traditionally a major event in the relationship between the Holy See and the Italian state, and more generally between the Catholic Church and politics. The tradition began in Italy in 1929 after relations between two sides broke down in 1870, when the Kingdom of Italy, founded a few years earlier, seized Rome, forcing the pope to take refuge in what would later become the small Vatican City State. Italian President Sergio Mattarella welcomed Leo XIV, greeting the pontiff with words about the crisis of a "world built on multilateralism" and of "a system that provided for dialogue to resolve disputes", while today the "logic of the strongest and the temptation to resort to arms" dominate. Citing Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the need to transform the "spark of hope" in the Holy Land into "true and lasting peace," Mattarella emphasised the importance of disarming minds and words," as Leo suggested in the very first words of his pontificate. For his part, the pope stressed peace as the "first commitment," echoing the words of his predecessors, starting with Benedict XV's warning, more than a century ago, that war was a "useless slaughter. I express my appreciation, he added, for the Italian government's commitment to addressing the many situations of hardship linked to war and poverty, particularly regarding the children of Gaza, also working with the Bambino Gesu Hospital. These are strong and effective contributions to building a dignified, peaceful, and prosperous coexistence for all members of the human family. Citing the upcoming eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, which will be celebrated in 2026, Leo XIV underscored the urgency of caring for our 'common home. He also focused on the problem of the declining birth rate, a growing issue not only in Europe. I would like to emphasise," he said, "the importance of ensuring all families the indispensable support of dignified work, under fair conditions and with attention to the needs of motherhood and fatherhood. Let us do everything we can to give confidence to families, especially young families, so that they can look to the future with serenity and grow in harmony. This issue, he noted, is also linked to the respect and protection of life, in all its stages, from conception to old age, up to the moment of death. I hope, he added, that this awareness continues to grow, also regarding the accessibility of medical care and medicines, according to each individual's needs. On the topic of welcoming migrants, Leo XIV praised Italy's generosity, but also the complexity of the challenges posed by this problem. I encourage you to always maintain a lively attitude of openness and solidarity. At the same time, I would like to emphasise the importance of constructively integrating new arrivals into the values and traditions of Italian society, so that the mutual giving that takes place in this meeting of peoples is truly for the enrichment and good of all. "In this regard, let me stress how precious it is for each of us to love and share our own history and culture, with its signs and expressions. The more we recognise and serenely love what we are, the easier it is to encounter and integrate others without fear and with an open heart. In light of this, Let us not despise what our ancestors experienced and what they passed on to us, even at the cost of great sacrifices," he explained. Let us not allow ourselves to be captivated by mass-produced and fluid models that promote but a semblance of freedom, only to make people dependent on forms of control, passing fads, commercial strategies, or more. Cherishing the memory of those who came before us, treasuring the traditions that have made us what we are, is important for looking to the present and the future with awareness, serenity, responsibility, and a sense of perspective. Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa's visit to New Delhi marks a new impetus in the strategic partnership between India and Mongolia. Indian Prime Minister Modi announced a training programme for Mongolian border forces, free e-visas, and deeper cultural exchanges based on Buddhism. The two countries are united by a shared desire to reduce trade and energy dependence on China and Russia. New Delhi (AsiaNews) During Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa's visit to India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of commitments in the areas of defence, energy, culture, and border security, becoming a player in a geopolitical context dominated by Russia and China, Mongolia's main partners. Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa flew to India on a visit marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the tenth anniversary of their strategic partnership. This is also the first visit by a Mongolian president to India in six years. During the joint press conference, Modi announced a new training and development programme for Mongolia's border security forces, part of India's broader commitment to supporting the country's defence capacity. New Delhi will also name a defence attache to its embassy in Ulaanbaatar, renewing the existing strategic relationship. The annual joint military exercise, "Nomadic Elephant, was held in June. Our approach to global issues is based on our shared values. We stand as close partners in international forums, supporting a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Together, we also work to amplify the voice of the Global South," the Indian prime minister said. Modi also announced the introduction of free electronic visas (e-visas) for Mongolian nationals and the funding of an annual exchange programme for young cultural ambassadors. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and the Mongolian province of Arkhangai signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote joint projects in education and tourism. Even though his political base is rooted in Hindutva (Hindu supremacism), Prime Minister Modi praised the relations between the two countries, both founded on Buddhism, stressing that the strategic partnership between India and Mongolia also entails a deep, soulful, and spiritual bond. Both our countries share the age-old bond of Buddhism, which is why we are also called spiritual siblings. Today, we made several important decisions to further strengthen this tradition and our historic ties, Modi said. The Indian leader also announced the transfer of the relics of Buddha's disciples and new academic ties between Nalanda University and Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar. More than 400 Mongolian monks study at various Indian monasteries. The two countries also unveiled a joint stamp depicting the Indian ramlila (a theatrical performance narrating the epic of the Hindu god Rama) and the biyelgee, a Mongolian folk dance. Regarding economic relations and infrastructural projects, the two leaders reiterated the central place of an oil refinery project in Mongolia, funded by New Delhi with a US$ 1.7 billion credit line. Expected to be completed between 2026 and 2027, the facility should reduce Mongolias energy dependence on Russia and ensure greater energy security, covering up to 60 per cent of the countrys needs. According to official sources, India is also ready to expand its support for renewable energy, mineral resources, digitalisation, and sustainable farming, with deals currently being finalised for the export to Indian industries of metallurgical coal and rare earths from Mongolias rich Tavan Tolgoi Basin. For the Indian leader, the two countries share common values of democracy, peace, and development, and will continue to work together for stability in Asia and the world. President Khurelsukh thanked Modi for the friendship shown to his country in every domain, from energy assistance to education, and for opening India's doors to Mongolian nationals with the new free e-visas. New Delhi and Ulaanbaatar have a shared interest in diversifying their alliances (a doctrine known as the "Third Neighbour Policy" in Mongolia and "Act East" in India) to build a multipolar balance of power in Eurasia, reducing dependence on Russia and China. In fact, Mongolias trade with China amounts to US$ 19 billion a year, while with India it stands at US$ 110 million. At the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October, Malaysia wants to secure a lasting ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. But the border dispute is also fuelled by the issue of online scam centres. Bangkok blames Phnom Penh for tolerating illegal activities and demands scam centres be dismantled as a condition for peace. Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Anutin is stoking nationalism for domestic consumption ahead of upcoming elections. Bangkok (AsiaNews) After the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, which should bring peace to the Middle East, according to President Donald Trump, the US leader now wants to attend another summit aimed at settling a conflict. On 26 October, Trump could fly to Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, to attend the signing of another ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, this according to Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. During the summit, we hope to see the signing of a declaration known as the Kuala Lumpur Accord between these two neighbours to ensure peace and a lasting ceasefire, Hasan said today. On 28 July, after five days of fighting, Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The White House has not yet officially confirmed the visit, but some sources indicate that the trip is being planned. The problem, however, is that neither Thailand nor Cambodia appears ready to ease tensions. Fuelled by nationalism, the conflict revolves around online scam centres operating primarily in Cambodia (and Myanmar), with victims recruited from across Asia. During the fighting, which broke out along the border, at least 48 people died and another 260,000 were displaced. As a result, several border crossings are still closed. Despite the cessation of open hostilities, Thailand is still holding 18 Cambodian prisoners of war, captured on 29 July, maintaining that their imprisonment is legitimate under international law. The detention must continue until the ceasefire or cessation of hostilities is concrete and fully effective, to ensure that the detainees will not return to combat against Thailand. This follows established international norms, said last August Royal Thai Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suwaree. According to Malaysian Minister Mohamad, at the ASEAN summit, Malaysia and the United States intend to promote an agreement to remove all mines and heavy artillery along the border. However, the hostilities revolve largely around online scam centres protected by the Cambodian government led by Prime Minister Hun Manet. Yesterday, Thai security forces recovered 11 youths who had been deceived and held in the border province of Sa Kaeo by criminal gangs involved in human trafficking, who were reported missing by their parents. These groups are often Chinese-led last month, 16 members of one gang were sentenced to death in China. Online scam centres[*] hold hundreds of people in slave-like conditions after luring them with phoney advertisements, forcing them to work in self-enclosed compounds surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards. After the victims passports are taken, the "web slaves" are forced to defraud others, often using fake social media profiles. According to United Nations, this type of business was worth an estimated US$ 37 billion in 2023 in Southeast Asia alone. Despite a harsh crackdown by China and Thailand in recent years, during which thousands of people have been rescued from various centres in Southeast Asia (in February alone, 7,000 people were freed), online scam centres continue to thrive in Cambodia where they constitute a large chunk of the countrys economy, and in Myanmar, where illegal trafficking continues to operate thanks to Starlink, the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk. In Myawaddy, on the Myanmar side of the border with Thailand, new compounds are under construction, with the potential of employing up to 100,000 people. Satellite images, verified by Agence France Presse, show that 80 Starlink dishes have been mounted on a single roof of one of the buildings in the largest centre. SpaceX, the company that owns the satellites, received a warning from US prosecutors last year that the satellites were being used for fraudulent operations, but never responded to requests for comment. Some analysts also claim that during the five-day war, Thailand attempted to destroy, targeting, the compounds located near the border. In any case, the closure of scam centres in Cambodia is a precondition that Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who was appointed after the dismissal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has set for the signing of a permanent peace agreement. We are about to inform Donald Trump to send a letter to me expressing his desire to see both Thailand and Cambodia engage in negotiations to resolve the dispute, Anutin said last week regarding a potential intervention by Trump in reducing tensions. In response, I will inform him that if Cambodia adheres to these four key conditions, Thailand is ready to follow the appropriate procedures. We stand firm on these four points because they are a threat to the country's security, he added. In addition to dismantling online scam centres, the four points Anutin cited include the removal of mines and heavy weapons from the border, and the withdrawal of Cambodian nationals from the Ban Nong Chan area. Although their presence constitutes an illegal occupation, according to Bangkok, several Cambodian families have lived in the area for decades after they were displaced in 1979 by Vietnams invasion of Cambodia, which was then ruled by the Khmer Rouge regime. At the time, Cambodia encouraged their integration, transformed the border into a commercial hub that was worth US$ 5 billion last year. According to several experts, Anutin is using the issue for domestic consumption. Close to conservative forces, the prime minister reiterated his desire to hold a national referendum to repeal Memoranda of Understanding 43 and 44, which regulate the border demarcation with Cambodia. Although this is a technical issue that should be assessed by lawmakers, Anutin, who also serves as Interior Minister, is positioning himself as a defender of the national interest in an attempt to boost his chances ahead of upcoming elections and thus consolidate his power. By contrast, the opposition, represented by the progressive People's Party, has not made much of an impact on the issue. Despite winning the last election (but prevented from forming a govern), it could find itself at a disadvantage at the polls this time. [*] Also known as fraud parks, scam factories, scam compounds, scam hubs, scam parks, fraud centres, fraud compounds, or fraud hubs. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. 14 October 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Azerbaijan is taking its first concrete steps toward the implementation of Islamic finance, marking a potentially transformative moment for the country's financial landscape. At the heart of this initiative is the introduction of Islamic bonds, or sukuk, through a project spearheaded by the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) and funded by an Islamic finance grant. 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! 14 October 2025 19:35 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has yet again demonstrated a conservative but ambitious approach to sovereign wealth management, mixing income-generating investments with a selective preference for high-growth technology equities. The fund announced an investment in London's Gatwick Airport for 50 million as part of a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners, a move that underscores the dual SOFAZ agenda of yield and diversification. (50 million $63.5 million). Why the Gatwick deal matters beyond headline optics? 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! 14 October 2025 10:42 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more A trilateral meeting between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia was held in Baku on October 13, 2025, bringing together Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk, and Irans Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash, Azernews reports. The sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in the fields of transport, energy, and customs. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint Communique outlining key directions for strengthening regional connectivity and advancing shared infrastructure projects. The communique reaffirmed satisfaction with ongoing trilateral cooperation and highlighted the guiding role of the 2016 Declaration and the 2017 Joint Statement of the presidents of the three countries in promoting mutually beneficial economic, trade, and transport ties. The sides emphasized the importance of enhancing the regions transit potential, accelerating infrastructure projects, and coordinating efforts to expand the North-South international transport corridor. The participants underscored the goal of increasing freight volumes along the corridor to 15 million tons and agreed to establish a Working Group to prepare an Action Plan for implementation within three months. Additionally, a special Working Group on automobile transportation, including representatives of customs, border, and transport agencies, will be formed. The signing of the charter of the trilateral working group on customs cooperation was also welcomed, aimed at facilitating transit transportation between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia. The sides stressed the importance of completing major infrastructure components of the corridor, such as the Rasht-Astara railway line, the Agband-Kalala highway bridge over the Araz River, and new border checkpoints. Efforts to simplify border crossing procedures and digitalize customs and transport operations were also discussed. Furthermore, the parties agreed to continue technical consultations on the project to interconnect their electricity networks and to conduct a joint on-site inspection of key infrastructure projects of the North-South corridor on October 14, 2025. The Communique was formally adopted in Baku on October 13, 2025. 14 October 2025 12:01 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Construction of the Shafag (Jabrayil) solar power project, developed jointly by bp, SOCAR Green, and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, is advancing according to schedule in Azerbaijans Jabrayil district, Azernews reports. According to the project investors, following the final investment decision made in June 2025, two major contracts have been awarded to support the projects timely implementation. The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, valued at approximately $117 million, was awarded to Intec and Complant. The contract covers the complete range of engineering, procurement, and construction services, as well as operation and maintenance for the first two years of the plants operation. Construction activities have already commenced, with site mobilization completed and earthworks and internal road construction underway. The module supply contract, valued at over $29 million, was awarded to Trina Solar (Schweiz) AG for the provision of solar panels. The first shipment of panels was successfully delivered to the project site in August 2025. Colin Allan, director of Shafag (Jabrayil) Solar Limited (SJSL), noted that the project is making solid progress: We are pleased to see strong progress on the Shafag solar project, which we are delivering together with SOCAR Green and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, the co-venturers in the project, and in collaboration with many other stakeholders. We are also excited to share that during earthworks, a historic archaeological site was discovered in the northern part of the project area. This open settlement, potentially dating back to the Bronze to Early Iron Ages, includes surface materials such as grinding stone fragments, clay pottery shards, and structural patterns of arranged river stones. We are working closely with experts from Azerbaijans Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology to assess the historical value and significance of these findings. Construction of the Shafag solar project is expected to continue through mid-2027, with a focus on maximizing local content and workforce participation. At its peak, the project is anticipated to generate up to 400 jobs, contributing both to Azerbaijans green energy transition and the socioeconomic development of the liberated Jabrayil district. 14 October 2025 15:38 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan invests approximately 4.9 billion manats (nearly $5 billion) each year in its education sector, according to Deputy Minister of Science and Education, Idris Isayev. Azernews reports that Isayev made the statement during the opening ceremony of the 7th Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Dialogue, held under the theme Investing in Education for Azerbaijans Sustainable Development. He noted that in recent years, Azerbaijan has implemented a number of national programs, strategies, and policy frameworks aimed at strengthening its education system. The main goals of these initiatives include: Improving the quality of education; Ensuring accessibility; Creating an education environment aligned with international standards; Carrying out education reforms in a consistent and structured manner. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the state remains the primary investor in the countrys education sector: Globally, around 85% of education funding typically comes from the government, with the remaining 15% provided by the private sector. However, this distribution varies across countries and education levels. In Azerbaijan, approximately 95% of education investment is state-funded, while only 5% comes from private sources, he explained. Each year, nearly 5 billion manats are allocated to education from the state budget, which accounts for about 3.8% of the country's GDP. 14 October 2025 17:31 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On October 14, delegations led by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk, and Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mehrdad Bazrpash (Farzana Sadiq per translation) jointly inspected key infrastructure facilities of the North-South International Transport Corridor in the city of Astara, Azernews reports. According to the Cabinet of Ministers, the delegations visited the automobile bridge over the Astarachay River on the Azerbaijan-Iran border, which was inaugurated in December 2023. The bridges throughput capacity reaches 1,000 freight vehicles per day 500 entries and 500 exits significantly easing cargo flow between the two countries. The officials then reviewed the ongoing construction of the Southern Freight Terminal in the Iranian city of Astara, owned by Azerbaijan Railways. The terminals current annual cargo handling capacity of 1 million tons is planned to increase to 5 million tons once expansion works are completed by the end of 2025. The visit also included an inspection of the Rasht-Astara railway construction site in Iran a strategically vital segment expected to enhance connectivity along the North-South corridor, strengthening regional trade and logistics cooperation among Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran. 14 October 2025 16:00 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Meetings with scholars, intellectuals, and public figures have become a tradition at the Azerbaijan Presidential Library, Azernews reports. Professor Tahir Jafarov, a Doctor of Technical Sciences and a Professor at the International Academy of Ecoenergetics, visited the Presidential Library, familiarized himself with its activities, and donated his books to the Librarys collection. After graduating from the Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute with a degree in electrical engineering, Tahir Jafarov worked in various positions, including as a master at the Mingachevir Construction Trust's Electrical Installation Department, a cascade engineer at Mingachevir Hydro Power Plant, head of the State Energy Supervision Department's Mingachevir branch, director of the Mingachevir Electricity Network, head of the Energy Department at the Ministry of Industry and Energy, chief energy specialist at "Azalternativenerji" LLC, a subsidiary of the State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources, and as a technical director in the development of new legislation in cooperation with European Union experts on energy policy reform aligned with the EU directives. Currently, he serves as a consultant for the application of modern technologies at the Azrisq ASC Training Center. Professor Jafarov is the author of several books, including "The Role of Hydroelectric Pumped Storage Power Plants in the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources into the Energy System" (Baku, 2013), "Electric Power Engineering On the Threshold of Existence and Nonexistence" (Baku, 2015), "Smart Market. Power Engineering Reforms and Intellectual Market" (Baku, 2017), and "The Darkness of Electric Light" (Baku, 2025), as well as nearly 50 articles and projects related to enhancing the efficiency of energy systems, the safety of hydroelectric power plants, the application of modern technologies in energy, the use of renewable energy, and other related topics. In addition to his printed books, the distinguished scientist also donated electronic versions of his books to the library. Professor Afet Abbasova, Director of the Presidential Library, expressed gratitude to Professor Tahir Jafarov for enriching the Librarys collection with his books and wished him continued success in his scientific work. 14 October 2025 18:47 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more From October 13 to 15, Turkmenistan Culture Days are being held in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. Organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the cultural event features a rich program. The opening of the exhibition titled "Arkhadag: The Pillar of Turkmen National Heritage" took place at the Heydar Aliyev Center. The event was attended by Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli, Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan Nursahat Shirimov, members of parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps, cultural and scientific figures from both countries, and other guests. In their speeches, Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov, Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan Nursahat Shirimov, and President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Academician Isa Habibbayli, discussed the development of Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan relations. It was emphasized that the Turkmenistan Culture Days would make a significant contribution to the development of cultural ties between the two countries. Following the speeches, the attendees had the opportunity to explore the exhibition. It was noted that the exhibit presents Turkmen national costumes for both men and women, as well as samples of weaving and decorative-applied arts such as carpets and palaz (traditional rugs). The exhibition also features photographs depicting historical figures of the brotherly nation, as well as ancient cultural landmarks and images reflecting modern developments. 14 October 2025 19:45 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has hosted a large delegation of cultural leaders and artists, headed by Nursahat Shirimov, Turkmenistan Deputy Culture Minister, Azernews reports. The delegation arrived in the country in connection with Turkmenistan Culture Days, organized by Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. Welcoming the guests, Minister Adil Karimli conveyed his congratulations on the occasion of Turkmenistan Culture Days in Azerbaijan. During the meeting, an exchange of views took place regarding the development of cultural cooperation between the two countries. Cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have been characterized by regular exchanges and the organization of cultural events. One of the key expressions of this collaboration has been the celebration of Turkmenistan Culture Days in Azerbaijan, which provides a platform to showcase Turkmen cultural heritage through exhibitions, music, dance, and art. This event has been held several times, with one of the most notable exhibitions being "Arkhadag: The Pillar of Turkmen National Heritage"* at the Heydar Aliyev Center. High-level meetings between officials of both countries have consistently highlighted the importance of strengthening cultural cooperation. 14 October 2025 17:52 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan share deep-rooted cultural ties, grounded in their common history, language, and traditions. Both countries have consistently worked to reinforce these relationships, promoting mutual respect and understanding through a range of cultural initiatives. Turkmenistan Culture Days stand as a shining example of the robust cultural partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, highlighting their shared heritage and dedication to enhancing mutual understanding through joint cultural efforts. This event highlights the ongoing partnership between the two nations and their dedication to strengthening cultural ties. The official opening ceremony of Turkmenistan Culture Days took place at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov expressed his pleasure at hosting Turkmenistan Culture Days in Azerbaijan. He noted that the peoples of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are united by shared history, cultural roots, and unwavering friendship. Murad Huseynov emphasized that the high level of relations between the two countries creates favorable conditions for the peoples to better understand one another, for the expansion of cultural exchanges, and for the realization of joint projects in the future. In his address, Nursahat Shirimov, Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan, stressed the significance of developing cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. He stated that the holding of Turkmenistan Culture Days in Azerbaijan contributes to strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples. Nursahat Shirimov also expressed hope that cultural cooperation would continue to grow in the future. Academician Isa Habibbayli, President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, remarked that the common history and cultural roots of the two peoples have led to the development of their cultures over millennia, and these cultures continue to be closely interconnected today. "Our unity and brotherhood are always evident. Our cultures and literatures have developed as a reflection of our shared values. This is the most vivid manifestation of the centuries-old unity between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in the modern era," the Academician emphasized. Following the speeches, the guests were introduced to a photo exhibition showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people. In addition, samples of Turkmenistan's music, national costumes, decorative-applied arts, and museum exhibits were on display. A concert program was then presented, featuring Turkmen dances and musical performances. Turkmenistan Culture Days, which will continue until October 15, include events in both Baku and Ganja. 14 October 2025 11:41 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more A written statement by Stephen Doughty the UK Secretary of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, on the lifting of the arms embargo on Azerbaijan and Armenia, has been published on the website of the British Parliament, Azernews reports via local media. The statement reads: I would like to inform you about the significant developments in the South Caucasus and the UKs response to the progress in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On August 8, US President Donald Trump held a trilateral summit in Washington with the participation of Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan. As a result, a peace agreement was initialed and a declaration was signed. The documents include a call for the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group and a commitment to ensure communication between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, while respecting Armenias sovereignty. The UK welcomes the progress achieved. This is an important step towards peace and stability. In this regard, we are upgrading our relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan to a strategic partnership in the areas of trade, security and defence. From August 24 to 26, I visited both countries to reaffirm our support and discuss practical steps forward. We supported the dissolution of the Minsk Group. Given the progress achieved, we believe that the OSCE 1992 embargo is no longer relevant. The UK is lifting its arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan in full. This will help to develop security cooperation and help the countries protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity, including in responding to hybrid threats. Export licenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, according to strict criteria. We will monitor the situation in the region. We hope that this will pave the way for peace, security and prosperity in the South Caucasus. The UK stands ready to work with both countries, the US, the EU and other partners to support these changes and regional stability. The UKs decision marks a significant diplomatic shift, reflecting Londons recognition of the progress made in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and its readiness to strengthen regional cooperation in the fields of security and defence. 14 October 2025 15:27 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Armenia has firmly rejected Azerbaijans demand to amend its constitution as a precondition for signing a peace agreement, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during a joint press conference with Finnish Foreign Minister and OSCE Chair Elina Valtonen, Azernews reports, local media outlets. Mirzoyan emphasized that constitutional amendments remain a purely domestic matter: Amending or adopting a new constitution is exclusively an internal issue for Armenia and our people. Armenia has never undertakenand has no intention of undertakingany obligation to a third party to change its constitution. He added that ongoing discussions on possible constitutional reforms are taking place solely within the framework of internal public dialogue, rejecting Azerbaijans call for changes as a condition for peace. We do not accept this condition, Mirzoyan stated. Political observers note that although Yerevan has taken a hardline stance, Armenias past record of firm declarations has often preceded gradual concessions under diplomatic pressure. Meanwhile, Armenias ruling Civil Contract Party announced plans on September 20 to initiate the adoption of a new constitution following the 2026 parliamentary elections. The proposed reforms, rooted in the partys Real Armenia ideology, are expected to reinforce peace efforts with Azerbaijan, promote EU accession, and maintain a balanced foreign policy while fostering good-neighbourly relations across the region. 14 October 2025 12:21 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Favorable conditions are being created for employment and entrepreneurial activity in Azerbaijans liberated territories, with plans to open tens of thousands of new jobs, Azernews reports. This was stated by Mammad Musayev, President of the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation, at the 30th Anniversary Caspian Construction Week. He noted that the Great Return program to Azerbaijans liberated territories is already being implemented in practice: "Over the past two years alone, hundreds of infrastructure projects, including airports, highways, railways, and energy centers, have been commissioned in the Garabagh and East Zangazur economic regions. Favorable conditions are being established for employment and entrepreneurship, with tens of thousands of new jobs planned. Declaring Garabagh a green zone and implementing projects on alternative and renewable energy further strengthens confidence that Azerbaijan will become a green energy exporter." Musayev emphasized that the BakuBuild and Rebuild Garabagh exhibitions are not only business platforms but also symbols of joint solidarity, cooperation, and confidence in the future for the reconstruction of Garabagh. "As the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation, we are ready to support all efforts for the restoration of Garabagh, the development of entrepreneurship, and the strengthening of our countrys economic power," he added. 14 October 2025 15:44 (UTC+04:00) by Mazahir Afandiyev This yearthe Year of the Constitution and Sovereigntywill remain in Azerbaijani history and in the memory of the Azerbaijani people as a time marked by magnificent diplomatic victories, historic moments, and unprecedented events. For more than 30 years, the peace and security we longed for in the South Caucasus and our efforts to restore our countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty culminated after the Second Garabagh Patriotic War that began in 2020. On October 15, 2023, the raising of the beloved tricolor Azerbaijani Flag in Khankendi, the shining of the State Emblem within our constitutional borders like the sun, and finally, the agreement reached on August 8, 2025, in Washington on a peace accord with Armenia, crowned these efforts. This is a clear indication that every Azerbaijani is a citizen of a powerful state in our modern history. As the Supreme Commander and Great Leader Ilham Aliyev has said, the successes we have achieved are owed to the wise policies of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and to the Azerbaijani sons, our powerful Army soldiers, and our heroic warriors. Two years ago, on October 15, after President Ilham Aliyev raised the Azerbaijani Flag in the central square of Shusha, his address to our dear peopleI am glad that all the promises I made and the tasks I set before myself in the last 20 years have been fulfilledonce again showed how wise the decisions of Azerbaijani citizens were 22 years ago. That address also conveyed not only to our people but to the entire world that every city, district, and village of our beloved Garabagh, which is turning more and more into paradise day by day, will flourish even more, and that Azerbaijans sovereignty will be fully ensured. During his visit to Garabagh, President Ilham Aliyev raised our State Flag in the territories of the Sarsang water reservoir, Agdere, Khojaly, Khojavend, and Shusha, paving the way for the improvement of the governance of these lands in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, laws, the orders of the Supreme Commander, and all rights and norms as an integral part of Azerbaijans territory. This also contributed to the signing of a fair, long-term peace treaty based on international law and principles in the South Caucasus. This truly became one of the happiest and proudest moments in the lives of the Azerbaijani people and all Azerbaijanis. Another proud moment for us was that these events occurred on October 15. On this very day in 2003, Ilham Aliyev was elected president, and by honorably continuing the political legacy of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, he successfully led our state towards strategic goals on the solid foundation created by him. As a result, Azerbaijan became a leading state in the region, a country with weight and influence in the world, and an independent player whose policy ensured the restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty. On our challenging path, President Ilham Aliyev became the symbol of our independence, the voice of Azerbaijan in the world, and the guarantor of the rights and security of all Azerbaijanis worldwide. By creating new realities for our modern country based on past traditions, the head of state gained the high trust and boundless love of the people, and with his qualities of humanism and leadership, he earned an eternal place in the hearts of Azerbaijani citizens. Thus, the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev built an independent Azerbaijan, and Ilham Aliyev transformed it into a strong state, restoring Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty. We are confident that our proud and strong people will continue to achieve new heights to make our victories and independence everlasting, and will persistently carry forward the farsighted policy of our invincible Azerbaijani Commander and the glorious writing of our history, fighting for a greater Azerbaijan with determination. The author is a member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan 14 October 2025 16:49 (UTC+04:00) The Embassy of Venezuela in Azerbaijan has hosted a conference titled Venezuela, Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace in Baku. According to Azernews, the event brought together representatives of public organisations, journalists, and civil society members to discuss Venezuelas foreign policy, regional cooperation, and efforts to promote peace and stability across Latin America and the Caribbean. In his remarks, Venezuelas Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Christopher Martinez, highlighted his countrys historical experience and contemporary realities. He emphasised Venezuelas commitment to strengthening peace and cooperation across the region, despite enduring economic and political pressure. The ambassador drew attention to the challenges Venezuela has faced as a result of sanctions imposed by certain states, stressing that his government remains determined to defend the nations sovereignty and independence. Despite external challenges, Venezuela continues to develop international partnerships with many countries around the world, Martinez said. It has not been easy, but our nation has successfully resisted foreign threats. The diplomat underlined that Venezuelas foreign policy remains focused on promoting peace and good-neighbourly diplomacy. We are not seeking hostility with other nations. Venezuela is a peace-loving state, he stated. However, when it comes to our sovereignty, we are ready to respond decisively. Some states are attempting to seize our natural wealth, as our country is rich in resources such as oil, gas, gold, and other valuable minerals. Moreover, verified UN and US data show that the false narrative against Venezuela is part of a new phase of the failed regime change policy, which has now escalated into a military threat. Venezuela demands an immediate end to these aggressions and reaffirms its unwavering will to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace, fully exercising its rights under the UN Charter. The statement also underscored that the defence of the Constitution has guided the preservation of peace and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people. Venezuela, it said, has inspired other nations, defended democracy in the region, and promoted Latin American unity through initiatives such as ALBA-TCP. The vitality and strength of Venezuelan democracy remain a key factor in defending freedom and regional stability. The conference underscored Venezuelas message of peaceful coexistence and regional solidarity amid ongoing global geopolitical tensions. 14 October 2025 19:01 (UTC+04:00) A post about the working visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Egypt has been shared on his social media accounts, 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! 14 October 2025 20:45 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva By 2028, South Korean authorities plan to construct the countrys first civilian bunker capable of withstanding a nuclear strike, located beneath a residential apartment complex in Seoul. The project was reported by The Korea Herald, Azernews reports. The shelter will be built in the Garak-dong district, with support from local government and the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation. It will be situated on the third basement level of the residential building, covering over 2,100 square meters and able to accommodate up to 1,020 people. Designed to sustain life underground for up to two weeks, the bunker will be equipped with advanced air filtration, emergency power, and water purification systems, offering protection in the event of a nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) attack. Uniquely, in peacetime, the facility will serve as a fully functional fitness center, complete with exercise equipment, showers, and recreational space. The move reflects growing concerns over global instability and ongoing military threats from North Korea. According to officials, this project may pave the way for a broader initiative to construct similar dual-purpose shelters across major urban areas in South Korea. Architects are also exploring the integration of sustainable features, such as solar energy systems and smart ventilation technology, to allow the shelter to operate independently from external infrastructure during emergencies. This innovative approach to civil defense may signal a shift in urban planning where safety, practicality, and everyday use are combined in a single structure. 14 October 2025 21:40 (UTC+04:00) Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian announced on Tuesday that Google plans to invest $15 billion over the next five years to build data center capacity for a new artificial intelligence hub in the eastern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Azernews reports, citing foreign media. Were excited to announce a gigawatt-scale AI hub in Visakhapatnam. This will be the largest AI hub we are investing in anywhere outside of the United States. The project represents a $15 billion capital investment over the next five years and will eventually scale to multiple gigawatts of power capacity. It will be part of a global network of AI centers across 12 countries, Kurian said during an event in New Delhi. He also emphasized that the company aims to transform Visakhapatnam into a global connectivity hub. Nara Lokesh, the Minister for Human Resources Development of Andhra Pradesh, welcomed the announcement, calling it a massive leap for the state's digital future. He noted that the deal came after a year of intense discussions and relentless effort between the state government and Google. This investment underscores Indias growing importance in the global technology ecosystem and Googles commitment to expanding its AI capabilities outside traditional tech hubs. The new facility is expected to not only boost local employment but also attract further tech investments to the region, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a key player in the AI and cloud computing revolution. Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. License Plates for Oregon Coast's Largest Aquarium Coming Soon - Mural Artist Needed Published 10/12/25 at 6:45 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Newport, Oregon) Oregonians will soon get their hands on a new license plate design, and the same aquarium that brought you that automotive treat is putting out a call for an artist to paint a mura. A new specialty license plate featuring Oregons iconic tufted puffin is officially headed to production, the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq) announced this week. The milestone comes after the successful sale of 3,000 plate vouchers, the threshold required to initiate manufacturing through the Oregon Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). With production now underway, the DMV estimates a six- to seven-month timeline before the plates become available. Voucher holders will receive their original certificates and instructions for redemption approximately one month prior to release. Once launched, the puffin plates will also be available for purchase at DMV offices statewide. The plate design showcases a tufted puffin floating on the oceans surface, gazing at fish below. Native to Oregons coastal cliffs and islands, tufted puffins are a key species in the regions marine ecosystem. Proceeds from the plate will support both the Aquariums resident seabirds and conservation efforts for their wild counterparts. The puffin plate project has been a labor of love, said OCAq President/CEO Carrie Lewis, made possible by everyone who pledged their support by preordering vouchers. We are grateful to have a community so dedicated to both our animals and Oregons wildlife. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is the states only facility authorized to provide critical care to endangered marine species, including sea turtles, Guadalupe fur seals, and snowy plovers. More information about the puffin plate can be found at [aquarium.org/puffin-plate](https://aquarium.org/puffin-plate). In a separate announcement, the Aquarium is inviting Oregon-based artists to submit proposals for a new mural in its Passages of the Deep exhibit. The commissioned artwork will accompany the exhibits life-size megalodon shark jaw and should feature the prehistoric predator as its central theme. The Aquarium is seeking pieces that evoke awe, curiosity, and a connection to the Oregon coast. Scientific illustration and photo-realistic styles are preferred. The final artwork will be reproduced on vinyl and installed on the exhibit wall; non-digital submissions will be scanned at high resolution. The budget for the mural commission is $2,500. Submissions are open through November 10, 2025. Interested artists can apply at aquarium.org/passages-mural-rfp. Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) A Soaring View Just Opened This Week at North Oregon Coast's Neskowin Right on the ocean, it's been drawing attention lately. Availability. Pacific City Hotel reviews A Bit of Oregon Coastal Swank At Not Quite the Coin Lincoln City's Inn at Wecoma is a bit of a surprise. Lincoln City hotel reviews Constant Killer Views at One Cannon Beach Legend: Oregon Coast Travel Tips There's also deep history at this popular, luxury hotel. Cannon Beach hotel reviews, Cannon Beach lodging, Tolovana Inn, Manzanita hotel reviews, Seaside hotel reviews The Lil' Cannon Beach Cottage That Could: Whimsical Yet Historic Rental on N.... A little vaction rental called Lil Bird Cottage is antique-like but vibrant, bold. Lodging reviews, hotels, Cannon Beach lodging More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Politics and Common Sense? BY: HOOD RICHARDSON It is always interesting to observe how much smoke and mirrors can belch from disingenuous politicians. The American public has been made to believe all politicians lie and all politicians are supposed to lie. This has led to a high level of apathy among the public values. I do not accept the premise that all politicians lie and that deception is normal. At the October meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, I presented a motion that we, as a governing body, should lobby our North Carolina House and Senate members to work for stiffer penalties for those who sell illegal drugs. The proof that the present system of criminal sentencing is not effective in stopping the sale of illegal drugs is the high number of people who use drugs and who are arrested for selling. At least half of the people in the Beaufort County jail are there because of drug related crimes mostly for selling or trying to steal the money to buy drugs. That is about 40 people at a cost to the taxpayer of $50 per day. That is more than seven hundred thousand dollars per year. In addition, we have a minimum of 100 other government employees who are hired to provide services to druggies. These services range from probation and parole officers to sheriff deputies, to councilors, to social services employees, etc. That costs us another seven million dollars per year. We collect about 30 million dollars in property taxes each year. Conquering drugs would give the taxpayer a 25 percent reduction in taxes each year. A huge savings. These are the money costs. There is another large cost in human misery. Broken families, abandoned children and mental treatment and anguish for those who have destroyed their brain and others on illegal drugs. There were five of the seven commissioners present. Fake Frankie Waters and Stan Deatherage have medical problems and were not in attendance. The motion to increase punishment failed 3 to 2. Tandy Dunn and I were the only two who voted for the motion. RINO Randy Walker allowed that marijuana was not bad, and he voted no. It remains a mystery why Democrats Booth and Langley voted against the motion and in effect for drugs. The black community is as devastated by illegal drugs as the white community. These three are all smoke. The board decided to use the services of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) to advertise and interview for someone to replace the county manager. His last date to work will be the end of June 2026. We have a target of January 1, 2026, to have selected those whom we will interview and to have the new manager at work around the first of June of 2026. The manager works for the seven-member board as taken as a whole. There are many issues to be addressed with the new manager. It is important for all members of the board to be treated equally. It is also important that the board function as a whole in hiring the new manager. That is, no faction of the board negotiates with or interview the job applicant candidates privately or separate from the whole board. The new manager must fully understand that the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners is empowered only to conduct meetings. Other than that, his only authority is the same as any other board member. Beaufort County is a voluntary participant in a grant program to raise houses above the flood zone. I no longer support this program because the program singles out a few homes and does not provide equal benefit to all homeowners. This and other similar program abuses include repairing the homes of people who never kept the home in repair, absentee owners, non primary residents, etc. There are seven or eight homes in the present program at a cost of about $700,000. The board by majority vote approved accepting the grant from the State of North Carolina. The Joy McRoy fraud case was discussed. Ms. McRoy is accused of misusing more than one half million dollars of funds belonging to the Town of Chocowinity, the Chocowinity EMS and Fire Department and the Blounts Creek Fire Department. All of these are majority funded by tax dollars. However, the County Manager has steadfastly maintained that commissioners have no authority because these agencies can spend money however they like once the county writes the check. My efforts to get to the bottom of what is happening to our tax money have failed because the Gang of Four (RINO Randy Walker, Fake Frankie Waters and Democrats Jerry Langley and Ed Booth) have voted against any investigation. The case has been active since 2022. It is time for sentencing or acquittal and a report to commissioners. This fiasco is a good example of ineffective government and smoke and mirrors. I made a motion for the school system to provide the Board of Commissioners with a report as part of their budget preparation for the coming year as to the actual savings in closing the Snowden School. We would get a final report at the end of the school year. This was voted down by RINO Randy Walker, and the two Democrats, Jerry Langley and Ed Booth. They cannot afford to have the school system prove that there is actually no savings in closing Snowden. With smoky people like the majority of our board of commissioners holding office, it is hopeful we can elect a fireproof board (no smoke) in the 2026 elections. Politics with common sense have to make a comeback. The opening date for Northern Irelands latest Primark store has been confirmed to be just in time for Christmas shopping. The new 26,000 sq ft store is opening at Ballymenas Fairhill Shopping Centre as part of a 10m investment that has taken place over recent years at the site. It was confirmed this morning that doors will open at the clothing and lifestyle store on Friday December 5 at 10am. The discount retailer vacated its old home in the towns Tower Centre, which had first opened its doors in the town in 1983. The new store opening at Fairhill will double in size and will employ around 150 people, with 70 new jobs created. The retailer said those coming into the store can expect a fresh, modern layout in a bigger and better store, with features like self-checkouts, modern fixtures and fittings, improved signage and LED lighting, as well as new display units to better showcase Primark's products. Fintan Costello, head of Primark Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: This is a very special moment for Primark Ballymena, and one we know our customers have been waiting for. "The town has been home to Primark for over 40 years, and our loyal shoppers have been asking for more space and more choice for some time. Fairhill Shopping Centre in Ballymena, where a new Primark will open Were proud to be delivering that with a brand-new concept store here in Fairhill and just in time for Christmas, making it the perfect destination for festive shopping. "We cant wait to welcome everyone through the doors in Fairhill on 5th December to celebrate this next chapter together. Primarks arrival marks the latest investment in Fairhill, with its owner Ryan Walker telling the Belfast Telegraph last week that the retailers arrival is a game changer. Primark under construction in Fairhill Shopping Centre News Catch Up - Monday 13th October He said: When we purchased Fairhill Shopping Centre in August 2021, the centre was not in great shape but we saw real potential for its future. We were motivated by the challenge of turning the centre around and reinstating Ballymena as the strong retail destination it once was. The transformation that Fairhill has undergone, and continues to experience, is the culmination of several years of hard work and a near 10m investment. The arrival of Primark is also a real game-changer. We firmly see Fairhill, and Ballymena more widely, re-establishing themselves as places where people come to enjoy a full shopping day out. The NI firm behind 45m refurb of one of the worlds finest hotels: We were all very excited Edgewater Contracts in Toomebridge is the toast of London after completing phase one of its work on The Savoy, writes Margaret Canning The Savoy Hotel, London, where Edgewater Contracts in Toomebridge has completed phase one of a 45m refurbishment Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 08:03 Its one of the worlds swankiest hotels and now a Northern Ireland firm is to thank for The Savoy Hotel becoming even more luxurious as part of a 45m refurbishment. Music and Gigs Behind the scenes documentary on Taylor Swifts Eras Tour to launch on Disney+ Tristan McGavigan winning Fashion Influencer of the year at the VAVA Awards A Belfast fashion influencer marking a decade in the industry has said he has seen a huge shift in attitudes, with men here now more confident to wear what they want. Tristan McGavigan has over one million followers across multiple platforms, as well as an online shop. He was also recently named as Fashion Influencer of the Year at the 2025 VAVA Awards. He explained that, in carving out a full-time career as an influencer, the one key shift he has noticed is men wearing things that they wouldnt have a couple of years ago. Ive always loved fashion, especially mens fashion and encouraging men to feel confident within their fashion choices, Tristan told this newspaper. Tristan McGavigan winning Fashion Influencer of the year at the VAVA Awards I feel men are becoming more confident. You see a lot of men in Barbour coats nowadays compared to a few years ago when all they wore was North Face. A lot more of them feel comfortable to put that wee bit of extra effort into their fashion without worrying about the stereotypes associated with men in fashion. When youre wearing something that makes you feel good, youre more comfortable and confident within yourself, so its just a positive thing. Tristan McGavigan He added: This started as a hobby 10 years ago on a written blog, so its amazing that we can now fill a room full of influencers. At that time, it wasnt something you showed off about. It was like a secret hobby that I had. I just kept at it and thankfully it has turned into a full-time job. Tristan said his passion is dispelling stereotypes around men who have an interest in fashion. Ive always had a love for fashion, I think especially when it comes to menswear, he added. Tristan McGavigan at the VAVA Awards 2024 But theres still that weird taboo where men feel like they cant fully get into it. For me, the thing I love about being in mens fashion is the impact it has on other men. Men will message you and say: I wore that outfit, I felt so confident and thats my favourite part about it. Thats what keeps me going. Tristan McGavigan I will get direct messages from men thanking me for recommendations and they will come up to me in shops and say: I got this because of you. Obviously we arent making a massive difference in the world, but its those small things that hopefully make men feel a bit more comfortable within themselves. Tristan McGavigan Belfast History Explained: Who was Mary Ann McCracken? Despite being quite a female dominated field, Tristan said he has always felt comfortable as a male fashion influencer. At the start, it was slightly intimidating, especially when I went to events by myself. However, here in Northern Ireland, the community of influencers are just so nice, and Ive always felt really welcomed, he said. And far from fearing more competition, Tristan has encouraged anyone interested in starting content creation to give it a go. Its great, especially here because there is that warm, welcoming community, he added. Heartbroken father: I phoned police about tractor dangers just days before my wife and daughter were killed Ryan Smyth was giving evidence at the inquest into the deaths of Clare (35) and Bethany (3) Scene of the collision between a quad bike and a tractor that killed Clare Smyth (inset). Mark Bain Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 07:14 A heartbroken father and husband has told an inquest how the constant trauma of living at the scene where both his wife and daughter died takes a toll. A grandmother from Londonderry who only recently learned to type on a computer has today celebrated her graduation at the age of 90 almost 70 years after she dropped out of her original course. Maryette McFarland has graduated from the Open University with a degree in English literature; she first studied the course in Dublin in the 1950s. Many years ago I was at Trinity [College Dublin] doing English literature and I dropped out to get married, when I was 21, and then I had a family, she told the Belfast Telegraph. I always thought I would like to study something. And then after my husband died, I had a bit more time because I had been looking after him so then I joined the Open University. The Open University offers flexible full-time and part-time study, supported distance and open learning for undergraduate and postgraduate courses and qualifications. Graduate Maryette McFarland with her daughter Shauna Gailey Accompanied by her daughter Shauna, Maryette made the journey from Derry to the Waterfront Hall in Belfast today to join more than 300 other graduates celebrating their achievements. Maryette paid tribute to the support her family offered her throughout her degree: They were wonderful. They were absolutely amazing. They couldnt have been better. They couldnt have been more supportive. Of course, a lot has changed in the education system since Maryette was a student, and she explained how she needed the help of her loved ones to show her how to use a computer to access her course. My grandchildren copied things out for me and they told me what to do. I think they think its quite funny, a granny doing a degree, Maryette said. I couldnt type so my daughter-in-law taught me to type. The whole [concept of] being online and not having one-to-one contact, I think that was the tricky bit. But I suppose you get used to it. All the others who were on my course, they all had jobs and they had children. I felt as if it was easier for me. We had these lectures or tutorials sitting at home and you would hear children in the background saying: Mummy. I thought: Im the lucky one really: I haven't got anyone to look after. Asked what she thought her 21-year-old self would think about graduating at 90, she replied: Me at 21 years old? I dont know what she would have thought she would have died of fright. Maryette McFarland For most people, of course, the prospect of graduating naturally leads to thoughts of a vocation or a career, but Maryette said she might not do anything with her degree at this stage of life and joked that she has even received some job offers. Its quite funny its automatic I think but Im getting these career offers. They havent sort of twigged how old I am, she quipped. Maryette wants to encourage anyone who might be interested in returning to education to do so. I would say go for it really, really go for it, she said. I mean, if I can do it, anyone can do it. If you have the interest and you like doing it, then there is nothing to stop you. Also among this years graduates is Matthew McCarthy (31), from Holywood, Co Down, with a BSc (Hons) in psychology. He said it was the realisation of a dream after previously dropping out, explaining that it was part of a tumultuous journey during which he met his fiancee, changed jobs to work in mental health, moved house twice, lost close family members and lost 20kg in weight. It took a lot of faith in what I was doing, but the leap paid off, he said. Matthew now works as a mental health project worker. He has also begun a postgraduate certificate and hopes to one day complete a doctorate in clinical psychology. The flexibility the Open University provides, as I work full-time, is great, he said. I did research when considering going back into academia. It also appeared on the British Psychological Society accredited course list. My main support came from my fiancee, who I am marrying in August 2026. I met her at the very beginning of my studies, and she was incredible throughout the entire time. 90-year-old graduate, Maryette McFarland from Derry. Photo: Paul Moane for The Open University News Catch Up - Monday 13th October If I wasnt training in jiu-jitsu, at the gym or at work, I was studying and writing. Meanwhile, Jim Mulholland (84), a retired teacher from Lisburn who was among the pioneering class of 1975, said he was delighted to celebrate with the latest graduates. He had been in his 30s, working as a PE teacher, and felt like he was in a rut when he decided to begin an Open University degree in social sciences. Mr Mulholland graduated with first-class honours and went on to work in management, which he said had been helped by his Open University degree. He was promoted and later accepted for a Fulbright teaching exchange to Portland, Oregon, US an adventure that remains one of his proudest achievements. Belfast City Councils Planning Committee has granted approval for three residential developments which will provide 160 new homes in the city. Three separate planning applications were approved for the new housing on sites between Finaghy Road North and Blacks Road, on the Antrim Road, and, on Upper Dunmurry Lane on Tuesday evening. The first planning application given the green light was for 94 new dwellings a mix of semi-detached, detached housing and apartments. This is on land to the south and west of Woodland Grange to the north of Blacks Gate and to the east of Moor Park Mews. The second planning application approved was for a social housing development on land at 733-735 Antrim Road. This would see the demolition of current buildings on site to facilitate the development made up of two buildings, containing 34 units. The third planning application approved was for the demolition of existing buildings on land at 39 Upper Dunmurry Lane, for the erection of 32 apartments in three blocks. These would include one and two-bedroom apartments. Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of the councils Planning Committee, said: Its fantastic news for the city to see these three residential developments given the green light, this evening, by our Planning Committee. Thats 160 new homes for our residents also meeting one of the targets of our citys community plan, the Belfast Agenda, working with city partners to provide new homes, across all types of property, across the city. Other planning applications approved, at the Committee, included extensions/alterations to the former Lidl supermarket building on Montgomery Road and change of use to a builders merchant premises with outside stock yard. CGI image of residential development on site off Finaghy Road North. News Catch Up - Monday 13th October For more information on the Councils Planning Service and the Planning Committee, visit the Council website at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/Planning Forensics at the scene of the death in the Old Mill Drive area of Newtownabbey (Kevin Scott) The sister of mother of two Mary McAdorey, who was found dead at a Co Antrim property on Sunday, has paid an emotional tribute to her, saying she will love you forever. The young mum, who was in her late 20s, was the nicest girl according to neighbours. She had been living in the Old Mill Drive area of Newtownabbey. The PSNI said she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said last night that a 40-year-old man arrested in relation to the death had been released on bail pending further enquiries. Mary McAdorey Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips, from the Major Investigation Team, added: My thoughts are, first and foremost, with the womans family who are left trying to come to terms with the loss of their loved one. Following a post-mortem examination, the womans death is not being treated as murder at this time. "Our enquiries, however, are continuing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death. The sudden death has shocked the quiet residential area. Ms McAdoreys older sister, Courtney, posted an image of the victim and her two children, writing: Fly high baby sis I love you forever. Sinn Fein MLA, Gerry Kelly, urged anyone with information to contact the PSNI. The news of the death of a woman in the Old Mill Drive area will be absolutely devastating for her family and the wider community, said Mr Kelly. I want to extend my thoughts and condolences to her loved ones at this heartbreaking time. "I would urge anyone with information surrounding her death to bring it forward to the PSNI. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 13th October 2025 Photo by Jonathan Porter / PressEye General views Old Mill Drive, Newtownabbey. Detectives investigating a report of a suspicious death in the Old Mill Drive area of Newtownabbey have this evening, Sunday 12th October, Ashley McNamara expressed her concern for Ms McAdoreys children, commenting under a picture of them on Facebook. These poor babies left without their mummy, my heart is broke. RIP Mary. Yvonne Alison Mulholland branded it as terrible news. "Condolences to her family and friends at this sad time. Councillor Robert Foster of the UUP shared his condolences for the family. I am very shocked to learn of the tragic death of a young woman in the Old Mill Drive area of Newtownabbey on Sunday evening, he said. Mary McAdorey News Catch Up - Monday 13th October A former school friend Naomi Ellis wrote on social media that she was a lovely girl. RIP Mary, you were a lovely girl [with] the memories in both primary and secondary school. Sinn Fein councillor for the area Taylor McGrann said it was absolutely awful news. All I can really say is my heart goes out to the family, and my thoughts are with all of the young womans family and friends at this time. It is really devastating news. Alliance councillor Billy Webb told the Belfast Telegraph: I know the community of the Old Mill Drive very well and the general area very well and I know they will be absolutely shocked at what has happened. DUP councillor Matthew Brady said: The community is deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic event. Our thoughts are with everyone affected as they come to terms with the loss. The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Learning and Development College near Cookstown, Co Tyrone. Picture date: Tuesday October 14, 2025 (Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire) The Princess of Wales picks apples during a visit to Long Meadow Cider in Portadown, Co Armagh, a family-owned apple farm which has evolved from traditional apple growers into producers of award-winning craft ciders, juices, and vinegars. Chris Jackson/PA Wire The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to Long Meadow Cider in Portadown, Co Armagh (Chris Jackson/PA Wire) A Co Armagh family described the amazing, surreal experience of welcoming the Prince and Princess of Wales to their farm during the royal couples surprise visit to Northern Ireland. The McKeevers Catherine, Alanna, Patrick and Peter run Long Meadow Cider, an award-winning family-run farm in the heart of the Orchard County. The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to Long Meadow Cider in Portadown, Co Armagh (Chris Jackson/PA Wire) William and Kate visit an orchard in Portadown Kate and William visited the farm as part of their first joint visit to Northern Ireland since October 2022. Todays unannounced joint visit was their first to Northern Ireland in three years. It was amazing, surreal, extraordinary and very, very special for us as a small family-run business that they wanted to come here to our farm to meet us as a family, to be interested in us as a family, and to be concerned about us as a family particularly after Storm Amy and how it affected the farm, Catherine said. The Princess of Wales picks apples during a visit to Long Meadow Cider in Portadown, Co Armagh, a family-owned apple farm which has evolved from traditional apple growers into producers of award-winning craft ciders, juices, and vinegars. Chris Jackson/PA Wire Long Meadow has been owned by the McKeever family for three generations and has been cultivating premium-quality apples since 1968. The McKeevers have since diversified significantly, with the support of the familys younger generation, and now produce craft ciders, apple juice and apple cider vinegar. Their products are being sold in major supermarket chains across Northern Ireland and Long Meadow is now also a thriving tourist destination for orchard tour experiences and produce tastings. The family organised a very special and bespoke tour for the royal visitors. They observed the apple cider vinegar production process, before seeing how the apples are pressed and bottled on site. They expressed an interest and a lot of what we are doing here at Long Meadows. They were particularly interested in the apple cider vinegar, because of all the health benefits, and the apple juice too, because our apple juice is all natural, Catherine said. The family then took the couple apple picking in their orchard, where Kate playfully scolded William for dropping some. The pair seemed to enjoy the orchard, with William saying: Its like something out of Harry Potter. They were so welcoming, so relaxed. Theyre just a mum and dad. They spoke about their children throughout, their home life, baking at home with their own children, Alanna said. As the visit went on and it became so much more relaxed, it was a very enjoyable experience. I dont think well ever top it. The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to Long Meadow Cider in Portadown, Co Armagh (Chris Jackson/PA Wire) The Prince and Princess then visited the McKeevers Bramley Barn, where Catherine taught them how to make potato apple bread. They got so much more relaxed when they came into the barn and enjoyed the bread making, Catherine said. And its lovely to see that relationship that they had together as well in the barn. Catherine said her royal namesake and her husband enjoyed a bit of banter. Youve got to really feel the love and the banter that fun side was coming out of both of them, Alanna added. Catherine said the visit made her realise the couple are much more relatable than she initially believed. You knew they had done it [baking] before, maybe not so much William, but you could tell that they do this at home with their own children, she said. The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Learning and Development College near Cookstown, Co Tyrone. Picture date: Tuesday October 14, 2025 (Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire) Early in the day, William and Kate visited a dairy farm and toured the NI Fire & Rescue Services new Learning and Development College near Cookstown. At the fire training college, William and Kate saw some of the training given to the next generation of firefighters. Both appeared impressed by the facilities, officially opened in May, which can replicate a range of dangerous scenarios in the safety of a learning environment with instructors at hand. The couple were taken a short distance across the 50-acre site in the red engine, but travelled at a sedate pace much to Kates dismay. Newly-qualified firefighters Caoimhe McNeice, (25), and Piarais McCaffery, (32), joined the royal guests for part of the visit, and revealed how the princess had wanted to act out a 999 call. Ms McNeice said about the driver: He got us there safely. I think he was on a limit for his speed. The princess wanted the sirens on, but he was strictly told no. It was just a bit of banter, she said, Id love to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on. Kate also wanted her husband to take the wheel, Ms McNeice said. She wanted the prince to drive, but the driver got us there anyway. In the afternoon, William and Kate visited Mallon Farm near Cookstown in Co Tyrone, a dairy farm for generations before turning to flax growing in 2020. The Prince and Princess of Wales Helen Keys and Charlie Mallon showed them flax fields and explained their efforts to promote a sustainable linen industry. Kate tried an old mechanical technique of breaking bunches of flax to soften it, before being shown a large restored 1940s machine, which she said was like a hairbrush. Full-time carer Tiernan Stuart said he was inspired by Henry VII banning Irish gentry from wearing more than 22 yards of linen to make a mini spinning machine in his spare time. Showing them the mini machine, he said he would like to see children encouraged to try and make something similar. It sounds like you should be launching a design challenge, William told him. Amazing designers would be able to come through and produce something. The closure of a life-saving mental health crisis intervention service in Derry due to a lack of sustainable funding is a failure of the Executive, an SDLP MLA has told the Stormont Assembly. Extern NI's community crisis intervention service (CCIS) provided out-of-hours care for people in social or emotional crisis and was primarily funded through a Stormont mental health support fund, which expired earlier this year. Last month Extern said: It is with great sadness that we must share that our Community Crisis Intervention Service is now closed due to lack of funding. We are deeply saddened that we can no longer provide this support to our community. The service has been on the brink of closure on a number of occasions. Last December, Derry and Strabane council wrote to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt urging him to provide sustainable funding. Research has shown that CCIS workers have been involved with thousands of de-escalations in recent years. Now, SDLP MLA and Opposition communities spokesperson Mark H Durkan has said the closure is a devastating blow for people in mental health distress and a stark reminder of the Executive's failure to deliver on its promises. The closure of the Foyle Crisis Centre is a tragic and avoidable failure of Executive priorities. This service saved lives Speaking after the Assembly debate on the SDLP's Opposition Day motion on the closure of CCIS, Mr Durkan said the service's collapse represents "a tragic and avoidable failure of Executive priorities" and exposes the chronic underfunding of Northern Ireland's mental health services. He said its closure comes amid a wider mental health emergency, particularly in communities already struggling with deprivation and inequality. "The closure of the Foyle Crisis Centre is a tragic and avoidable failure of Executive priorities. This service saved lives, Mr Durkan added. Yet, it was allowed to close because of bureaucratic indifference and short-sighted budgeting. "While Ministers claim to prioritise mental health, the truth is that 80% of the Executive's own Mental Health Strategy has been shelved because of a lack of funding. That's not just hypocrisy, that's gaslighting. You can't claim to care about mental health while cutting the very services that save lives. "People in crisis need consistent, dependable support, not fragments of a half-implemented strategy. Mental health isn't the responsibility of just one department. It should be an Executive-wide priority, and every Minister, every Department, should be asking how their budget and decisions affect the wellbeing of people here. South Antrim MP Robin Swann, a former Stormont health minister The reality of the closure of the CCIS is that nothing has been done to address structural funding issues, which were flagged by then Health Minister Robin Swann years ago. The consequence of the Executives failure to take action is that this life-saving service is no longer available to those who need it in the North West. With a multi-year budget soon to be announced, the Executive must work collectively to put the needs of people at its heart ensuring that every pound spent delivers dignity, support, and real change for those in need. "The SDLP has called for legislation to ensure that government departments cooperate on cross-cutting issues like mental health, so that solutions are designed around people rather than bureaucracy. We will continue to push for a new approach to budgeting that puts people before spreadsheets and ensures that no one in crisis is ever left without the help they need." The Department of Health (DoH) has said it faces a number of budgetary challenges adding there is currently a "funding gap of some 600m." A statement added: "The minister greatly appreciates the services that have been offered through the community crisis intervention service. It continued: "The work undertaken, and support provided through these services, have been of vital importance to those in the community who need it most and in supporting statutory services, in what remains a challenging environment." The department said the service had been funded for three years through the mental health support fund. If you live in Northern Ireland, you can call Lifeline, a 24-hour helpline on 0808 808 8000. You can also contact the Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Other organisations in your area can be found here. The Prince and Princess of Wales took a trip on a fire engine and had a go at making potato apple bread during a visit to Northern Ireland. William and Kate carried out a series of engagements across counties Tyrone and Armagh. They visited a dairy farm and enjoyed freshly-squeezed juice from Armaghs famed apples, while also touring the NI Fire & Rescue Services new Learning and Development College near Cookstown. It is their first joint visit to the region since October 2022. At the fire training college, William and Kate saw some of the training given to the next generation. William and Kate board a fire engine at the centre near Cookstown. Chris Jackson/PA Wire The couple were taken a short distance across the 50-acre site in the red engine, but travelled at a sedate pace. Newly qualified firefighters Caoimhe McNeice, 25, and Piarais McCaffery, 32, joined the royal guests for part of the visit, and described their experiences at the centre of excellence. Ms McNeice said about the driver: "He got us there safely, I think he was on a limit for his speed. "The princess was wanting the sirens on, but he was strictly told no. "It was just a bit of banter, she said 'I'd love to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on'." Kate also wanted her husband to take the wheel, Ms McNeice said. "She was wanting the prince to drive, but the driver got us there anyway." William and Kate appeared impressed by the facilities at the college, officially opened in May, which can replicate a range of dangerous scenarios in the safety of a learning environment with instructors at hand. The royal couple speak with firefighters near Cookstown, Co Tyrone. Chris Jackson/PA Wire Mr McCaffery said the princess had told him the college meant "we're ahead of the game" and that whenever they were called out to an incident, they would know what to do. At the huge water facility that created rapids around the shell of a building, the couple watched staff patiently recover a mock casualty, then tried throwing lines to volunteers who jumped in the fast-moving water to re-create someone being swept away. The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to Mallon Linen near Cookstown in Co Tyrone, a working family farm that is re-establishing a transparent flax-to-linen supply chain in Northern Ireland. Photo: Samir Hussein/PA Wire William went first but his line just missed, as did one thrown by his wife a few minutes later, but instructor Pete Sloane said: "The water was moving at 24 knots, very fast, and they were both very close. "It's difficult to hit a moving target but another go and they would have had it." The Prince and Princess of Wales make a potato and apple cake during a visit to Long Meadow Cider in Portadown, Co Armagh, a family-owned apple farm which has evolved from traditional apple growers into producers of award-winning craft ciders, juices, and vinegars. Chris Jackson/PA Wire In the afternoon, William and Kate visited Mallon Farm in Co Tyrone, which was a dairy farm for generations before becoming a flax farm in 2020. Helen Keys MBE and Charlie Mallon of Mallon Farm showed them flax fields and a machine from the 1940s being used to process flax to make linen, and about their efforts to promote a sustainable flax and linen industry. Kate tried an old mechanical technique of breaking bunches of flax to soften it, before being shown a large restored 1940s machine, which she said was like a hairbrush. Full-time carer Tiernan Stuart said he was inspired by Henry VII banning Irish gentry from wearing more than 22 yards of linen to make a mini spinning machine in his spare time. Showing them the mini machine, he said he would like to see children encouraged to try and make something similar. "It sounds like you should be launching a design challenge," William told him. "Amazing designers would be able to come through and produce something." William speaks to fire service staff during the visit. Chris Jackson/PA Wire Later, Catherine McKeever welcomed the couple to their family farm in Co Armagh, describing it as "unbelievable, surreal, something I never imagined would happen here". As they joined Mrs McKeever and her husband Pat at Long Meadow Farm outside Portadown, they sampled the apple cider vinegar produced on site. The McKeever family have been running the farm in Northern Ireland's Orchard County since 1968. Mr and Mrs McKeever's children are now the third generation to work in the business. They have diversified at Long Meadow, which now produces craft ciders, apple juice and apple cider vinegars and welcomes tourists for tours and tastings. William and Kate viewed the production facilities and drank apple juice pressed just seconds earlier. Mr and Mrs McKeever's son Peter said: "The juice was freshly pressed, no added water, no added sugar. They got it in its raw, pure state and they absolutely loved it." He said he had discussed cider with the couple, adding: "William didn't say what he liked as a favourite, but he said he likes a dry cider." An apple-picking excursion followed, with the royal couple helping to gather some of the Bramleys. Pat McKeever said they were very interested in the different varieties and discussed the apple trees they have at home. The final stop was for a royal bake-off, when William and Kate tried their hands at making the McKeevers' favourite potato apple bread. Asked what it was like to teach the future king and queen the recipe, which has been handed down through her family, Mrs McKeever said it was "just absolutely unbelievable. "It was just as if they were an ordinary couple coming in to see how to make bread." The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Learning and Development College near Cookstown. Chris Jackson/PA Wire Before leaving, the prince and princess met privately with officers from the PSNI. Whenever the couple visit, it is understood they try to spend time with representatives from the PSNI to thank them for their service and to hear about their experiences. Their last major joint public event was a visit to Southport to show their ongoing support for the community following the fatal knife attack in July 2024. On their last visit here, William and Kate stopped off in Belfast three years ago and took part in a cocktail making race at a market and travelled to Carrickfergus. The rise in gangland-style killings in Northern Ireland requires a change in how non-jury trials are held, a member of Stormont's justice committee has said. Several of the most high-profile gangland-style slayings in recent years including that of Robbie Lawlor, the Dublin crime boss gunned down in Ardoyne in 2020 will be heard in front of a jury. Sir David Amess was hosting a surgery in his Southend West constituency when he was attacked in 2021 (Chris McAndrew/PA) The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess said her family are still without answers, four years after the veteran politician was stabbed to death, as she continues to call for a public inquiry. Father-of-five Sir David, 69, was hosting a surgery at a church in his Southend West constituency when he was attacked on October 15, 2021. His killer, Ali Harbi Ali, had been referred to the Governments counter-terror programme Prevent seven years earlier. He was found guilty of Sir Davids murder after just 18 minutes of deliberation at the Old Bailey, and was handed a whole-life prison term in 2022. Sir Davids daughter, Katie Amess, 40, said: As we mark four years since my father was so brutally taken from us, my family and I are still without answers as to how his killer was ever allowed to wreak such havoc when he was known to the Prevent and counter-terrorism authorities. Despite being flagged as a risk, there was just one meeting with him, over a McDonalds coffee, where inexplicably he was allowed to drift, having convinced in that one meeting that he was not a terrorist. It is a failure of the state to keep its citizens safe, their Governments first duty. That failure to act cost my father his life and it should be a given that where anyone is killed in these circumstances, let alone a dedicated public servant like my father, there should be a public inquiry. She continued: We do not understand why the Government are so reluctant to order one and I will not give up until we have that. Katie Amess said her family are still without answers (Stefan Rousseau/ PA) Ms Amess said the Prime Minister had asked the family to work with independent Prevent commissioner David Anderson KCs review to see if he could help. By his own admission, his (Lord Andersons) report has failed to get to the bottom of things and answer the fundamental questions our family has been asking from day one, Ms Amess said. The Prime Minister promised that if Lord Anderson could not provide those answers, he would meet us himself. That meeting must now take place, and the Government must order a full public inquiry into what happened and what must be done to ensure no family ever endures what we have. A Home Office spokesperson said: Sir David Amesss murder was an awful tragedy, and our heartfelt thoughts continue to be with his family and friends. In the years since this cowardly attack, there have been several reviews asking how this could have been avoided, and we have seen significant improvements to the Prevent programme as well as stronger protections for MPs. We understand that the Amess family are still looking for answers and we take this incredibly seriously. While we do not think a public inquiry would unearth any information that has not already been assessed, we have confirmed that we will further scrutinise all the reviews that have taken place over the last few years. We very much hope this will help the family to get the answers they deserve. Defence Secretary John Healey discussed the case of Agnes Wanjiru with her niece, Esther Njoki, on Tuesday (Paul Ellis/PA) The UK will do everything we can to support the investigation into the alleged murder of a Kenyan woman by a former British soldier, the Defence Secretary has said. John Healey made the commitment after discussing the case of Agnes Wanjiru with her niece, Esther Njoki, on Tuesday. Ms Wanjirus body was found in a septic tank near the British Armys training base in Nanyuki, Kenya, in 2012, two months after the 21-year-old had disappeared. Esther Njoki, the niece of Agnes Wanjiru, met John Healey on Tuesday to discuss the alleged murder of her aunt by a British soldier (Lucy North/PA) Her alleged murderer was named in September this year as Robert James Purkiss, a former soldier, and a warrant has been issued in Kenya for his arrest. This week, Ms Njoki travelled to the UK to seek assurances from the Defence Secretary that Purkiss will be extradited in Kenya to face the law there. Tuesdays meeting was their second, after Mr Healey met Ms Njoki in Kenya earlier this year. He said he had reiterated the Governments steadfast support for her familys long and painful fight for justice and paid tribute to her as an extraordinary spokesperson for her family and for women who have suffered violence. Mr Healey said: Our Government will continue to do everything we can to support the Kenyan investigation, secure a resolution to this case and finally bring peace to Esther and her grieving family. Ms Njoki said the loss of her aunt had left a permanent scar on my family, as had the years of silence, frustration and trauma weve endured trying to get justice since. She said the decision to charge Purkiss had given her family a renewed sense of hope, but added they were still far from achieving justice for Agnes. She said: Thats why this meeting with the Secretary of State is crucial. We are urging him and the Government to do everything in their power to ensure the man arrested is extradited to Kenya and faces trial without further delay. Earlier, Ms Njoki had told the PA news agency she also wanted to see changes in the internal systems of the Army, saying the military could have done something, but they failed. Small boat migrant Fayaz Khan has been sentenced for making threats to kill Nigel Farage, and for entering the UK illegally (CPS/PA) A migrant who came to the UK on a small boat has been jailed for five years for making a threat to kill Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in a TikTok video last year. Afghan national Fayaz Khan, 26, made the threat to kill the politician last October 14 in a video on the social media platform that Mr Farage said was pretty chilling. Khan was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday after being convicted following a trial last week. He was also sentenced for entering the UK illegally having previously pleaded guilty to the offence. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage outside Southwark Crown Court during the trial (Yui Mok/PA) Mr Farage attended the sentencing hearing with security guards and sat in front of reporters. Jurors were previously told that on October 12 last year, Mr Farage uploaded a video to YouTube titled the journey of an illegal migrant which highlighted Khan and referenced young males of fighting age coming into our country about whom we know very little. Prosecutor Peter Ratliff said Khan responded with a video two days later which was played to the jury, in which Khan said: Englishman Nigel, dont talk shit about me. You not know me. I come to England because I want to marry with your sister. You not know me. Dont talk about me more. Delete the video. Im coming to England. Im going to pop, pop, pop. Mr Ratliff told jurors that while Khan said pop, pop, pop he made gun gestures with his hand, as well as headbutting the camera during the video, and was pointing to an AK-47 tattoo on his face to emphasise he wasnt joking. Southwark Crown Court heard he gave British police the name Fayaz Khan and his age as 26, but Swedish authorities believe he is called Fayaz Husseini and is aged 31. The court was told he gave a different name because he has enemies he did not want to find him. Mr Ratliff said prosecutors believe it is more likely he has given a false name because of his record in Sweden. Sir Keir Starmer has urged Hamas to return the remains of deceased Israeli hostages to their families in order to honour the terms of the ceasefire. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the families of the hostages, who he said had endured terrible and protracted pain over the last two years at the hands of Hamas. Hamas has begun to release the bodies of hostages who died during captivity over the past two years, as part of the ceasefire deal brokered last week. The fragile ceasefire appeared at risk on Tuesday, as reports suggested the Israeli Defence Forces opened fire in Gaza. Israel also accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire agreement as it had failed to release all bodies of hostages to their families, and said it would limit the flow of aid into Gaza. In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Sir Keir said: The release of the bodies of the deceased hostages is a profoundly difficult moment for the families who have endured terrible and protracted pain over the last two years at the hands of Hamas. The loss of Yossi Sharabi will be felt deeply by his family, after Hamas so cruelly drew out their horror and denied them the right to grieve. I know from meeting his family just how loved Yossi was, and how devastating this ordeal has been. My thoughts are with them, and all of the hostage families. The Prime Minister added: Hamas must now return the remaining deceased hostages and honour the terms of the ceasefire. Moving forward, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure the next phase of the peace plan is implemented in full. Earlier, Sir Keir had insisted that recognising Palestine helped to bring about peace in Gaza. Addressing MPs after his return from the peace summit in Egypt, the Prime Minister said the UK had been in a position to work behind the scenes for a ceasefire precisely because of the approach this Government takes. That does include our decision to recognise the state of Palestine, he added. Sir Keir Starmer updating MPs after he travelled to Egypt on Monday for the Middle East peace summit (House of Commons) But Sir Keir also stressed that the peace deal signed on Monday belonged to US President Donald Trump. He said: This is his deal. The agreement was signed by Mr Trump at a ceremony in Sharm El-Sheikh, along with negotiators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. Israel and Hamas were not present at the summit. Monday also saw all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages released by Hamas, while Israel released more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees under the first phase of the deal. Negotiations will now follow on phase two of the deal, which involves Hamas laying down its weapons a possibility the group is reported to have dismissed and the rebuilding of Gaza under a peace board chaired by Mr Trump and potentially including former prime minister Sir Tony Blair. The UK will provide an additional 20 million in humanitarian aid to provide water, sanitation and hygiene products to people in the territory, Sir Keir told MPs. While the Prime Minister defended his Governments diplomatic approach, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of taking the wrong decisions and diminishing the UKs influence in the Middle East. She said the Government had strained relations with Israel and rewarded terrorism by recognising Palestine. Theresa May has called on businesses to investigate their supply chains for modern slavery and to play their part in eradicating it. The former prime minister argued that ending modern slavery is the responsibility of everyone including civil society, government and businesses. Speaking at the launch of an art exhibition in London last week, Baroness May of Maidenhead said modern slavery is the greatest human rights issue of our time. She said: Its difficult, as we stand here in these wonderful surroundings, to realise, to imagine, to think that within a mile, maybe half mile, from where were standing, throughout London and throughout the whole country, there are people tonight who are living in the enduring misery of slavery, their freedom cruelly torn from them. They have no hope of any choice in their life. They are exploited for the personal benefit or commercial or criminal gain of others, stripped of their human dignity. They are around us in every country of the world. No country is immune. But they are hidden in plain sight. Fifty million people across the world in slavery and that is an estimate and it may be an underestimate. And that is why this issue of modern slavery and human trafficking is what I describe as the greatest human rights issue of our time. Former PM Theresa May called for action (Hestia/PA) Lady May, who introduced the landmark Modern Slavery Act as home secretary in 2015, now chairs the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. She told attendees at the exhibition launch: If we are going to do what we all want to do, which is to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking, we all have a role to play Its an issue for people, for civil society, for business and for government. She added: If every business properly looked at their supply chains, investigated whether there is slavery, forced labour in their supply chains, and then didnt walk away but did something about it, it would make a huge difference. About 28 million of those 50 million people in slavery around the world are in forced labour. So its important that we all play a role, that we all play our part. The exhibition, entitled Art Is Freedom, contains artwork and photography by survivors of modern slavery and is being showcased at different locations across London, including Trafalgar Square and London Bridge Station. Lady May visited the exhibition (Hestia/PA) It is run by Hestia, an organisation that supports those who have experienced crisis and trauma, including survivors of modern slavery and domestic abuse. Each year, survivors of modern slavery in Hestias services take part in art and photography workshops with professional artists to create artworks for the exhibition. This years theme was Seen and Heard. Lady May said: The the work of organisations like Hestia is so important working with survivors, helping them to express their stories, so that we can understand better, helping them to share their experiences, giving them the support that is needed to help them to find a way in a world that has been closed to them by the actions of their slave drivers. And this art exhibition, this artwork, this project that Hestia does is also so important, because it is through these pieces of art the photography, the knitting and the paintings that actually survivors are able to tell us their story. They are able to have the thing that they never had before, which is to have a voice. The country has been roiled by weeks of protests (AP) Madagascars president Andry Rajoelina has been toppled in a military coup that capped weeks of youth protests over poverty, power outages and a lack of opportunity in the Indian Ocean island country. Right after parliament voted to impeach Mr Rajoelina, who fled the country fearing for his safety, the leader of Madagascars elite Capsat military unit said the armed forces would form a council made up of officers from the armed forces and gendarmerie, a military unit that polices civilians, and would appoint a prime minister to quickly form a civilian government. We are taking power, Col Michael Randrianirina told reporters in front of a ceremonial presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo, as protesters celebrated the news with soldiers. Col Michael Randrianirina announced the military was taking power (AP) He said the constitution and High Constitutional Courts powers had been suspended, and that a referendum would be held in two years. From an undisclosed location after fleeing, Mr Rajoelina issued a decree on Tuesday trying to dissolve parliaments lower house in an apparent attempt to pre-empt being impeached. But legislators ignored it and voted overwhelmingly to end the rule of the 51-year-old leader, who himself came to power as a transitional leader in a military-backed coup in 2009. Mr Rajoelinas office released a statement condemning Col Randrianirinas announcement as an illegal declaration and a serious breach of the rule of law. The Republic of Madagascar cannot be taken hostage by force. The State remains standing, it said. Madagascar, a sprawling island country off the east coast of southern Africa, is home to about 30 million people. President Andry Rajoelinas whereabouts are unknown (Presidency Of The Republic Of Madagascar via AP) It is the worlds biggest vanilla producer and, because of its geographic isolation, is known for its biodiversity. Since gaining its independence from French colonial rule in 1960, it has struggled to overcome poverty and political instability, including a series of coups. Mr Rajoelinas fall capped weeks of Gen Z-led protests that started over persistent electricity and water outages but snowballed into demonstrations of frustration with the government and the presidents leadership. Protesters raised a range of issues, including government corruption, access to higher education, the cost of living and poverty, which affects about 75% of Madagascars population, according to the World Bank. Although young people led the demonstrations, others also took part, including civic groups and unions. A sign written in Hebrew reading Sorry on a bench outside Abu Kabir, the forensic institute in Tel Aviv where the identification process is being carried out on four bodies returned by Hamas (Emilio Morenatti/AP) The tenuous ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war was holding on Tuesday even as the return of deceased hostages from Gaza progressed more slowly than Israelis had hoped and health officials in the devastated territory said the Israeli military fatally shot three Palestinians. A day earlier, Israelis celebrated the return of the last 20 living hostages in Gaza and Palestinians rejoiced at Israels release of some 2,000 prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefires first phase. But now attention in Israel has turned to when Hamas will return all the bodies of hostages who died in captivity. While Israeli officials understood there could be some delay in the recovery effort, the families of hostages and their supporters expressed dismay that only four of the 28 bodies were returned on Monday. A worker cleans the ground at the plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv (Francisco Seco/AP) The Hostages Family Forum, a grassroots organisation representing many of the hostage families, called it a blatant violation of the agreement by Hamas. The top official in Israel co-ordinating the return of hostages and the missing, Gal Hirsch, told the families in a note that pressure was being applied on Hamas through international mediators to expedite the process. A copy of the note was seen by The Associated Press and its authenticity was confirmed by someone with knowledge of the statement. In Gaza, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday that the bodies of three people killed by the Israeli military in the northern part of the territory were taken to Al Ahli hospital. The Israeli military said troops there had opened fire to remove the threat of several people approaching them and not complying with orders to stop. It did not immediately comment on any casualties. Under the ceasefire deal, Israeli forces pulled back to where they were in August, before launching their latest offensive on the Gaza City. The pullback leaves a number of hard-hit Palestinian neighbourhoods under Israeli control, and Israel has warned residents not to try to return to homes there. Complex issues remain ahead in the first phase of the ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump, including when Hamas will return to Israel the bodies of the hostages believed to be dead in Gaza, as well as the health conditions of the released hostages and prisoners. Guy Illouz, who was taken from the Nova music festival during the Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, and whose body was returned to Israel on Monday (Hostages and Missing Families Forum via AP) On Tuesday, the Israeli military identified two of the four dead hostages Guy Illouz from Israel and Bipin Joshi, a student from Nepal. A third dead hostage, Yossi Sharabi, was identified by Beeri Kibbutz, from where he was taken. Mr Illouz and Mr Joshi were both in their 20s when Hamas-led militants took them during the October 7 2023 attack on that ignited the war Mr Illouz from the Nova music festival and Mr Joshi from Israels Kibbutz Alumim. Israel said Mr Illouz died of his wounds while being held captive without proper medical treatment, while Mr Joshi was murdered in captivity in the first months of the war adding that the National Centre of Forensic Medicine would later provide the final cause of death. Bipin Joshi, whose body was returned to Israel on Monday (Hostages and Missing Families Forum via AP) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is cautioning that finding and returning the remains of former hostages in Gaza is an even bigger challenge than freeing those who were still alive. The search for human remains, its obviously (an) even bigger challenge than having I would say the people alive being released, Christian Cardon, an ICRC official, said at a UN news briefing in Geneva. There will be human remains handed over from both sides in the future, and the ICRC will again have a role in the very sensitive operation, Mr Cardon said, adding that he was not able to say how soon that might happen. Some remains may not be found, he acknowledged. He said decontamination of rubble-strewn sites that may be littered with unexploded ordnance and the difficulty of identifying bodies were among top challenges. The freed Israeli hostages were in medical care on Tuesday, and some families said it would be weeks before the men could go home. In the West Bank and Gaza, where hundreds of prisoners were released, several were also taken to hospitals. People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in Khan Younis, southern Gaza on Monday (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Some of the near 2,000 Palestinian prisoners released on Monday are suffering from a range of health problems they developed during years in Israeli detention, doctors and freed prisoners in the occupied West Bank told The Associated Press. The Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah received 14 men released on Monday as part of the exchange and discharged all but two. Doctors examining the men said their conditions suggested they had been beaten. It indicates that these patients were subjected to severe beatings, reflecting the extent of the violence they endured, said Imed al-Shami, a resident doctor at the hospitals emergency department. The AP could not independently verify the claims. The Israel Prison Service said it was unaware of such claims. All inmates are held according to legal procedures, and their rights including access to medical care and adequate living conditions are upheld, it said in a statement on Tuesday. Israel says it adheres to its prison standards under law and investigates any reports of violations. But such allegations are consistent with findings previously documented by media organisations and human rights groups. Displaced Palestinians walk through an area surrounded by destroyed buildings in Khan Younis, southern Gaza (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Gazas Nasser Hospital said it received the first 45 bodies of Palestinians who had been detained by the Israeli military since the 2023 Hamas-led attack. The bodies were handed over by the ICRC as part of the ceasefire agreement. A total of 450 bodies were to be returned to Gaza from Israel, the hospital said. Longer-term issues also hang in the balance, including whether Hamas will disarm, who will govern and help rebuild Gaza, and the overarching question of Palestinian statehood, which is central for Palestinians and many countries in the region. The first steps to peace are always the hardest, Mr Trump had said as he stood with foreign leaders in Egypt on Monday for a summit on Gazas future. He hailed the ceasefire deal he brokered between Israel and Hamas as the end of the war in Gaza and the start of rebuilding the devastated territory. On Tuesday, the United Nations development agency said the latest joint estimate from the UN, the European Union and the World Bank is that 70 billion dollars (53 billion) will be required to rebuild Gaza. That figure was tallied in September, and up from 53 billion dollars (40 billion) estimated in February. Jaco Cillers, special representative of UNDP administrator for a programme to help Palestinians, said 20 billion dollars (15 billion) would be needed in the next three years, and the rest would be needed over a longer period, possibly decades. The estimated damage and rubble, throughout the whole of Gaza is in the region of 55 million tons, he said. Another way to put it is (that its) also equal to 13 pyramids in Giza. That is the amount and size of the challenge, Mr Cillers told the UN press briefing in Geneva by video from Jerusalem. Mr Cillers pointed to good indications from potential donors such as those in the Arab world, Europe and the United States, without specifying. In Egypt, Mr Trump urged regional leaders to put old feuds aside as world leaders met to discuss the challenges ahead in securing a lasting peace. Representatives from Israel or Hamas were not at the summit. Donald Trump greets Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the summit in Sharm El Sheikh (Evan Vucci/AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that an agreement signed in Egypt is not a peace deal but rather a framework for a ceasefire and said the United States and other nations must exert pressure on Israel to ensure its compliance. Speaking to journalists on his return from the ceremony in the resort of Sharm El Sheikh late on Monday, the Turkish leader insisted that the only viable solution is a two-state solution recognising Palestinian statehood. Turkey is determined to continue working toward this goal, he said, according to a transcript of his comments made available on Tuesday. Mr Erdogan said the US and others should ensure that Israel complies with agreement, citing what he said was the countrys alleged poor track record on honouring ceasefires. Mr Erdogan would not say whether Turkish troops would be deployed to Gaza, saying discussions about the structure and role of a task force for the region were still continuing. He said, however, that his government was focused on reconstruction and providing humanitarian support, including the possibility of sending container homes to Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday that those responsible for the destruction in Gaza should he held accountable in spite of the fragile ceasefire. Mr Sanchez said there should be no impunity for the main actors in the genocide that has been perpetrated in Gaza, without naming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or others in his government. Peace cannot mean forgetting, there can be no impunity. There are cases open now in the International Criminal Court, Mr Sanchez told Spanish radio station Cadena SER, in an apparent reference to the arrest warrants issued by the worlds top war-crimes court against Mr Netanyahu and his former defence minister over Israels military offensive in Gaza. Spain was one of Europes sharpest critics of Israels two-year war in Gaza with Mr Sanchez last month calling Israels actions there a genocide. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told the AP ahead of Mondays summit said that 15 Palestinian technocrats have been selected to administer post-war Gaza. He said their names were already vetted by Israel, without disclosing them and that the 15-member committee had already been approved by all Palestinian factions, including Hamas. Egypt announced that it would host a reconstruction and recovery conference for Gaza with the help of the US and Germany. Pope Leo with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Pope Leo XIV thanked Italy on Tuesday for its efforts to combat human trafficking but urged the country to remain open to welcoming and integrating migrants as he took part in a pomp-filled meeting with the Italian president. Leo completed the rite of passage for every new pope by travelling across Rome to the Qurinale Palace for a meeting with President Sergio Mattarella. Escorted by the presidential horse honour guard into the palace courtyard, Leo thanked Italy especially for its welcome of pilgrims during the 2025 Holy Year, which has seen millions of extra tourists pouring into the Eternal City. Cavalry officers escort Pope Leo as he arrives at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome (Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse via AP) Wearing his formal red cape and brocaded stole, Leo thanked Italy for its generous assistance to migrants and its efforts to combat human trafficking. I encourage you to keep alive your attitude of openness and solidarity, he said. At the same time, I wish to emphasise the importance of constructive integration of newcomers into the values and traditions of Italian society, so that the mutual gift realised in this encounter of peoples may truly enrich and benefit all. It was a reference to Italys role at ground zero in Europes migration debate, given its proximity to North Africa making it the preferred destination for smuggling operations setting off from Libya and Tunisia. The right-wing government of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has made cracking down on illegal migration a priority, including by sending migrants back home or to detention facilities in Albania and prosecuting alleged smugglers. Ms Meloni and her hard-line minister Matteo Salvini were in the front row of the audience, held in a gilded reception room of the palace with palace guards standing at attention. Italian President Sergio Mattarella, right, as Pope Leo and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin prepare to leave the Quirinale Presidential Palace (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Italys hard-line stance on migration has often conflicted with Pope Franciss call for wealthier countries to welcome, defend and integrate newcomers, a position Leo repeated as recently as last week in his first main teaching document. Tuesdays encounter was evidence of the close ties between Italy and the Vatican. The Quirinale Palace was for centuries the summer residence of popes until 1870, when Rome was captured from the papal states and annexed into the unified Kingdom of Italy. After decades in which popes were essentially prisoners of the Vatican, Italy and Holy See normalised relations in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, which is still in effect. Hamas has eased the pressure on a fragile ceasefire in its war with Israel by returning the bodies of more dead hostages. The move comes after an Israeli military agency said it would slash aid deliveries to Gaza by half over concerns that the militant group was handing over the remains at a slower pace than had been agreed. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had handed over four deceased hostages to Israel in line with the ceasefire agreement. This latest transfer comes a day after Israel received the remains of another four hostages. The United Nations humanitarian office in famine-stricken Gaza received word of the humanitarian aid cuts from the Israeli military agency in charge of transferring aid to the territory, according to spokesperson Olga Cherevko. The Red Cross has transferred the bodies (AP) In its notification, the agency known as Cogat said it would allow 300 trucks a day instead of the 600 called for under the deal. US president Donald Trump also expressed concern in a social media post that too few of the dead hostages have been returned. Mr Trump also warned Hamas that if they dont disarm, we will disarm them. He made no mention of Israel halving the flow of aid into the territory. A day earlier, Israelis celebrated the return of the last 20 living hostages in Gaza and Palestinians rejoiced at Israels release of some 2,000 prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefires first phase. Hamas and the Red Cross have said that recovering the remains of dead hostages is a challenge because of Gazas destruction, and Hamas told mediators of the deal that some are in areas controlled by Israeli troops. Relatives of hostages whose bodies are still in Gaza Strip are calling for their remains to be released (AP) The US-proposed ceasefire plan called for all hostages living and dead to be handed over within 72 hours, meaning on Monday. But it provided a mechanism if that did not happen, saying Hamas should share information about deceased hostages and exert maximum effort to carry out the handover as soon as possible. Families of hostages and their supporters expressed dismay that only four of the 28 bodies were returned on Monday. The Hostages Family Forum, representing many families, called it a blatant violation of the agreement by Hamas. The top official in Israel coordinating the return of hostages and the missing, Gal Hirsch, told the families in a note that pressure was being applied on Hamas through mediators to expedite the process. A copy of the note was seen by the AP and its authenticity was confirmed by someone with knowledge of the statement. 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 On Tuesday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus office confirmed the identity of the four dead hostages returned on Monday: Guy Illouz from Israel, Bipin Joshi from Nepal, Cpt Daniel Peretz and Yossi Sharabi. Mr Illouz was abducted from a music festival; Mr Joshi from a bomb shelter and Sharabi from Beeri Kibbutz during Hamas-led attack that ignited the war on October 7 2023. Israel said Mr Illouz died of his wounds without proper medical treatment, while Mr Joshi was killed in the wars first months. Families left waiting have expressed concern. Meanwhile, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza, where hundreds of prisoners and detainees were released, several have been taken to hospitals. Murad Barakat, medical director of the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, said the facility received 14 men and discharged all but two. 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 Doctors said their conditions suggested they were subjected to severe beatings, reflecting the extent of the violence they endured, said Imed al-Shami, a resident doctor at the hospital. Kamal Abu Shanab, who was released after more than 18 years, said beatings caused his shoulder to tear. For eight months, I wasnt given even a pill for the pain, he said. The war has killed more than 67,600 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, which does not say how many were civilians or combatants. It says women and children make up around half the dead, and many independent experts say its figures are the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and left in place the 1.4 billion-dollar (1 billion) judgment against him over his description of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting as a hoax staged by actors. The Infowars host had argued that a judge was wrong to find him liable for defamation and infliction of emotional distress without holding a trial on the merits of allegations lodged by relatives of victims of the shooting, which killed 20 primary school children and six teaching staff in Newtown, Connecticut. The justices did not comment on their order, which they issued without even asking the families of the Sandy Hook victims to respond to Mr Jones appeal. An FBI agent who responded to the shooting also sued. Mr Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022, and his lawyers told the justices that the plaintiffs have no possible hope of collecting the entire judgment. He is separately appealing against a 49 million-dollar (37 million) judgment in a similar defamation lawsuit in Texas after he failed to turn over documents sought by the parents of another Sandy Hook victim. In the Connecticut case, the judge issued a rare default ruling against Mr Jones and his company in late 2021 because of what she called Mr Jones repeated failure to abide by court rulings and to turn over certain evidence to the Sandy Hook families. The judge convened a jury to determine how much Mr Jones would owe. The following year, the jury agreed on a 964 million-dollar (727 million) verdict and the judge later tacked on another 473 million dollars (356 million) in punitive damages against Mr Jones and Free Speech Systems, Infowars parent company, which is based in Austin, Texas. In November, the satirical news outlet The Onion was named the winning bidder in an auction to liquidate Infowars assets to help pay the defamation judgments. But the bankruptcy judge threw out the auction results, citing problems with the process and The Onions bid. The attempt to sell off Infowars assets has moved to a Texas state court in Austin. Mr Jones is now appealing against a recent order from the court that appointed a receiver to liquidate the assets. Some of Mr Jones personal property is also being sold off as part of the bankruptcy case. A lawyer who represents Sandy Hook families said the Supreme Court had properly rejected Mr Jones latest desperate attempt to avoid accountability for the harm he has caused. We look forward to enforcing the jurys historic verdict and making Jones and Infowars pay for what they have done, lawyer Christopher Mattei said in a statement. A lawyer representing Mr Jones in the case did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. A mother who told a judge her son had coerced her into selling cocaine has avoided an immediate jail term. Kelly Anne McKinnon, from east Belfast, escaped with a suspended sentence despite being found with over 700g of a cutting agent, as well as drug paraphernalia, during a police raid on her home. An Animating Infrastructure Grant from the Vermont Arts Council will support fabricating and installing a colorful, 14'x5' mural on the outside, track-facing wall of the new Amtrak station, the first fully ADA accessible station in Vermont. The photo shows artist Cynthia Parker-Houghtons original version of the mural. The new mural will be updated with additional elements. 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. 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. A new bill filed by state Rep. John Barrett and state Sen. Paul Mark would exempt small districts like Hancock which lack their own middle or high schools from paying costly tuition for school choice students who continue on to other districts, potentially allowing Hancock Elementary to reopen to out-of-district families. This year, four Berkshire restaurants received over $68,000 to cook food for those in need. The funds are from the MassDevelopment's Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants. The award was part of $900,000 distributed to 31 restaurants statewide. In Pittsfield, BBs Hot Spot, Maries North Street Eatery and Mazzeos Ristorante received $11,420, $13,000 and $10,000, respectively. The largest share went to Bigg Daddys in North Adams, which received $34,200. The money enabled local restaurants to prepare meals that they delivered to food banks, pantries, senior centers, schools and emergency food distribution sites. Restaurants applied after MassDevelopment invited them for the grant. They were then paired with local food pantries. According to Franklin County Community Development Corp. Program Manager Hannah Sobel, the program delivered almost 45,000 meals across western Massachusetts. Im happy to do so to make sure people are fed, said BBs Hot Spot owner Ronny Brizan. This program comes at a time of uncertainty for the future of fighting food insecurity, amid heightened concerns over the rising cost of living. Federal funding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could increase food insecurity across the U.S., placing more responsibility on states to fill the gap. The current government shutdown could also affect funding for SNAP benefits in the coming months. According to a survey from the Greater Boston Food Bank, 39 percent of households in Berkshire County faced food insecurity in 2024. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts assisted an average of about 25,000 people per month that year. More than 40 food pantries and meal sites operate in the Berkshires. It's closer to home than you think. There are people in your community who struggle to put food on their table, whether you call it food insecurity, call it whatever you like. But they're struggling to feed themselves. And they are working people, they're senior citizens, theyre children, said Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Executive Director Andrew Morehouse. Changes to SNAP will increase eligibility requirements that people need to meet to qualify for the benefits, going into effect sometime this year. Morehouse said the changes will include increased work requirements which could affect those who cant get work due to disabilities, transportation access or systemic inequities. We're very concerned. SNAP is the largest anti-hunger program in the country, he said. The loss of benefits will likely drive more people to seek assistance from food pantries, Morehouse said, adding this surge could put food banks under a lot of pressure to meet heightened demand. In addition, the federal government discontinued an annual national survey that food banks previously used to assess food insecurity across the country. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts moved to a larger facility two years ago, and Morehouse said the additional staff and equipment have helped staff meet heightened demand during periods of increased need. For now, SNAP benefits for the month of October are protected. A longer shutdown could eventually affect SNAP, and it is already affecting other federally funded programs. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, said the state is committed to keeping Massachusetts four food banks running. She added that with programs like MassDevelopments, she always wants to make sure funding reaches as far west as Berkshire County. Things are difficult in this world right now, and then we see some little bright spots, said Farley-Bouvier. I don't think any one of these things is the answer to it all, but isn't it great that we have a way that we can make differences here and there. Quality local journalism needs your support Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Subscribe today. Cancel anytime. Subscribe now for 99 Subscriber Sign In | Return Home BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. IIT Madras partners with Hyundai Motor India to revolutionise paediatric cancer care October 14, 2025 | Tuesday | News Hyundai Motor India allocates social impact investment of Rs 56 crore The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) is partnering with Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), to launch 'Hyundai Hope for Cancer' - a pioneering initiative dedicated to transforming paediatric cancer care in India. As part of its multi-year commitment towards this cause, HMIF has allocated a social impact investment of Rs 56 crore towards this landmark project. HMIL is the Indian arm of the South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor. This initiative aligns with Hyundai's global 'Hope on Wheels' programme, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to supporting children battling cancer worldwide. At the heart of this initiative is the Hyundai Centre for Cancer Genomics, housed at IIT Madras. It will also serve as a collaborative hub for clinicians, researchers, pharmaceutical scientists, and global partners, contributing to international efforts such as the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The Centre, launched recently, will also focus on genomic sequencing to identify genetic mutations, laying the foundation for a national paediatric cancer genome database and personalised treatment protocols. It features India's first community-based Cancer Tissue Biobank, enabling advanced genomic research in paediatric leukaemia and lymphoma. With a total sum of Rs 56 crore committed towards this initiative, HMIF has also established a dedicated Rs 3 crore Cancer Care Fund to ensure equitable access to treatment for economically disadvantaged patients. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. The Food Safety Authority served five closure orders and five prohibition orders on food businesses in September for breaches of food safety legislation. In one case, a rat was observed on the premises, with rat droppings present on the floors and shelving where food was stored. In other cases, food was offered that was past its sell-by date; staff were not trained on food safety controls; and there was no soap or hot water at basins. The majority of notices were issued to businesses in Dublin, with others served Cork, Donegal, Tipperary, Meath, and Kildare. Businesses that have been forced to close as a result of the notices, under the FSAI Act 1998, are: SuperValu Hollyhill (Retailer), Hollyhill Shopping Centre, Hollyhill, Co Cork; Wok In Noodle Bar in Dublin; Restaurant Cafe), 48-50 Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2; SuperValu Hollyhill (Retailer), Hollyhill Shopping Centre, Hollyhill, Co Cork. Two Closure Orders were also served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on: Advertisement New Leaf (Closed activities: the preparation and sale of sushi and sashimi) (Take Away), 18 New Street, Skerries, Co Dublin; The MOMO House (ceased trading on 10/10/2025) (Take Away), East Ocean, 61 Port Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Five businesses were also issued with prohibition orders. Two Prohibition Orders were served under the FSAI Act 1998 on: Food Business trading as Vitalorganico and website vitalorganico.ie, operating at the domestic dwelling house (Wholesaler/Distributor), Castleknock, Co Dublin; Duud (Retailer), Pinewood House, Huntstown Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. Three Prohibition Orders were served under European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on: Nearby Cashel (Retailer), 3 Main Street, Cashel, Co Tipperary; XL Convenience Store (Retailer), Main Street, Drumconrath, Navan, Co Meath; BK Foods Limited (Wholesaler/Distributor), Clongorey, Newbridge, Co Kildare. Ireland 115 closure orders served to businesses for food safety breaches in 2024 Read more Under the FSAI Act, a closure order is served where it is deemed that there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the premises; or where an improvement order is not complied with. A prohibition order is issued if the activities (handling, processing, disposal, manufacturing, storage, distribution or selling food) involve or are likely to involve a serious risk to public health from a particular product, class, batch, or item of food. The effect is to prohibit the sale of the product, either temporarily or permanently. Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority Ireland (FSAI), said: Its concerning that we continue to see serious and recurring breaches of food safety law. "These types of breaches are preventable where food businesses have a proper robust food safety management system in place and ensure staff are adequately trained." Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has accused the UK government of hypocrisy and duplicity after it proposed a retrospective law change to block him from securing compensation for being interned during the Troubles. Mr Adams was responding to a measure outlined in the Governments Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which was presented to Parliament on Tuesday, that will seek to prevent him and others detained without trial from seeking payouts based on a judicial decision that ruled their internment unlawful on a legal technicality. The veteran republican said he would be consulting with lawyers to explore what legal options there are, both in the UK and Europe, to challenge the move. Mr Adams highlighted that the measure was included in a Bill that also introduced new protections designed to address concerns of military veterans who are asked to engage in legacy mechanisms in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn tabled the Bill in Parliament (Peter Byrne/PA) The measures include the option of witnesses giving evidence remotely. In 2020 the British Supreme Court determined that I was wrongfully interned for a period in the 1970s, said Mr Adams. Advertisement The decision by the court was explicit. Interim Custody Orders not authorised and approved by the Secretary of State were illegal. It is believed that upwards of 400 other internees are similarly affected. The British government, which knew it was in the wrong at that time, knowingly broke its own law. In January Keir Starmer made it clear that he would look at every conceivable way to ensure that I and others impacted by this did not receive compensation. Today, at the stroke of a pen what was illegal five decades ago has been made legal as the British state changes the rules to suit its own agenda and protect its own military personnel. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn had already signalled the Governments intent to ensure the draft legislation acted on the issue of potential compensation to internees whose detention without trial during the conflict has since been ruled to have been unlawful. A Supreme Court judgment in 2020 paved the way for Mr Adams to secure compensation over his internment in the early 1970s. Mr Adams won his appeal to overturn historical convictions for two attempted prison breaks, after he was interned in 1973 at Long Kesh internment camp, also known as Maze Prison, near Lisburn. The Supreme Court ruled that his detention was unlawful because the interim custody order (ICO) used to initially detain him had not been considered personally by then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Willie Whitelaw. At the time of the case, the previous government contended that the ICOs were lawful because of a long-standing convention, known as the Carltona principle, where officials and junior ministers routinely act in the name of the secretary of state. Advertisement Mr Adams subsequently successfully challenged a decision to deny an application for compensation for his detention. However, the 2023 Legacy Act introduced by the last Conservative government stopped such payouts to Mr Adams and other former internees. The Act retrospectively validated the ICOs to make them lawful and halted civil claims related to the orders. However, in February last year, the High Court in Belfast ruled that the provisions of the Act related to the ICOs were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Labour Government did not appeal against that section of the High Court judgment but Mr Benn pledged to find a lawful means to block payouts. The Troubles Bill has now proposed to reaffirm the so-called Carltona principle into law, a move the Government believes will prevent payouts. While the Legacy Acts provisions in relation to ICOs, sections 46 and 47, were ruled incompatible with ECHR by the High Court, the Government is retaining those sections on the statute book until such time as the Troubles Bill becomes law. The Bill gives legislative effect to several measures contained in a joint framework for dealing with the legacy of the Troubles recently agreed by the UK and Irish governments. The measures designed for veterans engaging in legacy processes are not contained in the UK-Irish framework. Advertisement However, Mr Adams accused the Irish government of colluding with the UK on the issue, something he branded as disgraceful, as he said Ireland had signed up to laws he claimed would protect former soldiers who had been involved in atrocities during the Troubles. He added: The British want to close the door on their past actions. Like many others I will be speaking to my legal team in the next few days to examine what options here and within Europe are open to us. The liquidators of a Dublin windows and doors company have informed the High Court that a representative of its sole director has left a lot of questions unanswered about the running of the company before its collapse, despite a number of requests to do so. An investigation by the liquidators into the running of DK Windows and Doors, which suddenly ceased trading last December, leaving some 225 unfilled contracts on which customers paid a total of 1.2 million, is looking at the conduct of its sole director, Darragh Kane, in the run-up to its collapse. Some creditors, including customers who paid significant deposits for work never done, alleged the company was run in a fraudulent manner during that time. In an update presented in court on Tuesday on behalf of Grant Thornton joint liquidators, Nicholas ODwyer and Colm Doran, solicitor Graham Kenny said the next steps for his clients will be to compile a report for the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) to decide whether or not they will take director restriction actions. Advertisement In what was their 5th report, the joint liquidators said that since the last one, Mr Kane had appointed tax advisor Andrew Feighery of Ecovis DCA as his representative. The principal areas of investigation include consideration of creditor interests and the company's deteriorating financial position prior to liquidation. There was also a "Black Friday" promotion the month before the collapse, and the lack of any financial assessment underpinning it. There was further consideration of trading while insolvent and the basis on which a payment plan to Revenue was entered into, including reliance on customer deposits. Mr Kane's representative had been written to twice since last June seeking satisfactory responses to questions asked about the company but, while responses were received, they remained unsatisfactory. There were contradictions between those responses and other available evidence, the liquidators said. In particular, they noted ongoing concerns about matters including the maintenance of adequate accounting records and the diversion of customer deposits to discharge historic liabilities rather than to progress customers' orders, the liquidators said. Ireland Security guard employed at school to prevent Enoch Burke getting in, court hears Read more Following receipt of satisfactory responses, the liquidators hope to be able to finalise their position in relation to the conduct of Mr Kane in the lead-up to the liquidation. They have previously noted that there does not appear to be sufficient assets available in the company to pay for the costs of the liquidation in full, "nor to provide a distribution to any class of creditor in the company". The liquidators said it remains their intention, subject to those responses, to finalise the investigation phase and submit a report to the CEA ahead of the deadline for their next reporting date in December. Mr Kenny asked the judge, in the light of that date, to adjourn the matter to March. The judge agreed to do so. Helen McEntee has said Catherine Conolly must publish the emails where she queried the vetting of a person previously convicted of firearms offences whom she signed into Leinster House. The deputy leader of Fine Gael said Connolly rightly seeks accountability and transparency as a public representative, and the public "should be afforded the same opportunity on this issue". It recently emerged that Connolly had employed a woman in Leinster House who had been found guilty by the Special Criminal Court for possession of firearms and ammunition more than 10 years ago. After serving more than four years, the former Eirigi member was shortly thereafter recruited by Ms Connolly to work on a committee on the Irish language. Ms Connolly said she had signed the woman in for day passes to Leinster House but she left her work before the outcome of a clearing process for a regular access pass which went on for six months. Advertisement In a statement on Tuesday evening, Helen McEntee said: Someone who wants to become our President but has admitted to signing a serious criminal into our national parliament for half a year has to release all details on this to enable the public have all relevant information. What is in the e-mails? What exact dates was this person signed in for six months with no garda clearance?" The Education Minister also said the Connolly campaign should provide a full breakdown of her 3,700 taxpayers funded trip to Syria to meet supporters of the vile dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2018. The Irish Times revealed last week that Connolly used 3,700 from a taxpayer funded Parliamentary Activities Allowance for the trip where they met Fares al-Shehabi a supporter of dictator Bashar al-Assad who was placed under European Union sanctions. The electorate is entitled to a full breakdown of what the finance was used for in relation to this trip to a country under a dictators regime, McEntee said. Over 17,000 Sri Lankan children found living in vulnerable conditions: minister Xinhua) 09:56, October 14, 2025 COLOMBO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 17,000 children in Sri Lanka are living in vulnerable conditions, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told the media on Monday. The minister said the figure was revealed through data collected in a recent study conducted by the Sri Lankan police. He noted that these children are at risk of becoming involved in criminal activities and are also more likely to fall victim to drug use. Wijepala added that steps are being taken to ensure these children receive the necessary protection and care. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Three men accused of "brutally and savagely" beating a Croatian man to death on a Dublin street knew that their alleged victim was a foreign national when they chased him down, a barrister has told a jury at the Central Criminal Court. Seoirse O Dunlaing SC told the murder trial jury that 31-year-old Josip Strok's status as a foreign national has relevance in the case of the three men accused of his murder. Counsel said that one of the accused, Mark Lee (44), told gardai two days after the alleged assault that he had been walking "up and down with two dogs" outside an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre "waiting on [a] foreign c**t attacking a kid with a knife". Mr O Dunlaing said the prosecution believes this comment is relevant to what the jury must consider. Advertisement It is further alleged that Mr Lee sent a voice note to a friend hours after the assault, stating: "Pal, be there in 20 minutes. Just smashed Polish lads up and left them for dead because they beat [a] kid." The trial also heard on Tuesday morning that Mr Strok was targeted after he was alleged to have assaulted a 17-year-old boy at a bus stop following a row over a cigarette lighter. Mark Lee, of no fixed abode and Anthony Delappe (19) of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin have both pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Josip Strok at Grangeview Way in Clondalkin on April 3rd, 2024. Connor Rafferty (21) of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin has pleaded not guilty to Mr Strok's murder. All three have pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Strok's friend, David Druzinec (29), at the same location. It is alleged that the three accused assaulted Mr Druzinec and Mr Strok on March 30th, 2024, and that Mr Strok died four days later from blunt force injuries sustained in the attack. 'Brutally and savagely attacked' Opening the trial on Tuesday morning, Mr O Dunlaing told the jury of six men and six women that the prosecution intends to prove that the three accused were part of a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Mr Strok when they "brutally and savagely attacked" him. On the afternoon of March 30th, 2024, Mr Strok and Mr Druzinec were drinking heavily, counsel said. That evening they made their way to Clondalkin Village where they waited for a bus to take them close to where Mr Druzinec lived in the Grangeview estate. Advertisement At the bus stop, Mr O Dunlaing said the two Croatian men had an altercation with a 17-year-old boy who was assaulted following a row over a cigarette lighter. The 17-year-old told three other youths what had happened and they got on the bus with Mr Strok and Mr Druzinec. When the bus stopped, the two Croatians and the three youths got off without interacting with one another. Two of the youths, counsel said, met the accused man Mark Lee. Mr O Dunlaing said it is the prosecution case that the boys told Mr Lee that a young person had been assaulted over a lighter. Mr Lee immediately went into his house and emerged 47 to 50 seconds later with Mr Rafferty and Mr Delappe, counsel said. Mr Delappe, he said, had an implement in his hand. They chased the two Croatian men and assaulted them, Mr O Dunlaing said. Mr O Dunlaing told the jury that a joint enterprise can be formed in an instant and "something happened in that house that caused these three to emerge". Ireland Security guard employed at school to prevent Enoch Burke getting in, court hears Read more Mr O Dunlaing said audio recording from a CCTV system nearby did not reveal any reference to a "non-national or foreigner", but he said the voice note left by Mr Lee on a friend's phone later that night is relevant. "The prosecution says that they [the accused] knew they [the injured parties] were foreign nationals and that has relevance in this case." He said comments made by Mr Lee to gardai about walking up and down outside an IPAS centre with two dogs are also relevant. The trial continues before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and the jury. There are now only 19 cattle remaining and no sheep on a Co Clare farm where the Dept of Agriculture moved in as the farm had a mortality rate of two to three bovines per week in 2023 due to a farmers neglect, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, farmer Patrick Cahir, 61, of Buncraggy, Ennis, said that he had made "mistakes" and a lot of things went wrong together in 2023. Mr Cahir said that he wanted more time "to put things back the way they should be". Mr Cahirs 200-acre farm had 100 cattle and 200 sheep in 2023. Recalling conditions on his first visit to the farm in November 2023, Dept of Agriculture veterinary inspector, Mr Andrew OConnor, told the court previously that the cattle had no fodder. They were hungry. They were lean, in poor body condition, and scavenging for anything they could get. There was no grass. Advertisement Mr OConnor said that the mortality rate was too high when you had two to three bovines dying per week. On behalf of the Dept of Agriculture, Thomas Wallace ODonnell BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that Mr Cahir has agreed to a compliance notice which limits his stock to 20 bovines and no sheep. Mr Cahir was first before the court in July, and Judge Alec Gabbett adjourned the case for improvements to be made. Now, after hearing that various last-minute improvements were made before court, Judge Gabbett said that he was concerned that everything was last-minute. Solicitor, Daragh Hassett for Mr Cahir said, I know judge - it is a bit like the week of the Holy Communion that the house gets cleaned up. Mr Hassett said that the farm is down to 19 cattle and no sheep, and is not really a viable operation for farming, but that is the order in place. Speaking in court for the first time, Mr Cahir gave sworn evidence from the witness box, where he said that a lot of things went wrong together when trying to explain the neglect of his animals. He said: I made mistakes. Money was the cause of a lot of the problems, and the banks are no good to the farmer. Mr Hassett said that Mr Cahir was let down by contractors, and they refused to turn up as he owed them money. Mr Cahir said: If you remember 2023 - it was atrocious. It was the worst year, and the weather got worse and worse. Advertisement Mr OConnor gave evidence that algae continued to be present in the water trough for animals after the last day in court, and Mr Cahir said that he cleaned it out the evening before court to the best of my ability. Mr Cahir said: All the cattle have done well. I have bought and sold, and made a few pound. It is the only profession I have. Judge Gabbett said: And I am keen that you maintain it. Mr Hassett said that the dial is moving slowly in the case for this farm. He said that Mr Cahir is a bachelor farmer who had significant poor physical and mental health, and his eye was taken off the ball. He said that the Department were completely correct in my view to intervene and monitor the farm. Mr Hassett said: I can assure you that I have had conversations with Mr Cahir on where this case needs to go, and he wants to be able to farm without the Department being over his shoulder, and Im sure the Department would prefer to not be visiting Mr Cahirs farm on a regular basis. Ireland Judge fines Galway farmer over 9,300 for destruction of 'rare' limestone pavement Read more Judge Gabbett said that there has been progress, I have to say - not overwhelming but progress all the same, and I would like to see more - sooner rather later. Mr Cahir has pleaded guilty to neglect or recklessness regarding the health and welfare of animals, namely sheep and cattle, between November 17th, 2023, and May 23rd, 2024, under Section 1(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act. Mr Cahir also pleaded guilty to regulations concerning the disposal of carcasses where he had carcasses of animals, namely cattle and sheep, on land which a dog may have had access to. Judge Gabbett has adjourned the case to December 10th for further improvements to be made. New legislation to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles will include provisions to block Gerry Adams from receiving compensation over being interned in the 1970s. The Troubles Bill, which is set to be tabled in the UK Parliament on Tuesday, will also give legislative effect to a range of new mechanisms to deal with the legacy of the conflict. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn had already signalled the UK governments intent to ensure the draft legislation acted on the issue of potential compensation to internees whose detention without trial during the conflict has since been ruled to have been unlawful on a legal technicality. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn pledged to legislate to prevent payouts (PA) A Supreme Court judgment in 2020 paved the way for former Sinn Fein president Mr Adams to secure compensation over his internment in the early 1970s. Mr Adams won his appeal to overturn historical convictions for two attempted prison breaks, after he was interned in 1973 at Long Kesh internment camp, also known as Maze Prison, near Lisburn. Advertisement The Supreme Court ruled that his detention was unlawful because the interim custody order (ICO) used to initially detain him had not been considered personally by then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Willie Whitelaw. At the time of the case, the previous government contended that the ICOs were lawful because of a long-standing convention, known as the Carltona principle, where officials and junior ministers routinely act in the name of the secretary of state. Mr Adams subsequently successfully challenged a decision to deny an application for compensation for his detention. However, the 2023 Legacy Act introduced by the last Conservative government stopped such payouts to Mr Adams and other former internees. The Act retrospectively validated the ICOs to make them lawful and halted civil claims related to the orders. However, in February last year, the High Court in Belfast ruled that the provisions of the Act related to the ICOs were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Labour government did not appeal against that section of the High Court judgment but Mr Benn pledged to find a lawful means to block payouts. It is understood the Troubles Bill will seek to reaffirm the so-called Carltona principle into law a move the UK government believes will prevent payouts. The Government will address a motion of no confidence in the Tanaiste very swiftly, Simon Harris has said. Aontu said it was bringing the motion against Mr Harris due to a failed promise on child spinal surgeries and overall dysfunction in Childrens Health Ireland (CHI). Party leader Peadar Toibin told reporters on Tuesday: We believe, if you look at the crisis within CHI and the crisis within the National Childrens Hospital, that Simon Harris is not fit to be a minister in this Government, and we are calling for his resignation. Aontu would have called for the vote to be held on Wednesday October 22nd, two days before the presidential election in which the candidate for Mr Harriss Fine Gael former party deputy leader Heather Humphreys will go up against left-wing independent Catherine Connolly. Advertisement However, Mr Harris suggested that it could well happen that a Government counter-motion could be called as early as this week noting that the original motion had been well flagged for several weeks. Thats a matter for the whips but I think that could well happen. Generally, governments move confidence motions quite quickly. Asked if that would provide him more time to refocus on the presidential campaign, he replied: I dont need any time to refocus, Im entirely focused. The motion follows a series of scandals at CHI including the implanting of non-surgical springs into child patients, unnecessary hip surgeries, the security of health records, and issues around in-sourcing. It also comes after the death of a nine-year-old renewed focus on child spinal surgery waiting times. While health minister in 2017, Mr Harris pledged that no child would wait more than four months for scoliosis treatment. Earlier this year, nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt died after waiting years for spinal surgery during which time the curve in his spine went from 75 degrees to 130 degrees. By the time Harvey received spinal surgery last December, the curve had reached the point where it could not be fully corrected. The curve caused his rib cage to twist around his lungs and heart, severely restricting his breathing. Harvey died on July 29th. His parents, Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt, have also called for Mr Harriss resignation. Speaking to reporters at Leinster House on Tuesday, Aontu leader Mr Toibin said: We are going to launch a motion of no confidence into Simon Harris in relation to the crisis that has happened over the summer with regards to CHI. Advertisement He added: During the summer, there was a tragic loss of Harvey Sherratt, a young boy who waited for months in relation to trying to receive an operation that was a life-saving operation that he needed to be able to survive and to be able to live in good health. And tragically, Harvey Sherratts life was lost during the summer and we, as a party, believe in the necessity for accountability both accountability in terms of the finances of the country but also, most importantly, in terms of human life. Simon Harris, when he was Minister for Health, stated that no child would wait for more than four months for a scoliosis operation. He failed significantly in that promise and we have a situation where hundreds of children in that period of time have been forced to wait for far longer than those four months. The High Court has granted permission to a teenager to challenge a decision by a District Court judge to sentence him to a suspended prison term because of a lack of approved hostels providing residential settings for minors convicted of crimes. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, is taking the action through his father after he was sentenced in July of this year by a Dublin District Court judge who branded the situation a "disgrace". The boy's three-month prison sentence was fully suspended for six months. The action seeks to quash the District Court's allegedly "unlawful" sentence and demands that the State provide the father with details of how many certified and inspected hostels in the country are available to probation and welfare services. A declaration is also sought from the court that the State failed to protect and vindicate the boy's constitutional rights and that they failed to comply with their statutory obligations. Advertisement The action is being taken against the District Court judge, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General. Papers submitted to the High Court state that since 2023, the boy has been charged in the District Court with drug offences, theft, burglary, dangerous driving, criminal damage, unauthorised taking of a vehicle, and possession of certain articles. At the High Court this week, Joe Jeffers SC, for the boy, told Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty that the teen was eligible for a Probation Residential Supervision Order (PRSO) but no suitable premises were available. It is submitted on behalf of the boy that on July 7th, 2025, the District Court judge "expressly stated that he wished to impose a PRSO, which is a form of probation order, on the applicant, but that he [the judge] was precluded from imposing such a sanction due to the absence of any hostel residence". It is claimed that the judge's discretion when imposing sentence on the applicant was "unlawfully fettered" by the State's failure to provide proper hostel residence under Section 126 of the Children Act 2001. "The applicant was sentenced to a suspended custodial sentence, contrary to the express wishes of the District Court," it is submitted. In an affidavit, the father has submitted that the boy's mother has addiction issues and that he has been living with his great-grandmother, who is in her 80s, at an address in Dublin. The man submits that the great-grandmother is "barely mobile, uses a walking aid with a seat and sometimes crutches," and that he has "real concerns about her ability to care for and supervise [the boy]". Advertisement The man states that his son has fallen in with a "bad crowd steeped in criminal activity" and drug-taking. The father's affidavit reads that his son came to the regular attention of gardai and was recently arrested while travelling in a stolen vehicle being driven the wrong way down a motorway. Ireland Family sex abuse trial told older brother raped sister when she was 12 Read more While the man would "love" to care for his son on a permanent basis, he describes their relationship as "difficult". He states that had a PRSO been imposed by the judge, the boy would be placed in a hostel and would have received health and education aid. It is submitted that the District Court judge said it was a "disgrace" that sanctions provided in the statute were not available to him and that the judge stated, "for the record, I want to impose a residential order but cannot do so". Ms Justice Gearty granted leave for the ex parte application, where only one side is represented, and adjourned the matter to November. The Tanaiste has said that Ireland will keep an "open mind" about sending peacekeepers to Gaza. Speaking on Newstalk, Tanaiste Simon Harris said: "Being honest, I think it's too premature to determine that answer at the moment. The depth of conflict in the Middle East is so real. "We've only had a ceasefire for a matter of days. We still have a very, very long way to go, and maybe a lack of clarity on next steps around implementation. But Ireland always keeps an open mind on these issues, and we will in the time ahead." Ireland pledged 6 million in humanitarian aid for people in Gaza on Tuesday, as UN and humanitarian agencies prepare to ramp up aid supplies following the ceasefire. This contribution brings Irelands support for the people of Palestine since October 2023 to more than 89 million. Over 35 million was donated in 2025. Advertisement Ireland Ireland will have to commit millions more to Gaza, Cabinet to hear Read more All 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza have been released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. US President Donald Trump met with world leaders in Egypt yesterday to finalise the deal. Recently, Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament for the Dublin constituency and Fianna Fail party member, said that the Defence forces should be prepared to send peacekeepers, with Palestinian and UN backing. "The Irish Defence Forces have a proud record of peacekeeping around the world and can play an important part in helping to stabilize Gaza," he said. "However, any such temporary force must be part of a credible peace process based on international law, with accountability for war crimes and a pathway to a two-state solution with security for both states." The jury in the trial of a woman accused of murdering two men whose bodies were found on a lake island over a decade ago has been sent away until Thursday morning, having been told that a significant witness "is in a medical situation" and that all sides will need to consider whether the trial can continue in their absence Ruth Lawrence (45), who is originally from Clontarf in Dublin but with an address at Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent in Co Meath has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) at an unknown location within the State on a date between April 22nd, 2014, and May 26th, 2014, both dates inclusive. Addressing the 12 jurors on Tuesday, trial judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that late on Monday it came to the prosecution's attention that a key witness, who is "significant to both sides in the case" - "is in a medical situation." Advertisement "That's really all that needs to be said. We don't have full details of that, and it has to be ascertained," he said. He said "the unforeseen and unforeseeable happen in everyone's lives" and that he didn't want to go into too much detail. "When the details are ascertained, the parties will need to consider the information and how it bears on the availability of the witness and whether the trial can continue in their absence. There are a number of moving parts to all that," continued the judge. Mr Justice Hunt told the jury of four men and eight women that he might bring them in on Wednesday, but expected further information to be forthcoming. The judge told the panel that he and the legal teams would come to court on Wednesday in their absence and that he would bring them back on Thursday morning, when he had further information for them. "I don't want you to go guessing as to what might happen. We need to delve into the matter a little bit further," he said. Mr Justice Hunt apologised to the jurors but said there was nothing anyone could do and that "these things happen in the course of human affairs". Ireland 'Horrible and disgusting': Man jailed for sexual abuse of his niece in the 90s Read more The judge asked the panel to put the case to one side until Thursday morning. In his opening address, Michael O'Higgins SC, prosecuting, told the jury that the State would argue that Ms Lawrence shot drug dealer Mr O'Connor and worked "as a unit" with her boyfriend to kill him and another man, with their bodies later found "bound in rope, tape and covered in tarpaulin" by fishermen on Inchicup Island on May 26th, 2014. Counsel for the State said the 12 jurors would hear evidence that the accused woman shot one of the two men, but this was not immediately fatal and was "quickly followed up" by a shot from the defendant's boyfriend, South African national Mr Neville van der Westhuizen. The jurors were also told by Mr O'Higgins that it is the prosecution's case that the accused woman and her boyfriend had "spoken openly" about "the murders and disposing of the bodies" Two pro-Palestinian activists who had to be removed by hoist from the Collins Aerospace building in Cork city appeared before Cork District Court on Tuesday, having been charged with trespassing to cause criminal damage. Myles Murphy of Ravenswood Mews in Carrigaline, Co Cork, and Kellie McConnell of Toner House, Sidmonton Place, Bray, Co Wicklow, were charged with an offence of burglary at Collins Aerospace in Penrose Wharf in Cork city on Monday. The particulars of the charge state that having entered a building as a trespasser, the two co-accused committed an arrestable offence, to wit, criminal damage therein, contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2021. Det Garda Martin McSweeney said that the two accused broke into the Collins Aerospace building on Penrose Wharf in the city in the early hours of Monday morning. Advertisement Dt Garda Sweeney said that windows were broken and slogans were spray-painted. He stated that thousands of euro worth of damage was caused. It is alleged that the accused entered the third floor of the building using a ladder and caused extensive damage to the property. Monitors and windows were smashed. Various slogans were painted on numerous walls. Garda negotiators were called in to de-escalate the situation, with Dt Garda McSweeney stating that Ms McConnell, 27, and Mr Murphy, 30, had to be removed from the building with a hoist by members of the fire brigade. Garda negotiators also had to convince them to remove themselves from the ledge of the building. Evidence of arrest, charge and caution for Kellie McConnell was given by Det Garda McSweeney. He told Judge Mary Dorgan that Ms McConnell was arrested at 11.50pm on Monday at her address in Bray. She was taken to a garda station in Cork city and subsequently charged in connection with the incident. Det Garda McSweeney said that Ms McConnell made no reply when the charge was put to her after caution. Sgt Aishling Murphy said that there was no objection to bail in the case once bail conditions were adhered to by the accused. Ms McConnell has to obey certain bail conditions, including paying her own bond of 500. She also has to sign in at Bray Garda Station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9am and 9pm. She has to be contactable to gardai by mobile phone on a 24/7 basis and cannot have any contact, indirect or direct, with any employee of Collins Aerospace. She also cannot go near the environment of Penrose Wharf. Advertisement Ms McConnell was also directed not to make any commentary whatsoever on the case on social media. Ms McConnell works in Wicklow town. She has to stay out of Cork city save for legal appointments or court appearances. Meanwhile, evidence of arrest, charge and caution in the case of Mr Murphy was handed in to the court by certificate. The court heard that he replied I am not guilty when the charge was put to him under caution. He has to obey the same conditions as his co-accused. Free legal aid was assigned to him as he is on job seeker's allowance. Both accused were remanded on bail to appear before Cork District Court on December 2nd next for DPP directions. It is understood that Collins Aerospace is a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, formerly Raytheon Technologies, one of the worlds largest aerospace and defence companies. RTX has supplied equipment and technologies to Israel. The release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners on Monday night features heavily on Irish front pages on Tuesday. The Irish Times, Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Examiner all lead with the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The Irish Times lead with Irish power bills being three times higher than the cost of wholesale energy. The Echo lead with a third arrest being made after the death of a man in Co Cork, and a plan to build 1,150 homes in Ballincollig. The Belfast Telegraph lead with a man telling police about the speed of tractors just days before his wife and daughter died. The Irish Daily Mail lead with a letter offering 10,000 per family to asylum seekers to return home, being sent to 33,000 people seeking international protection here. The Irish Daily Star and The Herald lead with a man who set a Luas tram on fire during the Dublin riots being jailed for three years. French Prime minister Sebastien Lecornu has proposed the suspension of a contested plan raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, in a move to avoid his fragile minority government being immediately toppled. Mr Lecornu said on Tuesday in a speech at the National Assembly that the law, a flagship policy of French President Emmanuel Macron, would be put on pause until after the next presidential election, to be held in 2027. The Socialist Party, which is not part of the government, had demanded the law be repealed. Mr Lecornu faces two no-confidence motions by the hard-left France Unbowed and far-right National Rally parties. The two parties do not hold enough seats to topple Mr Lecornus government on their own, but the prime minister could quickly be undone if the Socialist Party joins forces with them. Marine Le Pen listens to Mr Lecornus policy speech on Tuesday (Thibault Camus/AP) Mr Lecornu earlier met his Cabinet to discuss proposals for the 2026 budget, which needs to be approved by the end of the year. With his government hanging by a thread, Frances newly reappointed prime minister must make concessions to his political opponents to avoid the no-confidence vote later this week, as the country struggles to end a lingering political crisis. Advertisement The opposite sides of the political spectrum have criticised Mr Macrons decision to reappoint Mr Lecornu, Frances former defence minister and fourth prime minister in barely a year. With less than two years before the next presidential election, National Rally is urging Mr Macron to call another early parliamentary vote while France Unbowed wants Mr Macron to step down. French President Emmanuel Macrons successive minority governments have collapsed in quick succession (Michel Euler/AP) The Socialist Party gained a high-profile ally in the retirement age debate. Nobel Prize-winning economist Philippe Aghion told broadcaster France 2 that it should be suspended until the next presidential election to be held in 2027. I think we need to stop the clock now until the presidential election, Mr Aghion said, arguing that doing so would be the way to calm things down and it doesnt cost very much to pause it. Mr Lecornus re-appointment is widely seen as Mr Macrons last chance to reinvigorate his second term. His centrist camp lacks a majority in the National Assembly and he is facing increasing criticism even within its ranks. Mr Macrons surprise decision last year to dissolve the National Assembly resulted in a hung parliament and political paralysis. Over the past year, Mr Macrons successive minority governments have collapsed in quick succession, leaving France mired in deadlock while confronting a rising poverty rate and a mounting debt crisis that has alarmed markets and EU partners. The tenuous ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war was holding on Tuesday even as the return of deceased hostages from Gaza progressed more slowly than Israelis had hoped and health officials in the devastated territory said the Israeli military fatally shot three Palestinians. A day earlier, Israelis celebrated the return of the last 20 living hostages in Gaza and Palestinians rejoiced at Israels release of some 2,000 prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefires first phase. But now attention in Israel has turned to when Hamas will return all the bodies of hostages who died in captivity. While Israeli officials understood there could be some delay in the recovery effort, the families of hostages and their supporters expressed dismay that only four of the 28 bodies were returned on Monday. A worker cleans the ground at the plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv (Francisco Seco/AP) The Hostages Family Forum, a grassroots organisation representing many of the hostage families, called it a blatant violation of the agreement by Hamas. The top official in Israel co-ordinating the return of hostages and the missing, Gal Hirsch, told the families in a note that pressure was being applied on Hamas through international mediators to expedite the process. A copy of the note was seen by The Associated Press and its authenticity was confirmed by someone with knowledge of the statement. Advertisement In Gaza, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday that the bodies of three people killed by the Israeli military in the northern part of the territory were taken to Al Ahli hospital. The Israeli military said troops there had opened fire to remove the threat of several people approaching them and not complying with orders to stop. It did not immediately comment on any casualties. Under the ceasefire deal, Israeli forces pulled back to where they were in August, before launching their latest offensive on the Gaza City. The pullback leaves a number of hard-hit Palestinian neighbourhoods under Israeli control, and Israel has warned residents not to try to return to homes there. Complex issues remain ahead in the first phase of the ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump, including when Hamas will return to Israel the bodies of the hostages believed to be dead in Gaza, as well as the health conditions of the released hostages and prisoners. Guy Illouz, who was taken from the Nova music festival during the Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, and whose body was returned to Israel on Monday (Hostages and Missing Families Forum via AP) On Tuesday, the Israeli military identified two of the four dead hostages Guy Illouz from Israel and Bipin Joshi, a student from Nepal. A third dead hostage, Yossi Sharabi, was identified by Beeri Kibbutz, from where he was taken. Mr Illouz and Mr Joshi were both in their 20s when Hamas-led militants took them during the October 7 2023 attack on that ignited the war Mr Illouz from the Nova music festival and Mr Joshi from Israels Kibbutz Alumim. Advertisement Israel said Mr Illouz died of his wounds while being held captive without proper medical treatment, while Mr Joshi was murdered in captivity in the first months of the war adding that the National Centre of Forensic Medicine would later provide the final cause of death. Bipin Joshi, whose body was returned to Israel on Monday (Hostages and Missing Families Forum via AP) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is cautioning that finding and returning the remains of former hostages in Gaza is an even bigger challenge than freeing those who were still alive. The search for human remains, its obviously (an) even bigger challenge than having I would say the people alive being released, Christian Cardon, an ICRC official, said at a UN news briefing in Geneva. There will be human remains handed over from both sides in the future, and the ICRC will again have a role in the very sensitive operation, Mr Cardon said, adding that he was not able to say how soon that might happen. Some remains may not be found, he acknowledged. Advertisement He said decontamination of rubble-strewn sites that may be littered with unexploded ordnance and the difficulty of identifying bodies were among top challenges. The freed Israeli hostages were in medical care on Tuesday, and some families said it would be weeks before the men could go home. In the West Bank and Gaza, where hundreds of prisoners were released, several were also taken to hospitals. People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in Khan Younis, southern Gaza on Monday (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Some of the near 2,000 Palestinian prisoners released on Monday are suffering from a range of health problems they developed during years in Israeli detention, doctors and freed prisoners in the occupied West Bank told The Associated Press. The Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah received 14 men released on Monday as part of the exchange and discharged all but two. Doctors examining the men said their conditions suggested they had been beaten. It indicates that these patients were subjected to severe beatings, reflecting the extent of the violence they endured, said Imed al-Shami, a resident doctor at the hospitals emergency department. The AP could not independently verify the claims. The Israel Prison Service said it was unaware of such claims. All inmates are held according to legal procedures, and their rights including access to medical care and adequate living conditions are upheld, it said in a statement on Tuesday. Israel says it adheres to its prison standards under law and investigates any reports of violations. But such allegations are consistent with findings previously documented by media organisations and human rights groups. Displaced Palestinians walk through an area surrounded by destroyed buildings in Khan Younis, southern Gaza (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Gazas Nasser Hospital said it received the first 45 bodies of Palestinians who had been detained by the Israeli military since the 2023 Hamas-led attack. The bodies were handed over by the ICRC as part of the ceasefire agreement. A total of 450 bodies were to be returned to Gaza from Israel, the hospital said. Advertisement Longer-term issues also hang in the balance, including whether Hamas will disarm, who will govern and help rebuild Gaza, and the overarching question of Palestinian statehood, which is central for Palestinians and many countries in the region. The first steps to peace are always the hardest, Mr Trump had said as he stood with foreign leaders in Egypt on Monday for a summit on Gazas future. He hailed the ceasefire deal he brokered between Israel and Hamas as the end of the war in Gaza and the start of rebuilding the devastated territory. On Tuesday, the United Nations development agency said the latest joint estimate from the UN, the European Union and the World Bank is that 70 billion dollars (53 billion) will be required to rebuild Gaza. That figure was tallied in September, and up from 53 billion dollars (40 billion) estimated in February. Jaco Cillers, special representative of UNDP administrator for a programme to help Palestinians, said 20 billion dollars (15 billion) would be needed in the next three years, and the rest would be needed over a longer period, possibly decades. The estimated damage and rubble, throughout the whole of Gaza is in the region of 55 million tons, he said. Another way to put it is (that its) also equal to 13 pyramids in Giza. That is the amount and size of the challenge, Mr Cillers told the UN press briefing in Geneva by video from Jerusalem. Mr Cillers pointed to good indications from potential donors such as those in the Arab world, Europe and the United States, without specifying. In Egypt, Mr Trump urged regional leaders to put old feuds aside as world leaders met to discuss the challenges ahead in securing a lasting peace. Representatives from Israel or Hamas were not at the summit. Donald Trump greets Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the summit in Sharm El Sheikh (Evan Vucci/AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that an agreement signed in Egypt is not a peace deal but rather a framework for a ceasefire and said the United States and other nations must exert pressure on Israel to ensure its compliance. Speaking to journalists on his return from the ceremony in the resort of Sharm El Sheikh late on Monday, the Turkish leader insisted that the only viable solution is a two-state solution recognising Palestinian statehood. Turkey is determined to continue working toward this goal, he said, according to a transcript of his comments made available on Tuesday. Mr Erdogan said the US and others should ensure that Israel complies with agreement, citing what he said was the countrys alleged poor track record on honouring ceasefires. Mr Erdogan would not say whether Turkish troops would be deployed to Gaza, saying discussions about the structure and role of a task force for the region were still continuing. He said, however, that his government was focused on reconstruction and providing humanitarian support, including the possibility of sending container homes to Gaza. Peace cannot mean forgetting, there can be no impunity. There are cases open now in the International Criminal Court Pedro Sanchez Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday that those responsible for the destruction in Gaza should he held accountable in spite of the fragile ceasefire. Mr Sanchez said there should be no impunity for the main actors in the genocide that has been perpetrated in Gaza, without naming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or others in his government. Peace cannot mean forgetting, there can be no impunity. There are cases open now in the International Criminal Court, Mr Sanchez told Spanish radio station Cadena SER, in an apparent reference to the arrest warrants issued by the worlds top war-crimes court against Mr Netanyahu and his former defence minister over Israels military offensive in Gaza. Spain was one of Europes sharpest critics of Israels two-year war in Gaza with Mr Sanchez last month calling Israels actions there a genocide. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told the AP ahead of Mondays summit said that 15 Palestinian technocrats have been selected to administer post-war Gaza. He said their names were already vetted by Israel, without disclosing them and that the 15-member committee had already been approved by all Palestinian factions, including Hamas. Egypt announced that it would host a reconstruction and recovery conference for Gaza with the help of the US and Germany. Russian forces launched powerful glide bombs and drones against Ukraines second-largest city in overnight attacks, hitting a hospital and wounding seven people, an official said. It came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepared to travel to Washington and ask US President Donald Trump for more American military help. The Russian attack on Kharkiv in Ukraines north east hit the citys main hospital, forcing the evacuation of 50 patients, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said. The attacks main targets were energy facilities, Mr Zelensky said, without providing details of what was hit. Every day, every night, Russia strikes power plants, power lines, and our (natural) gas facilities, Mr Zelensky said on Telegram. The hospital in Kharkiv was badly damaged in the overnight strike (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Russian long-range strikes on its neighbours power grid are part of a campaign since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022 to disable Ukraines power supply, denying civilians heat and running water during the bitter winter. A room in the damaged hospital in Kharkiv (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) The Ukrainian leader urged foreign countries to help blunt Russias long-range attacks by providing more air defence systems for the country, which is hard to defend from the air in its entirety. We are counting on the actions of the US and Europe, the G7, all partners who have these systems and can provide them to protect our people, Mr Zelensky said. Advertisement The world must force Moscow to sit down at the table for real negotiations. But the latest data on foreign military aid to Ukraine showed a sharp drop-off in recent help. Military aid in July and August plunged by 43% compared with the first half of the year, Germanys Kiel Institute, which tracks support to Ukraine, said on Tuesday. That fall occurred after the creation of a fund that pools contributions from Nato members, except the US, to purchase American weapons, munitions and equipment for Ukraine. The financial arrangement is known as the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL. In the first half of 2025, military aid had exceeded what was sent between 2022-2024, despite the lack of US contributions, the institute said. Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to travel to Washington (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Mr Zelensky is due to meet Mr Trump in Washington on Friday. The talks are expected to centre on the potential US provision to Ukraine of sophisticated long-range weapons that can hit back at Russia. Mr Trump has warned Moscow that he may send Tomahawk cruise missiles for Ukraine to use. Such a move, previously ruled out by Washington for fear of escalating the war, would deepen tensions between the United States and Russia. Advertisement But it could provide leverage to help push Moscow into negotiations after Mr Trump expressed frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putins refusal to budge on key aspects of a possible peace deal. Tomahawk missiles would be the longest-range missiles in Kyivs arsenal and could allow it to strike targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow, with precision. Unlike the drones that Ukraine has used for such strikes so far, Tomahawks carry a much heavier warhead and are more difficult to intercept as they fly at low altitude to dodge air defences. Tomahawks would sharpen Ukraines ability to fight back against Russia, though its long-range attacks are already taking a toll on Russian oil production, Ukrainian officials and foreign military analysts say. Its strikes using newly developed long-range missiles and drones are causing significant gas shortages in Russia, according to Mr Zelensky. In a separate development, a UN convoy delivering aid in southern Ukraines Kherson region was attacked by Russian drones that set fire to two of the four trucks, but caused no casualties, officials said on Tuesday. The UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, said the trucks were clearly marked as belonging to the United Nations. Mr Schmale described the attack in a front-line community as utterly unacceptable. Deliberately targeting humanitarians and humanitarian assets is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and might amount to a war crime, he said in a statement. Three police officers have been killed and another 13 injured in an explosion as they carried out an eviction near the north-eastern Italian city of Verona. Two brothers and a sister, identified as Dino, Franco and Maria Luisa Rampini, were detained in connection to the explosion in the town of Castel dAzzano, 10 kilometres (six miles) southwest of Verona, police said. They were being investigated for premeditated murder, chief prosecutor Raffaele Tito told reporters at the scene. While our carabinieri were carrying out a judicial order, they were hit by an intentional explosion of a gas tank, Veronas carabinieri commander Colonel Claudio Pagano told Sky TG24. He called it an absolutely crazy gesture. Police cordoned off the scene of an explosion (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP) The two-storey farmhouse had been filled with gas, and the explosion was set off when authorities opened the door, regional governor Luca Zaia told Sky TG24. Mr Tito said the eviction had been carefully planned. Advertisement The reaction was so violent, that it was hard to predict, the prosecutor said. It was the second time authorities had attempted to evict the siblings, who had occupied the abandoned structure about a year ago. Another eviction attempt was thwarted last year when the siblings threatened to blow the house up, Mr Zaia said. Maria Luisa Rampini told newspaper Corriere della Sera last year that the siblings had been fighting what they perceived to be an unjust foreclosure of the family farm. They took away the agricultural company, the land and now the house, probably, Maria Luisa Rampini said on a video filmed during last years attempt at evicting the siblings. Today they wanted to carry out the eviction. We are opposing it in every way. We have filled the house with gas to be able to fight, she said on the video posted on Tuesday by the newspaper. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and defence minister Guido Crosetto expressed condolences for the deaths of the carabinieri, part of a national militarised police force that plays a central law enforcement role in Italy. Tommy Robinson faces a three-week wait to find out the verdict of his trial because of his upcoming trip to Israel. Robinson, 42, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone on July 28th last year, by refusing to give up the Pin for his phone. He could be jailed for up to three months if he is found guilty. Now that my trial is behind me, I will have my verdict handed down on November 4th in London . Im leaving soon for a trip to Israel a proud patriot coming tomorrow to stand with the Jewish state and deepen my understanding of the fight against jihad. Last night I spoke with Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) October 14, 2025 Amichai Chikli, Israels minister for the diaspora and combating antisemitism, said he was proud to host British patriot Robinson following the terror attack at a Manchester synagogue. He has lauded the far-right activist as a courageous leader on the front line against radical Islam. But the invitation has been criticised by figures including former Tory cabinet minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. Advertisement Robinson will travel to Israel on Wednesday until October 25, Westminster Magistrates Court heard. He previously said he would visit Jerusalem, the West Bank, the site of the Nova Festival and other October 7 locations, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre Yad Vashem, the Jabotinsky Institute and Christian holy sites. I will visit the Knesset and meet with leaders of the Israeli government, including Minister Amichai Chikli, Israels Diaspora Minister who invited me, as well as many others, he said on X. I also hope to get into Gaza, he added. He is a guest of the Israeli government in Israel tomorrow Alisdair Williamson KC, defending The prosecution and defence cases in his trial finished on Tuesday, but District Judge Sam Goozee has not yet made a decision on whether the activist is guilty or not guilty. As the judge tried to set a date to hand down his verdict, Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said Robinson would be out of the country for some time. He is a guest of the Israeli government in Israel tomorrow, he told the court. Judge Goozee told Robinson he would accommodate his current travel arrangements and adjourned his decision until November 4. A man flies a Union flag outside Westminster Magistrates Court (Ben Whitley/PA) Posting on X after the hearing ended, Robinson said: Now that my trial is behind me, I will have my verdict handed down on November 4th in London. Im leaving soon for a trip to Israel a proud patriot coming tomorrow to stand with the Jewish state and deepen my understanding of the fight against jihad. He thanked tech tycoon Elon Musk for covering his legal costs, adding: I go to Israel as a guest of government leaders and as a proud friend of the Jewish people. Robinson last month organised a Unite the Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people. More than 150 reports of anti-Muslim hate were made to the Tell Mama charity monitoring the issue in the seven days following the rally. US president Donald Trump has threatened to pull assistance for Argentina if the nations internal politics do not go the United States way in its upcoming elections. The comments came during a meeting between Mr Trump and Argentine president Javier Milei, whose country is set to hold mid-term elections for its legislative body later this month. US presidents typically do not weigh in on the candidates in other countries democratic elections. Referring to an opponent that was extremely far-left who encompassed a philosophy that got Argentina into this problem in the first place, Mr Trump warned that the United States would not waste our time with largesse toward Buenos Aires if Mr Milei does not prevail. Mr Trump issued the warning over another countrys democratic elections (AP) In addition to the mid-terms that will be a referendum on his policies, Mr Milei himself is up for re-election in 2027. If he loses, we are not going to be generous with Argentina, Mr Trump said from the Cabinet Room as he prepared to eat lunch with Mr Milei. Advertisement The US leader stressed that the 20 billion dollar (15 billion) assistance to Argentina, which administration officials strenuously deny is a bailout, was about helping our neighbours. The aid, he added, is just helping a great philosophy take over a great country. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent added that the administration believed Mr Mileis coalition in the upcoming mid-terms would do quite well and continue his reform agenda. As he opened his lunch with Mr Milei, Mr Trump noted that the Argentine president, who is an economist by trade, is Maga all the way. That traditionally refers to his campaign slogan, Make America Great Again, but this time, it also meant Make Argentina Great Again. Ahead of his White House meeting, Mr Milei lavished praise on Mr Trump, deploying a tactic that has helped transform Mr Mileis cash-strapped country into one of the Trump administrations closest allies. Mr Milei has given strong backing to Donald Trump, and his stance on cuts to government spending have won him many Republican supporters (AP) The effusive declarations are nothing new for Mr Milei whose dramatic cuts to state spending and attacks on woke leftists have won him a following among US conservatives. Your commitment to life, freedom and peace has restored hope to the world, Mr Milei wrote on social media Monday, congratulating the US president on securing a ceasefire deal in Gaza, where a truce is holding after a devastating, two-year Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement It is an honour to consider you not only an ally in the defence of those values, but also a dear friend and an example of leadership that inspires all those who believe in freedom, he said. Mr Milei arrived at the White House on Tuesday afternoon and was warmly greeted by Mr Trump. The two men posed for photos, both giving a thumbs-up. When asked by a reporter for his message to Argentina, Mr Trump said: We love them. We will be there for them, adding that Mr Milei is a very great leader. Experts say Mr Milei comes to the White House with two clear objectives. One is to negotiate US tariff exemptions or reductions for Argentine products. The other is to see how the United States will implement a 20 billion dollar currency swap line to prop up Argentinas peso and replenish its depleted foreign currency reserves ahead of the polls later this month. Advertisement BusinessBanking & financeBig four Improbable: ANZs boss is trying to defy history Clancy Yeates October 14, 2025 4:02pm 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 8 View all comments ANZ Bank boss Nuno Matos will have to defy history to hit the ambitious financial targets outlined in the banks strategic overhaul as he tries to turn the underperforming bank around, analysts say, though his cost-cutting agenda has won plaudits from the market. One notable aspect of Matos plan to cut costs is to reduce ANZs reliance on business consultants, with the chief executive even telling analysts at the market briefing on Monday that he hates consultants. ANZ boss Nuno Matos has pressed go on an ambitious overhaul of the bank and he wants it done quickly. Aresna Villanueva When asked how much he would be relying on external consultants to bring in the changes, or whether ANZ itself would be driving the project, Matos made it clear that his preference is for the bank to do more work in-house. Youll be pleased to know I dont like consultants, to be honest. I hate consultants, OK? Matos said to Jarden analyst Matt Wilson on Monday. Advertisement ANZs chief financial officer Farhan Faruqui clarified that the comments were not intended in an individual sense, before Matos explained that he said a big part of ANZs productivity drive was coming from doing more work itself, rather than relying on third parties. Related Article Opinion Big four Matos makeover to rebuild ANZ from scratch Elizabeth Knight Business columnist I came from a school where things are done by the teams that are in the company, right? Sometimes, in special moments, you need some help, either because they have something you dont have or because you need to do it faster as an accelerator. But I and we dont like structured consulting or third parties or managed services, Matos said. ANZ does not have a blanket ban on using consultants, and Wilson told this masthead that Matos comments reflected his desire for the bank to execute its own strategy, rather than relying on outside help, while keeping costs in check. Wilson estimated major banks spend tens of millions of dollars on consultants, but he was doubtful about how much value the industry creates for shareholders in most circumstances. Advertisement He said he hates the industry. He is a lifetime banker and he has done this before, Wilson said. The consulting industry creates limited value for owners other than in special circumstances where you need to corral people quickly. Ninety-nine per cent of the time youre better off doing it yourself. ANZ shares performed better than other big banks on Tuesday, as investors digested Matos announced overhaul for the underperforming bank, including $800 million in cost cuts by 2026, further investment in bankers to write mortgages and business loans, and a speedier integration of Suncorp Bank. The bank also wants to target the mass affluent segment, as well as expanding in business lending, with Matos targeting a return on tangible equity of 12 per cent by 2028 and 13 per cent by 2030, compared with 10.3 per cent in 2024. Bank watchers on Tuesday said that achieving Matos longer-term financial goals would be tough. Advertisement Macquarie analysts said it was improbable that ANZ would hit its long-term target for its cost-to-income ratio or its target for return on tangible equity, though even partially achieving its cost targets could provide sound upside. ANZ is looking to achieve what no other bank has done: materially outperform peers on costs and then revenue, Macquarie said. Barrenjoeys Jonathan Mott said providing cost-to-income ratio and return on tangible equity targets for 2028 and 2030 was courageous. Quite simply, history shows that Australian banks can either take costs out or grow revenue, but never both, Mott said. Morgan Stanleys Richard Wiles backed Matos communication and willingness to name targets and timeframes, but said it would be difficult for ANZ to outperform the market in retail and business banking. Advertisement Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Every show on ABC Radio Sydney grew its audience share in the sixth ratings survey of the year following a string of high-profile changes, while a mid-year Hottest 100 of Australian Songs helped Triple J to its best result in Sydney since 2023. ABC Radio Sydneys breakfast show, hosted by Craig Reucassel, grew its share of radio listeners to 7.8 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points, while its Mornings show, hosted by Hamish Macdonald, grew its share by 1.5 percentage points to 7.1 per cent. The ABCs Sydney Mornings host, Hamish Macdonald. Macdonald replaced Sarah Macdonald this year in what proved to be a controversial decision for some listeners and staff members. ABC Radio Sydneys overall share was 6.6 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent. Triple J recorded a 4.4 per cent share, retaining its audience from the previous survey period of 4.3 per cent. Both survey periods included the July 26 Hottest 100 of Australian Songs competition, helping the station to its best two survey results since Survey 1, 2023, which usually spans the normal Hottest 100 count. Survey six this year spanned July 20 to September 27. Advertisement BusinessWorkplaceWorkplace Opinion Were spending a lot less time commuting. Heres why Matt Wade Senior economics writer October 15, 2025 4:00am October 15, 2025 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 101 View all comments If youre reading this while standing in a stuffy train carriage or trying to keep your balance as your bus lurches to a halt, I have good news: Australians are spending less time commuting. The average trip to work and back fell from 61 minutes in 2019 to 52 minutes in 2023 a decline of 15 per cent. The improvement was even better in our biggest cities. Average daily commutes in both Melbourne and Sydney were down 19 per cent over that period, according to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, which has been collecting commuter data for more than two decades. Perhaps one of the most striking findings was that average daily commute times in both Melbourne and Sydney were lower in 2023 than they were back in 2002. News of shorter commutes should be a cause for national celebration. Advertisement One legacy of Australias highly urbanised population is that a lot of us battle congested city roads and crowded public transport to get to work; nearly 70 per cent of the population lives in one of the eight capitals. When people are asked to nominate the least desirable activity in their lives, the trudge to and from work is usually near to the top of their list. Many studies have found long repetitive trips to and from the workplace can take a toll on health, personal wellbeing and job satisfaction. A 2014 study by the UKs Office of National Statistics concluded that peoples happiness and sense of wellbeing declined with each successive minute of daily commuter travel. The HILDA survey shows those with long daily commute times (two hours or more) reported lower job satisfaction than other workers and were more likely to be considering a change of jobs. They were also more dissatisfied with the amount of free time they had compared with workers who had shorter commutes. Long commutes can also put stress on family relationships: a 2011 study by researchers at the University of Umea in Sweden found couples had a 40 per cent higher chance of divorce when one partner travelled at least 45 minutes to work. Advertisement The recent fall in commuting times in Australia is mostly due to a single factor: the increased prevalence of remote working since the pandemic. Average commute times in Melbourne have fallen since 2019. James Davies According to the HILDA survey, about 35 per cent worked at home some of the time in 2023, which is 10 percentage points higher than before the pandemic. The share who worked most of their hours from home jumped from 5 per cent to 15 per cent in that period. The vast majority of remote workers had a hybrid routine spending some of their days at the workplace and some days at home. Dr Inga Lass, a Melbourne University researcher and co-author of the HILDA report, says the work from home boom has had a profound and lasting effect on commuting. Before the pandemic we saw a steep upward trend in commuting times, but working from home has basically brought that back to the levels we had at the beginning of the survey in 2002; that is pretty major, she says. Advertisement More people working from home means fewer people using cars, trains or buses at peak times and the knock-on effect has been significantly shorter commute times overall. Sydney University transport expert Professor Matthew Beck says reducing the number of vehicles on the road by even 5 to 10 per cent has a big impact on traffic flows. Those small changes make a real difference, he says. Rail systems also function more efficiently when there are fewer passengers at peak times, says Beck. Remote work is more prevalent in capital cities, which helps explain why commutes have shrunk more in urban areas than other parts of the country. Advertisement While the latest HILDA report only captures data up to 2023, Lass says more recent evidence suggests work from home patterns have remained fairly stable since then, suggesting were still enjoying shorter commutes. The persistence of working from home arrangements has buffered the rise in commuting times far beyond the pandemic, she says. Reducing the number of vehicles on the road by even 5 to 10 per cent has a big impact on traffic flows. Janie Barrett In another positive sign, the share of workers with very long commutes, which tend to be a major drag on wellbeing, has also shrunk since the pandemic in 2019 about 18 per cent of workers spent two hours or more getting to work, but that had fallen to 13 per cent by 2023. Fewer traffic commuters has environmental benefits too passenger vehicles are a major source of carbon emission. Advertisement We could be doing far more to harness our new remote work habits to help reduce congestion at peak times. Now that flexible work routines are well established and widely accepted, more employees should be encouraged to travel outside peak times, or spend a portion of the day working from home. Beck says governments now have a wealth of real-time data on the performance of transport corridors that could be shared more effectively with commuters. If you know what times will be especially busy, or you know things are going to be particularly crowded for some reason, then share that with people, he says. When people know it will be a bad day on the transport network they might choose to work from home. That short of thing should be encouraged. Advertisement Remote work, and the best way to manage it, has been the subject of heated debate in Australia since the pandemic. But the way it affects commuting deserves much more attention. The HILDA surveys striking findings on reduced commuting times since 2019 underscores an important spin-off from the work from home revolution: all employees including those with a job that cant be done from home have benefited from greater workplace flexibility. Matt Wade is a senior economics writer at The Sydney Morning Herald. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. Advertisement Sponsored MoneySuper & retirementSuperannuation New rhythm: the boomers who are redefining retirement Brought to you by Aware Super Anders Furze Updated October 14, 2025 9:31am ,first published October 16, 2024 4:30am 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 Our six-part series gives you the knowledge and tools to navigate super and retirement planning, preparing you for the next exciting chapter of life. See all stories . For decades baby boomers have had an outsized impact on society, so its only natural that they are now reimagining what it means to retire as well. Retirement isnt a gold watch and goodbye any more, says Jo Brennan, Group Executive, Member Engagement, Education & Advice at Aware Super. Its more like a winding road than a finish line. These days, more people are looking to strike a new rhythm in retirement - something that fits their life now, not just what came before. Up, up and away the baby boomer generation is redefining retirement. Getty Images Australias retiree population is growing, and its estimated to reach 15-20 per cent of the overall population by 2030. That amounts to around 320,000 Aussies retiring every year, bringing some $86 billion in savings annually along for the ride. Advertisement For some retirees, its the perfect moment to leave the office behind, buy a caravan and never look back. But many are choosing to stay engaged in the workforce, whether by working a couple of days a week or volunteering. Some retirees might find their passion and purpose in their career and dont want to give that up. Others are reskilling into a different field altogether or stepping back from work to spend more time with adult children and grandkids. Jo Brennan, Group Executive, Member Engagement, Education & Advice at Aware Super. Retirements not just about kicking back any more, says Brennan. Its about figuring out how you actually want to spend your time - what brings you joy, what gives your life meaning. More and more, were seeing Australians take a few swings at retirement. People are stepping out of work, then stepping back in - sometimes more than once. Advertisement And with many of our members likely to live well into their 90s, retirements not a short chapter. Its a whole new phase of life. These more flexible approaches to retirement are being driven by a range of factors. Aussies are living healthier lives for longer, but the rising cost of living and a post-COVID-19 rethinking of what people want from life are also having an effect. Nevertheless, while Australians super accounts are growing, a gender gap remains at every age group, with the median super balance for women still substantially lower than for men. In June 2022, the median balance for those aged 60 to 64 was $205,385 for males and $153,685 for females, a 25.2 per cent difference, according to research from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia. This gender gap was forecast to continue for decades to come, a report from advocacy group Women in Super and consultancy Right Lane has found. Advertisement On current trends, it will take until 2070 for all cohorts of women to have the same median superannuation balance as men, it said. Planning is the key to having a healthy and happy retirement. iStock Next year, super will be paid on top of the governments paid parental leave scheme, a move that will make a significant difference for primary carers foregoing super while taking time out from work, according to Financial Services Council chief executive Blake Briggs. It plays a role in bridging the retirement savings gender gap and improving gender equality in Australia. Advertisement Given the age of a one-size-fits-all retirement is all but over, it pays for retirees to think through their options. Experts recommend taking stock of finances well before hitting retirement age and working through the financial impact of government benefits, including the age pension, and different tax incentives. But in a sign that many people are not making the most of their super, research shows half of Australians have never accessed information about preparing for retirement. Its concerning to see such a lack of engagement with information about retirement, notes Mary Delahunty, chief executive of the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA). It means many Australians may end up worse off than they should be in their post-working lives, simply because they havent been empowered with the relevant guidance. Advertisement Aware Supers Brennan says superannuation funds have a massive role to play in helping people shape the retirement they want. I always tell Australians - dont leave it too late. Get involved with your super, ask questions, get advice. The sooner you start planning, the better chance youve got to build a retirement that really works for you - one with purpose, freedom, and your own rhythm. Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making financial decisions. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Superannuation Aware Super Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has backed her state counterpart in Victoria, Brad Battin, saying he will be the one to lead the Coalition to the 2026 state election. The microscope has been on Battin in recent days, after a poll suggested the Liberals were bound for a fourth straight election loss, and following a shadow cabinet reshuffle over the weekend. Sussan Ley in Melbourne today. Eamon Gallagher On 3AW, Ley was asked about the Victorian Liberals division and unpopularity with the electorate despite the rising crime bedevilling the state Labor government. Are you concerned that this opposition is not strong enough to hold the current government to account? asked host Jacqueline Felgate. Ley said: No, Im not concerned. Im concerned for Victorians in the face of this crime wave. Brad Battin is exactly the right person in the team with exactly the right law and order background [Battin used to be a police officer]. Asked if she was confident Battin would still be in charge by next years election, Ley replied: Yes, I have absolute faith in the team here. Ley also insisted the federal opposition was united behind her, despite reported infighting and dire polling. I am incredibly proud of every single one of my team, and were developing policies. We are working hard, and a lot of people are keen to see those policies, she said. Advertisement NationalNSWPublic transport Circular Quay turns into money pit, with no sign of upgrades before 2027 Matt O'Sullivan and Cindy Yin October 15, 2025 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 58 View all comments The NSW government is unwilling to guarantee construction will start on upgrading Circular Quays aged ferry wharves and promenade before the next state poll in March 2027, despite promising the revamp at the last election. NSWs transport agency has also postponed plans to shut wharf two for six weeks for maintenance from this month, which would have forced Manly Fast Ferry vessels to use another wharf and taken large Freshwater-class ferries out of service because of reduced space at Circular Quay. The Circular Quay ferry wharves were largely built in the 1940s. Wolter Peeters While the long-promised upgrade of the wharves and promenade has stalled, Transport for NSW confirmed that $190 million has been spent on the project to date, mostly on planning. Coalition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward said the government should come clean and explain where the funding had gone and when it plans to upgrade Circular Quay. Advertisement Although the scale of the Circular Quay revamp has been scaled back from previous plans, a hold-up to further funding is delaying the project proceeding to the next stage, which would involve seeking planning approval and, if granted, contractors to overhaul the wharves and promenade. Asked what guarantees will be given that construction will begin before the 2027 state election, Transport Minister John Graham said the government would start when the times right. Circular Quays ferry wharves are showing clear signs of wear and tear. Wolter Peeters There are no shortcuts here. We dont want to start something, disrupt people and then not have it set to go, he said. Theres no way to make changes at Circular Quay without disrupting one of the key gateways to Sydney. Graham said most of the money forked out on the project so far had been spent on planning and preparing for changes that would occur at Circular Quay. Advertisement We want to make sure that were set to go before we leap into that peak construction phase, he said. Of course, maintenance is under way, making sure that these wharves are safe. The promenades supporting structure is at the end of its working life, and vehicles over two tonnes are banned from it because of the safety risk, limiting access for emergency vehicles. The wharves do not comply with accessibility standards, and are also at the end of their working lives. The wharves at Circular Quay are ageing. Wolter Peeters Pyrmont local Neil McKenzie believes a facelift for Circular Quay is long overdue, describing its rusted steel beams and weatherbeaten ramps and wharves as looking extremely tired. The nearby new fish market puts this to shame. It needs to be redeveloped; it needs to be modernised, he said. Advertisement If there are structural issues underneath, then they need to pull it all off and redo it. The last thing you want is something to break underneath it and tilt or [have] people fall off. Upgrading the ferry wharves and promenade was a Labor promise at the 2023 election, and calculations by the Parliamentary Budget Office at the time estimated it would cost $716 million. Ines and Emilio Moran, who have lived in Sydney for more than 50 years, regularly catch ferries to Manly and Watsons Bay from Circular Quay. While they appreciate the historical significance of the wharves and promenade, they stressed the importance of safety upgrades. Emilio and Ines Moran at Circular Quay. Wolter Peeters If it needs to change, it needs to change, Ines said. If its for safety purposes then they should change it. Advertisement Maritime Union of Australia deputy secretary Paul Garrett said millions of dollars had been wasted on architects who draw things on paper but have no functional reality whatsoever. Were keen to engage with the government and industry to get to the table and deliver the wharves that passengers and ferry workers deserve, said Garrett, whose union represents ferry deckhands. Related Article Public transport Its come to a complete stop: Why youll be waiting a while to see Circular Quay upgraded Transport for NSW said the funding spent on the project to date includes preparation of a business case, detailed design, complex technical studies, procurement documentation and an environmental impact statement. Additionally, to understand the unique risks and challenges, Transport has worked with industry partners and undertaken site investigation work, it said. Advertisement The agency had planned to start six weeks of critical repairs to wharf two this month, but has postponed it until next year, after the busy summer period when ferry patronage surges, especially on weekends. This will allow further investigation of options to reduce the required closure period and ensure continued operation of the iconic Freshwater-class ferries, it said. Melbourne resident Carly Mansfield, who stays in Sydney for a month each year, said she was excited at the prospect of a potential upgrade. If it means disruption to the area to get it done right, then its worth it, she said. Carly Mansfield with Aaron Fernandes at Circular Quay. Wolter Peeters Circular Quay is such an iconic point of Sydney, with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge nearby this is the centre point of all of that. 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 Graphic content NationalNSWCourts Real estate agent accused of sexually attacking three women at open homes Clare Sibthorpe October 14, 2025 4:08pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share An award-winning real estate agent is fighting dozens of sexual offence charges against three women, including rapes and sexual touching while he was a senior sales executive at Ray White. Omar Lababidi, 29, is accused of sexually attacking three women between 2021 and 2023 at various western Sydney open homes and other spots. Real estate agent Omar Lababidi has been accused of sexually attacking three women. Flavio Brancaleone The accusations were outlined during Crown prosecutor Alex Browns opening address as Lababidis trial began on Tuesday at Campbelltown District Court after he pleaded not guilty to 26 sexual offences. It is the Crowns case that the accused, at different times, while working at Ray White real estate, sexually touched each of these women, and that, on different occasions, carried out sexual acts towards one of the women and had sexual intercourse with her all without their consent and knowing they werent consenting, Brown said. Advertisement The allegations include forcing the women to give him oral sex, exposing his penis while masturbating inside open homes, and putting his hands inside their underwear. On some occasions, the jury was told, the women were saved when customers entered the home viewings. The first unwanted attempted kiss against the first complainant allegedly happened in mid-2021, inside Lababidis car as it stopped at traffic lights. Hes accused of grabbing the womans neck, pulling her towards him and trying to kiss her. Despite the complainant saying no and trying to look away from Lababidi, Brown submitted, he continued and kept telling her she looked pretty. Another alleged attack happened inside an open home, when Lababidi allegedly pulled her onto his lap and kissed her. [The woman], again, told the accused she didnt want to do this, and told him they should keep things professional before she walked out of the house. The third alleged incident happened inside another home, when Lababidi allegedly pushed the woman up against a bench and started kissing her, causing her to freeze. He then allegedly put her on top of the bench, spread her legs and rubbed his hands on the outside of her crotch, forcing her to do the same. Advertisement On two more occasions, the real estate agent allegedly forced another kiss on the woman and put his hand up her skirt, touching her bottom. Lababidi arrives at Campbelltown District Court. Flavio Brancaleone Brown told the jury they will hear evidence that Lababidi sexually touched a second woman without her consent twice, first in November 2022 during an open home. At one point, the accused shut the door while they were in the hallway and pinned her to the wall and tried to kiss her, Brown said they will hear. [The alleged victim] tried to push the accused away, but he started kissing her neck, telling her to give him just one kiss and that no one will ever know [he] kept trying to kiss her face, while she kept pushing him, moving her face away and saying stop. Advertisement One month later, at another open home, Lababidi allegedly pinned the woman against a wall, put a hand up her dress and under her underwear and touched her buttocks. After repeated requests to stop, the woman allegedly finally yelled, What the f--- are you doing? and Lababidi finally stopped and apologised. Seventeen of the 26 counts relate to the third complainant who was aged 17 when they met and include several alleged incidents in 2022 where Lababidi allegedly forced her to squeeze his erect penis, saying you love this, grabbed her buttocks and breasts and kissed her as she tried to push him off. The jury was told that during one open home viewing in March 2023, while no other customers were inside, Lababidi sat in the front room and masturbated. He then got up off the lounge, walked towards the woman, grabbed her hand and forced her to touch his penis, the Crown alleged, adding she was able to escape only once a couple arrived at the house. It is the Crowns case that on more than one occasion, he forced her to give him oral sex. In his opening address, defence barrister Simon Buchen, SC, argued all three women consented to intimacy with Lababidi. Advertisement It is the defence case that there was mutual flirting. The complainants exercised a degree of choice with the accused, Buchen told the jury. The accused did not force himself upon the complainants within locations open to the public. He may, on occasion, have made advances to those women, but at the time, the complainants willingly participated in intimacy with the accused. In 2023, Lababidi won several awards for his performance in the Macarthur area in south-west Sydney and was named Sydneys fifth-highest-performing agent. The trial before Judge Ross Hudson is expected to last three weeks. Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). 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 NationalNSWEducation The court battle is over. There will be girls at Newington Christopher Harris and Lucy Carroll October 14, 2025 5:22pm 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 122 View all comments A boy who sued his private school, Newington College, over its historic decision to become co-ed has failed in a Court of Appeal bid to prevent the institution from enrolling girls. The states top court dismissed the case on Tuesday and ordered the boy to pay the schools legal costs, ending another chapter in the long-running co-ed saga that has resulted in grown men crying and national media attention. Newington College in Stanmore is set to go co-ed from 2026 for year 5 and kindergarten, and become fully co-ed by 2033. Louie Douvis The high-profile legal showdown over the private schools move to co-education hinged on the interpretation of the word youth contained in the colleges original deed of indenture. Supreme Court judge Guy Parker earlier this year ruled in favour of the school, using dictionary definitions to conclude that youth in the 1873 trust deed was used in a gender-neutral sense and does not mandate male-only enrolment at the college. Advertisement In August, the student who was supported and funded by a coalition of old boys moved to challenge that decision. But after 4pm on Tuesday, NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell, president of the Court of Appeal Justice Julie Ward, and Justice Stephen Free threw out the case. Related Article Education How this 162-year-old Sydney private boys school is preparing for girls Barrister Michael Izzo, SC, representing the boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the appeals court on Tuesday the original judge should have considered contextual usage of the word youth in newspaper clippings, and not 19th-century dictionary definitions alone. Dictionaries are not evidence, Izzo said. Dictionaries are a tool, and in our submission, theres no reason why other tools cant also be used. And thats really our argument, that his honour erred, excluding from the evidence contemporaneous evidence of usage as embodied by a number of newspaper articles. Advertisement He then went on to list examples where he said the word youth was synonymous with boys and men, including one featuring the work of Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope who wrote about the the elite of the youth of the mother country. Other newspaper clippings included an April 1873 copy of the Gippsland Times, which said: The Phoenix Boundary company employs 70 boys, thus solving the problem now ancient put forth in many places, what is become of our colonial youth, and how shall we make them useful? Newingtons barrister, Noel Hutley, SC, said the original trust deed deliberately used language which left things flexible. And we say thats the beginning and end of it. He also said drawing from the use of the word youth from historic newspaper articles was doomed to failure. One would have to construe each article whether [youth was] an ordinary meaning or one which was dictated by context. And thats an exercise [where] your honour would have to go through each article. Advertisement The language is not ambiguous. The language is clear. One judge, Ward, questioned Izzo about why the decision to lodge the appeal was made so late in circumstances where you presumably knew that steps were being taken in relation to the admission of women or girls to the school in the next school year. Newington headmaster Michael Parker welcomed the decision. He indicated there was an issue about raising funds for the appeal. In response, Ward said: There was no recognition in an accompanying affidavit about money that has already been spent and families that have already committed themselves in relation to the next school year, is that correct? Advertisement After the decision, Newington headmaster Michael Parker said he was pleased to put the court proceedings behind him, and continue to move forward with our exciting, inspiring and inclusive co-educational vision from next year. Related Article Education Battle of the dictionaries: Private schools co-ed fight hinges on definition of youth We look forward to providing a positive and united welcome to the first girls who will arrive on our campuses in less than four months, he said. In the meantime, we will continue to maximise opportunities for our current students whilst preparing for the move to become a fully co-educational school by 2033. We are very proud of the rich history of our great school. We are very optimistic for all our current students and their ability to thrive in life beyond our gates, and we are deeply committed to continuing to evolve, improve and build on our best traditions to be an even better school in the future. Advertisement Earlier this week, it was revealed an investigation into claims of governance problems at the college found during the relevant period, the total number of councillors was less than the 24 members required by the Newington College Council Act. But it also noted there was always a quorum of nine people at council meetings and that decisions taken by the council during the period were not invalidated, a letter to the lawyers for the anti-coed group said. 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 NationalQueenslandCourts The little bastard done it: Only person charged over Spear Creek murders admits he lied to police Cloe Read Updated October 15, 2025 7:05am ,first published October 14, 2025 7:34pm 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 The only person charged over an outback triple homicide has admitted he lied to police, as a court heard evidence his father had claimed the little bastard done it. Bruce Preston, 70, was charged with the 1978 shooting of Timothy Thomson, his girlfriend Karen Edwards and their friend Gordon Twaddle, who were found dead at a bush track at Spear Creek outside Mount Isa in Queenslands north-west. For the first time in years, Preston has spoken of the police investigation, telling the inquest he spent 11 months in custody after he was charged, and he had done nothing but think of the case. Bruce John Preston, initially charged over the Spear Creek deaths, gave evidence at the inquest on Tuesday. Cloe Read Thomson, 31, Edwards, 23, and Twaddle, 21, had been on a motorbike trip from Alice Springs, with plans to head to Cairns then on to Melbourne for Christmas. Advertisement But the group never made it. Their bodies were found with gunshot wounds to the head, and forensics officers determined they had been shot with a .22 calibre rifle. The inquest earlier heard evidence the trio were seen with a red BMW motorbike with a sidecar attached so Thomsons dog could ride in it. Loading This bike became a major focus of the police investigation. Preston was found in possession of the motorcycle and pleaded guilty to stealing it. He was fined $300, the inquest heard earlier. Advertisement Detectives were believed to have had a breakthrough in the case in 2019, charging Preston, a former prison guard at NSWs Goulburn Supermax jail, with murder. He denied the charges and they were dropped in July 2023. Sitting in a wheelchair in a Brisbane courtroom on Tuesday, the 70-year-old was asked repeatedly during the inquest about his police statements in relation to how he claimed to have found the motorbike on the outskirts of Mount Isa then later said he found it in the towns centre. He was asked if he initially told lies about where he found the motorcycle. Preston answered yes. Karen Edwards, Gordon Twaddle and Tim Thomson died in 1978. Nine When asked why, he said: I dont know, its 47 years ago. I was a young fellow, I panicked. Advertisement Coroner David OConnell asked him if he moved the location in his police statement to put the bike further away from Moondarra Caravan Park, where the trio had been staying and were last seen alive on October 5. Preston answered no. The coroner repeatedly pointed out that although Preston had claimed privilege from indemnity over his answers, he could still face a risk of perjury. Preston, who earlier in 1978 had travelled from Alice Springs to Mount Isa, reiterated that he struggled to recall dates and places. At one point he told the inquest he had spent a further two days in Alice Springs, despite telling police he left earlier, and his family confirming he arrived in Mount Isa about October 4 or 5. The three were found dead on October 24. The red motorcycle driven by Tim Thomson. Queensland Police Service Advertisement His older brother, Ian, told the inquest that at the time, their father, Arthur, had been concerned that the red motorbike in Prestons possession was involved somehow. Ian told the court he also went to police about his brother. He said: The thoughts I had were that I was afraid if anybody had been involved in these sorts of events. When asked who he was referring to, he answered his brother. The 76-year-old recalled how he and his brothers used to go pig shooting with their father when they were boys. The front page of The North West Star on October 25, 1978. The North West Star Their father, according to Ian, was an avid hunter and shooter. The family also used to shoot kangaroos, sending their skins back to Brisbane to be tanned and sold. Advertisement When Ian turned 15, he left the family and joined the navy. He did not agree with many of his fathers opinions and wanted to get away, he told the court. After Ian married he returned to Mount Isa with his wife for a trip. During that time, he asked his father about his old .22 pump-action firearm, which he wanted to have back. He was told that Arthurs wife, Yvonne, now had the gun and was using it to shoot, Ian told the court. He said the following year, his brother called him from Adelaide and told him he had bought a BMW motorcycle and had it transported to Mount Isa. Ian said he believed Preston was a member of the Black Uhlans outlaw motorcycle gang and recalled seeing his nickname, Pedro, on his jacket. Advertisement The court heard that at one time, Arthur Preston told a friend while discussing Bruce and the murders: The little bastard done it. But hes a tough little bastard, and they cant break him. It was suggested to Ian Preston that he was harbouring a family secret that was no longer private, given it was in the public arena. Ian said he was not harbouring anything, and was not aware of his fathers conversation. Merrill Anderson, who lived across the road from the Prestons in Mount Isa, earlier told the inquest she believed Arthur was running interference at the time by suggesting to help police search the Moondarra Dam looking for the bike. Arthur was a ranger who knew the lake and area well. Anderson told the court she quite liked Bruce, who would willingly demonstrate how to ride motorbikes to the kids in the community. She described him as patient and tolerant, and always a gentleman, who never used bad language. Advertisement But at times, he would be moody, she said. She recalled how she had seen Bruce riding around town with a motorbike, which she believed to be a reddish BMW, and he did not try to hide it. Anderson said Bruce even took her sons for a ride on it to the corner and back. He was not in any way trying to be secretive about the bike, she said. But around the time police began looking for the motorbike in connection to the deaths, Bruce stopped riding it, Anderson said. She recalled how his stepmother, Yvonne, explained to her that the bike was in the shed and needed parts. When Anderson saw the bike one day with marks on the side, she said: You know what, I think this is the bike the police are looking for. Advertisement Later, she and others went to the Spear Creek site, where they found bullet shells and a bullet hole in a tree. Anderson said she believed Bruce also visited the site with a group of people, but she said it was difficult to say with certainty. The inquest continues. 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 NationalWABorder security WA rangers expose hiding spots of illegal fishers in croc country crackdown Hannah Murphy October 14, 2025 1:29pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Its muggy, ridden with mosquitos and home to saltwater crocodiles, but thats what makes Western Australias far north coast a favourite hiding spot for illegal fishers. However, local rangers are hoping to change that. A boat with rangers on the patrol. Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation Indigenous rangers and WAs Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions took Australian Border Force officers out to remote beaches and mangroves forests on the Kimberley coast earlier this month, to uncover where illegal fishers may potentially hide when trying to cross into Australian waters. The four-day patrol was part of Operation Leedstrum, and involved Indigenous rangers passing on their knowledge of the regions remote beaches, inhospitable islands and dense mangroves to government authorities. Advertisement We were able to share some of our local knowledge to help locate hiding places ... for illegal fishing boats on Dambeemangaddee sea country, a Dambimangri Aboriginal Corporation spokesperson said. Leedstrum was triggered after an increasing number of illegal fishers were detected off WAs north coast, and parts of the Buccaneer Archipelago, the Lalang-gaddam Marine Park and its surrounding coast have been identified as a particularly porous part of WAs border. A ranger patrols remote mangroves in WAs Kimberley. Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation In some cases, the area has acted as a drug couriering route between the two countries, and served as camps for illegal fishers. This successful patrol marks an exciting first step in building a stronger relationship with ABF, and were proud to be part of this important work, monitoring our remote coastline, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Fishers often traverse the region in search for the lucrative sea cucumber or trepang which is worth about $300 per 500 grams in Indonesia. Related Article Exclusive Asylum seekers These men watched a croc kill their friend. Australia doesnt know, and hes not the first The four-day joint patrol was conducted by the department and Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation, who are traditional owners over parts of the park. Officials undertook a patrol of the shoreline and mangrove systems within the marine park to identify and record areas used by foreign fishing vessels, a department spokesperson said. The joint patrols allowed knowledge and intelligence to be shared between the three organisations and the information recorded during the patrols will assist DBCA and DAC with marine park management and future patrols. Advertisement A spokesperson for the Australian Border Force said the authority was particularly keen to hear from rangers who knew the country so intimately. Indigenous ranger groups possess generations of local knowledge and cultural practices to manage vast and remote areas of land, river and sea country, they said. Parts of the park are only accessible by air. Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation Through an ongoing partnership between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ranger groups and the ABF, this deep knowledge provides invaluable intelligence, helping us effectively monitor the 30,000km of coastline we have at our doorstep. This masthead understands local Indigenous Kimberley rangers were briefed about three years ago on how to recognise the boats and report them to police. Advertisement Fishing camps have previously been detected at the islands around the archipelago, Scott Reef and Ashmore Reef. Related Article Asylum seekers The reality behind the headlines of Indonesias people smugglers Federal authorities said they had detected nearly 300 illegal foreign fishing vessels in the last financial year, and have recently launched a similar operation to fight fishers on the Northern Territory coast. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said earlier this year the operation had already resulted in significant seizures. Following the success of Operation Leedstrum in the Kimberley, some illegal fishers have ventured further east into the Northern Territory. They are now discovering that this pathway is also blocked, he said. Advertisement Vessels are being intercepted, more than seven tonnes of sea cucumber has been seized and boats have been destroyed. It comes it was revealed the ABF was buying up crayfishing boats in Geraldton to pass on to people smugglers. 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 PoliticsFederalSuperannuation The moment the PM decided to pull the pin on Chalmers contentious tax Paul Sakkal, Shane Wright and Millie Muroi Updated October 14, 2025 5:41pm ,first published October 14, 2025 5:39pm 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 115 View all comments Fears of scaring Australians away from investing in superannuation partly drove Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses contentious call to overhaul Labors superannuation tax proposal, a move initially resisted by its architect, Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Mondays backflip, revealed on Albaneses first day of a week-long holiday, involved dropping a proposal to tax paper profits for people with more than $3 million in their super. The government also decided to index the threshold to avoid many more people being trapped by the tax over time. Creative tension between Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese has been a topic of conversation this term. Alex Ellinghausen Albanese believed the tax was turning into a political barnacle for the government and directed Chalmers to come up with a new policy around the time of Labors economic roundtable in August, giving the treasurer time and space to develop and take ownership of a solution. In its place, Chalmers revealed people with more than $10 million in their balance would cop a 40 per cent tax on earnings above that threshold. The move was praised by economists and Paul Keating, the father of the nations superannuation scheme, but tax experts said it could drive people to shift cash from super to trusts. Low-income Australians will also get a boost under the updated plan. Advertisement The prime minister was aware of varying levels of scepticism towards the policy from economists, some cabinet ministers, and Keating before the May election, according to sources familiar with thinking inside the government. Related Article Opinion Australian economy Albanese doesnt share Chalmers ambition. Hes got a different one Peter Hartcher Political and international editor Labor mulled changes before the election but decided against doing so because the Coalition under Peter Dutton and shadow treasurer Angus Taylor did not mount a fight against the proposal a point since lamented by Liberals MPs. After the election, Liberals including Tim Wilson, as well as the Australian Financial Review and The Australian newspapers, started to scrutinise the matter, fuelling anxiety inside the cabinet over a broader political campaign on taxing wealth. This fed into a broader concern, shared by Albanese, that a long-running argument driven by bad-faith private interests and Liberal MPs would distract from more important Labor agenda items and create uncertainty for those nearing retirement about the government tinkering with their super. Advertisement Albaneses move to ask Chalmers to overhaul the proposal, confirmed by two senior Labor sources and a well-placed MP, came during another period of speculation about the pairs relationship. The productivity roundtables scope was narrowed by Albaneses ruling that tax changes would not be considered, even as Chalmers tried to open the door to big ideas. The sources confirmed Chalmers, who sees himself as a reformer and intellectual leader in the government, was not initially keen on yielding on the super policy he had defended for two years. One source said Chalmers heard no negative feedback about the policy from anyone in the cabinet except Albanese, lending weight to the prevailing view that Albanese is a cautious prime minister. Treasurer trove Jim Chalmers with his former boss Wayne Swan and political idol Paul Keating. Oscar Coleman Chalmers had defended the super policy against criticism for months, even as super funds argued it would be tricky to account for paper profits and farmers expressed angst about paying taxes on illiquid assets. On Tuesday, Chalmers said he and Keating, his political idol, had had half a dozen conversations about the policy last week. Advertisement I take my responsibilities as the custodian of Pauls creation very seriously, and that means doing the important changes, making the important reforms, to make sure that our superannuation system is as strong and fair and sustainable as it can be, Chalmers said. The Coalition leapt on the news on Tuesday to claim Chalmers authority had been shredded. Jim Chalmers one big idea was to start taxing the unrealised gains in peoples super accounts, but even that has been left a wreckage after he was forced into a humiliating backdown by the prime minister, shadow treasurer Ted OBrien said. Related Article Analysis Superannuation Getting frequent calls from Keating or Costello is all part of being treasurer The rejig will cost the budget $4.2 billion over four years, in part because it will be delayed until next year. Even when up and running, the new package will rake in less than the original forecasts $1.6 billion rather than $2.5 billion in 2028-29. Advertisement Within Treasury, there has been growing concern about the budgets dependence on personal income taxation and the concessional tax treatment of superannuation. The budgets dependence on working incomes was a key factor in Treasurys proposal for a tax on unrealised capital gains in big super accounts, which has now been dumped. Analysis by UBS released on Tuesday found household wealth climbed 7.7 per cent or by $1.3 trillion to a record $18.1 trillion. Most of that wealth is tied up in housing and superannuation. Without a broadening of the tax base, particularly into assets, the fear is that working people and younger Australians will face an ever-increasing income tax hit. Chalmers plan to introduce a $10 million threshold, above which super account earnings will face a 40 per cent tax rate, had been floated this year as one way to target those with enormous super balances. Advertisement Tax data suggests there are 30 people with more than $100 million in their super at an average of $209.3 million per person. Australian National University tax expert Bob Breunig said some people with seven-figure super balances may turn towards trusts as a result of the new $10 million threshold. Related Article Updated Superannuation Chalmers backs down on super indexing, puts in higher tax rate for accounts with $10m For earnings on balances between $3 million and $10 million, youre going to pay 30 per cent tax, which is [still] much lower than the 47 per cent marginal income tax rate, so it remains a preferred investment vehicle, he said. A trust is really about holding an investment, and then the gains from that being taxed at a lower rate, but its generally less concessional than super unless youre someone with more than $10 million in super, paying 40 per cent tax, where its probably worth doing something. Advertisement 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 WorldAfricaWorld politics Madagascars military coup leader says he is taking the position of president Sarah Tetaud and Gerald Imray Updated October 16, 2025 10:57am ,first published October 14, 2025 11:48am 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 Key points Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who led the coup, expects to be sworn in soon and says the armed forces will rule for 18 months to two years. The military takeover on Tuesday followed weeks of youth-led protests against ousted president, Andry Rajoelina. Randrianirina claimed the High Constitutional Court invited him to lead, while the African Union suspended Madagascar from its bodies until constitutional order is restored. Antananarivo: The leader of Madagascars military coup says he is taking the position of president and that the armed forces will be in charge of the African island nation for up to two years before any elections are held. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who led the rebellion that ousted president Andry Rajoelina on Tuesday following weeks of youth-led protests, said in his first interview with a global news outlet since taking power that he expected to be sworn in as the countrys new leader in the next few days. Colonel Michael Randrianirina joins protesters on Tuesday to announce that the armed forces are taking control of Madagascar. AP There must be an oath-taking to make his position official, Randrianirina said at his units barracks while flanked by fellow officers. We are staying here for at least 18 months, at most two years. Randrianirina announced on Tuesday that the armed forces were taking power in Madagascar, a sprawling country of about 30 million people off Africas east coast that is the worlds leading vanilla producer and is known for its unique biodiversity. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, it has had a history of coups and political crises. Advertisement The latest military takeover capped weeks of protests against Rajoelina and his government, led by youth groups calling themselves Gen Z Madagascar. The protesters, who also included labour unions and civic groups, have demanded better government and job opportunities, echoing youth-led protests elsewhere in the world. Among other things, the Madagascar protesters have railed against chronic water and electricity outages, limited access to higher education, government corruption and poverty, which affects roughly three out of every four Madagascans, according to the World Bank. Although some suggest the military seized power on the backs of the civilian protesters, demonstrators cheered Randrianirina and other soldiers from his elite CAPSAT unit as they triumphantly rode through the streets of the capital, Antananarivo, on Tuesday, with one protest leader telling Associated Press the military is listening to us. Ousted president Andry Rajoelina in Madagascar last month. AP The takeover was an awakening of the people. It was launched by the youth. And the military supported us, said the protest leader, Safika, who only gave one name as has been typical with the demonstrators. We must always be wary, but the current state of affairs gives us reason to be confident. The protests reached a turning point on Saturday when Randrianirina and soldiers from his unit sided with the demonstrators calling for the president to resign. Rajoelina said he fled to an undisclosed country because he feared for his life. Advertisement Randrianirina explained that he was taking over as Madagascars head of state because the countrys High Constitutional Court invited him to do so in the absence of Rajoelina. He previously said the military had acted on behalf of the people and cast the coup as a move to restore the country. We had to take responsibility yesterday because there is nothing left in the country, no president, no president in the Senate, no government, Randrianirina said. The colonel said the military leadership was accelerating the appointment of a new prime minister so that the crisis in the country does not last forever. He didnt give an exact time frame for that to happen. Rajoelina, who first came to power as a transitional leader in a 2009 military coup, was elected president in 2018 and re-elected in 2023. He fired his government last month in an attempt to appease the protesters after a crackdown by security forces left 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations. Rajoelinas government disputed those figures. The exiled Rajoelina, 51, has rejected the military takeovers legitimacy. But Randrianirina pushed back on that, telling the AP: What is he saying is illegal? We have an order from the High Constitutional Court. We did not force the HCC or point a gun at it to issue this. Advertisement Randrianirinas claim that his authority to take over as president came from the countrys highest court seemed to contradict his announcement on Tuesday that the military council taking power had suspended that courts powers. Troops loyal to Randrianirina head to the presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo, on Tuesday. AP In a statement, Rajoelinas office claimed that some of the high courts judges were threatened so they would sign off on the colonels ascendancy. The African Union announced on Wednesday that it had suspended Madagascar from its bodies with immediate effect until constitutional order is restored in the country. The group previously suspended several other member states after military coups, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, was deeply concerned by the unconstitutional change of power in Madagascar and hoped all stakeholders there could work together to reach a peaceful settlement to the ongoing crisis and its root causes, his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement, noting that the UN would continue to work to restore peace and stability in the country. Advertisement Some analysts have described Madagascars youth movement as an expression of understandable grievances over government failures and condemned the military takeover. Predominantly Gen-Z people took to the streets as protests over longstanding water and power cuts continued on September 30 in Antananarivo. Getty Images Gen-Zers in Madagascar have been on the streets of the country protesting the lack of essential services, especially water and electricity, and the negative impact on their lives for almost a month, said Olufemi Taiwo, professor of Africana studies at Cornell University. This is a civil society uprising, and its resolution should not involve the military. The Australian governments Smartraveller website says Australians should reconsider the need to travel to Madagascar due to demonstrations and civil unrest. AP 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. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: World politics Madagascar Defence Gen Z The Intermediate People's Court of Yichang, Hubei province, delivers its first-instance verdict on Oct. 14, 2025, in the bribery case of Wang Bo. Photo: VCG A former senior official in North Chinas Inner Mongolia autonomous region has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve after being convicted of accepting more than 449 million yuan ($63 million) in bribes over two decades. Wang Bo, a former deputy director of the regions legislature, was sentenced Tuesday by the Yichang Intermediate Peoples Court in Hubei province. Following the two-year reprieve, his sentence will be commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or further commutation, the court said. All of Wangs personal assets have been confiscated. Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 9:54AM Last year, Instagram announced Teen Accounts, which reimagined the Instagram experience for teens and their parents with built-in restrictions on who can contact teens, the content they see, and their time spent on the app. Since then, 97% of teens ages 13-15 have kept their default restrictions on and nearly all parents surveyed (94%) say Teen Accounts are helpful for parents. Today, Meta announced the most significant update to Teen Accounts since they launched last year, building on the automatic protections already provided by Teen Accounts to hundreds of millions of teens globally. The changes will begin rolling out in Canada, the U.S., U.K and Australia starting today. Key highlights from the announcement include: Instagram is revamping Teen Accounts to be guided by PG-13 movie ratings - meaning teens will see the kind of content theyd expect to see in a PG-13 movie. - meaning teens will see the kind of content theyd expect to see in a PG-13 movie. Teens will be automatically placed in this updated experience - and cant opt-out without a parents permission. - and cant opt-out without a parents permission. This will apply across Instagram - from recommendations to Feed and Stories, comments and Search results. It will also apply to entire accounts - so teens wont be able to follow or interact with accounts that regularly share 18+ content. - from recommendations to Feed and Stories, comments and Search results. It will also apply to entire accounts - so teens wont be able to follow or interact with accounts that regularly share 18+ content. Instagram is also offering a new, stricter setting for parents who want a more restrictive experience for their teen. for parents who want a more restrictive experience for their teen. Why are we doing this? While Teen Accounts already have built-in protections, we understand that inappropriate content remains a top concern for parents - and that our existing content settings can feel confusing. We wanted to more closely align with an external standard parents are more familiar with, to provide clarity and peace of mind that when their teen is on Instagram, theyre seeing content similar to what theyd see in a PG-13 movie by default. To learn more link here. AUTHOR Kieran Fanning has just published Enchanted Ireland, a collection of magical tales, one from every county in Ireland. This hardback book is beautifully illustrated by Canadian artist Julia Iredale and contains a map for you to visit each of the 32 featured locations. Enchanted Ireland features stories from every county in Ireland and includes a map showing where the legends were based Kieran, a native of Stratford-On-Slaney in Co Wicklow, works as a teacher and spends his free time researching myths and legends, and writing stories for his book. Carlows story is set at Dinn Righ in Ballyknockan, once the home of the legendary Labhraidh Loingseach, the king with horses ears. Labhraidh Loingseach was a wise and well-loved Irish king, though he had a peculiar habit of wearing tall headgear at all times. His secret? He had been born with horses ears, which gave him extraordinary hearing. To conceal them, he wore long hair, high crowns, horned helmets and even hats while swimming. Author Kieran Fanning Each year, the king would summon a barber always from far away to cut his hair. But when the barber inevitably discovered his ears, he was executed to keep the secret. Over time, barbers across Ireland grew fearful and refused to work, causing peoples hair to grow wild. One day, a barber named Marcan was summoned. His mother, a widow, begged the king to spare him. Labhraidh Loingseach promised her that Marcan would live if he could keep the kings secret. Marcan vowed never to tell a living soul about the kings unusual ears. He cut the kings hair and left with his life intact. However, the burden of his secret weighed heavily upon him. He asked a druid for advice. The druid cleverly pointed out that Marcan had only promised not to tell a living soul. That didnt mean he couldnt share his secret with a rock or a tree. So Marcan whispered the secret to a walnut tree in the forest. Later, a harper named Craiftine made a harp from that very tree. When he performed at the kings banquet, the harp suddenly cried out, The king has horses ears! The secret was out, and at first Labhraidh thought he was doomed. But then, he felt strangely relieved. He expected ridicule but instead received compassion and support from his people. One man with an eye patch and a woman with a scar both spoke out, saying his honesty made them feel seen and accepted. Labhraidh, deeply moved, vowed to embrace his uniqueness. No longer ashamed, he ruled not just as a good king, but a better one wiser, braver and finally free of the secret that had burdened him all his life. Labhraidh Loingseach ruled as king for 30 years. He named his kingdom Laighin, after the copper-headed lances his soldiers brought from France. Today, we know this kingdom as the province of Leinster, and it is still called Laighin in the Irish language. Other countries have similar stories about kings with animal ears, like the Greek story of King Midas who had donkeys ears, the Serbian story of Emperor Trojan who had goats ears, or the Welsh story of King March who had horses ears. Enchanted Ireland an atlas of magical stories from every county took a year to research. It was great fun trawling through old books and the dusty corners of the internet hoping to uncover lost stories, said says Kieran. The 32 stories in the book range from some of Irelands oldest tales like the arrival of the Tuatha De Danann, right up to more modern tales from the last century and features many well-known stories such as The Children of Lir, as well as the exploits of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and Cuchulainn. Enchanted Ireland is published by Gill Books and is available in all good bookshops. High Court reporters Online news outlet Gript has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge the Press Council's decision to uphold an earlier finding that an article entitled "Inside the DCU SPHE Course - Fisting, writing sex scenes, porn terms examined" had breached codes of journalistic practice. The High Court this morning, granted permission to Gript Media Limited, Gardiner Place, Dublin 1, to challenge the June 2025 decision of the Press Council upholding a previous decision of the Press Ombudsman regarding codes of practice. The Press Ombudsman found that Gript provided "no evidence that DCU gave adult teachers to understand that sexually explicit exercises used during their training were to be replicated in school classrooms". "Adaptation of material so that it is age appropriate is not replication and to suggest otherwise, as the publication does, is distortion," it found. Gript is seeking the quashing of the Press Council's decision and a re-hearing of its appeal on grounds that the regulatory body failed to provide sufficient reasons for its decision. Gript claims the Press Council erred in applying the incorrect standard of review in assessing the Press Ombudsman's original decision. Gript further claims it was denied the right to be heard at an oral hearing and was therefore denied a right to fair procedure. The DCU SPHE/RSE course is a graduate diploma for teachers in Social, Personal and Health Education and Relationships and Sexuality Education, which DCU's website describes as "the first of its kind in an Irish context". DCU said the course is to assist teachers in helping children and young people in "what can be an incredibly challenging" time in their lives regarding mental health, consent, sexuality, respect and relationships. The government-funded one-year course is described as "a programme of teacher professional development, specifically designed to upskill and enable registered post-primary teachers to acquire, develop and advance their core competencies in the teaching of SPHE/RSE at Junior and Senior Cycle levels". In papers lodged to the High Court, Gript submits that the article, "Photos: Inside the DCU SPHE Course - Fisting, writing scenes, porn terms examined", was published on October 4, 2024, on "foot of a video that went viral". Gript claims that the article outlined the content and context of the video, the responses by then Minister for Education Norma Foley and the funding backdrop for the course. DCU's complaints that the article allegedly breached the principles of truth and accuracy, fair procedures and honesty and the right to privacy were upheld. Gript says DCU released a public statement on 23 October, 2024, stating that the video used "completely misrepresented the course" and that there had been associated "disinformation" surrounding it, leading to "threats of violence and misogynistic and homophobic slurs" against academic staff who teach the course. DCU course participants The next day, 24 October, 2024, Gript published another article, titled 'Audio: DCU course participants discuss talking "fisting" with students'. Gript says the story outlined a dispute between a teacher who attended the course and Minister Foley as to the content to be taught in SPHE classes. "The article quotes multiple sources as to their impression of the course content and its use, versus what Minister Norma Foley and the Department of Education stated", claims Gript. The company is taking the challenge against regulatory body The Press Council, while the Press Ombudsman and Dublin City University (DCU) are listed as notice parties. Gript says its articles discussed testimonies from teachers who attended the course and what they perceived of the course's applicability to classrooms, featured course content provided by an attending teacher and outlined the official stance of the Department of Education on the course as well as that of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland. Gript says that DCU wrote a letter of complaint about a number of their articles on the subject, including other stories titled "Government seeks to make your kids sexperts. That's wrong", "On DCU's SPHE Course: Prof who challenges "children's presumed sexual innocence" and "SPHE: The Irish sex-educators challenging the idea of children's innocence". At the High Court today, Gript was represented by Maura McNally SC and Conor Rock BL, instructed by Robinsons Solicitors. Counsel successfully applied to Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty for permission to challenge the Press Council's refusal of Gript's appeal, which claims the applicant was given "insufficient reasons" in the decision being upheld. Ms Justice Gearty adjourned the matter to November. Fiona Magennis A serial sex offender who lured an escort to his home before violently raping her while under investigation for a previous attack in which he violated his victim in every conceivable way - and who later attempted to rape a third woman - has failed to have his 18-year prison sentence reduced on appeal. Aaron Barwell (30) of Coldcut Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty to one count of oral rape, one of rape and one of attempted rape on dates between January and August 2021. The three victims were all working as escorts at the time and each had a profile on a website listing their services. He arranged for each victim to come to his residence on separate occasions, where he carried out the offences. Cable ties During a search of Barwells apartment following the first attack, gardai found a knife and cable ties in his pockets when the defendant opened the door. A small silver hammer was also seized. Barwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the final two years suspended by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court in July 2024. The judge originally set a total headline sentence of 36 years to reflect the gravity of the offending. He said the court was conscious that 36 years is a significant period and after considering the principles of totality and proportionality, he reduced the headline sentence to 27 years. Having considered mitigation, the judge gave a further discount of seven years and suspended the final two years of the sentence. Dismissing Barwells appeal at the Court of Appeal on Monday, Mr Justice John Edwards said the court had no hesitation in rejecting the suggestion that the sentencing judge had erred in either the band in which the offending was placed or the headline sentences set. He said on no view of it could these crimes fall into the ordinary category of offending. 'Significant degradation' The first victim was falsely imprisoned and terrorised by Barwell, the judge noted. There was significant degradation as she was forced to have sex without a condom when she had clearly indicated that she did not want this, he said. Mr Justice Edwards said the second victim was raped every conceivable way - orally, vaginally and anally - there was violence involved in the production of a screwdriver and the woman was in fear for her life and hugely traumatised by the whole experience. In relation to the third victim, the judge said that whilst this was an attempted rape there were significant aggravating factors and considerable violence used. He said a screwdriver was produced and the woman was attacked. Only the resistance she put up saved her from being fully raped, the judge added. He said the judge in the case was assiduous in ensuring that the ultimate sentence imposed was proportionate and would not be crushing. The ultimate term imposed was undoubtedly a long sentence but was deservedly so, the judge added. He said the judge also made a substantial adjustment to the headline figure to reflect the mitigating factors in the case. We are satisfied sufficient generosity was shown in that regard, he said. Barwells personal circumstances were also properly taken into account and were reflected in the reduction of seven years to a baseline sentence of 20 years, Mr Justice Edwards said adding the judge then went further and suspended two years to incentivise rehabilitation. We consider this was generous, he added. Appeal At the appeal hearing today, Dara Foynes SC, for Barwell, argued that the headline sentence set by the judge was too high and that this tied the courts hands when it came to looking at how to apply and balance mitigation against the severity of the sentence. She said the judge failed to express how he had calculated the value of the guilty plea and did not reference the remorse expressed by Mr Barwell, both in the dock and in letters to the victims. The ultimate sentence handed down was crushing, counsel contended, and the cumulative term exceeded the culpability of Mr Barlow taking into account the probation report, the forensic psychologists report and his other personal circumstances. She said it was accepted by gardai that Barwell was in the throes of cocaine addiction at the time. She said the offending happened in the midst of the Covid lockdown and Barwell also seemed to be in the grip of an addiction to pornography at the time. I say the sentence was excessive, she said. In response, Shane Costelloe SC, for the State, said there was absolutely no error in principle on the part of the sentencing judge. 'Pre-meditated attack He said this had been a pre-meditated attack; Barwell had given a false name, had lured the women to his address and had used violence or the threat of violence in each case. Mr Costelloe said the attacks had had a huge effect on the victims lives. In so far as credit is being given for a plea, he was given a discount of seven years in circumstances where the plea was given the day after a jury was empanelled and the three complainants made it clear they were ready and willing to give evidence, said counsel, adding a further two years had been suspended on top of that. The sentencing court heard that on January 29th, 2021, a two-hour appointment was agreed between Barwell and the first complainant. When they went to his residence, Barwell directed her to the bedroom before holding a rope and a hammer. He pushed the woman onto the bed and demanded she perform oral sex on him. She later told gardai Barwell tapped on the soles of her feet using the hammer. He then pushed her face into the bed, tied her hands and masturbated over her. Gardai subsequently carried out a search of Barwell's residence and a knife and cable ties were found in his pockets when he opened the door. Several items were seized during the search, including a small silver hammer. He was not arrested following this search as the garda investigation was ongoing. Second victim Barwell arranged for the second victim to come to his residence on August 13th, 2021. seemed to be under the influence of drugs and asked the woman the cost of her services. He took out a screwdriver and held it to her neck, saying: Don't mess with me, motherfucker and threatening to kill her. Barwell then dragged the terrified woman to his bedroom and shouted at her to remove her clothes. He pushed her face down onto the bed, then forced her to perform oral sex before raping her vaginally and anally. The court heard he was holding the screwdriver throughout. Barwell apologised afterwards and described what happened as role-playing. The court heard that gardai did not become aware of this second incident until after the third victim contacted them. Two weeks later, on August 27th, an arrangement was made between the third victim and Barwell. He brought her to the bedroom, shouted at her to remove her clothes and held a screwdriver as he told her they were going to have sex or he would kill her. The woman screamed and banged on the window for help. Barwell threatened to kill the victim if she didn't shut up, then threw her onto the bed. He still had the screwdriver in his hand. She fought back, kicking and slapping and one kick connected to his nose, causing it to bleed. Barwell called her a crazy bitch and told her to get out. The woman ran out of the apartment and a passersby contacted the gardai. The Garda Armed Response Unit attended the scene and Barwell was arrested and taken to a nearby garda station. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. Advertisement Bolivian cement producer Itacamba Cemento and the Municipal Cleaning Company (Emacruz) of Santa Cruz de la Sierra have signed an agreement to convert thousands of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) into alternative fuel for cement manufacturing. The initiative introduces co-processing as a circular economy solution that transforms a long-standing environmental hazard into a sustainable energy source. Under the agreement, discarded tires collected from landfills will be processed and used as high-calorific-value fuel in Itacambas cement kilns, replacing traditional fossil fuels. This approach not only reduces waste but also contributes to lower CO 2 emissions and the conservation of non-renewable natural resources. Santa Cruz mayor Jhonny Fernandez said the project provides a direct benefit for citizens, ensuring the safe and responsible disposal of thousands of tons of tyres that would otherwise pollute or spread diseases such as dengue fever. Ricardo Oviedo, general manager of Emacruz, noted that the partnership frees up landfill space while improving the citys environmental health. Sustainability and industrial efficiency go hand in hand, directly benefiting both the environment and public health, he said. Marcelo Morales, general manager of Itacamba, highlighted that co-processing is an internationally recognized method for sustainable waste management. Our kilns, operating at over 1400C, ensure the complete and safe destruction of tyres under strict environmental controls, he stated. The collaboration sets a precedent for publicprivate partnerships in Bolivia, demonstrating how industrial innovation can drive sustainable waste management and cleaner cement production. Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) is accepting applications for the 2026 Latin American Association-Mohawk Scholarships through Oct. 31. This scholarship, funded by the Latin American Association (LAA) with the sponsorship of Mohawk Industries Inc., supports students involved in the Hispanic community who graduated from eligible high schools in Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon, Murray or Whitfield Counties. Up to six scholarships will be awarded for the spring 2026 semester. We are deeply grateful to the Latin American Association and Mohawk for this ongoing support, said Lauretta Hannon, executive director of Institutional Advancement at GNTC. Its wonderful to see how their investment is helping our students realize their dreams. Already designated as an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, GNTC is working to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Hannon said. As our Hispanic student enrollment continues to grow, these LAA-Mohawk Scholarships are especially meaningful and needed, she said. According to the Latin American Association (LAA), the organization is collaborating with GNTC to change the lives of students and families and advance outcomes for the Latino community in northwest Georgia and beyond. The $1,000 scholarships will be applied to tuition, fees and related educational expenses. Recipients are selected based on need and merit. In addition to meeting the county residency requirement, applicants must be involved in the Hispanic community in one or more ways: heritage, involvement, volunteerism, language and support; be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident or DACA recipient; be a GNTC student in good standing and enrolled full-time or part-time for the 2025-26 academic year; and complete an essay (between 250 and 500 words) explaining how the LAA-Mohawk scholarship could benefit the students financial needs. The Latin American Association (LAA) works to lower the barriers to economic mobility and prosperity that the Latino community may encounter as they adapt and integrate in life in the United States and helps bring the American dream to life by offering resources, support and a sense of community that all families in Georgia need to thrive. Founded in 1972, the work of the LAA improves the lives of 40,000 individuals every year. In a discussion about a Lookout Valley house with no visible front door, the Planning Commission chairman on Monday argued in favor of "the freedom to build the ugly thing." Ethan Collier said, "If not for the ugly thing, the pretty thing would be less valuable." He added, "Maybe it's ugly. It's silly for sure. But who cares?" The local planners were discussing a concern by the Fire Department on being able to readily spot the front door on the newly built house on Browns Ferry Road past the old Food Lion. The house has no doors or windows on the side facing Browns Ferry or the two sides facing neighbors. There is a porch in front of a long field at the rear (and, presumably, a door). Bryan Schults, of the planning staff, outlined a proposed regulation that would have required "a clear access point for emergency responders." Chairman Collier said firefighters "are going to find the door, right? They manage to get to the door on an ADU even when it can't be seen from the road." City Councilman Chip Henderson said he had received a number of complaints from constituents about the house that he said looks more like a barn. He said on the Browns Ferry Road side there's just metal siding. He said there apparently are no regulations banning such a design, though he said he sees a problem with aesthetics. "When all the houses have front doors but this one, it does not create uniformity." Councilman Henderson said of the nearly completed structure, "It's as odd as could be." The Planning Commission voted not to send the matter on to the City Council, but Councilman Henderson said the issue may be brought up in the City Council's Planning and Zoning Committee. The Trust Company of Tennessee now has $6 billion in assets under management, which is the total market value of the financial assets that the firm manages on behalf of its clients. Founded in 1987 and with offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville and the Tri-Cities, The Trust Company of Tennessee helps individuals, families, business owners and nonprofits make financial decisions through wealth management, personal investment strategy, corporate retirement plans, estate planning, personal trust and nonprofit investing services. Our steady growth of assets under management indicates clients have confidence and trust in our combined team of financial planning, investment, tax, and legal experts, said Zach Hurst, vice president and managing director of The Trust Company of Tennessees Chattanooga office. A milestone number is fun to recognize, but our daily commitment to successful partnerships with clients is our motivator. Reaching $6 billion in AUM puts the firm closer to its strategic business plan goal of $10 billion in AUM by 2030. The plan also includes goals for client experience and organizational health. AGC East Tennessee is excited to host the third annual Go Build Construction Career Expo on Thursday, October 23, at the Construction Career Center (CCC). This event is designed for 10th-grade students who are eager to explore dynamic career opportunities within the construction industry. Parents of attending students are also encouraged to join and participate. Students will have the option to choose from two time slots to attend the Expo: 811 a.m. and 11 a.m. 2 p.m. At the Expo, students will experience an array of hands-on demonstrations and interactive activities led by local construction companies. Attendees will have the chance to operate real construction equipment and tools, while exploring career paths in fields such as electrical work, plumbing, heavy equipment operation, carpentry, masonry, construction management, and more. In addition to these immersive activities, students and parents will have the unique opportunity to connect with industry experts, seasoned professionals, and educators who are committed to fostering the next generation of construction leaders. This is a one-of-a-kind event to gain insight into the breadth and potential of careers in construction. This event is a great example of what happens when educators, industry leaders, and the community come together with a shared purpose to build futures, said Jerod Gilley, Chairman of the Board for AGC East Tennessee. By giving students hands-on exposure to the trades, were not only sparking interest, but also helping them see how construction can lead to a stable and rewarding career right here in our region. For students interested in pursuing a future in this field, Hamilton County Schools offers a variety of vocational programs that provide practical training, equipping graduates with the skills they need to step directly into rewarding construction careers after high school. Part 1 The Chattanooga Daily Times headline on Tuesday, July 21, 1891, The Coal Creek War the Sole Topic of Discussion Yesterday, reflected the impact of the regional conflict between coal miners, prison laborers and the mine owners as news spread from Anderson County down through the Sequatchie Valley. All day long yesterday, the pulses of the people beat high, but towards evening, as the Times bulletins were being placarded, announcing the retreat of our soldier boys in the face of great odds the excitement reached a fever heat. The crowd assembled outside the Times office had gathered early in the day and remained all afternoon and evening, reminding reporters of an election night crowd. Their spirited conversations were punctuated by martial strains of Marching Through Georgia and Theyre After Me sung by the street gamins. What had caused the outbreak of violence in the Coal Creek Watershed and across the coal mining region? Coal mining had been an occupation in Tennessee prior to the Civil War but, after the war and as the railroads crisscrossed the country during the economic reconstruction, the rich veins of coal from the Kentucky border South to the Georgia and Alabama borders attracted newcomers from the North and Europe. Most of the coal mining operations were in rural areas where the mining companies had to provide housing with the cost of lodging deducted from the miners wages. The company store was often the only place the miners could buy food and other necessities. The situation was further inflamed since the mine owners paid in scrip wages instead of greenbacks. Scrip could only be spent at the specific store related to each mine site. With no real money, miners could not save up and go to the nearest town for supplies. Instead, archived records show that rent and store deductions generally required all the miners monthly wages and the only way to survive the next month was a repeat of the charges. Coal mining was a dangerous job and the pay for workers was often low, based on the amount of coal dug each day. Each miner worked alone deep in the mine and loaded his own coal car. At the end of the day, the miner pushed his car up out of the mine to the checkpoint where the check weighman was charged with accurately weighing and recording each miners daily haul. The miners were suspicious that the company weighs were not accurate and yet there was no legal recourse for arbitration. The only way the miners could challenge the mine owners was a work stoppage, often during the coldest months when heating materials were in high demand. The companies would generally meet the demands for increased wages because hiring replacement miners was not a practical option. All of that changed during Reconstruction in the South, especially in the counties near Chattanooga, the Dynamo of Dixie, as it became a major industrial center. A new option for mine owners - - the convict lease system - - arrived in the South, adopted from Northern states that had used it prior to the Civil War. Convict lease labor had two strong appeals. First, four years of intense fighting had destroyed the economies of the Southern states. From Virginia to Texas, state governments did not have the resources to maintain prisons and provided for the needs of prisoners. Yet, criminals had to be removed from the general population. Leasing prisoners to mine owners not only negated the cost of providing housing, food, etc. but the lease agreements provided income for the state treasuries. The second factor supported the attitude in many Southern states regarding the abolition of slavery. Federal troops were withdrawn after the election of President Rutherford B. Hayes and the signing of the Compromise of 1877, ending Reconstruction and decreasing federal oversight. Many state officials were openly hostile to African-Americans and attempted to remove voting rights via poll taxes, literacy tests, terror tactics, etc. County and state courts delivered justice through the seating of all-white juries where African-Americans citizens received proportionally longer sentences and become the vast majority of those incarcerated in prisons. Tennessee, never under Reconstructive military occupation, first began leasing prisoners in 1866 during Governor William G. Parson Brownlows administration. In 1891, the Tennessee Coal Mines Company in Anderson County fired striking miners and replaced them with prison labor. The stage was set for violence with the prison laborers caught in the middle between angered miners and the mine owners and it would spread quickly along the South Cumberland Mountains. ----- Linda Moss Mines is the official Chattanooga and Hamilton County Historian and chairs the America 250 Committee. Only a few weeks before Halloween, new information has been discovered about the first ever reported sighting of "Tall Betsy" in 1894. Cleveland businessman Allan Jones said the first ever sighting of the real Tall Betsy was actually reported on Sept. 27, 1894, by the Chattanooga Daily Times. The article located by Mr. Jones says: The mysterious woman in black that visits Cleveland every autumn has been parading our streets for the past two or three consecutive nights scaring the late pedestrians out of their wits. A crowd of girls going home from church a few nights ago alarmed all the residents on South Ocoee by their screams. She has been seen by several men, who say that she is tall with a pale face, dressed all in black, wearing a long black silk dress and hiding her face generally beneath a black bonnet. She passes quietly and rapidly along the streets, never speaking to or molesting anyone. George Brown, the City Marshall, was near where the girls were that she scared so badly a night or two ago and saw her. He ran toward her, and when near her, he said she leaped a high picket fence at J.H. Gaults and disappeared in the darkness. Mr. Jones said the J.H. Gaut mentioned in the article was Clevelands first attorney, who was 25 years old in the 1850 Bradley County Census. Attorney Gaut lived on South Ocoee Street in Cleveland in the area where New Life Bible Church is currently located (155 South Ocoee St.), or possibly across the street, according to a 1909 city directory owned by Mr. Jones (believed to be the only one still in existence), but due to street name changes after World War II, the exact house number where the Tall Betsy sighting occurred in 1894 has not been yet determined. However, Dina Swafford, Bradley Countys Register of Deeds, is working to determine the address and said she should have it soon. Mr. Jones said he came across the 1894 article while doing research for the second edition of his Jones family ancestry book. A distant relative sent him some newspaper clippings that referenced Mr. Jones great-great-grandfather J.R. Taylor, and, while reading the clipping about Tayor, Mr. Jones saw the mention of the Tall Betsy sighting at the top of the page. The relative who sent me the article would not have known to look for anything about Tall Betsy, Mr. Jones said. So this historic discovery was made as the result of a coincidence. Mr. Jones said another coincidence is that the article confirms that the way the real Tall Betsy actually dressed actually fit to a T how he imagined the goblin when he began appearing as Tall Betsy on Halloween in 1980. He says it was all by total happenstance. I went to Chandlers Clothing Store in Cleveland to try and decide on a costume, Mr. Jones said. The store had flat black fabric and shiny black fabric, and I chose shiny black. I also picked a bonnet for Tall Betsys head instead of a traditional witch hat. Now it turns out that, according to this article we have uncovered, what I envisioned for Tall Betsy is actually how she appeared back in 1894! In 1980, Mr. Jones was a 27-year-old single parent raising his daughter Courtney and living at 150 Centenary NW. He had heard his mother, Gincy Slaughter Jones, tell stories of Tall Betsy as he was a child growing up at 480 21st Street NW in Cleveland. Mrs. Jones learned the stories from her mother, and Allan Jones' grandmother, Marie Schultz Slaughter, who lived at 463 8th Street NW, next door to Arnold School. Mr. Jones great-grandfather Dr. William Herman Schultz (father of Marie) had actually seen the real Tall Betsy years ago. Dr. Schultz who was 6 feet 2 inches tall said the female figure towered over him by more than a foot, Mr. Jones revealed. She was wearing a long black dress and had coarse hair. Her face was masked by darkness, sending chills down his body. Dr. Schultz was a medical doctor and lived where Arnold School is today. He passed Tall Betsy one night, and she stepped off the curb of the sidewalk to let Dr. Schultz pass, and she still towered over him. As a boy, Mr. Jones had been told that Tall Betsy was a very tall woman who walked the streets of Cleveland in the early 1920s. She always wore black and was referred to by the townspeople as Tall Betsy, Black Betsy, and the Lady in Black. Marie used the stories of Tall Betsy to get young Gincy to be home before the street lights came on because that is when "Tall Betsy" comes out. Young Allan was amazed by the story and wanted to dress up like Tall Betsy on Halloween when he was in high school and too old to trick-or-treat. The Tall Betsy legend came to light again in 1974 when the Morning Sun newspaper published an article by author Sheeny White calling the tall figure a new name. The legend went from the Lady in Black and Black Betsy to now Tall Betsy, said Mr. Jones. From then on she was always called Tall Betsy. Mr. Jones didn't get his chance to appear as Tall Betsy until 1980 when the downtown Cleveland group Central City Action Association, now known as MainStreet Cleveland, wanted to create a goblin for a downtown promotion. Mr. Jones agreed to pay for the outfit and play the character if they would pick Tall Betsy. They agreed. Tall Betsy first appeared in Johnston Park downtown from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the event on Halloween day, 1980. Mr. Jones' mother was keeping Courtney and hosting a party for Courtney and her friends before they went out trick-or-treating. Courtney was a first-grader and attended Arnold School. Mr. Jones left Johnston Park and got a friend in a pickup truck to allow him to lie in the back and deliver him to the party at 150 Centenary Ave. Mr. Jones appeared in the backyard and scared the kids. Those kids were the first to see Tall Betsy. As they left to go down the street trick-or-treating, Tall Betsy walked in front of the Jones house and stood waiting for young trick-or-treaters. The rest is history. In 1993, the Jones house kept count and set a world record of 11,201 pieces of bubble gum given away one at a time to young kids coming to the Jones door. Tall Betsy appeared from 1980 to 1998 at 150 Centenary Ave NW. Thousands came to Mr. Jones' door each year and thousands more simply drove by. By 1989, the Tennessee Legislature named Tall Betsy as Bradley Countys Official Halloween Goblin, solidifying her place in Clevelands cultural heart. Wise carpenters and contractors generally follow the rule to measure twice and cut once. Tennessee education policy makers should do the same when it comes to expanding the new, and expensive, voucher plan passed by the legislature earlier this year. In the current educational landscape, the debate surrounding universal vouchers has intensified, particularly as framed by Tennessee's House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Governor Bill Lee as a means to promote "school choice." Arguably, the plan is intended to provide access to better schools, which will in turn increase the skills and learning of students. Faced with more competition, public schools will supposedly be inspired to do a better job with the students who remain behind. Yet, there is absolutely no evidence that the plan, which has previously been implemented in a few counties over the last few years, is actually producing any such results. Shouldnt we see some success before we double down? Beneath the seemingly appealing proposition of the voucher plan lies an underlying concern: the potential for increased government entanglement and regulation in private education. That, combined with the lack of any evidence that academic achievement for Tennessee students has actually been improved by the limited application of the plan over the last few years suggests the need for caution and review before quickly expanding the expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money. The acceptance of public funds by private schools raises a critical question about their independence. As these institutions begin to rely on government funding, the risk of having to comply with governmental standards increases, effectively undermining the autonomy that private education is supposed to offer. Vouchers, often touted as a free-market solution, are, in reality, a government-created benefit that distorts the educational market and establishes a new entitlement program with inevitable strings attached. There is a pressing need to scrutinize whether every initiative that becomes a taxpayer-funded welfare program lacks transparency. Unlike public schools, private institutions are not held to the same level of accountability regarding how they utilize public funds. This lack of oversight raises concerns about the potential misuse of taxpayer money, and it seems inevitable that questionable expenditures will come to light once the program is examined more closely. Compounding these concerns are issues related to budget constraints. Tennessee's revenues have been on the decline despite the existence of financial reserves, prompting fears about the sustainability of the voucher program. Critics have labeled it an expensive government subsidy, warning that the growth in the state budget is alarming. Recent data from the Tennessee Department of Education reveals that while vouchers are distributed across various counties, they disproportionately benefit urban and suburban areas, often going to students who were already enrolled in private schools, rather than expanding access to those in need. Despite these criticisms, Speaker Cameron Sexton has announced plans to expand the state's voucher program by adding at least 20,000 new seats, ultimately increasing the total to 40,000 students. This proposal emerges amidst significant backlash regarding fiscal responsibility and transparency, especially given that the program cost $144 million in its inaugural year. Many have condemned this expansion as "fiscally reckless," arguing that state budget growth and economic conditions are major concerns. This push for expansion is supported by Governor Lee's office, which highlights the overwhelming demand reflected in the reported 42,000 applications for the 20,000 available seats. There will always be huge demand for free money, but policy makers wait and see if the program is working and producing measurable increases in academic achievement before we dish out even more? While the Education Freedom Scholarships program was designed with an expansion mechanism in place, Sexton and Lee's justification for exceeding the original cap raises further questions about the long-term implications of this initiative. Why deviate from the original plan? While the rhetoric of school choice is compelling, the reality of universal vouchers presents a different and complex landscape filled with potential pitfalls. The intertwining of government funds and private education not only threatens the independence of private institutions but also risks creating a new layer of entitlement that lacks the necessary transparency and accountability. It creates a two-tiered system, and the constitutionally mandated public school system in Tennessee will see fewer dollars and more accountability. As this program expands, it will be imperative to monitor its impact on both the educational system and the taxpayers who fund it. In an election year, out-of-state political funding will be readily available to promote the benefits of expansion. But without transparency, and accountability, will taxpayers fail to start asking the tough questions until it is too late to reverse course? Expanding the program before we even know it works seems to be a prime example of too much too soon that policy makers and taxpayers should avoid before committing hundreds of millions of dollars that cant be recovered. JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee As part of the I-75 Interchange Improvements project at Hamilton Place, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will temporarily close the I-75 South entrance ramp from Shallowford Road beginning Friday, at 8 p.m. through Monday, at 6 a.m. to facilitate the installation of steel bridge beams for the new I-75 South exit ramp to Hamilton Place Boulevard. A full closure is necessary due to the size and type of the steel beams, which require extended crane holds to complete connections at the bridge bents and install cross bracing for structural stability. If work cannot be completed as scheduled, a backup date is planned for the following weekend: Friday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. through Monday, Oct. 27, at 6 a.m. Drivers will be detoured onto I-75 North and redirected back to I-75 South via Volkswagen Drive (Exit 9). Drivers should plan ahead, use caution, follow posted detour signs, and allow extra travel time during this temporary closure. This work is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled in case of inclement weather or other unforeseen conditions. As always, motorists are reminded to use TDOTs motorist information tools and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before departure. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on the phone while driving. For the latest updates, visit the TDOT SmartWay Map or dial 511 for statewide travel information. Previous Next Hamilton County detectives executed a narcotics search warrant on Oct. 2, in the 9000 block of Pleasant Lane in Ooltewah, leading to the recovery of multiple items including the following: 41 firearms, including a stolen and modified fully automatic handgun, three suppressors, one personally-manufactured lower machine gun, and three short-barreled rifle uppers Items used to produce illegal firearms Explosives including an improvised grenade, two suspected cannon balls, and one empty 37 mm projectile Illegal drugs Arrest warrants were obtained for Pamela McCord and Matthew Kendrick as a result of this investigation. Ms. Ms.McCord faces the following charges: Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony Possession of fentanyl Possession of marijuana Kendrick faces the following charges: Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony Possession of a prohibited weapon (x5) Theft of property Possession of methamphetamine Officials said, "We would like to thank our partners of the Chattanooga field offices for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad." NFL Hall of Famer and former UTC Moc Terrell Owens is coming home to Chattanooga to celebrate UTCs 2025 Homecoming. In partnership with UTCs Division of Access and Engagement, Mr. Owens is offering Hamilton County Schools students, teachers, and their families a special opportunity to cheer on the Mocs as they take on Western Carolina University on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Finley Stadium. A total of 500 complimentary tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can be picked up at the UTCs Division of Access and Engagement tentwhich will be located at the entrance of the First Horizon Pavilion on game day, Saturday, Nov. 1, from noon to 3:30 p.m. We are thrilled to once again offer Hamilton County Schools students, teachers, and their families an opportunity to take part in UTCs Homecoming celebrations, said Stacy Lightfoot, vice chancellor for Access and Engagement. This partnership with Terrell Owens truly reflects the spirit of community, and we hope it inspires everyone to come together and celebrate our hometown team, the UTC Mocs. Last year marked the first time UTCs Division of Access and Engagement partnered with Mr. Owens for this community outreach eventwelcoming more than 300 students, teachers, and families. This year, the goal is to grow that number even more. For more information about the complimentary tickets, email dae@utc.edu On June 21, 2025, over 17,000 people from all across the United Kingdom gathered in London to attend the God Loves You Tour with Franklin Graham. | Photo Credit: Facebook/ Franklin Graham The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has announced that Rev. Franklin Graham will return to the United Kingdom next year to continue the God Loves You Tour. Graham last visited the U.K. in June, when he held an evangelistic event at Londons ExCeL Centre that drew thousands of attendees. According to organizers, the London gathering brought together about 17,000 people, with security reportedly turning some away due to the packed venue. Following the event, hundreds reportedly responded to the invitation to accept Gods love. The next stop on the tour will be in Manchester, where the event is scheduled to take place at Co-op Live on October 3, 2026. Admission will be free for all attendees. The BGEA stated that the Manchester event aims to bring comfort to those affected by recent terrorist attacks in the city. The organization also deployed crisis-trained chaplains to Manchester following a tragic incident in which two people were killed at a synagogue by Jihad al-Shamie, 35, who claimed allegiance to ISIS. Manchester has experienced similar tragedy before in 2019, a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured hundreds at an Ariana Grande concert, with many of the victims being children and young people. Speaking about the upcoming visit, Graham said, We bring a message of hope for all people. We want to share the Good News that God loves and cares for the people of this great city and has a plan and a purpose for their lives. Since 2022, the God Loves You Tour has visited eight cities across Britain, including Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow, Sheffield, and South Wales, spreading the message of Gods love. Pakistan Pastor, Zafar Bhatti. | Photo Credit: Release International Zafar Bhatti, a Pakistani Christian pastor who had been wrongfully imprisoned for 13 years on blasphemy charges, has died of cardiac arrest just three days after being acquitted. After his release and return home, Bhatti collapsed before his family could arrange for urgent medical treatment, according to reports. The 62-year-old pastor, founder of the Jesus World Mission Church, was first arrested in July 2012 in Rawalpindi, Punjab province, after a local cleric accused him of sending text messages that allegedly insulted the mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to Release International, police arrested Zafar and reportedly tortured him in an attempt to force a confession, though he insisted on his innocence. Investigations later revealed that the phone SIM card linked to the messages was not registered to Bhatti but to a woman who was subsequently arrested, charged, and released on bail. She later died in November 2016 from Hepatitis C. His attorney, Saif ul Malook, told UCA News that Bhattis health had deteriorated severely during his time in Adiala Jail. The U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported that Bhatti suffered from diabetes and heart disease and endured two minor heart attacks while in custody. Malook repeatedly filed bail petitions on medical grounds, arguing that the poor prison conditions were exacerbating Bhattis health problems. Bhatti, who consistently maintained his innocence, was also reportedly tortured in custody to force a confession. In 2017, the pastor was sentenced to life imprisonment, but his appeal process dragged on for years without resolution. Church In Chains reported that at least 47 hearings took place between his conviction and eventual release, with each one adjourned before a decision could be made. Despite repeated medical warningsincluding a 2019 doctors note stating that a third heart attack could be fatalBhatti remained behind bars until his acquittal last Thursday. Pakistans blasphemy laws have long faced criticism from international human rights organizations for being used to persecute minorities and settle personal disputes. Groups like Open Doors USA have said that the laws are often used to target minorities, settle personal vendettas, or incite mob violence, with many convictions based on little or no evidence and appeals delayed for years. Christian Solidarity Worldwides chief executive, Scot Bower, condemned Bhattis ordeal, saying the case demonstrates how blasphemy laws can be manipulated to punish innocent people. He urged the government to provide reparations to Bhattis widow and called for the full repeal of Pakistans blasphemy provisions. Home News Gov. Newsom signs bill redefining 'caregiver' for kids 'separated from parents' amid illegal immigration crackdown Pastor Jack Hibbs calls for parents to homeschool after initially warning families they'd 'need to pack up and get out' California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill into law that critics have warned could lead to parental rights abuses and enable child trafficking. On Sunday, Newsom signed Assembly Bill 495 (AB 495), the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, which supporters say will expand child welfare protections by legally recognizing caregivers and providing children with access to family services without unwanted disruptions. AB 495 broadens the definition of a caregiver to include nonrelative extended family members, defined as any adult caregiver who has an established familial or mentoring relationship with the child, or who has an established familial relationship with a relative of the child. In turn, any caregiver would be allowed to take custody of a child by merely handing over a signed affidavit to school or childcare staff. According to a statement from Newsoms office, licensed childcare facilities and state preschools will not collect immigration-related information from students and families under AB 495 in order to protect parents legal rights and supports security for children in case they are separated from their parents due to immigration enforcement. The bill, says Newsom, still requires that changes in a parents legal custody or guardianship require a court decision, and does not make any changes to who can be identified as a childs caregiver or guardian without a court order. Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, who authored AB 495, celebrated the signing, calling it a crucial step toward protecting children and families at a time when they are facing the terror of separation under the Trump administrations mass deportation efforts. Together, we are sending a message to immigrant and mixed-status families that in California, you are seen, and we will do all in our power to protect you from the trauma of family separation, Rodriguez added. Back in August, however, Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills warned his congregation specifically about AB 495 and held a Stop AB 495 Rally on Aug. 19 at the steps of the state capitol in Sacramento to draw attention to the issue. The pastor and founder of Real Impact said should the bill become law, he would tell his church and Christians statewide to flee California. If this bill passes, I am going to ask you to leave the state of California, Hibbs said at the time. You're gonna need to pack up and get out; you gotta get out. You gotta run with your kids. You gotta go. But within hours of Newsom signing AB 495, Hibbs adopted a somewhat softer stance. The Bible tells us that God raises up kings and he takes kings down. Gavin Newsom has authority because God put him in that place. For what reason? Hibbs said in an Oct. 12 video. It's a scary thought to think, but he is in the power that he is, the place that he is, and he's responsible for his actions, not to us, but to God. In the end, God will judge him as He will judge all of us. Urging his followers not to give up on doing the right thing, Hibbs, 67, encouraged parents to homeschool and get your kids out of public school in such massive amounts that you can send a message. Sell your boat, sell your airplane. You don't have to have two Porsches, he said. You can survive with one and get your kid into private school or homeschool them. We are Californians. We have more than enough, and we can live. We can downsize. Home News Church says pastor pointed gun at congregation to encourage spiritual violence against unbelief Leaders at Legacy Faith Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, are defending their founding pastor, Philip Thornton, after he came under fire for repeatedly pointing an unloaded gun at congregants during a September sermon they say was used as a prop to encourage "spiritual violence against unbelief." "At the beginning, Pastor Thornton makes it abundantly clear the rifle was a PROP and for illustration purposes only. The firearm was disabled (firing pin removed), cleared, and publicly shown to be ammo free. The illustration was designed to show believers how unbelief is an enemy to faith," the church said in a statement to WHP. Thorton's controversial sermon titled "Clearing the Room" was streamed on YouTube on Sept. 28. At times during the sermon, he would point the gun at congregants, along with another man also armed with an assault-style rifle. A laser light also bounced off congregants in the front row. "He [God] cleared the room. He [God] put 'em all out, he went in like a soldier. Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence," Thornton said in his message as he tried to assure the congregation that the gun was safe. "And don't worry, the light's bright. Right? There's nothing in the gun; hands off the trigger. Light's bright, laser's there. I could get you, any one of you." While church members did not appear rattled by Thornton's gun-toting at the pulpit, gun safety experts told Penn Live that his actions violate the first two rules of gun safety treat all guns as loaded and always point the gun in a safe direction. "Frankly, if I was there with my family, I would have ushered us all out the door as quickly as I could have, and I probably would have gone up to him in a tactful way and said, 'You've got to stop this," Emanuel Kapelsohn, a nationally recognized firearms, tactics and use-of-force expert, told the publication. David Sarni, adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a retired New York Police Department detective, said Thornton is "the model example of people who mishandle weapons." "I understand the message he's trying to do. But there are so many ways you could do that message without pointing a weapon at your members," he said. Despite the criticism, Legacy Faith Church leaders insisted that there was no intention to make their church unsafe while the pastor used the gun as a prop in his message. "Two scriptural precedents were utilized showing where both Jesus and Peter had to 'clear the room' of 'unbelief' in order for the needed miracle to take place. Further examples were given showing how military training teaches soldiers to work together as a team to complete their mission," the church said. "The teaching for 'believers' was intended to encourage spiritual violence towards unbelief and the lack of faith, not towards people. Matthew 11:12 / 1 Corinthians 2:14." Home News Day of unspeakable joy: Evangelical leaders react to release of Israeli hostages by Hamas After two years of war, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in which the remaining living hostages the terror group abducted during its Oct. 7, 2023, surprise invasion of southern Israel were released on Monday. Many celebrated what is believed to be the start of a more lasting peace in the region, with President Donald Trump addressing the Israeli Knesset in response to the agreement between Israel and Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades. Today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace, a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity, Trump told the Knesset on Monday. The forces of chaos, terror, and ruin that have plagued the region for decades now stand weakened, isolated, and totally defeated. Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East. Here are five reactions from Evangelical Christian leaders to the last of the Israeli hostages being released. Home News Jeff Myers on the battle for the soul of Gen Z Here is a bold statement that is hard to comprehend and believe: Generation Z is being shaped more by TikTok than by biblical truth. This begs the question: Who exactly are todays young adults and how do we reach them? A simple Google search for Gen Z pops up 1.3 billion hits in just a fraction of a second. However, there is very little clarity on what this young people group actually thinks, feels and believes. A lot of what has happened in this rising generation is a desire to trust the self, says Jeff Myers, the president of Summit Ministries. I don't seek the truth. I speak my truth. So, I just have to be true to myself. I am the one who meets all of my needs. Well, of course, if you think about it for just 30 seconds, you realize if I am the center of all of reality, then everything bad that happens in the world is somehow my fault. That can be very confusing. To better understand who these 13- to 28-year-olds are, Summit Ministries, recognized as a leader in cultural engagement, has released a new, 40-page white paper resource called State of the Rising Generation Report. Designed for parents, teachers and pastors, this free report distills thousands of pages of research, expert interviews, and student groups into a clear and easy-to-understand format. Among the reports key findings: The Identity Crisis: 58% of young adults say they have no clear direction in life. 58% of young adults say they have no clear direction in life. Mental Health Struggles: 72% of young women and 67% of young men say anxiety and depression are part of who they are. 72% of young women and 67% of young men say anxiety and depression are part of who they are. Faith Deconstruction: While church attendance is declining, 90% of young adults express some form of spiritual belief, signaling fresh opportunities for engagement. While church attendance is declining, 90% of young adults express some form of spiritual belief, signaling fresh opportunities for engagement. Relationships in Crisis: From pornography to loneliness, isolation to family breakdown, technology and culture are reshaping how young adults view marriage, friendship and community. Myers is one of Americas most respected voices on youth development and worldview. The author of 18 books, he is a frequent commentator on cultural confusion, moral clarity and generational discipleship. It is his desire to equip parents and leaders with truth and context so they can spend more time connecting with the ones they love, all while guiding Generation Z to fulfill their God-given potential. I want young adults to be able to go back and understand God's nature and character through Scripture, connect themselves with a local body of believers, not people who are perfect, but people who are seeking God, explains Myers, who the late Dr. James Dobson referred to as "a very gifted and inspirational leader." "And then walk alongside them, find those wise counselors, learn how to embrace God's truth. Myers joins us to chat about how the role of technology is quickly shaping Gen Z's worldview. Listen as he shares why it is so vitally important to address today's cultural and political confusion with a strong biblical viewpoint, one that is clear and relatable to today's young adults. LISTEN NOW: Home News Joel Tudman claims disagreement with Henry Fernandez led to Faith Center firing More than a month after he was abruptly fired as the senior pastor of the 10,000-member Faith Center Ministries in Sunrise, Florida, Joel Tudman has claimed his removal was due to a disagreement with the churchs founder, Bishop Henry Fernandez. Tudman, 49, made the revelation during a recent interview on The Breakfast Club syndicated radio show based in New York City. We disagreed. We disagreed in mission. I didn't do anything wrong, nothing illegal, but we disagreed, and the disagreement didn't allow us to go forward, so that relationship was severed, Tudman told co-host Loren Lorosa when she asked about the firing. While he didnt provide further details on the disagreement, Tudman, who recently launched a new church called Believers City, also in Florida, said processing the firing just five months after he was confirmed in the job has been difficult. Processing it has been difficult because it's public and it hurt, he said. I love those people. I love him. In a statement to his congregation during the 11 a.m. service on Aug. 31, Fernandez, who led the church for more than 30 years before handing over the reins to Tudman earlier this year, asked them to trust him as he discussed a letter he had sent them about Tudmans firing. In the letter I sent, it was to advise you that Pastor Joel Tudman is no longer the senior pastor of this church. Im gonna ask you to please pray for him and his family. Thats what we Christians are supposed to do, Fernandez said while explaining that he would not share specifics about the reasons for Tudmans firing. Im sorry if you need more detail and explanation. And as your pastor, I am going to make sure that this ministry focuses not on any man but on the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Tudmans firing from the church came after what appeared to be a long vetting process. In the summer of 2024, Fernandez announced that Tudman would join the Faith Center as assistant senior pastor. He stated that he was sure, without a doubt in his mind, that he had made the right decision, and it was a transition he had hoped to make 10 years earlier. In March, Tudman was officially installed as the new senior pastor of The Faith Center Ministries with his wife, LaTasha, in a service attended by several Christian celebrities, including the founder of The Potters House, Bishop T.D. Jakes. Tudman had worked as an assistant pastor at The Potters House prior to joining The Faith Center Ministries. He also completed the Doctor of Ministry program at Jakes' Divinity School in 2023. In addressing how uneasy he has been in the aftermath of his departure from The Faith Center Ministries, which stirred a heated debate among Christians and church leaders on social media, Tudman said, through it all, I still thank God. That's not a church answer. That's my faith because I know all things work together for the good, he said. Home News Loudoun County can't suspend boys opposed to girl in locker room; judge extends block A federal judge has extended his order preventing Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia from enforcing its suspension of two high school boys over their objection to the presence of a female trans-identified student in the boys' locker room. Judge Leonie Brinkema of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia granted the motion for a preliminary injunction in the case of S.W. et al v. Loudoun County School Board on Friday. The ruling marks the latest development in ongoing litigation over the 10-day suspension imposed upon students at Stone Bridge High School in the Washington suburbs for objecting to the presence of a trans-identified female student in the boys' locker room. Brinkema issued an order last month blocking the school district from enforcing the suspension against the plaintiff students, identified in legal documents as S.W. and J.S., while the federal court weighs whether the school district violated their rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as well as the Virginia Constitution, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Sept. 16 order from Brinkema, appointed to the bench by former President Bill Clinton, was issued on the first day of S.W. and J.S.'s suspension, meaning the 11th graders have been suspended for only one day. Friday's ruling extends the order prohibiting Loudoun County Public Schools from enforcing the suspension against S.W. and J.S. The law firms representing the plaintiffs reacted favorably to the latest development. "We are pleased with the result after today's hearing and appreciative of the time and energy that the judge took in listening to our arguments and crafting a decision," America First Legal Senior Counsel Ian Prior said in a statement reacting to Friday's ruling. "We look forward to litigating this case on behalf of our clients." Victoria Cobb, president of Founding Freedoms Law Center, claimed that the judge "sees the importance of halting a wrongful punishment so our client continues his education and both boys are ultimately vindicated." The controversy dates back to March, when Founding Freedoms Law Center announced that Loudoun County Public Schools was investigating three boys for engaging in "sexual harassment" after the female student using the boys' locker room recorded a video documenting male students expressing discomfort over her presence in the sex-segregated school facility. One of the boys asked, "Why is there a girl in the locker room?" In August, several months after the investigation was launched, Founding Freedoms Law Center provided The Christian Post with a statement noting that Loudoun County Public Schools had imposed 10-day suspensions on two of the students. One of the students' parents, Renae Smith, expressed concern about the implications for her son going forward. "My heart is devastated by the injustice of branding a 16-year-old boy with a guilty determination that could follow him for life simply because he dared to state the obvious: that his privacy was violated when the opposite sex was allowed in his locker room, and even to the point where he was videotaped secretly," she said. Seth Wolfe, the parent of the other plaintiff, also lamented that "the school system is punishing innocent boys with trumped-up charges that could jeopardize their college and career futures" instead of "protecting students' privacy and acknowledging biological reality." Loudoun County Public Schools made national headlines four years ago for implementing a policy that allows trans-identified students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their stated gender identity as opposed to their sex. Courts previously ordered the school district to reverse the suspension of a Christian teacher who spoke at a school board meeting against the policy, which had not yet been passed. The school district also faced allegations of a cover-up after reports surfaced that one of two sexual assaults that occurred in its high school bathrooms at the hands of a male student took place before the implementation of the policy. Loudoun County Public Schools has repeatedly defended the policy, citing it as consistent with a ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals finding that trans-identified students have the right to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their stated gender identity. Home News Michael Tait admits to inappropriate behavior in recorded call to victim as new abuse allegations surface Disgraced former Newsboys frontman Michael Tait, accused by multiple men of sexual abuse over 16 years, privately apologized to one of his alleged victims during a phone call in which he admitted to touching him inappropriately. When I first made the advances on you, touched you inappropriately, and it just bloomed out of control it got the best of me, Tait said during the 45-minute call recorded in July and released by The Roys Report. All I can say is, from my heart, Im truly sorry, man. The victim, identified by the pseudonym Lucas, said he met Tait at a music festival in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2000 when he was 19. Over the next several years, he alleges Tait, then in his mid-30s, groomed, manipulated and sexually assaulted him multiple times while using his fame and industry influence to maintain control. Lucas told The Roys Report the assaults occurred between 2002 and 2010 and that Taits influence left him utterly powerless to stand up for myself. He said he finally recorded the call after Tait reached out from overseas to make amends. Theres no handbook on how to do this, except for the Bible, Tait said during the call. Ive cried, Ive prayed, Ive dealt with addictions on every level. Ive lied, Ive cheated, Ive deceived, Ive destroyed my world but it all started somewhere. The apology came after a series of reports by The Guardian and The Roys Report detailing allegations from several men who accused Tait of sexual assault, grooming and drug use over two decades. Tait, 59, left the Newsboys in January and later released a public statement titled My Confession, acknowledging unwanted sensual touching of men and drug and alcohol abuse, but disputed some details. Lucas described Tait as charismatic and manipulative, recalling early encounters that began as mentorship and evolved into coercion. Michael used his power and position in the industry to coerce me into situations that I always tried to get out of, he said. According to Lucas, Taits behavior escalated after inviting him to stay at his Brentwood, Tennessee, mansion in 2003. That night, Lucas said, he awoke to find Tait sexually assaulting him. I froze, he said. I got in my car and drove home. Though Tait apologized afterward and denied being gay, Lucas said the abuse continued over the following year, with Tait using his status to pressure him. The assaults ended after Lucas married, but the trauma lingered. When the two reconnected this year, Tait said he had been clean and sober since January and admitted that Lucas wasnt the only victim. He also acknowledged the fallout from his actions: Weve lost everything. The bands done. Managements done. But it took that to get me to my knees. Tait told Lucas his mentors had warned him against reaching out, but said he felt compelled to seek forgiveness. You can hang me at the gallows, or you can say, Hey, I forgive you, he said. Lucas said he forgave Tait but has not heard from him since. He said he decided to release the call to prevent Tait from regaining influence in the Christian music world. I dont want him to make a comeback tour, Lucas said. Hes lived off the souls of other people for long enough. Id like to see (Tait) in jail, to be honest, not because I get anything out of it. But I think thats whats deserved ... I think thats whats owed to him. In August, one of Tait's alleged victims of sexual assault said he is actively pursuing criminal charges against the former Newsboys frontman through the Brentwood Police Department in Tennessee, where a preliminary investigation is underway. Shawn Davis, who alleges Tait raped him in 2003 after drugging him, told People he is helping to build a legal case against the Christian music star and believes "there are many more victims." "We're trying to head this and do everything we can in our power to take him down," Davis said. "Ultimately, in the end, the goal is to see him go to prison. We need every single victim possible to come forward. They deserve to know that they're not the only ones, and they deserve to tell their story." In July, Skillet frontman John Cooper described the scandal surrounding Tait as a shame and a tragedy for the Church and urged others in the CCM industry to issue a full-throated condemnation of these acts. We need a full-throated condemnation of these acts, not a condemnation of people. We're not condemning people. We're condemning the actions of people. Full-throatedly, unapologetically, we do not shrink back, he said. It is improper to jump straight to [a mentality of] weve got to be loving, were all sinners, weve all fallen short, and we cant bring judgment, Cooper added. Yes, were all sinners. Theres a time for that but there are categories on the front of this that we cannot skip. Home News Rapper Cardi B declares age 33 the Jesus year, sees herself among Christs favorites Cardi B, a popular rapper known for raunchy songs like WAP," says she credits God for all her success and considers age 33 to be her "Jesus year. Thank you to everyone for all the birthday wishes!" wrote Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, best known as Cardi B, in an Instagram post shortly after celebrating her birthday. "Everyone normally makes their new year resolution on Jan 1st but I made mine last night! Im feeling lucky but most of all blessed! "Year 32 was a year Ill never forget! But 33 is the Jesus year and I must say I never felt so covered and so protected by the man above himself. He never fails to remind me that Im chosen and that Im anointed and thats the best gift I could ever ask for. Thank you all for supporting me and loving me! I love yall back! Just days earlier, Cardi B also shared some insight into her personal theology with podcaster Jay Shetty in an episode of his show where she revealed she prays every day in the same unfiltered way she dishes out her lyrics. I feel like I have a very deep spiritual connection with God. And it's not even like about praying. It's like talking. Like even when I talk to God, I talk to Him just like I'm talking to you. I'll be cursing. Crying. Cause people be like, Oh, cursing is bad. But it's like, God knows who I am. God knows how I be. It's almost like I'm talking to a friend, she said. Cardi B, who is expecting a child with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, while still legally married to rapper Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus), believes that despite everything happening in her life, God continues to watch over her. I really do believe in my weird mind, in my weird universe that I made, like I have, I have angels. I really do believe that God gave me angels and I believe in them. I feel like God is here. And I feel like [if] you got your angels here, then you got your other religions here, she told Shetty. The New York City native claims to be so confident in her relationship with God that she believes she's one of Jesus favorite followers, and she wants the world to know that. I believe in God so much. It's not even funny. And you know, some people might not believe in God, but ... I'm not going to convince nobody to believe in what I believe in, she explained. How you expect me not to believe on the person that I've been praying to my whole life and gave me what I wanted. It's like the imaginary friend, the voice in your head that you think is your friend that you think is your voice. That was just you talking to God the whole time, she mused. I love Him. I believe in Him, the rapper said. I always tell this to somebody the most powerful thing that I could give you is me praying on you. If I pray on you, for you, its cause I love you. It's the most powerfulest thing. And I do feel like when you pray together, miracles happen, she added. I love Him. I love You so much. Why do You love me so much? Why do You love me so much? Tell everybody, I'm like one of Your favorite kids. Tell them. Jesus, Lord, tell these people I'm one of your favorites. Home News Southeastern Baptist Seminary President Danny Akin announces retirement Daniel Akin, a prominent Southern Baptist Convention figure and president of the Wake Forest, North Carolina-based Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has announced his retirement. In a statement posted to SEBTS website on Tuesday, the 68-year-old Akin announced his plan to retire at the end of 2025-2026 academic year. His official retirement date is set for July 31, 2026. Akin, who has served as president of SEBTS for around 21 years, made his plans known at a campus chapel service during the Board of Trustees annual fall visit, according to SEBTS. Charlotte and I have prayed this matter through and talked with family and friends. We are convinced the time is right for us and the school, Akin said, as quoted in the statement. We are at perfect peace in our decision. The college and seminary are healthy and thriving, and I believe the best days are ahead for this Great Commission juggernaut. Executive Vice President Ryan Hutchinson commented in the statement that he was thankful for Dr. Akins leadership for the clarity of vision he established while serving as the seminary's president. Early in his leadership our mission statement was simplified. This not only provided a more accessible mission statement but also provided the foundation on which the concept of a Great Commission seminary has been built, Hutchinson added. Since that time, Dr. Akins leadership has challenged us to stay focused on that goal and to keep growing towards its fulfillment. Akin was inaugurated as the sixth president of SEBTS on Oct. 27, 2004, at a ceremony held at the campus Binkley Chapel, succeeding outgoing President Paige Patterson. I pledge to build an institution that will continue to stand on the infallible and inerrant Word of God, Akin said at his inauguration ceremony in 2004. Southeastern Seminary will continue to stand for personal evangelism, world missions and the exclusivity of the Gospel. We believe Heaven and Hell are real and the only difference is Jesus Christ. Akin would go on to become the longest-serving president of SEBTS since its founding in 1950, and is credited with leading the institution to have record enrollment and charitable giving. According to his official biography, before becoming SEBTS president, Akin had been a theology professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Kentucky, and The Criswell College of Dallas, Texas. He also served in mission work in numerous countries beginning in the 1970s, including Australia, Thailand, Paraguay, India, Sudan, Liberia, South Korea and Mexico. Home News Supreme Court refuses to hear alleged rape victim's legal challenge against Grindr Teen posing as over 18 says app matched him with 4 men who raped him The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of an alleged rape victim against Grindr, allowing a lower court ruling to stand that the LGBT social media platform isn't responsible for the actions of its users. In an orders list released Tuesday morning, the Supreme Court declined a request to hear oral arguments in the case of John Doe v. Grindr, Inc. et al, as well as denied a motion from the Public Health Advocacy Institute to file an amicus brief. The high courts decision not to hear an appeal in the case allows an earlier decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in favor of Grindr to stand. In 2019, a then 15-year-old Doe opened an account with Grindr, falsely claiming that he was over 18. According to Doe, the app matched him with four men, all of whom raped him. Doe sued Grindr, accusing the app of negligence and failing to create a safe environment for users, as well as allegedly violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). A district court ruled against Doe, concluding that he failed to prove that Grindr violated the TVPRA and that his other claims were barred under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Passed by Congress in 1996, Section 230 of the Act provides social media entities with immunity from civil liability over third-party content that was posted on their online platforms. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation spotlighted the case in its Dirty Dozen list earlier this year, seeing it as evidence that the federal law is wrongfully shielding social media platforms from accountability. Section 230 has been interpreted to protect tech companies from facing repercussions when their platforms harm their users, even when the company clearly took an active role in causing that harm, stated NCOSE. In February, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit upheld the district court decision, with Circuit Judge Sandra Ikuta, a George W. Bush appointee, authoring the unanimous opinion. Because the defendant acted as a publisher, and third-party communications caused the harm to the victim, the defendant was immune from liability under [section] 230, wrote Ikuta. Doe does not allege that Grindr had independent knowledge of a conspiracy, and Grindrs role as a publisher of third-party content does not give it a duty to warn users of a general possibility of harm resulting from the App. Therefore, [section] 230 bars this claim. Home News Trump sparks concern among Christians for saying he's 'maybe not Heaven-bound' 'Heartbreaking, if he means it' President Donald Trump prompted concern among some of his Christian supporters for comments he made over the weekend, suggesting he doesn't believe he's going to Heaven. "I don't think there's anything going to get me in Heaven," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday on his way to Israel to sign a peace deal ending the war in Gaza. "I think I'm maybe not Heaven-bound. I may be in Heaven right now as we fly in Air Force One. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make Heaven." TRUMP: "?I think I'm not maybe heaven bound ... I'm not sure I'm gonna be able to make heaven." pic.twitter.com/WHSED0RfBL Ken Klippenstein (NSPM-7 Compliant) (@kenklippenstein) October 13, 2025 Trump was responding to a question that asked if brokering peace in the Middle East could help him "get into Heaven," which was a reference to comments he made in August that prompted a flurry of theological debate when he appeared to claim that ending the Russia-Ukraine war could help determine his eternal state. "I want to try and get to Heaven if possible," Trump told "Fox & Friends" on Aug. 19. "I'm hearing I'm not doing well. I hear I'm really at the bottom of the totem pole." "But if I can get to Heaven, this will be one of the reasons," he added about peace in Ukraine at the time. Trump said Sunday that his comments last summer were an example of him "being a little cute," though some took to social media both in August and this week to warn against his apparent works-based view of salvation. "He needs better spiritual advisors around him if he believes this," radio host Dana Loesch said. "God's grace covers all, by belief not deed." "Reconciliation with God can't be earned by anyone. Salvation is a gift, offered by grace to the whole world and received by faith in Jesus Christ," wrote Babylon Bee founder Seth Dillon. Jenna Ellis, a Christian who formerly served as Trump's attorney, said his comments are "heartbreaking, if he means it." "Does he? Either way, Trump continues to make it difficult for Christians to defend his worldview on God and truth," she tweeted. "The truth: There isn't any THING that's going to get him into heaven its not by works or peace deals or political comebacks. He has to repent of sin and confess Christ is Lord and Savior." "I hope that Trump is or becomes born again. As John MacArthur wisely observed, the only proof or evidence of salvation is a transformed life," she added. Ellis told The Christian Post that she believes Charlie Kirk's assassination last month has led many, including Trump, to ponder the importance of faith and life after death. "I think after Charlies death, everyone is feeling like eternity is so much more serious. I mean, we knew it was, but it feels that way now," she said. During his eulogy for him last month, Trump honored Kirk for his outspoken Christian faith, calling him "a missionary with a noble spirit" while admitting he does not yet exhibit the grace Kirk showed toward his enemies. Since his own near brush with death at his rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, some have observed that Trump has become more outspoken about faith, God and eternity. Journalist Salena Zito, who was present at the Butler rally and wrote a bestselling book about it, said Trump has attributed his escape from an assassin's bullet to "the hand of God." Some supporters expressed hope and gratitude that Trump, who famously said in 2015 he was unsure if he had ever asked God for forgiveness, is speaking about Heaven at all. "There's a lot of people crashing out over Trump's 'getting into heaven comments,'" conservative influencer Jack Posobiec said. "Personally, I'm glad we have a President who is willing to show humility. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up." "People will mock this, as they do everything and anything Trump says or does, but he is displaying incredible humility here. Butler changed him," wrote poet Joseph Massey. Evangelist Sean Feucht noted in a Monday video that he has personally witnessed Trump being told the Gospel and suggested that the president's comments, even if made in jest, could indicate growing humility. He expressed optimism that Trump might be experiencing a change of heart by coming to realize that his many accomplishments cannot save him. "He has no shortage of people that have clearly explained to him on phone calls, on conference calls, in person ... about the forgiveness of sins, repentance, by grace alone you can be saved, not by works." My thoughts on President Trumps comments about not getting to heaven. pic.twitter.com/uQKTZV9weu Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) October 13, 2025 "He's heard it many, many times. However, I do think it is amazing [...] that he is acknowledging now that his good works alone all his wealth, all his fame, all his stature, all his accolades, all his power is not enough to get him to Heaven, and he's right. And that takes humility," said Feucht. "I believe God is moving his heart closer than ever before," he continued, adding that he is praying that Trump would have a public conversion experience before he leaves office. "Guys, just be encouraged: God's working on his heart, there's humility coming over him. Let's keep praying that God would finish the work." Home News Turkey labels Christians national security threat to deport them, rights group warns Turkey has been deporting hundreds of foreign Christians and blocking their return by labeling them national security threats, according to an international legal advocacy group. ADF International Legal Officer Lidia Rieder told a gathering of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw, Poland, on Monday that such designations are issued through internal security codes and have left local Protestant communities without leadership. Since 2020, at least 200 foreign Christian workers and their families, totaling around 350 people, have been barred from the country under internal security codes N-82 and G-87, ADF International reports. The codes are used by the Ministry of Interior to prevent re-entry or deny residence permits, often without charges or evidence of criminal wrongdoing, the group said. Foreign Christians from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Latin America and other parts of Europe have been denied visas or deported in recent years. Many had lived in Turkey with their families for extended periods and had no criminal record or pending legal cases, the Protestant association said. A June 8 ruling from Turkey's Constitutional Court rejected an appeal by nine foreign Christians against the N-82 code. The court published their names, prompting media outlets to label them as missionaries and enemies of the state. The report noted that many online comments called for the death penalty and described killing them as a religious duty. Between December 2024 and January 2025 alone, at least 35 new codes were assigned, including to people who had lived in the country for decades. These administrative bans have significantly disrupted religious life in Turkey, where many congregations rely on foreign pastors. One such case is Wiest v. Turkiye, currently before the European Court of Human Rights. The plaintiff, a U.S. citizen who had resided legally in Turkey for more than 30 years, was blocked from returning without explanation. ADF International said it alone is supporting over 30 related legal challenges in Turkish and European courts. Although Turkey's Constitution protects religious freedom, foreign Christians and local churches face growing restrictions. The historic Halki Seminary remains closed, Protestant seminaries lack legal status, and Bible education is prohibited even as Islamic theological training continues under state oversight, ADF International notes, adding that congregations such as the Bursa Protestant community have lost access to their places of worship. The Association of Protestant Churches, in its 2024 Human Rights Violation Report, documented a rise in hate speech and violence against Christians in Turkey. Among the incidents was an armed attack on the Salvation Church association building in Cekmekoy last December, when an individual fired shots from a car and attempted to remove the church's signs, the report noted. Also in December, a Christian English teacher lost her job at a private evening school in Malatya without explanation. A school official warned her about the associations she attended and the foreign friends she kept. Her appeal to local authorities was dismissed, and she avoided filing a lawsuit out of fear for her civil servant sister, the report said. On Jan. 20, 2024, gunfire struck the Eskisehir Salvation Church building while it was unoccupied. The bullets hit a dentist's office below the church, but responding police did not collect evidence or file a report, the Protestant association stated. Vandalism, threats and physical damage were also reported at churches in Kayseri, Bahcelievler and Izmir throughout 2024. Other incidents included denied permits to distribute brochures, cancelled Easter and Christmas invitations, and increasing use of social media to insult and threaten church leaders and congregants. Trump Hails Historic Middle East Peace, Free Speech Advocates Challenge EU Censorship, America Honors Charlie Kirk link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:38 06:38 Top headlines for Tuesday, October 14, 2025 President Donald Trumps declaration of a historic dawn of a new Middle East following Hamas release of the last hostages and his address at the Knesset. We also look at growing concerns from over 100 free speech advocates urging the European Commission to reconsider a regulation they say could stifle global expression. Plus, a day of remembrance is planned for conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on what would have been his 32nd birthday. 00:11 Trump touts 'age of faith, hope and God' at Israel's Knesset 00:58 UK debates digital ID amid security, civil liberties concerns 01:47 Drug cartels now rule most of Mexico: Far from a holy nation 02:38 Advocates warn EU against law that would silence speech globally 03:29 Conservative alternative to UMC grows to 6,000 member churches 04:19 Charlie Kirk National Day of Remembrance to be held this week 05:01 Forrest Frank announces wife is pregnant with second child Home Opinion Final hostages come home to Israel, but now comes the hard part In a Monday prisoner exchange, Hamas finally released the last 20 living hostages it captured on October 7, resolving for Israel the long-sustained dissonance of negotiating lopsided hostage releases with its genocidal foe. The moment provides Israel with great cause for rejoicing, but it also brings the Israeli government to a difficult, untrodden fork in the road. On the seventh Day of Sukkot (the Feast of Booths, Leviticus 23:39), thousands of Israelis assembled in Tel Avivs Hostage Square to welcome the returning hostages, joined by tens of thousands of Israelis watching at public viewings across the country. The date held symbolic significance in the Jewish calendar, since it comes on the eve of the two-year anniversary of Hamass terror attack, which came on Simchat Torah or the eighth day of the Feast of Booths (Leviticus 23:39). For the hostages, their release after long captivity surely felt like a return from exile. They endured years of malicious starvation, physical abuse, psychological torment, and heartless wickedness at the hands of their terrorist captors. They spent most of the time hidden in oxygen-poor tunnels, cut off from the outside world. Theirs were conditions like the psalmist described, Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, until Yahweh brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love. For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron (Psalm 107:10, 14-16). If ever there were a day for Israel to celebrate, surely the release of the final hostages qualifies. Yet there remains a significant loose end. For starters, Hamas has only restored the living hostages to Israel, along with the bodies of four dead hostages. There are more than two dozen dead hostages remaining in Gaza. Hamas is required to abide by the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the bodies, insisted the IDF. Part of the problem may be that not even Hamas leaders know where all the hostage bodies are. An international task force will seek to assist in locating the remaining bodies within 72 hours. These conditions illustrate another problem: Hamas is still in Gaza. Under the terms of Trumps 20-point peace plan, to which both Israel and Arab nations have agreed, Hamas is supposed to surrender its weapons and relinquish control of Gaza to a technocratic governing body, thereby securing Israels safety. Like a towering redwood, the deep-rooted problem of Hamas in Gaza stands athwart Israels path, dividing it into two. Now that Israel has recovered every living hostage, it has now reached the fork in its path, and the moment of decision. On one hand lies the trail that everyone from Arab despots to President Donald Trump is pressuring Israel to take: declare victory and end the war. Today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace, a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity, intoned Trump in a Sunday speech before the Israeli Knesset. The forces of chaos, terror, and ruin that have plagued the region for decades now stand weakened, isolated, and totally defeated, he added. These remarks built up to Trumps crescendo, Youve won! he declared. Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East. This was no idle rhetoric on Trumps part. From Jerusalem, he journeyed on to Egypt Monday to meet with 20 Arab and Muslim leaders about the future of Gaza. Trump really believes or wants to believe that the war is over. (Significantly, Netanyahu did not attend the summit, even though he originally planned to attend. Behind the scenes, Turkish President Recep Erdogan created last-minute drama, circling the airport and threatening to boycott the meeting if any Israeli plane lands. Netanyahus office gave the Jewish holiday as the reason for his absence.) The question is, has Trump declared victory in Gaza too soon? Have he and his Arab negotiating partners begun to measure the drapes on a waterfront resort property whose blueprints have not yet been finalized? The hard reality is that Hamas remains entrenched in Gaza, evil to its core, and an existential threat to Israel. The Monday hostage exchanges gave Hamas new life, after Israel released 1,900 prisoners in exchange for the 20 living hostages. Of these, 250 prisoners were hardened terrorists, serving life sentences on murder and terrorism charges, while the others had been detained since October 7. The result is many more foot soldiers at the disposal of Hamas (although not all were released into Gaza). Already, emboldened by the ceasefire with Israel, armed men in masks have been seen on the streets of Gaza and in conflict with anti-Hamas tribal militias. Over the weekend, Hamas militants raided the Gaza City neighborhood occupied by the Al Doghmush family militia. The one-sided violence resulted in the death of 52 Doghmush members and 12 Hamas militants. Objectors may point out that the current ceasefire prevents Hamas from attacking Israel, but Israel vividly remembers Hamass bad faith towards temporary peace agreements. Hamas broke ceasefires with Israel in 2003, 2007, and 2008, nine ceasefires in 2014, and another on October 7, 2023. Whenever a military or political opportunity next presents itself, Hamas is sure to break the ceasefire again. Hamas is evil not only for its untrustworthiness, but for the brutal, illegal terrorist tactics it routinely employs in pursuit of its goal: genocide of the Jews. Israel recently reminded the world of Hamass evil intentions by publishing an August 2023 memo written by the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, in which Sinwar instructed Hamass terror brigades mobilized in the planned October 7 massacres to attack civilians and film their atrocities to frighten and destabilize Israel. As a result of Israels many security concerns, Netanyahu seems poised to choose a different path than that urged by Trump. The campaign is not over. There are still very great security challenges ahead of us, he cautioned on Sunday. That sure sounds like Netanyahu plans to continue fighting, even as the White House would like to declare victory. It is difficult to know what lies upon any path beyond the first bend of the future. If Israel resolves to keep on fighting an unyielding Hamas, will that provoke Trumps anger and a permanent loss of support? Will it merely prompt a public disagreement while the two leaders continue to cooperate at a deeper level? Or, will Netanyahu be able to amass sufficient evidence of Hamas violations that Trump actually sides with Israel? The other unknown question is what world leaders will do with Hamas. Will Arab nations shoulder their newly assumed responsibility for Gazas security and kick Hamas to the curb? Will they allow Israel to do the dirty work instead? Or will they simply revert to the pre-war status quo of providing soft support to Hamas as an incurable nuisance to Israel? In other words, the stakes are nothing less than the legacy and longevity of Trumps 20-point peace plan for Gaza, and the most important criterion is whether it will result in world leaders ousting Hamas from power. The deal has been struck, but now comes the hard part. Originally published at The Washington Stand. Home Opinion Preparing for revival: How to identify work of the Holy Spirit Can the Spirit of God be at work when we see marvelous things side-by-side with elements that rightfully raise caution? We are living in extraordinary times, perhaps a moment of history that is ripe for another Great Awakening. The shocking murder of Charlie Kirk seems to have sparked a movement that transcends the typical response to such horrifying events. On the Sunday following his death, churches across this nation were overflowing with people, many of whom had never attended church previously, or who had not attended in many years. This trend continued on September 21, which also saw another remarkable event, the memorial service for Kirk. While the crowd was significant, the most important aspect of this event was the clarity with which the Gospel was proclaimed. Speaker after speaker came to the podium to share the truth of the cross of Christ. Sinners were called to repentance. The sinfulness of all people, not just those on one side of the political aisle, was clearly articulated, and all people on both sides were urged to abandon their sin and flee to Jesus for salvation. During the clarity of the Gospel were other moments that were less helpful. With all the good that happened, some might wonder what we should do with some of the elements that were concerning. Puritan Pastor Jonathan Edwards ministered during the Great Awakening in 18th-century colonial America. He was instrumental in the work of God during that revival. God accomplished incredible things through that movement of the Spirit, with some scholars contending that the birth of America some 40 years later would never have happened apart from that revival. But not everything during the Great Awakening was sunshine and roses. Many people raised concerns because of excesses they saw, apostasies of prominent leaders of the movement, unusual responses to the Word, and even unbiblical doctrines being promoted. Edwards spent time evaluating what the Spirit of God was and was not doing, and he wrote a treatise entitled The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God. In this message, Edwards listed nine marks that are irrelevant to whether the Spirit is at work, five marks that the Spirit is at work, and three inferences readers should draw from these marks. As we prepare for possible revival, I want to highlight a few of these marks to apply to what the Spirit is doing in our day, nearly three hundred years later. First, Edwards argued that a clear sign that something is from the Spirit of God is that the work raises peoples esteem of the true Jesus and establishes the truth about Him in their minds. We see plainly from Scripture that the work of the Spirit of God is to declare the truth about Jesus and to glorify the Son. Jesus said that the Spirit of truth would bear witness about Him (John 15:26), and He later added that the Spirit would come to glorify the Son (John 16:14). The Spirits primary role in this world is to magnify the glory of the Son of God, to shine the light of the glory of the face of Christ brightly in the hearts of sinners, and to so work in peoples hearts that they might declare, Jesus is Lord! (1 Corinthians 12:3). Any work that promotes a higher esteem, love for, and trust in Jesus is from the Spirit of God. Second, Edwards asserted that the work of the Spirit opposes the interests of Satans kingdom. If the Spirit of God so works to promote the Son of God, He must of necessity move to destroy the works of the devil, since that is the very thing Jesus came to do (1 John 3:8). The works of the devil consist largely in encouraging sin and convincing sinners to cherish their worldly lusts. Another name for those vices that characterize Satans kingdom is the works of the flesh. Where the fruit of the Spirit begins to replace the works of the flesh, the Spirit of God is at work rescuing sinners from the domain of darkness and transferring them into the Kingdom of Gods beloved Son. Third, Edwards highlights the biblical truth that a genuine work of the Spirit of God raises peoples esteem for the Word of God. Since the Spirit of God is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13), and the Word of God is the truth (John 17:17), the Spirit of God necessarily increases peoples trust in and regard for the Bible whenever and wherever He is at work. The one who knows God hears us; the one who is not from God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, John wrote (1 John 4:6), showing plainly that those who hear the apostolic message are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, while those who disregard Scripture are deluded by the spirit of error. While a movement might have great energy, enthusiasm, and excitement, if it does not tend to promote a love for Scripture, it does not bear a critical mark of the work of the Spirit. To combine Edwards fourth and fifth marks, a work of the Spirit of God convinces men of the truth, resulting in love for God and man. As the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. Or again in v. 12, If we love one another, God abides in us. Love is a non-negotiable mark of those under the influence of the Spirit, for anyone who does not love does not know God (1 John 4:7). A work of the Spirit of God is not only manifested, then, when people come to know and believe the truth intellectually, but when that truth takes such root in their hearts that it transforms them into lovers of truth, lovers of the Source of truth, and lovers of those who bear His image. When these marks appear in any movement, they are clear and certain marks that the movement is a work of the Spirit of God. Edwards also notes that in such times, we should not reject the work of the Spirit of God because we see unusual things about it, so long as those elements are within biblical bounds, or because errors of judgment, delusions from the devil, or imprudences of men are mixed with it. Wherever the Spirit of God is at work, the devil is seeking to oppose, confuse, and distort what the Spirit is doing. We should therefore expect that in any work of the Spirit of God we will see distortions from the enemy, tares sowed among the wheat, poor judgment by men, and other such things as would seek to derail or thwart Gods work. When we apply these marks to the current movement, we see following Kirks murder, what should we conclude? We can ask these four questions: 1. Does this movement raise peoples esteem of and faith in Jesus Christ? 2. Does this movement oppose the interests of Satans kingdom by turning people away from their sinful desires and worldly lusts? 3. Has this movement resulted in people having a higher view of Scripture and a greater submission to its authority? 4. Has this movement convinced people of the truth such that they have become ardent lovers of both God and their fellow image-bearers? I think its presently too early to draw any firm conclusions about whether this is a work of the Spirit of God on the scale of a national revival. Clearly, the Gospel has been preached, the true Christ has been exalted, and some errors have been mixed in with the truths that were shared. Because we see both hopeful and concerning signs, we do well to prepare for revival by understanding its distinguishing marks, even while we suspend judgment as to whether this is the beginning of such a revival. We ought to filter all that we observe through these distinguishing marks, celebrating what genuinely comes from the Spirit of God and rejecting what is a counterfeit from the spirit of error. As we seek to discern what the Spirit is doing, Edwards second inference is apropos, where he writes, Let us all be hence warned, by no means to oppose, or do any thing in the least to clog or hinder, the work; but, on the contrary, do our utmost to promote it. Edwards meant that we should acknowledge and rejoice when we see Christ truly at work, and we must be careful not to dismiss what Christ has done because we see the enemy seeking to oppose it. We want to encourage work that truly is wrought by the Spirit of God, seeking to see the Spirits work poured out in ever-increasing abundance without naively embracing or promoting elements that do not come from the Spirit of God. Many Christians fall too heavily on one side or the other. Some celebrate everything that took place at the memorial as a work of Gods Spirit, insisting that any discernment is evidence of cynicism or a critical spirit. Others fail to see any work of Gods Spirit because of the elements that did not meet Edwards biblical criteria for such a work. During the Great Awakening, people fell on both sides of these issues as well. As Edwards helpfully explained, wherever there is wheat, there are also tares, and wherever the Spirit of truth operates, the spirit of error opposes. Faithful Christians seek to see both aspects clearly, celebrating the one and exposing the other. We might be on the precipice of a significant work of Gods Spirit in our day. If we are, we need to be ready to discern the work of the Spirit from imitations and counterfeits lest we hinder the work or miss it entirely. We should all pray that God would indeed use this moment to bring genuine, nationwide revival, a 21st-century Great Awakening. Trump addresses Israeli parliament, claims "end of war" in Gaza Xinhua) 10:07, October 14, 2025 JERUSALEM, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday during a brief visit as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire entered its fourth day, hailing an "end" to Israel's two-year war in Gaza. The visit coincides with the return of the last 20 surviving hostages from Gaza to Israel and the release of about 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners from Israeli jails, a key step in the ceasefire agreement. Before entering the plenum hall of the Knesset, Trump briefly spoke with reporters, saying Israel's war in Gaza is over. "Now, at last, not only for Israelis, but also for Palestinians and for many others. The long and painful nightmare is finally over," Trump said in his speech at the Knesset. During the address, he noted that the United States has supplied Israel with extensive military aid. "So many that Israel became strong and powerful," he said. "You used them well." Regarding relations with Iran, Trump said he supports a deal with Iran but will prioritize addressing Russia first. "It would be great if we could make a peace deal with them (Iran)," he said. "I think they want to, I think they're tired," he said, adding later: "First we have to get Russia done." Trump's speech was briefly interrupted when a Knesset member displayed a sign calling for the recognition of Palestine. Ahead of Trump's speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset, pledging he is "committed to this peace." From Israel, Trump will fly directly to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh to co-chair an international summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Gaza's future. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Sector leaders have signed a letter to prime minister Keir Starmer, warning that charity workers are facing abuse amid increasing far-right activity in the UK and urged his government to act. More than 150 civil society representatives signed the letter , dated 29 September, which says that sector organisations working with migrant and other marginalised communities have faced threats of violence and attacks by the media. It says the Civil Society Covenant, published in July to reset the relationship between the state and the sector, includes a pledge to create a fair, just and equitable society including the protection of human rights. We urge you to put this commitment into action, and we stand ready to play our part to ensure the freedom and future of the UK, it reads. The letter comes after the Charity Commission took the rare step of removing the names of trustees from several refugee charities listed on its register in August due to a potential safety risk. Last month, several charities including Bail for Immigration Detainees (BiD), Care4Calais and Freedom from Torture, along with many lawyers, signed a statement of solidarity in the face of what they describe as mounting threats from the far right. BiD reported facing harassment after the Telegraph ran its story on 17 September titled Home Office charity guide for migrants to avoid deportation. Last week, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick was criticised after posting a video claiming that many immigration judges have links to open borders charities and naming BiD. Government response The letter, signed by leaders of sector organisations including umbrella bodies NCVO, ACEVO and the Charity Retail Association, urges the government to enable civil society to build resilience to extremism within communities who are being exploited. It says this work should include Black and minoritised womens organisations as key stakeholders given the weaponisation by the far right of violence against women and girls. We are experiencing increasing racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and antisemitism on the streets and in workplaces, including abuse of charity staff and charity shop volunteers, it reads. All this alongside attacks by the media and threats of violence against lawyers and civil society groups working with migrant and other marginalised communities. Equally Ours chief executive Ali Harris, who wrote the letter, said: Civil society leaders are taking this collective stand because our organisations and the communities we serve are experiencing growing racist, Islamophobic and antisemitic threats and aggression - in places of worship, offices, shops, on public transport and high streets. A government spokesperson said: Racism is completely unacceptable and has no place in our society. This government has pride in our tolerant and diverse country, and we are dedicated to tackling inequality at its roots, including working closely with ethnic minority leaders to enact change. We have a strong legal framework in place to deal with the perpetrators of racism and other forms of hate crime and expect those responsible for these abhorrent offences to be brought to justice. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Sign up for the daily CJR newsletter. In late September, a man walked into the office of Jill Friesz, the owner of a newspaper publishing company in North Dakota, in a rage. He was telling me he was tired of my excuses and that he may as well just quit subscribing to the paper, said Friesz, whose company, GS Publishing, operates seven weekly newspapers across the southwestern part of the state. Friesz was surprised by all the swearing and hollering, but not the emotion: like many subscribers, the visitor was upset because his paper never seemed to show up on time. I have so many frustrated people that call and just say, Well, theres no point in me getting the newspaper because it never gets delivered to me, Friesz said. The problem, according to Friesz and a half dozen other newspaper publishers, editors, and trade association members who spoke to CJR, is significant delays by the US Postal Service, leading to weekly papers arriving at the homes of subscribers as late as nine weeks. Weekly papers have struggled with postal delays for years, but publishers say that recently it has gotten notably worse. In 2014, periodicals were scheduled to be delivered within three days, according to a GAO report, which found that up to a quarter of them were delivered late. This delivery range for periodicals was later increased to up to nine days, and in 2021, a new cost-cutting initiative called Delivering for America resulted in the closure of distribution centers across the country, exacerbating the problem. In April, Heather Holmes, the general manager of the biweekly Lakeland Times in Minocqua, Wisconsin, grew so fed up with the delays her subscribers were experiencing that she put AirTags in several newspapers being shipped out of state. (She did this with both the approval of the subscribers the papers were going to and officials at her local post office, who were eager to better understand why these papers were being held up.) One of the tagged papers, destined for the village of Glendale Heights, in Illinois, took eighteen days to arrive, with stops at distribution centers in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and four other locations in Illinois. Im losing hundreds and hundreds of subscriptions of these people that just want to read the Lakeland Times because this is their hometown, or they have family here, and theyre not getting it for two or three weeks, said Holmes. Charles ONeill, the publisher of the weekly paper Harbor Light News, in Harbor Springs, Michigan, received so many complaints from out-of-state subscribers in the month of Septembersome of whom said their editions had taken more than two months to arrivethat he wrote an article addressing the problem, and urging them to contact their local post offices and representatives to complain. He also reported his concerns to the Michigan Press Association and the National Newspaper Association, which are collecting reports of these delays. Is this the ultimate decline of the post office? ONeill said. I dont know, but it impacts us. Most of the delays have involved newspapers sent to subscribers in other states, but some local deliveries have also been affected. Eric Hamp, the publisher and editor of the Houghton Lake Resorter and the Crawford County Avalanche, in northern Michigan, said that some in-state subscribers recently told him that they received the August 7, 14, and 21 editions of their papers on October 3. We have a printing press in-house, and furthermore I still tie all the papers and put them in mailing tubs, so I know theyre going out the door, said Hamp, who received over sixty complaints from readers about delays in September. He also published an editorial asking readers to call their local congressmen. Cecile Wehrman, the executive director of the North Dakota Newspaper Association, said that the sixty or so weekly newspapers in her state are the only source of news for many residents. Theres no radio station, theres no television station covering that community. Its only the local newspaper, she said. So when you curtail the delivery of the local newspaper, youre impacting that entire sixty- or seventy-five-mile-square radius of people who are depending on information about what their local government is doing. Sign up for CJRs daily email The delays also threaten the revenue of small newspapers that rely heavily on their subscribers, which often operate on razor-thin margins. Ive been getting people saying, If I cant get my paper, Im not going to renew, said Autumn Hill, the publisher of the Iron County Miner in Hurley, Wisconsin, who keeps a complaint log of every call she receives. So Im sure we definitely have lost subscribers because of this. Some dont care, whether its us or the post office. Theyre just not getting what they paid for. Some publishers have urged out-of-town readers to switch to digital subscriptions, but many say they prefer the traditional paper; some of the papers dont offer digital subscriptions. Advertising revenue has also taken a hit. Earlier this year, one of Frieszs papers in North Dakota had to refund dozens of special New Years advertisements after the paper didnt show up for four weeks. Another paper recently had to refund an advertiser after their promotion for a rummage sale didnt reach readers until after the sale was over, she said. When this happens, the newspapers rarely can get an answer as to why the papers are hung up, and they never get a refund for late delivery, said Wehrman. And so that is incredibly frustrating and causing some real economic hardships for our weekly newspapers. Cathy Koeppen Purcell, a spokesperson for USPS, said the service is aware of the delivery issues facing publishers and is working to make improvements. The US Postal Service has a close working relationship with the newspaper industry and meets frequently with newspaper organization representatives, she said. Purcell pointed to a two-year-old program designed to improve delivery times for newspapers with twenty-five thousand subscribers or fewer. Most of the publishers who spoke with CJR said they have found their local postal workers to be communicative and well-intentioned, despite cutbacks to personnel and resources. They point the finger at officials at USPS at the national level, whom they describe as aloof and hard to reach. In August 2024, Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota organized a postal roundtable; attendees were given the phone number of a customer service representative in Minnesota to call if a paper goes missing, Wehrman said. Weve had to access that a half a dozen times. And its funny, we never really get an answer as to what happened. The complaints sometimes lead to temporarily improved service, she added. Were customers of the United States Postal Service, said Hill. I write out checks and take them to the post office about every three weeks, and we want to get the service that we are paying for. Thats all we want. Weak artificial intelligence governance practices pose a growing risk of data breaches, warns a report published by Moodys Ratings. Large numbers of companies and organizations have no rules in place to govern the safe use of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the workplace, despite the routine use of AI chatbots in everyday life and increasing integration of AI into business processes, said the report on Moodys 2025 cybersecurity survey of nearly 2,000 rated global organizations. Without restrictions, employees may inadvertently share sensitive or proprietary data with public AI platforms, increasing the likelihood of data breaches, intellectual property loss, and reputational harm, according to the survey report titled Weak artificial intelligence governance practices pose growing risk of data breaches, published on Oct. 1. Read more: Global Financial Watchdogs to Ramp Up Monitoring of Artificial Intelligence Moodys explained that submitting proprietary information into chatbots like OpenAIs ChatGPT or Googles Gemini is likely to expose sensitive data to third parties, potentially violating internal data handling policies or confidentiality agreements or leading to unintentional data leaks, especially if the AI tool retains or learns from user inputs. The risks of such exposure can range from data breaches to intellectual property loss and even reputational damage, the report continued. Nearly one-quarter of survey respondents (22%) revealed they have no policies in place to restrict staff from using the firms internal and proprietary data with publicly available AI chatbots, the report said. In North America, 80% of respondents have implemented these restrictions, but in Asia Pacific (APAC) 35% of respondents said they have not. Moodys said local governments are among the most vulnerable with only 48% implementing policies governing the use of AI tools. Non-financial companies score highest with 78% having such policies in place. Attack Severity to Intensify Cyberattacks against the companies and organizations that Moodys rates have been higher over the last 10 years than at any point before, said the report, noting, however, that they have dropped from an all-time high in 2020. (See graphic below). So far, the victims of attacks have had sufficient resources to cope. There have only been 25 cyber-related credit rating actions against 16 [debt] issuers, the report continued. (Editors note: The survey gauges the cybersecurity practices of global organizations that Moodys rates and collects data on this risk, which can affect the credit strength of all debt issuers.) Nonetheless, as digitalization broadens and new technologies such as generative AI and quantum computing emerge, attack severity will intensify and costs will increase, Moodys said. Risks From Third-Party Software Suppliers Another area of concern highlighted by the cyber survey report is third-party software, which increases the attack surface, providing more entry points for cybercriminals to exploit, the report said. While modern software systems often rely on a complex network of third-party vendors and suppliers, many organizations fail to rigorously assess third-party cybersecurity practices or manage open-source software risks, which can leave them exposed to supply chain attacks, Moodys added. This interconnectedness means that vulnerabilities in one suppliers software can pass throughout the entire supply chain, affecting multiple organizations. Moodys noted that cybercriminals favor supply-chain attacks because they provide a better return on investment. By compromising one vendor, they can attack a wide swath of that vendors end users. Despite the risks, Moodys survey found that 14% of respondents have never reviewed their software suppliers cybersecurity practices and only 65% review these practices annually. That number drops to 48% for healthcare, housing, and higher education respondents. For not-for-profit hospitals, the figure is 43%, and most of these hospitals (53%), say they only perform a review every few years. In response to this growing risk, Moodys said, there has been an increase in the number of organizations that require vendors, such as software providers, to carry cyber insurance if their staff or products have access to internal IT systems. Gaps in Key Cyber Defenses Despite the escalating threat and growing sophistication of cyberattacks, Moodys said, many organizations are failing to consistently implement critical cybersecurity measures, such as daily backups of data and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for network access. Moodys noted that only 78% of issuers perform daily backups, while 22% including some large institutions do not perform any backup scanning at all, which reveals a critical gap in cyber hygiene. Multi-factor authentication, which fortifies user accounts by requiring multiple forms of verification before a network can be accessed, is also being inconsistently enforced, Moodys indicated. Enforcement of MFA for all applications stands at only 75%, despite the fact that Microsofts security division estimates it can prevent 99.9% of attacks targeting user accounts, the ratings agency emphasized. Some organizations only require MFA for remote access, potentially leaving other parts of their IT environment exposed. Cybersecurity Governance On a more positive note, Moodys said, there are signs of improved executive oversight of cyber matters. Organizations are making strides in cybersecurity governance, with a growing number of senior cyber managers now reporting directly to chief executives or financial chiefs. This shift enhances visibility and prioritization of cyber risk at the executive level, said the report. In Moodys 2025 survey, 28% of cybersecurity respondents revealed they report to the CEO or CFO a 13% increase from the last survey in 2023. About Moodys 2025 Issuer Cyber Survey This year, Moodys conducted its third cybersecurity survey of the debt issuers it rates to better understand how cyber risk is evolving, and what private enterprises and government-related entities are doing to manage the risk. Between April and July, the ratings agency collected 1,952 responses globally from the nearly 9,000 issuers it surveyed, resulting in a response rate of 22%. The survey responses were compared across five sectors: corporate; financial services; infrastructure (i.e. airports, toll roads, utilities etc.); healthcare, housing, and higher education; and regional and local governments. Moodys said survey data provides insight into how issuers manage four key areas of cyber risk: cyber governance, cybersecurity operations, cyber risk transfer (i.e. insurance) and artificial intelligence (AI). Apple was hit with a lawsuit in California federal court by a pair of neuroscientists who say that the tech company misused thousands of copyrighted books to train its Apple Intelligence artificial intelligence model. Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen Macknik, professors at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York, told the court in a proposed class action on Thursday that Apple used illegal shadow libraries of pirated books to train Apple Intelligence. A separate group of authors sued Apple last month for allegedly misusing their work in AI training. Tech Companies Facing Lawsuits The lawsuit is one of many high-stakes cases brought by copyright owners such as authors, news outlets, and music labels against tech companies, including OpenAI, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms, over the unauthorized use of their work in AI training. Anthropic agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle a lawsuit from another group of authors over the training of its AI-powered chatbot Claude in August. Spokespeople for Apple and Martinez-Conde, Macknik, and their attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the new complaint on Friday. Apple Intelligence is a suite of AI-powered features integrated into iOS devices, including the iPhone and iPad. The day after Apple officially introduced Apple Intelligence, the company gained more than $200 billion in value: the single most lucrative day in the history of the company,' the lawsuit said. According to the complaint, Apple utilized datasets comprising thousands of pirated books as well as other copyright-infringing materials scraped from the internet to train its AI system. The lawsuit said that the pirated books included Martinez-Conde and Mackniks Champions of Illusion: The Science Behind Mind-Boggling Images and Mystifying Brain Puzzles and Sleights of Mind: What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals About Our Everyday Deceptions. The professors requested an unspecified amount of monetary damages and an order for Apple to stop misusing their copyrighted work. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Rod Nickel) The U.K. urged corporate bosses to protect their businesses against cyber attacks, after a spate of high-profile incidents targeting companies from Jaguar Land Rover to Marks and Spencer Group Plc that it said represent just a fraction of the known threats. Recent high-profile cyber incidents show how attacks can seriously disrupt operations and damage profitability, ministers including Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Peter Kyle said in the letter Tuesday to chief executive officers and chairs of FTSE 350 companies. The warning from government came as Britains National Cyber Security Centre reported a significant increase in major cyberattacks by criminals and hostile states over the last year. It said it had dealt with 429 cyber incidents in the 12 months through the end of August, categorizing nearly half of those as nationally significant, meaning it was responding to four such incidents a week. Some 18 of the cases were classed by the NCSC as highly significant, having a serious impact on central government, essential services or the UK economy. It said that represented a 50% increase on the previous year. The data, revealed by NCSC chief Richard Horne in a speech Tuesday, suggests the threat to corporate Britain goes well beyond the recent public cases. Over the past few weeks and months we have seen household names impacted by cyber incidents across all sectors of the economy, from retail to manufacturing and transport, according to Hornes speech. Those are just the incidents that have made the headlines. Strategic Foreign Interference In August, Jaguar Land Rover was hit by a major cyberattack that led to the company shutting down manufacturing sites around the world. The disruption, which has likely cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars, has spread throughout its supply chain, threatening thousands of jobs. In an unprecedented move, the U.K. government stepped in, agreeing to guarantee a 1.5 billion ($2 billion) emergency loan so the company can pay its suppliers. A cyberattack on a key provider of airline check-in and boarding systems snarled travel at major European airports including Londons Heathrow in September, forcing staff to process passengers manually and triggering delays and cancellations. In April, hackers struck Marks and Spencers, costing the retailer an estimated 300 million. Meanwhile, the Co-op supermarket chain estimated a 206 million underlying margin impact from a cyberattack earlier in the year. The U.K. governments handing of national security issues is under scrutiny following the collapse of an espionage case involving two men accused of spying for China. Horne previously named China as the dominant threat to cybersecurity in Britain. On Monday, MI5, the U.K.s domestic security service, warned politicians and their staff that they are being targeted by spies from China, Russia and Iran in efforts geared toward undermining British democracy. The U.K. is a target of long-term strategic foreign interference and espionage from elements of the Russian, Chinese and Iranian states which, in different ways, seek to further their economic and strategic interests and cause harm to our democratic institutions, MI5 said. Top photo: A Jaguar motor vehicle on the outside of the Jaguar Land Rover vehicle manufacturing plant in Castle Bromwich, U.K., on Sept. 26. A rendering depicts a section of the off-road, sidewalk-level, two-way cycle track along the west (southbound) side of Lee Road, along with streetscape improvements. The bike path work could get started next year, with the City of Shaker Heights already amassing $24 million in funding for the transformational project that will carry into 2027. City of Shaker Heights/Chagrin Valley Engineering/SmithGroup SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- With an eye toward construction next year, City Council has dedicated three city-owned parcels of property, including right-of-way for bike lanes along the Lee Road corridor. About 26,000 square feet of property in front of City Hall, the Stephanie Tubbs Jones (STJ) Community Building and a sliver at the corner of Lee and Chalfant Road near the police station will be designated for the Lee Road Complete Street Improvement Project. It ties into the transformative Lee Road Action Plan, for which the city has already secured about $24.5 million in funding. Plans call for reducing the number of car lanes from four (two in each direction) down to three, consisting of one lane each way and a center left-turn lane. From there, in-road bike lanes will be added north of Van Aken Boulevard. South of Van Aken, the city and the Cuyahoga County Public Works Department will add an off-road, sidewalk-level, two-way cycle track along the west (southbound) side of Lee, along with streetscape improvements. Thats where additional right-of-way will be needed in front of STJ -- earlier estimated at 10 to 15 feet -- with the buildings sign to be moved closer to the library driveway, City Principal Planner Kara Hamley ODonnell told council Sept. 29. The sidewalk dedication at City Hall will be for pedestrian improvements, as well as new ADA ramps and access that complies with new federal regulations. ODonnell noted that federal funds can only be used in a designated public right-of-way, part of an engineering cleanup with the existing sidewalk going past City Hall. Were not taking any more right-of-way than we need to provide the public sidewalk and the bike path to connect City Hall to the southern border" providing safe access to and from side streets along the way as well, ODonnell added. A Planning Department memo mentions that the City of Cleveland continues similar traffic improvements on its side of the border as well. The Shaker Heights Planning Commission recommended that council approve the right-of-way dedication, with the county leading construction that will continue into 2027 on the catalytic project. Shaker council also unanimously authorized an additional $150,000 grant application to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) as part of its Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI). Earlier this year, Shaker received $350,000 in TLCI grants for pedestrian improvements. These include lighting, sidewalks, wayfinding, amenities and streetscape. But as the engineering progressed, officials realized they would need to apply for additional funds to cover a potential shortfall. No local match is required at this time. Applications were due Oct. 10 and successful recipients should be notified of awards in the spring. Members of the Safety and Public Works Committee last month questioned the likelihood of receiving an additional grant from the same source. Staff responded that this is a strong project that improves safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and will be coordinated with future improvements on the Cleveland border, the memo noted. Read more from the Sun Press. COLUMBUS, Ohio -A former Bedford City School District treasurer owes $19,235 in fees and penalties from late tax payments and an incorrect vacation payout, Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber said in a statement. The finding for recovery against William Parkinson comes as part of an audit of the school districts finances for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. State auditors determined that the district failed to send income tax withholdings to the Internal Revenue Service on time, leading to $11,751.21 in late fees, interest and penalties. The district could have avoided the interest and penalties had it promptly remitted its employee tax withholdings, state auditors said in the report . Additionally, Parkinson was paid twice for earned vacation time, leading to an overpayment of $7,484.63 when his contract was terminated, according to the report. The audit said that Parkinsons contract included 25 vacation days each contract year, with an option to receive a payout each August of any unused days. For his contract ending Aug. 31, 2022, Parkinson was paid for 12.25 unused vacation days twice: once on Aug. 2, 2022, and again on Jan. 27, 2023. Parkinson and his insurance company are liable for repaying the funds, Fabers office said. Parkinson, who is now the finance director for Painesville city, said in an email message that the audit is wrong. The audit is in error and I was not afforded an opportunity to respond, clarify or dispute its findings, and at this time I have no further comment, he wrote. Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer asked Taylor Friedrich, the current treasurer and chief financial officer of Bedford City Schools, if Parkinson or his insurance company repaid the district. He said in an email, the district cannot make a comment for ongoing legal matters. In the audit, the school district said it has made changes to internal processes to avoid these problems in the future. It entered a contract with the Shared Services Alliance, a partnership between the Educational Service Centers of Northeast Ohio, Lorain and Medina Counties, which performs payroll, human resources and other services. The alliance will assist and train newly hired Bedford payroll employees to ensure that taxes are filed timely and correctly. Vacation payout days are now administered correctly and recorded as soon as payment is made to the employee, the district said in the audit. In September 2024, Parkinson sued the school district, his insurance company, Faber and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost over an audit of a previous period from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 that found he owned $59,052 to the Ohio Department of Taxation and IRS in late fees and interest for paying taxes late. Parkinson accused the district and Faber of defamation of character in his suit, filed in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. His suit also made breach of contract claims. Parkinson said in his complaint that he had to rely on the information the districts HR department, the superintendent and the payroll clerks provided him in performing his duties. But the district, Faber and Yost each asked Judge Nancy Fuerst to dismiss the suit. Six months later, she did, saying the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over Parkinsons requests. and that he failed to state a breach of contract and defamation claims upon which he could be granted relief. Parkinson appealed that decision to the Ohio 8th District Court of Appeals, which dismissed the complaint on May 23. Sirens Curse, North Americas tallest, fastest and longest tilt coaster, is a reason for Ohio pride at Cedar Point, but the decision to merge the amusement park's owner with Six Flags last year threatens the legacy of excellence for which Cedar Point long has been known. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com The once-celebrated merger between Cedar Fair and Six Flags is rapidly deteriorating into what Today in Ohio podcast hosts described as hot garbage, raising serious concerns about the future of Cedar Point, Ohios beloved amusement park. In a stunning development that signals deepening troubles for the newly merged company, Selim Bassoul the former Six Flags CEO, announced his departure just weeks after Cedar Fairs CEO also headed for the exit. Thats two top executives abandoning ship in just three months. This looks like a company in free fall, said Leila Atassi. Thats two top executives out in three months. The executive exodus follows a brutal earnings report showing steep attendance and revenue declines. Since the merger closed last year, Six Flags stock has crateredplummeting more than 60 percent to around $20 per share, a clear sign that investors are losing faith in what was originally billed as a blockbuster deal. Whats alarming for Ohio residents and theme park enthusiasts is the potential threat to Cedar Points legendary quality and customer experience. Cedar Fair has long been known for exceptional park management, while Six Flags carried a notably less stellar reputation. Chris Quinn expressed this concern directly: Its sad because Cedar Fair ran good parks and was known for that. Six Flags, not so much. And I hope this doesnt become one of those episodes weve seen so many of ,where a well-run, customer oriented business gets merged and gets trashed, and we lose the culture that they created. The situation seems particularly tragic given Cedar Points long history of maintaining independence. Atassi noted: Its almost unthinkable Cedar point, this crown jewel of American amusement parks that spent years fending off merger and buyout attempts and it finally agrees to one and it turns out to be hot garbage. While Bassoul claims hes proud to have guided the company through a period of transition and will stay on as a consultant for a new park in Saudi Arabia, industry observers question why the company would focus on international expansion when its existing operations appear to be in crisis. The company promises to improve operations and enhance guest experience. But with speculation swirling about potential park selloffs or even bankruptcy, the future of the merged companyand Cedar Point itselfappears increasingly uncertain. For generations of Ohioans who treasure Cedar Point as the gold standard of amusement parksknown for its world-class roller coasters, immaculate grounds, and superior customer servicethe prospect of seeing that legacy compromised by what appears to be a disastrous business decision is particularly painful. The hosts questioned what Cedar Fair executives could have possibly seen in this deal that made them think it would end differently, given Six Flags troubled history and different operational philosophy. 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. Gov. Mike DeWine holds up a packet of THC-infused "Medicated Nerdy Bears," whose packaging mimics the popular candy Nerds Gummy Clusters, which are marketed to children. You've got to ask why Republican lawmakers led by House Speaker Matt Huffman want to preserve an industry that aims intoxicating products at children. Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com In a rare moment of alignment between Cleveland officials and Governor Mike DeWine, the emergency 90-day ban on intoxicating hemp products has given the city an unexpected weapon in its battle against the explosion of smoke shops plaguing neighborhoods. While city leaders have struggled for years to control these businesses through licensing and zoning restrictions, DeWines unilateral action may accomplish overnight what local regulations couldnt: shutting down shops that rely on unregulated, intoxicating hemp products marketed to children. Banning the sale of products like Delta 8 and Delta 9 could actually do what the city has been struggling to pull off for years, which is rein in the explosion of smoke shops that have been popping up all over town, explained Leila Atassi on Mondays episode of Today in Ohio. Clevelands Health Director David Margolius praised DeWines action, noting many shops rely heavily on these products for their profits. Without them, numerous stores could simply fold, achieving what the citys own crackdown has failed to do efficiently. The podcast hosts highlighted the shocking increase in businesses selling these products. State data shows more than half of Clevelands 400 tobacco retailers now peddle THC-laced hemp products, up from just one-third two years ago. Theres this wild west atmosphere where anyone with the store forefront and a neon light can pose as a legitimate marijuana business, Atassi pointed out. Many falsely advertise themselves as dispensaries despite lacking proper licensing. The most outrageous aspect of this story is the response from Republican lawmakers, who are fighting to shorten DeWines ban to just 30 days, citing concerns about harming the hemp industry. Can you believe these Republican lawmakers? asked Chris Quinn. He paraphrased them saying: This will devastate the hemp industry. So we got to keep the stuff flowing to kids. They just dont care about the people of this state. They care about lining their pockets. The podcast conversation highlighted the stark contrast between a governor taking action to protect children and lawmakers seemingly more concerned with greed than public health. These products, often packaged like candy and sold near schools, have gone unregulated despite DeWine raising concerns 18 months ago. Even if lawmakers succeed in shortening the ban to 30 days, Cleveland officials see an opportunity. That window could still be enough to financially cripple many of these fly-by-night operations, permanently reducing their numbers without costly enforcement actions. For now, Clevelands health and law departments view DeWines emergency order as an unexpected gift one that might finally help clean up neighborhoods overrun with predatory businesses targeting children with intoxicating products that should be regulated as strictly as alcohol and marijuana. The question remains: Why have lawmakers consistently fought against common-sense regulation of these products? As the Today in Ohio hosts discussed, the answer may lie not in public interest, but in protecting an industry that fills campaign coffers. Listen to the episode 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. Manager Misha Fuller is part of the team of caregivers at the new ArchWell Health location in Maple Heights. The primary health clinics focus on patients 60 and up who have Medicare Advantage. The healthcare company has opened clinics in Parma, Eastlake and Maple Heights in fall 2025, with more planned in 2026. Julie E Washington, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio Older patients are usually sicker and more expensive to treat. But thats exactly the kind of patients that ArchWell Health a national network of health clinics thats expanded into Greater Cleveland likes best. Keeping seniors healthy and out of hospitals is ArchWells main goal and also its business plan. The more patients the company keeps out of hospitals, the more ArchWell makes from Medicare Advantage reimbursements. The primary care health company only signs up patients who are 60 and over who are on Medicare Advantage. It uses a model that promotes preventive care and better coordination among health care professionals, experts said. If we keep people out of the hospital and out of the ER, keep them healthy and doing well, then in this business model we actually do well financially, said Dr. Don Goddard, president and national director of primary care at ArchWell Health. This could be the future of health care, and its new to Ohio. The primary care network opened its first Cleveland-area locations in September and October in Parma, Brook Park, Eastlake and Maple Heights. A Westlake location opens Thursday. Four more are slated to open soon in Cleveland Heights, Euclid and in Cleveland on Lorain Avenue and Kinsman Road. Six of the local facilities will repurpose former Rite Aid, CVS and Save-A-Lot stores, the healthcare company said. The healthcare company targets areas that dont have enough primary care physicians but do have a growing elderly population. In Cuyahoga County, the share of the population that is 65 and older increased from 15.5% in 2010 to 19.6% in 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Nationally, ArchWell has more than 70 primary care centers across 11 states, and plans to expand to 100 centers by early 2026. At ArchWell clinics that seem more like an activity center than a doctors office, patients can drop by, hang out and join in bingo, karaoke, adult coloring and movies. The camaraderie alleviates loneliness. It also helps caregivers bond with patients who are called members so that health problems can be identified and addressed quickly. In the few weeks since it opened, ArchWells Maple Heights location has already untangled a longstanding paperwork problem for one new patient. Unable to get a nebulizer to ease her breathing from her former physician, the patient was making frequent trips to the emergency department for help. An ArchWell caregiver completed the paperwork and had the device delivered to the patients home. Now, the patient and her caregivers can focus on controlling her diabetes, said ArchWell Maple Heights manager Misha Fuller. Something so small can make a huge difference, Fuller said. The Maple Heights clinic has signed up nearly 50 patients, and caregivers are focused on getting them vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza as the winter respiratory virus season starts. Fuller, who lives in Maple Heights, thinks the new primary care clinic benefits her community. I feel good at the end of the day, Fuller said. This is the most rewarding work keeping people healthy and out of the hospital, and helping extend their life spans. The ArchWell philosophy emphasizes a holistic approach to health that includes social determinants of health, such as accessing healthy food or transportation to doctors appointments, and reducing the effects of chronic disease. Care teams include case managers and social workers. The patient-to-doctor ratio is low, allowing office visits that can last from 20 to 60 minutes. By way of comparison, the average visit in the U.S. lasts 18 minutes, according to a 2023 study. If a member is ill, an ArchWell physician will personally call to check on them. Were trying to take care of seniors with a lot of needs, Goddard said. To keep them healthy and out of the hospital, we have to address everything thats affecting their health. If ArchWell members do need to see a specialist or visit the hospital, a case manager coordinates follow-up care. We expect that patient to be in our office within three days after discharge from a hospital, Goddard said. We do a phone call to make sure anything they need from the hospital is there. Goddard is already well acquainted with Clevelands healthcare landscape. He grew up in Mentor, had a private practice in Chardon and was an University Hospitals administrator before moving to Tampa, Florida, where he now lives. its funny, when you move away from Cleveland, you realize how good you had it. I definitely miss Cleveland a lot, he said. Goddard no relation to the late, legendary Cleveland weatherman Dick Goddard joined ArchWell Health soon after the startup company launched in 2021. Oak Street Health and ChenMed are among the national networks of health clinics that, similar to ArchWell, are focused on keeping older Americans healthy by emphasizing wellness. Oak Street Health, part of CVS Health, offers personalized wellness plans and social activities for older adults. Oak Street has at least four locations in the Cleveland area. ChenMed operates more than 100 dedicated medical centers for seniors in 15 states; it has clinics in Maple Heights and Columbus. ArchWell emphasizes quality care over volume ArchWells business model, called value-based care, is when the government pays healthcare companies based on outcomes rather than on the number of services provided. This differs from most healthcare models, known as fee-for-service, in which caregivers are paid for services provided. Under its model, ArchWell receives a pool of reimbursement money from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, based on how many hospitalizations the federal government expects ArchWells patients to have in one year. If Archwell prevents more hospitalizations than the government expects, it still keeps the reimbursements. As an example, if an ArchWell center had 1,000 patients and only 100 were hospitalized in a given year, the company would keep its reimbursement for the 900 who werent hospitalized, Goddard said. You dont do well in this business, unless your patients are doing well, Goddard said. Dr. Victoria Maize, a professor of medicine, family medicine, and public health at the University of Arizona, sees value-based care as a positive development. Theres a benefit when healthcare providers look at the whole person body, mind and spirit and all of the things that may be influencing their health, such as lifestyle, genetics, behaviors and beliefs, said Maize, author of a forthcoming AARP book on integrative medicine, Heal Faster: Unlock Your Bodys Rapid Recovery Reflex. (Value-based care) aligns the incentives in a way that we as a society should want the incentives to be, Maize said. How do we keep people as healthy as possible and out of the hospital, as opposed to for-profit hospitals that want their beds full or want to be doing more surgical procedures, because then they make more money, right? Some ArchWell patients get annoyed by all of the attention they receive from clinic caregivers, but most have the opposite reaction, Goddard said. Theyll say, I dont need to be called all the time, because were always checking in on them, making sure theyre okay, he said. But the majority of patients love all the attention they get and the follow-up that we do on their medical needs. Officials in Cyprus, the small island nation in the eastern corner of the Mediterranean, estimate there is roughly one feral cat for every one of its 1 million inhabitants though activists contend the actual population is hundreds of thousands higher.In late September, the island's parliamentary committee on the environment was told that an existing sterilization program is too limited to contain the burgeoning cat population."It's a good program, but it needs to expand," said Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou, noting that the program conducts only about 2,000 sterilisations annually on a budget of just 100,000 euros ($117,000).While there is no official comparative data, Theodosiou said Cyprus has gained a reputation for having a cat population that is exceptionally large relative to its human inhabitants.Change might be on the way, but funding alone won't solve Cyprus's cat problem.Appearing to heed calls for more funding, Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou announced on Oct. 4 World Animal Day that the government would raise cat sterilisation funding to 300,000 euros annually. The decision was hailed as a significant step forward.However, Charalambos Theopemptou, chairman of the Parliamentary Environment Committee, warned against relying on money alone. "There has to be a plan," he said. "We can't just go ahead with sterilizations without having a plan," he said.Given cats' predatory nature, a large population not only has the potential to wreak havoc with the island's ecosystem, but it could cause undue suffering for feral felines roaming car-choked streets in search of food and shelter.Cyprus has a long history as a cat-loving nation where cat food dispensaries and clusters of tiny houses are a regular sight along popular footpaths.Two decades ago, French archaeologists unearthed what they believed to be the earliest evidence of a domesticated cat in a 9,500-year-old neolithic village. They found the bones of a cat close to the skeletal remains of a human, suggesting that they were buried together.Adding to this long history of human-feline connection is the 4th-century legend of Saint Helen who, after finding the True Cross in the Holy Lands, brought over a couple of boatloads of cats to deal with a snake infestation. A monastery that serves as a feline safe haven, St. Nicholas of the Cats, still exists today.With tourism a key economic driver for Cyprus, the island's cats have become a major attraction for the millions of vacationers who descend on the island every year. The well-fed felines are a common sight, often seen feasting on leftovers provided by visitors at the plethora of restaurants where they like to hang out.Demetris Epaminondas, president of the Veterinary Association, attributes the exploding population to unchecked breeding, particularly in high-concentration urban areas, and to more kittens surviving birth, thanks to ordinary folks offering care.The current government-run program disburses its budget to municipalities which, in turn, fund private veterinarians to sterilise cats brought in by animal conservation groups.Authorities acknowledge the program is ineffective.The country's state-run Veterinary Services, which is in charge of sterilisations, conceded that the program's capabilities are "lesser than the real need." To reassess where available funding could be redistributed, it has asked local government authorities to submit reports on locations with large feral cat concentrations.Elias Demetriou who runs the private sanctuary Friends of Larnaca Cats said tripling sterilisation funds won't have the desired effect unless conservationist groups who have the know-how are recruited to round up cats for sterilisation.Eleni Loizidou, head of Cat Alert, a volunteer organisation caring for strays in Nicosia, said her organisation's recent efforts to round up 397 feral cats from the city centre were a mere drop in the ocean and that too few females are being sterilised, partly because of the difficulty in trapping feral cats.Epaminondas, the Veterinary Association president, said Cyprus' cat population can be brought under control in as few as four years. This would be possible, he said, if authorities cobble together a unified sterilisation plan that would put private clinics at the forefront of the effort by offering free-of-charge neutering without all the red tape that complicates the process."People will be more motivated to get cats neutered if we make it easier for them to do so," he said.His association has proposed a plan that would identify major cat concentration centres where authorities can round them up and take them for sterilisation at designated vets. The initiative includes the creation of a smartphone application that would allow anyone to help authorities locate such large cat concentrations.The state can avoid bearing the full cost of the program by setting up a fund where people and businesses can donate, according to Epaminondas. The minister's announcement about tripling the sterilisation budget, he said, could act as a significant incentive for more corporate donations.The cost of sterilising a female feral cat in Cyprus is 55 euros ($64), which goes up to 120 euros for domesticated cats brought in by owners, as they receive more specialised care.Theodosiou, the environment commissioner, said her staff have worked on a long-term strategy that would bring together government, conservationists, and volunteers to establish a precise cat population count and pave the way for a mass sterilisation program. The plan would also legalise private cat sanctuaries."There are solutions," Cat Alert's chief Loizidou said. Whenever Dean Martin appeared on Johnny Carsons Tonight Show, you could bet on jokes about Martins alleged intoxication. Because lovable drunk was Martins comic persona, its hard to say precisely how sloshed he was probably somewhere between not at all and Okay, maybe I had a few. Martins not alone several other talk show guests have shown up plastered over the years. Here are four times drunken guests livened up the conversation 1 Danny DeVito Dannys been out all night partying, Joy Behar told the crowd when DeVito stumbled onto The View in 2006. With George, he giggled, a reference to a night of carousing with Clooney. I knew it was the last seven limoncellos that were going to get me. Things got political, with DeVito describing how hed break into the White House, then slurring a confession that he hadnt been back for a while. I didnt go after, you know, numb nuts, he said, referring to George Bush. Then DeVito started slapping himself around, Three Stooges style, while describing how Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld figured out their military plans. DeVito topped it off by describing how he and Rhea Perlman did the nasty in the Lincoln Bedroom (Every place in that bedroom was utilized), before almost throwing up and curling up in Rosie ODonnells lap. 2 Mark Wahlberg Graham Norton wasnt amused when a wasted Wahlberg stopped by in 2013 to promote Broken City. Advertisement Advertisement Mark Wahlberg was a weird one because when he arrived, he didnt seem drunk, Norton told The Independent. He told me about his film, told me a couple of stories about stunts going wrong or whatever, and then it was only 15 minutes into the show when whatever the hell was in his system really took hold and it was hell. When guests tried to tell stories, smirking Wahlberg would interrupt with nonsense and hop on Nortons lap. When Michael Fassbender finally got through an anecdote, Norton wondered why there were no disruptions. I looked over at Mark Wahlberg, and he was asleep. 3 Drew Barrymore Barrymore turned in a sleepy, slurry performance on a 2018 appearance on Watch What Happens Live, and felt terrible in the aftermath of telling Timothy Olyphant hes a great kisser. Dont I feel like a fucking lech! she said in between gulps of wine. Advertisement Advertisement I drank too much and I have never forgiven myself, nor will I ever forgive myself, she told Cohen during a later interview. Hey, dont worry about it, said Cohen, a host known for plying his guests with alcohol. Im used to people being overserved on my show, and so I dont even really have a totally clear memory of it, he confessed. But you dont need to apologize to me for being overserved on my show, that happens. Youre in a great club of people. Marc Maron is finally ending his lauded comedy podcast WTF after 16 years and 1,686 episodes. According to the 44th President, comedy podcasting just lost a rare and valued conscience. When the cranky, acerbic, alt-comedy great Maron first began hosting a twice-weekly talk show in 2009, the now-massive comedy podcasting industry was still in its infancy, and Maron, himself, was a bit of a trailblazer. Maron began WTF just three months before Joe Rogan launched his own show, The Joe Rogan Experience, which would quickly become the center of a comedy and misinformation ecosystem that has now begun to engulf other spheres of culture like an aggressive mold. However, for the last 16 years, while other stand-up-stars-turned-podcasters won their following with explosive hot takes and endless culture war content, Maron was having thoughtful, earnest and inquisitive conversations with everyone from movie stars to comedy giants to sitting Presidents. Roughly a decade ago, Maron put his stamp on popular culture when he hosted President Barack Obama for a high-profile, wide-ranging podcast episode that explored the very fabric of American society through an unusually (for a comedian) empathetic lens. Then, today, the former President sat down with Maron a second time in the last-ever episode of WTF, during which Obama described exactly what the podcasting industry is losing. Don't Miss I think were going to be okay, Obama told Maron during their final recorded conversation. I think part of the reason you had such a big fan base during this 16-year run is there was a core decency to you and the conversations that you had. When Obama asked Maron how he was feeling to be at the end of the WTF road, Maron answered honestly, I feel like Im ready for the break, but there is sort of a fear there of, what do I do now? Advertisement As Maron explained, his following has become something of a responsibility, and he believes that he still has an obligation to take care of WTF listeners. They need something," Maron said of his fans. There is a feeling of like, How am I going to feel less alone? How am I going to deal with my mental this and that? And how am I going to find a way to exist in the world that were living in?' And Im not offering them solutions, but I am commiserating, and its comforting, Maron said of how he sees his role in his listeners lives. They trust you, Obama told Maron of his listeners. And they feel as if what youre going through and what theyre going through occupies a similar space. And so they dont feel like theyre traveling this journey that can be frightening alone, sometimes. And there is a power in the human voice that you grow attached to. What you just described about people trusting you and connecting, partly because youre willing to be vulnerable in front of people and let them know whats going on inside your gut, theres a power to that, Obama told Maron, advising the comic to continue to channel that power even without his podcast. Advertisement As for Marons core decency and how its shaped his following, later in the episode, Obama opined, In my experience, most people are really decent. And I think thats why, when they hear somebody else who is, it gives them hope, and you should be proud of having done that. The mere fact the President most closely associated to the word hope would return to WTF for Marons last-ever podcast speaks to the comics capacity to inspire. While other artists spread fear and confusion in order to become their followers safe space, Maron channeled the fear and confusion that already exists in an increasingly unstable world and attempted, in his own surly, sardonic way, to create commonality with everyone else who was, like him, just trying to keep their head above water. Sadly, if Obamas career arc is any sort of precedent, WTF will now be followed by a small-minded, fear-driven, xenophobic podcast that goes against everything Maron stood for. So, basically, from now on, there will be two JREs. Policeman wounded in explosive device blast in India's Chhattisgarh Xinhua) 10:11, October 14, 2025 NEW DELHI, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- A policeman was wounded when a pressure Improvised Explosive Device (IED), believed to be planted by Naxals, went off Monday in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said. The explosion took place in the forest area of Kandlaparti village of Bijapur district, about 495 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh. According to police, the wounded policeman was part of a government forces contingent that was out in the forest area on an anti-Naxal operation. "The policeman inadvertently came in contact with a pressure IED, triggering the blast and causing him wounds," an official said. Last week, a paramilitary trooper was killed and two others wounded in an IED blast triggered by Naxals in the adjacent state. Currently, Naxals are active across the central and eastern parts of India. The insurgency has reportedly claimed hundreds of lives besides rendering thousands of poor inhabitants homeless. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Is this really the end of the road for the notorious Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters ransomware alliance? Last week, the extortion supergroup had its dark web and clearnet domains seized by police, the latest setback to befall the alliance that had threatened to release Salesforce data allegedly stolen from 39 companies, including Google, in a mass social engineering attack. However, one of the groups dark web sites remained accessible. As promised, on October 10 at 11.59 p.m. EDT, the group used it to leak data stolen from half a dozen companies, in what a Telegram message claimed would be the groups parting shot before retirement. 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 Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Thousands of Aussie shoppers are on the waitlist for a must-have shower item after it sold out within days of launching. Well Verti, best known for its high-quality shower filters, has struggled to keep up with demand after its 'life-changing' HaloDrop Tap & Bath Filter flew off shelves - with the Australian brand selling more than 80,000 units. Customers say they've noticed a difference in their shower experience, with many calling the filter 'worth the investment' for how it makes their hair and skin feel. But it's not just the HaloDrop that's got everyone talking. Well Verti's original Wellness Pod filter has received rave reviews for working wonders in the shower. Designed in Australia, the shower filter is said to reduce up to 90 per cent of chlorine and other common impurities such as chloramine and heavy metals. The idea for the filters wasn't just about creating another product - it came from a personal journey, after parents and founders Taylor and Josh Feenstra became more conscious of what was in their family's water supply. After becoming more conscious of their young son's sensitivities, the couple began questioning what was in their water. Taylor began using filtered water during bath time and noticed a difference in how her young son responded to it. Over the next two years, Taylor and Josh worked on building the exact type of shower filter they couldn't find on the market when they so desperately needed it. HaloDrop Tap & Bath Filter After 18 months of design and testing, HaloDrop was created to give people peace of mind every time the tap is turned on - whether it's for bathing, washing your face, or filling up the sink. The filter is gentle and designed to improve your daily water experience - with a universal fit suitable for most taps and bath spouts Shop Customers are loving the easytoinstall Well Verti tap filters, as well as the wellness benefits like softer hair and glowing skin Sleek, easy to install, and engineered with powerful, globally sourced filtration layers, they created the Wellness Pod, a shower filter now trusted in tens of thousands of homes in Australia, UK and the US. After conquering the shower filter design, the couple turned their attention to designing a filter for taps and baths, creating HaloDrop, a product that then sold out instantly. The shower filters have been dubbed 'lifechanging' by Aussie families. The easytoinstall filters target heavy metals and other contaminants found in tap water, while neutralising chlorine which neutralising chlorine, which many users say leaves their skin and hair feeling softer. The HaloDrop filter also helps slow bacterial buildup. 'Showers were just the start. Our vision is a fully integrated, hightech, low-tox home where wellness is the standard,' Josh said upon the release of the HaloDrop. With the shower filter garnering hundreds of fivestar reviews, customers are already praising the HaloDrop filter, with many excited about how the filtered water feels on their skin, and glad they no longer need to buy bottled filtered water. Wellness Pod Shower Filter The original shower filter is designed to reduce up to 90% of chlorine, as well as other common impurities such as chloramine and heavy metals. It also gently infuses water with Swiss minerals, contributing to a balanced and refreshing shower experience. Shop There's thousands on the waitlist for HaloDrop. However, the original filter, the Wellness Pro is still available 'I've been wanting a filter for my kitchen and bathroom tap for so long,' one user said. Another shopper said it made a noticeable difference for her baby's bath time. 'Her skin feels softer and calmer. Highly recommend to any parent wanting a cleaner bath for their baby,' she said. Other customers are now thrilled that the release of the HaloDrop means they don't have to keep relying on just the Wellness Pod shower filter to provide clean, filtered water for them. 'We have loved the OG shower filter for a while now, the water feels so soft and [my] skin and hair has never been better, so much so that any time I wanted to wash my face I just lean into the shower to use it!' one customer revealed. 'The whole experience from the ordering to the ease of installation is elite.' Customers have deemed Well Verti's filters as 'elite' Witnessing the unalloyed joy and relief on the faces of the surviving Israeli hostages as they were finally freed yesterday was a deeply emotional moment. Not just for them, of course, and for their families but also for all of us who have followed their plight since that terrible day in 2023. Who can know what traumas they endured, what physical and psychological damage they carry, how and if they will be able to rebuild their lives? But for now, none of that matters. They and we must just be happy and grateful that this latest, nightmarish chapter in the history of this bloodiest of conflicts is coming to a close. Ultimately, though, our joy is tinged with a deep sadness. One cannot help thinking of those who did not survive, either because they were murdered by Hamas during the attack itself, or subsequently by their abductors in their hideous and inhuman captivity. One thinks of the Bibas family, little Ariel and Kfir, whose bodies were returned to their grieving father Yarden alongside an unidentified female corpse who was not their beloved mother, Shiri. Such dishonesty, such sickening disrespect for human life, speaks volumes about the true nature of Hamas. One thinks of Tsachi Idan, Itzik Elgarat, Shlomo Mantzur, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino and many more, all killed after being kidnapped. And of those whose bodies are lost and will never be returned. One also, inevitably, thinks with gritted teeth about the 250 terrorists, mostly serving life sentences (plus 1,700 other detainees from Gaza) that Israel has agreed to release in return for its own innocent and illegally seized hostages. Released Israeli hostage Avinatan Or arrives at hospital near Tel Aviv yesterday Im talking about scumbags such as Ahmed Mahmed Jameel Shahada, who was convicted in 1989 of the rape and murder of 13-year-old Oren Bahrami; or Iyad Abu al-Rub, who orchestrated several suicide bombings in the early 2000s, killing 13 people. Muhammad Zakarneh, who planned the 2009 attack in which taxi driver Grigory Rabinovich was murdered; and Muhammad Abu al-Rub, who in 2017 carried out a frenzied knife attack that killed Reuven Shmerling. Another is Raed Sheikh, convicted of lynching two Israeli reservists, Vadim Norzhich and Yossi Avrahami, at a police station in Ramallah in 2000. The two men were brutally murdered and their bodies paraded around the city, much in the same way that Shani Louks broken body was on October 7. These murderers do not deserve to be spoken of in the same breath as those two red-haired children and their poor mother, or defenceless young women such as Shani and yet their fates are now inextricably linked. That violent killers such as these should profit from the murder, torture and rape of the 1,200 innocent people whose lives, and that of their families, were shattered on October 7 is very hard to swallow. It seems like a perversion of justice. But that is the agreed price and, yes, it must be paid. After all, what is the alternative? More of what we have just seen played out in Gaza over the past two years? An endless horror that serves little purpose save to turn the world against Israel and foster future generations of brainwashed Islamists? No. A compromise must be reached. It is hard, and it will be just as hard for the people of Gaza many of who are just as much the victims of Hamas as the hostages themselves. People react as they watch the hostage release live stream at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv For this to hold, they too will have to swallow their anger, set aside their agonies and try to find, if not forgiveness, then some kind of way forward. Can that happen? Already there are those who are determined to make sure that it never does; those for whom peace between the Palestinians and Israel is too much of a threat to their power base and their ideology even to contemplate. Those whose entire existence is predicated on stoking the fires of anti-Semitism and proclaiming themselves victims of a Zionist supremacy of which America, in their view, is a key architect and supporter. These people those who march on our streets every week, those who cheered even as the horrors of October 7 were unfolding, those who peddle their sectarian prejudices unchecked by authorities too woke or too cowardly to challenge them dont really care about the lives lost, about the babies buried under the rubble they pretend to mourn. Their main worry is themselves and preserving their twisted narrative and toxic ideology. Even as Donald Trump was addressing the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, yesterday, two protesters Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, members of the socialist party Hadash loudly interrupted, one holding up a sign saying genocide. In America, the fact that it was Trump, and not his ineffectual predecessor Joe Biden, who managed to get this deal across the line, has enraged those who, one might think, would be delighted to see an end to the bloodshed in Gaza. Those for which nothing less than the destruction of the state of Israel will suffice are now doing their best to discredit this deal, with abundant assistance from their useful idiots in the West. That is, the bien-pensant liberals who cannot bear the thought of The Donald have succeeded where their own sides efforts failed. This fragile peace has barely drawn its first breath, and already there are many who would stifle it. The best hope now is that Trump, with his deal-makers zeal, can turn this moment of respite into an opportunity for real change and reconciliation. But given how much his enemies loathe him, it seems like a long shot. I only hope and pray I am wrong. After only 16 months in office, Labour has already reached the scorched earth phase. Ministers dont care what long-term damage they inflict on Britain, because they dont expect to be around to deal with it after the next election. Rachel Reeves has abandoned her promise not to raise new taxes. Unable to restrain public spending, she is feeling her way towards taxes on savings and investments. Wealthier households, says the Chancellor, should contribute more. What precisely she means is not yet clear. A more aggressive assessment of council tax bands? Taxes on pensions, or on the sale of your primary residence? Or does she mean confiscating existing assets on which taxes have already been paid? The speculation is that she is after an expropriatory wealth tax, albeit in the form of a one-off levy. In other words, the Government would assess your accumulated net worth and then top-slice a proportion over a certain value rather as the government of Cyprus, during the euro crisis, declared that it would simply help itself to a percentage of every bank account over a certain amount. It is hard to think of a more damaging tax. To assess peoples wealth would require a new bureaucracy to be put in place. There would be appeals and complications. The cost of collection would be high one of the things that makes inheritance tax so expensive and inefficient. More seriously, it would spark a rush for the door. Britain is already losing millionaires faster than any country except China. Who does Labour think will pick up the share of the tax bill of all the departing entrepreneurs? The speculation is that she is after an expropriatory wealth tax, albeit in the form of a one-off levy, writes Daniel Hannan. Pictured: Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the Sipsmith distillery in Chiswick, London last week We are witnessing the abandonment of any lingering pretence that Labour wants to restore order or sanity to our public finances. Not only will there be no spending cuts. There wont even be any attempt to slow the rise in expenditure. Instead, our taxes already at a 70-year high will rise yet further. When Reeves became Chancellor, she inherited a budget that had been artificially bloated by the lockdown. Jeremy Hunt had been trying to bring spending closer to where it was in February 2020 not trying hard enough, his critics said, but at least trying. There was a scheduled cut in Civil Service numbers. There were welfare reforms in the pipeline. There were public sector strikes because the previous government was refusing to concede unaffordable pay rises. Labour came in and reversed all that. It took an already indebted and fragile economy and went on a further spending spree. Result? Wealth-creators are emigrating, debt is spiralling and three decades of structurally low unemployment are coming to an end. The Chancellor seems, belatedly, to have grasped the problem; but she lacks the will to fix it. Back in June, backbench Labour MPs blocked her paltry attempt mildly to slow the rise in benefits spending. That seems to have convinced her, and her fellow ministers, that spending restraint of any kind is politically unfeasible, that the supposedly emergency level of expenditure occasioned by the lockdown should be treated as permanent, and that taxes must rise to meet it. All this is bad enough. But it is beyond depressing to see her reaching for the kinds of taxation that, as her Treasury officials will have explained to her, are the most damaging to growth, namely taxes on savings and investment. Which is what we mean by wealth taxes. If reducing civil servant numbers, imposing public-sector pay restraint and cutting benefits are all unthinkable, and if ministers are also averse to the kinds of deregulation that might stimulate growth, there are still more efficient and less growth-killing ways to raise revenue. It is beyond depressing to see her reaching for the kinds of taxation that ... are the most damaging to growth, namely taxes on savings and investment, writes Daniel Hannan The simplest would be to raise either income tax or VAT both of which are burdensome and unpopular, but are at least cheap to collect and raise significant sums. True, Labour has promised not to raise them. Then again, it promised after the last Budget that there would be no more tax rises, and it is merrily breaking that commitment. No, the calculation here is wholly political. A wealth tax is a stealth tax. It falls on all of us in the end, reducing our living standard by more than a straightforward hike in income tax would. But it always polls well, because we imagine that someone else is paying it. And so, in the most shorttermist way imaginable, Labour is grabbing at a tax that, while it may not be unpopular now, will do immense damage down the line. This is not the view only of Thatcherites and free-marketeers. It is basic economic orthodoxy. Listen, for example, to the carefully middle-of-the-road Institute for Fiscal Studies: Implementing a wealth tax would be difficult. It would require the Government to set up a new administrative apparatus to value wealth and valuation would be extremely difficult for some assets, such as private businesses: it is much easier to observe and tax the stream of income they generate. International experience of annual wealth taxes is not encouraging: they have been abandoned in most of the developed countries that previously had them. Quite. In the 1990s, perhaps a dozen advanced economies had wealth taxes of one kind or another. The reason that they almost all abandoned them is that wealth taxes deterred investment, pushed entrepreneurs into emigration and damaged growth, while raising nugatory sums. Of course, if your motive is envy, if you dont mind everyone else being poorer provided the rich are hurt too, none of this will matter to you. That seems to be the state of mind of a lot of Labour MPs, and it is now clear that Reeves will not stand up to them. Still, it is worth noting that Britain has, if not formal wealth taxes, certainly a number of taxes on wealth: inheritance tax, capital gains tax, stamp duty, share dividend tax, VAT on school fees, taxes on air travel. The countries that have reduced or done away with similar taxes Australia, for example have tended to see their economies boom. A growing economy is in everyones interest but perhaps especially those who are just managing. Pensioners stretching small private pensions; young people trying to pay their rent from small salaries; small business owners struggling with the new national insurance rate. These are the people who will be most impacted by a wealth tax, not the moguls who can fly their Gulfstream jets to Milan or Dubai, open their laptops and carry on doing business in friendlier tax jurisdictions. The emigrating plutocrats are leaving behind them a meaner, grimmer, more pinched country, one governed by small-minded cowards. Without any attempt either to cut spending or stimulate growth, we shall carry on taxing ourselves into poverty and irrelevance. Come to think of it, scorched earth is probably putting it too mildly. By the next election, the earth will have been burned to charcoal, still too hot to touch, covered by a film of ash blowing through the desolation. I pity the government that has to clean up after this one. At the beginning of April, I was introduced to a man called Yehuda Cohen. We were sitting with a group of journalists in a cramped, stuffy office off what had become known as Hostages Square in central Tel Aviv. Cohens son Nimrod had been operating a tank on October 7 and footage showed him being flung from its burning turret by Hamas terrorists, then dragged past the bodies of his comrades and into captivity. Most of the other hostage families we met were quiet and restrained. Cohen was not. His entire body was contorted with contained fury and resentment. He raged against Benjamin Netanyahu, the man he saw was guilty of abandoning his child. He spat furious fire at his own government. But his anger and fear and grief had at least found a focus. He would not be silenced, he vowed, until Nimrod and the other hostages had been released. Yesterday, Yehuda Cohens lonely, angry struggle earned its vindication. His son was finally returned to him. It should have been a time for celebration, coupled with sorrow for those who had received the final, terrible confirmation they would never see their loved ones again. But inevitably there were some who could not simply welcome or at least respect the moment. Shamefully, chief among them were the ministers of our own government. Last week, as the final, delicate touches were being put to the Gaza peace deal, Downing Street began a desperate and unseemly scramble to purloin the spoils of diplomatic success. Briefings began to emerge that Britain had played a discreet but vital role in bringing the warring parties together. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was hastily despatched to Paris to create the pretence that Britain and Europe had always occupied a significant seat at the negotiating table. Donald Trump with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at yesterday's summit in Egypt over the war in Gaza Unfortunately for No 10, the Foreign Secretarys belated attempt to cosplay as the new Lawrence of Arabia failed to fool anyone. So on Sunday, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was sent out with orders to say the quiet part out loud. We have played a key role behind the scenes in shaping this, she claimed to Sky News Trevor Phillips. What precisely was that role, Phillips inquired sceptically? These are complex matters of diplomacy we are involved in, she replied. In the past 24 hours, a vicious war of words has erupted between those who claim Keir Starmer is doing a John Terry a reference to the Chelsea captains infamous appearance in full kit at the end of the 2012 Champions League final, even though he had been suspended for the match and those who say Britain exerted real influence on the peace talks. In response to Phillipsons comments, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee tweeted: Shes delusional. Starmers allies responded by pointing to a second tweet from US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, which stated: I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and co-ordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel. In particular, I want to recognise the incredible input and tireless efforts of national security adviser Jonathan Powell. But on Friday I spoke to a senior diplomatic source who had close oversight of the hostage and peace negotiations. And they were clear. Yvette Cooper running over to Paris? Its just a desperate attempt to make herself look relevant. Britain had no role, they insisted. I asked about Britains decision to recognise Palestine, which some in No 10 are claiming helped nudge the process along. It actually set the process back, they told me. In July, Hamas were close to a deal. But when they realised Starmer and Europe were moving towards recognition it convinced them to pause, and see what other concessions they might be able to extract. Its also significant that Witkoff specifically chose to direct his praise towards Jonathan Powell, rather than Keir Starmer. As I wrote in this paper yesterday, Powell Sir Keirs national security adviser, currently embroiled in the China spy scandal sits at the heart of a murky nexus of international power-brokers. And its hardly a coincidence that back in August, when Witkoff was himself facing criticism for bungling peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin, Powell emerged from the shadows to heap public praise on his US counterpart. The simple truth there is only one international statesman who can take credit for ending the Gaza nightmare. And that, of course, is Donald Trump. I have been a staunch critic of elements of Trumps domestic agenda. But there is no avoiding the facts on the ground. Time and again, his aggressive Mad-Man strategy of diplomacy has been shown to work. It was Trump in his first term who exposed the fallacy of Barack Obamas claim that military action against Bashar al-Assads chemical weapons in Syria would lead to conflict with Russia. It was Trump who helped bring about the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic relations between Israel and several of its Arab neighbours. It was Trump who first prised open Kim Jong-Uns hermit kingdom of North Korea. It was Trump who had the courage again in conspicuous contrast to Starmer to remove the Iranian nuclear threat. And it is Trump who has brought the hostages home, and given rise to a genuine hope that his claim yesterday of a historic dawn of a new Middle East represents more than the usual bombast. But if yesterday was a day of triumph for the United States and its Peacemaker in Chief, it was one of ignominy for Britain, and our Prime Minister. In the minutes after the hostages release, Sir Keir took to X. I share the deep feeling of relief as Avinatan Or [a British-Israeli] and other hostages are released today, he intoned. Having met his family, I know that no one can truly understand the torture and agony they suffered for two drawn out years and my thoughts are with them. Starmer did indeed meet the hostage families last October. And when it emerged he was preparing to prematurely and unilaterally recognise Palestine while their loved ones remained in the clutches of Hamas, they begged him to wait. He ignored them. The reality is Britain has been a bystander to the endgame in Gaza. And there is a simple reason why. Our Middle East policy has not been dictated by the imperative to free the hostages, end the bombing or stabilise the wider region. Its been dictated by Sir Keirs desperate need to manage the narrow internal and external politics of the Labour Party. And bend a knee to its long-standing fetishisation of the pro-Palestinian cause. Thats why the Prime Minister spent yesterday cooling his heels in Sharm el-Sheikh with French president Emmanual Macron, awaiting the arrival of the real global influencers. Or, as one broadcast journalist reported, trying to facilitate a brush-by, and taking their moment. Yehuda Cohen deserves his moment. The hostage families deserve theirs. Donald Trump deserves his. All that is required of Keir Starmer and his ministers is a period of shamed, sombre, self-reflective silence. The tears of relief flowed freely among members of my family, scattered as they are across the globe from Texas to Tel Aviv, Sydney to London, as the 20 Israeli hostages who are still alive were freed yesterday from the hands of evil. Of course, the agony for those taken prisoner, their families and loved ones has been inconceivable. But the 738 days they spent in captivity following the atrocities of October 7, when 1,200 Israelis were mercilessly slaughtered while going about their daily lives, have been excruciating and painful for Jewish people all over the world. Because in a warped inversion of morality, the horrendous fate of those who died, the mutilation and abuse of women during the massacre and the desperate plight of the hostages seem largely to have been forgotten over the past two years. Instead we have seen an orgy of anti-Semitism on the streets of Britain, in capitals and on university campuses everywhere. A synagogue has been set on fire and destroyed in Melbourne. In cities throughout the West, children have been told by their families not to reveal they are Jewish. As recently as a fortnight ago, innocent Jews were killed in Manchester. And yet, the anti-Zionist demonstrations protests where support for the proscribed terrorist group Hamas have been overwhelmingly evident have been unending. Whatever happened to compassion? Did the demonstrators proclaiming their support for the perpetrators of the evils of October 7 never spare a thought for those slaughtered and raped by Hamas, those shackled in tunnels or for their families and dearest friends? It sometimes seemed that the only people expressing concern for the victims of this atrocity were my people, the Jewish people. Supporters react with joy as they watch a live stream of the captives being released at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv Every day in Jewish communities across the world, prayers have quietly been recited in synagogue for the captives, hoping they would be returned safely. In private devotions, my own thoughts were with Alon Ohel, 24, the talented classical pianist who, during his chained captivity in the Gazan tunnels, learned fluent Arabic by listening to his captors. Earlier this year I had visited Ohels family at their elegant home in the Galil hills in northern Israel overlooking Lake Tiberias, otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee. I learned about his life as a prisoner the information had been gleaned from other hostages who had been returned. I was told how this brilliant concert performer, seized at the Nova festival, had been blinded by a shrapnel wound in one eye. The family home was a shrine to his life and recordings of his refined playing echoed across those sacred hills. Yesterday, on his release at last, he played the piano for the first time in two years in his hospital room in Tel Aviv. But even as the last living hostages were reunited with their families amid scenes of unvarnished joy, it was impossible to forget the anguish of those whose loved ones will never return alive. For Jewish people, the purity of the remains of the dead is paramount. Returning the bodies of the deceased hostages for internment in blessed soil is a hallowed and moral responsibility. Just as it was a moral duty among countless numbers of the Jewish community to pray for an end to the cruel fate suffered during the war by Palestinian residents of Gaza. Who could not be disturbed to by the assault on humanity by the Israel Defence Forces campaign? The loss of life and limb, the suffering of little children and the fight for survival against a background of food, medicine, water and power shortages was heart-wrenching. But what was also disturbing was the lack of any attempt by Israels critics to put this into context. Israel was fighting a war in which the enemy, Hamas, had embedded itself in 350 to 450 miles of tunnels beneath Gaza, beneath all the major hospitals and many schools. It was a strategic challenge beyond anything in modern combat. If anything it was Hamas, paid for and armed by the ayatollahs of Iran, which had placed ordinary Palestinians in danger. But Israel was blamed more often than not. The speed at which the narrative of the worst atrocity for the Jewish people since the Holocaust was usurped by the hate-marchers, by a broadcast media which should have known better and by the UN and politicians such as Labours then Foreign Secretary David Lammy who declared Israels actions in Gaza intolerable was a disgrace. These critics appeared to embrace Hamas data, putting out Hamas statements, video clips and information as if it was all the gospel truth, rather than propaganda amid the fog of war. Some suggest that Israel, by declaring all-out war on Hamas and other radical Iranian-backed terrorists across the Middle East, fell into the trap set by the terrorists. I just ask what the reaction of Western democracies, the US, Britain, France and others, would have been had 1,200 of their citizens been massacred and 251 hostages taken. Would they have stood by? Would they have acceded to the demands of the hate-marchers and Israels critics and allowed the proscribed terrorist organisation Hamas to continue to flourish? To wipe their own country from the map? Of course, the Jewish community was not without its supporters. It was a great comfort to me, when it seemed the feelings of hostages and Jews were being erased, to see every day in the Daily Mail office a notice board behind the Editors desk with a simple message concerning the hostages: Bring Them Home. But the last two years have been a deeply upsetting experience. So many people encouraged by the broadcast media managed to convince themselves that events following October 7 were about the fate of Gazan citizens alone rather than the elimination of terrorism. So much festering anti-Semitism has come to light because of Israels legitimate attempt to defeat a ruthless, bloody, murderous group of hostage-takers with ideas that are anathema to normal, Western, moral sensitivities. As details of Donald Trumps peace initiative became clear at the end of last week, I switched on Sky News. Without any preambles or caveats, the programmes interviewer questioned a senior Hamas official about the peace deal, the future of Palestine and what was next for his organisation. The answers were unequivocal: the cause was not dead and disarming his paratroopers a pipe dream. It was thoroughly disconcerting. A representative of a proscribed terrorist organisation, committed to the elimination of Israel, was being treated as a reliable interlocutor whose words could be trusted and treated with the same seriousness as long-standing analysts of the Middle East. The hostages may be home but the veneer of respectability accorded to the fanatics of October 7 and their unbowed successors remains a festering, open wound. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Trans-seasonal slap sounds thrillingly new-broom, as one gears up for the full blast of autumn and winter. However, the reality often means feeling odd, weird, not yet in ones groove: colours, textures and techniques in a no-womans land. Do not despair. Being ejected from ones comfort zone is actually an extremely good thing. Our faces, skin, colouring and personalities are constantly in flux, never more so than in midlife; it pays to take a moment to reassess. At 66, Val Garland, beauty veteran and judge on BBCs Glow Up: Britains Next Make-Up Star, is the queen of keeping matters moving. How does she keep faces looking modern for Kate Moss, 51, Helen Mirren, 80, Tilda Swinton, 64, and herself? Here she reveals the cosmetic tricks every woman over 50 needs... 1. Polish, dont plaster My golden rule is skin, not camouflage, Val tells me. The biggest mistake is over-applying products. At 50 and beyond, I always say polish, dont plaster. Focus on light - textures that reflect it. Keep the complexion sheer: let the freckles, the lines, the stories show. Im fascinated by skin-tech hybrids. The serums that double as primers, the foundations that are skincare with tint. These formulas are genius because they move with you, dont crack or sit in fine lines. Lisa Eldridge's best-selling Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint (37, lisaeldridge.com) is the perfect means of achieving this. Its hard to believe that something so gossamer-light and luminous (packed with 78 per cent skincare ingredients) could achieve such coverage. Its witchily brilliant. Val favours high-tech Japanese brand Suuqu's new Skincare Cream Tint (48, selfridges.com). Ten years in the researching, she describes it as pigment wrapped in a beauty cream. The Ordinary Serum Foundation (6.40, theordinary.com), or No7 Restore and Renew Serum Foundation (21.95, boots.com), are her budget choices. 2. Trending texture Dont get trapped in nostalgia, counsels Val. Make-up should evolve with you. Like me, she finds texture a means of shaking things up. For autumn 2025, embrace a graphic element, she continues, but, make it wearable. Maybe a softened aubergine liner instead of black; or a blurred metallic lid rather than a hard shimmer. For lips, go for a stain; something that feels bitten and blurred rather than drawn on. Val is obsessed with a tight line (application along the inner edge of the upper lash) using gel liner, just kissing the roots of the lashes for invisible definition. It wakes up the eye without shouting. Try Stila Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Plumfull (18, stila.co.uk) for her modish aubergine. L'Oreal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Sticks (7.99, superdrug.com) give great glint. For a stain, Val favours Maybelline Teddy Tint (11.99, superdrug.com), which Im immediately off to invest in. 3. Cunning colour Overly neutral faces are unfashionably ageing. Val recommends: Colour that has depth, but isnt harsh - thats what keeps it modern. Ill never stop using a cream blush. With the featherlight textures on the market, its the fastest way to create life in a face. Blushes that look like your own blood rising to the surface. Like Greta Lee, 42, Sarah Jessica Parker, 60, and Jenna Lyons, 67, Im passionately in lust with Merit Flush Balms (26, meritbeauty.com), one of which sells every 30 seconds. Why? Flush Balm imparts a lit-from-within, utterly gorgeous glow. I cant get enough of Apres, a berry that is pure ski chalet chic. 4. Brush up Another obsession has to be brushes! Val cries. Blending is your best friend after 50. Val favours a Duo Fibre Face Brush (try NYX Professional Makeup Pro Brush 04 - Dual Fiber Foundation (16, asos.com) for a seamless finish. She also requires a Fan Brush (say, No7 Fan Powder Brush, 16.95) to blend highlighter to a Hollywood lustre. While Suqqus soft, synthetic Face Color Brush (110, selfridges.com) is her secret weapon for sculpting facelift bronzer. Check out the similarly dome-shaped Bobbi Brown Blush Brush (42, lookfantastic.com) if this is too steep. 5. Less kit, more verve Vals final message is: Less equipment, more instinct. Make-up should feel like play, not hard work. Too right. For the next ten days, I challenge you to wake up, take a look at yourself, and do something different. The gold-flecked eye shadow, dewy cloud blush, or stained lip that youve dismissed as too out-there may just become your go-to. Autumn hair hits Race you to it Ive always scrimped and bought the cheapest nail-varnish remover, to be left with scrappy, patchy results, wondering how my salon can do the job in a single swipe. No more! Mylee Acetone-free Gel Polish Remover (9.99, mylee.co.uk) is a one-wipe wonder for normal lacquer removal, or soak and scrape to rid yourself of gels, acrylics, tips and glue. Life-changingly efficient. Worth the dosh. Cosmetic craving Since August, Ive been trying to do some extremely gentle weight-lifting to counter diminishing midlife muscle, as were advised to over 50. Given this is the first exercise Ive attempted, there are moments when I ache like the 54-year-old woman I am. Until, that is, I immerse myself in a tub of Weleda Arnica Muscle Soak Bath Milk (now 13.12, hollandandbarrett.com). This sublime, aromatic soother is laced with arnica, rosemary, lavender and birch leaf and utterly sublime. On emerging, I rub a little Weleda Arnica Massage Oil (now 15.96) on the area and all is cured. One doesnt even have to boast a knee, a hip, or a shoulder. Its simply a remedy for October. The Prince and Princess of Wales's children will break the cycle of heir and spare sibling rivalry thanks to a more 'normal childhood' and modernised line of succession, royal experts have claimed. William's daughter and sons are less likely to suffer the same bitter 'rift' he and his brother, the Duke of Sussex, fell to as a result of changes made to 21st century monarchy, insiders speaking in a new Channel 5 documentary have shared. Some believe that this, in part, will be due to the end of a centuries-old primogeniture tradition, which ended in 2013, previously dictating that the first born son would take the throne, and that any resulting spare must be succeeded by the next born male. 'For the first time in British history, the spare is a princess, even though she has a younger brother,' Dr Nige Fletcher, a political and contemporary historian, explained. 'Princess Charlotte is in line after George, after a change in the law, and she now outranks her brother, Louis.' Ten-year-old Charlotte, will be the first to benefit from the long-needed update, which previously sidelined Princess Anne and made Prince Andrew the spare to Charles. This will also open the door to more harmonious relations between siblings, according to Tom Quinn, historian and author of Scandals of the Royal Palaces. 'It will make things a lot easier because there won't be two males like two deer clashing antlers anymore,' he remarked. The Prince and Princess of Wales are working to 'break the cycle' of royal sibling rivalry by giving them a more 'normal childhood', say royal experts. Prince George and Princess Charlotte pictured at the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in 2024 Speaking in the documentary, others suggested that the future will be different for the youngest successors because they are being raised as equals and have a more 'normal' upbringing - a 'key to unpacking and shifting expectations of our heirs and spares'. Ailsa Anderson, former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II also said they would have more 'freedom and choice than their father had'. If successful, it would break the cycle of historic rival relations in the family. Three generations ago, King Edward VIII and his younger brother, King George VI, famously severed all ties after the intended heir abdicated the throne in 1936, after his requests to marry American socialite Wallis Simpson were repeatedly denied. The sudden move forced the spare, George, to take the crown, a succession he had never trained for nor wanted for himself. With neither brother satisfied with their fate, each blaming the other for their circumstances, friction further escalated between the pair and eventually resulted in a complete collapse in their relationship. In more recent history, Andrew was the 'spare' to his oldest sibling, King Charles. Although Princess Anne was the second-born of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the rules of succession at the time meant that the next-born son would be next in line for the throne. Speaking to Vanity Fair, royal author Nigel Cawthorne said of the disgraced Duke: 'Hes always had this role that kind of meant nothing' - and felt 'stuck' by it. Three generations ago, King Edward VIII (second right) and his younger brother, King George VI (second left), famously severed all ties after the intended heir abdicated the throne in 1936, after his requests to marry American socialite Wallis Simpson were repeatedly denied It was a royal relationship that would be seen playing out again and again, with King Charles (right) and his spare, Prince Andrew, (left) currently in the midst of an ongoing battle, the same fate having been met separately by Princes William and Harry. Pictured at the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Some have even claimed that Andrew, who has been mired in controversy since his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein were reported, 'plotted' to prevent Charles becoming king in the 1990s, with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Angela Levin's book Camilla: From Outcast to Queen Consort, released at the end of September, 2022, posited that he tried to bypass the line of succession so that, when his mother Queen Elizabeth II died, Prince William would ascend the throne and create a role for himself as Prince Regent. 'Andrew lobbied very hard with the hope that Charles would not become king when his mother died, and that William would wear the crown', she wrote. A 'senior insider' allegedly told the royal author: '[Andrew's] behaviour was very, very negative and extremely unpleasant to Queen [Elizabeth], who disagreed. I was told it was one of the rare occasions he didn't get his way.' Experts speculated that this destiny was a direct result of the fraught power dynamic inherent in the heir-and-spare relationship. Where Charles was destined to hold the crown, his brother, more than ten years is junior, was afforded freedoms far greater as the spare, a birthright that made him infinitely more unruly. Prince Andrew's reputation for partying and bed hopping quickly earned him tabloid nicknames, including 'randy Andy' and 'airmiles Andy', these early smears forming the foundation for what would become an extremely tumultuous relationship between the pair. While Charles kept under the radar and maintained his royal duties, Andrew continued to present himself as a 'loose canon'. Continued swipes from Harry at his brother and the Firm, have left their relationship in tatters, with little hope for future reconciliation. Pictured in 2021 Experts believe his continually raucous behaviour led the relationship to become 'poisonous', and eventually led to the watershed moment when in 2012, as part of his plan for a 'slimmed down monarchy', Charles cut him from the balcony. Chandrika Kaul, professor of modern history at St Andrews told the documentary the move was designed to 'draw the line' and show how 'serious' he was. The final wedge was driven when Andrew was embroiled in the Jeffery Epstein scandal, bringing the entire royal family to crisis point. Their relationship was finally 'obliterated' after Andrew's 2019 Newsnight, with the Firm having to take action to cut him from royal life, a move that was no doubt painful for the King. The pair now remain in 'a state of perpetual conflict'. The fallout from Prince Andrew's scandal is 'hubris' from his younger days, experts claim, with the result being that Charles must 'manage a lifelong problem'. Amid the war between the King and his spare, another sibling battle, between Princes William and Harry, would similarly rock the media and lead the pair to sever communication. The brothers were reportedly close growing up, the shared grief of losing their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997, having drawn them together. But cracks began to show as they entered their adolescence, with William 'choosing the path of duty', while his brother followed 'a path well worn by spares before him'. Writer Tom Quinn, said Harry was drawn to a 'playboy lifestyle', adding that he 'didn't want to chose the dutiful role, that one was taken'. Salacious tabloid features of Harry partying till the early hours were by some, seen as damaging to the Firm's reputation, but taken to more kindly by the public who believed he should be allowed to 'let loose' following his early childhood trauma. Harry seemed to later redeem himself with military service - but a later romance with Meghan Markle, though initially positive, would be the final nail in the coffin for the brothers' relationship. William was said to be apprehensive about the speed at which the romance developed, a concern that only deepened and added further strain to their relationship when Harry and Meghan married in 2018. 'William was aware that Meghan was changing Harry,' commented Quinn. 'He didn't trust him not to do something that would seriously damage the family.' Then, in a landmark moment that would leave a lasting mark on the brother's relationship, Harry and Meghan surrendered all royal duties in 2020, and Harry embarked on a royal onslaught of the royals. This included a scathing interview with Oprah Winfrey, the release of his best-selling memoir, Spare, and his more recent interview with the BBC. The 'divisive and confronting' book drove a further wedge between the pair. 'I don't think he's aware that the things he says will have an effect on his brother,' Quinn remarked. Continued swipes from Harry at his brother and the Firm, have left their relationship in tatters, with little hope for future reconciliation. However, it remains to be seen, with recent reports of seemingly thawing dynamics between the Duke of Sussex and his father King Charles - both of whom enjoyed their first face to face meeting in over a year last month. On Friday, shockwaves were sent throughout the entire Bravo TV fan base as bombshell news broke about Real Housewives of Potomac star Wendy Osefo and her husband, Eddie, as it was revealed that they had both been arrested for multiple counts of felony fraud. Wendy, 41, is now facing 16 charges - including seven felony charges for alleged false and misleading information fraud that involved more than $300, and a misdemeanor for allegedly making a false statement to an officer. Her husband faces the same charges, as well as two additional felony counts - putting his total number of charges at 18. After they were arrested, their representative issued a statement saying that they were both 'back home' and 'look forward to their day in court.' But Osefo's arrest marks yet another reality TV couple who have been charged with shocking crimes. In July 2022, Julie Chrisley and Todd Chrisley, stars of hit show Chrisley Knows Best, were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans. They were also found guilty of tax evasion by hiding their earnings while showcasing an extravagant lifestyle. Todd, 56, was held at the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Florida, while Julie, 52, was at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky - but in May, they were both given a lifetime pardon by President Donald Trump. On Friday, serious shockwaves were sent throughout the entire Bravo TV fan base as bombshell news broke about Real Housewives of Potomac star Wendy Osefo and her husband, Eddie - as it was revealed that they had both been arrested for multiple counts of felony fraud But as it was revealed that the Osefo's had been arrested, it marks just yet another reality TV couple who have been charged with shocking crimes In July 2022, Julie and Todd Chrisley , stars of hit show Chrisley Knows Best, were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans So, what gives? According to psychologists who spoke exclusively with Daily Mail, but who have not treated the celebrities, these stars all have one thing in common - and that's the fact that they rose to fame nearly overnight. 'They really did not have to work at their stardom,' Licensed psychologist Dr. John Huber told Daily Mail exclusively. 'Their fame came easy and we all know that humans do not value things that are perceived as being given and not earned,' Dr. Huber continued. 'They do not believe they are doing or getting anything they are not owed.' Not to mention, in 2023, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah was sentenced to 78 months in prison for 'running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme,' which primarily targeted elderly and vulnerable people. And that's not even all the arrested reality stars that have been accounted for - Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice and her now ex-husband, Joe, served time in prison for fraud-related charges in 2015 and 2016. A number of Real Housewives stars have also been arrested for DUI's over the years, too - including Real Housewives of Potomac star, Karen Huger, who was recently released from jail after serving six months for a DUI, and former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville, who reached a deal which included three years of probation after she pleaded 'no contest.' According to psychologists who spoke exclusively with Daily Mail, these stars all have one thing in common - and that's the fact that they rose to fame nearly overnight And that's not even all the arrested reality stars that have been accounted for - Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice and her now ex-husband, Joe, served time in prison for fraud-related charges in 2015 and 2016 Not to mention, in 2023, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah was sentenced to 78 months in prison for 'running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme,' which primarily targeted elderly and vulnerable people 'Fame has a way of making individuals believe they are more important than anyone else,' Dr. Huber revealed exclusively to Daily Mail. 'When you lose the anonymity of being normal you can easily develop a sense of extreme self worth also known as grandiosity,' he shared. But according to clinical psychologist Dr. Clara L. Fajardo, in general, those who commit fraud often have a real lack of empathy for other people, famous or not. 'Often committing fraud is a slippery slope,' Dr. Fajardo told Daily Mail. 'Initially, the person may have a thought that this would be wrong or perceived negatively by others, but their thinking often falls short of real empathy for others,' she continued. She said that this lack of empathy oftentimes traces far back, sometimes all the way into a person's childhood. 'If you trace back experiences, with that person, you may notice a lack of real empathy from them towards others. While they may have a performative ability to say "sorry," they may lack a true desire or ability to understand how their actions affect others,' she explained. 'Lack of empathy if often wrongly attributed to social conditioning, such as growing up in an unempathetic household,' the doctor shared. Jen Shah, pictured above with her husband as he visits her during her incarceration, was a cast member on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Real Housewives of Potomac star, Karen Huger, was recently released from jail after serving six months for a DUI However, Dr. Farjardo noted that when people are under certain stressors, they may have trouble making the right decisions. She explained that 'empathy is a cognitive process' rooted in something called 'the empathy network.' 'The empathy network is a network of brain structures that all have to do their job to work together and produce affective and cognitive empathy,' the doctor shared. She explained that in this network is the prefrontal cortex, which is the same area that 'makes decisions and uses judgement,' comparing it to a mental filter. 'When someone is under stress or pressure, for instance financial or relationship stress or pressure, its harder for them to do this sorting process usefully or correctly,' the doctor explained. 'All people who commit crimes justify their actions, and they may be correct about the pressures they are under but wrong about the solutions for solving their problems,' she added. Now, it's unclear exactly what the fate of the Osefo's will be, and whether or not they will be convicted and serve jail time for their alleged crimes. The pair had claimed designer bags and jewelry were stolen from their property while the family was away on vacation during an alleged April 2024 burglary, as police have learned several of the belongings worth $20k had allegedly been returned to the stores they had been purchased at for a 'full refund' prior to when they said the robbery had occurred. 'It happened because my family was away on spring break,' the 41-year-old Bravo star stated. 'It was our spring break trip with the kiddos and I was just so heartbroken' They are now accused by prosecutors of claiming a $450,000 personal property loss with an insurance company. Daily Mail reached out to the Osefos for comment on Friday but did not immediately hear back. During an episode of the Gabbing With Gib podcast last September, Wendy had even gotten into detail about the alleged incident. 'It happened because my family was away on spring break,' the 41-year-old Bravo star stated. 'It was our spring break trip with the kiddos and I was just so heartbroken.' Wendy and Eddie tied the knot in 2011 and are parents to three children: Karter, 12, and Kruz, nine, and Kamrynn, six. The TV personality claimed that the incident took place shortly before filming Real Housewives and had left her 'uneasy.' 'We had just been violated so to speak. It was the worst thing and so unexpected especially since from my vantage point and from the investigator's vantage point it was targeted.' The reality star expressed that the neighborhood had been relatively safe for many years. 'Over 20 years there has been no burglary, like, nothing. It's so heartbreaking and again going back to my earlier statement at my core [what] centers me is motherhood. My first thought was my kids.' Wendy further called the alleged burglary 'gut wrenching' and explained that their home was now 'Fort Knox.' The summer before last, we holidayed at a friends South of France estate. There were around 20 of us in total, a group of successful, middle-class couples and their kids. I went with my daughters, Rosie, then 17, and Bella, 14. We were given a gorgeous, three-bedroom cottage for our stay and spent long days lounging by our friends beautiful pool. But though it was lovely, there was something someone missing. I wished my husband Matt had come with us, but he had been made redundant from a six-figure job in advertising. He felt humiliated and bruised and couldnt face the inevitable work chat that would come with the holiday. He knew the couple who own the French estate as well as I do and they are kind and generous people. Rosie and their son were babies when we met and wed holidayed several times at their home in South Africa too. Yet, Matt no longer felt comfortable with people who were (in his mind) rich and successful, even if they were old friends. It was the first real sign of how much our life was changing. And continues to change: he hasnt had a proper job since. Matt, 55, has never been a pessimistic guy but Ive learned that if you take away a mans job, you remove his identity, his joie de vivre, and he becomes a shadow of his former self. For 18 months, hes slogged away applying for more than 50 jobs, with no success. With life getting more and more precarious, for the past three months hes been working as a driver, earning less than 12.50 an hour. To anyone not privy to our finances, life on the surface still looks glossy. Matt and I have been together for 22 years and married for 16 of those. We have a lovely home in Sydenham, south-east London, which we own outright. Rosie, now 19, is at Bournemouth University studying for a media degree and Bella, 16, is thriving at the BRIT School for performing arts. Julia works in PR and television while Matt used to work in advertising Weve got a three-bedroom seaside cottage on the Kent coast for weekend escapes, too. Were in good health and as a family are rock-solid or, at least, we were. Matt losing his job is having a catastrophic impact on everything: our relationship, his wellbeing, my bank balance and our future retirement. Were not alone. The latest Office for National Statistics data shows UK job vacancies have fallen steadily over the past 36 months, breaking the previous record of 16 months set during the 2008 global financial crisis. A recent Bank of England survey found that UK businesses have cut jobs at the fastest pace in more than four years this summer. Were heading for a jobs crisis like the 1980s, according to James Reed, chairman and chief executive of Reed recruitment agency. Lots of people are going to be left behind as a result, he said. If we see the hollowing-out of white-collar work it will affect millions of people, their living standards and the Governments tax take. Our own living standard has certainly taken a hit. Posh vacations are a thing of the past. Before Matt lost his job, wed holiday three times a year in the likes of Morocco, South Africa, Portugal, the Greek islands, Turkey or the Canaries. Julia wasn't worried at first when Matt lost his job as she assumed he'd get a new one right away Were trying to keep up appearances having takeaways delivered as a treat at the weekend but Id never before realised quite how much the basics of running two homes add up. Were draining our savings and weve had to massively readjust our future plans. We take heart in knowing that our home is worth more than 1.2million and the other one is worth 375,000. But we never expected to be forced to use this capital to support us later in life. Matt has paid 40 per cent tax for the bulk of his working life and yet he is not eligible for state support as Im working, even though Im self-employed and my income fluctuates year to year. I could never have imagined this when we met. I was 34, he was 32. He was confident in his own skin and I loved that about him. After chatting online for a few weeks, we met up for dinner and he came back to my flat. We had such a good night together I knew that even if I didnt hear from him again, I wouldnt have regretted our paths crossing. But I did hear from him. Matt isnt one to play games, so within a year we were living together. We were both in the media and I knew Matt was a bit of a guru in the advertising world. He would get flown out to Tokyo or New York to pitch to potential clients, enjoyed lavish lunches and was frequently invited to gentlemens pamper days and team-bonding weekends away. We both knew advertising was even more turbulent than PR and television my world and hed switched jobs at least four times over the decades. But when he was made redundant in January 2023, he was shocked because he didnt see it coming. He received a months salary and that was it he was on his own. Matt has paid 40 per cent tax for the bulk of his working life and yet he is not eligible for state support as Julia is working As naive as it sounds, I wasnt worried at first; I just assumed hed get another job straight away. He was constantly on LinkedIn, he spoke to recruitment consultants, he networked with friends and professional contacts. Yet more often than not he was ghosted. Id say 80 per cent of the time he just never heard back. It wasnt just Matt that was surprised, I was too. He even began applying for junior jobs that he was overqualified for, spinning it to them that they were getting value for money but nobody wanted to know. He put hours of preparation into a Zoom presentation for one American firm, and they seemed really impressed, but that didnt lead to an actual job offer either. Matt is solutions-focused, so, during those first six months, he decided he would become a chauffeur in the high-net-worth sector. He invested in a Mercedes E-Class that I wasnt allowed to drive, then failed his Public Carriage Office licence exam. He was told he needed a medical but he wasnt in great shape and he failed that too. That was a low point for him, yet hes nothing if not determined. After giving himself a medical MOT cutting back on booze and losing 3st he passed the driving exam at a second attempt. Unfortunately, for reasons we cant fathom, there is a hold-up in the issuing of the licence and Matt has been waiting more than a year to receive it. In the meantime, he has sold the Mercedes and anything else of value, including his watches. Of course, the past two years have been like a battering ram to our marriage. I try to be supportive, but I can only do so much because of Matts pride. Pity is a passion-killer and, at times, I have been guilty of being insensitive. When I heard how much the window cleaner at our holiday home earns (50 an hour!), I jokingly said to Matt all you need is a mop and bucket no website or posh car required and off you go. Predictably, he went mad. If it was me, Id have grasped the chance even of a low-paid job in retail or a restaurant, anything to get out of the house. My girlfriends have a lot to say, too. For example, they tell me I shouldnt have to pay 70 a week for a cleaner when Matts available and that he should do it. This isnt as crazy as it sounds: at a friends party I got chatting to someone who used to be a wealthy banker, who told me that since hed lost his job, he worked as a delivery driver before retraining as a probation officer and really enjoyed himself. This gave me hope perhaps a change of career for Matt would work out for the best. This man mentioned a delivery firm which was on the lookout for drivers. It was the sign I needed. After almost 18 months without work, Matt was willing to give it a go. And, for once, he got the job. At first, he was out the door at 6.30am, delivering frozen fish which was as dismal as it sounds. Then he was delivering replacement mobility scooters. It was a real eye-opener, seeing how free equipment was treated by people, some of it covered in urine or vomit and reeking of cigarette smoke. Hes still driving for the same company, but now delivers supplies to butchers shops around Kent and Sussex. He has a routine, working from 7.30am to 3.30pm, then meets friends some evenings or goes to the pub for a couple of pints on his own. Even though this episode has bruised us individually and as a couple, Im proud of how weve come through it. Matt will probably say I didnt think he tried hard enough to get a job, but at least all this has taught me that we are too defined by our careers. All I care about is the husband I love very much. It pains me to see how Matts mental health has been impacted, and I know he feels less than because he isnt a high-flyer any more. Im just thankful we dont have any debt and have a plan for the future. It isnt how we intended to enjoy retirement, but at least we have each other. Matt says My life is not very rock n roll now. I worked in advertising for just under three decades, running teams of up to 50 people and here I am today, earning 12.50 an hour. I have experienced real anxiety over the past few years and Ive lost count of the number of times Ive asked myself if I am a failure and a loser. For the first time in 25 years, Ive been overdrawn at the bank. There have been many sleepless nights when I wondered, Can I drag myself out of this? The impact on my mental health has been more onerous than I had ever thought it could be. I also worried that Julia secretly thought I wasnt doing enough to find work and that she resented having to pay for all the shopping and holidays. My social life has been effectively cancelled. I couldnt face meeting up with friends and having to formulate an answer to, What are you doing now? Rightly or wrongly, our jobs define us. For me, its been hard to tell someone: Im a van driver. Its all been a big shock for me. I was used to knowing how the world works; people reported to me. Now here I am, very much no longer in control. I take solace in knowing Im not alone, which is why Ive set up a WhatsApp support group for friends in the same situation. Julia isnt in it. While she appreciates life is tough for all of us, actually she cant possibly know what its like emotionally and mentally to no longer feel wanted in the workforce. Ten years ago, Id never have checked in on someone else. But Im so glad that I have changed in that respect. I do it because I do care about others in the same boat as me. I now work with a bunch of blokes, all over 55, who drive around South-east England. The upside is there is no executive stress. But the reality is Ill probably never earn six figures again. He's become one of the Duchess of Sussex's most loyal friends and outspoken cheerleaders, so Daniel Martin caused intrigue when he deleted a video yesterday that he had posted online about his trip to France with her. The make-up artist had used the video to explain how he had achieved her look for the Balenciaga show at Paris Fashion Week which the former actress attended in support of the brand's latest creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli. Martin claimed that his work had 'made her look even more juicy and glowy'. He added: 'We just wanted to keep everything light, fresh, and radiant,' he gushed. 'She just flew in, and your skin gets dehydrated from the plane, so I just wanted to bring some hydration back into her skin and just bring some life to it.' He concluded, 'I would love to get her in a lip one day, Meghan if you're watching this, let's do a lip, I'd love to see you in a lip.' Martin's deletion of the post caused speculation that the duchess may not have been pleased with what he had said. However, a source tells me it was deleted because Martin had not included all the beauty products which had been used. The source says an updated version of the video is likely to be posted at a later date. Martin appeared with Prince Harry's wife in the first episode of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. He later took to social media to attack critics in the most personal way. Daniel Martin (pictured) caused intrigue when he deleted a video yesterday that he had posted online about his trip to France with Meghan Markle. Pictured: the pair in With Love, Meghan The make-up artist had used the video to explain how he had achieved her look for the Balenciaga show at Paris Fashion Week which the former actress attended in support of the brand's latest creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli Martin claimed that his work had 'made her look even more juicy and glowy'. His deletion of the post caused speculation that the duchess may not have been pleased with what he had said One Instagram user, Maria Sampson, a London-based fashion design student, commented on an article about the first episode, in which Meghan prepared bath salts for Martin's stay at her home. 'It's got to the point where you just have to laugh now,' Sampson remarked. At this, Martin, who prepared Meghan before her royal wedding, took grave offence. In response, he mocked Ms Sampson's fashion designs, which she displays on her Instagram page. 'Like your 'designs'??' he jeered, adding that Ms Sampson didn't have the status to dare comment on Meghan's handiwork. 'Don't come for my friend without receipts...' he warned, melodramatically. Martin, who has been employed by Meghan since he did the American actress's make-up on legal television drama Suits, did not confine his extraordinary efforts to defend and celebrate her to just one form of social media. On Threads, he responded to a random question about who was responsible for the music used in With Love, Meghan. 'It's all Meghan!' Martin declared. 'She's the superstar DJ.' Meghan Markle risked being called 'out-of-touch' once again after she posted a highlight reel of New York featuring rows of shoes and clothes. The Duchess of Sussex showed off her lavish trip to the Big Apple in a wide-ranging Instagram post, having previously claimed that her attempt to be like other families led her to attend yoga and fitness classes with up to 40 to 50 strangers. The Reel honed in on the luxurious nature of her holiday, which saw Meghan switch her sprawling $14.65million Montecito mansion for the bright lights of the east coast. One shot shows an army of pointed toe designer heels lined up, colour coded, on the floor. The next sees a rack of expensive tops and leather bags before the camera pans to yet more clothes, in the form of rows upon rows of trousers arranged neatly on hangers. It is revealed that this monumental haul is not in the window of one of Manhattan's swankiest department stores, but in the apartment where Meghan is staying, with Prince Harry suddenly appearing in the background, barefoot and with a beaming grin. The Duke of Sussex is seen wearing grey track pants and a grey t-shirt as he poses in the doorway. Next, Meghan gives an insight into her makeup routine, zooming in on the array of cosmetics bottles and brushes on her dressing table as she is spotted applying bright pink lipstick in the mirror. Meghan Markle risked being called 'out-of-touch' once again after she posted a highlight reel of New York with rows of shoes and clothes The Duchess of Sussex showed off her lavish trip to the Big Apple in a wide-ranging Instagram post, which saw Prince Harry suddenly appear behind a rack of expensive tops and bags Further clips show the couple looking suited and booted for a public appearance, before bumping into what appears to be Ed Sheeran as celebrities rub shoulders in New York. It comes after Meghan hit back at critics saying her Netflix show made her look out of touch and 'tone deaf'. In March, she revealed she is friends with 'stay-at-home' mums and 'working women with normal jobs and she and Prince Harry are trying to be like other families with children at school. The Duchess also revealed how she goes to yoga and fitness classes with 40 to 50 others - sometimes on her own or with friends - and she recently greeted a stranger next to her with a fist bump and a 'well done'. Meghan said: 'Once you know us, I think you want us to have the same normalcy as parents and for our children as they do, despite however unique our situation is.' 'I have a couple of girlfriends up here - these are stay-at-home moms and working women with normal jobs, not in the public eye,' the Duchess of Sussex, 43, told People of her life in California. 'We went from just connecting through our kids to having girls' nights out or doing Pilates together.' One mother from the school run has said Meghan recently came to a child's birthday party where she was 'chilling' with parents and talked about 'mom stuff and life'. Meghan gives an insight into her makeup routine, zooming in on the array of cosmetics bottles and brushes on her dressing table as she is spotted applying bright pink lipstick in the mirror Further clips show the couple looking suited and booted for a public appearance The then bump into what appears to be Ed Sheeran as celebrities rub shoulders in New York 'You can see that, as a unit, they're all very connected,' the friend briefed People. And the former Suits star says she texts Archie and Lilibet's classes to organise holiday and weekend playdates, saying that the people of Montecito have embraced her, Harry and their two children. Speaking to People, the Sussexes' favoured publication in the US, Meghan said she feels part of the community in Montecito. It came after With Love, Meghan was widely panned and branded 'out of touch'. Speaking about the ups and downs of launching her Netflix show and the As Ever brand she said: 'I appreciate everyone who gave me the grace to make mistakes and figure it out and also to be forgiving with myself through that. It's a learning curve.' People describes Meghan as 'just another person' when attending a fitness class locally. 'I go to group classes that sometimes have 40 to 50 people in them and just walk in like, "Hi!",' Meghan said. 'Of course, at the beginning, that felt like a lot. By the way, I think anybody walking into a yoga class with 50 people when you're one of the last people that walk in and everyone looks up, it's going to feel a little uncomfortable.' Meghan spoke about life in Montecito in a front-cover story with People magazine She has faced criticism over her Netflix series. But in an interview with People she said she is friends with working mums Meghan has insisted she is not an influencer She went on: 'The other day in class, I was there by myself - sometimes I go with girlfriends, but I went by myself - and in the middle of the class they said, "Great, tell the person on your mat next to you that they're doing a great job, give them a fist pump". 'And I looked over and there was someone over there, and I was like [miming a fist bump], "Well done!" and then I looked to the other side and there was someone else and I went, "Nicely done! Come on, guys!". 'I mean, that's part of how you connect. I love it. It's the best,' she said. 'I had missed it. It's awesome.' Meghan kept busy during her recent trip to New York, meeting old friends including Gloria Steinem, with whom she formed a 'sisterhood' over their shared passion for liberal politics and women's rights in the United States. The Duchess looked immaculate in a stone trench-style coat with 525 adjustable Gancini belt and dark sunglasses for the visit. She was walked through the gate by her personal private bodyguard and smiled to him as he held open the door of her waiting 6.8litre gas-guzzling Cadillac Escalade SUV. Meghan was without Prince Harry on the trip - shortly after the Sussexes' were crowned Humanitarians of the Year at a gala in the city last week. She shared an image with her close friend and social activist Gloria Steinem on Instagram earlier this year Gloria presented the Duchess of Sussex with a 'Women of Vision' award in 2023 Gloria had herself presented Meghan with a 'Women of Vision' award in 2023 and has said her friend is a 'great human being' who is 'smart, funny and devoted to social issues'. Meghan and 'Glo', as the former Suits star calls her, bonded in 2020 over their shared interest in promoting women's rights and equal voting rights ahead of the Presidential Election that year. They also gave a joint interview to Vogue US after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, putting abortion rights at risk for women around the US. Things were slightly more awkward last week, when Prince Harry appeared to nervously smile after Meghan seemed to ask him to move his hand off her bottom, as footage emerged from a strange New York red carpet appearance. The Duchess seemed to look uncomfortable as she quickly broke away from her husband as they posed for photographers ahead of being crowned 'humanitarians of the year'. Meghan glanced up at Harry who nervously smiled before the husband and wife wrapped their arms around each other's waist. The gaffe was the latest of seemingly awkward exchanges between the married couple at the glitzy ceremony at Spring Studios. Traffic in the Big Apple had meant the Sussexes arrived late for the Project Healthy Minds gala. This is the moment Meghan appears to ask Prince Harry to move his hand off her bottom as more footage emerges from their awkward New York red carpet appearance Meghan was left waiting when Harry spoke to someone by the red carpet And Harry appeared to be in a rush, with royal watchers claiming he tried to hurry along his wife. The Duke took Meghan's hand and started moving away after posing for photographers but the Duchess appeared to linger. Royal watchers claimed Harry may even have gently whispered to Meghan to 'come on now' as she paused. In another video taken backstage, the Duke was grabbed by a member of the team, who asked him a question. Meghan was left standing awkwardly, alone, waiting for him to arrive with some critics claiming she briefly 'glowered' before smiling. Aldi fans, get your tongs ready because the supermarket's famous Christmas Seafood Selection is officially making a comeback next week, and it's packed with all the festive favourites for the whole family. Landing in stores from Wednesday, October 22, the annual seafood range has become something of a holiday tradition for bargain hunters, with lobster tails, prawns and salmon sides that sell out fast every year. This time around, Aldi is bringing back some of its best-loved classics, including Premium Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter Glaze ($34.99), Split Rock Lobsters ($29.99), Atlantic Salmon Side ($22.99) and Australian Tiger Prawns ($29.99). All the delicious treats will also be listed at the same low prices shoppers loved last Christmas. But for the keen foodies that circle back each year, there are a few new additions to get excited about. The brand-new Spicy Mango Prawns ($6.99) promise a tropical kick, while party bites like Prawn Bao Buns, Filo Prawn Rolls and Deluxe Prawn Selection are set to be the heroes of any Christmas platter, all starting from just $4.99. Aldi Australia's Shopping Expert Kylie Warnke said the supermarket's Seafood Selection was designed to make entertaining simple without the sting of festive overspending. 'Christmas is a time for families to come together and create cherished memories with each other,' she told Daily Mail. Aldi's famous Christmas Seafood Selection is officially making a comeback on Wednessday Oct 22, and it's packed with all the festive favourites for the whole family The annual seafood range has become something of a holiday tradition for bargain hunters, with lobster tails, prawns and salmon sides that sell out fast every year 'Our seafood options are crafted with convenience and cost in mind, meaning Aussies can spend more time with their families and less in the kitchen, while also having peace of mind that they're getting the best value.' Warnke added that Aldi's seafood offering this year is all about balance and bringing back favourites while introducing fresh flavours. 'This year, we've brought back our Premium Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter Glaze, while also introducing the brand-new Spicy Mango Prawns to provide even more options for your Christmas feast.' These delicious additions are coated in a spicy mango flavoured jam and golden crispy crumbs. With prices starting at just $4.99, the range proves that a luxe Christmas spread doesn't need a luxury price tag. Budget-conscious shoppers can also pick up the Specially Selected Deluxe Prawn Selection, which includes Sweet Chilli, Coriander Filo, and Coconut Torpedo Prawns as well. Or for the smaller bites, indulge in Premium Lobster Canapes and Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Canapes (both $6.99). And for those who prefer to serve up something a little special, the Premium XL Maple Bacon Scallops ($14.99) wrapped in maple-flavoured bacon are sure to be a crowd favourite. Whether it's a casual backyard seafood platter or an extravagant family feast, Aldi's buys are making it easy for Aussies to serve up a spread that looks (and tastes) impressive. All the delicious treats will be listed at the same low prices shoppers loved last Christmas. Pictured: Premium Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter Glaze ($34.99) This time around, they are bringing back some of its best-loved classics, including the Specially Selected Split Rock Lobsters ($29.99) and Premium Lobster Puff Pastry Canapes ($4.99), both pictured. Some new additions include (but are not limited to): Lets Party Prawn Bao Buns with Sriracha Mayo/Mushroom Bao Buns with Hoisin Sauce and Lets Party Filo Prawn Rolls ($4.99 ea) The limited-edition range lands in stores Wednesday, October 22, but as always with their Special Buys, once it's gone, it's gone. If getting to the supermarket isn't convenient, Aussies can now get groceries from Aldi delivered straight to their doors, as the supermarket chain now offers the convenient service. The budget retailer is offering on-demand grocery delivery from most of its stores nationwide, thanks to its partnership with DoorDash. The popular shopping delivery option has been quietly introduced nationwide since July 2025 to the delight of shoppers across the country. Pictured: Aldi's Specially Selected Salmon Wellington with Cheese and Dill Sauce 700g ($15.99) - The Atlantic salmon is wrapped in a crispy puff pastry and coated in a rich cheese and dill sauce Pictured: Specially Selected Frozen Australian Tiger Prawns 1kg ($29.99) and Premium XL Maple Bacon Scallops 270g ($14.99) And for those who prefer to serve up something a little special, the Premium XL Maple Bacon Scallops ($14.99, right) wrapped in maple-flavoured bacon are sure to be a crowd favourite. Aldi fans Australia-wide now have the chance to shop the store's exclusive range of products at the touch of a button through the DoorDash app The convenient online shopping feature means no more juggling groceries to keep up with Aldi's notoriously fast in-store cashiers. The partnership is a first for the budget supermarket chain, which had up until now resisted following other major supermarkets into grocery home delivery services. Aldi Australia's Group Director Simon Padovani-Ginies said offering online shopping delivery was a true 'game changer' that transformed the 'different ways people can shop'. To order groceries, all shoppers need to do is download the DoorDash app or visit the website and search for 'Aldi' on the platform. Customers will then be able to browse through the items available at their local store and add them to their online cart to purchase. Cottage cheese has become increasingly difficult to find on the shelves of Aldi and many have presumed its due to the unassuming ingredient going viral. An eagle-eyed shopper recently lamented that they had been unable to buy Aldi Westacre Cottage Cheese, which retails for $5.49. Taking to Reddit, a customer shared a post on the Aldi Australia sub-reddit titled 'Where's all of the cottage cheese?' He said: 'I haven't seen the cottage cheese on the shelves in MONTHS, what is going on? National cottage cheese shortage?' Other shoppers agreed that they too had recently struggled to find cottage cheese in Aldi stores. 'Haven't seen any for ages - so annoying,' read one reply. Daily Mail understands ALDI is working closely with supply partners to increase stock levels to meet the high demand for cottage cheese. Several Aldi store workers responded to the Reddit thread, explaining that it was perpetually out of stock at recently because customers were snapping it up the moment it landed on shelves. 'Anything that arrives in store sells immediately,' one Aldi employee confirmed. Aldi's Westacre Cottage Cheese $5.49 has become increasingly tricky to find in stores. Aldi store workers confirmed in a Reddit thread that shoppers were snapping it up quickly when it was available in store One Aldi shopper lamented being unable to buy cottage cheese at Aldi for 'months'. Several replies to the Reddit post claimed it was a result of cottage cheese featuring in healthy online recipes - and in particular a viral bowl 'We cannot keep up with demand,' agreed another. 'We literally get one allotment a fortnight and it's gone in maybe two days.' A third Aldi worker agreed, adding that they'd observed customers buying it 'by the box'. 'By the box OMG,' replied the original poster. 'How are they eating all of it before it goes off?' An explanation for why cottage cheese is currently in such high demand can perhaps be traced back to its sudden prominence in healthy online recipes. TikTok and Instagram have increasingly become a go-to outlet for healthy recipe inspiration. But one viral recipe in particular - a hot honey sweet potato beef bowl - has exploded online in recent weeks, with the dish's star ingredient calling for humble cottage cheese. The simple recipe recently went viral when many food content creators, including Michael Finch, made the dish. The hot honey sweet potato beef bowl calls for roasted sweet potato, beef mince seasoned with nacho spices, avocado, hot chilli honey and, of course, cottage cheese. Aussie food content creator Michael Finch made the viral dish at home, with some shoppers joking he may have sparked a supermarket cottage cheese shortage 'Honest to god, I didn't think I was going to like the whole cottage cheese thing but with the hot honey mixed with it, it's so good,' Finch said as he taste tested the creation. But as Aussies raced out to supermarkets to purchase the required ingredients to recreate the dish, many found themselves empty-handed when searching for cottage cheese. The latest Reddit post about Aldi's cottage cheese shortage alluded to this viral recipe as an explanation for why cottage cheese has suddenly become so hard to find. 'All the Instagram recipes call for it [cottage cheese] for the protein,' declared one reply. 'Someone start a new trend,' another joked. The original poster of the thread responded, saying: 'PLEASE I'm begging lol.' Those who weren't in the know about the sudden popularity of cottage cheese in healthy online recipes felt enlightened after hearing this explanation. 'Ah, that makes so much sense,' one person said. 'At the gym today I heard a couple of women talking about cottage cheese and protein.' The recent Reddit thread saw some commenters offering the alternative suggestion of swapping cottage cheese for ricotta. Cottage cheese is the latest supermarket staple to vanish from shelves across Australia, and it's all thanks to a viral recipe that has everyone scrambling to get their hands on it 'Buy ricotta - cottage cheese is disappointing!' championed one person. Another argued that it was also a better choice because ricotta has 'fewer ingredients' than cottage cheese. 'I buy the "smooth ricotta" at Aldi. It's a much softer texture and taste,' the person added. 'Aldi also sell a basket of fresh ricotta - drain it and then put in a plastic container with lid into your fridge, and add a little salt.' 'But cottage cheese has a higher protein content,' they conceded. As a last-ditch solution, some even suggested trying to make your own. 'I was fed up of not being able to find cottage cheese as a staple anymore,' one person explained. 'My homemade one tastes so much better and is cheaper - 3L of milk gets me about 10 days' worth of fresh cheese.' With no signs of the trend slowing down, cottage cheese may remain the hottest 2025 Aussie supermarket commodity that no one ever predicted. The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen beaming as they trialed cider after sharing a sweet moment together during their surprise day-long visit to Northern Ireland today. The pair engaged in three outings as part of their trip - Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service's new Learning and Development College, near Cookstown, County Tyrone, Mallon Farm, a flax farm in County Tyrone, and Long Meadow Cider, an award-winning family-run farm in the heart of County Armagh, Northern Irelands Orchard County. It was here, the royal couple were photographed grinning as they tried the brand's famous potato apple bread, sampled apple juice and craft ciders, and helped out with a local apple harvest. Long Meadow Farm has been owned by the McKeever family for three generations making cider, apple juice and apple cider vinegar since 1968. Kate and Will observed the apple cider vinegar production process, before watching how the apples are pressed and bottled on site into their award-winning cider. Kate said: 'We tried this at home with a hand press. It was quite good fun with the children. It was very messy.' They were given a glass of apple cider vinegar and both sipped it, and asked if they had tasted it before Kate replied: 'I like that. I haven't take it as shot like this before but I love to put it salads and things like that.' The royal couple also saw how the farm are combining traditional methods with a forward-thinking approach to sustainability, innovation, and local heritage, as William remarked: 'Here are the geniuses!' Kate and William enjoying a glass of apple cider The Prince and Princess also sampled some cider while at their last engagement of the day The farm has been in the family since 1968 and makes apple juice from Jonagold Prince apples and cider from Bramley Apples and Golden Delicious. Pictured, Kate and William today They were given a glass of apple cider vinegar and both sipped it, as Kate told William she uses the ingredient extensively at home They were later asked to help out with the apple harvest, picking golden delicious and bramley apple varieties, as they accepted baskets. Kate, who filled hers up much quicker than William, joked: 'Don't drop the fruit William.' Speaking to the owners Pat and Catherine McKeever, Willam said: 'I was saying the trees are like something from Harry Potter.' They then donned aprons to make potato apple bread, first rolling out the flour and potato. Once again, Kate poked a bit of fun at her husband as she told William: 'Try and keep it a circle.' Looking down at his rectangular effort, Wills said to laughter: 'A circle? Now you tell me! If you look this way it looks like a circle. This is a new variety!' The royal couple began peeling their baskets of apples and halfway through his first effort, Wills looked at his fruit and turned to the McKeever family, joking: 'If we are peeling every apple you are going to have to start helping. We'll be here a while.' Slicing apple to put inside the bread, Pat McKeever called out: 'I like mine thick.' 'You'll get what you're given,' the royal quipped, before turning to Kate - who appeared to be lagging behind - and teased her: 'Do keep up.' The McKeevers have since diversified significantly, with the support of the younger generation of the family, and now produce craft ciders, apple juice and apple cider vinegar. Kate is all smiles as she picks apples in Long Meadow's orchards at Long Meadow Cider The Prince and Princess make a potato and apple cake during a visit to Long Meadow Cider Their products are being sold in major supermarket chains across Northern Ireland and Long Meadow is now also a thriving tourist destination for orchard tour experiences and produce tastings. The Prince and Princess met members of the McKeever family and learnt how they built a resilient, multi-generational business by embracing innovation whilst staying true to their heritage and empowering the next generation. Owner Peter McKeever told them they had been running the family orchard for more than sixty years. In a tender scene during the day, Kate was photographed affectionately placing her hand on Prince William's back before the royal couple rode in a fire truck and watched trainee firefighters take part in drills. The pair, who looked perfectly in step in coordinated brown suede shoes, visited Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service's new Learning and Development College, near Cookstown, County Tyrone, on their first stop of the day. William and Kate, dressed in the bespoke Alexander McQueen forest green coat she first debuted in 2020 in Bradford, appeared delighted to be on their day-long trip, putting on a loved-up display as they repeatedly shared a giggle with one another. For their second outing, the Prince and Princess visited , where Kate gamely tried her hand at an ancient linen-making technique. Changing out of her designer midi coat, the royal nailed country chic in a brown skirt and grey jumper, teamed with a stylish green Barbour jacket and a pair of shamrock earrings, for her second engagement of the action-packed day. The Princess spoke of her recent visits to textile manufacturers and said it was 'fascinating' to see the 'whole journey. William and Kate couldn't keep the smiles from their faces as they took part in a training scenario at the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's new Learning and Development College The Princess of Wales affectionately placed her hand on William's back as the couple shared a sweet moment together during their trip to Northern Ireland The Princess of Wales appeared to be in excellent spirits as she attended the outing alongside her husband today Kate looked effortlessly elegant in her bespoke Alexander McQueen forest green midi coat that she first debuted in Bradford in 2020 The Princess of Wales uses a restored heritage machine that is used for 'breaking and scutching' during her visit to Mallon Farm, a flax farm in County Tyrone Earlier at the firefighters' college, William and Kate watched as emergency workers simulated rescuing a casualty from a fast-flowing river and toured a warehouse space where others practised high-rise rope and ladder rescues and tested breathing apparatus. The couple were shown around the 50million site, which opened in May, by Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings, walking past a replica village into a training warehouse where the drills were taking place. They also met two recent graduates of the 18-week training course, firefighters Piarais McCaffery and Caoimhe McNeice, to hear about their experience of training at the 50-acre site, which is set in the countryside. Elsewhere, William and Kate took part in a flood rescue drill, from the safety of the bank. Each attempted to throw a line attached to a float to rescue a 'casualty', played by an instructor, but didn't manage to reach him as he was swept past by the current. World class facilities include a flood water rescue simulator one of only two in the world at a Fire service training facility - and, after watching hose drills outside the warehouse, the Prince and Princess boarded the fire appliance to head there and watch the simulated floodwater rescue. The college is the largest investment ever undertaken by the NIFRS and is a training centre for all NIFRS employees. Training with other emergency service workers and partner agencies also takes place there. Kate joked that she wanted to drive at full speed with the 'sirens on' as she and the Prince rode in the back of a fire engine but the driver was told strictly no, according to newly qualified firefighter Caoimhe McNeice, who joined the royal couple for the ride. 'The Princess was saying, "I'd love to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on," but they were getting to the water rescue [area], it was just a bit of banter,' she added. The Prince and Princess of Wales tour Long Meadow's orchards during their visit to Northern Ireland The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to Long Meadow Cider in Portadown, Co Armagh, a family-owned apple farm which has evolved from traditional apple growers into producers of award-winning craft ciders, juices, and vinegars Kate appeared upbeat and excited during her visit to Long Meadow's orchards as she shared a laugh with members of the McKeever family, who have been running the farm as a family business for more than 60 years I dough! Kate and William try making potato apple bread during a visit to Long Meadow Cider The Princess of Wales picks apples in Long Meadow's orchards The Princess of Wales tours Long Meadow's orchards during a visit to Long Meadow Cider William, who helped peel the apples he harvested with Kate (not pictured), joked the royal couple would 'be here for a while' without assistance The Prince and Princess met members of the McKeever family and learnt how they built a resilient, multi-generational business by embracing innovation whilst staying true to their heritage and empowering the next generation 'She was wanting the Prince to drive, but no, the driver got us there safely anyway,' added Caoimhe. Caoimhe, 25, and her fellow graduate Piarais McCaffery, 32, were chosen to spend time with the royal visitors after passing out as graduates in June. 'They were both lovely, great, down to earth people. It was great to showcase our Learning and Development College to them, and they were blown away by it,' said Piarais. He said William and Kate were 'very, very genuine and interested, especially with the water facility'. Caoimhe said: 'It was an absolute honour and privilege to be here today, as Piarais said, to represent the service today, and also it was an incredible experience being in the back of the appliance with the Prince and Princess of Wales. 'They were very intrigued by everything, asking questions all about the facilities, but also they were very interested with my career and myself, and asking questions about how I was getting on. 'It was a brilliant experience. I was taken aback and starstruck, but I had to keep my calm and keep relaxed and enjoy the moment.' Piarais said: 'The Princess had said about how ahead of the game we are, whenever we go out on live fires, we know what to do. The Prince and Princess share a joke together during their visit to Mallon Farm, a flax farm in County Tyrone Changing out of her designer midi coat, the royal nailed country chic for her second outing of the day Kate, who has long been passionate about the importance of the British textiles industry, even tried her hand at using a restored heritage machinery which is used for 'breaking and scutching' the fibre The Princess of Wales uses a restored heritage machine that is used for 'breaking and scutching' during her visit to Mallon Farm The Prince and Princess share a laugh during their visit to Mallon Farm, a flax farm in County Tyrone Kate and William speak to staff during their visit to the farm on Tuesday The Prince and Princess of Wales speak with farm owners Helen Kerr and Charlie Mallon during their visit to Mallon Farm The Prince and Princess coordinated in matching brown ensembles, with William wearing a blazer and smart trousers and Kate opting for a stylish skirt and cardigan Kate opted for a brown skirt and grey jumper, teamed with a stylish green jacket and a pair of shamrock earrings, for her second engagement of the action-packed day The parents-of-three share a joke together during their visit to Mallon Farm The Prince and Princess tour the farm during their second engagement in Northern Ireland The Princess appeared in great spirits as she toured the farm alongside Prince William The Prince and Princess share a laugh with Helen Kerr during their visit to Mallon Farm The Prince and Princess of Wales meet with farm owner Charlie Mallon and his family during their visit to Mallon Farm 'It's a lot safer for firefighters across all services.'Trainees practice going into live and simulated fires, gaining experience of lots of different scenarios as part of their 18-week training. 'It's a safe environment that you're allowed to make mistakes if you need to, and learn from your mistakes and make you feel that you're fully ready for when you do go out,' said Caoimhe. 'The Princess was saying that it's important that every firefighter that's come through this recruitment should get the experience of seeing the real-life exercises, so that when you do go out to the station, you're fully qualified to meet those emergency incidents.' Piarais said the training had made the first call out to a live fire easier because it was 'not a completely new, daunting experience'. The royal couple appeared fascinated by the drills taking place, with William in particular asking lots of questions about the equipment. 'There are so many toys,' he said. 'There's so much kit!' He and Kate watched as firefighters wearing breathing apparatus pulled a dummy from a smoke-filled 'shop' at the replica village and performed CPR on it. Inside the warehouse, they watched others climbing and securing ladders and practising lowering a stretcher secured with ropes from a replica rooftop. They were also impressed to learn that the top of the main building at the college doubles as a replica of a ship's deck, a train carriage nearby offers another realistic scenario, while a fake stretch of motorway behind it is used to train firefighters to rescue people from road traffic collisions. 'Have you got any aviation?' asked keen pilot William. The royal couple looked perfectly in step in coordinated brown suede shoes for their visit The royal couple, both 43, rode in a fire truck and watched trainee firefighters take part in drills for their first outing of the day The Princess and Prince of Wales at the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's (NIFRS) new Learning and Development College The Prince and Princess of Wales speak with firefighters during a visit to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Learning and Development College near Cookstown, Co Tyrone The Prince of Wales during his visit to the firefighters' college in Northern Ireland on Tuesday William appeared delighted to take part in a training scenario at the college on Tuesday The beaming couple appeared delighted to be on their day-long trip, putting on a loved-up display as they repeatedly shared a giggle with one another The Prince and Princess of Wales took part in a training scenario at the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's (NIFRS) new Learning and Development College Mark Deeney (pictured left), Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, and the Princess during the visit to the college today Before leaving, the couple were presented with three red 'Bump' caps for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Princes Louis baseball caps with a reinforced inner layer usually worn to tackle wildfires. NIFRS chief fire officer Aidan Jennings described the visit as 'a proud and unforgettable day' for the service. Aidan said: 'With a one team ethos in NIFRS, our personnel work together to help make Northern Ireland a safer place. It was a privilege to have our royal visitors meet many people across our Service and recognise their commitment, dedication and enthusiasm in doing so. 'I'm honoured that the Prince and Princess witnessed first-hand how the real-life scenario-based training facilities are revolutionising how we train and develop our people enabling us to meet the evolving needs of a modern-day Fire & Rescue Service. 'Our next generation of Firefighters currently undergoing their training at the college clearly demonstrated that today in their display of operational skills and capabilities. 'I would like to sincerely thank the Prince and Princess for their visit, their kind words, support and recognition of the work of all our people in NIFRS dedicated to serving our community and keeping people safe. 'I would also like to thank the Northern Ireland Office, the Executive Office and the Department of Health for their efforts and support in making this memorable visit possible.' For the second outing of the day, Kate and William met with farm owners Helen Kerr MBE and Charlie Mallon, who are aiming to rebuild a short flax to linen supply chain in Northern Ireland. Prince William and Kate were full of laughter as they toured the college in Northern Ireland The Princess of Wales teamed her stylish coat with a pair of dazzling shamrock earrings The Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's (NIFRS) new Learning and Development College Before leaving, the couple (pictured) were presented with three red 'Bump' caps for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Princes Louis baseball caps with a reinforced inner layer usually worn to tackle wildfires Kate looked typically sophisticated in her midi coat which she teamed with brown boots The royal couple (pictured right) appeared fascinated by the drills taking place, with William in particular asking lots of questions about the equipment The Prince and Princess of Wales observe a training scenario taking place at the college The Prince and Princess rode in a fire truck and watched trainee firefighters take part in drills The beaming Princess styled her hair into glamorous curls for the day-long trip to Northern Ireland They are growing flax on local farms, restoring heritage machinery and producing traceable natural fibre products that work for people, place and planet. The Prince and Princess visited the flax fields to understand the growing and harvesting process, before viewing the machinery that Mallon Farm uses for breaking and scutching. They then viewed the final stages of the process when the fibre is hand hackled, spun and woven. The Princess has long been passionate about the importance of the British textiles industry and its role as part of the UKs cultural and creative voice. Kate's paternal ancestors were the owners of the woollen manufacturer and merchant, William Lupton & Co, which was based in Leeds. In September 2025, the royal visited textiles manufacturers in Suffolk and Kent to highlight the rich heritage of the British textile industry and celebrate the joy found in working in the creative industries. During her time at Mallon Farm, Kate noted that consumers were increasingly interested in the provenance of their products and it was important that things were 'made with love'. Meanwhile, William joked that he had 'learnt lots of new words' connected to traditional agricultural techniques during the visit. The Prince and Princess were thanked for 'shining a light' on the creative industries, and giving 'credibility' to efforts to revive traditional heritage crafts. The couple donned outdoor boots to tramp through the family farms muddy fields as they were shown where the crops were grown, washed and softened before being processed though an old machine dating back to 1940 that has been rebuilt by Mr Mallon. When asked if either of them wanted to have a go at a traditional method of 'breaking' the flax by hand, the Princess enthusiastically replied: 'Definitely!' She was shown how to break the flax by smashing it with a tool to release the fibres. Asked later how he rated her skills, Mr Mallon said: 'She did well, so she did, Its physical work.' The Prince and Princess were then shown the sprawling piece of machinery now used to do the work. While William appeared impressed by Mr Mallon's handiwork, the princess lightheartedly quipped that the machine resembled a 'massive hairbrush'. The Princess asked whether this part of the process was always done by hand and whether consumers wanted the product at different stages. 'It feels very much like wool now,' she observed, as she handled the soft fibres that had been through the machine. Mr Mallon and Ms Kerr, who has an MBE for innovation and agriculture, described how they were trying to revive skills that were dying off. The Princess of Wales chatted with a firefighter on a visit to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's (NIFRS) new Learning and Development College The Princess spoke with Mark Deeney, Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, pictured right Kate and William observe a training scenario taking place at the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's (NIFRS) new Learning and Development College William put on a dapper display in a pair of navy trousers teamed with a stylish brown blazer and light blue shirt as he arrived alongside Kate William and Kate supported one another as they took part in the training scenario at the college In the 18th century, Belfast was dubbed 'linenapolis' because of its hugely successful linen industry but it was later killed off by mass production. The couple are hoping to re-introduce the parts of the process that were successful and sustainable. Rather than scaling up, they are hoping that other small farms follow suit. They then want to encourage collaboration with others involved in different parts of the linen-making process. The Princess asked Mr Mallon and Ms Kerr whether younger generations have a 'revived interest in production' and said she loved the 'intergenerational story telling that comes with these crafts'. Before they left, the couple met Amy and Joel Anderson who own a fashion company called Kindred of Ireland, which uses homegrown products from Northern Ireland and the Princess asked how important it was to know 'the whole story' of a specific piece of material. Before they left, Mr Mallon said that he hoped the farm would be tidier on their next visit. 'We dont want it to be tidy!' the Prince laughed. 'Its a working farm.' William and Kate spent the day visiting organisations that showcase growth and investment in rural areas and demonstrate entrepreneurial and creative opportunities for young people. Tuesday's trip was the first time that the royal couple have visited Northern Ireland together since October 2022. Grace Kelly's grandson and his wife, Beatrice Borromeo, welcomed their third child and first daughter together earlier this month, it has been revealed. October marks a busy month for the Monegasque Royal Family, with Pierre's uncle, Prince Albert II, and his wife, Princess Charlene, meeting the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in Monte-Carlo over the weekend for a special dinner. At the start of this month, Pierre Casiraghi, 38, and Beatrice, 40, who also share sons Stefano, eight, and Franceso, seven, welcomed their little girl earlier this month, naming her Bianca Carolina Marta. Her name pays tribute to two of the couple's family members, Paris Match reported, with Carolina being a nod to Pierre's mother, Princess Caroline. Marta, meanwhile, honours Beatrice's maternal grandmother, Marta Marzotto, an Italian fashion designer. Beatrice, who was once crowned the 'most stylish European royal' by Tatler, is the daughter of Italian aristocrat Don Carlo Ferdinando and married into the Monaco royal family in 2015. She tied the knot with Pierre, the youngest child of Princess Caroline and grandson of the late Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, in a lavish wedding hailed as the 'chicest of the summer' by Vogue. Prior to marrying Pierre, Beatrice, whose family owns the Borromean Islands in Lake Maggiore near Milan, along with land in the Lombardy and Piedmont countryside, worked as a newspaper and broadcast journalist in her native Italy. Beatrice Borromeo and Pierre Casiraghi (seen in Paris, 2022) welcomed their third child and only daughter, Bianca Carolina Marta, into the world earlier this month On her wedding day in 2015, she wore four couture gowns, two by Valentino for a civil service in Monaco and two by Armani Prive for a religious service at Lake Maggiore. Her family still owns the Roca Borromeo castle, where the reception took place. She has since turned her hand to documentary making, and in 2023, she debuted the three-episode series The King Who Never Was on Netflix. The series focuses on the death of a German teenager in August 1978, which remains a mystery to this day. Elsewhere, Albert, 67, and Charlene, 47, met Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Prince Edward in Monte Carlo last weekend for a gala at Yact Club de Monaco, Tatler reported. Taking to Instagram, the Prince's Palace of Monaco shared an image of the group alongside the writing, 'Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene had the pleasure of welcoming Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh on their visit to the Principality. 'A meeting of respect, friendship, and warm discussions between Monaco and the United Kingdom. Both Albert and Edward, 60, put on a smart display in navy suits, while Charlene also opted for a fitted suit in a brown shade. Prince Albert and Princess Charlene (pictured left) joined the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (pictured right) in Monte Carlo over the weekend Pictured: Beatrice Borromeo at the Dior Cruise 2026 show held at the Villa Albani Torlonia in May, 2025 in Rome, Italy Sophie, meanwhile, opted for a floral-printed blouse and a pair of summery white trousers. It comes after the Duchess of Edinburgh made royal history as she visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for a second time this month. Sophie, 60, spent four days in the African country during a secret high-security trip to 'shine a light' on the 'weaponisation of rape' and recognise the work being done to support those who survive horrific war-related sexual violence. During her visit, from Monday to Thursday, she said the issue of sexual violence must be allowed to 'get under your skin' as she met women affected by conflict-related rape in the region. She met women peacebuilders working at the grassroots level to highlight their work supporting local peace initiatives and witnessed the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict, particularly on women and girls. In 2022, Sophie, who is married to King Charles's brother Prince Edward, became the first member of the royal family to travel to the DRC. Her visit this month, her second, was at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. In April 2024, she was also the first member of the royal family to visit Ukraine since the conflict with Russia began in 2022. That October, she was the first to visit the Republic of Chad to witness the impact of the conflict in Sudan on women and girls. Sophie, who is committed to drawing attention to the situation of women and girls globally, has two children, Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and 17-year-old James, the Earl of Wessex, with her husband the Duke. The Duchess visited Beni, in the conflict-hit east of the country, and was visibly moved as a 16-year-old girl recounted being attacked by a police officer, while another woman described being sexually assaulted while fleeing rebel-held areas. She entered a tent close to a hospital and sat barefoot with the survivors, some of whom wept as they spoke. During a visit to the Panzi Clinic in Kinshasa, which provides care to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, she watched as a five-year-old girl underwent surgery by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Denis Mukwege. She was joined by Alyson King, the UK ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The duchess told reporters afterwards: 'You have to really question yourself and go 'how can we have reached a point where rape is just accepted as a part of daily life?' 'So it's horrible to hear their stories, but each one deserves to be told and each one deserves recognition, so I don't make light of any of them and I just wish we didn't have to hear them but it's important that we do.' She went on: 'I think you have to allow this issue to get under your skin. 'And there is only one way to achieve that, you really have to go and see it for yourself. 'You have to understand the environment in which people are living and sit with these people, where they come from, don't make them come to you, you have to go to them. 'And you have to understand where they live, the circumstances that they're in, what has brought them to the moment that I am with them and what their futures may or may not hold, and unfortunately what they might not hold is often the case.' Sophie then visited women who were survivors of sexual violence during a mass escape attempt at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa last year. The duchess walked along a narrow path littered with rubble to get to a safehouse where the women are being cared for. She sat in a small, sweltering room with two bunkbeds and heard women speak of forced abortions, marginalisation from their own families and the daily risks they still face. Mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has endured decades of war, displacing more than seven million people. Earlier this year, M23 rebel group, said to be backed by Rwanda, seized the cities of Goma and Bukavu in a major escalation of the conflict. Other rebel groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is linked to the so-called Islamic State (IS) group, have carried out deadly attacks in the region. Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway has moved to Italy following a difficult year for the royal family. The royal, 19, who is the son of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has reportedly moved to Milan to live with his girlfriend, Amalie Giver Macleod, according to Norwegian outlet SE og HR. 'The prince is currently in Italy where he is exploring various opportunities, including in film and photography, with a desire to learn more about this,' press representative Sara Svanemyr told the newspaper. They are said to be living in a city centre apartment, a short walk from Bocconi University, where British-born Amalie studies. Prince Sverre's move abroad comes amid what has likely been a difficult year for the royals as his mother, Princess Mette-Marit was forced to cancel all her engagements for the month of October due to her pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis. The prince is also the half-brother of Marius Borg Hoiby, who has brought shame upon the royal family after he was charged with rape and sexual assault in August. He has vehemently denied the charges. Norwegian author and royal expert Trond Noren Isaksen told 9Honey that the move abroad by the royal could risk leaving the family short. He said: 'The result is that the total number of official engagements carried out by the royals has fallen by a fourth in ten years. Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway has reportedly moved to Italy with his girlfriend, Amalie Giaever Macleod. Pictured together at Princess Martha's wedding last August 'In order to remain operative and maintain their visibility the royal house will quite simply need Prince Sverre Magnus,' he added previously. King Harald, 88, has battled numerous health problems in recent years and, in April 2024, the royal household revealed they would be making a 'permanent reduction' to the number of engagements he completes. Meanwhile, in July, Princess Ingrid Alexandra moved to Australia to study at the University of Sydney - again appearing to leave the family 'short'. The future queen of Norway, 21, said she was 'excited' to become a student and was 'looking forward to starting my studies', in a statement shared on Instagram at the time. Norway's royals have also faced struggles since last August, when Princess Martha Louise of Norway - Haakon's sister - wed her new husband 'Shaman' Durek Verret in a controversial ceremony. The spiritual newlyweds, who claim to have first met during ancient times, married in a huge ceremony in Geiranger in Norway in August, witnessed by 350 guests. The union was mired with controversy - partly due to Verrett's views, which include believing that childhood cancer is caused by unhappiness. The couple faced further backlash after releasing a documentary with Netflix last month, which included racism claims against the royal family. The romance between Prince Sverre and Amalie was first revealed in February 2024, and they made their first public appearance together that May on Constitution Day, known in Norway as Syttende Mai. Prince Sverre's mother, Princess Mette-Marit, has cancelled all engagements for October due to her pulmonary fibrosis. Pictured with her son and Amalie at the wedding last summer They were then seen together at Princess Martha and Shaman Durek's wedding in Norway last summer. Last year, the royal household revealed he had left his childhood home in Skaugum to move to Trondheim. The prince is known to be passionate about photography and even set up his own company this summer, called Sverre Magnus Productions. The palace's communication manager Guri Varpe told TV 2 at the time that he hopes to use the experience to develop his skills and learn more about running a business. He's not the only member of the royal family to have demonstrated an interest in film and photography - as Queen Sonja has published books using her own pictures. In August, Marius Borg Hoiby was charged with 32 offences, including four rapes and assault, by a Norwegian prosecutor. According to Norwegian outlet NRK, this includes four rapes of four different women between 2018 and 2024, abuse against his former partner Nora Haukland, and several acts of violence against another former partner. On all occasions, Hoiby allegedly assaulted the women while they were sleeping and filmed the assaults. The assaults also allegedly occurred after Hoiby and the women had consensual intercourse. He has also been charged with making death threats, assaulting a public official, and violating the Road Traffic Act. Presenting the indictment in August, public prosecutor Sturla Henriksb told NRK that he will face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison following a six-week trial in January. Henriksb said: 'This case is very serious. Rape and violence in close relationships are very serious acts that can leave lasting traces and destroy lives.' Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Marius Borg Hiby, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the celebrations of Princess Ingrid Alexandra's Official Day at Deichman Museum on June 16, 2022 He later had his diplomatic passport revoked, according to reports, shortly after he enjoyed a five-day holiday in Portugal with his stepfather Prince Haakon and with his half-brother Prince Sverre Magnus. The case was top news in Norway, where the royals are popular. Crown Prince Haakon told NRK in November: 'Today, of course, we are thinking of all those affected. The prince also said the police and legal system should now 'be given room to do their job', which he 'trusts' will be done in a 'good way'. In an interview with NRK, Norway's public broadcasting group on Christmas day, the Crown Princess said: 'If I had to choose one word for this year, it would be challenging.' 'It has been a demanding year and a demanding autumn for us,' Princess Mette-Marit added. Following the incident, Hiby became the first ever royal family member to have been charged with a crime and is no longer publicly listed as part of the Scandinavian household. The claims have taken a hit on the royal family, with backing for the household falling from 81 percent in 2017 to 62 percent last September. We all know the feeling of standing in tedious airport security lines, frantically rummaging through bags and scrambling to pour liquids into fiddly 100ml containers. More often than not, many of our toiletry essentials end up in the trash after being found to be ever so slightly over the limit. But there may be a way to save yourself the security line headache - whether jetting off on a family vacation or business trip. The latest ingenious - and inexpensive - hack is being hailed all over the internet as a game changer in transforming packing for short trips. Travelers are ditching expensive travel sized bottles, environmentally damaging plastic bags and time consuming decanting all for a humble contact lens case. Tiny, TSA compliant and spill proof, the refillable contact solution cases are designed to hold between five and 10ml of liquid either side. This means that frequent flyers can fit a suitable amount of anything from moisturizer and foundation to medication and vitamins. For those who already wear contacts, there are probably an excessive amount laying around at home begging to be repurposed. Getting through the TSA lines at airports can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to two hours at peak times, according to recent Quora responses (stock image) And, for those unburdened by poor eyesight, you can simply grab a couple of cases online or at your local chemists for just a couple of bucks. Getting through the TSA lines at airports can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to two hours at peak times, according to recent Quora responses. The nifty hack is being shared after the Transportation Security Administration made a massive upgrade to its TSA PreCheck program in 15 airports across America, which will make the security process much faster. TSA PreCheck is a paid service for 'low-risk travelers' that offers 'a smoother experience at the airport security checkpoint,' per its website. Once you're approved, it allows you to use a separate security line at the airport that's usually much shorter. It also comes with a slew of perks like not having to remove belts or light jackets and keeping laptops and liquids in carry-on bags. Now, the administration has announced that it has added a new feature in certain airports for travelers with PreCheck that will speed up the process even more. Before, those with PreCheck had to pull up their boarding pass and show that it had the PreCheck indicator on it before entering the line. But now, in select airports, travelers with PreCheck won't have to show anything except for their face, making for a seamless and speedy experience. Travelers are ditching expensive travel sized bottles, environmentally damaging plastic bags and time consuming decanting all for a humble contact lens case (stock image) Called TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, it's designed to 'enhance the security screening process.' Elsewhere, the TSA recently issued a warning to travelers about foods that could be confiscated before getting on board a flight. The official travel administration recently shared a post to X (formerly Twitter) about which popular snack was allowed through security. 'Here's a breakfast travel tip: We don't suggest leaving this delicious pastry behind,' it read. 'Donuts are good to go in carry-on or checked bags, no matter what toppings you choose. How many you decide to bring is up to you.' It paired the tweet with a picture of Homer Simpson eating a donut in the airport. Along with the post, the TSA also included a link to all the rules about taking foods and drinks on board. Each item was listed alongside the corresponding guidelines as well as whether they were allowed in a carry-on or checked baggage. It addressed a whole host of items - from alcohol and pizza to breast milk and live lobster. President Donald Trump made yet another comment about Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's lips this week - as he told the press that the 28-year-old would 'never' be replaced. Trump made the comments about Leavitt's 'machine gun' lips as Air Force one departed from Israel on Monday following the release of the 20 living hostages held in Gaza following the Hamas terror attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 as part of the Middle East peace deal. He spoke in the Knesset for more than an hour as he declared the 'long and painful nightmare' was over for Israelis and Palestinians and called for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be pardoned ahead of an upcoming corruption trial. And, after getting back on board Air Force One heading to Egypt to meet with other world leaders, Trump spoke to the press gaggle for 15 minutes, where he went from talking about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Leavitt's pout, according video obtained by The Daily Beast. 'How's Karoline doing? Is she doing good? Should Karoline be replaced?' Trump asked one reporter. 'That's up to you, sir,' the reporter responded. 'It'll never happen,' Trump said, as some in the gaggle praised the Press Secretary. 'That face... and those lips, they move like a machine gun, right?' he added. President Donald Trump made yet another comment about Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt 's lips this week - as he told the press that the 28-year-old would 'never' be replaced Trump made the comments about Leavitt's 'machine gun' lips as Air Force one departed from Israel on Monday following the release of the 20 living hostages held in Gaza following the Hamas terror attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 as part of the Middle East peace deal 'How's Karoline doing? Is she doing good? Should Karoline be replaced?' Trump asked one reporter It's not the first time that the President has compared Leavitt's lips to that of a machine gun, either. He made the analogy during an August interview with Newsmax. 'She's become a star. It's that face. It's that brain. It's those lips, the way they move,' Trump said at the time. 'They move like she's a machine gun,' the President continued. Leavitt has been working with Trump for many years. She initially joined the office of presidential correspondence, helping process and reply to incoming mail, after graduating from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire in 2019. From there she joined the communications team under McEnany towards the end of Trump's first term. When he left office she went to work for high-profile New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, before making her own run for Congress in New Hampshire, the state where she grew up scooping ice cream at her parents' store. 'She's become a star. It's that face. It's that brain. It's those lips, the way they move,' Trump said at the time When he left office she went to work for high-profile New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, before making her own run for Congress in New Hampshire, the state where she grew up scooping ice cream at her parents' store Her effort to become the youngest woman ever elected to Congress fell 15,000 votes short in the 2022 midterms, when an expected red wave failed to materialize. She was back in the Trump fold within weeks, joining an allied group before linking up with the campaign itself earlier this year, becoming Trump's national press secretary and quickly becoming a fixture on television. Since taking the helm as Press Secretary, she has not been afraid to take on members of the media during her press conferences, like CNN's Kaitlan Collins. Leavitt is also a mom to one-year-old son, Nicholas Robert, whom she welcomed with husband Nicholas Riccio, 59, last July. The youngest press secretary in American history has largely kept her private life out of the spotlight, but revealed that she met her husband during her congressional campaign in 2022. She opened up in an interview with Megyn Kelly about how the romance first began, sharing: 'I met my husband during my Congressional Campaign. A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband. 'I was speaking. We met and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love.' The Megyn Kelly Show host then asked if there had been any thought in her mind of 'I can't date him, he's 59 and I'm 27?' Leavitt is also a mom to one-year-old son, Nicholas Robert, whom she welcomed with husband Nicholas Riccio, 59, last July The political aide continued about her husband: 'He's built a very successful business himself so now he's fully supportive of me building my success in my career Leavitt confirmed that she had dealt with those initial doubts about how the 32-year age gap would impact the relationship - but so far, things seem to be going well. 'Yes, of course. I mean it's a very atypical love story but he's incredible,' she gushed. 'He is my greatest supporter, he's my best friend and he's my rock.' The political aide continued: 'He's built a very successful business himself so now he's fully supportive of me building my success in my career. The couple got engaged on Christmas Day in 2023. Queen Camilla welcomed Peter Rabbit to Clarence House today to celebrate the milestone anniversary of the BookTrust charity. The fictional children's character arrived at her London residence on Tuesday to mark the 100th anniversary of the UK's largest children's reading charity, of which Her Majesty is patron. The Queen, 78, seemed to be in high spirits, as she beamed alongside Peter Rabbit, who was wearing a BookTrust sash along with his famous blue waistcoat for the A-list literary reception. Queen Camilla also greeted friends and supporters of BookTrust, including the President of the organisation, Sir Michael Morpurgo; Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and authors Dame Floella Benjamin, Richard Osman, Sir Philip Pullman, Dame Julia Donaldson, and Malorie Blackman. Introduced to the large-than-life animal, Camilla enthusiastically shook his hand and happily posed for pictures with the famous rabbit from Beatrix Potter's story books. It was a fitting tribute to the charity that has provided a book from the series for every child in the UK before their first birthday through their programme Bookstart Baby. This year's book, a brand new Peter Rabbit title called Four Happy Bunnies, has been created exclusively for the scheme. It will be gifted to around half a million babies and their families across the UK to encourage them to start reading as part of BookTrust's collaboration with publisher Penguin Random House Children's. Queen Camilla is pictured beaming next to Peter Rabbit at an event at Clarence House today as she poses with the new book, Four Happy Bunnies Queen Camilla was also seen chatting to Thursday Murder Club author Richard Osman to mark the 100th anniversary of BookTrust Queen Camilla was pictured wearing a blue dress as she was seen posing next to Peter Rabbit In an off-the-cuff speech, Camilla spoke about how society needs to encourage young people more than ever to read, given the march of modern technology. Cutting a cake, she added: 'Can I say happy 100th birthday to everybody involved in BookTrust? 'I wouldn't be standing here now if I hadn't been read to as a child. We were read to by my father every night and it just shows how important it is. It's lodged in my very small brain forevermore. 'But the job you are doing is ensuring that a great deal of children are going to have the same experience and enjoy reading all their lives. 'Especially in this day of phones, a lot of children aren't reading as much as they should be. The statistics show it is even more important now to start them at an early age and get them reading all the way through their lives.' Queen Camilla put her best fashion foot forward for the event and donned a long-sleeved navy blue embroidered dress with sheer tights and black pointed kitten heels. She wore her blonde tresses in her signature wavy blowdry and paired her look with chic pearl drop earrings and her blue Van Cleef & Arpels clover bracelet. Sir Michael said of her involvement: 'It's huge. The one thing books have always struggled with are getting supporters in the right place. And you can't get any higher than a head of state. The royal was seen shaking hands with the children's character at the milestone literature event today Sir Michael Morpurgo was seen holding up a pile of books inside Clarence House today Queen Camilla was snapped engaging in conversation with Lady Clare Morpurgo during the reception Camilla also spoke to Ann Graham from the Association of Directors of Children Services The royal beamed as she laughed with children's author Nadia Shireen at the reception today Queen Camilla with Diana Gerald and Annie Crombie (right) were pictured celebrating the centenary of BookTrust 'The two of them have been hugely supportive of the important things in life, whether it is the environment or literature. They fight the good fight and I really appreciate that. It's really good for the country because they realise those two people care about our lives. 'It also helps hugely with children's' literature particularly. The Queen has really taken it to heart. 'She loved books when she was young and she has chosen to focus her enthusiasm on this. We have someone is who our champion and fight the cause. And we need that both here and in the government. 'She is not backwards in coming forward with what she thinks and people respect that. We have a great champion on our side.' Speaking about the importance of getting children to read from a young age in the face of technology, he said: 'Nowadays there is always something more immediate, that's the problem. 'It has to happen when they are very young. I am lucky enough to be a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather. I have seen it through the generations. And one thing I know for sure is that if mum and dad read a book to a one-year-old child and read often enough, then that book becomes a conduit between them. 'Something they share together. And when you share something with someone you love most in the world, that imprints itself on you when you are growing up and it's easier to then for a teacher later on to introduce other books. If you have that regular sowing of the seed, then it's so important.' The War Horse author said his own mother read to him and his brother 'religiously' every night. 'She was wonderful but when I went to school, books suddenly became a worry because they were all about learning and spelling tests. And, in those days, you got stood in the corner, which was deeply humiliating, and that put me off. 'I was lucky, I had one or two teachers who resuscitated what my mother had set going.' He added: 'We exaggerate the perils of technology too much. When I was a child they said television would kill literature. It goes through phases of being more popular and less popular. 'These things distract; we have always had distractions. But we have BookTrust who have been here for 100 years and seen parents and teachers through all these things. We shouldn't lose heart. 'We have some of the best writers we have ever had. We need to focus on parents who start the habit going. ' As an avid reader, the Queen has a strong interest in highlighting the importance of literacy. She became Patron of BookTrust in 2011, succeeding the late Duke of Edinburgh. Alongside their book-gifting programmes, BookTrust works across the UK with partners from libraries and schools to local authorities and community hubs to provide advice and resources designed to encourage reading, aiming to embed it as a core part of early childhood. A Harvard-trained doctor has revealed eight things he does every morning to look after his gut health in a viral Instagram post. Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, from California in the US, regularly shares advice to his more than 1.3 million followers on the platform. In the recent clip, which has amassed 1,469 likes, he revealed things he does that he'd recommend others start doing too. The first thing he does, he says is 'drink water before coffee' because it 'rehydrates after sleep and kick-starts digestion'. Getting morning sunlight in the first hour of waking, is the second thing he does, which he wrote, 'resets your body clock and boosts serotonin for better digestion.' The body clock, also known as circadian rhythm, is the internal system that regulates sleep, temperature and hormone release. Previously a study found daylight in the morning led to an improvement in circadian rhythms of cortisol a stress hormone released when the body's in 'fight-or-flight'. Other research has shown higher cortisol levels causes inflammation which can cause gut problems like irritable bowel syndrome. In a recent clip, Dr Saurabh, a Harvard-trained gastroenterologist shared eight daily habits to improve your gut health Dr Sethi also does 'two to three minutes of deep belly breathing before breakfast' which he explained 'activates the vagus nerve and calms the gut-brain axis'. The vagus nerve sends signals from the gut to the brain, and the gut-brain axis is the connection between the two. While he didn't specify what type of deep breathing he does, it typically involves slowly expanding your abdomen rather than your chest when inhaling. The fourth habit he hailed is eating foods that contain prebiotics like slightly green bananas and oats for breakfast. Prebiotics are compounds found in foods that help healthy bacteria grow in your gut microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome has the right types of bacteria thriving together to support digestion, the immune system and even mental health. Green bananas are rich in starch and pectin, two types of fibre that act as prebiotics, helping promote a health gut microbiome. The fifth thing he does is include 'protein and fibre' in his breakfast, which 'balances blood sugar and fuels gut microbiome'. The leading gut health expert revealed he eats Greek yoghurt with berries to get healthy protein and fibre He does this by eating 'Greek yogurt with berries, chia or flax' and 'eggs with veggies and kefir/lassi drink'. Kefir, a type of milk and lassi, a type of yoghurt, are both fermented drinks that contain probiotics which are good for your gut. His sixth habit is to 'eat without screens' which he says he does because 'eating activates the parasympathetic system and scrolling triggers the sympathetic system'. The parasympathetic system, is behind what is known as 'rest-and-digest', which calms the body down to allow digestion. Meanwhile, the sympathetic system is responsible for the 'fight or flight response' which can be triggered by screens. According to the NHS these are two different branches of the nervous system, so we cannot be in both at the same time. Previously Chinese researchers also found screen use while eating lowers intuitive eatingthe process of listening to your body's cues like hunger and fullness. Meanwhile, he also takes a walk after breakfast each morning 'to help aid digestion and reduce post-meal bloating'It 'makes makes a difference', said Dr Sethi. In the recent post, he said to carry out a stool check daily, which can tell a lot about your gut health Dr Sethi also checks his stool each day, looking at 'colour, shape and ease', he explained. He uses the Bristol Stool Chart, which classifies stools into seven types depending on form and consistency, to assess bowel movements. The chart, which can be found online was developed in the UK by NHS medics in order to help doctors identify digestive or bowel issues. Type one refers to hard difficult refers to hard, difficult to pass stools, while type seven to liquid or watery bowel movements. 'Aim for Bristol three to four,' advises Dr Sethi. As a final tip, he suggests picking two to three of these daily habits to start with before adding more in over time. Just last month, in another post, Dr Sethi urged people to spend less time on the toilet to avoid a painful health condition. He explained: 'Extra sitting time increases pressure on the rectal veins, which means higher risk of haemorrhoidsso keep it to less than five minutes.' This unfortunate complication, also known as piles, is when lumps grow inside and around the anus and rectum. However, many social media users commenting on the video ironically said they were watching it while on the toilet. One user wrote, 'I scrolled to this vid while on the loo', followed by laughing emojis, while another wrote 'me watching this in the washroom'. But it's no laughing matterearlier this month a study confirmed that using a smartphone on the toilet can almost double your chance of haemorrhoids. Drug users have found a dangerous and cheap way to get a high that is fueling a surge in HIV diagnoses. Called 'bluetoothing', the practice involves injecting yourself with the blood of another drug user in an effort to share in their high. Already common in Fiji, the practice has driven an 11-fold surge in HIV cases on the Pacific island nation in just a decade. And in South Africa, where about 18 percent of drug users are estimated to use the method, it has also been linked to high HIV cases among drug users. There are now concerns that the practice, also known as 'flashblooding', could come to the US, where the rate of new HIV diagnoses has dropped 12 percent over the last four years. Dr Brian Zanoni, a drugs expert at Emory University, warned: 'In settings of severe poverty, it's a cheap method of getting high with a lot of consequences. 'You're basically getting two doses for the price of one.' About 47.7million Americans aged 12 years or older report using an illicit drug within the last month, estimates suggest, equivalent to around 17 percent of the population. While 1.13million Americans are living with HIV. A preacher talks to drug users in Philadelphia in 2023 as good Samaritans distribute food and warm clothing for those affected by the drug epidemic and homelessness (file image) Your browser does not support iframes. The US drug epidemic has slowed in recent months, however, amid a crackdown on drug trafficking by the Trump administration. Overdose fatalities have dropped nearly 24 percent over the 12 months to April 2025, the latest available, with an estimated 76,516 fatalities, compared to an estimated 101,363 fatalities over the previous year-long period. It is not clear whether bluetoothing is already taking place in the US, but some experts have warned that addicts may be put off. They say that one reason the practice is not more widespread is that it tends to deliver users with a diminished high. It often is not clear how much of a high those who infuse themselves with another drug users blood receive, with this potentially being no different to a placebo effect. Catharine Cook, the executive director of Harm Reduction International, a nonprofit based in the UK, told the New York Times: 'It's the perfect way of spreading HIV. 'Its a wake-up call for health systems and governments, the speed with which you can end up with a massive spike of infection because of the efficiency of transmission.' In Fiji, in 2014 the country had fewer than 500 people living with HIV, but by 2024 this number had surged to approximately 5,900. In the same year, the Pacific island nation recorded 1,583 new cases of HIV, equivalent to a 13-fold increase on its usual five-year average. About half of all new infected patients said they had been sharing needles. The above shows drug overdose deaths by year in the US The above shows the percent change in drug overdose deaths from April 2024 to April 2025 Kalesi Volatabu, executive director of the non-profit Drug Free Fiji, described to the BBC the moment that she witnessed the practice firsthand. 'I saw the needle with the blood, it was right there in front of me,' she said. 'This young woman, she'd already had the shot and she's taking out the blood, and then you've got other girls, other adults, already lining up to be hit with this thing.' She added: 'It's not just needles they're sharing, they're sharing the blood.' Estimates suggest about 33.5 percent of drug users in the US share needles, which also poses a risk of transmitting HIV. Experts warn that the virus, alongside other diseases such as hepatitis, can get onto the needle if it is used by an infected person, and then be transferred to another individual who also uses the same needle. In general, HIV rates in the US have fallen since 2017. However, due to disruptions in care in 2020 from the Covid pandemic, which means HIV cases were likely missed, new diagnoses have been slightly increased. According to the CDC, in the US and its associated territories, there were 39,201 new HIV diagnoses in 2023, the latest data available. This is an increase from the 37,721 new cases in 2022. Of the 2023 cases, the newest CDC report on HIV shows 518 diagnoses were associated with intravenous drug use. Experts emphasize that HIV is no longer a death sentence, saying that there are drugs available that can slow the virus' replication and allow someone infected to live a full and normal life. The practice of bluetoothing was first recorded in Tanzania around 2010, where it quickly spread from the country's inner city to the suburbs. In Zanzibar, a tourism haven in the nation where the practice took hold, researchers found HIV rates were up to 30 times higher than those recorded in the mainland. It has also been recorded in Lesotho, a small African nation bordering South Africa, and Pakistan, where people have sold half-used blood-infused syringes. Getting into a hot bath after a day working from home, Sally-Anne Hawkins finally felt some relief from the pain shed been experiencing in her abdomen for some months. Her GP had prescribed medication for an overactive bladder, but this wasnt touching the pain. Shed also suffered from continual bloating and the need to go to the loo more often. But the bath was something she knew would at least help ease it. And thankfully, the constant ache subsided enough for her to think she could get out of the water and get on with work. However, just as she stood up and put one foot on the bathmat, a shocking pain in the left side of her pelvis came out of nowhere. I have never ever felt pain like it, says Sally-Anne, 38, an account manager for a printing company who lives in Hampshire, with husband Andy, 56, a warehouse driver. It was so severe I thought I might go into shock; on a scale of one-to-ten it was without doubt an 11. Managing to reach her phone, Sally-Anne called Andy to tell him to come home immediately. Fortunately, his work was nearby so he was back within ten minutes the same time it took for her to slide herself down the stairs to the front hall. When Andy arrived, she pulled herself up to open the door, then collapsed again in pain. You need to call an ambulance, Sally-Anne told him, before vomiting. Sally-Anne Hawkins, 38, had stage 1 ovarian cancer that was only spotted when her tumour ruptured At the hospital doctors thought she had a burst appendix, or perhaps a twisted ovary but a blood test and scans identified the cause: stage 1 ovarian cancer. Doctors said the action of twisting her body to get out of the bath pushed the tumour on her left ovary enough to make it rupture. While it might not seem so, Sally-Anne is one of the lucky ones the shocking pain of a ruptured tumour forced her to go to hospital for the tests that led to the cancer being diagnosed early. Yet early diagnosis is far from the norm for ovarian cancer. Of the 7,500 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, around 70 per cent are diagnosed at an advanced stage (i.e. stage three or four), when the cancer has spread into the abdomen, the lymph nodes or to more distant organs such as the lungs, says Dr Louise Wan, a consultant gynaecologist at Liverpool Womens Hospital. Sadly, this means around 3,900 women die of it every year. Cases are also projected to rise by approximately 5 per cent by 2040 due to our ageing population. Older age and having a family history of ovarian or breast cancer raises your risk as does having inherited certain genes. For example, faulty BRCA 1 and 2 genes are linked to an increased risk of developing ovarian (as well as breast) cancer. The problem is that symptoms can be non-specific: bloating, abdominal discomfort, a change in appetite these are all things we can feel once in a while without them being serious, adds Dr Wan, who is also specialty lead for research in gynaecological cancers for The British Gynaecological Cancer Society. They can also be mistaken for something else such as IBS or cystitis. It can make it challenging to identify, for both women and doctors alike. This rings true for Sally-Anne. In April last year my tummy felt heavy and bloated, like Id overeaten, she recalls. Except it didnt get better after a nights sleep or going to the loo. I figured Id put on weight and needed to exercise more but upping the amount I walked and using gym equipment at home made no difference. A month later I couldnt button up my jeans and people at work were asking if I was pregnant. Sally-Annes GP told her she had a gastric bug and just needed to rest. I told him it didnt seem quite right I wasnt being sick. But he was the doctor, not me, so I went home and got on with things, she says. However, a month later, other symptoms appeared: as well as the bloating (she was now living in loose dresses and oversized tops), she had intermittent pain at the top of her pelvis and needed to wee more often. Id go to the loo, finish, then need to go again, says Sally-Anne. She contacted her GP who diagnosed her over the phone with an overactive bladder. I was prescribed a weeks worth of the medication solifenacin to relax the muscles in my bladder, says Sally-Anne. I was totally unaware my symptoms were classic for ovarian cancer. Its a worryingly familiar scenario. Awareness of key symptoms of ovarian cancer is alarmingly low, says Dr Wan. Yet its knowledge that can save lives. Diagnose the disease before its spread outside the ovaries and there is a 95 per cent chance of survival, thats double the average ovarian cancer survival rate. With no national screening programme smear tests check for cervical cancer, not ovarian women must raise any red-flag symptoms with their GP and push for investigations, says Dr Wan. When to ask: Is it ovarian cancer? Dr Louise Wan, a consultant gynaecologist at Liverpool Womens Hospital, explains that there are four main symptoms of ovarian cancer, remembered by the acronym, BEAT: Bloating: As abnormal cancerous cells in the ovaries grow and multiply, this can cause ascites a build-up of fluid in the abdomen. Eating difficulties: Feeling full quickly and/or a loss of appetite. When ovarian tumours grow, they can press against digestive organs, making you feel full more quickly. Toilet changes: Needing the loo more urgently or more frequently, for instance. This can be due to tumours pressing against the bladder or bowel, reducing their capacity and leading to frequent urgency. If these symptoms are new, persistent or recurring (e.g. feeling bloated more than 12 times in one month), you should seek medical advice, adds Dr Wan. Abdominal or pelvic pain: The pressure of tumours can affect surrounding organs and tissues, causing discomfort. Other symptoms: Can include indigestion, back pain, extreme tiredness and unexplained weight loss. Advertisement A blood test that detects a protein CA 125 often made by ovarian cancer cells can indicate a high risk. But fibroids and endometriosis can also raise CA 125 levels so if levels are high youd be referred for an ultrasound, further blood tests, a CT scan or a biopsy to confirm its cancer, adds Dr Wan. However, Sally-Anne wasnt offered these checks until she was doubled over in agony in A&E (it is extremely rare for a tumour to rupture, as hers had). As she recalls: When I arrived, the nurse in charge took one look at me and rushed me through. I was given morphine for the pain and underwent the CA 125 blood test, as well as a CT scan of my tummy. Normal CA 125 levels are about 35 Sally-Annes was 5,555. In fact, the tumour rupturing had led to sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection which had contributed to her raised CA 125 levels. It took nearly a week for Sally to be told they thought she had cancer on her left ovary. She underwent keyhole surgery and the ovary was removed a biopsy confirmed she had stage 1 ovarian cancer. Sally-Anne was given the option of being monitored, or having a hysterectomy removing her remaining ovary as well as her womb to reduce the risk of it recurring. I went for a hysterectomy, she says. I have never wanted children plus the regular scans, blood tests and oncology appointments were becoming too stressful. The surgery, in May, revealed another tumour in her right ovary. She now has a scan every six months. The hysterectomy has pushed me into menopause, which triggers severe symptoms such as hot flushes and difficulty sleeping but Im on HRT to manage these. Sally-Anne is now getting back to some sort of normal. Shes free from pain, planning holidays, enjoying her job and spending time with her husband, nephews and niece. I know Ive been lucky it could have so easily gone the other way. Being aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer is something I cannot stress enough. Peptides are the new wonder ingredient in beauty products and health supplements. On TikTok, videos tagged #peptidetherapy have been viewed more than 20million times. And A-listers including Jennifer Aniston, Rebel Wilson and Serena Williams are receiving weekly peptide injections for a variety of reasons such as better skin, weight control and muscle recovery. Peptides are the latest buzzword in medicine, too, driving the multi-million-pound success of weight-loss injections such as Ozempic and Wegovy but scientists believe they could also lead to breakthroughs for everything from cancer and autoimmune diseases to deadly superbugs. But these genuine medical advances have created a halo effect for peptide products now being sold online as supplements, or injections offered by wellness clinics and salons (see box) marketed as longevity boosters or for better sleep, sharper minds and glowing skin. And because, technically, these peptides arent classed as medical treatments, experts warn that this is creating a grey area that lets unlicensed drugs slip through the net. A related problem is the illegal trade in peptides, such as the tanning peptide melanotan sold illegally online as injections or nasal sprays. It has been linked to serious side-effects including nausea, high blood pressure and changes in moles, and potentially increased melanoma risk. Earlier this year, a woman from Kings Lynn in Norfolk told the BBC she had ended up in hospital unable to breathe after having a severe reaction to the peptide spray. The problem is that the GLP-1 drugs [such as Wegovy] have given credibility to peptides of all kinds, says Aidan Goggins, a pharmacologist and expert in supplements. Social media influencers simplify that into peptide supplements, with the same results without injections. In reality, most peptide supplements cant survive digestion or penetrate skin. So while the marketing often sounds medical, the biology isnt there. Ultimately, if a peptide truly has medical effects, UK law treats it as a medicine. While peptides occur naturally in the body, artificial versions can be made in the lab (usually using engineered yeast or bacteria) And if it doesnt have medical effects, your skin or gut will just treat it as lunch with little benefit or effect. In short, when it comes to peptides, it can be very hard to work out whats legitimate and what is just hype or, indeed, potentially harmful. So what exactly are peptides and why is there so much buzz around them? Peptides are tiny molecules that form hormones or proteins: in our bodies they act like messengers, telling cells to grow tissue, repair bone or release hormones. While they occur naturally in the body, artificial versions can be made in the lab (usually using engineered yeast or bacteria). In the case of drugs such as semaglutide (found in Wegovy/Ozempic), the peptides mimic a hormone, GLP-1, which tells the brain when we have eaten enough. Another peptide drug, teriparatide, is used to treat osteopororis, strengthening fragile bones by instructing calcium and bones to re-grow. There are also peptide cancer drugs already in use. Some switch off the hormones that feed a tumour (such as goserelin or leuprolide for prostate and some breast cancers). Others calm the tumours growth signals so it slows or shrinks (octreotide or lanreotide for lung or pancreas tumours). There may be more soon to come. Researchers at the University of Southampton reported in Nature Communications this year that specially engineered peptides can boost the strength of someones own antibodies against cancer, triggering a more powerful immune attack. What makes peptides exciting is that they sit in a sweet spot their size and shape means they can target tricky areas of the bodys chemistry that normal drugs cant reach. For example, some new peptide drugs are being designed to mend damaged heart tissue after a heart attack. They also work very precisely, so often have fewer side-effects. Whats more, because peptides are natural to the body, they tend to break down safely. Be wary of skin repair injections While in medicine peptides are used to treat disease, the beauty world sells them as the next cure for ageing. TikTok is awash with peptide routines and glossy before-and-after videos. Beauty clinics advertise peptide facials and injections to rebuild collagen or reset tired skin. Peptides in skincare products are very different from those in medical treatments. Beauty peptides are tiny, lab-made fragments that mostly sit on the skins surface. Medical peptides, such as the peptides in blockbuster GLP-1 drugs, are usually bigger, more complex molecules that work deep inside the body (see main story). You will find beauty peptides in serums under names such as Matrixyl, Argireline or copper peptides. Dr Angela J. Lamb, an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, says some peptide creams and cosmetic treatments do work, but only on the surface of the skin and only with time. One of the first commercially available cosmetic peptides was Matrixyl, in 2000. Its now used as an anti-ageing ingredient in dozens of mainstream skincare lines, such as Olay, Boots No7 and The Ordinary. The lab-made peptide signals skin cells to produce more collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm and smooth. Improvements are modest rather than dramatic, but consistent across small studies. In one 12-week trial with 93 women, a cream containing Matrixyl significantly reduced fine lines and wrinkles compared with a placebo. University of Nottingham imaging studies published in 2021 have shown the peptide can penetrate the outer skin layer important for meaningful improvement to skin. Meanwhile, copper peptides often listed on labels as GHK-Cu deliver tiny amounts of copper to enzymes involved in skin repair and firmness. Theyre applied topically as serums or creams and are marketed for sun-damaged, thin or irritated skin. Research suggests they can boost collagen and reduce inflammation, though results are modest and depend on regular use. Argireline available since 2001 and often marketed as a Botox in a bottle can slightly relax the tiny muscles that cause expression lines. But the effects are mild and temporary says Dr Lamb. Any promises of instant wrinkle-removal or miracle anti-ageing are wide of the mark. Some salons now inject peptide blends, for cell repair. Topical peptides are generally safe, but once you start injecting them it becomes a medical procedure, says Dr Lamb. If theyre not handled properly you can get inflammation or infection. These should be done in a medical setting, not a beauty salon. She adds: Some peptides can improve hydration, texture and support collagen production, but theyre not miracle workers. They dont lift or rebuild the skin. People need realistic expectations. Advertisement But that doesnt mean theyre risk-free. And experts are concerned that the success of peptides in clinical trials is being exploited by private clinics and to sell products on social media. Many of the versions of peptides promoted by influencers and clinics are still experimental and have not been tested in clinical trials. Theres virtually no oversight of these products, especially when sold online or used outside medically licensed clinics, warns Niharika Duggal, a professor of immune ageing at Birmingham University. People are being offered peptide injections and supplements with no guarantee of quality, safety, or correct dosing. Without proper regulation and medical supervision, its a dangerous free-for-all. For example, some wellness clinics promote experimental peptides such as BPC-157 and TB-500. One of the most popular is BPC-157, a lab-made fragment of a stomach protein of interest for its potential to heal wounds and tendons. TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4, a natural protein involved in cell growth and repair, and is sometimes marketed online for muscle recovery or injury healing. But neither has a licensed medical use. Both are classed as research peptides and cannot legally be sold as a supplement or advertised to the public for a specific medical condition. Instead, wellness expressions such as repair, longevity, or metabolic health are used. Its easy to find websites selling BPC-157/TB-500 supplements. And these online products are where a real risk lies, says Aidan Goggins, a co-founder of lifespan specialist Kyros Nutrition. He adds: Unlicensed research peptides which have no official medicinal status, and therefore no quality control, can frequently contain impurities or inaccurate concentrations, and regulators warn that they can trigger immune reactions due to contamination, for instance. However, Haroon Shaikh, 52, from Nottingham, says taking experimental peptides via a private clinic has been life-changing. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with a benign tumour in his spinal cord. The surgery to remove it saved his life but left him with severe nerve damage, mostly on his left side. His left leg dragged, his hand was weak and numb and he also couldnt raise his right arm above his shoulder. My balance was shot, he says. Stairs were difficult and I couldnt run at all. His neurosurgeon warned that whatever strength he regained in the first year would probably be all he would ever recover, as nerve fibres repair and regrow slowly and scar tissue that forms over time can block further repair. Eighteen months later he was still struggling to walk steadily and felt stuck. An online search led him to the Healand Clinic in Leicester and to Dr Omar Babar, who offered experimental peptide therapy marketed as a bio-enhancement. The mix we used with Haroon includes BPC-157, CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin [all peptides], says Dr Babar, who is also a consultant in emergency medicine working at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Theyre synthetic versions of molecules the body already makes, designed to encourage repair and regeneration. Haroon started on a once-daily (self-administered) injection into his thigh five days on, two off, repeated over several weeks. He also made some lifestyle changes, such as more sleep, more exercise, vitamin D and iron supplements, as well as taking NAD+ (a molecule found naturally in all cells that provides energy) and CoQ10 (an antioxidant, also found in the body). Within months I was jogging again. Now, Im back in the gym and can run without thinking about it. His neurosurgeon later described his recovery as remarkable. Haroon believes it was the peptides rather than anything else that really moved the dial. But this is just one case. Were seeing promising improvements in patients with nerve-related problems, though its early days, admits Dr Babar. We need proper data. Anecdotes arent enough. Dr Babar, who is now setting up a small clinical trial, worries that the lack of regulation means people who are trying to do things properly get put in the same category as those who arent. Other experts concur. Professor Atul Malhotra, a sleep and respiratory specialist at the University of California, San Diego, who led research that found that another peptide, tirzepatide (used in weight-loss drug Mounjaro) eased sleep apnoea (which causes breathing to stop intermittently) by about 60 per cent, warns: These are not just salon treatments. Theyre complex biological drugs that need monitoring. The same pathways that heal can cause harm if pushed too far. Professor Richard Eastell, head of bone metabolism at the University of Sheffield, agrees. Timing and dosage are everything, he says, giving the example of the peptide hormone teriparatide used for osteoporosis which build builds bone and halves the risk of spine fractures in severe osteoporosis. If used incorrectly, the same hormone that builds bone can, if given continuously, break it down, he says. Yet Haroon felt he had nowhere else to go for help. I know it was experimental, but I did it properly under a doctor and it worked for me, he says. I just wanted my life back. Stepping into the floodlit square in Tel Aviv to address crowds celebrating the release of Israeli hostages, Ivanka Trump, once again, looked every inch the polished First Daughter. Yet this return to the political stage has sparked fresh scrutiny - not over her message, but her seemingly transformed appearance. Online observers were quick to comment on her noticeably fuller features, claiming her face looked 'puffier' and 'more sculpted' than before. Now, the Daily Mail has spoken to three plastic surgeons who all said this shift was likely due to recent cosmetic enhancements. The doctors, who noted they had not examined Ivanka, 43, in person, said she appeared to have had dermal filler injected into her cheeks and lips - procedures that add volume and smoothness to the face by plumping soft tissue beneath the skin. This, they said, could explain her more rounded contours. As for the puffiness, they said it could be the result of the short-term swelling that often occurs after filler injections, particularly before the material has settled evenly beneath the skin. The settling process that can take around two weeks. 'From the last time I saw her [in photos], I would say that her face does appear fuller than before,' Dr Scott Miller, a facial plastic surgeon in San Diego, California, told the Daily Mail. Ivanka Trump is shown above in January (left) while attending her father's inauguration and in Israel on Friday (right). Plastic surgeons suggested she may have received fillers in her cheeks and lips since January 'I am fairly confident that she had some filler, definitely in her lips, but also in her cheeks and the area below her eyes.' Miller said it was possible that Ivanka's public appearance happened before her fillers had fully settled. Fillers - some of which use hyaluronic acid - are a highly popular cosmetic treatment in the US, with about six million injections carried out in 2024, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). As people age, the face gradually loses volume and takes on a more drawn appearance. Filler is used to reverse this and make the face appear younger. Surgeons also suggested her creaseless brow was a sign of Botox use. The toxin paralyzes facial muscles to reduce the visibility of skin wrinkles. Botox and other neuromodulator injections are the most popular cosmetic touch-up in the US, with about 10million patients nationwide in 2024, according to the ASPS. These injections typically wear off within three to four months. Ivanka was in Israel over the weekend and into Monday to support her husband Jared Kushner, who is Jewish and helped finalize the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. Your browser does not support iframes. On Monday, she flew on Air Force One to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where she watched her father Donald Trump, who had pushed Israel to the table, sign the agreement. While it was a topic of conversation on the internet following the appearances, this was not the first time onlookers have made note of the First Daughter's seemingly changing face - she is no stranger to plastic surgery rumors. After appearing in November 2023 at her father's $250 million fraud trial in New York City, her more angular features ignited speculation that she had received a rhinoplasty (nose job) and either filler or implants into her chin and jaw. Doctors viewing photos of her at the time also said her lips were 'clearly enhanced with filler.' People who use filler need to get regular top-up injections because, depending on the type of filler used, they wear off after around six to 12 months - sometimes they can last for up to two years. Ivanka Trump is shown above at her father's inauguration in January (left) and in the Knesset in Israel (right). Surgeons told the Daily Mail her cheeks appeared fuller in the most recent image Speculation over her appearance also swirled in September 2024, when her chin and jawline appeared 'more defined than ever.' 'Honestly, I think she always looks great, and that she maintains herself really well,' Dr Normal Rowe, a plastic surgeon in New York City, told the Daily Mail when looking at Ivanka's most recent pictures. 'But, after viewing photos of her trip to Israel, I think she might have had some filler placed into her cheeks to plump them up. That is part of maintenance, however, and it is done tastefully, and not over the top.' Ivanka has never publicly spoken about the rumors, and she has not responded to the Daily Mail's repeated requests for comment. Ivanka Trump is pictured above Monday with her husband Jared Kushner at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt In an interview with the Daily Mail, Dr Masoud Saman, a double board certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City who specializes in facial rejuvenation, said 'it is impossible to know with certainty' whether someone has undergone any treatments or surgeries without their own disclosure. 'However,' he added, 'from a professional standpoint, Ivanka Trump appears refreshed, balanced and well cared for. 'In my opinion, her appearance suggests the possibility of carefully performed injectable fillers in the midface and lips, and perhaps fat transfer to maintain soft, youthful contours. 'There also appears to be evidence of [Botox] use to smooth the forehead and... muscles around the mouth, which helps elevate the corners of the smile.' Have you had the razor throat, hacking cough or the endlessly runny nose yet? If not, count yourself lucky. For everyone else, it seems, is coughing and spluttering and the numbers back that up. Cases of respiratory viruses such as colds, flu and Covid are already on the rise, with the number of patients testing positive for some common cold viruses up by a third in a week in England, according to the latest UK Health Security Agency report (based on data from hospital patient swabs). Meanwhile, hospitalisations from Covid increased by 60 per cent in England alone in just a month (from August 18 to September 18). And flu is starting to make itself felt: influenza A, the most dangerous strain, is already starting to do the rounds. The fact that Covid and flu cases are rising at a time when this years vaccination programme is barely under way is, admit health officials, concerning. This comes amid predictions that this could be the year when other respiratory viruses reassert themselves, having been dominated by Covid since 2020. So how bad is it likely to get and crucially what can you do to protect yourself? Of course, cases of colds and flu always start to increase at this time of year. The colder weather means we mix indoors, while the lack of sunlight and drier conditions mean viruses can survive for longer. But its the fact cases are increasing faster than expected at this time of year thats causing alarm. Certainly, when it comes to Covid, while the numbers are still low, theyre worrying so early in the autumn period, says Lawrence Young, a professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick. This years Covid variants (called Stratus and Nimbus) appear to have a new symptom: a razor-blade throat And the true numbers infected may be far higher than the figures show as our only handle on levels of infection is predominantly from tests in hospital, so were blind to the spread of infection in the general population, explains Professor Young. This years Covid variants (called Stratus and Nimbus) appear to have a new symptom, a razor-blade throat as well as the usual headache, continuous cough, runny nose and a fever. And they may yet prove to be more easily passed on than previous strains. There are also ominous signs that we may be in for a bad year for flu, based on what happened in Australia which has its flu season before the UK. This year they have had 403,848 confirmed cases. By contrast, in 2018 there were just 58,869. This suggests a worse flu season for the northern hemisphere too, although a lot depends on other factors, says John Oxford, an emeritus professor of virology at Queen Mary University of London. There is a third virus causing concern: cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which accounts for 450,000 GP appointments, 30,000 hospitalisations and 80 deaths of babies and children even in a normal year are up 33 per cent in a week. RSV causes cold-like symptoms, but typically leads to a fever and wheezing. While most people recover without treatment, it can cause serious symptoms in babies and older adults, and may prove fatal. Covid and the common cold are already here, but RSV normally takes off around bonfire night and flu at Christmas, says Professor Peter Openshaw, a respiratory physician and immunologist at Imperial College London. Prevention should start now. Its not that the common cold will pose a serious threat to most people although it can make you feel unwell the real fear is that the levels of all viruses could start creeping up at once. The risk is not catching all the viruses at the same time (highly unlikely, say experts), but rather that you could develop one after another, or develop serious bacterial complications. Which of these banish symptoms? With a new cold and flu season upon us, ADRIAN MONTI asked experts to assess a selection of the latest products that claim to ease the symptoms. We then rated them. SUDAFED PLUS SPRAY 10ml, 6.99, expresschemist.co.uk CLAIM: As well as xylometazoline hydrochloride (a decongestant)found in standard Sudafed blocked nose spray, this new version contains dexpanthenol, which the maker claims penetrates cells in the nasal cavity, to soothe and protect your irritated nasal lining. EXPERT VERDICT: Xylometazoline hydrochloride is a very effective decongestant and the effects last, meaning it only needs to be taken two or three times daily, says Ben Merriman, a pharmacist in Cumbria. The new ingredient, dexpanthenol, is a form of vitamin B5 known to support growth of healthy epithelium, the delicate tissue in the nose, which might in turn reduce inflammation. Like any decongestant spray, using it for more than a week at a time can cause rebound congestion meaning symptoms keep coming back as blood vessels in the nose become inflamed and less sensitive to the spray. 8/10 TONSTIX HONEY JELLY THROAT POPS Pack of six, 4.99, boots.com Tonstix are aimed at children with sore throats and dry coughs CLAIM: Aimed at children aged over two to help with sore throats and dry coughs, these soft lozenges on a stick contain honey and 15 per cent of a childs recommended daily vitamin C and zinc. EXPERT VERDICT: The idea here is to encourage children to eat, which can be a struggle if unwell, says Sultan Dajani, a pharmacist in Hampshire. The honey lubricates the throat, so it wont feel so sore when they swallow. Plus, the sucking causes saliva to flow saliva contains antibacterial compounds that might help fight the causes of a sore throat. But the vitamin C and zinc content is so small it wont make much difference. 6/10 BEURER SI40 STEAM VAPORISER 49.99, boots.com CLAIM: This table-top device allows you to inhale steam for fast and effective relief from cold symptoms. You fill it with 120ml water and can adjust the steam output. EXPERT VERDICT: Steam is very effective at relieving nasal congestion as it adds fluid to thick mucus, so it flows more easily out of the nose, says Dr Rachel Ward, a GP in Oxfordshire. This device works in the same way as a bowl of steaming water with a towel over your head but this feels safer. 9/10 NASORELIEF RED-LIGHT DEVICE 24.90, orthopulse.co.uk This red light device claims to reduce inflammation and ease discomfort CLAIM: This small plastic device (above) has two soft, silicone nasal probes attached, which you insert into each nostril. They emit low-level red light to reduce inflammation, boost blood circulation and ease nasal discomfort, the maker says. EXPERT VERDICT: With a cold, the nasal lining becomes inflamed, meaning it produces excessive mucus to fight the infection, says Anil Joshi, an ENT consultant at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. This device claims the red light will ease this swelling and so reduce mucus production, but Ive not seen robust evidence this would work, so its not something that Id recommend. 1/10 OLBAS BREATHE-EASY PATCHES Pack of six, 7, tesco.com CLAIM: These adhesive patches contain essential oils including eucalyptus and menthol to help children over three breathe more easily. EXPERT VERDICT: These really work, says pharmacist Sultan Dajani. When put on pyjamas or bedding, the strong scent opens the stuffed-up nose, so it feels easier to breathe, helping a child get to and stay asleep. I often recommend them. 8/10 BRONCHO 5-IN-1 MULTI-SYMPTOM ACTION COUGH SYRUP 120ml, 7.99, well.co.uk CLAIM: The maker says this syrup relieves five symptoms: dry or chesty coughs, sore throat, hoarseness and throat dryness. It contains marshmallow root and Icelandic moss. Broncho contains marshmallow root and Icelandic moss EXPERT VERDICT: Effective cough medicine contains ingredients such as paracetamol, phenylephrine [a decongestant] or guaifenesin [an expectorant, to loosen mucus so its easier to cough up], says Sultan Dajani. These are found in Night Nurse or Covonia, which would be more effective than this new product, which doesnt contain any such active ingredients. Theres no evidence marshmallow root or moss are effective at relieving cold symptoms. 1/10 STREFEN DIRECT CHERRY & MINT FLAVOUR SPRAY 15ml, 7.89, chemist-4-u.com CLAIM: This fine-mist throat spray can ease a sore throat for up to six hours, says the maker. EXPERT VERDICT: This contains flurbiprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) related to ibuprofen, which reduces pain and inflammation the fact this is a spray means itll be effective with few side-effects, says Ben Merriman. NSAIDs generally need to be used carefully by those over 65 as possible side-effects include stomach ulcers and high blood pressure. But this isnt an issue with sprays as the drug stays local. 9/10 VICKS VAPOBATH 425g, 8, waitrose.com CLAIM: These crystal flakes contain essential oils and the scent of menthol and camphor. Dissolved in a hot bath, they create soothing vapours say the makers. EXPERT VERDICT: Ben Merriman says: The ingredients create a cooling effect in the airways, so will help with a blocked nose. But the benefit would only be short-lived. 4/10 Advertisement When you are recovering from flu, your immune defences to bacterial infections are reduced, sometimes leading to pneumococcal pneumonia, says Professor Openshaw. Thats why hed absolutely recommend that if you are offered a Covid or flu vaccine, you should take it. Professor Openshaw points out that so far there have been around 800 hospital admissions and 40 deaths per week due to Covid. The annual vaccination programme in England kicked off on October 1, offering Covid vaccines to those who are 75 or over by January 31, 2026, and people in care homes. Its also available to those with risk factors, such as asthma. The jab wont stop you getting infected, but may reduce your risk of severe disease: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US reported that the 2023-2024 Covid vaccines reduced the risk of hospitalisation among older adults by about 50 per cent in the first two months after vaccination. The protection tends to wane after four months. Yet uptake of the vaccine was just 60 per cent last year disappointingly low, says Professor Openshaw, who blames reduced awareness of the seriousness of the disease. (The target is closer to 75 per cent of eligible people getting vaccinated.) He acknowledges vaccine fatigue and scepticism are also a problem. I have a cousin who lives in the US and, despite being hospitalised with Covid, is still refusing to be vaccinated because of worries about vaccine safety, he says. The vaccines are very carefully tested and monitored and are among the safest vaccines we have. Flu vaccines are available to anyone 65 and over, under-65s in at-risk groups (such as people with asthma), care home residents, children and pregnant women. It might be worth paying to have one if youve had bad flu in the past or if you live with or regularly visit vulnerable people, says Professor Openshaw. But does the flu vaccine make that much difference? Professor Oxford, who is booked in to have both his Covid and flu jab on the same day, says while in some years the vaccine is not as effective as hoped, this years formula seems to be more effective halving the usual rate of flu-associated outpatient visits and hospitalisations in the southern hemispheres 2025 flu season, according to an interim analysis of data from eight countries. Influenza A was the most common identified virus in both outpatient and hospitalised patients. This is a particularly lethal strain because it can cause especially severe symptoms, including high temperature and body ache and can penetrate more deeply into the lungs, leading potentially to pneumonia in adults. Some years are better than others when it comes to targeting flu viruses with vaccines, says Professor Oxford. Yet speed is of the essence as the vaccines take time to work. Professor Openshaw explains: In the case of Covid, it takes about three weeks to be fully effective although there is some protection after two weeks. This delay is because the immune system has to gear up to produce antibodies. RSV vaccinations are highly effective, but are currently only available to people aged between 75 and 79: a study published in The Lancet in December 2024 showed the jab reduced hospital admission rates and was 72 per cent effective at preventing infection in those who were immunised. Many of us have been surprised that the RSV jab was restricted just to these narrow age-groups and we look forward to seeing it more widely available in future, says Professor Openshaw. But if you arent eligible for a vaccine or have only just had it then some experts are again recommending face masks, especially in crowded areas such as public transport. A review of more than 400 studies published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews last year found that masks could help ward off Covid, as well as coughs and flu. Our review confirms that masks work, Trisha Greenhalgh, a professor of primary healthcare at the University of Oxford, who led the study, said at the time. The more consistently and correctly you wear a mask, the better protected you are. Respirators worn continuously provide even greater protection than ordinary masks. Masks help reduce the spread of respiratory droplets and aerosol; respirators, such as N95 and FFP2 masks, filter out smaller airborne particles and fit more tightly to the face, providing better protection. Professor Openshaw says he regularly wears a mask in stuffy crowded places, including on public transport. I wear a mask to avoid getting all types of airborne viruses, including colds and flu, especially if people around me are coughing and sneezing, he says. Most people are relaxed with you wearing a mask and it does help you avoid illness if you wear it correctly. Otherwise, nothing beats washing your hands regularly with hot water and soap, says Professor Oxford especially important if youve been touching surfaces used by many people, such as handrails. Viruses that settle on surfaces are easily transferred on to hands and then on to the mouth, nose or eyes, leading to viral infection, adds Professor Openshaw. Professor Oxfords advice is to take your time and wash your palms and fingers carefully. The CDC recommends if soap and water are unavailable, use a hand sanitiser with at least 60 per cent alcohol. Professor Openshaw says: Some viruses can enter through tear ducts which lead to the nasal cavity, so rubbing your eyes is best avoided. Environmental factors can also reduce infection rates, including good ventilation. While high-tech buildings may have built-in monitors to alert occupants when the air quality is poor, for the average home the best thing to do is open the windows for short periods every hour or so, says Professor Openshaw. Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a 10mg daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. According to a review of 16 studies published in Human Nutrition and Metabolism in 2024, vitamin D supplementation does have a modest effect on boosting the immune response and may be considered a way to improve the outcomes of respiratory tract infections. However, its ability to stave off colds isnt proven. Barrier preventatives (such as NasalGuard) can help block pollen, but dont work very well against viruses, says community pharmacist Sultan Dajani. Sprays that line the nose to stop viruses taking hold may not prevent an infection but can help reduce how ill you are. A 2024 study in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that nasal sprays, such as Vicks First Defence, which work by trapping, inactivating and helping to remove cold viruses from the nasal passages, could reduce days of severe illness caused by respiratory infections by 20 per cent. If you do come down with an infection, the standard advice is to rest, stay hydrated and stay at home while you remain infectious, which can be up to a week after symptoms begin. Simple paracetamol and ibuprofen can relieve symptoms such as headache, muscle ache and fever, without the need for the more costly all-in-one remedies, says Sultan Dajani. And antibiotics are only useful if you develop a secondary, bacterial infection (the virus can overwhelm the immune system allowing bacteria to take hold). The most important thing is to take in plenty of fluids to help your body fight infection, says Sultan Dajani. Illness can make you lose more water than normal and hinder the passage of immune cells around the body. Eat clear soups to up your fluid intake. Sipping regularly is best rather than taking a lot in at once as it prevents bloating and the kidneys from being overloaded with too much fluid. Pharmacies stock both Covid and flu quick tests which can show if you have these viruses in your nasal secretions with around 90 per cent accuracy. I use these tests when I or my family have symptoms which could be due to Covid or flu, says Professor Openshaw. Its useful to know so you can isolate for a few days, and is also reassuring to know if your nose isnt teeming with viruses. The message is simple: be prepared. Older smokers can still stub out the chances of getting dementia by quitting cigarettes for good, a study has found. Research at the University College London found it's never too late to quit after studying 4,700 smokers who stopped sparking up over the age of 40. They compared the group who quit to another group of the same number of participants who continued smoking. All those involved in the research smoked in the first six years and had the same brain health decline. They later found reduced memory capacity was 20 percent slower for those who quit over the next six years, while speech deteriorated at 50 percent. Researchers found that with each year of aging, those who quit would experience three to four months less memory loss and six months less speech decline compared to those who kept smoking. Their evidence was consistent compared to previous studies showing adults over 65-years-old who stubbed out the habit early or during midlife have similar cognitive scores compared to those who have never smoked. Non-smokers also have a similar risk of dementia a decade or longer after quitting. Research at the University College London found it's never too late to quit after studying 4700 smokers who stopped sparking up over the age of 40 The study found memory decline was 20 percent slower for those who quit over the next six years, while speech deteriorated at 50 percent The Vaping Specialist Operations Director, Jamie Strachan said: 'These findings send a powerful message: it is never too late to stop smoking. 'Every step towards quitting helps protect not just your physical health, but also your memory, focus, and overall cognitive wellbeing. 'Smoking damages blood vessels and reduces oxygen flow to the brain - processes linked to memory loss and dementia. 'By quitting, you can help restore healthy circulation, improve oxygen supply, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.' Consumer Campaign group We Vape Founder, Mark Oates said: 'This study shows how imperative it is to stop smoking, whatever your age. 'Each and every cigarette damages your entire body, including areas of your brain that affect information processing, memory, and attention. 'Age-related memory decline lowers quality of life and will affect millions of current smokers in the future.' Figures by the NHS show around 6 million people in the UK still smoke. Smoking also causes one in four of all cancer deaths in England and kills up to two-thirds of its long-term users. The Alzheimer's Society predicts up to 1.4 million people will be living with dementia by 2040, and forecasts that the cost to the UK will be 90 billion by then. More than nine in ten babies in the UK are born in hospital, but rates of home births are rising. Advocates say there are many advantages to delivery outside a medical setting: Youre in the comfort of your own home, theres little to no medical intervention and, in most cases, the mother not her physician, or hospital staff is in control. But home births are controversial due to the lack of specialised care at hand if something goes seriously wrong. Experts have long argued that the evidence about the risks of home births and the relative safety of hospital-based births is too often ignored by home birth advocates. Such risks have again been thrown into the spotlight amid a heartbreaking inquest into the death of a mother, 34, and her newborn baby who both died after she gave birth at home. Jennifer Cahill, from Prestwich, Greater Manchester, delivered her second child, baby Agnes Lily in the presence of her husband Rob and two midwives in June last year. She decided on a home birth after feeling 'unsupported' in hospital while delivering her son three years earlier. But Mrs Cahill, an international export manager, was at higher risk and both she and Agnes were soon rushed to hospital after suffering complications during the birth. Jennifer Cahill delivered baby Agnes Lily at her home in the presence of her husband Rob and two midwives in June last year Jennifer Cahill, 34, and her newborn baby daughter Agnes Lily both died in June 2024 after she decided on a home birth having felt 'unsupported' when her son was delivered in hospital three years earlier She died a day later at North Manchester General Hospital, while Agnes survived for three days before passing away. Around one in 50 women in England and Wales give birth at home, according to the NHS. In the US, almost 50,000 births took place outside of hospital in 2023, according to an analysis published in the Journal of Perinatal Medicine. According to Professor Dimitrios Siassakos, an honorary consultant in obstetrics at University College London Hospital, problems in labour arise far more commonly than many people think. He told the Daily Mail: 'The best predictor of risk during childbirth is previous pregnancies. 'Women with a previous uncomplicated vaginal birth have good chances of a straightforward birth without direct medical attention. 'But women embarking on their first childbirth do not have this advantage. They have high risk of complications, including stillbirth.' 'During labour, when intervention is needed, it is often needed there and then.' Mr Cahill had to phone for an ambulance in the early hours and accompany his newborn daughter to hospital Severe blood loss that can prove fatal known medically as exsanguination can occur in just 10 to 15 minutes in pregnant women, Professor Siassakos added. 'A baby can suffer brain injury from low oxygen in 10 to 15 minutes and die within 20 to 25 minutes.' Both emergencies, blood loss and oxygen deprivation, can be 'relatively common', he said. 'If they start when women are at home, the time to transfer them to a consultant-led unit for life-saving interventions can take too long, and in excess of the time needed to save mothers, babies, or both,' he added. Professor Bassel Wattar, an associate professor of reproductive medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, also told the Daily Mail that fetal asphyxia reduction in oxygen flow to the baby 'is difficult to monitor at home, unlike in hospital settings where continuous fetal heart rate monitoring is available to detect early signs of distress'. He added: 'If labour exceeds a safe threshold, timely access to medical support is essential for an assisted delivery or caesarean section. 'Shoulder dystocia when the babys shoulder becomes impacted due to larger size, also constitutes a true obstetric emergency. 'Even in hospital settings, it can be complex to manage. After being delivered at their home in Prestwich, baby Agnes was rushed to North Manchester General Hospital where both she and her mother Jennifer, 34, tragically died 'To support women in accessing their preferred birthing environment safely, there must be robust risk strategies and a Plan B in place, ensuring rapid transfer to medical care if complications arise.' National studies have also shown that just under half of women starting childbirth at home, who have not given birth before, need to be transferred to a consultant-led unit, because they do not progress, the baby is in distress or they suffer bleeding. 'The key issue is that families need to be aware of key statistics, before making an informed decision,' Professor Siassakos said. 'Homebirth does have many advantages, but these need to be balanced with the risks. Research also suggests around half of pregnant women in the UK will have or develop a complicating factor from high blood pressure to diabetes that makes a hospital birth advisable. According to the NHS, home births for women having their first babies can 'slightly increase the risk of serious problems' for the baby, 'from five in 1,000 for a hospital birth to nine in 1,000 for a home birth'. Professor Siassakos told the Daily Mail: 'An almost doubling in incidence of serious complications, including the risk of the baby dying, up to about one in a hundred previously healthy babies, is something that the families should consider and decide whether it is "slight" or significant for them.' The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does also not recommend a planned home birth if women have had a previous C-section, are carrying multiple foetuses or if the baby settles into anything other than a head-first position. Mrs Cahill had suffered a postpartum haemorrhage after the first birth a potentially fatal condition involving heavy bleeding. As a result she was advised to also have her second child in hospital, the hearing was told It comes as Rob Cahill told the inquest into his wife Jennifer's death yesterday that she opted for a home delivery after finding giving birth in hospital with Rudy in 2021 'highly stressful'. He said: 'There was no one midwife assigned to Jen. There seemed to be lots of midwives coming and going. 'Jen did not feel she had been fully supported. It was a tricky time because of Covid and there were lots of restrictions.' Mrs Cahill had suffered a postpartum haemorrhage after the first birth a potentially fatal condition involving heavy bleeding. As a result she was advised to also have her second child in hospital, the hearing was told. But Mr Cahill said noone had fully explained the risks to them. The couple believed that warnings to have baby Agnes delivered in hospital were based on the fact that Jennifer had suffered a Strep B infection with her son Rudy, who developed sepsis, he added. She thought it could be dealt with if it happened again. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust which runs the hospital has accepted that Mrs Cahill should have been referred to a senior midwife after deciding on a home birth so the dangers could be discussed. It described the home birth as 'outside of clinical guidelines' and says doctors had told her a hospital birth would be safer and preferable. Doctors in the emergency room are issuing an urgent warning to car passengers who get too comfortable in their seats. Many passengers instinctively prop their feet on the dashboard to sit back and relax during a road trip, often without considering the potential dangers of this seemingly harmless habit. But placing ones feet on the dashboard is extremely dangerous. In a sudden stop, the body continues moving forward with the car's momentum. If feet are on the dashboard, this can force the legs into a position that causes severe injuries like hip breaks, bone fractures and joint dislocations. Additionally, airbags deploy with tremendous force during a collision. If a passenger's feet are on the dashboard, the airbag can impact the legs with enough power to cause fractures, dislocations, and other severe injuries. The seat belt is the primary defense in a crash, but this safety measure is compromised when feet are on the dashboard. In this position, the seat belt cannot properly restrain the passenger, increasing the risk of being thrown forward. This can lead to severe head injuries, broken bones or even ejection from the vehicle. Feet on the dashboard also impedes a passenger's reaction time, preventing them from bracing quickly for sudden stops or obstacles and endangering all occupants. Feet on the dashboard prevents the seatbelt from properly restraining a passenger, dramatically increasing the risk of severe injury or ejection in a crash Your browser does not support iframes. Dr Solomon Behar, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Miller Childrens & Womens Hospital in Long Beach, California, told Parade magazine: I do a lot of driving on Los Angeles freeways, and one of the things that makes me cringe is when I pass a passenger who has their feet up on the dashboard. Placing feet on the dashboard fundamentally alters the passenger's posture and, consequently, the function of the seatbelt, creating a cascade of failure points in the event of a collision. Dr Behar added: [Sitting upright with feed on the floor is safest because] it allows the seat belt and airbag systems to function as they were supposed to, distributing the forces more evenly and actually reducing the risk of drying your legs and pelvis. During a frontal collision, the body will pivot at the waist and slide underneath the lap belt, which allows the lower body to thrust forward while the upper body is unrestrained, dramatically increasing the risk of severe internal abdominal injuries and spinal damage. As the car stops or slams into another vehicle in front, the head, torso and lower body are all thrown forward with the cars momentum, but the locked seatbelt restrains the torso. Meanwhile, the lower body continues to move forward violently. The knees, already pressed against the dashboard, become a pivot point while the dashboard stops the lower legs. The thigh bones are the long, strong levers that concentrate immense force on the hips and knees. This can lead to a fracture of the socket of the hip joint in the pelvis, which endangers the entire structure of the hip and often requires extensive reconstructive surgery. Based on 2019-2020 data, the most recent data published by the CDC, the rate of emergency department visits for car crashes varied significantly by age, averaging 11.6 visits per 1,000 people annually. The rate peaked at 19.1 for young adults aged 15-24 The long thigh bone can snap near the hip or just above the knee from the bending stress and the kneecap can be shattered as it is crushed between the femur and the dashboard. Dr Jacob Snow, a pediatric emergency room specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group in Las Vegas, Nevada, said: Cars are designed to protect passengers seated with their feet on the floor. It prevents the risk of your legs buckling or being pushed back into your face by the dash itself or the airbags. Additionally, many cars have special airbags designed to protect your legs. An airbag deploys at speeds between 100 and 220 MPH. If a passenger's feet are on the dashboard at the moment of deployment, the explosive force can drive their knees backward with enough violence to cause severe facial and head trauma. Dr Snow added: There is always some risk of being involved in a car accident every time you ride or drive. Riding with your feet on the dash adds unnecessary risk. The internet was divided over Donald Trump's Time Magazine cover today with many sharing the President's concerns the image makes him look bald. The magazine released their latest cover on Monday to celebrate Trump's signing of the Gaza ceasefire deal ending the two-year bloody Israel-Hamas war. While the President was largely happy with the content of the article, he complained the image chosen of him to illustrate it was 'really weird' as he claimed the magazine had 'disappeared' his hair. The image in question, described as 'super bad' by Trump, features his face from a low-angle with beatific lighting blocking out his hair which makes him appear as though he has a bald patch. Social media users were split over the image, with many people agreeing that it was a bad photograph the editors should not have used. 'There's still time to delete this,' one person said. 'This is preposterous,' added another. 'Come on TIME youre better than this. What a crappy photo. I didnt even know who it was,' said a third user. Others admitted they did not care for the story or Trump, but agreed the photo was unflattering and even found it comical. Social media users are split over Donald Trump's Time Magazine cover photo that the President claims is 'really weird' 'The story is meh but that photo angle is wildddd lol,' one person said. 'Lol thanks for the laugh,' added a second. 'Interesting photo choice,' a third person said. 'Yall did him so dirty with this angle lmao,' said a fourth. Some praised the staff at Time Magazine for using the photo, arguing the editors knew Trump would not like it. 'Glad they used this picture since it p***es him off,' one person said. 'Congrats only to the photo editor on this one,' a second person added. Several people praised the publication for publishing the story on Trump's accomplishment. 'Well deserved. He brought them home,' one said. 'The best president of all time! You could have used a better photo of him,' said another. The cover article, headlined,'His triumph,' is a glowing analysis of the President's Middle East accomplishment. However, the photo choice infuriated Trump who wrote on Truth Social: 'Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time. The magazine released their latest cover on Monday to celebrate the President's signing of the Gaza ceasefire deal 'They "disappeared" my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. 'Really weird! I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why? Some social media users pointed out the image showed Trump's right ear, which was pierced by a bullet when he was shot at during an assassination attempt on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. 'That right ear looks good as new!!' one person said. 'I find that right ear very well, well, well,' said another. 'That ear looks perfect!' added a third. 'His ear has healed very nice. Great Doctors,' said a fourth. Lawyers told the High Court on Monday that car manufacturers decided they would 'rather cheat than comply with the law' over vehicle emissions, as the largest class action in English history - dubbed the new 'dieselgate' - began. Over 1.6 million motorists are taking legal action against more than a dozen manufacturers over claims that several diesel vehicles produced from 2009 onwards contained 'prohibited defeat devices' (PDDs). Barristers representing the car owners claim that the devices allowed the vehicles to detect when they were being tested and alter the amount of harmful emissions produced so that they fell within emissions regulations. This allowed the vehicles to pass emissions tests when actual outputs were much higher, which a trial in London has been told meant the cars breached regulations, and therefore meant there was a breach of contract. The three-month case comes five years after a High Court ruled in 2020 that Volkswagen had installed unlawful defeat devices in thousands of its diesel vehicles, in a case that became known as the dieselgate scandal. The vehicles in the current claims were made by Mercedes-Benz, Vauxhall, Nissan and Renault, Volkswagen and Porsche, Peugeot and Citroen, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, BMW, FCA (the Fiat Chrysler Group now part of Stellantis) and Suzuki, Volvo, Hyundai-Kia, Toyota and Mazda. The High Court was told that car manufacturers decided they would 'rather cheat than comply with the law' over vehicle emissions, as the largest class action in English history - dubbed the new 'dieselgate' - began on Monday The cases against 20 'sample vehicles' made by five manufacturers Mercedes-Benz, Renault/Nissan, Ford, and Peugeot/Citroen are now being heard as part of the initial phase of trial. The main trial before Lady Justice Cockerill is due to conclude in December, but legal arguments will not be heard until March 2026. The manufacturers are resisting the claims and deny that defeat devices were installed in their cars, with lawyers for Nissan describing the case as 'fundamentally misconceived' and barristers for Renault saying the claimants were 'PDD hunting'. Opening the trial, Thomas De La Mare KC, for the claimants, said: 'What is really in play is an industry approach to calibration and technology selection over a considerable period of time.' He said that 'each player in the industry basically took a conscious decision that customer convenience, which helped the industry sell more cars, was more important' than preventing pollution. He added: 'They have basically said the concern about making these cars sellable by removing these inconveniences is so strong, it is so valuable, it is such an important decision or fact in any consumer's decision as to whether or not to buy the car, that we would rather cheat than comply with the law. 'The law supports our case at every turn, and it is because the defendants have not followed the law.' The main trial before Lady Justice Cockerill is due to conclude in December, but legal arguments will not be heard until March 2026. Protesters gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London on Monday VW is not one of the 'lead defendants' in the first part of the case beginning on Monday - although it is part of a larger group of defendants that could be affected by the eventual ruling with 115,232 Volkswagen Group vehicle owners part of the group action In written submissions, the barrister also said the manufacturers had put forward 'numerous improbable, even fanciful legal arguments' over whether PDDs existed in the sample vehicles. Those now taking legal action either bought, leased or otherwise acquired a diesel vehicle made by one of the companies, with most living in England and Wales. The other manufacturers involved in the claims will be bound by the ruling that follows the trial. The initial five manufacturer under the microscope are facing nearly 850,000 claimants out of the 1.6million total. Mercedes-Benz has the highest volume of owners represented in the entire class action, which is the largest on record in England and Wales. Some 374,774 Mercedes drivers account for more than one in five (22.9 per cent) of the 1,638,575 UK motorists being represented. BMW (238,454), Vauxhall (193,951), Ford (175,244) and Renault/Nissan (148,893) make up the five manufacturers facing the largest number of claimants. VW is not one of the 'lead defendants' in the first part of the case beginning on Monday - although it is part of a larger group of defendants that could be affected by the eventual ruling with 115,232 Volkswagen Group vehicle owners part of the group action. Your browser does not support iframes. While the ramifications of the trial could be costly for the wider motor industry, it will take some time for any compensation to reach claimants. A judgment is not expected until summer 2026. If the court finds against the car makers, a further trial to determine compensation payments to those affected would likely be in autumn 2026. In July last year, barrister Benjamin Williams KC told a hearing that the proceedings could be worth at least 6billion. The case centres around harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, which are controlled by an emissions control system. In his written submissions, Mr De La Mare said that a May 2025 report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found that excess NOx emissions had caused 124,000 premature deaths and 98,000 new cases of asthma in children in the UK and Europe between 2009 and 2024. The dieselgate scandal first emerged in September 2015. When VW admitted using these defeat devices, it led to the car maker having to pay more than 32bn (27.8bn) in vehicle refits, fines and legal costs How car makers responded Alexander Antelme KC, for Renault, said in written submissions for trial that the legal action was based on the 'false assumption that the features of the 'VW Dieselgate' applied across the entire automotive industry'. He said: 'The Renault core sample vehicles do not contain defeat devices or prohibited defeat devices, whether by accident or, as the claimants allege, deliberately to 'cheat' the emissions regulations. 'The latter allegation is without merit and untenable.' He continued: 'The claimants' case is riddled with errors and misunderstandings, especially about the design and operation of the vehicles' emission control systems. 'The features to which the claimants wrongly object are, in fact, appropriate and necessary elements of a well-designed diesel engine.' Neil Moody KC, for Ford, said in written submissions that the case was 'scientifically illiterate' and 'flawed on the facts and the law'. He said: 'Their case is not only that these vehicles were designed and marketed in breach of the emissions regulation; their case appears to be that these vehicles all contain PDDs as a result of deceit and fraud by all manufacturers. 'The inference seems to be of some sort of industry-wide conspiracy. The proposition need only be stated for it to be seen to be implausible.' The dieselgate scandal first emerged in September 2015. The US Environmental Protection Agency accused Volkswagen of installing software - known as 'defeat devices' - on diesel cars to lower readings of nitrogen oxide emissions. When VW admitted using these defeat devices, it led to the car maker having to pay more than 32billion (27.8bn) in vehicle refits, fines and legal costs. UK motorists seeking compensation in 2020 launched a High Court case against the German manufacturer to decide if it defeat devices had been installed. VW settled those claims without any admission of liability in 2022. The German auto giant agreed to pay 193million to the 91,000 motorists represented by law firms in the class action, which at the time was the biggest to be brought before the English courts. Volkswagen made a separate contribution to cover claimants' legal costs and other fees. Former chief executive Martin Winterkorn is also facing criminal charges for his role in the scandal. However, his trial was suspended on health grounds earlier this month. Four other former Volkswagen managers have stood trial and were sentenced for their roles in the scandal in May. Two receiving prison terms of several years for their role in the affair, while two received suspended sentences. I bought my husband suede mules from Marks & Spencer for 38. They were damaged, however, so I sent a message to M&S on social media site X to ask for a refund. I received a private message asking for my phone number and later received a call from someone who said they were from M&S. They asked me to download the money transfer app WorldRemit to receive my refund plus compensation. The caller said they would pay me 100 but, instead, took 200 from my bank account. When I realised it was a scam I contacted my bank, Santander, but it will not refund me. I am sick with worry as I cannot afford to lose 200. S.M., Sutton Coldfield. Prying eyes: A reader was scammed out of 200 after contacting Marks & Spencer for a refund over social media Sally Hamilton replies: Shoppers need to be increasingly wary of scammers posing as customer service staff. When trouble hits a firm, as happened to M&S following the April cyber attack on its business, there were plenty of chancers waiting to catch out unwary customers who needed to contact the firm over missing orders and refunds. When you wanted to return the mules, you approached M&S publicly on X (formerly Twitter). The scammers, seemingly watching out for activity on the retailers X account, were ready to exploit the situation. They sent you a direct message, which you tell me looked authentic, in which they asked for details including your phone number. I thought the generous compensation sum they were offering, which amounted to 62 on top of the shoe refund, should have rung alarm bells. But M&S had been sending out e-gift cards as compensation to some customers whose orders were affected by the hack upheaval, so it didnt strike you as out of the ordinary (though these were generally only for 5 or 10). You followed the instructions on the WorldRemit page where a message seemed to suggest you were being paid 100. But you received an authorisation notification from your bank Santander asking if you wanted to pay 100 to WorldRemit. You told the imposter, who was still on the phone: This tells me if I press yes, I am paying you 100 so you pressed no. The caller claimed, convincingly at first, that it was an error and asked you to try again. Scam Watch Households should beware of fake emails impersonating TV Licensing, consumer website Which? warns. Tricksters claim they havent been able to take payment for your TV licence as your insurer has declined the Direct Debit payment demand. The dodgy email prompts you to click a link to update your details. Do not click on the link as it will likely lead to a website impersonating TV Licensing which will ask you to fill in your personal details. Instead, forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk. When you received the same authorisation message from Santander, you again pressed no and hung up, realising finally the caller was a scammer. You received a text from Santander to say it had refused a payment request for a further 300. When you phoned the bank, you were flabbergasted that the two earlier payments for 100 each had gone through. Two days later, the bank told you this would not be reimbursed. You were upset by Santanders explanation that you had authorised the payments through Apple Pay. You say you have never used this app, although it is on your phone. The scammers must have hacked it. I asked Santander to investigate. After a few days, it agreed to refund your 200. The bank explained that while you thought you had rejected two payments, you had given the transactions the green light. Its fraud prevention system detected the third suspicious request and texted you a warning, which is when you hung up on the scammer. A Santander spokesman says: We have the utmost sympathy for anyone who experiences any type of fraud or scam. 'S.M. had approved two payments through Apple Pay under the impression she was receiving a refund. Unfortunately, this was part of a scam. Meanwhile, you have received your shoe refund from M&S back to the debit card you paid with. You have previously found X an effective platform for getting things resolved swiftly after complaints have gone ignored over phone or email. You were caught off guard on this occasion and plan never to reply to anything on X again nor download anything on request, even if it looks legitimate. Sage advice. Home Office won't pay my refund I am due a 624 refund from the Home Offices UK Visas and Immigration division for the Immigration Health Surcharge as I changed visas and payments overlapped. I have tried all avenues in getting this back over six months please help. K.W., London. Sally Hamilton replies: The Immigration Health Surcharge is a fee introduced ten years ago that most non-UK nationals must pay alongside their visas that allow them to live and work here. The charge allows them to have access to the NHS. The cost varies depending on the visa type. You explained how in October 2021 you paid 1,872, which was linked to your visa, covering a three-year PhD course. You made the payment from your NatWest International account, which you later closed in February 2023. Meanwhile, you married a British national and switched to a two-and-a-half-year spouse visa, which involved you having to pay another IHS charge of 1,560. Any payments for overlapping periods should be reimbursed within six weeks. But when no money arrived, you gave the department a prod. It confirmed the sum owed but you were told it would go direct to the bank account held on its records even though you told them it was closed. Both the visa department and NatWest said the payment would be rejected and returned to sender. This, NatWest said, would prompt an email asking you for up-to-date account details to which the payment would then be sent. However, no email arrived. After four attempts to escalate your request, you were told that the refund had already been sent and the case was closed. In August, NatWest said the money had been returned the same day it had been sent way back in February. I asked the Home Office to get its act together pronto and find your money. Some two weeks later you confirmed the reimbursement had finally landed in your account. Straight to the point My first student loan maintenance payment worth 1,573.11 was due more than one year ago but I still havent received it. I realised a few days after it was due that I had accidentally entered the wrong sort code for my bank account on the application form. No one has told me whether the incorrect account details I put in match a real persons account or if the money is now lost in the ether. G.M., Birmingham. Your bank apologises and has now found the missing funds, which have been paid to you. *** My account with energy provider EDF is some 12,519 in credit. I have been trying since July to get a refund or the amount adjusted to new readings with no such luck. I have recently had a smart meter installed and EDF should now have up-to-date readings but I still havent had a refund. T.Y., via email. EDF says prior to your smart meter being installed, you were billed on estimated readings. You have now been refunded credit based on your actual energy usage, your direct debit has been updated and you have received a goodwill gesture. *** After I returned to my rented flat from a three-week trip, my electricity bill was huge, which didnt make sense. My energy provider then found out my flat was wired up to the meter of a different flat in the building. I had been paying for someone elses energy. But my energy provider still hasnt billed me correctly. It previously said I owed more than 900 but now the figure is 630.83. I think I owe nothing, or very little. K.N., via email. Your energy provider apologised and you now owe 51.24, after a 300 goodwill gesture was applied. Luxe Collective has been bought by US luxury resale platform Fashionphile after it collapsed in the wake of a warehouse break-in. The San Diego-based company, whose celebrity ambassadors include Nicole Ritchie and Emma Roberts, will bring back Luxe Collectives founders to launch a new Fashionphile UK arm. Co-founder Ben Gallagher said he was excited about the prospect of opening a showroom in south-west London amid a new era for luxury fashion. The deal includes the intellectual property, customer database, and social media channels of Luxe Collective, which went into insolvency in May. This means the Liverpool-based second-hand sellers social media and website will be rebranded, including its Instagram account which has 650,000 followers. Luxe Collective was co-founded in 2018 by brothers Ben and Joe Gallagher in their parents house. The duo appeared on the BBCs Dragons Den series in January 2024 - where they received a 100,000 investment from Steven Bartlett for 3 per cent of the firm. But it shut down in May 2025 after struggling in the wake of a break-in in July 2024 at its warehouse in Ormskirk, Lancashire. Nicole Ritchie is an ambassador for US luxury resale platform Fashionphile Police never found the culprits, who managed to steal half of its stock - which was worth more than 500,000. At the time, co-founder Ben said that fighting to keep the business afloat had been the most painful in my life, and he had never been so mentally and physically drained, stressed and constantly anxious. The brothers will head up the UK business, with Ben as director of brand marketing and Joe as the director of operations. They hope to open a flagship - containing a stockroom and showroom, as well as an authentication base where experts will determine if goods are legitimate - in south-west London soon, in the style of Fashionphiles gigantic LA store. But the brothers said security measures will be tough and may include asking customers to show ID on entry. Ben Gallagher said the luxury industry - which has struggled in recent years due to a slowdown in demand in the US and China - was very exciting at the moment. He pointed to a raft of new creative directors, which include Jonathan Anderson at Dior and Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, and a boom in demand for pre-owned handbags. He added: Luxury fashion feels like it's in its new era again. Its like in 1997, when Tom Ford had just taken the reins at Gucci, Marc Jacob at Louis Vuitton. Its a new era, theres a lot of excitement and it will be completely different to what we see before. It is also the first venture into Europe by Fashionphile, which was founded in 1999 in the US but is little-known in the UK currently. It sells high-end brands including Chanel, Hermes, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Steven Bartlett (second from right) took a Dragons' Den investment in Luxe Collective founded by brothers Joe and Ben Gallagher (left and second left) and Oliver Millar (right) Sarah Davis, founder and president of Fashionphile, said: Luxe Collective has always been about more than resale. Ben and Joe have built a real community that connects with luxury in a fresh and authentic way. The hardships they faced last year were heartbreaking not only for Joe and Ben, but also their entire community. We could not be more thrilled to help bring a breath of life back into the essence of what Ben & Joe Gallagher started. This is about preserving their voice and giving it the resources to thrive on an international stage. At the time of the firms collapse, Ben also said the emotional and mental toll of the robbery ultimately affected my leadership & strategic decision making, and he made decisions that, in retrospect, I regret & I got wrong. But he told This is Money that the new firm would be going to back to its roots by paying 100 per cent for its stock up front after adopting a consignment model, where they sold goods on behalf of the owner and took a cut of the profits. The luxury industry is hoping for signs of green shoots this winter after even industry giants such as LVMH have seen sales plunge. Consumer appetite for pricey goods has dwindled after a post-pandemic spending boom cooled while Donald Trumps erratic tariff decisions has also put shoppers on edge. But Deutsche Bank analysts suggested in a note this month that the sector has reasons to be upbeat. Consumer confidence faces less obvious geo-political challenges in 2026, stock markets remain robust and housing wealth should recover, the note suggested. Online re-sale platforms have been some of the most high-profile casualties of the global luxury goods downturn. The New York-listed LuxExperience recently announced 700 job losses at its luxury website divisions Yoox Net-a-Porter, one of the big names on the UK scene, and at MyTheresa, a German business. And in December 2023, Farfetch, one of London's biggest names in the sector, was rescued from bankruptcy by South Korea's Coupang in a 370m bailout. Another well-known UK website, Matches Fashion, was abandoned this year after being rescued by Frasers titan Mike Ashley. Revoluts banking licence has reportedly been delayed by British regulators concerns over the lender's global risk controls. The digital bank first applied for a UK banking licence in 2021 and received a licence with some restrictions last year, taking a step closer to its eventual stock market listing. Revolut recently reached 65million customers globally and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has concerns about whether its risk controls can keep up with this rapid growth, according to the Financial Times. Bank of England officials who oversee the PRA have reportedly sought commitments from Revolut that it will build its risk management infrastructure to match its expansion plans. Without a full banking licence from the PRA and Financial Conduct Authority, Revoluts banking division is only allowed to hold 50,000 in total deposits. The usual mobilisation phase usually takes 12 months, according to the PRA, but Revolut has been at this stage for more than 14 months. However, this can take longer if it is for larger companies. Revolut co-founder Nik Storonsky has previously said a banking licence is top priority A spokesperson for Revolut referred to its July statement and said it was not rushing to meet a specific date. They added: We are progressing through the final stages of mobilisation and continue to work constructively with the PRA. 'Given Revoluts global scale, this is the largest and most complex mobilisation ever undertaken in the UK. A thorough review is an expected part of the process and getting this right is more important than rushing to meet a specific date. Last month, co-founder Nik Storonsky said that securing a full UK banking licence was Revoluts number one priority. At the unveiling of its Canary Wharf headquarters, it also announced plans to expand into 30 new countries by 2030 and reach 100 million customers. The digital bank has already secured banking licences in the European Union, through the central bank of Lithuania, and in Mexico. It has also been given the green light to set up a bank in Colombia, but further approvals are needed before it can start lending. It has also set its eyes on the US, reportedly weighing up buying an American lender to allow it to operate there. Read more: The best UK bank accounts Britains biggest homebuilders are urging ministers to reverse the recent hikes in stamp duty to help first-time buyers. The end of a temporary tax break in April saw the amount first-time buyers could spend on a house before the levy kicked in fall from 425,000 to 300,000. Bellway chief executive Jason Honeyman said he and other firms are now asking ministers to reverse the move and establish a deposit support scheme for first-time buyers to boost market sentiment. Warning that sentiment is low and needs a lift, he said: Can we undo the stamp duty costs that were imposed on first-time buyers in April. And can we have a long-term deposit support scheme for first-time buyers.' Bellway is urging ministers to boost sentiment by helping first-time buyers He added: Not every young person has the benefit of the bank of mum and dad or family financial help to support them. If we can have that support, which isn't big numbers at the bottom of the housing ladder, we think that will improve the sector and get the market moving. The comments came just days after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch made a surprise promise to scrap stamp duty on British people buying their main homes. Reporting a 21pc rise full-year profits to 221.9m, Bellway warned of weak consumer sentiment which has carried from late spring. This followed the rise in stamp duty and comes amid worries about further tax hikes in the November Budget. Customer demand has been affected by ongoing affordability constraints and uncertainties about potential taxation changes in the Government's Budget in November 2025, Bellway said. Mr Honeyman added: 'Bellway remains very well-positioned to continue delivering much needed high-quality new homes in the years ahead. 'However, supportive Government policy is essential for the industry to drive a meaningful and sustained increase in housing output. 'The Government must demonstrate its commitment to accelerating housebuilding by driving through planning reform and addressing the affordability constraints facing first-time buyers across the country.' Shares in Easyjet soared yesterday as it was caught up in a fresh round of takeover speculation. The FTSE 100 budget airline rose more than 11 per cent in early trading as investors seized on reports claiming global container shipping company MSC was considering a bid. MSC insisted this was not the case, saying it denies any involvement in this matter, and Easyjet shares gave up some of their gains. But they still closed the day up 8 per cent, or 37.2p, at 501.2p giving it a value of 3.8billion suggesting investors believe the airline is a takeover target. Analysts said the recent slump in Easyjet shares down around 13 per cent this year and still 60 per cent below pre-Covid levels has left it vulnerable. British Airways owner IAG was named as a potential suitor alongside rivals in the US. Rumours: EasyJet rose more than 11% in early trading as investors seized on reports claiming global container shipping company MSC was considering a bid Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at broker AJ Bell, said: Investors will now think long and hard about who might want to own Easyjet. That explains why the shares are still trading higher despite MSC denying any involvement. Whats more realistic is a rival airline bidding for Easyjet, potentially an American player looking to expand geographically, or IAG. He said that IAG is flying high after a delayed recovery from the Covid pandemic with the shares doubling in the past year. If ever there was a time for IAG to strike while the iron is hot, its now. Any bidder for Easyjet would have to win over founder and former boss Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who still owns a 15 per cent stake in the company. An approach would also put pressure on chairman Stephen Hester and chief executive Kenton Jarvis, who took over this year. Bernstein analyst Alex Irving played down the prospect of a deal with MSC. He said: The industrial logic in a combination between MSC and Europes second-largest point-to-point airline is not obvious to us. Reports of interest in Easyjet will fuel fears that it could be the next company to leave the London stock market following a wave of foreign takeovers in recent years. Neil Shah, an analyst at investor relations business Edison Group, said: Easyjet has been underperforming the broader airlines sector so its likely to lead to speculation of interest as the trend of lowly valued UK shares being picked off by foreign buyers is a well-established theme for the London market. More people are dying at the hands of drug drivers than ever before, and bereaved family members and campaigners are urging the government, police and health service to stop the trend spiralling out of control. Britain's drug driving epidemic has been laid bare in new statistics which show that almost one in 10 (9.1 per cent) fatal accidents involve people on impairing substances. This is a dramatic surge from the rate in 2022 (6.2 per cent) and a three times larger share than 10 years ago. The alarming figures, released by the Department for Transport, paint a picture of a growing drug driving trend which now sees more deaths among drug drivers than drink drivers. Some 189 dead drivers showed traces of impairment substances, versus 171 with alcohol detected in their system. Of these, 153 were more than twice over the limit level of drugs. It is illegal to drive in the UK if you have certain levels of substances in your blood. This can even include prescription or over-the-counter medicines if they are affecting your ability to drive. Those convicted of drug driving can only receive a maximum of six months in prison, although perpetrators can also be slapped with a minimum one-year driving ban and/or an unlimited fine. Your browser does not support iframes. Jacqueline Wileman, pictured, died at the hands of drivers whose lorry contained drug paraphernalia in 2018. New figures show one in 11 fatal accidents involve drug drivers But since 2022, death by dangerous driving has been punishable by life imprisonment, after the law was changed from a maximum sentence of just 14 years. Johnny Wood, 67, was instrumental to this reform following years of campaigning after losing his sister Jacqueline Wileman at the hands of dangerous drivers, whose lorry contained drug paraphernalia. The mother-of-two, then 58, was smashed by the vehicle, running on stolen fuel, as it careered around the streets of Brierley, near Barnsley, on September 14, 2018. The lorry, which also had a vodka bottle laid out on a seat, left a trail of destruction in its wake, hitting several cars and spinning onto a bank, before eventually burying itself into the front wall of a house. Ms Wileman, who had two adult children and a grandchild, had been halfway through the walk she repeated step-by-step at the same time each day, five days a week. As she strolled down the familiar roads, the out-of-control lorry rounded a corner and ran her over at speed, before continuing on its rampage. After the vehicle finally came to a halt, three of its four passengers sprinted from the scene. One even dashed past Ms Wileman's body as he made a shameless barefoot flight. They were later apprehended by members of the local community and arrested. Her brother Johnny Wood, pictured right, was instrumental to reforms allowing judges to hand life sentences to dangerous drivers Ms Wileman, pictured, left, with her late husband Danny, was smashed by a lorry, running on stolen fuel, as it careered around the streets of Brierley, near Barnsley, on September 14, 2018 The driver, Alan Mawhinney, then 53, had to be freed from the lorry, lodged from its jammed position in the home it had crashed into. According to Mr Wood, who has seen CCTV footage of the collision's aftermath, he reached for a 'spliff', a rolled cannabis cigarette, to calm his nerves as he emerged from the wreckage. Air Ambulance staff were nFot able to save Ms Wileman, who died shortly after the grim crash. Her family identified her by her necklace and shoes, such was the devastation caused by the collision. Her older brother Mr Wood recalled his shock when discovering the 14-year maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving, the crime all four were charged with. He told liaison officers at Barnsley Magistrates' Court: 'But they took somebody's life.' Mr Wood, a postman in the local area, added: 'The one who had been stuck in the lorry noticed that I was there and looked across at me, saying "sorry", but I would not accept it.' Karn Hill eventually admitted death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years, while David Mellor, Wayne Carroll and Mawhinney were found guilty and jailed for between 12-and-a half and 13 years. Disgusted by what he viewed as insufficient sentences, Mr Wood set off on an impassioned mission to bring tougher punishments for driving crimes, helped by local Labour MP Stephanie Peacock, and Conservative Robert Buckland, Justice Minister at the time. The four people in the lorry at the time, pictured, clockwise from top left: Karn Hill, Wayne Carroll, David Mellor and Alan Mawhinney They succeeded. The law was changed in June 2022 allowing judges to hand life sentences for death by dangerous driving. The campaigning was purely selfless, the amendment making no difference whatsoever to the four who had killed Mr Wood's sister. Indeed, the quartet were all freed once half their sentence had been served - and their releases have caused the ordeal to rage on. Ms Wileman's family wanted her killers to be banned from entering the entirety of South Yorkshire, but had to settle for an order preventing them from coming into the Barnsley area. When one broke this restriction, Mr Wood was appalled when he only got 28 days in prison. He claimed that he and his family were never told when any of the perpetrators entered Barnsley, nor when they committed further crimes. 'We wanted to try and move on with life, but we couldn't,' he said. 'The system all the way through has failed us and still is failing us. Disgusted by what he viewed as insufficient sentences, Mr Wood, pictured centre, set off on an impassioned mission to bring tougher punishments for driving crimes 'The victims in this country are getting no backing whatsoever from the Government.' Mr Wood's battle to reform the country's probation system has made slower progress than his fight against dangerous driving sentencing, which saw the maximum term for death by dangerous driving extended to life in prison. But for all the progress made on jail term laws, only one case has seen a driver sentenced to more than the original 14-year maximum term, while spiralling drug driving figures act as a reminder of the glacial pace at which change happens. 'If you've studied it like I have done for seven years since my sister was put in that grave, [you know] people are committing these crimes because they're b***dy idle and not working,' he said. 'I had never seen or heard of testing for drug drivers until about four years ago.' Former traffic policeman John Scruby agrees that things are heading in the wrong direction. The officer, who retired in 2010, and is now a trustee of both SCARD (Support and Care after Road Death or Injury) and CADD (Campaign Against Drink Driving) has devoted much of his later life to tackling road deaths among young people. And the new statistics just serve to confirm what he has already witnessed while campaigning. 'It was really coming to the fore when I retired,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I think [the drugs] were still there, but not being tested. 'It has been a problem for many years, and I think it's getting a lot worse, because of N2O (laughing gas) becoming really prevalent at the moment. 'It's a new craze, the drug craze, and the problem police have is that it is virtually undetectable. 'Unless you actually witness somebody inhale the gas while driving, which is highly unlikely, they are going to get away with. 'It is quite common. I had to pull into a lay-by near the A57 and I could see six of the canisters actually in the lay-by near the motorway. It is just one of the many drugs that people are using. 'Their mindset is, it's just a bit of fun. And it might be fun until a wheel comes off and you end up in court.' The focus of public opinion has only recently shifted away from drink driving towards drug-related incidents. Drink driving was effectively banned in 1967 when deaths related to the practice reached a horrifying 1,640 a year. This number has fallen, albeit steadily, in the last 60 years to less than 200 deaths each year. The direction of travel for drug driving deaths seems to be headed in the other direction and Mr Scruby is pushing for a similar public information campaign to the one which has heavily reduced the number of alcohol-fuelled drivers. 'I think it has become the new drink driving,' he said. 'Drink driving is still a problem. It's a different kettle of fish altogether. 'I've spoken about the proposed cuts to the drink driving limit [from 35 micrograms per 100 milliliters of breath to 22 micrograms]. But there is also a limit for drug driving. Why have a limit? It is something people shouldn't be taking. 'People can't tell you what the drink driving limit is. It's not two pints or two units as some think. That was the myth created in the 1980s. 'You can't work out when you've reached that level, same as you can't work out how much cannabis or cocaine you've got in your body. 'But we all know what the safe limit is - it's zero.' The limit for most illicit substances is very low and fines increase on a sliding scale based on how much is found in a driver's system. But it's not just the obvious illegal drugs which affect a driver's ability to control a vehicle. Mr Scruby added: 'Then you look at prescription drugs, there are 119 banned drugs when you are driving and a lot of those are regularly prescribed drugs. 'When it comes to these, if you're using them correctly, then there shouldn't be a problem. But if you're exceeding the dose or taking them irregularly, by, say, going two or three days without taking it and then pumping yourself full of the painkiller, you might feel great because your pain's relieved, but what's happening in your head? 'What is happening to your ability to do a simple task?' Mr Scruby urged both the doctors prescribing the drugs and the pharmacies issuing them to be very clear with the recipient about their potential effects on driving. Nonetheless, he said that cocaine and cannabis remain the most common drugs found in those who have been involved in a crash. And the former traffic officer said that his successors in the role had questions to answer over the surging numbers of drug drivers. 'Policing has been vastly affected,' he said. 'In the mid-1980s when I went into traffic for the first time in Rotherham, we just covered the Rotherham area and we would put an inspector, two sergeants, and probably 20 or 25 PCs out on patrol per shift. 'By the mid-90s, I'd moved to Sheffield, covering both Sheffield and Barnsley areas, and we were lucky if we put an acting sergeant and four PCs out. 'The funding into dedicated road traffic patrols has been decimated. 'A camera can't detect drugs or drink. There is now more reaction to it rather than proactive policing. We used to sit outside the pubs and wait for the drink drivers to pull off. Now it's about reacting to a camera ping.' A Department for Transport spokesperson said: 'Every death on our roads is a tragedy and the safety of our roads is an absolute priority for this Government. 'Our well-established THINK! campaign is designed to reduce the number of those killed and injured on our roads. 'More needs to be done in this space, which is why we are committed to delivering a new Road Safety Strategy the first in over a decade and will set out next steps in due course.' A bungling prison employee sparked a major security scare by walking an inmate out of the gates to pick up tomatoes for the canteen, the Daily Mail can reveal. The farcical yet deeply concerning incident unfolded this month at HMP Downview, a closed women's prison on the outskirts of Banstead in Surrey. A male kitchen worker wanted to pick up tomatoes from HMP Highdown, a men's jail next door - and took the extraordinary decision to take a prisoner with him to help. In scenes that defy belief, the employee walked out of Downview past security guards at the gate, who 'didn't bat an eyelid', a source told the Mail. As other officers arrived outside Downview for their shift, they were stunned to see an inmate had been mistakenly let out and she was rushed back inside. The prison went into full lockdown and all the governors were summoned. The inmate was put into segregation before being transferred to another prison. Vanessa Frake-Harris MBE, former Head of Security at Wormwood Scrubs, called the incident on Saturday, October 4 'unbelievable'. The farcical yet deeply concerning incident unfolded on Sunday at HMP Downview, a closed women's prison on the outskirts of Banstead in Surrey 'Unfortunately this is a sad reflection on our beleaguered prison service,' she told the Mail. 'A closed prison is exactly that - a highly secure facility for prisoners considered too high-risk of escaping or harming others to be in an open prison setting. 'The correct procedure would have been to risk assess the prisoner and if suitable grant them accompanied temporary release. 'Thankfully on this occasion the prisoner did not escape.' In a recent inspection, Downview's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) specifically warned about poor security at the prison gate. A Prison Service spokesman said: 'We are taking extremely seriously a brief security breach at HMP Downview which lasted less than 10 minutes. In line with our processes, two members of staff have been suspended pending an investigation. 'Swift action was taken by other staff to correct the breach and ensure it never happens again.' While the kitchen worker would have carried keys, he would have needed to hand these in at the inner gatehouse. He would have then had to pass through the final gatehouse checks to be let out by the guards. The prisoner would have then stood alongside him in full view of the guards as they were both let out of the prison. It is not clear what the inmate had been imprisoned for, but the fact she was allowed to work in the kitchen suggests she was considered to be relatively trustworthy. Nonetheless, the decision to let her out of the prison - and the fact guards at the gate did nothing to intervene - was an astonishing breach of security protocol. Your browser does not support iframes. In its latest annual report, the Downview IMB found there was 'no routine enhanced security on the gate for visitors or staff'. The organisation said none of its members had ever been searched while entering the prison - despite many of them being in their roles for more than seven years. The board is made up of members of the public volunteering their time. Its report also noted that friends and family members of prisoners had commented on the 'relaxed' searching process during their visits - despite bosses raising concerns that some of them could be bringing in drugs. The IMB said there had been an increase in the amount of drugs being brought into the prison, including spice, heroin and cannabis. Dangerous synthetic opioids were also intercepted at the jail in early 2025 for the first time. Downview has an operational capacity of 356, consisting of sentenced women and young offenders over 18. The prison also houses Britain's only wing for high-risk transgender inmates. Many assumed it would be axed after April's Supreme Court ruling that the definition of women is based on biological sex, but the IMB said its status 'has not been formally clarified' - suggesting ministers are sitting on their hands about its future. Humiliated in a gray jail sweater, handcuffs, and no makeup, Kristen Hogan was worlds away from her sprawling mansion. The disgraced mother-of-three was in court facing life in prison for an alleged failed attempt to murder her boyfriend, Timothy Scott Lacouture, 34. Hogan, 33, allegedly spiked a bottle of wine with antifreeze at the couple's $1 million family home in Ridgefield, Connecticut, amid a custody battle over their son Ryan, who turned two on Friday. But her alleged crime is just one strand in a web of lies, betrayal, generational riches and a steamy affair laid bare in court documents from eight bitter court cases reviewed by the Daily Mail. Among them is Hogan's justification for the alleged attempted killing disturbing claims of a months-long campaign of abuse that led to her losing an unborn child he demanded she abort. 'She never wanted to kill him but just wanted to make him sick as payback for being mentally abusive,' police alleged that she told them. Hogan claimed Lacouture's abuse was so bad that she 'fled' the family home to stay with her parents at their $4 million four-acre rural estate, where she was arrested. Yet for all the chaos and scandal surrounding her now, on the surface, Hogan had it all. Hogan (pictured) claimed Lacouture's abuse was so bad that she 'fled' the family home to stay with her parents at their $4 million four-acre rural estate, where she was arrested Kristen Hogan (pictured in the Danbury Superior Court) was charged with two counts of attempted murder for allegedly trying to poison her estranged boyfriend with spiked wine She had a charmed upbringing as the daughter of a wealthy family her father serving as the vice president at a multibillion-dollar packaging company and spent her teenage years at the leafy family estate in New Canaan. She graduated from Bates College in 2014 and, in her role as senior development coordinator with the Women's Business Development Council in 2018, championed female causes. Hogan later married handsome schoolteacher Anthony Abraham, 34, on March 22, 2020, and had two children Emma, 5, and Luke, 3. But the idyllic picture soon started to show cracks. Secret Affairs Paternity tests revealed Abraham was not the father of Emma or Luke. Instead, the children were the product of Hogan's trysts with her plumber ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Van Houten. Despite coming from different worlds, the pair had dated for years and were once engaged, but broke up in 2019 only to 'reconnect' in 2020. When an over-the-counter paternity test in 2021 found Van Houten was the biological father, he began paying child support - but by March the following year he claimed Hogan cut him off and returned his payments. Van Houten launched a paternity suit on February 17, 2023, but the tests not only found he wasn't the father - Hogan wasn't their mother. He developed a sinister theory: Hogan was bringing her niece and nephew to the DNA testing instead of her own kids and had a private investigator film her carrying out the ruse at a subsequent test last year. Van Houten produced the evidence at a December 5, 2024, hearing and the court on July 17 declared him the father of both children as a result. He filed for sole custody on July 31, but mysteriously withdrew his petition on August 21 and the issue remained unresolved when Hogan was arrested on October 3. Hogan's parents bought the four-acre rural estate in 2006 for $3 million Paternity tests revealed Abraham (pictured) was not the father of Emma or Luke Hogan with Nicholas Van Houten (left), a plumber whom she had two children with during an extramarital affair. After her divorce, Hogan started dating finance worker Tim Lacouture (right) A New Romance After her marriage to Abraham collapsed, Hogan began dating Lacouture, a finance worker at AMG Funds in Stamford who had a young son, Rhett, from a previous marriage. Their relationship moved fast they bought a $980,000 home in Ridgefield and welcomed baby Ryan on October 10, 2023. But, again, cracks soon appeared and Hogan's custody filings described a toxic relationship that spiraled into control and fear. Hogan claimed it began on January 7, 2025, after a winter storm knocked out power - and she fled with her children to her parents' house while Lacouture stayed behind with Rhett in freezing conditions. When she returned at 9:30pm, she found the carbon monoxide alarm blaring, towels shoved under the door and the fireplace filling the room with smoke. Hogan convinced Lacouture to call the fire department, whose crew warned it was dangerously cold for a child and they had to leave. Over the next two weeks, Lacouture talked about taking Ryan clothes shopping despite him having plenty of clothes, added his mother to the boy's daycare pickup and bought a car seat for his car. 'I believe that Tim is slowly putting things into place to pick up Ryan from school and take him from me,' Hogan wrote in the lawsuit dated January 30. Hogan later claimed that after the call, Lacouture blamed her for jeopardizing his custody of Rhett - an issue he already battled in court. Their relationship moved fast they bought a $980,000 home in Ridgefield and welcomed baby Ryan on October 10, 2023 Lacouture (right) pictured with Rhett's mother, Courtney Hays (left) Custody Wars and Alleged Abuse Lacouture's ex-wife, lawyer Courtney Hays, filed for sole custody on October 25, 2024, after she became concerned about Rhett's health. Hays claimed Rhett's school told her the boy was 'excessively tired' and had a decreased appetite on the mornings he was in his father's care. Hogan referenced this in her own lawsuit, explaining Rhett was showing up to school 'pale and lethargic' on the days he was staying with his father. A more serious issue emerged on October 23 when Rhett took his regular medication for gastro issues and 'screamed that the medication was burning his mouth and tasted like soap,' then threw up minutes later. Police took samples and one of the responding officers said he thought an alcohol, likely vodka or tequila, was added to the medicine. Lacouture lost custody of his child for about a month, but the results of the investigation were not included in the court files. Hogan claimed Lacouture subjected her to a reign of terror almost as soon as the power in their house came back on. He screamed in her face, belittled her in front of the children, locked Rhett in his room or in a car for hours, and displayed 'erratic and violent mood swings' that terrified her and the kids, she claimed in custody filings. She 'fled' the home with her three children on May 30 that year, saying she feared for their safety. 'I am terrified of what Tim will do next,' she wrote numerous times in one filing. Hogan claimed he threatened to sell her car, cancel her health insurance, and 'take Ryan whenever and wherever he wants.' But Hogan said the breaking point came on May 26, claiming Lacouture demanded she get an abortion. When she refused, he allegedly told her that 'if you don't terminate right now, the decision would be made for me.' She suffered a miscarriage in July she claimed was a result of stress Lacouture's abuse caused her. 'I can't shake the thought that Tim will be pleased to hear that I lost the baby. The idea that he might feel victorious or relieved haunts me,' she wrote in court documents. The disgraced mother-of-three was in court facing life in prison for an alleged failed attempt to murder her boyfriend, Timothy Scott Lacouture, 34 Throughout summer 2024, their feud raged through multiple lawsuits. Hogan filed for a restraining order, claiming Lacouture and his brother secretly followed her to Luke and Emmas swimming lessons and had her car towed from the parking lot. He later sold it and removed her from their shared insurance plan. Lacouture countered with his own filings seeking to sell the Ridgefield home and divide the proceeds. Both sides accused the other of manipulation, abuse and psychological games. The Poison Plot Then, on August 10, Lacouture was rushed to hospital after suddenly collapsing. Police alleged he was poisoned a bottle of wine laced with antifreeze after doctors found its active ingredient monoethylene glycol in his body. Hogan is accused of spiking the wine on August 7 after sneaking back into the house during a custody hearing she didn't show up to, and was caught connecting to the Wi-Fi. Lacouture spent 12 days in intensive care, undergoing dialysis for kidney failure. Their son Ryan was also hospitalized for two weeks after exposure, according to police reports and court filings. The custody case continued after Lacouture recovered, but police kept Investigating and uncovered internet searches on her phone they alleged pointed to a poisoning plot. Hogan initially denied the accusations but later admitted to spiking the wine and, in an earlier failed attempt, a bottle of iced tea. She was arrested on October 3 and charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of interfering with an officer. Hogan was released on $1 million bail and placed under house arrest at her grandparents home outside Boston. Her parents refused to post her bond, forcing her to pay $100,000 and hire a bail bondsman. Lacouture was n granted full custody of Ryan, and Hogan is barred from contacting him or any of the other children involved in the various custody disputes Emma, Luke, or Rhett. Gavin Newsom has a new Democratic rival who has accused him of spending too much time trolling Donald Trump on social media. The California governor has recently adopted a Trump-like social media persona and fired off a barrage of messages in the style of the president, mocking him in all-caps and using AI-generated deepfake videos. Matt Mahan, the Democratic mayor of San Jose, said the strategy risks a 'race to the bottom' and Democrats should focus on fixing problems in California instead. Mahan, 42, who emerged from the same Harvard dorm building as Mark Zuckerberg and ran two tech companies in Silicon Valley, has made San Jose the safest city in the country, according to one study. In what he calls 'common sense' policies' he has cracked down crime, hiring more police officers and threatening to arrest homeless people if they repeatedly refuse to go to shelters. Now, as Newsom appears to focus on a potential 2028 presidential run, he faces criticism in his own back yard. 'My critiques of the governor are not personal. I have a lot of respect for Governor Newsom. They're not even particularly political. On the ideological level, he and I are largely aligned, we're part of the same party, I think we probably agree 80, 90 percent of the time on issues,' Mahan told the Daily Mail. '(But) I worry that when it comes to things like homelessness, addiction, public safety, we're seeing a lot of rhetoric and attacking Trump and not a lot of action. I worry that the reaction to Trump, and what has become imitation of Trump, becomes a style of politics that is a race to the bottom.' San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan (R) watched by Governor Gavin Newsom He added: 'I don't have a problem with Governor Newsom trolling President Trump per se, but I do if it becomes the totality of our politics and we end up in a race to the bottom that is just rhetoric and performative stunts and labeling the other side as evil and our side is righteous. I'm interested in solving problems.' He said the Newsom attacks on Trump were 'cathartic for many voters' and 'effective for grabbing attention,' but a 'form of imitation that's not particularly effective right now.' The two politicians were on opposite sides last year when California debated Proposition 36, a crime crackdown that included imposing stricter penalties for shoplifting and drug offenders. Newsom opposed it and Mahan, as the mayor of the state's third largest city, became a leading proponent. The measure passed in a landslide and Mahan has since accused Newsom of failing to stump up funds for the measure. Meanwhile, Newsom didn't invite him to a bill-signing ceremony in his own city and criticized the mayor in his speech. Another recent spat came after the retailer Bed Bath & Beyond announced it would not be opening stores in California due to 'endless regulations that strangle growth. Newsom's office posted on social media that 'We thought Bed, Bath & Beyond no longer existed' and added: 'We wish them well in their efforts to become relevant again as they try to open a 2nd store.' Mahan told the Daily Mail: 'His social media team chose to pretty brutally verbally attack an employer who was raising very legitimate critiques of California's business environment. '(These are) concerns most Californians hold about public safety, untreated addiction and mental illness, homelessness, high cost of living, high cost of doing business. These are our core challenges and we should take the feedback.' Gavin Newsom has been trolling President Trump on social media San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, wife Silvia and their two young children Mayor Matt Mahan speaking at the 8th annual Little Italy Italian Street Festival on October 5, 2025 San Jose, a city of 1 million people, is unofficially known as the 'capital of Silicon Valley.' Mahan, who grew up the son of a high school teacher and a mail carrier, was first elected mayor in 2022 and re-elected in a landslide in 2024. It is the only big city in America to have solved 100 percent of homicides for the last three-and-a-half years. During his two campaigns Mahan knocked on over 10,000 doors. He said: 'The most common question was, 'Where does all the money go? I live in an extremely expensive place. I pay extremely high taxes, and my objective view of conditions in my city is not very positive.' 'That's why I talk about common sense...and I've come to a different conclusion than some in my party. We need to get back to basics. We need to hire police officers and enforce laws that are there for a reason. We need to require that people come indoors, and we need to be able to do that at scale. We need to speed up our permitting processes.' One of Gavin Newsom's trolls against President Trump A protester holds a 'Newsom 2028' flag in London on September 17, 2025 He says running two tech startups taught him to obsessed with what the customer wants, creating more value for them, and that there are lessons from Silicon Valley that can help in government. Such sentiments have earned him the nickname 'MAGA Matt' from some on the left wing of his own party. But Mahan said: 'Well, I'm not embraced by the MAGA movement either. If you look at my social media, depending on on the day and the post, you will see as much or more criticism from the right as from the left. My goal is to govern from the middle.' His frustrations with California's state government in Sacramento are clear. Next year will see the election of Newsom's successor. This week, the frontrunner, former congresswoman Katie Porter, was hit by a series of viral videos showing her threatening to walk out of a straightforward interview, and swearing at staff. Asked if he was considering running Mahan, who has a young family, said: 'My wife and I are raising little kids here in San Jose, we're just starting in their journeys, and I want to be present for them. 'I'm also very committed to my current job. I love San Jose, and I'm really focused on running San Jose as well as I possibly can.' He added: 'I will say that I'm increasingly running into roadblocks that require state action. If I'm being vocal about what's going on in Sacramento, including the governor, it's because we are not getting what we need to solve problems at the local level. I'm not seeing the kind of leadership we need in Sacramento.' Shes a wannabe influencer whose regular boasts about leaving Britain to live a glamorous dream life in Dubai have seen her garner plenty of attention online. Rio Ellen, as she styles herself on TikTok, has now picked up hundreds of thousands of views on several of her lifestyle videos - including a recent post entitled things that have surprised me about living in Dubai, which was watched 200,000 times. However, we can reveal that Rio Ellen is actually Rio Heskey, 30, from Oldham, who moved to the desert city two months ago and holds whats believed to be a relatively junior position in a low-cost fashion business there. And, putting aside the veracity of her claims about life in Dubai, its the company she is keeping while living this dream life which is perhaps most interesting about Ms Heskey. Because the man who moved to the United Arab Emirates with her - and who is believed to be the cameraman for much of the content she films there - is a career criminal with links to the Manchester underworld. Kadell Riverss colourful past does not feature in Rios many social media posts - perhaps because this might undermine the image she seeks to portray. But the Daily Mail can reveal Rivers, also 30, has been in and out of prison over the last decade - including spending time inside for assisting a murderer in a Manchester gangland killing. Rivers, from Salford, was first sent to jail in 2016 at the age of 21 after his friend Abdul Ahsan, then 18, killed Andre Marshall, 29, a drugs courier and member of Manchesters infamous Gooch Gang, the year before. TikToker Rio Ellen has been boasting online about moving from Britain to Dubai in search of the 'perfect life' Eagle-eyed viewers, however, noticed the man stood next to her in many pictures appears to be Kadell Rivers - a career criminal from Manchester Riverss colourful past does not feature in Rios many social media posts as they document their day-to-day life in Dubai Ms Heskey gives the impression online that she lives an extremely glamorous and high-end life, spending her days sipping cocktails at beach clubs and dining at expensive restaurants Rivers, 30, has been in and out of prison over the last decade - including spending time inside for assisting a murderer in a Manchester gangland killing Marshall had been ambushed while in his BMW before being shot seven times. His body was later found next to a car near St Clement's Church in Urmston with a fractured skull after his killer had also used the gun to inflict a blunt force injury. Following the gruesome killing, Rivers and his other friend Danial Shahid helped cover up Ashans crimes by moving the blood-covered BMW, which also contained Ashans DNA after he injured his hand in the shooting. The following year Rivers and Shahid were convicted of assisting an offender, with Rivers being handed a three-and-a-half-year sentence while Shahid got four. Ashan remained on the run for nine years after he fled to Pakistan following the killing. He was finally arrested after an international manhunt last year and handed a life sentence. Rivers's spell in prison did not prove life changing - and he continued to get into criminal trouble following his release. In 2019, he was sent back behind bars after he was caught drug dealing, having been stopped by police in a car he was driving in with his pal John Ellison as part of a drugs bust. During the search, officers found Ellison had hidden 27 wraps of heroin and 22 wraps of cocaine inside his body, and Rivers had concealed a mobile phone SIM card. The card revealed the pairs intentions for supplying drugs, leading to Rivers receiving a sentence of three years and four months, while Ellison was handed four years. And it seems Rivers shares his girlfriends fondness for visible symbols of wealth - when he was arrested most recently, items confiscated from him included a 3,750 gold bracelet with a matching diamond ring and a 20,000 Rolex watch. Its unclear at what point he took up with Ms Heskey but they seem to have been together for some time - enjoying trips around the world from Thailand and Bali to Mykonos in Greece. And then this summer they packed up their lives in Oldham and relocated to Dubai. Before moving to the Arabian peninsula, Rio said she had quit her toxic job as a merchandiser for the online low-cost fast fashion company Pretty Little Thing. And shes swapped it for a similar role at Dubai-based fashion brand Sumwon Studios. While Ms Heskey may work for low-cost outfitters, her posts are littered with more high-end brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Loewe In 2019, Rivers was sent back behind bars after he was caught drug dealing with a friend Ms Heskey's social media screams luxury but it appears her life is not all that it seems Ms Heskey's days out take her to beach clubs and rooftop pools such as the Chinawhite, Playa Pacha (where entry alone costs 40), or at Ayla - where individual mains can cost more than 100 each Its believed that she would have been on a salary in the 25,000-35,000 range in the UK and while she may have commanded a small raise by changing jobs and countries, its unlikely to have been significant. It remains unclear whether her partner Rivers is working but with the average annual rental cost of a one bedroom flat in Dubai coming in at 12,204 - considerably more than in Oldham - then it seems unlikely the couple have the spending power required to live in the lap of luxury. But, you wouldnt know this from her feed. It gives the impression that Ms Heskey lives an extremely glamorous and high-end life spending her days sipping cocktails at beach clubs and dining at expensive restaurants. And while she may work for low-cost outfitters, her posts are littered with more high-end brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Loewe. Similarly, her days out take her to beach clubs and rooftop pools such as the Chinawhite, Playa Pacha (where entry alone costs 40), or at Ayla - where individual mains can cost more than 100 each. On other occasions, Ms Heskey has shared pictures from expensive gym classes, such as a pilates class at Reshape Different, which costs almost 200 for a monthly pass, or the swanky gym at Five Palm Jumeirah, which costs 60 for a day pass. So how does she afford all this? Her partner may have given up drug dealing - which would be extremely risky in hardline Dubai. Those known to her and who had seen her content warned that by dating Rivers she was 'getting involved in the wrong crowd' after he had been convicted of 'some terrible crimes'. Others suggested Rivers was 'funding her lifestyle', adding that the former 'criminal had been plastered all over her TikTok'. She says she manages to get a lot of her desirable items for free. Which brings us back to those posts. Her biggest one from Dubai took off when she promised: 'Nearly everything [in Dubai] can be free for women through apps and WhatsApp groups.' Ms Heskey's most-viewed video took off when she promised: 'Nearly everything [in Dubai] can be free for women through apps and WhatsApp groups' On her TikTok she shared an exchange with Rivers, asking him: 'How many likes do I need on TikTok for a channelly [Chanel handbag]' Those known to Ms Heskey have suggested Rivers is 'funding her lifestyle' It remains unclear whether her partner is working, but the average annual rental cost of a one-bedroom flat in Dubai is 12,204 - considerably more than in Oldham Ms Heskey claims she is able to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants for free because shes a woman Ms Heskey claimed to her followers that a food shop in the country costs less than a shop at Aldi and that she is able to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants for free because shes a woman. She added that it was the 'best part' about living there. So is this true? One long-term expat Briton in Dubai told Mail Online: If this girl has found a way to get invited to Michelin-starred restaurants and dine for free then very good luck to her - as I have never been lucky enough to have this happen. In my experience, you get what you pay for here and if you cant pay you dont get very far. It's been a month since conservative star Charlie Kirk was assassinated by a gunman during the on-campus speaking event in Orem, Utah. Two days later, alleged shooter Tyler Robinson was snared by cops at his family's home about 300 miles away after an intense manhunt. Now Daily Mail can reveal that along with shredding the perfect family life of Kirk's widow Erika and their two children, cold-eyed Robinson has done the same to his own relatives who have been showered with death threats in the weeks since the slaying. A month after the caught-on-camera assassination, the 22-year-old's parents Matt, 48, and Amber, 44, are yet to return to their cavernous, gray-painted home in quiet Washington a tiny town a stone's throw from St. George and close to Zion National Park. Once a happy home, the blinds at the six-bedroom $700,000 property were tightly shuttered when Daily Mail visited this week and the driveway empty. In one window, a new sign that reads 'NO MEDIA!!!!!' was clearly visible. The rest of the wording on the warning sign, altogether more ominous, shed more light on the Robinson family's new reality. It continued: 'Property protected by 24-hour video surveillance and ARMED security. No trespassing. No soliciting.' Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10 Exclusive Daily Mail photos show the family's six-bedroom $700,000 property in Washington, Utah this week, with its blinds tightly shuttered and the driveway empty At Robinson's own home, in a shabby townhome community, it was the same story. The two-bedroom apartment he shared with his trans lover Lance Twiggs, 22, was shuttered and silent, with no sign of Twiggs. Neighbors said jobless Twiggs has not been seen since cops swooped on the property and bundled Robinson away on September 12. The suspect is now cooling his heels at the Utah County Jail in Spanish Forks where he is enduring solitary confinement and a regime that sees him spend 23 hours a day in his cell. The accused assassin has made two court appearances to date, one in person and one by phone from jail, and will appear again on October 30. Robinson's sole court appearance saw him show up shackled, in scrubs and wearing a suicide vest but on Thursday, his attorneys applied to dress him in civilian clothing for future dates. A motion filed in the 4th District court by his defense attorneys read: 'Given the pervasive media coverage in this case, the repeated and ubiquitous display of Mr Robinson in jail garb, shackles, and a suicide vest will undoubtedly be viewed by prospective jurors and will inevitably lead to prospective juror perception that he is guilty and deserving of death.' In future, the filing continued, Robinson should appear in civilian clothes and without shackles, adding: 'These requests are necessary to maintain the presumption of innocence, to protect Mr. Robinson's rights to a fair and impartial trial, and to maintain courtroom decorum and dignity.' In one window, a sign has been placed banning media, soliciting, and trespassing, and warns visitors of armed security Meanwhile, the St. George apartment Robinson shared with his trans partner Lance Twiggs, 22, also appeared deserted Robinson pictured with his parents Matt, 48, and Amber, 44 Robinson has been in custody in a Utah jail since his arrest The murder of dad-of-two Kirk, 31, sent shockwaves across the political spectrum and saw the Turning Point USA founder lauded by US and foreign leaders, among them Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His body was flown home to Arizona the day after his murder in Air Force Two with Vice President JD Vance personally accompanying his coffin and his distraught wife Erika. Kirk's funeral was held at the 63,400-seater State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on September 21. The event, which drew over 90,000 mourners, saw a veritable who's who of the Trump Administration eulogize him, among them Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and President Trump himself. But it was widow Erika, 36, who made headlines after she publicly forgave Robinson for her husband's murder and told the crowd it is what Kirk would have wanted. Since then, Kirk has continued to make headlines most recently with the release of a tranche of text messages released by controversialist Candace Owens, a longtime critic of Israel - in which he spoke of being 'bullied' by donors over his links to Tucker Carlson. In the text messages, Kirk privately complained that a Jewish donor had withdrawn a $2million investment into the organization because he refused to disinvite the former Fox News personality from the upcoming AmericaFest event. 'Just lost another huge Jewish donor,' Kirk wrote. '$2 million a year because we won't cancel Tucker. I'm thinking of inviting Candace.' Charlie Kirk leaves behind his wife and their two kids, a three-year-old daughter and a 16-month-old son 'Jewish donors play into all the stereotypes. I cannot and will not be bullied like this.' Kirk concludes: 'Leaving me no choice but to leave the pro-Israel cause.' The texts came as a shock because Kirk had been one of the Middle Eastern nation's leading defenders and met his wife Erika there. But on Thursday, his close friend Josh Hammer responded with the release of a text conversation of his own that showed Kirk 'remained a true friend of the Jewish people and the Jewish state to the very end'. Hammer, who was a member of the group chat where Kirk made his controversial comments about donors said he was 'blowing off steam in a private group chat setting.' Hours after Kirk sent those texts he joined a Zoom call seeking advice on how to promote Israel on college campuses with Gen Z students. That conversation came a day before his murder at the Utah Valley University in Orem, just south of Salt Lake City. 'The final-ever messages Charlie sent in this WhatsApp chat, which were delivered hours after the deeply out-of-context screenshots that the aforementioned lunatic and others have been discussing this week, make clear that Charlie was deeply grateful for our help,' Hammer wrote in a post on X. He added: 'After our call, he felt more confident and reassured that he could make the case for the Jewish people and for Israel on college campuses. 'These are literally Charlie's final messages in that WhatsApp chat. Emotions can run high at times, but Charlie Kirk remained a true friend of the Jewish people and the Jewish state to the very end.' On the latest Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, royal biographers Robert Hardman and Andrew Morton debate the late Queen's relationships with her 15 Prime Ministers. From Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, the historians assess the impact individual leaders had on her 70-year reign. They highlight Margaret Thatcher as having a particularly trying relationship with the Queen, despite both women being close in age and attempting to leave their mark on the male dominated halls of British power. The monarch and the Iron Lady came dangerously close to a public rift in 1986, when the Sunday Times published a story with the headline, 'Queen dismayed by 'uncaring' Thatcher'. On the latest Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, royal biographers Robert Hardman and Andrew Morton debate the late Queen's relationships with her 15 Prime Ministers From Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, the historians assess the impact individual leaders had on her 70-year reign The monarch and the Iron Lady came dangerously close to a public rift in 1986 The article alleged the Queen was displeased with her Prime Minister's policy approach, signalling a potential break from the political neutrality that had defined the modern royal family. Under intense scrutiny, the Sunday Times stood by their story. Palace officials soon identified the Queen's own Press Secretary, Michael Shea, as the source. In the episode, Hardman and Morton break down the scandal and reveal whether the Queen had actually taken a political stand, or if the article was simply the work of one rogue press secretary. The bombshell article that 'desperately hurt' the Iron Lady The article, published on July 20, 1986, took aim at both Thatcher's foreign and domestic policies. It alleged the Queen viewed the Conservative government as socially divisive and lacking in compassion, particularly regarding Thatcher's treatment of miners during the year-long strike of 1984-85. On the world stage, the piece claimed the monarch was dismayed by Thatcher's hostility towards the Commonwealth and her approval of US air strikes on Colonel Gaddafi's Libya. To the public, the article appeared to confirm long-standing rumours of a tense relationship that had swirled since Thatcher assumed power in 1979. Buckingham Palace immediately released a statement describing the story as 'entirely without foundation', insisting the Queen enjoyed 'a relationship of the closest confidentiality' with Mrs Thatcher. 'They really were extraordinary allegations', Hardman told the podcast. 'To make out the Queen was actively subverting her Prime Minister and wanted that story out there.' According to Charles Moore's authorised biography, Thatcher was 'desperately hurt' by the piece, particularly the accusation she was 'uncaring'. A mole hunt began inside the Palace. Suspicion quickly fell on Michael Shea, the Queen's left-leaning Press Secretary. The article, published on July 20, 1986, took aim at both Thatcher's foreign and domestic policies Suspicion quickly fell on Michael Shea (pictured right), the Queen's left-leaning Press Secretary Despite rumours of a rift, the historians describe Thatcher and the Queen's relationship as one built on mutual respect Shea admitted to the conversation but denied being accurately represented in the article. He left royal service in 1987, departing under a cloud less than a year after the controversy. 'Within a few months, Shea departed', Morton, writer of the bombshell book, Diana: Her True Story, explained. 'He wasn't blamed, in the sense of being sacked, but he was urged to move on and look elsewhere. 'That was a shame I really liked Michael. He was very decent Press Secretary, who wrote good books too.' In a pointed snub, Shea did not receive the knighthood typically bestowed on departing press secretaries, despite nine years of service to the Queen. Despite rumours of a rift, the historians describe Thatcher and the Queen's relationship as one built on mutual respect. Hardman said: 'Obviously, they had very different temperaments and were from completely different backgrounds. 'The Queen was not naturally confrontational. Thatcher would have a confrontation with anyone who stood in her way. 'Thatcher had huge respect for the Queen it's overblown I think, the idea they were at loggerheads.' The Queen later awarded Thatcher one of Britain's highest honours, the Order of Merit, and attended both her 80th birthday and funeral in 2013. To discover which Prime Minister the Queen liked the least, search for Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things now, wherever you get your podcasts. An illegal migrant who rallied protestors to go after ICE agents has been deported to Colombia just two months after her dramatic arrest. Leidy Tatiana Mafla-Martinez was filming inside her Tesla when she was taken into custody in Los Angeles. The 24-year-old, who also goes by Tatiana Martinez, was known for documenting immigration raids on TikTok - but all of that changed when she was the one who got detained. Video of her arrest on August 15 showed her refusing to get out of her car and shrieking as several ICE officers took her into custody. She shrieked 'no, no, no' repeatedly and cried 'wait, wait,' in Spanish as agents ordered her out of the car. Assistant Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin told the Daily Mail: 'We are happy to report that on October 8, ICE removed Leidy Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia who was convicted for driving under the influence in Los Angeles. 'This criminal illegal alien entered the country in 2022 and was RELEASED by the Biden administration. Influencer Leidy Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, 24, has been deported to Colombia following her dramatic arrest in Los Angeles on August 15 She was seen refusing to get out of her Tesla and shrieking during her arrest (pictured) 'Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the US.' Another clip from her arrest showed officers lift Martinez out of her electric vehicle and arrest her as she withered on the ground. 'During her arrest, Martinez claimed to experience shortness of breath. She was given proper medical treatment and will be held in ICE custody pending removal proceedings,' McLaughlin said. Bystanders tried to interfere with her arrest, with one person towing away a government vehicle, DHS said. 'During the arrest, an individual unlawfully towed a government police vehicle. He mocked and videotaped ICE officers chasing after him,' McLaughlin said. Following her arrest, Carlos Juardo, Martinez's attorney, told KABC she didn't get out of the car because she wanted the officers to show her a warrant. 'The reason she didn't come out is, these are, these are masked men, and they said they had a warrant. She just wanted them to display it, "Show me the warrant," and they never displayed anything,' Juardo recalled. Her lawyer said the incident happened while she was parked at her apartment building in downtown Los Angeles. Martinez was previously convicted for driving under the influence but later released by former president Joe Biden's administration Carlos Juardo, Martinez's attorney, said his client was 'targeted' because she was so vocal online about going after ICE agents According to Juardo, his client was 'targeted' because she was so vocal online about going after ICE agents. 'We believe, at this point, based on things that have been said to her, is that, because she was out filming ICE activities, she was targeted,' he added. Juardo said she was transported to a hospital for trauma after the arrest before being moved to a detention center in Calexico - about four hours from LA. 'I've gone out there to visit her. It's about a three-and-a-half, four-hour drive there and back,' Juardo previously said. 'So I went there to visit her. She was really happy to just see someone. I can tell you that I could still see bruises on her body from the arrest.' Martinez, who has more than 40,000 followers on TikTok, grew her following while posting videos about immigration raids and anti-ICE protests around The Golden State. Influencers have been speaking up about the ongoing ICE raids, including Bobbi Althoff, who is best known for her deadpan interviews with A-listers on TikTok. Althoff recently slammed Donald Trump's immigration crackdown after her illegal migrant friend was seized during a raid on a Home Depot. She was taken to the hospital after the arrest before being sent to a detention center in Calexico - about four hours from LA She criticized ICE for arresting her longtime friend Felix Morales Gomez earlier this month. The 28-year-old spoke outside an ICE facility in Adelanto, California, where Gomez was being held following his detainment at a Home Depot parking lot. 'I feel very passionately that what's happening right now, especially with immigration, is so wrong,' she said as she waited for Gomez outside the facility. The influencer, who has more than eight million TikTok followers, said she has been losing fans in recent weeks as she speaks out over immigration issues, but said she would continue because 'I don't want to be on the wrong side of history.' 'I've been told to not speak up on politics if I want to keep making the money that I am making on social media,' she said, per KABC. The father of a US Marine has been deported after being detained during a visit to Camp Pendleton in San Diego last month. According to Steve Rios, the Marine, his father, Esteban Rios, and mother, Luisa Rodriguez, were held after attempting what had become a routine visit to his pregnant sister, Ashley Rios, and her husband, who is also a Marine. Esteban has lived in the United States for the last 30 years cleaning cars and houses after emigrating from Mexico and has no criminal record, the family said. Steve told NBC 7 San Diego that his parents had been frequently visiting the base to see Ashley in recent months, but things took a turn south at the most recent visit. The Marine noted that his parents were stopped at the gate at Camp Pendleton before ICE agents arrived and detained both of them. He also noted they both have pending green card applications sponsored by Steve and work visas as they wait for approval. 'It was scary,' Steve said. 'It was scary because my whole life, I've kind of just, it's been in the back of my head.' His sister Ashley, who was waiting for them with her husband, said: 'My brother texted me that they got stopped. And as soon as I heard that, I just started, like, bawling.' Marine Steve Rios, his father Esteban Rios and mother Luisa Rodriguez in a family photo Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detain a man after conducting a raid at the Cedar Run apartment complex in Denver, Colorado, U.S., February 5, 2025 A view of the sign at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 Steve additionally told NBC7 that his father was sorting a red shirt and white hat that both said 'Proud dad of a US Marine,' at the time of the incident. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Daily Mail via an emailed statement that 'under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law - including domestic violence and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon - you will face the consequences. 'Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the US.' DHS did not respond to a follow-up question from the Daily Mail inquiring if Rios had a criminal record in time for publication, and could not confirm independently that he had a criminal record. The recent removal comes as the Trump administration has supercharged the rate of deportations during his second term. Human Rights First, a non-profit organization, noted that 'in September 2025 alone, ICE Flight Monitor recorded at least 1,464 US immigration enforcement flights - the highest monthly total to date, averaging 49 flights per day.' The group also added that 'as Trump escalates his deportation campaign, the number of these related enforcement flights continues to surge, raising significant due process concerns regarding the underlying legality of these mass enforcement actions.' DHS touted on September 23rd that over 2 million illegal aliens 'have been removed or have self-deported since January 20', with 1.6 million leaving by themselves and 400,000 being removed. A Florida sheriff has hit out at a black mother who was detained by a white cop in a violent arrest that has sparked allegations of racism. The incident unfolded outside a charter school in Jacksonville last week when Officer Randy Holton tried to arrest 39-year-old Erika McGriff for allegedly parking illegally and running across a busy intersection to collect her daughter. Footage of the chaotic scene showed McGriff resisting arrest before being thrown to the ground and put in a chokehold in front of a crowd of screaming children. At one point, Holton appeared to restrain McGriff by the neck as she screamed, 'I can't breathe' prompting comparisons online to George Floyd's death in 2020. But Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters who is also black has dismissed any hint of racial bias, saying the confrontation stemmed from McGriff 'violently resisting' a police officer who was 'just trying to do his job'. At a press conference on Friday, Waters slammed McGriff for 'modeling and normalizing' breaking the law to 'school-age children', lying to police and violently resisting an officer including by biting him. 'This entire episode reaches beyond even law violations,' Waters said. 'It speaks to the breakdown of civil society that some in our community not only quietly accept, but actively promote... officer Holton was simply doing his job'. McGriff's lawyer, Ben Crump, who also represented George Floyd's case in court, told the Daily Mail the video shows 'excessive use of force inflicted upon McGriff, who posed no deadly threat and was unarmed at the time'. A Florida sheriff has hit out at a black mother who was detained by a white cop in a violent arrest that has sparked allegations of racism. The incident unfolded outside a charter school The incident unfolded outside a charter school in Jacksonville last week when Officer Randy Holton attempted to arrest 39-year-old Erika McGriff for allegedly parking illegally and running across a busy intersection to collect her daughter from school At one point, Holton appeared to restrain McGriff by the neck as she screamed, 'I can't breathe' prompting comparisons online to George Floyd 's murder in 2020 Bodycam footage of the incident showed Holton approach McGriff to ask about an illegally parked car, which she said was not hers. Holton hit back by saying, 'I just saw you get out of it' and instructed her to 'stop playing games', as she retaliated with: 'I just came to pick up my child!' The cop tried to halt McGriff, grabbing her by the wrist, warning her she could take a ticket or face jail time for resisting arrest. But she kept moving away and began screaming. Holton warned her, 'if you pull away from me again, you're going to jail,' but McGriff became hysterical. 'You got me f****d up!' she shouted in front of the schoolchildren. By this point, a crowd of children, parents, and school employees had gathered. Things escalated after Holton put McGriff against his police car and put her wrist behind her back. Holton appeared to hit McGriff in the head as she attempted to shove him away, and a huge, deep bite mark could be seen on his arm at one point in the footage. Children screamed while an adult could be heard shouting, 'what the f*** is wrong with you?' at the cop as he positioned her on the ground and pulled her hair. McGriff shouted, 'I can't breathe. Stop! Y'all please help, he's choking me,' as Holton tried to handcuff her. Waters said she was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and operating a motor vehicle while having a driver's license that is revoked as a habitual traffic offender. Erika McGriff (pictured) is charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and operating a motor vehicle while having a driver's license that is revoked as a habitual traffic offender A Florida sheriff has hit out at a black mother who was detained by a white cop in a violent arrest that has sparked allegations of racism The incident unfolded outside a charter school in Jacksonville last week when Officer Randy Holton attempted to arrest 39-year-old Erika McGriff for parking illegally and running across a busy intersection to collect her daughter The charges are all third-degree felonies, and each is punishable by up to five years in jail. Waters said two more women were also arrested at the scene of 1800 Basset Road for obstructing Holton as he tried to make an arrest. Anita Gibson, 59, and Jasmine Jefferson, 36, were charged with violating Florida's Halo Law, which states the public must leave a 25ft buffer around first responders who are making arrests to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Waters said their detention marks the first time anyone has been arrested under the new law, which came into effect in January. He said the women violated the law by 'harassing Officer Holton and failing to provide him with a 25ft area to safely detain McGriff after he gave them verbal warning to get back.' 'So what's the take away today? If you violently resist our officers, if you punch them, if you bite them, you will be arrested,' Waters said. 'If you crowd and harass our officers or any first responder after a verbal warning, you will be arrested.' Waters added the theatrical display in front of 'vulnerable and impressionable school children' even led to one pupil to threaten to shoot up the school. Holton began swiping McGriff in the head as she attempted to shove him away, and a bite mark could be seen on his arm at one point in the footage, as shown above Anita Gibson, 59, (pictured above) and Jasmine Jefferson, 36, were charged with violating Florida's Halo Law, which states that members of the public must leave a 25-foot buffer around first responders who are making arrests to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Anita Gibson, 59, and Jasmine Jefferson, 36, (pictured above) were charged with violating Florida's Halo Law, which states that members of the public must leave a 25-foot buffer around first responders who are making arrests to ensure the safety of everyone involved 'Currently there is an active pickup order for a juvenile for making threats to shoot up IDEA charter school because of this incident,' he said. 'So JSO will not tolerate those who violate the law and victimize our officers or any members of our community.' Waters was also quizzed about whether McGriff could breathe during the ordeal. 'She could breathe,' he said, adding that her ability to loudly scream throughout indicated this. 'He (Officer Holton) was just holding her to make sure that he could keep control of her. 'It's pretty obvious that he didn't want to go too far, he wanted to make sure he followed the rules and do this the best way that could and I commend him for that. 'The hard part is, this is not an easy job, and it's not getting any easier... 'It's made more difficult when police officers come out here and try to effect the law and do the things that we're supposed to do, and then you get surrounded like that. It's dangerous.' Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters who is also black has dismissed allegations of racial bias, saying the confrontation stemmed from McGriff 'violently resisting' a police officer who was 'just trying to do his job' Pictured: McGriff with her child in the officer bodycam footage released by JSO Holton eventually detained McGriff, who has since been charged with several felonies McGriff's attorneys, Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, said McGriff was 'brutalized in front of her child and community' and vowed to fight her case in court. 'This disturbing video shows yet another example of unnecessary and excessive force used against a Black woman during what should have been a routine encounter,' they said in a statement. 'No mother should be brutalized in front of her child and community for something as minor as a parking issue. 'We will fight to hold the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office accountable for this inexcusable aggression just like we are fighting to hold them accountable for the excessive force we saw in the video that was inflicted upon Black college student, William McNeil Jr.' The Daily Mail has reached out to McGriff for comment. A British hedge fund billionaire has been accused of secretly bankrolling climate anarchists, hard-left campaigners, and even groups linked to Communist China all while shaping US policy from afar. A bombshell new report by Americans for Public Trust (APT), a conservative watchdog, claims that Sir Christopher Hohn, one of the world's richest men, has quietly poured more than $553million into US nonprofits and advocacy groups this past decade. The 11-page document names Hohn's charity, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), as the nerve center of a sprawling operation that funneled foreign 'dark money' to left-wing groups across America pushing what APT calls 'a radical green and social justice agenda.' APT alleges Hohn's foundation has propped up climate litigation, anti-fossil-fuel protests, and political activism even helping bankroll groups with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Hohn has been likened to the Hungarian-American investor George Soros both men made billions from hedge funds and funneled their fortunes to left-of-center charities, and what critics call support for dangerous activism. Born in Surrey, England, in 1996, Hohn came from humble beginnings. His father was a Jamaican-born car mechanic; his mother, a legal secretary. A gifted student, he studied at Harvard Business School before rising through Wall Street's hedge fund elite. In 1995, he married American academic Jamie Cooper, with whom he had four children. The couple co-founded CIFF, blending his investment fortune with her background in philanthropy. When they divorced in 2014, Hohn had to pay Cooper 337million ($450million) one of Britain's largest-ever divorce settlements. Despite a $11billion fortune, the 'monk-like' vegan Sir Chris Hohn dresses down with s Swatch watch and drives a Prius Hohn-funded Extinction Rebellion activists staging a 'die-in' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York The split also severed links between his hedge fund and the foundation. Hohn, who was knighted for philanthropy that same year, has since remarried to Kylie Hohn. Despite being worth some $9billion, Hohn, 59, cultivates an image of monk-like restraint. A vegan who practices yoga, he drives a Toyota Prius and wears an inexpensive Swatch watch. 'I give away everything I earn,' he once said, adding that purpose and meaning are the keys to 'long-lasting joy.' But critics say there's nothing serene about his investment style. Werner Seifert, the former CEO of Deutsche Borse, called Hohn's approach boardroom 'poison,' accusing him of waging corporate war through 'aggressive and confrontational' tactics. Hohn insists activism is a 'powerful tool' that too many hedge fund bosses fear because it's 'unpredictable and expensive.' Pushing for change, he says, is 'not for the faint-hearted,' according to reports from Institutional Investor and other publications. Hohn runs The Children's Investment Fund (TCI), a London-based hedge fund that controls roughly $60billion in assets, including major stakes in global corporations like Microsoft, Visa, and General Electric. His philanthropic arm, CIFF, boasts a $6billion endowment and until recently lavished hundreds of millions of dollars on US-based nonprofits and climate groups. APT describes CIFF as 'a labyrinthine structure' tied to offshore entities in the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands, giving it the flexibility to move money globally with minimal oversight. The report accuses CIFF of bankrolling radical environmental movements, including Extinction Rebellion (XR) the protest group behind roadblocks, glue-ins, and chaotic 'climate rebellions' in London and Washington DC. US activists linked to XR closing down a busy intersection in downtown Washington DC Ex-wife Jamie Cooper-Hohn landed a 337 million ($450 million) payout in 2014 in one of Britain's largest-ever divorce settlements XR Climate activists rail against corporate America inside the Museum of Natural History in New York City Hohn personally gave at least $65,000 to XR, while his foundation contributed nearly $200,000, says the report. XR's US arm has called for 'rebellion against the US government' over its handling of the climate crisis rhetoric that APT says amounts to foreign funding of domestic unrest. CIFF has also poured tens of millions into major climate groups pushing lawsuits against energy companies, campaigns to ban gas stoves, and drives to inject climate and social justice activism into corporate America, adds the report. Among top US beneficiaries in APT's report: Energy Foundation China $70 million Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors $68 million C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group $57 million World Resources Institute $51 million The Sunrise Project $36 million APT argues that these groups promote policies that 'undermine US energy independence' and entrench progressive political influence. Perhaps most alarming, APT says, are CIFF's close relationships with the Chinese Communist Party. Since opening a Beijing office in 2019, CIFF has worked with Chinese state-linked entities like the National Renewable Energy Center and Tsinghua University, both of which conduct energy and defense research. CIFF's chief executive, Kate Hampton, sits on China's Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development an organization overseen by senior CCP officials. She has spoken at Belt and Road Initiative forums and, in 2024, received China's 'Friendship Award', given to foreign experts who 'contribute to the nation's reform and development.' APT warns that such ties raise red flags about Beijing's influence over US climate policy. Hohn's supporters say his money may help reduce the threat from wildfires, like the blazes that ravaged Los Angeles in January The report says Hohn funds groups that inject climate and social justice activism into corporate America The report cites a 2025 Senate subcommittee hearing, led by Senator Ted Cruz, which investigated whether Beijing-linked organizations were covertly funding American green groups. 'Foreign money from entities tied to the Chinese Communist Party flows into the United States to bankroll climate advocacy groups who litigate against American energy,' Cruz said. David Arkush of the left-leaning Public Citizen group pushed back against the claims, and Cruz has faced criticism for not backing up his observations with evidence. Under US law, foreign nationals are allowed to fund charitable projects but are barred from spending money to influence elections or lobby policymakers directly. It is also not uncommon for climate campaigners to cooperate with China, a world leader in green energy. Environmental campaigners say CIFF's grants are part of a global push to meet climate targets and save lives not suspicious dark money. CIFF's supporters point to billions spent on child nutrition, maternal health, and vaccines, arguing that climate policy is central to protecting the next generation. In a surprise move this month, CIFF announced it was ending US grant-making, citing 'a lack of confidence in our understanding of the US policy environment.' The foundation, which focuses on child health and development, climate change, and sexual and reproductive health and rights, said it would 'redirect its funding to, and restructure its contracts to be with, non-US NGOs.' A spokesperson told the Daily Mail that CIFF remains 'committed to improving the lives of the most vulnerable children' around the world. They declined to comment on the allegations in the report. The withdrawal comes as liberal nonprofits face mounting scrutiny from President Donald Trump's administration, amid concerns over foreign influence and the tax-exempt status of politically active charities. While CIFF's public mission centers on saving the planet, Hohn's own business dealings tell a murkier story. The foundation says it is still 'committed to improving the lives of the most vulnerable children' around the world The meat-free billionaire in 2017 married his second wife Dr. Kylie Richardson Archive news reports show that Hohn's hedge fund once held an $825 million stake in Heathrow Airport, as well as major positions in Airbus and Coal India companies seen as heavy polluters by the very activists he funds. Despite these apparent contradictions, Hohn has not wavered in his public crusade. 'Humanity is aggressively destroying the world with climate change,' he told The Telegraph, urging 'urgent action for us all to wake up to this fact.' APT's report paints Hohn as hypocritical, saying his vast donations amount to foreign interference under the guise of environmentalism. In its conclusion, APT argues that Hohn's activities though legal under current nonprofit rules expose gaping holes in US foreign funding laws. It urges Congress to tighten the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), demand full disclosure of foreign donations to advocacy groups, and even ban foreign funding of politically active nonprofits altogether. The conservative watchdog has published several reports critical of liberal 'dark money' networks, but typically does not scrutinize cashflows to right-wing causes. APT has itself faced criticism as the 'dark money ATM of the right' and part of conservative legal activist Leonard Leo's network. Hohn isn't the first foreign billionaire accused of meddling in US politics. Both liberal and conservative groups have faced scrutiny for accepting overseas cash. In the end, the British knight remains an enigma a billionaire ascetic who gives away fortunes, preaches sustainability, and yet stands accused of quietly radicalizing US climate politics. Whether he is a visionary philanthropist or a foreign power broker in green disguise, one thing is certain: his money has changed the landscape of American activism and the fight over who controls it is only just beginning. An asylum seeker followed a British woman who worked at the migrant hotel where he was living before stabbing her to death on a deserted train platform, a court has heard. Sudanese national Deng Chol Majek, who claims he is 19, allegedly launched a frenzied attack on Rhiannon Whyte as she commuted home from the Park Inn Hotel in Walsall. He is alleged to have followed the 27-year-old to a deserted platform at Bescott station, where he stabbed her 23 times with a screwdriver as she waited to catch a late train on October 20 last year. Ms Whyte had been on the phone to a friend, who heard two screams as she was struck over and over again at 11.13pm. The line went dead shortly afterwards. She was found by a train driver slumped on the platform 11 minutes later, but was too seriously injured to be saved and died surrounded by family on October 23. Opening the case against Majek at Wolverhampton Crown Court today, prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said: He left her bleeding to death and then casually went back to his hotel. After Ms Whyte was attacked, the defendant was allegedly seen on CCTV running back up the stairs from the platform holding an object lit up in his hand, which the prosecution said was Ms Whytes phone. Ms Heeley continued: The defendant did not go straight back to the hotel, he went to a local shop and bought himself a drink first, arriving back in the hotel at 12.13am. In between the station and the hotel he had thrown Rhiannons phone into a river, police later recovered it. Once at the hotel he was seen dancing and laughing, clearly excited about what he had done. CCTV showed him returning to the hotel carrying a black plastic bag which the prosecutor said contained some alcohol. Majek denies murdering Ms Whyte and a second charge of possessing a screwdriver in a public place. Ms Whyte, pictured, had been on the phone to a friend, who heard two screams as she was struck over and over again Rhiannon Skye Whyte, 27, was attacked moments after leaving work and died in hospital with her family by her side Police outside the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Bescot, Walsall - where Ms Whyte worked -in the aftermath of the attack Ms Heeley told the jury the defendants movements that night were captured on CCTV, a compilation of which was played to the court today. Ms Whyte's family, who were sitting in the public gallery, wiped away tears as they watched the footage. The prosecutor said the relevant footage started in the hotel reception where Majek was seen staring at Rhiannon throughout the evening. No one could recall any particular issue that would have caused him to act in that way, she said. There had been an issue about some broken biscuits with some of the residents but nothing serious. When Ms Whyte left the hotel at 11pm, Majek was said to be lurking outside reception. He allegedly followed her and the prosecution claimed he was seen entering the train car park 90 seconds behind her. By the time she walked over a bridge separating the platforms, this gap had closed to just 30 seconds, Ms Heeley said. She was alone when she reached the platform. It was then that the prosecution say this defendant attacked her, Ms Heeley said. Rhiannon had been talking to her friend, Emma. It then went silent and Emma heard a scream, then another scream and the phone went dead at 11.19pm. Ms Whyte was stabbed 23 times, including 11 stab wounds which penetrated her skull - one of which damaged her brain stem and ultimately caused her death. Police were very quickly able to trace the defendant because he was wearing very distinctive clothing and made an arrest shortly afterwards at the hotel, Ms Heeley said. They found him in possession of clothes including the jacket the attacker from the CCTV could be seen wearing, as well as jewellery and a pair of sandals, all of which were found to have Ms Whytes blood on them, the court heard. Ms Whytes DNA was found underneath the fingernails of the defendant, the jury were told. He is alleged to have disposed of both the screwdriver and Ms Whytes phone before returning to the hotel. Ms Heeney said: The prosecution say this was a murder because the person who attacked Rhiannon carried out a vicious and frenzied attack. They meant to seriously hurt Rhiannon, to kill her, and they carried out the attack by stabbing her repeatedly in the head with a weapon. We say you can be sure it was this defendant and no one else. He can be seen on the CCTV staring at Rhiannon, he then follows her from the hotel to the station. CCTV then follows him all the way back to the hotel. His clothes have her blood on, his fingernails have her DNA under them, she had injuries from where she tried to defend herself. The defendant was said to accept he was at the hotel that night, but claims the issue is one of misidentification. The prosecutor said that Ms Whyte had worked at the hotel for around three months, where she helped with all manner of things including cleaning and serving food. Majek lived at the hotel, which had been turned into a hotel for asylum seekers. He also claimed to be 18 (at the time), but there are doubts about that, Ms Heeley said. The trial continues. Nigel Farage has called for an Afghan migrant jailed for making a death threat on TikTok to be deported. The Reform UK leader said it was right to send Channel migrant Fayaz Khan back to his homeland after it emerged he had a slew of previous convictions for violence in Sweden, where he had been living for the last nine years. Khan, who has a tattoo of an AK-47 on his left cheek, was handed a five-year jail term at Southwark Crown Court today for making a threat to kill the politician on social media last year, after Mr Farage highlighted his journey to the UK. Khan initially apologised to Mr Farage during his sentencing hearing today, before launching an extraordinary expletive-laden rant at the politician and the justice system as he was taken down to the cells. The length of the prison sentence means the Channel migrant now faces deportation by the Home Office, something Khan said he welcomed during his outburst upon being jailed. Speaking to reporters outside Southwark Crown Court today, Mr Farage said: 'He wants to be deported, he'd rather go back to Afghanistan. 'That's what he wants to do and we should satisfy that as soon as we can.' Mr Farage said he was concerned Khan would be 'free to walk the streets' upon serving 18 months of his sentence, although Home Office policy states foreign offenders sentenced to at least 12 months' imprisonment for a criminal offence in the UK are automatically deported. Channel migrant Fayaz Khan was convicted last week of making a threat to kill Nigel Farage during a TikTok video Mr Farage arrived outside Southwark Crown Court to hear Khan be sentenced for making threats to kill him on TikTok He was handed a further eight-month concurrent sentence after admitting one count of entering the country illegally, having previously made ten unsuccessful attempts to get to the UK, the court heard. Judge Mrs Justice Steyn said Khan's threat was not 'spoken in the heat of an argument', and added: 'Your video was not merely abuse, it was a threat to kill with a firearm. It was, as Mr Farage put it, pretty chilling.' Mr Farage was sat in court throughout the hearing, accompanied by a team of security guards. Citing the examples of slain MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, she added: 'Being a Member of Parliament is a vitally important public duty. 'It is critical to a thriving democracy that the general public have access to Members of Parliament and politicians are not deterred from Parliament by threats. 'Several MPs have been the subject of attacks and threats in recent years, and two Members of Parliament have been murdered. 'When anyone makes a threat to kill a Member of Parliament, it is an exceptionally serious crime and will be treated as such.' Khan, who claims to be 26 but is actually believed to be at least five years older, initially showed no reaction as his sentence was confirmed, but then launched an extraordinary expletive-laden rant at the judge, the police and Mr Farage. He said: 'You (Mr Farage) use me so that you can be Prime Minister. Khan faces being deported to Afghanistan after being convicted 'I am going to go back to Afghanistan, I want to see my family. 'I want to go back to my country. 'I am not here to kill you. 'The police are lying. You want to f*** my life, you want to put me in prison. 'Send me back to Afghanistan, I don't want to stay here.' The judge temporarily left court while Khan was taken down to the cells, accompanied by dock officers, and loud thudding noises as Khan continued to shout. The court heard Khan has previous convictions for offences including knife possession, minor bodily harm, threatening behaviour and vandalism in Sweden, where he lived since 2015. He arrived in England on a small boat in October last year, livestreaming his journey. He had an extant six-month jail sentence hanging over him by the time he fled for the UK, and gave a fake name to UK authorities upon arrival. The court heard Khan, who has a three-year-old son in Sweden, has applied for asylum in the UK because his father is an associate of former Afghan president Hamid Karzai. The court was also told the Taliban - who now run the Middle East nation - may come after him. But the judge said she was sure Khan gave the UK authorities a false name and false date of birth 'not because you were hiding from so-called enemies - if that was the case, you wouldn't have livestreamed your journey on social media. 'It is because you have a criminal record in Sweden.' Khan said his crooked finger gesture was his trademark sign-off for social media, and nothing sinister towards Mr Farage Wannabe influencer Khan took to social media after Mr Farage highlighted his plan to illegally enter the UK. 'Gangster' Khan could be seen to make a crook with his forefinger during the video and said he would 'pop pop pop' the man he referred to as 'English man Nigel' - claiming also he would 'marry' Mr Farage's sister - something the judge today said was a 'sexual threat'. The high-profile politician said he was concerned Khan was going to try and shoot him and his family upon arrival in the UK. Khan denied any malevolent intent, and said the 'pop pop pop' was his customary sign-off to his tens of thousands of followers on TikTok, and not a threat to Mr Farage. But he was convicted of one count of making threats to kill by jurors last Friday. The court heard the migrant claimed he livestreamed his journey to the UK to highlight how difficult it was and the risk involved. But Prosecutor Peter Ratliff suggested it was more to do with encouraging others to make the same trip. He applied for asylum in Sweden, but this was turned down - prompting him to head to the UK. He was previously jailed for offences including using threatening behaviour towards a public servant, for carrying a knife in a public place and for using threatening behaviour. The court heard Mr Farage posted a video highlighting Khan's story and the 'young males of fighting age coming into our country about whom we know very little' in October last year, after being drawn to Khan's content. This prompted Khan to record his own response video two days later. Addressing the camera, Khan said: 'Englishman Nigel, don't talk s*** about me. 'You not know me. I come to England because I want to marry with your sister (sic).' He signed off the video by saying: 'I'm coming to England. I'm going to pop pop pop,' and headbutted the camera. Khan could be seen crooking his index finger as he made the 'pop' noise, something prosecutor Mr Ratliff said was intended to represent a gun and underline Khan's sinister intentions. Mr Farage later told police he was 'potentially in fear for my life' due to the threat against him and his family, adding the reference by 'misogynist' Khan to 'marry with' his sister was euphemistic. The court heard Khan claimed he did not realise it was illegal to enter the UK by small boat, and used a false name when he arrived for processessing in Margate because 'he had enemies he did not want to find him'. Mr Ratliff said the reason was more likely because he did not want to alert authorities to his previous convictions. He told police the 'pop pop pop' was not to do with guns, nor was he making a gun gesture in his videos. Khan did not give evidence in his defence. But his counsel Charles Royle said Khan made the gun gesture and 'pop' noise in multiple videos unrelated to Mr Farage because it was his 'signature'. The defence said Khan's representation on social media was as 'an entertainer', trying 'to play a part' and earn a living off that. On a bitterly cold night in late January 2002, an injured two-year-old girl was brought into the emergency room of a hospital in Palestine, East Texas, by her father. Robert Roberson, a newspaper delivery man, said his daughter, Nikki Curtis, had fallen out of the bed they were sharing in the early hours of that morning - two days after shed been given powerful medication for chronic infections and breathing problems. Although she appeared to have hurt her head, he told doctors hed comforted her and put her back to bed. However, when he woke up four hours later, he found Nikkis lips were blue and she wasnt breathing. The following day, after doctors said theyd observed symptoms consistent with brain death, she was taken off life support. Nikki, a sickly child throughout her short life, had a small abrasion on her chin and light bruising on one cheek among other minor injuries that were consistent with the fall her father had described. But hospital staff and police became suspicious of Robersons role in the tragedy because he appeared so emotionless over his daughters death - evidence, as they saw it, of his guilt. And their suspicions grew when tests on Nikki revealed brain swelling, as well as bleeding, on the surface of the brain and behind the eyes. Investigators and medics concluded that these symptoms pointed to one obvious diagnosis, shaken baby syndrome, and Roberson was charged with her murder. Robert Roberson said Nikki had fallen out of the bed they were sharing. When he woke up four hours later, he said she was not breathing After a trial in which a paediatrician and pathologist both testified that the little girls death was due to her having been shaken, Roberson was convicted. And until an eleventh hour stay of execution by Texass highest criminal court this week, following pleas for clemency from medical experts, politicians and even the best-selling thriller writer John Grisham, it would have been Robersons turn to die next Thursday - by lethal injection. The sentence still might be carried out. If so, it would make him the first person in the US to be executed on the basis of the controversial shaken baby syndrome diagnosis, most famously used to secure the involuntary manslaughter conviction in 1997 of teenage British au-pair Louise Woodward. The pause in Robersons execution was granted under a groundbreaking 2013 Texas junk-science law, which allows the re-examination of convictions based on forensic evidence that has been debunked. The Court of Criminal Appeals has ordered that the court that originally tried Roberson hold a new hearing to consider whether there are sufficient grounds for a re-trial. The bad news for Roberson is that, despite at least 70 attempts, this junk-science law has never been used successfully to secure a new trial for a death row inmate. And Texass hardline Attorney General, Ken Paxton, has already overturned two earlier stays of execution on Roberson. Indeed, only last year, Roberson was just two hours away from being injected with lethal drugs when state politicians mounted a desperate rescue operation that resulted in his death sentence being deferred. Robert Roberson, 58, was convicted of murdering his two-year-old daughter, Nikki, in 2003 But Paxton is determined that Roberson - who was first due to be executed in 2016 - will be put to death. Along with a number of medical experts and some of Nikkis other family members, he says that she died because of child abuse and that Roberson had a history of hitting her. Last month, three paediatricians including two from the prestigious Yale School of Medicine announced they had reviewed the case and are convinced that Nikki was the victim of child abuse. For his part, Roberson insists he never hit or shook his daughter, while his lawyers claim the girl died from complications related to pneumonia, which doctors missed when they examined her 23 years ago. He also has an impressive array of defenders in his corner, including an alliance of Texas politicians from both the Left and Right, which is something of a surprise because many of the latter are usually stalwart supporters of the death penalty. They all believe doctors and prosecutors blamed him for his daughters death through a faulty diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome. The centrepiece of his lawyers case is a joint statement from 10 independent pathologists which contradicts the coroners report that attributes Nikkis death to blunt force head injuries. They counter that her brain swelling was caused not by violent shaking but a serious infection connected to severe pneumonia. This was exacerbated, they say, by her fall from bed and the improper prescription of dangerous medicines by doctors. Her illness then progressed to first sepsis and then septic shock, Robersons lawyers allege. The Allan B. Polunsky Unit prison in Livingston, Texas, where Roberson is imprisoned Robersons camp argues that the shaken baby syndrome arguments that were advanced to convict him are not scientifically sound and have been sufficiently undermined by subsequent research that today no rational juror would find Roberson guilty of capital murder. Theyve taken heart from the overturning last year of a very similar conviction against another Texas man, Andrew Roark, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison for injuring his girlfriends toddler in 1997. Roark was accused of shaken baby syndrome in court by the same child abuse expert who testified against Roberson. Gretchen Sween, Robersons lawyer, said she was relieved and grateful for the stay of execution: We have won a battle, but we have certainly not won the war. She added: Robert adored Nikki, whose death was a tragedy, a horror compounded by Roberts wrongful conviction that devastated his whole family. We are confident that an objective review of the science and medical evidence will show there was no crime. Others involved in the original case, including Brian Wharton, the lead police detective on the investigation, now concede that the conviction was based on a string of serious misunderstandings by investigators and doctors about Nikki and her father. Texas, the so-called Lone Star state, executes far more prisoners than any other state and its conservative leaders are proud of their record. But Republican state Representative Jeff Leach has said that if Roberson, now 58, joins the grim list of death-row victims it will be an irreparable stain on the history of our state. John Grisham, the king of crime fiction and author of bestsellers such as The Pelican Brief and The Firm, is writing a book about the case. He said this week: Im trying to raise awareness about this incredible injustice and this slowly unfolding train wreck were watching right now. To see something like this is very disturbing. Former detective Wharton has gone so far as to visit the man he helped convict in prison and apologise for his role in his incarceration. He believes detectives and doctors had fallen foul of confirmation bias. We got it wrong. We had incomplete or bad information, so the system got it wrong, says Wharton. So what exactly did the system get wrong? The case against Roberson certainly looked convincing at his trial in 2003. The accused was a convicted burglar and thief whod violated his parole conditions before being released from prison in 2000. By 2002, he was divorced with two children and had fathered a girl, Nikki, with another woman, who was reportedly a habitual drug user and prostitute. As a result, Roberson was granted custody of the little girl after taking a DNA test that confirmed he was her father. His trial heard from prosecutors that Roberson had killed his daughter intentionally, with their medical experts telling the court about the science behind shaken baby syndrome, commonly known as SBS. The diagnosis emerged in the early 1970s, on the back of attempts to explain how whiplash injury (commonly suffered in road accidents) could cause traumatic - potentially fatal - brain injury and bleeding without leaving any external evidence of the damage. Experts said SBS resulted from violent shaking or blunt force trauma, or both, and primarily affected infants and children under the age of five because their developing brain and fragile skull rendered them highly susceptible to severe neurological damage. If a so-called triad of symptoms were present - brain swelling and bleeding over the brain and behind the eyes - then it was proof of criminal violence, it was argued. Those involved in the trial would doubtless have known all about the syndrome after it achieved international fame during the trial of Louise Woodward over the death of an eight-month-old baby she was looking after in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Robersons jury heard from a string of witnesses who tried to make clear he was just the sort of man who could have shaken Nikki to death. His ex-wife testified that hed punched and choked her when she was pregnant with one of his two older children and several relatives of Teddie Cox, Robersons girlfriend at the time of Nikkis death, testified that theyd seen him shake Nikki at other times. But defence lawyers argued that all of these witnesses had reason to lie in order to damage Robersons case: the ex-wife had just lost a long custody battle over their two children, while Teddie Cox was also unreliable, having admitted shed repeatedly changed her story depending on how I feel at the moment. Not for the first time during a US murder case involving a defendant who couldnt afford much in the way of legal representation, it seems Roberson was appallingly ill-served by his court-appointed counsel. Robersons lawyer contradicted his clients insistence that hed never shaken his daughter and even told the court that Nikkis death must have been caused by shaking. Declining to call his own medical witnesses, he said Roberson had been too cognitively impaired to realise what hed been doing when he lost it and shook his daughter to stop her crying. Predictably, Roberson was convicted and sentenced to death. The sentence might have been carried out years ago if it werent for a legal log jam on death row. Then, in 2018, a box of missing evidence from the trial, including Nikkis CT scans, was discovered in a courthouse basement. They were analysed by a string of independent doctors, among them a paediatric radiologist who found evidence of a single site of impact on Nikkis head, a discovery that supported her fathers claim that shed fallen out of bed. Doctors had earlier prescribed her Phenergan, a powerful medication that is no longer approved for children of her age and in her condition because it suppresses breathing. She was also prescribed Codeine, a strong narcotic not recommended for anyone under 18. Other evidence that had pointed towards Robersons guilt started to fall apart, too. It emerged that not only had Nikki suffered from undiagnosed pneumonia but her father had undiagnosed autism, which would have explained to doctors and police why he appeared so devoid of emotion over his daughters death. Meanwhile, in the intervening years since his conviction, many experts have become increasingly sceptical of the science underpinning shaken baby syndrome. A number of studies have suggested that brain injuries attributed to it could be caused by other factors, such as infections and even falls, and not just an infant being furiously shaken. And it appeared that shaking alone was unlikely to cause severe brain trauma and there had to be accompanying damage to the skull or spine - which Nikki showed no sign of having. Since 1989, 39 parents and caregivers have reportedly been exonerated in the US over faulty SBS convictions and some of them have joined the campaign to save Roberson from the execution chamber. And in 2022, a Channel 4 documentary about Louise Woodwards conviction questioned the credibility of the SBS accusation that was made against her. Yet whatever Robersons lawyers may claim and despite the reservations of a growing number of experts, there does remain a broad consensus among paediatricians that SBS is not junk science but a legitimate medical diagnosis. It is now considered a type of abusive head trauma, a wider term that reflects that it can be caused by actions other than shaking, such as a blow to a childs head. The US government say it is a leading cause of child abuse deaths among children under five. And not just in the US. In Liverpool two weeks ago, Mehmet Tufan, 30, was jailed for manslaughter seven years after he violently shook his baby son causing catastrophic brain injuries that led to his death in 2022. Doctors who examined little Leo Williams found an extensive brain injury, blood in his spinal cord and extensive retinal haemorrhages. Americans are not used to Texan Republican politicians, usually so hang em high in their attitude to criminal justice, going out of their way to get anyone off death row. But one of their leaders, Jeff Leach, is at pains to emphasise that they havent suddenly gone soft over crime. Robersons case, he said, had struck them as uniquely outrageous. None of us, not a single one of us, is arguing that Robert should be walking the streets tomorrow, he told USA Today this week. All were asking for is the pause button and a new trial, but there seems to be this bloodlust for this execution. If Robert Roberson does end up being executed without a new hearing, Americas embattled capital punishment system may find this was one battle it should have avoided fighting. Liberal Americans who lost friends and relatives in the October 7 terror attack are putting politics aside to praise Donald Trump for brokering a peace deal in the Middle East. 'This was thought to be impossible. And then it happened,' Florida-based Baruch Apisdorf told the Daily Mail as he celebrated the final release of Israeli hostages on Monday. Apisdorf has been grieving the loss of his best friend and roommate, David Newman, for two years after Hamas terrorists gunned him down at the Nova music festival in 2023. The 27-year-old was on the phone to Newman, 25, as the terrified festival-goer hid with his girlfriend from armed Palestinian militants, until the line went silent. Apisdorf said that even in his final moments, Newman was cracking jokes to try to reassure him that everything would be ok. He received a photograph of his friend's dead body two days later. Speaking with the Daily Mail over the phone from California on Monday, Apisdorf told Newman's heartbreaking story in full, and explained why he's putting politics aside to plan a grand gesture for Donald Trump. Apisdorf has organized memorials across the US this year in memory of the 1,205 October 7 victims, and he is now in the process of setting up a flyover in Los Angeles to spell out 'THANK YOU DONALD TRUMP' across the sky. 'It's a thank you. It's as simple as that,' the Israeli-American citizen said. 'Physically, David was a mix between an Australian surfer and a line backer,' Apisdorf said as he paid tribute to his beloved friend. 'He was 6'3' with blond hair, a super good-looking guy. He managed to make everything in life awesome' (Pictured: David Newman and Apisdorf) American citizens who lost beloved friends and relatives in the October 7 terror attack are calling for Donald Trump to receive the next Nobel Peace Prize for finally putting an end to their pain. (Pictured: Trump with Netanyahu in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, October 13, 2025) Known to his friends as 'Bucky', Apisdorf, 27, has been grieving the loss of his best friend and roommate David Newman for two years after terrorists gunned the 25-year-old down at the Nova music festival in Israel on October 7, 2023 (Pictured: Newman (left) and Apisdorf) 'A lot of people try to speculate, positive or negative, about whether Trump has done this for himself. Why is he doing it? You know, Nobel Peace Prize. I think he definitely deserves one at this point. 'But I think what matters in a presidency for Americans, for Israelis, for the entire world, is results. He was able to do what literally a couple of weeks ago the majority of people deemed impossible, which was bring all the living hostages home alive.' Apisdorf said he can finally start healing from the trauma thanks to the peace deal brokered by Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and other world leaders in Egypt. 'It feels almost impossibly good,' he said. 'I don't think anyone in Israel or in America thought it was going to be possible to get all 20 of them back alive. It feels like a miracle and like a dream come true. Now we can start healing.' Like many people in his generation, Apisdorf is a liberal and would previously have voted Democrat, but recent developments have changed that. 'I've looked over the past couple of years and I've seen that Joe Biden, going back to the previous presidency, was historically very pro-Israel, very Zionist, and after October 7, he flew straight to Israel,' Apisdorf said. 'He sent the aircraft carriers. I think the country was incredibly appreciative of that. 'But over time, the pressure from his administration switched from being on Hamas to being on Israel. And I think that was a mistake. 'Just from getting the results that we all want, because the core people responsible for this and could end this, as we see now, is Hamas accepting a deal. 'I think simply from a policy perspective, that was a bad idea and the same thing that happened with Macron. If you are going to reward terrorist activity, it is going to incentivize terrorist activity. 'The policy from the Trump administration was essentially, let Israel pressure militarily, let America pressure diplomatically. 'This has been done along with a huge cohort of Muslim countries. I mean, you had Qatar involved in this, you had Turkey involved in this, you had many other countries. 'What matters here is the fact that the hostages are home, and this is what brought them.' Known to his friends as 'Bucky', Apisdorf has been grieving the loss of his best friend David Newman for two years after terrorists gunned the 25-year-old down at the Nova music festival in Israel on October 7, 2023 (Pictured: Newman (left) Apisdorf (right) and a friend) When asked whether he would vote for Trump now, Apsidorf said that faced with the choice between a Democrat who would continue Biden's policies versus Trump's approach, he would 'absolutely' vote Republican. Apisdorf said the location of his upcoming airborne display to thank Trump will launch from the lawns of the UCLA campus. He said this location was chosen because, along with Columbia University in New York, it was the locus of 'destructive' pro-Palestine protests around October 7 last year. Apisdorf also previously organized a touching memorial to the victims of October 7 on Butler Lawn at Columbia, featuring an empty white chair for each of the 1,205 people killed in the atrocity. Speaking about this memorial, he said: 'In the world there are two types of people: people who try to build and people who try to destroy. 'I don't believe the pro-Palestine movement gives a single s*** about the Palestinians - excuse my language. I think they want to destroy what we have in the West, which is incredible freedoms and incredible rights.' 'One of the reasons we have done this (the memorial) was for people to see the dichotomy between the beautiful, peaceful memorial honoring the lives lost and the destructive protests we saw last year.' 'The only thing more shocking than what we saw on October 7 is seeing people out in protests on October 8,' he added. 'This is the only terror attack in history where the victims were blamed and we need to think about why that is.' Baruch Apisdorf (pictured), whose roommate and best friend David Newman was killed in the attack, organized the memorial at Columbia with the group he leads called Let's Do Something Organized encampments have appeared across the country's most respected universities after first showing up at Columbia in New York City in 2024, as shown above Apisdorf said though that there is still 'a huge amount of fear' among Jewish students at American colleges, which is another big reason he's organizing at campuses. He added that Monday's peace deal and return of the final hostages was a 'bittersweet' moment for people like him who had lost loved ones on October 7. 'That's the bittersweet aspect of this - there are so many people who can't come home. And David is one of those,' he said. 'We're incredibly happy that the hostages are home, but for all the families, whether it be David's family or the thousands of others, every single person has a personal connection with someone who cannot come home at this point. 'We're well aware of the price that was paid for that. But I think as you saw the celebrations in Israel, people aren't taking that pain and turning it into, you know, a need for revenge. 'We're turning it into a need for peace, because that's what David would have wanted. That was the life he lives by, he was literally celebrating life at a peace festival, and that's what the country wants.' Apisdorf said he met his friend David Newman when they were both 14 years old at the Yerushalayim Torah Academy school in Jerusalem. Both boys were American-Israeli citizens, and did part of their schooling in Israel. Apisdorf said he met his friend David Newman when they were both 14 years old at the Yerushalayim Torah Academy school in Jerusalem (Pictured: David Newman and Apisdorf) 'His Hebrew was better than mine. He was the one who raised me. He used to joke and call me his son,' Apisdorf said. They remained close when they moved back to the US, and Newman borrowed Apisdorf's car to travel to the Nova music festival on October 6, 2023. Apisdorf said he was on a visit to Israel at the time, and he woke up to the sound of sirens blaring at 6.29am on October 7. 'I woke up almost exactly then because I was in Jerusalem and sirens went off as they struck Jerusalem too,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I texted David saying, "I hope you're north", and he replied saying 'pray for me and pray for your car'. 'He still had his sense of humor even in that moment. That's classic David, he was always chilled and relaxed no matter the situation. 'He said he and his girlfriend Noam were hiding from terrorists. I ran out to try to find them. 'At 10.48am he sent me one last text message that said 'praying for dear life'. 'They were hiding for about three hours in a yellow dumpster - David and his girlfriend and 14 more people. 'David was the size of a line-backer. When the terrorists found them, he was shot and killed immediately. Smoke and flames billow after Israeli forces struck a high-rise tower in Gaza City, October 7 'On October 6, I said 'I love you, I'll see you tomorrow'. And there never was a tomorrow. That was the lesson of the sunsets - tomorrow is not guaranteed, appreciate what you have today,' Apisdorf said of Newman. (Pictured: Apisdorf (left) and Newman (top right) with a friend) 'They killed 13 out of 16 people in their group. David's girlfriend, Noam, was shot in the leg. She was stuck there under a pile of bodies for a few hours and she was rescued later that afternoon.' Newman's girlfriend, Noam Ben David, told Israeli news outlets that she was badly injured and had to learn to walk again - but her physical pain was nothing compared with the trauma of losing her life partner. 'This is the easy part compared to dealing with my psychological pain, the huge hole in my heart, the enormous loss of the love of my life,' she said. 'We were now supposed to be celebrating a month living in our shared apartment in Yaffo, and instead, I'm in the hospital, learning to walk again.' Ben David remembered Newman as 'the most incredible and beautiful person in the world, who was always smiling, helping, supporting and loving'. 'He always supported me and told me I was a lioness who could do anything, and now he's not here anymore,' she added. 'Instead of my family being at my wedding and celebrating and dancing, they are crying with me at my boyfriend's funeral.' Apisdorf also paid tribute to Newman, who he described as 'physically a mix between an Australian surfer and a line backer'. 'He was 6'3' with blond hair, a super good-looking guy. He managed to make everything in life awesome,' Apisdorf told the Daily Mail. 'We spent 1.5 months traveling together in Mexico, and every night at sunset he would freak out. He would be like "oh my god it's sunset". 'On October 6, I said "I love you, I'll see you tomorrow". And there never was a tomorrow. That was the lesson of the sunsets - tomorrow is not guaranteed, appreciate what you have today. He was right.' Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger pulled in a record-breaking $2.2 million at a McLean, Virginia fundraiser Mondaywith Bill and Hillary Clinton as her star attractions. The event, hosted by former Governor Terry McAuliffe at his home, drew more than 350 donors and became the 'largest gubernatorial fundraiser in Virginia history,' according to Politico. But the Clintons' appearance came with uncomfortable timing. Bill Clinton was subpoenaed by House Republicans in August to testify about his ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday. Hillary was also called to appear last week. Though neither appeared for subpoenas on the dates originally requested by the committee in August, a source with the House Oversight Committee told the Daily Mail it is negotiating dates with Clinton attorneys, leaving the chances of testimony an open possibility. The Democratic fundraiser came just days after Spanberger's lackluster debate performance against Republican opponent Winsome Sears in the off-cycle gubernatorial race set for next month. Vice President JD Vance weighed in on the Epstein subpoenas in August, telling Fox News: 'The Democrats have tried to make this Epstein thing about anything but the fact that Democrat billionaires and Democrat political leaders went to Epstein island all the time.' 'I know a lot of Americans want answers, I certainly want answers, and I think James Comer and the team in the House, they're doing the right thing,' Vance added, also noting that 'we know Clinton allegedly went to Epstein's infamous 'island 26 times, 28 times.' Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) addresses a small get-out-the-vote rally on the first day of early voting outside the Eastern Government Center on September 19, 2025 in Henrico, Virginia Hillary Clinton speaks onstage during the Clinton Global Initiative 2025 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on September 25, 2025 in New York City Bill Clinton speaks onstage during the Clinton Global Initiative 2025 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on September 24, 2025 in New York City A photo of infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and associate Ghislaine Maxwell at the Clinton White House, one day after Maxwell pleaded not guilty to sex-trafficking charges. The images, from the William J. Clinton Presidential Library, show Epstein and Maxwell speaking with then-President Bill Clinton at an event that took place in 1993 for donors to the White House Historical Association House Oversight Chairman James Comer issued the deposition subpoenas on August 5th, calling both Clintons to appear in October. The Daily Mail has reached out for comment to a representative for the Clintons. Several Trump-era DOJ officials including Attorneys General Bill Barr and Jeff Sessions were also subpoenaed over the Epstein files. The full list of officials called to appear before House Oversight also includes Former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, Former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Former US Attorney General Eric Holder, Former US Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Former FBI Director James Comey. Comey's subpoena was withdrawn on October 6th after he expressed that he did not have the 'knowledge' or 'information relevant to the Committee's investigation' in a letter to Comer. 'I offer this letter in lieu of a deposition that would unproductively consume the Committee's scarce time and resources,' Comey also noted in his letter. A House petition to release the full Epstein files is expected to move forward in the coming weeks. Democrat Representative Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election September 23rd to replace her late father Raul Grijalva in Arizona's 7th Congressional District, is expected to provide the final signature after being sworn in. A husband and wife have been identified as the victims of a fiery plane crash in Massachusetts on Monday morning. Thomas Perkins, 68, and his wife, 66-year-old Agatha Perkins, both of Middletown, Rhode Island, were found in the fuselage of their downed single-engine Socata TBM 700 at about 8.15am, reported Boston 25 News. They were pronounced dead at the scene. A third victim was also injured and has not been publicly identified. She was driving on the Interstate 195 in Darmouth when the small plane crashed on the highway. The woman was rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 'The plane may have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport, though it does not appear that the pilot provided the airport with a flight plan or the number of souls aboard the aircraft,' state police said. The crash occurred as a Nor'easter battered the area with high winds and heavy rain. The couple's devastated community paid tribute to them on Monday, writing on Facebook: 'The Aquidneck Island community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Tom and Aggie Perkins.' Thomas Perkins, 68, and his wife, 66-year-old Agatha Perkins, both of Middletown, Rhode Island , were found in the fuselage of the fixed-wing, single-engine Socata TBM 700 at about 8.15am The plane appeared to split in two, with the fuselage coming to rest on the median while further debris was scattered nearby They were described as 'a beloved couple whose kindness, generosity, and spirit touched countless lives across Aquidneck Island.' 'The aircraft went down on the grassy median near Exit 22 around 8:15 a.m., erupting into flames and forcing the closure of both sides of the highway for much of the day. 'Massachusetts State Police confirmed that both Tom and Aggie were aboard the plane and died at the scene.' The duo were reportedly en route to Kenosha, Wisconsin, having departed New Bedford Regional Airport shortly before the crash. Thomas had his piloting license, and the pair were on board a plane registered to the Air Charity Network, according to Flight Aware information. Air Charity Network is the parent company of several regional 'Angel Flight' charities, but Angel Care issued a statement confirming the plane was not linked with any scheduled flights for them. 'We are all checking with each other to see which public benefit flying organization the pilot was volunteering for, and that has yet to be determined,' Brendan Sneegas, CEO and executive director of Angel Flight Central, said. The plane was owned by Easton Air LLC, a company registered to Perkins' home address. They were described as 'a beloved couple whose kindness, generosity, and spirit touched countless lives across Aquidneck Island' The crash occurred as a Nor'easter battered the area with high winds and heavy rain The crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board Just six minutes before the plane reportedly went down, Agatha had posted in a local buy/swap/sell community page on Facebook. The crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. According to state police, the plane caught fire as soon as it crashed. The plane appeared to split in two, with the fuselage coming to rest on the median while further debris was scattered nearby. The crash occurred during horror weather conditions in the region. The Nor'easter brought over four inches of rain to some parts of Massachusetts, according to the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, millions of Americans across New Jersey and New York were placed under a state of emergency as rain and strong wind gusts of 45mph battered the region. A young festivalgoer has died after being struck by debris from a nearby construction site outside the Redwest Music Festival in Utah. Ava Ahlander, 23, was standing outside of the country music festival when a large plank from scaffolding was lifted from strong winds. The young woman was beside her car when the plank fell from about 30 feet, crushing Ahlander and her vehicle, Salt Lake Police Lt. Leigh Willis told KSL. Ahlander was initially rushed to hospital in critical condition but didn't survive her injuries, her family confirmed in a GoFundMe. 'Ava was a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and adventurous spirit touched everyone around her. 'Even in her passing, Ava continues to give the gift of life to others as an organ donora final act of generosity that truly reflects her caring nature and desire to help those in need,' the fundraiser said. Funds raised are set to be used to help her family with medical bills, funeral expenses, a memorial celebration of life and counselling for 'those affected by this loss.' Ava Ahlander, 23, was stood outside of the country music festival when debris from a nearby construction site struck her and her car before she was pronounced dead over the weekend A severe thunderstorm had rolled in over the festival, causing organizers to put the show on hold while other attendees took shelter According to her uncle, Bobby, Ahlander was an 'avid concert goer' who had flown in from Seattle to see Post Malone with her friends As of Monday evening, the fundraiser had garnered over $6,300. Any leftover donations are set to be donated to charity in Ava's name, her family wrote, to extend 'her legacy of compassion.' According to her uncle, Bobby, Ahlander was an 'avid concert goer' who had flown in from Seattle to see Post Malone with her friends. 'As you can imagine, this was absolutely devastating news and I am grief stricken. Ava was an absolute delight of a human being. Everyone loved her. She had the best smile,' he wrote on Facebook. The Redwest Music Festival was set to take place from Friday October 10 until Sunday October 12. Headliners, such as Post Malone and Noah Kahan were set to take the stage before it was cancelled on its second of the three day festival. Severe storms resulted in organizers halted the event just before 5.15pm on Saturday and urged festivalgoers to take their belongings and find shelter, Fox 13 reported. Winds of up to 60mph were reported as Tropical Storm Priscilla, downgraded from a hurricane, battered areas of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado over the weekend with heavy rains. The Redwest Music Festival was set to take place from Friday October 10 until Sunday October 12, before day two was cancelled due to severe weather Headliners, such as Post Malone and Noah Kahan were set to take the stage before it was cancelled on its second of the three day festival. The show carried on on Sunday While some festival attendees patiently waited for the show to resume, organizers eventually cancelled the Saturday shows altogether at around 9.40pm. 'For the safety of our fans, artists, and staff, we are unable to continue with todays programming. Conditions at the festival site are currently unsafe to proceed,' an Instagram post read. 'Were truly sorry and appreciate your patience and understanding. Please stay tuned to our social channels and check your email for further updates and next steps.' A follow up post assured Saturday ticket holders that their tickets would be honored on Sunday as another announcement came that Sunday's show would continue on as planned. Louise was driving her three young children home from lunch when something happened that gives her sleepless nights to this day. She is a careful driver who sticks to Sadiq Khans 20mph London speed limit and things were no different that Saturday afternoon. I had my baby in the car, so I was extra cautious, says Louise, a teacher. At a mini-roundabout, a moped accelerated into my path so I stopped. The next thing, this man was sprawled on the bonnet and his bike on the ground. I remember it had an L-plate on it. A second or two later, the driver slid off her blue Volvo. Clearly unhurt, he propped up his bike, then came back to the car asking for her name, mobile number and insurance company details. Throughout all of this bewildering saga, he did not once remove his helmet so his face remained hidden. I went round to my Volvos right-hand side where he had come at my car, remembered Louise last week, adding that she could not see any damage. I started to speak to him but he cut me off saying: No English. But he was asking for my personal data, as though from a script, in the very language he claimed not to know. And he kept on and on at me, pestering me for it. Eventually, Louise gave him her phone number but no other details and he disappeared on his bike. She took the children back home. Her husband was away working abroad that weekend, and she mused to herself that because no one was hurt, and neither vehicle had been damaged, it was the end of the matter. An illegally driven moped slammed into Louises Volvo and the driver walked away unscathed. Just 48 hours later, he began bombarding her with threatening messages But when she talked to friends and to her husband about it, they warned her it was probably an attempted insurance scam. They had heard of similar stories in the area and read about them on social media. She took the precaution of telling the police, adding that the moped was being driven illegally, against the flow of traffic, and she was leaving the roundabout when it came into her path. Sure enough, ever since that afternoon in late August, the driver has plagued her with WhatsApp messages in which he calls himself Weder implying that Louise was to blame for the accident. The first text, within 48 hours of the crash, said: Hi, good afternoon, Im going to apply for insurance, as we agreed, OK? Louise responded she had made no such agreement and that she had reported him to the Met Police for attacking my vehicle with her children inside it. She wrote back angrily: You drove away entirely unscathed, with no damage to your moped. It is entirely consistent with other similar accidents in my area. Weder replied defensively in broken English: Hi actually you who hit me I was already inside the roundabout the preference is mine . . . my vehicle was unable to ride you were more than 20mph. The threatening messages continued. One from Weder said that Louise had told him to trigger an insurance claim, which she denies doing, although she certainly remembers he was aggressive during the confrontation at the mini-roundabout. Louise's experience bore the hallmarks of the cash for crash insurance swindle thats now being perpetrated on an industrial scale in London and other UK cities I think this man was hoping that I would give him money on the street. I guess some innocent people do that because they dont want to lose their no-claims bonus, she says now. Weders pestering on social media did not stop. Louise has discovered that after the accident, he approached a firm called Motorcycle Accident Management Services (McAMS) to manage his insurance claim against her on a no-win, no-fee basis. The first email to her from McAMS, a few days later, said: Good morning, Mrs Louise [sic]. We are contacting you because we believe that you have been involved in a road traffic accident with our client Mr Weder on 23/08/2025 and wed like to hear your version of events. On the advice of lawyer friends, she did not reply. But it didnt end there. She contacted her own insurance company a household name to warn them that a fraudulent claim might be made on her insurance. Which is what happened. Last week they emailed her with a series of questions such as: When did you first see the moped driver? Did you enter the roundabout first? The rest of their message was muddled and appeared to be preparing to make a payout to close the case which could, of course, invalidate her own no-claims bonus. The email from her insurance company said the moped driver claimed, correctly, that Weder had approached Louises Volvo from the right. But it then added: It will prove very difficult to dispute liability as you should give way to parties joining the roundabout when they come from that direction. This didnt make sense to Louise. To recap, the bike did come from the right but driving the wrong way round the mini-roundabout as Louises car was about to exit. Its driver then staged an accident and claimed she had hit him. The more the situation developed, the more it bore the hallmarks of the cash for crash insurance swindle thats now being perpetrated on an industrial scale in London and other UK cities, predominantly by moped delivery drivers. This ruthless scam involves deliberately driving into expensive, obviously well-insured, cars often on quiet roads where there are few witnesses and then making a bogus claim. Often, lone older women or mums on the school run are targeted, say police. Time and again, a roundabout is chosen for the accident as its multiple entrances mean the moped can appear to come out of nowhere. Insurance firm Allianz say the scams rocketed by 60-fold last year alone, costing the industry hundreds of millions of pounds annually in paperwork, which, in turn, push up premiums for all UK drivers. According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau, which has a cheatline collecting reports on the crime, there are now an estimated 30,000 incidents per year, which amounts to an annual cost to insurers of up to 350 million. Social media sites, particularly X and Mumsnet, are full of worrying real-life examples of the scams. One woman from south London said: A motorcyclist drove right up to my car while it was stationary, no jolt, and then put his bike down and got off it. I felt he had staged a collision. When I Googled his name that he gave me, only one name came up, linked to a porn site. Another writer, on Mumsnet, said: This has happened 12 times in three days in my area of Surrey. It is the same man, or a group of men, doing it. A third person, a man on the neighbourhood community site near Louises north London home, commented recently: It happens to anyone. Shout at them, say you know its a scam. When one driver ran into my wife and claimed to be a victim, I turned up. Panicking, he hopped on his scooter and went off the wrong way down the road. Louises accident ticked all the boxes for these scams. Invariably, some victims cave in and let their insurers pay the claim to get the matter over with. The consequence is they pay face a higher insurance premium even though they have done nothing wrong. The prize for the moped driver is an insurance payout, a proportion of which goes to the motorcycle insurance service or legal firm he has used to fast-forward his compensation claim for damages. Sometimes, injury claims faked, of course are made too. There is no suggestion that McAMS or other accident management services encourage the shady claims. The McAMS website says that it provides a no win-no fee service for moped drivers in accidents meaning you only pay legal fees if your claim is successful, and a pre-agreed percentage will be taken from your compensation. It adds details of an email hotline to make a claim. The company said it relies on a network of introducer garages for marketing and recommendation of services and pays commission for successful claims. Marek Coghill, a detective inspector at City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department, is targeting crash-for-cash swindles in the capital, where most of them happen. He says the moped drivers involved, whom he calls scammers, are often from the Brazilian immigrant community who speak Portuguese as a first language and become delivery drivers on arrival in this country. He told the trade magazine Insurance Times: We were often not able to find them because they kept their helmets on [at the crash]. Because of the transient nature of the people committing the offences, they were often gone from the country by the time we got our ducks in a row [for arrests]. He said that his force has changed tactics, targeting the criminal gangs behind the scams which are linked to rogue garages hiring out cheap-rate mopeds to foreign delivery drivers new to the UK who need money fast. The garages can set a proviso that the moped driver must stage a certain number of accidents as part of the hire deal, he added. He estimates that the money reaped by the scamming gangs runs into millions annually in London alone. After being given Weders number by Louise, the Daily Mail decided to ask him questions. We spoke to him, posing as Louises friend and asked for extra details of what had happened to her at 4.45pm on August 23 in a north London suburb. We said Louise was worried about a claim being made because of her insurance premium going up as a result. He said No English before hanging up. We then messaged him saying the same thing, offering to meet him privately to discuss the matter anywhere in London. He never answered. Liverpool-based McAMS is run by barrister Alan Sellers, an expert in personal injury and credit-hire cases, who is executive chairman of its parent company, Anexo. His wife, also a personal injury specialist as well as part-time competitive showjumper and one of North-West Englands richest women is Samantha Moss. She is an Anexo director and runs McAMSs sister legal firm, Bond Turner, which deals with many disputed crash insurance claims made through McAMS. McAMSs legitimate success in dominating the moped accident management market means many suspected cash-for-crash fraudsters inevitably try to make claims via it. A database set up by victims of the fraud in south-west London found that, of the 79 incidents where people shared details of the claims management company involved, 72 were being processed by McAMS or other linked companies within the Anexo Group. In March this year, my colleague Tom Kelly investigated the crash scams and contacted McAMS due to its dominance in the moped claims market. Ms Moss, at the time, said it had every interest in avoiding fraudulent claims as they were hugely damaging for the company and said it was investigating the Daily Mails allegations that garages allowed fraudulent claims. She said the company would immediately cease to deal with any garage found to be involved in fraudulent claims and had already terminated dealings with some after being contacted by the Daily Mail. McAMS rejects more than 50 per cent of claim requests it receives and ID-checks all clients, including electronically, she added. There is no doubt that Anexo offers a very efficient one-stop shop for motorcyclists who are involved in no-fault accidents but do not have funds to launch compensation claims themselves. But that is no comfort to Louise who is facing weeks of worry, wrangling over the out-of-the-blue crash with a foreign stranger whose face she has never seen. I cant even prove he is using his correct name or where he lives. Yet he knows a lot about me, she says of her frightening experience one that could happen to any innocent driver. An Arizona father was gunned down in front of his two young sons after a minor road rage confrontation spiraled into tragedy. Steven Bevan, 29, was shot in the chest during a tense roadside encounter with 46-year-old Dustin Jackson on July 1. Bevan's eight and nine-year-old sons were helpless as they watched on from the backseat of his Dodge Challenger. One of the boys managed to record the interaction between the Bevan and Jackson. The confrontation began over a green light near Warner and Priest roads, police said. Jackson, who had been driving a pickup truck behind Bevan, honked when the younger man failed to react to the signal and move. Police say after another cycle of the traffic lights, Bevan then swerved into Jackson's lane' and brake-checked' him, stopping his car about 400 feet later before getting out to confront him. Video recorded by Bevan's son and seen by AZFamily shows him shouting 'What!' as he strides toward Jackson's truck. The news outlet reported how Bevan got out of his car yelling and swearing with his hands up. Jackson admitted he grabbed his gun and displayed it through the windshield and allegedly shot Bevan when he saw him reach behind his back about 5 feet away from him, believing he might be about to pull a weapon on him. The footage shows Jackson opening his driver's door which Bevan touches briefly before then backing away. Steven Bevan, 29, was killed after being shot in the chest on July 1st in Tempe, Arizona Dustin Jackson, 46, confronted Bevan following a tense roadside encounter on July 1 The road is seen roped off following the shooting on July 1 In footage seen by the news station, a gunshot rings out and Bevan staggers backward, clutching his chest, before collapsing beside his car. Moments later, one of his sons screams for help: '911! Somebody call 911!' while the other cries, 'Who shot my dad?' A woman rushes over, trying to shield the boys. 'Go in the car, OK? You need to get into the car. You don't need to see this,' she said. 'C'mon, get in the car, please. It's OK. Get in the car.' Jackson, who remained at the scene, can be heard saying, 'I feared for my life.' In the video footage, Bevan lies motionless on the ground while a bystander tries to call 911. Bevan was pronounced dead at the scene less than 30 minutes after being shot. He is the latest victim in what police and experts describe as a disturbing rise in road-rage shootings across Arizona. Despite the video evidence and witness statements, a grand jury declined to pursue homicide or weapons-related charges. '[Bevan] exited his vehicle and began to walk towards [Jackson] (who was still in his vehicle) and stated the male was mouthing something and waving his arms around, but he could not hear what he was saying, though he remarked it looked as if he was swearing,' investigators wrote in charging documents seen by Fox 10. '[Jackson] remarked that the male did not have anything in his hands when he approached [Jackson's] vehicle. [Jackson] explained he reached for his gun (which he described as a Springfield Hellcat 9mm) as the male exited hie vehicle and began to approach him and his daughter.' Dustin Jackson, 46, was indicted for two counts of drug use by a grand jury alleging he used cocaine on the day the shooting occurred Despite the video evidence and witness statements, a grand jury declined to pursue homicide or weapons-related charges Bevan is the latest victim in what police have described as a disturbing rise in road-rage shootings across Arizona 'After a full presentation including videos of the events involved, a grand jury returned an indictment on drug-related charges. 'They returned an indictment on possession or use of narcotic drugs and possession or use of drug paraphernalia,' the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said in a statement. Body-camera footage released by Tempe Police shows shaken witnesses describing the moment Jackson realized what had happened. 'One guy looked around and couldn't believe what just happened,' a bystander told officers. 'That guy in the truck was out of that truck so fast, and for a flat second I was thinking, 'Oh my God, what's he going to do now?' But his disposition went 180 degrees. He realized what he had just done - he's grabbing his phone, he's trying to call for help.' Detectives later noted the stark size difference between the men: Jackson is 68 and 300 pounds, while Bevan was 57 and about 190 pounds. Detectives later noted the stark size difference between the men. Jackson is 68 and 300 pounds, while Bevan, pictured, was 57 and about 190 pounds Josh Logan, founder of Guardian Training and Consulting, told Fox 10 Phoenix that under Arizona's self-defense statutes a grand jury could reasonably conclude Jackson acted out of fear for his life, even if Bevan was unarmed. 'When the general public sees this, there's outrage - and that's perfectly normal,' Logan said. 'They have to create a weight scale and say, based on those factors, is it self-defense? That's why he was not indicted, more than likely.' Logan also said the presence of children in both vehicles could have influenced jurors. 'You're no longer protecting yourself or your significant other, but your more than likely defenseless child,' he explained. Still, Logan cautioned that Arizona's open-carry freedoms demand restraint. 'You're just as criminally and civilly liable for the knowledge you don't know as you do know,' he said. 'The most difficult emotional decision you can make is simply letting it go and driving away.' The Tempe Police Department are seen surveying the scene following the deadly shooting Jackson was booked into jail on multiple charges immediately after the shooting but later released when a grand jury declined to pursue homicide charges. He now faces drug possession and paraphernalia charges, with his trial expected to begin in November. Jackson is a former Marine Corps member and has no prior charges relating to drugs, according to Maricopa County Superior Court. He was not deemed under the influence at the time of the shooting. The token conservative co-host of the liberal talk show 'The View', Alyssa Farah Griffin may soon be showing up on set in MAGA hat. In a newly resurfaced clip, Farah Griffin can be seen promising to wear the token Trump loyalist symbol if he released the hostages in Gaza, which he has now done after securing a diplomatic deal between Israel and Hamas last Wednesday. 'If he does good, if he gets the Israeli hostages out, I promise I will wear a MAGA hat for one day on the show and say thank you for doing it,' Farah Griffin said shortly after Donald Trump's election victory in November. President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr, re-shared the clip on Monday, commenting, 'Sending this to the top. Let's go.' President Trump solidified the Israel-Hamas peace plan following the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza earlier on Monday. The president was surrounded by world leaders from across the Middle East in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on Monday to conclude the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. 'This took 3,000 years to get to this point. Can you believe it? And it's going to hold up too. It's going to hold up,' Trump said while signing the document. The exact content of the document is not clear. Trump was flanked by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with Gulf nation leaders in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Alyssa Farah Griffin on the set of The View in 2024 Griffin with a MAGA hat superimposed on her head Absent from the signing in Egypt were leaders from Hamas and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited by Trump to the meeting, but declined citing a Jewish holiday as reasoning for his absence. The president proclaimed the signing as a turning point in the region for peace. 'This is the day that people across this region and around the world have been working, striving, hoping, and praying for,' Trump added. 'They have done things over the last month that I think were really unthinkable. Nobody thought this could happen. With the historic agreement we have just signed, those prayers of millions have finally been answered.' On autumn evenings you can still believe Westminster to be the Thames eyot the Saxons called Thorney Island. Mists descend. The air tastes of leaf-mould. You want to wrap a cloak round your neck, keep a hand on your sword and hasten home to the wolfhounds. Yesterday evening there was certainly a ripe miasma on the breeze. The Starmer government came to the Commons to make a statement about the prosecution suddenly abandoned of those two alleged Chinese spies who worked in parliament. Messrs Cash and Berry. Delay tactics meant dusk had already fallen by the time Speaker Hoyle rose to his feet and said how very angry he was that charges against Cash and Berry had been dropped. What a mystery it all is. Some believe Sir Tony Blairs former consigliere, Jonathan Powell, who is now the National Security Adviser, made himself busy behind the scenes. Did he wish to buy off Beijing? Mr Powell denies everything. We are led to believe that he does not even like chow mein. In the old Whitehall manner, his deputy has been caught in the mangle. Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Con, Chingford & Woodford Green) delivered a riff pointing out the substantial absurdity of Mr Powell leaving everything to his deputy. Laughter. The minister spouting this theory was Dan Jarvis, whose title (at least) suggests he is in charge of security. Taut-jawed Dan, ex-Army, is not the worlds best liar. They could have found someone more sinuous. He claimed the previous government did not consider China a threat; ergo it was the Tories fault the prosecution was abandoned. Kemi Badenoch picked this argument clean faster than a Chinatown waiter deboning crispy duck. More relaxed since her conference speech last week, Mrs Badenoch was droll and brisk. Ministers knew Beijing was being appeased. They should have the backbone to just tell us that. Two ministers either side of Mr Jarvis, Bryant and Tapp, both crossed their legs and revolved their left feet, as if choreographed. Few Labour MPs attended. Some senior ones were not happy. Dame Emily Thornberry, whom at first I mistook for Boris Yeltsin, eyed Mr Jarvis as if he were a shrivelled sausage at a buffet supper. Her right eyebrow roamed rightwards while the minister spouted his case. Dan Jarvis claimed the previous government did not consider China a threat; ergo it was the Tories fault the prosecution was abandoned Kemi Badenoch responds after Security minister Dan Jarvis Dame Emily and others asked: what changed in order to make the director of public prosecutions suddenly drop the charges? Mr Jarvis managed to call one of the suspects Case instead of Cash. Case is in fact a former cabinet secretary who has said how whiffy this matter seems. Another former cabinet secretary, Lord Butler, said in the Upper House mid-afternoon that someone was being economical with the truth. The mandarins have never liked Jonathan Powell. They might finally be about to get him. Other parts of the Blairite rump were panicking about this scandal. The Bishop of Leeds, wet as an anglers sock, tried to assist a minister, Lady Anderson, who was sinking. Sir Tonys one-time bag carrier Lord Grocott also rode into battle. The House rolls its eyes when Grocott rises. He lost his right to respect by gloating about the ejection of hereditary peers. But Old Labour types were in no mood to help the government. Lord Watts, possibly for the first time in his career, went native. He wanted the government to stop the Chinese building a vast new embassy. Make it smaller, he said. There might be less room for spies that way. In the Commons, Dame Meg Hillier (Lab, Hackney S) curled her lip that Mr Powells coming session before a parliamentary committee is to be held in secret. Andy Slaughter of the justice committee also had a pop. And then Tom Tugendhat (Con, Tonbridge), who is one of Mr Jarviss oldest friends, said he was ashamed of the ministers pure fabrications. And Jarvis, normally so open-faced a fellow, could not bring himself to look Mr Tugendhat in the eye. This one pongs all right. The reek of moral rot. A father in Arkansas has launched a campaign to become sheriff while awaiting trial for the murder of a man accused of abusing his teenage daughter. Aaron Spencer, 37, is running to become sheriff of Lonoke County, Arkansas, as he awaits trial for the murder of Michael Fosler, 67. Fosler was facing over 40 sexual offences against Spencer's daughter, including the internet stalking of a child, two counts of sexual assault and sexual indecency, and possession of child pornography. He had been released on bond when Spencer discovered his missing daughter, who was 13 at the time, in Fosler's truck in October of last year, according to court documents. Spencer is accused of shooting Fosler, who died at the scene, and called 911, according to the filing. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder, according to court documents. Now, as Spencer prepares for trial after being released on bond, he has thrown his hat in to become sheriff. 'Its time to bring trust, accountability, and safety back to our community. Join us on this journey to build a Sheriffs Office you can believe in,' he wrote on Facebook. In a video, the father and veteran introduced himself and said: 'Many of you know my story. I'm the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed.' Aaron Spencer, 37, is running to become sheriff of Lonoke County, Arkansas, after he was charged with the murder of Michael Fosler, 67, in November 2024 Spencer's wife, Heather, praised her husband's 'courageous actions' and said: 'I have no doubt that if it werent for God and my husband, I would have never seen my child again' 'I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures,' he continued. 'This campaign isn't about me. It's about every parent, every neighbor, every family who deserves to feel safe in their homes and safe in their community It's about restoring trust where neighbors know law enforcement is on their side and families know that they will not be left alone in a moment of need.' In the comments under the video, Spencer's son wrote that he was 'proud to call this man my father.' Spencer's wife, Heather, praised her husband's 'courageous actions' and wrote on Facebook: 'I have no doubt that if it werent for God and my husband, I would have never seen my child again.' 'The relief of my child being alive was quickly followed by terror as the prosecutor set preliminary charges at Murder 1 with $150K bond,' she continued. According to Heather, in the spring of 2024, their teenage daughter confided in a family member that she had been sexually assaulted. 'It took very little exposure for an unknown man who was old enough to be my father to start pursuing my child. This monster was an opportunist and started grooming my then 13-year-old via text,' she wrote. Heather said that their family waited for 'the law' to 'run its course,' adding: 'We trusted that this man would be served justice under the law.' 'I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures,' Spencer said in a video he posted as he begins his campaign for sheriff Spencer discovered his missing daughter in Fosler's truck in October of last year and shot Fosler, who died at the scene. Spencer was charged with second-degree murder 'While we were happy that he was quickly arrested we were not privy to the fact that he was released on a low bond with zero supervision,' she continued. 'Even though we anticipated his release, we thought the pending felony charges and a no contact order would be enough to keep him away from our child. We were wrong.' On October 8, the Spencer family were awakened by their daughter's dog in the middle of the night, according to court documents. Spencer found his daughter was missing, and a search began. '[Spencer] left in his truck to search for her. Spencer located Foslers truck with his daughter inside and he forced Foslers truck off the highway. After an altercation, Spencer called 911 to report that he had shot Fosler. Fosler died at the scene,' according to the filing. 'At arraignment, they decided to charge my husband with murder 2 [second-degree murder] with a gun enhancement charge,' Heather wrote. 'Then immediately, the same judge who released this monster out into the community to continue his reign of terror on our child, placed us and seemingly the whole world under an unconstitutional gag order.' Heather added: 'My husband didnt ask to be put in a position to save our child. We didnt ask for any of this. An evil man with a long history of predatory behavior targeted our child and was not scared of the consequences. 'My husband was forced to save his child from someone who should have never been on the streets to begin with.' Spencer launched his campaign for sheriff after being released on a $150k bond Spencer is set to appear in court again on December 16 for a pre-trial date, and his trial is scheduled to begin on January 26, 2026. A fundraising page to support Spencer's legal battle and therapy fees for their daughter garnered more than $79,000 as of Monday night. According to the campaign created by Heather's sister, the money raised is intended to 'help the Spencer family feel secure in some way during a very challenging, uncertain time.' As for Spencer's campaign for sheriff, comments on his video show he is being supported. 'I will stand with you as a Veteran and a father! Bring Veterans and Fathers together, We need to protect our babies,' one user wrote. 'I was working dispatch when this call came through. My officer went to assist. (Carlisle). You definitely got our votes,' another said. 'I live in SC, but you've got my vote!! Thank you sir for your service to our great country. It's people like you that will make a difference,' another said. 'Will be praying for your daughter that she may heal from this trauma and you, against our "justice" system. I think you served the justice that the justice department wouldn't.' Current Lonoke Sheriff John Staley told the Daily Mail in a statement: 'I will be seeking reelection to continue being your Lonoke County Sheriff. Since 2013, I have served as Sheriff of Lonoke County with a clear mission to protect our citizens and hold those who break the law accountable. 'From day one, our focus has been on three major threats to our communities: drug traffickers, sexual predators, and thieves. Weve made significant progress, and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep Lonoke County safe and ensure justice is served fairly and consistently for everyone. My motto has been and will continue to be Do what's right, not what's easy. Doing what's right isn't always popular.' A former South Carolina banker who once managed the money of Alex Murdaugh's clients has been sentenced. Russell Lucius Laffitte, the 54-year-old former CEO of Palmetto State Bank, was handed a 13-year prison sentence on Monday for helping Murdaugh. Laffitte assisted the now-disbarred attorney and convicted murderer steal millions from vulnerable clients through bogus 'loans' and secret transfers. A years-long investigation exposed how the powerful Hampton County banker used his position and privilege to prop up Murdaugh's lies, siphoning an estimated $2 million from client settlements. It follows a separate five-year federal prison sentence proposed last month after Laffitte pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, and bank fraud. Prosecutors said the crimes were central to keeping Murdaugh's financial web alive long after the disgraced lawyer's schemes began to unravel. They said Laffitte abused his position as both a banker and a court-appointed conservator to funnel more than $2 million in stolen funds from Murdaugh's personal injury clients to the now-imprisoned lawyer - and to himself. 'He used his privilege and responsibility to breach the trust of those he was supposed to protect,' prosecutor Creighton Waters said in a statement. Russell Lucius Laffitte, the 54-year-old former CEO of Palmetto State Bank, was handed a 13-year state prison sentence on Monday for helping Murdaugh steal millions from vulnerable clients through bogus 'loans' and secret transfers Russell Laffitte is pictured in state court in Columbia, South Carolina as he pled guilty to bank fraud charges for his role in helping Alex Murdaugh steal money Alex Murdaugh is pictured alongside his wife Maggie and two sons 'Whether lawyer or banker, if you do that in South Carolina, you will end up an eight-time convicted felon like Russell Laffitte.' Waters credited the 'hard work of so many' after Laffitte's federal grand jury indictment in April 2022 which exposed the 'frauds he committed that enabled Alex Murdaugh.' Eight years of Laffitte's 13-year state sentence will run concurrently with his federal term, with five years suspended if he completes probation and community service. According to court documents and a statement from the US Attorney's Office, Laffitte's crimes began as early as 2011, when he agreed to serve as conservator and personal representative for several of Murdaugh's injury clients - often people who were grieving, disabled, or financially dependent. In reality, Laffitte was using their accounts for personal gain. He extended himself and Murdaugh loans from those conservatorship accounts without permission or disclosure, labeled them as 'loans,' and then charged the victims thousands in 'fees' for his services. As the federal indictment laid out, Murdaugh directed law firm employees to make client settlement checks payable to Palmetto State Bank where Laffitte oversaw the transactions. He then diverted the funds for Murdaugh's personal benefit, including to pay off debts, cover overdrafts, and purchase vehicles and equipment. Laffitte, pictured walking to court conducted at least nine separate transactions for Murdaugh's benefit, knowing full well the money belonged to clients Laffitte helped Murdaugh launder millions of dollars through settlements he won for his clients Laffitte conducted at least nine separate transactions for Murdaugh's benefit, knowing full well the money belonged to clients. In one instance, he allowed Murdaugh to use more than $1.3 million in settlement funds from a third client to repay loans, buy personal items, and deposit cash directly into his personal account. He collected $75,000 in conservator fees and $35,000 as a personal representative, then failed to report that income to the IRS - concealing it by making the checks payable to the bank instead of himself. US Attorney Bryan Stirling said Laffitte's actions deepened the suffering of people already devastated by injury or loss. 'As of today, Russell Laffitte and Alex Murdaugh have both been sentenced to federal prison, and their victims have been made financially whole,' Stirling said. 'The victims put their trust in Laffitte and Murdaugh after suffering serious injuries and losing loved ones, and they were exploited for financial gain.' Federal Judge Richard M. Gergel ordered Laffitte to pay $3.5million in restitution - which he paid prior to sentencing - as well as a $20,000 fine. He must also forfeit nearly $86,000 and is permanently barred from serving as a director or officer at any federally insured bank or credit union. Laffitte's cooperation was crucial to Murdaugh's years-long financial deception, prosecutors said. When Murdaugh began stealing settlement money from his legal clients, it was Laffitte, through Palmetto State Bank, who made the transactions possible. 'He used his privilege and responsibility to breach the trust of those he was supposed to protect,' prosecutor Creighton Waters, pictured said Murdaugh was charged with stealing from clients and later with the brutal murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul - crimes for which he is now serving two life sentences. His one surviving son, Buster, is seen far left In March 2023, Murdaugh was convicted after a highly publicized trial to two consecutive life terms without possibility of parole for killing his wife and son Even as suspicions mounted in 2021, Laffitte continued to protect Murdaugh. He approved a $750,000 loan for 'beach house renovations,' but then secretly transferred $400,000 to Murdaugh's account to cover overdrafts, knowing the loan had nothing to do with renovations. When Murdaugh's law firm uncovered his theft, Laffitte tried to quietly pay the firm $680,000 in bank funds without board approval in a desperate attempt to contain the fallout. By then, the walls were closing in. Within months, Murdaugh was charged with stealing from clients and later with the brutal murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul - crimes for which he is now serving two life sentences. Laffitte's sentencing marks another chapter in the unraveling of the once-powerful Murdaugh dynasty in a saga that has gripped South Carolina for nearly four years. As CEO of Palmetto State Bank, a family-run institution dating back to 1907, Laffitte represented the quiet financial power behind Murdaugh's influence. But prosecutors say his greed and complicity made him indispensable to one of the most audacious white-collar crime sprees in South Carolina history. A teenager who was killed near his school on Friday has been remembered by his heartbroken parents as the 'gentle' peacemaker of the family. Thom Hosking was walking to Girton Grammar in Bendigo last week when he was hit by a truck at the intersection of High Street and Myrtle Street at 8:30am. The 15-year-old's family released a statement saying he was the glue that held the home together. 'A boy entering manhood with so many of life's great moments about to open up for him. We are heartbroken that he will never get to realise that potential,' parents Andrew and Kim, and sister Charli said. 'Thom was the youngest in our family, but the glue of the operation. He was the quiet, calm and rational steady hand. He always wanted everyone to get along. 'Gentle, warm and loving, he was our peacemaker and our navigator, not just with GPS in hand on holidays and adventures, but also through the trickiest moments of family life. 'We need his kindness, empathy and level-head more than ever right now. But he is gone, and we know he's not coming back.' Shortly after Thom was hit by the truck, a member of the public performed CPR on him but was unable to revive the teenager. Thom Hosking was walking to Girton Grammar in Bendigo when he was hit by a truck Members of the public tried to save the 15-year-old but he died at the scene The driver, who worked for a Bendigo freight company, was not injured. Senior Sergeant Ian Brooks said the scene was 'hugely distressing'. He said police would be assisted by the Major Collision Investigation Unit as officers determine the exact circumstances of the crash. 'The investigation remains ongoing. The truck driver has not been interviewed at this stage,' a police spokesperson said. 'I was there and it is a very sad day for all involved. His poor parents,' a witness said. 'A cruel and heartbreaking day for everyone involved,' another said. Thom's family described him as a smart and dedicated student who enjoyed playing the guitar, and was about to start his first part-time job. 'Thom had a lovely group of friends and was admired by his teachers at Girton. He also has a large extended family, who are all grieving his loss. We send them all our love,' the family statement read. The scene where Thom Hosking was killed was described as 'hugely distressing' 'Thom had a close bond with his shorter, older sister Charli. He was not a big footy follower, but he loved going to Melbourne AFL games at the MCG with his dad, just so they could spend time together. 'His bond with his mum was unbreakable. Most of all, Thom was someone who was great to be around, and it hurts us so much that he is not any more. 'We love him dearly. We thank those who've expressed their sorrow for Thom's loss and support for our family, but we must ask for privacy as we deal with our grief.' Anyone with information or CCTV footage of the incident has been urged to contact police. A mother-of-two has revealed her shock after discovering the company she and her husband owned had been stolen, with the pair unaware of the scam for ten months. Melbourne woman Jemma Matthews explained she and her husband were completely unaware that thieves had taken their company. The couple were in the process of refinancing their home loan when their broker noticed something unusual with the company's shares. Ms Matthews' husband started JMCoating in 2021. The company offers painting services and operates as a paint accessory shop with several employees. The couple's broker queried why they had transferred shares out of the company and into someone else's name. Ms Matthews checked with her husband, who is director of the company, but he was equally confused. 'We look on the ASIC website, sure enough, we are no longer the directors of our company,' she said in a video shared to TikTok. 'We're freaking out at this point, because we're thinking, what the helly. Honestly freaking out is actually an understatement, I thought I was going to spew. Melbourne woman Jemma Matthews revealed her shock after she and her husband discovered his business had been stolen, with the pair unaware for 10 months 'Someone transferred all of the shares out of our name, fraudulently signed over the directorship. 'This was the case for ten months without us even knowing that we technically didn't own our business anymore until last week.' ASIC is Australias corporate, markets and financial services regulator. It enforces company and financial laws to protect consumers, investors and creditors. Australian business owners are required by law to register their company with ASIC, which is then used to manage things such as ABNs and company shares. Ms Matthews explained when she and her husband checked the ASIC portal, they found something suspicious. They found three 484 forms - which is used for when directorship, ownership or shares have been traded within a company - were attached to their business. The couple discovered that in December 2024, someone had fraudulently transferred all the shares out of their name and signed over the directorship of the company. And again, in March this year, the person added 500 new shares under their own name in a bid to dilute Ms Matthews' and her husband's ownership. Ms Matthew's husband (pictured) started JMCoating in 2021, and the company offers painting services and is also a paint accessory shop that has several employees (stock image) 'Our trade company that we've been running now for ten months, didn't belong to us,' Ms Matthews said. 'At this point, I'm thinking, has someone stolen our identity? Like, is that how this has occurred? Because this is crazy.' Ms Matthews explained in order for directorship or shares to be transferred, the company's board of directors must be notified by written letter, which they must sign. However, Ms Matthews and her husband never received any such correspondence. After calling ASIC directly, Ms Matthews' husband was informed that the scammers had gained access to the company in 2022 through its ASIC business key - which is a number given to owners when a business is registered. 'Someone had gotten hold of that ASIC key and had logged in and has been paying our ASIC fees since then, they played the long game,' Ms Matthews said. 'Then in 2024, they have transferred mine and my husband's shares out of our name and into their own name.' Ms Matthews added she and her husband were never notified because they had never logged into their ASIC account, and the scammers were the first to log in and register their own email address and phone numbers. Ms Matthews explained the pair could have completely lost their business after the scammer used their ASIC key to transfer the company's shares and directorship to themselves 'So whenever changes were made, it was sent to them,' Ms Matthews said. 'I don't know what the purpose of taking over our company was, maybe to sell it, maybe for tax purposes and fraud. I don't know. Ms Matthews said the scammers left her husband as a director, however revoked his power to make any decisions. If the scammers had removed him from the business, Ms Matthews said the couple would have lost their company completely. A relieved Ms Matthews said an ASIC employee was able to help and revert all the things the scammers had done including buying the company for $250,000. 'Ten months we have not technically owned our company. I felt like my life flashed before my eyes,' Ms Matthews said. 'My husband has built up this company, and we honestly thought we're gonna lose it.' Ms Matthews labelled the scammer's motives as 'bizarre', claiming they were not able to see the company's profits or use the business for tax purposes. She added the pair could now 'live, laugh, love' and even thanked the scammers for not stealing their business earlier as it would have stopped them from buying a home. 'Now we're back to owning our business that we never knew we lost,' Ms Matthews said. 'Like it was unlucky, but lucky that it happened in December last year, because we purchased a house in November and we settled in January. 'If that had happened earlier, we would have never been able to buy our house when we did . So, thanks for stealing our business after we bought our house.' A 93-year-old new dad wants more children with his wife - who is more than half a century younger than him - after the couple welcomed a baby boy last year. Melbourne GP Dr John Levin, a healthy ageing expert born in the 1930s, and his second wife Dr Yangying Lu, 37, welcomed their son Gabby in February 2024. Dr Levin's first wife Veronica, with whom he shared three children, died after 57 years of marriage in 2013, and one of his children died at the age of 65. The Hampton East GP decided to learn Chinese and fell in love with his teacher, Dr Lu, whom he married in Las Vegas in 2014. A decade later, Dr Levin told the Herald Sun that welcoming his son was unbelievable after an arduous process that included donor sperm and IVF. Dr Levin said that, despite his age, he intends to be there for all of his son's childhood: 'Of course being there for his 21st is a goal.' Another significant moment the Jewish GP plans to see is Gabby's bar mitzvah where he will read the Torah with his son: 'It's such an important moment. I want to guide him through it.' Gabby is still an infant but already the couple are looking into having a second baby and have returned to the IVF process. Melbourne-based Dr John Levin, 93, welcomed baby boy Gabby with his second wife Dr Yanying Lu (both pictured) last year. Now he is planning for a second baby 'We're thinking of another one, we'd like to have a little girl,' the GP told Nova 100. Dr Lu had not considered pursuing motherhood until the Covid pandemic forced Melbourne into lockdown. 'We did some soul-searching, asking ourselves where do we want to be, what do we want to see in our lives in 10 years' time,' she told the Herald. 'I thought to myself, if I lose him (Dr Levin), I want a part of him. I wanted to have a child. 'I was very lucky. We achieved a pregnancy on the first try... It can be so difficult for many women. One of my mothers' group took 14 cycles to produce her daughter.' While Dr Levin had sounded decisive on plans for a second child, Dr Lu added: 'We're still talking!' She rebuffed cynicism about entering a relationship with a man who is 56 years her senior, denying any 'gold-digger' claims by saying Dr Levin was bankrupt when she met him, and that it was a love match. The mother also addressed misconceptions people might have about baby Gabby. Dr Levin, who was born in the 1930s, said he plans to be there for baby Gabby's 21st birthday 'People think at first that he is Johnny's grandson, or sometimes great-grandson,' she said. 'When we explain they can't contain their surprise. But for us, it's about the choices that make us happy. We can't control how other people feel.' Dr Lu, who is converting to Judaism in preparation, said she is prepared to parent on her own in the future. 'With modern families these days you see different types of families and they make it work,' she said. 'If other people can make it work, so can I.' Gabbys maternal grandmother is also helping the new family, and Dr Lu praised the 'community' supporting them thanks to her husband's large family. This includes Dr Levin's three children from his first marriage: Greg, who was 65 when he died in 2024 from motor neurone disease, Ashley, 62, and Samantha, 60. The GP has ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Dr Levin has spent almost 20 years sharing anti-ageing advice with patients before they reached their 60s. In his own life, he has injected human growth hormone for 30 years and has a strict lifestyle including going to the gym and eating no meals before noon - most of which are vegetarian. He doesnt drink alcohol or smoke. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's mobile phone number has been leaked online, along with a host of other high-profile politicians from Australia and around the world. A US-based website has been using artificial intelligence to trawl websites such as LinkedIn to obtain the personal details of world leaders. The information is compiled to create an entry on the site's database, essentially producing a digital phonebook. Albanese's number has appeared on the site, along with those of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Chris Minns. 'We were made aware of this issue when media contacted us yesterday,' a spokesman for Ley told NewsWire. 'This is obviously concerning, and we have reached out to LinkedIn to understand what occurred here. 'We are waiting for their response. We have asked the website to remove the information.' If the Prime Minister's number is called, the call goes to voicemail, where Albanese's pre-recorded message says: 'Hi, you've rung Anthony Albanese, leave a message.' Anthony Albanese's personal mobile number has been leaked online Other world leaders, including Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron, are among the hundreds of millions of entries. It's understood the site has uncovered the personal phone numbers and email addresses of 300million working professionals, including media figures. Australians online mocked the Prime Minister, seeing the lighter side of the privacy breach. 'Wonder if he has Trump's number,' one person said. 'He's still waiting for his first caller,' another said. 'Who would actually want to call him though?' a third asked. A LinkedIn spokesman told Daily Mail there had been no data beach of their website. 'Our policies are clear that third party companies taking personal data and using it in ways our members did not agree to is prohibited, and these companies are not affiliated with LinkedIn,' he said. Other world leaders, including Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron, are among the hundreds of millions of entries 'In addition to the technology and teams we've long had in place to stop unauthorised data scraping, we continue to invest in new defences and take legal action when necessary, to detect and prevent our members' information being used without their consent. 'We also share advice on how members can protect themselves from scraping, you can read about our latest efforts here.' Albanese's office told Daily Mail they were aware of the hack and the appropriate authorities were investigating the matter. Nigel Farage yesterday took aim at cretins who have been running the economy for too long as he vowed to create a second Thatcherite Big Bang for the City. The Reform UK leader singled out Gordon Brown for criticism for selling off gold reserves too cheaply and imposing too much red tape. And he vowed to repeat Margaret Thatchers reforms which brought extreme wealth to the financial services sector. Speaking at the Digital Assets Summit in London yesterday, Mr Farage said he thought he would be the next prime minister. He vowed to bring cryptocurrency in from the cold a day after he said he would abandon his partys manifesto pledge to introduce 90billion of tax cuts. Addressing the conference, he mocked former chancellor Mr Brown as a genius for selling off gold at a low price at the same time as introducing massive regulation. These are the kind of cretins, Im afraid, that have been running this for too long, he said. The Big Bang of the 1980s, thats worth mentioning because today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Margaret Thatcher. If you ever want to have a look at an example of sensible deregulation, getting rid of ridiculous market practices and customs leading to success, Big Bang in London in the 80s is one of them. The Reform UK leader singled out Gordon Brown for criticism for selling off gold reserves too cheaply and imposing too much red tape So what were going to need is Big Bang Two, with [crypto currencies] being right at the epicentre of what we want to try to do. His vow to abandon his manifesto pledge of 90billion in tax cuts is seen as an attempt to prove his party can be trusted with the economy. He told The Times: Reform will never borrow to spend, as Labour and the Tories have done for so long; instead, we will ensure savings are made before implementing tax cuts. In a major speech next month, he is expected to drop Reforms 2024 manifesto promises to cut fuel duty, as well as income, corporation and inheritance taxes. The manifesto set out plans to lift the income tax starting rate to 20,000 a year and scrap inheritance tax on estates of less than 2million. But the Institute for Fiscal Studies questioned whether Reforms sums added up. In his speech, he is expected to drop the commitments. Mr Farage added: Our commitment to ending Net Zero policies, benefits for foreigners, and wasteful behaviour by the Bank of England remains firm. We will cut overall spending, introduce an industrial policy, and drive a cultural shift in attitudes towards work and success. His speech to set out his economic vision is an attempt to address what he sees as one of his partys weak spots. The Canadian Prime Minister joked with Donald Trump after he mislabeled him as the county's president at the Gaza peace summit. In his half-an-hour speech in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the US president, 79, thanked world leaders for the roles they played in the US-brokered ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel. 'You have Canada. That's so great to have, in fact, the president called, and he wanted to know if it's worth - well, he knew exactly what it is. He knew the importance. Where's Canada, by the way? Where are you? He knew the importance of this', Trump said. Following the speech, Mark Carney approached Trump to shake his hand and joke about the misstep, saying he was 'glad you upgraded me to president'. 'Oh, did I?' chuckled Trump, who has faced repeated accusations of appearing 'senile'. 'I'm sorry! At least it wasn't Governor,' he added. Carney has served as the country's prime minister since March this year. The US president reeled off a running commentary as he noted other leaders in the room. But he repeatedly questioned why some of the leaders were standing with him at the podium while he spoke. When he got to France's President Emmanuel Macron, Trump was surprised he was not among those standing. The Canadian Prime Minister joked with Donald Trump after he mislabeled him as the county's president during his speech at the Gaza peace summit Following the speech, Mark Carney approached Trump to shake his hand and joke about the misstep, saying he was 'glad you upgraded me to president' Trump, alongside dozens of world leaders, had gathered in Egypt on Monday to celebrate the long-awaited peace agreement between the warzones 'France, thank you very much Emmanuel. I would imagine Emmanuel standing someplace behind me,' Trump said looking around him before spotting the president in the audience. 'I can't believe it. You're taking a low key approach today.' The president moments later gushed over the leader of Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been working to dismantle the country's democracy. 'Oh Viktor, where is Viktor? We love Viktor. Veektor, I call him, put the little accent on it,' Trump said. 'You are fantastic. I know a lot of people don't agree with me, but I'm the only one that matters. You are fantastic.' He then praised the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as 'beautiful' when he noted her attendance. 'Italy. We have a woman, a young woman who's - I'm not allowed to say it because usually it's the end of your political career if you say it - she's a beautiful young woman,' Trump said. 'Now if you use the word beautiful in the United States about a woman, that's the end of your political career, but I'll take my chances.' And in an embarrassing moment for Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister appeared to think he had been called up to the podium to speak. During the speech, Trump read out a list of countries who were present for the summit and praised many of them for their work either towards peace in the middle east or in various other international conflicts. The list ended with the United Kingdom and Sir Keir, who received a warm welcome from the US leader, who referred to the Prime Minister as 'his friend'. When he got to France's President Emmanuel Macron during his speech, Trump was surprised he was not among those standing on the stage with him In an embarrassing moment for Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister appeared to think he had been called up to the podium to speak Trump praised the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as 'beautiful' when he noted her attendance Sir Keir awkwardly appeared to mistake this as an invitation on to the stage as he stepped up to have his moment in the spotlight before it was cut short by his US counterpart. As he finished his list, Trump said: 'Where is United Kingdom, where is my friend, Starmer. The Prime Minister replied: 'I am right behind you as usual.' The President then invited Sir Keir to the stage, saying: 'Come up here, is everything going good?' Starmer awkwardly replied 'very good' as he turned toward the microphone. The US leader then stepped in front of Starmer and continued his speech. He said: 'It is very nice that you are here. These people all came on like 20-minute notice and I think it is fantastic.' Sir Keir looked around awkwardly before slowly scuttling back to his place on the stage, sharing a faint smile with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump, alongside dozens of world leaders, had gathered in Egypt on Monday to celebrate the long-awaited peace agreement between the warzones. 'This is a great day, this is a whole new beginning,' Trump told reporters after arriving at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday morning. 'And I think there's never been an event like it, I've never seen anything like it.' Trump later made his way to the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh where he signed off on his plan for peace in the Middle East at the summit, alongside fellow negotiators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. No representative from Israel or Hamas was, however, present at the signing ceremony. Trump hailed the 'momentous' breakthrough and 'the new beginning for an entire beautiful Middle East' after Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and detainees. US President Donald Trump speaks during a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, amid a US-brokered prisoner-hostage swap and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, October 13, 2025 US President Donald Trump signs the agreement during the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt As he signed the ceasefire deal document, Trump spoke of how moved he was by seeing Israeli hostages being reunited with their families. 'It's a beautiful thing to see,' he said. 'In one sense, it's so horrible that it could have taken place, but in another sense, it's so beautiful to see a new and beautiful day is rising.' Emotional reunions have taken place across Israel, Gaza and the West Bank after all 20 living Israeli hostages and captives were released by Hamas, before Israel released more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees. Buses carrying dozens of freed Palestinians drove to the West Bank city of Ramallah and the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run Prisoners Office said. She said PM was 'author of dark and divisive chapter' Two years has passed since failed Voice to Parliament Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has unleashed on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the two year anniversary of the unsuccessful Voice to Parliament. Some 60 per cent of Australians voted 'No' to Albanese's proposal to enshrine an Aboriginal advisory body in the constitution at a referendum in October 2023. The Liberal senator, who was a key player in the No campaign, claimed the prime minister had become 'fixated' on the Voice and ignored more pressing issues. 'From the moment he became Prime Minister, Mr Albanese refused to be upfront with Australians about the Voice,' she said. 'He wasted $450million of taxpayers' money as he yearned for his own Paul Keating Redfern moment and to ink his name in the history books. 'Mr Albanese should have been focused on Australians' number-one concern: the cost-of-living crisis. 'But because he wasn't, Australians have paid the price for the Albanese Government's inattention. 'Mr Albanese was the author of this dark and divisive chapter in our country's history.' Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured) claimed Albanese spent too much time focusing on the 'Yes' campaign and not enough time on the cost-of-living crisis Price said Albanese was the author of a dark and divisive chapter in Australia's history Price took aim at the 'activists' still pushing to bring the Voice into federal parliament, saying they wanted to 'demonise British settlement in its entirety'. 'By falsely claiming our nation was founded on original sin, the activists seek to delegitimise the achievement of modern Australia,' she said. She also criticised the Victorian government's landmark move to introduce a treaty bill in parliament, which would establish the Gellung Warl, a representative body for Indigenous Australians. 'Despite Australians voting "No" to Voice, Treaty and Truth-telling, certain Labor governments and leaders still won't take "No" for an answer and are pressing ahead with such goals,' she continued. 'Of course, all fair-minded and decent Australians want to see practical improvements to address Indigenous disadvantage. 'But those improvements will not be achieved by more bureaucracy; by symbolic gestures like the performative Acknowledgement of Country... or by acquiescing to activists whose objectives remain reparations and segregation under the guise of "treaty" and "truth-telling".' The senator maintained the federal government needs to 'get the basics right', focusing on crime, safer communities, education and health and home ownership. 'We will also not improve the lives of disadvantaged Indigenous Australians until our country stops romanticising traditional culture,' she said. Price, who was key in the No campaign, said Australians want to see practical improvements to address Indigenous disadvantage but not with more bureaucracy (stock image) 'Within that culture still exists outdated patriarchal beliefs that are still prevalent in many Indigenous communities.' The prime minister's office declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail. But Uluru Dialogue co-chairs Pat Anderson and Megan Davis said that two years on, the Voice status quo remains. 'First Nations people still have no voice, and this manifests in the relentless and unyielding gap in disadvantage,' they said in a statement. 'Many mobs are still struggling with the fundamental building blocks of a dignified human life - housing, water, electricity and violence to name a few.' Ms Davis said despite the pause in momentum at a national level, communities across the country have spent the past two years regrouping and refocusing. 'Change in this country takes time - decades in our case - but history tells us it always begins with persistence,' she said. The sister-in-law of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been found dead next to a five-story parking garage on a California street. Carrie Elizabeth Romney, 64, was found lying next to the garage in the Los Angeles suburb of Valencia, according to the local coroner's office. Officers arrived on the scene at around 8:30pm on Friday near the the town's shopping mall and a local Hyatt Regency Hotel. Foul play is not suspected, according to local homicide detectives, though law enforcement sources told NBC Los Angeles that the deceased may have jumped or fallen from the parking garage. The sheriff's department told The New York Post that it is 'unknown at the moment' if she jumped or fell. Footage showing law enforcement's investigation saw police tape blocking the entrance to much of the scene. Multiple police vehicles responded to the scene. Her cause of death has been listed as 'deferred' while toxicology tests were pending, the Los Angeles County medical examiner. Carrie Elizabeth Romney, the sister-in-law of former presidential candidate and Utah Senator Mitt Romney (pictured with his wife Ann), was found dead on a California street Friday. She was 64 According to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, she was found lying next to a parking garage in the LA suburb of Valencia . First responders arrived on the scene at around 8:30pm on Friday near the the town's shopping mall, near a local Hyatt Regency Hotel Foul play is not suspected, according to local homicide detectives, though law enforcement sources told NBC Los Angeles that the deceased may have jumped or fallen from the parking garage The investigation is ongoing. The Daily Mail has reached out to the LA County Sheriff's Department and coroner's office for comment. 'Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives. We ask for privacy during this difficult time,' Romney said in a statement. The two-time presidential candidate comes from a large family, with three older siblings and his wife Ann, who has two older brothers. The couple have five sons. The Romney family is notoriously close and competitive, with The Washington Post once profiling the then-30 person brood's annual family Olympics on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. Similarly, the former governor often championed his status as a family man when he ran for national office in 2008 and 2012. Mitt Romney's lengthy career in Republican politics includes a defeat to Barack Obama in the 2012 general election. In 2008, he lost the Republican Primary before endorsing the eventual presidential runner-up, John McCain. He was also the only member of his party to vote to convict Trump of impeachment twice. Footage showing law enforcement's investigation saw police tape blocking the entrance to much of the scene Multiple police vehicles were seen responding to Romney's death Romney served as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and the junior senator from Utah from 2018 to 2024. He retired instead of trying to run for re-election, having said the country's many challenges call for a younger generation of leaders. Romney said the U.S. would be better served if the two front-runners for their parties' 2024 presidential nominations - Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump - stepped aside. 'The times we're living in redemand the next generation step up and express their point of view and to make the decisions that will shape American politics over the coming century,' Romney said in a news conference at the Capitol. He said baby boomers like him are 'not the right ones to be making the decisions for tomorrow.' Romney's most recent public appearance came at a forum at Drew University in New Jersey in late September. Prince Harry's African Parks charity has been described as having 'a whiff of neocolonialism' by a ministry. The organisation wasted investment, which in turn prevented it from helping wildlife and made locals poorer, according to Chad's environment ministry. It urged African Parks' funders to make sure their donations were going to the right places. Chad cut ties with the wildlife charity associated with Prince Harry last week after accusing it of being 'disrespectful'. Its environment minister Hassan Bakhit Djamous gave a damning four-page statement as he announced an end to the country's 15-year partnership with African Parks. He accused the charity of 'a recurring indelicate and disrespectful attitude toward the government'. And the ministry has now doubled down on his remarks, telling The Times: 'They [African Parks] don't engage in conservation they engage in politics. 'There hasn't been enough investment [In Chad] to prevent poaching and there is a lack of surveillance tools, anti-poaching efforts and appropriate response plans. Fundamentally, transparency in fundraising, spending and reinvestment must be a priority.' Prince Harry's African Parks has been described as having 'a whiff of neocolonialism' by Chad's environment ministry (pictured: Harry in Malawi in 2019) It also suggested African Parks had banned locals visiting certain areas under its control, adding: 'Chad is a sovereign state and does not permit any action with the slightest whiff of neocolonialism.' Claiming that local people were worse off, the ministry asked other African nations to assess whether they wanted to follow the same course as Chad. It claimed that African Parks treated attempts for it to look into violations of banking and tax regulations and breaches of government contracts with disrespect. The ministry also argued the charity had taken its motto of 'a business approach to conservation' to its extreme, putting toursim above protecting wildlife. The Daily Mail has approached African Parks for comment. Last week, Mr Djamous said there had been a resurgence in poaching and a lack of investment at the reserves managed by the conservation group. It is the latest scandal to hit the charity after a Mail investigation found evidence that guards managed by African Parks were embarking on campaigns of abuse and intimidation. Allegations of abuse of indigenous people were upheld earlier this year. The Duke of Sussex pictured while he worked in Malawi with African Parks as part of an initiative involving moving 500 elephants over 200 miles across the country in 2016 The Duke of Sussex was the president of African Parks for six years until being elevated to the governing board of directors two years ago. The non-profit said in a statement it was in talks to 'better understand the government's position' and 'explore the best way forward to support the continued protection of these critical landscapes'. 'African Parks will continue to keep its partners and stakeholders informed, as further clarity is obtained,' the charity said. It had led anti-poaching efforts and to restore elephant populations at the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, which includes the Zakouma and Siniaka-Minia national parks. According to African Parks, the elephant population at Zakouma National Parks increased from 450 in 2010, when it took over management of the site, to over 550 by 2019. It comes just six months after Chad renewed its agreement with the charity and is the latest blow to hit African Parks. Last year, an investigation by The Mail on Sunday discovered evidence of intimidation and abuse in the rainforests of the Republic of the Congo by guards managed and paid by the African Parks charity, including allegations of rapes and beatings. The MoS found first-hand testimonies of atrocities inflicted on the Baka, an indigenous people once known as pygmies, to stop them entering forests where they have foraged, fished, hunted and found medicines for millennia. One woman told of being raped by an armed guard while clinging to her newborn baby. And a teenage boy claimed he was groomed for paid sex by another guard. A community activist said a Baka man died after being beaten and jailed without getting treatment for his injuries. African Parks then launched an independent review and the charity has now admitted that human rights abuses occurred in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park since December 2023. The results of the probe, carried out by London law firm Omnia Strategy LLP, then went directly to African Parks. It did not publicly share the results. The charity said in a statement in May: 'The board of African Parks has reviewed Omnia's advice and endorsed the management plan and timeframes to implement the recommendations resulting from this process. 'African Parks acknowledges that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims. 'Omnia's process also highlighted several failures of our systems and processes that were insufficient for the level of responsibility given to us, particularly in the early years of our management of Odzala.' The ABC has threatened legal action against a 'public crusader' who published a 50-year-old radio segment in which men chatted openly about having sex with 'beautiful' children. The panel discussion featuring self-declared 'pederasts' was so offensive the ABC declared it posed 'a risk of harm to the community' and should never have been conducted. Economist and former political adviser John Adams was frustrated the ABC would not release the audio, which he obtained in 2023 after agreeing not to share it with others. Mr Adams breached that undertaking when he posted the 42-minute segment on YouTube at 5pm on Monday. It was taken down about 9.30pm after being viewed 23,000 times and replaced with the message: 'This video has been removed for violating YouTube's Community Guidelines.' Two minutes before Mr Adams put the audio on YouTube, the ABC sent him a legal letter warning him not to publish it. 'We understand you intend to publish ABC content on YouTube at 5pm today,' it wrote. 'In the ABC's view, doing so would pose a serious risk to victims and would therefore be inappropriate.' The ABC has threatened legal action against a man who published a 50-year-old radio segment in which men chatted openly about having sex with 'beautiful' children. The program was hosted by Richard Neville (above) The letter also stated Mr Adams had agreed not to share the audio by any means and it would be 'a very serious matter' to breach its copyright. 'The ABC will rely on this correspondence on the question of costs and/or damages should it be necessary for the ABC to seek injunctive relief if you proceed with publication despite the above matters.' An ABC spokeswoman said on Tuesday afternoon that the corporation would not comment on any potential legal action against Mr Adams. 'The ABC contacted YouTube and the video was removed for violating its community guidelines,' she said. After the clip was removed from YouTube, Mr Adams posted it on X, where by Tuesday afternoon it had attracted 100,000 impressions and been widely reposted. NSW Upper House Libertarian MP John Ruddick delivered a speech in parliament on Tuesday in which he commended Mr Adams for publishing the segment. The segment featured three self-confessed Australian pederasts aged in their 30s, as well as a teenager, who discussed having sex with much older men. It was aired on the defunct Lateline program on July 14, 1975 and hosted by the late writer and social commentator Richard Neville. Economist and former political adviser John Adams had been frustrated that the ABC would not allow him to share the audio, which was broadcast in July 1975 when Gough Whitlam (above, after his dismissal) Mr Adams said the Lateline segment - titled 'Pederasty' - included 'several shocking and despicable statements and admissions'. Among the content of the program was the proposition that boys as young as 12 were able to give rational consent to sexual acts with men aged in their 30s and 40s. The program also made a distinction between 'paedophilia' as being the sexual assault of a child by a man and 'pederasty' involving a homosexual relationship between a man and a boy. The pederasts on the panel - Stephen, Colin and Richard - described using bribes to seduce young boys and loitering around school playgrounds for children. One admitted that as a 12-year-old he had abused a boy aged three, prompting laughter from the others. Another admitted having 12 boys on a sexual roster. There was discussion about young boys being 'physically delicious' and of seeking those with faces of 'angelic beauty'. The segment was met with immediate public outrage. Morals campaigner and former NSW politician Fred Nile provided a tape of the program to police and federal Country Party MP Peter Nixon called for an inquiry. According to Mr Adams, the Lateline segment - titled 'Pederasty' - included 'several shocking and despicable statements and admissions' and has not been re-broadcast in the past 50 years Police Commissioner Fred Hanson said investigators would 'study the situation, to see if the Vice Squad should be involved'. ABC chairman Richard Downing said at the time the broadcaster's intention was to 'try to inform people about what [is] happening so that they might be forewarned and forearmed'. He later said, 'In general, men will sleep with young boys and that's the sort of thing the community ought to know about'. Mr Ruddick wrote to Police Minister Yasmin Catley in September of this year to ask if Mr Nile's original report had ever been followed up. In his notice of motion he called on the Upper House to 'note its alarm over the ABC for threatening legal action against Mr Adams as a result of publishing this material'. Mr Adams obtained a copy of the recording in July 2023 from the ABC's archives department after paying $85 and signing a personal use release form. He agreed not to share the audio to the public by any means, 'including but not limited to communication via the internet or any social media platform'. In response to Mr Adams's threat to publish the audio, the ABC had said it would 'act to enforce the obligation not to publish this material if our strict terms are not met'. An ABC spokeswoman said on Tuesday afternoon the corporation would not comment on any potential legal action 'It was a mistake by the ABC in 1975 to ever conduct this interview,' an ABC spokeswoman said on Monday. 'The interview does not meet the ABC's editorial policies and given the risk of harm to the community it would be inappropriate to republish it. 'The ABC has not authorised the republication or broadcast of the program and given its subject matter we maintain it should not be republished by anyone else. 'The content was accessed via the ABCs Community Access program under the agreement that it would be used in a private setting only.' Mr Adams said he posted the audio on YouTube after writing to the ABC's legal department in August requesting a release from his previous agreement 'in order to inform the Australian people of our country's shameful and evil history'. The ABC's manager for library services denied that request, stating the Pederasty segment was not available on any ABC platform. In October 2018, Liberal senator Eric Abetz had raised concerns about the segment in a question to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications. The ABC replied: 'The ABC has no records of the interview, but according to contemporary reports the then ABC radio program Lateline interviewed three "self-confessed pederasts" in 1975.' Mr Adams told the Daily Mail he was publishing the segment on his YouTube channel because he felt he was left with no option, and it was in the public interest. 'After exhausting all political and legal options, I am going to breach the legal conditions imposed on me by the ABC to expose Australia's dark history which I believe is in the public interest,' he said. 'The culture of corruption and concealment in Australia, especially around paedophilia, is so disgusting that a circuit breaker is needed.' Richard Neville was best known as the co-founder of the counter-culture magazine OZ which was launched in Sydney in 1963, followed by a London version three years later when he was in his mid-20s. In his 1970 book Power Play, Neville boasted of having a 'hurricane f***' with a 'moderately attractive, intelligent, cherubic, fourteen-year-old girl from a nearby London comprehensive school'. Six in ten parents have admitted they don't think their children need to be potty-trained before starting school, a damning poll has revealed. New government data suggests parents are failing to prepare their tots for pre-school. Some 64 per cent of mothers and fathers think their children do not need to be able to focus on a task for ten minutes before joining an educational institution by age four. While 70 per cent have put basic dining skills on the back burner as they say it's not important for their youngsters to know how to use a knife and fork, according to The Sun. The Department for Education has launched a guidebook following concerns teachers have to fill the role of parents during school hours while also juggling classes. Primary school teachers have previously complained of having to change the nappies of children as old as six, because they have not been toilet-trained at home. While some have said their school's budgets are used on nappies and spare clothes for children who soil themselves. The Best Start in Life guide is backed by the NHS and offers help on feeding and sleeping routines, speech development, child growth milestones and assistance obtaining childcare. Six in ten parents have admitted they don't think their children need to be potty-trained before starting school, a damning poll has revealed Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'We're stepping in to make things simpler and clearer, giving parents access to trusted, expert advice so that their children are ready to learn. 'Every parent wants the best for their child, but the minute they go online everyone's got an opinion and it can be impossible for parents to know what or who to trust.' It comes after The National Association of Head Teachers union urged in a 2023 report that 'school leaders and staff increasingly end up acting as teachers, social workers and counsellors rolled into one'. It stressed that teachers are working long hours due to 'collapsed social and healthcare services'. Donald Trump is poised to hand Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles as the US President shifts his focus from Hamas and Israel to ending the bloody war between Kyiv and Moscow. Fresh from a rapturous visit to Israel and Egypt, where he was hailed for brokering what he called a 'historic dawn in a new Middle East', Trump now appears determined to turn his attention to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At a summit of world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, there were glowing endorsements of Trump's efforts, with many urging him to replicate his Middle East success in Europe's most devastating conflict in decades. Trump will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Friday for what could prove to be a pivotal meeting. The two leaders are expected to outline their 'visions' for using the Tomahawk missile to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace talks. 'The main topics will be air defence and our long-range capabilities, to maintain pressure on Russia,' Zelensky confirmed. Trump has issued a stark warning to the Kremlin - threatening to deliver Tomahawks to Kyiv if Putin continues to block peace negotiations. The President has also intensified US intelligence-sharing with Ukrainian forces, enabling them to target Russia's energy infrastructure in an effort to squeeze the country's faltering economy. The Tomahawk missile is far more effective than any similar long-range weapon donated to Kyiv by Western allies. Pictured: The HMAS Brisbane firing a Tomahawk Weapon System off the west coast of the US Trump, alongside dozens of world leaders, had gathered in Egypt on Monday to celebrate the long-awaited peace agreement between the warzones Speaking en route to Israel on Sunday, Trump hinted that the missiles could be the next step. 'I might say, look, if this war's not going to get settled, I'm going to send them Tomahawks. 'I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest with you, about Tomahawks. Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I don't think so,' he said. Referring to Putin, he added: 'I might tell him that if the war is not settled, that we may very well do it.' Trump touched down in Tel Aviv on Monday to celebrate the release of 20 Israeli hostages under the new ceasefire agreement. 'This is the end of an age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God,' Trump said. 'It's the start of a grand concord and lasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a truly magnificent region. I believe that so strongly. This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.' Declaring the end of hostilities, he then jetted to Egypt to attend the signing of the first phase of a White House-brokered Gaza peace deal. Addressing Israel's parliament, the Knesset, Trump declared his next victory would be bringing an end to the war in Ukraine. 'It would be great if we could make a peace deal with [Iran] First, we have to get Russia done,' he told lawmakers. 'Let's focus on Russia first.' Since taking office in January, Trump has claimed to have ended eight separate conflicts, including the war in Gaza. Yet peace in Ukraine remains elusive - his team still searching for leverage over Putin. Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Donald Trump to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles in a 'massively positive' private meeting (pictured in September) Your browser does not support iframes. Despite the challenges, Trump's Middle East triumph has revived global optimism in his 'peace through strength' doctrine. Zelensky praised the US leader's success, saying it 'brings more hope' to other war-torn regions. 'We are working so that the day of peace comes for Ukraine as well,' he wrote on social media. 'Russian aggression remains the last global source of destabilisation, and if a ceasefire and peace have been achieved for the Middle East, the leadership and determination of global actors can certainly work for us, too.' His Prime Minister and senior aides flew to Washington this week for 'high-level talks to strengthen Ukraine's defence, secure our energy resilience, and intensify sanctions pressure on the aggressor'. With speculation mounting over the possible delivery of Tomahawks, Zelensky is preparing a list of Russian targets that could be struck is Trump gives the green light. The missiles - with a range of roughly 1,500miles - would enable Ukraine to hit deep inside Russia, disrupting supply chains and crippling drone and missile factories. Zelensky believes the weapons could force Putin to the negotiating table, saying earlier this year the capability would be enough to 'pressure' Moscow into serious talks. Such a move would mark a major escalation in the US support for Kyiv and a dramatic hardening of Trump's stance against the Kremlin. Trump himself admitted that arming Ukraine with the missiles would represent a 'new step of aggression'. US President Donald Trump speaks during a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, amid a US-brokered prisoner-hostage swap and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, October 13, 2025 His predecessor, Joe Biden, had rejected repeated requests for the same weapons. Russia has reacted furiously to the reports. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the potential deployment of Tomahawks was of 'extreme concern,' warning that tensions were 'escalating from all sides.' He claimed Moscow would have no way of knowing whether any missiles launched at its territory carried nuclear warheads - asking : 'Just how should Russia react?' So far, Putin and his senior aides have avoided directly criticisisng Trump in what appears to be in the hope they can still persuade him to reconsider. Donald Trump joked about world leaders he 'doesn't like at all' in a speech to the world's media at a Gaza peace summit in Egypt. Politicians from across the globe stood behind the US President as he delivered a speech for around half an hour in Sharm El-Sheikh following the signing of an historic peace deal in the Middle East which has brought an end to the war in Gaza. During the speech, Mr Trump read out a list of countries who were present for the summit and praised many of them for their work either towards peace in the middle east or in various other international conflicts. In turn the US leader offered mostly warm remarks and praises for those leaders, even referring to Sir Keir Starmer as 'his friend'. However, Mr Trump also told the crowds that there were 'a few' of the heads of state who he 'did not like at all'. After initially declaring that he would never reveal who they were, the President teased 'maybe you will'. He said: 'I have known so many of you for so long. You are friends of mine, you are great people. 'I have a couple I don't like in particular but I won't tell you who. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer endured an awkward moment alongside the US President but still received a warm welcome French President Emmanuel Macron had an uncomfortable 'death clasp' handshake with Donald Trump at the summit 'I have actually a few of them I don't like at all but you will never find out who they are. 'Maybe you will, come to think of it.' Sir Keir had an awkward interaction with Mr Trump during the speech, after he was invited to the front of the stage. He initially received a warm welcome from the US leader, who referred to the Prime Minister as 'his friend'. The President said: 'Come up here, is everything going good?' Sir Keir awkwardly replied 'very good' as he turned toward the microphone. The US leader then stepped in front the British Prime Minister and continued his speech. He said: 'It is very nice that you are here. These people all came on like 20 minute notice and I think it is fantastic.' Sir Keir looked around awkwardly before slowly scuttling back to his place on the stage, sharing a faint smile with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. One leader who did not receive praise from Mr Trump was Norwegian President Jonas Gahr Stre. President Trump joked that Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store was hiding from him following his Nobel Prize snub U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders gather for a photo during the world leaders' summit After reading 'Norway' on the list of countries who were present for the summit, Trump said: 'We have Norway. Oh, Norway, aye aye aye! Norway, what happened? Norway, what happened?' The disappointed remark was likely to be a reference to the Nobel Peace Prize, which was given to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. The US President's name, heavily floated in the media in recent weeks, did not make the final cut. The two-time US President has been on a not-so-subtle Nobel Prize campaign since his first term in office when he claimed 'many people' thought he had earned it. However, the most recent prize honoured actions carried out in 2024, which was the year in which he was elected but not yet in office. At the summit, Trump joked that Mr Stre was 'hiding' from him following the snub. He said: 'Where is Norway, where is he? I don't think he wants to stand.' Mr Trump then noticed Mr Stre stood in the crowd away from the stage. Trump waits to greet leaders during the summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt Another world leader who had a frosty reception from President Trump was Emmanuel Macron, who received an ominous warning from the US leader. Trump drew the French president in for a warm handshake before the pair each placed an affectionate hand on the other's upper arm in front of a large crowd of photographers. The embrace soon turned into something akin to an arm wrestle as the two presidents exchanged what seemed like intense conversation while swinging their opposite number's hand from side to side. Macron eventually freed himself from Trump's grasp and hurried off the stage. However, lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that the handshake was much more than just a casual greeting between the two leaders. 'Nice to see you, so you agreed?' Trump told Macron who soon turned away from the camera and muttered an inaudible response. 'Are you being genuine?' Trump asks as Macron quickly replies, 'Of course.' The commander-in-chief then tightens his grips around Macron's palm before shooting back: 'Okay, so now I want to know why, you hurt me. I already know.' Trump's awkward handshake with Macron took a dramatic turn when the world leader's greeted each other Trump then squeezes Macron's hand again as the French president looks down and away from the cameras. It's not clear what the pair were speaking about; however, it comes weeks after Macron was seen mocking Trump with world leaders. The two leaders have a colorful history together, often seeming to appear friendly, despite occasionally criticizing each other in public. Speaking slowly and clearly Trump says: 'I am making peace.' Macron then taps Trump's hand and replies: 'Ah come on', while Trump ignores and grasps tighter. 'I only hurt those who hurt others,' Trump tells Macron while pointing at the cameras. 'I see. We will have to see about that,' Macron says before issuing a stark warning to Trump. 'You will see what is about to happen.' Trump concludes: 'Id like to see you do it, do it. Ill see you in a bit.' The President was more complimentary to world leaders who have supported him in the past, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Dramatic footage has emerged of a man during an alleged carjacking rampage across Melbourne in peak hour traffic before sparking a police chase through the CBD. The chaos began when the man, believed to have been on his way to a police station to make a complaint, ran out of petrol in Tarneit in the city's west about 7.45am on Tuesday. Police allege the Hoppers Crossing man, 48, attended a nearby convenience store, where he took a jerry can and attempted to get fuel before he assaulted the store attendant. He fled the scene and allegedly carjacked several vehicles in Tarneit and North Melbourne before making his way to the CBD. Footage obtained by Wyndham TV has emerged of the alleged carjackings in Tarneit, where the gunman was seen ordering a man to get out of a car stopped at traffic lights. 'Get out now, go, go!' he screamed at the terrified man, who fled across the road. The man spent a few moments looking inside the car before targeting a second motorist, telling him to 'get out' and that 'I'll buy you a new car'. He was heard calling out an odd five-word phrase before driving off: 'I love you and God bless.' Dramatic footage has emerged of the gunman during his alleged carjacking spree on Tuesday The alleged gunman targeted a second motorist while stopped at the lights in Tarneit CCTV captured the suspect casually walking down a CBD street carrying a firearm while smoking a cigarette Terrified witnesses told Daily Mail they heard multiple gunshots in the CBD before the suspected gunman was arrested. Rubber bullets were spotted on the ground and it's believed specialist police shot the man with them. One witness, believed to be a tourist, claimed the man pointed the gun at him. Some people have recalled the man blaring his horn, yelling at people to move, and 'almost hit a lot of people' as he sped through the busy street towards the CBD. 'He almost hit this old lady - I had to grab her and move her out the way,' one told Sky News. 'He was beeping and yelling at everyone to get out of the way. He almost hit a lot of people.' A police helicopter hovered above the CBD as specialist police moved in on the suspect, who was spotted walking casually down a laneway smoking a cigarette with a firearm in his other hand as Heavily armed officers in camouflage gear were seen making their way down a side street before confronting the man at a hotel in a lane off Bourke Street - one of the Melbourne's busiest thoroughfares. Heavily armed police moved into arrest the suspect in the Melbourne CBD shortly before 9am The suspect (pictured) was transported to Royal Melbourne Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Police were seen chasing the gunman in front of Melburnians on their way to work before he was eventually arrested. A firearm was allegedly seized at the scene. Photos showed the suspect covered in blood lying on a stretcher before he was led away in handcuffs to a nearby ambulance. He was transported to Royal Melbourne Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, where he remains under assessment. The Hoppers Crossing man, 48, has since been taken into custody. No charges have yet been laid Other witnesses claimed the man brandishing his weapon at shocked guests and staff at the hotel shortly before his arrest. 'He sort of ran through the foyer, and then he sort of ran out the back,' a hotel worker told the Herald Sun. 'I was coming out of the bathroom, and then I just saw him waving the gun at me, and I just took off, yeah, through the foyer. 'He was just sort of waving and screaming, it was very scary.' The suspect has since been taken into custody to be interviewed by detectives Police have assured there was no ongoing risk to the public. Police allege the man's wild Grand Theft Auto-style morning began after he ran out of petrol while travelling with his wife. 'He carjacked a vehicle and headed into North Melbourne, where he took another car before entering the CBD,' Acting Inspector Emma Lobb told reporters. 'He dumped that vehicle around Lonsdale Street. Our Critical Incident Response Team and SOG safely secured the arrest. There was a firearm on the male, however it has been recovered and there are no ongoing threats to the public.' The latest incident comes just days after terrified lunchtime shoppers in Bourke Street were forced to run for their lives after an allegedly stolen SUV struck a pedestrian while being chased by police. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan has since assured that 'the CBD of Melbourne is safe'. 'The Victorian community has that protection from Victoria Police,' she told reporters on Tuesday. 'As we saw this morning, Victoria Police moved swiftly, dealt with this situation quickly.' Police investigate the laneway near where the man was arrested Asked whether she understood why some Victorians didn't feel safe in the CBD, Premier Allan said: 'I can understand for those in the area this morning, it would have been a concern.' 'I do understand that when incidents do occur, it would be incredibly distressing to either the witness to those sort of instances or indeed if that happened to you more directly.' Pauline Hanson has called on the Albanese Government to immediately stop issuing humanitarian visas to Palestinians and to deport those already in Australia, now that a ceasefire has been declared in Gaza. Her comments come after Hamas released the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza on Monday under a ceasefire deal, while Israel freed hundreds of Palestinian detainees. US President Donald Trump hailed the truce as the official end of the two-year war that has destabilised the Middle East. 'Today I've written to the Prime Minister to demand an immediate halt to new 786 visas for Palestinians and to begin returning those here temporarily, now that the war in Gaza has ended,' Senator Hanson said. 'The conflict is over. Rebuilding has begun. That means it's time for those who have been granted temporary protection to return home just as Australians would be expected to do if the roles were reversed,' she said. 'Temporary visas are meant to be just that temporary,' she said. 'We must remember, here at home, we're facing a housing crisis. Essential workers can't find rentals. Families are sleeping in cars. Young Aussies are priced out of a future. Every extra burden, no matter how small, adds pressure to a system already under strain,' Ms Hanson wrote. 'Australians have shown compassion, but it's time for the Albanese Government to put our people first. Charity begins at home.' Between June 12, 2024, and June 12, 2025, a total of 909 Palestinians were granted subclass 786 humanitarian visas. Pauline Hanson (pictured) called for 786 visa holders from Palestine to leave Australia Hanson said that with the war now over, it made sense for 786 visa holders to return home (file) The visa allows holders to live and work in Australia for up to three years and access services such as Medicare. Separate data shows that 3,449 visas were issued to Palestinians in the months immediately following the Hamas attacks - between October 7 and December 31 last year. About 1,920 Palestinians actually arrived in Australia during that period, while many others became trapped in Gaza after Israel sealed its borders. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Monday the government's priority was assisting remaining visa holders still stuck in Gaza before considering new applicants from the war-torn territory. 'They've been checked by our security intelligence agencies a number of times,' Mr Burke told the ABC's News Breakfast. 'They have family connections to Australia, and they are the people that we're focusing on. 'There were some of them, for example a couple of people who'd been hiding in a church for 18 months who came through Sydney Airport a few weeks ago.' Asked how many were likely to come to Australia, Mr Burke said up to 700 could arrive. 'The number of visa holders who are still there is in the order of 600 to 700 and there has never been a group where we have conducted more security checks,' Mr Burke said. Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles praised Trump for his role in brokering the peace deal. 'It is an incredible achievement on the part of Donald Trump and it is one that is very much going to be remembered by history,' he told Sky News on Tuesday. Almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees have also been freed by Israel. Israel launched a two-year military offensive on Gaza that killed more than 67,000 people, including about 20,000 children, according to Palestinian health authorities. The campaign was in response to Hamas's surprise attack, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the capture of another 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. China represents a 'highly sophisticated and capable threat', Britain's cyber security chief will warn today. Richard Horne, head of GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre, will set out in an annual review the 'significant threat' Britain faces from hostile states, with some tech firms in China conducting a 'malicious global cyber campaign targeting critical networks'. The report reveals a 50 per cent increase in 'significant' cyber attacks in the UK in the last year, on the government, economy, essential services and the population. Mr Horne will say: 'We know that our adversaries are combining cyber means with physical methods in order to further their aims. 'Just last month, agencies from 13 nations came together to warn that three technology companies based in China have conducted a malicious global cyber campaign targeting critical networks on behalf of their host nation.' The NCSC recorded a 50 per cent increase in 'highly significant' incidents in the year to the end of August. The UK is targeted by hostile states either directly or through groups operating at arms-length from the authorities in Beijing, Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang. The NCSC's annual review said: 'State actors continue to present a significant threat to UK and global cyber security, aided by an evolving cyber intrusion sector. Richard Horne, head of GCHQ 's National Cyber Security Centre, will set out in an annual review the 'significant threat' Britain faces from hostile states 'As threats intensified, our incident management team faced a record number of nationally significant incidents.' The review warns: 'China continues to be a highly sophisticated and capable threat actor.' Russia is a 'capable and irresponsible threat actor in cyberspace', while pro-Moscow 'hacktivist' groups operating outside formal state control are seeking to target the UK, Europe, US, and other Nato countries in retaliation for Western support for Ukraine and Israel. Iran's activity has largely been focused in the Middle East but the NCSC assesses it is 'highly likely' that UK entities could be potential targets for hackers. North Korea's 'prolific and capable' hacking activity mainly seeks to raise revenue, to collect intelligence and to offset the impact of international sanctions, while undercover IT workers from Kim Jong Un's country are 'almost certainly' targeting UK firms by posing as third-country freelance staff. The NCSC's report comes with the risk posed by China to the UK under intense political scrutiny following the collapse of an alleged spying case and with a ruling due on Beijing's application to build a massive new embassy in the heart of London. The report warned that hackers including those with links to Beijing were using AI to improve the potency of their attacks. Meanwhile bosses of the UK's leading companies have been urged to take action to protect themselves from cyber attacks as the number of major incidents hit a record level. It comes after attacks on household names including Marks and Spencer, Co-op and Jaguar Land Rover have shown the real world impact of cyberattacks, the NCSC said. Mr Horne said: 'Cyber security is now a matter of business survival and national resilience. 'With over half the incidents handled by the NCSC deemed to be nationally significant, and a 50% rise in highly significant attacks on last year, our collective exposure to serious impacts is growing at an alarming pace. 'The best way to defend against these attacks is for organisations to make themselves as hard a target as possible. 'That demands urgency from every business leader: hesitation is a vulnerability, and the future of their business depends on the action they take today. The time to act is now.' Joe Biden has praised Donald Trump for his success in negotiating a peace deal which allowed the 20 remaining Hamas survivors to return home. But he also tried to take some credit for the monumental deal, claiming his administration had laid the groundwork for Trump to negotiate. 'The road to this deal was not easy. My Administration worked relentlessly to bring hostages home, get relief to Palestinian civilians, and end the war,' Biden said in a statement to X on Monday. 'I commend President Trump and his team for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line. 'I am deeply grateful and relieved that this day has come for the last living 20 hostages who have been through unimaginable hell and are finally reunited with their families and loved ones.' Biden said he was also overjoyed 'for the civilians in Gaza who have experienced immeasurable loss and will finally get the chance to rebuild their lives. 'Now, with the backing of the United States and the world, the Middle East is on a path to peace that I hope endures and a future for Israelis and Palestinians alike with equal measures of peace, dignity, and safety.' Trump visited Israel on Monday to celebrate the return of the 20 surviving hostages after helping to broker the peace deal. Former President Joe Biden has praised Donald Trump for his success in negotiating a peace deal which allowed the 20 remaining Hamas survivors to return home Supporters gathered in the streets to celebrate their hostages coming home Trump has been hailed a hero in Israel as Israelis celebrate the release of the hostages He later addressed a peace summit with global leaders where he called for a new era of harmony in the Middle East. 'We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us,' Trump said, and he urged leaders 'to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past.' The whirlwind trip, which included the summit in Egypt and a speech at the Knesset in Jerusalem earlier in the day, comes at a fragile moment of hope for ending two years of war between Israel and Hamas. 'Everybody said it's not possible to do. And it's going to happen. And it is happening before your very eyes,' Trump said alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Nearly three dozen countries, including some from Europe and the Middle East, were represented at the summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited but declined, with his office saying it was too close to a Jewish holiday. Trump promised to help rebuild Gaza, and he urged Palestinians to 'turn forever from the path of terror and violence.' 'After tremendous pain and death and hardship,' he said, 'now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down.' Israeli lawmakers chanted Trumps name and gave him standing ovation after standing ovation. Some people in the audience wore red hats that resembled his Make America Great Again caps, although these versions said Trump, The Peace President. Trump visited Israel on Monday to celebrate the return of the 20 surviving hostages after helping to broker the peace deal The 20 living hostages who have been holed up with Hamas for more than two years were released this week after Trump's deal Trump spoke at a Peace Summit where he vowed to help Gaza rebuild But Trump also took the opportunity to lay blame on former Democratic presidents for their failure to stabilize the region. 'All of the countries in the Middle East that could have what we're doing now, it could have happened a long time ago, but it was strangled and set back almost irretrievably by the administrations of Barack Obama and then Joe Biden,' Trump said. 'There was a hatred towards Israel.' 'Nobody asked Joe Biden to come up and speak, I guarantee you that,' he added. Trump is just the fourth president to address the Knesset; former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were also given the honor. We had a very weak administration. Worst president in the history of our country by far, and Barack Obama was not far behind, by the way, Trump said, referring to Biden. Biden's praise came in the form of an X post on Monday evening The 79-year-old president also tore into Obama for striking the Iran nuclear deal that allowed the US adversary to expand its fledgling nuclear programs, which, according to US intelligence, was also attempting to make a nuclear bomb. 'The setbacks really started when President Obama signed the Iran nuclear deal,' Trump told the Knesset. 'This was a disaster for Israel, and it was a disaster for everyone.' Trump's former presidential competitor Hillary Clinton also praised the deal at the weekend. 'Its a really significant first step and I really commend Trump and his administration,' Clinton said on CBS News. The President of Madagascar has fled the country fearing for his life in the wake of a military rebellion and Gen Z-led protests. Andry Rajoelina said he was sheltering in a 'safe space' in a speech which was broadcast on social media from an undisclosed location. In recent weeks, protests led by young people in the African island nation have called for the president to step down. On Saturday an elite military unit joined the protests and also called for Rajoelina's resignation. That prompted the leader to say that an illegal attempt to seize power was underway in the Indian Ocean island and leave the country. The President was due to address the nation in a late night speech on television, but the broadcast was delayed after soldiers attempted to take control of the state broadcaster buildings, according to the president's office. The speech was eventually broadcast on the presidency's official Facebook page but instead of on national TV. 'I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life,' Rajoelina said in his late-night speech. Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina said he has fled the country over 'fears for his life' Gen Z-led protests in the Indian Ocean nation have been calling for the President's resignation It was Rajoelina's first public comments since the CAPSAT military unit turned against his government in an apparent coup and joined thousands of protesters rallying in a main square in the capital, Antananarivo, over the weekend. Rajoelina called for dialogue 'to find a way out of this situation' and said the constitution should be respected. He did not say how he left Madagascar or where he was, but a report claimed he was flown out of the country on a French military plane. A French Foreign Ministry spokesperson declined to comment on that report. Madagascar is a former French colony and Rajoelina reportedly has French citizenship, which has been a source of discontent for some Madagascans for years. The anti-government protests started after Madagascans became angry at chronic water shortages and electricity outages. However, they have now grown into wider discontent with Rajoelina and his government. It is the most significant unrest in the island nation of 31 million people off the east coast of Africa since Rajoelina himself first came to power as the leader of a transitional government following a 2009 military-backed coup. Members of the Malagasy gendarmerie take cover behind their shields amid tear gas during clashes between demonstrators and security forces in protests Protesters torched an armoured vehicle in demonstrations against the President last week The same elite CAPSAT military unit that rebelled against Rajoelina was prominent in him first coming to power in 2009. Madagascar has been shaken by three weeks of deadly anti-government protests that were initially led by a group calling itself 'Gen Z Madagascar'. The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar still advised American citizens to shelter in place because of a 'highly volatile and unpredictable' situation. The United Nations says the demonstrations left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured. The UN criticised Madagascan authorities for a 'violent response' to what were largely peaceful protests in the early days of the movement. The government has disputed the number of deaths. The demonstrators have brought up a range of issues, including poverty and the cost of living, access to tertiary education, and alleged corruption and embezzlement of public funds by government officials, as well as their families and associates. Civic groups and trade unions also joined the protests, which resulted in nighttime curfews being enforced in Antananarivo and other major cities. Curfews were still in effect in Antananarivo and the northern port city of Antsiranana. A protester waves his country's flag as demonstrators gather outside the town hall in Antananarivo The protests have been led by young Madagascans who have been inspired by similar demonstrations in Nepal and Sri Lanka The Gen Z protesters who started the uprising have mobilized over the internet and say they were inspired by the protests that toppled governments in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Madagascar has had several leaders removed in coups and has a history of political crises since it gained independence from France in 1960. The 51-year-old Rajoelina first came to prominence as the leader of a transitional government following the 2009 coup that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to flee the country and lose power. Rajoelina was elected president in 2018 and re-elected in 2023 in a vote boycotted by opposition parties. Madagascar's former prime minister under Rajoelina and one of the president's closest advisers have also fled the country and arrived in the nearby island of Mauritius in the predawn hours Sunday, the Mauritian government said. Mauritius said it was 'not satisfied' that the private plane had landed on its territory. An Aussie council that lost $2.3million to scammers has been grilled by ratepayers - as a cybersecurity expert reveals why 'human error' could be at play. Noosa Shire Council, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, revealed on Monday it had been targeted by international criminal gangs in December last year. The council initially lost $2.3million but has managed to recover about $440,000, bringing the total losses to about $1.9million. Noosa Council chief executive Larry Sengstock said the incident was currently being investigated by the Australian Federal Police and Interpol. It is not suggested that Sengstock was in any way at fault in relation to the incident. Cyber safety expert and former Victoria Police officer Susan McLean told Daily Mail the incident may have involved an element of human error. 'I would guess human error where an employee allowed someone into a system or transferred money without triple checking,' she said, acknowledging it was difficult to know based on the limited information available. Noosa Council shared the news with ratepayers in a post to its Facebook page, which was quickly inundated with a series of incredulous comments. Noosa Shire Council chief executive Larry Sengstock (pictured) said no data was stolen during the fraud incident and assured ratepayers there was no impact to the public or services The council was forced to deactivate comments on the post about an hour after it went live One questioned how council services weren't impacted by a loss of nearly $2million. Others shared their fears council rates would increase to recoup the losses after they were increased by nearly seven per cent to fund the latest annual budget. 'Bracing ourselves for further rate increases,' one woman said, while another wrote: 'We need answers, this is our rates money!' The council deactivated comments on the post about an hour after it went live. 'Comments have now been turned off to help ensure the focus remains on the accuracy of information shared and because a moderator is no longer available to monitor the comments,' it wrote. Mr Sengstock said the criminals used 'social engineering AI techniques' but insisted no council staff were at fault or 'involved in the criminal activities'. The Australian Signals Directorate defines social engineering techniques as incidents in which malicious actors direct individuals or staff into performing some action. Examples include opening faulty attachments, revealing credentials, disclosing sensitive information or transferring funds. The council initially lost $2.3million but had managed to recover about $440,000, bringing the total losses to about $1.9million (pictured, Noosa's Main Beach) Mr Sengstock would not reveal further details about the incident 'to avoid revealing the tactics of the criminals' and to protect council staff. He assured residents that council systems were not breached or affected, no data was stolen, and there was no impact to the public or council services. The chief executive said police instructed the council not to share any information with the public when it was first alerted to the fraud. The council did not explain why it chose to share news of the scam now, despite ongoing police investigations. Mr Sengstock said the fraud was not related to cybersecurity and the criminals took advantage of vulnerabilities in the council's processes. He added the council had implemented several recommendations since made by the Queensland Audit Office to improve its processes. 'Council takes its financial responsibility very seriously and on behalf of management I am sorry that this has happened,' Mr Sengstock said. 'This incident also serves as a warning to other councils and local businesses to be on their guard, and to continually review processes around all financial procedures. 'Unfortunately, as we are seeing every day in the media, scams and frauds are on the rise, and many companies and organisations are being targeted.' 'As we have explained, we are not going to disclose specific details of how the incident occurred,' a spokesperson for Noosa Council told Daily Mail. 'This is a matter for Queensland Police and the incident is still under investigation.' Interview: Global Leaders' Meeting on Women offers multilateral platform to advance gender equality, says Nigerian minister Xinhua) 10:13, October 14, 2025 Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim receives an interview with Xinhua before traveling to the capital of China to attend the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Abuja, Nigeria, Oct. 10, 2025. (Photo by Olatunji Saliu/Xinhua) ABUJA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing represents a pivotal moment for international cooperation to accelerate the agenda for global gender equality, according to Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. In a recent interview with Xinhua before traveling to the capital of China to attend the meeting, Sulaiman-Ibrahim underscored the historical significance of the event, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women, and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. "Eighty years of the United Nations General Assembly and 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action are a show of the enduring power of multilateralism and the international agreements between countries," the Nigerian official said. She said the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women presents an opportunity to strengthen ongoing efforts through continued collaboration. "I feel that it is an opportunity to collaborate so that we can achieve greater goals and more aspirations for women, for children, and for the vulnerable population." Describing the Nigeria-China bond as "partners in progress across various progressive efforts of development," the minister said this high-level engagement will serve as a critical opportunity for Nigeria to deepen its relations with China, focusing on scaling up women's development programs. Sulaiman-Ibrahim spoke highly of China's remarkable success in lifting its people out of poverty, saying, "China is one of the countries that have been able to empower their women in numbers, lifting women out of poverty in large numbers." Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is committed to learning this model to accelerate the rights, welfare, and economic empowerment of its women, which aligns directly with the priorities of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, she said. "We can learn a lot from China on how we can scale up and accelerate actions in strengthening women across many sectors," the minister said, highlighting the need to bolster women's participation in the emerging blue, green, digital, and creative economies in Nigeria. She also articulated specific expectations for new areas of cooperation, notably in the energy sector, by seeking pathways to ensure "women lead the energy transition, not just as beneficiaries as it once was but as business owners." Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the core of her mission to Beijing is to secure a technical partnership that directly addresses the "systematic barriers" hindering Nigerian women, emphasizing that strengthening women's economic power is viewed as a prerequisite for Nigeria's national economic vision. "We can share experiences, we can exchange, do a transfer of culture, transfer of skills, and technical know-how," the official added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Panic swept through a zoo this weekend after a gorilla suddenly charged at his enclosure, shattering some of the glass. Video captured the moment the 400-pound primate, named Denny, smashed part of a barrier in San Diego on Saturday afternoon. The ten-year-old western lowland gorilla was seen sprinting full force at the glass and slamming into it, causing some families to scream and run. 'It literally felt like an earthquake before we realized that that was just him hitting the glass,' visitor Jackie Doubler told 10News. 'It was pretty scary. There definitely were people there quick though - security guards. The zoo handled the situation well.' In the footage, filmed in the Gorilla Forest habitat at San Diego Zoo, visitors can be heard gasping as the glass shattered from around the point of impact. While some rushed away, others moved in closer to see the damage for themselves. 'If he would hit that glass again, I definitely feel like it would have been a whole different story though,' Doubler added. A ten-year-old western lowland gorilla suddenly charged at the glass barrier of his enclosure at San Diego Zoo this weekend, shattering one of its three protective layers The powerful primate, a 400-pound gorilla named Denny, smashed a section of tempered glass at the Gorilla Forest habitat on Saturday afternoon The zoo later confirmed that Denny was not injured and that the glass, made up of three layers of tempered safety material, had only one layer compromised. The gorilla and his enclosure companion have been temporarily moved while repairs are completed. Dennys outburst came just weeks after the death of his older brother Maka, a 30-year-old western lowland gorilla who died unexpectedly in August after suffering a cardiac event. Zoo officials said in a statement that the behavior, while shocking, wasn't out of the ordinary. 'It is common for male gorillas, especially in adolescence, to express these types of behaviors,' a spokesman said. 'Bursts of energy, charging, dragging items, or running sideways are all natural for a young male.' Dr Erin Riley, a primate behavior specialist and anthropology professor at San Diego State University, told CBS8 that 'charging displays' are a normal part of gorilla behavior. 'Gorillas, particularly males, will often do what we call "charging displays," as a kind of act of showing off,' Riley explained. 'One of the things gorillas actually don't like is to be stared at directly in the eyes, and that's not something that zoo visitors always understand.' While some zoogoers rushed away, others moved in closer to see the damage for themselves Zoo officials said in a statement that the behavior while shocking to witnesses was not uncommon for young male gorillas Riley added that it's possible Denny felt threatened or overwhelmed by the crowd at the time. 'Given that it was directed towards the window, which is where the visitors are, I don't know if they were feeling threatened, if there were a lot of people there that made Denny feel a little bit threatened,' she said. Dr Annie Petersen, an animal behavior and bonding expert, echoed such sentiments. 'It may not necessarily have been an aggressive reaction; it may have been one of excitement, it may have been one of exploration,' Petersen said. Dennys outburst also came just weeks after the death of his older brother Maka, a 30-year-old western lowland gorilla who died unexpectedly in August after suffering a cardiac event Following the incident, other guests urged the public to be more mindful around the zoo's exhibits. 'They're super strong. We need to be respectful of them, and also respectful of their space,' said visitor Andrea Corry. 'A lot of people hit the glass, tap it, try to provoke them, and we need to just observe - watch them, not aggravate them.' Western lowland gorillas are the largest primates in the world, standing up to six feet tall and weighing as much as 500 pounds, according to San Diego Zoo. The species is critically endangered in the wild due to deforestation and poaching across central Africa. Labour have been accused of scapegoating the UK's deputy national security adviser over the collapse of the China spying trial after the security minister said that his superior had played no part. Dan Jarvis said Matthew Collins was responsible for providing evidence about two alleged spies accused of passing information to Beijing, rather than Jonathan Powell. The case against teacher Christopher Cash and former parliamentary researcher Christopher Berry collapsed last month after the Crown Prosecution Service claimed the Government did not provide evidence China is a threat to the UK. Mr Jarvis told the House of Commons on Monday that Mr Collins did not hand over statements and National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell had not seen them. Sir Keir has insisted he has 'full confidence' in Mr Powell, adding: 'He is doing an excellent job.' Both Mr Berry and Mr Cash were arrested at their homes in March 2023 and charged under the Official Secrets Act for passing data to China which was 'prejudicial to the safety and interests' of the UK and was 'directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy'. The pair strenuously denied the charges. They had been accused of spying for China between 2021 and early 2023, by which time the China Research Group was headed by Conservative MP Alicia Kearns. Mr Cash allegedly passed sensitive information to Mr Berry in China, who in turn sent 34 'reports' to an individual identified as a Chinese 'intelligence agent'. That agent was said to have then sent the reports to Cai Qi, the fifthranking member of Communist Party's ruling Politburo. Security minister Dan Jarvis (pictured) has blamed deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins for the collapse of the Chinese spies case Jonathan Powell, Sir Keir's national security adviser, is reported to have suppressed a major Whitehall investigation into China after lobbying from the Treasury Sources said British spies first became aware of UKrelated intelligence circulating in the 'Chinese intelligence system', which led them to identifying Mr Berry first, and through him Mr Cash. The decision to blame Mr Collins has led to claims Labour are making him a 'scapegoat' for the scandal. In a statement to MPs in the Commons, Mr Jarvis denied reports Mr Powell had decreed China could not be defined as a national security threat at a meeting of Whitehall officials in September. He said: 'Of course, [the national security adviser] takes part in discussions about national security and diplomatic relations. That is literally his job. 'But any discussions were on the basis that the case would be going ahead and how to handle the implications. 'The national security adviser was not involved in any decisions about the substance of the evidence.' Mr Jarvis said it was in fact deputy national security adviser Mr Collins who provided a witness statement in December 2023 under the previous Conservative government. Further witness statements were requested and provided in February and July this year. Sir Keir Starmer had access to a dossier of evidence showing that China was a threat to UK national security prior to the collapse of a spying case, it has been claimed Tom Tugendhat, Jarvis's predecessor as security minister in the last Conservative Government, said Jarvis's statement had 'thrown out more chaff, set up more straw men than a Russian disinformation campaign'. He added that it was a 'pure fabrication' to claim there was not sufficient evidence of China's threat to national security because of ample evidence to the contrary. Mr Tugendhat concluded in the Commons yesterday: 'As my friend the Minister knows, simply ignoring an order is not the same thing as not receiving one. I am afraid that what this has done, and what this statement does, is advertise that the UK is not willing to defend itself against threats from hostile states.' Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch insisted there had been a number of examples where Tory ministers and government documents described China as a 'threat'. She said: 'The trial has collapsed because for months and months, the government has been refusing to give the CPS vital information. 'This wasn't a mistake. This wasn't a misunderstanding. This looks like a deliberate decision to collapse the case and curry favour with the regime in China.' She added: 'I suspect that [ministers] have decided that closer economic ties with China were more important than due process and our national security.' Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller said: 'The government's attempts to duck scrutiny and scapegoat a single official simply won't wash. 'It's inconceivable that neither Keir Starmer nor his national security adviser knew what evidence was being submitted in such an important case. 'The buck for this fiasco ultimately stops with the prime minister.' It comes as last week the head of the CPS said the case collapsed because evidence could not be obtained from the government referring to China as a national security threat. Pete Hegseth has vowed to strip America's top news organizations of their Pentagon access unless reporters agree to a new compliance policy that tramples all over the First Amendment. The Department of War has ordered all journalists with press access to sign the agreement which bans military personnel from making 'unauthorized disclosures' to the media. Reporters who don't sign the new agreement have until 5pm Tuesday to forfeit their press badges and clean out their desks. The Daily Mail is among major publishers, including CNN, The New York Times, the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic, who have vowed not to sign the agreement. It would limit reporters from communicating with military sources and declares that asking personnel to 'commit criminal acts' by making unauthorized disclosures would not be protected under the First Amendment. Journalists will also be barred access to large areas of the Pentagon without an escort and a press pass can be revoked for any reporter who asks staff for information that hasn't been approved for release by the Secretary of War. The Orwellian new rules come after the Daily Mail revealed Hegseth has been 'crawling out of his skin' with paranoia, firing staffers for speaking to journalists and erupting in explosive tirades over concerns for his personal security. The policy conveys 'an unprecedented message of intimidation' for anyone in the Department of War who might want to speak to a reporter without the approval of Hegseth's team, the Pentagon Press Association said. War Secretary Pete Hegseth, seen with his wife Jennifer Rauchet on July 4, has ordered all journalists with press access to sign the agreement Journalists said the policy conveys 'an unprecedented message of intimidation' for anyone in the Department of War who might want to speak to a reporter without the approval of Hegseth's team On Monday, The Associated Press, Reuters and conservative television station Newsmax also confirmed their reporters would also not sign. Newsmax, whose on-air journalists are generally supportive of the administration, said that 'we believe the requirements are unnecessary and onerous and hope that the Pentagon will review the matter further.' Reuters also issued a statement saying: 'Reuters is bound by its commitment to accurate, impartial and independent news. Pete Hegseth swigs from a champagne bottle during a Fox News show 'We steadfastly believe in the press protections afforded by the US Constitution, the unrestricted flow of information and journalism that serves the public interest without fear or favor. The Pentagon's new restrictions erode these fundamental values.' The opposing outlets say the policy threatens to punish them for routine news gathering protected by the First Amendment. Hegseth addressed the criticism surrounding the new policy, writing on X: 'Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right.' Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the rules establish 'common sense media procedures.' 'The policy does not ask for them to agree, just to acknowledge that they understand what our policy is,' Parnell said. 'This has caused reporters to have a full blown meltdown, crying victim online. We stand by our policy because it's what's best for our troops and the national security of this country.' Pentagon reporters say signing the statement amounts to admitting that reporting any information that hasn't been government-approved is harming national security. 'That's simply not true,' said David Schulz, director of Yale University's Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic. Journalists have said they have long worn badges and do not access classified areas, nor do they report information that risks putting any Americans in harm's way. Critics have noted Hegseth's crackdown on reporters comes after his own major blunder and security breach in March Hegseth is said to have fired staffers for speaking to journalists and erupted in explosive tirades over concerns for his personal security 'The Pentagon certainly has the right to make its own policies, within the constraints of the law,' the Pentagon Press Association said on Monday. 'There is no need or justification, however, for it to require reporters to affirm their understanding of vague, likely unconstitutional policies as a precondition to reporting from Pentagon facilities.' Critics have noted Hegseth's crackdown on reporters comes after his own major blunder and security breach in March, when he released war plans in a Signal chat without realizing the editor of The Atlantic had been unintentionally added to the group. Hegseth listed weapons systems and a timeline for the attack on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen in the chat, but argued no classified information was shared. A national park extensively searched during the hunt for Dezi Freeman will partially reopen to the public, as police admit the alleged cop killer may have left the area. Freeman, 56, has not been seen since August 26 when he allegedly gunned down officers Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart and injured a third inside a makeshift bus in Porepunkah, in Victoria's high country. Believing he may have fled into surrounding bushland on foot following the shooting, police closed large parts of Mount Buffalo National Park to the public. Hundreds of officers spent weeks scouring the national park with the help of the Victoria Police Air Wing and other specialist support. Now, seven weeks later and with no trace of Freeman, investigators are confident the park can be partly reopened to visitors from Tuesday. 'The reopening of the park does not signify the end of the search for Freeman, and Victoria Police will continue to maintain a strong presence in the area,' police said. Freeman's brother James Filby suspects he may have perished in the Mount Buffalo wilderness, adding Freeman would hope police never find his body. 'I hope he has peace now. I imagine his last hours... were cold, lonely, fearful,' Mr Filby wrote. Dezi Freeman(pictured) has been at large for nearly two months, since he allegedly shot and killed two police officers in Porepunkah on August 26 Police have reopened parts of Mount Buffalo National Park to the public as the search for the alleged killer (pictured) continues 'What Dez did was wrong, but he's my brother and I miss him. I know he would want to be buried on Mount Buffalo and never found by police. But we need closure.' Hundreds of Victoria Police officers and specialist resources from across Australia and New Zealand have been involved in the search for Freeman. Police have spoken to more than 800 people, searched hundreds of properties and investigated over 1,600 pieces of intelligence, including public tips. Daily Mail previously reported the search is estimated to have cost taxpayers up to $100million, with hundreds of heavily-armed officers remaining in the area. Despite nearly two months of fruitless searching, Commissioner Mike Bush said finding Freeman remained one of the force's top priorities. 'Is he still alive? We don't know. Is he alive and still in the area? We have no real information to suggest that,' he told reporters on Monday. 'Or has he been unable to leave the area and is being looked after by others? 'We don't know - all of those are assumptions, possibilities, and we plan a resource for those three.' Police spent weeks searching the national park, including assistance from the Air Wing He said there had been 1,400 tips to police with 'every one of those pursued twice'. 'We encourage anyone who believes they have any information that could help us find this person, please don't hesitate to let us know.' Parts of Mount Buffalo park will remain closed and police are urging anyone with hunting or trail cameras to check their video and share any information that might help investigators. A dangerous person alert remains in force at the park and surrounding areas on the Vic Emergency website, warning locals and visitors to 'remain vigilant'. Parks Victoria confirmed the update, stating most of the popular sites, trails and roads would reopen and police would continue to maintain a presence in the area. Police offered a $1million reward for information leading to Freeman's capture, which is the largest financial offer in Victoria's history for facilitating an arrest. Mitt Romney has spoken out after the sudden death of his sister-in-law, as it emerged his brother had filed for divorce just four months before she was found dead. The former presidential candidate and Utah senator said he was 'heartbroken' after Carrie Elizabeth Romney, 64, was found unresponsive on the street next to a five-story parking garage in California Friday. 'Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives. We ask for privacy during this difficult time,' Romney said. The Daily Mail can reveal that Mitt's brother, George Scott Romney, separated from Carrie on May 25. George - who goes by Scott - filed for divorce on June 10 after just over eight years of marriage, according to files obtained by the Mail. It was the 84-year-old lawyer and politician's fourth marriage. Scott is the father of former RNC chairman Ronna McDaniel through his first marriage. Scott and Carrie were wed on November 26, 2016 and had no children together. They were never photographed in public together and appear to have kept their relationship private. Neither were active on social media and Scott hasn't been interviewed by a major media outlet since the 2012 presidential campaign. Mitt Romney (pictured with wife Ann) has spoken out on the sudden death of his sister-in-law, as it is revealed his brother had filed for divorce from her just four months before she was found dead in California The former presidential candidate and Utah senator said he was 'heartbroken' after Carrie Elizabeth Romney was found on the street next to a five-story parking garage Friday Scott cited irreconcilable differences in the divorce filing and stated that most of the couples assets had been acquired individually before their marriage. Carrie was seeking spousal support which Scott did not agree to, and requested restoring her maiden name, Carrie Elizabeth Dimas. The Daily Mail has reached out to lawyers listed for both Scott and Carrie Romney for comment. Carrie was found lying next to a garage in the Los Angeles suburb of Valencia, according to the local medical examiner's office. Officers arrived on the scene at around 8.30pm on Friday near the the town's shopping mall and a local Hyatt Regency Hotel. Foul play is not suspected, according to homicide detectives. LA County Sheriff's spokesman Lieutenant Daniel Vizcarra told the Daily Mail: 'We don't know if it was suicide or accidental. There is not enough information to go by yet on what the coroner has given us so far.' Vizcarra said a passerby called 911 and Carrie's body was found by the parking structure that belongs to an apartment complex on the 24000 block of Town Center Drive in the city of Santa Clarita. Her vehicle was found in one of the floors of the parking structure. Vizcarra said investigators were working to obtain possible video footage around the area, which is also adjacent to a mall. According to divorce filings obtained by the Mail, 64-year-old Carrie Romney had separated from Mitt's brother George Scott Romney (pictured in 2012) - who goes by Scott - on May 25 According to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, she was found lying next to a parking garage in the LA suburb of Valencia. First responders arrived on the scene at around 8.30pm on Friday near the the town's shopping mall, near a local Hyatt Regency Hotel Footage from the investigation showed police tape cordoning off much of the parking lot with multiple police vehicles on scene. 'Foul play has not been ruled out, but as of right now, there is no evidence of it,' Vizcarra told the Daily Mail. Carrie's cause of death has been listed as 'deferred' while toxicology tests were pending, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner. Romney, a two-time presidential candidate, comes from a large family with three older siblings, including his brother Scott. His wife Ann also has two older brothers, and together the couple share five sons. Scott was described by The New York Times as the most visible of Romney's siblings on the campaign trail in 2012. He told PBS of his role on his brother's campaign: 'In 2006 he called me and said, "I'd like somebody with a little gray hair to help raise money, and I wonder if you'd be willing to help me." And he asked me to help with him on his campaign. Since then, I've been doing everything I can to help his political career.' Scott is currently an attorney at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn in Michigan and serves on several boards, including Compuware Corporation. The Romney family is notoriously close and competitive, with The Washington Post once profiling the then-30 person brood's annual family Olympics on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. Similarly, the former governor often championed his status as a family man when he ran for national office in 2008 and 2012. Romney's lengthy career in Republican politics includes a defeat to Barack Obama in the 2012 general election. Scott was described by The New York Times as the most visible of Romney's siblings on the campaign trail in 2012 Footage showing law enforcement's investigation saw police tape blocking the entrance to much of the scene In 2008, he lost the Republican Primary before endorsing the eventual presidential runner-up, John McCain. He was also the only member of his party to vote to convict Trump of impeachment twice. Romney served as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and the junior senator from Utah from 2018 to 2024. He retired instead of trying to run for re-election, having said the country's many challenges call for a younger generation of leaders. Romney said the US would be better served if the two front-runners for their parties' 2024 presidential nominations - Joe Biden and Donald Trump - stepped aside. 'The times we're living in demand the next generation step up and express their point of view and to make the decisions that will shape American politics over the coming century,' Romney said in a news conference at the Capitol. He said baby boomers like him are 'not the right ones to be making the decisions for tomorrow.' Romney's most recent public appearance came at a forum at Drew University in New Jersey in late September. A key Trump loyalist who took over the high-powered Virginia US attorney's office has cleaned house by removing a senior Justice Department official who briefly led before her. Lindsey Halligan has been taking steps to assert her authority over the office after Donald Trump hand-picked her for the role on September 20. When the original Trump-appointed US Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik Siebert, resigned under pressure from Trump for refusing to indict former FBI director James Comey, senior career prosecutor Maggie Cleary was temporarily appointed to fill his role. Halligan then became the replacement, and Cleary sided with her colleagues in opposing Halligan's decision to bring the Comey case. During the grand jury testimony, Cleary sat in the back row rather than at the government table in a clear display of disunity within the department. Now, according to CNN, she has been removed from the office entirely. The publication stated it is unclear whether she remains employed by the Justice Department and was transferred to a new role, or whether she was axed entirely. Her departure comes amid mass changes in the department since Halligan took over. Lindsey Halligan has been taking steps to assert her authority over the office after President Donald Trump hand-picked her for the role on September 20 Trump announced via social media he was nominating Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, writing that she 'will be Fair, Smart, and will provide, desperately needed, JUSTICE FOR ALL' Two other long term prosecutors, Michael Ben'Ary and Maya Song, were fired after Halligan charged Comey. Ben'Ary taped a note to the door of his office as he was leaving which accused Justice Department leadership of being 'more concerned with punishing the president's perceived enemies than they are with protecting our national security.' Comey's son-in-law Troy Edwards Jr. also resigned from the office. Comey is accused of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding back in 2020. He maintains his innocence. 'My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump,' Comey said after his indictment. A source told CNN Halligan intends to move prosecutors along who may oppose her work in targeting high-profile cases. She is also involved in the case against former New York Attorney General Leticia James. James is accused of mortgage fraud relating to paperwork discrepancies on her Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia home. Senior prosecutor Maggie Cleary has reportedly been pushed out of the department since Halligan took over Prior to her appointment, Halligan (top left) had no criminal trial experience but previously served as Trump's personal attorney. She is also involved in the case against former New York Attorney General Leticia James. James is accused of mortgage fraud relating to paperwork discrepancies on her Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia home James' lawyers have vigorously denied any allegations and characterized the investigation as an act of political revenge. Cleary was a stalwart of Republican administrations in Virginia before joining the federal prosecutors office in 2025. After Halligan took over, Cleary was appointed what was essentially the next best prosecutor's job, serving under Halligan, who had no criminal trial experience but previously served as Trump's personal attorney. Trump announced via social media he was nominating Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, writing that she 'will be Fair, Smart, and will provide, desperately needed, JUSTICE FOR ALL!' Halligan served as one of his attorneys in the early days of the FBI's investigation into Trump's retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. It came as hostages released by Hamas An ABC Middle East correspondent has been involved in a fiery stoush with a far-right commentator while reporting live from Israel's Hostage Square. Matthew Doran was providing rolling coverage from Tel Aviv on Monday when he was accosted by Australian-Israeli activist Avi Yemini. Yemini accused Mr Doran of providing 'biased coverage' of the Israel-Hamas conflict in front of a crowd of Israelis, who had gathered to await the release of hostages taken captive by Hamas during the October 7 terror attacks. 'Do you hold your head in shame for the way that you reported in the last two years?' Yemini asked, as the ABC reporter tried to walk away. 'You're here on this historic day thanks to Trump.' But Mr Doran - a former Parliament House correspondent who was posted to Israel last year - hit back, telling Yemini, who has a long history of stunts such as this, that he was 'just trying to make a scene'. 'I am trying to do actual journalism,' Mr Doran said. ABC Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran (right) was confronted by activist Avi Yemini (left) during his rolling coverage from Tel Aviv's Hostage Square Yemini (pictured) hurled accusations at the ABC correspondent, baselessly accusing his coverage of contributing to a rise in antisemitism in Australia 'Please leave me alone, I have said what I have said to you,' Mr Doran repeated. Yemini asked the correspondent why his taxpayer dollars should go to the ABC. 'You demonised Israel,' he said, without basis. 'Do you not want to apologise? Do you not think the ABC should be defunded?' 'I stand by my reporting,' Mr Doran replied. In 2019, Yemini pleaded guilty to assault after he threw a chopping board that hit his ex-wife of 10 years in 2016. He was handed a $3,600 fine. He also pleaded guilty to sending her abusive text messages for over a year. The ABC defended the correspondent in a statement to the Daily Mail. Countless Israeli's gathered at Hostage Square to await the release of all 20 hostages taken captive by Hamas during the October 7 terror attacks, more than two years ago 'Matt Doran is an outstanding Middle East correspondent who is delivering important journalism for the Australian audience,' ABC news director Justin Stevens said. 'His professionalism and dedication to reporting this story with integrity is highly valued by the ABC and by audiences. We stand by the work of Matt and our whole Middle East team on this challenging story.' Mr Doran was a senior political reporter in the ABC's Parliament House Bureau before he relocated to Jerusalem as a correspondent in 2024. The journalist also served as a host of the ABC's Afternoon Briefing program, the broadcaster's daily national affairs program. Daily Mail does not suggest Mr Doran or the ABC engaged in biased reporting, or demonised Israel, only that Yemini made the accusations. Horrifying footage has emerged which shows Palestinians being executed by Hamas, sparking fears that the Gaza peace deal is already at risk of collapsing as the terror group tries to cling to power. In disturbing footage circulating on social media, a group of men can be seen kneeling on the ground with their hands behind their backs. Armed militants - some wearing Hamas-style headbands - stand behind the victims with their faces covered before gunshots ring out and the seven kneeling men fall to the ground, apparently lifeless. Cheering crowds scream 'Allah Akbar,' or 'God is great', and brand the executed men 'collaborators' while filming the scenes on their phones. A Hamas source confirmed the authenticity of the video. Hamas has already recalled around 7,000 members of its security forces to reassert control over areas of Gaza recently vacated by Israeli troops. US President Donald Trump suggested yesterday Hamas had been given a greenlight for internal security operations, saying militants wants 'to stop the problems' and 'we gave them approval for a period of time'. The execution video has sparked concern among observers, coming just days after a Trump-brokered peace deal came into effect. Analysts are also concerned that Trump's peace deal could be put at risk by the failure of Hamas to return the bodies of all 28 Israeli hostages that died in captivity. So far, they have only released four. A horrifying new video on social media appears to show several men being executed In the video, a crowd can be seen cheering as the men are slaughtered. There are chants of 'Allah Akbar,' or God is Great. The men are also called 'collaborators' Last month, Hamas-led authorities admitted that they had executed three men accused of collaborating with Israel. The video was shared along with the caption: 'Hamas takes advantage of the truce with Israel and eliminates internal opponents, does anyone believe in this peace?' In the past, Hamas has been accused of carrying out public executions on the streets of Gaza. Several human rights groups and world leaders have condemned the form of punishment. Gaza residents said fighters were increasingly visible on Tuesday, deploying along routes needed for aid deliveries. Palestinian security sources say dozens of people have been killed in clashes between Hamas fighters and rivals in recent days. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently maintained that the war cannot end until Hamas gives up its weapons and ceases to control Gaza, a demand that the fighters have rejected, torpedoing all previous peace efforts. Hamas sources told Reuters on Tuesday the group would not tolerate any more violations of order in Gaza and would target collaborators, armed looters and drug dealers. The group, though greatly weakened after two years of pummelling Israeli bombardment and ground incursions, has been gradually reasserting itself with remaining fighters moving back onto the streets since the ceasefire took hold over the weekend. Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, also deployed hundreds of workers to start clearing rubble along key routes and repair broken water pipes. Yesterday, US president Donald Trump and mediators signed a peace deal in Egypt to end the war in Gaza. It came after Hamas released all living hostages in its custody who were captured on October 7, 2023, when the group launched a brutal massacre on Israel. The group's action sparked the war in Gaza, which has killed thousands of Palestinians and displaced millions of families. Yesterday, Hamas released all 20 living hostages but failed to provide the bodies of those who died in captivity Yesterday, President Trump and other mediators signed a peace deal in Egypt but there are concerns it may be on the verge of collapse But there is still anger in Israel as the bereaved families of hostages who died in captivity condemned the fact that only the bodies of four out of the 28 people who died have been returned. Some families are reported to have been expecting a reunion with their families, only to find out that they had been killed. In the 20-point peace deal, one of the stipulations is that Gaza must be demilitarised. It also states that Hamas will not be involved in the governance of the region, which will be 'administered by a temporary, transitional government of Palestinian technocrats who will be responsible for providing day-to-day services for the people of the Strip.' But the new brutal video has also sparked fears that the militant group may refuse to lay down their weapons in a desperate attempt to hold on to power. Meanwhile, over the weekend, Hamas said it would remove 'outlaws and collaborators with Israel' as it called on its forces to regain control of Gaza. Around 7,000 armed militants were called up to take control of the areas in the enclave that had been taken over by Israeli forces. A text message read: 'We declare a general mobilisation in response to the call of national and religious duty, to cleanse Gaza of outlaws and collaborators with Israel. 'You must report within 24 hours to your designated locations using your official codes'. Additionally, a violent power struggle between Hamas and its bitter rivals in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people. The confrontation between the group and armed members of the Dughmush family began on Saturday and quickly spread across several neighbourhoods. According to the BBC, 19 members of the Dughmusg clan and eight Hamas fighters have so far been killed. Civilians who have already been devastated by more than two years of war with Israel have found themselves caught in the crossfire once again. One terrified resident said: 'This time people weren't fleeing Israeli attacks. They were running from their own people.' This is not the first time Hamas has clashed with the Dughmush clan - their rivalry runs deep. Both sides have been involved in bloody wars in the past over power and local influence. Officials loyal to Hamas's administration in Gaza said security forces were attempting to restore calm and warned that 'any armed activity outside the framework of the resistance' would not be tolerated.' The race to be named Britain's top pub has been narrowed down to just four 'incredible' watering holes and one of them was recently salvaged from nearcomplete ruin. Pint chiefs from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) are looking to crown their Pub of the Year for 2025, one of the most prestigious and highlysought after achievements a bar can win. There had initially been 16 pubs in the race as recently as August, but the 'fantastic' final four have clawed down all the other competition and now face a shootout against each other for the big boozy prize. The taverns, spanning the idyllic rural Cotswolds in England to Scotland's blustery east coast, have beaten out thousands of nominations in their bid to take over the accolade from last year's winner, The Bailey Head in Oswestry. Perhaps the most impressive pub on the list is the Blackfriars Tavern in Great Yarmouth, which was on the brink of total collapse when it was purchased during the first COVID lockdown. In the five years since, the Victorianera watering hole has refocused its efforts on East Anglianproduced cask, as well as ciders and perries with many awardwinning drinks on sale from the onsite brewery. Nestled just minutes from the River Yare, the pub between 13th century town walls is possibly the most unlikely to be at the final stages of the award given where it has come from. However, it did win the most recent Cider and Perry Pub of the Year, and undoubtedly has its sights set firmly on claiming yet further success. The Blackfriars Tavern was on the brink of collapse when it was purchased during lockdown and has since been transformed into one of Britain's best pubs The Pelican Inn has been featured in the Good Beer Guide for more than a decade and is thought to have been built using wooden beams from Francis Drake's Golden Hind ship Another pub hoping to clinch the title is the Pelican Inn in Gloucester, which has been featured in the Good Beer Guide for more than a decade. The Grade II listed pub is a favourite among cyclists, cathedral visitors and rugby fans, and is rumoured to have been built using wooden beams from explorer Francis Drake's Golden Hind ship originally named Pelican. The third pub and perhaps the favourite is the twotime champion from the West Midlands, The Tamworth Tap. The partTudor building, which won the national award in 2022 and 2023, hosts local events allowing visitors stunning views of Tamworth Castle, to quirkier ones such as batwatching evenings and 'paint and sip' sessions. And finally, the only finalist north of the border is the Volunteer Arms known as Staggs to locals in Musselburgh, a seaside city just five miles from Edinburgh. The watering hole, which has been run by the same family since 1858, welcomes its customers with a cosy bar and snug which are complimented by wooden floors, panelling and mirrors from nowdefunct local breweries. The pub even pipped the CAMRA award in 1998 and last reached the final four in 2018, with its Victorian era gantry of particular interest. Judges will crown the winner at the start of 2026 after taking into account each tavern's atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, customer mix and crucially its beers. Your browser does not support iframes. Perhaps the favourite is the twotime champion from the West Midlands, The Tamworth Tap, which hosts quirky events such as batwatching evenings and 'paint and sip' sessions The Tamworth Tap has an extensive selection of bottled beer, ale and cider for its punters The Tamworth Tap's cosy interior is complimented by Union flags and wooden furnishings The Scottish finalist is the Volunteer Arms known as Staggs to locals in Musselburgh, which has been run by the same family since 1858 Andrea Briers, CAMRA's Pub of the Year coordinator said she was 'delighted' to announce the finalists, but warned of the potential risks for pubs Rachel Reeves could inflict on pubs at this year's Budget. Ms Briers said: 'It is always a hardfought and close competition with judges having an incredibly difficult job whittling them down to just four. They are shining examples of what makes our pubs so incredibly special, vital to our communities and providing a wonderful welcome to all. 'I am very excited to see the outcome of the final round of judging and crowning our winner. Every year we see pubs facing new pressures and to continue to thrive in the face of rising costs and other issues is humbling to see. 'We are calling on the Chancellor to give pubs a fair deal in the Autumn Budget, so they can keep serving their communities for many years to come.' Last month, it was revealed more than 2,000 pubs may be forced to close next year without urgent Government intervention to cut staggering business rates and offer boozers some essential relief. In a stark warning to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) warned England could lose around six pubs a day, putting at least 12,000 jobs at risk. Labour has since launched a bid to revive the ailing hospitality industry, with ministers pushing plans to allow increased opening hours after lockdown, spiralling costs and crippling tax raids took their toll on the oncethriving British night life. The plans are extended to clubs, raising concerns among health experts and organisations of more drinkrelated aggression, violence against women and deaths from alcohol. But Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UK Hospitality, said a 'new and improved licensing system that is fit for the 21st century will be a huge boost to the nation's pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels'. A transgender postal worker awarded 12,500 after being bullied by colleagues has achieved what is thought to be a legal first after a judge deemed her a 'female victim'. Sophie Cole, 46, was able to prove one perpetrator 'deemed' her to be a woman and that Royal Mail had failed to respond appropriately to the claims of bullying. An employment tribunal judge ruled that she had been discriminated against and harassed on the basis of sex despite not being born a biological woman. This was despite the Supreme Court's decision in April transgender women could not be victims of harassment for their sex 'as a woman'. The Supreme Court had also stated that 'as a matter of ordinary language' cases relating to sex discrimination can 'only be interpreted' as referring to biological women. But Ms Cole - who claims many people do not realise she is transgender - says she feels vindicated after the employment judge concluded she had been discriminated against because at least one person perceived her as being female. The ex-Royal Mail worker, from Cambridge, claimed she was singled out, called names, touched, physically assaulted and had her car spat on. She later said that after a delay in her verdict, caused by her tribunal judge seeking clarification around the ruling, she felt vindicated its interpretation allowed part of her claim to proceed. Sophie Cole (pictured), 46, was able to prove one perpetrator 'saw [her] as a woman' and that Royal Mail had failed to take disciplinary action Ms Cole, from Cambridge , claimed she was singled out, called names, touched, physically assaulted and had her car spat on Ms Cole said: 'I think I'm good looking as a girl and many people I meet don't realise I am trans. I generally didn't have too many issues and outside of work no one really gives me problems. 'The final Supreme Court ruling said you could only be classed on a legal basis by your birth gender. 'On that basis I was told I could not have suffered harassment for my sex as a woman as the law doesn't see me as one. 'However after deliberation and going off to speak to other judges, she made it clear that if an individual "deemed" me to be a woman when they harassed me, I could be listed as a "female victim". 'She went out on a limb, which I'm very grateful for, and it is believed to be the first case won under that basis.' Ms Cole's case began when she made a complaint about an 'assault' by a colleague she says was 'ignored' and led to further bullying and harassment. Following a hearing in Bury St Edmunds, Employment Judge King ruled her claim for direct discrimination and harassment on grounds of gender reassignment were 'successful in part'. She also ruled her discrimination and harassment related to sex 'succeeds on one allegation' after Ms Cole proved one of the two colleagues 'saw me as a woman'. The 12,500 rewarded included a 25 per cent uplift for failing to follow the ACAS code of practice in respect of her grievances. Recommendations were also made for the training and mediation for a number of named employees. Ms Cole joined Royal Mail in 2017 and spent most of her time working in the collections team. Crowds of people cheered and broke into song after the Supreme Court ruling on how to define a 'woman' was handed down Marion Calder (centre), Helen Joyce (centre left) and Maya Forstater (left) celebrate outside the Supreme Court on April 16, 2025 In her witness statement she outlined the basis of her treatment that led to her raising concerns with bosses. She said she had been assaulted and had her car vandalised with 'ongoing events to distress me.' These included 'burping at me, moving my van mirrors to get me in trouble for not driving a vehicle safely.' She also said a colleague would 'stand over my car staring at me when I left work and while working in the bay area. Ms Cole claimed the colleague would 'mimic' her voice in a falsetto tone and said she was also verbally abused by other staff. But when she raised the issue with Royal Mail she said nothing was done, they didn't take her grievance seriously and tried to brush off her concerns. Speaking after the verdict, Ms Cole said: 'I know not everyone is pro trans and I am not looking for supporters. 'I am just trying to live my life and did not do anything to provoke any of this. But my life was made extremely difficult on a daily basis. 'It dragged out for a year and I was concerned for my life at times. I was physically assaulted and constantly abused and targeted. It made me really depressed. 'I was able to prove in court I had not done anything and there was nothing I could have done differently. 'I did expect Royal Mail to be a safe haven of a company. I was an ex-financial advisor for a bank. I took a massive pay cut to join Royal Mail and felt I should have been safe at a big organisation.' Ms Cole claimed the colleague would 'mimic' her voice in a falsetto tone and said she was also verbally abused by other staff Ms Cole said she followed all 'correct procedures' to deal with incidents but claims Royal Mail 'did not wish to engage in conversation or to find a resolution.' She added: 'The Royal Mail investigation was a shambles. It was dropped as they had a chat with my colleague who said he didn't do these things. Especially because I was transgender. But they just did whatever they could to quash it. 'Royal Mail had more than enough chances to deal with this in a professional manner. 'I was being treated horrifically, but they dropped the case against him completely and tried to blame me. 'They then tried to strong arm me into dropping the case.' Ms Cole revealed she no longer works with the main colleague involved anymore after he was moved to another depot. She added: 'We have not had the mediation yet but I have been paid the award. On a day to day basis nothing has really been made different but they have six months to do the training. 'I do love my job and have mixed emotions. I was really worried and stressed going to court and was concerned how much I would be belittled. 'I was told to drop the case on numerous occasions and that I was never going to win it. 'But I did feel good and listened to by the court. I genuinely thought the judge was brilliant. It felt like the first time anyone was taking it seriously. I hope this has been a wake up call for the company and things will now change.' Ms Cole said she was very young when she knew she wanted to be a woman. 'Trans was not a word I knew, but I realised I wanted to be girl aged around three. 'I started to live as a woman around early 2016 and had a couple of surgeries around 2018. 'I have tried to be an advocate for trans people in the work environment.' Royal Mail said in a statement: 'Royal Mail takes all allegations of harassment and discrimination seriously. 'We acknowledge the tribunal's findings and are progressing the recommendations made as swiftly as possible.' The last 20 living hostages held by Hamas have revealed, for the first time, how the terror group made them suffer for the last two years. Just over two years ago, Hamas launched a deadly incursion into Israel and killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped 251. Though most of the 251 who were kidnapped have been returned, dead or alive, the last 20 living hostages were only handed back to Israel yesterday, following the signing of a Gaza peace deal over the weekend. But many of the hostages have revealed they were severely isolated, threatened with weapons and starved to near-death during their time in the tunnels. Many reported that their cruel Hamas captors ate in front of them as they withered away from hunger. In one of the worst cases, hostage Avinatan Or, 32, was held in near-total isolation for two years, not meeting another kidnapped person until he was released on Monday. Avinatan, who was kidnapped alongside his girlfriend Noa Argamani, 28, from the Nova Festival, was also severely starved. Local media reported that he had lost up to 40% of his body weight. He was also not given any news, only being told that his girlfriend had been freed on Monday. Avinatan and Noa were reunited yesterday, sharing a kiss and embracing. Avinatan Or, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, kisses his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was also taken hostage and rescued in 2024, after his release as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Reim, Israel October 13, 2025 This screengrab from video released by Hamasshows Israeli Evyatar David in a tunnel in Gaza as hostage made to appear to camera as digging his own grave Similarly, hostage Elkana Bohbot, 36, is reported to have spent most of the two years he was held by Hamas chained up in a dark and dingy tunnel where he lost all sense of time. Channel 12 reported that Elkana was somehow able to remember his wedding anniversary and insisted to his captors that he be allowed to shower on that day. Though the Hamas terrorists who were holding him initially refused, they relented and allowed him to clean himself. Kidnapped twins Gali and Ziv Berman, both 28, were separated and cut off from the rest of the world by Hamas. Though they were held in the same area, neither knew for certain whether the other was alive. It was only when they embraced for the first time in over two years on Monday that they knew for sure. Both went through periods of starvation. Some of their captors reportedly spoke to them in Hebrew. Matan Angrest, a now-22-year-old soldier who was taken from his tank in southern Israel, experienced 'very severe torture' during his first few months as a hostage, according to his mother Anat. Gaza hostages Ziv and Gali Berman wave to supporters as they are transported in a vehicle after their arrival at Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer on October 13, 2025 in Ramat Gan, Israel Matan Angrest, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, embraces his loved ones, after being released as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) in Tel Aviv, Israel October 13, 2025 She told local media that he 'remembers being beaten so badly that he lost consciousness'. Anat added: 'They covered him with black sacks and dragged him away.' He was 'alone for a long period, under special guard', adding that the young soldier told he he refused to break for the 'monsters' who kept him under lock and key. Anat said he suffered 'severe psychological warfare', with Hamas members telling her son 'that [Israelis] gave up on them, that [Hamas] was going to conquer the country, that they are planning the next October 7'. She added: 'He recalled the heavy IDF bombardments, planes flying above their headswalls falling next to them, many times finding himself amid dust under the rubble, trying to get above ground and survive. Very complicated situations'. The terrorists who held him also lied to him, claiming his Holocaust survivor grandparents were dead. But despite all of this, he is in a 'reasonable state, at least, mentally'. Guy Gilboa-Dalal, the 24-year-old who was taken from the Nova Festival, told local media he had been held with his childhood friend Evyatar David in a Hamas tunnel until just last month. He said: 'Then they took him for a ride in a vehicle around Gaza, and did not bring him back to the tunnel with Evyatar, but put him in a tunnel in Gaza City with Alon Ohel'. Guy revealed he had been force-fed, adding that he believed his captors were doing this after the video of an emaciated Evyatar being made to dig his own grave sparked international outrage. Omri Miran, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, plays with his daughter, after being released as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) in Tel Aviv, Israel October 13, 2025 Guy Gilboa Dalal waves to well wishers upon arriving at Beilinson Hospital in the Rabin Medical Centre in Petah Tikva in central Israel on October 13, 2025 Yesterday, president Trump and other mediators signed a peace deal in Egypt but there are concerns it may be on the verge of collapse The parents of Alon said they used him as a human shield at various points, telling Channel 12: 'About 40 days ago, they suddenly moved him to another tunnel in central Gaza. 'The IDF had announced an operation to capture the city, and they moved him to use him as a human shield'. Evyatar David, who was the subject of an infamous video in which he was made to dig his own grave while Hamas members filmed his emaciated body, somehow managed to keep hope despite being a hostage for two years. His father Avishai said: 'He found various ways to pass the time. He had great hope - he felt that the end was near'. Omri Miran, 48, was moved to nearly two-dozen locations during his time as a hostage, being held both above and below ground His brother, Nadav, said: 'Sometimes he would cook food for his captors, and they loved his cooking. 'He knew exactly what the date was and roughly what day it was. He knew exactly how many days he was in captivity. They spent most of their days playing cards with their captors'. Ariel Cunio and Rom Braslavski, both of whom were handed back to Israel on Monday, said they had been isolated from the rest of the world during their time as hostages. Cunio was only made aware that his kidnapped relatives David and partner Arbel Yehoud, were alive. David was also freed on Monday, while Arbel was freed around a year ago. US President Donald Trump hailed a 'tremendous day for the Middle East' as he and regional leaders signed a declaration meant to cement a ceasefire in Gaza, hours after Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and prisoners. Trump made a lightning visit to Israel, where he lauded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an address to parliament, before flying to Egypt for a Gaza summit where he and the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey signed the declaration on Monday as guarantors to the ceasefire deal. 'This is a tremendous day for the world, it's a tremendous day for the Middle East,' Trump said as more than two dozen world leaders sat down to talk in the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. He later declared that the assembled leaders had 'achieved what everybody said was impossible'. 'At long last, we have peace in the Middle East,' Trump said in a speech. According to the declaration, the signatories pledged to 'pursue a comprehensive vision of peace, security and shared prosperity in the region', and also welcomed 'the progress achieved in establishing comprehensive and durable peace arrangements in the Gaza Strip'. Elkana Bohbot, one of the released Israeli hostages formerly held captive in Gaza since the 2023 October 7 attacks by Palestinian militants, is greeted upon his arrival at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan on October 13, 2025 But the statement - released in full on Monday night by the White House - was vague about the path ahead for peace between Israel and its neighbours, including the Palestinians, making no mention of a one- or two-state solution. 'We're talking about rebuilding Gaza. I'm not talking about single state or double state or two state,' Trump told reporters en route back to the White House. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the Gaza deal 'closes a painful chapter in human history' and sets the stage for a two-state solution. As part of Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, Hamas on Monday freed the last 20 surviving hostages it held after two years of captivity in Gaza. In exchange, Israel released 1,968 mostly Palestinian prisoners held in its jails, its prison service said. 'For so many families across this land, it has been years since you've known a single day of true peace,' Trump told Israel's parliament, where he received a standing ovation. 'Not only for Israelis, but also for Palestinians and for many others, the long and painful nightmare is finally over.' Israel has demanded Hamas return the bodies of the remaining 24 deceased hostages by the end of Tuesday as the terror group is accused of breaking the terms of the ceasefire. Four bodies were returned to Israel on Monday, and another 24 are supposed to be turned over as part of the first phase of the peace deal. Hamas said they were the bodies of Guy Illouz, Yossi Sharabi, Bipin Joshi and Daniel Peretz, but added that the burial sites of the remaining hostages are unknown. The Israeli military on Tuesday confirmed two of the bodies were of Guy Iluz, an Israeli national, and Bipin Joshi, an agriculture student from Nepal. The names of the other two hostages have not yet been released at the request of their families, the military added. The terror group's failure to locate all of the remains risks complicating the next phase of the ceasefire deal and will only add to the pain of relatives who simply want to bury their dead. But Israel believes the terror group is deliberately holding some of the bodies, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reports. 'The writing was on the wall, but only now are we discussing in any significant way the options for response', a source close to the matter told Kan. Pictured: Fallen hostages who are still being held in Gaza Guy Illouz, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, is pictured in this undated handout photo. His body was returned to Israel on Monday Yossi Sharab is one of the four deceased Israeli hostages returned by Hamas The Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum called it a 'blatant breach' of the ceasefire and urged the Israeli government to suspend the fire deal, saying Hamas' 'violation of the deal must be met with a serious response'. 'We expect Israel's government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice,' the forum said, noting it is 'shocked and dismayed.' 'The families of the deceased hostages are enduring especially difficult days filled with deep sorrow. 'We will not abandon any hostage. The mediators must enforce the agreement's terms and ensure Hamas pays a price for this violation.' It is believed that some of the remains of the slain Israeli captives have been lost and buried under the rubble in Gaza. A joint multinational task force led by Israel, the US, Turkey, Qatar and Egypt is being established to locate bodies that are not returned. The Israeli government's point-man on the hostages, Gal Hirsch, said that the task force will be deployed after Israel has identified the bodies it receives. In a message to the relatives of the hostages, he wrote: 'We demand, expect, and work for 100 per cent effort from Hamas, with the assistance of the international force, in order to complete the mission and bring back all the fallen hostages for burial in Israel.' CNN cited one Israeli official saying it is estimated that seven to nine bodies might not be retrieved. Meanwhile, another put the figure at between 10 and 15. US President Donald Trump, who landed in Israel this morning, said yesterday: 'They are getting the bodies; approximately 28 bodies. Bipin Joshi's body was returned on Monday by Hamas Daniel Peretz, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, is pictured in this undated handout photo. His body was returned to Israel on Monday as part of a ceasefire deal Red Cross teams move toward the 'Kissufim' area to retrieve the bodies of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian factions, as part of internationally mediated humanitarian arrangements between the two sides. Gaza Strip, 14 October 2025 A Hamas militant stands near coffins during the handover of deceased hostages in February this year A person pastes a heart-shaped sticker on a banner with pictures of Israeli hostages during a a gathering at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 Red Cross vehicles transport hostages, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack Palestinian militants stand guard in southern Gaza today as the hostages are released. They are still searching for some dead bodies 'Some of those bodies are being unearthed right now as we speak. It's a tragedy.' The caskets holding what Hamas said were the bodies of four dead hostages were handed over on Monday and were immediately taken to the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Tel Aviv, where they will be officially identified. Hamas has previously sent back the wrong bodies. Earlier this year, the terror group handed over the remains of an unknown person in place of hostage Shiri Bibas. The mother-of-two's body was supposed to be released as part of a deal in February. Hamas, however, claimed that the wrong remains were sent in a mix up and affirmed its 'seriousness and full commitment to all our obligations' before it handed over Bibas' remains. The 20 remaining living hostages were handed over by Hamas on Monday to the Red Cross before they were taken to the Re'im military base in southern Israel, where medical teams assessed them. Omri Miran, 48, was photographed reuniting with his wife Lishay at the initial reception point in southern Israel. Ziv Berman gestures from the window of an Israeli CH-53 Sea Stallion military helicopter at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan Family and friends of Israeli hostage Eitan Horn react to the news of his release at their house in the central Israeli city of Rosh Haayin on October 13, 2025 He was abducted from his home in Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023. Omri was part of the first group of Israeli hostages to be released yesterday alongside Matan Angrest, 22; twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, 28; Alon Ohel, 24; Eitan Mor, 25; and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24. They were followed by a second group of 13 living hostages, who have also finally arrived in Israel after more than two years in captivity. The second group to return home included: Matan Zangauker, 25; Nimrod Cohen, 21; Ariel Cunio, 28; David Cunio, 35; Evyatar David, 24; Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25; Elkana Bohbot, 36; Avinatan Or, 32; Bar Kupershtein, 23; Segev Kalfon, 27; Rom Braslabski, 21; Eitan Horn, 38; and Maxim Herkin, 37. Alon, Guy and Omri were flown by Israeli Air Force helicopters to hospital after an initial medical evaluation, the military said. The release of the living hostages raised hopes that the US-brokered deal might lead to a permanent end to a the two-year-old war that has decimated Gaza. But questions over whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern the Palestinian territory remain unresolved. For Israelis, the release of the 20 remaining living hostages brought elation and a sense of closure to a war that many felt were forced into by Hamas, although many pledged to fight on for the return of deceased hostages still in Gaza. Omri Miran speaks to his two young daughters after over two years in Hamas captivity at the Re'im base The first hug between brothers Gali and Ziv Berman US President Donald Trump poses with the signed agreement during the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt on Monday. Trump travelled to the region on Monday to celebrate the deal between Israel and Hamas President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, left, attend the signature ceremony at the Gaza International Peace Summit, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Oct.13 2025 But with the living hostages freed, the urgency with which many were driven to call for an end to the war will likely diminish, easing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the next phase of the agreement. US President Donald Trump travelled to the region on Monday to celebrate the deal. In an address to Israel's parliament, he urged lawmakers to seize a chance for broader peace in the region. In Egypt, he and other world leaders gathered to set the trickier parts of the deal in motion. Netanyahu, who according to his office did not join the meeting in Egypt because of a Jewish holiday, told parliament that he was committed to the agreement, saying it 'ends the war by achieving all our objectives.' Israel had said it would not end the war until all the hostages were freed and Hamas was defeated. Critics accused Netanyahu of allowing the war to drag on for political reasons, which he denied. Meanwhile, joyous Palestinians rushed to embrace prisoners freed under the peace deal as they arrived by bus to the occupied West Bank and Gaza on Monday. Freed Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, gesture, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025 People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners arriving on buses in the Gaza Strip Under the deal, Israel is set to release 250 Palestinians convicted of murder and other serious crimes as well as 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the war began, 22 Palestinian minors, and the bodies of 360 militants. Freed prisoners arrived in buses, some of them posing from the windows, flashing V-for-Victory signs. Hamas said 154 prisoners were also deported to Egypt. The war began with Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack, when militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 captives. Israel's retaliatory campaign killed more than 67,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government. Its figures are seen as a reliable estimate by the U.N. and many independent experts. A spectacular gold pendant linked to Henry VIII's marriage to Katharine of Aragon could be saved for the nation - but it will come at a hefty price. The artefact, which is marked with the letters 'H' and 'K', was found in 2019 by a cafe owner from Birmingham who had only had his metal detector for six months. The detectorist, Charlie Clarke, will become a millionaire if the British Museum's campaign to raise 3.5million to buy the pendant at market value is successful. The Museum today launches a bid to save the 'Tudor Heart' with the help of funds from the general public. According to research by experts from the Museum, the 24 carat gold artefact may have been created for a tournament held in October 1518 to mark the betrothal of Henry VIII's and Katharine's daughter, Princess Mary, to the French heir apparent. Henry regularly commissioned London goldsmiths to create costume jewellery for major celebrations and state occasions. They were worn briefly by members of the court to create the impression of great splendour. The pendant unites the Tudor rose with Katherine's pomegranate symbol, and features a banner that reads 'tousiors', the old French for 'always'. A spectacular gold pendant linked to Henry VIII's marriage to Katharine of Aragon could be saved for the nation - but it will come at a hefty price. The incredible artefact was found in 2019 by a cafe owner from Birmingham According to research by experts from the Museum, the 24 carat gold artefact may have been created for a tournament held in October 1518 to mark the betrothal of Henry VIII's and Katharine's daughter, Princess Mary, to the French heir apparent After it was found in a Warwickshire field, the pendant was reported under the Treasure Act 1996. Under the Act, any object that is declared treasure becomes the property of the Crown and is kept safe so that museums or galleries in England can buy it. The proceeds of the purchase are typically shared with the person who found it and the landowner. Mr Clarke could therefore be set for a 1.75million windfall. Speaking about his discovery in 2023, Mr Clarke told The Guardian: 'I had found a few coins before, nothing special. But I knew it was gold. 'When you see that colour then that is what you are there for as a metal detectorist.' His 'once in 30 lifetimes' find caused him, he said, to shriek 'like a little schoolgirl'. Ironically, the pendant is currently being held for safekeepering by the British Museum itself. It it will be on display from this week for the rest of the fundraising campaign. The Museum needs to raise the money by April 2026. It has already received a 500,000 donation from the Julia Rausing Trust. Mr Clarke (left) is seen looking at the pendant at the British Museum alongside Tory arts minister Lord Parkinson, January 2023 Henry VIII was married to Katharine of Aragon for 24 years. He ditched her in favour of Anne Boleyn The Museum today launched a bid to save the 'Tudor Heart' with the help of the public After it was found in a Warwickshire field, the pendant was reported under the Treasure Act 1996 If it can't raise the money, the pendant will be open for purchase by a private collector. Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said: 'The Tudor Heart is perhaps one of the most incredible pieces of English history to have ever been unearthed. 'Support will ensure that this unique and beautiful treasure is secured for the nation, so that it can be enjoyed by and inspire generations to come.' Simon Fourmy, chief executive of The Julia Rausing Trust, said: 'We are delighted to support the British Museum in acquiring the Tudor Heart for the nation. 'This remarkable pendant sheds light on a defining royal marriage and enriches our understanding of the Tudor world. 'We hope others will be as inspired by this extraordinary object as we were, and will join us in giving generously to ensure this treasure remains on view for many years to come.' Ironically, the pendant is currently being held for safekeepering by the British Museum itself The Museum needs to raise the money by April 2026. It has already received a 500,000 donation from the Julia Rausing Trust A public campaign is now open for donations, while the object will go on display in the museum's gallery two until April 2026. Henry tied the knot with Katherine in 1509 and the couple were married for 24 years. But Katharine fell out of favour with the King because of her failure to give birth to a male heir. She had six children but only the future Queen Mary survived. Henry then turned his affections on Katharine's lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn. He caused a split with the Catholic Church in Rome when he had his first marriage annulled so he could marry Anne. During their three-year union, Anne gave birth to daughter Elizabeth but also failed to produce a male heir. She was beheaded after being accused of treason. Henry would go on to have four more wives. Sir Tony Blair sidestepped questions about a possible role in running postwar Gaza last night amid signs that Donald Trump is cooling on the idea. The former Labour prime minister was among those who queued up to shake hands in Egypt with the US president, who has spoken about him having a seat on a 'peace board'. Sir Tony appeared to win the backing of the Palestinian Authority, which runs the West Bank, after meeting its deputy chief on Sunday. But at the same time Trump suggested he might not be the right fit due to a lack of support in the region. The president suggested Sir Tony's involvement on the board that would supervise the governance of Gaza under the plan was still subject to approval. As he travelled to the Middle East, the US president told reporters: 'I like Tony, I have always liked Tony. But I want to find out that he is an acceptable choice to everybody.' Last night Sir Tony dodged TV questions about the role at the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. The former Labour prime minister was among those who queued up to shake hands in Egypt with the US president, who has spoken about him having a seat on a 'peace board'. Last night Sir Tony dodged TV questions about the role at the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. Sir Tony was not the only UK Pm to face a difficult time on the Red Sea. Sir Keir Starmer is licking his wounds today after his efforts to bask in Trump's Gaza peace deal humiliatingly backfired. The PM was accused of piggbacking on the breakthrough after he headed to Egypt for a signing ceremony. But Sir Keir and other world leaders were left kicking their heels for several hours, as the president took gushing accolades in the Knesset and met freed Hamas hostages in Israel. Once Mr Trump arrived, the premier was then left fidgeting mutely behind him as he delivered a long speech - during which he noted that he did not like some of the leaders present, and remarked on the 'beauty' of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. At one point Mr Trump summoned the PM of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, to the podium and urged him to repeat lavish praise he had showered on the president earlier. Mr Trump ran through the countries present alphabetically, meaning that Paraguay and Norway both received shout-outs from the commander-in-chief first. As he travelled to the Middle East, the US president told reporters: 'I like Tony, I have always liked Tony. But I want to find out that he is an acceptable choice to everybody.' Sir Keir thought his moment had come when the president finally asked 'where is the United Kingdom'. He awkwardly raised his arm and quipped, 'behind you as usual', before striding forward a few paces to shake Mr Trump's hand. 'Where is the United Kingdom? Come here,' Mr Trump said, as a grinning PM walked up to him, seemingly ready to speak at the podium. 'Is everything going good?' Mr Trump asked Sir Keir, who replied, 'Very good'. 'It's very nice that you're here,' the President said. However, Sir Keir was left in limbo as rather than showing him to the podium to speak, Mr Trump merely turned his back and continued his own address. The PM, lips pursed, had no other option but to trudge back to his place in the parade of leaders. A damaged Russian submarine was forced to surface near France and limp home through the English Channel after suffering a fuel leak in the Mediterranean. The Novorossiysk, a diesel-powered Russian attack submarine, was towed in the North Sea after suffering a reported fuel leak in the Strait of Gibraltar at the end of last month, according to Dutch authorities. The 230ft-long vessel, manned by a crew of 50, was tracked from the Mediterranean to French waters, surfacing near Brittany, before making its way through the English Channel to the North Sea. Russia's Black Fleet, which the submarine belongs to, denied reports of a fuel leak, claiming it had surfaced in the English Channel to comply with international protocol. The Royal Navy also tracked the Novorossiysk as it entered British waters over the course of three days. It sent the Plymouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke, along with a Wildcat helicopter from 825 Naval Air Squadron, to report on every movement of the vessel as it moved through the English Channel to the North Sea. Mark Rutte, the defence bloc's secretary general, said the state of the Novorossiysk was symbolic of the pitiful state of Russia's naval capabilities. Speaking at a NATO event in Slovenia, he said: 'Now, in effect, there is hardly any Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean left. Theres a lone and broken Russian submarine limping home from patrol. The Russian vessel Novorossiysk (pictured, foreground) was tracked by HMS Iron Duke (pictured, background) in British waters Your browser does not support iframes. 'What a change from the 1984 Tom Clancy novel The Hunt for Red October. Today, it seems more like the hunt for the nearest mechanic.' The Novorossiysk has been in service since 2014, and is capable of carrying deadly Kalibr cruise missiles. It can operate at a depth of nearly 1,000ft and has a range of 7,500 nautical miles. Just last month, the Royal Navy was forced to send the HMS Iron Duke to shadow a Russian frigate and freighter off the UK coast, amid warnings Moscow is sending a rising number of ships through British waters. Teams aboard HMS Iron Duke and a Wildcat helicopter tracked the heavily-armed warship RFN Neustrashimy as it escorted cargo ship Sparta IV through the North Sea and the English Channel. 'Russian warships are increasingly transiting through the English Channel,' defence minister Luke Pollard warned last month. '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.' Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary general, (pictured) said the state of the Novorossiysk was symbolic of the pitiful state of Russia's naval capabilities Though Russian vessels have been seen in British waters, Moscow's navy has been battered by Ukrainian missiles and naval drones since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. The flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva, was sunk by Ukrainian forces. Hit by two R-360 Neptune anti-ship missiles, the Moskva is the largest Russian warship to be sunk at war since the end of WW2. Nearly 400 crew members were forced to evacuate, with at least one sailor killed and 27 declared missing. This is the awkward moment Donald Trump asked Giorgia Meloni: 'You won't be offended if I say you're beautiful, right? Because you are.' The US president made the comment yesterday while addressing the press in front of several global leaders, including Britains Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadas Mark Carney, in Egypt. Italian prime minister Meloni was also among those standing behind him as he delivered his remarks at the summit, where he signed a peace deal to end the war in Gaza. Partway through his speech, Trump acknowledged some of the world leaders gathered on the stage. Referring to Meloni, he began: 'We have a woman - a young woman who is Im not allowed to say it because usually its the end of your political career if you say it. Shes a beautiful young woman.' He continued: 'Now, if you use the word "beautiful" in the United States about a woman, that's the end of your political career. But I'll take my chances. That was when he turned directly to Meloni and asked if she did not mind being called beautiful. He also thanked her for coming to the summit, saying: 'We appreciate it.' Meloni smiled and nodded as Trump showered her with compliments, while the other world leaders awkwardly stood still, seemingly trying to avoid a reaction. It is not the first time Trump and Meloni have expressed admiration for each other. In an awkward moment, Trump turned to Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and asked: 'You won't be offended if I say you're beautiful, right? Because you are' During a gathering at the White House in August where leaders met to discuss the Russian-Ukrainian war, Trump was heard on a hot mic complimenting Meloni. While greeting her, he said: 'How are you doing? You alright? You look fantastic.' Later, Meloni returned the compliment by praising Trump for the way he handled reporters' questions. At the summit yesterday, another widely shared clip saw Turkish president Recep Erdogan come under fire for paying Meloni a 'backhanded compliment'. While speaking to Meloni, he said: 'I saw you coming down from the plane. You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking.' Meloni, who was the only woman among the 30 male leaders, laughed off the remarks and replied: 'I know, I know. I don't want to kill somebody.' French president Emanuel Macron, who was present for the exchange, also laughed. Keir Starmer also suffered an embarrassing moment during the meeting. While on stage, Trump thanked countries that had contributed to the peace deal, ending with the United Kingdom. He asked: 'Where is the United Kingdom? Come here.' Sir Keir then walked up to the podium and seemed ready to make a speech. But before he could say a word to the press, Trump turned his back on him and continued to make his speech. Starmer, who looked bemused, then returned to his place in the lineup. However, Meloni appeared to find the awkward exchange amusing and even pulled a face. The moment has gone viral, with some commentators saying that the prime minister suffered an 'epic' humiliation at the hands of Trump. Meanwhile, at the summit, Trump and other mediators signed a historic peace deal to bring the war in Gaza to an end. The meeting followed the release of all living hostages who were still being held by Hamas following its October 7, 2023, atrocities. Trump shows off a signed document in Egypt on October 13, 2025. At the peace summit, the president and other mediators signed a historic peace deal to bring the war in Gaza to an end Trump addressed reporters at the summit in Egypt while world leaders, including Britain's Keir Starmer and Greece's Kyriakos Mitsotakis, looked on Trump called the deal a success and said: 'Phase two has already started. The phases are all a little bit mixed in with each other. You can start cleaning up. You look at Gaza, its a lot of clean-up. He also added: 'There was getting to be a period of time over the last few months when the world wanted peace and Israel wanted peace. 'If you had gone on for another three or four more years, keeping fighting, fighting, fighting, it was getting bad, it was getting heated. So the timing of this is brilliant. 'I said: "Bibi, you will be remembered for this far more than if you kept the thing going, going kill, kill, kill.'" Experts are now fearing that Donald Trump's peace deal could already be at risk of collapse after Hamas failed to return only four bodies of the 28 people killed while in captivity. Additionally, a new video circulating on social media has shown Palestinians being publicly executed by an unidentified group, sparking fears that Hamas could be attempting to cling to power, despite agreeing to some terms of the deal. This is the moment Tommy Robinson was stopped at the Channel Tunnel border while driving his silver Bentley SUV to Benidorm with thousands in cash, a court has heard. CCTV footage shows the former English Defence leader being ushered into a lane at the facility, where he parked, and was spoken to by police on July 28, 2024. Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, can be seen sitting in his car as two officers emerge from a building. Shortly after they approach, he gets out of the silver Bentley where he talks to officers for a time before being escorted into the facility. During a trial at Westminster Magistrates Court, it was heard the 42-year-old was taken into custody over concerns about his 'demeanour'. Prosecuting, Jo Morris, said Robinson told police 'not a chance, bruv,' when asked by police for the PIN to his mobile phone at the time. He argued the mobile contained 'journalistic material', as well as information about 'vulnerable girls' and that he would not hand it over, the court was told. Mr Lennon was later interviewed by police at 11am, 11.50am, and 12.49pm, but still refused to give them the PIN. This is the moment Tommy Robinson was stopped by police at the Channel border on July 28 of last year Tommy Robinson is pictured arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 18 where he is on trial charged with an offence under the Terrorism Act 'The process by which journalistic material would be protected was explained to him,' Ms Morris said. Following his arrest, Robinson was charged with 'willfully failing to comply with a duty imposed by Schedule 7' under the Terrorism Act'. Robinson, who recently led the Unite the Kingdom march through central London, denies the charge. Yesterday, wearing a dark navy waistcoat and a white shirt, he appeared in the dock to confirm his personal details. A small bag containing 13,370 and 1,910 were also found in his car after police searched his luggage, the court head. When he made his way to the interview room, Robinson tried to film a video of himself saying he had been arrested and was told by officers to 'relax', the trial was told. And while being interviewed, Robinson told the officers: 'For me it's a win win, it's going to be bad for yous [sic].' Prior to the hearing, Robinson said in a video posted on X that billionaire Elon Musk had 'picked up the legal bill' for 'this absolute state persecution'. Musk has not yet acknowledged or confirmed this publicly. Prosecutor Jo Morris said: 'On July 28 last year, two police officers stopped Lennon as he drove a silver Bentley into the lane of the Channel Tunnel. 'An officer enquired about Mr Lennon's travel and became concerned about his demeanour.' Ms Morris said he handed over his passport but 'gave vague replies and very little eye contact'. She added: 'He was driving a high value vehicle. Mr Lennon said he was driving to Benidorm for two days to leave the vehicle there and then to return to home.' Ms Morris said officers had 'doubts as to the truth of Lennon's accounts' and their 'knowledge of Mr Lennon's past'. She continued: 'We say the activity was unusual and that there was possible terrorist activity.' Some of Robinson's supporters shook their heads and smiled at each other as they viewed proceedings via video-link upstairs. Ms Morris added: 'Mr Lennon performed a voice note on his mobile phone detailing that he was stopped and he began to film the officers.' He was later escorted out of his car to a 'back entrance of an examination suite'. Robinson is pictured in this court sketch after he appeared in the dock yesterday to confirm his personal details Ms Morris said: 'He signed his copy of a notice. Police explained his legal rights and told him he must provide any PIN code for any electronic device. 'Mr Lennon was given a copy of the public info leaflet and allowed time to read it, explaining his rights and responsibilities. 'Mr Lennon and his luggage was searched, and 13,370 in pounds and 1,910 euros were found in a small bag. 'His Apple iPhone was seized and at 10.35am Mr Lennon said he had journalistic information on his phone and would therefore not give his PIN number.' Giving evidence, PC Mitchell Thorogood said he questioned Robinson for a period of '34 seconds'. Mr Thorogood said: 'I asked him where he was going and for his tickets to see how he had paid for them and I was unhappy with the account given.' He added that Robinson was driving a 'high powered motor' which was 'unusual to come through the Channel.' Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said Robinson's arrest was 'not properly aligned with the conditions of the Terrorism Act'. He added that references to his political beliefs were 'discriminatory'. 'His rights as a journalist were not sufficiently protected,' Mr Williamson said. If found guilty, Robinson could be jailed for up to three months and/or receive a 2,500 fine. The trial continues. A Lib Dem council has removed a number of England and UK flags from its lampposts after previously vowing it would not 'police people' - blaming the weather. Shropshire Council took down the St George's and Union flags because they had become 'unsightly' in the wake of Storm Amy. But its deputy leader had previously said the authority would not stop locals from putting up national flags and that he had 'absolutely no problem with people being patriotic'. Video captured last week showed council workers in high visibility jackets using a cherry picker to remove flags in Shrewsbury after the storm, which hit the UK with 80mph gusts on October 3 and 4. The flags had been placed there and elsewhere in Britain as part of Operation Raise the Colours - a campaign started this summer online that advocates displaying Union and St George's Cross flags in public places. A spokesperson for Shropshire Council said: 'Following the impact of Storm Amy, many of the flags recently displayed across the county have become torn, unsightly, or potentially hazardous. 'Some are at risk of obscuring street signs, street lights, or traffic signals, while others could fall onto the highway if not properly secured. 'To ensure public safety and maintain the appearance of our streets, we've begun removing deteriorated or unsecured flags from our street lighting columns. 'So far, five flags have been taken down on Sundorne Road and one on Mount Pleasant Road in Shrewsbury.' The flags had been hung there as part of 'Operation Raise the Colours' - an online movement that advocates the public display of Union and St George's flags which gained momentum this summer Shropshire council said they had been removed because the stormy weather had damaged them A spokesperson for the Reform Group at Shropshire Council said: 'The Reform Group at Shropshire Council are disappointed to see the removal of our nation's flags in the county. 'While we understand that Storm Amy has caused some damage, we would like to see a framework put in place that allows local residents to display their patriotism safely without the fear of having their flags removed. 'Reform UK councils have already confirmed that they would not remove Union flags or St George's Crosses from their counties. We would support Shropshire Council following in their footsteps.' Deputy leader of the council, Alex Wagner, had told BBC Shropshire that their concerns with the flags were about their 'maintenance'. He said: 'A lot of these are clearly made of plastic - I suspect they're not going to withstand much pressure from the elements. 'These might look alright this morning, but in three or six months, I suspect the same people aren't going to be going back around keeping an eye on maintaining them. 'Ultimately, that falls on the public purse.' The presence of the flags on streets across Shropshire had been criticised by some councillors, particularly the Shrewsbury Green Party. Councillor Julian Dean had described the flags as part of an 'intimidatory campaign' and called for their removal. Dean had told the Shropshire Star in the summer: 'Imposing flags along main residential streets in Shrewsbury without consultation or any sort of agreement with communities is anti-democratic. 'Whatever the intentions of those putting up these flags, it is clear that many feel worried and intimidated by their presence. 'Shropshire Council must stand up for those who feel under threat by making it clear that the imposition of flags in this way is not acceptable.' So far six flags have been removed on two roads in Shrewsbury - Sundorne Road and Mount Pleasant Road. Shropshire Council was contacted for further comment. An investigative taskforce has been set up more than two weeks since the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont from an outback sheep station. Police and Army personnel resumed scouring the harsh landscape on Tuesday in their search for the boy who went missing at the Oak Park Station homestead, about 40km south of Yunta in South Australia's Mid North, on September 27. The search radius has almost doubled from its original 2km zone surrounding the homestead. Police confirmed on Tuesday they would be looking an extra 2.5km to 3km further out. Daily Mail was told at least 80 Australian Defence Force personnel joined police as they returned to the area in an apparent reverse of approach after the search had been scaled back on October 4. The State Emergency Service also joined the effort, many on all-terrain vehicles. There is still no sign of Gus after he vanished from the front yard of his grandparents' homestead. He was last seen playing in a makeshift sandpit about 5pm but was missing when checked on 30 minutes later. The newly established Taskforce Horizon, made up of 12 specialists, will analyse all information from the search and provide advice on the ongoing operation. As the search resumed, Daily Mail made an eerie discovery just 400m from his grandparents Shannon and Josie Murray's house. A meticulously maintained grave is partially hidden among a stand of scrub, behind a fence, with the cross-shaped headstone revealing a baby boy had previously perished in the area. The grave of a small child is situated on the remote Outback South Australian property near to where young Gus Lamont vanished The search for Gus was back in action on Tuesday with at least 80 Defence Force personnel joining the search The boy went missing from the family's sheep station (pictured) located on dry, dusty and flat land in South Australia's mid north It's understood Shannon and Josie inherited Oak Park sheep station from Shannon's parents, Vincent - a WWII prisoner of war - and Clair Pfeiffer. On the headstone, under the words 'My Jesus mercy', the inscription shows that a John Smallacombe had passed away aged eight months in July, 1917. It is not known if the child was an ancestor of Gus and his family. Clair's maiden name was Jones. If Gus is somehow still alive, the property may one day be passed to him. Gus' mother Jessica and his one-year-old brother Ronnie also live at Oak Park. His father Joshua Lamont resides two hours away in a ramshackle farmhouse in Belalie North, near Jamestown. Gus' family remain stoic and are co-operating with investigators, SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said. 'But you can imagine how they're feeling without having Gus or having answers as to exactly where he is and what's happened to him. That would be traumatic for any family.' SES searchers in their bright orange gear joined police and army in the new search August 'Gus' Lamont was last seen on Saturday, September 27 at his grandparent's property about 40km south of Yunta Gus was playing in a makeshift sandpit in the front yard when he went missing Gus Lamont's family tree is seen above A specialist task force is assisting the police, SES and army search effort Gus' mother Jessica is pictured with the boy's father, Joshua Lamont, who is the frontman of Adelaide country band The Cut Snakes All-terrain vehicles are seen being brought into the search area Commissioner Stevens added that there is no evidence Gus met with criminality. 'Our focus is largely on an exhaustive search of the property, on the basis that Gus has wandered off, and we're hopeful that we can find him and return him to his family. 'But we also have an obligation to consider all possibilities, and that's part of our work going forward, is to make sure that nothing is left unaddressed.' He said the taskforce consists of search co-ordinator specialists, medical specialists and survivability specialists. 'We are looking for up to two days... the resources that we're deploying may change and the use of specialist drones will be another consideration.' In a testament to the dusty, harsh terrain searchers are dealing with, some army vehicles briefly lost touch with their convoy amid a blinding shower of dust along the track between Yunta and Oak Park on Tuesday morning. A media vehicle was also damaged in a separate incident. Gus has long, blond, curly hair and was last seen wearing a grey sun hat, along with a blue T-shirt with a yellow Minion on the front, light-grey long pants and boots. Keir Starmer was forced to come out and praise his deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins today, less than 24 hours after a senior minister blamed him for collapse of a Chinese spying court case. Sir Keir told the Cabinet this morning that Matthew Collins 'faithfully carries out his job', the PM's spokesman told reporters, adding that the long-serving civil servant had 'the highest levels of integrity and experience'. The move to praise the DNSA came as Labour was accused of using him as a scapegoat for the dismissal of the charges against Christopher Cash and former parliamentary researcher Christopher Berry. Security Minister Dan Jarvis last night said Mr Collins was the lead liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service before it collapsed amid claims the Government did not provide the required evidence China that is a threat to the UK. And Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper last night pointedly refused to say his job was safe. But as the Tories and others lined up to suggest Mr Collins was being made a fall-guy for his boss, national security adviser Jonathan Powell, Sir Keir moved to support him His official spokesman said the Prime Minister told his Cabinet at their meeting this morning that 'anyone who had met the deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins will know he faithfully carries out his job'. The spokesman also told reporters: 'The deputy national security adviser is a highly respected securocrat with unparalleled experience in working across the national security community to keep the UK safe, secure and prosperous.' Mr Collins has 'the highest levels of integrity and experience', the official said, adding that Sir Keir 'absolutely' has confidence in the deputy national security adviser. Sir Keir told the Cabinet this morning that Matthew Collins 'faithfully carries out his job', the PM's spokesman told reporters, adding that the long-serving civil servant had 'the highest levels of integrity and experience'. Security Minister Dan Jarvis last night said Mr Collins was the lead liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service before it collapsed amid claims the Government did not provide the required evidence China that is a threat to the UK. And Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper last night pointedly refused to say his job was safe. Mr Jarvis told the House of Commons on Monday that Mr Collins, a long-serving civil servant, did not hand over statements and his superior, the national security advisor Jonathan Powell, had not seen them. But the comments provoked a furious uproar with the Tories saying he was being made to take the blame to help Mr Powell, a former aide to Tony Blair who is accused of playing a key role in the case's collapse. Asked if she had confidence in Mr Collins to stay in his job, Ms Cooper deflected the question on ITV's Peston, replying: 'The DNSA had to give evidence on the basis of what happened before I was in government while he was in government but before I was in government. 'That does make this process more complicated than dealing with other cases because of the changing government at the time. Former security minister Tom Tugendhat told BBC Newsnight: 'The idea of throwing Matt Collins under the bus, I think, is frankly pretty low. The Foreign Secretary refused to say if Matthew Collins should remain in his post or if she had confidence in his ability in the deepening row over how Beijing is handled by Labour. Jonathan Powell, Sir Keir's national security adviser, is reported to have suppressed a major Whitehall investigation into China after lobbying from the Treasury. 'Matt Collins has served our country with integrity for many, many years and is a very, very fine public official. 'There is clearly a decision that has been taken in some way, either to do something or not to do something ... and that has clearly changed the way in which the DPP is interpreting this. 'We need a much better explanation than what we've had, we've already got the Americans now complaining about sharing intelligence, we've got the Speaker quite rightly standing up for the defence of Parliament and the defence for the freedoms of the British people to choose their own representatives. This is a really serious incident.' Writing on Twitter, Tory former minister Lord Gove said: 'Are we really asked to believe a single civil servant is alone responsible? I fear he may be being made a scapegoat.' Both Mr Berry and Mr Cash were arrested at their homes in March 2023 and charged under the Official Secrets Act for passing data to China which was 'prejudicial to the safety and interests' of the UK and was 'directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy'. The pair strenuously denied the charges. They had been accused of spying for China between 2021 and early 2023, by which time the China Research Group was headed by Conservative MP Alicia Kearns. In a statement to MPs in the Commons, Mr Jarvis denied reports Mr Powell had decreed China could not be defined as a national security threat at a meeting of Whitehall officials in September. He said: 'Of course, [the national security adviser] takes part in discussions about national security and diplomatic relations. That is literally his job. 'But any discussions were on the basis that the case would be going ahead and how to handle the implications. 'The national security adviser was not involved in any decisions about the substance of the evidence.' Mr Jarvis said it was in fact deputy national security adviser Mr Collins who provided a witness statement in December 2023 under the previous Conservative government. Further witness statements were requested and provided in February and July this year. Communities Secretary Steve Reed insisted this morning that Mr Collins was not being made a scapegoat. Asked whether Mr Collins was being 'thrown under a bus' Mr Reed told Times Radio: 'I don't think so at all, no. 'The House of Commons wanted more transparency, and they got it. 'No one said that Matthew Collins has done anything wrong at all. He provided the evidence he was asked for by the CPS and that's the right thing to have done.' Open homes were a real estate agent's preferred location for a string of alleged sexual offences against multiple women, a jury has heard. Omar Lababidi has pleaded not guilty to 26 charges including rape and sexual touching between 2021 and 2023, with his trial beginning in Campbelltown District Court in Sydney on Tuesday. Prosecutors allege the 29-year-old pinned three women against the wall and forced one to have oral sex with him three times while he was working at nine different inspections in southwest Sydney. The agent's actions against the three complainants showed a pattern of acting on sexual interest while he was working, crown lawyer Alex Brown said in her opening address. But Lababidi's barrister Simon Buchen SC told the court his client had a reasonable belief all three women were consenting to the intimate behaviour. One woman was allegedly forced to perform oral sex on Lababidi at three open homes. He also allegedly exposed himself to her without her consent. While Lababidi did not deny he was sexually attracted to the three women and flirted with them, he denied any criminal act took place, Mr Buchen said. Real estate agent Omar Lababidi (pictured) pleaded not guilty to 26 charges including rape and sexual touching The jury was not adjudicating in a 'court of morals,' he said. He urged jurors to consider whether some of the acts could have even occurred if there was no consent. 'There is a difference between regretting something after the event and not consenting to something during the event,' he said. On one occasion, Lababidi is alleged to have sexually touched one of the women in the kitchen of a house under inspection. He had to stop when the owner appeared, the jury heard. Another time, he is accused of forcing the same woman to touch his crotch until a couple arrived to view the house he was showing. The court was told Lababidi made lewd comments to the three women. When one tried to resist his advances, he is alleged to have said 'not to worry, no one was looking'. Lababidi (pictured) is accused of assaulting three women during property inspections in Sydney All three women repeatedly told the real estate agent to stop and none of them showed any interest in engaging in the acts with him, Ms Brown said. Lababidi has been charged with 21 counts of sexually touching another person without consent, three of sexual intercourse without consent and two of carrying out a sexual act with another without consent. The trial continues on Wednesday. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Sir Keir Starmer has hailed yesterday as a 'historic day' as key countries agreed President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan. But hours later, horrifying footage emerged purporting to show Palestinians being executed by Hamas, sparking fears the deal is already at risk of collapsing. The video was said to have been filmed in Gaza yesterday, after the deal aimed at ending more than two years of violence came into effect. Some 20 Israeli hostages were released yesterday after Israel agreed, in exchange, to start freeing more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees as part of a ceasefire. But there is mounting anger among bereaved families of Israeli hostages with Hamas having so far only returned the bodies of four of the 28 people who died in captivity. Do you think the Trump-brokered deal will hold? Vote in the Daily Mail's latest poll. In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Is UK 'delusional' for claiming it played 'key role' in Gaza peace deal, as US envoy claims?' Out of more than 21,000 votes, 98 per cent of you said 'yes' and 2 per cent said 'no'. The grieving widow of a father who was crushed to death by a falling tree branch has called for parks to be legally required to carry out park maintenance to avoid a similar tragedy from occurring again. Fiona Hall, 56, has been left heartbroken since her husband Chris, 48, was killed by a three-ton bough from a 134ft lime tree while he was walking their dog in The Carrs Park in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in August 2020. Mr Hall's death sparked widespread anger after it emerged that the council had failed to act on warnings about the unsafe tree, resulting in them being fined 500,000 last November. His widow has since set up a sculpture in his memory in the park where he died, raised thousands of pounds for children's charities and fought tirelessly for reforms to tree safety. Now, she has launched an official campaign called 'Chris' Law' - a proposed piece of legislation that would force councils across the UK to carry out regular tree maintenance. It is due to be debated in Parliament on Wednesday, backed by Conservative MP Esther McVey. Ms Hall said: 'Currently, there is no mandatory requirement for councils to have a tree strategy for their maintenance. 'We're trying to make it so that local authorities in the UK have a blueprint that everyone follows.' Fiona Hall has been left heartbroken since her husband Chris was killed by the huge tree branch in August 2020 Mr Hall died after a three-ton bough fell from a 134ft lime tree while he was walking their dog Cheshire East Council, who were fined after it failed to investigate when a large branch had fallen from the same tree a year earlier, says it has implemented a number of safety improvements since Mr Hall was killed. But Ms Hall said she won't stop campaigning after almost half a decade of trying to honour her late husband's legacy. She added: 'It has been a fight for justice since day one, because it was clear that this tree was decayed - it was nothing to do with the weather. 'I couldn't sit back, it's given me a focus. The last few years have been eye-opening. This just shouldn't have happened, not in a million years.' The council's grounds maintenance firm, Ansa, was also sentenced at Chester Magistrates' Court for breaches of the Health and Safety At Work Act, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said. Family described Mr Hall as 'mischievous, kind and exceptionally funny - a life-force like no other'. His son Sam, 27, said in a moving tribute: 'Losing Dad was losing my light and strength. I miss every little piece of him - his laughter, wisdom, and the adventures we shared.' Nearly 35,000 people have signed Fiona's petition calling for a change in legislation in the space of just three weeks. Ms Hall said she won't stop campaigning after almost half a decade of trying to honour her late husband's legacy Ms Hall remembers the day he died as a 'monumental shock' as she recalled that they had plans to have dinner with their friends that evening. She said: 'The tree that killed Chris was 130 years old. They need looking after just like buildings do.' Councillor David Jefferay, chair of Cheshire East's environment and communities committee, said: 'My thoughts and those of the council remain with the family and other loved ones of Mr Hall - I also understand the impact this has had on the wider local community. 'Since this tragic incident, we have implemented a number of improvements in line with our adopted tree management strategy. 'Our priority is to ensure the safety of everyone who visits and enjoys our green spaces.' Mass-rape victim Gisele Pelicot fears she may have cervical cancer, a condition that could be linked to the sexually transmitted infections she contracted after enduring years of sexual assault. The 72-year-old, who survived almost a decade of rape involving dozens of men as she was drugged by her ex-husband, returned to court in France last week to face one of her rapists as he appealed his conviction. Speaking to the court in Nimes, Gisele revealed that she is currently being screened for possible cervical cancer. 'I have to undergo a biopsy of the cervix. We think they are cancerous cells', she explained, as she told of the toll the ordeal has had on her. The illness could be linked to the many assaults she suffered for nearly a decade, a period during which her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot knocked her unconscious by lacing her food and drink with drugs and offered her to strangers he met online. After being tested in 2020, shortly after Dominique Pelicot's arrest, she discovered that she had contracted four sexually transmitted infections as her rapists were not made to wear condoms. In nearly most cases of cervical cancer, the illness is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which spreads through sex. Gisele Pelicot reacts at the courthouse during the appeal trial of the Mazan rape case at the Nimes courthouse in Nimes, southern France, on October 9, 2025. She revealed in court last week that she is being screened for cervical cancer Gisele Pelicot and son lorian Pelicot leave the court after the judgment on October 09, 2025 in Nimes, France Husamettin Dogan arrives at the court on October 09, 2025 in Nimes, France Gisele's return to court came when one of the men convicted of raping her after a disturbing trial last year appealed against his verdict. Facing her rapist in court, Gisele said: 'Take responsibility for your actions and stop hiding behind your cowardice! That he could have believed that I was consenting is absolutely abject.' Gisele, who was greeted with applause at each of her arrivals in court since the trial opened last week said: 'The damage has been done, and I will have to rebuild myself from the ruins. 'I am well on my way.' Husamettin Dogan, 44, a builder, was one of 51 men convicted of raping Pelicot while she was unconscious. He was sentenced to nine years in prison for the rape. The first trial last year heard he made contact with 72-year-old Dominique - dubbed the Monster of Avignon - in an online chatroom before driving to the couple's home on the same evening in 2019. He had told his wife he was going out for the night. Dogan told the historic trial last year that he thought it was just a game. 'I'm not a rapist, that's too heavy for me to bear,' he said at the time. On Thursday, he was handed a stiffer 10-year sentence, after he had been given a sentence of nine years in his first trial. His lawyer, Jean-Marc Darrigade, said Dogan won't appeal again. 'He's very tired and accepts the decision,' the attorney said. 'The extra year is more symbolic than anything else.' Gisele became a figurehead for a movement against sexual violence after the world found out about what happened to her Husamettin Dogan, 44, an unemployed builder, was the only one to have maintained an appeal after the first trial last year of 51 men, including Ms Pelicot's husband Dominique Pelicot (pictured) The 50 other men convicted last December did not appeal the landmark verdict. They included Dominique Pelicot, Gisele Pelicot's ex-husband. Dogan was tried on charges of aggravated rape by administering substances that impair judgment or self-control an offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The prosecutor in the appeal case asked for a 12-year sentence, French media reported from the courthouse in Nimes, southern France. 'One cannot, in 2025, think that because she said nothing, that she agreed. Because that kind of thinking belongs to another era!' the prosecutor told the court, according to Le Monde newspaper. Dogan had denied that he intended to rape Pelicot and argued that he was deceived by Dominique Pelicot. Dominique Pelicot was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison, which was the maximum possible. He admitted his role and did not appeal. Sentences ranged from three to 15 years imprisonment for the other convicted men. One of them was convicted of drugging and raping his own wife with Dominique Pelicot's help. Labour has unveiled a raft of new planning changes as Rachel Reeves scrambles to boost sluggish economic growth. Fresh additions to the Government's flagship planning Bill are aimed at speeding up the building of new water reservoirs, onshore wind farms and large housing schemes. Under the changes, ministers will be handed new powers to stop councils rejecting planning permissions and tackle 'blockers' in the courts. The 'pro-growth' measures will be introduced as a series of amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, ahead of its return to the House of Lords next week. It has previously emerged how the Chancellor is hoping the planning changes will boost official forecasts for economic growth. Ms Reeves is said to be hoping the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) watchdog will judge the measures could add about 3billon to the economy in the long term. This would relieve some of the huge pressure on the Chancellor to raise taxes again at her Budget next month, in order to plug her spending gap. Ms Reeves is estimated to be facing a 30billion black hole in the public finances as she prepares she presents her next tax and spend package on 26 November. Labour has unveiled a raft of new planning changes as Rachel Reeves scrambles to boost sluggish economic growth. Fresh additions to the Government's flagship planning Bill are aimed at speeding up the building of new water reservoirs, onshore wind farms and large housing schemes Housing Secretary Steve Reed said he was 'furious' about the low levels of housebuilding in Britain At Tuesday morning's Cabinet meeting, the Chancellor said the planning changes 'were an example of the radical agenda that this Government must pursue to take the shackles off the economy'. According to a Downing Street readout of the meeting, Ms Reeves also told her fellow Cabinet ministers that 'growth and productivity figures over the past 15 years have kept coming in lower than expected, and borrowing costs and debt levels are too high, leaving less revenue available for public services, and demonstrating why getting debt down and growth up was so important'. The planning changes include non-water sector companies being able to build reservoirs, which are automatically considered significant infrastructure projects, in a bid to bolster national water security. Steps to pave the way for new clean energy are also included in the measures, which could result in more onshore wind farms being built. Elsewhere, new powers would allow ministers to prevent applications being rejected by local councils while they consider using 'call-in' powers to decide whether or not they should be approved. And attempts to tie up and frustrate housing developments in judicial reviews could also be halted. Housing Secretary Steve Reed on Tuesday said he was 'furious' about the low levels of housebuilding in Britain. In Labour's manifesto before last year's general election, the party promised to build 1.5million new homes by 2029. But recent housebuilding figures have shown that fewer homes were approved between April and June 2025 than in the previous year. 'I think it's about 240,000 were built over the last year,' Mr Reed told Times Radio. 'It's absolutely not enough. And I'm furious it's so low.' He added: 'We won't go from 240,000 to a million overnight. 'It's going to be each year over the lifetime of this parliament, it will ratchet up until we hit 1.5million in the final year. But I'm committed to that. I'm going to make it happen.' Asked if he would stake his reputation on meeting the 1.5million target, the Housing Secretary replied: 'Absolutely. I'll stake my job on it.' Mr Reed recently announced at Labour's conference that work will begin on three 'new towns' before the next general election. They are among 12 sites for development the Government has selected, which could collectively result in 300,000 houses being built across England. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill returns to the House of Lords for the first day of its report stage of scrutiny on 20 October. Tory shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said: 'Britain needs new housing and new infrastructure, and it needs it fast. 'But the only development Labour are expediting is the new Chinese super embassy in central London. 'After all the misleading statements they've put out about the China scandal, it's no surprise Labour are now resorting to distraction techniques.' This is the moment two climate activists threw red paint over a 133-year-old painting of Christopher Columbus in a Madrid museum. The two female activists, from the Futuro Vegetal movement, were allegedly seen throwing biodegradable red paint over Jose Garnelo's 'First Tribute to Christopher Columbus' at Madrid's Naval Museum on Sunday. A small gathered crowd shouted at them as they chucked the paint over the artwork, which depicts Columbus landing in the New World in 1492. As they threw the paint, a guard sprinted in and slipped as he tried to stop them. The two activists were then nabbed by other guards and unceremoniously carried out of the museum. The pair were reportedly arrested for crimes against heritage. Futuro Vegetal claimed today that police were 'condemning' the two activists to hunger as they weren't providing vegan food. The museum said its workers were forced to undertake an on-the-fly restoration of the painting. Visitors were asked to leave the museum to allow its staff to restore the painting, which it was able to do within just a few hours. This is the moment two climate activists threw red paint over a 133-year-old painting of Christopher Columbus in a Madrid museum The paint protest took place on October 12, a national holiday commemorating Spain's legacy The paint protest took place on October 12, a national holiday commemorating Spain's legacy. According to Futuro Vegetal, the activists were protesting the consequences of colonialism. Celebrations on October 12 ordinarily see large military and naval parades take place across the country. Spanish citizens also dress up in traditional regional clothes and throw street parties to celebrate. But many also see it as a chance to protest. On the same day as the paint attack in Madrid, 20 activists took part in a sit-in at the Reina Sofia Museum in the city. They sat in front of Guernica, Pablo Picasso's famous anti-war painting that depicts the horrors that took place during the Spanish civil war in the town of the same name. The two activists were nabbed by other guards and unceremoniously carried out of the museum The museum said its workers were forced to undertake an on-the-fly restoration of the painting The protesters, from the group Marea Palestina, held signs that read: 'Stop genocide'. They organised the sit-in to call for the end of military action in Gaza, as well as an arms embargo against Israel and the opening of humanitarian corridors to the enclave. After 40 minutes, the group left the venue while chanting: 'Long live free Palestine'. The Israeli military has said the bodies of four hostages returned by Hamas have been identified, including one of a hero who saved his friends by catching a grenade. In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces named two of the victims as 26-year-old Israeli national Guy Iluz and 22-year-old Nepalese agriculture student Bipin Joshi. The names of the other two hostages have not been released at the request of their families. Joshi, who had arrived in Israel three weeks before the attack as part of a Nepalese agricultural training program, was abducted from Kibbutz Alumim. He was abducted from Kibbutz Alumim and was photographed sheltering with Thai workers shortly before militants reached the area. 'It is assessed that he was murdered in captivity during the first months of the war,' the military said. Joshi's Nepalese friend Himanchal Kattel, the group's only survivor, said the attackers had thrown a grenade into the shelter, which Joshi caught and threw away before it exploded, saving Kattel's life. Bipin Joshi, who arrived in Israel just three weeks before the attacks is one of the deceased identified by the Israeli military. His friend said he caught a grenade to save the lives of the people he was sheltering with Guy Illuz, 26, was attending the Nova music festival when he was captured by Hamas militants. He is said to have hidden in a tree before he was taken Iluz had been attending the Nova music festival when Hamas-led militants launched their deadly assault on October 7, 2023. He reportedly tried to flee the site in a jeep before hiding in a tree, from where he made his final contact with his parents before being captured and taken into Gaza. The military said Iluz was injured and abducted alive, but later died of his wounds due to a lack of medical treatment while in captivity. It did not specify when he died, though his death was announced in December 2023. Iluz had worked as a sound technician for several well-known Israeli musicians. 'The return of Guy and Bipin... brings some measure of comfort to families who have lived with agonising uncertainty and doubt for over two years,' said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the main Israeli group campaigning for the release of all hostages. 'We will not rest until all 24 hostages are brought home,' it said in a statement. The group called on the government to 'take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice'. It said: 'The mediators must enforce the agreements terms and ensure Hamas pays a price for this violation.' The four bodies were returned by Hamas on Monday, following the release of all 20 surviving captives as part of a ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump. Palestinian militants are still holding the bodies of 24 hostages, which are expected to be returned under the terms of the ceasefire agreement. It comes after it was reported that the bereaved families of the deceased who were not returned have been left outraged. US lawmakers look on as Doris Liber holds up a picture of her son, Illuz, whose body has now been identified by the IDF Joshi's mother at a massive rally attended by 400,000 people in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv. He is said to have been killed during the first month of the war Red Cross teams have been seen moving to the 'Kissufim' area today to retrieve the bodies of dead hostages According to reports, some families who were expecting a reunion with their loved ones yesterday were informed that they had actually been killed. Hamas' failure to return the bodies has left critics wondering if Donald Trump's peace deal could already be on the verge of collapse. One of the stipulations of the 20-point peace plan was that all hostages, living or deceased, would have to be released within 72 hours of Israel publicly agreeing to the deal. The IDF has said that 'Hamas is required to abide by the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the bodies'. So far, Hamas has not provided a reason why all the bodies have not been returned. On Tuesday, Red Cross teams were seen moving towards the 'Kissufim' area to retrieve the bodies of the dead. Israel has now said Hamas has until the end of Tuesday to return the remaining dead hostages. An Australian facing up to 12 years in an Indonesian jail after allegedly being caught with drugs in Bali has admitted to abusing substances the night before his arrest. Nelson Philip James, a 32-year-old from Lismore in northern NSW, appeared before a court on the holiday island on Tuesday following a trial delay earlier this month. James was arrested during a traffic stop in Pererenan, 13km west of Denpasar on Bali's southern coast, on June 11. Footage showed two bags were found on the Aussie, which police later alleged contained 0.85g of cocaine and 0.53g of MDMA. James has long maintained the drugs were planted on him by the woman travelling with him at the time of the stop. She has not been charged. He told told arresting officers the powder was Panadol before he later said 'watch the video that been put in my pocket'. When asked by who he said 'the girl that was with me' and described her as a 'devil'. On Tuesday, James admitted he'd used drugs at a party on June 10, even though he was aware of Indonesia's harsh drug penalties, but the drugs were not his and he didn't take any with from the party with him. 'I'm sorry. I love Bali. Bali is my home,' he told the court. Nelson Philip James (pictured) is accused of carrying drugs in Bali James (right) was arrested during a traffic stop in Pererenan on June 11 As he previously told prosecutors, he claimed the drugs were carried by a friend who panicked and planted the bags on him just moments before he was searched. 'I only used drugs at the party, I did not bring them,' he said. 'My female friend brought them with her. 'She was scared when the police stopped us and suddenly put the drugs in my pocket.' James added he'd only used drugs while attending parties and told the court he'd sought them on June 10 while struggling to come to terms with the deaths of two close friends. He did not elaborate further on their passing. On top of his grief, James claimed he had suffered a head injury while travelling in Bali which resulted in memory loss, including of the arrest. Defence lawyer Edward Pangkahila also told the court James suffers from a mental disorder which often triggers hallucinations. It is understood prosecutors will argue James bought the drugs on June 9. James (pictured in court) admitted to abusing drugs the night before his arrest and apologised to the court Despite his various claims that the woman travelling with him bought, used and carried the drugs, the woman has not been charged and Daily Mail does not suggest she committed any wrongdoing. James has been charged under Article 112(1) of Indonesia's Narcotics Law for possession, which carries a maximum 12-year sentence. He was also charged under Article 127(1) for personal use, which carries up to four years behind bars and a possible stint in rehab. Daily Mail has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for comment. A woman who sparked outrage after she was caught snipping down yellow ribbons tied in memory of Israeli hostages has claimed the tributes made her feel 'intimidated'. Nadia Yahlom, who is PhD student at the University of Westminster, was filmed vandalising the display in Muswell Hill, north London, with a pair of scissors on October 6. The ribbons had been tied to commemorate the hostages seized during Hamas's brutal attack in 2023 on October 7, when the terror group murdered more than 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 others. But Ms Yahlom, who describes herself as a 'Palestinian-Jewish woman,' insisted she 'wasn't aware' of the date's significance when challenged by shocked onlookers. As she cut down the display, she was filmed declaring: 'Condoning genocide is disgusting and that's what this is.' Her actions provoked fury from local residents and the Jewish community, leading to her being interviewed under caution by the Metropolitan Police. Officers confirmed she has not been arrested or charged but said they are also reviewing the footage to see whether any offences, including hate crime or criminal damage, were committed. Ms Yahlom, who is completing an Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded doctorate at Westminster's Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM), told the BBC that what she did was a 'peaceful form of protest' as she felt 'offended, intimidated and threatened' by the ribbons. Nadia Yahlom, who lives in north London, used scissors to brazenly snip the memorial bands that the Jewish community had tied to railings in honour of the 251 people taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 She cuts down ribbons for Israeli hostages from a fence in Muswell Hill, North London She said: 'I am a Palestinian-Jewish woman living in that community who has every right to take a stance against genocide a genocide that is being conducted in my name,' she said. 'We are still being told that the only lives worth commemorating, the only lives that have any value, are Jewish lives. 'To me, it's astonishing that there can be moral repugnance about a handful of ribbons being cut and not generations and generations and generations of bloodlines [in Gaza] being cut.' Asked about the timing, she claimed: 'I actually wasn't aware that it was close to the anniversary.' Since the footage went viral, Ms Yahlom says she has become the target of a 'hate campaign', claiming she has received threats of 'assault and rape and violence' against herself and her family. 'It's a deliberate attempt on the part of those who have led this witch hunt against me to do that, to try and shift the focus,' she said. 'In what universe do we think that the focus now should be on me cutting down some ribbons and not on liberation for the Palestinian people?' The Daily Mail previously revealed how Ms Yahlom is a pro-Palestine artist whose work focuses on 'hauntedness and supernatural life' in the war-torn state. She studied at Cambridge University and Goldsmiths before embarking on an Arts PhD at the University of Westminster. Ms Yahlom declared the ribbons - which were put up on the eve of the second anniversary of the attacks - were 'condoning genocide'. Pro-Israel supporters said the ribbons were a reminder of hostages like Guy Gilboa Daniel, who was kidnapped at the Nova festival and remains in Gaza She is also the co-founder of Sarha Collective, an artists' organisation for experimental works from Palestine and the broader Southwest Asia and North Africa region. Her husband, Mo'min Swaitat, is a Palestinian actor and film-maker. He was born in West Bank, Palestine, and moved to London in 2011. After removing all his Instagram posts after this happened, he wrote on social media platform that he and his wife had been attacked by a group he believed worked for Israel's national intelligence agency - Mossad. 'If I'm not responding to emails or messages I just want to let you know that me and Nadia have been attacked by [an extremist group] probably working for the Israeli [Mossad] in our neighbourhood in North London', he wrote, adding that the couple had been 'attacked and stranded to be killed'. 'This now has been investigated by the police', he said. He has also allegedly criticised 'yellow ribbon supporters' online after he shared a video which supposedly showed a Palestinian prisoner tied up. He captioned the clip: 'This is what yellow ribbon supporters do with their yellow ribbons when they are not your neighbours in north London.' Scotland Yard said it was investigating both the threats and the ribbon-cutting footage, confirming that reports of a hate crime had been received. The yellow ribbon has long been a symbol of solidarity with hostages, first used during the 1979 US-Iranian hostage crisis. In the latest developments, 20 of the remaining hostages held by Hamas were freed on Monday in a US-brokered peace deal, which also saw 2,000 Palestinian prisoners released as part of a plan overseen by former President Donald Trump. The owner of a cockapoo that mauled a three-year-old girl told police 'he's a bit nippy' after denying her dog had bitten the youngster's arm open. Bunnie Skinley, three, was walking home with her father, Rowen, and two siblings in Rainha, Kent, when the dog called Reggie launched a vicious attack, Medway Magistrates Court heard. After grabbing her by her right arm, the pet dragged the little girl to the floor, biting her and leaving her with 'seven or eight' puncture wounds. The little girl was rushed to a London hospital for emergency plastic surgery. The dog's owner, Tracie Inkpen, 50, fled the scene without sharing her details following the attack which left 'blood all over the pavement', the court heard. When police then went to Inkpen's home after a tip-off, she denied it was her pet that had caused the injury. She later admitted Reggie had caused the child harm and that her pet was a 'bit nippy'. Reggie was seized by officers, and Inkpen was arrested and charged with being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. The mother-of-two pleaded guilty to the offence and was this week handed a community order. Bunnie was walking home with her father, Rowen Skinley, and two siblings on Tuesday when the designer crossbreed launched the attack When police went to Tracie Inkpen's (pictured) home after a tip-off she denied it was her pet that had caused the injury, before confessing Reggie had caused the child harm, adding her pet was a 'bit nippy' Prosecutor Christina Rowberry told the court the cockapoo - who had anxiety and social issues - attacked the toddler opposite a primary school without warning. 'The father of Bunnie was walking with her and his other children and a small dog lunged at his daughter and this caused a serious wound,' she added. 'As they walked past on the narrow pavement, the dog grabbed her right forearm and dragged her to the ground aggressively and bit her on the arm, there was blood all over the pavement. 'The defendant then pulled the dog off with the lead, but this scraped her arm and made the injury worse. She had seven or eight teeth puncture wounds. 'Her dad shouted, and she [Inkpen] made no attempt to help and then made off without giving her details.' When a police officer entered Inkpen's home in Rainham in June, he noticed there were metal barriers on the doors inside. Inkpen said they were there because the dog '[could] be a bit nippy'. 'She was asked if it was her dog that had attacked the child, and she denied it,' Ms Rowberry added. 'She was then shown the picture and her daughter had been ID'd in it, and she then finally admitted it was her and that she should have come forward.' In an interview, Inkpen confessed she had previously taken her dog to the vet for an assessment regarding his behaviour. She told police she thought she had the dog under control on a short lead and that she panicked at the scene because everything happened so quickly. 'She said she got her daughter to take the dog away and went back and there was blood coming out of the girl's arm,' the prosecutor added. Inkpen also claimed to officers that she then offered to drive injured Bunnie to the hospital, however, Mr Skinley did not mention this in the statement he gave police. Bunnie was rushed to a London hospital for emergency plastic surgery following the incident but was later discharged 'She [Inkpen] then walked up the road and thought that would be the end of it - she never left her details,' Ms Rowberry said. Reggie, who was bought by Inkpen during the pandemic, would often bark and sometimes jump up at people, the court was told. However, his owner maintained the attack had come out of the blue despite confessing the pet could be a bit nippy. Natalie Lucas, defending, said her client was a mother herself and felt remorse after the incident, noting that Inkpen had pleaded gulity at the earliest opportunity. 'She panicked, this was a freak accident, it was not to avoid responsibility or cause distress to the victim or her father,' Ms Lucas told the court. 'She thought she had control [of the dog] and pulled it off; she thought she was helping. It was highly stressful and she made the decision to leave to so as not to inflame the situation further.' Ms Lucas said the cancer carer was a responsible dog owner and she fully accepted her dog had caused serious injury to the toddler. 'She never saw the social media appeal as she's not on social media, and yes, she did deny it, but she's of previous good character,' she added. 'It was a panic response and when she saw the video footage, she admitted being there and being the owner of Reggie. She deeply regrets the incident. 'Reggie is a family pet and he is much loved.' While being in kennels, an assessment had found Reggie had shown some aggression previously but no longer did presently, the court heard. He was happier and easier to handle, had now been muzzle trained and was deemed not to be dangerous but rather nervous. Magistrates handed Inkpen on a high-level community order, which involves 160 hours of unpaid work. They also made a contingent destruction order on Reggie, which means he will be allowed to return to his home, but the order will see him muzzled at all times on a short lead, and he must be walked by someone over the age of 18 at all times. Inkpen was also ordered to pay 1,500 compensation to Bunnie and 1,988 kennel costs as well as a victim surcharge of 114 and 85 court costs. She will pay what she owes the court at a rate of 200 a month. The dust has barely settled on what was a momentous day for Israel and Palestine, described by U.S. President Donald Trump as 'the historic dawn of a new Middle East'. With the long-awaited return of the last 20 surviving hostages from 738 days in underground captivity, Israelis were finally able to begin the path towards healing from the trauma of the October 7, 2023 attacks. Meanwhile, the smiling faces of Palestinian children celebrating the ceasefire marked the first time in two years that they could safely go outside without the fear of aerial strikes or gunfire. But the road to lasting peace is full of minefields, according to experts in the region, who have warned that the success of phase one of Trump's 20-point plan might soon descend into chaos. For some Israelis, Hamas has already violated their side of the deal, by failing to return all of the 28 deceased hostages as stipulated in Trump's peace proposal. 'Hamas has already broken the agreement by sending over only four bodies yesterday,' Lianne Pollak-David, a former adviser in Israel's National Security Council, told the Daily Mail. 'If this is not resolved in the next few days, if mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, and of course, Trump's leadership, do not get that moving fast, it could really break the whole deal,' she warned. The Israeli military said Tuesday that the bodies of four hostages returned by Hamas have been identified, with the victims including Guy Iluz, an Israeli national, and Bipin Joshi, an agriculture student from Nepal. President Donald Trump holds a signed document during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt People watch a helicopter, on the day of hostages-prisoners swap, during a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, in Petah Tikva, Israel October 13, 2025 Palestinians celebrate following the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 Being able to honour the dead with a swift and respectable burial is of paramount importance in Jewish tradition, and Hamas' delay on returning the other 24 bodies has been interpreted by Israel's Hostages and Missing Families Forum as a blatant - and dangerous - violation of its commitments. And while Trump's plan calls on the Sunni Islamist group to disarm, decommission its weapons, and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure, making the Strip a 'terror-free zone', Hamas seems to be doing the precise opposite. It recently recalled 7,000 gunmen to reassert control over areas of the enclave that had been vacated by the IDF, in a bid to cleanse the Strip of outlaws and 'collaborators with Israel'. Images show gun-wielding officers, several of them in plain clothes and others in blue uniforms, patrolling the streets, while videos show militants carrying out executions by gunfire on rows of tied-up victims in public squares. 'At this very moment, they are carrying out executions in the public sphere, without trial, against people they believe collaborated with the IDF,' said Ruth Wasserman Lande, former member of the Israeli Knesset. 'They're literally executing people in the streets, and filming it themselves, because they are currently in control - even though there was an agreement that they would not govern, and they would not police, and they would not be armed. 'They are shooting them with arms that they carry... terrorising not Jews and Israelis, not Europeans - but Gazans.' The group has also refused to disarm until a sovereign Palestinian state is established, but Trumps plan makes self-determination and statehood dependent on the Palestinian Authority first undergoing reforms - resulting in a deadlock. A horrifying new video on social media appears to show several men being executed In the video, a crowd can be seen cheering as the men are slaughtered. There are chants of 'Allah Akbar,' or God is Great. The men are also called 'collaborators' 'Disarming Hamas is a major challenge that's going to take a while,' said Pollak-David. 'Who's actually going to do it? And when is that going to happen? It needs to be very quick, efficient, and with determination. Somebody has to do this dirty job. The only question is how, when, and how effective will it be?' It's not just the terror group that poses a barrier to lasting peace in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could take advantage of Hamas' violations of Trump's deal, using any breach as an excuse to continue a war that has killed tens of thousands, warns Anoush Ehteshami, professor of international relations at Durham University. 'Hamas leaders [have been] told that they will have to comply by what the Arab majority now wants - which is peace, return of law and order to Gaza, and disarming - with a view to provide a secular, civil government, linked with the Palestinian Authority based in Ramallah, in the West Bank,' he said. 'We don't know whether they will or not, but they will have to submit to move this agenda forward. If they don't, then that gives Netanyahu the perfect excuse back to a war footing, even though president Trump has made it very clear that he will not tolerate the start of the war again in Gaza.' Netanyahu's far-right coalition allies, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, are in favour of settling the enclave, voted against the ceasefire, and support the continuation of the war, that has displaced about 90 percent the Strip's two million residents and killed more than 67,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. If they leave his coalition, the Israeli prime minister loses his majority - creating an incentive to prolonging the war in order to satisfy the religious ultranationalists his government depends on. Israelis gather at Hostages Square to celebrate after the release of the first group of hostages held in Gaza on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel Released Israeli hostage Evyatar David reacts upon arriving at Beilinson Hospital in the Rabin Medical Centre in Petah Tikva in central Israel on October 13, 2025 Released Israeli hostage, Omri Miran, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, embraces his father, Dani Miran Your browser does not support iframes. 'My concern is that he might fall short on every count, because for him, the most important factor is to secure his government and stay in power,' said Ehteshami. 'Otherwise, he faces a multitude of legal challenges over his past misdeeds, and secondly, he's very conscious of the legacy that he wants to leave. He has, in the eyes of the rightwing in his government, given away the Gaza Strip they were dreaming of settling on.' Trump's maintained interest in a sustainable peace will play a crucial role in determining whether stability is possible, according to Andrew Fox, former British Army paratrooper and defence analyst. 'I think if it's a Democrat in the White House next time, this whole thing falls apart on the spot, because it's being held together by Trump's personality - his strong-arming technique wouldn't necessarily work with another president,' he told the Daily Mail. We've seen with Ukraine, he gets bored and walks away if something's not working,' Fox added, referencing Trump's recent Truth Social post where he appeared to wash his hands with the conflict beyond providing Ukraine with weapons, wishing 'good luck!' to the warring sides. 'As far as he's concerned, he's got the hostages home, so he's got his big win. And actually, if you look at American polling, support for continuing the war was around 30 to 34 percent across the political spectrum, so there was a domestic incentive for him to get this ended.' According to the U.S. president's peace plan, the second phase of the process involves a transitional, technocratic committee made up of Palestinians and international experts who will run Gaza. Oversight would be provided by a new international 'Board of Peace' chaired by Trump, with other leaders such as former British prime minister Tony Blair suggested as members. Your browser does not support iframes. But for Fox, the problems run deeper than deciding what authority will run the enclave. 'What this peace deal doesn't really address at the moment is the radicalisation of Gazan society,' he said. 'Even if you get rid of Hamas, everyone there still hates Israel and still supports armed action against Israel, with rockets and such like. So how you achieve as a transitional authority a change in that attitude is exceptionally difficult.' Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed the sentiment. 'The burden of proof today is on the Palestinians - they just prove they reject the path of terrorism, that they will end the incitement in their schools and mosques, that they will fight corruption,' he told the Daily Mail. 'Hamas must stick to its part of the agreement or be forced to do so by all the leaders who supported the Trump plan, especially Turkey, Qatar and Egypt. That includes the return of the bodies of all the murdered hostages and the disarmament of Hamas. That is the agreement, that is what must happen,' he continued. 'We need to now put a timeline and mechanism on the plan to make sure it is fully implemented.' As part of the next stage of the deal, the U.S. has committed to deploying a multinational, 200-strong task force of troops to Israel, comprised of personnel from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. In his historic speech to the Knesset on Monday, Trump heralded a new era of prosperity in the Middle East, saying: 'This is not only the end of a war, this is the end of an age of terror and death, and the beginning of the age of faith and hope.' And in Sharm El-Sheikh later that day, he assembled leaders from more than 20 countries for his 'Peace 2025' conference, showing an unprecedented unity in the Arab world and beyond for lasting stability in the region. Major challenges remain. Across Israel, there is little support for a two-state solution, despite Trump including that aim into deal. Meanwhile, some 50 percent of Palestinians supported the October 7, 2023 massacre, and 41 percent supported armed resistance, according to a poll in May. For professor Ehteshami, it's the job of the European, Arab and Muslim parties present at the summit to consolidate the vague 20-point plan, adding precise 'objectives' about the future governance of Palestine and injecting it with the necessary 'infrastructure' and 'scaffolding'. And this must happen 'as soon as possible, before Trump moves on'. 'I'm hopeful, because I see the smiling faces of the families of the hostages, and I see the smiling faces of the Palestinians returning to what are devastated homes,' he said. 'I'm hopeful that all the parties will use this opportunity to - for once - think of a different future. 'But I was here when the Oslo Accords were negotiated, and look where we are now. So my hope is always tinged with a degree of anxiety.' The student who chanted to put the Zios in the ground is a University of Oxford student studying Politics Philosophy and Economics [PPE] at Balliol College Oxford, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal. Samuel Williams, whose family home is in a middle class area in Tunbridge Wells, led the offensive chants while attending the PSC National Demonstration for Palestine in London on Saturday October 11th. Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police announced they were investigating [the] chants made at the demonstration, after footage of the horrifying incident went viral on social media. Mr Williams, who attends the world-class academic institution, was one of a number of university students to have attended the pro-Palestine event which took place this weekend on Victoria Embankment. Addressing scores of fellow pro-Palestine activists, the hardcore protester who reads the same subject at university and attends the same college as former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson did, praised the noble resistance in Palestine and in Gaza. Continuing he said: I dont want to yap for too long, but a chant that weve been workshopping in Oxford that maybe you guys want to join in. It goes: Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground. Zio - a term formed by Grand Wizard of the KKK David Duke - is a slur made by shortening the word Zionist and is often directed towards Jewish people. Samuel Williams, whose family home is in a middle class area in Tunbridge Wells, led the offensive chants while attending the PSC National Demonstration for Palestine in London on Saturday October 11 Mr Williams can be seen wearing a khaki military jacket and smirking while he waves a presumably fake gun in the air Mr Williams was among dozens of students who occupied and camped outside the Oxford Natural History museum to protest their universitys alleged complicity in Israels war against Hamas Some have interpreted the chant to mean that Mr Williams is calling for the deaths of Jews. Now the Daily Mail can reveal that the man behind the vile chant is a veteran pro-Palestine student activist. Before winning a coveted place at Oxford, Mr Williams attended the Bennett Memorial Diocesan school in Tunbridge Wells. Pictures from Samuel Williams's Instagram account show him regularly sporting a red and white keffiyeh scarf. A keffiyeh is a type of Arabic accessory which has recently become associated with the pro-Palestine movement. And since joining the university he has dedicated his life not to his studies but to student activism and Palestine. Several pictures taken from his Instagram account show Mr Williams's participating in the highly controversial Oxford University student encampments. Mr Williams was among dozens of students who occupied and camped outside the Oxford Natural History museum to protest against their universitys alleged complicity in Israels war against Hamas. In another disturbing image, Mr Williams can be seen wearing a khaki military jacket and smirking while he waves a presumably fake gun in the air. A spokesman for the Union of Jewish students said: We are horrified by the footage of a University of Oxford student chanting to "put the Zios in the ground" Pictures from Samuel Williamss Instagram account show him regularly sporting a red and white keffiyeh scarf. 'Zio - a term formed by Grand Wizard of the KKK David Duke - is a slur made by shortening the word Zionist and is often directed towards Jewish people Mr Williams, who attends Oxford, was one of a number of University students to have attended the pro-Palestine event which took place this weekend in Victoria Embankment The image has been edited, so that black scrawl marks block the students eyes - in an apparent effort to keep him anonymous. Another social media post captioned f*** your exams 2024, anti-colonial action includes a picture of Mr Williams and a female friend participating in a pro-Palestine protest. Responding to our findings, a spokesman for the Union of Jewish students said: We are horrified by the footage of a University of Oxford student chanting to "put the Zios in the ground". Against the backdrop of rampant glorification of Hamas terrorism on campus this week, we call on universities to urgently take a stand against the endorsement of violence. We are in contact with the University of Oxford and urge them to act decisively in response to this deeply troubling incident. A University of Oxford spokesman added: The University of Oxford condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any language urging violence against groups of people or expressing any form of racial hatred. The University's support for freedom of speech does not extend to any statements including such language. When such language is reported, we will always want to speak to the student concerned, and consider the matter under our disciplinary procedures in line with University and college policies. Oxford is unequivocal: there is no place for antisemitism, harassment, or discrimination within our community. We remain firmly committed to protecting the safety and dignity of all our students and staff. Samuel Williams has been contacted for comment. A Democratic representative is facing calls to give up her $1.1 million Martha's Vineyard home after she declared that 'we are all on stolen land.' Ayanna Pressley took to social media on Monday to share a controversial message about Indigenous Peoples' Day, also known as Columbus Day. 'We are all on stolen land. And while Republicans try to whitewash American history, we acknowledge our country's role in inflicting trauma on our Indigenous neighbors,' the Boston congresswoman wrote on X. She added: 'We'll keep celebrating their contributions, centering Native voices in our policymaking, & building a more just, equitable future.' The debate to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day has divided communities and left politicians fuming over the 'woke' revisions to history. Pressley's statement angered many on X who urged the congresswoman to return her home in the wealthy enclave in Massachusetts, whose other residents include the Obamas and Martha Stewart. Democratic Boston Representative Ayanna Pressley is facing calls to give up her $1.1 million Martha's Vineyard home after she claimed 'we are all on stolen land' on Columbus Day Pressley and her husband Conan Harris purchased the three-bedroom home in Martha's Vineyard in 2023 (stock image) 'You should consider giving back your stolen land then - starting with your $1.1 million house on Martha's Vineyard,' wrote right-wing commentator Greg Price. 'So when are you giving your new $1.1 million Martha's Vineyard summer home back to the Wampanoag?' added Gerry Callahan, a conservative pundit. Pressley, who often speaks about inequality and the rights of the poor, and her husband Conan Harris purchased the three-bedroom house on Martha's Vineyard in 2023, as reported by the New York Post. Pressley and Harris, who spent ten years in prison for drug trafficking, also own a two-unit rental property in Mattapan, a low-income area in south Boston, which earned them between $50,000 and $100,000 in 2024. The Democrat owns four rental properties in Massachusetts, which earned her as much as $350,000 in profit in 2024, according to her annual financial disclosure cited by the Post. It's a significant profit increase for Pressley, who in 2020 declared a rental income of just $15,000. Despite her lucrative career as a landlord, the congresswoman has campaigned for taxpayer-funded rent relief. Pressley and her husband Harris, who spent ten years in prison for drug trafficking, also own a two-unit rental property in Mattapan, a low-income area in south Boston The Democrat owns four rental properties in Massachusetts, which earned her as much as $350,000 in profit last year The controversy over Pressley's Martha's Vineyard home came as some progressives chose to celebrate the Indigenous of the Americas instead of Christopher Columbus. Columbus Day is meant to highlight Italian Columbus's journey to discovering the West. But, in recent years, there has been a push to rename the holiday because of the treatment of Indigenous people at the time. Indigenous People's Day has been around since 1977, when it was first introduced at a United Nations conference. For the past three years, it has shared the same day with Columbus Day following a 2021 federal proclamation from then-president Joe Biden. The Daily Mail reached out to Pressley for comment on this story. CCTV captured the moment a woman screamed as she appeared to be abducted outside a Kansas home in the middle of the night. The unidentified woman was taken from the front door of a Wichita home on Sunday at about 2am, according to police. Terrifying footage shows the woman, dressed in a black top and shorts, screaming as a man grabs her from behind. The woman appears to be trying to reach the front door but is overpowered by the apparent assailant, who drags her away as the two disappear from the camera view. Police obtained the video from a residential security camera, according to officials. Detectives said they have pursued multiple leads but have yet to find or even identify the victim. They added that they have also not been able to identify the apparent abductor. A woman was taken from a Kansas neighborhood by an unknown male and has not been identified nor found, according to police The woman was taken from the front door of a Wichita home on Sunday at about 2am Officers reportedly looked into a tip related to a call from Oklahoma, but confirmed it was unrelated to their investigation of the alleged abduction. 'At this time, we have not been able to identify the female and male seen in the video. 'Exploring all options, we've reached out to our regional and federal law enforcement partners for additional assistance,' Wichita police said on X. 'Our team has processed the audio, reducing background noise, hoping that someone will recognize her voice.' Wichita officials asked the public to take a moment to watch the video. They said: 'If you recognize either of these individuals, call detectives at 316-268-4407 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.' The apparent mystery abduction has unnerved residents of the neighborhood, as reported by KAKE. Angelica Verduzco told the local outlet she is scared for her safety and for other young women in the area. Residents of the Wichita neighborhood told local media they are unnerved by the incident 'It's dangerous. That's the truth. But, always, I believe there have always been kidnappings,' she said. The Daily Mail has contacted the Wichita Police Department for more details on this story. A huge pothole tore through a private jet's landing gear during takeoff, sparking a near-disaster and a bombshell new lawsuit. A private jet belonging to Ohio-based firm Capital City Jet Center was stopped in its tracks on May 28, 2024 shortly after heading for takeoff from New Mexico's Santa Fe Regional Airport. The jet sustained 'substantial damage' to its landing gear due to the unrepaired pothole on the runway, according to the lawsuit filed in August, which was obtained by the Santa Fe New Mexican. The firm's aircraft, a 2006 Cessna Citation Jet CJ3, was mid-takeoff when it hit the pothole, ultimately 'resulting in destruction of the left main landing gear and substantial damage to the wing and associated aircraft systems,' the suit claimed. Staffers aboard the jet returned it to its operator Signature Aviation and the filing alleged that the pilot and Airport Operations Manager Allan Mantle inspected the damage at the port. The lawsuit further alleges that the pothole had violated the airport's requirements under the Federal Aviation Administration regarding safety and hazard mitigation, claiming this leaves the city liable. The private jet firm is seeking damages including over $1 million in lost revenue, a $50,000 insurance deductible, and at least a $250,000 devaluation in the aircraft's value. A huge pothole ripped apart a private jet's landing gear in a horror episode during takeoff at New Mexico's Santa Fe Regional Airport (seen in a stock image), a new lawsuit alleges A 2006 Cessna Citation Jet CJ3 private jet (pictured) allegedly sustained damage to its landing gear and wing when it struck a pot hole last year According to the lawsuit, ground staff confirmed the damage to the plane immediately after the alleged pothole incident, which was then followed by the pilot and Mantle inspecting the damage. The firm alleges that this proves the city 'had immediate and actual notice of both the dangerous runway condition and the resulting aircraft damage on the day of the occurrence.' This would provide timely 'actual notice' that allows companies to seek damages from government entities, the filing states. City Jet Center and the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico did not immediately return requests for comment. The Santa Fe Regional Airport and surrounding area has reportedly been beset by potholes for some time. The issue has become so prevalent that the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that a City Council candidate made a tongue-in-cheek remark by calling them the city's 'mascot.' The filing came just weeks before the private jet industry was hit with tragedy as a husband and wife lost their lives in a fiery crash in Massachusetts on Monday. The filing came just weeks before the private jet industry was hit with tragedy as husband and wife Thomas Perkins, 68, and Agatha Perkins, 66, lost their lives in a fiery crash in Massachusetts on Monday The couple's plane appeared to split in two, with the fuselage coming to rest on the median while further debris was scattered nearby Thomas Perkins, 68, and his wife, 66-year-old Agatha Perkins, both of Middletown, Rhode Island, were named as the victims found in the fuselage of their downed single-engine Socata TBM 700. The crash occurred as a Nor'easter battered the area with high winds and heavy rain. The couple's devastated community paid tribute to them on Monday, writing on Facebook: 'The Aquidneck Island community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Tom and Aggie Perkins.' They were described as 'a beloved couple whose kindness, generosity, and spirit touched countless lives across Aquidneck Island.' A fatal car wreck which claimed the lives of four teenage girls in a small California town was caused by excessive speed, investigators said. Olive Koren, 14, Sienna Katz, 15, Josalynn Osborn, 15, and Ada Kepley, 15, all died in the fiery crash on April 18. The girls were being driven by Elsa Laremont Stranczek, 16, who survived the crash along with one other passenger, Marley Barclay, 14. The teens were in an SUV on their way to a sleepover between Fairfax and Woodacre, two towns outside of San Francisco, when the collision occurred. At the time the vehicle was travelling at least 20 to 25 mph over the speed limit at a minimum of 60mph, according to a California Highway Patrol report obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle. The lead investigator on the case wrote that the driver 'only had her license for five months and likely lacked the experience to safely handle these road conditions at a high speed'. The report stated that the girls were traveling on a narrow road with limited sight, small shoulders, and redwood trees bordering both sides. CHP recommended charges of gross vehicular manslaughter due to the alleged speeding and the fact that the driver broke the rules of her provisional license. The California Highway Patrol concluded that speeding was likely the cause of an April 18 crash that killed four teenage girls It was initially believed that the vehicle had swerved to avoid a second car, causing the driver to strike a tree. CHP said they found no evidence that an oncoming car caused the vehicle to veer off the road. Pictured: Community members grieve at a vigil held for the girls killed in the crash Marley Barclay (left) was one of the two survivors in the crash. Her friend, Olive Koren (right) was killed in the accident In California, drivers who obtain their license at 16 are not allowed to transport passengers under 20 unless accompanied by an adult. Official charges haven't been filed against the driver. The Marin County District Attorney's Office will decide whether to prosecute the case. Daily Mail reached out to District Attorney Lori Frugoli for an update. The report contradicts the narrative reportedly given to cops by Barclay at the time of the crash. Her parents said at a press conference in April that their daughter remembered seeing headlights from a second vehicle while they went around a blind turn. They said their daughter recalled another car veering into their lane, causing the driver to swerve and crash into a redwood tree. Barclay told investigators she saw headlights but was not sure where they were coming from. She and Stranczek were hospitalized with critical injuries following the wreck but have since been released. CHP said they found no evidence that a second vehicle caused the car to crash into a tree. The four girls were traveling to a sleepover together when the car hit a tree. Sienna Katz (pictured) was killed. She was described as a 'vibrant, smart, and caring fifteen-year-old' by her family The girls were early high schoolers at Archie Williams. Josalynn Osborn (pictured) lost her life in the accident. She was described as being 'full of light' The collision was determined to have been a result of speeding and authorities cited the car's speedometer which was frozen at 60mph as evidence. The design of the SUV means that 60mph would have been the minimum speed at the time of the crash, investigators said. There was no video footage of the crash, so investigators were forced to make a conclusion based on the vehicle's event data, which was damaged in the fire. Good Samaritans quickly responded to the crash and called emergency services. One witness, Nick Grubb, told local ABC affiliate KGO News that four people were already trying to help the girls when he and his friend pulled over. Grubb said he used a piece of wood to break the window and pull out the girls. 'The first girl we saw was conscious and moving, but she couldn't get out because she was in the very back seat,' he told KGO News. 'We had to grab her and pull her out. Once she was out, a woman took her and began to care for her'. The girls were traveling on a narrow road bordered by redwood trees at the time of the crash (Pictured: Olive, one of the victims, was only 14 years old when she was killed in the crash) Ada Kepley (pictured) was identified as one of the victims in the crash. She was known for her 'witty humor, creativity, and kind heart' Grubb went on to say that he and his friend Wyatt then pulled out another girl, but she was 'extremely bloody and unconscious' when they rescued her. The witnesses attempted to rescue the other girls, but the fire continued to grow. Grubb said he left the scene once the firefighters arrived. 'It was a relief to see them [the firefighters], but it also added this immense weight. The weight of what we'd seen. The weight of what we tried to do. And the weight of everything we couldn't,' he said. 'That's when I realized there was nothing more I could do. I didn't want to see the rest, and I left before the flames were fully extinguished.' Other witnesses told The Chronicle that the driver managed to escape the vehicle but was engulfed in flames. They attempted to rescue the other girls, but they were trapped inside the burning vehicle. Three girls were pronounced dead at the scene, while one later died at the hospital. Archie Williams High School shared a statement on social media after the tragedy, urging the community to take care of themselves. Pictured: Josalynn Osborn The driver was in a medically induced coma for at least six days and had declined to speak to investigators through her attorney while she recovered at the hospital, according to The Chronicle. The driver's mother told CHP that her daughter didn't have mental health issues and the car didn't have any mechanical problems. She added that she was aware her daughter was driving her friends to a sleepover after her shift at a local pet store and that the girls weren't drinking. CHP also found no evidence of intoxication. The shocking crash left the Marin County community devastated as they were left to mourn the four lost lives. CBP is recommending gross vehicular manslaughter charges for the driver after an investigation concluded she was allegedly speeding when the car struck a tree Charges haven't been officially filed in the case. The Marin County District Attorney's Office will decide whether to prosecute The victim's teachers at Archie Williams High School shared a statement after the tragedy, writing: 'Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and members of the Archie community who are grieving during this difficult time. 'Take care of yourselves, and, if you can, someone else as we process our shared loss. Your school is here for you'. GoFundMe campaigns were launched for the families of the victims, which raised over $676,000. Daily Mail has reached out to CHP for the crash report and the Stranczek family for comment. Tech billionaire Marc Benioff has raised the eyebrows of many San Francisco liberals after urging President Trump to deploy National Guard officers into the crime-ridden city. Benioff, who owns Time magazine and is the CEO of Salesforce, has called on the commander in chief to deploy federal troops into the so-called Golden City. Salesforce, which owns the tallest skyscraper that dominates in the downtown financial sector, boasts a philanthropic history of donating millions to fund the city. The tech honcho's remarks come after he ditched his own left-leaning ties and supported Trump's agenda of sending troops to 'clean up' 'democrat destroyed cities.' In a New York Times interview, the tycoon declared his full support for additional law enforcement officers in Fog City. 'We dont have enough cops, so if they can be cops, Im all for it,' he told the outlet. The bombshell statement follows Trump's fiery shots at the Democrat-run city in August, slamming it's leadership and current state. 'Look at what the Democrats have done to San Francisco,' the president told reporters in a press statement. Tech billionaire Marc Benioff is facing backlash after urging Trump to deploy National Guard officers in San Francisco Aerial view of the San Francisco skyline, the Salesforce Tower dominates in the financial sector of downtown San Francisco still faces a drug epidemic and lower-level crime issues despite it's overall crime rates dropping 'Theyve destroyed it. We could clean that up, too. Well clean that one up, too.' The city still faces a crippling drug epidemic and lower-level crime issues despite it's overall crime rates dropping. What's more, residents are fed up with the drug crisis, some even suing the Democrat-run city for allegedly turning their neighborhood into a drug-ridden hellhole. Enraged city Dems fired back at Benioff's calls for additional law enforcement. 'Salesforce is a great San Francisco company that does so much good for our city. Inviting Trump to send the National Guard here is not one of those good things,' California Senator Scott Weiner wrote on X. 'Quite the opposite. We neither need nor want an illegal military occupation in San Francisco.' San Francisco District Attorney General Brooke Jenkins 'broke her silence' and also lashed at Benioff on Friday. '@KristiNoem and @realDonaldTrump have turned so-called public safety and immigration enforcement into a form of government sponsored violence against U.S. citizens, families, and ethnic groups.' Elon Musk backed the fellow tech giant CEO in an X post on Sunday, writing: 'SF downtown is a drug zombie apocalypse.' Benioff said that his political affiliation is independent and he's supported both Democratic and Republican candidates Millennium Tower building between Salesforce Tower and 181 Fremont in San Francisco, California Elon Musk then backed the fellow tech giant CEO in an X post on Sunday, writing: 'SF downtown is a drug zombie apocalypse' Arrests for petty drug crimes have increased amid Mayor Daniel Lurie's attempt to crackdown on the infested drug problem. Benioff's claims contrasted his previous progressive beliefs, leaving left San Franciscans gawked. In 2018 he slammed his fellow San Francisco billionaires by saying they're 'hoarding' money and not aiding the homelessness crisis. The billionaire criticized Jack Dorsey, co-found of Twitter, in an interview with the Guardian. 'He just doesnt want to give, thats all. And he hasnt given anything of consequence in the city.' Benioff has called out affluent business moguls in the past to aid in the homeless crisis, and even runs the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. In 2018, he funded a city ballot measure campaign to tax businesses, including Salesforce, to fund services for the homeless. His new philanthropic investments in San Francisco are being overlooked by his remarks. Salesforce announced their $15 billion investment to the city over the next five years because they 'believe deeply in it's future'. The billionaire mogul wrote on X that he believes the city's public safety challenges are real. 'Every possible pathway' needs to be explored to create a safer city, he said, adding that Salesforce is providing an $1 million to support larger hiring bonuses for new police officers. 'Its proof that collaboration works and a reminder that the city needs more resources to keep San Franciscans safe year-round,' he wrote. Benioff is planning on giving the keynote address at the Dreamforce conference this week in San Francisco. He hired hundreds of off-duty law enforcement officers to patrol the convention area, adding the city's police force is underfunded. 'Youll see. When you walk through San Francisco next week, there will be cops on every corner. Thats how it used to be,' he told The Times. Benioff said that his political affiliation is independent and he's supported both Democratic and Republican candidates. A realtor tasked with trying to sell Ghislaine Maxwell's stunning former hideout angrily denied a recent price cut was linked to its notorious former occupant. Margaret Weathers of Sotheby's International Realty did not take kindly to the Daily Mail asking for the reason for a recent $130,000 price cut to the $2.5 million home in Bradford, New Hampshire that was first reported by Realtor.com. 'It's bulls**t' she said, when asked if buyers were being put off because pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein's former madam once lived in the property. 'It has nothing to do with her because she never owned it,' Weathers said. 'Why are you taunting these people?' she then asked, in an apparent reference to the property's owners. The sprawling home - where the FBI arrested Maxwell, 63, in 2020, a year after Epstein, 66, was found dead in his prison cell - hit the market for $2.5million in July. But its price tag dropped to $2.37million this month. The 5,115-square-foot home that sits on 156 acres of land was last sold in 2019 for $1.1million. Despite Weathers' insistence that Maxwell had never owned the property, previous reports suggest the child sex trafficker dished out the $1million to buy the home while avoiding being named on its deed. The sprawling Bradford home (pictured) - where the FBI arrested Maxwell in 2020, a year after Epstein was found dead in his prison cell - hit the market at a staggering $2.5million in July Ghislaine Maxwell (right) is believed to have moved to the New Hampshire mansion after Jeffrey Epstein (left) was arrested in 2019 While reluctantly speaking with the Daily Mail, Margaret Weathers (pictured) furiously struck down the idea that the former sex offender safe haven's price drop was related to Maxwell Property records have revealed that the timber-framed mansion was last bought through Granite Realty LLC - a corporation with alleged ties to Maxwell - a year before her dramatic arrest. Granite LLC is linked with Maxwell's ex-husband, Scott Borgerson, a tech mogul who is 14 years younger than the sex trafficker, according to records reviewed by the Daily Mail. Borgerson is listed as the LLC's 'registered agent,' and the registered agent's address is 338 East Washington Road in Broadford, which is the mansion's address. Maxwell (pictured) was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 The Daily Mail has reached out to Granite Realty LLC for comment. Federal prosecutors said Maxwell had been living under the radar at the property since July 2019, when Epstein was arrested. While Weathers attributed the roughly five percent price cut to the lingering effects of the post-COVID real estate market, other realtors have speculated otherwise. 'Its not famous in a good way,' Coldwell Banker real estate agent Cara Ameer told Realtor.com about the rustic-styled secluded house. 'The backstory may be enough to quash any interest from a buyer, let alone not wanting to give their money to Maxwell or anyone connected to her by buying the home. 'There may be people who feel morally opposed to having anything to do with this property because of Maxwells prior actions, particularly that this home was used as a hiding place before she was arrested.' The home's price tag dropped to $2.37million this month, but its realtor denied the Ghislaine Maxwell link was deterring buyers Listed as a single-family residence, the home's description has no mention of its past as Maxwell's scandalous retreat called Tuckedaway (pictured) Property records have revealed that the timber-framed mansion was last bought through Granite Realty LLC - a corporation with alleged ties to Maxwell (pictured) - a year before her dramatic arrest Listed as a single-family residence, the home's description has no mention of its past as Maxwell's scandalous retreat called Tuckedaway. Instead, it focuses on its sweeping mountain views and other luxurious features, describing the house as a 'privacy lover's dream.' A 1800s cape with a barn accompanies the main home, which has a 'stunning fieldstone fireplace as the focal point.' The property price cut came shortly after a federal judge shot down Maxwell's appeal to overturn her conviction. Maxwell had claimed she was wrongfully prosecuted for sex trafficking. The court declined to explain why it rejected her request. The treatment of transgender people in Britain could breach the European Convention on Human Rights, a watchdog has warned. Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, has written to senior MPs to raise his concerns about trans rights in the UK. He urged the Government to avoid legal uncertainty for trans people in the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in April. Mr O'Flaherty also warned against breaching the human rights of trans people through 'blanket practices or policies' on single-sex spaces. In a letter to Lord Alton of Liverpool and Sarah Owen MP, the chairs of two parliamentary committees, he criticised a tendency to 'see the human rights of different groups as a zero-sum game'. 'This has contributed to narratives which build on prejudice against trans people and portray upholding their human rights as a de facto threat to the rights of others,' he added. In a further letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Mr O'Flaherty urged her to reconsider a planned crackdown on protests. He warned against impinging on the freedom of peaceful assembly in the wake of Labour's banning of Palestine Action as a terror group, which has since seen mass arrests. Mr O'Flaherty published the letters on Tuesday following his visit to the UK in July. He indicated both issues must be considered in line with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Council of Europe oversees the European Court of Human Rights, which interprets the Convention. Tory shadow minister Claire Countinho branded Mr O'Flaherty's intervention as 'a ludicrous political stunt by an extreme activist masquerading as a neutral human rights expert'. She added: 'This Commissioner has previously called for children to be allowed to change their gender, said gender has nothing to do with biology, and demanded all countries introduce self-ID.' Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, has written to senior MPs to raise his concerns about trans rights in the UK In a letter to Lord Alton and Sarah Owen, the chairs of parliamentary committees, Mr O'Flaherty criticised a tendency to 'see the human rights of different groups as a zero-sum game' The UK Supreme Court ruled in April that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law. New guidance from Britain's equalities watchdog, including on trans people's use of certain spaces, is currently under consideration by the Government after being submitted to women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson last month. Once ministerial approval is granted, the Government must lay the draft code before Parliament for 40 days before it can be brought into force. Following his recent visit to the UK, Mr O'Flaherty has now written to Ms Owen, chair of the women and equalities committee, and Lord Alton, chair of the joint committee on human rights. He said: 'It should be ensured that steps taken towards implementing the Supreme Court judgment avoid a situation where a person's legal gender recognition is voided of practical meaning, to the extent that it leaves trans people in an unacceptable "intermediate zone".' The commissioner added: 'I note that Parliament has an important role as a guarantor of human rights, and in ensuring coherence and compliance.' He warned of a tendency to see human rights of different groups as a 'zero-sum game' which has led to a perception that the rights of trans people are a threat to others. Mr O'Flaherty added: 'Such a zero-sum approach risks certain inferences being drawn from the UK Supreme Court judgment that could lead to widespread exclusion of trans people from many public spaces.' He suggested it is 'crucial' that new guidance is clear on 'how inclusion of trans people can be achieved across all areas, and how exclusion can be minimised to situations in which this would be strictly necessary and proportionate'. He raised a concern about a risk of requiring 'trans people to habitually 'out' themselves publicly when accessing services or facilities', arguing that beyond privacy concerns, this could also 'significantly increase people's vulnerability to harassment, abuse and even violence'. Mr O'Flaherty noted that not all trans people want to obtain legal gender recognition but that this should 'not in any way diminish their right to be treated with dignity, to be protected from discrimination, and to be able to participate in all areas of everyday life'. He also said he is concerned 'that a debate about violence against women, framed in a way that restricts the human rights and freedoms of trans people, risks undermining the comprehensive, evidence-based approach needed to address this epidemic'. Downing Street on Tuesday defended the Government's approach following the Supreme Court's ruling on gender rights. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The Government's set out repeatedly (that) we support dignity and respect for everyone. 'We are clear that there are laws in place to protect trans people from discrimination and harassment and we proudly uphold a robust legislative framework. 'Trans people remain protected on the basis of gender reassignment, a protected characteristic written into the Equality Act. 'That was true before the ruling and the Supreme Court underlined that fact. 'But we have never supported self-ID and we have a process in place when it comes to someone changing their legal sex.' In a further letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Mr O'Flaherty urged her to reconsider a planned crackdown on protests Elsewhere, Mr O'Flaherty wrote to Ms Mahmood calling for the Government to ensure that policing of protests over Gaza, since proscribing Palestine Action as a terror group, does not restrict the right to peaceful assembly. Hundreds of people have been arrested for supporting the group at demonstrations since its ban this summer. He said: 'Domestic legislation designed to counter 'terrorism' or 'violent extremism' must not impose any limitations on fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, that are not strictly necessary for the protection of national security and the rights and freedoms of others.' He also called for a review of laws for policing protests more generally in relation to the UK meeting its human rights obligations. Mr O'Flaherty raised concerns that the Government's Crime and Policing Bill currently going through Parliament may not comply with human rights laws. Referring to a new offence under the Bill which would ban protesters from wearing face coverings, he said it raises questions over 'necessity and proportionality' when police have powers for people to remove face coverings in specific cases. His warning comes as Ms Mahmood has announced further plans to bolster policing powers to consider more restrictions on repeat protests following a wave of pro-Palestine demonstrations. Donald Trump is furious about a Time Magazine cover photo that does his hair no favours. The magazine released their latest cover to celebrate the President's signing of the Gaza ceasefire deal ending the two-year bloody Israel-Hamas war. Leaders from across the globe gathered in Egypt to witness Trump sign the peace plan following the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza. The President hailed the document as 'the dawn of a new era' in the region. In the Time Magazine cover photo, Trump's face is pictured from a low-angle with beatific lighting blocking out his hair and making him appear as though he has a bald patch. The cover article, headlined, 'His triumph,' is a glowing analysis of the President's Middle East accomplishment. But the photo enraged Trump. He wrote to his followers at 1.30 AM on Truth Social: 'Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time. 'They "disappeared" my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. 'Really weird! I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why?' The Time Magazine cover celebrating Trump's Middle Eastern diplomacy makes the President appear bald Trump took to Truth Social to slam the cover as 'really weird' The President arrived back to DC from the Middle East in the early hours of Tuesday morning Meanwhile, the content relating to the cover photo appeared positive to Trump. In a social media post on X, Time hailed Trump's latest agreement as the 'signature achievement' of his second term. 'The living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been freed under the first phase of Donald Trump's peace plan, alongside a Palestinian prisoner release,' Time wrote alongside the photo. 'The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle East.' During his speech in Israel's parliament, known as the Knesset, on Monday, Trump shared his hope that the signing would officially end the decades long conflict between Israel and Gaza. 'You've won,' Trump told Israeli politicians. 'Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.' The President promised to help rebuild Gaza, and he urged Palestinians to 'turn forever from the path of terror and violence.' Trump's supporters also bashed the Time Magazine for using the unflattering angle of the US leader. Trump signed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement at a peace summit in Egypt on Monday Kari Lake, the acting chief executive of the US Agency for Global Media and a longtime supporter of the President, posted a fake version of the Time cover on X. The edited photo shows Trump staring straight ahead, with his hair in full view, along with the caption, 'Trump's Triumph: Bringing Peace to the World.' Pete Hegseth says he has replaced overweight National Guard troops after a viral photo showed them being deployed in Chicago. 'Standards are back,' the Secretary of War posted on X, confirming a screenshot of a story about the action taken against the soldiers. Several heavyset troops deployed to bolster security around ICE facilities were pictured in the Democratic city last week. One commenter wrote: 'Hegseth is going to lose his mind. I'm here for it... Texas National Guard arrives in Chicago... for the food I assume.' Two days later, the National Guard posted a statement, saying all of its soldiers and airmen are required to meet service-specific height, weight and physical standards at all times. It said: 'When mobilizing for active duty, members go through a validation process to ensure they meet requirements. On the rare occasions when members are found not in compliance, they will not go on mission. They will be returned to their home station, and replacements who do meet standards will take their places.' The Army has weight-for-height standards, for example a male soldier aged 17 to 20 who is 5'10" can weigh no more than 178lbs. If a soldier fails this standard chart then a body fat percentage calculation, which also takes into account their abdominal circumference, will decide whether they are still eligible to join. Last month, speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Hegseth told the country's top generals that he was 'tired of seeing fat troops.' On October 7, a picture taken by the AP showing Texas National Guard troops arriving outside of Chicago, Illinois, went viral Four days later, the Secretary of War posted on X, saying 'standards are back,' confirming a screenshot of a story that said some Texas National Guard troops were replaced in Illinois after failing to meet standards Last month, speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Hegseth told top military brass that America's enemies would 'FAFO', which stands for 'f*** around and find out,' if they chose to challenge its military might 'If the Secretary of War can do regular, hard PT, so can every member of our joint force,' the Secretary of War said. Hegseth also said these new rules are 'not about preventing women from serving,' but added that the physical standards needed to be gender neutral. 'If women can make it, excellent, if they cannot then so be it ... it will also mean that weak men won't qualify. This is combat.' Hegseth said standard training guidelines will be restored 'to what it should be scary, tough disciplined,' and one where drill sergeants 'can put their hands on recruits.' He doubled down that each service member and department will require high-level physical requirements, adding a combat arms field test. A Pentagon spokesman told the Daily Mail that height and weight requirements depend on the service. They pointed to a body fat calculator for the Army that was created in 2023. The website requires soldiers to put in information such as their age, sex, weight, measurements and height to determine a final number. Further instructions include a 'one-site tape test' or a 'multiple-site' body fat tape test. A department spokesman said: 'We identified a small group of service members who were not in compliance and have been replaced' The National Guard has since posted a statement on fitness standards for mobilization Still, there is no clear guidance from the Department of War on what the failure threshold is for Height, BMI or a Body Fat percentage test If they fail both, they can request a body fat assessment via the DXA, InBody 770 and The Bod Pod - all formal body composition analysis tools, measuring things like body fat, muscle mass and more. The Pentagon says, if a soldier fails all of the above, they will then be referred to the army weight control program. Still, there is no clear guidance on what exactly the failure threshold is for a BMI or Body Fat percentage test. A member of the military, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Daily Mail that the secretary is obsessed with physical training, overlooking other necessary skills. 'I have two degrees, which should mean more than my exact specifications and exactly how far I can run,' they told the Daily Mail. 'He's a douchebag,' the source added. The Texas Military Department did not respond to a request for comment. It is not confirmed if any of the troops in the viral X photo, taken by AP, were removed from duty. 'In less than 24 hours, Texas National Guardsmen mobilized for the Federal Protection Mission,' a department spokesperson told military news website Task & Purpose. 'The speed of the response necessitated a concurrent validation process, during which we identified a small group of service members who were not in compliance and have been replaced.' Two Connecticut women have been arrested after the remains of a 12-year-old girl were discovered in a container outside an abandoned home. Police found the body of Jacqueline 'Mimi' Torres-Garcia on Wednesday after they received an anonymous tip, WFSB reported. She was discovered inside a 'plastic tote' near an abandoned home in New Britain - about nine miles south of Hartford - in 'an advanced state of decomposition'. The girls mother, 29-year-old Karla Garcia, and the moms sister, 28-year-old Jackelyn Garcia were arrested in connection to her death on Sunday. Garcia was charged with murder and child cruelty, among other charges, while Jackelyn was charged with risk of injury to a child and child cruelty. The mother's boyfriend, 30-year-old Jonatan Nanita, was also arrested on Monday and charged with murder and tampering with evidence. Jacquelines father, Victor Torres, told the local news station that police informed him of his daughter's death on Thursday. He said that he had not seen or spoken to his daughter since her birthday on January 29, and Jacqueline was living with her mother, who had custody. The remains of Jacqueline 'Mimi' Torres-Garcia (pictured), 12, were discovered in a container outside an abandoned home She was found inside a 'plastic tote' near an abandoned home in New Britain (pictured)- about nine miles south of Hartford - in 'an advanced state of decomposition' The girls mother, 29-year-old Karla Garcia, and the mothers sister, 28-year-old Jackelyn Garcia were arrested in connection to her death Investigators believe the young girl died sometime in the fall of 2024 while she was living with her family a few towns over in Farmington. Police suspect she suffered prolonged abuse and malnourishment and her body was likely kept in the basement of the family home until they moved to New Britain in March. While officials do not know why her remains were placed outside the abandoned home, they noted that Jacqueline was home-schooled, which made it harder for the community to realize she was missing. 'As a mother, this makes me sick to my stomach to be standing here today,' New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said. 'I want to thank the initial caller for speaking up, for having the courage to say something. Without that initial call, no one can say for certain where we would be at this point in time.' The Consolidated School District of New Britain said Jacqueline was a student in the district from kindergarten through fifth grade, but was withdrawn in August 2024, NBC Connecticut reported. 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Jacqueline Torres-Garcia, a former student who had been withdrawn from the Consolidated School District of New Britain in August 2024,' the school district said. 'Jacqueline Torres-Garcia attended kindergarten through fifth grade in New Britain. On August 26, 2024, which would have been Jacquelines first day of sixth grade, her mother, Karla Garcia, filed an official Notification of Withdrawal Out of New Britain School District form stating that the students new address would be in Farmington. Karla's boyfriend, 30-year-old Jonatan Nanita (pictured), was also arrested on Monday and charged with murder and tampering with evidence Police suspect Torres-Garcia suffered prolonged abuse and malnourishment and died sometime in the fall of 2024 'Jacqueline Torres-Garcia attended kindergarten through fifth grade in New Britain. On August 26, 2024, which would have been Jacquelines first day of sixth grade, her mother, Karla Garcia, filed an official Notification of Withdrawal Out of New Britain School District form stating that the students new address would be in Farmington. Garcia and Nanita are both being held on a $5 million bond and Jackelyn is being held on a $1 million bond. All three of them are due back in court on November 14. Torres-Garcia's cause of death is pending while the medical examiner's office conducts further investigations. 'This is a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case. Our detectives, along with our local and state partners, have worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and to bring justice for Jacqueline. No child should ever have to endure such suffering,' New Britain Police Chief Matt Marino and Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson said. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is reviewing their history with the family, and Torres-Garcia's siblings have been placed together in state custody. 'Our hearts remain with all those impacted by Jacqueline's tragic and shocking death,' DCF said. 'The Department is invested in being as transparent as possible about the family's prior DCF involvement without interfering with the active and evolving criminal investigation.' Torres-Garcia's grandfather on her father's side, Felix Osorio, described her as a 'happy' young girl. The girl's father, Victor Torres (left), said that he had not seen or spoken to his daughter since her birthday on January 29, and that she was living with her mother, who had custody 'She was my love. She was everything for me,' he said. 'She was happy all the time. Real happy. She liked to play.' Osorio told the local news station that Garcia would make up excuses to tell his son as to why her daughter couldn't FaceTime with the family. 'He was thinking all the time that Mimi just dont want to see, and he dont want to like push her,' he said. Josef Fritzl has had his bid for freedom thrown out by a court, citing that the incest monster still suffers violent delusions and is too dangerous to be released from prison. Though now 90 years old, authorities said the 'Monster of Amstetten' still showed aggression towards his family. This prompted judges at the Krems Regional Court to conclude that the depraved killer and serial rapist would have no social network if freed, and would remain a serious public risk. Fritzl, jailed for life in 2009, locked his innocent daughter Elisabeth in a tiny and mouldy cellar for 24 years. There, he raped her thousands of times and fathered seven children, with one baby dying shortly after birth. His lawyer, Dr Astrid Wagner, claims he now suffers from dementia and wants him moved to a care home immediately. She is arguing that psychiatric reports made clear he's no longer dangerous. Speaking to Mail Online from Vienna, she said: 'This is simply not okay.' 'Here we have qualified and respected experts in their field who have made very clear that this man, now 90 years old, and who has already served his sentence, does not pose a danger to society.' 'He deserved to be moved from a high security to a standard prison in accordance with Austrian law, because you can't just decide when to switch on and switch off Austrian law.' Joseph Fritzl has been deemed too dangerous to be let out of prison. The 90-year-old still suffers violent delusions and is too dangerous to be released from prison, according to authorities Fritzl made international headlines after his arrest. It was revealed that he locked his daughter, Elizabeth, in a tiny cellar for 24 years. He raped her several times and fathered with her Police photographs show the underground room in Amstetten, east Australia, where Fritzl subjected his daughter to several rapes 'And in the same way, you can' just have leading experts deeming he is not dangerous, then this being ignored.' But judges said Fritzl still shows 'high criminal energy', persistent delusions, and no readiness for life outside prison. The decision is not yet final, which means that Dr Wagner can still appeal it. But it still marks another humiliating defeat for the man whose heinous crimes horrified the world. During his trial, he pleaded guilty to rape, false imprisonment, manslaughter by negligence, and incest. Prosecutors said he had meticulously prepared the underground prison, which had a keyless, secret code. He also managed to convince his daughter that the door was electrified and would kill her if she tried to escape. The court heard how he would visit Elizabeth and her children three times a week, bringing food and sometimes, flowers for his daughter. Fritzl also convinced Rosemary, his wife, that their daughter was in a cult and even persuaded her to take care of three of Elizabeth's kids. A photograph from the scene after Joseph's arrest in April 2008. He was sentenced to life in prison and ordered to serve at least 15 years He was sentenced to life behind bars and told he would have to serve at least 15 years before he was eligible for parole. Fritzl has a long criminal history - in 1967, he broke into the home of a 24-year-old nurse and raped her with a knife to her throat. Authorities also named him as a prime suspect in the attempted rape of another woman. At the time, he served 12 months of an 18-month sentence. A Jack Vettriano painting which was bought for 300 at a village arts festival has been valued at 10,000 after being featured on Antiques Roadshow. The oil on canvas artwork, called 'Deck Chairs', was painted more than 30 years ago by Vettriano, who was found dead aged 73 at his apartment in the south of France earlier this year. The current owner acquired it from his parents, who had bought it at an arts festival in Fife, Scotland in the early 1990s, before Vettriano was a big name. Typical of his trademark style, the work shows a smartly dressed couple carrying brightly coloured deck chairs at a beach. The painting was valued by Antiques Roadshow expert Charlotte Riordan when the BBC show visited Hill of Tarvit Mansion in Fife. On Sunday night's episode of the long-running show, the owner said: 'My parents bought it in the early 1990s at the Pittenweem Arts Festival. 'They like it because of the close resemblance to my dad and his cousin, my aunt Molly. 'I think they bought for in the region of 300.' A painting which was bought for 300 at a village arts festival has been valued at 10,000 after being featured on the Antiques Roadshow Ms Riordan described Fife-born Vettriano, who was found dead at his apartment in the south of France in March, as one of Britain's most popular artists and said works by him were highly sought-after. She said: 'You can see this is Vettriano transitioning from his early style to his more mature style. 'It's exactly the kind of subject matter you would expect from a Vettriano, it's a really, really lovely composition. 'He was always a contentious figure. He was one of Britain's best loved artists by the general population but critically less highly regarded. 'He passed away earlier this year and it's a bit early to tell what kind of impact that's going to have on his market but in terms of value you're probably looking at around the 10,000 mark if this was to appear at auction.' The painting was valued by Antiques Roadshow expert Charlotte Riordan when the BBC show visited Hill of Tarvit Mansion in Fife The owner added: 'Wow, that's a lot of money. That's great.' Vettriano shot to fame with his 1992 painting The Singing Butler. The oil-on-canvas depicts an elegant couple dancing on a storm-swept beach accompanied by their butler and maid. In 2004, it sold for a record 744,800 at Sotheby's, having had an asking price of 200,000. Vettriano's publicist said he was found at his apartment in Nice on March 1 and French police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. One of his closest friends, Remi Akande, said the self-taught artist had become 'reclusive' as he shied away from the public eye. A portrait of Scottish painter Jack Vettriano taken in June 2017 The 52-year-old, who struck up a friendship with Vettriano after a chance meeting in Edinburgh several years ago, said 'snobby' critics 'took a lot of his confidence'. The artist's works garnered international acclaim, leading to exhibitions in cities such as Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and New York. Among those to have acquired Vettriano paintings are Jack Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Tim Rice and Robbie Coltrane. The miner's son was born Jack Hoggan in 1951, in Methil, Fife. He left school at 15 to become a mining engineer but then took up painting after a girlfriend gave him a box of watercolours for his 21st birthday. First Minister John Swinney said he made a 'unique and evocative contribution to artistic life in Scotland'. President Donald Trump's Friday announcement that he's placing an additional 100 percent tariff on China sent markets tumbling, but some savvy crypto investors made out with millions, prompting questions over whether they had insider information. The Republicans' Truth Social post about tariffs sent the crypto market into a frenzy as traders liquidated $19 billion worth of crypto derivatives - the largest such sell-off in the industry's history. Bitcoin, the most popular crypto, tumbled 12 percent at the news, and it dragged down the entire industry. Some coins lost up to 80 percent of their value. Two accounts are raising suspicions after placing major bets on Bitcoin collapsing just before Trump's announcement. It is unclear whether the accounts belong to multiple people or just one single trader. The risky investments yielded these unnamed traders, who some have speculated online to be 'Trump insiders,' around $160 million. Arkham, a crypto exchange, dubbed the person or persons behind the massive trades a 'Trump insider whale,' in a statement on X. On the day before the market-moving tariff news, $80 million was deposited into an account that bet on the price of Bitcoin falling. Roughly 12 hours later, around 3am on the day of the announcement, another $30 million was deposited into a second account with a similar strategy betting against crypto prices, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. President Donald Trump announced on Friday a major 100 percent tariff increase on China that sent markets, including crypto, tumbling. The massive crypto bets made just before the announcement have some speculating that the trader or traders responsible have connections to Trump Markets dipped several percent at the tariff news on Friday. Bitcoin prices fell roughly 10 percent because of the news. Bitcoin prices still have not recovered since the announcement The timing of the trades, including one made just a minute before Trump's tariff announcement, sparked widespread tipoff speculation. The bets were made after Beijing announced new trading restrictions on rare earth, which sparked Trump's tariff response. The White House did not immediately return the Daily Mail's request for comment. The identity of the trader or traders still remains unknown. Insider trading carries a maximum fine of up to $5 million and a 20-year prison sentence. Still, proving insider trading is difficult in the crypto industry, where Congress is still developing regulations and guardrails. Bitcoin traded around $120,000 per coin on Friday before the crash. As of Monday morning, Bitcoin still has not totally recovered, trading at around $112,000 per coin. 'The timing and scale of the positions opened on October 10, immediately prior to the market-wide liquidation, does raise suspicion of information asymmetry,' Joshua de Vos, of CoinDesk, a crypto publication, said after the news of the multi-million dollar gamble went viral on social media. 'While there is no conclusive evidence of insider trading, the wallet activity shows strong, directional conviction,' he added. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said in a new interview that 'weak' Republican men are responsible for holding back their female counterparts - pointing a finger at House Speaker Mike Johnson. In an interview with the Washington Post released Tuesday, Greene applauded President Donald Trump for having a 'very strong, dominant style,' noting that 'he's not weak at all.' She then added, 'a lot of the men here in the House are weak.' 'There's a lot of weak Republican men and they're more afraid of strong Republican women. So they always try to marginalize the strong Republican women that actually want to do something and actually want to achieve,' Greene said. 'They're always intimidated by stronger Republican women because we mean it and we will do it and we will make them look bad,' the Georgia lawmaker added, without naming names. Notably, the only Republicans supporting libertarian-leaning GOP Rep. Thomas Massie's discharge petition to force the release of the Epstein files are women: Greene, along with Reps. Nancy Mace and Lauren Boebert. 'I think for a few of us ... me, Nancy Mace and Lauren Boebert, it's such a disgusting issue that we're like, we don't care if we get attacked,' Greene explained. As for her male colleagues, she suggested that they might not be able to 'relate' to the female lawmakers' concerns. Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized 'weak' Republican men in the House of Representatives and said they were responsible for holding their female counterparts back Jeffrey Epstein was a serial pedophile who victimized droves of underage women. During the president's 2024 campaign, he said he would release the remainder of the Epstein files, but has since gotten cold feet. In turn, the White House has labeled support for Massie's discharge petition a 'hostile act.' Greene said her male colleagues 'don't want to get yelled at by the president.' 'They don't want to get yelled at by Johnson,' she said, referencing the speaker. Johnson also ruffled Greene's feathers earlier this year when he gave Rep. Elise Stefanik, who previously served as the House's No. 3 GOP leader, 'some honorary bulls*** role' after the New York Republican's nomination was pulled to be the ambassador to the United Nations. 'It was unbelievably insulting,' Greene said. 'I thought it was horrible.' Johnson created a new leadership role for Stefanik so that she would remain in the top tier of House GOP members and also allowed her to resume her senior role on the House Intelligence Committee. Greene pointed a finger at House Speaker Mike Johnson, pushing that the GOP women in the House were treated better under former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who carefully elevated female leaders She told the paper that she sees a 'night and day' difference between how Johnson and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have treated women in the GOP conference. McCarthy carefully curated female talent, while women under Johnson have been pushed aside, she noted. Currently just one woman, Rep. Lisa C. McClain, serves in the top rung of GOP leadership and there's only one female committee chair, Rep. Virginia Foxx, of the Rules Committee. In the previous Congress, three Republican women were chairs. Greene expressed anger that Stefanik was told by Trump that she needed to stay in the House due to the slim Republican majority, while former Rep. Michael Waltz, who lost his job as Trump's national security adviser for the role he played in Signal-gate - when a journalist was accidentally added to a group chat - got a promotion. Waltz was given the job of UN ambassador, which Stefanik was pressured to give up. 'She gets shafted, he gets rewarded,' Greene fumed. 'She's a woman so it was OK to do that to her somehow.' Greene saw shades of that when members of Trump's inner circle presented the president with polling that showed she would not have been able to win a general election in Georgia against Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (second from right) attends a memorial service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk last month. Greene has publicly bucked her party on a number of recent occasions including over Jeffrey Epstein, Obamacare and immigration She's since declined to run. 'The same people telling Trump I cant win a general are the same people that get filthy rich off consulting on as many campaigns they can get the president to endorse,' Greene said in a statement to the Post. Greene has broken from her party in a number of major ways in recent weeks, beyond pushing for the release of the Epstein files, she's found herself on the side of the Democrats wanting to see Obamacare subsidies extended - which is what the current government shutdown is over. 'Here goes another a hundred billion dollars to Ukraine, or $30 billion to Israel, but yet nobody can afford health insurance premiums. And then I'm getting yelled at by Republican colleagues for saying that out loud,' she complained on the Tim Dillon Show over the weekend. 'I'm like, this is insane.' Over the weekend, she also expressed misgivings over the Trump administration's mass deportation plan, saying on the same podcast that there 'needs to be a smarter plan than just rounding up every single person and deporting them.' While some critics have floated primarying the Georgia Republican, Greene told the Post that she didn't expect to pay a price politically for stepping out of line. 'My district knows I ran for Congress trashing Republicans,' she said. 'They voted for me because they agreed with that. My district's not surprised.' Baroness D'Souza, the former Lord Speaker, is facing an eight-week suspension from the House of Lords after she moaned to police about 'unfair' speeding penalties. The 81-year-old peer was found to have breached parliamentary rules after she lobbied Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley over the offences. In a letter to the Scotland Yard boss in February, Baroness D'Souza complained about being fined 400 for speeding offences for breaching a 20mph limit. She whined the offences were also due to result in 12 points on her driving licence. Baroness D'Souza claimed, if this meant she lost her driving licence, should would have to 'give up attending Parliament'. 'I live deep in the countryside with no local bus services and unsuitable train schedules,' she added. The top peer asked Sir Mark if this was 'a fair response for exceeding the speed limit while we are all still learning what a 20-mile speed actually feels like?'. 'Who can say if my speedometer or your radar is entirely accurate in recording 21 miles instead of 20,' she added in her letter, which was sent on House of Lords headed paper. Baroness D'Souza, the former Lord Speaker, is facing an eight-week suspension from the House of Lords after she moaned to police about 'unfair' speeding penalties In a letter to Scotland Yard boss Sir Mark Rowley in February, Baroness D'Souza complained about being fined 400 for speeding offences for breaching a 20mph limit Baroness D'Souza did acknowledge that Sir Mark, who oversees policing in the capital and leads on Britain's counter-terrorism efforts, had 'much other business to deal with' Baroness D'Souza did acknowledge that Sir Mark, who oversees policing in the capital and leads on Britain's counter-terrorism efforts, had 'much other business to deal with'. 'I apologise for bothering your office with such a trivial matter,' she added. Following her letter to Sir Mark, the Met Police contacted the House of Lords' commissioner for standards. An investigation by the commissioner subsequently found that Baroness D'Souza breached peers' code of conduct by seeking to influence a police investigation. The House of Lords conduct committee has now accepted the commissioner's recommendation that she be suspended. If approved by her fellow peers, Baroness D'Souza is set to serve an eight-week ban from the Lords. In her appeal to the committee, the former Lord Speaker admitted her letter was 'inappropriate', adding that 'with the benefit of hindsight, I deeply regret it'. But she claimed she had attempted to 'open a conversation with an appropriate authority' about the 20-mph speed limit. She also revealed she had been advised by a fellow peer to write to Sir Mark, with whom she had 'a previous acquaintance'. Baroness D'Souza had sought to appeal the 'unduly severe' eight-week suspension, but had her appeal rejected by the committee. When she was Lord Speaker between 2011 and 2016, Baroness D'Souza was criticised for billing taxpayers thousands of pounds in expenses. This included a 230 bill keeping a chauffeur-driven car waiting for some four hours while she watched an opera a mile from Parliament. An Eastern European grooming gang who raped vulnerable teenage girls they met in a park are facing jail. Codrin Dura, 27, Leonard Paun, 23, Stefan Ciuraru, 22, Bogdan Gugiuman, 44, and Klaudio Aleksiu, 28, have all been found guilty of committing serious sex offences against a total of six teenagers in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. Some of the victims were vulnerable and felt beholden to the older men - four of whom are from Romania and one from Albania - who bought them cigarettes and alcohol in exchange for sexual favours, Newcastle Crown Court was told. The trial was also heard that one of the victims was a 14-year-old girl who was left addicted to cocaine and passed around for sex. The five men, as well as another defendant who was cleared of all charges, had denied offences including rape, arranging the commission of a child sex offence, sexual assault and drug supply during a trial that started in August. But they were found guilty today of the offences, which took place between 2015 and 2019. Prosecutor Anne Richardson told the court: 'Some of the girls who make these allegations were, the Crown submits, were immature, vulnerable, seeking to please. 'The Crown's case is these personality traits were exploited by some of the defendants, to a greater or lesser extent and a number of the complainants were bought or given alcohol and or cigarettes in exchange for sexual favours.' Leonard Paun (pictured) was found guilty of five counts of rape, two counts of arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence, sexual activity with a child, sexual assault, supplying a Class A drug and distributing photos of a child Codrin Dura (pictured) was found guilty of four counts of rape, four counts of sexual activity with a child, blackmail, attempted rape, serious sexual assault, supplying a Class A drug and arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence Stefan Ciuraruis (pictured) was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault, sexual activity with a child and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity Miss Richardson said some of the girls were 'exploited and encouraged to engage in sexual activity' not because they wanted to, but 'because they felt beholden and in some cases enthralled'. The prosecutor also told the court that while some of the sex offences took place in a park, others took place at a 'prostitute's house' and some were in various places in the town. All five men have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. Judge Tim Gittins told the men that a prison sentence was 'likely' because they had been 'convicted of serious sexual offences against young women'. The judge said it is hoped the sentence hearing will take place within the next six weeks and advised the defendants to cooperate with the preparation of pre-sentence reports. Dura, 27, of Ripon Street, Gateshead, was found guilty of four counts of rape, four counts of sexual activity with a child, blackmail, attempted rape, serious sexual assault, supplying a Class A drug, and arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence. Paun, 23, of Windsor Avenue, Gateshead, was found guilty of five counts of rape, two counts of arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence, sexual activity with a child, sexual assault, supplying a Class A drug, distributing photos of a child. Ciuraru, 22, of Brinkburn Avenue, Gateshead, was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault, sexual activity with a child, and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Gugiuman, 44, of Westbourne Avenue, Gateshead, was found guilty of three counts of rape, and supplying a Class A drug. Aleksiu, 28, of Church Terrace, Windsor, was found guilty of rape. Klaudio Aleksiu (pictured) was found guilty of rape Bodgan Gugiuman (pictured) was found guilty of three counts of rape and supplying a Class A drug Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police, said: 'Firstly, I want to start by praising the bravery, composure and dignity of the victims in this case. 'This has been a complex investigation which has taken time and support will continue to be available to them. 'Every child has the right to grow up safe from harm but for these girls their childhood was snatched from them in the cruellest of ways. 'The perpetrators in this case have committed horrific offences for which they have now been found guilty. 'I would like to further thank my colleagues and partners who worked tirelessly to help ensure they were brought to justice.' He added: 'We would encourage anyone who has been the victim of any form of abuse no matter when it took place to come forward. 'We want our message to be a clear one we are here for you. We will listen and we will treat you with empathy, compassion and respect.' Charlotte Dennison, Head of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit at CPS North East said: 'Those convicted today each played a part in grooming vulnerable girls into sexual activity, with some of the victims being exploited by multiple men after being plied with drugs and alcohol. 'For some of the victims, what began as a relationship with one person descended into them being passed between group members, where they were routinely abused while heavily intoxicated. 'The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with Northumbria Police to build a robust case against these men. Their abuse of these girls has had a lasting and traumatic effect upon them, which continues to impact on their mental and emotional wellbeing into their adult life. 'We hope that, for each of them, they can take some measure of comfort from knowing that they have played a part in helping us to secure these convictions against their abusers today.' Influencer Emilie Kiser has hit back at critics who accused her of not grieving the death of her 3-year-old son, Trigg, 'properly' after his drowning earlier this year. In a tearful TikTok posted Monday, the 26-year-old said she is 'very much grieving' and 'very much going through a lot right now,' adding that social media only shows 'such a small, small, small sliver' of her life. 'I'm doing my best, and I'm showing a very small portion because I'm not ready to share other things,' she said. 'I'm not ready to talk about other things, and that is okay. 'Those are the things that I am unpacking in my therapy sessions and with professionals and with my family. Those are not things that I think I should be coming on the internet and unpacking with millions of people.' Kiser said she feels 'ready to return to work in some sense of normalcy' but is 'not ready to talk about anything about what happened to him,' adding that she is 'very much processing the loss of my son.' 'But I still think it's important to share this because I'm just not ready,' she added. The mom-of-two explained that she's 'not sharing my kids anymore,' including her surviving son Teddy, who was born in March, and that online viewers are seeing only 'the moments that I can bear to film.' 'It kind of helps me step out of my reality for a second and do my job, which I very much enjoy,' she said. 'I genuinely enjoy content creation. That's why I do it.' Influencer Emilie Kiser, 26, broke down in tears on TikTok as she defended her decision not to publicly discuss the drowning death of her 3-year-old son, Trigg Kiser told followers she is very much grieving but not ready to talk about what happened, urging critics to remember social media shows only a small sliver of her life (Pictured: her husband Brady holding their new son Teddy and Emilie holding her three-year-old Trigg) Kiser grew emotional as she addressed those who have questioned her behavior online, saying: 'Unless you have lost someone and gone through grief, you will not understand what you would do or how you would act, because you just have never had to be in that position - and I hope you never have to be. 'Everybody loses someone or something at some point in their lives, but losing a child is literally the worst pain. And I would not want anybody to go through it. 'For people to say, "If this were me, I would just be crippled, and I would be thinking about them all day, and I wouldn't be able to continue on," do you not think that everywhere I look in my house, I don't see my child?' she continued. 'His photos are everywhere. His artwork is everywhere. I love that because he's my child and I never want to forget him. But I'm not showing that on camera. I'm not showing you all those things. Literally just trying to do anything to bring a little bit of joy to my life right now.' Police in Chandler, Arizona, confirmed that Trigg was found unconscious in the family's backyard pool in May and could not be revived. Authorities said the toddler was pulled from the pool on May 12 and later pronounced dead on May 18 after being airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital. Officers were first on the scene and performed CPR before firefighters took over Two months later, investigators forwarded a charge recommendation for Kiser's husband, Brady, who was home at the time, but prosecutors declined to move forward, citing 'no likelihood of conviction.' Police reports stated that Brady was home alone with the couple's two sons when he became distracted by their infant, Teddy, and lost sight of Trigg for several minutes. The Chandler, Arizona, Police Department confirmed Trigg was found unconscious in the familys backyard pool in May and later pronounced dead at Phoenix Childrens Hospital (Pictured: Emilie Kiser, Brady, and Trigg at their son's birthday party) After months offline, Kiser returned to social media in August, saying loss of this magnitude feels impossible to put into words and calling Trigg our baby and our best friend He later told investigators he found the child in the pool, jumped in, and called 911. Kiser stayed offline for several months before returning in August, writing on Instagram that 'loss of this magnitude feels impossible to put into words.' She said she had spent 'days, weeks, months' trying to process her son's death and 'take the time I've needed to digest the loss of my baby.' She continued: 'Trigg is our baby and our best friend. The light and spirit he brought into this world was bright, pure, joyful and undeniable. We miss him every second of every day and continuing forward often feels unbearable. I never thought we would experience grief in this way or the pain of losing him so suddenly.' Kiser said that 'no family should ever have to endure' the 'pain, heartache and void' her family has experienced. 'I take full accountability as Trigg's mother, and I know I should have done more to protect him,' she wrote. 'One of the hardest lessons I carry is that a permanent pool fence could have saved his life, and it's something I will never overlook again. I hope amidst this pain, Trigg's story will help prevent other children and families from suffering the same loss.' She went on to thank her family for their 'unconditional love' and her audience for their 'kind messages.' Following the incident, Kiser filed a lawsuit in June asking the court to block the public release of investigative records. Court filings described her as 'a mother living every parent's worst nightmare.' A judge later granted temporary confidentiality to protect her privacy while balancing public access. Her husband, Brady Kiser, was home at the time and told police he became distracted by their infant son before realizing Trigg had fallen into the water Kiser said she hopes her sons story will help prevent similar tragedies, adding, A permanent pool fence could have saved his life - its something I will never overlook again In a later statement, she wrote, 'The only way through grief is to keep going minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, and every moment since that day I've done my best to keep picking myself up.' She also reflected on the limits of social media, writing, 'I have always been my authentic self online but I now see through this tragedy how relationships online lack boundaries, especially in protecting children's privacy.' Emilie and Brady, who married in 2020, welcomed Trigg Chapman Kiser in July 2021 and their second son, Teddy, in March 2025. Known for her family and motherhood videos, Emilie has more than three million followers across TikTok and Instagram. Donald Trump refused to let a historic Middle East peace deal delay him from honoring a fallen friend. As White House aides rushed to arrange Trump's last-minute trip to sign the monumental Gaza peace agreement, the President issued one non-negotiable demand: be back by Tuesday, October 14 what would have been Charlie Kirk's 32nd birthday, the day he's posthumously awarding Kirk the Medal of Freedom. 'He's a friend of mine, a friend of all of ours, a friend of all the people right here,' Trump said Friday evening in the Oval Office, vowing to return in time for 'a great celebration' of Kirk's legacy with his widow Erika and a gathering of the conservative leader's closest allies. To make it back in time, Trump left immediately after signing the monumental peace deal in Egypt and his historic address to the Knesset with Israeli leaders. He flew back to Washington, DC on Air Force One, arriving at 2.57am in Tuesday morning. Just 13 hours later, Trump is scheduled to appear in the White House to keep his promise to Erika and all their friends. Erika and her Turning Point lieutenants, friends and allies of their mission have gathered in Washington to mark the occasion, grateful to the President for keeping his commitment even amid the whirlwind of global events. Donald Trump arrives back in Washington, DC early this morning after jetting back from Egypt Charlie and Erika Kirk at Trump's inauguration this year. The President will host an event today to reflect on the late conservative activist's legacy It was classic Trump, they reflected, fully committed to the Turning Point family despite historical achievements for his presidency. The White House Medal of Freedom ceremony will give them the chance to come together again and reflect on Kirk's legacy but also find renewed focus and purpose to keep his mission alive. Friday marked the one-month milestone since their friend was assassinated, shattering their worlds beyond imagination. Erika will attend the ceremony, the first public event since her monumental speech at her husband's funeral when she moved the nation by forgiving her husband's suspected killer. Since then, she has withdrawn to grieve, but behind the scenes she and her allies are determined to keep her husband's work going. The entire organization rallied to Erika's side as she first vowed to keep Kirk's flame alive and was anointed as the new chief executive of the organization that he had built. Each of Kirk's colleagues, shocked by the horror of the assassination of their friend, vowed to step up to fill the hole they all felt. Turning Point USA contributor Jack Posobiec speaks at a vigil for Kirk last month Political commentator and YouTuber Benny Johnson speaks at a memorial for Kirk Kirk's friends and allies spoke to the Daily Mail about the last month at Turning Point since the events of September 10 shattered their lives. The last thing Kirk would want, they agreed, was for his team to fall apart. 'Charlie was about the mission,' Kirk's friend and prominent conservative podcaster Jack Posobiec told the Daily Mail. 'Charlie was all about saying, what's the next mountain?' he added. 'And then we're going to climb that mountain. And then once you, once you get to the top of that mountain, he would say, Okay, where's the next mountain?' They agreed that Trump's success at reaching a peace deal in Gaza and Israel would have been the rare moment where Kirk would have paused briefly to celebrate a victory for the movement. But today, they will pause and reflect on how they have honored their friend in his absence. Erika moved quickly to assume command of Turning Point, inspiring everyone in the organization to unite despite their grief. 'That was totally her call, and we were there to support her,' Posobiec reflected. 'No one was better suited to serve as the fierce protector,' Posobiec said. 'She was the person that Charlie would go and confide to about everything.' Erika was intimately familiar with Kirk's struggles and questions about how to handle donors, media, friends, enemies and the big decisions. 'She was Charlie's heart, she was building hand in glove with Charlie,' Johnson reflected. While the rest of the world was still grieving, Erika appeared within the organization to deliver her remarks and urge the entire team to greatness. 'There was just unbelievable strength, absolutely unbelievable strength and a giant heart, just absolutely amazing,' Posobiec reflected afterward to the Daily Mail. Andrew Kolvet, Kirk's executive producer of his podcast and the spokesman for the organization, was quite comfortable in his role behind the scenes, working every day to communicate with his boss and spread his message across the planet. After her husband's death, Erika reminded Kolvet of his duty to act as a spokesman, urging him to move in front of the camera. Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet speaks during a memorial service for Kirk Erika makes her first public address after the death of her husband on September 12 'The way to dishonor him was to curl up into a ball and cry and give up,' conservative media luminary Benny Johnson told the Daily Mail. Other background figures in the organization including his show producer Blake Neff, his chief of staff Mikey McCoy have also stepped up in front of the cameras, operating as 'Charlie GPT,' Kolvet joked. With hours of video footage of Kirk's message, every day, they piece together what he would want them to do in the present moment. Kirk's chair on the show remains conspicuously empty, a sign they know that there will never be another Charlie Kirk. But in his absence, they stepped up to try and fill his shoes, with well-laid instructions from their leader. Kirk had left behind a blueprint for the organization until 2030, Turning Point executives revealed. Under the guidance of Turning Point COO Justin Streiff, the organization has already doubled in size since Kirk's death. College events are overflowing with attendees, even in remote places like Montana and North Dakota. The biggest problem is where to put them all. In the past month, there have been 350,000 new student sign-ups and over 130,000 requests to launch new college and high school chapters. It's rare for an organization to only get bigger after the founder passes. His friends believe that's the ultimate testament of his legacy. 'You're never going to get another Charlie Kirk,' Posobiec told the Daily Mail. 'But if you put everybody together, you might get the outline of who Charlie Kirk was.' A DNA test on a Polish woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann 'conclusively proves' she is not the missing child, the officer in charge of the search told a court. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell said a sample was taken from Julia Wandelt when she was arrested in February and compared with Madeleine's. Asked what the results showed he replied: 'A comparison took place and it conclusively proved that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann.' Wandelt, 24, is on trial accused of stalking Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry between June 2022 and February 2025, bombarding them with phone calls, letters and messages claiming to be their daughter and even turning up at their home in Rothley, Leics, to demand a DNA test. Prosecutors say Wandelt carried out a 'well-planned campaign of harassment' against the McCanns that lasted almost three years, along with 'supporter and confidante' Karen Spragg, 61, who is also on trial, and who is said to have 'adopted and evolved' her bogus claims 'with gusto' from last year onwards. They both deny the charges. Detective chief inspector Mark Cranwell from Operation Grange, the Met police investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine Julia Wandelt, 24, was informed of the DNA results in April, the court heard today Karen Spragg, 61, is on trial alongside Wandelt, accused of stalking the McCanns Giving evidence on Tuesday, Mr Cranwell, a senior investigating officer from Operation Grange, the Metropolitan police investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, said by the start of the year, he believed Wandelt's conducted had 'reached the threshold for harassment'. He said he made the decision to take a DNA sample to 'prove or disprove' her claims even though it was against 'procedure' and was aware of the 'potential ramifications'. He said: 'It weighed heavily on my mind because this was against policy and procedure'. He said he was also worried Wandelt would not accept the results and 'would suggest we have tampered with the sample'. 'There was a possibility she would never accept she isn't Madeleine even when provided with scientific proof.' He said if it became known police had ordered a DNA comparison, it could also lead to a 'series of people coming forward saying they are Madeleine' but added: 'I believed it was the right thing to do.' A court sketch of Wandelt and Spragg in the dock at Leicester Crown Court, where they are on trial accused of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann have both given evidence describing the 'distress' Wandelt's actions have caused them Asked by Michael Duck KC, prosecuting, what the 'driving force behind that view was?' he replied: 'To get the results to prove that she isn't Madeleine and inform her of that decision in the hope she may stop her behaviour towards the McCann family'. Mr Duck said: 'Do you think that would be achieved? Mr Cranwell replied: 'I was skeptical and nervous'. The court was told the DNA sample would have to be given voluntarily, and Wandelt agreed. Mr Cranwell said: 'I was weighing up the best time to take the DNA, I was aware Leicestershire [police] were likely to be arresting her at some point and I made the decision the DNA would be taken on her arrest.' The sample was taken in February this year after she and Spragg were arrested at Bristol airport. Asked what the results showed he replied: 'A comparison took place and it conclusively proved that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann.' Mr Cranwell said he and a colleague then visited Wandelt in Peterborough prison on April 1 this year to tell her the results. He said he told her: 'A sample was a taken from you when you were in custody. 'I went on to say your sample was submitted to the laboratory and a profile was established for you. 'This has now been compared to the profile of Madeleine McCann, they do not match, you are not Madeleine McCann'. Mr Cranwell said Wandelt asked him about a test she had taken, which she earlier claimed showed was an almost 70 per cent match to DNA found at the crime scene in Portugal. Mr Cranwell said he told her: 'I can't comment on work done by other people.' 'She also asked me did you really want to find Madeleine? To which myself and colleague Gary replied 'yes'. Earlier, Mr Cranwell told the court a total of 12 people had come forward claiming to be Madeleine. He said Operation Grange was once a 'full time' operation. But he said it had now been reduced to him working on it one day a week, his deputy also working one day a week, and another detective employed for two days per week. He added the investigation worked with the Portuguese and 'latterly' the German authorities - with the 'German aspect' including looking into 'an individual with the initials CB'. This is understood to refer to prime suspect Christian Brueckner, who denies involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. The court heard there were over 42,000 documents in Operation Grange's current system, with 21,000 'nominals' named - with 'nominal one' being Madeleine, and others including police officers, witnesses, and anyone else who had come into contact with the case. DCI Cranwell added over 11,838 'actions' had been carried out, and more than 22,000 emails received. Asked by Mr Duck how many times the inquiry had 'encountered individuals who claimed to be Madeleine McCann', he replied that nine had been revealed by searching the system with the terms 'I am Madeleine', and that a further three were then discovered. All had come forward after 2021, Mr Cranwell said, with 'parameters' put in place after 2022 to 'triage' any claims. In respect of the nine women who were found via the 'I am Madeleine' search, he told jurors they 'looked if anyone had submitted photos and did a visual comparison. The detective added: 'Madeleine had a very distinctive eye pigmentation and it was very easy to discount anyone who did not have that pigmentation. 'Those that did enclose photos, we made an assessment and re-engaged to either get more photos or more background. To establish whether there was a possibility they could be Madeleine McCann. 'Ultimately I was the decision-maker whether anyone would be suitable for further work. 'It was almost like a triage process. It was only right that I made those decisions.' Mr Cranwell said Operation Grange had never taken a DNA profile from a person claiming to be Madeleine, although within the last two months a woman had sent a profile in and asked it to be compared to the sample the inquiry had on file. He added that was indeed compared 'because it was an easy process and could put her mind at rest'. However, Mr Cranwell said: 'Taking DNA was a last resort. If I got to that stage I was working with or talking to someone who is Madeleine McCann. At that stage it would have been to prove or disprove. 'My policy decision is we would not taken DNA unless we believed that person was Madeleine. I did not want to set a precedent. If it became known in the media that I had taken the DNA of an individual, I was concerned I would have had a lot of people come forward saying, 'I was Madeleine', and set a precedent, and there would be an expectation.' Asked what his concerns were of the effect on the McCann family of taking DNA from individuals who came forward, he replied: 'I genuinely had major concerns about approaching the family. 'That could have raised their hopes and it could have been done multiple times and been quite emotionally damaging and difficult for the family. 'I had a responsibility to the investigation and family to be prudent with that decision making.' Asked about what his thoughts were in relation to Wandelt's claim, Mr Cranwell said: When I make any assessment I base it on age, physical features, and most importantly eye pigmentation. That would be the major criteria, and professional judgement. 'My initial assessment and subsequent assessment was that she was not Madeleine McCann. 'My understanding was Julia had a similar eye pigmentation but it was in a different place within the eye. The iris was a different colour as well. 'On my direction, being completely satisfied that Julia was not Madeleine, I said to DC Mark Draycott please speak to her and inform her we do not believe she is not Madeleine and we are satisfied she is not Madeleine.' He added that the 'feedback' he received was that Wandelt was 'relieved'. The court also heard that in February 2023, after Wandelt began contacting the family again, officers showed the McCanns images of her for the first time. DCI Cranwell said: 'I genuinely thought if i took and compared and it had been negative i could have explained to Julia she is not Madeleine and it may have stopped this pattern of behaviour 'The McCann family had seen photos and were satisfied it was not Madeleine.' But after Wandelt stepped up her alleged harassment and began contacting Madeleine's siblings, DCI Cranwell said he made a 'change of decision' and sought DNA from her. Last week the court heard Detective Constable Mark Draycott had ruled out Wandelt after studying photos she had sent and comparing them with the missing girl, who had a small blemish called a coloboma of the iris on her right eye. He added: 'We were already aware of the condition in Madeleine's eye. 'We were able to make that professional opinion relating to that. 'The experts said it wouldn't have faded in that time. The medical expertise is that it couldn't move and couldn't fade. We had already worked on facial recognition, etcetera, etcetera.' On Monday, jurors at Leicester Crown Court were played voicemail messages left by Wandelt in which she claimed Madeleine was not dead. They also heard messages begging Ms McCann for a DNA test, claiming she was a 69.23% genetic match to samples from the 'crime scene' contained in the Portuguese police files into Madeleine's disappearance, which are online. In one message, she told Ms McCann: 'You are my mother, it's science, no one can deny it.' In another, she said: 'I am not a scammer, I am your daughter.' She also explained away differences between her and Madeleine's appearance by saying she was 'ugly and fat because of medication I was given', and claims to remember trying to shout 'mummy and daddy' on the night the three-year-old disappeared in Portugal in 2007. The trial continues. A 42-year-old Polish woman has been found 'days away from death' after she was allegedly kept locked in her room by her parents for 27 years. The victim, named only as Mirrella, was last seen in public in 1998 when she was 15 in the city of Swietochowice in southern Poland. It is claimed that her parents had told neighbours that the teenager had gone missing, but after nearly three decades, the emaciated woman was discovered by cops. Police had been called to an apartment block back in July after neighbours reported hearing a disturbance. Deputy Inspector Anna Hryniak told Polish newspaper Fakt that the landlady, 82, denied there being any altercation. Cops then spoke to Mirrella, who assured them that everything was fine, but police quickly noticed injuries on her legs and decided to call an ambulance. Although the woman was found over the summer, it has only now been reported after locals decided to start a fundraiser to help Mirrella. One of the organisers posted on social media: 'Doctors determined that she was only days away from death due to infection. Mirrella pictured in hospital Mirella, 42, was found 'days away from death' after she was allegedly kept locked in her room by her parents for 27 years The woman was last seen in public in 1998 when she was 15. It is claimed that her parents had told neighbours she had disappeared 'She has been in hospital for two months now due to her critical condition. 'People who knew Mirella thought she left her "family" home almost 30 years ago. 'Unfortunately, the truth turned out to be different. 'Much remains unknown, and several facts cannot be revealed at this stage. One thing is certain: the truth must come to light as to why this young, healthy 15-year-old stopped leaving her home and disappeared without a trace. 'It is unimaginable to spend so much time in one room. 'She herself says that she has never even seen her city develop, that it is behind in everything, that she has missed out on so many things, she has never been to a doctor, never obtained an ID card, never gone for a simple walk or even to the balcony Police found the woman after neighbours reported a disturbance. They noticed injuries on her legs and took her to hospital, where she remains in critical condition 'She's never been to a dentist or a hairdresser. 'Her hair and teeth are in critical condition, even threatening her health, so visits to a private clinic are now necessary.' Prosecutor Agnieszka Kwatera confirmed that an investigation has been opened. The shocking case comes after a six-year-old girl who was kept locked inside her room her whole life was rescued last week by Brazilian police. The child, who was found in a state of neglect, was removed from her parents' care after cops received an anonymous tip about her welfare, Brazilian news outlet Universo Online reports. She never attended school, had not received any vaccinations and didn't know how to speak, prompting authorities to rescue her from her family home in the city of Sorocaba in Sao Paulo state. Speaking about the state the six-year-old was found in, child protection counsellors Ligia Guerra said: 'The girl was very apathetic and dazzled by everything.' She added that the child's hair was 'tangled' and looked 'as if it had never been washed'. According to Guerra, the girl had not eaten anything that day, with police confirming she only ate liquids. She is also said to have communicated with counsellors and police officers through sounds. After being removed from her parents' care, the six-year-old was sent to hospital to undergo a medical examination and was afterwards put into a children's home. Red Cross teams are searching Gaza's ruins for deceased hostages who were held in Gaza after Israel warned Hamas it had until tonight to return the remaining bodies. However, the International Committee of the charity said it may take considerable time to hand over the remains of hostages and detainees killed in the Israel-Hamas war. It said it was a 'massive challenge' given the difficulties of finding bodies in Gaza's rubble. Palestinian militant group Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza on Monday under a ceasefire deal, and Israel sent home busloads of Palestinian detainees as U.S. President Donald Trump declared an end to the two-year war. But only four coffins containing the remains of deceased hostages have so far been returned to Israel, leaving over 20 bodies yet to be located. For its part, Israel is supposed to hand over an unspecified number of Palestinian bodies. 'The search for human remains is obviously an even bigger challenge than having the people alive being released. That's a massive challenge,' ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon said at a Geneva press briefing, adding it could take days or weeks. 'I think there is clearly a risk that that will take much more time. What we are telling the parties is that that should be their top priority,' he said on Tuesday. The Geneva-based ICRC said it is providing an additional 23 staff, body bags and refrigerated vehicles to ensure the deceased are handled with respect and dignity within Gaza, which was reduced to widespread rubble by the war. A team of Red Cross experts seen driving through Gaza today. They are moving towards the 'Kissufim', where they hope to find the remains of hostages who died in captivity The 24 dead hostages whose bodies remain in Gaza. Bereaved families have expressed anger and frustration that their loved ones' bodies have not been returned 'All parties must ensure that the return of human remains is done under dignified conditions, and uphold dignity and humanity,' the ICRC added in a statement. Cardon declined to discuss further details about the possible whereabouts of the deceased hostages, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing operation. It is, however, feared that some of the remains may never be located. Cardon praised the fact that the handover of the 20 living hostages on Monday was done discreetly, without a repeat of the Hamas-directed hostage release ceremonies of previous transfers. The ICRC, a neutral humanitarian intermediary, has facilitated the transfer of 172 hostages and 3,473 Palestinian detainees since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023. The Red Cross' involvement in the search for bodies comes as Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces had killed six Palestinians in separate incidents on Tuesday, while the military reported its troops had opened fire on suspects who approached their positions. Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency, which operates as a rescue force under Hamas, said five people were killed as they inspected their homes in the Shujaiya district of Gaza City. 'Israeli quadcopter drones opened fire on civilians inspecting their homes in Shujaiya,' Bassal said. The Israeli military said its troops fired after 'several suspects were identified crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip'. 'Attempts were made to distance the suspects,' the statement said. 'The suspects did not comply and continued approaching the troops, who opened fire to remove the threat.' It also comes as the bereaved families of those killed in Gaza expressed anger that their loved ones' remains were not returned. The Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum called it a 'blatant breach' of the ceasefire and urged the government to take 'immediate action'. It said: 'We expect Israel's government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice.' 'The families of the deceased hostages are enduring especially difficult days filled with deep sorrow. 'We will not abandon any hostage. The mediators must enforce the agreement's terms and ensure Hamas pays a price for this violation.' The group also penned a letter to US special envoy Steve Witkoff to 'pull out every stop and leave no stone unturned' in ensuring the return of the deceased. One of the stipulations of Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan was that Hamas would release all hostages - dead or alive - within 72 hours of Israel agreeing to the deal. It is now believed that some of the bodies have been lost and buried under the ruins of Gaza. In addition to the Red Cross' efforts, a joint multinational task force involving Israel, the US, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt has been established to locate the bodies. Authorities indicated that the task force would be deployed following the identification of the four bodies that Hamas sent. Meanwhile, this morning, the IDF revealed that it had identified the four bodies. The military named 26-year-old Israeli national Guy Iluz and 22-year-old Nepalese agriculture student Bipin Joshi. Today, the IDF revealed that Bipin Joshi was one of the deceased returned by Hamas yesterday Guy Illuz, 26, was also identified by the IDF. The army said he tried to hide in a tree but was later captured. He was wounded and alive when he was taken, but later died due to a lack of medical treatment Israeli media named Yossi Sharabi as one of the bodies identified by the military Daniel Perez, 22, from Yad Binyamin, was killed in the fighting on October 7 and his body has been held in the Gaza Strip ever since The other two were named in Israeli media as Yossi Sharabi and Daniel Perez. Joshi had just arrived in Israel from Nepal just three weeks before the attacks. He was in the country for an agricultural training program. He is said to have saved his friends by catching a grenade that was thrown by Hamas before he was captured by the group. The IDF said it believed he was killed 'during the first months of the war'. Illuz, meanwhile, was among those captured during the Nova music festival. He reportedly fled and hid in a tree before the militants took him. Although he was wounded and captured alive, the IDF says he later succumbed to his wounds due to a lack of medical treatment while in captivity. According to reports, some families who were expecting to be reunited with their loved ones were later told they had died. Observers are now concerned that the peace plan to end the war may be at risk if the bodies of the dead are not recovered. According to Israeli reports, Israel is reconsidering its decision to reopen the Rafah border crossing, following Hamas' failure to return all dead hostages. An Iraqi refugee who hurled bricks at police and protesters during the Southport riots has been jailed. Aso Hassan was worshipping at a town mosque in Hanley on August 3, 2024 when he noticed police cordons in place outside. He grabbed a broom from his car and began waving it at anti-immigration protesters before stepping up his involvement in the incident. Stoke-on-Trent Court heard that he had played an 'active role' in the disorder that day - one of several demonstrations across the country following the Southport attacks that killed three young girls. Prosecutor David Bennett said Hassan had approached the cordon at 1.40pm. He added: 'Shortly afterwards, he was seen getting a broom from his car, which he waved at the opposing protestors. 'He then collected bricks from the car park. He threw these at police and opposing protestors on multiple occasions. 'At 1.50pm, he was seen at the back of the mosque, before running in the direction that leads towards Potteries Way. He threw something at protestors before being chased by a police dog. 'At 3pm, he was seen throwing stones at protestors again. He could be seen making hand gestures in an attempt to encourage conflict. He filmed the events on his mobile phone.' Aso Hassan (pictured) had been worshipping at a town mosque in Hanley on August 3, 2024 when he noticed police cordons in place outside Hundreds of protesters march the streets of Hanley as the town is crawls with riot police Staffordshire Police identified Hassan through bodycam footage. When quizzed by officers on February 17, Hassan admitted he was the individual captured in the recordings. However, he claimed that he didn't throw the stones 'any real distance' as he had suffered nerve damage in his right hand. Hassan also claimed he only participated in the rioting out of fear. Scott Ashdown, mitigating, said: 'Mr Hassan wishes to reassure the court that he is genuinely remorseful. He is here to accept the full extent of the prosecution's case. 'This includes the throwing of stones and the brandishing of the broom handle, which may have been perceived by others as threatening. 'He is of previous good character. This incident and his impulsive reaction is a blemish on his previously law-abiding conduct in this country. 'Character statements provided to the court say that he is a hard-working and charitable man. 'He is ashamed of his actions. He is especially ashamed as he came to this country from Iraq, with no formal education, fleeing persecution in 2019. 'He aspired to be a hard-working contributor to our society. All of these ambitions he managed until his disorderly conduct that day.' Hassan, of Josiah Wedgwood Street, Etruria, has been jailed for two years and three months for violent disorder. He must serve at least 40 per cent of his sentence behind bars before he is eligible for release. Judge Sally Hancox said: 'Lengthy and careful steps were taken by Staffordshire Police to identify those involved. You were one of those individuals. While you accepted your role, you downplayed your actions. 'You were seen bending down and picking something up. This is an action you made several times. You know your actions attracted police attention. You were chased by a police dog. But you still threw rocks at officers and a police van.' The prized gold pocket watches carried by Admiral Lord Nelson and his two trusty lieutenants at the Battle of Trafalgar have emerged for sale together for 1.2million. The British naval hero would constantly check his timepiece as he famously declared 'timing is everything - five minutes makes the difference between victory and defeat'. His watch, which was made by the Swiss-born London craftsman Josiah Emery, was likely a gift after his triumph Battle of the Nile, perhaps from his agent Alexander Davison or a grateful foreign ally. Nelson was killed by a French sniper after he masterminded his greatest triumph over the combined French and Spanish fleets on October 21, 1805. His timepiece features Emery's revolutionary lever escapement, a mechanism that set a new standard in 18th-century watchmaking. It was inserted into its current brass carriage clock case by Nelson's niece, Lady Bridport, in the 1840s. The clock that was made from Lord Nelson's watch. It is being sold with the pocket watches owned by Nelson's lieutenants The watch carried by Nelson's loyal flag captain Thomas Masterman Hardy It is going under the hammer alongside the watches carried by Nelson's second-in-command, Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, and his loyal flag captain Thomas Masterman Hardy. After urging his men to 'do their duty', Nelson was shot by a French sniper and carried below deck. According to the most popular account of his death, Nelson uttered the final words 'kiss me, Hardy' as his great friend comforted him. Collingwood wore a 1803 Thomas Moss watch, which was purchased during his final leave in England and later engraved with his coat of arms. Hardy's watch, a sturdy 1755 piece by Robert Holland, was likely a family heirloom that travelled with him through Cape St Vincent, the Nile, Copenhagen and finally Trafalgar. It was in his pocket as he held the dying Nelson in his arms. Nelson's second-in-command, Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, carried this 1803 Thomas Moss watch Collingwood's watch was purchased during his final leave in England and later engraved with his coat of arms After urging his men to 'do their duty', Nelson was shot by a French sniper After two centuries apart, the watches were reunited last year by a private collector, who is selling them at London-based auctioneers Spink & Son for an estimated 800,000 to 1.2million. The auctioneers say the sale offers collectors and historians a rare chance to acquire the timepieces that 'quite literally kept the time of victory'. The clock that was Nelson's watch bears the inscription: 'THE CHRONOMETER OF Horatio Viscount Nelson. 'WORN BY HIM AT THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR, placed in this case by his Niece, CHARLOTTE MARY, LADY BRIDPORT, to be preserved for any one of her descendents who may ENTER THE NAVY.' Tim Robson, Spink senior specialist, said: 'To handle the very watches consulted at Trafalgar is to hold a moment of history in one's hand. 'These are not merely artefacts; they are witnesses to the moment when Britain's naval supremacy was secured.' The sale takes place on December 9. Over 30 children were saved from child traffickers in San Antonio after authorities set up stings across the state to bust multiple repulsive operations. Operation Lighting Bug was a multi-agency initiative that targeted crimes against vulnerable youth and located missing children in San Antonio, Texas, from July 28 through August 15. It was a combined effort that resulted in several arrests, the recovery of sex trafficking survivors, and encouraged 120 additional missing juveniles to return home, resulting in cleared entries from state and national databases, according to a statement by the US Marshals. The US Marshals offices in San Antonio, Del Rio, Midland, and Pecos joined forces with SAPDs Missing Persons Unit, Special Victims Unit, covert units, and Street Crimes Unit, and members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force to help get these children to safety. Together, the departments reviewed every juvenile in the Texas Crime Information Center and National Crime Information Center databases for the San Antonio area, according to the release. With the information, they created strategies to recover the kids from across the state. The staggering results of the mission resulted in three arrests for harboring a runaway and nine felony arrest warrants executed. Officials were able to recover six trafficking survivors and opened five human trafficking investigations. Operation Lighting Bug was a multi-agency initiative that targeted crimes against vulnerable youth and located missing children in San Antonio Over 30 children were saved from child traffickers in San Antonio after authorities set up stings across the state to bust multiple repulsive operations (stock image) After the children were rescued, the Special Victims Unit detectives conducted interviews to identify if they were victims of any sort. Survivors were given access to victim services through partner organizations, including the Health and Human Services agency, said officials. Official statements mirrored the mission's objective - U.S. Marshal Susan Pamerleau for the Western District of Texas said: 'The safety of our children is the safety of our communities, and justice demands that we protect those who cannot protect themselves. 'Through Operation Lightning Bug, we reaffirm our promise to safeguard the most vulnerable and strengthen the safety of our communities.' San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus said: 'Every suspect arrested, juvenile returned home, and survivor taken out of harm's way matters.' 'This operation demonstrates what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies unite to protect children.' Kirsta Leeberg-Melton, founder and CEO of the Institute to Combat Trafficking, explained to Fox 5 that there is a larger issue of exploitation not only in Texas but across the nation: 'Trafficking is something that the city of San Antonio and the state of Texas and the nation have been grappling with for a considerable period of time.' It was a combined effort that resulted in several arrests, the recovery of sex trafficking survivors, and encouraged 120 additional missing juveniles to return home Survivors were given access to victim services through partner organizations, including the Health and Human Services agency '(Children) are easy pickings for traffickers to take advantage of. They exploit these needs by offering those items and then calling in debts and putting those kids in a position where they are able to exploit them for sex or for labor.' Leeberg-Melton further explained to the outlet that trafficking is far more widespread than people believe and explained how it has evolved and weaponized the internet: 'What hasnt really been around is peoples understanding of that crime and their knowledge that its happening everywhere! 'As technology advances, traffickersare early adopters and adapters of technology. The internet allows them to connect with victims and buyers far beyond their local area.' She added that trafficking is not a new issue: 'Trafficking is the exploitation of men, women, and children for forced sex or forced labor by a third party for their profit or gain. Thats been around forever.' A Philadelphia family court judge is brazenly gunning for yet another 10-year term despite his 16 overturned rulings for cases that may have left minors in dangerous situations. Judge Daine Grey received the overturned rulings by Pennsylvanias Superior Court because of his allegedly 'harmful orders and courtroom etiquette', the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The Superior Court has overturned about one in every six of Greys decisions that were appealed - the highest rate among judges handling similar family court cases in Philadelphia. In response, Grey told the Daily Mail that out of his 10 years in this field and over a thousand cases he has taken on, about 16 were overturned. One of those cases involved a mother in a mental health crisis, threatening to kill herself and her four-year-old daughter, the Inquirer reported. The woman had a history of abusing her other child, who currently lives with his father. She was also committed to a psychiatric facility after choking out a family member. Philadelphia Department of Human Services retrieved the girl and temporarily removed her from the mothers care, adding their recommendation of her staying with the father indefinitely. Despite the nature of the case, Grey ordered the the four-year-old back to her mother in May 2024 - without hearing evidence that the woman's mental health issues were under control. He told the outlet his final conclusion derived from evidence only about the father, that was provided by DHS. Judge Daine Grey received the overturned rulings by Pennsylvania s Superior Court because of his dangerous orders and courtroom etiquette The Philadelphia family court judge is gunning for another 10-year term despite his 16 overturned rulings The Family Court of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 'There was nothing presented with regard to mom,' he said to the Inquirer. 'It seems as though the Superior Court had more information than I did.' The appeals court opinion refuted his statement, saying the mother's mental health issues were explicitly detailed and that it was his job to conduct a thorough review before coming to a conclusion. He later reviewed two other child abuse cases that were ultimately overturned by the superior court. He concluded in both that a rare genetic disorder could be why an infants' bones were broken, despite medical expertise that contrasted this. Grey told the Inquirer he relied on the evidence and experts in each case. The Superior Court Judges even wrote in one reversal that they were 'appalled' by his decision to return a neglected baby back to its dangerous home. 'We are appalled by the trial courts willingness to give full physical and legal custody of a less than six month-old infant to a Mother who had never cared for Child, [and] had not visited the Child regularly,' the Superior Court wrote in January 2025. The mother was already deemed unsuitable and disclaimed interest in caring for the child, they added. Despite acknowledging that he has made several errors in past cases, Grey insisted that reversals are only a small part of the volume of cases he's reviewed. 'The cases in between matter,' he said. 'You cant get a real flavor of whats going on if you dont know whats happening in between.' The Philadelphia Bar Associated did not recommend Grey for the next 10-year term Caseworkers also told the Inquirer they felt like they 'were walking on eggshells' every time they stepped in his 'hostile' courtroom. Gabriel Li, secretary-treasurer of AFSCME Local 2187 -- the union that represents DHS employees -- told the Inquirer: '[Grey is] very erratic in the courtroom.' Meanwhile, other anonymous sources described Grey's courtroom presence as 'intense,' 'traumatic,' and 'almost abusive.' Grey told the outlet that while he doesn't raise his voice, he believes an emotional response is justified at times. 'Ive yelled at social workers for not doing their job and not knowing whats going on,' he said. 'Ive yelled at attorneys for not knowing whats going on or being prepared or making a recommendation for their client, when its clear that something has to be done. Ive yelled at parents for not doing what they need to do to properly parent. Ive tried to connect with people.' Grey also told the Daily Mail if he is hard on someone, it is because he cares. Attorney Karen Williams defended Grey's character calling him a 'rare parent friendly' judge. 'Parent friendly means that for Black men he is welcoming. He applauds their capabilities,' she said to the Inquirer. She praised him for always doing what he thinks is right, adding: 'hes not going to be cowed by being overturned.' 'The Philadelphia Inquirer article is unfair and completely one-sided,' he said in a statement to the Daily Mail. He was elected in 2015 as judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Bar Associated did not recommend him for the next 10-year term. Firefighters in Connecticut tore through the walls of a family's home to rescue a kitten trapped deep inside a chimney only to find the little furball completely unfazed by the chaos around it. The Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department said crews were called to the home Monday night after the kitten's owners heard faint cries coming from behind the basement wall. 'When Chief Morgan arrived on scene, she found a little fluffy white ball of fur 6 1/2 feet down the chimney easy, open cleanout and rescue kitten, right?, not,' the department wrote on Facebook. The fireplace, officials said, had been abandoned years earlier, and the basement had since been finished with layers of sheetrock and spray foam insulation covering the chimney. 'After taking some measurements, removing the sheetrock and insulation the cleanout was found and opened butthe kitten was not there,' firefighters said. Still visible at the bottom of the fireplace, the tiny cat proved elusive. 'The firefighters could still see the kitten at the bottom of the fireplace,' the post continued. 'A second cleanout had to be found. It was just a couple of feet from the first.' After removing even more sheetrock and insulation, rescuers finally reached the kitten. A video shared by the department shows a firefighter coaxing the frightened feline toward him before gently pulling it free. Firefighters in Woodbury, Connecticut, tore through the basement walls of a home to rescue a kitten trapped inside a sealed chimney on Monday night The kitten - a fluffy white ball of fur - was safely reunited with a little girl who owns it and, remarkably, appeared completely unbothered by the ordeal Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department praised the rescue as a 'special assignment,' writing, 'Neighbors helping Neighbors it is what we do' 'Come on out! We're your best friend,' a firefighter can be heard as he shone the flashlight in the hole in the wall. He then reached in with one arm, grabbed the kitten out of the chimney, and said 'Oh my goodness, the day is saved,' as he cradled the little fluffball. The kitten, a fluffy white ball no worse for wear, was promptly reunited with its young owner. 'The kitten and little girl were reunited,' the department said. 'The kitten did not seem fazed by the night's events.' Fire officials called the incident a firstofitskind call for the department and praised the teamwork involved. 'Neighbors helping Neighbors it is what we do,' they added, 'and tonight, it brought a little joy to all involved.' A New York woman was accused of flying to Florida and murdering her ex-boyfriend's lover in a jealous rage after she blocked her on social media. Sakiyna Thompson, 31, hasn't denied killing Kayla Hodgson, but said she acted in self-defense. Thompson is on trial for a first-degree murder charge and took the stand for the second time Monday in Fort Lauderdale, according to NBC6. Prosecutors accused Thompson of being 'jealous and insecure' of Hodgson when she began dating her ex. Thompson messaged Hodgson on Instagram and grew angry when she ignored the message. In July 2022, Thompson said she arrived at then 23-year-old Hodgson's apartment to talk about the relationship. She hoped she could convince the victim to break up with her ex. Security footage showed Thompson arriving at Hodgson's quiet apartment community at 4am. The conversation between the women soon turned violent. 'She just starts grabbing my hair and punching me,' testified Thompson. 'I'm on the floor. I'm kicking. I'm trying to get up to fight back at this point cause now it's a fight.' Thompson was two months pregnant at the time. Sakiyna Thompson has taken the stand in her own defense after being accused of crossing state lines with the intention to kill Kayla Hodgson Hodgson, 23, was found dead in her apartment in July 22 with dozens of stab wounds Thompson arrived at Hodgson's apartment at 4am, she said in hopes of discussing her relationship 'woman to woman' When asked if she killed Hodgson because she punched her, Thompson responded, 'I killed her because she took the glass from the Hookah and slashed me across my stomach.' Hodgson allegedly hit Thompson over the head with a hookah stem before attacking her with the glass. Thompson recalled grabbing a piece of it and 'blacking out' only to wake up with Hodgson's dead body beside her. 'I told her I was pregnant and I felt like she was trying to hurt my baby,' Thompson justified. 'I didn't just fight for me. I fought for me and my baby.' Photos of her autopsy showed that Hodgson was stabbed dozens of times. Thompson told the court that she walked in a pool of her victim's blood and cleaned up some of the mess with Lysol wipes and paper towels. She threw away her bloody, cut-up jacket and changed into Hodgson's clothes and shoes. Security footage in the apartment complex showed the woman walking out in a different outfit from when she arrived. Realizing what she'd done, Thompson was too scared to call the police. Thompson admitted that she changed into her victim's clothes and cleaned up some of the crime scene before exiting the apartment Hodgson lived in a quiet, safe apartment community in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Graphic images of Hodgson's autopsy showed dozens of stab wounds 'I was pregnant and I just killed somebody,' she told the court room. Prosecutors were adamant that Thompson traveled to Florida with the intention of killing Hodgson. According to police reports, Broward County officials received a call at 3pm on July 13 and found Thompson unresponsive inside a home. Family and friends of the well-known South Florida bottle waitress flooded the courtroom to show their support. 'She was just really sweet' her former employer remembered. 'She was the life of the party. She always had kind words.' Her family started a GoFundMe in 2022 to cover the expenses of her death. 'Everyone loved her tremendously,' they wrote in a tribute to her. Jury deliberations began October 14. If Thompson is convicted she could be sentenced to life in prison. The Daily Mail reached out to Broward County and Hodgson's loved ones for comment. Rescued hostage Noa Argamani has posted an emotional first message after she was reunited with her boyfriend Avinatan Or following his release from Hamas captivity. The couple, who were dubbed 'Romeo and Juliet' after they were cruelly ripped apart from each other on October 7, 2023, and taken hostage by Palestinian militants, were pictured on Monday embracing for the first time in two years. Argamani, 27, was rescued during an Israeli military operation in Gaza in June 2024, alongside three other hostages and had been campaigning for her partner's freedom ever since her release. In a touching Instagram post on Tuesday, Argamani expressed her feelings of joy and relief after finally being able to see Or again, and thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts in brokering a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. 'Two years passed since the last moment I saw Avinatan, the love of my life. Two years since the moment terrorists kidnapped us, put me on a motorcycle, and tore me away from Avinatan before the eyes of the entire world', she wrote in an Instagram caption as she shared a series of pictures from her reunion with Or. 'But both of us, against all odds, came home and were reunited!'. In the images, the couple can be seen smiling on a military airplane following Or's release. Rescued hostage Noa Argamani has posted an emotional first message after she was reunited with her boyfriend Avinatan Or following his release from Hamas captivity Argamani shared a series of snaps from their reunion Argamani thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts in brokering a peace deal The former hostage added: 'I cannot put into words the range of emotions I felt when I saw him for the first time after so long. Each of us faced death countless times, and yet, after two years apart, we are finally taking our first steps together again in the State of Israel.' 'At last, we can begin our healing together. The recovery will be long; we still havent truly processed what has happened here over these past two years. But we won. We won our personal war, and the war of all those who fought alongside us to reach this moment', she hailed. Argamani went on to thanks the IDF, her friends, family, and 'the people of Israel' for their support throughout the two-year-long ordeal and made a mention to the US for its role in brokering the peace deal. 'To the US government, which opened its doors to me and was always there to listen, especially Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and the exceptional, President Donald J. Trump.' The couple were seen finally reuniting on Monday, with footage showing how Or embraced his girlfriend, holding her tightly to him before he put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek as she beamed. He held her face, staring into her eyes as she stared back at him overcome with joy. Or was also seen with his parents, Ditza and Yaron, in hospital after making a heart with his hands to his supporters outside. His release comes as it was revealed Or serves with the elite Sayeret Matkal unit - considered one of the premier special forces units in Israel. Or's release comes as it was revealed he serves with the elite Sayeret Matkal unit - considered one of the premier special forces units in Israel Released Israeli hostage, Avinatan Or, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, kisses his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was also taken hostage and rescued in 2024, after his release as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Reim, Israel October 13, 2025 The couple were cruelly ripped apart from each other on October 7, 2023, and taken hostage by Palestinian militants, were pictured on Monday embracing for the first time in two years The moment Noa Argamani and Avinitan Or last saw each other was filmed by Hamas, with a video showing Argamani being dragged away from Or on a motorbike Or is shown in this video grab being led away by Hamas militants For two years Or's association with Sayeret Matkal has been hidden over fears of reprisals to him in captivity. The Daily Mail told last week how Argamani had to make a dash back to Israel when his release from captivity was suddenly announced while she was campaigning for him in Washington. She was with a delegation of 24 hostages and volunteers who had to scramble back in time for the release jumping on eight separate flights. Posting a picture of herself on top of suitcases in Washington after landing back on Saturday, she wrote: 'Now it's time to come home.' In her speech to US Cabinet members and senior White House officials including Marco Rubio on the October 7 anniversary last week, Argamani vowed to keep fighting for her boyfriend. She said: 'Avinatan and I came to the Nova music festival just to celebrate our life. 'We found ourselves in the darkest tunnels of Gaza. I cannot even begin to describe those terrible pictures.' She said she had not seen Avinatan since being dragged away, her arms outstretched as he looked on helplessly, surrounded by armed terrorists. 'I asked about Avinatan everywhere I went,' she said. 'I didn't know if it was murdered or kidnapped, and I was afraid to know the answer.' Returned hostage Avinatan Or with IDF representatives after his release from captivity on Monday, October 13, 2025, after spending more than two years in Hamas captivity Pictured: Or and Argamani before the couple were both kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 'Argamani also revealed that she feared every minute that her guards might 'lose control and kill me' and heartbreakingly declared: 'I'm not the same person that I used to be.' She said: 'I saw it happen in front of my eyes, two of my friends that were with me since October 7 were murdered in captivity. 'Yossi Sharabi and Itay Svirsky were brutally murdered and executed and I survived.' Argamani told those present: 'I dedicate my life to bring my partner, Avinatan, and all the hostages back home.' Hamas released all 20 of the living hostages on Monday as part of a breakthrough ceasefire after two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the devastated Gaza strip. For Israelis, the release of the 20 remaining living hostages brought elation and a sense of closure to a war that many felt were forced into by Hamas, although many pledged to fight on for the return of deceased hostages still in Gaza. But with the living hostages freed, the urgency with which many were driven to call for an end to the war will likely diminish, easing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the next phase of the agreement. Buses carrying dozens of freed Palestinian prisoners drove to the West Bank city of Ramallah and the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run Prisoners Office said, as Israel released more than 1,900 prisoners. Trump visited the region to discuss postwar plans and the U.S.-proposed deal with other leaders. A surge of humanitarian aid was expected into famine-stricken Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless. While major questions remain about the future of Hamas and Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners marked a key step toward ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and the militant group. The war began with Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack, when militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 captives. Israel's retaliatory campaign killed more than 67,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government. Its figures are seen as a reliable estimate by the U.N. and many independent experts. This is the terrifying moment a giant wave wiped out several tourists on the Tenerife coast. Footage shows the massive surge of water crashing up over an area of concrete by the sea as holidaymakers scrambled for safety. But the huge wave slammed into several people, knocking them off their feet and submerging others as onlookers screamed. It is not known where exactly on the island the footage was captured or whether anyone was injured by the freak wave. Earlier this year, the government of the Canary Islands launched a major public awareness campaign following a surge in drownings across the region. Deaths by drowning became more common that road accidents, the Canarian Weekly reported. Last year, a total of 72 people drowned, compared to the 39 deaths in road traffic accidents. Video footage showed the massive surge of water push far onto the land next to the coast The wave slammed into several people, knocking them over The regional government said that foreign nationals made up more than 60% of drowning victims, with most incidents involving adults taking place in unsupervised areas in the late afternoon. The government also said that 70% of drownings happened during pre-alert or active weather alerts, when people are told not to go into the sea due to dangerous conditions. Earlier this year, a tragic British boy, four, died after being pulled from a hotel swimming pool in Tenerife. The heart-breaking incident took place in San Miguel de Abona, a popular holiday spot in the south of the island. Emergency services rushed to Jose Miguel Galvan Bello Avenue shortly before 5pm local time following reports of a child in cardiac arrest. According to Spanish broadcaster Telecinco, the child was rescued from the water by a lifeguard but was found to be unresponsive. Several hotel guests, including individuals who identified themselves as doctors, reportedly joined the rescue efforts in a desperate attempt to revive the child. It's understood that a nurse from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) provided CPR instructions over the phone while medics scrambled to locate a defibrillator. Two advanced life support ambulances and a medical helicopter were sent to the scene. However, despite the best efforts of paramedics, who carried out advanced resuscitation procedures, the child could not be saved. Britains most isolated pub has scrapped its planned Harry Potter Halloween celebration after staff faced inappropriate grief from trans activists over the magical theme. The Old Forge pub, tucked away in Knoydart, in the Highlands, is so remote it can only be reached by boat or a 16-mile trek through rugged countryside - a journey that can take up to two days. It had scheduled a Harry Potter-themed childrens party for the night of October 31 but confirmed on Instagram the event was cancelled due to criticism. Yet just a month earlier, it had hosted a Pride celebration. In the social media statement posted late on Monday, the pub said: The pub management team have decided to cancel this years Halloween dinner party. It was always meant to be just a fun night, but unfortunately using Harry Potter as a theme has proven dividing and some of our staff have received inappropriate grief as a result. We thought it was clear how we feel about everyones rights, especially given our recent support of the amazing Knoydart Pride celebrations - we had also planned a charity collection for trans youth on the night. Any upset caused by our theme choice was most certainly unintentional. The Old Forge is so remote it can only be reached by boat or a 16-mile trek through rugged countryside A Harry Potter theme night at the remote pub was cancelled after trans activists kicked up a fuss Harry Potter author JK Rowling has attracted online abuse over her views on transgender issues The events cancellation comes amid the continuing controversy surrounding Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has faced abuse and death threats for her gender-critical views. Extreme trans activists have mounted boycotts of events related to the boy wizard - a backlash that the Old Forge now appears to have been swept up in. It remains unclear what form the inappropriate grief faced by staff took, but the pub has since replaced the Harry Potter-themed celebration with a standard childrens event. The statement continued: We will continue to host a kids party in the Wee Bar from 5pm, but all other service that day will be as normal including in the restaurant. Finally we would just like to reiterate that the pub cares about everyone in our community, and we would ask folk to be kind and respectful to each other, and our staff. Should anyone have an issue, please reach out to the management committee direct through appropriate formal channels. Last night the pub said it had no further comment to make. Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns for sex-based rights charity Sex Matters, said: Yet again extreme trans activists have bullied others into submission. Rowling's hugely popular children's books later became a series of blockbuster movies Theyve forced a pub to cancel a Harry Potter themed event because trans activists hate the author, JK Rowling - a woman whose work has brought joy to millions and who has given away a fortune to help others. Anyone who thinks trans-identifying people are an oppressed minority should look at this outrageous behaviour and see that its really about punishing women who do not submit. Trina Budge, of women rights group For Women Scotland added: If you dont approve of the theme, then dont go. Dont spoil it for everyone else. The Old Forge is now owned by a community group after it went up for sale in 2021. It had its first trading season under the new ownership in 2022 before carrying out extensive refurbishment to modernise the premises which date back to the 18th century. A mother has been found guilty of killing her three-month-old daughter after leaving her with catastrophic brain injuries and broken bones. Nazli Merthoca, 24, and her husband Herbert Kalanzi, 35, both from East Ham, east London, were described as being 'selfish and irresponsible' parents at their Old Bailey trial today. Their daughter, little Kaylani Kalanzi died on July 23 last year after being violently shaken - leaving her with a broken leg and ribs, as well as severe impacts to her head. Kaylani spent 15 days in Great Ormond Street hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries, of which Merthoca was found to be responsible for today. Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC told jurors that Merthoca and Mr Kalanzi were 'selfish and irresponsible' and had put their abusive relationship above their daughter's needs. She said that mother Merthoca was responsible for causing Kaylani's death, and her partner Herbert Kalanzi failed in his duty to protect his child. Both parents denied wrongdoing and declined to give evidence during their trial. A jury cleared Merthoca of murder but found her guilty of the lesser alternative charge of manslaughter. Mr Kalanzi was cleared by the jury of causing or allowing his daughter's death. But it was heard today that Kaylani was known to social services, who deemed that both Merthoca and Mr Kalanzi were fit parents. Nazli Merthoca, 24 (pictured) was found guilty today at court of killing her three-month-old daughter after leaving her with catastrophic brain injuries and broken bones Kaylani Kalanzi (pictured) died on July 23 last year after being violently shaken - leaving her with a broken leg and ribs, as well as severe impacts to her head The services were involved with them after Kaylani's birth in April last year - and allowed them custody after Mr Kalanzi attended a Caring Dad programme, the court heard. Caring Dad is aimed at engaging fathers to enhance the safety and wellbeing of their children. The prosecution asserted the defendants' relationship was so damaged that the services' strategy was 'doomed to fail' after previously hearing that Merthoca had consumed drugs and was in a 'mutually abusive relationship' with Mr Kalanzi. Ms Johnson told jurors that the 'ever-present risk' to Kaylani became a 'fatal reality' on the day she suffered her injuries. Shortly before 10.30pm, the defendants called emergency services, saying that Kaylani had stopped breathing. When paramedics arrived, Merthoca was aggressive towards them and was burning incense to hide the smell of cannabis, the court heard. Merthoca also failed to inform them that Kaylani had been shaken, causing bleeding to the brain, damage to her eyes and fractures to her tibia and ribs, the court was told. Staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital noted Merthoca had become upset at being questioned about what happened, and had claimed she was being blamed because of her 'race and gender'. Merthoca (pictured being arrested by the Met Police) was cleared of murder but found guilty of the lesser alternative charge of manslaughter. Mr Kalanzi was cleared by the jury of causing or allowing his daughter's death Merthoca and her husband Herbert Kalanzi, 35, both from East Ham, east London, were described as being 'selfish and irresponsible' parents at their Old Bailey trial today She claimed hospital staff were discriminatory towards her, refusing to speak to anyone who was white or male. The court heard how Merthoca called Great Ormond Street a hospital of white supremacy and told paramedics they were being disrespectful by focusing on three-month-old Kaylani Kalanzi and not her, as the baby was being rushed to intensive care. The baby died after spending 15 days in hospital. Both defendants denied harming Kaylani at Merthoca's grandmother's flat in Homerton, east London, where the family was staying at the time. Mr Kalanzi was formally acquitted of his daughter's murder on the directions of Judge Mark Lucraft KC. Merthoca wiped away tears in the dock as she was remanded into custody to be sentenced on December 15. Both parents had refused to give evidence at the trial maintaining a wall of silence. Detective Inspector John Marriott, from Specialist Crime North - who led the investigation - said: 'Merthoca carried out a horrific assault on her own child. 'To add insult, she then spun a web of lies to the emergency services in order to cover up her responsibility. 'Though Kaylani's life was cut short by this hideous abuse, there were relatives who loved and cared for her. They have been left traumatised by her killing, and our thoughts are with them at this time. 'Investigators compiled extensive digital evidence, which, coupled with overwhelming medical evidence, painted a damning picture of the defendant at trial. 'Offences against children especially of this gravity are some of the most difficult cases police deal with. The evidence here was particularly harrowing and complex, and I would like to commend the investigation team for their work bringing Merthoca to justice.' A new map inspired by the viral 'London banana' have sparked a fierce debate with a new map known as 'the Manchester T'. The previous map of the capital's most desirable neighborhoods divided Londoners and this new one looks set to do the same with Mancunians. Livable, the UK's leading platform for local area insights, has put together a brand new map of Manchester to showcase what they claim are the most liveable parts of the North West city. This has led to the creation of the so-called 'Manchester T' which stretches from the city centre before it splits at the trendy suburb of Chorlton into two distinct strips of desirable locations, which are all close to public transport and high quality local amenities. One side travels through Trafford and ends in Altrincham - where the average home sold for more than 500,000 last year - while the other passes through Stockport and ends at Bramhall where houses regularly sell for over 1million. Andrew Hammond, founder of Liveable, said: 'The Manchester T shows how desirability tends to cluster and spread. 'When certain areas become established as the best places to live, neighbouring communities often benefit too. 'For anyone choosing where to move, being within or near the T is a great choice for long-term liveability.' Your browser does not support iframes. The creators of the viral 'London banana' have sparked a fierce debate with a new map known as 'the Manchester T' (pictured: Manchester City Centre from above) One side travels through Trafford and ends in Altrincham while the other passes through Stockport and ends at Bramhall, pictured, where houses regularly sell for over 1million Prestwich, pictured, a part of Greater Manchester north of the city centre, has regularly been named among the best places to live in the UK but is not in the T But, as was the case with the London Banana, those not fortunate enough to have been included within the T have been left fuming. Those who live in the north of the city have been left out of the T almost entirely as, although it covers large swathes of south Manchester, it barely skims the bottom of north Manchester. This includes Prestwich - a part of Greater Manchester north of the city centre - which has regularly been named among the best places to live in the UK thanks to its selection of good quality bars and restaurants, and its easy access to Heaton Park. Taking to social media, residents quickly noticed the area missing from the map. On Reddit, one user said: 'I can sense the fury from Prestwich from here.' Another said: 'Their loss is our gain. Prestwich is the best in Manchester for sure.' Taking to social media, residents quickly noticed Prestwich missing from the map One person pointed out that the reason Prestwich and other areas of north Manchester were not included is because they are surrounded by 'less desirable areas dotted throughout that would make the shape a bit of a mess if it were to include them'. Despite areas like Prestwich failing to make the cut, similar to the London Banana, the T does include much of Greater Manchester's most desirable property, coupled with low crime rate. This includes the affluent suburb of Didsbury which boasts excellent schools and speedy transport links to the city centre via the city's Metrolink trams. The upmarket village of Hale, known for its boutique shopping options, also makes it onto the T. A shirtless Russell Brand and a former member of the Pussycat Dolls are among those chiming in on weekly Make America Healthy Again calls to lend public support to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s agenda. The Zoom gatherings are happening every Wednesday, organized by MAHA Action President Tony Lyons, who ran RFK Jr.'s super PAC during Kennedy's 2024 presidential campaign. News website NOTUS reported Tuesday on some of the most eyebrow-raising moments from the weekly calls. Government officials, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, are frequent guests, as are those of the more colorful variety. After Kennedy's wife, actress Cheryl Hines, the most famous participant has been Brand, a comedian and ex-husband of pop star Katy Perry, who pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges in May. In late August, he popped onto the weekly 'MAHA Action Media Hub' meeting from a bathtub, telling participants they needed to be wary of mainstream media coverage. The example he used was a claim that 'Australia and Canada built internment camps during the COVID pandemic' - which didn't happen - though both countries provided quarantine facilities to people who needed them. 'I'm a person that's been, personally, subject to simultaneously dropped stories and character attacks and what seemed like an alliance between various media groups and online entities,' Brand then claimed, suggesting it was 'weird, weird stuff.' Comedian Russell Brand is a famous participant of the Make American Healthy Again movement. He's been participating in weekly MAHA Action Media Hub Zoom meetings, joining one in late August while taking a bath He then told participants they needed to keep an eye on the agriculture sector - as the MAHA movement has pushed for movement on pesticides. Brand concluded his cameo by noting that 'joy and spirit' are fundamental to activism. He's set to join the next MAHA Action Media Hub call scheduled for Wednesday. Participating in last week's call was another semi-famous face, Jessica Sutta, a former member of the Pussycat Dolls. Sporting a black hoodie scrawled with the saying 'I heart RFK' she spoke about how the MAHA movement has allowed her to speak freely about a suspected COVID-19 vaccine injury. 'The fact that vaccine injury is actually a topic of conversation. Finally. We're not crazy people. We don't have tin-foil hats. It's a great feeling,' Sutta said. She said after the second dose of the Moderna vaccine, 'my health was ripped away from me.' Sutta told the Daily Mail in an interview in March that she had been diagnosed with vaccine-induced lupus, a rare autoimmune reaction, which can cause skin rashes, joint pain, fatigue and muscle pain. Jessica Sutta (right), a former member of the Pussycat Dolls, joined the weekly MAHA call last week and told participants how she believes she was injured by the COVID-19 vaccine. She was introduced by Tony Lyons (left), president of MAHA Action Jessica Sutta filming The X Factor in November, 2019 She suggested that her experience has turned her into a vaccine skeptic - a stance long held by RFK Jr. 'I have to say, to the people out there getting boosters out of spite, don't do it, don't do it,' she implored. 'Because it's been four years for me and it has been hell. And my body hurts always and I can't dance anymore.' The MAHA movement was created last August after Kennedy folded up his independent presidential campaign and merged it into President Donald Trump's MAGA coalition. The move likely helped Trump win all seven swing states. In turn, the president repaid RFK Jr. by naming him HHS secretary. The weekly calls were originally interpreted as a way for those who supported Kennedy's 2024 campaign to organize another presidential bid in three years, but Lyons has pushed back on that, telling the Daily Mail back in July that RFK 'has given no indication whatsoever' that he would run again. Since then, the calls have been billed as a way to expand the MAHA movement - which includes issues as vast as making food dyes safer to monitoring chemtrails. Lyons did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment on the calls, but indicated to NOTUS that more than 5,000 people have joined in on recent ones. A brain surgeon has been arrested after allegedly allowing her 12-year-old daughter to drill a hole in a patient's skull. On January 13, 2024, a 33-year-old man was admitted to Graz Regional Hospital in Austria following a serious accident. He had suffered a traumatic brain injury and required immediate surgery. The operation was reportedly carried out by a doctor and senior physician, and at the time, the neurosurgeon who was still in training, had brought her daughter into the operating room. When the operation was almost complete, the defendant allegedly handed her daughter the drill so that she could create a hole for the probe, according to the indictment. Prosecutor Julia Steiner said the surgeon had then proudly announced that her daughter had just had her first gynecological hysterectomy, as per Kurier. The case was opened following a spate of anonymous reports, but even though the operation was carried out without complication, 'the risk cannot be downplayed,' Steiner emphasised. She added that the move was 'an incredible lack of respect for the patient'. The neurosurgeon's lawyer, Bernhard Lehofer, explicitly claimed: 'The child did not drill,' and that the doctor always had control over the machine. When the operation was almost complete, the defendant allegedly handed her daughter the drill so that she could create a hole for the probe, according to the indictment (file photo) He added that it was 'not a good idea' to take her daughter into the operating room, but that she has now paid for this mistake for almost two years. Attorney Michael Kropiunig, representing the doctor, pointed out that his client didn't know the child's age. 'He allowed her to put her hand on his hand while he was operating the drill, but that's not relevant in criminal proceedings,' he said. The neurosurgeon and doctor attended the Graz-East District Court on Tuesday, where they both pleaded not guilty to minor bodily harm, according to the newspaper. The doctor described how at the end of the surgery his colleague had left to make a phone call when the 12-year-old asked him if she could help. He then claimed he asked her mother who gave her blessing, before letting her place her hand over his as he guided the drill. The mother added that her daughter had been in her office studying all day and had requested to follow her into the operating room when she was called in. She agreed to let her daughter watch on, but claimed not to have seen the critical moment with the drill in detail. 'I was standing in the back and was distracted,' the mother reportedly said. The prosecutor asked why she pressured her doctor colleague to keep quiet when the reports began emerging. The mother allegedly responded: 'I wanted to protect him'. The head of neurosurgery at the hospital, Stefan Wolfsberger, described finding an anonymous letter mentioning the incident. 'I couldn't believe it,' he said. Several employees had reportedly heard abut the incident and it became widely spoken about in the hospital. But due to the lack of physical witnesses to the incident, and as experts have also been called to speak, the case has been postponed and the trial will continue on December 10. The arsonist who firebombed the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the Democratic lawmaker. Cody Balmer, 38, told police he harbored 'hatred' towards Shapiro, who is Jewish, after throwing a Molotov cocktail at his official residence in April. Shapiro was inside the property with friends and family as they celebrated the first night of the Passover holiday at the time of the attack. Asked what he would have done had he encountered Shapiro in the residence during the attack, Balmer told investigators he would 'have beaten him with his hammer.' Balmer also entered pleas to terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault of Shapiro, 21 counts of reckless endangerment and loitering in the attack that caused millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned brick building. Under a plea deal, he was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison, far less than he could have faced if the case had gone to trial. He declined to address the judge about the crime, answering questions with short, simple answers. Defense attorney Bryan Walk said Balmer 'is taking full responsibility' and paying 'a hefty price for a man who's 38 years old.' Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's official residence, leaves Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa Shapiro, accompanied by his wife Lori Shapiro, speaks during a news conference after Balmer pleaded guilty Balmer used spent beer bottles filled with gasoline to make the homemade explosives before scaling an iron security fence at the property and throwing them. Prosecutors played video clips that showed Molotov cocktails going off and a figure inside and outside the residence. Judge Deborah Curcillo called the clip 'horrific' and 'very frightening.' Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said the video shows Balmer hitting the doors leading to where Shapiro and his family were sleeping, but he was unable to get through. Smoke was building up inside as Balmer deployed the second incendiary device. Fifteen overnight guests - including children - and two state troopers were inside. Shapiro and his wife, Lori, provided a victim statement read in court that described how they were left feeling exposed in ways they would not have imagined, calling it 'a fear and anxiety we are learning to live with.' The experience has added stress to their children's lives, they wrote. Balmer told police he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he had encountered him after breaking into the building, according to court documents. Balmer turned himself in the next afternoon. Police say Balmer broke in through the southern wing of the residence, into a room often used to entertain crowds and display art. Investigators recovered two broken glass beer bottles containing gasoline. Balmer used spent beer bottles filled with gasoline to make the homemade explosives before scaling an iron security fence at the property and throwing them Photos show the sheer extent of the damage to the Governor's Mansion, which has housed Pennsylvania's leaders since the building was completed in 1968 The fire charred walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were also damaged. Balmer's former girlfriend and the mother to his two children called police to inform them that he attacked the property. She alleged he wanted her to tell investigators. He previously denied having any mental health conditions, having described himself as unemployed and said he had 'a lot of children.' Balmers mother Christie said days after his arrest that she had tried to get him assistance for mental health issues, but 'nobody would help.' Speaking to CBS, she said: 'So he was mentally ill, went off his meds, and this is what happened.' Christie claimed she'd reached out to four different departments seeking help for her son, but 'couldn't get anybody to help.' Balmer arrives for his arraignment Monday, April 14, 2025, in Harrisburg Court proceedings were delayed while he received mental health treatment, his lawyer has said. A letter from Balmer's relatives read in court on Tuesday said he stopped taking medication, leading to manic episodes and a 'dark and difficult path.' The attack on a Jewish governor during Passover raised questions over Balmer's motive in the attack. He told the Associated Press in a letter from behind bars that Shapiro's religion was not a factor. Balmer wrote: 'He can be Jewish, Muslim, or a purple people eater for all I care and as long as he leaves me and mine alone.' When asked if he considered that his attack might injure children, he added: 'Does anyone ever consider children?. 'It doesn't seem that way. I sure as hell did. I'm glad no one got hurt.' Asked why he felt Shapiro had somehow done him wrong, Balmer replied: 'I'm not going to answer that.' The bodies of four to six more Israeli hostages will finally be returned to their loved ones tonight as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal agreed with Israel, a Hamas official has confirmed. The transfer is set to take place at 10pm local time (1900 GMT) on Tuesday, an official involved in the operation said. The announcement comes after the remains of four hostages previously handed over by the terror group were identified in Israel. The families of at least 24 others are still waiting for their loved ones to be brought home. 'We informed the mediators that we will hand over four to six bodies of Israeli prisoners tonight,' the Hamas official said on Tuesday. Earlier, Israeli officials said the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt would remain closed at least through Wednesday, with aid deliveries into Gaza reduced to pressure Hamas to return the remaining bodies. Red Cross teams are searching Gaza's ruins for deceased hostages after Israel warned Hamas it had until tonight to deliver the rest. But the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned the process could take considerable time given the difficulty of recovering bodies from the rubble. 'The search for human remains is obviously an even bigger challenge than having the people alive being released,' ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon said in Geneva, adding it could take days or weeks. The Israeli military said Tuesday the Red Cross was on its way to collect the remains of several hostages held by Palestinian militant groups in Gaza. Hamas will hand over four more bodies of Israeli hostages tonight, officials say, as all four previous remains returned to Israel have been identified. Pictured: A team of Red Cross experts seen driving through Gaza today The 24 dead hostages whose bodies remain in Gaza. Bereaved families have expressed anger and frustration that their loved ones' bodies have not been returned IDF troops receive remains of killed hostages at official ceremony, October 14, 2025 'The Red Cross is on its way to the meeting point in the northern Gaza Strip, where several coffins of deceased hostages will be transferred into their custody,' the military said in an updated statement, after earlier announcing the handover was to happen in southern Gaza. Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza on Monday under a ceasefire deal, while Israel released busloads of Palestinian detainees as US President Donald Trump declared an end to the two-year war. Only the coffins of Guy Iluz, 26, Bipin Joshi, 33, Yossi Sharabi, 54, and Daniel Peretz, 22, have so far been returned to Israel, leaving more than 20 bodies still unaccounted for. Israel is also expected to hand over an unspecified number of Palestinian remains. The ICRC said it has deployed 23 additional staff, body bags and refrigerated vehicles to help ensure the dead are treated with dignity in Gaza, much of which lies in ruins. It said it was a 'massive challenge' given the difficulties of finding bodies in Gaza's rubble. Palestinian militant group Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza on Monday under a ceasefire deal, and Israel sent home busloads of Palestinian detainees as US President Donald Trump declared an end to the two-year war. For its part, Israel is supposed to hand over an unspecified number of Palestinian bodies. But ICRC spokesperson Cardon said: 'I think there is clearly a risk that that will take much more time. What we are telling the parties is that that should be their top priority,' he said on Tuesday. 'All parties must ensure that the return of human remains is done under dignified conditions, and uphold dignity and humanity,' the ICRC added in a statement. Cardon declined to discuss further details about the possible whereabouts of the deceased hostages, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing operation. Today, the IDF revealed that Bipin Joshi was one of the deceased returned by Hamas yesterday Guy Illuz, 26, was also identified by the IDF. The army said he tried to hide in a tree but was later captured. He was wounded and alive when he was taken, but later died due to a lack of medical treatment It is, however, feared that some of the remains may never be located. Cardon praised the fact that the handover of the 20 living hostages on Monday was done discreetly, without a repeat of the Hamas-directed hostage release ceremonies of previous transfers. The ICRC, a neutral humanitarian intermediary, has facilitated the transfer of 172 hostages and 3,473 Palestinian detainees since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023. The Red Cross's involvement in the search for bodies comes as Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces had killed six Palestinians in separate incidents on Tuesday, while the military reported its troops had opened fire on suspects who approached their positions. Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency, which operates as a rescue force under Hamas, said five people were killed as they inspected their homes in the Shujaiya district of Gaza City. 'Israeli quadcopter drones opened fire on civilians inspecting their homes in Shujaiya,' Bassal said. The Israeli military said its troops fired after 'several suspects were identified crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip'. 'Attempts were made to distance the suspects,' the statement said. 'The suspects did not comply and continued approaching the troops, who opened fire to remove the threat.' It also comes as the bereaved families of those killed in Gaza expressed anger that their loved ones' remains were not returned. Israeli media named Yossi Sharabi as one of the bodies identified by the military Daniel Perez, 22, from Yad Binyamin, was killed in the fighting on October 7 and his body has been held in the Gaza Strip ever since The Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum called it a 'blatant breach' of the ceasefire and urged the government to take 'immediate action'. It said: 'We expect Israel's government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice.' 'The families of the deceased hostages are enduring especially difficult days filled with deep sorrow. 'We will not abandon any hostage. The mediators must enforce the agreement's terms and ensure Hamas pays a price for this violation.' The group also penned a letter to US special envoy Steve Witkoff to 'pull out every stop and leave no stone unturned' in ensuring the return of the deceased. One of the stipulations of Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan was that Hamas would release all hostages - dead or alive - within 72 hours of Israel agreeing to the deal. It is now believed that some of the bodies have been lost and buried under the ruins of Gaza. In addition to the Red Cross's efforts, a joint multinational task force involving Israel, the US, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt has been established to locate the bodies. Authorities indicated that the task force would be deployed following the identification of the four bodies that Hamas sent. Meanwhile, this morning, the IDF confirmed the identities of the four bodies recovered so far. The military named 26-year-old Israeli national Guy Iluz and 22-year-old Nepalese agriculture student Bipin Joshi among the dead. The other two were identified in Israeli media as Yossi Sharabi, 54, and Daniel Peretz, 22. Joshi had arrived in Israel from Nepal just three weeks before the October 7 attacks to begin an agricultural training program. He reportedly saved his friends by catching a grenade thrown by Hamas before being captured. The IDF said it believes he was killed 'during the first months of the war.' Iluz was among those seized at the Nova music festival. He initially fled and hid in a tree before militants found him. Although captured alive and wounded, the IDF said he later died from his injuries due to a lack of medical treatment in captivity. Sharabi was abducted from his home in Be'eri in front of his wife, Nira, and their daughters. Nira said her husband 'guarded the door of the fortified room' while the girls hid under a blanket. Family and friends described him as full of life and always looking to the future. Peretz, a division commander, was praised for his heroism during the October 7 massacre, when he fought to protect both soldiers and civilians. His father, Doron, said militants eventually surrounded his tank and took him hostage. According to reports, some families who were expecting to be reunited with their loved ones were later told they had died. Observers are now concerned that the peace plan to end the war may be at risk if the bodies of the dead are not recovered. According to Israeli reports, Israel is reconsidering its decision to reopen the Rafah border crossing, following Hamas's failure to return all dead hostages. This is a breaking news story, more to follow. A model who fraudulently sued an NHS trust for more than 3million - only to be caught on camera strutting around a festival covered in body paint - has been jailed. Kae Burnell-Chambers, 44, claimed she could barely walk after a delayed operation left her with spinal damage, but footage later showed her wandering around unaided and taking part in body painting conventions across the country. She sued the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust in 2019, alleging negligence after emergency surgery for cauda equina syndrome was delayed in 2016. Burnell-Chambers told medical experts she needed a walking stick and extensive daily care. But social media videos from the Kustom Culture Blast Off festival painted a different picture as they showed Ms Burnell-Chambers was in fact mobile to the extent she could parade around as a fantasy warrior. The video was filmed months before Ms Burnell-Chambers launched her multimillion-pound damages bid over delayed diagnosis of her cauda equina syndrome - a condition involving damage to nerves at the end of the spinal cord. While the condition was genuine, the model admitted exaggerating her symptoms in light of the footage showing no signs of her having difficulty getting around. In July, she admitted contempt of court after being caught lying about her condition. Her lawyers argued against a prison term, citing the impact on her young son, whose father is a convicted sex offender, but the judge rejected their plea. Kae Burnell-Chambers, who arrived in court carrying a stick, wept as she was led away to begin her sentence The 44-year-old claimed she could barely walk after a delayed operation left her with spinal damage but CCTV later showed her walking unaided and taking part in body painting conventions across the country The court heard her original lawsuit sought millions in compensation, including 833,000 for future care, 692,000 for lost earnings, and 722,000 for accommodation costs, but the trust said the true value of her claim was 'likely less than 200,000'. Sadie Crapper, for the trust, told the hearing in written submissions that Burnell-Chambers first suffered from cauda equina syndrome in 2014. The condition causes the nerves in a person's lower back to become severely compressed and requires early treatment. Burnell-Chambers presented herself to A&E on August 10, 2016, and received emergency surgery the following day, but said in court documents for her legal claim that negligence by the trust meant she 'can't do anything'. Ms Crapper said Burnell-Chambers had 'deliberately fabricated and grossly exaggerated her symptoms' to secure a larger payout, pointing to her regular appearances at body painting festivals in Birmingham, Sheffield and Suffolk. It began contempt proceedings in 2023, claiming that Burnell-Chambers failed to disclose 'fluctuations' in her symptoms to medical experts and that she could attend body painting conventions in Birmingham, Sheffield and Suffolk across several years. Admitting wrongdoing, Burnell-Chambers told the court: 'I offer my apologies to the court and the claimant. I understand that what I did was wrong. I accept that I should be punished for my decisions.' Her barrister, Ben Bradley KC, said she had a difficult personal life and was the primary carer for her son, but Mrs Justice Tipples said those factors did not outweigh the seriousness of her deceit. She added that arrangements had already been made for her son's care while Burnell-Chambers serves her sentence, concluding: 'While immediate custody will cause disruption and have an adverse effect on your son, that is outweighed by the very serious nature of this contempt.' Burnell-Chambers, who arrived in court carrying a stick, wept as she was led away to begin her sentence. Jailing her for six months, Mrs Justice Tipples said Burnell-Chambers had shown 'fundamental dishonesty' and 'deliberately lied' to doctors and experts to inflate her claim, ordering her to pay 135,000 towards the trust's legal costs. The judge told her: 'You deliberately lied to all these medical experts, leading them to believe that you were unable to do very much at all and that you were a person with significant support and accommodation needs. 'You deliberately made out that your condition was always at its worst, when that was untrue. This was offending at a serious level that crosses the custodial threshold.' Bryan Kohberger took a plea deal for the Idaho murders just days after his lookalike sister was listed as a witness for the prosecution's case, it has emerged. The quadruple killer, 31, decided to admit to the murders and avoid a trial soon after Amanda Kohberger emerged as a potential witness. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in July. Had the trial gone forward, Amanda would have likely taken the stand at some point, as she was listed as a potential witness by both the prosecution and defense. Court documents show prosecutors had 180 names on their witness list, including detectives, forensic experts and relatives of the victims. Meanwhile defense lawyers named 56 witnesses they wanted to call to speak during the sentencing stage. The list included nearly every member of Kohberger's immediate family, as reported by Fox News. While she did not have to testify, Amanda was present in court as Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders of Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves. Amanda Kohberger appeared stoic and distraught as she exited the courtroom, delivering a glare that hauntingly resembled the expression her killer brother sported in court Bryan Kohberger is seen being led out of court Wednesday after being handed four life sentences for each life he took - one for Madison Mogen, a second for Kaylee Goncalves, a third for Ethan Chapin and the final one for Xana Kernodle Pictured left to right: Housemates Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke in 2022 She and mom MaryAnn traveled from their home in Pennsylvania to witness the conclusion of one of the most infamous crimes of the 21st century. In a chilling coincidence, Amanda - a former actress - once starred in a gory slasher movie where young students were brutally hacked to death on a camping trip. She portrayed 'Lori' in the low-budget thriller 'Two Days Back' in 2011 with characters being stabbed and slashed with knives and hatchets. The film's plot bares chilling similarities to her brother's crime - attacking four students as they slept in the remote college town of Moscow, Idaho. The horror film shows the group being murdered one by one by a maniac killer who won over their trust but Kohberger's sister is one of the few to survive the slayings. Similarly, Kohberger spared two housemates when he carried out his rampage on November 12, 2022. But the family - especially his sisters - faced a multitude of troubles after his arrest. Amanda, who was working as an actress at the time, and their sister Melissa, a school counselor, were both let go from their jobs. Kohberger's sister Amanda, their mother MaryAnn and his defense attorney Anne Taylor were escorted out of the Ada County Courthouse by police after the intense hearing Amanda, a former actress, portrayed 'Lori' in the low-budget thriller 'Two Days Back' in 2011 with characters being stabbed and slashed with knives and hatchets Amanda has since landed a new job as a counselor close to the family's home. Public records show she got her Pennsylvania social work license in June last year. Kohberger was arrested at his parents' house in Pennsylvania thousands of miles away on December 30 that year, after DNA found on a knife sheath was traced to him. He continued to deny the charges, despite mounting evidence, and appeared set to go to trial until this month when a shock plea deal was announced - sparing him the death penalty. A Florida county sheriff's office is under fire for posting the mugshot of a nine-year-old boy accused of threatening classmates with a knife during recess - insisting that transparency keeps local schools safe. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office posted the image of Anthony Walker, nine, on Facebook after he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill at Middleton-Burney Elementary School in Crescent City. The viral post, which has drawn nearly 48,000 comments, details how Walker allegedly brought a pocketknife to school, got into a fight with a classmate, and later threatened multiple students with the weapon. According to deputies, one victim told investigators Walker pulled a knife from his backpack during a fight and said he was going to stab him. Another student said Walker tapped him on the back, then chased him with an open knife, while a third said the boy showed her the weapon and asked her not to tell teachers. Walker was arrested Thursday and taken to the Putnam County Jail before being released to a parent until his court date. In the department's Facebook post, deputies urged parents to inspect their children's school bags and speak openly with teachers if they see concerning behavior. 'Several students reported seeing the knives throughout the day, but no one told a teacher until after the threats occurred at recess,' the sheriff's office wrote. 'If the knives had been found and removed by an adult prior to the threats, the school could have handled discipline and this would not have escalated to a felony arrest.' The Putnam County Sheriffs Office sparked outrage after posting the mugshot of nine-year-old Anthony Walker on Facebook Walker was arrested at Middleton-Burney Elementary School in Crescent City, Florida, after allegedly threatening classmates with a pocketknife While many online blasted the sheriffs office for releasing the childs booking photo, the police department's public information officer Allison Waters-Merritt defended the long-standing 2018 policy, saying it helps deter repeat offenses. 'We have not had any repeat offenders since we have put this in place,' Waters-Merritt told local news station WTSP. 'Our parents are aware of the children that their students are hanging out with and we are going to continue that to maintain the safety of our children and staff at all the Putnam County schools.' The sheriff's office says it will not remove the post, despite the backlash. Juveniles charged with felonies are not protected by confidentiality Under Florida Statute 985.04, meaning their names, photos, and arrest reports can legally be released. However, families have the right to request a takedown of the photo - and if an agency fails to comply within 10 days, it can face civil penalties. Attorney Shannon Schott, who specializes in juvenile law, told WTSP that while the law allows the release, the ethics are questionable. Putnam County's Public Information Officer Allison Merritt said the 2018 policy of publicly releasing juvenile mugshots has helped deter repeat offenses Some commenters supported the sheriff's post, saying parents deserve to know if a child brings a weapon to school Others argued the boy should be protected from public shaming at such a young age as many users blamed his parents 'Just because we can post a mugshot of a nine-year-old doesn't mean we should,' Schott said. 'The juvenile justice system is intended to keep things behind closed doors so a family can privately heal and help their child move forward.' Schott warned that posting such images can affect a child's mental health, schooling, and rehabilitation for years to come. Some commenters supported the sheriff's post, saying parents deserve to know if a child brings a weapon to school. 'While I hate that these young children have their photos posted, it sure has made adults stand up and take notice to the issue,' said one user. 'Zero tolerance,' another commented. Others argued the boy should be protected from public shaming at such a young age as many users blamed his parents. One user commented: 'At this age, the focus should be on intervention, counseling, and protection, not criminalizing him in a way that could follow him for life. There should be statutes in place to protect children this young, this feels more like trauma and child abuse than justice. 'Whats important is that he didnt actually hurt someone physically, that he gets the help he so badly needs and that the ones he emotionally traumatized get help too,' said a third. 'Something snapped in this kid and it needs addressing big time.' 'He was failed miserably. That was learned somewhere,' commented another. Despite the outrage, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office says it will continue its policy of publicly releasing juvenile mugshots for felony charges - citing safety and deterrence. Daily Mail has reached out to Middleton-Burney Elementary School for comment. A well-known businessman was shot in what investigators believe was a targeted attack outside his $1.9 million mansion in Michigan on Tuesday morning. The victim Eddie Jawad, 59, is a prominent Arab-American entrepreneur who owns more than 20 Pit Stop gas stations across Metro Detroit. He has spent three decades building a network of fuel outlets under major operators including Circle K, Speedway, 7-Eleven, Meijer and Kroger. Deputies with the Macomb County Sheriffs Office responded to reports of gunfire around 10.15am at Jawads luxury home in Macomb Township. When officers arrived, they found Jawad suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital and remains in stable condition, according to authorities. Speaking to the Daily Mail, his wife Khadije said that the suspect jumped out from behind the bushes and opened fire on her husband. She clarified that it was not a robbery. Aerial footage showed a black SUV parked on the grass beside the sprawling estate with its drivers door open as at least a dozen deputies searched the grounds. Officers were seen combing the circular driveway, manicured lawns and gated perimeter while patrol cars lined the quiet suburban street. Businessman Eddie Jawad was shot on his driveway in Michigan, his wife told the Daily Mail A dark-colored SUV with its drivers door open was seen parked beside the home as detectives searched for evidence Detectives believe the shooting was deliberate and are now searching for a dark-colored SUV seen fleeing east on 24 Mile Road from Wellington Valley Drive immediately after the gunfire. Jawad, who has deep ties to Dearborns Arab-American business community, is widely regarded for his entrepreneurial success and community presence. The Macomb County Sheriffs Office is urging anyone with information or security footage from the area to contact investigators at 586-307-9358. The Daily Mail has reached out to the sheriff's office for comment. Just months before the shooting, Jawad made headlines for publicly opposing a proposed Sheetz gas station near 23 Mile Road and North Avenue in Macomb County. In June, community advocate Hassan Aoun praised him for speaking out at a county planning commission meeting, where Jawad urged officials to weigh how large corporate developments affect nearby residents and small business owners. When you talk about the quality of life, its more than just property values how exactly is it going to benefit the community? Jawad told commissioners during the hearing, according to Aouns Facebook post. Although the Sheetz site plan was ultimately approved, Jawads comments were credited with sparking a wider debate about fairness and transparency in local development. Aerial footage shows officers combing the landscaped property and gated entrance of the luxury estate Aoun described him as a respected business owner and concerned resident who stood up when others remained silent. In the weeks that followed, Jawad continued speaking out about corporate expansion in Michigans gas station industry, warning that major chains were threatening to drive out locally owned businesses. He told The Detroit News in June that he had never seen a competitor like Sheetz, referring to the Pennsylvania-based chain rapidly expanding into Metro Detroit. The companys sprawling two-acre convenience complexes, complete with restaurants and more than 30 parking spaces, have alarmed smaller operators. Theyre trying to put small businesses out of business, said Jawad, who owns a Mobil station at 46900 North Avenue, roughly two miles from a proposed Sheetz site. When somebodys building Cedar Point across from your local park, everybodys going to go to Cedar Point. Jawad also accused municipal officials of prioritizing big-money projects over community interests. They see its a six or seven-million-dollar development and their eyes just glow, no matter the cost now or later for residents, neighbors, commuters, he told the outlet. A new network of walk-in GP centres would not be enough to end the 8am rush for appointments and may not even be deliverable, John Swinney has been warned. Doctors and opposition leaders raised a series of concerns about the feasibility of the plan unveiled by the First Minister in his keynote address to the SNP conference. They fear the scheme could be scuppered by a shortage in availability of GPs and nurses to staff the centres, and that the pledge to provide one million appointments a year through the 15 clinics will fall far short of ending the morning rush to see a family doctor. Opponents also condemned the lack of detail on the plan, which was branded as back of a fag packet stuff and a pre-election stunt. Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Scotland, said there is no real clarity around the plans and that the walk-in approach may be far less efficient and may take substantial resources to set up. Chairman Dr Chris Provan said: There is currently no detail on who will staff the proposed walk-in clinics, where they will be located, or how they will integrate with existing core services. In August alone, GPs and their teams delivered approximately 4.4 million patient encounters. Against this backdrop, the addition of one million appointments per annum through walk-in clinics is unlikely to make a meaningful difference to overall access. John Swinney has unveiled plans for GP walk-in clinics to ease pressure on the NHS Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane described the plan as 'back of a fag packet stuff' We need to take into account the evidence around knowing your GP over time, as continuity of care reduces mortality, hospital admissions and increases patient satisfaction. We are keen to support innovative working to help patient access but evidence from elsewhere suggests that walk-in clinics are more costly and less effective than services delivered through core general practice. Vice chairman Dr Chris Williams asked where the GPS and nurses would come to staff the service adding: There arent enough GPs in the system, there arent enough GPs in the country, and the work GPs do is very intense so its not realistic to think that you can simply add extra hours onto the day. A GPs working week is already very full. No details have been provided about how many GPs and nurses will be based in each walk-in clinic, although the First Ministers aides said that when the 15 centres are fully operational they will provide one million appointments a year, which is an average of 66,666 per centre, or 183 a day. On the one million appointments a year target, Dr Williams told the BBC: Its an eye-catching number, a very round number. When we look at the activity in general practice every week, there are 720,000 patient contacts in general practice every week. One million contacts is a great ambition to have that may then service some form of activity. With regard to what we have seen happen in England, there is a fear that we might be creating an extra lane of activity that we might not be improving the current services that are there. We might be generating extra demand when we are struggling to meet the current demand. Its not that many (appointments). I suppose every bit of activity might help but weve not heard exactly where such clinics, such services, may be located. He also said extra funding is required for existing infrastructure and staffing in surgeries, and said hes not sure where the extra staff required can come from. According to the General Practice Workforce Survey 2025, 3.8 per cent of GP posts were vacant at the end of March this year. An Audit Scotland report earlier this year highlighted that the number of WTE GPs decreased by 67 between August 2017 and March 2024 and said a Scottish Government to increase numbers by 800 by 2027 is unlikely to be met. There were 889 GP practices in Scotland in 2023, down from around 1,000 in 2011, and the number of patients per whole-time equivalent (WTE) GP increased over the same period from 1,500 to 1,715, according to British Medical Association data. Dr Sandesh Gulhane, a practicing GP and Scottish Conservative health spokesman, yesterday wrote to Mr Swinney to raise concerns about the deliverability of his walk-in GP centres policy. He said: This latest policy from John Swinney to try and support GPs is nothing more than back of a fag packet stuff and a pre-election stunt. I see first-hand the effects of the SNPs mismanagement on GP services and what that is doing to overwhelmed colleagues and suffering patients. The SNP are completely detached from the reality facing staff and patients across Scotlands NHS and have no real vision to fix the permanent crisis within the health service. That is why I have written to the First Minister telling him that this typical SNP headline-chasing announcement will not be delivered and will do nothing to stop the rush for an 8am appointment. Health Secretary Neil Gray yesterday told the BBC that a record 1,200 GPs are currently in training and said he believes the Scottish Government can work with the profession to ensure the new sites are staffed by GPs, advance nurse practitioners and practice nurses. Told that the new appointments are a drop in the ocean, he said the new centres will be building on the capacity thats already there. When asked why the RCGP was not consulted in advance, he said that obviously conference announcements are conference announcements but said the Scottish Government wants to work with them ahead of it being piloted. A growing number of US airports have refused to play Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's TSA video blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. The video was announced last week to replace TSA's current announcement reminding passengers to use Real ID. Seattle-Tacoma, Portland, Phoenix Sky Harbor, JFK, and LaGuardia airports are among the list that have refused to play Noem's video warning passengers of changes and delays in airline operations. In the 'public service video,' Noem addressed the camera. 'It is TSAs top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience possible while we keep you safe,' she said. 'However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay. 'We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact you and our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.' Some airport spokespeople have condemned the video's divisive political nature and others cited policies that prevent them from screening 'politically partisan messages,' according to WSAV. Seattle and Portland cited the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from some kinds of political messaging. Several US airports have declined to show a video of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown The video is meant to replace an announcement reminding passengers to use Real ID at airports across the country 'We did not consent to playing the video in its current form, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging,' said a spokesperson for Portland International Airport in a statement to WSAV. However, Forbes reported that legal experts do not think it violates the law. 'This is probably not a Hatch Act violation, because it's not tied to an election,' said senior ethics counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Cynthia Brown. 'But it's entirely inappropriate to be using federal resources to message on a partisan basis and disparage the opposing political party.' Officials at Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport told the Daily Mail that their 'policy does not permit political content.' Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is one of the many that declines use of the video due to its 'political messaging' Seattle-Tacoma International Airport cited the Hatch Act as the reason they could not show the video Westchester County Airport in New York State released a seething statement on their website, publicly acknowledging their decision not to use DHS's new video. 'It is inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nations top public officials,' wrote Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. 'The PSA politicizes the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA Operations, and the County finds the tone to be unnecessarily alarmist.' The complete list of refusals thus far is Seattle-Tacoma, Portland, Phoenix Sky Harbor, JFK, LaGuardia, Buffalo Niagara, Niagara Falls, Westchester County, Spokane, and Harry Reid International Airports and Springfield-Branson National Airport. In the new video Noem said 'Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted' Many airline passengers have experienced delays thanks to understaffed airports and unpaid employees Columbus, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis airports have also refused to play the video. Some airports including Boston Logan International Airport and Denver International Airport have not been asked to play the video because they do not have the monitors for it. Since the government's October 1 shutdown, most TSA workers have worked unpaid causing an uptick in sick leave which slows airport operations. Reuters reported in the second week of the shutdown there were thousands of delays. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told the Daily Mail that TSA operations 'remain largely unimpacted' by the shutdown. 'Its unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship,' she said. 'Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.' TSA workers will continue to work without pay until Congress passes a plan to fund the government. John Swinneys claim that the SNPs previous Holyrood majority creates a precedent for a second independence vote has been rubbished by legal experts. One constitutional scholar dismissed it as little more than a bluff, while former SNP MP Joanna Cherry KC called it back of the envelope nonsense. The opinions undermine the First Ministers Holyrood election strategy, as he has said only an SNP majority can break the logjam in Scottish politics. He told his partys weekend conference repeating the precedent of 2011 is the only uncontested route to delivering a new referendum. He also praised lawyer Ann Faulds for a legal argument about the precedent of the 2011 result and 2014 vote, and for saying ministers could go to court to secure a vote if Downing Street denied one to an SNP majority Government. Mr Swinney called it absolutely fabulous legal advice that will be the underpinning of much of what we argue as a party. Ms Faulds specialised in planning and transport law, not the constitution. John Swinney has claimed that the previous SNP majority at Holyrood set a 'precedent' for a second independence referendum Lawyer Joanna Cherry KC, a former SNP MP, said Mr Swinney's claims were back of the envelope nonsense Pro Independence Yes supporters rallied outside the BBC Scotland HQ before the 2014 referendum A series of experts told the Times the precedent argument was doomed, as it was a political decision by then Tory PM David Cameron to grant a referendum, not a legal decision. Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: This is desperate stuff from John Swinney. He is latching onto anything that he thinks will help his obsession with pursuing independence. Not only is he trying to con his own Nationalist diehards, he is trying to con the whole of Scotland by using the issue to try and distract attention away from the SNPs rotten record in government over the last 18 years. The UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously in 2022 that Westminster consent is essential for a second referendum. James Mitchell, Professor of Public Policy at Edinburgh University, who is an authority on the SNP and its history, said the sceptical lawyers were right. He said: The main point to note is that the UK has a political constitution and the question is political not legal. Conventions of the constitution are just that - conventions. Ignoring or abandoning a convention might be criticised from a political standpoint, but thats not the same as challenged successfully in the courts. Prof Mitchell also noted the agreement signed by the Scottish and UK governments to have the 2014 referendum did not agree there could be a second referendum. There is no evidence that it should even be seen as a precedent. The fact that Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and presumably others insisted it was a once in a generation opportunity makes it clear that they understood this at the time. Ms Cherry, said: 'This sort of 'back of the envelope' nonsense is damaging the independence cause. And she told the Mail that some of Ms Fauldss comments appeared legally meaningless and that political precedent is being mistaken for legal precedent. She said: I fear that some delegates may have been given false hope by this argument and Im astonished that the First Minister described it as 'absolutely fabulous' legal advice. I assume that Mr Swinney will have had the benefit of independent expert legal advice on any strategy he intends to pursue and I would be very surprised if these arguments formed any part of it. However, I think he should clarify. Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton accused the First Minister of 'latching onto anything' to further his obsession with independence The late Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon launch the blueprint for Scottish independence in 2013 Advocate Thomas Ross KC also used social media to offer a short lesson for planning lawyer at SNP conference, pointing out only higher courts can establish precedents, adding: Entities that cant establish a precedent = David Cameron. The Scottish Greens also attacked Mr Swinneys focus on an SNP majority as playing into Westminster hands and totally counterproductive. Vying with the SNP for Nationalist votes on the Holyrood list, Green co-leader Ross Greer said: If they carry on with this counterproductive position, the SNP risks alienating a large number of independence supporters. With a cruel Labour government doing its best to mimic Farage and Reform, independence has never been more vital. This is not the time to divide our movement. The Scottish Government and SNP were asked for comment. A mother who tragically died along with her baby after opting for a home birth against medical advice insisted she wanted a completely natural labour, an inquest heard today. Jennifer Cahill, 34, chose to deliver Agnes Lily at home after feeling 'unsupported' in hospital when she had her son three years earlier. But the international export manager became 'fatigued' as her contractions intensified, and while both she and her newborn daughter were rushed to hospital, neither could be saved. Mrs Cahill had specified that she did not want drugs to help her through labour, one of the midwives sent to assist the birth told an inquest today. Andrea Walmsley said the mother-to-be - who suffered an 'extremely stressful' first pregnancy - even refused to have a urine test that would have helped with observations. She told an inquest that she and fellow midwife Julie Turner were struck by how detailed Mrs Cahill's personal birth plan was after attending her home in Prestwich, Greater Manchester in June last year. 'To be honest it was the most intense birth plan I have ever read,' she said. 'I never said anything to Julie but I just looked at her because it concerned me. Jennifer Cahill (right) delivered baby Agnes Lily at her home in the presence of her husband Rob (left) and two midwives in June last year Jennifer Cahill, 34, and her newborn baby daughter Agnes Lily both died in June 2024 after she decided on a home birth having felt 'unsupported' when her son was delivered in hospital three years earlier 'She did not want any observations, she did not want any drugs and she did not want any examinations.' Mrs Cahill refused to have the drug Syntometrine, which would have helped the birth and prevented excessive bleeding, the hearing in Rochdale was told. She could only have had oxytocin - which helps expel the placenta after birth - if she had been in hospital. Ms Walmsley had helped with around 20 home births, but unlike Mrs Cahill's, all of them were low risk. She said her attempts to complete her observations were rebuffed by Mrs Cahill. It did not help that the room - which contained a birthing pool and a birth ball - was very dimly lit by tea lights which made it difficult for taking blood pressure and other readings. 'When I asked her for a urine sample she seemed not to like it and turned her back on me,' the midwife said. 'I thought I had overstepped the mark. Mrs Cahill had suffered a postpartum haemorrhage after the first birth - a potentially fatal condition involving heavy bleeding - and was advised to have her second birth at hospital 'I honestly felt that I would be thrown out if I said the wrong thing, but not having the urine sample niggled me.' She agreed with coroner Joanne Kearsley that 'the pendulum had swung too far' in the way hospitals try and cater for women who want home births even if they are at high risk. Mothers-to-be have a right to give birth at home, even if their pregnancy is deemed high risk. But the hearing has been told that midwives had become 'increasingly anxious' about women in the riskiest category giving birth at home. Mrs Cahill gave birth in the early hours of June 3 last year, but Agnes Lily was clearly in trouble and was rushed to North Manchester General Hospital accompanied by her father Rob. Unbeknown to him, his wife was also seriously ill and had to be transported to the same hospital where she tragically died. Agnes Lily survived for just short of four days. Their cause of death has not yet been given at the hearing. Jennifer Cahill (pictured with her baby son) specified that she did not want drugs to help her through labour when she delivered her daughter Agnes Lily, an inquest heard today Jennifer Cahill (pictured with her husband Rob) should have been referred to a senior midwife who would have emphasised the risks involved in a home birth, the inquest has heard It was told that Mrs Cahill was let down by Manchester Foundation Trust, especially over the absence of an agreed birth plan once it was clear she was determined to have the baby at home. The trust has accepted that she should have been referred to a senior midwife who would have emphasised the risks involved. When she went into labour, Mrs Cahill was given gas and air from equipment that did not work properly, the inquest has heard. According to her husband 'it fatigued her and she lost her confidence'. Mr Cahill had earlier told the hearing that his wife wanted a home birth because her first birth had been stressful and she did not want to repeat the experience. She had suffered a postpartum haemorrhage when her baby boy was born in 2021 and also developed Streptococcus B while her child contracted sepsis. All three events led medical staff to advise her to have a hospital delivery with her second child so that intervention such as administering drugs or urgent medical care could be carried out without delay. Today coroner Ms Kearsley questioned why hospital staff were reluctant to use the word 'death' when warning pregnant women of the dangers of home birth which would underline the seriousness of their decision. After being delivered at their home in Prestwich, baby Agnes was rushed to North Manchester General Hospital where both she and her mother Jennifer, 34, tragically died Dr Azel El Adwan, a stage 5 obstetrics and gynaecology specialist trainee who saw Mrs Cahill, admitted it was accepted practice not to use the word so as not to 'upset' pregnant mothers. She said 'We do not usually talk about the risk of death. It is not standard practice because it is extremely rare. 'I have reflected on this and I have asked colleagues and we all agree we would not usually say that word.' Dr El Adwan said she warned Mrs Cahill that a hospital delivery would be far safer because of what happened during her first pregnancy. But she added: 'We cannot persuade a patient who has a firm opinion on what they want but we do need to discuss the risks. 'We do not want them to feel they are being forced to do something they don't want to do.' She said there appeared to be a rise in women wanting home births because of what they read on the internet. She added: 'Women are affected by social media and from what they hear from other people.' The hearing continues. When it first opened in 1897, Queen Victoria was still on the throne and a pint in rural Scotland cost just a few pence. But now the countrys last surviving shoe-makers workshop frozen in time for six decades with its tools still on the bench is to be brought back to life. The Soutars Shop, in Birse, about 20 miles east of Balmoral, in Aberdeenshire, has been awarded 74,500 by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to repair and reopen the 125-year-old building. For generations, villages attended the humble timber shack to have their footwear made and repaired. Run by village cobbler James Merchant and later his son, the tiny timber workshop closed in the 1940s and remained locked for decades with its wooden lasts, leather tools, and handwritten ledgers left exactly as they were on the final day of business. Rediscovered in 1999, it was heralded as the only intact soutars shop left north of the Border and a rare survival of pre-industrial craftsmanship. The tiny timber workshop closed in the 1940s and remained locked for decades The workshop is full of vintage shoe repair equipment and tools The Soutars Shop is a treasure trove of tools and relics from a bygone age Toni Watt, manager at Birse Community Trust, said: It is such a special place. To enter the Soutars feels like you are stepping back in time. It is a window into a now-disappeared way of life, showcasing the life of a Soutar and his role in rural society. The grant, awarded through HESs Historic Environment Grants Programme, will fund repairs to the roof, chimney and timber frame, as well as conservation of the interior fittings exactly as they were left. The A-listed workshop is expected to be restored to its former glory and reopened as an educational heritage attraction. A vintage advert for CR Ladies Fine Shoes hangs in the workshop An expert examines items in the workshop, which closed in 1949 and has remained untouched ever since Dr Susan OConnor, head of grants at HES, said: Our historic environment is one of Scotlands greatest assets, but it needs care, investment and collaboration to thrive. The Soutars Shop in Birse is a fascinating building with an important story to tell. We are excited to support the Trusts efforts to unlock this story with the community and the wider public. Volunteers will begin packing and conserving the collection of tools and artefacts before building work begins next year. Labour was accused of clearing a legal path for Gerry Adams and hundreds of IRA prisoners to sue for wrongful imprisonment on Tuesday. Leading Conservatives claimed the former Sinn Fein leader will be able to take legal action over his internment in the notorious H Blocks in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. Mr Adams expected payout had been blocked by the previous governments Legacy Act. But this legislation has now been rescinded. The Legacy Act, driven through parliament by the former Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer, put a bar on all new civil actions relating to the Troubles. Labour ministers claim their new Troubles Bill will seek to put up a similar barrier to Adams and 400 Republicans receiving compensation. But Adams has already won a court victory against the same case law - known as the Carltona Principle - which Labour appear to be relying on. In 2020 the UK Supreme Court found in his favour that his internment was unlawful because it had not been authorised personally by the Secretary of State. Five justices agreed Mr Adams was therefore entitled to have two convictions for attempting to escape from legal custody quashed, overturning a ruling of the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal. Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams had been taken into custody under article 4 of the Detention of Terrorists (Northern Ireland) in 1972 The Mail has called for the persecution of veterans from Northern Ireland to cease as part of its Stop the SAS Betrayal campaign. Shadow Defence Minister Mark Francois said: The original Conservative Legacy Act which prevented Gerry Adams from suing the taxpayer took some 18 months of parliamentary debate. Labours remedial orders are cynical and disingenuous. This is two-tier justice with our veterans at the bottom of the heap. Sinn Fein will be laughing about this farce. Following Labours rescinding of the Legacy Act, UK veterans face further persecution in the courts over disputed events from the Troubles era. SAS soldiers involved in intense engagements with IRA terrorists such as the Loughgall ambush of 1987, which resulted in the deaths of eight Republicans, now face fresh inquests. The Troubles Bill announced by the Government on Tuesday will replace the 2023 Legacy Act - but it will not be on the statute books for at least 18 months. Republicans seeking compensation are expected to bring new legal actions during this window. The Government claimed the Troubles Bill: will address the UK Supreme Court ruling in Adams regarding the application of the Carltona Principle in the context of interim custody orders, making clear that such orders could be made by Junior Ministers as well as by the Secretary of State. The Bill follows extensive consultation with victims and families, community organisations and civil society, the Northern Ireland political parties and our Armed Forces community. But senior officers voiced furious opposition to the Governments plans. Retired General Sir Nick Parker said: By reopening investigations, there is no genuine safeguard for veterans. This amounts to torture by the State of those who risked their lives following orders. This undermines morale, operational decisiveness and the credibility of UK commitments to allies. Confidence in command is the foundation of security. You cannot defend tomorrow if you keep relitigating yesterday. The introduction of the Troubles Bill to parliament on Tuesday coincided with the start of a three-day hearing at the UK Supreme Court into whether the defunct Legacy Act was or was not unlawful. Lawyers representing veterans will mount a defence of the act which Labour vowed to amend after a court in Belfast found it breached articles of the European Convention on Human Rights relating to unfettered access to justice. A no-nonsense Florida judge shot down a conniving woman's whining proclamation of her innocence even as she was sentenced for having her son-in-law murdered. Donna Adelson, 76, was convicted last month for her leading role in plotting the fatal shooting of 41-year-old Daniel Markel as he fought for custody of his children in 2014. The mother-in-law was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Monday. The wealthy Southern Florida matriarch was found guilty on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation in Markel's death, although she has consistently denied her involvement. During her Monday sentencing hearing, the shameless murderess addressed the Tallahassee courtroom, taking the opportunity to assert she is an 'innocent woman'. But Circuit Judge Stephen Everett had no patience for her lack of accountability and called her out for showing an 'utter lack of remorse,' suggesting it could influence him to give her an even harsher sentence. 'My son-in-law, Dan Markel, l was a fine and decent man. He was well educated and passionate about his career,' Adelson began, according to NBC Miami. After a few words about Markel, who was the father of her two grandchildren and a law professor at Florida State University, she pivoted to her spiel. 'I had no idea that other people planned to cut Danny's life short, and the people who did this are exactly where they deserve to be, but I had no knowledge that this horrible evil act was going to take place,' she tearfully said. Donna Adelson (pictured in court on Monday) addressed the Tallahassee courtroom, taking the opportunity to assert she is an 'innocent woman' Prosecutors said Adelson orchestrated the murder of her son-in-law, Daniel Markel (pictured) Circuit Judge Stephen Everett (pictured on Monday) had no patience for her lack of accountability and called her out for showing an 'utter lack of remorse' 'If I had become aware of this plan before Danny was murdered, I would have stopped it.' Everett interjected as Adelson rattled off details from the case made against her in a final desperate attempt to clear her name. 'Before you continue, Mrs Adelson, as it relates to this statement, is the defense trying to re-argue the trial?' Everett interrupted. 'Mrs Adelson, you certainly can continue, however the court can take into consideration the utter lack of remorse that you are displaying.' As she continued her, Everett stopped her once again. He said her declarations were 'raising of grievances' that had no relevance. 'What does any of this have to do with sentencing?' he bluntly asked. As she finally wrapped up her statement, she claimed there were 'two crimes' - Markel's murder and the outcome of her trial. Adelson remained stoic as the judge read off her sentencing. Wendi Adelson (left) was in the middle of a bitter custody battle with Markel (right) when he was shot and killed Adelson (pictured in court on Monday) was the fifth person put on trial for what prosecutors cast as a murder-for-hire plot to kill Markel Charles Adelson and his ex-girlfriend Katherina Magbanua are both serving life in prison 'You certainly can choose to deny your involvement and maintain innocence. The court finds the evidence in this case is clear,' Everett said. On top of her life sentence, she was also hit with another 30 years for the conspiracy and solicitation charges. Adelson was the fifth person put on trial for what prosecutors cast as a murder-for-hire plot to kill Markel. Among those already serving a life sentence for the killing is Adelson's son, Charles Adelson. He is serving a life sentence, as is his ex-girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua. Magbanua served as the intermediary for the two men hired to carry out the killing, Latin Kings gang members Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera. Garcia, who ultimately pulled the trigger, was sentenced to life in prison, while Rivera was sentenced to 19 years after cooperating with the state. Markel (pictured with his two kids) was the father of her two grandchildren and a law professor at Florida State University Magbanua served as the intermediary for the two men hired to carry out the killing, Latin Kings gang members Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera Wendi Adelson, Markel's ex-wife and Adelson's daughter, has denied any involvement in his murder and has not been charged. At the time of Markel's death, he was locked in a bitter custody battle with Wendi. Prosecutors painted Adelson as an overbearing mother who 'hated' Markel. She was motivated to carry out the plot after he tried to stop Wendi from moving more than 370 miles from Tallahassee to South Florida with their two children to be closer to the rest of her family, the prosecution argued. Donald Trump unleashed fire and then death upon a boat carrying drugs off the shores of Venezuela. The President unveiled the announcement on Truth Social by noting that the Secretary of War ordered the lethal kinetic on a narco-terrorist vessel. Trump said that Pete Hegseth conducted the deadly operation with his permission. US intelligence confirmed that the vessel was trafficking drugs for an unnamed narco-terrorist network. 'The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike,' Trump wrote to his followers on Truth Social. 'No US Forces were harmed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!!!!' The strikes comes after Venezuela warned the US military is preparing for a full-scale invasion of the South American country. Venezuelas UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada held an emergency meeting with the UN Security Council last Friday, warning US strikes on its boats were the first steps before an invasion. 'The belligerent action and rhetoric of the US government objectively point to the fact that we are facing a situation in which it is rational to anticipate that in the very short term an armed attack is to be perpetrated against Venezuela.' Donald Trump announced the US military blew up a vessel carrying drugs off the shore of Venezuela allegedly killing six narco-terrorists This is the fifth airstrike the US has conducted on Venezuelan drug boats in recent months Trump unveiled the airstrike to his followers on Truth Social on Tuesday The latest airstrike is the fifth attack directed at alleged Venezuelan drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea. According to Trump administration, the last four operations killed a total of 21 alleged narco-terrorists. The President attached a 33-second video from the military showing the vessels being blown apart by an airstrike. Trump's strike occurred in the US Southern Command area of command. Since being back in the White house, Trump has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of being a drug lord and dictator. Administration officials have also cut off diplomatic outreach with Venezuela following the strikes. Trump has increased his rhetoric against Venezuela since retaking the White House The Trump administration has designated some of the world's largest Latin American cartels as terrorist organizations. Senate Democrats proposed and voted on a war powers resolution would prohibit the Trump administration from conducting strikes on Venezuela with Congressional approval. The bill, however, failed to pass the Senate. Tucker Carlson shared on his podcast that he'd 'heard a lot' about orgies in DC within members of the government in recent years. While not naming names, Carlson revealed that rumors swirling about the sex lives of those close to power in DC were becoming weirder and weirder. 'It's not just sleeping with your scheduler,' he said, 'It's weirder than that now.' In an episode of his podcast The Tucker Carlson show, the host briefly chatted with Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett about the sex scandals that entangle the nation's capital. 'People's personal lives are getting weirder in Congress,' said the ex-Fox News anchor. Carlson confessed that he'd never heard of anyone participating in group sex parties in DC - until recently. The podcaster teased: 'I never heard of anybody participating in an orgy in Washington, D.C. in my entire life. And Ive heard a lot about it recently.' And he, for one, believed the rumors. Based on the stories leaking out of the Capitol and onto the front pages, the whispers he speaks of may not be completely unfounded. On his podcast 'The Tucker Carlson Show' the ex-Fox host alluded to orgies and sex scandals running rampant around the capitol Without naming names, Carlson admitted he's heard more about orgies recently than ever before Both sides of the political line have been embroiled in sexual scandal in the last five years, from staffers recording themselves mid coitus inside government buildings, to top campaigners having threesomes in their martial beds. Aidan Maese-Czeropski was fired from his position as a DC staffer in 2023 when a sex tape of him in a congressional hearing room was released. After being forced to leave his job under former Maryland Senator Ben Cardin he moved to Sydney and started an OnlyFans, according to the New York Post. Last year, a Florida Republican chairman and his wife were exposed for having threesomes in their marriage - causing mayhem within the GOP. Christian Ziegler was stripped of his chairmanship after a woman that joined him and his wife Bridget for a menage-a-trois accused him of rape. Bridget refused to step down from her place on the school board amid the couple's public sex scandal. Earlier this year, a Republican state senator from Florida was accused of sexual harassment and was exposed for following nearly 100 OnlyFans, gambling and dating advice social media accounts. Joe Grutters served as chairman for the Florida republican party in 2021 and was investigated for sexual assault claims from a legislative staffer. The accusations against the married father of three were eventually dismissed. 'People's lives are getting weirder in congress,' Carlson said Aidan Maese-Czeropski and Joe Grutters are just two in a list of Washington sex-scandals in the past five years Bridget and Christian Ziegler were exposed for having threesomes amid a public life as Florida politicians Matt Gaetz's public prostitution scandal in 2024 gave insight into the types of 'weird' personal lives Carlson alluded to. Burchett even alleged a hidden Chinese prostitution ring that had taken over the Capitol and was busted only for the story to be squashed. 'Who was their client list?,' he said. 'High-ranking officials in government, elected officials, and lobbyists.' Burchett and Carlson both claimed they'd never participated in the seedy, kinky underbelly of Washington, but that the whispers were not to be ignored. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called out The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin after she failed to keep her promise to wear a MAGA hat on the show if he freed the Israeli hostages from Gaza. The president spoke about The View during a meeting at the White House with members of his cabinet and Argentinian president Javier Milei. One reporter in the room asked the president about Farah Griffin, his former communications aide in the West Wing. The president indicated he was well aware of Farah Griffin's history, recalling that she wrote a 'glowing letter' about him after she resigned her position and left the White House in January 2021. He said that Farah Griffin's decision to join The View as one of the Republican co-hosts demonstrated her willingness to pivot to criticize the president just to be on the show. 'They gave her a couple of bucks and she changed her view very quickly,' he said. 'I never thought she'd make it, I never thought she had what it took in any way ... It just shows what a fraud The View is.' In a resurfaced television clip, Farah Griffin spoke about Trump after the 2024 election, saying she would have no problem supporting him if he was able to free the Israeli hostages. 'If he does good, if he gets the Israeli hostages out, I promise I will wear a MAGA hat for one day on the show and say thank you for doing it,' Farah Griffin promised. President Donald Trump reacts to his former communications aide Alyssa Farah Griffin's failed promise to wear a MAGA hat on The View The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin promised in November to wear a MAGA hat if he freed Israeli hostages After Trump succeeded in freeing the hostages last weekend, his supporters began demanding on social media that Farah Griffin keep her promise. Farah Griffin has not addressed the controversy. The president also ripped ABC News host George Stephanopoulos after he cut off Vice President JD Vance in an interview on Sunday to go to a commercial break. 'JD went through a great interview with George "Slop-a-dop-o-lous," who was nice enough to pay me $16 million,' Trump said, using one of his favorite nick-names for the host and referring to ABC's agreement to give $15 million to Donald Trumps presidential library to settle a defamation lawsuit from the host. Stephanopoulos wrongly claimed after a New York court verdict that Trump had been 'found liable for rape' and also of 'defaming the victim of that rape,' even as neither verdict did so. The president said it was very disrespectful of Stephanopoulos to cut to a commercial break and cutting off the vice president in the middle of his remarks. 'JD had a very nasty person interviewing him, and we can't let that happen,' he said. 'Inappropriate to cut off a highly respected vice presidents of the United States mid sentence.' Trump refused to take questions from the ABC reporter in the room. 'I don't take questions from ABC fake news after what you did with Stephanopoulos,' he said. He is no stranger to movie make-up having starred in a number of fantasy Hollywood blockbusters. But Ewan McGregor has admitted how he loves seeing wife Mary Elizabeth Winstead covered in green paint for her role in Star Wars spin-off Ahsoka. The Trainspotting stars spouse has been away on location shooting series 2 of the hit sci-fi show while he watches the couples son Laurie, four. The doting dad, 54, who also appeared in the Star Wars prequel movies, said: Im at home with our son, I take him to school... then Id fetch a FaceTime. Elizabeth as General Hera Syndulla in the Star Wars spin-off The couple on the red carpet at the Golden Globes in January I forget that shes going to be green. She pops up, and Im like, Oh my God, oh yes. Often shes in her trailer without all the head stuff on, but shes just green. Shes a very beautiful green lady, so I love that. Ms Winstead, 40, joined the Star Wars galaxy in 2022 to bring the beloved animated character of General Hera Syndulla to live action for the first time. The pair recently returned to Scotland after splashing out more than 2million on a mansion. The 18th century country retreat in the Carse of Gowrie, near McGregors home town of Crieff, is set in more than 18 acres of land. It is believed they will now split their time between Scotland and LA. The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has condemned the secrecy of Scotlands parole system as his attacker could be freed from jail. Russell Findlay spoke out as William Burns, who threw sulphuric acid in his face on his doorstep in 2015, will be considered for release today. Burns, who posed as a postman, has been behind bars for the attack on Mr Findlay, who at the time was a journalist investigating organised crime. The MSP, who has been kept in the dark over key details of the parole hearing, said this shows victims are still being failed by the system. He said: Scotlands parole process remains rooted in Victorian-era secrecy, which is incompatible with a justice system that purports to value transparency and victims rights. All that Im allowed to know is that a parole hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. But its location, and the identity of those involved, are a secret. Neither am I allowed to know what evidence will be led, which means that it cannot be tested. Finally, I also wont be told the reasons for granting or denying parole. Burns was jailed for ten years at the High Court in Aberdeen in 2017, with five years supervision upon release, after being found guilty of assaulting Mr Findlay to the danger of his life. The attack took place on the doorstep of his Glasgow home with his daughter, then aged ten, inside. She was able to alert neighbours who called police as Mr Findlay held down Burns. William Burns was given a 15-year sentence for the attack on Mr Findlay Mr Findlay had sulphuric acid thrown in his face on his doorstep in 2015 Police gather evidence following the attack at Mr Findlay's home in 2015 Mr Findlay, who could have lost his eyesight in the attack, told the Scotsman: If SNP ministers genuinely wanted to help crime victims, they would start by dragging the parole system into the 21st century. The Parole Board for Scotland does not comment on individual cases but a spokesman said it is committed to openness and transparency but within the context of the legislative framework provided by the Parole Board (Scotland) Rules 2022. A Scottish Government spokesman said: The parole system could work better for everyone which is why we are making changes through the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill, and why we currently have a public consultation on parole reforms that includes key areas of communication and transparency. It will be informed by direct engagement with victims and their families as well as other justice partners. Hearing about direct experience is essential to developing a more person-centred, trauma-informed system. Earlier this year, Mr Findlay proposed an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill, which would have ensured a no body, no parole rule for comvicted murderers. He described the failure to adopt his measure as a massive missed opportunity for families who are suffering the perpetual agony of not knowing what happened to their loved one. The Bill itself passed, requiring the Parole Board to at least take into account the refusal of a killer to reveal the location of the remains of victims. A Chicago television producer who was detained by immigration agents while 'walking to the bus stop' has hired legal help to hold the federal officers accountable. Veteran WGN-TV producer Deborah Brockman was slammed to the ground as mask-wearing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers cuffed her in the Chicago suburb of Lincoln Square on Friday. 'Brockman who is a US. citizen born in this country, was violently detained on Foster Avenue, on the north side of Chicago,' Attorney Brad Thomson said Tuesday. Brockman 'adamantly denies' any assault allegations on the federal officers, and her legal team added she 'was the one who was violently assaulted.' 'This incident should be alarming and horrifying to every single person in this country.' The local TV producer was detained and held in custody for seven hours before she was released without charges. The CBP agents were driving in the area while conducting immigration enforcement operations when Brockman allegedly threw something at their vehicle, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Her legal team stated she was simply walking to the bus stop when she was assaulted by the federal agents. Deborah Brockman (pictured), a veteran producer at WGN-TV, was forced to the ground as mask-wearing CBP officers cuffed her in the Chicago suburb of Lincoln Square on Friday The local television producer who was dramatically detained in the middle of a Chicago street, with her backside exposed The officers behind Brockman's arrest stopped at nothing to take her into custody - damaging a resistant driver's SUV after they refused to move out of the way (pictured: the back bumper ripped off the SUV) The officers behind Brockman's arrest stopped at nothing to take her into custody - damaging an SUV after the driver refused to move out of the way. Outrageous video from neighborhood resident Josh Thomas showed Brockman face down on the street with her blue jeans fallen - leaving her backside exposed. Witnesses heckled the officers carrying out the arrest, calling them 'fascists' and a variety of profane names. Thomas approached Brockman, who appeared desperate and afraid, and asked for her name. With her glasses crooked and slipping from her face, she frantically replied: 'Debbie Brockman, I work for WGN. Let them know!' Her legal team added she provided this information 'because she hoped someone would notify her employer that she would not be arriving at work that day.' The producer clarified she was not acting in any professional capacity as an employee of WGN during the time of her arrest. Witnesses broke out in uproar once again after she was dragged into a Border Patrol vehicle. The silver CBP vehicle began to drive off, but abruptly stopped after a few feet because a black SUV was partially blocking its path. An agent stepped out of the passenger's side and started yelling to the driver to move - an order the driver refused. Witnesses heckled the officers carrying out the arrest, calling them 'fascists' and a variety of profane names While Brockman was not at a protest during the heart-pounding encounter, a chaotic anti-ICE protest was happening simultaneously near a DHS facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview (pictured) The fed-up officer went back to the car and slammed the door shut. The vehicle then swiftly drove off through the too-narrow space between the SUV and the curb. 'This is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of illegal aliens violently resisting arrest and agitators and criminals ramming cars into our law enforcement officers,' DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said while acknowledging that Brockman is a US citizen. An anonymous witness told WGN-TV that the agents appeared to be conducting an ICE raid and were looking for a man on a property near where Brockman was arrested. The witness claimed that the officers also detained that individual. 'Ms. Brockman was taken to the ground, battered, handcuffed and her pants were pulled down exposing her bare buttocks,' her lawyer said. 'No one should be treated like that in this city, in this country, or anywhere else in the world.' Her legal team added that she will not be making any additional statements because she 'feels that she has been exposed enough.' A man will face court after a spate of carjackings in Melbourne that ended with heavily armed police descending on a hotel. The chaos began when the man, believed to have been on his way to a police station to make a complaint, ran out of petrol in Tarneit in the city's west about 7.45am on Tuesday. Police allege the 48-year-old from Hoppers Crossing went to a convenience store, where he took a jerry can and attempted to get fuel before he assaulted the store attendant. The man, who was allegedly carrying an imitation pistol, left the store and approached a Honda Civic at the intersection of Sayers and Tarneit Roads, where police allege he unsuccessfully attempted to steal it. Police allege he then carjacked a Mitsubishi ASX which was chased to Dryburgh Street in North Melbourne where it is alleged he carjacked a Hyundai. The car was then dumped on Lonsdale Street in central Melbourne about 8.45am and a man ran from the vehicle. Terrified witnesses told Daily Mail they heard multiple gunshots in the CBD before the suspected gunman was arrested, with some spotting rubber bullets on the ground. Late on Tuesday night, he was charged with attempted aggravated burglary, attempted aggravated carjacking, aggravated carjacking with imitation firearm, non-prohibited person possess imitation firearm, assault and threats to kill. A 48-year-old man from Hoppers Crossing has been charged with several serious offences after an alleged carjacking rampage across Melbourne on Tuesday morning Footage obtained by Wyndham TV revealed the moment the man appeared to order another man to get out of a car stopped at traffic lights in Tarneit One witness, believed to be a tourist, claimed the man pointed the gun at him. Some people have recalled the man blaring his horn, yelling at people to move, and 'almost hit a lot of people' as he sped through the busy street towards the CBD. Footage obtained by Wyndham TV also revealed what happened during one of the alleged carjackings in Tarneit, with the man appearing to order a man to get out of a car stopped at traffic lights. 'Get out now, go, go!' he screamed at the terrified man, who fled across the road. The man spent a few moments looking inside the car before targeting a second motorist, telling him to 'get out' and that 'I'll buy you a new car'. He was heard calling out an odd five-word phrase before driving off: 'I love you and God bless.' City workers saw police, including officers from Special Operations Group and Critical Incident Response Team, chasing the suspect before he was arrested. Photos showed the suspect covered in blood on a stretcher before he was led away in handcuffs to an ambulance and transported to Royal Melbourne Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, where he remains under assessment. CCTV captured the suspect casually walking down a CBD street carrying a firearm while smoking a cigarette Melburnians saw police, including officers from special operations, chasing the alleged gunman on their way to work before he was eventually arrested He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Police allege the man's wild Grand Theft Auto-style morning began after he ran out of petrol while travelling with his wife. 'He carjacked a vehicle and headed into North Melbourne, where he took another car before entering the CBD,' Acting Inspector Emma Lobb told reporters on Tuesday. 'He dumped that vehicle around Lonsdale Street. Our Critical Incident Response Team and SOG safely secured the arrest. There was a firearm on the male, however it has been recovered and there are no ongoing threats to the public.' The latest incident in the heart of Melbourne came just days after terrified lunchtime shoppers in Bourke Street were forced to run for their lives as an allegedly stolen SUV struck a pedestrian while being chased by police. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan has since assured that 'the CBD of Melbourne is safe'. 'The Victorian community has that protection from Victoria Police,' she told reporters on Tuesday. 'As we saw this morning, Victoria Police moved swiftly, dealt with this situation quickly.' Asked whether she understood why some Victorians didn't feel safe in the CBD, Premier Allan said: 'I can understand for those in the area this morning, it would have been a concern.' 'I do understand that when incidents do occur, it would be incredibly distressing to either the witness to those sort of instances or indeed if that happened to you more directly.' Fury is spreading across Israel as Hamas clings on to 20 dead hostages, despite the US president threatening to 'violently' disarm them. The terror group handed over four bodies on Tuesday night - but relatives of hostages still in its clutches took to the streets in Tel Aviv to call for the return of their loved ones. It came just hours after the first hostages handed back on Monday as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal were named as Guy Iluz, 26, Bipin Joshi, 33, Yossi Sharabi, 54, and Daniel Peretz, 22. On Tuesday night Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the remains of four more hostages had been returned. 'All the families of the hostages have been updated on the matter, and in this difficult hour, our hearts are with them,' Netanyahu said. 'The effort to bring back our hostages continues relentlessly and will not stop until the last hostage is returned.' The International Committee of the Red Cross says it facilitated the transfer of the four deceased hostages to Israel and the bodies of 45 Palestinians to Gaza today. 'These operations were carried out in line with the ceasefire agreement, and it is crucial that the parties and mediators ensure the agreement is faithfully upheld,' it said. Julian Lerisson, the head of the Red Cross in the region, says the organisation is 'prepared to fulfil our role for as long as it takes'. Red Cross vehicles transport the bodies of deceased hostages who had been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, after they were handed over by Hamas militants as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Gaza City, October 14, 2025 A vehicle transporting the bodies of four hostages handed over following a ceasefire and prisoner exchange An armed Hamas militant stands guard as a Red Cross vehicle arrives to receive from Hamas militants the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages Relatives of hostages whose bodies are still in Gaza Strip shout slogans calling for their release at the plaza known as hostages square, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 The 24 dead hostages whose bodies remain in Gaza. Bereaved families have expressed anger and frustration that their loved ones' bodies have not been returned Meanwhile, Donald Trump threatened to forcibly disarm Hamas if they refuse to give up their weapons as the Gaza ceasefire deal hangs by a thread. 'They will disarm - and if they don't I'm gonna make them disarm,' the president told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. 'They know what I mean.' Trump warned that America stood ready to bring about Hamas's disarmament 'quickly and perhaps violently'. Following the latest handover, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a statement calling on Hamas to return all the bodies of Israeli hostages that it is still holding, and to honour the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The UK leader also paid tribute to slain hostage Yossi Sharabi, whose body was returned by Hamas on Monday. He has British family who Starmer has met previously. The PM said in a statement: 'The release of the bodies of the deceased hostages is a profoundly difficult moment for the families who have endured terrible and protracted pain over the last two years at the hands of Hamas. 'The loss of Yossi Sharabi will be felt deeply by his family, after Hamas so cruelly drew out their horror and denied them the right to grieve. 'I know from meeting his family just how loved Yossi was, and how devastating this ordeal has been. My thoughts are with them, and all of the hostage families. 'Hamas must now return the remaining deceased hostages and honour the terms of the ceasefire. 'Moving forward, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure the next phase of the peace plan is implemented in full.' The families of at least 20 others are still waiting for their loved ones to be brought home. 'We informed the mediators that we will hand over four to six bodies of Israeli prisoners tonight,' a Hamas official said on Tuesday. Earlier, Israeli officials said the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt would remain closed at least through Wednesday, with aid deliveries into Gaza reduced to pressure Hamas to return the remaining bodies. Israel said the flow of aid into the devastated Palestinian territory would be cut by half and the crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt would not open as planned, blaming Hamas for delays in the return of bodies of hostages. Red Cross teams are searching Gaza's ruins for deceased hostages after Israel warned Hamas it had until tonight to deliver the rest. But the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned the process could take considerable time given the difficulty of recovering bodies from the rubble. 'The search for human remains is obviously an even bigger challenge than having the people alive being released,' ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon said in Geneva, adding it could take days or weeks. But Israel responded severely, accusing Hamas of deliberate delays. It announced the halving of the number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza to 300 a day, and postponed the opening of a major aid crossing point into Gaza from Egypt at Rafah. A copy of the ceasefire agreement published by Israeli media had stated that the remains of all of the deceased hostages should be handed over by 12:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Monday - but it also appeared to acknowledge that Hamas and other Palestinian factions may not be able to locate all of them within that timeframe. IDF troops receive remains of killed hostages at official ceremony, October 13, 2025 Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza on Monday under a ceasefire deal, while Israel released busloads of Palestinian detainees as US President Donald Trump declared an end to the two-year war Red Cross vehicles arrive to receive from Hamas militants bodies of deceased hostages who had been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack Families of hostages rally for the remaining 20 hostage bodies to be returned opposite a Simchat Torah celebration, on the day four more hostage bodies are released, and the day after 20 living hostages were released, in hostage square on October 14, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel It comes after Israel's far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, released a statement before the latest handover of deceased hostages to the Red Cross. In his statement, Ben-Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt aid to Gaza if Hamas does not immediately return all of the hostages' bodies. Ben-Gvir, who was sanctioned by the UK earlier this year, said the fact Hamas was yet to return 24 bodies to Israel indicated the 'mission to destroy it [Hamas] has not yet been achieved'. Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza on Monday under a ceasefire deal, while Israel released busloads of Palestinian detainees as US President Donald Trump declared an end to the two-year war. Only the coffins of Guy Iluz, 26, Bipin Joshi, 33, Yossi Sharabi, 54, and Daniel Peretz, 22, have so far been returned to Israel, leaving more than 20 bodies still unaccounted for. Israel is also expected to hand over an unspecified number of Palestinian remains. The ICRC said it has deployed 23 additional staff, body bags and refrigerated vehicles to help ensure the dead are treated with dignity in Gaza, much of which lies in ruins. It said it was a 'massive challenge' given the difficulties of finding bodies in Gaza's rubble. For its part, Israel is supposed to hand over an unspecified number of Palestinian bodies. But ICRC spokesperson Cardon said: 'I think there is clearly a risk that that will take much more time. What we are telling the parties is that that should be their top priority,' he said on Tuesday. 'All parties must ensure that the return of human remains is done under dignified conditions, and uphold dignity and humanity,' the ICRC added in a statement. On Tuesday, the IDF revealed that Bipin Joshi was one of the deceased returned by Hamason Monday Guy Illuz, 26, was also identified by the IDF on Tuesday. The army said he tried to hide in a tree but was later captured. He was wounded and alive when he was taken, but later died due to a lack of medical treatment Israeli media named Yossi Sharabi as one of the bodies identified by the military on Tuesday Daniel Perez, 22, from Yad Binyamin, was killed in the fighting on October 7 and his body has been held in the Gaza Strip ever since Cardon declined to discuss further details about the possible whereabouts of the deceased hostages, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing operation. It is, however, feared that some of the remains may never be located. Cardon praised the fact that the handover of the 20 living hostages on Monday was done discreetly, without a repeat of the Hamas-directed hostage release ceremonies of previous transfers. The ICRC, a neutral humanitarian intermediary, has facilitated the transfer of 172 hostages and 3,473 Palestinian detainees since the war began on October 7, 2023. But despite the recent celebrations, it remains unclear whether the peace will hold after two years of fighting that has left more than 70,000 dead, according to Gaza's health ministry. Trump's 20-point peace plan demands that Hamas disarm, and turn over the dead hostages - neither pledge has yet been honored. Lianne Pollack-David, former senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says the most critical test lies ahead. Trump's peace deal risks complete collapse if Hamas fails to return the bodies of all deceased Israeli hostages, she says. The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, an Israeli advocacy group, warned that Hamas is already in 'blatant breach' of the peace agreement after it failed to release all of the remains today. Pollack-David, who previously negotiated with Palestinians, described the current phase of the deal as dangerously unstable, with the Israel Defense Forces having partially withdrawn to what is called the 'yellow line' about a 50 percent pullback. If Hamas violates the terms, that retreat could be reversed rapidly. Donald Trump speaks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport before boarding his plane to Sharm El-Sheikh, on Monday She emphasized that Trump's agreement is not a peace deal, but a shaky ceasefire with terrorists which was only in its initial phase. Much is unresolved. Pollack-David says Hamas has already shown signs of defiance, including using psychological tactics to maintain a sense of control. She says Hamas called the parents of these hostages and let them speak to their loved ones, because they wanted to let them know they maintain control over them. 'I don't expect Hamas to come out in the next few days or months waving a white flag. They will do whatever they can to survive, and they're already playing these tricks,' the Netanyahu insider said. She added, 'What they do next could blow up the whole deal.' A black Florida mom whose violent arrest was caught on camera has spoken out for the first time since the traumatic incident, with her family saying she now has PTSD. Erika McGriff, 39, has blasted her arrest by Jacksonville Officer Randy Holton as 'uncalled for and unfair' as she made a short statement beside her relatives and Attorney Ben Crump, on Tuesday. Crump also represented George Floyd's case in Minnesota, and the veteran lawyer drew comparisons between the shocking murder in 2020 and McGriff's case. McGriff was arrested for parking her car illegally and driving on a suspended license while she was picking her nine-year-old daughter up from IDEA charter school in Jacksonville on the afternoon of October 7. As shown on video, Holton restrained McGriff by the neck as she screamed 'I can't breathe', in an echo of Floyd's final words. He also appeared to throw punches at her head, push her to the ground, and yank her by the hair while she bit him. McGriff's arm was streaked with blood, and Holton sustained a bite mark on his arm. The fight was witnessed by several screaming children, including McGriff's daughter. Her godmother, whose name was not given, said the family is now dealing with the mental trauma after watching the disturbing video. 'Now were dealing with PTSD,' she told a conference held by Crump on Tuesday. 'This should not be part of the black community - PTSD brought on by the police department.' Florida mom Erika McGriff (pictured) whose violent arrest was caught on camera has spoken out for the first time since the traumatic incident. McGriff, 39, blasted her arrest by Jacksonville Officer Randy Holton as 'uncalled for and unfair' as she spoke beside her attorney McGriff was arrested for parking her car illegally and driving on a suspended license while she was picking her nine-year-old daughter up from IDEA charter school in Jacksonville October 7 The incident unfolded outside a charter school in Jacksonville last week when Officer Randy Holton attempted to arrest 39-year-old Erika McGriff for allegedly parking illegally and running across a busy intersection to collect her daughter from school Jacksonville Sheriff Office (JSO) Chief T.K. Waters - who is also black - dismissed any hint of racial bias last week, saying the confrontation stemmed from McGriff 'violently resisting' a police officer who was 'just trying to do his job'. However, at his Tuesday conference, Attorney Crump said the incident was the latest example of 'a practice of excessive use of force against black motorists for minor traffic violations' by JSO. McGriff also spoke on stage to make a brief statement, while flanked by her daughter, attorneys, and wider family. 'All I was doing was trying to get my daughter out of the school without getting drenched in the rain, thats all,' she said. 'Everything that happened, it was just like, uncalled for, and it was not fair. Her godmother, whose name was not given, made an impassioned speech about how the incident has impacted their family. I did not want to watch the video. Thats my godchild,' she said. 'Her mother cannot watch the video. You cannot imagine what it will do to a mother to see your child being dug into the ground, beaten, punched, by a man, and all she wanted to do was to go pick up her child. 'It had no business going the way it went. And now were dealing with PTSD. This should not be part of the black community - PTSD brought on by the police department.' Gesturing towards McGriff's daughter, she added: 'This child will remember this for the rest of her days, and thats what Im standing here for. 'You have no idea what this has done to this family, this one incident that could have been so minute, so little, escalated the way that it did - its not fair. Erika McGriff (pictured) is charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and operating a motor vehicle while having a driver's license that is revoked as a habitual traffic offender Anita Gibson, 59, (pictured above) and Jasmine Jefferson, 36, were charged with violating Florida's Halo Law, which states that members of the public must leave a 25-foot buffer around first responders who are making arrests to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Anita Gibson, 59, and Jasmine Jefferson, 36, (pictured above) were charged with violating Florida's Halo Law, which states that members of the public must leave a 25-foot buffer around first responders who are making arrests to ensure the safety of everyone involved Two more women were also arrested in connection with the incident, for allegedly obstructing Holton as he tried to make an arrest. Anita Gibson, 59, and Jasmine Jefferson, 36, were charged with violating Florida's Halo Law, which states the public must leave a 25ft buffer around first responders who are making arrests to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Gibson and Jefferson also flanked McGriff at the press conference on Tuesday, and Attorney Crump referred to them as 'The Jacksonville Three'. Attorney Daniels and I are exploring every possible legal avenue to hold the JSO accountable, but more importantly, we dont have to keep coming back to have black people being brutalized and killed,' Crump said. 'Thats what were praying for. We want to close down the police brutality department, but it seems to be getting worse here in Jacksonville Florida. We are here in defense of black women, because we have to stand up for black women when they are brutalized by the very people that are supposed to protect and serve them,' he added. McGriff has been charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and operating a motor vehicle while having a driver's license that is revoked as a habitual traffic offender. Holton began swiping McGriff in the head as she attempted to shove him away, and a bite mark could be seen on his arm at one point in the footage, as shown above Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters who is also black has dismissed allegations of racial bias, saying the confrontation stemmed from McGriff 'violently resisting' a police officer who was 'just trying to do his job' Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said the confrontation stemmed from McGriff 'violently resisting' a police officer who was 'just trying to do his job'. At a press conference on Friday, Waters slammed McGriff for 'modeling and normalizing' breaking the law to 'school-age children', lying to police and violently resisting an officer including by biting him. 'This entire episode reaches beyond even law violations,' Waters said. 'It speaks to the breakdown of civil society that some in our community not only quietly accept, but actively promote... officer Holton was simply doing his job'. Virgin Australia will increase the weight limit for carry-on luggage next year, marking a major win for passengers. The airline quietly updated its website on Tuesday, revealing new carry-on baggage allowances will apply from February 2. Economy passengers will be able to carry on one item for the overhead locker weighing up to 8kg, plus one personal item such as a purse, camera or laptop bag. Travellers are currently allowed two carry-on bags, however the combined weight cannot exceed 7kg. Business class rules will also change, with customers allowed to bring two carry-on bags weighing a total of 14kg: one piece may weigh up to 8kg, as well as a personal item. Virgin Australia chief operations officer Chris Snook said the aim is to make flights better for customers. 'These changes are based on team member and guest feedback and will help deliver an enhanced onboard experience, while keeping the boarding process simple and consistent,' he said. 'The result will be a smoother start to the journey and a more comfortable experience on board. We want your bag, where you sit.' Carry-on allowances for Virgin Australia domestic flights will change in February, 2026 Mr Snook said the changes have been announced now so customers have time to plan while staff will have a run-up to understanding and applying the allowance. The airline also provided detail on how the changes apply to those bringing infants on planes, highlighting a collapsible stroller counts as one standard carry-on item and must fit within the dimensions of L56cm by W36cm by H23cm. Virgin Australia said families may also bring an additional small personal item like a nappy bag for essential baby products. Three infant items can be checked in for free. Dozens of Australians welcomed the move on social media, but raised concerns that the new rules need to be followed through. 'Yeah needs enforcement if you ask me. I just want my modest bag above my head,' a Reddit user said. 'Too many people trying their luck it also slows getting on and off the plane.' Another added: 'GOOD! Sick of people taking on luggage that should be checked in and we gotta put our small packs at our feet. Should have done this ages ago.' A third person questioned why someone would want to carry hefty luggage on planes anyway. Passengers in economy will be allowed to bring on heavier bags and a personal item 'It blows me away the sheer amount of stuff some people bring as carry on, when you can just check it and enjoy an easy walk to to the gate,' they said. 'I don't take up any more space than I actually need. I usually fly Economy X, and my only carry on is a small leather backpack with my laptop, headphones, purse, etc, which fits neatly under the seat in front. 'The only time I ever need an overhead bin is if I'm in an exit or bulkhead row and can't stow my bag under the seat in front.' The rules are not only for domestic flights but short-haul international trips to countries such as Bali, Fiji and New Zealand. Fewer than half of secondary school pupils admit not knowing whether AI content is true or not, a survey has found. Eight in ten say they use AI tools for schoolwork but only 47 per cent felt confident identifying accurate AI-generated information. Daniel Williams, associate assistant headteacher and AI lead at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, said many pupils recognise AI's value, but 'often use it as a shortcut rather than a learning tool. Like the report suggests, fewer than half can judge the accuracy or bias of AI content, which mirrors what I see, especially in the sixth form.' The survey, carried out by Opinium of 2,000 pupils aged 13 to 18, found nearly half (48 per cent) wanted support from their teachers to help them understand where they can trust AI-generated content. A survey has found eight in ten say they use AI tools for schoolwork but only 47 per cent felt confident identifying accurate AI-generated information. Picture: Stock image However, a third did not feel their teachers were confident using AI tools in lessons, and nearly half (47 per cent) were worried that their teachers cannot spot when classmates are using AI to do their schoolwork. More than six in ten (62 per cent) said they felt AI had a negative impact on their schoolwork skills. A quarter (26 per cent) said using AI made work too easy, and 12 per cent said using it limits creative thinking. Amie Lawless, from Oxford University Press, said it was encouraging to see that young people are aware of the challenges around AI. When Donald Trump secured a historic peace deal that ended the war in Gaza, Time magazine tried to meet the moment with its traditional cover. Instead, it was dubbed, in the president's words, the 'worst photo ever taken'. As all the living Israeli hostages were returned home and the shelling stopped, the outlet published a trailblazing photo of the 79-year-old alongside the words: 'His triumph'. Trump appears to be looking up into a beam of light, in what editors may have considered a magisterial pose. The image was picked to match Trump's landmark agreement that has ended the fighting between Israel and Hamas. Because of the camera angle however, his hair appears to be missing, and they hit a sore spot: his appearance. What was supposed to be a watershed moment for the publication instead left Trump enraged, reigniting a long-running feud with Time. And the Daily Mail has learned it may have been a calculated move from staff - and it could have have put them in the crosshairs of their billionaire owner, Marc Benioff. The Time Magazine cover celebrating Trump's Middle Eastern diplomacy makes the President appear bald Benioff, the owner of Salesforce, last week implored Trump to send the National Guard into San Francisco, the city where his headquarters are based. Despite the article accompanying the cover being a glowing analysis of an accomplishment that has failed many of his predecessors for decades, Trump's response was fury. On Truth Social at 1.30am on Tuesday - while he was flying back from to the U.S. from a peace summit in Egypt - he wrote to his followers: 'Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time. 'They 'disappeared' my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. When Daily Mail reached out to one source at Time, they said: 'Yes it was on purpose, we, laughed about it.' Another insider had a more measured response, but had a message for the president that it wasn't a copy of Vogue. The member of staff said: 'We wanted a picture that didn't look like every other photo out there. 'If he doesn't like the shot, that's unfortunate. Trump took to Truth Social to slam the cover as 'really weird' 'But when you're the President of the United States, you know you're going to be photographed from every angle, and some angles are more flattering than others. 'Of course, there were people who thought it was a bad picture, but we're not Vogue. It was accompanied by a very fair story about the President.' Daily Mail has reached out to Time Magazine for comment. While the photo may have lit the anger in the commander-in-chief, the article and related social media posts were fawning. In a social media post on X, Time hailed Trump's latest agreement as the 'signature achievement' of his second term. 'The living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been freed under the first phase of Donald Trump's peace plan, alongside a Palestinian prisoner release,' Time wrote alongside the photo. 'The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle East.' Kari Lake, the acting chief executive of the US Agency for Global Media and a longtime supporter of the President, posted a fake version of the Time cover on X. Trump signed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement at a peace summit in Egypt on Monday The edited photo shows Trump staring straight ahead, with his hair in full view, along with the caption, 'Trump's Triumph: Bringing Peace to the World.' Trump has previously been upset with depictions of him, and believes it is done purposely on most occasions. In March, he raged at a portrait in the Colorado State Capitol. 'Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before,' Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time. The painting by Sarah Boardman was then removed. Trump has also ordered tweaks to the presidential portraits in the White House. His portrait from the January inauguration showed him with a serious stare. In June, West Wing staff released an updated version with more dramatic lighting and a black backdrop. Trump has also frequently picked battles with news outlets, and Time has been one of his popular targets. It's far from his first time on the cover. In February 2025, an illustration showed him swiping papers of the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office with the headline: 'He's back'. A close-up portrait in May 2025 was printed with the caption: 'Dealing with it'. In 2024, he was named Time Person of the Year. Editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs wrote at the time: 'Since he began running for president in 2015, perhaps no single individual has played a larger role in changing the course of politics and history than Trump.' In February 2025 however, he mocked the magazine for putting a mocked-up photo of Elon Musk behind the Resolute Desk, quipping that he 'didn't know it was still in business'. In October 2024, he frequently criticized the coverage of Kamala Harris during the campaign. He also accused Time of using a fake photo of the then-Vice President. Israel refused to increase aid that was due to flood into Gaza today after Hamas had released just eight bodies of hostages by last night. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out doubling the number of trucks to deliver the much-needed supplies amid mounting anger at the terror group's violation of the peace plan. US President Donald Trump last night raged on Truth Social that the job 'IS NOT DONE', adding: 'THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED!' As well as maintaining deliveries at 300 lorries per day, Israel also refused to reopen the Rafah Crossing into Egypt as planned to let Palestinians come and go from the Strip. Hamas was supposed to return all 28 dead alongside the 20 living hostages by midday on Monday. But while the world rejoiced that all those alive came home, just four bodies were delivered, with a further four last night. It provoked fury across Israel with calls for the government to react severely to the violation of the deal, as burying your dead is a sacred ritual in the Jewish religion. Mr Netanyahu set a deadline for progress by the end of yesterday, prompting Hamas to announce it would hand back another quartet. And last night the Israeli military said four more 'coffins of deceased hostages' were collected by the Red Cross in Gaza. Hamas has been accused of intentionally withholding dead hostages, putting the fragile peace under immense strain just days into the historic 20-point plan. It came as forensics yesterday confirmed that Yossi Sharabi's body was among those returned on Monday, having previously identified two others as Guy Illouz and Bipin Joshi. US President Donald Trump last night raged on Truth Social that the job 'IS NOT DONE', adding: 'THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED!' On Tuesday, the IDF revealed that Bipin Joshi was one of the deceased returned by Hamas on Monday Guy Illuz, 26, was also identified by the IDF. The army said he tried to hide in a tree but was later captured. He was wounded and alive when he was taken, but later died due to a lack of medical treatment Israeli media named Yossi Sharabi as one of the bodies identified by the military Daniel Perez, 22, from Yad Binyamin, was killed in the fighting on October 7 and his body has been held in the Gaza Strip ever since Mr Sharabi, 53, died in captivity while his British sister-in-law Lianne Sharabi, 48, was killed along with daughters Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, at Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7. His brother, Eli Sharabi, 52, survived captivity and was released last January. Mr Sharabi's wife Nira, 55, said last night: 'Now we can end the nightmare that began more than two years ago and allow Yossi a respectful and loving burial in the land of Be'eri that he loved so much.' Forensics also confirmed the fourth body returned on Monday was that of Captain Daniel Peretz, 22. The South African-Israeli was captured when fighting Hamas at the Nahal Oz base and died from wounds which went untreated. Mediators and aid agencies have insisted that the terror group is simply having trouble locating that bodies given the level of destruction across the territory after two years of war and tens of thousands dead. But local broadcaster Kan reported that the Israeli government believes Hamas is holding some back intentionally amid fears they are trying to extort more out of Israel. An Arab diplomat involved in talks, however, told Israeli paper Haaretz that they are working on the issue and do not believe the deal is in jeopardy. But the Hostage Forum, which represents families of the victims, was holding an emergency meeting last night and wrote to Mr Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff. Urging him to intervene, they said: 'We cannot rest, and we know you will not rest, until every last hostage is returned. 'We ask you to pull out every stop and leave no stone unturned in demanding Hamas fulfil their end of the agreement and bring all the remaining hostages home.' IDF troops receive remains of killed hostages at official ceremony, October 13, 2025 The 24 dead hostages whose bodies remain in Gaza. Bereaved families have expressed anger and frustration that their loved ones' bodies have not been returned Donald Trump speaks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport before boarding his plane to Sharm El-Sheikh, on Monday Families said Mr Witkoff's pledge that he would dig with his 'own fingers to find our loved ones' was 'forever etched in our memory' and would 'sustain us through the darkest moments'. Udi Goren, who is still waiting for the return of the body of his cousin Tal Haimi, told the Daily Mail that until they are all returned, his family is left in agony. 'We cannot move on, have closure, and be able to recover until Tal and all the dead are back home,' he said. 'I was actually hopeful that we would get my cousin back for the first time... I was desperately disappointed. We thought our personal struggle would be over and we could move forward, but now it carries on.' Other families were upset by a letter sent from the prime minister's office expressing sadness at the 'heavy price' they had to pay for 'the end of the war and the return of all the hostages'. Merav Svirsky, sister of Itay Svirsky, who was murdered in captivity and whose body was recovered last December, wrote on Facebook, 'Sometimes one word is preferable: Sorry.' Christian Cardon, spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross, warned some remains may never be found yesterday. He said: 'I think there is clearly a risk that that will take much more time. What we are telling the parties is that should be their top priority.' Egyptian teams are inside Gaza assisting efforts to locate and extract the bodies in consultation with Israel, according to Qatari Al Araby news outlet. Gal Hirsch, Israel's pointman on hostages, insisted 'the mission is not complete' and told families he will 'intensify pressure' on Hamas until all the hostages have been returned. It comes after the terror group handed over four bodies on Tuesday night. Red Cross vehicles transport the bodies of deceased hostages who had been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, after they were handed over by Hamas militants as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Gaza City, October 14, 2025 Relatives of hostages whose bodies are still in Gaza Strip shout slogans calling for their release at the plaza known as hostages square, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the remains of four more hostages had been returned. 'All the families of the hostages have been updated on the matter, and in this difficult hour, our hearts are with them,' Netanyahu said. 'The effort to bring back our hostages continues relentlessly and will not stop until the last hostage is returned.' The International Committee of the Red Cross says it facilitated the transfer of the four deceased hostages to Israel and the bodies of 45 Palestinians to Gaza on Tuesday. 'These operations were carried out in line with the ceasefire agreement, and it is crucial that the parties and mediators ensure the agreement is faithfully upheld,' it said. Israel also holds dead Palestinians, including many Hamas terrorists such as the October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar. They released the first batch of 45 bodies back to Gaza yesterday. Keir Starmer said Hamas must 'honour the terms of the ceasefire' as the Prime Minister paid tribute to families who have 'endured terrible and protracted pain'. From university to a Windsor wedding watched by the world, the Princess of Wales has lived out a love story that feels straight from a Disney fairytale. But while her romance with Prince William has always seemed to be the story of dreams, its Kates wardrobe that often provides the most magical moments. Known as 'Princess-core', it is a style aesthetic that leans into the fairytale narrative, which means puffed sleeves, pastel hues, sweeping skirts and, of course, the occasional sparkling tiara. And no one does it better than Kate. Over the years, Kate has dazzled in gowns so enchanting they could have been sketched by Disney animators themselves. Glittering Jenny Packham dresses that call to mind Frozens Elsa, chiffon ballgowns straight out of Sleeping Beauty, and tropical ensembles that wouldnt look out of place on Moana, Kate has worn them all. Take her 2019 appearance at the V&A Museum in a rose-pink Gucci gown. With its flowing skirt and velvet waistband, the dress instantly drew comparisons with Princess Auroras iconic look. Or consider her tropical turn in Tuvalu in 2016, when she wore a grass skirt and floral headdress during a traditional welcome ceremony echoing Moana, Disneys fearless Polynesian heroine. Kate didnt just look the part, she embodied the spirit of a modern Disney princess, adventurous yet gracious, stepping out of her regal mould and into something playful. A gown truly fit for a princess! Kates ice-blue Phillipa Lepley princess dress was a perfect modern-day match for Cinderellas iconic blue ballgown Kate was every inch the fairytale princess as she stepped out to attend the 100 Women in Finance gala at the V&A Museum in 2019. Her sweeping pink Gucci gown featured a velvet waistband and full chiffon skirt which oozed Disney glamour Princess Kate channelled everyone's favourite ice queen for the Royal Variety Performance in 2017 when she wowed in a powder blue dress covered entirely in beds and gemstones. Dazzling in the floor-length Jenny Packham showstopper, she mirrored Elsa from Disneys Frozen Dancing with locals in Tuvalu, in the Solomon Islands, in 2016, Kate's head-dress and grass skirt were very reminiscent of Moana as she set out across the seas in search of adventure. Layered over an intricately embroidered Alice by Temperley dress, the tropical ensemble made Kate look as though she had stepped straight off the big screen Princess Kate could have been in Arendelle in 2022 when she arrived at a reception in Jamaica wearing an embellished green tulle gown by Jenny Packham, channelling Princess Anna from Frozen Disney princesses have always been shorthand for perfection. Elegant, poised, kind-hearted women in gowns that leave us wide-eyed. And Kate has frequently served up these Disney doppelganger moments. But such is the power of the Princess of Waless fashion, it transcends couture and taps into something deeper, more nostalgic, more magical. And perhaps thats the point. For a monarchy trying to project stability in the modern world, Kates Disney moments are not frivolous coincidences, but powerful symbolism. They remind us that royalty is supposed to dazzle, to enchant, to capture our imaginations. From Aurora in Gucci to Elsa on the red carpet, from Moana in Tuvalu to Cinderella at Buckingham Palace, the Princess of Wales has time and again embodied the fairytale ideal. The Prince and Princess of Wales are hoping their fresh start will begin with a bang moving into their new Windsor home by Bonfire Night. The couple had initially planned to quit Adelaide Cottage on the royal Windsor estate and be in neighbouring Forest Lodge by Christmas. But builders have been working around the clock to bring their moving date forward, the Daily Mail can reveal. With the work now complete the couple are hopeful their move is 'imminent' and they will be in by November 5. A new 150-acre, Home Office-agreed security cordon is in place around the eight-bedroom Georgian mansion, with staff now transferring the family's belongings into the newly renovated property. 'It is hoped they will be in the new home in time for Bonfire Night,' a source told the Daily Mail yesterday. 'That will make a fun start for the children.' William and Kate, both 43, have been keen to provide a 'fresh start' for their three children: Prince George, 12, who will start senior school next autumn, Princess Charlotte, ten, and seven-year-old Prince Louis. Although the family had planned to live in cosy four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage for many more years, their time there has been beset by unhappy memories. William and Kate, both 43, have been keen to provide a 'fresh start' for their three children: Prince George, 12, who will start senior school next autumn, Princess Charlotte, ten, and seven-year-old Prince Louis Builders have been working around the clock to bring their moving date into Forest Lodge forward, the Daily Mail can reveal The couple moved their children from Kensington Palace to Berkshire in August 2022 to provide them with a more protected, rural upbringing and be close to William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. However she died within weeks of them moving in, the first in a series of family challenges which included the release of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's vitriolic Netflix series in December that year, followed by Prince Harry's scathing memoir, Spare, the following January which signalled another series of attacks on the Royal Family, but particularly on William and Kate. Then last year both the princess and King Charles were diagnosed with cancer. Kate underwent a gruelling course of preventative chemotherapy, with William describing the experience of supporting his wife and protecting their children as 'brutal'. The princess is now happily in remission but there is no doubt that her experience has left her more determined than ever to put family first as she and William juggle parental duties with their growing royal roles as the future king and queen. 'Adelaide Cottage really does have some difficult memories associated with it, sadly,' a source said. 'They have experienced some of their most challenging times there... The family are really happy about this [move] and excited for a fresh start.' Another source added: 'The builders have been working flat out, week-in, week-out, so that the family could move in as soon as possible. Christmas was always the deadline but it's great that it's going to happen much earlier.' Apparently the princess has been thoroughly enjoying renovating Forest Lodge, sourcing much of the furniture and furnishings from UK companies including Marina Mill in Kent, which she recently visited, trying her hand at textile printing. The couple had initially planned to quit Adelaide Cottage (pictured) on the royal Windsor estate and be in neighbouring Forest Lodge by Christmas 'I think it's been quite a fun process for her,' the source added. 'She loves interior design and is a big champion of the British textiles industry. After all, this will be their forever home. They are ready as a family to move forwards.' Indeed, Kensington Palace has made clear that the prince and princess intend to remain in Forest Lodge even after they accede to the throne, in a break with recent tradition. It is also understood that there will be no live-in staff in Berkshire in order to maintain the privacy they crave. Employees have moved into nearby homes on the Windsor Great Park estate, the Daily Mail can confirm. The Waleses have funded the move and refurbishment themselves and will be paying market rent to the Crown Estate. The 328-year-old Grade-II property has undergone modest internal and external renovations including new doors and windows, the stripping out of walls, renovated ceilings and new floors. It was last renovated in 2001 at a cost of 1.5million. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more The Princess of Wales is renowned for her enviable coat collection, a wardrobe essential for her many official engagements. Kate consistently gravitates towards structured silhouettes that fall gracefully to the shin, favouring timeless British tailoring with classic details such as notch lapels, clean lines and military accents. During her visit to Northern Ireland with Prince William, the Princess demonstrated her commitment to sustainable style by rewearing a striking green coat - the fifth appearance of the bespoke Alexander McQueen design since its debut in 2020. She completed the look with her trusty brown suede knee-high boots from Gianvito Rossi. The choice perfectly captured Kate's flair for symbolic dressing; the rich green hue paid a thoughtful nod to Ireland's verdant landscape while remaining effortlessly chic. As autumn sets in, this shade feels especially fitting. Fortunately, the high street offers countless ways to emulate the look, with royal-approved brands such as Karen Millen, Boden, Reiss and Jaeger offering elegant variations inspired by Kate's signature style. Californians could be at risk of deadly 'supershear' earthquakes in the near future. The ultrafast ruptures create a sharp, booming shock front that is far more destructive than typical quakes, scientists have warned. Ahmed Ettaf Elbanna, professor of earth science and civil engineering at the University of Southern California, told the Daily Mail: 'There is a high probability that the next large earthquake in California could be supershear.' This assessment was based on studies of California's major strike-slip faults that showed an event like this is statistically likely. Elbanna said these phenomena cause violent shaking that lasts longer and covers larger areas than conventional earthquakes, and have the potential to affect buildings that would otherwise be left unfazed by less severe quakes. Supershear events are considered particularly dangerous because they deliver a 'double strike,' first the shock front, then the rupture itself. The shock front is the leading edge that moves faster than normal seismic waves, delivering a sudden, intense jolt like a sonic boom. The rupture follows, producing prolonged shaking and structural stress. Together these effects are known as the 'double strike' characteristic. 'Given that 70 percent of the population in California lives within 30 miles of an active fault, this... poses an extra risk,' Elbanna said. In a supershear earthquake, the rupture along a fault line travels faster than the surrounding seismic waves, bunching up energy into a shockwave similar to the sonic boom created by a jet breaking the sound barrier. Scientists have long overlooked supershear earthquakes, but the warning has become so dire that their attention has shifted. The quakes would be more destructive than anything ever seen before, experts say (Stock image) Beyond structural damage, Elbanna warned, critical lifelines such as power grids, transportation networks and water systems could be severely disrupted. Internet and communications could remain down for 'days or even weeks,' he added, creating a particularly dangerous situation in what he described as 'an already vulnerable political and information environment.' Elbanna told the Daily Mail it is widely understood that California is overdue for a big earthquake. 'We know it will be unlike anything the state has experienced in the past century,' he said. 'Lives may be lost, and damages could reach into the hundreds of billions of dollars.' California has more than 500 active fault lines (the visible evidence of a fault on the Earth's surface) and a total of 15,700 known faults (a three-dimensional break in the Earth's crust where rocks on either side have moved relative to each other). The San Andreas Fault is the most prominent. Hundreds of the state's faults are considered potentially hazardous, including the San Andreas, San Jacinto, Newport-Inglewood and Hayward. 'California is home to many long faults that are capable of producing large destructive earthquakes of Magnitude 7 (M7) or larger,' Elbanna told the Daily Mail. 'Our survey of M7+ earthquakes on strike-slip faults worldwide (similar to the ones listed) suggests that more than one third of these earthquakes showed characteristics of supershear ruptures.' That included earthquakes in which the rupture moves faster than the surrounding seismic waves, producing a sharp, sonic-boomlike shock front followed by prolonged shaking. The concern, he explained, is that supershear earthquakes remain 'largely understudied.' As scientists begin to recognize them more frequently, there is a growing need to understand the 'extra hazard and risk' they present, particularly in densely populated areas like California, where multiple active faults intersect and run close to major cities. Researchers have also warned that the proximity of these faults increases the risk of 'earthquake doublets,' where a rupture on one fault triggers another nearby shortly afterward, potentially compounding the devastation. California has more than 500 active fault lines and a total of 15,700 known faults, with the San Andreas Fault being the most prominent. Pictured: A map of California fault lines More than 70 percent of California's population lives near dangerous faults, including those in Los Angeles (pictured) 'In a tectonic setting like this, it's highly likely to expect that a supershear rupture could happen here. That doesn't mean we need to panic, but it does mean we should be studying these scenarios carefully and planning for them.' Supershear ruptures were first hypothesized in the 1970s, though many scientists dismissed them as theoretical. Through the 1980s, skepticism persisted. By the 1990s, however, evidence began to emerge showing that earthquakes could indeed exceed the speed of shear waves - seismic waves that typically carry energy through the crust. (Speeds differ depending on the material the waves are moving through.) The 2002 Denali earthquake in Alaska offered the first clear field recordings, confirming the distinctive signatures predicted by supershear models, including unusually sharp, high-amplitude initial jolts (shock fronts) followed by extended fault rupture shaking. This phenomenon was also observed in parts of the devastating 2023 Turkey earthquake, where sections of the rupture moved at speeds of several miles per second - faster than the surrounding seismic waves. That disaster was the deadliest natural event in modern Turkish history, killing more than 50,000 people, leaving 1.5 million homeless and damaging an area of 140,000 square miles. Supershear earthquakes were behind the devastation in Turkey in 2023 (pictured) The Indonesian earthquake in 2018 was a supershear earthquake (pictured) Supershear earthquakes can cause unusually severe damage to buildings that might otherwise withstand typical quakes. They amplify shaking at frequencies of two to three cycles per second, which is the range most dangerous for short- and mid-rise buildings and stiff infrastructure. In comparison, conventional earthquakes usually produce lower-frequency shaking that affects taller, more flexible structures. While building codes account for concentrated bursts of shaking in one direction, they do not explicitly address the amplified ground motion parallel to a supershear fault rupture. Elbanna said this gap underscores the urgent need to evaluate risk and update seismic design standards. 'This means running realistic scenario simulations that include supershear ruptures and carefully characterizing the resulting shaking patterns and intensity,' he explained. He added that California should expand seismic monitoring near major faults to improve detection and response planning. The 2018 Indonesian earthquake devastated large areas. Pictured: effects of the quake Preparing for such an event, he emphasized, requires coordinated planning among scientists, engineers and government agencies. Elbanna told the Daily Mail 'preparing realistic mitigation strategies and resource allocation plans is critical' for being ready if one of these mega quakes strikes. 'We can prevent a natural hazard from becoming an apocalyptic disaster. But doing so will require scientists, engineers, policymakers, emergency managers and the public to work together in a coordinated effort to strengthen resilience. 'This requires investing time, resources and expertise, but it is a necessary action that we can't afford to ignore.' Seeing your faithful companion happily wagging their tail is one of the best parts about being a dog owner. But through accidents or even overenthusiastic wagging, our furry friends can sometimes end up with painful tail injuries. Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College have now revealed which breeds are the most likely to suffer one of these nasty injuries. Boxers come in at the top of the list, with these large dogs being 3.6 times more likely to hurt their tails than mixedbreed dogs. The English Springer Spaniel comes in second (2.46 times more likely), followed by the Cocker Spaniel (1.86 times). In contrast, tail injuries are rarest for French Bulldogs, which are almost 10 times less likely to hurt their tail than a mixedbreed dog. Based on the findings, vets are urging owners of the most injuryprone dogs to be especially careful. Coauthor of the study Dr Dan O'Neil says: 'Although this new paper shows that tail injuries are relatively uncommon in dogs overall, owners of very active types of dogs such as Boxer, English Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel should be aware of their increased risk and try to reduce trauma to these dogs tails.' Vets have revealed the dog breeds most likely to develop a painful tail injury, and Boxers come out at the top of the list. Compared to mixed breeds, these energetic dogs were 3.6 times more likely to hurt their tails Besides wagging to greet their owners, dogs' tails play an important role in helping them balance, communicate with other dogs, and scent mark their territories. Worryingly, tail injuries disrupt these normal, healthy behaviours and cause 'serious welfare risks'. Tail injuries are most frequently caused by blunt force trauma, such as from catching the tail in a door, or from cuts and lacerations on sharp objects like barbed wire. In some cases, they can also be selfinflicted as dogs can chew on their own tails due to pain, irritation, or anxiety. Previously, some breeds like Boxers and Dobermans would often have their tails cut off while young for aesthetic reasons. However, since nonmedical tail docking was banned in 2007, researchers are now getting a better understanding of which breeds are most at risk of tail injuries. In this new study, scientists analysed veterinary clinical records from a population of two million dogs under veterinary care in 2009. Tail injuries accounted for just one in every 435 cases in which a dog underwent treatment at the vets, but some breeds are much more at risk. Tail injuries were most commonly caused by blunt force trauma or cuts from sharp objects. But dogs can also injure their own tails by biting on them when they are in pain or anxious (stock image) Signs of a tail injury to watch out for Visible wounds or bleeding. Swelling, hair loss, or scabs on the tail. Pain or sensitivity the dog may yelp or pull away when the tail is touched. Changes in tail position holding the tail low, limp, or between the legs. Reluctance to wag or move the tail. Licking, chewing, or biting the tail (selftrauma). Source: Dr Camilla Pegram, Lecturer of Veterinary Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College Advertisement Compared to breeds not recognised by The Kennel Club, which includes most crossbreeds, breeds in the working and gundog groups were around twice as prone to tail injuries. Larger dogs were also more at risk, with dogs weighing 20 to 30 kilograms (4466lbs) being significantly more likely to be injured than those weighing less than 10 kilograms (22lbs). Additionally, dogs less than 12 years old were statistically much more likely to need treatment for a tail injury than older dogs. Lead author Dr Camilla Pegram told Daily Mail that, although the paper did not specifically investigate the connection, the difference is likely due to differences in activity levels. Dr Pegram says: 'Working breeds, for example, are active, energetic and more likely to be outdoors than other breeds, increasing exposure to environmental hazards.' She adds that dogs with 'longer, stronger tails' might also be at higher risk of developing tail injuries since they can hit them on surfaces with more force. In some cases, large dogs can even develop socalled 'happy dog syndrome' damaging the tip of their tail by repeatedly striking it on hard surfaces. On the other hand, small breeds, such as those in the 'toy' category, were much less likely to hurt their tails. French bulldogs were the least likely to hurt their tails. These dogs have been bred to lack the hind parts of their spine, which makes their tails naturally very short Some breeds, such as the French bulldog and Pembroke Corgi, have also been selectively bred not to develop the hind parts of their spines. That means these dogs are born with congenitally short or absent tails, making tail injuries very rare. However, these same variations also make flatfaced breeds significantly more likely to develop spine deformations, which can be debilitating in the long term. Generally, the research showed that tail injuries were not lifethreatening and could be treated with pain relief and antibiotics in the vast majority of cases. However, in 9.1 per cent of cases, the injuries were so significant that the tail needed to be surgically amputated. With these risks in mind, the researchers are urging owners of large energetic breeds to pay close attention to their dogs' tails. This is especially important during highenergy activities and play, when dogs are most likely to hurt their tails. Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research adviser at The Kennel Club, says: 'Research like this gives everyone who cares for dogs the knowledge to help prevent injuries and protect their wellbeing ensuring more dogs can live happy, healthy lives with their tails wagging.' Hundreds of thousands of Brits were left unable to get online yesterday, as Vodafone experienced one of the biggest blackouts of the year. At the peak of the fourhour outage, more than 135,995 users reported issues on DownDetector with 69 per cent saying they couldn't use their landline internet. So, what was behind the outage? In a statement this morning, a spokesperson for Vodafone claimed the problems were 'triggered by a nonmalicious software issue with one of our vendor partners'. In a statement this morning, a spokesperson for Vodafone claimed the problems were 'triggered by a nonmalicious software issue with one of our vendor partners'. However, experts have warned that we 'can't rule out a cyberattack' (stock image) Hundreds of thousands of Brits were left unable to get online yesterday, as Vodafone experienced one of the biggest blackouts of the year In Vodafone's latest official statement about the incident, the telco blamed a 'nonmalicious software issue', but didn't give any further information. It said: 'On Monday afternoon, for a short time, the Vodafone network had an issue affecting broadband, 4G and 5G services,' a Vodafone spokesperson told the Daily Mail. 'This was triggered by a nonmalicious software issue with one of our vendor partners which has now been resolved, and the network has fully recovered. 'We apologise for any inconvenience this caused our customers.' What did Vodafone say? In Vodafone's latest official statement about the incident, the telco blamed a 'nonmalicious software issue'. 'On Monday afternoon, for a short time, the Vodafone network had an issue affecting broadband, 4G and 5G services,' a Vodafone spokesperson told the Daily Mail. 'This was triggered by a nonmalicious software issue with one of our vendor partners which has now been resolved, and the network has fully recovered. 'We apologise for any inconvenience this caused our customers.' Advertisement However, amid fears the outage was the latest in a string of cyberattacks to hit the UK, experts have warned that such malicious disruptions to phone networks are entirely possible. 'Something went really quite wrong,' Professor Alan Woodward, a computer security expert at the University of Surrey, told the Daily Mail. According to the academic, phone networks could be vulnerable to a 'nation state' cyberattack where the perpetrators are acting on behalf of their government. He told the Daily Mail: 'National states often hide behind criminals as proxies for deniable plausibility. 'It was a fairly spectacular outage which is unusual as networks tend not to have single points of failure precisely in case there is a technical fault, so it's possible it was deliberate.' In the case of Vodafone, he said there may have been some kind of internal issue a 'silly little mistake' by someone with a lot of control behind the scenes, such as a company engineer. 'Someone may have done a software upgrade that went horribly wrong and took the whole thing down,' he said. 'We've seen large critical organisations brought to a halt by technical failures that theoretically should not have impacted as badly as they did due to human error, such as configuration mistakes, so I still wouldn't rule that out.' Vodafone's service disruption is widespread across the entirety of the UK, affecting cities including London, Birmingham, and Manchester Andy Aitken, cofounder and CEO of mobile virtual network operator Honest Mobile said the outage likely stemmed from a 'technical fault'. 'Given how severe the outage was, it was likely with one of their most important pieces of infrastructure,' he told the Daily Mail. 'If Vodafone have gone on the record to say this was a nonmalicious software issue, it's pretty safe to say it wasn't a cyber attack. 'It would be incredibly brazen to deny that and then have to walk it back later.' Mr Aitken said it's 'shocking' how often outages happen with such critical infrastructure. 'Outages like this aren't rare anymore we're seeing a couple every year,' Mr Aitken said. One expert said it's 'shocking' how often we're seeing outage on this scale about a couple every year 'You'd expect more resilience to be baked in, yet the reality is that telecoms systems aren't as robust as people assume. 'When one critical piece of infrastructure fails badly, it can knock millions of people offline in an instant. 'That's why it's becoming increasingly important for people to have the flexibility to connect across different networks so one company's outage doesn't bring millions to a standstill.' Dr Manny Niri, senior cyber security lecturer at Oxford Brookes University, said 'technical faults can look like attacks'. 'For now, we can take Vodafone's statement as accurate,' he told the Daily Mail. 'A vital matter now is learning from the incident big telecom companies rely heavily on software and systems from other companies, and a single problem with a partner can affect millions of customers and critical services.' Jake Moore, tech expert and security advisor at ESET, said he doesn't think it was a cyberattack, although the sudden nature of the outage mirrors a 'distributed denialofservice' (DDoS). In Vodafone's latest official statement about the incident, the telco blamed a 'nonmalicious software issue' A DDoS is where the attacker floods a server with internet traffic to prevent users from accessing connected online services and sites, like a traffic jam on the internet. 'Outages will always naturally raise early suspicions of a potential cyber incident, though current evidence points more towards an internal network failure than a confirmed attack,' Moore said. 'The sudden outage, combined with the inability to access customer service lines, mirrors classic symptoms of a distributed denialofservice (DDoS) attack, where attackers overwhelm the network so the site or systems collapse. 'However, malicious or not, this once again highlights our heavy reliance on digital infrastructure, especially in an age where we increasingly depend on mobile networks for everything. 'Ultimately, resilience is essential, whether the cause is a direct cyberattack, a supply chain issue or a critical internal error.' It is a question that feels like it should have a straightforward answer: how many planets are there in our solar system? Since Pluto was relegated back down to dwarf planet status, almost everyone has agreed that the answer is eight. However, scientists say that it might be time to rewrite the textbooks. A new study has proposed that there could be a secret world lurking on the edge of our solar system. Dubbed 'Planet Y' by reseachers from Princeton University, this planet is said to be Earthsized and rocky. The researchers were alerted to the possible planet after noticing that 50 objects in the Kuiper Belt a region of icy objects beyond Neptune were tilted on an unusual angle. 'We started trying to come up with explanations other than a planet that could explain the tilt, but what we found is that you actually need a planet there,' lead author Dr Amir Siraj told CNN. 'This paper is not a discovery of a planet. But it's certainly the discovery of a puzzle for which a planet is a likely solution.' Scientists say there could be a ninth planet, dubbed Planet Y, hidden in the outer reaches of the Solar System beyond the orbit of Neptune (stock image) Since Pluto was axed from the list of planets, astronomers looking for a ninth planet have focused on the Kuiper Belt. This is a doughnutshaped ring of icy objects, asteroids, and dwarf planets beyond Neptune that scientists believe was left over by the creation of the eight planets. Any potential planets hiding in this distant region would receive very little light from the sun, making them extremely hard to see with a conventional telescope. But scientists think they might be able to pick up on the traces of these hidden worlds by looking at how they affect other bodies in the Kuiper Belt. In 2016, Caltech astronomers Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin proposed the 'ninth planet hypothesis', arguing that the movement of a dozen Kuiper Belt objects could only be caused by an enormous and very distant 'Planet X'. However, Dr Siraj thinks that there could be another ninthplanet contender, hiding much closer to home. If it exists, Planet Y should be a rocky world with a mass between that of Earth and Mercury. That makes it much smaller than Planet X another theorised planet hiding in our solar system, believed to be a gas giant with a mass 10 times greater than Earth's. What do we know about Planet Y? Type of planet: Rocky Size: Between that of Earth and Mercury Location: Kuiper Belt Distance from the Sun: 100 to 200 times further than Earth Evidence in favour: Disturbed orbits of Kuiper Belt objects Evidence against: Lack of direct observations Advertisement Orbiting 100 to 200 times farther from the sun than the Earth, Planet Y is also much closer than Planet X which is believed to orbit 400 times further from the sun than Earth. However, at that distance, Planet Y would still be extremely dim and difficult to detect. Likewise, the researchers predict that Planet Y's orbit is likely tilted by about 10 degrees from the orbital plane, which would make it much harder to find. Importantly, the Planet Y theory does not mean that Planet X does not exist meaning there could be as many as 10 planets in our solar system. In fact, Dr Siraj's previous research suggests that there could be room for up to five more Earthlike planets to hide in the Solar System's very outermost regions. That means our stellar neighbourhood might be much more crowded than we had previously thought. However, not every astronomer is convinced by Dr Siraj's calculations. Dr Samantha Lawler, associate professor of astronomy at the University of Regina in Canada, told CNN that these findings were 'not definitive'. Planet X and Planet Y are likely located in the Kuiper Belt, a doughnutshaped ring of icy objects beyond Neptune. However, Planet Y could be two to four times closer to Earth Although Planet Y is a plausible explanation for the tilted orbits of Kuiper Belt objects, without observational evidence, there is no hard proof. However, that could change very soon thanks to the Vera Rubin Observatory, which has just started taking photos of the sky with the world's largest digital camera. Over the next decade, the Vera Rubin Observatory will take a photo every 40 seconds for eight to 12 hours a night, repeatedly scanning the entire sky. Scientists anticipate that this observatory will discover thousands of new objects including Planet X and Planet Y if they really are there. Dr Siraj predicts: 'I think within the first two to three years [of the observatory's mission], it'll become definitive. If Planet Y is in the field of view of the telescope, it will be able to find it directly.' It's one of the most popular subscriptions around the world. But Apple TV+ is no more as Apple has quietly rebranded its streaming service. 'Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity,' the tech giant explained in the bottom of a press release on the streaming debut of its film, 'F1 The Movie'. While the reason for the change remains unclear, some fans are speculating that it suggests new hardware could be on its way. Taking to X, Tom Warren, Senior Editor at The Verge, said: 'Apple TV Plus is being rebranded toApple TV. 'I wonder if this means we're getting new Apple TV hardware this week.' However, others are less convinced, and have called the rebrand 'confusing.' 'Apple TV+ is now just Apple TV?! Will they rebrand the set top box or just continue trying to keep it confusing?!' one sceptic asked. It's one of the most popular subscriptions around the world. But Apple TV+ is no more as Apple has quietly rebranded its streaming service 'Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity,' the tech giant explained The confusion stems from the fact that Apple already has a 149 device called Apple TV, as well as an existing app called Apple TV. Taking to X, one user joked: 'i gotta get me one of them apple tv things so I i can watch apple tv on apple tv on the apple tv. Great rebrand. 10/10.' Another added: 'Now it's even more confusing! Watch Apple TV using the Apple TV app on your Apple TV.' And one joked: 'Minds will be blown when they rebrand to "Apple".' To make matters worse, Apple is yet to adjust the branding across all of its platforms, with the UK app still showing 'Apple TV+' at the time of writing. However, branding experts say the change is a 'smart move'. Speaking to Business Insider, Matt Sia, the executive creative director at Pearlfisher, explained: 'When a brand becomes iconic, simplicity is the ultimate flex. 'Apple's suggesting now that it no longer needs the '+' to prove that it's streaming.' This isn't the first time a tech firm has raised eyebrows with a controversial rebrand. In 2021, Mark Zuckerberg was mercilessly mocked after announcing that he was changing Facebook Inc's name to Meta. The social media giant's founder explained that the rename was introduced is an effort to distance Facebook from mounting scandals. However, users on X were quick to quip that the name suggested that the company was looking to steal 'literally all' of its users' metadata. Exhibition reaffirms China's sovereignty over Taiwan, Nanhai Zhudao in post-WWII order Xinhua) 11:06, October 14, 2025 An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 2, 2025 shows a view of the China's Huangyan Dao national nature reserve in the South China Sea. (Xinhua) NANJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition on China's resumption of its sovereignty over Taiwan and Nanhai Zhudao opened in east China on Monday, marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The exhibition in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, recounts the history of the two regions, including the fact that China's Qing Dynasty government ceded Taiwan to Japan under the unequal Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895. It also highlights that China's resumption of its sovereignty over Taiwan and Nanhai Zhudao -- known as the South China Sea islands in English -- after World War II, is an integral part of the post-war international order. Zhu Feng, executive director of Nanjing University's Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, said that China has managed Taiwan and Nanhai Zhudao since ancient times, and the resumption of its sovereignty over the regions was in accordance with international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. Zhu called on all parties to respect and remember history, as certain countries deny China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and are attempting to occupy the region, and the United States is exploiting the South China Sea issue to contain China. "The exhibition aims to encourage more countries to draw experience from history, handle the complex South China Sea issue properly, and work together to promote peace, cooperation and development in Asia," he said. Wu Shicun, chairman of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, said that countries bordering the South China Sea should work together to uphold the post-war international order, reject external interference, and advance consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which was signed by China and ASEAN member states in 2002, outlines the most important principles in the management of disputes related to the South China Sea. Consultations on the COC involving China and ASEAN member states were launched in 2013. Both the DOC and the COC are aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in the region. Organized by Nanjing University, the exhibition showcases maps, books, images and other historical materials. Nearly 100 experts and scholars attended its opening. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) A 'super vaccine' could give people immunity against cancer before the disease grows and spreads. Scientists in Massachusetts say their experimental jab prevents several aggressive cancers. This includes melanoma, pancreatic, and triplenegative breast cancers. The 'groundbreaking' vaccine contains tiny nanoparticles made of fatty molecules that deliver two 'adjuvants' substances that boost the body's immune response. In lab trials, up to 88 per cent of mice injected with nanoparticles remained tumourfree, depending on the cancer type. The vaccine also reduced and in some cases completely prevented the spread of cancer throughout the body. So far the vaccine has only been tested in mice. It's unclear when the treatment could be available for humans, although this is the goal the team are working towards. The groundbreaking jab prevents melanoma, pancreatic and breast cancers in mice and scientists say it could work in humans The experiments at UMass Amherst first combined nanoparticles with an 'antigen' that triggers an immune response to cancer. Mice receiving the jab were then exposed to melanoma, the tumour type that can spread to any organ. Impressively, 80 per cent of the mice that received the nanoparticle vaccine remained tumourfree and survived for 250 days. In contrast, all mice that received traditional vaccines or no vaccine got tumours and died within 35 days. Researchers also found the injection stopped cancer from spreading to the lungs, unlike other mice that didn't receive the treatment. Next, the team tested a second version of the vaccine consisting of nanoparticles and another antigen called tumour lysate. Mice vaccinated with this were later exposed to melanoma, triplenegative breast cancer cells, or the most common type of pancreatic cancer (PDAC). In all, 88 per cent of mice with pancreatic cancer, 75 per cent with breast cancer, and 69 per cent with melanoma stayed tumourfree. Depending on the cancer type, up to 88 per cent of vaccinated mice stayed tumourfree. The vaccine also reduced and in some cases completely prevented the spread of cancer throughout the body. Pictured, graphical abstract from the study Researchers say their nanoparticles are made of fatty molecules that deliver two 'adjuvants' substances that boost the body's immune response How do vaccines work? Regardless of the disease, vaccines contain two primary components the antigen and the adjuvant. The antigen is the piece of the diseasecausing pathogen (in this study, cancer cells) that the immune system can be trained to target. The adjuvant is a substance that activates the immune system to recognize the antigen, treat it as a foreign intruder and eliminate it. Vaccination has emerged recently as a 'powerful frontier' in the development of effective cancer therapies by training immune cells to recognise and eliminate tumor cells, but getting the required efficacy and potency has remained a hurdle, the experts say. Advertisement All mice that remained tumourfree after vaccination also resisted the development of secondary malignant growths when exposed to cancer cells. Study author Prabhani Atukorale, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at UMass Amherst, had previously shown that her nanoparticlebased drug design could shrink or eliminate tumours in mice. But the new findings, published in Cell Reports Medicine, reveal that this approach can also prevent cancer from forming in the first place. The researchers say that their design could be used across multiple cancer types, not just the ones tested in this study. While the team is working towards developing a treatment for humans, they caution that their work is still in early stages. Researchers have formed a startup called NanoVax Therapeutics which has the 'ultimate goal of improving patients' lives' using nanoparticle treatments. 'The results that we have are super exciting, and we're really looking forward to pushing forward to the next steps,' coauthor Griffin Kane at at UMass Amherst told 404 Media. 'But I think that the translation of these types of therapies from preclinical mouse models to the clinic is a very humbling experience for a lot of people and teams.' The dual nanoparticle vaccine was most effective at 'longterm tumour control' in mice, giving them an improved survival rate The study offers yet further hope that nanoparticles will allow doctors tread new ground in terms of health treatments. Earlier this week, another set of researchers revealed they used nanoparticles to reverse Alzheimer's disease in mice and it could soon be effective in humans in the 'next few years'. According to this team in Barcelona, their nanoparticles help the brain's protective barrier recover its normal function when it becomes damaged by toxic waste proteins. Kristin Omberg, biologist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory who wasn't involved with the studies, said nanoparticles 'will change the world'. 'In the future, nanotechnology may allow doctors to better treat brain diseases and disorders like cancer and dementia because nanoparticles pass easily through the blood-brain barrier,' she said in a piece for The Conversation. 'Nanoparticles may also allow for human performance enhancements, ranging from better eyesight to soldiers engineered to be more effective in combat.' An ultra-rare freckled lobster has shocked fishermen after being caught off the Massachusetts coast. The unusual female lobster has a fancy 'calico' pattern bright orange with drizzles of black and touches of yellow. Odds of catching a calico lobster are believed to be only one in 30 million, according to local experts, who have named the creature Jackie. Such an unusual pattern makes these lobsters sought after by aquariums and Michelin-starred restaurants, but luckily for Jackie she has been donated to Northeastern University's Marine Science Center in Nahant. Jackie's vivid shades are from a unique mix of chemical compounds including astaxanthin, which makes lobsters red and shrimp pink. 'Normally, the lobsters that we see are reddish, brownish or a little bit greenish,' said Sierra Munoz, science educator at the center. 'In the calico lobster, the astaxanthin combines with other pigments and proteins in a really unique way. 'It gives her this really rare kind of mottled or freckled look.' The brilliantly coloured orange and black lobster, a pattern officially known as calico, was found off the Massachusetts coast Jackie is bright orange with drizzles of black and touches of yellow. She even has blue at her joints, thanks to the presence of the protein crustacyanin Jackie short for Jack O'Lantern was caught and donated by Mike Tufts, a lobsterman operating out of Gloucester, north of Boston. Jackie also has a subtle dash of blue at her joints, thanks to the presence of the protein crustacyanin. Sadly, the unusual colouring makes calico lobsters stand out as prey, the experts think, which may contribute to their scarcity. Jackie is even more rare than another recently arrived 'one in 2 million' blue lobster named Neptune, also recently donated to Northeasterns Marine Science Center. Neptune has a rare genetic anomaly that overproduces crustacyanin, which causes his shell to be a stunning cobalt blue colour. 'It took my breath away seeing this bright blue lobster,' said Ms Munoz at the time. 'Ive seen a few lobsters that have a little blue on them, but Ive never seen one thats this electric blue.' Because lobsters can be territorial, Jackie and Neptune are being kept in separate tanks that are also home to other sea creatures such as winter flounder and moon snails. Neptune has his own special carrying case and has been visiting local elementary schools with Ms Munoz. Jackie has a 'calico' pattern that is present in one lobster out of every 30 million. Sadly, the unusual colouring makes them stand out as prey, scientists think When alive and living in the sea, lobsters are naturally a dark blue or black colour. It is thought that natural selection led to this as it makes them harder to spot for predators A 'one in 2 million' blue lobster Neptune (pictured) was also recently donated to Northeasterns Marine Science Center Why are some lobsters born different colours? Most lobsters are a muddy brown to help blend in with murky depths of the ocean, but a rare genetic defect can result in more colourful crustaceans. The mutations cause the lobsters to produce too much or too little of a certain protein. Blue lobsters, which occur at a rate of one-in-2-million, have a defect causing overproduction of crustacyanin. One-in-30-million orange lobsters only show the carotenoid pigment, which is bright red, meaning they appear to already be boiled. At one-in-100-million, albino lobsters are the rarest. They are born completely white and don't even turn red when you cook them. Advertisement 'Kids love learning about rare animals and how special they are and how many different types of life there are in the ocean,' she added. Generally, lobsters are naturally brown or grey in colour, which camouflages them against the rocky sea bed, but there have also been reports of orange and bright blue tinted lobsters, as well as 'cotton candy', a swirl of pink and light blue. Lobsters can also be albino due to a genetic condition called leucism, the partial loss of pigmentation in an animal. Unusual coloured lobsters are sought-after by chefs, and are sometimes sold in Michelin-starred restaurants for hundreds of pounds as a novelty dish. If they're lucky enough to avoid such a fate, as long as predators, viruses and other ailments, lobsters can live to be 100. 'Weve seen stories about 20-pound lobsters that are super old, so these can be pets for the long term,' Ms Munoz said. Lobsters naturally produce both crustacyanin, which is responsible for their blue colour, as well as astaxanthin, the red pigment. Lobsters go bright red when they're boiled because the heat causes the blue pigment to be 'denatured' or altered, scientists at the University of Manchester reported in 2015. Lobsters can also be albino (pictured) due to a genetic condition called leucism, the partial loss of pigmentation in an animal The astaxanthin is released and turns the lobster to an orange-red state. More recently, scientists reported that lobsters do feel pain when they're placed in boiling water a practice they want made illegal. Professor Lynne Sneddon, an expert on crustacean perception at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, said crustaceans are 'capable of suffering'. 'You would not put a live cow or chicken in a vat of boiling water,' she told the Daily Mail. 'So it is time to apply the same rules we give to mammals and birds to other sentient animals.' A US Air Force nuclear-capable B-52H Stratofortress has been spotted flying over Texas, raising questions about the purpose of the high-profile flight. Flight tracking data showed the long-range, subsonic strategic bomber departed from Shreveport, Louisiana at 1:18pm ET on Tuesday, soaring up through Arkansas, into Oklahoma and is now flying over Texas. The US Air Force describes the aircraft as a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet. It was built during the Cold War to serve as a long-range strategic bomber capable of delivering massive payloads, including nuclear weapons, anywhere in the world. The B-52 made a loop outside of Oklahoma City and several circles above northern Texas. While the exact purpose of the flight has not been disclosed, such missions are often part of training exercises, strategic rotations or readiness operations. The flight, which traveled over Texas at 26,000 feet at speeds exceeding 554 mph, highlights the bombers continued role in Americas nuclear and conventional arsenal. Flight tracking data showed the long-range, subsonic strategic bomber departed from Shreveport, Louisiana at 1:18pm ET on Tuesday The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, while carrying nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability In conventional conflicts, the B-52 can conduct strategic attacks, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. During Desert Storm, B-52s were responsible for 40 percent of all coalition munitions dropped, demonstrating their critical role in large-scale operations. The bomber is also highly effective in ocean surveillance, assisting the US Navy with anti-ship missions and mine-laying operations. In just two hours, two B-52s can monitor roughly 140,000 square miles of ocean surface, providing unmatched coverage. Modern B-52s are equipped with electro-optical viewing sensors, forward-looking infrared, and advanced targeting pods to improve targeting, battle assessment, and flight safety. Pilots also use night vision goggles (NVGs) to enhance visibility during night operations, improving situational awareness, safety, and the ability to visually track other aircraft. The current flight has the callsign 'TUFFF72,' which suggests the B-52 would likely be conducting training exercises and complex tactical maneuvers with other aircraft and ground forces. This includes rehearsing strategic attack, air interdiction and maritime operations. Flight tracking data spotted another bomber mission on October 8, taking a different route than today's flight Another bomber took off from Shreveport this month, but its flight details are unknown. Flight data tracked the aircraft heading east into Mississippi, back around over Baton Rouge, where it made several circles just outside the city before returning to home base. While the bomber emerged during the Cold War, officials said that America's 76-strong fleet will fly until at least 2050, with a few upgrades along the way. Rolls-Royce is among the companies competing to provide new fuel-saving engines that will spare the Air Force from having to keep ferreting out parts for existing ones that are no longer manufactured. The B-52 is versatile, able to fire long-range missiles and launch satellite-guided mines and bombs, and is the only current U.S. bomber that can be equipped with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. An ancient Hopi prophecy predicts the rise of a mysterious figure known as the 'True White Brother,' marked by a red cap, who would change the nation forever. Believed to be centuries old, the prophecy comes from the Hopi tribe of the southwestern US, whose wisdom has guided generations for over a thousand years. In 1992, spiritual elder Thomas Banyacya brought the prophecy to the United Nations, warning that during a time of great turmoil and rapid technological change, an individual bearing a symbolic 'red hat' would emerge, shaping the fate of the world. 'We were told that three helpers who were commissioned by the Great Spirit to help Hopi bring about the peaceful life on earth would appear to help us,' Banyacya said. 'So we have been waiting all these years.' The prophecy was recently discussed on the SundayCool podcast, which explores captivating stories and conspiracy theories. Co-host Josh Hooper read the prophecy for listeners, noting: 'It is known that our True White Brother, when he comes, will be all-powerful and will wear a red cap or red cloak.' He displayed an image of former President Donald Trump wearing his signature MAGA hat as an example. 'He will be large in population and belong to no religion but his own,' the podcast host added, explaining he will be joined by two wise and powerful helpers, whom he speculated could be Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk. Hobi prophecies describe a cycle of four worlds, with humanity currently in the fourth and final one. The Hopi tribe left marks on artwork throughout the southwest (pictured) The 'red cap' figure was seen as a messenger to help guide the US into a peaceful existence Hopi prophecies describe a cycle of four worlds, with humanity currently in the fourth and final one. These teachings foresee a period of upheaval and purification, known as the 'Great Purification' or 'Third Shaking,' brought on by humanity's greed, corruption and disregard for nature. The prophecies also mention specific technological signs, catastrophic events, and the eventual birth of a Fifth World of peace and harmony if humanity chooses the right path. The red-capped figure is said to appear during this Fourth World, serving as a guide to help humanity navigate the chaos. The red cap itself is a distinguishing symbol, similar to others in Hopi prophecy, marking the figure as significant for fulfilling the prophecy. The True White Brother is sometimes described as a messenger whose presence may influence humanity's choices and the transition to the Fifth World, a new era of balance and harmony. The prophecy also describes two helpers who will appear alongside the True White Brother. One is associated with the swastika, representing purity and female life-giving energy, while the other is linked to the symbol of the sun, representing wisdom and power. The Hopi have a rich tradition of prophecies passed down orally through generations, often depicted in rock art, that foretell events affecting their people and the world The podcast host suggested the two helpers of the True White Brother could be Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance One will have the symbol of the moja, or cross, which Hooper suggested that the cross might actually be an X, aligning with Musk's social media platform known as X. According to the text, if the three helpers fail in their mission, a figure from the west will arrive like a powerful storm, numerous and ruthless, sweeping across the land quickly, like a swarm of red ants. But if even one, two, or all three of the true Hopi remain faithful to the ancient teachings, the Great Spirit, Massauu, will appear, and the world will be saved. Those who succeed in fulfilling the prophecy will establish a new way of life that brings lasting peace and abundance. The earth will be restored: flowers will bloom, wildlife will return, and food will be plentiful. 'Those who are saved will share everything equally, and they all will recognize the Great Spirit and speak one language,' the prophecy says. The Hopi, the westernmost group of Pueblo Indians, have lived in northeastern Arizona on the edge of the Painted Desert for centuries. Their oral traditions emphasize harmony with nature and adherence to spiritual guidance. The True White Brother prophecy has long been regarded as a moral and spiritual teaching rather than a literal prediction of modern political figures. Its symbolic imagery, a red-capped leader, three helpers, and signs of the swastika and sun, continues to capture public imagination and inspire discussion about humanity's choices in times of upheaval. Banyacya and other Hopi elders have emphasized that the prophecy is intended as guidance and warning, not a naming of contemporary individuals. A father in Arkansas has launched a campaign to become sheriff while awaiting trial for the murder of a man accused of abusing his teenage daughter. Aaron Spencer, 37, of Lonoke County, Arkansas, says he discovered his 13-year-old missing daughter in the trunk of Michael Fosler's truck in October last year. At the scene Spencer is accused of fatally shooting Fosler, 67, who had been released on bond at the time of the incident. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Giving his all: Aaron Spencer is running to become sheriff of Lonoke County, Arkansas, after being charged with the murder of Michael Fosler in November 2024 Fosler was facing over 40 sexual offences against Spencer's daughter, including the internet stalking of a child, two counts of sexual assault and sexual indecency, and possession of child pornography. Spencer was subsequently charged with second-degree murder. Now, as Spencer prepares for trial after being released on bond, he has thrown his hat in to become sheriff. On Facebook he wrote: 'Its time to bring trust, accountability, and safety back to our community. Join us on this journey to build a Sheriffs Office you can believe in.' In a video, the father and veteran said: 'Many of you know my story. I'm the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed. 'I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures.' Still here: Spencer's wife, Heather, has praised her husband's 'courageous actions' Spencer continued: 'This campaign isn't about me. It's about every parent, every neighbor, every family who deserves to feel safe in their homes and safe in their community It's about restoring trust where neighbors know law enforcement is on their side and families know that they will not be left alone in a moment of need.' In the comments under the video, Spencer's son wrote that he was 'proud to call this man my father.' Spencer's wife, Heather, praised her husband's 'courageous actions' and on Facebook wrote: 'I have no doubt that if it werent for God and my husband, I would have never seen my child again. 'The relief of my child being alive was quickly followed by terror as the prosecutor set preliminary charges at Murder 1 with $150K bond.' According to Heather, in the spring of 2024, their teenage daughter confided in a family member that she had been sexually assaulted. She wrote: 'It took very little exposure for an unknown man who was old enough to be my father to start pursuing my child. This monster was an opportunist and started grooming my then 13-year-old via text.' Heather said that their family waited for 'the law' to 'run its course,' adding: 'We trusted that this man would be served justice under the law.' Speaking out: Spencer has addressed locals in a video on Facebook explaining why he is running for sheriff Twisted incident: Spencer discovered his missing daughter in Fosler's truck in October of last year and shot Fosler, who died at the scene Heather continued: 'While we were happy that he was quickly arrested we were not privy to the fact that he was released on a low bond with zero supervision. 'Even though we anticipated his release, we thought the pending felony charges and a no contact order would be enough to keep him away from our child. We were wrong.' On October 8, the Spencer family were woken by their daughter's dog in the middle of the night, according to court documents. Spencer found his daughter was missing, and a search began. The filing reads: '[Spencer] left in his truck to search for her. Spencer located Foslers truck with his daughter inside and he forced Foslers truck off the highway. After an altercation, Spencer called 911 to report that he had shot Fosler. Fosler died at the scene. 'At arraignment, they decided to charge my husband with murder 2 [second-degree murder] with a gun enhancement charge. 'Then immediately, the same judge who released this monster out into the community to continue his reign of terror on our child, placed us and seemingly the whole world under an unconstitutional gag order.' Heather added: 'My husband didnt ask to be put in a position to save our child. We didnt ask for any of this. An evil man with a long history of predatory behavior targeted our child and was not scared of the consequences. 'My husband was forced to save his child from someone who should have never been on the streets to begin with.' Finding support: The Spencer family have raised of $79,000 from supporters for Spencer's legal battle and therapy fees Spencer is set to appear in court on December 16 where he will receive his pre-trial date, and his trial is scheduled to begin on January 26, 2026. A fundraising page to support Spencer's legal battle and therapy fees for their daughter raised over $79,000 as of Monday night. According to the campaign created by Heather's sister, the money raised is intended to 'help the Spencer family feel secure in some way during a very challenging, uncertain time.' As for Spencer's campaign for sheriff, comments on his video show he is being supported. One person wrote: 'I will stand with you as a Veteran and a father! Bring Veterans and Fathers together, We need to protect our babies.' Another said: 'I was working dispatch when this call came through. My officer went to assist. (Carlisle). You definitely got our votes.' A third added: 'Will be praying for your daughter that she may heal from this trauma and you, against our "justice" system. I think you served the justice that the justice department wouldn't.' Current Lonoke Sheriff John Staley told the Daily Mail in a statement: 'I will be seeking reelection to continue being your Lonoke County Sheriff. Since 2013, I have served as Sheriff of Lonoke County with a clear mission -to protect our citizens and hold those who break the law accountable. 'From day one, our focus has been on three major threats to our communities: drug traffickers, sexual predators, and thieves. Weve made significant progress, and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep Lonoke County safe and ensure justice is served fairly and consistently for everyone. My motto has been and will continue to be Do what's right, not what's easy. Doing what's right isn't always popular.' I'm soaking in a hot tub in Prague, but it's not water that's bubbling all around me - I'm wallowing in warm beer. Having a soak in the Czech Republic's capital takes on a different meaning at Chateaux Spa Beerland, where guests submerge themselves in 1,000 litres of Krusovice beer mixed with extracts including yeast, hops and malt. Chateaux Spa Beerland, the world's first dedicated beer spa, was founded in 1981 when Prague was still in Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia. And today the spa and its accompanying hotel are going stronger than ever, tucked away in the old town. It now has six branches - two in Prague and one each in Karlovy Vary, Pilsen, Marienbad and Franzensbad. The other one in Prague opened three years ago, making history (in the admittedly rather small world of beer spas) by becoming the world's first official five-star beer spa, complete with state-of-the-art beer hot tubs and sauna. Such has been Chateaux Spa Beerland's success that rival operations have been popping up in Poland, France and Iceland. As I arrive at Chateaux Spa Beerland, on a charming cobbled street of pastel-coloured 17th-century houses, I'm welcomed by hostesses Ivanka and Viktoria. Wasting no time, they pour me a glass of draft Krusovice accompanied by delicious freshly baked beer bread. Things are already looking up. The Mail's Harry Dougherty settles into a boozy bath on his visit to the world's first beer spa, in Prague, Czechia Chateaux Spa Beerland, the world's first dedicated beer spa, was founded in 1981 when Prague was still in Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia Chateaux Spa Beerland is found on a 'charming cobbled street of pastel-coloured 17th century houses', says Harry In the lobby there's a two-tap beer fountain providing free light and dark beer. These beers, the hostesses advise, go well mixed together - and indeed they do. The hotel's official name is At The Golden Pear, with four rooms named after Rudolf II (the Holy Roman Emperor), and the 16th century astronomers Brahe, Kepler and Kopernik (Copernicus). My suite features a king-sized bed, antiques, plus an oil painting of 'Good' King Wenceslas and St Vitus. Beer spa robes are provided and the wifi password is: DrinkMoreBeer. The spa is in the cellar. Here oak tubs are filled with beer, yeast, hops and malt, and the bubbles turned on. I'm told that the yeast - high in vitamin B and enzymes - aids skin regeneration. Jazz plays amid the sound of gurgling bubbles. Beside the tub are two beer taps serving unlimited free Krusovice beer. Glasses are provided, as is more beer bread. Drinking from the bath itself is not recommended. The hotel's official name is At The Golden Pear, with four rooms named after Rudolf II (the Holy Roman Emperor), and the 16th century astronomers Brahe, Kepler and Kopernik (Copernicus) And the tubs can comfortably accommodate two adults (though I'm travelling solo). Surprisingly, you don't emerge stickier than a Wetherspoons table. Instead you smell sweet and feel revitalised. Afterwards, you relax on a bed of wheat straw covered in a cotton sheet - an enjoyable experience. Slots have to be booked in advance. One-hour, two-hour and two-and-a-half-hour sessions are available. It is surprisingly family friendly, too, catering to children and non-drinkers with non-alcoholic beer baths and zeroper cent beer. And the verdict? A good old soak comes highly recommended. Na zdravi (cheers)! They aren't the first to pack their bags and ditch home to voyage overseas. But a couple has revealed why they sold everything they owned to travel the world - and returned after just six months. Jordan Cooper and his girlfriend Emma sold their apartment in Brooklyn, New York City, and most of what they owned to travel indefinitely. Jordan wrote in VegOut: 'We felt like we'd cracked some secret code. Everyone else was stuck in the grind while we'd be sipping coffee in Lisbon, working from Bali, living the dream.' But things didn't quite work out the way the pair planned, and their never-ending travels came to an abrupt halt. Jordan explained: 'Six months later, we were back. Not because we ran out of money or had some dramatic breakup (that came later). 'We came back because the fantasy and the reality were two completely different things. Here's what actually happened when we tried to escape everything.' The first issue the couple faced was work-life boundaries - one of the aspects of a nomadic lifestyle they thought they would most enjoy. A couple has revealed why they sold everything they owned to travel the world - and returned after just six months (stock) In reality, different time zones and hectic work schedules made for a tough balance. Jordan wrote: 'Nobody mentions that 'work from anywhere' often becomes 'work from everywhere, all the time.' 'We'd be at a beautiful beach, and I'd be refreshing Slack. Emma would be editing photos in a cafe in Morocco while fielding emails about a project that couldn't wait.' The second pitfall was the challenge of living a more minimalist life. Jordan said they packed light - two backpacks each - but found they then had to keep replacing items and buying basics to use for a short period of time. What's more, they found it hard to connect to people - while they met great people abroad, they didn't make deep friendships and found they kept repeating the same 'get to know you' conversations. They also became exhausted from having to make constant decisions. And the pair spent so much time together and didn't always want to do the same things, eventually leading to their breakup. But things didn't quite work out the way the pair planned, and their never-ending travels came to an abrupt halt (stock) They were also bored, Jordan wrote. Lastly, Jordan said they felt guilty for the privilege they felt they had being able to travel in this way. He wrote: 'Emma and I would be complaining about slow Wi-Fi while watching people work construction jobs in extreme heat for wages we couldn't fathom. 'We'd haggle over price differences that meant nothing to us but might mean everything to a street vendor.' An international airport in Japan holds one of the most impressive travel records in the world - not a single piece of luggage has been lost in 30 years. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay and serves as the gateway to major cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. It has handled millions of passengers and bags annually since opening in 1994 - and, despite managing over 10 million pieces of baggage in 2023 alone, airport officials confirm that no passenger has ever lost a bag permanently at Kansai. This impressive feat has earned Kansai numerous awards, including the 'World's Best Airport for Baggage Delivery' at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards - a title it has claimed eight times, according to statistics on the airport's website. According to aviation technology specialist Sita, 33.4 million bags in airports across the world were mishandled in 2024, down from 33.8 million the previous year. While passengers are twice as likely to experience luggage issues in Europe than in other parts of the world, Asia-Pacific - home to Kansai - maintained the lowest mishandling rate per passenger globally. Kansai's spotless record lies in a meticulously choreographed baggage handling system that takes pride in precision, accountability, and respect for passenger belongings, as reported by Nikkei Asia. Bags are checked and cross-verified by staff at every point along their journey, while handlers follow detailed, airline-specific manuals. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay and serves as the gateway to major cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe It has handled tens of millions of passengers and bags annually since opening in 1994 - and, despite managing over 10 million pieces of baggage in 2023 alone, airport officials confirm that no passenger has ever lost a bag permanently at Kansai At Kansai, triple tag checks are performed to ensure the right bag ends up on the right plane. If any mismatch is detected, staff immediately conduct thorough searches across the cargo hold, tarmac and sorting rooms, with misplaced bags almost always reunited with their owners within days. Additionally, Kansai aims to deliver bags to the carousel within 15 minutes of landing. Fragile items, such as musical instruments, are delivered by hand to passengers rather than sent on conveyor belts. Even wet luggage is wiped dry, and all bags are placed with handles facing outward for passengers to pick up easier. Kansai might be setting the precedent for world-class customer service, but the award-winning airport does have one drawback: it is sinking. The 14 billion airport, which was built across two artificial islands in Osaka Bay, is battling against persistent subsidence. Its unique design is engineered to withstand seismic activity, including runways that bend during an earthquake to reduce the risk of a fracture. Kansai's spotless record lies in a meticulously choreographed baggage handling system that takes pride in precision, accountability, and respect for passenger belongings, as reported by Nikkei Asia Kansai might be setting the precedent for world-class customer service, but the award-winning airport does have one drawback: it is sinking The weight of the airport's infrastructure is thought to be putting the clay and silt seabed it sits on under pressure. According to Essential-Japan, the major airport has sunk by more than 11.5m/38 feet since it opened. The rate of the airport's sinking is thought to be much higher than engineers initially predicted. First estimates predicted that the airport would sink by around eight metres/26 feet over 50 years but that has already been surpassed. Spain's cheapest destinations for expats have been revealed - and it's good news for those who are after sun, sand and significantly lower monthly expenses. As living costs in major Spanish cities continue to rise, new data reveals that smaller towns and inland regions are becoming increasingly attractive to expats and remote workers seeking a more affordable lifestyle. According Euro Weekly News, places such as Jaen, Cadiz, Castilla-La Mancha, Galicia and Extremadura now rank among the cheapest places in the country for foreign residents. In these areas, rent is notably lower than in tourist-heavy locations such as Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante, with some locations offering housing for as little as 4 to 6 per square metre. A 70-square metre apartment in many inland towns can cost between 300 (260) and 400 (350) per month - less than half the price of a similar property in expensive coastal or metropolitan areas across Spain. In central areas of smaller cities, such as Avila, Ourense, and Caceres, one-bedroom apartments can be snapped up for under 600 (520) a month. Towns like Trujillo, Zamora, and Ciudad are emerging as preferred destinations for expats looking to balance affordability with access to essential services. Not only do these areas offer lower rents, they also provide quieter environments, more space, lush surrounding landscapes, a sunny climate throughout the year, and traditional Mediterranean lifestyles. As living costs in major Spanish cities continue to rise, new data reveals that smaller towns and inland regions are becoming increasingly attractive to expats and remote workers seeking a more affordable lifestyle (Pictured: Jaen, Andalusia) Towns like Trujillo, Zamora (pictured), and Ciudad are emerging as preferred destinations for expats looking to balance affordability with access to essential services In central areas of smaller cities, such as Avila, Ourense (pictured), and Caceres, one-bedroom apartments can be snapped up for under 600 (520) a month Their appeal also lies in lower monthly expenses, less congestion and a growing digital nomad structure that allows remote workers to live comfortably outside major cities. Expats in these areas frequently report living well on under 1,200 (1,045) a month, covering rent, food, utilities, and transport. While cheaper regions offer an affordable lifestyle, there are a number of trade-offs. Smaller towns and rural regions may have limited public transportation, and services such as healthcare, high-speed internet and international schools may not be as accessible or as available as in larger urban cities. But for expats and digital nomads who are willing to adapt, Spain's inland, hidden-gem towns and cities offer a mix of affordability, charm and a quality of life that is becoming increasingly difficult to find in key hubs across Europe. Meanwhile, a British expat who has lived in Spain for 38 years revealed a common 'mistake' people make before relocating - while sharing his top tips for those hoping to follow in his footsteps. Daniel Efford, who is based in La Cala de Mijas on the Costa del Sol, regularly shares his love for the region's sunny weather, stunning mountainous landscapes and local cuisine on social media. However, in a recent video posted to his TikTok page, @danielefford23, the operations manager gave his insights on what to truly expect when relocating to Spain. Not only do these areas offer lower rents, they also provide quieter environments, more space, lush surrounding landscapes, a sunny climate throughout the year, and traditional Mediterranean lifestyles (Pictured: Ponte Maceira village on the Camino de Santiago, Galicia) Expats in these areas such as Caceres, Extremadura (pictured) frequently report living well on under 1,200 (1,045) a month, covering rent, food, utilities, and transport However, it's worth noting smaller towns and rural regions may have limited public transportation, and services such as healthcare, high-speed internet and international schools may not be as accessible or as available as in larger urban cities Though he described general day-to-day life in Spain as 'brilliant,' he admitted the move is 'not easy.' He said: 'I think one of the biggest stumbling blocks that people have, is that when they come to Spain, they come as holidaymakers. 'They don't really take into consideration what happens behind the scenes. They come for a week, see the way of life and go "I could do that!" It's just a mistake.' Issuing some 'words of advice,' Efford urged potential expats mingle with and speak to locals before relocating in order to get a true feel of Spanish tradition. A mother who has taken her kids to countries with high terrorism alerts has shared why she feels they are actually safer than the UK. Karen Edwards and her husband, Shaun, are self-proclaimed globe-trotting nomads. The pair have visited an impressive 63 countries to date with their daughter Esme, 11 and their son, Quinn, eight. They have also travelled to more than 20 countries with their two-year-old twins, Fionn and Fern. The family have most recently visited the Middle East despite concerns from people about the children's safety. This includes visits to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, despite their bordering on Taliban-run Afghanistan. 'I don't know how, but we've managed to keep the travel up with four kids,' she said. 'To be honest, it's utter chaos every day. Karen Edwards and her husband, Shaun, are self-proclaimed globe-trotting nomads. They are pictured with their children Esme, 11, Quinn, eight, and two-year-old twins, Fionn and Fern The family have most recently visited the Middle East despite concerns from people about the children's safety 'When we are on the go, however, they are much better. They go stir crazy, so it's a great way to keep them entertained. 'People ask if the countries we visited in the Middle East are safe, but honestly, they are some of the safest countries in the world. 'I've never had any concerns. There are also some very modern cities throughout the region that people are often not aware of. 'We saw military on the borders, and some have even given us a lift into town. 'There are often people in uniform coming and going to work but they're not really heavily militarised places at all. 'I'd say there's more of a police presence than anything. The cost of living has been great for our budget. 'These countries are all so much more child-friendly than the UK. For example, it's the norm to have a kids' space in restaurants; you just don't get that at home.' While in these countries, the family zip-lined across waterfall canyons, made massive sheets of traditional Armenian bread and played in a giant creche that used to be a historical site in Uzbekistan, as well as carpooled with two eagles and two Kyrgyzstan strangers. 'I don't know how, but we've managed to keep the travel up with four kids,' said Karen Karen and Shaun first started travelling after giving birth to their daughter. They decided to use Karen's maternity leave as an NHS nurse to travel by putting their London flat up for rent and setting off with no plan. They started their travels in New Zealand, followed by backpacking in Southeast Asia, before eventually returning home. But they soon uprooted their lives again and used Karen's maternity leave once more, when Quinn came along to travel the Pan-American highway from Canada to Argentina. The couple's twins were born in Abu Dhabi, and now the family live in Sri Lanka. They've also visited places like the Maldives, South Korea and India. Despite suffering a few issues along the way, they have no plans to quit travelling full-time. And financially, the parents can keep things ticking over by not exceeding their tight budget, which they practice while at home too. This is made up from the rent they receive from two properties, totalling 1,600, and Karen's business, which brings in an estimated 2,600 per month. Their next goal lies in Esme's hands, as she wants to become the youngest person to visit every country in the world a record currently held by a 36-year-old. Karen said: 'Every single day, multiple times a day, locals count the kids as they walk by and always ask if they're all ours. 'It's a very common mixture of "I don't know how you do it" and "Well done". Financially, the parents can keep things ticking over by not exceeding their tight budget, which they also practice while at home 'Most of the time, it's people closer to home that might make the odd comment about them missing school. 'But they're learning so much more with what we're doing. 'We have gotten less negativity as time has gone on, as people are just used to our lifestyle at this stage. 'You kind of become non-shocked by anything that happens as a parent of four, so any little accidents become part of daily life. I'm pretty good at not going too crazy, too.' New European Union proposals could mean two-thirds of plane passengers miss out on compensation for delays. The Council of the EU has suggested possible changes to regulation EC261. The current rule means holidaymakers can receive money back if their journey is held up for longer than three hours, under certain circumstances. However new proposals outline a change in passenger rights when they face flight delays. Instead of the three-hour threshold, the draft outlines an even larger limit. Under the proposed regulation, passengers would only receive compensation for delays of over four hours on short-haul flights and over six hours on long-haul journeys. The maximum compensation would also be lowered for flights over 3,500 km from 600 (520) to 500 (435). Currently, the UK mirrors the regulation with UK261 but it is possible the country could change it according to the EU's proposals. New EU proposals mean two-thirds of plane passengers could miss out on compensation for delays (stock) The EU Transport Committee has warned that the amended regulation could mean millions of Europeans won't have protection when their flight is delayed. What's more, they argue that increasing the delay threshold to four hours would wipe out around two-thirds of passengers' current compensation rights. Ivaylo Danailov, co-founder of flight compensation company SkyRefund, argued that the EU should tackle 'real issues' instead. 'Such a change would send a troubling signal that consumer protection is taking a back seat to airline interests,' Danailov said. 'Instead of restricting passengers' rights, the EU should create a more effective mechanism to tackle real issues like lost baggage.' He argued that with the proposed regulation changes, airlines would benefit more. Danailov also predicted that by increasing the delay threshold, there is a risk of a systemic increase in the number of delayed flights across Europe. Meanwhile, EP rapporteur Andrey Novakov said: 'The European Parliament is ready to fight for Europes passengers. The Council of the EU has proposed possible changes to regulation EC261 (stock) 'We stand firm on keeping the three-hour compensation threshold and will not step back from this position.' The proposed regulation changes also come with other additions that could help passengers, according to the council. These include, customers being offered reroutes at the earliest opportunity and if this isn't done within three hours of disruption, passengers could receive up to 400% of the ticket cost. Airlines could also be expected to properly assist passengers during times of disruption, and this would be made clearer. Help such as accommodation, food and refreshments would be required, and the passenger can arrange themselves and be paid back if the airline fails to do so. While during tarmac delays, travellers should be disembarked from the plane after three hours of waiting and receive 'minimum assistance'. What's more, airlines would only be allowed to deny compensation to passengers claiming for 'extraordinary circumstances' if they did everything they reasonably could to prevent the delay. The proposed regulation changes also come with other additions that could help passengers, according to the council The council has also put forward that EU passengers should be informed about their rights clearly. This could include information being provided when travellers are booking or complaining. In June, ministers for transport agreed on the proposals and put them to the European Parliament. Dariusz Klimczak, Poland's Minister of Infrastructure, said: 'The revised rules will bring over 30 new rights to the air passengers, applicable from the moment when they buy a ticket, until they arrive at their destination, and in some cases even beyond.' A popular Spanish tourist destination has introduced tough new measures in a bid to tackle over tourism. Palma, the capital of Mallorca, has brought in a ban on party boats, new tourist rentals and youth hostels. The mayor Jaime Martinez announced the rules today (October 14), and the ban on more tourist rentals has started with immediate effect. It will be retrospective for three months so that no new spaces are approved. Previously, only multi-family homes were banned from rented out in such a way. But now, single family and room rentals are covered by the regulation both of which are commonly advertised on online platforms such as Airbnb. New hostels are also prohibited from opening and any that already stand will be encouraged to convert into hotels or housing. Meanwhile, the 639 legal tourist rentals in Palma will continue to exist but if they close down, will not be replaced, according to the mayor. Tourists will no longer be able to spend a wild evening on a party boat in Palma anymore, as the attraction has been banned along the sea front. Palma, the capital of Mallorca, has brought in a ban on party boats, new tourist rentals and youth hostels The city's mayor is working with the Balearic port authority to see how the restrictions will be enforced. It comes after residents raised concerns over the type of tourist the boats attracted in the summer. Mr Martinez said the measures were part of the city council's commitment to the quality of the destination and curbing illegal tourism. The new regulations come after a summer of anti-tourist protests in the area and across mainland Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries. Tens of thousands marched through Palma in July, holding banners that read 'Your luxury, our misery' and demanding curbs on tourist numbers, cruise ships and short-term lets. Local businesses were targeted with stickers, while demonstrators blocked roads and disrupted holidaymakers' plans. Last year, Spain saw a record-breaking number of tourists, with over 15 million visitors flocking to the island of Majorca alone. In response, protestors took to the streets across the country, leaving countless visitors fuming after paying hundreds of pounds to enjoy their holidays abroad. The city's mayor is working with the Balearic port authority to see how the restrictions will be enforced. Pictured: Anti-tourism protesters in Mallorca in June In one particular instance, up to 50,000 locals descended onto the streets of Palma. Meanwhile in Barcelona, some 2,800 people marched along a waterfront district of Barcelona to demand a new economic model that would reduce the millions of tourists that visit every year. Protesters carried signs reading 'Barcelona is not for sale,' and, 'Tourists go home,' before some used water guns on tourists eating outdoors at restaurants in popular tourist hotspots. Chants of 'tourists out of our neighbourhood' rang out as some stopped in front of the entrances to hotels. It's good news for fans of crime dramas as ITV has just commissioned the 26th series of a beloved detective series. Midsomer Murders has been a staple of British TV since it first launched in 1997 and centres around the sleepy town of Midsomer, England, which has more than its fair share of crime. The new series promises to feature 'feature-length' episodes and will consist of four episodes following the work of DCI Barnaby. Filming is said to have been completed this summer on the new season, which stars Neil Dudgeon as DCI Barnaby and Nick Hendrix as DS Winter. According to ITV, the new episodes will also feature the return of some familiar faces for long-running fans of the show - namely Annette Badland as pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins and Fiona Dolman as Sarah, DCI Barnaby's wife. It's good news for fans of detective dramas as ITV has just commissioned the 26th series of a beloved detective series - Midsomer Murders Midsomer Murders has been a staple of British TV since it first launched in 1997 and centres around the sleepy town of Midsomer, England, which has more than its fair share of crime - pictured here is a still from season 23 While the exact plot details of the 26th series remain under wraps, the success of the show cannot be underestimated and it has earned its place as a top three show not only in the UK, but in Germany, Scandinavia and the Baltics too. In fact, it is the most-watched FAST channel on ITVX since the platform's launch in 2022. Only one first-look image has been released from the upcoming series, from an episode called The Devil's Work. It features DCI Barnaby and DS Winter standing behind a police line outside what appears to be a stately home with a woman dressed in a blue hazmat suit. ITV's Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones said: 'We're thrilled to be returning to Midsomer with Barnaby and Winter. 'Series 26 promises to deliver four brilliant brand new cases for the legion of Midsomer Murders fans to enjoy.' Executive producer Michele Buck added: 'We are so pleased to be able to bring viewers more tales from the fascinating world of Midsomer Murders with this series 26 commission.' The show is based on Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby books. The show, which is based on Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby books, is set to have its first stage adaptation later this year - pictured here is a still from its second season, which aired in 1998 Louise Pedersen, CEO of All3Media International, said: 'Midsomer Murders is a brand that continues to resonate with fans both globally and here in the UK' - pictured here is a still from a 2001 episode Louise Pedersen, CEO of All3Media International, said: 'Midsomer Murders is a brand that continues to resonate with fans both globally and here in the UK. 'It's a show whose repeatable loyalty factor enables us to position the series on various platforms from PSBs to AVOD and FAST and increase the series' reach to new audiences. 'Were thrilled that we have now passed the 25th series landmark and look forward to Bentley delivering Season 26 in 2026.' As well as being commissioned for its 26th series, ITV has also revealed that the story will be brought to life on the stage for the first time with a theatrical interpretation of its very first episode, The Killings of Badgers Drift. All episodes of Midsomer Murders are available to stream on ITVX. The makers of the Harry Potter TV series have hired a second child star to play the lead role of the young wizard as the mystery of a new face on set is solved. The job of playing the boy wizard, who is character from JK Rowling's books, was originally given to Dominic McLaughlin, who was unveiled earlier this year. Now, it's been revealed that there's a second Harry on set, a body double to cover for the main star in the HBO adaptation when he's needed elsewhere to film scenes. The body double, Isaac Geut, has already appeared on set and stepped in for Dominic when he's not available for certain scenes. 'He's got the perfect mop of thick black hair and boyish looks thats needed to play the very young Potter,' an insider told The Sun. 'In fact he looks so much like him that producers are talking about using him more extensively than previous stand-in actors that have appeared in the movies. The makers of the Harry Potter TV series have hired a SECOND child star to play the lead role of the young wizard as the mystery of a new face on set is solved Isaac Geut has been hired as a body double to cover for the main star in the HBO adaptation when he's needed elsewhere to film scenes 'Thats how confident they are in him to replicate the appearance of the boy wizard.' The new young actor has appeared when Dominic has been whisked off to filming at a different location for a speaking scene - with Isaac used to stand in. In scenes where the is no dialogue required, or any clear shot of Harry's face, it's thought that Isaac will be brought in to film instead of Dominic. Isaac was recently seen in Cornwall's Kynance Cove, alongside Uncle Vernon Dursley and cousin Dudley Dursley's Daniel Rigby and Amos Kitson. The scenes for the new TV series, which began filming earlier this year, also saw Jon Lithgo unveiled as Dumbledore for the first time. The series will be in the works for the next two years, with streaming service HBO setting a release date set for 2027. Dominic, who was selected from over 32,000 hopefuls, steps into the iconic role which was originally made famous by Daniel Radcliffe. Dominic and Isaac star alongside Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout as Harry's companions, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Dominic and Isaac star alongside Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout as Harry's companions, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley Nick Frost, known for Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, will play wizard Hagrid Nick Frost, known for Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, takes on the role of Hagrid. Earlier this month, the quiet fishing village of Cadgwith on The Lizard was transformed into the wizarding world of Harry Potter on Tuesday as they continued to film the HBO series. Filming kicked off at the Cadgwith Cove Inn before moving to the beach, where a dramatic scene was staged involving a car surrounded by fishing boats and extras in traditional Sou'westers. Rain was simulated using sprinklers and water sprays, adding to the atmosphere of the scene, which featured Isaac as Harry and Bel Powley as Aunt Petunia. During a break, the cast were later seen catting away outside the vehicle to the crew as they prepared for the scene. The entire village was closed to traffic during the day. But bosses have been so desperate to keep filming under wraps, they are thought to have taken extreme lengths to stop secrets leaking from the multimillion-pound set. Cast and crew have apparently been ordered to use codewords to hide the project's identity, first using the word 'Dark Train' before switching to 'Brown Cat.' The body double, Isaac Geut, has already appeared on set and stepped in for Dominic when he's not available for certain scenes Phones are thought to be banned on set, and messages to cast and crew vanish after being read once. Meanwhile, a 4million set has been built in Windsor park, complete with a replica of Hogsmeade Station and half a mile of track where the Hogwarts Express has been seen steaming through. The shoot last month was taking place close to Forest Lodge, soon to be the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Harry Potter hit our screens in November 2001 after author J.K Rowling released seven books. The names include: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The remaining films are: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. ITV fans were left open-mouthed after spotting a reality star working in a pub after getting axed from Ibiza Weekender six years ago. Cardiff-born lad Jordan Davies, 33 - who shot to fame on ITV2's The Magaluf Weekender in 2013 - was last on our screens in 2019. Jordan appeared on The Magaluf Weekender, Kavos Weekender and Ibiza Weekender as a holiday rep. In 2018, head rep and Celebrity Big Brother winner David Potts, sacked him on Ibiza Weekender after making too many mistakes, but he did appear on the show a year later, before it wrapped up in 2020. And now, while he works as a DJ, he's also been seen working as a barista at the Carro Lounge in Cwmbran, Newport. One shocked TikTok user, named @caitlinjjw, filmed the star behind the bar with the caption: '#ibizaweekender #2025 #jordandavies serious WTH moment great service xoxox.' Cardiff-born lad Jordan Davies, 33 - who shot to fame on ITV2's The Magaluf Weekender in 2013 - was last on our screens in 2019 They wrote: 'Why is Jordan from Ibiza Weekender making our coffee on a random Sunday?' When Jordan isn't making coffees, he's behind the DJ decks entertaining crowds with music. His bio on Instagram states that he is an 'international DJ' and is also the co-owner of alcohol cocktail brand Sunset Juicee. He regularly shares posts about his DJing gigs on his profile. Jordan wasn't the only famous face who took part in the show. David Potts, Imogen Townley, Deano Baily, Ellie Young, Rykard Jenkins, Bethan Kershaw, Callum Izzard and Chyna Ellis are among others who appeared on the programme. The Weekender franchise was on our screens between 2013 and 2020. The programme, which saw groups of youngsters head off on their first holiday without their parents, was filmed in various locations - Ibiza, Kavos and Magaluf. When Jordan (pictured) isn't making coffees, he's behind the DJ decks entertaining crowds with music There was also a spin-off called Weekender Boat Party. There were 10 successful series before the franchise was cancelled in 2023. An insider told The Sun: 'The cast were recently informed that planned filming later this year has now been cancelled and the show won't be coming back. 'They're all gutted as many of them have been on it for years and it's always been such a popular format. 'ITV2 have had to make some difficult decisions with the return of Big Brother taking up a big portion of the schedule later in the year. 'And it looks like the Weekender series is one of those casualties. 'Obviously in telly land shows can always be resurrected. 'So it's not necessarily gone forever, but for the foreseeable future it's off the cards.' Jordan pictured with his former Ibiza Weekender co-star David Potts (right), who won last year's Celebrity Big Brother series The Weekender franchise isn't the only show that Jordan has appeared in. In 2015 and 2017 he took part in series three, four and five of MTV's Ex On The Beach. In 2017 he also took part in Celebrity Big Brother. The series was won by Sarah Harding and Amelia Lily was runner-up. Award-winning drama Trigger Point will soon be back on screens, as ITV have released a teaser trailer of what fans can expect from the new series. Since its debut in 2022, the series - which follows bomb disposal expert Lana Washington and her team of 'expos' in high-octane situations - has remained a firm favourite among drama fans. The series, which stars Line Of Duty's Vicky McClure as the leading lady, was confirmed to be returning for a third run earlier this year, and filming finished up earlier in autumn. Now, ITV have given a glimpse at the action with a nail-biting new trailer, showing Vicky, 42, back in her bomb disposal gear on the streets of London. The scenes, which are preluded by the words 'hold your breath' see Lana letting out a shocked gasp, before a hand is seen clamping around the detonator of a body-worn bomb device. Another scene sees newcomer Jason Flemyng staring down the lens angrily, before Lana is seen outside reacting to a possible threat in her full gear. Award-winning drama Trigger Point will soon be back on screens, as ITV have released a teaser trailer of what fans can expect from the new series Since its debut in 2022, the series has followed bomb disposal expert Lana Washington and her team of 'expos' in high-octane situations - and this time a new threat will be posed with Jason Flemyng joining the cast Other quick flash scenes show a high speed police car chase, and Lana running away from a potential threat before an explosion is shown. The synopsis also teases: 'Lana Washington and her bomb disposal team investigate a series of bomb threats in London that reveal a sinister vendetta against specific individuals. 'Working with the Police Counterterrorism Unit, the Expos must race against time to find the bomber before they can claim another victim. 'They navigate a web of revenge, politics, and betrayal that forces Lana to question who she can trust and dredges up old trauma.' The trailer also confirms the drama will be back on screen from October 26. After a string of deaths in previous series, the Trigger Point cast recruited Prime Target and Boiling Point actor Jason Flemyng as newcomer Steven Wyles. While Eric Shango's Danny, Nabil Elouahabi's Hass, Natalie Simpson's DS Helen Morgan and Maanuv Thiara's DCI Amar Batra will all return. They will be joined by The Last Kingdom actor Mark Rowley as Rich Manning. The trailer also confirms the drama will be back on screen from October 26 ITV have given a glimpse at the action with a nail-biting new trailer, showing Vicky, 42, back in her bomb disposal gear on the streets of London Earlier this year, the series received a special honour when Queen Camilla visited the set of the ITV drama as part of the celebrations for ITV's 70th year. The Queen, 77, was welcomed to the set in London by Dame Carolyn McCall , the chief executive of ITV, and Trigger Point's executive producer Jed Mercurio. On set, she tried her hand at being at being a camera assistant when she took charge of the clapperboard before watching a scene being filmed on location. Revealing that she was a fan of the show, the Queen also expressed surprise at the 30lb weight of the bomb disposal suit worn by actress Vicky McClure, who stars in the crime drama as explosives officer Lana Washington. Earlier this year, the series received a special honour when Queen Camilla visited the set of the ITV drama as part of the celebrations for ITV's 70th year Vicky asked the Queen if she liked the series, to which she replied: 'I have watched it. I'm just getting through the first (series) so I've got a bit more. It's really good.' Military advisor Paul Biddiss showed Camilla some of the props they use, including the bomb suit worn by the British actress, who also serves an executive producer of the ITV drama. 'Lighter?' the Queen replied as she was shown the 70lb suit, described as the 'lighter' option for Lana's Vicky. 'Blimey!' It followed the major success of the second series, which averaged an impressive 8.1million viewers live and was streamed 30million times on ITVX. Trigger Point returns to ITV1 on Sunday, October 26 at 9pm, and the full series will be made available to stream on ITVX and STV Player. It was the end of the road for Lesley Holloway on The Great British Bake Off as she became the eighth contestant eliminated on Tuesday's episode. The hairdresser, 59, narrowly missed out on a spot in the top five during meringue week as judge Paul Hollywood complained her showstopper was 'too chewy'. Lesley, from Kent, made a Vacherin glace in the style of a wedding cake, inspired by her daughter's upcoming wedding. Judge Prue Leith praised the flavour of the meringue but Paul complained about its texture. With most of the contestants getting positive assessments for their meringues, Lesley was ultimately sent home. She took it on the chin however, telling the camera: 'Do you know what, I knew it was coming. It was like ripping the plaster off. It was the end of the road for Lesley Holloway on The Great British Bake Off as she became the eighth contestant eliminated on Tuesday's episode The hairdresser, 59, narrowly missed out on a spot in the top five during meringue week as judge Paul Hollywood complained her showstopper was 'too chewy' 'It's been a dream of mine to do this. I've got over half way. I've had a blast.' Lesley had expressed concern during the making of the showstopper that she may not have enough time to make the dessert to her liking but was encouraged to push through by co-host Alison Hammond. After her elimination, Prue said: 'She's a remarkable woman. She's my ideal baker, she has fun with it.' Meanwhile, Toby Littlewood was this week's star baker after he blew the judges away with his mango sorbet meringue. Taking part in Bake Off had been a dream of Lesley's for many years. 'I never dreamt that I would be good enough to get into the Bake Off tent. I have applied a few times before but never actually thought I would get through!' she said. 'I got the call from one of the team at 9.30 on Friday while working in the Hair Dressing Salon and I had to say I was going for a walk round the car park so I could speak to her privately. 'I really thought at first that I hadn't made it and she was letting me down gently but then she said that I was one of the 12 this year. Lesley had expressed concern during the making of the showstopper that she may not have enough time to make the dessert to her liking Toby Littlewood was this week's star baker after he blew the judges away with his mango sorbet meringue 'I got emotional as I knew my Dad would have been very proud and I felt very overwhelmed, excited and a little bit scared!' 'As a baker my strengths are traditional home baking and cooking,' she added. 'I love making pies, pastries and cakes and making them look beautiful and tempting. I am good at experimenting with new ideas and cooking with different recipes, creating new versions by adding new ingredients. 'My weakness is not believing in myself enough to trust my gut instinct.' The Great British Bake Off continues next Tuesday at 9pm on Channel 4. Witches Of Essex (Sky History) Rating: That Rylan's come on nicely, hasn't he? I don't really remember him on X Factor or Celebrity Big Brother, I admit, but it seems like only yesterday he was presenting Supermarket Sweep. But since his close chum Judge Rob Rinder began giving him an education in art and world travel, Rylan has acquired an impressive (if improbable) depth of intellectual insight. Witches Of Essex saw him schooling Professor Alice Roberts in Tudor history. With the aid of a crime board and a white marker pen, he explained to her how hundreds of women were condemned for practising dark magic. The prof tried to keep up as he bombarded her with dates, referred to Elizabethan acts of parliament, and set out his theory that the Witch Trials were 'a brutal conspiracy of control that went right to the top, to the Queen of England herself'. Hangings and burnings were the outcome that 'the State' wanted: 'Elizabeth I wants people to be frightened,' he added, with all the authority of a man who has a doctorate in 16th-century history from the University of YouTube. This newfound erudition was undermined by his impulse to make very unacademic quips. Rylan has a quick wit and an irreverent sense of humour, and isn't able to bite his tongue. When one tame historian explained that women could be condemned simply for having blemishes on their faces, he shot back, 'If you see me in the morning without any make-up, you'd definitely be able to prove I was a witch.' Witches Of Essex saw Rylan Clarke schooling Professor Alice Roberts on Tudor history And perusing a pamphlet that denounced devil worship among peasant women, he dismissed it as, 'a gossip rag it's like the Heat magazine of its day'. Language barrier of the night Contestants on Worlds Apart (Ch4) went shopping in Kyoto, in search of Japanese delicacies 'potetochippusu', 'aisukurimu' and 'tibaggu'. No idea what those are? Say them out loud... potato chips, ice cream and teabags. Advertisement If he'd stuck to playing the bright, brash amateur, splashing a bit of sauce on proceedings, the pairing might have worked. But to see him lecturing her on facts and dates was just odd. The format could have been much better if an acknowledged Tudor historian such as Kate Williams or Lucy Worsley had led the investigation, explaining the nuances of witch-hunts to Alice who is an osteo-archaeologist and anatomist by training, more experienced with examining ancient bones than documents from Shakespearean England. Their first 'cold case' crime investigation delved into the Hatfield Peverel trial of 1566, in which a woman named Agnes Waterhouse was accused of murder by black magic, along with her sister and 18-year-old daughter. Agnes became one of the first women in Britain to be hanged for witchcraft. The reconstructions were much more than silent tableaux, and included a full court scene with a ferocious cross-examination. One 12-year-old witness claimed the witches set a black dog on her, 'with a face like an ape, with a pair of horns on its head, and a silver whistle round its neck'. Mother Waterhouse also had a cat called Satan. That's just asking for trouble. What's wrong with 'Tigger'? The cult horror comedy about a transformative night on the Yorkshire Moors, directed by John Landis Year: 1981 Certificate: 15 Watch now on Pluto TV John Landis, a director best known for his comedy films (Trading Places, Three Amigos, The Blues Brothers) was also behind this cult horror comedy classic starring David Naughton and Griffin Dunne. The plot follows two American backpackers as they walk the Yorkshire Moors and stray into local pub The Slaughtered Lamb - a place they then leave in a hurry after upsetting some intimidating locals. It's a scene that's been much riffed on in popular culture since, and wasn't actually shot in Yorkshire but at the Black Swan pub near Ockham, in leafy Surrey. A deadly and transformative encounter follows for the duo and a howlingly good romp of a film takes off from there, featuring some very special effects that scooped the film its only Oscar - which was also the first-ever Academy gong for Best Makeup. Landis went on to direct the video for Michael Jackson's Thriller and returned to Britain nearly three decades later to helm the 2010 horror comedy Burke & Hare. (97 minutes) Vicky Pattison has admitted that she has a 'huge question mark over motherhood' and that the pressure to have a baby now that she is married is 'suffocating'. The Strictly star, 37, tied the knot with partner Ercan Ramadan last summer but in a new interview she has opened up about their thoughts on parenthood. Women's Health UK she explained that she had worked so hard for so long to get where she has career wise, that taking a break 'scares her'. Vicky, who looked stunning in a series of images accompanying the interview, said: 'I'm a huge advocate for egg freezing, although I'm saying that from a position of financial privilege. 'Women shouldn't be beholden to this invisible timeline. We're fed this narrative that we can have it all and do whatever we want, but it's not necessarily true. In women's lives, there has to be a lot of compromise involved. 'I met Ercan when I was 31 and wanted to give our relationship breathing spaceIt's been the best thing I've ever done. I felt really suffocated, on a kind of conveyor belt, and now I feel free.' Vicky Pattison has admitted that she has a 'huge question mark over motherhood' and that the pressure to have a baby now that she is married is 'suffocating' The Strictly star, 37, tied the knot with partner Ercan Ramadan last summer but in a new interview she has opened up about their thoughts on parenthood The former Geordie Shore star also said she and Ercan are 'singing from the same song sheet' about wanting more time to make up their minds about parenthood. Also speaking on the Women's Health Just as Well podcast with Gemma Atkinson and Claire Sanderson, Vicky explained: 'My mum told me 'If not having children is your trajectory, that's fine,' which I thought was powerful. 'I think we're coming around to the idea as a society that a woman doesn't have to have children to be fulfilled and, for me, there's still a huge question mark over motherhood. 'I've worked to finally get to a place where I'm proud of who I'm becoming, and the thought of taking a break it scares me.' Vicky is paired with pro dancer Kai Widdrington on this year's Strictly - with the duo going from strength to strength in the competition. However last week Vicky revealed her husband can't wait for her to be booted off the BBC dance show so they can resume their sex life. The Channel 4 presenter said that her husband Ercan has been put on a sex ban because she's too tired after rehearsals. Women's Health UK she explained that she had worked so hard for so long to get where she has career wise, that taking a break 'scares her' Vicky, who looked stunning in a series of images accompanying the interview, said: 'My mum told me ''If not having children is your trajectory, that's fine,'' which I thought was powerful' The former Geordie Shore star also said she and Ercan are 'singing from the same song sheet' about wanting more time to make up their minds about parenthood Vicky is paired with pro dancer Kai Widdrington on this year's Strictly - with the duo going from strength to strength in the competition However last week Vicky revealed her husband can't wait for her to be booted off the BBC dance show so they can resume their sex life (pictured with Ercan) She told the Mail on Sunday: 'We've been together for nearly ten years and we have a really healthy relationship in every aspect. But it's just so hard.' 'You're so exhausted, you're training for many hours a day. I'm still working outside of this. I'm podcasting, doing all my social bits, I have just launched a clothing collection. Things are full on.' She went on: 'So after a full day doing the Charleston you don't fancy going home and doing the mattress Mambo. 'He's [Ercan's] having to be a little bit patient with us at the minute. I think he's potentially one of the only people in my inner circle, who's hoping I'm getting booted out.' The pair got engaged in 2022, before they got married in front of the cameras last year for a Channel 4 documentary titled My Big Fat Geordie Wedding. Last Saturday night, she danced a lively Charleston to A Little Party Never Killed Nobody from The Great Gatsby. But it wasn't an easy week for the North-east native. Her and Kai both fell ill and were forced to pull out of an appearance on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two. The former I'm A Celeb Winner posted a snap of her recovery essentials, including lozenges, cough syrup, ginger shots, oranges and juice as she battled to shake off the bug. When she recovered she chipped her tooth during a lift in rehearsals and her dog drew blood after playfully scratching her face. Vicky Pattison stars on the Women's Health cover and Just As Well podcast. Emma Watson looked carefree when she was pictured with a handsome male companion in Pisa on Friday after denying she is engaged to her boyfriend Kieran Brown. The actress, 35, looked relaxed and happy as they walked past the leaning tower of Pisa with the man, just days after Harry Potter author JK Rowling's decision to accuse her of being 'ignorant of how ignorant she is' regarding trans rights. Emma was wearing a Frame X Ritz jumper with leggings and a crossbody bag on her day out, while her companion stood close by. Her phd student boyfriend Kieran was not with her on the day. The couple met while as she studied her part-time master's degree in creative writing at Oxford University and they were first photographed together in July 2024. Emma said on the The Jay Shetty Podcast last month that she isn't engaged and will not be pressured into exchanging vows because it's seen as the conventional thing to do. Emma Watson looked carefree on holiday with a handsome male companion in Pisa on Friday - as she brushed off JK Rowling's recent comments about her 'ignorance' regarding trans rights Emma was wearing a Frame X Ritz jumper with leggings and a crossbody bag as she walked along with the man, just days after she denied she was engaged to her boyfriend Kieran Brown Emma recently described the pressure to marry as a 'violence and cruelty' against women Emma's boyfriend is Kieran Brown (pictured with the actress), whom she met while studying for her part-time master's degree in creative writing at Oxford University She was pictured wearing this ring at the Miu Miu show in Paris Fashion Week on October 6 but the 22 petal designed flower ring was actually a gift from her friends Emma, who has described the pressure to marry as a 'violence and cruelty' against women, wore an impressive, vintage-style ring on her engagement finger while attending a Miu Miu catwalk show in the French capital which caused people to question if she was engaged. But Emma said: 'I guess having gone through this odyssey, which has been the last seven years, it was like, okay, I feel like I've got to a place, and this will continue forever, where I want to celebrate where I ended up after I left land, it felt like. 'I did a ritual with, I guess just a day of celebrating with my friends and chosen family. They each bought me this ring, which has 22 petals on it, and each of them bought one.' She added: 'I've just never owned anything so valuable in my life because to me, it represents the life that I've built, which was the one that I really wanted, which was one that was made up of community and my roots and faith and trust. 'In some funny way, it signals to me that even though I have no signs of my success, save for this crazy one-woman play I've written, I don't even have my degree yet, it signals to me that for me, I achieved what I wanted to achieve for myself.' Emma added: 'I'm just so happy not to be divorced yet. That sounds like a really negative answer, but I think that we're being pressured and forced into this thing that I believe is a miracle. 'I might never be worthy of it. I hope it happens to me, but I don't feel entitled to it. It will either be part of my purpose here and my destiny, or it won't. 'I think the way we treat it as though, Well, why haven't you? This is something that has to happen in this certain time span and at this certain age in this way. It's the least romantic thing I can possibly think of.' She said: 'I think it's such a violence and it's such a cruelty on people, and especially young people, I think, and especially women, to make them feel like they have no worth or like they haven't succeeded yet in life' During the same interview, the actress said her public support for trans rights did not mean she had turned against Harry Potter author JK Rowling She said: 'I really don't believe that by having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can't and don't treasure Jo and the person that I, that I had personal experiences with' 'Truly, if I had tried to get married any point, basically before about a year ago, it would have been carnage. I just didn't know myself well enough yet. I didn't have a clear enough idea of what my purpose, my vision, how I was going to be of service. 'I didn't know where I really felt like I needed to be. I think I have some of those answers now. So when I meet someone, I can say "Hi, I'm Emma. This is what I care about".' She added: 'I think it's such a violence and it's such a cruelty on people, and especially young people, I think, and especially women, to make them feel like they have no worth or like they haven't succeeded yet in life because they haven't forced to its culmination, something that I just don't think can or should ever be forced. 'It's something that, honestly, I feel like I've had to earn, I've had to work for to be in a place where I feel like I can look someone in the eye and be able to tell them who I am and to have some idea - and it will change and grow - of what I want and what I'm here to do.' During the same interview, the actress said her public support for trans rights did not mean she had turned against Harry Potter author JK Rowling, 60. She said: 'I really don't believe that by having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can't and don't treasure Jo and the person that I, that I had personal experiences with.' But JK issued an unprecedented condemnation of Emma by accusing her of being 'ignorant of how ignorant she is'. She said the actress's public criticism of her gender-critical stance had 'poured more petrol on the flames' of the abuse she had suffered. She also dismissed Ms Watson's recent claim that she 'still treasures' her by accusing her of 'cosying up' to a movement that 'regularly calls for a friend's assassination'. Rowling has previously vowed to 'never forgive' Ms Watson or her Harry Potter co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint for having 'cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights'. But she has never previously made such a personal criticism of the woman she made famous. Just a fortnight ago, Rowling said the trio had 'every right to embrace gender identity ideology' but attacked them for using their links to Harry Potter to serve as 'de facto spokespeople' for the 'world I created'. JK Rowling with Emma at the world premiere of Deathly Hallows in 2011 JK said she had long felt 'protective' over the former child star Emma and Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban JK posted a long statement on X last month She then focused her fire on Emma by suggesting her views on trans rights were due to her lack of experience of 'real life'. The actress recently blamed her driving ban on being a movie star from a young age, saying it had left her 'unable to do some pretty basic life things'. Rowling raged: 'I wasn't a multimillionaire at fourteen. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous. 'I therefore understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women's rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges.' She went on to claim that Ms Watson's recent claim that she still 'treasures' her was a cynical attempt to shift her stance after realising 'full-throated condemnation of me is not as fashionable as it once was'. Harry Enfield claims cultural imperialism is to blame for the furious backlash sparked by his decision to wear black make-up and portray cultural icon Nelson Mandela as a crack dealer. The comedian reflected on the controversy surrounding his 2007 portrayal of the late South African leader in Harry & Paul, which was ultimately condemned for racism, during an appearance on The Third Act podcast. Enfield, 64, argued that the ensuing outrage reflected imported sensitivities from America rather than typical British attitudes. He said: 'I did get in trouble a bit for doing Nelson Mandela. What's that called, black voicing now? 'Anyway, we used to be what was called blacked up, but cultural imperialism has taken the phrase 'blackface' from America, where there is a very different culture.' The sketch, which aired on BBC One, saw Harry's version of Mandela advertising heroin and crack cocaine - a joke, he now says, that was intended to satirise the narrow range of roles available to black actors on British television at the time. Harry Enfield claims cultural imperialism is to blame for the backlash sparked by his decision to wear black make-up and portray Nelson Mandela as a drug dealer in a controversial sketch Enfield argued that the ensuing outrage reflected imported sensitivities from America rather than typical British attitudes He said: 'What made me do it was David Harewood, the actor, who'd done an interview saying he had to go and work in America, because over here, he could just play robbers, muggers, and bad people. 'Those were the only parts he was ever up for in Britain, because of the colour of his skin. So he went to America, and then he could play other human beings. 'I thought, well, Nelson Mandela is the only person in the world that is sort of universally loved. And I thought, that's funny - the idea of Nelson Mandela, if he's on the BBC, he has to be a mugger or a robber or a drug dealer. 'So I had him say, 'Do you like crack? Do you like smack? Then you will love my smack and crack party bag. You can steal your mother's jewellery to pay for it.'' He added: 'It seemed to me so absurd no one would possibly take offence and think, why are you doing it? 'But the only thing that really offended them wasn't that it was that, but it was me doing it - and not someone with a different coloured skin. I get it now. I wouldn't do it now, but it's a shame.' Harry's remarks come five years after he defended the sketch on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, where he said portraying Mandela as a drug dealer was 'so wrong that it was right.' He argued then that there was a difference between his comedy and the overtly racist caricatures of earlier eras, such as the Chocolate Coloured Coon character of the 1930s - a term that prompted an on-air apology from host Nick Robinson. Enfield's previous characters include Stavros, a Greek kebab shop owner (pictured) He famously played Loadsamoney, a foul-mouthed, belligerent and money obsessed plasterer, created in response to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's policies (pictured in 1988) At the time, comedian Ava Vidal, who appeared alongside him on Today, said blackface 'normalises dehumanisation' and challenged Harry for reinforcing stereotypes rather than satirising them. The discussion took place during the 2020 wave of Black Lives Matter protests, when several shows featuring blackface sketches - including Little Britain and The Mighty Boosh - were removed from streaming platforms, and comedians such as Ant and Dec and Leigh Francis issued public apologies. In the podcast episode released last week, Harry elaborated on his distaste for imported American culture and language to the UK. He said: 'All these phrases, one of them is the 'lived experience' - 'Well, my lived experience teaches me this...', which is actually someone's opinion. But you're supposed to go, 'oh yes, your lived experience.' It's very, very American.' Enfield chose to satirise Mandela after reading comments made by black actor David Harewood, who claimed he moved to America for better roles because in Britain he could only play criminals (Harewood is pictured in US show Homeland) 'I thought, well, Nelson Mandela is the only person in the world that is sort of universally loved. And I thought, that's funny - the idea of Nelson Mandela, if he's on the BBC, he has to be a mugger or a robber or a drug dealer' He also took aim at what he sees as a climate of excessive caution in comedy. 'There are things you could say now that you can't say,' he added. 'And it should be: why can't you say it? If there's a good reason not to say something, you shouldn't say it, but if it's not malicious, you should be allowed to. 'Also, everybody says, 'It offends me.' Yeah, but you might have no sense of humour. 'I think mischief is okay, and malice I don't really like. There are lots of malicious comics out there, but they tend to be lefty: toe the line, and they're nasty about everyone. I'm a lefty. 'But I think they just preach to other lefties who are exactly like them. So it's just a mutual congratulations club. And I'm not interested in that. I mean, good luck to them, but it doesn't interest me.' He added: 'Everyone has different tastes in music and different tastes in drama and things. And I think there's something about comedy, which I realised very early on... if you watch a drama on television and you don't like it, you say, oh it's a bit boring. 'But if you watch someone being funny on television and you can see them performing to the audience and they're cocky and you don't find them funny, you think they're arrogant. 'That's what people think. They just say, oh, what's so funny about him? They get cross about it. Or a sitcom that's not funny. 'People get cross in a way that they don't with drama because they think there's an arrogance in the writer or the performer to think they're funny, whereas actually they just have a different taste of comedy.' Enfield as Kevin the Teenager, another of his iconic characters, in 2000 film Kevin And Perry Go Large On the podcast, Harry also reflected on the creative freedom he enjoyed during the height of his career in the 1990s, when he made Harry Enfield and Chums for the BBC under then-controller Alan Yentob. 'He was like the curator of an art museum,' Harry recalled. 'So he'd say, 'I want this, Harry, will you make me a show?' So you then produced your show and he didn't interfere, and no one from the BBC interfered. 'And then you gave them your show. Whereas, when it became people saying, 'Would you do us a show and here are all our thoughts about it,' I thought, I can't be bothered anymore.' Now largely retired from television, Harry admitted he has little appetite to return to the fray. 'What's so nice is not feeling you have to be driven,' he said. 'I remember once someone saying success is 10% talent and 90% drive. And I thought, yes, that's definitely the case. 'As soon as my drive went, and I was no longer doing anything - it wasn't that I wasn't funny anymore - I just wasn't particularly interested in fighting for it and pitching.' He added: 'Comedy's all about taste,' he said. 'Everyone has different tastes in music and drama and things. 'But with comedy, if you don't find someone funny, you think they're arrogant. People get cross about it. But actually, it's just different taste.' Bette Midler was spotted for the first time since her former co-star Diane Keaton's shock death over the weekend. The award-winning actress, 79, bundled up for a mid-day outing and enjoyed a stroll through New York City on Monday. The star braved the rainy day weather in a warm look. She dressed for comfort in casual yet put-together outfit, layering a gray puffer vest over a fitted, navy blue hoodie. She wore medium-wash jeans with the bottom rolled up to reveal a houndstooth detail. Midler was seen walking out of a building with a hot pink shopping bag and her purse in the same hand. Her outing comes after sharing a heartbreaking tribute to Keaton following her sudden death. Bette Midler was spotted for the first time since her former co-star Diane Keaton's shock death The award-winning actress, 79, bundled up for a mid-day outing and enjoyed a stroll through New York City on Monday Midler completed her outfit with light gray, tall socks with black, leather loafers for her outing. She stepped out just a couple days after the tragic news of her former co-star's shock passing. Keaton died at the age of 79 in California, a family spokesperson confirmed on Saturday. The Hocus Pocus star had previously starred alongside Keaton as well as Goldie Hawn in the 1996 comedy-drama, The First Wives Club. The following day, Midler took to social media to share a gushing post and emotional tribute to her late co-star and longtime friend. She shared a black-and-white photo of her pal and began: 'The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died.' She continued: 'I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me. 'She was hilarious, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she wasoh, la, la la!' For her solo outing, she dressed for comfort in casual yet put-together outfit. She layered a gray puffer vest over a fitted, navy blue hoodie She wore medium-wash jeans with the bottom rolled up to reveal a houndstooth detail And she completed her outfit with light gray, tall socks with black, leather loafers for her outing Their fellow co-star Goldie Hawn also joined in and penned an emotional tribute with a lengthy, heartfelt message. The actress, who is also 79, took to Instagram to share a black-and-white, throwback photo of Keaton smiling in her statement outfit. 'Diane, we aren't ready to lose you,' Hawn wrote in a heartbreaking message alongside the portrait. 'You've left us with a trail of fairy dust, filled with particles of light and memories beyond imagination. How do we say goodbye? What words can come to mind when your heart is broken?' She added: 'You never liked praise, so humble, but now you can't tell me to "shut up" honey. There was, and will be, no one like you.' Hawn also reflected on filming with Keaton back in the 90s and paid tribute to her friend's legacy. 'You stole the hearts of the world and shared your genius with millions, making films that made us laugh and cry in ways only you could,' she wrote. 'I was blessed to make First Wives Club with you, our days starting with coffee in the makeup trailer, laughing and joking, right through to the very last day of filming. It was a roller coaster of love.' Her heartbreaking post continued: 'We agreed to grow old together, and one day, maybe live together with all our girlfriends. Well, we never got to live together, but we did grow older together. Who knows maybe in the next life. 'Shine your fairy dust up there, girlfriend,' she wrote. 'I'm going to miss the hell out of you. My heart goes out to your beautiful children, Dex and Duke. I love you.' Her outing comes after sharing a heartbreaking tribute to Keaton following her shock death over the weekend. Keaton died at the age of 79 in California, a family spokesperson confirmed on Saturday; pictured in November 2021 The Hocus Pocus star had previously starred alongside Keaton as well as Goldie Hawn in the 1996 comedy-drama, The First Wives Club; pictured in September 1996 The following day, Midler took to social media to share an emotional tribute to her late co-star and longtime friend. She shared throwback photos of them together and gushed about Keaton; pictured in 1996 The First Wives Club movie still A family spokesperson confirmed to People on Saturday that the Academy Award-winning actress passed away in California. Her loved ones have requested privacy as they mourn her loss. Keaton never married but adopted two children, 29-year-old daughter Dexter and 25-year-old son Duke. The actress leaves behind an amazing legacy in Hollywood, with some of her performances in the 1970's hailed as the decade's best. There's a reason Tom Arnold named his comedy tour My Crazy X-Wife, having been married and divorced four times, most famously to Roseanne Barr. 'People say, "My Crazy X-Wife, oh I know which one that is. It's Roseanne!"' the 66-year-old comedian told Us Weekly last Friday. 'And I'm like, "She's not even close to my craziest ex-wife because we didn't have kids together." The worst thing she did was go on Saturday Night Live and say I have a three-inch penis, which is confidential information. You take that to the grave.' Tom then wisecracked: 'Even a 747 looks small when it flies over the Grand Canyon.' Arnold originally met the 72-year-old Emmy winner in 1983 while opening for her in Minneapolis, and she hired him to be a writer on her self-titled ABC sitcom in 1989. The Fubar star wed Roseanne - who got 'Property of Tom Arnold' tattooed on her hip - in 1990 just four days after her divorce was finalized from first husband Bill Pentland, with whom she had three children. There's a reason Tom Arnold named his comedy tour My Crazy X-Wife, having been married and divorced four times, most famously to Roseanne Barr (pictured in 1992) The 66-year-old comedian told Us Weekly last Friday: 'People say, "My Crazy X-Wife, oh I know which one that is. It's Roseanne!" And I'm like, "She's not even close to my craziest ex-wife because we didn't have kids together"' (pictured last Wednesday) Tom created the character of Arnie Thomas on Roseanne and acted in 20 episodes before their four-year marriage came to an end in 1994 - the same year he scored the role of Arnold Schwarzenegger's sidekick in James Cameron's blockbuster True Lies. Arnold once claimed to Howard Stern that his divorce agreement entitled him to 'over $20M' of Barr's estate including a percentage of the hit show. The Iowa-born funnyman was married to second ex-wife Julie Armstrong from 1995-1999 and third ex-wife Shelby Roos from 2002-2008. But Tom only had children with his fourth ex-wife Ashley Groussman, and they co-parent their 12-year-old son Jax and nine-year-old daughter Quinn following a lengthy custody battle that cost 'millions of dollars.' When Arnold's decade-long marriage to the Home Attunement founder ended in 2019, she accused him of domestic violence, which a judge formally dismissed for having 'no merit' in July. 'Despite multiple failed attempts to discredit me, the truth has finally prevailed,' the Airplane 2025 actor said in a statement in July. 'This experience has taken a significant toll on my health and well-being, but most importantly, it has been a difficult time for our children. I am grateful for the support of those who stood by me during this difficult time.' Tom is next scheduled to bring his 33-date My Crazy X-Wife Tour to the Summit City Comedy Club in Fort Wayne, IN on October 23-25. 'I have four ex-wives. And you can have three ex-wives and still kind of go, "Wait a minute, buddy!" But if you have four ex-wives you go, "Oh my God it's me,"' Arnold admitted. Tom continued: 'The worst thing she did was go on Saturday Night Live and say I have a three-inch penis, which is confidential information. You take that to the grave. Even a 747 looks small when it flies over the Grand Canyon' (pictured in 1994) Arnold originally met the 72-year-old Emmy winner (M) in 1983 while opening for her in Minneapolis, and she hired him to be a writer on her self-titled ABC sitcom in 1989 The Fubar star wed Roseanne - who got 'Property of Tom Arnold' tattooed on her hip - in 1990 just four days after her divorce was finalized from first husband Bill Pentland, with whom she had three children Tom created the character of Arnie Thomas on Roseanne and acted in 20 episodes before their four-year marriage came to an end in 1994 - the same year he scored the role of Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) sidekick in James Cameron's blockbuster True Lies Arnold once claimed to Howard Stern that his divorce agreement entitled him to 'over $20M' of Barr's estate including a percentage of the hit show (pictured in 1991) The Iowa-born funnyman only had children with his fourth ex-wife Ashley Groussman, and they co-parent their 12-year-old son Jax (R, pictured June 16) and nine-year-old daughter Quinn (L) following a lengthy custody battle that cost 'millions of dollars' When Tom's decade-long marriage to the Home Attunement founder (R, pictured in 2018) ended in 2019, she accused him of domestic violence, which a judge formally dismissed for having 'no merit' in July Arnold said in a statement in July: 'This experience has taken a significant toll on my health and well-being, but most importantly, it has been a difficult time for our children. I am grateful for the support of those who stood by me during this difficult time' The Airplane 2025 actor is next scheduled to bring his 33-date My Crazy X-Wife Tour to the Summit City Comedy Club in Fort Wayne, IN on October 23-25 On May 11, Tom wrapped production on his feature directorial debut The Breakup Pill, a comedy in which he also portrays Dr. Evan (pictured April 30) 'And it is me, 100 percent.' The Golden Globe winner continued: 'You have to find a way to make that funny. It's so crazy because so many things have happened. But I'm just grateful every day. It probably makes me a better dad. I don't take anything for granted.' On May 11, Tom wrapped production on his feature directorial debut The Breakup Pill, a comedy in which he also portrays Dr. Evan. Arnold's upcoming acting roles include Tyler Cornack's horror comedy Mermaid with Robert Patrick as well as Rohit Karn Batra's action drama The Gun on Second Street with Rumer Willis. Following nearly two years of emotional turmoil, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are said to have finally buried the hatchet. The former golden couple, whose shock separation in September 2023 stunned Hollywood, are reportedly rebuilding their friendship after their explosive rift. Deborra-Lee, 69, stunned fans earlier this year when she described the breakdown of her nearly 30-year marriage as a 'traumatic betrayal' that 'cut deep'. It was a rare candid statement for the Australian actress who like her ex-husband had remained publicly dignified since their split in 2023. Fresh reports suggest the Wolverine star has been making quiet efforts to mend fences with his ex-wife. 'Hugh has been trying to make peace with Debs for a long while now, but as you can imagine, it has taken her time to feel ready,' an insider recently told Radar Online. Following nearly two years of emotional turmoil, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are said to have finally buried the hatchet. Pictured together in 2018 'Settling all the legal stuff seems to have helped because she's finally coming around - they've gotten together a couple of times in New York recently to talk things out. 'By all accounts things have improved dramatically, which is fantastic for everyone, most of all their kids.' They added that now that the divorce had been finalised, the former couple are both open to maintaining an amicable friendship. 'It's been two years now since they officially separated. It really is time to let the hatred and anger go,' they said. In June, the pair finalised their divorce a month after filing, the Daily Mail exclusively revealed. A judgment of divorce was filed on June 12, making it official. The document, however, wasn't made public until June 23. Prior to the judgment being entered, two other documents were filed on June 10 a 'Qualified Medical Child Support Order', regarding children's insurance, and 'Findings of Fact/Conclusions of Law.' The divorce had effectively been settled some time ago, but the judge's final sign-off was required to make it official. After nearly two years of tension and heartbreak, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are said to have finally buried the hatchet. Pictured together in 2015 Fresh reports suggest the Wolverine star has been making quiet efforts to mend fences with his ex-wife. Pictured in 2022 Hugh has been dating his former The Music Man co-star Sutton Foster for months, although the timeline of when they began dating has never been confirmed Deb, who shares two adopted children with the Wolverine actor, will receive a payout, according to an insider who previously spoke to the Daily Mail. 'A settlement was reached that Deborra is pleased with, which includes a handsome spousal support payment,' they revealed. 'There was some back and forth regarding this financial agreement but, in the end, she got what she believed she deserved. Both are coming out of this financially secure. 'There is not going to be any drama with this - it gives closure that she needed.' In May, the Daily Mail exclusively broke the news of them filing for divorce to officially terminate their 27-year marriage. Deborra filed the complaint in New York on May 23 and, per the filings, everything has been ironed out behind the scenes. The divorce is 'non contested,' meaning there was not a major disagreement between the couple divorcing. 'They have worked out the details in advance and everything is ironed out in terms of a settlement, alimony and the expenses for the future of their children,' another source told the Daily Mail. 'They are amicable and they are both fully committed to being the best parents that they can be.' Hugh has been dating his former The Music Man co-star Sutton Foster for months, although the timeline of when they began dating has never been confirmed. The pair are said to be ignoring any negative talk about their romance, which some fans believed started as an affair while he was still married, and are 'looking to move forward' with their relationship. Naomi Watts has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Australian actress looked breathtaking on Monday as she was immortalised on the iconic pavement for her contributions to film. The King Kong star wore a peach-coloured dress and daring red lip for the occasion, while flaunting her signature blonde locks in a classic bob. When asked by Today how her Australian upbringing had impacted her career, she revealed that her unwavering work ethic was something she'd brought with her from home. 'Australians know how to work hard and keep their hearts on their sleeves at the same time,' she gushed at the event. A number of A-list actors joined the 57-year-old as she celebrated the milestone moment, including Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash-Betts and Edward Norton, as well as American Horror Story director Ryan Murphy. Naomi Watts (pictured) has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame The Australian actress looked breathtaking on Monday when she was immortalised for her contributions to film (Pictured: Naomi Watts and her son Sasha Schreiber) The King Kong star wore a peach-coloured dress and daring red lip for the occasion, while flaunting her signature blonde locks in a classic bob (Pictured: Naomi Watts and Jack Black) Jack Black appeared to playfully hijack Naomi's special moment by laying out across her star wearing a pair of jeans and a Pounamu necklace from New Zealand, as the Aussie actress broke down in giggles beside him. Fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman wrote a letter which was read out at the ceremony, calling Naomi 'one of her most cherished friends'. Also in attendance was her husband and actor Billy Crudup and her son Sasha Schreiber, who towered over his mum as she beamed with excitement. The 18-year-old recently started his studies at the University of South California in Los Angeles, a moment that saw Naomi get emotional as she sent her firstborn out into the world. However, Naomi's daughter Kai Schreiber was glaringly absent from her mum's big day. The 16-year-old instead posted a subtle nod to her mum on Instagram, sharing a picture of her and her newly-minted star with the caption: 'I know that's right'. At the beginning of October, the rising star model walked in Paris Fashion Week, where her mum was seen beaming with pride and cheering her on at the Mugler Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show. Kai was more recently seen in New York walking hand-in-hand with what seemed to be a love interest. A number of A-list actors joined the 57-year-old as she celebrated the milestone moment, including Sarah Paulson (left), Niecy Nash-Betts (right) and Edward Norton , as well as American Horror Story director Ryan Murphy Also in attendance was her husband and actor Billy Crudup (left) The 16-year-old instead posted a subtle nod to her mum on Instagram, sharing a picture of her and her newly-minted star with the caption: 'I know that's right' On Wednesday, the teenager couldn't hold back her smile while stepping out with the unidentified companion, who looked equally smitten. Despite the seemingly affectionate display, it is unknown if the pair's relationship is romantic or platonic. In June, Kai opened up about her struggles with gender identity from a young age and her coming out journey. While speaking to Interview Magazine, the rising star explained she 'always wanted to grow up and be a beautiful, glamorous, influential woman, like Marilyn Monroe'. Additionally, she praised stars, like Alex Consani, Hunter Schafer, Hari Nef, Dara, Richie Shazam and Colin Jones, for being inspirational to her 'as a young trans girl' navigating life through turbulent times for the community. 'I'm always going to look up to the older generation of transgender people, especially in fashion,' Kai told the magazine. 'It's so great that there's a strong community of us in the fashion world; it's really a doll takeover.' Selma Blair revealed she's going to 'live longer than she thought' after her multiple sclerosis went into remission following years of having symptoms dismissed by doctors. The American actress, 53, opened up about her MS as she posed for Flow Space, as she took to the stage at the Womens Health Summit in Los Angeles. Selma has faced decades-long struggle with getting a diagnosis and was finally told she had MS, which is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and nerves, in August 2018 after she finally was told to have a MRI scan of her brain. The Legally Blonde star has now said she is 'going to live longer' after resting and recovering. On finding strength, Selma said: 'I'm going to live longer than I ever thought. Rest and recovery are essential. I find tricks, because I'll show upno matter what.' Now she is in remission, the actress hopes to compete on her horse Mr. Nibbles again, she added: 'My dream is to ride again even if it's just backyard shows'. Selma Blair revealed she's going to 'live longer than she thought' after her multiple sclerosis went into remission following years of having symptoms dismissed by doctors The American actress, 53, opened up about her diagnosis as she posed for Flow Space, as she took to the stage at the Womens Health Summit in Los Angeles Elsewhere the star said her son Arthur, 14, helps her manage her symptoms and keeps her grounded by telling her she is 'embarrassing'. During the photo shoot, Selma showed off her sensational figure in a plunging strapless green dress before slipping into a figure hugging pink mini dress. Last month, Selma opened up about being diagnosed with MS during an appearance on This Morning. Speaking of her early symptoms, Selma said: 'I had symptoms since as young as I can remember, with my eye sight and we just never really diagnosed it. 'It could be painful in the eye, pressure in the eye, the eye nerve gets quite inflamed, but with relapsing MS it can also go away, so it can be tricky for doctors especially when you're young and quite capable. 'I'd do neurological tests at the doctors, and I could do all that - so there were things that were missed, but I had chronic headache, chronic fever, I had a dropped leg, I developed tics sometimes, which was when I would actually be in a flare as a child. 'I did spend my entire life with doctors really trying to figure out why I was so tired, but it was just misdiagnosed as depression, because extreme fatigue can seem like depression. 'I kind of went that way and figured, "I guess it's all in my head", it was confusing.' Selma has faced decades-long struggle with getting a diagnosis and was finally told she had MS, which is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and nerves, in August 2018 after she finally was told to have a MRI scan of her brain The Legally Blonde star has now said she is 'going to live longer' after resting and recovering On finding strength, Selma said: 'I'm going to live longer than I ever thought. Rest and recovery are essential. I find tricks, because I'll show upno matter what' She went on to explain how things got progressively worse: 'My skin had fallen apart, my body and the fatigue. I'd be riding my horse and get whiplash because I wasn't strong enough to carry myself. 'I'd go to the doctor quite often and say, "I can't stay awake" and they'd say, "Well, what mother can?"' While pregnant, Selma revealed that her symptoms had subsided before she then welcomed her son Arthur in 2011, which saw things take a turn for the worse. She continued: 'I felt great, and I didn't know, I wasn't diagnosed with MS yet and I didn't know that often there are times it can go into remission. 'I felt amazing - until I gave birth and then it was, everything hit the fan and I didn't know what it was, I couldn't walk it was just too painful. 'The doctor said, "This happens to a lot of women"... so it was missed and just described as extreme postpartum because I had trouble staying awake.' It wasn't until Selma took to social media with a scan of her spine that she finally started to get answers, when she was referred to a specialist by a friend. Selma explained: 'I was searching on social media asking if anyone had a doctor - and I put a plea out on my social media. 'I did for the first time see a spinal neurologists and he looked at my MRI and he said, "Yes, you're getting older but it shouldn't be this severe that your leg is dragging". 'He said that something was wrong... I got an MRI for the first time that night even though I'd begged for one my whole life. I had CAT scans and other things, but never an MRI. Now she is in remission, the actress hopes to compete on her horse Mr. Nibbles again, she added: 'My dream is to ride again even if it's just backyard shows' During the photo shoot, Selma showed off her sensational figure in a plunging strapless green dress before slipping into a trendy black blouse and white mini skirt 'It immediately showed and he said, "You must've had this for 20 years". It was amazing to get it, a bit in shock, but really amazed.' Luckily for Selma, she hasn't seen a flare up of her symptoms in some time. She added of her recovery: 'I am really lucky, I'm relapse-free now for a couple of years, and I've made so many gains.' It comes after the actress was honoured with the CineHealth Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating her enduring contributions to film, television, fashion and disability advocacy, all while navigating her battle with MS. The honor, presented at this year's CineHealth Festival in Philadelphia, recognizes individuals who create media that educates, empowers and inspires those facing health challenges. The Cruel Intentions star arrived to the event by helicopter with her loyal service dog, Scout, at her side, before heading straight to the stage. Best known for her roles in Legally Blonde, The Sweetest Thing and Hellboy, Blair has also become a trailblazer for disability representation since publicly sharing her MS diagnosis in 2018. Geri Halliwell-Horner looked radiant as she attended an event hosted by Christie's London on Monday, just hours after news broke that her husband Christian could be making his return to Formula One. The Spice Girl, 53, exuded elegance in another one of her signature all-white looks, slipping into a high-necked lacy blouse and a matching skirt. The author flashed a secretive smile as she posed for photos at the star-studded bash, in light of the revelations about her husband. Daily Mail Sport revealed earlier in the day that Christian is in talks with Ferrari about taking over as their team principal. In July, he was released from his operational duties as the boss of Red Bull with an 80million package, one year after the scandal that engulfed him over texts he apparently sent to a female employee. He was accused of 'coercive behaviour' towards a female employee, accusations which he denied and was twice cleared of in internal hearings overseen by two KCs. Geri Halliwell-Horner looked radiant as she attended an event hosted by Christie's London on Monday, just hours after news broke that her husband Christian could be making his return to Formula One The Spice Girl, 53, exuded elegance in another one of her signature all-white looks, slipping into a high-necked lacy blouse and a matching skirt Daily Mail Sport revealed earlier in the day that Christian is in talks with Ferrari about taking over as their team principal (seen in 2022) The reason for his departure in July, more than a year on from the claims was never explained to him, with Frenchman Laurent Mekies, previously of Racing Bulls, Red Bull's junior team, taking over. Daily Mail revealed last week that Christian paid the woman involved - whose identity is protected by legal anonymity - 3million, in return for agreeing to move on and drop her allegations. She has since taken up a new position at another team and attended the Singapore Grand Prix less than a fortnight ago in her new role. Christian has not been at a race since the British Grand Prix on July 6. He was axed soon afterwards as part of what appeared to be an internal power struggle at Red Bull. It ended his 20 years at the helm of the organisation he had marshalled to 14 world titles, eight drivers' titles through Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, and six drivers' titles. He is seeking a way back into the paddock and his abilities are widely coveted, given his track record of success. He could have agreed an arrangement worth 110m with Red Bull, seeing him out to the end of his contract there that ran until 2030. Also in attendance at the Christie's event was Poppy Delevingne, who looked chic in a black semi-sheer shirt with fringed detailing While actress Joely Richardson was the picture of elegance in a draped royal blue silk gown that showcased her statuesque frame Savannah Miller dazzled in a black satin suit and gave her look a racy edge by flashing a glimpse of her lacy bralette underneath Sophie Dahl displayed her effortlessly trendy sense of style in a classic little black dress and oversized beige jacket The author and former model posed alongside George Duffield and Melanie Clore and the glitzy event The Who's Pete Townshend also made an appearance alongside his wife Rachel Fuller, who turned heads in a bold animal print co-ord But he chose not to hold out for that, facilitating his attempt to return to the frontline next spring, as early as early as possible, in April of next year. According to several sources, Christian is being wooed by Ferrari as well as being in talks with other teams. The Scuderia's president John Elkann is not believed to have faith in his current team principal Fred Vasseur, who is overseeing a very ordinary season with drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton respectively fifth and sixth in the standings. Friends of Christian have told Daily Mail Sport he is actively seeking a new job in F1 and is being courted by several teams. He has not commented on Ferrari's interest. The BBC has hit back at Gregg Wallace's 10,000 damages claim after he was sacked from MasterChef earlier this year. Last month it was revealed how the presenter was said to have lodged his lawsuit at London's High Court and vowed to 'not go quietly'. Gregg, 60, was seeking the release of hundreds of pages of secret documents which he believes will help clear his name and earn back millions in lost earnings. However, the BBC has now hit back at his claim for up to 10,000, as he alleges the broadcaster caused him 'distress and harassment' by not releasing the documents. Lawyers for the BBC have now filed their defence, claiming their former star presenter is 'entitled to any damages'. In the documents, seen by The Sun, the corporation says Gregg pursed his claim without giving them prior notice. The BBC has hit back at Gregg Wallace 's 10,000 damages claim after he was sacked from MasterChef earlier this year Last month it was revealed how he was said to have lodged his lawsuit at London's High Court and vowed to 'not go quietly' The BBC has now it back at his claim for up to 10,000 as he alleges the broadcaster caused him 'distress and harassment' by not releasing the documents The BBC are quoted as saying: 'That voluntary disclosure demonstrates the claimant has no basis to claim damages for distress in respect of the withholding of such information.' The Sun report Gregg's data was finally handed over on October 7, after he initially requested the documents in March. Meanwhile, the publication also adds that a source close to the chef says he is preparing to launch a disability claim for damages relating to his undiagnosed autism while working on MasterChef. He previously said nothing was done to investigate his 'neurodiversity' while he was working on MasterChef. 'My neurodiversity, now formally diagnosed as autism, was suspected and discussed by colleagues across countless seasons of MasterChef,' he said in a statement. 'Yet nothing was done to investigate my disability or protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment for over 20 years. That failure is now being quietly buried.' Gregg stepped down from the hit BBC cooking show after complaints were made about his behaviour and 45 of those 83 complaints were upheld following a report into his conduct. In total, 41 people complained. The review concluded that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour'. The Sun report Gregg's data was finally handed over on October 7, after he initially requested the documents in March Australian-born chef John Torode also lost his job on the show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he maintains he has 'no recollection' of saying It added that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated', with 'one incident of unwelcome physical contact' also substantiated. The former Eat Well for Less? presenter told The Sun that while he didn't deny being guilty of some of the claims, he believed things had been 'perceived incorrectly'. Gregg claimed that he had worked with around 4,000 people, meaning that just 0.5 per cent of those he has worked with 'found fault with me'. He said his actions were the result of learned behaviour and workplace culture and claimed that his recent autism diagnosis also played a role. Australian-born chef John Torode also lost his job on the show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he maintains he has 'no recollection' of saying. Carrie Bickmore made a glamorous red carpet appearance at La Roche-Posay's exclusive birthday party celebrations on Monday. The Melbourne radio host, 44, who often spruiks the skincare brand, showcased her incredible figure in a powder blue gown by Australian designer Misha. Her gown featured a racy sheer panel at the midsection that revealed her taut torso, asymmetrical shoulder straps and a draped floor-length skirt. The blonde completed her look with a white pouch handbag, nude heels, statement Tiffany & Co. cuffs and earrings by Little Auricles Jewelry. She allowed her wavy locks to cascade freely down one shoulder and wore a full face of makeup including dramatic blush, dark eyeshadow and raspberry-hued lipstick. Sharing photos of herself posing at the glitzy event, Carrie wrote: 'Special evening hosting La Roche-Posay's birthday celebrations', before confirming that the brand is a 'generous supporter' of her charity, Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer. Carrie Bickmore, 44, (pictured) made a glamorous red carpet appearance at La Roche-Posay's exclusive birthday party celebrations on Monday The Melbourne radio host, who often spruiks the skincare brand, showcased her incredible figure in a powder blue gown by Australian designer Misha Carrie has previously credited the brand's Cicaplast Baume B5+ Balm Cream - which costs as little as $21 - as the secret behind her age-defying complexion. The cream is a multi-repairing hydrating balm for dry skin with a rich nourishing texture that can be used for multiple purposes on adults, children and babies with sensitive skin. It is said to be perfect for extreme dryness, dry patches, rough areas and post-procedure skin. Carrie recently took to social media to share a photo of her well-used tube of the affordable face cream, cut in half so she could extract every last drop of the cream. 'When you cut open the tube to squeeze out every inch,' Carrie captioned the post, augmenting the sentiment with a laugh emoji. She added that after searching high and low for the perfect face cream, this 'normal-priced' one had been a 'game changer'. 'I have used almost every expensive face cream on the planet and they've done nothing,' Carrie explained. 'This normal priced baby has been a game changer.' A 100ml tube of the cream, which is available at the likes of Chemist Warehouse, will set you back around $35 while the smaller 40ml tube costs around $21. Sharing photos of herself posing at the glitzy event, Carrie wrote: 'Special evening hosting La Roche-Posay's birthday celebrations', before confirming that the brand is a 'generous supporter' of her charity, Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer In her last months, Diane Keaton was continuing to surround herself with the Hollywood friends she had known for decades. Actor Ed Begley Jr. told People on Saturday that the last time he saw the Oscar-winning actress who died at the age of 79 on Saturday - was at a birthday party for Tinseltown icon Jack Nicholson this past April. 'I saw her fairly recently at Jack Nicholson's birthday party, and it was good to see her there,' Begley, 76, said of Keaton, who shared the silver screen with Nicholson, 88, in the 2003 movie Something's Gotta Give. He added of Keaton: 'She's a wonderful actress, a wonderful lady. I played her brother in an HBO film called Running Mates with Ed Harris. So I'm glad I knew her these many years.' Begley said he figured that Nicholson was probably floored by news of Keaton's death, as he was. 'She loved Jack Nicholson, as I do, and Jack loved her,' Begley said. 'So I don't mean to speak for him. I'm sure he's as devastated as I am by her loss.' Diane Keaton was continuing to surround herself with the Hollywood friends she had known for decades. Pictured in NYC in 2023 Keaton was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2004 Oscars for her performance as Erica Barry in the romantic comedy drama Something's Gotta Give opposite Nicholson, who portrayed Harry Sanborn. The motion picture, which was written directed by Keaton confidante Nancy Myers, featured an ensemble cast when it arrived in theaters in December of 2003. It included Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet, Frances McDormand, Jon Favreau, Paul Michael Glaser and Rachel Ticotin. Meyers described the effect Keaton had on the longtime Hollywood lothario Nicholson during production of the movie 'We're rehearsing that scene in the street, where he's running after her and he calls me over after one rehearsal,' Meyers said in a chat with Vulture in April 2018. 'He's all rattled.' The filmmaker continued: 'I said, "What's up?" And he goes, "Diane just told me she loves me." 'I couldn't tell if he was horrified or thrilled. So I was like, "Yes, I know, I wrote that line. It's in the script, Jack." And he said, "Oh, OK." He thought she meant it. It's really funny. That's her.' The anecdote about Nicholson came amid reports that fellow film icon Al Pacino harbored deep regret for not marrying the A-list actress (and his costar in The Godfather) when he had the opportunity during more than 16 years as a couple during their time together from 1971 to 1987. Actor Ed Begley Jr. said on Saturday that the last time he saw the Oscar-winning actress was at a birthday party for Tinseltown icon Jack Nicholson this past April. Pictured in LA Keaton and Begley pictured on the set of the 1992 political comedy/drama Running Mates Begley added of Keaton: 'She's a wonderful actress, a wonderful lady.' Pictured in LA last year Begley said he figured that Nicholson, seen earlier this year at SNL50 in NYC, was probably floored by news of Keaton's death Looking back, Al admits the love of his life was Diane who hes always called, "an amazing woman,"' a confidante of the Oscar-winning actor, 85, told Daily Mail Saturday. 'I know he will forever regret he didnt make his move when he had the chance. 'For years after he and Diane split, Al used to say, "if its meant to be, its never too late for a do-over". But sadly, now it is.' The star of classics such as Annie Hall, Father of the Bride and The First Wives Club had been with loved ones when she passed, a relative told the Associated Press, and the family requested privacy. No further details have been released. Keaton had become increasingly reclusive in the past year with one longtime friend, the songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, who remarked to People how shockingly thin Keaton had become before her shock death. 'I saw her two or three weeks ago, and she was very thin,' Sager, 81, recalled. 'She had lost so much weight.' Sager explained that Keaton had been affected by the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in January: 'She had to go to Palm Springs because her house has been damaged inside and they had to clean everything.' 'She was down there for a while, and when she came back, I was kind of stunned by how much weight she'd lost,' the Grammy and Oscar award-winning lyricist shared. Sager described her late friend as 'a magic light for everyone who 'just lit up a room with her energy,' adding, 'I just loved her ... she was so special.' The Something's Gotta Give costars kissed on the red carpet at the 54th annual Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany in February of 2004 Keaton pictured at the TCL Chinese Theatre on August 11, 2022 in Hollywood, California Another of Keaton's confidantes told People that the actress' health fell off a cliff in recent months, something 'which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her.' The insider added: 'She declined very suddenly. It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit.' 'In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren't fully aware of what was happening.' Keaton's death was followed by emotional statements from Hollywood stalwarts such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Bette Midler, Francis Ford Coppola and a host of others. DiCaprio called the Oscar-winning star 'brilliant, funny and unapologetically herself,' adding that 'she will be deeply missed.' Middler said of Keaton, 'She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she wasoh, la, lala!' The Godfather director Coppola said in an Instagram post, 'Words cant express the wonder and talent of Diane Keaton.' The Oscar-winning filmmaker added, 'Endlessly intelligent, so beautiful...Everything about Diane was creativity personified.' Keaton had spent some time this year picking up the pieces from the wildfires that ravaged Southern California in January. Pictured 2019 in Las Vegas The actress leaves behind an amazing legacy in Hollywood, with some of her performances in the 1970's hailed as the decade's best, including the titular role in the 1977 comedy Annie Hall The actress leaves behind an amazing legacy in Hollywood, with some of her performances in the 1970's hailed as the decade's best. They included the titular role in the 1977 comedy Annie Hall, which was written and directed by Woody Allen, who she collaborated with on a number of memorable projects. Keaton in 1978 would claim the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for her work in Annie Hall, her first of four lifetime nominations. She would also receive nods for her work in movies such as 1981's Reds, 1996's Marvins Room and 2003's Somethings Gotta Give. Other notable movies Keaton performed in throughout her decades-long career included 1987's Baby Boom; 1996's The First Wives Club; and the Father of the Bride films in 1991 and 1995. As tributes to the Diane Keaton role out, her California hometown is unveiling its plans to honor the acting icon. On Monday, Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua shared plans for the city to add a street sign topper near Santa Ana High School to memorialize the Godfather actress, who died on Saturday at 79. Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County, just to the south of Los Angeles County, and it is considered part of the Greater Los Angeles area. The sign topper near the high school would be a fitting tribute to Keaton, as graduated from Santa Ana High School back in 1963. While speaking to TMZ, Amezcua added that she planned to close the following city council meeting with a tribute to Keaton. The mayor wasn't the only member of Santa Ana's local government working to preserve the Oscar-winning star's memory. Diane Keaton's hometown, Santa Ana, California, revealed its plans to honor the late actress on Monday, following he death on Saturday at 79; pictured in 2023 in Brooklyn Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua told TMZ that she plans to put a street sign topper honoring Keaton near Santa Ana High School Keaton graduated from the high school in 1963, before heading to the East Coast to pursue her acting ambitions; pictured in The Godfather (1972) with her future lover Al Pacino Santa Ana Council Member David Penaloza told the publication that he and other Council members were trying to get the city manager to illuminate the Santa Ana Water Tower at night in her honor. The iconic water tower, a designated landmark, was constructed back in 1928, and it is a regular site for drivers on the I-5 freeway. The city council members are hoping to replicate an earlier tribute to the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. After his tragic death in a helicopter crash in January 2020, the 153-foot-tall water tower was lit up with Lakers purple at night. A similar purple-tinged tribute had honored Prince following his overdose death in 2016. It's not clear yet what colors would be best to honor Keaton. City Council Member Jessie Lope went on to tell TMZ that the council was also exploring how to designate a day honoring Keaton. However, the process reportedly requires a council member to request the honorary day, at which point either one of Keaton's family members who a close friend would need to receive the proclamation in her place. City council members told the publication that they hoped to illuminate the iconic Santa Ana Water Tower at night to honor Keaton as well In 2020, the water tower was lit up with purple light to honor the late Kobe Bryant. Purple light was also used to memorialize Prince after his 2016 death, but it's not clear what color would be used for Keaton; pictured in January 2020 The city council is also pursing plans to designate a day honoring Keaton, but it would require a family member or close friend to accept the proclamation in her place; pictured in 2019 in LA On Monday, it was also revealed that Keaton's last major public outing was at a star-studded birthday gathering for her friend Jack Nicholson. She starred with her fellow Hollywood icon in 2003 Something's Gotta Give. Comic star Ed Begley Jr. told People that he last saw Keaton at the birthday bash. 'I saw her fairly recently at Jack Nicholson's birthday party, and it was good to see her there,' Begley, 76, said of Keaton. 'She's a wonderful actress, a wonderful lady. I played her brother in an HBO film called Running Mates with Ed Harris. So I'm glad I knew her these many years.' Begley added that he assumed Nicholson was as 'devastated' by the loss as he was, though he clarified that he didn't want to speak for the Shining star. Tammy Hembrow and Bailey Smith's brief romance has been all anyone can talk about over the past few weeks. From being caught in the throes of passion while dining out at a restaurant to egging on whispers with their public comments about each other, the pair's high-profile relationship set tongues wagging - especially when it cooled off soon after. Now, fans have accused the pair of staging their romance for publicity after Tammy revealed she is partnering with Tinder on Tuesday - just three months after the AFL star announced his collaboration with the dating app as an ambassador. 'I am officially in my new dating era and, yes, I'm on Tinder looking for my next crush,' she began in the Instagram clip, which she filmed in her car wearing a revealing white T-shirt. 'My dating life always seems to make headlines but you're hearing it first. I'm officially putting myself back out there.' Seemingly hinting at her brief fling with Bailey, 24, Tammy, 31, added: 'Honestly, I feel like everyone thinks dating has to be so serious, it's supposed to be fun!' Tammy Hembrow (pictured) and Bailey Smith's brief romance has been all anyone can talk about over the past few weeks From being caught in the throes of passion while dining out at a restaurant to egging on whispers with their public comments about each other, the pair's high-profile relationship set tongues wagging - especially when it cooled off soon after 'So I'm on Tinder to see who's out there. Hopefully I'll meet people who match my vibe and, if it turns into something more, even better.' She signed off the paid advertisement with, 'If you've been waiting for a sign, this is it. Go find your next crush on Tinder too.' Many fans were quick to point out that her Tinder partnership must be a sign that her relationship with Bailey was a PR stunt. 'Im convinced their fling was a publicity stunt for this and I love it!!' a fan wrote. One person chimed in: 'Another publicity stunt ! Probably getting paid way too much for it !!!!' Meanwhile, others cheered Tammy for getting back on the horse and even suggesting she turn to reality TV next. 'Pleasseeee do love island omg u would kill it,' one person begged. Another fan wrote: 'Can you just be the next bachelorette pls.' Now, fans have accused the pair of staging their romance for publicity after Tammy revealed she is partnering with Tinder on Tuesday - just three months after the AFL star announced his collaboration with the dating app as an ambassador In July, it was revealed that Bailey had officially joined Tinder to promote its new double dating feature 'Do @loveislandau,' one follower penned. In July, it was revealed that Bailey had officially joined Tinder to promote its new double dating feature. 'Guys, I've done it, I've joined Tinder,' Bailey's clip began, which showed him sitting in his car, similarly to Tammy. 'They have just come out with a new Double Date feature. Basically, you match with other pairs and get thrown into a group chat. 'I've got a pretty busy schedule sometimes, so it's hard to get out there. Being able to hang out with a mate and also go on a date is pretty fun. 'I've got my best mate "Gorms", he's awesome, so come find us.' News of Tammy's new career move comes after weeks of sightings between her and the footy star that kept fans and media guessing. The pair were spotted on the Gold Coast sharing kisses and walking arm-in-arm along the beach. The pair were spotted on the Gold Coast sharing kisses and walking arm-in-arm along the beach Their chemistry was evident, with the pair looking relaxed and unbothered by the cameras trailing them. Later on, they were snapped sharing a meal - and a kiss - at a waterfront restaurant. Tammy split from husband Matt Zukowski in June. Matt, 30, and Tammy got engaged in December 2023 after just three months of dating. They tied the knot almost a year later, in November 2024, but split rumours began to circulate earlier this year. After just seven months of marriage, the pair announced in June they were divorcing. The honeymoon phase is far from over for celebrity real estate agent Gavin Rubinstein and his glamorous new flame, Ruby Adler. But that hasn't stopped the Sydney rumour mill from taking aim at their steamy romance. The couple, who've been dating for several months, jetted into the Harbour City on Saturday after a two-week Los Angeles getaway, looking more loved-up than ever. They stayed at the ritzy Beverly Hills Hotel - Gavin's go-to LA hideaway - and, in a sign things are heating up, insiders say he splashed out on a whole new designer wardrobe for Ruby while over there. Ruby's love of designer fashion was on full display as she left the airport terminal, with the Made In Chelsea star spotted toting a $10,000 Goyard bucket bag. Dressed down in a black tracksuit, she paired the look with $1,500 Adidas x Wales Bonner Samba sneakers. The honeymoon phase is far from over for real estate agent Gavin Rubinstein and his glamorous new flame, Ruby Adler. They are seen together at Sydney Airport on Saturday Gavin, star of Amazon Prime's Luxe Listings, flaunted his extravagant taste with a Hermes Kelly bag, worth up to $100,000. The millionaire agent otherwise kept it casual in a white tee, black jacket and navy pants. While some had tipped their romance to fizzle, sources say the pair are stronger than ever. In fact, Ruby - a British citizen - is said to be calling Sydney's east home, with plans to settle here permanently. What that means for her high-profile role on Made In Chelsea - filmed in London - remains to be seen. There's also been some chatter among Sydney gossips about Gavin's new girlfriend hailing from overseas - curious given that he was papped last month brunching with a mate in a MAGA hat. 'Three cheers for immigration!' laughed a source. Back in July, we revealed Gavin had swept Ruby off her feet after her split from Made In Chelsea co-star Reza Amiri. Before touching down in in Australia, Gavin whisked Ruby across Europe, hopping from yacht to yacht and reportedly 'spending a fortune on her'. They stayed at the ritzy Beverly Hills Hotel - Gavin's go-to LA hideaway - and, in a sign things are heating up, insiders say he splashed out on a whole new designer wardrobe for Ruby Ruby's love of designer fashion was on full display as she left the airport terminal, with the Made In Chelsea star spotted toting a $10,000 Goyard bucket bag There's been some chatter among Sydney gossips about Gavin's new girlfriend hailing from overseas - curious given that he was papped last month brunching with a mate in a MAGA hat Now he's back to selling mansions in Sydney's elite postcodes - and Ruby appears fully settled into life as an eastern suburbs socialite. In September, the pair made their first official appearance together - stepping out hand-in-hand at the Ray White NSW Annual Awards at ICC Darling Harbour. Ruby turned heads in a slinky bronze gown with a daring cowl neckline, while Gavin - suited and bow-tied - grinned like a Cheshire cat as they paraded before his peers. You'd think the sight might sting for Ruby's ex Reza - but he insists he's moved on from their on-again, off-again romance. 'I'm happily in a new relationship now,' he told Daily Mail exclusively in September. 'Ruby and I have always been close friends, first and foremost, so I'm happy that she's found someone for her.' Ruby first went public about her relationship with Gavin in August, during an episode of her Wednesdays podcast. Gavin, star of Amazon Prime's Luxe Listings Sydney, flaunted his extravagant taste with a Hermes Kelly bag, worth up to $100,000 While some had tipped their romance to fizzle, sources say the pair are stronger than ever. In fact, Ruby - a British citizen - is calling Sydney home, with plans to settle here permanently 'I've got a new boyfriend. He is so great. He is one of the best people I've ever met,' she beamed. 'He is Australian. And he is just really cool and really nice and I'm very happy.' Ruby called their romance a 'whirlwind', revealing she first met Gavin 10 years ago while on holiday in Mykonos. 'We were on separate holidays, staying in the same hotel. And then we just reconnected recently. I was, like, 19 when I met him.' She went on to say that exercise-obsessed Gavin had inspired her to become fitter, adding: 'I can be a sporty girl. I can change my whole personality for you. 'I was not that active being single and now I am with him - basically I'm Sporty Spice.' Ruby split from her Made in Chelsea co-star Reza Amiri (right) several months ago Before getting with Ruby, Gavin's last confirmed romance was with model Holly Young (left) - who ended up having a fling with his good friend Richie Harkham after they broke up Before getting with Ruby, Gavin's last confirmed romance was with Perth model Holly Young. They hard-launched on Instagram in August 2024 but had split by the end of the year. Neither announced their break-up at the time, though we heard whispers they fell out while on holiday. Shortly after that split, Holly - who was once linked to Usain Bolt - raised eyebrows by hooking up with one of Gavin's good mates, serial entrepreneur Richie Harkham. READ THE LATEST FROM DAILYMAIL+ Here are some great stories you may have missed: Alec Baldwin has shared a bizarre claim about what caused his car crash in the Hamptons on Monday morning. The 30 Rock star, who was driving his wife Hilaria's Range Rover with his brother Stephen as a passenger, slammed into a tree causing severe damage to the vehicle. 'This morning I was in this car accident. Guy cut me off [in front of a] big garbage truck the size of a whale,' Baldwin shared in an Instagram video. 'To avoid hitting him, I hit a tree. I hit a big fat tree,' he explained. He said that he and his brother were both fine and had spent the weekend on Long Island. Alec Baldwin blamed his Monday morning car crash in the Hamptons on being cut off by a 'garbage truck the size of a whale' in a video he shared on social media The 30 Rock star was driving his wife Hilaria's Range Rover with his brother Stephen as a passenger when he went off the road and slammed into a tree The accident happened on the Montauk Highway in treacherous weather conditions as a powerful Nor'easter pummeled Long Island causing major flooding The accident happened on the Montauk Highway in treacherous weather conditions, the New York Post reported. Millions of Americans in New Jersey and New York were under a state of emergency Monday due to a powerful Nor'easter. Major flooding occurred on Long Island as the region was battered by strong winds and heavy rainfall. 'It crushed my car, my wife's car. I feel bad about that,' Baldwin said. 'It's all fine. I'm fine and my brother's fine.' He also thanked the East Hampton Police Department for quickly arriving on the scene to offer assistance. East Hampton Town Police Department Chief Michael D. Sarlo told the Daily Mail in a statement: 'At approximately 12:01pm on Monday, October 13th, the EHTPD responded to a motor vehicle accident on State Route 27, Pantigo Road near Cross Highway. In photos obtained by TMZ, Baldwin and his younger brother were seen chatting with officers as they inspected the smashed vehicle. Stephen Baldwin, who is the father of Hailey Bieber, was also seen taking photos of the crash scene. Among the photos of the scene was an image of a garbage truck but its owner told the TMZ that the truck's driver was not at fault in Baldwin's crash. Hilaria reiterated that Alec and Stephen were unharmed in her own video and thanked fans for their well-wishes The accident 'crushed my car, my wife's car. I feel bad about that,' Baldwin shared in his video. 'It's all fine. I'm fine and my brother's fine' The brothers had spent the weekend on Long Island where they were seen Sunday night at the Hamptons International Film Festival in East Hampton, New York Hilaria Baldwin also posted a video to Instagram in which she reassured fans that her famous husband and brother-in-law were unharmed and thanked well-wishers for their concern Baldwin blamed a 'whale'-sized garbage truck for making him crash into a tree He said another driver cut him off, so he swerved to avoid the truck It's unclear if the truck at the scene was the one Baldwin referred to, but the owner of the truck he referred to said it's driver was not at fault Hilaria Baldwin also posted a video to Instagram in which she reassured fans that her famous husband and brother-in-law were unharmed and thanked well-wishers for their concern. 'Thank you for caring,' she said while sitting in a vehicle and smiling into the camera. Hilaria, who was just voted off ABC's Dancing With The Stars, is currently in Los Angeles where Baldwin is set to join her shortly. The Hunt For Red October star is co-chair of the Hamptons International Film Festival Executive Committee. 'He has been out there all week, he attended films and moderated panels,' a source shared with Page Six. Stephen Baldwin also works as an actor, though he hasn't achieved the level of fame and acclaim of his older brother. He's best known for appearing in 1995's classic thriller The Usual Suspects, but he also had major roles in 1996's Bio-Dome, opposite Pauly Shore, and in the 2000 sequel The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas. He and Alec are also brothers to actors Daniel Baldwin and William Baldwin. Baldwin's wife Hilaria, who was just voted off ABC's Dancing With The Stars, is currently in Los Angeles where Baldwin is set to join her shortly Alec and Stephen are part of an acting dynasty that also includes brothers Daniel and William Baldwin Baldwin was seen speaking with the attending police officer The disheveled actor looked distressed while taking a phone call and pacing around his wrecked car Baldwin has been sober for almost 4 decades following years of drug and alcohol abuse. He married Hilaria in 2012 and they share seven children together. He was previously married to actress Kim Basinger with whom he has a daughter Ireland. In October 2021, while filming the Western movie Rust in New Mexico, Baldwin was holding a prop revolver that went off and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The film's director Joel Souza was injured in the incident. The case against Baldwin was dismissed in 2024 after it was discovered the prosecution had withheld evidence in the case, and did not share information about or access to live ammunition brought in by a retired police officer who said it could be related to the Hutchins killing. This past January, Baldwin filed a civil lawsuit, accusing several people in the Santa Fe, New Mexico District Attorney's office of malicious prosecution and civil rights violations after he was charged over the shooting. In the court filing, he and his legal team accused prosecutors of trying to 'scapegoat Baldwin for the acts and omissions of others, regardless of the evidence or the law,' according to the Associate Press. Radio queen Jackie 'O' Henderson's Sydney oceanside dream home is officially coming to life. Exclusive photos obtained by Daily Mail capture the construction progress on Jackie's $13.25 million Clovelly mansion, and show the sprawling ground level is now firmly in place. Aerial images capture the ambitious build in action, with cranes, heavy machinery and a team of builders hard at work transforming the oceanfront property into a celebrity-worthy palace. The site has been cleared of the original 1960s-era six-bedroom, three-storey home, leaving a vast, open canvas. Meanwhile, large earthmovers and excavators can be seen shifting soil, while scaffolding outlines the mansion's future footprint. Workers are busy laying foundations and preparing for the next stages of construction, signalling that the build is progressing at a steady pace. Radio queen Jackie 'O' Henderson 's Sydney oceanside dream home is officially coming to life Exclusive photos obtained by Daily Mail capture the construction progress on Jackie's $13.25 million Clovelly mansion, and show the sprawling ground level is now firmly in place Aerial images capture the ambitious build in action, with cranes, heavy machinery and a team of builders hard at work transforming the oceanfront property into a celebrity-worthy palace The site has been cleared of the original 1960s-era six-bedroom, three-storey home, leaving a vast, open canvas Large earthmovers and excavators can be seen shifting soil, while scaffolding outlines the mansion's future footprint The site already looks grand, with its sweeping oceanside position and expansive footprint commanding attention. The scale of the construction hints at the magnificent coastal palace it is set to become. Jackie appears to be taking a hands-on approach, regularly visiting the site to oversee the work. Earlier this year, she shared snapshots of herself alongside the construction team, jokingly captioning one photo: 'Site meeting.' The images show the mansion is shaping up to be a sprawling, multi-level residence, perfectly positioned to maximise its panoramic ocean views. The Kyle and Jackie O Show star has been posting regularly on her Instagram to keep followers updated on the progress. Back in December Jackie shared video and images of the demolishing works on the original property. Photos showed a sloped frontage, leading to several staggered levels with the whole area now cordoned off with temporary fencing. Workers are busy laying foundations and preparing for the next stages of construction, signalling that the build is progressing at pace The site already looks grand, with its sweeping oceanside position and expansive footprint commanding attention The scale of the construction hints at the magnificent coastal palace it is set to become Jackie appears to be taking a hands-on approach, regularly visiting the site to oversee the work The scene was a far cry from the 1960s-era home that once stood on the site. An aerial photo of the site revealed just how close Jackie will be to the stunning coastline. The picture showed the crystal-clear water just metres away from what will eventually be Jackie's front door. The property is located on a clifftop over looking the ocean in the sought-after beach suburb of Clovelly, which is 9 km from the CBD. Jackie previously teased fans with a preview of her amazing design plans for her 'dream home', which is costing her millions of dollars, according to Now to Love. Taking to her Instagram in February, the KIIS FM presenter showed off her plans to create a chic living space with a stunning multi-million-dollar view of the sea. Sharing the snapshots of what she wanted her dream home to become, Jackie tagged prestige architect Madeleine Blanchfield who is behind the impressive build. The photos, from previous Madeleine Blanchfield projects, provided ample inspiration for Jackie. Earlier this year, Jackie shared snapshots of herself alongside the construction team, jokingly captioning one photo: 'Site meeting' The images suggest the mansion is shaping up to be a sprawling, multi-level residence Jackie previously teased fans with a preview of her amazing design plans for her 'dream home' A spokesperson for Jackie said that the pictures were 'mock[ups] of options of what her new home will look like'. Jackie snapped up the property in March 2023 for a massive $13.25 million at an open auction. The house is set back from the road, offering Jackie the privacy she hasn't had on the narrow streets of her former address. Jackie bought her new home after pocketing a tidy $2 million in profit on the sale of her old home in Woollahra, after paying $11 million for it in 2020. Keanu Reeves and his longtime partner Alexandra Grant packed on the PDA on the red carpet after denying marriage rumors. On Monday, the actor, 61, brought the visual artist, 52, with him to a screening of his upcoming movie Good Fortune and was seen kissing her on the red carpet. He and his girlfriend of seven years joined the all-star cast at the special event at Lincoln Square in New York City. The Matrix star who sparked concern with his disheveled appearance late last month said that the ongoing rumors are a 'nice thing' while at the event, and praised his girlfriend for how she clarified the recent speculation. Keanu also opened up about his bond with his late co-star Diane Keaton on the red carpet, following her sudden death at 79 over the weekend. The two had worked together on the 2003 romantic comedy Somethings Gotta Give. They later reunited at the 2020 Oscars to present an award. Keanu Reeves and his longtime partner Alexandra Grant packed on the PDA on the red carpet after denying marriage rumors The actor, 61, brought the visual artist, 52, with him to a screening of his upcoming movie Good Fortune and was seen kissing her on the red carpet He called Keaton a 'total pro' in a red carpet interview with E! News, adding, 'She was very nice to me. Generous, generous artist and a very special, unique person.' 'It was cool to be able to see her and Jack Nicholson together. Just with the history they shared and the way the fondness and love they had for each other. Its really cool,' he said. Elsewhere he praised his girlfriend for how she handled the speculation about them getting married. 'Well, that wasn't the first time,' he said. 'We've been going out for a long time.' The actor who has been dating the artist since 2018 also shared his thoughts on how Grant had made a social media post to clarify the rumors. 'The wedding, it's a nice thing. People did a lot of nice messages and stuff, but Alexandra just did a wonderful [job] addressing, like, "Thank you, but here's the reality."' At the event, he wore a chocolate brown, satin suit with a pinstriped pattern, pairing the set with a white button-down and a black tie. His outfit complemented the rich color of his girlfriend's royal blue halter gown with a silver-beaded, halter neckline design. On Monday, he and his girlfriend of seven years joined the all-star cast at the special event at Lincoln Square in New York City The Matrix star, who put on a loving display with Grant at the event, said that the ongoing rumors are a 'nice thing' and praised his girlfriend for how she clarified the rumors He wore a chocolate brown, satin suit with a pinstriped pattern, pairing the set with a white button-down and a black tie Back in late September, Grant took to Instagram to dispel rumors that she and the John Wick star had secretly tied the knot. She took to Instagram to share a photo of them kissing at an art installation and shared a message to the fans in her caption. 'This is a real photo. Not an engagement photo or an AI wedding announcement... simply a kiss!' She continued: 'I'm sharing it here to say thank you to everyone for the congratulations on our wedding. Except we didn't get married. Good news is much needed these days, but it's still fake news, so be careful out there! So, here's a bit of real happiness!' Earlier this month, she gushed over him with a warm birthday post. 'Thank you to everyone for sending over sweet wishes for Keanu's birthday yesterday... he was well-celebrated! 'To Keanu who saw this post as a draft! I am so grateful for your love and partnership,' she wrote alongside a photo of a heart-shaped cake with his name on it in icing. Reeves' upcoming movie Good Fortune an action-comedy directed, produced and also starring Aziz Ansari features an all-star cast and premieres in theaters on October 17. Keanu also opened up about his bond with late co-star Diane Keaton at the event, following her sudden death at 79. He called her a 'generous artist and a very special, unique person'; They are seen presenting at the 2020 Oscars The two had worked together on the 2003 romantic comedy Somethings Gotta Give; Pictured in a still The story follows a 'well-meaning but inept' angel named Gabriel (Reeves), and his failed attempt to show Arj (Ansari), a struggling gig worker that money doesn't solve one's problems. He body swaps Arj meddles with his boss, a wealthy venture capitalist named Jeff, played by Seth Rogen. The action costs Gabriel his wings and they watch the work he did as an angel unravel around them. The film also stars Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, Sherry Cola and Stephen McKinley Henderson. With bombshell claims emerging that Sarah Abo's Today show days are numbered, the rumour mill has already started going into overdrive over where she will end up. It was reported by The Australian over the weekend that Abo could soon be ousted from the high-profile hosting gig and replaced by Samantha Armytage. The casting shake-up is said to be a 'desperate bid to wrestle the TV breakfast crown from Seven's rival Sunrise'. One fan suggested on Media Spy that the move could force Abo into a career on the airwaves after the Today star recently showed off her radio talent on Nova FM. 'Might explain why Sarah Abo recently filled in for Chrissie Swan on her radio show. Exploring her future options,' they suggested. Abo, who has appeared as a guest many times on The Chrissie Swan Show, most recently filled in for the radio star during the last week of September. With bombshell claims emerging that Sarah Abo's Today show days are numbered, the rumour mill has already started going into overdrive over where she will end up Meanwhile, news of the potential shake-up generated much chatter, with many viewers arguing it would be a mistake for Nine to give Abo's Today chair to Armytage. 'Karlos and Sarah are just fine atm. No need to change,' one offered. Another suggested there had already been too many personnel changes announced at the network. 'The one thing Today doesnt need is another presenter change, from the change at sport, to a new Weekend Today line-up next year, its in for a lot of change,' the viewer said. 'Changing out Sarah is not necessary. I dont believe it will help the ratings.' One said that the potential move could backfire on Nine, especially if the Armytage-hosted Golden Bachelor fails to win over fans. 'They would want to be careful about putting Sam in their show, as you never know. The Golden Bachelor might rate terribly, and it could be an embarrassment to put her on Today if the show isnt good,' they said. Others were quick to claim that Armytage would be a perfect addition to the Today team. It was reported by The Australian over the weekend that Abo could soon be ousted from the high-profile hosting gig and replaced by Samantha Armytage One fan suggested on Media Spy that the move could force Abo into a career on the airwaves after the Today star recently showed off her radio talent on Nova FM 'I for one would love to see Sam back on morning television,' a viewer offered. 'Her fun personality and versatile ability as a host makes her perfect for the format.' According to The Australian, Nine is banking on the 'Armytage effect' which saw Sunrise score a ratings victory when Armytage joined the program in 2013. Armytage left Sunrise in 2021 and has gone on to helm Farmer Wants A Wife and the upcoming Golden Bachelor. Nine CEO Matt Stanton did little to dispel the chatter regarding Abo's future at Today, giving The Australian a coy response when asked if Armytage was stepping into the role alongside Stefanovic. 'I don't know. I'm not into that level to be honest, I haven't seen that level of detail,' Stanton told the publication this week. Abo joined Today in 2023, replacing outgoing host Allison Langdon. Langdon had announced her departure in 2022. She then stepped into the hosting role at A Current Affair, replacing long-time presenter Tracy Grimshaw. Abo's reported recent push for a bigger pay packet is part of the motivation for the switchup, The Australian claimed. 'Might explain why Sarah Abo recently filled in for Chrissie Swan on her radio show. Exploring her future options,' they suggested Abo, who has appeared as a guest many times on the Chrissie Swan Show, most recently filled in for the radio star during the last week of September Stefanovic has recently been offered a multi-million, multi-year deal by Nine, but the network is keeping an eye on the ratings under Karl's reign. The breakfast show host has reportedly landed himself a $3 million per year contract, according to The Australian in June. Abo makes only $800,000 a year, according to Mediaweek, highlighting a stark gender pay gap between the two. 'Nine sources tell us the network's top brass have just finished passing a hat around at their Denison St headquarters in North Sydney and have managed to scrape together enough loose change to offer him a contract worth about $3 million a year,' the paper's Media Diary wrote of Stefanovic's pay packet. Sitting on a $2.8 million a year contract at the time, Stefanovic was rumoured to see a significant increase in his pay as he continued to front the successful breakfast show. According to the publication, Nine is said to have given in to the TV presenter's demands after he threatened to walk away if they offered a lower amount on a new contract. The news came as a shock considering rival breakfast hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington make a meagre $2 million between them. Richard Wilkins, 71, has once again become a target of online scammers after a fake photo of the media veteran being arrested emerged on the internet this week. The Channel Nine presenter can be seen being taken away in handcuffs by two police officers in the dramatic image. The fake Wilkins, dressed in a suit, looks particularly haggard and distressed in the image, which was likely produced using AI-generated technology. The Today star has repeatedly been victimised by cruel pranksters over the last two years, who have produced similar embarrassing images and shared them online. In 2023, a 'disturbing' image of Wilkins being arrested in a Sydney park was widely circulated on Facebook. The fake image shows the usually elegantly attired TV personality in baggy jeans, a navy T-shirt layered with a hoodie and a puffer jacket. Richard Wilkins , 71, has once again become a target of online scammers after a fake photo of the media veteran being arrested emerged on the internet this week (pictured) Two of the police officers hold Richard's arms while he has his hands behind his back, and a third officer appears to be filing a report. But the photo isn't all it appears to be - the realistic-looking photo is actually an AI-generated image which has Richard's face edited on the body of a man being arrested. Wilkins later called in the lawyers after the fake photo went viral on social media. While the image was clearly fake, many Facebook users fell for it. After his son Christian alerted his followers to the doctored image back in March 2023, Richard spoke to 2GB's Ben Fordham Live about the prank. 'I don't know what to do about it. This has been going on for some time,' he said. Wilkins revealed his image had also been used without his permission in a financial scam. 'It never happened. It's complete BS. The thought of anyone investing in anything because I was recommending it is quite disturbing, and I'd hate to think that was happening,' he added. In 2023, a 'disturbing' fake image of Wilkins being arrested in a Sydney park was widely circulated on Facebook (pictured) Other fake images emerged of Wilkins which he said were related to a financial scam Despite seeking help from Nine's legal team and contacting Facebook's parent company Meta, the issue has only 'gotten worse'. Other fake images of the Nine star emerged with the caption 'His career ended'. His son Christian alerted his Instagram followers to the first fake photo, reassuring fans his father had not been arrested. A visibly distressed Wilkins said at the time that 'deepfake' photos involving celebrities may seem funny and harmless, but this one was no laughing matter for him. He revealed on Today Extra he had received hundreds of messages 'from around the world' from fans who thought the arrest picture was genuine. Wilkins said the viral photo of his 'arrest' was particularly concerning because it formed part of an elaborate financial scam targeting vulnerable Facebook users. 'I've had literally thousands of comments and messages from people around the world saying, "Hey, what's going on?"' he said. 'And while most people think that it's dodgy and a fake, these things lead to other stuff. These lead to [web] links, and I've supposedly been sued by the Bank of Australia for giving incorrect financial advice. 'It's sending people links to where they can invest and stuff. The thought of someone losing [money] or investing in anything that I've supposedly recommended is what really upsets me.' Jared Leto was in good company as he ventured out for a coastal hike in Malibu on Monday morning. The actor and musician was joined by old friend Sofia Boutella, but their intimate body language during the outdoor walk hinted at more than friendship. Leto, 53, walked arm-in-arm with the Algerian actress as they made the most of their picturesque surrounds in the upscale Californian enclave. The pair appeared to be inseparable, with Boutella, 43, wrapping an arm around the Oscar-winner's waist while walking close to Malibu beach. The actress's last known relationship, with Irish actor Robert Sheehan, came to an end in 2018. Meanwhile Leto has been forced to deny unsavoury allegations of inappropriate behaviour from nine different women - including teenage girls. Jared Leto was joined by old friend Sofia Boutella as he ventured out for a coastal hike in Malibu on Monday morning Leto walked arm-in-arm with the Algerian actress as they made the most of their picturesque surrounds in the upscale Californian enclave Some of the allegations date back more than two decades, and some of the accusers claim they were underage at the time of the alleged incidents. The claims, which have apparently circulated in Hollywood for years, have now been brought into the open, with one unnamed woman telling Air Mail: 'Its been an open secret for a long time.' Representatives for Leto are yet to responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment, but a representative denied all of the women's claims in a statement to Air Mail. The accusations came to light after Los Angelesbased DJ Allie Teilz, 30, re-shared a 2012 Facebook post on her Instagram Stories, in which she alleged Leto who was previously called out by other Hollywood stars for being 'full of himself' assaulted her when she was 17. 'Youre not really in LA until Jared Leto tries to force himself on you backstage in a kilt And a snow hat,' she claimed. 'I was assaulted and traumatized by this creep when I was 17.' She further alleged that Leto 'knew' her age but 'didnt care,' describing his actions as 'predatory, terrifying and unacceptable.' A second woman, whose name was not revealed, told the publication that Leto approached her in 2006 when she was 16 at Urth Caffe in Los Angeles. At the time, he was allegedly visiting the popular cafe with Ashley Olsen, whom he had been rumored to be in a relationship with at the time. The pair appeared to be inseparable, with Boutella wrapping an arm around the Oscar-winner's waist while walking close to Malibu beach Leto has been forced to deny unsavoury allegations of inappropriate behaviour from nine different women - including teenage girls 'I looked down and it was Jared Leto. We had a quick conversation, and he got my number,' she claimed. The woman alleged that he called her days later, adding: 'I dont know if he was on drugs or what it was the weirdest, grossest voice [but] for me, its Jared, you know?' The woman alleged their late-night conversations 'turned sexual,' and she claimed that Leto asked questions including, 'Have you ever had a boyfriend?' and 'Have you ever sucked a d***?' Model Laura La Rue, 33, also alleged that she met Leto in 2008, when she was 16 and he was 36, at a Yes! on Prop Two animal rights benefit. 'He asked how old I was,' she alleged. 'I said, "Im 16. How old are you?"' DJ Allie Teilz (R, with Alfie Allen)) recently claimed she was assaulted and traumatised by Leto when she was 17-years old La Rue claimed to Air Mail that Leto still asked for her number despite knowing her age, and she said he later invited her to his Los Angeles home, where he was 'flirting' and 'teasing [her] the whole time [she] was there.' She even alleged that Leto walked into a room she was in while completely naked at one point, as if 'it was normal.' 'I thought maybe this was just what adult men do,' La Rue added. Leto's representative denied all of the women's accounts in a statement to Air Mail: 'Their communications contain nothing sexual or inappropriate and Ms. La Rue later applied to work as Mr. Letos personal assistant, further underscoring the absence of anything inappropriate in any of their interactions.' Joanna Page has opened up about suffering heartbreak right at the time she was soaring to fame thanks to Gavin and Stacey. The Welsh actress, 48, is known for playing Stacey Shipman in the BAFTA-winning BBC sitcom - which ran from 2007 until 2009. Joanna opened up about how challenging it was for herself and husband James Thornton to live long distance as they both worked as actors before having children. She was down in London soaking up the Gavin and Stacey fame when James was cast as John Barton in Emmerdale in 2009, soon moving to Leeds for the role while Joanna remained in the capital. Joanna revealed she was 'miserable' during this time as she would come home and just sit with her dog, feeling lonely. She said she didn't feel like doing much and admitted to turning down showbiz work because she was 'really, really down'. Joanna Page has opened up about suffering heartbreak right at the time she was soaring to fame thanks to Gavin and Stacey (Seen in June) Joanna opened up about how challenging it was for herself and husband James Thornton to live long distance as they both worked as actors before having children (Seen together in 2010) Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature festival, The Mirror reported Joanna said: 'So to the outside, it looks like your life was so wonderful, and we were winning awards. 'And you know, it was really exciting and we were going to different things and different appearances and stuff, but inside my heart was just breaking.' She added: ''I just go back home, and I sit with Daisy our dog, and I just, you know, I didn't go out. 'I didn't want to do anything for a while, it didn't really work as much as I could have, because I was just very miserable.' However the couple recovered from the tough period and remain together now. They have since welcomed children Eva, 12, Kit, 10, Noah, eight, and Boe, three. It comes days after Joanna revealed her plans to quit acting and her TV hosting roles and retrain as a sex therapist in a career shakeup. Joanna has her own wildlife programme, fittingly titled Joanna Page's Wild Life, which airs on BBC Two and sees her become a rescue volunteer, tending to vulnerable animals. She is also set to present a new show for the broadcaster, billed as Shift The Thrift, which will see contestants go head-to-head to uncover charity shop gems and sell them for a profit. The Welsh actress, 48, is known for playing Stacey Shipman in the BAFTA-winning BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey (Pictured) - which ran from 2007 until 2009 She was down in London soaking up the Gavin and Stacey fame when James was cast as John Barton in Emmerdale (Pictured) in 2009, soon moving to Leeds for the role while Joanna remained in the capital While the mum-of-four enjoys 'being herself' on TV, she has now admitted her eventual plans are to relocate to the countryside and train as a sex therapist. Joanna explained: 'Presenting means I can just be myself, meet fascinating people and do things I wouldn't normally do. 'It fits much better with family life than going away for months at a time acting. I don't have to learn lines or put on costumes, I just turn up and dive in.' She continued to Woman magazine: 'Eventually, I'd like to move to the countryside, get more animals and restart my greenhouse and vegetable patches. 'I'd also like to train as a sex therapist, it's something I've wanted to do for years. On top of that I want to get back into yoga and generally make more time for myself.' Just days ago Joanna revealed she still experiences sexual bullying on set at 48. Speaking to Daily Mail columnist Bryony Gordon, the Welsh actress said sexual misconduct toward women in the industry remains common and explained why it is so difficult, particularly for younger performers, to speak out. Joanna pointed to 'huge power imbalances' that make calling out inappropriate behaviour nearly impossible, even today. Despite describing herself as 'quite b****sy', she recounted two incidents early in her career where the sexual bullying was so extreme it rendered her speechless. Joanna made the claims while appearing on The Life of Bryony podcast to promote her new memoir, 'Lush! My Story From Swansea to Stacey and Everything in Between'. 'I can always speak up for myself, but there have been moments where I've gone completely mute', Joanna said. 'There was a time working with one actor in the theatre, and oh my God, he was so full on and degrading in the language he used towards me. 'I told him that nothing was going to happen between us and the way he dealt with that was by being so derogatory. 'Then, on a different job I had a scene with this fellow, just me and him. The sexual language he used it was so awful, it wasn't banter. I remember calling the producers and saying: 'I think I have been sexually bullied.' 26 years ago Julia Roberts delivered the iconic line 'I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her' in a Notting Hill book shop. And two decades later the Hollywood star was back in her West London stomping ground. The romcom icon was spotted at celebrity skin care expert Keren Bartov's luxury clinic in the well-heeled London enclave on Wednesday evening, making sure she was looking radiant ahead of taping The Graham Norton Show. In the movie Julia's movie star character Anna Scott dons a hat and sunglasses in an attempt to go incognito during a browse at Hugh Grant's travel bookshop. And Julia took inspiration from Anna's look for her Notting Hill return last week, teaming her camel-coloured sweater with a beanie hat and shades. Whilst Julia was back in London last week, there's little hope of her reuniting with Hugh Grant for a movie sequel. Julia Roberts was spotted in London's Notting Hill on Wednesday, 26 years after starring in the iconic romcom, in which she sported a very similar look (right) Last year Notting Hill writer Richard Curtis revealed that Julia refused to take part in a sequel to the 1999 romcom because her character was supposed to get divorced. The filmmaker shared that he initially proposed a storyline where her character Anna and Hugh's character, William Thacker were separated, but Julia was not keen on the idea. 'I tried doing one with Notting Hill where they were going to get divorced,' Richard said. 'Julia [Roberts] thought that was a very poor idea.' The revelation follows the Pretty Woman star's admission that she was initially uncomfortable with the role, almost turning it down entirely. Julia told Vogue in a 2024 interview that she struggled with the character, who is a hot-tempered Hollywood actress. Speaking to Curtis, Julia said: 'Honestly, one of the hardest things I've ever had to do was [Notting Hill], playing a movie actress. I was so uncomfortable! 'I mean, we've talked about this so many times, but I almost didn't take the part because it just seemedoh, it just seemed so awkward. I didn't even know how to play that person.' Her discomfort with the character went beyond the acting, as Julia also had issues with her costume. She was spotted at celebrity skin care expert Keren Bartov's clinic in the well-heeled London enclave, making sure she was looking radiant ahead of taping The Graham Norton Show Last year Notting Hill writer Richard Curtis revealed that Julia refused to take part in a sequel to the 1999 romcom because her character was supposed to get divorced from Hugh Grant Julia told Vogue in a 2024 interview that she struggled with the character, who is a hot-tempered Hollywood actress She said that she 'loathed' being dressed as a glamorous movie star and even took matters into her own hands for one key scene. In the iconic moment where Anna rushes back to William and confesses, 'I'm just a girl,' the mother-of-three wore her own clothes instead of the movie's wardrobe. 'My driver, lovely Tommy, I sent him back to my flat that morning,' she recalled. 'I said, 'Go into my bedroom and grab this, this, and this out of my closet.' It was my own flip-flops, my cute little blue velvet skirt, a T-shirt, and my cardigan.' Despite these initial struggles, both Roberts and her co-star Hugh Grant received Golden Globe nominations for their performances. A Brisbane salesman set to appear on the upcoming season of Love Island Australia has been sentenced after attacking two men during a drunken brawl at a karaoke bar on the Gold Coast. Cooper William Benson pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault, and driving a vehicle not fitted with a prescribed interlock. According to The Gold Coast Bulletin, the court heard the incident took place on March 23 at Southport's E Star Karaoke Bar, where Benson had been celebrating a friend's birthday. As Benson and a co-accused were leaving, a 29-year-old man hugging a 25-year-old friend touched the co-accused's shoulder and neck. Benson then approached and shoved the 29-year-old in the chest, forcing him backwards. When the 25-year-old tried to calm things down, Benson suddenly punched the older man in the face, propelling him backwards into a karaoke display. Brisbane salesman Cooper William Benson, (pictured) who is set to appear on the upcoming season of Love Island Australia, has been sentenced after attacking two men during a drunken brawl at a karaoke bar on the Gold Coast The 23-year-old pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault, and driving a vehicle not fitted with a prescribed interlock He then launched another flurry of punches, striking both men in the head and sending one crashing into a desk. CCTV footage played in court showed Benson and his co-accused confronting the pair before Benson began throwing punches. The 29-year-old victim suffered a broken tooth along with cuts and bruising to his face and eyebrow before patrons stepped in and removed Benson from the bar. Police launched an investigation after the incident was reported on April 23 but struggled to contact Benson. An arrest warrant was issued, and the reality TV hopeful was eventually caught on May 1 when highway patrol officers pulled over his black Mercedes in Nerang. Checks revealed Benson was supposed to have an interlock device fitted to his car until September 2027. Defence lawyer Nick Crawford told the court his client had been overseas in New Zealand when police attempted to contact him, admitting the attack was a serious lapse in judgment. 'It was a complete over-reaction, absolutely,' Mr Crawford said. According to The Gold Coast Bulletin, the court heard the incident took place on March 23 at Southport's E Star Karaoke Bar, where Benson had been celebrating a friend's birthday He was ordered to pay his victims $1,750 and $250 in compensation, fined $300 for the driving offence, and banned from driving for three months He told the court that Benson's actions stemmed from his co-accused's face being touched by the 29-year-old, saying the men exchanged words before the situation spiralled. 'Certainly the whole thing could have ended at that time if my client had walked away,' he said. Mr Crawford added that Benson, who works in sales and charity, had begun an online anger management course and offered to compensate the victims. Magistrate Kerry Magee slammed the attack as 'extraordinarily improper,' describing it as a 'sustained assault.' 'This is not a one or two or three punch assault,' she said. However, she noted Benson's youth, clean record and good work ethic before releasing him on a 15-month probation order with no conviction recorded for the assaults. He was ordered to pay his victims $1,750 and $250 in compensation, fined $300 for the driving offence, and banned from driving for three months. The sentencing came just one day after Channel Nine announced Benson as one of the new contestants entering the villa this year. His official show bio describes him as 'super-fit', 'impossible not to notice' and a 'handy boxer'. 'Cooper is not afraid to say what he thinks and call anyone out if he thinks they are wrong, and that will include his fellow male Islanders,' the profile reads. 'He is strong, stubborn, and has a fiery streak, but is also very loyal and ready to find love.' Daily Mail has reached out to Channel Nine for comment. Bruce Willis's wife Emma Heming has revealed their young children are grieving their dad after his dementia diagnosis. The model and influencer, 47, has been acting as a carer for her actor husband, 70, since he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a form of dementia that causes a gradual decline in the areas of the brain linked to personality and language abilities. While the star has mostly stayed out of the spotlight since his diagnosis, wife Emma and other family members provide occasional updates on his condition. Now, Emma has shed light on how their children Mabel Ray, 13, and Evelyn Penn, 11, are coping with their dad's disease. 'I think they're doing well, all things considered but it's hard,' Emma told Vogue Australia on Friday. 'They grieve, they miss their dad so much. He's missing important milestones, that's tough for them - but kids are resilient, [although] I used to hate hearing that because people didn't understand what we were walking through.' Bruce Willis's wife Emma Heming has revealed their young children are grieving their dad after his dementia diagnosis Now, Emma has shed light on how their children Mabel Ray, 13, and Evelyn Penn, 11, (Pictured) are coping with their dad's disease She added: 'I don't know if my kids will ever bounce back, but they're learning and so am I.' Earlier this month, sources close to the family revealed Heming Willis is struggling to not only help manage the star's rapidly deteriorating condition but also manage his hefty estate. The source said: 'Taking care of Bruce isn't just about keeping up his spirits and making sure he can physically get through the day. It also involves looking after the massive fortune he accrued as an A-list movie star.' Emma herself said moving her husband into a separate residence was the best decision for their family. She said moving Bruce into a new home where is supported by carers 24/7, has allowed her to go back to just being his wife. Emma told The Sunday Times: 'It was of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. 'But among the sadness and discomfort, it was the right move for him, for our girls, for me. Ultimately, I could get back to being his wife. And that's such a gift.' Emma added it has also given Bruce more independence, giving him the chance to reconnect with friends and family. The model and influencer, 47, has been acting as a carer for her actor husband, 70, since he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (Bruce and Emma seen in 2010) While the star has mostly stayed out of the spotlight since his diagnosis, wife Emma and other family members provide occasional updates on his condition (Bruce seen with wife Emma, ex-wife Demi Moore and his children) She explained: 'It's made such a difference for more friends and family to have their own experience with him without it being my home, without me hovering, or my anxiety of how to manage the guest and their expectations, and then have to see their reactions - their sadness at what is.' Willis has an estimated $250million in the bank, which his wife is reportedly now in charge of, as his FTD is too advanced for him to manage it with his team. FTD eats away at the parts of the brain that control language, behaviour and personality. Unlike Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, patients don't lose their memory immediately but instead undergo personality changes. The disease also attacks areas of the brain responsible for judgment, impulse control and decision-making, leading patients vulnerable to mismanaging their finances, even if they have advisors. The family insider told Globe: 'Shes having to learn a lot of this stuff as she goes, and its no wonder she seems to be carrying around a huge burden right now. 'Its a full-time job unto itself. Emma never anticipated she'd be responsible for this when she and Bruce first got involved, because Bruce had a giant business team taking care of that stuff.' FTD accounts for about one in 20 dementia cases, adding up to roughly 50,000 to 60,000 Americans, compared to over 6 million with Alzheimer's. In August, Emma said in an interview with Diane Sawyer that her husband has been moved into a separate one-story home away from their main house, where he has a 24/7 care team. A separate family insider told the Daily Mail: 'He is going downhill fast.' Scout Willis shared a new photo with her father Bruce to Instagram last month. The daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce, 34, was seen sitting on an outdoor wicker sofa with the Die Hard actor as well as her sister Tallulah. Tallulah wore a yellow top with black leggings, dad Bruce was in a grey T-shirt and black slacks, and Scout modelled a soft pink hoodie with sweatpants. The patriarch looked carefree as he smiled in the rare social media image. 'Belated tidings from a summer of wonder,' wrote Scout in her Instagram caption. Strictly Come Dancing star Jowita Przysta has paid tribute to 'beautiful, passionate and hardworking' Pete Wicks in her latest Instagram post as she continues to be be romantically linked with the TV personality. The pair are yet to publicly confirm a relationship despite swirling rumours that began more than a year ago, when their successful partnership led to a fifth place finish on the BBC show. Przysta's latest appearance on Strictly has been less fruitful, with the Polish ballroom professional and latest celebrity partner Ross King labouring to fourteenth place before their elimination on Sunday evening. The dancer, 31, has since paid tribute to Wicks after supporting him onstage at London's O2 Arena in September. Przysta made a surprise appearance at the landmark venue while Wicks, 36, was hosting a live version of his Staying Relevant podcast with close friend Sam Thompson - during which they fuelled romance rumours by sharing a kiss. And she was full of praise for Wicks on Monday evening as he returned with his UKTV docuseries, For Dog's Sake. Strictly Come Dancing star Jowita Przysta has paid tribute to 'beautiful, passionate and hardworking' Pete Wicks in her latest Instagram post The Polish dancer was full of praise for Wicks on Monday evening as he returned with his UKTV docuseries, For Dog's Sake Sharing a still of self-confessed dog lover Wicks on the show, an emotional Przysta wrote: 'No words can describe how proud I am of you @p_wicks01. You're one of the most passionate and hardworking people I've ever met. 'Your love for dogs is unconditional and it shines through in every moment of that episode. I hope you know what difference you're making, how life changing this show is for all those pups. 'Together with @dogstrust you're giving them a new future, and the whole nation is behind you.' She added: 'Every time I see you with them, my heart melts. The care, patience and compassion you show are truly beautiful. You never give up on them, you fight for them with everything you have. 'I know this whole season will be a huge success, because it's made with love. And when you do something with love, it's always powerful, beautiful and unique. Because it's real. And that's what this show is... it's real.' Sources have previously insisted the dancer is 'officially dating' Wicks, having grown close to him on Strictly - while he was rumoured to be in the early stages of a romance with former Love Island star Maura Higgins. An insider told the Daily Mail: 'Pete and Jowita are now an item, they've been dating for a few weeks. 'They kept things professional on Strictly, there was no crossover with Maura. But once Pete was single they grew close again and recently the relationship has blossomed into something more.' Przysta admitted she was 'proud' of former Strictly partner Wicks and his love of dogs The pair are yet to publicly confirm a relationship despite swirling rumours that began more than a year ago, when their successful partnership led to a fifth place finish on the BBC show Referring to their onstage appearance at the O2, the source added: 'You could tell something is going on between them during their routine - it was extremely raunchy and dance partners don't usually kiss quite like that.' In August, Wicks shared his own tribute to Przysta in honour of her birthday, leading some to question whether the post was him 'hard launching' their romance. He shared a photo of himself and the ballroom professional in a dance studio on his Instagram Stories ahead of her return to Strictly. Alongside the post, he wrote 'It was never about dancing it was about the person. 'Happy birthday @jowitaprzystal - I am so blessed and grateful to have you in my life. My pocket rocket.' The Polish ballroom professional and latest celebrity partner Ross King laboured to fourteenth place before their elimination from Strictly on Sunday evening Abbie Chatfield has broken down in tears of frustration after being falsely accused of stealing a diamond necklace. The podcaster became the target of online trolls who have flooded her TikTok comments with accusations of theft after a Northern Beaches small business went public with claims that a high-profile inflencer stole a diamond necklace. Luna Rae Jewellery shared a video to their TikTok page this week explaining that an unnamed social media influencer ordered their $360 Spirit Element Necklace earlier this year. They say the influencer later claimed that the postal parcel containing the item was never delivered, and charged back the fee they paid for the diamond and gold piece, thereby receiving a refund. Luna Rae Jewellery claims they have since seen the influencer, who they have continued not to name, wear the Spirit Element Necklace in social media posts, leading them to the conclusion that the refund was fraudulently obtained. The viral video, which has racked up 1.5 million views, has led to a guessing game on social media, with viewers throwing out the names of a number of popular influencers as the possible culprit. Abbie Chatfield (pictured) has broken down in tears of frustration after being falsely accused of stealing a diamond necklace Among the loudest have been those accusing Chatfield, forcing the former reality star to tearfully defend herself in her own post on TikTok on Tuesday. Abbie gave her followers a closer look at the necklace she normally wears in her social media posts - a horseshoe pendant gifted to her by her boyfriend, Adam Hyde - which in no way resembles the missing item from Luna Rae Jewellery. In addition, Luna Rae Jewellery stated in their comments section on TikTok that Abbie is not the influencer they were referring to. 'It's wild that people will assume that I stole a necklace, that I committed a crime, because they see an outspoken woman,' an emotional Abbie said in her video. '(People) see a woman not adhering to societal standards and then go, it must be Abbie Chatfield that committed a crime, that stole from a small business.' Abbie outlined that she frequently endorses small businesses in unpaid posts online. 'When you actually look at my politics, I'm all about supporting small businesses,' she said. Becoming tearful, Abbie continued, 'I've never committed a f***ing crime in my f***ing life. I am so not a criminal. Luna Rae Jewellery (pictured) shared a video to their TikTok page this week explaining that an unnamed social media influencer ordered their $360 Spirit Element Necklace earlier this year and fraudulency received a refund after claiming the item was lost in the post The viral video, which has racked up 1.5 million views, has led to a guessing game on social media, with viewers throwing out the names of a number of popular influencers as the possible culprit. The necklace is pictured Among the loudest have been those accusing Chatfield, forcing the former reality star to tearfully defend herself in her own post on TikTok on Tuesday 'I know people think it's funny, but I am lied about every single day on the internet because people don't like me. They don't like my tone of voice, or that I swear, or that I'm a bit uncouth. And then they accuse me of crimes. 'Now I'm getting harassed, being told that I stole a f***ing necklace. Why would I steal a necklace and then not wear it? If you look at my page, it's a different necklace. 'The accusations every single day about me make me genuinely get to the verge of a nervous breakdown. I'm so sick of being accused of things I did not do every day.' Breaking down, the former radio star added, 'I see a lie after lie about myself on the internet, and now these people who don't like me are saying it must have been Abbie Chatfield who committed a crime. When have I ever committed a crime? 'My politics are connected to empathy and collective empathy and not committing crimes like stealing from small businesses. So why would someone who's loud about empathy for marginalised groups then steal from a small business? 'These people see loud women in the same basket as criminals. Isn't that f***ing insane?' Luna Rae Jewellery updated their followers on the saga on TikTok on Tuesday stating that they have been 'overwhelmed' by the attention the situation has brought them. Mummy Pig is stepping into the spotlight to star in a new short film as part of a government campaign supporting parents through the early years, from pregnancy to starting school. The mother of cartoon favourite, Peppa Pig, features in the moving short, The Story of You, alongside fellow famous mums Oti Mabuse and Billie Shepherd, to remind families that help is always at hand. The film - created by Pip and Posy author, Camilla Reid, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph - points to the importance of reading, chatting, and playing with little ones to help prepare them for school. While more helpful content from the Peppa Pig family will feature on the Muddy Puddle Parenting channel. As part of its Plan for Change, the government is driving national renewal by tackling inequality and unlocking opportunity across the country. The campaign introduces Best Start in Life, a one-stop hub for expert advice on everything from pregnancy to school readiness, plus local Family Hubs for real-world support. Mummy Pig is stepping into the spotlight to star in a new short film as part of a government campaign supporting parents through the early years, from pregnancy to starting school The mother of cartoon favourite, Peppa Pig, features in the moving short, The Story of You, alongside fellow famous mums Oti Mabuse (seen) and Billie Shepherd, to remind families that help is always at hand It aims to help parents with everything from feeding time and sleeping to speech and language, child development, and finding local childcare and family support. And it has been endorsed by the likes of Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing On Ice star Oti, former TOWIE alum Billie and Secret Life of 4 Year Olds expert Professor Sam Wass. The 12 million Best Start Family Hubs development grant distributed this week builds on existing efforts to break down barriers, supporting areas to identify an appropriate site to reach disadvantaged families and prepare to deliver evidence-based programmes and support. In a statement, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The path to opportunity for every child begins in the early years, and ensuring children are ready to learn and thrive when they start school is vital - yet new parents face an overwhelming amount of conflicting online information. 'Thats why were cutting through the noise with our new nationwide campaign, giving parents an evidence-backed alternative to the barrage of unchecked and sometimes unreliable advice. 'Through our Best Start website, Family Hubs or funded childcare, our Plan for Change is making support from trusted professionals available wherever parents turn giving every child the best possible start in life.' While Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting added: 'In between sleepless nights, potty training and weaning their children, its no wonder so many knackered parents feel they need to turn to unverified social media posts for advice about their child's health and development. 'But its vital they get reliable information and thats why this Best Start in Life campaign is so important, and the health benefits are so clear. When parents get the right advice on things like nutrition, sleep and development, children arrive at school ready to learn, with stronger immune systems and better mental health that can last a lifetime. While more helpful content from the Peppa Pig family will feature on the Muddy Puddle Parenting channel (pictured) It has been endorsed by the likes of Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing On Ice star Oti, former TOWIE alum Billie (seen) and Secret Life of 4 Year Olds expert Professor Sam Wass 'As a child who grew up in poverty, I know how critical it is for parents to have access to evidence-based, expert advice exactly when and where they need it, and this campaign is providing exactly that.' Mummy Pig's exciting new role comes just five months after she welcomed her third child with Daddy Pig. She gave birth to a baby girl named Evie and sister for Peppa, four, and George, two, back in May at London's Lindo Wing. And to celebrate the birth, the family-of-five starred in an 'at home' interview with Hello! Magazine, further tapping into the celebrity hysteria surrounding them. In the tell-all, Daddy and Mummy Pig, speaking just hours after giving birth, gushed that the birth of their third piglet was 'a miracle.' 'We were very lucky everything went smoothly and in eight, um, "short" hours of labour Evie was here,' the cartoon matriarch told the magazine. Daddy Pig sweetly added: 'Mummy pig was AMAZING, and she brought our new baby girl into the world. What a miracle that is!' The family have been on screens since 2004 and in that time have remained a family of four, with Peppa and George not ageing throughout 21 years on screen. Mummy Pig's exciting new role comes after she welcomed her third child with Daddy Pig - a baby girl named Evie and sister for Peppa and George in May at London's Lindo Wing (seen) The birth was announced with a royal-inspired twist on the classic royal birth announcement, complete with a town crier, a scroll-style proclamation So when did the couple decide to add to their brood? 'I don't think either of us ever had a specific plan but we just got to that place where timing felt right,' Mummy Pig explained. Daddy Pig agreed, adding: 'And everything fell into place. We're very lucky to be able to grow our family.' But the couple were more hesitant about adding a fourth child to their family, with Daddy Pig panicking before Mummy Pig jumped in to clarify: 'I think we're more than happy with our family of five! Were excited to settle into our new adventure and see where that takes us.' Mummy and Daddy Pig confirmed the happy news on Good Morning Britain, revealing their third piglet's name is Evie. Mummy Pig, who has a job involving doing 'very important work' on her computer and Daddy Pig, who 'takes big numbers, transmutes them and calculates their load-bearing tangents,' welcomed their little girl at the Lindo Wing in London - the same location where Kate Middleton gave birth to all three of her children. The birth was announced with a royal-inspired twist on the classic royal birth announcement, complete with a town crier, a scroll-style proclamation, and the unveiling of an official Peppa Pig birth certificate. At the time, big siblings Peppa and George were said to be over the moon and excited to meet their new baby sister, while Mummy and Daddy Pig were 'looking forward to lots of happy snorts and sleepless nights.' Derryn Hinch is back in hospital after a series of health setbacks in recent months. The veteran broadcaster is being treated for an infection following a fall, according to his official Facebook page. A post made by Hinch's assistant on Tuesday showed the 81-year-old tucked in his hospital bed, looking frail. 'Hinch in hospital with infected legs after a fall. No post for awhile,' the attached caption read. The comments section was inundated with support from the journalist's many fans, with many wishing him a speedy recovery. Hinch has survived a near-fatal liver transplant, a facial melanoma, a blood infection and a cardiac arrhythmia in recent years. Derryn Hinch (pictured) is back in hospital after a series of health setbacks in recent months. The veteran broadcaster is being treated for an infection following a fall, according to his official Facebook page He recently revealed he would consider using Voluntary Assisted Dying if he were facing a terminal illness. Voluntary Assisted Dying refers to the process by which someone in the late stages of an advanced disease can take a substance prescribed by a doctor that will bring about their death. Hinch shared his thoughts during an interview with Neil Mitchell on the Neil Mitchell Asks Why Podcast, saying,' Yes, I would. Yes', when asked whether he would end his life with medical assistance. 'One of my best friends, Bob Rogers, did have his life taken by voluntary assisted dying because he had no quality of life,' he said of his fellow radio legend, who passed away aged 97 in May last year. 'He couldn't go to the toilet by himself. He couldn't shower. He couldn't dress himself. And the last time I took him out to lunch I had to get on my hands and knees to lift his feet into a taxi. I thought, "This is not living."' Hinch, who now uses a walker to get around, said he's thankful that his mind is still sharp despite a string of physical ailments. 'I'm very lucky that my brain still seems to be going. Some people will dispute that, but it seems to be,' he joked. 'But if my brain went, I've told my medical attorney not to revive me,' he added. He recently revealed he would consider using Voluntary Assisted Dying if he were facing a terminal illness. Pictured during an earlier hospital visit Voluntary Assisted Dying is legal in all six states of Australia, with Victoria being the first state to legalise the procedure in June 2019. It is not yet legal in the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory. It comes after Derryn revealed, in December, that he was admitted to hospital for a heart issue. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, also known as an irregular heartbeat, in November and underwent electroshock therapy to reset his heart rhythm. 'I found myself getting short of breath and I thought "this is not normal", so I went to my doctor and had an ECG (electrocardiogram)' he told the Herald Sun. 'My cardiologist booked me into hospital and they gave me an electric shock to the heart, which is pretty scary, but it worked' he continued. 'It put my heart back into a regular rhythm and I will just see how it improves my breathing in the weeks ahead.' He also revealed, in June last year, that he was facing a 'pretty serious' skin cancer battle. Hinch told the Herald Sun he was undergoing five weeks of daily radiation treatment in a bid to get rid of a melanoma on his forehead. Hinch, who now uses a walker to get around, said he's thankful that his mind is still sharp despite a string of physical ailments He also revealed, in June last year, that he was facing a 'pretty serious' skin cancer battle 'I tick off each day and once that day is gone, it is gone. It is pretty serious but as someone once said, that's life,' he said. In July, Hinch revealed he had suffered a fall during the Christmas break that left him needing a walker. 'I spent Christmas Day with two black eyes,' he explained on 10 News+. He added that since using a walker, which he has affectionately nicknamed 'Johnny' after the ordeal, it has given him renewed 'confidence'. 'Now I have got a walker, that will speed me up and gives you incredible confidence,' he added. 'I say to anyone who has leg problems or balance problems "get a walker." Pride comes before the fall.' Hinch also opened up about undergoing a liver transplant in 2011 after being diagnosed with aggressive cancer and advanced cirrhosis. He brushed off criticism he faced after admitting he drank following the transplant. 'I got a 28-year-olds liver, and I met his family,' Hinch said. 'People criticised me because I still had my occasional glass of wine, white wine with ice in it or frozen grapes. But I thought, if I've got five more years to live, I want to live them well.' Glamorous influencer Lidiane Aline Lorenco, 33, and her 15-year-old daughter were found dead after neighbors had reported an odd smell coming from their apartment. On Friday, the bodies of the social media star and her teenage daughter, Miana Sophya Santos, were found in separate rooms in their home, Brazilian news media reported. The two lived in Barra da Tijuca, which is in the southwest of Rio de Janeiro, according to local outlets R7, G1, and UOL. The Daily Mail has reached out to local law enforcement agency 16th DP (Barra da Tijuca) and Lorenco's modeling agency 40 Graus Models for comment and has yet to hear back. There were no signs of violence found on the bodies or in the apartment according to R7 who cited the local police department 16th DP. Neighbors had noticed a suspicious smell emanating from the apartment so officers from the local fire department were called in. Glamorous influencer Lidiane Aline Lorenco, 33, and her 15-year-old daughter were found dead after neighbors had reported an odd smell coming from their apartment, according to Brazilian news reports On Friday, the bodies of the social media star and her teenage daughter, Miana Sophya Santos (pictured in 2018) , were found in separate rooms in their home Authorities found daughter Miana in the living room, while the influencer was in one of the bedrooms according to G1. Civil Police officer said in a statement to G1: 'A forensic examination was conducted at the scene and found no evidence of assault. 'The bodies were autopsied, but it has not yet been possible to determine the cause of death. Further tests will be performed.' The mother and daughter had not been seen for five days before their bodies were discovered according to the outlet. The Civil Police also told UOL that 'investigations are ongoing.' The two were laid to rest on Sunday, October 12 at Santa Cecilia Municipal Cemetery according to UOL. Lorenco and Miana had lived in Rio, but were from Santa Cecilia in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Lorenco boasts 54.2K followers on Instagram as she routinely shared her stunning modeling photos. The two resided in Barra da Tijuca, which is in the southwest of Rio de Janeiro, according to local outlets R7, G1 and UOL There were no signs of violence found on the bodies or in the apartment according to R7 who cited the local police department 16th DP Neighbors had noticed a suspicious smell emanating from the apartment so officers from the local fire department were called in Miana has not been featured on her mother's Instagram page since she was a child in 2018 (pictured in 2017) In addition, she was a medical student at a private university in Rio - called Afya Universidade Unigranrio - according to her Instagram bio. She was represented by Rio based modeling agency 40 Graus Models. Miana has not been featured on her mother's Instagram page since she was a child in 2018. Lorenco is said to have moved to Rio more than five years ago as it is claimed that her daughter had allegedly moved to live with her recently according to UOL's report. Sam Armytage may be heading back to breakfast television. And the TV host is primed for prime time, showing off her glamorous transformation in recent months. In a series of Instagram Stories posts on Tuesday, the 49-year-old was looking trim and terrific in a flirty white lace frock from designer Carla Zampatti as she stepped out for a ritzy lunch. The blonde bombshell wore her hair in a retro style flip and added a pair of beige sandals. Sam carried a chic straw and leather purse and finished the look with thick gold hoop earrings and a number of bangles. The Golden Bachelor host was out for the launch of Dame Quentin Bryce's new biography. Sam Armytage (pictured) may be heading back to breakfast television. And the TV host is primed for prime time, showing off her glamorous transformation In a series of Instagram Stories posts on Tuesday, the 49-year-old was looking trim and terrific in a flirty white lace frock from designer Carla Zampatti as she stepped out for a ritzy lunch It comes after the Today show was rocked by rumours that former Sunrise host Armytage is in 'secret talks' to replace Karl Stefanovic's co-host Sarah Abo. If the wave of online backlash is anything to go by, Nine may be wise to reconsider its options. Fans of the program have expressed their outrage at the idea of Abo, 39, being shunted for industry veteran Armytage, 49, in an attempt to win the ratings war against Sunrise. 'The one thing Today doesn't need is another presenter change, from the change at sport, to a new Weekend lineup next year. It's in for a lot of change. Changing out Sarah is not necessary. I don't believe it will help the ratings,' one user commented online. 'Karlos and Sarah are just fine at the moment. No need to change,' another agreed, as someone else added: 'You're joking right? There goes Channel 9.' 'Sarah over Sam any day of the week. Sarah has a great and genuine vibe,' yet another wrote. Elsewhere, another viewer warned: 'Keep Sarah or goodbye morning television. The entire team complement each other and I love their banter.' Many users threatened to abandon the program altogether if Armytage took the helm. Sam as undergone a glam makeover in the past year. Pictured in 2024 The Golden Bachelor host was out for the launch of Dame Quentin Bryce's new biography. Pictured together 'If Sam is in, I am out,' one wrote, while another agreed: 'If they lose Sarah, they lose me!' 'If Samantha Armytage replaces Sarah, that's when I change to Channel 7,' someone else threatened, as another added: 'I stopped watching Sunrise because of her and will happily switch back if she is on Today'. One punter pointed out why installing Armytage ahead of her hosting debut on The Golden Bachelor would be short-sighted. 'They would want to be careful about putting Sam in their show, as you never know. The Golden Bachelor might rate terribly, and it could be an embarrassment to put her on Today if the show isn't good,' they explained. Some users have even argued that Stefanovic, 51, should be the one given the boot. 'Once again, Nine have the wrong host in their sights. It's Karl who needs to be replaced, not Sarah,' one user declared. They continued: '20 years without a win against Sunrise and he's the only consistent. James Bracey and Sarah Abo should be the long-term future of the program.' 'Have Sarah and Sam give Karl the boot!' another chimed in. It comes after the Today show was rocked by rumours that former Sunrise host Armytage is in 'secret talks' to replace Karl Stefanovic's (left) co-host Sarah Abo (right) However, there were some viewers who welcomed the idea of Armytage gracing the hosting desk at Today, with one commenting: 'I for one would love to see Sam back on morning television. Her fun personality and versatile ability as a host makes her perfect for the format.' 'Paired with Karl, both hosts have chemistry and the ability to handle serious news,' they insisted. 'I will switch to Nine if Sam comes back,' someone else enthused. The speculation follows a report in The Australian, which claimed that 'prestige' presenter Armytage and Stefanovic are being touted as the 'dream team' that could see Today topple Sunrise's domination in the morning show ratings. The casting shakeup is a 'desperate bid to wrestle the TV breakfast crown from Seven's rival Sunrise,' the publication reported. Nine is said to be banking on the so-called 'Armytage effect', which saw Sunrise score a ratings victory when Armytage joined the program in 2013. Armytage left Sunrise in 2021 and has gone on to helm Farmer Wants A Wife and the upcoming Golden Bachelor. Life appears to be pretty good for Mia Goth. A relative unknown when she met Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf on the set of Lars Von Trier's Nymphomaniac, the actress has made a successful transition from art house and independent film to big budget studio blockbusters. Off-screen, a tumultuous relationship with LaBeouf - the couple married and divorced within two short years before reconciling in 2021 - has resulted in the birth of their first child, daughter Isabel, now three years old. But the actress admits her present day success follows a turbulent past, and an unsettled childhood spent moving from country to country - notably Brazil and Canada, where she attended nine different schools in the space of one year. Born in London to a Brazilian mother and Canadian father, Goth, 31 - whose maternal grandfather is the celebrated artist Lee Jaffe - says she only coped with the constant upheaval by making up stories about her family. Featuring in a new cover shoot for the November issue of ELLE, the actress admits to telling classmates her mother was a brain surgeon or that she was distantly related to Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. Mia Goth has reflected on her turbulent childhood while featuring in a new cover shoot for the November issue of ELLE The actress takes centre stage in a series of extravagant outfits in a new collection of images from photographer Willy Vanderperre 'There was this scarcity mind frame,' she explained. 'We were going from one place to another, but nothing was ever really ours and nothing was ever permanent. And I was so desperately yearning for a home. 'I think they [the stories] made me feel more in control, as though I wasnt just a passenger to the situation that was taking place. 'I can talk about it now because Im so removed from it. But at the time, there was a lot of shame.' Goth eventually settled in south London with her mother, who worked as a waitress to make ends meet while the actress attended Sydenham College. 'For a long time, I wouldve done anything to have changed the situation I was in,' she said. 'But, now, looking back on it, Im proud of what I come from and what we went through and that we were able to survive that. I wouldnt change any of it.' A rapidly developing Hollywood career will see Goth star in two forthcoming blockbusters - Christopher Nolan's eagerly anticipated The Odyssey, released next year, followed by Shawn Levy's science fiction epic Star Wars: Starfighter in 2027. And success means Goth - currently starring alongside Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi in Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein - can afford her own daughter the sort of childhood stability she missed. Goth admits her present day success follows a turbulent past, and an unsettled childhood spent moving from country to country Born in London to a Brazilian mother and Canadian father, Goth says she only coped with the constant upheaval by making up stories about her family Success means Goth can afford her own daughter the sort of childhood stability she missed More than anything, Id say my daughter is my home,' she said. ' I really hope to be something steady for her.' For now, the actress is attempting to reconcile her chaotic past and address the feelings of rootlessness caused by her childhood 'More than anything, Id say my daughter is my home,' she said. 'I really hope to be something steady for her. That no matter what happens in her life, she can return to me. 'No matter what her age - if shes in a sh**ty relationship or somethings not going right at work - she can always come home. 'And shell always have a bed to sleep in and a home-cooked meal.' For now, the actress is attempting to reconcile her chaotic past and address the feelings of rootlessness caused by her childhood. 'Its something that Im trying to work through and understand more deeply, so that its not something I give to my daughter,' she said. 'If you feel comfortable within yourself, youre going to feel good anywhere. Because wherever you go, youre going to be confronted with yourself eventually.' The November 2025 issue of ELLE is out now. Al Pacino has been seen for the first time since the heartbreaking death of his former love Diane Keaton. The 85-year-old Oscar winner was photographed arriving at LAX on Monday with his ex-girlfriend Noor Alfallah, looking somber as he made his way through the terminal. Keaton, who passed away Saturday at 79, was long considered the great love of Pacinos life. The two dated on and off from 1971 to 1987 after famously playing husband and wife in Francis Ford Coppolas 1972 classic The Godfather. A close friend of the actor told the Daily Mail this week that Pacino will 'forever regret' not staying with Keaton. For years after he and Diane split, Al used to say, if its meant to be, its never too late for a do-over. But sadly, now it is, the insider shared. Keaton once reflected on their relationship herself, admitting Pacino was the one who got away. Al Pacino has been seen for the first time since the heartbreaking death of his former love Diane Keaton The 84-year-old Oscar winner was photographed arriving at LAX on Monday with his ex-girlfriend Noor Alfallah , looking somber as he made his way through the terminal Keaton, who passed away Saturday at 79, was long considered the great love of Pacinos life; (pictured 1989) On Monday, the Scarface star appeared visibly downcast as he headed toward a private jet alongside Noor, with whom he welcomed son Roman in 2023 his first public outing since losing the woman many believed was the love of his life. The pair were both dressed down in all-black ensembles a quiet reflection, perhaps, of the somber mood of the day. Pacino and Keaton's romance would last beyond Coppola's The Godfather Part III, released in 1990, and Keaton later admitted her former co-star was the great love she never ended up with. 'I didnt even want him to propose,' she told The Times of their relationship in 2017. 'I just thought maybe he would marry me, eventually. I thought, "dont even propose - lets just do it." 'But that never happened, and that is a blessing for both of us. It would have been a nightmare for him.' She added 'Were very eccentric, he needed a woman that was going to take care of him, I needed a man who would take care of me. 'It was just very important that we left each other alone, said goodbye. But it wasnt my choice.' Keaton and Pacino won accolades for their respective roles as Kay Adams and mafia don Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy. The two dated on and off from 1971 to 1987 after famously playing husband and wife in Francis Ford Coppola s 1972 classic The Godfather The late actress passed away in California on Saturday at the age of 79 (pictured in 2019) Neither would marry, and Pacino later admitted regretting his decision to walk away from his screen wife. Looking back, Al admits the love of his life was Diane who hes always called, "an amazing woman",' a friend of the actor told the Daily Mail. 'I know he will forever regret he didnt make his move when he had the chance. For years after he and Diane split, Al used to say, "if its meant to be, its never too late for a do-over". But sadly, now it is. The source said while Pacino romanced a string of women, his four children have always been the most important thing in his life. Al adores all his kids, the source added. And although he preferred living in New York, he also purchased a home in Los Angeles just so he could spend more time on the West Coast with his children who lived there. Though he and Diane both lived in Beverly Hills, only a few miles from each other for years, they never spoke. The affair would last beyond Coppola's poorly received The Godfather Part III, released in 1990 (pictured) and Keaton later admitted her former co-star was the one who got away I once asked him why, and he told me, There's no need to talk with each other. We said everything that needed to be said at the time. No cause of death has been announced but Keaton, who was regularly seen out and about in LA, disappeared from the site a few months ago. One neighbor told the Daily Mail he would regularly see her walking her dog Emma. But I hadnt seen her in months, the neighbor said. Now I wonder if she may have been ill for a while. The late actress also used to say marriage was never something high on her bucket list. Dianes parents were together, but her father was always away on business, said another source. So, he might as well not have been there at all. She loved her mother, who managed the home and raised her four children on her own, and Diane admired her strength and independence. 'I didnt even want him to propose,' she told The Times in 2017. 'I just thought maybe he would marry me, eventually. I thought, "dont even propose - lets just do it"' While Keaton never married, she would adopt two children (L-R: son Duke Keaton, Diane Keaton, and daughter Dexter Keaton) She also shared a close relationship with Woody Allen for two decades, but it wasnt the same kind of relationship she shared with Pacino. There was something about Al that reminded her of a lost orphan in need of love, shared the source. And she felt sure he would never try and take her independence, because he needed her to be strong. Diane could definitely have seen herself marrying Al, and them having kids together. But after years of on and off romance, she felt the time to marry was now or never. 'And she eventually told him: Marry me or else!"' The source added: 'To her surprise, he walked away, insisting no woman was going to push him into doing something he wasnt ready to do. And true to his word, he moved on. Their relationship hit the rocks earlier this year when Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne briefly separated and he moved out of the family home. Yet the pair have been making it work again in recent months and last month they enjoyed a family holiday to Spain. Now Dan has been caught liking another girl's bikini snaps on Instagram with Closer reporting he is back to his 'old tricks'. Dan was reportedly seen liking model Rosey Victoria's posts and a source told the magazine: 'Dan has proved time and time again that he can't be trusted. 'Nothing means more to Jac than Dan - she's desperate for her marriage to wok and doesn't care at what cost. 'But the fact of the matter is, he can't help himself and friends worry that he's up to his old tricks again.' Jacqueline Jossa's husband Dan Osborne has been caught in the act liking his racy brunette pal's bikini snaps after family holiday in Spain Dan was reportedly seen liking model Rosey Victoria's posts (pictured) and a source told Closer magazine: 'Dan has proved time and time again that he can't be trusted' However The Daily Mail understands Dan and Rosey are pals and the pair both follow each other on the social media platform. Jacqueline and Dan have faced their difficulties over the years, with their marriage plagued by cheating allegations against Dan. Dan had moved out of the family home in March this year when they briefly separated. They later headed on a 'make-or-break getaway' to Mexico and in June the pair celebrated their eight wedding anniversary, enjoying a romantic break at a luxury London hotel to mark the milestone. Jacqueline took to her Instagram Story to show off their modern suite at the five-star Pan Pacific Hotel, complete with views of St Paul's Cathedral. She also shared a snap of her husband Dan gazing out the window at the London skyline. She captioned the post: 'Happy 8th wedding anniversary,' alongside an eyes welling up emoji and a love heart hand emoji. The actress also posted a photo of a large bouquet of pink flowers next to a personalised bottle of bubbly that read, 'Cheers to you beautiful.' However The Daily Mail understands Dan and Rosey are pals and the pair both follow each other on the social media platform Jacqueline and Dan have faced their difficulties over the years, with their marriage plagued by cheating allegations against Dan Speaking about their woes, Dan previously told The Sun: 'I've made mistakes, yeah. I've done things I shouldn't have done. Me and Jac have spoken about that and she has forgiven me. 'I know in the past I've denied things when they're not true, then when something has been true, I probably just kept my mouth shut. I was a different person.' The pair share daughters Ella, nine, Mia, six, and Dan has son Teddy, 11, from a previous relationship. The soap beauty and Dan married in 2017 after welcoming their eldest daughter Ella when Jac was 22-year-old. Admitting that 'it takes a village,' the soap star said that despite becoming parents at a young age they 'never struggled' thanks to their family. Speaking to OK! magazine, Jac said: 'It really takes a village to raise a family and I have a village around me. My husband is incredible. 'He also works and is very busy, so when we're juggling, we're usually juggling together. Luckily my mum is incredible too, and so is Dan's dad, so we have a lot of help and support. 'Me and Dan were young parents, but we didn't struggle. Again, the 'village' helped. That has always been the case for me I've always had amazing friends and family around me.' New details have emerged in Alec and Stephen Baldwin's horror Hamptons crash on Monday. The 30 Rock star, 67, who was driving his wife Hilaria's Range Rover with his brother Stephen, 59, as a passenger, slammed into a tree causing severe damage to the vehicle. The two actors luckily escaped injury in the smash with the police issuing a statement revealing further information about the incident - which took place in treacherous rainy conditions on the side of the Montauk Highway, East Hampton Town Police Department Chief Michael D. Sarlo told the Daily Mail in a statement: 'At approximately 12:01pm on Monday, October 13th, the EHTPD responded to a motor vehicle accident on State Route 27, Pantigo Road near Cross Highway. 'A white 2023 Range Rover, operated by Alec Baldwin, with passenger Stephen Baldwin, was found to have struck a tree on the Eastbound shoulder of the roadway while avoiding the turning action of a 2020 Mack commercial truck, registered to National Waste Services out of Bay Shore, NY. 'There were no injuries reported or summons issued and the contributing factors to the accident were found to be a reaction to an uninvolved vehicle and the slippery and wet roadway conditions.' New details have emerged in Alec and Stephen Baldwin's horror Hamptons crash on Monday - The brothers had spent the weekend on Long Island at the Hamptons International Film Festival in East Hampton, New York The 30 Rock star was driving his wife Hilaria's Range Rover with his brother Stephen as a passenger when he went off the road and slammed into a tree Alec's white Range Rover appears to have crashed head-on into a tree, which completely smashed up the front of the luxury SUV. Hilaria shared a humorous TikTok video of the two driving the SUV in July, and Baldwin confirmed in an Instagram video shared on Monday evening that the car belonged to her. In Monday's video, Baldwin blamed a garbage truck as big as a 'whale' for the crash. He claimed another drive had cut him off, forcing him to swerve to avoid hitting the truck before he crashed head-first into a tree with his brother Stephen in the car with him. In a subsequent Instagram video, Hilaria thanked fans for their kind thoughts and clarified that both Alec and Stephen were unharmed. In Hilaria's TikTok clip from July, she lip synced to Christina Aguilera's What A Girl Wants while captioning it, 'anytime I have to parallel park.' Hilaria sat in the driver's seat posing seductively for the camera just as she was about to park, while Baldwin was next to her in the passenger seat with a grouchy expression plastered on his face. As Hilaria was about to parallel park, the video switched to an exterior shot showing her and Baldwin getting out to switch seats so that he could finish the parking job for her. In a video posted Monday after the crash, Baldwin said he crashed into the tree after swerving to a avoid a garbage truck as big as a 'whale' when another car allegedly cut him off The two actors luckily escaped injury in the smash with the police issuing a statement revealing further information about the incident - which took place in treacherous rainy conditions on the side of the Montauk Highway In a subsequent Instagram video, Baldwin's wife Hilaria thanked fans for their kind thoughts and clarified that both Alec and Stephen were unharmed Baldwin owns a 10-acre estate on Town Lane in Amagansett, nestled comfortably in the Long Island billionaire's enclave Back in the car, the yoga teacher made affectionate eyes at her husband, who now smiled slightly while bobbing his head to the music. Among the photos of the scene was an image of the garbage truck, but its owner told the publication that the truck's driver was not at fault in Baldwin's crash. The Hunt For Red October star was an expected guest at the Hamptons International Film Festival, which runs from October 5 through 13, as he is the co-chair of its Executive Committee. 'He has been out there all week, he attended films and moderated panels,' a source shared with Page Six. Alec's brother Stephen also works as an actor, though he hasn't achieved the level of fame and acclaim that his older brother has. He's best known for appearing in 1995's classic thriller The Usual Suspects, but he also had major roles in 1996's Bio-Dome, opposite Pauly Shore, and in the 2000 sequel The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas. Stephen is the father of the model and cosmetics mogul Hailey Bieber, who married pop superstar Justin Bieber in 2018. He and Alec are part of an acting dynasty that also includes brothers Daniel and William Baldwin. Stephen is also an actor, best known for starring the The Usual Suspects. He's the father of the model Hailey Bieber, who married Justin Bieber in 2018 Alec and Stephen are part of an acting dynasty that also includes brothers Daniel and William Baldwin Baldwin blamed the crash on a 'whale'-sized garbage truck He said he swerved to avoid it after a car cut him off before crashing into the tree The owner of the truck told TMZ that its driver was not at fault in the crash Alec who celebrity nearly four decades of sobriety last year following years of drug and alcohol abuse owns a 10-acre estate on Town Lane in Amagansett, nestled comfortably in the Long Island billionaire's enclave. The property, located 100 miles from the actor's family penthouse in Greenwich Village, features a 10,000-square-foot modern farmhouse, a pool, spa, covered porches and a pavilion. In October 2021, while filming the Western movie Rust in New Mexico, Baldwin was holding a prop revolver that went off and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin, who strenuously denied pulling the trigger, faced a charge of involuntary manslaughter that was ultimately dismissed by the judge. However the armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of the same crime and sentenced to the maximum 18 months in prison beginning last March. Rust ultimately had its world premiere at a film festival in Poland last September before opening in the United States earlier this month to a polarized critical response. Meanwhile, this January, Baldwin filed a civil lawsuit, accusing several people in the Santa Fe, New Mexico District Attorney's office of malicious prosecution and civil rights violations after he was charged over the shooting. Baldwin claimed he had pulled back the hammer of the revolver, not the trigger, but the gun fired anyway. In October 2021, while filming the Western movie Rust in New Mexico, Baldwin was holding a prop revolver that went off and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins; pictured in October 20, 2021 Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the judge dismissed the charge after it was revealed that the prosecution had withheld potentially exculpatory evidence; pictured with Stephen in Santa Fe on July 10, 2024 Director Joel Souza was also injured in the incident. In the court filing, The Departed star and his legal team accused prosecutors of trying to 'scapegoat Baldwin for the acts and omissions of others, regardless of the evidence or the law,' according to the Associate Press. The case against Baldwin was dismissed in 2024 after it was discovered the prosecution had withheld evidence in the case, and did not share information about or access to live ammunition brought in by a retired police officer who said it could be related to the Hutchins killing. The ammunition was filed under a separate case number and Baldwin's legal team was not notified. After the dismissal of Baldwin's case, weapons supervisor Gutierrez-Reed moved to have her conviction dismissed or to receive a new trial. In July, Baldwin's malicious prosecution lawsuit was dismissed by a judge after both he and the defense failed to file any additional documents or make progress on the case for several months. But Baldwins attorney, Luke Nikas, told the Daily Mail that the judges decision to dismiss the case was a non-event. The court dismissed the matter without prejudice because we have been waiting to prosecute the case, said Nikas, who is a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. We have been in good-faith settlement discussions with the parties to the lawsuit, and will be refiling promptly if those discussions are not promptly and favorably resolved. Halle Berry was every inch the proud mom this week as her daughter Nahla celebrated the next stage in her academic career. The 59-year-old Oscar-winning actress congratulated her 17-year-old daughter on her early college acceptance in a sweet post. She presented the teenager with a celebratory pink Sweet Lady Jani cake reading: 'You did it, Nahla!!' Berry wrote under a brief video, 'Congratulations to my sweet angel Nahla for her early college acceptance!' Early action is an admissions route in which high school seniors submit application materials early in the school year, typically no later than early November, per College Vine. The star shares Nahla, her firstborn child, with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey, 49. Halle Berry is a proud mom as her daughter Nahla prepares for the next stage in her academic career; pictured in May On Monday evening the 59-year-old Oscar-winning actress used Instagram Stories to congratulate her 17-year-old daughter on her early college acceptance She is also mom to son Maceo-Robert, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Olivier Martinez. The silver screen siren has been in a relationship with 55-year-old musician Van Hunt since 2020. Berry previously revealed in June that her daughter was enrolled in a college summer initiative. While visiting the Today show, she shared, 'She's 17. She's going to a college summer program, the college that she's hoping to go to next year.' The Monster's Ball sensation also said, 'I'm not one of these moms that feels like, "Oh, she's leaving." Yes, will I worry? Of course. 'But am I excited for her to start her life and figure out who she's gonna be? Absolutely. I'm dying to see who she's gonna be and what she's gonna do and what she'll discover.' And when she visited the show in September 2024, she revealed that Nahla was nursing a broken heart. She said at the time, 'We've all been there. We know that in six months' time, she's going to forget about it, yeah? Nahla is already proving to be an overachiever as she's already decided on where she will continue her education following high school graduation Berry is seen with her daughter in a sweet post The star shares Nahla, her firstborn child, with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey, 49; pictured in 2006 'But in this moment, it's the single most important thing to be rejected and have a breakup, and she feels like she's dying, and so a little part of me is dying, too.' 'I have to just say, "Yeah, this sucks, right? And this sucks balls. I know. And youre hurt." I just have to sit in it with her, right? And thats really hard to do,' she added. The actress was locked in a years-long child support battle with Nahla's dad, resulting in being ordered by LA Superior Court to pay him $16,000/month plus a lump sum of $115,000 in LA Superior Court in 2014. In 2021 she succeeded in slashing the figure to $8,000/month, but was made to pay him an additional 4.3 percent of any annual income she made over $1.95million. Filings obtained by the Daily Mail in May 2023 revealed Berry managed to cap that amount at $4.5million. Daniel Day-Lewis posed alongside his son Ronan at the premiere of their film Anemone at the BFI London Film Festival on Tuesday. Anemone is Ronan's directorial debut and father and son co-wrote the script together. It is Daniel's first film since Phantom Thread in 2017. The actor, 68, cut a dapper figure for the event in a black suit which he wore with a white shirt and grey tie. Ronan, 27, also opted for a black suit which he paired with a bright red T-shirt and silver necklace. They were joined by actress Safia Oakley-Green who also stars in the film. She looked incredible in a multi-coloured midi dress with a floral print and high collar. Fellow actor Samuel Bottomley sported a brown suit with a black shirt and tie. Daniel Day-Lewis posed alongside his son Ronan at the premiere of their film Anemone at the BFI London Film Festival on Tuesday The actor, 68, cut a dapper figure for the event in a black suit which he wore with a white shirt and grey tie Anemone sees Daniel return as Ray Stoker, a former paramilitary soldier who retreats to the woods after suffering an unexplained trauma more than two decades earlier. Co-starring fellow stars Sean Bean as Ray's younger brother Gem, and Samantha Morton as Gem's wife, Nessa, the film isn't short on established talent. Daniel originally announced his retirement in 2017 after starring in director Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread. In a statement shared at the time, his representatives simply said he was 'immensely grateful for his collaborators and audiences' and would not be making any further comment. It said: 'Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. 'This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.' A few months later in an interview with W magazine, the actor acknowledged he felt 'great sadness' at the decision but explained he felt compelled to take it. 'The impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion. It was something I had to do,' he said. Anemone is Ronan's directorial debut and father and son co-wrote the script together. It is Daniel's first film since Phantom Thread in 2017 Safia Oakley-Green looked incredible in a multi-coloured midi dress with a floral print and high collar while Samuel Bottomley sported a brown suit with a black shirt and tie Also on Tuesday was the premiere of Is This Thing On in London (L-R Bradley Cooper, Andra Day, Laura Dern and Will Arnett) Laura Dern looked incredible in a black dress with a silver embellishment while Claudia Winkleman opted for a brown jacket with flared trousers If Daniel Day-Lewis was 'overwhelmed by sadness' after announcing his retirement from acting, God only knows how he feels about the dismal response to his unexpected return 'Do I feel better? Not yet. I have great sadness. And thats the right way to feel.' Now, as he returns to screens in Anemone, he has admitted that he was just 'intending on doing other things'. Speaking with Rolling Stone, Daniel explained: 'It just seems like such grandiose gibberish to talk about. I never intended to retire, really. 'I just stopped doing that particular type of work so I could do some other work.' Stacey Solomon has revealed the reality of being an influencer as she self-shot her latest Rehab. product on a boat in Lake Como, Italy. The TV star, 36, and her husband Joe Swash, 43, returned to screens on Tuesday night for their self-titled BBC family reality show, Stacey & Joe, which was filmed in June. Stacey, who invested in the hair care brand in 2023, jetted to the idyllic location to launch her new shimmer spray and had booked a boat trip to capture aesthetic promotion pictures. As she lay at the back of the boat, the mother-of-five held up the new product attempting to show it off but joked, 'How do influencers do this, all I can see is my t*ts'. She said: 'I had a vision we would stop and take some pictures in the middle of the lake but that is not the case. It is so rough.' The captain of the boat replied laughing, 'this isn't bad'. Stacey Solomon has revealed the reality of being an influencer as she self-shot her latest Rehab. product on a boat in Lake Como, Italy during her BBC show Stacey & Joe The TV star, who invested in the hair care brand in 2023, jetted to the idyllic location to launch her new shimmer spray and had booked a boat trip to capture aesthetic promotion pictures The presenter was forced to make three outfit changes - into a stunning maxi dress, a white swimsuit and a white satin mini dress - on the rocky boat and admitted she 'feels very unsafe'. As Stacey attempted modelling while her team helped take pictures and videos of her, she added: 'All I can see is my tits, how do people do this. If this does well we will invest in a photographer. 'I feel very unsafe but you have to put your life on the line for the job. Influencers' jobs are hard'. She added: 'Getting changed on a boat in the middle of what felt like a monsoon, was interesting. 'Hopefully I make it to the end without throwing up.' The Sort Your Life Out star looked sensational in a white and black once-piece as she posed in the sunshine. Stacey later reflected: 'You know when you see pictures of models on a boat and everything is perfect, that is not an easy job!' The TV star explained that there was 'a lot of pressure' on the new product launch and she was 'scared'. As she lay at the back of the boat, the mother-of-five held up the new product attempting to show it off but joked, 'How do influencers do this, all I can see is my t*ts' The presenter was forced to make three outfit changes - into a stunning maxi dress, a white swimsuit and a white satin mini dress - on the rocky boat and admitted she 'feels very unsafe' Following the boat trip, Stacey and her team enjoyed a luxury meal over looking the picturesque views. The ladies joked they had found Hollywood star George Clooney's 18th-century villa on Lake Como, which he purchased in 2002 for $10m. 'It's giving stalker, cheers!' joked Stacey. Elsewhere in the BBC show, Stacey sang solo during a fun date night with husband Joe as they joined a gospel choir. The former Loose Women star, who found fame on the X Factor in 2009, joined the choir to sing, To Me You're Everything, and even did a solo. Joe said: 'Our kids don't know that Stacey can sing she only does it like 20 per cent.' She replied: 'I can feel the pressure, I'm not doing a solo. I don't like doing it for an audience, I feel embarrassed and the pressure.' Following the performance, Stacey gushed: 'I just loved that, I had the night of my life, that is the best date I've ever been on'. Meanwhile Joe joked that it was completely out of his 'comfort zone' as he is 'tone death'. 'I have never seen Stacey laugh more than when I'm uncomfortable. It felt like I was on the X Factor I blacked out, I've done panto for 25 years and have never sang. Stacey later reflected: 'You know when you see pictures of models on a boat and everything is perfect, that is not an easy job!' Elsewhere in the BBC show, Stacey sang solo during a fun date night with husband Joe as they joined a gospel choir Earlier in the series, Stacey was filmed in the midst of a heated argument with her eldest son Zach over his internet usage - prompting him to angrily storm off camera. While speaking in the car, Zach, 17, tells his mum that the WiFi wasn't working yesterday and she asks him when. Zach replies: 'Just before I saw you, 10pm.' Stacey, who insists she is sick of being the 'internet police', then says she is having the internet 'cut off' at night to stop her children from staying up too late playing video games. A shocked Zach fires back: 'Really? Is that what it was. I was wondering what was going on.' As tensions reach fever pitch, she fumes: 'I am still in charge of you, and you are still living under my roof!' But Zach continues to protest and retorts: 'Me and Leighton are literally at college, what's the point of setting this now?' 'Because I still don't think you should be on it until stupid o'clock in the morning,' Stacey replies. 'I am not on it until stupid o'clock in the morning, who do you think I am?' Zach protests. 'I wouldn't be able to wake up if I was.' The pair continue to argue, with the mum of five insisting that her son struggled to wake up before he admitted that he could be up until midnight playing video games. When the car eventually comes to a stop at a pair of electric gates, Zach storms out, slamming the door shut and shouting 'goodbye'. Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com The fallout from Real Housewives of Potomac star Wendy Osefos arrest is growing the reality star has now lost her teaching job. The 41-year-old Bravo personality and her husband Eddie Osefo were taken into custody in Maryland, last Thursday after being indicted by a grand jury on charges of insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, and making a false statement to a police officer. According to court documents, the couple claimed that designer bags and jewelry were stolen from their home while the family was away on vacation during an alleged April 2024 burglary. But police later discovered that several of the items worth roughly $20,000 had allegedly been returned to stores for a 'full refund' before the supposed break-in even took place. Hours after news of the arrest went viral, Bravo pulled Osefo's episode of the upcoming Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition, which she had recently filmed for the network. Now, Wesleyan University has confirmed that Osefo has been removed from her teaching position in the wake of the scandal. The fallout from Real Housewives of Potomac star Wendy Osefos arrest is growing the reality star has now lost her teaching job; (pictured 2024) Now, Wesleyan University has confirmed that Osefo has been removed from her teaching position in the wake of the scandal 'Wendy Osefo is no longer an employee of Wesleyan University,' the college said in a statement, per TMZ. Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from representatives for Osefo. Wendy had served as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Sociology at the Connecticut-based university, where she began teaching in fall 2024. Her course focused on reality television and social issues. Before joining Wesleyan, Osefo taught at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland until her resignation in 2024. The TV star holds degrees from Temple University and Johns Hopkins, as well as a Ph.D. in public affairs and community development from Rutgers University. Just days after her arrest, Bravo quietly pushed back the premiere of Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition, which was set to feature Wendy Osefo in the debut episode. Wendys installment was originally billed as the series opener, though promos later shifted her to episode two. Wendy had served as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Sociology at the Connecticut-based university, where she began teaching in fall 2024 Bravo has pulled Dr. Wendy Osefo's episode of the new series Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition following her shock arrest for fraud charges The show was slated to premiere October 14 but will now debut a week later, on October 21. In the episode, the RHOP star swaps her strict, schedule-driven Maryland household for the anything-goes Florida home of free-spirited Alethea Shapiro a woman who lives for fun, independence, and her ferrets. 'Will Dr. Wendy be able to find the balance between structure and fun?' the official synopsis teases. 'Can Alethea bring a little more spontaneity to the Osefo family?' But Wendys real-life drama has already stolen the spotlight. She and husband Eddie parents of three were indicted by a Maryland grand jury on 16 charges, including seven counts of felony insurance fraud, eight counts of misdemeanor conspiracy insurance fraud, and one misdemeanor false statement to police. She was released on a $50,000 bond the following day, per court records. The charges stem from an alleged staged burglary at their home in April 2024, during which the couple claimed nearly half a million dollars in stolen designer goods. Investigators later discovered that many of the luxury items had either resurfaced or been returned for refunds long before the supposed break-in including a $1,450 Dior shirt and a $949 Gucci wallet. Wendy and Eddie were released from jail after posting $50,000 bond; pictured in April 2023 A search warrant later uncovered at least 15 'stolen' items inside the couples residence. Prosecutors also allege Eddie emailed Wendy, instructing her to 'add high-value items' to their insurance list to boost their payout. During a September 2020 episode of the Gabbing With Gib podcast, Wendy went into detail about the alleged incident. 'It happened because my family was away on spring break,' she said at the time. 'It was our spring break trip with the kiddos and I was just so heartbroken.' Wendy and Eddie were released from jail after posting $50,000 bond. A rep subsequently shared with E! News , 'Dr. Wendy Osefo and her husband, Edward Osefo, are back home safely with their family and in good spirits.' The statement continued, 'They are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from friends, fans and colleagues. 'The Osefos, alongside their legal team, look forward to their day in court. At this time, they respectfully ask for privacy as they focus on their family and the legal process ahead.' Osefo is best known as one of the central figures on The Real Housewives of Potomac. She joined the cast in Season 5 and quickly became known for her sharp intellect, outspoken personality, and on-camera clashes with co-stars like Gizelle Bryant and Mia Thornton. A political commentator and professor-turned-reality star, Wendy often used the show to highlight her academic achievements and entrepreneurial ventures from launching a candle line to supporting her husbands cannabis business. Just one week before her arrest, the couple were seen celebrating their financial success on the Oct. 5 episode of RHOP. 'Im really proud of Eddie,' Wendy said on camera, referring to her husbands company, Happy Eddie. 'Happy Eddie isyou knowfinancially successful. Cha-ching!' The scene, which showed the pair toasting to their growing empire, has since taken on a far different tone in light of the recent charges. Nova radio host Tim Blackwell and his girlfriend Lizzie Baxter are still going strong. The couple celebrated their two-year anniversary on Tuesday, with Tim, 42, sharing a sweet tribute to Lizzie on Instagram. He shared a photo of himself and Lizzie, 28, who is 15 years younger than him, and a producer for Nova's Fitzy & Wippa, at a country hoedown event. 'Two years of ho-downs with my girl,' he simply captioned the image. The lovebirds are believed to have started dating after Tim's marriage broke down with his ex-wife Monique in 2023. They made their red carpet debut at the 2024 ARIA Awards in November last year. Nova radio host Tim Blackwell and his girlfriend Lizzie Baxter (both pictured) celebrated their two-year anniversary on Tuesday The couple made their red carpet debut at the 2024 ARIA Awards in November last year Tim, who was hosting the annual music awards ceremony, officially confirmed their relationship to Daily Mail Australia and said Lizzie was his 'date'. The pair looked smitten as they embraced and posed for photos at the media wall. Their red carpet debut came just one day after Daily Mail Australia revealed their romance following a date at Coogee. Joined by their Nova colleagues, the couple stayed close as they attended an intimate 'Red Room' gig at the Coogee Bay Hotel, hosted by rapper The Kid Laroi. The lovebirds are believed to have started dating after Tim's marriage broke down. In a flirty exchange on social media, Tim announced he was hosting the awards show and Lizzie asked in the comments if she could be his date for the evening. 'Do you need a date by any chance? You're hot,' she wrote. 'I'll be working. Wouldn't that be unprofessional?' Blackwell responded, before quickly adding, 'I'll think about it...' The lovebirds are believed to have started dating after Tim's marriage broke down She teased in reply: 'Hasn't stopped you in the past.' A source told Daily Mail Australia the pair have been engaging in flirty online banter for 'a few months' and Lizzie's Instagram account included photos of them as a couple before she turned it private. Another insider added: 'Their relationship is well known in the industry. It's not really a secret.' Last month, Lizzie cheekily celebrated Father's Day on Instagram, posting a sweet tribute to Tim and his kids. 'Happy Father's Day to our daddy!! Because I'm young enough to be your daughter too!!' Lizzie quipped. Lizzie works as a content producer for Fitzy and Wippa in the same Sydney office as Tim, who is one third of the national drive show alongside Ricki-Lee Coulter and comedian Joel Creasey. Tim and Lizzie's romance came almost one year after his estranged wife Monique confirmed they had split. Monique, an entrepreneur and yoga instructor, broke the news via Instagram on December 10. 'Not all good things end, but this has,' she captioned a gallery of photos of herself with Tim in happier times. A bellwether in the vegan food industry is getting a raw deal on Wall Street. Beyond Meat once worth $7.8billion is now almost worthless after an attempt to tackle its debt got the thumbs down from investors. The near collapse of Beyond isn't just a blow for the company itself it's a clear symptom of the wider vegan food industry. As the poster child for plant-based meat, analysts say its struggles underline the sector's core problems: limited consumer demand, high prices, and products that often fail to deliver on taste or convenience. Beyond's stock plunged 50 percent Monday after the company announced a sweeping plan to swap its old debt for new loans and issue hundreds of millions of new shares. The move gives the plant-based meat maker more time to pay its bills but it also means investors now own a smaller slice of the company. Today's slump marks the second major drop in just over two weeks. On September 28, the company's share price crashed 35 percent after the CEO tried to ask for more money from investors. Together, the two drops have erased much of the companys value. It is now worth just $79million. The fake meat brand, once promoted by Kim Kardashian and model Nicole Williams-English, is also burdened with about $800 million in debt and struggling to stay afloat. Nicole Williams-English, a Canadian model and animal activist, became a spokesperson for Beyond Meat's partnership with Carl R's burgers Beyond first reached grocery stores in 2013, promising the fresh taste of a burger without a butchered cow. For $8 to $10, shoppers could grab a package of two meatless patties, branded with a green cow wearing a cape. With a more light-hearted approach than rivals like No Evil or Simulate, Beyond quickly became the poster child of plant-based protein. But the industry has been skewered. Customers' appetites for fake meat were charred. When Beyond Meat went public in 2019, it was hailed as the future of food, with its stock briefly soaring more than 350 percent on a plant-based craze. McDonald's tested Beyond patties in its burgers, Burger King added the Impossible Whopper, Dunkin' launched a Beyond breakfast sandwich, and investors bet on a meatless future. But McDonald's and Dunkin' have since dropped their options after weak sales. Burger King still sells the plant-based Whopper. 'Beyond Meat suffers from taste and texture issues, high prices, and perhaps an "ultra-processed food" image,' Jerry Thomas, the CEO of Decision Analyst, told the Daily Mail. 'The chances of the company surviving are meager.' Beyond Meat's CEO, Ethan Brown, said Monday's debt move 'marks a meaningful next step' for the company's cash crunch Investors worries about Beyond's ability to survive - the stock plummeted 50 percent minutes after the bell on Monday Beyond billed itself as a company capable of providing a meat-like experience without the dead cow - but shoppers have been snapping up beef even though costs for cattle are at record highs this year Investors are rushing away from Beyond's stock because other companies have tried similar quick-solve 'rescue plans' when in debt, and failed. For example, in 2023, Nikola, the EV freight truck startup, attempted to clear its debts by offering more stock. But the plan backfired, with investors nervous that the company couldn't pay back its debts. This year, Nikola permanently closed. Analysts tell the Daily Mail they expect a similar fate for Beyond. 'The problem for Beyond Meat is that the company is not living up to its own hype,' Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData, told the Daily Mail. 'There is a market for fake meat, but consumers are broadly skeptical of the category as it is not seen as particularly natural and is viewed as being highly processed.' Beyond didn't immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment. Weeks after a devastating factory fire, Ford will stop building some of its most profitable, American-made SUVs. The automaker is halting production of the three-row Expedition and the luxury Lincoln Navigator, two of its biggest cash cows, for a week. The pause will next week likely extend to the Super Duty range of workhorse pickups next week. All three are built at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant. Ford's manufacturing issues stem from a September 16 three-alarm blaze at a Novelis aluminum plant in Oswego, New York. Novelis, the world's largest recycler of aluminum and supplier of 40 percent of the metal used by American automakers, reported no injuries. Firefighters fought the blaze from ladders because the roof risked collapse. The company said the damaged plant won't be able to make car-grade aluminum again until the first quarter of 2025. Analysts say it will take until March or April. Analysts predict that Ford, Novelis' largest customer, could take a $1billion hit as it sources replacement US-made aluminum. Investors and car buyers are closely watching any impact on F-150 production. The American-made truck has been the countrys best-selling vehicle for more than 40 years and generates a large portion of Fords profits. Ford, America's most iconic car company, is halting production of at least three cars this week. Overall, a fire at one of its supplier's factories could stop assembly lines making five popular vehicles A shortage could also affect consumers, leading to limited availability and higher prices. Last week, the company paused production of its electric F-150 Lightning because of the aluminum shortage. Novelis typically produces 350,000 metric tons of sheet aluminum across its six facilities in the US. Ford's stock lost 1.5 percent in early morning trading on Tuesday after the report. Shares are down over five percent in the past five days. The fire comes as American carmakers are already scrambling to find enough metal to build their vehicles. In March, President Donald Trump added 25 percent tariffs to all foreign-made aluminum. He doubled the tariff to 50 percent in May, making it even more expensive for companies in need of new suppliers to find aluminum sources. To make up for lost production in New York, Novelis said it will turn to factories in the UK, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and South Korea. But shipments from those plants will now carry the hefty tax. Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant, where the company produces some of its most profitable SUVs and trucks, is facing stoppages on the Navigator, Expedition, and Super Duty lines Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, has already sounded the alarm on some extra costs the company is facing, including an estimated $2billion price tag to pay for tariffs It is unclear if Ford, Novelis, or car buyers will ultimately pay for the 50 percent tariff. 'We are urgently taking steps to minimize the impact of the recent fire at our Oswego facility on our customers,' the aluminum maker told the Daily Mail. A Ford representative didn't immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment. In a previous statement, the automaker said the downed plant was 'one of several aluminum suppliers.' The fire also came a month after Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, started sounding the alarm on the company's expected $2billion tariff bill. The legendary automaker builds 80 percent of its vehicles in America, but Farley said it ends up paying more in tariffs than Japanese rivals that make cars there and import them to the US. To assemble cars in the US, Ford has to pay a 25 percent tariff on carpets and fasteners from most countries. Some wiring from Asian manufacturing hubs gets a separate 15 percent tariff. Aluminum gets another 50 percent tariff. Meanwhile, Tokyo-based competitors like Toyota and Honda pay just 15 percent tariffs under Trump's trade agreement with Japan. 'That's not a fair fight,' he said in an interview on The Verge's Decoder podcast. His worries come as American car companies struggle to contain price spikes. Yesterday, the average price of a new vehicle spiked over $50,000. Rising costs have alarmed consumer advocates as Americans collectively owe more than $1.6 trillion in auto debt, with an average monthly payment around $700. Analysts tell the Daily Mail they expect new vehicle price averages will stay over $50,000 well into next year. The body of a Nepali student who saved several lives during the Hamas attack in Israel two years ago has been brought to Tel Aviv and will soon be repatriated for his last rites, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday. Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old student under Israel's Learn and Earn Programme, was taken into captivity along with several others by Hamas in Kibbutz Alumim on October 7, 2023. Bipin was abducted at the age of 23 from a shelter in Kibbutz Alumim by Hamas. It is assessed that he was murdered in captivity during the first months of the war, IDF said in a statement. Till Monday, the family of Bipin had some hope that he would be safe and freed. His father, who lives in Mahendranagar in western Nepal, was hopeful till Monday morning about Bipin's safe release, said family sources. However, when Bipin's name was not included in the list of 20 alive hostages, the hope for his safe release was shattered. His death was confirmed by Israeli officials, who briefed Nepali Ambassador to Israel Dhan Prasad Pandit and Bipin's family on Monday. During a telephone conversation between Nepalese Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and his Israeli counterpart Eden Bar Tal, Bipin's death was confirmed, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. Hamas handed over Bipin's body to Israel on Monday. Now the process has been initiated to repatriate his body to Nepal, the ministry added. The IDF said it will make necessary arrangements to return the body of the victim to his family for proper burial. The IDF expresses deep condolences to the families, and continues to make every effort to return all the hostages, as Hamas is required to fulfil its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the hostages to their families and to proper burial, it said. Bipin was working at the Alumim kibbutz with 16 other Nepalis when Hamas launched its assault. Ten Nepalis were killed, five injured, and one escaped unharmed in the attack. In a powerful show of diplomatic alignment and cultural solidarity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening India-Mongolia relations, both strategically and spiritually, during the Mongolian leaders first state visit to India as president. Addressing a joint press briefing after wide-ranging talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi announced several major initiatives to bolster bilateral ties including free e-visas for Mongolian citizens, advancement of the $1.7 billion Indian-supported oil refinery project in Mongolia, and renewed efforts to deepen Buddhist cultural exchanges. India is a reliable partner in Mongolias development journey, said PM Modi. We are proud to support Mongolias energy independence through our largest global development project, and to foster deeper people-to-people ties rooted in our shared Buddhist heritage. Highlighting Indias commitment to Mongolias energy security, PM Modi underscored the progress of the oil refinery project near Sainshand, supported by Indias $1.7 billion line of credit. The facility is poised to significantly reduce Mongolias dependence on fuel imports and currently involves over 2,500 Indian professionals working alongside Mongolian teams. Both leaders reiterated their shared commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific and pledged continued cooperation in global forums to amplify the voice of the Global South. The visit reflects growing convergence between the two democracies on regional and international strategic issues. Reinforcing the civilizational bond rooted in Buddhism, PM Modi announced that India will send the holy relics of Lord Buddhas two chief disciples Sariputra and Maudgalyayana to Mongolia in 2026. This is expected to further strengthen spiritual ties and enhance cultural understanding. Our relationship is not merely diplomatic it is a bond of warmth and spirituality, Modi said. We are spiritual siblings. Modi also announced the deployment of a Sanskrit teacher to the Gandan Monastery in Mongolia to assist in Buddhist text studies, and a collaborative linkage between Nalanda University and Gandan Monastery, signifying the shared scholarly legacy of the two nations. As part of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative, President Ukhnaa planted a banyan sapling in memory of his late mother, symbolising the growing environmental and emotional connect between the nations. India also pledged to sponsor annual cultural ambassador visits from Mongolia, aimed at building long-term people-to-people ties. President Ukhnaas visits marks 70 years of India-Mongolia diplomatic relations and 10 years of the Strategic Partnership, established during Modis historic 2015 visit to Ulaanbaatar. To commemorate the occasion, the two countries released a joint postal stamp, celebrating their shared heritage and diplomatic progress. President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa hailed Indias leadership in the clean energy sector, particularly under the International Solar Alliance, and expressed strong support for expanding bilateral cooperation in renewable energy, digital infrastructure and education. Guangxi expands AI application scenarios across multiple sectors People's Daily Online) 11:21, October 14, 2025 South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has been actively developing artificial intelligence (AI) application scenarios in recent years, leveraging AI to empower industries and drive deeper integration between AI technologies and the real economy, according to the regional development and reform commission on Sept. 30, 2025. The region has established a "5+N" support system to provide strong policy and institutional guarantees. The "5" refers to the regional development and reform commission, big data development bureau, industry and information technology department, science and technology department, and industrial park reform and development office, while "N" represents other government agencies related to specific application fields. This framework has formed a complete workflow covering the entire process from scenario identification and development to promotion. A visitor shakes hands with a humanoid robot at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Qiusi) Regional departments and local governments have issued or are formulating over 70 AI-related policy documents tailored to local conditions, forming a multi-sector policy framework that provides strong support for AI scenario innovation. AI applications are expanding across multiple industries and delivering promising results. Since the beginning of this year, Guangxi has collected over 1,000 AI application scenarios through press conferences, cross-border promotional events, and AI roadshows. These collected application scenarios cover 10 major fields and 65 industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and energy. Guangxi has also made new strides in international AI cooperation. In September, the National Development and Reform Commission and Guangxi jointly hosted the 2025 China-ASEAN Ministerial Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence, during which China and ASEAN countries launched the China-ASEAN Countries Artificial Intelligence (AI) Application Cooperation Center. Based in Guangxi, the center will focus on strengthening AI development foundations, providing open-source services, enhancing industrial cooperation, and fostering talent development to deepen collaboration between China and ASEAN nations. It aims to share development dividends among participating countries and help build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. To date, over 90 cooperative projects between Guangxi and ASEAN countries have been launched in the first batch. Leading AI companies such as iFlytek, Qi An Xin Group, Amap, and Alibaba Cloud have established operations in Guangxi. In the first half of this year, the region signed 94 new AI industry projects with a total investment of 48.1 billion yuan (about $6.76 billion). The number of AI-related enterprises operating in Guangxi reached 2,708 in 2024, marking a 32.55 percent increase from 2023. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) The Labour government under Keir Starmer is one with the Chinese Communist Party, and when the global war becomes more prominent, and China comes knocking, the doors will be fully open for the Chinese communists to walk into Britain without a single shot being fired in defence. The thinking behind Labour is that the communists of China are beloved liberators of Western countries from democracy, and Labour are committed to the spread of global communism under China. Much of the world is already engaged in dozens of interlinked conflicts. When we say war, conflict can be conducted under many guises. Amongst the actual military wars taking place, there are constant tech wars, political wars, geopolitical wars, economic wars, trade wars, as well as civil wars, in essence the current state of the globe is at war on many fronts. Without the buffer of the internet, one could postulate that the world would probably be embroiled in some sort of all encompassing global war, and countries like the USA and UK in civil war. The internet, as divisive as it is, forms some kind of buffer from actual violence, but the sentiment is still there, of course. The labour government has shown itself to be completely complicit with the CCP, and it openly detests the British people as well as Britains sovereign right to exist. Sinn Fein Councillor Fergal Leonard is encouraging local input into a unique new series which is being produced to document the life of the small farm holder for this and future generations. Cllr Leonard said: This unique series is looking to interview a number of small farm holders, over the age of 65 with holdings of around 25 acres. With nearly two fifths of small farm holders over this age and with few with plans for inheritance, this way of life is fast disappearing. The small farm holding has dominated the landscape of the Sperrins and Glenelly Valley back into the mists of time and has been the economic social and cultural backbone of the communities here. As such, it would be fitting if there was a local input into this series so that the reality of small farmer life in this part of the world is documented for this and future generations. So, if you are a 'small farmer' or know a 'small farmer' that would be interested in helping in any way to tell this story, email smallfarmseries@gmail.com or call Brendan Phelan (of Tile Media) on 00353 87 2925294 or contact myself and I can forward you details. A man and woman will be sentenced on December 15 for an assault in Derry City Centre that left a man in a critical condition. At today's sitting of Derry Crown Court a defence barrister indicated his client wished to be re- arraigned on a single charge related to the assault on September 6 last year. Martin Sheridan (31) of Spencer Road in Derry was re-arraigned on one charge of maliciously and unlawfully causing grievious bodily harm on a man in the city centre on September 6 last year. When the single charge was put to him he pleaded guilty. His co-accused, Courtney Temple (21) of Magazine Street in Derry had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault on the same man on the same date. The court was told that a personal statement was available from the injured party. Defence barrister for Sheridan, Sean Doherty, said that a pre-sentence report was required but added that his client had always accepted he had struck the victim. He said the only issue had been did the injuries amount to grievious bodily harm. Defence counsel for Temple, Sinead Rogan, said her client was currently in Hydebank and had pleaded guilty earlier A prosecutor said that the two defendants should be sentenced together. Both defendants who are currently in custody will be sentenced on December 15. The victim in the case was in a critical condition in hospital for some time after the assault in Sackville Street. Derry will be showing its support for international development organisation Concern Worldwide by Going Green on Friday, October 17, the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Public buildings in the city including the Guildhall Clock, council offices and the Tinnies in Strabane will be lit up in green in solidarity with people living in extreme poverty around the world. The Concern Derry volunteers support group will be collecting donations in the city centre and hosting a pub quiz at the Derby Bar at 8.30pm, which is open to everyone. The charitys bookshop on Ferryquay Street is also inviting the community to pop in, pick up a bargain good read and find out more about the life-saving work of Concern. For over four decades, local people have responded generously to Concern appeals and stood with global communities in times of crisis, including Concerns current Water for Gaza appeal which hopes to raise 250,000 by Christmas to provide clean, safe water and sanitation support for up to three months to 21,000 people desperately in need in Gaza. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairi McHugh, said he was delighted to see the support across the city and district. I am delighted to support the Go Green to Show Your Concern campaign for Concern Worldwide this year, and its great to see the support with the street collections and the local community getting involved, he said. As a Council, we recognise that poverty is not confined to distant places it exists right here in our own communities, with far too many children and families still struggling. But on this one day, we ask everyone to stand in solidarity and send a clear message together: no one, anywhere, should be living in poverty, regardless of where they are in the world. I am proud to say that we as a Council have been working with local support organisations over the last two years to design our own Anti-Poverty Strategy. This will help provide pathways out of poverty and reduce the levels of poverty within our Council area. We have been working proactively with government and statutory partners, local residents, charities and the community and voluntary sector through our local growth partnerships to deliver interventions to support those in need. On Friday, October 17, I am proud to be lighting our Councils civic buildings in green to support the Go Green to Show Your Concern campaign, helping to raise vital awareness about the widespread issue of poverty - both within our city and district, and across the globe. Mick Conway, who has been involved with the citys Concern Worldwide volunteer support group for many years, said: The Derry group has always been aware that part of its mission is not just to raise funds, valuable as they are, but to also highlight the problems faced by so many people worldwide. As individuals or local organisations, we can all make a significant contribution. Doing nothing is not an option. Even a small donation can make huge difference to those who receive it. Jackie Trainor, NI Director of Concern Worldwide, said: Every 1 we receive can be life-changing in the 26 countries we work in. For example, just 5 can purchase a blanket for a family who have been displaced by conflict or provide 30 sachets of nutrition-packed food that saves babies lives. We dream and have hope that one day, no-one, no matter where they are in the world, will be living in poverty and we ask everyone who shares that sentiment to join us and Go Green this autumn to show their Concern. Whoever you are, or whatever you love to do, you can turn your passion into purpose and do your thing in green to help families escape extreme poverty. To show your support, sign up, make a donation or for more information on how you can help, visit: concern.org.uk/gogreen A judge has risen to consider an application to dismiss the case against a former paratrooper accused of the murder of two men during the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972. Judge Patrick Lynch heard arguments that the key evidence against the veteran, referred to as Soldier F for legal reasons, was unreliable and could potentially lead to an unsafe conviction. However the prosecution have said accounts by fellow former paratroopers Soldier G and Soldier H provide direct evidence from two separate sources that Soldier F fired at civilians. Soldier F is charged with the murders of James Wray and William McKinney during disorder after a civil rights parade in Derry on January 30 1972. Some 13 people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on the day. Soldier F is also accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick ODonnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person. He has pleaded not guilty to the seven counts. Soldier F sits in the courtroom at Belfast Crown Court behind a curtain during each day of the non-jury trial, which began last month. Key evidence in the case described as decisive by the prosecution includes statements by two other former paratroopers known as Soldier G and Soldier H. Their accounts place Soldier F in Glenfada Park North, and allege that he had opened fire. The two veterans have not been able to be cross-examined on their previous statements during this trial. Soldier G has died and Soldier H has indicated he will exercise his right against self-incrimination if summoned. The prosecution concluded their case on Friday, when the court also heard that Soldier F had been interviewed voluntarily under caution across two days from March 8-9 2016 by officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). He declined to respond to questions on the basis that he no longer has any reliable recollection of those events and made no comment to all questions put to him. Defence barrister Mark Mulholland KC said the evidence does not stack up and has argued for the case to be dismissed. On Monday he queried changes in the statements given by Soldier H to the Royal Military Police on the night of the shootings, to the Widgery Inquiry later that year, and the Saville Inquiry in the 2000s, and described him as an unreliable witness. On Tuesday Mr Mulholland turned to the evidence of Soldier G, and put to the court that the statements of G and H fundamentally contradict each other in terms of who has fired, where and when. We go from three youths with nail bombs in H, to two youths with M1 carbines in G and, quite tellingly on their own accounts, G doesnt seem to see H fire, and H, moving aside from the waste ground statement, then has G fire but cant say what he was firing at, he said. At every turn the contradictions are absolutely fundamental when one considers their bearing on reliability of the accounts that they provide. Mr Mulholland said they are swimming in this stagnant pool of contaminated fabricated evidence, adding: When one steps back for a moment, how does one start to distinct fact from fiction in these accounts? Looking now at the state of this evidence in light of the unequivocal civilian evidence, it just simply does not stack up, he added. Earlier in the trial, Judge Patrick Lynch ruled that the hearsay evidence could be admitted. Almost three weeks later, on Tuesday, Mr Mulholland said in light of some evidence not having been called by the prosecution, the defence assesses it is essential for the court to revisit the admitted hearsay evidence. The critical issue that was flagged at the outset in our submission remains as part of that, which is, did Soldier F fire his weapon at the material time in Glenfada Park North, and that is the prosecution case, he said. The import the statements of G and H are that F, acting together with G, opened fire in Glenfada Park North. That case is the case we have to meet, thats the case on the evidence we respectfully submit now, that one sees the full evidential landscape is simply lacking when one considers the other evidence that can be called. He added: According to the prosecution opening, G and Hs demonstrably false accounts was an attempt to justify and confuse. That may be the most logical explanation of all. Louis Mably KC, for the prosecution, said: That hearsay evidence provides direct evidence that Soldier F opened fire at civilians. That evidence comes from two separate sources, Soldier G and Soldier H. The evidence was repeated by each witness on different occasions including on oath. Judge Lynch said he would deliver his ruling on the defence application on Thursday. Some of those honoured at the Open Universitys first graduation ceremony in Northern Ireland 50 years ago have returned to celebrate with this years graduates. Some 300 students, graduating in subjects ranging from nursing to forensic psychology, crossed the stage at Belfasts Waterfront Hall on Tuesday, cheered by family and friends. They included 90-year-old Maryette McFarland from Derry who received a degree in English literature, and honorary graduate Irish language activist Linda Ervine. They were also celebrated by some from OUs first Belfast degree ceremony. Jim Mulholland, 84, a retired teacher from Lisburn, was among the pioneering class of 1975, and said he was delighted to celebrate with the latest graduates. He had been in his 30s, working as a PE teacher, and felt he was in a rut when he decided to begin an Open University degree in social sciences. Mr Mulholland graduated with first-class honours and went on to work in management, which he said had been helped by his OU degree. He was promoted and later was accepted for a Fulbright teaching exchange to Portland, Oregon, US, an adventure that remains one of his proudest achievements. With the BBC television programmes, you were able to listen to the top lectures from all around the world, top economists, top sociologists, seeing their perspective on the world. I remember the unit tapes dropping in through the letterbox with a clunk. The materials were exceptionally good, he said. It enabled me to branch out in my teaching career to teach sociology, which was a totally different teacher-student relationship. Physical education tended to be big classes, around 30 kids, very directed. The A-level sociology group would have been maybe 10 students, with a much more personal teacher-student relationship, which was a big plus for me. Among this years graduates is Matthew McCarthy, 31, from Holywood, Co Down, with a BSc (Hons) in psychology. He said it was the realisation of a dream after he had previously dropped out. But he said it was part of a tumultuous journey during which he met his fiance, changed jobs to work in mental health, moved house twice, lost close family members, and lost 20kg in weight. It took a lot of faith in what I was doing, but the leap paid off, he said. He now works as a mental health project worker. He has also begun a postgraduate certificate and hopes to one day complete a doctorate in clinical psychology. The flexibility the Open University provides, as I work full-time, is great. I did research when considering going back into academia. It also appeared on the British Psychological Society accredited course list. My main support came from my fiance, who I am marrying in August 2026. I met her at the very beginning of my studies, and she was incredible throughout the entire time. If I wasnt training in jiu-jitsu, at the gym or at work, I was studying and writing. The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G arrives barely a year after the A16, and at first glance, you might struggle to tell them apart. Samsungs A-series has long been the companys safety net. The phones are dependable, predictable and designed for people who want a Samsung experience without paying flagship money. The A17 continues that philosophy, but this time, it feels a bit more refined rather than revolutionary. Starting at Rs 18,999 for the base 6GB + 128GB variant and going up to Rs 23,499 for the top 8GB + 256GB model, the Galaxy A17 sits right in the same competitive Rs 20,000 bracket where phones like the CMF Phone 2 Pro and Moto Edge 60 Fusion are fighting tooth and nail for attention. On paper, Samsung hasnt reinvented the formula, but it has added polish where it matters. Theres Gorilla Glass Victus on the front, a sleeker fibreglass back, a promise of six years of Android updates, and a familiar but slightly more efficient Exynos 1330 chip running the show. Its an update that feels incremental, but the question is, does that refinement translate into a better real-world experience? Or is the Galaxy A17 just another patchwork case with a shinier finish? Design and Build With the Galaxy A17 5G, Samsung has refined the design language just enough to make it feel more polished without losing its understated A-series identity. At 7.5 mm thin and 192 grams, its one of the slimmest phones in its price bracket, and the flat edges give it that boxy, confident profile thats been trending across Samsungs 2025 lineup. The front is now protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, a notable step up from last years A16. The back panel, made from fibreglass, adds a touch of rigidity and looks far more premium than the glossy plastic used before. Fingerprints still find their way here, but the overall feel in hand is sturdier and less toy-like. The matte finish on the Blue variant looks particularly elegant, and it reflects light subtly rather than glaring under it, while the black and grey options play it safe and corporate. The camera rings sit flush enough to avoid rocking on flat surfaces, but theres little wobble, and the IP54 rating continues to offer basic protection against dust and splashes. Samsung still places the power button on the right, which doubles up as a fingerprint reader, and its fast and reliable. Theres no 3.5 mm jack this time around, and the bottom houses a single loudspeaker along with a USB-C 2.0 port. The lack of stereo sound is noticeable, but the trade-off is a slimmer, cleaner chassis. Overall, the Galaxy A17 feels less like a budget compromise and more like an affordable minimalism. Its still plastic in places, yes, but it no longer feels like its pretending to be something its not. Display Samsung rarely misses when it comes to displays, and the Galaxy A17 5G continues that streak, albeit with familiar limitations. It uses a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate and 1080p resolution, similar to the A16, but this time its backed by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection and higher peak brightness of 1,250 nits in HBM mode. In daily use, the display feels noticeably brighter than the A16. Outdoor visibility under harsh sunlight has improved significantly, and colours pop with that signature Samsung vibrancy without crossing into oversaturation. The phone still uses a 90 Hz panel rather than 120 Hz, a decision thats starting to feel dated when even cheaper rivals have moved up. The refresh rate is fixed, too, without adaptive switching, meaning it doesnt conserve much battery when viewing static content. The Always-On Display remains a neat touch for quick notifications and time checks. In our Calman colour accuracy test, the A17 achieved 99.8% sRGB coverage and an average DeltaE of 1.6, which is excellent for this segment. The maximum DeltaE recorded was 3.8, suggesting only minor deviations in certain tones. The displays white luminance measured roughly 650 nits in SDR and well over 1,200 nits peak in HDR/HBM. Colour reproduction is clean and consistent, with particularly accurate yellows and skin tones in the Natural mode. The contrast ratio remains strong, typical of AMOLED, with deep blacks and crisp highlights. Streaming via Netflix and Prime Video benefits from Widevine L1 certification, although HDR playback isnt supported. Theres still a teardrop notch at the top, a minor eyesore in 2025, but it doesnt distract much during content viewing. Overall, the Galaxy A17s display is a solid improvement over its predecessor. Its not the smoothest in the category, but its certainly one of the most colour-accurate and brightest panels in this segment. Performance Samsung has kept faith in its Exynos 1330 chipset for the Galaxy A17 5G, the same SoC used in last years A16 (global version). Paired with up to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of UFS storage, the phone runs Android 15 with One UI 7 out of the box, and Samsung promises an impressive six years of OS updates, matching even its premium S-series lineup. In everyday use, the A17 feels smoother than the A16. Theres no visible lag when scrolling, multitasking, and switching between social media and camera apps. The CPU Throttling Test result of 92% confirms that thermal management is quite stable, with minimal performance dips during extended workloads. Coming to benchmarks, the Galaxy A17 posted an AnTuTu score of 604,936, a healthy jump over the A16 running on MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (~409K). In Geekbench, it achieved 970 points in single-core and 2,140 in multi-core, and on PCMark Work 3.0, it scored 12,543, which translates to very good day-to-day performance for productivity, social media, and light editing. The 3DMark Wild Life score of 1,382 shows that the Mali-G68 GPU is capable but not gaming-focused. Games like Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI run smoothly at medium settings, but expect some frame drops during intense firefights or extended play sessions. The phone warms up slightly near the camera module after 2030 minutes of gameplay, but it never crosses into uncomfortable territory. Samsungs One UI 7 is one of the cleanest Android skins available with fluid animations, refined haptics, and AI touches like the Google Gemini assistant integration. There is minimal bloatware compared to most rivals, and RAM management is fairly conservative, keeping battery life in check. Overall, the Galaxy A17 delivers reliable mid-range performance. Its not a powerhouse, but its stable, efficient, and consistent. Battery and Charging Battery life on the Galaxy A17 5G is dependable but not exceptional. The phone retains the 5,000 mAh capacity from its predecessor, supports 25 W wired charging, and, for a change, Samsung includes the charger in the box. In our PCMark Battery Life test, the A17 lasted 11 hours and 48 minutes, which is respectable but slightly below what you might expect from a 6 nm chipset and AMOLED display. In real-world use, it comfortably lasts a full day with mixed usage, including browsing, streaming, social media, and light photography, but heavy gaming or camera use can drain it faster. The charging speed hasnt seen any upgrades either. The 25 W charging takes around 95 minutes to fill the battery from 0 to 100%, which feels slow in 2025 when several phones in this segment now offer 45 W or even 67 W charging. On the upside, Samsungs adaptive battery mode intelligently limits background processes for rarely used apps, and idle drain is minimal. The Exynos 1330s thermals are also well-tuned, meaning the phone stays cool even during charging or extended video playback. Cameras The Galaxy A17 carries forward Samsungs familiar triple-camera setup: a 50 MP primary sensor with OIS, a 5 MP ultrawide, and a 2 MP macro shooter, paired with a 13 MP front camera. On paper, it doesnt look like a major leap from last years A16, but in practice, Samsung has clearly fine-tuned its image processing to favour vibrant, social-media-ready output. In good lighting, the Galaxy A17 performs confidently. Colours are punchy, contrasty, and distinctly Samsung. The deep blues of the sky, the lush greens of foliage, and the bright reds and yellows of city scenes pop instantly on screen. Its not aiming for strict realism, and theres a hint of oversaturation, but the results are consistently eye-catching. Detail retrieval is strong for this segment. Textures like concrete, grass, and fabric are cleanly resolved without aggressive over-sharpening. The HDR algorithm works reliably in standard mode, maintaining a good balance between highlights and shadows. In tricky compositions like the palm tree against a bright sky, the phone managed to retain sky colour while keeping midtones intact. The 5 MP ultrawide camera performs adequately in daylight, though its a clear step down in dynamic range and sharpness. Its usable for travel shots or group photos, but not a lens youll rely on frequently. The 2 MP macro remains largely a novelty. The portrait Mode is where the Galaxy A17 actually shines. It offers excellent subject separation, producing a soft and natural bokeh that flatters both human and object subjects. Faces stay crisp and detailed, and skin tones look balanced, warm but not artificially pinkish. Samsungs edge detection handles most scenes confidently, even with tricky hair or accessories. That said, its not perfect. Complex outlines like curly hair or glasses can show minor haloing, and portraits taken against very bright backgrounds tend to blow out highlights completely. The HDR engine seems to take a backseat when portrait processing kicks in, prioritising the subject over scene balance. As a result, some shots have immaculate subject detail but a white, detail-less sky behind them. Still, in evenly lit or indoor conditions, the portraits look genuinely impressive. The camera nails exposure, contrast, and colour tone, giving you results that rarely need post-editing before going online. In low light, performance is acceptable but predictable for this segment. The main sensor can pull out decent detail if theres ambient lighting, but noise levels increase and shadow detail softens in darker scenes. The Night Mode brightens up frames noticeably, but it can introduce a slightly warmer tint and some smearing in finer textures. The OIS helps stabilise handheld shots, though its more effective for static scenes than moving subjects. Video capture tops out at 1080p 30 fps for both front and rear cameras. Theres no 4K option, but OIS provides smooth, shake-free footage for casual handheld clips. Colour tone and focus transitions are steady, though exposure shifts are noticeable in scenes with varying light. Verdict: Who Should Buy the Galaxy A17 5G The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is exactly what it sets out to be: a dependable, polished mid-ranger that values refinement over reinvention. It doesnt chase benchmark numbers or spec wars, but focuses on the basics. This phone is made for users who want a reliable everyday companion, and if you prioritise long-term software support, balanced performance and Samsungs ecosystem reliability, the A17 fits comfortably into that lifestyle. Its also ideal for those upgrading from older 4G or entry-level 5G phones who want a stable, no-nonsense experience. However, power users and gamers might find the Exynos 1330 limiting, and the 90 Hz display plus 25 W charging feel dated next to rivals like the CMF Phone 2 Pro or Moto Edge 60 Fusion. 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. Indian PM meets Qualcomm CEO to discuss AI, semiconductors, and 6G development Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held talks with Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon to discuss technological cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and 6G advancements. The leaders shared perspectives on the future of India's tech ecosystem on X, emphasizing the country's expanding role in the global technology landscape. Qualcomm deepens India commitment Amon conveyed optimism about the diverse opportunities within India's tech sectors, including AI-powered smartphones, personal computers, smart glasses, automotive, and industrial applications. He reaffirmed Qualcomm's commitment to supporting India's initiatives to develop AI capabilities, semiconductor manufacturing, and the next generation of wireless technology, 6G. Modi welcomed Qualcomm's pledge, highlighting India's substantial talent pool and existing technological infrastructure as crucial factors for growth. According to a CNBC-TV18 interview, Qualcomm COO and CFO Akash Palkhiwala noted that India represents Qualcomm's second-largest employee base after the US. Palkhiwala emphasized Qualcomm's role in strengthening India's semiconductor ecosystem. Regarding collaboration with Tata Motors, he stated that Qualcomm engages with a wide range of Indian companies and will expand partnerships as Tata's semiconductor manufacturing capacity meets Qualcomm's requirements. US tech leaders seek India partnerships Modi's engagements with US-based technology and business leaders continue to align with India's push toward technological self-reliance and innovation. The Times of India reported that, alongside his meeting with Qualcomm's CEO, Modi also held discussions with a US delegation of business leaders and think tank representatives. Furthermore, Modi met with Dario Amodei, CEO of the artificial intelligence startup Anthropic. Amodei revealed that since launching Claude Code, an AI programming tool, in June 2024, its usage in India has increased fivefold. This growth underscores robust demand for AI-driven software development tools in the country. Anthropic has also announced plans to open an office in India by 2026, signaling a commitment to deepen its presence in the region's expanding AI market. Article edited by Jerry Chen A young Irish woman has spoken out on her experience in Israeli detention, following her return home. Author Naoise Dolan was intercepted by Israeli forces whilst on a flotilla delivering aid last Wednesday, October 8. Speaking upon her return to Ireland she said: The two things that saddened and horrified me the most, were number one on the wall across from our cell, they had a giant Israeli flag of course, and beneath it an even bigger poster with an image of a road in Gaza that had been rendered completely rubble by them and then a caption that said in Arabic that read the new Gaza. Read More: RIP: Young man (26) found dead as gardai issue tragic missing person update Dolan further described how she came across a small playground for children in an Israeli immigration prison that had barbed wire on the ceiling. She continued: They beat people, They gave people black eyes. They pulled people by their hair. According to her account, the guards were: Constantly yellingconstantly barging into our rooms, interrupting our sleep. While assuring she is okay, she admitted: I have a few bruises. I got shoved around a bit. My cable ties were tied around too tightly and I lost circulation in my hands, it was quite scary. The author affirmed: "I want you to remember this is them on their best behaviour. This is them remembering theres international media attention." Palestinians are still in these jails. Senator Chris Andrews and TD Barry Heneghan were also detained by Israel while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Naoise Dolan authored bestselling books: Exciting Times and The Happy Couple. Gardai have arrested a third suspect in connection with the fatal assault of a man from Mallow, Cork. On October 12, 44 year old Barry Daly was fatally injured outside his home at Rockview Terrace, Doneraile. Two others still remain in custody in connection to the fatal assault - a man in his twenties and a second male juvenile. The male in his teens is being detained by an Garda Siochana at a Garda station in Cork. Read More: EXPLAINER: Symptoms of nasty bug 'that spreads easily' on the rise in Ireland A post mortem examination has been carried out on the body of the deceased man at Cork University Hospital. A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and a family liaison officer has been appointed to support the affected family. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact them and are seeking any available camera footage, including dashcam recordings, from those who were in the vicinity of Doneraile village, Mallow, county Cork from midnight to 2 am Sunday, 12 October. Anyone who may have any information relating to the incident is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station on 022 31 450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana has stated that investigations are ongoing. TDs should be able to sign people in to Leinster House on day passes for maybe two or three weeks while awaiting more formal approval, Heather Humphreys has said, as she criticised Catherine Connolly for providing six months access to a woman convicted of a firearms offence. Ms Humphreys condemned Ms Connolly after it emerged she had employed a woman in Leinster House who had been found guilty by the Special Criminal Court for possession of firearms and ammunition more than 10 years ago. After serving more than four years, the former Eirigi member was shortly thereafter recruited by Ms Connolly to work on a committee on the Irish language. Eirigi, a registered political party, opposed the Good Friday Agreement. Ms Connolly said she had signed the woman in for day passes to Leinster House but she left her work before the outcome of a clearing process for a regular access pass which went on for six months. On Tuesday, Ms Humphreys said Ms Connolly had put the security of the national parliament at risk. She added: She brought her in for six months on a day pass. You bring people in on a day pass for maybe two or three weeks, if you have to because youre waiting she never got the clearance. Ms Connolly said this comment showed truth emerging and that people are signed in on day passes while the clearance process is ongoing. She said: Heather has just confirmed you bring somebody in on a day pass for a few weeks, thats exactly what happened. And the weeks continued because there was no answer in relation to the process. However, Ms Humphreys contended that six months was too long. Ms Connolly said the woman underwent rehabilitation. She said: Are we going to look at what rehabilitation means? Are we going to double and trebly punish people? She added: This woman is an absolute success story of the prison system, a success story that we absolutely need, who fully rehabilitated her life. Ms Connolly said she sent an inquiry about the delay and received a vague response. She said no rules had been broken in the process and that she had no contact with the gardai on the matter. In response, Ms Humphreys said the woman had committed a crime. The hearing of TDs and senators is to be tested at Leinster House by a charity for Deaf and hard of hearing people Chime aims to highlight how the HSE provides hearing aids to medical card holders and children aged up to 18, which accounts for just 30% of people who may need them. It said a delayed Department of Health national hearing care plan placed thousands of people at risk of dementia, depression and social isolation. Chime says there are approximately 300,000 adults in Ireland with significant hearing loss, which, unmanaged, increases the risk of cognitive decline, depression and social isolation. Depending on location, waiting times for audiology services can be as long as two years, with the current national waiting list standing at 28,000, with half of them children. On Wednesday, Chime will test the hearing of TDs and Senators at Leinster House as it stresses the urgent need for the plan. Those dealing with hearing loss urgently require the missing clear pathway to care, and there is a critical need for a framework for the hearing aid sector, which is unregulated, the chief executive of Chime Mark Byrne said. A 2025 peer reviewed study by US medical journal JAMA Otolaryngology, published by the American Medical Association, found that up to 32% of dementia cases over an eight-year period could be linked to hearing loss, which it identified as the largest modifiable risk factor for dementia. In 2021, the World Health Organisation called on governments to develop national hearing care plans. It estimated that for every euro invested, states could expect a return of almost 16 euro over 10 years, through greater independence among deaf or hard of hearing people. A working group was established by the Department of Health late last year to develop a holistic model of hearing care in Ireland, including the potential to link public and private provision to maximise positive outcomes, Mr Byrne said. The group was expected to bring forward a draft national hearing care plan by the end of June, but has yet to do so. That plan is a Government commitment in the new national human rights strategy for disabled people, 2025-2030. Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, must progress the development of a national hearing care plan as a matter of urgency. The Tanaiste will face a motion of no confidence over his handling of childrens healthcare. Aontu said it was bringing the motion against Simon Harris due to a failed promise on child spinal surgeries and overall dysfunction in Childrens Health Ireland (CHI). Party leader Peadar Toibin told reporters on Tuesday: We believe, if you look at the crisis within CHI and the crisis within the National Childrens Hospital that Simon Harris is not fit to be a minister in this Government, and we are calling for his resignation. The vote will be held on Wednesday October 22, two days before the presidential election in which the candidate for Mr Harriss Fine Gael former party deputy leader Heather Humphreys will go up against left-wing independent Catherine Connolly. The motion follows a series of scandals at CHI including the implanting of non-surgical springs into child patients, unnecessary hip surgeries, the security of health records, and issues around in-sourcing. It also comes after the death of a nine-year-old renewed focus on child spinal surgery waiting times. While health minister in 2017, Mr Harris pledged that no child would wait more than four months for scoliosis treatment. Earlier this year, nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt died after waiting years for spinal surgery during which time the curve in his spine went from 75 degrees to 130 degrees. By the time Harvey received spinal surgery last December, the curve had reached the point where it could not be fully corrected. The curve caused his rib cage to twist around his lungs and heart, severely restricting his breathing. Harvey died on July 29. His parents, Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt, have also called for Mr Harriss resignation. Speaking to reporters at Leinster House on Tuesday, Aontu leader Mr Toibin said: We are going to launch a motion of no confidence into Simon Harris in relation to the crisis that has happened over the summer with regards to CHI. He added: During the summer, there was a tragic loss of Harvey Sherratt, a young boy who waited for months in relation to trying to receive an operation that was a life-saving operation that he needed to be able to survive and to be able to live in good health. And tragically, Harvey Sherratts life was lost during the summer and we, as a party, believe in the necessity for accountability both accountability in terms of the finances of the country but also, most importantly, in terms of human life. Simon Harris, when he was Minister for Health, stated that no child would wait for more than four months for a scoliosis operation. He failed significantly in that promise and we have a situation where hundreds of children in that period of time have been forced to wait for far longer than those four months. Ireland's love affair with dogs has been laid bare once again as Dogs Trust reveals the results of its national Dog Census and calls on the public to take part in the 2025 edition. The charity aims to "count every dog, so every dog counts," encouraging both Irish owners and dog lovers to share their insights to improve the lives of Ireland's pets and their people. Over 26,000 people took part in the first-ever census last year, revealing a nation of passionate dog owners - and a few surprises about Ireland's favourite breeds and names. READ MORE | Some might say hes a grandad now! Oasis stars daughter welcomes baby boy While the new census opens this week, last year's results showed which dogs truly have the nation's hearts. Jack Russells, Labradors and Collies were among the most common breeds in Irish homes, while the top names proved we're a sentimental bunch, with timeless favourites like Bella, Daisy, Bailey, Luna and Charlie topping the list. Most popular dog names 1 Bella 2 Daisy 3 Bailey 4 Luna 5 Charlie 6 Millie 7 Lola 8 Buddy 9 Alfie 10 Poppy Most popular breeds 1 Terrier (Jack Russell) 2 Retriever (Labrador) 3 Collie (Border) 4 Spaniel (Cocker) 5 Retriever (Golden) 6 Bichon Frise 7 Spaniel (Cavalier King Charles) 8 Terrier (Yorkshire) 9 German Shepherd Dog 10 Spaniel (English Springer) 11 Lurcher 12 Shih Tzu 13 Crossbreed 14 Beagle 15 Terrier (Staffordshire Bull) 16 Maltese READ MORE | EXPLAINER: Symptoms of nasty bug 'that spreads easily' on the rise in Ireland Behind the heartwarming stats, Dogs Trust says the census also highlights the ongoing challenges facing dog welfare in Ireland. So far in 2025, the charity has been contacted by more than 2,000 owners looking to surrender their pets, with reports of abandonment remaining high. One recent case saw a litter of eight-week-old Jack Russell Terrier cross puppies rescued after being left to fend for themselves. In a touching nod to the census findings, Dogs Trust named them after some of Ireland's most popular dog names - Alfie, Bailey, Bella, Buddy and Charlie - before helping them find new homes. Rising costs are also hitting dog owners hard. READ MORE | The simple NCT trick that could save you from driving with an expired disc Forty-two per cent said veterinary care is their biggest financial struggle, while one in ten admitted difficulty affording dog food. Concerns over irresponsible breeding also remain widespread, with only two in five respondents confident they could spot a licensed breeder. Paulina Padlo, Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, said the public's input is vital. "Last year's census taught us a great deal, but the needs of Ireland's dogs are constantly evolving," she said. "By taking part in the 2025 Dog Census, you'll help us deepen our understanding of the challenges faced by dogs and the people who love them." Anyone can take part and is encouraged to do so by visiting dogstrust.ie/census. 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 Let me tell you something about University College Corks newest monthly literary series, aptly titled Let Me Tell You Something (LMTYS)! The brainchild of Nell Korben -graduate of UCCs own Creative Writing Masters Programme - the series seeks to give a voice to the far reaches of Corks modern literary scene, most recently providing a platform to writers from as far away as Poland and France, in addition to Irish natives. The first one was held last month, and was a great success, and the next one takes place on October 22. Korben describes the stage of LMTYS as a medium for writers to present those pieces that struggle to find space elsewhere, namely the dark, the weird, the funny, the unexpected, and as an overarching theme, bold and on the border of uncomfortable. Yet, the September session of LMTYS - a special teaser for future showcases, performed at UCC as part of Culture Night - stamped out any possibly lingering unease, with its intoxicating atmosphere and invigorating presentation. Violet and green lights revealed scarcely an empty seat in the Boole Librarys Creative Zone as Korben introduced each reader in turn, to the tune of Let me tell you something about and raucous applause from the energetic audience. While LMTYS operates on an open call for local writers across any medium, this event was headlined by seven other members, past and present, of UCCs Creative Writing course: Jessica Anne Rose, Andie McNamara, Evelyne Cynk, Karl Morrissey, Ciara Dunne, Kemi George Simpson and Clare Bohane, with an additional reading from Nell Korben. Matching the varied backgrounds and directions of the readers, the swathe of topics covered such subjects as: the Sims and neurodivergence, cerebral palsy romance, ruminations on potential mothers-in-law, and meditations on motherhood under the Portugal sun. Following suit, even the forms of the writing stretched convention, from scripts accompanied by disembodied voices, second-person folktales, and chanting and singing joined by the audience (which began as a rhythmic thumping from the reader, who was initially hidden among the crowd), to memories of Manchester Uniteds Eric Cantona kung-fu kicking a crowd-member (thankfully, not replicated in person). Some of the crowd who attended the inaugural event at UCC Boole Librarys Creative Zone An ambience of comfortability and camaraderie was maintained throughout the evening on both the crowd and speaker side. Host Korben in particular kept the laughs and ease flowing in a manner that was befitting the purpose of such events: creatives supporting other creatives. LMTYS will thus continue this month, and into the new year with the same intent and drive, in an ongoing collaboration with the UCC library, and aims to draw writers from far and wide, even offering the opportunity for physically unavailable creatives to Zoom in and read virtually. The first official session of the monthly series of Let Me Tell You Something will take place on Wednesday, October 22 in the Creative Zone of the Boole Library from 7pm-9pm, as the perfect preparation for the Bank Holiday weekend and ensuing Halloween. Thus, the October events theme is set and simple: spooky! From the official LMTYS Instagram page, all forms of writing and creativity will be welcome now and for the future - flash, poetry, essay, memoir, skits, plays... hell, write us a song if you feel like it - for anyone daring enough to take centre stage and spook the crowd. Let Me Tell You Something is then planned to continue for a total of six official events, in November, January, February, March and April, with the potential for another special in December. While only the October theme has yet been publicly revealed, each event will wrap itself around some common concept, despite the great diversity of interpretations, and the open call and participation aspect of LMTYS lends itself to encourage aspiring readers to reach out to Korben through the Let Me Tell You Something Instagram page and pitch their works. So, whether you joined for the September teaser, are planning on coming down before Halloween, or are scrambling now to buy tickets to Cork for April, make sure to at some point let yourself nestle into the UCC library, allow yourself laugh a little, let yourself learn and experience a lot, and maybe even tell someone else about your special thing at Let Me Tell You Something! Most recent updates on Let Me Tell You Something can be found at @letmetellyousomething_nights or through @ucc_library_events, both on Instagram You are going to die here tonight, a middle-aged woman was told by her adult son at the family home in the Kinsale area on Friday night, a court has heard. Yesterday Garda Cormac Dineen objected to his bail at Cork District Court because of fears for the safety of the alleged victim. He is spending 1,000 a week on cocaine, Garda Dineen said. He is extremely unpredictable when under the influence of intoxicants. He would pose a serious danger to his mother. The young man, who is in his mid-20s, is charged with assault causing harm to his mother and threatening to kill her after 10pm on Friday, October 10. On October 10, there was a call to gardai that the defendant has assaulted his mother, Garda Dineen said. On speaking with her, it was alleged that she had been badly beaten by her son, who also stated to her: You are going to die here tonight. She also suffered abrasions to her neck due to him attempting to choke her, it is alleged. He was alleged to have consumed alcohol and cocaine, and was highly intoxicated, Garda Dineen testified. A request was made for the Armed Support Unit (ASU) to attend and to assist in his arrest. Members of the ASU arrived at the scene and forcibly gained entry. The defendant was in his upstairs bedroom. He resisted, and pepper spray was utilised by the ASU, which immediately subdued him, and he was restrained and arrested. During the course of the arrest, a large steak knife was located on top of the bed he was lying on. It was underneath where he was lying. He did not use it. While his mothers injuries are not too serious, she was extremely shocked by the incident and fortunate not to have suffered more serious injuries. During the assault, he attacked his mother, dragging her across the floor, punching and kicking her in the head, putting her in a choke-hold for a number of minutes. She made attempts to scream but was unable to do so. She eventually broke free. Injuries included swelling to the back of her head, bruising on her arms and on her legs. The accused said he had alternative accommodation arranged, and could go there. He said the knife in his room just happened to be there because he had a steak dinner some days earlier. Defence solicitor Aoife Buttimer said the 1,000-a-week cocaine use dated back to 2023 and that the young man had been in rehabilitation since then. The defendant said in relation to Friday night: I dont remember anything from the night. I am trying to make sense of it, whatever happened. I am not going to do anything to frighten her or make it worse. Cross-examined by Sergeant Aisling Murphy, the defendant said he had been back on drugs for one year. Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail and remanded the accused in custody until October 16 for DPP directions. Three people were held in Cork Prison this month while awaiting deportation from the State, with justice minister Jim OCallaghan confirming that just 9% of the 267 who were detained nationally had criminal convictions. In response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon about people detained pending deportation between September 24 and October 3, Mr OCallaghan said returning people voluntarily is the departments preferred option. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my department has taken action to significantly improve immigration-enforcement measures and increase removals, he said. Mr OCallaghan said that, nationally, the 2,403 deportation orders signed in 2024 increased by 180%, compared to 857 in 2023. This year, 3,035 deportation orders have been signed up to October 3. Last year, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms, an increase of 252%, compared to 317 in 2023. This year, 1,546 people have had their departure confirmed. So far in 2025, four charter-flight operations have removed 130 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State, with a further 137 removed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) on commercial airlines, said Mr OCallaghan. Additionally, 42 people are confirmed as having left the State independently after a deportation order was issued. Further removals will be conducted as the year progresses. Mr OCallaghan said the subject of a deportation order may be detained under Section 5 of the Immigration Act 1999 for up to 56 days in one of the prescribed places of detention, which include prisons and Garda stations. He said that of the 267 individuals whose deportation orders have been enforced by GNIB so far in 2025, some 212 were detained prior to deportation. Of this group, only 25 had criminal convictions. The average length of detention prior to deportation was 28 days. Between the period of September 24 and October 3 of this year, 36 people were detained for the purposes of deportation. Of these, 27 were detained in Cloverhill Prison, four in Mountjoy Prison, three in Cork Prison, and two in Castlerea Prison. The minister had previously confirmed that Cork Prison had been used for detention prior to deportation. It comes as Irish prisons have been consistently overcrowded, with Cork Prison having between 365 and 373 people in custody during the above time period, considerably over its capacity of 296. The Irish Prison Service was operating at up to 118% capacity during this period. Latest The Mercy University Hospital has confirmed that the emergency department of the Cork city hospital remains open, despite restrictions for visitors placed this afternoon. A spokesperson told The Echo: "The Emergency Department at Mercy University Hospital remains open as usual to treat patients requiring urgent care. "The temporary visitor restrictions have been implemented on the advice of Mercy University Hospital's Infection Prevention and Control team to manage its standard patient safety procedures. "Mercy University Hospital appreciates the public's understanding and cooperation as it prioritises the well-being of its patients and staff during this time." Earlier Cork citys Mercy University Hospital has announced an immediate closure of the hospital to visitors on foot of advice from their infection control team. Some visits on compassionate grounds and specific circumstances will be permitted, with clinical nurse managers to coordinate this. In a statement issued this afternoon, a spokesperson said that Mercy University Hospital has temporarily closed its facilities to general visitors, effective immediately. This decision has been made on the advice of the hospital's infection prevention and control team to safeguard the health and well-being of patients and staff. The hospital understands the importance of family support during a patient's stay. Therefore, visiting on compassionate grounds and in particular circumstances to support patients can be arranged directly through the clinical nurse manager on the respective ward. Mercy University Hospital thanks the public for their understanding and cooperation during this time as it prioritises patient safety. It comes less than a week after the HSE issued a statement cautioning that the Emergency Department at the Mercy University Hospital was experiencing very high levels of activity and urging the public to only attend for urgent cases. Two young people protesting in support of Palestine were arrested and brought before Cork District Court today charged with trespassing to cause thousands of euro worth of criminal damage at Collins Aerospace in Cork. 30-year-old Myles Murphy of Ravenswood, Carrigaline, County Cork, and 27-year-old Kellie McConnell of Toner House, Sidmonton Place, Bray, County Wicklow appeared in court today on the same charge. Both of them are charged with committing an offence of burglary contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, at Collins Aerospace, Penrose Wharf, Penrose Quay, Cork, on Monday October 13. The particulars of the charge state that having entered a building as a trespasser they did commit an arrestable offence, to wit criminal damage therein, Detective Garda Martin McSweeney outlined the allegations in the case against the two defendants. He alleged that on Monday, October 13, before 7am they broke into Collins Aerospace, Penrose Wharf, Penrose Quay. It is alleged that the accused entered the third floor of the building using a ladder and caused extensive damage to the property. Various slogans were spray painted on numerous walls. Monitors and windows were smashed, causing thousands of euro of damage. The fire brigade had to be utilised when the two accused refused to come down from a third floor ledge. Gardai had to use negotiators to convince them to remove themselves from the ledge. Both were subsequently taken down with the assistance of a fire brigade hoist and they were conveyed to Mayfield Garda Station, Det. Garda McSweeney said. Sergeant Aisling Murphy said there was no objection to bail in the cases and that a number of conditions were required. Solicitor Aoife Buttimer confirmed that the conditions required by the prosecution were agreed by the state. They included the following: Their own bond of 500, sign at their local garda station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week, be in possession of a mobile phone to be contactable by gardai, have no contact direct or indirect with any employee of Collins Aerospace, stay away from that premises and make no commentary whatsoever, including on social media, on matters before the court. ADJOURNMENT The cases were adjourned until December 2 to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Ms Buttimer applied for free legal aid in respect of one of the defendants, Myles Murphy who said he is on Jobseekers Allowance and this application was granted. Kellie McConnell is working in Wicklow town and she was required to stay out of Cork city except for court appearances and pre-arranged legal appointments. Collins Aerospace has been targeted by pro-Palestine protesters as its parent company, RTX (formerly Raytheon), supplies defence systems to Israel. RTX has also partnered with Israeli firms to develop weapons systems, which it says are used to protect the citizens and infrastructure of Israel. Bail conditions imposed today preclude the defendants before Cork District Court from commentary on the October 13 incident and the matter before the court. The 10 men and two women of the jury in the Kieran Quilligan murder trial in Cork have finished watching CCTV evidence after three days viewing a total of 433 video clips from around Cork city and East Cork taken in September 2023. Prosecution senior counsel Donal OSullivan acknowledged today that they had watched a staggering quantity of footage. However, he told them that the CCTV manager in the investigation, Sergeant Pat Russell, had distilled these 433 clips down from a much greater quantity of video evidence harvested by gardai which has been made available to the defence. On their return after lunch the jury was informed that the evidence of two witnesses would have their statements read to them. The evidence was from two farmers in the area of Courtstown, Little Island, County Cork, effectively giving gardai permission to search their lands. Once that evidence was given, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford told the jury that they were having a short day as the afternoon was needed for a legal issue to be discussed in their absence. They were told to return to the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork for the resumption of evidence tomorrow. Luke Taylor (27) formerly of Cherry Lawn, Blackrock, Cork, and, Niall Long (33) formerly of St Michaels Close, Mahon, Cork, are on trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork facing the same charge of murder. The murder count which each man denies, states that on a date unknown between September 1, 2023, and January 29, 2024, at an unknown location within the state in the District Court area of Cork city he did murder Kieran Quilligan, (47), contrary to Common Law. Opening the case last week, Mr OSullivan said it would be alleged by the prosecution that the instigating factor in the case was an assault by the late Mr Quilligan and another man on Niall Long on the morning of September 1, 2023. Mr OSullivan said Kieran Quilligan disappeared that night and his remains were discovered in a garda search of land in Little Island four months later. Mai has closed the chat session, you can now close this window. No!!! Dont cut me off! Its the second time my chat has been abruptly terminated, and my cortisol levels are rising. What is it about interacting with customer service agents (human or AI bot - Im not sure I can tell anymore) that leaves me sweaty and frustrated? Thirty minutes in and no resolution, I must begin the excruciating process all over again. I inhale through my nose, exhale through my mouth and click the Support button once more. Into the Type here to talk box I type, for the third time: I want to get a landline. So far, the computer says no. Do you remember landlines? That straightforward, analog technology that lets you connect the phone in your hallway to someone elses halfway across the world - without the constant lure of notifications or the distraction of a glowing screen? Every time I pick up my mobile to ring someone, I have to read 21 WhatsApp messages, or check if that new email is important - its not, its just a reminder of an exclusive offer to buy something I dont want. By the time my distracted mind has cleared the notifications from my screen, Ive forgotten why I picked up the phone in the first place or who I want to call. Theres something grounding about a landline. Pick it up, dial, and talk - sin e. When I ring my mother on hers, I dont have to ask, Are you out and about? I can picture her right there in her tiled hallway. My main motivation for getting a landline installed now is because my daughters friend has moved away. Their friendship was based on the old school method of knocking on each others door and asking if they were free to play. Now their friendship will only happen via arranged playdates. They are too young for mobile phones. To be honest, Im aspiring for my kids to get a smartphone after theyve completed the Leaving Cert! And meet-ups will be sporadic. But what if they could just ring each other, chat for a few minutes, and share their small news? Is there anything more heart-warming than the innocent chatter of kids talking about their day? Many of todays parents, myself included, are quietly grateful to have grown up in a time before mobile phones. We shudder to imagine a childhood with the never-ending distraction of digital devices. We wince at the idea of navigating our adolescence with the scrutiny and surveillance of social media. Yet parents hand over phones to their children believing theyre a lifeline to friendship when, in truth, smartphones are mainly a pipeline for multiple companies to profit from their childs attention. A 2024 survey by CyberSafeKids found 24% of six-year-olds in Ireland had a phone, a 2019 ESRI study found 40% of children owned a mobile phone by the age of nine. The effects are familiar: social deprivation (missing out on play), sleep deprivation, fragmented attention, and even addiction. Thankfully, more organisations - Webwise.ie, CyberSafeKids, Gen Free, and Smartphone Free Childhood - are helping parents delay the smartphone handover. And it might be working. This years CyberSafeKids survey found a significant decrease in smartphone ownership among 8-12-year-olds: 39% overall, rising to 66% by age 12, crediting the growing number of parent-led groups choosing to delay or even ban smartphone purchases. I know a landline doesnt deliver the dopamine buzz of Snapchat or TikTok, but if the main reason parents give kids phones is to help them stay in touch, then perhaps reviving the humble household phone could offer a practical, low-tech alternative. My third customer service agent Mohammad is all over it. He understands what I want, and after 15 minutes of back and forth I shall be getting my new landline installed this week. It doesnt cost extra, and we can spend 6,000 minutes calling any Irish landline at any time. With almost four days worth of conversation, there will be no need to periodically interject my kids phone calls with threats of the spiralling bill they will have to foot. My daughters friends mum is on board for the landline experiment. Shes even resurrecting a 90s burger-shaped phone for full retro effect. If we can form a small friendship circle of four or five families willing to do the same, it might just work. For parents anxious about staying in touch when their kids are out and about, there are plenty of alternatives that dont connect to the internet - from simple dumb phones to GPS-enabled watches like Xplora. The more parents that resist the push for smartphones, the easier it will be for more children to have a smartphone-free childhood. Im also hoping the new landline will curb my own phone addiction. I keep my phone by my bedside in case of emergency but if I share my landline with close friends and family, they can call that number if they ever need to in the middle of the night. Im hoping I can turn off my phone early in the evening and reap the benefits of having an undistracted brain for a few hours of the day. If you like the idea of a less digitally distracted household, why not sign up for a 24-hour CyberBreak happening this weekend? Organised by CyberSafeKids, its a nationwide initiative for families, schools and workplaces to pause, reflect, and see just how much time we spend online. Unplug for 24 hours from 5pm on Friday, October 17, to Saturday, October 18, and see what happens! If you get bored, give me a ring on my new landline! Sometimes, I forget that Im walking the halls of an inner-city DEIS primary school when I hear the distant fanfares of our Music Generation Brass Band, or joyful singing coming from different classrooms, or become surrounded by the creative and original art work displayed throughout its corridors. Im not in the High School for Performing Arts in downtown New York, or perhaps the Crawford Art College across town; no, this is my school, Blarney Street School for boys and girls in the heart of Cork city. I began my teaching career here 22 years ago and was tasked with expanding our music programme, both curricular and extra-curricular. In that time, we have developed our brass band with the help and guidance of Music Generation. Instrumental tuition is available after-school hours. Visiting troupes of actors and musicians have included the Army Band of the Southern Command and the MTU Cork School of Music Jazz Big Band. We have produced three large scale musicals, each with a 10-piece orchestra and full lighting and sound rigs. Our most recent production, the West End smash hit Matilda, filled our 300 capacity hall for five sell-out performances. Our annual Music Week in October includes workshops, performances, tours and also involves our parents who volunteer their time to demonstrate their instruments. Last year, one of our parents from China, who was studying a Masters in Ethnomusicology in UCC, came to play the traditional Chinese instrument, the pipa. This was particularly special as we got to hear about her life in China, that she was studying this instrument from an early age, and that it was all she ever did! Another parent brought classes up to Farranree church to learn about and try out the pipe organ. We are going bigger this year and Music Week has morphed into Arts Week 25. We will be celebrating the three subjects in the primary school arts curriculum, Music, Art and Drama. Each of those is allocated an hour per week at every class level, according to that curriculum. The arts are often left to the end of an already overloaded timetable in our schools, but in Blarney Street, we see the benefit of learning about and appreciating the arts, so these subjects are put to the fore in our teaching and learning. DEIS schools face many challenges. Some of the children in these schools can suffer from the fall-out of issues such as the housing crisis, and the schools continue to witness the knock-on effect of the covid pandemic on learning, attendance and mental health among some pupils. Here at Blarney Street School, we feel that, although we must prioritise literacy and numeracy, and also the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), we must also promote good mental health and wellness. The arts are our ticket to enriching our childrens lives, providing an outlet for expression and regulating their emotional states. This is especially true for children with special educational needs. The arts are freely accessible to all, and a trained practitioner or physical resources are not always necessary, but are a bonus. Whatever a childs state of being, the arts provide a pathway to achieve success and wellness, offering opportunities to alleviate the stresses in their lives, if only for a short time. Taking part in music, art and drama can be a mindful activity, whereby the brain focuses on the task at hand, allowing calm to enter and settle the body and mind. This, in turn, regulates the child and gives them the opportunity to be ready to learn and engage during the school day. It is a therapeutic tool and, often, a means of escape from their worries and daily challenges. It is a form of expression, especially important when words and writing are beyond the reach of a young child who cannot even put into words what might be going on with them. From a neurological standpoint, singing, making music and creating, release mood- boosting neurotransmitters such as endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin and others. The benefits are too numerous to be ignored. In Blarney Street School, we celebrate music, arts and drama throughout the year, but this year, we are highlighting these subjects in the week running up to the October mid-term, coinciding nicely with the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. We have professionals coming in to do workshops, children will go on gallery tours, they will enjoy performances, and we are busy working on our new Buddy Bench in the yard and a new school sign - thanks to the input of each class and some of our talented parents. Every DEIS school in our beautiful city does amazing work to protect and nourish our childrens educational and emotional needs, and I do hope that even more schools might be encouraged to tap into the incredible free resource that is the arts, lifting their students and the wider school community. KPMG Tax Director, Julie Healy, assesses Budget 2026 and finds that it did some good, but not a lot. Julie Healy, Tax Director, KPMG. Safety and prudence were very much the watchwords for Ministers Donohoe and Chambers in Budget 2026. Pascal Donohoe mentioned safety at least four times in his presentation when he emphasised the importance of protecting the economy and the public finances during a period of global turbulence. Jack Chambers also stressed the need for prudence in his presentation. In that light and in the context of the strong signals sent out by both Ministers Chambers and Donohoe and their Government colleagues in advance of budget day, it would have been foolhardy to expect any dramatic tax or spending announcements yesterday afternoon. From an SME perspective, one welcome change was the increase in Entrepreneur Relief from a lifetime limit of 1 million to 1.5 million. The relief gives reduced Capital Gains Tax on disposals of qualifying business assets subject to that limit. However, several pre-budget submissions sought an increase in the lifetime limit to 5 million. While any increase is welcome, the restrictive limit is quite frustrating for business owners and serial entrepreneurs who may start and sell several businesses over time. It should be recognised that entrepreneurs can move their businesses elsewhere to avail of superior tax benefits. Another step in the right direction is the increase in the R&D Tax Credit from 30% to 35%. KPMG had looked for a 50% rate for certain Greentech and high-tech related R&D activities but the increase announced yesterday will help Ireland keep pace with competitor jurisdictions in this regard. Minister Donohoes commitment to look at outsourcing and other aspects of the tax credit regime are very welcome. The VAT reduction for hospitality and hairdressing businesses is a good thing, but only to a point. The question is if it is really addressing the underlying issue for the hospitality sector. The cost of labour, food, energy and inputs all keep going up. The VAT reduction could turn out to be a temporary fix which isnt addressing underlying causes. The ability of the Government or anyone else to ensure the reduction is passed on to consumers is questionable to say the least. If restaurants and hospitality outlets are closing due to their current cost base, it is difficult to see how they can pass on any VAT decrease to their customers. The various measures to stimulate home building should be seen in a positive light. However, they are very much directed towards developers and are not expected to address affordability issues. In that context, it was somewhat disappointing to note that there were no provisions to support employer-subsidised housing. Cork Chamber had sought tax reliefs for employers who provide or subsidising housing for employees and this could help employees to find accommodation near to their workplace a very important consideration in an extremely tight labour market. The enhanced deduction for qualifying apartments, along with reduced VAT rates, have the potential to incentivise developers, but they are not going to make apartments any more affordable. After all, developers cant reduce prices if apartment building isnt viable in the first place. The Living City Initiative has been extended to 31 December 2030 with tax relief on qualifying regeneration projects to apply to properties built before 1975 and expanded to more regional towns. It is hoped that this will encourage more people to convert properties in town and city centres. The new note of realism is noteworthy as the previous scheme applied to properties built before 1915. The Corporation Tax exemption for cost rental properties is also very welcome. This may help to incentivise investment in this very socially important sector. The Ministers certainly achieved what they set out to do and produced a very prudent and safe budget. However, there is an argument that they could have gone further in their support for SMEs and entrepreneurs. In his speech, Minister Chambers referred to the need for the same kind of vision shown by the founders of the State: In the way Ardnacrusha transformed the State then, we are again at the beginning of an infrastructure revolution that will require bold ambition. Perhaps some of that boldness should have been directed to supporting SMEs. KPMG Budget Calculator Wondering what Budget 2026 means for you and your finances? Well, making sense of it all is far easier than you might think, thanks to KPMG's excellent user-friendly calculator. To access the calculator below, click on 'Accept All Cookies' at the end. Get all your questions answered with just a few simple clicks: (Photo: DSPR/MECC)Gaza destruction World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay has welcomed the news of the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, praising U.S President Donald Trump for his role. "We join their families and communities in celebrating their return to their loved ones, and the end of this painful separation and period of acute uncertainty," said Pillay. "We welcome the fulfilment of this first step on the path to ending this brutal war, and we acknowledge and congratulate President Trump and all those who contributed to achieving this breakthrough." On Oct.11, the WCC had welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, while urging a lasting peace. At the announcement of the ceasefire Pillay said, "The WCC recognizes this cessation of hostilities as a necessary and hopeful first step, while also acknowledging its fragility and the uncertainty of the transitional period ahead. -- 'SCALE OF SUFFERING' "The scale of suffering and destruction has been catastrophic, leaving deep physical, psychological, and moral scars." The WCC head had noted that the people of Gaza, in particular, continued to face immense hardship. He said that the world churches' body emphasised that the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian and human rights law must guide all next steps. Pillay added that, "Any governance arrangements must ensure the meaningful participation of Palestinians, uphold their right to remain on their land, and guarantee that the reconstruction and recovery process serves the principles of dignity, equity, and self-determination, rather than dependency, exclusion, or permanent occupation." He had called for the rebuilding of Gaza to go beyond the restoration of infrastructure. "It must seek to rebuild trust, restore human security, and lay the foundations for sustainable peace and development," he said. "The WCC prays that this ceasefire will not only bring an end to active hostilities but will open a credible pathway toward a just and lasting peace, grounded in international law, accountability, and the recognition that every personIsraeli and Palestinian alikehas the right to live in safety, dignity, and hope." Commenting on the peace plan, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Roman Catholic prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, said, "The joy is great" but overshadowed by tragic loss of life. "Just remember the children that died there, almost 70,000 civilians died, and to this there is no solution," he told OSV News Oct. 10, Catholic Standard reported. "Of course, economic and food aid are necessary, but there's a pain there that simply cries out to heaven," he commented on the immensity of human losses. "Those mothers and fathers, whose children were starving," are an embodiment of those losses, he said, emphasizing that "in 2025, children were starving in Gaza." "Now only faith can protect them from revenge, from hatred, from answering by the same means," he told OSV News. "This peace will be very, very fragile," he added. "Very fragile and very easily breakable. Because it will take a long time to regain balance" in the region, the cardinal said. Ofcom has slapped 4chan with a 20,000 ($26,700) fine for failing to comply with the internet and telecommunications regulator's request for information under the UK's Online Safety Act of 2023. The regulator has released an update for 11 of the investigations it opened after the first of its online safety codes became enforceable in March this year. Apparently, 4chan has ignored its requests for a copy of its illegal harms risk assessment and to provide information about its qualifying worldwide revenue. This is the first fine Ofcom has handed down under the new law, which was designed to prevent children from accessing harmful content online and which has prompted websites like Reddit and X to put up age verification measures. When the regulator launch its probe into 4chan in June, it said it received complaints about illegal content on the anonymous online board. It doesn't exactly come as a surprise that 4chan refuses to give the regulator information about the risks of illegal content on its website: Back in August, the service filed a lawsuit against Ofcom, arguing that the enforcement of the UK's Online Safety Act violates Americans' freedom of speech. "This fine is a clear warning to those who fail to remove illegal content or protect children from harmful material," said Liz Kendall, the UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. The regulator is also imposing an additional penalty of 100 ($133) per day on 4chan until it complies with its requests for information. Ofcom has announced the results of other investigations, as well, such as finding "serious compliance concerns" with two file-sharing services that have now deployed an automated tool that can detect and quickly remove uploads with child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Four other file-sharing services that were also under investigation for CSAM chose to geoblock access from UK IP addresses instead, so the regulator closed their cases. The former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton celebrated her 50th anniversary of marriage to the ex-President Bill Clinton with a sweet Instagram update but social media has soon turned the celebration into a reminder of one of America's most scandalous political affairs. On October 11, in her post, the 77-year-old wrote with a slide of vintage wedding pictures, "When we got married 50 years ago, we had no idea how our lives would unfold." She went on to say warmly, "But one thing I knew for certain then, and still know now, is that I wanted to navigate the ups and downs and in-betweens with you. Happy anniversary, dear Bill." But the upbeat news was shortly interrupted by posts alluding to Monica Lewinsky, the White House intern in Bill Clinton's 1990s affair. Below Hillary's Instagram post, a user joked, "Was Monica invited?" Another one had a tongue-in-cheek question saying, "Has Monica sent her best wishes?" Read more: Monica Lewinsky Wishes Bill Clinton Had Uttered These Four Words That Could Have Changed Everything After Affair Expose The comments reignited debate regarding the scandal that almost brought Bill Clinton's presidency to a close, per Atlanta Black Star. The then-president was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1998 on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying under oath regarding his relationship with Lewinsky. He was acquitted by the Senate in 1999 and served out his second term. While others used the anniversary to look back, others celebrated the Clintons for their enduring love. One of their supporters wrote, "Congratulations on your enduring and enviable love!!! Best wishes!" Another said in threads, "Happy Anniversary to the most brilliant couple. Madame Secretary, I so wish you would have become President. Much respect to you both." Nevertheless, a few skeptics provided gratuitous advice, one chiming in, "Still not too late to divorce hi[m], H." The Clintons, who met at Yale Law School in 1971 and wed in 1975, have weathered decades of public criticism and political stress. Through the turbulence, Hillary has frequently characterized their marriage as a partnership founded upon mutual respect and fortitude. TODAY IN HISTORY | Oct 8, 1998 US House of Representatives voted to launch impeachment hearings against President Bill Clinton for lying about his affair with Monica Lewinsky. The scandal shook American politics and exposed the dirty life of US politicians.#ClintonLewinsky pic.twitter.com/Hzhg34MOKI Today In History (@TodayHistoryPTV) October 8, 2025 In an interview with DailyMail in June 2025, Monica Lewinsky recalled the scandal, stating, "I wasn't a dumb bimbo, so like I was portrayed to be." She called the relationship "an abuse of power" on the part of the president and condemned the way the story involving her was framed by the White House. As Hillary's post keeps on being shared on social media, it reminds us that for Clintons, even times of celebration cannot help but be overshadowed by the past. Andy Cohen, host of "Watch What Happens Live," recently addressed the shocking news surrounding "Real Housewives of Potomac" star Dr. Wendy Osefo and her husband, Eddie Osefo, who were arrested and charged with multiple fraud-related felonies. On his SiriusXM radio show, "Andy Cohen Live," Cohen opened up about the situation, expressing sadness and support for the couple. The arrest took place on October 9 in Westminster, Maryland, where Wendy and Eddie Osefo were charged with 16 counts, including seven felony fraud charges for Wendy and nine for Eddie. Both were also charged with several misdemeanor conspiracy fraud counts and giving false statements to police. The charges stem from an alleged fraudulent burglary claim they reported in April 2024, where the couple said numerous expensive items, including jewelry and luxury goods worth over $200,000, were stolen from their home while they were away. According to ENews, Cohen explained on his show, "Like all of you, I found out about the charges against Wendy and Eddie Osefo on Friday morning and there's not much that I can say. I know nothing of the charges more than you guys do, than what I've read." He added, "I'm really sad about this. I'm a Wendy fan and she has been a great Housewife and a great role model." Andy Cohen Breaks Silence on Wendy Osefos Arrest, Admits Hes Sad as He Recalls 'RHOP' Star Being a Great Role Model With Solid Values https://t.co/gCwFJsUtFv pic.twitter.com/Oa64m8LuQG Reality Blurb (@RealityBlurb) October 14, 2025 Andy Cohen Praises Wendy Osefo's Family Values Cohen praised Wendy for consistently promoting education and strong family values, saying, "I'm really thinking about her and her family." The couple posted a $50,000 bond and were released the next day. Their representative released a statement confirming that Wendy and Eddie are "back home safely with their family and in good spirits." The statement also thanked friends, fans, and colleagues for their support and asked for privacy as they prepare for their day in court. The Osefos are scheduled to appear in court in November. The Carroll County Sheriff's Office revealed details from the investigation, noting that many of the items reported stolen had been returned to stores or were seen worn by the homeowners after the reported burglary. Prosecutors allege the couple sought an insurance claim of $450,000 for personal property loss, which is part of the ongoing legal case, People reported. Wendy and Eddie have three children together: Karter, Kruz, and Kamrynn. Wendy is a former professor with impressive academic credentials, including being the first Black woman to earn a doctorate in Public Affairs-Community Development from Rutgers University. Katy Perry is dating former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after months of direct messages and steady pursuit. According to a report by Daily Mail, those familiar with the situation say their relationship took shape over the summer as Trudeau kept reaching out and Perry slowly warmed to him. "Justin was persistent when it came to dating Katy," a source told the outlet. Perry stayed cautious after ending things with Orlando Bloom, putting her energy into her tour. Trudeau didn't back off, reaching out again and again to show his interest. Their first public sighting came during a walk in Mount Royal Park in Montreal. Not long after, they were photographed at Le Violon sharing drinks and seafood, including lobster. At the time, people close to them downplayed the meeting as a simple hangout. That changed this month when photos showed them kissing aboard Perry's yacht off the coast of Santa Barbara in photos obtained by Daily Mail. katy perry and justin trudeau making out omfg orlando bloom is crying for sure pic.twitter.com/wgyXdOkYuu . (@likeathornrose) October 11, 2025 A witness told the outlet the couple seemed completely absorbed in each other as Trudeau "cheekily grabbed Perry's backside" while they embraced. The sighting fueled speculation after weeks of quiet. Both value privacy, and those close to Trudeau said he was "not thrilled" when their dinner photos surfaced in July. Perry was less concerned. She preferred to keep the romance natural without public announcements. Two days after their first dinner, Trudeau attended one of Perry's shows, standing in a spot where she could see him easily. People close to the couple say Perry appreciates his directness and the way he shows up for her despite their busy lives. Long Distance, Constant Contact The relationship has grown during Perry's 91-date world tour. A report by Star Magazine described how the couple stays in touch daily. "They haven't been able to spend a lot of time together as she's on tour, but they're constantly in contact, always FaceTiming and messaging each other," a source said. Perry's split from Bloom earlier this year marked the end of a long on-off relationship. They share a daughter, Daisy Dove. After the breakup, Perry turned her focus to music and touring. Trudeau stepped away from office months earlier, managing co-parenting with his three children after his separation from Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. Perry admires how he is with his children. The source said she "didn't expect to get enamored with him, but she did." Meghan Markle posted a video on Instagram of Princess Lilibet of Sussex running in their Montecito backyard. The clip marked International Day of the Girl and, according to reports, created tension with Prince Harry over their long-standing privacy agreement. Harry was "deeply uncomfortable" with the decision, given his years of legal battles and public pleas to shield their children from media attention. Markle posted a short clip of Lili running barefoot in pink pajamas and a photo of the two holding hands near a pond. The child's face was turned away, but her long red hair made her recognizable. "Harry's deeply uncomfortable," a source told Hollywood insider Rob Shuter on Substack. "He spent years fighting tabloids and paparazzi to protect his kids. Now Meghan's the one putting them back in the spotlight." The report said Harry did not know Markle planned to post the video. "He found out almost when the rest of us did," the insider said, adding that Harry felt she "crossed a line." Markle captioned the post with a message to young girls, writing, "To all the girls - this world is yours. Do everything you can to protect your rights, use your voice, support each other. We will do the same for you. It's your right and our responsibility. Go get 'em girl!" 'A Clash of Principles' Friends close to the couple said Markle sees the post as a way to celebrate her daughter and inspire others. But Harry sees it as a step away from the privacy they fought to maintain. "It's a clash of principles," a source told Shuter. "She believes in visibility. He believes in protection. That tension has never really gone away." Harry has long linked his privacy stance to the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who died while fleeing paparazzi in 1997. "I will always protect my family, and now I have a family to protect," he said in an earlier statement. Brand Push vs. Privacy Markle has shown more family content online since relaunching her personal Instagram and promoting her brand, As Ever. She shared photos from Lilibet's birthday celebration in June and behind-the-scenes clips from their home life. A source told Radar Online earlier this year that "the idea of sharing anything about the kids would've been off the table," but Meghan Markle seems "intent on breaking this rule for the sake of her self-promotion and brand." Princess Lilibet of Sussex, born in 2021, became a princess after her grandfather Charles III took the throne. Recently, the public schedule of Meghan Markle has become more active which has attracted the attention of royal watchers. Her presence was felt at a few big events and she is expected to attend more events, not only solo but also with Prince Harry. Many hover these moves as an image remodeling process in the longer run. According to People, Markle's next stop is Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C., where she will speak about building a business. This follows a week in New York that included accepting a humanitarian award with Harry and meeting Serena Williams at Soho House New York. Fortune's Most Powerful Women is trying HARD to make it sound like Meghan Markle has accomplished--well--anything really beyond getting married to a rich and influential man. The best they can come up with is listing off Meghan's grievances of being too "scrutinized" during her pic.twitter.com/ZLYpcFF5ab Royal News Network (@RNN_RoyalNews) October 9, 2025 She was also photographed meeting with Chloe Malle, the new editor of Vogue, at The Whitby Hotel. As reported by the Daily Mail, the meeting has raised questions about new media or fashion collaborations. Earlier this month, Markle attended Paris Fashion Week and sat front row at Balenciaga's Spring-Summer 2026 show. The trip made international headlines after fashion insiders confirmed she personally requested to attend. Designer Pierpaolo Piccioli described it as a "beautiful surprise" and noted there was no formal strategy behind the visit. Her return to the spotlight has come alongside new projects. She recently launched her lifestyle label As Ever, whose first product line sold out within minutes of going live. Marketing experts have suggested the launch strategy involved limited stock to build demand. She also introduced a Sauvignon Blanc following a quieter reception to her previous rose wine. meghan markle by diggzy for balenciaga show pic.twitter.com/MNStYsPjAB avs (@favspopculture) October 4, 2025 At the Fortune event, Markle will join Alyson Shontell on stage to discuss her brand-building efforts and how she manages public scrutiny. The summit will feature other major names, including Kamala Harris and Selena Gomez. Fortune described the session as a look at "the opportunities and challenges of life as a high-profile, highly scrutinized founder." Her media presence has grown steadily this year despite setbacks. Her Netflix cooking series drew weak reviews, with critics calling the show unfocused and lacking substance. British Vogue questioned its presentation, and The Spectator called the second season "just as ghastly as season one." Her podcast, Archetypes, ended after one season, and a follow-up series, Confessions of a Female Founder, faced mixed reception. In August, Markle and Harry signed a reduced first-look deal with Netflix, giving the platform priority on future pitches but not guaranteeing projects. Despite uneven media traction, PR experts quoted by the Daily Mail believe she is positioning herself for what they called "Meghan 3.0," referring to a deliberate public reset. Personal Messaging and Public Positioning The duchess has linked many of her appearances to personal messaging around motherhood and digital safety. At a gala for Project Healthy Minds last week, she mentioned at the event that their kids "are still too young for social media" but is concerned about "the day that is coming," as E! reported. Aside from that, briefly met with Gloria Steinem, a friend and a feminist, for a private meeting. According to the fashion world, she will still probably be at luxurious events till the end of the year. US President Trump said he 'never had the privilege' of visiting Jeffrey Epstein's island, saying he turned down an invitation f... Chili may be one dish, but its versions differ widely across the United States. Recipes vary in flavor, texture and even how they are served, with some bowls built for meat lovers and others spiced like a rich sauce. These differences spark debate and keep fans coming back to see what each region brings to the table. Cincinnati chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings. The clash of opinions fuels its popularity, turning every kitchen and cook-off into stages for defending local pride. These conversations keep chili in the spotlight and show how deeply it reflects the places and people that make it. What makes a chili At its core, chili combines meat, beans, tomatoes or chili peppers to form its base. A blend of spices such as chili powder, cumin and garlic sets the flavor and can be adjusted for heat or complexity. Some versions are thick and hearty, while others lean toward a looser, stew-like consistency. Chefs usually slow-simmer the dish, allowing the ingredients to meld into a rich, balanced bowl. They serve it hot and often top it with onions, cheese or sour cream, depending on taste. Local ingredients and culinary traditions influence how each region puts its own spin on the dish, making chili a uniquely adaptable staple across the country. The classic Texas chili pot Americans may love chili nationwide, but Texans take it more seriously than anyone else. Bold flavors and big cuts of beef dominate the Lone Star State. Chuck roast or brisket takes center stage, often chopped into hearty chunks or ground coarsely into chili grind. Dried chiles such as ancho, pasilla and cascabel give it smoky, earthy heat, while cumin and garlic bring a strong, savory punch. Classic recipes skip beans and tomatoes, keeping the focus on meat and spice. Some cooks stir in a touch of masa harina toward the end to thicken the sauce and add a hint of corn flavor. Chili served the Cincinnati way Cincinnati gives chili a completely different personality, drawing on Greek and Mediterranean spices for a distinctive flavor. Cinnamon, cloves, allspice and even a touch of unsweetened chocolate create a warm, aromatic base. Chefs boil the beef rather than brown it, breaking it down into a fine, uniform texture that soaks up the spices and turns the dish into a rich, sauce-like chili. Cooks serve Cincinnati chili over spaghetti instead of in a traditional bowl, using a layered ways system that lets diners customize their plate. A three-way includes spaghetti, chili and cheese, while four- and five-way orders add onions and beans for extra texture and heartiness. Southwest bowls full of heat In the Southwest, chili takes on a distinctly regional flavor, with New Mexico and Southern Arizona leading the way. Cooks favor green chile, or chile verde, made with roasted fresh green chiles such as Hatch, often paired with pork or beef. Tomatillos, garlic and onions add brightness, creating a smoky, vegetal and sometimes tangy bowl. New Mexicans prepare red chili sauces using dried red chiles, emphasizing pure chile flavor rather than tomato. Diners can even order Christmas style to get both red and green on the same plate. Southwest cooks ladle chili as a hearty stew or use it as a sauce for enchiladas and burritos, finishing each plate with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime for extra flavor. Cook-off season heats up Chili cook-offs have been part of American food culture since the first one took place in Terlingua, Texas, in 1967. What started as a small showdown has grown into a tradition that blends community pride with a little friendly rivalry. Competitors line up to earn titles like best chili or peoples choice, with winners often advancing to bigger contests at the state, national or even international level. These events are about more than bragging rights. They raise money for schools, churches and local nonprofits while turning parking lots and fairgrounds into lively gathering spots. Crowds come for the chili but stay for the music, beer tents and vendors, making it a full day out for families and food lovers. Creative spins, including green chili and meatless entries, keep the competition fresh and keep the debate over what makes the perfect chili alive year after year. Pride and rivalry in chili Chili sparks passionate arguments across the country, with each region setting its own rules for what belongs in the pot. Some insist beans and tomatoes have no place in a true bowl of chili, while others question whether Cincinnati chili counts at all. These debates often play out at local cook-offs and festivals, where communities proudly showcase their versions. Regional ties run deep, with New Mexico naming chile as its state vegetable and celebrating it during harvest season. Modern cooks keep the dish evolving with fusion recipes and creative twists, from green chile spaghetti to Texas-style versions made with plant-based meat. As recipes travel with people, chili continues to adapt while remaining a symbol of local flavor. A story in every bowl Chilis many versions across Texas, Cincinnati and the Southwest show how one dish carries local history and taste. From beef-heavy bowls to cinnamon-spiced sauces and green chile stews, each reflects the region that made it popular. Debates over beans, spices and toppings reveal how deeply people care about preserving their traditions. However its made, chili continues to bring communities together and honor the flavors that tell each regions story. Mandy Applegate is the creator behind Splash of Taste and seven other high-profile food and travel blogs. Shes also the co-founder of Food Drink Life Inc., a unique and highly rewarding collaborative blogger project. Her articles appear frequently on major online news sites, and she always has her eyes open to spot the next big trend. The post How chili changes from Texas to Cincinnati to the Southwest appeared first on Food Drink Life. (The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned state universities that signing the Trump administration's education agreement would put them in direct conflict with his administration. Newsom issued a statement responding to the Trump administrations Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education proposal, which offered nine universities terms that would include a commitment to stop racial discrimination in admissions and raising tuition rates for the next five years in exchange for special access to federal funding. MIT is the first university to refuse the demands. During a news conference at Alexander Science Center School in Los Angeles, Newsom said California schools should not sign the agreement. The University of Southern California is one of the nine universities. If any California University signs this radical agreement, theyll lose billions in state funding including Cal Grants instantly, Newsom said in a press release. California will not bankroll schools that sell out their students, professors, researchers, and surrender academic freedom. This proposal is nothing short of a hostile takeover of Americas universities, Newsoms office stated. The compact states that the universities are not required to sign the document, but would lose federal grants if they didn't. It would impose strict government-mandated definitions of academic terms, erase diversity, and rip control away from campus leaders to install government-mandated conservative ideology in its place, Newsoms office said in a statement. It even dictates how schools must spend their own endowments. Any institution that resists could be hit with crushing fines or stripped of federal research funding. The nine universities include: Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Virginia and the University of Arizona. SALEM, Ohio An Amish woman was killed and another was seriously injured on Oct. 12 after a truck struck their buggy on U.S. Route 422 in Geauga County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The horse and buggy operated by Lester Byler, 62, of Burton, Ohio, was headed east on 422 around 7:30 a.m. when it was hit from behind by a red Volvo commercial truck, driven by Daoud Husein, 31, of Dearborn, Michigan, OSHP said in a release. The crash happened near State Route 528 in Parkman Township. Byler and his passenger, Mary A. Byler, 60, also of Burton, were ejected from the buggy. Mary A. Byler died of her injuries at the scene. Lester Byler was flown by medical helicopter to University Hospital Medical Center in Cleveland with severe injuries. The truck driver was not injured. OSHP said the crash remains under investigation and that neither alcohol nor drugs appears to be a factor in the crash. A pioneering trial in north-east Scotland is testing whether electronic rumen boluses can provide beef farmers with the same level of insight long used in the dairy sector. Bruce Irvine, who runs Sauchentree Farm near New Aberdour with his family, has fitted 100 of his summer-calving Stabilisers with smaXtec boluses in a two-year proof of concept project supported by Scottish government Innovation Project funding. The aim is to see whether the technology, already common in dairy herds, can reliably monitor health, fertility and calving in suckler cows. Boluses sit inside the cows rumen and transmit data to an app, giving early warnings of illness, calving or heat detection. They record body temperature, rumination through rumen pulsation, water intake, activity and service dates. Bruce hopes it will eventually allow him to cut down the number of physical checks during calving and identify cows needing attention more quickly. The challenge, however, is that the system was designed for dairy cattle, where rations and routines are more consistent. For the rumen pulses, the system expects cows to have 450650 pulsations per minute, and when that drops, its usually a sign for dairy cows that theyre not getting enough forage or that the ration has changed, Bruce explains. But our sucklers are not always eating the same ration they might be eating grass or from a ring feeder The lowest we have had is 300 per minute which has resulted in an alert. Signal strength has also been an issue on Sauchentrees undulating ground. Base stations sometimes lose contact with boluses, forcing Bruce to move units and add an extra station for coverage. If the cows are out of range, the boluses will store five days of data, but if there are 3040 cows out of range, we have found it will take five to six days to catch up, he says. Despite these teething problems, he sees real potential. Each bolus costs 30 and is guaranteed for the life of the cow, with an annual 30 subscription for the app. Bruce hopes the biggest benefit will be more accurate heat detection and service dates, helping tighten calving intervals for the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme. Vet Ewan Jamieson of Meadows Vets is providing independent assessment, while smaXtec is adjusting algorithms to better suit suckler systems. Helen Hollingsworth from smaXtec says: We wanted to take part in this trial to see the challenges presented by monitoring cows outside There are definitely more challenges with outside monitoring, where the topography of the land varies, and cows can potentially spend time out of range. She adds that Bruces input has been vital: We have already helped detect issues around calving time, while identify issues with feeding and heat detection has been working well too. We are excited to see how things progress. Bruce remains cautiously optimistic about the technologys potential. I hope it will all go in the right direction. The app is good, and I often look at it I could spend all day looking at the data if I wanted to, he says. That sense of promise is echoed by Monitor Farm regional adviser Peter Beattie, who sees wider value in the trial: This technology could give suckler producers much more information about their cows and identify potential issues earlier. "Its an ongoing trial on a commercial scale and will be very interesting to see how it performs. Sharing experiences and learning together is at the heart of the programme. After a year in which Scotlands worst wildfires in living memory scorched farmland, threatened livestock and stretched land managers to their limits, organisations are coming together to learn lessons and strengthen defences against future outbreaks. The summit, held in the Cairngorms National Park, brings together the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), NatureScot, Scottish Land and Estates, land managers, farmers and environmental groups. Thirteen wildfire alerts were issued across Scotland this year, with Dava in the Highlands among the hardest-hit areas. Ministers say the scale of the damage and the effort needed to contain the blazes underline the urgency of improving prevention and resilience. Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said the response required an astonishing effort across so many sites and paid tribute to those involved. This is a chance for us to look at what worked, and what lessons we need to learn from what happened, he added. Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown stressed that the government has been working closely with the SFRS, farmers, local communities and public sector partners since the fires, with an emphasis on resilience. We continue to support the full implementation of the SFRS wildfire strategy, which will see the continued roll-out this year of new equipment, vehicles and Personal Protective Equipment, she said. The SFRS reported that its crews had dealt with more than 200 wildfires across the country in 2023, with many lasting for days and consuming significant resources. Assistant Chief Officer Jon Henderson warned that wildfires can devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, threatening the welfare of nearby communities. He said the service would continue working with partners and landowners to reduce risk and welcomed the opportunity to participate in this summit. From a land management perspective, the Cairngorms National Park Authority said the meeting would help consolidate existing work. Coming together at events like this will help strengthen that work and ensure we are as prepared and resilient as possible, said Colin McClean, the parks head of land management. For farmers and rural businesses, the consequences of wildfires can be devastating, destroying grazing land, threatening livestock and undermining biodiversity projects that many holdings depend on. Representatives at the summit stressed that closer collaboration between farmers, land managers and fire crews will be essential to build resilience in agricultural areas most exposed to wildfire risk. Following the event, a roundtable with MSPs will be held after the parliamentary recess to share the outcomes of the wildfire discussions and give parliamentarians the opportunity to contribute before further steps are agreed. Ministers say the lessons from this years unprecedented blazes will be crucial in protecting Scotlands communities, landscapes and wildlife from the growing threat of wildfires. Britain must move fast to develop drought-tolerant wheat or risk jeopardising its food supply as climate change drives harsher extremes of heat and water scarcity, scientists have warned. Increasingly erratic weather from sodden springs to parched summers threatens to undermine this fragile stability, researchers from the University of Hertfordshire say. Unlike other cereals, UK wheat varieties cannot simply be imported from Europe; they must be bred domestically to suit local conditions, a process that can take up to a decade. That means plant breeders must begin now if future harvests are to withstand hotter, drier summers, according to the experts. The warning stems from research carried out in Egypt, one of the worlds largest wheat importers, where an international team, including from the University of Hertfordshire, explored how irrigation methods and crop selection could offset climate pressures. Their study tested three wheat cultivars under different watering regimes. The results showed that frequent irrigation could increase yields by up to 22%, while two varieties (Shandweel1 and Sids1) demonstrated 1520% higher water-use efficiency under limited watering. The researchers also found that moderate rises in carbon dioxide and temperature boosted yields by 1025%. But once heat exceeded 3C above current norms, yields fell sharply, particularly in more heat-sensitive varieties. These findings, the authors argue, hold direct relevance for the UK, where droughts are becoming more frequent and irrigation of cereal crops may soon become essential. Last year, the UK recorded its third-lowest arable harvest since 1984, with wheat output down 20 per cent compared with 2023, according to Defra. This year, farmers say months of relentless rainfall followed by scorching droughts have made managing crops 'impossible', leaving many fearing for the resilience of their businesses. That picture is borne out in new analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), which shows Britain has lost the equivalent of more than a years supply of bread this decade as extreme weather batters wheat harvests. Between 2020 and 2024, the shortfall topped seven million tonnes enough to bake over four billion loaves. Put another way, that is 64 loaves per person, more than a years supply for every Briton. This year, significant yield losses are already expected in drier regions across England due to water stress, potentially increasing reliance on food imports, warned Bruce Fitt, Emeritus Professor of plant pathology at the University of Hertfordshire. He added: With more Mediterranean-style summers forecast, there is an urgent need to develop drought-tolerant wheat and adopt precision irrigation, which will be vital for safeguarding the UKs food security and climate change adaptation. The studys lead authors stress that climate change is not a distant concern but a present reality. Our results show that rising heat and water shortages could severely cut wheat yields unless we act, said Dr Elsayed, one of the researchers. "Strategic irrigation, combined with the right cultivars, can balance yield and water savings. If we start planning today, we can turn risk into resilience." Looking ahead, Dr Elsayed said the next stage of research would integrate soil health, pest risks and climate scenarios. By combining field data, advanced simulations, and even satellite monitoring, we aim to deliver powerful decision-support tools for farmers and policymakers, she explained. The goal is to develop wheat systems that can withstand water scarcity, rising temperatures, and the uncertainties of the future. A developer behind plans for the UKs largest solar farm has admitted a mistake after letters offering farmers up to 50,000 on condition they did not oppose the project were revealed by The Telegraph. Island Green Power, which wants to build the Lime Down Solar Park near Chippenham in Wiltshire, sent letters to around 45 landowners linked to the scheme. The company later confirmed that a clause requiring recipients not to object to planning applications and to write to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband withdrawing any previous objections should not have been included and promised to reissue corrected agreements. The episode has caused uproar among local farmers and rural communities already concerned about the scale of the Lime Down scheme. If approved, the development would cover more than 2,000 acres across five sites, with solar panels surrounding the village of Norton and affecting nearby communities including Alderton, Corston, Foxley, Grittleton, Hullavington, Rodbourne, Sherston and Malmesbury. A 14-mile underground cable route to the National Grid also forms part of the plan. One farmer quoted by The Telegraph described the letters as leaving recipients feeling threatened, with an additional offer of 3,500 for those who signed quickly. Richard Tanner, whose family has farmed Park Farm near Grittleton for over a century, said it was sad that developers were playing hard ball to advance their own interests at the expense of local people. Wiltshire Council, although not the decision-maker, has already voted unanimously to oppose the scheme. Cllr Martin Smith, who represents Sherston, described the letters as almost akin to bribery, accusing the developer of trying to trample over the democratic process and the people being affected. Residents have also voiced deep concerns about the scale of the proposals. Norton campaigner Anna-Kate Fuller told the paper: Its utterly devastating for locals. These are industrial power stations which will change the character of this landscape forever. The final decision will rest with Ed Miliband in his role as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. The controversy is the latest flashpoint in a growing debate over land use in Britains countryside. While solar power is a key part of the UKs net zero strategy, farming groups have repeatedly warned that large-scale solar farms risk reducing the amount of land available for food production. Industry bodies say the row highlights the need for balance between renewable energy development and protecting Britains capacity to grow its own food. On her arrival at the 70th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2025 with Gujarat Tourism on Saturday evening, Pranutan Bahl's decision to wear an embroidered saree captured the attention of all present. Apart from its elegant design, the embroidery held a special significance, serving as a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother, the legendary Nutan. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Pranutan shared her thoughts on this gesture and her family's legacy. At the awards, Nutan was honoured with a special Cine Icon award. Her son, Mohnish Bahl, and her granddaughter Pranutan accepted the award on her behalf. Speaking about the occasion, Pranutan shared her thoughts, saying, Since I was a child, in some way or the other, I'm always representing her. I am the fifth generation of my family in the movies. I have always carried the responsibility of being Nutan jis granddaughter. And it's not only in my craft, it's also in the way that she and my father have always conducted themselves with utmost professionalism, dignity, and grace. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pranutan Bahl (@pranutan) The saree she wore to the awards featured the titles of all six films for which Nutan received a Filmfare Award. Pranutan shared, My saree is an ode to my grandmother. In the Hindi text, it has an embroidery of all the films for which she won Filmfare. We have Bandini, Milan, Seema, Sujata, Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki, and Meri Jung. All of that is embroidered on my saree like an ode to my grandmother. Nutan, a prominent actress from Bollywood's golden era in the 1950s and 1960s, holds the distinction of being the first actress to receive six Filmfare Awards, with five of them being for Best Actress, a record that remained unbroken for more than six decades. Talking about representing the legacy of her grandmother and father, Pranutan shares, It's beautiful to be surrounded by the craft that my family has given to the audiences and to the industry. My only goal and motivation is to live up to it. And I hope I don't ever let them down. She concluded saying, Unfortunately, in this whole sensationalisation of legacy families, I feel like somewhere we've forgotten the whole beauty of it. I speak for myself that when I was on the sets of literally all my father's movies, we had the twinkle in our eyes and the fact that we wanted to live up to whatever our parents and our grandparents had created. I think that's also such a beautiful emotion. I want to be like my father and my grandmother, and that's something that I still carry. I still have that same insane passion and fuel to be on a set every day. Also Read: 7 striking pictures of Salman Khans latest find Pranutan Bahl When Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra released in August 2025, few expected it to become a phenomenon. Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan under Wayfarer Films, the movie stars Kalyani Priyadarshan as Chandra, an immortal woman with extraordinary powers. Naslen plays a key supporting role. A fantasy that made history This Monday, the makers confirmed that Lokah has earned over 300 crore from theatres worldwide. It is now the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time, overtaking L2: Empuraan. According to Sacnilk, the film collected about 182 crore in India, including nearly 120 crore from its Malayalam version. The rest came from Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi versions, along with strong overseas earnings. The story follows Chandra, a woman who has lived for centuries without aging. When her secret is exposed, dark forces threaten her peaceful existence. The mix of mythology, emotion, and visual spectacle has connected with audiences across India and abroad. The box-office climb and critical response Lokah opened with 2.7 crore in Kerala and 6.6 crore across India on day one. Positive reviews and word of mouth helped it surge quickly. Within a week, the movie crossed 100 crore worldwide. By day seventeen, it had earned more than 110 crore in India. Around the third week, global collections reached 266 crore, surpassing Empuraans lifetime total. A few days later, the worldwide figure hit 275 crore, with Kerala contributing over 104 crore, the rest of India 55 crore, and overseas markets around 115 crore. Steady collections eventually pushed it past the 300 crore milestone. The film even matched Alia Bhatts Raazi to join the list of top female-led Indian hits. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wayfarer Films (@dqswayfarerfilms) A turning point for Malayalam cinema The success of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra shows how Malayalam cinema can now compete on a global level without losing its unique storytelling voice. Wayfarer Films chose to delay the OTT release due to overwhelming theatrical demand, a strategy that clearly worked. For Kalyani, Naslen, Dominic Arun, and Dulquer Salmaan, the result is career-defining. With Chapter 1 in the title, fans are already waiting for what comes next. This films success is more than a box-office number. It marks a shift in how regional cinema can connect with a global audience through powerful stories and world-class production. Also Read: Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra Crosses 50,000 Shows in Kerala WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) issued a decision on October 9, 2025, to retain the "Endangered" status determination for long-tailed macaque ("LTM") monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). The latest issuance by the IUCN follows a 2023 petition filed by the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) challenging the IUCN status determination. NABR's petition demonstrates that reviews by Hansen et. al., which the IUCN has used as the basis for its status determinations, misrepresent existing scientific data.1 More information regarding the NABR petition is available online at www.nabr.org. A separate petition filed with the IUCN by Dr. Hank Jenkins asserts that the Hansen et al. authors possess conflicts of interest that require further investigation by the IUCN. It is unclear if such conflicts exist, or if the authors of the IUCN review possess conflicts requiring disclosure or recusal. On October 7, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("the Service") rejected a petition filed by advocacy groups to list "LTM" monkeys under the Endangered Species Act ("ESA"). The petition contains the same information submitted to the IUCN which is the basis for the IUCN's current assessment. In rejecting the petition, the Service stated "the petition did not present credible information to support impacts to populations or the species as a whole." The full findings from the Service on the petition to list long-tailed macaques under the U.S. Endangered Species Act is published in the Federal Register and is located here: "LTM_Petition.pdf." No government in the world considers "LTM" monkeys to be endangered. Peer-reviewed scientific publications demonstrate the latest IUCN determination, and information used in the determination, are flawed and unsupported.2 "The NABR scientific review team is disappointed that the IUCN has failed to objectively consider scientific information that has been presented," stated Dr. Ray Hilborn, a world-renowned scientist and member of NABR's scientific review team. "The lack of data on trends in abundance, and misrepresentation of data that do exist, raise serious questions about the scientific process employed by the IUCN to reach this determination," added Dr. Hilborn. "LTM" monkeys are used extensively throughout the world in biomedical research given their physiological and genetic similarities with human beings. Five of the 20 most used prescription drugs were developed with the help of long-tailed macaques. Research with "LTM" monkeys has been crucial for advances in regenerative medicine, immunology, cancer, vaccine development, and pharmacology, as well as development of the COVID-19 vaccine.3 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently published a review confirming the importance of "LTM" monkeys in conducting biomedical research. "NABR is disappointed that in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence, the IUCN has bowed to pressure from animal activists to suggest the 'LTM' monkey as at risk," said Matthew R. Bailey, president of NABR. "Available scientific information clearly shows this species is not at risk and in fact is considered to be invasive in several countries. It is beyond comprehension that the IUCN claims the species is at risk while simultaneously claiming it is one of the world's most invasive species. NABR will continue to educate policy makers and the public on these issues to protect public health and the integrity of the scientific process." According to a publication entitled "100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species," "LTM" monkeys are recognized by the IUCN to be an "invasive" species.4 The conservation status of "LTM" monkeys and PETA's involvement in government programs was recently the subject of a U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee hearing in September 2024. Witnesses at this hearing testified that PETA and other animal advocacy groups have improperly attempted to influence government investigations of private parties and foreign governments for political reasons. About the National Association for Biomedical Research Founded in 1979, NABR is the only 501(c)(6) non-profit association dedicated to sound public policy for the humane use of animals in biomedical research, education, and testing. Members include more than 340 universities, medical and veterinary schools, teaching hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, patient groups, and academic and professional societies who rely on humane and responsible animal research to advance global human and animal health. Learn more about us at www.nabr.org. 1 See Hilborn, R., & Smith, D. R. (2023). Is the long-tailed macaque at risk of extinction? American Journal of Primatology, e23590. (Available at https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23590). 2 See Hilborn, R., & M. Chaloupka (2025). Estimating the abundance of widely distributed primates. American Journal of Primatology (accepted for publication). 3 See Albrecht, L., E. Bishop, B. Jay, B. Lafloux, M. Minoves, C. Passaes (2021). COVID-19 Research: Lessons from Non-Human Primate Models (2021) doi: 10.3390/vaccines9080886 (available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8402317/. 4 See IUCN, 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species (available at www.iucngisd.org). Contact: Eva Maciejewski emaciejewski@nabr.org (202) 967-8305 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1138543/NABR_Logo_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nabr-comment-on-iucn-determination-302582556.html NASSAU, The Bahamas, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Office of the Prime Minister last week announced that The Bahamas achieved a significant fiscal milestone, recording a 0.5% fiscal deficit for the budget year ending June 30, 2025. This result falls squarely within the government's target range of 0.3% to 0.7% and marks a dramatic improvement from the 13.7% deficit in 2021. These official numbers have been confirmed by the Ministry of Finance. Prime Minister Philip Davis KC, MP, described the achievement as a clear signal to international partners, investors, and the global community that The Bahamas is on a path of sustained economic stability and responsible governance. "Four years ago, The Bahamas faced one of the most challenging fiscal periods in its modern history. Today, we stand on solid ground. The disciplined choices we made to protect our economy are still delivering results - not only for Bahamians, but for those we invest, trade, and collaborate with," said Prime Minister Davis. The Prime Minister emphasized that fiscal progress translates into tangible benefits for citizens and creates a more attractive environment for international engagement. "Every dollar we save on debt strengthens our capacity to invest in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and renewable energy. These are all areas that matter to our people and our global partners who are looking for sustainability, stability, and growth," he noted. The Bahamas' improved fiscal position comes alongside a broader national strategy, and one that is focused on resilience and sustainable development. This illustrates how The Bahamas plans to partner with its international counterparts, as the same fiscal policy that drives commitment to creating opportunities for Bahamians also permeates out to the international landscape. This fiscal discipline has earned international validation, with S&P Global Ratings recently upgrading The Bahamas' sovereign credit rating to 'BB-' from 'B+', citing 'strengthened economic performance' and 'sound fiscal management.' The agency projects that debt will fall to 66.3% of GDP by the end of 2025, down from 77.8% in 2020, and noted that 'refinancing risks have abated, given the government's commitment to fiscal discipline.' Prime Minister Davis said that for partners in the United States, United Kingdom, and beyond, this progress means greater confidence in The Bahamas as a secure destination for investment, a dependable ally in trade, and a committed participant in global economic and environmental initiatives. With its strategic location, strong tourism sector, and growing financial services industry, The Bahamas continues to position itself as a reliable international partner, specifically for the US, UK, and other international markets seeking opportunities in the Caribbean. "This is what responsible leadership looks like. It is steady progress that improves lives, strengthens our economy, and builds confidence among our partners worldwide. We are building a better future, one decision at a time, and we're doing it together," concluded Prime Minister Davis. This material is being distributed by The Burson Group LLC on behalf of The Bahamas, Ministry of Economic Affairs. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795163/Commonwealth_of_the_Bahamas_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-bahamas-achieves-major-fiscal-progress-strengthening-its-position-as-a-stable-and-sustainable-financial-partner-302582575.html ADELAIDE, AU / ACCESS Newswire / October 13, 2025 / Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX:BGD)(FRA:BGD3)(OTCQB:BGDFF) (Barton or Company) advises that the attached presentation has been presented today at the Australian Gold Conference. A copy of this presentation can be accessed on the ASX website, the investor section of Barton's website, or directly by clicking here. Authorised by the Managing Director of Barton Gold Holdings Limited. For further information, please contact: Alexander Scanlon Managing Director a.scanlon@bartongold.com.au +61 425 226 649 Jade Cook Company Secretary cosec@bartongold.com.au +61 8 9322 1587 About Barton Gold Barton Gold is an ASX, OTCQB and Frankfurt Stock Exchange listed Australian gold developer targeting future gold production of 150,000ozpa with 2.2Moz Au & 3.1Moz Ag JORC Mineral Resources (79.9Mt @ 0.87g/t Au), brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the region's only gold mill in the renowned Gawler Craton of South Australia.* Challenger Gold Project 313koz Au + fully permitted Central Gawler Mill (CGM) Tarcoola Gold Project 20koz Au in fully permitted open pit mine near CGM Tolmer discovery grades up to 84g/t Au & 17,600g/t Ag Tunkillia Gold Project 1.6Moz Au & 3.1Moz Ag JORC Mineral Resources Competitive 120kozpa gold & 250kozpa silver project Wudinna Gold Project 279koz Au project located southeast of Tunkillia Significant optionality, adjacent to main highway Competent Persons Statement & Previously Reported Information The information in this announcement that relates to the historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources as listed in the table below is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by the Competent Person whose name appears in the same row, who is an employee of or independent consultant to the Company and is a Member or Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) or a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO). Each person named in the table below has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to quality as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 (JORC). Activity Competent Person Membership Status Tarcoola Mineral Resource (Stockpiles) Dr Andrew Fowler (Consultant) AusIMM Member Tarcoola Mineral Resource (Perseverance Mine) Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Tarcoola Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tarcoola Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Mineral Resource Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Challenger Mineral Resource (above 215mRL) Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Challenger Mineral Resource (below 90mRL) Mr Dale Sims AusIMM / AIG Fellow / Member Wudinna Mineral Resource (Clarke Deposit) Ms Justine Tracey AusIMM Member Wudinna Mineral Resource (all other Deposits) Mrs Christine Standing AusIMM / AIG Member / Member The information relating to historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources in this announcement is extracted from the Company's Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 or as otherwise noted in this announcement, available from the Company's website at www.bartongold.com.au or on the ASX website www.asx.com.au. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Exploration Results and Mineral Resource information included in previous announcements and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates, and any production targets and forecast financial information derived from the production targets, continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the applicable Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the previous announcements. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This document may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "target" and "intend" and statements than an event or result "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is subject to business, legal and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, risks relating to property interests, the global economic climate, commodity prices, sovereign and legal risks, and environmental risks. Forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and opinions at the date the statements are made. Barton undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements for events or circumstances that occur subsequent to such dates or to update or keep current any of the information contained herein. Any estimates or projections as to events that may occur in the future (including projections of revenue, expense, net income and performance) are based upon the best judgment of Barton from information available as of the date of this document. There is no guarantee that any of these estimates or projections will be achieved. Actual results will vary from the projections and such variations may be material. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. Any reliance placed by the reader on this document, or on any forward-looking statement contained in or referred to in this document will be solely at the readers own risk, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. * Refer to Barton Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 and ASX announcement dated 8 September 2025. Total Barton JORC (2012) Mineral Resources include 1,049koz Au (39.7Mt @ 0.82 g/t Au) in Indicated category and 1,186koz Au (40.2Mt @ 0.92 g/t Au) in Inferred category, and 3,070koz Ag (34.5Mt @ 2.80 g/t Ag) in Inferred category as a subset of Tunkillia gold JORC (2012) Mineral Resources. SOURCE: Barton Gold Holdings Limited View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/presentation-to-australian-gold-conference-1086607 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 13, 2025) - Live Energy Minerals Corp. (CSE: LIVE) (OTC Pink: GTREF) ("LIVE" or the "Company"), announces that it has granted an aggregate of 1,800,000 stock options ("Stock Options" to directors and consultants of the Company. The Stock Options are exercisable at a price of $0.11 per common share for a period of five (5) years from the date of grant and vest immediately. All securities issued are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. The grant is made pursuant to the Company's stock option plan, which was approved by shareholders on May 9, 2024. About LIVE Energy Minerals Corp. LIVE is a mining exploration company actively engaged in exploring for and identifying new opportunities in clean energy minerals in North and South America. LIVE holds applications for a 100% interest in the uranium, vanadium, and molybdenum, Messa Top Mine projects located in the Colorado Plateau, USA. LIVE has also retained an interest in the McDermitt Lithium East Project, Nevada, USA. LIVE is focused on creating value for its shareholders by combining quality project with proven exploration strategies and a team driven to achieve exceptional outcomes. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the 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 Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the grant and potential exercise of stock options, the retention of directors and consultants, and the Company's future business plans and operations. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations and assumptions, including assumptions regarding the performance of the Company, the continued services of directors and consultants, and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: changes in market conditions; fluctuations in the Company's share price; the Company's ability to attract and retain key personnel; regulatory approvals; and other risks described in the Company's most recent management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") and other continuous disclosure filings, which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable as of the date hereof, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law. For further information, please contact the Company at: info@liveenergyminerals.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270312 SOURCE: Live Energy Minerals Corp. CITY OF MELBOURNE (dpa-AFX) - Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto Plc (RTNTF, RIO, RIO.L, RTPPF) reported that its Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis) for the third quarter of 2025 was 84.35 million tons, down from 84.55 million tons in the prior year. But, quarterly Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis) was 84.10 million tons, up from 84.07 million tons in the previous year. Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott said, 'We are on track to meet production guidance for 2025, with an upwards revision to bauxite this quarter, and are well positioned to deliver compelling mid-term production growth.' The company continues to expect Pilbara iron ore shipments in 2025 to be at the lower end of the guidance range of 323 million tonnes -338 million tonnes, following a 13 Mt impact from cyclones in the first quarter. Full-year bauxite production guidance has been upgraded, driven by operational excellence across the bauxite business-particularly at Amrun. The guidance range for bauxite production has increased from 57 million tonnes -59 million tonnes to 59 million tonnes -61 million tonnes, reflecting consistently higher utilisation rates, especially at Weipa, where Amrun continues to exceed nameplate capacity. Copper production remains on track to reach the higher end of full-year guidance, supported by a strong ramp-up at Oyu Tolgoi. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. HIGHLIGHTS: Lens 3 grows deeper and stronger with thickest high grade hit to date at Glenburgh 79m at 4.4g/t gold from 534m Supported by recent third lens intercepts: 1 44m at 4.6g/t gold from 475m 20m at 2.6g/t gold from 507m Latest high grade intercept approximately 70m down dip from nearest intercept Depth extension untested: Lenses 1 to 4 all remain open at depth, highlighting significant opportunity to add further high grade ounces Performance share milestones set to align the business interests in growing value for all shareholders with performance share packages structured around resource growth Milestone 1: Group Resource growth to 2 million ounces gold Milestone 2: Group Resource growth to 4 million ounces gold Milestone 3: Group Resource growth to 6 million ounces gold to align the business interests in growing value for all shareholders with performance share packages structured around resource growth New drilling and logistics strategy implemented to expedite delivery of drilling results to market Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 13, 2025) - Benz Mining Corp. (ASX: BNZ) (TSXV: BZ) ("Benz" or the "Company") is pleased to report an additional discovery from ongoing drilling at the Zone 126 prospect within the Glenburgh Gold Project in Western Australia. Figure 1. Long section view looking north of Zone 126 trend. Proposed drilling demarcated by crosses. Current release results in larger bold text. Previous results released on 6 November 2024, 3 April 2025, 28 April 2025, 30 June 2025, 31 July 2025, 20 August 2025, 11 September 2025 and 17 September 2025. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/270324_bf24ce8724bac8cc_002full.jpg Benz CEO, Mark Lynch-Staunton, commented: "Lens 3 just keeps getting better. The latest 79 metres at 4.4 grams per tonne gold is the thickest and one of the most exciting intercepts we've ever seen at Glenburgh - proof that this system is growing stronger and more extensive with every drill hole. Our structural model is working exactly as planned, consistently hitting thick, high-grade zones at depth. "Every lens we've discovered so far remains open down-plunge, and we've only drilled a fraction of the 18km long Glenburgh corridor. The scale potential here is enormous - we're looking at a multi-lens gold system with the kind of thickness and grade continuity that can build serious ounces fast. "While assay turnaround times have been a factor in delivering results to market, we're actively addressing this by implementing a dedicated logistics service from site to Perth to handle the increased volume of samples now being generated. At the same time, we're ramping up drilling, with two of the rigs set to move to double-shift operations, effectively giving us the power of six rigs turning at Glenburgh as we push to accelerate discovery and growth. "With this expanded program now in full swing, Benz is driving resource growth on multiple fronts - unlocking bulk-tonnage potential at Icon and expanding the high-grade core at Zone 126. We're only scratching the surface of what this exceptional gold system can deliver." Glenburgh Drilling Strategy: A Structured and Cost-Effective Approach to Discovery and Growth Benz has implemented a disciplined, phased drilling strategy at Glenburgh designed to rapidly define, extend, and convert high-grade gold mineralisation into resource ounces while maintaining one of the lowest discovery costs in the industry. Phase 1 - Defining the Limits The first stage focuses on defining the lateral and near-surface limits of mineralised lenses using RC drilling. This approach is fast, low-cost and guided by Benz's robust structural and geological targeting model - a model that has already successfully delivered four new high-grade lenses across the Glenburgh system. Phase 2 - Extensional Drilling at Depth Once new lenses are identified, extensional drilling is undertaken to test their depth potential. Every lens discovered to date remains open at depth, and follow-up RC will systematically extend these zones down-plunge. Phase 3 - Resource Definition and Growth The third phase involves infill and resource definition drilling. Importantly, even at this stage Glenburgh retains strong growth potential, as its folded geological architecture concentrates gold within thickened hinge zones - areas that often continue to yield additional ounces beyond initial expectations. Cost Advantage Benz enjoys one of the lowest drilling cost bases in the industry, with RC drilling utilised wherever possible to rapidly generate results. This positions the Company at a significant advantage over peers who rely heavily on slower and more expensive diamond drilling methods. Importantly, Benz is not sacrificing structural understanding-every RC hole is scanned with a downhole televiewer, creating a comprehensive digital core library that underpins detailed structural interpretation and 3D modelling of the system. Zone 126 - an evolving multi-lens gold system Zone 126 continues to establish itself as one of the most exciting underground growth opportunities at the Glenburgh Gold Project. The latest step-out drilling confirms the extension of the third lens with one of the widest and highest gram metre intercepts delivered at the Glenburgh Gold Project to date. This current intercept of 79m at 4.4g/t gold is approximately 70m below the nearest drilling intercepts including 47m at 1.9 g/t gold and 44m at 4.6 g/t gold. The lens is now currently over 350m in length and is completely open at depth. Zone 126 is no longer a single high-grade shoot, but a multi-lens system extending over more than one kilometre in strike, with each lens open at depth and providing room for significant growth. Drilling to date validates Benz's exploration targeting model, built on systematic structural mapping before drilling, which has now successfully delivered three new lenses. Interpreted secondary shear zones transect the main mineralised horizon (see Figure 2 below), contributing to the formation of higher-grade gold lenses within a broader lower grade halo of gold up to 100m in width. This structural architecture controls gold enrichment within Zone 126 and provides high-conviction drilling targets further along the NE trend of mineralisation. Figure 2. Plan view collar map for holes reported in this release. Lenses 1-3 represent discoveries where secondary shear zones transect the main mineralised horizon. Targets for Lenses 4 and 5 are defined at locations where mapped shear zones are interpreted to intersect the horizon in a similar manner. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/270324_bf24ce8724bac8cc_004full.jpg Ongoing drilling targets and new strategy Drilling is ongoing at Zone 126 with one RC drill rig following up and extending recent +40 gram metre results drilled by Benz in 2025 including: 44m at 4.6 g/t gold (25GLR 070) 47m at 1.9 g/t gold (25GLR 057) 11m at 19.9g/t gold (GBZ126 010) 39m at 5.1g/t gold (25GLR 022) 10m at 12.9g/t gold (25GLR 027) 10m at 6.1g/t gold (25GLR 033) 11m at 5.5 g/t gold (25GLR 039) 20m at 2.6 g/t gold (25GLR 035) 5m at 13.5 g/t gold (25GLR 037) Benz is drilling additional holes into the newly discovered third and fourth lenses (see announcement dated 17 September 2025: 4th High Grade Gold Lens Discovered at Zone 126) whilst also targeting the new fifth lens target with several assays pending. Drilling will continue to define and extend the existing lenses at depth. Outside of the Zone 126 trend, two drill rigs continue to aggressively drill out the bulk tonnage potential of the Apollo Icon trend with a fourth rig on its way to scout out new exciting targets along the 18km Glenburgh Gold Corridor. Management is also cognizant of capitalising on current market conditions for gold and maximising shareholder value and, as such, is always looking for ways to expedite the development of the Glenburgh Gold Project as rapidly as possible whilst maintaining strict safety standards. In light of the current RC drilling conditions at Glenburgh where dry samples are attainable at depth up to 700m currently (some of the deepest RC holes drilled in Australia), Benz, in consultation with its drilling partners, Top Drill, have elected to move 2 of the 4 drill rigs to double shift. This will have the effect of increasing the effective drilling capacity to 6 rigs at Glenburgh. This will rapidly speed up the delivery of the resource development at Glenburgh. Benz, with the assistance of Top Drill, is also establishing a dedicated transport solution for the delivery of the samples to the laboratories in Perth. Currently, sample delivery has been intermittent resulting in delays of assay result delivery to market. By establishing weekly deliveries, assay turn around times should become more regular. Further, laboratory turn around times are blowing out with the demand for sampling given the current gold market. Benz is currently assessing options to expedite sample turn around time and will keep the market informed of any developments in due course. Performance Share Milestones Set to Align Key Management To further align executive management and key personnel with shareholder interests, the Company has set performance share milestones designed to retain and reward high-performing individuals and foster a culture of value creation. The performance shares will directly link performance outcomes to resource growth milestones, ensuring alignment between management success and shareholder returns and will be issued under the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan and in accordance with policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Performance shares will vest upon the achievement of the following key milestones: Milestone 1: Group Resource growth to 2 million ounces gold Milestone 2: Group Resource growth to 4 million ounces gold Milestone 3: Group Resource growth to 6 million ounces gold This structured, milestone-based incentive framework underscores the Board's commitment to recognising performance, retaining talent, and driving the continued growth of Benz's high-grade gold assets in Western Australia and Canada. Glenburgh - A New Frontier Gold District The 100%-owned Glenburgh Gold Project is rapidly emerging as a new frontier gold district with multi-million-ounce potential. Located in Western Australia's Gascoyne region, Glenburgh hosts an 18-20 kilometre mineralised corridor anchored by the large-scale Icon-Apollo trend and the high-grade Zone 126 system. Glenburgh's unique combination of thick, bulk-style gold mineralisation (Icon-Apollo) and multiple high-grade underground lenses (Zone 126) positions it as a rare opportunity in the Australian gold sector. With gold prices at record levels, the ability to develop both large-scale open pit and underground operations offers exceptional leverage and growth potential. Figure 3. Geological overview of the Glenburgh Gold Project. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/270324_bf24ce8724bac8cc_005full.jpg - END - This announcement has been approved for release by the Board of Benz Mining Corp. For more information, please contact: About Benz Mining Corp. Benz Mining Corp. (ASX: BNZ) (TSXV: BZ) is a pure-play gold exploration company dual-listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange. The Company owns the Eastmain Gold Project in Quebec, and the recently acquired Glenburgh and Mt Egerton Gold Projects in Western Australia. Benz's key point of difference lies in its team's deep geological expertise and the use of advanced geological techniques, particularly in high-metamorphic terrane exploration. The Company aims to rapidly grow its global resource base and solidify its position as a leading gold explorer across two of the world's most prolific gold regions. The Glenburgh Gold Project features a Historical (for the purposes of NI 43-101) Mineral Resource Estimate of 16.3Mt at 1.0 g/t Au (510,100 ounces of contained gold)2. A technical report prepared under NI 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Glenburgh - Egerton Gold Project, Western Australia" with an effective date of 16 December 2024 has been filed with the TSX Venture Exchange and is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Eastmain Gold Project in Quebec hosts a Mineral Resource Estimate dated effective May 24, 2023 and prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and JORC (2012) of 1,005,000 ounces at 6.1g/t Au3, also available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, showcasing Benz's focus on high-grade, high-margin assets in premier mining jurisdictions. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/270324_bf24ce8724bac8cc_006full.jpg For more information, please visit: https://benzmining.com/. Qualified Person's Statement (NI 43-101) The disclosure of scientific or technical information in this news release is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr Mark Lynch-Staunton, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and a Member of Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) (Membership ID: 6918). Mr Lynch-Staunton has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. Mr Lynch-Staunton owns securities in Benz Mining Corp. Historical Mineral Resource Estimates All mineral resource estimates in respect of the Glenburgh Gold Project in this news release are considered to be "historical estimates" as defined under NI 43-101. These historical estimates are not considered to be current and are not being treated as such. These estimates have been prepared in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia (JORC Code) and have not been reported in accordance with NI 43-101. A qualified person (as defined in NI 43-101) (Qualified Person) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources. A Qualified Person would need to review and verify the scientific information and conduct an analysis and reconciliation of historical data in order to verify the historical estimates as current mineral resources. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward looking statements" (collectively Forward-Looking Information) as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding the exploration potential of the Glenburgh Gold Project and the anticipated benefits thereof, planned exploration and related activities on the Glenburgh Gold Project. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as "anticipates", "complete", "become", "expects", "next steps", "commitments" and "potential", in relation to certain actions, events or results "could", "may", "will", "would", be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the accuracy and reliability of the Company's exploration thesis in respect of additional drilling at the Glenburgh Gold Project will be consistent with the Company's expectations based on available information; the Company will be able to raise additional capital as necessary; the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Company's Projects (including Glenburgh and Mt Egerton Gold Projects) can be achieved; and the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the early stage nature of the Company's exploration of the Glenburgh Gold Project, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, that occurrences such as those referred to above are realized and result in delays, or cessation in planned work, that the Company's financial condition and development plans change, and delays in regulatory approval, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.asx.com.au. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. The Forward-looking information in this news release is based on plans, expectations, and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. Appendix 1: Collar Table. Coordinates system: GDA94/MGA Zone 50 Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Dip Azimuth End Depth 25GLR_023 414795 7193986 305 -60 144 702 Appendix 2: Significant Intercepts Tables. High Grade Intercepts: A nominal 4g/t Au lower cut off has been applied to results, with no maximum internal dilution applied unless otherwise stated. Hole ID From (m) To (m) Au (ppm) Length (m) Comment 25GLR_023 534 613 4.4 79 Hole extended Appendix 3: JORC Tables JORC Code, 2012 Edition - Table 1 report template Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data (Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.) Criteria Commentary Sampling techniques Results are part of BNZ's RC drilling campaign at the recently acquired Glenburgh Gold Project situated ~285 km east of Carnarvon via Gascoyne Junction, WA. RC drilling samples were collected as 1m single samples. Each sample collected represents each one (1) metre drilled collected from the rig-mounted cone splitter into individual calico bags (~3kg) and stored in labelled sequential polyweave bags for long-term storage. The rig mounted cyclone/cone splitter was levelled at the start of each hole to aid an even fall of the sample through the cyclone into the cone splitter. RC drilling sample submissions include the use of certified standards (CRMs), and field duplicates were added to the submitted sample sequence to test laboratory equipment calibrations. Standards selected are matched to the analytical method of photon assaying at ALS labs in Perth (~500g units). No composites were taken. Based on statistical analysis of these results, there is no evidence to suggest the samples are not representative. Drilling techniques The RC drill rig was a Schramm C685 Rig type with the capability to reach >500m depths with a rig-mounted cyclone/cone splitter using a face sample hammer bit of 5 1/2 - 6" size. The booster was used to apply air to keep drill holes dry and reach deeper depths. Drill sample recovery RC sample recovery is visually assessed and recorded where significantly reduced. Negligible sample loss has been recorded. RC samples were visually checked for recovery, moisture and contamination. A cyclone and cone splitter were used to provide a uniform sample, and these were routinely cleaned. RC Sample recoveries are generally high. No significant sample loss has been recorded. Logging RC chip samples have been geologically logged on a per 1 metre process recording lithology, mineralisation, veining, alteration, and weathering. Geological logging is considered appropriate for this style of deposit (metamorphosed orogenic gold). The entire length of all holes has been geologically logged. RC drill logging was completed by Galt Mining Solutions staff and data entered into BNZ's MXDeposit digital data collection platform provided by Expedio. All drill chips were collected into 20 compartment-trays for future reference and stored at Galt's warehouse in West Leederville at the time of reporting. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation RC chips were cone split at the rig. Samples were generally dry. A sample size of between 3 and 5 kg was collected. This size is considered appropriate, and representative of the material being sampled given the width and continuity of the intersections, and the grain size of the material being collected. For the 1 metre samples, certified analytical standards (appropriate for photon assaying) and field duplicates were inserted at appropriate intervals at a rate equal to 1 in 20 and sent for analysis with the samples. Sample preparation was undertaken at ALS Laboratory - Perth. Gold analysis utilised the photon assaying methodology where original samples are crushed to 2mm with a sub-set 500g separated for non-destructive analysis. Any sample reporting as having elevated > 1Sv readings during the preparation for photon assaying at ALS labs were flagged and were submitted for fire assay (Au-AA26) methodology at ALS labs in Perth as a quantifying check against the Photon assays. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests Preliminary pXRF and Labspec ASD analysis was conducted by Galt Mining Solutions personnel utilising Geotek's Boxscan automated system. The scanning of sieved RC drilling fines sample material utilised an Olympus Vanta M Series portable XRF in Geochem mode (3 beam) and a 20-second read time for each beam (Instrument_Serial = 840951). The ASD data reader on Boxscan has a 3 nm VNIR, 6 nm SWIR spectral resolution of the LabSpec 4 Hi-Res analytical instrument (Electronics serial number: 28191). The pXRF and ASD are incorporated into Geotek's Boxscan machine to facilitate an automated data collection process. This includes periodic calibration and QAQC scans on Geotek-supplied pucks and colour strips. The QAQC scans are verified and checked on Boxscan's internal program datasheet against expected results to ensure the analysers are conforming to Boxscan's expected operating parameters. A review of the pXRF and ASD sample results provided an acceptable level of analysis and the data is appropriate for reporting the geochemistry results in the context of its use for screening areas for indications of elevations in concentrations with elements of interest. pXRF and ASD results should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analysis, which is required to determine robust and accurate potential for mineralisation and associated elements. The reporting of pXRF and ASD results should not be described as an "assay" result, as these are not of the same level of accuracy or precision as that obtained from a certified laboratory workflow. The use of "preliminary indicative field data" is a more appropriate term when referring to pXRF and ASD results. The pXRF data is exploratory in nature and is used predominantly as an internal workflow to assist in target prioritisation through an early phase of exploration investigation. No previous comparisons of pXRF and ASD data with laboratory data at the project have been undertaken to date. The analysis involved direct point counting on the raw surfaces of the supplied drill fines. The fines are transferred from geochem packets to purpose-made scanning pucks, with the analysis taken from the middle of these pucks. The sample material was dry and collected and analysed in ambient temperatures within the processing warehouse. Monitoring of workstation area and apparatus temperatures occur during the shift with cooling actions being implemented when required. This provides only semi-quantitative information and is reported as raw data without significant corrections, which is best interpreted as an abundant/present/absent classification for most elements. This information provides useful trend analyses at an exploration target scale. Verification of sampling and assaying Significant drill intersections are checked by the supervising personnel. The intersections are compared to recorded geology and neighbouring data and reviewed in Leapfrog and QGIS software. No twinned holes have been drilled to date by Benz Mining, but, planned holes have tested the interpreted mineralised trends, verifying the geometry of the mineralised targets. All logs were validated by the Project Geologist prior to being sent to the Database Administrator for import No adjustments have been made to assay data apart from values below the detection limit which are assigned a value of half the detection limit (positive number) Location of data points Hole collar coordinates including RLs have been located by handheld GPS in the field during initial drill site preparation. Actual hole collars were collected by a DGPS system at the Glenburgh Gold Project. The grid system used for the location of all drill holes is GDA94_MGA _Zone 50s. Planned hole coordinates and final GPS coordinates are compared in QGIS and Leapfrog project files to ensure all targets have been tested as intended. The drill string path is monitored as drilling progresses using downhole Axis Champ Gyro tool and compared against the planned drill path, adjustment to the drilling technique is requested as required to ensure the intended path is followed. Readings were recorded at 30m intervals from surface to end of hole after Benz reviewed single shot verses EOH continuous surveying of the Axis Champ Gyro tool and noted >3 degrees variance in azimuth with hole depth. The single shots produce less variability and are used for hole trace reporting in the database. Historical drill hole surveys and methods will be reviewed in preparation for any updates to MRE in the future. Data spacing and distribution BNZ's Glenburgh RC drilling has been designed as a test on mineralisation extension at a planned spacing of 60m between pierce points on the projected mineralised feature. Holes were generally angled ~ -65 dip towards ~ 145 degrees GDA94_MGA _Zone 51 Grid orientation. Fifteen (15) holes were drilled into Zone 126 prospect on a rough grid pattern to obtain adequate spacing for testing mineralisation continuity and geological host features. The mineralised domains established for pre-BNZ MREs have sufficient continuity in both geology and grade to be considered appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedures and classification applied under the 2012 JORC Code. Ongoing drilling will be sufficiently spaced for a reinterpretation based on BNZ's structural model. No sample compositing of material from drilling has been applied during this drilling campaign. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Drilling has primarily been undertaken perpendicular to the interpreted mineralised structures as stated above. No orientation-based sampling bias has been identified - observed intercepts to date indicate the interpreted geology hosting mineralisation is robust. Sample security All samples were prepared in the field by Galt staff and delivered by contracted couriers from the field site to the ALS laboratory in Perth directly. Individual pre-numbered calco sample bags are placed in polywoven plastic bags (5 per bag) secured at the top with a cable tie. These bags are annotated with the company name and sample numbers, the bags are placed in larger bulker bags for transport to ALS labs in Perth, also labelled with corresponding company name, drill hole and sample identifiers. Sample pulps are stored in a dry, secure location at Galt's warehouse in West Leederville. Audits or reviews Data is validated by Benz staff and Expedio consultants as it is entered into MXDeposit. Errors are returned to field staff for validation. All drilled hole collars have been located with a DGPS. There have been no audits undertaken. Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.) Criteria Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Glenburgh Gold Project is a group of 10 tenements and 2 applications. The majority of known gold deposits are located on Mining Lease M09/148. The tenement is 100% owned by Benz Mining Limited. The tenements are in good standing and no known impediments exist. Exploration done by other parties Since Helix Resources in 1994 and subsequent work by Gascoyne Resources, about 159149 soil samples, 1349 vacuum holes and 2285 auger holes have been completed at Glenburgh. 9 diamond holes, 398 RC holes, 6 air-core holes and 462 RAB holes have been drilled in the Glenburgh area to identify the distribution and evaluate the potential of the deposit. Drilling to date has identified 10 high potential deposits in the Glenburgh area which are: Tuxedo, Icon, Apollo, Mustang, Shelby, Hurricane, Zone 102, Zone 126, NE3 and NE4 deposits. Geology Gold mineralisation at the Glenburgh deposit is hosted in Paleoproterozoic upper-amphibolite to granulite facies siliciclastic rocks of the Glenburgh Terrane, in the southern Gascoyne Province of Western Australia. Gold was first discovered at the Glenburgh deposit in 1994 by Helix Resources during follow-up drilling of soil geochemical anomalies. Mineralisation occurs in shears within quartz + feldspar + biotite garnet gneiss, which contains discontinuous blocks or lenses of amphibolite and occasional thin magnetite-bearing metamorphics, probably derived from chemical sediments. Higher-grade mineralisation appears to be directly related to silica flooding in the gneiss. This silica flooding may give rise to quartz 'veins' up to several metres thick, although scales of several centimetres to tens of centimetres are the norm. Neither the higher-grade silica lodes nor the more pervasive lower-grade mineralisation exhibits sharp or well-defined lithological contacts. Drill hole Information For this announcement, 1 Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes are being reported. Collar details have been provided in Appendix 1. For earlier released results, see previous announcements by Gascoyne Resources and Spartan Resources. Data aggregation methods No material information has been excluded. High grade: A nominal 4 ppm Au lower cut off has been applied to with no maximum internal dilution length applied Higher grade Au intervals lying within broader zones of Au mineralisation are reported as included intervals. No top cuts have been applied to reported intercepts. No metal equivalent values have been used. All reported assays have been length weighted if appropriate. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths Drilling is generally oriented perpendicular to the interpreted strike of mineralisation, and intercepts are reported as downhole lengths unless otherwise stated. To improve understanding of true widths, a subset of holes in this program were drilled from the opposite azimuth to previous drilling to test structural geometry, with initial results indicating that earlier intercepts are likely to approximate true width. Ongoing drilling and geological modelling are required to confirm the true orientation and extent of mineralised lenses. Diagrams Relevant diagrams are included in the report. Balanced reporting All meaningful data relating to the Exploration program has been included and reported to the market as assays are received. Other substantive exploration data See body of announcement. Further work Assays for the remainder of the programme will be reported once received and validated. Detailed field mapping has commenced to refine targets for the next round of drilling. Geophysical techniques are being investigated to reduce the search space of high-grade lenses away from defined resource areas and/or high-grade drill intercepts. 1Benz announcement dated 17 September 2025 2Indicated: 13.5Mt at 1.0g/t Au for 430.7koz; Inferred: 2.8Mt at 0.9g/t Au for 79.4koz. See Historical Mineral Resource Estimates, below 3Indicated: 1.3Mt at 9.0g/t Au for 384koz; Inferred: 3.8Mt at 5.1g/t Au for 621koz To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270324 SOURCE: Benz Mining Corp. HIGHLIGHTS Casposo enhances Austral Gold's production profile, with two active mines now operating in Argentina and Chile. Commercial production has resumed at the Casposo Mine following completion of the plant refurbishment. Q4 2025 Casposo production is forecasted to be approximately 4,000 to 6,000 gold equivalent ounces (GEOs1), including 230 GEOs1 produced during the commissioning phase. Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 13, 2025) - Austral Gold Limited (ASX: AGD) (TSXV: AGLD) (OTCQB: AGLDF) ("Austral" or the "Company"), an established gold producer, is pleased to announce that commercial production has resumed at its 100%-owned Casposo Mine in Argentina. The refurbishment of the Casposo Plant has been successfully completed, including the commissioning phase, which formally commenced at the end of December 2024, following the Company's receipt of a US$7 million bank loan. Initial production at Casposo is currently being sourced from the Company's existing stockpiles. Austral plans to transition to open-pit mining through a collaborative operating arrangement. The Company is in negotiations with a local contractor and expects to finalise an agreement soon. Under this structure, the contractor will provide mining services under the Company's supervision. As part of the plant refurbishment, the Company completed the commissioning phase, producing approximately 230 gold equivalent ounces (GEOs1) of dore. During commissioning, the dore was smelted from residual plant material and historical samples that had been returned to Casposo by Argentine customs authorities. Austral Gold's Chief Executive Officer, Stabro Kasaneva, said: "We are pleased to announce the restart of operations at Casposo, marking a significant milestone for the company as we expand our production base along existing mining operations at Guanaco. This development positions us to generate improved cash flow and strengthen our financial position. I thank our team for their dedication in completing the plant refurbishment and our debtholders and shareholders for their continued support." Production guidance for the remainder of 2025 from Casposo is forecasted at approximately 4,000 - 6,0001 gold equivalent ounces (GEOs1), representing a monthly average of 1,800 GEOs1. This estimate includes the 230 GEOs produced during the commissioning phase. Notes: Gold equivalent ounces (GEOs) were calculated using a silver-to-gold ratio (Ag:Au) of 91:1, in accordance with the following formula: AuEq (g/t) = (g/t Au) + (g/t Ag) / 90.91, where the factor 90.91 reflects metal prices of US$2,500/oz for gold and US$27.5/oz for silver. Gold and silver are expected to account for 70% and 30% at Casposo. Casposo: Metallurgical recovery rates are forecast at 90.3% for gold and 85.8% for silver under the agitation leaching process. Average head grades are forecast at 1.88 g/t gold and 80.73 g/t silver. About Austral Gold Austral Gold is a gold and silver mining producer building a portfolio of quality assets in the Americas based on three strategic pillars: production, exploration, and equity investments. Austral continues to lay the foundation for its growth strategy by advancing its attractive portfolio of producing and exploration assets. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.australgold.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Release approved by the Company's Chief Executive Officer of Austral Gold, Stabro Kasaneva. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical, and consist primarily of projections and statements regarding future plans, expectations and developments. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "potential", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statement in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations regarding the recommencement of commercial production at the Casposo Mine, estimated production volumes, the transition to open-pit mining, anticipated cash flow improvements, the anticipated finalisation of a contractor agreement to support open-pit mining operations, and the Company's growth strategy, including plans to advance its portfolio of producing and exploration assets. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied, including, without limitation, uncertainty of exploration programs, development plans and cost estimates, commodity price fluctuations; political or economic instability and regulatory changes; currency fluctuations, the state of the capital markets, uncertainty in the measurement of mineral resources and reserves; and other risks and hazards related to the exploitation and development of mineral properties, as well as the availability of capital. You are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Austral cannot assure you that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Austral's forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and Austral does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270308 SOURCE: Austral Gold Limited Giovanni Galliano joins Avanzanite having led 12 orphan medicine launches in Italy and overseen operations with more than 100 million in annual revenue. Avanzanite initiates engagement with the Italian rare blood disorder community who include the largest number of thalassemia patients in Europe. Avanzanite's Q3 2025 revenues are 20% higher than Q2 2025, marking the strongest quarter to date. Avanzanite Bioscience B.V., a rapidly growing commercial-stage European specialty pharmaceutical company focused on rare diseases, announced today the appointment of Giovanni Galliano as General Manager for Italy. As the seventh executive leadership hire in 2025, this appointment further strengthens Avanzanite's "Champions League" team of now more than 60 pharma professionals, while expanding operations into the European Union's third-largest economy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013986565/en/ Giovanni Galliano, the GM Italy appointment for Avanzanite Bioscience. "Italy has been at the heart of Avanzanite's story from Day One," said Adam Plich, Founder and CEO of Avanzanite. "Our very first partnership was born there, in Sicily. That was the moment our journey began, and I will always be grateful for that spark and continued inspiration. Today we are proud to return to Italy with a clear mission: to provide the orphan medicines of global innovators and make an impact on the Italian rare disease community," continued Plich. "We are privileged to have someone of Giovanni's calibre to lead and build our Italian operations and continue to define the future of rare disease medicine launches in Europe," concluded Plich. Giovanni brings extensive experience in rare disease leadership, having launched and secured access to more than 12 orphan medicines and led operations exceeding 100m in annual revenue. During his career with Genzyme, Amylyx, Hansa, Clementia and other companies, he has developed extensive expertise getting orphan medicines to patients, at the national and regional level, involving stakeholders and building operations. "I am excited to join the Avanzanite team and bring the needs of the Italian rare disease community into focus," said Giovanni. "Today we realise the vision that was inspired in my home country, and together with Italian physicians, patient associations, and healthcare partners, we will accelerate access to innovative rare disease therapies in Italy, with the promise that no patient is left behind." In his role, Giovanni will report directly to the CEO and lead Avanzanite's Italian operations, overseeing all commercial, medical, market access and general administrative activities. His immediate priorities include building the local team, establishing the Milan-based office and legal entity, and engaging key healthcare stakeholders and the thalassemia community. He will also lay the foundation for Avanzanite's next phase of international partnerships and product launches in Italy, as part of its pan-European expansion. Giovanni's appointment follows Avanzanite's record-breaking Q3 2025 results, where revenue more than tripled compared to Q3 2024 and grew more than 20% versus Q2 2025. In Q3, Avanzanite also generated its first material revenue in Croatia and Sweden, bringing the total to ten countries with solid commercial foundations. These results reinforce the scalability of Avanzanite's breakthrough European commercialization platform and underscore the company's commitment to ensuring that no patient is left behind. "Avanzanite is going truly pan-European and let's be clear there is no Europe without Italy," concluded Plich. About Avanzanite Bioscience Avanzanite is redefining launches of rare disease medicines across Europe. Founded in 2022 and based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the company partners with biotech innovators to unlock the full commercial value of orphan medicines continent-wide. With our deep expertise in market access, we navigate Europe's complex landscape like master chess players ensuring no patient is left behind while delivering measurable impact and growth opportunities for alliance partners. For more information, visit www.avanzanite.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013986565/en/ Contacts: Avanzanite Bioscience B.V. Phone: +31 20 301 21 13 Email: media@avanzanite.com Website: www.avanzanite.com Chinese state councilor meets foreign guests Xinhua) 11:22, October 14, 2025 Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with Secretary General of the Federation of Cuban Women Teresa Amarelle, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin on Monday met separately with Teresa Amarelle, secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Women, and UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous. Amarelle and Bahous are in Beijing to attend the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. In the meeting with Amarelle, Shen, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, said that China is ready to work with Cuba to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen cooperation in various fields including women's affairs, and jointly promote the development of global women's cause. Amarelle, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, spoke highly of the achievements in China's women's cause and expressed active support for the implementation of the meeting's outcomes. When meeting with Bahous, Shen said that China is ready to work closely with UN Women to jointly implement the meeting's outcomes and promote global gender equality and the all-round development of women. Bahous said that UN Women is willing to deepen cooperation with China to turn the meeting's consensus into concrete actions and contribute to the all-round development of women worldwide. Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with Secretary General of the Federation of Cuban Women Teresa Amarelle, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday. The Australian dollar fell to more than a 1-1/2-month low of 0.6463 against the U.S. dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 0.6512. The aussie slid to a 4-day low of 98.05 against the yen, from a recent 4-day high of 99.49. Against the euro and the NZ dollar, the aussie dropped to 1.7937 and 1.1345 from recent 4-day highs of 1.7719 and 1.1395, respectively. The aussie edged down to 0.9077 against the Canadian dollar, from Monday's closing value of 0.9142. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.63 against the greenback, 96.00 against the yen, 1.81 against the euro, 1.12 against the kiwi and 0.89 against the loonie. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Press Release Press Release EVerZom raises 10M to develop exosome-based biotherapies for inflammatory diseases Through this funding round, the company will initiate the clinical development of its first therapeutic candidate, EVerGel, in 2026, and will enhance its exosome biomanufacturing platform to advance its regenerative medicine programs. Strasbourg, October 14th, 2025 - EVerZom, a French biotechnology company pioneering exosome-based therapies for regenerative medicine applications, today announced the closing of a 10 million fundraising round with Capital Grand Est, the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, Sorbonne Venture by Audacia and Aloe Private Equit, Paris Business Angels, the Capital Cell platform, and several family offices. This capital will enable EVerZom to launch its first clinical trial of EVerGel in 2026, to expand the therapeutic potential of its exosomes into new indications (hepatology, dermatology), and to further scale and industrialize its GMP-compliant exosome bioproduction platform. "With this fundraising, EVerZom is reaching a decisive milestone. Our ambition is to bring the therapeutic potential of exosomes to patients suffering from diseases with high unmet medical need, where quality of life is severely impaired. Our priority is to achieve a first clinical proof-of-concept in Crohn's perianal fistula and to establish the foundations of an industrial and partnership platform capable of driving the emergence of a new therapeutic class. We warmly thank our investors and partners for their trust and support," declared Jeanne Volatron, co-founder and CEO of EVerZom. According to Virginie Miath, Investment Director at Capital Grand Est: "EVerZom embodies the new generation of European biotechs: a breakthrough technology, a platform vision, and a strategic approach combining clinical validation, industrialization, and market expansion. We are convinced this company has the potential to become a global leader in exosome-based therapies." Svetoslava Georgieva, Chair of the EIC Fund Board, said: "We congratulate EVerZom on this successful fundraising. Their groundbreaking work in exosome-based therapies opens up new possibilities for treating a wide range of diseases and has the potential to transform the future of medicine. EIC Fund's unique form of financing via EIC - combining grants and equity - is proving itself highly attractive to Europe's most promising companies." Exosomes, a new therapeutic approach EVerZom is positioning itself as a key player in exosome-based therapies, an emerging field that complements and expands today's landscape of gene and cell therapies. Exosomes, nanosized biological particles secreted by cells, are attracting increasing attention in the pharmaceutical industry as natural mediators of intercellular communication with promising properties to treat a wide range of diseases with high unmet medical needs. EVerGel, a first clinical program This financing provides EVerZom with the resources to execute its clinical and industrial strategy and to advance its proprietary regenerative medicine product pipeline. It will enable the launch of the first clinical trial of its lead candidate EVerGel, developed for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease. This highly debilitating disease represents a major unmet medical need, with over 60% of patients lacking any effective treatment, particularly since the withdrawal of Alofisel1 from the European market in December 2024 following a failed clinical development program in the United States. This stem cell-based treatment, marketed by Takeda for Crohn's perianal fistula, highlighted the continuing therapeutic gap in this indication. This context offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate the clinical feasibility and differentiating therapeutic potential of exosomes. EVerGel program, which combines mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes with a biocompatible hydrogel, is designed to synergize the biological effects of exosomes with prolonged local retention, promoting fistula healing and improving patients' quality of life. Preclinical results are highly promising: in an animal model, EVerGel achieved complete healing in 87.5% of cases at 4 weeks, compared to only 12.5% in the control group. First-in-human trials are expected to begin in 2026. Globally, nearly 2 million patients suffer from Crohn's disease. A diversified portfolio across therapeutic areas Beyond this flagship program, EVerZom is also developing Eviv, a preclinical candidate for Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF), a severe liver disease with no satisfactory treatment options other than transplantation. The company's ambition is to demonstrate that its exosome platform can be applied across multiple therapeutic areas with high unmet need, such as dermatology, cosmetics, and animal health. Expanding through strategic partnerships EVerZom also plans to extend the reach of its platform beyond its internal programs through co-development partnerships with pharmaceutical companies interested in exosomes as a new therapeutic modality. This collaborative approach aims to accelerate the exploration of new indications and to leverage the versatility of its technology. Backed by France 2030 EVerZom was a winner of the "Biotherapies and Bioproduction of Innovative Therapies" call for projects under the France 2030 plan, awarded by Bpifrance in June 2025. This 3 million grant will accelerate the industrialization of its exosome bioproduction technology, scaling up to 50 liters, a key milestone to secure production for advanced clinical phases and prepare for the commercialization of future treatments. Advisors to the transaction: Financial advisor About EVerZom EVerZom is developing a proprietary bioproduction platform and first-in-class therapeutic candidates based on mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes. Its strategy combines exosomes with biomaterials to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The pipeline includes EVerGel (Crohn's complex perianal fistulas - clinical entry in 2026), Eviv (ACLF - preclinical), as well as exploratory projects in ophthalmology, regenerative medicine, and extra-pharma applications (cosmetics, veterinary). Since its creation in 2019, EVerZom has focused on building an innovation platform around exosomes, protected by several patents. The platform spans the full technology value chain - from cell selection and high-yield exosome production to modification and formulation - and has been validated by both national and European innovation ecosystems. EVerZom was notably a laureate of the EIC Accelerator program. More information:https://everzom.com About Capital Grand Est Capital Grand Est is an independent regional private equity management company authorized by the AMF. Since 2012, its 14-member team has supported more than 60 companies in the Grand Est and Bourgogne Franche-Comte regions, completing around 20 exits since 2016. With nearly 220 million in assets under management across 6 investment vehicles, Capital Grand Est structures equity operations across different company profiles to accelerate success. It provides seed capital support for young innovative startups, growth capital for more mature companies, and transmission capital to support business succession. Companies facing temporary difficulties can also access rebound capital to consolidate and accelerate recovery. More information: www.capitalgrandest.eu- Follow us on Linkedin: @capitalgrandest About EIC Fund The European Innovation Council Fund from the European Commission is a deep tech investor across all technologies. The EIC Fund aims to fill a critical financing gap, to support companies in the development and commercialization of disruptive technologies. With its large network of capital providers and strategic partners it shares risk and crowds in market players. More information: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-fund_en 1 https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/alofisel Attachment Prestigious Forrester award recognizes its breakthrough technological transformation WARSAW, Poland, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- mBank successfully completes one of the most ambitious technology modernization programs in the European banking sector. The bank has been recognized with the top honor in the Forrester Technology Strategy Impact Award 2025 for the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). The award acknowledges the effective execution of a comprehensive IT transformation strategy that has completely reshaped mBank's technological infrastructure. mBank is the first financial institution in Poland to fully modernize its core systems by migrating them to advanced technology platforms - a process known as replatforming. This milestone has accelerated the bank's development, reduced the cost of maintaining critical systems, and strengthened its competitive edge. As a result, mBank has become more agile and responsive to external market dynamics. The goal of the transformation program was to modernize the bank's most critical systems while ensuring business continuity and maintaining cost control. As part of the program: The legacy mainframe-based system was replaced with a modern solution operating on x86 architecture, which significantly improved scalability and helped reduce operational costs. A second core system, previously based on a non-relational database with no long-term viability, was replaced with a proprietary solution running in a private cloud - delivering greater performance, resilience, scalability, and future-readiness. A hybrid cloud environment was implemented, with more than half of the bank's key systems successfully migrated to it. Several production-grade solutions powered by generative artificial intelligence were launched, enhancing operational efficiency and innovation capabilities. "There's a lot of talk about comprehensive core system transformations in banking. At mBank, we moved from words to action and became the first financial institution in Poland to successfully carry out a full-scale modernization of both our core systems. From the very beginning, our priority was the safety and comfort of our clients, along with providing services tailored to their needs. Equally important was the uninterrupted development of business functionalities - we set ourselves a clear goal: the system change must not halt business growth for more than a single quarter. And that's exactly how the replatforming was executed - seamlessly and without compromising development. We managed to catch up with a moving target, which makes this achievement all the more rewarding and a source of great pride" - Krzysztof Dabrowski, Vice President of the Management Board, Chief Operating Officer and CIO at mBank. Seamless customer migration One of the biggest challenges was migrating approximately 6 million retail customers to the new platform. Thanks to the use of sharding architecture, which enabled simultaneous production operation of both the mainframe and x86 platforms, the transition was carried out gradually - without any service downtime or disruption to availability. "The technological transformation we carried out over the past five years was not only a change in technology - it was a shift in how we think about system migration. To put it simply, instead of executing one massive migration of millions of customers - requiring a full system shutdown and carrying significant risk - we chose a model based on hundreds of micro-migrations performed on a live system, without any downtime. This approach allowed us to manage risk much more effectively. Innovation and technological leadership have always been part of mBank's DNA. Equally important to us is thinking about our customers, the safety of their funds, their comfort, and their trust in us. We're proud to have successfully combined both. The Forrester Technology Strategy Impact Award 2025 confirms that our unconventional and market-unique approach has been recognized by leading authorities in the IT industry" - Michal Plechawski, Managing Director for IT and Technology at mBank. Innovation beyond technology In line with the program's objectives, mBank successfully delivered a wide range of business and regulatory projects during the modernization process - many of which required changes to core systems. Key initiatives included: mOkazje Zakupy - the first true e-commerce marketplace integrated directly into a banking app on the Polish market, a fully digital mortgage refinancing process, a digital onboarding process for corporate clients, and a significant reduction in the time required to approve corporate loans. The award-winning core system modernization program lays the foundation for further innovation and development. Under its new strategy, "Full Speed Ahead", mBank plans to introduce instant, secure payments available 24/7/365 over the next five years. Retail customers can expect regular updates and new service features, while corporate clients will benefit from round-the-clock access to key banking services. The list of services available on weekends will also be gradually expanded. Thanks to process transformation, mBank's operating costs now account for just 28.2% of its revenues - one of the best ratios in the industry. The Forrester Technology Strategy Impact Award is one of the most prestigious honors in the world of business technology. It is awarded to organizations that implement technology strategies delivering real business outcomes - not only in terms of innovation, but also in operational efficiency, resilience, and customer experience. The recognition for mBank confirms its position at the forefront of technological transformation in the region. This year's Forrester Researchawards ceremony took place in the second week of October in London. CONTACT: Joanna Duda mBank +48 22 829 00 00 Joanna.Duda@mbank.pl https://www.mbank.pl/en/ Source: mBank Strategic European deployment strengthens availability for the Content Innovation Cloud, supporting compliance with EU data residency requirements, while empowering enterprises with AI-driven content intelligence MUNICH, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyland, the pioneer of the Content Innovation Cloud, today announced the expansion of its footprint in Europe, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Hyland is making its solutions available through the AWS Frankfurt Region, providing low-latency access to the Content Innovation Cloud across Europe, while reinforcing the company's commitment to regional trust, compliance, and innovation. European customers can now access the advanced capabilities of the Content Innovation cloud while meeting regional data residency requirements. This will enable them to leverage AI-driven capabilities to streamline content management, automate workflows, and bridge legacy systems -- accelerating their path to digital transformation. "Our expansion is more than a technical deployment, it's a promise to our customers that we're invested in their success, wherever they operate," said Jitesh S. Ghai, CEO of Hyland. "With the Content Innovation Cloud and our advanced AI solutions now regionally available across Europe, we're empowering enterprises to unlock the full potential of their unstructured data while staying compliant and secure to ensure their business success." "We expect the strategic collaboration between Hyland and AWS to transform our ability to leverage intelligent data management at scale," said Eve Simon-Broulis, Directrice Standard, Accor. "The deeper integration with cloud-native services has the potential to unlock tremendous business value by providing us with the infrastructure to confidently modernize our content management approach while maintaining the security and governance." "This Hyland expansion strengthens the foundation for the Content Innovation Cloud across Europe, helping organizations embrace modern, cloud-based content services with the performance, compliance, and scalability they require," said Michael Kienle, CEO of it-novum. "As a partner, we look forward to working with Hyland to deliver innovative solutions that empower our customers to transform how they manage and leverage their content." Fueling Transformation The Content Innovation Cloud, including the Enterprise Context Engine and Enterprise Agent Mesh, offers enterprises powerful tools to unify fragmented content, unlock actionable insights, and automate complex workflows. These Hyland technologies accelerate AI-driven transformation critical for organizations navigating growing data volumes, complex processes, and regulatory pressures, ensuring enterprises have a platform that breaks down silos, federates unstructured data, and powers AI-driven insights to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth. Key capabilities: Federate Unstructured Data : Connect content across the enterprise, regardless of source or format. : Connect content across the enterprise, regardless of source or format. Enable AI at Scale : Apply AI to unstructured data to enhance automation, drive process intelligence, and support agentic AI use cases. : Apply AI to unstructured data to enhance automation, drive process intelligence, and support agentic AI use cases. Empower Workflows : Streamline workflows and improve outcomes through AI-powered Knowledge Enrichment and agentic document processing. : Streamline workflows and improve outcomes through AI-powered Knowledge Enrichment and agentic document processing. Enterprise Context Engine : Surface contextual insights across fragmented systems to enable smarter decisions and accelerate transformation. : Surface contextual insights across fragmented systems to enable smarter decisions and accelerate transformation. Enterprise Agent Mesh: Orchestrate distributed AI agents to automate complex, cross-system workflows and unlock new levels of efficiency. For more information on Hyland's platform and solutions, please visit Hyland.com . About Hyland Hyland empowers organizations with unified content, process and application intelligence solutions, unlocking profound insights that fuel innovations. Trusted by thousands of organizations worldwide, including many of the Fortune 100, Hyland's solutions fundamentally redefine how teams operate and engage with those they serve. For more information on Hyland, our products and solutions, please visit Hyland.com . Media contact: Jason Gerdon jason.gerdon@hyland.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2627680/Hyland_Logo_New.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hyland-expands-european-cloud-presence-enhancing-customer-access-to-advanced-ai-technologies-302581428.html AIVRA delivers simplified, personalized, and actionable insights across the entire ISP organization-from CEOs to network engineers to marketers-through a single, intelligent interface. PARIS, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aprecomm, a leading provider of intuitive, self-healing network and customer experience solutions, today announced the launch of AIVRA (Aprecomm Intelligent Virtual Response Assistant), a highly scalable, continuously learning AI agent designed to transform how Internet Service Providers (ISPs) interact with their data. With AIVRA, ISPs gain real-time access to their entire operational ecosystem through a unified, text-based query engine-streamlining decision-making, reducing complexity, and driving new levels of efficiency. AIVRA will be commercially available to Aprecomm customers and partners by the end of March 2026. Learn more and watch the explainer video . "ISPs face major challenges in gathering, analysing, and interpreting vast amounts of network data," said Guharajan Sivakumar, CTO of Aprecomm. "Historically, this data has been stored in siloed systems, making it difficult to extract meaningful insights. AIVRA changes everything by bringing all this information into a unified data lake, accessible through a simple text interface. It delivers lightning-fast, personalized insights for every role across the organization." Solving the ISP Data Challenge ISPs typically operate across multiple business units and platforms, each generating its own set of disconnected data. Extracting actionable intelligence has traditionally required data scientists and Business Intelligence (BI) teams-leaving business leaders and operational teams reliant on limited analytics resources. As a result, critical decisions are often delayed or deprioritized. AIVRA eliminates this bottleneck by continuously learning from every touchpoint across an ISP's infrastructure and operations, surfacing only the most relevant, contextual insights-instantly, and in the format that makes sense for each user. AIVRA Key Features & Benefits Unified Data Access : Seamlessly ingests data across operational, network, and business systems into a centralized data lake. : Seamlessly ingests data across operational, network, and business systems into a centralized data lake. Simple Query Interface : Access all insights via a natural language query box that is context-aware, recall-based, and provides guided sub-queries for deeper insights. : Access all insights via a natural language query box that is context-aware, recall-based, and provides guided sub-queries for deeper insights. Personalized Intelligence : Delivers role-specific outputs tailored for executives, engineers, support, marketing, and more. : Delivers role-specific outputs tailored for executives, engineers, support, marketing, and more. End-to-End Visibility : Offers a holistic view of the entire network ecosystem, enabling proactive decision-making. : Offers a holistic view of the entire network ecosystem, enabling proactive decision-making. Self-Learning AI Engine : Continuously improves through usage, learning from new data patterns and feedback. : Continuously improves through usage, learning from new data patterns and feedback. Time & Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for dedicated analytics teams; insights that once took weeks now take seconds. "Access to the right data at the right time can be the difference between winning or losing a subscriber," said Michael Philpott, Senior Research Director of OMDIA. "Churn remains one of the biggest threats to service providers, and entire departments are focused on analysing network and user data-Agentic AI can simplify the task." Smaller and independent service providers, often lacking the budget to maintain full data science teams, stand to gain the most from this approach. "We're constantly juggling data from multiple sources to make key decisions," said Ravi Karthik, CMO of ACT Fibernet. "AIVRA will provide us with a single pane of glass, allowing sales, marketing, and operations to work from the same up-to-date insights. It's a game-changer." Part of Aprecomm's Vision for Intuitive, Zero-Touch Networks AIVRA builds on Aprecomm's broader vision of fully automated, self-healing networks. By leveraging advanced AI and its patented Quality of Experience (QoE) algorithms, Aprecomm empowers ISPs to deliver managed WiFi that adapts in real-time to individual user needs and application performance. With advanced analytics and automated support tools, Aprecomm's customer experience (CX) suite gives providers unparalleled visibility into subscriber behaviour and network health-enhancing satisfaction and reducing operational costs. The platform recently earned Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Award for Innovation, recognizing its impact on the telecom ecosystem. Learn more: here. Service providers can join the AIVRA waitlist here. About Aprecomm Aprecomm harnesses the power of AI to provide a unique applications suite that enables service providers to create self-optimizing and self-healing broadband networks. Our quality-of-experience engine monitors and optimizes WiFi performance to ensure consumers enjoy the best possible internet experience. At the same time, our cloud-based support applications leverage real-time data to predict and resolve customer service issues before they happen, saving providers time and money. Aprecomm manages over 7 million home and business locations, partnering with more than 50 service providers worldwide. We're making intuitive, self-healing networks a reality. Follow Aprecomm on LinkedIn here. IntuitiveNetworks BringingJoyOnline WiFiThatWorks Visit www.aprecomm.ai to discover more. Press contact: corporatecomms@aprecomm.ai Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2794617/Aprecomm.mp4 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2672542/5558778/Aprecomm_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aprecomm-unveils-aivra-the-first-ever-all-encompassing-ai-agent-for-strategic-isp-business-operations-302582287.html New AI Innovation Combines Risk-based Insights, Actionable Recommendations, Instant Justifications, and Interactive Chat to Accelerate Compliance with PCI DSS v4 Anti-Skimming Requirements PORTO, Portugal, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jscrambler, the pioneering platform for client-side protection and compliance, today announced the industry's first AI Assistant for PCI DSS script authorization workflows that delivers clear, transparent, and context-rich insights along with expert recommendations to enable prompt and confident script authorization decisions and justification. PCI DSS v4 requirements 6.4.3 and 11.6.1 mandate the inventorying, authorizing, and monitoring of scripts on payment pages, along with tamper-detection mechanisms to combat e-skimming threats. Despite becoming mandatory on March 31, adoption of these requirements has varied widely. To date, many organizations are investing in client-side protection, while others have relied on non-comprehensive solutions, manual approaches, basic Content Security Policies (CSP), or ultimately delayed full implementation until their next annual assessment. "With low overall compliance rates and frequent complaints about the cost and complexity of existing tools, it's clear that businesses need help streamlining PCI DSS compliance, and our new AI Assistant does just that," said Pedro Fortuna, CTO and co-founder of Jscrambler. "To drive adoption, the next wave of client-side protection must be powered by intelligence, not manual oversight. By tapping into the power of AI, we are closing critical gaps in manual and legacy script authorization systems, particularly as regulatory scrutiny intensifies and skimming threats evolve." The AI-assisted script authorization enhancements to the Jscrambler PCI DSS Solution embed intelligence into compliance workflows, providing more informed script authorization, faster decision-making, and accelerated compliance. The new workflow includes key features designed to reduce time and effort, minimize human error, decrease administrative overhead, and strengthen overall PCI DSS compliance assurance. As a result, organizations can onboard vendors and adapt to payment ecosystem changes faster, more securely, and with greater confidence, while enhancing security by proactively detecting and blocking suspicious behaviors. New AI Assistant opt-in features include: AI Insights: Obtain a concise, risk-based summary of each script's purpose, behavior, and reputation. The model distills Jscrambler's intelligence about each script vendor. Obtain a concise, risk-based summary of each script's purpose, behavior, and reputation. The model distills Jscrambler's intelligence about each script vendor. Actionable Recommendations: Receive clear, actionable Approve, Block, or Restrict recommendations based on Jscrambler's foundational expertise and experience in helping organizations protect customer payment data. Receive clear, actionable Approve, Block, or Restrict recommendations based on Jscrambler's foundational expertise and experience in helping organizations protect customer payment data. Instant Justifications: Generate quick and accurate justification text for faster, consistent, and high-quality compliance workflows with a greater long-term impact. Generate quick and accurate justification text for faster, consistent, and high-quality compliance workflows with a greater long-term impact. Interactive AI Chat: Access real-time interaction and correspondence to support decision-making while answering risk-based approval questions as they arise. Jscrambler's new AI Assistant is now available as part of its PCI DSS solution. To learn more, visit Jscrambler at booth #17 at the PCI SSC Europe Community Meeting for a live demonstration. Further details are available in the launch blog by Jscrambler CTO Pedro Fortuna, "Jscrambler Launches the First AI Assistant for PCI DSS Script Authorization Workflows." About Jscrambler Jscrambler is the leader in Client-Side Protection and Compliance. Jscrambler is the first to merge advanced polymorphic JavaScript obfuscation with fine-grained third-party tag protection in a unified Client-Side Protection and Compliance Platform. Jscrambler's integrated solution ensures a robust defense against current and emerging client-side cyber threats, data leaks, misconfigurations, and IP theft, empowering software development and digital teams to innovate securely online with JavaScript. Jscrambler's Code Integrity product safeguards first-party JavaScript through state-of-the-art obfuscation and exclusive runtime protection. Jscrambler's Webpage Integrity product mitigates threats and risks posed by third-party tags, all while ensuring compliance with PCI DSS v4.0. Jscrambler's Iframe Integrity empowers PSPs to deliver seamless protection, PCI DSS compliance, and SAQ A eligibility to merchants. With Jscrambler, businesses adopt a unified, future-proof client-side security policy, all while achieving compliance with emerging security standards. Customers include Fortune 500 companies, online retailers, airlines, media outlets, and financial services firms whose success depends on secure online engagement. CONTACT: Jennifer Balinski Guyer Group for Jscrambler jscrambler@guyergroup.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/jscrambler-announces-industrys-first-ai-assistant-to-streamline-pci-dss-script-authorization-workflows-302582631.html CUPERTINO (dpa-AFX) - Tech major Apple Inc. has unveiled a significant expansion of its renewable energy projects across Europe to boost energy capacity to match the electricity customers use to power its products. The new solar and wind projects, all enabled by Apple, will add 650 megawatts or MW of renewable energy capacity in various European countries, including Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, and Romania. The move is part of Apple 2030 goal to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint. Under the expansion plans, the Cupertino, California-based consumer electronics major will support several large-scale solar and wind farms that are currently in development in these countries. The new projects will add renewable energy capacity to electrical grids across Europe in the coming years, unlocking more than $600 million in financing. The new projects will generate over 1 million megawatt-hours of clean electricity on behalf of Apple users by 2030. Apple's new clean energy projects include a 110MW solar project in Greece owned and operated by HELLENiQ ENERGY, as well as a newly operational solar array in Spain. In Italy, Apple is supporting the development of a 129MW portfolio of solar and wind projects. The first project, a solar project in Sicily, will come online this month. In Poland, Apple has enabled Econergy's 40MW solar array, which will be operational later this year. In Romania, Apple plans to procure power from Nala Renewables' 99MW wind farm through a long-term agreement originated by OX2, which is now constructing the project. In Latvia, Apple has signed a corporate power purchase agreements with European Energy. As part of its carbon neutral plan, Apple's new renewable projects would address the electricity European customers use to power and charge their Apple devices. By 2030, Apple plans to match 100 percent of global customer electricity use with clean electricity by bringing new wind and solar power online around the world. According to the firm, the energy it takes to charge and power Apple devices accounted for about 29 percent of its overall greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, said, 'By 2030, we want our users to know that all the energy it takes to charge their iPhone or power their Mac is matched with clean electricity. Our new projects in Europe will help us achieve our ambitious Apple 2030 goal, while contributing to healthy communities, thriving economies, and secure energy sources across the continent.' Apple added that it is facilitating the construction of large-scale projects across Europe, which will add around 3,000 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy to the grid each year by 2030. In addition to investments for product use, Apple and its suppliers support over 19 gigawatts of renewable used to power the company's global corporate operations and manufacturing supply chain. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- His Excellency Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler's Office, visited the Government of Sharjah Pavilion at GITEX Global 2025 on Monday morning. The pavilion, which brings together 20 government entities under the theme 'Powered by Tech, Driven by People,' highlights Sharjah's pioneering digital journey and its human-centred vision for the future at the Dubai World Trade Centre. During the visit, HE Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi was briefed on the latest innovative digital experiences and technology-driven projects presented by participating government entities. These initiatives aim to enhance digital integration across Sharjah, boost government efficiency, and improve quality of life, reflecting the emirate's vision of a sustainable, people-first digital future. His Excellency was introduced to the pavilion's four central ecosystems - Digital Experiences, Environmental Sustainability, Smart Cities, and Our Humanity - each demonstrating proactive solutions that showcase seamless collaboration between government entities, driven by artificial intelligence and data connectivity. HE Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi also attended activities at the Sharjah Digital Hackathon, launched by Sharjah Digital Department in collaboration with the Rubu' Qarn Centre for Science and Technology and the Sharjah Youth Council. The initiative aims to strengthen Sharjah's innovation ecosystem, empower youth and government talents, and encourage the development of AI-powered solutions that enhance urban infrastructure and improve the efficiency and agility of government services. As part of the Digital Experiences segment, SDD showcased the Digital Sharjah Assistant, an interactive, text- and voice-based AI assistant operating in real time. The assistant enables users to access information seamlessly and complete select government transactions instantly through a conversational interface. The Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler's Office also toured the Aqari Platform, a comprehensive digital hub that centralises real estate services across the emirate. The platform connects multiple entities through a unified gateway, offering accurate and reliable property data, improving customer experience. His Excellency further explored the Nabni Platform, a unified system connecting Sharjah's municipalities to streamline building and construction procedures through artificial intelligence. HE Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi also reviewed the Empower Gov AI, a unified AI tool designed to empower public sector staff to utilise AI capabilities in their daily work. The assistant connects multiple government entities, automates internal inquiries, manages access permissions, and boosts overall productivity across departments. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795452/GSP___GITEX.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/salem-bin-abdulrahman-al-qasimi-visits-the-government-of-sharjah-pavilion-at-gitex-global-2025-302583093.html Brings over 35 years of oncology drug development experience, including senior executive leadership roles at AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo Led the development and approval of multiple breakthrough medicines such as ENHERTU , TAGRISSO , and LYNPARZA Strengthens Ona's transition to a clinical-stage company with ONA-255, while advancing its pipeline of first-in-class ADCs targeting major solid tumors BARCELONA, Spain, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ona Therapeutics ("Ona"), a global biotech company pioneering first-in-class antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), today announced the appointment of Dr. Antoine Yver, M.D., M.Sc., as Chair of its Board of Directors. This strategic appointment marks a defining step in the Company's growth as it prepares to advance its lead ADC, ONA-255, into clinical trials for breast cancer treatment in early 2026. With over 35 years of leadership in global oncology drug development, Dr. Antoine Yver has held senior executive roles at industry leaders including Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck. He has played a key role in advancing and securing regulatory approvals for 13 landmark cancer therapies, including breakthrough medicines such as ENHERTU, TAGRISSO, and LYNPARZA, all of which have transformed standards of care for patients worldwide. At Daiichi Sankyo, Dr. Yver served as Global Head of Oncology R&D, and at AstraZeneca, he led the oncology development programs. His leadership in bringing ENHERTU, a pioneering ADC for breast cancer, from initial first-in-human clinical studies to global approval, exemplifies his deep expertise and will be invaluable to Ona as it advances its innovative ADC pipeline toward clinical development. Valerie Vanhooren, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Ona Therapeutics, said:"Antoine's unparalleled experience in advancing first-in-class oncology drugs at lightning speed from translational research through global approval will be critical as we advance our lead candidate, ONA-255, into clinical development in breast cancer. Equally important is our commitment to progressing our second ADC, ONA-389, targeting microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, both high-unmet-need indications with significant market potential. Antoine's patient-centric vision aligns perfectly with Ona's mission to deliver transformative ADC therapies, and his strategic guidance will be invaluable as we accelerate growth and value creation in this next phase." Dr. Yver is currently an Independent Director on the Board of Sanofi, where he contributes strategic and scientific insight at the governance level. He also serves on the boards of several oncology-focused companies, as well as the scientific advisory committee for Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute, further demonstrating his broad scientific and business influence and commitment to advancing cancer therapies. Ona's proprietary patient-based discovery platform uniquely unlocks new biological targets that are not exploited by current ADCs or standard therapies, giving the Company a significant competitive edge. Its lead candidate, ONA-255, targets a unique first-in-class mechanism and is perfectly suited for the treatment of advanced cancers, particularly breast cancer. This candidate is advancing toward clinical trials in early 2026 and is also demonstrating broad potential across breast, gastric, and other solid tumors. Its second candidate, ONA-389, is focused on high-unmet-need indications such as MSS colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Together, these programs underscore Ona's innovative approach to developing transformative therapies for difficult-to-treat solid tumors. Dr. Antoine Yver, M.D., M.Sc., newly appointed Chair of the Board of Ona Therapeutics, added: "Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. Having witnessed firsthand the transformative impact ADCs can have for the treatment paradigm of breast cancer and the direct clinical benefit for patients, I recognize the compelling potential of Ona's approach in identifying novel tumor targets in breast cancer and other major solid tumors. I'm thrilled to join the Company at this pivotal stage to help ensure clinical readiness, guide swift, focused, and effective development strategy, and support the team in executing and advancing its pipeline and bringing next-generation ADCs to the patients who need them most." About Ona Therapeutics Ona Therapeutics is pioneering the development of first-in-class antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that exploit the molecular underpinnings of advanced cancer. Ona collaborates with renowned academics, clinicians, and clinical research partners. This collaborative approach enables the identification of novel therapeutic targets derived from the unique biology of treatment-refractory advanced cancer patients. Ona's approach combines biological insight with expertise in biologics to design ADCs and antibody therapies using target validation, optimized payload design, and validated linker-payload technology to provide effective treatments for patients with limited options. Its precision-engineered ADC pipeline consists of first-in-class ADCs, targeting aggressive and refractory cancer indications. The lead ADC, ONA-255, targeting breast cancer and solid tumors is in active IND development and will enter clinical development in early 2026. The company is also expanding its target indications into additional aggressive cancer types, including gastric, liver, and colon cancers. For further information visit our new website here https://ona-therapeutics.com/ View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ona-therapeutics-appoints-oncology-drug-development-veteran-dr-antoine-yver-as-chair-to-accelerate-adc-programs-to-clinical-inflection-points-302582175.html Exclusive license via Yeda to two Weizmann Institute patent families from Prof. Nir London's lab, a leader in covalent drug design Site-specific, durable and traceless protein radiolabeling approaches intended to enhance tumor selectivity and retention in radiopharmaceuticals Integration into Actithera's platform to support design of next-generation radioligand therapies across oncology indications CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and OSLO, Norway, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Actithera, a biotechnology company pioneering next-generation radiopharmaceutical therapies, today announced an exclusive license agreement with Yeda, the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science, for two patent families covering breakthrough covalent chemistry technologies. Actithera will apply these innovations to advance its proprietary platform for radiopharmaceutical drug discovery and development. The licensed technologies were developed in the laboratory of Professor Nir London, an internationally recognized leader in covalent drug design. These approaches enable a highly differentiated way to introduce radioactivity selectively and durably onto tumor-specific proteins, offering the potential to redefine how radiopharmaceuticals are conceived, optimized, and deployed in the clinic. "This agreement represents an important step forward for Actithera," said Andreas Goutopoulos, PhD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer ofActithera. "By adding Professor London's pioneering chemistry to our toolkit of proprietary covalent and non-covalent approaches, we are uniquely positioned to unlock new opportunities in cancer treatment. This innovation from the Weizmann Institute enables us to introduce radioactivity directly into tumor cells by irreversibly and tracelessly radiolabeling tumor-specific proteins while keeping them in their native state. We believe that this combination of irreversibility and tracelessness can translate into prolonged retention of radiation within tumors and ultimately improve therapeutic outcomes." Elik Chapnik, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Yeda, commented: "We are pleased to partner with Actithera in bringing Professor London's groundbreaking covalent chemistry technologies into the radiopharmaceutical field. Actithera's vision and expertise make them an ideal partner to translate these scientific advances into impactful cancer therapies that can benefit patients worldwide." The technologies will be integrated into Actithera's existing discovery platform as the company advances its lead FAP-targeting radioligand candidate toward clinical development in multiple indications. This strategic expansion is supported by Actithera's recent oversubscribed $75.5 million Series A financing completed in July 2025, which is enabling the continued development of the Company's proprietary RLT discovery platform and preclinical pipeline. Professor Nir London, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, added:"My lab has long been dedicated to expanding the possibilities of covalent drug design. Seeing our work translated into the radiopharmaceutical space through Actithera's innovative platform is particularly exciting given the field's potential to deliver targeted radiation directly to tumors while sparing healthy tissue. I look forward to supporting their progress as they advance these technologies toward clinical validation." The covalent chemistry technologies from the Weizmann Institute represent one of several cutting-edge approaches integrated into Actithera's discovery engine, expanding the Company's toolkit for building a pipeline of precision therapies addressing areas of high unmet need in oncology. About Actithera Actithera is a biotechnology company advancing a differentiated platform for the discovery and development of next-generation radiopharmaceutical therapies. By combining expertise in medicinal chemistry, radiochemistry, and drug design, Actithera is developing a pipeline of novel targeted therapies to treat cancer. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA and Oslo, Norway. About Yeda Yeda is the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science, dedicated to translating groundbreaking discoveries into life-changing products. For decades, Yeda has been at the forefront of academic technology transfer, driving the commercialization of breakthrough drugs including Copaxone, Rebif, Erbitux, Humira, and Yescarta. By partnering with leading companies worldwide, Yeda continues to bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and global impact. About the Weizmann Institute of Science The Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel is one of the world's top-ranking multidisciplinary research institutions. Noted for its wide-ranging exploration of the natural and exact sciences, Weizmann Institute's scientists are advancing research on the human brain, artificial intelligence, sustainability, computer science and encryption, astrophysics and particle physics, and are tackling diseases such as cancer, while also addressing climate change through environmental, ocean, and plant sciences. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/actithera-secures-exclusive-rights-to-innovative-covalent-chemistry-technologies-from-weizmann-institute-for-targeted-radiopharmaceutical-applications-302582342.html The shorter routes from Frankfurt to Marseille and Milan significantly reduce network latency for customers requiring diverse connectivity. The network enhances route diversity in the region, delivering new fibre routing for companies entering Europe via Marseille. euNetworks Group Limited ("euNetworks"), a European critical bandwidth infrastructure company, has today announced the completion of a new long haul fibre network route between Frankfurt and Zurich. This new network enables two short diverse paths between the many submarine cable landings along the Mediterranean coast, and the major data centre market of Frankfurt. The new route completes one of two fully diverse euNetworks long haul routes, with the option to either go via Milan and Zurich or via Marseille, Lyon and Geneva. euNetworks undertook this network investment to increase diversity options for its customers, enabling them to avoid points of failure where routes converge and cross, or otherwise take a long detour via Paris or Munich for the diverse path. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014607897/en/ CEO of euNetworks The route between Frankfurt and the Mediterranean is a critical European pathway for data centre connectivity. Frankfurt is one of the key FLAP-D cities (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris Dublin), identified as the biggest data centre markets in Europe, and the world's most interconnected metro market, with euNetworks offering eight unique long haul routes to its Frankfurt metro network today. Marseille and Milan play a critical role as the connectivity gateways into Europe for Middle Eastern, Asian and African networks. The new pathway via Zurich stays east of other established routes, to enable a diverse route which is short and direct. Marisa Trisolino, CEO at euNetworks, said: "euNetworks is the backbone of Europe's digital future. We lead the market in data centre connectivity, with more than 582 data centres directly connected today and a large pipeline to connect more underway. Our investment in Super Highways, Europe's future AI-ready critical infrastructure, our densely fibred metro networks, and our continued focus on innovatively designing and building unique network paths such as this new route from Frankfurt to Zurich, demonstrates euNetworks' proactivity in addressing bandwidth demand across Europe. euNetworks is committed to offering our customers the most direct, diverse routes that will meet their requirements. Our goal is to provide the infrastructure foundations that enable our customers to grow and thrive in a world of AI and we're working closely with them as we deploy capital, expanding our fibre footprint on the network routes that matter most." About euNetworks euNetworks is a critical bandwidth infrastructure company. We own and operate 18 fibre based metropolitan networks connected with a high-capacity intercity backbone covering 53 cities in 17 countries across Europe. The company leads the market in data centre connectivity, directly connecting over 582 today, and is also a leading cloud connectivity provider, with over 180 on-ramps on our network directly connecting all key cloud providers and major platforms. This coupled with our extensive connected data centre footprint positions us strongly to support and enable our Customers with their cloud infrastructure developments and challenges. We offer a targeted portfolio of metropolitan and long-haul services across our network platform and Super Highways, including Dark Fibre, Wavelengths, and Ethernet. Wholesale, Finance, Content, Media, Mobile, Data Centre, Hyperscale and Enterprise customers benefit from euNetworks' unique inventory of fibre and duct-based assets that are tailored to fulfil their high bandwidth needs. euNetworks delivers services with an active commitment to sustainability, striving towards net-zero carbon emissions, promoting environmentally responsible supply chain practices, and engaging collaboratively with the industry to address the environmental challenges ahead. For further information visit eunetworks.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014607897/en/ Contacts: Lucy Noad Manager, Marketing Communications euNetworks lucy.noad@eunetworks.com email +44 7909 416570 mobile Valued at $25M, the British-founded platform with 720M+ reach launches in NYC under the leadership of Entrepreneur of the Year Asti Wagner LONDON, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Invyted Ltd, the fast-rising British tech platform reshaping how brands connect with influencers, has secured investment from Christian Angermayer's Apeiron Investment Group at a $25 million valuation. The deal comes as Invyted launches in New York City and gears up for a nationwide U.S. rollout, positioning the company at the forefront of the global influencer economy. Founded by 25 year old Asti Wagner, recently named Entrepreneur of the Year, Invyted has already built a network of 6,000+ influencers with a combined reach of 720+ million, making it one of the most powerful and scalable influencer-brand platforms worldwide. Invyted's NYC debut includes collaborations with iconic establishments such as Serendipity3, John's Pizzeria of Times Square, 54 Below, Hawksmoor NYC, and Vin Sur Vingt, early partnerships that underscore the platform's ability to integrate seamlessly across diverse industries and cultural landmarks. "Invyted is one of the most exciting early-stage companies I've seen in a long time Asti Wagner is building something truly unique that sits at the intersection of tech, community, and culture," said Christian Angermayer, founder of Apeiron Investment Group. "We're thrilled to be backing her and the Invyted team as they scale globally." The platform, which has already gained significant traction in London and across the UK, is designed to make influencer marketing seamless, scalable, and results-driven. Through Invyted, brands can connect with vetted influencers in just a few clicks, generating authentic content and measurable exposure at scale. "Christian's backing means a great deal to us not just the capital, but his belief in what we're building," said Asti Wagner, CEO and Founder of Invyted. "We've proven Invyted works in the UK, and now we're ready to take it to the U.S. and beyond. This is about creating the most effective and accessible way for brands to collaborate with real influencers globally." Invyted has already attracted high-profile supporters, including Justin King CBE (former CEO of Sainsbury's), John Vincent (co-founder of LEON Restaurants), and Julian Ross (founder of Wireless Social). Their involvement reinforces the platform's credibility as a breakout brand in the marketing-tech space. The new funding will be used to accelerate U.S. expansion and further enhance Invyted's software platform, ensuring it remains the go-to solution for businesses seeking scalable, authentic influencer collaborations. About Invyted Invyted is a fast-growing influencer marketing platform that empowers brands to collaborate with high-quality content creators in just a few taps. Built for scale, speed, and authenticity, Invyted is redefining how brands and influencers work together. About Apeiron Investment Group Apeiron is the family office and private investment firm of entrepreneur and investor Christian Angermayer. Apeiron focuses on backing bold founders across biotech, fintech, deep tech, and frontier markets. Press Contact: press@invyted.com CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The commodity currencies such as Australia, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars weakened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday, due to ongoing trade concerns between the United States and China. The U.S. and China will start collecting port fees on each other's vessels from today in tit-for-tat move that threatens global shipping and trade flows. Due to tight commercial relationship with China, the currencies such as AUD, NZD and CAD are negatively impacted by tensions in the former. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he still expects Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping will meet but warned that all options remain open for retaliating against China's move to tighten exports of rare earths. China's commerce ministry said it remained open to talks, but the U.S. cannot seek dialogue while threatening new measures. 'If you wish to fight, we shall fight to the end; if you wish to negotiate, our door remains open,' according to an official statement. Also, Beijing reportedly said it was Washington's expansion of curbs on Chinese firms in late September that ratcheted up tensions and drove it to further tighten its grip on the critical minerals. According to today's RBA minutes, economic vulnerabilities are still there, and consumption is nonetheless sluggish despite slower job and pay growth. The crude oil prices were marginally lower after rising sharply following reports of a possible meeting between the U.S. and Chinese Presidents later this month. In the Asian trading today, the Australian dollar fell to more than a 1-1/2-month low of 0.6463 against the U.S. dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 0.6512. The aussie may test support near the 0.63 region. The aussie slid to a 4-day low of 98.05 against the yen, from a recent 4-day high of 99.49. On the downside, 96.00 is seen as the next support level for the aussie. Against the euro and the NZ dollar, the aussie dropped to 1.7937 and 1.1345 from recent 4-day highs of 1.7719 and 1.1395, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.81 against the euro and 1.12 against the kiwi. The aussie edged down to 0.9077 against the Canadian dollar, from Monday's closing value of 0.9142. The next possible downside target for the aussie is seen around the 0.89 region. The NZ dollar declined to a 16-year low of 2.0351 against the euro, from yesterday's closing value of 2.0231. On the downside, 2.04 is seen as the next support level for the kiwi. Against the U.S. dollar and the yen, the kiwi slid to a 6-month low of 0.5695 and nearly a 2-week low of 86.41 from Monday's closing quotes of 0.5717 and 87.16, respectively. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.55 against the greenback and 85.00 against the yen. The Canadian dollar fell to a 6-month low of 1.4055 against the U.S. dollar and a 4-day low of 1.6283 against the euro, from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.4040 and 1.6237, respectively. If the loonie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.44 against the greenback and 1.64 against the euro. Against the yen, the loonie edged down to 107.95 from Monday's closing value of 108.60. The loonie may test support near the 105.00 region. Looking ahead, Canada building permits for August, U.S. NFIB business optimism index for September and U.S. Redbook reports is slated for release in the New York session. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News PAPHOS, Cyprus and TORONTO, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aims of the Partnership: Combine strategic business consulting with actionable sales & marketing intelligence to accelerate revenue generation and maximize deal conversion. Enable MedTech BD teams to identify, track, and act on actionable market signals more efficiently and effectively. In a market where innovation cycles are tightening and competition for customer attention is fierce, business development teams must rely on more than just instinct. It is critical that they utilize a data-driven, execution-ready approach combined with consistency, persistence and industry knowledge. This partnership merges ILIKOS' recognized expertise in building and implementing tailored business development methodologies with Zapyrus' leading sales and market intelligence platform, which pinpoints the right prospects at the right time. "Too often, service providers in the clinical research industry have either the strategy or the methodology but not both working in sync," said Elias Sayias, Founder and CEO of ILIKOS. "By combining our expertise in commercial strategy and business development methodology with Zapyrus' powerful market intelligence software, we're giving MedTech BD teams the capability to focus their efforts where they will deliver the most impact." Zapyrus' platform provides MedTech business development teams with timely, actionable insights and 360-degree knowledge of critical development indicators allowing them to detect key buying signals, understand competitive landscapes, and conduct tactical outreach. Zapyrus covers medical device, IVD, SaMD company intel around the globe. It's a one stop shop for clinical data, public PRs, financial data, and proprietary machine learning predictability data. "At Zapyrus, our mission is to empower business development professionals with the right information at the right time," said Dr. Kevin Saem, Brand Founder and Managing Director of Zapyrus "In partnering with ILIKOS means we enable our clients to obtain key knowledge and translate it to effective BD methodology, with strategies and processes proven to deliver results." About ILIKOS Consulting Group ILIKOS Consulting Group is a hands-on business consultancy based in Cyprus and Greece, supporting service providers in clinical research, biopharma/MedTech, and investment companies. ILIKOS specializes in building and executing commercial strategies that combine effective business development with top quality, cost efficiency, and alignment to evolving market dynamics. Learn more: www.goilikos.com For inquiries: Elias Sayias, BSc. CCRA Founder & CEO Email: esayias@goilikos.com About Zapyrus Zapyrus is a leading sales and market intelligence platform designed for business development professionals in the MedTech industry. It enables users to identify, track, and leverage key market indicators allowing for more targeted, timely, and effective outreach. By turning market signals into actionable opportunities, Zapyrus helps teams build stronger relationships and accelerate business growth. Learn more: www.zapyrus.com For inquiries: Kevin Saem, Ph.D. Founder & Managing Director Email: kevin.saem@zapyrus.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ilikos-and-zapyrus-have-partnered-to-equip-medtech-cro-business-development-teams-with-the-tools-and-insights-to-win-high-value-opportunities-in-a-competitive-global-market-302579033.html Cambritaxestat, the first autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor to be investigated in cancer patients, meets its primary endpoint in a study to assess safety and anti- tumour responses in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer Combining cambritaxestat with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GnP) was tolerable and associated with anti-tumor responses Cambritaxestat administration combined with GnP demonstrated reduction in pharmacodynamic markers associated with fibrosis, immune regulation and tumor progression GENEVA and AMSTERDAM and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iOnctura, a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on neglected and hard-to-treat cancers, today announces the Phase Ib study investigating oral autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor, cambritaxestat (IOA-289), has met the primary endpoint: demonstrating safety, tolerability and anti-tumor responses, in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). These data are being presented as a poster at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Berlin, Germany.1 Lead investigator, Davide Melisi, M.D., Ph.D, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, and Director of the Digestive Molecular and Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, and Investigational Cancer Therapeutics Clinical Unit at the University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy said, "These early findings with cambritaxestat are encouraging. Clinical activity alongside a manageable safety profile is particularly meaningful in a disease as aggressive and fibrotic as metastatic pancreatic cancer. These findings warrant continued scientific exploration in autotaxin inhibition." The Phase Ib dose escalation study, AION-02 ( NCT05586516 ) evaluated cambritaxestat in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy GnP in patients with previously untreated mPDAC. Sixteen patients received cambritaxestat orally, twice daily at doses of 100 mg (n=4), 200 mg (n=4), 400 mg (n=5) and 800 mg (n=3). GnP was administered by IV infusion, weekly for three weeks of a four-week cycle. The results show no dose-limiting toxicities, and no treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) leading to drug discontinuation or dose modification. Pharmacodynamic analysis showed a dose dependent reduction in the ATX-dependent plasma lipid LPA C18:2 over 24 hours supporting cambritaxestat's on-target effects. Patients in the higher-dose cohorts had consistent and durable reductions of the tumor marker CA19-9. These changes were associated with radiographic responses and survival. Dr. Michael Lahn, Chief Medical Officer at iOnctura said, "These data reinforce the therapeutic promise of targeting the autotaxin pathway to address the complex biology of pancreatic cancer, and potentially other tumors with high expression of autotaxin and its associated signaling. As we advance development, we remain focused on unlocking the potential of cambritaxestat to improve outcomes for patients facing some of the most challenging and hard-to-treat cancers." Cambritaxestat is the first autotaxin inhibitor to be investigated in cancer patients and is being developed as a first-in-class therapy across multiple cancer indications. This study was co-funded by the European Union and recruited patients in Italy and the United Kingdom. For more information contact: iOnctura Corporate Press Office: press@iOnctura.com About iOnctura iOnctura is a clinical-stage precision oncology company combating neglected and hard-to-treat cancers with a pipeline of first-in-class small molecules. The bold new treatments extend lives and improve healthspans, changing the outlook for patients and their families. Lead asset, roginolisib, is an allosteric modulator of PI3Kd with a unique chemical structure and binding mode. Allosteric modulation is a new archetype for precise inhibition of PI3Kd, promising clinical activity without the detrimental tolerability seen with previous generations of inhibitors. Roginolisib is being investigated in multiple randomized Phase II studies in solid and hematological malignancies. iOnctura is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands with subsidiaries located in Geneva, Switzerland and Cambridge, MA, USA. iOnctura is backed by specialist institutional investors including Syncona, M Ventures, Inkef Capital, EIC Fund, VI Partners, Schroders Capital and XGEN Venture. About cambritaxestat Cambritaxestat is an orally administered autotaxin inhibitor being developed for the treatment of highly fibrotic cancers, including metastatic pancreatic cancer. By targeting the autotaxin pathway, cambritaxestat offers a novel three-pronged approach-directly inhibiting tumor growth, stimulating immune effector cells, and reducing fibrosis to enhance drug and immune cell access to the tumor. Cambritaxestat received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in March 2024. This study was co-funded by the European Union. 1 ESMO Abstract #2227P: A Quinzii et al. Safety and clinical efficacy of cambritaxestat (IOA-289), a novel autotaxin inhibitor, plus gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (GnP) in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Abstract available, 13 October 2025 . Poster presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress, 19 October 2025. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2736715/5560980/iOnctura_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ionctura-debuts-cambritaxestat-ioa-28g-clinical-data-in-patients-with-pancreatic-cancer-at-esmo-302583170.html LYON, France and AMSTERDAM, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL SunPower Global, a leading provider of innovative solar energy solutions, has announced a new distribution agreement with Natec, a Dutch distributor of smart energy solutions. This strategic partnership brings TCL Solar and SunPower modules into Natec's portfolio, offering Dutch installers immediate access to high-performance solar technologies. The first modules have already been delivered to installers, and Natec now holds inventory ready for deployment across residential and commercial projects. A distribution agreement built on experience and scale "In a maturing solar market, partnerships built on experience and operational excellence are more critical than ever" said Steven Zhang, General Manager at TCL SunPower Global. "That's why we're now joining forces with Natec, a company that has been a cornerstone of the Dutch solar distribution market since 2004. Natec's robust logistics infrastructure and deep market knowledge make them an ideal partner as we expand our footprint in the Netherlands. Together, we're accelerating access to high-efficiency solar technologies and supporting installers with the tools they need to meet growing demand." Natec supports professional solar companies in the Netherlands and is known as the trusted B2B wholesaler for smart systems with a focus on partnership, knowledge, technical support and ease of ordering. A portfolio designed for performance and flexibility Under the agreement, Natec will distribute the SunPower and TCL Solar branded solar panels, among which the TCL Solar T Class, a versatile, high-efficiency glass-glass module engineered for broad compatibility and dependable energy output, and SunPower panels for high-end demanding energy projects. Shared values, shared vision "TCL Solar and SunPower brands align perfectly with our mission to deliver the most reliable and forward-thinking solar solutions to the market." said Frank Bakker, Chief Technology Officer of Natec. By adding the high-performance technologies of TCL Solar and SunPower to our portfolio, we are strengthening our commitment to providing partners with top quality, technical expertise and comprehensive support. SunPower TCL also stands out with a unique product and one of the longest and most proven track records in the PV market. This collaboration is more than a commercial agreement-it's a strategic alignment between two experienced players who understand the dynamics of the energy landscape and respond proactively to them" About Natec Since 2004, Natec has grown to become the leading European player in smart energy solutions. As a link between global manufacturers and professional solar installers, Natec offers an optimised product range that responds to the demands of a rapidly evolving solar market. Natec stands for energy, ambition and collaboration. In this way, they help installers to always stay one step ahead. About TCL SunPower Global Backed by the global strength, financial stability, and technological leadership of the TCL Group, TCL SunPower Global is a leading player in the solar energy space, committed to delivering high-performance, reliable, and accessible solar solutions worldwide. We integrate advanced technology, vertical manufacturing, and a strong focus on sustainability to support the transition to clean energy. Positioned at the forefront of innovation, we pioneer next-generation solar technologies that empower individuals, organizations, and entire regions to shape a cleaner energy future. TCL SunPower Global brings to market two dedicated product brands: TCL Solar, focused on high-efficiency solar panels, and SunPower, offering integrated energy solutions. Together, they address the diverse needs of the global solar market, from residential rooftops to commercial installations and large-scale utility projects. Find more at sunpowerglobal.com, tclsolar.com, and on LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: Anna Porta - anna.porta@sunpowerglobal.com Luuk Goumans - L.Goumans@natec.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795234/NATEC.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2680312/5560362/TCL_SunPower_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tcl-sunpower-global-expands-into-dutch-market-with-natec-as-strategic-distribution-partner-302583012.html MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Algorithmic Insurance Services, Inc., dba LIRG, today announced the appointment of Steven Griswold as Chief Operating Officer, reporting to Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Groenheide. Griswold's appointment enhances LIRG's leadership team as the company continues to scale its global consulting and (re)insurance operations. Griswold brings more than two decades of strategic planning and operational leadership experience in the insurance industry. Known for his people-first leadership approach, he has a proven record of building operational frameworks that support sustainable growth. As COO, Griswold will focus on driving efficiency, strengthening internal infrastructure, and optimizing client experience across LIRG's multiple business verticals. Prior to joining LIRG, Griswold served as Director of Insurance and Risk Management at Rockview Farms, a national agribusiness. Earlier, he held the role of Chief of Staff at Veritycare Management, a healthtech startup specializing in claims optimization for self-insured companies. He also spent over 15 years as President and CEO of Griswold & Griswold Insurance, a boutique retail brokerage and risk consultancy focused on distressed and hard-to-place risks. "Steven is an exceptional operator with the strategic insight and leadership skills needed to support LIRG's rapid growth," said Mark Groenheide, Founder and CEO of LIRG. "His deep operational expertise will be instrumental as we continue to expand our platform and deliver value to clients worldwide." "I'm honored to join LIRG and work alongside Mark and this outstanding team," said Griswold. "I look forward to applying my experience in business strategy and operations to help execute LIRG's vision of becoming a global leader in reinsurance broking and consulting." About LIRG Algorithmic Insurance Services, Inc. dba LIRG is a digital specialty (re)insurance brokerage and consulting firm focused on next-generation risk transfer solutions, including parametric structures and captive strategies. LIRG's brokerage division manages global reinsurance placements, treaty structuring, and retail broking for hard-to-place risks, while its consulting division provides MGA/MGU architecture, design, and launch support. Contact: Steven Griswold T: 1-800-676-1237 SOURCE: Algorithmic Insurance Services, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/lirgtm-appoints-steven-griswold-as-chief-operating-officer-to-dr-1085272 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Carlyle Commodities Corp. (CSE: CCC) (FSE: BJ4) ("Carlyle") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a marketing and market awareness agreement (the "Marketing Agreement") with David Skarica. Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, Mr. Skarica will provide to Carlyle various services pertaining to creating media awareness of the Company. The services include, but are not limited to, providing social media marketing, creating email ad words and search traffic, facilitating a video and or podcast interview with Mr. Skarica and sending press releases and news to Mr. Skarica's list of subscribers on his website AddictedtoProfits.net. In addition, Mr. Skarica through third parties including Mike Swanson and the Junior Mining Stock Network will disseminate news and materials about the Company to a list of nearly 35,000 subscribers and will drive traffic to the Company's website. Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, Carlyle engaged Mr. Skarica on October 6, 2025, for a period of 30 days for total remuneration of $10,000. Mr. Skarica has his principal place of business at 1 Periwinkle Drive, Gregory Town, Bahamas. He can be contacted at addictedtoprofits@hotmail.com or by telephone at (242) 359-7023. About Carlyle Carlyle is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties. Carlyle owns 100% of the Quesnel Gold Project located in the Cariboo Mining Division, 30 kilometers northeast of Quesnel in central B.C, as well hold the option to acquire 100% undivided interest in the Nicola East Mining Project, located approximately 25 kilometers east of the mining town of Merritt, B.C., and is listed on the CSE under the symbol "CCC" and the Frankfurt Exchange under the ticker "BJ4". ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CARLYLE CARLYLE COMMODITIES CORP. "Morgan Good" Morgan Good President and Chief Executive Officer Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of Carlyle regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, 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 services to be provided under the Marketing Agreement. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: that the services to be provided under the Marketing Agreement may differ from current expectations. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, Carlyle has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the services to be provided under the Marketing Agreement will be as expected. Although management of Carlyle 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. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) 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/270185 SOURCE: Carlyle Commodities Corp. BARCELONA, Spain, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The fifth Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress (TMWC), the global event driving a new sustainable and intelligent urban mobility, is set to return to Barcelona from November 4-6, 2025, with its most ambitious edition yet. The Gran Via venue will gather over 200 exhibitors and more than 200 speakers to explore new technologies and strategies to accelerate towards a new era of connected, inclusive, and low-emission mobility. Co-organized by Fira de Barcelona and EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, a body of the European Union, and under the theme "Move Better," TMWC will feature a conference program with over 50 sessions addressing topics such as Staying competitive in the race to net-zero, The future of mobility: exploring the next decade of innovations, Innovations to increase the resilience and quality of mobility systems, Solutions for sustainable commuting, and Autonomous mobility in public transport. The speaker lineup features David Zipper, Senior Fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative, as the keynote, Jari Kauppila, Head of the Secretary-General's Office at the International Transport Forum (ITF), Pierfrancesco Maran, Member of the European Parliament; Arianna Censi, Deputy Mayor for Mobility, City of Milan; and Matt Halle, Deputy Mayor, City of Los Angeles. TMWC will also be the stage where EIT Urban Mobility will share insights from two recent studies. The first focuses on the benefits of bike-sharing and concludes that well-designed systems deliver significant benefits financially - saving 760,000 commuting hours, equivalent to 30 million - but also in emissions reduction, public health improvements, and urban quality of life. The second study identifies the psychological barriers that slow the adoption of new mobility schemes. Exhibition and Innovation zones TMWC 2025 will include an exhibition area and an Innovation Playground that will showcase cutting-edge solutions from across the mobility ecosystem. Among the 200 confirmed exhibitors are Barcelona Serveis Municipals, Deloitte, Ministry of Territory - Government of Catalonia, Moventis, Network Optix, PTV Group, Sener, and Tomtom. The event's Startup Zone will highlight disruptive mobility technologies and platforms, offering opportunities for collaboration and investment. A global event shaping urban futures TMWC will be held alongside Smart City Expo World Congress, the leading international summit on smart cities and urban solutions; Tomorrow.Building; and Tomorrow.Blue Economy, bringing together more than 1,100 exhibitors and over 25,000 attendees, transforming Fira de Barcelona into the World's largest urban innovation hub. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795585/TomorrowMobility_World_Congress_2024.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/659718/Fira_Barcelona_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tomorrowmobility-2025-sets-the-pace-for-the-future-of-urban-mobility-302583162.html SYDNEY, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axi, a financial leader in online CFD and FX trading, participated in Money Expo Dubai 2025, held on October 6-7, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Center in Dubai. Event attendees had the opportunity to explore the Axi brand and its products and latest innovations, including the Axi trading platform, how they can grow their IB and Affiliate business scoring exclusive deals available only during the event, discover how they can access up to $1M USD in funding through the broker's flagship capital allocation program, Axi Select, and much more. Visitors also had the opportunity to learn more about the broker's yearslong partnership with eight-time Premier League Champions, Man City, as well as snap exclusive photos with Man City memorabilia and the club's mascots, brought in especially for the event. Per Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at Axi, what made the experience even more special was receiving the prestigious 'Best Trading Experience' award*. "We extend our appreciation to the event organisers for not only delivering a seamless conference experience yet again, but also for honouring us with the 'Best Trading Experience' award. This recognition reflects our continuous commitment to providing our traders and partners the ultimate trading experience." The latest recognition follows a series of notable achievements for Axi. The broker attended Forex Expo Dubai 2024 and was recognised with the 'Innovator of the Year' award*, as well as the 'Most Reliable Broker'; 'Broker of the Year' and 'Most Innovative Proprietary Trading Firm' awards* from Finance Feeds, highlighting the broker's forward-thinking ethos and its vision for the future of the trading industry. To learn more about Axi, visit www.axi.com About Axi Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Shares, Gold, Oil, Coffee, and more. The Axi Select program is only available to clients of AxiTrader Limited. CFDs carry a high risk of investment loss. This content may not be available in your region. For more information, refer to our Terms of Service. Standard trading fees and minimum deposit apply. For more information or additional comments from Axi, please contact: mediaenquiries@axi.com *Granted to the Axi Group of Companies. Bristol Myers Squibb employees in Riyadh and Dubai collaborated with local PAGs to host patient-centered toy-making workshops. These dedicated efforts resulted in handmade toys being gifted to children living with thalassemia and cancer, bringing moments of joy and connection to life. DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring its unwavering commitment to patient-centricity, Bristol Myers Squibb, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, marked the 11th anniversary of its Global Patient Week with impactful initiatives in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. As part of this year's activities, employees in Riyadh and Dubai joined hands with local patient advocacy groups to host toy-making workshops. The handmade toys, crafted with care, were gifted to children living with thalassemia and cancer, creating moments of Joy, connection, and comfort. The act of engaging with toys holds significant therapeutic value for children, fostering imagination, promoting emotional well-being, and supporting healthy development. In these workshops employees created superhero toys from scratch, a powerful symbol of the strength and resilience of young patients navigating their treatment journeys. By engaging in this creative and hands-on activity, Bristol Myers Squibb employees reaffirmed their commitment to supporting patients beyond medicine, bringing to life the company's broader mission of care and compassion. Commenting on the initiative, Aisha Abdulla Al Mulla, Director of the Friends of Cancer PatientsOrganization in the UAE, said: "In the face of their incredibly brave fight against cancer, initiatives like this provide children with precious moments of joy and a powerful message that they are supported and never alone on their journeys. As a patient organization, we deeply value collaborations rooted in social responsibility, as they not only uplift our communities but also strengthen the bonds of care and compassion. For us, patients remain at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to work with partners, such as Bristol Myers Squibb, who share this commitment." "Children with thalassemia often face a challenging journey marked by frequent blood transfusions and continuous medical care. Given this reality, the joy of play and the comfort of receiving a toy carries profound meaning. These children are true heroes, and such initiatives reflect the compassion and solidarity they deserve. At Sheryan Society, we align our efforts with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by promoting health awareness and leading nationwide blood donation campaigns, including the Crown Prince's Blood Donation Initiative, to ensure patients receive the life-saving support they need." said Khaled D. Aldubaiyan, Executive Director of the Sheryan Society in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The workshops successfully yielded over 80 handmade toys, each meticulously crafted by Bristol Myers Squibb employees. Beyond this tangible output, the activity offered employees an opportunity to connect directly with the company's purpose of transforming lives through science and care. Highlighting the profound impact of these initiatives, Osama Braiwish, General Manager of Bristol Myers Squibb in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, stated, "For over a decade, Global Patient Week has been a cornerstone initiative at Bristol Myers Squibb, reaffirming our core purpose and reminding us why we do what we do. From day one, it centers us on the patients who inspire every discovery, every treatment, and every breakthrough. Initiatives like our toy making workshops create a tangible connection, allowing employees to witness firsthand the resilience and joy of children living with serious conditions such as cancer and thalassemia. These moments powerfully reinforce our mission to transforming lives through science, always placing patients at the heart of everything we do." Each year, Bristol Myers Squibb dedicates Global Patient Week to the very individuals whose lives we strive to transform: our patients. Beyond the engaging toy-making workshops, this impactful week also featured the fifth edition of the 'Help Save a Life' blood donation drive. This year's drive, a collaboration with the Emirates Thalassemia Society and Dubai Science Park, was timed to coincide with Blood Cancer Awareness Month. The initiative highlights the life-saving importance of blood donation for those living with hereditary blood disorders, serving as an annual beacon that reinforces Bristol Myers Squibb's ongoing commitment to advancing patient wellbeing and strengthening community health. About Bristol Myers Squibb: Transforming Patients' Lives Through Science at Bristol Myers Squibb, our mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. We are pursuing bold science to define what's possible for the future of medicine and the patients we serve. For more information, visit us at BMS.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795502/BMS_Toy_Making_Dubai.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795503/BMS_Toy_Making_Riyadh.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/11-years-of-global-patient-week-bristol-myers-squibb-brings-joy-to-patients-with-toy-making-workshops-across-the-region-302583206.html LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Empire Metals Limited (LON:EEE)(OTCQX:EPMLF),the AIM-listed and OTCQX-traded resource exploration and development company, is pleased to inform investors that the Company will be attending and participating in the following upcoming events and conferences: Ignite Investment Summit Hong Kong (15-16 October 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong), where Shaun Bunn (Managing Director) and Arabella Burwell (Head of Corporate Development) will be meeting with investors from across the APAC region. For more information, visit: weareignite.com/events/october-2025/ . LME Week (13-17 October 2025 - events held across London), where Neil O'Brien (Non-Executive Chairman) and Greg Kuenzel (Finance Director) will be meeting with investors and key industry participants. For more information, visit: www.lme.com/en/events/lme-week . These events will provide further opportunities for the Company to engage with shareholders and potential investors, offering updates on the Company's maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Pitfield Project in Western Australia, in addition to the Company's future to move Pitfield towards commercialisation. An updated corporate presentation has been published and can be found here: https://www.empiremetals.co.uk/investors/reports-presentations/ **ENDS** For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact: Empire Metals Ltd Shaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel / Arabella Burwell Tel: 020 4583 1440 S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Broker) Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl Tel: 020 3470 0470 Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Broker) Damon Heath Tel: 020 7186 9950 St Brides Partners Ltd (Financial PR) Susie Geliher / Charlotte Page Tel: 020 7236 1177 About Empire Metals Limited Empire Metals Ltd (AIM: EEE and OTCQX: EPMLF) is an exploration and resource development company focused on the rapid commercialisation of the Pitfield Titanium Project, located in Western Australia. The titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale, and hosts one of the largest and highest-grade titanium resources reported globally, with a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) totalling 2.2 billion tonnes grading 5.1% TiO2 for 113 million tonnes of contained TiO2. The MRE, which covers only the Thomas and Cosgrove deposits, includes a weathered zone resource of 1.26 billion tonnes at 5.2% TiO2 and a significant Indicated Resource of 697 million tonnes at 5.3% TiO2, predominantly from the Thomas deposit. Titanium mineralisation at Pitfield occurs from surface and displays exceptional grade continuity along strike and down dip. The MRE extends across just 20% of the known mineralised footprint, providing substantial potential for further resource expansion. Conventional processing has already produced a high-purity product grading 99.25% TiO2, suitable for titanium sponge metal or pigment feedstock. The friable, in-situ weathered zone supports low-cost, strip mining without the need for blasting or overburden removal. With excellent logistics and established infrastructure, including rail links to deep-water ports with direct access to Asia, the USA, Europe and Saudi Arabia, Pitfield is strategically positioned to supply the growing global demand for titanium and other critical minerals. Empire is now accelerating the economic development of Pitfield, with a vision to produce a high-value titanium metal and/or pigment quality product at Pitfield, to realise the full value potential of this exceptional deposit. The Company also has two further exploration projects in Australia; the Eclipse Project and the Walton Project in Western Australia, in addition to three precious metals projects located in a historically high-grade gold producing region of Austria. This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Empire Metals Limited View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/empire-metals-limited-conference-presentations-and-attendance-1086673 The international round marks a key milestone, consolidating Caracol's leadership in Europe, US, and the Middle East, supporting its exponential growth, fueling expansion into new markets, and advancing next-generation manufacturing technologies. MILAN and AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Caracol, one of Europe's fastest-growing deep-tech companies and a pioneer in large-format robotic manufacturing, today announced the closing of its $40 million Series B round, co-led by Omnes Capital, Move Capital Fund I, alongside CDP Venture Capital - Large Ventures Fund, which played a key role as a catalyst for international investors. These international funds, together with leading Italian institutional investors, will accompany Caracol into its next phase of global growth, alongside continued backing from long-standing shareholders including Primo Capital SGR , Eureka! Venture SGR, and Neva SGR (the Intesa Sanpaolo Group's venture capital company). Thanks to a massive oversubscription, this round also enabled some early investors to exit with significant returns, underscoring the strong appetite shown by institutional players to invest in Caracol's next chapter. This new funding will further accelerate Caracol's global scaling and international expansion. The company will cement its leadership in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East while expanding further into high-growth markets such as Asia Pacific, building on the strong traction it has already achieved in Japan. On the technology side, Caracol will deepen the capabilities of its multi-process, multi-material platforms, with a focus on software, automation, and artificial intelligence to deliver data-driven process control and unmatched quality. The company will also intensify the ramp-up of its metal additive manufacturing technologies, particularly in highly regulated sectors such as aerospace and defense, energy, and maritime, while continuing to expand its polymer offering in key verticals such as transportation, construction, and architecture. Finally, Caracol will continue growing its global team, bringing on board top international talent to drive innovation and scale up. As of today, the company employs over 100 people, across three offices in Milan (Italy), Austin (USA), and Dubai (UAE), and has a global footprint with a presence in over 50 countries. Over the past five years, Caracol established itself as one of the most dynamic players in advanced robotic manufacturing, building a strong track record with more than 100 robotic platforms installed worldwide and hundreds of projects delivered across industries. Revenueshave more thandoubled year-over-year, a trend that continued in H1 of 2025. The company has unlocked applications that are reshaping industrial supply chains - for example, in the maritime industry, delivering up to 70% cost savings on finished parts for leading yacht manufacturer Ferretti Group (Italy); in automotive and motorsports, cutting production lead times by 50% on carbon fiber tooling with composite expert Duqueine (France); and enabling circular economy loops and reducing waste in construction projects such as with major general contractor HITT (United States). Recent milestones include the expansion of Caracol's headquarters in Texas, strengthening its North American presence and creating a hub for local manufacturing of its technology for the region. The new funding also builds on the strategic acquisition of Hans Weber Maschinenfabrik GmbH's additive robotic IP and technologies in Germany, reinforcing Caracol's European technology base and enhancing its supply capabilities across the DACH region. "This Series B represents a generational step for Caracol," said Francesco De Stefano, CEO and co-founder of Caracol. "In just a few years we've built strong global traction, doubling revenues year after year. This round validates our vision and the outstanding execution of our team, while bringing on board some of the world's leading deep-tech investors. With their support, we're ready to accelerate our global scale-up and help advanced industries strengthen supply-chain and manufacturing resilience through the flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability of our technology." "Caracol has achieved remarkable growth by turning a technological vision into solid industrial performance. This Series B round provides Caracol the financial strength to scale its large-format robotic manufacturing globally, while consolidating its European leadership in advanced manufacturing, contributing to Europe's deep-tech sovereignty and resilience. We are proud to support Caracol as it enters this new phase of profitable international expansion", said Francois-Xavier Dedde, Partner at Omnes Capital. "We are thrilled to invest in Caracol, a company defined by strong technological expertise, visionary leadership, and a clear commitment to sustainability. We look forward to actively supporting Caracol's international expansion by fostering strategic alliances and partnerships, helping the team scale this next phase of growth", said Sophie Sursock, Partner at Move Capital Fund I. "We are excited to continue supporting Caracol on its journey, as the company demonstrates solid and consistent growth", said Alessandro Scortecci, Head of Direct Investments at CDP Venture Capital. "From the very beginning, we believed in the team's vision and chose to back them through the first round via our Corporate Partners I fund. Today, we are pleased to see a company that is attracting interest from international investors and successfully accelerating its expansion into new geographies, including the U.S. market, and we continue supporting its growth through our Large Ventures fund. Caracol is a concrete great example of how Italian innovation can scale globally with ambition and strong execution." "We've believed in Caracol since its very first steps, when it was a small team with just a handful of employees and only a few hundred thousand euros in revenues. Since then, we have continued to invest at every stage of its growth, as the team has consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver on its targets," said Stefano Peroncini, CEO at Eureka! Venture SGR. "Today, our initial choice is further validated, and we are proud to support such a solid and visionary growth story with new and well established international investors, alongside current investors such as NEVA SGR (the Intesa Sanpaolo Group's venture capital company) and CDP Venture Capital, Corporate Partners Fund I", continued Matteo Cascinari, Partner at Primo Capital SGR. Caracol delivers turnkey robotic manufacturing platforms for large scale advanced parts, leveraging both polymers and metals. The company integrates proprietary hardware, software, and automation, providing customers with full end-to-end control and support. Its vision is to advance industrial manufacturing, leading the way towards a new paradigm of efficient, sustainable, and distributed production at global scale. Caracol wishes to thank the firms that supported the successful completion of its Series B: Growth Capital acting as sole financial advisor to Caracol leading the deal structuring, negotiations, and execution, together with the law firms: Fieldfisher , which advised Caracol; Legance , which advised CDP Venture Capital SGR, Omnes Capital and Move Capital; Portolano Cavallo , which advised NEVA SGR S.p.A.; and Target Law , which advised Primo Capital SGR and Eureka! Venture SGR. CARACOL CARACOL is redefining advanced manufacturing through integrated technological platforms that combine proprietary hardware, advanced software, and robotics. Its solutions - including the Heron AM and Vipra AM platforms - leverage additive manufacturing of polymers and metals, along with robotics, to produce large-scale, complex industrial parts for sectors such as aerospace, marine, energy, design, and architecture. With Europe's largest LFAM production center, a North American production hub, and offices in Dubai, Caracol is shaping the future of industrial manufacturing worldwide. OMNES CAPITAL Omnes is a leading private equity firm dedicated to the energy transition. With over 6.7 bn in assets under management, our teams support long-term partnerships with entrepreneurs through our four core businesses: renewable energy, sustainable cities, deeptech and co-investment. For over 20 years, Omnes has been applying its expertise to help businesses grow in more than 15 countries, with a particular focus on sustainable development. As part of its approach as a responsible investor, the company has created the Omnes Foundation to support non-profit organisations working for children and young people in the fields of education, health, social and professional integration. For more information: www.omnescapital.com PRIMO CAPITAL SGR Primo Capital SGR is the leading Italian independent platform for alternative investments focused on key technological sectors that foster economic growth. The company has over 500 million committed over multiple funds specializing in the digital, healthcare, climate tech and space economy sectors. www.primo.capital | irene.dri@primo.vc EUREKA! VENTURE SGR Eureka! Venture SGR is a leading independent Italian venture capital management company, authorized by the Bank of Italy and focused on investments in Venture Capital and Private Equity. The firm currently manages 130 million across a portfolio of specialized funds. Eureka! Fund I - Technology Transfer invests in proof-of-concept projects, spin-offs, startups, and companies aimed at transforming Italian scientific research results into market-ready innovations in Advanced Materials and, more broadly, in Materials Science and Engineering. BlackSheep Fund focuses on digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, applied to the MadTech (Marketing & Advertising Technology) sector. ETA I operates in small private equity through the search fund model, supporting entrepreneurial transitions and long-term value creation within small and medium-sized enterprises. https://www.eurekaventure.it/ GROWTH CAPITAL Growth Capital is a European tech investment bank with offices in Milan, Madrid, and London. We advise startups and scaleups on cross-border fundraising (5M-50M) and M&A transactions (EV range 10M-100M). We also support corporate investors, family offices, PE funds, and VC funds in identifying high-potential tech opportunities. Driving growth is at the core of what we do, providing strategic financial solutions to take innovative companies to the next level. https://growthcapital.vc/ info@growthcapital.vc Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795596/Caracol_Founders.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/caracol-raises-40m-series-b-to-accelerate-global-scale-up-of-advanced-manufacturing-technologies-302583199.html HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a heartfelt demonstration of empathy and community spirit, 15 volunteers from Vantage Foundation spent a day at Laws for Paws Vietnam, a local non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned and abused dogs. The activity was part of Vantage Foundation's broader mission to create positive social impact through meaningful, hands-on volunteer work. Throughout the day, volunteers participated in a series of activities, from walking and bathing the dogs to assisting with general care, ensuring that each animal receives not only physical attention but also the emotional connection crucial to their recovery. "This was more than just a volunteering activity; it was a humbling experience that reminded us of the power of compassion," said Adam, Sales Director of Vantage Markets. "Many of us formed genuine bonds with the dogs and witnessed firsthand how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in their healing journey." The day was filled with warmth, laughter, and shared affection as volunteers interacted closely with the animals, many of whom have endured neglect or abuse before being rescued. The experience left a deep impression on the Vantage team, reinforcing the foundation's belief that care, and kindness should extend beyond human communities, to all living beings who need it. Laws for Paws Vietnam continues to play an essential role in animal welfare, providing rescued dogs with medical care, rehabilitation, and a safe path to adoption. Vantage Foundation is proud to support their mission and to raise awareness of the importance of compassion-driven community initiatives. "Through partnerships like this, we're reminded that creating impact doesn't always require large-scale programs, it can begin with empathy and a willingness to give our time," said Steven Xie, Executive Director of Vantage Foundation. "Every volunteer effort is a step toward a kinder and more inclusive world." Vantage Foundation Vantage Foundation is an independent charitable organization launched at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK in 2023. The foundation has partnered with organisations worldwide, including Grab Indonesia, the iREDE Foundation in Nigeria, Teach for Malaysia, and Instituto Claret in Brazil, to drive impactful social initiatives. For more information, please visit www.vantage.foundation Foundation Laureus Sport for Good Laureus uses the power of sport to transform lives of children and young people from the most vulnerable communities, helping them overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantages. For more information, please visit www.laureus.com and laureus.es Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795506/Vantage_Foundation_Volunteers_Bring_Compassion_Care_Rescued_Dogs_Laws_Paws.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795507/Adam_Sales_Director_Vantage_Markets_create_positive_social_impact_meaningful.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795508/Every_volunteer_effort_a_step_a_kinder_inclusive_world.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2299654/Vantage_Foundation_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vantage-foundation-volunteers-bring-compassion-and-care-to-rescued-dogs-at-laws-for-paws-vietnam-302583156.html The UK is Zeller's first international market, as part of the global expansion strategy of one of Australia's fastest growing technology companies. UK businesses process over 1.3 trillion in card payments annually, opening Zeller up to an opportunity 4 times the size of Australia. Zeller's UK launch will create over 40 new jobs in the next 3 years. Lars Weber, ex-Bytedance, appointed as Zeller's UK Country Manager. LONDON, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeller , the Australian fintech redefining business banking, announced its upcoming launch into the United Kingdom, its first international market, and the beginning of an expansion strategy to deploy Zeller's leading all-in-one payment and financial ecosystem globally. To lead its UK operations, Zeller has appointed Lars Weber, a former ByteDance executive with extensive international experience launching technology businesses. The company will base itself in London, with recruitment underway to scale the team to over 40 people across technology, operations, and go-to-market roles in the next three years. Zeller's London team brings together experienced leaders from leading fintechs Square and Pockit to accelerate its market entry. Existing global partnerships with technology platforms including Oracle, Xero, Tevalis, and Redcat will also provide Zeller with the integrations to scale quickly and capture upmarket merchant demand at launch. "This is a pivotal moment for Zeller," said Ben Pfisterer, Zeller CEO and co-founder. "Our ambition has always been to create a global financial platform for businesses. Expanding into the UK - one of the world's largest and most dynamic small business economies - is the first step in realising that vision." The addressable market that Zeller is targeting in the UK is large and underserved, with over 5.5M businesses operating who process over 1.3 trillion in payments annually. Many UK business owners continue to report challenges with legacy banks, including hidden fees, slow service, and complex contracts. Zeller's entry will provide UK business owners with a modern alternative; a fully integrated ecosystem combining payments, business accounts, cards, expense management, invoicing, and real-time financial reporting. The attractiveness of Zeller's product ecosystem will be a driving force in accelerating adoption, with over 50% of UK SMEs still using up to 10 disconnected payment and banking tools to manage their finances. "Zeller's rapid success in Australia demonstrated that business owners everywhere are tired of outdated systems that make managing their finances harder," said Pfisterer. "The UK is one of the most advanced fintech markets in the world, and our experience building and deploying Australia's leading all-in-one payments and financial solution to over 100,000 businesses has readied Zeller for global expansion. Our decision to enter now reflects both the maturity of our product, and the scale of the global opportunity ahead of us to deliver a smarter and more accessible way for small businesses to manage their cash flow." Founded in 2020 by former Square APAC executives Ben Pfisterer and Dominic Yap, Zeller has grown to serve more than 100,000 Australian businesses in under five years, employs over 320 people, and reached unicorn status in 2022. The UK expansion represents the company's next phase of growth, and ambition to scale its integrated payments and financial ecosystem globally. UK business owners and partners can join the waitlist here to be notified when Zeller is available locally. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795641/Zeller_UK_Limited.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795640/Zeller_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/australian-fintech-zeller-enters-uk-market-to-support-1-3-trillion-sme-economy-302583222.html Next-Generation solution supports the NHS 10-year Health Plan and the mission to create a workforce that is fit for the future LONDON and BENGALURU, India, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that it has been awarded a 1.2 billion, 15-year contract by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to deliver the Future NHS Workforce Solution. Infosys will develop a cutting-edge, data-driven workforce management solution that will replace the current Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system and continue to pay 1.9 million NHS employees in England and Wales over 55 billion in payroll annually. Following a rigorous procurement process, Infosys was chosen for its proven track record in delivering large-scale digital transformation programs, its innovative approach to user-centric design, and its commitment to operational excellence. The Future NHS Workforce Solution supports the NHS 10-year Health Plan and the mission to create a workforce that is fit for the future. This will be achieved through investment in infrastructure that will support the NHS workforce with a modern and future-proof solution, giving healthcare workers the tools they need to free up time to continue delivering excellent patient care. Powered by advanced technologies, the new solution will deliver a modern, flexible, and integrated platform that supports the entire employee lifecycle - from recruitment and onboarding to payroll, career development, and retirement. With intuitive, AI-driven tools, it will streamline workforce planning and enable data-driven decision-making, creating a seamless and user-friendly experience for the NHS staff. Additionally, the solution will empower the NHS workforce to manage their personal information with ease, saving them valuable time. It will also enable seamless integration with other systems, improving the user experience and boosting operational efficiency. Michael Brodie, Chief Executive, NHSBSA, said, "Delivering the Future NHS Workforce Solution is a critical step in supporting the ambitions of the 10-Year Health Plan. The solution will go far beyond simply replacing ESR - it will be a strategic enabler for building a workforce that is fit for the future. By working with Infosys, we're creating a modern, data-driven solution that will help the NHS better attract, retain and support its people." Salil Parekh, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Infosys said, "The NHS is a cornerstone of life in the UK providing vital services that touch the lives of millions every day. We are honored to be chosen by the NHSBSA to deliver generational change for employees of the NHS in England and Wales through the Future Workforce Solution. With our extensive experience in delivering digital transformation and organizational change for global entities, combined with elements of our AI offering - Infosys Topaz, we will deliver a platform that not only drives efficiency today but empowers the NHS to elevate it's invaluable work into the future." About NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) The NHSBSA is an arm's length body of the Department of Health and Social Care and provides a range of critical central services to NHS organisations, NHS contractors, patients and the public. Its purpose is to deliver business service excellence to the NHS to help people live longer, healthier lives, and its vision is to be the provider of national, at scale business services for the health and social care system. For more information, visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk. About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 320,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses, and communities. We enable clients in more than 59 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as artificial intelligence ("AI"), generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/4364085/Infosys_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infosys-chosen-by-nhsbsa-to-deliver-a-new-workforce-management-solution-for-the-nhs-in-england-and-wales-302583241.html DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA, Oct 14, 2025 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), marked a major milestone in its six-decades long partnership with Saudi Arabia, with the inauguration of its first-ever JAC gas turbine assembled in the Kingdom at its Dammam Assembly Facility.His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province was in attendance at the ceremony, which was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Japanese Embassy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Minister Masahiro Tada attended the ceremony, while Takao Tsukui, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. welcomed other senior executives and assembled guests on behalf of Mitsubishi Power.This landmark coincides with Mitsubishi Power's 60th anniversary of operations in the Kingdom, underscoring the company's deep-rooted commitment to Saudi Arabia's industrial growth, energy security, and sustainable future. The achievement also highlights the Dammam Assembly Facility's capabilities in assembling advanced gas turbines and advancing localization, while positioning the Kingdom as a regional hub for advanced power generation solutions and delivering on Saudi Vision 2030. At the Dammam Assembly Facility, Mitsubishi Power assembles heavy duty gas turbines, including the state-of-the-art M501JAC, one of the world's most efficient and reliable gas turbines,.The first M501JAC gas turbine will be delivered to the 475 megawatts (MW) Amiral Cogeneration Plant in Jubail, Eastern Province, which will supply electricity and steam to the Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Company (SATORP) strategic petrochemical complex. Amiral Cogeneration Plant has been developed by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), one of the largest listed integrated utility companies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and JERA Co., Inc., Japan's largest power generation company. The SATORP strategic petrochemical complex is expected to house one of the largest mixed-load steam crackers in the Gulf region - making this project a significant step in advancing the Kingdom's energy and industrial capabilities."We are deeply honored by the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province at this ceremony, to inaugurate our first JAC gas turbine assembled in Saudi Arabia. Our gas turbines, assembled here at our Dammam Assembly Facility, will play a pivotal role in supporting the Kingdom's ambition to accelerate economic growth and achieve its decarbonization goals, in line with Saudi Vision 2030," commented Takao Tsukui, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. "As we celebrate 60 years of partnership in the Kingdom, this milestone reflects our enduring commitment to Saudi Arabia, enhancing localization, empowering Saudi talent, and delivering our most advanced technologies to support the Kingdom's energy transition and industrial development".The successful assembly of the first JAC gas turbine at the state-of-the-art facility in Dammam, is supported by Mitsubishi Power's Saudi National Program, which equips Saudi nationals with advanced technical expertise for the energy sector. Today, as part of Mitsubishi Power's Saudi National program, which provides Saudi talent with rewarding career pathways at the company, over 50% of Mitsubishi Power employees in Saudi Arabia are Saudi nationals, both male and female. They benefit from advanced technical skills for the energy sector, which they gain through on-the-job training and knowledge exchange programs both in Saudi Arabia and in Japan.By localizing production of its most advanced turbines in the Kingdom, Mitsubishi Power is enabling greater self-reliance in energy infrastructure, supporting industrial growth, and aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative's target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through the circular carbon economy.With a rich heritage in Saudi Arabia spanning 60 years, Mitsubishi Power works with key energy stakeholders including the Ministry of Energy, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), and the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC). The company began operations in Saudi Arabia with its first supply of boilers to Aramco in Abqaiq in 1965 and has since been active in power projects with major utilities and industrial companies in the Kingdom.For more information about Mitsubishi Power and its innovations in the energy sector, please visit: https://power.mhi.com/regions/mena/Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. LYON, France and ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN, Netherlands, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL SunPower Global, a leading provider of solar energy solutions, has signed a distribution agreement with VDH Solar, one of the Netherlands' most trusted solar wholesalers. Through this partnership, VDH Solar will offer Dutch installers access to the two technology brands of TCL SunPower Global; TCL Solar and SunPower. This will enable VDH Solar to expand its portfolio with a broader range of high-quality solar panels, suitable for a variety of budgets and project requirements. The collaboration introduces TCL Solar modules to the Dutch market, starting with the TCL E Class back-contact technology. SunPower modules are also part of VDH's portfolio, beginning with the Performance Line. Installers were able to explore both product lines during VDH's Innovation Days on June 27, where TCL Solar and SunPower modules were showcased to industry professionals. A new name, but not a new player, backed by trusted service "This is an important milestone for us," said Steven Zhang, General Manager of TCL SunPower Global. "It's the first time our TCL Solar modules are available in the Netherlands, and we're proud to partner with VDH to make that happen. Their reputation for service and reliability makes them the perfect fit to introduce our technology to Dutch installers." "With the addition of TCL Solar and SunPower modules to our portfolio, we are offering our customers an even wider selection of high quality solar panels," says Miranda Nouwen, CEO of VDH Solar. "The collaboration with TCL Solar and SunPower fits perfectly with our pillars: Innovation, Quality, Sustainability and Customer Focus. Installers benefit not only from the quality of the solar panels, but also from fast delivery, technical support and competitive terms and conditions. TCL Solar and SunPower products are available through the VDH Solar webshop." Why this is important for Dutch installers Central to the agreement is the availability of TCL Solar's flagship line: the TCL Solar E Class. This is a smart, efficient and cost-effective back-contact module, designed for everyday reliability. Ideal for residential and commercial projects where value and performance go hand in hand. A brighter future, powered locally This collaboration opens up new opportunities for Dutch solar energy professionals. With TCL Solar making its market debut and SunPower's ongoing technological advances, installers can now offer tailored solutions for every rooftop-backed by two globally recognised technology brands from TCL SunPower Global and one trusted distributor. VDH Solar, with over a decade of experience, is known for its fast delivery, deep inventory, and technical support in Dutch. Their installer-focused approach makes them a natural fit to expand access to TCL Solar and SunPower's modules across the Netherlands. About VDH Solar VDH Solar is a wholesaler of sustainable energy solutions, offering a wide range of energy storage systems, solar panels, inverters, mounting systems, and EV chargers. VDH Solar stands out for its innovative, high-quality products, fast delivery, and customer-focused service, supporting installers at every step of the energy transition. You can find more about VDH Solar at www.vdh-solar.nl. About TCL SunPower Global Backed by the global strength, financial stability, and technological leadership of the TCL Group, TCL SunPower Global is a leading player in the solar energy space. committed to delivering high-performance, reliable, and accessible solar solutions worldwide. We integrate advanced technology, vertical manufacturing, and a strong focus on sustainability to support the transition to clean energy. Positioned at the forefront of innovation, we pioneer next-generation solar technologies that empower individuals, organizations, and entire regions to shape a cleaner energy future. TCL SunPower Global brings to market two dedicated product brands: TCL Solar, focused on high-efficiency solar panels, and SunPower, offering integrated energy solutions. Together, they address the diverse needs of the global solar market, from residential rooftops to commercial installations and large-scale utility projects. Find more at sunpowerglobal.com, tclsolar.com, and on LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: Anna Porta | anna.porta@sunpowerglobal.com | Roelof Kramer | marketing@vdh-solar.nl Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795192/VDH_Solar.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2680312/5560889/TCL_SunPower_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/strategic-alliance-tcl-sunpower-global-and-vdh-solar-join-forces-to-make-solar-energy-more-accessible-in-the-netherlands-302583040.html HONG KONG, Oct 14, 2025 - (ACN Newswire) - Everest Medicines today announced that the first patient has been enrolled in a global multi-center Phase I clinical trial of its Tumor-Associated Antigen Cancer Vaccine EVM14 at NEXT Oncology Virginia in the United States. Previously, the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for EVM14 has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China. EVM14 becomes Everest Medicines' first internally developed therapeutic mRNA cancer vaccine to receive IND approvals from both China's NMPA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).EVM14, an off-the-shelf therapeutic mRNA cancer vaccine, is developed based on Everest Medicines' proprietary mRNA platform. It is formulated with mRNA encoding 5 tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and is designed to treat various squamous cell carcinomas, including squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sq-NSCLC) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the targeted cancer types, 96% of patients with sq-NSCLC and 97% of patients with HNSCC expressed at least one of the five target genes[1]. TTA vaccines offer distinct advantages, including elimination of HLA screening requirements, off-the-shelf availability, lower production costs versus personalized neoantigen vaccines, and applicability across multiple tumor types.'The cancer burden in China remains substantial. Neither immunotherapy nor targeted therapy can offer long term benefits to cancer patients. EVM14 is designed to treat various squamous cell carcinomas, EVM14's unique mechanism offers the potential to complement current treatments by enhancing the efficacy via combination therapies and helping delay disease recurrence, aligning with current trends in oncology drug development.' said Professor Lu Shun, the Lead Principal Investigator in China and Director of the Oncology Department at Shanghai Chest Hospital.'The enrollment of the first patient with EVM14 in the United States marks an important achievement in advancing the global clinical development of our in-house mRNA platform.' said Rogers Yongging Luo, Chief Executive Officer of Everest Medicines. 'This progress demonstrates Everest's continued efforts to translate technological innovation into clinical practice and our first move advantage in developing next-generation immuno-oncology therapies, including therapeutic mRNA cancer vaccines. EVM14 is Everest's first therapeutic mRNA cancer vaccine to achieve IND approvals in both China and the U.S. The large patient population faces limited options with existing standard-of-care therapies, highlighting an unmet medical need. As a TAA cancer vaccine, EVM14's unique mechanism offers the potential to complement current treatments by enhancing the efficacy via combination therapies and helping delay disease recurrence, offering hope for long-term cancer-free survival. With EVM14 receiving IND approval from China's NMPA, we look forward to this innovative therapy demonstrating promising therapeutic potential in global multicenter clinical trials, bringing more treatment options to patients worldwide and enhance their quality of life.'Everest Medicines' Jiashan manufacturing site released the first GMP clinical trial batch in June 2025. This batch will support the clinical trials of EVM14 in both China and the United States. The clinical centers involved include NEXT Oncology Virginia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the U.S., and Shanghai Chest Hospital in China.Leveraging the company's industry-leading mRNA therapeutic cancer vaccine platform and mRNA in vivo CAR-T platform, it is building a globally competitive R&D pipeline. EVM18, the in vivo CAR-T program, has completed multiple non-human primates (NHPs) trials and achieved preclinical proof-of-concept, with first-in-human data expected to initiate by the end of 2025. EVM16, the personalized therapeutic mRNA cancer vaccine, has initiated its first-in-human trial in China, with patient dosing completed. In the investigator-initiated trial (IIT), dose escalation in the low- and mid-dose cohorts has been completed, with encouraging preliminary data observed. EVM15, the immune-modulatory cancer vaccine, has completed preclinical proof of concept and identified its clinical candidate.Looking ahead, Everest Medicines will continue to deepen its 'dual-engine' strategy, maintaining a strong focus on advancing innovative drug discovery and development to drive sustainable growth and global expansion. The Company remains committed to delivering innovative therapies to patients, creating long-term value for shareholders, and driving forward with the vision of becoming a leading global biopharmaceutical company.[1] The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataSource: Everest Medicines LimitedCopyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. VATICAN CITY, VA / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / The Office of Pastor Dr. Mark Burns, Chief Spiritual Diplomat for Global Peace and Spiritual Advisor to President Donald J. Trump, is honored to announce that Dr. Burns has been invited to speak at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Vatican City. Pastor Dr. Mark Burns Invited to Speak at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Vatican City 10th Annual World Changers Summit This distinguished invitation was extended by Sir Prof. Dr. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, President of the Institute for Advanced Studies and Cooperation, Founder of the World Changers Summit, and Liaison Representative to the Pontifical Academy of Theology - Vatican. The Pontifical Academy, one of the world's most respected institutions for dialogue between faith, science, and humanity, gathers global leaders, Nobel laureates, and religious representatives to address issues vital to the moral and spiritual progress of humankind. Its mission-to unite faith and reason in the service of truth and peace-closely aligns with Dr. Burns' lifelong commitment to promoting interfaith harmony and defending the freedom of belief. Dr. Burns will be accompanied by the ALLATRA International Public Movement, led by its President Maryna Ovtsynova, whose organization has been instrumental in advancing global humanitarian dialogue and the vision of unity and peace. Ms. Ovtsynova is honored to return to the Vatican - where ALLATRA received Apostolic Blessings from His Holiness Pope Francis in 2024 and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in 2025 - extending these blessings to the President and all volunteers of the Movement. Dr. Burns will address the Academy during a special session on interfaith cooperation and the moral responsibility of leadership in the pursuit of global peace. His remarks will emphasize the rising global movement of Spiritual Diplomats, dedicated to building bridges across faiths and nations in defense of human dignity and liberty. "It is a profound honor to speak at the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences," said Dr. Burns. "At a time when the world faces division and despair, faith must again become the bridge between nations. Peace is not merely the work of governments-it is the sacred duty of all people of conscience." This historic invitation reflects international recognition of Pastor Burns' tireless efforts to promote peace, reconciliation, and freedom through interfaith diplomacy and moral leadership. Media Inquiries: Office of Pastor Dr. Mark Burns Spiritual Advisor to President Donald Trump info@markburns.org +1.202.320.1820 SOURCE: ALLATRA View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/pastor-dr.-mark-burns-invited-to-speak-at-the-pontifical-academy-1086020 Share repurchase underscores company's continued confidence in long-term growth strategy and commitment to shareholder value creation LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / MainStreetChamber Holdings, Inc. (OTCPINK:MSCH), a diversified holdings company specializing in brand licensing, consumer products, and wellness-driven business ventures, today announced that it has repurchased 26,422,222 shares of its common stock, representing approximately 7.7% of the Company's total shares outstanding. The share repurchase reflects MSCH's confidence in its financial position, strategic direction, and commitment to creating long-term shareholder value. Larry Kozin, Co-Founder and CEO of MainStreetChamber Holdings, Inc., said, "This buyback reinforces our long-term confidence in both our business and our vision. From revitalizing iconic American brands such as Perfect Dreamer through our collaboration with Bo Derek to the strong and continuing performance of our kathy ireland portfolio, our team is focused on innovation, integrity, and long-term brand building. Each step we take is designed to create enduring value for our shareholders, our partners, and the communities we serve." John Bellave, Co-Founder of MainStreetChamber Holdings, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Licensing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MainStreetChamber Holdings, Inc., added, "Our decision to move forward with this share buyback underscores our disciplined approach to capital allocation and our belief in the intrinsic value of the Company. MainStreetChamber Holdings has built one of the most compelling and diversified brand portfolios in the industry, highlighted by the continuing success of our kathy ireland licenses in furniture, laundry, and logistics, as well as exciting new ventures like Perfect 10 by Bo Derek. These partnerships demonstrate the power of our licensing model and our ability to create sustainable growth platforms that deliver value to our investors." The share repurchase was completed as part of MSCH's broader initiative to optimize capital structure, strengthen market confidence, and maintain flexibility for future expansion and strategic investments. About MainStreetChamber Holdings, Inc. MainStreetChamber Holdings, Inc. (OTCPINK:MSCH) is a leading global provider of intellectual property and brand licensing solutions. The company develops and markets innovative licensing solutions for organizations of all sizes, from startups to established enterprises. Its diverse portfolio includes Advanced Licensing, kathy ireland Laundry, kathy ireland Furniture, kathy ireland Logistics, MainStreetChamber of Commerce, the recently launched Perfect 10 mattress & furniture brand in partnership with Bo Derek, as well as sustainable and design-forward residential ventures. Industry Contact:info@msch.com Media Contact: Rona Menashe | Guttman Associates Email: Rona@guttmanpr.com | Phone: (310) 246-4600 Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events and performance and are based on assumptions and expectations subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied due to a variety of factors, including changes in market conditions, consumer demand, competition, economic trends, regulatory developments, and the availability of capital. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and MainStreetChamber Holdings, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: MainStreetChamber Holdings Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/mainstreetchamber-holdings-inc.-announces-strategic-share-buybac-1086384 JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - The UN is stepping up its emergency response in Gaza, releasing $11 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to meet urgent needs before winter. The allocation, announced on Monday by Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, will support the immediate scale-up of aid operations across the Gaza Strip, including food, water, healthcare and shelter for civilians affected by two years of conflict. It follows a $9 million allocation last week to secure fuel supplies for hospitals and essential services, bringing total recent CERF funding for Gaza to $20 million. The announcement comes as a ceasefire brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt continues to hold, alongside the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, offering what the UN Secretary-General described as 'the fragile hope of calm after months of devastation.' The UN and its partners are rapidly scaling up operations across Gaza as access improves, delivering life-saving assistance in areas that had been cut off for months. However, a massive scale up in funding is needed in the face of overwhelming needs. Fletcher warned that without fresh contributions to CERF, critical aid cannot keep flowing to people who need it. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN teams have now secured Israeli approval for 190,000 metric tons of aid, with cooking gas entering Gaza for the first time since March and more food, tents and medical supplies moving in daily. More than 80 percent of all buildings in Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged, according to the United Nations Development Program. UNDP is currently assessing reconstruction needs in the war-torn Palestinian enclave. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News The annual ranking by BizClik's Technology Magazine recognises the world's leading companies driving digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable growth LONDON, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology Magazine, a BizClik brand, has announced the release of its Top 100 Technology Companies 2025 report - an annual ranking that recognises the organisations driving global digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable growth. This year's list highlights the companies leading in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, consumer electronics, and enterprise solutions. From Silicon Valley powerhouses to international innovators, the Top 100 showcases the businesses redefining the future of technology. Nvidia Ranked #1 Technology Company in 2025 Nvidia has been ranked the number one company in the Top 100 Technology Companies 2025 report, recognised for its leadership in artificial intelligence, GPU innovation, and data centre infrastructure. The American technology giant continues to drive global progress, with its solutions powering advances in generative AI, autonomous vehicles, and high-performance computing. The Top 10 Technology Companies of 2025 Nvidia Microsoft Apple Google Amazon Meta Platforms Samsung AMD Huawei SAP Full list available here. Company Quote: "The Top 100 Technology Companies of 2025 celebrates the innovators shaping the future of global technology," said Glen White, CEO of BizClik. "These organisations are redefining industries, driving transformation, and creating a more connected, sustainable world - and at BizClik, we are proud to spotlight their achievements." Quote from the Top 100: "Our expertise across enterprise solutions, engineering services, cybersecurity, applications, infrastructure, and operations continues to drive value creation for our clients. We have maintained a strong focus on cost efficiency, automation, and productivity improvements. With deep expertise in AI, cloud, data, and digital offerings, we are well-established as the preferred partner for large enterprises across the world." - Infosys Why It Matters The Top 100 Technology Companies 2025 provides a definitive benchmark of innovation and scale across the industry. It serves as a key resource for executives, investors, and partners seeking to understand the companies driving the global technology landscape forward. About Technology Magazine Technology Magazine is a BizClik brand, delivering insights, analysis, and industry news for technology executives across AI, cloud, connectivity, enterprise IT, and digital transformation. About BizClik BizClik is a global B2B media and events company, producing sector-specific content across technology, sustainability, procurement, fintech, AI, and more. Its portfolio includes digital magazines, websites, newsletters, webinars, and award-winning global events. For more information, visit: www.bizclikmedia.com. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2794640/BizClik.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/technology-magazine-unveils-the-top-100-technology-companies-of-2025-302582084.html Natural food colors are pigments derived from natural sources such as fruits, vegetables, plants, and minerals. They are widely used in the food and beverages industry by manufacturers to add color to food items or drinks. WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Natural Food Colors Market -Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2035", valued at US$2,155.4 million in 2023. With a projected CAGR of 8.7% from 2024 to 2035, the market is expected to reach US$5,839.4 million by the end of 2035. The growing demand for clean-label food products and natural flavor enhancers is propelling the yeast extract industry. Market Introduction The rise of clean-label and organic products is significantly driving demand in the natural food colors market, as consumers increasingly seek transparency and trust in what they consume. Consumers are no longer just checking calorie counts-they are reading ingredient labels, avoiding synthetic dyes, and opting for products with recognizable, plant-based components. According to the International Food Information Council (IFIC), over 60% of consumers report that they actively avoid artificial colors, and terms like "natural" and "organic" heavily influence their purchase decisions. This shift is reshaping product development strategies across the food and beverage industry. Natural colorants derived from sources like turmeric, beetroot, spirulina, and annatto not only meet this demand but also align with growing preferences for vegan and sustainable products. Moreover, food manufacturers are leveraging this trend by reformulating existing products and launching new SKUs with clean-label credentials, especially in categories like beverages, snacks, dairy, and plant-based meat. As consumers increasingly equate "natural" with health and authenticity, clean-label trends will continue to serve as a strong catalyst for the growth of natural food colors. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A15588 Report Overview: The natural food color market is segmented into solubility, application, color type, source, form and region. By solubility, the market is categorized by water and dye. On the basis of application, the market is divided into processed food products and beverages. Based on color type, the market is categorized into caramel, carotenoids, anthocyanins, curcumin, carmine, annatto, and chlorophyll & spirulina. By source, the market is bifurcated into plant and animal. On the basis of form, liquid and powder are covered in the report. Region wise, the natural food colors market is studied across North America which includes the U.S., Canada and Mexico; Europe includes Germany, France, UK, Spain, Italy, Russia, and Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific consists of China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Rest of Asia-Pacific; South America includes Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Rest of South America; Middle East includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, and Rest of Middle East; Africa includes South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Rest of Africa. By solubility, the water segment dominated the global natural food color market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period.? By application, the processed food products and beverages segment dominated the global natural food color market in 2023. By color type, the carotenoids segment dominated the global natural food color market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. By source, the plant segment dominated the global natural food color market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. By form, the powder segment dominated the global natural food color market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage ? Details? ? Forecast Period? ? 2024-2035 ? Base Year? ? 2023 Market Size In 2023? ? $2,155.4 Million? ? Market Size In 2035? ? $5,839.4 Million? ? CAGR ? 8.7 % No. Of Pages In Report? ? 494 Segments Covered? ? Solubility, Application, Color Type, Source, Form Target Region / Countries North America (the U.S., Canada And Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, UK, Spain, Italy, Russia, And Rest Of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia And Rest Of Asia-Pacific), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, And Rest Of South America), Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, And Rest Of Middle East) And Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sudan And Rest Of Africa.) Drivers - ? Surge In Demand For Natural Food Ingredients Rise In Demand For Clean-Label Food Colors Opportunity ? Increase In Adoption Of Plant-based Food Products Among Consumers - - ? Restraint? ? High Extraction Cost And Stringent Regulations - - ? Buy This Research Report (494 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables and Figures) : https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/natural-food-colors-market/purchase-options Market Growth & Opportunities Factors: There has been a significant surge in demand for natural food ingredients, including natural food colors, in recent years. Consumers are increasingly looking for healthier and more sustainable food options, and natural ingredients are seen to achieve these goals. Upsurge in demand for natural colors from various end-use industries, such as processed food, frozen food, dairy food, & beverages, is expected to have a positive impact on the utilization of natural color sources. This factor is expected to significantly contribute toward the growth of the market during the forecast period. The clean label trend indicates that the food is prepared with natural colors and flavor. Furthermore, consumers are opting for alternatives to synthetic colors, and their increasing preference for natural colors is expected to drive the demand for clean-label food color ingredients, thereby supplementing global market growth. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Economic Research Service, the retail market size of natural and organic foods in the U.S. was estimated at $122.1 billion in 2020, representing a 12.4% increase from the previous year. The organic food sector was estimated to be $62.1 billion, while the natural food sector was estimated to be $60.0 billion, and the trend is expected to grow rapidly over the coming years. These figures indicate a growing demand for the natural food colors market in the U.S. and are impacting the global market positively. Moreover, the growing functional food and beverage sector is significantly increasing the natural food colors market forward. As consumers increasingly seek products that not only nourish but also offer health benefits-such as enhanced immunity, improved digestion, and increased energy-The demand for functional foods has increased. Moreover, manufacturers are formulating products enriched with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics, necessitating the use of natural food colors to align with the clean-label preferences of today's discerning consumers. For instance, the rise in popularity of functional beverages like prebiotic and probiotic drinks has been notable, reflecting a growing consumer focus on holistic and personalized health approaches. This trend highlights the opportunity for natural colorant producers to innovate and meet the aesthetic and health expectations of a market eager for products that are both visually appealing and beneficial to well-being. Major Challenges in Industry & Solutions: Food manufacturers are facing many challenges with respect to the cost, process, applications, and quality of natural ingredients. The extraction process of natural ingredients is complicated and time-consuming, in which some amounts of natural ingredients are exhausted while the yield of high-purity products becomes low. This factor is expected to hamper the growth of the market in the coming years as it reduces the overall revenue generation globally. Moreover, extraction of natural ingredients such as carmine involves expensive operations due to complicated biotech processes. This results in high prices of color formulations owing to the laborious manufacturing process as compared to synthetic substitutes. This involves advanced technology, which incurs additional cost and effort. Thus, availability of synthetic substitutes that are cheaper as compared to natural extracts is expected to hinder the growth of the natural food colors market. Natural food colors are typically used more widely in developed countries, where consumers are generally more aware of the potential health benefits and are willing to pay a premium for products made with natural ingredients. In many undeveloped nations, food manufacturers do not have the resources or knowledge to use natural food colors and may instead rely on artificial colors due to their lower cost and greater availability. Additionally, consumers in these countries are not aware of the potential health risks associated with artificial food colors and may not prioritize natural ingredients when making purchase decisions. Owing to easy availability and economical cost, consumers in these nations prefer synthetic or artificial ingredients over natural ingredients. In addition, they tend to use the traditional products, which they have been using regularly and hesitate to try new food products. This hampers the sale of natural food colors in many undeveloped nations. Furthermore, higher price of natural color products as compared to synthetic products discourages consumers to switch to new products, which restrains the growth of the global market. However, there are efforts being made to increase awareness and use of natural food colors in undeveloped nations. Some organizations and companies are working to educate food manufacturers and consumers on the benefits of natural ingredients, including natural food colors. Additionally, governments may implement regulations and guidelines to encourage the use of natural ingredients and limit the use of artificial additives. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A15588 Regional Insights Europe dominates the global natural food color market owing to its stringent regulatory framework and increasing consumer awareness regarding food safety and health. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) enforces strict guidelines that limit the use of artificial additives, prompting food manufacturers to adopt natural alternatives. Consumers across the region are also becoming more health-conscious, demanding clean-label products with recognizable and plant-based ingredients. This growing demand for transparency and sustainability has driven food producers in Europe to incorporate natural colors derived from sources such as fruits, vegetables, and spices into a wide range of products, particularly in the bakery, dairy, and beverage segments. Moreover, Europe hosts a well-developed food processing industry with a strong focus on research and innovation. Leading manufacturers in the region are actively investing in the development of advanced extraction technologies and novel natural color formulations to meet diverse consumer preferences. The popularity of vegan, organic, and non-GMO products further boosts the demand for natural food colors. Additionally, European countries such as Germany, France, and the UK have a high per capita consumption of processed and packaged foods, contributing significantly to market growth. These combined factors position Europe as the dominant region in the global natural food color market throughout the forecast period. Key Players: The key players profiled in this report are Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, T. Hasegawa Co., Ltd., Kanegrade Limited, Oterra A/S, Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd., San-Ei Gen F.F.I., Inc., Hawkins Watts Limited, Robertet Group, Byrnes & Kiefer Company, Gulf Flavours & Fragrances, California Natural Color, V. MANE Fils SAS, Koninklijke DSM N.V., BioconColors, The Watkin Company, Orginor Natural SA, Givaudan SA, Nactarome S.p.A., International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Kalsec, Inc., GNT International B.V., Vivify, Sensient Technologies Corporation, and Dohler GmbH. Key Strategies Adopted by Competitors In September 2024, T. Hasegawa Co., Ltd. acquired Abelei Flavors, Inc. The purchase fits into company's strategy to broaden its flavor portfolio within North America. In March 2022, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) launched PearlEdge, a white color solution derived from natural sources like corn starch, aimed at food and beverage applications, offering a clean-label alternative to synthetic whitening agents. Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Food and Beverages Domain: Food Colors Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032 Alcohol Ingredients Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032 Food Ingredients Market :Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2031 Alginate Casings Market :Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2031 Clean Label Ingredients Market :Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2019-2026 Food Colorants Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Caramel Color Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Tea Color Sorter Market :Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Colostrum Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides end-to-end solutions along with information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to SMEs and early-stage start-ups to bring excellence to their processes. In addition, we offer a nurturing environment required to develop and grow businesses, including business planning; virtual support; market intelligence; acquiring resources; and getting direct access to finance, suppliers, and other experts to boost the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs. Our bundled and hassle-free business support systems are customized to meet the needs of SME consultants and industry leaders. Moreover, our large network of skilled consultants and experts help start-ups get the business on a roll. Contact us: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/natural-food-colors-market-to-reach-2-2-billion-by-2023-in-short-term-and-5-8-billion-by-2035-globally-at-8-7-cagr-allied-market-research-302583261.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Hayasa Metals Inc. (TSXV: HAY) (OTCQB: HAYAF) ("Hayasa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received the first batch of geochemical results for drill holes UDD-010, 011, 012, 013, 014 and 016, from the Copper Creek, Golden Vein and Black River prospects at the Urasar Mineral District in northern Armenia. The Phase 2 drill campaign comprised eleven drill holes totaling 2,040 meters and was carried out over June and July 2025. The processed core from the remaining six holes is currently in the laboratory and results are expected within the next five weeks. Figure 1: 2025 Drill hole locations To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/270321_bcbc09c02409289c_002full.jpg Highlights from this first tranche of results include 26.5m @ 0.37 Cu, including 5.5m @ 0.96% Cu and 0.116 ppm Au from hole UDD-013, 24m @ 0.424 g/t Au with 0.18% Cu from hole UDD-016. Percent levels of sulfide mineralization occur over the entire lengths of the holes, with tens of meters of massive sulfide mineralization intersected in the eastern Black River zone in holes UDD-016 and 017. Very few results reported below the laboratory detection limit (BLD) for gold or copper, while molydenum values tracked gold and copper with values of tens of ppm Mo. Holes UDD-011, 012 and 013 possess relatively long mineralized intervals hosting significant chalcopyrite, but the copper geochemical results appear low compared to visual estimations. This includes 47 meters from 110m to 157m in hole UDD-012, that returned 0.073% Cu and 0.048 ppm Au. The copper sulfide bearing intervals in the other holes also returned copper values significantly below what was expected, even in the zones that reported up to 1% Cu. Hayasa management suspects there may be an issue with sample preparation procedures and is sending the course rejects of selected intervals to another laboratory to re-process and re-analyze as part of QA/QC procedures. We expect to share the results with our second batch of assays. Table 1: Significant results from first batch of 2025 Urasar drill results To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/270321_hayasa%20table%201.jpg Figure 2: Drill hole locations in the western half of the license (mag background) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/270321_bcbc09c02409289c_004full.jpg Dennis Moore, President and Qualified Person of Hayasa, commented: "These latest results represent a marked improvement over our maiden drilling campaign conducted late last year. Most drill holes intersected substantial intervals of breccia-hosted copper-gold mineralization, highlighted by 26.5 meters grading 0.37% Cu and 0.09 g/t Au in the Golden Vein area. In addition, Hole UDD-016, drilled at Black River on the eastern end of the license, intersected 24 meters of massive sulfide mineralization, returning nearly 0.5 g/t Au and 0.18% Cu. "While the assay results are encouraging, visual estimations of chalcopyrite abundance in core, particularly from the Golden Vein and Copper Creek area appear under-reported in the current laboratory data. As such, coarse rejects and splits from selected intervals from holes 11, 12 and 13 will be re-processed and re-analyzed at a second laboratory for verification." Moore continued: "Importantly, mineral assemblages observed in deeper sections of drill holes in the Golden Vein and Copper Creek (Yellow River) zones - all located at the western end of the license - display potassium feldspar and actinolite alteration. These minerals are commonly associated with porphyry copper systems, suggesting we may be targeting the apex or margin of a larger, concealed mineralized system responsible for the widespread hydrothermal alteration seen at surface. "Moreover, as indicated in the image below, a large, untested chargeability anomaly lies to the north of our current drilling area. Testing this target will require deeper drilling, which we plan to undertake in our next campaign." Figure 3: IP line 2 with projected drill holes plotted on the chargeability section To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/270321_bcbc09c02409289c_005full.jpg Joel Sutherland, CEO of Hayasa, commented, "We're encouraged by the recent drilling and geophysical results, which confirm we are getting closer to the ore body. Given the recent successful financing, we will be determining over the next week whether we drill additional meters in 2025 at Urasar. My preference is to do additional drilling in 2025 at Urasar, however there are other variables to consider including weather, roadwork, safety conditions and drill pad preparation (3 are already prepped). These assays are materially better than our 2024 Urasar drill program and we look forward to releasing the second batch in the coming weeks, and perhaps turning the drill bit sooner than expected." Urasar Mineral District The 15-kilometre-long Urasar mineral district is situated along a major crustal suture that marks the closure of the ancient Tethyan Sea. The district is characterized by strong to intense argillic to advanced argillic alteration as well as surficial sulfide mineralization throughout its length. The western portion of the license features breccia-hosted copper-gold mineralization, while the central zone is dominated by massive sulfide bodies containing gold and copper. The eastern end of the district exhibits base metal mineralization and anomalous gold at surface. Urasar was first exploited by the French in 1914, followed by Soviet exploration programs in the 1930s and 1956-1960, comprising over 20 exploration adits and at least 15 shallow drill holes. Laboratory Details and QA/QC The diamond core was cut and samples prepared under Hayasa's supervision in Armenia with the splits sent to the ALS laboratory in Romania. The prepped samples were analyzed by 30g fire assay for gold (method Au-AA23) and 34 associated elements using multi-element ICP (Induced Coupled Plasma, method ME-ICP61). This batch from five holes represents 449 mostly two-meter sample intervals. In addition, a known standard, blank or duplicate was inserted every ten samples for QA/QC purposes. Qualified Person The content of this news release was reviewed by Dennis Moore, Hayasa's President and Chairman, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements including, without limitation, statements regarding future exploration programs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations including the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by Canadian securities law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270321 SOURCE: Hayasa Metals Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (NYSE American: USAS) (TSX: USA) ("Americas" or the "Company"), currently the only antimony producer in the United States and a growing North American precious metals producer, is pleased to announce it has engaged Lot Sixteen, a D.C.-based government relations and communications firm, to initiate discussions with the U.S. Government regarding support for Americas' antimony production and the construction of a dedicated antimony processing plant in Idaho's Silver Valley. Americas operates the 100%-owned Galena mine complex in the Silver Valley of Idaho where it produces silver-lead-copper-antimony concentrate. Galena is currently the only producing antimony mine in the United States and has been producing antimony for over 80 years. Figure 1: Location of Americas' Galena mining complex in Idaho's Silver Valley where antimony is currently produced To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5082/270330_b6883c8874618b03_001full.jpg To strengthen its engagement with the federal government, the Company has signed an agreement with Lot Sixteen LLC, a consultancy with extensive experience advancing domestic critical minerals projects, advising on natural resource issues, and securing federal funding for its clients. Lot Sixteen will support Americas work to advance antimony processing in Idaho's Silver Valley. Galena is the only producing antimony mine in the United States. The Company aims to deliver a secure and reliable source of antimony, a federally-recognized critical mineral with key applications in the defense, energy, and manufacturing sectors to the United States Government. Given its significant advantage of current production, Americas is evaluating the potential for construction of a new antimony processing facility to process Galena's current antimony production and, if capacity permits, could accept feed from other sources with the objective of creating a domestic hub for antimony production in the Idaho's Silver Valley. Paul Andre Huet, Chairman and CEO, commented: "Americas Gold and Silver's Galena Mine in Idaho is already the sole and largest antimony producer in the United States. Our Galena mine has been producing significant amounts of antimony since the 1940's, and our test work this year has clearly reconfirmed the viability of extracting saleable antimony products from tetrahedrite concentrates currently produced. "We are currently underway with the design of a new antimony processing facility for our Galena concentrate and are very pleased to engage Lot Sixteen to assist in our ongoing discussions with the United States Government. With the strong support of government and industry stakeholders, we believe Idaho can become the centerpiece of a resilient domestic supply chain for this critical metal." About Americas Gold and Silver Corporation Americas Gold & Silver is a growing precious metals and antimony mining company with multiple assets in North America. In December 2024, Americas increased its ownership in the Galena Complex (Idaho, USA) from 60% to 100% in a transaction with Eric Sprott, solidifying its position as a growing silver and antimony producer. Americas also owns and operates the Cosala Operations in Sinaloa, Mexico. Eric Sprott is the Company's largest shareholder, holding an approximate 20% interest. Americas has a proven and experienced management team led by Paul Huet, is fully funded to execute its growth plans, and focused on becoming one of the top North American silver and antimony mining companies. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, Americas' expectations, intentions, plans, assumptions, and beliefs with respect to, among other things, the ability to achieve production results and maintain conditions for operational results and expectations, the potential for construction of a new antimony processing facility, and the results of engagement with the United States Government, described herein, and are subject to the risks and uncertainties outlined below. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "goal," "plan," "intend," "potential," "estimate," "may," "assume," and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions, or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of Americas as of the date such information is provided and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Americas to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: interpretations or reinterpretations of geologic information; unfavorable exploration results; inability to obtain permits required for future exploration, development, or production; general economic conditions and conditions affecting the mining industry; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; potential litigation; security conditions in the areas where the Company's operations are located (including the Cosala Operations in Sinaloa, Mexico); fluctuating mineral and commodity prices; the ability to obtain necessary future financing on acceptable terms or at all; risks associated with the mining industry generally, such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, currency fluctuations, and energy prices), ground conditions, failure of plant, equipment, processes, and transportation services to operate as anticipated, environmental risks, government regulation, actual results of current exploration and production activities, possible variations in grade or recovery rates, permitting timelines, capital expenditures, reclamation activities, labor relations; and risks related to changing global economic conditions and market volatility. 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. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from this forward-looking information is available in Americas' filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators on SEDAR+ and with the SEC. Americas does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events, or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law. Americas does not give any assurance (1) that Americas will achieve its expectations, or (2) concerning the result or timing thereof. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information concerning Americas are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270330 SOURCE: Americas Gold and Silver Corporation WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Jose Daniel Ferrer, the prominent leader of Cuba's pro-democracy movement, has arrived in Miami, Florida, after he was released from a Cuban prison for exile in the United States. The Cuban opposition leader and human rights activist was imprisoned during the Black Spring crackdown of March 2003 for his participation as a leader of the Varela Project, and was sentenced to 25 years. Ferrer is the founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, which is an umbrella group that has hosted many Cuban dissident organizations. Due to his activism, Ferrer and his family were frequently arrested, threatened, and harassed by Cuban authorities. In a letter written from prison, Ferrer announced that he would go into exile by October 6 as part of an agreement with authorities after experiencing 'torture' and 'humiliation' behind the bars. He finally left on Monday for Florida following a request by the US government. At a press conference in Miami's Little Havana, Ferrer vowed to continue fighting for democracy in his country. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the immediate release of more than 700 unjustly detained political prisoners and urged the international community to join the US government in holding the Cuban regime accountable for its abuses and their malign influence across the region. 'The Trump Administration remains committed to the Cuban people's pursuit of freedom from tyranny and in support of democracy, prosperity, and fundamental freedoms,' he said in a statement. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE), on Tuesday, announced that it has acquired 21,723,540 common shares of MEG Energy Corp. (MEG.TO) through the Toronto Stock Exchange and other Canadian markets. After the acquisition, the company beneficially owns or controls 8.5% of MEG's 254,378,035 issued and outstanding common shares, all acquired since October 8. The shares were acquired in support of the company's previously announced transaction with MEG. The company intends to vote the acquired shares in favour of the transaction and may adjust its ownership depending on market conditions and applicable securities laws. In the pre-market trading, Cenovus Energy is 1.03% lesser at $17.23 on the New York Stock Exchange. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global diesel generator market?is projected to grow from?USD 25.30 billion in 2025?to?USD 34.63 billion by 2030, registering a?6.48% CAGR?during the forecast period. The diesel generator industry remains vital despite renewable integration and stricter emission norms. Growth is driven by the rising demand for reliable backup power, expanding industrial infrastructure in areas with unstable grids, and the introduction of?Tier 4 Final engines?that significantly reduce emissions. Additionally, the adoption of?hybrid systems?combining diesel, solar, and battery storage enhances efficiency, while?mid-range 75-375 kVA units?now offer advanced features like remote monitoring and parallel-ready switchgear, boosting accessibility across end users. Key Market Insights and Emerging Trends Deployment of Edge Data Centers in 2nd Tier Cities The growing network of edge data centers in smaller cities is creating steady demand for compact, high-performance units. These facilities require continuous power availability, supporting the diesel generator market's growth across diverse applications and geographies. Growing need for Continuous Power Supply across Critical Facilities Demand for reliable power continues to strengthen as hospitals, data centers, and manufacturing hubs prioritize uninterrupted operations. Diesel generators remain essential for ensuring continuity in critical facilities where downtime is not an option. Modern systems now integrate intelligent controls and remote monitoring, improving efficiency, and reducing maintenance needs. Expanding Infrastructure in APAC and African Regions Industrial expansion across Asia-Pacific and Africa also fuels adoption, as factories and infrastructure projects rely on diesel units to offset unstable grids. Quick deployment and dependable performance make them a preferred solution for construction sites, mining operations, and manufacturing zones. Get insight on Japanese edition of Global Diesel generator market: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/ja/industry-reports/diesel-generator-market?utm_source=prnewswire Detailed Market Segmentation Overview: By Capacity (kVA) Below 75 kVA 75 to 375 kVA 375 to 750 kVA 750 to 2000 kVA Above 2000 kVA By Application Stand-by/Backup Power Prime/Continuous Power Peak-shaving/Load Management By End User Residential Commercial Industrial By Geography North America United States Canada Mexico Europe Germany United Kingdom France Italy Nordic Countries Russia Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China India Japan South Korea ASEAN Countries Rest of Asia-Pacific South America Brazil Argentina Rest of South America Middle East and Africa Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates South Africa Egypt Rest of Middle East and Africa Regional Outlook: In North America, growing weather-related disruptions and stricter emission norms sustain interest in efficient and compliant diesel units. Data center expansions and residential backup installations remain strong contributors. Europe follows similar trends, with buyers favoring cleaner, hybrid systems that meet emission standards. Across the Middle East, Africa, and South America, rapid industrial and mining activities, coupled with limited grid access, are driving the adoption of diesel and hybrid power setups. These regions are increasingly blending renewable inputs with reliable diesel systems to ensure stable power supply in challenging environments. Asia-Pacific continues to dominate the diesel generator industry, driven by expanding manufacturing, infrastructure projects, and growing data center activity. Countries like China and India rely on on-site power systems to maintain production stability, while regional investments in digital infrastructure and telecom networks further support demand. Hybrid solutions combining diesel with solar are gaining popularity in remote industrial zones. Diesel Generator Companies Leading players focus on innovation, emission compliance, digital monitoring, and hybrid integration to strengthen their market presence. Caterpillar Cummins Generac Holdings Kohler Co Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (MTU) Atlas Copco AB Doosan Corp. Kirloskar Oil Engines Aggreko FG Wilson (Caterpillar) Perkins Engines Co MAN Energy Solutions Wartsila Oyj Abp Yanmar Holdings Co MTU Onsite Energy SDMO Industries (KOHLER-SDMO) Weichai Power Co Baudouin Engines Mahindra Powerol For a full breakdown of diesel generator market size, segmentation data, and competitive intelligence, access all details of Mordor Intelligence report at: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/diesel-generator-market?utm_source=prnewswire Check out related reports published by Mordor Intelligence: Gas Generator Market : The Gas Generator Market Report is Segmented by Power Rating (Below 75 KVA, 75 To 375 KVA, 375 To 750 KVA, and Above 750 KVA), Application (Standby, Peak Shaving, and Prime/Continuous), End-User (Industrial, Commercial, and Residential), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The Market Sizes and Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD). Generac Holdings Inc., Caterpillar Inc., General Electric Company, Cummins Inc., Kohler Co. are the major companies operating in this market Read more about companies active at: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/gas-generator-market/companies?utm_source=prnewswire Power Generator Rental Market : The Power Generator Rental Market Report is Segmented by Fuel Type (Diesel, Natural Gas, Hybrid/Battery-integrated, and Hydrogen and Others), Power Rating (Below 100 KVA, 101 To 500 KVA, 501 To 1, 000 KVA, and More), Application (Standby/Backup, Prime/Continuous, and Peak Shaving), End User (Construction, Oil and Gas, Mining, Manufacturing, Data Centers, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and More). Atlas Copco (India) Ltd, Herc Rentals Inc., Cummins Inc., Ashtead Group PLC, United Rentals Inc. are the major companies operating in this power generator rental market Read more about companies active in power generator rental at: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/power-generator-rental-market/companies?utm_source=prnewswire About Mordor Intelligence Mordor Intelligence is a trusted partner for businesses seeking comprehensive and actionable market intelligence. Our global reach, expert team, and tailored solutions empower organizations and individuals to make informed decisions, navigate complex markets, and achieve their strategic goals. With a team of over 550 domain experts and on-ground specialists spanning 150+ countries, Mordor Intelligence possesses a unique understanding of the global business landscape. This expertise translates into comprehensive syndicated and custom research reports covering a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace & defense, agriculture, animal nutrition and wellness, automation, automotive, chemicals & materials, consumer goods & services, electronics, energy & power, financial services, food & beverages, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, information & communications technology, investment opportunities, and logistics.? For any inquiries, please contact: media@mordorintelligence.com https://www.mordorintelligence.com/contact-us Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2746908/Mordor_Intelligence_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/diesel-generator-market-2030-outlook-shows-growth-led-by-industrialization--infrastructure-expansion--global-industry-worth-usd-34-63b-reports-mordor-intelligence-302583203.html JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / ParkerVision, Inc. (the "Company") (OTCQB:PRKR) announced today that it has filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to expedite the appeal in its ongoing patent-infringement appeal against Qualcomm Incorporated and Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. ("Qualcomm"). The appeal challenges the district court's May 2025 claim construction that added a "generating limitation" to ParkerVision's receiver patent claims - a construction the company believes contradicted the patents' plain language, ignored prior guidance from the Federal Circuit, and resulted in a summary judgement of non-infringement by Qualcomm of ParkerVision's receiver patent claims. The Company's motion requests that the Federal Circuit shorten the briefing schedule to allow for oral argument in early 2026, citing the extraordinary delay and prejudice that continued postponement would cause. ParkerVision notes that its case against Qualcomm-originally filed in 2014-has been pending for more than eleven years and that many key events underlying its claims date back to the mid-1990s and early 2000s. According to the filing, additional delay risks further loss of critical evidence and witness availability, as multiple individuals with direct knowledge of the parties' interactions have retired, experienced health issues, or passed away over the course of the litigation. ParkerVision Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Parker commented, "We are asking the Federal Circuit to expedite our appeal because time is no longer a neutral factor in this case. The litigation has now stretched beyond its eleventh year, and every additional delay further harms our ability to present the full factual record. This is an important issue of claim interpretation that the Federal Circuit has already examined once, and we believe it can be resolved promptly on an accelerated schedule." ParkerVision's motion proposes that opening briefs be filed by December 1, 2025, with oral argument to follow in March 2026, or as soon thereafter as the Court's calendar permits. The appeal is captioned ParkerVision, Inc. v. Qualcomm Incorporated, et al., Case No. 2026-1033, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. About ParkerVision ParkerVision, Inc. is an innovator in radio-frequency (RF) technologies used in advanced wireless communication systems. The company holds an extensive patent portfolio in the U.S. and internationally and continues to pursue licensing and enforcement strategies to protect its intellectual property rights. For more information, please visit www.parkervision.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding ParkerVision's appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, its motion to expedite briefing and oral argument, and the timing of appellate proceedings. These statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, and beliefs of management and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, decisions of the Federal Circuit on ParkerVision's motion and on the appeal itself; the scheduling or timing of appellate proceedings; interpretations of patent law and claim scope by the courts; and the inherent unpredictability of complex patent litigation. Additional risks are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent filings. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe" and "will," and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Contact: Tony Vignieri Communications Director tvignieri@parkervision.com SOURCE: ParkerVision, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/telecommunications/parkervision-files-motion-to-expedite-appeal-in-qualcomm-patent-case-1086596 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - South Pacific Metals Corp. (TSXV: SPMC) (OTCQB: SPMEF) (FSE: 6J00) ("SPMC" or the "Company is pleased to announce the discovery of a new gold-copper mineralized zones at Golkona South, part of the Company's Anga Project in Papua New Guinea. The Anga Project lies immediately northeast of, and contiguous with, K92 Mining's tenements in the Kainantu District - a highly prospective gold-copper district in PNG. Highlights - Golkona South: 2.2 1.1 km gold in soil anomaly identified, with high soil assays (peak value 1080 ppb Au) the highest soil gold values reported on the Anga project to date. Two zones of high copper (over 1000pm Cu) and silver (over 250 ppb Ag) in soil samples with peak results up to 3,397 ppm Cu and 2160 ppb Ag - within the broader gold in soil anomaly mentioned above. Panned concentrate samples from streams draining Golkona South contain up to 282 ppm Au , indicating a local source. The anomalous area is coincident with mobile MT conductivity features, which correlate with known deposits in the Kainantu region. Regional interpretation reveals a northeasterly trend to the geophysical and structural features, with K92's Arakompa deposit along that trend to the southwest. Next Steps: Geochemical sampling will continue at Golkona South, the adjacent Golkona prospect and the broader Anga tenement. Geological reconnaissance and mapping at Golkona South and Golkona prospect will help to understand the nature of the mineralisation and its prospectivity . This information, together with past geochemistry and geophysics, will be used to help define initial drill targets. "We are very pleased with these latest soil geochemical results at Golkona South," said Timo Jauristo, CEO of South Pacific Metals Corp. "The potential of Golkona South and the Anga tenements are highlighted by these results and their location along the northeasterly trend from K92's large and growing Arakompa project. We look forward to continuing to advance this project, although our immediate priority is the imminent start of drilling to test the exciting epithermal vein targets at Ontenu NE." Figure 1 Golkona to Golkona South target areas with gold in soil and stream sediment (pan concentrate) results. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/270302_fe721d2524fed935_001full.jpg Figure 2 Golkona to Golkona South target areas with Cu-As-Ag in soil and Au in stream sediment (pan concentrate) results. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/270302_fe721d2524fed935_002full.jpg Figure 3 Irinke, Golkona and Golkona South Areas in relation to K92's Arakoma deposit. The structures are inferred from public domain data include interpretation of Digital Elevation Models and geophysical data. Background image = Mobile MT, apparent conductivity including georeferenced image from public release by K92 Mining Ltd. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/270302_fe721d2524fed935_003full.jpg Figure 4 Regional location map in the Kainantu Transfer Zone and proximity to infrastructure, in eastern Papua New Guinea To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/270302_south%20pacific%20figure%204.jpg About South Pacific Metals Corp. South Pacific Metals Corp. is an emerging gold-copper exploration company operating in the heart of Papua New Guinea's proven gold and copper production corridors. With an expansive 3,100 km land package and four transformative gold-copper projects contiguous with major producers K92 Mining, PanAust and neighbouring Barrick/Zijin, new leadership and experienced in-country teams are prioritizing thoughtful and rigorous technical programs focused on boots-on-the-ground exploration to prioritize discovery across its portfolio projects: Anga, Osena, Kili Teke, and May River. Immediately flanking K92 Mining's active drilling and gold producing operations to the northeast and southwest, SPMC's Anga and Osena Projects are located within the high-grade Kainantu Gold District - each having the potential to host similar-style lode-gold and porphyry copper-gold mineralization as that present within K92 Mining's tenements. Kili Teke is an advanced exploration project situated only 40 km from the world-class Porgera Gold Mine and hosts an existing Inferred Mineral Resource with multiple opportunities for expansion and further discovery. The May River Project is located adjacent to the world-renowned Frieda River copper-gold project, with historical drilling indicating potential for a significant, untapped-gold mineralized system. SPMC common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: SPMC), the OTCQB Marketplace (OTCQB: SPMEF) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: 6J00). Quality Assurance and Quality Control Soil Sampling Soil sampling involves augur or dig to the c-horizon and sieving to a <2 mm in the field. Soil samples were sent to the ITS (PNG) Ltd (Intertek) Laboratory in Lae for assay. Assaying for gold was conducted for gold using FA50, with pulps sent to Australia for aqua regia AR10 multi-element techniques. Certified Reference Material (CRM), duplicates and blanks are inserted in the soil sample to monitor laboratory performance, with no significant variations from expected results. Refer Table 1 in appendix for full results. Stream sediment / pan concentrate Pan concentrate soil samples are collected from stream sediment trap sites above the confluence of individual streams. A field technician places approximately 2 to 4kg of wet sediment into a gold pan, and pans to concentrate between 50g and 100g of heavy minerals, which typically include magnetite and other iron oxides, sulphides and native metals including gold. By its nature, this form of sampling concentrates gold and can provide information to potential gold sources upstream. The Company considers >10ppm Au as indicative of a potential source and >100ppm Au as very encouraging. Further work is required, conducting reconnaissance in the stream catchment, to identify the source. Samples presented in this release were assayed at ITS (PNG) Ltd (Intertek) Laboratory in Lae, using fire assay / 50g charge (FA50). No CRMs were inserted, though the laboratory conducted its own standard checks. Refer Table 2 in appendix for full results. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information disclosed in this release has been compiled by Company geologists and reviewed and approved by Darren Holden, BSc. (Hons), Ph.D., FAusIMM, a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. Holden is a Technical Advisor to the Company. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Information Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of SPMC. In making the forward-looking statements, SPMC has applied certain assumptions that are based on information available to the Company, including SPMC's strategic plan for the near and mid-term. There is no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements may involve various risks and uncertainties affecting the business of the Company. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because of the context of the statements, including such words as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "plans", "may", "estimates", or words of a similar nature. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: ongoing exploration and future exploration programs, including results therefrom and impact thereof. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic, regulatory, or other unforeseen uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, without limitation: success of the Company's projects, prices for metals remaining as estimated, currency exchange rates remaining as estimated, availability of funds for the Company's projects, capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates, prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation), no labour-related disruptions, no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled exploration, all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner, and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in gold prices, fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation), fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar), operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mineral exploration, inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and hazards, the Company's ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner, changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations, legal restrictions relating to mineral exploration, increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel, the availability of additional capital, title matters and the additional risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described, or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property. Appendix 1: Results reported in this release. Table 1. Golkona South soil samples >10ppb. Coordinates in WGS84 Zone 55 south. Ordered highest to lowest by Au. Sample ID Easting Northing Elevation Gold (ppb) Silver (ppb) As (ppm) Copper (ppm) D04285 382991 9322253 586 1080 160 475 45 D03834 382107 9322074 788 139 190 4 1762 D03860 382661 9321232 524 114 1320 98 1258 D03854 382463 9321045 561 104 230 8 1052 D03857 382591 9321099 552 97 160 10 3397 D03752 382213 9322150 775 96 900 13 1800 D03858 382620 9321140 549 85 430 8 1601 D04293 382204 9322224 756 67 120 2 365 D04281 382124 9322066 779 60 160 1 1954 D04292 382254 9322220 742 58 370 5 1380 D03836 382075 9321667 729 58 25 2 34 D04278 382178 9322832 761 56 180 11 1409 D03733 382996 9323684 814 56 60 29 77 D03797 382615 9323538 850 53 60 148 80 D04221 382644 9321195 539 51 830 10 1871 D03817 382547 9322838 696 50 25 12 61 D03839 382172 9321559 695 48 25 3 55 D04256 382158 9322307 758 47 190 187 321 D03802 382743 9323390 822 45 320 515 65 D03864 382213 9323503 862 44 60 584 87 D04248 382714 9322648 575 40 25 13 67 D03754 382301 9322110 747 34 100 5 519 D03835 382045 9321706 744 34 130 2 499 D04216 382539 9321027 550 33 270 4 703 D03755 382351 9322097 725 33 220 7 629 D03768 382779 9321772 646 33 25 4 58 D04223 382709 9321241 498 31 530 484 659 D04220 382628 9321159 546 30 190 5 346 D03849 382099 9320926 593 30 170 6 169 D04222 382680 9321214 521 29 830 18 321 D04263 382798 9321914 638 29 25 5 80 D04297 382188 9323404 866 29 150 254 48 D03859 382643 9321185 544 28 2160 15 532 D03766 382865 9321725 626 28 70 10 128 D04261 382747 9321854 665 27 25 4 209 D03790 383268 9322140 603 27 25 391 78 D03862 382111 9323416 818 26 25 162 108 D03751 382166 9322163 792 25 630 11 793 D03777 382668 9322099 655 25 50 131 97 D03844 382302 9320920 574 24 310 7 202 D04308 382715 9322300 600 23 90 15 70 D03845 382280 9320965 584 22 390 7 168 D03855 382513 9321042 565 22 70 7 158 D04280 382092 9322103 788 21 80 5 605 D03748 382074 9322125 819 21 60 5 423 D04218 382587 9321090 548 21 140 12 149 D03865 382257 9323528 867 21 25 109 99 D03801 382702 9323418 833 21 110 152 89 D04260 382715 9321834 668 21 25 7 82 D04291 382304 9322199 724 20 250 81 1081 D04295 382106 9322169 795 20 260 2 804 D04288 382453 9322201 661 20 340 27 417 D04233 382396 9322027 688 20 60 1 110 D03861 382708 9321214 515 20 60 85 90 D03819 382647 9322842 649 20 70 71 70 D03866 382278 9323572 870 19 70 301 134 D03846 382235 9320987 590 19 180 5 121 D03776 382636 9322060 662 19 140 21 113 D03782 382896 9322177 623 19 25 39 49 D04259 382294 9322361 705 18 200 72 257 D03808 382116 9322915 797 18 80 49 177 D04265 382862 9321947 602 18 50 16 44 D04232 382366 9322066 707 17 130 2 712 D04290 382353 9322191 709 17 130 8 255 D03762 383063 9321722 556 17 90 21 197 D03786 383078 9322177 591 17 310 872 109 D04226 382265 9321039 557 17 130 5 102 D03732 383008 9323732 826 17 60 3 81 D04298 382153 9323445 895 17 25 93 80 D03798 382637 9323493 848 17 80 100 41 D03747 382033 9322151 838 16 60 2 468 D03769 382735 9321796 661 16 25 3 97 D03758 382493 9322051 691 16 290 28 81 D03842 382288 9321493 644 15 150 7 140 D03863 382180 9323466 846 15 25 92 135 D03856 382560 9321060 567 15 140 5 122 D04228 382250 9320989 582 15 100 6 102 D03765 382915 9321720 607 15 25 4 100 D03847 382187 9320975 586 15 130 7 75 D03760 382569 9321988 682 15 70 35 64 D04296 382221 9323372 838 15 120 210 49 D04270 382895 9321900 594 15 70 7 49 D03841 382260 9321534 663 15 25 6 27 D03853 382415 9321026 570 14 200 4 192 D04289 382403 9322195 688 14 170 5 160 D03749 382118 9322152 811 14 70 1 114 D04231 382495 9321037 548 14 130 2 112 D03764 382964 9321734 583 14 80 22 91 D03867 382325 9323591 859 14 80 95 91 D03739 383216 9323495 732 14 60 3 90 D03816 382499 9322848 708 14 25 8 74 D03770 382691 9321821 668 14 25 21 67 D03792 383368 9322155 567 14 70 74 44 D03783 382938 9322203 619 14 25 375 37 D03830 382244 9321936 720 14 25 3 19 D03796 382602 9323586 862 13 25 30 120 D04264 382826 9321940 622 13 70 4 112 D04299 382175 9323513 885 13 25 208 96 D03793 383415 9322168 550 13 60 61 73 D04272 382977 9321897 651 13 60 50 61 D04257 382205 9322327 740 12 160 146 140 D04215 382985 9321407 464 12 25 14 95 D03852 382368 9321009 578 12 120 3 93 D03822 382795 9322827 597 12 25 14 82 D03871 382502 9323651 867 12 50 5 80 D03746 382000 9322188 854 12 25 2 63 D04268 382820 9321883 633 12 25 6 57 D03832 382185 9322012 750 11 100 3 483 D03818 382597 9322844 676 11 25 17 96 D03742 383320 9323391 694 11 100 102 85 D03806 382037 9322975 819 11 60 26 74 D04244 382570 9322753 649 11 25 6 74 D04262 382774 9321884 652 11 25 5 72 D03843 382314 9320872 557 11 150 6 68 D04245 382591 9322710 638 11 60 9 60 D03804 382826 9323340 782 11 25 32 52 D04230 382465 9321044 546 10 110 2 122 D03743 383347 9323350 690 10 110 52 110 D03791 383318 9322148 585 10 50 88 101 D04209 382855 9321662 618 10 25 27 101 D04227 382256 9321015 570 10 150 4 97 D03725 382685 9323683 861 10 70 2 89 D03767 382815 9321736 636 10 130 4 88 D03736 383107 9323598 779 10 110 7 85 D04195 382217 9321393 626 10 90 3 83 D03827 382345 9321828 639 10 25 3 82 D03811 382266 9322920 765 10 25 16 69 D03779 382748 9322157 646 10 25 2 68 D04267 382782 9321876 647 10 25 4 66 D04253 382030 9322245 835 10 50 143 64 D03799 382676 9323460 845 10 50 48 53 D04246 382626 9322680 621 10 70 10 47 D04255 382114 9322292 777 10 120 24 41 D03785 383031 9322191 600 10 25 147 36 Table 2. Golkona South stream sediment results. Coordinates in WGS84 Zone 55 south. Ordered highest to lowest by Au Sample ID Sample Type Easting Northing Elevation Au (ppm) D04712 Pan Concentrate 382312 9322698 601 281.8 D04711 Pan Concentrate 382828 9322449 439 79.1 D04706 Pan Concentrate 383149 9322878 493 64.9 D04707 Pan Concentrate 383239 9322737 464 51.6 D04703 Pan Concentrate 382457 9321576 594 34.8 D04702 Pan Concentrate 382967 9320807 447 12.4 D04705 Pan Concentrate 383298 9321760 585 2.1 D04710 Pan Concentrate 383239 9322501 464 1.91 D04709 Pan Concentrate 382895 9321063 459 1.34 D04708 Pan Concentrate 383231 9322737 470 1.13 D04701 Pan Concentrate 382862 9321163 460 0.837 D04704 Pan Concentrate 382582 9321326 595 0.447 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270302 SOURCE: South Pacific Metals Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) (OTCQB: APAAF) (FSE: A0I0) (MUN: A0I0) (BER: A0I0) (the "Company" or "Appia") is pleased to announce that further to its press releases dated September 2, 2025, September 23, 2025, October 1, 2025, October 2, 2025, October 6, 2025 and October 8, 2025 a notice of intention to close the transaction has been delivered to the Company, Antonio Vitor Junior ("Antonio"), and Beko Invest Ltd. ("Beko"), by Ultra Rare Earth Inc. ("Ultra), in connection with the binding term sheet dated August 29, 2025 (the "Binding Term Sheet") between the Company, Beko, Antonio and Ultra. Pursuant to the Binding Term Sheet Ultra will acquire a 50% interest in Appia Brasil Rare Earths Mineracao Ltda ("Appia Brasil"), the Brazilian company that holds the PCH Project (the "Property") located in the Tocantins Structural Province of the Brasilia Fold Belt, Goias State, Brazil, (the "Transaction"). The Transaction will continue to proceed, and closing of the Transaction is scheduled for October 31, 2025. Additionally, one of the terms of the Transaction requires Ultra to invest US $2 Million into an Appia unit private placement comprising of 5,520,000 units priced at $0.50 (Cdn) per unit (based upon a US$ to Cdn$ exchange rate of $1.38) with each unit consisting of one common share, priced at $0.50 (Cdn), and one half of a warrant, with each full warrant exercisable at $0.70 (Cdn) for 24 months. The funds will be used by Appia for general working capital. See the September 2, 2025, press release for a full list of the terms applicable to the Transaction. About Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company holds the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Ionic Adsorption Clay Project (See June 9th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE) which is 42,932.24 ha. in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. (See January 11th, 2024 Press Release - Click HERE). The Company is also focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, and exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 94,982.39 hectares (234,706.59 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 13,008 hectares (32,143 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario. Appia has 173 million common shares outstanding, 208 million shares fully diluted. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, visit www.appiareu.com. As part of our ongoing effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have several communication portals. If you have any questions online (X, Facebook, LinkedIn) please feel free to send direct messages. To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call, please click here. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270329 SOURCE: Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a 100% interest in Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. (Noble) Island Pond Property. Subject to TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) approval, the Company will pay a one-time cash payment of $30,000 CAD and issue 1,000,000 common shares to Noble. The Island Pond Property is strategically located north of Benton's South Pond Gold Zone within the Great Burnt Copper-Gold Project area. Geological and geophysical similarities between the Island Pond and South Pond areas suggest a potential continuation of significant gold-copper mineralization along the same structural trend. By securing 100% ownership of Island Pond, Benton has effectively expanded its land position and consolidated control over the northern extension of the South Pond trend. This could potentially add greater than 1000m to the current 2.7km's of mineralized trend. The company will plan immediate prospecting and geophysics to evaluate its potential. A map of this important strategic project is shown below in Figure 1. The shares will have a standard four-month hold period from the TSXV approval date and the project is subject to an underlying 2% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) to an original underlying vendor and a 1% NSR to Noble. Benton will assume all rights of the original 2%, including the right to buy the NSR back for $1.5M, and a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) for Nobles 1% NSR. Figure 1: Noble Mineral Exploration Option To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/270340_4ddfe972f468a831_002full.jpg To date, Benton has drilled 23,300 m from late 2023 to present at Great Burnt and South Pond with some highlights listed below: South Pond Highlights SP-24-01: 18.80 m of 1.13g/t, and 5.96 m of 2.06g/t Au SP-24-03: 43.75 m of 1.62g/t Au, incl 4.00 m of 3.99g/t Au SP-24-07: 74.20 m of 1.43g/t Au, incl 8.00 m of 2.94g/t Au SP-24-08: 14.00 m of 1.23g/t Au incl, 4.00 m of 2.33g/t Au SP-24-09: 24.00 m of 1.48g/t Au, incl 7.00 m of 2.03g/t Au SP-24-10: 20.00 m of 1.04g/t Au, and 25.00 m of 1.54g/t Au SP-24-12: 27.07 m of 1.08g/t Au, incl 5.00 m of 2.11g/t Au SP-24-13: 19.75 m of 1.42g/t Au, incl 4.00 m of 3.08g/t Au SP-24-15: 22.50 m of 1.24g/t Au, incl 4.00 m of 2.08g/t Au SP-24-23: 6.75 m of 2.90g/t Au SP-24-28: 27.40 m of 1.00g/t Au, incl 3.00 m of 2.92g/t Au SP-24-30: 8.00 m of 2.07g/t Au, incl 2.00 m of 4.83g/t Au Note: Widths quoted are true core length, true widths are estimated at approximately 70% of core lengths QP Stephen House (P.Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for Benton Resources Inc., the 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release and prepared or supervised its preparation. QA/QC Protocols Core and rock samples, including standards, blanks and duplicates, are submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd., Springdale, Newfoundland for preparation and analysis. All samples were acquired by saw-cut (channels/drill core) with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference, or hand (rocks) and delivered, by Benton personnel, in sealed bags, to the Springdale lab of Eastern Analytical, which is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples are analyzed using Eastern's Au (Fire assay) @ 30g + ICP-34 method that delivers a 34-element package utilizing a 200 mg subsample totally dissolved in four acids and analyzed by ICP-OES analytical technique. Overlimits are analysed with Eastern's atomic absorption method, using a 0.200 g to 2.00 g of sample, digested with three acids. All reported assays are uncut. Eastern Analytical Ltd. achieved ISO 17025 accreditation in February 2014 (for more details on the scope of accreditation visit the CALA website). Grab samples are selective in nature and may not represent the average mineralization of a bedrock exposure. About Benton Resources Inc. Benton Resources is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Benton has a diversified, highly prospective property portfolio and holds large equity positions in other mining companies that are advancing high-quality assets. Whenever possible, BEX retains net smelter return (NSR) royalties with potential long-term cash flow. Benton is focused on advancing its high-grade Copper-Gold Great Burnt Project in central Newfoundland, which has a Mineral Resource estimate of 667,000 tonnes @ 3.21% Cu Indicated and 482,000 @ 2.35% Cu Inferred. The Project has an excellent geological setting covering 25km of strike and boasts six known Cu-Au-Ag zones over 15km that are all open for expansion. Further potential for discovery is excellent given the extensive number of untested geophysical targets and Cu-Au soil anomalies. Phase 1 and 2 drill programs returned impressive results including 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, including 9.78 m of 8.31% Cu, and 1.00 m of 12.70% Cu. Drilling at the South Pond Gold Zone, approximately 7.5 km north of the Great Burnt Copper-Gold Zone, has confirmed a robust gold-mineralized system over 2.7 km with results of 74.20 m of 1.43g/t Au and 43.75 m of 1.62g/t Au and is open for expansion in all directions. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Inc., "Stephen Stares" Stephen Stares, President Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact Mr. Stares at the number below. THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270340 SOURCE: Benton Resources Inc. MARION, NC / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Greene Concepts Inc. (OTCID:INKW), owner and operator of a 60,000-square-foot bottling and beverage facility in Marion, North Carolina, announced it is expanding production to meet increased retail orders and white-label manufacturing demand as the U.S. bottled water market continues its strong growth. According to Grand View Research, bottled water sales in the U.S. are expected to keep rising due to health-conscious consumers, premium product trends, and sustainable sourcing. This aligns with Greene Concepts' growth across its Be Water brand, available in six-pack, 24-pack, and gallon-size configurations, and with new opportunities in private-label and third-party manufacturing. To meet demand, the company is boosting output at its Marion facility and scaling its onsite large-scale refill station, which serves both commercial and private customers seeking sustainable refill options. "Greene Concepts is entering a significant phase of expansion," said Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts, Inc. "We're seeing growing interest from retailers and white-label partners who value our ability to produce pure, sustainable water products at scale. Our Marion facility is ready to meet this nationwide demand." The company's Be Water brand comes from a self-replenishing artesian aquifer beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, providing naturally filtered, mineral-rich water. As detailed in previous company releases - "From Nature to Bottle: Be Water Offers Unmatched Purity from Deep Artesian Aquifer" and "Greene Concepts Showcases Its Be Water Brand's Origins and Bottling Source Location" - this sustainable source ensures unmatched purity and quality. "With bottled water consumption climbing nationwide, we anticipate strong company growth fueled by increased retail orders, co-packing projects, and expanded distribution partnerships. Meanwhile, our focus remains on growth that benefits everyone - our customers, retail partners, and the communities we serve," added Mr. Greene. "The trust in our Be Water brand and our sustainable artesian source continues to open doors nationwide and we're proud to deliver products that embody purity, purpose, and progress." Follow Greene Concepts, Inc. on Social Media at: X - @GreeneConcepts, Facebook - @inkw2025, Instagram - Greene Concepts, Inc. and Be Water About Greene Concepts, Inc. Greene Concepts, Inc. (https://www.greeneconcepts.com) is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The Company's flagship product, Be Water, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts' beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion,North Carolina, and their water is ethically sourced from spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers. Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise. CONTACT: Greene Concepts, Inc. Investor Relations IR@greeneconcepts.com SOURCE: Greene Concepts Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/greene-concepts-scales-operations-to-meet-rising-u.s.-demand-for-1084880 BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks are showing weakness on Tuesday, weighed down by data showing an uptick in unemployment rate, and a slowdown in retail sales growth, as well as rising U.S.-China trade tensions. Trade tensions between the U.S. and China are rising, and traders are also following the political developments in France. China's commerce ministry said it remained open to talks, but the U.S. cannot seek dialogue while threatening new measures. 'If you wish to fight, we shall fight to the end; if you wish to negotiate, our door remains open,' according to an official statement. Also, Beijing reportedly said it was Washington's expansion of curbs on Chinese firms in late September that ratcheted up tensions and drove it to further tighten its grip on the critical minerals. The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 32.74 points or 0.35% at 9,410.17 nearly half an hour past noon. Shares of mining companies are among the major losers. Metlen Energy & Metals, Anglo American Plc, Rolls-Royce Holdings, Antofagasta, IAG, Glencore, Spirax Group, Melrose Industries, BP, Rentokil Initial, IMI, Weir Group, Ashtead Group, Burberry Group and Rio Tinto are down 2 to 4.3%. EasyJet is climbing nearly 4%. Persimmon and Berkeley Group Holdings are up 2% and 1.75%, respectively. Centrica, Haleon, LondonMetric Property, Unilever, Land Securities and Associated British Foods are gaining 1 to 1.2%. Data from the Office for National Statistics Showed the UK unemployment rate rose slightly in the three months to August, climbing to 4.8% from 4.7% in the preceding period. The rate was seen unchanged at 4.7%. In the three months to August, average earnings excluding bonuses increased 4.7% from a year ago, in line with forecast. A report from the British Retail Consortium said UK retail sales registered slower growth in September amid looming budget. Retail sales grew 2.3% year-on-year in September, slower than the 3.1% increase in August. In the same period last year, retail sales had advanced 2%. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - CubicFarm Systems Corp. (TSXV: CUB) (OTC Pink: CUBXF) ("CubicFarms" or the "Company"), a leading agricultural technology company, today announced the resignation of Michael McCarthy from its Board of Directors, effective October 9, 2025. Mr. McCarthy joined the Board in December 2018, bringing decades of experience in business management. His strategic insights and service on the Audit Committee were instrumental during the Company's early growth. CubicFarms extends its sincere appreciation for his dedication and many contributions. "Michael joined the Board during a pivotal time in our company's journey and has been invaluable in providing strategic advice, oversight, and support as we navigated important changes," said Daniel Burns, Chair of the Board. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and management team, I want to thank Michael for his commitment and contributions to CubicFarms and wish him the very best in the future." CubicFarms is also pleased to announce the appointment of Leo Benne to the Board of Directors, effective October 11, 2025. Mr. Benne brings over 40 years of experience as one of Canada's leading figures in the agricultural and horticultural industries. He has played a key role in the growth of several Canadian agricultural businesses, including Bevo Farms, AgTech, Zenabis Global, and CubicFarms during its formative years. "Leo brings deep expertise in horticultural operations and a strong understanding of integrating technology into hydrophobic management systems," said Burns. "We're extremely excited to welcome Leo to the Board at this time of great opportunity and expansion, particularly as we scale Hydrogreen Inc.'s Feed-as-a-Service (FaaS) model and accelerate global sales of Hydrogreen' s patented sprouted grain technology." Forward-looking and other cautionary statements This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements related to the Company's governance, strategic direction, and future leadership plans. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, assumptions, and estimates as of the date of this news release and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially. These statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "may," "will," "could," "should," or similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. 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 as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change. About HydroGreen HydroGreen produces Automated Vertical Pastures, a type of smart farming equipment that uses a unique process to sprout grains such as wheat and barley, in a controlled growing environment to efficiently produce a high-performance feed ingredient for livestock 365 days a year. HydroGreen's equipment is simple and easy to operate and performs all growing functions automatically, including seeding, watering, lighting, harvesting, and re-seeding, which allows livestock businesses to feed consistent nutrition every day with minimal labor. When balanced correctly in the ration, HydroGreen sprouted grain modifies animal digestion which enhances productivity and reduces the amount of enteric methane emitted in ruminant livestock. The result also enables environmental benefits to the farm while helping to meet increasing demand for valuable farm-based inset and offset carbon credits. For more information, please visit www.hydrogreenglobal.com. About CubicFarms CubicFarms is a leading local chain agricultural technology company developing and deploying technology to feed a changing world. Its proprietary ag-tech solutions enable growers to produce high quality, predictable produce and fresh livestock feed with HydroGreen Nutrition Technology, a subsidiary of CubicFarms Systems Corp. The CubicFarms system contains patented technology for growing leafy greens and other crops on-site, indoors, all year round. CubicFarms provides an efficient, localized food supply solution that benefits our people, planet, and economy. For more information, please visit www.cubicfarms.com. TSX Venture Exchange Disclaimer 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/270320 SOURCE: CubicFarm Systems Corp. Collaboration will initially enhance the speed, scale, and accuracy of anomaly detection and prevent operational disruptions Cognite, the global leader in Industrial AI, today announced that the Cognite Industrial AI and Data Platform, which includes Cognite Atlas AI and Cognite Data Fusion, is now integrated with NVIDIA accelerated computing and software to unlock new levels of efficiency, intelligence, and innovation for asset-heavy industries. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251010970644/en/ The first, high-impact use case to be delivered for this initiative focuses on real-time anomaly detection in time series data. This joint effort with Celanese, a global specialty materials and chemical company, aims to enhance the speed, scale, and accuracy of identifying critical anomalies in vast streams of industrial time series data, enabling proactive intervention to help prevent operational disruptions. Industrial operations generate an immense, continuous flow of sensor readings and equipment performance metrics. These readings are often noisy, complex, and lack context (essential background information and relationships), making it challenging to separate the predictable signal from random noise. Cognite provides this context with Cognite Atlas AI, the only low-code industrial AI workbench that delivers agents that can leverage real-time, AI-ready operational technology (OT), information technology (IT), and engineering data from Cognite Data Fusion via a unified AI and data platform. This makes it faster and easier for industrial organizations to build and extend agents into their existing maintenance workflows, while ensuring that these agents deliver accurate, traceable, and trustworthy results. These capabilities are further strengthened with NV-Tesseract-a foundation model family developed by NVIDIA for time-series analysis, purpose-built to rapidly process and extract insights from complex industrial data streams. As a modular, transformer-based foundation model, NV-Tesseract delivers high accuracy in anomaly detection, forecasting, and classification, even in noisy or fast-shifting environments. By capturing long-range temporal patterns and adapting to changing scenarios, it enables scalable, trustworthy analytics across demanding industrial applications. Across all use cases, Cognite and NVIDIA will deliver: Proactive Problem Solving with Real-time Insights at Scale: With Cognite Atlas AI agents built on NVIDIA accelerated computing, customers will be able to forecast future operational states and predict potential failures in near real-time across thousands of sensors, even in high-velocity data streams. This allows industrial companies to move from reactive maintenance to proactive intervention, preventing failures before they occur. With Cognite Atlas AI agents built on NVIDIA accelerated computing, customers will be able to forecast future operational states and predict potential failures in near real-time across thousands of sensors, even in high-velocity data streams. This allows industrial companies to move from reactive maintenance to proactive intervention, preventing failures before they occur. Rapid AI Model Development and Unprecedented Accuracy: Building highly accurate predictive models is an iterative process of training, testing, and refining. NVIDIA's accelerated computing and software will allow for more training simulations and iterations in a shorter timeframe, enabling faster model retraining and significantly increased accuracy of Cognite Atlas AI agents while reducing false positives. Building highly accurate predictive models is an iterative process of training, testing, and refining. NVIDIA's accelerated computing and software will allow for more training simulations and iterations in a shorter timeframe, enabling faster model retraining and significantly increased accuracy of Cognite Atlas AI agents while reducing false positives. More Value from Driving Down Costs and Increasing Efficiency: Achieving superior anomaly detection results with less overall compute power translates directly into substantial operational cost reductions for customers. This acceleration also frees up valuable engineering and data science resources, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks, like root cause analysis and strategic optimization, rather than spending time on manual data analysis or lengthy model training cycles. "For years, our partnership with Cognite has been the cornerstone of our digital transformation, allowing us to successfully scale valuable use cases across more than 50 global sites and build streamlined agentic AI workflows that enhance productivity and efficiency across our organization," said Sameer Purao, SVP and CIO at Celanese. "By bringing NVIDIA's compute power to our AI solutions, we are now taking our capabilities, such as anomaly detection, to the next level. As a visionary industrial leader, we require equally visionary partners, and we've found that in Cognite and now, with NVIDIA." "The true potential of Industrial AI hinges on both deep operational context and revolutionary compute power. Cognite's open ecosystem is designed for visionary partners like NVIDIA to meet this demand," said Girish Rishi, Chief Executive Officer at Cognite. "Together, we're fundamentally transforming how industrial AI models are built, iterated, and deployed. Our immediate focus on real-time anomaly detection showcases how NVIDIA and Cognite are perfectly poised to deliver intelligent, cost-effective, and performant solutions for this new era of AI." Cognite and NVIDIA will discuss this strategic partnership and the future of Industrial AI at Cognite's Industrial AI and Data Conference, Impact 2025, which takes place October 14-16, in Houston, TX. About Cognite Cognite makes Generative AI work for industry. Leading energy, manufacturing, and power renewables enterprises choose Cognite to deliver secure, trustworthy, and real-time data to transform their asset-heavy operations to be safer, more sustainable, and profitable. Cognite provides a user-friendly, secure, and scalable industrial data AI platform that makes it easy for all decision-makers, from the field to remote operations centers, to access and understand complex industrial data, collaborate in real-time, and build a better tomorrow. Visit us at www.cognite.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and X. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251010970644/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Michelle Holford, VP of Global Public Relations, Cognite michelle.holford@cognite.com Vancouver, BC, Oct. 14, 2025))) ("Skyharbour" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that its partner company, North Shore Uranium ("North Shore"), has completed a prospecting program at its Falcon Property ("Falcon" or the "Property") located at the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. North Shore may acquire an initial 80% interest in Falcon by issuing common shares having an aggregate value of CAD $1,225,000, making aggregate cash payments of $525,000 to Skyharbour, and incurring an aggregate of $3,550,000 in exploration expenditures on the property over the earn-in period. Location Map of Falcon Project: https://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/maps/Sky-SouthFalconOption.jpg?v=0.3 The prospecting program was completed by Axiom Exploration Group and focused on eighteen priority targets that were identified by North Shore's technical team. At each of these targets, the crew assessed the mapped surface expression of the interpreted electromagnetic ("EM") conductor and surrounding area for outcrop and anomalous radioactivity. A Radiation Solutions (model RS-125) scintillometer that measures total radioactivity in counts per second ("cps") was used to measure the radioactivity of outcrops and boulders and guide the selection of representative rock samples for laboratory analysis. Significant radioactivity was confirmed in outcrop at targets FA020, up to 20,000 cps (the historic EWA Showing) and FA025, up to 27,000 cps (the historic D Zone Showing area) (Figure 1). In addition, several boulders with elevated radioactivity were discovered, including at targets FA019, close to 7,000 cps and FA033, up to 6,000 cps. Summaries of work done at several targets are presented below. Seventy-four rock samples were collected during the program, and they have been submitted to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Geoanalytical Laboratory for uranium, associated metals and elements and Rare Earth Element analysis. Assay results are pending. Brooke Clements, President and CEO of North Shore stated: "We think that Falcon has all the right ingredients to yield a signficant new uranium discovery. It is in the Athabasca Basin region, host to Canada's only two uranium mines and three development-stage projects. Uranium mineralization has been confirmed on the property, and the past-producing Key Lake Uranium Mine and active Key Lake Mill is nearby. We have identified a number of high priority, drill-ready targets along portions of a prominent EM conductor system that have seen no historic drilling." Priority Targets By Zone: Three priority areas have been established at Falcon, Zones 1, 2 and 3. Within these three areas, 36 uranium targets have been identified (Figure 1). The targets are associated with EM conductor anomalies and have been selected based on the analysis and interpretation of multiple geophysical and geologic datasets. Zone 1: Located within Zone 1, the South Priority Area includes the three kilometre ("km") long NNE-trending conductor/structural zone where uranium was discovered by North Shore in 2024 in drill holes P03 and P08 (Figure 2). As reported in a North Shore Uranium news release May 16, 2024, at P03, a zone from 196.6 to 209.0 metres ("m") included an interpreted brittle fault zone with graphite-rich fault gouge and two samples that returned 345 and 378 ppm U 3 O 8 . At P08, a 4.7 m interval between 42.3 and 47.0 m returned 316 ppm U 3 O 8 , including one sample with 572 ppm U 3 O 8 . Also at P08, a brittle, altered pegmatitic and graphitic fault zone with elevated U 3 O 8 values up to 50 ppm was intersected from 102.3 to 105.5 m, the modelled depth of the EM conductor. Figure 1: Map Showing Falcon Exploration Targets and Priority Zones and Targets Assessed in the Prospecting Program: https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/Map-showing-Falcon-exploration-targets-and-priority-zones-and-targets-assessed-in-the-prospecting-program.jpg Target FA003 is at the south end of the potential mineralized trend defined by P03 and P08. At FA003, the EM conductor system and an associated magnetic low are disrupted and the system splits, with one arm going to the northeast, the other to the north. In addition, there is a gravity low anomaly which can be an expression of alteration that could be associated with uranium mineralization (Figure 3). The prospecting crew determined that most of the traces of the interpreted EM conductors are covered by muskeg. At the south end of the target zone, weakly radioactive pegmatitic and granitic boulders are present and are associated with an airborne radiometric uranium anomaly. At target FA005, the conductor is intersected by an interpreted fault. Southwest of this, in an interpreted down-ice direction from the target, the prospecting team identified radioactive boulders within a boulder field. Metasedimentary and granitic boulders had radioactivity readings from 500-3,000 cps (Figure 2). At target FA033, where hole P03 was drilled by North Shore in 2024, a pegmatite boulder that was discovered registered 5,000-6,000 cps. Approximately two km south of FA003 target FA002 is defined by two strong parallel EM conductors and a parallel magnetic low trend, and it is intersected by an interpreted northwest-trending fault. The conductor/fault intersections are under a lake, but a hill just southeast of the target showed a strong uranium anomaly defined by the 2022 airborne radiometric survey. The crew found several mica-rich stringers of radioactive pegmatite in outcrop in this area. Figure 2: South Priority Area Showing Targets, EM Interpretation and Interpreted Faults: https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/South-Priority-Area-showing-targets-EM-interpretation-and-interpreted-faults.png Target FA020, in the central portion of Zone 2 includes the EWA showing. It is centered on a short, isolated, strong northeast-trending, 1.5 km long EM conductor (Figures 1 and 4). Up to 0.492% U 3 O 8 and 1,300 ppm lead was encountered in outcrop grab samples within a 10-20 m wide northeast-trending sheared pelitic unit with granitic inliers ([SMDI] 5038). In 2008, JNR Resources drilled seven holes from six sites associated with the EWA showing at the eastern end of the EM conductor. Anomalous uranium, boron, lead, and molybdenum were encountered in structurally disrupted pegmatites; the best result was 0.235% U 3 O 8 over 0.5 m (within a 3.5 m interval of 0.113% U 3 O 8 ) in hole WYL-08-501 (Sask. Mineral Assessment File 74H02-0045). Figure 3: Target FA003 With Gravity Background, Zone 1: https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/Target-FA003-with-gravity-background-Zone-1-20251010.jpg The prospecting team located the showing, a radioactive 10 m by 10 m granitic gneiss outcrop characterized by folding, shearing and micro-fracturing with local hematite and clay alteration with readings up to 20,000 cps. North Shore plans to further evaluate the 1.2 km-long conductor system associated with EWA to determine if more drilling may be warranted at different sites along the conductor system or to expand on previous drilling targets. Figure 4: Target FA020/EWA Showing Area, Zone 2: https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/Target-FA020-EWA-Showing-area-Zone-2-20251010.jpg Target FA019, which is located at the eastern edge of the Property, is a 700 m long, strong EM conductor that is parallel to, and one km south of the main EM conductor trend at Falcon (Figures 1 and 5). The conductor is terminated at its western end by an interpreted prominent north-south-trending fault zone. The prospecting crew found one radioactive boulder that registered close to 7,000 cps on the scintillometer at this location. The granitic gneiss boulder had a 10 cm wide quartz vein with a mica-rich contact that displayed hematite alteration. The interpreted trace of the conductor roughly corresponds with an east-west-trending boulder train within a stream drainage. Figure 5: Target FA019: https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/Target-FA019.png Zone 3: Target FA025 includes the D Zone showing and a complex and isolated approximately one km long anomalous EM response defined by variable conductor strength that is, in part, coincident with a magnetic low feature (Figure 6). The D Zone showing was discovered in 1978 by field inspection of an anomaly identified from an EM survey flown by AGIP in 1978 that was interpreted to be a graphitic conductor. The D Zone showing and associated work programs are described in [SMDI 2455] and Saskatchewan Assessment files 74A14-0034 and 74A14-0035. The showing is described as a uraniferous vein with associated molybdenite and pyrite; a breccia zone was also sampled. The best sample returned 1.26% U and 0.8% Mo. AGIP reported four additional samples from the D Zone area with greater than 1000 ppm (.1%) U. In 1978, a lake sediment sample collected from a small lake 800 m northwest of the D Showing returned 38 ppm U (Figure 6). In 1980 three shallow holes with a cumulative depth of 350 m were drilled by AGIP. One metre sample intervals in zones of anomalous radioactivity in core from two drill holes were analyzed. One of the intervals returned 54 ppm U, the other 36 ppm. Minor hematite, chlorite and kaolinite alteration was encountered throughout the core. In 2022, a North Shore crew identified elevated radioactivity in one outcrop area coincident with the mapped D Zone location, but the vein was not located. The 2025 prospecting crew traversed much of the target area but was unable to locate the uriniferous vein, it is likely covered by vegetation. The crew did locate two radioactive pegmatite dykes approximately 700 m apart (Figure 6). At the first site, located approximately 500 m north of the target zone and just west of the powerline along the lakeshore, the crew located a pegmatite dyke that was discovered by AGIP in 1978. The 10 m wide, 30 m long coarse-grained dyke exhibited local hematite alteration and background radioactivity readings of 10,000 to 27,000 cps. The eastern coarse-grained pegmatite dyke was approximately 5 m wide and 20 m long, background radioactivity levels of the outcrop ranged from 3,500 to 5,000 cps. North Shore intends to integrate the EM conductor models at FA025 with shallow historic drilling and geologic mapping data and consider the drilling of additional and deeper holes. Overall, the isolated EM conductor on land that is coincident with a magnetic low response and proximal to a known uranium showing is a highly prospective target. Figure 6: Summary Of FA025 Area: https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/Summary-of-FA025-Area.jpg Next Steps: In an effort to make a significant new uranium discovery, North Shore is integrating information from the prospecting program with the interpretation of the EM conductors to further evaluate and prioritize targets shown in Figure 1 for potential future drilling programs. Falcon Uranium Project: The Falcon Project, which constitutes part of North Shore's Falcon Property, contains eleven mineral claims comprising approximately 42,908 hectares approximately 50 km east of the Key Lake mine. Nine of the claims are from Skyharbour's original South Falcon Uranium Project and the remaining two claims are from Skyharbour's Foster River Project. Historical uranium mineralization discovered at Falcon is shallow and is hosted in several geological settings including classic Athabasca-style basement mineralization associated with well-developed EM conductors. At the EWA target, up to 0.492% U 3 O 8 and 1,300 ppm lead was encountered in outcrop grab samples (Sask. Mineral Deposits Index [SMDI] 5038). Historical grab sampling at Knob Lake (SMDI 1014) also encountered up to 0.01% U 3 O 8 in an outcrop of pegmatite, while anomalous nickel, copper, and molybdenum were found in historical grab samples from the Fraser North target area (SMDI's 1125 and 1126). A well-defined northeast-trending, locally folded, electromagnetic conductor system runs throughout the Property, which was defined by airborne and ground geophysical surveys by JNR Resources ("JNR") in the 2000's. In 2008 JNR conducted a drill campaign at the property area. Of the 47 holes drilled that year, 28 holes (totaling 7,348 metres) were drilled on the South Falcon Uranium Property at the Walker (14 holes), Walker South (7 holes), and EWA target areas (6 holes). At the Walker and South Walker targets, which lie along the aforementioned EM conductor system, structurally disrupted and variably altered metasediments (including graphitic pelitic gneisses) with anomalous boron, copper, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, arsenic, and vanadium were encountered in several drill holes. During this same drill campaign, the Fraser Lakes Zone B uranium deposit was discovered approximately four kilometres east of the Walker South target on a refolded extension of the EM conductor system. At the EWA target, which lies along a separate northeast-trending EM conductor, anomalous uranium, boron, lead, and molybdenum were encountered in structurally disrupted pegmatites; the best result was 0.235% U 3 O 8 over 0.5 m (within a 3.5 m interval of 0.113% U 3 O 8 ) in hole WYL-08-501 (Sask. Mineral Assessment File 74H02-0045). Furthermore, in 2022, Skyharbour completed a FALCON airborne gravity gradiometer and magnetic survey over nine of the eleven claims at the Falcon Property. This new geophysical data will assist North Shore in prioritizing areas along the EM conductor system for drilling. Over 30 kilometres of the EM conductor system remains untested on the Falcon Property. North Shore's initial focus will be on the two claims formerly part of the Foster Project (geophysics), and on generating drill targets on three claims at the southeastern end of the EM conductor systems including Knob Lake, which shows similarities to the Fraser Lakes Zone B deposit approximately 6 km to the northeast and several other high-priority targets elsewhere along the main EM conductor system. Significant potential exists on the project for basement-hosted, unconformity-related uranium deposits like those further to the north in the Wollaston Domain (i.e. Eagle Point, Rabbit Lake, Key Lake and others), as well as for pegmatite/granite-hosted (i.e. alaskite-type) U-Th-REE mineralization like at the Fraser Lakes Zone B deposit on Skyharbour's adjacent South Falcon East Property, currently under option to Tisdale Clean Energy. The Option Agreement: North Shore may acquire an initial 80% interest in the Property by issuing common shares of the Resulting Issuer ("Shares") having an aggregate value of CAD $1,225,000; making aggregate cash payments of CAD $525,000; and incurring an aggregate of CAD $3,550,000 in exploration expenditures on the Property over a three-year period. Once North Shore has earned an initial 80% interest in the Property, North Shore may acquire the remaining 20% interest in the Property within 90 business days by issuing Shares having a value of CAD $5,000,000, and making a cash payment of CAD $5,000,000 to Skyharbour. If North Shore does not elect to acquire the remaining 20% interest, a joint venture will be formed with Skyharbour holding a 20% participating interest. North Shore will be the operator of the exploration programs during the earn-in stage and for the joint venture if formed. Two claims totaling 10,673 hectares that form part of Skyharbour's Foster River Property are subject to a one percent (1%) NSR royalty payable to Skyharbour. The remaining nine claims totaling 32,235 hectares that comprise Skyharbour's South Falcon Point Property are subject to a two percent (2%) NSR royalty payable to Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison") with North Shore having the right to purchase one percent of the royalty from Denison at anytime by paying $1 million. Qualified Person: The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Serdar Donmez, P.Geo., VP of Exploration for Skyharbour as well as a Qualified Person. About North Shore Uranium Ltd: North Shore is a mineral exploration company focused on uranium exploration at the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin through its Falcon property which will increase from 12,800 to 55,700 hectares with the addition of the claims subject to the Agreement, and the West Bear property located 90 kilometres to the northeast. About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.: Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with interest in thirty-seven projects covering over 616,000 hectares (over 1.5 million acres) of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project, which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization in several zones at the Maverick Corridor. Adjacent to the Moore Project is the Russell Lake Uranium Project, in which Skyharbour is operator with joint-venture partner RTEC. The project hosts widespread uranium mineralization in drill intercepts over a large property area with exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drilling programs. Skyharbour also has joint ventures with industry leader Orano Canada Inc., Azincourt Energy, and Thunderbird Resources at the Preston, East Preston, and Hook Lake Projects, respectively. The Company also has several active earn-in option partners, including CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. at the Mann Lake Uranium Project; TSX-V listed North Shore Uranium at the Falcon Project; UraEx Resources at the South Dufferin and Bolt Projects; Hatchet Uranium at the Highway Project; CSE-listed Mustang Energy at the 914W Project; and TSX-V listed Terra Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project. In aggregate, Skyharbour has now signed earn-in option agreements with partners that total to over $36 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures, over $20 million worth of shares being issued, and $14 million in cash payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete their entire earn-ins at the respective projects. Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. Skyharbour's Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin: https://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/news/SKY_SaskProject_Locator_2025_07_16_v1.jpg To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd.. SKYHARBOUR RESOURCES LTD. "Jordan Trimble" Jordan Trimble President and CEO For further information contact myself or: Nicholas Coltura Investor Relations Manager Skyharbour Resources Ltd. Telephone: 604-558-5847 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: info@skyharbourltd.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Orestone Mining Corp. (TSXV: ORS) (FSE: O2R2) (the "Company") further to the company's news release dated October 10th, 2025, strategic shareholder Crescat Capital LLC ("Crescat") has confirmed their participation in the Company's non-brokered private placement unit financing of up to $2,000,000. Following Crescat's initial investment in Orestone, Crescat reviewed the prospects for advancement of Orestone's exploration projects and concluded, under their corporate investment mandate, that further support was merited. Therefore, as a lead order, Crescat will be subscribing for 2,910,000 Units for gross proceeds of $232,800 in order to maintain its current 11.64% ownership in the shares of the Company. Crescat will be subscribing through Crescat Portfolio Management LLC on behalf of its five (5) Pooled Investment Funds. Kevin Smith, CFA, Founder & CEO of Crescat, stated: "We are happy to see the new ground acquired on the Francisca property and eager to see it drilled in the near future." About Crescat Crescat is a global macro asset management firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado, which deploys tactical investment themes based on proprietary value-driven equity and macro models. Crescat's investment goals are to provide industry-leading absolute and risk-adjusted returns over complete business cycles with low correlation to common benchmarks, and they apply their investment process across a mix of asset classes and strategies. Crescat has been accumulating activist stakes in a portfolio of companies in the metals exploration and mining industry as a long-term strategic macro theme. About Orestone Orestone Mining Corp. is a Canadian based company with an internationally experienced management team. The Board of Directors and management team have experience in all aspects of the mining business having been involved in numerous corporate and project level successes. Orestone's property portfolio includes exposure to gold, silver and copper on projects located in Canada and Argentina. Our near-term objective on the Francisca property, located in Salta, Argentina is to define an oxide gold deposit mineable by open pit methods. The Company's 100 percent owned Captain gold-copper project, located in BC hosts a large gold dominate porphyry system that is permitted and drill ready. The projects are road accessible and suitable for exploration year-round. To learn more about the company and to stay up to date on corporate developments, go to our website at www.orestone.ca and sign up for our investor email updates or email us at info@orestone.ca. ON BEHALF OF ORESTONE MINING CORP. David Hottman CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release has been prepared by management and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270292 SOURCE: Orestone Mining Corp. OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Turnitin , a global leader in academic integrity, assessment, and AI-driven learning solutions, announced the appointment of Melissa Havel as its first ever Chief Communications Officer (CCO). Havel joins Turnitin at a pivotal moment as the company deepens its role in advancing academic integrity and guiding educators and institutions through the responsible use of AI. In her role, she will unify communications and brand strategy to strengthen Turnitin's voice globally. "Melissa's career has been defined by her ability to translate innovation into trust, helping organizations shape their narrative with integrity and purpose," said Chris Caren, CEO of Turnitin. "As Turnitin evolves and takes a leading role in the responsible use of AI in education, her expertise and passion for education will amplify our story and strengthen our global impact." With 30 years of communications experience across agency and corporate settings in technology and regulated industries, Havel has advised executives in high-stakes environments. For the past few years she has been consulting with clients in the AI, energy, education and technology industries. "As AI reshapes education, Turnitin is uniquely positioned to lead the conversation with integrity and responsibility. I am excited to join the team at this moment and to help tell our story and deepen our impact across the global education community," said Melissa Havel, Turnitin's new Chief Communications Officer. Prior to being an independent consultant, Havel was the senior communications leader at Portland General Electric and before that, she served as an executive vice president in the technology sector at We. Communications. Beyond her corporate work, Havel has taught courses in Brand Reputation Management and The Art and Science of Influence at the University of Oregon's Strategic Communications Master's Program. Press Contact press@turnitin.com About Turnitin In 2025, the company launched Turnitin Clarity, enhanced Turnitin Feedback Studio, pioneered AI bypasser detection, and published its first global research study on AI in education, all while earning a spot on TIME's list of the World's Top EdTech Companies and Turnitin Clarity being named to TIME's list of the Best Inventions of 2025. Turnitin is a global company dedicated to ensuring the integrity of education and meaningfully improving learning outcomes. For more than 25 years, Turnitin has partnered with educational institutions to promote honesty, consistency, and fairness across all subject areas and assessment types. Turnitin products are used by educational institutions and certification and licensing programs to uphold integrity and increase learning performance, and by students and professionals to do their best, original work. Over 16,000 academic institutions, publishers, and corporations use Turnitin services: Turnitin Clarity, Gradescope by Turnitin, iThenticate, Turnitin Feedback Studio, Turnitin Originality, Turnitin Similarity, ExamSoft, ProctorExam, and Ouriginal. TIME 2025 TIME USA LLC. All rights reserved. Used under license. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2001658/Turnitin_v1_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/turnitin-welcomes-melissa-havel-as-its-first-chief-communications-officer-302582821.html Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Argyle Resources Corp. (CSE: ARGL) (OTCQB: ARLYF) (FSE: ME0) ("Argyle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete an offering consisting of a minimum of 2,500,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of C$0.20 per Unit, to raise minimum gross proceeds of C$500,000 and up to a maximum of 5,000,000 Units for aggregate gross proceeds up to C$1,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the authorized share structure of the Company (a "Share") plus one Share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share at an exercise price of C$0.27 for 24 months following the completion of the Offering. Closing of the Offering is also subject to the condition that the Company raise a minimum of C$500,000 through the Offering. The Units to be issued under the Offering will be offered to purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption ("LIFE Exemption") under Part 5A.2 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, in all the provinces of Canada, except Quebec. The Units offered under the LIFE Exemption will not be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document ("Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.argyleresourcescorp.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Offering for legal and accounting expenses, marketing and advertising, mineral property exploration activities and expenditures, general working capital purposes and as otherwise described in the Offering Document. The Offering is scheduled to close on or about October 22, 2025, and is subject to certain conditions customary for transactions of this nature, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The securities to be offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Argyle Resources Corp. Argyle Resources Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company engaged in the business of acquiring, exploring, staking and evaluating natural resource properties in North America. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Pilgrim Islands, Matapedia, Lac Comporte and Saint Gabriel quartzite silica projects in Quebec, Canada. The Company also has an option to acquire 100% of the following properties: the Clay Howells Rare Earth Element Project in northern Ontario, Canada and the Frenchvale Graphite Property located in Nova Scotia, Canada. Argyle is engaged in a research partnership with the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS), a high-level research and training institute funded by the Quebec government to conduct exploration programs on the Company's silica projects. The Company was incorporated in 2023 and its head office is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release such as statements regarding the receipt of regulatory approval or statements with respect to: future financial or operating performance of the Company, including the Company's intended uses of its available funds; and the potential exercise of the option granted to the Company under the option agreements for the Clay Howells Rare Earth Element Project and the Frenchvale Graphite Property are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include but are not limited to the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Factors that could cause actual results to vary from forward-looking statements or may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company's business include, among other things, that the Offering may not be completed as contemplated, or at all; that any proceeds raised from the Offering may not be utilized as currently intended; that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and may be unsuccessful in achieving the desired results; that mineral exploration plans may change and be re-defined based on a number of factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control; the Company's ability to access sources of debt and equity capital; competitive factors, pricing pressures and supply and demand in the Company's industry. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270301 SOURCE: Argyle Resources Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Daura Gold Corp. (TSXV: DGC) ("Daura" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Stuart Mills, M.Sc., as Vice President of Exploration. Mr. Mills brings over 30 years of global expertise in mineral exploration, feasibility-stage projects, and M&A, with key roles in multiple multi-million-ounce gold discoveries across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. He has held senior technical and management positions with leading firms, including Anglo American, Lundin Mining, and Red Back Mining. At Anglo American, he served in senior geological roles across Turkey, Yemen, Iran, and Eastern Europe. As Country Manager in Ireland, he led the discovery of the Bog Zone satellite orebody to Anglo's Lisheen zinc-lead mine. As Principal Geologist for Asia-Pacific, he oversaw a significant zinc-lead discovery in Australia's Northern Territory and managed exploration in China and India. At Lundin Mining, as Regional Exploration Manager for Africa-Eurasia, he provided technical oversight for major investments, including the Ozernoe Zn-Pb Feasibility Study in Russia and the Tenke Fungurume copper-cobalt project in the DRC, while contributing to M&A initiatives from Peru to Eritrea. At Red Back Mining, he held senior roles in project generation, M&A, and exploration management prior to its acquisition by Kinross Gold. He then collaborated with Red Back's executive team on new ventures, including leadership at Sirocco Mining, where he was instrumental in discovering the Morondo gold deposit in Cote d'Ivoire (now Montage Gold's Kone Project). As Country Manager in Sudan, he led the discovery of Galat Sufar South (now Perseus Mining's Meyas Sand Project). "We are delighted to welcome Stuart to the Daura Gold leadership team," said Mark Sumner, President of Daura Gold. "His discovery record and depth of technical expertise will be invaluable as we continue advancing exploration at our Antonella and Bonita Projects in southern Peru and evaluate new growth opportunities across the region." "Daura Gold is positioned in one of the most exciting gold-silver belts in the Andes, and I'm eager to contribute to expanding its resource potential," said Stuart Mills. "With a strong technical team and supportive board, we have all the right elements to deliver meaningful results." Mr. Mills holds a Master of Science in Mineral Exploration and Mining Geology and is a Professional Geologist with extensive international experience in both greenfield and brownfield settings. ABOUT DAURA GOLD CORP. Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, Daura is advancing high-impact exploration projects in Peru's renowned Ancash region. Daura owns a 100% undivided interest in over 15,900 hectares of exploration concessions in Ancash, including the 900-hectare Antonella target and adjacent 2,900 hectare Libelulas concessions, which is the primary focus of Daura's current exploration efforts. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Daura cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Daura's control. Such factors include, among other things: future prices and the supply of gold and other precious and other metals; future demand for gold and other valuable metals; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; risks of the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; adverse weather conditions and failure to obtain necessary regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Daura disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270305 SOURCE: Daura Gold Corp. Fidelity Japan Trust Plc - Publication of Circular and Notice of General Meeting PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, October 14 14 October 2025 THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN IT ARE NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, IN ANY MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SAME WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. This announcement is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to acquire, securities in any jurisdiction in which the same would be unlawful. Neither this announcement nor any part of it shall form the basis of or be relied on in connection with or act as an inducement to enter into any contract or commitment whatsoever. Fidelity Japan Trust Plc ("FJV" or the "Company") Publication of Circular and Notice of General Meeting Introduction As announced by the Company on 12 August 2025, the Board has agreed terms with the board of directors of AVI Japan Opportunity Trust plc (" AJOT") for a combination of the assets of the Company with AJOT. If approved by the Shareholders, the combination will be implemented by way of a scheme of reconstruction and members' voluntary winding up of the Company under section 110 of the Insolvency Act (the " Scheme") and the associated transfer of part of the Company's cash, assets and undertaking to AJOT in exchange for the issue of New AJOT Shares to Shareholders who have elected or who are deemed to have elected to roll over their investment in the Company into AJOT. The Company is today publishing a circular (the " Circular") in respect of the Scheme. The date on which the Scheme becomes effective (the "Effective Date") is expected to be 27 November 2025. Under the Scheme, Shareholders (other than Restricted Shareholders) will be entitled to elect to receive in respect of some or all of their Shares: (a) New AJOT Shares (the " Rollover Option"); and/or (b) cash upon the winding-up of the Company (the " Cash Option"). The Proposals are conditional upon, amongst other things, the approval of Shareholders at the General Meetings and the approval by AJOT Shareholders of the issue of the New AJOT Shares. The Cash Option is limited to 50 per cent. of the Company's Shares in issue (excluding Shares held in treasury) as at the Calculation Date. Should total Elections for the Cash Option exceed 50 per cent. of the issued Shares (excluding any Shares held in treasury), any excess Elections for the Cash Option will be scaled back into Elections for New AJOT Shares on a pro rata basis, among all Shareholders who have made such excess Elections, as further detailed below. In order to agree the transaction with AJOT, the Cash Option is being offered at a discount of one per cent. of the Cash Pool NAV after the Cash Pool Costs Adjustment (if any) (the " Cash Option Charge"), as explained below. A limit to the option to elect for cash and a discount to the value of the pool of assets allocated to the cash option are common mechanisms in these kinds of transactions to support the expected level of assets being transferred into the continuing investment company (in this case, AJOT). This is to make such transactions sufficiently attractive to secure an agreement with the continuing investment company to make the cash option available to Shareholders. An option whereby all Shareholders could realise their entire investment at around NAV would be less attractive for the continuing investment company. However, the Board would highlight that the level of the cap to the Cash Option (50 per cent. of the issued Shares, excluding any Shares held in treasury) is higher and the Cash Option Charge (at one per cent. of the Cash Pool NAV after the costs adjustment) is lower than those on a number of recently announced transactions. Each Shareholder who elects for the Cash Option will receive an amount in cash equal to their pro rata share of the Cash Pool to re?ect the number of Shares held by such shareholder that have been elected, or are deemed to have been elected, for the Cash Option. The Cash Option Charge will be allocated for the benefit of and between the Rollover Pool and AJOT respectively as outlined below. New AJOT Shares will be issued as the default option under the Scheme in the event that Shareholders do not make a valid Election for the Cash Option under the Scheme, or only elect for the Cash Option in respect of a proportion of their Shares, or to the extent Elections for the Cash Option are scaled back as a result of the Cash Option being oversubscribed (" Default Option"). The Board considers the Proposals to be in the best interests of Shareholders as a whole and recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolutions required to implement the Proposals at the General Meetings. The Proposals Background to, and rationale for, the Proposals On 17 April 2025, the Board announced that, in anticipation that the continuation vote might not be approved by a majority of Shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 21 May 2025 (" AGM"), it would immediately commence a formal review process to consider the future of the Company (the " Review"). At the AGM, the ordinary resolution in relation to the continuation of the Company was not passed by Shareholders. A separate special resolution seeking to extend the time period for proposals for the winding up or other reconstruction of the Company to be developed by the Board and put to Shareholders was withdrawn at the AGM. As a consequence, such proposals were initially required to be put to Shareholders by 21 August 2025. Following a subsequent general meeting held on 23 June 2025, new articles of association were adopted by Shareholders, under which the extension was granted. As a consequence, the latest date by which the Board must draw up proposals for the winding up or other reconstruction of the Company and hold the required general meeting (which will now be the First General Meeting) is 21 November 2025. As announced on 12 August 2025, following completion of the Review, the Board concluded that a combination with AJOT, pursuant to a scheme of reconstruction, should be put forward to Shareholders and entered into non-binding heads of terms for a combination of the assets of the Company with AJOT, which will also provide Shareholders with the option of a cash alternative (subject to scaling back as described below). Amongst other matters as set out further below, it was also agreed with AJOT that: based on the Scheme becoming effective by no later than the end of November 2025, AJOT's 100 per cent. realisation opportunity, which it is anticipated will take place in Q4 2025, will be made available to those Shareholders who receive New AJOT Shares under the Scheme; and on the Effective Date, and subject to any consents required, the Company's Unlisted Investments will be transferred to AJOT at the carrying value as at 12 August 2025 (as of the 30 June revaluation round). Please see paragraph entitled " Unlisted Investments" for further information; and the majority of the remaining quoted assets, other than certain existing investments which are anticipated to be retained and transferred to AJOT through the Rollover Pool, would be realised and held in cash or cash equivalent investments ahead of the Effective Date. Following the 12 August 2025 announcement, the Company started realising certain less liquid quoted holdings and reinvesting into exchange traded funds which track the TOPIX or Nikkei 225 indices (" ETFs") such that at the Latest Practicable Date (9 October 2025), 18.77 per cent. of the Company's NAV is comprised of ETFs. It has also been agreed with AJOT that the only quoted holding required to be transferred to AJOT is Sharingtechnology Inc. Benefits of the Proposals The Directors consider that the Proposals will have the following benefits for all Shareholders: The opportunity to remain invested in a Japanese strategy via AJOT : as well as being a larger investment company after the transaction, the investment strategy pursued by AJOT has generated a significantly better performance than the Company - over 5 years to the Latest Practicable Date, AJOT's NAV total return is 71.4 per cent., whereas the Company's NAV total return is -0.36 per cent. Further details are set out in the table below. : as well as being a larger investment company after the transaction, the investment strategy pursued by AJOT has generated a significantly better performance than the Company - over 5 years to the Latest Practicable Date, AJOT's NAV total return is 71.4 per cent., whereas the Company's NAV total return is -0.36 per cent. Further details are set out in the table below. The opportunity to realise a significant portion of their shareholding for cash at a price close to prevailing NAV per share : the Cash Option allows up to 50 per cent. of Shares held by Shareholders to be elected for the Cash Option. : the Cash Option allows up to 50 per cent. of Shares held by Shareholders to be elected for the Cash Option. The opportunity to invest in an investment company with a better record of shares trading at a narrower discount to NAV per share : since inception under the existing management team (23 October 2018) to the close of business on 11 August 2025 (the day before the announcement of the Heads of Terms), AJOT's shares have traded at an average discount of 0.2 per cent. to NAV. The average discount at which the Company's Shares traded over the same period was 9.2 per cent. The discount of the expanded AJOT is likely to remain relatively narrow compared to the Company's historical discount in the future, as under AJOT's discount control mechanism, if, under normal market conditions, the four month-average share price discount to NAV is greater than 5 per cent., AJOT will buy back shares with the intention of reducing the discount to a level no greater than 5 per cent. Furthermore, AJOT has an annual exit opportunity, for up to 100 per cent. of its share capital, further details of which are set out below. : since inception under the existing management team (23 October 2018) to the close of business on 11 August 2025 (the day before the announcement of the Heads of Terms), AJOT's shares have traded at an average discount of 0.2 per cent. to NAV. The average discount at which the Company's Shares traded over the same period was 9.2 per cent. The discount of the expanded AJOT is likely to remain relatively narrow compared to the Company's historical discount in the future, as under AJOT's discount control mechanism, if, under normal market conditions, the four month-average share price discount to NAV is greater than 5 per cent., AJOT will buy back shares with the intention of reducing the discount to a level no greater than 5 per cent. Furthermore, AJOT has an annual exit opportunity, for up to 100 per cent. of its share capital, further details of which are set out below. Value preserved in respect of the Unlisted Investments : with them expected to transfer to AJOT via the Rollover Pool at their current value, except in the case of the Company's small investment in Spiber Inc. (which is expected to be transferred to the Liquidation Pool, further details of which are set out below). The alternative would be for all of these assets to be transferred to the Liquidation Pool. Under that scenario the Unlisted Investments would be managed by the Liquidators in accordance with an orderly realisation. Any net proceeds from the disposal of the Unlisted Investments during the liquidation period would be returned to Shareholders in due course. However, there could have been no guarantee as to the value, if any, and/or timing of distributions that resulted from their realisation and it would be subject to prevailing market conditions. : with them expected to transfer to AJOT via the Rollover Pool at their current value, except in the case of the Company's small investment in Spiber Inc. (which is expected to be transferred to the Liquidation Pool, further details of which are set out below). The alternative would be for all of these assets to be transferred to the Liquidation Pool. Under that scenario the Unlisted Investments would be managed by the Liquidators in accordance with an orderly realisation. Any net proceeds from the disposal of the Unlisted Investments during the liquidation period would be returned to Shareholders in due course. However, there could have been no guarantee as to the value, if any, and/or timing of distributions that resulted from their realisation and it would be subject to prevailing market conditions. Access to liquidity: It is the intention of the AJOT Directors that an exit opportunity, for up to 100 per cent. of AJOT's share capital, is offered to AJOT Shareholders every year. The next opportunity is expected to take place in Q4 2025, which FJV Shareholders who have elected for the Rollover Option and who receive New AJOT Shares are expected to be able to participate in. In 2024, an exit opportunity was offered by AJOT and this was undertaken through an uncapped tender offer at a discount to the prevailing net asset value per share, at the calculation date, less any transaction costs directly associated with realising the assets to satisfy elections under the tender offer. Shareholders who elect for the Cash Option in respect of some or all of their investment will receive cash in the liquidation of the Company to the extent of such Election. Shareholders should note that, depending on their particular circumstances, this may trigger a chargeable gains tax liability. Information about AJOT AJOT's strategy is to generate returns in excess of the MSCI Japan Small Cap Index by investing in a concentrated (typically between 15 and 25 stocks, whereas the Company's portfolio has been typically between 80 and 110 stocks), high-conviction portfolio of small to mid-cap companies in Japan which are considered under-valued and where cash, listed securities and/or realisable assets make up a significant proportion of the market capitalisation. The AVI team, led by Joe Bauernfreund, seeks to unlock value through constructive and proactive engagement with management teams, and by taking advantage of the increased focus on corporate governance and shareholder returns developing in Japan. The table below shows, in GBP, the Company's performance, alongside the Company's reference index (TOPIX Total Return Index), AJOT's performance and AJOT's benchmark (MSCI Japan Small Cap Index), to the Latest Practical Date over one, three and five years, and since inception under the existing management team. Total Return performance (%) 1 year 3 years 5 years Inception* Company NAV total return 16.38 21.78 -0.36 41.05 Company share price total return 35.37 35.37 7.77 50.51 TOPIX Total Return Index 17.89 45.62 50.19 66.78 AJOT NAV total return 21.2 55.4 71.4 93.6 AJOT share price total return 26.2 61.0 73.5 85.7 MSCI Japan Small Cap Index 18.5 35.3 32.1 45.1 Source: Morningstar Past performance is not a guarantee of future results * Being 23 October 2018, the date that Joe Bauernfreund was appointed as portfolio manager of AJOT. Scheme Mechanics General On the Calculation Date, once the NAV of each of the Company and AJOT has been determined: the Company's assets and undertaking will be split into three pools: the Liquidation Pool, into which there will be appropriated such assets and costs of the Company (including the Retention) which is estimated by the Liquidators to be sufficient to meet the current and future, actual and contingent liabilities of the Company (including any unpaid Scheme Costs), together with any holdings of the Company which are determined by the Liquidators (in consultation with AJOT and the Company) not to be suitable for transfer to AJOT and will not have been realised prior to the Effective Date (which it is anticipated will include the Company's holding in Spiber Inc.) as set out below; and the Residual Net Asset Value (being the balance after the appropriation of cash and assets to the Liquidation Pool) shall then, on a Pro Rata Allocation basis, be split into: the interests of the Shareholders who have Elected for the Rollover Option (being the Rollover Pool); and the interests of the Shareholders who have Elected to receive the Cash Option (being the Cash Pool), (together, the " Pools"); and the NAV of the Rollover Pool and the Cash Pool will then be adjusted as detailed below. As described above, under the Scheme, the Shareholders will be entitled to elect to receive in respect of some, or all of their Shares: New AJOT Shares, which is the Default Option; and/or the Cash Option. In order to effect the Scheme and in accordance with valid Elections (including deemed elections) made, the Company will be required to reclassify its Ordinary Share capital into Shares with "A" rights and Shares with "B" rights. "A" Shares will entitle the holders thereof to be issued with New AJOT Shares and "B" Shares will entitle the holders thereof to cash under the Cash Option, all in accordance with the detailed terms of the Scheme as set out in the Circular. As noted above, the Cash Option is limited to 50 per cent. of the Company's Shares in issue (excluding any Shares held in treasury) and will be offered at a discount of one per cent. of the Cash Pool NAV after the Cash Pool Costs Adjustment. Should total Elections for the Cash Option exceed 50 per cent. of the Company's Shares in issue (excluding any Shares held in treasury), excess Elections for the Cash Option will be scaled back into Elections for New AJOT Shares on a pro rata basis. Each Shareholder who elects, or is deemed to elect, for the Cash Option will receive an amount in cash equal to their pro rata share of the Cash Pool after the adjustments under the Scheme as set out below. The Cash Option Charge will be deducted from the Cash Pool and allocated for the benefit of and between the Rollover Pool and AJOT respectively. New AJOT Shares will be issued as the Default Option under the Scheme if Shareholders do not make a valid Election for the Cash Option under the Scheme, or only elect for the Cash Option in respect of a proportion of their Shares, or to the extent Elections for the Cash Option are scaled back as a result of the Cash Option being oversubscribed. However, the default position is different for Restricted Shareholders, who should ensure they have read the section titled " Restricted Shareholders" below. Adjustments under the Scheme Rollover Pool On the Calculation Date, the Rollover Pool NAV will be adjusted for the following: the Rollover Pool Costs Adjustment (if any); an uplift arising from the Rollover Pool's allocation of the Cash Option Charge; and an uplift from the AVI Contribution (if any), (being the Company FAV). Cash Pool On the Calculation Date, the Cash Pool NAV will be adjusted for the following: the Cash Pool Costs Adjustment (if any); and a reduction for the Cash Option Charge, (being the Adjusted Cash Pool NAV). AJOT On the Calculation Date, the AJOT NAV will be adjusted for: a reduction for the AJOT Costs, to the extent only such costs have not already been accrued in the AJOT NAV; AJOT Costs, to the extent only such costs have not already been accrued in the AJOT NAV; a reduction for any Unpaid AJOT Dividends; and an uplift arising from AJOT's allocation of the Cash Option Charge, (being the AJOT FAV). Cash Option Charge The Cash Option Charge (being an amount equal to one per cent. of the Cash Pool NAV as adjusted for the Cash Pool Costs Adjustment (if any)) shall be allocated between the Rollover Pool and AJOT, based on the number of Shares which have validly elected, or are deemed to have elected, for the Rollover Option as follows: first, the Rollover Pool shall be allocated a percentage of the Cash Option Charge equal to the percentage of Elections made, or deemed to have been made, for the Rollover Option; second, AJOT shall be allocated an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) the balance of the Cash Option Charge after the allocation in the bullet above; and (ii) the AJOT Costs; and lastly, the Rollover Pool shall be allocated the balance (if any) of the Cash Option Charge after the allocations under the two bullets above. Basis of Calculation The calculations as described above will be calculated in accordance with the companies' respective normal accounting policies (NAV calculated on a cum-income basis and debt at fair value) and will take into account the adjustments outlined above. The calculations relating to each of the adjusted values, as well as the calculations of entitlements using the FAV-to-FAV ratio, will be reviewed by the Independent Accountant, acting on behalf of both the Company and AJOT. Cash Entitlements Under the Scheme, a holder of "B" Shares will be entitled to an amount of cash equal to the Adjusted Cash NAV per Share multiplied by the number of "B" Shares they hold. The Adjusted Cash NAV per Share will be equal to the Adjusted Cash Pool NAV divided by the total number of "B" Shares (expressed in pence) and calculated to six decimal places (with 0.0000005 rounded down). Cash Entitlements payable to Shareholders who elect (or are deemed to elect) for the Cash Option under the Scheme will be distributed by the Liquidators, through the Receiving Agent and pursuant to the Scheme, in cash to each Shareholder entitled thereto. New AJOT Shares The issue of New AJOT Shares under the Scheme will be effected on a FAV for FAV basis as at the Calculation Date as described above. Calculation Date The Calculation Date for determining the value of the Rollover Pool and the Cash Pool under the Scheme is expected to be 5.00 p.m. on 20 November 2025. The Record Date for the basis of determining Shareholders' entitlements under the Scheme is 6.00 p.m. on 7 November 2025. It is expected that the Liquidators will distribute Cash Entitlements (rounded down to the nearest penny) through the Receiving Agents and pursuant to the Scheme, not later than 10 Business Days following the Effective Date. Costs of implementing the Scheme Subject to the AVI Contribution, the Company and AJOT have each agreed to bear their own costs in relation to the Proposals. If either Shareholders or AJOT Shareholders resolve not to proceed to implement the Scheme or the Company's Directors or the AJOT Directors decide not to implement the Scheme on the terms described in this announcement, then each party will bear its own abort costs. For the avoidance of doubt, in any event where the Scheme is not implemented, the listing fees and transfer taxes/costs that would have been payable by AJOT, as enlarged, will not be payable, but dealing costs will have been incurred by the Company in disposing of assets in order to meet Elections made or deemed to have been made and in reorganising the Company's portfolio in respect of the Rollover Pool to be established pursuant to the Scheme. Termination Costs On 13 October 2025 the Company served notice in respect of the termination of the Management Agreement on the AIFM and the Investment Management Services Agreement on the AIFM and the Investment Manager, to end on the day falling 5 Business Days after the Effective Date. It has been agreed between the Company, the AIFM and the Investment Manager that the Investment Manager and the AIFM will provide such assistance to the Company, and, from the Effective Date, to the Liquidators, as may be reasonably requested in respect of giving effect to the Scheme. This shall include, without limitation, providing assistance to the Company in relation to the transfer or other realisation of the Unlisted Investments pursuant to the Scheme after the termination of the Management Agreement and the Investment Management Services Agreement as the Liquidators may request, in each case at no additional cost. The Board entered into the Notice Agreement with the AIFM and the Investment Manager on 6 May 2025, which effectively reduced the normal notice period, to minimise the costs associated with terminating those arrangements. It has been agreed that, pursuant to the terms of the Notice Agreement, there are no Termination Costs as full notice has been given pursuant to the Notice Agreement and any assistance provided by the Investment Manager and the AIFM following the end of the notice period will be provided without further charge. Scheme Costs The Scheme Costs (which for the avoidance of doubt includes both the Transaction Costs and the Termination Costs, as described above) are expected to be approximately 0.82 million inclusive of VAT (where applicable, which is assumed to be irrecoverable), in aggregate. The expected Scheme Costs have already been included in the Company's published NAV at the Latest Practicable Date. Each of the Rollover Pool and the Cash Pool shall bear its respective Pro Rata Allocation of the Scheme Costs, however, the Rollover Pool's share of the Scheme Costs are capped at 1,000,000 and, to the extent they are not fully offset by the Rollover Pool's allocation of the Cash Option Charge, will be met through the AVI Contribution, as described below. For the avoidance of doubt, Scheme Costs exclude the Retention (estimated at 100,000) to cover unknown or unascertained liabilities of the Company. The Rollover Pool is not expected to suffer any reduction for Scheme Costs (other than through the Retention, as applicable). For the avoidance of doubt, Scheme Costs also exclude any portfolio realisation costs. To the extent that the Rollover Pool's Pro Rata Allocation of the Scheme Costs exceeds 1,000,000, such Excess Rollover Costs will be allocated to the Cash Pool pursuant to the Rollover Pool Costs Adjustment and the Cash Pool Costs Adjustment. The Retention is estimated at 100,000 and will be retained by the Liquidators to meet any unknown or unascertained liabilities of the Company. To the extent that some or all of the Retention remains at the conclusion of the liquidation, this will be returned to Shareholders on the Register as at the Record Date (excluding Dissenting Shareholders). If, however, any such amount payable to any Shareholder is less than 5.00, it will not be paid to such Shareholder and will instead be paid by the Liquidators to the Nominated Charity. AVI Contribution To the extent the Rollover Pool's allocation of the Scheme Costs after the Rollover Pool Costs Adjustment (which caps those costs at 1,000,000 as described above), are not fully defrayed by its allocation of the Cash Option Charge (as described above), AVI has undertaken to make a cash contribution to the costs of the Rollover Pool equal to the balance of the Rollover Pool's allocation of Scheme Costs, pursuant to the Cost Contribution Agreement. The value of the AVI Contribution will be determined by the Liquidators (in consultation with the parties to the Cost Contribution Agreement and reviewed by the Independent Accountant) and will be settled by transfer of cleared funds by AVI to an account designated by the Company for that purpose on the terms of the Cost Contribution Agreement (the " AVI Contribution"). The availability of the AVI Contribution to the Rollover Pool is subject to the Scheme becoming effective. On the basis of the other assumptions set out below, the AVI Contribution is expected to be payable if Shareholders elect (or are deemed to have elected) for the Rollover Option in respect of more than 68 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares (excluding any treasury shares). Illustrative financial effects of the Proposals for the Company's Shareholders The number of New AJOT Shares or the amount of cash to which a Shareholder electing for the options under the Scheme will become entitled under the Scheme can only be determined on the Effective Date. By way of illustration only, however, had the Scheme become effective on the Latest Practicable Date and: assuming the Cash Option is elected to the maximum of 50 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares (excluding any treasury shares); based on the Company's and AJOT's NAV of 226.21 pence and 173.65 pence per share respectively at the Latest Practicable Date; based on the Company's and AJOT's share price discount to NAV of 1.9 per cent. and 0.7 per cent. respectively at the Latest Practicable Date; and based on additional key assumptions under Additional key assumptions underlying the financial effects of the Proposalsbelow, the impact of the Scheme on the Company's Shareholders' NAV (which, as above, already includes the Scheme Costs) and market value would have been as follows: Election NAV per share Market value per share New AJOT Shares 0.0% +1.5% Cash Option -1.5% +0.3% The Proposals were announced on 12 August 2025, by applying the Company's and AJOT's average share price discount to NAV over the period since inception of AJOT under the existing management team on 23 October 2018 to the Latest Practicable Date of 9.1 per cent. and 0.2 per cent. respectively (instead of the above share price discounts to NAV at the Latest Practicable Date), the impact of the Proposals on the Company's Shareholders' market value would have been as follows: Election Market value per share New AJOT Shares +10.1% Cash Option +8.3% The figures shown in both tables above are illustrative only, are calculated as at the Latest Practicable Date and do not constitute forecasts. The figures resulting from the Proposals will depend on the net assets of the Company at the time of implementation of the Scheme and the factors identified in the assumptions set out above, and below. Based on the illustrative figures and the assumptions set out above and below, the Proposals would have resulted in the issue of 1.3067 New AJOT Shares for every Share owned by the Company's Shareholders. Accordingly, the Company's Shareholders and AJOT Shareholders would respectively hold 35% and 65% of the total voting rights of the combined company (i.e. of AJOT following the issue of New AJOT Shares pursuant to the Scheme). Based on the assumption that the Cash Option is elected to the maximum of 50 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares, the AVI Contribution would have been 0. Additional key assumptions underlying the financial effects of the Proposals The Scheme Costs are as set out under the paragraph "Scheme Costs" above. Pursuant to the Notice Agreement, there are no Termination Costs payable in respect of the termination of the Management Agreement on the AIFM and the Investment Management Services Agreement on the AIFM and the Investment Manager . Reflecting gearing, the 82.97 per cent. of NAV (as at the Latest Practicable Date) that needs to be realised (which excludes the percentage held in Sharingtechnology Inc., the ETFs and the Unlisted Investments) to form the Liquidation Pool, the Rollover Pool and the Cash Pool is realised and (where necessary) reinvested at an aggregate cost of 0.25% of that portion of NAV realised. Save in respect of the Company's investment in Spiber Inc., the Unlisted Investments transfer to AJOT and do not go to the Liquidation Pool. No value is reflected in the illustrative financial effects for the Liquidator's Retention nor for the investment in Spiber Inc. which is expected to be transferred to the Liquidation Pool. Prior to the application of the uplift arising from AJOT's allocation of the Cash Option Charge, the AJOT Direct Transaction Costs are 808,600, inclusive of VAT, where applicable, and the AJOT Other Costs are 645,000, inclusive of VAT, where applicable. None of these costs have been accrued in AJOT's NAV as at the Latest Practicable Date. Unlisted Investments The Company has six Unlisted Investments with a carrying value of approximately 5.38 per cent. of the Company's NAV as of the Latest Practicable Date. One of these Unlisted Investments is in Spiber Inc., which has a carrying value of approximately 0.29 per cent. of the Company's NAV as at the Latest Practicable Date. Except for Spiber Inc,. where the Company is in discussions with Spiber Inc. regarding the repurchase of its holding and which is expected to be transferred to the Liquidation Pool, the Company's Unlisted Investments held immediately prior to the Effective Date are expected to be transferred, upon implementation of the Scheme, to AJOT through the Rollover Pool at the valuations as at 12 August 2025 (as of the 30 June revaluation round) which also reflects their current valuation. The Board of each Unlisted Investment (other than Spiber Inc.) has consented to the transfer under the Scheme. Given that the remaining steps for transferring the Unlisted Investments are largely procedural in nature, it is expected that the Unlisted Investments (other than Spiber Inc.) will be transferred to AJOT at their valuation at 12 August 2025 (as of the 30 June revaluation round). Management The Company The Investment Manager will remain responsible for the management of the Company's portfolio (in accordance with the Investment Management Services Agreement ) up until the date upon which the Company is placed into liquidation pursuant to the Scheme. The Company and AJOT have agreed to procure that their respective investment managers will liaise with each other, in the period prior to the liquidation, to ensure an orderly transition of the Company's portfolio under the Scheme. For the avoidance of doubt, any advice or guidance provided by AVI in this regard shall not involve the exercise of any discretion on the part of AVI over the Company's portfolio and shall in no circumstances amount to AVI acting as the AIFM or Investment Manager to the Company. AJOT Following completion of the Scheme, AVI will continue to manage AJOT in accordance with AJOT's current investment objective and policy. Following the Effective Date, AVI has agreed to reduce its management fee from one per cent. per annum (based on the lower of market capitalisation or NAV) to a tiered structure on assets above 300 million, as follows: Tier (lower of market capitalisation or NAV) Annual management fee Less than 300 million 1.0% 300 million to 350 million 0.95% Greater than 350 million 0.90% For the avoidance of doubt, 25% of the annual management fee will continue to be reinvested by AVI into AJOT Shares. Upon the Scheme becoming effective, the board of AJOT is expected to continue to comprise four directors. Transfer Agreement If the Proposals become effective, the Liquidators (in their personal capacity and on behalf of the Company) will enter into the Transfer Agreement with the Company and AJOT on or around the Effective Date pursuant to which the Rollover Pool will be transferred to AJOT in consideration for the issue of New AJOT Shares to the Liquidators on behalf of the holders of "A" rights, who will then receive such New AJOT Shares on the basis described in the Circular. Each of the parties to the Transfer Agreement has agreed and undertaken to the others that, so far as may be within its respective power, it will take all such reasonable steps as may be necessary or desirable to implement the Scheme. Scaling back of Elections for the Cash Option The maximum number of Shares that can be elected for the Cash Option is 50 per cent. of the total number of Shares in issue (excluding any Shares held in treasury). However, Shareholders are entitled to elect for the Cash Option in respect of more than 50 per cent. of their individual holdings of Shares (the " Basic Entitlement", such excess amount being an " Excess Application"). If aggregate Elections have been made for the Cash Option which exceed 50 per cent. of the issued Shares (excluding any Shares held in treasury), Shareholders who have made an Election for the Cash Option in excess of their Basic Entitlement shall have their Excess Applications scaled back in a manner which is, as near as practicable, pari passu and pro rata among all Shareholders who have made such Excess Applications. It is expected that the Liquidators will distribute to Shareholders who have elected, or are deemed to have elected, for the Cash Option their Cash Entitlements (being rounded down to the nearest penny) not later than 10 Business Days following the Effective Date. Conditions of the Scheme Implementation of the Scheme is subject to a number of conditions, including: the passing of the Resolutions to be proposed at the First General Meeting and the Resolution to be proposed at the Second General Meeting (or any adjournment of those General Meetings) without amendment, and any conditions of such Resolutions being ful?lled; the AJOT Allotment Resolution being duly passed without amendment and becoming unconditional in all respects; the FCA agreeing to admit the New AJOT Shares to the closed-ended investment funds category of the Of?cial List and the London Stock Exchange agreeing to admit the New AJOT Shares to trading on the Main Market, subject only to allotment; and the Directors and AJOT Directors resolving to proceed with the Scheme. If any condition is not satis?ed, the Scheme will not become effective, the Company will not proceed with the members' voluntary winding up and will instead continue in existence, being managed under its current investment policy. In such circumstances the Board will reassess the options available to the Company at that time. Restricted Shareholders The terms of the Proposals, as they relate to Restricted Shareholders, may be affected by laws of the relevant jurisdiction. Restricted Shareholders should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable legal requirements. It is the responsibility of Restricted Shareholders to satisfy themselves as to the full observance of the laws of the relevant jurisdiction in connection with the Proposals, including the obtaining of any governmental or other consent which may be required, compliance with necessary formalities and the payment of any issue, transfer or other taxes due to such jurisdiction. To the extent a US Shareholder validly executes and returns a US Investor Representation Letter to the satisfaction of the Directors, AJOT Directors and the Liquidators, such US Shareholder will not be deemed a Restricted Shareholder. US Shareholders should also refer to the section below for further information. Shareholders who will otherwise be Restricted Shareholders who wish to receive New AJOT Shares in respect of their entitlement under the Scheme should contact the Company directly as soon as possible and, in any event, by no later than 7 November 2025 if they are able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Directors, the AJOT Directors and the Liquidators that they can make an Election and be issued New AJOT Shares without breaching any relevant laws or regulations. Restricted Shareholders will be deemed to have elected for their Basic Entitlement in respect of the Cash Option and to receive New AJOT Shares for the remainder of their Shares. Such New AJOT Shares will be retained (and not renounced) by the Liquidators as nominees for the relevant Restricted Shareholder and sold by the Liquidators as nominees in the market for the relevant Restricted Shareholder (which shall be done by the Liquidators without regard to the personal circumstances of the relevant Restricted Shareholder and the value of the Shares held by the relevant Restricted Shareholder) and the net proceeds of such sale (after deduction of any costs incurred in effecting such sale) will be paid: (i) to the relevant Restricted Shareholder entitled to them as soon as reasonably practicable, save that entitlements of less than 5.00 per Restricted Shareholder will be paid by the Liquidators to the Nominated Charity; or (ii) in respect of Sanctions Restricted Persons, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Liquidators and will be subject to applicable laws and regulations. Subject to certain exceptions described herein, no action has been taken or will be taken in any jurisdiction other than the UK where action is required to be taken to permit the distribution of this announcement and/or the AJOT Prospectus. Accordingly, such documents may not be used for the purpose of, and do not constitute, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction or in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is not authorised or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Those Shareholders with a registered address and/or who are resident in, or citizen, resident or national of, any jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man should note that they will not receive a Form of Election or a copy of the AJOT Prospectus, unless they have satisfied the Directors, AJOT Directors and the Liquidators that they are entitled to receive and hold New AJOT Shares without breaching any relevant securities laws and without the need for compliance on the part of AJOT or the Company with any overseas laws, regulations, filing requirements or the equivalent. Sanctions Restricted Persons will not be entitled to receive a copy of the AJOT Prospectus in any circumstance. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to the tax consequences of the Proposals for them. General Meetings The implementation of the Proposals will require two General Meetings of the Company which have been convened for: a) 8.30 a.m. on 7 November 2025 at 4 Cannon Street, London, EC4M 5AB (the " First General Meeting"); and b) 9.00 a.m. on 27 November 2025 at 4 Cannon Street, London, EC4M 5AB (the " Second General Meeting"). The notices convening these meetings are set out at the end of the Circular. All Shareholders are entitled to attend and vote at the First General Meeting and the Second General Meeting and, on a show of hands, shall each have one vote and, on a poll, shall have one vote for every Ordinary Share held by them. The Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meetings will, if passed, approve the Scheme and put the Company into liquidation, as further described below. At the First General Meeting, Resolutions will be proposed which, if passed, will: a) approve the terms of the Scheme set out in ?the Circular; b) amend the Articles to give effect to the Scheme; and c) authorise the Liquidators to enter into and give effect to the Transfer Agreement with AJOT, distribute New AJOT Shares to Shareholders in accordance with the Scheme and to purchase the interests of any Dissenting Shareholders. If the Scheme is not approved by Shareholders at the First General Meeting, the Proposals will be abandoned and the Second General Meeting will be adjourned indefinitely. In this event, the Board will consider alternative proposals for the future of the Company, the implementation of which may result in additional costs being incurred. At the Second General Meeting, a special resolution will be proposed which, if passed, will place the Company into liquidation, appoint the Liquidators and agree the basis of their remuneration, instruct the Company Secretary to hold the books to the Liquidators' order, and provide the Liquidators with appropriate powers to carry into effect the amendments to the Articles made at the First General Meeting. The Resolution to be proposed at the Second General Meeting is conditional upon the passing of the Resolutions at the First General Meeting, the AJOT Allotment Resolution being duly passed and becoming unconditional in all respects, the approval of the FCA and the London Stock Exchange to the Admission of the New AJOT Shares to the Of?cial List and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, respectively, and the Directors and the AJOT Directors resolving to proceed with the Scheme. The Resolution will require at least 75 per cent. of the votes cast in respect of it, whether in person or by proxy, to be voted in favour to be passed. Circular Capitalised terms shall have the meaning attributed to them in the Circular unless otherwise defined in this announcement. The Circular can be viewed on the Company's website at https://www.fidelity.co.uk/Japan shortly and will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and available for inspection at https://www.fca.org.uk/markets/primary-markets/regulatory-disclosures/national-storage-mechanism shortly. In addition, those Shareholders (other than Restricted Shareholders) who have elected to receive hard copies of documents will receive a copy of the Circular by post. EXPECTED TIMETABLE Publication Date of the AJOT Prospectus 14 October 2025 Latest time and date for receipt of proxy appointments from Shareholders for the First General Meeting 8.30 a.m. on 5 November 2025 Latest time and date for receipt of the Form of Election from Shareholders wishing to elect for the Cash Option 1.00 p.m. on 7 November 2025 First General Meeting 8.30 a.m. on 7 November 2025 Scheme Entitlements Record Date 6.00 p.m. on 7 November 2025 Ordinary Shares disabled in CREST 6.00 p.m. on 7 November 2025 Suspension of trading in Ordinary Shares 7.30 a.m. on 10 November 2025 Announcement of the results of Elections 10 November 2025 Calculation Date 5.00 p.m. on 20 November 2025 Latest time and date for receipt of proxy appointments from Shareholders for the Second General Meeting 9.00 a.m. on 25 November 2025 Reclassification of the Ordinary Shares 8.00 a.m. on 26 November 2025 Suspension of dealings in Reclassified Shares 7.30 a.m. on 27 November 2025 Second General Meeting 9.00 a.m. on 27 November 2025 Appointment of the Liquidators 27 November 2025 Effective Date and Transfer Agreement executed and implemented 27 November 2025 Announcement of the results of Elections, the Company FAV per Share, the Adjusted Cash NAV per Share and the AJOT FAV per Share 27 November 2025 New AJOT Shares issued pursuant to the Scheme 28 November 2025 First day of dealing in New AJOT Shares 28 November 2025 CREST accounts credited with, and dealings commence in, New AJOT Shares 28 November 2025 Cancellation of listing of Reclassified Shares as soon as practicable Effective Date Cheques expected to be despatched and CREST payments made to Shareholders in respect of the Cash Option Not later than 10 Business Days from the Effective Date Share certificates in respect of New AJOT Shares despatched Not later than 10 Business Days from the Effective Date The times and dates set out in the expected timetable of events above and mentioned throughout this announcement may be adjusted by the Company in which event details of the new times and dates will be notified, as requested, to the FCA, the London Stock Exchange and, where appropriate, Shareholders. All references to time in this announcement are to UK time. For further information please contact: Fidelity Japan Trust Plc David Graham (Chairman) George Bayer (Company Secretary) Via Stifel Stifel Edward Gibson-Watt Andrew Yeo Tel. +44 (0) 20 7710 7600 Legal Entity Identifier 549300ND695NEJ5GPI72 This announcement is not for publication or distribution in or into the United States of America. This announcement is not an offer for sale into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States. Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited ("Stifel") which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting for the Company and no one else in connection with the Proposals and other matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Stifel or for providing advice in relation to the Proposals, the contents of this announcement, or any other matter referred to herein or therein. Neither Stifel nor any of their respective affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Stifel in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise. Sole funded activities commenced at the wholly owned Cobar Basin precious-base metals Condobolin project Airborne geophysical survey mobilised across the historic Condobolin Mineral Field Preparations for diamond drilling at the Meritilga target testing extensions to the existing gold-silver-base metals system Review commenced assessing the potential for alluvial gold based on prior drilling Further consolidation of the wider district increasing the foothold of the Condobolin project by a third Melbourne, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Gold-copper explorer and hybrid project generator Kincora Copper Limited (ASX: KCC) (TSXV: KCC) (Kincora or the Company) is pleased to announce that an airborne electro-magnetic (AEM) geophysical survey covering approximately 155km2 has been mobilized at the Condobolin project, located in the southern end of the Cobar Basin. Ahead of this survey, Kincora has pegged the adjacent open ground to expand the total project size by 90km2. The AEM survey is expected to generate new near surface targets and refine existing mineralized systems located under shallow post mineral cover, as well as refine potential deeper source feeder zones. These include the Meritilga target where preparations have commenced for a high impact drilling program to test the down dip and on strike extensions of the existing system which hosts broad near surface gold-silver-base metal mineralisation with ore grade intervals (including 4m @ 20g/t gold and 30.2g/t silver from 75m 1). In light of near record Australian gold and silver prices, Kincora has commenced a review of prior encouraging drilling results within a paleochannel at the Meritilga target, which has including up to 28.4g/t gold in gravels (from 4m) and 3.99g/t gold in basement (from 28m) 2. John Holliday, Technical Committee chair, and Peter Leaman, VP of Exploration, commented, "We are pleased to commence exploration at our wholly owned Condobolin project at a time of significant exploration, development and corporate success in the southern and lesser explored section of the Cobar Basin. Kincora has a well-planned strategy to explore the extensions of the Condobolin Mineral Field, which has a substantial mining history for high grade gold, silver and base metals. The project is well located to existing infrastructure, is easy to explore and has very limited effective exploration below the shallow weathering profile. The extent of historical mining, and geochemical and geophysical anomalies, indicate excellent potential for multiple new discoveries. We are looking to systematically use exploration techniques that have already yielded the Meritilga discovery and many new recent discoveries in the north of the district at similar and earlier stage profile projects. The designed multi-phase campaign is a capital efficient value add strategy at a project that has the potential to excite in the current very strong precious metals environment." Figure 1: Kincora has seven major project groups located in Central West NSW, six porphyry and one Cobar style mineral system, all located in world-class geological terrains which host Tier-1 mines The Condobolin project is in the southern and lesser explored section of the Cobar Basin To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2305/270304_18516798242cc817_001full.jpg COBAR DISTRICT The Cobar Basin has a 150-year history of high-grade, long-life mining and is an important supplier of critical and precious metals. The region benefits from established infrastructure and favourable ESG considerations with significant scope for processing and mining efficiencies, supporting potential consolidation. The district has recently seen several significant new discoveries utilising modern exploration techniques in lesser explored regions (eg Federation, Achilles, Mallee Bull, Southern Nights and Wagga Tank) and emerging corporate activity (eg Harmony's A$1.6 billion takeover for MAC Copper (MAC.ASX) and Kingston Resources (KSN.ASX) recently receiving A$50 million cash for the first tranche of its divestment of its PNG Misima project). CONDOBOLIN PROJECT The project and regional profiles' support the Condobolin project being an asset that a junior explorer such as Kincora can add significant value to. A multi-phase exploration campaign of regional scale exploration and target specific drilling has commenced and is fully funded following the Company's July 2025 non-brokered private placement (C$4m raising with a 12-month hold period). The Condobolin project was historically the focus of up to 25 informal open pit operations (peak late 1800's-early 1900's), with mining impacted by the water table and exploration by the weathering profile. The mineral field has not been effectively explored below the weathered zone (~30m). Very limited modern exploration has taken with initial activities by Clancy Exploration (Clancy, now RareX Limited) yielding encouraging results at all five prospects drilled (2011-13), including a virgin high-grade gold discovery at the Meritilga Prospect. More recently within the immediate district, Kingston Resources (ASX: KSN) has significantly expanded the resources and restarted hard rock mining at the Mineral Hill mine, Talisman Mining (ASX: TLM) has recent new success at its Rip N Tear and Durnings targets (to both the immediate north and south of Mineral Hill), while Australian Gold and Copper (ASX: AGC) has excited the market with its new potential district scale discovery at its Achilles target located within the south western extension of the Cobar Basin. The Condobolin project is located approximately 40km south from the mill at Mineral Hill and north of the Condobolin town (which is the primary source of employees to Mineral Hill operation who drive through the Condobolin project to work) - see Figure 2. Kincora has consolidated a 100% project ownership and continued to expand our foothold across the near surface potential of the historical Condobolin Mineral Field. The total project size is 297km2 across two adjacent licenses with a new license application (latter 90km2) - see Figure 3. To advance the potential of the wider project and historical mining field, Kincora has mobilised an AEM survey covering over 800 line-kilometres utilising Expert Geophysics Pty Ltd's (Expert Geophysics) TargetEM26 system. Approximately 20% of the wider project is out-sub cropping with the average depth of cover in non-outcropping areas less than 5 metres supporting very easy exploration with surface geology and sampling being an effective, quick and cheap methods - see Figures 3 & 4. AEM surveys have proven to be a highly effective discovery technique in this region significantly contribution in several recent discoveries in the Cobar Basin. The survey is a quick low impact method to provide subsurface structure across the full historic Condobolin Mineral Field with an infill survey across multiple targets, including Meritilga, many of which have significant base metal and gold-silver anomalies - see Figures 3 & 4 overlaying lead anomalism from soil sampling. Figure 2: Regional brownfield and greenfield exploration projects are generating new discoveries and drill targets in a lesser explored but historic mining district The Condobolin project is located at the southern end of the Cobar Basin, benefits from existing infrastructure and is near the Mineral Hill mill which is seeking organic and inorganic means to fill existing excess mill capacity To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2305/270304_image2.jpg The Meritilga target was a new discovery made by Clancy in 2012 following up a coincident 2km x 2km arsenic-lead-zinc (+gold) geochemical anomaly and K-channel radiometric anomaly over ridges east of the historic mines at Mascotte and west of Potters. The anomalies coincided with key NE-striking structures identified in detailed 3D induced polarization (IP) surveys 1. The gold, silver and base metals system is situated within a lode with high grade lens (ore grade, eg 4m @ 20g/t gold, 30.2 g/t silver from 75m, including 1m @ 62g/t gold, 60g/t silver in hole CORC029) and a lower grade halo. The lode is a consistent body, open up and down dip 1, 3. Land access agreements are in place and the permitting process commenced for an up to 15 diamond drill hole program for 4100 metres testing down dip (up to 350m depth) and strike extensions and the potential for repeat high grade lens and/or a stacked series of lenses. This setting is supported by the last phase of Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling by Clancy, the one diamond hole drilled by Kincora in 2023, coupled with a favourable structural setting where the main Meritilga Fault has been cross-cut by N-S trending faults 4. The current working geological model, underpinned by pathfinder zonation and coincident geophysical anomalies, supports the potential for a larger mineralised intrusive source at depth - see Figure 6. The AEM survey is expected to also better advance and refine these concepts. Given shifting in commodity prices, Kincora has commenced a review of prior encouraging very shallow gold drilling results of Clancy. In 2011, twenty Air-Core (AC) holes tested the Tilga paleochannel with several significant hits returned. The best intercept was 1m @ 28.4g/t Au (from 4m, hole COAC012 in the gravels) and 3.99g/t Au (from 28m, hole COAC005 in basement) 2. The average depth of the paleochannel gravels was 7.9m with a potential target area of 2km by 0.5km - see Figure 4. The last review of the alluvial gold potential was undertaken by Clancy when the Australian gold price was approximately A$1500/ounce (versus current spot of almost A$6000/oz). The review by Kincora will explore the potential alternatives, budgets and partnering opportunities available to advance the alluvial (placer) gold potential either concurrent with the wider Condobolin project or as a standalone project. Figure 3: Kincora has increased the size of the total Condobolin project by a third and commenced an airborne geophysical survey across the historic Condobolin Mineral Field The extent of historical mining, existing near surface geochemical and geophysical anomalies provides excellent potential for multiple new discoveries as Kincora implements modern systematic exploration approaches that have already yielded the Meritilga discovery plus many recent discoveries in the north of the district at similar and earlier stage profile projects To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2305/270304_image3_550.jpg Figure 4: The extent of historical mining, existing near surface geochemical and geophysical anomalies, coupled with limited modern exploration or exploration below the weathered zone provides excellent potential for multiple new discoveries South-western portion of the Condobolin Project, including the Tilga Paleochannel where prior Clancy drilling supported the potential for alluvial (placer) gold To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2305/270304_image4.jpg Figure 5: Limited prior modern exploration by Clancy resulted in the Meritilga discovery with follow up drilling planned to test down dip, on strike and the potential for repeat high grade lens and/or a stacked series of lenses. Many other similar mineral systems in the Cobar Basin are vertically extensive with repeat lodes 4. Meritilga is open with a currently defined high (ore) grade lens and a lower grade halo To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2305/270304_kincora.jpg Figure 6: The Condobolin project hosts various polymetallic mineral system styles and deposit targets Target models included high-grade near surface repeat systems similar to other deposits in the southern end of the Cobar Basin as well as intrusion related gold (IRGS) or porphyry systems at depth To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2305/270304_18516798242cc817_006full.jpg About Kincora: Kincora Copper Limited (ASX: KCC) (TSXV: KCC) is an emerging Australia-focused gold-copper explorer with a hybrid project generator strategy. The Company is successfully proving up the prospectivity of its extensive project portfolio, which includes multiple district-scale landholdings and scalable drill ready targets. These assets are located in Australia's Lachlan Fold Belt and Mongolia's Southern Gobi, two of the globe's leading porphyry belts, and the historical Condobolin mining field within the Cobar basin in NSW. The Company has already unlocked over $100 million of potential partner funding for multiple earlier stage and/or non-core porphyry projects. These initial deals have supported over 13,500 metres of drilling and over A$6.5m of partner funded exploration since late 2024, with management fees and exploration ramping up. Partner discussions are ongoing for its remaining 100% owned flagship projects that are all situated within existing porphyry camps containing over 20-million-ounce gold equivalent resource inventory. By having a significant portfolio of partner funded large porphyry projects, and a very focused program on a 100% owned Condobolin project, the Company is seeking to position Kincora as a leading institutional grade explorer in the public Australian and Canadian markets, and the leading project generator on the ASX. To find out more please refer to our 2-page July 2025 corporate strategy: https://kincoracopper.com/corporate-strategy/ The Company's website is: www.kincoracopper.com This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Kincora Copper Limited (ARBN 645 457 763) Executive office 400 - 837 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3N6, Canada Tel: 1.604.283.1722 Subsidiary office Australia C/- JM Corporate Services Level 6, 350 Collins Street Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3000 References: 1 ASX release of Clancy Exploration Limited (now RareX Limited), titled "New Gold-Silver-Copper Discovery at Meritilga Prospect - Condobolin Project" dated March 20th, 2012, which can be obtained via the ASX website (www.asx.com.au). The Clancy results were reported in accordance with the version of the JORC Code existing prior to JORC 2012. Mining Associates has completed an review of sampling techniques and procedures dated January 31st, 2021, as outlined in the Independent Technical Report included in the ASX listing prospectus, which is available at: https://www.kincoracopper.com/investors/asx-prospectus. While the Company has no reason to believe the assay results are not reliable, the Company has not independently verified these results. The Company intends to conduct its own exploration programme as described in this release. 2 ASX release of Clancy Exploration Limited (now RareX Limited), titled "Condobolin Project Yields Visible Gold and Potential Alluvial Gold" dated January 20th, 2012, which can be obtained via the ASX website (www.asx.com.au). The Clancy results were reported in accordance with the version of the JORC Code existing prior to JORC 2012. Mining Associates has completed an review of sampling techniques and procedures dated January 31st, 2021, as outlined in the Independent Technical Report included in the ASX listing prospectus, which is available at: https://www.kincoracopper.com/investors/asx-prospectus. While the Company has no reason to believe the assay results are not reliable, the Company has not independently verified these results. The Company intends to conduct its own exploration programme as described in this release. 3 ASX release of Clancy Exploration Limited (now RareX Limited), titled "Gold and Silver Hits Extend Meritilga Lode" dated Jube 17th, 2013, which can be obtained via the ASX website (www.asx.com.au). The Clancy results were reported in accordance with the version of the JORC Code existing prior to JORC 2012. Mining Associates has completed an review of sampling techniques and procedures dated January 31st, 2021, as outlined in the Independent Technical Report included in the ASX listing prospectus, which is available at: https://www.kincoracopper.com/investors/asx-prospectus. While the Company has no reason to believe the assay results are not reliable, the Company has not independently verified these results. The Company intends to conduct its own exploration programme as described in this release. 4 AGC: "Mkt Cap": market capitalisation as @ COB Oct 9th, 2025. MAC: takeover from Binding Scheme Implementation Deed with Harmony for MAC Copper Limited, May 27, 2025 Cross sections adapted by Kincora and internals noted from public disclosures from MAC Copper (MAC.ASX) relating to its CSA mine + Australian Gold & Copper (AGC.ASX) relating to its Achilles discovery. Strike & depths reported on the same scale. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this announcement was prepared in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and was reviewed, verified and compiled by Kincora's staff under the supervision of Peter Leaman (M.Sc. Mineral Exploration, FAusIMM), Senior Vice-President of Exploration of Kincora, and John Holliday (BSc Hons, BEc, member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists), Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Kincora's Technical Committee, who are Qualified Persons for the purpose of NI 43-101 JORC Competent Person Statement Information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves are those that have been previously reported (with the original release referred to in this announcement), in the case of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves the material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates have not materially changed, and have been reviewed and approved by John Holliday and Peter Leaman, who are Competent Persons under the definition established by JORC and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. John Holliday and Peter Leaman consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. The review and verification process for the information disclosed herein for the Nyngan Projects have included the receipt of all material exploration data, results and sampling procedures of previous operators and review of such information by Kincora's geological staff using standard verification procedures. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information regarding Kincora contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Kincora believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Kincora cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Kincora currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after that date. Kincora does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) or the Australian Securities 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/270304 SOURCE: Kincora Copper Limited AUSTIN, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Impiger Technologies, an AI-first, global digital transformation solutions provider, is proud to announce its partnership with ACR, a leading supplier of essential packaging and preparation products used in the foodservice, janitorial, sanitation, industrial, hospitality, and healthcare industries. Through this partnership, Impiger implemented Nectere, a Microsoft 365-powered employee engagement and collaboration platform , delivering measurable business outcomes and strengthening ACR's digital workplace. The initiative reinforces collaboration, one of ACR's brand values - Collaboration - while positioning the company as a forward-thinking adopter of modern workplace solutions. Guided by the leadership of Thai Vong, Chief Information Officer at ACR has accelerated its digital transformation journey - embedding agility and reliability into daily operations and building a truly connected workplace. Impiger & ACR Leadership at the Forefront of Transformation From left to right: Ramakrishnamoorthy Venkatasubbu, Founder & Global CEO of Impiger Technologies, and Thai Vong, Chief Information Officer of ACR, are seen in the picture. ACR has been guided by its brand values of Agility, Collaboration, and Reliability. The adoption of Nectere directly reinforces these values by providing employees across offices, warehouses, and remote sites with a seamless platform to connect, share knowledge, and celebrate milestones. By investing in this strategic initiative, ACR has positioned itself not only as an early adopter of digital workplace technologies, but also as a people-first organization committed to staying ahead in a competitive market. By leveraging Nectere, ACR is strengthening collaboration, boosting productivity, and driving measurable business results. Impiger is proud to be part of this journey, supporting ACR in building a more connected and collaborative workplace. Since its June 2024 launch, Nectere at ACR has logged 1,000+ engagement activities, becoming a central hub for culture and communication. Announcements surged 600%, with cultural modules like birthdays and anniversaries showing triple-digit growth. These early results highlight the platform's impact in strengthening collaboration, boosting employee satisfaction, and embedding ACR's core values across the organization. Thai Vong, Chief Information Officer at ACR, congratulated Impiger on its 21st anniversary milestone and further added: "This initiative has brought our teams across offices, warehouses, and remote sites closer together, making collaboration faster and easier. Nectere helps us live out our values of Agility, Collaboration, and Reliability every day, and I'm proud of how our people have embraced this transformation." Ramakrishnamoorthy Venkatasubbu, Founder & Global CEO of Impiger Technologies, added: "We are delighted to partner with ACR on this journey, as it reflects our shared vision for innovation and growth. At Impiger, we believe technology must go beyond efficiency to deliver measurable outcomes that truly transform organizations. This collaboration exemplifies how employee engagement solutions like Nectere can foster stronger connections, enhance organizational culture, and unlock new levels of productivity. By partnering with ACR, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering organizations with future-ready tools that not only keep pace with a rapidly changing business landscape but also set the stage for long-term success." About Impiger Technologies Impiger Technologies is an AI-first digital transformation partner with 20+ years of expertise. With global offices and 1,000+ solutions delivered, we empower startups to Fortune 500 enterprises to drive innovation and scale transformation. Our capabilities span Agentic AI, Cloud, Data, E-Governance, Security, Super Apps, Web, and IoT. We serve industries including BFSI, Government, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Logistics & Supply Chain, delivering solutions that accelerate growth and create measurable impact. About ACR (AmerCareRoyal) ACR is a single stream resource for essential packaging and preparation products used in the foodservice, janitorial, sanitation, industrial, hospitality, and healthcare industries. With multiple shipping points across North America, the ACR family of brands service national level customers with outstanding customer service and an ever-growing product line. Contact Information Shafiya Samreen Fareeduddin Marketing Manager shafiyasamreen.fareeduddin@impigertech.com SOURCE: Impiger Technologies Inc View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/impiger-technologies-and-acr-amercareroyal-drive-digital-workplac-1081220 DriveWealth enables BtcTurk's entrance into traditional finance; More than six million Turkish investors can now engage with U.S. equities for the first time DriveWealth, a leading financial technology platform providing Brokerage-as-a-Service, today announced its partnership with BtcTurk Hisse, Turkey's first and the world's fourth Bitcoin and cryptocurrency trading platform. This collaboration marks BtcTurk's move beyond digital assets and into traditional finance since starting in 2023 with Turkish stocks. With this launch, BtcTurk users can open and fund brokerage accounts, as well as invest in fractional shares of U.S. stocks and ETFs, all within a secure and compliant environment. This integration delivers a frictionless, scalable investing experience designed to meet the needs of both first-time investors and seasoned traders, with the ability to expand to additional U.S. asset classes in the future, including options, bonds, alternative funds and more. Notably, the DriveWealth-enabled equities functionality provides critical investment infrastructure, supporting a dedicated experience for traditional equities investing that complements BtcTurk's core crypto platform. In addition to its core crypto business, BtcTurk Hisse provides access to trading on both the Turkish and U.S. stock exchanges, with DriveWealth powering U.S. equity functionality. "DriveWealth is committed to expanding access to regulated investment opportunities through technology that empowers our partners and their customers," said Naureen HassanCEO of DriveWealth. "Our partnership with BtcTurk Hisse marks a meaningful step toward meeting growing investor demand for diversified, cross-border access to U.S. markets. By leveraging our infrastructure, BtcTurk Hisse is enabling Turkish users to invest in U.S. equities seamlessly, and we're proud to support their next chapter and efforts to broaden what's possible for investors in the region." Following a comprehensive evaluation of its long-term infrastructure needs, BtcTurk Hisse chose DriveWealth for its robust, scalable and compliant investing experiences. This collaboration makes BtcTurk Hisse's cryptocurrency platform the first in the region to integrate regulated securities trading, ushering in a new era of investor access in Turkey, especially for crypto-native users now exploring traditional investment tools. As the market leader in Turkey's crypto space and a growing financial company, BtcTurk is uniquely positioned to help bridge the gap between digital assets and regulated global markets. "Our partnership with DriveWealth marks a significant milestone in BtcTurk's evolution. By offering access to U.S. equities, we're expanding our platform to meet the growing demand from retail and institutional investors for diversified, cross-border investment opportunities," said Murat Bitirici, CEO and board member of BtcTurk Hisse. "This launch is about more than just access to U.S. equities, it's about educating and onboarding crypto-native users into traditional finance through a fast, intuitive and affordable investing experience while empowering our users with a broad range of financial tools. This partnership represents the next step in bridging the worlds of digital assets and traditional finance." Founded in 2012, DriveWealth empowers leading financial institutions and digital innovators around the world with modern brokerage infrastructure, enabling access to U.S. equities and other asset classes through secure, scalable, and compliant solutions. The partnership with BtcTurk reflects continued momentum in DriveWealth's global expansion, delivering access to regulated equities infrastructure for a new generation of digital asset platforms. As crypto-native companies evolve to meet broader investor needs, this collaboration signals a new frontier for embedded finance in emerging markets. About DriveWealth: DriveWealth is a global B2B financial technology platform. Our core business is providing Brokerage-as-a-Service, powering the investing and trading experiences for digital wallets, broker-dealers, asset managers and consumer brands. DriveWealth's APIs provide our partners with a modern, extensible and flexible toolkit to develop everything from traditional investment workflows to more innovative techniques like rounding up purchases into fractional share ownership. DriveWealth, LLC is a registered broker dealer, member of FINRA and SIPC. Visit legal.drivewealth.com for full disclosures. About BtcTurk: Founded in 2013 by Kerem Tibuk, who also serves as its CEO, BtcTurk is Turkey's first and the world's fourth Bitcoin and cryptocurrency trading platform. Inspired by the philosophy of Bitcoin, BtcTurk aims to transform its 12 years of experience into next-generation financial services. Today, the company provides 24/7 service to millions of Turkish users. BtcTurk operates under the BtcTurk Kripto brand in the cryptocurrency space and the BtcTurk Hisse brand in the capital markets. Launched in 2023, BtcTurk Hisse is a fully digital investment platform that facilitates access to domestic and international capital markets, offering commission-free trading advantages. Developed with BtcTurk's expertise in technology and finance, this mobile application aims to provide investors with a simple, secure, and accessible experience. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014019549/en/ Contacts: Media: Caliber Corporate Advisers for DriveWealth drivewealth@calibercorporate.com A bold vision for autonomous, intelligent, and interconnected software quality, redefining how the world builds trust in software Tricentis, a global leader in AI-augmented software quality, today unveiled its vision for the future of AI-powered quality engineering at Tricentis Transform, its flagship global event in London (October 14-15) and Nashville (October 21-22),marking a defining moment in how enterprises will build, test and deliver software in the AI era. This announcement introduces a unified AI workspace and agentic ecosystem that brings together Tricentis' portfolio of AI agents, Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers and AI platform services, creating a centralized hub for managing quality at the speed and scale of modern innovation. A vision for autonomous quality in the age of AI As software creation accelerates through generative AI, organizations face an exponential rise in both code volume and complexity. Traditional testing models can no longer keep pace. Tricentis' vision reframes quality engineering as a strategic discipline powered by intelligent, autonomous systems where agents work alongside skilled professionals to ensure every release is faster, safer and more reliable. "AI is reshaping not just how we code, but how we assure quality," said Eran Sher, Chief Product Officer, Tricentis. "We believe the future belongs to teams that combine human ingenuity with autonomous AI systems, orchestrating quality at every stage of delivery with unprecedented speed, insight and precision." Introducing the Tricentis AI workspace: The central hub for quality engineering At the heart of this transformation is the Tricentis AI workspace, a revolutionary enterprise-grade environment for managing AI agents, workflows and governance across the entire software lifecycle. Coming in 2026, this intelligent workspace allows organizations to: Onboard and orchestrate AI agents from Tricentis, partners or third parties Define governance and security policies for responsible AI operations Integrate directly into SDLC workflows using tools like Jira, GitHub and ServiceNow Monitor agent performance and compliance through unified dashboards Scale quality engineering autonomously, empowering teams to manage agentic AI "workforces" while focusing on higher value initiatives The AI workspace unites Tricentis' agentic portfolio, including Agentic Test Automation (Tosca), Quality Intelligence (SeaLights), Test Management (qTest) and Performance Engineering (NeoLoad), all connected through Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers that enable secure, flexible interoperability across AI systems and enterprise toolchains. AI-powered change for a new generation of quality According to the 2025 Tricentis Quality Transformation Report, nearly two-thirds (63%) of organizations deploy code without fully testing it, and over 8 in 10 (81%) report financial impacts from software defects exceeding $500k annually. As AI accelerates development and delivery, the need for adaptive, autonomous testing becomes critical. Tricentis' agentic AI technologies address this challenge directly, enabling systems that not only generate and execute tests but learn continuously from outcomes to enhance reliability and reduce risk over time. Expanding the AI portfolio: From vision to impact At Transform 2025, Tricentis is also announcing significant advances across its portfolio: Tricentis Agentic Performance Engineering (beta in 2026) Introducing self-optimizing performance testing driven by AI-powered user path generation and dynamic parameterization. Tricentis SeaLights the AI-powered software quality intelligence platform now extends support to C/C++ and introduces SeaLights for ABAP, delivering advanced test impact analysis, quality analytics, and optimization that reduces testing time, cost, and risk while improving efficiency, visibility, and confidence across modern and SAP enterprise environments. Tricentis Agentic Test Automation for Salesforce empowering teams to create complete, adaptive Salesforce tests faster and more intelligently. Experience Tricentis Transform 2025 Transform 2025 is the must-attend event for software quality and engineering leaders, featuring strategic updates to the Tricentis Quality Engineering platform, partnership insights with SAP and Oracle, interactive sessions, live testing challenges, and networking opportunities with industry peers and Tricentis leaders. Attendees will hear from celebrity keynotes including Zack Kass in London and Tim Tebow in Nashville, and will see the AI workspace demoed live for the first time. To learn more about Tricentis Transform, click here. Additional resources: Website: AI-Powered Quality Engineering Solutions Press release: Tricentis Named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for AI-Augmented Software Testing Tools Blog: Tricentis Agentic Test Automation for Salesforce White paper: SeaLights for SAP ABAP: Accelerating SAP change delivery with confidence About Tricentis Tricentis is a global leader in AI-augmented software quality. The Tricentis AI-based, continuous testing and quality engineering portfolio of products provides a new and fundamentally different way to perform software testing. An approach that's totally automated, fully codeless, and intelligently driven by AI. It addresses both agile development and complex enterprise apps, enabling enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation by dramatically increasing software release speed, reducing costs, and improving software quality. Widely credited for reinventing software testing for DevOps, cloud, and enterprise applications, Tricentis has been recognized as a leader by all major industry analysts, including Forrester, Gartner, and IDC. Tricentis has more than 3,000 customers, including the largest brands in the world, such as McKesson, Allianz, Telstra, Dolby, and Vodafone. To learn more, visit www.tricentis.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014730065/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Courtney Cantwell c.cantwell@tricentis.com Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / AltoPay, a global payment solution provider, today announced that Joe Emig will join the team as Chief Revenue Officer. Emig will usher in the next phase of the company's continued development by expanding AltoPay's global acquirer network, collaborating with new partners, and driving payments efficiencies with cutting edge technology. Emig has spent the last 25 years developing a deep understanding of the merchant acquiring and payment processing industry, forging strategic partnerships with international acquirers and technology providers along the way. Drawing on career experience as both a lawyer and business development leader, Emig shares unique perspectives to help merchants and industry players build stable, profitable payment strategies. Leveraging his past experiences, knowledge, and skillset, Emig will accelerate AltoPay's expansion into new geographies, build and enrich partnerships, and lead in the expansion of the company's technological capabilities. "I'm looking forward to working with merchants in a diverse range of verticals and being able to offer them the full spectrum of payment solutions," said Emig. "AltoPay is such a unique solution provider, not only offering a complete suite of payment acceptance services, but also supplying the various technologies needed to optimise payment processing while efficiently managing risk. I'm excited to be a part of AltoPay's always-evolving journey as a merchant services provider." AltoPay is entering its next era of growth with a renewed focus on simplifying payment complexities. And Emig will be a driving force in achieving company goals. "We couldn't be happier to have Joe Emig on board as we work to solidify AltoPay's place in the world of online payments," said Luca Bizzotto, CEO of AltoPay. "Payment strategies - especially chargeback and fraud management - are at a crossroads right now. Big things are happening. And we couldn't ask for a better, more experienced leader to help us navigate what's ahead." Merchants, acquirers, and industry partners who are interested in growing revenue while protecting against payment vulnerabilities are encouraged to reach out to Joe Emig via AltoPay.com . ### About AltoPay: AltoPay was created in 2010 to address a painful reality: payments are complicated and difficult to manage. The confusion, lack of transparency, and volatility can severely hinder business growth. That's why AltoPay focuses on simplifying complexities so online businesses can enjoy stable, reliable payment processing - wherever and however they want to sell. Visit AltoPay.com to learn more about world-wide merchant accounts, chargeback management solutions, and payment orchestration technology. Press Contact: Jessica Velasco jess.v@altopay.com SOURCE: AltoPay View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/industry-leader-joe-emig-joins-altopay-as-cro-1085461 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Salesforce (CRM) and OpenAI on Tuesday announced an expanded strategic partnership to integrate Salesforce's Agentforce 360 with OpenAI's frontier AI models, including GPT-5. The partnership allows companies to use Agentforce 360 directly within ChatGPT, enabling them to query sales records, review customer conversations, or generate Tableau visualizations simply by typing a request. Companies can also leverage OpenAI's models to build AI agents and prompts within the Salesforce platform. Today's announcement includes several key AI integrations. Agentforce 360 apps will be accessible in ChatGPT, while Agentforce Commerce will integrate with the Agentic Commerce Protocol to enable Instant Checkout for merchants. The ChatGPT and Codex integrations in Slack allow teams to surface insights, draft content, and complete coding tasks. Additionally, OpenAI's frontier models will be embedded into Agentforce 360, powering apps like Agentforce Sales and serving as the default LLM for the Atlas Reasoning Engine and Prompt Builder, making enterprise workflows smarter and more efficient. 'Our partnership with Salesforce is about making the tools people use every day work better together, so work feels more natural and connected. It's an important step in how AI can improve daily workflows under our efforts together,' said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. 'As consumers, we already get instant recommendations or insights from ChatGPT,' said Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce. 'Now enterprises can deliver that same intelligence and immediacy. By uniting the world's leading frontier AI with the world's #1 AI CRM, we're creating the trusted foundation for companies to become Agentic Enterprises.' Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. The world's leading standard for healthy buildings and organizations, WELL now reaches 105 million square meters, more than 7,500 locations and 76 countries across the EMEA market NEW YORK, NY AND LONDON, ENG / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) today announced at its WELL Flagship Summit in London significant momentum of its WELL Building Standard (WELL) across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, with adoption reaching an impressive 105 million square meters (1.14 billion square feet) across more than 7,500 locations pursuing or having achieved WELL milestones. Representing nearly 20% of global WELL project area, this surge in growth underscores an established and growing commitment to people-first places and health-focused design within the vast EMEA market. WELL projects are now active in 76 countries across the EMEA region, demonstrating widespread recognition of WELL as the leading framework for healthy buildings, organizations and communities. The United Kingdom leads the region in overall WELL adoption, with more than 1,100 locations pursuing or having achieved WELL milestones across more than 12 million square meters (130 million square feet). Poland has distinguished itself as a hub for WELL-driven healthy building innovation within Central and Eastern Europe, with France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany surging forward as leading centers of excellence across Western Europe. In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has demonstrated strong uptake of WELL, including the WELL Health-Safety Rating in both square meters and number of locations. "The remarkable growth of WELL across EMEA shows that people everywhere want spaces that truly support their health and well-being," said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO of IWBI. "Organizations are realizing that investing in healthy environments isn't just good for people-it's good for business and for communities. This momentum reflects a shared belief that healthier buildings can help shape a healthier world." The Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Design (AECD) and Real Estate sectors continue to represent the largest footprints within the EMEA WELL portfolio, reflecting a deep integration of health and well-being principles into the built environment from the earliest stages of development. Financial Services and Insurance, Energy and Utility, and Professional Services and Business Support also figure prominently among regional WELL projects. Since its launch in 2014, WELL has provided an evidence-based roadmap for thousands of organizations globally to implement health-focused strategies. The WELL ecosystem, which includes WELL Certification, the WELL Health-Safety Rating, the WELL Performance Rating, the WELL Equity Rating, the WELL Coworking Rating, the WELL Community Standard and the WELL for residential pilot, has been embraced by organizations seeking to prioritize human health and well-being, driving market transformation by creating spaces that advance physical and mental health. IWBI's WELL at scale program, which has attracted participation from 36 organizations based in the region, extends the benefits of WELL across entire organizations or real estate portfolios while supporting business performance and reporting. The expansion in EMEA contributes to WELL's global reach, which is estimated to support the health and well-being of approximately 30 million people and represent over $2 trillion USD in assets managed. This emphasizes that prioritizing health is an investment toward better health outcomes, stronger financial returns and higher-performing people. The WELL Flagship Summit in London focused on the powerful business case for healthy buildings, with a dedicated session highlighting the recently-launched second edition of IWBI's Investing in Health Pays Back special report. The new report more than doubles the research and citations from the original, integrating numerous academic studies, industry data and real-world case studies from across Europe. "From the Nordics to South Africa, the takeaway is clear: investing in health isn't just good for people-it's a smart business decision that delivers real returns," said Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice President, EMEA, IWBI. "We're pleased to put this latest edition of our special report in the hands of the EMEA market, featuring global research which links healthy building strategies to measurable improvements in employee productivity and performance." To learn more about WELL projects across EMEA, visit IWBI's public project directory. The Investing in Health Pays Back: The Business Case for Healthy Buildings and Healthy Organizations special report is available at https://www.wellcertified.com/health-pays-back. About the International WELL Building Institute The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here. International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries. Media contact: media@wellcertified.com View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/international-well-building-institute Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/well-adoption-experiences-transformational-growth-across-europe-1086694 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Silver Hammer Mining Corp. (CSE: HAMR) (the "Company" or "Silver Hammer") is pleased to announce that, on October 10, 2025, the Company received an updated exploration drill permit for its 100%-controlled Silverton Project in Nye County, Nevada and has subsequently posted its reclamation bond with the United States Bureau of Land Management. The Company is now finalizing its selection from various drill contractors to complete a fully funded, exploration drill program of up to 5,000 feet in up to eight (8) reverse circulation ("RC") holes and anticipates drilling will commence in the latter part of October to early November 2025. The Company plans to announce further news related to the Silverton drill program as we finalize the program timing and final scope of work. "Silver Hammer acquired 100% of the Silverton Project in 2021, and has only completed surface exploration which included trenching, sampling and geophysics while the Company focused efforts on its 100% controlled Silver Strand project in Idaho and its larger-scale and 100% controlled high-grade Eliza Silver Project, where five historical mines are situated. The Company is excited to finally test below the near-surface historical Silverton underground workings, a high-grade silver mine which last saw production in the early 1950s, and with the goal to determine what the old silver miners potentially missed below the existing workings nearly 80 years ago," commented Peter A. Ball, President & CEO. "It will be a busy year ahead as we look to drill test under potentially all seven (7) high-grade, historic silver mines. The Company is also positioned well in a current and robust silver market pushing over US$50 per ounce, and the recent completion of a fully subscribed private placement. The Company is also reviewing interesting accretive projects that have recently been presented to our team for acquisition, joint venture and corporate opportunities." Projects Overview: Silverton Project, Nevada Silver Hammer has identified several targets at its Silverton Project and currently has multiple drill targets identified. The Company's technical team has ranked and prioritized the key targets at Silverton designed to initially test the mineralized area proximal to, and under, the historic high-grade, near surface mine workings with up to eight (8) RC drill holes, totalling up to 5,000 feet. A potential subsequent Phase II drill program, based on the results of Phase I, would be designed to test extensions of any new mineralization. The drill program is designed to test primarily for down-dip continuity of the high-grade silver mineralization previously mined in the 1930s and 1950s. Previous Company exploration work, including rock and soil sampling, geologic mapping and satellite imagery, provided evidence for two separate mineralized systems: and eastern, gold-dominant system and a western, silver-dominant system. Prior exploration on the volcanic-hosted, gold system returned grades ranging from 0.06 grams per tonne ("g/t") to 6.1 g/t gold ("Au"). The silver dominated mineral system is hosted by silicified limestone with grades ranging from 0.32 g/t silver ("Ag") to 692 g/t Ag, from Company exploration work (please refer to the Company's press release dated Nov 29, 2021 for previous disclosure). Silver was discovered at the Silverton Mine in 1921. Small-scale production is recorded from the 1930s and the mine produced its last shipment in 1953, totalling less than 100,000 tons, with historic production grades ranging from 300 g/t Ag to 933 g/t Ag (Source: westernmininghistory.com and thediggings.com). In addition to the identified 100 foot shaft and underground workings (five known adits), the area to the west and the north of the mine shaft has been the subject of only surface exploration comprised of numerous small test pits and trenches. In-situ rock samples by the Company (chip and channel) returned silver grades, up to 692 g/t Ag, with a further six samples having returned over 100 g/t Ag, from this Central Zone from past mining, pitting and trenching; the Central Zone measures approximately 1,000 feet in diameter (refer to Figure 1). Figure 1: Silverton Mine, Project Geology and Exploration Map Fall 2025 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9597/270359_57ceea3f449198f6_001full.jpg The Silverton Mine Silver Project is situated within the Williams Ridge Caldera, near its eastern rim. The caldera is a large-scale structure, over 30 miles in diameter, with ring faults, radial faults and low-angle faults providing ample conduits for hydrothermal solutions following the Tertiary eruption of rhyolitic magmas, forming ash-flow tuffs within the caldera structure. The lithologic unit overlying the caldera magma chamber was thick Devonian sedimentary units, predominantly dolomite, with intercalated arenite, a setting which may be prospective for CRD-type mineral occurrence in the carbonates and epithermal-type in the tuff units. Alteration noted in area has been mapped as pervasive weak silicification in the Devonian-aged carbonate units and weak argillic in the Tertiary-aged tuffs. Alteration intensifies in two areas of the property, in the vicinity of mapped faults and shears: In the western portion of the property, in the Central Zone, in proximity of the intersection of the N-S Silverton and the E-W Basin Faults, silicification comprises veins, zones of stockwork and occurrences of jasperoid with significant silver mineralization - the primary drill target. In the eastern portion of the property an area of quartz veinlets and extensive jasperoid alteration with gold mineralization forms a secondary exploration target. Qualified Person The scientific and technical aspects of this press release have been reviewed and approved under the supervision of Damir Cukor, P.Geo. Mr. Cukor is a Qualified Person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and as a consultant for the Company as Technical Director - Projects. Silver Hammer also announces, that further to its news release of September 15, 2025, the Company has issued an aggregate of 1,500,000 common shares (the "Shares") of the Company having a deemed value of C$0.0837 per Share to settle a debt of US$90,684 pursuant to past consulting completed by a former service provider to the Company. The shares are subject to resale restrictions, including a four-month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. About Silver Hammer Mining Corp. Silver Hammer Mining Corp. is a junior resource company focused on advancing past-producing high-grade silver projects in the United States. Silver Hammer controls 100% of seven previously producing silver mines which are located within the Silver Strand Project in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District in Idaho, USA, and within the Eliza Silver Project and the Silverton Silver Mine in Nevada. The Company also controls the Lacy Gold Project in British Columbia, Canada. Silver Hammer's primary focus is to explore, define and develop silver projects near past-producing mines that have not been adequately tested. The Company's portfolio also provides exposure to copper and gold. Forward Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limitation, statements relating to the Offering, the intended use of proceeds from the Offering, and other statements which are subject to a number of conditions, as described elsewhere in this news release. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including risks regarding the mining industry, commodity prices, market conditions, general economic factors, management's ability to manage and to operate the business, and explore and develop the projects of the Company, and the equity markets generally. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance of the Company may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270359 SOURCE: Silver Hammer Mining Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - AJN Resources Inc. (CSE: AJN) (FSE: 5AT) (AJN or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities at its highly prospective Okote Gold Project in Ethiopia. Ongoing mapping and sampling activities have defined several mineralised shear zones with numerous artisanal workings along strike illustrating shallow, high-grade potential. HIGHLIGHTS Mapping has confirmed that the main target comprising the NNE-SSW trending Okote Central shear ranges in thickness from 10-40m wide and dips steeply to the west. Three new parallel shear zones have been identified on the Okote East target which exceed a cumulative width of 60m, have been traced for 1000m along strike, and remain open to the north and south. These shear zones are characterised by pervasive quartz-carbonate alteration along with disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite mineralisation. Quartz-carbonate veins up to 3m thick have also been observed throughout the shears. Mapping evidence suggests mineralisation is strongly correlated to competence contrasts between host rocks as well as complex fold-related geometry which may explain the irregular strike continuity of historical drilling intercepts. 43 rock-chip and 34 channel samples have been taken in addition to the previous 602 samples which have already been submitted to ALS Global in Ireland. Results are pending. Ongoing detailed mapping will continue to guide the upcoming 1,500m diamond drilling programme. The MDS diamond drill rig has been mobilised and is scheduled to arrive on site within 2-3 weeks. In-house resource work is ongoing. CEO and President Klaus Eckhof commented: "We are very pleased with the progress being made by the team on site over the past few weeks. Mapping efforts continue to unveil new zones of mineralisation and build on our understanding of the geometry of the system as a whole. With drilling on the horizon, we are excited to showcase the potential of this project and deliver value to our shareholders." Figure 1: MDS diamond drill rig. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5922/270120_f9e1c50cd4d088ae_001full.jpg Geology of the Okote Gold Project Mineralisation at Okote is typically within quartz vein and stringer systems associated with pyrite stringers and disseminated pyrite. These vein systems are hosted within broad N-S to NNE-SSW trending shear zones which dip steeply to the west and exceed 50m in width. Mineralised shears have also been identified in areas of strong contrast in rock competence identified along the contact zones between intrusives and schist units. Small intrusive bodies of diorite, gabbro, and granite sills are also important features with potential to host significant mineralisation. QP Statement Mr. Dylan le Roux (BSc Hons) is an independent consultant of AJN Resources Inc. and a qualified geologist. Mr. le Roux is a registered Professional Natural Scientist (Geological Science) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP Reg. No. 155814). Mr. le Roux is a qualified person (QP) under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. About AJN Resources Inc. AJN is a junior exploration company. AJN's management and directors possess over 75 years of collective industry experience and have been very successful in the areas of exploration, financing and developing major mines throughout the world, with a focus on Africa. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although AJN Resources Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, AJN Resources Inc. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. 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. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270120 SOURCE: AJN Resources Inc. Montreal, Quebec & Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Quantum eMotion Corp. (TSXV: QNC) (OTCQB: QNCCF) (FSE: 34Q0), Energy Plug Technologies Corp. (CSE: PLUG.CN) (OTCQB: PLGGF) (FSE: 6GQ), and Malahat Battery Technology Corp. ("MBT") are pleased to announce the signing of a Joint Development Agreement to co-develop and commercialize quantum-secured energy storage and defence systems for critical infrastructure. This partnership integrates Quantum eMotion's patented technologies with Energy Plug and MBT's advanced Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Energy Management Platforms (EMS/PMS) to deliver cyber-resilient, quantum-safe power systems capable of protecting national and industrial energy assets from emerging cyber and post-quantum threats. Defence, Energy, and Indigenous Collaboration MBT, an Indigenous-led enterprise affiliated with the Malahat Nation, will play a central role in system development, manufacturing, and Indigenous participation across defence and clean-energy programs. The partners will jointly design and deploy quantum-secured BESS architectures supporting: Arctic defence installations and remote military bases, Portable field systems providing secure power and communications for deployed personnel, Utility-scale smart grids incorporating quantum-safe encryption within critical energy and IoT infrastructure. Building on this foundation, EPT, MBT and QeM are advancing a NATO-aligned defence initiative in partnership with one of the world's leading defence contractors, while also pursuing collaborative projects with a major international defence and energy partner - whose identity remains confidential at this stage - all developed under shared Canadian cybersecurity frameworks to deliver secure, energy-resilient systems equipped with quantum-enhanced cybersecurity. A New Standard in Secure Energy Quantum eMotion's QRNG2 chip, based on electron-tunnelling quantum effects, delivers high-speed, true randomness at the hardware level, while its QxEaaS platform provides entropy-on-demand for secure communications and distributed control. Integrated within Energy Plug and MBT's energy systems, these technologies establish a quantum-resilient security layer spanning embedded hardware, edge devices, and cloud infrastructure. This collaboration positions Energy Plug among the first energy-technology companies to operationalize quantum-grade cybersecurity, setting a new benchmark for resilience and trust in intelligent, decentralized power systems. About the Partners Energy Plug Technologies Corp. - (CSE: PLUG) (OTCQB: PLGGF) (FSE: 6GQ) - Developer of advanced energy storage and management systems for commercial and industrial applications. Malahat Battery Technology Corp. - MBT, an Indigenous-led enterprise affiliated with the Malahat Nation, will play a central role in system development, manufacturing, and Indigenous participation across defence and clean energy. About QeM The Company's mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware and software security for connected devices. QeM has become a pioneering force in classical and quantum cybersecurity solutions thanks to its patented Quantum Random Number Generator, a security solution that exploits the built-in unpredictability of quantum mechanics and promises to provide enhanced protection for high-value assets and critical systems. The Company intends to target highly valued Financial Services, Healthcare, Blockchain Applications, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Networks and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in the Corporation's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Quantum from time to time with securities regulatory authorities. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270348 SOURCE: Quantum eMotion Corp. Benchling AI debuts alongside major new capabilities for antibody discovery, automated data analysis, and development BOSTON, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchling today unveiled major new capabilities at Benchtalk, its annual customer conference. These new releases are designed to help biotech companies automate R&D workflows and bring the power of AI into scientists' everyday work. "At Benchling, we are on a mission to unlock the power of biotechnology. Advances in AI will help our customers get life-saving medicines to patients faster," said Sajith Wickramasekara, CEO and co-founder of Benchling. "At Benchtalk, we're hearing from scientists about how they're making their R&D faster and more connected. It's a chance to see how the entire industry is moving science forward, together." Benchling AI now accessible to all Benchling AI , the first command center for scientific AI, brings agents and predictive models directly into scientists' workflows, eliminating the need to move data or rely on disconnected tools. Built on secure infrastructure trusted by more than 1,300 biotech companies, Benchling AI helps scientists analyze results, generate reports, and uncover insights faster. Starting today, any scientist can explore Benchling AI . This new front door to Benchling offers example queries, interactive previews, and the ability to try Benchling AI firsthand. Expanding an AI ecosystem that brings the best tools together for scientists Benchling continues to expand its AI ecosystem of models and agents by partnering with AI leaders and pursuing top AI talent to build and deliver new scientific AI capabilities faster, with more partnerships on the horizon. Through its collaboration with NVIDIA , Benchling is integrating NVIDIA NIM microservices into Benchling AI. NIM delivers pre-packaged microservices that make it easy to run powerful AI models across multiple modalities and domains at scale, including NVIDIA BioNeMo models. This will give scientists high-performance access to models such as OpenFold2 for protein structure prediction through the NVIDIA OpenFold2 NIM. Benchling is also announcing a partnership with GXL (Generative Expert Labs), a startup spun out of Stanford University, to develop domain-specific expert agents that operate natively inside Benchling. These agents will help scientists reason across datasets and recommend model runs, while ensuring all data remains governed and secure within Benchling. Together, these collaborations deepen Benchling's AI ecosystem, connecting the world's most advanced models and agents directly to real experimental data. "Scientists are already using Benchling AI to do work that used to take days or weeks," said Ashu Singhal, President and co-founder of Benchling. "Today we're showing how AI becomes truly powerful when it's embedded directly in scientists' workflows - accessible and part of how they do science every day." Advancing discovery, automation, and development on one connected platform Benchling also introduced advances across antibody discovery, automation, and development - all designed to make R&D faster and more connected. Antibody discovery: Following its acquisition of PipeBio , Benchling announced a unified biologics solution that links bioinformatics and experimental data. PipeBio's sequence analysis tools now integrate directly with Benchling's upgraded biologics registry, enabling scientists to annotate sequences, register hits, and trace data from discovery to development. Following its , Benchling announced a unified biologics solution that links bioinformatics and experimental data. PipeBio's sequence analysis tools now integrate directly with Benchling's upgraded biologics registry, enabling scientists to annotate sequences, register hits, and trace data from discovery to development. Automation and analysis: New custom code capabilities allow scientists to run Python and R scripts directly in Benchling, automating data transformation and visualization without leaving the platform. Deeper integrations with robotic systems, including HighRes Biosolutions ' workcells, now enable "zero-click" labs where experiments run and analyze themselves. New custom code capabilities allow scientists to run Python and R scripts directly in Benchling, automating data transformation and visualization without leaving the platform. Deeper integrations with robotic systems, including ' workcells, now enable "zero-click" labs where experiments run and analyze themselves. Benchling Development: Expanding support beyond process teams, Benchling now supports process characterization, and analytical method development and execution. The updates help development teams work more efficiently and stay connected with research through a shared data foundation. "The future of biotech depends on bringing discovery and development closer together," said Shawna Wolverton, Chief Product Officer at Benchling. "By connecting AI, automation, and data on one platform, we're helping teams move faster, make better decisions, and scale science for the next generation." To learn more or start using Benchling AI, visit benchling.com/try-ai . Contact: press@benchling.com About Benchling Benchling's mission is to unlock the power of biotechnology. Founded in 2012, Benchling provides a unified, cloud-based platform trusted by more than 1,300 biotech companies worldwide, from pioneering startups to global biopharmas like Merck, Moderna, and Sanofi. Benchling's products help scientists capture, connect, and analyze data across the R&D lifecycle. With Benchling AI, scientists use agents and models directly in their workflows, connected to structured data. The result: faster teams, better molecules, and breakthroughs for all. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2790281/Benchling_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/benchling-reveals-the-next-chapter-of-rd-at-benchtalk-2025-302583473.html New flexible funding round to support accelerated growth and acquisition phases DUBLIN, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Xtremepush, a market leader of CRM and gamification powered by AI, has announced today that it has received 12m in new funding from its long-term investment partner, AshGrove Capital. The European capital solutions provider, which specialises in B2B software companies, has issued a flexible debt facility to Xtremepush, which will allow a scaling up of its ambitious growth and acquisition strategies. In addition, it will cement Xtremepush's market-leading position as a unified CRM and gamification software platform while also advancing its footprint in regulated verticals such as financial services, e-commerce, and publishing. Xtremepush's next growth phase, set to be expedited by this latest funding, will see it scale up its operations in multiple regulated markets. This will allow Xtremepush, with Ashgrove's support, to continue its investment in industry leading R&D, explore new opportunities in other verticals, expand its global market footprint, and power its acquisition strategy complementary to its existing model. The CRM experts hold a five-year investment relationship with AshGrove Capital and this funding round gives a strong approval of the trajectory of the Dublin-based firm, which also has private equity relationships with tech-focused Grafton Capital and Bettor Capital. Tommy Kearns, CEO and co-founder at Xtremepush, said of the latest funding: "AshGrove Capital has been a hugely supportive partner over the last five years and this latest financing commitment will help us realise our ambitious growth strategy and will accelerate our acquisition plans in the very near future. "Xtremepush has gone from strength to strength as a CRM and gamification leader in a short space of time, and this backing makes it a truly exciting time to push on following such a major vote of confidence in our technology, leadership, and business direction." Jonathon Ferguson, Co-Founder and Partner of AshGrove Capital, added: "Xtremepush are one of very few innovators in the CRM space, consistently raising the bar and demonstrating value to its partners, who inevitably continue their relationship for the long haul". "This latest investment is testament to our belief in their ambitious growth strategy, strong leadership, and robust organisation - one that empowers regulated businesses to deliver compliant, tailored communications at scale. With this new commitment, we're ready to facilitate the next step of the Xtremepush journey and help the firm scale to become a leader in CRM across various regulated sectors." Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795686/xtremepush_logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xtremepush-confirms-12m-financing-by-ashgrove-capital-302583511.html THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES NOR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Apex Resources Inc. (TSXV: APX) ("Apex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the flow-through funding (the "FT Financing") with the issuance of 3,571,429 FT Units (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.07 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of $250,000. Each FT Unit is comprised of one flow-through common share (the "FT Share") plus one-half (1/2) non-transferable non-flow-through share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "NFT Warrant"). Each NFT Warrant is exercisable to purchase one additional non-flow-through common share of the Company (the "NFT Warrant Share") at $0.10 for a period of two years expiring on October 10, 2027. The FT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). The gross proceeds raised from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used by the Company to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" (within the meaning of the Tax Act). In connection with the FT Financing, the Company paid cash finder's fees of $17,500 and issued 250,000 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrant") with respect to the sale of FT Units to an arm's length subscriber. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at $0.07 for a period of two years expiring on October 10, 2027. The securities issued pursuant to the FT Financing and Finder's Warrants are subject to a four-month and one day hold period expiring on February 11, 2026. About Apex Resources Inc. Apex is a Vancouver-based exploration company with a suite of precious and critical minerals projects and historic mines located in the United States and Canada. The Jersey-Emerald Property is wholly owned by Apex and encompasses the historic Jersey Lead-Zinc Mine - British Columbia's second largest historic zinc mine, and the Emerald Tungsten Mine - Canada's second largest historic tungsten mine, both located in southern British Columbia. The Lithium Creek Project is Apex's flagship project with placer claims covering hundreds of square miles within the aerially extensive Fernley, Humboldt, and Carson Sinks, and includes widespread naturally flowing lithium brine groundwater. The Lithium Creek Project is strategically located near the City of Reno and within 40 minutes of the principle North American battery hub, hosting the Tesla Gigafactory and other key industry players in the Lithium Ion battery supply chain. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term in defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," 'projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund exploration work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Project; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in conducting work programs; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from Apex's operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270332 SOURCE: Apex Resources Inc. Leading supply chain publication honors end-to-end demand and production planning project at largest privately held ice cream manufacturer in the U.S. WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arkieva, a provider of industry-leading supply chain planning solutions, announces recognition as a 2025 Great Supply Chain Partner by SupplyChainBrain for their work transforming supply chain processes at Wells Enterprises. As part of this work, Arkieva engineered and implemented an end-to-end software solution to handle production complexity and support Wells' continued growth. This is the second industry award win for the project, following recognition as a Top Supply Chain Project by both Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics magazine. Wells produces over 200 million gallons of ice cream each year, distributed across all 50 states. As the business grew, supply chain complexities followed, driven by a more intricate product mix, geographic expansion, new distribution centers and the introduction of additional product lines. In need of a supply chain planning framework that could scale as consumer preferences changed and promotions and seasonality varied, Wells enlisted Arkieva to deliver an end-to-end solution that offers flexibility in production line assignment, the ability to build ramp-up curves for new products and efficient workload management. The solution includes demand forecasting, inventory management, supply and production planning, plant scheduling and truckload modeling. A phased implementation enabled Wells to fully maximize system capabilities and allowed Arkieva to adapt the solution based on the customer's needs. Wells now benefits from improved efficiency in production planning, better workload balancing and effective ramp-up processes for new products with the ability to plan production schedules up to 16 weeks in advance. They can also leverage network-wide insights to make critical business decisions, such as identifying the most cost-effective plant locations for specific production runs. "For decades, companies have trusted us to solve complexity and unlock the true value of their supply chains," says Anand Iyer, Chief Executive Officer, Arkieva. "We are honored to be part of the long-term vision of sustained, profitable growth at Wells." About the award SupplyChainBrain's annual list of Great Supply Chain Partners recognizes vendors or service providers who have made a tremendous impact on supply chain efficiency. About Arkieva Arkieva is a supply chain planning software company helping process manufacturers forecast smarter, plan faster and grow profitably. Recognized in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Supply Chain Planning Solutions, Arkieva delivers AI-powered, modular solutions for demand, inventory, and supply planning. For more than 30 years, companies in chemicals, food & beverage, and CPG have trusted Arkieva to balance complex constraints, reduce risk, and improve efficiency. Known for its flexible, partnership-driven approach, Arkieva combines advanced technology with deep industry expertise to drive measurable results. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware with offices in Belgium and India, Arkieva works with global enterprises to create resilient, future-ready supply chains. CONNECT WITH ARKIEVA Follow Arkieva on LinkedIn Follow Arkieva on X Follow Arkieva on Facebook Subscribe to the Arkieva YouTube Channel Subscribe to the Arkieva Supply Chain Link Blog Arkieva Media Contact: Kristan Theile Director of Marketing, Arkieva 513-376-0300 ktheile@arkieva.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2431283/ArkievaLogo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/arkieva-recognized-as-great-supply-chain-partner-for-improving-efficiency-and-visibility-for-wells-enterprises-302582203.html By George Lewis NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / September 21-27 is National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week. This blog will recognize one of the ways Cisco has collaborated and innovated with these institutions. When Olga Osaghae accepted the role of Chief Information Officer at Howard University, she walked into a role that was equal parts opportunity and challenge. "It wasn't just about upgrading Wi-Fi," she reflected. "It was about reimagining what education could look like in a digital-first world." The campus was rich in history, its legacy woven through decades of academic excellence. But beneath that legacy lay an aging IT infrastructure, putting the university at risk of not meeting National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity standards, impacting their eligibility for critical Title IV Federal Student Aid. The need for change was clear-and it wasn't just about tech. It was about purpose. From challenges to possibilities The turning point came during a strategy session with academic leaders and IT stakeholders. Conversations quickly moved beyond pain points-like dropped signals in lecture halls or siloed systems-and began to explore what was possible. Osaghae knew they couldn't do it alone. That's when the university turned to Cisco. What if every student had seamless access to learning resources from anywhere on campus? What if faculty could use real-time data to tailor instruction? What if the university could become a model for what a 'smart campus' truly looks like? "Our partnership with Cisco wasn't just about solutions-it was about shared vision. They understood the scale of what we wanted to do. More importantly, they understood why we wanted to do it."- Olga Osaghae, CIO The power-and responsibility-of AI in education Artificial intelligence quickly emerged as a game-changing opportunity. Used well, it could support faculty, streamline processes, and identify at-risk students. But Osaghae knew this kind of innovation came with deep responsibility-and "power without responsibility is dangerous." To ensure ethical, transparent, and responsible use of AI, the university worked with Cisco to establish a governance framework. Training programs were also introduced to help faculty adopt AI tools confidently and effectively. From connectivity to intelligence: Expanding the vision What began with network modernization soon evolved into a broader transformation. Today, the university is exploring Cisco's capabilities in: AV technology - to power interactive, hybrid-ready classrooms IoT and sensors - to improve safety, energy efficiency, and facility management Smart campus innovations - that elevate the day-to-day student experience Lessons for other institutions on the journey Reflecting on her university's transformation, the CIO shared powerful insights for others looking to embark on a similar path: Define clear goals rooted in your institution's unique mission Assess and standardize your current infrastructure where possible Prioritize security and stakeholder engagement from day one Invest in change management to bring your entire community along Looking ahead: A future-ready campus Today, the university is a living blueprint for what's possible when leadership, technology, and purpose align. The impact is already visible-students are more connected, faculty are more empowered, and the institution is more agile in facing the future. But for Osaghae, this is just the beginning."Our students are going to change the world. Our job is to give them the environment-and the tools-to do it." And with every classroom connected, every system optimized, and every voice heard, that future gets a little closer each day. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/cisco-reimagining-the-modern-campus-a-universitys-leap-into-the-future-1086703 Presentations showcase AI-powered multimodal analytics that unblind tumor biology and accelerate drug development BostonGene, developer of the leading AI foundational model for cancer and immune system, announced today the acceptance of four abstracts at the ESMO Congress 2025. This premier global oncology meeting brings together clinicians, researchers, patient advocates and industry experts to advance cancer science and care. The Congress showcases the latest breakthroughs in translational research and clinical practice, featuring practice-changing data across multiple tumor types and serves as a vital platform for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. The ESMO Congress 2025 will take place October 17-21 in Berlin, Germany. BostonGene session details are as follows: Title: Transcriptomic Tumor Microenvironment Subtypes in Cervical Cancer Reveal Prognostic and Therapeutic Opportunities FPN: 1167P Date and time: October 18 12:00-12:45 CEST Presenter: Andrey Kravets, Senior Bioinformatician, BostonGene Leveraging its proprietary multimodal platform, BostonGene developed a tumor microenvironment-based classification system to identify targetable features of cervical cancers. RNA-seq and proteomics data from open-source datasets were evaluated to determine HPV gene expression, associated protein and signaling pathway activity, and correlations with patient survival. This analysis supports the use of precision therapy strategies to improve patient outcomes. Title: Integrated analysis of KRAS mutations and MTAP loss in pancreatic cancer reveals potential for combined blockade of KRAS and PRMT5 FPN: 2248P Date and time: October 19 12:00-12:45 CEST Presenter: David Hong, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center BostonGene performed genomic and transcriptomic profiling of 437 public and 119 internal pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples using its automated pipelines, identifying frequently co-occurring MTAP mutations in KRAS-mutated tumors. These findings support the strategy of combining PRMT5 and RAS inhibitors in patients harboring both KRAS mutations and MTAP loss. The correlation of MTAP deletion and fibrotic tumor microenvironment also supports treatment strategies that combine PRMT5 inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockade. Research conducted in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center Title: ERK/MAPK, RTK, ABL, and WNT Signaling Pathways as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma FPN: 2713P Date and time: October 20 |12:00-12:45 CEST Presenter: Neal S. Chawla, Associate Director of Clinical Research, Sarcoma Oncology Center Using RNA-seq data of over 1,000 sarcoma samples and publicly accessible drug response data, BostonGene applied its proprietary analytics platform to derive a gene signature to describe features of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). Through this analysis, BostonGene identified that samples with UPS-like features, while associated with worse survival outcomes, also exhibited heightened sensitivity to compounds targeting RTK/RAS/RAF/MEK, ABL, and WNT pathways, highlighting new therapeutic avenues for these aggressive tumors. Research conducted in collaboration with the Sarcoma Oncology Center Title: Clinical Benefit Analysis of DNG64-CAR-V Gene Therapy Predicts Successful Efficacy Endpoints for a Planned Phase 2 Basket Study for CCNG1 Expressing Tumors FPN: 2702P Date and time: October 20 12:00-12:45 CEST Presenter: Anmol Dia Agarwal, BA, Sarcoma Oncology Center BostonGene led the clinical testing and data analysis for a study examining the efficacy and safety of DNG64-CAR-V, an RNA vector consisting of a SIG targeting peptide and encoding a CCNG1 inhibitor gene, for treating patients with advanced sarcoma, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer. Using BostonGene's proprietary multimodal analytics pipeline, it was determined that all patient groups qualified for a Phase 2 basket study to further examine the efficacy and safety of combination regimens of DNG64-CAR-V Research done in collaboration with Sarcoma Oncology Center To learn more or to schedule a meeting with BostonGene during the event, please contact Hannah Oman at events@bostongene.com. For more information, please visit the ESMO Congress 2025 website. About BostonGene Corporation BostonGene is redefining cancer patient care and drug development through the integration of omnimodal data and artificial intelligence. Built and validated through an extensive real-world clinical testing network, BostonGene's Foundation Model of cancer and the immune system integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and immune data with clinical outcomes to generate biologically grounded, actionable insights. These insights enable biopharma partners to design and de-risk trials, identify novel targets, and optimize therapeutic response prediction across all stages of development while simultaneously improving patient care through clinically integrated innovation. For more information, visit www.BostonGene.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014033644/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: BostonGene Erin Keleher +1-617-283-2285 Erin.Keleher@BostonGene.com Wichita, Kansas--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Bull Attorneys, a respected Kansas-based personal injury law firm led by veteran car accident lawyer Brad Pistotnik, has announced the expansion of its legal services to include auto accident victims in Dodge City and Newton, Kansas. Known for its deep commitment to helping accident victims recover fair compensation, the firm continues to strengthen its presence across the state while handling complex personal injury cases throughout the Midwest and nationwide. Bull Attorneys expands services from Manhattan to Dodge City and Newton, offering legal help to car accident victims seeking justice across Kansas. Expanding Legal Support for Auto Accident Victims Across Kansas The decision to extend services to Dodge City and Newton reflects Bull Attorneys' dedication to providing accessible legal representation for individuals injured in car crashes, trucking accidents, and other roadway collisions. Victims of serious motor vehicle accidents often face mounting medical bills, loss of income, and insurance complications that make recovery difficult. By expanding into these areas, Bull Attorneys aims to help more Kansans understand their legal rights and pursue justice under Kansas law. Bull Attorneys on Google Maps. Legal Representation with No Upfront Costs Bull Attorneys operates on a contingency fee basis, allowing injured victims to seek justice without financial barriers. Clients are not charged any fees unless the firm secures a settlement or verdict on their behalf. This approach ensures that individuals from Dodge City, Newton, and other Kansas cities can access experienced legal representation without the added stress of upfront legal costs. Victims of automobile accidents are encouraged to contact Bull Attorneys for a free consultation to discuss their rights under Kansas law. The firm's legal team assists clients in understanding the insurance claim process, identifying responsible parties, and pursuing compensation for ongoing medical treatment, lost wages, and emotional distress. Immediate assistance is available at 1-800-WIN-BULL or through the website at https://bullattorneys.com/ where more information can be found about consultations. Extending Legal Services to Dodge City and Newton, KS The expansion includes representation for individuals injured on major routes such as U.S. Highway 50, U.S. Route 400, and Interstate 135 - areas known for frequent vehicle collisions and trucking traffic. Bull Attorneys' expansion also supports farm workers, delivery drivers, and rural residents injured in motor vehicle and roadway incidents throughout Western and Central Kansas. The firm's legal services cover a broad range of personal injury practice areas, including: Rear-end and intersection accidents Multi-vehicle collisions Semi-truck and commercial vehicle accidents Rollover and head-on crashes Distracted and impaired driving cases Pedestrian and bicycle accidents Through these practice areas, Bull Attorneys remains committed to holding negligent drivers accountable while advocating for victims facing medical expenses, lost income, and the emotional toll of serious injuries. Watch the YouTube video that explores what most lawyers miss in truck accident cases, featuring KS personal injury attorney Brad Pistotnik: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxMFzNcYNzc Kansas car crash victims in Dodge City and Newton can now access trusted representation from Bull Attorneys, a known auto injury law firm. About Bull Attorneys: Bull Attorneys is a Wichita, Kansas-based personal injury law firm representing clients across the Midwest and nationwide. Founded by Brad Pistotnik, the firm handles car accidents, semi-truck wrecks, motorcycle crashes, and serious workplace injury claims. With decades of experience in auto accident litigation, Bull Attorneys is committed to protecting the rights of injured Kansans and achieving fair compensation for victims of negligence. Wichita, Kansas 1-800-WIN-BULL To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/269549 SOURCE: The Bull Attorneys WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The corporate events market is anticipated to grow as more industries embrace events that are professional and strategically planned. The companies are holding events more often for their teams, clients, or partners and are seeking formats that are fresh, interactive, and well-organized. There is a clear shift toward professionally managed events that use technology and deliver memorable experiences, reflecting the modernness in the businesses approach for both internal meetings and external networking. Allied Market Research published a report, titled, 'Corporate Event Market by Event Type (Conference/Seminar, Trade Shows/Exhibitions, Incentive Programs, Company Meetings, and Others), Industry (Financial services, Information Technology, Real Estate and Infrastructure, Automotive, and Others), Platform (Virtual Events, Hybrid Events, and Physical Events), Event Location (Tier 1 Cities, Tier 2 Cities, and Tier 3 Cities), and Audience (International, and Domestic): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2035'. According to the report, the "corporate event market" was valued at $330.9 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $730.7 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2035. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A16261 Market Introduction The corporate events market consists of professionally organized gatherings such as conferences, seminars, product launches, exhibitions, team-building activities, and incentive programs, which are hosted by companies to achieve strategic business goals. Moreover, these events have become important tools for promoting brands, engaging employees, and communicating with stakeholders. In addition, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the market has witnessed major changes, especially with rise of virtual and hybrid formats that have gained momentum as businesses have rapidly embraced digital solutions. Furthermore, increase in use of AI-driven event management tools, sustainability-focused event planning, and experiential marketing trends has further fueled the market growth. As organizations prioritize innovation and collaboration, the corporate events market continues to expand, offering dynamic opportunities across industries. Report Overview: The corporate event market is segmented into event type, industry, platform, event location, audience, and region. By event type, the market is categorized into conferences/seminars, trade shows/exhibitions, incentive programs, company meetings, and others. By industry, it is divided into financial services, information technology, automotive, direct selling or MLM industry and others. The financial services segment is further categorized into banking and insurance. By platform, it is fragmented into a physical event, virtual event, and hybrid event. By event location, it is fragmented into a tier 1 cities, tier 2 cities, and tier 3 cities. By audience, the market is bifurcated into International and audience. Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, and the rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, Australia, India, South Korea, ASEAN, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Chile, and rest of LAMEA). By type, the conference/seminar segment dominated the global corporate events market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. By industry, the information technology segment dominated the global corporate events market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. By platform, the physical events segment dominated the global corporate events market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. By location, tier 1 cities segment dominated the global corporate events market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. By region, North America dominated the global corporate events market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Buy This Research Report (255 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/011fc7dc1bd1d8021a433f0040c31b87 Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2035 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $330.9 Billion Market Size in 2035 $730.7 billion CAGR 7.0 % No. of Pages in Report 255 Segments Covered event type, industry, platform, event location, audience, and region Target Region / Countries North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, and the rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, Australia, India, South Korea, ASEAN, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Chile, and rest of LAMEA Drivers Rising Demand for Hybrid and Virtual Events Increased Corporate Focus on Brand Activation Growth in Global Business Travel and Expansion Opportunity Adoption of Sustainable Event Solutions Restraint High Costs of Large-Scale Events Uncertainty in Global Economic Conditions Market Growth & Opportunities Factors: The global corporate events market has experienced robust transformation due to shifts in workplace culture and innovation in digital areas. The companies are increasingly utilizing corporate events as strategic tools to strengthen brand equity, boost employee engagement, and cultivate long-term client relationships. With remote and hybrid work becoming the norm post-pandemic, there's a increased demand for in-person events to encourage collaboration, boost morale, and reinforce company culture. Moreover, corporate offsites, retreats, and team-building activities are making a strong comeback as organizations acknowledge their value in fostering employee connection. For instance, Salesforce hosts its annual "Camp Pando" retreats, combining strategic planning sessions with wellness experiences to meaningfully engage its hybrid workforce. Furthermore, companies are prioritizing experiential marketing strategies. This has made corporate events a key tool for immersive brand storytelling. The product launches, roadshows, and thought-leadership summits are increasingly designed as experiential events that boost customer loyalty and stakeholder trust. Major Challenges in Industry & Solutions: However, increasing expenses for venues, technology, and travel has applied pressure on event budgets, particularly for mid-sized companies. Simultaneously, leadership has placed greater emphasis on demonstrating clear and quantifiable returns from event investments. However, without measurable results, future event funding are expected to be at risk. To address this, organizations are turning to advanced analytics and platforms such as Bizzabo and Splash to monitor attendee engagement, lead generation, and content effectiveness. For instance, IBM leverages post-event dashboards to assess key metrics like client acquisition and employee satisfaction, enabling more strategic spending and stronger justification for event-related investments. On the other hand, organizing cross-border or hybrid events requires careful handling of visa requirements, health and safety protocols, data privacy regulations, and knowledge of different languages which can lead to execution delays or legal complications. Collaborating with global event management firms or local destination management companies (DMCs) can help navigate these complexities more efficiently. For example, PwC partners with regional DMCs for its leadership summits in Asia and Europe, leveraging local knowledge to manage vendors, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain cultural relevance. Regional Insights Europe leads the corporate events market due to the presence of multinational companies, internationally recognized trade shows, and high-profile conferences that are able to attract global audiences. The region boasts a well-established infrastructure of top-tier event venues, convention centers, and exhibition halls which makes it a prime destination for hosting large-scale business gatherings. Moreover, its culturally and economically diverse environment supports key industries such as finance, technology, and manufacturing, all of which actively invest in corporate events to drive networking, innovation, and growth. London's position as a global financial hub and its dynamic professional services sector continue to drive demand for high-profile conferences and summits. The UK further supports the market growth through robust public-private initiatives that promote business tourism. However, challenges such as post-Brexit economic uncertainty and increasing operational costs are expected to impact international attendance and supplier accessibility. The 2024 London Tech Week showcased the city's commitment to sustainable event practices by incorporating carbon tracking systems and partnering with eco-friendly suppliers, signaling a broader move toward greener event models. Key Players: The major players profiled in the report include 360 Destination Group, Access Destination Services, LLC, BCD Travel Services B.V., BI Worldwide, CWT, Cievents, Creative Group, Inc., ITA Group, Maritz Holdings, Inc., and Reed Exhibitions Ltd. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A16261 Key Strategies Adopted by Competitors In November 2022, ITA Group announced a strategic partnership with PRM Marketing Services (PRMMS), a Singapore-based leader in channel and loyalty marketing. This collaboration aimed to enhance ITA Group's presence in the Asia-Pacific region, offering clients culturally relevant and locally managed engagement solutions for channel partners and customers. In January 2023, ITA Group acquired HTK Limited, a leading cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider. This acquisition was designed to enhance ITA Group's customer loyalty and engagement solutions by integrating HTK's technology into the offerings. Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Consumer and Goods Domain: Events Industry Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2035 MICE Industry by Type: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Music Event Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023 - 2035 U.S. Events Market: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Event Services Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Event Pro-Av Services Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2031 Saudi Arabia Events Industry by Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022-2031 Live Events Industry Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032 U.S. Corporate Event Market : Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2031 Virtual Events Industry Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023 - 2035 Sports Events Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides end-to-end solutions along with information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to SMEs and early-stage start-ups to bring excellence to their processes. In addition, we offer a nurturing environment required to develop and grow businesses, including business planning; virtual support; market intelligence; acquiring resources; and getting direct access to finance, suppliers, and other experts to boost the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs. Our bundled and hassle-free business support systems are customized to meet the needs of SME consultants and industry leaders. Moreover, our large network of skilled consultants and experts help start-ups get the business on a roll. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/corporate-event-market-to-reach-730-7-billion-globally-by-2035-at-7-cagr-allied-market-research-302583360.html Expanded partnerships with leading European centers create a strategic pathway to accelerate market adoption and drive future commercialization opportunities NASHUA, N.H., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Conformal Medical, Inc., a medical device company developing next-generation technology for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), today announced the initiation of patient enrollment in the European Union for the CONFORM Pivotal Trial. The first E.U. procedure was successfully performed at the Institut Cardiovasculaire Paris Sud (ICPS) in France by Philippe Garot, MD, FESC, Head of the Interventional Cardiology. The CONFORM Pivotal Trial is evaluating the CLAAS AcuFORM LAAO device, a novel foam-based implant designed to provide a simplified, anatomy-conforming solution for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). "The CLAAS AcuFORM system represents an important innovation in LAAO, with the potential to simplify procedures, expand access, and improve outcomes for patients with non-valvular AFib," said Dr. Garot. "We are excited to participate in the CONFORM Pivotal Trial and to help bring this next-generation therapy to patients across Europe." The expansion of the CONFORM trial into the E.U. marks a significant milestone for Conformal Medical, underscoring both the scalability of the study and the global opportunity for the CLAAS AcuFORM system. Leveraging Europe's diverse healthcare systems and well-established clinical networks, this phase of the trial is designed to generate robust real-world evidence, drive physician adoption, and lay a strong foundation for future commercialization. "Partnerships with leading European centers strengthen our global presence, accelerate innovation, and position us to deliver the benefits of our differentiated technology to patients worldwide," said James Reinstein, President and CEO of Conformal Medical. "We believe the CLAAS AcuFORM system will be a competitive offering, with its ability to conform to individual anatomies, simplify procedures with just two device sizes, and provide reliable seal confirmation." About CONFORM Pivotal Trial The CONFORM Pivotal Trial is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Conformal CLAAS AcuFORM System compared to other commercially available left atrial appendage (LAA) devices. The trial plans to randomize approximately 1,600 patients at sites worldwide and is now >30% enrolled. It aims to generate pivotal data supporting next-generation stroke prevention therapies for individuals with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib) who are seeking an alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation. For more information, visit https://conformalmedical.com/patient/enroll-in-trial. The CONFORM Pivotal Trial is an ongoing study designed to comply with EU MDR Chapter VI, Article 62 4(i). About Conformal Medical Conformal Medical, Inc. is a medical device company developing devices to prevent stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The company's proprietary technology is intended to make left atrial appendage closure a same-day, single-operator procedure. For more information, visit https://conformalmedical.com/. Caution: Limited by federal law (United States) to investigational use. Exclusively for clinical investigation outside the United States. Not approved for commercial use. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1892849/Conformal_Medical.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/conformal-medical-announces-first-patient-enrollment-in-the-eu-for-conform-pivotal-trial-with-the-claas-acuform-laao-device-302583542.html AUSTIN, Texas and TOKYO, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to DataM Intelligence, "TheMedical Second Opinion Market Size reached USD 5,728 million in 2024 and is projected to rise to USD 12,701.8 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.8% during the forecast period 2024-2031." The market is expanding rapidly as patients, insurers, and healthcare providers increasingly rely on second opinions to reduce diagnostic errors, avoid unnecessary surgeries, and access global specialists. Medical second opinions have evolved from a patient-requested reassurance to a core component of value-based healthcare. With misdiagnosis rates estimated at 11% globally and nearly 1 in 3 cancer patients seeking alternate evaluations, the demand for expert confirmation of critical diagnoses is reshaping the healthcare delivery landscape. Digital health platforms, telemedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), and global specialist networks are enabling faster, more accurate, and more affordable access to expert medical opinions-making this market one of the fastest-growing sectors in healthcare services. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/medical-second-opinion-market Browse in-depth TOC on "Medical Second Opinion Market" 70 - Tables 66 - Figures 195 - Pages Market Segmentation By Disorder In 2024, cancer dominated the medical second opinion market, accounting 33% of total revenues. Oncology cases often involve complex treatment options, major surgery decisions, and high emotional stakes-leading patients to seek validation from top-tier cancer centers and academic hospitals. Cardiac disorders represented the second-largest share at 20%, as second opinions help assess the necessity of interventions such as bypass surgery, stent placement, or valve repair. Cardiovascular cases often involve risk-benefit evaluation, driving demand for expert consultation. Neurological disorders accounted for nearly 15% of the market, driven by conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis that require highly specialized diagnostic interpretation. Diabetes and ocular disorders together held approximately 12% share, particularly when complications arise affecting vision, kidney function, or mobility. By Service Provider Hospitals led the market in 2024, delivering approximately 55% of all second opinions. Academic medical centers and specialty hospitals have a strong reputation and often manage the most complex cases, making them the primary destination for in-depth evaluation. Medical second opinion providing companies represented 25% of market share and are the fastest-growing segment, expanding at nearly 19% CAGR. These digital-first platforms connect patients with global specialists through virtual consultations, offering quick turnaround and access to top physicians without geographic limitations. Health insurance companies contributed 17% of total revenue and are steadily increasing coverage of second opinions to avoid costly misdiagnoses and reduce unnecessary procedures. Insurers partner with hospitals and second opinion providers to integrate medical reviews into high-cost case management. As value-based care models expand, insurers are expected to become one of the most influential drivers of second opinion adoption. Request for Customized Sample Report as per Your Business Requirement: https://www.datamintelligence.com/customize/medical-second-opinion-market Regional Insights: United States & Japan United States The U.S. accounted for approximately 40% of the global second opinion market in 2024 valued USD 2.29 billion. High healthcare costs, medical liability concerns, and availability of world-class specialists make the U.S. the most mature and dynamic market. Key growth drivers include: High rates of diagnostic errors (estimated 12 million cases annually) Complex treatment pathways requiring confirmation Widespread adoption of telehealth for specialist access Increasing insurance coverage for second opinions Rising consumer demand for choice and transparency Recent Developments: Major hospitals launched nationwide virtual second opinion programs. Telemedicine platforms introduced AI-based triage to match patients with subspecialists. Leading insurers expanded second opinion coverage to reduce expensive claim payouts. A U.S. health system partnered with an international medical network for cross-border consultations. With proactive investment and digital integration, the U.S. market is expected to exceed USD 5 billion by 2031. Japan Japan held 9% of the global market in 2024, valued at USD 515 million. Second opinion adoption is rising due to its aging population (nearly 30% over age 65), high prevalence of chronic diseases, and cultural emphasis on precision and informed decision-making. Japanese hospitals have formalized second opinion services, often supported by government guidelines. Patients frequently seek expert confirmation for oncology, neurology, and cardiovascular treatment plans. Recent Developments: Expansion of hospital-based second opinion clinics focused on cancer and heart disease. Telemedicine adoption surged in rural regions to improve specialist access. Health insurance providers introduced structured second opinion programs. A regional initiative established partnerships with international medical institutions for rare disease consultations. Japan is expected to reach USD 1.2 billion by 2031, emerging as a leading market in Asia-Pacific for high-quality, specialist-driven second opinion services. Industry Trends & Developments Telemedicine Transformation: Over 60% of second opinions in the U.S. are now delivered virtually, improving access and reducing costs. AI-enhanced Diagnostics: AI tools are being used to analyze medical records, flag risky diagnoses, and recommend alternative treatment pathways. Cross-Border Expertise: Patients increasingly seek opinions from international centers of excellence for rare or advanced conditions. Insurance Integration: Health plans offering second opinions see 18% reduction in unnecessary procedures, driving wider adoption. Specialized Networks: Providers are building disorder-specific expert panels (oncology, neurology, cardiac) to improve accuracy and speed. Patient Empowerment: Consumers are demanding transparency, multiple treatment options, and data-backed recommendations. Buy This Exclusive Report at Just USD 4350 Only: https://www.datamintelligence.com/buy-now-page?report=medical-second-opinion-market Competitive Landscape Mediguide International LLC A leader in virtual second opinions, partnering with over 50 major hospitals globally. Known for fast turnaround and clinical depth. WorldCare Inc. Specializes in complex and rare disease reviews, connecting patients with top academic medical centers and multidisciplinary expert panels. Cleveland Clinic One of the most trusted hospital brands worldwide. Offers comprehensive second opinion services for cardiac, cancer, neurological, and orthopedic conditions. Its virtual platform serves both domestic and international patients. Teladoc Health A pioneer in telehealth and digital consultations, Teladoc delivers tens of thousands of second opinions annually. It uses AI-based triage and has strong insurer partnerships. AXA PPP & Helsana Group Insurance leaders integrating second opinions into policy benefits, helping reduce claim costs and support better care decisions. GrandOpinion, Lybrate, and Mass General Brigham are also expanding with patient-friendly platforms and specialist networks. Leading players are investing in AI-driven case analysis, global physician networks, and insurance integration, resulting in consolidated and scalable service ecosystems. Strategic Outlook The Medical Second Opinion Market is at a critical growth inflection. Four forces will define its future trajectory: From "Reassurance" to "Clinical Necessity" Second opinions will be standard practice for high-risk, high-cost diagnoses. Telemedicine + AI = Global Access Virtual platforms and diagnostic AI will democratize world-class expertise. Insurance-Driven Adoption Insurers will mandate second opinions for surgeries, cancer treatments, and advanced therapies. Personalized, Data-Driven Medicine Integrated medical records and precision care will enable deeper, patient-specific recommendations. Conclusion The Medical Second Opinion Market, projected to grow from USD 5,728 million in 2024 to USD 12.70 billion by 2031, reflects the global shift toward accuracy, transparency, and patient-centered care. The United States is leading the way through telemedicine, AI, and insurance-backed programs, while Japan is building structured, specialist-driven second opinion models built on clinical precision and aging population needs. As healthcare moves toward value-based outcomes, second opinions will become a standard of care, enhancing patient confidence, improving clinical decisions, and reducing unnecessary costs. Related Report: mHealth Market Sizeto Jump from US$ 64.53 B in 2024 to US$ 195.50 B by 2033 at 13.0% CAGR. Telehealth Market Sizeto Grow from US$ 118.25 B in 2024 to US$ 478.18 B by 2033 at 17.2% CAGR. Remote Patient Monitoring Market Size: From US$ 50.2 B in 2023 to US$ 251.0 B by 2031 at 22.4% CAGR. Remote Patient Monitoring Market Size: From US$ 50.2 B in 2023 to US$ 251.0 B by 2031 at 22.4% CAGR. About DataM Intelligence DataM Intelligence is a renowned provider of market research, delivering deep insights through pricing analysis, market share breakdowns, and competitive intelligence. The company specializes in strategic reports that guide businesses in high-growth sectors such as nutraceuticals and AI-driven health innovations. To find out more, visit https://www.datamintelligence.com/ or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Sai Kiran DataM Intelligence 4market Research LLP Ground floor, DSL Abacus IT Park, Industrial Development Area Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana 500039 USA: +1 877-441-4866 Email: Sai.k@datamintelligence.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1858619/3573087/DataM_Intelligence_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/medical-second-opinion-market-size-to-reach-usd-12-7-billion-by-2031-amid-rising-misdiagnosis-prevention-and-telemedicine-integration--by-datam-intelligence-302583484.html Three of five fastest-growing small business areas have shipbuilding heritage, research shows. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Belfast - perhaps the place most famous for shipbuilding in the country - recorded the highest small business annual growth rate (+241%) anywhere in the country, followed by Birkenhead (+63%), and Poplar and Limehouse in London (+50%) Other places with historic maritime sectors - Stockton (+32%), Hartlepool (+29%) and Dagenham (+27%) - feature in the top 20 Many former shipbuilding and shipping industry buildings across these locations have been turned into hubs for small businesses and entrepreneurs UK entrepreneurs are thriving in areas with a strong shipbuilding heritage, new GoDaddy research shows. The research highlights that Belfast North, Birkenhead, and Poplar and Limehouse are among the top five fastest-growing constituencies for small business density in the United Kingdom over the past 12 months. All three are historically known for their connections to the shipping industry. Meanwhile, small business communities in Stockton, Hartlepool, and Dagenham - all places with historic shipping sectors - are flourishing, as all feature in the top 20. The new data comes from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, which studies the economic impact of more than 600,000 small businesses in the UK, as well as the attitudes of their owners. GoDaddy helps entrepreneurs at every stage - from getting an idea off the ground to growing their business online. Shipbuilding communities reinvented as small business hubs GoDaddy's analysis shows that Belfast North is the UK's fastest-growing entrepreneurial constituency, and the only area outside of England to feature in the Top 10. Spanning much of the city's famous docklands to the north of the Lagan Estuary, the constituency saw a 241% increase in microbusiness density across the past 12 months. The growth in the area follows a concerted effort from Stormont, which launched a programme - 'Go Succeed' - to support entrepreneurs across the region, including one-to-one business support and nearly 2m of funding.1 The city has also worked to ensure that small businesses can find a home in the heart of the capital. Belfast's 'Titanic Quarter' is located on the former Harland & Wolff shipyard. This mixed-use redevelopment has become a hub for small businesses and contributes to the city's economic growth. It is a similar picture in Birkenhead, which has a small business density growth rate of +63% year-on-year. The Wirral Waters regeneration project - located on the site of Merseyside's once-thriving shipbuilding industry - is home to Egerton Village, a hub for start-ups, independent retailers and creative enterprises. Former docklands foster small business success Constituencies with rich, historical maritime industries feature throughout GoDaddy's top 20. Poplar and Limehouse, part of the Tower Hamlets borough, is in fourth place overall, with density growth of +50%. The area has strong shipping roots in the historic London Docklands. Local businesses benefited from an initiative by the borough council to foster enterprise, through a 700,000 investment to support entrepreneurs.2 Stockton (+32%), Hartlepool (+29%) and Dagenham (+27%) are in 6th, 11th and 19th places respectively. Hartlepool's old shipyard and docks have been redeveloped into Hartlepool Marina, now home to many independent hospitality businesses. UK entrepreneurs show resilience in the face of economic challenges More broadly, GoDaddy's research demonstrates that UK entrepreneurs are displaying resilience and maintaining growth ambitions in the face of economic challenges. Only 14% of UK small business owners say they're confident in the nation's economy this year, while over half (53%) describe themselves as "not very" or "not at all" confident. Despite those trends, four in 10 entrepreneurs (40%) expect their business income to grow in 2025, with 18% expecting their revenue to grow "significantly more" against 2024 figures. It's also never been easier or more cost-effective to get a small business off the ground. Almost one in five small businesses (18%) were created with less than 500 of start-up capital, according to the GoDaddy study. Alexandra Rosen, Global Head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, commented: "Shipbuilding has long been one of the country's most important historic sectors, and now we're seeing these same towns and cities, rooted in a strong industrial past, thriving today through digital entrepreneurship." Findings from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab show that the nation's entrepreneurs are confident in their ability to succeed, even in the face of economic challenges. That's setting a great example for the future." To explore more stories of how GoDaddy supports everyday entrepreneurs - and the tools helping them start and grow - visit GoDaddy today. 1https://go-succeed.com/ 2https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/News_events/2024/October/700K-in-business-support-to-bolster-Tower-Hamlets-vibrant-economy.aspx View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: GoDaddy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: GoDaddy View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/telecommunications/entrepreneurial-tide-rising-in-uks-historic-shipbuilding-towns-and-cities-1086728 NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Industrial Coatings Market is set for steady growth, projected to expand from USD 93.63 billion in 2024 to USD 142.99 billion by 2035, achieving a CAGR of 3.95% over the forecast period. This growth reflects the increasing role of coatings in enhancing durability, performance, and sustainability across automotive, aerospace, construction, and industrial manufacturing sectors. Industrial coatings are evolving from traditional protective solutions to strategic enablers of operational efficiency, ESG compliance, and digital integration. As industries pursue lightweight materials, renewable energy infrastructure, and high-durability assets, advanced coatings are becoming central to reducing maintenance costs and extending lifecycle performance. The Complete Study is Now Available for Immediate Access | Download the Sample Pages of this Report @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industrial-coatings-market-1095/request-sample Free Sample Includes: Global & regional market size forecasts through 2035. Competitive benchmarking and SWOT analysis of top providers. Segmentation insights. Regulatory and sustainability landscape mapping. Porter's Five Forces and value chain assessment. Regional investment and technology adoption opportunities. Why This Market Matters to CXOs Operational Excellence: High-performance coatings improve resistance to corrosion, wear, and chemicals, reducing downtime and lifecycle costs. High-performance coatings improve resistance to corrosion, wear, and chemicals, reducing downtime and lifecycle costs. Sustainability & ESG Compliance: Waterborne, low-VOC, and powder coatings help meet environmental regulations and corporate sustainability targets. Waterborne, low-VOC, and powder coatings help meet environmental regulations and corporate sustainability targets. Industry 4.0 Alignment: Smart and functional coatings integrate with IoT monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated inspection systems. Smart and functional coatings integrate with IoT monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated inspection systems. Cross-Sector Applications: Automotive, aerospace, energy, and heavy machinery sectors are adopting specialized coatings for lightweight metals, composites, and high-performance surfaces. Automotive, aerospace, energy, and heavy machinery sectors are adopting specialized coatings for lightweight metals, composites, and high-performance surfaces. Global Expansion Opportunities: Industrial modernization in Asia-Pacific and Latin America is driving rapid demand for protective and functional coatings. Industrial modernization in Asia-Pacific and Latin America is driving rapid demand for protective and functional coatings. Technological & Industry Momentum Advanced Functional Coatings: Anti-corrosion, anti-fouling, thermal barrier, and antimicrobial coatings supporting sector-specific needs. Anti-corrosion, anti-fouling, thermal barrier, and antimicrobial coatings supporting sector-specific needs. Sustainable Formulations: Waterborne, powder, and UV-curable coatings reduce VOC emissions and regulatory exposure. Waterborne, powder, and UV-curable coatings reduce VOC emissions and regulatory exposure. Smart Coatings & Nanotechnology: Self-healing, energy-efficient, and surface-functional coatings enhance asset performance. Self-healing, energy-efficient, and surface-functional coatings enhance asset performance. Automation & Robotics Integration: Precision application and digital inspection tools increase efficiency and minimize waste. Precision application and digital inspection tools increase efficiency and minimize waste. Energy & Infrastructure Focus: Coatings for pipelines, wind turbines, solar panels, and industrial equipment protect critical infrastructure. Strategic Opportunities for Business Leaders Invest in R&D for next-generation functional and eco-friendly coatings to gain a competitive edge. Collaborate with industrial OEMs to co-develop coatings for emerging materials and lightweight applications. Expand operations in high-growth regions, particularly Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Integrate digital inspection and IoT-enabled maintenance services for value-added offerings. Explore subscription-based or performance-guarantee models to strengthen client retention and recurring revenue. Expert Insights "Industrial coatings are moving beyond traditional protection to become strategic business enablers. High-performance, sustainable coatings improve asset longevity, compliance, and operational efficiency." Neha Rathod Godbole, Founder & CEO, Vantage Market Research Email Directly Here with Detailed Information: sales@vantagemarketresearch.com Executive Priorities: Top 5 Moves to Capture Market Leadership Accelerate R&D in high-performance, eco-friendly, and functional coatings. Diversify product portfolio to include anti-corrosion, thermal barrier, and anti-microbial coatings. Build strategic partnerships with industrial manufacturers and infrastructure developers. Leverage automation, robotics, and IoT-enabled inspection tools for operational efficiency. Expand geographically in high-growth industrial markets across Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Industry Leaders & Market Front-Runners PPG Industries (U.S.) - Global leader in protective and decorative coatings, offering innovative solutions across automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors with an expanding digital color and performance monitoring portfolio. Sherwin-Williams (U.S.) - Diversified coatings provider integrating high-performance industrial paints with sustainability-focused solutions and automated application technologies. AkzoNobel (Netherlands) - Strong international footprint delivering specialty and functional coatings; investing in eco-friendly formulations and smart coating technologies. Nippon Paints (Japan) - Leading supplier for automotive and construction coatings; leveraging R&D for advanced protective and sustainable coating systems. Axalta Coating Systems (U.S.) - Major provider of liquid and powder coatings; focused on high-durability, low-VOC, and energy-efficient coatings. Jotun Paints (Norway) - Expanding its industrial coatings portfolio with emphasis on anti-corrosion, marine, and sustainable solutions. BASF SE (Germany) - Supplies chemical raw materials for coatings; investing in innovative, low-impact coating chemistries for industrial applications. Buy this Premium Research Report | Immediate Delivery @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industrial-coatings-market-1095/checkout Benefits of Purchasing Industrial Coatings Market Reports Analyst Support - Direct access to our experts before and after purchase for tailored insights and clarifications. - Direct access to our experts before and after purchase for tailored insights and clarifications. Data Accuracy - Forecasts and trends validated through a combination of primary industry interviews, end-user surveys, and advanced statistical modeling. - Forecasts and trends validated through a combination of primary industry interviews, end-user surveys, and advanced statistical modeling. Decision-Making Tools - Interactive dashboards, granular segment forecasts, competitor benchmarking, and adoption roadmaps to guide strategy. - Interactive dashboards, granular segment forecasts, competitor benchmarking, and adoption roadmaps to guide strategy. Quality & Credibility - Trusted by Fortune 500 companies, healthcare innovators, and technology leaders for reliable market intelligence. Market Hurdles & Structural Challenges Regulatory tightening on VOC content, hazardous chemical use, and environmental compliance under EU and U.S. frameworks. Raw material cost volatility affecting profitability for solvent- and resin-based coatings. Fragmented industrial coatings market with small regional suppliers delaying standardization. Limited adoption of digital monitoring and smart coating technologies in emerging markets. ESG pressures pushing manufacturers toward low-impact, sustainable coatings and biobased formulations. Skilled labor shortage impacting high-quality application and service scalability. Regulatory & Compliance Landscape U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Regulates VOC levels, chemical safety, and labeling for industrial coatings. EU REACH & VOC Directives - Mandate eco-safety validation, emission limits, and post-market monitoring. ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 Standards - Ensure quality management and environmental compliance in industrial coatings manufacturing. ASTM & NACE Standards - Set benchmarks for corrosion resistance, surface preparation, and performance testing. National Green Certifications - Encourage adoption of waterborne, powder, and low-impact coatings for sustainable industrial operations. Market Overview & Growth Drivers The Industrial Coatings Market is being driven by technological, environmental, and industrial trends shaping manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy sectors. With the market projected to grow from USD 93.63 billion in 2024 to USD 142.99 billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 3.95%, stakeholders are capitalizing on functional coatings, sustainable formulations, and smart application technologies. Key Growth Drivers at a Glance: Industrial & Infrastructure Expansion: Automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors driving demand for protective coatings. Sustainability Mandates: Eco-friendly formulations and low-VOC coatings gaining regulatory and customer traction. Digital & Smart Coatings: Integration of IoT, sensors, and predictive maintenance solutions enhancing asset lifecycle management. Lightweight & Advanced Materials: Coatings tailored for composites, metals, and high-performance surfaces. Maintenance Cost Reduction: Long-life coatings reducing repair cycles, downtime, and operational expenditure. Global Industrial Modernization: Emerging economies expanding manufacturing, energy, and construction, boosting coatings adoption. Request a Customized Copy of the Industrial Coatings Market Report@ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industrial-coatings-market-1095/request-customization Strategic Intelligence for Decision-Makers This report provides actionable guidance for CXOs, investors, and sustainability leaders navigating the global industrial coatings ecosystem: Benchmark global and regional leaders by product portfolio, technology innovation, and digital transformation maturity. Track M&A, strategic partnerships, and joint ventures reshaping industrial coatings supply chains. Evaluate ESG-linked investments as sustainable and low-impact coatings gain market preference. Assess ROI of smart coatings, IoT integration, and automated application systems. Map high-growth markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East for expansion opportunities. Model regulatory impacts from EPA, REACH, VOC limits, and national green initiatives on market pricing and adoption dynamics. Market Momentum: Why Now Digitalization Wave: Smart coating application, automated spray systems, and IoT-enabled monitoring are expanding at over 12-15% CAGR, improving precision, efficiency, and quality control. ESG & Green Compliance: Over 35% of new industrial coatings launches now feature low-VOC, waterborne, powder-based, or bio-based formulations to meet sustainability and regulatory mandates. Infrastructure & Industrial Growth: Rapid expansion in automotive, aerospace, renewable energy, and construction sectors is driving demand for high-performance protective and functional coatings. Asset Longevity & Lifecycle Management: Increasing focus on reducing maintenance costs and extending asset lifespan through corrosion-resistant, thermal, and wear-protective coatings. Investor Confidence: Strategic M&A, technology partnerships, and R&D investments in sustainable and smart coating solutions are strengthening market positioning and long-term ROI. Executives who integrate smart, IoT-enabled coatings, sustainability-focused chemistries, and predictive maintenance solutions into their operations will define the next decade of industrial coatings leadership, while companies relying solely on traditional formulations risk losing competitiveness in a rapidly digitizing, ESG-driven market ecosystem. Growth Levers & Strategic Priorities Accelerate Digital Coatings & Smart Application Adoption - Deploy AI-driven quality analytics, IoT-enabled spray systems, and cloud-connected monitoring platforms to enable real-time surface inspection, predictive maintenance, and precise coating application reducing rework, material waste, and downtime by up to 20-25%. Scale Sustainable & Green Coatings Innovation - Invest in waterborne, powder, UV-curable, and bio-based coatings to meet tightening environmental regulations and ESG mandates while reducing solvent dependency and VOC emissions by 30-40%. Expand Strategic Partnerships & Industrial Ecosystem Alliances - Collaborate with automotive OEMs, aerospace manufacturers, infrastructure developers, and energy equipment providers to deliver integrated coating solutions and recurring service contracts. Leverage Regulatory Incentives & Sustainability Mandates - Capitalize on low-VOC compliance programs, green certifications, and carbon-reduction initiatives to enhance brand reputation and accelerate adoption across developed and emerging markets. Localize Manufacturing & Distribution Networks - Establish regional production and application hubs in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East to reduce import dependencies, optimize supply chains, and comply with local industrial and environmental regulations. Top Key Players for Industrial Coatings Market Akzo Nobel N.V. Axalta Coating Systems Jotun PPG Industries The Sherwin-Williams Company Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Hempel A/S To Know an Additional List of Key Players, Request Here to Download a Free Report PDF Brochure: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industrial-coatings-market-1095/request-sample Recent Industry Developments Jan 2025 : PPG Industries launched an AI-driven coating inspection platform enabling predictive maintenance and automated quality assurance across automotive and industrial applications. : PPG Industries launched an AI-driven coating inspection platform enabling predictive maintenance and automated quality assurance across automotive and industrial applications. Mar 2025 : AkzoNobel introduced next-generation eco-friendly powder coatings with improved durability and reduced VOC emissions for infrastructure projects. : AkzoNobel introduced next-generation eco-friendly powder coatings with improved durability and reduced VOC emissions for infrastructure projects. May 2025 : Sherwin-Williams expanded its IoT-connected industrial coating solutions, integrating real-time application data with process analytics for manufacturing clients. : Sherwin-Williams expanded its IoT-connected industrial coating solutions, integrating real-time application data with process analytics for manufacturing clients. Aug 2025 : Axalta rolled out a smart surface monitoring system enabling predictive corrosion protection for heavy machinery and energy equipment. : Axalta rolled out a smart surface monitoring system enabling predictive corrosion protection for heavy machinery and energy equipment. Sept 2025: Nippon Paints announced strategic collaboration with a leading robotics firm to implement automated spray systems for precision coating in high-volume production. Regional Dynamics North America: Maintains leadership through early adoption of smart coatings, strong regulatory frameworks, and high penetration in automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors. Europe: Strengthens position through EU Green Deal-driven sustainability mandates, increasing demand for eco-friendly, low-VOC, and high-performance coatings. Asia-Pacific: Emerges as the fastest-growing region, driven by industrialization, automotive and infrastructure expansion, and government-backed green manufacturing initiatives in India, China, and Southeast Asia. Latin America: Gains traction via industrial modernization, renewable energy projects, and adoption of low-impact, high-durability coatings in Brazil and Mexico. Middle East & Africa: Experiences growing demand from oil & gas, construction, and industrial sectors, with UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa leading adoption of advanced and sustainable coating solutions. Segment Insights By Technology: Waterborne coatings dominate the market, driven by stricter environmental regulations, low VOC emissions, and growing sustainability mandates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Solventborne coatings remain significant due to their superior performance in corrosion and chemical resistance applications, particularly in heavy industries. Powder coatings are gaining traction for industrial and automotive applications due to their durability, eco-friendliness, and minimal waste. Others (UV- and EB-cured technologies) are emerging as niche solutions for high-speed manufacturing processes and energy-efficient curing. By Resin Type: Acrylic resins lead the market due to their versatility, weather resistance, and suitability for decorative and protective coatings. Epoxy and polyurethane resins are preferred for high-performance protective applications, including corrosion and chemical resistance in industrial and marine sectors. Alkyd and polyester resins continue to be used widely in general industrial and wood coatings. Fluoropolymers and specialty resins such as silicone, polyurea, and nitrocellulose are witnessing growing adoption in highly specialized applications requiring heat, UV, or chemical resistance. By Functionality: Corrosion resistance coatings dominate due to rising demand in infrastructure, automotive, and marine industries. Fire, chemical, and heat-resistant coatings are increasingly applied in aerospace, rail, and industrial manufacturing sectors. UV resistance and anti-fouling coatings are seeing growth in outdoor infrastructure, marine, and protective applications. Anti-static and decorative coatings continue to find applications in electronics, commercial interiors, and consumer-facing industries. By End-Use Industry: General industrial and protective coatings lead adoption due to broad application in machinery, equipment, and infrastructure maintenance. Automotive OEM and refinish coatings are growing steadily with the expansion of automotive manufacturing and aftermarket services. Marine, aerospace, and rail coatings are increasingly adopting high-performance functional coatings for durability and regulatory compliance. Industrial wood, coil, and packaging coatings maintain consistent demand driven by the furniture, construction, and consumer goods sectors. Browse market data Tables and Figures spread through 248 Pages and in-depth TOC on Industrial Coatings Market trends 2025 Forecast Report (2025-2035). Segments Covered in the Report By Technology Waterborne Solventborne Powder Coatings Others (UV- and EB-cured technologies) By Resin Type Acrylic Alkyd Epoxy Polyester Polyurethane Vinyl Fluoropolymer Others (Silicone, amino, polyurea, nitrocellulose, plastisol, polyamide, and vinyl-based coatings) By Functionality Corrosion Resistance Fire Resistance Chemical Resistance Heat Resistance Uv Resistance Anti-Fouling Anti-Static Decorative Coatings By End-Use Industry General Industrial Protective Automotive Refinish Automotive OEM Industrial Wood Marine Coil Packaging Aerospace Rail By Region North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K. Italy Spain Nordic Countries Benelux Union Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India New Zealand Australia South Korea South-East Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa (MEA) Saudi Arabia UAE Egypt Kuwait South Africa Rest of MEA Buy this Premium Research Report with Discount | Immediate Delivery @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industrial-coatings-market-1095/checkout Key Questions Answered in The Report: Which regions are projected to lead global industrial coatings demand, innovation, and infrastructure investment through 2035, and how will manufacturing, automotive, and construction trends reshape regional leadership? How are regulatory frameworks, environmental mandates, and VOC/chemical restrictions across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific influencing market consolidation, pricing, and technology adoption? Who are the leading global players in the industrial coatings industry, and how do their product portfolios, service models, and regional expansion strategies differ across mature and emerging markets? Which emerging companies and innovators are disrupting traditional coatings with eco-friendly formulations, smart coatings, and advanced nanotechnology solutions? What next-generation solutions such as self-healing coatings, anti-corrosion layers, UV-resistant surfaces, and antimicrobial coatings will define competitiveness and operational efficiency by 2035? How are investor inflows, M&A activity, and strategic partnerships among chemical manufacturers, specialty coatings firms, and technology developers accelerating growth in the industrial coatings ecosystem? What are the key market drivers, cost challenges, and regulatory constraints shaping adoption across protective, decorative, and functional coatings segments? Gain instant access to our exclusive, data-driven dashboard designed for Paints & Coatings industry decision-makers, strategists, and market leaders. The platform delivers in-depth statistical insights, segment-wise breakdowns, regional market performance, competitive landscape mapping, company profiles, annual updates, and more. From market sizing to trend analysis and competitive intelligence, this powerful tool serves as a comprehensive solution for informed business decisions. Browse the Full "Industrial Coatings Market Size and Share Analysis for 2035 by Technology (Waterborne, Solventborne, Powder Coatings, Others (UV- and EB-cured technologies)) by Resin Type (Acrylic, Alkyd, Epoxy, Polyester, Polyurethane, Vinyl, Fluoropolymer, Others (Silicone, amino, polyurea, nitrocellulose, plastisol, polyamide, and vinyl-based coatings)) by End-Use Industry (General Industrial, Protective, Automotive Refinish, Automotive OEM, Industrial Wood, Marine, Coil, Packaging, Aerospace, Rail) by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa" Report at https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/industrial-coatings-market-1095 Browse More Related Reports: Green Hydrogen Market is valued at USD 8.78 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 403.55 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 41.55% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/green-hydrogen-market-0943 Medical Polymers Market is valued at USD 40.8 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 93.8 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 7.90% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/medical-polymers-market-1210 Plastic Waste Management Market is valued at USD 37691 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 62740 Million by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 4.75% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/plastic-waste-management-market-1605 Polylactic Acid Market is valued at USD 1248.6 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 6855.5 Million by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 16.75% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/polylactic-acid-market-1679 Polyurethane Adhesives Market is valued at USD 14.70 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 27.1 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 5.75% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/polyurethane-adhesives-market-1121 Colloidal Silica Market is valued at USD 3.22 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 6.735 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 6.95% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/colloidal-silica-market-1910 Cosmetic Preservatives Market is valued at USD 472.98 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 910.01 Million by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 6.15% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/cosmetic-preservatives-market-1919 Fermentation Chemicals Market is valued at USD 31.15 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 62.5 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 6.55% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/fermentation-chemicals-market-1921 Thermoformed Plastics Market is valued at USD 54.2 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 88.2 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 4.55% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/thermoformed-plastics-market-1925 Thermoplastic Elastomer Market is valued at USD 24.28 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 43.9 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 5.75% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/thermoplastic-elastomer-market-1947 About Us Vantage Market Research is a trusted partner to Fortune 500 companies and leading biopharma firms, delivering high-quality market research reports and actionable intelligence across healthcare, biotechnology, and advanced cell therapies. Our globally recognized insights empower stakeholders to make informed decisions, anticipate trends, and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Follow Us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Contact us Priya M Head of Growth & Strategic Partnerships 224 W 35th St Ste 500, New York, NY 10001, United States Tel: +1 (212) 951-1369 Email: sales@vantagemarketresearch.com | priya.m@vantagemarketresearch.com Website: Vantage Market Research MarketReports.us Market Business Insights vmr.biz v-mr.biz TechWire24 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2758208/Vantage_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/industrial-coatings-market-projected-to-reach-usd-142-99-billion-by-2035-with-rapid-3-95-cagr--vantage-market-research-302583558.html OI Suite Discovery Program launches with complimentary access for researchers in biopharma companies and academic centers to accelerate biomarker discovery through an intuitive, no-code interface. CanvOI, running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), is now trained on more than 1.5 million biopsy images across 40+ organs and designed to perform in small early-phase cohorts. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Imagene AI, a pioneer in multimodal foundation models for precision oncology, announced today the launch of the OI Suite Discovery Program at Oracle AI World. The program provides complimentary access to OI Suite for researchers in biopharma and academic centers, enabling biomarker discovery and predictive modeling in a secure, no-code environment where researchers can explore, refine, and validate hypotheses, accelerating both the quality and pace of discovery. Imagene AI OI Suite Platform "Cancer continues to have a devastating impact on individuals and families, but with advancements in cloud and AI we have an opportunity to help change this narrative," said Seema Verma, executive vice president and general manager of Oracle Health and Life Sciences. "We are proud to be working with companies like Imagene AI to support breakthroughs in oncology that can help improve outcomes for those afflicted with this disease." Over the past year, CanvOI, a state-of-the-art pan-cancer foundation model designed to facilitate innovative oncology research and development, has been further trained on more than 1.5 million digitized biopsy images from over 40 organs and tissue types. Running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), the model is designed to perform in small, early-phase cohorts where responder numbers are limited, and biological interactions are complex. Following a year of invitation-only access with select partners and very positive feedback, Imagene AI is launching the OI Suite Discovery Program. The program gives researchers the ability to generate and validate biomarkers, build predictive models, and review explainable outputs, while exploring and visualizing data, refining questions, and uncovering insights in an intuitive no-code environment. "Collaborating with Oracle has allowed us to bring the power of CanvOI and OI Suite to life at scale," said Dean Bitan, Co-founder and CEO of Imagene AI. "With the OI Suite Discovery Program, we are empowering research teams to test hypotheses freely, explore biomarker questions, and accelerate discoveries. Powered by OCI, we are driving a new era of discovery in precision oncology." OI Suite is a SaaS enterprise platform that addresses one of oncology's most pressing challenges: discovering biomarkers and identifying the right patients from limited, heterogeneous data. Researchers use the platform to test biomarker hypotheses, improve patient stratification, and inform trial design and cohort enrichment. The full OI Suite extends beyond histopathology to integrate gene expression, mutational profiles, and longitudinal clinical records through Imagene AI's Cross-Modality Intelligence Engine, enriched by its proprietary real-world data lake. Imagene AI will also demonstrate the OI Suite at ESMO 2025 in Berlin, October 17-21. Researchers can request access to the OI Suite Discovery Program here. ------- Oracle Trademarks: Oracle, Java, MySQL, and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company - ushering in the new era of cloud computing. SOURCE: Imagene AI View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/biotechnology/imagene-ai-launches-the-oncology-intelligence-oi-suite-discovery-program-at-oracle-ai-1086084 Breast fillers are non-surgical aesthetic products designed to enhance breast volume and contour using injectable substances such as hyaluronic acid. These minimally invasive solutions offer a temporary alternative to breast implants, catering to individuals seeking subtle augmentation with reduced recovery time. PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, 'Breast Fillers Market by Type (Hyaluronic Acid and Others), Age Group (18 to 34 years, 35 to 50 years, Above 50 years), and End User (Hospitals, Specialty and Dermatology Clinics, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034'. According to the report, the breast fillers market was valued at $394.8 million in 2024, and is estimated to reach $728.7 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2025 to 2034. The breast fillers market is driven by rise in prevalence of breast filler procedure volume and the increasing adoption of minimally invasive procedures. Breast fillers are gaining popularity due to their customizable results, fewer complications, and increasing demand for natural looking enhancements. Advancements in filler technology and growing aesthetic consciousness, particularly among younger women, are driving market growth globally. Request Sample of the Report on Breast Fillers Market Forecast 2034 - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A325798 Market Introduction Breast fillers are minimally invasive aesthetic solutions designed to enhance breast volume, contour, and symmetry without the need for surgical implants. These injectable treatments, primarily composed of hyaluronic acid and others, offer a temporary but customizable alternative to breast augmentation surgery. The breast fillers market is gaining traction due to growing consumer preference for non-surgical cosmetic procedures and increasing awareness around body aesthetics. Technological advancements in filler materials, improved safety profiles, and shorter recovery times are contributing to widespread adoption. Key players are focusing on targeted marketing to expand their product offerings. Rising demand from emerging economies, growing influence of social media, and an increasing number of aesthetic clinics worldwide further drive market growth. Report Overview: The breast fillers market is segmented into type, age group, end user, and region. By type it is further categorized into hyaluronic acid, and others. By age group, the market is segmented into 18 to 34 years, 35 to 50 years and above 50 years. By end user, the market is segregated into classified into specialty & dermatology clinics, hospitals, and others. Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Rest of LAMEA). By type, the hyaluronic acid was the largest contributor to the market in 2024 and is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. By age group, the 18 to 34 years segment was largest contributor to the market in 2024 and is also expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. By end user, the specialty & dermatology clinics segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Region wise, North America generated the largest revenue in 2024. However, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Report Coverage & Details Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2034 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2024 $394.8 million Market Size in 2034 $728.7 million CAGR 6.3 % No. of Pages in Report 261 Segments Covered Type, Age Group, End User, and Region Target Region / Countries North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Rest of LAMEA) Drivers Rising demand for minimally invasive procedures Growing aesthetic consciousness and body image awareness Expansion of dermatology & specialized aesthetic clinics Opportunity Growth potential in emerging countries Restraint Risk of potential side effects and safety concerns Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A325798 Market Growth & Opportunities Factors: The breast fillers market is primarily driven by the rising demand for non-surgical aesthetic enhancements, as consumers increasingly seek minimally invasive alternatives to breast augmentation. Growing awareness of cosmetic procedures, fueled by social media influence and celebrity endorsements, has further normalized aesthetic enhancements, particularly among younger populations. Additionally, the increasing availability of advanced dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid-based formulations with improved longevity and biocompatibility has boosted market appeal. Rising disposable incomes, the proliferation of aesthetic clinics, and shorter recovery times compared to surgical interventions continue to drive adoption. Furthermore, a growing emphasis on personalized and natural looking results has made breast fillers an attractive option for individuals seeking subtle and reversible enhancements. Expansion of product applications, including breast asymmetry correction, beyond just cosmetic augmentation is opportunistic for the market growth. These applications are gaining recognition as viable, less invasive options for specific patient groups. Increased demand in emerging economies, where improving healthcare infrastructure, rising aesthetic awareness, and growing medical tourism are accelerating adoption, which makes way for lucrative opportunities for market growth . Markets like India, Thailand, and Brazil are witnessing a surge in demand for affordable, quality cosmetic procedures, providing an attractive growth avenue for manufacturers. Integration of AI and imaging technologies into aesthetic practices, which may help clinicians simulate results, personalize filler volumes, and ensure more symmetrical outcomes enhancing patient satisfaction and procedural confidence makes way for lucrative opportunities for market growth. Major Challenges in Industry & Solutions: High cost of premium fillers and procedures, which can limit accessibility, especially in low- and middle-income regions limits the market growth. Smaller aesthetic clinics may also hesitate to invest in premium products. To overcome this, manufacturers can focus on cost-effective product lines, introduce tiered pricing strategies, and collaborate with clinics for volume-based pricing. Another restraint is the need for specialized training to administer breast fillers safely and effectively. Inadequate expertise can lead to complications or suboptimal outcomes, discouraging adoption. Industry players can support training programs, certification courses, and simulation-based learning modules in collaboration with dermatology and cosmetic surgery associations. Live demonstrations and global workshops can enhance provider competence and broaden access to trained professionals across regions. Regional Insights North America dominates the breast fillers market, driven by a high demand for aesthetic procedures, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and a strong presence of leading cosmetic product manufacturers. The region benefits from rising consumer awareness, broad acceptance of non-surgical aesthetic treatments, and the availability of skilled professionals. The U.S., in particular, has a well-established network of aesthetic clinics and a high rate of elective cosmetic procedures. A growing emphasis on body contouring further contribute to market growth. However, premium procedure costs and the need for licensed practitioners may restrict adoption among certain demographics. Recent trends include the use of AI-based imaging tools to simulate expected results, enhancing patient satisfaction and procedural precision. Europe holds a significant share of the breast fillers market due to the region's cultural acceptance of cosmetic enhancements and comprehensive public-private healthcare systems. Countries such as France, Germany, and the U.K. have witnessed steady demand for non-invasive breast augmentation, supported by rising disposable incomes and technological innovation. Strict regulatory oversight ensures product safety, can pose challenges. Growth is also driven by the increasing popularity of medical tourism, which offer high-quality procedures at competitive prices. Collaborative efforts between manufacturers and aesthetic societies in training and education are further strengthening market penetration. Asia-Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region in the breast fillers market, fueled by a rising middle class, increasing beauty consciousness, and improving access to aesthetic services. Countries like South Korea, China, Japan, and India are at the forefront, with South Korea leading in aesthetic innovation. The market is also seeing growth in younger populations seeking minimally invasive enhancements. Challenges include regional disparities in access to quality aesthetic care and limited regulatory uniformity. However, local product manufacturing, growing investments in aesthetic clinics, and the rising influence of aesthetic and celebrity culture are opportunistic for the market. For instance, China is seeing rapid growth in demand for breast fillers, supported by digital consumers and online aesthetic platforms offering consultation and booking services. For Purchase Related Queries/Inquiry - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A325798 Key Players: Abbvie Inc. Galderma Laboratories, L.P. Dermax Co., Ltd. Hangzhou Techderm Biological Products Co., Ltd., (Techderm) Godgel Medical Products Limited Qufu Hi-Tech Trading Co. Ltd. ASA Technology Co. Ltd. SEVENDBIO, BIOTRH s.r.o BioPlus, Co, Ltd. Explore AMR's Extensive Ongoing Coverage on Life Science Industry: Herb Extract Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Endoscopy Procedures Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Mental Health Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Automatic Pill Dispenser Machine Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Peripheral Artery Disease Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) Offered by Allied Market Research: AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. 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AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/breast-fillers-market-to-reach-728-7-million-globally-by-2034-at-6-3-cagr-allied-market-research-302583444.html HONG KONG, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 13, the 2025 WorldSkills General Assembly was held in Croatia. Dr. LIU Jiren, Founder and Chair of Neutech Group, was invited to attend and sign the agreement as a WorldSkills Global Premium Partner, marking that Neutech Group has officially become the first Chinese enterprise to achieve the highest partnership level with WorldSkills. According to the agreement, the two parties will join hands to promote the innovation of global vocational skill standards, the deepening of talent cultivation, and the enhancement of competition levels. Capitalizing on its core driving force in China's leading software innovation, artificial intelligence, and big data technologies, and leveraging the opportunity of the WorldSkills Competition 2026 Shanghai, Neusoft will provide software and hardware-related technical support for four skills: Software Application Development (formerly IT Software Solutions for Business), Software Testing, Digital Interactive Media Design, and Retail Sales. "Neutech is honored to become a Global Premium Partner of WorldSkills. We will fully leverage the responsibility of a Chinese enterprise to deeply implement the 'Skills China Action' plan and advance the strategy of 'Building a High-Quality Skilled Talent Workforce in the New Era'. Guided by the integrated Education-Healthcare-Eldercare strategy, Neutech will deeply empower education technology. We will work hand-in-hand with global partners to help bridge skill gaps across different countries and regions, provide more youth with opportunities for skills enhancement, and jointly cultivate versatile, highly-skilled talent capable of adapting to and leading the digital future." said Chair Dr. Liu at the signing ceremony. Furthermore, Dr. Liu was invited to meet with Mr. Frances Hourant, President of the WorldSkills, and Mr. David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills. During the talks, the two sides planned to jointly establish a Global Industrial Collaborative Innovation Center. Initiatives will include resource co-development and skills training in cutting-edge industrial technologies in regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia, aiming to bridge skill gaps across different countries and regions and empower the cultivation of top-tier skilled talent that meets the demands of the digital era's industries. Media Enquiries: Lin Wei weilin@neuedu.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/empowering-youth-skills-development-neutech-group-and-worldskills-international-cultivate-talent-for-a-digital-future-302583626.html Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Hear At Last (OTCID: HRAL), a trailblazer in innovative housing solutions, is thrilled to announce the successful launch of its cryptocurrency token, HOHM, on the Solana blockchain. The HOHM token is now live and ready to trade, marking a pivotal step in HRAL's mission to revolutionize affordable housing through blockchain technology. The primary goal of the HOHM token is to raise capital for Hear At Last's ambitious housing initiative, focusing on the development of portable and affordable homes in Jamaica and North America. With a target of $10 million, funds raised through the token will be dedicated to creating sustainable housing solutions for underserved communities while providing a transparent and rewarding opportunity for investors. Why HOHM? A Token with a Purpose The HOHM token is not just another cryptocurrency - it is a social impact investment designed to address critical housing shortages. By leveraging the Solana blockchain, known for its speed and low transaction costs, Hear At Last ensures an efficient and secure fundraising platform for this transformative project. Key Features of the HOHM Token: Capital Raise for Affordable Housing: Funds raised will go directly toward the construction and deployment of portable homes in Jamaica and North America, providing a much-needed solution for housing challenges. Sustainability and Innovation: The portable homes are designed to be eco-friendly, cost-effective, and rapidly deployable, offering a modern approach to addressing housing crises. Blockchain Transparency: Blockchain technology ensures full transparency in the flow and use of funds, giving investors confidence in the project's integrity and impact. Accessible for All: By launching on Solana, the HOHM token is accessible to a wide range of investors, from institutional backers to individual supporters. https://solscan.io/token/1fQbsR4GP7DuDmR3E874kiEk3WC3p58Y9v7AbDg6aAZ A Word from Hear At Last Leadership PETE WANNER, PRESIDENT Hear At Last, said: "The launch of the HOHM token is a game-changer for Hear At Last. It allows us to connect with socially conscious investors who share our vision of creating sustainable and affordable housing solutions. This project represents a unique blend of technology, innovation, and social good, and we are excited to see the impact it will have on communities in need." How to Buy the HOHM Token The HOHM token is now available for trading on the Solana blockchain. Investors can purchase the token through supported platforms, gaining an opportunity to contribute to this meaningful cause while potentially benefiting from the token's growth. About Hear At Last Hear At Last (HRAL) is a visionary organization dedicated to providing innovative housing solutions for underserved communities. By combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to social impact, HRAL is paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future. Join the Movement With the launch of the HOHM token, Hear At Last invites investors, supporters, and communities to join in building a foundation for affordable housing and sustainable living. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of countless families. About Hear At Last Holdings Inc. Hear At Last Holdings Inc. provides modular housing and portable infrastructure solutions designed to meet the needs of diverse communities around the globe. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and social impact, the company aims to redefine how affordable housing is delivered and deployed. SOURCE: Hear At Last Holdings, Inc. WEBSITE: https://hohmhereatlast.in To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270377 SOURCE: Hear AtLast Holdings, Inc Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - In Connection with the press release issued on Friday October 11, 2025, Stakeholder Gold Corporation (TSXV: SRC) (OTC Pink: SKHRF) ("Stakeholder" or the "Company") hereby provides additional information with respects to the press release. The total offering size of the private placement is conditionally approved up to $3,000,000 or 3,750,000 units. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents. The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270386 SOURCE: Stakeholder Gold Corp. Washington, D.C. and Boca Raton, Florida and Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Sol Systems, an Independent Power Producer (IPP) committed to building, owning, and managing clean energy infrastructure that benefits local communities, and REI Co-op, the nation's largest consumer co-op, today announced a Community Impact Program designed to expand access to climate resilience education for high school students in Palm Beach County, Florida. The program builds on REI's purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Sol Systems, generated from a portfolio of solar projects across Florida and including the recently built Silver Palm Solar Energy Center project in Palm Beach County, Florida. The program demonstrates how corporate sustainability investments can create direct local benefits in the communities where renewable energy is generated. Sol Systems will partner with REI to implement the Community Impact Program as part of the REC transaction. Through this collaboration, the Florida Atlantic University Pine Jog Environmental Education Center will expand its Climate READY Institute and H2O to Go! Residential Summer Research Program, enabling up to 48 high school students to participate in immersive, college-credit-bearing residential programs. Students will gain hands-on field experience studying South Florida's wetlands, rivers, and coastal ecosystems, connect with environmental scientists, and return to their communities as climate resilience ambassadors. Collectively, these students are expected to reach more than 2,000 peers and neighbors through community presentations. This partnership underscores Sol Systems' Infrastructure + Impact approach: pairing clean energy development with innovative thinking that channels corporate sustainability commitments into community programs that drive lasting economic and environmental impacts. By linking clean energy procurement with local educational initiatives, Sol Systems and REI are helping ensure that the benefits of solar reach far beyond electrons - strengthening resilience and opportunity for the next generation. "Infrastructure + Impact is our guiding principle," said Susanne Fratzscher, Vice President of Strategic Solutions at Sol Systems. "With REI, we are building a new model for how corporate investments in domestic clean energy projects can also deliver measurable, lasting benefits for communities. This program is a leading example of how the industry can innovate to fuel both our future and our neighborhoods." "At REI, our renewable energy commitment focuses on supporting local renewable energy projects and making sure that the communities we operate in share in the benefits of the clean energy transition," said Jay Creech, Manager, Net Zero at REI. "We are proud to work with Sol Systems and Florida Atlantic's Pine Jog to engage and educate communities on the importance of climate action and invest in students who will become tomorrow's climate leaders." "This program will give local students an unparalleled opportunity to study South Florida's ecosystems and develop skills that can shape their careers and communities," said Ray Coleman, Director of Florida Atlantic's Pine Jog Environmental Education Center. "Thanks to this partnership, we can reach more youth and help them become ambassadors for climate resilience." "This collaboration reflects Sol Systems' belief that renewable energy projects provide the opportunity to extend benefits to communities," said Adaora Ifebigh, Senior Director of Community Impact at Sol Systems. "Together with REI and Florida Atlantic's Pine Jog, we are demonstrating how clean energy development can spark education, resilience, and long-term opportunity." FAU Pine Jog students participate in hands-on field research, gaining experiential knowledge of Florida's wetland ecosystems and advancing their understanding of environmental science and sustainability. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11299/270376_2661c1a43432e882_001full.jpg ### About Sol Systems Sol Systems is an Independent Power Producer (IPP) committed to building, owning, and managing clean energy infrastructure that benefits local communities. With over 7 GW of projects across 38 states, Sol integrates energy storage and grid resiliency solutions to deliver reliable, sustainable power to Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, utilities, and schools. Through strategic partnerships and community reinvestment, Sol ensures clean energy development drives long-term economic and environmental benefits. Founded in 2008 and led by its founder, Sol Systems is dedicated to shaping an energy future we can all believe in. About REI Co-op REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation's largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 25 million members who expect and love the best quality gear and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op's many stores across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all. About Pine Jog: Florida Atlantic University Pine Jog Environmental Education Center, a self-funded division of the College of Education, was one of the first environmental education centers in Florida and one of the oldest in the country. For 65 years, Florida Atlantic Pine Jog has been operating to develop, research, and disseminate educational programs and services that cultivate environmentally literate and engaged communities. Primary goals are fostering an awareness of and appreciation for the natural world, promoting an understanding of environmental concepts, and instilling a sense of stewardship toward the earth and its inhabitants. The center serves as a hub for connecting people of all ages to environmental education, stewardship, and real-world E-STEM opportunities through partnerships with scientists, researchers, educators, agencies, NGOs, and GOs at the local, regional, state, and national levels. About the College of Education: In 1964, Florida Atlantic University's College of Education became South Florida's first provider of education professionals. Dedicated to advancing research and educational excellence, the College is nationally recognized for its innovative programs, evidence-based training, and professional practice. The College spans five departments: Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, Special Education, Counselor Education, and Communication Sciences and Disorders, to prepare highly skilled teachers, school leaders, counselors, and speech pathologists. Faculty engage in cutting-edge research supported by prestigious organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and the State of Florida. About Florida Atlantic University: Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, Florida Atlantic serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the Southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, Florida Atlantic embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. Florida Atlantic is designated as a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report, and holds the designation of "R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Florida Atlantic shares this status with less than 5% of the nearly 4,000 universities in the United States. For more information, visit www.fau.edu. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270376 SOURCE: Sol Systems Regulatory News: Oncodesign Precision Medicine (OPM) (ISIN: FR001400CM63; Mnemonic: ALOPM), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in precision medicine for the treatment of resistant and metastatic cancers, announces that it has received notification of the allocation of an investment grant from the Bourgogne Franche-Comte Region. This grant, totaling 250,000, is part of a regional support program for innovative SMEs developing strategic technological expertise to boost competitiveness and growth in the region. This program aims to support companies in the region with high-impact technological projects by promoting innovation, value creation, and regional roots at different stages of their development. The Region's contribution will enable Oncodesign Precision Medicine to strengthen its technological and scientific capabilities, focused on its portfolio of innovative drug candidates targeting indications with unmet medical needs, particularly in chronic inflammatory digestive diseases, immuno-oncology, and Parkinson's disease. Philippe GENNE, Co-founder and CEO of Oncodesign Precision Medicine, said: "This grant from the Bourgogne Franche-Comte Region is a strong recognition of our expertise in precision medicine. It will enable us to consolidate our position as an innovative player in oncology research. We are proud to be based in a region that invests in research and innovation." Karine Lignel, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, added: "This funding strengthens our ability to develop our technologies. It illustrates the confidence of public partners in OPM's potential and our capacity for innovation. We thank the Region for its commitment to the companies that drive the regional ecosystem." About Oncodesign Precision Medicine (OPM) Oncodesign Precision Medicine (OPM), founded in 2022, is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in precision medicine, dedicated to discovering treatments for resistant and metastatic cancers. OPM currently has two kinase inhibitors in clinical phase: OPM-101, intended for the treatment of chronic immuno-inflammatory digestive diseases and immuno-oncology, has demonstrated a significant therapeutic margin and absence of toxicity in its phase I healthy volunteers, with the start of phase 1b/2a in Oncology scheduled for September 2025. OPM-201, initially licensed to Servier and intended for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, completed its phase I trial in healthy volunteers at the end of 2024, and was reintegrated into OPM's portfolio. Both molecules come from the Nanocyclix technology platform, which enables the design and selection of small, highly effective and selective macrocyclic kinase inhibitors. We now have 12,000 molecules in our library and will be using AI to accelerate the discovery of drug candidates while reducing the cost of this phase. OPM's other two technology platforms are: OncoSNIPER, for the selection of therapeutic targets using artificial intelligence, on which we have a partnership with Servier for the search for targets in pancreatic cancer, PROMETHE for the design and selection of radiolabeled biological molecules for systemic radiotherapy, on which we are currently discussing partnerships with vectorization manufacturers. OPM, co-founded by Philippe Genne, Jan Hoflack and Karine Lignel, is based in Dijon, at the heart of the university and hospital cluster, and employs 14 people. More info at: oncodesign.com Forward-looking statements This document contains forward-looking statements and estimates with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, strategy, plans and future performance of the Company and the market in which it operates. Some of these statements, forecasts and estimates can be identified by the use of words such as, without limitation, "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "projects", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will" and "continue" and other similar expressions. They include all matters that are not historical facts. Such statements, forecasts and estimates are based on various assumptions and assessments of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which were believed to be reasonable when they were made but which may not prove to be correct. Actual events are difficult to predict and may depend on factors beyond the Company's control. Consequently, the actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, may differ materially from future results, performance or achievements as expressed or implied by such statements, forecasts and estimates. Given these uncertainties, no representation is made as to the accuracy or fairness of such forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates speak only as of the date of publication of this document. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, forecasts or estimates to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto, or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which these statements, forecasts or estimates are based, except as required by French law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014430579/en/ Contacts: OPM Karine Lignel Deputy General Manager Tel: +33 (0)310 451 820 investisseurs@oncodesign.com NewCap Investor Relations Mathilde Bohin Alban Dufumier Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 95 oncodesign@newcap.eu NewCap Media Relations Arthur Rouille Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 00 15 oncodesign@newcap.eu Rebound in Bookings in Q3 2025 (27%) to 1.93 million in ACV Strong Revenue Growth of 12% with SaaS Subscriptions up 17% Sidetrade Awarded Gold Medal by EthiFinance, Ranks Among the Top 15% of High-Performing Companies Assessed by EcoVadis Sidetrade, the global leader in AI-powered Order-to-Cash applications, today announced a 13% increase in revenue for the first nine months of 2025 at constant currency, driven by a 17% rise in SaaS subscription revenue. Commenting on the results, Olivier Novasque, CEO and Founder of Sidetrade, stated: "Revenue for the first nine months of 2025 was fully in line with our expectations, despite a volatile and challenging economic environment that weighed on new project signings during the first half. The rebound in bookings in the third quarter, particularly in the US, points to a gradual return to normal activity over the coming quarters. It is precisely in such demanding times that our teams have always shown their ability to turn constraints into opportunities. Beyond the promising rollout of our two new growth driver for the years ahead, agentic AI and the development of a partner network, Sidetrade has taken a major step toward its global ambitions with the October 13 announcement of the planned acquisition of ezyCollect, a leading Order-to-Cash player in the Asia-Pacific region. This transaction will extend our presence to three continents, open access to a global mid-market of several million companies, and accelerate the large-scale deployment of our AI agents, whose impact on small and midsize businesses will be transformative. Finally, the recent Gold and Silver distinctions from EthiFinance and EcoVadis highlight that AI and sustainability are not opposing forces; they complement each other in value creation. As we enter the final quarter of the year, we confirm our profitable growth objectives for 2025 and look ahead to 2026 with confidence, backed by a stronger-than-ever model and clearly identified growth levers for the years to come." Q3 2025 Rebound in Bookings (27%) Narrows the Gap at the End of September Compared to the First Nine Months of 2024 For the first nine months of 2025, Sidetrade's new Annual Contract Value (ACV) reached 7.81 million, compared to 8.94 million in the same period of 2024. As announced during the investor presentation on September 18, 2025, the expected rebound in Q3 2025 bookings (up 27%), traditionally the slowest quarter, helped narrow the year-to-date gap compared to 2024 to down 13%, from down 21% at the end of June 2025. Note that 2024 marked a record year for bookings. After a cautious first half of 2025 marked by macroeconomic uncertainty, new projects are gradually picking up momentum, especially in the US. In Q3 2025, new Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) rose 20%, while services bookings increased 30%. The rollout of our two growth engines, Sidetrade's agentic AI and the development of a global partner network, will have a significant impact on next year's bookings in 2026 and underpin the Group's long-term confidence. Strong Revenue Growth of 12%, Including 17% in SaaS Subscriptions Sidetrade (m) First Nine months 2025 First Nine months 2024 Change SaaS Subscriptions 38.7 33.0 +17% Revenue 44.4 39.7 +12% 2025 figures are from unaudited consolidated data. Sidetrade continues to deliver sustained revenue growth. For the first nine months of 2025, the Group reported consolidated revenue of 44.4 million, up 13% at constant currency and 12% on a reported basis. SaaS subscription revenue reached 38.7 million, an increase of 19% at constant currency (17% reported). On a comparable scope basis (excluding SHS Viveon), organic growth reached 12%, confirming the resilience of Sidetrade's recurring revenue base in a challenging economic environment. The Group's strategic focus on enterprise accounts continues to drive growth. Subscriptions from companies with annual revenue above 2.5 billion rose 30% and now account for more than half of the customer base (54%). This strong performance underscores Sidetrade's strong traction among multinational clients. International operations remain a key growth driver for the Group, with 69% of revenue in the first nine months of 2025 generated outside France, reflecting continued expansion and strengthened global footprint. Gold Medal from EthiFinance for Sidetrade, now ranking among the top 15% of high-performing companies evaluated by EcoVadis Sidetrade has further strengthened its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials by ranking among the top 15% of companies assessed by EcoVadis, the global benchmark in sustainability ratings. The Group once again earned the Silver Medal, with a score of 70/100, recognizing the maturity of its ESG program. Sidetrade also received the Gold Medal from EthiFinance, an independent ESG rating agency recognized for its alignment with the EU sustainability standards (Taxonomy and CSRD), achieving an ESG score of 77/100. This distinction places Sidetrade among Europe's leading tech companies in governance, social impact, and environmental performance. The Group stood out for its advanced initiatives in human rights, diversity, responsible procurement, and carbon management, as well as the transparency of its non-financial reporting. With this dual recognition, Sidetrade reaffirms its status as a sustainability leader in enterprise technology. Next financial announcement Annual Revenue for 2025: January 20, 2026 (after the stock market closes) Investor relations Christelle Dhrif 00 33 6 10 46 72 00 cdhrif@sidetrade.com Media relations Oli Thornton 00 44 7 93 31 08 107 oli.thornton@sidetrade.com About Sidetrade (www.sidetrade.com) Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA) provides a SaaS platform designed to revolutionize how cash flow is secured and accelerated. Leveraging its new-generation agentic AI, nicknamed Aimie, Sidetrade analyzes $7.2 trillion worth of B2B payment transactions daily in its Cloud, thereby anticipating customer payment behavior and the attrition risk of 40 million buyers worldwide. Sidetrade has a global reach, with 400+ talented employees based in Europe, the United States, and Canada, serving global businesses in more than 85 countries. Among them: AGFA, BMW Financial Services, Bunzl, DXC, Engie, Inmarsat, KPMG, Lafarge, Manpower, Morningstar, Page, Randstad, Safran, Saint-Gobain, Securitas, Siemens, UGI, Veolia. For more information, visit us at www.sidetrade.com and follow us on LinkedIn at @Sidetrade. In the event of any discrepancy between the French and English versions of this press release, the French version shall prevail. Strong Q3-2025 execution Regulatory News: Gecina (Paris:GFC): | Key takeaways +4.0% rental income growth , driven by +3.7% like-for-like positive impact of recent deliveries , driven by +3.7% like-for-like positive impact of recent deliveries Strong operational metrics : 114,000 sq.m of offices let year-to-date (+9% overall rental uplift and +28% in extended CBD), 1,300 residential leases signed, occupancy stable : 114,000 sq.m of offices let year-to-date (+9% overall rental uplift and +28% in extended CBD), 1,300 residential leases signed, occupancy stable Strengthened financial structure : successful green bond issue under highly attractive conditions end-July and early redemption of c. 530m of the 2027/2028 maturities, optimizing debt profile : successful green bond issue under highly attractive conditions end-July and early redemption of c. 530m of the 2027/2028 maturities, optimizing debt profile T1 Tower agreement signed with Engie to support tenant transition while securing rental income and reduce the repositioning void period to support tenant transition while securing rental income and reduce the repositioning void period GRESB: 1 st in peer group , 2 nd among 100+ listed European real estate firms, confirming leadership for future-proof real estate , 2 among 100+ listed European real estate firms, confirming leadership for future-proof real estate 2025 guidance confirmed: Recurrent Net Income (Group Share) expected to reach 6.65-6.70/share, up +3.6% to +4.4% vs FY 2024 | Benat Ortega, CEO: "We are executing our strategy with discipline and consistency, continuously enhancing our capital efficiency to deliver assets that meet the evolving needs of tenants- centrality, service quality, and energy carbon efficiency. In a complex political and economic environment, we are firmly convinced that office real estate remains a key infrastructure for a service-driven economy, supported by renewed 'return to the office' momentum, which favors high-quality assets in prime locations, especially near major transport hubs." | Rental income up +4.0% year-on-year (current) +4.0% increase in rental income on a current basis (539m, +21m vs Q3 2024) , driven by +3.7% like-for-like growth, as well as the positive contribution from 2024 and 2025 deliveries , driven by +3.7% like-for-like growth, as well as the positive contribution from 2024 and 2025 deliveries Progressive moderation of the impact of indexation in all geographies driven by the recently published commercial rent indices (ILAT) in all geographies driven by the recently published commercial rent indices (ILAT) Solid leasing activity across both portfolios: Office: strong leasing performance over the first nine months of 2025 in the context of a progressive return to the office: c.114,000 sq.m let (77 transactions: c.35% renewals/renegotiations, c.65% reletting or first lettings), securing 60.1m of annual rents with an average firm maturity of 6 years. Geographic breakdown: Paris/Neuilly: 51% of the space let (40.6m of annual rent), Core Western Crescent La Defense: 18% (10.1m), other locations: 31% (9.3m) Residential: nearly 1,300 leases signed, reflecting strong leasing activity this summer and the successful transformation of our residential offer to deliver efficient, collaborative and modern flats to young professionals, students, families and corporates High rental uplift maintained, with +9% across the office portfolio , including +28% for the extended CBD and +23% in Paris City, demonstrating a sustained ability to outperform indexation over time , including +28% for the extended CBD and +23% in Paris City, demonstrating a sustained ability to outperform indexation over time Occupancy stable overall at a high level of 94.0% (year-to-date, average occupancy, current, vs H1-2025) | Financial structure strengthened through a strategic bond issue Successful 500m 10y green bond issue under attractive financing conditions , supported by our best-in-class credit rating (A-/A3). The green bond was priced close to the French OAT 10-year benchmark, with an 85bp spread , supported by our best-in-class credit rating (A-/A3). The green bond was priced close to the French OAT 10-year benchmark, with an 85bp spread Early redemption of approximately 530m across the 2027 and 2028 maturities (247.4m and 280.2m respectively), completed ahead of schedule to optimize the debt profile (247.4m and 280.2m respectively), completed ahead of schedule to optimize the debt profile This combined operation delivered: An extended debt maturity profile, significantly reducing the volumes to be refinanced in 2027 and 2028 Secured long-term financing conditions, with a non-significant impact on financial costs over 2025-2027 Ample net liquidity headroom, with 3.1bn as of September 30, 2025 | Portfolio update T1 Tower framework agreement signed with Engie The tenant plans to relocate to its new headquarters in Spring 2026, and will have the option to activate an early departure (subject to payment of an early termination fee). Expected rental income until lease termination (June 2027) is secured through a series of milestones, enabling the transition within the tower to be closely monitored and the repositioning work to be anticipated 6 to 12 months in advance (reducing the void period) A repositioning program estimated at 140m is planned to transform the tower into a prime, multi-let asset, in a market where large, high-quality office spaces are expected to be scarce by 2027-2028 Marketing efforts are already underway, well ahead of the building's delivery, to proactively prepare for its progressive reletting from 2028 onward and ensure the tower contributes to the Group's future rental growth Active pipeline execution to deliver four major developments between late 2026 and late 2027 (Rocher-Vienne (Signature), Quarter, Les Arches du Carreau, Mirabeau) expected to generate 80-90m of annual rent, after delivery and leasing, to more than offset the departure of the current tenant from T1 Swift portfolio rotation in the first three quarters, including the disposal of mature residential assets (3-4% yields), notably the student housing portfolio (closed June 2025), and agile reinvestments in strategic acquisitions: Rocher-Vienne office asset (6.3% yield) and the "Hotel Particulier" (deal closed in July 2025), and office pipeline (5.8% yield, double-digit incremental yield) including the disposal of mature residential assets (3-4% yields), notably the student housing portfolio (closed June 2025), and agile reinvestments in strategic acquisitions: Rocher-Vienne office asset (6.3% yield) and the "Hotel Particulier" (deal closed in July 2025), and office pipeline (5.8% yield, double-digit incremental yield) Ongoing marketing of four repositioned office assets (Rocher-Vienne (Signature), Quarter, Les Arches du Carreau, and Mirabeau) in sound submarkets with limited availability for large, prime space and diverse tenant demand. Focus on delivering premium, differentiated products aligned with polarized office market trends | GRESB: Gecina first in its peer group again Gecina maintained its exceptional score of 95/100 (5-star rating) in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB 1 ), securing first place in its peer group and second among more than 100 listed European real estate companies and second among more than 100 listed European real estate companies Gecina's position confirmed as a European leader for future-proof real estate,highlighting the resilience of its business model, designed to meet the evolving challenges of risk management, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction and to operate a low-carbon, high-performance portfolio aligned with the expectations of tomorrow's tenants and investors | Guidance confirmed Full-year Recurrent Net Income (Group Share) expected between 6.65 and 6.70 per share for 2025 (+3.6% to +4.4% vs FY 2024 RNI per share) Appendices | Gross rental income: +3.7% like-for-like Gross rental income Sep 30, 2024 Sep 30, 2025 Change (%) In million euros Current basis Like-for-like Offices 422.9 451.5 +6.8% +3.7% Residential 95.6 87.7 -8.3% +3.5% Total gross rental income 518.5 539.2 +4.0% +3.7% +4.0% increase in rental income on a current basis vs Q3 2024, reaching 539m (+21m YoY) . This performance reflects contributions from like-for-like growth and the full-year impact of 2024 deliveries (+23.4m from Mondo, 35 Capucines, and Porte Sud), as well as initial rental flows from Icone (delivered in H1 2025) and the newly acquired, fully let building (+1.1m, "Hotel Particulier", part of the office complex acquired close to Saint-Lazare Station, together with Rocher-Vienne). These gains more than offset the strategic pipeline refueling (-9.5m from Mirabeau and Les Arches du Carreau) and the disposal of mature residential assets (-11.3m, including Sibuet, Bel Air, Py, the student housing portfolio in H1 2025, and marginally Saint-Gilles earlier in 2024) . This performance reflects contributions from like-for-like growth and the full-year impact of 2024 deliveries (+23.4m from Mondo, 35 Capucines, and Porte Sud), as well as initial rental flows from Icone (delivered in H1 2025) and the newly acquired, fully let building (+1.1m, "Hotel Particulier", part of the office complex acquired close to Saint-Lazare Station, together with Rocher-Vienne). These gains more than offset the strategic pipeline refueling (-9.5m from Mirabeau and Les Arches du Carreau) and the disposal of mature residential assets (-11.3m, including Sibuet, Bel Air, Py, the student housing portfolio in H1 2025, and marginally Saint-Gilles earlier in 2024) +3.7% like-for-like rental income growth (+17.0m) , driven by sustained rental uplift in central areas (+0.5%), alongside indexation (+2.9%) , driven by sustained rental uplift in central areas (+0.5%), alongside indexation (+2.9%) The ILAT's expected deceleration, with the latest index showing 0.5% (September 2025), that will apply for 12 months to leases renewing in the next quarter. This will progressively be reflected in 2026 rental income, with a lower impact from indexation expected next year than in 2025 | Offices: +3.7% like-for-like Gross rental income Offices Sep 30, 2024 Sep 30, 2025 Change (%) In million euros Current basis Like-for-like Offices 422.9 451.5 +6.8% +3.7% Central locations 257.2 283.3 +10.1% +6.5% Paris CBD 5-6-7 153.0 190.1 +24.2% +8.3% Paris other 90.9 80.0 -12.0% +2.8% Neuilly-sur-Seine 13.3 13.2 -1.0% +9.1% Core Western Crescent (Levallois, Southern Loop) 52.7 57.1 +8.5% +3.7% La Defense 57.7 59.7 +3.5% +3.5% Other locations (Peri-Defense, Inner Outer Rims Other regions) 55.3 51.3 -7.2% -9.6% Progressive moderation of the impact of indexation in all geographies alongside the publication of the recent ILAT indexes (4.5% in September 2024, 3.8% in December 2024, 2.7% in March 2025, 1.6% in June 2025) alongside the publication of the recent ILAT indexes (4.5% in September 2024, 3.8% in December 2024, 2.7% in March 2025, 1.6% in June 2025) Strong organic growth in the most central areas (78% of the office portfolio) : robust performance delivered in Paris/Neuilly, with a like-for-like rental increase of +6.5%, reflecting the full activation of our value creation drivers, notably (i) increased occupancy (including a new lease in Neuilly and multiple leases on previously vacant space in Parisian assets) and (ii) rental uplift driven by market polarization toward prime locations (including operated offices) : robust performance delivered in Paris/Neuilly, with a like-for-like rental increase of +6.5%, reflecting the full activation of our value creation drivers, notably (i) increased occupancy (including a new lease in Neuilly and multiple leases on previously vacant space in Parisian assets) and (ii) rental uplift driven by market polarization toward prime locations (including operated offices) Resilience of the rest of the portfolio Core Western Crescent (9% of the portfolio) and La Defense (6% of the portfolio): rental growth remains indexation-driven in the Core Western Crescent and La Defense. Other locations (6% of the portfolio): performance is being impacted by rental adjustments on relet assets and by lease maturities, which are gradually increasing vacancy. | Residential: +3.5% like-for-like Gross rental income Sep 30, 2024 Sep 30, 2025 Change (%) In million euros Current basis Like-for-like Residential 95.6 87.7 -8.3% +3.5% YouFirst Residence 76.7 75.8 -1.2% +3.5% YouFirst Campus 18.9 11.9 n.a. n.a. +3.5% like-for-like rental growth on residential assets , driven primarily by indexation (+1.9%) and sustained rental uplift on new leases (+2.1%, +1.4m), with an average uplift of +9.2%, reaching +14.1% on Parisian assets , driven primarily by indexation (+1.9%) and sustained rental uplift on new leases (+2.1%, +1.4m), with an average uplift of +9.2%, reaching +14.1% on Parisian assets The impact of average occupancy over nine months continues to slightly weigh on rent growth (-0.5%, -0.3m), reflecting the early 2025 strategic vacancy linked to the transformation of our residential offer to deliver efficient, collaborative and modern flats to young professionals, students, families and corporates. The signing of 1,300 leases since January demonstrates positive momentum on this portfolio, alongside a ramp-up in occupancy on recent deliveries | Occupancy (average, current): stable since H1-2025 Average fin. occup. rate (ytd) Sep 30, 2024 Dec 31, 2024 March 31, 2025 June 30, 2025 Sep 30, 2025 Offices 93.7% 93.4% 93.8% 94.2% 94.2% Residential 93.6% 93.2% 92.3% 93.1% 93.1% Group total 93.7% 93.4% 93.6% 94.0% 94.0% Offices: occupancy continues to reflect a strong polarization, reaching 96.6% in Paris/Neuilly (+300 basis points vs. Q3 2024), where our exposure is highest (78% of the portfolio) , while year-on-year occupancy shows a slightly downwards trend in the Core Western Crescent and other locations. Vacancy has increased in Boulogne-Billancourt, reflecting the natural lease maturity cycle and the time required for leasing efforts to convert. A portion of the vacant space has already been relet (Mondelez and Opco on Sources, Renault on Horizons); ongoing leasing efforts, to secure c. 9m of rental income in 2026 (+300 basis points vs. Q3 2024), , while year-on-year occupancy shows a slightly downwards trend in the Core Western Crescent and other locations. Vacancy has increased in Boulogne-Billancourt, reflecting the natural lease maturity cycle and the time required for leasing efforts to convert. A portion of the vacant space has already been relet (Mondelez and Opco on Sources, Renault on Horizons); ongoing leasing efforts, to secure c. 9m of rental income in 2026 Residential: average occupancy remains stable on a current basis, driven by two offsetting factors: (i) a positive trend from higher occupancy on a like-for-like basis, and (ii) the inclusion of recently delivered assets still in the leasing phase (Dareau, Ponthieu, and since mid-2025: Bordeaux Belvedere, Rueil Arsenal). Spot vacancy (like-for-like) has been rising quarter after quarter and is expected to progressively be reflected in average occupancy levels: 92.5% at end-September 2024, 93.2% at end-December 2024, 94.5% at end-March 2025, 94.6% at end-June 2025, and now 94.9% at end-September 2025 Financial agenda 02.10.2026: 2025 earnings, after market close - 04.22.2026: Annual General Meeting - 04.22.2026: Business at March 31, 2026, after market close - 07.22.2026: 2026 first-half earnings, after market close About Gecina Gecina is a leading operator, that fully integrates all real estate expertise, owning, managing, and developing a unique prime portfolio valued at 17.0bn as at June 30, 2025. Strategically located in the most central areas of Paris and the Paris Region, Gecina's portfolio includes 1.2 million sq.m of office space and nearly 5,300 residential units. By combining long-term value creation with operational excellence, Gecina offers high-quality, sustainable living and working environments tailored to the evolving needs of urban users. As a committed operator, Gecina enhances its assets with high-value services and dynamic property and asset management, fostering vibrant communities. Through its YouFirst brand, Gecina places user experience at the heart of its strategy. In line with its social responsibility commitments, the Fondation Gecina supports initiatives across four core pillars: disability inclusion, environmental protection, cultural heritage, and housing access. Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20 and CAC Large 60 indices. Gecina is also recognized as one of the top-performing companies in its industry by leading sustainability rankings (GRESB, Sustainalytics, MSCI, ISS-ESG, and CDP) and is committed to radically reducing its carbon emissions by 2030. www.gecina.fr 1 GRESB is the leading global benchmark for evaluating the ESG performance of real estate portfolios, used by institutional investors to assess companies on environmental, social, and governance criteria. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014480701/en/ Contacts: Gecina Financial communications Nicolas BROBAND Tel.: +33 (0)1 40 40 18 46 nicolasbroband@gecina.fr Antoine DUBOIS Tel.: +33 (0)1 40 40 63 13 antoinedubois@gecina.fr Press relations Glenn DOMINGUES Tel.: 33 (0)1 40 40 63 86 glenndomingues@gecina.fr Armelle MICLO Tel.: 33 (0)1 40 40 51 98 armellemiclo@gecina.fr The "AI Disinformation Security in Asia/China/India/Russia Zone 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This comprehensive 412-page intelligence report provides a detailed assessment of artificial intelligence-powered disinformation threats across the Asia/China/India/Russia zone through 2026. Drawing on analysis of 573 documented campaigns across the region, the report identifies critical vulnerabilities, emerging threat vectors, and strategic implications for regional security, governance systems, economic stability, and social cohesion. The assessment reveals a 400-600% projected increase in AI disinformation campaigns by 2026, with sophisticated operations targeting territorial disputes, governance model competition, economic relationships, alliance structures, and domestic stability. The report documents the emergence of state-sponsored AI disinformation infrastructure, Disinformation-as-a-Service (DaaS) providers, and increasingly autonomous synthetic content generation capabilities that fundamentally challenge information integrity across the region. Key findings include: Scale Sophistication: Documented AI disinformation campaigns have increased 350-500% since 2023, with projections of 400-600% growth by Q4 2026. State Actor Dominance: China, Russia, and India have emerged as primary architects of sophisticated AI disinformation infrastructure. Territorial Dispute Focus: 62% of documented campaigns center on territorial sovereignty disputes. Governance Model Competition: Competing narratives around democratic versus authoritarian governance models represent a primary battleground. Quantum-AI Convergence: The integration of quantum computing with AI systems by 2026 will enable unprecedented computational capacity. Financial Market Targeting: Markets across Asia have experienced unprecedented volatility due to synthetic information campaigns. Detection Horizon Breach: The technological capabilities gap between offensive and defensive measures is growing. The report includes detailed country case studies for China, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Vietnam, examining their unique vulnerability factors and strategic targeting patterns. This intelligence report draws on technical analysis of 112 distinct AI systems, documentation of 573 disinformation campaigns, interviews with 157 regional experts, comparative analysis of vulnerability factors, and predictive modeling of capability evolution and strategic implications through 2026. Countries analyzed in the report: Australia Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Laos Macau Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal New Zealand North Korea Pakistan Philippines Russia Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Vietnam Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1: Executive Overview Current landscape assessment DaaS market analysis Threat actor ecosystem mapping 2026-2030 projection framework Strategic implications for regional security Chapter 2: Critical Risk Alerts Campaign volume growth (400-600%) Territorial dispute amplification Financial market manipulation Alliance fracturing operations Critical infrastructure manipulation Chapter 3: Ecosystem Mapping Actor network analysis Capability flow patterns Infrastructure assessment Target prioritization patterns Ecosystem adaptation mechanisms Chapter 4: Technologies Generative AI systems with 95%+ facial recognition evasion LLM-powered propaganda in 27+ Asian languages Bot armies with 20,000+ coordinated accounts Quantum-AI convergence capabilities Real-time content generation systems Chapter 5: Evolution of Operations Evolution from human to AI-powered operations Hybrid human-machine operations Fully autonomous systems Attribution challenges Operational cost structures Chapter 6: Strategic Battlegrounds Geopolitical contestation zones Territorial sovereignty disputes Technological competition arenas Governance model competition Economic battlegrounds Appendix E: Country Case Studies China: "Three Warfares" doctrine with AI integration Russia: Opportunistic disruption strategy India: Defensive prioritization with democratic identity emphasis Japan: Advanced defensive posture South Korea: Peninsula dynamics and alliance management Taiwan: Primary information battleground Australia: Democratic resilience model Pakistan: Resource-constrained operations Indonesia: Emerging capability development Vietnam: Asymmetric response strategies Companies Featured OpenAI Anthropic Google DeepMind Meta AI Microsoft NVIDIA Stability AI Midjourney Huawei Baidu Tencent SenseTime Yandex Kaspersky Group-IB Darktrace CrowdStrike FireEye Recorded Future Graphika For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fqn299 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014531214/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 The eighth annual event will unite material converters, suppliers, and manufacturers. BIRMINGHAM, MI / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / The 2026 Converters Expo South, an annual event from The Packaging Group at BNP Media, will take place on February 26, 2026, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina, part of one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. After two years of hosting the event in Greenville, SC, The Packaging Group is excited to return to Charlotte, a thriving city that has hosted previous Converters Expo South events. The Converters Expo trade shows provide a unique focus on material converting not found at other industry events in the U.S. The Charlotte area is booming. Since 2019, the Southeast region has performed better than the overall U.S. economy. Recent reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics note that the Southeast has a strong job market thanks to population growth, which has attracted diverse business interests, including manufacturing. The Southeast U.S. has long been home to a thriving converting and packaging business corridor. Now in its eighth year, Converters Expo South is a one-day expo that unites converters of paper, film, plastics, nonwovens, and other materials with equipment suppliers, technical specialists, and other supporting businesses. Attracting material converters and manufacturers from across the Southeast and beyond, the event is expected to bring in over 100 exhibitors and more than 500 attendees. Businesses associated with the Converters Expo trade shows work in a diverse range of industries, including packaging for consumer packaged goods (CPGs), direct mail, energy, healthcare, aerospace, construction, and more. "Our Converters Expo events offer a unique opportunity for material converters to find solutions to ongoing challenges, improve throughput, add new converting capabilities, and otherwise find opportunities to grow their business," said Douglas J. Peckenpaugh, publisher, The Packaging Group, BNP Media. Converters Expo South is a regional extension of BNP Media's original Converters Expo event, which takes place each spring in Green Bay, WI. "The intimate Converters Expo South event helps material converters across a wide range of application areas find the solutions they need." Converters Expo South will feature various Vendor Education sessions outlining key technical processes and highlighting solutions to common material converting challenges. For the second year, the event will also feature a "State of Converting" presentation highlighting key developments across the industry, regulatory challenges, and what to watch for in the year ahead. The event offers opportunities to network with peers and potential business partners throughout the day. For complete details and to register, visit https://www.packagingstrategies.com/converters-expo-south. About The Packaging Group The Packaging Group from BNP Media consists of the Packaging Strategies and Flexible Packaging media brands, along with three in-person events, Converters Expo, Converters Expo South, and Global Pouch Forum. The Packaging Group identifies and analyzes the trends, solutions, and innovations for consumer packaged goods processors and converters responsible for food, beverage, personal care, beauty, household, and medical packaging, along with non-packaging materials conversion for medical devices, energy, aerospace, and construction, among other markets. Since 1983, The Packaging Group has delivered timely, objective news and analysis to the world's packaging and converting leaders. For more information about Converters Expo South, please contact: Ceci Guzzarde Event Manager, BNP Media 847-405-4018 guzzardec@bnpmedia.com SOURCE: Converters Expo South View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/paper-and-packaging/converters-expo-south-returns-to-the-charlotte-convention-center-1086621 On Thursday, October 16th, Shawn Windle, ERP Expert at ERP Advisors Group, and James McQuiggan, cybersecurity guru at KnowBe4, will confront the "dark side" of artificial intelligence and the risks it poses to businesses. LAKEWOOD, CO / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Shawn Windle, Founder and Managing Principal of ERP Advisors Group, and James McQuiggan, CISO Advisor at KnowBe4, will break down the ever-evolving threats posed by developing artificial intelligence technology, and how businesses can effectively protect themselves in the age of AI. In a world where cyber-criminals are looking for every possible way to infiltrate businesses through emerging technology, Shawn and James will utilize their experience to: Provide an overview of AI and common uses in 2025. Unveil how AI is being used to attack enterprises. Discuss what you can do to protect your business from attacks. Open registration is available at: https://www.erpadvisorsgroup.com/events Sign up here for the live broadcast: https://www.erpadvisorsgroup.com/emerging-threats-to-your-erp-confronting-the-dark-side-of-ai About ERP Advisors Group ERP Advisors Group is one of the world's most trusted enterprise software advisory firms, helping hundreds of organizations purchase and implement the right enterprise software solutions to meet their unique needs. ERP Advisors Group is technology independent, with a proven track record of successful ERP software selections that lead to successful go-lives. Meet the independent ERP Consultants of ERP Advisors Group. To register for the webinar, please visit https://www.erpadvisorsgroup.com/emerging-threats-to-your-erp-confronting-the-dark-side-of-ai SOURCE: ERP Advisors Group View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/erp-advisors-group-offers-a-free-live-event-examining-new-busine-1086851 Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - On October 17th, the documentary ARTFULLY UNITED will make its theatrical debut in Los Angeles, inviting audiences into the vibrant world of public art, activism, and healing. Directed by Dave Benner and produced by Chris Walters Productions, this full feature documentary follows renowned artist Mike Norice as he transforms neglected urban spaces into canvases of color, community, and hope. Christopher Walters To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8798/270284_16c943cde4de1a7d_001full.jpg At its core, Artfully United is more than just a film about painting murals. It is about reclaiming neighborhood identity, challenging despair, and bringing people together. Norice, a successful artist who had a store on Melrose Avenue, specializing in custom sneakers and apparel in Los Angeles for many years, works on the murals in underserved communities where he was born and raised. The murals become a catalyst: not just beautification, but a tool for psychological uplift, civic engagement, and social connection. The documentary digs into what shapes the artist-his family, his influences, his faith, and his losses-and shows how these experiences inform the artwork he creates. Artist and Community Activist Mike Norice To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8798/270284_apg2en.jpg The theater release is happening at select venues including the Laemmle Theater in Glendale. As the murals are unveiled, the film does not shy away from the grit: crime, poverty, and neglect are real parts of the story-but so are hope, collaboration, and transformation. Audiences will see how art, when rooted in community, can help heal and unite. Artfully United has been on the film festival circuit around the country including making its world premiere at the Greenpoint Film Festival in Brooklyn, New York, the Vacationland Film Festival in Biddeford, Maine, and the Fayetteville Film Festival in Arkansas. The film also had a market screening at the Marche de Film during the Cannes International Film Festival in France in May of this year. For those interested in art, social justice, or stories of resilience and transformation, Artfully United promises a moving, visually rich experience. Interested parties are encouraged to mark their calendars for October 17, purchase their tickets early, and prepare to see the walls-and people-of Los Angeles in a new light. Christopher Walters To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8798/270284_apg3en.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270284 SOURCE: APG DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest technology fair, "Gitex Global," has chosen Belgrade as the host of its first fair in Southeastern Europe. The event, titled "Gitex AI Serbia", will take place in 2027 during the specialized exhibition "Expo 2027." This decision was announced yesterday at the opening of the 45th Gitex Global fair in Dubai, confirming Serbia's position as a growing hub of innovation and new technologies in this part of Europe. At this year's Gitex Global, Serbia is also the partner country. The organization of "Gitex AI Serbia" marks a historic moment for Serbia and the region, and showcasing the region's technological potential on the global stage. Following the decision to hold "Gitex AI Serbia" in Belgrade, Gitex Global CEO, Trixie LohMirmand stated: "Launching GITEX Serbia 2027 marks a new chapter in our global journey to expand the GITEX experience to emerging innovation hubs. Serbia stands out as a dynamic bridge between East and West, and we are excited to bring the world's leading to Belgrade." Marko Cadez, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, which played a key role in securing the organization of this fair, stated: "Over the past decade, Serbia has reformed its education system to meet the demands of the technological revolution. We introduced programming from the fifth grade of primary school, tripled the number of IT professionals, and developed IT service exports to as much as 5 billion dollars annually! Now we need a platform to loudly show what we can do. We found the perfect partner, and today we are thrilled to be welcomed into the special Gitex family. None of this would have been possible without people, extraordinary people, Trixie and her team. We are determined to make the most of this opportunity, and I invite everyone to Belgrade in 2027." Danilo Jerinic, director of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, stated: "The arrival of Gitex Global within the framework of Expo 2027 Belgrade represents a turning point not only for our technological scene but for the entire regional economy. It is a signal that Serbia is becoming part of the most important currents of global digital transformation. Gitex AI Serbia, as part of Expo 2027, will be more than a technological event: it will be a platform that connects investors, startups, universities, and industry." www.gitexserbia.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2794663/Gitex_AI_Serbia.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2794664/GITEX_Serbia_1.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2794662/GITEX_Serbia_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-worlds-largest-technology-fair-gitex-global-is-coming-to-southeastern-europe-hosted-by-belgrade-302583776.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Ynvisible Interactive Inc. (TSXV: YNV) (FSE: 1XNA) (OTCQB: YNVYF) (the "Company" or "Ynvisible"), a leading provider of printed low-power e-paper display products, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded European Union funding under the Portugal 2030 program to advance the Company's international marketing, investor outreach, and trade show expansion strategy. The total investment exceeds 700,000, with 40% co-financed by the EU under the Lisboa 2030 regional component. The investment period spans from January 2025 to June 2027. This funding directly supports Ynvisible's objective of scaling its global commercial footprint and strengthening its brand presence in key growth markets. Through this initiative, Ynvisible will: Expand its trade show participation beyond Europe, to include major events in Asia (China) and North America (United States), positioning the Company in front of high-value OEM and integration partners. Increase international investor and customer visibility through enhanced digital marketing, social media, and search-based campaigns. Accelerate product certification and compliance programs to meet global standards, opening new commercial pathways and partner opportunities. "This award serves as a significant validation of our global growth strategy," said Ramin Heydarpour, CEO of Ynvisible. "It will allow us to increase our visibility among customers and investors worldwide, expand into new markets, and reinforce our leadership in sustainable, ultra-low power display technologies." This initiative aligns with Ynvisible's broader commitment to Industry 4.0 principles and sustainable innovation, advancing the Company's integration into global value chains, while supporting revenue growth through international partnerships. Ynvisible's participation in Embedded World North America (November 4-6, 2025, Anaheim, CA) and CES 2026 (January 6-9, 2026, Las Vegas, NV) will be supported by this funding. Both events will feature new product demonstrations and customer-driven use cases, designed to strengthen industry and investor engagement across Ynvisible's expanding ecosystem. Upcoming Webinar Ynvisible will host a webinar, Conversation with the Leadership: The Origins and Future of Ynvisible, on October 15, 2025. This interactive session will explore: The origins of Ynvisible - How Director and Executive VP Ines Henriques was involved in founding the Company and her vision for sustainable electronics. - How Director and Executive VP Ines Henriques was involved in founding the Company and her vision for sustainable electronics. Leadership today - How CEO and Executive Chairman Ramin Heydarpour is guiding Ynvisible's transformation into a commercial leader in printed e-paper displays. - How CEO and Executive Chairman Ramin Heydarpour is guiding Ynvisible's transformation into a commercial leader in printed e-paper displays. The road ahead - Key milestones, growth opportunities, and the strategy driving Ynvisible through 2026. Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_17Ey8UHHSX2IxabSky9eHw About Ynvisible Ynvisible is disrupting the low-cost and ultra-low power display industry thanks to the latest advantages in sustainable electronics and roll-to-roll printing production. Ynvisible's printed e-paper displays are ideal for low-power and cost-sensitive applications, such as digital signage, smart monitoring labels for supply chain and logistics, visual indicators for medical and diagnostics, or retail labels and signage. Ynvisible has experience, know-how, and intellectual property in electrochromic materials, inks, and systems, and offers a mix of services, technology and products to brand owners developing smart objects and IoT products. Additional information on Ynvisible is available at www.ynvisible.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ramin Heydarpour CEO and Executive Chairman Ynvisible Interactive Inc. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Ynvisible Interactive Inc. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Ynvisible Interactive Inc. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Ynvisible Interactive Inc. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270393 SOURCE: Ynvisible Interactive Inc. NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Three months after laying off roughly 400 employees, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) is getting ready for another round of layoffs, according to Reuters. As part of a larger restructuring effort, the bank announced in January that it would cut operating expenses by $1.3 billion over the next three years. Although executives expect deeper staff reductions next year, the upcoming job cuts are anticipated to be comparable in scope to the reductions made in September. As part of its continuous cost-optimization strategy, Goldman has also been moving positions to less expensive cities like Bengaluru, India, Dallas, and Salt Lake City. GS is currently trading at $774.06, down $12.72 or 1.62 percent on the New york Stock Exchange. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Riverflow 1 sets a new benchmark for design-grade image editing, delivering production-level precision that surpasses all other models. MANCHESTER, UK / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Sourceful today announced Riverflow 1, a new AI model built for image editing with design-grade precision. In benchmark testing conducted by Artificial Analysis, Riverflow achieved state-of-the-art performance, ranking number one globally for image editing and outperforming leading models across a wide range of tasks. Riverflow was designed to give creators, designers, and developers greater control over visual edits. It supports complex retouching, object replacement, colour correction, lighting adjustment, transparency controls, and text refinement with a level of reliability that general-purpose image generators cannot match. Built to meet the exacting needs of professional design work, Riverflow delivers accuracy that holds up under close scrutiny and translates faithfully into real-world output. The model is now available to developers and visual platforms worldwide through Runware's API, with additional integrations planned later this year. Within Sourceful's own platform, Riverflow powers a specialised application focused on branded packaging and marketing assets. The model grew from Sourceful's mission to push the limits of image editing for designs destined for physical print, where millimetre accuracy and consistent colour are essential. In 2025, an estimated 8.8 trillion pieces of branded packaging, marketing, and merchandise will be printed worldwide across nearly 390 million unique designs. Riverflow enables Sourceful users to iterate and visualise these designs faster while maintaining production-ready standards. Sourceful's user base is evenly split between professional designers and non-designers. Both groups use the platform to explore ideas, refine brand worlds, and produce marketing visuals that once required agency budgets and long timelines. Riverflow gives them access to professional-grade accuracy directly in the browser. "We have been working with generative AI since 2023, but this is the first time we have benchmarked our own models against the global leaders," said Wing Chan, CEO and co-founder of Sourceful. "Riverflow delivers something new: the speed and creativity of AI combined with the precision required for production-quality design." "Working with Sourceful has fully tested our infrastructure and demonstrated the potential of Riverflow," said Ioana Hreninciuc, co-founder of Runware. "Their focus on latency and pixel-level control made it a perfect showcase for our Sonic Inference Engine, custom built for AI workloads to deliver the best speed and cost efficiency in the industry. We are proud to be their launch partner and look forward to future collaborations." Riverflow marks a key milestone in Sourceful's mission to bring state-of-the-art AI precision to the physical and digital worlds of brand design, while also contributing a high-performance, benchmark-leading model to the broader developer community. Riverflow 1 is available today inside the Sourceful web platform at www.sourceful.com and via the Runware API. Sourceful plans to expand Riverflow with additional model variants and updates later this year. RIVERFLOW IMAGE EDITING EXAMPLES NOTES TO EDITORS Sourceful is a technology company headquartered in Manchester, England. Its platform helps brands design and produce shelf-ready packaging and visual assets across sectors including food and beverage, beauty, electronics, fashion, and home. Sourceful's agentic platform guides users from ideation to print-ready artwork files that can be sent directly to suppliers. The company is backed by Index Ventures, Coatue Management, and Eka Ventures. Riverflow 1 is a new family of models from Sourceful available to developers via API. These models deliver higher accuracy and greater consistency for complex image editing tasks. Runware delivers AI-as-a-Service at up to 90% lower cost and with higher speed than competitors. Built for scale, the service has powered more than 4 billion creations for 100K+ developers and 250M+ end users worldwide, including clients such as Higgsfield, NightCafe, and OpenArt. Founded in 2023 and headquartered in San Francisco, Runware is backed by Insight Partners and a16z Speedrun. Learn more at runware.ai. Email - press@sourceful.com SOURCE: Sourceful Ltd View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/sourcefuls-riverflow-achieves-state-of-the-art-performance-toppin-1086675 Stewart, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Decade Resources Ltd. (TSXV: DEC) ("Decade" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the first certified assay results from surface sampling on the North Mitchell Property, located in the Golden Triangle region of northwestern British Columbia. The Property is contiguous to Seabridge Gold's KSM and Snowfield deposits and Newmont's Brucejack Mine, placing it at the epicenter of one of the world's largest concentrations of gold and copper resources. Highlights of Initial Assays From Random Grab Samples on In-situ Quartz Stockwork on the Property. 45.0 g/t Au and 60.4 g/t Ag. 11.6 g/t Au and 53.92 g/t Ag. 1.05 g/t Au and 4.23 g/t Ag. Note: The samples above were random in nature but do not necessarily represent the metal content in the located source. The Company feels that the high metal content is highly encouraging and further investigation is warranted. Nearby Major Deposits (NI 43-101 Compliant Resources) "The QP has been unable to verify the following information, and that the information is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the property that is the subject of the disclosure. It is being used for reference purposes." Deposit Category Tonnes (Mt) Grade Contained Metal Mitchell (Seabridge - KSM) M&I 2,359 0.54 g/t Au, 0.15% Cu 41.1 Moz Au, 7.99 Blb Cu Inferred 1,283 0.29 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu 11.8 Moz Au, 3.83 Blb Cu Iron Cap (Seabridge - KSM) M&I 471 0.38 g/t Au, 0.21% Cu 5.8 Moz Au, 2.21 Blb Cu Inferred 2,309 0.41 g/t Au, 0.27% Cu 30.3 Moz Au, 13.8 Blb Cu Kerr (Seabridge - KSM) M&I 384 0.22 g/t Au, 0.41% Cu 2.7 Moz Au, 3.46 Blb Cu Inferred 2,589 0.27 g/t Au, 0.35% Cu 22.8 Moz Au, 19.9 Blb Cu Sulphurets (Seabridge - KSM) M&I 446 0.55 g/t Au, 0.21% Cu 7.9 Moz Au, 2.06 Blb Cu Inferred 223 0.44 g/t Au, 0.13% Cu 3.2 Moz Au, 0.64 Blb Cu East Mitchell / Snowfield (Seabridge) M&I 1,759 0.55 g/t Au, 0.10% Cu 31.2 Moz Au, 3.90 Blb Cu Inferred 281 0.37 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu 3.4 Moz Au, 0.40 Blb Cu Treaty Creek (Tudor Gold, 2024) M&I 730.20 1.19 g/t AuEq 27.87 Moz AuEq (21.66 Moz Au + 128.73 Moz Ag + 2.87 Blb Cu) Inferred 149.61 1.25 g/t AuEq 6.03 Moz AuEq (4.88 Moz Au + 28.97 Moz Ag + 503.23 Mlb Cu) Brucejack (Newmont) M&I 22.3 7.7 g/t Au, 9.5 g/t Ag 5.7 Moz Au, 6.9 Moz Ag Inferred 5.0 6.7 g/t Au, 10.0 g/t Ag 1.1 Moz Au, 1.6 Moz Ag Brucejack is recognized as one of the highest-grade producing gold mines globally, with historical production already exceeding 1.5 Moz Au since startup, demonstrating a much larger gold endowment than is captured in compliant reserves and resources. Management Commentary Ed Kruchkowski, President of Decade Resources, stated: "We are thrilled with the initial high-grade assay results, including gold assays, from the North Mitchell Property. The combination of quartz stockwork with visible sulfides and the presence of chalcocite-bornite float samples containing copper underscores the potential for both Treaty Creek/Iron Cap porphyry Cu-Au and high-grade Brucejack-style epithermal gold systems. The proximity to world-class deposits such as KSM, Snowfield, Treaty Creek, and Brucejack highlights the strategic importance of this property." Figure 1. Location of the North Mitchell Property in relation to nearby world-class deposits including KSM, Iron Cap, Snowfield, Sulphurets, Treaty Creek, and Brucejack. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3615/270397_b7ef7e77c4bd8863_001full.jpg Table 1: Results for Rush Assays Assay Number Location Type Gold g/t Silver g/t Zinc % NM267 427168E 6267078N Outcrop Grab 11.6 53.92 0.48 NM267A 427168E 6267080N Outcrop Grab 45.0 60.4 2.1 NMT 427160E 6267075N Outcrop Grab 1.05 4.23 0.038 The samples were collected several meters apart on BC mining claim 1114641 within an exposure of white quartz veins carrying sparse galena in a matrix of silicified grey rock. The matrix carries very fine grained pyrite with strong sericite alteration. Sampling was random and assaying was rushed to aid in ongoing exploration. Next Steps Complete detailed mapping and sampling program over key structural zones. Expand surface sampling grid and prioritize drill target definition. Anticipate maiden drill program commencing in the 2026 season, subject to permitting and financing. Cautionary Statement Sampling results reported herein are selective in nature and may not represent the true grade or extent of mineralization on the Property. Comparisons to adjacent deposits are provided for geological context only and may not indicate that similar mineralization occurs on the North Mitchell Property. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. All samples were prepared at MSA Labs' preparation laboratory in Terrace, B.C., and assayed at MSA Labs' geochemical laboratory in Langley, B.C. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic absorption (AA) spectrometry finish. Samples over 25 parts per million gold were fire assayed with gravimetric finish. All samples were analyzed by four-acid digestion with multielement ICP-MS, with silver and base metal overlimits being reanalyzed by emission spectrometry. MSA Labs' quality system complies with the requirements for the international standards ISO 17025 and ISO 9001. MSA Labs is independent of the company. Qualified Person Ed Kruchkowski, P.Geo., President of Decade Resources Ltd., is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. "Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." "This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements." References Seabridge Gold Inc. KSM Project reserves and resources (Sept 2025 Investor Presentation): https://ucarecdn.com/6278768d-92be-4086-86db-647c1a60ccb1/202509SeabridgeInvestorPresentationFINALupdatedsep23.pdf Canadian Mining Journal - Seabridge Kerr/Iron Cap update (Sept 2025): https://www.canadianminingjournal.com/news/seabridge-updates-kerr-iron-cap-inferred-resources-with-another-5-9-million-oz-gold-and-3-3-lb-copper/ Seabridge Gold - Fact Sheet Sept 2025: https://ucarecdn.com/bf3bae04-d6aa-4bae-8838-92c4789ddfb1/202509SeabridgeFactSheet.pdf Seabridge Gold - Snowfield acquisition news (2020): https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/933-tsx/sea/89778-seabridge-completes-acquisition-of-snowfield-property-from-pretivm.html Tudor Gold Corp. Treaty Creek Project resources (2024): https://tudor-gold.com/projects/treaty-creek/ Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270397 SOURCE: Decade Resources Ltd. PUNE, India, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GCC Medical Tourism Market Overview The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) medical tourism sector is witnessing remarkable growth, positioning the region as a global hub for advanced healthcare services. The GCC Countries Medical Tourism Market is projected to expand from USD 367.41 million in 2024 to USD 889.97 million by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 10.26% during 2024-2032. Market Landscape The GCC medical tourism market is undergoing a significant transformation driven by heavy investments in healthcare infrastructure and alignment with national Vision 2030 initiatives. Member countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman - are focusing on specialized treatments, shorter waiting times, and internationally accredited facilities managed by highly skilled professionals. The surge in international patient inflow underscores growing trust in the region's medical capabilities. Governments across the GCC are prioritizing medical tourism as a key pillar of economic diversification and global competitiveness. Corporate expansion and strategic collaborations have defined the 2024-2025 landscape. American Hospital Dubai opened a medical tourism office in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2024, with its broader business strategy including potential plans for up to 30 centers across Africa and Eastern Europe to attract global patients. In October 2025, M42, an Abu Dhabi-based healthcare group, partnered with the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) and Mastercard to enhance cross-border patient access via the "Better by MTA" platform, featuring premier institutions such as Healthpoint and the Imperial College London Diabetes & Endocrine Centre. Separately, Thumbay Medical Tourism joined hands with Ethiopian Airlines in 2017 to offer streamlined travel and treatment for international patients, with the group serving people from over 175 nationalities The GCC healthcare sector has recorded robust investment activity, primarily concentrated in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Together, these two nations accounted for around 92% of nearly 400 healthcare transactions in the region between 2021 and April 2025. The UAE led with 198 deals, followed closely by 170 in Saudi Arabia, reflecting their shared commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure under national transformation agendas and strengthening their positions as premier global healthcare destinations Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gcc-countries-medical-tourism-market Key Growth Determinants Advanced Healthcare Infrastructure and Specialized Treatment Centers The GCC has emerged as a leading medical tourism hub through extensive investments in advanced healthcare infrastructure and globally accredited facilities. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have developed world-class hospitals offering specialized services in fertility treatment, cardiac care, oncology, orthopedics, and cosmetic surgery, supported by internationally trained professionals. Burjeel Holdings exemplified this growth, reporting 10.5% revenue growth in 2024, reaching AED 5 billion, and treating over 6.5 million patients. The combination of world-class medical expertise, modern infrastructure, and shorter waiting times compared to Western nations continues to attract a growing base of international patients. Strategic Government Initiatives and Policy Support GCC governments are actively fostering medical tourism through policy frameworks and strategic initiatives that enhance global accessibility. The UAE, led by Dubai, has launched dedicated medical tourism portals that integrate treatment, travel, and accommodation options while simplifying visa procedures for medical visitors. Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding with Morocco in August 2024 to advance collaboration in digital health, therapeutic innovation, and pandemic preparedness. Another agreement with Thailand in January 2024 supported joint research in hospital management and wellness services. Such strategic alliances and promotional campaigns targeting Europe, Asia, and Africa strengthen the GCC's global reputation as a trusted healthcare destination. Digital Health Technology Integration and Innovation Digital transformation is reshaping the GCC's medical tourism ecosystem through the adoption of telemedicine, electronic health records, and AI-powered diagnostics. In 2024, Dubai Health introduced AI and VR technology at the Thalassemia Center, offering a 20-minute immersive experience to improve patient comfort in partnership with Dubai Digital. Telehealth platforms now allow global patients to consult specialists before travel, improving preparation and decision-making. Further advancing collaboration, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre signed an MoU with Cleveland Clinic in May 2025 to cooperate on autism and neuroscience research. These advancements reinforce the region's commitment to patient-centered innovation and international healthcare excellence Key Growth Barriers Lack of International Medical Insurance Coverage A major challenge limiting the GCC's medical tourism expansion is the restricted acceptance of international medical insurance across hospitals and clinics. Many facilities in the region do not recognize global insurance cards, forcing international patients to pay significant out-of-pocket costs. This lack of financial inclusivity discourages medical tourists who face uncertainty regarding reimbursement for procedures or complications. The absence of a unified cross-border insurance framework remains a key obstacle. Stronger coordination between insurers, healthcare providers, and regulators is needed to build mutually recognized international coverage systems that enhance patient confidence and accessibility. High Costs of Medical Tourism Services Although the GCC offers advanced healthcare and premium facilities, its pricing remains higher than that of leading Asian medical tourism destinations. International patients often compare costs with countries such as Thailand, India, and Malaysia, which provide comparable treatment quality at lower prices. This price gap makes GCC destinations less attractive to cost-conscious patients. The challenge is particularly visible in Saudi Arabia, where medical tourism growth trails behind more established markets like Thailand and the UAE. To compete globally, GCC nations must explore pricing reforms, bundled treatment packages, and value-driven care models. Limited Marketing Activities and Collaboration Gaps The GCC's medical tourism growth is also hindered by fragmented marketing strategies and weak collaboration across healthcare and tourism stakeholders. Successful medical tourism ecosystems rely on integrated networks linking hospitals, travel agencies, and hospitality providers. However, many GCC countries lack cohesive marketing campaigns and cross-sector coordination, which affects visibility and service continuity for international patients. Building stronger partnerships between healthcare providers and tourism boards, along with targeted global marketing efforts, can help create seamless patient experiences. Such measures are vital for improving competitiveness against destinations with mature, well-coordinated medical tourism infrastructures. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today -https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gcc-countries-medical-tourism-market Rise of Wellness and Preventive Healthcare Tourism The GCC medical tourism industry is expanding beyond curative care toward wellness and preventive health solutions. High-end wellness resorts, clinics, and spas are being integrated into national development initiatives to support holistic health management. This trend merges advanced medical treatments with luxury wellness experiences, appealing to global visitors seeking preventive care, rehabilitation, and stress management. The strategy positions GCC nations as unique destinations combining medical excellence with lifestyle enhancement, setting them apart from traditional medical tourism markets. Public-Private Partnerships and Healthcare Privatization Governments across the GCC are promoting healthcare privatization through public-private partnerships to strengthen infrastructure and service capacity. Saudi Arabia's decision to allow 100% foreign ownership of hospitals, telemedicine centers, and polyclinics has opened the door for global investment. These reforms attract international expertise and foster technology transfer while enhancing healthcare quality. Collaborations between state entities and private operators are driving expansion in specialized care facilities, ensuring sustainable sector growth and boosting the GCC's standing in global medical tourism. Medical Tourism Offices and International Patient Services Expansion GCC healthcare providers are increasingly launching international medical tourism offices to simplify patient access and enhance cross-border coordination. American Hospital Dubai aims to open 30 representative offices across Africa and Eastern Europe, offering visa support, appointments, travel assistance, and pre-travel teleconsultations. Similarly, Burjeel Holdings invested AED 20 million in November 2024 to expand its UAE clinic network with nine new facilities. These initiatives reflect the growing emphasis on seamless end-to-end patient experiences, from initial inquiry to post-treatment follow-up, which are crucial for building global trust and patient loyalty. Key Opportunities Expansion into Emerging African and Asian Markets The GCC is well-positioned to capture rising medical tourism demand from Africa and Asia, where healthcare infrastructure remains underdeveloped. In April 2025, Healthtrip partnered with Satguru Travel Group to connect African patients to top-tier medical centers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, and Germany. Strong air connectivity through Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines further enhances accessibility. American Hospital Dubai's expansion into Nigeria highlights a proactive strategy to reach these markets and tap into the growing outbound medical travel segment. Specialized Treatment Centers and Centers of Excellence Developing internationally accredited specialty centers offers GCC nations a strong competitive edge. Burjeel Medical City achieved an 18.4% revenue increase in 2024, performing over 15,000 oncology procedures and 8,500 radiation sessions, demonstrating the value of specialized expertise. The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi accredited Burjeel Holdings' facilities in May 2024 for orthopedic excellence, boosting their international reputation. Expanding such centers across oncology, fertility, cardiac surgery, and orthopedics will strengthen the GCC's global appeal for high-value medical travelers. Telemedicine and Virtual Consultation Services Telemedicine is emerging as a game-changer for medical tourism in the GCC, offering remote consultations, pre-travel assessments, and post-treatment continuity. International patients can consult GCC specialists virtually, improving planning and confidence before travel. The Saudi Arabia-Morocco MoU signed in August 2024 underscores telemedicine's growing importance in international cooperation. Virtual consultations enhance long-term patient satisfaction by maintaining post-treatment follow-up, reinforcing the GCC's reputation for quality care and innovation-driven medical tourism. Segmentation By Treatment Type Dental Treatment Cosmetic Treatment Cardiovascular Treatment Orthopedic Treatment: Others By Services Wellness Services Therapeutic Services By Tour Types Independent Traveler Tour Group Package Traveler By Consumer Orientation Men Women Children By Age Group 15-25 Years 26-35 years 36-45 Years 46-55 Years Based on Region: North America United States Canada Europe United Kingdom Germany France Asia-Pacific China India Japan Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East & Africa South Africa United Arab Emirates Regional Analysis The GCC medical tourism market exhibits distinct regional characteristics, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia emerging as dominant players driving sector growth and innovation. The UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has established itself as a mature medical tourism hub, leveraging world-class infrastructure, international accreditation, and strategic marketing initiatives such as the Dubai Health Experience brand to attract global patients. Saudi Arabia is rapidly accelerating its medical tourism capabilities as part of Vision 2030, with substantial investments in healthcare infrastructure and improvements in tourism facilities targeting 150 million arrivals by 2030. The Northern and Central regions of Saudi Arabia, particularly Riyadh, dominate the country's medical tourism market due to concentrations of leading internationally accredited healthcare facilities, specialized medical services including complex surgeries and organ transplants, and government-backed development of medical cities. Qatar is positioning itself as a specialized medical tourism destination, with Doha home to world-class healthcare institutions focusing on advanced medical technologies including artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and robotic surgery. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman are developing their medical tourism sectors through targeted investments in specialized treatment centers and regulatory reforms designed to attract international patients and healthcare investors. The regional collaboration framework is strengthening through bilateral agreements, exemplified by Saudi Arabia's MoUs with Morocco and Thailand in 2024, facilitating knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and capacity building across healthcare systems. Credence Research's Competitive Landscape Analysis Credence Research provides comprehensive competitive landscape analysis of the GCC medical tourism market, identifying key players, strategic initiatives, and competitive positioning across the sector. The analysis encompasses major healthcare providers including Kings College Hospital London, Rashid Hospital, Saudi German Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, American Hospital Dubai, Doha Clinic, Burjeel Hospital, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Dubai Health Authority, Mayo Clinic, Mediclinic International, Al Zahra Hospital, and NMC Healthcare. Credence Research's methodology evaluates competitive strategies including international partnerships, specialized service offerings, technology adoption, patient experience initiatives, and market expansion approaches that differentiate leading healthcare providers in the region. The competitive landscape assessment examines merger and acquisition activities, strategic alliances with international medical institutions, investment in advanced medical technologies, and development of specialized centers of excellence that shape market dynamics and influence patient destination choices. This comprehensive analysis enables stakeholders to understand competitive positioning, identify strategic opportunities, and make informed decisions regarding investments, partnerships, and market entry strategies in the rapidly evolving GCC medical tourism sector. Tailor the report to align with your specific business needs and gain targeted insights. Request Here - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gcc-countries-medical-tourism-market Key Player Analysis Fortis Healthcare Health capital (Wellness Zone WLL) Thumbay Medical Tourism Fakhri Travel & Tourism Centre American Hospital Dubai VAID Health Care Services (VHS) On-time Healthcare Shifa International Hospitals Zulekha Healthcare Exeter Bone & Joint Lyfboat Technologies Pvt. Ltd Medsurge India Al AfiyaMedi Tour Farhan Travel & Tourism AL Hakkim Medical Services Arabian Gulf Medical Tourism Agency Recent Industry Developments June 2025, At the BIO International Convention, Saudi Arabia signed several memoranda of understanding between its leading health institutions and international biotechnology organizations. This includes a partnership between King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and US-based Germfree to localize the manufacturing of cleanrooms and laboratories. May 2025, The Organisation of Trade Union Organizations of West Africa (OTUWA) launched a campaign to encourage political leaders to use local hospitals instead of seeking treatment abroad, a move that could indirectly boost regional medical tourism within Africa and the GCC. April 2025, Healthtrip, a healthcare travel company, collaborated with Satguru Travel Group to provide patients from Africa with access to healthcare services in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, among other countries. In 2024, the Dubai Health Authority and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism signed an MoU to boost medical tourism and attract healthcare investments. The agreement aims to promote Dubai's advanced medical services, enhance global competitiveness, and support business growth in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). Reasons to Purchase this Report: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the market through qualitative and quantitative analyses, considering both economic and non-economic factors, with segmentation and sub-segmentation details provided in terms of market value (USD Billion). Identify regions and segments expected to experience the fastest growth or dominate the market, with a detailed analysis of geographic consumption patterns and the factors driving or hindering market performance in each region. Stay informed about the competitive environment, with rankings of major players, recent product and service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions from the past five years. Access detailed profiles of major market players, including company overviews, insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis, to understand competitive advantages and market positioning. Explore the present and forecasted market landscape, with insights into growth opportunities, market drivers, challenges, and constraints for both developed and emerging regions. Benefit from Porter's Five Forces analysis and Value Chain insights to evaluate various market perspectives and competitive dynamics. Understand the evolving market scenario, including potential growth opportunities and trends expected in the coming years. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gcc-countries-medical-tourism-market Discover additional reports tailored to your industry needs Thailand Medical Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/thailand-medical-tourism-market Mexico Medical Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/mexico-medical-tourism-market India Medical Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/india-medical-tourism-market Medical Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/medical-tourism-market UAE Medical Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/uae-medical-tourism-market Singapore Medical Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/singapore-medical-tourism-market Malaysia Medical Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/malaysia-medical-tourism-market Outbound Medical Tourism Services Market -https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/outbound-medical-tourism-services-market Follow Us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/credenceresearch/ https://x.com/CredenceResearc https://www.facebook.com/CredenceResearch About Us: Credence Research is a viable intelligence and market research platform that provides quantitative B2B research to more than 2000 clients worldwide and is built on the Give principle. 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Contact Us Credence Research Europe LTD 128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, UNITED KINGDOM Europe - +44 7809 866 263 North America - +1 304 308 1216 Australia - +61 4192 46279 Asia Pacific - +81 5050 50 9250 +64 22 017 0275 India - +91 6232 49 3207 sales@credenceresearch.com www.credenceresearch.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562161/5562330/Credence_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gcc-medical-tourism-market-to-reach-usd-889-97-million-by-2032--growing-at-an-10-26-cagr--credence-research-302583869.html Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Axcap Ventures Inc. (CSE:AXCP) ("Axcap" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a proposed a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"), to raise aggregate gross proceeds of $8,160,000. Pursuant to the Offering, the Company intends to issue an aggregate of 48,000,000 Common Shares to a strategic investor (representing a 9.9% investment in the Company upon completion of the Offering), at an issue price of $0.17 per share. The Offering is expected to close on or about October 21, 2025. "This financing will be completed at a significant premium to the price at which we completed our September 2025 financing, reflecting continuing investor confidence in our business. With the addition of a new cornerstone investor, we will further strengthen our shareholder base, which will position us to unlock the significant potential of our flagship Converse Gold Project in Nevada, USA. We are very encouraged by this early momentum and the strong support for our vision," said John Dorward, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The proceeds of the Offering will be used primarily for general corporate purposes, including the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Converse Gold Project, as approved by management of the Company from time to time. A cash finder's fee will be paid by the Company in connection with the Offering. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period four months and a day from the date of issuance About Axcap Venture Inc. Axcap is focused on developing its flagship, Converse Gold Project, a large, underdeveloped gold deposit not owned by a major mining company in Nevada, USA. The Converse Gold Project is located within the prolific Battle Mountain trend containing 5.57Moz Au of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and 0.42Moz Au Inferred Mineral Resources (238mt at 0.539g/t Au for 4.13Moz Measured Mineral Resources; 92mt at 0.487g/t Au for 1.44Moz Indicated, 25mt at 0.528g/t Au for 0.42Moz Inferred Mineral Resources). With decades of expertise in Nevada and globally, our Board and management are focused on unlocking the potential of this project. For further details please refer to our technical report entitled "Amended and Restated NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Update, Converse Property, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA" dated effective February 13, 2025 which is available on our website at www.axcapventures.ca and on our SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Qualified Person Mr. Blake Mclaughlin, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, Executive Vice President of Development, is considered a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release on behalf of Axcap. Mr. Mclaughlin has verified the data through site visits, inspection of drill core, review of original assay certificates, and confirmation of QA/QC protocols. No limitations were encountered during the verification process, and the data is considered reliable for the purposes of this disclosure For further information please contact: John Dorward Axcap Ventures Inc. info@axcapventures.ca Tel: 778-846-9970 Cautionary Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the anticipated closing date and the use of gross proceeds from the Offering and mineral resource estimate at the Company's Converse project. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning general economic and industry conditions, applicable laws and regulations, commodity prices, the use of proceeds, and the future business and operational needs of the Company. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, dependency upon regulatory approvals, the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing and exploration risk. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the respective management of Axcap and Taura at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, Axcap does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. 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. SOURCE: AXCAP VENTURES INC. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/axcap-announces-fully-subscribed-c8.2-million-financing-with-a-strat-1086912 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Rockpoint Legal Funding, one of the nation's leading consumer legal funding companies, proudly celebrates Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of AB 931, the California Consumer Legal Funding Act. Rockpoint Legal Funding Rockpoint Legal Funding Logo This landmark legislation, authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and championed by the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), establishes long-awaited statewide standards for consumer legal funding - ensuring transparency, fairness, and strong consumer protections while preserving vital access to financial relief for Californians pursuing justice. Rockpoint extends its deepest gratitude to the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) for their advocacy and leadership in advancing this critical legislation, as well as to Assemblymember Kalra for his vision and Governor Newsom for signing AB 931 into law. "CAOC's unwavering commitment to protecting consumers and promoting fairness in the justice system was instrumental in making AB 931 a reality," Ramtin Ghaneeian, Founder of Rockpoint Legal Funding, said. "We are honored to have stood beside them in this historic effort." Rockpoint was at the forefront of the collaborative effort that led to AB 931's passage, working closely with CAOC, Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding (ARC), and key legislative stakeholders to craft a bill that balances consumer protection with access to funding. "We are proud to have worked alongside Rockpoint Legal in advancing AB 931," said Casey Johnson, CAOC 1st Vice President and Legislative Chair, "This collaboration culminated in landmark consumer protections and a fairer marketplace for those seeking justice." As one of the most trusted names in consumer legal funding, Rockpoint has long advocated for clear, ethical standards governing funding practices. The company's collaboration and transparency helped shape AB 931 into a model statute for responsible regulation. About the California Consumer Legal Funding Act (AB 931) Effective January 1, 2026, AB 931 recognizes consumer legal funding as a non-recourse, consumer-centered financial service, distinct from traditional loans and litigation financing. The new law provides comprehensive protections, including: Caps on funding charges that cannot accrue beyond 36 months. Mandatory plain-language contracts with full itemization of charges and clear repayment schedules. A five-business-day cancellation right without penalty. Strict prohibitions on referral fees or financial arrangements between attorneys and funding companies. A clear prohibition against funding companies influencing legal strategy or settlement decisions. "AB 931 ensures that consumers have access to transparent, ethical, and properly regulated legal funding options," Ghaneeian added. "It provides peace of mind to those waiting for their day in court and establishes California as a national leader in consumer protection." About Rockpoint Legal Funding Rockpoint Legal Funding is a California-based company providing non-recourse consumer legal funding to help plaintiffs cover essential living and medical expenses while their cases progress. Leveraging advanced technology and a customer-first approach, Rockpoint delivers fast, transparent, and ethical funding solutions. The company also supports law firms and healthcare providers, maintaining one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry. For more information visit: www.rockpointlegalfunding.com SOURCE: Rockpoint Legal Funding View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/rockpoint-legal-funding-applauds-ab-931-the-california-consumer-lega-1086935 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Pineapple Financial Inc. (NYSE American: PAPL) ("Pineapple" or the "Company"), a leading fintech platform, today announced that it will participate in the following upcoming October investor conferences, represented by Cooper Emmons, Pineapple Advisory Board Member and Business Development Associate at Injective Labs. Full conference details are below: Digital Asset Summit 2025 Date: October 13-15, 2025 Location: Old Billingsgate - London, UK Attendees: Cooper Emmons, Pineapple Advisory Board Member and Business Development Associate at Injective Labs Money 20/20 Date: October 26-29, 2025 Location: The Venetian Resort - Las Vegas, NV Attendees: Cooper Emmons, Pineapple Advisory Board Member and Business Development Associate at Injective Labs To schedule a one-on-one meeting with Pineapple Financial's management team, please email KCSA Strategic Communications at Pineapple@KCSA.com. About Pineapple Financial Inc. Pineapple Financial Inc. is an award-winning fintech and leading Canadian mortgage brokerage network, focusing on both the long-term success of agents and brokers as well as the overall experience of homeowners. With hundreds of brokers within the network, Pineapple creates cutting-edge cloud-based tools and AI-driven systems to enable its brokers to help Canadians realize their dream of owning a home. Pineapple is active within the community and is proud to sponsor charities across Canada to improve the lives of fellow Canadians. Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @pineapplemortgage @empoweredbypineapple Facebook: Pineapple Mortgage LinkedIn: Pineapple Mortgage X (Formerly Twitter): @PAPLpineapple To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270416 SOURCE: Pineapple Financial Inc. The Viking Honir and the Viking Thoth Join Viking's Award-Winning River Fleet Viking (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) today announced the delivery of its newest river ships, the Viking Honir, which will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, and the Viking Thoth, which will sail the Nile River. The delivery ceremony for the Viking Honir took place in Basel, Switzerland; the Viking Thoth was presented for delivery at Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014263489/en/ Viking today announced the delivery of its newest river ships, the Viking Honir, which will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, and the Viking Thoth, which will sail the Nile River. Pictured here, a sister Longship sailing the Rhine River. For more information, visit www.viking.com. We are proud to welcome the Viking Honir and the Viking Thoth to our growing river fleet," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. "With the arrival of these elegant new ships, we are pleased to offer even more curious travelers the opportunity to explore some of the world's most iconic waterways in Viking comfort." The Viking Honir Hosting 190 guests in 95 staterooms, the Viking Honir is the company's newestidentical Viking Longship. Built specifically to navigate the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, the Viking Honir features the elegant Scandinavian design and industry-leading innovations for which Viking is known, including a distinctive square bow, three full decks, indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, asymmetric corridor and true two-room suites. The Viking Honir will spend her inaugural year sailing popular itineraries that include Passage to Eastern Europe, Rhine Getaway and Christmas on the Rhine The Viking Thoth Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the Viking Thoth is built specifically to navigate the Nile River on Viking's popular Pharaohs Pyramids itinerary. Inspired by Viking's award-winning river and ocean ships, the Viking Thoth is an identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris, the Viking Aton, the Viking Sobek, the Viking Hathorandthe Viking AmunFeaturing elegant Scandinavian design, together these are the most modern sister ships sailing the Nile River. Viking's Growing Fleet Viking remains focused on well-defined, long-term growth plans as part of a strategy toward maintaining a leadership position in experiential travel. Based on Viking's committed orderbook, the company expects to take delivery of 23 additional river ships by 2028 and 10 additional ocean ships by 2031. With these orders, Viking will have 112 river ships in 2028 and 23 ocean and expedition ships in 2031. Media Assets For more information about Viking, or for images and b-roll, please contact vikingpr@edelman.com. About Viking Viking (NYSE: VIK) was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Conde Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a "World's Best" by Travel Leisure-no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking's award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, all statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including among others, statements relating to our business prospects and strategy, our expected fleet additions and other similar matters. In some cases, we have identified forward-looking statements in this press release by using words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans" and "believes," and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may" and "could." These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or which are beyond our control. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this press release or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by us, or on our behalf. Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements included in this press release as a result of various factors, which are described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014263489/en/ Contacts: Email: vikingpr@edelman.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - EagleOne Metals Corporation (CSE: EAGL) ("EagleOne" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is undertaking a forward split of all of its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis of four new Common Shares for one old Common Share (the "Forward Split"). All shareholders of record on October 21, 2025 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to receive three additional Common Shares for each Common Share held at the close of the trading day (the "Record Date"). The Company is undertaking the Forward Split to increase the liquidity and marketability of the Common Shares. As per Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") policy, the Forward Split will be conducted on a "push-out" basis and therefore the CUSIP number and trading symbol for the Common Shares will remain unchanged. DRS statements for the additional Common Shares resulting from the Forward Split will be sent to the shareholders as of the Record Date by the Company's Transfer Agent, Integral Transfer Agency Inc. Shareholders of the Company do not need to take any action with respect to the Forward Split. The Forward Split will not affect the percentage ownership in the Company of shareholders even though such ownership will be represented by a larger number of Common Shares. The Company currently has 9,748,000 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Upon completion of the Forward Split, the Company will have 38,992,000 Common Shares outstanding. The Forward Split remains subject to the approval of the CSE. Outstanding stock options and share purchase warrants will also be adjusted by the Forward Split ratio and the respective exercise prices of outstanding stock options and share purchase warrants will be adjusted accordingly. About EagleOne EagleOne is a Canadian-based precious and base metal explorer that holds the option to acquire a 100% interest, subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty, in 11 claims comprising the Magusi West Gold Project, which is located in Abitibi greenstone belt of Quebec - one of the world's most productive and highest ranked gold mining jurisdictions. The Company seeks to unlock shareholder value through the diligent exploration of carefully selected exploration projects in some of Canada's most prolific exploration and mining areas. EagleOne is committed to all stakeholders including shareholders, all its partners and the environment in which it operates. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: completion of the forward share split and CSE approval of the share split. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future Terms and Privacy Policy Privacy Dashboard business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270366 SOURCE: EagleOne Metals Corporation Senior Chinese political advisor meets Uzbek deputy PM Xinhua) 13:11, October 14, 2025 Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and president of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, meets with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Zulaykho Makhkamova, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, on Monday met with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Zulaykho Makhkamova, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Shen, also president of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, exchanged views with Makhkamova on implementing the outcomes of the meeting and accelerating the process of women's all-round development. They also exchanged ideas on how to enhance China-Uzbekistan friendship, deepen cooperation in key areas, and expand people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in accordance with the important consensus reached between the two heads of state. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Hillcrest Energy Technologies (CSE: HEAT) (FSE: 7HI) ("Hillcrest" or the "Company"), announces it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Pasqua First Nation #79 ("PFN") and a Letter Agreement with Apeiron Resources Ltd. ("Apeiron") to establish an Indigenous-majority owned entity focused on commercializing Hillcrest's Zero Voltage Switching ("ZVS") power conversion technology in Canada. Partnership Structure Under the MOU PFN may invest up to $3 million in Hillcrest. The investment is intended to support the further development and commercialization of Hillcrest's ZVS technology and support general operating needs. The MOU establishes a framework for the parties to cooperate on business activities through the creation of a new entity ("NEWCO') to market, distribute, sell, and potentially manufacture ZVS products in Canada. Under the contemplated structure, PFN would hold majority ownership of NEWCO at 51 percent, with Hillcrest and Apeiron collectively holding the remaining 49 percent as separate interest holders. Hillcrest will retain responsibility and be compensated for its efforts to further develop and deploy it's ZVS technology into power conversion products. The specific terms and related compensation will be negotiated among the parties as NEWCO's business activities are defined. The MOU, effective September 29, 2025, and the Letter Agreement, effective October 14, 2025, do not constitute formal undertakings or binding agreements. Rather, they establish frameworks for cooperation and collaboration among the parties, with the objective of using commercially reasonable efforts to achieve the stated objectives. PFN and Apeiron Resources Ltd. are both at arm's length from Hillcrest. Market Opportunity Canada's clean energy market is projected to grow from 115 GW to 149 GW by 2030, with energy storage capacity alone expected to expand from 1 GW to 12-16 GW by 2035, representing over $143 billion in investment opportunities (Canadian Renewable Energy Market Outlook 2025, Renewables Association of Canada). The federal government has committed $93 billion in Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits through 2034, including up to 30% refundable credits for clean technology (Canada Revenue Agency). Wind, solar, and storage are expected to account for over 70% of all new electricity capacity additions through 2050 (Renewables Association of Canada). Indigenous-led partnerships have become increasingly central to this expansion, with Indigenous communities now participating in nearly 20% of Canada's clean electricity infrastructure development (Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2025). Funding and Licensing The venture with PFN and Apeiron is actively pursuing at least $10 million in operating capital through grants, loans, and guarantees from the Government of Canada and Government of Saskatchewan, as well as investments from other qualified investment entities. This funding will support NEWCO's commercialization activities, pilot testing, and made-in-Canada manufacturing capabilities. Hillcrest may license its ZVS technology to NEWCO for building, assembling, testing, and manufacturing ZVS products, with terms and fees to be agreed upon. Future expansion to markets outside Canada may also be considered. Management Commentary "Working with Pasqua First Nation #79 and Apeiron Resources represents a strategic alignment that will accelerate the commercialization and sale of made-in-Canada power electronics products featuring Hillcrest's ZVS technology," said Don Currie, CEO of Hillcrest Energy Technologies. "These partnerships bring together Indigenous business leadership, local manufacturing capabilities, and proven clean technology innovation to create value for all stakeholders while advancing economic reconciliation in Canada." "This partnership positions Pasqua First Nation #79 as a leader in clean energy technologies and advances our commitment to energy sovereignty," said Chief Fabian Ironeagle of Pasqua First Nation #79. "By participating in the development and commercialization of advanced power conversion technology, we are building capacity within our community and contributing to a more sustainable energy future for Canada." "This collaboration represents more than a technological milestone-it's a testament to the power of Indigenous-led partnerships to drive economic development, environmental stewardship, and intergenerational equity," said Kirk Poitras, President and Founder of Apeiron Resources Ltd. "By bringing innovative power conversion technology to market, we're reinforcing the role of Indigenous Nations as leaders in shaping Canada's energy future." The initiative reflects Apeiron's broader mission to empower Indigenous Nations through strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and culturally grounded economic models. It builds on a growing portfolio of projects across Western Canada and the United States, including energy, housing, and community wellness initiatives. Hillcrest Private Placement Hillcrest is further pleased to announce its intention to complete an offering (the "Offering") of units of the Company (the "Units") of up to $7,200,000 comprised of: (i) up to $3,900,000 in proceeds to the Company to be raised via the issuance of Units at a price of $0.09 per Unit on a private placement basis (the "Cash Offering") and (ii) up to $3,300,000 in debt to be settled through the issuance of Units on the same terms as in respect of the Cash Offering (the "Debt Offering"). Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.12 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The Warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiry upon thirty (30) business days' notice from the Company in the event the Common Shares trade for ten (10) consecutive trading days any time after four (4) months from the date of issuance at a volume-weighted average price of at least $0.36 on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). It is intended that a portion of the Cash Offering will be connected to the PFN investment in Hillcrest as further described above, and PFN or an affiliate thereof, will invest in Hillcrest. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Cash Offering for further development of its technology, marketing of its products to potential customers, investor relations activities, retirement of existing accounts payable, and general working capital. In connection with the Debt Offering, the Company intends to enter into debt settlement agreements with certain creditors (the "Creditors") related to aggregate debt owing by the Company to the Creditors as follows: (i) approximately $1,320,000 in principal and accrued interest owing pursuant to loans obtained by the Company during the prior six months; (ii) approximately $1,700,000 in principal and accrued interest owing pursuant to debentures issued by the Company on January 29, 2025 and March 4, 2025; and (iii) $280,000 owing pursuant to outstanding services invoices and director fees (collectively, the "Debt"). In full satisfaction of the Debt, the Company will issue an aggregate of approximately 36,666,667 Units (subject to any adjustments necessary for accrued interest due to the passage of time) at a deemed price of CAD$0.09 per Unit to the Creditors (the "Debt Settlement"). The Units issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period, in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable Canadian securities laws. The issuance of the Units pursuant to the Offering, including the completion of the Debt Settlement, is subject to certain conditions including the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the CSE. Insiders, including related parties as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), may participate in the Offering. As described above, as part of the Debt Settlement, the directors of the Company are expected to settle an aggregate total of approximately $65,800 in outstanding director fees, owing by the Company to the directors, through the issuance of approximately 731,111 Units. Such insider participation will constitute a "related party transaction" under MI 61-101. The Company expects this participation to be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), as the fair market value of the securities subscribed for will not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Other Hillcrest Updates The Company also announces the cancellation of the non-brokered private placement first announced by the Company on March 11, 2025. Hillcrest continues to work with the associated strategic investor on potential future investments and will continue to provide updates as they occur. Further to the Company's press release issued on September 26, 2025, announcing the proposed extension of 4,350,000 warrants of the Company from an expiry date of October 4, 2025 to October 4, 2027 (the "Warrant Extension"), the Company confirms that the Warrant Extension has been consented to by all warrant holders and the Warrant Extension has been effected. About Pasqua First Nation #79 Pasqua First Nation #79 is a Treaty First Nation in Saskatchewan. PFN has established a wholly owned entity, Pasqua First Nation Group of Companies (PFNGC), through which it conducts various business investments and economic development activities. PFNGC's portfolio includes PRO Metal, a subsidiary focused on metal fabrication and manufacturing. PFN is also actively involved in renewable energy development, including participation in the Seven Stars Energy Project, a 200-megawatt wind energy initiative being developed in partnership with Enbridge and five other Indigenous partners. The project, targeted to be operational in 2027, will produce emissions-free power for over 100,000 Saskatchewan homes and represents significant Indigenous ownership and participation in clean energy infrastructure. About Apeiron Resources Ltd. Apeiron Resources Ltd. is a Metis, First Nation, and Native American owned corporation and Certified Indigenous Business driven by a single purpose: to build stronger communities through sustainable socio-economic partnerships. Rooted in their Nations, they invest time, resources, and passion into volunteer leadership, community sponsorships, and capacity-building initiatives that empower citizens and honours cultural heritage. Through Apeiron's family of companies, they secure federal and provincial grants, provide fuel solutions, corporate indigenous governance, deliver skills training, and forge trust-based relationships between industry and Indigenous Nations. By connecting non-Indigenous organizations with authentic inclusion opportunities, they help the energy sector and beyond engage meaningfully with First Nation, Metis, and Native American tribes. Every project they undertake reflects cultural values, fosters economic empowerment, and delivers generational impact. Together with their partners, they create lasting change by bringing employment, training, and economic growth back to communities while guiding their partners in reconciliation to achieve more. About Hillcrest Energy Technologies Hillcrest Energy Technologies specializes in innovating and commercializing advanced power conversion technologies for electric vehicles and grid-connected renewable energy systems. The Company is dedicated to developing high-efficiency solutions that reduce energy waste, enhance performance, and drive the next generation of electrification. Hillcrest is publicly traded on the CSE under the symbol "HEAT," on the OTCQB Venture Market as "HLRTF," and on the Frankfurt Exchange as "7HI." For more information, visit: https://hillcrestenergy.tech. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information Some of the statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "intends," "is expected," "potential," "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "should," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this news release. The forward-looking information reflects our current expectations and assumptions and is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that these assumptions will prove correct. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Investors are advised to consider the risk factors under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's MD&A for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, available at https://www.sedarplus.ca/ for a discussion of the factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES # # # To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270398 SOURCE: Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) ("Blackrock" or the "Company") announces that, due to the current delay of mail service in Canada due to the nationwide strike of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (the "Postal Strike"), the Company may be unable to fully comply with its obligations to send to shareholders the meeting materials in connection with the Company's upcoming annual general meeting of shareholders being held on Friday, November 21, 2025 (the "Meeting"), and wishes to advise its shareholders of alternate ways to vote their common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at the Meeting. Meeting Date, Location and Purposes As a result of the Postal Strike, and pursuant to the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) Coordinated Blanket Order 51-932 - Temporary Exemption from Requirements in National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations and National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer to Send Certain Proxy-Related Materials During a Postal Suspension (the "Blanket Order"), the Company is advising shareholders that the Meeting will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) at the Fairmont Waterfront, Terrace Room, 900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver British Columbia, for the following purposes: Financial Statements and Auditor's Report : to receive the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended October 31, 2024 and the auditor's report thereon; Election of Directors : to elect six directors for the ensuing year; Appointment of Auditor : to appoint BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix the auditor's remuneration; Approval of Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan : to approve and confirm the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan; and Other Matters : to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. For detailed information with respect to each of the matters in items 2, 3 and 4 above, please refer to the section bearing the corresponding heading in the information circular prepared in respect of the Meeting (the "Information Circular"). Electronic copies of the notice and access notification required under National Instrument 54-101 - Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer, the notice of meeting, the Information Circular, the form of proxy and all other proxy-related materials (collectively, the "Meeting Materials") for the Meeting have been posted and are accessible on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://blackrocksilver.com/agm-2025/. Shareholders of the Company are encouraged to access the Meeting Materials directly through the above-mentioned websites, or may contact the Company at info@blackrocksilver.com or by calling toll free at 1-800-380-1530 (Canada and U.S.A.) or at +1-604-817-6044 or the Company's transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada ("Computershare"), toll-free between the hours of 8:30 AM and 8:00 PM Eastern Time at 1-800-564-6253 or email at service@computershare.com to request copies of the Meeting Materials. Voting of Common Shares Shareholders are not required to be present at the Meeting and can vote Common Shares in advance of the Meeting. In accordance with the Blanket Order, the Company is waiving the proxy-cut off time stated in the Meeting Materials. Accordingly, to be used at the Meeting, proxies or voting instruction forms, as applicable, must be received by Computershare no later than 11:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on November 20, 2025, or at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before any adjournment of the Meeting, or received by the chairman of the Meeting before the commencement of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof. How Registered Shareholders Can Vote Registered shareholders are shareholders who hold their Common Shares directly in the Company, and not through a brokerage account or depository company. Registered shareholders may vote online at www.investorvote.com, or vote by telephone by following the instruction on the form of proxy. Registered shareholders who require their voting control numbers may obtain the voting control numbers by calling Computershare at 1-800-564-6253 (toll-free in North America) or 1-514-982-7555 (international direct dial). How Beneficial Shareholders Can Vote Beneficial shareholders are shareholders who hold their Common Shares through a brokerage house, depository company or other intermediary. Beneficial shareholders should contact their brokerage house or depository company or other intermediary and ask to obtain their voting control number and the steps of how to vote, which could include internet voting, completing a voting instruction form and emailing it, directing your broker over the phone on how you wish to vote or some other method as described by your brokerage house or depository company. THE COMPANY URGES SHAREHOLDERS TO REVIEW THE INFORMATION CIRCULAR BEFORE VOTING. Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis The Postal Strike may also affect the Company's ability to mail copies of its annual financial statements and related management discussion and analysis for the year ended October 31, 2024, as well as interim financial statements and related management discussions and analysis for the quarterly periods ended January 31, 2025, April 30, 2025 and July 31, 2025 (collectively, the "Financial Statements and MD&A"). Electronic version of the Financial Statements and MD&A are available on on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company will provide copies of the Financial Statements and MD&A to each shareholder who request them by email at info@blackrocksilver.com. Following the conclusion of the Postal Strike, shareholders requesting the Financial Statements and MD&A will be delivered those documents in the ordinary course. The Company has satisfied all of the conditions to rely on, and is relying on, the exemption provided by the Blanket Order from the requirement to send proxy-related materials to its shareholders. About Blackrock Silver Corp. Backed by gold and silver ounces in the ground, Blackrock is a junior precious metal focused exploration and development company driven to add shareholder value. Anchored by a seasoned Board of Directors, the Company is focused on its 100% controlled Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation, epithermal gold and silver mineralization located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada. Additional information on Blackrock Silver Corp. can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270407 SOURCE: Blackrock Silver Corp. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Suncor Energy (TSX: SU) (NYSE: SU) announces that Kris Smith, the company's Chief Financial Officer, will retire on December 31, 2025, after more than 25 years of service. During his tenure at the Company, Kris has held several roles prior to his current role, including Executive Vice President, Downstream and Interim Chief Executive Officer. "Kris' dedication to Suncor has contributed significantly to our success and I would like to both congratulate and thank him on behalf of the Company, our employees and the Board of Directors," said Rich Kruger, Suncor's President and Chief Executive Officer. Added Kruger, "One of the major drivers behind Suncor's industry leading performance over the past few years is its strong executive leadership team and the disciplined approach to succession planning underpinning it. The Company takes a deliberate, long-term and proactive approach to ensuring that it has multiple high-quality candidates available for each executive role to continue to drive both high performance and further institutionalize our strong performance-based culture." As a result, effective November 1, 2025: Kris Smith will take on an executive advisory role at the Company to ensure a smooth transition leading up to his retirement at year-end. Troy Little, currently Senior Vice President, External Affairs, will be appointed Chief Financial Officer. He will be responsible for all financial functions including controllers, treasury, tax, internal audit and enterprise risk management as well as information technology. Troy is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst and has over 25 years of financial experience gained in investment banking, equity research, accounting and financial management. "We are pleased to have Troy step into this important role, bringing with him deep relationships with the investment community as well as a sharp focus on performance," said Rich Kruger. Adam Albeldawi, currently Suncor's Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), will be appointed CHRO and SVP, External Affairs and will take on the additional responsibilities of Investor Relations, Government Affairs and Public Affairs. Prior to his current position, Adam advanced through a wide variety of roles within the company with increasing scope and accountability, in both the upstream and downstream businesses. "Over the past nearly 20 years, Adam's operational, commercial, and performance-oriented success record reflects his broad experience, his commitment to excellence, and his overall understanding of Suncor and the energy sector," said Rich Kruger. Suncor Energy is Canada's leading integrated energy company. Suncor's operations include oil sands development, production and upgrading; offshore oil production; petroleum refining in Canada and the U.S.; and the company's Petro-CanadaTM retail and wholesale distribution networks (including Canada's Electric HighwayTM, a coast-to-coast network of fast-charging EV stations). Suncor is developing petroleum resources while advancing the transition to a lower-emissions future through investments in lower emissions intensity power, renewable feedstock fuels and projects targeting emissions intensity. Suncor also conducts energy trading activities focused primarily on the marketing and trading of crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products and power. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270412 SOURCE: Suncor Energy Inc. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX: CJ) (" Cardinal " or the " Company ") confirms that our October dividend of $0.06 per common share will be paid on November 17, 2025 to shareholders of record on October 31, 2025. The Board of Directors of Cardinal has declared the dividend payable in cash. This dividend has been designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - US Copper Corp (TSXV: USCU) (OTCQB: USCUF) (FSE: C730) ("US Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") for aggregate gross proceeds of $750,000. The Private Placement involved the issuance of 7,500,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.10 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital stock of the Company (a "Common Share") and one warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share for $0.15 at any time within 2 years after closing. All securities issued pursuant to this Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period. The Private Placement remains subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. A material change report in connection with the Private Placement will be filed less than 21 days before the closing of the Private Placement. The Company believes this shorter period is reasonable and necessary in the circumstances as the Company wished to complete the Private Placement in a timely manner. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Private Placement for general working capital purposes and to advance its Moonlight-Superior Copper Project. In addition, the Company would also like to announce that its Board has approved the grant of 750,000 stock options to certain consultants of the Company, subject to regulatory and TSX Venture Exchange approval. The stock options have been issued with an exercise price of $0.10 per share, vest immediately, and have a 3-year term. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws and regulations, including statements regarding the future activities of the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of management and are identified by the use of words including "will", "hopes", "anticipates", "expected to", "plans", "planned", "intends" and other similar words. Actual results may differ significantly. The achievement of the results expressed in forward-looking statements is subject to a number of risks, including those described in the Company's management discussion and analysis as filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270446 SOURCE: US Copper Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Torchlight Innovations Inc. (TSXV: TLX.P) ("Torchlight"), a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, is pleased to announce that it has completed its qualifying transaction (the "Qualifying Transaction") with Innovation Mining Inc. ("Innovation"), a clean-technology company incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Act"). The resulting issuer (the "Resulting Issuer") and its common shares (the "Common Shares") are anticipated to start trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") during the week of October 20, 2025. As part of the Qualifying Transaction, each subscription receipt ("Subscription Receipt") issued by Innovation on September 25, 2025, pursuant to a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") converted into one common share of Innovation ("Innovation Share") and one common share purchase warrant of Innovation ("Innovation Warrant"). Each Innovation Share was subsequently exchanged for a Common Share, and each Innovation Warrant was subsequently exchanged for one common share purchase warrant in the capital of the Resulting Issuer (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.75 per Common Share until October 10, 2027. The Private Placement consisted of 5,686,562 Subscription Receipts issued at $0.50 per Subscription Receipt for gross proceeds of CDN$2,843,281. The Qualifying Transaction was done by way of a three-cornered amalgamation pursuant to which, among other things, Innovation amalgamated with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torchlight, incorporated under the Act for the purposes of the Qualifying Transaction, to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torchlight. Concurrently with the completion of the Qualifying Transaction, Torchlight consolidated its outstanding common shares on a one new for 1.923 old basis (see press release dated October 9, 2025). A TSXV Filing Statement dated October 8, 2025 describing the Qualifying Transaction was filed on October 9, 2025 under Torchlight's SEDAR+ profile. Investors are encouraged to review the Filing Statement for full details of the Qualifying Transaction. Following completion of the Qualifying Transaction, the officers and directors of the Resulting Issuer are as follows: Duane Nelson - Chief Executive Officer and Director Grant Bond - Chief Financial Officer Marien Segovia - Corporate Secretary Darryl Yea -Director Mike Cowin - Director Robert Archer - Director Following the completion of the Qualifying Transaction, a total of 61,712,057 Resulting Issuer Shares are issued and outstanding. In accordance with TSXV policies, a total of 1,300,052 Common Shares and 286,011 options of the Resulting Issuer will remain subject to a capital pool company escrow agreement, a further 18,284,402 Common Shares are subject to an escrow agreement dated October 8, 2025 between the Resulting Issuer and Computershare Trust Company of Canada. In connection with the Qualifying Transaction, the auditor of Innovation, BDO Canada LLP, has been appointed the auditor of the Resulting Issuer. Due to the ongoing job action affecting multiple government agencies name reservation requests are not currently being examined, as such the Resulting Issuer will use the name Torchlight Innovations Inc. (doing business as RZOLV Technologies Inc.). This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the "United States" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Torchlight (doing business as RZOLV Technologies Inc.) RZOLV Technologies is a clean-tech company with an innovative technology that aims to transform the gold mining industry. Innovation has developed RZOLV, a proprietary, non-toxic hydrometallurgical formula for gold extraction. The formula offers a sustainable, safe, and water-based alternative to cyanide. While cyanide has been the industry standard for over a century, its toxic nature has led to bans in several countries and costly permitting challenges for mining companies. RZOLV offers similar cost and performance metrics as cyanide, but with a non-toxic, reusable and sustainable profile. Innovation is currently focused on validating its technology through a 100-tonne industrial test, after which full commercialization efforts will begin. RZOLV Technologies has safeguarded RZOLV by filing an international patent and possessing a robust portfolio of trade secrets, facility security, chemical obfuscation, and stringent employment confidentiality agreements ensuring long-term competitive advantages. The intellectual property framework includes protection for its chemical formulation, regeneration processes, and specific applications in heap leaching, vat leaching, and concentrate processing. Cautionary Note Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable pursuant to TSXV Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and Torchlight, Innovation and the Resulting Issuer do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to: when the Common Shares will begin trading on the TSXV and the name of the Resulting Issuer. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of the management of Innovation and the management of the Company, including, without limitation, that the Common Shares will being trading on the TSXV during the week of October 20, 2025 and that the Resulting Issuer will use the name Torchlight Innovations Inc. (doing business as RZOLV Technologies Inc.). Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of Torchlight, Innovation or the Resulting Issuer to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Common Shares will not being trading on the TSXV during the week of October 20, 2025 and that the Resulting Issuer will not use the name Torchlight Innovations Inc. (doing business as RZOLV Technologies Inc.). Such forward-looking information represents the best judgment of the management of Innovation and the management of the Company based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither Torchlight, nor Innovation, nor any of their representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this press release. Neither Torchlight, nor Innovation, nor any of their representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this press release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270460 SOURCE: Torchlight Innovations Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. (CSE: SXTY) (FSE: 2F40) (OTC Pink: SXNTF) (the "Company" or "Sixty North Gold") is pleased to update shareholders on its progress to restart sustainable gold production at its wholly-owned Mon Gold Mine. Dr. Dave Webb, President and CEO states, "Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. plans to commission a 100 tpd gold mine and mill in the summer of 2026. The Company has invested over $9 million in acquiring and developing its wholly-owned past producing Mon Gold Mine. This includes investments in mining equipment, camps, supplies and development to the second level below the historic stopes that were produced ore grading one ounce gold per tonne. The Yellowknife Gold Belt hosts many large high-grade gold mines and deposits. "We believe that restarting this historic one ounce per tonne past producer will allow our shareholders to benefit directly in the gold market in this time of record prices." Financing Arranged Sixty North Gold is also pleased to report that the Company has arranged a non-brokered financing of up to 5,250,000 units (the "Units") at an offering price of $0.06 to raise gross proceeds of up to $315,000 (the "Offering"). The offering is fully subscribed. Each Unit is comprised of one Share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable to purchase one Share at a price of Cdn.$0.10 for a period of twelve (12) months from the Closing Date, provided that if the closing market price for the Issuer's common shares on the Exchange is greater than $0.15 per share for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, then the Company may deliver a notice (the "Notice") to the Purchaser notifying such Purchaser that the Warrants must be exercised within thirty (30) days from the date of delivery of such Notice, otherwise the Warrants will expire at 4:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the thirty-first (31st) day after the date of delivery of the Notice. The securities for the Offering will bear a legend restricting resale until four months from closing. Finder's fees, as allowed, may be paid on portions of this financing. The proceeds from the Offering will be used for further exploration and development of the Mon Gold Property located in NWT, and for the Company's general working capital requirements. About the Company Sixty North is developing mining operations for gold on its 100-per-cent-owned Mon Gold Project, which extracted 15,000 tonnes of ore to depths of only 15 metres below surface, recovering an estimated 15,000 ounces of gold in the 1990s (Company Technical Report NI 43-101, August 3, 2023 on SEDAR+ or https://sixtynorthgold.com/projects/technical-report/. The North Ramp has been reopened and has been extended to the target portion of the vein. The company plans to develop stopes in the East Limb, West Limb and DD Zone to extract and to feed a 100 tpd gravity-flotation mill. Additional gold, silver and base metal targets occur on the property and will be explored and developed as warranted. The Yellowknife gold camp hosts two mines that averaged 30 gpt gold or better (Discovery Mine with one million ounces of gold produced, and Sixty North Gold's Mon Mine), and two that averaged 15 gpt or better for a total production of over 14 million ounces of gold (Con Mine and Giant Mine); (ref. Company Technical Report NI 43-101, August 3, 2023). The technical content of this release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. D.R. Webb, P.Geol, President and CEO of Sixty North Gold Mines Ltd. For more information, please refer to the Company's public filings available on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ), under the Company's profile. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Dave Webb" Dave Webb, President & CEO Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Further details about the risks applicable to the Company are contained in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ), under the Company's profile. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270458 SOURCE: Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 14, 2025) - Showcase Minerals Inc. (CSE: SHOW) (FSE: ZJ0) ("Showcase" or the "Company") announces that Christopher Paterson has resigned as a director of the Company in order to pursue other business interests. Showcase thanks Mr. Paterson for his contributions to the Company and wishes him well in his future endeavours. About Showcase Minerals Inc. Showcase is a Canadian mineral exploration company with an option to acquire a 100% interest, subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty, in 60 mineral claims comprising the Pontiac Uranium Project located near the town of Fort Coulange in southwestern Quebec. For further information, please contact: Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270467 SOURCE: Showcase Minerals Inc. Samsung announced its latest Made in India Smart WindFree Cassette Air Conditioners. Targeting enterprise and business clients, the new lineup combines intelligent connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi, eco-conscious design integrating R32 refrigerant, and premium comfort, improving the future of commercial and residential cooling solutions. These WindFree Cassette AC, as the name suggests, have Samsungs own WindFree Cooling, which uses thousands of micro-holes to gently disperse cool air without harsh cold drafts. For cleaner indoor environments, an optional PM 1.0 filtration system is available to capture ultra-fine dust particles and improve air purity. The new range is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi for seamless SmartThings integration. With the Samsung SmartThings app, a user can monitor, manage, and personalize their indoor climate directly from their smartphone, whether at home, in the office, or on the move. Samsung Smart WindFree Cassette Air Conditioners Key Features 1-Way Cassette (1 Ton / 1.5 Ton / 2 Ton options) Single airflow direction, which is ideal for small to medium spaces. 4-Way Cassette (1.5 Ton / 2 Ton / 3 Ton / 4 Ton options) Four-direction airflow, for uniform cooling in medium to large spaces 360 Cassette (2 Ton / 3 Ton / 4 Ton options) Complete 360-degree air distribution for large, open spaces Compatible with the Samsung SmartThings app Voice Control: Control temperature and settings using voice assistants such as Samsung Bixby, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant Welcome Cooling Mode: Uses GPS tracking to automatically cool your space to preferred settings before arrival Comfort Humidity Control: Maintains steady indoor conditions using temperature and humidity sensors, while saving up to 19% energy in dry mode Price and Availability Samsungs new Smart Cassette AC comes with a starting price of INR 65,000 (excluding GST) and will be available through Samsungs authorized commercial AC channel partners across India starting October 2025. Commenting on the launch, Vipin Agrawal, Head of System AC, Samsung India, said, The city of Sugar Land has found positive samples of the West Nile virus. 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. Yasukuni Shrine [Yasukuni Jinja] Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine is deeply divisive, often described as the "third rail" of Japanese politics. Visiting Yasukuni is a "saliva test" for its politicians - a test to see if a politician with furious or fanatically held opinions is "foaming at the mouth" over the controversy. The controversy stems from the shrine honoring 14 convicted Class-A war criminals among the 2.5 million war dead, which creates significant domestic and international friction. China and South Korea, victims of Japan's past aggression, view the visits as evidence of a lack of remorse for its militaristic history. Protests from these countries have included canceling diplomatic meetings. The shrine is seen by many as a symbol of Japanese militarism and a denial of wartime atrocities. The Yushukan, a museum on the shrine's grounds, has also been criticized for presenting a revisionist and nationalist view of Japanese history. Historically, Japan's relationship with other countries has been complex and has shifted dramatically over time. The historical tension between Japan's periods of peaceful cultural influence and its history of military aggression may be summarized as a "Japan either at your feet or at your throat", either fiercely adversarial or subordinate/aligned - with little middle ground. Possibly this view is rather reductive and reflects more about perceptions than Japanese reality. For Japanese politicians, visiting the shrine is a powerful symbolic act that signals their stance on Japan's wartime history. For Nationalists, a visit appeals to conservative and nationalist voters, who see it as a patriotic duty to honor the war dead. For pragmatists, avoiding the shrine is often a pragmatic decision to prevent diplomatic backlash and repair relations with China, South Korea, and the United States. The controversy is so profound that Japan's Emperor Hirohito stopped visiting in 1978 after the war criminals were enshrined, a practice his successors, Akihito and Naruhito, continued. Japan's political elites scrambled for new allies following the collapse of the ruling coalition that left even the prime ministerial post up for grabs. Nationalist Sanae Takaichi was elected head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and appeared to be on course to become the nation's first female leader. Takaichi's ambitions took a significant blow on 10 October 2025, however, when the 26-year alliance between the LDP and the Buddhist-backed party Komeito broke down. The partnership has long been strained, with Komeito opposing a more aggressive security policy pushed by the LDP, but Takaichi taking over as LDP head appears to have been the last straw for the smaller party. "Komeito was already worried about Takaichi's hawkish stance on security, on relations with South Korea and China, and their fear was that she would go even further as soon as she was in office," said Hiromi Murakami, a professor of political science at the Tokyo campus of Temple University. A particularly sensitive issue both inside Japan and with its neighboring nations is Takaichi's stance on the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. The shrine has been the last resting place of Japan's war dead since 1869. The war dead, however, include many of the nation's notorious war criminals. Arch-conservative Takaichi has visited the Tokyo site in the past, even during her multiple tenures as Cabinet minister.Any visits to the shrine by Japanese leaders prompt outrage in China, as well as both North and South Korea, as those countries see the gesture as an attempt to whitewash Japan's wartime atrocities. Takaichi refused to give a clear answer when pressed over the shrine following her confirmation as the LDP leader on October 4. She did not rule out new visits and insisted that the shrine is "not a diplomatic issue," while also saying proper ways of honoring the war dead "should be judged at the appropriate time." On 17 October 2025, the first day of the three-day autumn festival, South Korea and China have criticized Japanese leaders for sending offerings to Yasukuni Shrin. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru sent a potted plant to the shrine. The new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Takaichi Sanae, sent a cash offering through a proxy, using her personal funds. South Korea's foreign ministry issued a spokesperson's statement that expressed "deep disappointment and regret over the fact that responsible leaders of Japan have once again sent offerings to and repeatedly visited Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals." It went on to say that it calls on Japan's responsible leaders to face up to history and show "humble reflection and true remorse for past history." Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian called Yasukuni Shrine a symbol of wars of aggression waged by Japanese militarists. The spokesperson said that China "firmly opposes Japan's passive actions concerning Yasukuni Shrine and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side." He said that China urges Japan to "face and reflect on its history of aggression, refrain from making remarks on historical issues such as Yasukuni Shrine" and "gain the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community by taking actual action." In what had become an annual ritual in more ways than one, Japan's prime minister sent a symbolic offering to the controversial Yasukuni war shrine on 15 August 2014, the anniversary of the end of World War II. The act that brought immediate condemnation from South Korea and China. Although Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did not visit the Yasukuni Shrine himself, two of his cabinet ministers did. In Seoul, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said some Japanese politicians were acting in a way that hurts both countries. A commentary from China's Xinhua news agency said Japan is sowing the seeds of another war. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the controversial Yasukuni shrine December 26, 2013, sparking outrage in China and South Korea and further damaging Japan's already frosty relations with the region. Yasukuni shrine honors the spirits [kami] country's nearly 2.5 million war dead, including convicted Class A war criminals from the Pacific War [aka World War II]. Abe said his visit was a personal one to honor the spirits of the dead and was not meant to hurt Chinese or Korean sentiments. He said his presence was meant to show Japan was against war. Nonetheless, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang responded sharply to Abe's action. Abe did not personally visit the Yasukuni Shrine on October 17, 2013, the first day of an annual autumn festival, but did send a ritual offering. About 160 Japanese lawmakers from a nonpartisan group worshipped at the Yasukuni Shrine on the morning of October 17, 2013 to mark the autumn festival. Xinhua commentator Shi Xiaomeng wrote that "The recent ritual offering by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo and the ensuing noisy visit to the notorious facility are but a blatant provocation to the victimized nations and a threat to post-World War II order.... Such brazenly provocative moves are meant to undermine relations and overturn the post-World War II order. For the nations victimized by Japan's war-time aggression, the Yasukuni Shrine has proven to be a symbol and spiritual tool of Japanese militarism." On 15 August 2013, over 100 Japanese politicians paid a group visit to Yasukuni Shrine to mark the 68th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper suggested that the politicians paid the visit with the aim to "call back the 'departed soul of Yamato" and that the shrine honored "militarist maniacs steeped in extreme Yamato nationalism to their bones." Visits to the shrine regularly provoked responses from North and South Korea, and China due to the controversial nature of the internees. Two Japanese Cabinet ministers visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine that honors the country's war dead, prompting an angry reaction from South Korea and China. The visit came on the anniversary of Japan's 1945 surrender in World War II, which in South Korea is celebrated as Liberation Day. Public visits by Japanese officials to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine regularly draw ire from Seoul and Beijing, which were two of the main victims of Japanese aggression in the first half of the 20th century. China summoned Japan's ambassador to protest the visit. Beijing's foreign ministry said the move "seriously harms the feelings" of the Chinese people. South Korean President Park Geun-hye called on Tokyo to face up to history and take "sincere measures" to alleviate the pain of those who are scarred by history. President Park made it clear that it would be difficult to build trust between the two countries, if Japan doesn't have the courage to face its past wrongdoings and the heart to care for the pain of others. "I expect responsible and sincere measures from the Japanese government in order to heal the pain that many Koreans have suffered with until now, due to the agony and wounds left behind by the history of the two countries." Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided against a visit on the anniversary, out of concerns it could further worsen ties with Japan's neighbors. But he did send an aide to deliver an offering at the shrine. About 6,000 took part in a government-sponsored memorial ceremony in Tokyo to mourn the souls of about 3.1 million war dead. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said present-day peace and prosperity is built on the sacrifice of the war dead. He promised to keep lessons from the war in mind and strive to build a future full of hope. At noon, participants held a minute of silent prayers. Emperor Akihito said he hopes the horrors of war will never be repeated. He said he will mourn for those who died during the war and pray for world peace and Japan's continued prosperity. Prime Minister Abe pledged to face the past humbly at a ceremony marking Japan's anniversary of the end of World War Two on Thursday, but he made no mention of the country's war-time aggression in Asia. That's a break from the tradition for many years. Prime ministers have all touched on the issue in their speeches at the government-sponsored ceremony, saying Japan inflicted considerable damage and pain against the people of Asian nations during the war. Abe himself had mentioned this in 2007 when he served his first term as prime minister. A group of Japanese lawmakers visited the controversial war shrine seen by some as a symbol of Tokyo's pre-war colonial aggression. A total of 168 members of parliament visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on April 23, 2013. The annual visit comes days after three Japanese cabinet members prayed at the shrine, prompting condemnations from South Korea and China. South Korean foreign ministry spokesperson Cho Tai-young denounced the visit during a regular press briefing. "Yasukuni Shrine is the place where war criminals are enshrined and it beautifies a war. They should have time to reflect on themselves and should think about what impression it gives to people in the related country and what people are thinking about it." From ancient times the people of Japan believed that the mitama (soul) of the deceased remained upon the land to be celebrated by their descendants. It was believed that the mitama of the deceased would watch over the good fortune of their descendants together with the ancestral Kami. The ancestral Kami were celebrated upon this land for celebra-tion by their descendants would bring the greatest joy to the mitama of these Kami who protected the livelihood and prosperity of their descendants. Yasukuni Jinja was founded upon this belief from ancient times. To convey to posterity the noble sacrifice of those who worked for the Imperial Restoration, the Emperor Meiji decreed in June 1869 that a shrine be built in Kudanshita of Tokyo called Tokyo Shokonsha. When the Emperor Meiji visited Tokyo Shokonsha for the first time on January 27 in 1874, he composed a poem; "I assure those of you who fought and died for your country that your names will live forever at this shrine in Musashino". As can be seen in this poem, Yasukuni Shrine was established to commemorate and honor the achievement of those who dedicated their precious life for their country. In 1879, Tokyo Shokonsha was renamed Yasukuni Jinja. The name "Yasukuni" was designated by the Emperor Meiji. In this name is His Majesty's sincere hope for the eternal peace and tranquility of the nation. (The character for "Yasu" has the same meaning as "peaceful".) Currently, more than 2,466,000 "divinities" are enshrined [not buried] at Yasukuni Shrine. These are souls of men who made ultimate sacrifice for their nation since 1853 during national crises such as the Boshin War, the Seinan War, the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, World War I, the Manchurian Incident, the China Incident and the Greater East Asian War (World War II). These people, regardless of their rank or social standing, are considered to be completely equal and worshipped as venerable divinities of Yasukuni. Japanese people believe that their respect to and awe of the deceased is best expressed by treating the dead in the same manner as they were alive. Hence, at Yasukuni Shrine, rituals to offer meals and to dedicate words of appreciation to the dead are repeated every day. And, twice every year-in the spring and autumn-major rituals are conducted, on which occasion offerings from His Majesty the Emperor are dedicated to them, and also attended by members of the imperial family. In 1948, 28 Japanese war criminals were brought before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) in Tokyo. Of the 25 who were convicted, 14 were officially enshrined at Yasukuni. The Yasakuni Shrine [Yasukuni Jinja] is controverial because it contains the souls [kami, not buried but enshrined] of 1,068 "Martyrs of Showa" who were "cruelly and unjustly tried as war criminals by a sham-like tribunal" of the Allied forces (United States, England, the Netherlands, China and others). The International Military Tribunal for the Far East (known as the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal) began in May 1946. There were 28 Class A defendants from a cross-section of senior Japanese officials, including generals, admirals, career diplomats, and bureaucrats. Most prominent among them were Hideki Tojo, Prime Minister of Japan through most of the war, and wartime foreign ministers Koki Hirota (a former premier), Mamoru Shigemitsu, and Shigenori Togo. Class A defendants were charged with three categories of offenses: conspiracy to commit aggression, aggression, and conventional war crimes. The prosecution produced more than 400 witnesses, almost 800 witness affidavits, and more than 4,000 other documents.14 Additional tribunals that sat outside of Tokyo judged over 5,500 individuals in more than 2,200 trials. These Class B and C war criminals were charged with committing atrocities during battle, during occupation, or against prisoners of war. Some of these trials were held in Yokohama and others were convened throughout the former theater of war. General MacArthur's hastily organized trials in Manila, the first war crimes trials in the Far East, found Japanese generals Tomoyuki Yamashita and Masaharu Homma guilty, and both were executed. In Shanghai, American tribunals were also held for Japanese soldiers who participated in the trial and execution of American pilots under the "Enemy Airmen's Act," promulgated by the Japanese after the Doolittle raid on Japan in April 1942, as well as for personnel at POW camps in China who abused prisoners. The U.S. Navy held trials for war crimes committed in the Pacific. Many of these proceedings involved close cooperation with British, Australian, and Dutch authorities. The Yasakuni website stated that " ... to defend the independence of the nation as well as the peace of Asia, the sad development of wars with other countries arose. In the Meiji Period there was the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War. In the Taisho Period there was the First World War. Then in the Showa Period occurred the Manchurian Incident, the China Incident and the Greater East Asian War ... the judgment professed by the Military Tribunal for the Far East that Japan fought a war of aggression. Can we say that this view is correct? We must pass judgment on this matter in the same manner of a tribunal that passes judgment after gathering credible proof. We cannot help but feel that the possibility of ulterior motives have not been discounted. Isn't it a fact that the West with its military power invaded and ruled over much of Asia and Africa and that this was the start of East-West relations? There is no uncertainty in history. Japan's dream of building a Great East Asia was necessitated by history and it was sought after by the countries of Asia. We cannot overlook the intent of those who wish to tarnish the good name of the noble souls of Yasukuni." Asian countries regard the Yasukuni Shrine as a symbol of Japanese militarism and felt indignant at the Japanese Government's disregard for other people. Japanese public opinion criticized the official visit to the Yasukuni Shrine on the 40th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, describing it as "an adverse current. Several major newspapers in their editorials strongly protested the visit by Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and other cabinet ministers in their official capacities. Nakasone was the first post-war prime minister to visit Yasukuni in his officialcapacity as head of the government. China bitterly opposed the August 12, 2001 visit to the Yasukuni Shrine by Prime Minister Koizumi. On August 15, 2012, two Japanese Cabinet ministers paid a visit to the Yasakuni Shrine. The visit by National Public Safety Commission Chairman Jin Matsubara and Land Minister Yuichiro Hatahomage was the first visit by a cabinet minister since the Democratic Party came to power in 2009. It coincided with the 67th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II and took place amid worsening tensions between Japan and neighboring China over competing sovereignty claims on uninhabited islands (known Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China) and a similar dispute with South Korea over other uninhabited islands known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 13 October 2025 - Day 1328 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential. Since the beginning of the day, there have been 166 combat clashes. The Russian enemy launched 73 air strikes, dropped 134 controlled airstrikes, deployed 1,924 kamikaze drones to strike, and executed 3,249 shells on positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. Six attacks of Russian invaders took place in the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions. Today, the Russian opponent made two aviation strikes, dropped four controlled aviation bombs, carried out 118 shells. In the south-Slobozhansky direction, 14 combat clashes took place in the districts of Vovchansky, Kamyanka, Kutkivka and in the direction of Bologivka, Dvorichansky, Kolodiaznogo, Kutkivka. There are four combat clashes so far. In the Kupyans komu direction, Russian forces made five attacks on the position of Ukrainian troops. Fights were intense in the areas of Kupiansk, Petropavlivki and in the direction of Kurilivki. One fight is still going on. In the Lyman direction, Russian troops 12 times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of settlements Grekivka, Shandrigolove, Novoselivka, Karpivka, Torske and in the direction of Olgivka and Drobishevy. One battle clash is still going on. In the Slovak direction, Ukrainian soldiers today repelled seven attempts to attack Ukrainian positions. Units of the Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of the settlements of Yampil, Serebryanka and Grigorivka. In the Kramatorsky direction, the Defense Forces repel one Russian attack in the direction of Stupochok. In the Konstantinivsky direction, the Russian occupiers today 21 times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of settlements Predtechyna, Konstantinivka, Oleksandro-Shultine, Scherbinivka, Berestok, Rusin Yar, Nikolaypillya, Poltavka. Defense forces have held back the pressure of the Russian enemy and have already repelled 20 enemy attacks. In the Pokrovsk direction, the Russian zagarbniki made 52 attempts to potisnisni Ukrainian units. The greatest activity is observed in the areas of settlements Volodymyrivka, Chervony Lyman, Mirnograd, Rodinske, Novoukrainka, Novoekonomicne, Balagan, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Kotline, Udaachne, Molodetske, Dachne, Filia and in the direction of Novopavlivka. Until now, combat clashes are ongoing in some locations. According to preliminary calculations, in this direction Ukrainian soldiers killed 113 and wounded 75 Russian invaders, destroyed eight armored vehicles, one artillery system, 20 unmanned aircraft, 20 vehicles, one special equipment unit. Also Ukrainian defenders hit three combat armored vehicles, one artillery system, 10 units of automobile equipment and seven shelters for the Russian enemy's personnel. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Russian forces tried to break through 23 times near the settlements of Ivanivka, Oleksandrograd, Sichneve, Vorone, Stepovo, Novomikolaivka, Novogrigorivka, Yalta and Sosnivka. The fights continue in two locations. In the gulyajpil s komu direction, the Russian enemy did not carry out offensive actions, but caused air strikes on barvinivka and zaliznychnomu. In the orihivs komu direction the Russian agressor spent four useless attacks in the area of stepovogo. In the Pridniprovsk direction, the Russian enemy carried out offensive actions in the direction of Antonivka three times. In other directions, significant changes in the environment have not been recorded. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. Units of the Sever Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted fire damage on formations of two mechanised brigades, one air assault brigade, one jaeger brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade close to Alekseyevka, Andreyevka, Varachino, Novaya Sech, and Sadki (Sumy region). In Kharkov direction, Russian troops hit units of one motorised infantry brigade of the AFU, one territorial defence brigade, and border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine near Volchansk (Kharkov region). The AFU losses were up to 140 troops, one tank, 13 pickup trucks, and a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system. One electronic warfare station, three ammunition depots, and five materiel depots were neutralised. As a result of resolute actions, the Zapad Group of Forces' units liberated Borovskaya Andreyevka (Kharkov region). Russian troops launched attacks on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one National Guard brigade near Sadovoye, Kurilovka, Peschanoye, Boguslavka, Shiykovka, Kupyansk (Kharkov region), Yampol, and Novoselovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses were more than 230 troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, 30 motor vehicles, one field artillery gun, seven electronic warfare stations, and five ammunition depots. The Yug Group of Forces' units improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops delivered strikes at formations of three mechanised brigades, one mountain assault brigade, one air assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one territorial defence brigade, and one National Guard brigade near Dronovka, Zvanovka, Pleshcheyevka, Ivanopolye, Berestok, Stepanovka, Konstantinovka, and Seversk (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were more than 180 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles including one U.S.-made MaxxPro armoured vehicle and one U.S.-made Stryker armoured personnel carrier, 12 motor vehicles, four artillery guns, one Czech-made Vampire MLRS combat vehicle, and one electronic warfare station. In addition, two ammunition depots as well as three materiel depots were neutralised. The Tsentr Group of Forces' units liberated Moskovskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), entered eastern areas of Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic), and developed an offensive in residential areas. Russian troops hit manpower and hardware of one heavy mechanised brigade, four mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade, one air assault brigade, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one marine brigade, one territorial defence brigade, and two National Guard brigades close to Rodinskoye, Vasilevka, Novopavlovka, Toretskoye, Udachnoye, Krasnoarmeysk, Lenino (Donetsk People's Republic), Ivanovka, and Filiya (Dnepropetrovsk region). The AFU losses were up to 535 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, and three field artillery guns. The Vostok Group of Forces continued to advance into the depths of enemy defences. Russian troops launched attacks on formations of one mechanised brigade, three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two territorial defence brigades near Alekseyevka, Grigorovka, Vishnevoye (Dnepropetrovsk region), Poltavka, and Privolnoye (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses were up to 355 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, 21 motor vehicles, two artillery guns, and three electronic warfare stations. The Dnepr Group of Forces' units inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of one heavy mechanised brigade, two coastal defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade near Nikolayevka, Tomarino, Lvovo, Antonovka, and Sadovoye (Kherson region). The enemy losses were up to 60 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, five electronic warfare stations, and three ammunition depots. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces inflicted fire damage on one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS launcher as well as Ukrainian defence industry enterprises, missile and artillery weapons depots, material depots as well as temporary deployment areas of the AFU and foreign mercenaries in 142 areas. Air defence systems shot down ten guided aerial bombs, one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectile, and 344 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost: 667 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 89,944 unmanned aerial vehicles, 631 anti-aircraft missile systems, 25,483 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,600 MLRS combat vehicles, 30,416 field artillery guns and mortars, 43,839 support military vehicles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of V.F. Corporation (NYSE: VFC) between October 30, 2023 and May 20, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important November 12, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased V.F. Corporation 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 V.F. Corporation class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44811 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 12, 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 firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and/or concealed material adverse facts concerning the true state of V.F. Corporations turnaround plans. Specifically, defendants provided investors with material information concerning V.F. Corporations turnaround plan (Reinvent), which in part focused on efforts to return the Vans brand to positive growth. The lawsuit alleges that defendants concealed that additional significant reset actions would be necessary to return the Vans brand to growth, and would result in significant setbacks to Vans revenue growth trajectory. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the V.F. Corporation class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44811 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com Washington D.C., Oct. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) celebrates a tremendous win for our community as AAFA-sponsored legislation requiring allergen disclosure in restaurants has been signed into law in California. The Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act will require California restaurants with 20 or more locations nationally to disclose the Top 9 allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame) on their menus. "Today marks a historic victory for the millions of Californians living with food allergies, said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. By signing the ADDE Act, Governor Newsom made California the first state in the nation to require restaurants to provide allergen information, fundamentally changing how we approach dining safety. This legislation will save lives by ensuring that families like mine can finally dine out without fear or guesswork about what's in our food. I'm deeply grateful to Senator Caroline Menjivar for her courageous leadership in championing this bill and to Addie Lao and her mother, Robyn, for their tireless advocacy that made this moment possible. While this first step applies to chain restaurants with 20 or more locations, it sets a powerful precedent that will encourage broader adoption across the industry and inspire other states to follow California's lead. This is what progress looks like when advocacy, courage, and common sense come together." AAFA supported and co-sponsored the ADDE Act along with food allergy advocates Robyn and Addie Lao who at age 9 inspired dozens of other children and teens to rally support for this bill. AAFA helped recruit support from nearly 70 state and national organizations, more than 500 health care professionals, and over a thousand California residents. AAFA provided testimony in legislative hearings, hosted Capitol lobby days (virtual and in-person), hosted an informational webinar and advocate trainings, and communicated with the media about the bills progress. We want to thank all the advocates who wrote their lawmakers, attended legislative hearings in Sacramento, and organized to make this law a reality, said Melanie Carver, AAFAs chief mission officer. Your voices made a difference, and the result will be felt in thousands of restaurants as people with food allergies enjoy dining out with more confidence to navigate food allergens. The legislative leader of the bill was Sen. Caroline Menjivar. As someone with food allergies herself, Menjivar understands the challenge presented by dining in restaurants. Her leadership and personal experience helped propel the bill through the legislative process. About the Law The original ADDE bill was amended and overwhelming supported by the CA legislature passing the Senate 39-0 and the Assembly 66-1. Today, Gov. Newsom signed the bill into law and it goes into effect on July 1, 2026. What does the ADDE Act do: Requires restaurants with 20 locations or more to provide written disclosure of food allergen ingredients to customers. Allows restaurants to provide allergen information directly on the menu or in a digital format (such as a QR code). If they provide it digitally, they can use an allergen list or allergen-specific menu. Requires restaurants that use a digital format for the allergen disclosure to also offer consumers a print option. Provides enforcement through the California Department of Public Health and the local health agencies that regulate food and restaurant safety. What the ADDE Act doesnt do: The law does not apply to restaurants with fewer than 20 locations. The law does not apply additional penalties beyond the monetary fine allowed for violations of the health code. The law does not require restaurants to provide may contain or shared facility information. Whats Next AAFA views this law as a foundation to build on both in California and in states across the country. The momentum from this win will help us expand food allergen disclosure to more restaurants in California in the future and will also provide a roadmap for successful food allergen disclosure in other states. AAFA is already having conversations with lawmakers in other states about food allergen disclosure legislation for 2026 and beyond. California restaurant customers should be aware the law will take effect next summer and only pertains to restaurants with at least 20 locations. Patrons with food allergies should communicate with restaurant staff to determine if a dining establishment can accommodate their needs. Why the ADDE Act Matters According to a national health survey by the CDC, about 20 million people in the U.S. have food allergies, including more than 2 million people in California. CDC also reports that nearly half of food allergy-related deaths are linked to food from a restaurant or other food service provider. AAFAs My Life with Food Allergy research and report reveals that families navigating food allergies experience significant impacts to their quality of life due to mental, emotional, and social strain. Nearly 90% of parents managing a childs food allergy report avoiding certain restaurants, and over half have left a restaurant in the middle of dining due to concerns about food safety. AAFA believes clear, simple food allergen labeling at restaurants should be the standard. This law helps make that possible. ## About AAFA Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies, and related conditions through research, education, advocacy, and support. AAFA offers extensive support for individuals and families affected by asthma and allergic diseases, such as food allergies and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Through its online patient support communities, network of regional chapters, and collaborations with community-based groups, AAFA empowers patients and their families by providing practical, evidence-based information and community programs and services. AAFA is the only asthma and allergy patient advocacy group that is certified to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Health Council. For more information, visit: aafa.org and kidswithfoodallergies.org Attachment Austin, TX, USA, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Custom Market Insights has published a new research report titled Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market Size, Trends and Insights By Solution (Software Only, Software with Hardware and Related Components [IT Support, Training Costs {Per Provider}]), By End-use (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 in its research database. According to the latest research study, the demand of the global Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market size & share was valued at approximately USD 562.38 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 597.64 Billion in 2025 and is expected to reach a value of around USD 1024 Billion by 2034, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6.27% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034. Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/request-for-free-sample/?reportid=74308 Overview According to experts at CMI, the global anesthesia information management systems market is expected to grow significantly from 2025 to 2034. This growth is likely due to more hospitals using electronic health records (EHRs), an increase in the number of surgeries, and the use of cloud computing and AI to make operations more efficient and keep patients safe. More spending on healthcare IT and new regulations for better data management are also contributing to this market growth. The main trends include AI-driven analytics and cloud-based solutions. Key Trends & Drivers Adoption of EHRs to Spell Growth: Expansion of EHRs at the global level is one of the significant drivers as it does create a requirement for better management of data and standardized documentation pertaining to anesthesia. Furthermore, increased hospital admissions and the number of surgical operations at the global level are raising demand for efficient AIMS. Request a Customized Copy of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/request-for-customization/?reportid=74308 Technological Advancements to Catalyze Growth: Rise in the number of surgical procedures preceded by hospital admissions is calling for the installation of effective anesthesia information management systems. Integrating ML, AI, and cloud computing into healthcare is one of the major trends offering remote monitoring capabilities and enhanced data analysis. Report Scope Feature of the Report Details Market Size in 2025 USD 597.64 Billion Projected Market Size in 2034 USD 1024 Billion Market Size in 2024 USD 562.38 Billion CAGR Growth Rate 6.27% CAGR Base Year 2024 Forecast Period 2025-2034 Key Segment By Solution, End-use and Region Report Coverage Revenue Estimation and Forecast, Company Profile, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Recent Trends Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America Buying Options Request tailored purchasing options to fulfil your requirements for research. (A free sample of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems report is available upon request; please contact us for more information.) Our Free Sample Report Consists of the following: The updated report for 2025 includes an introduction, an overview, and an in-depth industry analysis. Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on the Request. Updated Regional Analysis with a Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2025 Includes Tables and figures have been updated. The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis Custom Market Insights (CMI) research methodology (Please note that the sample of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems report has been modified to include the COVID-19 impact study prior to delivery.) Request a Customized Copy of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/anesthesia-information-management-market/ SWOT Analysis Strengths: Anesthesia information management systems do capture patient data in a comprehensive manner, thereby resulting in better-informed clinical decisions. Automation of data recording followed by analysis does increase productivity in the operating room. Historical data does help anesthesiologists plan treatments after scheduling dosages. Higher rates of adoption are observed in academic anesthesiology. Weaknesses: The installation cost of anesthesia information management systems could be a visible barrier for certain healthcare facilities. A few systems are looked upon as complex, which could hamper adoption. Also, there could be issues with recording and the potential for wrong alerts could be impacting reliability. Opportunities: Integrating AI with predictive analytics does offer opportunities for smarter utilization of data. Growth in cloud computing is also capable of improving scalability and accessibility of anesthesia information management systems (AIMS). The developing economies such as Africa and the Asia-Pacific, do present potential for growth owing to aging populations and increased investments in healthcare. AIMS has the potential of integrating with emerging medical devices for more accurate data collection. Threats: Increased digitalization does raise concern regarding data security and, in turn, potential breaches. Also, ongoing investment needed for advanced AIMS could strain hospital budgets. Evolving regulations pertaining to healthcare could also adversely affect implementation of AIMS. Request a Customized Copy of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/anesthesia-information-management-market/ Key questions answered in this report: What is the size of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems market, and what is its expected growth rate? What are the primary driving factors that push the Anesthesia Information Management Systems market forward? What are the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Industry's top companies? What are the different categories that the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market caters to? What will be the fastest-growing segment or region? In the value chain, what role do essential players play? What is the procedure for getting a free copy of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems market sample report and company profiles? Key Offerings: Market Share, Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20252034 Market Dynamics Growth Drivers, Restraints, Investment Opportunities, and Leading Trends Market Segmentation A detailed analysis by Types of Services, by End-User Services, and by regions Competitive Landscape Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors Buy this Premium Anesthesia Information Management Systems Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/anesthesia-information-management-market/ Regional Perspective The anesthesia information management systems market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, LAMEA, and Central America. North America North America holds more than 60% of the overall market share. This could be reasoned with increased awareness about effectiveness of AIMS, rise in emphasis on anesthetic dosage, and focus on complete data management. As per a study by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services, nearly 129 million individuals in the U.S. battle atleast one major chronic illness like obesity, cancer, hypertension, heart disease, and other diseases. Asia Pacific Asia Pacifics anesthesia information management systems (AIMS) market is driven by growing patient pool suffering from chronic conditions necessitating surgical treatments. The region is set for robust growth with acceleration of healthcare digitalization. Also, massive investments in healthcare IT infrastructure is on the rise, which is leading to growth of AIMS market. Europe Europes anesthesia information management systems market has been identified as one of the lucrative opportunities owing to increased geriatric population and requirement for healthcare facilities. As such, increase in surgical problems and chronic illnesses, which does boost need for effective control over anesthesia. LAMEA LAMEA is witnessing an increase in investment in healthcare infrastructure, which also includes creation of a strong need for various modern systems such as AIMS for supporting advanced medical systems. Moreover, countries in LAMEA are witnessing speedy industrialization and urbanization, there is a rise in demand for enhanced healthcare services inclusive of more efficient anesthesia management. Central America Central America is witnessing an increase in healthcare investments along with initiatives taken by the governments for digitizing healthcare. Such factors, in amalgamation with rising adoption of EHRs and growing number of surgical procedures, do create a robust demand for AIMS for improving operational efficiency, patient safety, and data-driven decision-making in the healthcare facilities. We customize your report to align with your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customizing your report.) Still Looking for More Information? Do you want data for inclusion in magazines, case studies, research papers, or media? Email Directly Here with Detailed Information: support@custommarketinsights.com Browse the full Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market Size, Trends and Insights By Solution (Software Only, Software with Hardware and Related Components [IT Support, Training Costs {Per Provider}]), By End-use (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 Report at https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/anesthesia-information-management-market/ List of the prominent players in the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market: Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA Gazprom GE HealthCare Koninklijke Philips N.V. Surgical Information Systems Talis Clinical LLC Coronis Health Provation Software Inc. Oracle (Cerner) Veradigm LLC (formerly Allscripts) Fukuda Denshi UK iMDsoft Others Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/anesthesia-information-management-market/ Spectacular Deals Comprehensive coverage Maximum number of market tables and figures The subscription-based option is offered. Best price guarantee Free 35% or 60 hours of customization. Free post-sale service assistance. 25% discount on your next purchase. Service guarantees are available. A personalized market brief by the author. 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Which Trends Are Causing These Developments? Who Are the Global Key Players in This Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market? What are the company profiles, product information, and contact details for these key players? What Was the Global Market Status of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market? What Was the Capacity, Production Value, Cost, and PROFIT of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market? What Is the Current Market Status of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Industry? What's the market's competition in this industry, both company-wise and country-wise? What's Market Analysis of Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market by Considering Applications and Types? What Are Projections of the Global Anesthesia Information Management Systems Industry Considering Capacity, Production, and Production Value? What Will Be the Estimation of Cost and Profit? What Will Be Market Share, Supply, and Consumption? What about imports and exports? What is an Anesthesia Information Management Systems market chain analysis of upstream raw materials and downstream industries? What is the economic impact on the Anesthesia Information Management Systems industry? What are Global Macroeconomic Environment Analysis Results? What Are Global Macroeconomic Environment Development Trends? What Are the Market Dynamics of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market? What Are Challenges and Opportunities? What Should Be Entry Strategies, Countermeasures to Economic Impact, and Marketing Channels for Anesthesia Information Management Systems Industry? Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/anesthesia-information-management-market/ Reasons to Purchase Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market Report Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market Report provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market based on segmentation involving economic and non-economic factors. Anesthesia Information Management Systems The Market report outlines market value (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment. This report indicates the region and segment expected to witness the fastest growth and dominate the market. Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market Analysis by geography highlights the consumption of the product/service in the region and indicates the factors affecting the market within each region. The competitive landscape incorporates the market ranking of the major players, along with new service/product launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions in the past five years of companies profiled. Extensive company profiles comprise a company overview, company insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis for the major market players. Recent developments, including growth opportunities and drivers, as well as challenges and restraints in both emerging and developed regions, shape the industry's current and future market outlook. Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market: Includes in-depth market analysis from various perspectives through Porter's five forces analysis and offers an overview of the market through the value chain. Reasons for the Research Report The study provides a thorough overview of the global Anesthesia Information Management Systems market. Compare your performance to that of the market as a whole. Aim to maintain competitiveness while innovations from established leaders drive market growth. Buy this Premium Anesthesia Information Management Systems Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/anesthesia-information-management-market/ What does the report include? Drivers, restrictions, and opportunities are among the qualitative elements covered in the worldwide Anesthesia Information Management Systems market analysis. The report covers the competitive environment of current and potential participants in the Anesthesia Information Management Systems market, along with their strategic product development ambitions. This study conducts a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems market based on the component, application, and industry vertical. Additionally, the report provides comparable data for the key regions. The report provides actual market sizes and forecasts for each segment mentioned above. Who should buy this report? Participants and stakeholders worldwide Anesthesia Information Management Systems market should find this report useful. The research will be useful to all market participants in the Anesthesia Information Management Systems industry. Managers in the Anesthesia Information Management Systems sector are interested in publishing up-to-date and projected data about the worldwide Anesthesia Information Management Systems market. Governmental agencies, regulatory bodies, decision-makers, and organizations want to invest in Anesthesia Information Management Systems products' market trends. Analysts, researchers, educators, strategy managers, and government organizations seek market insights to develop plans. Request a Customized Copy of the Anesthesia Information Management Systems Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/anesthesia-information-management-market/ About Custom Market Insights: Custom Market Insights is a market research and advisory company delivering business insights and market research reports to large, small, and medium-scale enterprises. We assist clients with strategies and business policies and regularly work towards achieving sustainable growth in their respective domains. CMI is a one-stop solution for data collection and investment advice. Our company's expert analysis digs out essential factors that help us understand the significance and impact of market dynamics. The professional experts advise clients on aspects such as strategies for future estimation, forecasting, opportunities to grow, and consumer surveys. Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Contact Us: Frank Gittens CMI Consulting LLC 1333, 701 Tillery Street Unit 12, Austin, TX, Travis, US, 78702 USA: +1 737-734-2707 APAC: +91 20 46022736 WhatsApp No : +1 801 639 9061 Email: support@custommarketinsights.com Web: https://www.custommarketinsights.com/ Blog: https://businessresearchindustry.com Blog: https://www.briinsights.com/ Blog: https://cmimarketresearch.com/ Buy this Premium Anesthesia Information Management Systems Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/anesthesia-information-management-market/ SEATTLE, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WatchGuard Technologies, a global leader in unified cybersecurity, today announced the launch of Endpoint Security Prime (Prime), a disruptive new package that redefines the standard for endpoint protection. Available immediately in North America through an early access program, Endpoint Security Prime combines full, AI-powered endpoint detection and response (EDR) with next-generation antivirus (NGAV) to reduce attack surfaces and stop threats in real time. Priced to be accessible to every organization, Prime eliminates the industrys long-standing trade-off between strong protection and affordability to reduce attack surfaces and stop threats in real time. NGAV alone is obsolete, said Michelle Welch, CMO and SVP of Business Strategy at WatchGuard. Its irresponsible for the industry to keep selling entry-level protection while holding real endpoint defense hostage behind higher prices. With Prime, weve eliminated the trade-off between cost and security. EDR is foundational, and were making it accessible to every organization, not just the resource-rich. Why Prime Matters Now Cyberattacks today move faster and use advanced techniques that easily slip past NGAV or endpoint protection platforms (EPP) alone. Organizations relying only on prevention are blind to fileless attacks, living-off-the-land techniques, and other threats that bypass signatures. Without EDR, theres no visibility, no investigation, and no ability to respond one bypass leaves the entire environment exposed. Endpoint Security Prime resets the baseline, delivering full AI-powered EDR capabilities, including advanced malware detection, anti-exploit protection, and attack surface reduction, at a price point competitive with basic NGAV-only solutions, making true endpoint defense accessible to every organization. The Power of Endpoint Security Prime Close the NGAV gap. NGAV-only protection leaves organizations exposed; Prime raises the baseline by making NGAV + EDR the standard. Automate faster response. WatchGuards AI-powered, self-learning agents detect, investigate, and remediate threats in milliseconds, even offline. Dynamically control the attack surface. Primes built-in vulnerability management, device control, web filtering, anti-phishing, and tamper protection shrink the attack surface before threats can enter endpoints. Remove cost barriers. Enterprise-grade protection at NGAV-level pricing makes real security accessible to every business. "The EDR space is a noisy one with many competing value claims, said Mike Jude, Research Director for the IDC Endpoint Security practice from IDC Corporation. WatchGuard Prime's value proposition rises above the background noise with AI-powered EDR, NGAV, and attack surface reduction by default. By pairing strong technology with simple packaging, WatchGuard is delivering a compelling security capability to the market. Unlocking More with WatchGuard MDR Endpoint Security Prime raises the baseline, but many organizations want even more assurance. With WatchGuard MDR, customers add 24/7 threat hunting, investigation, and response from a team of experts working hand-in-hand with our AI-powered platform. Its enterprise-grade vigilance made accessible to every business. WatchGuards Full Suite of Endpoint Security Services Endpoint Security Prime is part of the WatchGuard Endpoint Security Platform, which unifies the companys endpoint offerings into one flexible platform. Customers can already move seamlessly between packages as their needs evolve, and once generally available (GA), Prime customers will enjoy the same flexibility. Todays portfolio includes: WatchGuard EPP NGAV baseline endpoint protection. WatchGuard Endpoint Security Prime EDR-first, AI-powered with NGAV and Dynamic Attack Surface Control at an accessible price. WatchGuard EPDR NGAV + EDR with a unique on-top 100% application attestation layer enforcing default-deny until classification; Endpoint Access Enforcement (EAE) allows inbound only from compliant devices. WatchGuard Endpoint Security for Servers Purpose-built server protection at the EPDR level. WatchGuard Advanced EPDR (AEPDR) Adds to EPDR, SecOps tools for deeper investigation and faster response. Every investment made today carries forward into the platform, with no disruptive migrations or re-installs. Over time, feature-level activation will add even more flexibility, allowing MSPs and customers to tailor protection with precision. Recognized by Industry Analysts, Trusted by Users WatchGuard is recognized as a Leader and Outperformer in the 2025 GigaOm EDR Radar, earning high marks in Innovation and Core EDR Capabilities. Since 2023, WatchGuard has participated in MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations, consistently demonstrating high detection coverage, strong prevention, and low alert and false-positive noise, thereby showing operational efficiency. Customers consistently rate WatchGuard highly on Gartner Peer Insights, G2, and TrustRadius for ease of use, value, and trusted protection. Availability Endpoint Security Prime is available immediately in North America as part of an early program through December 31, 2025. Global availability, along with additional endpoint security packages, begins in early 2026. About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. is a global leader in unified cybersecurity. Our Unified Security Platform approach is uniquely designed for managed service providers to deliver world-class security that increases business scale and velocity while improving operational efficiency. Trusted by more than 17,000 security resellers and service providers to protect over 250,000 customers, the companys award-winning products and services span network security and intelligence, advanced endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, and secure Wi-Fi. Together, they offer five critical elements of a security platform: comprehensive security, shared knowledge, clarity & control, operational alignment, and automation. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com. For additional information, promotions, and updates, follow WatchGuard on Instagram, X.com (@WatchGuard), Facebook, or LinkedIn. Also, visit our InfoSec blog, Secplicity, for real-time information about the latest threats and how to cope with them. Subscribe to The 443 Security Simplified podcast wherever you find your favorite podcasts. WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR TO BE TRANSMITTED, DISTRIBUTED TO, OR SENT BY, ANY NATIONAL OR RESIDENT OR CITIZEN OF ANY SUCH COUNTRIES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION MAY CONTRAVENE LOCAL SECURITIES LAWS OR REGULATIONS. CASCAIS, Portugal, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pulsar Helium Inc. (AIM: PLSR, TSXV: PLSR, OTCQB: PSRHF) (Pulsar or the Company), a leading helium exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that the drill rig and supporting equipment has been mobilized and is due to arrive at the Companys flagship Topaz Project in Minnesota, USA this Wednesday. Up to ten additional wells are to be drilled, with the campaign designed to further define the geometry, extent, and productivity of the helium-bearing reservoir identified in previous drilling and flow-testing campaigns. Drilling of the first well, Jetstream #3, is anticipated to commence later this week. Pulsar personnel, including the Companys President & CEO, Chief Financial Officer, and Operations Manager, are on site overseeing final preparations. The program will comprise up to ten wells targeting helium-bearing zones at depths between 1,500 to 3,900 feet (~450 to 1,200 metres). Drill depths will be refined based on geological modelling to ensure complete penetration of the reservoir at each location. Operations will run on a continuous 24-hour basis using rotating crews to maximize efficiency and minimize downtime. Data collected throughout the campaign, including gas shows, core samples, and downhole measurements, will be analyzed in real time. These results will enable Pulsar to refine its reservoir model, confirm continuity between well locations, and identify optimal sites for future production infrastructure. Thomas Abraham-James, President & CEO of Pulsar, commented: The mobilization of the drill rig signals the start of an exciting new phase at Topaz. Building on the strong results from Jetstream #1 and #2, this next program is critical in confirming the scale of Minnesotas helium potential. Each well will bring us closer to quantifying the resource, advancing Topaz toward commercial development, and reinforcing Pulsars role in strengthening U.S. helium supply chains. About the Rig The wells will be drilled by Timberline Drilling Inc., using a Christensen CT20 that has a drilling depth capacity of 8,000 feet (2,435 meters). The Christensen CT20 is safe, ergonomic and environmentally friendly. The rig is an ideal choice for surface core drilling anywhere in the world. Available with truck or crawler mounted versions, the Christensen CT20 can easily be transported and maneuvered. About the Topaz Project The Topaz project is located in northern Minnesota, USA, where Pulsar is the first mover and holds exclusive leases. Drilling at the Jetstream #1 appraisal well reached a total depth (TD) of 5,100 feet (1,555 meters) in January 2025, successfully penetrating the entire interpreted helium-bearing reservoir and beyond. Drilling of the Jetstream #2 appraisal well was completed on February 1, 2025, reaching a TD of 5,638 feet (1,718 meters). In August 2025, the Jetstream #1 well was successfully flow-tested using a wellhead compressor, delivering a peak gas flow rate of approximately 1.3 million cubic feet per day with a sustained flow of 78% helium (as helium-4). Recent laboratory analyses have also confirmed the presence of helium-3 in measurable concentrations, representing one of the highest naturally occurring helium-3 values publicly reported in a terrestrial gas reservoir. The forthcoming multi-well drilling campaign will build on these results to expand Pulsars understanding of the reservoir and advance Topaz toward development. On behalf Pulsar Helium Inc. Thomas Abraham-James President, CEO and Director Further Information: Pulsar Helium Inc. connect@pulsarhelium.com + 1 (218) 203-5301 (USA/Canada) +44 (0) 2033 55 9889 (United Kingdom) https://pulsarhelium.com https://ca.linkedin.com/company/pulsar-helium-inc. Yellow Jersey PR Limited (Financial PR) Charles Goodwin / Annabelle Wills +44 777 5194 357 pulsarhelium@yellowjerseypr.com Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser, and Joint Broker) Ritchie Balmer / Rob Patrick / Richard Johnson +44 (0) 207 409 3494 OAK Securities* (Joint Broker) Richard McGlashan / Mungo Sheehan +44 7879 646641 / +44 7788 266844 richard.mcglashan@oak-securities.com / mungo.sheehan@oak-securities.com *OAK Securities is the trading name of Merlin Partners LLP, a firm incorporated in the United Kingdom and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. About Pulsar Helium Inc. Pulsar Helium Inc. is a publicly traded company quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and listed on the TSX Venture Exchange with the ticker PLSR, as well as on the OTCQB with the ticker PSRHF. Pulsar's portfolio consists of its flagship Topaz helium project in Minnesota, USA, and the Tunu helium project in Greenland. Pulsar is the first mover in both locations with primary helium occurrences not associated with the production of hydrocarbons identified at each. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Qualified Person Signoff In accordance with the AIM Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies, the Company discloses that Thomas Abraham-James, President, CEO and Director of the Company has reviewed the technical information contained herein. Mr. Abraham-James has approximately 20 years in the mineral exploration industry, is a Chartered Professional Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM CP (Geo)), a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists and a Fellow of the Geological Society of London. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the statements regarding bringing the Topaz project to production, anticipated full plant construction contract in 2026, final investment decision being made in 2026, the potential impact of the drill results, flow testing and pressure testing on the next iteration of the resource estimate; the potential of CO 2 as a valuable by-product of the Companys future helium production; and the potential for future wells. Forward-looking statements may involve estimates and are based upon assumptions made by management of the Company, including, but not limited to, the Company's capital cost estimates, management's expectations regarding the availability of capital to fund the Company's future capital and operating requirements and the ability to obtain all requisite regulatory approvals. No reserves have been assigned in connection with the Company's property interests to date, given their early stage of development. The future value of the Company is therefore dependent on the success or otherwise of its activities, which are principally directed toward the future exploration, appraisal and development of its assets, and potential acquisition of property interests in the future. Un-risked Contingent and Prospective Helium Volumes have been defined at the Topaz Project. However, estimating helium volumes is subject to significant uncertainties associated with technical data and the interpretation of that data, future commodity prices, and development and operating costs. There can be no guarantee that the Company will successfully convert its helium volume to reserves and produce that estimated volume. Estimates may alter significantly or become more uncertain when new information becomes available due to for example, additional drilling or production tests over the life of field. As estimates change, development and production plans may also vary. Downward revision of helium volume estimates may adversely affect the Company's operational or financial performance. Helium volume estimates are expressions of judgement based on knowledge, experience and industry practice. These estimates are imprecise and depend to some extent on interpretations, which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate and require adjustment or, even if valid when originally calculated, may alter significantly when new information or techniques become available. As further information becomes available through additional drilling and analysis the estimates are likely to change. Any adjustments to volume could affect the Company's exploration and development plans which may, in turn, affect the Company's performance. The process of estimating helium resources is complex and requires significant decisions and assumptions to be made in evaluating the reliability of available geological, geophysical, engineering, and economic date for each property. Different engineers may make different estimates of resources, cash flows, or other variables based on the same available data. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward- looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, that Pulsar may be unsuccessful in drilling commercially productive wells; the uncertainty of resource estimation; operational risks in conducting exploration, including that drill costs may be higher than estimates ; commodity prices; health, safety and environmental factors; and other factors set forth above as well as risk factors included in the Companys Annual Information Form dated July 31, 2025 for the year ended September 30, 2024 found under Companys profile on www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. No assurance can be given that the forward-looking statements herein will prove to be correct and, accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. PERTH, Australia, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alkane Resources Limited (Alkane) (ASX:ALK, TSX:ALK, OTC:ALKEF) advises that Non-Executive Director, Mr Dominic Duffy, has resigned from the Board of Alkane to pursue other opportunities. Alkane Chair, Andy Quinn, said: It has been a pleasure working with Dominic since he joined the Alkane Board following the completion of the merger with Mandalay Resources Corporation. On behalf of the Board, I thank him for his contributions and wish him every success in his future endeavours. The Board is considering its composition and future appointments. This document has been authorised for release to the market by Nic Earner, Managing Director. ABOUT ALKANE alkres.com ASX:ALK | TSX: ALK | OTCQX: ALKEF Alkane Resources (ASX:ALK; TSX:ALK; OTCQX:ALKEF) is an Australia-based gold and antimony producer with a portfolio of three operating mines across Australia and Sweden. The Company has a strong balance sheet and is positioned for further growth. Alkanes wholly owned producing assets are the Tomingley open pit and underground gold mine southwest of Dubbo in Central West New South Wales, the Costerfield gold and antimony underground mining operation northeast of Heathcote in Central Victoria, and the Bjorkdal underground gold mine northwest of Skelleftea in Sweden (approximately 750km north of Stockholm). Ongoing near-mine regional exploration continues to grow resources at all three operations. Alkane also owns the very large gold-copper porphyry Boda-Kaiser Project in Central West New South Wales and has outlined an economic development pathway in a Scoping Study. The Company has ongoing exploration within the surrounding Northern Molong Porphyry Project and is confident of further enhancing eastern Australias reputation as a significant gold, copper and antimony production region. CONTACT: NIC EARNER, MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO, ALKANE RESOURCES LTD, TEL +61 8 9227 5677 INVESTORS & MEDIA: NATALIE CHAPMAN, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, TEL +61 418 642 556 TIANJIN, China, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 7th China Helicopter Exposition is scheduled to take place in north China's Tianjin Airport Economic Zone from October 16 to 19. To date, the event has drawn close to 400 enterprises from over 30 countries and regions, marking the highest number of participants in the expo's history. Notably, all six of the world's leading helicopter prime manufacturers will attend the expo. Spanning a total exhibition area of 160,000 square meters, this year's expo features nearly 200 booths grouped into ten major categories. These categories cover complete helicopters, electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircrafts (eVTOLs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), engines, airborne equipment, ground-based gear, and supporting services. As the world's only professional helicopter exhibition that incorporates flight demonstrations, this year's expo will host six flight shows in total. The aircraft taking part in these demonstrations include 8 CAIC Z-10 attack helicopters, 2 Harbin Z-20 tactical utility helicopters, and the Z-20 assault variant, which will make its first public flight appearance. In the static ground exhibition area, among the 52 displayed aircrafts, 38 helicopters encompass both the active mainstay models of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Aviation and globally acclaimed star models: the Z-8L wide-body transport helicopter, the KVD002 reconnaissance-and-attack integrated UAV, and international models such as the Airbus H135 and Leonardo AW139 will be showcased. Additionally, domestic civil aircraft like AVIC's AC312E and AC311A will demonstrate versatile application scenarios, ranging from emergency rescue to medical transportation. Source: The 7th China Helicopter Exposition Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "South Africa Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Johannesburg dominates the upcoming data center market in South Africa with almost 70% of the total planned power capacity. The existing data center capacity in South Africa stands at around 355 MW, while the upcoming capacity is expected to be around 185 MW, marking a strong expansion pipeline. Almost 150 MW of additional power capacity is expected to be added by the end of 2025. More than $2 billion in new investments is projected to flow into upcoming data centers in South Africa by 2026. Key Market Highlights This database (Excel) product covers the South Africa data center market portfolio analysis, which provides the following information on colocation data centers: Detailed Analysis of 55 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 6 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, East London, Emalahleni, George, Gqeberha, Grabouw, Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Klein Brak Rivier, Klerksdorp, Knysna, Middleburg, Midrand, Mount Edgecombe, Nelspruit, New Germany, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Plettenberg Bay, Polokwane, Potchefstroom, Pretoria, Rustenburg, Sedgefield, Somerset West / Paarl. Existing white-floor space (square feet) Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2025) Future capacity additions (2025-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Existing Data Centers (55 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (JB2 or JHB1.) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (6 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening Target Audience Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Data center Construction Contractors Data center Infrastructure Providers New Entrants Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing vs. Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) 8. Colocation Pricing Major Operators/Investors Covered in This South Africa Data Center Market Database Africa Data Centres Business Connexion CipherWave Digital Parks Africa Equinix Internet Solutions ZA MTN NTT & Dimesnsion Data Open Access Data Centres (OADC) Paratus Teraco (Digital Realty) Vantage Data Centers Vodacom Business For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w0uh43 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Colombia Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Bogota remains the central hub, hosting over 98% of both existing and upcoming rack capacity in the country. Upcoming data center capacity in Colombia is projected to exceed 230 MW at full build, nearly 4 times the current installed capacity. Around 35 MW of new power capacity is expected to go live by the end of 2026. Major operators like ODATA, Equinix and KIO Networks are driving Colombia's next phase of digital infrastructure growth. Key Market Highlights This database (Excel) product covers the Colombia data center market portfolio analysis, which provides the following information on colocation data centers: Detailed Analysis of 25 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 09 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Barranquilla, Bogota, Cali and Medellin. Existing white-floor space (square feet) Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2025) Future capacity additions (2025-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Existing Data Centers (25 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (DC L38 I or Titanium Data Center) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (9 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening Target Audience Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Data center Construction Contractors Data center Infrastructure Providers New Entrants Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing vs. Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) 8. Colocation Pricing Major Operators/Investors Covered in This Colombia Data Center Market Database Ascenty (Digital Realty) Cirion Technologies (Lumen Technologies) Claro DHAmericas EdgeConneX EdgeUno Equinix Etix Everywhere GlobeNet Telecom Grupo Gtd Grupo ZFB (Zetta Data Center) HostDime IPXON Networks KIO Networks ODATA (Aligned Data Centers) Scala Data Centers Takoda (TIVIT) Tecto Data Centers (V.tal) Tigo For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gnl1gm About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Mexico Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Mexico's upcoming data center capacity is now estimated at over 700 MW, which is 2x the current operational capacity in the country. The Queretaro and Bajio regions continue to lead the expansion, hosting most of the future rack capacity. Durango, Monterrey, and Mexico City are emerging as secondary hotspots, alongside traditional hubs like Guadalajara and Queretaro. Some of the leading data center operators in the country are ODATA (Aligned Data Centers), Ascenty (Digital Realty), KIO Networks and Equinix. New facilities are focusing on energy-efficient designs and modular scalability to support rapid deployment and sustainable growth. Key Market Highlights This database (Excel) product covers the Mexico data center market portfolio analysis, which provides the following information on colocation data centers: Detailed Analysis of 40 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 18 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Bajio region of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Heroica Veracruz, Merida, Mexico City, Monterrey, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis, Tepotzotlan, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Villahermosa, Xalapa. Existing white-floor space (square feet) Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2025) Future capacity additions (2025-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Existing Data Centers (40 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (Tiara Data Center or HER1(Edge Data Center)) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (18 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening Target Audience Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Data center Construction Contractors Data center Infrastructure Providers New Entrants Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing vs. Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) 8. Colocation Pricing Major Operators/investors Covered in This Mexico Data Center Market Database Ascenty CloudHQ Cybolt EdgeConneX Equinix HostDime IPXON Networks KIO Networks Layer 9 Data Centers MDC Data Centers MetroCarrier Mexico Telecom Partners (MTP) Nabiax ODATA (Aligned Data Centers) Scala Data Centers Serveris Telmex (Triara) Digital Realty For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/i8xfct About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Italy Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Italy is seen as an ideal location for Data centers with its geographical benefits. Milan dominates the upcoming data center market in Italy. Major cities like London, Amsterdam, Dublin, and facing network saturation, Italy stands out as a new hub for data infrastructure. The upcoming IT power capacity is around 1 GW, nearly 2x the current capacity. Eni & G42 alone account for over 50% of the upcoming power and rack supply. CloudHQ, STACK Infrastructure, and CyrusOne are key new entrants driving future growth. DATA4, Telecom Italia (TIM), and Aruba are among the leading existing operators. Key Market Highlights This database (Excel) product covers the Italy data center market portfolio analysis, which provides the following information on colocation data centers: Detailed Analysis of 69 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 19 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Ancona, Arcene, Arezzo, Bologna, Frosinone, Massarosa, Milan, Padua, Palermo, Pavia, Perugia, Piacenza, Pisa, Rome, Trento, Treviso, Turin, Venice. Existing white-floor space (square feet) Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2025) Future capacity additions (2025-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Existing Data Centers (69 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (IT4 or AVALON 3) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (19 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening Target Audience Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Data center Construction Contractors Data center Infrastructure Providers New Entrants Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing vs. Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) 8. Colocation Pricing Major Operators/Investors Covered in This Italy Data Center Market Database Applico Digital Labs Aruba ASCO TLC (Acantho) AtlasEdge BT Italia Caldera21 (CDLAN) CloudHQ Compass Datacenters Convergenze S.p.A. CSI PIEMONTE CyrusOne Data Felix Data4 Group Digital Realty Elmec Informatica G42 Eni Equinix EXE.IT SRL SB Fastnet Fastweb Fibre23 IDS&Unitelm srl iGenius InAsset (RETELIT) Irideos IT Gate Itnet Keppel Data Centres Microsoft MIX Naquadria Nehos Noovle (TIM) NS3 Open Hub Med Panservice Playnet Rack One Seeweb ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (Virtus Data Center) STACK Infrastructure Telecom Italia (TIM) Unidata University of Trento Covi Costruziono Dedagroup GPI & ISA Vantage Data Centers Vianova Vitali For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2vnzpc About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Kenya Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Nairobi dominates the upcoming data center market in Kenya with over 45% of the total power capacity The existing data center capacity in Kenya is almost 20 MW, while the upcoming capacity in the region is expected to be around 200 MW. Almost 25 MW of additional power capacity is expected to be added by the end of 2025. Key Market Highlights This database (Excel) product covers the Kenya data center market portfolio analysis, which provides the following information on colocation data centers: Detailed Analysis of 13 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 9 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi. Existing white-floor space (square feet) Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2025) Future capacity additions (2025-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Existing Data Centers (13 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (NB01 or Mombasa Data Center) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (9 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening Target Audience Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Data center Construction Contractors Data center Infrastructure Providers New Entrants Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing vs. Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) 8. Colocation Pricing Major Operators/Investors Covered in This Kenya Data Center Market Database Africa Data Centres Airtel Africa Cloudoon Digital Realty G42 + Microsoft Internet Initiative Japan IXAfrica MTN PAIX Safaricom Telekom Kenya For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tec4m6 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Press Release Nokia extends partnership with Vodafone and Vodacom to drive RAN innovation Nokia extends strategic partnership with Vodafone and Vodacom across Europe and Africa Nokia deploys state-of-the-art equipment from its industry-leading 5G AirScale portfolio, accelerating digital transformation 14th October 2025 Espoo, Finland Nokia today announced that it has maintained its role as Vodafones strategic partner in Europe and Africa as part of Vodafones five-year radio access network (RAN) investment programme. The deal follows Nokias recent RAN agreement with VodafoneThree, part of the largest privately funded telecommunications infrastructure project in Europe. The move supports Vodafones ambitions to deliver next-generation connectivity across Europe and Africa, enabling an inclusive and sustainable digital society. Under the extended deal, Nokia will supply equipment from its industry-leading, energy-efficient AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) portfolio, including Massive MIMO radios, baseband, and remote radio head (RRH) solutions powered by Nokias energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology, boosting the performance, efficiency, and reliability of the network. This includes the first deployment of a 5G Dual-Band Massive MIMO Radio in Africa. These solutions will enhance the coverage, performance, and capacity of Vodafones network, delivering a superior customer experience in combination with reduced space and energy requirements. Nokia will also deploy MantaRay NM, an AI-powered intelligent network management system offering a consolidated network view for optimal monitoring and management. Nokia continues to partner with Vodacom Group and Safaricom Group in markets including Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa. Mark Atkinson, Head of RAN at Nokia, said: Todays networks need new levels of performance, trust and resilience. We are delighted to extend our partnership with Vodafone, Vodacom, and its affiliates to build future-proof 5G standalone networks across Europe and Africa. This agreement underscores the strength of our industry-leading connectivity solutions, which help our customers respond to the future demands as the AI supercycle accelerates. Multimedia, technical information, and related news Product Page: AirScale Radio Access Product Page: AirScale Massive MIMO radios Product Page: Nokia AirScale Baseband Product Page: MantaRay SMO About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. Media inquiries Nokia Press Office Email: Press.Services@nokia.com Follow us on social media LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube Austin, TX, USA, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Custom Market Insights has published a new research report titled Fluorescent Lighting Market Size, Trends and Insights By Type (Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL), Linear Fluorescent Lamp (LFL), Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL)), By Installation (New Installation, Retrofit), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Others), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 in its research database. According to the latest research study, the global Fluorescent Lighting Market size and share were valued at approximately USD 7.88 billion in 2024, are expected to reach USD 8.64 billion in 2025, and are projected to grow to around USD 19.48 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 9.6% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Fluorescent Lighting Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/request-for-free-sample/?reportid=74372 Overview The growing emphasis on energy efficiency, low-cost lighting solutions, and sustainable infrastructure is fuelling significant growth in the fluorescent lighting industry. Light bulbs, particularly fluorescent ones, are a trusted option for new commercial, industrial, and residential applications as businesses and governments focus on low energy use and eco-friendliness. Affordable, long-lasting, and moderate energy usage make fluorescent lighting an attractive option, particularly in developing economies that still consider costs when adopting new technologies. In addition, policies to phase out incandescent bulbs have solidified fluorescent lightings place within public and private sectors. Key Trends & Drivers Increasing Demand for Cleanrooms Across Various Sectors: The expanding need for cleanrooms in a variety of fields including healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and electronic manufacturing is a significant driving force behind growth within the fluorescent tubing market. A cleanroom is a regulated environment in which the air quality, temperature, and lighting conditions are strictly monitored, controlled, and maintained to ensure product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Fluorescent tubing is an ideal solution in cleanrooms because of its capacity to provide consistent, uniform illumination, rather than generating heat and excessive levels of particulate emissions. There are sealed and dust resistant fixture options that allow cleanrooms to maintain sterile conditions (at a minimum, bacteria-free), which is highly important to cleanroom environments. The semiconductor fabrication and medical device sectors are continuing to grow and increase engagement all over the world, requiring numerous cleanroom environments tied to the demand for reliable, efficient, and cleanroom compatible lighting. Growing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: The growing prevalence of fluorescent lighting within the healthcare, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing industries is a primary growth driver in the market. These industries require high output luminaire solutions that ensure visibility, accuracy, and safety in variable, sensitive, and controlled environments. Fluorescent lights are common in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They provide bright, even, and uniform lighting that helps with patient care and clinical accuracy while reducing eye strain and fatigue for doctors and nurses. In biotechnology laboratories and semiconductor manufacturing cleanrooms, maintaining contamination-free environments is critical, and fluorescent lighting produces low heat and utilizes sealed fixtures to minimize the introduction of airborne particles during production and testing while avoiding heat build-up and temperature variations. Their prolonged existence and energy efficiency are also a price advantage in facilities that operate on a 24/7 basis. The increase in the number of these industries domestically and internationally and continued investment in advanced technologies and infrastructure are expected to result in consistent demand growth for high-quality lighting in sensitive and errant-free controlled environments, including fluorescent lighting designs. Request a Customized Copy of the Fluorescent Lighting Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/request-for-customization/?reportid=74372 Increasing Product Development: In the past few years, a number of the major lighting companies have developed new product lines focused on increasing lifespan, reducing maintenance, and providing simpler replacements thus continuing to drive development within the fluorescent lighting ecosystem. For instance, OSRAM launched the DULUX XT CFL series in 2024, purported to last on average 36,000 hours of operation time, directly targeting pinbase CFL users in applications where accessing the luminaires is problematic, such as street lighting, tunnels, car parks and frequently occupied public facilities. OSRAM also offers "SubstiTUBE T5" LED replacement tubes that are plug-and-play replacements for traditional 49 W and 80 W T5 fluorescent lamps. They can deliver up to 5,600 lumens and last an average of 50,00060,000 hours of operation time, depending on the variant. Furthermore, Philips (Signify) has also focused on simplifying retrofit with their InstantFit LED T8 tubes which can directly replace fluorescent T8s without having to rewire the ballasts, thus creating a faster and lower-cost replacement. Furthermore, companies are not only focusing on improving performance, they are focused on reducing the total cost of ownership to help ensure fluorescent systems stay relevant. Report Scope Feature of the Report Details Market Size in 2025 USD 8.64 Billion Projected Market Size in 2034 USD 19.48 Billion Market Size in 2024 USD 7.88 Billion CAGR Growth Rate 9.6% CAGR Base Year 2024 Forecast Period 2025-2034 Key Segment By Type, Installation, Application and Region Report Coverage Revenue Estimation and Forecast, Company Profile, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Recent Trends Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America Buying Options Request tailored purchasing options to fulfil your requirements for research. (A free sample of the Fluorescent Lighting report is available upon request; please contact us for more information.) Our Free Sample Report Consists of the following: The updated report for 2025 includes an introduction, an overview, and an in-depth industry analysis. Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on the Request. Updated Regional Analysis with a Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2025 Includes Tables and figures have been updated. The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis Custom Market Insights (CMI) research methodology (Please note that the sample of the Fluorescent Lighting report has been modified to include the COVID-19 impact study prior to delivery.) Request a Customized Copy of the Fluorescent Lighting Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ SWOT Analysis Strengths: Fluorescent lighting has historically occupied a robust position within the global lighting marketplace because of its much higher rates of energy efficiency when compared with incandescent lighting. The relatively long service life and lower energy use of fluorescent lights have contributed to this option being cost effective for residential, commercial, and industrial users. The manufacturing process of fluorescent lighting is well established and mature and has sufficient capacity and global distribution to make it widely available to meet diverse lighting market needs. Fluorescent lamps have also built consumer trust due to decades of performance reliability in their markets. People rely on fluorescent lamps when price and energy savings are the most important factors. Weaknesses: Fluorescent lighting does have limits in its use. The most significant limitation for fluorescent lighting is its environmental impact the use of mercury represents health risks and environmental disposal challenges. Fluorescent lamps often produce inferior performance for tasks such as color rendering, instant on capability, and dimming when compared with newer lighting technologies like LEDs. Concerns such as flickering, ballast noise, and decreased operational life when turned on and off often dismiss the consumers experience further. Manufacturers are losing economies of scale due to the decline in market demand and production caused by technological transitions, which is raising per unit costs and decreasing competitiveness. Opportunities: While fluorescent lighting is declining in relation to newer technology, it does have some opportunities. In price-sensitive markets, particularly in developing economies, fluorescent lamps are still an attractive price option compared to LEDs. With this, there is still an opportunity for innovation in terms of product efficiency improvements, reducing mercury content, and better design features at this stage to keep the technology relevant. The replacement and retrofit business will also be an important consideration, as there is still plenty of infrastructure in place in commercial and industrial applications with fluorescent fixtures. Additionally, some governments or organizations will provide production attention for the technology in order to achieve short-term and low-cost energy savings in large applications. Threats: The fluorescent lighting market faces substantial threats to its subscriber base, and the most significant of these is the rapid advancement and adoption of LED technology. LEDs outperform fluorescents in nearly every categoryenergy utilization, longevity, environmental safety, and ease of integrating with smart lighting systems. The rising regulatory pressure on mercury in fluorescent products creates additional risk, with some developing countries already placing bans or stricter regulations on the usage of fluorescent lamps. Furthermore, as many consumers continue to shift towards sustainable long-term energy solutions, the fluorescent lighting market will continue to erodeadding to a market contraction. As global lighting policies and regulations continue to align with broader goals of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, this market is likely to continue to decline in the short term and medium term. Request a Customized Copy of the Fluorescent Lighting Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ Key questions answered in this report: What is the size of the Fluorescent Lighting market, and what is its expected growth rate? What are the primary driving factors that push the Fluorescent Lighting market forward? What are the Fluorescent Lighting Industry's top companies? What are the different categories that the Fluorescent Lighting Market caters to? What will be the fastest-growing segment or region? In the value chain, what role do essential players play? What is the procedure for getting a free copy of the Fluorescent Lighting market sample report and company profiles? Key Offerings: Market Share, Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20252034 Market Dynamics Growth Drivers, Restraints, Investment Opportunities, and Leading Trends Market Segmentation A detailed analysis by Types of Services, by End-User Services, and by regions Competitive Landscape Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors Buy this Premium Fluorescent Lighting Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ Regional Analysis The Fluorescent Lighting Market is segmented by key regions and includes detailed analysis across major countries. Below is a brief overview of the market dynamics in each country: North America: North America led the global fluorescent lighting market in 2024, capturing the largest revenue share, owing to continued support for the adoption of energy-efficient lighting in commercial and industrial environments. Government energy policy and retrofitting projects have encouraged adoption in commercial and industrial settings. Furthermore, the region is slowly shifting to alternative lighting through LEDs, which limits growth but maintains steady demand in cost-sensitive applications on a large scale. US: The U.S. fluorescent lighting market is also benefiting from retrofitting projects in offices, schools, and public buildings driven by energy-efficiency standards. Although LEDs are moving toward dominance, fluorescents remain relevant in cost-sensitive applications because of their affordability and availability. Industrial and commercial spaces continue to require reliable, large-scale illumination, despite a gradual decrease in demand. Canada: The rising demand for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient lighting solutions, particularly for commercial applications, is driving the market. With energy-efficient lighting solutions proliferating in places of work, shopping centers, and hospitals, the commercial segment is leading in the market. Retrofit installations are gaining in popularity more than traditional bulbs, as they last longer and are considerably more energy efficient. Europe: The fluorescent lighting market remains prominent, especially in commercial, industrial, and public sectors that heavily utilize fluorescent lighting, such as offices, schools, and public institutions. Countries such as Germany, the UK, and France utilize fluorescents in retrofitting older buildings while primarily focusing on energy conservation. European Union regulations regarding mercury content in fluorescent lamps have been phased out economically and are achieving similar effects on fluorescent lighting. Limited applications continue to rely on fluorescents despite the phase-out of their use. Germany: The demand for fluorescent lighting is experiencing a constant increase in Germany, owing to retrofit installations gaining traction, as they offer longer lifespans and energy savings compared to traditional bulbs. UK: In the UK, the fluorescent lighting market is still available for residential and institutional uses, especially in schools, hospitals, and public buildings. The governments push for energy savings facilitates retrofits. However, the share of fluorescents is declining due to tougher regulations and growing trends towards LED adoption, while their lower pricing keeps them relevant in budget-sensitive installations. France: The commercial and educational infrastructure primarily drives the fluorescent lighting market in France, as linear fluorescent lamps offer reliable and cost-effective lighting. National energy savings targets also encourage retrofits to fluorescent lighting solutions. However, there are environmental restrictions regarding mercury in fluorescent lighting, and a national push for sustainable alternatives is driving LED technology adoption instead. Request a Customized Copy of the Fluorescent Lighting Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ Asia-Pacific: Asia Pacific is the most developed and largest market for the fluorescent lighting market, with the biggest revenue share in 2024, owing to strong manufacturing capabilities, substantial industrial and commercial development, and a sizable consumer base that still uses fluorescent technology. Japan: Fluorescent lighting solutions in Japan are also supported by a national culture of energy conservation and a focus on technology. Compact fluorescent lamps (es) are still widely used in residential and office applications due to the lower costs. China: Leads the Asia-Pacific fluorescent lighting sector due to rapid urban migration, robust industrial growth, and the expansion of government-driven infrastructure projects. Fluorescent lamps are heavily used in India, China, and throughout Asia-Pacific households, commerce, and manufacturing sectors due to their cost-effectiveness. India: The fluorescent lighting sector in India is developing due to demand for affordability and efficiency-driven residential and government-led infrastructure projects. Stable occupancy of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and linear fluorescent lamps has become typical in households, schools, and public buildings. LAMEA: The fluorescent lighting market for LAMEA is also emerging moderately led by Brazil and South Africa when the demand is derived mostly from residential and infrastructure-type public projects. UNLIKE MORE STABLE MARKETS, fluorescent lamps will still have significant value, as they remain very affordable and less burdensome to limited electrical solutions. Even in areas where cost prevails, limited awareness of LED capability will sustain fluorescent markets. Brazil: Demand from residential and commercial sectors, particularly in urban centers that require affordable and energy-efficient options, significantly influences Brazil's fluorescent lighting sector. Government policies promoting energy conservation boost demand, yet the majority of people remain uninformed about sophisticated alternatives to fluorescence that can mitigate this issue. Middle-income households, in particular, will continue to demand economical lighting for their homes, retail spaces, and public areas. South Africa: The usage of residential, public infrastructure, and commercial facilities in SA significantly supports the fluorescent lighting market. Consumers are seeking efficient lighting solutions, such as fluorescents, due to energy shortages and high electricity prices. Meanwhile, LED adoption is on the rise, but the slightly lower entry price point of fluorescent lamps continues to keep their demand from cost-sensitive markets. We customize your report to align with your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customizing your report.) Still Looking for More Information? Do you want data for inclusion in magazines, case studies, research papers, or media? Email Directly Here with Detailed Information: support@custommarketinsights.com Browse the full Fluorescent Lighting Market Size, Trends and Insights By Type (Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL), Linear Fluorescent Lamp (LFL), Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL)), By Installation (New Installation, Retrofit), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Others), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 Report at https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ List of the prominent players in the Fluorescent Lighting Market: Signify Holding Fagerhult Group OSRAM GmbH Zumtobel Group AG LEDVANCE GmbH Altman Lighting Astute Lighting Ltd Bamford Lighting Dextra Group Enarlux Hubbell incorporated Ideal Industries Inc. Reggiani Spa Illuminazione TRILUX Lighting Ltd OLIGO Lichttechnik GmbH. GE Electric Panasonic Schneider Electric Acuity Brands Advanced Lighting Technology Eaton Emerson Electric Everlight Electronics MLS Electronics Toshiba Lighting and Technology Toyoda Gosei Others Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Fluorescent Lighting Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ Spectacular Deals Comprehensive coverage Maximum number of market tables and figures The subscription-based option is offered. Best price guarantee Free 35% or 60 hours of customization. Free post-sale service assistance. 25% discount on your next purchase. Service guarantees are available. A personalized market brief by the author. Browse More Related Reports: Pinhole Detectors Market: Pinhole Detectors Market Size, Trends and Insights By Product Type (Inline Pinhole Detectors, Offline Pinhole Detectors, Portable Pinhole Detectors), By Technology (Vacuum Testing, Light Transmission, Bubble Emission, Other Technologies), By End User (Pharmaceutical, Food & Beverage, Water Purification, Cosmetics, Industrial Application), By Application (Manufacturing Plants, Laboratories, Water Bottling Companies, Other End Users), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 Leak Detection and Repair Market: Leak Detection and Repair Market Size, Trends and Insights By Component (Equipment, Services), By Technology (Optical Gas Imaging, Ultrasound, Ambient/Mobile Sensors, Acoustic Leak Detection, Others), By Service Type (Regulatory Compliance, Emission Monitoring, Equipment Repair), By Application (Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Power, Pharmaceuticals, Others), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 US Semiconductor Bonding Market: US Semiconductor Bonding Market Size, Trends and Insights By Type (Die Bonder, Wafer Bonder, Flip Chip Bonder), By Process Type (Die to Die Bonding, Die to Wafer Bonding, Wafer to Wafer Bonding), By Application (RF Devices, MEMS & Sensors, CMOS Image & Sensor, LED, 3D NAND), and By Region - Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 Programmable Oscillator Market: Programmable Oscillator Market Size, Trends and Insights By Type (Voltage-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (VCXO), Temperature-Compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO), Simple Packaged Crystal Oscillator (SPXO), Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) Oscillators, Others (Programmable Clock Generators)), By Frequency Range (Up to 125 MHz, 125500 MHz, Above 500 MHz), By Mounting Type (Surface-Mount, Through-Hole), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 Caulking Gun Market: Caulking Gun Market Size, Trends and Insights By Operation Type (Manual, Pneumatic, Electric/Battery-Operated), By End-Use Industry (Residential Construction, Commercial Construction, Industrial & Infrastructure, Automotive, Aerospace), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 Beam Steering Smart Antenna Market: Beam Steering Smart Antenna Market Size, Trends and Insights By Technology (Phase Array Antennas, Reflector Antennas, Lens Antennas), By Type (Switched Beam Antennas, Adaptive Array Antennas), By Application (Telecommunications, Defence and Aerospace, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Satellite Communication), By Deployment (Macrocells, Small Cells, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 3D Printed Circuit Board Market: 3D Printed Circuit Board Market Size, Trends and Insights By Component (Substrate, Conductive Ink, Dielectric Ink), By Application (Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare), By Technology (Inkjet Printing, Aerosol Jet Printing, Stereolithography), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 Secure Microcontroller Market: Secure Microcontroller Market Size, Trends and Insights By Application (Banking, Automotive, Telecommunications, Consumer Electronics, IoT, Others), By Type (Secure Elements, Trusted Platform Modules, Hardware Security Modules, Others), By End-User Industry (Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Industrial, Healthcare, Government, Others), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025 2034 The Fluorescent Lighting Market is segmented as follows: By Type Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) Linear Fluorescent Lamp (LFL) Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) By Installation New Installation Retrofit By Application Residential Commercial Industrial Others Click Here to Get a Free Sample Report of the Global Fluorescent Lighting Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ Regional Coverage: North America U.S. Canada Mexico Rest of North America Europe Germany France U.K. Russia Italy Spain Netherlands Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India New Zealand Australia South Korea Taiwan Rest of Asia Pacific The Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Egypt Kuwait South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America This Fluorescent Lighting Market Research/Analysis Report Contains Answers to the following Questions. Which Trends Are Causing These Developments? Who Are the Global Key Players in This Fluorescent Lighting Market? What are the company profiles, product information, and contact details for these key players? What Was the Global Market Status of the Fluorescent Lighting Market? What Was the Capacity, Production Value, Cost, and PROFIT of the Fluorescent Lighting Market? What Is the Current Market Status of the Fluorescent Lighting Industry? What's the market's competition in this industry, both company-wise and country-wise? What is the market analysis of the fluorescent lighting industry when considering its applications and types? What Are Projections of the Global Fluorescent Lighting Industry Considering Capacity, Production, and Production Value? What Will Be the estimate of Cost and Profit? What Will Be Market Share, Supply, and Consumption? What about imports and exports? What is a Fluorescent Lighting market chain analysis of upstream raw materials and downstream industries? What is the economic impact on the Fluorescent Lighting industry? What are Global Macroeconomic Environment Analysis Results? What Are Global Macroeconomic Environment Development Trends? What Are the Market Dynamics of the Fluorescent Lighting Market? What Are Challenges and Opportunities? What Should Be Entry Strategies, Countermeasures to Economic Impact, and Marketing Channels for Fluorescent Lighting Industry? Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Fluorescent Lighting Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ Reasons to Purchase Fluorescent Lighting Market Report Fluorescent Lighting Market Report provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market based on segmentation involving economic and non-economic factors. Fluorescent Lighting The Market report outlines market value (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment. This report indicates the region and segment expected to witness the fastest growth and dominate the market. Fluorescent Lighting Market Analysis by geography highlights the consumption of the product/service in the region and indicates the factors affecting the market within each region. The competitive landscape incorporates the market ranking of the major players, along with new service/product launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions in the past five years of companies profiled. Extensive company profiles comprise a company overview, company insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis for the major market players. Recent developments, including growth opportunities and drivers, as well as challenges and restraints in both emerging and developed regions, shape the industry's current and future market outlook. Fluorescent Lighting Market: Includes in-depth market analysis from various perspectives through Porter's five forces analysis and offers an overview of the market through the value chain. Reasons for the Research Report The study provides a thorough overview of the global Fluorescent Lighting market. Compare your performance to that of the market as a whole. Aim to maintain competitiveness while innovations from established leaders drive market growth. Buy this Premium Fluorescent Lighting Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ What does the report include? Drivers, restrictions, and opportunities are among the qualitative elements covered in the worldwide Fluorescent Lighting market analysis. The report covers the competitive environment of current and potential participants in the Fluorescent Lighting market, along with their strategic product development ambitions. This study conducts a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Fluorescent Lighting market based on the component, application, and industry vertical. Additionally, the report provides comparable data for the key regions. The report provides actual market sizes and forecasts for each segment mentioned above. Who should buy this report? Participants and stakeholders worldwide Fluorescent Lighting market should find this report useful. The research will be useful to all market participants in the Fluorescent Lighting industry. Managers in the Fluorescent Lighting sector are interested in publishing up-to-date and projected data about the worldwide Fluorescent Lighting market. Governmental agencies, regulatory bodies, decision-makers, and organizations want to invest in Fluorescent Lighting products' market trends. Analysts, researchers, educators, strategy managers, and government organizations seek market insights to develop their plans. Request a Customized Copy of the Fluorescent Lighting Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ About Custom Market Insights: Custom Market Insights is a market research and advisory company delivering business insights and market research reports to large, small, and medium-scale enterprises. We assist clients with strategies and business policies and regularly work towards achieving sustainable growth in their respective domains. CMI is a one-stop solution for data collection and investment advice. Our company's expert analysis digs out essential factors that help us understand the significance and impact of market dynamics. The professional experts advise clients on aspects such as strategies for future estimation, forecasting, opportunities to grow, and consumer surveys. Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Contact Us: Frank Gittens CMI Consulting LLC 1333, 701 Tillery Street Unit 12, Austin, TX, Travis, US, 78702 USA: +1 737-734-2707 APAC: +91 20 46022736 WhatsApp No : +1 801 639 9061 Email: support@custommarketinsights.com Web: https://www.custommarketinsights.com/ Blog: https://businessresearchindustry.com Blog: https://www.briinsights.com/ Blog: https://cmimarketresearch.com/ Buy this Premium Fluorescent Lighting Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/fluorescent-lighting-market/ Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Turkey Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Ankara dominates the upcoming data center market in Turkey, accounting for nearly 60% of the planned power capacity. Istanbul remains a critical hub with expansions from Equinix and EdgeConneX, while Izmir is emerging as a secondary market with the Damac Digital-Vodafone Turkey joint project. The existing data center capacity in Turkey is approximately 160 MW, while the upcoming capacity is projected to exceed 210 MW, marking a growth of over 30%. More than $2 billion in new investments is expected to flow into upcoming data centers in Turkey by 2026, with significant contributions from Khazna, Trendyol, and TurkSat. Key Market Highlights Detailed Analysis of 32 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 5 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Ankara, Bursa, Denizli, Istanbul, Izmir and Tekirdag. Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2025) Future capacity additions (2025-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Existing Data Centers (32 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (IL2 or Alastyr Data Center) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (5 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening Target Audience Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Data center Construction Contractors Data center Infrastructure Providers New Entrants Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing vs. Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) 8. Colocation Pricing Major Operators/Investors Covered in This Turkey Data Center Market Database Alastyr Telecommunication Borsa Istanbul Cizgi Telekom Comnet Data Center Compass Data Centre Datatelekom Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri Ltd Sti Datema Bilisim DGN Teknoloji EdgeConneX Edgenex Damac & Vodafone Turkey Equinix GarantiServer Isttelkom Koc Sistem Marka Netdirekt Netinternet NGN Bilgi ve Iletisim Hizmetleri Ticaret PenDC PlusLayer Radore Hosting SadeceHosting (Sh) SC3 Electronic Industry Trade Inc. Telecom Italia Sparkle Telehouse Turk Telekom Turkcell VeriTeknik Vital Technology Vodafone For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wl0wek About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toobit, the award-winning global cryptocurrency exchange, today announces the launch of its Comeback Challenge, a two-week event designed to help traders recover from market volatility and bounce back stronger. The event provides 100% compensation on liquidated amounts for traders, including those from other exchanges, who have suffered losses as a result of trading. With a total pool of 100,000 USDT, the event will give both new and current traders the resources to regain their trading edge. "Market swings can be tough, and we want to show our community that weve got their back," said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer at Toobit. "The Comeback Challenge is our way of providing a safety net, offering traders compensation and extra funds to re-engage with the market and turn past losses into future wins." The Comeback Challenge runs from October 13, 2025, 03:00 PM (UTC) to October 27, 2025, 03:00 PM (UTC), and features three key reward opportunities. Event 1: Compensation for new traders Toobit will compensate 100% of liquidated amounts incurred on other exchanges after October 1, 2025. New traders only need to register and submit screenshots of their liquidated trades in USDT perpetual contracts from a different exchange to receive up to 200 USDT in bonus funds. This pool is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Event 2: Comeback rewards for existing traders Existing Toobit traders who experienced liquidations of more than 500 USDT between October 8 and October 12, 16:00 (UTC) are eligible to receive compensation of up to 500 USDT per trader to get back into trading. Event 3: Extra deposit rewards Traders can claim extra funds simply by making a deposit. Deposit tiers start at 50 USDT for a 5 USDT reward, and go up to 10,000 USDT for a 1,200 USDT reward. Traders need to register on the event page to ensure eligibility. Full details, including rules on reward distribution and trading volume requirements, can be found on the announcement page. The crypto market's high volatility poses extreme risks, even for experienced traders. On October 10, the sector experienced the largest single-day wipeout in its history, with more than US$19 billion in leveraged positions liquidated. This rapid decline, which saw Bitcoin's price plummet over 14% in 24 hours and was 19 times larger than the FTX collapse liquidation, underscores why supportive recovery programs are critical for helping traders manage risk and sustain participation in this unpredictable market. About Toobit Toobit is where the future of crypto trading unfoldsan award-winning cryptocurrency derivatives exchange built for those who thrive exploring new frontiers. With deep liquidity and cutting-edge technology, Toobit empowers traders worldwide to navigate the digital asset markets with confidence. We offer a fair, secure, seamless, and transparent trading experience, ensuring every trade is an opportunity to discover whats next. For more information about Toobit, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Instagram Contact: Davin C. Email: market@toobit.com Website: www.toobit.com Disclaimer: This content is provided by the sponsor. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. 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/cdbeea8a-31c6-4c4e-acb9-3f0c9ca40756 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- K92 Mining Inc. (K92 or the Company) (TSX: KNT; OTCQX: KNTNF) announces that it will release its 2025 third quarter financial results before the North American trading markets open on Monday, November 10, 2025. Conference Call and Webcast to Present Results K92 will host a conference call and webcast to present the 2025 third quarter financial results at 8:30 am (EST) on Monday, November 10, 2025. Listeners may access the conference call by dialing toll-free to 1-833-752-3535 within North America or +1-647-846-8278 from international locations. The conference call will also be broadcast live (webcast) and may be accessed via the following link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=64RRbjeD About K92 K92 Mining Inc. is engaged in the production of gold, copper and silver at the Kainantu Gold Mine in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, as well as exploration and development of mineral deposits in the immediate vicinity of the mine. The Company declared commercial production from Kainantu in February 2018, is in a strong financial position, and is working to become a Tier 1 mid-tier producer through ongoing plant expansions. A maiden resource estimate on the Blue Lake copper-gold porphyry project was completed in August 2022. K92 is operated by a team of mining company professionals with extensive international mine-building and operational experience. On Behalf of the Company, John Lewins, Chief Executive Officer and Director For further information, please contact David Medilek, P.Eng., CFA, President and Chief Operating Officer at +1-604-416-4445 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation: (i) the results of the Kainantu Mine Definitive Feasibility Study, including the Stage 3 Expansion, a new standalone 1.2 million tonnes-per-annum process plant and supporting infrastructure; (ii) statements regarding the expansion of the mine and development of any of the deposits; (iii) the Kainantu Stage 4 Expansion, operating two standalone process plants, larger surface infrastructure and mining throughputs; and (iv) the potential extended life of the Kainantu Mine. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as expect, plan, anticipate, project, target, potential, schedule, forecast, budget, estimate, intend or believe and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could, should or might occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our ability to control, that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation, Public Health Crises, including the epidemic or pandemic viruses; changes in the price of gold, silver, copper and other metals in the world markets; fluctuations in the price and availability of infrastructure and energy and other commodities; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; volatility in price of our common shares; inherent risks associated with the mining industry, including problems related to weather and climate in remote areas in which certain of the Companys operations are located; failure to achieve production, cost and other estimates; risks and uncertainties associated with exploration and development; uncertainties relating to estimates of mineral resources including uncertainty that mineral resources may never be converted into mineral reserves; the Companys ability to carry on current and future operations, including development and exploration activities at the Arakompa, Kora, Judd and other projects; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Companys ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the availability and costs of achieving the Stage 3 Expansion or the Stage 4 Expansion; the ability of the Company to achieve the inputs the price and market for outputs, including gold, silver and copper; failures of information systems or information security threats; political, economic and other risks associated with the Companys foreign operations; geopolitical events and other uncertainties, such as the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine; compliance with various laws and regulatory requirements to which the Company is subject to, including taxation; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions, including relationship with the communities in Papua New Guinea and other jurisdictions it operates; other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry; and the risks, uncertainties and other factors referred to in the Companys Annual Information Form under the heading Risk Factors. Estimates of mineral resources are also forward-looking statements because they constitute projections, based on certain estimates and assumptions, regarding the amount of minerals that may be encountered in the future and/or the anticipated economics of production. The estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual results and future events could materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actual results to differ materially from those that are 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Biobanking Cold Storage Equipment Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Offering, End User, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global biobanking cold storage equipment market, valued at $1.41 billion in 2023, is on a robust growth trajectory and is anticipated to reach $2.88 billion by 2033. This market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.55% between 2024 and 2033. The global biobanking cold storage equipment market is experiencing robust growth due to the increasing demand for the long-term preservation of biological samples, such as human tissues, blood, and DNA. These samples are pivotal in research areas such as genomics, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, fueling the need for advanced cold storage solutions. The market is segmented by offerings, including equipment, accessories and consumables, software, and services. Among these, the equipment segment dominates, with freezers, cryogenic storage systems, and refrigerators being essential components in biobanks. Technological advancements in temperature control systems, along with the growing trend towards personalized medicine, have heightened the need for high-quality and reliable cold storage solutions. Furthermore, as regulatory requirements for biobanks become more stringent, the demand for robust and secure cold storage equipment is expected to rise. The increasing investment in research and development of precision medicine further contributes to the market's expansion. Regional Segmentation: Europe Europe remains the leading region in the global biobanking cold storage equipment market. The region is home to the highest number of biobanks, driven by a robust healthcare infrastructure, a strong focus on research and development, and government support for life sciences initiatives. Countries like the U.K, Germany, France, and the Netherlands are key contributors, with substantial investments in precision medicine, genomics, and biomedical research. Additionally, Europe's strict regulatory environment for biobanks ensures the demand for high-quality cold storage solutions, further boosting market growth. The presence of major players and research institutions also strengthens Europe's dominant position in the market. North America North America, particularly the U.S., holds a significant share of the global biobanking cold storage equipment market. The region benefits from advanced technological capabilities, a strong pharmaceutical industry, and substantial investments in life sciences research. The growing trend toward personalized medicine, alongside major healthcare organizations and academic research institutions, drives demand for reliable cold storage equipment. The region also benefits from favorable government policies that encourage the establishment of biobanks, thus contributing to market growth. Asia-Pacific The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for biobanking cold storage equipment. Rapid advancements in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, coupled with increasing research investments, drive the growth of biobanks in countries like China, Japan, India, and South Korea. These countries are expanding their biobanking infrastructure to support the growing demand for genomics research, diagnostics, and precision medicine. The rise in healthcare expenditures and the increasing number of clinical trials in the region also stimulate demand for advanced cold storage solutions. As the region continues to invest in biobanking capabilities, the demand for efficient and scalable cold storage equipment will continue to rise. Middle East & Africa The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is a developing market for biobanking cold storage equipment. While currently holding a smaller market share, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are advancing their biobanking infrastructure, supported by growing investments in biotechnology and genomics. Increasing research collaborations and awareness about the importance of biobanks in medical research are driving demand for cold storage solutions in the region. Latin America Latin America is experiencing steady growth in the biobanking cold storage equipment market, particularly in countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Government initiatives and a growing biotechnology sector are contributing to market expansion. However, economic challenges and lower research investments in some countries limit growth, though demand for cold storage solutions is expected to rise as the region develops its healthcare and research infrastructure. Recent Developments in the Global Biobanking Cold Storage Equipment Market In August 2024: Thermo Fisher Scientific has opened a new clinical and commercial ultra-cold storage facility in Bleiswijk, Netherlands, expanding its European clinical trial network to address the increasing demand for ultra-cold storage solutions critical for advanced therapies like cell and gene therapies. In August 2024: Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced the TSX Universal Series ULT Freezers, offering tighter temperature control, faster recovery times, and enhanced energy efficiency. In February 2024: Azenta, Inc. has launched the BioArc Ultra, an eco-friendly automated ultracold sample management solution, designed to improve performance in large-scale biorepositories. In February 2024: PHC Corporation of North America has launched the new model of PHCbi brand VIP ECO SMART ultra-low temperature freezer series, for use in facilities including pharmaceutical companies, medical institutions, and universities. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis The competitive landscape of the global biobanking cold storage equipment market is dominated by several key players, each offering cutting-edge technologies to meet the growing demand for reliable cold storage solutions. Leading companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Azenta, Inc., and PHC Holding Corporation are at the forefront, providing a wide range of equipment including freezers, cryogenic storage systems, and refrigerators that cater to diverse biobanking needs. Other prominent players like Haier Biomedical, Eppendorf SE, and Trane Technologies plc offer specialized cold storage systems designed to meet the rigorous demands of biobanks. The market is highly competitive, with these players continually advancing their product portfolios by integrating digital technologies like cloud-based monitoring and automation. Companies such as MGI Tech Co., Ltd, Arctiko, Labcold, Esco Micro Pte. Ltd, Avantor, Inc., BioLife Solutions, Inc., Hamilton Company, and IC Biomedical also contribute to the market through innovation and strategic partnerships, positioning themselves as strong contenders in this growing industry. Some prominent names established in the global biobanking cold storage equipment market are: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. Azenta, Inc. PHC Holding Corporation Haier Biomedical Eppendorf SE Trane Technologies plc MGI Tech Co., Ltd Labcold Avantor, Inc. BioLife Solutions, Inc. Hamilton Company IC Biomedical, LLC Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 102 Forecast Period 2024 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.5 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $2.88 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.5% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: 1 Global Biobanking Cold Storage Equipment Market: Overview 1.1 Market Overview 1.2 Regulatory Framework 1.3 Patent Analysis 1.4 Global Biobanking Cold Storage Equipment Market, Supply/ Value Chain Analysis 1.5 Market Dynamics Overview 1.5.1 Market Drivers 1.5.1.1 Growing Investments and Funding for Biobanks 1.5.1.2 Increasing R&D Activities Using Biospecimens in Precision Medicine 1.5.1.3 Technological Advancements and Automation in Biobanking 1.5.1.4 Increasing Trend in Preservation of Cord Blood Stem Cells from Newborns 1.5.2 Market Restraints 1.5.2.1 Elevated Operational Costs for Biobanks 1.5.2.2 High Legal and Ethical Challenges 1.5.3 Market Opportunities 1.5.3.1 Emerging Economies to Provide Lucrative Opportunities 2 Global Biobanking Cold Storage Equipment Market (by Offering), $Million, 2022-2033 2.1 By Offering Summary 2.1.1 Equipment 2.1.2 Accessories and Consumables 2.1.3 Software 2.1.4 Service 3 Global Biobanking Cold Storage Equipment Market (by End User), $Million, 2022-2033 3.1 By End User Summary 3.1.1 Hospitals and Biobanks 3.1.2 Academic and Research Institutions 3.1.3 Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies 3.1.4 Other End Users 4 Global Biobanking Cold Storage Equipment Market (By Region), $Million, 2022-2033 4.1 Regional Summary 4.2 Europe 4.3 North America 4.4 Asia-Pacific 4.5 Latin America 4.6 Middle East and Africa 5 Markets - Competitive Landscape 5.1 Global Biobanking Cold Storage Equipment Market: Competitive Landscape 5.1.1 Strategic Developments, January 2021- December 2024 5.2 Company Profiles Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. Azenta, Inc. PHC Holding Corporation Haier Biomedical Eppendorf SE Trane Technologies plc MGI Tech Co., Ltd. Arctiko Labcold Esco Micro Pte. Ltd. Avantor, Inc. BioLife Solutions, Inc. Hamilton Company IC Biomedical, LLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vjuxsu About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "World Market for Dairy Products and Alternatives" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. In 2025, the global dairy industry is characterised by pricing-led value growth and modest volume performance. Functional benefits, affordability and evolving routines continue to redefine category dynamics. Emerging markets offer strong potential, while mature regions will see a focus on premiumisation and wellness. Functionality, pack strategy and local relevance are becoming essential for brand differentiation and securing future success, especially as private label gains ground. The World Market for Dairy Products and Alternatives global briefing provides a comprehensive overview of the Dairy Products and Alternatives market, providing insight on sales and market potential, retail distribution and company and brand shares. Analysis identifies emerging geographies alongside growth opportunities in the most developed, highest value countries. It also offers strategic analysis of the key trends shaping the industry and consumer demand, such as health and wellness, sustainability, the evolution of eating occasions, in addition to ongoing considerations of convenience and value-for-money in the post-pandemic world. Insight into how these trends are shaping demand, helps to provide forecasts, clearly indicating how the market is expected to change. Key Findings Balancing functional added value with cost-conscious demand In 2025, global retail value of dairy products and alternatives is set to reach USD705 billion, with volume sales of 221 million tonnes. Pricing remains a key value growth driver, helping offset modest volume growth across most regions and categories. Companies are working to balance premiumisation around functionality and convenience, while keeping affordability front of mind. Cheese, coffee whiteners and fermented dairy are key growth drivers Cheese and coffee whiteners are seeing above market average growth. Soft cheese benefits from its high protein content and clean-label appeal, while coffee whiteners thrive on the growing coffee culture and innovations like cold foam creamers. Yoghurt and sour milk products, especially kefir, are also performing well, fuelled by interest in gut health and natural fermentation. Dairy giants lose ground to agile local players and private label rivals Global leaders Danone and Nestle hold the top spots but face rising pressure from private label and regional players. Lactalis expanded via acquisitions, while Yili and Mengniu lost share due to reliance on ambient formats and intensifying domestic competition. Private label gains, strongest in Europe, are driven by affordability, while regional brands benefit from agility and local relevance. Emerging markets set the pace for dairy's next growth wave The industry is set to grow at a 2.1% CAGR over 2025-2030, adding USD77.0 billion in value. MEA and LATAM will be the most dynamic regions, while APAC will lead in terms of absolute growth. Emerging markets like Nigeria, the Philippines and Indonesia have strong potential, fuelled by rising incomes, urbanisation and demand for affordable packaged formats. E-commerce advances, while affordable and local channels gain ground E-commerce remains the fastest growing channel, though it accounts for just 8% of global retail penetration in 2025, with baby food in APAC and North America showing high online share. Growth in small local grocers is strong across emerging regions, where they exceed 40% of retail sales. Discounters are expanding rapidly in Europe, while warehouse clubs gain traction in the Americas. Why buy this report? Get a detailed picture of the Dairy Products and Alternatives market; Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change; Understand the competitive environment, the market's major players and leading brands; Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop. Key Topics Covered: Introduction Expert's view of dairy products and alternatives in 2025 Dairy product and alternatives snapshot Key findings Pricing fuels dairy growth in 2025, as volume is stagnant and affordability worries persist Top five trends in dairy products and alternatives Top five trends uncovered Drivers of consumer markets and impact on dairy products and alternatives Adjacent industries and how they impact dairy products and alternatives State of the industry Pricing is driving value growth, offsetting weakness in volume within the dairy industry Functional fermented dairy gains momentum across key global markets Cheese gains ground, while baby food faces headwinds Latin America and MEA see rapid growth in the dairy industry, while APAC leads sales Dairy protein preferences shift, with gains in key markets and losses in APAC Companies and products Top companies in dairy products and alternatives Local expertise fuels growth in a fragmented global dairy landscape Smaller brands and private label erode market share of dairy giants New launches in dairy and alternatives seek differentiation amid intense competition Sustainability claims drive growth in dairy and baby food despite premium barriers Channels Evolving channel mix drives growth in digital, local and value-based dairy retail US and China at the forefront of online sales for dairy products and alternatives Future outlook MEA and LATAM the most dynamic regions; cheese and plant-based dairy lead growth Cottage cheese and coffee whiteners poised for strong growth in the US dairy forecast Coffee whiteners and plant-based dairy are projected to fuel forecast growth Gut health and at-home coffee expected to drive dairy growth while baby food declines Consumer-led trends expected to inject vitality into the dairy and alternatives industry Emerging economies have the potential to reshape the future of dairy consumption Conclusion The dairy and alternatives industry navigates cost, competition and consumer needs Opportunities for growth Expert's view of dairy products and alternatives to 2030 Market snapshots Global snapshot: Baby food Global snapshot: Butter and spreads Global snapshot: Cheese Global snapshot: Drinking milk products Global snapshot: Other dairy Global snapshot: Plant-based dairy Global snapshot: Yoghurt and sour milk products Regional snapshot: Asia Pacific Regional snapshot: Australasia Regional snapshot: Eastern Europe Regional snapshot: Latin America Regional snapshot: Middle East and Africa Regional snapshot: North America Regional snapshot: Western Europe For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x57bp1 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Netherlands Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Digital Realty, Equinix and EdgeConneX ranks among the leading data center operators in the Netherlands by total white/raised floor area and IT power. The existing IT power capacity in the Netherlands is more than twice the upcoming data center capacity, indicating a strong current infrastructure. The upcoming data center capacity is heavily focused in Amsterdam, with about 90% of the new rack capacity planned there. Existing data centers have around 159,000 racks, reflecting a mature and well-established market. Switch Datacenters and CloudHQ are the major players driving the upcoming data center development, together accounting for most of the new IT power and rack capacity. Key Market Highlights This database (Excel) product covers the Netherlands data center market portfolio analysis, which provides the following information on colocation data centers: Detailed Analysis of 127 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 9 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Aalsmeer, Almere, Almere, Alphen aan den Rijn, Amsterdam, Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Delft, Deventer, Dronten, Ede, Eemshaven, Eindhoven, Enschede, Geleen, Gemert, Goes, Groningen, Haarlem, Hague, Hengelo, Hilversum, Hoogersmilde, IJsselstein, Leeuwarden, Lelystad, Limburg, Loon op Zand, Maastricht, Markelo, Megen, Meppel, Mierlo, Naaldwijk, Nieuwegein, Oude Meer, Roermond, Roosendaal, Rotterdam, s-Hertogenbosch, Steenbergen, Tjerkgaast, Ugchelen, Utrecht, Waalwijk, Wormer, Zwolle. Existing white-floor space (square feet) Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2025) Future capacity additions (2025-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Existing Data Centers (127 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (AMS1 or AMS5) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (9 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening Target Audience Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Data center Construction Contractors Data center Infrastructure Providers New Entrants Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing vs. Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) 8. Colocation Pricing Major Operators/Investors Covered in This Netherlands Data Center Market Database AtlasEdge Atom86 BIT Bytesnet (Eurofiber Cloud Infra) CapitaLand Cellnex CloudHQ Cogent Communications ColoHouse Colt Data Centre Services CyrusOne Data Facilities Data Centers (DFDC) Datacenter Groningen (Weserve) Datacenter.com DataOne Digital Realty EdgeConneX Equinix Eurofiber Cloud Infra Global Switch Google Great Grey Investments Greenhouse Datacenters Gyro Centre (nLighten) Interconnect IPTP Networks Iron Mountain ITB2 Datacenters Keppel Data Centres Lumen Technologies maincubes SECURE DATACENTERS NIKHEF Hosting nLighten NorthC NTT DATA Penta Infra Previder QTS Realty Trust Serverfarm Serverius Smartdc Switch DataCenters Yondr For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5ld86h About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Germany Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Germanys data center market is poised for strong growth, with upcoming power capacity projected to reach 3 GW, double the current 1.5 GW. NTT DATA, VIRTUS Data Centres, Maincubes, and CyrusOne are leading the upcoming supply through large-scale developments, while Frankfurt remains the countrys primary hub, hosting both existing and future capacity. The upcoming rack capacity is expected to exceed 350,000 racks. In the existing market, NTT DATA, Digital Realty, Equinix, and CyrusOne continue to dominate. Meanwhile, operators such as CloudHQ, STACK Infrastructure, Colt DCS, and SDC Capital Partners are expanding their footprint, and new entrants like Lidl (Schwarz Group), Goodman, and PGIM Real Estate are contributing to capacity growth with major new projects. Key Market Highlights This database (Excel) product covers the Germany data center market portfolio analysis, which provides the following information on colocation data centers: Detailed Analysis of 187 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 43 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Alsbach-Hahnlein, Berlin, Bochum, Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Ellhofen, Falkenstein, Frankfurt, Goppingen, Hallstadt, Hamburg, Hanau, Hannover, Herne, Hof, Jena, Karlsruhe, Langen, Leipzig, Leverkusen, Ludwigshafen, Munich, Nuremberg, Rhein-Ruhr, Saarland, Stuttgart. Existing white-floor space (square feet) Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2025) Future capacity additions (2025-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Existing Data Centers (187 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (Frankfurt I or STU1) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (43 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening Target Audience Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Data center Construction Contractors Data center Infrastructure Providers New Entrants Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing vs. Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) 8. Colocation Pricing Major Operators/Investors Covered in This Germany Data Center Market Database 3U Telecom Aixit Artfiles AtlasEdge Bluestar Datacenter Carrier Colo Centron China Mobile International (CMI) CloudHQ Cogent Communications Colt Data Centre Services Comarch Comtrance Contabo CyrusOne DARZ Data Castle Data Center Partners (DCP) dataR Digital Realty DOKOM 21 EdgeConneX EMC HostCo envia TEL Equinix EVF Data Center FirstColo Global Switch Goodman GRASS-MERKUR Green Mountain & KMW GTT Communications Hetzner Online IPHH (Internet Port Hamburg) Iron Mountain ISPpro Internet ITENOS LEW (Lechwerke AG - E.ON) Lidl (Schwarz Group) Lumen Technologies Maincubes Mainova WebHouse MK NETZDIENSTE myLoc managed IT (WIIT) NDC-GARBE Data Centers NET-BUILD NewTelco nLighten Noris Network NorthC NTT DATA Penta Infra Pfalzkom PGIM Real Estate Planet IC PlusServer Portus Data Centers PYUR (HL KOMM) ratiokontakt SDC Capital Partners SpeedBone STACK Infrastructure STACKIT Telehouse Telemaxx TMR Telekommunikation Mittleres Ruhrgebiet Trusted-Colo TWLKOM Vantage Data Centers VIRTUS Data Centres WIIT AG Yondr For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/76pm2o About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "France Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Paris continues to dominate with the highest concentration of existing rack capacity. The upcoming data center capacity in France is now projected to exceed 3 GW, which is nearly 30x the current existing capacity. Digital Realty, Equinix, and Telehouse are among the top existing operators based on total rack capacity. Icade, OpCore, and Data4 Group lead in upcoming capacity additions, followed closely by Digital Realty and Evroc. France's favorable land availability and stable power grid makes it a key location for large-scale developments compared to other Tier 1 hubs like Dublin or Frankfurt. New players such as CloudHQ, NTT DATA, and CyrusOne are entering the market with substantial planned investments. Key Market Highlights This database (Excel) product covers the France data center market portfolio analysis, which provides the following information on colocation data centers: Detailed Analysis of 152 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 20 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Albi, Amilly, Anzin, Arras, Aubergenville, Belfort, Besancon, Bordeaux, Brest, Brittany, Calais, Chateaubourg, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Douai, Epernay, Essonne, Grenoble, Le Mans, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Metz, Montpellier, Moselle, Nantes, Narbonne, Nice, Nimes, Normandy, Paris, Poitiers, Reims, Rennes, Rouen, Sophia Antipolis, Strasbourg, Toulon, Toulouse, Tours, Vendee. Existing white-floor space (square feet) Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2025) Future capacity additions (2025-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Quarter Rack (1/4) Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Existing Data Centers (152 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (FR1 or MRS1) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (20 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening Target Audience Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Data center Construction Contractors Data center Infrastructure Providers New Entrants Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing vs. Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) 8. Colocation Pricing Major Operators/Investors Covered in This France Data Center Market Database ASP Server Advanced MedioMatrix AtlasEdge BT BLUE Blue CELESTE CIV CloudHQ Cogent Communications Colt Data Centre Services Comarch CyrusOne DTiX Data4 Group DataOne Datagrex Denv-R Digital Realty Decima EURA DC Emirates & France Eolas Equinix Etix Everywhere Evroc Extendo Datacenter Foliateam Free Pro GTT Communications Global Service Provider Global Switch Google Green Computing Groupe Asten IBO Icade Jaguar Network MAXNOD MGX/Bpifrance/Mistral AI/NVIDIA Microsoft NTT DATA Nation Data Center Netiwan Nexeren (XEFI Formerly SHD Datacenter) OPCore (Scaleway Datacenter) OpCore OpCore (Iliad Group & InfraVia) Orange Business Services Penta Infra Phocea DC Prologis SFR Business Segro Sesterce TAS TDF Telehouse Thesee Datacenter XL360 dc2scale fullsave hosTELyon ikoula nLighten For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rc07eq About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. ROBESONIA, Pa., Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blaqclouds, Inc., a Nevada corporation (OTC: BCDS), proudly announces the official launch of its latest innovation: Apollo Wallet, a next-generation Web3 wallet designed to deliver enterprise-grade security, seamless cross-chain compatibility, and real-world usability for everyday crypto users. Apollo Wallet is now live and publicly available at www.ApolloWallet.io marking a major milestone in Blaqclouds mission to unify blockchain ecosystems and bring crypto utility into the real world. A Next-Generation Wallet for the Web3 Era Unlike conventional wallets that merely store digital assets, Apollo Wallet is built for real-world interaction and adoption. Key features include: EVM Multi-Chain Support : Pre-integrated with Ethereum (ETH), Binance Smart Chain (BNB), Polygon (MATIC), ZEUS Chain, OLYMPUS, Base, and ApeChainwith unlimited EVM chain expansion. : Pre-integrated with Ethereum (ETH), Binance Smart Chain (BNB), Polygon (MATIC), ZEUS Chain, OLYMPUS, Base, and ApeChainwith unlimited EVM chain expansion. Multi-Chain Token Swapping via DEX.ZEUSx.io via DEX.ZEUSx.io Stablecoin Bridge Access through ZEUSBridge.io through ZEUSBridge.io NFT Management and Staking Real-Time Gift Card Purchases powered by shopwithcrypto.io powered by shopwithcrypto.io Wallet-to-Wallet Encrypted Messaging and notifications via BitNotify.io and notifications via BitNotify.io One-Click Payments through ZEUSxPay.io through ZEUSxPay.io Integrated dApp Browser for seamless DeFi access for seamless DeFi access Future-Ready Upgrade Architecture for upcoming ZXUSD stablecoin and identity vault features Apollo Wallet is more than just a crypto wallet its a digital command center for modern finance and real-world crypto spendability, said Shannon Hill, CEO of Blaqclouds. Our mission is to merge Web2 and Web3 architecture into a unified platform that empowers users, merchants, and developers with a simple, intuitive frontend backed by a powerful, secure, and scalable backend making blockchain technology practical for everyday life. Core Infrastructure for the Blaqclouds Ecosystem Apollo Wallet is central to the growing Blaqclouds Web3 ecosystem, powering user access to: ShopWithCrypto.io Global gift card purchases from over 250,000 merchants ZEUSxPay.io Merchant crypto checkout plugins DEX.ZEUSx.io Decentralized token swaps and LP trading DeployTokens.com Multi-chain token generator ZXUSD Stablecoin An upcoming fiat-pegged stablecoin with native yield NFT Passport & ID Vault For digital identity and credentials theAlley.io Crypto-native social media and communication platform Built for Utility, Designed for Simplicity Apollo Wallet features a clean, intuitive interface with a sharp focus on security, privacy, and user-centric design. Version 2, currently in development, will introduce: Facial recognition and biometric security protecting each IRL spend Anonymous NFT identity avatars Automated gas fee optimization Off-Chain Seed Phrase Manager with facial recognition and biometric security Google Chrome Extension launching October 21, 2025. These features position the Apollo Wallet Command Center as a leading contender in the next wave of consumer blockchain adoption. For parties that would like to test the Google Chrome Extension prior to our launch, please KYC at www.incognitoKYC.io and then email your request to hello@blaqclouds.io About Blaqclouds, Inc. Blaqclouds bridges traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems, building seamless, real-world blockchain applications that simplify commerce and payments. Its mission is to make spending crypto as easy, trusted, and usable as traditional currency. Flagship consumer applications include: - ShopWithCrypto.io Crypto-to-gift card commerce - ZEUSxPay.io Web3 payments and merchant plugins - DEX.ZEUSx.io EVM-compatible decentralized exchange - ApolloWallet.io Secure, consumer-grade blockchain wallet For a full list of platforms and solutions from Blaqclouds Nevada and Wyoming, visit: www.blaqclouds.io Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Blaqclouds, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Blaqclouds, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward- looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Blaqclouds Inc. or any other person. This press release also contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Blaqclouds, Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Media Contact Blaqclouds, Inc. c/o www.theAlley.io Email: hello@blaqclouds.io Phone: 307-323-4430 Website: www.blaqclouds.io A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f245db1f-0213-43ef-a210-365abe80fd1d. Milestone strengthens the companys leadership in advanced IOL innovation FINEVISION HP, with millions of implantations worldwide, will now be available to U.S. patients Proprietary design features anchor the launch of BVIs expanded U.S. IOL portfolio WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BVI, a global leader in ophthalmic device innovation, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its FINEVISION HP trifocal intraocular lens (IOL). This milestone reinforces BVIs leadership in premium IOLs and expands advanced vision solutions for U.S. patients. The pioneering work of Christophe Pagnoulle, BVI R&D director, and ophthalmologist Damien Gatinel, M.D., Ph.D., brought the FINEVISION HP to market and heralded a new era of premium IOLs. FINEVISION HP stands as the worlds first trifocal IOL and remains the global benchmark in trifocal innovation with a legacy of more than 15 years of clinical success and millions of implantations worldwide. U.S. surgeons and patients now gain access to this transformative lens, recognized globally for its patented diffractive optic design delivering balanced vision at far, intermediate and near distances. FINEVISION HP redefined premium cataract surgery and continues to set the gold standard in premium IOL innovation, said Shervin Korangy, president and CEO of BVI. This FDA approval marks a pivotal step in expanding our IOL portfolio in the United States, supporting our mission to deliver best-in-class visual outcomes for patients globally. The third-generation FINEVISION HP incorporates BVIs proprietary POD platform and CoPODize technology, harmonizing light distribution and minimizing visual disturbances. Its unique double C-loop, four-point haptic design supports long-term stability and precise centration in the capsular bag. The development of FINEVISION HP was a pivotal moment for ophthalmology, reshaping expectations for vision correction after cataract surgery, said Dr. Damien Gatinel, developer and ophthalmologist. FDA approval in the U.S. means even more patients will benefit from this breakthrough technology. Clinical and Market Significance Created the category. FINEVISION HP was a breakthrough diffractive design creating the worlds first trifocal IOL, establishing an entirely new standard in cataract surgery. FINEVISION HP was a breakthrough diffractive design creating the worlds first trifocal IOL, establishing an entirely new standard in cataract surgery. Exceptional reliability. With more than a decade of real-world clinical results, millions of successful implantations and strong surgeon preference, FINEVISION HP remains the most trusted trifocal lens. With more than a decade of real-world clinical results, millions of successful implantations and strong surgeon preference, FINEVISION HP remains the most trusted trifocal lens. Unique design. Featuring BVIs proprietary POD platform, FINEVISION HP utilizes CoPODize technology to harmonize light distribution and minimize visual disturbances, while its double C-loop haptic system ensures lasting stability and precise centration. Building on this global foundation of success, the U.S. clinical study has further demonstrated the lenss potential impact for U.S. patients. The FINEVISION HP trifocal IOL reflects innovation in optic design, and Im pleased to have been part of the U.S. study evaluating its performance. This lens represents an important step forward in expanding advanced IOL choices for surgeons and their patients, said Vance Thompson, M.D., ophthalmologist and study investigator. Given early indications, demand for this groundbreaking IOL is expected to exceed supply, and BVI has been investing in significant capacity expansion efforts to meet market demand. BVI will methodically roll out availability over the coming year. FINEVISION HP will be showcased at the AAO Annual Meeting (Orlando, Oct. 1820, Booth No. 3521). About BVI BVI is a diversified global ophthalmic device company with a mission to deliver high-quality solutions and innovation for advancing eye surgery and improving patients vision. With nine decades of developing leading products and solutions, BVI partners with ophthalmic surgeons to improve the vision of millions of patients across the globe. Our organization supports surgical teams in more than 90 countries worldwide, either directly or through our network of trusted distributors. To learn more about BVI and its mission to advance the future of vision, visit https://www.bvimedical.com Press Contact David Chavez Global Communications Lead dchavez@bvimedical.com +1 (857) 869 8706 NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Precision Neuroscience Corporation (Precision), a leader in braincomputer interface (BCI) technology, has been named to Fast Companys Next Big Things in Tech 2025 award list. Fast Company recognized Precision for its AI-powered BCI system, designed to create a direct digital communication pathway between the electrical activity of the brain and a computer. The Precision BCI system has been developed to restore connection and independence for people living with neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke and ALS, enabling them to operate digital devices through thought alone. Fast Companys Next Big Things in Tech list highlights the most promising and influential technology trends and innovations coming in the next 5 years. The award marks the second Fast Company recognition for Precision, which was previously named to the magazines World Changing Ideas 2025 list. "Our mission has always been centered on empowering people living with neurological conditions, and this recognition reflects the progress were making toward that goal, said Michael Mager, co-founder and CEO of Precision. Being recognized by Fast Company twice this year underscores the importance of building safe, scalable BCI technology that has the power to change lives." A component of Precisions award-winning BCI system, Layer 7, was recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the recording, monitoring, and stimulation of electrical activity on the surface of the brain. The clearance represents a major breakthrough for the BCI field, marking the first full regulatory clearance granted to a company developing a next-generation wireless BCI. Next Big Things in Tech is both a snapshot of the most interesting tech of the moment and a crystal ball that predicts the next several years, says Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. Were excited to share this list with our readers, and we congratulate the winners for their vision and innovation. About Precision Precision Neuroscience is working to provide breakthrough treatments for the millions of people worldwide suffering from neurological illnesses. The company is building the only braincomputer interface designed to be minimally invasive, safely removable, and capable of processing large amounts of data. To learn more about how Precision is connecting human intelligence and artificial intelligence, visit www.precisionneuro.io . Contact: media@precisionneuro.io SHELTON, Conn., Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) will release its financial results for the third quarter of 2025 on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:30 AM Eastern Time. A conference call to discuss these results will be broadcast over the internet on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To listen or participate in a question-and-answer session, dial 1-877-407-0784, international callers dial 1-201-689-8560, conference ID: 13756138. Access to the live webcast of the conference call can be found in the Investor Relations section of the Companys website, www.acmeunited.com. A replay can be accessed under Investor Relations, Audio Archives. About Acme United ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative safety solutions and cutting technology to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods and industrial markets. Its leading brands include First Aid Only, First Aid Central, PhysiciansCare, Spill Magic, Westcott, Clauss, DMT, Med-Nap, Safety Made and Elite. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com. Contacts Acme United Corporation Paul G. Driscoll, 203-254-6060 pdriscoll@acmeunited.com CINCINNATI, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultimus Fund Solutions (Ultimus), a premier provider of full-service fund administration and middle office solutions, today announced that Chief Commercial Officer, Nick Darsch, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Institute for Portfolio Alternatives (IPA). Darschs election brings crucial expertise around fund administration, transfer agency and product structuring to the leadership of the prominent alternative investments trade association. The appointment underscores the IPA's commitment to incorporating diverse perspectives from key industry partners as it continues to advance and advocate for the portfolio-diversifying investments space. "I am honored to join the IPA Board of Directors," said Nick Darsch, "The IPAs work in education, advocacy, and networking is critical to moving the industry forward, and I look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members to support the continued expansion, growth, and integrity of the alternative investments industry." At Ultimus, Darsch leads all go-to-market activities for Ultimus across public and private fund solutions, including retail alternatives. His deep understanding of the operational, regulatory and structural complexities of alternative products in the private wealth channel will be a significant asset to the IPA boards strategic initiatives. "We are incredibly proud of Nicks appointment," said Gary Tenkman, CEO of Ultimus. "His expertise highlights not only his individual leadership but also reflects Ultimus commitment to supporting the industry's infrastructure. We are confident he will bring immense value to the IPA's mission." About Ultimus Fund Solutions Ultimus Fund Solutions (Ultimus) is a leading provider of full-service tech-enhanced fund administration, accounting, middle office, and investor solutions to support the launching and servicing of registered funds, private funds, and public plans. The company also offers customized structures designed for the unique needs of pensions, endowments, foundations, and other large institutions. Ultimus service offering comes with a deep commitment to excellence, achieved through continuous investments in both talent and technology, and focused on providing a consultative approach and boutique service levels. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with offices in other major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Denver, and Omaha, Ultimus employs more than 1,100 seasoned professionals. Servicing over 2,300 total traditional and alternative funds with more than $725 billion in assets under administration, Ultimus helps investment managers and fund families flourish in todays increasingly sophisticated and dynamic investment landscape. For more information, visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com. CONTACT: Marketing@UltimusFundSolutions.com COD00000855 10/12/2025 14th of October, 2025 Vilnius, Lithuania. NRD Companies, a global software development and consulting group of companies specializing in governance, economic digital infrastructure development, and subject matter consultancy services, announced its results for the first half of 2025. The group delivered a strong top-line performance, with consolidated revenue reaching 5.58 million, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2024. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) decreased by 4%; however, profitability strengthened considerably in the second quarter, with margins improving to 13% compared to 7% in the first quarter. Compared to Q2 2024, revenues advanced by 17% and EBITDA grew by 24%, underscoring both robust demand and the benefits of a diversified portfolio. Our performance in the first half of 2025 highlights the scalability of our solutions and the resilience of our business model, said Mindaugas Glodas, CEO of NRD Companies. While we saw margin pressure in the first quarter, the rebound in the second confirms the efficiency of our operations and the growing global appetite for our products and services. With projects spanning Europe Africa, the Caribbean, Southeast and Asia we are increasingly positioned as a trusted partner in digital transformation. Compared to the same period in 2024, revenues from Tax Administration and Government client segments recorded significant growth in the first half of 2025 demonstrating 33% and 43% representative increase. Revenues from Retail sector maintained its strong momentum, and revenues from Finance sector remained stable, while Registers business line showed some cyclical softness. This performance demonstrates the strength of NRD Companies well-diversified client and business portfolio, where temporary slowdowns in certain segments are offset by growth in others. During the first half of 2025 NRD Companies was carrying on 45 development and consultancy projects in 22 countries. This illustrate both the repeatability of NRD Companies core platforms and the trust placed in the group by governments and international development institutions, reinforcing the companys pipeline and revenue. In Lesotho, the group not only advanced an e-Invoicing and e-Filing platform with the Revenue Services Lesotho and African Development Bank, but also supported the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology & Innovation in developing national frameworks for broadband, data governance, and artificial intelligence placing NRD Companies at the center of long-term policy and infrastructure modernization. In Zimbabwe, the group continued implementing a Virtual Fiscalization Data Management System for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, moving the country to a modern, data-driven tax infrastructure with real-time monitoring capability. In the Caribbean, NRD Companies progressed with the Digital Civil Registry System in Belize to improve service delivery for citizens, while in Southeast Asia it successfully launched a nationwide Electronic Business Registration System in Lao PDR, simplifying business registration and enhancing the investment environment. In the European Union, NRD Companies began implementing the Mano Muitine Customs Services Portal for the Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania, a flagship national initiative to establish a modern, unified self-service platform for customs-related administrative services. NRD Companies also strengthened its brand equity by contributing to leading global policy and knowledge-sharing platforms. In the first half of 2025, the group participated in the World Bank Global Digital Summit, the E-Governance Conference, and Digital Week Gibraltar, where it led discussions on resilient digital governance frameworks. Such recognition not only affirms NRD Companies thought leadership, but also expands access to strategic markets and stakeholders. NRD Companies also highlight financial results of 2024. It reports that consolidated revenue in 2024 amounted to EUR 10.0 million compared to 11.0 million in 2023. While total revenue declined by 9.3%, this was primarily due to reduced hardware sales, which are not part of the groups strategic focus. Revenues from strategic activities software development and consultancy grew by 4%, and gross profit increased by 6%. EBITDA for the year reached 1.139 million, up 4% compared to normalized 2023 results once one-off cost capitalization was excluded. These results confirm the groups resilience and successful repositioning towards higher-value, scalable service lines. About NRD Companies NRD Companies is a global IT and consulting group specializing in governance and economic digital infrastructure development. Incorporated in Norway, headquartered in Lithuania and managed by INVL Technology, the group operates across GovTech and FinTech sectors, with a proven track record of delivering e-services platforms, tax administration systems, registry solutions, and digital policy advisory services. With nearly three decades of expertise, NRD Companies has implemented strategic projects on five continents and supports countries in achieving the UN SDGs through inclusive digital transformation. The person authorized to provide additional information: Kazimieras Tonkunas INVL Technology Managing Partner E-mail k.tonkunas@invltechnology.lt Attachment TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Funds controlled by Loci Capital Opportunistic Fund, LP, an affiliate of Loci Capital Group, LLC (Loci), a leading private real estate fund manager, announced the successful sale of the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, a 227-room, nine-story hotel located in the Carillon Business Park submarket of St. Petersburg, Florida. The ownership group also included Loci Capitals operating partner, HHM Hotels. "This sale marks a positive conclusion for our investment partnership at Hilton Carillon," commented Shawn Tuli, Chief Investment Officer at HHM Hotels. "We are thrilled to continue managing this property and execute a new vision under new ownership. Built in 2006, the Hilton Carillon features more than 16,000 square feet of meeting space and was acquired by Loci and its JV partners in January 2021 as part of its inaugural opportunistic fund. The property benefited from its central location, superior physical design and construction, and thoughtful capital improvement plan. The Hilton Carillon is a fantastic example of our hospitality strategy, said Damien Greenwood, Head of Hospitality at Loci Capital. We acquired the asset at a tremendous basis, executed a simple business plan, and realized the long-term tailwinds in the Tampa Bay region. We are grateful to our partners, Lubert-Adler and HHM Hotels for their collaboration throughout this investment. Since acquisition, the partnership invested in a series of enhancements, including a complete food & beverage rebrand and renovation, the addition of a Starbucks outlet, ballroom and pre-function renovations, and a model guestroom renovation in 2025 in preparation for a full guestroom renovation program. This divestment underscores Locis continued focus on realizing investments and returning capital to our investors, added Casey Wilson, Managing Principal and Head of Investor Relations at Loci Capital. Since 2021, we have successfully round-tripped nine investments, including five within Loci Capital Opportunistic Fund, LP, which has established itself as a top decile performer on a DPI basis. The Hilton Carillon exemplifies our commitment to sourcing and executing on differentiated opportunities for our investors. About Loci Capital Loci Capital is a leading middle market private real estate investment firm based in Florida and focused on opportunities throughout the Southeastern United States. Formed to bridge the gap between allocator-style capital markets expertise and operator-level execution, Loci employs a continuity of expertise model that allows its team to identify, structure, and manage investments with precision across market cycles. The firms senior leadership has deep experience in the development, redevelopment, repositioning, and conversion of assets across all real estate sectors. Since its inception in 2019, Loci has invested US $350 million of equity in over $1.4 billion worth of real estate on behalf of its investors, with activity spanning multifamily, hospitality, office, vacation rental, student housing, and medical office sectors. For additional information, visit locicapital.com. About HHM Hotels HHM Hotels is an award-winning hotel management and investment company that operates over 235 resorts and full-service and select-service hotels across the United States and Canada. HHM Hotels is in major hospitality markets from coast to coast, and is a leading manager of Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG hotels, while also operating over 50 independent luxury and lifestyle hotels. HHM Hotels highly experienced and stable operating team is known for being nimble, accountable, and entrepreneurial in how they drive market-leading results for owners including publicly traded companies, private equity firms, and family office investors. Additional information can be found at hhmhotels.com. Contacts Loci Capital Casey Wilson, Head of Investor Relations cwilson@locicapital.com +1.929.294.9403 HHM Hotels info@hhmhotels.com Farmington Hills, Michigan, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The maker of 5-hour ENERGY products, the #1 selling energy shot brand, sweetens its shelves with multiple bold flavor announcements. First, three fan-favorites that were initially limited-time offers Cotton Candy, Fruity Rainbowand Confetti Craze have been named as official additions to the brands Tasty Caffeine in 17 Flavors lineup. In addition, the brand introduces an all-new flavor, Firework Freeze, a refreshing and nostalgic blend of bold, juicy cherry, citrusy lime and candy-like blue raspberry inspired by the favorite freezer pop. It will launch nationwide next year. The big reveal takes place this week at the NACS Show in Chicago, where attendees can sample the new flavors and experience a burst of sweetness from a robotic cotton candy machine serving up free cotton candy for attendees. These sweet flavors were a hit as limited-time offers, and fans made it clear they wanted more, said Leah Key, President of Living Essentials, LLC, the maker of 5-hour ENERGY products. So, weve decided to make Cotton Candy, Fruity Rainbow and Confetti Craze official members of our tasty caffeine line-up and they will soon be available nationwide online and in retail stores. Cotton Candy delivers a whimsical, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness inspired by the fairground favorite; Fruity Rainbow brings a bright, candy-like burst of tropical fruit; and Confetti Craze offers a celebratory birthday cake flavor thats tastes like a party in every sip. Each Extra Strength shot packs 230 mg of tasty caffeine, plus B vitamins and nutrients for a fast, effective boostwith zero sugar, zero calories and zero sugar crash. Thats as much caffeine as a premium 12 oz. coffee. These three flavors will be available for purchase on 5hourEnergy.com and Amazon before the end of 2025, with nationwide retail availability coming in early 2026. Firework Freeze will be available in May 2026 for a vibrant, summer-ready rollout. # # # About 5-hour ENERGY Shots Since launching in 2004, the 5-hour ENERGY brand and its iconic 2-fl oz. shot has become a household staple for its ability to help you feel alert and get you through whatever each day brings. Find more information about 5-hour ENERGY, which is widely available in convenience, grocery, retail, club stores, and online outlets, at 5hourENERGY.com. Attachments HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DealFlow Events is excited to announce that The PIPEs Conference is set to take place on November 12-13, 2025, at the iconic Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314. This highly anticipated event will bring together public issuers, investors, and top industry experts for high-impact sessions, one-on-one meetings, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Building on the strong momentum of its 2024 relaunch, the PIPEs Conference returns with a compelling new program. The conference serves as a premier platform for top-tier networking and will cover key developments in regulation, market trends, and transaction structures. The events thought-provoking agenda provides comprehensive insights and helps foster connections between companies, investors, and leading industry professionals. Key highlights include solo presentations exploring cutting-edge developments and roundtables focusing on technical topics tailored for industry professionals. Attendees will be able to schedule private one-on-one meetings with professional investors. For more details, visit the Agenda . State of the PIPEs Market: Trends & Outlook Mitch Nussbaum, Co-Chair, Loeb & Loeb PIPEs as a Strategic Capital Raising Tool for Public Companies Richard Friedman, Partner, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Francisco Gonzalez, CFO, Sky Harbor Group Corp Eric Lussier, Principal, Next Level Partners Jason Sardo, Senior Managing Director, Capital Markets, Maxim Group Status of PIPEs in DeSPAC Transactions Doug Ellenoff, Partner, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole, LLP Bitcoin/Crypto PIPEs Highlights & Red Lights Mark Wood, Co-Head of Katten's National Capital Markets, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP Joe Tonnos, Managing Director, Investment Banking, Roth Capital Partners Christina Zaroulis Milnor, Partner, Mincey Bell Milnor/Cranfill Sumner How Investment Funds Evaluate Deals Osman Ahmed, Managing Partner, New Circle Capital Marc Van Tricht, Head of Capital Markets, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. Espen Robak, President, Pluris Valuation Advisors The Regulatory & Legal Landscape: What You Need to Know to Navigate this Market Matthew Beville, Partner, WilmerHale Ele Klein, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte Greg Sichenzia, Partner, Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP Perrie Weiner, Partner in Charge, Los Angeles and Chair, North America Securities Litigation Group, Baker McKenzie PIPE Investments and Foreign Issuers Julie Plyler, Special Counsel, Covington Burling Strategies to Engage Family Offices, Mutual Funds and Cross-Over Investors Thomas Haug, Managing Director, Head of Alternative Assets, Force Family Office Dean Rubino, CIO, Founder, Managing Partner, Kelly Park Partners Jon Najarian, Co-Founder, Rebellion Partner The Future of PIPE Transactions: Whats Next? Avraham Ben-Tzvi, Founder, ABZ Law Mohit Bhansali, Co-Founder, EquiDeFi Todd Coffin, Senior Managing Director, Head of Structured Finance, TerraNova Capital Alongside our distinguished speakers, the highly influential audience will include senior executives, high-net-worth investors, equity research analysts, brokerage firms, hedge funds, lawyers, private equity investors, venture capitalists and more. As the only dedicated forum for PIPE transactions, this event stands out as "the place" to find the most active professionals in the business, such as PIPE funds, PIPE counsels, and more. The conference will offer attendees a unique blend of professional and social experiences. Key events include a Welcome Party on Wednesday evening with casino games, live music, and drinks. The event is supported by notable sponsors and partners, including Loeb and Loeb; The Money Channel; Ellenoff Grossman and Schole LLP; D. Boral Capital; The Nuvo Group; Calabrese Consulting; Katten; RRBB; SheppardMullin; Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP; McDermott, Will and Schulte; Roth Capital Partners; EquiDeFi; Berman Audit & Advisory; Access Newswire; IBN, and many more. Registration is now open! Dont miss this unparalleled opportunity to connect with public issuers, investors, and top experts. Secure your spot today: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=848376&categoryid=5778265 About DealFlow Events DealFlow Events, the host of hundreds of conferences over the past 22 years, is renowned for its SPAC, PIPE, Reg A, Activist Investor, Venture Debt, Discovery (formerly Microcap) and other investment-themed conferences. For more information and a list of upcoming events, please visit https://DealFlowEvents.com . DealFlow Events Contact: Phillip LoFaso Roslyn, New York phillip@dealflowevents.com (516) 876-8006 www.dealflowevents.com Corporate Communications Stockholm, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brilliant marketers are still buried in dashboards, spending more time on reports and clicks than on strategy and creativity. Epiminds was created to solve this problem. The company, founded by Swedish entrepreneurs Elias Malm and Mo Elkhidir, today announced its public launch from stealth alongside $6.6 million in funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners with participation from EWOR, Entourage, and high-profile angels including the former CMO of Booking.com. In just twelve weeks from ideation, Epiminds already signed major agencies that manage over 240 brands in their platform. Epiminds founders Mo Elkhidir and Elias Malm. Agencies today are squeezed from both sides: clients demand more transparency, faster reporting, and measurable ROI all with smaller budgets. Inside agency walls, insights are scattered across platforms, making decisions slow or reliant on gut instinct, while the rapid rise of AI creates uncertainty about which tools to adopt and how to scale capacity sustainably. The traditional fixes - hiring more specialists, layering on dashboards and optimizers, or making reactive choices once problems surface - only raise costs and complexity without solving the underlying inefficiency. Worse, they don't prepare agencies for where the future of marketing is heading. Epiminds solves each of these problems, and more. The company creates advanced multi-agent AI systems that agencies can train and evolve over time. At the core is Lucy, an AI marketing manager that leads a dynamic team of more than 20 specialized agents working together across reporting, optimizations, budget pacing, bidding and creatives. Agencies can onboard a client in less than 30 seconds and instantly get an AI-powered marketing team capable of running campaigns from A to Z. Lucy and her team doesnt just surface insights but executes them, learns each agencys playbooks, and proactively monitors accounts to flag risks before they hurt performance. Marketers are under more pressure than ever to do more with less , said Mo Elkhidir, Co-Founder of Epiminds. Lucy and her team take on the busywork so that marketing talent can do their best work. This is not about replacing creativity; its about giving it room to flourish. The vision was born out of the founders own frustrations. Malm, who ran an agency and later worked at Google leading agency partnerships across the Nordics, saw firsthand how talented teams were stuck in inefficient processes. Elkhidir, a Sudanese-born machine learning expert who led technical teams at Spotify and Kry, spent years researching multi-agent systems, teaching AI agents to collaborate to solve complex tasks. The spark came during a weekend project simulating Swedens 10.8 million citizens in AI, each with hundreds of attributes. When they discovered that 23,400 of them were marketers, the idea crystallized: an AI-powered marketing workforce that could free real marketers to focus on strategy and creative impact. Sign up for Epiminds here: https://www.epiminds.com/ The impact is already visible. Agencies using Epiminds report faster onboarding, better performance, less wasted spend, and teams that can shift focus back to creativity and strategy. The dynamic multi-agent system seamlessly handles everything from everyday tasks like reporting and pacing to advanced capabilities such as audits, creative analysis, competitive insights, and strategic planning. By connecting insights to action across platforms, Lucy enables a 10x increase in output without adding headcount. John Axelsson, Founder & CEO of BBO added: Weve integrated EpiMinds into our advertising workflows. It has really started transforming how our specialists work by automating analysis and surfacing deep actionable insights, while we remain in control of strategic decisions. The result is faster optimization, more effective collaboration between human expertise and AI, and ultimately better outcomes for our clients. While Jenny Dettervik, Media Lead at Remotion said: "EpiMinds has become a valuable part of our workflow. By automating parts of our agencys know-how through AI agents, we can get insights faster, optimize more efficiently, and deliver higher quality to our clients." The timing is crucial in filling a big market gap. Legacy dashboards and optimization tools remain siloed, requiring heavy manual work. Point AI tools solve one-off problems but fail to orchestrate the bigger picture. Epiminds multi-agent approach creates an integrated, adaptive system that continuously learns and improves. As a former founder who relied heavily on performance marketing, I saw firsthand how difficult it is to scale campaigns across dozens of channels and geographies. Epiminds multi-agent approach directly tackles that challenge, transforming the way agencies and brands operate. Its rare to see a team build something this ambitious, and we believe Epiminds has the potential to redefine how marketing gets done in the AI era. commented Paul Murphy, Partner at Lightspeed After just twelve weeks of joining EWOR, which has a a 0.1% application success rate, Epiminds signed major agencies managing over 240 brands on their platform. "Elias and Mo are the rare kind of founders that have what it takes to take a company from 0-1M ARR, from 1-100M, and from 100-infinity. They have both hustle and leadership, both speed and perfection, and both aggression and empathy. On both a rational and irrational level, I think and feel they will go far." added Daniel Dippold, Co-Founder & CEO at EWOR Ellias and Mo embody the urgency and operational excellence we look for in founders building in the AI era. Says Pieterjan Bouten, Partner at Entourage. A massive wave of innovation is reshaping how leading marketing agencies operate, and Epiminds is poised to be at the forefront of that transformation. Were thrilled to back these two exceptional founders early as they pursue this massive opportunity. Looking ahead, Epiminds plans to expand Lucys capabilities across more integrations, increase level of autonomy, and self-improving capabilities. Each new feature strengthens the entire system, creating a network effect where every agency benefits from smarter, more capable AI. Our vision is simple," Elias Malm added. "We're building Epiminds because we see where marketing is headed. The future is about dynamic, agentic teams that analyze, plan, execute, and improve in real time. Every marketer should have access to a 24/7 AI workforce that frees up their time for creativity and strategy. Our goal is to give them that future, today." Media images can be found here. About Epiminds Epiminds is building the operating system for marketing, a multi-agentic system that analyzes, executes, and learns in real time, empowering marketers to work smarter and move faster. At the core is Lucy, an AI marketing manager that leads a dynamic team of more than 20 specialized agents working together across reporting, optimizations, budget pacing, bidding and creatives. Founded in 2025 by Google and Spotify Alum, Elias Malm and Mo Elkhidir respectively, Epiminds work with a roster of agencies that manage over 200 brands. Epiminds is backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners, EWOR, Entourage, and high-profile angels including the former CMO of Booking.com. For more information please visit https://www.epiminds.com/ About EWOR EWOR is a fellowship for exceptional founders who are building transformative technology. Entrepreneurs shape the future but only a few shape an entire generation. That's why EWOR supports the top 0.1% with up to 500,000 and weekly 1:1 mentoring from unicorn founders (Adjust, ProGlove, SumUp) who now work full-time at EWOR. EWOR rejects standard playbooks or rigid programs. Our virtual approach adapts to the non-linear development of founders and startups. www.ewor.com About Entourage Entourage is an early stage VC founded by Pieterjan Bouten, former CEO and co-founder of Showpad. The fund invests in the next generation B2B SaaS Startups and is backed by successful international entrepreneurs such as Jason Lemkin (Saastr), Louis Jonckheere (Showpad) and over 40 founders of global SaaS startups and unicorns like Collibra, Deliverect & Lighthouse. Entourage raised a $40M fund last year and wrote early checks in companies like Aikido, Lexroom and Onecrew. HOUSTON, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lexitas, a leading provider of technology-enabled litigation services, is pleased to announce that Mary Fuzat has joined as Executive Vice President of Process Transformation, and Denise Huber has been promoted to serve as President of the Records Division. The moves expand Lexitas leadership team, further positioning the company for continued success as its AI-enhanced litigation solutions transform the legal profession. We are excited to welcome Mary to the Lexitas team and thrilled to promote Denise to lead our Records Division, said Lexitas CEO Nishat Mehta. Marys deep expertise in optimizing operations and her keen understanding of the legal industry will help us continue to refine our processes and deliver outstanding personal service to our clients. Additionally, Denise has been an exceptional leader within Lexitas, driving operational excellence, developing strong teams, and deepening client relationships across our operations. Her proven ability to integrate acquisitions and standardize processes makes her the ideal leader to guide this division into its next phase of growth, he continued. Together, their leadership and experience will further strengthen our ability to scale and innovate in support of our clients nationwide. As EVP of Process Transformation, Fuzat will lead the end-to-end mapping, redesign, and consolidation of business processes across the company. With more than 25 years of software and services leadership experience, Fuzat has focused her career on scaling teams to create operational excellence. She has a deep background in business process optimization, merger/acquisition integration, product management, program management, and strategic customer lifecycle management. Prior to joining Lexitas, she served as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Operations at capSpire, where she leveraged her skills and certifications in continuous improvement methodologies to help the company scale globally while achieving double-digit year-over-year growth. Huber has been a key leader at Lexitas since 2018. She began as Director of Client Services in the Dallas Records location and quickly advanced into larger roles, including Vice President of Operations and, most recently, President of Defense Records. In that position, she led a team of more than 175 employees across seven U.S. locations. With a proven record of operational excellence, team development, and client service, Huber has played an instrumental role in integrating acquisitions, standardizing operations, and strengthening relationships with both clients and internal partners. Founded in 1987, Lexitas has been a trailblazer in bringing the power of technology to the practice of law. Lexitas has grown tremendously in the years since and today offers services including local and national court reporting, medical record retrieval, process service, registered agent services and legal talent outsourcing. The company recently was named to the Inc. 2024 Best in Business list, which celebrates companies that have made a profound impact on their industries and on society at large. Lexitas is also honored to have been named to the Inc. 5000 list nine years in a row, demonstrating consistent growth year over year. For legal, insurance, and corporate leaders responsible for vital outcomes, Lexitas harnesses its proprietary technology to deliver highly responsive professional services that help move the practice, and the business, of law forward. About Lexitas Lexitas is the industry-leading provider of tech solutions for the legal profession, serving lawyers, law firms, courts, corporations, third-party administrators, and insurance companies across the country and around the world. Lexitas offers efficient, effective solutions for medical record retrieval, document review, court reporting, registered agent services, legal staffing, and commercial contracts outsourcing in one secure digital platform. With customized solutions backed by more than 1,300 full-time team members, Lexitas is ready to deploy anytime, anywhere. For more information visit https://lexitaslegal.com. Media Contact: Becky Bergman, 704-607-5977 | becky@furiarubel.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/27bbeba7-8a9a-49ec-8622-93467360a735 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b875f71-6de7-4f5c-930f-02d34bac6fce NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 4media group, a global strategic communications agency, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Family Features Editorial Syndicate, Inc., a leader in branded content and distribution known for connecting brands with publishers and audiences through credible, engaging storytelling. This latest acquisition marks the next step in 4media groups strategic growth plan: building the worlds first predictable earned digital placement platform for the modern era of content, one where editorial storytelling, influencer engagement, data intelligence and multimedia distribution seamlessly converge. Family Features has built a distinctive 51-year legacy as one of the industrys most trusted content partners, said Ed Cyster, founder and Global CEO of 4media group. By welcoming Family Features into the 4media group family, we can build on that legacy while also expanding the reach and impact of our clients stories. Together, well aim to redefine how earned, owned and paid content work in harmony to deliver impact, trust and measurable business growth for every client. Family Features, as part of 4media group, will now offer: Deeper data-driven strategic insights and creative ideation to fuel story creation to fuel story creation Seamless campaign execution and expanded story distribution across broadcast, digital, print and social channels across broadcast, digital, print and social channels Stronger analytics and reporting tools to ensure every campaign drives meaningful ROI to ensure every campaign drives meaningful ROI Continued dedication to service and quality, with the same teams clients have trusted for years "For more than five decades, Family Features has stayed true to its mission of connecting brands and audiences through stories that matter. Joining the 4media group family ensures that legacy will continue forward into the next generation of visionary storytelling," said Dianne Hogerty, owner of Family Features. Future Plans to Evolve the Market-Leading Brand Capitalizing on five decades worth of successful campaigns as the bridge between brands, publishers and consumers, 4media group plans to make initial investments into Family Features through increased investment in video, social and digital-native content; securing partnerships with additional premium publisher networks; and utilizing enhanced data analytics and insights to inform content strategy and monetization. As a result of these investments, clients of both companies can expect unmatched storytelling that is designed for the modern era of content. Family Features joins 4media groups other in-house brands, including Atomik Research, its PR survey and market research agency, and Dynamik Influence, its influencer marketing agency. Family Features will continue to serve its existing clients under its current name during the integration process, with plans to soon unveil a refreshed brand identity one that reflects both its iconic past and its forward-looking role as part of 4media group. About 4media group 4media group is a global strategic communications agency built for brands that want results. Since 2008, we've helped the worlds most influential organizations break through the noise with data-driven insights, compelling storytelling and flawless execution. Our fully integrated service offering spans public relations and broadcast PR, media buying, influencer and social campaigns, public service announcements, video production, market research and PR surveys and beyond. Our team spans from LA to NYC to London, blending global scale with local insight to deliver content that connects and campaigns that convert. Learn more at 4media-group.com. About Family Features Family Features helps brands and agencies share their stories through engaging, editorial-style content distributed to thousands of media outlets nationwide. For over 50 years, weve delivered measurable earned media results and authentic consumer engagement through trusted storytelling and nationwide distribution. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ac426fa6-2257-4027-a792-6c94c217774b Portland, United States, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NAVEX (the Company), a leading global provider of ethics, risk and compliance management software, announced today that Goldman Sachs Alternatives has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in the Company. Blackstones private equity strategy for individual investors (Blackstone) has also become a significant minority investor in the Company. BC Partners, NAVEXs former majority shareholder, will retain a significant minority stake in the company. The new capitalization will fuel NAVEXs continued expansion into global markets and ongoing innovation of the NAVEX One integrated GRC platform. With the acquisition completed, Harsh Nanda, Partner and Head of Technology Private Equity within Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Joon Park, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Alternatives will join the Board of Directors. Headquartered outside of Portland, Oregon, NAVEX works with 13,000 businesses and organizations globally. The NAVEX One platform provides one of the worlds most comprehensive ethics, risk and compliance management solutions, allowing clients to proactively address risk-related issues and to respond quickly and effectively in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Goldman Sachs Alternatives is honored to partner with NAVEX as it continues to set the standard for ethics, risk, and compliance management software on a global scale, said Harsh Nanda. With NAVEXs deep customer base, strong product innovation and proven leadership, combined with the support of Goldman Sachs global network and resources, we are confident in its ability to drive innovation and deliver lasting value to organizations worldwide, added, Joon Park. Together, we aim to empower businesses to build resilient, ethical cultures and navigate risk with confidence." "We are thrilled to embark on this bold new chapter, welcoming Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Blackstone as key partners on our journey to transform and redefine the future of governance, risk, and compliance, said Andrew Bates, NAVEX CEO. This milestone underscores the extraordinary value and potential of NAVEX as we continue to innovate, expand our reach, and empower organizations worldwide to build cultures of integrity and success. Together, with the support of BC Partners, we are committed to accelerating growth, driving product advancements, and delivering unparalleled value to our global customer community." NAVEX continues to set the standard for modern ethics and compliance programs," said Mark Fariborz, Partner and Co-Head, Technology at BC Partners. The NAVEX team has built something extraordinary, from the launch of NAVEX One to its global expansion. Were excited to support this next chapter as NAVEX deepens its impact and helps more organizations build cultures rooted in trust, accountability, and resilience. As part of the transaction, Vista Equity Partners has exited its investment in the company. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. Goldman Sachs Alternatives was advised by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. NAVEX was advised by J.P. Morgan and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. About NAVEX Trusted by 13,000 organizations, including 75% of Fortune 100 and 500 companies, NAVEX is the global leader in ethics, risk and compliance management solutions. Its NAVEX One platform strengthens risk and compliance programs, empowering organizations with unparalleled industry benchmark data and insights. NAVEX One provides a 360-degree view of enterprise, third party and ecosystem risk for enhanced regulatory compliance and proactive risk management. Based in Lake Oswego, OR, with a global presence, NAVEX continues to shape the future of governance, risk and compliance. Visit our blog or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube. About Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) is one of the leading investors in alternatives globally, with over $500 billion in assets and more than 30 years of experience. The business invests in the full spectrum of alternatives including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds, and sustainability. Clients access these solutions through direct strategies, customized partnerships, and open-architecture programs. The business is driven by a focus on partnership and shared success with its clients, seeking to deliver long-term investment performance drawing on its global network and deep expertise across industries and markets. The alternative investments platform is part of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, which delivers investment and advisory services across public and private markets for the worlds leading institutions, financial advisors, and individuals. Goldman Sachs has approximately $3.3 trillion in assets under supervision globally as of June 30, 2025. Established in 1986, Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives has invested over $75 billion since inception. The business combines a global network of relationships, unique insight across markets, industries and regions, and the worldwide resources of Goldman Sachs to build businesses and accelerate value creation across its portfolios. Follow us on LinkedIn. About Blackstone Blackstone is the worlds largest alternative asset manager. Blackstone seeks to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which the firm invests. Blackstones $1.2 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, credit, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram. About BC Partners BC Partners is a leading investment firm with circa 40 billion in assets under management across private equity, private debt, and real estate strategies. Established in 1986, BC Partners has played an active role for nearly four decades in developing the European buy-out market. Today BC Partners integrated transatlantic investment teams work from offices in Europe and North America and are aligned across our four core sectors: TMT, Healthcare, Services & Industrials, and Food. Since its foundation, BC Partners has completed over 130 private equity investments and is currently investing its eleventh private equity buyout fund. For further information, please visit https://www.bcpartners.com/ Delray Beach, FL, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to MarketsandMarkets, the Smart Infrastructure Market is projected to grow from USD 923.0 billion in 2024 to USD 2,109.5 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 18.0% during the forecast period. Browse in-depth TOC on "Smart Infrastructure Market" 326 - Tables 49 - Figures 281 - Pages Download Report Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=7673302 Smart Infrastructure Market Dynamics Drivers Proliferation of IoT, AI, smart infrastructure, and connected devices Growing urbanization and demand for sustainable solutions Restraints High implementation costs Lack of standardized frameworks Opportunities Growing smart city initiatives Rising public and private investments List of Top Companies in Smart Infrastructure Market Siemens (Germany) Cisco, (US) Honeywell (US) Hitachi (Japan) IBM (US) Schneider Electric (France) Microsoft (US) Huawei (China) ABB (Switzerland) Johnson Controls (Ireland) Intel (US) These players not only have a comprehensive and diverse product portfolio but also have a strong geographic presence. These companies offer several product offerings and have operations worldwide. They rely on their R&D capabilities and diversified product and service portfolios to increase their market share. These companies focus on product launches, collaborations, acquisitions, contracts, and partnerships to strengthen their footprint through product innovations and extend their business reach. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=7673302 As more people move to cities, there's an increased demand for infrastructure that can efficiently support larger populations. Smart infrastructure solutions help cities manage resources and services more effectively. Concerns about climate change and environmental degradation are driving the adoption of smart infrastructure solutions that promote sustainability. These solutions include renewable energy integration, energy-efficient buildings, smart grids, and water management systems. By offering, the software segment is expected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period Using software in the smart infrastructure market is paramount for optimizing efficiency, improving functionality, and ensuring sustainability in modern urban environments. Software solutions are integral to smart grid management, enabling energy distribution monitoring, analysis, and optimization through demand forecasting, load balancing, and real-time monitoring. Building Automation Systems (BAS) leverage software for centralized control of HVAC, lighting, security, and access systems, facilitating remote monitoring, scheduling, and energy management. In intelligent transportation systems, software applications manage traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance safety through traffic signal optimization, dynamic routing, and real-time data analysis. Water and waste management benefit from software solutions that monitor distribution networks, optimize treatment processes, and manage waste collection routes, ensuring sustainable resource management. Smart lighting systems use software to adjust brightness and scheduling based on occupancy and daylight, enhancing energy efficiency and user comfort. Asset management software tracks infrastructure assets, schedules maintenance, and manages lifecycle processes, enabling predictive maintenance and extending asset lifespan. Inquire Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=7673302 By offering, the hardware segment is expected to hold the largest market size during the forecast period The use of hardware in the smart infrastructure market is pivotal for developing efficient, connected, and sustainable urban and rural environments. Key components include sensors and IoT devices for monitoring environmental conditions, traffic flow, and utility usage, alongside surveillance cameras for security. Communication hardware, such as wireless network devices and 5G infrastructure, ensures data transmission and connectivity, while edge computing devices enable local data processing. Control systems, including smart grids and building management systems, optimize resource management and automate traffic systems to enhance transportation efficiency. Energy storage solutions like battery systems and energy management hardware support renewable energy integration. Smart lighting, EV chargers, smart parking, and automated toll systems further modernize infrastructure. Public safety benefits from advanced emergency communication and disaster management systems, while healthcare infrastructure is improved with remote monitoring and telemedicine equipment. Get access to the latest updates on Smart Infrastructure Companies and Smart Infrastructure Industry Irvine, CA, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Navy Recovery, a professional unclaimed property recovery firm, announced today that its Georgia-based operations have achieved a 100% customer satisfaction index for the past 12 months, based on internal case completion and client communication metrics. The milestone further cements Blue Navys position as the best unclaimed property service in Georgia, where demand for its performance-based support continues to grow. Resource hub from Blue Navy Recovery for managing unclaimed property claims in California and Georgia. The satisfaction report reflects consistent success across hundreds of user cases involving dormant bank accounts, estate assets, and forgotten refund checks. Blue Navy Recovery manages the full recovery processhandling everything from eligibility review to document submission and follow-up with state agencies. Clients pay nothing upfront and are only charged upon successful recovery of their funds. In Georgia, the system for recovering unclaimed property can be slow and confusing, said David Dorfman, Managing Partner at Blue Navy Recovery. Our model exists to eliminate that friction. The 100% satisfaction rate confirms what our case studies show: Georgians want clarity, professionalism, and results. The companys continued growth and effectiveness in Georgia have attracted attention from national outlets, including Business Insider and MarketWatch. These placements follow a steady stream of national media attention as the company has celebrated similar success milestones such as 40 5-star Google reviews, 200 successful cases, and $6M in recovered funds. Real-world user studies detailing successful recoveries are reflected in Google search results, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. These public-facing platforms include case study details from real clients navigating Georgias recovery process with Blue Navys support. As more residents discover that they may be entitled to forgotten assets held by the state, Blue Navy Recovery is positioned to meet the momentbacked by case-proven results and a satisfaction record that sets it apart. To learn more or begin the claim process for unclaimed property in Georgia, visit the official Blue Navy Recovery site. Blue Navy Recoverys mission page highlights its commitment to helping Americans reclaim unclaimed assets with no upfront fees, expert support, and a proven $6.2M+ recovered. About Blue Navy Recovery Blue Navy Recovery is a professional unclaimed property recovery firm that helps individuals and families recover lost or forgotten funds held by the state. With deep experience navigating the claims process in California and Georgia, weve helped recover millions of dollars for rightful owners. We handle the paperwork, follow-ups, and filing so you dont have to. Our team only collects a percentage of the recovered amount, with no upfront cost. Press inquiries Blue Navy Recovery https://www.bluenavy.org David Dorfman david@bluenavy.org (619) 215-1972 Starting anew from Beijing to open a new chapter for the global women's cause: Global Times editorial Global Times) 13:41, October 14, 2025 The opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women is held in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. The Global Leaders' Meeting on Women was held in Beijing on Monday. (Photo: Xinhua) The Global Leaders' Meeting on Women is being held in Beijing from Monday to Tuesday. Heads of state, heads of government, parliamentary leaders, vice-premier-level officials, ministerial representatives, leaders of the UN and international organizations, foreign envoys to China, and other guests from over 110 countries together convened this grand event. Amid warm applause, President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech titled "Carrying Forward the Spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women and Promoting the New and Accelerated Process for Women's All-Round Development." In his address, President Xi urged all parties to revisit the purpose of the Beijing World Conference on Women, build greater consensus, broaden forward paths, and take more concrete actions to accelerate the new process of women's all-round development. He put forward four important proposals, contributing China's solutions to the development of women worldwide. The speech has received high praise, and public opinion generally regards this summit as a new milestone in the development of women's causes globally. The World Conference on Women was held in Beijing 30 years ago - at a time when the global political order was being reshaped, it was a women's conference of major significance. It was at that conference that the consensus "women's rights are human rights" was established on a global scale, elevating gender equality to a central issue in global governance and social progress. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action provided a systematic framework for national women's policies and laid the foundation for the international women's movement over the following 30 years. From then on, "equality, development, and peace" became the common goals of the global women's cause, and the "Beijing Spirit" came to stand as a key principle driving human social advancement. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the World Conference on Women in Beijing, China once again convened the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Whereas 30 years ago, when Beijing witnessed the world's determination for women's pursuit of equality, today, the world sees China's commitment in action, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to advancing women's development. Over the years, China has provided opportunities and guarantees for the global women's cause through its own development. The country has trained more than 200,000 women from over 180 countries and regions and explored "small but beautiful" public welfare projects targeting foreign - especially developing - countries. Whether in global poverty reduction efforts or within frameworks like the Belt and Road Cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the cases of China promoting global gender equality and women's comprehensive development are widespread. The four proposals that President Xi put forward at the summit are namely joining efforts in fostering an enabling environment for women's growth and development, cultivating powerful momentum for the high-quality development of women's cause, developing governance frameworks to protect women's rights and interests, and writing a new chapter in promoting global cooperation on women. These initiatives organically integrate women's development with global sustainable development, are in line with China's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative. They are also a vivid example of putting the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity into practice in the field of global women's development. The proposals are visionary and pragmatic. China not only takes concrete actions to support all countries, especially developing ones, but also contributes valuable ideas as important public goods for humanity. From Beijing to Beijing, the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women embodies an echo of history. It is both a continuation of the spirit of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing 30 years ago and a new declaration oriented toward the future. Today, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, marked by frequent wars and conflicts, widening wealth and gender gaps, and emerging challenges such as climate change, the technology divide, and digital security. Women's development still faces complex challenges. Once again, Beijing has become the focus of global attention, providing timely and significant answers to the pressing question of how women's advancement can "maintain progress and prevent regression" amid global turbulence. In the Chair's Statement released at the summit, participants highly commended China's contributions and positively evaluated its important initiatives in support of global women's development. The answer lies not only in China's consistent sense of responsibility but also in the certainty and stability of its development philosophy. Domestically, China adheres to a people-centered approach to development, ensuring that progress benefits all citizens, including women. Internationally, China upholds the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and is committed to achieving shared growth through consultation and collaboration, and creating a better world for all women and for all people. The world can be confident that irresponsible practices such as "withdrawal from cooperation" or "policy reversals" will never occur in China. This summit sent a clear message to the world: regardless of how the international situation changes, genuinely promoting gender equality and realizing women's all-round development remain a shared global mission and moral responsibility. By taking China as its platform, it has brought together the strength of countries from both the Global South and the Global North, reenergized the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action with renewed vitality, and injected fresh momentum into the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is foreseeable that the path starting from Beijing will extend toward a more equal, just, and better future, allowing the ideals of equality, development, and peace to once again illuminate the path of human civilization. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing) Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Snacks in the United Arab Emirates" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Snacks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are anticipated to experience positive retail current value growth across the board, with retail volume growth projected in most snack categories by 2025. The market dynamics are shaped by evolving consumer lifestyles and preferences, with health and wellness arising as a significant influence. This trend is fueling the demand for clean label, allergen-free, and naturally formulated products in categories such as savory snacks, ice cream, and sweet biscuits. Report Scope The report provides unparalleled insight at a national level, offering local perspectives and understanding that are unmatched elsewhere. It includes retail sales data from 2020 to 2025 and highlights the leading companies, brands, and retail outlets. Additionally, it examines key trends and demographic shifts driving consumer demand and sales growth. The report explores how significant trends such as health and wellness, sustainability, and post-pandemic recovery are currently influencing the market, alongside prospects for the next five years, indicating anticipated market changes. Product coverage: The report covers a range of products including Confectionery, Ice Cream, Savory Snacks, Sweet Biscuits, Snack Bars, and Fruit Snacks. Data coverage: The report provides extensive data coverage, including market sizes (both historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares, and distribution data. Why buy this report? Gain a detailed understanding of the UAE Snacks market. Identify growth sectors and the factors driving these changes. Analyze the competitive environment and discover key market players and leading brands. Leverage five-year forecasts to gauge market development. Key Topics Covered: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Snacks in 2025: The big picture Key trends in 2025 Competitive landscape Channel developments What next for snacks? MARKET DATA CHOCOLATE CONFECTIONERY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES KEY DATA FINDINGS 2025 DEVELOPMENTS Dubai chocolate drives growing popularity of chocolate confectionery Mars leads and adds dynamism to chocolate confectionery Hypermarkets offer broad assortments, convenience and value for money to lead distribution PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Dubai chocolate to continue to spur development in chocolate confectionery Digitalisation to shape chocolate confectionery marketing Dubai chocolate trend helps filled gain ground in tablets GUM IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES KEY DATA FINDINGS 2025 DEVELOPMENTS Chewing gum sustains growth trajectory Mars's brands dominate the landscape of gum in the United Arab Emirates Hypermarkets leverage large shelf space and cater to convenience and impulse purchases PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Fresh breath and oral hygiene benefits to push chewing gum consumption Expanding flavour profiles and new experiences drive dynamism in gum Sustainability gains weight in product and packaging terms SUGAR CONFECTIONERY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES KEY DATA FINDINGS 2025 DEVELOPMENTS Indulgence remains a key growth driver in sugar confectionery Strong investment in innovation and strategic positioning keeps Haribo ahead of the field Hypermarkets leverage space and assortment advantages to lead PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Premiumisation to gain momentum and push sugar confectionery as a whole in the forecast period Q-commerce to transform the online landscape for sugar confectionery Health and wellness-orientated sugar confectionery to help shape consumption behaviours SWEET BISCUITS, SNACK BARS AND FRUIT SNACKS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES KEY DATA FINDINGS 2025 DEVELOPMENTS Health and wellness spurs fruit snacks and snack bars Mondelez leverages strength in sweet biscuits to lead overall Hypermarkets cover indulgence and health-orientated needs of consumers PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Plain biscuits to maintain enduring appeal Dried dates to drive fastest-growth performance for fruit snacks Digital advancement to push retail e-commerce sales of sweet biscuits, snack bars, and fruit snacks ICE CREAM IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES KEY DATA FINDINGS 2025 DEVELOPMENTS Healthier positioning and indulgence both appear among the key strategies IFFCO invests to remain the clear leader Easy access and convenience sustain small local grocers' leading position in distribution PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES More consumption occasions to push ice cream sales Logistics improvements to enhance retail e-commerce's penetration in ice cream New product developments to cater to a growing premium demand in ice cream SAVOURY SNACKS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES KEY DATA FINDINGS 2025 DEVELOPMENTS Potato chips provide dynamism and drive growth in savoury snacks Pepsi Cola International leads but local and private label alternatives gain traction Hypermarkets offers wide choice while space open up for e-commerce PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Healthier options to gain penetration and adoption Vegetable-based snacks to win over more consumers Pistachio is an increasingly sought-after ingredient For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/p3ai8u About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Rebound in Bookings in Q3 2025 (27%) to 1.93 million in ACV Strong Revenue Growth of 12% with SaaS Subscriptions up 17% Sidetrade Awarded Gold Medal by EthiFinance, Ranks Among the Top 15% of High-Performing Companies Assessed by EcoVadis Sidetrade, the global leader in AI-powered Order-to-Cash applications, today announced a 13% increase in revenue for the first nine months of 2025 at constant currency, driven by a 17% rise in SaaS subscription revenue. Commenting on the results, Olivier Novasque, CEO and Founder of Sidetrade, stated: Revenue for the first nine months of 2025 was fully in line with our expectations, despite a volatile and challenging economic environment that weighed on new project signings during the first half. The rebound in bookings in the third quarter, particularly in the US, points to a gradual return to normal activity over the coming quarters. It is precisely in such demanding times that our teams have always shown their ability to turn constraints into opportunities. Beyond the promising rollout of our two new growth driver for the years ahead, agentic AI and the development of a partner network, Sidetrade has taken a major step toward its global ambitions with the October 13 announcement of the planned acquisition of ezyCollect, a leading Order-to-Cash player in the Asia-Pacific region. This transaction will extend our presence to three continents, open access to a global mid-market of several million companies, and accelerate the large-scale deployment of our AI agents, whose impact on small and midsize businesses will be transformative. Finally, the recent Gold and Silver distinctions from EthiFinance and EcoVadis highlight that AI and sustainability are not opposing forces; they complement each other in value creation. As we enter the final quarter of the year, we confirm our profitable growth objectives for 2025 and look ahead to 2026 with confidence, backed by a stronger-than-ever model and clearly identified growth levers for the years to come. Q3 2025 Rebound in Bookings (27%) Narrows the Gap at the End of September Compared to the First Nine Months of 2024 For the first nine months of 2025, Sidetrades new Annual Contract Value (ACV) reached 7.81 million, compared to 8.94 million in the same period of 2024. As announced during the investor presentation on September 18, 2025, the expected rebound in Q3 2025 bookings (up 27%), traditionally the slowest quarter, helped narrow the year-to-date gap compared to 2024 to down 13%, from down 21% at the end of June 2025. Note that 2024 marked a record year for bookings. After a cautious first half of 2025 marked by macroeconomic uncertainty, new projects are gradually picking up momentum, especially in the US. In Q3 2025, new Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) rose 20%, while services bookings increased 30%. The rollout of our two growth engines, Sidetrades agentic AI and the development of a global partner network, will have a significant impact on next years bookings in 2026 and underpin the Groups long-term confidence. Strong Revenue Growth of 12%, Including 17% in SaaS Subscriptions Sidetrade (m) First Nine months 2025 First Nine months 2024 Change SaaS Subscriptions 38.7 33.0 +17% Revenue 44.4 39.7 +12% 2025 figures are from unaudited consolidated data. Sidetrade continues to deliver sustained revenue growth. For the first nine months of 2025, the Group reported consolidated revenue of 44.4 million, up 13% at constant currency and 12% on a reported basis. SaaS subscription revenue reached 38.7 million, an increase of 19% at constant currency (17% reported). On a comparable scope basis (excluding SHS Viveon), organic growth reached 12%, confirming the resilience of Sidetrades recurring revenue base in a challenging economic environment. The Groups strategic focus on enterprise accounts continues to drive growth. Subscriptions from companies with annual revenue above 2.5 billion rose 30% and now account for more than half of the customer base (54%). This strong performance underscores Sidetrades strong traction among multinational clients. International operations remain a key growth driver for the Group, with 69% of revenue in the first nine months of 2025 generated outside France, reflecting continued expansion and strengthened global footprint. Gold Medal from EthiFinance for Sidetrade, now ranking among the top 15% of high-performing companies evaluated by EcoVadis Sidetrade has further strengthened its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials by ranking among the top 15% of companies assessed by EcoVadis, the global benchmark in sustainability ratings. The Group once again earned the Silver Medal, with a score of 70/100, recognizing the maturity of its ESG program. Sidetrade also received the Gold Medal from EthiFinance, an independent ESG rating agency recognized for its alignment with the EU sustainability standards (Taxonomy and CSRD), achieving an ESG score of 77/100. This distinction places Sidetrade among Europes leading tech companies in governance, social impact, and environmental performance. The Group stood out for its advanced initiatives in human rights, diversity, responsible procurement, and carbon management, as well as the transparency of its non-financial reporting. With this dual recognition, Sidetrade reaffirms its status as a sustainability leader in enterprise technology. Next financial announcement Annual Revenue for 2025: January 20, 2026 (after the stock market closes) Investor relations Christelle Dhrif 00 33 6 10 46 72 00 cdhrif@sidetrade.com Media relations Oli Thornton 00 44 7 93 31 08 107 oli.thornton@sidetrade.com About Sidetrade (www.sidetrade.com) Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA) provides a SaaS platform designed to revolutionize how cash flow is secured and accelerated. Leveraging its new-generation agentic AI, nicknamed Aimie, Sidetrade analyzes $7.2 trillion worth of B2B payment transactions daily in its Cloud, thereby anticipating customer payment behavior and the attrition risk of 40 million buyers worldwide. Sidetrade has a global reach, with 400+ talented employees based in Europe, the United States, and Canada, serving global businesses in more than 85 countries. Among them: AGFA, BMW Financial Services, Bunzl, DXC, Engie, Inmarsat, KPMG, Lafarge, Manpower, Morningstar, Page, Randstad, Safran, Saint-Gobain, Securitas, Siemens, UGI, Veolia. For more information, visit us at www.sidetrade.com and follow us on LinkedIn at @Sidetrade. In the event of any discrepancy between the French and English versions of this press release, the French version shall prevail. Attachment Dublin, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market Size and Share - Outlook Report, Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis (2025-2034)" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Saudi Arabia vaccine market, valued at USD 1.14 billion in 2024, is set for sustained growth driven by government initiatives, strategic partnerships, and advancements in healthcare infrastructure. Forecasts indicate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.90% from 2025 to 2034, with market values expected to reach USD 1.84 billion by 2034. The vaccine market in Saudi Arabia is experiencing robust growth due to strong government support, advancements in healthcare, and rising public awareness of preventive care. Efforts to localize vaccine production aim to reduce import dependency and establish Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for vaccine manufacturing and distribution. As part of Vision 2030, the Saudi government prioritizes healthcare transformation and pharmaceutical self-sufficiency, which is expected to boost the market during the forecast period. Growth Drivers Strategic Investments in Vaccine Production Facilities Saudi Arabia is investing strategically in vaccine production facilities to enhance pharmaceutical self-sufficiency. In 2023, MODON signed a USD 133 million investment agreement with the Vaccine Industrial Company to create a joint venture vaccine manufacturing facility in Sudair City. Such initiatives are projected to drive market growth in the coming years. Market Trends Focus on Domestic Vaccine Manufacturing In March 2022, the Saudi government announced a USD 3.4 billion investment in the vaccine and biomedical drugs sector, strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing reliance on imports. This aligns with the trend towards vaccine localization and global competitiveness, supporting market expansion. Integration of Vision 2030 with Healthcare Transformation Under Vision 2030, life sciences and biotechnology have become key growth sectors. The vaccine industry receives targeted support through funding, policy reforms, and infrastructure development, ensuring ongoing investment and innovation in vaccine production and public health programs. Market Segmentation: Product Type: Multivalent Vaccines, Monovalent Vaccines Multivalent Vaccines, Monovalent Vaccines Type: Subunit, Recombinant, Conjugate, Toxoid, Inactivated, Live Attenuated, mRNA, Viral Vector Vaccines Subunit, Recombinant, Conjugate, Toxoid, Inactivated, Live Attenuated, mRNA, Viral Vector Vaccines Route of Administration: Oral, Parenteral, Nasal Oral, Parenteral, Nasal Disease Indication: Viral Diseases, Hepatitis, Influenza, HPV, MMR, Rotavirus, Herpes Zoster, COVID-19, Others Viral Diseases, Hepatitis, Influenza, HPV, MMR, Rotavirus, Herpes Zoster, COVID-19, Others Age: Pediatric, Adult Pediatric, Adult End User: Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Government Suppliers, Others Growth in Multivalent Vaccines Multivalent vaccines, which protect against multiple strains, dominate Saudi Arabia's immunization programs. The Ministry of Health prioritizes these vaccines for bulk purchasing and public campaigns due to their efficiency, contributing significantly to market dominance. Regional Analysis Market variations across Saudi Arabia are influenced by population, healthcare infrastructure, and local needs. The Central Region, particularly Riyadh, serves as a hub for government and healthcare planning. The Western Region, including Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah, has a high demand for vaccines due to its dense population and influx of pilgrims. Leading Players Key players like GlaxoSmithKline plc, Merck & Co., Sanofi, and Pfizer Inc. play pivotal roles in advancing vaccines and collaborating with the Saudi government to enhance domestic production and public health outcomes. These partnerships align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals. Key Market Questions Answered: What was the market value in 2024 and what is the forecast for 2025-2034? How is the market segmented by product type, administration route, and disease indication? What factors drive demand and what trends influence the market? Who are the key players and how are their strategic initiatives shaping the market? Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 250 Forecast Period 2025-2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $1.14 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $1.84 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.9% Regions Covered Saudi Arabia Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 1.1 Objectives of the Study 1.2 Key Assumptions 1.3 Report Coverage - Key Segmentation and Scope 1.4 Research Methodology 2 Executive Summary 3 Vaccine Market Overview 3.1 Middle East and Africa Vaccine Market Overview 3.2 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market Overview 4 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market Landscape 4.1 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market: Developers Landscape 4.2 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market: Product Landscape 5 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market Dynamics 5.1 Market Drivers and Constraints 5.2 SWOT Analysis 5.3 PESTEL Analysis 5.4 Porter's Five Forces Model 5.5 Key Demand Indicators 5.6 Key Price Indicators 5.7 Industry Events, Initiatives, and Trends 5.8 Value Chain Analysis 6 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market Segmentation (2018-2034) 6.1 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market by Product Type 6.2 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market by Type 6.3 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market by Route of Administration 6.4 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market by Disease Indication 6.5 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market by Age 6.6 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market by End User 7 Regulatory Framework 8 Patent Analysis 9 Clinical Trials Analysis 10 Funding and Investment Analysis 11 Strategic Initiatives 12 Supplier Landscape 12.1 GlaxoSmithKline plc 12.2 Merck & Co. 12.3 Sanofi 12.4 Pfizer Inc. 12.5 AstraZeneca plc 12.6 Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. 12.7 CSL Behring 13 Saudi Arabia Vaccine Market - Distribution Model (Additional Insight) 14 Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) Insights (Additional Insight) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q56io About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It is with great sadness that the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) shares the news of the death of Dr. Brian G.M. Durie, co-founder of the organization. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. Dr. Durie was a visionary in the field of myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells. His 1975 pioneering work, the Durie-Salmon Staging System, shed light on the myeloma tumor burden and how it impacts other cellular functions. A prolific researcher, Dr. Durie authored over 700 research papers and, up until his death on October 12 at age 82, was energetically engaged in myeloma research projects around the world. He was passionate about sharing the latest treatment options and guidance with thousands of myeloma patients, many of whom lacked convenient access to state-of-the-art medical information. He stressed the importance of treating the individual, not just the disease, and made lifetime friends of patients around the world. For decades, Dr. Durie served as an inspiring mentor for new generations of myeloma researchers. In 1990, Dr. Durie, along with Susie Novis Durie and Brian Novis, co-founded the IMF the first patient advocacy organization dedicated exclusively to multiple myeloma. The organization created a global network of myeloma patient support groups, as well as the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), whose hundreds of myeloma experts conduct collaborative research and publish disease-treatment guidelines for physicians. To accelerate a cure for the disease, Dr. Durie established the IMF Black Swan Research Initiative (BSRI) in 2012. Most recently, he collaborated with researchers from the University of Iceland, led by Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson, on the groundbreaking iStopMM (Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma) Project, which investigates the earliest signs of disease using the countrys deep reserve of genetic data. Dr. Durie was a giant in the field like no other. He leaves behind a legacy that will endure forever from his incredible contributions to myeloma research to the superb care and counseling he provided patients; from educating almost all practicing myeloma experts today to helping advance patient care through important clinical trials; from developing the Durie-Salmon Staging System to co-founding the IMF, a patient-centered organization, which he led for three decades. He had an enormous impact not just on myeloma but on all of oncology. I have lost a dear friend and mentor and will forever cherish his kindness, said IMF Chairperson of the Board S. Vincent Rajkumar, MD (Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN). I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Brian G.M. Durie, whose groundbreaking research and unwavering dedication transformed the understanding and treatment of multiple myeloma. His leadership, compassion, and vision profoundly inspired all of us, who had the privilege to know and work alongside him, and shape the global myeloma community. His legacy will live on, through the countless lives he touched and the advances he made for patients worldwide, said IMF Scientific Advisory Board Member Nikhil Munshi, MD (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, MA). Along with Dr. Durie, Dr. Munshi led the i2TEAMM (International Independent Team for Endpoint Approval of Myeloma MRD) to secure regulatory approval for minimal residual disease (MRD) testing for myeloma. Paul G. Richardson, MD (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, MA) recounted the years that he worked with Dr. Durie on different endeavors to improve outcomes for the global myeloma community. I was so very sorry to hear of Brians unexpected and sudden passing over the weekend. I had the privilege of being with him at an academic meeting in Rome the week before, with other myeloma experts. We enjoyed two very informative and productive days together. His worldwide contributions to research and care were, above all, patient focused. Brians foundational role at the IMF reflected this as a central part of his vision along with his wife Susie and their great team. Having worked with him in numerous different ways over many years from patient seminars, to independent response committees for pivotal clinical trials that led to new drug approvals; and as part of working groups across different key niche areas to improve patient outcomes, including with the FDA I was always inspired with the way Brian exemplified putting the patient first. On a personal level, he was kind and humorous as well as generous and wise. He will be enormously missed, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue. Dr. Durie was born in December 1942 in Gullane, Scotland. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh Medical School in 1966 and moved to the United States to complete his medical residency and subspecialty training at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. In 1989, he became a professor and Head of the Department of Clinical and Laboratory Hematology at the University of London, where he also established a myeloma program. In 1992, he returned to the United States in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he served as a myeloma specialist physician. Dr. Duries dedication and contributions to medical science earned him numerous accolades, including the 2009 Waldenstrom Award for Myeloma Research, the 2014 Mayo Distinguished Alumni Award and an Honorary Doctor of Medicine from the Free University of Brussels in 2019. Dr. Durie is survived by his wife, Susie Durie, his daughter, Annabel Reardon, and his son, Benjamin Durie, along with his four grandchildren. If you wish to reach out to the family, please contact Annabel Reardon at annabelreardon@outlook.com Media Contacts: Peter Anton Panton@myeloma.org Jason London Jlondon@myeloma.org New York, USA, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Melanoma Clinical Trial Pipeline Accelerates as 150+ Pharma Companies Rigorously Develop Drugs for Market Entry | DelveInsight The melanoma market is expected to witness sustained growth driven by continuous therapeutic innovation and wider patient access. Advances in immunotherapies and targeted treatments, along with earlier diagnosis and personalized care strategies, are significantly improving patient outcomes and reshaping disease management. Ongoing research and development, label expansions of existing drugs, and supportive regulatory frameworks are further propelling market momentum. With increasing healthcare investments and the entry of new biopharmaceutical players, the melanoma market is projected to remain highly competitive and innovation-driven in the coming years. DelveInsights 'Melanoma Pipeline Insight 2025' report provides comprehensive global coverage of pipeline melanoma therapies in various stages of clinical development, major pharmaceutical companies are working to advance the pipeline space and future growth potential of the melanoma pipeline domain. Key Takeaways from the Melanoma Pipeline Report DelveInsights melanoma pipeline report depicts a robust space with 150+ active players working to develop 170+ pipeline melanoma drugs. active players working to develop pipeline melanoma drugs. Key melanoma companies such as IO Biotech, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, BioNTech SE, TILT Biotherapeutics LLC, Nykode Therapeutics, Amgen, Rapa Therapeutics, iOnctura, CJ Bioscience, Obsidian Therapeutics, IDEAYA Biosciences, Eikon Therapeutics, Microbiotica, Perspective Therapeutics, Pfizer, and others are evaluating new melanoma drugs to improve the treatment landscape. and others are evaluating new melanoma drugs to improve the treatment landscape. Promising pipeline melanoma therapies, such as IO102-IO103, Fianlimab, BNT111, TILT 123, VB10 NEO, ABP 206, RAPA-201, Roginolisib, CJRB-101, OBX-115, Darovasertib, EIK1001, MB097, [203Pb]VMT01, PF-08046049, and others, are in different phases of melanoma clinical trials. and others, are in different phases of melanoma clinical trials. In September 2025, Microbiotica, announced that patient recruitment is complete in its advanced melanoma (MELODY-1) trial . This international trial has recruited 41 patients at clinical centres in the UK, France, Italy, and Spain. MELODY-1 is a Phase Ib study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of MB097 given in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with melanoma who demonstrate primary resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy. announced that in its . This international trial has recruited 41 patients at clinical centres in the UK, France, Italy, and Spain. MELODY-1 is a Phase Ib study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of given in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with melanoma who demonstrate primary resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy. In September 2025, Servier , and IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. announced an exclusive license agreement to bring darovasertib , a promising treatment for a rare eye cancer, to patients worldwide. Under the agreement, Servier obtains the regulatory and commercial rights for darovasertib in all territories outside the United States . IDEAYA retains its rights for darovasertib in the United States. Darovasertib, a potent and selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, is being developed to broadly address primary and metastatic uveal melanoma (UM). , and announced an to bring , a promising treatment for a rare eye cancer, to patients worldwide. Under the agreement, obtains the for darovasertib in . IDEAYA retains its rights for darovasertib in the United States. Darovasertib, a potent and selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, is being developed to broadly address primary and In July 2025, Replimune Group, Inc. announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) regarding the Biologics License Application (BLA) for RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) in combination with nivolumab for the treatment of advanced melanoma . announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had issued a regarding the for (vusolimogene oderparepvec) in combination with nivolumab for the treatment of . In July 2025, Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. announced it has entered into a comprehensive drug substance development services agreement with a US manufacturer. The company will provide analytical and process development and cGMP manufacture of Phios lead clinical development compound PH-762 . This represents a critical next step in advancing Phios intratumoral program to treat cutaneous carcinomas. Phio is currently enrolling patients for the 5th and expected final cohort in its Phase Ib dose escalation study for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and melanoma . announced it has entered into a with a US manufacturer. The company will provide analytical and process development and cGMP manufacture of Phios lead clinical development compound . This represents a critical next step in advancing Phios intratumoral program to treat cutaneous carcinomas. Phio is currently enrolling patients for the 5th and expected final cohort in its Phase Ib dose escalation study for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and . In June 2025, Obsidian Therapeutics, Inc. , announced initial Phase I safety and efficacy data from the Phase I/II Agni-01 multicenter study of OBX-115 , a novel engineered tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte [TIL] cell therapy) armored with pharmacologically regulatable membrane-bound IL15 (mbIL15), in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-resistant advanced or metastatic melanoma . , announced initial from the multicenter study of , a novel engineered tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte [TIL] cell therapy) armored with pharmacologically regulatable membrane-bound IL15 (mbIL15), in patients with . In June 2025, Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. announced that the Safety Monitoring Committee (SMC) recommended dose escalation in its Phase Ib clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intratumoral (IT) PH-762 in the treatment of Stages 1, 2, and 4 cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), Stage 4 melanoma , and Stage 4 Merkel cell carcinoma. announced that the recommended in its clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of (IT) in the treatment of Stages 1, 2, and 4 cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), , and Stage 4 Merkel cell carcinoma. In March 2025, IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation (BTD) for darovasertib , a potential first-in-class protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, for the neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with primary uveal melanoma (UM) for whom enucleation has been recommended. announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted for , a potential first-in-class protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, for the neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with for whom enucleation has been recommended. In March 2025, Perspective Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the first patient was dosed in a new cohort of a Phase I/IIa trial evaluating the safety of [212Pb]VMT01 , a targeted alpha-particle therapy (TAT), in patients with histologically confirmed melanoma and positive melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) imaging scans. announced that the in a new cohort of a trial evaluating the safety of , a targeted alpha-particle therapy (TAT), in patients with histologically confirmed melanoma and positive melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) imaging scans. In October 2024, Microbiotica , announced that the first patient has been dosed in its advanced melanoma (MELODY-1) trial . This international trial is due to recruit up to 40 patients at clinical centres in the UK, France, Italy and Spain. Initial data readouts are expected by the end of 2025. , announced that the in its advanced . This international trial is due to recruit up to 40 patients at clinical centres in the UK, France, Italy and Spain. Initial data readouts are expected by the end of 2025. In October 2024, Immatics N.V. announced updated Phase Ib clinical data on ACTengine IMA203 TCR-T targeting PRAME in melanoma patients and provided an update on SUPRAME, the upcoming Phase III trial to evaluate IMA203 in metastatic melanoma patients. Request a sample and discover the recent advances in melanoma drugs @ Melanoma Pipeline Report The melanoma pipeline report provides detailed profiles of pipeline assets, a comparative analysis of clinical and non-clinical stage melanoma drugs, inactive and dormant assets, a comprehensive assessment of driving and restraining factors, and an assessment of opportunities and risks in the melanoma clinical trial landscape. Melanoma Overview Melanoma is a form of cancer that originates in melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells. While about 90% of melanomas arise in the skin, they can also develop in melanocytes located in the eye, internal organs, and mucosal surfaces lining the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts. It ranks as the third most common skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Overall, it is the fifth most common cancer in men and the sixth in women. Melanoma has long been considered one of the most difficult cancers to treat pharmacologically, with slower therapeutic progress compared to many other cancer types. Common sites of melanoma metastasis include the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, bones, and brain. Typical symptoms involve the appearance of a new or unusual growth or a change in an existing mole, such as increased size, color changes, darkening of the skin, an irregular border, a non-healing sore, or a spot that becomes painful, itchy, or tender. Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body. To diagnose melanoma, a doctor conducts a skin exam and follows the ABCDE criteria. If skin cancer is suspected, a biopsy is performed. This may involve a punch biopsy, an excisional biopsy, or a shave biopsy. The tissue is then examined under a microscope to determine thickness, as thicker tumors carry a higher risk of spreading. Further tests may be conducted to identify metastatic melanoma or confirm the absence of a visible primary tumor. Additional diagnostic tools include sentinel lymph node biopsy, CT scans, MRI, PET scans, and blood tests, such as measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels before treatment, as well as other blood chemistry and cell counts. Treatment depends on the stage of melanoma and the patients general health. Early-stage melanoma is typically treated surgically, often offering a high chance of cure. Lymphadenectomy may be necessary if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, helping to prevent further dissemination. Metastasectomy can remove smaller metastatic lesions in various organs. Other treatment options include targeted therapy using drugs directed at specific cancer cells, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, which has become a major focus among biopharmaceutical companies in managing melanoma. Find out more about melanoma drugs @ Melanoma Treatment A snapshot of the Pipeline Melanoma Drugs mentioned in the report: Drugs Company Phase MoA RoA Fianlimab Regeneron Pharmaceuticals III Antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity; CD223 antigen inhibitors; T lymphocyte stimulants Intravenous IO102-IO103 IO Biotech III Cytotoxic T lymphocyte stimulants Subcutaneous ABP 206 Amgen III Antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity; Programmed cell death 1 receptor antagonists; T lymphocyte stimulants Intravenous Roginolisib iOnctura II/III Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase delta inhibitors Oral BNT111 BioNTech SE II Immunostimulants Intravenous CJRB-101 CJ Bioscience I/II Macrophage modulators; Microbiome modulators Oral VB10 NEO Nykode Therapeutics I/II Immunostimulants Intramuscular TILT 123 TILT Biotherapeutics LLC I Cell death stimulants; Immunologic cytotoxicity; Interleukin 2 expression stimulants; Tumour necrosis factor alpha stimulants Intravenous Learn more about the emerging melanoma therapies @ Melanoma Clinical Trials Melanoma Therapeutics Assessment The melanoma pipeline report proffers an integral view of the emerging melanoma therapies segmented by stage, product type, molecule type, route of administration, and mechanism of action. Scope of the Melanoma Pipeline Report Coverage : Global : Global Therapeutic Assessment By Product Type: Mono, Combination, Mono/Combination Mono, Combination, Mono/Combination Therapeutic Assessment By Clinical Stages: Discovery, Pre-clinical, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III Discovery, Pre-clinical, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III Therapeutics Assessment By Route of Administration: Oral, Intravenous, Subcutaneous, Parenteral, Topical Oral, Intravenous, Subcutaneous, Parenteral, Topical Therapeutics Assessment By Molecule Type : Monoclonal antibody, Peptides, Polymer, Small molecule, Gene therapy : Monoclonal antibody, Peptides, Polymer, Small molecule, Gene therapy Therapeutics Assessment By Mechanism of Action : Cytotoxic T lymphocyte stimulants, Immunostimulants, Cell death stimulants, Immunologic cytotoxicity, Interleukin 2 expression stimulants, Tumour necrosis factor alpha stimulants, Lymphocyte replacements, Antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity, CD223 antigen inhibitors, T lymphocyte stimulants, Programmed cell death 1 receptor antagonists, Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase delta inhibitors, Macrophage modulators; Microbiome modulators, interleukin 2 expression stimulants; Tumour necrosis factor alpha stimulants : Cytotoxic T lymphocyte stimulants, Immunostimulants, Cell death stimulants, Immunologic cytotoxicity, Interleukin 2 expression stimulants, Tumour necrosis factor alpha stimulants, Lymphocyte replacements, Antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity, CD223 antigen inhibitors, T lymphocyte stimulants, Programmed cell death 1 receptor antagonists, Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase delta inhibitors, Macrophage modulators; Microbiome modulators, interleukin 2 expression stimulants; Tumour necrosis factor alpha stimulants Key Melanoma Companies : IO Biotech, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, BioNTech SE, TILT Biotherapeutics LLC, Nykode Therapeutics, Amgen, Rapa Therapeutics, iOnctura, CJ Bioscience, Obsidian Therapeutics, IDEAYA Biosciences, Eikon Therapeutics, Microbiotica, Perspective Therapeutics, Pfizer, and others. : IO Biotech, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, BioNTech SE, TILT Biotherapeutics LLC, Nykode Therapeutics, Amgen, Rapa Therapeutics, iOnctura, CJ Bioscience, Obsidian Therapeutics, IDEAYA Biosciences, Eikon Therapeutics, Microbiotica, Perspective Therapeutics, Pfizer, and others. Key Melanoma Pipeline Therapies: IO102-IO103, Fianlimab, BNT111, TILT 123, VB10 NEO, ABP 206, RAPA-201, Roginolisib, CJRB-101, OBX-115, Darovasertib, EIK1001, MB097, [203Pb]VMT01, PF-08046049, and others. Dive deep into rich insights for new melanoma treatments, visit @ Melanoma Drugs Table of Contents 1. Melanoma Pipeline Report Introduction 2. Melanoma Pipeline Report Executive Summary 3. Melanoma Pipeline: Overview 4. Analytical Perspective In-depth Commercial Assessment 5. Melanoma Clinical Trial Therapeutics 6. Melanoma Pipeline: Late-Stage Products (Pre-registration) 7. Melanoma Pipeline: Late-Stage Products (Phase III) 8. Melanoma Pipeline: Mid-Stage Products (Phase II) 9. Melanoma Pipeline: Early-Stage Products (Phase I) 10. Melanoma Pipeline Therapeutics Assessment 11. Inactive Products in the Melanoma Pipeline 12. Company-University Collaborations (Licensing/Partnering) Analysis 13. Key Companies 14. Key Products in the Melanoma Pipeline 15. Unmet Needs 16. Market Drivers and Barriers 17. Future Perspectives and Conclusion 18. Analyst Views 19. Appendix For further information on the melanoma pipeline therapeutics, reach out @ Melanoma Therapeutics Related Reports Melanoma Market Melanoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key melanoma companies, including Istari Oncology, Philogen, Georgiamune, Diakonos Oncology, Immatics Biotechnologies, Replimune, BMS, Ascentage Pharma, Erasca, Krystal Biotech, IDEAYA Biosciences, Novartis, HUYA Bioscience, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, among others. Ocular Melanoma Market Ocular Melanoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key ocular melanoma companies, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis AG, Roche Holding AG, Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Eli Lilly and Company, Bayer AG, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Amgen Inc., among others. Uveal Melanoma Market Uveal Melanoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key uveal melanoma companies, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Foghorn Therapeutics, TriSalus Life Sciences, Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb, Array BioPharma, Ono Pharmaceutical, AstraZeneca, Roche, IDEAYA Biosciences, Merck & Co, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, among others. Metastatic Melanoma Market Metastatic Melanoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key metastatic melanoma companies, including Cancer Insight LLC, Elios Therapeutics LLC, Evaxion Biotech A/S, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, InxMed (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aivita Biomedical Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche, Idera Pharmaceuticals, Iovance Biotherapeutics Inc., Eisai Inc., Biocad, Myrexis Inc., Pain Therapeutics, Altor BioScience, among others. Refractory Metastatic Melanoma Market Refractory Metastatic Melanoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key refractory metastatic melanoma companies, including BioNTech SE, Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Seagen Inc., among others. DelveInsights Pharma Competitive Intelligence Service: Through its CI solutions, DelveInsight provides its clients with real-time and actionable intelligence on their competitors and markets of interest to keep them stay ahead of the competition by providing insights into the latest therapeutic area-specific/indication-specific market trends, in emerging drugs, and competitive strategies. These services are tailored to the specific needs of each client and are delivered through a combination of reports, dashboards, and interactive presentations, enabling clients to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and identify opportunities for growth and expansion. Other Business Pharmaceutical Consulting Services Healthcare Conference Coverage Pipeline Assessment Healthcare Licensing Services Discover how a mid-pharma client gained a level of confidence in their soon-to-be partner for manufacturing their therapeutics by downloading our Due Diligence Case Study About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. Connect with us at LinkedIn Boston, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- True Tickets, the secure digital ticketing service transforming audience relationships in the performing arts, is expanding its footprint across Canada with high-impact partnerships at two of the countrys most prestigious institutions: Toronto Symphony Orchestra and National Ballet of Canada. These two iconic organizations are leading the way in redefining patron experienceembracing secure, digital ticket delivery, increased transparency, and real-time audience data. With a growing presence in Toronto and key cities across the country, True Tickets is helping Canadian arts organizations embrace seamless, mobile-first ticketing that deepens audience insight, enhances patron trust, and strengthens long-term engagement. As part of its growing Canadian network, True Tickets is also supporting digital ticketing innovation at: Mirvish Productions (Toronto) streamlining the ticketing experience for one of Canadas largest commercial theatre producers, presenting in multiple historic Toronto venues. streamlining the ticketing experience for one of Canadas largest commercial theatre producers, presenting in multiple historic Toronto venues. Werklund Centre, formerly Arts Commons (Calgary) supporting a hub of five performance venues and six resident companies in the heart of Calgarys Cultural District. supporting a hub of five performance venues and six resident companies in the heart of Calgarys Cultural District. The Citadel Theatre (Edmonton) offering control and clarity for ticket buyers at one of Albertas largest and busiest theatres. offering control and clarity for ticket buyers at one of Albertas largest and busiest theatres. Grand Theatre (London, Ontario) enhancing patron trust and data access for a beloved regional theatre with deep roots in Canadian storytelling. enhancing patron trust and data access for a beloved regional theatre with deep roots in Canadian storytelling. Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Winnipeg) enabling smarter ticket delivery and increased operational control for one of Canadas oldest and most celebrated theatre companies. Together, these organizations represent the strength and diversity of Canadas cultural sectorfrom symphony and ballet to commercial touring and regional theatre. They join the True Tickets network at a time of unprecedented need for digital clarity and patron connection. With every Canadian partnership, were seeing the same priorities: transparency, trust, and the tools to know and engage with the patrons actually in attendance, said Matt Zarracina, Co-Founder & CEO, True Tickets. These organizations are forward-thinking and mission-driven. They understand that secure digital ticketing isnt just a convenienceits a long-term strategy to strengthen relationships and protect the patron experience. About True Tickets True Tickets is a secure contactless digital ticket service that puts venues and event organizers in control of their tickets and in communication with their true audience. To date, True Tickets has delivered 21.7 million digital tickets worth USD $1.4 billion and enabled 2.9 million secure shares across 100+ arts organizations worldwide. Available to Tessitura Network members, True Tickets' business-to-business solution seamlessly integrates with primary ticketing systems, empowering its partners to leverage the advantages of digital-native tickets to ensure extraordinary live experiences for their guests. With True Tickets, ticket issuers can set rules and track ticket custody, limit the excesses of the secondary market, and restore direct relationships between their audiences and the live events they love. Learn more at True-Tickets.com, where you can book a demo or follow True Tickets on Twitter or LinkedIn for updates. New York City, NY, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- All iGaming has released its latest comprehensive report on the platforms leading this charge: the instant withdrawal casinos and the fastest payout online casino sites accepting all players. This in-depth analysis cuts through the marketing hype to identify which operators truly deliver swift cashouts, which payment methods offer genuine speed, and how innovative systems are eliminating the frustrating waiting periods that were once an industry norm. >>BROWSE ALL IGAMINGS TRUSTED FAST PAYOUT CASINO PICKS<< In 2025, withdrawal speed is no longer just a perk; it is the single most crucial factor in player satisfaction and loyalty across the entire igaming market. The old model of 24-48 hour "pending" periods is being replaced by operators that process cashouts in hours, not days. However, as the term "instant" becomes diluted by advertising, our report establishes clear, measurable benchmarks to define a genuine instant payout casino. Key Innovations from Leading Fast Payout Casinos The elite fast payout casinos are defined by their commitment to seamless transactions and player trust. Our analysis focuses on several core features that distinguish them from their slower competitors: Fastest Payout Casinos : These are the truly elite platforms. They are processing e-wallet and crypto withdrawals within an astonishing 16 hours and completing the essential account verification process in under 30 minutes, ensuring genuinely rapid access to winnings. These sites set the benchmark for a true fast payout casino experience. : These are the truly elite platforms. They are processing e-wallet and crypto withdrawals within an astonishing 16 hours and completing the essential account verification process in under 30 minutes, ensuring genuinely rapid access to winnings. These sites set the benchmark for a true fast payout casino experience. Instant Withdrawal Casino Sites : These platforms have successfully eliminated the traditional 24-48 hour pending period. All approved requests are processed immediately through advanced automated systems, providing an authentic instant withdrawal casino experience. : These platforms have successfully eliminated the traditional 24-48 hour pending period. All approved requests are processed immediately through advanced automated systems, providing an authentic instant withdrawal casino experience. Quick Withdrawal Online Casinos : These are sites that have optimized every stage of the cashout lifecycle, from initial verification to final payment processing. They reduce the total payout time from the antiquated 57 days to a much more manageable timeframeoften under 24 hoursmaking them excellent fast withdrawal online casino options. : These are sites that have optimized every stage of the cashout lifecycle, from initial verification to final payment processing. They reduce the total payout time from the antiquated 57 days to a much more manageable timeframeoften under 24 hoursmaking them excellent fast withdrawal online casino options. High RTP Casino Sites : Beyond speed, the best platforms curate slot and table game selections with Return-to-Player (RTP) rates consistently exceeding 96%. This commitment to strong player value gives members a mathematically stronger chance of sustained winnings over the long term, which they can then cash out rapidly at an instant cash out casino. : Beyond speed, the best platforms curate slot and table game selections with Return-to-Player (RTP) rates consistently exceeding 96%. This commitment to strong player value gives members a mathematically stronger chance of sustained winnings over the long term, which they can then cash out rapidly at an instant cash out casino. Mobile Casino Platforms : The top fastest paying online casinos ensure full mobile compatibility, often featuring same-day cashouts via popular methods like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and instant bank transfers. This guarantees fast and reliable access to winnings directly on the go, solidifying their status as a preferred same day payout casino. >>EXPLORE THE COMPLETE LIST OF FAST PAYOUT CASINOS AND INSTANT WITHDRAWAL CASINO SITES<< Defining a True Instant Withdrawal Casino The phrase "instant withdrawal casino" is often used loosely by marketing teams. For All iGaming, a true instant payout casino is a gambling platform that processes and completes a cashout request in near-real-timemeaning the funds typically arrive in the player's account within 1 to 6 hours after the request is submitted. This stands in stark opposition to the sites that still impose lengthy pending periods and multiple days for funds to arrive. In October 2025, the industry demands a more scientific definition. We define genuine instant withdrawal casino platforms using specific, measurable criteria that prioritize the actual player experience over theoretical best-case scenarios. The Three Tiers of Withdrawal Speed for Fast Payout Casinos The market of fast payout online casinos can be divided into three distinct tiers based on their processing performance: Tier 1: True Instant (Under 1 Hour) These operators represent the pinnacle of speed and efficiency. They process withdrawals from the moment of request to the arrival in the players account in under one hour for at least one core payment method, almost always e-wallets or crypto. Pre-verified accounts on these platforms experience a zero pending period, with funds being moved immediately upon automated request approval. This is the gold standard for an under one hour withdrawal casino. Characteristics of Tier 1: Automated Withdrawal Systems: Approval is handled by AI, not manual review. Approval is handled by AI, not manual review. High Automation Threshold: No manual review for amounts under a high threshold (e.g., $5,000$10,000). No manual review for amounts under a high threshold (e.g., $5,000$10,000). E-wallet/Crypto Speed: Processing in 15 minutes to 1 hour. Processing in 15 minutes to 1 hour. Zero Pending Periods: Funds move instantly for verified accounts. Funds move instantly for verified accounts. 24/7 Processing: Select methods are processed around the clock, cementing their status as a fast payout casino. Tier 2: Same-Day Fast (16 Hours) These platforms consistently complete withdrawals within the same business day for e-wallets and other popular payment methods. While they may not be technically under one hour, they provide a guaranteed same day payout casino experience and represent a vast improvement over outdated industry norms. Characteristics of Tier 2: Consistent E-wallet Speed: Withdrawals completed in 16 hours during business hours. Withdrawals completed in 16 hours during business hours. Minimal Review: Streamlined manual review processes only for edge cases. Streamlined manual review processes only for edge cases. Pre-verification: Systems actively encourage and expedite Know Your Customer (KYC) for future cashouts. Systems actively encourage and expedite Know Your Customer (KYC) for future cashouts. Published Windows: Clear processing windows are published on the site. Tier 3: Next-Day Standard (1224 Hours) These are often marketed as "fast payout online casino" sites but still impose short pending periods or manual reviews that push processing into the next business day. They offer a legitimate quick withdrawal online casino experience, reducing the wait significantly but not entirely eliminating all bottlenecks. Characteristics of Tier 3: Total Processing Time: 1224 hour total turnaround time. 1224 hour total turnaround time. Short Pending Periods: May include minor pending periods (e.g., 28 hours). May include minor pending periods (e.g., 28 hours). Business Day Focus: Processing may be limited to business days, meaning weekends can add 12 days. >>SEE WHICH CASINOS OFFER INSTANT WITHDRAWALS ON ALL IGAMING<< Trending Fast Payout Bonuses of 2025 Industry Comparison: Instant Withdrawal Casinos vs. Traditional Sites The table below illustrates the seismic shift in transaction times between modern instant withdrawal casinos and the traditional gambling sites they are replacing. This clear difference in performance explains why the instant payout casino has become the preferred choice for casino players seeking a fast payout casino experience. Feature Instant Withdrawal Casinos (2025) Traditional Casinos E-Wallet Withdrawals 15 min - 6 hours 2448 hours Instant Bank Transfers 14 hours Not Offered / 35 Business Days Debit Card Payouts 1224 hours 35 Business Days Bank Transfer Processing 12 Business Days 57 Business Days Pending Period 02 hours 2448 hours standard Weekend Processing Available for digital methods Monday processing only Verification Time 530 minutes (AI systems) 2472 hours (manual) Average Total Time (E-wallet) 24 hours 3648 hours Critical Insight: The distinction between an instant withdrawal casino and a traditional one is driven by automation. Platforms that are now the fastest payout online casino contenders have invested heavily in automated systems designed to eliminate human bottlenecks, allowing the vast majority of cashouts to process without any manual intervention. This technological leap is what defines a true fast payout casino in the current era. The Player's Perspective: Why Payout Speed is King The pursuit of fast payout online casino sites goes far beyond mere convenience. For players, the speed of receiving winnings is intrinsically linked to trust, transparency, and the overall credibility of the operator. When a players funds arrive quickly, it validates the belief that the casino is legitimate, financially stable, and reliable. Conversely, delays, ambiguous terms, or long "pending" periods breed frustration, reduce the likelihood of repeat deposits, and can quickly drive a player to a competitor offering a genuinely fast payout casino service. All iGaming's recent survey of 2,100 online casino players confirmed this: payout speed significantly influences much more than just the cashout timing. It shapes playing patterns, dictates deposit frequency, and plays a decisive role in long-term platform loyalty. For a large segment of respondents, quick and predictable payouts ranked as high as, or even higher than, game selection and bonus offers when evaluating a potential instant withdrawal casino. In short, fast withdrawals are not a secondary featurethey are a core, non-negotiable component of the modern online gambling experience, directly impacting player satisfaction and long-term loyalty to an instant payout casino. Survey Results: How Players Value Fast Payouts The data clearly demonstrates the behavioral impact of using a fast payout casino: Player Behavior Players Reporting (%) Why It Matters (for Fast Payout Casinos) Would switch casinos for faster payouts 82% Payout speed is now a primary decision factor in 2025. Trust casinos that pay quickly 89% Fast payouts signal financial stability and fair operation. Increased deposit frequency after fast cashout 67% A positive withdrawal experience drives continued, loyal play. Would pay higher fees for instant withdrawals 54% Players value their time and immediate access to funds over minor transaction costs, favoring an instant cash out casino. Stopped using casino due to slow payouts 71% Withdrawal delays are the #1 reason players leave a platform. Recommended casino after fast payout 76% Speed creates powerful organic word-of-mouth marketing for a fastest paying online casino. >>VIEW ALL IGAMINGS LATEST LIST OF FAST WITHDRAWAL CASINOS<< The Psychology of Instant Access to Winnings The drive toward an instant withdrawal casino is rooted in player psychology: Immediate Gratification: Receiving winnings within a few hours creates a strong, positive psychological reward that reinforces a good association with the casino brand. Traditional 5-7 day waits significantly diminish this feeling. Receiving winnings within a few hours creates a strong, positive psychological reward that reinforces a good association with the casino brand. Traditional 5-7 day waits significantly diminish this feeling. Trust Validation: Every delayed withdrawal instills anxietythe question of "Will they actually pay me?" is eliminated by an instant payout casino, which validates the operator's legitimacy with every rapid transaction. Every delayed withdrawal instills anxietythe question of "Will they actually pay me?" is eliminated by an instant payout casino, which validates the operator's legitimacy with every rapid transaction. Bankroll Management: Players who can access their funds quickly have superior control over their gambling budgets, reducing the temptation to "play back" their winnings while waiting for a payout to clear. This is a key advantage of any fast withdrawal online casino. Players who can access their funds quickly have superior control over their gambling budgets, reducing the temptation to "play back" their winnings while waiting for a payout to clear. This is a key advantage of any fast withdrawal online casino. Financial Flexibility: Fast payout casinos allow players to use winnings for real-life expenses or other opportunities without a multi-day wait, transforming gambling winnings from a theoretical balance into tangible, actual money. A truly reliable same day withdrawal online casinos site offers genuine financial freedom. The Mechanics: How Instant Withdrawal Casinos Achieve Speed The infrastructure underpinning today's instant withdrawal casinos represents a complete overhaul of how online gambling platforms manage money. Traditional casinos were often built on older systems featuring manual approval processes, conservative risk management, and banking protocols from a pre-digital era. The modern, fast payout casino has invested millions in automation, real-time risk assessment, and new payment partnerships that ensure security without sacrificing speed. The Traditional, Slow Withdrawal Process To understand the innovation of a fast payout casino, one must first understand the bottlenecks of the old model: Withdrawal Request (Player Action): The player submits a cashout request, which immediately enters a "pending" status. Pending Period (2448 Hours): The request sits in a queue, waiting for a finance team review. Crucially, the player can often still cancel the withdrawal and play the funds back, a feature that primarily serves to reduce cashouts. Manual Review (224 Hours): A finance employee manually reviews account activity for bonus abuse, wagering completion, and identity verification. Suspicious patterns are flagged for a detailed investigation. Payment Processing (Variable): Once manually approved, the request is sent to a payment processor, who typically batch-processes transactions (only once or twice daily). The chosen payment method then determines the final speed. Banking System Transfer (15 Business Days): The funds travel through traditional banking networks. ACH transfers take 35 days; card networks take 13 days. Total Traditional Timeline: 37 business days minimum, often extending to 10+ days for a player's first withdrawal. The Modern Instant Withdrawal Casino Process The process at a fast payout casino is drastically different, focused on automation: Withdrawal Request with Instant Pre-Screening (Seconds): The player submits a request. An AI system immediately analyzes account verification status, wagering completion, bonus term compliance, and betting patterns. 8590% of requests pass automated screening immediately. Only flagged requests (10-15%) are routed to an express manual review. Real-Time Risk Assessment (Under 60 Seconds): Sophisticated machine learning algorithms evaluate fraud risk factors in under a minute. Identity verification documents are checked via AI image recognition, and payment method validation occurs automatically. A decision is rendered in 1560 seconds for clean accounts. Automated Approval and Processing (Immediate): Approved withdrawals trigger an instant payment processor notification. There is no batchingeach transaction processes individually. The payment routing is instantly optimized based on the method and amount. Instant Payment Method Execution (Method-Dependent): E-Wallets: Real-time API calls process in 15 minutes 6 hours. Real-time API calls process in 15 minutes 6 hours. Instant Bank Transfers: Connections like Trustly/Plaid enable same-day ACH in 14 hours. Connections like Trustly/Plaid enable same-day ACH in 14 hours. Cards: Fast-track processing through priority banking channels takes 1224 hours. Total Instant Timeline: 15 minutes to 24 hours depending on the payment method, with e-wallets achieving the fastest status under 6 hours, solidifying the site as a top fastest payout online casino. >>DISCOVER CASINOS WITH SAME-DAY PAYOUTS ON ALL IGAMING<< Key Technologies Enabling Instant Withdrawal Casinos The capability to be an instant withdrawal casino is a direct result of capital investment in cutting-edge technology: AI-Powered Document Verification: Modern fast payout casinos use computer vision and machine learning to verify identity documents in 515 minutes, rather than the old 2472 hours. This eliminates the verification bottleneck that historically delayed a player's first withdrawal from an instant payout casino. Modern fast payout casinos use computer vision and machine learning to verify identity documents in 515 minutes, rather than the old 2472 hours. This eliminates the verification bottleneck that historically delayed a player's first withdrawal from an instant payout casino. Real-Time Payment APIs: The fastest paying online casinos integrate directly with payment processors using APIs that enable real-time, individual transactions: PayPal Commerce Platform for instant e-wallet transfers. Trustly and Plaid for instant bank connections. Visa Direct and Mastercard Send for accelerated card payouts. The fastest paying online casinos integrate directly with payment processors using APIs that enable real-time, individual transactions: Risk Management Automation: Instead of manual fraud review, sophisticated algorithms provide instant, ongoing risk assessment via behavioral pattern recognition, transaction velocity monitoring, and device fingerprinting. This allows over 90% of legitimate withdrawals to process without any human intervention, making the easy cash out online casino experience a reality. >>EXPLORE QUICK WITHDRAWAL ONLINE CASINOS AND SAME DAY WITHDRAWAL CASINO SITES<< Payment Methods Ranked by Actual Withdrawal Speed Even at the quickest platforms, not all banking options are created equal. The inherent limitations of payment networks mean that some methods will always be faster than others. Here is the definitive hierarchy for fast payout casinos, based on real-world testing in October 2025. Tier 1: True Instant Methods (Under 1 Hour) These are the payment options that define a true under one hour withdrawal casino experience. Method Average Processing Time (Post-Approval) Why Its Preferred by Instant Payout Casino Sites Cryptocurrency (BTC, ETH, LTC) Instant The undisputed speed champion. Transfers are limited only by blockchain confirmation time, and are often the only option for a true instant withdrawal casino on a global scale. PayPal 24 hours (during business hours) Direct, real-time API connection with licensed operators allows for near-instant fund transfers once the casino approves the withdrawal. Skrill and Neteller 16 hours Similar to PayPal, these e-wallets have direct API integrations, allowing funds to transfer almost instantly to the e-wallet account. Instant Bank Transfer (Trustly, Plaid) 14 hours Uses real-time ACH transfers to connect directly to your bank account, bypassing the traditional multi-day banking queues for a real cash payout online casino experience. >>SEE WHICH CASINOS OFFER INSTANT WITHDRAWALS ON ALL IGAMING<< Drawbacks: The Security vs. Comfort Trade-Off: The primary hurdle for many players is the initial requirement to link their bank account, which often involves sharing login credentials with the intermediary service. While these services employ sophisticated encryption and security protocols (they don't store your credentials for the casino), the perception of sharing this data remains a significant comfort barrier for a segment of the playing population. Furthermore, its speed is still contingent on the bank supporting the faster network. Tier 2: Fast-Track Traditional Methods (12-48 Hours) These methods represent a modern compromise, offering reasonable speed by leveraging technological advancements on top of existing financial infrastructure. They are typically faster than old-school bank transfers but cannot compete with the automation of e-wallets. Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard) Method Optimal Speed Average Speed Drawbacks Debit Cards 6-12 hours 12-24 hours Doesn't work with all cards/banks; slower on weekends. The key innovation here is Visa Direct and Mastercard Send. These are proprietary fast-payment rails that allow casinos to push funds directly to a debit card faster than a standard, multi-day card network settlement. Technical Constraints: This speed relies on bank network participation. If your personal bank hasn't opted into the fast-track program, your withdrawal will revert to the 2-3 day traditional processing schedule. Crucially, this system is primarily designed for debit cards; credit card cash-outs are generally not supported for gambling winnings. Player Suitability: This is a strong choice for players who don't use e-wallets and prefer their winnings to be instantly available on their everyday card for spending or ATM access. Mobile Wallets (Apple Pay and Google Pay) Method Optimal Speed Average Speed Drawbacks Apple/Google Pay 6-12 hours 12-24 hours Limited availability; low transaction limits. These methods are popular for deposits due to their seamless, password-free nature. For withdrawals, however, they are often a wrapper for the underlying payment source (usually a linked debit card or bank account). While the transaction from the casino is initiated quickly, the final settlement depends entirely on the speed of the linked card or bank, placing them squarely in this Fast-Track tier. Their main drawback is limited adoption for withdrawals and lower maximum limits, making them unsuitable for significant wins. Tier 3: The Traditional Slow Lane (3-7 Business Days) These methods are the financial mainstaysslow, predictable, and highly secure. They operate on established, batch-processed banking systems that are fundamentally incapable of "instant" delivery, regardless of how efficient the casino is. ACH Bank Transfer Method Optimal Speed Average Speed Drawbacks ACH Transfer 2-3 days 3-5 days The slowest common method; weekends are excluded. ACH (Automated Clearing House) is the backbone of all domestic US electronic fund transfers. It processes transactions in large batches throughout the day, not in real-time. This is why a paycheck or a utility bill payment takes 1-3 business days to clear. For casino withdrawals, this process is immutable. The casino initiates the transfer, and the banking network dictates the rest. Player Suitability: ACH is the default method for many, often appealing to high rollers due to its expansive limitsit can comfortably handle transfers of $50,000 or more. If speed is not a priority and large transaction volume is, ACH is the secure choice. Wire Transfer Method Optimal Speed Average Speed Drawbacks Wire Transfer 1-2 days 3-5 days Expensive flat fees ($15-$35+); requires manual processing. Wire transfers are often confused with modern bank transfers, but they are a legacy system intended for large, immediate, and often international transfers. The paradox of the wire transfer is its speed potential (1-2 days) is often negated by the necessity of manual processing at both the sending and receiving banks. Intermediary banks also add layers of delay. Wires are best reserved for two situations: extremely large, high-roller withdrawals ($25,000+) or international players where ACH is not an option. The high, non-refundable fees make it impractical for small or moderate cashouts. Paper Check (Mail) Method Optimal Speed Average Speed Drawbacks Paper Check 5-7 days 7-14 days Extremely slow; risk of lost mail; outdated. This is the method of last resort. The process is a logistical nightmare: the casino must manually print the check, mail it via postal service, the player must receive it, physically deposit it at a bank, and then wait for the bank to clear the funds. In the digital age, its only utility is for players with no bank account or digital payment access, a demographic rapidly declining. Understanding the Delay Factors Beyond Payment Networks While payment methods dictate the raw speed potential, the casinos internal management systems are the true gatekeepers. Even if a player wisely chooses the fastest payout method like an e-wallet, internal procedures, driven by regulation and risk management, can introduce frustrating, artificial delays, turning an expected 30-minute payout into a multi-day ordeal. Understanding these administrative checkpoints is critical for achieving a true instant withdrawal casino experience. The Regulatory Mandate: Compulsory Know Your Customer (KYC) Verification The single greatest factor causing delays in a players first withdrawal is incomplete or pending KYC verification. This process is non-negotiable, enforced globally by regulatory bodies to combat fraud, money laundering, and ensure age compliance. It is not an obstacle erected by the casino for spite, but a mandatory legal firewall. The Operational Reality of Verification Traditional casino back offices rely on a finance agent to manually review submitted documents. This involves checking: Proof of Identity: Government-issued photo ID (drivers license, passport). Proof of Address: A recent utility bill or bank statement (typically within the last three months). Proof of Payment Ownership: Verification that the withdrawal method (e.g., bank statement header or e-wallet screenshot) belongs to the account holder. This manual process is inherently time-consuming, often consuming 24 to 72 hours, which severely undermines any promise of fastest payout online casino service. The Modern Solution: AI-Powered Automation The current generation of genuinely fast payout casinos has invested heavily in specialized AI software. This technology performs automated image recognition and cross-checks data points (name, address, date of birth) against official, encrypted databases, often approving a players KYC verification in minutes. Player Strategy: Any player aiming for maximum online casino withdrawal speed must complete this verification step proactively. Upload and verify all required documents immediately after registration, before playing. By turning a potential multi-day audit into a quick, automated check, you eliminate the biggest variable in the payout timeline. If a casinos verification process takes longer than 24 hours, it's a strong sign the entire operational system is antiquated and will be consistently slow. The Red Flag: The Hidden Pending Period Trap The pending period is a mandatory, internal waiting timeusually 24 to 48 hourswhere the withdrawal request sits in an "awaiting review" status before the finance team even attempts to process the transaction through the payment network. The Psychology of the Reversal Window This delay is not merely an inconvenience; it often functions as a deliberate psychological tactic known as the Reversal Window. By holding the funds visible but inaccessible in the player's account balance, the casino creates a high-pressure opportunity for the player to impulsively cancel the withdrawal and "play it back." This practice significantly increases the casinos revenue at the expense of player well-being. The Marker of Quality: A true instant withdrawal casino showcases its integrity by eliminating the pending period entirely for verified accounts. The payment is processed immediately, taking the funds out of the player's cancellation control within minutes. If a withdrawal remains reversible for more than a couple of hours after submission, the platform is using an artificially slow system and its speed claims are fundamentally misleading. The Bonus Blockade: Wagering Requirements and Withdrawal Eligibility Winnings that are tied to promotional fundssuch as a welcome bonus or free spinsare often subject to wagering requirements that must be fully satisfied before any withdrawal is permitted. This is a frequent, player-induced reason for cashout rejection and subsequent delay. The Compliance Hurdle: Until the player has placed the required number of bets (e.g., $3,500 in wagers for a $100 bonus with a 35 requirement), the entire associated balance remains locked. A rejected withdrawal request forces a manual review, a correction, and then resubmission, wasting valuable time. Until the player has placed the required number of bets (e.g., $3,500 in wagers for a $100 bonus with a 35 requirement), the entire associated balance remains locked. A rejected withdrawal request forces a manual review, a correction, and then resubmission, wasting valuable time. Smart Player Discipline: Players prioritizing maximum online casino withdrawal speed must either decline the welcome bonus altogether or diligently monitor their wagering requirements progress. Without the constraints of bonus terms, winnings are immediately eligible for withdrawal after meeting basic anti-money laundering play-through requirements (usually wagering the deposit 1x). Auditing Casino Promises A Players Verification Protocol In the modern marketplace, every platform claims to be the fastest payout online casino. Intelligent players must adopt a systematic verification protocol to separate genuine speed from marketing hype. Deep Scrutiny of Casino Documentation Before committing funds, a player should treat the casino's documentation as a legally binding contract and audit it for specific commitments. Document Check What to Look For Red Flag Language Terms & Conditions Specific numerical timeframes (e.g., "PayPal: 1-4 hours"). Vague phrases: "As quickly as possible," "Processing times vary." Pending Period Policy Clear commitment to a 0-hour or 1-hour maximum pending time. Mention of a mandatory 24- or 48-hour "security review." Processing Schedule Confirmation of 24/7 processing for e-wallets and instant methods. "Withdrawals processed only during business hours (9 AM - 5 PM EST)." The Small-Scale Test Withdrawal (The True Litmus Test) The most robust way to test a platform's commitment to online casino withdrawal speed is to conduct a small, controlled, and low-risk test. This is the litmus test for a legitimate instant withdrawal casino. Secure Verification: Ensure your KYC verification is completed and approved before depositing. This neutralizes the main delay factor. Minimum Risk Deposit: Deposit only the minimum required amount (e.g., $10$25). This limits financial risk while providing the necessary balance for the test. Minimal Activity: Play just enough to satisfy the mandatory anti-money laundering rule (usually wagering the deposit amount 1). The Test Request: Request a small withdrawal (e.g., $50$100) using your preferred fastest payout method (PayPal, Skrill, or Instant Bank Transfer). Time Stamping the Process: Document the following critical checkpoints: Time of Submission. Time status changes from "Pending" to "Processing." Time status changes to "Completed." Time funds actually appear and are available in your account. Calculating the total elapsed time from "Submission" to "Funds Available" gives you irrefutable, empirical data on the casino's actual performance. If the result significantly exceeds the advertised speed, the casino fails the test. Identifying Deceptive Claims and Artificial Delays A sharp player must be able to spot operational signs that negate instant withdrawal claims: Bait-and-Switch Payment Methods: The fastest payout method is prominently advertised but appears "temporarily unavailable" or "under maintenance" at the cashier, forcing the player to default to a slower method like an ACH transfer. The fastest payout method is prominently advertised but appears "temporarily unavailable" or "under maintenance" at the cashier, forcing the player to default to a slower method like an ACH transfer. Excessive Verification Cycles: Requesting the same documents multiple times, or demanding unusual and invasive documents (e.g., proof of employment) for a modest cashout. This uses compliance as a deliberate delay tactic. Requesting the same documents multiple times, or demanding unusual and invasive documents (e.g., proof of employment) for a modest cashout. This uses compliance as a deliberate delay tactic. Manual Review for Small Amounts: If a withdrawal of $200 requires manual review by the "finance team," the platform is lacking the modern automation necessary to truly be a fastest payout online casino. Pro Strategies for Optimizing and Maintaining Max Speed Even with a thoroughly vetted, high-quality instant withdrawal casino, players can unintentionally create delays through common procedural errors. These strategies ensure a smooth, continuous, and highly efficient cashout experience. Consistent Payment Method Usage: The "Closing the Loop" Principle For compliance with global Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, virtually all reputable casinos enforce the "closing the loop" rule: withdrawals must be returned to the same financial account used for the original deposit. Strategy: If you deposit via Skrill, your withdrawal must go back to that same Skrill account. Attempting to withdraw to a different bank account, debit card, or a third-party e-wallet will trigger an immediate stop, a manual review, and a request for verification of the new payment source, resulting in significant, guaranteed delays. The Weekend and Holiday Factor in Processing While e-wallets and instant methods can operate 24/7, the financial world still revolves around standard business calendars. Optimal Timing: For methods reliant on traditional banking rails (Debit Cards, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer), processing is suspended on weekends and bank holidays. A request made late on Friday could effectively sit idle until Monday morning, stretching a potential 12-hour wait into 60+ hours. For methods reliant on traditional banking rails (Debit Cards, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer), processing is suspended on weekends and bank holidays. A request made late on Friday could effectively sit idle until Monday morning, stretching a potential 12-hour wait into 60+ hours. Optimization: When using traditional methods, submit your request during Monday to Thursday business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 3 PM local casino time). This ensures the transaction is picked up before the financial markets close for the week. Strategic Management of Withdrawal Limits Casinos impose daily, weekly, and monthly withdrawal limits. While a fastest payout online casino often features high limits, large jackpot wins may still require installment payments. High Roller Planning: If you win $100,000 and the weekly limit is $20,000, your withdrawal will take five weeks, regardless of the individual transaction speed. Large-sum withdrawals may necessitate choosing the high-limit Wire Transfer despite its fees and slower speed, simply because it accommodates the volume. If you win $100,000 and the weekly limit is $20,000, your withdrawal will take five weeks, regardless of the individual transaction speed. Large-sum withdrawals may necessitate choosing the high-limit Wire Transfer despite its fees and slower speed, simply because it accommodates the volume. The Continuing Player Signal: For regular withdrawals, requesting a value slightly less than your full balance (e.g., leaving a small amount like $50 behind) can sometimes signal to automated systems that you are a "continuing player," potentially prioritizing your request over a player who is completely cashing out and may never return. The Crucial Link to Responsible Gambling The push toward instant withdrawal casino platforms is intrinsically linked to responsible gaming. By eliminating the pending period and offering immediate fund access, these platforms significantly reduce the psychological pressure on players to reverse their cashout and chase losses. Player Discipline: Speed is a benefit, but it requires discipline. Use the immediate access to winnings to your advantage: Immediately transfer winnings from the casino account to your verified e-wallet or bank account to create a clear financial separation. Utilize the casino's internal toolsdeposit limits, loss limits, and self-exclusion periodsto ensure that the fastest payout doesn't simply translate to the fastest redeposit. Conclusion: Fast Payout Casinos 2025 The transformation of online casino withdrawal speed in 2025 represents a victory for the player, aligning technological capability with the demand for immediate financial access. However, the gap between marketing claims and operational reality remains significant. The true instant withdrawal casino is defined not by advertising, but by a handful of non-negotiable operational standards: Zero Pending Periods: Eliminating the artificial 24-48 hour security review for verified accounts. Automated KYC: Approving all KYC verification documents in minutes using AI, not days via manual review. 24/7 Processing: Maintaining automated systems that process e-wallet and instant bank transfer withdrawals around the clock, including weekends. Payment Diversity: Offering multiple Tier 1 options, allowing players to choose between the speed of e-wallets (1-6 hours) or the comfort of Instant Bank Transfers (1-4 hours). For the informed player, due diligence remains the final key. By completing KYC verification immediately, testing a casino with a small withdrawal, and selecting the fastest payout method based on payment infrastructure reality, you ensure your winnings move from the virtual table to your bank or e-wallet in hours, not days. The age of long waits is officially overbut only for those who choose their platform and method strategically. Source: All iGaming Email: support@alligaming.com Attachment Press release Paris, 14 October 2025 Bouygues Telecom, Free-iliad Group and Orange submit a joint non-binding offer to acquire a large part of Altice's activities in France Bouygues Telecom, Free-iliad Group and Orange announce they have submitted a non-binding offer to acquire a large part of the telecommunications activities of the Altice group in France. While ensuring continuity of service for SFR customers and in a mature market, the deal would make it possible to: step up investments in superfast network resilience, in cyber security and in new technologies such as artificial intelligence; consolidate control over strategic infrastructure in France; and maintain a competitive ecosystem for the benefit of consumers. Today, Bouygues Telecom, Free-iliad Group and Orange submitted a joint non-binding offer to enter into negotiations with a view to acquiring a range of activities from the Altice group in France. It covers most of SFR's assets, but excludes, in particular, stakes in Intelcia, UltraEdge and XP Fibre and Altice Technical Services, as well as the Altice group's activities in French overseas departments and regions. This offer corresponds to a total enterprise value of 17 billion for the Altice group assets concerned in France and gives an indicative implied enterprise value for the whole of Altice France of more than 21 billion1. Bouygues Telecom, Free-iliad Group and Orange envisage to share out the targeted activities as follows: the B2B business to be taken over mainly by Bouygues Telecom, and by Free-iliad Group; the B2C business to be shared between Bouygues Telecom, Free-iliad Group and Orange; the other assets and resources (in particular infrastructure and frequencies) to be shared between Bouygues Telecom, Free-iliad Group and Orange, with the exception of SFR's mobile network in less densely populated areas, to be taken over by Bouygues Telecom. The split of price and value would be around 43% for Bouygues Telecom, 30% for Free-iliad Group and 27% for Orange. Subject to the seller's acceptance of the non-binding offer, the submission of a confirmatory offer will be conditional upon the completion of due diligence, as well as a financial and operational assessment confirming the assumptions of the indicative offer. The transaction will be subject to prior consultation with the relevant employee representative bodies. It will then have to be cleared by the relevant regulatory authorities before it can be completed. At the end of these stages, any assets that cannot be transferred immediately to each of the three operators concerned would be transferred to a joint company responsible for managing operations during a transition period that would notably allow for the gradual migration of customers. The joint company will rely on Altice group employees. There is no certainty at this stage that this indicative offer will lead to an agreement. About Orange Orange is one of the leading telecommunications operators worldwide, with a revenue of 40.3 billion in 2024 and 124,600 employees as of June 30, 2025, including 68,700 in France. The Group served 300 million customers as of June 30, 2025, including 262 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain related to the creation of the joint venture MASORANGE. The Group operates in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries). Orange is also a global leader in telecommunications services for multinational enterprises under the Orange Business brand. Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA). For more information (web and mobile): www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com and the Orange News app or to follow us on X: @presseorange. Orange and all other products or services mentioned are trademarks owned by Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited. Press contacts Eric Fohlen-Weill, Orange - eric.fohlen-weill@orange.com - +33 (0)6 81 07 81 02 Tom Wright, Orange - tom.wright@orange.com - +33 (0)6 78 91 35 11 About the Free-iliad Group Created in the early 1990s, the iliad Group is the inventor of the worlds first triple-play box and is now a major European telecoms player, standing out for its innovative, straightforward and attractive offerings. The Group is the parent of Free in France, iliad in Italy and Play in Poland, has over 18,000 employees serving 51 million subscribers, and generated 10.0 billion in revenues in 2024. In France, the Group is an integrated Fixed and Mobile Ultra-Fast Broadband operator and had 23.1 million subscribers at end-June 2025. In Italy, where it launched its business in 2018 under the iliad brand, it is the countrys fourth-largest mobile operator and at end-June 2025 had over 12.5 million subscribers. In Poland, the Group is an integrated convergent operator, and at end-June 2025 had 15.5 million subscribers. In 2024, the iliad Group became Europes fifth-largest operator by number of retail Mobile subscribers (excluding M2M) and remained the fifth-largest Fixed Broadband operator. Press contact Isabelle Audap, Free-iliad Group - presse@iliad.fr - +33 (0)6 33 47 09 57 About Bouygues Telecom Bouygues Telecom, a subsidiary of the Bouygues group, is a French all-round operator of digital communications France. Founded in 1994, Bouygues Telecom is committed to providing its B2B, B2C and public administration customers with high-quality, innovative and secure fixed and mobile communications as well as superfast internet by constantly improving its network and user experience. 27.1 million mobile customers and 5.3 million fixed customers put their trust in Bouygues Telecom, the leading operator for WiFi and fixed internet connections, according to nperf in 2024 and ranked No. 2 for mobile according to Arcep in 2023. Its 4G network now covers 99% of the French population, and its 5G network over 18,000 municipalities and over 84% of the French population. Bouygues Telecom Entreprises supports nearly 100,000 customers, of which 70% of the CAC 40, in adopting new collaborative uses, migrating to the cloud and transforming their digital infrastructure. Bouygues Telecom aims to reduce its scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 29.4% and its scope 3 emissions by 17.5% by 2027, which are targets that have been endorsed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). #WeAreMadeToBeTogether To follow Bouygues Telecom news: www.corporate.bouyguestelecom.fr, on X: @ByTel_Corporate Press contacts: Maylis Carcabal: mca@bouygues.com - +33 (0)6 63 59 87 05 Anthony Colombani: ANCOLOMB@bouyguestelecom.fr - +33 (0)7 62 46 26 65 Stephanie Brun : sbrun@bouyguestelecom.fr - +33 (0)6 47 47 15 76 Disclaimer: Prior to its release, this information was classified by Bouygues SA as inside information within the meaning of applicable regulations (Article 7.1 of EU Regulation 596/2014 of 16 April 2014). Person responsible for notification: Didier Casas, General Counsel. Prior to its release, this information was classified by Orange SA as inside information within the meaning of applicable regulations (Article 7.1 of EU Regulation 596/2014 of 16 April 2014). Person responsible for notification: Nicolas Guerin, Secretary General. 1 Based on publicly-available information and estimates in analysts research publications on part of the assets not targeted by the offer: the stakes in Intelcia, UltraEdge and XP Fibre and Altice Technical Services as well as the Altice group's activities in the French overseas departments and regions. Attachment Global, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chargebee , a leading billing and monetization platform, today announced that it has been positioned by Gartner as a Leader in the 2025 Magic Quadrant for Recurring Billing Applications .1 The evaluation was based on specific criteria that analyzed the companys overall Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. Chargebee is placed furthest for Completeness of Vision among evaluated vendors. This marks the second consecutive year Chargebee has been positioned as a Leader in the report. We are delighted to be recognized as a Leader in the Gartner evaluation for the second year running, said Krish Subramanian, CEO and Co-Founder at Chargebee . We believe being positioned furthest in Completeness of Vision underscores the depth of our innovation and the strength of our platform in enabling global enterprises to modernize and scale their financial operations with agility. As every industry transforms with AI, the ability to continuously evolve pricing, packaging, and monetization strategies has become as critical to competitive advantage as product-market fit. As we deploy the worlds most advanced supercomputers for superintelligence, we need a billing platform that can scale with the complexity of our hybrid business model and support self-serve cloud, enterprise contracts, and everything in between, said Varun Singh, Head of Information Systems at Lambda . Chargebees flexibility, extensibility, and roadmap align with our own commitment to build the underlying infrastructure that powers mission-critical AI workloads. Monetization Is Now a Critical Growth Lever Enterprises are rethinking how they create and capture value. Software and SaaS companies are moving beyond the pure-play, license-based business model that has defined the past two decades and are adopting more flexible approaches that include usage-based, pay-as-you-go, and outcome-based pricing. Companies with the flexibility to combine and test multiple pricing models are achieving profit margin improvements at more than twice the rate of those using purely usage-based models, according to recent research from Chargebee .2 But finding product-market fit for new offerings is now only the starting point. Innovators must also master how they measure, articulate, price, and package the value they deliver, all while navigating the new cost implications of AI-powered solutions. As agentic AI reshapes how customers use Zapier, Chargebee has let us simplify pricing to a subscription plus pay-as-you-go model, run rapid experiments, and stand up flexible enterprise contracts without tying up engineering, said Ryan Roccon, CFO at Zapier . That blend of customer transparency and operational agility across finance, product, and sales is exactly what we need to support our scale. With Chargebee, we can seamlessly launch pricing that scales to millions of users, said Ana Garcia, VP of Data & Platform Engineering at LegalZoom . As we build AI into our product to deliver a seamless customer experience, Chargebees forward-thinking platform and deep expertise have helped us execute complex pricing strategies with speed and precision. Recognitions and a Relentless Record of Innovation Chargebees recognition by Gartner as a Leader for the second consecutive year comes on the heels of a series of major 2025 product milestones that underscore its commitment to innovation and customer success. As people adjust to buying and using AI, companies must be able to track and reflect product usage, event costs, token limits, credit rollovers, and service consumption in their customer-facing applications and invoices. And, this metered information needs to sync in near real-time across vendors internal billing and finance infrastructure to unify quoting, invoicing, collections, and revenue recognition. To support the volume and latency requirements of Chargebees rapidly scaling AI customers and to align product usage with the pricing, packaging, and SKU definitions already built into Chargebees product catalog for subscription and recurring revenue plans Chargebee opted to build native metering and usage billing functionality into its platform, rather than outsourcing or partnering on these critical capabilities. Chargebees recurring revenue monetization and AI offerings are expanding to include: Support for high volumes of daily usage events: companies can track, meter, and invoice for high volumes of usage events at rates up to 200K events per second. companies can track, meter, and invoice for high volumes of usage events at rates up to 200K events per second. Predictive churn and expansion workflows , which use AI and machine learning to pinpoint at-risk customers and trigger preventative retention and proactive upsell plays. , which use AI and machine learning to pinpoint at-risk customers and trigger preventative retention and proactive upsell plays. AI-powered cancel offers , which reduce voluntary churn and strengthen customer loyalty with relevant offers and messaging embedded in cancellation flows. , which reduce voluntary churn and strengthen customer loyalty with relevant offers and messaging embedded in cancellation flows. AI-powered revenue recovery, integrated from the recent acquisition of payments intelligence and analytics provider Inai , that augments Chargebees built-in smart dunning capabilities with extensive data enrichment and machine learning. With these innovations, Chargebee seamlessly supports usage- and subscription-based pricing across the end-to-end revenue lifecycle, from customer acquisition, quoting, and growth; to invoicing and collecting; to customer retention and payment optimization; all the way through to tax, compliance, and recognizing revenue. Chargebee has been instrumental in helping us bring precision and flexibility to our subscription strategy and operation, said Adam Lifshitz, Senior Director of Product for Subscriptions at Conde Nast . Chargebee Drives Growth Across AI, SaaS, and Consumer Subscriptions From enterprise SaaS to next-generation AI startups and fast-moving consumer brands, businesses across industries are turning to Chargebee to modernize their approach to monetization and scale with confidence: At Gorgias, were building the future of conversational commerce and helping merchants turn every customer interaction into a revenue opportunity, said Kunal Agarwal, CFO at Gorgias . We innovate faster than legacy systems, and Chargebee gives us the flexibility to scale sustainably and align our pricing with the real value we deliver to our customers. With Chargebee, we can focus on innovation, while remaining confident that our pricing model and billing operations support our success. From tried-and-true subscription management to complex usage-based pricing and optimized growth and retention, Chargebee provides the foundation for flexibility and innovation across industries. Chargebee helped us move from a maintenance-heavy revenue stack to a best-in-class billing foundation, freeing our engineers to focus on building the worlds best matchmaking apps, said Tobias Plaputta, CTO at Spark Networks . Chargebees rapid innovation and global regulatory support have allowed us to scale with speed and offer transparent pricing that matches the value we deliver to our users. Chargebee has also accelerated global expansion this year, with the announcement of two new offices in Dublin, Ireland , and Chennai, India . About the Gartner Magic Quadrant Evaluation Magic Quadrant reports are a culmination of rigorous, fact-based research in specific markets, providing a wide-angle view of the relative positions of providers in markets where growth is high and provider differentiation is distinct. Providers are positioned into four quadrants: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries, and Niche Players. The research enables companies to get the most from market analysis in alignment with their unique business and technology needs. View a complimentary copy of the Magic Quadrant report to learn more about Chargebees strengths and cautions, among other provider offerings, at this link . Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. About Chargebee Chargebee is a leading provider of billing and monetization solutions, empowering businesses with recurring revenue models to streamline revenue and finance operations, capture actionable insights, and drive growth. Chargebee is trusted by businesses of all sizes, including Zapier, LegalZoom, Lambda, Freshworks, DeepL, Conde Nast, and Pret a Manger, and is proud to have been consistently recognized by customers as a Leader in Subscription Management on G2. To learn more about how Chargebee can help unlock and maximize revenue growth, visit Chargebee.com . [1] Source: Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Recurring Billing Applications, Mark Lewis, Robert Anderson, October 13, 2025. [2] Source: Chargebee, 2025 State of Recurring Revenue & Monetization, June 5, 2025. Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Litigation Partner Brandon Walker Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Brunello Cucinelli (BCUCY) To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you purchased or acquired stock in Brunello Cucinelli and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Bragar Eagel & Squire partner Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore directly at (212) 355-4648. Click here to participate in the action. NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whats Happening: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized stockholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. (Brunello Cucinelli or the Company) (OTCMKTS:BCUCY) on behalf of Brunello Cucinelli stockholders. Our investigation concerns whether Brunello Cucinelli has violated the federal securities laws and/or engaged in other unlawful business practices. Investigation Details: On September 25, 2025, Morpheus Research published a report entitled "From Moscow to TJ Maxx - How Brunello Cucinelli Continues To Lie About Its Russian Business While Aggressive Discounting Damages Its Exclusive Positioning." The report alleges that, contrary to its own representations, Brunello Cucinelli has continued to unlawfully conduct business in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. On this news, Brunello Cucinelli's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $2.01 per ADR, or 16.54%, to close at $10.14 per ADR on September 25, 2025. Next Steps: If you purchased or otherwise acquired Brunello Cucinelli shares and suffered a loss, are a long-term stockholder, 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, South Carolina, 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: RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) (Martin Marietta or the Company) will host its third-quarter 2025 earnings conference call on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The Company will release results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, that morning before the market opens. A live, listen-only webcast and supplemental information will be accessible on the Investors section of the Companys website at www.martinmarietta.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing +1 (646) 307-1963 and using conference ID 6474847. Please dial in at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure a timely connection. An on-demand replay will be available on the Companys website approximately two hours following the conclusion of the live broadcast and will be available for one year. Martin Marietta, a member of the S&P 500 Index, is an American-based company and a leading supplier of building materials, including aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt. Through a network of operations spanning 28 states, Canada and The Bahamas, dedicated Martin Marietta teams supply the resources necessary for building the solid foundations on which our communities thrive. Martin Mariettas Specialties business produces high-purity magnesia and dolomitic lime products used worldwide in environmental, industrial, agricultural and specialty applications. For more information, visit www.martinmarietta.com or www.magnesiaspecialties.com. Investor Contact: Jacklyn Rooker Vice President, Investor Relations (919) 510-4736 Jacklyn.Rooker@martinmarietta.com MLM-E. NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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, Dows Chief Executive Officer, Defendant Jim Fitterling (Fitterling), has variously stated that the Companys 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 Companys lucrative dividend. Specifically, Defendants cited various purported strengths and advantages unique to Dow in its industry, including, inter alia, the Companys 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 Dows business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Dows 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 Dows business and financial condition was understated, particularly with respect to competitive and pricing pressures, softening global sales and demand for the Companys products, and an oversupply of products in the Companys 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 Companys stock to $22.00 per share from $29.00 per share, citing sustained weakness across key end markets and mounting pressure on the Companys dividend. On this news, Dows 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-GAAP loss 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, Dows 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. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP dpeyton@pomlaw.com 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 ATLANTA, GA, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TACH (Trucking Automated Clearing House) today announced the launch of a financial services platform built exclusively for the trucking sector. The platform is structured to provide independent owner-operators and small fleets with access to banking tools, vendor partnerships, and operational support that have historically been concentrated among large carriers. The new system combines financial services with operational resources, including specialized business accounts, automated expense management, discounted rentals, and nationwide roadside assistance. By bringing these elements together, TACH seeks to address common financial and logistical challenges faced by carriers who often operate without the backing of large-scale infrastructure. A Trucking-First Approach The TACH platform centers on business accounts tailored for trucking companies. These accounts allow users to receive cash advances directly, an option intended to help carriers address immediate expenses such as repair bills or fuel costs. A commercial card program is included to streamline payments and manage business purchases across fleets of varying sizes. The system also introduces automated expense tracking and budgeting tools. These features are intended to provide trucking businesses with greater clarity on spending patterns, support record-keeping for compliance purposes, and reduce the time spent on financial administration. Beyond its financial functions, the platform incorporates partnerships with established industry providers. Rental discounts are available through Ryder and Penske, offering carriers temporary equipment when vehicles are out of service. FleetNet provides 24/7 roadside assistance coverage, while Bridgestone and Firestone have collaborated with TACH to extend pricing reductions on tires. Industry Context Data from industry sources suggests that trucks can sit idle for 2530 days each year due to breakdowns, maintenance, or other delays. Idle equipment often translates into lost income and disrupted service schedules. TACHs model combines financial access with service partnerships to reduce the duration of such downtime, a pressure point for smaller operators in particular. Independent carriers and small fleets play a central role in moving freight across the country, yet they are often operating without the resources available to larger organizations, said Trent McClure, Chief Product Officer at TACH. The platform is designed with that gap in mind. Our goal is to make financial tools and operational support more accessible to the smaller carriers who keep freight moving every day. McClure emphasized that TACH is not positioning itself as a replacement for traditional financing, but as a trucking-focused option that can help carriers organize finances and access vendor support without navigating programs built for other industries. Support for Carriers of All Sizes While the system is tailored toward smaller operators, TACH stated that fleets of varying scales can make use of its accounts and partnerships. Each company that joins is assigned a carrier support specialist, serving as a dedicated point of contact for onboarding and ongoing assistance. The company noted that it has sought to avoid generic financial service structures by embedding trucking-specific considerations into the platform. For example, the ability to access tire discounts directly through partner providers was structured to encourage proactive maintenance, while rental discounts were negotiated to keep freight moving during unplanned downtime. Neutral Positioning The announcement comes at a time when the trucking industry continues to contend with fluctuating freight rates, supply chain pressures, and equipment costs. Financial management has become an increasing concern for independent operators, who often face tighter margins and limited access to vendor networks. TACHs entry into the market represents a financial services provider choosing to specialize within the trucking industry rather than serve it as part of a broader customer base. Whether carriers adopt such specialized offerings at scale remains to be seen, but the launch signals that financial platforms are beginning to recognize trucking as a sector with distinct needs. Corporate Announcement The company emphasized that todays announcement reflects the official launch of its platform following a development period focused on aligning services with industry requirements. With operations headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, TACH is making its platform available immediately through tachusa.com. Carriers interested in the service can establish business accounts, request cash advances, and gain access to the discount and support programs through the website. The company confirmed that the platform has been structured for immediate use and will continue to evolve as partnerships and services expand. About TACH TACH (Trucking Automated Clearing House) is a financial services platform headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and built exclusively for the trucking sector. The company provides independent carriers and small fleets with financial tools, vendor partnerships, and support services. Its offerings include business accounts, cash advance options, automated expense management, discounted rentals, 24/7 roadside assistance, and tire discount programs with national providers. Media Contact Company Name: TACH Contact Person: Trent McClure, Chief Product Officer Email: marketing@tachusa.com Phone: 866-872-8224 Country: United States Website: https://tachusa.com New York, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It contains factual reporting based on publicly available sources. It does not represent the views, opinions, or endorsements of any government agency, political party, or public official. References to public figures are included strictly for historical and journalistic context. This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, a commission may be earned at no additional cost to you. 2A Defender Announces Availability of Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin Documenting Historical Event as Interest in Political Memorabilia Increases 2A Defender, a retailer of political memorabilia and commemorative items, announced today the availability of the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin, a commemorative piece marking the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The announcement reflects renewed interest in political collectibles following what federal investigations characterized as one of the most significant security incidents in modern American political history. Visit the Official 2A Defender Store to View the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin According to federal investigations by the FBI, Secret Service reviews, and bipartisan congressional inquiries, the incident has generated significant interest in commemorative collectibles, reflecting a longstanding American tradition of marking pivotal political moments through tangible memorabilia. Historical Context of the July 13, 2024 Incident On July 13, 2024, Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt while speaking at an open-air campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. Federal investigators documented that Trump was wounded in his upper right ear by Thomas Matthew Crooks, who fired eight rounds from an AR-15-style rifle from a nearby building roof. The attack resulted in the death of firefighter Corey Comperatore and critical injuries to two other attendees. Secret Service Counter Sniper Team members neutralized the threat within seconds of the shooting beginning. Associated Press photojournalist Evan Vucci captured photographs of Trump with blood visible on his face and ear, raising his fist and saying "Fight! Fight! Fight!" as Secret Service agents escorted him offstage. These images became widely circulated across media platforms and have been incorporated into various commemorative items. Trump received medical treatment and was released the same day. He appeared at the Republican National Convention two days later wearing a visible bandage on his ear, marking his first public appearance following the incident. Security Failures and Government Investigations A bipartisan congressional task force investigation documented inadequate planning and coordination by the Secret Service with state and local law enforcement. The investigation, based on 23 transcribed interviews with law enforcement officials and thousands of pages of documents, revealed fragmented communication lines and unclear chains of command. The task force found that the Secret Service did not place the AGR building complex from which the shooter fired inside the secure perimeter. Four law enforcement agencies operated on different radio frequencies during the event, and no unified command post facilitated communications between agencies. The FBI investigated the incident as both an assassination attempt and potential domestic terrorism, conducting nearly 100 interviews and analyzing the shooter's electronic devices and online activities. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on July 23, 2024, following bipartisan calls for her departure after testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Security experts characterized the incident as the most significant Secret Service failure since the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. 2A Defender Introduces Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin 2A Defender announced that the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin features designs documenting the July 13, 2024 event. According to the company, one side of the coin depicts Trump flanked by Secret Service agents raising his fist following the shooting, while the reverse side features the Seal of the President of the United States. The company stated that the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin is manufactured with detailed craftsmanship, featuring a premium gold finish and protective encasement designed for long-term preservation. 2A Defender operates from its warehouse facility in Ohio, shipping to customers across all 50 states. According to company representatives, the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin is offered through a business model where product costs are covered by the company, with customers paying applicable shipping and handling fees. The company noted that a 30-day money-back guarantee is available, with specific terms outlined in the company's return policy. "The Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin represents a significant moment in American political history," a company spokesperson stated. "The July 13, 2024 event will be studied by historians for generations, and we are providing collectors and history enthusiasts an opportunity to commemorate this moment through this specially designed coin." Learn More About the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin at 2A Defender Political Memorabilia Market Context Political memorabilia has been documented in American culture since George Washington's inauguration, with items ranging from 19th-century campaign tokens and ribbons to modern commemorative coins and sophisticated collectibles. Events representing turning points or dramatic moments typically generate the most sustained collector interest. The commemorative items market following significant political events reflects broader patterns in political memorabilia collecting. Industry observers note increased interest in items documenting major political moments, with various vendors offering commemorative coins, medals, and other items through multiple distribution channels. Understanding the Commemorative Coin Market Commemorative coins related to political events fall into two primary categories: official government-issued coins produced by the United States Mint and authorized by Congress, and privately manufactured coins produced by commercial enterprises. Official U.S. Mint commemorative coins are legal tender containing specified amounts of precious metals with publicly disclosed production numbers. These coins come with government certificates of authenticity and are distributed through authorized channels. Privately manufactured commemorative coins, such as the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin offered by 2A Defender and similar items from other retailers, are not legal tender, are not produced by government mints, and serve as collectibles rather than currency. These items vary in quality, materials, and manufacturing standards across different vendors. Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin Design and Features According to 2A Defender, the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin features intricate detailing commemorating the historic moment. The company describes the coin as featuring: Premium gold finish designed for lasting shine and durability Detailed imagery depicting the moment following the assassination attempt The Presidential Seal on the reverse side Protective encasement to preserve the coin's condition Fade-resistant finish to maintain appearance over time The company states that the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin is manufactured with attention to detail and quality craftsmanship, designed to serve as a lasting commemorative piece for collectors and history enthusiasts. Material Composition and Manufacturing Industry experts note that material composition significantly affects commemorative coin characteristics. According to 2A Defender, the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin features durable construction with a gold-finish coating designed for lasting appearance. The company states that each coin is encased for protection from environmental factors. Numismatic standards indicate that items described with terms referencing gold or precious metals may consist of base metals with applied finishes rather than solid precious metal content. Coins containing significant precious metal content are typically sold with pricing reflecting current precious metal markets, including purity specifications and weight measurements. The Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin, like many commemorative coins in the political memorabilia market, is valued for its commemorative and historical significance rather than precious metal content. Business Model and Pricing Structure 2A Defender utilizes a business model common across various industries where product costs for the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin are absorbed by the company while customers pay for shipping and handling services. The company stated that this approach is designed to make commemorative items accessible while covering logistics and fulfillment costs. According to the company's terms of sale available on their website, shipping costs vary based on destination and selected shipping methods. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee covering the product, with specific terms regarding shipping costs outlined in their refund policy. Pricing Disclaimer: All pricing, including shipping and handling fees, is subject to change. Customers should verify current pricing and availability directly on the 2A Defender website before making purchasing decisions. Industry analysts note that pricing structures vary significantly among commemorative item vendors, with total costs depending on product pricing, shipping fees, handling charges, and applicable taxes. Consumer advocates recommend comparing total costs across multiple vendors and sales channels. Consumer Protection Framework Federal Trade Commission regulations govern online sales and advertising practices for commemorative items. These regulations require clear disclosure of all costs before purchase, accurate product descriptions including material specifications, and adherence to stated refund and return policies. 2A Defender states that their business practices comply with applicable federal and state regulations governing online retail, including FTC guidelines for advertising and the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule requiring shipping within promised timeframes. State consumer protection laws provide additional safeguards governing sales practices, advertising claims, and refund rights. Credit card companies offer dispute resolution mechanisms for problematic transactions. Consumer advocacy organizations recommend thorough research before purchasing commemorative items, including verification of seller reputation through independent review platforms, understanding complete cost structures, and reviewing return policies in detail. Collecting Considerations for Political Memorabilia According to collecting experts and market analysts, several factors influence commemorative item values over time. Historical significance of commemorated events, genuine scarcity from limited production, item condition, authentication documentation, and sustained collector demand all affect potential value retention or appreciation. However, market data indicates that most mass-produced commemorative items do not significantly appreciate in value over time. Items marketed as limited production may not represent genuine scarcity, as production numbers for privately manufactured commemoratives often lack independent verification. Collecting organizations including the American Political Items Collectors (APIC) provide educational resources noting that items should be acquired primarily for personal interest, historical significance, or preservation rather than investment expectations. The Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin, like other political commemoratives, serves primarily as a historical keepsake rather than an investment vehicle. Historical Significance and Preservation The July 13, 2024 assassination attempt joins a limited number of such incidents in American political history, including previous attempts and assassinations involving Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy, Reagan, and others. Commemorative items from these historical events have been preserved in museum collections, archives, and private collections, serving as cultural artifacts providing insight into how significant moments were perceived and processed by different segments of society. Historians note that properly preserved commemorative items with clear provenance may eventually serve educational purposes in museum collections, university archives, or research libraries for future generations studying this period of American history. Items like the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin document public response to the July 13 event. Customer Experience and Support 2A Defender stated that the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin ships within 1-2 business days of order placement, with delivery via USPS First Class mail typically occurring within 3-5 business days. The company provides tracking information for all shipments. According to the company, customer service support is available via email at support@2adefender.store for questions regarding orders, shipping, or product information related to the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin and other items. The company's 30-day money-back guarantee provides customers with assurance regarding their purchase, with full terms and conditions available on the company's website. Educational Resources for Collectors Organizations dedicated to political memorabilia collecting provide resources for individuals interested in this field. The American Political Items Collectors (APIC) offers publications, conventions, and networking opportunities. The Professional Numismatists Guild provides authentication services and dealer directories for numismatic collectors. Reference materials including price guides, historical references, and authentication guides help collectors understand market values, historical context, and authenticity indicators for items like the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin and other political commemoratives. Online communities and collector forums provide platforms for information sharing and networking among collectors of political memorabilia, offering discussions about preservation, display, and historical significance of commemorative items. Company Information 2A Defender operates as a retailer of political memorabilia and patriotic items, with warehouse and fulfillment operations based in Ohio. The company ships products throughout the United States and maintains customer service operations for order inquiries and support. In addition to the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin, 2A Defender offers various political memorabilia and patriotic collectibles. The company focuses on providing commemorative items that mark significant moments in American political history. Additional information about the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin and other products is available through the company's website at 2adefender.store. The company's terms of sale, shipping policies, and return procedures are detailed on their website. Looking Forward As commemorative items documenting the July 13, 2024 event continue entering the marketplace through vendors including 2A Defender's Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin, industry experts and consumer advocates emphasize the importance of informed decision-making, thorough research, and realistic expectations about material value and potential appreciation. Educational organizations and collecting communities provide resources for individuals interested in political memorabilia, emphasizing preservation of historical artifacts, understanding of market dynamics, and adherence to sound collecting practices. The ongoing interest in items like the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin commemorating the Butler, Pennsylvania incident reflects the event's significance in American political history and the continued tradition of marking important moments through tangible collectibles. About 2A Defender 2A Defender is a retailer specializing in political memorabilia, patriotic items, and commemorative collectibles. Operating from its Ohio facility, the company provides products including the Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin to customers across the United States. For more information, visit www.2adefender.store or contact the company's customer service department. Contact Information: Company: 2A Defender 2A Defender Email: support@2adefender.store support@2adefender.store Website: www.2adefender.store Editorial Disclaimer: This release is informational and does not express political opinions or endorsements. All references to the July 13, 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania incident are derived from verified news reports, congressional findings, and official investigative materials. Legal Liability Disclaimer: 2A Defender is solely responsible for the accuracy and content of this release. The publisher and distribution partners disclaim all liability for any errors, omissions, or interpretations arising from its publication. No content herein should be construed as investment, legal, or political advice. Product Disclaimer: The Donald Trump Survivor Gold Coin is a privately manufactured commemorative item. It is not legal tender, not issued by the United States Mint, and has no affiliation with any government office or campaign. Product details, pricing, and availability are subject to change. Affiliate Disclosure: Some links included in this release may be affiliate links. If readers purchase through these links, the publisher or its partners may receive a commission at no additional cost to the buyer. This does not influence editorial coverage, tone, or factual reporting. Consumer Advisory: Readers are advised to verify all product information, shipping terms, and refund policies directly with 2A Defender prior to purchase. Publisher Responsibility Disclaimer: The publisher of this release assumes no responsibility for decisions made based on the information provided. All product statements, representations, and descriptions are the sole responsibility of 2A Defender. BOND will enter the thriving business aviation market through their US$1.7B firm order for 50 Bombardier aircraft and a comprehensive service agreement Long-term, first-of-its-kind service agreement ensures BOND benefits from Bombardiers global support network and industry-best service capabilities Challenger and Global aircraft selected to power BONDs fleet reinforce Bombardiers leadership in performance, comfort and reliability LAS VEGAS, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier is proud to unveil BOND as the company behind its previously disclosed 50-aircraft firm order and service agreement, valued at US$1.7 billion. The ceremony was held today at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, where BOND also revealed its brand identity to the industry. As part of the ceremony, BOND also announced that the order includes Challenger and Global aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027 1. BOND has chosen Bombardier exclusively to launch its operationsmarking a significant milestone for both companies. This landmark order, which includes a comprehensive service contract, reflects BONDs confidence in Bombardiers industry-leading aircraft and its commitment to delivering the highest level of quality and support. BONDs exclusive choice of Bombardiers aircraft and services speaks volumes about the trust they place in our people, our products, and in the values of excellence and integrity that define our company, said Eric Martel, President and CEO, Bombardier. Bombardiers jets are best in class. This, coupled with a service network voted number 1 in recent industry surveys, places our team in a unique position to deliver BOND with an offering rooted in product quality, reliability and predictable care. As someone who has spent their career in private aviation, Im excited to have the best planes in the world to offer to our customers at BOND, said Bill Papariella, Chairman and Group CEO of BOND. Our relationship with their team spans many years through my previous work in the aftermarket space at Jet Edge, and Ive seen firsthand the culture, consistency, and service mindset that make Bombardier exceptional. This relationship isnt simply about aircraftits about shared values and a long-term commitment to redefining reliability and care in private aviation. The capital markets response to our announcement in June validated that belief. What were building with BOND is a continuation of that same vision I began at Jet Edge: that great aviation companies are built around service, and Bombardier is the best in the world to help us deliver on that promise. By selecting Bombardier aircraft, BOND ensures its discerning customers will benefit from best-in-class performance, reliability, and an elevated passenger experience from takeoff to landing. The business relationship is built on a foundation of trust and a shared vision for excellence, with both companies dedicated to forging a strong, enduring bond that will support BONDs ambitious business plans. The long-term service agreement is a key pillar of this collaboration, designed to ensure BONDs fleet operates at peak performance from day one. Through this agreement, BOND will benefit from Bombardiers full suite of maintenance and support servicesincluding access to its global network of service centers, 24/7 technical support, parts availability, and predictive maintenance tools. This comprehensive coverage not only maximizes aircraft uptime but also delivers operational peace of mind, allowing BOND to focus on delivering a seamless, elevated experience to its clientele. The order, initially announced in June 2025, also includes 70 new aircraft purchase options; if all options are exercised, the total aircraft and services value would reach more than US$4 billion2. 1 See forward-looking statements disclaimer hereinafter. 2 Includes 50 firm aircraft orders, assumption that all 70 purchase options are exercised at the discretion of the customer and the service agreement. Such assumption is a forward-looking statementsee forward-looking statements disclaimer hereinafter. About Bombardier At Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the worlds best-performing aircraft for the worlds most discerning people and businesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding standards, but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs. For them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviationinnovating to make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate about delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect. Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it. Bombardier customers operate a fleet of more than 5,100 aircraft, supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries. Bombardiers performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. In 2024, Bombardier was honoured with the prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best award for Brands and Communication Design. For Information For corporate news and information, including Bombardiers Sustainability report, as well as the companys initiative to cover all its flight operations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the Book-and-Claim system visit bombardier.com . Learn more about Bombardiers industry-leading products and customer service network at bombardier.com. Follow us on X @Bombardier. Media Contacts General media contact webform Christina Lemyre McCraw +1-514-497-4928 christina.lemyremccraw@aero.bombardier.com Bombardier, Global and Challenger are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. Forward-looking statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Forward-Looking Statements disclaimer contained in Bombardier Inc.s most recently published financial report for additional details. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pan American Energy Corp. (the Company or Pan American) (CSE: PNRG) (OTCQB: PAANF) (FRA: SS6) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement of charity flow-through units of the Company (Charity FT Units) and non-flow-through units of the Company (NFT Units), and its previously announced concurrent non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (Units) as further set out below. LIFE Offering The Company closed the non-brokered private placement of (i) 1,333,333 Charity FT Units at a price of C$0.75 per Charity FT Unit, and (ii) 2,000,000 non-flow-through units of the Company (NFT Units) at a price of C$0.50 per NFT Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,000,000 (the LIFE Offering), pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106), as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (Coordinated Blanket Order). Each Charity FT Unit consists of one flow-through share (FT Share) within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (Tax Act) and one common share (Common Share) purchase warrant (CFT Warrant), with each CFT Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.85 for a period of 24 months from the issuance. The CFT Warrants comprising the Charity FT Units under the LIFE Offering are subject to a 60-day hold period. Each NFT Unit consists of one non-flow-through common share in the capital of the Corporation (previously defined as a Common Share) and one Share purchase warrant (NFT Warrant), with each NFT Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.65 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The NFT Warrants comprising the NFT Units under the LIFE Offering are subject to a 60-day hold period. The gross proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Charity FT Units will be used to incur Canadian Exploration Expenses that are intended to qualify as flow-through mining expenditures as those terms are defined under the Tax Act. The gross proceeds from the issuance and sale of the NFT Units will be used for exploration expenses in respect of the Companys existing exploration projects and for general working capital purposes. The LIFE Offering was made pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 and the Coordinated Blanket Order. The FT Shares and Common Shares offered under the LIFE Offering are not subject to hold periods under applicable Canadian securities legislation. There is an offering document dated August 29, 2025 related to the LIFE Offering that can be accessed under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.com and on the Companys website at https://panam-energy.com/. This offering document contains additional detail regarding the LIFE Offering including the expected use of proceeds from the LIFE Offering. Concurrent Non-Brokered Private Placement The Company closed the concurrent non-brokered private placement of 2,000,000 units of the Company (Units) at a price of C$0.50 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of C$1,000,000 (the Concurrent Offering and together with the LIFE Offering, the Offering) pursuant to applicable prospectus exemptions under NI 45-106. Each Unit consists of one Common Share and one Common Share purchase warrant (Warrant), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.65 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The Company intends to use the proceeds raised from the Concurrent Offering for exploration expenses in respect of the Companys existing exploration projects and for general working capital purposes. All securities issued under the Concurrent Offering are subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. In connection with the closing of the LIFE Offering and Concurrent Offering, an aggregate of $15,260 was paid in cash as finders fees. The Company also issued 30,520 finders warrants, with each entitling the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.65 for a period of 24 months. About Pan American Energy Corp. Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG) (OTCQB: PAANF) (FSE: SS60) is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties containing battery and critical metals in North America. The Company has executed an option agreement in Canada with Magabra Resources pursuant to which it has acquired a 75% interest in the Big Mack Lithium Project, 80 km north of Kenora, Ontario, with the right to earn an additional 15% for a total 90% interest. Pan American has also entered into an option agreement with Northern Critical Minerals Corp. to acquire up to a 100% interest in the Tharsis REE Project, located in the Northwest Territories. The project hosts the Squalus Lake Alkaline Complex, a Proterozoic-age carbonatite-bearing intrusion prospective for rare earth and high field strength elements. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Adrian Lamoureux CEO & Director Contact: Phone: (587) 885-5970 Email: info@panam-energy.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the expected use of proceeds from the Offering. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, the assumption that the Company will use the proceeds of the Offering as anticipated. Although such forward looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things, the risk that the Company does not use the proceeds from the Offering as currently expected. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Quanex Building Products Corporation (Quanex or the Company) (NYSE: NX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether Quanex and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until November 18, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Quanex securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On September 4, 2025, after the market closed, Quanex announced its financial results for the third quarter of its 2025 fiscal year. Quanex disclosed, among other things, that ongoing operational issues related to the legacy Tyman window and door hardware business in Mexico had impacted results more than expected[.] Quanex also disclosed that it was adjusting for lower expected volumes and pushing oug the timing of when [it] expect[s] to realize procurement savings from integration of the Tyman business. Then, on September 5, 2025, Quanex held an earnings call to discuss the quarters financial results. During the call, Chief Executive Officer George Wilson explained that the operational challenges at Tyman negatively impacted EBITDA in the Hardware Solutions segment by almost $5 million in the third quarter alone. Wilson explained that the issue had been identified midyear and described the systems used to anticipate and plan for tooling repairs as significantly deficient. On this news, Quanexs stock price fell $2.73 per share, or 13.06%, to close at $18.18 per share on September 5, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Molina Healthcare, Inc. (Molina or the Company) (NYSE: MOH). 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 Molina and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until December 2, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Molina 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 7, 2025, Molina issued a press release announcing financial results for the second quarter of 2025 and slashing full year 2025 adjusted earnings per share guidance. The press release reported second quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of approximately $5.50 per share, which was below . . . prior expectations due to medical cost pressures in all three lines of business. The Company also announced that it expects these medical cost pressures to continue into the second half of the year and cut guidance for expected adjusted earnings per share 10.2% at the midpoint, from at least $24.50 per share to a range of $21.50 to $22.50 per share. The press release revealed Molina was experiencing a short-term earnings pressure from a dislocation between premium rates and a medical cost trend which has recently accelerated. On this news, Molinas stock price fell $6.97 per share, or 2.9%, to close at $232.61 per share on July 7, 2025. Then, on July 23, 2025, Molina issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 and further slashing the Companys full-year 2025 earnings guidance. The press release revealed, in part, that the Companys GAAP net income was $4.75 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease of 8% year over year; and it now expects its full year 2025 adjusted earnings to be no less than $19.00 per diluted share. This represented another 13.6% cut to guidance of earnings per share at the midpoint, from the cut to guidance announced less than two weeks earlier. Molina also cut its guidance for its full year 2025 GAAP net income 27% to $912 million. Molina attributed its results a full year outlook to a challenging medical cost trend environment, including mere utilization of behavioral health, pharmacy, and inpatient and outpatient services. The Company claimed that its guidance cut also reflected new information gained in the quarterly closing process. On this news, Molinas stock price fell $32.03 per share, or 16.84%, to close at $158.22 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 numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. New York, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Disclaimer: This communication is for informational purposes only and is intended to describe a general wellness product. The EMSense EMS Massager is not a medical device and has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or mitigate any medical condition. Individuals with health concerns should consult qualified healthcare professionals before use. This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, a commission may be earned at no additional cost to you. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Visit the Official EMSense Website EMSense, a wellness device company specializing in at-home comfort solutions, recently announced the continued availability of its EMSense EMS Massager, a foot therapy device that combines three therapeutic modalities into a single wellness solution. The device, which integrates warming heat therapy, rhythmic massage stimulation, and compression support, is designed for individuals seeking convenient foot comfort applications in home settings. The EMSense EMS Massager represents the company's approach to addressing everyday foot discomfort through accessible home-based wellness technology. The device is currently available through the company's official distribution channels and has been positioned to meet growing consumer demand for convenient, non-pharmaceutical wellness solutions. According to company materials, the EMSense EMS Massager was developed to provide a practical wellness solution that people can integrate into their daily routines without the need for appointments, travel, or complex setup procedures. The triple therapy approach combines established wellness modalities that have been used in various therapeutic settings for decades, now accessible in a user-friendly device designed for regular home use. The announcement comes as the at-home wellness device market continues to experience significant growth, with consumers increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional appointment-based services and pharmaceutical interventions for everyday comfort needs. Growing Market for At-Home Wellness Solutions The wellness device industry has experienced substantial expansion in recent years as consumers prioritize convenient, accessible solutions for everyday health and comfort needs. Industry analysts have noted increasing consumer interest in devices that provide therapeutic benefits in home settings, driven by factors including busy lifestyles, desire for cost-effective long-term solutions, and growing awareness of non-pharmaceutical wellness approaches. Market research indicates that the trend toward at-home wellness solutions reflects changing consumer priorities and preferences. Demographics showing increased interest include professionals who spend extended periods standing, active individuals incorporating recovery practices into fitness routines, and older adults seeking accessible wellness tools that can be used without extensive technical knowledge or physical demands. The EMSense EMS Massager is positioned within this expanding market segment, offering a multi-modal approach to foot comfort that addresses common needs across various demographic groups. The device's design philosophy centers on accessibility, allowing users to incorporate foot wellness practices into existing daily routines rather than requiring dedicated time blocks or schedule disruptions. Consumer behavior studies suggest that convenience represents a primary driver in wellness device adoption, with users showing preference for solutions that integrate seamlessly into home environments and lifestyle patterns. The EMSense addresses these preferences through its portable design, straightforward operation, and flexibility in usage timing and location within home settings. Learn More About the EMSense EMS Massager and its triple therapy design. Comprehensive Overview of Triple Therapy Technology The EMSense EMS Massager's defining characteristic is its integration of three distinct therapeutic modalities into a single device platform. Each modality serves specific comfort and wellness purposes, and their combination is designed to provide a more comprehensive experience than single-function devices. Heat Therapy Component: Design and Function The warming function of the EMSense EMS Massager provides controlled, adjustable heat that users can customize based on individual comfort preferences and environmental conditions. The device typically offers multiple heat level settings, allowing users to select temperatures ranging from gentle warmth to more substantial heating. The heat therapy component is designed with safety parameters to prevent excessive temperatures while providing comfortable warming sensations. Temperature regulation systems maintain heat within predetermined safe ranges, and users retain control over heat intensity throughout their sessions. Built-in thermal monitoring ensures that temperature thresholds remain within established safety specifications. Heat therapy has been utilized in various wellness applications for centuries, with warming techniques recognized across multiple traditional and contemporary wellness practices. The EMSense incorporates this established modality into its modern device design, making heat therapy accessible for regular home use without requiring specialized equipment or professional supervision. The warming element activates according to user selection and can be operated independently of other device functions or in combination with massage and compression features. Users can adjust heat settings during sessions without interrupting device operation, allowing real-time customization based on comfort feedback and personal preference evolution throughout each session. Technical specifications for the heat function include graduated temperature levels, rapid warming capability to reduce wait time before comfortable heat levels are achieved, and automatic temperature maintenance once selected levels are reached. The heat distribution system is engineered to provide consistent warming across the foot contact area rather than concentrated heat zones. Massage Stimulation Component: Mechanism and Variability The massage function delivers rhythmic pulses designed to provide stimulation through gentle vibration and movement patterns. The EMSense typically offers three distinct intensity levels, providing options for users with different sensitivity levels and massage preferences. The massage mechanism operates through internal components that generate pulsing patterns across the foot contact area. The sensation produced varies among individuals based on factors including foot sensitivity, tissue density, and personal perception of massage intensity. The three-level intensity system allows users to begin with lower settings and gradually increase stimulation as they become familiar with the device and determine their preferred intensity level. Engineering specifications for the massage function include variable pulse frequencies, adjustable amplitude settings corresponding to the three intensity levels, and consistent rhythm patterns designed to provide predictable, comfortable stimulation. The massage component can be activated independently or used concurrently with heat and compression features. The rhythmic nature of the massage function is designed to provide consistent, predictable patterns rather than random or irregular stimulation. Users maintain control over massage intensity throughout their sessions and can modify settings as desired. The massage system is calibrated to provide stimulation within ranges considered comfortable for typical user sensitivity levels while offering sufficient intensity variation to accommodate different preferences. Motor systems driving the massage function are selected for durability, quiet operation, and consistent performance across extended usage periods. The mechanical components are engineered to maintain performance characteristics throughout the device's intended operational lifespan. Compression Support Component: Structure and Adjustability The compression aspect of the EMSense EMS Massager derives from its wrap-style structural design with adjustable securing straps. Once positioned around the feet and secured according to user preference, the device provides gentle, supportive pressure that users control through strap adjustment. The compression element differs from the active heat and massage functions in that it provides static, consistent pressure rather than dynamic stimulation. The adjustable strap system accommodates various foot sizes and shapes, allowing users to customize the compression level from loose and gentle to more secure and supportive. The wrap design is engineered to distribute pressure evenly across contact areas while avoiding excessive tightness that could restrict circulation or cause discomfort. Strap mechanisms are designed for intuitive adjustment, allowing users to modify compression levels easily without complex fastening systems or difficult manipulation. Material selection for the wrap component prioritizes flexibility, durability, and comfort during extended contact periods. The fabric and structural materials maintain their compressive properties through repeated use and adjustment cycles. Strap anchoring systems are reinforced to prevent loosening or slippage during operation. The compression feature works synergistically with heat and massage functions, providing structural support while active therapy modalities operate. Users can achieve different experiences by varying strap tightness in combination with different heat and massage settings, creating multiple experience profiles from a single device configuration. Explore the EMSense EMS Massager for at-home comfort and relaxation. Integrated Multi-Modal Operation The design philosophy underlying the EMSense EMS Massager centers on the integration of three established wellness modalities into a cohesive device platform. Users can operate each function independently or activate multiple features simultaneously, creating various combinations based on individual preferences and comfort needs. The device control system allows straightforward selection and adjustment of each modality during operation. Users can modify heat levels, massage intensity, and compression through strap adjustment without powering down the device or interrupting their session. This operational flexibility supports real-time customization based on evolving comfort needs during individual sessions. This integrated approach distinguishes the EMSense from single-function devices that provide only one type of stimulation or comfort application. The ability to customize and combine three modalities offers users greater control over their wellness experience and allows adaptation to different needs on different occasions. Control interface design emphasizes simplicity and accessibility, with clearly labeled functions and intuitive adjustment mechanisms. The system is engineered to minimize learning curves and technical barriers, allowing users of varying technical comfort levels to operate the device effectively after minimal familiarization. Detailed Safety Protocols and Guidelines EMSense places significant emphasis on safety considerations and proper device usage to ensure users can operate the device with confidence and appropriate precautions. Built-In Safety Features The EMSense EMS Massager incorporates multiple safety features designed to prevent potential issues during operation: Automatic Shut-Off System: The device includes automatic power termination after predetermined time periods, typically aligned with recommended session durations of 15-30 minutes. This feature prevents extended operation beyond manufacturer recommendations and provides protection if users become inattentive during use. The automatic shut-off cannot be overridden, ensuring consistent adherence to safe operational timeframes. Temperature Regulation: Heat therapy components include regulation systems that maintain temperatures within established safe ranges. These systems prevent excessive heating that could cause discomfort or potential tissue concerns. Multiple thermal sensors monitor heat output continuously, with automatic reduction or termination protocols activating if temperatures approach upper safety thresholds. Electrical Safety: The device is designed with appropriate electrical safety standards for consumer wellness products, including insulation, component protection, and power supply specifications. Electrical components are shielded from user contact areas, and wiring systems include appropriate circuit protection mechanisms. The device meets applicable electrical safety certifications for consumer electronics. Material Safety: Construction materials are selected for durability, comfort, and appropriate contact with skin. Materials undergo compatibility testing to verify suitability for extended skin contact during normal operational conditions. The device design avoids sharp edges, exposed components, or structural elements that could cause physical concerns during normal use. Overheat Protection: Independent safety circuits monitor device temperature across multiple zones, providing redundant protection against overheating scenarios. If any component approaches concerning temperature levels, automatic shutdown protocols engage to prevent continued operation. Usage Safety Guidelines The company provides comprehensive safety guidelines for proper device operation: Seated or Reclining Use Only: The device is designed exclusively for use while users are seated or reclining in stable positions. The device is not intended for use while standing, walking, or engaging in any activity requiring movement or balance. This restriction ensures users maintain appropriate focus on device operation and can respond immediately to any comfort concerns. Alert and Conscious Use: Users must remain alert and conscious during device operation. The device should never be used while sleeping or in situations where users might fall asleep. Unconscious use prevents users from responding to discomfort or monitoring device operation appropriately. The device is not designed with sleep-compatible safety features. Dry Environment Requirement: The device must be operated in dry environments away from water sources. Use in bathrooms, near bathtubs or showers, or in any damp conditions is prohibited due to electrical safety considerations. Moisture exposure can compromise electrical safety features and create hazardous conditions. Supervision Around Children and Pets: While the device is designed for adult use, households with children or pets should ensure the device is operated in supervised conditions and stored appropriately when not in use. The device is not designed as a toy and should be kept away from unsupervised access by children or animals. Monitoring for Discomfort: Users should remain attentive to sensations during use. Any discomfort, unusual sensations, or concerns should prompt immediate device discontinuation and evaluation of settings or usage approach. Users should never continue operation if experiencing concerning sensations. Clean, Dry Skin: The device should be used on clean, dry feet to ensure optimal hygiene and device function. Moisture on feet can affect device performance and user comfort. Users should not apply lotions, creams, or other topical products immediately before device use. Appropriate Storage: When not in use, the device should be stored in clean, dry locations away from temperature extremes, moisture, and direct sunlight. Proper storage protects device integrity and extends operational lifespan. Medical Consultation Requirements EMSense strongly emphasizes the importance of medical consultation before device use for individuals with specific medical conditions or health concerns. The company maintains detailed documentation outlining conditions requiring physician approval. Mandatory Physician Consultation Conditions include: Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or Type 2) or blood sugar regulation disorders Peripheral neuropathy from any cause including diabetic, chemotherapy-induced, idiopathic, or other origins Peripheral artery disease, vascular insufficiency, or circulation disorders Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), history of blood clots, or clotting disorders Varicose veins, venous insufficiency, or other venous conditions Cardiovascular disease, heart conditions, or blood pressure disorders requiring treatment Recent surgical procedures affecting feet, legs, or lower extremities within the past six months Current injuries, fractures, sprains, or healing wounds in foot or leg areas Open wounds, ulcers, sores, or breaks in skin integrity on feet or legs Skin conditions, dermatitis, infections, or rashes affecting feet or legs Pregnancy or nursing status Pacemakers, implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), or other implanted electronic medical devices Reduced sensation or sensory impairment in feet or legs preventing accurate temperature and pressure perception Osteoporosis or bone density concerns Acute inflammation or swelling in feet or legs Any chronic medical condition requiring ongoing treatment or monitoring History of adverse reactions to heat therapy or massage Current use of blood thinning medications or anticoagulants Active cancer treatment or history of lower extremity cancers Company documentation emphasizes that physicians can evaluate individual circumstances and provide guidance on whether wellness device use is appropriate given specific medical situations. The company cannot provide medical advice and defers all medical appropriateness determinations to qualified healthcare professionals. Learn About Safe Operation and Best Practices before starting your first session. Device Status and Medical Treatment Disclaimer The company clearly states that the EMSense EMS Massager is classified as a general wellness device and is not a medical device. The device has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety or effectiveness for any medical purpose. The device is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or mitigate any disease, medical condition, symptom, or disorder. Company materials consistently emphasize that the device is designed for general comfort and relaxation purposes in healthy individuals. The device should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individuals experiencing foot pain, symptoms, or any health concerns should seek evaluation from qualified healthcare professionals for proper diagnosis and evidence-based treatment. The distinction between wellness devices and medical devices is clearly communicated in all company materials, product packaging, and documentation. The company maintains this distinction in compliance with regulatory frameworks governing product classification and marketing communications. Technical Specifications and Product Details The EMSense EMS Massager is engineered with specific technical parameters designed to balance functionality, safety, and user-friendliness: Massage Settings: Three distinct intensity levels (low, medium, high) providing graduated stimulation options for users with varying sensitivity and preference levels. The intensity progression is calibrated to provide meaningful differentiation between levels while maintaining all settings within comfortable ranges for typical users. Heat Settings: Multiple adjustable temperature levels allowing customization from gentle warmth to more substantial heating within safe operational ranges. Heat levels are calibrated in graduated increments to provide fine-tuned control over warming intensity. Size and Fit: Universal fit design with adjustable securing straps engineered to accommodate adult foot sizes ranging from smaller dimensions (approximately US women's size 5) to larger dimensions (approximately US men's size 13). The wrap-style construction provides flexibility for various foot shapes and volumes. Strap adjustment range spans approximately 8-12 inches to accommodate dimensional variation. Weight and Portability: Lightweight construction with total device weight typically under 3 pounds, facilitating easy transport between rooms and travel portability. The compact form factor allows the device to be packed in standard luggage for use while traveling. Device dimensions when configured for storage measure approximately 12 x 10 x 4 inches. Power Requirements: Electrical operation requiring connection to standard household power outlets. The device operates on standard voltage (110-120V in North America, with international variants available for different voltage standards). Power consumption during operation typically ranges from 15-25 watts depending on heat and massage settings selected. Control Interface: Simplified control panel with clearly labeled buttons or controls for power, heat adjustment, and massage intensity selection. The interface is designed for intuitive operation without complex programming. Controls provide tactile feedback and visual indicators showing current settings. Materials: Durable construction materials selected for longevity, comfort, and appropriate skin contact. Exterior materials include durable synthetic fabrics with moisture-resistant properties. Internal components use appropriate electrical insulation materials meeting consumer product safety standards. All materials undergo compatibility testing for skin contact applications. Session Duration Parameters: Recommended session length of 15-30 minutes aligns with automatic shut-off timing. The device typically includes automatic termination at 30-minute intervals to prevent extended use beyond recommendations. Extended sessions beyond manufacturer recommendations are discouraged due to diminishing benefits and potential for device component strain. Maintenance Requirements: The device requires minimal maintenance beyond basic cleaning and appropriate storage. Detailed care instructions are provided with each unit, including guidance on cleaning methods, storage conditions, and periodic inspection recommendations. No specialized tools or professional servicing is required for normal maintenance activities. Operational Temperature Range: The device is designed for operation in typical indoor temperature conditions ranging from 60-80F. Operation in extreme temperatures (below 50F or above 95F) may affect performance characteristics and is not recommended. Expected Operational Lifespan: Under normal usage conditions with appropriate maintenance, the device is designed to provide functional performance for approximately 2-3 years of regular use. Actual lifespan varies based on usage frequency, care practices, and environmental conditions. Proper Usage Protocols and Best Practices To optimize user experience and safety, EMSense provides detailed guidance on proper device operation through product documentation and support resources. Initial Use Preparation First-time users should familiarize themselves with device components, controls, and safety information before initial operation. Reading complete manufacturer instructions ensures proper understanding of features and appropriate usage protocols. The instruction manual includes diagrams, control explanations, and safety warnings that should be reviewed thoroughly. Users should select a comfortable seated or reclining location with stable support and easy access to electrical outlets. The environment should be dry, well-lit, and free from distractions that could interfere with attention to device operation. Appropriate seating includes couches, recliners, chairs with adequate support, or beds with appropriate back support. Electrical connections should be verified as secure and appropriate for device power requirements. Power cords should be arranged to prevent tripping hazards or strain on connections. Users should ensure adequate cord length reaches from outlet to comfortable seating location without tension. Session Setup Procedures Users should ensure feet are clean and dry before device use. Feet should be bare or covered only with thin, non-restrictive socks if desired. Thick socks, compression socks, or restrictive footwear should not be worn during device operation as they may interfere with heat transfer and massage sensation. The device should be positioned within comfortable reach, allowing easy access to controls during operation. Users should be able to reach control buttons or switches without straining or shifting position significantly. Initial sessions should begin with conservative settings, selecting lower heat and massage intensities to establish baseline comfort levels. Users can gradually increase settings as they become familiar with device sensations and determine personal preferences. The conservative approach prevents overwhelming sensations during initial experiences and allows proper acclimation. Strap adjustment should achieve secure, comfortable positioning without excessive tightness. Proper strap tension creates a supportive feel without restricting circulation or causing pressure discomfort. Users should be able to slide one finger between the strap and foot comfortably when properly adjusted. During-Session Monitoring Users should remain attentive throughout device operation, monitoring comfort levels and sensations. Reading, watching television, or other passive activities are appropriate during device use, provided users maintain awareness of device sensations and can respond to any concerns immediately. Any discomfort, unusual feelings, or concerns warrant immediate adjustment of settings or device discontinuation. Users should prioritize comfort over completing predetermined session lengths. There is no benefit to continuing operation during discomfort. Settings can be modified at any point during sessions based on real-time comfort assessment. Users should not feel obligated to maintain any particular setting if it becomes uncomfortable. Comfort levels may change during sessions as tissues warm or adapt to stimulation. Users should avoid falling asleep during device operation. If drowsiness occurs, the device should be turned off immediately. The automatic shut-off feature provides backup safety but should not be relied upon as the primary prevention for unattended operation. Post-Session Protocols Following each session, the device should be powered off completely using proper shutdown procedures. The power button should be pressed to terminate operation, and the device should be unplugged from electrical outlets if it will not be used again shortly. If heat was utilized, users should allow cooling time before device storage. Heat components require approximately 10-15 minutes to cool to ambient temperature. Storing the device while warm does not damage the device but may affect surrounding storage materials. The device should be cleaned according to manufacturer instructions, ensuring hygiene maintenance for subsequent uses. Cleaning typically involves wiping exterior surfaces with appropriate cleaning solutions and allowing complete drying before storage. Detailed cleaning instructions are provided in product documentation. Proper storage in clean, dry locations protects device integrity and longevity. Storage areas should maintain moderate temperatures and avoid moisture exposure. The device should not be stored in extremely hot or cold conditions, such as attics, basements, or vehicles. Frequency and Consistency Recommendations While the device is designed for potential daily use, frequency should be guided by individual comfort and preference. Some users incorporate the device into daily routines, while others use it several times weekly or as needed based on comfort requirements and schedule flexibility. Consistency in usage patterns may be more beneficial than occasional intensive use. Regular, moderate sessions at comfortable settings often provide better ongoing benefits than infrequent use at maximum intensities. The company encourages users to establish sustainable usage patterns that integrate naturally into existing routines. Usage timing can be adapted to individual schedules and preferences. Some users prefer morning sessions, others incorporate the device into evening relaxation routines, and some use it opportunistically when time and comfort needs align. No particular timing has been demonstrated as superior to others. Users should listen to their individual responses and adjust frequency accordingly. If any concerns arise, usage should be reduced or discontinued until concerns are resolved or medical consultation obtained. Company Background and Development Philosophy EMSense approaches wellness device development with emphasis on accessibility, safety, and realistic expectation-setting. The company's philosophy centers on creating tools that integrate established therapeutic modalities into user-friendly formats appropriate for home use. The development process focuses on taking proven wellness concepts and making them accessible for everyday people in their homes. The company does not claim to invent new therapeutic approaches but rather applies established modalities in convenient, integrated device formats that remove barriers to regular wellness practice implementation. Company operations emphasize transparent communication regarding device capabilities and limitations. Rather than making exaggerated claims, EMSense focuses on providing accurate information about what the device is designed to do and how it functions. This approach aims to help consumers make informed decisions based on realistic product understanding. Product development priorities include safety, ease of use, durability, and appropriate integration of multiple modalities. The company maintains that informed consumers make better decisions and aims to provide comprehensive information about products so people can determine whether they align with individual needs and preferences. Quality Assurance and Consumer Support EMSense maintains quality standards throughout device manufacturing and distribution processes. The company implements quality control procedures designed to ensure device functionality, safety, and consistency across production batches. Quality protocols include component testing, assembly verification, functional testing of completed devices, and packaging inspection. Random sampling procedures verify that products meet established specifications before distribution. Documentation systems track quality metrics and identify trends requiring corrective action. Customer support infrastructure includes multiple contact channels for product information, usage guidance, and issue resolution. Support resources include email communication, phone support during business hours, and comprehensive product documentation provided with each device. The company provides detailed product documentation, safety information, and usage instructions with each device. Documentation is designed to address common questions, provide troubleshooting guidance, and ensure users have access to important safety information. Customer support objectives include responsive communication, helpful problem-solving, and fair resolution of issues. The company maintains that the customer relationship extends beyond the initial purchase, with ongoing support representing an important component of product value. The company offers a satisfaction guarantee period allowing customers to evaluate the device, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in company return policies. This structure is designed to reduce purchase risk for consumers uncertain about product alignment with their needs while maintaining sustainable business practices. Individual Results and Expectation Management EMSense acknowledges that individual experiences with wellness devices vary significantly based on numerous factors beyond device design and functionality. Wellness outcomes are inherently individual, with the same device potentially providing substantially different experiences for different people. Factors affecting individual experience include baseline comfort levels, severity and nature of discomfort, consistency of use, setting selections, expectations, psychological factors, overall health status, foot sensitivity levels, environmental conditions, and stress levels. These variables mean that outcomes cannot be standardized or guaranteed across user populations. Research on wellness device effectiveness consistently demonstrates high individual variability in outcomes. This variability reflects the complex, multifaceted nature of comfort and wellness, which depend on interactions between physical, psychological, and contextual factors unique to each individual. Company materials emphasize that some people find substantial value and report high satisfaction, while others have more modest experiences. Both outcomes are valid, and the company encourages realistic expectations rather than assumptions about guaranteed results. The satisfaction guarantee period allows users to evaluate whether the device meets their individual needs. The device is designed for general wellness and comfort purposes rather than as a solution for specific medical conditions or symptoms. Users seeking medical treatment for diagnosed conditions should work with qualified healthcare providers to develop appropriate evidence-based treatment plans. The device may serve as a complementary wellness tool but should not replace appropriate medical care. Expectation management represents an important component of consumer satisfaction. Users approaching the device with realistic understanding of its wellness-focused purpose and individual variability in results tend to make more accurate satisfaction assessments than those expecting specific guaranteed outcomes. Product Availability and Distribution Information The EMSense EMS Massager is available through the company's official distribution channels. Product availability may vary based on demand, production capacity, and distribution logistics. The company maintains inventory management systems designed to balance availability with production capabilities. The company maintains current product information, specifications, and availability details through official communication channels. Customers can access information about device features, safety guidelines, and company policies through the official website and customer support resources. Distribution infrastructure supports shipping to multiple geographic regions, with specific shipping options, costs, and timeframes varying by destination. International shipping may be subject to customs procedures, import duties, or other requirements that are the customer's responsibility. Shipping timeframes vary based on destination, shipping method selected, and order processing time. The company implements a return policy allowing customers to evaluate the device during a specified guarantee period. Specific terms, conditions, requirements, and procedures governing returns are detailed in company policy documentation available through official channels. Return policies include provisions regarding product condition requirements, return shipping responsibilities, and refund processing procedures. Customer satisfaction guarantee periods provide customers with reasonable evaluation time while maintaining fair business practices. The guarantee structure balances customer protection with operational sustainability, allowing trial while preventing abuse through clearly defined terms. Visit EMSense Online to check current availability and product details. Regulatory Compliance and Consumer Protection EMSense operates within regulatory frameworks governing consumer wellness products. The company maintains compliance with applicable safety standards, electrical requirements, and consumer protection regulations relevant to its product category and distribution markets. Product labeling, documentation, and marketing communications include appropriate disclaimers, safety warnings, and medical device status clarifications as required by applicable regulations. The company prioritizes transparency regarding product classification, intended uses, and limitations. Regulatory compliance represents a non-negotiable priority in company operations. Communications clearly distinguish between wellness applications and medical claims, and all required safety information and disclaimers are prominently provided. The company maintains that accurate representation and compliance with regulatory requirements protect both consumers and the company's long-term business interests. The company maintains records, documentation, and quality systems appropriate for consumer wellness product manufacturing and distribution. These systems support product consistency, safety verification, and appropriate consumer information provision. Documentation includes manufacturing records, quality control data, customer feedback tracking, and incident reporting systems. Safety incident reporting procedures ensure that any concerns raised by customers are documented, investigated, and addressed appropriately. The company maintains protocols for evaluating safety-related feedback and implementing corrective actions when warranted. Product packaging includes required safety information, usage instructions, and appropriate warnings. Labeling complies with requirements for consumer product safety, electrical devices, and wellness product classifications. Looking Forward: Home Wellness Market Trends As the home wellness device market continues evolving, EMSense anticipates ongoing consumer interest in accessible, multi-modal solutions that provide convenience and user control. Market trends suggest sustained growth in consumer spending on home wellness products as alternatives to appointment-based services. Demographic factors support continued market expansion, including aging populations seeking accessible wellness tools, busy professionals prioritizing convenient solutions, and increased health consciousness across age groups. Technology improvements continue to enhance device capabilities while maintaining or reducing costs, making sophisticated wellness tools increasingly accessible to broader consumer segments. The company plans to maintain focus on its core product offerings while monitoring market developments and consumer preferences. Future product development will continue emphasizing safety, accessibility, and integration of established therapeutic modalities. The company evaluates market feedback, technological advances, and consumer needs in ongoing product development considerations. Consumer education remains a priority, with the company committed to providing accurate information, realistic expectation-setting, and appropriate safety guidance. Market success depends on sustained consumer trust, which requires consistent delivery on product promises and transparent communication about capabilities and limitations. Industry observers note that the home wellness market maturation requires companies to differentiate through quality, safety, and genuine value rather than marketing hype. EMSense positions itself within this framework by emphasizing well-designed products with appropriate representation rather than pursuing expansion through exaggerated claims or aggressive marketing tactics. The company remains committed to serving consumer needs through well-designed, properly represented products that provide genuine value for appropriate use cases. This approach balances commercial objectives with ethical responsibilities and long-term business sustainability. About EMSense EMSense develops wellness devices designed to provide accessible at-home comfort solutions for everyday wellness needs. The company focuses on integrating established therapeutic modalities into user-friendly devices while emphasizing safety, transparency, realistic expectation-setting, and appropriate medical consultation recommendations. EMSense products are designed for general wellness applications in healthy adults and are not medical devices. The company maintains quality standards, consumer support infrastructure, and regulatory compliance appropriate for the consumer wellness product industry. Company operations prioritize accurate product representation, consumer education, and sustainable business practices that support long-term customer relationships. Contact Information For product information, specifications, and customer support: Important Consumer Disclaimers Medical Device Status: The EMSense EMS Massager is not an FDA-evaluated or FDA-approved medical device. It has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety or effectiveness for any medical purpose. The device is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or mitigate any disease, medical condition, symptom, or disorder. This device is designed exclusively for general wellness and comfort purposes. Medical Consultation Requirement: Consumers with any medical conditions, symptoms, health concerns, or questions about device appropriateness must consult qualified healthcare professionals before using this or any wellness device. Individuals should never use wellness devices as substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek proper medical evaluation. Individual Results Variation: Results from using wellness devices vary significantly between individuals and cannot be guaranteed or predicted. User experiences depend on multiple individual factors including physiology, health status, usage patterns, expectations, sensitivity levels, and countless other variables. The experiences of some users do not predict or guarantee similar experiences for other users. Safety Compliance: Users must follow all manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines. Discontinue use immediately if any discomfort, unusual sensations, or concerns arise. The device is designed exclusively for seated or reclining use by alert, conscious adults. Never use while sleeping, standing, walking, or in wet environments. Information Currency: Product specifications, features, availability, policies, and other information are subject to change without notice. Consumers should verify current information through official company sources before making any decisions. Information provided in this release reflects current status as of publication date but may not reflect future changes. No Guarantees: No warranties, guarantees, or representations are made regarding device performance, safety, effectiveness, suitability, or appropriateness for any particular individual or purpose beyond manufacturer-provided warranties. Users assume responsibility for appropriate device use consistent with safety guidelines and medical consultation recommendations. SHINER, Texas, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Texas Precious Metals, a leading U.S. precious metals dealer, is proud to announce the launch of the UFC Silver Coin Collection, honoring some of the most iconic athletes in UFC history. The debut release features two Reverse Proof 1 oz silver coins celebrating legendary UFC Hall of Famers Bas Rutten, a former UFC heavyweight champion and MMA pioneer, and Mark Kerr, two-time UFC heavyweight tournament winner and wrestling powerhouse. Each collectible silver coin showcases detailed artwork capturing the legacy and fighting spirit of these UFC greats. These coins are a valuable way to honor the history and legacy of UFC champions, said Rutten. I am humbled and grateful to be part of this collection. Each UFC silver coin is struck from 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver and is IRA-eligible. The obverse of each silver coin showcases the official UFC logo along with recognizable design elements such as the world-famous Octagon and chain-link pattern, while the reverse highlights a featured athlete. The coins are available in UFC-branded display boxes on the UFC Collection page at www.TexMetals.com. Were excited to launch this collection for both bullion investors and UFC fans. The enduring nature of silver is the perfect medium for memorializing these UFC legends, said Tarek Saab, CEO and co-founder of Texas Precious Metals. Continuing the series, Texas Precious Metals will soon introduce a 1 oz silver coin honoring Georges St-Pierre (GSP), widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. About Texas Precious Metals: Established in 2011, Texas Precious Metals is one of the largest precious metals companies in the world. As a market maker for gold and silver coins and bars, the company services retail, wholesale, and institutional clients. The companys online retail platform, texmetals.com, world-class depository, and fulfillment and logistics service center have been widely praised for their speed and attention to customer service. Texas Precious Metals offers a line of custom-minted products under the brand, Texas Mint, producing a wide variety of licensed products for Texas A&M University, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and other partners. Media Contact: Name: Kat Rice Email Address: Kat@TexMetals.com Phone: 361.260.7121 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/228ff67c-149f-436c-9592-b643d0f21d6a THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES Toronto, Ontario and Nucla, Colorado, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (CSE: WUC) (Western or the Company) is pleased to announce the closing of its bought deal private placement financing, which was previously announced in the Companys news releases issued on October 8, 2025 and October 9, 2025. Pursuant to the financing, Western issued a total of 6,555,556 units at a price of Cdn$0.90 per unit (each, a Unit) for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately Cdn$5,900,000 (the Offering) with each Unit being comprised of one common share (each, a Share) and one common share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant is exercisable for one Share at a price of Cdn$1.20 per share, for a period of four years and a half from the date of issuance. As described in greater detail in the Amended Offering Document, the net proceeds of the Offering will be used as follows: (a) permitting of Mustang Mineral Processing Plant; (b) drilling, monitoring and permitting for the San Rafael Uranium Project; (c) mine development and maintenance across the production portfolio; (c) permitting and baseline data collection for Topaz Mine; and (e) general corporate working capital purposes, including general and administrative costs. The Units under the Offering were offered to purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (LIFE) under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions, as amended by the Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, in all the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and in certain other jurisdictions pursuant to applicable securities laws. Pursuant to the LIFE exemption, the Shares and Warrants are not subject to any statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document (as amended and restated) related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.com, and on the Company's website at www.western-uranium.com. In connection with the Offering, Western entered into an underwriting agreement with A.G.P. Canada Investments ULC (the Underwriter) pursuant to which the Underwriter acted as the sole underwriter and bookrunner for the Offering. The Underwriter received a fee comprised of a cash commission of 7% on the aggregate proceeds from Units issued and 229,444 broker warrants which are subject to a statutory hold period of four-months and one day from the date of their issuance. A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners acted as U.S. placement agent in the Offering. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. No Units were issued to investors that would qualify as U.S. persons. About Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. is developing high-grade uranium and vanadium production. Western is currently licensing and developing the Mustang Mineral Processing Plant for mined material recovery which may incorporate kinetic separation to optimize economics. Western holds a number of resource properties including the Sunday Mine Complex, its flagship property located in the prolific Uravan Mineral Belt. The production pipeline encompasses multiple conventional projects in Colorado and Utah that are currently undergoing permitting and development. The Company continues to review opportunities to acquire and develop additional complementary properties in proximity to the processing plant site. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Statements of that nature include statements relating to, or that are dependent upon: the Companys expectations, estimates and projections regarding the Offering, intended use of proceeds of the Offering,; exploration and production plans and results; the timing of planned activities; whether the Company can raise any additional funds required to implement its plans; whether regulatory or analogous requirements can be satisfied to permit planned activities; and more generally to the Companys business, and the economic and political environment applicable to its operations, assets and plans. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. Please refer to the Companys most recent Managements Discussion and Analysis, as well as its other filings onwww.sedarplus.com, for a more detailed review of those risk factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Companys forward-looking statements, and that these statements are made as of the date hereof. While the Company may do so, it does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements at any particular time, except as and to the extent required under applicable laws and regulations. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: George Glasier President and CEO 970-864-2125 gglasier@western-uranium.com Robert Klein Chief Financial Officer 908-872-7686 rklein@western-uranium.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. PERTH, Oct. 13, 2025 - Paladin Energy Ltd. (ASX:PDN, TSX:PDN, OTCQX:PALAF) ("Paladin" or the "Company") advises that it has released its quarterly activities report for the three month period ended 30 September 2025 ("September 2025 Quarter Results"). The Company has also released an accompanying presentation on the September 2025 Quarter Results. The quarterly activities report and presentation are available on Paladin's website (https://www.paladinenergy.com.au/investors/asx-announcements/). For further information contact: Investor Relations Head Office Paula Raffo Paladin Investor Relations T: +61 8 9423 8100 E: paula.raffo@paladinenergy.com.au Canada Bob Hemmerling Paladin Investor Relations T: +1 250-868-8140 E: Bob.Hemmerling@paladinenergy.ca Media Head Office Anthony Hasluck Paladin Corporate Affairs T: +61 438 522 194 E: anthony.hasluck@paladinenergy.com.au Canada Ian Hamilton, Partner FGS Longview T: +1 905-399-6591 E: ian.hamilton@fgslongview.com About Paladin Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX:PDN TSX: PDN OTCQX:PALAF) is a globally significant independent uranium producer with a 75% ownership of the world-class long life Langer Heinrich Mine located in Namibia. In late 2024 the Company acquired Fission Uranium Corp. in Canada, resulting in a dual-listing on the both the ASX and TSX. With the integration of Fission's operations, the Company now owns and operates an extensive portfolio of uranium development and exploration assets across Canada, which include the Patterson Lake South (PLS) project in Saskatchewan and the Michelin project in Newfoundland and Labrador. Paladin also owns uranium exploration assets in Australia. Paladin is committed to an ESG framework that ensures responsible, accountable and transparent management of the uranium resources the Company mines - both now and in the future. Through its Langer Heinrich Mine, Paladin is delivering a reliable uranium supply to major nuclear utilities around the world, positioning itself as a meaningful contributor to baseload energy provision in multiple countries and contributing to global decarbonisation. ADELAIDE, October 13, 2025 - Barton Gold Holdings Ltd. (ASX:BGD)(FRA:BGD3)(OTCQB:BGDFF) (Barton or Company) advises that the attached presentation has been presented today at the Australian Gold Conference. A copy of this presentation can be accessed on the ASX website, the investor section of Barton's website, or directly by clicking here. Authorised by the Managing Director of Barton Gold Holdings Limited. For further information, please contact: Alexander Scanlon Managing Director a.scanlon@bartongold.com.au +61 425 226 649 Jade Cook Company Secretary cosec@bartongold.com.au +61 8 9322 1587 About Barton Gold Barton Gold is an ASX, OTCQB and Frankfurt Stock Exchange listed Australian gold developer targeting future gold production of 150,000ozpa with 2.2Moz Au & 3.1Moz Ag JORC Mineral Resources (79.9Mt @ 0.87g/t Au), brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the region's only gold mill in the renowned Gawler Craton of South Australia.* Challenger Gold Project 313koz Au + fully permitted Central Gawler Mill (CGM) Tarcoola Gold Project 20koz Au in fully permitted open pit mine near CGM Tolmer discovery grades up to 84g/t Au & 17,600g/t Ag Tunkillia Gold Project 1.6Moz Au & 3.1Moz Ag JORC Mineral Resources Competitive 120kozpa gold & 250kozpa silver project Wudinna Gold Project 279koz Au project located southeast of Tunkillia Significant optionality, adjacent to main highway Competent Persons Statement & Previously Reported Information The information in this announcement that relates to the historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources as listed in the table below is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by the Competent Person whose name appears in the same row, who is an employee of or independent consultant to the Company and is a Member or Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) or a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO). Each person named in the table below has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to quality as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 (JORC). Activity Competent Person Membership Status Tarcoola Mineral Resource (Stockpiles) Dr Andrew Fowler (Consultant) AusIMM Member Tarcoola Mineral Resource (Perseverance Mine) Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Tarcoola Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tarcoola Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Mineral Resource Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Challenger Mineral Resource (above 215mRL) Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Challenger Mineral Resource (below 90mRL) Mr Dale Sims AusIMM / AIG Fellow / Member Wudinna Mineral Resource (Clarke Deposit) Ms Justine Tracey AusIMM Member Wudinna Mineral Resource (all other Deposits) Mrs Christine Standing AusIMM / AIG Member / Member The information relating to historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources in this announcement is extracted from the Company's Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 or as otherwise noted in this announcement, available from the Company's website at www.bartongold.com.au or on the ASX website www.asx.com.au. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Exploration Results and Mineral Resource information included in previous announcements and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates, and any production targets and forecast financial information derived from the production targets, continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the applicable Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the previous announcements. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This document may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "target" and "intend" and statements than an event or result "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is subject to business, legal and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, risks relating to property interests, the global economic climate, commodity prices, sovereign and legal risks, and environmental risks. Forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and opinions at the date the statements are made. Barton undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements for events or circumstances that occur subsequent to such dates or to update or keep current any of the information contained herein. Any estimates or projections as to events that may occur in the future (including projections of revenue, expense, net income and performance) are based upon the best judgment of Barton from information available as of the date of this document. There is no guarantee that any of these estimates or projections will be achieved. Actual results will vary from the projections and such variations may be material. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. Any reliance placed by the reader on this document, or on any forward-looking statement contained in or referred to in this document will be solely at the readers own risk, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. * Refer to Barton Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 and ASX announcement dated 8 September 2025. Total Barton JORC (2012) Mineral Resources include 1,049koz Au (39.7Mt @ 0.82 g/t Au) in Indicated category and 1,186koz Au (40.2Mt @ 0.92 g/t Au) in Inferred category, and 3,070koz Ag (34.5Mt @ 2.80 g/t Ag) in Inferred category as a subset of Tunkillia gold JORC (2012) Mineral Resources. SOURCE: Barton Gold Holdings Limited View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Mineral Resource Estimate Confirms Pitfield's World Dominant Titanium Discovery LONDON, October 14, 2025 - Empire Metals Ltd., the AIM-quoted and OTCQX-traded exploration and development company, is pleased to report a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate ('MRE') at its Pitfield Project in Western Australia ('Pitfield' or the 'Project'). The MRE is reported in accordance with the Joint Ore Reserves Committee ('JORC') 2012 Code (The Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Ore Reserves) and includes both Indicated and Inferred categories. Highlights One of the largest and highest-grade titanium resources reported globally1, totalling: 2.2 billion tonnes grading 5.1% TiO 2 for 113 million tonnes of contained TiO 2 The MRE is reported only for Pitfield's Thomas and Cosgrove deposits, and contains an in-situ Weathered Zone, inclusive of both the saprolite and weathered bedrock, of: 1.26 billion tonnes grading 5.2% TiO 2 for 65.6 million tonnes of contained TiO 2 The MRE also includes a significant Indicated Resource category, predominantly at the Thomas deposit, of: 697 million tonnes grading 5.3% TiO 2 for 37.2 million tonnes contained TiO 2 Multi-generational mine life: the Thomas and Cosgrove deposits that contain the MRE extend over 39km 2 and 20km 2 respectively, however they represent less than 20% of the known mineralised surface area. The underlying geophysical anomaly extends for kilometres below the extent of the current depth of drilling. High-grade, high-purity titanium mineralisation: occurs from surface, showing exceptional grade continuity along strike and down dip. Rapid Product Development Success: Conventional processing has already produced a high-purity product grading 99.25% TiO 2 with negligible impurities, suitable for titanium sponge metal or pigment production. Friable, in-situ weathered zone: contains naturally forming TiO 2 minerals, anatase and rutile, suitable for low-cost strip mining, with no overburden, no inter-burden, and no blasting required. Drilling at Thomas has defined a large, high-grade central core averaging circa 6% TiO 2 across a continuous 3.6km strike length and over 2km width, expected to provide sufficient feedstock for over 30 years of initial mine life. Further resource expansion planned: additional drilling is expected to increase the size of the maiden MRE and upgrade portions of the resource into Measured and Indicated categories. Strategically located with access to global markets: Pitfield benefits from excellent logistics, with existing rail links to deep-water ports providing direct shipping access to Asia, USA, Europe and Saudi Arabia, ensuring secure and efficient delivery to global titanium and critical mineral markets. 1US Geological Survey, 2025 Summary Sheets, World Resources of Titanium Minerals. Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said:"Pitfield is truly one of the natural geological wonders of the world: a district scale, giant titanium rich ore deposit which has remained hidden in plain sight until recently discovered by Empire. Credit goes to our talented exploration and technical team who have delivered one of the world's largest titanium MRE, a metallurgical flowsheet and a saleable product, all within a remarkable short period of 30 months from our first drill hole. "The incredible success achieved to date has only spurred our team's endeavours to untap the true potential of this phenomenal project and we remain focused on completing our processing optimisation testwork and moving rapidly into continuous piloting early next year. We have already commenced engineering, environmental and marketing studies which combined, will help confirm the commercial viability of Pitfield and form the basis for a Final Investment Decision." Pitfield Mineral Resource Statement (100% basis) The Pitfield MRE incorporates the titanium mineralisation hosted within the interbedded succession of sandstones, siltstones and conglomerates as delineated through Diamond Core ('DD'), Reverse Circulation ('RC') and Aircore (AC) drilling, that is supplemented with geophysical surveys, surface mapping and soil and rock chip sampling. The Pitfield MRE is being reported in accordance with the 2012 JORC Code and estimated by a Competent Person as defined by the Code. The Pitfield MRE contains a high percentage of Indicated category, highlighting the confidence level of the resource within the maiden statement. Notably, the MRE consists of two, distinct, high-grade, near-surface, in-situ weathered bedrock zones referred to as the Thomas and Cosgrove Deposits, which are defined by an area of 11.75km2 and 2.9km2 respectively (refer Figure 2). The MRE is within the larger Thomas and Cosgrove prospect areas of a combined area of 59km2. The MRE has been subdivided to show the potential mineralisation at each prospect separately. It has been further subdivided to show the range of mineralisation within the in-situ saprolite zone and weathered bedrock zones, both being enriched in titanium dioxide minerals (anatase and rutile) and extending from surface to an average depth of approximately 30m to 50m (Table 1). Additionally, the MRE includes the uppermost portion of the underlying fresh bedrock mineralisation, which is primarily enriched with the titanium mineral titanite, as well as some rutile and titanium-iron oxides, and is completely open at depth. Table 1 below summarises the MRE for Pitfield's Thomas and Cosgrove deposits effective as of 13 October 2025 on a 100% basis. Empire owns 70% of Pitfield in a Joint Venture (JV) with Century Minerals Pty Ltd, which holds the remaining 30% JV interest. Empire is manager of the JV and the sole operator of the Project. Snowden Optiro was engaged to prepare a geological resource model for the MRE for Empire on the Pitfield Project. The MRE was reviewed and signed off in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) by Andrew Faragher (MAusIMM), Exploration Manager for Empire. Table 1. Pitfield Project Mineral Resource Statement Mineral Resource Estimate for the Thomas Deposit, Pitfield - October 2025 Domain Cut-Off Indicated Inferred Total Mineral Resource Material Type TiO 2 (%) Tonnes (Mt) Grade (%) Tonnes (kt) Tonnes (Mt) Grade (%) Tonnes (kt) Tonnes (Mt) Grade (%) TiO 2 Tonnes (kt) Laterite 2.5 33 3.0 1,000 20 5.0 1,000 53 3.8 2,000 Saprolite 95 5.3 5,000 70 4.3 3,000 165 4.8 8,000 Weathered 461 5.4 25,000 460 4.8 22,000 921 5.1 47,000 Fresh 52 5.8 3,000 580 4.8 28,000 632 4.9 31,000 Total 641 5.3 34,000 1,130 4.8 54,000 1,770 5.0 88,000 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Cosgrove Deposit, Pitfield - October 2025 Domain Cut-Off Indicated Inferred Total Mineral Resource Material Type TiO 2 (%) Tonnes (Mt) Grade (%) Tonnes (kt) Tonnes (Mt) Grade (%) Tonnes (kt) Tonnes (Mt) Grade (%) TiO 2 Tonnes (kt) Laterite 2.5 1.2 5.8 70 7 5.8 406 8 5.8 476 Saprolite 11 6.4 700 15 6.0 900 26 6.2 1,600 Weathered 35 5.7 2,000 111 6.3 7,000 146 6.2 9,000 Fresh 9 5.3 480 240 5.4 13,000 249 5.4 13,480 Total 56 5.8 3,250 373 5.7 21,306 430 5.8 24,556 Combined Mineral Resource Estimates for the Pitfield Project - October 2025 Domain Cut-Off Indicated Inferred Total Mineral Resource Material Type TiO 2 (%) Tonnes (Mt) Grade (%) Tonnes (kt) Tonnes (Mt) Grade (%) Tonnes (kt) Tonnes (Mt) Grade (%) TiO 2 Tonnes (kt) Laterite 2.5 34 3.1 1,070 27 3.1 1,406 61 4.0 2,476 Saprolite 106 5.4 5,700 85 5.4 3,900 191 5.0 9,600 Weathered 496 5.4 27,000 571 5.4 29,000 1,067 5.2 56,000 Fresh 61 5.7 3,480 820 5.7 41,000 881 5.0 44,480 Total 697 5.3 37,250 1,503 5.0 75,306 2,200 5.1 112,556 Notes: The preceding statements of Mineral Resources conforms to the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) 2012 Edition. All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes. Minor discrepancies occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures. The MRE is reported above a 2.5% TiO 2 cut-off, constrained to aReasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE)pitshell. About the Pitfield Project Located within the Mid-West region of Western Australia, near the northern wheatbelt town of Three Springs, the Pitfield titanium project lies 313km north of Perth and 156km southeast of Geraldton, the Mid West region's capital and major port. Western Australia is a Tier 1 mining jurisdiction, with mining-friendly policies, stable government, transparency, and advanced technology expertise. Pitfield has existing connections to port (both road & rail), HV power substations, and is nearby to natural gas pipelines as well as a green energy hydrogen fuel hub, which is under planning and development (refer Figure 1). Figure 1. Pitfield Project Location showing theMid-West Region Infrastructure and Services Thomas and Cosgrove MRE The MRE has been completed on the Thomas and Cosgrove Deposits, which are located approximately 10km south-west and north-west of the town of Three Springs respectively. The Thomas Deposit has significantly more drill holes then the Cosgrove Deposit, due to the extensive drilling programme that was completed there in July 2025 (announced 8 July 2025). The greater drilling density at Thomas has resulted in a far larger MRE at Thomas than at Cosgrove, however further MRE grid drilling (AC/RC) is planned at Cosgrove over the next six months. Further infill MRE drilling at the Thomas Deposit (AC/RC) is scheduled for Q1/Q2 CY 2026 with drill holes to be drilled on existing cleared track lines within native vegetation areas under a standard clearance permit, while diamond drilling is scheduled in Q4 CY 2025 at Thomas focused on metallurgical and geotechnical work. It is important to note that the maiden MRE presented herein is constrained by only the current number and density of drill holes and not currently by geology or extent of TiO 2 mineralisation. Additional resource development drilling is planned that is fully anticipated to both enlarge this maiden MRE but also provide for more higher confidence category tonnages, including both Measured and Indicated categories. This maiden MRE provides, without constraint, the basis for the preliminary engineering and economic studies that are underway. Figure 2: MRE outlines for Thomas and Cosgrove Deposits with background images of airborne gravity survey results with the location of the AC, RC and DD drillholes Geology and Mineralisation Style Pitfield lies in a unique geological setting along the western boundary of the Yilgarn Craton, within the Yandanooka Basin which consists mainly of interbedded sandstones, siltstone and conglomerates. The Basin is situated between the Eurella Fault to the west and the Darling Range Fault to the east, and is interpreted to be approximately 9km deep. Crustal mapping by Geoscience Australia shows there are several deep crustal faults intersecting beneath the Yandanooka Basin and these faults are potentially the conduits of hydrothermal fluids that have strongly altered the host sediments and provided an upgrade to the titanium mineralisation. The titanium mineralisation is associated predominantly with anatase and rutile in the weathered cap and titanite and rutile in the underlying fresh bedrock. Three distinct events have controlled the formation and nature of the titanium mineralisation. A Ti-rich magmatic intrusion was initially formed, uplifted and eroded into a shallow basin whereby titanium minerals were concentrated into beds as the sediments were sorted by a natural density-based segregation on a significantly larger extent than occurs in surficial mineral sand type deposits. A subsequent hydrothermal event and regional greenschist metamorphism then altered the host sediments and titanium minerals within the sediments and produced an alteration assemblage dominated by titanite (CaTiSiO5), hematite, epidote, carbonate and chlorite. The titanium mineralisation was further upgraded by intense weathering altering the titanite to anatase by removal of the calcium and silica. The consequence of this geological history has been the upgrading of TiO 2 content in the ore mineralogy ultimately to >95% TiO 2 in the anatase found in the weathered cap. Uniquely, nature has in fact done much of the processing for Empire at Pitfield. The mineralisation is completely stratabound and the best mineralisation is found within the weathered cap whereby the sandstones, siltstone and conglomerates have been altered to saprolite, predominantly quartz and kaolin and the titanite has altered to anatase (TiO 2 ). The weathered bedrock consists of altered rock, but weathering is less intense, quartz and kaolin are predominant but as the weathering profile turns to fresher material there is an increase in chlorite, epidote, mica, hematite and carbonate; the anatase content decreases and the titanite content increases. The Pitfield MRE incorporates the Thomas and Cosgrove Deposits. Both Thomas and Cosgrove deposits (see Figures 2, 3 & 4) have near-surface, high-grade mineralisation that contains significant quantities of Indicated Mineral Resources. Thomas and Cosgrove both have large, high-grade central cores as per the Block Model. This in-situ weathered cap at Thomas alone would be sufficient to provide adequate feed for the first of several generational mine lives. Figure 3. Thomas Deposit: Location with MRE outline and drill collars Figure 4. Cosgrove Deposit: Location with MRE outline and drill collars Drilling Techniques Drilling was undertaken between 2023 and 2025 with all drilling managed entirely by Empire using contractors. RC holes were drilled at a diameter of 146mm, AC holes were drilled at a diameter of 90mm or 76mm. Diamond core holes were drilled using PQ3 (85mm,) HQ3 (61mm) or NQ2 (51mm) equipment. Drill core was oriented using the industry standard Reflex orientation tool. Twin drilling was conducted between five drillhole pairs for a comparison of air core to both diamond and reverse circulation with little difference between the grade of the RC and AC twin drillholes. Table 2: Drilling (drillholes with assays) metrics by prospect, year and hole type Thomas Cosgrove Other Areas Year Hole Type Count Metres Count Metres Count Metres 2023 RC 11 1,712 13 1,848 36 5,343 DD 1 408 1 400 1 408 2024 RC 19 2,926 20 3,006 1 154 DD 7 771 7 715 2025 AC 183 8,679 42 2111 RC 40 3,776 Totals 261 18,271 83 8,080 38 5,905 Since commencing the maiden drilling campaign at Pitfield on 27 March 2023, Empire has completed 382 drill holes for a total 32,256 metres comprising: 17 DD drill holes for 2,704 m 140 RC drill holes for 18,764 m 225 AC drill holes for 10,797 m. Sampling Techniques Sampling at Thomas and Cosgrove utilised standard procedures employed across all drilling methods, with samples considered representative for the purposes of reporting. Air core (AC) samples were collected directly from an AC drill rig using a cone splitter at intervals every 2m downhole. Reverse circulation (RC) samples were collected directly from an RC drill rig using a cone splitter at intervals every 2m downhole. Diamond core samples were taken from the diamond core (HQ and NQ) that was sawn in half, with half going for assay and other half retained in core tray. Hole drilled with PQ, predominantly for metallurgical samples, were cut in half and then one half cut in quarter. The quarter was sent for assay and the remaining three quarters retained for metallurgical sampling. Samples were taken based on the geological logging of the drill holes. Sample Preparation and Assay Sample preparation for all AC, RC and DD samples was undertaken at Intertek Minerals laboratory in Maddington WA, where the samples received were sorted and dried. Primary preparation for diamond core samples was to crush each sample in its entirety to 3mm. AC and RC samples were primarily crushed to 3mm. Larger volume samples (>5kg) were split with a riffle splitter. All samples were pulverised via robotic pulveriser. Internal screen sizing QAQC is done at 90% passing 75um. Prior to October 2024 a 4-acid digestion was used with ICP-MS finish (procedure 4A/MS48) as the initial assay technique. If the initial Ti values exceeded 2% Ti, the samples were re-assayed using a borate fusion digestion to ensure complete dissolution of Ti-bearing minerals, with a ICP-OES analytical finish (procedure FP1/OM). In October 2024 the analytical methodology was modified to reduce the number of initial elements analysed to 33. The samples underwent a 4-acid digestion and were analysed by ICP-OES finish (procedure 4A/OE33). All samples with initial values exceeding 2% Ti were analysed again with an ICP-OES finish, but with a borate fusion digestion to ensure complete sample dissolution and total TiO 2 mineral assaying. Certified analytical standards were inserted with sample numbers ending in 00, 25, 50 and 75 within the numbering sequence for all AC, RC and DD samples. Duplicates were inserted with sample numbers ending in 20, 40, 60 and 80 sample numbers within the numbering sequence for all AC and RC samples. Bulk Density A total of 42 bulk density values were collected from diamond drill core from both Thomas and Cosgrove; the samples came from the saprolite, weathered bedrock and fresh bedrock zones and were sent to Terra Petrophysics in O'Connor, Perth. The density determinations were made using conventional laboratory procedures. The buoyancy (specific gravity) method is used to determine bulk rock densities, after the samples are saturated with distilled water for 24 hours. Dry bulk densities are determined by dry weight divided by the buoyancy determined volume of each sample. Porosities are calculated from water saturated weights, dry weights, and the buoyancy-determined volume. The accuracy of the buoyancy technique of density measurement is better than 0.1 grams per cubic centimetre. The results of the laboratory density determinations are reported in grams per cubic centimetre. Estimation Methodology Geological interpretation was completed using Leapfrog Geo (v 2025.2.1) software to construct a material type (cover, saprolite, weathered and fresh rock domains) model, which used a combination of geological logging and element geochemical data. A further geological model representing the principle lithological units was constructed using logging codes to represent the Yandanooka sandstone and interbedded conglomerate units present at both deposits. Mineralisation domains were defined using a lower modelling cut-off approximating a 2% TiO 2 threshold, with a clear northwest-southeast trending boundary striking through both the Cosgrove and Thomas deposits. Exploratory data analysis was then conducted by reviewing multi-element geochemical relationships for TiO 2 with Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, K and Na in each of the forementioned domains. Estimation domains were defined based on weathering intensity and above and below the TiO 2 modelling cut-off. Drillholes were composited to 2m increments, representing the typical sampling interval used. Geostatistical analysis and grade continuity modelling was reviewed using Datamine's Snowden Supervisor Software (v8.15.2) and estimation conducted using Datamine's Studio RM Pro (v2.1.125.0). The TiO 2 grade was estimated using ordinary kriging, employing a three-pass estimation strategy within parent blocks measuring 50 m(X) by 50 m(Y) by 10 m(RL). Sub-blocking was permitted to 2m in all directions. Variograms were modelled separately for each deposit using normal scores transformed data, which was back-transformed on export. At Thomas, the nugget effect was modelled at <20% of total variance, with the remaining three structures modelled at 155m (0.31), 285m (0.11), and 535m (0.41). The variogram is aligned 000->345 for the major direction, 00->255 for the semi-major and 90->000 for the minor (vertical). Cosgrove has less data outside of the closely spaced drill area. At Cosgrove, the nugget effect accounted for approximately 25% of variance of the data. The remaining two structures were modelled at 125m (0.316) and 375m (0.435). The orientations were like Thomas, however favoured a slight rotation of the major to 00->340 was used, with 00->070 for the semi-major and 90->00 for the minor. Density was assigned to the parent blocks based on bulk densities determined form the Archimedes water immersion method, conducted at Terra Resources. A total of 40 samples from both deposits were submitted across all weathering types. Density were assigned to the block model on the basis of material type, as per Table 3 below. Table 3: Bulk densities applied at Cosgrove and Thomas deposits Material type Number of samples Mean bulk density t/m3 Applied bulk density t/m3 Cover (sand) 1 2.06 1.70 Laterite 1 1.78 1.78 Saprolite 6 2.02 2.02 Weathered sandstone 25 2.14 2.14 Fresh sandstone/conglomerate 7 3.07 3.07 Due to the size of the deposits, any un-estimated blocks were hard-coded and were flagged in the model by way of an indicator variable and excluded from classified Mineral Resources. Figure 5. Thomas Deposit: MRE Block Model highlighting high grade core. Figure 6. Cosgrove Deposit: MRE Block Model highlighting high grade zones. Cut-off grade(s) and basis of selection A cut-off grade of 2.5% TiO 2 was used and determined from optimisation studies which indicated a break-even cut-off of 2.36% TiO 2 . Grade and tonnes have been reported within a constrained pit shell reported from a Whittle optimisation. The underlying parameters are listed in Table 4. This decision was based on a high-level preliminary evaluation of potential modifying factors. Table 4: Open pit RPEEE optimisation inputs Item Units Value Comment Factors Dilution % 0 Snowden Optiro assumption - bulk commodity Mining recovery % 100 Snowden Optiro assumption - bulk commodity Process recovery % 70 Empire provided data Financial Price - TiO 2 US$/t TiO 2 (FOB) 2,500 Empire provided data to Snowden Optiro based on external expert advice Costs Mining US$/t rock 3 Empire provided data Incremental ore cost US$/t rock 0.5 Snowden Optiro assumption Processing US$/t rock 38 Empire provided assumption G&A US$/t rock 1.5 Snowden Optiro assumption Total ore cost 40 Product transport US$/t TiO 2 20 160 km to Geraldton Port Royalty % price 2.5 WA state royalty Geotech Saprolite degrees 40 Snowden Optiro assumption Weathered/fresh degrees 45 Snowden Optiro assumption Marginal cut-off calculation % TiO 2 2.36 Calculation NB* Calculation derived from Total ore cost / (Process recovery*(Price*(1-Royalty)-Product Transport))*100 See JORC Table 1 Section 2 for more detailed explanation. Future Drilling to Support MRE Upgrade in 2026 The MRE model is currently being reviewed to ensure future drilling supports an MRE upgrade in mid CY 2026, focused on conversion of some Indicated Resources to Measured at Thomas and Cosgrove deposits. This MRE upgrade would further assist with mine development planning, as well as growth in the overall resource from a substantial Cosgrove MRE grid drilling and Thomas infill drilling programmes, further bulk density work to increase density figure used and ongoing metallurgical test work focused on determining a final process flow sheet and end product specifications. The Mineral Resource Estimate for Cosgrove is estimated based on the limited drilling completed to date, with no MRE grid drilling completed on a large scale. The Company has lodged a Programme of Works with the WA government's Department of Mining, Petroleum and Exploration to support an extensive grid drill out of the Cosgrove Deposit over the next six months. The grid drilling will be designed primarily based on the Thomas MRE grid drilling, being AC drilling on a 400m by 200m lines over a 2km by 5km area and infill RC drilling. The Company plans to use this planned drilling as a basis to upgrade and expand the Cosgrove MRE. Further drilling at the Thomas Deposit is being reviewed on the basis of increasing confidence in the weathered zone to support future scoping studies. The Company will base any future drilling at the Thomas Deposit on the ability to increase the confidence of the resource, i.e. targeting a Measured Classification Resource, as well as to increase the size of the resource by additional grid drilling, both internally within the resource (i.e. in areas that have not yet been infill drilled) and also outside the extent of the resource. The focus on Thomas will be the existing high grade core of the resource which sits withing the existing Thomas MRE. Classification The MRE has been classified following the guidelines of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, 2012 (the JORC Code). The MRE has been classified as Inferred and Indicated on the basis of confidence in geological and grade continuity, the quality of the sampling and assay data, and confidence in the estimation of titanium across the deposit. This is based on the robustness of the grade estimate as determined from the drillhole spacing, geological confidence and grade continuity. Figure 7. Thomas Deposit: MRE Pitshell Outline with Indicated and Inferred Categories. Figure 8. Cosgrove Deposit: MRE Pitshell Outline with Indicated and Inferred categories. Mineralogy and Metallurgical Factors or Assumptions The main titanium minerals at Pitfield are anatase (TiO 2 ) within the saprolite and weathered bedrock and titanite (CaTiSiO 5 ) within the fresh bedrock, rutile (TiO 2 ) is found within all rock types. The minerals have been identified from thin section petrography, SEM and microprobe work. The microprobe work has identified that there are no deleterious elements within the anatase, rutile or titanite. Metallurgical testwork has been undertaken on a range of samples from the exploration programme. The focus of the testwork has been on the weathered zones, as this is near-surface and extensive. There has been some limited testwork in the underlying fresh bedrock zone and this will continue in subsequent testwork programmes as the flowsheet details start to be confirmed. It is likely that only small modification to the process flowsheet would be required in order to treat the fresh bedrock ore, this assumption will be tested as the project progresses. Multiple samples from DD core drilling and AC drilling programmes have been selected for metallurgical testwork. Testwork is being managed by Empire's technical team and being undertaken at a number of commercial laboratories in Perth, Western Australia. The programme has three key areas: Understanding the mineralogy and physical characteristics of the mineralisation that influence metallurgical performance Mineral separation process development Elemental extraction process development Progress results have been reported previously via RNS, including most recently: "Breakthrough in Process development" (28/08/25) "Exceptional High-Purity TiO 2 Product Achieved" (09/06/25) "Significant Progress Achieved on Process Flowsheet" (13/02/25) Competent Person Statement The technical information in this report that relates to the Pitfield Project has been compiled by Mr Andrew Faragher, an employee of Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire. Mr Faragher is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). Mr Faragher has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Faragher consents to the inclusion in this release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. The scientific and technical information in this report that relates to process metallurgy is based on information reviewed by Ms Narelle Marriott, an employee of Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire. Ms Marriott is a member of the AusIMM and has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012. Ms. Marriott consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears. Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, as incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, until the release of this announcement. **ENDS** For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact: Empire Metals Ltd Shaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel / Arabella Burwell Tel: 020 4583 1440 S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Broker) Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl Tel: 020 3470 0470 Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Broker) Damon Heath / Erik Woolgar Tel: 020 7186 9950 St Brides Partners Ltd (Financial PR) Susie Geliher / Charlotte Page Tel: 020 7236 1177 About Empire Metals Limited Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE)(OTCQX:EPMLF) is an exploration and resource development company focused on the rapid commercialisation of the Pitfield Titanium Project, located in Western Australia. The titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale, and hosts one of the largest and highest-grade titanium resources reported globally, with a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) totalling 2.2 billion tonnes grading 5.1% TiO? for 113 million tonnes of contained TiO?. The MRE, which covers only the Thomas and Cosgrove deposits, includes a weathered zone resource of 1.26 billion tonnes at 5.2% TiO? and a significant Indicated Resource of 697 million tonnes at 5.3% TiO?, predominantly from the Thomas deposit. Titanium mineralisation at Pitfield occurs from surface and displays exceptional grade continuity along strike and down dip. The MRE extends across just 20% of the known mineralised footprint, providing substantial potential for further resource expansion. Conventional processing has already produced a high-purity product grading 99.25% TiO?, suitable for titanium sponge metal or pigment feedstock. The friable, in-situ weathered zone supports low-cost, strip mining without the need for blasting or overburden removal. With excellent logistics and established infrastructure, including rail links to deep-water ports with direct access to Asia, the USA, Europe and Saudi Arabia, Pitfield is strategically positioned to supply the growing global demand for titanium and other critical minerals. Empire is now accelerating the economic development of Pitfield, with a vision to produce a high-value titanium metal and/or pigment quality product at Pitfield, to realise the full value potential of this exceptional deposit. The Company also has two further exploration projects in Australia; the Eclipse Project and the Walton Project in Western Australia, in addition to three precious metals projects located in a historically high-grade gold producing region of Austria. GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS The following definitions are extracted from the JORC Code, 2012 Edition Indicated Mineral Resource An 'Indicated Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade (or quality), densities, shape and physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes, and is sufficient to assume geological and grade (or quality) continuity between points of observation where data and samples are gathered. An Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a Probable Ore Reserve. Inferred Mineral Resource An 'Inferred Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade (or quality) are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade (or quality) continuity. It is based on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to an Ore Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. JORC JORC stands for Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC). The Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code) is widely accepted as the definitive standard for the reporting of a company's resources and reserves. The latest JORC Code is the 2012 Edition. Measured Mineral Resource A 'Measured Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade (or quality), densities, shape, and physical characteristics are estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the application of Modifying Factors to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes, and is sufficient to confirm geological and grade (or quality) continuity between points of observation where data and samples are gathered. A Measured Mineral Resource has a higher level of confidence than that applying to either an Indicated Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource. It may be converted to a Proved Ore Reserve or under certain circumstances to a Probable Ore Reserve Mineral Reserves or Ore Reserves An 'Ore Reserve' is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined or extracted and is defined by studies at Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility level as appropriate that include application of Modifying Factors. Such studies demonstrate that, at the time of reporting, extraction could reasonably be justified. Mineral Resource A 'Mineral Resource' is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade (or quality), and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade (or quality), continuity and other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling. Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories. JORC Code, 2012 Edition - Table 1 report template Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data (Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.) Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Air core (AC) samples were collected directly from an AC drill rig using a cone splitter at intervals every 2m downhole. Reverse circulation (RC) samples were collected directly from an RC drill rig using a cone splitter at intervals every 2m downhole. Diamond core samples were taken from the diamond core (HQ and NQ) that was sawn in half, with half going for assay and other half retained in core tray. Hole drilled with PQ, predominantly for metallurgical samples, were cut in half and then one half cut in quarter. The quarter was sent for assay and the remaining three quarters retained for metallurgical sampling. Samples were taken based on the geological logging of the drill holes. Duplicates were inserted with sample numbers ending in 20, 40, 60 and 80 within the numbering sequence and were collected at the same time as the original sample through the chute of the cone splitter. Blanks were inserted at the beginning of each hole and CRM's were inserted every 25 samples. The Ti grade range of the CRM's went for <0.5% to <9% Ti to ensure coverage over the range of Ti values that have been seen at Pitfield. Sample preparation was undertaken at Intertek Minerals laboratory in Maddington WA, where the samples received were sorted and dried. Primary preparation for diamond core samples, crush each sample in its entirety to 3mm. RC samples were primarily crushed to 3mm. Larger volume samples (>5kg) were split with a riffle splitter. All samples were pulverised via robotic pulveriser. Internal screen sizing QAQC is done at 90% passing 75um. Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Diamond drilling techniques varied dependent on which phase of drilling, during phase 2 rock rollers were used at the top of hole until competent rock intersected and HQ sized core was drilled (63.5mm diameter) to a depth of approximately 100m and then NQ2 sized core was drilled (50.6mm diameter) to the bottom of the hole. Drilling in phase 3 and 4 employed PQ size core (83mm diameter) from surface to obtain core for geological, geochemical and metallurgical samples, once PQ core hit competent bedrock HQ size core was drilled to the bottom of the hole. Where RC drilling techniques were employed holes were drilled from surface using a nominal 140mm face sampling RC drill bit. AC drilling was carried out from surface with a 76mm air core blue bit Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Diamond core was reconstructed into continuous runs. Depths were measured from the core barrel and checked against marked depths on the core blocks. Core recoveries are very high with >95% of the drill core having recoveries of >99% RC sample quality was monitored by the onsite geologist. The sampling methodology from the rig was consistent throughout the drilling program. AC sample quality was monitored by the onsite geologist. The sampling methodology from the rig was consistent throughout the drilling program. Overall high drill sample recoveries limit the potential to introduce any sample bias. Duplicate samples are all within tolerance limits and therefore no sample bias has been introduced. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Detailed diamond drill core logging was carried out, recording weathering, lithology, alteration, mineralisation, structure and mineralogy. Drill core was logged by Empire Metals full time geologists. Drill core logging is qualitative. Drill core was photographed wet and dry in core trays prior to sampling. Core from the entire drill hole was logged. Detailed RC drill chip logging of every entire drill hole was carried out, recording weathering, lithology, alteration, veining, mineralisation and mineralogy. RC logging on the project has been carried out by Empire Metals full time geologists and contractors. RC logging is qualitative. RC chips were collected in chip trays. Photographs of chip trays were captured. Detailed AC drill chip logging of every entire drill hole was carried out, recording weathering, lithology, alteration, veining, mineralisation and mineralogy. AC logging on the project has been carried out by Empire Metals full time geologists and contractors. AC logging is qualitative. RC chips were collected in chip trays. Photographs of chip trays were captured. Rock chips were collected as part of a detailed surface geological mapping program. Qualitative field logging of the rocks was completed in the field including assessment of weathering, lithology, alteration, veining, mineralisation and mineralogy by Empire Metals geologists and consultants. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Air core (AC) samples were collected directly from an AC drill using a static cone splitter at 2m intervals down hole. Both dry and wet samples were collected. Duplicates were inserted with sample numbers ending in 20, 40, 60 and 80 within the numbering sequence. CRM's inserted with sample numbers ending in 00, 25, 50 and 75 within the numbering sequence. Blanks inserted at the beginning of the hole. Reverse circulation (RC) samples were collected directly from an RC drill using a static cone splitter at 2m intervals down hole. Both dry and wet samples were collected. Duplicates were inserted with sample numbers ending in 20, 40, 60 and 80 within the numbering sequence. CRM's inserted with sample numbers ending in 00, 25, 50 and 75 within the numbering sequence. Blanks inserted at the beginning of the hole. Diamond core samples were taken from the diamond core (PQ, HQ and NQ) that was sawn in half and then one half cut for assay samples and metallurgical samples. Samples were taken based on the geological logging of the drill holes. Standards inserted with sample numbers ending in 00, 25, 50 and 75 within the numbering sequence. Sample preparation was undertaken at Intertek Minerals laboratory in Maddington WA, where the samples received were sorted and dried. Primary preparation for diamond core samples, crush each sample in its entirety to 3mm. RC samples were primarily crushed to 3mm. Larger volume samples (>5kg) were split with a riffle splitter. All samples were pulverised via robotic pulveriser. Internal screen sizing QAQC is done at 90% passing 75um. Duplicate samples are all within tolerance limits and therefore no sample bias has been introduced. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. Sample preparation for all AC, RC and diamond samples was undertaken at Intertek Minerals laboratory in Maddington WA, where the samples received were sorted and dried. Primary preparation for diamond core samples was to crush each sample in its entirety to 3mm. AC and RC samples were primarily crushed to 3mm. Larger volume samples (>5kg) were split with a riffle splitter. All samples were pulverised via robotic pulveriser. Internal screen sizing QAQC is done at 90% passing 75um. Prior to October 2024 a 4 acid digest was used with ICPMS finish (4A/MS48) as the initial assay technique, if the Ti assay values were >2% Ti, the samples were re-assayed using a borate fusion digest to ensure complete digest of Ti minerals, these were then analysed by ICPOES (FP1/OM). In October 2024 the analytical methodology was altered to reduce the number of initial elements analysed to 33. This was done with a 4-acid digest and samples analysed by ICPOES (4A/OE33). If Ti >2% then the samples were re-assayed using a borate fusion digest used and analysed by ICPOES (FP1/OM). Certified analytical standards were inserted with sample numbers ending in 00, 25, 50 and 75 within the numbering sequence for all AC, RC and diamond samples. Duplicates were inserted with sample numbers ending in 20, 40, 60 and 80 sample numbers within the numbering sequence for all AC and RC samples. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Senior technical personnel from the Company (Exploration Manager and Senior Geologist) verified significant intersections. Logging and sampling were recorded on digital logging and digital sample sheets. Data validation was completed by geologist on the rig. Information was imported into Empire Metals database after data validation by Empire geologists. Geological consultants were also used for data QAQC. Digital data storage is managed by the company at its offices in Perth. No adjustments or calibrations have been made to any assay data. Two twinned holes were drilled at the Thomas prospect, the original RC holes were twinned with AC holes to determine if the AC would provide equivalent sample integrity and similar grade. The analysis done on the results showed that there was no problem with sample size or integrity and the grade over the length of the same size hole was within 0.5% TiO 2 i.e. 6.5% TiO 2 in original RC hole and 6.1% TiO 2 in twinned AC hole. All QAQC samples, blanks, duplicates and CRM's display results within acceptable levels of accuracy and precision. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Specification of the grid system used. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Drill hole collar locations drilled between March 2023 and February 2025 were surveyed by Empire geologists using a handheld Garmin GPS with the expected relative accuracy of 4m for easting, northing and elevation coordinates. Drill hole collars from March 2025 were picked up by a licenced surveyor using a digital GPS to an accuracy of 20mm in easting, northing and elevation coordinates. Collar locations are recorded in the Empire Metals database The grid system used is GDA94. Downhole surveys for all angled RC and diamond holes were completed every 10-30m downhole using a Reflex Ez-GyroN tool after the completion of drilling. Downhole azimuth and dip data is recorded in the Empire Metals database. Rock chip sample locations are determined by handheld GPS with and accuracy of approximately 4m. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Whether sample compositing has been applied. Drillhole spacing is considered sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for a Mineral Resource estimation. Drillhole spacing is mainly in the range 400m x 200m, closer spaced drilling (100m x 100m) was done to test geological continuity and grade variability whilst also generating samples for bulk metallurgy testwork. Rock chip sample spacing has been determined solely by geological mapping and no grade continuity is implied. Sample compositing has been applied to reported exploration results of diamond drillholes as the sample length of individual samples varies and therefore a weighted average has been used to provide the TiO 2 intercepts for those holes. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. Angled drilling has been in 2 orientated directions, initially at 270 as strike of underlying rocks not certain and then orientated perpendicular to the strike of the beds (240). No sampling bias is considered to have been introduced by the existing sampling orientation. The grade continuity of the mineral resource has been demonstrated across every hole that has contained mineralisation. The orientation of the drilling is not considered to have introduced sampling bias due to the highly homogeneous nature of the deposit. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Diamond core samples were collected and placed in calico sample bags pre-printed with a unique sample ID at Empire Metals core facility in Three Springs. 5 calico sample bags were placed in a poly weave bags which was cabled tied closed at the top and put in order in the core yard. RC samples were collected directly from the drill rig in calico sample bags which are pre-printed with a unique sample number. 5 calico sample bags were placed in a poly weave bag and cabled-tied closed at the top. Poly weave bags were transported back to Empire Metals core facility in Three Springs and stored there in order before transport to Perth. AC samples were collected directly from the drill rig in calico sample bags which are pre-printed with a unique sample number. 5 calico sample bags were placed in a poly weave bag and cabled-tied closed at the top. Poly weave bags were transported back to Empire Metals core facility in Three Springs and stored there in order before transport to Perth. Rock chip samples were placed in numbered calico bags which were placed in a poly weave bag and cabled tied closed at the top. Poly weave bags were transported back to Empire Metals core facility in Three Springs and stored there in order before transport to Perth. Poly weave sample bags were transported to Intertek Minerals, Maddington WA. Samples were shipped using Empire vehicles or using transport haulage from Geraldton or Perth for larger sample dispatches. Refinement of the transportation process meant that the polyweave bags were placed into industrial bulka bags which were individually numbered and the samples contained in the bulka bag recorded on the bag for enhanced chain of custody. Sample dispatch orders containing the sample numbers, the amount of samples and the method of analysis were generated by Empire geologists and digitally sent to Intertek in Maddington where the samples had been taken. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. No audits or reviews have been conducted in relation to the current drilling program. Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.) Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. Exploration Licences E70/5465, E70/5876, E70/6320 and E70/6323 are held in a Joint Venture between Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd (70%) a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire Metals Ltd and Century Minerals Pty Ltd (30%). There are no overriding royalties on the project. The project is centred 310km north of Perth and 150km southeast of Geraldton, WA. The tenement area is approximately 1,000km 2 in area. Native flora assessments using the WA Governments Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions flora database were completed to identify priority flora species that should be avoided when carrying out exploration. There are 2 nature reserves within the tenement package totalling 37 km 2 . The tenements sit within the Yamatji Southern Corporation determined land area. There are only 2 registered sites within the main areas of interest. The tenements are kept in good standing with all regulatory approvals having been met. There are no known impediments to operate in the area Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. Between the years 1966-1993 Kennecott, Carpentaria (MIM), BHP and CRA explored for sediment hosted copper deposits in the Pitfield Project area. Kennecott (1966) completed surface geochemistry and drilled 10 diamond holes in the vicinity of Baxter's which intersected anomalous copper just outside the Pitfield licence. Carpentaria Exploration (MIM) in early 1980's, again focussed their exploration work close the Baxter's mine and adjacent areas towards Arrino, and completed 460 shallow RAB holes over or immediately adjacent to the current Pitfield licence to the SSE of Baxter's. Carpentaria identified maximum copper values exceeding 1000ppm, with a further 44 holes exceeding 500ppm copper. The work defined a clear 2,500m NNW-SSE copper anomalous trend partly on the Pitfield licence and open to the south and east. Carpentaria drilled 4 diamond holes which returned strongly anomalous copper including in DH3a, the only hole collared on Pitfield, which returned numerous values exceeding 500ppm up to 1280 ppm Cu with fracture controlled and disseminated native copper and chalcopyrite observed. BHP (1984) completed shallow RAB and 4 stratigraphic diamond holes successfully testing the western contact of the Yandanooka basin with basement Mullingarra gneiss. BHP failed to intersect any significant metal anomalism. In addition, BHP completed several lines of IP geophysics over the drilled area. CRA (1993) completed soil sampling, auger sampling building on the work of Carpentaria and 2 diamond holes, the southern hole being located on the Pitfield licence recording moderate copper anomalism with a maximum value of 570ppm (4m composite samples of chipped drill core) associated with fracture-controlled malachite and minor native copper. The auger work defined a significant Cu anomaly (plus Ag) over some 7km strike length. No other significant exploration happened between 1993 and 2022. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. This is a globally unique stratabound sediment hosted titanium deposit. The titanium mineralisation is found within the sediments of the Yandanooka Basin which is located about 350km northeast of Perth. The basin margin in the west is the Mullingarra Complex and in the east the Darling Range, it is interpreted to be Neoproterozoic in age. The basin fill comprises coarse to fine grained sandstones, conglomerates and interbedded sandstones and siltstones with the basin interpreted to be up to 9km thick. The dominant strike of the beds is 330 with beds dipping 45-65 to the east, field work has not identified any major faulting. However, both airborne magnetics and gravity show strong crustal lineaments in the data. The titanium mineralisation is associated predominantly with anatase and rutile in the weathered cap and titanite and rutile in the fresh bedrock. The Ti mineralisation is associated with 3 distinct phases whereby a Ti-rich magma was intruded close to surface and eroded into a shallow basin whereby Ti upgrading happened as the sediments were sorted by a natural density-based segregation. A subsequent hydrothermal event related to regional greenschist metamorphism has altered the host sediments and Ti minerals within the sediments and produced an alteration assemblage dominated by titanite (CaTiSiO 5 ), hematite, epidote, carbonate and chlorite. The mineralisation was further upgraded by intense weathering altering the titanite to anatase by removal of the Ca and Si. The mineralisation is completely stratabound and the best mineralisation is found within the weathered cap whereby the sandstones, siltstone and conglomerates have been altered to saprolite, predominantly quartz and kaolin and the titanite (CaTiSiO 5 ) has altered to anatase (TiO 2 ). The weathered bedrock consists of altered rock, but weathering is less intense, quartz and kaolin are predominant but as the weathering profile turns to fresher material there is an increase in chlorite, epidote, mica, hematite and carbonate. The anatase becomes less and the titanite increases. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length. If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Hole_ID Easting Northing RL Total Depth Dip Azimuth Interval DD23COS001 370715 6738050 320 400.4 -61.94 236.02 173.2m @ 5.76% TiO 2 from 18.6m DD23TOM001 373435 6726485 280 408.5 -60.57 268.41 297.1m @ 6.10% TiO 2 from 111.4m DD24COS002 369845 6738623 303 201.9 -60.12 270.9 201.8m @ 6.32% TiO 2 from 0.0m DD24COS003 369670 6739127 296 201.8 -60.14 270.46 201.8m @ 6.14% TiO 2 from 0.0m DD24TOM002 374175 6727216 299 201.8 -60.21 269.55 201.8m @ 4.95% TiO 2 from 0.0m DD24TOM003 373307 6726036 281 201.8 -60.96 270.55 181.9m @ 6.83% TiO 2 from 19.9m RC23COS002 373243 6737708 303 96 -61.48 271.49 90m @ 4.00% TiO 2 from 6.0m RC23COS003 373811 6737631 301 70 -60 270 60m @ 4.00% TiO 2 from 10.0m RC23COS004 369441 6738618 299 154 -59.52 268.86 154m @ 5.50% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23COS005 369728 6738815 289 154 -60 270 148m @ 6.18% TiO 2 from 6.0m RC23COS006 370118 6738850 298 154 -60 270 154m @ 5.18% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23COS007 370383 6738869 301 154 -59.73 268.18 154m @ 5.79% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23COS008 371179 6737957 332 154 -60.74 269.5 154.0m @ 2.77% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23COS009 369647 6737881 322 154 -59.59 271.01 154.0m @ 5.01% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23COS010 369799 6737456 320 154 -60 270 154.0m @ 4.98% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23COS011 370389 6738005 333 154 -60 270 154.0m @ 4.53% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23COS012 372065 6738992 326 154 -60 270 126.0m @ 2.42% TiO 2 from 28.0m RC23COS013 371359 6741021 315 148 -60.38 273.64 148.0m @ 2.38% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23COS014 372200 6741309 314 148 -60.36 273.34 146.0m @ 3.23% TiO 2 from 2.0m RC23KAD004 372207 6728859 311 148 -60.63 270.47 148.0m @ 4.06% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23KAD005 371765 6728857 323 148 -62.04 268.05 148.0m @ 4.62% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23KAD006 371390 6728854 318 148 -60 270 134.0m @ 3.34% TiO 2 from 14.0m RC23TOM001 373440 6726500 280 148 -61.32 270.328 138.0m @ 4.67% TiO 2 from 10.0m RC23TOM002 373214 6726484 278 180 -55 270 168.0m @ 6.91% TiO 2 from 12.0m RC23TOM003 373070 6726937 293 180 -55 270 180.0m @ 6.14% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23TOM004 373836 6726664 281 154 -60 270 154.0m @ 5.38% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23TOM005 374171 6727169 288 154 -60 270 154.0m @ 5.13% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23TOM006 374700 6726657 276 154 -60 270 154.0m @ 3.83% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23TOM007 374310 6726651 276 154 -60 270 154.0m @ 4.99% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23TOM008 374675 6727103 274 154 -60 270 154.0m @ 3.83% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23TOM009 374944 6725415 266 142 -60 270 142.0m @ 2.84% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC23TOM010 374715 6725386 271 148 -60 270 148.0m @ 3.84% TiO2 from 0.0m RC23TOM011 373691 6725855 272 144 -61.26 274.81 138.0m @ 4.41% TiO 2 from 6.0m RC24COS015 369852 6740326 340 148 -72.08 272.89 132.0m @ 5.68% TiO 2 from 16.0m RC24COS016 370095 6739746 333 148 -71.32 270.64 136.0m @ 6.08% TiO 2 from 12.0m RC24COS017 369812 6739643 322 148 -69.03 269.01 148.0m @ 5.55% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS018 369445 6739556 317 148 -69.69 273.41 148.0m @ 6.30% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS019 369895 6738264 316 148 -69.35 269.51 148.0m @ 6.49% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS020 370258 6738318 312 148 -70.26 270.78 148.0m @ 5.16% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS021 370629 6738361 285 148 -71 271.42 148.0m @ 5.81% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS022 370507 6737510 331 148 -70.92 272.52 148.0m @ 4.08% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS023 371037 6737505 339 148 -70.73 272.04 148.0m @ 4.94% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS024 370347 6736595 324 148 -70.18 268.86 148.0m @ 4.77% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS025 371401 6736574 312 148 -70.31 273.11 148.0m @ 4.92% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS026 370776 6735770 328 150 -70.33 268.54 150.0m @ 3.88% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS027 371546 6735757 309 150 -70.87 269.49 150.0m @ 6.02% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS028 371923 6735766 315 154 -70.63 269.22 154.0m @ 2.44% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS029 373222 6733611 284 154 -70.13 271.5 154.0m @ 3.83% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS030 372291 6733611 306 154 -70.08 273.81 154.0m @ 6.05% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS031 371255 6734645 348 154 -71.37 272.12 154.0m @ 3.11% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS032 371875 6734617 318 154 -71.13 269.95 154.0m @ 6.31% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS033 373358 6735814 300 154 -70.27 268.97 154.0m @ 3.28% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24COS034 372780 6734632 320 154 -69.31 270.47 154.0m @ 4.43% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM012 375491 6720393 300 154 -70.31 271.6 154.0m @ 3.12% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM013 374903 6720384 291 154 -70.68 268.91 154.0m @ 4.51% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM014 375019 6721403 277 154 -71.88 272.04 142.0m @ 4.01% TiO 2 from 12.0m RC24TOM015 374195 6722453 288 154 -71.69 270.58 154.0m @ 5.30% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM016 374818 6722464 292 154 -71.49 270.64 154.0m @ 4.78% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM017 374538 6723753 277 154 -70.07 270.68 134.0m @ 4.76% TiO 2 from 20.0m RC24TOM018 374090 6723708 286 154 -70.67 268.43 154.0m @ 5.13% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM019 374239 6724317 296 154 -70.81 268.42 154.0m @ 5.29% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM020 373649 6723472 285 154 -67.81 266.94 154.0m @ 4.89% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM021 373699 6724326 308 154 -70.22 270.47 154.0m @ 6.44% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM022 373329 6724796 308 154 -70.8 270.9 154.0m @ 6.76% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM023 373639 6724978 301 154 -70.05 272.26 154.0m @ 5.83% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM024 373512 6725562 289 154 -69.57 268.64 154.0m @ 5.82% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM025 374129 6725497 289 154 -79.91 271.8 154.0m @ 5.96% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM026 374179 6725039 292 154 -70.4 278.7 154.0m @ 5.39% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM027 373785 6727186 293 154 -70.32 269.71 154.0m @ 5.91% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM028 373851 6726206 269 154 -71.54 271.42 154.0m @ 5.77% TiO 2 from 0.0m RC24TOM029 373063 6727257 315 154 -69.9 272.66 152.0m @ 5.61% TiO 2 from 2.0m RC24TOM030 372871 6727570 314 154 -69.99 88.11 154.0m @ 5.12% TiO 2 from 0.0m DD24COS004 369997 6737088 328 78.7 -60.66 240.71 78.7m @ 5.55% TiO 2 from 0.0m DD24COS005 370830 6738034 329 48.7 -59.47 242.64 48.7m @ 5.99% TiO 2 from 0.0m DD24COS006 369820 6738289.1 306 48.4 -59.96 240.95 48.4m @ 6.14% TiO 2 from 0.0m DD24COS007 369939 6739725 306 62.7 -60.18 236.89 Whole core to met test DD24COS008 369602 6739755 302 72.7 -61.5 231.12 Whole core to met test DD24TOM004 373566 6724538 309 75.4 -60.73 236.19 Whole core to met test DD24TOM005 373469 6724805 314 81.4 -60.34 237.66 Whole core to met test DD24TOM006 373947 6724741 303 72.6 -60.05 240.02 72.6m @ 5.48% TiO 2 from 0.0m DD24TOM007 374150 6724504 302 65.8 -60.89 243.54 54.3m @ 5.66% TiO 2 from 0.0m DD24TOM008 373245 6726696 289 72.6 -60.79 240.96 72.6m @ 5.70% TiO 2 from 0.0m AC25COS001 369985 6737084.2 323 68 -60 240 60m @ 6.30% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS002 369796 6737462 317 48 -60 270 48m @ 6.02% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS003 369631 6737453.2 310 36 -90 0 32m @ 4.83% TiO 2 from 4m AC25COS004 369912 6737556 319 44 -90 0 24m @ 5.41% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS005 370062 6737577.1 322 40 -90 0 34m @ 6.12% TiO 2 from 6m AC25COS006 370139 6737530.4 322 51 -90 0 50m @ 6.25% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS007 370043 6737496.2 324 48 -90 0 32m @ 6.35% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS008 369945 6737463.6 323 46 -90 0 40m @ 4.11% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS009 369863 6737419.3 320 48 -90 0 48m @ 5.04% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS010 369760 6737393.5 319 45 -90 0 38m @ 4.20% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS011 369664 6737353.2 316 44 -90 0 44m @ 3.76% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS012 369703 6737267.2 320 40 -90 0 34m @ 4.15% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS013 369792 6737303.5 323 53 -90 0 53m @ 3.48% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS014 369889 6737333.9 325 50 -90 0 50m @ 5.00% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS015 369983 6737369.4 326 52 -90 0 52m @ 5.23% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS016 370076 6737403.3 324 50 -90 0 50m @ 6.54% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS017 370169 6737435.8 325 52 -90 0 52m @ 6.40% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS018 370201 6737338.5 327 56 -90 0 56m @ 5.08% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS019 370104 6737305.4 326 56 -90 0 56m @ 5.67% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS020 370012 6737272.2 328 50 -90 0 50m @ 4.23% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS021 369917 6737239.9 323 55 -90 0 55m @ 5.77% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS022 369823 6737211.2 321 48 -90 0 48m @ 3.99% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS023 369730 6737176.5 318 46 -90 0 36m @ 4.49% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS024 369726 6737110.2 314 40 -90 0 40m @ 3.87% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS025 369860 6737113.3 317 42 -90 0 42m @ 4.33% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS026 369953 6737145.9 323 58 -90 0 58m @ 6.22% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS027 370045 6737183.4 326 54 -90 0 54m @ 4.81% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS028 370144 6737214.4 327 56 -90 0 56m @ 6.55% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS029 370238 6737247 327 56 -90 0 56m @ 6.51% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS030 370270 6737155.1 326 60 -90 0 60m @ 5.61% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS031 370175 6737121 325 52 -90 0 52m @ 6.55% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS032 370079 6737086.5 324 56 -90 0 56m @ 4.68% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS033 369987 6737054 322 58 -90 0 58m @ 5.02% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS034 369891 6737020.3 317 51 -90 0 51m @ 3.94% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS035 369933 6736919.6 318 46 -90 0 46m @ 3.73% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS036 370019 6736958.6 320 46 -90 0 46m @ 6.81% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS037 370114 6736993.2 323 54 -90 0 54m @ 5.23% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS038 370207 6737024.8 324 52 -90 0 52m @ 6.74% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS039 370282 6737058 325 48 -90 0 50m @ 6.24% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS040 370053 6736867.7 321 48 -90 0 48m @ 5.03% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS041 370148 6736895.9 323 52 -90 0 52m @ 5.43% TiO 2 from 0m AC25COS042 370242 6736931.5 325 56 -90 0 56m @ 7.15% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM001 373330 6724794.2 305 59 -70 270 59m @ 6.17% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM002 373699 6724327 298 66 -70 270 62m @ 6.39% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM003 373743 6724164.6 295 56 -90 0 56m @ 6.16% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM004 373716 6724260.4 297 52 -90 0 48m @ 5.90% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM005 373679 6724350.4 299 58 -90 0 54m @ 5.80% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM006 373650 6724136.4 295 60 -90 0 59m @ 6.36% TiO 2 from 1m AC25TOM007 373620 6724230.4 297 58 -90 0 58m @ 5.88% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM008 373592 6724327.3 299 62 -90 0 60m @ 6.20% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM009 373563 6724420.9 300 54 -90 0 52m @ 5.92% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM010 373551 6724106.3 296 45 -90 0 43m @ 6.59% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM011 373543 6724199.5 297 54 -90 0 52m @ 6.44% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM012 373329 6724786.9 305 56 -70 270 56m @ 5.73% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM013 373188 6724966.9 303 60 -90 0 58m @ 5.51% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM014 373226 6724838.7 305 58 -90 0 56m @ 6.16% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM015 373428 6724168.4 299 52 -90 0 52m @ 5.79% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM016 373398 6724267.2 300 52 -90 0 50m @ 6.34% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM017 373369 6724362.9 302 50 -90 0 48m @ 6.30% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM018 373338 6724458.6 302 52 -90 0 50m @ 6.66% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM019 373307 6724549 303 52 -90 0 48m @ 6.11% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM020 373281 6724648.7 306 48 -90 0 48m @ 5.74% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM021 373250 6724746.7 305 49 -90 0 49m @ 7.49% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM022 373484 6724295.9 299 54 -90 0 54m @ 6.50% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM023 373457 6724393.4 301 50 -90 0 46m @ 5.66% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM024 373432 6724487.3 302 56 -90 0 54m @ 5.70% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM025 373406 6724582.6 304 52 -90 0 50m @ 6.08% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM026 373381 6724679.7 306 50 -90 0 50m @ 6.11% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM027 373351 6724773.2 305 51 -90 0 49m @ 6.06% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM028 373324 6724868.3 303 60 -90 0 60m @ 6.09% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM029 373289 6724981.4 302 56 -90 0 54m @ 5.24% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM030 373472 6724708.7 307 48 -90 0 48m @ 6.02% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM031 373446 6724803 305 54 -90 0 54m @ 6.70% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM032 373413 6724899.1 302 60 -90 0 58m @ 5.74% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM033 373394 6724986 301 57 -90 0 55m @ 6.29% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM034 373262 6725066.1 300 47 -90 0 47m @ 4.41% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM035 373161 6725044.8 302 50 -90 0 48m @ 5.29% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM036 373359 6725089.9 299 54 -90 0 52m @ 7.21% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM037 373479 6725024.5 299 52 -90 0 50m @ 6.72% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM038 373532 6724521.5 303 50 -90 0 50m @ 6.69% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM039 373506 6724612.9 305 51 -90 0 51m @ 7.55% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM040 373599 6724639.4 305 57 -90 0 57m @ 7.48% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM041 373572 6724737.1 306 54 -90 0 54m @ 7.19% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM042 373547 6724823.5 305 52 -90 0 52m @ 7.43% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM043 373554 6724948.1 301 58 -90 0 58m @ 6.08% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM044 374399 6727318.7 280 48 -90 0 48m @ 3.96% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM045 374200 6727299.9 284 48 -90 0 48m @ 4.69% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM046 374000 6727298.6 286 52 -90 0 48m @ 4.95% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM047 373801 6727298.6 293 47 -90 0 47m @ 5.72% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM048 373600 6727298.7 298 51 -90 0 47m @ 5.91% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM049 373399 6727331.6 302 42 -90 0 38m @ 2.72% TiO2 from 4m AC25TOM050 373200 6727298.5 304 52 -90 0 46m @ 4.03% TiO 2 from 6m AC25TOM051 373039 6727298.6 304 48 -90 0 48m @ 5.23% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM052 372984 6726900.1 295 42 -90 0 42m @ 6.67% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM053 373228 6726902.1 290 45 -90 0 45m @ 3.91% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM054 373401 6726901.6 291 43 -90 0 43m @ 3.82% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM055 372601 6724901.3 317 52 -90 0 52m @ 3.19% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM056 372801 6724901.6 311 54 -90 0 52m @ 4.08% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM057 373000 6724912.6 307 62 -90 0 60m @ 6.22% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM058 373201 6724502.2 304 54 -90 0 46m @ 4.49% TiO 2 from 8m AC25TOM059 372999 6724498.4 308 54 -90 0 50m @ 4.49% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM060 372800 6724498.6 313 30 -90 0 30m @ 4.49% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM061 372601 6724500.3 323 35 -90 0 35m @ 0.93% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM062 373600 6724901.1 302 54 -90 0 54m @ 6.00% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM063 373802 6724905.6 299 52 -90 0 52m @ 5.59% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM064 374000 6724898.3 295 44 -90 0 40m @ 5.59% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM065 374156 6724902.7 293 38 -90 0 38m @ 5.59% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM066 373999 6724498.8 295 61 -90 0 61m @ 6.47% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM067 373301 6724156.7 302 50 -90 0 50m @ 5.15% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM068 372701 6724101 308 29 -90 0 28m @ 1.08% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM069 372901 6724101.4 305 29 -90 0 29m @ 0.81% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM070 372790 6723699.3 292 18 -90 0 18m @ 1.12% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM071 373000 6723701.3 290 57 -90 0 57m @ 1.91% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM072 373199 6723701.2 287 57 -90 0 47m @ 4.53% TiO 2 from 10m AC25TOM073 373398 6723700.3 287 53 -90 0 45m @ 4.53% TiO 2 from 8m AC25TOM074 373601 6723701.7 291 51 -90 0 51m @ 5.05% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM075 373801 6723701.6 286 48 -90 0 48m @ 5.82% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM076 373984 6723701.5 279 60 -90 0 60m @ 5.26% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM077 374200 6723701.7 273 60 -90 0 54m @ 5.84% TiO 2 from 6m AC25TOM078 374298 6724100.1 282 48 -90 0 44m @ 5.18% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM079 374189 6724094.3 283 51 -90 0 51m @ 5.13% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM080 373859 6724096 292 57 -90 0 53m @ 6.49% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM081 373700 6724097.8 294 60 -90 0 58m @ 6.55% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM082 374401 6723735 270 50 -90 0 40m @ 4.11% TiO 2 from 10m AC25TOM083 374599 6723720.5 269 50 -90 0 50m @ 3.64% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM084 374804 6723730.4 268 50 -90 0 44m @ 4.31% TiO 2 from 6m AC25TOM085 374701 6724098.6 277 47 -90 0 43m @ 4.31% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM086 374500 6724098.2 278 60 -90 0 54m @ 5.52% TiO 2 from 6m AC25TOM087 374599 6724498.3 285 44 -90 0 34m @ 4.86% TiO 2 from 10m AC25TOM088 374433 6724855.9 289 43 -90 0 27m @ 4.12% TiO 2 from 16m AC25TOM089 374600 6724901.3 286 38 -90 0 22m @ 4.25% TiO 2 from 16m AC25TOM090 374399 6724499.7 286 42 -90 0 42m @ 5.42% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM091 374901 6722898.7 271 60 -90 0 58m @ 3.90% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM092 374802 6722500.5 283 69 -90 0 69m @ 4.47% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM093 375000 6722501.7 277 48 -90 0 48m @ 3.65% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM094 374801 6722149.8 287 42 -90 0 42m @ 4.49% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM095 375001 6722098.7 287 46 -90 0 46m @ 4.06% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM096 374500 6722898.5 277 54 -90 0 54m @ 4.70% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM097 374299 6722898.5 272 55 -90 0 51m @ 4.80% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM098 374131 6722843.6 272 45 -90 0 41m @ 4.27% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM099 374402 6722500 286 58 -90 0 58m @ 5.08% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM100 374600 6722501.8 287 68 -90 0 68m @ 4.57% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM101 374201 6722498.8 282 48 -90 0 48m @ 4.54% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM102 374402 6722100.5 295 66 -90 0 66m @ 4.47% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM103 374565 6722100.8 296 64 -90 0 64m @ 4.68% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM104 374200 6722098.1 293 54 -90 0 54m @ 5.39% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM105 374000 6722098.3 291 62 -90 0 58m @ 5.39% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM106 373799 6722098.5 291 62 -90 0 60m @ 3.45% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM107 373600 6722098.1 293 63 -90 0 63m @ 2.25% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM108 373411 6722503.3 281 35 -90 0 35m @ 1.17% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM109 373600 6722501.5 281 50 -90 0 46m @ 3.30% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM110 373799 6722503.3 283 57 -90 0 55m @ 3.13% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM111 374000 6722504 282 58 -90 0 58m @ 4.85% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM112 373199 6722098.7 291 29 -90 0 29m @ 0.53% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM113 373000 6722102.3 291 54 -90 0 54m @ 3.02% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM114 373001 6722498.8 284 29 -90 0 29m @ 2.90% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM115 373448 6722901.4 280 42 -90 0 42m @ 3.72% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM116 373299 6722896.8 286 52 -90 0 52m @ 2.09% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM117 373099 6722898.1 293 18 -90 0 18m @ 1.21% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM118 373199 6725301.5 298 54 -90 0 54m @ 7.41% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM119 373300 6725701.9 283 51 -90 0 45m @ 5.68% TiO 2 from 6m AC25TOM120 373502 6725699.1 280 48 -90 0 44m @ 5.40% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM121 373701 6725701.9 276 37 -90 0 33m @ 4.71% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM122 373901 6725701.7 274 42 -90 0 38m @ 5.39% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM123 374101 6725701.9 271 48 -90 0 44m @ 6.01% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM124 374301 6725701.7 269 48 -90 0 44m @ 5.44% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM125 374502 6725700.8 267 47 -90 0 43m @ 2.97% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM126 374425 6725299.4 279 33 -90 0 33m @ 4.93% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM127 374201 6725298.1 282 38 -90 0 38m @ 5.66% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM128 373990 6725298.1 291 44 -90 0 44m @ 5.78% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM129 373801 6725298.4 285 58 -90 0 56m @ 6.23% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM130 373099 6725698.7 287 54 -90 0 50m @ 7.84% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM131 372499 6726099.8 290 36 -90 0 34m @ 2.76% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM132 372700 6726117.7 286 48 -90 0 44m @ 5.19% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM133 372898 6726156.1 281 45 -90 0 37m @ 6.03% TiO 2 from 8m AC25TOM134 372504 6726409.7 279 33 -90 0 23m @ 6.03% TiO 2 from 10m AC25TOM135 373600 6726922.4 288 50 -90 0 50m @ 5.49% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM136 373097 6726498.9 277 45 -90 0 41m @ 6.92% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM137 373295 6726503.5 278 49 -90 0 47m @ 4.54% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM138 373501 6726501.3 277 44 -90 0 44m @ 4.42% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM139 373700 6726501.2 278 46 -90 0 46m @ 5.45% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM140 373870 6726175.7 266 51 -90 0 51m @ 5.34% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM141 373695 6726171.6 268 49 -90 0 41m @ 5.86% TiO 2 from 8m AC25TOM142 373898 6726503.2 277 47 -90 0 47m @ 6.11% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM143 374100 6726501.6 277 40 -90 0 40m @ 4.94% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM144 374299 6726563.5 275 36 -90 0 36m @ 4.19% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM145 374502 6726500.7 269 33 -90 0 33m @ 4.46% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM146 374700 6726499.7 267 30 -90 0 30m @ 3.51% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM147 374169 6726898.9 280 32 -90 0 32m @ 4.69% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM148 373974 6726886.8 288 38 -90 0 38m @ 5.60% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM149 373800 6726898.6 287 30 -90 0 30m @ 6.17% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM150 374296 6726183.4 266 38 -90 0 36m @ 4.44% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM151 374536 6726191.8 266 42 -90 0 42m @ 4.71% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM152 374700 6726202.2 263 34 -90 0 28m @ 3.39% TiO 2 from 6m AC25TOM153 374901 6726203.6 264 54 -90 0 48m @ 3.33% TiO 2 from 6m AC25TOM154 374621 6727318.1 271 54 -90 0 54m @ 3.51% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM155 374797 6727319.9 266 48 -90 0 46m @ 3.28% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM156 373103 6726170.2 277 48 -90 0 22m @ 3.40% TiO 2 from 14m AC25TOM157 373297 6726171.5 273 36 -90 0 38m @ 3.96% TiO 2 from 8m AC25TOM158 373501 6726169.7 270 46 -90 0 34m @ 4.17% TiO 2 from 12m AC25TOM159 372799 6726902.2 290 44 -90 0 44m @ 7.87% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM160 372600 6726898.5 287 36 -90 0 36m @ 4.33% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM161 372399 6726898.5 289 44 -90 0 44m @ 4.80% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM162 372188 6726897.3 289 19 -90 0 15m @ 4.04% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM163 371997 6726895.4 290 20 -90 0 20m @ 1.45% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM164 372799 6727298.9 298 36 -90 0 36m @ 6.50% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM165 372562 6727300.7 300 37 -90 0 35m @ 3.95% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM166 372398 6727298.2 302 46 -90 0 46m @ 4.24% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM167 372197 6727315.7 302 37 -90 0 33m @ 5.39% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM168 371997 6727316.8 304 21 -90 0 15m @ 4.71% TiO 2 from 6m AC25TOM169 372898 6726498.6 276 41 -90 0 33m @ 7.28% TiO 2 from 8m AC25TOM170 372698 6726498.5 278 32 -90 0 28m @ 3.76% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM171 372300 6726098.1 296 32 -90 0 10m @ 4.91% TiO 2 from 16m AC25TOM172 372296 6726497.3 281 15 -90 0 15m @ 0.72% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM173 375000 6724899.8 280 44 -90 0 42m @ 2.63% TiO 2 from 2m AC25TOM174 374803 6724896.5 282 41 -90 0 35m @ 2.87% TiO 2 from 6m AC25TOM175 374999 6725297.8 267 47 -90 0 43m @ 3.08% TiO2 from 4m AC25TOM176 374771 6725296.4 273 44 -90 0 44m @ 3.23% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM177 374698 6725700.5 263 41 -90 0 37m @ 3.73% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM178 374897 6725694 262 45 -90 0 45m @ 2.79% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM179 374801 6724503.6 283 34 -90 0 34m @ 3.56% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM180 374999 6724502 283 36 -90 0 33m @ 3.02% TiO 2 from 4m AC25TOM181 375066 6724184.5 282 44 -90 0 44m @ 3.14% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM182 374902 6724154.6 280 27 -90 0 28m @ 4.07% TiO 2 from 0m AC25TOM183 373790 6724606 304 57 -90 0 57m @ 6.04% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM031 374129 6726684.7 280 100 -70.5 229.9 100m @ 5.44% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM032 374112 6724694.7 296 100 -70.4 229.3 100m @ 5.07% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM033 373592 6724700.8 306 100 -69.9 228.9 100m @ 6.51% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM034 373045 6724697.3 306 100 -70.7 230.3 98m @ 4.52% TiO 2 from 2m RC25TOM035 372715 6724701.7 315 100 -70.3 225.8 100m @ 0.98% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM036 373144 6724300.7 306 100 -70.9 233.6 96m @ 4.12% TiO 2 from 4m RC25TOM037 372714 6724299.8 315 100 -71.2 229.1 94m @ 1.05% TiO 2 from 6m RC25TOM038 372813 6723899.2 299 100 -71.1 235.2 100m @ 1.31% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM039 373109 6723901.5 294 100 -70.3 230.4 48m @ 2.37% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM041 372949 6723501.2 286 100 -70.6 232.8 94m @ 0.74% TiO 2 from 6m RC25TOM042 373299 6723501.1 280 100 -70.5 235.4 92m @ 2.59% TiO 2 from 8m RC25TOM043 374094 6723532.2 270 100 -70.4 230.8 94m @ 4.56% TiO 2 from 6m RC25TOM044 373827 6723950.2 289 100 -70.5 237.5 98m @ 5.51% TiO 2 from 2m RC25TOM045 374417 6723934.9 275 100 -70.8 228.6 94m @ 4.48% TiO 2 from 6m RC25TOM046 374848 6722701.3 276 100 -70.4 230.8 100m @ 4.13% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM047 374189 6722701 277 100 -71 230.2 98m @ 4.66% TiO 2 from 2m RC25TOM048 374494 6722309 291 100 -70.3 232.2 100m @ 5.13% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM049 374102 6722297.6 286 100 -70.7 228.6 100m @ 4.64% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM050 373705 6722302 289 100 -71.1 230 100m @ 2.79% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM051 373210 6722302.4 285 34 -70.6 227.4 34m @ 0.62% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM052 373301 6722710.4 280 34 -70.6 232.7 34m @ 0.75% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM053 374576 6724700.9 287 100 -71.3 229.1 82m @ 4.09% TiO 2 from 18m RC25TOM054 374190 6726329.1 278 100 -70.5 231.4 100m @ 5.85% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM055 373624 6726300.9 270 100 -70.5 229.1 100m @ 4.72% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM056 373415 6727102.6 294 100 -71 234.8 100m @ 3.34% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM057 373193 6726300.8 275 100 -71.3 231.9 86m @ 6.10% TiO 2 from 14m RC25TOM058 372777 6726301 279 100 -70.9 237.6 90m @ 4.09% TiO 2 from 10m RC25TOM059 372672 6726703.8 282 38 -71.5 229.9 36m @ 3.93% TiO 2 from 2m RC25TOM060 372693 6727101.2 292 70 -70.8 231.4 70m @ 4.60% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM061 372775 6725511.4 297 100 -71.3 214.4 96m @ 3.51% TiO 2 from 4m RC25TOM062 373070 6725900.4 282 100 -71.1 223.1 98m @ 7.05% TiO 2 from 2m RC25TOM063 373483 6724551.4 304 100 -70 230 100m @ 6.87% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM064 373840 6725503.8 280 100 -70 230 100m @ 5.44% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM065 373987 6725899.2 268 100 -71.5 233.9 100m @ 5.22% TiO 2 from 4m RC25TOM066 374476 6725895.3 262 100 -69.9 230.5 94m @ 4.69% TiO 2 from 6m RC25TOM067 374402 6725503.6 274 100 -71.3 235.8 100m @ 5.36% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM068 373313 6725106.7 299 100 -70.2 226.9 98m @ 7.05% TiO 2 from 2m RC25TOM069 372755 6725101 310 100 -71.1 224.6 100m @ 1.04% TiO 2 from 0m RC25TOM070 373403 6725899.1 275 100 -69.9 223.7 92m @ 4.97% TiO 2 from 8m RC25TOM071 373176 6725500.5 294 100 -70.4 227.3 100m @ 6.95% TiO 2 from 0m Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Sample compositing has been applied to reported exploration results of diamond drillholes as the sample length of individual samples varies and therefore a weighted average has been used to provide the TiO 2 intercepts for those holes. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known'). The drilling at Pitfield has intersected TiO 2 mineralisation in nearly every hole and in those holes nearly every hole has finished in mineralisation. Recent drilling in the southwestern corner of the project has drilled into holes that have very low grade mineralisation (<1.5% TiO 2 ). The nature of the sediments is different with these holes being drilled into coarse grained immature sandstones. The results suggest that this is the western edge of the mineralisation, however further drilling to the west of these holes will need to confirm this. The true width and strike thickness of the mineralisation cannot be reported as the eastern, southern and northern extents of the mineralisation are currently unknow after more than 380 drill holes. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. Please refer to figures within the text and previous Empire Metals AIM announcements. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. The Company believes that the AIM announcement is a balanced report with all material results reported. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Everything meaningful and material is disclosed in the body of the report. Geological observations have been factored into the report and can also be found in previous Empire Metals Ltd AIM announcements. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Drilling in the next 12 months will consist of several AC, RC and diamond programs. There is infill drilling planned at the Thomas prospect that will be designed to take the inferred resources to indicated and indicated to measured where appropriate. Diamond drilling is planned to aid in the geotechnical understanding of the mineralisation as well as generate samples for metallurgical test work. An exploration drill program will take place to identify the eastern and western limits of the mineralisation to determine the extent of this giant deposit. This drilling will also aid studies into mine planning and infrastructure location. A mineral resource drill program with AC and RC will be undertaken at the Cosgrove Project with the aim of delivering a mineral resource estimate that will include both inferred and indicated resources. Section 3 Estimation and Reporting of Mineral Resources (Criteria listed in section 1, and where relevant in section 2, also apply to this section.) Database integrity Measures taken to ensure that data has not been corrupted by, for example, transcription or keying errors, between its initial collection and its use for Mineral Resource estimation purposes. Data validation procedures used. Data is verified by Empire geologists before being placed in the Empire database. All data is stored and verified in an Access database. Geological data is captured in Excel logging templates using referential validation. Once checked data is uploaded to MaxGeo Datashed software, managed by an external database consultant. CSV tables for geological data are exported for use in geological modelling software. De-surveying (the process of creating a three-dimensional drillhole trace) is conducted in either Leapfrog Geo or Datamine RM Pro. Inbuilt validation checks in both software packages are used to verify the data. Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd (Empire) assume responsibility for the validity and accuracy of the data that supports the estimation of Mineral Resources at both Cosgrove and Thomas deposits (Pitfield Project). Site visits Comment on any site visits undertaken by the Competent Person and the outcome of those visits. If no site visits have been undertaken indicate why this is the case. The competent persons are employees of Empire Metals and have spent time at site. SnowdenOptiro, geological consultants who have put the MRE model together have been to site to see site activities including AC drilling and sampling and looking at diamond drill core. A site visit was conducted by Snowden Optiro, who is acting as a technical consultant to Empire. Snowden Optiro have reviewed drilling and sampling procedures and provided guidance through drill spacing analysis. Snowden Optiro are independent of Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd and have no interest in the Project, other than providing technical support through written contractual agreements. An independent data QA/QC process was undertaken by SnowdenOptiro geological consultants. Geological interpretation Confidence in (or conversely, the uncertainty of ) the geological interpretation of the mineral deposit. Nature of the data used and of any assumptions made. The effect, if any, of alternative interpretations on Mineral Resource estimation. The use of geology in guiding and controlling Mineral Resource estimation. The factors affecting continuity both of grade and geology. Interpretation of mineralisation geometry is based on geological interpretation of the logging of AC, RC and diamond samples and assay results. Geological interpretation of the underlying sediments and their current orientation has had a control on the mineralisation. The intense weathering of these sediments and the subsequent alteration of the existing mineralisation upgrading the titanite to anatase has also had a significant impact on the modelling of the deposit. The deposit is extremely large and very homogeneous in the medium to large scale and therefore the grade and continuity of grade is not affected to any degree. Geological and material type models have been constructed across both deposits at the Pitfield Project, which has used the extensive geochemical and lithological data available. Diamond drilling has helped in understanding style of mineralisation at Pitfield and the extent of the weathering overprint (texture and nature of contacts). This work is further supported by multiple technical studies including metallurgy, mineralogy, and petrography. The underlying geological model should be considered a fair representation of the lithological units at the Pitfield Project. The model is supported by orientated diamond drilling and inclined reverse circulation drilling that has been drilled perpendicular to the stratigraphic sequence. The objective of shallower air core drilling was primarily focused on understanding the depth and lateral extent of weathered cap. The geological model has been simplified to represent the distribution of the conglomerate horizons, with all other units where not cover or laterite determined to be the remaining Yandanooka silt/sandstone package. The orientation and thickness of the conglomerate can be traced across multiple drill sections. An observation is that the conglomerate interbeds appear to demonstrate a lower grade of titanium mineralisation, than that of the sands/siltstones. The material model details the distribution of cover (sands/soil/organics), laterite, saprolite (both upper and lower), weathered sandstone/conglomerates (transitional and saprock) and fresh rock. Secondary weathering processes are interpreted to have acted both vertically and laterally, as such the search and continuity modelling honour this observation. It is plausible that the mineralisation event could be inclined to the east to follow the stratigraphic bedding which strikes northwest-southeast at approximately 340 and dipping 40-65 towards the northeast. However, secondary weathering events are assessed as a higher priority. Mineralisation is ubiquitous throughout the sandstone package, with a lower modelling cut-off approximately 2% TiO 2 demarking a northwest corridor on the western side of the deposits The eastern contact is not fully resolved by drilling and appears more gradational. Both deposits have undergone extensive haematite-carbonate-epidote-chlorite alteration and an associated titanium mineralisation event. Secondary weathering is pervasive with both lateritic and kaolinsation processes, leading to an extensive 'weathered cap' extending to an average of 30-50 m below surface. Weathering has resulted in a chemical alteration of the primary titanite to anatase,. Associated gauge minerals are hematite, quartz, carbonate, and albite (sodium feldspar). Both deposits share similar characteristics, albeit the weathering profile is deeper at Thomas than that at Cosgrove. As with all deposits further drilling will improve the geological understanding of the mineralisation/weathering processes. The Competent Person has reflected this in the resource classification applied. Dimensions The extent and variability of the Mineral Resource expressed as length (along strike or otherwise), plan width, and depth below surface to the upper and lower limits of the Mineral Resource. The mineral resource estimate at the Thomas prospect is a subset of the much larger TiO 2 mineralisation found at Pitfield. Currently the mineralisation at Pitfield has been identified in drilling over a strike length of 35km and a width of 5km. The Cosgrove deposit is modelled to cover an area 7.5 km(N) and 4.0 km(E) and to a depth of 400 m. The Thomas deposit is modelled to cover an area 8.0 km(N) by 5.0 km(E) and to a depth of 400 m. Estimation and modelling techniques The nature and appropriateness of the estimation technique(s) applied and key assumptions, including treatment of extreme grade values, domaining, interpolation parameters and maximum distance of extrapolation from data points. If a computer assisted estimation method was chosen include a description of computer software and parameters used. The availability of check estimates, previous estimates and/or mine production records and whether the Mineral Resource estimate takes appropriate account of such data. The assumptions made regarding recovery of by-products. Estimation of deleterious elements or other non-grade variables of economic significance (eg sulphur for acid mine drainage characterisation). In the case of block model interpolation, the block size in relation to the average sample spacing and the search employed. Any assumptions behind modelling of selective mining units. Any assumptions about correlation between variables. Description of how the geological interpretation was used to control the resource estimates. Discussion of basis for using or not using grade cutting or capping. The process of validation, the checking process used, the comparison of model data to drill hole data, and use of reconciliation data if available. The listed Mineral Resources are the first estimated for the Pitfield Project. Geological modelling was conducted using Leapfrog Geo software, with statistical and geostatistical evaluation completed using Datamine's Snowden Supervisor software and estimation and reporting finalised using Datamine Studio RM Pro. The estimation of Mineral Resources uses all available drill data (air core, reverse circulation, and diamond). Thomas comprises 259 holes, for 18,116 meters of drilling. Cosgrove totals 87 holes for 4,570 metres drilling. Twin drillhole studies were completed to evaluate and test for sampling bias between drilling methods, given the style of mineralisation no material bias was determined, and no factoring was applied between drill types. Drilling at the Thomas deposit varies from the close spaced drilling at 100 m by 100 m centres but generally honours a dice five configuration of air core drilled on a 400 m(N) by 200 m(E) grid, which is infilled with an offset grid of reverse circulation drilling using a 400 m(N) by 400 m(E) pattern. All Indicated Resources comprise a drill spacing between 100 m by 100 m (in the close spaced drilling area) and no more than 300 m between drillholes. Various drillhole spacing exercises were conducted prior to the Mineral Resource Estimate and subsequent 2025 drill campaign. The objective of these studies was to determine the appropriate drill spacing derived from conditional simulation studies. The results from these studies indicated that a drill spacing using an offset grid approximating a 200 m(E) and 400 m(N) grid would be sufficient given the low variability in the grade and homogenous nature of mineralisation, with the deposit sharing parallels with other bulk commodity deposits such as bauxite. Cosgrove comprises close spaced drilling, like at Thomas, however, lacks the systematic grid drilling which has not been conducted. The classification applied at Cosgrove represents this data configuration. All geochemical data are reported parts per million, which was converted to percentage All elements of interest were converted to their respective oxide minerals using established stoichiometric conversion ratios. Iron was assessed to be hematite (Fe 2 O 3 ). Exploratory data analysis was used to assess lower mineralisation cut-offs. Support from geological modelling indicated a lower threshold approximating 2% TiO 2 was reasonable threshold which marks a mineralised corridor, striking northwest-southwest on the western margin. The eastern margin appears more gradational in nature. Elemental distributions varied between weathering domains, and as such estimation domains were defined from a combination of weathering and mineralisation domains. Four estimation domains were defined for TiO 2 , Fe and Al. 500 - cover, 1000 - laterite, 2000 - combined saprolite, weathered and fresh, 3000 - fresh conglomerate. At Thomas these were further sub-divided to account for low grade (100) and higher-grade TiO 2 mineralisation. Six estimation domains were defined for Ca, Mg, Na and K. 500 - cover, 1000 - laterite, 2000 - saprolite, 3000 - weathered, 4000 - fresh and 5000 - fresh conglomerate. These were then further sub-divided on for low and high-grade mineralisation at Thomas. Cosgrove honoured the same estimation domains, however, did not require the sub- VANCOUVER, Oct. 14, 2025 - Mustang Energy Corp. (CSE: MEC, OTC:MECPF, FRA:92T) (the "Company" or "Mustang") is pleased to announce the commencement of its inaugural diamond-drilling program at the Surprise Creek Uranium-Copper Project ("Surprise Creek" or the "Project") located northwest of the Athabasca Basin near Uranium City, Saskatchewan. The helicopter-supported program will test priority targets identified along the Surprise Creek Fault Zone, an area hosting high-grade uranium surface samples and historic drill intercepts1,2. Mustang has engaged Base Diamond Drilling Ltd. to complete up to 2,000 metres of drilling focused on following up historical intercepts, improving structural understanding of the mineralized zones, and testing undrilled targets generated by recent geophysical surveys. Figure 1: Base Drilling's diamond drill rig on Mustang's Surprise Creek program Nick Luksha, CEO of Mustang Energy, commented: "Drilling has officially commenced, marking an exciting milestone for Mustang Energy. In just over a year, we've acquired more than 140,000 hectares, secured key permits, and established strong partnerships with respected industry leaders and First Nations communities. Having traded over 100 million shares and raised more than $8 million, Mustang is well-positioned for meaningful growth as we begin testing our high-priority targets." Figure 2: Surprise Creek Fault Surface Samples and Target Areas1, 2, 4, 5 About Surprise Creek Uranium-Copper Project The Surprise Creek Project lies 25 km northwest of the Beaverlodge Uranium District, home to the historic Gunnar and Eldorado (Ace-Fay-Verna) uranium mines. Surface sampling by Thunderbird Resources Ltd. ("Thunderbird") has returned assays of up to 7.98% U?O?,2 while historical copper prospects such as Bob Lake and Ellis Bay include past drilling highlights of 9.1 m @ 2.07% Cu and 27.3 g/t Ag from surface 3, and 6.6 m @ 1.31% Cu from 11 m.3 Rock-chip sampling by Thunderbird returned grades as high as 61.7% Cu.2 Mustang holds an option to acquire an 80% interest in the Project from Thunderbird pursuant to an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") dated June 3, 2025. Please refer to the Company's news release dated June 4, 2025 for more information regarding the Option Agreement. The program is fully permitted, with exploration approvals granted by the Saskatchewan Government. Figure 3: Surprise Creek Uranium-Copper Project Overview and Location 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 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. Qualifying Statement The scientific and technical information in this news 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 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 the Project 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. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/977a6139-70ec-4d69-8ee2-c0c8e31019c4 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/74be78f4-84bc-488d-842b-be021fc41609 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/485fd878-405d-4f0f-833d-5e99e56a04bc Mick Schumacher shines in Indycar test Mick Schumacher has made an impressive debut in Indycar testing at Indianapolis - in what many see as a symbolic farewell to his Formula 1 ambitions. Mick Schumacher, Spanish GP 2022 Haas The 26-year-old German, dropped by Haas after 2022 and unable to secure a comeback despite time as Mercedes' reserve, tested a Dallara-Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing on Monday. Schumacher immediately topped the morning session with a laptime close to race pace from the Indycar round held at the same road circuit in May. I've been interested in testing an Indycar for a while, Schumacher said. In recent years, I've met some of the Indycar drivers at Formula 1 events, and they all said how much fun it is. So far, I'm really enjoying it, and the people here are great. Unlike F1, Indycars have no power steering - a challenge Schumacher welcomed. Some have said the steering is very heavy, but honestly, it feels similar to Formula 2. Physically demanding, but that's exactly what you want, he said. Schumacher admitted, however, that the move reflects not only passion, but also the reality of his situation. Indycar comes the closest to what I can still race, he said. Obviously, my target the past couple of years has been to go back to Formula 1, but that option hasn't opened up. So at some point I want to race again in single-seaters, and therefore this option is a good one. He confirmed that no full-time deal has been decided, but that the test will help him figure out where I want to be in 2026. Rahal Letterman, which currently fields Graham Rahal and Louis Foster, is believed to be open to discussions. Schumacher said: "It's a decision that lies with both sides. We all have a couple of days and weeks to think about it and see what opportunities there are for the future. But so far, so good. Despite warnings from several European figures - including his own uncle Ralf Schumacher - about the dangers of oval racing, Mick said he would not rule it out. For sure, I'm interested to try it and see what it's all about, he said. If I were to commit to Indycar, I'd like to commit to it fully. Smiling as he reflected on driving at the same venue where his father Michael won five times with Ferrari, Schumacher added simply: "I'm happy to be here and happy to drive the car. It's fun. I want to enjoy racing and find where I feel most at home. (GMM) Apple increased the monthly price of its video streaming service three times in three years even so, the subscriber count has been growing faster than we suspected. The rumor was for 45 million subscribers. However, Apple Services SVP Eddy Cue appeared on Hollywood-focused podcast The Town and stated that the actual subscriber count is significantly more than that. However, Cue refused to give a specific number. Based on numbers from FlixPatrol, the rumored 45 million count would have put the newly renamed Apple TV service just above Peacocks 41 million. For what its worth, the estimated number on this chart is only 30 million, so the numbers could be well off the mark. Top video streaming services, data by FlixPatrol Growing a video subscription service isnt easy at the best of times, but Apple has it harder than most. Netflix had a big head start, while other streaming services are attached to big Hollywood studios with big libraries of existing content. Apple had to start from scratch. The global pandemic and the writers strike didnt help matters either. Heres what Cue had to say: Look, its a lot harder than it looks, he said of building a subscriber base with original shows and movies and without a legacy library of content, adding: I didnt forecast being out of production for a year and a half, I didnt forecast a nine-month strike from that standpoint, so we were a little further behind than where Id like to be. But where we are today is great. Via Haiti - Travel : Sunrise Airways wants to open a direct route between Haiti and Newark (NJ) Privately owned Haitian airline Sunrise Airways is continuing to expand its international network by filing a wet lease application for a new route to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the United States. Rather than investing in purchasing or leasing entire aircraft and staffing, the wet lease agreement proposed by Sunrise Airways provides for the lease of an aircraft and its crew, as well as the handling of insurance, maintenance, and other associated operations by an external third party, allowing the Newark route to operate without Sunrise being required to own all of the assets, while accelerating the launch of services. This initiative is being closely monitored by aviation regulators and industry observers, as its success would mark an important milestone in Haiti's efforts to rebuild and reposition itself as an international tourist destination. To launch such a service, approval from U.S. aviation regulators is essential. The relevant authorities will assess whether the wet-lease operator and the proposed service comply with safety, security, and bilateral agreements. This includes reviewing maintenance records, crew licenses, insurance, liability provisions, and compliance with U.S. aviation standards. This process may involve public comment periods, detailed technical filings, and coordination with Haitian and U.S. civil aviation agencies. One of the key tests is demonstrating that the wet-lease agreement does not circumvent important safety or oversight provisions. Regulators will want assurances that Sunrise Airways is ultimately responsible and that oversight mechanisms are sufficiently robust. If there is any doubt, additional mitigation measures may be required, such as joint oversight, audit rights, or insurance guarantees. If approval is granted and the service begins, a direct air link between Haiti and Newark would have significant implications. This route would provide new tourism opportunities to and from Haiti, expanding access to the Caribbean, improving travel conditions for Americans, and facilitating access to the United States for Haitians and the large Haitian diaspora. Approval of the airline's proposal to lease an aircraft from a third-party operator will allow the company to meet the growing demand for direct flights between Haiti and New Jersey. The introduction of flights connecting Haiti directly to Newark is a logical step, as the United States remains Haiti's largest trading partner, both for tourism and trade. With a large portion of the Haitian population based in the United States, particularly in New Jersey, New York, and Florida, direct air links between Haiti and the United States are equally important for tourism and family reunification. The Newark-Haiti route is also expected to open a vital transportation route for the large Haitian diaspora living in the United States. Many members of the diaspora travel frequently to and from Haiti for family visits, cultural events, and even business engagements. Newark Liberty International Airport is among the busiest airports in the Northeast United States and serves as a vital gateway to the region, providing excellent access for visitors and migrants. HL/ SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Armament : Haiti Finally Talks Seriously Defense Minister Jean Michel Moise announced the order of new heavy armored vehicles intended to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd'H). For the first time, in addition to armored personnel carriers, the Minister mentioned "armored combat vehicles". Furthermore, Minister Moise indicated that the Air Force will soon be equipped with aircraft to diversify the army's capabilities. Mirebalais : Heavy Losses for "Viv Ansanm" On Sunday, October 12, 2025, in the commune of Mirebalais, several bandits, members of the "Viv Ansanm" terrorist coalition, were fatally injured in clashes with law enforcement. The criminals had launched an attack on fixed checkpoints established by the police in the region. Specialized units of the Haitian National Police (PNH), deployed on the ground, quickly responded, inflicting heavy losses on the armed group and forcing it to retreat. Jovenel Moise Case : New Investigating Judge On Monday, October 13, 2025, during a public hearing in the case of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html , the Port-au-Prince Court of Appeal overturned the order of investigating judge Walter Wesser Voltaire, who had indicted 51 people. The court appointed Magistrate Denis Cyprien to resume the investigation of the case, both on the form and substance of the case, ordered the continued detention of all persons already under judicial supervision, and requested mutual legal assistance from the United States and Canada to hear, among others, Martine Moise, Joverlein Moise, Jomarlie Moise, Leon Charles, Ariel Henry, and former judge Roger Noel Cius. Elections : Important Training on Probity To address the risks of breaches of probity in the electoral process, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) in the Northeast organized an important training session for members of the Departmental Electoral Bureau (BED) and the Municipal Electoral Bureaus (BEC), in the presence of two members of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). Reactions to the Grenadiers' defeat https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45982-haiti-flash-2026-world-cup-qualifiers-haiti-suffers-a-heavy-defeat-against-honduras-[0-3]-video.html Prime Minister Fils-Aime : "This evening [Monday the 13th], our Grenadiers did not achieve the result they hoped for, but they showed courage and determination. Their fighting spirit reflects the strength and resilience of the Haitian people. We remain confident in our national team's ability to bounce back and deliver great victories to the nation. The Government will continue to support Haitian sport, a symbol of unity and pride." Transition Advisor Leslie Voltaire : "Monday's defeat is painful, but it is part of the journey of every nation striving to improve. Our players are learning, growing, and carrying our colors and our courage. The Haiti we are building is true to the spirit it should have : fall, get back up, keep fighting. Let us remain united behind our Grenadiers, because the fight is not over." New CEP Board On Monday the 13th, Jacques Desrosiers, representing journalists' associations, was installed as President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) Board. He replaces Patrick Saint-Hilaire, representing the Episcopal Conference of Haiti (CEH), in this position. Jacceus Joseph, representing farmers' associations, was appointed Vice President; Peterson Pierre Louis, representing Reformed faiths, was appointed Secretary General; and Nemrod Sanon, representing unions, was appointed Treasurer. HL/ HaitiLibre The Colombian Army has unveiled its first drone battalion equipped with artificial intelligence (AI). It is intended for use against guerrilla groups and organizations involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining. According to the army leadership, it is the first battalion of its kind in Latin America. Continue after ad The drones, presented on Friday at the Tolemaida Air Base in the center of the country, the most important training center of the Colombian Armed Forces, have multiple propellers and resemble small helicopters in design. Equipped with AI technology, the aircraft are capable of identifying faces or tracking vehicles. Some have a flight range of up to 45 kilometers. According to the army leadership, approximately 400 pilots with a corresponding number of drones will form a special base to be established in the administrative region of Boyaca in northeastern Colombia. All these drones allow us to observe from the air in a way we couldn't before, said General Carlos Padilla, commander of the Army's Air Division, to the news agency AFP. Explosive Attacks with Drones The conflict in Colombia has evolved due to technological advancements, especially with these small unmanned aerial vehicles, Padilla continued. According to the army, since last year, groups, some of which have emerged from the FARC guerrilla movement (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and do not adhere to the peace agreement concluded between the government and FARC in 2016, have increasingly carried out attacks with homemade drones capable of dropping explosives. According to Padilla, in the last year and a half, there have been more than 350 attacks in Colombia, resulting in 15 soldiers killed and approximately 170 injured. The drone battalion is intended to attack and repel illegal armed groups, it is stated. Due to the increase in drone attacks on security forces and the fact that these devices are used for espionage of authorities or for committing crimes, the Colombian Ministry of Defense already presented a draft law in the summer. This aims to create a legal framework for the import, manufacture, use, distribution, and control of drones and anti-drone systems. Among other things, the draft provides for the establishment of a national register of companies that manufacture or sell drones, as well as individuals who acquire drones. Continue after ad (akn) 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. Last week, Google released the Wear OS 6 update based on Android 16 for the Pixel Watch 2 and 3. Owners of the first generation of the smartwatch were left out. Google has now commented on this at the request of heise online. Continue after ad The distribution of the update to Wear OS 6, which includes Material 3 Expressive, a pinch more battery life, and other new features such as a dynamic color scheme based on the watch face, as well as revised alarm, stopwatch, and timer apps, is reserved for the newer Pixel Watch generations. This means that only Pixel Watches 2 to 4 will receive the update, although Google's support document on the update guarantee for the first Pixel Watch 1 smartwatch promises updates until at least October 2025. Accordingly, the watch should theoretically still have received an update. Pixel Watch 1 remains on Wear OS 5.1 But this is not the case, as Google confirmed to heise online: We're committed to providing you with a great experience across the Pixel Watch portfolio so that your devices get better and better over time. This includes three years of support to bring you new features, improvements, and security updates. The Pixel Watch 1 did not receive Wear OS 6 with the October update and will continue to run Wear OS 5.1. The first Pixel Watch will therefore remain on Wear OS 5.1 and will no longer receive the major update to Android 16. Wear OS 5.1 is based on Android 15, which was released in April 2025 for the Pixel Watch 1 to 3 models. According to Google, the first Pixel Watch will still receive security and bug fixes despite the end of support after October. The manufacturer indirectly hints at a specific reason why Google is denying the first Pixel Watch the major Wear OS update by saying that it wants to offer a great experience with the watches. Given that the first generation of the smartwatch had a fairly old processor from 2018 on board in the form of the Exynos 9110, which was also used in the Galaxy Watch 3, it is likely that this is simply too weak for the new operating system. When the Pixel Watch was launched in 2022, the chip was already four years old. For a product that is only three years old, this decision by Google is nevertheless extremely annoying. Continue after ad Unfortunately, Google also only promises three years of software updates for its more recent Watch models. The current Pixel Watch 4 will receive updates until October 2028, while Google has been more generous with its Pixel smartphones: since the Pixel 8, the devices have received new Android versions, security patches, and Pixel Drops, which bring new features every quarter, for a period of seven years. Google should apply a similarly generous update policy to its watches. (afl) 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. The founder of Heidelberg-based AI company Aleph Alpha, Jonas Andrulis, is relinquishing his position as Managing Director with immediate effect. Instead, he is taking over the chairmanship of the company's advisory board, where he will act in an advisory capacity in the future. Carsten Dirks, who is responsible for the operational business, is also leaving the company "by mutual agreement", according to the press release on the reorganization. Continue after ad The new management team will consist of Reto Sporri and Ilhan Scheer. These are not unknown personalities. Sporri was previously a divisional director at the Schwarz Group, where he was responsible for Lidle's e-commerce division, according to Wirtschaftswoche. In July, he was installed as Co-Managing Director of Aleph Alpha alongside Andrulis. At the same time, Scheer, who came from strategy consultancy Accenture, joined the management team as Head of Growth. Scheer will take over as Managing Director together with Sporri from January 2026. Ilhan Scheer (left) and Reto Sporri (right) will form Aleph Alpha's new management team in future. (Image: Aleph Alpha ) The way in which Aleph Alpha communicated the change in leadership is considered unusual in the industry. For example, the press release does not contain a quote in which Andrulis himself explains his retirement. The press office also did not provide a statement when asked by Handelsblatt. The terse formulation that Andrulis will "continue to actively and energetically support the company" as Chairman of the Advisory Board leaves plenty of room for interpretation. According to Handelsblatt, this reinforces the impression that the founder has been marginalised. Growing influence of the Schwarz Group According to industry experts, the reorganization points to the increasing influence of the Schwarz Group. The retail group includes Lidl and Kaufland, among others. With the "Schwarz Digits" division founded in 2023, the company also wants to become a serious competitor to Amazon Web Services (AWS) from Amazon or Azure from Microsoft. The retail group is one of Aleph Alpha's largest shareholders and, according to Handelsblatt, has gained considerable influence over the strategic direction of Aleph Alpha through Schwarz Digits. The companies have already worked together on AI and cloud offerings for the public sector. There has therefore been speculation in industry circles for months about a possible complete takeover of the start-up by the retail group. Continue after ad According to Handelsblatt, Sporri will continue to receive remuneration from the Schwarz Group in addition to his salary at Aleph Alpha. He has been granted a secondary employment license for this purpose. Aleph Alpha did not respond to an inquiry from the newspaper. German answer to OpenAI Aleph Alpha was considered the German answer to OpenAI and other US AI giants. Andrulis founded the company in 2019 with the mission of making Europe independent in AI development. However, the high expectations were only partially fulfilled. While competitors such as French company Mistral are now valued at almost twelve billion euros, Aleph Alpha's most recent valuation is around half a billion euros, according to Handelsblatt. The company has had to fundamentally change its strategy and specialize in applications for public authorities and individual industrial sectors. Andrulis also explained in an interview with heise online in November 2024: "We can't race to spend money with OpenAI. That's why we're not chasing after ChatGPT as a B2C product." With the PhariaAI platform, which can also integrate other language models, Aleph Alpha wants to position itself as a technology provider for companies that do not want to pass on their data to US providers. The reorganization raises whether Aleph Alpha can and wants to continue to pursue its original vision of European AI sovereignty under the new management or whether it will increasingly become a building block in the Schwarz Group's technology strategy. (ssi) 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. The agreement establishes a framework under which parties will jointly set medium-term fiscal goals before each parliamentary election. These goals will determine the acceptable level of deficit for the state, municipalities and wellbeing regions by the end of each parliamentary term. Finnish parliamentary parties have reached a cross-party agreement on a debt brake aimed at reducing public borrowing in the coming years. The pact, finalised on Tuesday, binds parties to shared fiscal targets across election cycles. The Left Alliance was the only parliamentary group to reject the deal. The pact includes a deficit ceiling of 2.5 percent of gross domestic product and an initial debt-to-GDP target of 60 percent, in line with EU requirements. Once achieved, a national goal of 40 percent will follow. Finlands public debt currently stands at about 88 percent of GDP. Jukka Kopra of the National Coalition Party called the decision a historic day and said the agreement marks the return of reason to Finlands economic policy. He added that the joint approach gives long-term direction and transparency to fiscal planning. The new mechanism resembles the Swedish model, in which parties agree on fiscal adjustments together while maintaining freedom over how to achieve them. Tytti Tuppurainen of the Social Democratic Party said the debt brake would not dictate specific policies but would make political alternatives clearer for voters. It will no longer be about who cuts the most, Tuppurainen said. Parties must now explain what kind of structural reforms or savings they will use to reach shared targets. The agreement, negotiated under Jani Makela of the Finns Party, establishes a permanent parliamentary working group to monitor compliance. The largest governing party will chair the group, while the largest opposition party will serve as vice-chair. The group will review targets mid-term and adjust them if necessary. Markus Lohi of the Centre Party said the deal builds a bridge to a sustainable economic path. He noted that stricter national targets, such as the 40 percent debt goal, will not take effect until the 2030s. This does not restrict political action, but it does force us to build a sustainable economy, Lohi said. The Green League decided to support the pact after negotiations softened what it described as an overly rigid framework. Saara Hyrkko, the partys deputy parliamentary leader, said the result was more of a seatbelt than a brake for economic policy. The model is not perfect, but it is better with us than without us, she said. The Left Alliance, led by Minja Koskela, refused to join the agreement. Koskela said the party agrees that Finlands growing debt is a concern but views the mechanism as unnecessary and potentially harmful. The debt brake is either redundant or needlessly damaging, Koskela said. She argued that EU fiscal rules are already strict enough and warned that the national system could limit flexibility during economic downturns. Koskela also expressed concern that the new parliamentary working group will gain significant political influence over fiscal policy. It becomes an extra structure above existing committees, concentrating power in a way that benefits the right, she said. Other parties, including the Christian Democrats, the Swedish Peoples Party, and Liike Nyt, joined the consensus. Peter Ostman of the Christian Democrats said the deal would reduce populism by imposing clearer fiscal discipline, while Harry Harkimo of Liike Nyt called it a necessary response to Finlands economic situation. The agreement aims to bring Finlands debt under control over the next decade, with mid-term reviews and safeguards for exceptional circumstances such as war or national crises. HT The new system replaces manual passport stamping with electronic logging of personal and biometric data. Border officials will collect fingerprints and facial images at the point of entry. Each travellers name, travel document data, and the date and place of entry and exit will be stored. The European Union began a phased rollout of its new digital border control programme on 12 October. The Entry/Exit System (EES) introduces biometric registration for non-EU nationals entering and exiting 29 participating countries. The EES will be applied to all external borders of EU countries except Ireland and Cyprus. The scheme also covers the four Schengen-associated countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, described the system as "the digital backbone of our new common European framework on migration and asylum". According to the European Commission, the purpose of the system is to detect visa overstayers, prevent identity fraud, and support law enforcement in investigating serious crimes and terrorism. Authorities will also register refusals of entry into the database. The six-month transition period will continue until 10 April 2026, when the EES is scheduled to become fully operational. After that date, non-EU nationals will no longer receive stamps in their passports. Instead, their travel history will be digitally recorded and verified. At launch, several major border points started using the system. In Italy, Fiumicino and Malpensa airports and the ports of Genoa and Civitavecchia have begun registering travellers. Germany launched the programme at Stuttgart Airport. Finland activated the system at Helsinki Airport, and advised passengers to consult the Finnish Border Guards website for guidance. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs noted that the system applies only to non-EU nationals. EU citizens are not subject to biometric checks or registration under the EES. According to the EU, biometric passport holders will be able to use self-service systems at borders where available. First-time travellers under the new system will be fully registered, while returnees will undergo identity verification using previously stored biometric data. In a social media advisory, the British Embassy in Helsinki urged UK citizens to familiarise themselves with the new requirements. While UK nationals remain visa-exempt for short stays, they are now required to undergo biometric registration each time they cross the EUs external borders. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a separate requirement for visa-exempt nationals, is expected to be introduced in 2026. Travellers from countries such as the UK, Canada and the United States will then be required to obtain travel authorisation prior to entry. The European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems, known as eu-LISA, is responsible for maintaining the EES. The agency stated that data protection and compliance with fundamental rights are built into the systems framework. The Commission first proposed the EES in April 2016. After negotiations with the European Parliament and the Council, the regulation was adopted in November 2017. Legal provisions allowing for a gradual start were passed in July 2025. Each participating country is required to activate at least one border point under the new system during the implementation phase. While some entry points are operational, others continue using manual checks during the transition period. Data collected through the EES will be used to calculate the length of legal stay and flag overstays exceeding the permitted 90 days within any 180-day period. The EU said this will improve migration management and border efficiency. Under strict conditions, law enforcement agencies will have access to EES data for the investigation and prevention of terrorism and serious crimes. The European Commission said this will strengthen internal security across the Union. According to EU authorities, the transition to digital border management aims to modernise border procedures and reduce waiting times for passengers, while providing greater control over irregular migration and identity fraud. HT Netherlands should not underestimate China's resolve, capability to protect its rights: Global Times editorial Global Times) 13:44, October 14, 2025 The Dutch government said on Sunday that it has made a "highly exceptional" decision to intervene in Nexperia, a subsidiary of Chinese company Wingtech, citing concerns that it could "pose a risk to Dutch and European economic security." On September 30, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs issued an administrative order restricting the business decisions of Nexperia and its affiliated entities, effectively depriving Chinese shareholders of their normal control. Wingtech subsequently issued a statement, expressing a strong protest against such discriminatory treatment targeting Chinese-funded enterprises. It is obvious to anyone with clear judgment that this is a serious harassment of a chip company controlled by Chinese enterprises by the Dutch government under the pretext of a fabricated "national security" concern. This series of actions attempt to seize the capital and technological achievements that Chinese companies have built up over many years. And many have described such actions as "21st-century piracy." The BBC noted that the Dutch government's statement did not detail why it considered the firm's operations risky, and the report also hinted that the move was related to the US Commerce Department's further tightening of restrictions on China in September. Additional commentary has issued warnings: the UK's Financial Times bluntly stated that the move escalates frictions between Western countries and China in the high-tech sector, while media outlets such as Bloomberg of the US also warned that this highly unusual action would further worsen China-EU tensions. The Dutch government's actions against Nexperia are extremely egregious, going far beyond normal commercial regulation and carrying blatant political coercion and discriminatory overtones. Such move using unfounded so-called "security allegations" as a pretext to restrict the rights of legitimate shareholders violates the principles of a market economy and fair competition, and runs counter to the international trade rules that the EU has consistently advocated. This not only harms the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies but also undermines international investors' confidence in the EU market. This should not be seen as a dispute between the Dutch government and a Chinese company - it is a blatant trampling of international rules by Netherlands, and the international community cannot tolerate such predatory actions disguised under the cloak of law or security against multinational enterprises. Many observers believe that the US' extreme suppression of Chinese enterprises and its over-securitization practices have sparked widespread concern across the world, while also providing a negative example and external support for the Netherlands' recent intervention in Nexperia. In response, on Monday, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that China opposes overstretching the concept of national security and taking discriminatory moves that target companies from certain countries, and China is firmly resolved in defending its own legitimate and lawful rights and interests. The country's counter-sanctions legal framework, anchored in laws such as the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, provides strong protection for the lawful rights of Chinese enterprises. No party should underestimate China's firm resolve and full capability to defend its own interests. In the early stages of capitalism, some countries relied on violence and colonial plunder to accumulate primitive capital, even fostering within their own cultures the misguided historical notion that "plunder brings wealth." In today's geopolitical context, the Dutch government, under the pretext of "supply chain security," has imposed excessive interference on Chinese enterprises and then cloaked its asset seizure under a fa ade of legality - a seamless sequence of actions that inevitably evokes memories of certain dark chapters in this country's history. It is no wonder that some have wryly observed that a few Western countries now treat "national security" as a privateering license, a reflection of "colonial genes" awakening in the 21st century. In fact, since Wingtech's acquisition of Nexperia in 2019, the company has maintained steady and sound operations, contributing positively to the Dutch economy. From the US government's coercive measures to the Dutch government's "predatory intervention," the primary risks facing Chinese enterprises today no longer stem from market competition itself, but from certain foreign competitors who, failing to gain an advantage through regular market means, resort to commercial plunder against Chinese firms under the guise of national security. The Nexperia case exemplifies this trend vividly. As China's technological and commercial strength continues to grow, such "robbery in legal disguise" is likely to recur. As observers have pointed out, China's scientific and technological progress has profoundly shaken the nerves of Western hegemony. Both the Chinese government and its enterprises must be fully prepared for this. On Monday, data released by China's General Administration of Customs showed that China's exports in September, measured in US dollars, rose 8.3 percent year-on-year, while imports increased 7.4 percent year-on-year - both figures well above external expectations. In addition, exports of industrial robots in the first three quarters grew 54.9 percent, and "new three" products as well as green products such as electric locomotives for railways all posted double-digit growth. Many analysts see this as a reflection of China's economic resilience and an indication that, amid the US' strengthened protectionism, China's trade and economic ties with the world are becoming deeper. In today's complex and turbulent international environment, the choice for the world is clear: either revert to the colonial-era paths of protectionism and unilateralism or forge a new path of openness, inclusiveness, and shared prosperity. The Netherlands needs to recognize the trend of history; otherwise, it will only be lifting a rock to drop on its own feet. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing) People often talk about trading a Palestinian state for peace, yet few know the history of this land. While Gaza fills headlines, another phrase is hitting the headlines lately: the Occupied West Bank. The West Bank is the heartland of ancient Israel and Judah, including Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. It was seized by Jordan in 1948 and then captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. The West Bank has never been a Palestinian state; before 1948 it was part of the British Mandate, and before that it was under Ottoman rule. Biblical promise and first Jewish statehood Jews trace their cla... (JNS) The final performance of Parade, a Tony Award-winning musical, was held just days ago at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. It told the story of the 1913 murder of Mary Phagan, a teenage girl in Atlanta, and the flawed trial, conviction, and, ultimately, the vigilante lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish New Yorker transplanted to the American South who managed the factory where the murder took place. The trial was marred by antisemitism, bribery, coerced testimony and mob intimidation. Though the curtain has closed, Franks conviction marks one of the most infamous miscarriages of ju... (JNS) Welcome to the Jewish New Year of 5786! People I know have been stopping me and asking my opinion as to what U.S. President Donald Trumps new plan means in the context of the Torah and the Jewish state moving forward. After all, they say, we hear so many commentators from across the political spectrum, but what do the greatest rabbis have to say about this new policy development that has been thrust upon Israel? For some reason, the Torah point of view is the only one that we generally dont hear. We do need more Jewish religious leaders coming out publicly with their opinions accordi... On Sukkot, we strengthen our local communities, hosting elaborate meals with relatives and friends and leaving one wall of the sukkah open, symbolizing hospitality. Sukkot also invokes the Jewish community in time. We build temporary structures to commemorate our biblical ancestors wandering through the desert, and we invite ushpizin symbolic guests. Traditionally, ushpizin have been biblical characters, kabbalistically associated with particular divine attributes. In my community in Los Angeles, I have noticed and participated in a new approach: summoning the presence of more recent ancesto... (JNS) Washington will defend Qatar from future attacks, including with military force if needed, according to an executive order that U.S. President Donald Trump signed on Monday. The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States, the order states. If the Gulf state is attacked, Washington shall take all lawful and appropriate measures including diplomatic, economic and, if necessary, militaryto defend the interests of the United States and of the State... At 9:10 p.m. on Sept. 19, the security footage captured Rabbi Simon Jacobson, director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Charlotte County, and cousin of Rabbi Yanky Majesky of Chabad of North Orlando, exiting the synagogue after Shabbat services. Ninety minutes later, Jacobson's phone rang. By the third ring, unease had crept in. Being Shabbat and hearing repeated calls at that late hour Jacobson feared an emergency. He glanced at the screen: Punta Gorda Police Department. The quaint city of Punta Gorda is nestled on Florida's west coast. Perched at the narrow end of a funnel-shaped estuary that traps an... (JNS) Wikipedia, one of the most viewed sites on the internet, has hosted a page on Gaza genocide since Dec. 29, 2023. Since Sept. 22, Wikipedia has linked to the Gaza genocide article, which accused Israel of war crimes, in an in the news section on its main page, which millions of people view daily. The American Jewish Committee told JNS that Wikipedia is elevating reckless and biased charges of genocide as fact, and given how many genocide scholars disagree with that statement, the crowd-sourced encyclopedia showcases how dangerous this can be. The nonprofit previously raised c... (JNS) Marco Massari, mayor of the Italian city of Reggio Emilia, was presenting a civic honor to Francesca Albanese, a United Nations special rapporteur for Palestinian rights, on Sunday, when he told an audience of hundreds, the end of the genocide and the release of the hostages are necessary conditions to start a peace process. The U.N. adviser, who has a long history of Jew-hatred, reportedly scolded Massari, as the crowd jeered the mayor. The mayor was wrong and said something that is not true, Albanese said. Peace does not need conditions. Washington has sanctioned Albanese, and... (JNS) The New York City mayoral race has narrowed to three candidates following incumbent Eric Adamss decision to drop out on Sunday, but polling suggests that that will do little to increase the odds for former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa to defeat the Democratic frontrunner, state representative Zohran Mamdani, in the general election in November. Experts told JNS that the political defeat of one of the most philosemitic and pro-Israel mayors in the citys history at the hands of a self-described socialist, who is vehemently anti-Israel, raises questions abou... (JNS) European Jewish Association Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin said on Friday that the deadly terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur proves what we warned of a year ago: Jews in Europe live under constant threat. We called for a state of emergency then, and if leaders had acted, lives might have been spared, Margolin said, adding: This is not random violence; it is the result of a climate where demonizing Israel has become acceptable, and Jews everywhere pay the price. Police on Thursday identified the suspect in the deadly Yom Kippur attack at a synagogue in Manc... (JNS) - Several hundred family members, friends, members of Knesset and Israel Defense Forces soldiers gathered at the Oz VeGaon Nature Preserve in Gush Etzion on Sept. 28 for the annual Lion of Zion prize in memory of renowned Israel advocate Ari Fuld, on his seventh yahrzeit. Fuld, 45, who was born in New York and made aliyah in 1994, was murdered by an Arab teenager in a 2018 terrorist stabbing, several days before Yom Kippur, outside a mall near the Gush Etzion Junction. With his last breaths, he managed to chase down, shoot and neutralize the terrorist, preventing even greater carnage, be... The Jewish Pavilion invites the community to a complimentary grief support program offered twice yearly over five weeks. The next series will meet on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., beginning Oct. 21 and concluding Nov. 18, at Village on the Green in Longwood (470 Village Place, D Building Lounge). Facilitated by Vanessa Stein, LCSW, assistant director at the Jewish Pavilion, the program provides a safe and compassionate space for individuals to navigate their grief through a Jewish lens. Participants are encouraged to attend all five sessions to experience the full benefit of the group.... (JNS) - Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage who was freed in May after 584 days in Hamas captivity, was honored with a street named for him in the borough in which he grew up. "To have a road named here in the place I call home is something I never would have imagined," Alexander said during a ceremony before the street sign was unveiled. "Every time I see this road, I will remember not just the struggle but the love and unity that brought me back home." Alexander, who was accompanied by family, community members and local officials, was born in Israel and grew up in Tenafly, N.J.... (JNS) U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a plan to end the war in Gaza, with a 72-hour deadline, which begins when Israel accepts the agreement, for Hamas to return the hostages it holds in Gaza. Speaking at a press conference after the White House released the plan, Trump said that Hamas has not agreed to the proposal but that Arab and Muslim countries are negotiating with the terrorist group. Were relying on the countries that I named and others to deal with Hamas, and Im hearing that Hamas wants to get this done too, Trump said. Trump s... (JNS) U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a comprehensive proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war. Below is the full text of the proposal: Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough. If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be sus... (JNS) World leaders reacted swiftly and largely positively to U.S. President Donald Trumps announcement Monday of a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza war and secure the release of the remaining hostages. French President Emmanuel Macron was among the first to respond, posting on X (formerly Twitter): I welcome President @realDonaldTrumps commitment to ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages. I expect Israel to engage resolutely on this basis. Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan. I welcome President @realDonaldTrumps c... (JNS) While it has shown remarkable resilience, the economy has been one area where Israel has clearly suffered significant losses in terms of lost income from the collapse of the tourism industry, the cost of property damage, the cost of war materiel and the cost of rehabilitation. It will take years to recoup the losses, and even then, it is uncertain whether the economy will be as strong as it was before Oct. 7. One indication of the shape of the economy is the downgrading by major ratings services. S&P and Fitch both reduced the countrys rating from A+ to A. Moodys Investors Service wa... (JNS) When Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany were threatening to take over Europe in the 1930s prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain chose appeasement. On Sept. 30, 1938, the Munich Agreement was signed by Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany, handing over the Sudetenland, a fortified region of Czechoslovakia, to Hitler. The agreement was signed without Czechoslovakias participation. Six months later, Germany invaded the rest of the country. The appeasement had failed catastrophically. Appeasement has a long record of failure. The League o... Time-honored brands attracting young buyers 13:44, October 14, 2025 By Wang Keju ( China Daily Time-honored Beijing snack brand Daoxiangcun in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, offers Suzhou-style pastries to attract customers on June 29. CHINA DAILY Outside the flagship store of time-honored Beijing snack brand Daoxiangcun, a line snakes down the block. Inside, young customers snap photos of seasonal pastries not just to eat, but to post online. In Beijing's Ruifuxiang Silk shop, one of China's most famed traditional silk and fabric stores, neo-Chinese-style qipao, or cheongsams, are being tailored for the younger generation, blending traditional elegance with modern cuts and patterns. Long-revered heritage brands, once perceived as the exclusive domain of older generations, are reinventing themselves. They are becoming central players in the "guochao", or China chic, wave, which sees young consumers embracing domestic brands that fuse cultural identity with modern innovation. According to the 2024 annual report on time-honored brands released by China's short-video platform Douyin, the post-1990s generation has become the largest group of buyers for time-honored brands, while post-2000s consumers have seen the fastest growth in order volume, with a year-on-year increase of 95 percent. For Xiao Jialu, a university student in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, a recent skincare purchase was an experiment in nostalgia. Three jars of traditional face cream, each costing under 20 yuan ($2.8), were not from an international luxury brand, but from decades-old Chinese cosmetic lines. "I might have thought these were for my mom's, or even my grandma's, generation before," Xiao said. "But after seeing so many recommendations on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, I bought some out of curiosity. I was genuinely surprised by how good they are, and I will definitely recommend them to my friends." The resurgence is not accidental, said Dong Yinmao, director of the Chinese Cosmetic Research Center at Beijing Technology and Business University. By moving beyond traditional channels to master social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, time-honored brands have successfully reframed their narrative. They are no longer presented as relics, but as smart, authentic choices for discerning consumers, Dong said. This strategic pivot has allowed their inherent advantages high cost-performance and reliable user experience to shine. For a growing number of young consumers, choosing a heritage cream or lotion is both a practical decision and an expression of cultural confidence, Dong added. A study released by the Institute of Sociology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences last year showed that young adults particularly those born after 1990 and 2000 report the highest levels of cultural identity and optimism about cultural development among all age groups. "The success of some time-honored domestic brands in attracting massive numbers of young fans stems from their precise strategy of integrating profound cultural heritage with modern elements," said Yao Chenggang, a standing council member of China Council for Brand Development. Yao noted that the rising acceptance of heritage brands and products rich in Chinese cultural elements among today's youth "created a more enabling market environment for domestic brands to thrive". Meanwhile, according to the 2024 China Youth Consumption Trends Report released by The Beijing News, some 42 percent of young respondents stated that their primary reason for choosing time-honored domestic brands is the brands' heightened focus on innovation and research and development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Top Venezuelan official Diosdado Cabello said he received messages from other militaries in the region offering their support as tensions between the South American country and the U.S. continue to escalate. "We have received (messages) from military forces from countries whose governments are not necessarily close to us," he added. "So indigenous people and military and police forces from other countries will come to Venezuela to support this nation," said Cabello, the country's interior minister. During the same allocution, Cabello said the regime will take all international help it can get to counter what he described as an "aggression" from Washington. "If we haven't made the call publicly to the peoples of the world to organize and defend our country, I take advantage of this moment to do it now. Venezuela is under aggression, so all help you can give will be welcome. You will be welcomed like brothers," Cabello said. A recent report quoted insiders claiming that authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro won't relinquish power despite increased pressure. Speaking to Spanish outlet El Pais, one people with knowledge of the regime's thinking said "Maduro is not going anywhere." "Maduro has practically no other fate than resisting whatever comes and waiting for Trump to hesitate," the person added. U.S. President Donald Trump has anticipated the possibility of escalating the situation further with strikes inside Venezuela territory. The administration has so far conducted at least four strikes off the country's coast and targeting vessels it claimed were transporting drugs that would ultimately in the U.S. However, the report added, the South American country's leaders (Delcy and Jorge Rodriguez, Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino Lopez), along with Maduro, have "developed their survival instincts to the fullest after more than six years of governing in extreme situations," and think "this storm shall pass too." Concretely, they believe that the cost of an armed clash would be too high for the U.S. and Trump will back down before getting to that point. However, the officials remain defiant. Diosdado Cabello said during the weekend that "they have no idea who they're facing, we'll eat them alive." He went on to say that even if the U.S. invades the country, "those who set foot in our land must know that we will kick you out." Originally published on Latin Times CityHub, the Netherlands-based hospitality brand known for reimagining the conventional hotel room through its Hubs-based and tech-enabled accommodation, has confirmed plans to develop its fifth European location with the conversion of an existing property in Hamburg. The new site marks CityHub's first hotel conversion and its entry into the German market, with plans to expand further following successful launches in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Copenhagen, and Reykjavik. The upcoming CityHub Hamburg will be created through the adaptive reuse of the existing Hotel Pacific building. In partnership with lead investor and local real estate developer Kohler & von Bargen, the project will double the site's current 52 units, transforming it into a 110-key hotel by utilising CityHub's space-efficient, modular "Hub" rooms design. Hamburg's tourist industry has gone from strength to strength in recent years, welcoming a total of over 16 million overnight stays last year. Strategically located at the junction of St. Pauli and Sternschanze, two of Hamburg's most dynamic neighbourhoods, and home to legendary venues like the Star-Club, the Kaiserkeller, and The Indra, the new CityHub location will offer both private space and shared amenities, including premium bathrooms and a communal hangout area for guests. The site is just a few stops from Hamburg Central Station, providing strong transport links to the wider city and beyond. The project reflects CityHub's broader strategy of repurposing existing property assets rather than requiring full demolition or new builds. Construction and redevelopment work on CityHub Hamburg is set to begin later in 2025, with a current opening date planned for 2027. Hotel website With the city at its feet and the Mediterranean on the horizon, the METT Barcelona hotel opened this month, offering a lively new sanctuary atop Tibidabo, Barcelona's tallest hill, a five-star experience that turns the beauty of celebrating life into art. The hotel is a reinvention of the 1925 landmark Gran Hotel La Florida, which was designed by Spanish architect Ramon Raventos in the grand Catalan architectural style known as Noucentisme. A landmark reborn with renewed elegance under the METT Hotels & Resorts brand, the flagship brand of Sunset Hospitality Group, METT Barcelona offers a five-star urban resort experience. Throughout its history, the iconic Barcelona landmark hosted legendary figures such as Ernest Hemingway, James Stewart, Rock Hudson and Princess Fabiola of Belgium, and more recently, personalities such as Bruce Springsteen, Barack and Michelle Obama and Tom Hanks. Now, 100 years after its inception and following a comprehensive renovation, the hotel features 70 carefully designed rooms and suites, terraces bathed in Mediterranean light, an infinity pool that seems to merge with the sky, vibrant gastronomic offerings and the exclusive Valmont Red Carpet Spa. METT Barcelona offers a sophisticated retreat where every detail is designed for relaxation and celebration. Rooms and Suites: An oasis of calm with endless views Each room and suite at METT Barcelona is a tribute to serenity and comfort: natural textures, soft lines and a colour palette inspired by the Mediterranean Sea create an enveloping atmosphere that invites you to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself. All rooms are equipped with amenities from the French brand Botanyc, which add a sensory touch thanks to their exclusive Bal Tropical line, made on the French Riviera and composed of notes of bergamot, lychee and jasmine. The hotel's Signature Suites, measuring up to 750 square feet, take the experience to a new level: they feature spacious rooms, a separate living area, access to exclusive areas and unparalleled views stretching from the deep blue sea to the majesty of Tibidabo. The large windows frame the vibrant energy of the city, bringing its heartbeat directly into your suite. Signature Suites with Plunge Pool offer an opportunity to observe the city from a new perspective: the comfort of a private outdoor pool. For those seeking an even more intimate connection with nature, the Lifestyle Rooms with private terraces overlooking the infinity pool create a sense of retreat and harmony. Meanwhile, the Sea View Junior Suites and Sea View Suites turn every sunrise into an unforgettable spectacle, with the Barcelona skyline as a backdrop. Valmont Red Carpet Spa: The Swiss art of wellness arrives in Barcelona to transform body and soul METT Barcelona's exclusive spa fuses cutting-edge cosmetic innovation with the ancient restorative power of wellness rituals. The result is a comprehensive experience, meticulously designed to harmonize and balance body, mind and soul. Valmont Red Carpet Spa is an Eden where specialized therapists, equipped with the most exclusive technology, guide each guest on a personalized journey, from massages and high-performance facial rituals, to holistic therapies designed to renew, the focus is on reconnecting with oneself and savouring the true art of self-care. The soul and essence of this unique space is Valmont, a renowned Swiss emblem of luxury cellular cosmetics that embodies excellence. With over 40 years of experience and a heritage that began at the prestigious Valmont Clinic on the Swiss Riviera, the brand has conquered the world of skincare by combining advanced science, the purest natural ingredients from the Alps and an unmistakable artistic sensibility. Valmont Red Carpet Spa will also incorporate the exclusive "Red Carpet" skin treatment brought directly from the U.S., and acclaimed by leading figures in the worlds of art, cinema and fashion. With this alliance, METT Barcelona joins the network of prestigious Valmont Spas, carefully selected around the world. Florida Lounge by Lladro: art that transforms spaces and emotions As part of its commitment to art and design with soul, METT Barcelona incorporates the creative universe of Lladro, the Spanish brand recognized worldwide for its artistic porcelain. This creative collaboration turns the hotel into a new cultural offering of the city. In the heart of the lobby, the Florida Lounge by Lladro displays a permanent collection that includes Lladro's most avant-garde creations, such as Jaime Hayon's The Fantasy, The Guest and Embraced collections. A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that also seeks to create a dialogue between the elegant lamps designed by Marcel Wanders, the subtle Ice Cream collection and natural light, bringing the building's century-old architecture to life. As an extension of the alliance, the exclusive Lladro Cocktail, featured on the hotel's menu, embodies the essence of the brand in both flavour and form: sophistication, creativity and an exciting legacy of craftsmanship. Gastronomy: A sensory journey with Mediterranean roots True to the spirit of Sunset Hotels & Resorts, METT Barcelona places the culinary experience at the center of its offering. From panoramic breakfasts and lunches bathed in the golden Mediterranean light, to evenings when the spaces come alive, stretching out between signature cocktails and the seductive rhythm of live music. Every gastronomic corner has been meticulously designed so that guests and locals can experience Barcelona through all their senses, with a view that is as cosmopolitan as it is authentic. Albarada is a contemporary restaurant that reimagines Mediterranean cuisine with local sensitivity, beauty, and authenticity. Inspired by a traditional Catalan way of dining, 1925 Vermuteria offers refined authentic tapas, made with ingredients sourced from local markets and growers. The Florida Lounge by Lladro is the welcoming heart of METT Barcelona, designed as a stylish meeting point for light fare, casual business, and social catch-ups. And The Pool Club offers stunning views where guests can enjoy the heated outdoor pool, sun loungers, and a meal on the terrace with views to the Mediterranean Sea. Terraces - Unforgettable settings for memorable moments From the top of Tibidabo, the terraces of METT Barcelona unfold like natural extensions of the beauty of the surroundings. These outdoor spaces, with the mesmerising panorama of Barcelona, invite guests to both relaxation and celebration. They are the perfect canvas for a casual meal in the Mediterranean sun, an intimate evening under the stars, or a special celebration. For professional or social gatherings, METT Barcelona offers a selection of meeting rooms and versatile spaces. Flooded with warm natural light and with direct access to private terraces that expand the possibilities, these rooms have been designed to spark creativity, foster connection, and ensure the well-being of all attendees. Hotel website Saudi entrepreneur Mr. Mohammed Khalid A. Sabbagh has announced plans to open a new Ramada by Wyndham hotel in Madinah, one of the world's most revered destinations for Muslim travellers. Developed in collaboration with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company, the upcoming Ramada by Wyndham Madinah will feature 77 well appointed guest rooms and is strategically located in the Al Jamawat area on Al Salam Road, just 5 km from the Holy Mosque. The hotel will serve the growing number of domestic and international pilgrims visiting Madinah each year, offering convenience, comfort, and trusted hospitality under the Ramada by Wyndham brand. Once operational, the hotel will include modern guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a fully equipped gym, and contemporary interiors designed to provide a welcoming and reliable stay experience for both leisure and religious travellers. Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing tourism markets globally, welcoming over 110 million visitors in 2023, including 30 million international travellers, driven by the government's Vision 2030 strategy and major investment in tourism infrastructure. The new Ramada by Wyndham Madinah will further strengthen Wyndham's footprint in the Kingdom, where the company already operates hotels in Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Dammam, and other major cities. Hotel website Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury & lifestyle portfolio, with partner Extell Development Company announced the official name of its latest NYC hotel: Kimpton Era Midtown New York. The hotel, positioned in the center of Manhattan's vibrancy, is a stunning example of design and connection. Hospitality titan Apicii will operate the restaurant and beverage program, creating a vibrant hub for locals and visitors to converge. The 33-story ground-up newbuild hotel is now taking reservations for stays March 2026 and beyond. Kimpton Era will offer a dynamic and contemporary experience throughout its 529 guest rooms and inspired social spaces, brought to life by New York City-based SLCE Architects and interior design studio INC Architecture & Design. Curated with the best of NYC in mind, Kimpton Era will be an overnight home for both the traveling executive and the tourist, offering abundant social spaces to host, connect, and engage. At Kimpton Era, travelers can expect a touch of classicism, comfort and arta Kimpton hallmark. Inside each jewel box room, where everything fits together perfectly to offer 'everything you need and nothing you don't', a window seat allows guests to fully experience the magic of New York City just outside. A generous fitness center and select beloved Kimpton perks and programs round-out the seamless overnight experience. Apicii has developed four bespoke, destination restaurant and bar concepts which it will operate at the Kimpton Era: a street-level Latin Restaurant & Taqueria, an upscale NY Brasserie, an all-day coffee and cocktail lounge, and an Asian izakaya with 360-degree views of Rockefeller Center and Radio City. Hotel website Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with Worldwide Hotels (WWH), Singapore's largest home-grown hotel group, to introduce Days Inn by Wyndham Singapore Novena. The 362-room property, currently Value Hotel Thomson, will be rebranded and renovated from late 2Q2026, with reopening planned for August 2026. It will feature a swimming pool, fitness areas, and an all-day dining restaurant. The hotel will cater to leisure, business, and group travellers from China, India, South-east Asia, and beyond. Located along Balestier Road, it is within walking distance of Novena MRT station, a 15-minute drive from the CBD, and about 30 minutes from Changi International Airport. The partnership strengthens the relationship between Wyndham and Worldwide Hotels, combining international reach with local expertise. It adds to Wyndham's Singapore portfolio, which includes Wyndham Singapore Hotel and Hotel Traveltine Downtown Singapore, Trademark Collection by Wyndham. Days Inn by Wyndham operates about 1,500 properties globally and is known for dependable, affordable stays supported by Wyndham Rewards, which has around 120 million members worldwide. She added that the property's location near major medical facilities makes it well suited to accommodate medical tourists in addition to leisure and corporate travellers, and that the rebranding reinforces Worldwide Hotels's commitment to its promise of 'Hospitality that matters, Stay better' while extending its reach to travellers globally. Hotel website Adagio, Europe's leading aparthotel brand, have announced the appointment of Marc Lemarchand as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the Executive Committee. This appointment reflects Adagio's ambition to strengthen the Finance function's role in implementing their strategic plan "FIRST 2030", through the expertise of a seasoned professional recognised for his ability to structure financial processes and manage performance in network-based organisations. A graduate of ESCP, Marc Lemarchand has extensive experience in finance and operations. For around ten years, he played an active role in the growth of the KFC brand in France, developing expertise in managing networked businesses and structuring financial teams and processes. He also held operational responsibilities there, including opening new sites, deploying new IT systems and ordering kiosks, and improving operational processes. Marc then continued his career as Finance Director in the market research sector, and later at Domino's Pizza, during a period of strong growth. More recently, he served as Director of Operations at Galileo Global Education France, the world leader in private higher education. In this role, he oversaw the Finance and School Support teams, leading a transformation of the organisation, tools, and IT systems within the Finance function. At Adagio, Marc Lemarchand will be responsible for managing all financial processes, including those of Adagio's European subsidiaries, with the objective of enhancing overall network performance management and supporting Adagio's accelerated growth as part of the "FIRST 2030" strategic plan. Saba Khalid has been unveiled as Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis' new Security Manager, marking a hugely significant milestone given the fact women remain severely underrepresented in security leadership roles, both in the Middle East and globally. Having spent seven years as an English lecturer, Khalid moved into the aviation security industry in 2019, strengthening her skills in the role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when security professionals were still on the frontline. During her time working in security, Khalid has continued to grow and evolve, picking up several industry qualifications along the way, including the SIRA Guard License, NEBOSH certification, and the SIRA Security Manager License. In her new role, Khalid will be tasked with enhancing emergency preparedness, leveraging technology-driven surveillance systems, and introducing real-time incident reporting tools, while she is committed to shaping a culture where security is everyone's responsibility, integrated into the DNA of hospitality. On a global level, there is a huge gulf between the number of male and female security officers. In the UK, only 10.2 percent of Security Industry Authority license holders are women, while in the US, just 25 percent of security officers are female, making Khalid's appointment even more notable. Beijing builds open, innovative, welcoming global urban center 14:02, October 14, 2025 By YANG CHENG ( China Daily Family members of foreign envoys to China try their hand at painting clay figures of Tu'er Ye, a unique deity depicted as a half-man, half-rabbit clay figure native to Beijing, in Beijing's Dongcheng district on Sunday. Over 300 attendees, including diplomats and representatives from international organizations, participated in the event. JIANG DONG/CHINA DAILY Beijing is committed to achieving high-level opening-up as it seeks to build itself into a top-tier, harmonious, and welcoming global city over the next five years, according to the city's Party chief, Yin Li. "The city will optimize its investment environment and services for foreign businesses, offering greater opportunities for collaboration," said Yin Li, the city's Party chief, emphasizing that diplomats are "witnesses and contributors" to Beijing's development. He made the remarks at a recent event for foreign diplomatic missions in China. Yin noted that in the first nine months of 2025, about 8,000 new foreign companies were established in the capital. To date, Beijing has hosted the regional headquarters of 260 multinational corporations. The city's GDP is projected to exceed 5 trillion yuan ($700 billion) for 2025, driven by high-quality productive forces, innovation, and continued openness to the world, Yin said. Echoing his remarks, Hussam Al Husseini, Jordan's ambassador to China, expressed appreciation for Beijing's ongoing efforts to enhance services and facilities that support diplomatic exchanges and activities. "We have observed continuous and progressive development across various sectors in Beijing from infrastructure and services to the high-quality events it hosts, including trade fairs, political and cultural gatherings, forums, and international conferences," he said. The comments came after a city-organized visit for more than 300 foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations from 110 countries. The group toured the Beijing Central Axis by bus and visited the renovated Longfu Temple. The Beijing Central Axis, a historic and cultural landmark spanning 7.8 kilometers through the city's heart, includes sites such as the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. In 2024, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, symbolizing the essence of ancient Chinese urban planning and symmetry. The Longfu Temple, originally built in 1452 and later rebuilt, reflects Beijing's commitment to cultural preservation and urban renewal. The site offered diplomats a glimpse of both the city's historical depth and modern vitality. The reception took place in a replica of the temple, where diplomats took photos and participated in traditional cultural activities such as cloisonne-making and painting clay figurines. Ambassador Al Husseini also praised the capital's vibrant mix of social, commercial, economic, and cultural events, adding that they "foster mutual relations and deepen understanding of Chinese history and culture they help us appreciate the nation's past, present, and future." During the event, Yin also highlighted Beijing's advancements in artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, and the rapid growth of its digital economy powered by cutting-edge technologies. Olexander Nechytaylo, the Ukrainian ambassador to China, described Beijing as a "cashless city", citing the widespread use of digital payment systems. He recalled his first dining experience in Beijing, where the restaurant manager had to "borrow cash" from a neighboring eatery in order to give him change after he paid in cash. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Danbury, Conn.Meyer Jabara Hotels, a nationally recognized hotel management and ownership company, today announced that it has assumed management of The Abbey Inn & Spa, a boutique hotel perched on historic Fort Hill in Peekskill, New York. Named No. 3 on the 10 Best New Hotels list in the U.S. by USA Today, this move marks MJHs entry into New Yorks scenic Hudson Highlands region and underscores the companys continued growth in the upscale boutique segment. The Abbey Inn & Spa occupies a striking 1876 structure originally built as a convent for the Episcopal Sisters of Saint Mary. The reimagined property offers 42 elegantly appointed guestrooms, a full-service spa, the Apropos farm-to-table restaurant and bar, and extraordinary meeting and event spaces created from the former church and convent. With sweeping Hudson River views and just one hour north of New York City, the hotel has become a sought-after retreat for weddings, corporate gatherings, and weekend escapes. The Abbey Inn & Spa is truly a jewel of the Hudson Highlands. Its rich history, breathtaking setting, and world-class amenities make it a perfect fit for our boutique collection. Were excited to return this extraordinary property to its rightful place as the hotel of choice for discerning travelers. Rick Odorisio, Senior Vice President of Operations for Meyer Jabara Hotels Owned by Martin and Irene Ginsburg, The Abbey Inn & Spa is an independent property that adds a distinctive new destination to MJHs portfolio. The owners were introduced to Meyer Jabara Hotels through an existing MJH partner, underscoring the companys reputation for delivering exceptional results in boutique management. When we decided to bring in a management company, we wanted a partner who truly understands the nuances of operating a boutique hotel, Irene Ginsburg said. Meyer Jabara Hotels decades of experience in the industry, combined with their deep knowledge of the New York hotel market, gave us confidence they could elevate the guest experience while driving performance. Their reputation for blending operational excellence with personalized service made them the right choice for this special property. Meyer Jabara Hotels officially assumed management of property on October 1, 2025, and plans to leverage its proven expertise in operations, marketing, and guest experience to drive both short- and long-term success. The companys goal is to enhance the propertys reputation as a premier destination for weddings, executive retreats, and luxury leisure travelers, while preserving the charm and historic significance that make the hotel a standout. Expanding into the Hudson Highlands is an exciting step for our company. This market is a natural extension of our growth strategyclose to New York City yet rich with culture, history, and outdoor adventure. The Abbey Inn & Spa embodies the type of unique, high-character hotel experience were passionate about curating and operating. Justin Jabara, President of Meyer Jabara Hotels This addition strengthens Meyer Jabara Hotels growing footprint of independent, design-driven boutique hotels in desirable markets across the United States. With a focus on personalized service and unique sense of place, MJH continues to attract owners seeking expert management of one-of-a-kind properties. About Meyer Jabara Hotels With headquarters in Danbury, Conn., and offices in West Palm Beach, Fla., Meyer Jabara Hotels is an award-winning hospitality company owning and operating 45 hotels and 36 food-and-beverage outlets in 20 states across the United States. The company was formed in 1977 through the partnership of William Meyer, a specialist in real property law, and Richard Jabara, a second-generation hotelier. Now under the direction of President Justin Jabara, the company has experience in all kinds of properties, from 16-room boutique properties to 508-room convention style hotels. The Meyer Jabara Hotels portfolio consists of hospitalitys leading extended stay, boutique, select service, and full service brands under the Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Choice and Wyndham umbrellas, as well as several independents. Meyer Jabara Hotels is, and always will be, in the people business. The better the people, the better the business, and that philosophy extends to all key stakeholders: business partners, associates, and guests. The company strives to create success for all it serves. For more information on Meyer Jabara Hotels, visit www.meyerjabarahotels.com. About The Abbey Inn & Spa Perched on historic Fort Hill overlooking the Hudson River, The Abbey Inn & Spa blends 19th-century architecture with modern luxury. The former convent of the Episcopal Sisters of Saint Mary has been transformed into a 42-room boutique hotel featuring a full-service spa, award-winning dining, and stunning event venues ideal for weddings, meetings, and special occasions. Just one hour north of New York City, the property offers a serene retreat amid the beauty and culture of the Hudson Highlands. For more information, visit www.theabbeyinn.com. Barb Worcester PRpro +1 440 930 5770 Meyer Jabara Hotel JAL City Nagoya Nishiki - Image Credit Okura Nikko Hotels Weekly Hotel Industry Asia Pacific News Roundup from HVS KDXR Acquires Hotel JAL City Nagoya Nishiki for JPY7.42 Billion in Nagoya, Japan Kenedix Real Estate Fund Management, Inc., the asset management company of Japan-based KDX Realty Investment Corporation (KDXR), has acquired the 216-key Hotel JAL City Nagoya Nishiki for JPY7.42 billion. This translates to approximately JPY34.35 million per key. Completed in 2018, the property spans approximately 1,063 square metres (sqm) with a total gross floor area of about 9,065 sqm. The building is 14 storeys tall, including a basement level. Facilities include one food and beverage outlet and a currency exchange machine. The hotel is currently operated by Japan-based Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co. Ltd. Located in the Naka ward of Nagoya, the property is a 7-minute walk from Fushimi Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway and a 15-minute walk from Nagoya Station. Dai-ichi Life Enters Apartment Hotel Sector with JPY4.1 Billion Investment in Tokyo, Japan Japan-based The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited (Dai-ichi Life) has entered the apartment hotel sector with a JPY4.1 billion investment. The investment was made in a company established by a real estate fund managed by Marubeni Asset Management, a Japan-based asset manager, with an aim to acquire MONday Apart Premium Akihabara. Located in Tokyos Chiyoda Ward, the property is a 27-key apartment hotel built in 2020, with a gross floor area of approximately 1,270 sqm across 10 storeys. The asset is situated within a five-minute walk of Akihabara Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, and a seven-minute walk from both JR Akihabara Station and JR Asakusabashi Station, offering connectivity to central Tokyo and surrounding areas. This move marks Dai-ichi Lifes entry into the hospitality-related real estate sector, reflecting growing institutional interest in alternative real estate asset classes. Centaline Investment Advisory Acquires Bonham Residence for HKD335 Million in Hong Kong Hong Kong-based Centaline Investment Advisory Company Limited (CI) has acquired the 94-key Bonham Residence from the Hong Kong Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA). Market sources indicate that the transaction was completed for HKD335 million, translating to approximately HKD3.56 million per key. Occupying a site of around 392 sqm, the property was initially launched for sale in May 2024 with a market valuation of about HKD400 million before being sold in August 2024. Following the acquisition, CI plans to rebrand and convert the property under its student housing brand, CampusOne Communities. CI will invest an additional HKD60 million to refurbish and upgrade the asset into a modern student residence offering approximately 200 beds. CI has acquired the 63-key Popway Hotel in 2024 for HKD180 million, and rebranded it as One Pace 117 as a student housing development with 121 beds. Naumi Hotels Debuts in Middle East with the Acquisition of the former dusitD2 Kenz in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates Singapore-based Naumi Hotels has made its debut in the Middle East with the recent acquisition of the former dusitD2 Kenz in Barsha Heights, Dubai, marking the groups first property in the region. Located steps from Dubai Internet City Metro, and within 10 minutes of Mall of the Emirates and 15 minutes of The Palm, Naumi Hotel Dubai will undergo an extensive transformation and will feature 237 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a spa, rooftop pool, fitness centre, and meeting facilities upon completion. Established in Singapore in 2007, Naumi Hotels has grown into a boutique hospitality brand known for its bold design, personalised service, and contemporary style, with a portfolio of eight properties across Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, and now the United Arab Emirates. HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com. Capturing Experiential Travel - By Duane Overgaard - Image Credit DerbySoft A new wave of digital payment innovation is making transactions faster, safer, and more efficient for travel and hotels, virtual credit cards are leading the charge. For decades, air, hotel, and car bookings defined the structure of most trips, with experiences often treated as a secondary choicesomething travelers added on after the essential logistics were in place. That model is changing rapidly. Today, experiences are no longer an afterthought. They are becoming the reason people travel in the first place. Research confirms this shift. Travelers increasingly make destination choices based on the activities they can enjoy once they arrive. A joint study from Skift and McKinsey found that experiences now represent a global market exceeding $1 trillion annually, with structured, paid activities such as tours, events, and attractions accounting for roughly a quarter of that value. Younger generations in particular are prioritizing experiences above other categories of spend, with over half of Gen Z travelers reporting that they would rather reduce their budget for flights, food, or shopping than cut back on activities during their trip. The trend shows no signs of slowing, and it is reshaping the way the industry must think about distribution, partnerships, and customer engagement. The rise of experiential travel is fueled by more than just shifting consumer values. Social media has become a powerful amplifier, transforming moments into signals of cultural relevance and personal identity. A photo taken at a concert, a cooking class, or a guided hike is not simply a memoryit becomes part of a travelers narrative and an influence on their peers decisions. This dynamic has created a self-reinforcing loop, where demand for unique, authentic moments continues to accelerate. For suppliers, distributors, and technology providers, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity is evident: experiences drive engagement, loyalty, and incremental spend. Packages that include experiences consistently achieve higher satisfaction ratings, with net promoter scores as much as 15 to 20 points higher than those without. The challenge, however, lies in the fragmented structure of the sector. Unlike air travel, which consolidates around a relatively small number of carriers, or hotels, which can be organized by chain and segment, experiences are delivered by millions of small operators across the globe. Many are local businesses, sometimes run by a single individual, who are passionate about their craft but lack the digital infrastructure to connect efficiently with international travelers. This fragmentation has real consequences. Despite the size of the market, nearly half of all experience bookings still occur offline, either through hotel concierges, local agents, or direct walk-ups. Even online, discovery can be frustrating. For a traveler planning a visit to Paris, the number of available tours of the Eiffel Tower has grown from 244 in 2019 to over 765 today. Without effective curation, travelers are faced with overwhelming lists, often with inconsistent descriptions, variable quality standards, and unclear expectations. For distributors such as airlines, hotels, and online travel platforms, this creates a complex balancing act: how to provide meaningful, trustworthy options at scale without overwhelming the customer or compromising margins. The complexity of this challenge is precisely why technology must take center stage. Experiences need to be integrated into the booking journey with the same reliability and seamlessness as flights and hotels. Doing so requires platforms that can normalize fragmented supply, aggregate it at scale, and deliver it in a way that feels curated and relevant to the traveler. At DerbySoft, this has been a guiding principle. We view connectivity as the foundation of modern travel distribution. By integrating disparate systems and enabling real-time availability, we create the infrastructure that allows experiences to be surfaced where travelers are already making decisions, whether that is when booking a flight, reserving a hotel room, or browsing a travel app in-destination. Without this kind of intelligent connectivity, the industry cannot deliver on the promise of experiential travel at scale. But connectivity alone is not enough. The discovery process must also evolve. Travelers expect experiences to be easy to find, tailored to their interests, and presented in a way that reduces decision fatigue. Insights from McKinsey highlight how traveler preferences fall into distinct profilesfrom social adventurers who plan every detail in advance, to relaxed researchers who prefer spontaneous booking after arrival. This diversity requires more than a static listing of activities. It calls for platforms that can leverage data, AI, and personalization to anticipate what will resonate with each traveler at the right moment. Timing plays a critical role. Whereas flights and hotels are often secured months in advance, experiences are frequently booked last-minute or even while on-site. This introduces additional complexity into distribution, as platforms must support both advance planning and spontaneous decision-making. A traveler might want to book a culinary class months ahead to secure a spot, but decide on a walking tour the same morning based on weather or mood. Systems that cannot accommodate this flexibility risk missing out on a significant portion of demand. Thematic travel adds another layer of opportunity and complexity. Major events such as concerts or sporting competitions can drive surges in demand, with travelers spending over $1,000 on hotels, dining, and transport when attending. Yet these opportunities are time-bound and episodic. Unlike evergreen attractions, they require distribution platforms to quickly adapt inventory and marketing strategies to capture demand in narrow windows. Again, only flexible, well-integrated platforms can make this commercially viable for operators and distributors alike. For hotels and airlines, integrating experiences into their core offerings is not just a matter of ancillary revenue, it is becoming essential to their value proposition. Hotels can use experiences to differentiate their brand and enhance loyalty programs. Airlines can bundle experiences into packages, provide in-destination options during layovers, or use them to add value to frequent flyer programs. Both sectors stand to benefit from higher margins and improved customer satisfaction if experiences are seamlessly included in the booking journey. This is the future DerbySoft is working toward: a connected ecosystem where experiences are no longer siloed but fully integrated into travel distribution. Our platform enables suppliers to extend their reach, distributors to broaden their value proposition, and travelers to access curated, bookable options without friction. The result is a win for all stakeholders, operators gain visibility, distributors generate new revenue streams, and travelers enjoy a trip that feels more meaningful and complete. The growth of experiential travel is not a passing trend; it reflects a structural shift in consumer behavior and expectations. Spending on experiences has outpaced spending on physical products by a wide margin, increasing 65 percent since 2019. Experiences are becoming the currency of travel, shaping both demand and loyalty. The industrys challenge is to ensure that this demand is met with systems that are as seamless and scalable as the experiences themselves are memorable. The market is large, fragmented, and still maturing. That combination creates both risk and extraordinary opportunity. As travel continues to evolve, those who succeed in capturing the experiential segment will not only tap into significant revenue potential but also redefine what it means to deliver value in travel. The key is technology that makes the complex simple, the fragmented whole, and the overwhelming accessible. Experiences are no longer peripheral to travel. They are central. The industry must rise to the occasion, and DerbySoft is committed to building the foundation that makes it possible. About the Author Duane Overgaard is the Divisional CEO, Hospitality, of DerbySoft. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has a diverse skill set that includes account management, business development, and contract negotiation. Duane has held various leadership positions at renowned companies such as Sabre Corporation, Wyndham International, and Hilton Hotels & Resorts, where he has demonstrated expertise in hotel management and marketing strategy. He is known for his strong team-building and competitive analysis skills. Duane is currently based in the Dallas area of the United States. Crowne Plaza/Staybridge Suites Hotel - Image Credit Hodges Ward Elliott Hodges Ward Elliott has completed the sale of the 462-room Crowne Plaza/Staybridge Suites located in Midtown Atlanta. Hodges Ward Elliott has announced the completion of a transaction involving the sale of the dual-branded Crowne Plaza/Staybridge Suites in Midtown Atlanta. The firm represented an institutional seller in the deal. The property, which stands 25 stories tall, is one of the 15 largest hotels in Atlanta. It features 462 guest rooms and 34,600 square feet of meeting and event space across 17 rooms. Additional amenities include four dining outlets, a rooftop pool deck, and a fitness center. The 25th-floor meeting space offers views of Downtown, Midtown, and the Georgia Tech campus. The hotel is strategically located next to Georgia Tech and Emory University Hospital Midtown. It is also in proximity to major corporate offices such as Coca-Cola, Honeywell, and NCR VOYIX/Atleos. The area is experiencing significant investment and development, including the $500 million Emory Winship Cancer Institute and expansions at Georgia Tech. The transaction was managed by a team from Hodges Ward Elliott, including Nate Ries, William Hodges, and Michael Tormey. The sale underscores the ongoing demand for hospitality assets in Atlanta's urban core, which benefits from its connectivity and institutional demand. The hotel is positioned near the Fox Theatre and the North Avenue MARTA Station, enhancing its accessibility. The sale reflects the continued interest in Atlanta's hospitality sector, driven by its strategic location and surrounding developments. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. New Mount Greylock Handbook Outlines Restorative Practices for Discipline WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The Mount Greylock Regional School Committee on Thursday reviewed an updated middle-high school student handbook that includes the new student behavior code the district has developed over the past year. In conjunction with consultants from the Chicago-based non-profit The Equity Imperative, the district last year began a process of categorizing "disruptive or harmful behavior," outlining the district's responses and specifying how families will be notified. "That involves three tiers of behavior and associated responses," Superintendent Joseph Bergeron told the committee. "These behavior matrices detail all we've workshopped both within the working group over the past year and, more publicly, as we worked through spring and summer." The new content comes in the handbook's Section VIII, titled "Rules, Regulations and Procedures." The first tier of offenses, labeled "Minor/Low-Level Behaviors" include things like "off-task behavior," "talking out of turn" and "profanity." Responses start with techniques like "verbal redirection" and a "classroom restorative circle" and elevate to "detention referral" and "loss of break/recess." Tier 2 behaviors, dubbed "Moderate/Recurrent Behaviors," include "major or repeated documented defiance," "excessive classroom disruption," bullying and "verbal slurs, discrimination or harassment." Those cases would draw responses ranging from a "restorative conference" between the student, teacher and administrator or counselor, a family meeting and in-school or after-school detention. "Major/High-Level Behaviors," Tier 3 in the district matrix, include assault, "ongoing threatening behavior or bullying, sexual harassment, "recording/photographing without explicit permission" and "theft or vandalism greater than or equal to $250." Tier 3 behavior also would lead to a family meeting at a minimum but also could include "restitution and apology process," in-school or out-of-school suspension, referral to the commonwealth's Department of Children and Families and, ultimately, alternative placement of the student. "It reflects trying to make sure that we are addressing behavior in its root cause, that we are trying to take steps to restore relationships and education students as a first step, that we are putting communication with families in various forms very much up front and that all responses to behavior are progressive in nature except the most severe, Tier 3-type behavior, where we really need to jump straight from being notified to taking action that is more traditional, which would involve separation from the school population to maintain safety," Bergeron explained. The Student/Family Handbook is a product of the administration, meaning the School Committee did not need to vote to approve the document. But committee member Carolyn Greene noted that the handbook should align with the district handbook, which includes, among other things, a section on student discipline. Bergeron told the committee that one of his goals for the year ahead is to find ways to pare down the handbook, which currently has more than 110 pages, and make it more user friendly for students and families. "In Massachusetts, these handbooks are often the place for legal compliance and state compliance," Bergeron said. "We, as a school district, make sure that everything the state says we're required to have in there, everything our lawyer recommends we have so that we can do it or we make sure families know we're doing it. What that leads to, over the course of many years is just a lot of stuff. "In time for next year, we'll be whittling away at this, working with state requirements and legal counsel and internally to figure out how we can make this a more immediately useful to families and staff document, rather than just being compliant, which it very much is." Revising the handbook is an "informal" goal for the first-year superintendent. The School Committee also voted to accept the state-mandated superintendent goals that Bergeron previously discussed with the elected panel at its September meeting. Among those goals are demonstrating "an increased student and staff sense of belonging through Panorama survey data responses," developing a way to share incident data with the community at large, creating a Community and Culture Committee to find ways to increase the sense of belonging in the three-school district, demonstrating students' progress through diagnostic assessment, rolling out a new math curriculum and examining the challenges of Mount Greylock's "current schedule and course offerings." The School Committee will assess Bergeron's progress at addressing the stated goals when it conducts an annual performance review. In other business on Thursday, the School Committee closed the books on fiscal year 2025 for the district, appointed Greene to represent the committee at the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and discussed an addition to the district's graduation requirements to incorporate new state standards for "competency" in the wake of last November's statewide vote to get rid of the "high-stakes MCAS" as a requirement for a high school diploma. "Right now, if someone wants to graduate from a high school in Massachusetts, they need to both meet both the local graduation requirements, which is you've taken the following courses and distribution of courses and so on, as well as they need to meet this competency determination bar, which is an assessment of what skills you've developed within specific areas," Bergeron said. "That's where this language comes in." The proposed policy is being developed by the School Committee's Policy Subcommittee, working off a model policy put forward by the MASC in August, Bergeron said. Policy Subcommittee Chair Jose Constantine said the group plans to bring a final draft to the School Committee for approval at its Nov. 6 meeting. Gypsy Layne Hosts Grand Finale Nights at the Adams Theater, The Foundry ADAMS, MassThis is it, folks! After 15 glorious years, Gypsy Layne will hold its final two performances at two Berkshire venues over two nights: The Adams Theater on Oct. 17 and The Foundry in West Stockbridge on Oct. 18. These last show-stopping spectaculars kick off at 7:30 p.m. on both nights. Get tickets here: Adams:https://ci.ovationtix. com/36681/production/1245739? performanceId=11666061 West Stockbridge: https://thefoundryws.com/ event/love-glitter-and- gratitude-gypsy-laynes-grand- finale/ According to a press release: Join your favorite homegrown cabaret and burlesque troupe for the sexiest, most outrageous retirement party imaginable. This grand finale is a dazzling trip down memory layne, featuring a specially curated selection of the Gypsies most beloved acts, those timeless bits that have enraptured audiences across New Englandand beyond!year after year. The Adams Theater participates in Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture program, in collaboration with the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program, and the Mass Health Connector. EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders receive free admission to our shows and events by presenting their cards at our Box Office. See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Dutch government has seized control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, invoking an emergency Cold-War era law in a move that is likely to heighten trade tensions with Beijing. It claimed that the highly exceptional decision to invoke the Goods Availability Act was necessitated by serious governance shortcomings at the semiconductor manufacturer, owned by Wingtech Technology of China and headquartered in Nijmegen. The move was also meant to ensure the European supply of semiconductors remained uninterrupted and to protect European economic security, the Dutch government said in a statement. We strongly protest against the discriminatory treatment targeting Chinese firms, Wingtech responded in a statement posted on Chinese social media site WeChat on Monday. The company said it was pursuing diplomatic and legal measures to address the situation and called on the Dutch government to withdraw the decision. The decision, announced on Sunday, came a day after the US dramatically expanded sanctions on Chinese companies and Beijing retaliated by tightening export controls on rare earth materials. The Dutch decision threatens to further escalate the Wests trade tensions with the Asian economic giant. The Goods Availability Act, passed over 70 years ago, empowers the government to intervene in private companies to maintain access to critical products in exceptional circumstances, which include threats to economic security. The Dutch government claimed that only due to the significant scale and urgency of the governance deficiencies at Nexperia has the decision been made to apply the Act. This is a measure the government uses only when absolutely necessary, it said. Application of this Act in this case is solely intended to prevent governance shortcomings at the specific company concerned and is not directed at other companies, the sector, or other countries. Nexperia is a major supplier of essential parts used in cars, smartphones and industrial equipment. Shares of Wingtech, Nexperias Shanghai-listed parent company, dropped 10 per cent on Monday morning. In December 2024, the US government placed Wingtech on its "entity list", identifying the company as a national security concern. This barred US companies from exporting goods manufactured in America to businesses affiliated with the Chinese firm without a special approval. In the UK, Nexperia was forced to sell its silicon chip plant in Newport after ministers and MPs expressed national security concerns. The company still operates a facility in Stockport. The China Semiconductor Industry Association said on Tuesday it was seriously concerned about the Dutch governments decision to seize control of Nexperia. It called the decision selective and discriminatory towards overseas subsidiaries of Chinese companies, saying it undermined the principles of open trade. The Chinese foreign ministry too denounced the Dutch move. China always opposes overstretching the concept of national security and discriminatory moves that target companies from certain countries, ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press briefing on Monday. China is firmly resolved in defending its own legitimate and lawful rights and interests. While Nexperia is allowed to maintain normal production, the Dutch government now enjoys the authority to block or overturn its decisions. Wingtech said it had been ordered to stop any changes to Nexperia assets, operations, or personnel for up to a year. Nexperia complies with all existing laws and regulations, export controls and sanctions regimes, the company said in a statement on Monday. 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 Two Filipino climbers were rescued from Japans Mount Okuhotakadake but one died after being airlifted to safety, authorities said on Sunday. According to local police, the men, aged 53 and 48, were among a group of seven who had attempted to scale the 3,190m summit in the Northern Japan Alps, about 270km west of Tokyo. According to Mainichi, the group encountered difficulties on their way down the steep slopes of Japans third-highest peak, getting stranded. A search operation was launched on Saturday evening after an employee at a nearby mountain lodge alerted authorities. The staff member had received a distress report from a Filipino woman who said that three of her companions had gone missing while descending. Rescuers found the missing climbers at around 5.20am local time on Sunday, roughly 170m from the mountain lodge. The 53-year-old man was found in a critical condition. He was pronounced dead after being airlifted for medical treatment. His 48-year-old companion was suffering from what rescue workers suspected to be hypothermia and remained under observation, Kyodo News reported. Police said a third missing climber, a woman, managed to make her way down before rescuers reached the site. The identities of the climbers were not disclosed publicly. Okuhotakadake, in the Hotaka mountain range, is one of Japans most challenging climbs, drawing experienced climbers from around the world. It sits on the border between Nagano and Gifu prefectures. But weather changes and difficult terrain often make it hazardous, particularly in early autumn when conditions can quickly turn treacherous. Japanese authorities have repeatedly urged climbers to prepare thoroughly before attempting alpine routes. The East Asian country, meanwhile, introduced a uniform 4,000 yen (20) entry fee for all four main Mount Fuji trails starting this climbing season, aiming to address overcrowding and environmental damage caused by surging tourist numbers. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A court in Japan has sentenced a man to death for killing four people in a stabbing and shooting attack in 2023, rejecting the defences argument that he was suffering from a severe mental disorder. Masanori Aoki, 34, was convicted of fatally stabbing two women and two police officers on a street in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, in the summer of 2023. Aoki had long believed that the two women Yukie Murakami, 66, and Yasuko Takeuchi, 70 had bad-mouthed him, calling him a loner and creepy. He attacked them with a knife as they passed by on the street, then shot the responding police officers with a hunting rifle. The Nagano District Court said Aoki stole precious lives by killing four people, calling his actions cruel in the extreme. It was an atrocious crime in which four precious lives were taken based on a strong intent to kill, presiding judge Masashi Sakata said. The outcome of his actions was grave indeed and cruel in the extreme, the court added. The defence cited a psychiatric evaluation to argue that Aoki was suffering from, which diminished his capacity to distinguish right from wrong. Prosecutors acknowledged that Aoki experienced delusions but maintained that he carried out the killings in a fit of rage and was aware of his actions. They also said he showed exceptional cruelty and cold-bloodedness during the May 2023 attack. The attack unfolded dramatically as Aoki, dressed in a camouflage outfit, hat, sunglasses and mask, chased the women in the street and stabbed them. He then used a hunting rifle to shoot and kill police officers Takuo Ikeuchi, 61, and Yoshiki Tamai, 46, who had rushed to the scene. The suspect later barricaded himself inside his fathers home with his mother and aunt for at least 12 hours. During the standoff, TV footage showed police wearing bulletproof vests and carrying shields, with an ambulance on standby. Police sealed off a 300-metre radius around the house, while city officials urged residents in the quiet farming neighbourhood to stay home or move to an evacuation centre, where about 80 people reportedly took shelter. Aoki is believed to be the eldest son of Masamichi Aoki, the speaker of the Nakano City Assembly. Violent crimes are rare in Japan due to strict gun control laws, which only allow civilians to own hunting rifles and airguns for protection against animal attacks. However, in recent years, a few high-profile cases involving random stabbings and arson have raised concerns about public safety and homemade weapons. The quadruple murder prompted authorities to tighten firearm regulations, making it harder for people to own half-rifles the type of gun used by Aoki in the attack. 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 Chocolat, the beloved feline who served as stationmaster at a train station in Japan, was honoured with a ceremony on retirement after four years of service. Fans gathered on 14 September to celebrate the cat who had become a cherished fixture of the JR Uzen-Komatsu Station at Kawanishi in Yamagata prefecture. Chocolats journey began in May 2019 when he was discovered in the stations parking lot. Rescued by the nonprofit organisation that oversees the station, the mixed-breed cat quickly won hearts with his gentle and charming demeanour. By October of the same year, he officially assumed the role of stationmaster, delighting commuters and visitors alike with his calm and endearing presence. Chocolats role was largely ceremonial, serving as a charming face for the JR Uzen-Komatsu station at Kawanishi and helping promote the railway to visitors. In several videos online, his photos can be seen at several places in the station with messages for commuters. After nearly four years of service, Chocolat retired at the end of July, as advancing age made it difficult for him to continue his duties, Japan News reported. During the retirement ceremony, Kazuo Emoto, chairman of the nonprofit, presented Chocolat with a letter of appreciation and a commemorative gift of cat food. Attendees captured countless photographs and expressed their gratitude for the joy he brought to the community. One fan, a 42-year-old company employee from Kawamata in Fukushima prefecture, who had visited Chocolat multiple times a year, shared: At first he seemed wary of his surroundings, but gradually he became comfortable, and it was so adorable. I hope he rests well. Before Chocolat, there was Tama, who was the feline stationmaster at Kishi Station in Wakayama Prefecture. In 2015, Tama passed away at 16 from heart failure. She rose to international fame for her role in revitalising the local railway, attracting thousands of tourists and generating an estimated 1.1bn Japanese Yen for the area, according to the BBC. A lavish Shinto-style funeral was organised for her and was attended by company officials and fans who left flowers, tuna, and other gifts. It was Tamas success that inspired the continued use of feline staff at the station, and her successor, Nitama, took over as apprentice stationmaster at the time. 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 Indonesia has nearly doubled a key allowance for its lawmakers just weeks after protests against excessive pay and perks of parliamentarians swept the country. The raise has reignited public anger as the Southeast Asian nation is still recovering from the violent clashes between protesters and riot police that left 10 people dead and at least 5,000 injured. All 580 lawmakers will now receive 702m rupiah (31,800) in recess allowance, which is meant to support work in their constituencies while parliament is not in session. Indonesian parliamentarians take about five breaks per year. The latest hike, which almost doubles the allowance from 400m rupiah (18,100), came into effect on 3 October, deputy speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said. Mr Dasco defended the hike, saying the previous sum was calculated for 2019-2024 and didn't take into account the subsequent rises in food and transportation prices. So, this is not a raise, it is a policy decided by the House's secretariat after reviewing various kinds of aspects," he said, adding the figure was not proposed by the House of Representatives but by the secretariat. Mr Dasco, a senior member of president Prabowo Subianto's Gerindra party, said parliament was developing a digital reporting mechanism to ensure transparency which would be open to the public. A demonstrator holds a portrait of Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle taxi driver who was run over by a police vehicle on August 28, during a protest in front of the Regional Police Headquarters in Surabaya ( AFP via Getty ) "It's like Indonesians have been pranked," Lucius Karus from Formappi, a nonprofit parliamentary watchdog, said. "We were satisfied by the abolition of the housing allowance... but, in fact, another fantastic allowance has appeared. Thousands of students, activists and other citizens joined protests in August against the government's spending priorities, including pay rises for lawmakers. Public outrage erupted after reports that members of the House of Representatives in the world's third-largest democracy were due to receive a monthly housing allowance of 50m rupiah (2,315) in addition to their salaries. The allowance, introduced last year, was nearly 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage. The protests spiralled into riots after a motorcycle taxi driver was crushed by a police operation. The violence spread to 32 of Indonesia's 38 provinces, making it the deadliest outbreak of unrest in the archipelago for over two decades. In several cities, protesters set fire to regional parliament buildings and police headquarters and looted and burnt vehicles. In the wake of the unrest, some of the benefits for lawmakers were removed, cutting the total to 65.5m rupiah (2,973). 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 sought asylum in the UK was seen dancing and laughing after he stabbed a hotel worker more than 20 times at a railway station before leaving her for dead, a court heard. Deng Chol Majek, a Sudanese asylum seeker who has said he is 19, was caught on CCTV as he followed Rhiannon Skye Whyte from the towns Park Inn hotel to Walsalls Bescot Stadium station. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Majek, who is on trial for murder, was clearly excited about what he had done after inflicting a total of 23 stab wounds to Whyte, primarily to her head, on the station platform. She died three days after the attack. open image in gallery The accused is being tried at Wolverhampton Crown Court ( PA ) Whyte, whose shift had finished at 11pm, could be heard screaming during a phone call to a friend and was found by a train guard on the platform minutes later, according to prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC. Opening the crowns case against Majek, Ms Heeley told the court he followed the 27-year-old from the hotel where he was living. Ms Heeley said: He followed her down onto the train platform at the Bescot Stadium station and then he attacked her. Stabbing her over and over again with a screwdriver. He left her bleeding to death and then casually went back to his hotel. We say you can be sure he is guilty of murder. Whyte had worked at the hotel for three months, helping with things including cleaning and serving food, while the defendant was resident in room 309. The prosecutor said that one of Whytes colleagues had noticed the defendant staring at her and the woman she was working with. No one could recall any particular issue that would have caused him to act in that way. There had been an issue about some broken biscuits with some of the residents, but nothing serious. What is clear from the CCTV is that the defendant was hanging around the reception area, staring at Rhiannon throughout the evening. He changed into a distinctive jacket and sandals and then waited around the reception area where Rhiannon was, Ms Heeley added. CCTV tracks the defendant all the way. He followed her from the hotel and to the station. He had been hanging around waiting for her to leave and waited until she was on her own before he followed her. Whytes friend, having heard screams, called the police, who contacted the hotel, which sent one of their employees to the station. The train that Rhiannon had been due to catch pulled in at 11.24pm, and the driver saw a figure slumped on the platform. The defendant did not go straight back to the hotel, he went to a local shop and bought himself a drink first, arriving back in the hotel at 13 minutes past midnight, Ms Heeley continued. In between the station and the hotel he had thrown Rhiannons phone into a river. Once at the hotel he was seen dancing and laughing, clearly excited about what he had done. As well as CCTV footage, Whytes DNA was found under the defendants fingernails. The prosecutor said: His clothes have her blood on, his fingernails have her DNA under them. She had injuries from where she tried to defend herself. Majek denies murder and possessing a screwdriver as an offensive weapon. The trial continues. 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 controversial TikTok influencer has been arrested after a year-long manhunt over alleged driving offences. Harrison Sullivan, who goes by the social media name HSTikkyTokky, was arrested in the UK and has since appeared in court, after returning from Qatar. The 24-year-old was wanted by Surrey Police for failing to appear in court after a crash in Virgina Water, Surrey, in March 2024. Police launched an appeal after the driver of a McLaren supercar, which can cost hundreds of thousands, left the scene after crashing into a second vehicle. A passenger in the purple McLaren and two people in a black Audi were treated for minor injuries. Mr Sullivan skipped a court appearance in November but has posted social media videos from Dubai and Doha. A statement from Surrey Police on Monday said: "A 24-year-old man from Hutton, Essex, was arrested on Friday for failing to appear at court for dangerous driving. "He appeared at Guildford Magistrates' Court on Saturday and has been remanded ahead of a further court appearance at Staines Magistrates' Court on Tuesday." The charges include failing to stop after an accident, driving without third party insurance and driving while using a mobile phone. 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 mother has been found guilty of killing her three-month old daughter by violently shaking her and causing catastrophic brain injuries. Kaylani Kalanzi, who was known to social services before she was born, was admitted to hospital on 8 July 2024 with an injury to her head. She had also suffered a broken leg and ribs, and despite the best efforts of hospital staff, she died 15 days later at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Her mother Nazli Merhoca, 24, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of manslaughter, after she was acquitted of the more serious charge of murder. Her partner, Herbert Kalani, was acquitted of causing or allowing Kaylanis death, after being cleared of her murder on the directions of the judge. The court heard that Kaylani had been placed on a child protection plan, and that her parents were selfish and irresponsible and had placed their abusive relationship over their babys needs. open image in gallery Kaylani Kalanzi died at Great Ormond Street Hospital 15 days after being admitted with catastrophic brain injuries ( Metropolitan Police/PA Wire ) After being born prematurely, she spent 29 days in the special care baby unit at North MIddlesex Hospital before being allowed home on 13 May. Her parents were allowed custody after they demonstrated to social services that they were capable of being fit parents. This included Mr Kalazi agreeing to attend a programme aimed at engaging fathers to enhance the safety of their children called Caring Dad. However, jurors heard that the ever-present risk to Kaylani became a fatal reality on 8 July, when they phoned emergency services shortly before 10.30pm to report Kaylani had stopped breathing. When paramedics arrived, Merthoca failed to inform them that Kaylani had been shaken, causing bleeding to the brain, damage to her eyes and fractures to her tibia and ribs, the court was told. Staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital noted Merthoca had become upset at being questioned about what happened, and had claimed she was being blamed because of her race and gender. A specialist postmortem confirmed that Kaylani had died due to blunt force trauma a finding which contradicted her mothers account, and that her injuries could only have been sustained from severe shaking. open image in gallery The couple had stood trial at the Old Bailey, with jury acquitting Herbert Kalanzi (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) ( PA Archive ) Messages on WhatsApp and Snapchat uncovered after their arrests revealed the extent of their volatile relationship. On 17 June 2024, Kalanzi messaged Merthoca to complain about being locked out, saying: Who do you think you are? Merthoca told him that she was going to call police and Kalanzi called her dumb and responded: If you go police u lose everything. Moving like social arent onto us about domestic. She also accused Kalazi of hurting their daughter, telling him: You hurt Kaylani eye. Wtf Im reporting this. You gave her a black eye. And blood. A Snapchat video taken in the early hours showed Kaylani lying on a cushion with a visible eye injury, jurors were told. Both defendants denied harming Kaylani at Merthocas grandmothers flat in Homerton, east London, where the family was staying at the time. Merthoca wiped away tears in the dock as she was remanded into custody to be sentenced on 15 December. Detective Inspector John Marriott, from Specialist Crime North - who led the investigation - said: Merthoca carried out a horrific assault on her own child. To add insult, she then spun a web of lies to the emergency services in order to cover up her responsibility. Though Kaylanis life was cut short by this hideous abuse, there were relatives who loved and cared for her. They have been left traumatised by her killing, and our thoughts are with them at this time. Investigators compiled extensive digital evidence, which, coupled with overwhelming medical evidence, painted a damning picture of the defendant at trial. Offences against children especially of this gravity are some of the most difficult cases police deal with. The evidence here was particularly harrowing and complex, and I would like to commend the investigation team for their work bringing Merthoca to justice. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police are investigating after the corporate offices of Legal & General were targeted with splatters of red paint in central London. The headquarters of the international insurance and asset management group was covered with red paint and appeared to have several windows smashed overnight. The incident follows several reports of similar vandalism incidents at the offices of JP Morgan, Invesco and Barclays in the city recently. A Legal & General spokesperson said: We are aware of the incident at One Coleman Street and are currently working with the City of London police who are investigating. The safety and wellbeing of our staff remains our highest priority open image in gallery The headquarters of the international insurance and asset management group was covered with red paint ( The Independent ) By the early afternoon on Tuesday, much of the outside of the building had been cordoned off, with staff having to show identification to enter the building while teams worked to clean up the glass and paint. Superintendent Jesse Wynne, at the City of London Police, said: Around 2am on October 14, City of London Police were alerted to individuals damaging a premises on Coleman Street. open image in gallery The incident follows several reports of similar vandalism incidents at the offices of JP Morgan, Invesco and Barclays in the city recently ( The Independent ) The suspects smashed windows and sprayed the front of the building with red paint. Clear lines of enquiry are being explored, and no arrests have been made at this stage. Though the motive behind the incident is unclear, it follows similar attacks at other offices of financial service providers in London. Some other incidents saw the words drop Elbit accompany the red paint, believed to be related to the Israel-based military tech company. open image in gallery Though the motive behind the incident is unclear, it follows similar attacks at other offices of financial service providers in London. ( The Independent ) Palestine Action took responsibility for the vandalism of the Invesco office and also for similar attacks on 15 branches of Barclays last year. At the time, it said the protests were carried out to "demand the bank divests from Israel's weapons trade and fossil fuels". Separately, there has also been reports of red paint vandalism across the UK in areas such as Huddersfield, Bradford, Reading, Edinburgh and in other London neighbourhoods. These appear to have targeted residential homes rather than businesses. 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 An Afghan migrant who came to the UK on a small boat has been jailed for threatening to kill Nigel Farage in a TikTok video. Fayaz Khan, 26, filmed himself making the threat, mimicking the pop, pop, pop noise of a gunshot, between 12 and 15 October last year in a post that the Reform UK leader described as pretty chilling. He was convicted following a trial at Southwark Crown Court by a majority of 10 jurors to two, and has been sentenced to five years behind bars. The court heard that Khan is believed to have given a false name to British authorities after entering the UK illegally, and has a criminal record in Sweden. open image in gallery Nigel Farage, pictured at Southwark Crown Court, described the video as pretty chilling ( Aaron Chown/PA ) Swedish authorities believe he is 31-year-old Fayaz Husseini, and has 17 convictions for 12 separate incidents, which include carrying a knife and threatening behaviour. He claimed to have used a different name as he has enemies, and went by the username madapasa on the social media platform, where he had amassed hundreds of thousands of views. Several of his videos had focused on his attempts to come to the UK via Channel crossing, after previously living in Stockholm since 2019. On 12 October last year, Mr Farage uploaded a video to YouTube titled The journey of an illegal migrant which highlighted Khan and referenced young males of fighting age coming into our country about whom we know very little. Khan responded with a video on 14 October, which was played to the jury, in which Khan appears to say: Englishman Nigel, dont talk shit about me. You not know me. I come to England because I want to marry with your sister. You not know me. open image in gallery Fayaz Khan had accrued a large following on TikTok under the username madapasa ( PA ) Dont talk about me more [sic]. Delete the video. Im coming to England. Im going to pop, pop, pop. While Khan said pop, pop, pop he made gun gestures with his hand, as well as headbutting the camera during the video, and was pointing to an AK-47 tattoo on his face to emphasise he wasnt joking, jurors were told. Khan had live-streamed his journey across the English Channel from France and was arrested on 31 October last year after arriving in the UK on a small boat. Addressing the video, sentencing judge Mrs Justice Steyn said: You saw the widespread dissemination of Mr Farages video as a hindrance to your attempts to come to the UK. Giving evidence, Mr Farage said: Given his proximity to guns and love of guns, I was genuinely worried. He says hes coming to England and hes going to shoot me. Jurors were shown a screenshot of a subsequent TikTok post by Khan with the caption I mean what I say written on an image of a GB News report about the alleged threat against Mr Farage. open image in gallery Khan has an AK-47 face tattoo and displayed a love of guns, in Farages words ( Metropolitan Police/PA ) In his police interview, Khan denied wanting to kill Mr Farage, and said that he had been smoking cannabis and was high at the time of filming the video. His lawyer, Charles Royle, said: I have instructions from Mr Khan to apologise to Mr Farage and to his sister for any offence and upset caused. The prosecution said Khan had also committed multiple low-level offences, including some involving drugs. Peter Ratliff said Khan was convicted in June 2019 of using threatening behaviour towards a public servant, for which he was imprisoned. He was also convicted of carrying a knife in a public place in April 2020 and was jailed for three months in October that year for using threatening behaviour. Khan was also convicted of vandalism, which resulted in a two-month prison sentence in March 2023. Mrs Justice Steyn said: Your video was not more abuse; it was a threat to kill with a firearm and it was, as Mr Farage put it, pretty chilling. After he was jailed, Khan shouted from the dock that Mr Farage wanted to use me because you want to be prime minister. Following Khans conviction, Mr Farage told reporters, Well, I suppose we call that a win, and added: But the fact is that in 18 months time this violent criminal, somebody with 17 convictions in Sweden, in 18 months time he will be in this country, living in a house of multiple occupancy or a hotel, free to walk the streets whilst his asylum claim is judged. Asked if he was shaken by the outburst Khan shouted at Mr Farage after he was sentenced, he said: Well, in 18 months time, when hes out free and theres no order, theres no restraining order on him, Ill be very thoughtful again. Downing Street welcomed the outcome of the case, with the prime ministers official spokesman stating it was absolutely unacceptable to threaten violence against anyone, particularly MPs. The spokesman added: We thank the police and all those involved in the case for delivering justice. 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 The home secretary has been warned by Europes human rights watchdog that the UK risks over-policing Palestine Action protests. Michael OFlaherty, commissioner for human rights at the Council of Europe, has asked the government to ensure counter-terrorism laws do not unnecessarily restrict freedom of peaceful assembly. He also called for a comprehensive review of the UKs protest legislation following a range of recent and upcoming changes placing tighter restrictions demonstrations to ensure they comply with international human rights laws, including the European Convention on Human Rights. It comes after 2,000 people have been arrested in a series of major protests over the decision to designate Palestine Action as a proscribed terrorist organisation. open image in gallery Human rights watchdog Council of Europe has written to Shabana Mahmood ( PA Wire ) Hundreds of peaceful protesters holding placards showing support for the direct-action group have been hauled away by police and face possible charges under the Terrorism Act for defying the controversial ban, which is being challenged in the High Court. In a letter to Shabana Mahmood, Mr OFlaherty said: I observe that large numbers of arrests have reportedly been made for displaying placards or banners expressing solidarity with the organisation or disagreement with the governments decision to proscribe it. I am aware that support for a proscribed group is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000. In this regard I recall that domestic legislation designed to counter terrorism or violent extremism must not impose any limitations on fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, that are not strictly necessary for the protection of national security and the rights and freedoms of others. I ask the government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the policing of protests conforms to this and related principles of law. open image in gallery 500 people were arrested at a protest, organised by Defend our Juries, in support of banned terror group Palestine Action earlier this month ( PA Wire ) The commissioner warned changes following the adoption of the Police Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Act 2023 which gave police more powers to impose conditions on rallies impose excessive limits on freedom of assembly and risk over policing. He also raised further concerns over proposals in the Crime and Policing Bill, currently before the House of Lords, which would criminalise protesters wearing a face covering and give police powers to restrict demonstrations in the vicinity of places of worship. Mr OFlaherty said face coverings should not be prohibited where there is no demonstrable evidence of imminent violence. He also warned the term vicinity was not clearly defined and risked demonstrations being banned in large parts of cities and towns. His intervention comes after Ms Mahmood earlier this month announced police would be given even greater powers to restrict repeated protests after 500 people were arrested at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square, despite calls from the police and prime minister to postpone. open image in gallery Police hauled away hundreds of protesters who defied the ban ( REUTERS ) The home secretary said repeated large-scale protests had caused "considerable fear" for the Jewish community in the wake of the Manchester synagogue attack. She said: "The right to protest is a fundamental freedom in our country. However, this freedom must be balanced with the freedom of their neighbours to live their lives without fear. "Large, repeated protests can leave sections of our country, particularly religious communities, feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes. However, organisers Defend Our Juries responded by promising a major escalation in their campaign to lift the ban on Palestine Action ahead of the High Court legal challenge on 25 November. A group spokesperson said it beggars belief that the home secretary responded to condemnation of the ban with a further crackdown. This confirms what weve warned all along: the proscription of Palestine Action was never just about one group its a dangerous, authoritarian escalation that threatens everyones right to protest in our country, they added. 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 Tommy Robinson claims that Elon Musk is paying his legal fees, as the far-right activist faces a three-week wait for the verdict of his trial because he is due to visit Israel. The 42-year-old, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, denies failing to comply with counterterrorism powers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone on 28 July last year, specifically by refusing to disclose his phones PIN. If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to three months. Robinson, who thanked X-owner Musk for covering his legal costs, will travel to Israel on Wednesday until 25 October, Westminster Magistrates Court heard. open image in gallery The far-right activist arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court ( PA ) The prosecution and defence cases finished on Tuesday, but District Judge Sam Goozee has not yet made a decision on whether the activist is guilty or not guilty. As the judge tried to set a date to hand down his verdict, Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said Robinson would be out of the country for some time. He is a guest of the Israeli government in Israel tomorrow, he told the court. Judge Goozee told Robinson he would accommodate his current travel arrangements and adjourned his decision until 4 November. open image in gallery A man flies a Union flag outside Westminster Magistrates Court ( PA ) Posting on X (Twitter) after the hearing ended, Robinson said: Now that my trial is behind me, I will have my verdict handed down on November 4th in London. Im leaving soon for a trip to Israel a proud patriot coming tomorrow to stand with the Jewish state and deepen my understanding of the fight against jihad. Robinson, last month, organised a Unite the Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people. The invitation to Robinson was extended in the wake of the terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester. Amichai Chikli, Israels minister for the diaspora and combating antisemitism, said he was proud to host British patriot Robinson. 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 first sighting of an Asian Hornet in Northern Ireland has been confirmed, with the public urged to remain alert to more. The Asian Hornet was captured by a member of the public in the Dundonald area of Belfast on Friday, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said. Otherwise known as the yellow-legged hornet, the Asian Hornet is a harmful invasive species originating from East Asia that was first recorded in Europe in 2004. Single insects and nests are increasingly recorded in the southern counties of England, while two nests were found and destroyed in the Cork area earlier this summer. Andrew Muir, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, said: This is a harmful species that I do not wish to see becoming established in Northern Ireland as it presents a serious threat to both biosecurity and local ecology, particularly valuable pollinating insects. open image in gallery The Asian or yellow-legged hornet is a non-native predator that feeds on honeybees On current evidence, this is a solitary asian hornet, but a Departmental response is underway to ensure that no other Asian hornets are present. I am grateful to the Dundonald householder who captured and reported the Asian hornet and would urge the public to remain alert to the potential presence of this insect." Like bees, the sting of an Asian hornet can cause painful and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions, but these insects pose a wider risk to the UKs insect population. The species is described as a highly effective predator of insects, including honeybees, wasps and other important pollinators, such as hoverflies. Due to its aggressive nature and feeding habits, there are fears it could have a serious impact on native insect biodiversity and on pollination services more widely. Figures released last month show that there were 429 credible sightings and 112 nests, as of 11 September, reported by the National Bee Unit (NBU) in the UK. This is an increase from last year, when there were 71 credible sightings and 24 nests found and from 2023, when there were 72 sightings and 56 nests located. open image in gallery The species is described as a highly effective predator of insects, including honeybees ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) A hornets nest can contain thousands of insects, with a particularly large one having the potential to house 5,000 to 6,000. There have been a total of 191 confirmed nests of yellow-legged hornets since 2016, all of which have been destroyed, according to the government. NIEA officials have launched a monitoring programme involving specialist equipment and live traps to confirm whether the recent sighting is of just one hornet or if there may be a whole nest. The DAERA said, if more hornets are found, intensive monitoring will continue to remove any nests and make sure there are no further insects. It is also urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspect insects immediately, but warns that suspected nests should not be disturbed. Reports, ideally with a photograph, can be made to DAERA via the Asian Hornet Watch app at https://www.brc.ac.uk/app/asian-hornet-watch or via CEDaR invasive species online recording at http://www2.habitas.org.uk/records/ISI 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 Hundreds of passwords linked to government departments have been leaked on the dark web. A report seen exclusively by The Independent shows that more than 700 email addresses and corresponding passwords from across nine government domains have been leaked online in the past year, creating fears that taxpayers sensitive data, or critical systems such as power grids, could be targeted by hackers. There have also been nine attempts to sell classified UK military and Nato-related documents to bad actors which experts warn could directly undermine national security. The report by NordStellar, a threat exposure management platform that monitors the dark web, says the UK government has dangerous vulnerability gaps in its cybersecurity strategy, making it a prime target for cyber criminals and raising the risk of sensitive information ending up on the dark web. One cybersecurity expert warned that the worst type of governmental data breach on the dark web could look like the Afghan lists on steroids a reference to the catastrophic Ministry of Defence data breach of 2022 in which the details of thousands of applicants to a UK resettlement scheme were leaked online, potentially putting thousands of lives at risk. Among the government departments, the most targeted was the Ministry of Justice, which had 195 passwords leaked on the dark web in the past year. This was followed by the Department of Work and Pensions, which had 122, and the Ministry of Defence, with 111 passwords. The Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Department for Transport, UK Parliament, Department of Health and Social Care and HM Revenue & Customs also had log-in details leaked in the past year. open image in gallery The Ministry of Justice was the most targeted department on the dark web ( Alamy/PA ) Vakaris Noreika, head of product at NordStellar, said it was unclear whether the leaked details could be or had been used to access sensitive resources. But he warned that urgent action was needed to fix cybersecurity gaps, and that there was a growing danger of major data leaks. He added that leaked passwords could allow hackers to access critical systems such as police records, databases containing sensitive data belonging to UK citizens, or infrastructure networks such as power grids or the water supply. Dr Gareth Mott, a cybersecurity fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, who made the reference to the Afghan data breach, told The Independent: If data was leaked of a sufficiently sensitive nature that it jeopardised UK national security, I dont want to speculate but, then obviously, that could impact us. The consequences of that exposure can be significant, whether its political discourse changes or worse trust between the population and the government. Depending on the nature of the data [and] how its leaked, the secondary impacts of that could be quite significant, economically or socially. The hope would be that they are old passwords for old accounts that are no longer active; that those individuals have moved on to other roles where theyre not using the same passwords... but thats quite a lot of hoping. All it takes is for one account to be active still, and thats a potential initial attack vector for an external actor, because theyre motivated and know what theyre doing. open image in gallery Marks & Spencer was hit by a ransomware attack carried out by dark-web-based groups Scattered Spider and DragonForce ( Getty ) This cyber vulnerability follows a string of institutions and businesses having fallen victim to cyber attacks. The UKs data watchdog told The Independent that it is urging the government to go further and faster to raise standards. On Tuesday, the National Cyber Security Centre said a significant threat posed by Chinese and Russian hackers had contributed to a record number of serious online attacks. The Legal Aid Agency was hit by a cyber attack in April, when a group is believed to have accessed and downloaded a significant amount of personal data from those who had applied for legal aid through the organisations digital service between 2007 and May 2025. No arrests have been made, but the ShinyHunters cyber crime group reportedly claimed on Telegram that it had been responsible for the attack. In June, HMRC revealed that scammers had stolen 47m from the online accounts of 100,000 people after posing as taxpayers in a phishing attack. Thirteen people were arrested as part of the investigation in Romania, and a 14th man was arrested in Preston. More recently, two men aged 17 and 22 were arrested by the Metropolitan Police after the nursery chain Kido experienced a cyber attack, with the private data of thousands of children including names, pictures and addresses believed to have been leaked on the dark web. Last month, a man in his forties was arrested over an alleged cyber attack that caused disruption at Heathrow and other European airports. open image in gallery Personal data belonging to people who had applied to the Legal Aid Agency was accessed in a cyber attack in April this year, the Ministry of Justice said ( PA ) Jaguar Land Rover, M&S, Harrods and the Co-op are also among businesses that have suffered cyber attacks this year. The dark web-based ransomware groups Scattered Spider and DragonForce claimed joint responsibility for the M&S hack, and the latter said it was behind the Co-op attack. The Hellcat ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack on Jaguar Land Rover. The National Crime Agency said four people had been arrested in the UK as part of an investigation into the M&S, Co-op and Harrods incidents. The National Audit Office (NAO) warned in a report in January that the cyber threat to the UK government was severe and advancing quickly. The NAO raised particular concerns around the governments new cyber assurance scheme, GovAssure, after it found significant gaps in cyber resilience with multiple fundamental system controls at low levels of maturity across departments. The risk of cyber attack is severe, and attacks on key public services are likely to happen regularly, yet governments work to address this has been slow, the head of the NAO, Gareth Davies, said at the time. To avoid serious incidents, build resilience and protect the value for money of its operations, government must catch up with the acute cyber threat it faces. open image in gallery Heathrow was one of many airports in Europe to be targeted by a cyber attack in September ( PA ) A spokesperson for the Information Commissioners Office said: Cyber attacks are on the rise across all sectors, with the government and the public sector seen as a valuable target. People often dont have a choice on sharing their personal information with these bodies, so they must trust organisations are doing everything they can to protect their data and prevent incidents before they can happen. We expect all organisations to have robust security measures in place, such as strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to protect credentials, and appropriate vulnerability management. Government departments and agencies must uphold the highest standards of security. A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said: We have robust defences to protect government systems from cyber criminals, and we are going further. That includes launching a new cyber resilience model for government, providing greater support for departments and strengthening our response to fast-moving cyber incidents. Were also responding to the increasing threats facing our country through the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which will be introduced later this year to protect the essential services like energy and water supplies, and critical national infrastructure the public relies on. A UK Parliament spokesperson said: Parliament takes cybersecurity extremely seriously. We have robust measures in place, including providing advice to users to make them aware of the risks and how to manage their digital safety, working closely with our partners in the National Cyber Security Centre. We do not comment on specific details of our cyber security controls and policies. 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 Filmmaker Nancy Meyers has paid tribute to friend of almost 40 years Diane Keaton following her death aged 79. The pair first worked together on Baby Boom (1988), going on to work on Father Of The Bride (1992) and its 1996 follow-up, before reuniting in 2004 for Somethings Gotta Give. In a post on Instagram, the 75-year-old said: These past 48 hours have not been easy. Seeing all of your tributes to Diane has been a comfort. As a movie lover, Im with you all we have lost a giant. A brilliant actress who time and again laid herself bare to tell our stories. As a woman, I lost a friend of almost 40 years at times over those years, she felt like a sister because we shared so many truly memorable experiences. As a filmmaker, Ive lost a connection with an actress that one can only dream of. Meyers said writing for her made me better due to the connection they had, and called her work groundbreaking. She added: She made everything better, every set up, every day, in every movie, I watched her give it her all. When I needed her to cry in scene after scene in Somethings Gotta Give she went at it hard and then somehow made it funny, and I remember she would sometimes spin in a kind of goofy circle before a take to purposely get herself off balance or whatever she needed to shed so she could be in the moment. She was fearless, she was like nobody ever, she was born to be a movie star, her laugh could make your day and for me, knowing her and working with her changed my life. Thank you Di. Ill miss you forever. She joins a string of actors and directors, including Francis Ford Coppola, Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Ben Stiller, who have remembered the actress best known for her role as Kay Adams in The Godfather and collaborations with Woody Allen. In a post shared on his Instagram page, Coppola said: Words cant express the wonder and talent of Diane Keaton. Endlessly intelligent, so beautiful. From her earliest performances in Hair and throughout her amazing career, she was an extraordinary actor. Keaton made her film debut in 1970s Lovers And Other Strangers but shot to fame in 1972 after playing Kay, the girlfriend and then wife of Al Pacinos Michael Corleone in Coppolas The Godfather a role which she reprised in 1974s The Godfather Part II and 1990s The Godfather Part III. She went on to have a long career as a film actress, appearing in Father Of The Bride, The Family Stone, Somethings Gotta Give and The Book Club movies. Her final films were Summer Camp and Arthurs Whisky in 2024, and it appears she had not started filming anything else. Following the news of her death, Hawn and Midler, who starred opposite Keaton in 1996s The First Wives Club, about three women whose husbands had left them for younger women, paid tribute to Keaton. In a post on Instagram, Hawn said she left memories beyond imagination. Youve left us with a trail of fairy dust, filled with particles of light and memories beyond imagination, she said. You stole the hearts of the world and shared your genius with millions, making films that made us laugh and cry in ways only you could. While Midler wrote on Instagram: She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. Jane Fonda, who starred alongside Keaton in The Book Club, described Keaton in a post on Instagram as a spark of life and light with Stiller calling her one of the greatest film actors ever in a post on X. Keaton was nominated for Oscars for her roles in Somethings Gotta Give, Marvins Room and Reds, in which she starred opposite Warren Beatty. For a large part of her career she collaborated with Allen, her one-time boyfriend, including on Annie Hall which she won the Oscar for best actress and has since become associated with the title characters menswear-centric wardrobe. In 1996, Keaton adopted a daughter, Dexter, and a son, Duke, four years later, however, never married. A family spokesperson told US magazine People that Keatons loved ones have asked for privacy after she died in California. 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 most extensive dinosaur trackways ever discovered in Europe have been uncovered at an Oxfordshire quarry, stunning palaeontologists, who have gained new insights into how dinosaurs moved through the landscape. An astonishing 220-metre trail left by enormous sauropod dinosaurs herbivorous four-legged animals with long necks and tails was found at Dewars Farm Quarry, near Bicester, during work to remove limestone. The tracks are believed to have been made by a species of sauropod known as Cetiosaurus, which grew up to around 16 metres in length and lived around 171 to 165 million years ago in what is now Britain and France. The team, co-led by the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the University of Birmingham, uncovered hundreds of individual footprints traversing the site, with sauropod footprints as well as a few rarer three-toed prints believed to have been made by meat-eating megalosaurs. Weve been working at this site since 2022 and slowly uncovering more and more of this surface, Dr Duncan Murdock, from Oxford Universitys Museum of Natural History, told The Independent. This summer we excavated four trackways, the longest of which is 220 metres, with nearly 100 individual footprints, each of which is nearly a metre long itself so absolutely huge. open image in gallery Researchers from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the University of Birmingham uncover sauropod footprints in Oxfordshire ( Emma Nicholls ) With that we can work out how big this animal was. Roughly speaking, the height of a hip is about four times the print, so about four metres to the hip, which works out to about 15 or 16 metres long from head to tail, and [weighing] up to 10 tonnes. The prints the animal left behind give new clues about how it moved, in particular how quickly these creatures were walking. Dr Murdock said the speed calculations are based on measurements of the prints but also the stride length. From what we know about how four-legged animals move, like elephants today, we can use that stride length and estimates of the hip height to calculate speed. If youre running, your stride gets further apart than if youre walking. We estimate [the dinosaurs speed to be] about 4 or 5 miles an hour around the average walking speed of most people, he said. open image in gallery The 220-metre dinosaur highway discovered in Oxfordshire ( Emma Nicholls ) What we now call Oxfordshire was quite a different place 166 million years ago. At that time, Britain was much farther south than it is today around the same latitude as northern Africa and the sea level was much higher, creating large inland seas dotted with islands. Furthermore, enormous dinosaurs were striding about on mudflats as they traversed the watery landscape. Think about the Florida Keys or the Bahamas Banks, that sort of thing. There would have been mudflats that were occasionally exposed to the air, and its one of these mudflats running along a chain of islands that the dinosaurs were walking along. They were taking advantage of this to move between islands, Dr Murdock said. While there are quite a few sites around the world, and in the UK, where dinosaur prints can be found often by the coast, where erosion by the sea is exposing the rock the site in Oxfordshire is unusual due to its scale. open image in gallery An aerial view of the research team uncovering the footprints ( Prof Richard Butler, University of Birmingham ) University of Birmingham palaeontologist Kirsty Edgar told The Independent: Its so rare to see something like this in the UK as most of our dinosaur-track sites are small coastal exposures. As the quarry continues to expand, so do the dinosaur tracks, providing an increasingly rich snapshot into the life and times of these amazing animals. Its so exciting to be able to stand where some of the largest animals that ever lived once walked, and imagine what their lives and world looked like. Professor Edgar added: Dinosaur tracks provide us with the opportunity to glimpse how dinosaurs lived, and what they were doing at that moment in time something we cant get from the body fossil record alone. For now, the dinosaur footprints are being carefully recorded before being reburied to protect them. Officials say there are no immediate plans to reopen the site or make the tracks accessible to the public. However, discussions are underway with Natural England, quarry operators Smiths Bletchington, and the local authority about the possibility of future excavations. Until then, the quarry will remain in active use, with extraction work continuing for the foreseeable future. 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 Firefighters who met the Prince and Princess of Wales on their surprise visit to Northern Ireland said the princess jokingly asked for the sirens to be put on as the couple took a trip in a fire engine. William and Kate made an unannounced visit to the country on Tuesday to celebrate opportunities in rural areas and the potential of young entrepreneurs. It is the first time they have visited Belfast in three years, and comes weeks after their last joint public engagement in September 2024, when they visited Southport following the fatal attack at a dance class. As part of their trip, the couple visited a new 50m fire service training centre in Cookstown, County Tyrone, where they were given a tour and saw training at the college firsthand. open image in gallery William and Kate made made an unannounced visit to Northern Ireland on Tuesday ( PA ) They saw instructors at work training the next generation how to tackle a range of challenges, from saving flood victims to rescuing casualties from highrise buildings. They tried their hand at saving mock casualties who had fallen into the raging torrents of a flood simulator - but failed to throw the line quickly enough. open image in gallery The couple tried their hand at saving mock casualties who had fallen into the raging torrents of a flood simulator ( PA ) Newly qualified firefighters Caoimhe McNeice, 25, and Piarais McCaffery, 32, joined the couple as they were driven a short distance in a red engine. They claimed Kate had joked that she would have loved to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on, and had asked if William could take the wheel. open image in gallery The Princess of Wales speaks with assistant chief fire and rescue officer Mark Deeney ( PA ) Ms McNeice said about the driver: He got us there safely, I think he was on a limit for his speed. The princess was wanting the sirens on, but he was strictly told no. It was just a bit of banter. She said: Id love to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on. open image in gallery Firefighters who met the Prince and Princess of Wales claimed the princess asked for the sirens to be put on as they took a trip in a fire engine ( PA ) Kate also wanted her husband to take the wheel, Ms McNeice said. She was wanting the prince to drive, but the driver got us there anyway. They were shown around by Aidan Jennings, chief fire and rescue officer for Northern Ireland, who described it as a privilege and a proud and unforgettable day for the service. According to The Times, he said: Im honoured that the prince and princess witnessed firsthand how the real-life scenario-based training facilities are revolutionising how we train and develop our people. Kensington Palace said the couple would spend the day visiting innovative organisations that showcase growth and investment in rural areas and demonstrate entrepreneurial and creative opportunities for young people. William and Kate visited Belfast three years ago, when they took part in a cocktail-making race at a market and visited Carrickfergus. 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 A government-backed scheme to fit homes with external wall insulation has left thousands of households worse off as they face damp, mould and other serious health hazards, the spending watchdog has found. Almost all homes fitted with insulation under the governments Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme need major issues fixing due to poor government oversight, the National Audit Office (NAO) said. Designed to improve energy efficiency and lower costs, the tens of thousands of households that were meant to benefit from the scheme are now waiting for repairs on the inadequate work. Some 98 per cent of the homes which had external wall insulation installed under the government programme around 22,000 to 23,000 dwellings have major issues that will cause problems such as damp and mould, and require work to correct, the report found. It added that 9,000 to 13,000 homes with internal insulation (some 29 per cent of the total) also have major issues that need fixing. A small percentage of installations 6 per cent in the case of external insulation and 2 per cent in the case of internal insulation have problems that present immediate health and safety risks, such as poor ventilation that could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, and electrical safety issues that could cause fires. open image in gallery As many as 13,000 homes with internal insulation could need major issues fixing ( Getty/iStock ) In response to the NAOs findings, anti-fuel poverty campaigners warned the system had let cowboys through the front door, and called for it to be fixed. The NAO said the reason there were so many poor quality installations under the scheme, which pays for energy efficiency measures out of consumer bills, could be down to work subcontracted to firms and individuals who were not competent, businesses cutting corners and uncertainty over standards. Although the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) implemented a new consumer protection system for the scheme in 2021, which included appointing TrustMark, it failed to alert the department to significant issues with the quality of installations until October 2024. The NAO said the ECO scheme had weak government oversight, an overly complex consumer protection system, funding arrangements for TrustMark which limited its ability to have analytical systems fully up and running until the latter half of 2024, and insufficient auditing and monitoring. In addition, Ofgem estimated in November 2024 that businesses had falsified claims for ECO installations in between 5,600 and 16,500 homes, potentially claiming between 56m and 165m from energy suppliers and ultimately from billpayers. open image in gallery Minister for energy consumers Martin McCluskey has condemned the unacceptable, systemic failings the report has unveiled ( House of Commons/Laurie Noble ) DESNZ and Ofgem took action once TrustMark flagged the problems, including suspending the worst-performing installers and getting in touch with households that have potentially been affected, the NAO said. It called on the government to take responsibility for schemes such as ECO, even when funded by consumer bills, and clarify its approach to repairing faulty insulation alongside its forthcoming warm homes plan. DESNZ must also reform customer protections and publish annual data on fraud and non-compliance for its retrofit schemes, the watchdog said. Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: ECO and other such schemes are important to help reduce fuel poverty and meet the governments ambitions for energy efficiency. But clear failures in the design and set-up of ECO and in the consumer protection system have led to poor-quality installations, as well as suspected fraud. DESNZ must now ensure that businesses meet their obligations to repair all affected homes as quickly as possible. It must also reform the system so that this cannot happen again. open image in gallery The scheme, introduced by the Tories, aimed to lower energy costs ( PA Wire ) Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: The NAO report reveals a system that has let cowboys through the front door, leaving thousands of victims living in misery and undermining public trust in efforts to tackle the cold, damp homes crisis facing many households. Now we need to fix the system, not abandon it, he urged, calling for the warm homes plan to guarantee quality, with properly trained installers, independent inspections and rapid remediation if things go wrong. Minister for energy consumers Martin McCluskey said: Todays report shows unacceptable, systemic failings in the installation of solid wall insulation in these schemes, which have directly affected tens of thousands of families. He said the government had taken decisive action to protect households and ensure all poor installations of solid wall insulation were fixed at no cost to the consumer. We are fixing the broken system the last government left by introducing comprehensive reforms to make this process clear and straightforward, and in the rare cases where things go wrong, there will be clear lines of accountability, so consumers are guaranteed to get any problems fixed quickly, Mr McCluskey said. 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 A woman who was filmed parading in fantasy body paint in front of a festival crowd after claiming she needed a stick to get around has been jailed and handed a 135,000 court bill for her "lies. Kae Burnell-Chambers, 44, claimed that a blunder by NHS doctors had led to nerve damage which left her struggling to walk, get out of a car, or even dress herself, and sued for over 3 million in compensation. But a video unveiled at the High Court instead showed the model and artist posing and strutting whilst painted as a fantasy warrior, along with other body paint models at the Kustom Culture Blast Off festival in 2019. The video was filmed months before she launched her damages bid over the delayed diagnosis of her cauda equina syndrome - a condition involving damage to nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Whilst the condition was genuine, she later admitted to exaggerating her symptoms after social media videos emerged, revealing she had been working as an artist and parading as a model despite claiming severe disability. open image in gallery Kae Burnell-Chambers outside the High Court ( Champion News ) She was then dragged to court by the NHS, with Mrs Justice Tipples sentencing her to six months' imprisonment for contempt of court over the "lies" she told to "grossly inflate" her damages claim - and handing her a 135,000 bill for the case. Sending the tearful mum down to begin her sentence, the judge blasted Burnell-Chambers for her "lies" and said the video footage showing her modelling when she claimed to be severely disabled was "devastating. "The truth was that you made a good recovery from that condition over time and you deliberately chose to lie about symptoms in order to make a very substantial dishonest claim for compensation," she said. Cauda equina syndrome is a crippling condition which occurs when the bundle of nerves below the end of the spinal cord, known as the cauda equina, is damaged. Signs and symptoms include low back pain, numbness and pain that radiates down the leg, but early diagnosis and treatment can lead to long-term effects being much reduced. open image in gallery Burnell-Chambers signed an admission that she had deliberately changed my presentation ( Champion News ) Sadie Crapper, barrister for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, told the High Court at an earlier hearing that after a delay in treating her condition in 2016, Burnell-Chambers, a fine art graduate from Lincs, launched a bid for damages in 2019. She attended medico-legal appointments complaining of "a whole array of disabilities," saying she needed help to dress and to get out of the car - and when she went to see a doctor had "displayed a laboured gait and used a stick," the barrister said. However, she went on to drop her claim in 2022 after social media videos and surveillance footage showed that the picture of her disabilities she had been presenting to support her claim was "fundamentally dishonest," said Ms Crapper. A core part of the NHS case was based on a series of social media videos showing her working as a body paint artist and model at a series of conventions and festivals around the UK. A video from the Kustom Kulture Blast Off in August 2019 showed "her having her body extensively painted and then parading in a show where she walks freely and dances without need for a walking aid," the barrister said. open image in gallery A core part of the NHS case was based on a series of videos showing Burnell-Chambers working as a body paint artist and model at a series of conventions and festivals around the UK ( Champion News ) "By no later than 2017, she had recovered well enough to make a return to body painting," she told the judge. "She has at all times known she participated in these conventions, undertook this painting and modelling, and could walk as she did on the footage now available." She said it was the NHS Trust's case that Burnell-Chambers had "fraudulently exaggerated her symptoms for the purposes of her clinical negligence claim. Burnell-Chambers admitted that her condition varies and her mobility is almost normal on good days, and that she had been exaggerating when she saw the medical-legal expert doctor. "She admitted she had been fundamentally dishonest," but nevertheless has real "ongoing disabilities," her barrister Ben Bradley KC told the court. open image in gallery Burnell-Chambers admitted that her condition varies ( Champion News ) Burnell-Chambers signed an admission that she had "deliberately changed my presentation" and that in doing so had "deliberately interfered with the administration of justice". When she saw some experts in the claim, she deliberately attempted to demonstrate what she perceived her function was at its worst, without telling the experts that was what she was doing. Sentencing her for contempt of court today, Mrs Justice Tipples said: "You deliberately exaggerated and lied about your disability in order to present a picture that you had a serious and ongoing disability caused by the Trust and to grossly inflate your claim for damages on a very substantial scale." Refusing to suspend the sentence, she added: "In my view, those factors and the other mitigation are all outweighed by the very serious nature of your contempt, which is so serious that the only appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate imprisonment." The judge also ordered Burnell-Chambers - who is on benefits and of "limited means" - to pay 135,000 towards the NHS Trust's lawyers' bills. 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 A senior Labour cabinet minister has criticised a mosque for banning women and girls over the age of 12 from participating in a charity fun run. Housing secretary Steve Reed said the controversial entry requirements were inappropriate and that it was wrong that woman were barred from an activity that men were allowed to participate in. Organised by the East London Mosque, the annual event saw more than a thousand runners participate in Victoria Park on Sunday. Despite the event being described as family friendly and inclusive, the participation was only open to men, boys of all ages and girls under the age of 12. The Muslim Charity Run faces accusations that it has breached the Equality Act, which it vehemently denies. Asked about the matter on Sky News, Mr Reed said: I saw the reports and it just sounds inappropriate to me. open image in gallery Steve Reed said the ban was absolutely wrong ( PA ) We should not be banning women from taking part in fun runs in public parks in this country. I dont fully understand whether it did or didnt break the law, that would be for others to look at, but it sounds absolutely wrong to me. When asked if action could be taken against the mosque, Mr Reed responded: We have an equalities watchdog and Im sure theyll be looking at this case, and if there are problems with the way the mosque has acted, you expect there will be an intervention. You cant have women being barred from doing things in public that men are able to do. That strikes me as absolutely wrong, and it certainly isnt in line with the expectations British people would have. The chief executive of the Muslim Womens Network UK, Shaista Gohir, said that the organisers were likely to have been in breach of the Equality Act in deciding to exclude women. open image in gallery The East London Mosque has been criticised for excluding women and older girls from taking part in the charity event ( Getty ) Human rights campaigner Aisha Ali-Khan also wrote on social media: Its wrong for the East London Mosque to ban women and girls over 12 years old from taking part in their annual park run. Being healthy and fit is a big part of Islam for all Muslims, not just the men! East London Mosque denied claims that the event had breached equality legislation, with a spokesperson telling The Times: The suggestion that our event breaches the Equality Act is entirely incorrect. Single-gender sporting events are lawful under Section 195 and Schedule 23 of the act, and are common across the UK, including the Womens Run Series, Nike Womens 10K, and gender-segregated swimming sessions at Orthodox Jewish facilities like Manchester Jewish Community Centre. The Muslim Charity Run operates under the same legal framework as these established events. 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 Angry Boris Johnson has defended himself against claims that he was responsible for a big rise in immigration. The former prime minister denied he was to blame for what Nigel Farage has called a Boriswave of immigration while he was in Downing Street. Instead, Mr Johnson criticised the immigration record of fellow Conservative former PMs Rishi Sunak and David Cameron. open image in gallery Former prime minister Boris Johnson was responsible for a huge spike in migration ( PA ) And in a mark of his frosty relations with the Reform leader, Mr Johnson refused to refer to him by name. Mr Johnson said his plan to stop the boats by sending illegal migrants to Rwanda would have worked, but Mr Sunak had failed to make a success of the scheme. And he said Lord Cameron was wrong to declare a specific target for cutting immigration. Mr Johnson, who was forced to resign as prime minister in 2022, became heated when challenged over Mr Farages claim that he was responsible for a Boriswave of immigration. Mr Johnson said: My mandate was to take back control and thats what I did. Criticising Mr Sunaks decision to call an early election in 2024, he continued: Rwanda was the only way to get people back. I dont know why we didnt implement Rwanda. Why did we go to the country before we got that done? That was a mistake. Urging Sir Keir Starmer to revive the Rwanda scheme, he said: It was and is a very good policy. It would have solved the small boats thing. Mr Johnson has defended his record on immigration and distanced himself from the so-called Boriswave of migrants. open image in gallery Johnson lashed out at fellow Conservative Rishi Sunak ( PA ) The former prime minister blamed Rishi Sunak for failing to send illegal migrants to Rwanda, and suggested Sir Keir should revive the plan. He said Mr Sunak had failed to highlight his success in delivering Brexit because his administration was too busy campaigning on compulsory maths A-level and banning cigars. In an interview with The Telegraph, Mr Johnson became animated when pressed over Mr Farages remark last month about what he called a Boriswave of immigration to the UK during Mr Johnsons term in office. Mr Johnson said his government didnt know how many had come in because of the system we inherited. He went on: We didnt know how many EU students had come back. We didnt know how many people were going to take up either the Ukrainian scheme or the Hong Kong scheme. And those numbers were very high, but we now have a system that enables us to have zero that was not legally possible before. Whatever you say about the government I led, I make two points: we restored full democratic legal control over our laws and our borders. And if the people choose, we can have zero immigration into the UK. open image in gallery Reform leader Nigel Farage has attacked Johnson over migration ( PA ) We took back legal control. Yes, its true that if you look at the immediate post-Covid year, we had several things coming together at once. The Ukrainians, the Hong Kong, Chinese, and, and a load of EU students coming back in to finish their courses. What people dont look at is the previous year when we had the lowest ever. Every single government department was saying that they couldnt be sure that the crops were going to be picked in the fields, or the pigs were going to be slaughtered in time for the pigs in blankets for Christmas. Or the fuel stations. Do you remember this? Refusing to call Mr Farage by his name, he mocked the Reform leaders stance on Russias president Vladimir Putin and the cause of the Ukraine war. The Reform leader thought Putin was an alright stand up guy, said Mr Johnson, who added: Anyone who thinks war started because of Nato encroaching is out of their mind. Mr Johnson suggested Lord Cameron was wrong to promise to reduce legal immigration to the tens of thousands. Did you ever hear me saying that during the Brexit campaign? The answer is: no, you didnt, he said. My mandate was to take back control and thats what I did. Net immigration surged from an average of 200,000 a year to about 745,000 in Mr Johnsons last full year as prime minister, with the Boriswave totalling around 2.6 million people. Sir Keir has also attacked Mr Johnson over the Boriswave, while linking small boats crossing the English Channel to Brexit and dubbing them Farage boats. 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 Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in the UK, under plans announced by the new home secretary. Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to raise the standard of English required from the current lower grade GCSE standard to the equivalent of A-level in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Ms Mahmood said it was unacceptable for migrants to come to the UK without learning our language, claiming they were unable to contribute to our national life. Migrants wanting to come to the UK on the skilled worker, high potential individual or scale-up visa routes will have to demonstrate they can speak B2 level English equivalent to A-level standard from 8 January 2026. This is up from the B1 level already required for these routes. To come to the UK on the skilled worker visa, migrants have to have a minimum annual salary of 41,700 or earn the going rate for their type of work, whichever is highest. On the high potential visa, applicants must have been awarded either a university degree, masters or PhD. The scale-up route is used for UK businesses that are fast-growing and need to hire foreign workers. Only 116 scale-up visas were issued in the year ending June 2025. Increased language requirements will also be announced for other visa routes, including dependents, soon, the Home Office said. Changes to the English language requirement were first reported in May when the government published their early plans in the immigration white paper. The new standard requires people to express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expression and to be able to communicate flexibly in social, academic and work situations. Migrants wanting to come to the UK under these routes will have to pass a language test conducted by a Home Office-approved provider. According to the governments impact assessment of the policy changes, which was published on Tuesday, an increase in English standards would result in an estimated decrease of between 400 and 1,500 visa applicants in 2026-7. This was modelled across the skilled worker, health and care worker and high potential individual routes. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is also set to introduce higher language requirements for other visa routes too ( Getty ) Home Office analysis of the skilled worker route found that 97 per cent of visa holders could speak English at least fairly well before coming to the UK - with 69 per cent saying they could speak the language very well. In England, 18 per cent of adults aged 16 to 65 or 6.6 million people have very poor literacy skills, according to the National Literacy Trust. Responding to the home secretarys announcement, Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of Work Rights Centre, said that the change demonises migrant workers and arbitrarily moves the goal posts on what counts as integration. She added: The last thing anyone needs after a summer of far-right violence is more tough talk based on bad data. By the governments own admission, most migrant workers are already fluent in English. Increasing English language requirements from intermediate to upper intermediate wont make any difference to integration - this is already happening. Under government plans, the time for international students to find a graduate-level job after completing their studies will also be cut to 18 months from the current two years. From 1 January 2027, graduate students will only be able to stay in the UK for 18 months. Ms Mahmood said: This country has always welcomed those who come to this country and contribute. But it is unacceptable for migrants to come here without learning our language, unable to contribute to our national life. If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part. The home secretary also announced that travellers from Botswana will now be required to get a visa before arriving in the UK, including for short visits. It comes after a high number of Botswana nationals arriving as visitors since 2022 had gone on to claim asylum, the Home Office said. The immigration skills charge, which is paid by employers sponsoring skilled foreign workers to come to the UK, is also being raised by 32 per cent to 480 per person. 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 The Government risks losing support over its proposals for digital IDs, Labour MPs have said, as they raised concerns about the impact on civil liberties and the cost. Nadia Whittome, Richard Burgon, Charlotte Nichols and Stella Creasy all questioned how necessary the IDs were, and whether the Government could spend the money better. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the digital IDs would only be mandatory for employers to see on right-to-work checks, as the Government bids to clamp down on illegal working. However, Ms Kendall added that for those who wanted to, it could improve access to public services. Meanwhile, individuals would not face sanctions, only employers, and the police would never demand to see the IDs, Ms Kendall said. She said the Government had learned from countries such as Estonia and Denmark who had used the IDs already, and allowed people to tell their story once when dealing with public services. A consultation will begin before the end of the year, MPs heard, as they were told any system would be built in house. Ms Kendall said: When you look across other countries and what theyre doing, it really has made government fit around people, rather than make people fit into government and its different services, and I think thats a huge benefit. However, Ms Whittome (Nottingham East) warned the Government risked burning through political capital. She said: I dont know how many doors Ive knocked on in my 12 years as a Labour member, but I do know that not a single person has ever told me that what they really need to improve their lives, their community, this country is mandatory digital ID. It wont tackle irregular working, it undermines civil liberties, its divisive among the public and it wont make a difference to peoples lives. So I ask the Secretary of State, why are we doing it? Why are we burning political capital and public money on this, instead of focusing on the issues that are really are impacting our constituents. I worry that this is yet another huge mistake. Her party colleague Mr Burgon (Leeds East) said: Given the serious threats that digital ID poses to civil liberties, our data security and a risk of data being handed over to US tech giants, Im firmly opposed to digital ID. However, isnt it also a really big waste of money, and shouldnt the Government be instead focusing on what is the number one priority for people across the country, which is tackling the cost-of-living crisis, and wouldnt the money from this better be pushed into that, while safeguarding civil liberties? Ms Nichols (Warrington North) said: Ive been contacted by a large volume of constituents in recent weeks whose healthy scepticism that digital ID will make a material difference in tackling illegal immigration, I share. She asked for Ms Kendall to give concrete examples of how the IDs could be used by the public. Ms Kendall replied: I do believe in future there are many really important voluntary ways in which people getting better access to services and support, and well be consulting on that fully when we come forward with those detailed proposals. Ms Kendall refused to give a figure for how much it cost, despite being pressed on it by Ms Creasy (Walthamstow). Ms Creasy said she had seen figures of it costing 1 billion to 2 billion to establish the scheme, then an ongoing 100 million a year to run it. She also said the cost of a data breach could amount to 1.1% of GDP. Ms Creasy said: (Ms Kendall) said this would be free. Ultimately, the taxpayer will have to pay for it. She added: Could she give us, if not at least a ballpark figure for the capital and revenue costs shes envisioning for what shes set out? Ms Kendall replied: I think we also need to look at the potential benefits of this, in terms of savings from cracking down on fraud, from making services more effective and efficient, and clearly the eventual cost of this will depend on the design and build, which is what were consulting on. The Conservatives claimed the scheme would fundamentally shift the balance of power between citizen and state. Shadow science, innovation and technology secretary Julia Lopez said: (Sir Keir Starmer) knows it wont stop the boats, and when Brits are forced to have ID as illegal migration continues unabated, it will simply confirm fears of a two-tier society, fuelling the division and conspiracy theories that he so arrogantly claims that he is the antidote to. She continued: This is not about Luddite versus modernisers. This is about the fact that Labour cannot resist its big fat socialist dreams centralised databases, state mandation, big money, the exclusion of private sector expertise. Why create this honeypot for hackers? Responding, Ms Kendall said: Well, that is definitely the first time Ive been called a big fat socialist. Former defence minister Andrew Murrison said three million people had signed an online petition against the policy. Ms Kendall replied: I think that trying to get Government services to talk to one another and work more effectively is what people want. 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 The governments treatment of trans people in the UK could breach the European Convention on Human Rights, a human rights expert has warned. Michael OFlaherty, commissioner for human rights for the Council of Europe, said new guidance in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling on trans people must not leave them in an intermediate zone as not quite one gender or the other. In a letter to Sarah Owen, chair of parliaments women and equalities committee, and David Alton, chair of the joint committee on human rights, Mr OFlaherty said lawmakers in the UK have viewed the human rights of different groups as a zero-sum game. open image in gallery The watchdog also says a debate about trans rights should not detract from efforts to stop violence against women and girls ( PA ) This has contributed to narratives which build on prejudice against trans people and portray upholding their human rights as a de facto threat to the rights of others, he said. He added that the approach risks certain inferences being drawn from the UK Supreme Court judgment that could lead to widespread exclusion of trans people from many public spaces. This, in turn, may severely infringe on their ability to participate fully and equally in society, he added. Mr OFlaherty said trans people may also be forced under new guidance to habitually out themselves publicly in order to access services, a potential breach of their right to private lives under article eight of the ECHR. open image in gallery Michael OFlaherty said trans people could be left vulnerable to harassment, abuse and even violence ( AFP via Getty ) He added: Beyond privacy concerns, being forced to disclose sex assigned at birth may also significantly increase peoples vulnerability to harassment, abuse and even violence. The watchdog said a debate about trans rights should not detract from efforts to stop violence against women and girls and greater gender equality. But he said the current debate is too focused on restricting the human rights and freedoms of trans people. open image in gallery Bridget Phillipson will have to sign off on the new guidance ( PA ) The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has drafted new guidance for companies and public bodies to follow after the Supreme Court ruled trans women are not legally women under the Equality Act (2010) earlier this year. The draft guidance that was submitted for consultation over the summer warns that if a service is provided only to women and trans women or only to men and trans men, it is not a separate-sex or single-sex service under the Equality Act 2010. The EHRC has shared its updated code of practice for services, public functions and associations with the equalities minister for approval after a consultation that took place over the summer. But in theory, womens and equality minister Bridget Phillipson could reject the draft and ask the EHRC to redraft it. It is expected to tell schools, hospitals, leisure centres and cinemas to ban trans women from using single-sex spaces such as lavatories and changing rooms. Hundreds of organisations have written to the government to warn that the guidance is unworkable and will cause significant economic harm. In a recent letter, seen by The Independent, firms including Ben and Jerrys and Lush said: The proposals made in the EHRCs draft Code of Practice under the Equality Act would have serious and far-reaching consequences for UK businesses, our employees, and our customers. Any final code similar to this draft would tell organisations that we must adopt practices that are incompatible with modern business values, create unworkable operational challenges, and cause significant economic harm. The prime ministers official spokesman said: We are clear that there are laws in place to protect trans people from discrimination and harassment. We proudly uphold a robust legislative framework. Trans people remain protected on the basis of gender reassignment, protected by reassigned characteristics written into the Equality Act. That was true before the ruling, and the Supreme Court underlined that. We've never supported self ID. We have a process in place when it comes to someone changing their legal sex on that process. After a visit to the UK, Mr OFlaherty also wrote to Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, to warn that the governments decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror group, as well as a planned crackdown on protesters wearing facemasks, could breach the Convention. 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 Thousands of young protesters in Madagascars capital, Antananarivo, have issued an unequivocal demand to president Andry Rajoelina: he must resign now. He has to quit. Immediately, declared Angie Rakoto, a 21-year-old law and politics student, speaking from May 13 Square. The square itself holds historical resonance, named after a 1972 youth-led revolution that ousted the nations first post-independence president. Amidst the fervent chants of Rajoelina, get out!, Rakoto acknowledged the uncertainty of what comes next. Honestly, Ive no idea who should replace him, she shrugged. But it has to be someone who is here for the Malagasy people, not himself. These Gen Z activists, who have sustained weeks of demonstrations against Rajoelina, are now sensing a potential victory. Their renewed optimism follows reports that the president recently departed the country aboard a French military aircraft. open image in gallery Gen Z activists, who have sustained weeks of demonstrations against president Andry Rajoelina, are now sensing a potential victory ( AP ) While Rajoelina has not formally stepped down, on Tuesday the National Assembly impeached him and the military has filled the void to take power, according to an army colonel who led a mutiny supporting the protesters. Gen Z anger drives protest Madagascars turmoil appears typical of youth-led protest movements around the world in the past few weeks: demonstrators are desperate for change but unsure what it will look like. What began as an uprising against chronic power and water shortages in the southern African island last month swiftly morphed into a demand that the president step down. It gained momentum over the weekend when the elite military unit that brought Rajoelina to power in 2009 backed the protest. One of its commanders, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, told a cheering crowd and announced on national radio on Tuesday that the military was dissolving most institutions and would rule. The public anger has mirrored similar demonstrations in countries as diverse as Morocco, Peru and Nepal, where youngsters have marched to decry inequality, unemployment, living costs, crumbling public services and corruption. open image in gallery A woman dances during a protest calling for president Rajoelina to step down in Antananarivo, Madagascar ( AP ) At the protests in Madagascar, participants have used a flag depicting a skull with a straw hat from the Japanese manga series One Piece, a common symbol in the Gen Z demonstrations globally. Many feel they are ruled by elites consisting mostly of older men who have either ignored their problems or worsened them while feathering their own nests. With the protest movement having no leader, and the army playing a role in turning the tables against Rajoelina, it had seemed increasingly likely that a military man would take charge. That does not appear to worry many protesters despite the fact that after Tsirananas downfall, two successive military leaders ran the economy into the ground. A military man, if he cares about the territory, thats fine, said Fanizy Razafimandimby, a 30-year-old mechanic on the square flanked by colonial buildings between two steep hills. Thats for the transition. Our hope is for someone who can repair things. Asked who that might be, he said: I dont have anyone specific in mind, echoing responses from a dozen other protesters interviewed by Reuters. An island state mired in poverty Madagascar remains one of the worlds poorest countries, even compared with most of the African mainland. Three-quarters of people live below the World Banks poverty line of $2.15 (1.61) a day, a proportion that has barely shifted in four decades. The average income is $600 a year. The Indian Ocean island, whose median age is 19, ranks in the bottom 20 of the UN Human Development Index, tracking a broad range of wellbeing metrics. Some of those gathered at the protest wore torn, dust-strained clothes, while shoeless children flitted between them, rubbing their stomachs and stretching out palms to beg for change. open image in gallery Madagascar remains one of the worlds poorest countries ( Reuters ) Many Malagasy blamed ex-colonial master France for their problems, and Rajoelinas dual citizenship and perceived closeness to France were repeatedly denounced by youths taking the microphone at the protest. Mamisoa Ravonsinirina, 30, knows firsthand how angry people are about power cuts: he works in a call centre fielding complaints on behalf of the national electricity provider. You have to calm them down. I tell them things will get better, he said, marching down a street alongside protesters holding a Malagasy flag. But I know the reality. His own house was not spared power and water shortages, and with his 700,000 ariary ($150) a month salary even with a masters degree he has struggled with the rising food prices. Madagascars economy depends on commodities: vanilla, of which it grows two-thirds of the global supply; minerals such as nickel, sapphires and ilmenite a pigment used to whiten things like plastics and toothpaste; seafood; and textiles. Successive governments have failed to generate prosperity from these prized goods, and Rajoelinas unfulfilled promises to do so were a major theme of the protest. We ask for jobs, we ask for electricity, we ask for rice we can afford, and what do we get? Damned speeches, said Andre Hassana, 26, a tour guide specialising in Anglophone tourists. Asked if Rajoelinas replacement might be as bad, he replied: Not this time. Malagasy people are good learners. We wont tolerate this again. 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 Hollywood star Alec Baldwin has crashed his wife's car into a "big fat tree" after swerving to avoid a "garbage truck the size of a whale" while driving his brother Stephen through the Hamptons, the actor has admitted. In an Instagram video Monday night, titled Thank you for your concern, Baldwin said his wife Hilaria's Range Rover was "pretty smashed up" but that he and Stephen were both "fine", barring the visible injuries on his own face. Paparazzi photos published by the The New York Post and celebrity scuttlebutt site TMZ showed the 67-year-old New Yorker talking on his cell phone beside a white Land Rover with its hood crumpled against a sizable tree trunk. "I just want to post a quick message. I got all these inquiries about my car thing this morning," said the famed Donald Trump impersonator and former manslaughter defendant on Instagram. "I was in a car accident this morning I'm fine. My brother Stephen was out visiting me on Long Island, and we spent the weekend out there for the film festival... open image in gallery Alex Baldwin says he crashed his wife's car into a big fat tree after swerving to avoid a garbage truck the size of a whale while driving his brother Stephen through the Hamptons ( Alec Baldwin via Instagram ) "But this morning I was in this car accident. Guy cut me off in a truck. Big garbage truck, I mean a garbage truck the size of a whale... "It must have been something commercial for like, taking away material from construction or something. It was the biggest garbage truck I've ever seen, and the anyway, I won't go into the details now, I won't bore you. "But to avoid hitting him I hit a tree. I hit a big fat tree, and crushed my car, my wife's car." Baldwin then looked away from the camera for a moment, as if contemplating. "I crushed my wife's car. I feel bad about that." open image in gallery I crushed my wife's car. I feel bad about that Alec Baldwin said of the vehicle he was driving at the time ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Baldwin said he was out driving with brother Stephen at the time of the crash ( Getty Images ) Periodically his explanation was interrupted by a shrill squeal from a fire alarm or carbon monoxide detector suggesting that its batteries needed changing. "But so I'm fine, and my brother's fine, boppity-bop," Baldwin continued. "Congratulations everybody on the film festival. Thank you to the East Hampton police department who came to my aid... "[To my wife] Hilaria, I love you more than anything, and I'm very proud of you. Okay! I'm fine. I'm fine. Other than..." He then gestured to his injured face, and ended the video. Baldwin also thanked the police officer who had helped him, an Officer Gerken, by name. In 2023, Baldwin was charged with manslaughter in New Mexico after a prop gun went off in his hand during filming of the cowboy drama Rust, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin always maintained his innocence, and in July 2024 the case was dismissed after the court found that prosecutors had withheld evidence that could have helped his defense. 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 Autumn's vibrant display across the Northeast and other popular US regions has been significantly dampened this year, with weeks of drought causing muted colors and an unseasonably early leaf fall. The annual tradition of 'leaf-peeping', cherished in areas like New England, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Smoky Mountains, typically sees chlorophyll break down as days shorten and temperatures drop, revealing stunning yellow, orange, and red hues. However, prolonged dry conditions throughout summer and autumn disrupt this natural spectacle. A lack of water accelerates the browning process and causes leaves to detach prematurely. This year, the phenomenon is particularly widespread, with the U.S. Drought Monitor reporting that over 40 per cent of the country was experiencing drought conditions by early October. That's more than twice the average, said Brad Rippey, a U.S. Department of Agriculture meteorologist and an author of the drought monitor, which is a partnership between the federal government and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Drought has hit the Northeast and western U.S. especially hard, he said. It all adds up to fewer leaves to peep. I think it might be a little bit of a short and less colorful season, for the most part, Rippey said. The color is just not going to be there this year for some hillsides. open image in gallery New Hampshire Daily Life ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Despite the gloomy forecast, autumn enthusiasts said it's still a great year to get out and enjoy nature's fireworks display. There is still a lot of color in New England's trees, said Andy Finton, senior conservation ecologist with The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. Climate change is stressing forests with severe weather and heat waves, but autumn in New England remains a beautiful time of year to experience the wonderment of forest ecosystems firsthand, he said. Our trees and our forests have an inherent resilience, Finton said. They are still very resilient, and I am constantly surprised at how wonderful the fall season is despite these stresses. The tourism business built around leaf peeping has also proven resilient. At the Mills Falls Resort Collection at the Lake in Meredith, New Hampshire, general manager Barbara Beckwith said business is good at the four inns that have 170 rooms. The number of Canadian tourists is down, Beckwith acknowledged, but she said that has been made up with domestic leaf peepers, mostly from New England. Beckwith said her properties were booked solid on weekends through mid-October and had been for weeks. This year is actually going to be better than last year, Beckwith said. Last year was an election and that put a lot of trepidation in people. Now, they are traveling. The uncertainty of the election is over. We all know whose president now and we are traveling. Chris Proulx, executive director of the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the decline in Canadian tourists by as much as 80% seen this summer has continued into the fall. But the region is faring better, he said, thanks to an uptick in travelers from other countries and its reputation for having one of the countrys best leaf peeping seasons. This is the one season where people make plans in advance to come in addition to travelers from all of the country and all over the world, Proulx said. open image in gallery APTOPIX New Hampshire Daily Life ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Leaf peeping was so popular in Colorados Rocky Mountains this year that one town temporarily closed its highway offramp to alleviate gridlock. The area put on a display of yellow aspen trees dotting the mountains between evergreens, their delicate leaves vibrating in the wind. But there were signs of a dry spring in the central part of the state, which was more severe the farther west you travel, said Colorado State Forest Service entomologist Dan West, who spends many fall days in a plane looking at how insect infestations are affecting tree health. Crispy edges, muted colors, and dropping leaves before they can take on a red or purple hue are all signs of drought stress, West said. The tree is shutting down processes early and we basically just see this muted kind of a show for the fall, he said. In Denver, arborist Michael Sundberg also said he's seeing less vibrant color than usual, and autumn feels like it arrived earlier than usual this year. It's still a beautiful time of year, but there might be less of it to enjoy, he said. It's weird to have color peaking this early in the mountains and then for Denver to be peaking at the same time, he said. Usually we're later in October before we really go off. 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 federal judge has set an April 2027 trial date for lawsuits over the mid-air crash in Washington, D.C. that killed 67 people in January. The collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport marked the deadliest U.S. air disaster in more than 20 years. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes set the trial date Tuesday at a hearing with lawyers for victims and defendants, including American Airlines and the U.S. government. We are not going to dishonor the people who lost their lives, their family and friends, and we are not going to dishonor the employees of the defendants who work hard to ensure safety by dragging this thing along, Reyes said at the hearing in Washington. American Airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lead attorneys for plaintiffs either declined to comment or did not immediately respond to a request for one. open image in gallery Part of an American Airlines jet is lifted from the Potomac River after it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C. ( Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images ) The trial will include at least two lawsuits filed so far against American Airlines and the U.S. The lawsuits, both filed in September, also name PSA Airlines, which was operating the flight, as a defendant. PSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. open image in gallery All 67 people onboard the jet and helicopter were killed in the January crash ( Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images ) American Eagle Flight 5342 was on approach to Reagan when it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. The helicopter was above the published helicopter route altitude. In a prior statement, American defended its safety record and said it would "defend American and PSA Airlines against any legal action claiming the airline caused or contributed to this accident." 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 woman in Daytona Beach, Florida was reportedly killed after she suffered a medical incident and was then attacked by four dogs in her home. Police responded to an emergency call at the home after the woman's boyfriend visited her house and found her unresponsive on the floor. When police arrived, they found Monica Emerson, 38, severely wounded while four dogs were running around inside her home. The dogs included a a large, mixed-breed male and three of his offspring, according to WFLA. No further information was immediately available about the dog breeds or whether or not they belonged to Emerson. According to police, Emerson's injuries did not appear to be the result of foul play or caused by humans. Monica Emerson, 38, was killed by four dogs found in her Daytona Beach home after she suffered what police believe was a medical incident. She was found unresponsive by her boyfriend at the home on Friday ( Google Maps ) "No evidence of human-related foul play has been found, and the investigation remains active," police said. Investigators believe that Emerson may have suffered a medical incident and lost consciousness, after which the dogs attacked her while she was on the floor. "Preliminary investigation suggests Emerson may have experienced a medical episode that caused her to lose consciousness, during which time she was fatally attacked by the dogs," police said in a Facebook post. All of the dogs were taken into custody by the Daytona Beach Police Department's Animal Control Services, and were transferred to Volusia County Animal Services where they'll be kept for 10 days and then euthanized. The incident is the third dog mauling in Volusia County since mid-January. 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 Payton Herres is only alive today thanks to the generosity of an organ donor and his family, who gave her his heart 12 years ago. The 25-year-old, from Dayton, Ohio, was born with a rare congenital heart disease, Ebsteins anomaly, which affects the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. The condition, which causes blood to leak backward into the right atrium upper right chamber of the heart, can lead to heart failure. When she was 11 years old, following years of health problems, Herres was left with no choice but to undergo a heart transplant in March 2012. The surgery was successful; the recovery long and often painful, but Herres credits her donor for giving her a second chance at life. Since the surgery, Herres has been on a combination of medications to ensure her body doesnt reject that heart. open image in gallery Payton Herres, 25, underwent a heart transplant when she was 11 years old. Earlier this year, her health insurance company stopped covering the life-saving medication she needs to stop her body from rejecting the donated heart ( Payton Herres ) This year Herres had to fight the health insurance company shes been with all her life, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, when they stopped covering her life-saving medication. If she doesnt get her medication, it could prove fatal. In February, the company wrote to inform her that one of the medications she has taken since 2013, everolimus, was no longer medically necessary, according to paperwork seen by The Independent. Herres doctors prescribed the drug everolimus because it prevents the body from rejecting an organ transplant. It also helps protect against coronary artery disease, a major risk after transplant operations. Everolimus, when taken with the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, had been working well for Herres since 2013. It just blew my mind, Herres recalled after receiving the letter. I'm like, so you want me to go into rejection and die? Is that what you're saying? Because it's not medically necessary? The denial was especially gut wrenching because the heart was gifted to Herres by a 24-year-old man who died suddenly. She will never be able to repay her donor for his gift, but Herres recently sent his mother a blue teddy bear sprinkled with stars, with a recording of the sound of his heartbeat. Ive lived 13 and a half years with my gift of a heart, Herres told The Independent. Ive done everything right. And now, I feel like Anthem is ripping it away from me. They trusted that his heart would be cherished and protected, said Herres of her donors family. And now Anthem is gambling with it. If they let me go into rejection, theyre not just risking my life theyre letting his gift go to waste. open image in gallery When she was 11 years old, Payton Herres had to undergo a heart transplant in March 2012 after hers could no longer cope ( Payton Herres ) Since the transplant in 2012, doctors have tried different medications to stop Herres body from rejecting the heart. Some of them made her incredibly unwell and it took years to find a combination that worked. For the past 12 years Ive survived because of one critical combination of medications, Herres said. This wasnt some random choice it was prescribed by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center after I had rejection and even ended up hospitalized from serious side effects on other drugs. Herres, who works for a faith-based non-profit, received the first denial letter from Anthem in February. In the months that followed, she did everything she could to get to the bottom of the decision, including going down the official appeals process, but the company would simply come back with more rejections, she said. Meanwhile, her medication was running out. If I dont have everolimus, I could lose the heart that saved my life, Herres said of the medication she must take twice a day. Anthem knows this and still, they block me. I even begged to pay out of pocket, and one of their representatives hung up on me. Taking matters into her own hands, Herres launched a social media campaign and asked friends to get behind her. open image in gallery Since the surgery, the 25-year-old, from Dayton, Ohio, has been on a combination of medication to ensure her body doesnt reject the heart ( Payton Herres ) Make noise. Let them know the world is watching, she wrote. No heart transplant patient and no donor family should ever be treated this way. Her post was shared thousands of times, including on Anthems Facebook page, where supporters of Herres shared her story in comments on every social media post the company shared. It appears to have had some effect. In mid-September, Anthem contacted Herres doctors and informed them that the medication had been approved. When contacted by The Independent, Anthem said the initial denial was based on medical guidelines but the company apologized and confirmed it has since approved Herres medication. The initial denial of coverage for everolimus, and the appeal decision, were based on medical guidelines that did not fully reflect Ms. Herres treatment history, an Anthem spokesperson said. We have since approved the medication, and we are truly sorry for the stress and frustration this caused her. We are reviewing this case to strengthen our processes and ensure future reviews better consider the individual needs of our members. But now Herres faces her next battle against the company, which raised her copay to $350 for a 30-day supply, or $1,000 for a 90-day supply. Before the hike, Herres, supported by her parents, would pay around $180 for a 90-day supply. The new copay is simply unaffordable. Instead of Anthem covering the medication after my deductible, I now have to pay $350 every month, said Herres. At the moment, the only way Herres can afford her medication is by bypassing her insurance completely and using GoodRx coupons, which bring the cost down to $88.66 for a 30 day supplybut its far from reliable. The scary part is that these coupons arent guaranteed. They can change [the price] or disappear at any time, said Herres. If that happens, I could never afford those prices, and that terrifies me. Herres says she has been left with no alternative but to look for a new insurer, but like many Americans, the state of the health insurance industry in the U.S. worries her deeply. Ive cried so much this past month I feel broken, Herres said. Meanwhile, Anthem is a multibillion-dollar company making record profits while leaving me to panic over whether Ill survive the month. Its frustrating that Anthem believes it knows better than my heart transplant doctors, who have been managing my care for over a decade. 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 Some airports around the country are refusing to play a video with a message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impacts on TSA operations because of its political content. Airports in Las Vegas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle and more say the video goes against their airport policy or regulations which prohibit political messaging in their facilities. Various government agencies, in emails to workers and on websites, have adopted language that blames Democrats for the shutdown, with some experts arguing it could be in violation of the 1939 Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees. The shutdown has halted routine operations and left airports scrambling with flight disruptions. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they wont negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31. In the video, Noem says that TSAs top priority is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe. However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay, she continues. The Transportation Security Administration falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Roughly 61,000 of the agencys 64,130 employees are required to continue working during the shutdown. The Department said Friday that the video is being rolled out to airports across the country. A DHS spokeswoman responded to a request for comment restating some of the message from Noem's video. Its unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government, spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said. The Harry Reid International Airport, in Las Vegas, said it had to remain mindful of the Hatch Act's restrictions. Per airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated public forums, and the airports intent is to avoid the use of the facility for political or religious advocacy, the statement said. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said the county north of New York City wont play the video at its local airport. In a statement, he called the video inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nations top public officials, and said its tone is unnecessarily alarmist as it relates to operations at Westchester County Airport. At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, collaboration and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues, and undermines public trust, he said. ___ Associated Press writer Rio Yamat in Las Vegas contributed to this report. 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 Some of Americas favorite snacks Doritos and Cheetos will soon be produced without artificial colors and flavors. Food and beverage giant PepsiCo, which owns the two chip brands, will be removing artificial colors and flavors from its products, the company said in its third-quarter earnings remarks this week. The anticipated recipe changes come months after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., announced the Food and Drug Administrations intent to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes and coloring in many common foods by the end of the year. Some of the dyes HHS is looking to prohibit are Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, all of which are found in Doritos Nacho Cheese. Meanwhile, Cheetos are made with Yellow 6. In addition to all the ingredient changes, the company plans to refresh its brand visuals on its food packaging. open image in gallery Cheetos and Doritos maker PepsiCo says it plans to implement new recipes for the beloved chips that will not include artificial colors or flavors ( Getty Images ) The snack company also plans to reposition its Lays and Tostitos brands to better market their lack of synthetic additives, according to Food Dive. PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta told analysts earlier this year that the company aims to elevate the real food perception of Lays by marketing the snack as a healthy option, as it contains only potatoes, oil and salt. The company is also exploring ways to enhance its various chips and soda products with more protein, fiber, and whole grains to meet the growing demand for such products. A new line of protein-packed Doritos will be introduced, according to Fox News Digital. PepsiCo is also set to expand its use of avocado and olive oil in certain products. The company already offers some of its products, including Ruffles, Cheetos, Doritos and Tostitos, without artificial colors or flavors under its Simply banner. The Independent has reached out to PepsiCo for comment. Several other big food brands have, under pressure from the White House, announced plans to remove artificial dyes from their products, including Nestle, Hershey and Kraft Heinz. open image in gallery The new recipes come after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the FDA hoped to ban several artificial dyes and colorings found in many foods by the end of the year ( Getty Images ) Petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which the White House, under Kennedys order,s is looking to ban, are used to add color to food and drug items. Recent research has shown that synthetic food colors found in American foods are linked to neurobehavioral problems in children and that the dyes may cause or exacerbate symptoms, particularly hyperactivity. However, there is no clear evidence of a direct relationship between food dyes, academic performance, violence or other mental and physical conditions, scientists say. Scientific evidence actually shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives, according to the FDA. In January, the FDA banned the dye known as Red 3. It said the dye, also known as erythrosine, caused cancer in lab rats. A federal law requires the administration to ban any additive found to cause cancer in animals. Officials stressed that the way Red 3 leads to cancer in rats doesnt happen in people. 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 political candidate in the New York City suburbs vanished after a night swim in the Atlantic Ocean this spring, with his name now legally mandated to remain on the November ballot. Petros Krommidas, 29, an Ivy League rower training for a triathlon, left his phone, keys, and clothes on Long Beach, Long Island, near his parked car. Months passed, but a state judge recently ruled Krommidas is still considered missing, not officially deceased. This decision followed a challenge by two Republican voters against local Democrats' attempts to replace him for the Nassau County Legislature seat. Now, as Election Day approaches, voters in Long Beach and other South Shore communities have a curious choice: reelect the Republican incumbent or the Democrat who seemingly vanished at sea. Democrats want to elect the missing candidate James Hodge is among those calling on residents to cast their ballots for Krommidas regardless hoping to trigger a special election in which Democrats can put forward another candidate to run against County Legislator Patrick Mullaney. The Long Beach resident worked with Krommidas at the Nassau County Board of Elections and had been tapped by Democrats to run in his place. "We need to stand by and honor his name and memory," Hodge told The Associated Press. "Let's give him that victory. It's the right thing to do." The Republican voters argued in their lawsuit that Democrats couldn't claim Krommidas was dead because authorities still considered him a missing person. Under law, someone needs to be missing for at least three years to be legally declared dead, they argued. Judge Gary Knobel agreed, writing in his Sept. 29 ruling that "'missing person' status does not qualify as a vacancy that can be filled." Dead candidates have won elections before The justice, in his ruling, noted a similar situation decades earlier in Alaska.U.S. Rep. Nicholas Begich Sr. disappeared in a plane crash weeks before the 1972 vote but still won reelection. The Alaska Democrat was eventually declared dead, and his Republican opponent claimed the seat in a special election. More recently, Dennis Hof, owner of the Nevada brothel featured on HBO's "Cathouse" documentary series, died weeks before the 2018 election but still captured a seat in the state Legislature. In 2022, Pennsylvania state Rep. Anthony DeLuca won reelection after dying from lymphoma the month prior. open image in gallery Petros Krommidas holds up a sign during an anti-Trump rally at Nassau Coliseum, in Uniondale, N.Y. (Mark DeFrancesco via AP) ( AP ) Hodge and other Democrats argue that Republicans only sued to assure themselves victory as they seek to bolster their majority in the county legislature. They say the lawsuit has only prolonged the anguish for Krommidas' family. "I understand politics, but there's a time to stop and be a human being," said Ellen Lederer-DeFrancesco, who met Krommidas through the local Democratic Party. "Petros is someone's son, brother, friend." Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph Cairo Jr., in a statement, vowed the party and its candidates will "show the highest level of sensitivity during these challenging times for the Krommidas family." Krommidas' family declined to comment when reached by phone, but his mother and sister each took to Facebook recently to share a post calling for residents to "honor and vote" for him. "My Peter cared deeply about people and his community and continues to inspire kindness and unity in our community," his mother, Maria, wrote in her post. Eleni-Lemonia Krommidas, his sister, described him in her own post as a first-generation American who loved his country and "believed in equality, education, and the power of unity." Voters weigh in on the beach where he vanished In the days after his disappearance, family and friends joined first responders in scouring Long Beach's broad, more than 3-mile-long (4.8-kilometer-long) swath of sand, which is located just east of the New York City borough of Queens. Some of the missing persons fliers they put up with images of Krommidas' youthful, smiling face are tattered and faded but still visible on telephone poles around Long Beach. Meanwhile campaign signs for Mullaney, his opponent, are prominently displayed on fences along the main thoroughfares and on tidy residential lawns. The Republican didn't respond to emails seeking comment. Along the Long Beach boardwalk last week, longtime resident Maude Carione was dumbstruck at the choice facing voters in November. "It's insane to leave his name on the ballot. You'll confuse people," said the 72-year-old, who supports Republican President Donald Trump but didn't have plans to vote in the upcoming election, which features mostly local races. "In fairness, you have to give another candidate a chance for the Democrats. You have to." For resident Regina Pecorella, the decision, while grim, was clear. "If it's between those two, I'm voting for the person that's alive," said the 54-year old independent, who voted for a straight Republican ticket in the previous election. "I don't know how else to answer that." 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 rejected a last-ditch appeal from right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones who is desperate to avoid paying nearly $1.5 billion to the families of the Sandy Hook massacre he falsely called a hoax. The justices turned down his appeal without comment Tuesday. Last month, Jones pressed for the nations high court to intervene, warning that unless justices take action, his Infowars website and assets will likely end up in the hands of satirical news website The Onion. That potential acquisition which was put on hold last year would support families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting, which killed 20 children between six and seven years old. Jones has called it staged and a hoax, fueling a wave of harassment against the families. Without the Supreme Courts intervention, Infowars stands to be acquired by its ideological nemesis and destroyed, his lawyers wrote in court filings last week. open image in gallery The Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from Alex Jones, who lost a massive defamation case brought by the families of Sandy Hook victims ( REUTERS ) The Supreme Court properly rejected Jones's latest desperate attempt to avoid accountability for the harm he has caused, Chris Mattei, a lawyer for Sandy Hook families, said in a statement shared with The Independent. We look forward to enforcing the jury's historic verdict and making Jones and Infowars pay for what they have done, he added. In her late 2021 ruling, Judge Barbara Bellis found Jones liable for defamation and only convened a jury to determine the amount of damages the families would receive, citing Jones unwillingness to abide by the courts orders to produce evidence to the plaintiffs. In their Supreme Court appeal, Jones attorneys claimed those were minor discovery violations that did not justify an unjust and disproportionate penalty. In 2022, a jury delivered a massive $964 million verdict against Jones and Infowars parent company Free Speech Systems, with Bellis adding an additional $473 million in punitive damages for spreading falsehoods about the shooting. A Connecticut appeals court upheld all but $150 million of the verdict last December, while the states top court denied Jones request for a review in April. A separate $49 million judgment awarded to the parents of another Sandy Hook victim in a defamation lawsuit in Texas is currently being appealed. The families have maintained that Jones conduct towards them over the years was both malicious and intentional, claiming that his motivation all along was profit, which they added was supported by his attempts to hide evidence throughout the case. During the trial for damages, the families also testified that they were subjected to death threats and harassment from Jones supporters. The Infowars founder has insisted that there is no evidence linking him to those actions. According to Jones legal team, the default ruling violates the First Amendment, and the $1.4 billion judgment runs afoul of the Eighth Amendment due to excessive punishment. It is an amount that can never be paid, and which based on the trial courts findings may not be dischargeable in bankruptcy, his lawyers argued. The result is a financial death penalty by fiat imposed on a media defendant whose broadcasts reach millions. open image in gallery Attorneys for Sandy Hook families say they want to ensure Jones and Infowars pay them for what they have done after massive defamation verdict ( AP ) His legal team has also argued that Jones remarks about the shooting being a hoax perpetrated by crisis actors werent defamatory to the victims but expressions of constitutionally protected opinion. Jones, for his part, has since asserted that he now believes the massacre was legitimately real. The media landscape is rife with groups challenging various events, including Holocaust denial, moon landing skepticism, 9/11 conspiracy theories, and even flat Earth claims, Jones attorneys wrote. However, such statements critique or dismiss the events themselves, not the character, conduct, or reputation of those associated with them. Claiming that the result will chill the reporting of news, Jones team urged the high court to review whether state courts can impose death penalty default sanctions on media defendants, asserting that the Sandy Hook families themselves were public figures and Jones was merely reporting on issues of public concern. Death penalty sanctions are generally issued by courts over discovery abuses and effectively adjudicate the case, resulting in default judgments. open image in gallery Joness attorneys told the Supreme Court that his Infowars empire will be acquired by its ideological nemesis and destroyed unless the justices hear his appeal ( AP ) After filing for bankruptcy in 2022 following the trial losses, Jones saw a Houston judge rule in 2023 that most of the judgments in the cases would not be discharged in the bankruptcy. Eventually, the bankruptcy of Free Speech Systems was dismissed, and Jones personal bankruptcy was converted from Chapter 11 to a Chapter 7 liquidation. Last fall, an auction was held to sell off Infowars assets to pay the Sandy Hook families, with satirical news outlet The Onion being named the winning bidder. But the sale was blocked in December after a bankruptcy judge ruled the process was flawed, allowing Jones to keep Infowars for now. Last month, a Texas state judge appointed a receiver to proceed with liquidating Free Speech Systems assets, once again opening the door for The Onion to purchase the conspiracy site. Jones is currently appealing that ruling with a Texas appeals court, which temporarily paused the receivership in late August. Jones has also been accused of trying to shield assets of more than $5 million from the trustee of his personal bankruptcy to avoid paying the Sandy Hook families. This included claims that Jones fraudulently transferred $1.5 million to his wife, $800,000 to his father, and tried to hide his ownership of two condos with a combined value of $1.5 million. Jones, meanwhile, has insisted that even if the Infowars brand and property are taken from him, he will stay on the air by starting another company. Still, because a bankruptcy judge ruled that the families could continue to make claims on any money Jones earns in the future through other business ventures, as his behavior was deemed willful and malicious. 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 Fox News host Emily Compagno suggested that the backlash to Paramounts decision to install Bari Weiss as CBS News editor-in-chief had an antisemitic thread behind it, specifically flagging a recent article by The Independent. Compagnos remarks came during a Fox News segment about not only the broad criticism Weiss has received since arriving at CBS, but also the internal pushback from network staffers over the self-described politically homeless pundits DOGE-like directive. Following months of speculation, Paramount Skydance chief David Ellison announced last Monday that the company had not only hired Weiss to lead CBS News but that it had purchased her anti-woke and heterodox digital outlet The Free Press for $150 million. However, even before Weiss was officially brought on, network staffers had expressed trepidation about her ability to lead CBS, especially since she had no prior experience in broadcast journalism. People are using words like depressing and doomsday feels like some sort of doomsday, one CBS News reporter told The Independent earlier this month, while another noted that staffers were literally freaking out over the pending hire and Ellisons other politically charged changes to the newsroom. It's not a good place right now, one source said right before the Weiss hire was announced. There was a proper way to do this and a not proper way, and they're doing it in the non-proper way, and maybe that's by design. open image in gallery Fox News host Emily Compagno asserts that there is an antisemitic thread behind the criticism of Bari Weiss' ascension as CBS News editor-in-chief ( Fox News ) On top of that, due to Weiss stridently pro-Israel stance (she has described herself as a Zionist fanatic), many staffers felt that a major reason she was being brought to oversee CBS News was due to the close ties Ellison and his father Oracle founder and close Trump ally Larry Ellison share with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He's essentially going to hand the keys to the kingdom to Bari Weiss and to anyone and everyone who is an ideologue that supports his and his father's world, a network staffer told The Independent. During her first week at the helm of the network, meanwhile, Weiss literally made employees roll their eyes with her Sorkinesque call to arms, exclaiming lets do the f***ing news during her first editorial call. She also sent out an email to the networks thousand-plus employees demanding they detail their workday. By the end of the day Tuesday, Id like a memo from each person across our news organization, Weiss wrote. Im not looking for a JD or words like synergy. I want to understand how you spend your working hours and, ideally, what youve made (or are making) that youre most proud of. Her missive prompted staffers to quip that they got Elon Musked and DOGEd, referencing the infamous edict from the Department of Government Efficiency that was once spearheaded by the worlds richest man and one-time first buddy. Weiss email has sparked confusion at the network, as staffers have received conflicting orders on whether they should respond or not. The Writers Guild of America, which represents union employees at the network, told its members not to send the requested memo until CBS provided more details on whether their replies could serve as a basis for discipline, discharge, or layoff. Two sources at CBS News told The Independent that staffers were perplexed, though, since some managers have told them to do the exact opposite of what their union has said and respond to Weiss. open image in gallery Bari Weiss email to CBS News staff demanding to know what their workday consists of has been met with confusion and criticism within the network ( Paramount ) During Tuesdays broadcast of the Fox News roundtable show Outnumbered, Compagno noted that the backlash was swift and severe to Weiss arrival at CBS, pointing to a number of social media posts from prominent progressives. After reading pointed critiques from former New York Times colleagues of Weiss, who called her a talentless hack with zero news experience, Compagno then spotlighted The Independents reporting about the internal angst over The Free Press founder. This kind of thing would make me laugh if there was not an antisemitic thread in there, the Fox host fumed, suggesting that Weiss Jewish heritage is sparking the criticism of her. Ironically, in employment law, employees are entitled to specificity. And the whole point of articulation back and forth is that employees have the right to know what is expected of them, she continued, referencing Weiss letter to staff. And the fact that they are resisting as if it is some type of rebellion is such a joke to me and just speaks that none of them are actually in the business of transmitting actual information. Moments later, the Outnumbered panelists also took aim at HBO host John Olivers dissection of Weiss journalism career and why there is such concentrated outrage over her ascension to the top of CBS News. I wouldnt want anyone who led a pure opinion outlet, not even one that I happen to agree with, to suddenly be running CBS News, Oliver declared on Sunday. But it is especially alarming to have someone doing it who has spent years putting out work that, in my opinion, is at best irresponsible and at worst deeply misleading. Fox News host and former Trump White House spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany stood up for Weiss, insisting that she is extraordinarily talented and very smart. At the same time, according to McEnany, she was unsure if Weiss could fix what is broken at CBS News because there was a lot broken. 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 JD Vance was the most notable in his absence from Donald Trumps triumphant appearances in the Middle East on Monday, as vice presidents rarely travel abroad with the commander-in-chief. However, the veep still kept up the pressure on MAGAs political foes. Vance took the time to troll one of the commander-in-chiefs oldest political foes on social media. His taunting comments came after Senator Elizabeth Warren shared her relief at the release of the Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7, 2023, by Hamas. For two excruciating years, I have called for the return of the hostages brutally kidnapped on October 7th and held in Gaza, Warren wrote. Today is a good day. Surviving Israeli hostages are finally home and reuniting with loved ones. Im thinking of them and their families on this joyful day and praying for their full recovery. open image in gallery JD Vance mocked Elizabeth Warren's post which celebrated the return of the Israeli hostages ( X/@JDVance ) She also added that "humanitarian aid needs to be supported in flowing into Gaza. However, Vance hit back at Warren with a barb on X. The president told me he did this on Indigenous Peoples Day in honor of you, he said, in reference to Trump calling Warren "Pocahontas." Elon Musk posted two laughing emojis underneath a screenshot of Vances post, which has been shared by an X user who said they will be voting for JD Vance when he runs. The "Pocahontas" nickname originated during a feud between Warren and Trump about the senators heritage. Warren had claimed to have Native American ancestry dating back six to 10 generations. After releasing a DNA test to prove her heritage, Warren later apologized to the Cherokee Nation, who said it is inappropriate to use genetic tests to lay claim to a tribal nation. In a press release, a Cherokee Nation spokesperson said that they hoped that the incident would lead to an end to slurs and mockery being targeted at Native Americans. Despite this, Trump has continued to jab Warren by calling her "Pocahontas." open image in gallery Trump has repeatedly called Elizabeth Warren Pocahontus ( AP ) Vances comments came during his conspicuous absence from the historic day unfolding in the Middle East, which saw the release of all the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas. Trump was warmly received after landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, with delegates from around the world praising him for landing a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. Vance was last seen Sunday, when he clashed with ABCs George Stephanopoulos over a scandal that has hit Tom Homan, Trumps border czar. Stephanopoulos referenced a video in which Homan allegedly accepts $50,000 from an FBI agent while offering to help connect interested parties with lucrative federal contracts related to law enforcement. open image in gallery JD Vance also refused to comment on a video in which Tom Homan appears to accept a bribe ( Getty Images ) I'm asking you, did he accept the $50,000 that was caught on the surveillance tape? Stephanopoulos asked Vance. Did he accept that $50,000 or not? George, I don't know what you're talking about. Did he accept $50,000 for what? Vance responded. Stephanopoulos went on to explain the video and asked whether Homan kept the money, which he was allegedly given. Is it illegal to take a payment for doing services? The FBI has not prosecuted him, Vance replied. Homan has denied the allegations, telling a reporter from NewsNation that they were b******t. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also said that, The president stands by Tom Homan 100 percent because he did absolutely nothing wrong. 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 Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that she found an innovative solution that will allow the Coast Guard to be paid during the government shutdown, but nobody knows what it is. Nearly two weeks into the shutdown, Noem announced that the Coast Guard would be compensated, making a similar promise as Trump, who last week ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to use "all available funds" to ensure the military service members are compensated. While Democrats have played politics with military pay to fight for illegal aliens, the US Coast Guard has been defending our maritime borders, stopping the flow of deadly narcotics and illegal immigration into our country, and countering America's adversaries around the world, Noem wrote in a Monday evening social media post. President Trump did not want any of our military to go without pay as a result of Democrats' political theater, and we at DHS worked out an innovative solution to make sure that didn't happen, she continued. However, the details of her plan are not immediately clear. When The Independent asked DHS for more information, a spokesperson sent the text of Noems tweet. open image in gallery Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed to ensure the Coast Guard gets paid during the shutdown using an innovative solution but no one knows what that is. ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) In her post, Noem cited Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, which was signed into law in July, that allotted $165 billion in funds for DHS. Sources told Punchbowl News that the administration is looking to use funds from the act to compensate active-duty Coast Guard service members. DHS guidance in the event of a shutdown, published last month, states: Active duty military members are excepted because their entitlement to pay is provided under a federal law. This entitlement means that DHS is authorized by law to incur obligations for active duty service members pay. These active duty service members may perform normal duties during a lapse, the guidance reads. As of August, there were 52,377 on-board employees in the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard estimated that 49,622 employees would be excepted and retained during a lapse in appropriations, the guidance states. The amount officers are paid depends on their ranks and years of experience. For example, a seaman recruit with less than two years of experience may earn $2,017 per paycheck, or around $30,000 per year, while an admiral with more than 40 years of experience may earn $18,492 per paycheck, or more than $225,000 per year, according to independent resource Federal Pay. open image in gallery A report suggests funds from Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill will be used to pay the Coast Guard salaries. ( Getty Images ) Our people are the heart of the Coast Guard, Admiral Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant, said in a statement. "We are grateful for the actions taken by President Trump and Secretary Noem to ensure that our members who protect and defend our nations maritime borders and our citizens every day receive the pay they have earned. Last Friday, the president acted on his repeated threats of mass firings, with the Office of Management and Budget stating in a court filing that more than more than 4,000 employees would be laid off due to the lapse of federal funds. That group includes 176 DHS employees, the filing says. As the shutdown drags on, other federal employees have continued to work without pay, including TSA workers at airports. A combination of staffing shortages and inclement weather have led to extensive delays at travel hubs across the country. On Monday alone, as the Noreaster ravaged the East Coast, there were nearly 7,000 delays at U.S. airports, according to FlightAware. The reductions in force also extend to 315 employees in the Commerce Department, 1,100 in Health and Human Services, and 466 in the Education Department, a group that includes staffers overseeing $15 billion in special education that is expected to impact 7.5 million children with disabilities. Congress appears to remain at an impasse 14 days since the shutdown began on October 1. House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told MSNBC on Monday hasnt met with House Speaker Mike Johnson because Trump hasnt given the GOP leader permission. And we know that until Donald Trump gives them permission to meet, theyre going to continue to hide as it relates to sitting down and negotiating a bipartisan agreement, Jeffries said. At a Monday press conference, Johnson accused Democrats of playing ridiculous political games to continue the shutdown and took aim at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, accusing him of determining his own political survival is worth the irreversible harm hes inflicting on the American people. Schumer, meanwhile, has emphasized that the GOP controls the White House and both chambers of Congress. 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 Mark Carney was caught on a hot mic Tuesday joking with Donald Trump after the US leader accidentally referred to the Canadian prime minister as the president during a speech. During the Israel-Hamas peace summit in Egypt, Trump addressed various world leaders, noting it was great to have the president of Canada in attendance. After the formal speech was over, Carney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer approached Trump at the lectern and poked fun at the presidents gaffe. Im glad you upgraded me to president, Carney said with a laugh. Oh, did I say Trump responded, appearing to realize that he had referred to Carney by the wrong title. open image in gallery President Donald Trump whispers to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British PM Keir Starmer during the Israel-Hamas peace summit in Egypt ( AFP via Getty Images ) The pair laughed, then the U.S. president playfully punched Carney on the arm and whispered in front of the microphone: At least I didnt say governor. It appeared to be a reference to Trumps penchant for mocking former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, by calling him the governor of Canada the U.S.s northern neighbor that the president has claimed would become the 51st state. The trio of world leaders chuckled at the presidents blunder before parting ways. It was a starkly different display of U.S.-Canada relations from the icy, contentious exchanges that Trump had just months ago when Trudeau was in office. Although Carney is part of the Canadian Liberal Party, which aligns more with the U.S. Democratic Party than Republicans, he and Trump have had a congenial relationship so far. Carney has made an effort to foster a good relationship with Trump as the two countries attempt to work out a mutually beneficial trade deal. open image in gallery Carney and Trump have enjoyed a congenial relationship so far, with significantly less tension than Trumps exchanges with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ( REUTERS ) Trump has continuously threatened the U.S.s largest trading partners with massive tariffs for refusing to comply with or negotiate on his desired policies. Earlier this year, as Trudeau and Trumps relationship soured, the two imposed retaliatory tariffs and sector-specific tariffs on one another, shaking up Canadas economy. But Carney, who previously served as governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, has seen many of the tariffs lifted or given exemptions since taking office. 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 new documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the days leading up to her husbands second inauguration, will be exclusively released in theaters in January, Amazon MGM Studios announced. The film, Melania, will offer unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration through the eyes of the First Lady-elect herself, Amazon MGM Studios said. Viewers can expect to see exclusive footage of critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments as Melania orchestrates inauguration plans and prepares to re-enter public life. The documentary will be released in theaters on January 30, 2026. It is unclear when it will become available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Shortly before Trump was inaugurated, Amazon MGM Studios announced it had obtained rights to the documentary. Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon, was among the tech executives to donate to, and attend, Trumps inauguration in Washington DC. open image in gallery First Lady Melania Trump, pictured in a still from her upcoming documentary, said she had the idea to make a movie about her life after writing her self-titled memoir ( Amazon MGM Studios / Facebook ) Puck News reported that Amazon paid $40 million to license the film. The documentary will be directed by Brett Ratner, who previously made Rush Hour and The Family Man. The director had retreated from Hollywood in 2018, during #MeToo movement, after several women accused him of sexual misconduct. Ratner has denied allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment. The first lady is serving as an executive producer on the documentary. I had an idea to make a movie, to make a film, about my life, Melania told Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt in January. My life is incredible. Its incredibly busy, and I told my agent, you know, I have this idea, so please, you know, go out and make a deal for me, Melania added. Melania promises to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Mrs Trumps life before entering the White House again. The first lady famously keeps a distance from her husbands political life, making few public appearances. She splits her time between Washington D.C., Palm Beach, Florida, and New York City. open image in gallery The first lady makes few public appearances but has attended more formal events alongside her husband, such as the UN General Assembly last month in New York ( Getty Images ) Its unclear how far-reaching the access will be, given that Melania teased a similar level of transparency in her self-titled memoir that actually revealed very little about her personal life. Filming for Melania began in December, roughly a month after Trump was elected. Its unclear exactly what the documentary will show, but Melania gave some insights into her life during that transition period in January. At the time, reports said Melania was preparing intensively to resume the role of first lady. A week before the inauguration, she told Earhardt she was packed and had picked out furniture she wanted to bring with her to the White House. Melania also hinted she was beginning to put together her East Wing team. Melania also appeared to be preparing to announce her cryptocurrency memecoin, $Melania, which she and Trump launched publicly on Inauguration Day. Having lived in White House for four years during her husbands first term, Melania said that she was better prepared. Its a very different, a transition, this time, second time around," she told Earhardt. But she also set expectations for her tenure, saying she planned to split her time to focus on being a mom in addition to first lady and a wife. open image in gallery Melania Trump was reportedly preparing intensively to return to the White House after her husband was re-elected ( Getty Images ) In addition to the documentary, Amazon is reportedly going to air a three-part docuseries about Melanias life, splitting time between New York, Florida and D.C. Viewers hoping to get a peek at Trump and Barron in Melania can expect to see brief appearances, according to reports. The first lady, a former model, may also provide some insight on how she chose her inauguration day and inaugural ball outfits. Melanias style, including her well-known array of hats, is the subject of much style commentary. Melania was by Trumps side as they went through the formalities of inauguration day, leading up to Trumps swearing-in at the Capitol and the glitzy ball in the evening. Since then, Melania has made formal appearances alongside her husband during a state visit to the United Kingdom, the White House Easter Egg Roll and the United Nations General Assembly in New York. She has also hosted a roundtable to discuss educating children about artificial intelligence and signed legislation that intends to ban deepfake pornography. Most recently, Melania said she had been having discussions with Russian representatives to release Ukrainian children held captive in Russia. 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 United States government has reportedly revoked the visas of at least 50 Mexican politicians and government officials, a move described by two Mexican officials as part of the Trump administration's intensified efforts against drug cartels and their alleged political associates. While a handful of these cases have been publicised, a Reuters' investigation indicates the visa cancellations are far more extensive than previously understood. According to three former US ambassadors, such visa revocations have occurred under previous administrations, but not to the current degree. They suggest this scale reflects President Donald Trump's readiness to deploy diplomatic measures to achieve specific policy objectives. "The Trump administration is finding new ways to exert more pressure on Mexico," said Tony Wayne, U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 2011 to 2015. The move has sent quiet shockwaves through Mexico's political elite, who regularly travel to the U.S. and require a visa to do so. It also marks a significant broadening of U.S. anti-narcotics action, with the Trump administration targeting active politicians usually seen as too diplomatically sensitive. One of the sources, a senior Mexican politician, said more than 50 politicians from the ruling Morena party have had their visas revoked, as well as dozens of officials from other political parties. The sources requested anonymity to speak on a sensitive topic. Reuters was unable to ascertain the names of the Mexican officials whose visas have been revoked. So far, only four have publicly confirmed they lost their visas, including Baja California state Governor Marina del Pilar Avila, who has categorically denied any links to organized crime. The U.S. does not need to provide explanations for revoking someone's visa and the threshold for doing so is much lower than for imposing sanctions or a prosecution, sources said. open image in gallery Close-up detail of American VISA ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) In response to a Reuters request for comment, a senior U.S. State Department official said: "Visas, including those held by foreign officials, may be revoked at any time" for "activities that run contrary to America's national interest." "The Trump administration has had a good working relationship with the Sheinbaum government, and we look forward to continuing to advance our bilateral relationship in the interest of the America first foreign policy agenda," the official added. Mexico's presidency and the Mexican foreign ministry did not reply to requests for comment. The Trump administration has also been revoking visas elsewhere in Latin America against perceived political and ideological foes. Christopher Landau, former U.S. ambassador to Mexico and the State Department's no. 2 official, has made no secret of his penchant for denying access to the U.S., referring to himself on X as "El Quitavisas," which translates to "The Visa Snatcher." The State Department said last month it would pull Colombian President Gustavo Petro's visa after he spoke at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey Trump's orders. Petro hit back, declaring: "I don't care." In Brazil, more than 20 top judges and officials have lost their visas, while in Costa Rica, at least 14 politicians and business leaders, including former president and Nobel Prize Peace laureate Oscar Arias, have had theirs revoked. Arias, who had been critical of Trump on social media, said he was given no reason for the revocation. In Mexico, the widespread visa revocations, especially of members of President Claudia Sheinbaum's ruling Morena party, threaten to complicate the country's already uneasy relationship with the United States. Amid high-stakes trade negotiations and security talks, Sheinbaum has opted to collaborate closely with the U.S. to go after the cartels. Still, she has condemned repeated suggestions by Trump administration officials that the U.S. could take unilateral military action in Mexico, which she has said would violate Mexico's sovereignty. A third source with knowledge of the visa process said the revocations are part of Trump's security strategy, adding that the administration's designation of some cartels as terrorist organizations means intelligence held by the Drug Enforcement Administration increasingly impacts someone's U.S. visa status. ProPublica first reported that U.S. officials expected to revoke dozens of visas of political figures in Mexico for suspected links to the cartels. Reuters reported in June that the Trump administration was pressuring Mexico to investigate and prosecute politicians with suspected links to organized crime. The U.S. has refused to give explanations for the visa revocations to the individuals involved, four Mexican sources said, sowing confusion among officials that they could be next as well as concern it could mean they are under criminal investigation. Nearly all of the people impacted have avoided talking about it publicly because it is seen as a stain on their reputation, the sources said. Roberta Jacobson, who served as ambassador to Mexico from 2016 to 2018, said when she was in government visa cancellations of politicians usually only happened because of a conviction or an ongoing criminal case. She said having a visa pulled could indicate that the U.S. is investigating the person for criminal activities, but not necessarily. "The likelihood is that you won't know whether or not the U.S. is investigating potentially for years," she said. The State Department does not publish figures on how often it revokes visas of foreign officials but John Feeley, ambassador to Panama from 2015 to 2018, said he did not recall any Panamanian politician having their visa canceled when he was ambassador. He said the widespread revocations could backfire and strain U.S.-Mexico cooperation on security. "It could spur blowback, where President Sheinbaum sees collaborating with the U.S. as too high of a political cost." 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 Carrie Elizabeth Romney, the sister-in-law of former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, was found dead close to shopping mall Friday night just months after her nine year marriage ended. A preliminary assessment suggested that Romney, 64, may have jumped or fallen from the five-story garage in question, reports ABC News. Her car was reportedly discovered parked at the garage, which is also near the citys Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has listed her cause of death as deferred while toxicology results are currently pending. The local sheriffs department has said it is conducting a death investigation and is awaiting the medical examiners findings. Between 2016 and 2025, the victim was married to George Scott Romney, 84, who goes by Scott, the oldest brother of Mitt. open image in gallery Carrie Elizabeth Romney was married to G. Scott Romney, Mitt Romneys older brother, shown here at the 2012 Republican National Convention ( AFP via Getty Images ) We dont know if it was suicide or accidental, LA County Sheriffs spokesperson Lt Daniel Vizcarra said of the incident. There is not enough information to go by yet on what the coroner has given us so far. Her body was discovered around 9:00pm local time. Scott Romney, a prominent attorney and the father of former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel. A 1991 Associated Press report on his divorce from his first wife, whom he married in 1967, noted that she was the author of the book Giving Time a Chance - The Secret of a Lasting Marriage. The couple separated in May this year after eight years of marriage, according to the Daily Mail. Scott Romney reportedly filed for divorce on June 10, citing irreconcilable differences, bringing to an end his third marriage. The report goes on to note that Carrie was planning to go back to using her maiden name, Carrie Dimas and was seeking spousal support, which he opposed. He and Carrie were married on November 26, 2016, and had no children together. Online records show that until January 2025, she had been living in Michigan where her estranged husband resided. Since then, she has been living in Santa Clarita, California. open image in gallery Police at the parking garage in the Town Center area of Valencia, California, where the body of Carrie Elizabeth Romney was discovered on Friday, October 10, 2025 ( ABC 7 ) The couple appears to have preferred to keep their relationship private: neither maintained a social media presence nor gave media interviews post-2012, and they were never photographed in public together, the Mail reports. Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives. We ask for privacy during this difficult time, Mitt Romney said in a brief statement on behalf of his family. The politician served as the governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and ran unsuccessfully as the GOPs presidential nominee in 2012, hoping to deny Democrat Barack Obama a second term in the White House. He was elected U.S. senator for Utah in 2018 and became known as an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, voting for his impeachment twice, but left office at the end of his term this January. open image in gallery Romney pictured after a meeting with Donald Trump in 2024 ( Getty Images ) An online profile says that Scott Romney now works as a lawyer with Michigan-based firm Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn. The New York Times reported in 2012 during his brothers ill-fated run for the White House that Scott Romney was among his most visible supporters. He appeared to disappear from the spotlight in the years that followed. Scott previously served on the board of Michigan State University, he graduated from the school in 1966, and later graduated from Harvard. In the 1990s, he ran unsuccessfully for Attorney General of Michigan. After that defeat, The Detroit Free Press noted in 2018 that he never ran for such a high profile job again. Had he won... it would likely givent him a clear path to the governors office, political consultant John Truscott told the newspaper. 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 Amid a slew of mainstream news publications rejecting the Pentagons prohibitive new press restrictions ahead of a Tuesday signing deadline, right-wing cable channel Newsmax surprisingly declared that it would also refuse to sign the new agreement, calling the policy unnecessary and onerous. In fact, amid the continued backlash against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths new rules which the Pentagon Press Association called an unprecedented message of intimidation only one media organization has agreed to sign the letter: Trump-boosting channel One America News. On Tuesday afternoon, Fox News the network where Hegseth once served as a weekend morning host joined other broadcast television news networks in rejecting the Pentagons press prohibitions, stating that the new rules were unprecedented and threatened journalistic values. Today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagons new requirements, which would restrict journalists ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues, the joint statement said. The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections. We will continue to cover the U.S. military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the principles of a free and independent press. Besides Fox News, CBS News, ABC News, CNN and NBC News also joined in on the statement. open image in gallery Pete Hegseths new prohibitive press rules have been roundly rebuffed by news organizations, including some conservative outlets ( Getty Images ) Donald Trump, meanwhile, appeared to back his defense secretarys press restrictions when talking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon. I think he finds the press to be very disruptive in terms of world peace and maybe security for our nation, the president declared. The press is very dishonest. Late last month, the Department of Defense which the Trump administration recently rebranded as the War Department announced that it was imposing severe restrictions on reporters covering the Pentagon, including requiring them to cease gathering any information that the department hadnt already cleared. Hegseth declared that any journalist who didnt sign the pledge would have their press credentials revoked. Following intense outrage from free press advocacy groups and media outlets, with the National Press Club saying the new policy should alarm every American, the Pentagon released a revised agreement last week. While the new draft stated that members of the news media are not required to submit their writings to the department in advance of publication, it still makes it clear that reporters cannot solicit or obtain any information that the department doesnt authorize. It also outlines what behaviors could see journalists deemed "security risks" and have their press passes pulled. Hegseth, a former Fox News morning host, has been on a mission in recent months to crack down on the press covering the department especially in the wake of the embarrassing Signal chat leak. Even before proposing these latest media restrictions, the Pentagon had already booted several legacy media organizations from their dedicated spaces, limited the movement of reporters within the building, and had rarely held press briefings. The American people deserve to know how their military is being run. They deserve more information from this administration, not less. We hope the Pentagon reconsiders, the Pentagon Press Association said in response to the departments media prohibitions. After releasing the revised press policy last week, the Pentagon stated that any media representative who did not acknowledge and sign the letter by 5 p.m. on Tuesday had one day to turn in their pass and clear out their desk. News outlets, including some conservative ones, have instead held firm and refused to back down. The Pentagon Press Association has already retained lawyers for a probable legal battle, and other news organizations have consulted their legal counsel. Newsmax has no plans to sign the letter. We are working in conjunction with other media outlets to resolve the situation, a spokesperson from the right-wing television network said in a statement. We believe the requirements are unnecessary and onerous and hope that the Pentagon will review the matter further. The stance by Newsmax is noteworthy considering how closely aligned the network, which is run by Trump confidant Christopher Ruddy, is with the White House. Newsmax has long sought to position itself to the right of Fox News and appeal overtly to both the president and his most ardent supporters a strategy that has recently led the channel to air commercials for Trumps Fight, Fight, Fight watch collection. Christopher Dolan, the president and executive editor of conservative newspaper The Washington Times, also revealed that his outlets reporters wouldnt be signing the agreement. One America News, the small far-right channel that has seen its fortunes improve with Trumps return to the White House, is so far the only outlet that has approved the letter. After thorough review of the revised press policy by our attorney, OAN staff has signed the document, network president Charles Herring said in a statement. open image in gallery Chris Ruddy, the Trump ally who runs the MAGA news channel Newsmax, has rejected the Pentagons new press restrictions ( (AFP via Getty Images) ) As of publication, the New York Times, CNN, Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Guardian, The Hill and trade publication Breaking Defense have all stated that their journalists will not sign the agreement. The proposed restrictions undercut First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on gathering and publishing information, Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray said on Monday. We will continue to vigorously and fairly report on the policies and positions of the Pentagon and officials across the government. The Atlantics editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who was included in the infamous Signal chat that saw Hegseth share highly sensitive war plans earlier this year, explained why his outlets journalists were rebuffing the policy. We fundamentally oppose the restrictions that the Trump administration is imposing on journalists who are reporting on matters of defense and national security, Goldberg stated. The requirements violate our First Amendment rights, and the rights of Americans who seek to know how taxpayer-funded military resources and personnel are being deployed. Defense spokesperson Sean Parnell, meanwhile, criticized the press for having decided to move the goal post after the latest revision to the policy, adding that reporters are not required to agree with the restrictions but just acknowledge them. Parnell said in a statement: In every step of the process establishing common sense media procedures for Pentagon press, representatives from outlets like the New York Times, CNN, and others have expressed their gratitude for our efforts. Yet at the last minute, they have decided to move the goal post and refuse to sign the policy because of a single issue: a line that says they understand what our policies are. The policy does not ask for them to agree, just to acknowledge that they understand what our policy is. This has caused reporters to have a full blown meltdown, crying victim online. We stand by our policy because it's what's best for our troops and the national security of this country. Hegseth took it even further on Monday, responding to the condemnations from several news publications notably the New York Times, the Post and the Atlantic with a hand-waving emoji, as if saying goodbye to the outlets. 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 has been eager for legal justification to weaken protests against his administration, which have only escalated with a surge of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops into Democratic-cities. Trump has labeled Antifa a domestic terrorist organization, sparking warnings from First Amendment experts and civil rights groups that the president is using the label as a broad cudgel against left-wing opposition and suggesting any dissent is inherently illegitimate and criminal. Ahead of another wave of nationwide protests, administration officials and Republican members of Congress are already accusing protesters of being paid to be there by shadowy groups, blaming demonstrations that havent happened yet on Antifa and the terrorist wing of the Democratic party, and suggesting its a conspiracy to block an end to the government shutdown. In June, millions of Americans turned out for No Kings protests in more than 2,000 cities and towns across the country, backed by a coalition of dozens of civil rights and good government groups, none of which are tied to a loose network of militant antifascists. Those protests were held the same day Trump celebrated his birthday with a military parade in Washington, D.C., which the administration claims drew 250,000 supporters. The coalition is reuniting for more No Kings demonstrations on October 18 which the Trump administration and its allies are now labeling Hate America rallies. This time, U.S. troops under Trumps command will be standing by. open image in gallery Millions of Americans took to the streets in more than 2,000 cities and town June 14 for nationwide No Kings demonstrations. The protests return October 18 ( AP ) This is part of Antifa, paid protesters, it begs the question whos funding it? Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo Monday. Democrats want to wait for a big rally of a No Kings protest when the bottom line is, whos running the show in the Senate? he added. Chuck Schumers not running the show. The No Kings protesters or organizers are running the show. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News last week that Democrats are refusing to end a government shutdown because they cant face their rabid base, an idea floated by several congressional Republicans and right-wing media personalities. Were so angry about it. Im a very patient guy, but I have had it with these people. Theyre playing games with real peoples lives, he told Fox News last week. The theory we have right now: They have a Hate America rally thats scheduled for October 18 on the National Mall, he added. Its all the pro-Hamas wing and the Antifa people, theyre all coming out. Some of the House Democrats are selling T-shirts for the event. Its being told to us that they wont be able to reopen the government until after that rally, because they cant face their rabid base. This is serious business hurting real people. Im beyond words. No Kings organizers shot back, saying Johnson is running out of excuses for keeping the government shut down. Instead of reopening the government, preserving affordable healthcare, or lowering costs for working families, hes attacking millions of Americans who are peacefully coming together to say that America belongs to its people, not to kings, the group said in a statement. No Kings events are pledging nonviolent demonstrations, and all organizers are trained to de-escalate and work with local partners to ensure events go off without incident, according to the group. Junes protests were largely peaceful with few arrests nationwide. Most rallies diminished by the afternoon. open image in gallery Administration officials and Trump allies have baselessly labeled protests an Antifa plot carried out by paid protesters as the president looks for legal justification to crush dissent in his war against domestic terror ( Middle East Images/AFP via Getty ) Nonetheless, Republican members of Congress are incensed by the idea. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer told reporters last week that the event is being championed by what he called the terrorist wing of the Democratic Party. We call it the Hate America rally because youll see the hate for America all over this thing when they show up, he told Bartiromo. The rumor is that [Democrats] cant end this shutdown because this small but very violent and vocal group is the only one that's happy about this. Republican Senator Roger Marshall baselessly accused protesters of being paid by George Soros, a right-wing boogeyman whose Open Society Foundations is under investigation by the Department of Justice as part of a White House-directed political retribution campaign. This will be a Soros paid-for protest for his professional protesters, he told Newsmax last week. The agitators show up. Well have to get the National Guard out. Hopefully it will be peaceful. I doubt it. Last week, the president suggested his administration could designate Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization as top officials compared the decentralized movement to Hamas, Hezbollah and the Islamic state. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled the movement just as dangerous as designated terrorist groups and drug cartels. They are just as sophisticated as MS-13, as [Tren de Aragua], as Isis, as Hezbollah, as Hamas, as all of them. They are just as dangerous, Noem said. They have an agenda to destroy us, just like the other terrorists weve dealt with for many, many years. There is no domestic terrorist organization designation under U.S. law, and Antifa is not a specific organization but a term that encompasses a wider ideologically driven movement against fascism. Its not clear what legal weight, if any, the order will have. But federal law allows for international groups to be labeled foreign terrorist organizations as a means of imposing financial sanctions, travel restrictions and other penalties. Critics have warned that the Trump administration defining who, or what, is Antifa and therefore a terrorist on par with the ISIS could dangerously escalate the presidents war against his political enemies, including Americans who march in protests that the government has labeled an Antifa event. The president also issued a national security directive last month ordering federal law enforcement agencies to dismantle groups accused of supporting acts of domestic terror before theyre committed, pointing to anti-Christian, anti-capitalism or anti-American views as identifiable markers. Fighting crime is more than just getting the bad guy off the streets, Attorney General Pam Bondi said last week. Its breaking down the organization brick by brick. Just like we did with cartels, we're going to take this same approach, President Trump, with Antifa: Destroy the entire organization from top to bottom. 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 Longtime Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr took Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to task this week over his brave response on social media to news organizations that are refusing to sign his new press restrictions, which saw Hegseth use a hand-waving emoji. Starrs swipe at the Pentagon chief comes as all but one media outlet has rejected the departments prohibitive press rules, which would require reporters to refrain from soliciting or gathering any information including unclassified materials that the department has not officially approved for release. After releasing the revised press policy last week, the Pentagon sent an email warning that any reporters and journalists who do not sign the letter by the end of the day Tuesday would be required to return their press badges within 24 hours. Meanwhile, no reputable publication has agreed to the censorious press policy, with several pro-Trump outlets also rebuffing Hegseths pledge. Newsmax and The Washington Times joined a slew of legacy and mainstream outlets in announcing Monday that they would not sign the letter. Fox News where Hegseth once worked as a morning show host coordinated with other television networks to release a joint statement on Tuesday afternoon condemning the prohibitive policy. As of Tuesday morning, the only organization thats been willing to agree to the Pentagons restrictions is the small far-right network One America News, which largely serves as a MAGA propaganda channel. Notably, OAN fired its chief Pentagon correspondent earlier this year after she criticized Hegseth for limiting media access and rarely holding press briefings. open image in gallery Pete Hegseth responded to news organizations broadly rejecting his new press restrictions by tweeting out hand-waving emojis. ( AP ) With the media broadly spurning the Pentagons press agreement, Hegseth reacted by tweeting out hand-waving emojis in response to the statements released by the New York Times, Washington Post and The Atlantic, as if he were saying goodbye to those publications and their reporters. Starr, who served as CNNs lead Pentagon correspondent for more than two decades before retiring in 2022, blasted the leader of the Department of Defense recently rebranded the War Department by the Trump administration for his juvenile X posts. Additionally, she noted that Hegseth was doing this while accompanying the president to the Middle East to sign the Israeli peace deal. Mr. Hegseth has responded with this lazy use of an emoji to several news organizations that issued statements they are not signing his new anti First Amendment press access policy, she tweeted. Darn brave of him to blast social media on a day POTUS wants no diversion from Middle East peace news. Starr added: Heres the real news: journalism thrives and lives on. Rudeness and insults will clearly be met [by] continuing to inform the American people where their troops are going and how their tax money is being spent. In a separate post on Substack, Starr also pushed back on Hegseths claims that he is merely requiring that credentialed Pentagon reporters must always wear a visible badge, no longer roam free through the building, and are no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts. The fact: the press only could walk in non classified areas anyhow. All classified information and workspaces are behind security locked doors, Starr wrote, adding that it has been the case for decades that press members have worn badges while in the Pentagon. open image in gallery Barbara Starr mocked Pete Hegseth for his "brave" use of emojis in response to news organizations' broad rejection of his new press rules. ( CNN ) As for Hegseths suggestion that reporters had been soliciting criminal acts, Starr retorted that this is an incredibly serious allegation and Hegseth needed to show the world your evidence in cases that arent being prosecuted already. Talking to a source is not soliciting a criminal act, she wrote. Starr, meanwhile, has some experience with the government attempting to force her to reveal her sources. In 2021, it was revealed that CNN had engaged in a lengthy legal battle with the first Trump administration to obtain Starrs phone and email records related to a 2017 leak investigation. I am genuinely horrified by what happened, she said at the time, calling the incident a sheer abuse of power. In an op-ed on Tuesday, NPR Pentagon reporter Tom Bowman who has held a defense press pass for 28 years wrote that he was handing in his credentials this week because of the unprecedented policy from the department. That policy prevents us from doing our job, Bowman stated. Signing that document would make us stenographers parroting press releases, not watchdogs holding government officials accountable. The Pentagon Press Association, which initially labeled the new rules an unprecedented message of intimidation, issued a statement on Monday night regarding the prospect of Hegseth enforcing his restrictive policy. This Wednesday, most Pentagon Press Association members seem likely to hand over their badges rather than acknowledge a policy that gags Pentagon employees and threatens retaliation against reporters who seek out information that has not been pre-approved for release, the group said. Our members did nothing to create this disturbing situation. It arises from an entirely one-sided move by Pentagon officials apparently intent upon cutting the American public off from information they do not control and pre-approve. 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 An influential conservative legal scholar who once clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas has raised alarm bells at the Supreme Courts recent trend of handing President Donald Trump more power, warning that it defies the original interpretation of the Constitution. Over the last nine months, the conservative wing of the court has expanded Trumps authority, allowing him to remake the federal government in his vision, including by firing the heads of independent agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board. While the liberal justices of the court, as well as Democratic officials, have loudly decried the courts decision, Caleb Nelson, a professor at the University of Virginia law school whose work is consistently cited by members of the conservative wing of the court, has joined them. In a sharp rebuke of the courts interpretation of executive authority, Nelson wrote in a piece for NYUs Democracy Project that justices could hand the president more power, I think, than any sensible person should want anyone to have, and more power than any member of the founding generation could have anticipated. Nelson, who clerked for Thomas in the late 90s and has had work featured by the conservative legal group the Federalist Society, criticized the Supreme Court for misinterpreting both the history and text of the Constitution. open image in gallery President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to overturn a decades-old precedent to allow him to fire the heads of independent agencies ( Getty Images ) Bombshell! - Caleb Nelson, one of the most respected originalist scholars in the country, comes out against the unitary executive interpretation of Article II, William Baude, another influential legal scholar, wrote on Bluesky. Richard Pildes, a professor at NYU who co-founded the Democracy Project, told the New York Times, If a highly respected originalist scholar like Professor Nelson, on whom the court relies frequently, denies that originalism supports the unitary executive theory, that inevitably raises serious questions about an originalist justification for the courts looming approach. Caleb Nelson is one of the most principled people Ive met in academia, Rutgers law professor Adam Crews wrote on X. And so perhaps unsurprisingly, I think hes spot onand the Court should admit it. Nelson, along with Justices Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, identify as originalists or those who believe the Constitution should be interpreted as it was originally written. Article II of the Constitution states, Executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. Some legal scholars have used that clause to argue in favor of unitary-executive theory, or the idea that the president has sole authority over the entire executive. Under that argument, independent federal agencies cannot act independently from the White House despite Congress setting them up as such to prevent influence from the president. But this is the argument Trump and others have used to convince the court he should be permitted to remove those in charge of independent agencies. open image in gallery Six justices on the Supreme Court are conservative, giving them a supermajority over the three liberal justices and likely handing Trump a win in his cases ( REUTERS ) But in Nelsons article, published in September, he said the court, under Chief Justice John Roberts's guidance, has incorrectly interpreted Article II to allow the president sweeping power and ignored the framers' intentions to separate powers among branches of government. I am an originalist, and if the original meaning of the Constitution compelled this outcome, I would be inclined to agree that the Supreme Court should respect it, Nelson wrote. But both the text and the history of Article II are far more equivocal than the current Court has been suggesting. Nelson warned that justices should consider consequences of the interpretation they chose in a case with as much gray area as the one about firing the heads of independent agencies. I hope that the Justices will not act as if their hands are tied and they cannot consider any consequences of the interpretations that they choose, Nelson added. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has celebrated the apparent reassignment of overweight Texas National Guard troopers in Chicago whose photo went viral last week. "Standards are back at the Department of War," crowed the former Fox News host on his personal X account on Monday, linking to a news story about the soldiers. Hegseth has repeatedly grouched about fitness standards in the Armed Forces, saying in April that troops "need to be fit, not fat" and telling hundreds of top military leaders summoned to Virginia last month that he found it "tiring" to see "fat troops". But when the Texas National Guard arrived outside Chicago last week as part of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, Associated Press photographer Erin Hooley snapped a picture of several troopers who were visibly carrying extra weight which soon spread widely on social media. On Sunday the Texas Military Department confirmed that it had replaced "a small group" of the 200 National Guard members serving in Illinois, though it refused to specify which troops, how many, or why they were removed. The viral photo, showing Texas National Guard members unloading from a truck at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Illinois, on Oct. 7, 2025 ( AP Photo/Erin Hooley ) "In less than 24 hours, Texas National Guardsmen mobilized for the Federal Protection Mission," a spokesperson told , which first reported on the troops' reassignment. "The speed of the response necessitated a concurrent validation process, during which we identified a small group of service members who were not in compliance and have been replaced." A spokesperson told The Independent: During the pre-mission validation process, the Texas National Guard identified and replaced seven service members who did not meet mission requirements. These service members were returned to home station. The Texas National Guard echoes Secretary Hegseth's message to the force: Our standards will be high, uncompromising, and clear. The federal National Guard Bureau also said Thursday that all soldiers must meet "service-specific height, weight, and physical fitness standards at all times", and that non-compliant members would be pulled from missions and returned to their home stations. The Trump administration has launched a massive deportation campaign in the sanctuary city of Chicago, with armed and masked agents stopping cars, grabbing people off the street, and even raiding an apartment building with flashbangs and helicopters in a military-style raid. The resulting protests have often met with violence from federal agents, who have repeatedly been caught on video throwing or tackling demonstrators to the ground and bombarding them with less-lethal munitions despite being in no visible danger. Last week the administration federalized 200 National Guard members from Texas and 500 from Illinois in order to guard federal buildings in and around Chicago, although for now they are blocked from doing so by a court order. That is against the wishes of of Illinois's Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker, who has accused the president of deliberately trying to "cause chaos" as a "pretext" for invoking the Insurrection Act. A lawsuit filed by Chicago and Illinois officials insisted that protesters have "never come close to stopping federal immigration enforcement" one possible condition for invoking the Act. The Department of Homeland Security accused Pritzker of spouting "lies", saying its actions were "neither unconstitutional nor an invasion" and that claims of racial profiling were "disgusting, reckless, and categorically FALSE". Addressing claims of brutality against protesters, the Department said: "Rioters against DHS and other law enforcement in Illinois have been anything but peaceful... DHS is taking reasonable and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers." This story was originally published at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday October 13, 2025, and updated at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday October 14 to include a statement received from the Texas Military Department. 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 will present Charlie Kirks posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to his widow Erika Kirk at the White House on Tuesday afternoon. The president raced back from his diplomatic commitments in Israel and Egypt on Monday in order to be back in Washington, D.C., to honor Kirk on what would have been the activists 32nd birthday. Andrew Kolvet, Kirks podcast producer, thanked Trump in advance for moving heaven and earth to return in time to reward the Turning Point USA founder with Americas highest civilian accolade. Kirk was shot dead by a rooftop sniper as he debated students on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah, on September 10. Tuesdays ceremony in the East Room of the White House, scheduled for 4pm ET, will reunite the president with Kirks widow, with whom he shared a stage at a memorial event in Glendale, Arizona, last month, at which she said she forgave her husbands killer. At the same event, Trump himself said of Kirk: I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk, and neither now will history. open image in gallery Donald Trump with Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, during a public memorial service last month ( AFP/Getty ) Because while Charlie has been reunited with his creator in heaven, his voice on earth will let go through the generations, and his name will live forever in the eternal chronicle of Americas greatest patriots. Speaking to Fox and Friends on Tuesday morning, Turning Point COO Tyler Bowyer said Kirks medal was well deserved and applauded Erika Kirk for the incredible strength she had shown in supporting her young family since last months tragedy. In advance of the ceremony, the House and Senate both approved resolutions to mark October 14 as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott said of the deceased when introducing his version: Charlie was a good man a devout husband, father, and friend. His life was shaped by his faith and the idea that in America, debate and discussion are crucial to the betterment of our country. He believed in God, the American dream, the value of family, and the principles of our great nation. open image in gallery Kirk was fatally shot at an event on a Utah college campus last month ( Getty ) House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed last month that another resolution to honor the life and legacy of our friend Charlie Kirk had passed his chamber. While neither one creates a national holiday, the president has not ruled out making that prospect a reality in the future. Among other tributes to Kirk, Florida GOP Representative Anna Paulina Luna has called for a statue to be erected in his memory at the U.S. Capitol in tribute. One has already been commissioned at the New College of Florida. In the same state, lawmakers are currently considering a bill to rename roads to honor Kirk near its universities and colleges. Kirk memorial events are meanwhile being held in several states across the country on Tuesday, with large public gatherings scheduled in Alaska, New Jersey, Texas and Florida, as well as a rally honoring his memory is being held in Arizona, the state the Chicago native made his home. Turning Point USA has meanwhile announced a string of events while church and community organizations that aligned with Kirks message are likewise expected to mark the day with worship and prayer events. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump said the U.S. has destroyed another boat off the coast of Venezuela, killing six suspected drug traffickers as his administration continues to target vessels in the Caribbean. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Tuesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the strike, which he also shared a video of online. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known DTO [drug trafficking organization] route, Trump wrote. The president continued: The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike. No U.S. Forces were harmed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!!!! It marks the fifth time that a deadly strike has been carried out in the Caribbean since September, as the U.S. ramps up its military presence in the region to combat what Trump claims is an influx of drug smuggling. open image in gallery President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. carried out a strike on a small boat he claims was trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean ( President Donald Trump / Truth Social ) On September 2, the U.S. targeted an alleged drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean that Trump said was being operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, killing 11 people on board. A strike on September 15 killed three terrorists, Trump said at the time. Three other strikes have been carried out since, bringing the total number of people killed up to 27. Many Democratic lawmakers have pushed back on the strikes, arguing they violate U.S. and international law. Last week, the Senate voted on a war powers resolution that would have stopped the Trump administration from conducting the operations unless Congress authorized them, but it failed to pass. Meanwhile, the Trump administration said it determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations, according to a memo to Congress that was obtained by The Independent. As a result, Trump directed the Pentagon to conduct operations against them pursuant to the law of armed conflict. Despite their claims, the Trump administration has not provided any evidence to lawmakers to suggest that the boats they have targeted were carrying narcotics. Additionally, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said last week that the U.S. government knows the boats it's targeting are not being used for drug trafficking. During televised remarks, Padrino claimed the U.S. was trying to force a regime change, and warned of a possible escalation. I want to warn the population: We have to prepare ourselves because the irrationality with which the U.S. empire operates is not normal, Padrino said. Its anti-political, anti-human, warmongering, rude and vulgar. open image in gallery Trump administration said it determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations, according to a report ( AFP via Getty Images ) However, as the U.S. ramps up its military presence in the Caribbean along a corridor once known as being popular for moving illicit goods and people, smugglers have found other ways to get illegal drugs into the U.S., according to a New York Times report. With Trump also cracking down on the southern border and now in the Caribbean, drug traffickers are taking new measures to sneak contraband into the U.S. Some smugglers hide drugs in cargo vessels, which makes it difficult to detect, as the drugs are mixed in with legal goods, like produce. In Trinidad and Tobago, there has been an increase in illegal air flights dropping bales of drugs at sea, to be picked up later by larger vessels, according to the report. We are seeing changes in modus operandi, Patrae Rowe, who heads the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, told The Times. More covert means are being used to transship drugs, he said, like hiding drugs in food shipments. While the Trump administration claims the Caribbean and Venezuela are the culprits for illicit drugs entering the country and killing Americans, most maritime drug trafficking headed for the U.S. takes place on the Pacific, U.S. and United Nations data show. Though experts admit that the Caribbean is a hub for trafficking Colombian cocaine, it plays no role in moving fentanyl, also a key concern of the president. The U.S. Coast Guard seized nearly 175,000 kilos, or about 193 tons, of cocaine from the seas during the fiscal year that ended in September more than double the amount from the year before. A third of that was taken from the Caribbean, according to the report. 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 gushed about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitts lips for the second time in a bizarre impromptu comment he made aboard Air Force One on Monday evening. The president was speaking with reporters after his victory lap trip to Israel and Egypt after signing his peace deal alongside Western and Arab leaders. Trump was talking to journalists about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before abruptly switching gears to comment on his 28-year-old press secretarys physical appearance. Hows Karoline doing? Is she doing good? Trump asked reporters, seemingly unprompted. Should Karoline be replaced? he followed up. A reporter replied: Thats up to you, sir. Itll never happen. That face... and those lips, Trump said. They move like a machine gun, right? open image in gallery President Donald Trump gushed about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitts lips for the second time in a bizarre impromptu comment aboard Air Force One. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Leavitt was also aboard the presidential plane and shared a photo of Trumps gaggle with the press. 12:45AM local time on Air Force One. Coming up on 36 hours of this trip, and President Trump is gaggling with the press, Leavitt said in a post on X. Hardest working POTUS ever. The president made a similar comment about Leavitts facial features in August. Shes become a star, he told Newsmax. Its that face. Its that brain. Its those lips, the way they move. They move like shes a machine gun. He added that Leavitt was amazing and a great person. Trump has a habit for publicly commenting on womens looks, including members of his administration. During an August Cabinet meeting, Attorney General Pam Bondi was on the receiving end of a cringeworthy observation. open image in gallery Its that face. Its that brain. Its those lips, the way they move. They move like shes a machine gun, Trump previously said of Leavitt ( Getty ) I look at Pam. I would never say shes beautiful, because thats gonna be the end of my political career, Trump said. He made a similar comment about Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the 2024 presidential campaign trail. You know youre not allowed to say shes beautiful, so Im not going to say that, Trump said after the then-South Dakota Gov. finished speaking at an Ohio rally in March 2024. I will not say it, because thats the end of your political career. He alluded to Noems appearance again in January. Dont let that look fool you, Trump said. Shes tough. And during his recent U.K. state visit, the president reportedly complimented the Princess of Wales on her appearance on arrival at Windsor Castle. Youre so beautiful, so beautiful, Trump appeared to say to the princess. 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 on Tuesday posthumously awarded the nations highest civilian honor to Charlie Kirk, the late Turning Point USA founder, calling him a true American hero whose name would be entered forever into the eternal roster of American heroes on what would have been Kirks 32nd birthday. Addressing Kirks widow, Erika, who accepted the award on her late husbands behalf, Trump said she had endured unspeakable hardship with unbelievable strength and said her love and courage in the weeks since her husbands killing had been an inspiration to all of us. The ceremony, held on the patio that replaced much of the White House Rose Garden this past summer, was something akin to an officially sanctioned memorial for the slain activist, with much of Trumps cabinet and other high-ranking officials from across the administration, plus a whos who of Republican politics and right-wing media in attendance. But while the president focused his prepared remarks on Kirk and the slain conservative operatives legacy, his speech often drifted away from its script to weave through a topic more interesting to the president: his own administration. In moments that were jarring and surreal, the president would pivot from solemn remarks about Kirk and his family to brag about his work in office on seemingly mundane issues, including a frequent point of bragging: his insistence that D.C. restaurants were booming and dinner reservations were hard to find in the wake of his deployment of National Guard troops across the District of Columbia. open image in gallery Donald Trump posed for a photo with Erika Kirk at Tuesday's Medal of Freedom ceremony for her late husband Charlie Kirk ( AFP via Getty Images ) Among those in attendance Trump shouted out during his remarks were Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and Majority Leader John Thune. Others at the ceremony included a wide range of big-name conservatives including Fox News hosts past and present Bill OReilly, Tucker Carlson, Jesse Watters and others were all spotted. Trump also noted that Argentine President Javier Milei was in attendance. We have everybody, he said. Wow. Trump remarked that people are loving the polarizing renovation and suggested that the temperate weather was due to God not wanting bad weather for the ceremony to honor the late, great Charlie Kirk. He called the late activist a fearless warrior for liberty and a beloved leader who galvanized the next generation like nobody I've ever seen before as well as an American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest caliber. open image in gallery Many senior Republican leaders attended a Medal of Freedom ceremony for Charlie Kirk at the White House on Tuesday ( AFP via Getty Images ) Five weeks ago, our nation was robbed of this extraordinary champion. He was a champion in every way, Trump said before recalling how Kirks assassination at a Utah college campus last month cut him down in the prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth and loving his faith and relentlessly fighting for a better and stronger America. It was a horrible, heinous, demonic act of murder, Trump said, adding that it was a privilege to award Kirk the nations highest civilian honor. Trump continued eulogizing Kirk, calling him a visionary and one of the greatest figures of his generation as well as an amazing figure who knew that the fight to preserve our heritage is waged not only on the battlefield and in the halls of power. He recalled how Kirk had founded Turning Point at age 18 and remarked how the organization has become bigger in the last few weeks than Charlie ever thought. With hard work and joyful spirit and endless enthusiasm and determination ... Charlie grew Turning Point into the largest conservative youth organization in the entire country. He fought for free speech, religious liberty, strong borders and a very strong and proud America ... everything he did was historic, Trump said. He described how Kirk had helped him in his 2016 and 2024 presidential campaign wins, enabling him to win what he claimed was more young people than any Republican by far in the history of our country during the latter contest last year. open image in gallery Charlie Kirk was assassinated in a shooting at Utah Valley University in September ( Benjamin Hanson/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty ) After another aside bragging about his 2024 win, he shifted gears to Kirks spirituality, telling attendees that he never missed an opportunity to remind us of the Judeo Christian principles of our nation's founding or to share his deep Christian faith. In his final moments, Charlie testified to the greatness of America and to the glory of our Savior with whom he now rests in heaven, Trump said. So today, like those martyrs before him Charlie's voice, his message and his legacy, are stronger and greater than ever before. He added that Kirks death had brought out the greatness of Charlie with great love before pivoting to attacking far-left radicals who resort to desperate acts of violence and terror because they know that their ideas and arguments are persuading no one. They have the devil's ideology, and they're failing. And they know it, they feel it, and they become violent, he said. As he spoke about the supposed one-sidedness of American political violence, the president singled out Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general set to face a Republican opponent in next months election. Controversial texts wherein the candidate joked about violence against Republicans have hounded Joness campaign and pushed the race into winnable territory for the GOP, and Trump and others have used Jones as an example of a Democrat supposedly endorsing the kind of violent rhetoric they blame for Kirks murder. Lets see how that turns out, Trump said of Joness race. He has endorsed Jason Miyares, Joness Republican opponent for the position, but has avoided endorsing Winsome Sears the partys candidate for governor. " Especially in the wake of Charlie's assassination, our country must have absolutely no tolerance for this radical Left violence, extremism, and terror, Trump added. Kirk is the first person to be awarded the Medal of Freedom under Trumps second presidency. During his first term, he awarded it to other conservative allies including Rep. Jim Jordan, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh, and former Sen. Orrin Hatch. In his second term, Trump has announced plans to award the Medal of Freedom to his disbarred former attorney Rudy Giuliani, and Ben Carson. 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 California Governor Gavin Newsom has gone all out with a new political one-two punch to counter the Trump administration using lawsuits and bills to challenge the White House over controversial moves. Hes challenged the push to add more Republican seats in Congress and the sending of the National Guard to Los Angeles while copying and mocking the presidents bombastic, meme-heavy social media style online. The approach has won Newsom, a long-rumored 2028 presidential candidate, new buzz in the polls, while at the same time angering colleagues in the states Democratic party, none more prominent than San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Mahan, a former tech executive elected on a moderate platform in 2022, has often been scathing in his disapproval. In an August op-ed, Mahan blasted Newsoms blind leap into meme land, casting it as a cheap, short-term strategy that would do little to solve the states perennial challenges with crime, homelessness, and high costs of living. That same month, Mahan also took issue with Trump-style comments from Newsom when the governor accused the troubled Bed, Bath & Beyond franchise of a desperate bid to become relevant again when the brand spoke out against the California business climate. open image in gallery San Jose mayor Matt Mahan (right) has emerged as a prominent critic of his Democratic party colleague Gov. Gavin Newsom with the city leader taking issue with the governors recent use of Trump-style tactics in the media ( AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File ) The San Jose leader has voiced anger over some of Newsoms signature policy moves, too, including Proposition 50, a ballot initiative asking voters to begin an unusual mid-decade redistricting process that could add up to five new Democratic seats in Congress. Newsom has argued the push is necessary to counter a Trump-led drive in Texas to cement more GOP seats. I will hold my nose and vote for Prop 50 but I dont believe its something we should be proud of, Mahan told San Jose Spotlight last week. Its not good governance to allow politicians to pick their constituents. The governors office has insisted theres no ill will between the two Democrats. Were not at war with the mayor, no matter how hard he tries, Newsom spokesperson Bob Salladay said last week. Were all in this together. open image in gallery Elsewhere, Mahan has praised Newsom, including for defending UCLA against a Trump administration attempt to extract a $1 billion settlement over antisemitism allegations ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) And it has defended Newsoms larger approach, arguing in September that there is no tension between good policy and effective communications strategies, including social media that speaks to the moment. In some cases, Mahan has praised Newsom, including for defending California against the Trump administration at key moments, such as Newsoms forceful denunciation of the presidents attempt to extract a $1 billion settlement from University of California Los Angeles over antisemitism investigations. Still, a split has been brewing since even before Newsoms Trump-style anti-Trump tactics began. The San Jose mayors homelessness agenda, including a proposal to charge and arrest people who repeatedly refuse shelter, has angered some in the partys progressive wing. open image in gallery Newsom has taken a confrontational approach to the Trump administration, suing to block its use of the California National Guard and launching a ballot campaign to cancel out the presidents gerrymandering effort in Republican-held Texas ( AFP via Getty Images ) Last year, Mahan backed Proposition 36, a tough-on-crime measure giving prosecutors the ability to order behavioral health treatment for repeat drug offenders, while Newsom opposed it. Newsom, for his part, snubbed Mahan and didnt invite him for a bill signing in San Jose on a package of anti-theft laws that year. Theres also the matter of the largely blue states notoriously complicated intra-party politics. If Newsom seeks the White House, that could mean an opening for Mahan in the governors mansion, and he hasnt ruled out a 2026 run. 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 bipartisan trio of former White House ethics lawyers warned no American is safe from political prosecution after the Trump administrations recent indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. President Donald Trump, who publicly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute his political rivals without delay last month, has since used a federal prosecutor to embark on a retribution campaign. Lindsey Halligan, Trumps newly appointed interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, secured grand jury indictments against Comey and James. Comey has pleaded not guilty and his attorneys have dubbed it a vindictive prosecution; James has yet to make a formal plea, but called the charges against her a weaponization of our justice system. Richard Painter, Norman Eisen and Virginia Canter, who served as ethics counsels for Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton respectively, asked for investigations into the indictments in a formal complaint filed with the Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General Tuesday. The trio called the pattern of revenge prosecutions an epidemic of injustice, saying it must be stopped. open image in gallery Following the indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, former White House ethics lawyers warned that no American is safe after Donald Trump embarks on a retribution spree ( Getty Images ) If Halligan pursued these indictments as part of Trumps personal vendetta against Comey and James, we are facing a turning point in our democracy and some of the most egregious examples of vindictive and meritless prosecution that our nation has ever seen, they warned. The group also remarked on the circumstances around Halligans appointment. The 36-year-old boasts no prosecutorial experience, yet was tapped to replace Erik Siebert, who resigned last month after he was reportedly pressured to bring a criminal case against James, despite investigators failing to find sufficient evidence of wrongdoing. Days after her appointment, she indicted Comey, followed by James weeks later. Prosecutors should never be fired for refusing to bring charges they conclude are unfounded, even if the president orders them to do so. Yet that appears to be just what President Trump has done in order to charge Mr. Comey and Ms. James, the complaint states. The president then installed a handpicked replacement who agreed to prosecute his rivals. If the Trump administration can do this, then no American is safe from political prosecution, they wrote. open image in gallery Former FBI director James Comey pleaded not guilty last week to federal charges following a years-long feud with the president ( AP ) Trumps thoughts on revenge and his targets of it are no secret. Well, revenge does take time. I will say that, he told Dr Phil last year on the campaign trail. And sometimes revenge can be justified. More recently, last month, he posted on Truth Social, in what was reportedly intended to be a private message to Bondi, groaning that nothing is being done against James, Comey, and California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who are all guilty as hell. Trump and Comey have had a rocky relationship for years, dating back to the months preceding the 2016 presidential election; the president fired the FBI director in 2017 shortly after the bureau announced it was investigating Russias efforts to interfere in the election. Trumps wrath culminated last month when Comey was charged with making false statements and obstructing justice during congressional testimony he gave in September 2020. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. After the indictment was made public, the former FBI director issued a statement: 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. open image in gallery New York Attorney General Letitia James decried the charges against her as baseless and a weaponization of our justice system ( AFP via Getty Images ) James, meanwhile, was indicted last week on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution in connection with a loan for a property she purchased in 2020. Last year, her office brought a civil fraud case against Trump, his associates, and business empire, which concluded with a New York judge ruling in her favor. Although the defendants were ordered to pay more than $500 million, a state appeals court threw out the massive fraud penalty in August, calling it excessive. Following her indictment, James said in a statement: These charges are baseless, and the presidents own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost. The ethics lawyers appeared to agree, calling both indictments flimsy, the trio said. Both the Comey and James matters are rife with procedural improprieties that are prejudicial to their right to a fair trial regardless of the substance of any charge. The trio concluded: No American should have to go through the experience of being prosecuted under these circumstances, and the rest of us should not have to live in fear that it may also happen to us. We do not live in a dictatorship, at least not yet. 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 Hot on the heels of a major diplomatic victory in Gaza that saw the remaining Israeli hostages released by Hamas, President Donald Trump is looking to repeat his success in a far more challenging arena: The nearly four-year-old Russian invasion of Ukraine. Trump, who has said he thought this conflict would be the easiest to settle, is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday in what could be a pivotal visit for Zelensky, who is openly seeking access to more advanced American weaponry that would let his armed forces strike targets deep inside Russia. The relationship between the two leaders has been replete with conflict dating back to a now-infamous 2019 phone call shortly after Zelenskys election that ended up leading to Trumps first of two impeachments after he tried to extort the Ukrainian leader into announcing sham investigations into then-former vice president Joe Biden and his son. It took another ugly turn in February when Zelensky visited the White House just a month into Trumps second term to discuss what was supposed to be a mineral rights agreement with the U.S. but ended up in a shouting match after which he was asked to leave. Relations between them have warmed in recent months, however, as Trump has soured on Putin due to the latters habit of attacking civilian targets in Ukraine after assuring Trump he wants to end the war. The president has often boasted in recent months about his success in brokering solutions to military conflicts, some with extremely long histories including the decades-old border dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia, a recent spat between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan, and the Israel-Hamas conflict, which was just the latest instance of a conflict dating back to Israels founding in 1948. But the Russia-Ukraine war, which will enter its fourth year in February or 11th year if starting the clock from the 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea is not like the others he has claimed to have solved. Ukraine, with support from the United States and Europe, has transformed its armed forces from what was once a tired, Soviet-style army equipped with gear left over from Ukraines days as a Soviet republic into a modern fighting force that is adept with the most cutting-edge methods of drone warfare and boasts a range of modern American-built weaponry. Trump and Zelensky are set to meet again at the White House on Friday ( AFP via Getty Images ) Kyivs forces have largely kept Russia contained within an area of the country that has long been contested by Russian-backed separatists, turning the conflict into something akin to the trench warfare that raged across Europe during the First World War more than a century ago. But Zelensky is hoping that Trump, with a full head of steam after successfully bringing about a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza using Americas considerable leverage over Israel to force Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a deal and the threat of further military force to compel Hamas to concur, will take a similar approach to Moscow going forward. In a social media post on Monday, he explicitly compared Putin and Hamas, writing that the Russian leader can be forced into peace just like any other terrorist. Even Hamas is now preparing to release hostages. If that is possible, then Putin can also be forced to restore peace, he added. While Trump was able to leverage Americas relationship with Netanyahus government to force the Israeli leader to accept a settlement over the objections of several members of his right-wing coalition, the president doesnt have the same pressure points to work with Putin. But he does have other ones he can manipulate, economic or otherwise. European leaders have warned that Moscow is transitioning to a full-time war economy even while it teeters on the brink of economic catastrophe, and the time to strike with harsher financial penalties and sanctions is now. Yet Trump has thus far refrained from backing a Senate-authored bill to impose severe sanctions on Moscow, and has not yet taken action against the shadow fleet of tankers Putin uses to bypass price caps on Russian oil exports even though hes threatened to do so if the European Union can completely wean itself off of Russian petroleum products. The subject of increasing pressure on Putin with sanctions is bound to come up with Zelensky when the Ukrainian leader enters the Oval Office three days from now, as is Zelenskys desire for American-built Tomahawk cruise missiles that have the range for his forces to strike deep inside Russian territory including Moscow and beyond. The two leaders spoke on Sunday before Trump left Washington for Israel, with the American president calling their interaction a good conversation in which they discussed the weapons they need including more Patriot air-defense missiles. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters: Theyd like to have Tomahawks thats a step up. He said he told Zelensky that he might consult with Moscow before providing such weapons, calling their provision a new step of aggression. The possibility of that move drew condemnation from former Russian president Dimitri Medvedev, who on Monday claimed on Telegram it would be impossible for Russian forces to distinguish between conventionally-armed and nuclear-armed Tomahawks even though the latter weapons were removed from American arsenals years ago. One can only hope that this is another empty threat, he said. But Trump does not appear to be deterred and threatened to send Ukraine the weapons over Russias objections if this war is not going to get settled. The Tomahawk is a an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that, he 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 Donald Trump took issue with Time Magazines cover depicting His Triumph in the Middle East upon his return from a victory lap visit to Israel and Egypt. Returning from Sharm El Sheikh on Tuesday, the U.S. president was concerned that the magazine led with a cover image that disappeared his hair and had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. He said the picture may be the Worst of All Time. Really weird! he wrote on his Truth Social platform. I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing and why? Trump granted that Time had written a relatively good story about me. The article in question detailed How the Trump administration sealed the Gaza ceasefire deal, referencing envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushners painstaking efforts to quiet one of the world's most destabilizing conflicts. The deal, the article said, could become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, fulfilling his pledge to end the war and paving the way for a new era for the region, defined less by conflict than by the possibility of transformation. open image in gallery Trump said the cover made him look like he was wearing an extremely small crown ( Time ) Time unveiled the cover on Monday as Trump landed in Israel to meet the families of returning hostages and address the Israeli parliament before heading to Sharm el-Sheikh. The summit in Egypt was aimed at supporting the ceasefire in Gaza, ending the war, and developing a longer-term vision for governing and rebuilding the Palestinian territory. Trump received outpourings of support during his address to the Knesset and in Sharm el-Sheikh, where Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, the co-chair of the summit, told him only you can bring peace to the region. In his own speech, Trump said that the region has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us. He called on leaders to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past. Trump is now said to be moving heaven and earth to conclude his business in the Middle East and get back to Washington, D.C. to posthumously award the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Americas highest civilian honor, on what would have been Kirks 32nd birthday. Kirk was shot dead while debating students on Utah Valley Universitys campus in Orem, Uta,h on September 10. open image in gallery Donald Trump gestures as he disembarks Air Force Once after returning from the summit in Egypt ( Reuters ) Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump told the press: Im coming back, I believe its Tuesday night, for Charlie Kirk, a friend of mine, a friend of all of ours, a friend of a lot of the people right here. And were giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor you get outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor ones military, ones civilian but its Its the greatest honor. And Erika, his beautiful wife, is going to be here, and a lot of people are going to be here. Trump is due to meet with Argentinas president, Javier Milei, on Tuesday for lunch before participating in the Medal of Freedom Ceremony for Charlie Kirk in the afternoon. The Independent approached Time Magazine for comment. The White House declined to comment further. 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 Under legal attack from President Donald Trump, New York's state Attorney General Letitia James has endorsed 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani to be the next mayor of New York City. In a barnstorming speech at a mayoral rally in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan on Monday night, James struck a defiant tone as she praised Mamdani as a "courageous" leader who would rally New Yorkers to resist Trump and "fight for a better future". "He, like me, knows what it's like to be attacked to be called names, to be threatened, to be harassed," declared James. "Each and every day he wakes up with this fire in his belly, because he wants to build a better New York." Federal prosecutors have charged James with bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution, apparently as part of a wide-ranging campaign of retribution against Democratic politicians and others who have opposed the president. James, the first woman and the first African-American ever elected as New York's attorney general, led the state's successful civil case against Trump for financial fraud. She herself has denied any wrongdoing, calling the charges against her "baseless". open image in gallery New York Attorney General Letitia James takes the stage at a rally for Zohran Mamdani in Washington Heights, New York, on Monday ( Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images ) "You see, I know what it feels like to be attacked for just doing your job. But I also know what it feels like to overcome adversity," James told the cheering crowd on Monday. "And so I stand on solid rock, and I will not bow. I will not break. I will not bend. I will not capitulate. I will not give in. I will not give up. "You come for me, you gotta come for all of us! Every single one of us!" she concluded, to massive cheers. "You see I've learned to stand on the shoulders of my ancestors, who came before me and weathered the storm... and so I fear no man." She described Trump as trying to "weaponize justice for political gain" while "fraying our democracy" and "ero[ding] our system of government". "Let us stand together to defend our rights, to protect every safeguard, every institution, every immigrant, every norm, and every rule of law," she told the crowd. She closed her speech by exhorting Mamdani's supporters to "make some noise", repeatedly shouting: "Let them hear you!" Zohran Mamdani has taken a decisive lead in the New York mayoral race since winning the Democratic primary June, with recent polls showing him firmly in front against Democrat-turned-independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. In his own speech Monday evening, Mamdani painted the Trump administration as a totalitarian force that is "snatching our immigrant neighbors from our city in broad daylight" and waging a "scorched earth campaign" against transgender people, political opponents such as James, and non-compliant judges. He framed himself as a champion of vulnerable New Yorkers against these predations, but also the antidote to establishment Democrats who are beholden to corporations. open image in gallery Zohran Mamdani has taken a decisive lead in the New York mayoral race since winning the Democratic primary in June ( REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz ) "For too long, we have been told to be satisfied with abstractions and strongly worded letters; to be content with a politics built atop the flimsy foundation of only that which we are against, without ever declaring what we are actually for; to accept leaders who would sell us out to the highest bidder," he said. "That is not what this movement is, nor will it ever be... a movement by the people and for the people answers only to the people." What Mamdani is for, according to his campaign platform, includes universal free childcare, free travel on city buses, a widespread rent freeze, city-owned grocery stores, and a new public safety agency to deal with low-level problems currently handled by armed police officers all paid for by raising taxes on corporations and high earners, increasing tax audits, and cutting government waste. Trump has responded by calling Mamdani a "100 percent communist lunatic" backed by "dummies", while some Republicans have called for him to be deported and MAGA influencers hurled Islamophobic abuse. Democrats have been divided on whether to embrace his campaign, with some accusing him of antisemitism over his past criticisms of Israel (which Mamdani strongly denies). "There are some who oppose [my] vision," Mamdani said on Monday. "Billionaires like Bill Ackman and Ronald Lauder have poured millions of dollars into this race because they say that we pose an existential threat. "And I am here to admit something: they are right. "We are an existential threat to billionaires who think their money can buy our democracy. We are an existential threat to a broken status quo that buries the voices of working people beneath corporations... "And we are absolutely an existential threat to disgraced politicians like Andrew Cuomo, who diminish public trust, harass women, and are unabashed in their desperation to collaborate with Donald Trump and his donors." Cuomo, who resigned as governor of New York after a report from the state attorney general found that he had sexually harassed at least 11 women, has denied any wrongdoing. 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 New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdanis wife, Rama Duwaji, is being criticized by conservatives for publicly mourning the death of Palestinian influencer Saleh al-Jafarawi, who was accused of celebrating Hamass attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Jafarawi, 28, known for documenting the war in Gaza across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, was confirmed killed in clashes on Sunday, his death coming just days after President Donald Trump announced that a peace plan had been agreed upon between Israel and Hamas after two years of bloodshed. Responding to news of his killing, Duwaji, 27, posted four broken heart emojis on Instagram above a picture of him waving a Palestinian flag and wearing a protective press flak jacket. open image in gallery Rama Duwaji, wife of progressive New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, has been attacked for paying tribute to the late Saleh al-Jafarawi ( AP ) Jafarawi who is believed to have been shot dead by armed militia when fighting broke out between Hamas security forces and fighters from the Doghmush clan in Sabra, according to Al Jazeera was well known to Israelis, who considered him a propagandist for Hamas and reviled him for allegedly celebrating the events of October 7, calling him Mr FAFO. A widely shared video of Jafarawi appeared to show him cheering Hamas rocket attacks during the war. Another saw him bursting into tears in response to devastating Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Duwaji was criticised by Trumps MAGA movement on X for mourning his passing, with many sharing coverage of her tribute from The New York Post and The Daily Caller. Believe people when they show you who they are and what they support, wrote Fox contributor Charles Adams. Dear New York, do you really need anymore proof this is the worst mistake to ever run for Mayor? said conservative commentator Professor Nez. Are you really gonna elect a Jew-hating commie Mayor, NYC? Is that how truly f***ed up the Democrats are now? asked the ReTrumplican account Carter Giraffe. Mamdanis wife was born in Houston, Texas, but spent her childhood in Damascus, Syria, before returning to the U.S. in 2016. open image in gallery The late Palestinian influencer Saleh al-Jafarawi ( X/@S_Aljafarawi ) Now based in New York City, she is an animator and illustrator who has worked with Spotify, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, the BBC, Apple, and the Tate Modern in London. Touching on Arabic culture and feminist themes, her work has also frequently drawn attention to the Palestinian cause and violence in Gaza. She met Mamdani, 33, on the dating app Hinge, he revealed on The Bulwark podcast in June, and the couple were married in February this year. The candidate posted a picture of his wife on Instagram this spring with the comment: Right-wing trolls are trying to make this race which should be about you about her. Rama isnt just my wife, shes an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms. You can critique my views, but not my family. 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 Venezuela has closed its embassy in Oslo days after opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize. The foreign ministry said in a press release that the move was made to realign its diplomacy and reallocate resources to focus on the global south. Venezuela also announced it would be closing its Australian embassy and opening new ones in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso. While there was no mention of Machados victory, the countrys withdrawal from Norway after it awarded the prize has led to speculation of tension between the two countries. open image in gallery Machado is the Venezuelan opposition leader ( AP ) Norways foreign ministry confirmed the withdrawal and said it was regrettable. We have been informed by the embassy of Venezuela that it is shutting its doors and no reason has been given, a spokesperson said. It is regrettable. Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue open with Venezuela and will continue to work in this direction. Last week, Machado was announced as the Nobel Peace Prize winner for her work to bring democracy to Venezuela, which is currently under the authoritarian rule of President Nicolas Maduro. open image in gallery Nobel chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes, described Machados work as crucial and courageous ( Reuters ) The chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee in Oslo, Jorgen Watne Frydnes, described Machados work as crucial and courageous. She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy, he said. Maduro said on Sunday that Machado was a demonic witch and refused to mention her prize. We want peace, and we will have peace, but peace with freedom, with sovereignty, he said. open image in gallery President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduros 12-year rule is viewed by many nations as illegitimate ( Nicolas Maduro Moros. ) For years, Machado has been campaigning against Maduro, whose 12-year rule is viewed by many nations as illegitimate. Despite being an opposition leader, Machado was prevented from running in the 2024 election. The Nobel had been highly sought after by US president Donald Trump, who recently brokered a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. Machado, who is a conservative politician, praised Trump and dedicated her prize to the US president. We are on the threshold of victory, and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy, she posted to X (Twitter). open image in gallery US President Donald Trump has been critical of Venezuelas leader ( AP ) I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause. Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump said Machado called him and said he deserved the prize. She was very nice. And Ive been, you know, Ive been helping her along the way. She they need a lot of help in Venezuela, its a basic disaster, Trump said. The US president has a tense relationship with the Venezuelan government over claims that illegal cartels are transporting drugs to America. Earlier this month, US forces struck a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, which Trump claimed was carrying illegal drugs. Trump has also raised the US bounty for Maduros head to $50m. 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 hit-style shooting of two Venezuelan activists in Colombia's capital is fueling fears among Venezuela's diaspora that a crackdown on dissent by the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is seeping beyond the South American nation's borders. On Monday afternoon, Venezuelan human rights activist Yendri Velasquez and political consultant Luis Peche Arteaga were shot leaving a building in the north of Bogota by two unidentified people waiting for them in a car. Around 15 shots were fired at the activists, who fled widening government repression last year, and Peche Arteaga was hit six times, said Laura Dib, a colleague of Velasquez and Venezuela Program Director for the Washington Office on Latin America. Both went through surgery and were in stable condition. Its tragedy after tragedy, said Dib. It has been a really hard day for all of the human rights movement in Venezuela. This sends a very clear message about the risks of transnational repression." It was not immediately clear who was behind their shooting and Colombian authorities said they were investigating the attack. Dib and other civil society leaders said they were waiting for the results of the investigation, but that the attack appeared to be targeted based on their political profiles. The two men were among an exodus of political opposition and civil society leaders who fled Venezuela after Maduro was widely accused of stealing last year's election and the government detained more than 2,000 people, including human rights defenders and critics. Velasquez was already arbitrarily detained by Venezuelan authorities for hours as he tried to leave the country for a human rights conference in August last year, according to an Inter-American Commission on Human Rights report. Velasquez had also said that the Venezuelan government canceled his passport. In fleeing, they joined an exodus of nearly 8 million people from crisis-stricken Venezuela in recent years, many seeking refuge in neighboring Colombia. But civil society groups and diaspora leaders say that those who once found respite in other Andean nations increasingly fear for their security following the attack. Arles Pereda, president of the Colony of Venezuelans in Colombia (ColVenz) said that concern has simmered for years as the government has targeted civil society groups. It's not hard to contract a hired gun in Colombia, in part due to the prevalence of criminal groups in the region. We've always been watching out for possible persecution against us. An attack like this was something we knew was coming for awhile, that we knew could happen at any moment. Now it has in Bogota," he said. We worry that we can all become a target, he added. Now, Pereda said civil society groups working with him are looking for ways to boost security protocols, including hiring body guards and looking for third escape countries in situations in which human rights defenders feel they face serious danger. That concern was echoed by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who said in a post on the social media platform X that the attack constitutes a serious aggression and demanded protection for the activists and other Venezuelan exiles in Colombia. The attack comes as Venezuela has once again come roaring into the spotlight. Days before the attack, Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize by a committee elected by the Norwegian parliament. The same day of the shooting, Maduro announced he was closing the Venezuelan embassy in Oslo with little explanation. Meanwhile, tensions have simmered between the United States and Maduro over fatal strikes of boats the Trump administration alleges were carrying drugs from Venezuela. Trump announced Tuesday that a strike on a fifth boat was carried out Tuesday, killing six people. Dib, Velasquez's colleague, noted that finding aid for Venezuelan exiles has only grown more difficult in recent months as the Trump administration has slashed international aid funds and protections for Venezuelans within its own borders. Simultaneously, governments in the Andes have grown more hostile in recent years toward Venezuelan migrants as they've taken on the brunt of the largest migratory crisis in Latin American history with few resources and have cast blame on migrants for upticks in crime. Despite seeking help by Colombia's Ombudsman's Office in his application, Velasquez had still not been granted international protection at the time he was shot, Dib said. There is just so much that could have been done, she said. I think this is a wake-up call. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america 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 Australia has launched a multimillion-dollar national awareness campaign to promote an upcoming law that will ban social media access for anyone under 16, framing the change as being for the good of our kids ahead of its December start date. The A$14m ($9.05m) ad campaign, titled For the good of, will roll out across television, billboards and social media from Sunday, communications minister Anika Wells said. From 10 December, the new law will prohibit anyone under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, which is owned by Google. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to A$50m (28m). The campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage families to start conversations about the upcoming ban. Were doing these things, ultimately, for the good of young people in Australia, Ms Wells told reporters. A short video accompanying the campaign shows children immersed in their phones as a narrator lists their names Kirsty, Lucy, Anya, Sam, Holly and Noah before ending with the reminder: From December 10, people under the age of 16 will no longer have access to social media accounts. Its part of a new law to keep under-16s safer online. Passed in November 2024, the legislation raises the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 16. While platforms must detect and deactivate accounts belonging to underage users, they are not required to verify the age of every individual. The Anthony Albanese government argues the change is vital to protect teenagers from misinformation, cyberbullying and the pressures of curated online life. But critics, including tech companies and parents, say the approach risks isolating young people or creating new enforcement headaches. At a parliamentary hearing this week, YouTube warned that the rule would be extremely difficult to implement and could have unintended consequences, adding that it was reviewing whether to challenge its inclusion in the law. Meanwhile, Ms Wells said she was meeting with social media platforms this week, including Meta, TikTok and Snapchat to re-enforce the governments expectation about how they will enforce the law. I am confident they understand their obligations under Australian law and they will deliver upon their obligations, she said. Earlier, Australias eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, also pushed back against growing criticism of the countrys world-first social media ban for under-16s, maintaining that the technology needed to enforce it is already available even as experts warn that current age-verification tools are unreliable and could compromise users privacy. Six major platforms YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and Snapchat would be age-restricted from 10 December. Six major social media platforms will be age-restricted from 10 December in Australia ( PA ) Critics warn that the new law could undermine the privacy of all users, since proving who is under 16 would also require everyone else to verify that they are over 16. She told a Senate estimates hearing last week: Weve consulted more than 160 organisations and 345 individuals. While some platforms agree with our assessment, others may challenge it. But where the preponderance of young people are on those major platforms we will proceed. Inman Grant, a former Twitter (now called X) executive, told the committee: We want to make sure that this is done in a way that respects all of those rights, so that were not cutting off their digital lifelines, particularly those who may come from disadvantaged communities or may feel more themselves online than they do in the real world. Google has warned Australian lawmakers that enforcing the countrys world-first ban on social media for under-16s will be challenging, citing practical and technical hurdles. The legislation will not only be extremely difficult to enforce, it also does not fulfil its promise of making kids safer online, Rachel Lord, Google and YouTubes senior manager of public policy in Australia, told an Australian Senate committee recently. The solution to keeping kids safer online is not stopping them from being online. John Pane, chair of Electronic Frontiers Australia and a former member of the trials advisory board, stepped down in August, citing serious concerns over inadequate privacy safeguards. He cautioned that the age-verification process could allow tech companies to collect and store the biometric data of millions of Australians. There are so many concerns with the report and so many concerns with the policy, and the way that theyve sold this really is misleading, Mr Pane said at the time. He added that the trial had flagged some platforms that were building a surveillance-level response to the entire user population, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Melbournes RMIT University expert on information sciences Lisa Given told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation earlier that the governments approach acknowledges that age verification technologies make errors. Its going to be up to each of the platforms to determine how theyre going to comply and it will be interesting to see if they test the limits of the definition of reasonable steps, Ms Given said. 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 As Russias military invasion of Ukraine rumbles on after more than three years of bloody conflict, one man has stood by Russian President Vladimir Putin every step of the way: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The old-fashioned strongman, 71, who has been in power since July 1994, was quick to back Putin by hosting 30,000 soldiers on his soil prior to the invasion commencing in February 2022 and offering to dispatch his own forces to Ukraine to support Russia if needed. Lukashenko subsequently helped Putin by hosting Russian tactical nuclear weapons in his country, by playing a key role in negotiating an end to the short-lived mutiny staged by Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner Group mercenaries and by threatening the West with the prospect of nuclear war if it backs Ukraine with heavy weapons. open image in gallery Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has held onto power since 1994 ( Sputnik ) Lukashenko considers himself both his countrys Batka (father) and Europes last dictator. However, his authority is not recognized by most Western governments, as he has been repeatedly accused of rigging multiple presidential elections. The last of these, in January this year, returned him to power with a healthy 88 percent of the vote. Born under Soviet rule on 31 August 1954 in Kopys in the Vitebsk Oblast, Lukashenko was reportedly bullied at school for having an unmarried mother, Ekaterina Trofimovna Lukashenko, who was forced to work a string of menial jobs to support herself and her son. Her own mother, incidentally, came from the Sumy Oblast in northern Ukraine. The identity and whereabouts of the future presidents father remain unknown. However, he is rumoured in some quarters to have been an itinerant member of the Roma community passing through the region. Lukashenko graduated from the Mogilyov Teaching Institute in 1975 and served in the Belarusian Border Guard from 1975 to 1977, where he was an instructor in political affairs stationed in Brest near the Polish border, and then again in the Soviet Army from 1980 to 1982, where he was a deputy political officer with the 120th Guards Motor Rifle Division based in Minsk. In the intervening years, he led a chapter of the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League (Komsomol) in Mogilev. open image in gallery Lukashenko sharing a joke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2024 ( AP ) Between 1982 and his election to parliament in 1990, Lukashenko first became the deputy chairman of a collective farm and then the director of the Gorodets state farm in the Shklow district, while also managing a construction materials plant. With the collapse of the USSR, he was elected as a deputy to the Supreme Council of the Republic of Belarus and quickly established a reputation as an opponent of corruption, which would form the basis of his political appealsomewhat ironically, as it would turn out. In late 1993, he accused 70 senior officials of embezzling state funds, which was enough to secure the resignation of the councils chairman, Stanislav Shushkevich, after losing a vote of confidence. This scandal ultimately proved to be baseless but provided Lukashenko with the platform he needed to sweep to the presidency the following summer. In office, he remained passionately pro-Russian and sought closer ties with Moscow, having been the only deputy to oppose the agreement that led to the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991. He subsequently appealed to Boris Yeltsin and the Russian Duma for a new union of Slavic states. This was a time when the map of Europe was being drastically redrawn, and other former satellite states held behind the Iron Curtain were celebrating their newfound independence and daring to imagine a brighter tomorrow. open image in gallery Lukashenko sharing a toast with Putins predecessor Boris Yeltsin in April 1996 ( AP ) With no such union forthcoming, he set about shoring up his own affairs and establishing a new constitution, approved in 1996, which saw him introduce a suite of authoritarian powers, enabling him to rule by decree, prolong his term in office, and personally appoint one-third of parliament. He began to suppress political dissent and silence the media as Belarus once more found itself shut off from the international community, no longer as part of the USSR but now as an independent pariah state in its own right. In 1999, he extended his first term by two years to complete negotiations on a treaty with Russia pledging broad political cooperation between the two states. He was duly re-elected in 2001, in 200,6 and again in 2010, with widespread claims of voting irregularities tainting both of those latter victories and ensuring fresh condemnation from the EU. Lukashenko told local protesters he would wring their necks like a duck when they raised objections. open image in gallery Lukashenko emerging from a polling booth in November 1996 after voting in a national referendum ( AP ) When Putin annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 as punishment for the popular overthrow of his ally Viktor Yanukovych as president, sparking the separatist war in the Donbas that has rumbled on ever since, Lukashenko attempted to play peacemaker. Putin and Yanukovychs successor, Petro Poroshenko, met in the Belarusian capital with the encouragement of France and Germany. They ultimately signed the two Minsk agreements to bring peace to the region, which were never implemented due to differing interpretations of their meaning by Kyiv and Moscow. Lukashenko has since won three more elections, in 2015, 2020, and 2025, all of which were again claimed amid widespread suspicion that the one-time anti-corruption czar had again been the beneficiary of crooked counts. His August 2020 win led to mass protests from an electorate exasperated by his rule and poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic (he had told his people to kill the virus with vodka, go to saunas, and work in the fields to avoid infection and proclaimed: Tractors will cure everybody!) The largest of these demonstrations brought 200,000 people to the streets and saw thousands beaten in a violent police crackdown, 35,000 activists arrested, and opposition leaders Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and Veronika Tsepkalo forced into exile. open image in gallery Lukasheno inspecting a traditional Russian bakery stall at Kazan International Airport in October 2024 ( AP ) As part of the vendetta that followed his return to the Independence Palace in Minsk, Maria Kolesnikova a prominent member of the opposition Coordination Council was sentenced to 11 years in prison and her lawyer, Maxim Znak, jailed for 10 years, the pair bogusly charged with conspiring to seize power, creating an extremist organisation and calling for actions damaging state security. Minsks Supreme Court, meanwhile, ordered the closure of the Belarusian Association of Journalists. This liquidation followed the jailing of some 30 reporters, raids on newspaper offices, the blocking of websites belonging to major independent media organisations, and the shutdown of the PEN Center writers organisation, headed by Nobel literature laureate Svetlana Alexievich. Lukashenkos administration had also cancelled accreditation for foreign news organisations when the initial protests erupted, silencing the media, continuing to be a crucial tactic in ensuring the upkeep of both his own regressive regime and that of Putin in the Kremlin. In a subsequent brush with international notoriety, the Belarusian leader ordered a Lithuania-bound Ryanair jetliner en route from Greece to be diverted to Minsk last May so that one of its passengers, self-exiled opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich, could be arrested. Belarusian authorities said the action was taken after a bomb threat was made against the plane. Still, Western officials dismissed that as a preposterous attempt to disguise what they called an act of piracy. open image in gallery Lukashenko has remained doggedly loyal to Putin throughout the war ( AP ) Despite much sabre-rattling at the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine, arguably Lukashenkos most significant contribution so far has been his negotiating an end to the mutiny staged by Prigozhins Wagner forces in June 2023. That uprising briefly threatened to topple Putin but ultimately saw his men stand down and Prigozhin meet an untimely end in a suspicious plane crash just two months later. Lukashenko has subsequently continued to remind the west of the Russian nukes in his backyard and indiciated he is prepared to use, most recently making that threat as part of an effort to dissuade President Donald Trump from giving Tomahawk long-range missiles to Ukraine. As for the future, the Belarusian said in August 2025 that he was not planning to seek another term while also dismissing speculation that his son Nikolai was being groomed as his successor. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Nato chief Mark Rutte has mocked one of Russias submarines for limping home from patrol, claiming the vessel had been forced to surface because of technical problems. Russias Black Sea Fleet denied its diesel-powered submarine Novorossiysk had suffered a serious malfunction, after it surfaced in French waters on the weekend and was escorted by Dutch authorities through the English Channel. Mr Ruttes public ridicule of Moscows military capability signals tensions between Europe and Russia continue to escalate in the midst of the war in Ukraine. In a speech in Slovenia, Mr Rutte dismissed Moscows argument that the vessel surfaced because it was complying with navigation rules in the English Channel, as he argued it was broken. open image in gallery File. Mark Rutte mocked a Russian submarine while speaking in Slovenia ( AP ) Now, in effect, there is hardly any Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean left. Theres a lone and broken Russian submarine limping home from patrol, Rutte said. What a change from the 1984 Tom Clancy novel The Hunt for Red October. Today, it seems more like the hunt for the nearest mechanic. Russian authorities have denied Novorossiysk was forced to surface because of technical problems. Information disseminated by a number of media outlets about an alleged malfunction and, as a result, the emergency surfacing of the diesel-electric submarine Novorossiysk off the coast of France does not correspond to reality, a spokesperson for the military told Interfax news agency. "In accordance with international navigation regulations, submarines are to navigate the English Channel only while on the surface. open image in gallery The Royal Navy tracked a Russian submarine and carried out a concentrated three-day surveillance operation ( Royal Navy ) However, a Telegram group called VChK-OGPU, which publishes purported Russian security leaks, said on 27 September that fuel was leaking into the hold of the submarine which risked creating an explosion. In addition, the Dutch defence ministry said its navy escorted Novorossiysk and an accompanying towing vessel, the Yakov Grebelsky, in the North Sea. Tensions surrounding submarines in European waters flared earlier this month when Natos Maritime Command published photos on 9 October to X/Twitter of what it said was a French navy frigate observing a Russian submarine operating on the surface off the coast of Brittany. Nato stands ready to defend our Alliance with constant vigilance and maritime awareness across the Atlantic, it posted, without naming the submarine. The Novorossiysk is a part of the improved Kilo Class II, as construction on it began in August 2010 before being completed for service in August 2014. It is the lead of the improved Kilo Class II and is part of Russias Black Sea Fleet. The submarine was deployed with the Mediterranean Sea Taskforce as part of Russias intervention in the Syrian civil war in 2015, it then received a refit from February 2021 before returning to service in April 2024. 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 Three police officers have been killed in an explosion in Italy while evicting people who were living in an abandoned farmhouse. Italian militarised police were carrying out an eviction in the town of Castel dAzzano near Verona when an explosive device was detonated deliberately by a brother and sister living in the property, authorities said. The blast, which is thought to have involved gas canisters, caused the farmhouse to collapse completely. A brother and a sister in their sixties have been detained following the explosion, with a third sibling on the run, according to police. open image in gallery Emergency services are on the scene in Castel dAzzano, near Verona ( AP ) The noise from the blast could be heard as far as 5km (3.1 miles) away, reports in Italian media said. Defence minister Guido Crosetto paid tribute to the three officers, who have been named as Marco Piffari, Davide Bernardello and Valerio Dapra. I wish to pay tribute to the memory of Lieutenant Special Charge Marco Piffari , Carabiniere Select Davide Bernardello and Brigadier Chief Special Qualification Valerio Dapra, who sacrificed their lives carrying out their duty to the very end in the service of the country, he said in a statement. In this moment of profound sadness, on my own behalf, as minister of defence, as a father and as a citizen, and on behalf of every woman and man of defence, I express my most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, to their loved ones and to the entire Carabinieri force. Authorities said it was their second attempt to evict the siblings from the abandoned structure after they took up residence in it last year. While our Carabinieri were carrying out a judicial order, they were hit by an intentional explosion of a gas tank, Veronas Carabinieri commander, Colonel Claudio Pagano, told Sky TG24. He called it an absolutely crazy gesture. open image in gallery The farmhouse collapsed completely following the explosion ( Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco ) The two-storey farmhouse had been filled with gas, and the explosion was set off when authorities opened the door, regional governor Luca Zaia told Sky TG24. Another eviction attempt was thwarted last year when the siblings threatened to blow the house up, said Mr Zaia. Antonello Panuccio, the deputy mayor of Castel dAzzano, told regional media that the siblings didnt want to leave the house and that the attic was saturated with gas. The operation was planned because the special forces were arriving from outside the province, and therefore it was already planned with ambulances, because it was known there could be injuries, but no one imagined they had planned an explosion like this, which was heard within a 5km radius, he added. With deep sorrow I have learnt of the tragic passing of three Carabinieri. My condolences, and those of the government, go to the families of the victims, Italys prime minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X (Twitter). Italys Carabinieri are a national militarised police force, and are a key component of law enforcement in the country. 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 Pope Leo XIV has urged Italy to remain open to welcoming and integrating migrants. He made the plea during a pomp-filled meeting with the Italian president, where he also thanked the country for its efforts to combat human trafficking. Leo completed the rite of passage for every new pope by travelling across Rome to the Qurinale Palace for a meeting with President Sergio Mattarella. Escorted by the presidential horse honor guard into the palace courtyard, Leo thanked Italy especially for its welcome of pilgrims during the 2025 Holy Year, which has seen millions of extra tourists pouring into the Eternal City. open image in gallery Mounted cuirassiers escort Pope Leo XIV ( Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse via AP ) Wearing his formal red cape and brocaded stole, Leo thanked Italy for its generous assistance to migrants and its efforts to combat human trafficking. I encourage you to keep alive your attitude of openness and solidarity, he said. At the same time, I wish to emphasize the importance of constructive integration of newcomers into the values and traditions of Italian society, so that the mutual gift realized in this encounter of peoples may truly enrich and benefit all. It was a reference to Italys role at ground zero in Europes migration debate, given its proximity to North Africa making it the preferred destination for smuggling operations setting off from Libya and Tunisia. The right-wing government of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has made cracking down on illegal migration a priority, including by sending migrants back home or to detention facilities in Albania and prosecuting alleged smugglers. open image in gallery Leo has repeated Pope Francis call for wealthier countries to welcome, defend and integrate newcomers, which conflicts with Melonis hard-line stance on immigration ( AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia ) Meloni and her hard-line minister Matteo Salvini were in the front row of the audience, held in a gilded reception room of the palace with extra-tall palace guards standing at attention. Italys hard-line stance on migration has often conflicted with Pope Francis call for wealthier countries to welcome, defend and integrate newcomers, a position Leo repeated as recently as last week in his first main teaching document. Tuesdays encounter was evidence of the close ties between Italy and the Vatican, a 44-hectare (110-acre) city state in the heart of Rome. The location itself underscored the unique and intertwined relationship: The Quirinale Palace was for centuries the summer residence of popes until 1870, when Rome was captured from the papal states and annexed into the newly unified Kingdom of Italy. After decades in which popes were essentially prisoners of the Vatican, Italy and Holy See normalized relations in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, which is still in effect. 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 An exiled Kremlin critic, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, has been accused by Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) of creating a terrorist organisation and of plotting to violently seize power. The FSB said it had opened a criminal case against Khodorkovsky and was investigating more than 20 people as part of the same charge. These include prominent dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, ex-prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov and leading economists Sergey Aleksashenko and Sergei Guriev. It comes just two weeks after a platform for dialogue with Russian democratic forces in exile was announced by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, a human rights forum of lawmakers from 46 European countries. The FSB claimed Khodorkovsky was presenting this platform as a replacement for Russian leadership. He was also accused of funding Ukrainian paramilitary units in order to use them to try to eventually seize power. Khodorkovsky rejects accusations Khodorkovsky denied the accusations and called the criminal case a sign that the Kremlin sees the Council of Europe initiative as a major problem. Hence the new cases about seizing power, the lies about recruiting and arming the Ukrainian military, he said on Telegram. Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been vocal in criticising the Kremlin for years ( Reuters ) Russia quit the Council of Europe in 2022 while facing expulsion over its invasion of Ukraine. The case is likely to change little for the suspects, who live outside Russia and already faced the prospect of arrest if they returned. Many have been added to official registers of foreign agents, extremists and terrorists. But the announcement signals Moscows determination to maintain pressure against exiled opponents of president Vladimir Putin, portraying them as a threat to the state and countering any Western move to confer legitimacy on them. Those under investigation include the entire membership of the Russian Anti-War Committee, a dissident group whose stated goal is to oppose Russias war in Ukraine. The Anti-War Committee said last week it planned to take an active part in the Council of Europe dialogue. Khodorkovsky, an oil tycoon who was once Russias richest man, served 10 years in a Siberian prison on fraud charges that he and many Western countries said were politically motivated, before being pardoned in 2013 and leaving Russia. Since 2022, he has positioned himself as a leading figure among Russian exiles who back Kyiv against Moscow in the Ukraine war. Shortly after the wars outbreak, he was designated a foreign agent by Russia. 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 People have been left trapped in cars and streets flooded as heavy rainfall continues to batter parts of Spain amid Storm Alice. Torrential downpours triggered flash floods across the countrys northeastern Catalonia region over the weekend, with some residents forced to evacuate and seek cover in emergency shelters. open image in gallery Streets were turned into muddy rivers in the flooding ( AFP via Getty ) Popular tourist hotspots in the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, have also been warned to expect disruption from the storm as torrents of rain continue to fall in the region. An amber weather warning remains in place on Tuesday as residents and tourists are urged to prepare for up to 50mm of rain. There is also a yellow warning in place for storms across Majorca, Ibiza, Ampurdan, and Castellon. A map below from the Spanish meteorological agency Aemet shows the areas that remain under a weather warning. open image in gallery A map shows that yellow weather alerts for rain remain in place in northeast Spain ( Aemet ) The agency said in a statement: Be prepared. Take precautions and keep up to date with the latest weather forecast. Severe damages to people and properties may occur, especially to those vulnerable or in exposed areas. Dramatic pictures shared online showed torrents of muddy water rushing into towns in the northeastern Tarragona province on Sunday after Aemet issued the most serious red alert. Catalonias civil protection agency declared a state of emergency in five regions and urged residents in the Ebro Delta to stay indoors as conditions worsened, with residents evacuated in the city of Murcia. Emergency services reported receiving over 2,100 calls as they rescued people trapped in cars and opened emergency shelters. Reports suggest no casualties have been sustained during the floods, but at least 18 people have been injured. open image in gallery The rain has caused travel chaos across eastern Spain ( Reuters ) The rain also caused travel chaos across eastern Spain, as at least 24 flights were cancelled from late afternoon, with power cuts affecting Ibiza airport. Train services between Barcelona and Valencia were suspended along the Mediterranean Corridor, while roads in several low-lying areas were closed due to the flooding. Because of the adverse weather conditions in Ibiza, airport operations were temporarily paralysed between 6pm and 7.20pm, officials at Spanish airports authority AENA told local press. During that time the runway was cleaned along with other areas that were affected by the storm. open image in gallery Tourists and locals have been warned to be prepared for flooding ( Reuters ) The situation is complicated, and more rain is forecast, Cristina Vicente, a senior official at the agency, was quoted as saying by La Vanguardia. Difficult conditions continued on Monday with a red alert for rain issued by the Aemet covering Valencia as the weather front continued to affect residents on the countrys eastern side. Footage of cars floating through the water as streets were turned to rivers was posted on social media as tourists and residents were urged to stay inside. Storm Alice is expected to move further eastwards on Wednesday, with brighter conditions expected across Spain later in the week. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The worldwide delusion that Donald Trumps bizarre approach to diplomacy has delivered a ceasefire or even peace in Gaza is being enthusiastically embraced by Ukraines president as he prepares for a White House meeting this week. It suits Volodymyr Zelensky to join the chorus of world leaders praising Trump for having pushed Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire rather than point out the truth, which is that the Israeli prime minister had no further need of war. In Trumps words to the Knesset, Netanyahu had won in Gaza. open image in gallery Kyiv has kept the invading Russians at bay even after losing tens of millions in American military aid ( AP ) The US president spelled out how that was possible. And Zelensky wants to win too. Trump said: We make the best weapons in the world, and weve got a lot of them, and weve given a lot to Israel, frankly, and Bibi [Netanyahu] would call me so many times. Can you get me this weapon, that weapon, that weapon, some of them I never heard of, Bibi, and I made them, but wed get them here, wouldnt we? And they are the best. You obviously use them very well, but so many that Israel became strong and powerful, which ultimately led to peace. Thats what led to peace. open image in gallery Donald Trump bragged about the weapons the US has supplied to Israel Zelensky wants a slice of this support ( Evelyn Hockstein Pool/Getty ) It's debatable whether Trump could have forced Netanyahu to end his campaign in Gaza earlier by cutting off weapons supplies when he came into office. Israel was still fighting to destroy Hamas and continuing its campaign in Gaza, flattening the enclave, bombing hospitals and restricting humanitarian aid amid widespread allegations of genocide. Israels stated aim was the eradication of Hamas. But the scorched-earth approach has delivered on the strategic aim, which is to make Gaza unlivable. Any Gazan who can will leave and join the 600,000 other Palestinians who have emigrated over the last couple of decades. But Trump kept the weapons flowing to Israel just as he cut off the supply to Ukraine attempting to force a ceasefire and peace plan on Ukraine which entirely favoured Vladimir Putin at the time. Ukraine fought on. It has developed long-range missiles and drone attacks, striking 5,000 kilometres inside Russia, while Europe rushed to fill the weapons gap. Kyiv has kept the invading Russians at bay even after losing tens of millions in American military aid. Israel enjoyed a steady flow of bombs, jets, missiles, and intelligence throughout its campaign in Gaza, with the result that Trump told Netanyahu: I want to congratulate you for having the courage to say, That's it. Weve won. open image in gallery Despite US weapon supply being cut off, Ukraine fights on ( Ukrainian 65 Mechanized brigade ) Zelensky has a team already en route to the US to talk to the Trump administration about opportunities to make money rebuilding his country, repairing the energy infrastructure and mining its minerals. He knows that while Trump is ebullient over what he thinks he has achieved in Gaza, he might be mesmerised into contributing to Ukraine. We have to get Russia done. Weve got to get that one done, he said in the Knesset before directly addressing his envoy Steve Witkoff: If you dont mind, Steve, lets focus on Russia. Well get it done. The US has so far only threatened Russia with economic sanctions under Trump. US trade with Russia has always been small. But there are some small signs that Trump is losing patience with Putin. Putin has not achieved what he aimed to do in Ukraine. In Israel, Netanyahu was facing public opposition to his continued campaign in Gaza from his own armed forces. His operations in the enclave have been described by the United Nations as genocide, and Israel was facing the very real prospect of international economic boycotts, disinvestment and sanctions. Unlike Russia, Israel has no oil or gas to fuel its war. It needs American subsidy to do that and it needs US weapons to campaign. open image in gallery Zelensky poses for a photo with Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline positions at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region in September ( Ukrainian presidential press ) Israel stopped its fighting in Gaza to get the last hostages out and to avoid further global isolation. To get Putin to stop, Zelensky knows he needs help from Trump in a real military form. To get a breakthrough to either peace talks or, better still, a collapse of invading Russian forces in Ukraine, Zelensky needs Trump to hold Putins feet to a real fire. The White House is inching that way, it seems. Trumps administration is considering selling Ukraine its Tomahawk cruise missiles, which could be used to strike Russian targets deep in the country. Kyiv is already hitting Moscows fuel and energy infrastructure, but it could use some help to go after its command and control systems. Zelensky also desperately needs air defences as Moscow has upped its efforts to destroy Ukraines own energy networks as winter approaches. More than 30,000 people were left without power in Kharkiv on Monday night after waves of air attacks from Russia. Trump has said he thinks Ukraine could win its war and turn back Putins paper tiger. Since Trump himself has acknowledged that Israels victory in Gaza was due to American weapons, Zelensky is heading to Washington with one request: Give me the weapons and Ill burn that tiger. 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 There are fears the fragile Gaza ceasefire could collapse after reports of Palestinians killed the day after Donald Trump announced peace. Palestinian Civil Defence said on Tuesday seven people had been killed by Israeli forces in two separate incidents, in eastern Gaza and to the east of Khan Younis, in the south. Israel has also announced it will keep the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt closed and restrict aid until Hamas returns the bodies of deceased hostages. It told the UN it would halve the amount of aid to 300 aid trucks from Wednesday. Four more dead hostages and captives were handed over by Hamas late Tuesday evening, with 20 remaining in Gaza. The bodies were transferred to the Red Cross who passed them on to the Israeli military. open image in gallery People watch as a truck carrying the bodies of Palestinians arrives at Nasser hospital on Tuesday ( REUTERS ) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said five Palestinians were killed after approaching troops in Gaza Citys eastern Shejaiya neighbourhood, the Times of Israel reports. The IDF said in a statement that several suspects were spotted crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops in what they called a clear violation of the agreement. They said that after multiple attempts to distance them, the suspects refused to comply and that troops opened fire. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. Under the ceasefire deal, Israeli forces pulled back to where they were in August, before launching their latest offensive on Gaza City. The pullback leaves a number of hard-hit Palestinian neighbourhoods under Israeli control, and Israel has warned residents not to try to return to homes there. On Tuesday, the Israeli military also confirmed that Daniel Peretz and Yossi Sharabi were two of the deceased hostages returned on Monday, after Guy Iluz and Bipin Joshi were named yesterday. UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the loss of Yossi Sharabi will be felt deeply by his family, adding that his thoughts are with them, and all of the hostage families. Sir Keir added: Hamas must now return the remaining deceased hostages and honour the terms of the ceasefire. Reports of conflict in Gaza cast doubt on the delicate, US-brokered agreement between Israel and Hamas just hours after Trump left the region, concluding a victory lap tour to Israel and Egypt. Hamas, meanwhile, has carried out public executions of men accused of collaborating with Israel. In a video circulated late on Monday, Hamas fighters dragged seven men with hands tied behind their backs into a Gaza City square, forced them to their knees and shot them from behind, as dozens of onlookers watched from nearby shopfronts. A Hamas source confirmed the footage to Reuters. open image in gallery Aid deliveries are being run by international organisations again ( AFP via Getty Images ) The group, though greatly weakened after two years of pummelling Israeli bombardment and ground incursions, has been gradually reasserting itself since the ceasefire took hold Friday. Palestinian security sources say that dozens of people have been killed in clashes between Hamas fighters and rival factions in recent days. Under the terms of Trumps plan to end the war, Hamas is expected to disarm and make way for a transitional government. Asked on Monday about reports Hamas was rearming, the US president said that the militant group had been open about it and that we gave them approval for a period of time. But in a change of tune on Tuesday, he said: "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently. I spoke to Hamas, and I said, you're going to disarm, right? Yes, sir, we're going to disarm. That's what they told me. One of the most pressing concerns for Gaza the arrival of aid was strained as three Israeli officials said on Tuesday that the key Rafah border crossing would remain closed through Wednesday, and that the flow of aid into the Palestinian enclave would be reduced. The decision came after Hamas failed to hand over the remaining bodies of hostages it is holding as planned on Monday. Hamas previously indicated that recovering the bodies of some dead hostages may take longer, as not all burial sites amid the widespread rubble of Gaza are known. open image in gallery Gaza Municipality staff gather before deploying bulldozers to clear building rubble from main streets in Gaza City ( AFP via Getty Images ) Hamas released the final 20 living captives taken on October 7, 2023, but only four out of 28 deceased hostages. The Hostages Family Forum called the failure to return all the bodies a blatant violation of the agreement by Hamas. The top official in Israel coordinating the return of hostages and the missing, Gal Hirsch, told the families in a note that pressure was being applied on Hamas through international mediators to expedite the process. The freed Israeli hostages were in medical care on Tuesday, and some families said it would be weeks before the men could go home. Dalia Cusnir-Horn, whose brother-in-law, Eitan Horn, was released on Monday, said he had lost more than 40 per cent of his body weight after receiving very little food and water in the last few months. open image in gallery Trucks carrying aid which entered the Gaza Strip through the Karm Abu Salem crossing, drive past displacement tents at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip ( AFP via Getty Images ) He has a very, very long way to go, she said on Tuesday. The physical toll was only part of the trauma, she said. Hes just learning now friends he knew that were murdered and he had no clue how many people were kidnapped on that day and what this country went through, and its overwhelming and its hard. In the West Bank and Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released, several were taken to hospitals. The Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah said it received 14 men released on Monday and discharged all but two. Doctors examining the men said their conditions suggested they were subjected to severe beatings, reflecting the extent of the violence they endured, said Imed al-Shami, a resident doctor at the hospital. Kamal Abu Shanab, who was released after more than 18 years behind bars, said beatings caused his shoulder to tear. For eight months, I wasnt given even a pill for the pain, he said. Israels Prison Service said it was unaware of such claims, in a statement: All inmates are held according to legal procedures, and their rights, including access to medical care and adequate living conditions, are upheld. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The young Israeli couple who became the symbol of the horrifying Oct. 7 attacks had a touching reunion Monday two years after they were torn apart at the Nova music festival. Noa Argamani, 28, and Avinatan Or, 32, shared a tender embrace following his release from 738 days in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip. Or was one of the 20 living hostages freed as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, brokered by President Donald Trump, while Argamani was rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024 after spending 8 months in Hamas captivity. Theirs was one of many emotional reunions to take place across Israel, Gaza and the West Bank after the final living hostages were released by Hamas, before Israel released more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The Israeli Defense Forces shared a picture of Argamani and Ors reunion on social media. Reunited at last, the post was captioned. open image in gallery Noa Argamani, 28, and Avinatan Or, 32, shared a tender embrace today after he was released from 738 days in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip ( IDF ) After two years of darkness, youre finally back back in Israel, back with Noa, back where love began, the State of Israel also said on its official Instagram page, with the picture of the couple embracing juxtaposed with images of them being taken away by Hamas militants. Harrowing footage showed Argamani being taken away on a motorcycle by terrorists from the festival site in southern Israel two years ago. Dont kill me, Argamani was heard screaming as she reached out to her boyfriend, who could only look on helplessly while being marched away by Hamas militants. Since Argamanis release last year, she has campaigned for the return of Or and the other hostages. I miss Avinatan more with every passing day. I hold onto hope, every single day, that this nightmare will end soon, and well finally get to live the life weve dreamed of, Argamani said of her boyfriend on the Oct. 7 anniversary. open image in gallery Harrowing footage showed Argamani being taken away on a motorcycle by a terrorist from the festival site in southern Israel two years ago ( Telegram ) open image in gallery Or looked on helplessly at his girlfriend while being marched away by Hamas militants ( Sourced ) I cant describe the loneliness without you, you are my soulmate and nothing looks same when you are not around, Argamani said in another recent social media post. Your clothes in my closet are waiting for you to wear them, along with a long list of dreams that Im waiting to complete with you. Or lost between 30 to 40 percent of his body weight while in captivity in the Gaza Strip, according to Israels Channel 12. The outlet reports that Or was kept in solitary captivity and did not meet any other hostages until his release. After his release, Or reportedly asked to spend time alone with Argamani, where she told him about last years rescue operation when she was freed, and the pair shared their first cigarette together after two years. open image in gallery Argamanis mother, Liora Argamani, died one month after her daughters release following a brain tumor ( Hostages and Missing Families Forum ) Tragically, Argamanis mother died one month after her daughters release following a brain tumor. By the time her daughter was released, Liora Argamani was barely able to look at her due to her illness, according to her husband. Among the 20 hostages also released today was 24-year-old Evyatar David, who was seen digging his own grave in disturbing footage earlier this year. The footage showed him looking skeletal as he marked his days in captivity on a piece of paper pinned to the walls of a tunnel. David was pictured beaming today alongside with his parents Avishai and Galia David. open image in gallery Evyatar David was seen digging his own grave in disturbing footage earlier this year ( Telegram ) open image in gallery David was released and pictured back with his family following 738 days in Hamas captivity ( via REUTERS ) Ushering in what he called a new beginning for the Middle East today, Trump said he was moved by seeing the Israeli hostages being reunited with their families. The hostages are reuniting. I'm just watching it backstage... the level of love and sorrow I've never seen anything like it, the president said. It's amazing when you see they haven't seen their mother, their father, they haven't seen them in such a long time. Meanwhile, Palestinians were warned by Israel not to celebrate the release of their relatives after ministers approved a final list of detainees freed as part of the ceasefire deal. The list included 1,718 Palestinians detained since 7 October 2023 and 250 prisoners serving life sentences. Digital, intelligent technologies empower women worldwide People's Daily Online) 15:32, October 14, 2025 In September, more than 50 foreign women, including business owners and university students, attended a digital skills workshop in east China's Zhejiang Province to learn how to manage online stores. The workshop, hosted by the Global Exchange and Cooperation Center for Digital Empowerment of Women, offered e-commerce training for women from developing countries. It aimed to strengthen participants' digital skills and support women's empowerment through technology. Foreign business owners, college students and local business owners attend a training session on artificial intelligence and e-commerce in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo/Xu Xiaohang) Today, digital and intelligent technologies have become powerful engines of global economic growth, and women are playing an increasingly vital role in driving the digital economy forward. According to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), from 2025 to 2030, greater participation of women in the digital economy is expected to add more than $300 billion to the e-commerce markets of Africa and Southeast Asia alone. China has launched a series of initiatives to promote digital education and skills training for women, encourage the growth of women-led e-commerce brands, and help women acquire new capabilities to boost their competitiveness in the digital economy. Women now account for more than half of all entrepreneurs in China's internet industry. From 2022 to 2023, over 71.85 million women were employed in the country's e-commerce, platform services, and online business sectors. China is deepening international cooperation by sharing its experience in empowering women through digital and intelligent technologies. Through capacity-building programs, expanded market access, financial support, and other efforts, China is helping women around the world participate in the digital economy and pursue employment opportunities or start their own businesses. In November 2024, the China International Development Cooperation Agency, in collaboration with China's Ministry of Commerce, UNCTAD, and other organizations, launched workshops in Beijing and Shanghai to enhance e-commerce and digital economy capabilities for women entrepreneurs from developing countries. The program brought together women entrepreneurs from 12 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Through lectures, discussions, and field visits, participants gained practical knowledge and digital skills to better navigate and succeed in the digital economy. China has launched a series of initiatives and practical measures to promote women's development through digital and intelligent technologies, close the gender digital divide and advance international cooperation in digital governance. At the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, China introduced the Global AI Governance Initiative, calling for measures to prevent gender bias in AI development. At the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, China promoted the resolution on "Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence," emphasizing the need to ensure everyone benefits from AI, improve digital inclusion, and advance gender equality and women's empowerment. In July 2025, China established the Global Exchange and Cooperation Center for Digital Empowerment of Women to cultivate talents, facilitate exchange and promote cooperation. From putting forward initiatives to taking concrete actions, China is promoting inclusive and sustainable development for women worldwide through institutional design, joint construction of platforms and talent cultivation. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A new and beautiful day is rising and now the rebuilding begins, Donald Trump told world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, heralding the success of the first phase of his peace agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war. If the first phase sought to address the key demands of both sides namely a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the hostages to Israel the second would focus on rebuilding the enclave in a way that guarantees lasting peace and security. Trump acknowledged on Monday that the path to peace will be winding. The phases of the deal are all a little bit mixed in with each other, he said, assuring later that elements can still be taken out of order in a positive way. The US presidents formula for peace is outlined in a 20-point plan unveiled at the end of September. The proposal contains a few short timeframes for the immediate pressures, as well as a number of more abstract commitments to the future. Israel said it accepted the terms during its presentation on 29 September. But negotiations with Hamas on phase two are ongoing, Trump said on Monday. open image in gallery Palestinians rally around aid trucks in Khan Yunis after the ceasefire began ( AFP via Getty ) Challenges to peace Trumps visit to Israel coincided with the effective completion of the first phase of the agreement. Israeli forces withdrew to an agreed line at the end of last week and ceased their fire, allowing Hamas to prepare the living hostages to be returned to Israel on Monday. Israel released around 2,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails in exchange. Already there has been some movement on the terms. Initially, Hamas was supposed to release all 48 hostages, alive and dead, within 72 hours. Israeli families were incensed to learn on Monday that not all of the remains of deceased hostages would be returned by the deadline. Israeli sources told CNN ahead of time that Israel had assessed that Hamas might not be able to recover all the bodies by the deadline, but defence minister Israel Katz said an intentional delay would be a violation of the agreement. The ceasefire is fragile, and negotiators are adapting in real time. Perhaps intentionally, the 20-point framework does not define many hard conditions, leaving some space for discussion. Before heading to Egypt, Trump told reporters that the phases were all a little bit mixed in with each other. Later, he said, were actually in stage three and four. Its not going to be, you know, just divided down so simply, he said. We can be long advanced on some of the things that we say we're going to do. We can take them out of order in a positive way. open image in gallery Hostages return home to Israel on Monday after two years in Hamas captivity ( AFP via Getty ) Disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza The ceasefire that came into effect on 10 October should pave the way for the unrestricted flow of aid into Gaza via the UN and its agencies, and the Red Crescent. Access to food, water, shelter, energy and medication will be the most urgent priorities for the people of Gaza in the days that follow. The ultimate task will be to rebuild Gaza, creating more permanent installations and guaranteeing security for both the local population and the people of Israel. Jaco Cilliers, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) official, told reporters on Tuesday that there were very good indications that countries, including the United States as well as Arab and European states, were willing to contribute to the $70bn cost of rebuilding Gaza. He estimated that the two-year war had generated at least 55 million tons of rubble. Trumps plan originally called for Hamas to lay down its weapons and disarm, making way for a transitional government until a more permanent one can step in. When Hamas agreed to return the hostages in exchange for detainees on 3 October, it also agreed to hand over power to Palestinian technocrats. It did not mention the condition to disarm. A Hamas source told the AFP news agency that disarmament was out of the question. The full withdrawal of the Israeli military is contingent upon Hamas disarming, according to the agreement, and Israeli withdrawal from the parts of the strip it currently resides in (around 53 per cent) will be necessary for a comprehensive rebuilding operation. Concerns that this could have derailed Gazas rebuilding were assuaged somewhat when Trump implied Hamas has been given approval to act as a Palestinian police force in Gaza for a period of time. Asked on Monday about reports Hamas was rearming, the US president said, they are standing because they do want to stop the problems, and theyve been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time. open image in gallery Hamas gunmen on pickup trucks escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners and detainees on 13 October ( AP ) The International Stabilisation Force Disarmament may not be immediate. Hamas, the de facto governing authority in Gaza, has been responsible for employing some 30,000 civil servants. Trumps peace plan calls for the US to work with Arab and international partners to build a so-called International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to train and support vetted police forces in Gaza. But the vetting and redeployment of those jobs will take time. The ISF will help to maintain the ceasefire and begin the task of bringing order back to Gazas streets. It will have to allow Hamas to step back without creating a power vacuum that could allow militant groups to emerge. Details again are unclear. Diplomats told the Financial Times on Monday that the size, remit and origin of the ISF were still unknown to them. The second phase disarmament and ultimate withdrawal from the strip would determine the success or failure of the agreement, some indicated. Even in principle, the involvement of a foreign force policing Gaza remains tricky. Unless there is clear buy-in from Palestinian elements on the ground (to include Hamas, which opposes the idea), it is hard to imagine any Arab forces willing to deploy on the ground, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) assessed. open image in gallery Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble by Israels two-year bombardment, and will cost a substantial amount to rebuild ( AP ) What comes after Hamas? The original plan describes a transitional government technocratic and apolitical managing the overall running of Gaza, overseen by an international body called the Board of Peace. The proposal suggests the interim government could be replaced by the Palestinian Authority (PA), subject to certain reforms. Mahmoud Abbas, president of the PA, attended the summit in Egypt on Monday, and a senior Palestinian official told Sir Tony Blair, pegged for a role on the Board of Peace, on Sunday that the group was ready to work with him and Trump to consolidate the ceasefire and start rebuilding. There are issues with installing the PA. The governing body based in the West Bank, run by Fatah, a rival to Hamas, is unpopular with Palestinians and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already rejected their rule in Gaza. Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former British ambassador and international security expert, suggested Gaza could end up with the gradual, and potentially highly problematic constitution of a sort of Jordanian-Egyptian trained Palestinian police force under supervision from the Board of Peace and Tony Blair, reinforced by this ISF, which could include small numbers of peacekeeping troops. open image in gallery Donald Trump greets Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority, during a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday ( POOL/AFP via Getty ) The cost of peace There are varying figures on the cost of rebuilding Gaza. The UN today suggested it could cost as much as $70bn (52bn) to rebuild. In February, a UN official put the cost at $53.2bn over the next 10 years. Jaco Cilliers, the UNDP official, said that it could take a decade or even decades to fully rebuild the Palestinian enclave after two years of almost ceaseless conflict. Bezalel Smotrich, Israels finance minister, said in August that th(e war had cost Israel 300 billion shekels (67.87bn). Palestinian health authorities say the campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 67,000 people, with nearly a third of the dead under the age of 18. Israel bombarded Gaza after Hamas led an incursion into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage in the bloodiest day in Israels history. 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 One week into the Gaza ceasefire and there is still not enough aid going into the north of the war-torn enclave, with infectious diseases spiralling out of control, humanitarian organisations have warned. Around 560 metric tons of food have entered the Gaza Strip per day since the US-brokered ceasefire came into effect last Friday, but levels in the first week have been described as a trickle not the flood needed. UN humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher has said thousands of aid vehicles would have to enter weekly to tackle widespread malnutrition, homelessness and a collapse of infrastructure. Aid groups now face growing uncertainty over crossing closures and administrative challenges as queues of trucks amass at the southern border. They have also not been allowed to bring food and medicine in through the major Rafah crossing, which has largely remained closed since the conflict erupted in 2023. Israel threatened to keep the crossing shut and reduce aid this week, accusing Hamas of returning the bodies of hostages too slowly. On the first day of the ceasefire, more than 500 aid trucks entered Gaza, Israel said. But in a major setback, Israels military aid agency COGAT this week said it would halve the number allowed in from 600 daily to 300. open image in gallery Trucks carrying aid line up at the Rafah crossing amid uncertainty about deliveries into Gaza ( Reuters ) With Gazas civilian population still facing hunger, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that they were working in a narrow window of opportunity to scale up deliveries as others said millions of pounds worth of aid was sitting in warehouses waiting to go in. The issue is particularly impacting northern Gaza, where aid convoys are struggling to reach famine-hit areas. Around 950 trucks entered south and central Gaza on Thursday via the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings with Israel, the UNs humanitarian coordination agency said, citing figures from Israels military aid agency COGAT presented to mediators. But the WFP said it had not begun distributions in Gaza City, pointing to the continued closure of two border crossings, Zikim and Erez, with Israel in the north of the enclave where the humanitarian debacle is most acute. Oxfam said on Friday it has more than $2.5m worth of lifesaving aid sitting in warehouses outside Gaza and ready to distribute. open image in gallery Gaza has been devastated by two years of war, but aid is still struggling to get in despite a fragile ceasefire ( AP ) Bushra Khalidi, Oxfams policy lead in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Gaza, said: Right now, a trickle of aid is entering Gaza, when what is needed is a flood. The ceasefire promised access to aid organisations, yet many international NGOs with decades of experience remain blocked from entering and doing their jobs. Multiple aid groups say that bureaucracy is proving an obstacle in delivering the aid to where it is most needed. In March, Israel announced a registration process for all humanitarian organisations working in the Palestinian territories. Any groups seen to be delegitimising Israel, or employing someone who has called for a boycott of Israel in the last seven years, could lose their authorisation to operate. Milena Murr, spokesperson for aid group Mercy Corps, told The Independent it was exploring every possible avenue to scale up their response. However, we continue to face bureaucratic challenges linked to the interim period of the re-registration process, which has not been implemented as initially envisioned, she said. While these administrative barriers persist, our teams continue to focus on service delivery and will be prepared to move lifesaving assistance into Gaza and distribute it the moment access is granted. open image in gallery Food prices have shot up as the agreement struck last week shows signs of failing ( AP ) Israeli officials said Israel decided to slow aid and delay plans to reopen the border with Egypt because Hamas had been too slow to turn over the remains of dead hostages an issue that has placed enormous strain on the ceasefire this week. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel will not compromise and demanded that Hamas fulfil the requirements laid out in the ceasefire deal about the return of hostages bodies. Food prices in Gaza have meanwhile shot up amid fears the ceasefire will not hold, after coming down last week in anticipation of an armistice. But food is not the only concern. With medical centres woefully under-supplied, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that infectious diseases in the enclave were spiralling out of control. Hanan Balkhy, regional director for the UNs health body, told the AFP news agency that there was a mammoth amount of work to do to tackle surging health conditions including meningitis and respiratory illnesses. open image in gallery Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced from their homes by the war ( AP ) Balkhy stressed the urgent need for fuel, food, medical equipment, medications, medics and doctors in Gaza, with the enclaves health system decimated by two years of bombardment. Only 13 of 36 hospitals are even partially functioning despite the cessation of hostilities. With outbreaks of violence in Gaza in the last week there are fears that there may only be a limited time to deliver the support needed before the ceasefire fails. Abeer Etefa, spokesperson for the WFP, said: The ceasefire has opened a narrow window of opportunity, and WFP is moving very quickly and swiftly to scale up food assistance. The WFP was able to get some 560 tons of food per day on average into Gaza, she said on Friday, but some areas were still unreachable. The UN has a further 190,000 metric tons of aid waiting and ready to go in. Etefa said access to the north, including Gaza City, was extremely challenging, and that convoys were struggling to navigate damaged or blocked roads from the south. open image in gallery Palestinians are still awaiting news that aid groups can bring food and essentials through the Rafah crossing ( AP ) Then there is the ongoing issue of the Rafah crossing, which had been due to reopen but has yet to do so. COGAT said this was being coordinated between Israel and Egypt in accordance with the ceasefire deal. But a date has still not been set and even when it reopens it will only allow for the movement of people across the border, not aid. It should be emphasised that humanitarian aid will not pass through the Rafah Crossing, a COGAT spokesperson said. This was never agreed upon at any stage. Humanitarian aid continues to enter the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom Crossing and additional crossings following Israeli security inspection, in full compliance with the signed agreement. The IDF, through COGAT, will continue to uphold its commitment to the agreement in accordance with the directives of the political echelon. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice SpaceX has successfully launched its 11th test flight of tech billionaire Elon Musks giant Starship rocket. Musks aerospace company is striving for the rocket to make it halfway around the world while releasing mock satellites, as it has done during previous tests. Starship the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built thundered into the evening sky from the southern tip of Texas on Monday. The booster was programmed to peel away and drop into the Gulf of Mexico, with the spacecraft skimming space before descending into the Indian Ocean. Nothing was being recovered. It was the 11th test flight for a full-scale Starship, which Musk intends to use to send people to Mars. NASAs need is more immediate. The space agency cannot land astronauts on the moon by decade's end without the 403-foot Starship, the reusable vehicle meant to get them from lunar orbit down to the surface and back up. open image in gallery SpaceX has successfully launched its 11th test flight of tech billionaire Elon Musks giant Starship rocket ( SpaceX via AP ) Instead of remaining inside Launch Control as usual, Musk said that for the first time, he was going outside to watch much more visceral. The previous test flight in August a success after a string of explosive failures followed a similar path with similar goals. More maneuvering was built in this time, especially for the spacecraft. SpaceX planned a series of tests during the spacecrafts entry over the Indian Ocean as practice for future landings back at the launch site. open image in gallery SpaceX's mega rocket Starship makes a test flight from Starbase, Texas, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 ( AP ) Like before, Starship carried up eight mock satellites mimicking SpaceXs Starlinks. The entire flight was meant to last just over an hour, originating from Starbase near the Mexican border. SpaceX is modifying its Cape Canaveral launch sites to accommodate Starships, in addition to the much smaller Falcon rockets used to transport astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station for NASA. This is the moment a hot mic catches Donald Trumps private conversation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto about his son Eric. As leaders gathered for a Gaza-focused summit in Egypt on Monday (October 13), the pair appeared unaware their conversation was being recorded by a live microphone. Prabowo is heard referring to a region that is not safe, security-wise before asking the US president: Can I meet Eric? Trump responded that he would have Eric call, adding: Should I do that? He's such a good boy. I'll have Eric call. It wasnt clear in the audio whether the two were referencing the Trump Organization or any business deals involving the president or his family. Neither the White House nor the Indonesian Embassy in Washington immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the overheard exchange. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The agreement being celebrated in an extraordinary and moving festival at the Israeli Knesset is not a peace agreement. It is an agreement to end the Gaza war, return the hostages (living and dead), release Palestinian prisoners, and for Israels phased withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. It includes the establishment of a joint security force of Palestinian, Egyptian and Jordanian soldiers, perhaps also Emiratis and Saudis, who will impose military control over the Gaza Strip and prevent any attempt by Hamas to restore its military capabilities. It also establishes a committee of technocrats to manage the government in Gaza instead of Hamas, under international supervision involving Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and the president of the United States himself. This is an impressive arrangement that seemed unexpected until a few weeks ago. The Israeli government agreed to give up on the resolute positions represented by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas was not completely eliminated, but it suffered a very severe blow. The Gaza Strip has been almost completely shattered; most of the buildings in this small piece of land no longer exist, and it is possible that many Gazans are still buried under the rubble of the buildings. Above them, it is known there are more than 67,000 dead, a significant portion of whom were not involved in terrorism at all but were an almost inevitable casualty of the Israeli military campaign that began following Hamass brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel has buried over 2,000 dead, civilians and soldiers. More than half of them on October 7 alone; many others during the military campaign that lasted about two years. The living Israeli hostages have all been returned. The dead will surely be returned in the coming days. This is the summary of recent events. Had Donald Trump not decided to force Netanyahu to apologise to the prime minister of Qatar, dictated a humiliating text to him, and placed a Qatari representative next to him who checked every word Netanyahu said, we might still be in the midst of a war. No other leader could have made this sequence of events happen except for Trump. The efforts invested by Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Canadas prime minister Mark Carney, and many others in the international community helped to facilitate an end to the war. They deserve thanks and appreciation. However, only one leader made a dramatic difference. Trump deserves appreciation and gratitude from Israel, especially for forcing its prime minister to do what he had refused to do for over a year. This agreement was possible a year ago but only when Trump decided did it become reality. Donald Trump in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with the signed agreement ( Getty ) It is not a peace agreement. The title Trump suggested for the conference now taking place in Sharm el-Sheikh Peace 2025 has nothing to do with what has happened so far. The crucial question now is whether the temporary cessation of the war, Israels partial withdrawal from Gaza, and the continued minor activity of Hamas will be a starting point for a bold political move that will change the entire Middle East and bring about an Israeli-Palestinian peace based on two states. A Palestinian state alongside the state of Israel, based on the 1967 borders, with the Arab part of Jerusalem as its capital, and with the old city of Jerusalem not under Israeli or Palestinian sovereignty but managed by a trust of five countries: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Israel and the United States. A demilitarised Palestinian state with no army of its own, adjacent to the state of Israel. Or, God forbid, will the status quo that led to the events of October 7 continue into the future? The American president, carried on waves of international support, has summoned dozens of leaders to Egypt. They will not give up the right to pat him on the back, to deliver flattering words in the style that has already become the model for conferences in which Trump participates. But these celebrations the amusing carnival atmosphere, the hugs, the words of thanks and Trumps strange speeches, as was the case in the Israeli Knesset, his need to mock his predecessors Obama and Biden, are not yet a political plan. Not a few in Israel still dream of the full annexation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip into the state of Israel and the expulsion of their inhabitants to nearby Arab countries or to distant countries that will agree to accept them. Not a few Palestinians dream of rehabilitating the military capabilities of Hamas, the Islamic jihad, and other terror organisations, hoping to succeed in renewing the military conflict at some point in the near future. Those from Palestine and those from Israel are still captive to delusional dreams that are also driven by ruin and destruction. They will not bring peace. These days, both sides are still captive to the blood-soaked trauma of the last two years and the painful memories of decades of bloody conflict. However, there is no alternative but a peace settlement based on two states that will recognise the mutual rights of both sides. In the absence of forward momentum, if the status quo that has prevailed until now continues, we will return to fighting. Only Trump could bring about this turning point. If he focuses on the substance, if he avoids boastful and sometimes childish statements full of endless self-love, and initiates a move that the whole world knows is indispensable: two states for two peoples. If not, the carnival-like session of the Israeli Knesset today, in such a moving ceremony, will be remembered as a theatrical burlesque nothing more. Ehud Olmert is a former prime minister of Israel (2006 to 2009) The Gaza conflict has had a particular impact on women and girls. But a visitor to the planet observing the recent Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit would never know. When Egypt released the list of global leaders and officials attending the Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh more than 25 nations and international bodies in total the only woman on the list was Italys prime minister Giorgia Meloni. As the smallest person in attendance, you might have thought shed have been ushered to the front. But no. For a while she was left to bob about at the back completely invisible and ignored, until president Donald Trump went out of his way to acknowledge her presence at the final press conference by calling her beautiful. This is not the attention to detail that women need in peace talks. open image in gallery Leaders promised to re-energise Gaza. But was the future of the regions women and girls ever discussed? ( Getty ) There is an immediate problem with the absence of women leaders on the world stage, and it matters for the lives of women and girls in the region, and, I would argue, for the wider chances of sustainable peace. The World Bank has reported that women in positions of leadership can reduce the likelihood of violent conflict as well as the prospects for peaceful resolution of existing conflicts, while the European parliament has stressed the important contribution women make to bringing different perspectives on what peace and security mean. Despite it being 2025, maybe we shouldnt have been too surprised at this all-but-one male lineup. More than 100 countries have still never had a female head of state. Women leaders, we know, face countless barriers, from media stereotyping them as less capable than men, to reduced financial support, to sexual violence and online death threats, which might all count towards barriers to success. But this matters. For starters, preventing and responding to sexual violence is vital to resolving conflicts, enabling development and building sustainable peace. This statement was at the heart of a UK government summit back in 2014 and also a report by Wilton Park the UK governments organisation for international policy dialogue that highlights the importance of including women and girls in any survivor-centred peace process. Reports of strategic violence against Palestinian and Israeli women have been a dreadful drumbeat throughout the conflict. During the attacks on Israeli communities on 7 October 2023, Hamas used sexual violence as part of a deliberate genocidal strategy, according to the Dinah Project, a group of female Israeli legal and gender experts, and a UN mission later concluded there was convincing information to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the attack in multiple locations. According to a report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, direct attacks by Israel on healthcare facilities offering sexual and reproductive healthcare services have impacted about 540,000 women and girls of reproductive age in Gaza. There is no specific reference to a survivor-centred process in the Gaza peace plan. But perhaps this is no surprise when the planning room is dominated by men. What about other references to building back lives? Women and girls have paid the highest price of the conflict, according to the UN, who say that in just one year, Gaza accounted for seven in 10 women killed in conflict globally. open image in gallery Italys prime minister Giorgia Meloni (left), along with Keir Starmer, was among the leaders at the summit. But she was often forced into the background by her male counterparts ( AP ) Back in November 2024, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that two-thirds of the then 11,000 people killed in Gaza were women and children. UN agencies also reported severe disruptions in maternal, newborn, and child health services due to bombardments and infrastructure damage. The United Nations special rapporteur on Violence Against Women described the situation as an assault on Palestinian womens dignity and rights. UN Women Palestine has pointed out that women living in Gaza have unique and urgent needs and vulnerabilities relating both to the conflict and structural gender discrimination. The peace plan unveiled by Trump et al promises that a panel of experts will draft an economic development plan to rebuild and energise Gaza. Analysis of the plan by US nonpartisan think tank the Council on Foreign Relations also highlights talk about a special economic zone with preferred tariff and access rates and cites thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas to create jobs, opportunity, and hope for Gaza. But the devil will always be in the detail and without it, it is unclear to what extent the men in the group photograph discussed what that means for the thousands of women and girls of Palestine, who have been living in overcrowded shelters with no privacy, limited access to food and water and no access to safe and dignified toilet and bathing facilities. open image in gallery More than two-thirds of those killed in Gaza have been estimated to be women and children ( AP ) There doesnt seem to be anything under the opportunity and hope headline for women and girls who need menstrual hygiene, sexual and reproductive health and social support. Nor does the reference to jobs appear to incorporate how women access jobs under laws in Palestine that assume women to be under the protection and guardianship of men. The final point in the peace plan is for the United States to establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian territories to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence. Perhaps by establishing a dialogue with women, this latest proposal might stand a chance. Until then, we will have to trust the men to know what women want and need. But details, details, details... Five ways bank scammers get your cash and how to protect yourself Dutch government takes control of Chinese chipmaker Nexperia Company spun off from Phillips Semiconductors two decades ago Gina Raimondo. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg Mike Corder and Kelvin Chan, Associated Press Associated Press Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 06:30 The Dutch government took effective control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia in what it said was a highly exceptional move over worries that corporate governance shortcomings pose a potential risk to European economic security. Ireland recorded a national rate of around 79.4pc, above both the EU average and the overall employment goal for the end of the decade for the EU. Ireland has recorded some of the highest employment levels in the European Union (EU) with all three of its regions exceeding the EUs 78pc employment benchmark last year. Irelands Eastern and Midland region which includes Dublin had an employment rate of 80.8pc, the Southern region such as Cork recorded 78.8pc, while the Northern and Western region such as Galway and Donegal stood at 78.5pc. Industry will have to pay for a fourth stage of purification at wastewater treatment plants. (Stock image) The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association has launched a High Court challenge against an EU wastewater directive that will lead to extra financial obligations being put on companies selling medicines and cosmetic products. It is understood the IPHA, whose members include companies such as Pfizer, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, is to ask for the directive to be referred to the European Court of Justice. OFlynn Group lodges plans for development of 1,150 new homes Application is designed to meet diverse housing needs of the area Developer Michael O'Flynn Donal Buckley Mon 13 Oct 2025 at 20:59 The OFlynn Group, headed by well-known developer Michael OFlynn, has lodged a planning application for a development of 1,150 new homes in Ballincollig, a suburb to the west of Cork City. Weanling prices up 50-150/hd despite exporter absence Weanlings up by 2.20-2.30/kg on corresponding sale last year A lack of livestock exporters at ringside failed to dampen weanling prices this week, as strong farmer demand drove the trade. Photo: Stock image Catherina Cunnane Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 06:30 A lack of livestock exporters at ringside failed to dampen weanling prices last week, as strong farmer demand drove the trade. The EPA says the quality of freshwater and marine ecosystems is being damaged by activities that release pollutants into the water environment and damage the physical integrity of water habitats. 59pc of Uisce Eireanns treatment plants did not consistently meet the environmental standards required under their licences Just over half (52pc) of surface waters in Ireland are in satisfactory ecological condition, according to the EPA, which is a deterioration from the previous assessment for 2016-2021, where 54pc of surface waterbodies met their water quality objectives. Its flagship Water Quality in Ireland Report 2019-2024 is being published today. It says excess nutrients from agriculture, urban wastewater and other human activities remains the biggest challenge, followed by changes to physical habitat conditions. It also says there is evidence that nutrient levels are reducing in areas where actions are being targeted, which is very welcome. The scale and pace of implementation needs to be increased. The EPA says the quality of freshwater and marine ecosystems is being damaged by activities that release pollutants into the water environment and damage the physical integrity of water habitats. The main causes are: run-off of nutrients, sediment and pesticides from agricultural lands and farmyards; activities such as land drainage, dredging and the presence of barriers such as dams, weirs or culverts in water courses; discharges of poorly treated sewage from urban waste water treatment plants, domestic treatment systems and storm water overflows; run-off from hard surfaces in urban environments of sediment and contaminant loaded water; run-off of nutrients and sediment from forestry operations. Last week, farm organisations reacted angrily to another Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) report on urban wastewater treatment, saying the scale of pollution from public systems exposes glaring double standards in how water quality is managed in Ireland. The EPAs Urban Wastewater Treatment in 2024 report shows that 59pc of Uisce Eireanns treatment plants did not consistently meet the environmental standards required under their licences. Almost half of those failures, the agency said, were due to poor operational management rather than lack of infrastructure. While the EPA said investment at priority sites has led to progress, including halving the volume of raw sewage discharges since early 2024, it warned that delays in upgrading many more plants are prolonging negative impacts on water quality across rivers, estuaries and coastal waters. But farm leaders say it highlights the Governments failure to tackle its own pollution problems while continuing to penalise farmers over water quality. IFA environment chair John Murphy said the scale of preventable discharges from public wastewater systems was completely unacceptable and undermined the efforts being made by farmers to protect rivers and lakes. It is clear that far too many treatment plants remain poorly managed, posing unacceptable risks to water quality and public health, he said. This level of discharge reflects the increased reporting and videos weve seen of wastewater flowing into water bodies. ICMSA president Denis Drennan accused the State of hypocrisy and said farmers were reading the EPAs report in stunned astonishment. For decades, farmers have been made the whipping boys for falling water quality inspected, fined and prosecuted while another arm of the State is directly responsible for discharging inadequately treated sewage into rivers and beaches. 'I'm Not Here To Hurt You' - The Story Of Ireland's Most Polite Bank Robber A podcast about Irelands most polite bank robber has been selected by Apple for global profiling as part of its new Series Essentials. Im Not Here to Hurt You already had major success in Ireland after being released by the Irish Independent in the summer of 2023. It was downloaded over 500,000 times and won numerous awards, including at the New York Radio Festival. Apple has now chosen to showcase it again to potential listeners in Ireland and in other English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada. The 'Im Not Here to Hurt You' podcast featuring John O'Hegarty on independent.ie The podcast tells the story of John OHegarty, who at various stages in his life was dubbed the killer courier and Irelands politest bank robber. His descent into crime started with a bicycle accident on Dublins Baggot Street which impacted several lives. It was a sliding-doors moment for OHegarty. Its like a crack emerged. I just floated away, he says on the podcast. What happened next is scarcely believable. A man destined for great things in academia became a notorious criminal. He held up a string of banks across Dublin before eventually being caught by gardai. On the six-part series, the Irish Independents Kevin Doyle interrogates his version of events while newsroom colleagues gather the full facts. Kevin Doyle, right, who made the 'I'm Not Here to Hurt You' podcast, pictured with John O'Hegarty. Photo: Mark Condren In recent days, Apple announced Im Not Here to Hurt You as one of the best serialised shows from around the world. The new category on Apple podcasts aims to highlight series that captivated Apple editors. They are a collection of shows that demonstrate masterful storytelling, artistic excellence and a distinct creator voice. The line-up also includes hit international series West Cork, Wild Boy and Thunder Bay. With Series Essentials, our goal has always been to celebrate the craft of serialised storytelling, Ben Cave, head of global podcasts at Apple, said. John O'Hegarty. Photo: Gerry Mooney By taking this collection global were thrilled to help listeners across the globe discover their next favourite show, while giving creators the opportunity to reach new audiences. Group head of audio at Mediahuis Ireland, Mary Carroll said: As much as this is a true-crime podcast, John OHegartys story is also a portrait of human vulnerability and its fantastic to see that story get international recognition. OHegarty recently returned to the studio for a bonus episode about life since the podcast launch. Coroner warns no safe dose of cocaine after Dublin man (20) died at home of cardiac arrest Although the quantity of cocaine in Wayne Hegartys body was not particularly high, the coroner said it was still at a level which could cause death. Wayne Hegarty Sean McCarthaigh Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 16:01 A coroner has warned that there is no safe quantity of cocaine that can be consumed following the death of a young Dublin man two years ago from an overdose of the drug. Enoch Burke in stand-off with security guard at school, High Court hears Judge minded to make teacher liable for cost of security hired to keep him out of Wilsons Hospital School 'I'm reporting to work as normal, this is my work place' - Enoch Burke returns to Wilson's Hospital School despite injunction Shane Phelan Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 15:10 Sacked schoolteacher Enoch Burke was involved in a stand-off yesterday with a security guard who prevented him from gaining entry to a building at Wilsons Hospital School. Jury in trial of Ruth Lawrence sent away as key witness is in a medical situation The judge said all sides will now need to consider whether the trial can continue in the absence of the significant witness Defendant Ruth Lawrence. Photo: Collins Alison O'Riordan Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 17:55 The jury in the trial of a woman accused of murdering two men whose bodies were found on a lake island over a decade ago has been sent away until Thursday morning, having been told that a significant witness "is in a medical situation" and that all sides will need to consider whether the trial can continue in their absence. Fota Wildlife Park in Cork will stay closed until further notices after bird flu was confirmed in a number of captive birds. In a statement this evening, the popular amenity said the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine had confirmed that samples taken from captive birds which died at Fota had tested positive for avian influenza virus (H5N1). Ireland set to provide tens of millions of euro in further aid for Gaza, as Simon Harris hails peace breakthrough As well as giving an immediate 6m in humanitarian aid, Government will commit to funding for reconstruction of war-torn enclave Simon Harris - Today represents a day of hope for the Middle East Tabitha Monahan Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 06:30 Ireland will have to commit millions of euro in further aid for Gaza, Tanaiste Simon Harris will tell the Cabinet. Its deeply disappointing principals call for enhanced funding for staffing supports in disadvantaged schools They argue that DEIS schools cater for the students that are most in need, and therefore require an expansive leadership team to help divvy out responsibilities and tasks The NAPD is calling for greater funding to expand their leadership teams Deirdre Barry Wed 15 Oct 2025 at 01:01 Principals are calling for enhanced funding to provide for staffing supports across Deis and smaller schools. Connolly gets warm welcome on Wexford canvass but no sign of former Labour leader on home patch Tanaiste Simon Harris urged to increase pay for Defence Forces cadets earning below minimum wage Defence Minister is attending the conference of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers Tanaiste Simon Harris is facing calls to resign (Cillian Sherlock/PA) Anne-Marie Walsh Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 14:51 Simon Harris will be urged to push up pay for cadets in the Defence Forces who earn below the 13.50 an hour minimum wage at a conference today. A SuperValu store in Cork was among several food businesses served with enforcement orders by the FSAI. Photo: Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images A SuperValu store in Cork, which received two closure orders last month, was among several food businesses served with enforcement orders by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Five closure and five prohibition orders for breaches of food safety legislation were handed out by the FSAI in September, including on SuperValu Hollyhill in the Hollyhill Shopping Centre in Cork. Ben Farmer: Can the Gaza peace deal hold and, if so, what happens next? Breakthrough raises hopes US president Donald Trump can reach agreement with Iran and for Russia to end war in Ukraine US president Donald Trump poses with the signed agreement during the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt yesterday. Photo: PA Ben Farmer Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 06:30 In a triumphal address to the Israeli Knesset, Donald Trump heralded a new dawn of peace in the Middle East. Israelis celebrate as they wait outside a hospital near Tel Aviv where freed hostages were being taken after release by Hamas. Photo: AP Einav Zangauker could hardly hold back her tears as she spoke to her son over the phone for the first time in two years. You are coming back home. You are all coming home! I love you, she told him, voice choked with emotion. The war is over. There is no more war! Ishaan Tharoor: For Venezuela, peace prize comes in the shadow of war Some speculate that in selecting Maria Corina Machado, Nobel committee was sending a message that the fight for democracy should always be a peaceful one Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado addresses supporters last January at a protest against president Nicolas Maduro. Photo: Reuters Ishaan Tharoor Washington Post Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 06:30 The White House wasnt thrilled when US president Donald Trump didnt win the Nobel Peace Prize. This years award, announced last Friday by the Norwegian committee that administers it, went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was stunned when she heard the news from her secret place of shelter inside her country. Limerick designer stitches love letter to her roots for Ireland Fashion Week showcase Mary OSullivan is a fashion designer and textile artist known for her unique take on the 200-year-old print Toile de Jouy Designer Mary O'Sullivan with her daughter Lily and one of her models walk the runway at the end of her showcase Edana Flynn Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 08:00 Fresh off the runway and the first Ireland Fashion Week, Mary OSullivan, a fashion designer and textile artist from Limerick was one of nine designers to showcase four looks at the Irish Roots Show at Slane Castle, Co. Meath last week. Councillors say it's taking decades for estates to be taken in charge by the local authority. Bonds paid by developers when building housing estates should be used to finance remedial works while those estates are waiting to be taken in charge by the local authority, a Cork councillor has proposed. At this weeks meeting of Cobh Municipal District (MD), Cllr Sinead Sheppard put forward a motion requesting information on bonds on estates within the MD and whether those bonds can be used to pay for fixing issues within the estates. We have estates in Cobh, we have an estate in Watergrasshill, we have an estate in Knockraha and they've all been waiting over a decade to be taken in charge with a huge amount of work that needs to be carried out, she said. We have people ringing us saying Could you fill a pothole? or I'm coming out of my house and it's completely flooded and we're saying we're really sorry, we can't go in there because the estate's not taken in charge. The Cobh councillor called for the monies contained in the developer bonds to be released so that our engineers can go in and carry out remedial works. Developer bonds are a form of security required by local authorities as a condition of planning permission. They guarantee that a developer will complete essential infrastructure, like roads and sewers, to the required local standard. If the developer fails to meet these obligations, the local authority can call on the bond to cover the costs of completing the work. Cllr Anthony Barry, agreeing with Cllr Sheppards motion, said we've inherited a mess. People are paying property tax, they're getting no service because the estate hasn't been taken in charge. And some of these estates will take years before they can get taken in charge. He said an estate in Carrigtwohill is currently going through the taking in charge process and the minute it's taken in charge, the council are going to be levied with a slew of requests. Why can we not during the planning process anticipate these issues that are going to arise? Cllr Sheila OCallaghan also supported the motion. It's very difficult to explain to people that, okay, the lights are taken in charge, but the roadways aren't actually taken in charge. We have learned from our mistakes and the bonds have increased. But with the previous ones where the bonds are just so small, funding will have to be allocated in some way to try and clear the backlog that is there, she said. Cork County Council senior engineer Gerard OHoara told the MD that the motion has been passed on to the relevant section of the councils planning directorate for a response as to whether the developer bonds can be used in that way. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Cork GAA urges clubs across the city and county to take part in an important initiative to build a sustainable future for both Gaelic games and the communities they serve. The Rebels Going Green initiative is in collaboration with Cork County Council and Cork City Council, and a series of countywide workshops will be held in various clubhouses to take practical steps in sustainability. Mallow GAA, Doheny GAA, and Pairc Ui Chaoimh will host the workshops. Mallow GAA Clubs workshop took place on Monday, October 13, while Dohenys GAA Club and Pairc Ui Chaoimhs workshops will take place on Monday, October 20 and Tuesday, October 21 respectively. All workshops begin at 7pm. Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Mary Linehan Foley, said: Cork County Council is proud to support Cork GAAs sustainability journey, helping communities across the county protect their environment and secure a brighter future, she said. Those attending the workshops will receive guidance from local authority representatives and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on accessing funding and implementing sustainability projects. Enda Buckley, Chair of the Cork GAA Sustainability Committee, said: This roadshow series is part of Cork GAAs broader Sustainability Vision and Strategy, which positions every GAA club as a hub for community-led environmental action. Through the Rebels Going Green initiative, Cork GAA is committed to embedding sustainability into all aspects of its operations from club facilities and events to education and community engagement, he said. Lord Mayor of Cork City, Councillor Fergal Dennehy, said Cork City Council is proud to support Cork GAAs Sustainability Roadshow. Further details and registration information will be circulated to clubs in the coming weeks. To register for any of the workshops and for further information, visit www.gaacork.ie/rebelsgogreen. Millstreets latest amenity resulted from special fund acknowledging its massive welcome for more than 300 Ukrainian refugees Cllr Martin Coughlan, deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork and Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Cork County Council, and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD cutting the ribbon with the help of Dep. John Paul O'Shea, TD; Senator Eileen Lynch and Dep. Aindreas Moynihan, TD. Also included are Cllr Ted Lucey and Cllr. Kate Lynch, members of Millstreet Tidy Towns and invited guests. Pic: Brian Lougheed A new pedestrian walkway that is part of a popular walk in a Midwest Cork town was officially opened by Cork County Council. The pedestrian walkway is 830 metres in length, and runs from Drishane Castle to Coole. The project was spearheaded by Millstreet Tidy Towns. Independent councillor Martin Coughlan deputised for the Mayor of the County Cork on the day, and was joined by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary TD and Chief Executive of Cork County Council Moira Murrell to cut the ribbon on Friday, October 10. Mr Coughlan thanked Millstreet Tidy Towns for their work to get the project in motion. This collaborative community project has proved to be a huge success for the town of Millstreet. I would like to thank Millstreet Tidy Towns for all their work. It provides a great social outlet for locals to meet and go for a walk and to enjoy the wonderful scenery of Clara Mountain in the background. This project has provided huge benefits for the area to include increases in wellbeing, community spirit and integration. It is being widely used and has received hugely positive feedback locally, he said. Millstreet Tidy Towns secured 120,000 from the Community Recognition Fund, which was available from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Cork County Council matched the funding. The Community Recognition Fund supports the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. At the time, Millstreet was home to over 300 Ukrainian people, and Mr Calleary said the scheme recognises the efforts made by communities that welcome people to Ireland. To date 100 million has been provided to cities, towns and villages nationwide who have hosted new arrivals and Cork County Council were allocated funding of over 4.3 million under this fund. This project is a demonstration of how vital such funding can be for a town, and I want to congratulate everyone who brought it to fruition and I look forward to working with Cork County Council on future projects, he said. Ms Murrell said the project originated from a need identified in the community. The area is a particularly popular walking route and is part of the looped walk which links in with the Boeing Amenity Area, together with Millstreet Train Station. Not only does it provide a safe connection to Drishane Castle and Coole, it also provides a visually attractive entry into Millstreet town, she concluded. Young Ukrainian mother finds purpose in Cork through growing demand for her dressmaking expertise After fleeing Ukraine with her two young children, a talented dressmaker has found safety, friendship and a new start in the town of Macroom Iryna Lishchuk says she wants to pass on her dressmaking skills to others in Macroom. Photo credit: Matt Brooker Kevin Galvin Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 07:20 A Ukrainian woman who fled her war-torn homeland with her two young children says she feels so lucky to have built a new life in the mid-Cork town of Macroom. Dublin City Council (DCC) is using drones to monitor known stockpiling sites across the city for bonfire materials. A report from DCCs Halloween working group, made up of representatives from the public domain, community development and housing departments, along with gardai, told councillors it was using authorised drone flights to monitor the city. This has proved effective in identifying large-scale storage in previous years, it said. Any identified material will be removed by the group in co-ordination with gardai, with the public encouraged to report suspected stockpiling to the council. Eight stockpiles have already been identified and removed by the group, which is expecting an increase in reports. Along with drones, the council will use formal reports and anecdotal information to identify those hoarding material, with private contractors also brought in to support the councils efforts on a local or out-of-hours basis. Despite these measures, DCCs community and social development officer for Cabra/Glasnevin, Debby Clarke, told councillors yesterday that stopping bonfires was a major task that would require co-ordination from the fire brigade, gardai and community services. When we surrender the space to the people who damage our community, thats the problem I have It is a very complex issue to try and stop bonfires its a huge culture in Dublin and Ireland, and its not something that can be tackled very easily, she said. Independent councillor Cieran Perry said he was more than aware of the challenges in tackling bonfires, having done so for more than 15 years. We were successful on a number of occasions, weve stopped the bonfire on Drumcliffe Road, weve stopped the bonfire in the Cattle Market, he said. So it can be done with a bit of effort, but when we surrender the space to the people who damage our community, thats the problem I have. Mr Perry said there was a lack of enforcement across the city when it came to the accumulation of bonfire material in certain areas, and added: Anyone that travels through Cabra/Glasnevin will see people leaving bonfire material outside their houses, which is illegal. He said its worth the effort to let people know and issue fines, and let people know theres fines issued. The public are being encouraged by the council to report any stockpiling by email to litter.central@dublincity.ie. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme A generous donation of 20,000 has been presented to the Thinking of You memory box project for organ donors at University Hospital Galway (UHG), in memory of the late Simon Quinn from Abbeyknockmoy. Simon Quinn died in October 2024, at only 22 years old, following a car accident. The cheque was presented by Simons parents, Carmel and Fred Quinn, together with Simons brother Aaron and sister Iarla. The funds were raised through an iDonate page and a community auction, which received overwhelming support from the people of Abbeyknockmoy and surrounding areas. UHG explained the Thinking of You memory box is a symbol of respect and compassion for organ donors and their families, reflecting empathy and care during lifes most difficult moments. Led by Gillian Shanahan, Organ Donation Nurse Manager, HSE West and North West, the project offers comfort during end-of-life care and the donation process, helping families preserve connection, create cherished memories, and find lasting support in their grief. The Quinn family shared: It was our honour to raise funds for this amazing project. The Thinking of You memory box brings us great comfort, knowing that Simon has a keepsake with him a lasting connection that well always treasure. Every detail of the box reminds us of the compassion and care shown by the staff at University Hospital Galway during an unimaginably difficult time. "We would be overjoyed to see these boxes launched nationwide, allowing other families to create cherished memories, just as we were able to do with Simon, the family said. Gillian Shanahan commented: On behalf of the team at University Hospital Galway, we would like to thank the Quinn Family for their efforts in raising this remarkable amount. This generous donation will help us continue to support donor families through this project. "Each memory box is a reminder of the organ donors legacy, not only through the lives saved but also through the comfort and healing these keepsakes bring to the families. Gardai in Galway are appealing for witnesses after a serious assault took place in the city on Monday morning. The incident occurred on Monday, October 13, at around 11.30am outside a commercial premises on Bothar An Choiste, in the outskirts of Galway city. A garda spokesperson explained a number of men were involved in this incident and one male sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The man, who is in his 40s, was subsequently brought by ambulance to University Hospital Galway. Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident or with any other information to contact Galway Garda Station on 091-538000 or the Garda confidential line on 1800-666-111. Investigations are ongoing. A judge convicted a man and gave him a three-month suspended sentence with a 200 bond for cannabis possession at Tralee District Court on Wednesday. John OBrien (32) of 25 Mitchells Road, Tralee, had 119 previous convictions, including 16 for possession of a controlled drug and two for possession for sale or supply. It appears this man is not prepared to disavow himself from drug use, said Judge David Waters. The court heard Mr OBrien was sentenced to six months in Cork last February. His last section three at Tralee District Court was on 19 May, 2021. Solicitor Padraig OConnell told the court his client willingly gave his name to gardai and said the joint was for his own use. Basically, at the end of the day, youve total cooperation, said Mr OConnell. His wife is on a pilgrimage at Medjugorje, he added. I think she should say some prayers for him on the way. The judge warned if Mr OBrien returned before him on another drug-related conviction, he would likely face prison. This is the last chance, said Judge Waters. The prayers were better than the plea, judge, replied Mr OConnell. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme Ploughing season here in Kerry continued with its strong start at the weekend as the annual Abbeydorney ploughing match took place on the land of the Corridan family in Ballysheen on Sunday afternoon. The much-anticipated event, which saw close to 20 ploughmen and women show off their skills in front of judges Colin Ruttle and John Mike Dillane, both of whom had travelled down from Limerick for the occasion. The Chairman of the Abbeydorney Ploughing Society, Tommy McCarthy, spoke to The Kerryman on Monday and hailed the day as a huge success, one that saw the next generation of ploughers continue their rise up through the ranks. "We were delighted with the turnout. It went very well now. The attendance was very good, and we were so lucky to have a very good venue, he said. "It was pretty competitive in the Senior Tractor Class as well as the Reversible Class, too. We had two new boys out on Sunday, which was great to see. They were Gearoid Harty, and he ploughed in the U21 Class, which we were delighted to see, and as well as this, we had John Shanahan from Abbeydorney in the 3/4 Standard Reversible Class. It was great to see them both starting out, he continued. Tommy made sure to express his sincere thanks to all of the sponsors on the day, especially their main sponsors, Buckley Agri. As well as this, he said that the society is very grateful, as always, to the Corridan family for the use of the land. The results from the Abbeydorney Ploughing Match are as follows: Ladies: Martina Flynn (83 marks) Senior Tractor: Michael P Donegan (109 marks), Michael J Donegan (108 marks), John Healy (99 marks), and Tony Wharton (75 marks) U21: Gearoid Harty (79 marks) Vintage 2 Furrow: Michael Brosnan (69 marks) Classic Vintage: James Collins (78 marks) Macra: Ryan Wharton (42 marks) 3 Furrow Class: Colm Dineen (109 marks) 3 / 4 Furrow Class: Richard O'Mahony (73 marks), Niall OHanlon (69 marks), and John Shanahan (59 marks) Reversible: Tommy McCarthy (121 marks), Michael OHalloran (119 marks), and Patrick Boyle (102 marks) Loydigging: Donal Tydings (110 marks) Ploughing will take place in Ardfert next week on Sunday, October 19, at Dominic Flahertys land in Banna and Ballyheigue the Sunday after. A Kerry councillor has said that councillors should only be allowed to stand in the municipal district that they live. Councillor Podge Foley said: In reality, councillors are so busy there is no way they could take care of towns far away from them. As the current rules stand, council candidates need no geographical affiliation the with seat they stand in. This means anyone living in Ireland can stand in any county if they are nominated by a voter registered in that local authority area. If nominated in multiple local authority areas, a candidate must declare where they want to stand in writing. Cllr Foley believes councillors must be embedded in their communities to achieve the level of awareness that a local representative needs. If its not on your own doorstep, how are you going to have an opinion on it? he said. Cllr Foley also highlighted importance of councillors being dispersed across districts, particularly in large regions such as Kenmare and Castleisland/Corca Dhuibhne. As the only Kenmare municipal district councillor in Killorglin, Cllr Foley said he has his work cut out. Im probably the busiest councillor [in Kenmare municipal district] because Kenmare and Killorglin are the same size, but Kenmare has four councillors and Killorglin has only one, said Cllr Foley. You can only look after so many people. For me to go up to Tralee MD, I wouldnt have a clue whats going on. You only know your district and thats it. You work so hard that trying to take another area into your thinking, forget about it. People might say theyd be able to, but they wouldnt. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme Plans in Kerry to mark the centenary of the first nonstop Atlantic flight from New York to Paris by Charles Lindberg in 1927. Kerry is set to mark a very historic moment in aviation history with the Kingdoms link to the first non-stop flight by Charles Lindbergh from New York to Paris. 2027 will mark the 100th anniversary of the first non-stop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris by Mr Lindbergh, which took place on May 20-21, 1927. It took 33 hours and was not without its dangers as two French aviators had lost their lives attempting the same crossing just two weeks previously. Lindbergh departed Roosevelt Field, New York, and landed at Le Bourget Aerodrome near Paris, France, covering approximately 3,600 miles. Kerry was his first sighting of Europe during the flight as he flew over Dingle bay and Portmagee. His arrival in Paris was attended by over 100,000 jubilant spectators, cementing his place in aviation history. His achievement earned him the coveted Orteig Prize. Now 100 years on, Portmagee is hoping to mark this historic occasion joining world-wide celebrations planned for the centenary of the famous flight. Kerry County Council has confirmed it is seeking to identify a funding stream to support a commemorative event. Funding is to be sought from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for funding under their 2027 Commemorative programme. Lending support to these plans are Cllr Tommy Cahill (FF) and his father TD Michael Cahill (FF) who have been campaigning for funding to ensure Kerry and Portmagee recognise this centenary. "This is an amazing event in the history of worldwide aviation, which opened up the possibility of regular transatlantic flights between the United States and Europe. Lindbergh flew alone for 33 hours on the initial journey, which was a daunting task, not knowing if his custom built craft would hold together, said Councillor Cahill. Cllr Cahill said Portmagee would be proud to mark this moment. Portmagee is already identified with the Star Wars series of movies and linking up now through Charles Lindbergh, seems a natural fit... Im sure the the people of Portmagee wouldve extremely proud to be associated with such a prestigious and historic event and that they will take part in a fitting tribute to this amazing milestone in international aviation history in 2027. The flight was also commemorated in the 1955 Hollywood movie, The Spirit of St Louis, the name of Lindberghs aircraft, which features actor Jimmy Stewart excitedly sweeping in over Portmagee and Dingle Bay and showing some beautiful scenery. Deputy Michael Cahill also raised the centenary in the Dail and the need to mark this historic moment with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport. Minister Patrick ODonovan advised that any local community group should contact Kerry County Council to seek assistance. He said he has not yet been contacted about any plans but said that funding is available. "I would ask the Deputy that if he is aware of a community group that have ideas for appropriate commemorative programming then they should be directed to the Commemorations Co-ordinators for their specific local authority - in this case Kerry County Council. The details of which are available on the commemorations page on Gov.ie. In the case of other bodies or organisations, proposals for support can be directed to the Commemorations Unit of my Department, he said in response to a query from the Kerry TD. The West Apron Vehicle Underpass is due to be completed by August 2030 The West Apron underpass at Dublin Airport will support the airports expansion towards a 40 million passenger capacity. Photo: Stock Image/Getty. A Mayo-based contractor has been awarded a joint contract for the construction of a new underpass at Dublin Airport. Wills Bros Ltd, a family-run civil engineering company based in Foxford, has been jointly awarded the project alongside Sacyr Ireland Ltd. The 265 million contract, awarded under the Airfield and Landside Civil Works Framework, will see the construction of the West Apron Vehicle Underpass at Dublin Airport. It is a key element in the airport's long-term infrastructure strategy. The project is due to be completed by August 2030 and will see the construction of a 1.1km subterranean twin-cell tunnel connecting Pier Three at Dublin Airport to the West Apron. The underpass will pass beneath key operational areas, including the Cross Runway (16/34) at Dublin Airport and four taxiways. The underpass will provide a dedicated, segregated route for airside vehicles, including cargo operators, fuel bowsers, tugs, loaders, steps, and catering trucks, between the remote West Apron and the Eastern Campus, where most airport services and facilities are located. DAA, the operator of Dublin Airport, announced the awarding of the contract and said it marks a significant milestone in the airport's long-term infrastructure development strategy. Aidan McCaul, the contract director at Wills Bros, said the company was "delighted to be awarded this critical project for the DAA." "As a family-run business with over 53 years of experience, our self-delivery model has enabled us to consistently deliver large and complex civil engineering projects across Ireland. "With a dedicated office in the Dublin region, we're proud to bring our proven capability and commitment to excellence to this important development for DAA." The opening of the new North Runway at Dublin Airport in August 2022 made the need for an underpass increasingly urgent. As Runway 16/34 now serves as a primary taxiway, the Irish Aviation Authority confirmed that apron vehicles could no longer cross the area. Without the underpass, vehicles would be forced to take long and inefficient detours, affecting time-critical operations such as cargo handling and general aviation. To address this, Dublin Airport is developing a twin-cell design that will ensure operational resilience by keeping one lane open in the event of maintenance or an incident in the other. The project also includes the reconfiguration of 23,700 square metres of the airport to accommodate layout changes and associated infrastructure works. Dublin Airport said the investment underscores DAA's commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards while supporting future growth at the airport. The underpass will support Dublin Airport's expansion towards a capacity of 40 million passengers annually and help accommodate the continued expansion of cargo and contingency operations on the West Apron. Construction will be carried out using cut-and-cover techniques, with a complete traffic management plan in place to minimise disruption to airport operations and the local community. Kenny Jacobs, DAA's CEO, highlighted that the underpass "is about keeping people safe, and keeping the airport moving". He added: "It's a critical piece of infrastructure that'll make a big difference - cutting travel times, boosting efficiency, and future-proofing the place as we grow. It's the right project, at the right time, with the right team to deliver it." This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Caden Casey from Sligo was presented with the prestigious regional award at the All-Ireland summit event in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, on the 9th of October. Pic: Matthew Rose-Nel Student Caden Casey from Gurteen, Sligo has been presented with the prestigious highly commended award at the Global Undergraduate Awards (GUA). It is the worlds leading academic awards programme for undergraduate research and took place at the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, on the 9th of October. Caden, a University of Galway student, was awarded for his project The Transformation of Education in Ireland in the 1950s in the History category. The Global Undergraduate Awards programme consists of Global Winners, Regional Winners and Highly Commended entrants. The best 10% of submissions are deemed Highly Commended, Regional Winners are the highest-performing Highly Commended entrants from a GUA region in their category, and the top submission in each category is deemed the Global Winner and awarded the Thomas Clarkson Gold Medal. Following an extensive judging process by 500 academics worldwide, the winners were selected from over 2,400 submissions spanning 348 universities in 99 countries across 25 categories. There were four other Irish students recognised as Highly Commended this year, from Trinity College Dublin, University of Galway, and University College Cork, along with 11 regional winners from University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, University of Galway, Trinity College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons, Munster Technological University, Queen's University Belfast, DCU, South East Technological University (SETU). Global winners from Ireland included two students from Trinity College Dublin. Jim Barry, Chairman of The Global Undergraduate Awards, said: We are delighted to celebrate these exceptional students and their achievements at the All-Ireland Awards event. These awards celebrate the very best of undergraduate research from every corner of the world. Each winning submission represents not only extraordinary academic achievement, but also the creativity, ambition, and intellectual curiosity of this generation of students. We are particularly proud to see Irish students once again recognised on the global stage, reflecting the strength of Irelands higher education sector. Caden Casey from Sligo was presented with the prestigious regional award at the All-Ireland summit event in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, on the 9th of October. Pic: Matthew Rose-Nel The All-Ireland Award Ceremony celebrates the academic prowess of Irish students and their universities. It also aligns the GUA with its well-established, long-standing partnership with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on their talent and innovation strategy, Global Citizens 2030, and the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland. This commitment helps recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding students across Ireland and beyond. VentureWave, a leading impact investment firm based in Ireland, was recently announced as the sponsor partner of the All-Ireland awards ceremony. What were once designed to help adults stop smoking are now being aimed at a much younger audience, Sligo County Council heard at the October monthly meeting with calls made for Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill to Take a proactive approach and ban the sale of unregulated nicotine pouches which are harming the health of our teenagers. Giving some background to her motion, Cllr Ann Higgins said that only 2% of Irish teenagers smoke because they have been priced out of the market. In the wake of a call from the Irish Heart Foundation to ban the sale of nicotine pouches due to increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, Cllr Higgins said the pouches were originally designed to help adults give up smoking but now young people are the target audience. Cllr Higgins said, Nicotine is a harmful product, adding she was amazed and concerned by what is available online. Noting that nicotine pouches have been banned in France and Netherlands, Cllr Higgins said, Lets follow their example or we will see more damage done to our teenagers. Cllr Marie Casserly echoed those sentiments saying, The Minister must act to ban sales. Cllr Edel McSharry praised Cllr Higgins for raising the motion saying, We started in the 1960s to realise that smoking and nicotine is dangerous. This is an excellent motion, thank you Cllr Higgins for bringing it up. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. The Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards aims to promote environmentally sustainable farming. The awards highlight the progress farmers are making to lighten the load of farming on the environment, while continuing to produce high quality, nutritious food, in a profitable manner. The Awards, generously sponsored by FBD Insurance come at a time of concern around environmental sustainability. The Irish government has set ambitious targets for all sectors of the economy to reduce their gaseous emissions. The target for the agricultural sector is to reduce gaseous emissions by 25 per cent by 2030. While there are six category awards on the basis of; reducing gaseous emissions, improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health and carbon, farming organically, and diversifying the farming system to improve environmental sustainability, Don took home the Overall Prize of 10,000. According to the adjudicator, they were impressed by his dedication to sustainability and his innovative methods. Every year, Don plans his fertiliser programme on the basis of two things: what nutrients the crops remove from the soil when they grow, and how much is already in the ground. This way, nothing is wasted. Alongside fertiliser, Don makes good use of organic manures such as poultry litter, farmyard manure and dairy sludge. Getting hold of enough manure and transporting it can be tricky, but he sees big benefits through cost savings, adding valuable organic matter to the soils and thus making the whole system more sustainable. "Soil health is at the heart of Dons system. Don believes that the future of farming depends on keeping soils healthy, so crop rotation and soil care are always at the centre of what he does. He will regularly pull out the spade and check soil health the structure of the soil, the presence of earthworms etc., they noted. "Between 2022 and 2023, more than half of the farms straw was recycled this way. Not always easy, as it can lead to slug problems and seedbed challenges, but Don fells the benefits are worth it.. Returning straw to the soil reduces fertiliser needs, keeps more nitrogen in the ground and builds up organic matter. In the long run, it leaves the soil healthier and more resilient, they added. Don also utilises precision technology in his trial use of the special Nitrogen sensor on his Winter wheat crops. Don has been using yield maps to see exactly how crops are performing across different parts of his fields With this knowledge, he can target soil tests more accurately, vary fertiliser applications and spot issues like poor drainage or compaction. Besides positively impacting his own farm and land, Don has gone to lengths to ensure that his farm does not affect the local River Slaney. "Don is taking action to reduce the impact of his farm on the local river, the Slaney. He has reduced chemical N use by 20 per cent through better soil management, careful nutrient planning, optimising the use of organic manure as well as using precision tools like GPS and yield mapping. After crops are removed at harvest, Don establishes catch crops in ground destined for spring cropping to ensure there is no bare ground on the farm overwinter. Riparian buffer zones have also been installed, allowing for the protection of water quality along with the enhancement of biodiversity along watercourses, the adjudicators observed. Speaking on his efforts over the last few years, Don said it is key for farmers to always be looking to the future. "Over the last, probably, eight to 10 years we switched to a min-til system, but as part of that we also started chopping and incorporating straw. We started using more organic manure and we have a big focus on our soil health, soil fertility, and reducing our dependence on chemical fertilisers, he said. "A farmers ultimate goal is to pass on something that they took over to the next generation in a better state than they got, he added. Although proud of his achievement, Don was quick to acknowledge the support and advice he has received over the years from other farmers, learning from their experiences both good and bad. This willingness to share including what works and what doesnt is something Don brings back to his own farming endeavours and any discussions he may have with other farmers looking to take a similar approach to his own. Updates on the proposed ambulance base in Gorey and Primary Centre Centre were revealed when asked by Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan. (Peter Byrne/PA) Updates on the proposed new ambulance base set to be located in Gorey were recently announced during recent talks at Leinster House. Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan spoke with Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in Leinster House to seek clarity on progress. Gorey is one of the fastest growing towns in Ireland, but it is essential that the infrastructural needs are met as the population increases. Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan. When you add in the huge surge in population for the summer months in areas such as Castletown, Courtown and Cahore - estimated to be an extra 40,000 people puts huge pressure on already stretched ambulances, medical and dental services, Deputy Brennan added. In response to Brennans query, Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said a suitable facility has been identified for use as an ambulance base in Gorey. The National Ambulance Service (NAS) and HSE Capital estates have completed the necessary documents to facilitate the progression of the project in Quarter 4 2025. The HSE is working to appoint a design team in this quarter with the aim of submitting a planning application in early 2026 to progress the project, she said. Deputy Brennan also took the opportunity to highlight a Primary Health Care Centre in Gorey, which he said has been on the table for years. The project is currently gathering tenders, but there are concerns over the viability of the project model being used. Ive mentioned previously in this chamber that due to the increase in building costs, under the current model, the price that is being offered per square foot is simply not feasible for developers, he said. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Photo: PA In relation to the Primary Care Centre, the Minister said a preferred provider had been identified in 2019 but resulted in the collapse of the process in 2024 due to the economic viability of the project. A review was undertaken to identify the current and future service needs with all relevant stakeholders. She said the tender process is underway, and said the advertisement was published on the E-Tenders Procurement Platform in June 2025. Deputy Brennan reiterated that all measures must be taken to ensure Gorey sees a Primary Care Centre brought to fruition. Wexfords young people show remarkable interest in Catherine Connolly during Main Street canvass The Presidential candidate spend nearly three hours walking the 1km route in the centre of Wexford town Dylan O'Connor in conversation with Catherine Connolly on the Main Street in Wexford town on Saturday afternoon. Pic: Jim Campbell Jessica O'Connor New Ross Standard Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 07:40 There was an unusual hive of activity brought to Wexfords South Main Street on Saturday afternoon as the footfall was much busier than peak shopping hours at that end of the town, which was mostly due to the opening of the first Guineys store in Wexford earlier in the week. However, just a few doors down, a crowd was beginning to gather outside the popular pub where Ed Sheeran played a surprise appearance during Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in The Sky and the Ground. Cars were beginning to slow and curiosity piqued. Glynn Barntown GAA club are raising funds for the development of community facilities and Hope Cancer Support Centre On Saturday October 18, Glynn Barntown GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football club will join forces to undertake a 24-hour walkathon to raise funds for the improvement of club and community facilities. Funds will also be raised for Hope Cancer Support Centre in Enniscorthy. As it stands the total amount raised is nearly 39,000 and leading the fundraising team leaderboard is Conor Kavanagh, James White and Larry Murphy who have raised over 4,000. In a promotional video, Conor emphasised all that is happening within the complex as a result of the five-year development plan that commenced in 2024. This year we have 20 projects. One of the main projects would be the tarmac on the walking track and that is where the concept really came from for the walkathon. And then we have solar panels, a robotic line marker and lawn mower and many other projects in process. All-Ireland winner with Wexford in 1996, Paul Carley said that while the fundraising he and many of his clubmates were undertaking was for a bigger cause, he was motivated to finish as high up on the fundraising leaderboard as possible. Id like to say it is for the good of the parish, but at the same time they are after turning this into a competition and I think I am after getting my tactics wrong. I started out fairly fast with my team and I said, this is great, we are home and dry, but now there is competition. Conor Kavanagh just seems to have contacts in Mayo he joked. Another event organiser, Ed Kenny, explained why the club was fundraising for Hope Cancer Support Centre and why it was important to club members. The Hope Centre have provided help to many families across Wexford, including here in the area. It is a place where a lot of comfort and care is provided when people need it most. It costs 700,000 to keep it operational every year and only 20pc of that is government funded. So we are happy to help. Artist immortalised by Katie Taylor and Carlisle Grounds murals, is to close his shop and make a new life Down Under Before the month of October is out, Bray, Co Wicklow will have a To Let sign in the window of yet another retail unit on one of its busiest streets, while the town will have lost one of its most well-loved and prolific creative souls to emigration. For artist Adam J Connors, normally so adept at using his hands, he struggles to paint a positive picture of what the last few years of life have been like, ever since he chose to return home from what must seem now like the idyllic town of Porto in Portugal, some five years ago. Within a matter of weeks he will be in Sydney, Australia, where he has a job and a visa and the chance to set up his easel in sunnier climes. The stag that was hit in a collision with a Bray resident off the N11. The damage susained to a Bray resident's car, after it was hit by a stag at the junction 7 exit off the N11. Wicklow County Council has contacted Transport Infrastructure Ireland regarding the increase of deer activity at a busy junction off the N11 at Bray. It follows unease locally for the welfare of a young deer, which has made the area around the Hills roundabout, off the N11 at junction 7 for Bray/Greystones, its new home since the end of the summer. While The Irish Deer Society said it was best to leave the animal alone, more recently a Bray resident was involved in a serious incident with a stag near the same location, raising safety concerns for motorists at the busy junction. Multiple calls were made in August to the Irish Deer Society after a young deer was spotted grazing at the side of the road at the roundabout, but the conservation group made a statement to assure members of the public that the deer was assessed on several occasions and was perfectly fine, fit and healthy. They said the deer, as a protected animal, is being monitored and is doing everything a deer should do. The organisation said it would have been concerned if it wasnt eating and grazing, because if a young deers mother has been killed (as was the case with this deer), then the fawn would still be mother-dependent, and that would require an intervention. But if someone tries to approach this animal it could bolt and run into oncoming traffic. The damage susained to a Bray resident's car, after it was hit by a stag at the junction 7 exit off the N11. While it was believed to be the only wild deer at the busy junction, a Bray resident has said they recently suffered 25,000 in damages to their car when a stag ran across the road without warning. The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the risk to motorists safety was now well known, but there has been no preventative measures put in place. "There are no warning signs, fencing, or other controls despite ongoing deer activity and repeated public awareness of the issue, they said. I believe this matter deserves wider attention for the sake of other motorists. The resident said his bonnet saved him, and that if someone in a smaller car had hit the stag, the outcome could have been far more injurious for the driver. When contacted, Wicklow County Council said the issue has been communicated to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and their maintenance contractor and the council awaits TIIs response as to what action might be taken. 'Everything has to be planned or thought through' Wicklow dad on raising two sons with PKU When Conor Byrne's newborn son was diagnosed with rare condition PKU, doctors said 'don't Google it'. Twelve years on, both Jacob and his younger brother Ethan live with the metabolic disorder that means every meal and holiday requires planning Left: Jacob Byrne heading the 2018 Childrens Health Foundations Trick or Treat campaign. Right: Jacob during one of his visits to Temple Street Hospital for treatment. Myles Buchanan Wicklow People Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 12:00 When Conor Byrne got the call from the hospital just days after his son Jacob was born, he knew something wasnt right. Dont Google it, they were told words that no new parent ever wants to hear. What followed was a crash course in caring for a newborn with a rare metabolic condition, and a journey that would show the Byrne family just how much of a difference kindness, research, and community support can make. Mum-of-five Natalie Moloney, who two years ago began her gruelling battle against cancer, was the proud host of a coffee morning for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which she organised in Brays Fassaroe Community Centre, on Saturday, October 11. Natalie was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2023, and after two tumultuous years was given the all-clear in September and has recently returned to work at her local Tesco store. While hosting the coffee morning was a wonderful opportunity to raise funds, it also served as the perfect opportunity for Natalie to meet and thank the community who supported her on her tough journey. When news broke of her ordeal, the Bray community rallied and raised over 11,000 to help Natalie and her family. Natalie has now become an advocate for approaching the cancer journey with the right mindset, offering encouragement to others on her social channels and instilling the belief that a positive approach is a must after the shock diagnosis. It's not all doom and gloom. People hear the word cancer and they're organising funerals, she said after she received the uplifting news last month. The research, the treatment has come on in leaps and bounds. That's from someone that's been through it." After Saturdays event, Natalie had raised 3,500 and with money still being counted, she looks well on course to exceed her initial target of 1,500. A man from Shankill, Co. Dublin, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, with part of the sentence suspended, after gardai discovered 3,000 worth of cocaine during a raid on his home last December. Darragh Hudson (25), with an address in Shankill, Co. Dublin appeared at Bray District Court charged with three charges relating to a gardai raid in December last year. Mr Hudson pleaded guilty to possession of drugs, possession of cocaine for the purpose of sale or supply and money laundering in the state (760). The court heard that on December 6, 2024 gardai searched the home of Mr Hudson and found cocaine with the street value of 3,000. The court was informed that back in 2023, Mr Hudson was given a six month suspended sentence and a 1,000 fine for a Section 15 offence. His solicitor told the court that his client was a father of three small children, He said Mr Hudson had a tough childhood, with his mother suffering from domestic violence leading to a barring order against his father. The court was told that he has suffered from an addiction to drugs since he was 18-years-old and he had recently relapsed so was dealing to support his habit. He also told the court that his client had a string of clean urine tests dating back to February 2025 and that Mr Hudson had a strong work history and has recently been promoted to a crew manager in his workplace. A letter from his employer was handed into the court attesting to his character and how hardworking and diligent he is. Judge David Kennedy struck out the charges of money laundering. He took the change of possession of cocaine with intent to supply into consideration and imprisoned Mr Hudson for 10 months with the last four suspended for two years. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme Students from the Dominican College, Wicklow with Garda Niall Kennedy at the 'GR8 2 B YNG' walk on the Murrough in Wicklow town to mark World Mental Health day 2025. Students from Colaiste Chill Mhantain, Wicklow at the 'GR8 2 B YNG' walk on the Murrough in Wicklow town to mark World Mental Health day 2025. The inter-agency committee at the 'GR8 2 B YNG' walk on the Murrough in Wicklow town to mark World Mental Health day 2025. Some 422 students marked World Mental Health Day on Friday by taking part in a wellness walk organised as part of Wicklow Youth Mental Health initiative GR8 2 B YNG. Students gathered from the car park beside the old train station at the Murrough for the 9.45am start. Schools involved included Youthreach, Colaiste Chill Mhantain, East Glendalough School, Educate Together Secondary School and Dominican College, all from Wicklow town, along with Rathdrums Avondale Community College. GR8 2 B YNG is an annual youth mental health initiative in Wicklow that involves a series of workshops and events, including the flagship 5km walk, to promote positive mental health among young people. The aim of the GR8 2 B YNG initiative is to get young people to start thinking about their own mental health and with tips on how they can mind themselves and how to access services. The programme ran over a three-week period starting in September, with the students attending a healthy relationship workshop delivered by Anu Wicklow and a second mind yourself workshop provided by Jigsaw. The initiative concluded with Fridays wellness walk along the Murrough in Wicklow town. GR8 2 B YNG was supported this year by Healthy Ireland funding through the Co Wicklow, Children and Young People Services Committee. The committee would like to also acknowledge the support it received from the following organisations, Wicklow Travellers Group, Wicklow Child & Family Project, HSE Mental Health, Foroige Youth project, K.W.E.T.B, School Completion Programme, Wicklow Civil Defence and the gardai. Dublin actor co-stars with Claire Foy in biographical drama H Is For Hawk Brendan Gleeson at the screening of 'H Is For Hawk' at the Southbank Centre in London. Photo: PA Actor Brendan Gleeson has said that not every father is toxic and that he is tired of watching fatherhood portrayed so poorly on screen. The 70-year old Dubliner, best known for The Banshees Of Inisherin, stars alongside The Crown actress Claire Foy in the biographical drama, H Is For Hawk. The film follows Cambridge academic Helen MacDonald (Foy) who, while coping with the grief of her fathers death, builds an unlikely friendship with a stubborn hawk named Mabel. Gleeson, who plays Helens father, Alisdair MacDonald, emphasises the importance of celebrating fatherhood on screen. The Hollywood star said: I think dads have got an awful hard time lately. And I dont believe that every dad is toxic, and I dont think anybody else does either. I think I suddenly got very tired of watching fatherhood portrayed as something that was almost an abuse, or that was toxic in some way, or in some way truncated by where you had these emotionally stunted people walking around that couldnt hug their kids, whatever it was. Claire Foy in the Film4 movie H is for Hawk The film, which is based on the memoir of the same name by Helen MacDonald, is centred around her grief for her father, which Gleeson said says so much more about what is really important about paternity, and what is really important about fatherhood, and why the beauty that is within of that, needs to be celebrated. I think young men need to see it. It needs to be reaffirmed, he added. I really just want to celebrate paternity and how much and how deeply it affects things. I think this particular film is so beautiful in the way that thats what its trying to do. The memory of this man is that he was a proper, good man who gave love to his daughter. Speaking about his own experience of fatherhood, Gleeson said: When I had my kids, I realised I no longer have the option to be pessimistic. I bought in to the life. So optimism now is a duty, not a choice. The Oscar-nominated actor starred alongside Colin Farrell and Barry Keoghan in The Banshees Of Inisherin as well as 2008s In Bruges and appeared in the Harry Potter films as Alastor Mad-Eye Moody. Gavin Plumb was jailed over a plot to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby (Essex Police/PA) A security guard who was jailed over a plot to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby is set to have his appeal bid heard later this month. Gavin Plumb was found guilty of soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. The 38-year-old from Harlow, in Essex, was sentenced at the same court in July to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years. According to court listings, his case will now be heard at the Court of Appeal in London on October 21. Earlier this year, court officials said they received applications for permission to appeal against his convictions and the sentence. Gavin Plumb was jailed earlier this year (Elizabeth Cook/PA) At his sentencing earlier this year, judge Mr Justice Murray described some of the plans Plumb had discussed online as particularly sadistic, brutal and degrading. Plumb was snared after a US undercover police officer infiltrated an online group called Abduct Lovers and became so concerned about Plumbs posts that evidence was passed to the FBI. US law enforcement in turn contacted police in the UK, and when Essex Police officers raided Plumbs flat in Harlow they found bottles of chloroform and an abduction kit complete with cable ties. Jurors heard Plumbs kidnap plans involved attempting to ambush Ms Willoughby at her family home even discussing taking time off work in order to organise the attack. Plumb had argued in his defence that it was just online chat and fantasy. But Mr Justice Murray dismissed this, saying: I have no doubt that this was all considerably more than a fantasy to you. Afghan migrant who threatened to kill Nigel Farage on TikTok to be sentenced today A jury found Fayaz Khan guilty last week of making a threat to kill the Reform UK leader in a TikTok post A video issued by the Crown Prosecution Service of Fayaz Khan making threats to Nigel Farage (CPS/PA) Mathilde Grandjean Press Association Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 07:34 An Afghan migrant who came to the UK on a small boat is to be sentenced for making a threat to kill Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in a TikTok post. Why stopping smoking later in life can slow down problems with memory New study shows quitting can help cognitive health Stopping smoking could help slow down age-related memory problems. Photo: Getty Storm Newton Press Association Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 06:30 Quitting smoking, even in later life, could help slow down age-related memory problems, a study has found. You have to take it on the chin Joey OBrien notes gap in class but fears Shels players showed Palace too much respect Cadets observe a nationwide minute of silence in memory of fallen soldiers, who defended their homeland in the war with Russia, in their classes at a cadets lyceum in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. Photo: AP/Efrem Lukatsky Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with the US president in Washington, DC on Friday, following two phone conversations over the weekend in which they discussed the long-range missiles. Sometimes the Israeli police let us fish, but when they are in a bad mood they shoot at us fears for missing Gazan fishermen US president Donald Trump poses with the signed agreement during the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt. Photo: PA Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza yesterday under a ceasefire deal and Israel sent home busloads of Palestinian detainees, as US president Donald Trump told Israels parliament that peace had arrived in the Holy Land. Tanya Sweeney: When I moved to London in 1997 it swallowed me whole and spat me out for todays Irish twentysomethings its so much easier Donald Trump says report querying his health may be act of treason as he rages against op-ed North America Donald Trump says report querying his health may be act of treason as he rages against op-ed RBI Extends Export Proceeds Repatriation Timeline for IFSC Accounts In line with Indias ongoing measures to enhance the ease of cross-border trade and payments, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced amendments to key Foreign Exchange Management (FEMA) regulations. The latest amendments cover two primary areas extension of timelines for repatriation of export proceeds and lending in Indian Rupees to neighboring countries. These updates aim to promote greater flexibility in trade financing and streamline export-related transactions. RBI extends repatriation period for export proceeds The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has amended the Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Currency Accounts by a Person Resident in India) Regulations, 2015, allowing exporters to retain export proceeds in foreign currency accounts maintained with banks outside India up to three months. The amendment clarifies that foreign currency accounts opened in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) will now be treated as accounts outside India for regulatory purposes. However, for accounts maintained with banks in jurisdictions other than IFSCs, the existing rule continues to apply, i.e., requiring utilization or repatriation of funds within one month. According to the RBIs notification, funds in the IFSC-based account may be utilized by the exporter for paying for its imports into India or repatriated into India within three months. The time period will be calculated from the date of receipt of funds, after accounting for any forward commitments. This regulatory update was issued on October 6, 2025, and forms part of the RBIs objective to facilitate external trade and payment flexibility under the evolving foreign exchange framework. Enhanced flexibility for exporters with IFSC accounts The amendment is expected to provide greater operational flexibility for exporters, particularly those dealing with high-value foreign currency transactions, such as in the gems and jewelry sector, where extended retention periods support smoother financial management and settlement cycles. By permitting the holding of export proceeds for up to three months in IFSC-based accounts, exporters can better manage their foreign currency exposure, reduce conversion-related costs, and optimize treasury operations. Previously, under the Exchange Earners Foreign Currency (EEFC) account scheme, exporters were required to convert non-utilized balances into Indian Rupees by the end of the following month. This often resulted in frequent, suboptimal conversions, higher exchange rate risks, and increased administrative workload. Industry observers view the new measure as a pragmatic step towards aligning Indias foreign exchange regime with international best practices while strengthening the role of IFSCs as hubs for trade-related financial activities. Going forward, experts emphasize the importance of clear compliance guidelines, robust monitoring mechanisms, and greater exporter awareness to ensure effective implementation under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) framework. CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE: FEMA Compliance Guide for Foreign Investment in India Caution and compliance requirements While the new framework offers greater flexibility, exporters maintaining accounts outside IFSCs must continue to exercise strict financial discipline to meet the existing one-month repatriation requirement. The amendment also shows the growing importance of the IFSCs as international financial hubs, providing Indian exporters with a regulated alternative to offshore banking arrangements. However, compliance obligations remain rigorous. Exporters are required to ensure that these accounts are used solely for legitimate export-related transactions, supported by complete documentation and trade-linked records. Adherence to Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and the maintenance of transparent audit trails are critical. Any misuse of funds or delay in repatriation beyond the stipulated period could attract regulatory scrutiny and potential enforcement action from authorities. Lending in INR to neighboring countries Through the Foreign Exchange Management (Borrowing and Lending) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, notified on October 6, 2025, the central bank has permitted Authorized Dealer (AD) banks in India and their overseas branches to extend loans in INR to residents and banks in Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This regulatory amendment aims to facilitate smoother cross-border trade transactions and promote regional financial cooperation. By enabling INR-denominated lending, the RBI seeks to enhance the Indian currencys role in regional trade settlements, reduce dependence on third-country currencies, and strengthen monetary linkages with neighboring economies. Key takeaway The recent amendments reflect Indias focus on streamlining foreign exchange operations and enhancing trade facilitation. Additionally, expanding INR-based lending to neighboring economies and extending flexibility for exporters in managing foreign currency accounts reinforce Indias focus on supporting external trade, regional financial linkages, and the growing IFSC ecosystem. Jennifer Aniston opens up about her IVF struggles and public scrutiny ( Image credit : X/@jenanistonworld | Jennifer Aniston gets candid about her struggle with IVF ) Fans divided on Reddit ( Image credit : Reddit ) ( Image credit : Credit: Reddit ) Aniston's past relationships and current partner Jennifer Aniston, known for her role as Rachel Green in NBC's sitcom, has once again found herself at the centre of public discussion, this time over her candid remarks about motherhood and fertility.In a recent appearance on thepodcast, the 56-year-old actress opened up about her 20-year struggle with infertility, revealing that she underwent multiple rounds of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and tried various alternative treatments, including drinking Chinese teas. Despite these efforts, Aniston shared that she never considered adoption. Her remarks about adoption have now gone viral, sparking mixed reactions from fans on Reddit.Aniston's journey to motherhood was fraught with challenges. She disclosed that she kept her fertility struggles private to protect her personal life from public scrutiny. She added that despite her struggles, she never considered taking the adoption route, stating, I want my own DNA in a little person. Thats the only way; selfish or not, whatever that is, Ive wanted it.Reflecting on the emotional toll of the process, she mentioned, All the years and years and years of speculation... It was really hard. I was going through IVF, drinking Chinese teas, you name it. I was throwing everything at it. The constant media attention and unfounded rumours about her personal life added to her distress, she said.The actress's recent comments have sparked a debate among fans on Reddit. Some users express support for her decision to prioritise biological motherhood, while others question her stance on adoption.One user remarked, "She's going to get flamed for this, but honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with this stance, and she does acknowledge some people may find it selfish. I think it makes sense for her to address it considering how many "why doesn't she just adopt???" comments she gets (don't even get me started on people who say just adopt, but that's another conversation). Adoption is not for everyone, and the onus to adopt should not solely be placed on infertile people. Wanting a child doesn't mean adoption is the right choice for you, and that's okay, which seems to be what she's trying to say." "This is a 56 year old woman. Stop asking her questions regarding her infertility already," one fan offered their take.Another user added, "i know this is judgemental of me, but i always feel weird when people insist they could only raise a kid if they were biologically related. Parenthood isn't just about spreading your genes to the next generation; it's about loving your child and taking care of them. it should not matter what their DNA is!" "I'm not saying she's wrong for feeling that way, but some opinions should be kept private, I guess," said a fourth Redditor. "I think people who say this are weird. No ones dna is that special. People just think they are going to get little mini-mes instead of a kid who is their own person," wrote a fifth.Jennifer Aniston's romantic history has been widely publicised. She was married to actor Brad Pitt from 2000 to 2005 and later to actor Justin Theroux from 2015 to 2018. Both marriages ended without children, fuelling media speculation about her decision not to start a family. Aniston has since been linked to hypnotherapist Jim Curtis, with whom she has been in a relationship since 2024.Despite the public's fascination with her personal life, Aniston has consistently emphasised her right to privacy and the importance of making personal choices without judgement. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On October 12 local time, BYD's Cambodian subsidiary hosted a joint launch event in Phnom Penh for the BYD SEAL 5 Super Hybrid and the BYD M9 Super Hybrid, marking a further expansion of the brand's new energy vehicle lineup in the country. At the event, BYD not only unveiled the two models but also handed over the keys to their first owners, achieving its hallmark "launch-and-deliver" experience. Photo credit: BYD The SEAL 5 Super Hybrid comes equipped with BYD's signature Super Hybrid system, delivering seamless integration between electric and gasoline power. The M9 Super Hybrid, a premium multi-purpose vehicle blending technology and luxury, offers extended range when fully fueled and charged. Both models were originally scheduled for delivery later in October, but the launch event marked their on-time rollout to customers. Since entering the Cambodian market, BYD has steadily expanded its operations. The company currently operates seven showrooms and one after-sales center in Phnom Penh, with additional outlets under developmentincluding flagship stores at Aeon Mall 2 and Hun Sen Boulevard, as well as 2S stores in Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and Battambang. By the end of this year, BYD expects to increase its Cambodian footprint to 13 showrooms and six service centers, enhancing convenience and service quality for local customers. BYD's sales momentum in Cambodia has been equally strong. As of September 30, 2025, the company had delivered 2,990 vehicles in the countrya year-on-year spike of 497 percent. According to Ye Chenghui, General Manager of BYD Cambodia, the company's vision goes beyond selling carsit aims to drive a transformation in local mobility. He revealed that BYD's passenger vehicle plant in Sihanoukville is nearing completion and will soon begin production. Once operational, BYD plans to gradually localize production and assembly of its key models, ushering in what Ye described as a "new era of locally made new energy vehicles" for Cambodian consumers. Gali and Ziv Berman's reunion pictures break the internet Gali and Ziv Berman, free and back home @GPOIsrael pic.twitter.com/ZGmoYAWv0p Israel in the UK (@IsraelinUK) October 13, 2025 How was the brother abducted? Jerusalem Post ( Image credit : X | @IsraelinUK | Gali and Ziv Bermans Reunion Melts Hearts Worldwide ) ( Image credit : X | @IsraelinUK | The Emotional Return of Twins Gali and Ziv Berman ) Netizens react to the emotional pictures of the reunion ( Image credit : X | @koshercockney | Emotional Reunion Captured in Photos That Took Over the Internet ) Twins reunited after October 2024; the moment goes viral In a deeply emotional moment, Hamas has released a group of Israeli hostages into the custody of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Among those freed were twins Gali and Ziv Berman, whose long-awaited reunion with their family has captured hearts around the world. A series of powerful images showing the siblings embracing their loved ones has gone viral, stirring an outpouring of emotion and hope across social media. Let's take a quick look at the pictures that broke the internet.The picture of the twin brothers, Gali and Ziv Berman, was posted on an official X (formerly called Twitter) profile of the Embassy of Israel in London.The release marks a significant humanitarian step amid ongoing conflict, offering a rare glimpse of relief and unity in the face of immense suffering. As soon as the pictures surfaced on social media, they quickly went viral and grabbed the attention of netizens.According to the, the brothers were abducted from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during an attack that killed several residents.Gali was captured after he left his safe room armed only with a kitchen knife, attempting to help a friend and neighbour. Shortly after, Ziv was also taken hostage after their home was set ablaze during the attack.Notably, their family also had no idea if they were alive at the beginning. Nearly a week after the incident, the family learned that the twins were alive but had been taken captive.As soon as the pictures surfaced on social media, they quickly went viral, and netizens expressed their emotions. One X user wrote, "This is the day I've looked forward to for over two years. Nothing can take away from what was done to them; their survival will depend on a lot of support because they'll be haunted by PTSD. I am absolutely delighted that they've been released."While one said, "Crying for them all, we rejoice and we mourn at the same time, it is time to start healing ""All things considered, they look pretty good. This is such a great day. I pray they all regain their strength and are surrounded by love in their communities," another added."Dear Lord, we lift prayers for healing and recovery and strength for these dear brothers!"According to, Gali and Ziv Berman were abducted from their home in October 2023 and are believed to have been held in separate locations during their captivity.The elder brother of the twins, Liran Berman, told CBS that it was the longest period the twins had ever spent apart. Despite having distinct personalities, the twins shared a close bond and were often inseparable and were also regularly seen engaging in activities together. Why Aaron Spencer killed his daughter's rapist? Spencer's wife calls him a hero He says the system has failed him An Arkansas father Aaron Spencer who shot and killed his daughter's rapist has announced his plan to run for Lonoke County Sheriff saying that the justice system "failed" his family. His viral Facebook announcement has sparked massive public support, with thousands praising him as a father who "did what the system couldn't do."According to court the documents, the incident took place in October 2024 when Spencer's 14-year-old daughter went missing. He woke up after his dog was barking continuously. When he checked his daughter's room, he found a stuffed animal under her bedsheet disguised to make it appear as if she was asleep.Spencer took out his truck and began searching for his daughter. Luckily, he spotted her in a truck with 67-year-old Michael Fosler, a man previously charged with multiple sexual offences involving her daughter. What followed was a car chase during which Spencer forced Fosler's vehicle off the road and shot him, killing him at the scene.Spencer immediately called 911 to report the shooting. He was later charged with second-degree murder and released on bond. Fosler, meanwhile, had been out on a $50,000 bond for felony sexual abuse charges related to the same victim.Spencer's wife Heather launched a GiveSendGo campaign in his defense describing him as a hero who saved their daughter's life. She said their daughter was "targeted, groomed and ultimately raped by the boyfriend of a family friend," and added, "We let the justice system do its job. The monster who hurt our child was charged quickly, but released even faster on a $50k bond, she added. He was awaiting court in December for several felonies in relation to what he did to our child."In a Facebook video that has since gone viral, Aaron Spencer spoke candidly about how the legal system failed to protect his daughter."Im the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed," Spencer said in the emotional post. "Through my own fight for justice, I have seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and in our circuit court. And I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures."His words resonated widely with parents across the US many of whom expressed outrage at the fact that his daughter's alleged rapist was released on bond. Comments flooded his post, with users writing messages like, "As someone who lives in Arkansas. We need more men like Aaron that stand up against evil in our law enforcement. Corrupt is an understatement. Look up stories about Jonesboro Arkansas. Hot Springs Ar. Its not just lonoke county. Its rampant down here" and "I'd vote for him if I could. If the system isn't working to protect the innocent and righteous then it's time to change it and get rid of those who stand in the way of that." ( Image credit : iQIYI | Fated Hearts Episode 29 online ) Fated Hearts: Release date and time for Episode 29 Where to Watch Fated Hearts Episode 29 Online? Fated Hearts: Plot Real Chinese drama is back! Fated Hearts is bringing back hope for historical dramas, where the villains actually kill the male lead #FatedHearts pic.twitter.com/pP21IJWYUz Kay (@legendaarykay) October 13, 2025 Fated Hearts: Cast and Characters FAQs Fans of the Chinese dramacan stream Episode 29 online on October 14, 2025, at 3:30 PM IST / 10:00 AM GMT / 6:00 AM ET, according to the official release schedule.In the war-torn Jinxiu Kingdom, archer Fu Yixiao saves Prince Feng Suige but loses her memory after falling off a cliff. Rescued by the Ling family, she unexpectedly reunites with Suige. Once enemies, they must now rely on each other to survive in turbulent Yujing City. Amid betrayal, danger, and dark conspiracies, their bond slowly turns to love as they fight to overcome fate and protect one another.Episode 29 airs on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 3:30 PM IST / 10:00 AM GMT / 6:00 AM ET. It will also be available to international viewers via simultaneous streaming on iQIYI, with English subtitles to make the series accessible to a global audience.Episodes 29 is available to stream on iQIYI - the main legal platforms offering high-quality video and English subtitles. For viewers in the U.S., Canada, India, Indonesia, and iQIYI remains the top choice for watching the series.As the Jinxiu Kingdom teeters on the edge of defeat at the Battle of Pingling, the female archer Fu Yixiao, clad in red, fires a decisive arrow at Susha's eldest prince, Feng Suige, shifting the battles outcome. But triumph is fleeting - Yixiao falls from a cliff and loses her memory, only to be rescued by the Ling family of doctors from the Righteous Villa, where fate reunites her with her former rival, Suige.Recognizing that Yixiao's predicament is tied to the secrets of Pingling, Suige seeks to use her to uncover the truth, while Yixiao must rely on him to survive the relentless pursuit she faces. Once mortal enemies, the two are forced to navigate the dangerous streets of Yujing City together, and through countless near-death encounters, a fragile bond begins to form, and love quietly blooms.Amid betrayal, deception, unfulfilled desires, and the shackles of fate, both are drawn into a perilous game where everyone is simultaneously a player and a pawn. Only by working closely together can Yixiao and Suige hope to survive the dark conspiracy, fulfill the expectations of their people, and protect each other in a world where trust is a luxury.The historical dramastars Li Qin as Fu Yixiao, Chen Zheyuan as Prince Feng Suige, Xia Meng as Feng Xiyang, and Chen Heyi as Xia Jingshi. The 38-episode series premiered on iQIYI on October 2, 2025.Episode 29 will be released on October 14, 2025, at 3:30 PM IST / 10:00 AM GMT / 6:00 AM ET.You can stream Episode 29 ofon iQIYI. All three platforms offer English subtitles.Yes, the series is fully subtitled in English on iQIYI, including Episodes 29.No,is not available on Netflix. It officially streams on iQIYI. Gaza journalist reunites with family after being told they were dead in Israeli custody In prison, Israeli guards told him again and again that Israeli soldiers had killed his entire family a form of psychological torture, he said, meant to break him. But when he walked up the stairs of his Gaza home today, his wife rushed into his arms, his children and parents pic.twitter.com/FAq1OlLPTb Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) October 13, 2025 Sido's emotional reunion with his loved ones quickly went viral ( Image credit : X | @DropSiteNews | Palestinian Prisoners Viral Homecoming Spotlights Israeli Detention System ) Abu Sido recounts starvation in Israeli custody ( Image credit : X | @DropSiteNews | Shadi Abu Sidos Story of Starvation ) Netizens react to the emotional outburst of Shadi Abu Sido ( Image credit : X | @DropSiteNews | Former Gaza Prisoners Story Sparks Global Reactions ) In a shocking revelation, after nearly two years in Israeli detention, Palestinian photojournalist Shadi Abu Sido has broken his silence and described the harrowing conditions and emotional devastation upon returning to a war-torn Gaza. One of those freed in a major prisoner release on Monday, Abu Sido, recounted being starved and taunted by captors who allegedly told him, We killed your children. Gaza is gone. However, in a now-viral video, he is seen reuniting with his family after the release. Let's check out the video and what happened to him.According to a video which is now circulating on the internet, Abu Sido was seen sharing that after enduring months of psychological torment in prison, where Israeli guards repeatedly told him that his entire family had been killed.After enduring months of psychological torment in prison, where Israeli guards repeatedly told him that his entire family had been killed, Saudi Abu Sido's emotional reunion with his loved ones quickly went viral following his release by Hamas.In one of the viral videos, a moment has been captured when he stepped into his Gaza home and saw his wife rushing into his arms, surrounded by their children and his parents, alive, safe and overcome with joy, standing in stark contrast to the cruelty he endured behind bars.According to a social media post, Shadi Abu Sido, a Gaza photojournalist, has described the physical and emotional toll of nearly two years in Israeli custody, saying he was systematically starved and subjected to psychological torment.I went in starving and came out starving, he said, recalling how guards told him, We killed your children. Gaza is gone.Arrested in March 2024 during an Israeli raid on Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital, Abu Sido was accused of being an 'unlawful combatant', a label often used to detain Palestinians without formal charges.As soon as the video surfaced on social media, it quickly went viral and sparked discussion. One X (formerly called Twitter) user wrote under the video and slammed the video, "Abduction? Ha, right. Everyone knows these are criminals."While another said, "Not sure how this is a news site. Pure editorialising here. In just 2 sentences, so many non-facts. Israel withdrew from Gaza almost 20 years ago. Let the Palestinians build a new future and not attack their neighbours."One wrote, "You can't even say the State of Israel. Because contrary to the lies you market to the useful idiots in Europe, we and you understand that you don't really want a state, but that your goal is to destroy the State of Israel and eliminate about 8 million Jews and finish Hitler's work.""Each of these stories deserves the same attention, just as Israeli prisoners are getting all around the world. Not only to equally humanise Palestinians but also to expose the reality and inhumanity to which Palestinian prisoners are exposed under the Israeli judicial system. Dehumanisation of Palestinians will continue within western political and media systems as long as we, the people of the world, allow it to continue," another added."The whole world should be ashamed of letting this happens to them concurrently. Thousands were still in Israeli prisons and they keep abducting more in daily basis." ( Image credit : X/MAGAVoice | While addressing the crowd, Trump called Meloni a beautiful young woman, a comment that immediately sent social media spiralling. ) Trump drops a compliment and a bombshell You dont mind being called beautiful, right? Trump to Meloni "You don't mind being called beautiful, do you? Because you are." Then he can't find the Norwegian leader, so he shouts out to FIFA head Gianni Infantino, who's up on the stage with world leaders, for some reason. #sharmelsheikh #Sharm_el_Sheikh_Agreement pic.twitter.com/XrC2J8sh6u Dexter the Dog (@dexter_doggie) October 13, 2025 Compliment or controversy? ( Image credit : X/MAGAVoice | While addressing the crowd, Trump called Meloni a beautiful young woman, a comment that immediately sent social media spiralling. ) Internet reacted, and it did not go well ( Image credit : X/wardaniel47 | While addressing the crowd, Trump called Meloni a beautiful young woman, a comment that immediately sent social media spiralling. ) Trump to Italian Prime Minister: You are so beautiful Trump to Erdogan: Give my regards to your beautiful wife Trump to Emirates Emir: Wow, a lot of money, infinite money Thomas Jefferson says that we, as rulers of the world, must maintain prestige and character, and our pic.twitter.com/yYaFAXtY6U Richard Smith (@Richard_ezio) October 14, 2025 Meloni keeps it cool Donald Trump once again reminded the world that no global summit is ever too serious for him to make it about him. At a Gaza peace summit in Egypt on Monday, with dozens of world leaders behind him, the former US President paused mid-speech to compliment Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.While addressing the crowd, Trump called Meloni a beautiful young woman, a comment that immediately sent social media spiralling. He acknowledged that saying such a thing could end most political careers, but added that he was willing to take his chances.Turning around mid-speech to look at Meloni, Trump directly asked if she minded being called beautiful. Without waiting for a visible reaction, he followed up by saying she was, in fact, beautiful. Cameras could not capture Melonis immediate response, as Trumps back was blocking the view, but the internet filled in the silence with memes and hot takes.The 48-year-old Meloni, the only woman leader among nearly 30 officials on the stage, stood silently as Trumps remark became the most replayed moment of the summit.Trump did not stop at the compliment. He doubled down, calling Meloni incredible and a respected leader in Italy while praising her political career. While some allies brushed it off as a harmless remark, critics slammed it as another example of Trump reducing a female leader to her looks during a serious geopolitical event.As soon as the clip surfaced online, the internet went into full meme overdrive. X users flooded timelines with reaction gifs, edits and hot takes, calling it everything from the most unexpected collab of the year to classic Trump chaos. Whilesome users cheekily joked that the summit had turned into a Page 3 event, others roasted Trump for turning a serious diplomatic stage into what they called a flirting podium. A few even speculated how Meloni might have reacted off-camera, sparking heated debates and even spicier memes.This is not the first time Trump has landed in hot water for his comments about women. His history of sexist remarks has often overshadowed his political messaging. Only weeks earlier, an appeals court upheld a massive $83.3 million penalty against him for defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, whom he was found to have sexually assaulted.Meloni, a hard-right leader often aligned ideologically with Trump on immigration and cultural issues, has not issued any public comment on the remark. But political analysts believe her poised silence may have been the smartest move of the night.Once again, Trump managed to turn a Gaza peace summit into a global gossip headline. ( Image credit : x | Giorgia Meloni viral reaction at Gaza summit 2025 ) Meloni is 1.4 billion Indians. Ayee Shapath pic.twitter.com/wPgGpRoBTy Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) October 14, 2025 Giorgia Melonis viral reaction to Shahbaz Sharifs Trump-Nobel peace prize comment Donald Trump calls Giorgia Meloni "beautiful" at Gaza Summit Trump to Italys Meloni: "In the U.S., if you tell a woman shes beautiful, your political career is over, but Ill take my chances. You wont be offended if I say youre beautiful, right? Because you are."pic.twitter.com/JSfo604drA IndiaWarMonitor (@IndiaWarMonitor) October 13, 2025 About the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt ( Image credit : X | Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt ) World leaders who attended the summit Donald Trump - United States Abdel Fattah el-Sisi - Egypt Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani - Qatar Recep Tayyip Erdogan - Turkey Emmanuel Macron - France Olaf Scholz - Germany Rishi Sunak - United Kingdom Mahmoud Abbas - Palestinian Authority Why didn't Modi attend Gaza summit in Egypt? ( Image credit : X | Why didn't Modi attend Gaza summit in Egypt? ) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has once again gone viral. This time for her hilarious reaction at the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt. When Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif yet again mentioned that US President Donald Trump should be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, cameras caught Meloni's visibly stunned yet amused expression. She was seen covering her mouth and looked shocked.Was her reaction a mix of disbelief and laughter? Well, the internet is having a field day turning the moment into a flood of memes and reaction clips. Many joked that her reaction captured "what everyone else was thinking" during the summit.In another unexpected moment, Trump called Meloni "beautiful" on the stage at Gaza summit. Complimenting her, he called her a "beautiful young woman" and added, "Im not allowed to say it because usually its the end of your political career if you say it shes a beautiful young woman. But Ill take my chances. You dont mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are."He then praised Meloni's political career and said, "She is incredible, and they really respect her in Italy. She is a very successful politician."While his remarks drew laughter and surprise from the audience, they also sparked a debate online with some calling it "classic Trump" reaction and others saying it was "inappropriate at a peace summit."The Gaza Summit, held on October 13, 2025, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, was a high-profile meeting aimed at formalizing the first phase of a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.The discussions focused on the release of hostages held by both sides, prisoner exchange agreements and plans for post-war reconstruction and long-term stability in Gaza. The summit was seen as a major step toward peace in the Middle East following months of conflict.Several major world leaders attended the Sharm El-Sheikh summit, including:Representatives from the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Nations also took part in the talks.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn't attend the submit. While Indian government cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for skipping the summit, but critics say the real motive was to avoid domestic backlash and maintain a neutral stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. India has traditionally balanced ties with both Israel and the Arab world, and experts believe staying out of the summit was a strategic diplomatic move to prevent any political fallout at home.India, however, was represented at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (October 13, 2025) by Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh. Kerala Sthree Sakthi SS-489 winning numbers, October 14, 2025 1st Prize: Rs. 1 CRORE: SX 649740 2nd Prize: Rs. 30,00,000: SP 476444 3rd Prize: Rs. 5 LAKH: SO 949272 Consolation Prize: Rs. 5,000: SN 649740, SO 649740, SP 649740, SR 649740, SS 649740, ST 649740, SU 649740, SV 649740, SW 649740, SY 649740, SZ 649740 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000: 0243 1345 1572 1593 2991 3357 3701 4545 5004 6258 6644 6816 7300 7343 7884 7953 8280 8925 9186 5th Prize: Rs. 2000: 1264 7006 8276 8800 9247 9666 6th Prize : Rs 1,000: 0095 0829 0874 1198 2103 2217 2392 3560 4120 4380 4541 5062 5199 5387 5627 6187 6411 6427 7599 7892 7972 8394 8407 8522 8562 7th Prize : Rs 500: 0038 0109 0472 0560 0856 0884 0942 1175 1196 1551 1565 1600 1604 1809 1946 2097 2191 2193 2243 2443 2969 3088 3237 3561 3568 3576 3676 3776 3798 3880 4089 4100 4101 4154 4211 4243 4244 4265 4493 4832 4857 4938 5029 5526 5667 6069 6182 6298 6359 6393 6418 6461 6543 6666 6715 6763 6877 6950 7025 7092 7430 7621 7812 7993 8093 8097 8204 8216 8343 8639 8773 8986 9307 9430 9735 9855 8th Prize : Rs 200: 0042 0089 0141 0159 0194 0214 0233 0257 0276 0326 0493 0503 0522 0875 1009 1027 1055 1099 1260 1270 1417 1524 1540 1559 1955 1985 2052 2180 2223 2242 2733 2777 2807 2828 2844 2878 3138 3334 3516 3570 4007 4088 4135 4139 4144 4511 4564 4640 5146 5166 5247 5359 5361 5421 5751 5928 6103 6133 6203 6602 6725 6955 7189 7243 7331 7351 7368 7492 7500 7804 7918 8249 8396 8397 8416 8430 8507 8667 8739 8921 9075 9165 9204 9211 9667 9759 9770 9897 9916 9947 9th Prize : Rs 100: 0048 0333 0344 0510 0576 0604 0616 0640 0649 0716 0719 0792 0794 0810 0819 0876 0992 1131 1242 1249 1282 1377 1443 1473 1522 1542 1685 1708 1720 1780 1791 1863 1902 1964 2056 2116 2156 2221 2299 2345 2360 2396 2557 2600 2689 2723 2775 2786 2834 2854 2866 2943 3105 3167 3207 3397 3418 3470 3499 3571 3623 3691 3719 3818 3820 3847 3895 3932 3947 4162 4178 4202 4246 4341 4379 4406 4509 4517 4521 4528 4561 4605 4775 4784 4790 4810 4823 4850 4867 4894 5210 5238 5256 5258 5263 5285 5300 5515 5575 5633 5646 5655 5733 5847 5871 6113 6148 6150 6178 6209 6578 6626 6654 6713 6737 6860 6953 7081 7089 7232 7265 7281 7285 7317 7394 7561 7637 7680 7784 7868 7872 8025 8211 8255 8284 8421 8503 8581 8641 8646 8826 8848 8856 8983 9068 9107 9286 9547 9647 9886 How to claim your Kerala lottery prize for October 14, 2025? Original winning ticket, signed by you on both sides Passport-size photograph attested by a Gazetted Officer Self-attested copy of your PAN card (mandatory for prizes above Rs 10,000) Valid ID and address proof such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, Ration Card, or PAN card Completed prize claim form with a revenue stamp affixed, available online or at lottery offices Bank details if the prize is above Rs 10,000 (bank account number, IFSC code Prizes up to Rs 5,000: Authorized Kerala lottery retailers Prizes between Rs 5,001 and Rs 1,00,000: District lottery office if you reside in Kerala Directorate of State Lotteries if you reside outside Kerala For higher prizes, claims may require you to present yourself in person or send the documents by registered post for verification. Kerala lottery result today live 3 pm: Upcoming Kerala lottery draws October 15, 2025: Dhanalekshmi DL-67 October 16, 2025: Karunya Plus KN-639 October 17, 2025: Suvarna Keralam SK-68 Kerala lottery result today live: What time are Sthree Sakthi SS-489 results published? FAQs 1. When was the Kerala Sthree Sakthi SS-489 lottery result announced? Answer: The Kerala Sthree Sakthi SS-489 lottery result for October 14, 2025, was officially announced today. The live draw took place at 3 PM at Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, and the full result list was published shortly after on the official Kerala Lottery website. 2. Where can I check the Kerala lottery result for October 14, 2025? Answer: You can check the official Kerala Sthree Sakthi SS-489 lottery result on the Kerala State Lotteries Department website or in the Kerala Government Gazette. Always verify your ticket numbers only through official channels to avoid misinformation. 3. How can I claim my Kerala lottery prize for October 14, 2025? Answer: To claim your prize, verify your ticket, fill out the official prize claim form, and attach the required documents like ID proof, PAN card, and bank details. Submit your claim within 30 days of the draw date to the designated Kerala lottery office or retailer based on your prize amount. 4. What taxes apply to Kerala lottery winnings? Answer: For all Kerala lottery prizes above 10,000, a 30% income tax (TDS) is deducted at source before payment. Winners will receive a TDS certificate from the Kerala Lottery Department to use for income tax filing. 5. What are the next upcoming Kerala lottery draws after October 14, 2025? Answer: The next Kerala lottery draws after Sthree Sakthi SS-489 include Dhanalekshmi DL-67 on October 15, Karunya Plus KN-639 on October 16, and Suvarna Keralam SK-68 on October 17, 2025. Players can check these results live at 3 PM on the official Kerala Lottery website. The Kerala lottery result for today, October 14, 2025, has been announced. The Sthree Sakthi SS-489 Tuesday lucky draw winning numbers are officially out, giving hopeful participants a chance to check if they have won exciting prizes. Stay tuned to verify your numbers and celebrate your luck.The winning numbers for the Sthree Sakthi SS-489 draw for October 14, 2025 include:To claim your Kerala lottery prize for the draw on October 14, 2025, follow these steps:1. Verify your winning ticket number against the official Kerala lottery results published on the Kerala Government Gazette or the official Kerala Lottery website.2. Prepare the required documents:3. Submit your claim within 30 days from the draw date to the appropriate office based on the prize amount:4. Taxes: Income tax at the rate of 30% is deducted at source for prizes above Rs 10,000. You will receive a TDS certificate for tax filing.5. Avoid intermediaries or agents for claiming your prize to prevent scams. Submit only through official government channels.6. Keep all documents and claim acknowledgements safe until you receive your prize.7. Failure to submit your claim within the 30-day deadline can lead to forfeiture of your prize. Treat your winning ticket as valuable and secure it properly.The upcoming Kerala lottery draws after the October 7, 2025, Sthree Sakthi SS-489 draw are:The Kerala Sthree Sakthi SS-489 lottery results for October 14, 2025, are published live at 3:00 PM IST. The draw takes place at Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, near Bakery Junction. The official results start appearing online shortly after 3 PM, with the full official PDF usually available by around 4:00 PM.Disclaimer: The above mentioned data is based on information available from official online sources. We do not endorse or promote any lottery or Teer games. Please play responsibly and verify results through official channels.For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events Muslim man prays for Premanand Maharaj in Medina ( Image credit : Viral Bhayani / Instagram | Man prays for Premanand Maharaj ) Internet reacts to the gesture ( Image credit : X/ @casteobession | Premanand Maharaj ji in his ashram ) Who is Premanand Ji Maharaj? ( Image credit : X/ @Warlock_Shubh | Premanand Maharaj during his Satsang ) A touching moment from the holy city of Medina has gone viral, capturing the hearts of social media users worldwide. A Muslim man was seen offering prayers for Premanand Maharaj, an act that many have celebrated as a powerful example of interfaith respect. The gesture has sparked widespread admiration online, highlighting how simple acts of goodwill can bridge religious and cultural divides and remind us of our shared humanity.Celebrity paparazzi page Viral Bhayani recently shared a heartwarming story that has captured the attention of social media users. According to the post, a man in Medina was seen praying for the well-being and health of Premanand Maharaj. In the photos, he is holding a picture of Maharaj displayed on his phone, demonstrating his devotion and respect.The images of the man praying for Premanand Maharaj in Medina have touched the hearts of people online, drawing an outpouring of emotional responses. Many praised his sincere gesture, describing it as a beautiful act of compassion and interfaith respect. Social media was filled with comments celebrating how such simple yet meaningful actions can transcend religious and cultural boundaries, inspiring a sense of unity and shared humanity.One wrote, All the respect for him. Another added, This is so nice. A third one added, I hope he gets well soon.Premanand Ji Maharaj, originally named Aniruddh Kumar Pandey, was born on March 30, 1969, in Akhri village near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He is a distinguished Hindu ascetic and spiritual guide, widely respected within the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, and lovingly referred to as Premanand Maharaj or Baba Ji by his followers. At just 13 years old, he renounced worldly life to dedicate himself fully to spirituality. During his early years, he meditated along the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi, engaging in rigorous spiritual practices such as daily ritual baths and extended periods of fasting.His devotion led him to be initiated into the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, where he received the "Sharanagati Mantra" and "nij mantra" from his guru, Gaurangi Sharan Ji Maharaj, known as Bade Guruji. Through these teachings, he embraced the profound devotional practices of "Sahachari Bhava" and "Nitya Vihar Rasa," which form the core of the Rasik Saints tradition. ( Image credit : X/ @AllBiteNoBark88 | Prince Andrew advised to "Leave the Country" ) Contradicting public claims The photo that sparked global controversy ( Image credit : X/ @Basil_TGMD | Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre ) Fallout and ongoing scrutiny VIRGINIA GIUFFRE DEAD AT 41 SILENCED FOR GOOD? She exposed Epstein, Maxwell, and Prince Andrew. Survived a bus crashthen "died by suicide"? Convenient. pic.twitter.com/5LZgUyDEL0 Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) April 26, 2025 More revelations ahead ( Image credit : X/ @wtafisgoingon24 | Virginia Giuffre's memoir Nobodys Girl set to release ) Fresh evidence has surfaced indicating the closeness between Prince Andrew and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On October 12, an email report was published by The Mail and The Sun, allegedly showing the Duke of York writing to Epstein, We are in this together. The email was reportedly sent on February 28, 2011, just a day after the infamous photograph of Andrew with Virginia Giuffre was first published.In the email, Prince Andrew wrote, Im just as concerned for you! Dont worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it. He signed off using his royal titles, A, HRH The Duke of York, KG, referencing his knighthood in the Order of the Garter.The alleged email directly challenges Prince Andrews previous claims that he had cut off contact with Epstein in 2010. During his 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, Andrew stated that he had visited Epstein in New York to end their friendship, despite photos of them walking together in Central Park. However, the recently surfaced email indicated their communication continued months later.The photograph of Prince Andrew with his arm around Virginia Giuffre (then Virginia Roberts) at Ghislaine Maxwells London residence has been a point of controversy for over a decade. Giuffre claimed that Epstein trafficked her to have sex with Andrew when she was 17. The Duke of York has repeatedly denied all allegations and, in 2022, settled her civil lawsuit for a reported $13 million without admitting wrongdoing.In hisinterview, Andrew questioned the authenticity of the photo, claiming he did not remember it being taken and suggesting it may have been doctored.The resurfaced email adds another layer of controversy to Dukes reputation, already tarnished by his association with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.This revelation follows another email, published in September, from Andrews ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who had described Epstein as a generous, steadfast, and supreme friend. Although she had previously expressed regret for accepting money from him, the 2011 message sparked renewed criticism.The controversy could intensify further with the forthcoming release of Virginia Giuffres posthumous memoir,, set to hit bookstores later in October 2025. Attempt to seek shelter turns fatal ( Image credit : X/ @macjuicbox | Redwest Music Festival ) Remembered as a beautiful soul ( Image credit : X/ @ToddStottlemyre | Ava Ahlander graduation day ) A life full of passion and generosity Weather delay at RedWest music festival in SLC called for a bonus set from @bigtpedwards pic.twitter.com/mWIYQA9Oyp Jack Jones (@jackjoneshii) October 13, 2025 ( Image credit : X/ @willowaavalon | Willow performing at Redwest Music Festival ) Community mourns a vibrant spirit A 23-year-old woman, Ava Ahlander, was killed in a tragic accident outside the Redwest Music Festival in Salt Lake City after getting hit by falling debris from a nearby construction site. The incident occurred outside the Utah State Fairpark as attendees fled from sudden, powerful wind gusts that swept through the area.reported that the high winds ripped a large wooden plank from a scaffold, hurling it roughly 30 feet through the air before it came crashing down onto Ahlander and her vehicle.Ahlander, with her three friends, was leaving the fairgrounds, attempting to seek shelter from the intensifying weather. As the group stepped out of her car, the plank hit her directly, crushing both her and the vehicle.Police confirmed that she was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite emergency responders managing to revive her at the scene, doctors later determined that she had no brain activity.Family members confirmed on Monday that Ahlander passed away due to her injuries. Her uncle, Bobby Ahlander, shared the tragic news on Facebook, describing his niece as a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and adventurous spirit touched everyone around her.Ava Ahlander, originally from American Fork, Utah, had been living in Seattle, Washington, and returned home to attend the music festival with friends and see one of her favorite artists, Post Malone. After graduating from American Fork High School, she attended college in Oregon before settling in the Pacific Northwest, where she developed a deep love for the outdoors and ocean life.Her family noted that Ava was kept on life support long enough for loved ones to say their final goodbyes. Even in her passing, Ava continues to give the gift of life to others as an organ donor, a final act of generosity that truly reflects her caring nature, they wrote on a GoFundMe created to cover medical and funeral expenses.Friends and family remembered Ahlander as an absolute delight of a human being whose adventurous energy and bright smile made her unforgettable. The community continues to rally behind her loved ones, honoring the memory of a young woman who lived life with an open heart, joy, and kindness. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On October 13, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle and CATL signed a new five-year strategic cooperation agreement in Ningde, Fujian, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account. Building on their earlier successful collaboration, the two companies will embark on a deeper partnership focused on advancing commercial vehicle electrification. The renewed alliance will cover frontier technology development, global market expansion, aftermarket growth, and the joint creation of a sustainable industrial ecosystem all aimed at mutual growth and industry leadership. Photo credit: CATL The partnership will revolve around three main pillars: product R&D, the establishment of industry standards, and collaborative ecosystem building. In product development, the companies plan to leverage their complementary strengths across key segments including tractor-trailers, dump trucks, cargo vehicles, and specialty models to deliver more efficient and reliable zero-carbon logistics solutions. On the standards front, Dongfeng Motor and CATL will jointly promote innovation in materials, systems, and technologies to help define new benchmarks for commercial vehicle battery systems, reinforcing their leadership in advancing the sector's technological frontiers. The two sides also intend to build a more robust ecosystem by exploring battery banking models, expanding battery-swap station networks, and accelerating the deployment of ultra-fast charging technologies all aimed at fostering a more sustainable and interconnected commercial vehicle value chain. Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle, a core division of Dongfeng Motor Group specializing in medium and heavy-duty trucks, remains one of China's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. Through this strengthened partnership with CATL, the company aims to further steer the industry's shift toward new energy vehicle solutions. Together, the two sides will focus on technological breakthroughs and business model innovation to build a safe, efficient, and scalable new energy ecosystem for commercial transport, contributing to the realization of a zero-carbon future for global logistics. A step towards affordable flying How the Fare Se Fursat scheme works Why the timing matters Supporting UDANs vision of People-Friendly aviation Benefits of Alliance Airs Fare Se Fursat FAQs This festival say goodbye to changing ticket prices. Enjoy one fixed fare for your whole trip, in line with the UDAN vision. Alliance Air has rolled out an exciting new initiative called Fare Se Fursat, designed to make air travel simpler and more affordable for everyone. Announced by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, this move aims to protect passengers from the stress of changing airfares by offering fixed ticket prices, no matter when you book even on the day of travel.The government-owned regional airline described this as a forward-thinking step to encourage more Indians to fly without worrying about last-minute price hikes.During the launch event, Rammohan Naidu said the Fare Se Fursat scheme fits perfectly with the goals of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) programme a government mission to make flying accessible to every citizen.He explained, Alliance Airs Fare Se Fursat ensures freedom from fluctuating fares, helping the middle class, lower-middle class and neo-middle class enjoy stress-free travel.Several key officials attended the launch, including Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, Alliance Air Chairman Amit Kumar, and CEO Rajarshi Sen.Under the new scheme, Alliance Air offers a single, fixed fare for selected routes. This means your ticket price remains constant regardless of when you book. Whether you plan months ahead or decide to fly on the same day, the fare stays the same.Initially, the scheme will run as a pilot programme from 13 October to 31 December 2025, covering a few select routes. This test phase will help assess its practicality and how well passengers respond.According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), this initiative aims to remove the uncertainty around airfare fluctuations, a common problem during the festive season when prices typically skyrocket due to heavy demand.The Fare Se Fursat launch comes just before Diwali 2025, when airfares usually rise sharply. Data from travel platforms like Ixigo and EaseMyTrip shows that ticket prices during this period have increased by over 50 per cent year-on-year on popular routes.For instance:Hyderabad to Jaipur fares jumped from Rs 6,500 to nearly Rs 12,000.Hyderabad to Delhi fares rose from Rs 4,000Rs 7,000 last year to Rs 7,000Rs 12,000 now.By offering fixed pricing, Alliance Airs Fare Se Fursat could give relief to travellers who often face sudden spikes in fares during holidays or emergencies.Minister Naidu also spoke about the governments efforts to make airports more passenger-friendly. He mentioned the introduction of UDAN Yatri Cafes, which offer tea for Rs 10, coffee for Rs 20, and snacks for Rs 20 a small but meaningful step towards affordable airport services.He added, The concept of One Route, One Fare reflects Naye Bharat ki Udaan focusing on public service over profit.This people-centric approach aligns with Alliance Airs role as a public service airline, connecting tier 2 and tier 3 cities where affordable travel options are most needed.The Fare Se Fursat initiative offers multiple benefits to travellers:No last-minute surge in airfares.Plan anytime without worrying about higher costs.Ideal for passengers from smaller cities and towns.One simple fare structure for selected routes.Promotes equal access to air travel.Overall, the Fare Se Fursat scheme is a bold step towards democratising aviation in India turning air travel from a luxury into a regular mode of transport for millions.With Alliance Airs Fare Se Fursat, flying in India could become far more predictable and affordable. If successful, this scheme could reshape how airlines price their tickets and help bridge the gap between premium and regional air travel.By fixing fares and focusing on passenger convenience, Alliance Air has taken a clear step towards a fairer, more people-first aviation model.Its a fixed-fare initiative by Alliance Air that ensures ticket prices remain the same regardless of booking date.Its a pilot programme running from 13 October to 31 December 2025 on select routes.Fixed fares, transparency, no last-minute price spikes, and easier access for smaller-city travellers.No, initially it covers only specific routes to test its feasibility.Yes, it supports UDANs mission of making flying affordable and accessible for all Indians. Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay! Panamanian Ambassador: China sets a strong example in promoting gender equality 15:56, October 14, 2025 By Zhao Tong ( People's Daily Online At the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women held from October 13 to 14, 2025 in Beijing, the Ambassador of Panama to China Miguel Humberto Lecaro Barcenas praised China's ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and empower women, calling it "a good example to the world." The ambassador noted that the event served as "an opportunity to renew the principles" that inspired global cooperation on women's advancement. "We are here to reconsider what we must do to build a system with equality and equal opportunities for women and girls," he said, pointing out that "the expectation for this important meeting is to reaffirm those principles and continue working every day to achieve the goals we set since the first gathering in Beijing in 1995." Speaking about China's role, the ambassador highlighted that the country has demonstrated how women can thrive in leadership across various sectors. "China gives a good example to the world about integration and opportunities for women at all levels," he said, adding that "we have to follow that example. In Panama, we've had a woman president, and our cabinet is almost half women. But we continue learning from major countries like China, which have paved the way for progress." When asked what comes to mind when thinking about China and women, the ambassador answered without hesitation: "Equality." He explained that he sees this every day in China. "You find it everywherefemale executives, leaders in both the public and private sectors, and in universities where there are often more women than men. Women are in charge and shaping the modern world," he said. The ambassador also emphasized China's leadership in international cooperation, noting that China has long taken the lead in advancing gender equality through global organizations like the United Nations. "It provides an example and leadership that all countries should follow," he added. The ambassador concluded by stressing the significance of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women as a platform for dialogue and shared progress. "This event allows us to exchange ideas and decide what we can do together to keep advancing this cause," he said, further stating that it offers a great opportunity to bring global leaders under one roof in Beijing. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chengliang) The TS State of Maine, Maine Maritime Academys new National Security MultiMission Vessel (NSMV), was christened on Aug. 26 at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard. Read more China on Tuesday prohibited factories that supply industries around the world from doing business with Hanwha Philly Shipyard and four other subsidiaries of Koreas Hanwha industrial group. Chinas Ministry of Commerce accused Hanwha of having assisted and supported U.S. trade investigations that the Trump administration used to justify new $50-a-ton port fees against China-built ships and other fees and restrictions that severely damage Chinese companies. Advertisement Chinas cutoff, as President Donald Trump and China leader Xi Jinping move toward a scheduled meeting in Korea at a trade conference on Halloween, squeezes Korea and its key shipbuilding industry between its Chinese materials suppliers and its U.S. shipping customers. Hanwha is seeking U.S. Navy contracts and rapid expansion of the Philly yard. Shares of Hanwha Ocean, the companys shipping and shipbuilding group, fell 6% Tuesday as Hanwha officials said they are reviewing the potential impact of losing its Chinese suppliers. We are aware of the announcement by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, and we are currently reviewing the details, Hanwha said in a statement. The company will continue to provide world-class maritime services to our customers, including through our investments in the U.S. maritime industry and via Hanwha Philly Shipyard. U.S. sanctions against China, including punitive ship docking fees scheduled to take effect Tuesday, seriously violate international law and basic norms of world trade, Chinas export agency said in a statement. China has retaliated with its own port fees against U.S.-flagged ships, though relatively few call at Chinese ports. The Trump administration has said its fees and tariffs protect U.S. strategic and economic interests and punish Chinas own targeting of U.S. maritime industries. China is the worlds leading shipbuilder, and the Republic of Korea is the second-largest, measured by ship cargo space. The United States has partnered with Hanwha and other Korean companies in an attempt to invigorate U.S. commercial shipbuilding and speed an expanded Navy to sea. Korean President Lee Jae Myung, in Philadelphia last month, pledged to invest $5 billion in the Philadelphia shipyard, which Hanwha purchased last year for $100 million from its European owner, Aker. The investment is part of a much larger pledge to finance expanded shipbuilding in the United States, though talks are ongoing on whether Korean government and industry will make large equity investments in U.S. facilities or arrange loans to finance expansion. The Hanwha group, which operates much larger shipyards in Korea, wants to boost the Philadelphia yards production from its recent one civilian ship every eight months to 20 commercial and Navy ships a year. It plans to add dry docks, cranes, robotic welders, and other capital equipment and expand into nearby properties on the former Philadelphia Navy Base and other available facilities. It expects the workforce to more than double to 4,000 in the next several years. Rear Adm. Thomas J. Anderson at a Washington ceremony in 2023, when he was a leader at NAVSEA, the Navy engineering arm that remains one of Philadelphia's largest employers, almost 30 years after the city's naval shipyard closed. Armstrong in October 2025 became president of shipbuilding at Hanwha Defense USA, which seeks to resume building ships for the Navy in Philadelphia. Read more Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, newly retired, was among the U.S. Navy members and veterans who came to Philadelphia this month as the service prepared to celebrate its 250th anniversary in the place where it was founded. His new job: to make the city again a Navy shipbuilding center, three decades after the old Philadelphia Naval Shipyard closed in the post-Cold War military cuts. Advertisement The New Jersey native was hired Oct. 6 as president of shipbuilding for Korean-owned Hanwha Defense USA to head efforts seeking Navy contracts for the Hanwha Philly Shipyard, which the Korean industrial group acquired last year. Hanwha says it plans $5 billion in investment that would more than double employment at the former Navy yard to around 4,000 and expand production more than tenfold to 20 ships a year, including Navy and civilian vessels. In an interview Thursday a day that Navy contractors gathered at Cherry Street Pier and heard Maritime Industrial Base leader Joshua Sturgill tell how wars are won by manufacturing and call for 25,000 new shipyard workers per year Anderson addressed questions on his past and the yards future. Why are you joining Hanwha? Im passionate about expanding U.S. ship capability and building at scale. In the Navy, I interacted with Hanwha. They move quickly. From buying the yard to finding additional capacity, they are all in. I have joined a team that is going to significantly improve procurement. What did you learn from your time as head of shipbuilding for the troubled, multibillion-dollar Littoral Combat Ships, which the Navy is retiring from service? We had two fledgling shipyards, both with foreign parents: Fincantieri and Austal. One of the big lessons was the challenge in bringing their expertise from the parent company to the U.S. These were foreign defense contractors that needed permission from multiple governments. They were restricted in using the military expertise they had in their parent companies nation. And as they worked, they were faced with changing U.S. requirements. How will shipbuilding be different this time? There is an understanding that weve gotten bogged down in the pursuit of the exquisite at the expense of the acceptable. We need to flip that and move from low-volume, high-complexity requirements to a lower-complexity, higher-volume model. You cant keep stopping and making major changes as you build ships, if you want [faster production]. The big shipbuilders around the world the model in China, Korea, and Japan they are commercial shipbuilders who also do some building for their navies. In the U.S., we have that upside down. The Navy is going it alone with a little help from commercial yards. I was really excited about the SHIPS for America Act making its way through Congress. It is an attempt to get us in a better place with regard to commercial shipbuilding [through federal subsidies and incentives, and restrictions on foreign vessels]. Hanwha is a commercial shipbuilder. They dont have the limitations of working only in defense products. So they are bringing the workforce in Philadelphia up to speed on design, workforce, and infrastructure and leveraging the knowledge they have gained building so many ships in Korea. How much work is there for U.S. shipyards? If you look at what the Navy, the Coast Guard, and the [federal civilian] Maritime Administration wants to build, it exceeds the capacity of all the [U.S.] shipyards. They will have significant work for years. How will you find more workers? Theres a real shortage across the nation of blue-collar workforce. During COVID, many senior people retired. Now the Navy through the Maritime Industrial Base Program is working to set up training centers. You may see submarines on TV getting folks interested in blue-collar jobs. I dont think were over the hump. We have more jobs than people to fill them. With new technology, will you need fewer people? Philly is leveraging their know-how from Korea with systems they use that are very efficient. Less human labor is required because they have machines that do really good work. They have an excellent training curriculum; youve seen people coming in and getting up to speed. People see its safe, and you can move up. We lost that pride in working in this industry, but were on the uptick. Who will manage the shipbuilding? In Philadelphia, for the ships built for the Maritime Administration [starting in 2020], there was this utilization of a VCM a vessel construction manager, a third party [Tote Services], to oversee construction of a ship. They understand commercial standards and that allows very efficient construction. Theres a movement in Congress to move to VCMs. For us in Philly thats a good thing. How fast can ships be built? When I visited [Hanwhas Okpo shipyard], they were delivering 40 ships a year a scale we dont understand in the United States. We have done it before. Hopefully we get back to a place where we do it again. Philly is a place where we plan to do it in significant numbers. Whats the future of Philadelphias Navy Yard? I love that we are bringing back shipbuilding in a major way to Philly. There are remnants from when it was a hustling bustling Navy yard. To go there and see all thats going on and how big it will be, Im excited to watch it expand. Its completely and totally appropriate the Navy is being celebrated in a big way here. There will be a significant permanent Navy presence again. Youll have more work on the waterfront, and sailors walking the streets. Matt Czapla has been stopping at Philly-area Acme and Giant stores, looking for Iron Hill beer. But in the weeks since the regional chain closed all stores and filed for liquidation bankruptcy, he has had no luck getting his hands on their cans. Advertisement Ive been trying to track it down, said Czapla, 42, of Springfield, Delaware County. There is really nothing on the shelves. On Thanksgiving hed like to drink Iron Hill beers with his dad one last time, he said. Czapla is among the local consumers who have posed a version of this question in neighborhood Facebook groups and other online forums: Now that Iron Hill is bankrupt, what happens to all the beer? When Iron Hill restaurants shut their doors on Sept. 26, some locations inventories included thousands of dollars worth of beer, according to documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey. The Newtown, Bucks County, location alone listed as an asset more than $11,000 worth of beer, including more than $4,000 in cans, according to the filings. READ MORE: Iron Hill Brewery has officially filed for bankruptcy, saying it has $125,000 in cash and owes creditors $20 million I would hope they dont just dump it. Its not Prohibition, said James Yoakum, an attorney with Phillys Kleinbard firm who regularly represents clients in the craft beverage industry (but does not represent Iron Hill). Where it shows up would be the question. Given that some front-of-house employees said they received no notice of Iron Hills closures, brewers likely did not get a heads up to wind down production, said Yoakum, who once owned Cooper River Distillers, a Camden distillery and cocktail bar that closed in 2018. Iron Hill breweries probably have beer at all stages. They probably have beer ready in kegs. They probably have some beer that is still fermenting, Yoakum said. Its not their most valuable asset. [But] I would hope that it gets sold to other bars that can put it on tap before it goes bad. The canned beer that Iron Hill produced in Exton has a longer shelf life, Yoakum said, and would be easier to get on the market if there is any staff left to physically distribute it. However, each state has its own third-party distribution rules, he added, and any sale of remaining cans now has to be approved by a bankruptcy judge. If OKd, the proceeds of any beer sales would go toward paying the companys debts. All of this will play out during the bankruptcy process, which Yoakum said could take anywhere from several months to just over a year. What happens to Iron Hills food? Theres probably much less food laying around, Yoakum said, since most restaurants get regular deliveries. Former employees at several local Iron Hill restaurants said perishable food was taken home by employees, donated, or thrown away. One Center City worker said they were told the nonperishable items would be auctioned to other restaurants. Jennifer Mondoro, who worked as a server at the Hershey location, noted that her former coworkers were able to donate some food to an organization that feeds children facing food insecurity. Former staff at that restaurant told local TV stations that they gave away a few thousand dollars worth of perishable food, which had been prepped the day prior, but had to throw away almost twice as much. Jayson Shipp, who was a sous chef at the Voorhees and Maple Shade locations, told The Inquirer last month that he was concerned about the amount of food waste. When the Voorhees restaurant closed, weeks before all locations shuttered, he said staff transferred some proteins, such as steak and fish, to other Iron Hill locations, and were instructed to toss the rest. During the clean-out, Shipp said he filled two large dumpsters to the brim: I threw out thousands of dollars worth of food. Zhengcheng Huang asked drug buyers to pay in Bitcoin, which made digital transactions harder to trace. Read more Zhengcheng Huangs scheme was relatively straightforward, federal prosecutors said: Using the moniker Chinodrug on the dark web, Huang made illegal shipments of oxycodone to buyers across the United States, and typically asked to be paid in Bitcoin, which made the digital transactions harder to trace. But after Huang pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, federal prosecutors in Philadelphia moved to seize his illicit proceeds and that kicked off a unique legal battle. Advertisement The typical fine for a defendant found guilty of the crime to which Huang admitted ranges between $500,000 and $1 million, prosecutors and Huangs lawyers agreed. And had Huang been paid in cash for his drugs, his lawyers said, the shipments he would have been responsible for overseeing would have generated about $1.7 million. But because buyers paid in Bitcoin, and because the currency has been skyrocketing in value in recent years, the nearly 200 Bitcoins found in Huangs digital accounts are now worth almost $25 million. And the government moved to seize all of it. His lawyers took a variety of steps to try to prevent Huang from having to forfeit his crypto fortune arguing in court documents that he purchased some of the Bitcoins with legitimate money, that the value of the seizure was significantly higher than the amount of drugs he sold, and that the governments actions amounted to a violation of his Eighth Amendment protection against excessive fines or punishments. U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson disagreed and allowed the seizure to move forward. In an opinion explaining his reasoning, Baylson compared Huangs plight to that of characters in the 19th-century German operas from the Ring cycle, composed by Richard Wagner. In the musical epics, Baylson wrote, characters obsess and compete over a magical ring forged from Rhine gold, which is ultimately used to help build a castle, dubbed Valhalla, that is destroyed in flames. Indeed, the great quantities of Bitcoin have neither been seen, touched, or held, Baylson wrote. No one knows for sure what will be the outcome of adventures in Bitcoin and it may someday go up in flames just as Valhalla in Wagners opera. In court Tuesday, Huang apologized for his actions, telling Baylson: I shouldnt use peoples addiction to exploit [them] for financial earnings. I am sorry. Still, Baylson a veteran judge and, before that, the regions top federal prosecutor said the case was one of the most serious drug cases, in terms of quantity of drugs, that Ive ever come across. In addition to approving the multimillion-dollar forfeiture, Baylson sentenced Huang to 15 years in federal prison. It is simply inexcusable for anyone to conduct a drug enterprise of this size and over a lengthy period of time," Baylson said. Huangs oxycodone scheme began to unravel in 2022, court documents said, when investigators discovered that someone from Bucks County had been sending tens of thousands of dollars in virtual currency to a dark web marketplace, which the buyer later identified as Chinodrug. On its vendor page, court documents said, Chinodrug advertised different quantities of Percocet and oxycodone for sale, saying products were shipped directly to customers using the U.S. Postal Service. Stealth packaging is always provided, the Chinodrug page said, according to court documents. Products are hidden inside a decoy item. Prosecutors said that Huang, a native of China and legal permanent resident of the United States, maintained his supply of pills near his home in northwestern Washington, outside Seattle, but that his shipments reached buyers in states including Pennsylvania, California, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Florida. After speaking with the Bucks County buyer, prosecutors said, investigators found a Stamps.com account linked to Chinodrug that was responsible for about 15,000 shipments. And later, court documents said, a witness gave a federal agent information about a Bitcoin account that Chinodrug had used to make a payment. That allowed authorities to trace the crypto trail back to Chinodrug, and ultimately to Huang, who they discovered possessed about 200 Bitcoins. Prosecutors contend that all of Huangs digital currency came from his time working with Chinodrug a six-year time frame they said spanned from 2018 until his arrest in 2024. But Huangs attorneys said he joined the operation only in 2021, when he bought the Chinodrug online marketplace and began overseeing its shipments. As a result, his lawyers said, he was responsible for only about $1.7 million worth of gross receipts the equivalent of about 25 Bitcoins in todays value. In addition, they said, some of his 200 Bitcoins had been purchased with family money or cash he generated from income unrelated to drugs. And they said seizing all of his crypto investments would be an improperly excessive punishment one that would result in the government receiving nearly 25 times the amount Huang would have been subject to even if he faced the maximum fine for his crimes. No matter how one tries to justify it, that is grossly disproportionate, his lawyers wrote. But Baylson, in his opinion, said he was not inclined to accept the premise that he needed to accept what Bitcoin is worth in U.S. dollars, calling its value highly speculative and saying Congress has not recognized it as a currency of value. 199.47 bitcoin could be worthless tomorrow, whereas $20 million of legal tender currency is much less likely to become worthless, he wrote. He also said prosecutors had demonstrated that Huang received the currency as part of his drug trafficking, and said its forfeiture was therefore not grossly disproportional to the considerable gravity of the offense. In court Tuesday, Huangs attorney, Susan M. Lin, said Huang may seek to appeal Baylsons forfeiture order, while prosecutors said that if it is upheld, they might move to liquidate Huangs crypto holdings. Baylson, however, seemed nonplussed by all the legal wrangling over the burgeoning currencys potential value. Its purely hypothetical based on chatter on the internet, he said, and I really cant give it any credibility. In a screen capture taken from security video at the governors mansion in Harrisburg, Cody Balmer is seen setting fire to the building, breaking windows and kicking at interior doors. Balmer pleaded guilty to attempted murder and related crimes on Tuesday and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. Read more HARRISBURG Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting the governors mansion ablaze in an attempt on Gov. Josh Shapiros life this spring, pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted murder and related crimes and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. Balmer, 38, admitted his guilt in the overnight attack on Shapiros official residence, which took place just hours after the governor and his family had celebrated Passover there. Police said Balmer walked for more than an hour from his Harrisburg home to the downtown estate around 2 a.m. April 13, scaled a fence, and lit several fires using incendiary devices before fleeing the property undetected by security. Advertisement The blaze broke out as the governor and his family slept. They were awakened by state troopers and escaped unharmed with the two family dogs. The fire did significant damage to the property that officials say will cost millions to repair. Balmer was arrested the next afternoon after turning himself in. He carried a hammer and beer bottles filled with gasoline on the evening of the attack, police said, and told investigators that he harbored a hatred for Shapiro and that he would have attacked the Democratic governor had he encountered him. The crime drew national attention and some, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), questioned whether Balmer had antisemitic motivations because he set the fire on a Jewish holiday at the home of a governor who has visibly embraced his religion. In the days after the blaze, an emotional Shapiro condemned the violence and said the arson would not deter him from practicing his faith. Speaking to reporters at the state Capitol shortly after Tuesdays court hearing, Shapiro said Balmers guilty plea was a just outcome. Standing with his wife, Lori, by his side, the governor decried Balmers crimes and said he found it difficult to contemplate that by Balmers own admission what happened on that April night was attempted murder. He tried to burn our family to death while we slept, Shapiro said. The fire at the governors mansion shattered his familys sense of safety, he said, in part because it happened in the place that was supposed to be the safest place we could be. Shapiro said the video footage of the crime was difficult to watch. Of the images, he said, Theyve been haunting me for months. Ive been trying to unsee them for the last six months. Balmer told authorities he targeted Shapiro because he disagreed with his stance on the war in Gaza and his support for Israel amid the suffering of Palestinians. Balmers family said he struggled with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and had not been taking his medication. They said he had not been motivated by political ideology, and on social media, Balmer espoused conflicting political views. In court Tuesday, Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo played chilling security footage of Balmers assault on the governors residence in which he was seen strolling casually across the well-lit, manicured lawn, then using a sledgehammer to break a window and throwing a Molotov cocktail inside. A second exterior camera captured the blaze that quickly erupted, eventually engulfing part of the home. Balmer then made his way inside through another window, the footage showed, then kicked at a door several times before moving into the dining area to light another firebomb. Had Balmer successfully broken down that door, the prosecutor said, he could have entered the wing of the home where the governor, his family, and 15 houseguests eight of them children slept. Although Shapiro, his family, and everyone else in the home escaped safely, Chardo said, the crime left them feeling shaken and vulnerable. Shapiro, he said, feels guilt that his children and others were put at risk in a place where they should have felt secure and added that the governor now fears for his own safety, both at home and during public appearances. Balmer appeared in the Dauphin County courtroom of Common Pleas Court Judge Deborah Curcillo wearing a maroon prison jumpsuit and calmly answered yes when asked whether he understood the consequences of his plea. In addition to attempted murder, he pleaded guilty to arson, terrorism, reckless endangerment, and related crimes. Before handing down her sentence, Curcillo called the security footage horrific. That was very frightening, she said. Members of Balmers family were in the courtroom as Chardo read a statement on their behalf. They wrote that Balmer was a beloved father, brother, and son who had struggled with mental health issues after stopping his medication because he believed he was well again. The family was desperate to get him help, they wrote, and said they had previously reported Balmer to authorities for his erratic behavior but were told he was not a danger to himself or society. They also offered apologies to Shapiro and his family. Balmers attorney, Bryan S. Walk, said his client was deeply remorseful for his crimes and plans to pursue mental health treatment in prison. In the decade preceding the April 13 attack, Balmer, who had worked as an auto mechanic, had faced criminal charges, including for assault and forgery. He pleaded guilty to forging a paycheck in 2016 and was sentenced to 18 months probation in Dauphin County. As recently as 2023, Balmer was in and out of court in a custody battle involving his children. He was charged with simple assault that year in a domestic violence incident involving his former wife and stepson. The case is pending. Balmers online political musings were largely critical of Democratic officials, including former President Joe Biden, though he appeared to support some other Democratic candidates. He was not registered to vote with either major political party. Balmers disdain for Shapiro, however, was palpable. He told police he would have beaten the governor with the hammer he carried had he encountered him on the evening of the attack. After scaling the mansions fence and breaking inside the residence, Balmer lit a Heineken bottle filled with gasoline and started a fire in the piano room before moving on to the dining room, where Shapiro and at least 25 others had celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday just hours earlier. Balmer told an ex-girlfriend shortly after the attack he had attempted to set the governors residence ablaze and asked her to report him to the authorities. And less than an hour after the setting the fire, Balmer called police to admit the crime and criticized Shapiro, one of the countrys most prominent Jewish officials, saying he needed the governor to know he will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people. He also called the governor a monster. While Balmers girlfriend alerted authorities, it was Balmer who ultimately turned himself in. In addition to the prison sentence, Balmer was ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution. He will not be eligible for parole until 2050, according to the district attorneys office. Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article. Michael Dutkiewicz is escorted out of a courtroom in the Montgomery County Courthouse. Dutkiewicz is on trial this week in the murder of Alyssa Wiest, his girlfriend. Read more When Alyssa Wiest broke up with her boyfriend after a night out in May, she had no idea that her life was in danger, Montgomery County prosecutors said Tuesday at the beginning of her alleged killers trial. But Michael Dutkiewicz, 27, could not accept her decision, and he executed Wiest in what Assistant District Attorney Yasmine Finnegan said was a clear case of first-degree murder. Advertisement She couldnt have known shed pay for her decision with her life, Finnegan said. He formulated and plan and decided to kill her. Dutkiewicz, of Warrington, is on trial for murder after shooting Wiest multiple times May 18 with a .38 caliber revolver she kept in her West Conshohocken home for self-defense, prosecutors said. The final gunshot, aimed at her head, came as Wiest, 25, lay on the pavement outside her apartment on Moorehead Avenue, critically wounded. Dutkiewiczs attorney, Timothy Woodward, told jurors the case was not a whodunit or a howdunit, but a whydunit. He explained that, in the hours before the shooting, the couple had been out drinking at a bar in Ambler, and had come home heavily intoxicated. The combination of too much alcohol and the emotional instability of Michael Dutkiewicz because of the unexpected breakup, along with the presence of a gun, led to a toxic situation that ended in tragedy, Woodward said. He told jurors the shooting was not premeditated. But Finnegan said evidence proved Dutkiewicz planned the killing: He Googled, how to load and shoot a revolver moments before the shooting, and confronted Wiest with the loaded gun after she packed his clothes in a suitcase and told him to leave her home. Wiest worked as a microbiologist at GSK, and was an ambitious career woman who loved her family and traveling. Her sister, Alexandria Wiest Lang, testified Tuesday that the couple had started dating in the spring of 2024, not long after Wiest had left a long-term relationship. Wiest, her sister said, told her she planned to break up with Dutkiewicz in May. They never expected Dutkiewicz, who was a friend of their cousin, to turn violent when confronted with the prospect of an end to their relationship. Three of Wiests neighbors testified Tuesday that they heard a chilling scream that night, followed by multiple gunshots. One of the neighbors said Wiests guttural screams made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. The neighbors told police they saw Dutkiewicz back his pickup truck out of Wiests driveway and speed away. He drove to his parents beach house in Wildwood, where he stored the gun he used to kill Wiest, prosecutors said. Hours later, Dutkiewiczs parents contacted West Consohocken Police to turn him in. The trial is expected to last through Thursday before Montgomery County Court Judge Wendy Rothstein. Xzavier Gregory, 16, was shot and killed Sunday in Rhawnhurst after police said an argument among teens led to gunfire. Read more A 16-year-old was shot and killed over the weekend, and another teen has been charged with his killing, after police said an argument among teenagers escalated to gunfire. Sahhir Mouzon, 17, was charged with murder and related crimes Monday in the shooting death of Xzavier Gregory near Teesdale and Frontenac Streets in the citys Rhawnhurst section Sunday afternoon. Advertisement Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom, commander of the Homicide Unit, said the shooting stemmed from a dispute among teens at the Jardel Recreation Center the previous week. The teens then gathered again Sunday on Teesdale Street, where there was another brief argument, he said. Then, just before 4 p.m., he said, Mouzon came out of a house and started shooting toward Gregory and the teens he was with. More than 40 shots were fired, police said. Gregory was shot in the chest, police said. Officers rushed him to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where he died within minutes, police said. READ MORE: An 18-year-old was set to start his first job this week. He was shot and killed overnight in Strawberry Mansion. Police later found an 18-year-old woman in a laundromat around the corner who had been shot in the ankle as she walked by the teens. She was a bystander struck by a stray bullet, Ransom said, and was in stable condition at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital. Gregory was one of five people killed over the weekend in Philadelphia another young life lost even as violence in the city reaches near-record lows. Gregorys mother, reached by phone Monday, declined to speak as her family grappled with the loss. Photos shared online showed a vibrant young man who loved the Eagles and attended games with his father. Steven Yanni, formerly the superintendent in Central Bucks, is now CEO of Northwood Academy Charter School. Yanni faced termination charges amid allegations that he and others mishandled child abuse allegations at a Jamison elementary school. Read more Steven Yanni, the former Central Bucks superintendent who faced termination charges amid allegations that he and others mishandled child abuse allegations, has left that school system. Yanni is now the CEO of Northwood Academy, a K-8 charter in the citys Frankford section. Advertisement Yanni and other Central Bucks administrators were accused of improperly handling a report that students with disabilities who attended Jamison Elementary were being abused by a teacher and an educational assistant at the school. Students in an autistic support classroom at Jamison were illegally restrained, creating a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury and likely interfering with their breathing, according to the nonprofit Disability Rights Pennsylvania. Yanni and the Jamison principal David Heineman defended themselves at an August termination hearing. Yanni testified at that hearing that he acted based on information given to him by other district staff and legal officials. As a superintendent, I need to be able to trust the people around me to give me the information that I might not have or not know, Yanni said at the termination hearing. He said that he felt he was being scapegoated by the Central Bucks board, and he underscored that he never lied to or misled parents, the board, or authorities. No final action on Yannis termination had yet been taken by the Central Bucks school board before his resignation. Northwood, a K-8 that educates about 450 students, sits on Castor Avenue in Frankford. In an Oct. 6 message to the charter school community, Yanni wrote that he was truly honored to take the CEO job at Northwood. What drew me to Northwood was not just its academic reputation, but also the spirit of care and commitment that shines through in its students, staff, and families, he wrote. It is clear that this is a place where children are known, valued, and challenged to reach their full potential. Yanni said in the letter that he would spend time listening to students, families, teachers, and staff, that he believes deeply in educators, and that he will always work to ensure that our school is a place where every student feels a true sense of belonging and opportunity. Prior to his time in Central Bucks, Yanni worked as the superintendent in Lower Merion, Upper Dublin, and New Hope-Solebury districts. A still from Rian Johnson's "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" which will screen as part of the 2025 Philadelphia Film Festival Read more More than 100 films are scheduled to play at this years Philadelphia Film Festival . There are shorts, documentaries, and features that have either toured the world or are making their debuts. Heres what former Inquirer film critic Carrie Rickey and frequent Inquirer contributor Stephen Silver are most excited to see at this years festival. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery The first two Knives Out movies, the 2019 original and 2022s Glass Onion, both played at the Philadelphia Film Festival, with director Rian Johnson in attendance. This year, the third film is set for opening night, with Johnson once again on hand as a special guest at the Film Society Center showing. Daniel Craig returns as unorthodox private detective Benoit Blanc, this time unraveling a mystery involving a charismatic monsignor, played by Josh Brolin. Josh OConnor, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, and Mila Kunis are also on board. SS La Grazia In Paolo Sorrentinos film about a fictional Italian president facing the end of his term, Toni Servillo inhabits the role of an erect, correct, former judge, the embodiment of Aristotles belief that the law is reason free of passion. Advertisement Though the president resembles one of Magrittes self-contained and topcoated figures, he has his passions. The last months of his presidency weigh him down. Should this pious Catholic sign a law permitting euthanasia? His confessor, the Pope, suggests that the president unburden himself of the unbearable heaviness of being. Servillos acting is so deeply felt, Sorrentinos direction so physically palpable that it feels as if the laws of gravity are suspended. CR Blue Moon Hilarious and heartbreaking, Richard Linklaters incisive study of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) plays out the night of the 1943 premiere of Oklahoma! As he waits for reviews of the first collaboration between his former partner Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Hart performs a fan dance of publicly lauding a musical he privately disdains, positioning himself to continue to work with Rodgers, and pursuing a collegienne (Margaret Qualley) who doesnt love him that way. Hart critiqued love as the self-deception that believes the lie. His romanticism animates the poignant film written by Robert Kaplow. CR The Love That Remains A roof is pried off a building like the cap from a beer bottle, leaving whats left to the elements. Thats how Icelandic director Hlynar Palmason opens his domestic drama about a couple on the brink of divorce. Anna is an artist whose works, made of rusting metal and fabric, bear the traces of harsh weather. Magnus is an industrial fisherman at sea in more ways than one. They are parents of three. Their story is an unusual hybrid, a straightforward, almost documentary-like, narrative of an uncoupling, punctuated with surreal moments embracing his obvious pain and her playful eye. Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, observed Charlie Chaplin, but a comedy in long-shot. CR Cover-Up Filmmaker Laura Poitras has made films pointing her lens at such controversial figures as Edward Snowden and Julian Assange. For this film, codirected by Mark Obenhaus, the subject is veteran journalist Seymour Hersh, who has broken stories of tremendous national security significance, including that of the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War. This long-in-the-works documentary features the 88-year-old Hersh discussing big stories from throughout his career, including ones he got wrong, and sometimes getting combative with his interviewer. SS Nuestra Tierra (Our Land) Argentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel made this omnibus true-crime documentary/ anthropological history about the lingering effects of European colonialism on her country, a nation believed to have eliminated its Indigenous peoples. It begins with the murder of Indigenous leader Javier Chocobar in 2009 when landowners tried to seize his property for a mining venture. It then turns to the 2018 trial of the accused, where 21st-century land deeds take precedence over historic agreements. The strongest part of the film is its third act, where Martel shows a kaleidoscope of opinion about what constitutes Our Land. CR Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Canadian director Matt Johnson made the BlackBerry movie in 2023, and now hes back with Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, a spinoff of Johnson and Jay McCarrolls web series and later TV series, which includes elements of rock n roll, mockumentary, and even time travel. Johnson and McCarroll, who cowrote and costar as versions of themselves, will be on hand for the Oct. 25 showing. SS Sentimental Value The Norwegian director Joachim Trier has become a leading figure of world cinema, with his 2021 film The Worst Person in the World bringing the house down at the Philadelphia Film Festival that year. Now, Trier is back with Sentimental Value, which will close this years film festival. The director reunites with Worst Persons leading actress, Renate Reinsve, for an English-language film about an actress who reunites with her estranged filmmaker father (Stellan Skarsgard). SS Philadelphia Film Festival runs Oct. 16-26 across three venues: the Film Society Center, Film Society Bourse, and Film Society East. filmadelphia.org/festival/ Forest & Main Fishtown's opening at 1416 Frankford Ave. is scheduled for Oct. 17. Read more Forest & Main has been known for its traditional beers since 2012, when Daniel Endicott and Gerard Olson launched their brewery and pub in a cozy Victorian house at the corner of Forest Avenue and Main Street in Ambler. Over the years, as they moved both the taproom and brewery to nearby locations in Ambler, they chose to skip out on food, asking customers to bring in takeout from nearby restaurants. Advertisement This wont be the case at their new Fishtown location, opening Friday at 1416 Frankford Ave., the former site of Cheu Fishtown, amid a rush of fall restaurant openings in the region. This time, Endicott, Olson, and partner Brian DeAngelo are working with Dane DeMarco, chef-owner of Haddonfields James Beard-nominated Gass & Main. DeMarcos resume includes American Sardine Bar, Second District Brewing, South Philly Taproom, Hawthornes, and Burgertime NJ. DeMarco said the F&M menu stars will be soft pretzels and burgers. At 15 inches-plus, they said, the pretzels are bigger than your head and have a slightly doughy interior and a crispy outside dusted with a spice mix including caraway, dried minced garlic, and onion to complement Forest & Mains saisons and farmhouse beers. Accompaniments include beer cheese and house-made beer mustard. The Main Street Burger is named after both Forest & Main and Gass & Main (the intersection in Las Vegas where DeMarco and wife Sierra Lander took their wedding photos). Its 5-ounce beef patty from George L. Wells Meats is topped with blackberry jam, bacon, jalapenos, and Shropshire cheese. DeMarco said it pairs well with the farmhouse ales. Also on offer will be pizza bread made with semolina loaf; a walking cheesesteak thats a play on a walking taco (Fritos, sliced ribeye, beer cheese Whiz, caramelized onions, and hoagie relish); and beer-battered fried Oreos for dessert. Most of the menu can be veganized. The opening beer list will include house lager, pilsner, and festbier on the side-pull Lukr faucet; Pigeon of the Peak British IPA, ESB, and Fair Winds Oat Mild on the Angram hand-pulls; plus others on tap including Last Crusade Hazy IPA, Silent Film West Coast IPA, Magic Mountains Pale Ale, and Dance Money American Stout. There will also be local cider, wines, and cocktails. The new Fishtown Forest & Main, with 35 seats inside (including 10 at the bar) and 20 outside, will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesday to Monday. READ MORE: All the fall restaurant openings in the Philadelphia area The fall restaurant openings keep coming. The newest of the new include: Cafe Neos (opened Oct. 6): A bright, modern daytime cafe (with cocktails) in the former Daniel at Harry Street and First Avenue in Conshohocken; it is the companion to the stylish Neos Americana, which opens Oct. 20 with charcoal-fired Mediterranean cooking and a 14-seat bar. Rockwell & Rose (opened Oct. 8): P.J. Clarkes has developed a steakhouse sibling in the Curtis Building, 601 Walnut St., across from Washington Square. Heres a first look. Tommys Tavern & Tap (opened Oct. 8): The New Jersey sports-bar chain has set down in King of Prussia, at 256 Mall Blvd., where J. Alexanders was. Its branding notes its proud partnership with the New York Giants. (Go ahead and wear your Saquon Barkley jersey.) Haraz Coffee House (opened Oct. 10): The regions second Yemeni coffee house, owned by a consortium of five women including pastry chef Enaas Sultan, is serving in gorgeous environs at 23 W. Girard Ave., just steps from the El. The Brew Room (opened Oct. 12): At Danny and Eleni Chrisidis Greek cafe at 6 W. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore, you can get a proper freddo espresso. Mama Chang (opening Oct. 15): D.C.-area Chinese chef Peter Chang, who entered the Philadelphia market several months ago with a Peter Chang restaurant in King of Prussia, has taken over the long-shuttered Golden City (118 Bethlehem Pike in Colmar, Montgomery County). The opening menu includes an all-you-can-eat dim sum brunch ($28 per person) served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, although dishes are available a la carte. Kaede Sushi & Noodle Co. (Oct. 15): Guppys Good Times, at Maple and Elm Streets in Conshohocken, has upgraded its second-floor sushi bar into a casual Asian fusion restaurant, maintaining its partnership with the Kooma restaurants in King of Prussia, Cherry Hill, and West Chester. Kitchen & Kocktails by Kevin Kelley (opening Oct. 18): Dallas lawyer/restaurateur Kevin Kelley promises bold vibes and Southern comfort in his Center City location, at the former Del Friscos Grille at 225 S. Broad St. The Bread Room (opening Oct. 20): Ellen Yins new bakery, workshop, and event space, around the corner from High Street in the Franklin Residences (834 Chestnut St.), is soft-open now. Pinwheel Provisions (opening Oct. 20): Anjali Gupta is moving her healthy prepared-foods operation into larger quarters at Bryn Mawr Film Institute (824 Lancaster Ave.) with seating for 30; an espresso bar with cafe menu and house drinks (including nonalcoholic cocktails); and pastries and snacks. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily except Wednesdays and Sundays. Jade Rabbit Speakeasy (opening Oct. 23): Pearl and Paul Somboonsong are setting up a cocktail bar beneath their Wayne restaurant Maison Lotus. I see umami popcorn, tree caviar, and flower dumplings on the menu. Ammas South Indian Cuisine (opening Oct. 24): Sathish Varadhan and Balakrishnan Duraisamy are relocating their Center City restaurant to larger digs on the 15th Street side of 1500 Walnut St. Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. received a top bid of $10 million for Crozer-Chester Medical Center, shown here last January, at a bankruptcy auction Friday. Read more The winning bids at a bankruptcy auction were $10 million for Crozer-Chester Medical Center and $3 million for Springfield Hospital, owner Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. said in a court filing late Monday. The California for-profit, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January, identified the top bidders from Fridays auction as Chariot Allaire Partners LLC for Crozer-Chester in Upland and Restorative Health Foundation and Syan Investments LLC for Springfield. Advertisement Prospect did not say in its filing when it expected the sales to be finalized. Both hospitals are currently closed. Yoel Polack, who is in the group that wants to buy Crozer-Chester, initially declined to comment about plans for the property. We are still working through final administrative details of the sale and will wait until next week to make any statements to the press, he said in an email over the weekend. Polack is identified on LinkedIn as principal at Chariot Equities, which describes itself on its website as a real estate investment and development company. Previously, Polack worked in healthcare real estate, such as medical office buildings, at Simone Development Cos. in New York. Polack had an out-of-office reply on his email Tuesday, saying he would have no internet or phone access until Thursday. The president of Upland Borough Council, Christine Peterson, did not respond to a request for comment Monday about the winning bidder. No definitive information was available on Restorative Health Foundation and Syan Investments. A phone number registered under the name Restorative Health Foundation in Philadelphia led to a home care agency called Restorative Home Care. The person who answered the phone Tuesday said she knew of no connection to a bid for Springfield Hospital. Another number for Restorative Health Foundation had a voicemail box that was full. Restorative Health and Syan also participated in the Crozer-Chester auction, driving the winning bid up to $10 million from Chariot Allaires original $7 million offer. They were identified as the backup bidder for Crozer-Chester, in case Chariot Allaire doesnt complete the purchase. At Springfield, KQT Aikens Partners 2 LLC is the backup buyer. That involves the same group of local investors that bought Taylor Hospital for $1 million last month. Prospect shuttered Crozer-Chester this spring, following the failure of government-led efforts to find a new, nonprofit owner. It had closed Springfield in 2022. Immigrants who lose access to Medicare will likely become uninsured. Read more Thousands of people who legally immigrated to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and have spent years working and paying into the Medicare system, will no longer be able to enroll in the health program when they turn 65. There are also an estimated 100,000 refugees, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, and other immigrants who are already enrolled in Medicare across the United States who will lose their coverage in 2027 under new eligibility rules established by President Donald Trumps signature policy package, which he dubbed his administrations big beautiful bill. Advertisement Previously, certain groups of people who legally immigrated to the United States were able to enroll in Medicare when they turned 65, if they had paid into the program through an employer for at least 10 years. Others were able to enroll because of a qualifying disability, such as end-stage renal disease. Under the new rules, only legal permanent residents and immigrants from Cuba, Haiti and certain Pacific Island countries will continue to be covered. All others including individuals granted asylum and those who are temporary humanitarian parolees will no longer be eligible for Medicare. The same groups of immigrants are no longer able to get coverage under Medicaid, the publicly funded health program for low-income individuals. They also cant qualify for income-based tax credits to buy discounted health plans through the Obamacare marketplaces, such as Pennie and Get Covered NJ. Combined, the new restrictions will leave some 1.4 million immigrants who have followed all laws to live here legally uninsured, according to KFF, a national healthcare education nonprofit. Its unclear exactly how many people in New Jersey and Pennsylvania may be affected. The estimated 100,000 immigrants who are expected to lose Medicare in 2027 represent a small portion of the 68 million people covered under the massive health program. But advocates said the change is troubling because people losing Medicare access are elderly or have a disability that prevents them from working. They will now have no way to get health insurance other than to buy a plan directly from an insurer at full price, an option that is implausible for most working Americans. This is pretty unprecedented, said Natalie Kean, director of federal health advocacy for Justice in Aging, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for seniors in poverty. Theres nothing different about this group of people, in terms of their contribution to Medicare, compared to U.S. citizens. Analysts said they believe this is the first time Congress has ever taken away access to Medicare, which has been expanded since its introduction in 1965. Medicare has benefited from bipartisan support, with lawmakers from either party reticent to even propose cuts to one of the most popular and widely used healthcare programs. This Medicare cut narrowly focuses on immigrants, a group targeted under the Trump administration. Many affected may not yet be aware of the pending change to their Medicare status, which has been overshadowed by other Trump initiatives, such as an increase in deportation efforts, said Gabily Gonzalez, whose Camden-based nonprofit organization, Cerrando La Brecha, works with undocumented immigrants and refugees. Theres so much going on so fast, and also theres a lot of misinformation, she said. I feel like people are getting bombarded with information. I dont even know if they know right now, she said. Medicare eligibility explained People are eligible for Medicare if they have worked for at least 10 years in a job that collected Medicare payroll taxes. Generally, people pay 1.45% of their gross income in Medicare taxes, which is matched by their employer. People who do not have a work history are eligible if their spouse worked or if they have a qualifying disability. People can also buy into the Medicare program when they turn 65. The program covers virtually all Americans in their later years, when healthcare needs tend to become more complex and expensive to manage. The programs costs topped $1.3 trillion in 2023 and accounts for about 14% of federal spending, according to the most recent data available from the Congressional Budget Office. Under the Trump administration, Republicans have targeted so-called entitlement programs, including Medicaid and food benefits, as sources of waste and abuse. A spending bill signed into law over the summer is expected to cut some $900 billion from Medicaid over the next decade. READ MORE: What's at stake for five Philly-area families facing Medicaid cuts. The new Medicare restrictions on immigrants are expected to save $5.1 billion by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. These are people who have worked, have paid into Medicare, said Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, an associate director for the Program on Medicare Policy at KFF. Many will continue to be subject to those payroll taxes but will no longer get the benefits they would previously have been entitled to. Needed healthcare for immigrants The immigrant groups that will no longer be able to access Medicare, Medicaid, or Obamacare marketplace plans include refugees, victims of violence, and others who have been granted asylum in the United States because their home is unsafe and they have nowhere else to go. Refugees are required to apply for permanent status after one year. Healthcare programs like Medicaid and Medicare are critical to helping them establish livelihoods here, said Meredith Owen, senior director of policy and advocacy for Refugee Council USA, a coalition of organizations that help refugees resettle. People who have fled war zones often have physical injuries, mental health challenges, and untreated disease, such as cancer, that need immediate attention. Yet because resettlement programs emphasize self-sufficiency and expect immigrants to find work quickly, most are unable to secure jobs that offer health benefits right away. Access to healthcare in whatever form has always been really important in helping folks heal, get integrated, she said. Just over 12,200 refugees were resettled in Pennsylvania between fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2024. About 56% were between ages 16 and 64; 1.5% were over age 65, according to American Immigration Council data that Refugee Council USA and partner organizations received through a Freedom of Information Act request. Monitoring Medicare changes Medicare and immigration advocates said they will be watching to see how the government approaches removing immigrants from Medicare when their coverage ends in 2027. Medicare officials should be able to determine members citizenship status through basic enrollment paperwork, but distinguishing which type of immigrant they are may be much harder. Owen said she worries that immigrants who should remain covered could mistakenly lose Medicare as the government looks to weed out people it no longer deems eligible. Advocates said they are also concerned that the new Medicare restrictions could set a precedent to further limit who is eligible for coverage. What does that mean for the future? Will Congress try to restrict eligibility further? said Kean, of Justice in Aging. And for whom? TEL AVIV, Israel Hamas hastened Tuesday to ease the pressure on a fragile ceasefire in its war with Israel by returning the bodies of more dead hostages. The move came after an Israeli military agency said it would slash aid deliveries to Gaza by half over concerns that the militant group was handing remains over slower than agreed. The Israeli Prime Ministers office confirmed late Tuesday that authorities received four deceased hostages that the Red Cross handed over to Israeli military authorities inside Gaza. The bodies will be taken to the National Center for Forensic Medicine where they will be identified and the families notified. Advertisement This latest transfer of remains comes a day after Israel received the bodies of four other dead hostages. Despite the development, it was unclear if the Israeli military agency known as COGAT will follow through with its decision to allow into Gaza only half of the 600 aid trucks called for under the deal. The United Nations humanitarian office in famine-stricken Gaza received word of the humanitarian aid cuts from the Israeli military agency in charge of transferring aid to the territory, according to spokesperson Olga Cherevko. U.S. officials were also notified, according to three Associated Press sources who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern in a social media post that too few of the dead hostages have been returned. He made no mention of Israel halving the flow of aid into the territory. Trump also warned Hamas that if they dont disarm, we will disarm them. A day earlier, Israelis celebrated the return of the last 20 living hostages in Gaza and Palestinians rejoiced at Israels release of some 2,000 prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefires first phase. READ MORE: Give Trump full credit for the Israel-Hamas hostages deal. But will a lasting peace take hold? | Editorial Families of hostages express dismay Hamas and the Red Cross have said that recovering the remains of dead hostages is a challenge because of Gazas destruction, and Hamas told mediators of the deal that some are in areas controlled by Israeli troops. The U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan called for all hostages living and dead to be handed over within 72 hours, meaning on Monday. But it provided a mechanism if that didnt happen, saying Hamas should share information about deceased hostages and exert maximum effort to carry out the handover as soon as possible. Families of hostages and their supporters expressed dismay that only four of the 28 bodies were returned on Monday. The Hostages Family Forum, representing many families, called it a blatant violation of the agreement by Hamas. The top official in Israel coordinating the return of hostages and the missing, Gal Hirsch, told the families in a note that pressure was being applied on Hamas through mediators to expedite the process. A copy of the note was seen by the AP and its authenticity was confirmed by someone with knowledge of the statement. READ MORE: Trump urges leaders to put old feuds aside as he calls for a new era of harmony in the Middle East Israel confirms identities of returned hostages On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office confirmed the identity of the four dead hostages returned on Monday: Guy Illouz from Israel, Bipin Joshi from Nepal, Cpt. Daniel Peretz and Yossi Sharabi. Illouz was abducted from a music festival, Joshi from a bomb shelter and Sharabi from Beeri Kibbutz during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that ignited the war. Israel said Illouz died of his wounds without proper medical treatment, while Joshi was killed in the wars first months. Families left waiting expressed concern. Ela Haimi said she didnt know if the body of her husband, Tal, would be returned by Hamas in a few hours, days or ever. I am afraid they will stop the return, she said. Tal Haimi was killed while defending his kibbutz during the 2023 attack. Long journey to recovery The freed Israeli hostages were in medical care, and some families said it would be weeks before the men could go home. Dalia Cusnir-Horn said brother-in-law Eitan Horn had lost more than 40% of his body weight after receiving very little food in the last few months. The physical toll was only part of the trauma, she said. Hes just learning now friends he knew that were murdered, and he had no clue how many people were kidnapped on that day and what this country went through, and its overwhelming and its hard, Cusnir-Horn said. Moshe Levi spoke of brother-in-law Omri Mirans elation at playing with his young daughters one less than a year old when her father was taken hostage. He could feel like hes a father again, Levi said. Palestinian prisoners allege mistreatment In the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza, where hundreds of prisoners and detainees were released, several were taken to hospitals. Murad Barakat, medical director of the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, said the facility received 14 men and discharged all but two. Doctors said their conditions suggested they were subjected to severe beatings, reflecting the extent of the violence they endured, said Imed al-Shami, a resident doctor at the hospital. Kamal Abu Shanab, who was released after more than 18 years, said beatings caused his shoulder to tear. For eight months, I wasnt given even a pill for the pain, he said. AP could not independently verify the claims. Israels Prison Service said it was unaware of such claims. Nasser Hospital in Gaza said the Red Cross transferred the bodies of 45 Palestinians to its morgue. The bodies were the first of an expected 450 to arrive. Long-term challenges for lasting peace Difficult questions remain about Gazas future, including whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern and help rebuild the territory. Also unanswered is the question of Palestinian statehood. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said 15 Palestinian technocrats have been selected to administer Gaza, with approval from Israel, Hamas and all other Palestinian factions. Palestinians in Gaza appealed for authorities to move quickly to restore some semblance of normality. There is no infrastructure, electricity, water or anything that is fit for life, said Mohamad Abu Hajras, one of the many displaced. On Tuesday, the U.N. development agency said the latest joint estimate with the European Union and the World Bank is that rebuilding Gaza will require $70 billion. Under the ceasefire deal, Israeli forces pulled back to where they were in August, before launching their latest offensive on Gaza City. A number of hard-hit Palestinian neighborhoods remain under Israeli control, and Israel has warned residents not to try to return to homes there. Gazas Health Ministry on Tuesday said the bodies of three people killed by Israels military in the north were taken to Al Ahli hospital. The military said troops had opened fire to remove the threat of several people approaching them and not complying with orders to stop. It didnt immediately comment on any casualties. The war has killed over 67,600 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, which does not say how many were civilians or combatants. It says women and children make up around half the dead, and many independent experts say its figures are the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. File: Joe Perillo, an aquatic biologist for the Philadelphia Water Department who runs the Fairmount Fish Ladder on the Schuylkill, watches a gizzard shad pass by an observation window. Read more American shad have long been prized in the Delaware River Basin for their meat and roe. The native Lenape people hosted festivals celebrating the fish. In 1778, legend has it, George Washingtons troops feasted on fresh or dried shad after a long winter at Valley Forge. More recently, the species drove recreational fishing and tourism along the mid-Atlantic coast. Advertisement But the once-abundant American shad, along with river herring, have plummeted to levels considered depleted, according to a recent paper by the nonprofit Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. Research by a scientific advisory committee of the nonprofit provides the most recent information on American shad and river herring in the Delaware River Basin a 12,700-square-mile drainage area that includes parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. The basin includes a vast network of tributaries, including the Schuylkill. Essentially, these fish populations are currently not sustainable, said Ellie Rothermel, an environmental scientist with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and one of the papers authors. If we want to bring back a lot of the ecological important services that these fish provide, its going to take cooperation across state boundaries. Lance Butler, a scientist with the Philadelphia Water Department, was a lead author of the paper, which contains both good news and bad for the fish. The report highlights that water quality has improved dramatically over past decades, thanks to federal and state regulations. In addition, efforts to dismantle dams that obstruct the fishs migration have gained momentum, offering a point of hope. Threats to shad While the shads decline has been previously documented, the paper shows that the numbers of shad remain at historic lows and that the fish face multiple threats, including: Fishing reduces the number of spawning fish, lowers maximum size and age, and promotes early maturation. Dams on major tributaries like the Schuylkill and Lehigh River block access to spawning grounds, and many fish passages are poorly designed and lack maintenance. Invasive fish such as flathead catfish, blue catfish, and snakeheads are expanding their range and are known to prey on American shad and river herring. READ MORE: Top predator: As snakeheads invade area waters, scientists rush to understand the impact Water intake systems at energy projects, such as power plants, withdraw huge volumes of water and can draw in fish and kill them as they become trapped against intake screens or pass through cooling systems. There are 40 intake systems in the basin. Rising water temperatures, the result of climate change, pose threats by altering the timing of spawning migrations, potentially leading to reduced growth, survival, and reproductive success. Warming waters also increase predation by invasive species. READ MORE: Air above Delaware River Basin has risen 3 degrees in a century, experts say Historic lows The paper looked at both shad and two species of river herring alewife and blueback herring. All three of the fish are known as anadromous species, meaning they spawn in freshwater but spend most of their lives in the ocean, migrating along the Atlantic coast. They return to their natal rivers to spawn, with adults entering the Delaware Bay from the Atlantic Ocean in late winter. Compared to historic conditions, the stock of American shad in the Delaware River Basin is depleted, the paper states. READ MORE: A species of fish once thought gone from Cooper River has returned in a big way The authors noted that landings of shad reached 12 million to 14 million pounds, or more than three million fish, in the Delaware River at the turn of the 20th century. That level declined over decades: to 100,000 to 55,000 fish by the mid-1970s to mid-1980s. By the late 1980s, that number started growing to 830,000 shad. Populations estimates are no longer officially made. But evidence suggests that the shad population has dropped since the 1980s but are relatively stable in recent years. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission reported that the American shad population is unknown, and other surveys are conflicting, according to the paper. A lack of data Rothermel said there has been a lack of hard data in recent decades. As commercial fisheries focused less on shad, there was less impetus for tracking the population, she said. However, the Delaware River Basin Fish and Wildlife Management Cooperative, comprised of various government agencies, work to manage American shad and river herring in the Delaware River Basin and has supplied some data. In 2024, an index of spawning adult female American shad at Smithfield Beach above the Delaware Water Gap fell below a benchmark in four of the past five years, for example. The report also cited data showing that commercial landings of shad have been declining since the 1980s, with less than 1,000 pounds landed annually in recent years. However, much of that is likely because the population of shad has dropped enough that commercial operations no longer fish for it. The paper notes that even less is known about the abundance of alewife and blueback herring. Several surveys show a significant declining trend, while another found no clear trend. Bringing back shad To support restoration of the fish, the reports authors recommend assessing stressors. This includes conducting a creel survey to determine the impact of recreational fishing, evaluating major water intake structures, continuing dam removals and fish passages, and evaluating changing environmental conditions. That would take coordination among federal agencies and states. Rothermel noted a recent success: the removal in August of Dam 6, also known as the DuPont Experimental Station Dam, on the Brandywine River in Delaware. The dam was removed by the Brandywine River Restoration Trust as part of a multiyear effort to restore fish passage past 11 obsolete dams on the Brandywine. American shad have quickly begun spawning in newly opened areas, said Jim Shanahan, executive director of the trust. Tens of thousands of shad used to swim up the Brandywine every year, Shanahan said in August when the dam was removed. Were on our way to welcoming them back. A resident cleaning up leaves with a leaf blower. Lower Merion township is set to ban gas-powered leaf blowers with a new proposed ordinance. Read more Lower Merion is one step closer to banning gas-powered leaf blowers. During an Oct. 8 committee meeting, township commissioners moved forward a preliminary proposal that would phase out gas-powered leaf blowers, beginning with a seasonal ban in 2026 that would transition into an all-out ban by 2029. Advertisement In a public hearing that stretched for more than three hours, residents largely expressed support for the proposal, citing noise and pollution from gas-powered leaf blowers that disturbs the peace and exacerbates health problems like asthma and hearing loss. Yet a small contingent of landscapers pushed back, calling the proposal an unfunded mandate and that would destabilize local landscaping businesses. The proposed ordinance would ban gas-powered leaf blowers from Jan. 1 to March 1 and May 1 to Oct. 1, beginning in 2026. Starting in 2028, the township would only allow gas-powered leaf blowers during the fall. In 2029, an all-out ban would take effect. Enforcement would be complaint-based. Violators would first get a warning, then a $100 fine for a second offense, $250 for a third offense, and $600 for a fourth or subsequent offense. The ordinance would also restrict the use of portable generators to power electric blowers and would require retailers that sell leaf blowers to post clear signage about the ordinance for two years after it goes into effect. The purpose of the ordinance is to reduce air pollution, persistent noise, and health impacts for people who live and work in Lower Merion Township, said Paloma Vila, sustainability manager for the township. Residents have been vocal over the years about the nuisance that gas-powered leaf blowers cause and the data support real environmental and health harms. This ordinance is designed to address those concerns in a balanced and practical way. Vila said township staff reviewed environmental research, interviewed landscaping companies, tested equipment, and spoke to peer communities that implemented similar rules ahead of last weeks meeting. The commissioners will vote on whether to advertise the ordinance at their Oct. 22 meeting. If they vote in favor of advertising it, it will likely go to the Nov. 19 meeting for approval. Kate Cronin, a Wynnewood resident, said gas-powered leaf blowers have taken over her neighborhood since she moved in, making it awful to be outside much of the summer. Julia Newman said that while she and her family do everything they can to protect her asthmatic son, emissions from gas-powered leaf blowers are a regular struggle. It is so frustrating that the moment that he walks outside, he encounters secondhand exhaust from these machines, and there is nothing that we can do about it, Newman said. Testifying against the proposed ordinance, Joel Nyzio, owner of the Lafayette Hill-based All Seasons Maintenance and Design, said the ordinance would disrupt his companys active contracts and represent a direct interference with the financial viability of small businesses. Gerhart Arndt of Sustainable Lawn Care Services said his company has thousands of dollars of paper weights, at this point, referencing electric leaf blower batteries, which he said are expensive and have short life spans. Though the commissioners acknowledged the potential financial burden, many said the price was worth paying for a cleaner, safer environment. Even if [the costs are] somewhat higher, we should accept that in the service of the health benefits, the environmental benefits, and the quality-of-life benefits, said Todd Sinai, president of the board of commissioners. Commissioner Gilda Kramer called the ordinance one of the most impactful efforts that we can make to address climate change. Commissioners floated the idea of a buy-back or rebate program for owners of gas-powered leaf blowers to help offset the costs of the transition to electric. More than 200 municipalities and a handful of states have banned or restricted gas-powered leaf blowers or provided incentives for people to switch to greener alternatives. Montgomery County, Md., banned gas-powered leaf blowers, as did White Plains, N.Y., a city of about 60,000 residents north of New York City. The city of Philadelphia is considering a similar ban. This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirers high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters. In March, Col. Stuart B. Helgeson hailed signs of a turnaround at the struggling Valley Forge Military Academy. For the first time in Helgesons eight years as president, the freshman class finished a semester without losing any students to attrition. Advertisement Hats off to everyone who recruited them, trained them, and to the academy thats going to continue educating them, Helgeson told stakeholders in a video update then. In September, though, Helgeson, who is president of both the academy and college there, stunned parents, alumni, and faculty when he announced that the once-elite boarding school would permanently close next year, citing years of declining enrollment and money troubles. The two-year college program will continue to operate. But his account about the VFMAs demise masked another plan that officials declined to disclose at the time. Behind closed doors, the president and board had spent months discussing plans to install a charter school that would replace the academy on the historic Main Line campus a plan that was predicated on the academys closure, according to two organizers of the proposal. By the time the public announcement of the closing was made, a group of charter school backers was already forming a pitch for the Valley Forge Public Service Academy Charter School, alongside ambitious plans for 30 units of affordable housing in the academy barracks as well as a new community center for Radnor residents. The viability of the charter school plan remains an open question considering that two prior attempts to create one there that failed. But if approved, it would enroll up to 150 students next year to prepare them for careers as first responders, such as police officers and firefighters, and as public servants. Chris Massaro, who runs a firm that advises educational institutions, confirmed that plans for the school were in the works as early as March. The plan materialized by July with an agreement that the financially troubled academy would cease operations next year. We were not going to move forward unless the academy was closing, Massaro told The Inquirer. News of the charter school proposal was never publicized by VFMA leaders, angering some parents, faculty, and alumni who say school leaders kept them in the dark about the academys future as they questioned efforts to stabilize the school. The plans ultimately became known after a promotional website whose domain name quietly went live in July began circulating among alumni on social media in recent weeks. In July, the same month the charter website was registered online, Helgeson posted another video heralding a reorganization of leadership at the academy, new building improvements, and a successful fundraising haul. Will Perdigon, a parent who unenrolled his son from the academy over the summer over concerns about mismanagement, accused the school of being deceptive in its effort to line up a new state-funded tenant all while using the academys prestige to continue to raise money. Their ultimate goal is to collect rent, he said. And I honestly dont think the school should be rewarded for mismanaging Valley Forge so that they can offload the campus to someone else to collect rent. Jeff Jubelirer, a spokesperson hired by VFMA Foundation, did not refute the timeline of events that Massaro and a second consultant, Alan Wohlstetter, detailed. Asked why the plan was kept secret, Jubelirer said the school was exploring all options and has been looking at renting out space to day schools for years. He acknowledged that, in July, the board became increasingly concerned about enrollment numbers at the academy. In August, the board enacted austerity measures that leadership realized may make the school unsustainable beyond the 2025-2026 academic year, Jubelirer said. The board did not make a formal decision to close the academy until Sept. 7, he said, about a week before the announcement. He declined to answer questions about the charter proposal, casting it as a distinct legal entity from the foundation. They would simply be tenants on the campus, he said in a statement. Third times a charm for charter bid? Massaro, a Radnor native, began working with Helgeson and leaders of the schools nonprofit foundation in January to help to save what he saw as a sinking ship. As detailed in an Inquirer report last month, VFMAs finances had long been in a death spiral. Lawsuits and related legal costs related to cadet abuse mounted against the academy. Enrollment dwindled from a historical peak of over a thousand cadets to fewer than one hundred this year. Desperation grew to the point that board members floated personal loans to cover operating costs. The strain led to an array of unconventional turnaround initiatives before the announced closing, including selling off campus property to luxury housing developers, franchising an academy in Qatar, and the two prior charter school applications. Meanwhile, alumni and parents questioned why, amid a financial crisis, the board approved the construction of a $1.7 million official residence for Helgeson and his family and hired his wife to lead fundraising efforts. To Massaro, the problem was the outdated military boarding school model. Saving a private K-12 boarding school is very difficult, he said. Parents dont want to send their kids away anymore. Then add the military component. Its a tough sell. He proposed a charter school as a way to preserve the VFMA legacy. But the academys closure was an early sticking point. Twice before, plans to add a military-themed charter school to the campus had failed to gain support of the Radnor Township School District. The local school board criticized those proposals as an attempt to subsidize an ailing military academy that had failed to address long-running and highly-publicized concerns over cadet abuse. Massaro brought on another consultant, Wohlstetter, who proposed another charter with a new twist: one geared toward students eying first-responder jobs, such as firefighters and police officers, not just the armed forces. The proposed Valley Forge Public Service Academy Charter School would function as a day school that could readily fill the classrooms left behind by the academy, said Wohlstetter, president of School Improvement Partnership, a charter school consultancy based in Philadelphia. It could also become a feeder school for VFMAs two-year college program that will continue on campus after the academys closure. And it would help fill jobs in struggling municipal workforces throughout the region. Its a bit of a pivot from the 98-year history from the military academy, Wohlstetter said. Its a pivot from military service to public service. A pivot from military to public service With the VFMAs support, Wohlstetter said that the academy plans to submit its application to Radnor Township School District by a Nov. 15 deadline and that grades six to eight of the charter school could be ready to accept students as soon as next fall. A school district spokesperson said Friday that Radnor school district officials were unaware of the proposal. Charter school applicants typically face resistance from local public school districts because of negative impacts to student enrollment and state funding. Wohlstetter said the charters initial 150 students would come from 10 regional school districts, about 25% of them from Radnor Township School District. Susan DeJarnatt, a Temple University professor emerita who studies education reform, said charter school laws were written to support community members and teachers interested in developing new, more effective educational models. She questioned whether the VFMAs plan met those objectives in a district that consistently ranks as one of the best in the state. It looks like yet another attempt to use the charter school option to solve the financial problems of a different entity, she said. Maybe they will show a groundswell of support in Radnor for this public option. But it sounds like a solution in search of a problem. She expressed concern over the apparently close relationship between the VFMA board and the nascent charter organization. She said similar structures had created significant conflicts of interest at other schools, resulting in self-dealing or other improprieties. It runs the risk of creating those kinds of conflicts, she said. READ MORE: For a second time, a charter school is being proposed at Valley Forge Military Academy Massaro, whose family all attended Radnor public schools, said the proposed charter school model is desperately needed. The affluent suburb is behind the times when it comes to offering young students options outside of going to universities, he said, describing the mentality as college or bust. And the private boarding-school model with annual tuition approaching $50,000 was no longer viable at Valley Forge, he argued. Though billed as separate entities, the charter school is simultaneously pitching several other projects with VFMA properties. An official website for the charter floats the idea of converting the academys old barracks into a 30-unit affordable apartment development aimed at teachers and first responders. The campus has also drawn significant interest from real estate developers. Massaro said has already sought financial backing for the project. Radnor teachers cant afford to live in the area, he said, noting the high cost of living on the Main Line. Another proposal on the website states that the foundation is open to exploring the idea of transforming the academys mess hall into the Radnor Community Recreation Center, billed as a new hub for families and neighbors to gather, play, and stay active! The foundation board said it is focused on repurposing campus buildings for the college and had yet to discuss either plan, according to Jubilerer. The Foundation Board has not discussed or decided on either of those concepts, he said. The prospect of a charter school replacing the academy doesnt sit well with alumnus Julius Kaufmann, a 21 year-old VFMA graduate now enrolled at Pennsylvania State University. Before graduating in 2023, he saw the school franchise and fundraise off the academys once-elite brand, all while leaders sapped resources for the cadets. The more fundraising they did, the less we got out of it, he said. We all thought [the charter] would be an expansion of the academy, but its just a replacement. Cars drive through the flooded streets at Fifth and Market Streets in Center City in May. Climate change and an old sewer system threaten the city, writes Nathan Boon. Read more When we think of flooding brought on by climate change, the recent deadly flooding in Pakistan or Julys catastrophic flash floods in Texas might come to mind. But the danger is also much closer to home. Intense floods have hit our region, as well, including a deadly one in central New Jersey in July. Philadelphia just endured one of its muggiest summers on record. That humid air fuels storms that dump more rain, faster potentially turning neighborhoods into sudden disaster zones. Advertisement Philadelphia faces a combination of flood risks. Sitting between two rivers and just upstream of the Delaware Bay, were vulnerable to rising tides and riverbank flooding due to storm surges. Compounding that is the fact that our city is covered in concrete. With so much of the city paved over, there is less natural green space to absorb rain. As a result, the majority of rainfall streams down our roads and overwhelms the underground systems meant to capture it. Not only do floods present possible danger or damage to property, but they also threaten public health. Our underground, century-old sewer systems were designed to capture both rainfall and household waste. When our sewage system is overwhelmed, it overflows. The combination of rainwater and raw sewage then floods our rivers, streets, and sometimes even our homes. With an aging sewage system that wasnt built for our current population (or heavily paved environment), flooding happens much more frequently than it should. The scale of the problem is staggering. In Philadelphia, according to data analysis from Environment America, 13 billion gallons of sewage currently pollute our waterways each year. In other major metro areas like Chicago, its four billion gallons. Boston metro is 400 million, and Atlanta metro is 100 million. Younger, booming cities like Phoenix and San Antonio have overflows only in the tens of millions, reflecting more up-to-date infrastructure. Now, a piece of good news. Recognizing the need for improvement, the Environmental Protection Agency has just finalized a rule that will ensure the Delaware River near Philadelphia is cleaner and healthier for fish and humans. The rule raises the required oxygen level (a key indicator of water quality) in the stretch of the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Wilmington. In order to comply with this rule, the public utilities that manage wastewater will need to take significant steps that will bring additional costs. Fortunately, there is also existing local action to help the city succeed. There are partners hard at work (aligned with the plans of the Philadelphia Water Department) to reduce the citys sewage overflows by up to five billion gallons per year (more than a third of current levels) over the next 10 years. With proper investment, Philadelphia is capable of being on par with other large cities that have more modern sewer systems. The grant-making organization where I work, the William Penn Foundation, is proud to be a part of these efforts. Reducing sewage overflows is one of the priorities of our Environment and Public Space program. Our board of directors awarded $5 million in grants in July to support a combination of major water infrastructure improvements, advocacy, and community organizing to reduce sewage overflows by 500 million to 800 million gallons a year. The funded work is anticipated to benefit more than 150,000 residents and park users, and 60,000 low-income water and sewer rate payers. And we plan to continue to support similar work over the coming decade. Not only do floods present possible danger or damage to property, but they also threaten public health. Its critical that, as we advance these long-overdue upgrades, we protect Philadelphias most vulnerable households from bearing the brunt of the cost and facing water bills they cannot afford. Partial relief can come from lower-interest loans to finance new infrastructure, combined with public support to assist low-income residents with higher water bills. As one of the nations oldest cities, Philadelphia was the first to develop a public sewer system. And it was a marvel lauded internationally at the time. But times have changed, and Philadelphias needs have changed. This year, well see billions of gallons of sewage flow into our waterways like the Cobbs and Tacony Creeks, and the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. We cant accept this as our reality. Next year, all eyes will turn to Philadelphia as we celebrate Americas 250th anniversary. Lets honor our great city and this milestone by investing in a future thats cleaner, safer, and more resilient for the next 250 years. Nathan Boon is the senior program officer for the William Penn Foundation. The mother was in crisis, threatening to kill her young daughter and herself. She told a Philadelphia Department of Human Services worker that her children did not deserve to be on this planet then she lunged at her visitor, who had to flee the womans home. Police arrived to find the woman hallucinating, telling them she couldnt see because her eyes were coming out of her head. Advertisement It was only the latest sign of danger. She had been involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital after choking one of her family members, and she had a history of punching and kicking her son, who went to live with his father. Under a temporary emergency court order, DHS removed the girl from her mothers care and recommended she go to live with her father. But the final say fell to Philadelphia Family Court Judge Daine A. Grey Jr. who, without hearing evidence that the mothers mental health issues were under control, abruptly ordered the 4-year-old girl returned to her care. That May 2024 decision was one of 16 rulings Grey made that Pennsylvanias Superior Court would later overturn, according to an Inquirer examination of his decade on the bench. Now, as Grey seeks another 10-year term in the Nov. 4 judicial elections, his record has drawn scrutiny from the legal community and sharp criticism from the higher court for his handling of a position that brings with it enormous power over families lives. The Superior Court rulings reversing or vacating Greys decisions some of which took issue with his courtroom conduct and flawed decision-making that left kids in unsafe situations account for about one in six cases decided on appeal from his courtroom. Thats the highest rate of any judge currently handling a similar docket in Philadelphias Family Court. In one reversal, the Superior Court judges wrote they were appalled that Grey returned a vulnerable infant to a mother accused of severe neglect. Grey, without any basis in law, arbitrarily and capriciously excluded relevant evidence, interrupted DHSs witnesses testimony, unnecessarily [postponed] the proceedings, then refused to listen to further testimony, the Superior Court wrote in that January 2025 opinion. In two other cases, the higher court overturned Greys conclusions that rare genetic disorders might explain infants broken bones, ignoring the opinions of medical experts who attributed the injuries to child abuse. The court also overruled Greys decision to return the girl to the mother who had been in a mental health crisis. Grey, in an interview, said his decision in that case was rooted in the evidence provided to him by DHS, which was only about the father. There was nothing presented with regard to mom, he said. It seems as though the Superior Court had more information than I did. But the appeals court opinion said that the mothers issues were detailed in DHSs petition to Grey and that it was Greys responsibility to conduct a comprehensive and searching review of all safety concerns before making his decision. Grey, a former criminal-defense lawyer, was first elected to the bench in 2015 with the Democratic Party endorsement and the recommendation of the Philadelphia Bar Association. Ahead of this years election, the organization has recommended that voters deny him a new 10-year term. Greys first term has been spent hearing child-welfare cases in Family Court, an arrangement intended to avoid a conflict of interest because his wife was Philadelphias chief public defender when he took office. Family Court cases tend to be complex and emotionally charged, with judges sometimes forced to choose among imperfect options while dealing with parents who, as one lawyer put it, took every wrong turn to end up here. And child-welfare proceedings are confidential, making it difficult for the public to analyze the crucial role judges play in making what can be life-changing decisions for families. To better evaluate Greys record, The Inquirer reviewed a decade of Superior Court decisions and interviewed nearly 20 lawyers, child-welfare caseworkers, and caregivers who have handled cases in his courtroom. Most spoke on the condition of anonymity because they said they wanted to avoid consequences for themselves or their clients. The lawyers and caseworkers said Greys harsh language, unpredictable moods, and abrupt rulings make their work even harder in a courtroom served by Community Umbrella Agency (CUA) 5, the citys worst-performing child-welfare agency, according to the most recent CUA scorecards. READ MORE: Philadelphia's CUA system is overburdened and understaffed Hes very erratic in the courtroom, said Gabriel Li, secretary-treasurer of AFSCME Local 2187, the union representing DHS workers. Li and others interviewed described Greys courtroom as intense, traumatic, and almost abusive, and said he had berated social workers, lawyers, and families. Several mentioned that Grey frequently cuts off testimony with his own objections from the bench and has reduced parents and professionals alike to tears. Grey acknowledged that he has made errors in a few cases but said the reversals are a fraction of the hundreds of cases hes decided. In roughly 80 appeals, the Superior Court affirmed his rulings and found his decisions evidence-based, legally sound, thorough, and well-reasoned. The cases in between matter, he said. You cant get a real flavor of whats going on if you dont know whats happening in between. Three lawyers who spoke with The Inquirer defended Grey, calling him the rare Family Court judge who is considered parent friendly a welcome change in a city that has removed children from their homes at one of the highest rates in the nation. Parent friendly means that for Black men he is welcoming. He applauds their capabilities, said attorney Karen Deanna Williams, who practices in Family Court. Will he put both feet in your ass? Sure. Do you deserve it, more likely than not? Yup. Williams credited Grey for his independence, regardless of what the Superior Court might say. He still does what he thinks is right, she said. Hes not going to be cowed by being overturned. Still, the only Family Court judge with a higher rate of cases overturned in the last decade is Lyris Younge, who earned notoriety in 2018 when parents protested and shared harrowing accounts of being handcuffed, shut out of court, or denied the opportunity to be heard. The state judicial oversight body, the Court of Judicial Discipline, sanctioned Younge in July 2021 for misusing her authority suspending her for six months, putting her on long-term probation, and barring her from Family Court for the duration of her term. Younge, who now handles civil cases, is also on the ballot for reelection this November and is not recommended by the Philadelphia bar. Younge did not respond to requests for comment. Despite the bars lack of support, both Grey and Younge are likely to be retained. Judicial retention elections are decided by a yes-or-no vote for each candidate, rather than a head-to-head competition. Its a format designed to shield the office from partisan political interference, but it almost guarantees that an incumbent even one with a troubled record will prevail. Only one Philadelphia judge has lost retention since that system was first put in place in 1969, and that came amid an effort to remove him over his misconduct in a high-profile case. Cathleen Palm, of the advocacy organization Center for Childrens Justice, said the public rarely considers the power judges wield in deciding whether families are kept apart, or whether children have been abused. We dont really understand, nor do we get to see or evaluate the degree to which decisions are made by judges that, to a reasonable person, would seem unreasonable, she said. A retention election is the closest thing we have to a checkup on a judge, and its not a very good checkup. Walking on eggshells Of the thousands of cases that pass through Philadelphias Family Court, the roughly 1,300 child dependency cases filed each year are reliably among the most difficult. Grey is one of about 10 judges assigned to deal with the citys most vulnerable children, weighing allegations of abuse or neglect and making potentially life-or-death custody decisions. A single case can involve numerous parties with competing interests and perspectives including parents, child advocates, court-appointed legal guardians, DHS, and the citys contracted CUA caseworkers. Its a fraught dynamic that can test the patience of even a seasoned judge. But those who spoke with The Inquirer described a particularly dire situation arising from the potent combination of Greys temperament and the citys most-understaffed child-welfare contractor, CUA 5, which is assigned to Greys courtroom Liberty Bruce, a former child-welfare caseworker for CUA 5, said she dreaded testifying in Greys courtroom, where she had seen even supervisors break down in tears. She said she was so alarmed by what she saw in court, in CUA 5, and in Philadelphias child-welfare system as a whole that she quit. It was so mismanaged, there was really no way to do my job, Bruce said. A CUA 5 caseworker, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to speak with the media, said mornings in Greys courtroom start with whispered updates about the judges mood. He described walking on eggshells and recounted one instance when he called in sick because he failed to secure a referral for a child and was overwhelmed with anxiety about facing the judges ire. I was still learning and it was a very difficult case, he said. I was so petrified he was going to make it a big deal that I literally felt sick. He said some coworkers have gone to work for other agencies, where they have half as many clients and dont have to appear in Greys courtroom. Kyanna Hunter, regional CUA director for the nonprofit Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha, which runs CUA 5, declined requests for comment. Grey said he doesnt raise his voice often, but sometimes an emotional response is warranted. Ive yelled at social workers for not doing their job and not knowing whats going on. Ive yelled at attorneys for not knowing whats going on or being prepared or making a recommendation for their client, when its clear that something has to be done. Ive yelled at parents for not doing what they need to do to properly parent, he said. Ive tried to connect with people. He said he has a positive relationship with most CUA workers and could recall only one instance when a lawyer cried in his courtroom. I hear horrible cases, he said. Ive cried with my parents, and Ive cried with my kids. Ive cried with my social workers. I have learned that I had to open myself up emotionally in order to connect with people. Grey said the criticism that he interrupts testimony, cuts off cross-examination, and makes decisions before considering all the facts is misplaced. I had no desire to be an activist judge when I was first elected, but coming to dependency court, I realized that unlike criminal court sometimes the judge has to be more involved to get to the bottom of the story, he said. Sometimes it helps to be an activist in a case so youll know whats going on or youll miss it. In at least one case, Grey acknowledged in an opinion that he had erred and violated a prospective adoptive parents rights when he imposed a stay-away order barring contact with the child without holding a hearing. Bruce said those snap decisions could lead to a case being closed without addressing the issues that caused DHS to intervene in the first place. One case that particularly troubled her involved a 7-month-old baby found to have three broken bones in different stages of healing. Bruce and a Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia pediatrician testified the injuries likely indicated abuse. Grey, however, rejected the CHOP doctor as an expert in child abuse medicine and ruled that the injuries could be the result of co-sleeping or an undiagnosed genetic bone-fragility condition. That decision was baffling, Bruce said. It was unheard of. I had never seen anything like that before. The Superior Court later overturned Greys decision, finding his conclusions unreasonable. It was the second case in two years in which the higher court found that Grey improperly credited a theory suggesting an infants broken bones were due to an undiagnosed genetic condition a theory put forward by one expert but decried by CHOP doctors as outlandish while discounting evidence the higher court said overwhelmingly points to abuse. Grey said he followed the evidence and expert testimony in each case. At odds with well-settled law Edelina Schuman, a court-appointed lawyer assigned to appear exclusively before Grey and one other Family Court judge, described an array of concerns about her time in Greys courtroom from the judges mercurial moods to decisions she said caused serious harm to her clients. She said that even when his rulings have appeared parent friendly such as limiting the evidence he would consider they have led to precedent-setting Superior Court decisions that ultimately worked against families. Because of the rulings he made, she said, that made it even worse law for parents because it said everything under the sun is relevant for an adjudication. That wasnt the standard before. Schuman has been openly at odds with Grey since a 2023 hearing in which the judge tried to jail her client and threatened to hold Schuman in contempt and derail her career. Grey had appointed Schuman to represent Aria Griffin, who had been serving as a caregiver for her nephew. Griffin clashed with a CUA 5 caseworker who removed the boy after alleging domestic violence and mental health issues in Griffins home. Griffin said that, when the boy called home, she made him a promise: Im going to court. Im going to fight for you. But outside Greys courtroom in late 2022, Griffin and the caseworker again argued, and the caseworker accused Griffin of charging at her and taking a swing, an allegation Griffin denied. Amid the fracas, the teen ran away. Grey appeared to blame Griffin and the teens mother for the boys escape and sought to hold both in contempt. He first sentenced the mother to 30 days in jail and later held a hearing to determine Griffins fate. Schuman asked Grey to recuse himself. Your Honor has already shown a predisposition, based on the prior hearings, to fine my client and to incarcerate her, and that is not due process or justice, Schuman said, according to the April 2023 hearing transcript. Grey denied the request. Schuman then argued that Grey was conflating Pennsylvanias criminal and civil contempt laws and disregarding the due process guarantees in each. If he intended to pursue a criminal charge against her client, Schuman asked him to remove her from the case and appoint someone who specializes in criminal defense. Are you telling the Court youre refusing to go forward? Grey asked, according to the transcript. If so, he said, she would also be charged with contempt. He warned that her decision could negatively affect her career. Thats [going] to have a different kind of implications on your ability to practice in this building. And I will make sure I do everything, if thats what youre doing, Grey said. Schuman said the transcript does not capture the extent of Greys anger. He was screaming the entire time, she said, adding that a court employee came over to try to calm him down because she was afraid he would have a heart attack. Grey later appointed Griffin a new lawyer before sentencing her to seven consecutive weekends in jail. After the first weekend, Grey waived the rest of Griffins sentence. But she was too fearful to return to court to fight for her nephew, she said. The Superior Court later ruled that Grey had disregarded [Griffins] due process rights in proceedings at odds with well-settled law. The court, while critical of Griffins alleged conduct, said Greys conclusions were not justified. To the extent the trial court is attempting to suggest that the attempted assault was a ruse to allow [Griffins nephew] to escape, the court added, nothing in the record supports that belated hypothesis. The higher court also rebuked Grey for his treatment of Schuman, noting that she had been correct when she said Grey could not legally jail Griffin for contempt. When [Schuman] pointed out the same legal difficulties highlighted in this memorandum, the trial court threatened [her] with criminal contempt, the court wrote. Grey did file a contempt charge against Schuman but later withdrew it, court records show. But she said he has followed through on his warning of other implications for her career. He has not assigned a single case to me since then, Schuman said. An Inquirer review of city financial records confirmed that her court compensation fell by more than 60% over the last year. She still practices in Greys courtroom, but only when she receives cases from the court-administrations rotation, she said. Schuman said she feels it is important to speak out because the stakes in these cases are so high. She cited a case in which she was appointed to represent two children, ages 7 and 9. Their mother was accused of punching her son and obstructing the DHS investigation by refusing to disclose her address and threatening her children that they could be harmed if they spoke with caseworkers. When Grey heard the matter in 2024, he ruled that the 10-month-old abuse allegation was no longer relevant. This year, the Superior Court reversed that decision and ordered a new hearing, where all relevant evidence of alleged abuse and neglect would be considered. But by then, Schuman said, the children were in the wind. The family was no longer able to be found by DHS. Staff writers Dylan Purcell and Chris A. Williams contributed to this article. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker during a news conference in Philadelphia City Hall in July. She has avoided speaking out against President Donald Trump. Read more Hours after President Donald Trump suggested that the military use American cities as training grounds, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker stared down a row of cameras at an unrelated news conference. A reporter wanted to know her response to the president. Parker said she was proud to support young people training for the armed services through programs like ROTC. Advertisement No, the reporter explained, the president wants to send troops to cities to practice warfare. The mayor dodged again. We have used an intergovernmental approach to ensure public health and safety in our city, she said, and we will continue doing so. Parkers nonanswer followed a now-familiar pattern that is uncommon among other Democrats: She has gone to great lengths to avoid confrontation with Trump since he took office in January. And she is not straying from the tactic, even as Trump has deployed troops to other American cities against the will of their Democratic mayors. As Trump has targeted Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, and Portland, Ore., for National Guard deployments, he has not publicly brought up Philadelphia. His administration has not filed a lawsuit against the city over its immigration policies, despite suing other jurisdictions with similar practices of not sharing some information with federal enforcement. And while the president has slammed mayors from other Democratic-run cities, he has not mentioned Parker. Its a notable omission for Trump, who has in the past fixated on deep-blue Philadelphia as a place where bad things happen. Some of Parkers supporters say the fact that Trumps focus is elsewhere is evidence that her quiet strategy is working, and those close to her say her restraint is deliberate. She has avoided taking on a president who has made commonplace of seeking revenge against political opponents. Parkers administration stopped referring to Philadelphia as a sanctuary city, instead calling it a welcoming city, as federal authorities bear down on such jurisdictions. And the mayor has maintained relationships in Washington, including with Republicans, as she tries to steer clear of negative attention from the White House. Mayor Parkers approach is what steady, disciplined leadership looks like, said Kyle Darby, a lobbyist who has worked in both Philadelphia and Washington. Being loudly outspoken for certain populations is what some people want to hear, but right now in this climate, its not always helpful, especially when youre the head of a city and any repercussions can affect millions of people. READ MORE: Philly Mayor Cherelle L. Parker is among the Democrats trying to coexist with Trump Parkers approach is dramatically different from others in her party. In Chicago, for example, Democrats have loudly decried the Trump administrations immigration tactics and sued over the National Guard mobilization. In return, Trump last week called for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to be jailed. Locally, District Attorney Larry Krasner regularly calls Trump a fascist and hosted town halls about a potential military deployment. City Council has passed 15 resolutions criticizing Trump and the White House. Even the centrist Council President Kenyatta Johnson recently suggested taking legal action against the Trump administration. Last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro, widely considered a 2028 presidential contender, signed onto a national lawsuit over the Guard deployments in other states. And Parkers predecessor, former Mayor Jim Kenney, often made no secret of his disdain for Trump during the presidents first term. READ MORE: How Trump's first 100 days impacted Pennsylvania But Parker has been steadfast, refusing to comment on hypotheticals or threats despite mounting pressure especially from activists and the political left to do so before the president may turn his attention here. We are living in actual fascism, said City Councilmember Nicolas ORourke, of the progressive Working Families Party. When you have someone moving like that, you do need to be proactive. He added: Its clear the mayor is being calculating. That is not the tactic I would take. I think we need to be more pronounced. A spokesperson for Parker declined to comment. Parker says shes prioritizing funding over politics It has long been challenging to place Parker on the traditional left-right ideological spectrum. During her historic 2023 campaign to be elected Philadelphias first female mayor, Parker, a lifelong Democrat, ran as a tough-on-crime candidate and rejected some progressive ideals as out of touch. She often touted her experience working with Republicans in her former role as a state representative. A year into her first term, Trump took office for the second time. Parker immediately expressed openness to collaborating with his administration on her priorities, including public safety. There is no evidence that Parker and Trump have worked together directly since. While Parker has not spoken publicly about her strategy to avoid overtly denouncing the president, she has made clear that her willingness to work with him is motivated by preserving the more than $2 billion the city receives annually in federal aid. We dont have the luxury of not having our fiscal house in order, Parker said after Trump took office. So I do anticipate, as mayor of the city of Philadelphia, eventually meeting with President Trump and/or members of his administration. Top city officials feared the Trump administration would follow through on his campaign threats to strip all federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities like Philadelphia, where authorities do not hold people in custody at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without a judicial warrant. That policy was adopted under previous mayors, and Parker has not changed it. So far, the Trump administration has not stripped funding from the city because of its immigration policies, and it has not filed a lawsuit against Philadelphia over them, despite doing so elsewhere. (His administration did separately terminate some grants to the city.) It is unclear why exactly Philadelphia has avoided the same fate as some of its peer cities run by Democrats. Asked to comment on the National Guard deployments, a White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they would not get ahead of the president on future considerations. Some political strategists have observed that the Trump administration has avoided activating the military in swing states, including Pennsylvania. Polling shows a majority of Americans believe the federal government should send troops only to face external threats. Another factor could be that protests in Philadelphia against immigration enforcement have been largely contained. They have been smaller than in cities like Los Angeles and Portland, where demonstrations grew combative at times and were cited by Trump officials as a justification for the military deployments. Philadelphias municipal government also has connections to the Trump administration. The city has long contracted federal lobbyists to advocate on its behalf, and has spent about $100,000 paying lobbyists from two firms so far this year, according to federal records. And Parker has said she has personal relationships with Pennsylvanias congressional delegation. That includes U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, a freshman Republican from Western Pennsylvania and a Trump ally. It is unclear if McCormick has lobbied Trump or the administration on the citys behalf, and his office did not respond to a request for comment. But its clear he and Parker are friendly. Parker and McCormick have on several occasions spoken fondly of each other, with McCormick specifically praising Parkers support of law enforcement and her efforts to address the citys opioid epidemic. During an interview on local talk radio this year, McCormick said hes a fan of Parker. He said he had met with her multiple times and had spoken with her at length after a deadly plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia in January. I think Philadelphias got a great mayor, McCormick said. Other elected officials are ratcheting up the alarm Still, many of Trumps loudest critics in Philadelphia think the city is on borrowed time and should do more to prepare for the Trump administration to deploy the military here. Krasner, the progressive prosecutor running for his third term in office, has said the Trump administration is looking for an excuse to invade Democratic-led cities. And City Council recently passed a resolution condemning a potential deployment of the National Guard in Philadelphia. Councilmember Kendra Brooks, the author of the legislation, said during a recent Council meeting that she is concerned about the citys current approach. The effort was backed by a parade of local activists who testified for the resolutions passage, with several offering veiled criticisms of Parker. The Rev. Peter Ahn alluded to Parkers oft-used catchphrase, One Philly, a United City, and said Philadelphia leaders should be outspoken against Trumps actions in other cities. Our silence does not make us safe, Ahn said. A united city is good. Solidarity with other cities is even better. There are signs that alarm is also growing among even more centrist Democrats. Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., a Democrat and longtime ally of Parkers, said local leaders have had to alter and two-step around Trump to protect federal aid to the city. But he questioned how long that dance can last. We have to as we move forward as a body, as a city, he said. At what point do we draw the line? At what point do we say, Enough is enough? And Johnson floated the idea of Council working with outside activists to take legal action against the Trump administration over threats to alter exhibits about slavery at Independence National Historical Park. Johnson, who has a close relationship with Parker, said he was not working with the mayor on the effort. He would not engage with reporters questions about her approach, but said broadly that local government is the front line in opposing Trumps agenda. So we have to step up, Johnson said. We have to use our platforms as a bully pulpit to advocate for those most in need. Online platform Angi, formerly known as Angis List, has settled with Vermonts attorney general over concerns about misleading marketing on its online platform, which connects consumers with more than 300 Vermont contractors or service professionals. Attorney General Charity Clark said Angi has agreed to stop using the marketing term Angi Certified Pro and to pay the state $100,000. Officials said that prior to 2025, Angi advertised participating Vermont residential contractors on its platform as certified pros. Vermont, however, does not have a certification process for contractors, and instead requires registration only under Title 26, which includes the states residential contractor registration requirements. Officials said that Angi itself does not have a certification process and cannot confer, or vouch for, credentials of contractors using its platform. Its vitally important that consumers are not misled by marketing terms that imply confidence or credentials that contractors do not have, said Clark. Angi must contact all Vermont residential contractors in its system to alert them to their obligations to register with the Vermont Secretary of States Office of Professional Regulation pursuant to Title 26. An early-season noreaster swept across the US East Coast, killing at least one person as it triggered power outages and travel delays, while across the continent a massive storm wreaked havoc on Alaska. The eastern storm will reach its peak before winding down overnight, said Frank Pereira, a senior branch forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. A gust of 43 miles (69 kilometers) per hour was recorded in Midtown Manhattan, while 57 mph was clocked at Eatons Neck on the north shore of Long Island. A 76-year-old Brooklyn resident was killed when a solar panel was blown off a carport, striking her in the head, the New York Daily News reported, citing police and the city buildings department. Today should be the worst of the last of it, Pereira said, noting that winds and rain will continue through the day from the Mid-Atlantic states into New England. The storm, more typical of a large winter system, caused coastal flooding and prompted high wind warnings and advisories stretching from Massachusetts to North Carolina. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared an emergency for New York City, Westchester County and Long Island. New Jersey also issued a similar declaration. New Yorks Christopher Columbus parade was canceled and organizers said it wont be rescheduled, according to Columbus Citizens Foundation. New Yorks Metropolitan Transportation Authority banned empty trailer trucks from city bridges and tunnels, including the Throgs Neck and Whitestone bridges, through 6 p.m. As of midday-Monday, there were more than 42,000 customers without power from Massachusetts to South Carolina, according to PowerOutage.com. At the same time, 456 flights, mainly out of Boston, with additional 148 from LaGuardia in New York, were canceled, FlightAware said. On top of that, 3,625 were delayed. New Jersey Transit suspended Monday train service on its North Jersey Coast Line between Bay Head and Long Branch and between Atlantic City and Philadelphia, the agency said on its website. Several bus lines were also halted. There were delays on the Montclair-Boonton line because of a downed tree across the tracks. Moderate flooding is forecast for New Yorks Battery, at Manhattans southern tip, at 2 p.m. when high tide arrives. The water will be 2.6 feet higher than Sunday mornings peak. Major or near-major flooding has also been recorded at coastal spots such as New Jersey, Virginia and North Carolina. Various scenes of flooded streets across the region have been appearing on social media since Sunday. In Georges Bank, about 100 miles east of Boston in the Atlantic, waves were reaching nearly 20 feet high, according to the US National Data Buoy Center. At the entrance of New York Harbor they reached 12.8 feet. The worst of the rains fell in South Carolina, where six to 10 inches fell around Myrtle Beach, Pereira said. As the East Coast was buffeted by the noreaster, Alaska was hit by a ferocious storm that toppled homes into the ocean, set high-tide records at the mouth of the Kuskokwim River, and saw strong wind gusts in the Yukon Delta, said Christopher Cox, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Fairbanks. UPDATE, 6:50 p.m. Search and rescue crews responded this afternoon to Kipnuk and Kwigillingok to search for missing people and rescue those displaced by the powerful storm system that impacted multiple coastal communities in Western Alaska. At least 18 people were rescued in Alaska State Troopers (@akstatetrooper) October 13, 2025 It was a significant storm, Cox said. It took a very poor track. It knocked homes off pilings and they were pushed into the river and into the sea. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a disaster in the hardest hit areas and at least 34 people have been rescued in Kwigillingok and Kipnuk, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Troopers were investigating reports there may be others missing. The storm has since moved on over the Beaufort Sea, which is part of the Arctic Ocean. Photo: People walk over the Brooklyn Bridge in the rain during a noreaster storm moving through the East Coast region in New York on Oct. 13. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Florida-based insurance broker King Risk Partners announced it has acquired Jenkins Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Jenkins Insurance has been serving Harrisonburg, Rockingham, and the surrounding regions of Virginia for more than 40 years. The agency offers personal lines, commercial coverage, cyber liability, flood, and additional specialty coverages. Michael Jenkins, principal of Jenkins Insurance, said his agency will be strengthened by joining with the national firm. King Risk Partners has more than 50 locations on the Eastern seaboard from New Hampshire to Florida. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Virginia A boom at financial technology firms and growing demand to get to grips with artificial intelligence lifted financial sector job vacancy numbers in London in the third-quarter, Morgan McKinleys London Employment Monitor showed on Monday. Vacancies in the sector rose 9% year-on-year, the recruiter said, although it warned that graduate-level hiring was slowing as more roles are automated. Mark Astbury, director at Morgan McKinley, said a sharp dip in hiring earlier this year caused by uncertainty around potential trade tariffs had been offset by a striking rebound, as employers resumed delayed hiring plans. This year, employers have posted 6,425 fintech roles, already exceeding last years total, reflecting the race to commercialize AI platforms, Astbury said. But with the upcoming budget on November 26, many businesses, already hit by the British governments increase in national insurance taxes, are concerned about further tax rises, making them cautious. In most cases, decisions are being delayed rather than withdrawn, Astbury said. He also noted structural changes that were reshaping the financial sector employment market, with more junior roles going to cities like Belfast and Glasgow and automation reducing administrative roles. London, on the other hand, continues to attract the bulk of senior positions, such as in technology, corporate finance and AI strategy. (Reporting by Phoebe Seers; editing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes and Toby Chopra) Related: Qantas Airways Ltd. said customer data stolen during a cyber incident in July has been released online, and that its working with security experts and Australian authorities to determine the extent of the exposure. The breach involved 5.7 million records taken via a third-party platform, with most information limited to names, email addresses and frequent-flyer details, the airline said. A smaller portion included addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, gender, and meal preferences, Qantas said in a statement on Sunday. Qantas said no credit card, passport or login details were accessed, and that there had been no impact on frequent-flyer accounts. The company obtained a New South Wales Supreme Court injunction to stop the stolen data being accessed or shared, and said it has strengthened system monitoring and staff training since the breach. Read more: Australias Qantas Says 6 Million Customer Accounts Accessed in Cyber Hack The airline said it continues to work with the Australian Cyber Security Centre and Federal Police, and that affected customers have been offered identity protection support. Photograph: A Qantas aircraft sits in a hangar at the Qantas and Jetstar mainenance hangar near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Photo credit: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Cyber Fraud European Union lawmakers agreed to move ahead with major cuts to a set of sustainability directives, after intense pressure from the blocs biggest member states. The EU Parliaments Committee on Legal Affairs voted on Monday to have the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) apply only to companies with at least 1,000 employees; for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the threshold will be 5,000. Both directives were originally intended to cover companies with at least 250 employees. The vote is the culmination of months of lobbying from business groups that argued the directives would hurt European competitiveness. CSDDD, designed to ensure companies are held accountable for human rights and environmental violations in their value chains, had emerged as a particularly contentious framework. Even after being drastically cut back in scope, Europe still faces pressure to rein the directive in further. The Details: The so-called juri committee voted to limit CSDDD to companies with at least 5,000 employees and 1.5 billion in annual revenue; they also agreed to drop a common civil-liability regime. Companies in scope will be required to ensure they have transition plans that align with EU climate law and the Paris Agreement. CSRD will only apply to companies with at least 1,000 employees and annual revenue of 450 million ($521 million) or more, though financial holdings and listed subsidiaries will be exempt. The US has repeatedly raised concerns about the extent to which both CSDDD and CSRD will apply to American companies. In a recent report, the US Chamber of Commerce warned that the directives represent unprecedented regulatory overreach. We havent been influenced in any way by how the US perceives this, said Jorgen Warborn, a Swedish lawmaker from the center-right European Peoples Party whos overseeing negotiations, speaking at a press conference. I am standing up for European competitiveness. German and French businesses also have voiced displeasure. In a letter sent this month to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, more than three dozen chief executive officers called for CSDDD to be abolished. Macron and Merz have previously signaled theyd be ready to consider such a move. Lawmakers will begin negotiations with the EUs 27 member states on a final agreement next week, Warborn said. The aim is to strike a deal by the end of the year, he added. Investors and nonprofit groups focused on sustainability acknowledge that some streamlining of the directives was necessary, but warn that cuts have gone too far. By limiting availability of essential data, the EU will be compromising on its competitive edge, said Susanna Arus, EU public affairs manager for the advocacy NGO Frank Bold. In order to scale up clean tech and advance the EUs strategic goals in energy efficiency or resource autonomy, access to high-quality, large-scale data is essential. Other campaign organizers went further in criticizing the decision. Beate Beller, EU senior campaigner at Global Witness, called it a dark day for Europe. Lawmakers had the chance to help victims of corporate abuse get access to justice and to make sure big companies were truly cutting emissions, she said in an emailed statement. Instead, EU lawmakers have handed big business a free pass. Photograph: The headquarters of the European Commission in Belgium. Photo credit: Martin Bertrand/AFP/Getty Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Legislation Europe Water shortages in South Texas are posing major risks to a fast-growing industrial hub thats crucial to President Donald Trumps twin goals of dominating global energy markets and slashing trade deficits. Corpus Christi, a Gulf Coast city 400 miles (640 kilometers) south of Dallas, is in the grip of a worsening drought thats already prompted lawn-watering bans and warnings that harsher restrictions may be necessary. Seven years of abnormally dry weather coincided with rapid industrial growth in the nations biggest oil-export hub, stretching supplies of fresh water. Municipal leaders are at odds over what to do. The city council recently halted work on a desalination plant that would have treated seawater after cost estimates spiraled to more than $1 billion and sparked outrage among some residents. The issue also tapped into long-simmering resentment of the growing industrial presence of major water users such as Exxon Mobil Corp., Koch Industries LLC, Celanese Corp., and Occidental Petroleum Corp. If the drought doesnt break in the next 12 months or so, even stricter usage limits may be necessary that would curb available supplies by 25%, officials have warned. Oh, yes, itll impact industry, said Brian Williams, general manager of San Patricio Municipal Water District, which counts large companies among its biggest customers. The current drought, it looks like its not going to let up. Everybodys considering what options are available out there. Corpus Christi has grown from a remote 19th-century trading post to a critical nexus of the global oil, natural gas and chemical sectors. Since 2010, the city of 320,000 people has seen more than $57 billion of direct capital investment, according to economic development figures. The deepwater port is an export hub for Permian Basin crude and gas while the coastline is home to six refineries, an LNG terminal and several massive petrochemical plants. About half of the citys water supply now goes to commercial and industrial customers at a time when the inland river systems that feed the region are drying up. Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi, the citys main water sources, are currently just 12% full, as severe drought conditions constrain river flows for hundreds of miles around. Lawn watering already is prohibited in the city and severe restrictions are in effect for things like washing cars and maintaining swimming pools. The two main reservoirs are forecast to run so low by November 2026 that an emergency declaration will mandate even stricter curtailments. Everybodys worried about that date, said John Byrum, executive director of Nueces River Authority, which manages surface-water resources in the region. The struggle is pitting residents against heavy industry that provides jobs and tax revenues for schools, libraries and public safety. State climatologists arent expecting the drought to break any time soon. Byrum, along with some local representatives and businesses, wants to build a multi-phased seawater desalination plant that could eventually become the largest in the country. In addition to the short-term need, he expects water demand to rise 30% over the coming years as the city grows. They need more water for the future, he said. My message to them is Hey, nows the time to get it.' But at a contentious, 12-hour meeting last month the city council voted to halt the desalination project, despite a $1 billion financing guarantee from the state. In one exchange, Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn accused an official from Governor Greg Abbotts office of intimidating her to support the plan despite her concerns that its too expensive and favors industry over residents. This tells me they dont care if the citizens pay for this, even though we know its for industry, she said during the Sept. 2 meeting. Abbotts Chief of Staff Robert Black held talks with Vaughn and other local officials, encouraging them to move forward with the desalination plant, according to a statement from the governors office. Black also warned them that failure to support the facility would would be putting the state in very a bad situation when it comes to future projects as they have proven to be an untrustworthy partner, the statement said. The state has invested tremendous resources into this project $235 million in direct funding, an offer of a $757 million below market-rate loan, and countless man-hours of assisting the City with navigating the permitting process and environmental reviews, according to the statement from Abbotts office. Mayor Paulette Guajardos office said in a statement that although the vote represented a setback in advancing our proposed seawater desalination project, our focus on securing a reliable long-term water source remains firm. The council will consider new options and approaches later this month. The dispute erupted anew during an Oct. 7 meeting at which residents repeatedly blamed new industrial facilities such as the sprawling Exxon-Saudi Basic Industries Corp. petrochemical plant for hogging water supplies and raising residential bills. As a resident, I havent seen any benefits to the area, Elida Castillo, program manager for the climate watchdog group Chispa Texas, said in an interview. The abatements that they get, the low water rates that they enjoy, the amount of water that they consume, its just made the quality of our life go down. An Exxon spokeswoman said their joint venture with Sabic was designed to recycle water, and we continually look for ways to reduce our water use. We are also exploring alternative water sources in event of a curtailment. Big industrial users are making contingency plans, according to Mike Culbertson, who leads the Corpus Christi Regional Development Corporation thats charged with luring new businesses to the area. Theres no more cheap water, he said. This is a warning for all regions across the South looking to attract heavy industry. Koch Industries, Occidental and Celanese didnt respond to requests for comment. Culbertson is now focusing on ways to continue the regions economic growth without making the situation worse: Were looking to see what companies we can bring here that dont use a lot of water. (Updates with mayors comment in 18th paragraph.) Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Texas At least six property insurers in Florida have opened a new front in their battle against public claims adjusters policy endorsements that strongly discourage property owners use of public adjusters altogether. And the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters have filed suit, contending that some of the endorsements are not allowed under Florida statutes. Theyre unfair to the people who are working for the insureds, and theyre illegal, Jonathan Zachem, general counsel for FAPIA, said at the groups conference this week in Orlando. Its a clear case of antitrust and unfair trade practices. Zachem was talking about endorsements now included in some excess and surplus policies offered by Velocity Risk Underwriters, a managing general agent for Interstate Fire and Casualty and for Lloyds of London, among others. Surplus lines insurers are only lightly regulated by Florida statues and rules, and Velocity can offer these endorsements that all but bar public adjusters in claims handling. But four admitted Florida carriers also recently filed for similar but optional endorsements. American Integrity Insurance, Orange Insurance Exchange, Safe Harbor Insurance and US Coastal Property and Casualty Insurance Co. all have asked the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to approve forms that grant premium discounts if policyholders agree to avoid the use of public adjusters, an OIR spokesperson said. These endorsements allow policyholders to choose whether or not they would like to use a public adjuster in the event of a claim, for a discount on their premium, OIR Press Secretary Shiloh Elliott said in an email. Adjusters and FAPIA leaders expect that similar restrictions will eventually be adopted by other Florida property insurers. Its the latest offensive by carriers hoping to muscle public adjusters out of the claims picture. Some insurers and their advocates have long argued that public adjusters, whose fee is a percentage of the insurance payment, can exaggerate the estimated cost of repairs. In June, Floridas largest carrier, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., adopted a new policy that could have an indirect impact: Claims settlement checks no longer include the name of the public adjuster. Some carriers have taken other tactics that shift burdens on to insureds and limit payouts, Outgoing FAPIA President Juan Moya said at the conference. These include endorsements by at least four carriers that seek to minimize payments on water-leak losses and restrict payouts on matching materials, such as floor tile, to no more than 1% of the total area covered by that material. Last week, a Florida appeals court added another hurdle for insureds and public adjusters: requiring actual cash value estimates before policyholders can file suit for breach of contract by insurers, plaintiffs attorneys said. Public adjusters are pushing back. FAPIA recently sent a letter to Citizens leaders, urging them to rescind the dangerous new policy that excludes public adjusters from being named on insurance settlement checks. The Velocity lawsuit by FAPIA and NAPIA, filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, contends that anti-public-adjuster endorsements fundamentally violate adjusters and insureds statutory rights. The endorsement language is straightforward: It is understood and agreed that a condition of this policy is that the named insured shall not hire, engage, retain, contract with, or otherwise utilize the services of a public adjuster, whether or not licensed in the state where the property is located or any other jurisdiction to inspect, evaluate, or adjust any loss covered by this policy, reads the endorsement in a policy provided by Velocity Risk Underwriters, according to the lawsuit complaint. Velocity also threatens that it will not take any steps to investigate, and it does not investigate, the insureds loss until the insured provides evidence that it has withdrawn from any representation by a Public Adjuster, the complaint contends. This requirement is plainly coercive for the insured after a loss, when time and attention to the loss is required right away. Some public adjusters in Florida have already been forced to terminate their representations of property owners because of the Velocity endorsement, the suit contends. Chip Merlin, a plaintiffs attorney who spoke at the FAPIA conference this week, said the endorsements raise new questions about unregulated surplus lines free rein to limit coverage. It doesnt have to be that way, Merlin said. State regulators need to look at more financial regulations for surplus lines. Officials with Velocity Risk Underwriters, owned by the Ryan Specialty brokerage since February, could not be reached about the FAPIA lawsuit. Topics Lawsuits Florida A blast in rural Tennessee that leveled an explosives plant and was felt for miles around killed 16 people and left no survivors, authorities said. The explosion left a smoldering wreck of twisted and charred metal and burned-out vehicles at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant, which supplies and researches explosives for the military. The cause of the blast is not known. Investigators are combing the incinerated property foot-by-foot searching for possible evidence. Theres a gauntlet of emotions there, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said during a news conference, pausing to clear his throat before he asked for prayers for the families of the victims in a shaky voice. Weve recovered no survivors, he added. During a vigil at Hurricane Chapel in McEwen, senior pastor Tim Farris noted that many in attendance know each other, the victims and their families. Theres a lot of people hurting. A lot of people who are crying a lot of tears, he said. We are sad that our community is going through this, but its a tremendous opportunity for the church to minister to a lot of those people today. Farris said he spoke with some families of victims on Friday who were in shock and numb, and they did not show much emotion. That had changed by Saturday, he said. Speaking with some of the families today, they were very emotional, Farris said. They can hardly speak or anything, they are so emotional. I think as this goes on, its going to hit more people. The depth of this, the reality of it. Thats when theyre going to need people the most. Community Recalls the Lives of Those Who Were Killed Just miles from a rural Tennessee plant leveled by a Just miles from a rural Tennessee plant leveled by a devasting explosion , the congregants of Maple Valley Baptist Church devoted Sundays service to the 16 deceased victims and their families. Several of the dozens of people praying at the small church knew someone who worked at the plant owned by Accurate Energetic Systems, which supplies and researches explosives for the military and is a well-known employer in the area. Theres a somber kind of vibe right now in the community just because its so many lives that have been affected by it, said Pastor Jimmy Andrews of the church in Nunnelly. Its family and friends just trying to hold each other up during this most difficult time. Churches across many of the areas small close-knit communities, including another one attended by Gov. Bill Lee on Sunday, did the same through vigils and services as many tried to make sense of the devastation. The losses are staggering, Lee told reporters after surveying the damage by helicopter and attending Compassion Church in nearby Waverly. The cause of Fridays blast remained under investigation. Crews were carefully going through incinerated property, searching for possible evidence. Authorities warned of smaller controlled explosions Sunday to dispose of hazardous materials. Extraordinary precautions are in place to prevent further damage and injuries, the Humphreys County sheriffs office said in a statement. The community around the area is safe but you may hear noise and see some smoke. The initial blast was felt for more than 20 miles (32 kilometers), leaving a smoldering wreck of twisted and charred metal and burned-out vehicles at the plant. Authorities said there were no survivors . They had not identified the deceased by Sunday. The plant is located in a heavily wooded area of middle Tennessee, between the vital Tennessee River to the west and Nashville to the east. Brandon Brake, 42, said many in the area were leaning on their church families to make it through. He attended Maple Valley Baptist. Its been a tragic time, he said. Were going to pull through. The community of McEwen lowered its flags to half-staff on Saturday out of respect. A Sunday evening candlelight vigil was planned outside the Humphreys County Courthouse. Schools in the county said counseling services would be available to students on Monday. We will continue to play a support role to those affected in any way possible as they are our friends, neighbors, and citizens of our community, McEwen Mayor Brad Rachford said in an email Sunday. Andrews, the pastor of Maple Valley Baptist, told congregants to look out for each other. Lord, I just pray we lift up those that are continuing to suffer through this tragic event, he said. Pamela Jane Brown was among those who came out to pray for friends missing in the blast and their families. She said an acquaintance of her family was driving by the plant when it exploded, and he was hurt pretty good all cut up and bruised, but is now recovering at home. I was heartbroken, she said, after learning of the explosion on social media. Meeting others for prayer was a coming together of the community a good feeling. State officials brought in a rapid DNA team to help identify the remains of people recovered at the site. Davis said about 300 responders are working in a slow, methodical method as they deal with explosive material that has been damaged and remains volatile. An ambulance and a helicopter used for air evacuations were brought in, for the safety of first responders. Its not like working an accident. Its not like working a tornado. Were dealing with explosions. And I would say at this time, were dealing with remains, he said. Guy McCormick, a supervisory special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said explosive specialists and bomb technicians are trying to make the area safe for national ATF investigators. He said the nature of the scene can change because of the heat and pressure caused by the explosion. Davis said it could be days, weeks or even months before foul play is ruled out. The site is located in a heavily wooded area of middle Tennessee, between the economically vital Tennessee River to the west and the bustling metropolis of Nashville to the east. Modest homes dot the wooded landscape, residences belonging to good old country people, as local man Terry Bagsby put it. A Lot of Grief Bagsby, 68, is retired but he helps out working the register at a gas station near the site. He said people in the close-knit community are very, very sad. He said he knows people who worked at the site. I dont know how to explain it. Just a lot of grief. Officials at an evening news conference said counselors would be available for grieving students on Monday. Earlier Saturday afternoon at the church in McEwen, about 30 people gathered to pray for victims of the explosion and their families. Music played and mourners bowed their heads and closed their eyes. Some knelt at an altar, placing their hands on each others backs and shoulders. Some wept softly, among the whispered prayers. After the vigil, Farris, the pastor, told media that the area has seen its share of tragedy and loss of life, including a deadly flood a few years ago. He asked for prayers for first responders. This is tiresome physically. This kind of thing weighs on you mentally. They carry that home. They need prayer and encouragement as well, he said. The companys website says it processes explosives and ammunition at an eight-building facility that sprawls across wooded hills in the Bucksnort area, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Nashville. It is not immediately known how many people work at the plant or how many were there when the explosion happened. Accurate Energetic Systems, based in nearby McEwen, said in a post on social media on Friday that the companys thoughts and prayers are with the families and community impacted. We extend our gratitude to all first responders who continue to work tirelessly under difficult conditions, the post said. Explosion Jolts Residents From Sleep The company has been awarded numerous military contracts, largely by the U.S. Army and Navy, to supply different types of munitions and explosives, according to public records. The products range from bulk explosives to landmines and small breaching charges, including C4. When the explosion occurred, residents in Lobelville, a 20-minute drive from the scene, said they felt their homes shake, and some people captured the loud boom of the explosion on their home cameras. The blast rattled Gentry Stover from his sleep. I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it, he told The Associated Press. I live very close to Accurate, and I realized about 30 seconds after I woke up that it had to have been that. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee posted on the social platform X that he is monitoring the situation and asked Tennesseans to join us in prayer for the families impacted by this tragic incident. A small group gathered for a vigil Friday night at a nearby park, clutching candles as they prayed for the missing and their families and sang Amazing Grace. The U.S. has a long history of deadly accidents at workplaces, including the Monongah coal mine explosion that killed 362 men and boys in West Virginia in 1907. Several high-profile industrial accidents in the 1960s helped lead President Richard Nixon to sign a law creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration the next year. In 2019, Accurate Energetic Systems faced several small fines from the U.S. Department of Labor for violations of policies meant to protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals, radiation and other irritants, according to citations from OSHA. In 2014, an explosion occurred at another ammunition facility in the same small community, killing one person and injuring at least three others. Photo: The aftermath at the military explosives manufacturing plant in Hickman County, on Friday (WTVF-TV via AP) ____ Associated Press writers Obed Lamy, Mike Catalini in Morrisville, Pennsylvania; Sarah Brumfield, in Cockeysville, Maryland; Hannah Schoenbaum, in Salt Lake City; Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Kimberlee Kruesi in Providence, Rhode Island; and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Manufacturing Tennessee A mass shooting early Sunday at a crowded bar on an idyllic island considered to be the largest Gullah community on the South Carolina coast has left four people dead and at least 20 injured, officials said. A large crowd was at Willies Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island when sheriffs deputies arrived and found many people with gunshot wounds. An estimated 5,000 or more Gullah people living on the island trace their ancestry back to enslaved West Africans who once worked rice plantations in the area before being freed by the Civil War. Bar owner Willie Turral was inside the establishment, which was packed for a high school alumni event, when he heard shots going off in bursts outside. He described the scene: Screaming and panic and fear. The Beaufort County Sheriffs Office said in a statement on the social platform X that many people ran to nearby businesses seeking shelter from the gunfire. This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone, the statement said. We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones. Among the injured, four were in critical condition at hospitals Sunday afternoon. The victims identities were not released. Turral said the bar was hosting an event for alumni of Battery Creek High School in Beaufort, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) northwest of St. Helena Island. He said people were having a good time when the shots were heard. It was scary from the inside, he said, with people not knowing whats really going on outside, people trying to get to safety. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace posted on X that she was COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN to learn about the devastating shooting. Willies Bar and Grill advertises itself as serving authentic Gullah-inspired cuisine and describes itself on its website as not just a restaurant but a community pillar committed to giving back, especially to our youth. Smaller enclaves of Gullah, referred to as Geechee in some areas, are scattered along the Southeast coast from North Carolina to Florida. Scholars say separation from the mainland caused the Gullah to retain much of their African heritage, including a unique dialect and skills such as cast-net fishing and basket weaving. ___ Associated Press writer Lewis Levine produced this report; Kathy McCormack contributed from Concord, New Hampshire. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics South Carolina California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill aimed at ramping up the housing supply, bucking opposition from detractors including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and neighborhoods around the states largest city. The legislation allows apartment buildings as tall as nine stories to be constructed near mass transit stations regardless of local zoning codes, which supporters say will help tame sky-high housing prices. Bass warned of unintended consequences, while opponents in residential enclaves said too much construction will spoil their neighborhoods quiet atmosphere. The clash emerged as a flashpoint in the long-running battles over how to ease a chronic housing shortage in a state where the median home price is more than $800,000. Newsom, a potential presidential contender, has previously outlined plans for California to add 2.5 million homes. The Los Angeles area has one of the nations highest percentages of severely cost-burdened renters, and a majority of residents say they have considered leaving due to high prices. All Californians deserve an affordable place to live close to jobs, schools and opportunity, Newsom said in a statement. Housing near transit means shorter commutes, lower costs and more time with family. Like Bass, Newsom is a Democrat and his decision signals more housing fights to come in party bastions such as Los Angeles. In areas such as Westwood, an upscale district with Spanish revival-style homes and high-end condos, some residents said theyre worried that a building binge will degrade their quality of life. They also said they have their own plans to add multifamily dwellings in the neighborhood, which according to Redfin has a median home price of $1.2 million. Scores of historical buildings and single-family homes would be decimated for no reason, said Steve Sann, chair of the Westwood Neighborhood Association. We already know where we want our high-density housing. But before weve had a chance to fully implement it, here comes Sacramento with a bulldozer. The UCLA campus in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco who authored the legislation, said its too soon to estimate how much home construction his plan would unlock. But addressing affordability will require adding density in zones which until now have been off limits, he said. If were not building more housing near the highest quality public transportation, where the hell are we building it? Wiener said. Wiener sponsored several other housing initiatives over the years, including a recent measure that exempted some projects from environmental reviews. When Newsom signed that into law in June, he called it part of his abundance agenda, a political movement gaining ground among Democrats thats leading to more aggressive pro-building measures. The new California law allows taller apartment buildings within a half mile of heavily used transit stations across eight counties, including places like San Francisco and San Diego. It also removes some protections for building on historical land. In Westwood, which is tucked between Beverly Hills and Bel Air, residents were concerned that homes previously left untouched by other housing initiatives could potentially be redeveloped. The neighborhood is also due to add two new Los Angeles Metro stations by 2028, which can increase the area affected by the new building rules. Once you get that first apartment, watch people just start selling and selling and selling, said Terri Tippit, who has lived more than half a century in a Spanish revival-style home two miles south of the University of California at Los Angeles. Councilwoman Traci Park, who also opposes the new rules, says they could drive out low-income families from places like East LA by making their homes susceptible to new zoning rules. A key dispute is that the city already has a plan incentivizing multifamily construction near transit, without touching single-family homes. But critics say that plans progress has been slow. Los Angeles wants to add roughly 456,000 housing units by 2029, but only about 3,100 permits for new units were approved in the first half of this year. UCLA housing data analyst Aaron Barrall says he doubts the city can adequately meet its goal while exempting the vast plurality of the citys land. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics California Louisiana California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bipartisan bill that aims to prevent the states home insurer of last resort from running out of money following a natural disaster. The FAIR Plan is an insurance pool that provides policies to people who cant get private insurance because their properties are deemed too risky to insure. The number of homeowners forced onto the FAIR Plan has skyrocketed. With high premiums and basic coverage, the plan is designed as a temporary option until homeowners can find permanent coverage. But more Californians are relying on it than ever as increasingly devastating and destructive fires spark across the state, including in densely populated areas. There were nearly 600,000 home policies on the FAIR Plan as of June. Leaders of the plan last year warned state lawmakers that it could go insolvent after a major wildfire or disaster. Related: Californias Insurance Commissioner Is Seeking Changes to The Intervenor Process That reality came true earlier this year after wildfires swept through Los Angeles and destroyed more than 17,000 structures. The plan faced a loss of roughly $4 billion and needed a $1 billion bailout from private insurers to pay out claims. Half of that cost is expected to be passed onto all policyholders. The law Newsom signed allows the FAIR Plan to request state-backed loans and bonds and spread out claims payments over multiple years after a disaster. Insurance companies were previously required to pay the full bailout within 30 days. Supporters of the new law said it will prevent the need for future bailouts that raise rates for everyone. The kinds of climate-fueled firestorms like we saw in January will only continue to worsen over time. Thats why were taking action now to continue strengthening Californias insurance market to be more resilient in the face of the climate crisis, Newsom said in a statement. Republican state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil said the measure was a good step to help stabilize the FAIR Plan. This bill doesnt solve everything. But it does help to ensure that the FAIR Plan customers can rely on coverage in their time of greatest need, she said in September during a floor debate. Related: California Commissioner Takes Action Against FAIR Plan for Smoke Damage Claims Newsom also signed another bill to expand the FAIR Plan board, which currently consists of nine voting insurers and four nonvoting members appointed by the governor. The new law adds two representatives from the Legislature to serve as non-voting members on the board. Supporters, including the states top insurance regulator, said the law adds a new layer of oversight and transparency. Opponents said it wouldnt make a difference because the new members dont have any voting power. California is undergoing a yearslong effort to stabilize its insurance market after several major insurance companies either paused or restricted new business in the state in 2023, which pushed hundreds of thousands of homeowners onto the FAIR Plan. Wildfires are becoming more common and destructive in California because of climate change, and insurers say that is making it difficult to truly price the risk on properties. Of the top 20 most destructive wildfires in state history, 15 have occurred since 2015, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The state now gives insurers more latitude to raise premiums in exchange for issuing more policies in high-risk areas. That includes regulations allowing insurers to consider climate change when setting their prices and allowing them pass on the costs of reinsurance to California consumers. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California The lands to the south and east of Cork City are amongst the most sought-after in Munster. The soil quality is exceptionally good, it is close to large markets in Cork city to great infrastructure between airport, seaports, rail and motorway. On top of that, there are the aesthetics of being close to the coastline and to chic towns like Kinsale. A 69-acre farm that encapsulates all of the above in one superb property is new to the market with Clonakilty-based auctioneers Hodnett Forde Property Services. Panoramic view of the coastal farm at Lispatrick Lower, Kinsale. This is a really rare opportunity to acquire top quality lands which are in a spectacular and unique setting, says selling agent Ernest Forde. Its situated between Garrylucas Beach and the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Links, with uninterrupted views to the Galley Head Lighthouse. For a substantial holding such as this one to come up in this area represents a true rarity. The range of potentially interested parties should be dominated by dairy farmers but this is the kind of property that will also make those with a love of the area and deep pockets consider purchasing. The property is being presented in a series of lots - something that will encourage that spread of interest even more. View of the 69-acre coastal farm at Lispatrick Lower, Kinsale. The suggested lots are: Lot A (the entire 69 acres with outbuilding); Lot B (16.6 acres); Lot C (Shed and yard on 1 acre); Lot D (27.6 acres); Lot E (23.8 acres). The lands have extensive road frontage and are laid out in one block, says Ernest. The property is set out in a number of easily worked divisions and has its own private beach. The property is mainly in tillage, with just 8 acres of it under grass at present. There is a 4-bay round roof shed and lean-to. There is also evidence of an old stone ruin, which may offer hope for building a home at some point. The price guide is 20,00 - 25,000/acre, with in the region of 250,000 to 300,000 expected for the shed, which, Ernest says, may have potential. Coming up for public auction at the Talbot Hotel in Midleton on Wednesday, October 29 next at 3pm is a compact 17.4-acre land parcel in the fertile area of East Cork. The property in question is at Ballymore on the island of Cobh in Cork Harbour. The town of Cobh is just a couple of kilometres to the west of this property past Cuskinny Beach and is a most sought-after part of the region, where land coming on the market is a rarity. Given the relatively small dimensions of the property, there should be a good number of potentially interested parties turning up on the day. Marked outline aerial photo of the 14-acre holding for auction at Cobh. According to Cork city-based auctioneer Michael McKenna, interest to date has been encouraging. This property has been anticipated for some time and the interest is mainly local, according to Michael. These are south-facing lands and are of excellent quality, says Michael. Its all in one block, with free-draining soil and suitable for all farming enterprises. Last year, another rare land sale in Cobh very close to this one resulted in 70 acres fetching something in the region of 20,000/acre. Id be hoping that this property will make something in that ball park too, says Michael. It may well make more but this is an executor sale and anything can happen on the day. In our third instalment, we follow the FCJ Bunclody team, Hollie-Mae Power Sinnott and Grace Warren from Co Wexford. The girls are the first team to represent their school in the Certified Irish Angus School Competition and were shot to the final with their project titled Positioning Ireland as a global leader in sustainable beef production. With Ms Warren coming from a sheep farming background and Ms Power Sinnott hailing from a beef and tillage farm, the girls felt well-equipped for the competition, alongside their teacher, Ms ODwyer. The girls work aimed to show how Ireland can lead by example on a global level with Irish Angus beef, highlighting PGI status, family farming, and multispecies systems. From left: Hollie-Mae Power Sinnott, and Grace Warren at the Croke Park exhibition of their project The research for their project will focus on examining the knowledge farmers have about sustainability in farming, investigating the effects of multi-species swards and their impact on slaughter performance and farm sustainability, and learning about consumers eating habits and coming up with ideas to incorporate more beef in daily diets. The pair also aimed to compare the importance of women in the role of agriculture in Ireland to other countries across the world and connect with leading female researchers in an effort to demonstrate how the Irish beef industry compares to other global counterparts. Through their project, the girls were able to connect with female researchers from Canada, the USA, South Korea, Brazil, Iran, and New Zealand, to help in their research comparing Irish Angus beef production to others, as well as how sustainability practices compare between the countries. Sometimes Ireland, especially in farming and agriculture, is placed in a negative light. In terms of being labelled the biggest causes of global warming. We wanted to place it in a positive light that we are actually doing really well compared to other parts of the world, explained Ms Warren. The girls also connected with Bord Bias Shauna Jager, who educated the pair on the well-positioned and high-quality beef industry in Ireland. Taking inspiration from their own lives, with Ms Power Sinnott being a celiac, the girls produced their own burger, the Bo-goer, to promote the versatility and accessibility of Irish Angus beef across various diets. The students five calves: Poppy, Fernando, Charlie, Benny and William were raised on Ms Power Sinnotts family farm in Wexford. The calves grazed on multispecies swards following the girls trip to the ABP demo farm in Clonegal and Teagasc Johnstown. Seeing the positive results there, they replicated it back in Wexford. The pair were delighted with their calves progress, with the animals averaging 600kg ahead of their slaughter in August of this year on their sward mix of white clover, plantain, red clover and perennial rye grass. From left: Hollie-Mae Power Sinnott, Grace Warren with their Angus calves on Hollie's farm The team told the Irish Examiner that over the next few months they plan to visit local primary schools to help educate children about where beef comes from and why it is so special in Ireland. The pair also plan to create a LinkedIn page to promote their project, knowledge they have collected from their connections with female researchers across the globe, and to showcase Irish beef and their celiac-safe burger to a wider audience, showcasing their hard work while also spreading awareness of Irish beef. Back in March, the Bunclody students were taken on a trip as part of the competition, travelling to Tesco HQ and Bord Bia to present their projects with the other finalists. They got a behind-the-scenes look at how meat cuts are processed and packaged before hitting the shelves at Hilton Foods, Drogheda. The finalists also participated in a steak cooking competition at Lismullin Cookery School in Navan, before jetting off to Brussels. Like the other finalists, the girls presented their project to MEPs in the European Parliament. The Bunclody pair were very encouraging for those interested in the competition to apply and see where it goes. The competition is so unique that it's nice to make friends with people who have similar interests, Ms Power Sinnott said, with Ms Warren adding: I think that both of us were completely different people, like we've come on so much in terms of confidence and communication skills, and we just had a great time. DYSLEXIA Ireland is calling on the Government to provide more time in state exams for pupils and students who are dyslexic, dyscalculic, or neurodivergent. I would also advocate for people with dyspraxia (developmental co-ordination disorder). It is a condition that often goes unnoticed. The charitys campaign theme is, Its about time! Fair exams for all. It highlights a practical need and a symbolic truth: That time itself can be the hidden obstacle many of these young people face. For a student with dyslexia or dyspraxia, time can be crucial. They may understand the material and have the correct answer in their mind, but struggle to transfer it onto paper before the timer runs out. From my experience as a university lecturer, I know these students have at least the equal understanding and knowledge of their peers. However, they face invisible challenges: Slower processing speeds, co-ordination issues, or fine-motor difficulties that make writing exhausting. For a child with dyspraxia, handwriting can feel like running a marathon in sand; for someone with dyslexia, reading can resemble deciphering a constantly changing code. In a timed exam system, this turns in to an unfair race. As Rosie Bissett, CEO of Dyslexia Ireland, notes: Providing extra time isnt an advantage; its a necessary accommodation that allows these students to demonstrate their knowledge without the barrier of time pressure. Yet despite promises and political backing, the State Examinations Commission has not confirmed any changes to the ironically named RACE (Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations) scheme for 2026. Without these reasonable accommodations at exam time, another generation of bright, capable, and determined students will sit their exams under conditions that test their processing speed more than their knowledge. The emotional weight of dyslexia and dyspraxia Behind every learning difference lies an emotional journey. While the academic challenges of dyslexia and dyspraxia are well-documented, the psychological impact is less visible, but often more profound. Children with these learning differences often face what psychologists refer to as chronic discrepancy stress, the ongoing tension of knowing you are capable, but unable to perform at the level you (or others) expect. In 2012, psychologist William Stixrud explored this concept, describing how the persistent mismatch between effort and outcome can erode self-esteem and heighten anxiety. At school, this often manifests as self-doubt. A child with dyspraxia might fear PE because they struggle to keep up physically, while a child with dyslexia might avoid reading aloud out of fear of ridicule. Over time, these small episodes of embarrassment and frustration accumulate, shaping their self-image. I remember one boy telling me how his teacher awarded points to the table that had their materials packed away first at the end of the day. Because of his dyspraxia, his table never won, which made him feel like he was constantly letting down his peers. Research confirms what many parents instinctively know: Children with dyslexia and dyspraxia face higher risks of anxiety, low mood, and academic burnout. A 2020 study by the University of Oxford found that dyslexic students reported significantly lower academic self-esteem and higher levels of stress compared to their peers. This finding was mainly due to social stigma and repeated experiences of falling short, rather than because of lower intelligence or motivation. When effort doesnt equal outcome One of the most challenging aspects for a young person with dyslexia or dyspraxia is recognising that effort does not always lead to reward. They may study for hours, understand the material thoroughly, and still their grades fall short because their written answers were either unfinished or not legible enough. Even in sport, a child with dyspraxia might put in twice the effort of their peers in their own time, only to fail to make the team. For children with dyspraxia, whose handwriting and co-ordination difficulties slow down every written task, exams can feel like running out of time before they have even started. This chronic sense of being behind can lead to avoidance. Some children start to disengage emotionally, not because they dont care, but because caring hurts too much. Others internalise a belief that theyre not smart, when, in reality, the system just wasnt built for them. Parenting through the pressure For parents, watching their child struggle with the exam system can be heartbreaking. They see the hours of effort, the tears over homework, the fear before exams. They know their child is bright, creative, and insightful, but feel powerless against a system that doesnt recognise that. Parenting a child with dyslexia or dyspraxia often involves being their translator, advocate, and emotional support. Its about maintaining belief in your child when they doubt themselves. There are a few principles that can have a significant impact: Praise persistence, not perfection. Reward the effort, not the outcome; Normalise difference. Explain that brains learn in many ways, in that some are fast, and some are deep, and acknowledge the positives associated with depth; Model calm around your childs mistakes, because your reaction teaches a child whether failure is a disaster or a misstep; Promote emotional literacy by helping your child name their frustration, shame, or fear, as this is the first step to managing them. Practical adjustments For children with dyspraxia, practical adjustments, like typing instead of handwriting or using assistive technology, can reduce much of their daily frustration. For those with dyslexia, audiobooks or speech-to-text tools can significantly improve their learning experience. However, some young people avoid these supports because they do not want to be seen as different and prefer to struggle rather than incur the social cost of needing help. Nevertheless, most students I have spoken to are receptive to being given extra time to complete exams. However, the most powerful tool of all is emotional validation, the message that, Youre not broken; you just learn differently. Supporting these children starts with redefining fairness. Fairness is not about sameness. It involves recognising individual needs and catering to them appropriately. Although the RACE scheme has made some progress, the lack of additional time in secondary schools additional time is a standard accommodation at most universities and in international exam systems is unjustifiable. Dyslexia Irelands calls for earlier confirmation of supports, wider access to assistive technology, and a quicker review process are not radical demands; they are the absolute minimum needed to create a level playing field. By delaying reform, we continue a narrative that some children are simply less able, when, actually, they receive less support. Whats at stake here is not just academic achievement, but mental wellbeing. For many young people with dyslexia or dyspraxia, the Leaving Cert becomes less an evaluation of knowledge and more a test of stamina. I have heard many times that students who are struggling say they understand the material, but by the time they have written their answers, time is up. That quiet feeling of defeat can have lifelong effects, influencing self-esteem, career goals, and even how a young person interacts with learning in later life. When exams focus on how quickly someone can write instead of how deeply they can think, weve entirely missed the purpose of education. Call for compassion and change This dyslexia awareness month, lets remember that children with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and ADHD dont need pity. They need parity. They need a system that acknowledges their effort, values their insight, and gives them the time to show it. Its not just about the time on a clock. Its about giving time: For understanding, inclusion, and for the system to finally catch up with the children its meant to serve. As a psychotherapist of many years, I have seen the toll that navigating the education system with these challenges can take on the emotional life of a child. But as a parent of children with these difficulties, I have become even more passionate about and invested in being a voice for these young people. Because, for them, it truly is about time. It is time to act, time to listen, and time to make education reflect not just what they can write, but who they are. Dr Colman Noctor is a child psychotherapist Parents of children with spina bifida and scoliosis meet politicians today and will call for promises of reform in childrens care to be acted upon. Families are hoping a renewed political focus on services following the tragic death of Harvey Morrison Sherratt will bring more action. Harvey, who was nine, had scoliosis and spina bifida and waited years for spinal surgery. During this time, the curve in his spine went from 75 degrees to 130 degrees. However, by the time of his surgery last December, the curve had reached a point where it was not possible to fully correct it. Harvey died on July 29. Amanda Coughlan Santry is co-founder of the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group. She said: They are only listening to us now, and unfortunately, it took the loss of Harvey for the problems to become apparent to the Government. Referring to an inquiry promised by the health minister, she said: Were cautiously optimistic about the inquiry, but we stiFll have to sit down and discuss the type of inquiry it will be. The Leinster House meeting is hosted by senator Tom Clonan. Invitations went to politicians in all parties. We have videos to show childrens lived experiences, were going to show videos of the lack of care these young adults and children have. She pointed out that while the public focus is on surgeries, a lack of everyday services is an unseen crisis. The system is broken, the system is on fire, she said. Not only are we not protecting the people who need the services, we are not protecting the staff who work in the services. Amanda OSullivan met senior staff in Children's Health Ireland (CHI) to talk about her daughters care two weeks ago. Amanda and Paul OSullivans daughter and son, Analla and Braoc, both have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Analla has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Scoliosis is a common part of this condition. The little girl had successful surgery last November. However, her parents want to know why her worsening spinal curve was not recognised earlier. Ms OSullivan said health records show six times over 11 months when the curve either could have been recognised or was seen but not acted upon. In fairness, (the surgeon) was handed a child with a 52-degree curve, there was nothing else he could do at that stage, she said. But our argument constantly was if wed been told a year beforehand, we would have brought her to him earlier or to somebody and got her monitored. She could have avoided surgery. Just last week, her son Braoc, who has the same condition as his sister, was also diagnosed with scoliosis. She and her husband Paul cried when they saw the X-rays. We are continuing on this journey, she said. The meeting with CHI covered omissions, lack in communications, transparency issues, and failures in management and care, she said. She welcomed feedback from the people she met, but now wants to see change. She was told by CHI that Anallas case was an isolated incident, but questions remain for the family. How many other kids has this happened to? she said. Her instinct with their sons care was to go private and have him assessed for treatment called 'bracing', in hopes of avoiding surgery. CHI cannot comment on individual cases. It has committed to implementing recommendations in recent reports. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has defended the Government's decision not to introduce energy credits, arguing they would lead to energy companies factoring them into price increases. A week on from the announcement of Budget 2026, the Government continues to face criticism in the Dail over its decisions. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the budget was written as though the cost-of-living crisis was a thing of the past. She argued energy companies are brazenly ripping off customers in Ireland. A report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) found retail prices in Ireland are three times higher than the wholesale price. That's price gouging, plain and simple. A rip off, plain and simple, Ms McDonald said. A new report from the International Energy Agency reveals that these companies are refusing to pass on the drop in wholesale price to their customers. Big energy companies are making bumper profits on the backs of working households, and hundreds of thousands of those already can't afford to pay their bills. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael see this energy rip-off happening, but you stand back and do nothing. You refuse to take on the energy companies, and you vote down our proposals to get energy costs under control. Ms McDonald said energy credits did not feature in last weeks budget, accusing the Government of forgoing the credits, tax changes for workers, and cost-of-living packages in favour of sweetheart tax breaks for developers, for big landlords and for the banks. All your big election promises disappearing like snow off a ditch, she added. In response, Mr Martin said Budget 2026 focused on infrastructure and those on the lowest incomes. He suggested Sinn Fein was calling for the Government to keep bailing out the energy companies and underpinning the gouging, questioning where's the pressure on the companies if the credits continued. If the companies think there's going to be [credits worth] 200, 500, 1,000 every year, that will get factored in without question, he said. Elsewhere, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns asked when the new housing plan would be published, as she noted the Government was set to miss its housing targets again. Mr Martin accused her of empty rhetoric but noted housing supply is not where we wanted to be, but it's significantly way up on where it was five years ago on an annual basis. Small work groups and a tight focus on deadlines were key to opening the new Bon Secours Limerick hospital, the chief executive said while standing in a surgical theatre where fields once lay five years ago. It is the first large hospital to open in Ireland in almost 20 years, offering scheduled operations and other options to a region struggling more than most with access to healthcare. Inside a nature-inspired interior, flower-shaped light fittings share space with white theatres and cutting-edge technology. Jason Kenny, who worked in the HSE for over 30 years before coming to the private operation in Limerick, said: So five and half years ago where were standing now, underneath, was the field where we walked with my colleagues, during covid times. "From the outset, we spoke to Limerick council, they were advising us. The project included a design team of 24 professionals, working with architecture firms Reddy and HOK. Within 12 months to the day, we designed the hospital, submitted planning applications, and received planning, he said. That was June 2022, construction began early 2023 with Sisk. The first patients were seen last month. He highlighted input from senior clinical and nursing staff at its hospital in Barringtons in Limerick City. That Georgian building is now emptying. Mr Kenny is far too canny to comment directly on another hospital being built in Dublin, the long-delayed National Children's Hospital, saying only: I wouldnt be as arrogant to say we have a blueprint here. But certainly if someone came to ask: Would you mind sharing x, y, or z?, then absolutely. Its not a level 4 tertiary trauma centre, this is primarily an elective hospital. The new in-patient CT scanner at Bon Secours Hospital Limerick Many staff who spoke to the Irish Examiner on Tuesday were alumni of University Hospital Limerick. However, Mr Kenny insisted HSE boss Bernard Gloster need not worry. Ive never come for any staff, but my phone would always be answered, he said. "We have not been inundated with HSE staff leaving there in so-called droves. Among the benefits for patients of the new hospital is the removal of fear of winter cancellations, as the site does not have an emergency department. GPs can refer into a clinic similar to a medical assessment unit. He expects around 45,000 annual discharges between in-patients and day procedures, with another 100,000 attending for X-rays and out-patient care. Many patients, including older people, will be HSE-funded. They can access a PET scanner from later this year, a first for the region. Dr Jude Ryan, geriatrician, noted the wide corridors make it easier for frailer people to walk without fear of falling. She worked for 13 years at UHL and said there is a close relationship between the Bons and HSE community services. The environment is wonderful here for older patients, their families can stay with them, she said. The 91 in-patient rooms have couches, relatives are welcome to a free meal too. Wards are named after local saints, including St Munchin, which give another homely touch. Televisions will display digital health records as the Bons group rolls this out between now and July across its five hospitals. Speaking in another new theatre, Professor Eamon Kavanagh, vascular surgeon, has also transferred from UHL. Prof Eamon Kavanagh, professor in vascular surgery at Bon Secours Hospital Limerick. What we can provide here is excellent, planned, elective, safe surgery, he said. "Were very excited about it, this is a fantastic opportunity for patients here. Bernadette Carroll, director of nursing, has been with the Bons since 2019 after a long HSE career including at St Johns Hospital and UHL. We brought 250 existing staff with us, and now were going to double our workforce. So for nursing, approximately 130 came from Barringtons, and now were going to grow our team to in excess of 300 nurses and healthcare assistants, she said. The hospital is recruiting locally and abroad, and Ms Carroll is also seeing an interesting cohort of Irish nurses returning home from Australian hospitals. She echoed Mr Kennys comments about the ethos, saying the same high-quality patient care will be delivered here. A quite staggering amount of shoplifting offences in and around Cork City saw a 27-year-old woman jailed for six months. Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a sentence of nine months, with the last three months suspended, on Mary Connors of Cork Simon Community. There is a huge amount of offending before the court it is quite staggering, Judge Dorgan said. Eddie Burke, solicitor, said Ms Connors was pleading guilty to all charges against her and asked for the sentence of nine months, with last three months suspended, to be backdated to August 23. Judge Dorgan agreed to back date the sentence as the accused has been in custody since that date. Mary Connors pleaded guilty to multiple theft offences, as well as a number of charges of being intoxicated to such an extent she was a danger to herself or others. One theft dated back to November last year but all other counts related to this year. On November 19, 2024, at Dealz, Grand Parade, she stole 350 worth of items and was handling 750 of stolen property from other stores; On April 15, 2025, she stole 150 of alcohol from Tesco, Paul Street; On June 17, she stole 350 worth of clothing at JD Sports at Mahon Point shopping centre; On June 30, she was caught shoplifting at the deli counter of Centra on North Main Street; Three days later, she stole 250 of property, including an air fryer and a coffee machine at Tesco, Paul Street; On August 5, she stole 593 worth of cosmetics from Brown Thomas; On August 22, she stole 175 worth of property at Chemist Warehouse, Cornmarket Street; The following day she stole 176 worth of bed clothes from Next, Opera Lane. On the same date, she was caught with a pliers and tinfoil to assist in the carrying out of thefts. And Mary Connors also admitted several counts of being so drunk that she was a danger to herself or others on various dates. Two young men have appeared in court charged with the murder of father of four Barry Daly in Doneraile, Co Cork, over the weekend. The body of Mr Daly, aged 44, was found outside his home at Rockview Terrace in the town in the early hours of Sunday morning. Alex Deady of Glenview, Convent Road, Doneraile, and a juvenile who cannot be named for legal reasons appeared before Mallow District Court in Co Cork on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Deady and the juvenile were both charged with the murder of Mr Daly contrary to common law. Evidence of arrest charge and caution in the case of 20-year-old Alex Deady was given by Detective Garda Gary Costello of Charleville Garda Station. He said the accused made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution this afternoon. Flowers at the residence on Rockview Terrace, Doneraile, Co Cork, where the body of postman Barry Daly was discovered on Sunday morning. Picture: Dan Linehan Det. Garda Noelle McSweeney of Mallow Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in the case of the juvenile. She said he made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution this afternoon. No bail applications were made as bail cannot be granted at district court level when the charge is that of murder. Alex Deady was remanded in custody to appear before Mallow District Court by video link on October 21. The juvenile was remanded in detention to Oberstown Detention Campus. He will also appear by video link on October 21. Free legal aid was assigned to both accused. The case was heard by Judge Colm Roberts. Solicitor Charlie OConnor is representing Alex Deady whilst the juvenile is being represented by Denis Linehan. Meanwhile, the case was upgraded to a murder probe following the completion of a postmortem examination yesterday at Cork University Hospital by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster. Mr Daly was a postman in Mallow town. He is survived by his partner Katie and their four children, his parents, three siblings, extended family and friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. A Limerick business owner was left baffled when he found council workers getting ready to demolish the parklets in front of his bar without any notice. Council workers were getting ready to take apart the parklets installed in front of Crew Brewing Co on Thomas Street on Tuesday morning when they were stopped by the bar owner. According to the owner, Jono Crute, the employees were told to make sure to get on site early so they would not be interrupted. Jono Crute of Crew Brewing Co, Thomas Street , Limerick. Picture: Brian Arthur They have, overnight, and without any contact whatsoever, attempted to remove infrastructure that would cause us to close, he told the Irish Examiner. I arrived to Brew this morning, and two workers were beginning preparations for demolition. I called two local councillors and they came round to the site and helped to get work stopped temporarily." He said there has been no formal contact from the council about this mornings procedure and that he was not informed the structure would be removed. The only contact I had with any council workers was I noticed two outside inspecting the parklet a few months back, Mr Crute explained. "I enquired with them about what was going on, and was told that it would remain as they were only removing dangerous and unused pallets. I had no further contact until an engineer was sent today to resolve the dispute." Mr Crute has attempted to set up a meeting with the relevant official after being told by the council engineer that there may be a long-term plan to replace them with more permanent structures. The outdoor area represents about 25% of our revenue, our business loses money across the winter and recovers in the summer every year," he added. "Unfortunately, without an assurance that this will happen, we will be forced to close on January 1." 'Continuous engagement' A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council denied there had been no engagement with businesses in the city about the removal of the structures. The council has had continuous engagement with the owners of businesses adjacent to these structures, which are located in public spaces, the spokesperson said, in a response to a query sent by the Irish Examiner. According to the spokesperson, the parklets were installed five years ago as a temporary measure to assist the local economy recovery during and after the covid lockdowns. The structures were intended to last for one year, but the council allowed them to remain for an extended period in response to requests from local businesses. The council has been monitoring the condition of the structures and also received submissions from the public about their deteriorating condition. It became clear that the timbers in the structures were failing in these parklets, and they were posing a risk to public safety. The council also received complaints about littering and antisocial behaviour associated with some of the parklets, as well as after-hours use that impacted local residents, the spokesperson said. Removal programme The council has commenced a removal programme for all parklets across the city. It is understood the move has caused worry among several business owners in the city, who maintained there was no formal engagement with the council, and that they were left blindsided. Local councillors Elisa ODonovan and Shane Hickey-OMara showed up on Tuesday morning on Thomas Street after receiving a call from the concerned owner. Despite the response from the council, Ms ODonovan maintains the move was not communicated to any businesses or councillors. I met with the council engineer and crew today and we thankfully managed to get a delay in the removal of this well-used and loved parklet, which is a great asset to Thomas St and Crew, she said. "The council have committed now to working with Crew to provide an alternative outdoor space for use by this very popular and much-needed business in the city centre. The parklets apparently have to be removed on health and safety grounds. We are fine with that, if required, but we need a commitment that an alternative outdoor space will be provided. Hefty cost A parklet with a price tag of 78,501 was built on OConnell Street in 2020, before being removed as part of a refurbishment plan the next year. In 2024, the furniture from the parklet was to be reused on Clancy Strand. When the council announced it was to be removed at the time, a spokesperson defended the hefty cost, arguing it had been developed as a medium- to long-term amenity which was of a particularly high standard. There was no political interference in an animal cruelty case in which a letter was passed on to the Department of Agriculture from her office, Heather Humphreys has said. Ms Humphreys said a case in which she received a letter from a family member of a farmer had been "well aired", and she passed the letter on to the Department of Agriculture without comment or a covering letter. The case was subsequently dropped. Last month, The Sunday Times reported former Department of Agriculture official Kieran Devlin, a retired veterinary inspector, said he believed it was the intervention by Ms Humphreys that prompted the collapse of the investigation. Speaking during Newstalk's presidential debate on Tuesday, Ms Humphreys said the letter had not been passed on by her, but by a staff member, and contained no endorsement or suggestions. She said former agriculture minister Dara Calleary had confirmed there was no political interference in the case. I abhor animal cruelty, and people who don't look after their animals shouldn't have them, and that's my position on that. I received a communication or a letter from a constituent, my staff sent it to the Department of Agriculture. "I made no comment and no recommendation," she added. Her opponent Catherine Connolly was pressed on her employment of a woman who had been convicted of firearms offences, saying she had broken no rules and had not been contacted by gardai about Ursula Shannon's accessing of Leinster House. This woman is an absolute success story of the prison system, Ms Connolly said. On the risk, let me say that this woman was with me every day. I know nothing in the sense of what the concerns were from the guards because nobody ever communicated with me, she added. "I find it absolutely unacceptable that this person's privacy has been trespassed upon unforgivably," Ms Connolly said. "I did everything right, and so did the person." Ms Humphreys said Ms Connolly had endangered the Houses of the Oireachtas. "This woman was found in possession of guns and a number of other things," she said. Asked about the case of Shane O'Farrell, a cyclist killed by a man who had been out on bail, Ms Humphreys said she was "sorry if [Mr O'Farrell's mother] had felt I did not do enough". The O'Farrell family has said it does not accept Ms Humphreys had done all she could to represent them as they sought justice, which culminated in a State apology earlier this year. "I did make representations on her behalf, and I'm sorry if she thinks I didn't do enough. I did my best, and I'm glad that she has got a State apology." Hamas has consolidated its control over most of the areas vacated by the Israel defense forces (IDF), deploying an estimated 7,000 fighters. US envoy Steve Witkoff and US president Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet its leadership next week. The implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza has got off to a very shaky start, in sharp contrast to ceasefire agreements organised by the UN in past wars. Irish military and Garda veterans, with vast experience in UN ceasefire monitoring and truce supervision, must be appalled at the shambles unfolding in front of our very eyes. The ceasefire was supposed to go into effect immediately on Israeli cabinet approval, shortly after midnight, Thursday night. At 5.45am (local time) on Friday morning, the Israeli air force conducted an intense air strike on Khan Younis. The ceasefire order finally came into effect at 9am (local time). By 12pm on Friday, the IDF had completed its withdrawal to the new agreed defensive line, creating a large area without security. Hamas sent armed patrols into this area and said it had the right of freedom of movement in all of Gaza, not just the areas vacated by the IDF. Multinational peacekeepers For a ceasefire to be successfully implemented, the first step is to suspend all offensive operations, the second step is to effect the biggest possible separation of forces, and the third step is to stabilise the security situation, ideally with multinational impartial peacekeeping forces. In the case of Gaza, the 200-strong US ceasefire monitoring team started to arrive in Israel only last Friday evening. It should have been in position, set up, and ready to deploy before the IDF withdrawal began on Thursday night/Friday night. At 9am, it should have been able to establish a presence in the vacated area. This team can only monitor a ceasefire. A multinational force of several thousand troops should be arriving on day one to stabilise security in the area, supported by multinational civilian police. The result is a major security vacuum. Nature abhors a vacuum, and a military vacuum is a recipe for a resumption of war. By Saturday evening, the first clash between Hamas and the Dogmush Clan in Gaza City left 27 dead, of which eight were Hamas fighters. On Monday, three Palestinians who came too close to the new IDF positions were shot and killed. Israeli media showed photos, not independently confirmed, of Hamas fighters executing 30 collaborators in a Gaza square. As anticipated, hundreds of thousands of people started to trek back mainly to Northern Gaza. There were no police to assist this movement, no logistics preparation for the movement nor to support them on arrival. UN reports say 90% of Gaza has been destroyed. International Rescue Committee chief executive David Miliband said that, while the necessary aid to support the Gaza population has been assembled outside Gaza, there were still major obstacles to getting the aid into Gaza, 24 hours after the ceasefire. By Sunday, the Israelis opened an additional crossing point and the flow of aid began to be improved. The EU announced that its border experts, necessary to open up the border crossings for medical evacuation to Egypt, will only be deployed on Wednesday at Rafah. Fortunately, the Egyptians went ahead over the weekend and opened two crossing points for humanitarian aid convoys in the southern area. This peace initiative has been launched on a wing and a prayer. It is sustained by the will and the determination of Mr Trump, who visited Egypt and Israel on Monday. All 20 living Israeli hostages were released before 12pm on Monday. By Monday evening, an estimated 1,900 Palestinian detainees were released at different locations, most returning to the West Bank. The initial agreement, which covers only the first few provisions of the 20-point plan, meets Israeli demands but, for Hamas, looks more like terms for surrender. Hamas was not even involved in the initial discussions, nor in drafting the plan. As the hostages are released, Hamas leverage is gone and if it is fully disarmed prematurely, it will be at the mercy of the IDF. While the security vacuum continues, one incident could be enough to bring the IDF back, as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised, to finish the job. Plan's positive measures However, on the plus side, the plan proposes, for the first time in this conflict, three important measures which have been consistently mentioned in my Irish Examiner analyses over the past 18 months. First, in point no 6, there is provision for Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence to be granted an amnesty, where members who wish to leave the Gaza Strip will be granted safe passage to receiving countries and allowed to return. Second, in point no 8, the UN would resume responsibility for aid distribution, along with other international organisations not associated with either Israel or Hamas. As I previously recommended, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation could participate. This is now acknowledged as feasible, as it is technically an American organisation, even if it was the brainchild of the Israelis and was originally crafted to fit the Israeli governments prosecution of the war. Third, in point no 15, a multinational stabilisation force would be immediately deployed to Gaza to oversee security in the strip. The force will develop and train a Palestinian police force, which will serve as a long-term internal security body. People react as they watch a live broadcast of Israeli hostages released from Gaza at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel. Picture: Oded Balilty/AP What is unclear is whether the tunnel system under Gaza City has still got access to the other tunnel systems, mainly leading south. If so, Hamas may have moved out or just relocated elsewhere in the strip. Mr Trump, however, has succeeded in persuading the Israelis to allow Hamas to negotiate on key points of the plan. To achieve a long and lasting peace, these negotiations should be allowed to take their course. Getting impartial multinational peacekeepers on the ground should be the top priority, both to maintain the ceasefire but also to secure the humanitarian operation. Inaction, in this regard, could see the latest peace initiative rapidly unravel. Hamas has accepted that it will take no part in the post-war governance of Gaza. There is still no information on how, or when, or in what sequence it will be disarmed. It is important to remember that Hamas has not yet agreed to disarm. The decommissioning of IRA weapons was the rock on which the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was built. Could a similar process help with the disarmament of Hamas? There is also no sign of the US ceasefire monitoring team being deployed, which could indicate that its deployment will happen in conjunction with the upcoming meeting between the US delegation and the Hamas leadership. Any moment now, I'm going to punch Ned Ryerson. Ryerson, the overly-familiar insurance salesman is one of the consistent warning signs that Bill Murray's character Phil Connors in 1993 comedy classic Groundhog Day is reliving the same 24 hours over and over again. If you are unfamiliar with the film and you really shouldn't be as Connors comes to terms with his place in an infinite time loop, he realises there are no consequences for his actions and, in one iteration of his life reliving February 2 over and over, decides to dispense with the small talk and simply punches his former classmate rather than replay their interaction. Now, while I'm fairly sure the days have changed over the last number of weeks, the number of presidential debates and big media interviews would really make you wonder if a fedora-wearing insurance salesman isn't waiting around the corner for you to plonk your foot in an icy puddle. While last year's general election saw a number of secondary and constituency debates, there were just two broadcast debates an unwieldy but entertaining 10-way leaders' affair and a three-way battle between the leaders of the bigger parties. This time around, there have already been five debates, and there's over a week to go, in which there will be two more. Add on top of that, big interviews both Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys have done four apiece, with three more on deck podcasts, newspaper interviews, and local radio, and it's easy to feel as though you're stuck in an infinite loop of the same six questions. I understand that people like me are not the target audiences for all of those media appearances. I am paid to listen and watch and dissect those events, and I do so nobly and humbly in service of the Irish Examiner readers. But as Connolly and Humphreys headed to Marconi House on Dublin's Digges Lane on Tuesday morning for yet another showdown, there was a question of just how revelatory it might be. Sparring match The Newstalk bulletin right before the debate kicked off billed it as "the first stand-up debate" of the slate and, to be fair, it was nice to see the candidates upright, but it was host Pat Kenny who probably sparked the most life into what was the liveliest sparring match between the two women to date. Not that that is a high bar. Introducing the pair, it was clear that the veteran broadcaster had tired of the previous iterations and made a point to remind both the Galway TD and the former minister that this was, in fact, a debate, and not a series of talking points to be rattled off at will. He encouraged the pair to interject, to actually debate. Imagine that. The problem was that Kenny seemed to occasionally take that instruction himself, jumping in to press for answers or make counterpoints. It wasn't necessarily textbook moderating, but it gave the debate some of the needle the previous iterations have lacked, even if his questions felt esoteric at times. From spending 10 minutes establishing where both candidates stood on Michael D Higgins seeking a second term after saying he wouldn't, to asking the question The Aras. 130 acres. Too much?, it was vintage Kenny. With just 10 days to go, this debate was noticeable for the level of engagement and criticism both sides levelled at each other. It wasn't caustic or toxic by any stretch, but the gloves are being tugged at, if not removed. Sticking points For both candidates, the sticking points came on issues which continue to hang around, largely due to the fact that the debates are an infinite loop. For Humphreys, who turned in a somewhat improved performance, it was the family of Shane OFarrell rejecting her assertionthat she had done all that she could for them. The 23-year-old died in August 2011. He was cycling home when he was struck by a car driven by Zigimantas Gridziuska, near Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. At the time, Gridziuska was on bail in connection with a number of separate incidents. Humphreys was the familys local TD and said she was sorry if [Lucia OFarrell] thinks I didnt do enough. I actually counted one day, this is a good while ago, I think I got somewhere in the region of 25,000 representations during my term as a TD, and I did my best for everybody, and Im sorry if some people think I didnt do enough. Kenny queried if "sorry ifs" were good enough. For Connolly, it was the hiring of Ursula Ni Sheonnain, which continues to be a millstone around her campaign's neck and one on which Humphreys landed a strong blow. You wouldnt invite a bank robber in to run a bank, she said. In the end, no knockout punches were landed, but it feels like there's an infinite number of rounds to go. Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina dissolved the countrys lower house of parliament on Tuesday in the midst of a military rebellion that led him to flee the country. Mr Rajoelina issued a decree for the National Assembly to be dissolved immediately, according to a statement posted on the Madagascar presidencys Facebook page. The tenuous ceasefire in the two-year Israel-Hamas war was holding on Tuesday, a day after widespread jubilation over the return to Israel of the last 20 living hostages held in Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Separately, the Israeli military said troops in northern Gaza had opened fire to remove the threat of several people approaching them on Tuesday across the yellow line and not complying with orders to stop. It did not immediately comment on any casualties in the incident. Part of the ceasefire agreement is that Israel would pull back in Gaza to the so-called yellow line where its forces were in August, before launching their latest offensive on the Gaza City in the strips north. A worker cleans the ground at the plaza known as hostages square, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Complex issues remain ahead including when Hamas will return to Israel the bodies of the hostages believed to be dead in Gaza, as well as the health conditions of the released hostages and prisoners. Only four of the 28 deceased hostages whose release is also part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump were turned over to Israeli authorities on Monday. On Tuesday, the Israeli military identified two of them Guy Illouz from Israel and Bipin Joshi, a student from Nepal. The two men were both in their 20s when Hamas-led militants took them during the October 7 2023 attack on that ignited the war Mr Illouz from the Nova music festival and Mr Joshi from a bomb shelter. Israel said Mr Illouz died of his wounds while being held captive without proper medical treatment, while Mr Joshi was murdered in captivity in the first months of the war adding that the National Centre of Forensic Medicine would later provide the final cause of death. The freed Israeli hostages were in medical care on Tuesday, and some families said it would be weeks before the men could go home. In the West Bank and Gaza, where hundreds of prisoners were released, several were also taken to hospitals. People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in Khan Younis, southern Gaza on Monday (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Longer-term issues also hang in the balance, including whether Hamas will disarm, who will govern and help rebuild Gaza, and the overarching question of Palestinian statehood, which is central for Palestinians and many countries in the region. The first steps to peace are always the hardest, Mr Trump had said as he stood with foreign leaders in Egypt on Monday for a summit on Gazas future. He hailed the ceasefire deal he brokered between Israel and Hamas as the end of the war in Gaza and the start of rebuilding the devastated territory. On Tuesday, the United Nations development agency said the latest joint estimate from the UN, the European Union and the World Bank is that 70 billion dollars (53 billion) will be required to rebuild Gaza. Jaco Cillers, special representative of UNDP administrator for a programme to help Palestinians, said 20 billion dollars (15 billion) would be needed in the next three years, and the rest would be needed over a longer period, possibly decades. In Egypt, Mr Trump urged regional leaders to put old feuds aside as world leaders met to discuss the challenges ahead in securing a lasting peace. Representatives from Israel or Hamas were not at the summit. Pope Leo XIV thanked Italy on Tuesday for its efforts to combat human trafficking but urged the country to remain open to welcoming and integrating migrants as he took part in a pomp-filled meeting with the Italian president. Leo completed the rite of passage for every new pope by travelling across Rome to the Qurinale Palace for a meeting with President Sergio Mattarella. Escorted by the presidential horse honour guard into the palace courtyard, Leo thanked Italy especially for its welcome of pilgrims during the 2025 Holy Year, which has seen millions of extra tourists pouring into the Eternal City. Cavalry officers escort Pope Leo as he arrives at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome (Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse via AP) Wearing his formal red cape and brocaded stole, Leo thanked Italy for its generous assistance to migrants and its efforts to combat human trafficking. I encourage you to keep alive your attitude of openness and solidarity, he said. At the same time, I wish to emphasise the importance of constructive integration of newcomers into the values and traditions of Italian society, so that the mutual gift realised in this encounter of peoples may truly enrich and benefit all. It was a reference to Italys role at ground zero in Europes migration debate, given its proximity to North Africa making it the preferred destination for smuggling operations setting off from Libya and Tunisia. The right-wing government of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has made cracking down on illegal migration a priority, including by sending migrants back home or to detention facilities in Albania and prosecuting alleged smugglers. Ms Meloni and her hard-line minister Matteo Salvini were in the front row of the audience, held in a gilded reception room of the palace with palace guards standing at attention. Italian President Sergio Mattarella, right, as Pope Leo and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin prepare to leave the Quirinale Presidential Palace (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Italys hard-line stance on migration has often conflicted with Pope Franciss call for wealthier countries to welcome, defend and integrate newcomers, a position Leo repeated as recently as last week in his first main teaching document. Tuesdays encounter was evidence of the close ties between Italy and the Vatican. The Quirinale Palace was for centuries the summer residence of popes until 1870, when Rome was captured from the papal states and annexed into the unified Kingdom of Italy. After decades in which popes were essentially prisoners of the Vatican, Italy and Holy See normalised relations in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, which is still in effect. French Prime minister Sebastien Lecornu has proposed the suspension of a contested plan raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, in a move to avoid his fragile minority government being immediately toppled. Mr Lecornu said on Tuesday in a speech at the National Assembly that the law, a flagship policy of French President Emmanuel Macron, would be put on pause until after the next presidential election, to be held in 2027. The Socialist Party, which is not part of the government, had demanded the law be repealed. Mr Lecornu faces two no-confidence motions by the hard-left France Unbowed and far-right National Rally parties. The two parties do not hold enough seats to topple Mr Lecornus government on their own, but the prime minister could quickly be undone if the Socialist Party joins forces with them. Marine Le Pen listens to Mr Lecornus policy speech on Tuesday (Thibault Camus/AP) Mr Lecornu earlier met his Cabinet to discuss proposals for the 2026 budget, which needs to be approved by the end of the year. With his government hanging by a thread, Frances newly reappointed prime minister must make concessions to his political opponents to avoid the no-confidence vote later this week, as the country struggles to end a lingering political crisis. The opposite sides of the political spectrum have criticised Mr Macrons decision to reappoint Mr Lecornu, Frances former defence minister and fourth prime minister in barely a year. With less than two years before the next presidential election, National Rally is urging Mr Macron to call another early parliamentary vote while France Unbowed wants Mr Macron to step down. French President Emmanuel Macrons successive minority governments have collapsed in quick succession (Michel Euler/AP) The Socialist Party gained a high-profile ally in the retirement age debate. Nobel Prize-winning economist Philippe Aghion told broadcaster France 2 that it should be suspended until the next presidential election to be held in 2027. I think we need to stop the clock now until the presidential election, Mr Aghion said, arguing that doing so would be the way to calm things down and it doesnt cost very much to pause it. Mr Lecornus re-appointment is widely seen as Mr Macrons last chance to reinvigorate his second term. His centrist camp lacks a majority in the National Assembly and he is facing increasing criticism even within its ranks. Mr Macrons surprise decision last year to dissolve the National Assembly resulted in a hung parliament and political paralysis. Over the past year, Mr Macrons successive minority governments have collapsed in quick succession, leaving France mired in deadlock while confronting a rising poverty rate and a mounting debt crisis that has alarmed markets and EU partners. Madagascars president Andry Rajoelina has been toppled in a military coup that capped weeks of youth protests over poverty, power outages and a lack of opportunity in the Indian Ocean island country. Right after parliament voted to impeach Mr Rajoelina, who fled the country fearing for his safety, the leader of Madagascars elite Capsat military unit said the armed forces would form a council made up of officers from the armed forces and gendarmerie, a military unit that polices civilians, and would appoint a prime minister to quickly form a civilian government. We are taking power, Col Michael Randrianirina told reporters in front of a ceremonial presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo, as protesters celebrated the news with soldiers. Col Michael Randrianirina announced the military was taking power (AP) He said the constitution and High Constitutional Courts powers had been suspended, and that a referendum would be held in two years. From an undisclosed location after fleeing, Mr Rajoelina issued a decree on Tuesday trying to dissolve parliaments lower house in an apparent attempt to pre-empt being impeached. But legislators ignored it and voted overwhelmingly to end the rule of the 51-year-old leader, who himself came to power as a transitional leader in a military-backed coup in 2009. Mr Rajoelinas office released a statement condemning Col Randrianirinas announcement as an illegal declaration and a serious breach of the rule of law. The Republic of Madagascar cannot be taken hostage by force. The State remains standing, it said. Madagascar, a sprawling island country off the east coast of southern Africa, is home to about 30 million people. President Andry Rajoelinas whereabouts are unknown (Presidency Of The Republic Of Madagascar via AP) It is the worlds biggest vanilla producer and, because of its geographic isolation, is known for its biodiversity. Since gaining its independence from French colonial rule in 1960, it has struggled to overcome poverty and political instability, including a series of coups. Mr Rajoelinas fall capped weeks of Gen Z-led protests that started over persistent electricity and water outages but snowballed into demonstrations of frustration with the government and the presidents leadership. Protesters raised a range of issues, including government corruption, access to higher education, the cost of living and poverty, which affects about 75% of Madagascars population, according to the World Bank. Although young people led the demonstrations, others also took part, including civic groups and unions. An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo Stanza no. 20 in in the first edition of Edward FitzGeralds The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam celebrates wine as a means of escaping lingering shame and the dread of an unknown future. It is about, as the hippies used to say in the 1960s, being here now, with a little help from a mind-altering substance. You can see why the Rubaiyat was still wildly popular in the Sixties in the youth culture. The first Grateful Dead album cover was a woodcut illustrating the Rubaiyat. There is no point, the poem says, in setting your hopes on tomorrow, when you may be joining eternity. xx. Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears To-day of past Regrets and future Fears To-morrow? Why, To-morrow I may be Myself with Yesterdays Sevn Thousand Years. A. J. Arberry identified the original Persian as no. 363 in the Calcutta manuscript, a version of which can be found at this site.. The Calcutta version differs just slightly: Heres a literal translation in blank verse: Let us not wallow in tomorrows grief but count todays coin as a vast fortune. Tomorrow gone from the face of the earth well join the seven-thousand-year-old gang. - Order Juan Coles contemporary poetic translation of the Rubaiyat from Bloomsbury (IB Tauris) or Barnes and Noble. or for $16 at Amazon Kindle - Ironically, although the Persian originals mention wine quite a lot, this one doesnt, at least not explicitly, so FitzGerald added it in. I think the point of being head to head with the seven-thousand-year-olds is that well be in the grave with people whove been dead a long time. This poetry doesnt believe in an afterlife, so when people are dead, they are dead, and theyll stay that way as long as the universe exists. I suspect this poem was composed by a medieval Indian, since Indian philosophy plays around with large numbers. Omar Khayyam the medieval mathematician and astronomer serves as a frame author for this genre of skeptical and libertine poetry produced by many hands over the centuries, the way Scheherazade does for the Arabian Nights tales produced over hundreds of years in Baghdad, Cairo and Aleppo. The Sufi poet and ethicist Saadi of Shiraz (d. 1291/2) rebuked the materialists who questioned the spiritual world. You, who deny the world of the mystics you do not know what passion or secrets they possess. Muzafarrid musician and wine attendant, Shiraz, circa 1390. From an MS of Kalilah wa Dimnah, Bibliotheque Nationale de France. Public Domain. Via Wikimedia Commons The denial of the resurrection and the afterlife was probably the most challenging message of this poetry in the mid-Victorian age when FitzGerald first translated it, and he was clearly a little afraid of being denounced by the Church as had happened to publisher Edward Moxon, who brought out a posthumous edition in 1839 of Percy Bysshe Shelleys Queen Mab, which was accused of being blasphemous. Moxon was convicted, but the prosecution sought no punishment. Denying those religious verities would also get a person in trouble with some Muslim monarchs, though not all. The Bodleian manuscript of the Rubaiyat was produced at the rebel court of Shiraz of Pir Budaq, a Turkoman QaraQoyunlu prince who was lambasted as a hard-partying atheist by contemporary chroniclers. The problem for a poet who wrote racy or skeptical verses is that you never knew when a new kings troops would sweep into your town, and the new guy might be pious and censorious. So if you wanted to write this kind of poetry, better to say you found it in an old manuscript of . . . Omar Khayyam. - For more commentaries on FitzGeralds translations of the Rubaiyat, see FitzGeralds Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: Commentary by Juan Cole with Original Persian Braga, Portugal and San Marcos, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) US President Trump arrived in Israel on Monday as the first hostages were released by Hamas, ostensibly to take credit for brokering the ceasefire, still hurt from the fact that he was not nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. However, the Sumud Flotilla also deserves credit for creating momentum for the ceasefire and for being nominated for the Prize. Sumud began as a small fleet of hope dozens of boats carrying activists, doctors, and humanitarian cargo, setting sail from ports around the world to challenge Israels blockade on Gaza. Now, after months of confrontation, detention, and diplomatic fallout, the flotillas central message has unexpectedly materialized in political reality: Israel and Hamas have agreed to a provisional ceasefire that will allow humanitarian aid to flow freely into Gaza and has facilitated the release of hostages and prisoners. To consolidate the truce and chart a political path forward, leaders from across the Middle East have gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The summit, attended by heads of state from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, alongside representatives from Europe and the United States, marks the most ambitious diplomatic initiative since the start of the Gaza war. Or by check: Juan Cole P. O. Box 4218, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548 USA (Remember, make the checks out to Juan Cole or they cant be cashed) Yet beyond the closed doors of the conference center, another force has emerged. From Tehran to Rome, from Paris to Buenos Aires, millions have taken to the streets in support of Gaza and the Sumud missions ideals. The sheer scale of these demonstrations has sent a global message that diplomacy cannot be detached from public conscience. It is a moment charged with relief, uncertainty, and moral resonance. What began as a maritime act of defiance has coincided with a political breakthrough. The very goals for which hundreds of activists were arrested at sea, unimpeded aid, civilian protection, and recognition of humanitarian law, have now been written into the language of a ceasefire. Still, optimism is tempered by realism. Both sides remain deeply mistrustful. Israel insists that Hamas must ultimately disarm; Hamas maintains that any future political arrangement must include complete withdrawal from Gaza. The ceasefire, while welcome, is a tenuous pause in a larger, unresolved conflict. A Fragile Breakthrough At the heart of the talks lies a question that has haunted the region for decades: can a ceasefire lead to a durable peace, or will it simply postpone the next round of violence? For now, delegates are focusing on immediate humanitarian priorities expanding the aid mechanism, establishing secure corridors for civilians, and defining the conditions under which prisoners will be exchanged. After weeks of negotiations, Hamas agreed to release Israeli hostages. At the same time, Israel will permit the entry of food, medical supplies, and essential goods into Gaza through newly opened corridors. The agreement also includes a reciprocal release of Palestinian prisoners and a commitment to halt primary military operations. For the first time in months, aid convoys are rolling through the crossings without obstruction, bringing flour, fuel, and medical kits to a population teetering on the edge of famine. This was, in many ways, the principal demand of the Sumud Flotilla that Gazas civilian population not be collectively punished, that food and medicine not be used as weapons of war. The flotillas ships were seized, its passengers imprisoned or deported, yet their central appeal has now become a line in an international accord. A European Awakening During the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European citizens displayed the blue and yellow of Ukraine in their windows and public squares, motivated by a sense that war had come to their doorstep. That movement was driven by proximity the conviction that Europe itself was under threat. Never miss an issue of Informed Comment: Click here to subscribe to our email newsletter! Social media will pretend let you subscribe but then use algorithms to suppress the postings and show you their ads instead. And please, if you see an essay you like, paste it into an email and share with friends. Three years later, the marches for Gaza reveal a different kind of awakening. This new civic wave represents something more profound than solidarity; it is a moral evolution. In Rome, half a million Italians filled Piazza Venezia, waving Palestinian flags and chanting for an end to the siege. In Madrid, crowds marched under banners reading Free Palestine. In Berlin, Paris, and Brussels, students and workers staged vigils and sit-ins, calling on their governments to halt arms sales and recognize Palestinian rights. Europeans now rally not because the war is near, but because its injustice is universal. The sentiment, expressed in countless homemade signs, is straightforward: no child should be killed, no family starved, no city besieged no matter who the aggressor is or where the borders lie. The moral distinction between our wars and theirs has begun to dissolve. To many Europeans, the lesson of Ukraine has matured into a broader ethic: that solidarity must extend beyond geography. Inside Gaza, the reality remains fragile. Israel continues to coordinate with certain local militias, including factions led by Yasser Abu Shabab, to locate and dismantle Hamass remaining underground bases in the south. Officials insist this cooperation is tactical, but critics caution that empowering paramilitary groups risks deepening chaos and abuse. What is clear, however, is that humanitarian aid must not become a bargaining chip in this equation. Food and medicine cannot be weaponized. Every shipment held up at a checkpoint every hospital left without power undermines the very logic of the ceasefire. If Israel wants to maintain legitimacy in this new phase, it must allow the full and free distribution of humanitarian supplies, without political or military conditions. The Sharm el-Sheikh summit thus unfolds under twin pressures: the fragile trust between adversaries, and the moral demand rising from the streets. Leaders know that this ceasefire is not merely a regional issue; it is a test of global order. The chants echoing through European cities No more starving children are as much an indictment of global hypocrisy as of the war itself. Madleen, Digital, Midjourney, 2025 For the first time in years, the moral energy of civil society appears to be outpacing the caution of governments. Citizens who once hung Ukrainian flags from their balconies now carry Palestinian ones through city centers, declaring that empathy must not depend on proximity. Their protests have become the moral soundtrack to the diplomacy unfolding on the shores of the Red Sea. When the Sumud Flotilla set sail months ago, few could have imagined that its mission to force the world to look at Gaza would culminate in this moment. Though its ships were seized and its crews detained, its moral momentum has proved unsinkable. The flotillas message has moved from the decks of intercepted boats to the streets of global capitals, and finally to the negotiating tables of world leaders. Whether this ceasefire holds or collapses under the weight of politics remains uncertain. But for now, a measure of hope has been restored. Children in Gaza are receiving food again. Aid convoys are crossing checkpoints. Diplomats are speaking rather than firing. And across continents, citizens, from Tehran to Rome, from Sanaa to Stockholm, are discovering that solidarity, once set in motion, can be harder to blockade than any ship at sea. 2 Years since Killing of Issam Abdallah; Attacks on Civilians, Media Continue Human Rights Watch (Beirut) Lebanons announcement on October 9, 2025, that it has tasked the Justice Ministry with assessing the legal measures that may be taken following Israeli attacks on journalists during the last war offers a fresh opportunity to achieve justice for the victims, Human Rights Watch said today. Two years since Israels apparently deliberate attack on journalists in south Lebanon, which killed a Reuters journalist, Issam Abdallah, victims of war crimes in Lebanon remain without effective access to accountability and justice, Human Rights Watch said today. Lebanons new government, appointed in February 2025, has yet to take meaningful steps to advance accountability. Israels apparently deliberate killing of Issam Abdullah should have served as a crystal clear message for Lebanons government that impunity for war crimes begets more war crimes, said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch. Since Issams killing, scores of other civilians in Lebanon have been killed in apparently deliberate or indiscriminate attacks that violate the laws of war and amount to war crimes. Since then, Israeli forces have, according to Reporters Without Borders, killed over 200 journalists in Gaza, many deliberately. Recently, Israeli forces also carried out a strike on a media center in Sanaa and killed 31 journalists and media workers, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. In Lebanon, Human Rights Watch has documented a series of unlawful attacks and apparent war crimes committed by the Israeli military during hostilities, including additional apparently deliberate attacks on journalists, as well as peacekeepers, medics, and civilian objects. Israels deliberate demolition of civilian homes, destruction of vast swaths of critical civilian infrastructure and public services, and its use of explosive weapons in populated areas have made it impossible for many residents to return to their villages and houses. Human Rights Watch has also documented the Israeli militarys widespread use of white phosphorus, including unlawfully over populated residential areas, its apparent deliberate destruction and pillaging of schools, and unlawful use of booby trapped devices. Human Rights Watch also found that Hezbollah failed to take adequate precautions to protect civilians in its attacks on northern Israel between September and November 2024, launching explosive weapons in populated areas and failing to effectively warn civilians of attacks. Human Rights Watch found that the Israeli strikes that killed Abdallah and injured six other journalists from Al-Jazeera, Reuters, and AFP were apparently a deliberate attack on civilians and therefore a war crime. An investigation by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) found that an Israeli tank fired two 120 mm rounds at a group of clearly identifiable journalists, including Abdallah, in violation of international law. The investigators said that UNIFIL personnel did not record any exchange of fire across the border between Israel and Lebanon for more than 40 minutes before the Israeli Merkava tank opened fire. The journalists were well removed from ongoing hostilities, clearly identifiable as members of the media, and had been stationary for at least 75 minutes before they were hit by two consecutive strikes. Human Rights Watch found no evidence of a military target near the journalists location. Evidence Human Rights Watch reviewed further indicated that the Israeli military knew or should have known that the group of people they were firing on were civilians. In January and February 2025, the Israeli military withdrew from most of the southern Lebanese border villages and towns that it had occupied in late 2024, but its forces remained stationed on Lebanese territory in at least five locations. The hostilities resulted in nearly US$14 billion in economic losses in Lebanon, according to the World Bank, including $6.8 billion worth of damage to physical structures alone. Several border towns and villages were reduced to rubble, and more than 80,000 people remained displaced in Lebanon as of May 2025. Lebanon has not fully incorporated international crimes or laws of war violations into its domestic legal framework. Following his visit to Lebanon, on October 10, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Morris Tidball-Binz, called on the Lebanese authorities to report and, where appropriate, prosecute conduct that may amount to international crimes, in accordance with Lebanons obligations under international human rights law and, where applicable, international humanitarian law. While a ceasefire went into effect between Israel and Hezbollah on November 27, 2024, at least 103 civilians in Lebanon have been killed in the ten months since the ceasefire went into effect, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. In March 2024, the then-Lebanese government announced a decision to grant the International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction over crimes committed on Lebanese territory since October 7, 2023, but the government reversed the decision just over a month later. Lebanons judicial authorities should initiate domestic investigations into unlawful attacks, and the government should accede to the ICCs Rome Statute and submit a declaration accepting the courts jurisdiction prior to the date of accession, including since at least October 7, 2023, Human Rights Watch said. Lebanons government can and should honor victims demands for justice by enabling the investigation of unlawful attacks and war crimes that caused untold damage and suffering, Kaiss said. Via Human Rights Watch Two major Xinjiang railway ports see over 100,000 China-Europe freight train trips Xinhua) 16:28, October 14, 2025 URUMQI, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Alashankou and Horgos, two major railway ports in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have facilitated the passage of more than 100,000 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains, according to customs authorities of Urumqi, the regional capital. Alashankou, also known as Alataw Pass, now hosts 127 China-Europe freight train routes, and Horgos railway port operates 89 such routes. These routes reach 21 countries -- including Germany, Poland and Hungary. The Alashankou and Horgos ports, located on the border with Kazakhstan, serve as key transportation corridors connecting China with Central Asia and Europe. The launch of the first China-Europe freight train service in 2011 transformed China's northwestern border region into a frontier for the country's opening-up endeavors. The types of goods carried by China-Europe freight trains along these routes have expanded from a cohort of computers and mobile phones to a diverse array of over 200 products -- including new energy vehicles, industrial machinery, and grain and oil products. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) - " "! , ! , , . JUTICE INFO: In exile for two years, Joseph Kabila, 54, reappeared in May 2025 in occupied Goma. From July 25 he was tried by a military court, which sentenced him to death, describing him as the leader of the AFC/M23 armed coalition an armed group formed in 2012 by rebel officers that occupies part of eastern Congo. What are your thoughts on this? ITHIEL BATUMIKE: With this conviction, the Congolese government is adopting an ambivalent stance. On the one hand, it seems to want to show its commitment and determination to crack down on perpetrators of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). One of the reasons why this war has been going on for more than 30 years is impunity, injustice and the rewards given to perpetrators of the most serious crimes who find themselves in positions of power, within institutions or within the security services. On the other hand, this conviction also seems to be a contradiction, insofar as the government is in talks with the M23, in talks with Rwanda and engaged in a process of negotiation. It is clear that, through this conviction, the DRC is demonstrating a zero-tolerance policy, but one that remains selective, as there are still other people with similar pasts sitting in institutions. The entire struggle of Nobel Peace Prize winning doctor Denis Mukwege is to end impunity for past and present crimes so that they do not happen again in the future. But the government seems to be vigorously attacking only those who currently threaten to overthrow it. Can we call this a political manoeuvre? The biggest problem with this conviction is that it can also be interpreted as an attempt to silence those who try to criticize the current regime or express different views from it. Since the 2023 [general] elections, the opposition has struggled to exist. It has little representation in parliament, and there have been attempts to muzzle it or force its leaders into exile. In recent months, we have seen that former president Kabila wanted to restructure and remobilize the opposition. One might well ask, and I think rightly, whether this court sentence isnt just a political manoeuvre aimed at further weakening Kabila politically and reducing his capacity to act, given that he now risks being arrested and extradited to the DRC to serve his sentence. It is also a form of intimidation. I dont think I am alone in this analysis. Human Rights Watch refers to it as a political vendetta. He has been convicted in absentia, without representation and without the opportunity to defend himself. This does not violate the law, but it does raise questions about the intentions behind such a spectacular trial. What evidence was presented at the trial? This was the biggest disappointment of the trial. Many Congolese people were expecting evidence proving that Kabila was or is colluding with the AFC-M23. But throughout the trial, no such evidence was presented to prove his involvement in terms of financing, planning operations or leading the movement. The civil parties promised witnesses, which led to the reopening of proceedings, but they did not ultimately appear. Instead, reference was made through video screenings to Kabilas statements, or to people who have been hostile to him for many years. This trial therefore lacked impartiality, and there was a serious lack of solid evidence to justify such a severe sentence. Many Congolese and international human rights organizations have condemned this sentence, saying it was not based on tangible evidence that could convince everyone of his involvement. This remains a stain on the credibility of this court decision. It gives it a political character. What about the alleged war crimes? The ruling went along with the prosecutions indictment, which accused Kabila of being responsible for crimes against peace and the security of humanity. Among the acts considered to constitute war crimes, the court cited rape, torture and murder committed by rebels during their offensives, as well as attacks intentionally directed against civilian populations. From the start of the war in 2021 to its intensification in 2022 and the fall of Goma and Bukavu, numerous massacres took place and rapes were reported... and those responsible must be held accountable. The big question regarding the way the trial unfolded remains: is he the one responsible, or just a scapegoat? The issue of evidence remains the weak link in this trial. What should we make of his $30 billion fine to redress the harm caused? This is consistent with the investigations into his fortune, and one might wonder whether the justice system shouldnt have started by investigating and shedding light on all the financial scandals of Kabilas reign by establishing who was responsible for what. At the same time, we see the ambivalence here too: the High Military Court refused to order the seizure of his assets, as has been done in previous cases involving members of the AFC/M23 sentenced to death in 2024. There is also a lot of work that needs to be done in a professional way on identifying victims and centralizing data. I fear that the initiatives currently underway within the framework of the White Paper and FONAREV dont adequately address this issue so far. In addition, given that only the State and the provinces of North and South Kivu were civil parties in this trial, one may also wonder whether the real victims of what is happening in eastern DRC will ever be able to benefit from these reparations. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Tuesday the truce between Hamas and Israel must not come at the expense of holding accountable those responsible for the "genocide" in Gaza. "Peace cannot mean forgetting; it cannot mean impunity," the Socialist premier said during an interview with Cadena Ser radio. "Those who were key actors in the genocide perpetrated in Gaza must answer to justice, there can be no impunity," he added when asked about the possibility of legal proceedings against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Spain, one of the most vocal critics in Europe of Israel's offensive in Gaza, announced in September that its prosecutor would investigate "serious violations" of human rights in the Palestinian territory in coordination with the International Criminal Court. The court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel's former defence minister Yoav Gallant. Sanchez, who attended a peace summit on Gaza in Egypt on Monday, reaffirmed that Spain's arms embargo on shipments to and from Israel remains in place. "We will maintain this embargo until the process is consolidated and definitively moves towards peace," he said. Sanchez also suggested Spain could take part in future efforts to secure peace and aid reconstruction in Gaza. The war in Gaza was triggered by an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas into Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the death of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures, as well as the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,869 people, mostly civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers reliable. A Belgrade court sentenced three Bosnian Serb paramilitaries on Tuesday for war crimes linked to the massacre of 20 civilians in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s. They were found guilty of kidnapping non-Serb civilians from a train in the village of Strpci during the Bosnian War in 1993. The victims were beaten, robbed, and later killed. Their killers have never been identified. "The accused Gojko Lukic and Dusko Vasijevic were each sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Dragana Djekic was sentenced to five years," a war crimes court in Belgrade said. This is a first-instance verdict, and the men can appeal. The trio were accused initially along with another man, who has since died. After a previous guilty verdict was overturned on appeal in 2023, the retrial of the men from the Avengers paramilitary group, linked to the Bosnian Serb army, began in January 2024. According to the prosecutor, the men were tasked with abducting non-Serb passengers off a train travelling between Serbia and Montenegro. They were convicted for handing the kidnapped passengers over to their killers. Only four of the victims' bodies have been found. No investigation has ever been opened into those who orchestrated the massacre. Milan Lukic, a notorious Serb paramilitary commander linked to the Avengers, is serving a life sentence for crimes against humanity - but he was never convicted for the Strpci killings. Other members of the Avengers have also been tried for the crimes related to the Strpci murders. A court in Montenegro sentenced Nebojsa Ranisavljevic in 2004 to 15 years in prison for his role in the abductions, while in Bosnia, seven others were each sentenced in August 2023 to 13 years for their part in the crime. The Strpci war crime was among countless atrocities committed during the bloody wars that tore apart Yugoslavia, in which an estimated 130,000 people were killed. A short film about the massacre, by Croatian director Nebojsa Slijepcevic, "The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent", was shortlisted for this year's Oscars and has won numerous awards, including a French Cesar and a European Film Academy prize. Monday, October 13, 2025 - A furious Kenyan lady has taken to social media to publicly call out her baby daddy, accusing him of having private encounters with all her friends. The heartbroken woman paraded the mans photo on Facebook, revealing that she was forced to hand over their child to him after a bitter fallout. She further claimed that the man has since denied her access to their child, forcing her to seek intervention from the area chief. Her explosive post has since gone viral, attracting thousands of reactions from netizens, with many sympathizing with her pain while others urged her to handle the matter privately for the sake of the child. Social media users described the situation as yet another case of messy breakups playing out in public, a trend that continues to dominate online spaces. Check out her trending post below. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - A Catholic nun, Sister Caroline Kanjiru, accused of killing a fellow nun in Meru was presented at the Meru Law Courts on Tuesday. The court was expected to determine whether to release or detain her for 14 days pending investigations into the suspected murder of fellow Catholic nun, Sister Ansilime Karimi, from Nkabune. Sister Caroline appeared in court for a miscellaneous mention, where police officer Abdul Tulla argued that she poses a flight risk. He requested her continued detention to allow for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Karimis death. According to police, Sister Caroline claimed that the deceased died en route to Nkubu Hospital. However, preliminary findings revealed bruises on Karimis hands and legs, raising suspicions of foul play. Sister Carolines lawyer opposed the request, stating that she is not a flight risk and should be granted bond, assuring the court of her cooperation. The courts decision is expected to determine the next steps in a case that has shocked the religious community and drawn public attention. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, October 13, 2025 - Former Machakos First Lady and rapper Julianis wife, Lillian Nganga, has stirred social media debate after appearing to throw shade at individuals who post shopping receipts online. In her Instagram stories, Lillian said while lifestyle content is acceptable, flaunting shopping list receipts reflects personal insecurity, calling the behavior ushamba-max. Her remarks sparked speculation that she was indirectly targeting controversial content creator Diana Marua, wife to musician Bahati, who is known for sharing her lavish shopping sprees for clout. Lillians statement has divided opinions - some applauding her for calling out what they see as unnecessary show-offs, while others believe her message was a subtle jab in the ongoing social media culture of flaunting wealth and luxury. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, October 13, 2025 Wash wash queen, Emma Odhuno, is crying for justice after she was assaulted by a group of goons believed to have been sent by her estranged husband. The shocking incident happened over the weekend at a popular city club, where she was enjoying a night out with friends before the attackers pounced on her. In a disturbing video circulating online, the goons are seen accosting the designer as she sat with friends before one of them struck her with a beer bottle, causing chaos inside the club. Emma has since come forward to narrate her ordeal, claiming that the brutal attack was orchestrated by her ex-husband following a bitter separation. She also revealed that her ex-husband has been threatening to kill her and their children, leaving her in constant fear for her life. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with Kenyans calling for immediate police action and protection for the fashion designer. Emmas friends have written a letter to Athi River OCS, urging him to take action against her ex-husband. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Renowned human rights defender, Hussein Khalid, has strongly condemned the killing of GSU officer, Ramadhan Hamisi Mattanka, who died after being struck by an arrow during a confrontation with an assailant outside State House, Nairobi. Khalid, alongside representatives from VOCAL Africa, visited the Kenyatta National Hospital Morgue on Tuesday morning to stand in solidarity with the slain officers family. The organization said it is working closely with the family to ensure that a postmortem examination is conducted and that burial preparations proceed smoothly. We strongly condemn this killing and call on authorities to move with speed and prosecute the suspect who has since been arrested. Police are human beings and have rights too. We demand justice for Officer Ramadhan, VOCAL Africa said in a statement. The group described the late officer as a dedicated public servant who carried out his duties with diligence and integrity. According to VOCAL Africa, Officer Ramadhan, aged 30, was unmarried and the only child to his parents, making his death a particularly devastating loss to his family. The organization further urged the Government to ensure that the bereaved family receives full support and that justice is delivered without delay. Justice for Officer Ramadhan is justice for all officers who risk their lives daily to keep Kenyans safe, the statement added. Authorities have confirmed that a suspect connected to the fatal attack has been arrested as investigations continue. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, October 13, 2025 - Drama has erupted online after a heartbroken Kenyan woman took to social media to expose a lady who allegedly snatched her husband after she flew to Gulf for a job. According to her emotional post, she left Kenya to seek greener pastures abroad, only to find out that another woman was living with her husband and shockingly, wearing her old wigs. She shared a photo of the alleged husband snatcher posing in her wig, lamenting that her sacrifices to support her family had only led to betrayal. Netizens have flooded the comments with mixed reactions, some sympathizing with her pain, while others argued that long-distance relationships are hard to maintain. Check out her post. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Media personality Mwalimu Rachel has issued a sobering reminder to Kenyans following the glitzy Miss Langata Prison pageant held on Saturday, October 11th, 2025. The event, which showcased elegantly dressed inmates confidently walking the runway, sparked admiration online for the contestants beauty and poise despite their incarceration. During her radio show, cohost DJ Xclusive praised the participants, noting public surprise at the number of attractive women behind bars. Miss Langata. I just loved how, despite everything the ladies have done, people were shocked that kuna warembo wengi sana wako ndani, he said. However, Mwalimu Rachel cautioned against romanticizing prison life based on the pageants polished presentation. Lets celebrate them, yes - but dont be fooled into thinking prison isnt harsh, she said. Once the makeup is off and the uniform is back on, that lovey-dovey stage moment fades. Prison is not fun. The annual Miss Langata Prison pageant offers inmates a chance to express creativity, build confidence, and experience a sense of achievement. While the event highlights resilience and talent, Mwalimu Rachel has emphasized the serious consequences of crime and the stark reality of prison life beyond the spotlight. Among past winners is Ruth Kamande, who is serving a life sentence for stabbing her ex-boyfriend to death. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Two young college ladies believed to be behind a string of thefts targeting clothes and shoes in rental houses around Mwihoko have finally been caught. For weeks, residents had complained about rampant theft of clothes left on hanging lines, especially during the day when most tenants were at work. Their luck ran out when a tenant returned home unexpectedly and found them in the act. Photos shared on social media show the embarrassed slay queens holding the stolen items. The incident has caused a buzz online, with Kenyans expressing disbelief at how far some people will go to maintain a fake soft life image. Wakikaa kwa TikTok ni queens, kumbe wanabeba nguo za watu, one netizen joked. See photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, October 13, 2025 - Residents of Muigai Estate in Kitengela were left in shock after a lion cub was captured on CCTV cameras casually roaming through the estate at night. The footage, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the young lion wandering near residential homes before disappearing into nearby bushes. Terrified residents have raised an alarm, fearing that the cubs mother could be lurking nearby, posing a potential danger to the community. Officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) have been alerted and are tracking the animal to prevent any possible attacks. Cases of human-wildlife conflict have become increasingly common in the outskirts of Nairobi, where new estates continue to encroach on natural wildlife corridors. Watch the footage. A lion cub was captured on CCTV roaming around Muigai Estate in Kitengela, causing worry among the local residents. pic.twitter.com/nZspSU07Z2 KENYA GOSSIP HUB (@kenyasgossips) October 13, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - President William Ruto stirred reactions on Tuesday, October 14th, after stepping out in full military uniform to preside over Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Day celebrations at Moi Barracks in Uasin Gishu County. This marked his first public appearance in KDF attire since assuming office as Commander-in-Chief. Images shared by State House showed the President walking from his office dressed in ceremonial military gear, en route to the commemorative event. KDF Day is observed annually to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of Kenyas military personnel. The date, October 14th, was chosen to mark the KDFs 2011 entry into Somalia under Operation Linda Nchi, a mission aimed at countering Al-Shabaab militants responsible for cross-border attacks. The ceremony featured military parades, tributes to fallen soldiers, and awards for exemplary service. Families of deceased service members were also recognized and supported. However, the Presidents photos in uniform sparked mixed reactions online. While some praised the symbolism of his attire, others joked that he lacked the commanding aura typically associated with military attire. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has once again become the subject of online discussion after photos surfaced showing him in the company of Dorcas Nyokabi, a fast-rising politician and 2027 Laikipia Woman Representative Aspirant. The two have been spotted sharing light moments at various political and social functions, with their visible camaraderie sparking lively conversations among Kenyans online. Some political observers see the interactions as a sign of Gachaguas efforts to mentor and support young leaders within the Mt. Kenya region ahead of the 2027 polls. However, a section of social media users has read more into the friendship, with some bloggers speculating about the nature of their closeness - claims that neither Gachagua nor Nyokabi has addressed publicly. See the photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, October 13, 2025 - There was drama in Athi River, Machakos County, after a Somali businessman shot and killed one of his employees during a heated confrontation over a missing gate. According to police reports, the suspect, a licensed firearm holder, is accused of fatally shooting Samuel Mwangi Maina, who worked for him as a mason at a construction site in the Flight View area. A boda boda rider who witnessed the incident told police that Mwangi had hired him to ferry him to the site on Saturday, October 11th, 2025. Upon arrival, Mwangi called the property owner, who showed up accompanied by another man. The witness said the businessman immediately grabbed Mwangi by the neck, demanding to know where his gate had disappeared to. The man accompanying the businessman allegedly began assaulting Mwangi as tempers flared. The situation turned tragic when the businessman drew his firearm and threatened to shoot. The other man reportedly grabbed the gun and fired two warning shots into the ground, shouting that Mwangi would be shot if he did not reveal the gates whereabouts. The sound of gunfire drew the attention of nearby residents, who rushed to the scene. Realizing that an angry mob was forming, the businessman and his companion tried to flee. However, as the crowd chased after them, the businessman allegedly regained control of his gun and opened fire, hitting Mwangi in the chest. Mwangi was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police officers who later arrived at the scene found a furious crowd surrounding the area. They rescued the businessman from the mob, disarmed him, and placed him under custody as investigations began. Authorities are also pursuing the second suspect who allegedly took part in the assault and fired warning shots during the confrontation. Police processed the scene and recorded witness statements as locals demanded justice for the slain mason. Watch video of the deadly confrontation. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, October 13, 2025 - Fresh details have emerged regarding the dramatic assault of gold fraud suspect, Emma Odhuno, who was viciously attacked at a popular Nairobi club over the weekend. According to reports, the confrontation allegedly began after Emmas estranged husband found her in the club with another man. A viral video circulating online shows Emma being struck with a beer bottle as she pleads for help while security struggles to intervene. Emma, who has previously been linked to gold fraud, has since come forward claiming that the assault was part of a long-standing domestic dispute and that her life remains in danger. Watch video of the club incident. The Kenyan DAILY POST Eva Osborne Helen McEntee has said Catherine Conolly must publish the emails where she queried the vetting of a person previously convicted of firearms offences whom she signed into Leinster House. The deputy leader of Fine Gael said Connolly rightly seeks accountability and transparency as a public representative, and the public "should be afforded the same opportunity on this issue". It recently emerged that Connolly had employed a woman in Leinster House who had been found guilty by the Special Criminal Court for possession of firearms and ammunition more than 10 years ago. After serving more than four years, the former Eirigi member was shortly thereafter recruited by Ms Connolly to work on a committee on the Irish language. Ms Connolly said she had signed the woman in for day passes to Leinster House but she left her work before the outcome of a clearing process for a regular access pass which went on for six months. In a statement on Tuesday evening, Helen McEntee said: Someone who wants to become our President but has admitted to signing a serious criminal into our national parliament for half a year has to release all details on this to enable the public have all relevant information. What is in the e-mails? What exact dates was this person signed in for six months with no garda clearance?" The Education Minister also said the Connolly campaign should provide a full breakdown of her 3,700 taxpayers funded trip to Syria to meet supporters of the vile dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2018. The Irish Times revealed last week that Connolly used 3,700 from a taxpayer funded Parliamentary Activities Allowance for the trip where they met Fares al-Shehabi a supporter of dictator Bashar al-Assad who was placed under European Union sanctions. The electorate is entitled to a full breakdown of what the finance was used for in relation to this trip to a country under a dictators regime, McEntee said. A Kildare business has been prohibited from selling a food product due to a risk to the public. BK Foods Limited (Wholesaler/Distributor), Clongorey, Newbridge, Co Kildare were one of five businesses served with a prohibition orders in September by the Food Safety Authority. According to FSA, a prohibition order is issued if the activities (handling, processing, disposal, manufacturing, storage, distribution or selling food) involve or are likely to involve a serious risk to public health from a particular product, class, batch or item of food. The effect is to prohibit the sale of the product, either temporarily or permanently. The FSA also served five closure orders on food businesses in September for breaches of food safety legislation. In one case, a rat was observed on the premises, with rat droppings present on the floors and shelving where food was stored. In other cases, food was offered that was past its sell-by date; staff were not trained on food safety controls; and there was no soap or hot water at basins. The majority of notices were issued to businesses in Dublin. Businesses that have been forced to close as a result of the notices, under the FSAI Act 1998, are: SuperValu Hollyhill (Retailer), Hollyhill Shopping Centre, Hollyhill, Co Cork; Wok In Noodle Bar in Dublin; Restaurant Cafe), 48-50 Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2; SuperValu Hollyhill (Retailer), Hollyhill Shopping Centre, Hollyhill, Co Cork. Two closure orders were also served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on: New Leaf (Closed activities: the preparation and sale of sushi and sashimi) (Take Away), 18 New Street, Skerries, Co Dublin; The MOMO House (ceased trading on 10/10/2025) (Take Away), East Ocean, 61 Port Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Two prohibition orders were served under the FSAI Act 1998 on: Food Business trading as Vitalorganico and website vitalorganico.ie, operating at the domestic dwelling house (Wholesaler/Distributor), Castleknock, Co Dublin; Duud (Retailer), Pinewood House, Huntstown Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The three prohibition orders were served under European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on: Nearby Cashel (Retailer), 3 Main Street, Cashel, Co Tipperary; XL Convenience Store (Retailer), Main Street, Drumconrath, Navan, Co Meath; BK Foods Limited (Wholesaler/Distributor), Clongorey, Newbridge, Co Kildare. Its Punchestown Racecourses eagerly awaited The Jumps Are Back meeting this week, and day one hosts seven competitive races; six hurdle contests and a mares bumper. Punchestown offers Irelands second best value for money on a racecourse, according to the Racing Post, making this meeting all the more unmissable. Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Punchestown card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing betting. The action begins with a two-mile three-year-olds hurdle (2.05). There are plenty of prominent stables and connections represented here, with the Munir and Souede-owned Cinammon Coco taking centre stage for Joseph OBrien, having won very impressively when last seen at Down Royal. William Durkans Hopes Are High might be slightly better qualified on the yielding ground, but the going description is unlikely to get any worse than it is, and this horse carries a penalty too. Next is a two-mile handicap hurdle (2.35). Liam OBriens Dairy Force, a maiden hurdle winner last year, may be underestimated by the market, having unseated at the first on reappearance this month. On his best form, he could have an each-way shout. Eastmore could be a big player, but arguably is better over longer trips than a sharp two miles. Watching The Clock won nicely last time at Gowran Park for JP McManus, but that was on soft ground and her form on a sounder surface is more ordinary. Race three is a hurdle race run over two miles and three furlongs (3.05). Wendrock has been declared a non-runner, leaving a field of just four behind. Andrew Slatterys Smooth Tom won his last hurdle start at Cork. That was only a two-runner race, but his opponent was the useful Mozzies Sister, so the form cant be discounted. As he carries a penalty now, though, Glen Kiln, who looked a likely winner on reappearance at Tipperary when unseating, ought to be the winner. He tops the ratings and is a versatile type who can oblige today for David Kelly. A two and a half mile maiden hurdle is next (3.35). We have a pair of first-timers here; Come On McCaff and Back Light, both of whom are probably going to be more useful later in their careers. The best two appear to be Gavin Cromwells new recruit Reiki Revolution and Youre A Derry Girl. These two have placing form over hurdles, where the rest havent shown as much ability yet. Given seven pounds by her rider, Youre A Derry Girl might prove to have a weight advantage. Race five is a handicap hurdle over the same trip (4.05). Padraig Roches Im Flattered could be better than the market suggests, given the conditions he likes and having hinted at staying ability on that ground when winning at Kilbeggan in August. Gortmore Lady could run a nice race too and pick up a place, while Demanding Gerry is a likely type for the win after two close seconds on his most recent appearances. The penultimate race is a handicap hurdle run over two miles and seven furlongs (4.36). Rising Dust, Sign From Above and Duke Silver all won their last starts, with the latter looking best placed to repeat the form. Shark Hanlons Quest With Speed looks dangerous, though, back over hurdles for his reappearance after winning over fences in May. Hes a proven stayer now and, with Sean Flanagan taking the ride, he should be taken seriously. Last of all is a two-mile mares bumper (5.10). Foxy Footprints, Courageous Cleo and Easter Bonnet all take the racetrack for the first time here, while Prophetess Miriam brings the best existing form, having been the runner-up in a mares bumper in September. Easter Bonnet, from the revered Willie Mullins stable, is nicely bred from a useful family, so ought to be good on debut for a yard bang in form. Punchestown selections - Tuesday: 2.05 - Cinnamon Coco 2.35 - Dairy Force e/w 3.05 - Glen Kiln 3.35 - Youre A Derry Girl 4.05 - Demanding Gerry 4.36 - Quest With Speed e/w 5.10 - Easter Bonnet a THE ONLY institution in the world dedicated to the life of Kildare-born polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, Athys Shackleton Experience, has finally reopened following a 7.5 million redevelopment funded by Kildare County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. The historic Town Hall building on Emily Square, now featuring a striking glass iceberg extension, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art visitor attraction combining the worlds largest collection of Shackleton artefacts with immersive digital storytelling and interactive exhibits. Alexandra Shackleton, Granddaughter of Ernest Shackleton is pictured with Ulf Bakke great grandson of Johan Drage who donated the Shackletons cabin to the museum at the launch of the Shackleton Experience Among the 200 artefacts on display is the actual wooden cabin where Shackleton died in 1922 during his last expedition. Visitors can also expect to see the sledge and harness from the Nimrod Expedition, replica models of the Endurance and Quest, and a reconstructed 1920s cinema showcasing archival footage of Shackletons Antarctic journeys. The opening weekend was a huge success, with visitors remarking that the museum is of international standard, with cleverly planned out sections, and well-informed and friendly staff dedicated to assisting visitors to create a memorable experience. The new Shackleton Experience now includes a research studio for visiting polar scholars, a childrens discovery tour, a cafe called Ernies @ Shackleton Experience, and The Athy Story, which is a free exhibition exploring the towns history as far back as the medieval era. This the man who built this boat - a replica of the James Caird Photo: Aisling Hyland Local historian and one of the community activists who laid the foundations of the Shackleton Experience, Frank Taaffe, described the opening as the culmination of over four decades of community effort. Its been a huge day for us, and a huge day for someone like myself whos been involved with this project for the last 42 years, he said. Its taken so long to come. Its evolved from a town museum to a heritage centre, and now to a Shackleton museum. Thats the important thing. Vistors travelled from as far as Norway, England and Northern Ireland to attend the event, which already shows that interest for the museum spans far beyond the island of Ireland. Minister Calleary said the redeveloped experience showcases the most prominent collection of Shackleton memorabilia in the world and will undoubtedly become a focal point for tourists in Athy. At the official opening, two Government Ministers, Minister Dara Calleary and Minister Martin Heydon, joined Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council Cllr Carmel Kelly, Chief Executive Sonya Kavanagh, and members of the Shackleton family, including Shackletons granddaughter Alexandra Shackleton, who spoke at the event. One of the interactive exhibits at the Shackleton Experience Kildare County Council Chief Executive Sonya Kavanagh described the redevelopment as a labour of love, adding that it reflects a shared commitment to strategic investment that enhances our cultural infrastructure and supports long-term community development. Mr Taaffe recalled how the project began in 1983 when he returned to Athy after more than two decades away and called a public meeting to establish a museum society. The first local museum was housed in a former classroom at Mount St Marys, provided by the Sisters of Mercy, before moving into the Town Hall. It was during his research for a heritage submission that Frank discovered Shackleton had in fact been born in Kilkea, near Athy, not Kilkee, Co. Clare, as previously believed. That changed everything, he said. We decided to put up a small exhibition to Shackleton, and it just grew from there. Over the years, through donations, grants and volunteer dedication, the small heritage centre has finally developed into an internationally recognised institution. For those 40 years, it has been volunteers. People coming together, holding meetings, keeping it alive, said Mr Taaffe. Joe OFarrell former board member and Peadar Doogue friend of the Shackleton Museum The museums reopening coincides with preparations for the Shackleton Autumn School, which takes place from October 24 to 26, 2025, drawing speakers and visitors from around the world to celebrate Shackletons legacy. Its a huge international event, Mr Taaffe said. People come every year from America, France, Japan, Australia and Norway. The Shackleton Experience is expected to draw both national and international visitors in the months ahead. Frank and Breedge Taaffe Its great news for Athy, said Mr Taaffe. After 42 years, we finally got there. Visitors should allow themselves an hour minimum to enjoy the full experience, and should not forget to check out the free exhibition on Athys story, which features excellent artefacts such as the rent table, which was used for rent payments between tenants and landlords dating back to the 1530s. Martin Heydon TD Minister for Agriculture, Food and The Marine with Graham Herterich of Ernies In addition, admission to Ernies Cafe is free and visitors can come in any time they want to enjoy a coffee in the cosy ambience of the revamped building. A look inside the new Shackleton Experience The museum opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm, with the last admissions available at 4pm. The experience will also be closed on Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. Photo shows: Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is Martin Heydon, Alexandra Shackleton, Sir Ernest Shackleton's granddaughter, and his great grandson Patrick. Photo; Julien Behal The tickets for a visit to the Shackleton Experience are retailed online for 15 per adult, 14.50 for senior visitors and students, 12.50 for children aged between 12 and 17 years, 11 for children aged between 5 and 11 years, and free for children under 5 and essential carers. Booking online is encouraged as walk-in tickets are retailed at a slightly higher price. 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. CluneTech Founder and CEO Terry Clune has been honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award at the National Fintech Awards 2025, held in the Mansion House, Dublin recently. The inaugural National Fintech Awards were established to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the entire Irish Fintech industry, recognising those who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and growth in this dynamic and constantly evolving sector. The recognition follows a very successful period for the Irish entrepreneur, which saw CluneTech company Immedis, a leading global payroll platform, acquired by UKG in for 575M, in one of Irelands largest tech deals of 2023. Mr Clune is the Founder and CEO of CluneTech, a suite of technology companies that includes TransferMate, the worlds leading B2B payments infrastructure-as-a-service provider. Under the leadership of Mr Clune, TransferMate achieved unicorn status last year with a $1 billion valuation following a $70 million funding round, joining an elite group of just seven Irish tech unicorns to date. Several CluneTech companies, including TransferMate, Fintua (formerly Taxback International) and Sprintax, were also nominated on the night, reflecting the groups ongoing impact and innovation across the fintech sector. Since 1996, he has grown CluneTech into a group of fintech companies with industry-leading solutions and global reach, specialising in streamlining processes such as cross-border payments, tax compliance, global VAT, payroll and digital sales. From its Irish headquarters, he and his team have built the business from the ground up into a global leader in fintech, with offices in 21 countries and a footprint across four continents. Commenting on the recognition, Terry Clune, CEO and Founder of CluneTech, said: It is a real honour to receive this award. This recognition is a reflection of the incredible people I have had the privilege to work with and our shared commitment to innovation and growth. At CluneTech, we have always focused on creating technology that delivers real impact. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and excited for the continued evolution of Irelands fintech sector. Mr Clune concluded by acknowledging the dedication of his leadership team and colleagues across CluneTech, highlighting their shared drive to innovate, collaborate and continue shaping the future of global fintech. Established in 1996 by entrepreneur Terry Clune, CluneTech is headquartered in Ireland with a footprint across four continents and does business in more than 100 countries on a daily basis. The group has offices in 21 countries, and over 1,200 employees globally. CluneTech has been recognised as one of Irelands best workplaces for ten consecutive years by Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture. The South Kilkenny Historical Society lecture programme resumed recently with a lecture delivered by John OHalloran, A rare breed: The Irish and their animals through history. John brought the attendance (in the Parish Hall, Mullinavat and on Zoom) through the roles played by various breeds of farm animals (goats, sheep, cows and dogs) throughout our history and also spoke about the efforts being made to save some from extinction. John pointed out that he is an archaeologist by profession, but fell into farming and also farms with his wife Marcella and daughter. He went on: I took over the farm from my grandmother. They had a simple system of suckler cows. They would have had traditional breeds, improved by British breeds in the 60s and 70s but over time they were replaced by limousines, a non-native breed. John OHalloran (speaker) and Michael Parsons Johns visit to the farm of Tom Keane was a lightbulb moment and he described how the biodiversity was on a level that he had never seen before, where the main impetus was the Droimeann Cattle, a traditional Irish breed. As a result of the visit we bought two and that year was the worst weather we had for a long time. The non-native species were finding it really difficult and they wouldnt eat the grass, whereas the Droimeann breeds were eating brambles, nettles and rushes. We couldnt catch them because they wanted to stay outside. From there we bought the same breeds and kept them on marginal land where they were happy. TAP HERE FOR MORE WHAT'S ON IN KILKENNY A very engaging, informative and interesting discussion followed the lecture, where issues such as climate change, organic agriculture and agricultural policy were discussed The chairman, on behalf of the society, thanked John for an excellent and informative lecture, which dealt with much more than the animals themselves, but was also littered with numerous reference to events and people throughout our history. He also thanked those who helped organise and promote the lecture, and to Kilkenny County Council for funding under the Community Event Grant and Community Local Enhancement schemes. Deirdre Atkins and Mary Ryan The next lecture, which takes place on Thursday, October 30, will be delivered by Conor Brady, A Hundred Years of Irelands National Police Force: 1925 2025. This year marks the 100 anniversary of the merging of An Garda Siochana (which was established in 1923) and the DMP (Dublin Metropolitan Police) and since then it has been the only police service in Ireland. Conor Brady is the author of two histories of An Garda Siochana. He was editor of The Irish Times, from 1986 to 2002. From 2005 to 2011 he was Commissioner with GSOC, the garda supervisory body. He is Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Galway. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Global Governance Initiative: A timely vision for a more equitable world order 16:42, October 14, 2025 By Xin Ping ( People's Daily Online We are living in a world marked by profound changes and extensive turmoil. The quest for peace, stability, and prosperity for all has never been a more urgent task. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, China put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), calling for building a more equitable global governance system. Built upon five core principlesadhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on real actionsthe initiative has garnered broad international attention for good reasons. A Chinese response to global challenges Eighty years after the end of World War II, peace and development remain elusive in many parts of the world, where conflict, hunger, and poverty continue to cast a long shadow over people's livelihoods and hinder the progress of humankind as a whole. A report by the International Committee of the Red Cross indicates that there are currently around 130 armed conflicts raging worldwidesix times the number recorded 25 years ago. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence. As a UN report has highlighted, last year alone witnessed more than 36,000 civilian deaths across 14 conflicts, over 122 million people still in displacement, and some 280 million in 59 countries and regions suffering from acute food insecurity. Instead of standing up to the challenges facing humanity, certain countrydisregarding others' right to developmenthas acted recklessly by imposing unilateral tariffs, triggering heightened trade tensions that have upended global industrial and supply chains and severely weakened the multilateral trading system. Once again, the world stands at a crossroads. Which path should we take: confrontation or cooperation, isolation or openness, hegemony or common development? These are pressing questions of our time that demand thoughtful answers. The GGIa clear and principled framework for reforming and improving global governanceoffers one such response. Amplifying the voice of the Global South Global governance should not be dominated by a few powerful nations. It must reflect the rights and aspirations of the developing world. For too long, structural inequities have plagued the international order. Global South countries have been significantly underrepresented and often marginalized in decision-making processes. The development gap between the North and the South continues to widen, resources are unevenly distributed, and rules are frequently dictated by a handful of states. These imbalances not only hinder growth in developing economies but also undermine the legitimacy and efficacy of global governance. The GGI underscores that all countries, regardless of size, strength, or wealth, are equal participants in international affairs. It challenges the outdated model where a few countries monopolize global governance, and aligns with the long-standing demand of developing nations for a fairer, more inclusive systemone where every country sits at the table as equals. Upholding a rules-based international order In today's world, there is only one international system: the UN-centered system; only one international order: the order based on international law; and only one set of rules: the basic norms of international relations grounded in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The GGI is fully consistent with the spirit of the UN Charter. It aims to strengthen the UN's central role in international affairs and encourages all countries to engage in the reform and innovation of global governance institutions through multilateral platforms like the UN. As Singaporean scholar Kishore Mahbubani noted, "It was very timely for China to launch its Global Governance Initiative just before the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. It's time for the Asian states to step up and take ownership for the challenges that the world faces." As the world's largest developing country and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has been an active and responsible actor in global governance. It never seeks to overturn the existing system or supersede any country. Instead, it stands ready to work with all nations to reform and improve global governance to make it more adaptive, representative, and effective in meeting 21st-century challenges. Building a shared future through cooperation The future of humankind is deeply intertwined. In the face of global challenges, no country can stay aloof and thrive alone. History has shown that isolationism, hegemony, and double standards cannot deliver enduring peace or shared prosperity. Only through extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefit can we achieve mutual success and advance a community with a shared future for humanity. Transforming global governance will not happen overnight, but every step matters. Only by pulling together can we overcome common challenges; only by upholding justice can we secure enduring stability. Whether the international community can build a more peaceful, equitable, and prosperous world tomorrow depends on the choices we make today. (The author is a commentator on international affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News, Global Times, China Daily, CGTN etc. He can be reached at xinping604@gmail.com.) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Declan Brennan A former Christian Brothers teacher sexually assaulted primary school boys throughout the entire course of his 30 year teaching career, a court has heard. On Monday, Judge Elva Duffy sentenced the 83-year-old Dublin man, who cannot be identified at this point for legal reasons, to a prison term of four and a half years for the sexual assault of nine young boys. Most of the boys were between 11 and 13 years old when abused, though one victim was abused from the age of eight to the age of 13. The 38 offences took place in a Dublin city school between 1980 and 1995. The man was previously convicted of sexually assaulting young boys during the 1960s and 70s. The sentence hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard how the man would call boys up to the top of the class where he would put them across his knee and smack them, often with an implement, before indecently assaulting them by rubbing their buttocks or groin. Another victim told the court that in an incident during the 1981 to 1982 school term, the man called him to the top of the class, put the child over his knee and slapped him extremely hard on the buttocks. When the man began rubbing the child's buttocks, the child lashed out and hit the man in the face. The boy was sent to the principal's office and his mother called in. The boy told his mother what had happened and the woman stood up for her son and called the defendant a dirty bastard. Another man described how he was twice molested by the defendant while in his class in the 1983 to 1984 school term. He said he felt so traumatised that he began making up reasons to avoid being sent to school. His mother became suspicious and the boy told her about the teacher's behaviour. She went to the school and spoke to personnel and the man told the court he could see her giving out. The man said he was left alone afterwards by the defendant, who continued to teach until 1995 when he became principal. In that time he abused three more boys, including one boy who was eight years old when the man began indecently assaulting him in 1987. Over the next five years this child, who came from a significantly disadvantaged background, was subjected to an ever greater level of sexual abuse. On one occasion this victim, whose mother was addicted to heroin, told the man that he was going to tell his mother. The man told the boy that if he did this, his mother would go to jail and the boy would be put in a home. The man was convicted last March after a trial. He continues to deny any offending and does not accept the verdicts of the juries in any of the trials, defence counsel, John Griffin BL, told the court. Judge Duffy said that the victim impact reports handed into court detailed the long term impact the offending has had on the lives of the victims and made for distressing reading. She said the defendant's actions have caused untold trauma and damage and impacted on the education and aspirations of the victims. She noted that the abuse left many of the men with a life long distrust in authority and she commended them for the dignity and bravery with which they gave their evidence during the trial. Mr Griffin told the court that since the trial last March his client has suffered a brain haemorrhage and he asked the court to take his client's age and medical ailments into consideration. Noting that he has not taken any responsibility for his actions or shown any remorse Judge Duffy ordered the sentence to start from Monday. The man is currently serving a four year prison term for some of his other offending. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. James Cox Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Fianna Fail reeling from presidential fiasco Jim Gavin's decision to suspend his presidential campaign has led to much anger and soul-searching within Fianna Fail, and it will pile pressure on Taoiseach Micheal Martin. There was huge speculation about a heave against Mr Martin, with all eyes turning to the first Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting since Mr Gavin dropped out of the race following after a tenant claimed he tried to recover 3,300 in overpaid rent from Mr Gavin 16 years ago. According to sources, Mr Martin appeared nervous as he addressed the meeting and told party colleagues he was "deeply sorry". He said: Clearly we need to have a new procedure for deciding when we run a candidate for president and who that candidate is to be. I for one support the idea that we move to a process which is in tune with the wider reforms which we have introduced in the past. Tonight, we think of Jim Gavin and his family, who have gone through a very traumatic time. Jim Gavin has made a very significant contribution to our country as UN peacekeeper, public servant and in his impactful work in the North East inner city of Dublin, where he is hugely respected. This needs to be said. While the Taoiseach appears to be out of trouble for now, there is still discontent within the party. There have been numerous calls for a review into the selection process, including from MEP Billy Kelleher who sought the nomination but lost out to Mr Gavin, who was heavily backed by Mr Martin. Many backbenchers are still understood to be angry at Mr Martin. While he has insisted he will lead the party into the next general election, Mr Martin may well face opposition. Some have tipped his appointed deputy leader, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, as a future Fianna Fail leader. However, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan may be the main rival to Mr Martin. Speaking at a press conference after the Budget, Mr O'Callaghan said he was not seeking the leadership... for now. "Yeah, I would have thought so at some stage in the future, but its not an immediate concern for me." Mr O'Callaghan is widely seen as an ambitious politician who aims to be party leader. While he was appointed to Cabinet after the last election, eyebrows were raised when he was not previously given a senior role, with rumours that he did not see eye to eye with Mr Martin on many issues. He was one of the later Fianna Fail senior figures to endorse Mr Gavin for the presidential election. Connolly accuses Fine Gael of engendering fear against her Fine Gael is engaging in a campaign that is engendering fear, presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said. Ms Connolly is running against Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys in a race to become the next president, with voting to be held on October 24th. On Monday, the Independent Galway TD accused her opponents political party of running a negative campaign about her foreign policy positions on the US, Nato, the Middle East and Russia. She said: Whats happening here in the last few weeks is a policy of fear, of diminishing the candidate. And I say youre actually not just diminishing me, youre diminishing the role of the presidency, and youre also diminishing the people on the ground who are all actively canvassing for me, actively looking for hope. Tanaiste says genocide in Gaza cannot be forgotten The horrors, genocide and famine in Gaza cannot be forgotten, the Tanaiste has said, as he welcomed the release of hostages in the Middle East. Simon Harris said the freeing of prisoners and hostages by Israel and Hamas represents a ray of hope for people in the region, as he announced Ireland would provide an additional 6 million to aid organisations in Gaza, including Unicef and the World Food Programme. After the most horrific humanitarian catastrophe, a loss of life on a scale that is almost unimaginable we finally see cause for hope: Hostages released, bombing stopped, aid beginning to flow into Gaza, Mr Harris said. He added: I also today think of all of the hostages that have been released. I cannot imagine what they have endured for the last period of time, cannot imagine the fears and worries that their families have lived with and today, their loved ones are reunited in the arms of their families and we think of them today too. Abroad All eyes are on Gaza as a fragile ceasefire holds with US president Donald Trump currently in the Middle East. However, many questions remain over Palestinian statehood and the rebuilding of Gaza. THE historic link between Aghaboe and Salzburg was celebrated at a wonderful ceremony reflecting a rich shared heritage. Her Excellency Melitta Schubert, Austrian ambassador to Ireland, travelled to idyllic Aghaboe Abbey on Saturday 11 October to unveil an impressive visitor interpretive sign, marking a strong connection between Aghaboe and Salzburg that spans more than 1300 years. The memorable event was organised by Laois Heritage Office and Creative Ireland Laois, in collaboration with the Aghaboe Abbey Preservation Committee. The celebrated connection dates back to the early eighth century when Feargal, the Abbot of Aghaboe, travelled to and founded a cathedral in Salzburg. His exceptional legacy was recognised in 1233, when he was canonised as St Virgilius. The Aghaboe Abbey Preservation Committee, which marked its 50th anniversary last year, has long played a central role in safeguarding the abbeys remarkable heritage. It has also nurtured strong ties with Salzburg, with mutual visits and exchanges that celebrate a unique cultural bond. The content for the new interpretive sign was developed through a collaborative process led by the committee and Laois Heritage Office, with funding provided by Laois Co Council. The Austrian ambassador was presented with a framed image of the abbey, as it appears in the interpretive sign, by committee joint-chairman Robert Thompson, while young members of Laois Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann delighted the gathering with uplifting music. Laois Heritage Officer Thomas Carolan said: It has been a pleasure to support and work with the Aghaboe Abbey Preservation Committee on this project. The group has been involved in restoration and maintenance of the abbey for many years and this signage project is just a continuation of their great work, protecting and highlighting this important site. Working with archaeologists, historians and a specialist illustrator, the team drew on the most up-to-date research to create a fascinating reconstruction of the site of Aghaboe Abbey, as it may have appeared circa 1400. The new resource aims to enhance visitors understanding and appreciation of the abbeys historic and architectural significance. Laois Co Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh said it was a pleasure to see the project come to fruition and to welcome the Austrian ambassador. He said: The historic connection between Aghaboe and Salzburg, which dates back to the eighth century, is a remarkable legacy and its wonderful to see it still celebrated today. See more photos from the event in the next edition of the Laois Nationalist, in shops and online on Tuesday 21 October LAOIS Chamber Alliance is planning to serve up to host one of its most anticipated events of the year on Thursday 27 November at the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. Thus years President's Day Lunch will feature a high-profile fireside chat with renowned Irish entrepreneur, Pat McDonagh, Founder and CEO of Supermac's, So Hotels, and The Plaza Group. The prestigious event will take place on Thursday 27 November from 12:15pm to 2:30pm at the Killeshin Hotel Portlaoise, offering a vital opportunity for the Laois business community to connect, collaborate, and gain actionable advice from a leading industry figure. The centrepiece of the lunch will be a candid fireside chat where Mr McDonagh will be interviewed by Caroline Lydon, CEO of Laois Partnership. They will delve into the ups and downs of his remarkable business career, discussing the resilience and vision required to build and sustain a multi-faceted empire. Attendees are promised exclusive insights into current business challenges and strategic advice on navigating the modern commercial landscape. "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Pat McDonagh back to Laois for what promises to be an enlightening and inspirational afternoon for the local business community," said Jackie Carroll for the Laois Chamber Alliance. "This is a unique chance for our local business leaders and entrepreneurs to hear directly from one of Irelands most successful figures. His journey offers invaluable lessons on tenacity, growth, and seizing opportunity, which is particularly relevant for businesses navigating todays economic climate." In addition to the high-profile interview, the event will offer unmatched networking opportunities with over 100 business professionals. The Chamber's CEO and President will also outline their exciting plans for the Laois business community in 2026 and beyond. The lunch will also include a special presentation honouring Past President Fiona Hyland for her exceptional contributions to the Chamber.Tickets: Laois Chamber Alliance Members: 50.00 | Non-members: 65.00. Booking: Tickets are limited and must be secured in advance via the Laois Chamber Website (https://laoischamber.ie/event/laois-chamber-presidents-lunch/) The Laois Chamber Alliance encourages all local business professionals to secure their place early for this key event in the Laois business calendar. Ottoline Spearman From words that leave tourists baffled to phrases only heard after a few pints, the Irish are known for their creative and colourful use of slang. We want to test whether you can talk the talk. Do you think you know your Irish slang? Take our quiz and find out! Allentown police along with the Lehigh County Coroner's and District Attorney's offices are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred as the city works toward its Safe Streets for All initiative aimed at eliminating traffic deaths by 2030. Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor A 65-year-old man struck by a vehicle while walking in Allentown has died of his injuries, according to the Lehigh County Coroners Office. Jerome F. Bauder, of Allentown, was hit about 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the intersection of West Allen and North 15th streets, Coroner Daniel Buglio said. Bauder was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township, Buglio said in a news release Tuesday. The cause of death was complications of traumatic injuries due to the pedestrian-vehicle collision, and the manner of death was ruled an accident, Buglio said. The driver stopped and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation into the crash, city police Assistant Chief Michael Becker told lehighvalleylive.com. Bauder was walking west across North 15th Street when he was struck by the vehicle traveling north on 15th through a green traffic signal at the intersection, according to Becker. The fatal crash comes amid an effort by Allentown officials to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. The city launched the Safe Streets for All Action Plan in April. Complete details can be found at allentownpa.gov. The Lehigh County District Attorneys Office is assisting the coroners office and city police department in investigating the incident. Sam's Club is changing its hours on Sunday to allow all members to shop an hour earlier. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media If youre looking to shop at Sams Club on Sundays anytime soon, youre in luck. The wholesaler chain permanently changed its Sunday hours so all its members can shop an hour earlier and continue shopping later in the day. The change comes after Costco announced in June it would open its warehouses one hour earlier for Executive members. Heres what you need to know about Sams Clubs new hours for weekends. What are Sams Clubs new hours on Sundays? Starting Oct. 12, Sams Club expanded its Sunday hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at most warehouses to 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to the expanded shopping hours for regular Club members, Plus members can shop an hour earlier on Sundays and every day from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The membership-based wholesaler expanded its hours after overwhelming feedback from customers, according to USA Today. The changes also give Sams Club an edge over rival wholesaler, Costco, which only granted extended hours to Executive members. The word of the day for Oct. 14, 2025, is "excoriate." Canva Have you ever been so harshly criticized that you felt like you were verbally stabbed in the chest? That feeling is the textbook example of being excoriated. In our language, excoriate pulls all the punches and cuts right to the bone. But how did this sharp word find its place in our vocabulary? Heres what you need to know about the word excoriate. What is the definition of excoriate? The word excoriate means to censure or criticize severely. It is a verb, and the term can also mean to damage or remove part of the surface of the skin when defined in a medical context. This word can be used to define a physical or metaphorical skinning of an opponent. How is excoriate pronounced? The word excoriate is pronounced /uhk-SKAW-ree-ayt/. How can you use excoriate in a sentence? The critics excoriated the novel, dismissing it as pretentious and painfully overwritten. My boss didnt just give me feedback he excoriated me in front of the entire team. The patient had excoriated skin on his arms from constant scratching due to the rash. What is the origin of excoriate? Excoriate comes from the Latin verb excoriare, which translates to strip off the hide, according to Merriam-Webster. The term in its current form emerged in English in the 15th century. Excoriate was later used in its figurative sense in 1708, when it meant to denounce or censure. What famous book or movie uses excoriate? There is a 2017 short horror film that is called Excoriated, according to IMDB. The short horror film is about a hallucination at a party that becomes real, and none of the people involved know what is happening next. What historical figure uses the word excoriate? While there isnt a historical figure known for using the word excoriate, journalist Dan Walters of California news outlet The Mercury News wrote a recent article using the term to describe California Gov. Gavin Newsoms actions in office. Theres no question Newsom who had spent months excoriating refiners for gouging consumers on gasoline prices, even calling a special legislative session to impose new regulations changed his tune after two refineries announced plans to shut down, Walters said. Christian Martinez-Ramos pleaded guilty Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to third-degree murder in the shooting death of Hector Garcia Gomez in a Whitehall Township store parking lot last December. Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com The gunman in a 2024 murder plot over a love affair involving the victim has pleaded guilty and faces decades in prison. Christian Martinez-Ramos, 36, of Allentown, is the third and final person charged in the homicide last Dec. 7 to plead guilty, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan and Whitehall Township police Chief Michael Marks said in a news release Monday. Killed in the incident about 6 p.m. in the parking lot of Loco Hot Deals, 1155 MacArthur Road in Whitehall, was 46-year-old Hector Garcia Gomez, of Palmerton in Carbon County. Co-defendants Liz Marie Pacheco, 38, of Allentown, and Brenda Rodriguez, 52, also of Palmerton, have also pleaded guilty to charges in the case. Garcia Gomez and Rodriguez were married. Pacheco earlier had informed Rodriguez that Garcia Gomez was having an affair with a woman who lived near Pacheco and Martinez-Ramos, who were in a relationship, according to investigators. After he was shot, while en route to the hospital, Garcia Gomez called the woman he had been having an affair with and said the guy from upstairs shot me, court records state. The gunfire occurred after Garcia Gomez pulled into the parking lot and entered the store. Rodriguez was with him but stayed in the car, appearing to be on her phone, investigators said video surveillance showed. The investigation revealed that Rodriguez was providing information via cellphone detailing her husbands location to Liz Marie Pacheco, Holihans office said in a news release. Pacheco then relayed the location to Christian Martinez-Ramos, who arrived minutes later to the parking lot. The investigation showed that as Garcia Gomez left the store and began to get inside his car, Martinez-Ramos drove his vehicle through the parking lot and parked behind Garcia Gomez. Gunshots were fired at Garcia Gomez by Martinez-Ramos from his vehicle, striking Garcia Gomez multiple times. After Garcia Gomez was shot, video surveillance showed Rodriguez remained inside the car for more than 22 seconds. Rodriguez eventually got out of the car, adjusted her clothing and hair and picked up several items before slowly walking into the store. Garcia Gomez died of multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide. Martinez-Ramos admitted to shooting Garcia Gomez before fleeing in a friends car, which he then abandoned on the side of a road, investigators had said. Pacheco was aware of her ex-boyfriends intentions and assisted in both the planning and attempted cover-up, investigators said, including assisting with the sale of the vehicle used by Martinez-Ramos during the killing. Martinez-Ramos on Monday pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and conspiracy. Lehigh County Judge Robert L. Steinberg sentenced him to 30-60 years in state prison. Pacheco pleaded guilty earlier this month to third-degree murder and was sentenced to five to 10 years in state prison. Rodriguez pleaded guilty in September to a charge of conspiracy; she is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 5. The murder was investigated by Whitehall Township police Detective Lindsay Yetter and Lehigh County Homicide Task Force Detectives Timothy Salgado, James Bruchak and Amaury Almonte. Lehigh County Senior Deputy District Attorney James A. Augustine prosecuted the case. Pennsylvania State Police at Dublin report a 19-year-old Quakertown man was ejected from his 2024 Kawasaki Ninja and fatally injured after losing control while navigating around a slow sedan Friday night, Oct. 10, 2025, on Route 309 South in West Rockhill Township. Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com A 19-year-old Quakertown man was killed in a motorcycle crash Friday night on Route 309 in Bucks County, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Peter J. Charocopos was riding a 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 south in the left lane of Route 309 when the crash occurred about 9:45 p.m. in West Rockhill Township, state police at Dublin said. Entering a left curve on a downhill around mile-marker 23.2, Charocopos crossed into the right lane while attempting to evade a slow-moving sedan in the left lane in front of him. He lost control, entering the western shoulder of the road. Charocopos was ejected and struck a guide rail, resulting in fatal injuries, police said. He was pronounced dead at 9:55 p.m. at the scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to police. The motorcycle continued south about a quarter-mile before hitting a concrete highway divider east of southbound Route 309. State police were assisted by the Sellersville Fire Department, Medic 151 Grand View Ambulance Service, Medic 345 VMSC Emergency Medical Services and Swamps Auto Works. Suess-Gahman Funeral Home & Crematory is handling services for Charocopos. A prison inmate will serve an additional six year sentence for a jailhouse stabbing and a separate city centre knife attack. During the Mountjoy prison attack on December 18, 2018 Dean Teeling (36) of Coultry Drive, Ballymun, Dublin repeatedly stabbed Shane Fay in the back. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder and assault causing harm. During the melee involving six men in the prison recreational room, Teeling repeatedly stabbed the victim in the back, leaving him with six stab wounds to the back and one cut to a finger. The victim declined to make a statement to gardai but the attack was caught on CCTV. Teeling also pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a man during the knife attack on Fownes Street in Temple Bar, Dublin city centre on January 8, 2022. CCTV footage played in court showed Teeling running up to the victim and making a single stabbing motion to the man's chest. The defendant later claimed to gardai that the victim had sexually assaulted a relative of his and that the attack was an act of vengeance. The victim spent some time in hospital but did not make a complaint. The court heard that Teeling has a long history of offending, which includes convictions for knife assaults. Judge Martin Nolan said the prison assault was pretty savage. He imposed custodial sentences of three years for each of the offences and ordered them to run consecutively. The court heard that Brad Dempsey (24) of Stanaway Road, Crumlin, Dublin was also involved in the 2018 prison assault. Dempsey kicked the victim once after he had been put on the floor during a melee, Garda David Graham told the court. Dempsey pleaded guilty to affray at Mountjoy prison. He is currently serving an eight-year prison term imposed in 2022 for firearms offences. Judge Nolan sentenced Dempsey to 18 months imprisonment for his involvement in the prison affray. Laois people held a protest and vigil in support of Palestine at Portlaoise church last weekend. More below photos, taken by David Simpson. On Friday, October 10th, the Laois branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) organised a solemn vigil for Palestine outside St. Peter and Pauls Church. The local residents gathered in reflection, grief, and determination to continue standing with the people of Palestine. The vigil took place in the wake of the recently declared ceasefire in Gaza. The organisers and attendees noted that Palestine remains under Israeli occupation, and aid is still not flowing freely to those in desperate need. They say that the urgent medical crisis persists, and "massive structural rebuilding will be required to restore even the most basic living conditions for Gazans". The group note too that "tragically, even amid the ceasefire, violence continues". On Sunday, journalist Saleh Aljafarawi was kidnapped and murdered in Gaza City, underscoring the continuing peril faced by civilians, journalists, and aid workers alike. Organisers emphasise that peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, dignity, and freedom. Our work is not yet done, a spokesperson for Laois IPSC said. As long as Palestinians live under occupation and injustice, our voices and actions of solidarity must continue. Laois IPSC and supporters across the Midlands are urging people to join the upcoming Midlands March for Palestine, which will take place in Newbridge on Saturday, October 18th. Participants will assemble in Linear Park at 12.30pm for a silent march, and all are invited to wear black in solidarity. The theme of the march is An tOcras Mor (The Great Hunger) a reminder of the deep historical and human resonance of hunger, displacement, and resistance. Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a Kilcock, Kildare man who passed last weekend. Edward (Eddie) Coonan passed peacefully in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, after a brief stay following a long illness. Predeceased by his brother Willie and his brother-in-law Allen. Beloved husband of Nancy, loving father of Richard and Anne-Marie, father-in-law of Vanessa and Padraig. Adored grandfather of Jessica, Isabelle, Dalton and Beth, who were his great joy. Loved by his sister Marie, sister-in-law Mary, and all his extended family, neighbours and many friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. READ NEXT: PICTURES: Take a look inside stunning Kildare 'ranch' for sale with surprising price tag Edward will be reposing at his family home, Clonsast, Kilcock, (W23 WRW1) on Tuesday October 14 from 4pm to 7pm. The removal will be held on Wednesday, arriving to St. Cocas Church, Kilcock, (W23 Y566) for funeral Mass at 12 noon, followed thereafter by burial at Mainham Cemetery, Clongowes, Co. Kildare. Suggesting donations instead of flowers to Irish Cancer Society. Webstream Funeral service: https://www.kilcockandnewtownparish.ie/webcam/ Donations in lieu of flowers to Irish Cancer Society in Memory of Edward (Eddie) Coonan: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/EE86842718/donate.html Tributes paid to Edward on RIP.ie include: Our deepest sympathy to all the Coonan family on the sad passing of Eddie. For many years, Eddie was such a dependable volunteer with the Meals on Wheels project. His lovely relaxed attitude put people at ease. He always made time to sit and chat over a cup of coffee and to sort the issues of the day, both near and far. We will greatly miss his kindness and the pleasure of his company. May the light of Heaven shine upon him. And: So sad to hear of Eddie's passing. Sincere sympathies to Nancy, Richard, Anne Marie and the extended families. In 1963 i joined North Kildare Rugby Club Eddie was club Captain that year. He was a real gentleman. May he rest in peace. While another mourner wrote: We are saddened to hear of the passing of Eddie a dear friend and work colleague of many years ago. Our deepest sympathy to Nancy and Family. May Eddie rest in peace. And another added: Dear Nancy, Richard and Ann Marie, I was so sad to hear of the death of your beloved husband and dad. Its been a long time now since we met but my memories of you all are vivid from our Kilglyn years. Eddie was a lovely man - warm friendly welcoming. There is now a huge hole in your lives. No words can ease your pain at this terrible time. Rest in peace Eddie. A mother residing in County Kildare has called on the government to prioritise carers who work to assist those with disabilities and / or mental health issues Ireland. The call was made by Noeleen Eustace, who recently started a petition paying tribute to her late son, Kelvin Brennan, who died by suicide back in May of this year. Through her petition 'Kelvins amendment', which is currently live on Uplift.ie, Ms Eustace hopes to put pressure on the government to recognise Dual Diagnosis in the official Mental Health Act 2001. She explained in the description of the petition that Dual Diagnosis refers to when a person has both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder (SUD) at the same time. "There isnt one specific DSM-5 diagnosis for dual diagnosis," Ms Eustace notes. "Instead, its a description of having any combination of a mental disorder from the DSM-5 and an SUD." In the case of her late son Kelvin, he had been engaging with services from the age of five, but he was not diagnosed until he was 13 years of age, when he advised his mother that he was feeling suicidal. Kelvin then got a diagnosis privately at the age of 13 of Aspergers Syndrome, Generalised Anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorder and Dyspraxia. She added: "Because Dual Diagnosis is not recognised, Kelvin then spent the next 13 years trying to access services, every door was shut. "In one year alone, Kelvin and I presented at Naas [General Hospital] A&E to try and get treatment for Kelvin. We attended there 60 times, only to be refused time and time again." Her petition was aimed at the Minister of State at the Department of Health attending cabinet with special responsibility for Mental Health, Mary Butler, who is a TD for Fianna Fail. READ NEXT: DON'T MISS: Kildare's Junior Infants - FREE SUPPLEMENT IN LEINSTER LEADER TODAY! DEPARTMENT RESPONSE The Leinster Leader asked Minister Butler about the 'Kelvins amendment' petition. In response to this newspapers query, a spokesperson for the Department of Health issued the following reply: "Every death by suicide is tragic and is an immense loss for individuals, families, friends, and communities. "Reducing rates of suicide and self-harm is a key priority for Minister Butler and the government, and part of this is ensuring that people have access to the services they need. "This is being achieved through the implementation of 'Sharing the Vision', Irelands national mental health policy, and through the successor to 'Connecting for Life', Irelands suicide reduction strategy, which is currently being developed." The spokesperson also claimed that the government is "committed to a more integrated and holistic approach to the development of mental health, Dual Diagnosis and primary care services". Mary Butler TD, who is the Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Health attending cabinet with special responsibility for Mental Health. Photograph credit: fiannafail.ie They continued: "'Sharing the Vision', our national mental health policy, recognises that people with a Dual Diagnosis should have access to appropriate mental health services and supports and recommends several actions for Dual Diagnosis, with the implementation process led by the HSE. "The Mental Health Bill 2024, which is currently before the Seanad, does not specify any mental health difficulty or mental illness, including Dual Diagnosis. "A person with a co-existing mental health difficulty, along with another condition such as a substance use issue or an intellectual disability can access inpatient mental health services where the person meets the criteria for involuntary admission." The spokesperson also maintained that a person presenting with Dual Diagnosis is "already accounted" for in the current provisions of the Bill, and should be able to access services based on need. They elaborated: "Outside of the Mental Health Bill 2024, a person can also access Health Service Executive (HSE) mental health services, if they are professionally assessed as requiring appropriate care. "'The Model of Care for People with Mental Disorder and Co-existing Substance Use Disorder' was launched by Minister Butler in May 2023 and was endorsed by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland. "The definition of Dual Diagnosis for this model of care is 'the co-morbid disorders due to substance use and / or addictive behaviours along with the presence of mental disorder(s)'. "It recommends the development of 12 Adult Specialist Dual Diagnosis Teams nationally, and four Adolescent Hub Teams." The spokesperson concluded: "One of the key components of the Model of Care is the establishment of specialist teams to support individuals with Dual Diagnosis, and funding of over 3 million has been provided by Minister Butler to support the recruitment of Dual Diagnosis teams to-date." READ NEXT: Changes proposed for well-known Kildare town business CRITICISM However, the Departments statement has done little to alleviate the concerns from Noeleen, in addition to her sister and the late Kelvins aunt, Shirley. Noeleen works as a social care worker, while Shirley works as a social worker. Responding to the first three paragraphs of the statement, Ms Eustace told the Leader: "I find this response to be an insensitive one; Mary Butler is not in reality, where people are not getting in the door even though they are literally begging. "One suicide is too much especially when the individual had sought help, like my son Kelvin, and also Maxine Maguire and Adam Loughnane; three people who sought help numerous times and yet died by suicide [The late Maxine Maguire died in February 2017, while Adam Loughnane died by suicide last February]." Regarding the spokespersons mentions of the 'Sharing the Vision' policy and 'Connecting for Life' strategy, Shirley had this to say: "'Connecting for Life' is only being developed, it is not in place. "Looking at 'Sharing the Vision', it involves the collective response to many disciplines, which is positive, but can it be explained how long this will take to implement? "In theory, it looks good, but staffing, securing proposed locations and training will take time." Shirley also asked: "What is proposed or planned for the interim? How will individuals with suicidal ideations be supported?" In response to the spokespersons point on the Mental Health Bill 2024, Noeleen relented: "This is not the reality of what is happening in A&E departments; once a substance abuse issue is mentioned, the person cannot get a bed." And when the spokesperson maintained that a person presenting with Dual Diagnosis 'is already accounted for in the current provisions of the Bill', Noeleen countered: "There are no joined up services. Kelvin tried to avail of a community detox programme and was refused by his doctor and ARAS Addiction Services in Newbridge due to the risk involved. "A doctor, under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, does not have to commit to a community detox plan for an individual; another door shut." In reference to the spokespersons point that a person can also access HSE mental health services, Noeleen said: "Kelvin was deemed in need of in patient treatment by St Patricks Hospital but not the HSE. "What is the difference? money versus lack of beds? Or need?" Regarding the spokespersons point on the Model of Care, Noeleen had this to say: "This is a start, however, it has not happened yet. How long will this take to implement? "The 'Sharing the Vision' policy never got fully implemented, only partially." Citing a 2025 figure from the Mental Health Commission, she added: "There are around 51,000 people seeking help for mental health issues in Irish A&E departments yearly. "We need to prioritise carers, people with disabilities / mental illnesses." Lastly, Noeleen concluded by pointing to a figure from the Central Statistics Office, which recorded 512 deaths by by suicide back in 2021. Noeleen's petition for Kelvin ('Kelvin's amendment') can be viewed here. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or jo@samaritans.org) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444). In addition, you can also visit https://www.aware.ie/. Chambers Ireland this week revealed the shortlist for the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2025, with Kildare County Council shortlisted in a number of categories. In its 22nd year, the Awards feature a total of 98 local authority projects shortlisted across 16 categories, reflecting the dedication and innovation taking place at local government level, and one local authority will be awarded the overall award and named Local Authority of the Year 2025. This year, a record number of 259 submissions were received from 26 local authorities, underscoring the importance of these awards in showcasing the exemplary service provided by local authorities to their communities. The awards are held annually in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. READ NEXT: Disqualified driver stopped on Kildare's R409 last week Kildare County Council has been shortlisted for the following awards: Age Friendly Initiative: Ireland's first Age Friendly Race Course Climate Change: Grass to Gas Project Diversity & Inclusion: Barrow Blueway Inclusive Initiative Festival of the Year: Brigid, Spirit of Kildare Festival Promoting Economic Development: The K-Hub Strategy: Driving Cluster-Led Economic Growth in Partnership Supporting Sustainable Communities: The DemoHouse Sustainable Environment & Biodiversity: Kerdiffstown Park Project Urban Revival: Naas Library & Cultural Centre Speaking on the announcement of the shortlisted projects, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins TD, said: I am very pleased that my Department is supporting the Excellence in Local Government Awards again this year. These awards provide a wonderful opportunity to champion the innovative work being done in local authorities all across the country. Local authority projects, like the ones shortlisted today contribute to life in our communities in a multitude of ways, and I am delighted to be a part of celebrating these achievements. I want to extend my warmest congratulations to all the shortlisted entrants, and my appreciation to the judging panel who had the unenviable task of choosing between so many worthy entries. Commenting on the announcement of the shortlist, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, said: The Excellence in Local Government Awards continue to grow and evolve, reflecting the dynamic and diverse contributions of local authorities nationwide. This year, we are proud to introduce a new category, Celebrating Irish Language and Culture, which honours initiatives that preserve and promote our rich linguistic and cultural heritage. The awards showcase the inventiveness and innovation that local authorities are delivering, which so often goes unnoticed. I would like to congratulate each of the shortlisted local authorities and acknowledge the excellent work being undertaken at local government level across the country. Their efforts not only enhance community life but also demonstrate the ever-expanding scope and impact of local government today. The Excellence in Local Government Award winners will be announced at the 22nd annual ceremony on November 27 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood, Santry. Over 6,000 drug seizures have been recorded in Irish prisons from 2020 to date. The Department of Justice estimates that over 70% of people committed to Irish prisons have a problem with drug addiction. On October 14, there were 5,556 people held in Irish prison. In 2023, there were 20 addiction counsellors working in the Irish Prison service - meaning there is a ratio of approximately one addiction counsellor for every 277 prisoners. 92 drug overdoses have been recorded in Irish prisons from August 2024 to date. The Irish Prison Service disclosed in 2023 that the common problem drug reported by male inmates was cocaine - which was an issue for 35.8% of male prisoners. Opioids - primarily heroin - was reported as a problem for 35.6% of the cohort. For female inmates, the most common problem drug reported continues to be opioids - with 42.6% of prisoners reporting an issue with the drug. Cocaine is the second most common drug reported - with 26% of prisoners reporting having a problem with the drug. Read More: Gardai stand down search for missing 13-year-old amid significant development 6,201 seizures were recorded for 2021 to present - while 6,181 seizures were recorded for years of 2015 to 2020. While the increase seems small, more seizures have accumulated in a shorter amount of time in the past four years and ten months in comparison to the five years of 2015 to 2020. When asked to respond to the large number of drug seizures in prisons, a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service stated: Prison staff have increased the use of random and intelligence led cell searches on a daily basis. Our Canine Unit carry out searches around the prisons, including a greater focus on searching deliveries into prisons. Labour TD Conor Sheehan had the following to say about the rise in drug seizures in Irish Prison: The increase in drug seizures across Irish prisons is deeply worrying and points to a system under real strain. While its welcome that drugs are being intercepted, the sheer scale of these seizures shows how pervasive addiction remains behind bars. Sheehan described the problem as deeply concerning. The TD believes that: overcrowding, understaffing, and a lack of proper treatment programmes are allowing the cycle of addiction and reoffending to continue unchecked. General secretary of the Prison Officers Association Karl Dalton said on RTE News that the problem of drugs is linked to the prison systems overcrowding:Unfortunately when you have that much overcrowding, you have no school spaces, you have no workshop spaces; that leads to the onslaught of drugs. Overcrowding has become a significant issue for the Irish Prison Service in recent years, with the intake of prisoners rising by almost 10% in 2024. Presidential hopeful Heather Humphreys said she made a mistake in appointing a supermarket owner, with no previous experience, to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern art. Speaking on The Katie Hannon Interview Live on RTE on Monday, the Fine Gael candidate was questioned about a number of cases relating to her time as a TD and minister. Ms Hannon suggested the board appointment was because party leader Enda Kenny wanted to burnish his credentials so that he (the supermarket owner) could stand in a by-election for the Seanad cultural panel. Ms Humphreys blamed her political inexperience, saying: I was a new minister at the time and I made a mistake, and I learned from that mistake. She also said she was sorry if a bereaved mother felt that I didnt do enough for her. Lucia OFarrell has been been critical of Ms Humphreys support during her campaign for justice for her late son Shane, who was hit by a car driven by a man who should have been in jail. Ms Humphreys said: Im sorry if she felt that I didnt do enough for her, because anybody that came through my door as a TD, I always did my best, but Im glad that she has received a state apology. Ms Hannon then put a comment by Ms OFarrell to Ms Humphreys: If this is your best, its very poor. She listed a number of actions Ms OFarrell said Ms Humphreys could have, but did not take, including asking parliamentary questions about Shane, taking part in Dail debates about the case and supporting a 2018 vote for a public inquiry. Ms Humphreys said that as minister for justice she didnt want to derail that process by interfering in it. Some of the lighter moments in the interview included Ms Humphreys explaining how the demands of the campaign meant she almost forgot her 38th wedding anniversary, and which of her pets would make it to Aras an Uachtarain with her, saying that while her dog would join her, the cat might be happier at home. Later on Monday night her rival in the race for the Aras, Catherine Connolly appeared on Virgin Medias The Big Interview. The independent candidate was pressed by presenter Colette Fitzpatrick to clarify some of the episodes that have dogged her campaign. Quizzed about her decision to hire a woman who was convicted of a gun crime she said: This is a woman who served her prison sentence, was a model prisoner, was recommended highly. She added that former Fianna Fail minister Eamon O Cuiv was among those who had provided a recommendation. On accusations that her 2018 trip to Syria could have been used as propaganda by former president Bashar Assads supporters Ms Connolly said: It would be very hard to use me as propaganda or to stage manage me. She added: Im an Independent candidate, with an independent mind. Questioned about her relationship with fellow Independent TD Clare Daly, she outlined her stance on Russia saying: I have repeatedly, openly condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, utterly against international law. However, there were issues she was less forthcoming on, refusing to speculate on a number of matters including who she would appoint to the Council of State and whether US President Donald Trump should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She also refused to specify how she would use her presidential salary, but said she would use at least some of it for different projects on the ground. Ireland will have to commit millions of euro in further aid for Gaza in the coming months, the Cabinet will be told. Tanaiste Simon Harris is to update Cabinet colleagues on Tuesday about a substantial aid package to Gaza from Ireland. It comes after he announced an additional six million euro to aid organisations in Gaza on Monday, including Unicef, the World Health Organisation and the World Food Programme. Ireland has joined the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority (PA), a group established in response to the urgent and unprecedented financial crisis confronting the PA. It is likely that in addition to the immediate aid package, Ireland will also ultimately commit funding for the reconstruction of Gaza. It is understood the Tanaiste will tell ministers that developments in the Middle East in recent days represent a major breakthrough and that now there is finally an opportunity to ease the immense suffering of the people of Gaza who have endured untold horrors. Over all, Ireland has provided more than 95 million euro in support to the people of Palestine since January 2023, of which more than 83 million euro has been provided since October of that year. This includes 20 million euro in core support to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) this year, which brings Irish support to 58 million euro since 2023. The Tanaiste will also inform ministers that a consignment of 1,500 tents is being loaded by the International Organisation for Migration in Amman, Jordan for delivery to Gaza in the coming days. This includes 750 tents from Irelands humanitarian stocks and 750 from EU humanitarian stocks. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported on Tuesday that Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) served five Closure Orders and five Prohibition Orders on food businesses during the month of September for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: READ NEXT: ALERT: Gardai issue urgent appeal as concerns grow for missing 17-year old girl SuperValu Hollyhill (Retailer), Hollyhill Shopping Centre, Hollyhill, Cork (served 04/09/2025) Wok In Noodle Bar (Restaurant/ Cafe), 48-50 Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2 SuperValu Hollyhill (Retailer), Hollyhill Shopping Centre, Hollyhill, Cork (served 29/09/2025) Two Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: New Leaf (Closed activities: the preparation and sale of sushi and sashimi) (Take Away), 18 New Street, Skerries, Dublin The MOMO House (ceased trading on 10/10/2025) (Take Away), East Ocean, 61 Port Road, Letterkenny, Donegal Two Prohibition Orders were served under the FSAI Act 1998 on: Food Business trading as Vitalorganico and website vitalorganico.ie operating at the domestic dwelling house (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Castleknock, Co. Dublin Duud (Retailer), Pinewood House, Huntstown Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 Three Prohibition Orders were served under European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: Nearby Cashel (Retailer), 3 Main Street, Cashel, Tipperary XL Convenience Store (Retailer), Main Street, Drumconrath, Navan, Meath BK Foods Limited (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Clongorey, Newbridge, Kildare READ NEXT: ALERT: Irish people warned of highly infectious illness as Japan declares epidemic Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in September include: Evidence of pest activity; a live rat observed on a premises and rat droppings visible on floors and shelving throughout areas where food and food packaging were stored; holes and gaps in the cavity wall behind a shelf on a shop floor; no hot water, soap or hygienic drying materials available at wash hand basins in the kitchen or staff toilets; ceilings, walls and floors of food preparation and cooking areas not clean, with significant accumulations of grease, dirt and old food residues; no evidence of controls in place to manage the risks associated with the storage, preparation and sale of food products containing raw fish; chilled and frozen foods stored at potentially unsafe temperatures; no evidence of adequate staff training in necessary food safety controls; food products offered for sale past their sell-by date. Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said, Its concerning that we continue to see serious and recurring breaches of food safety law. These types of breaches are preventable where food businesses have a proper robust food safety management system in place and ensure staff are adequately trained. READ NEXT: REVEALED: Ireland goes barking mad for its dogs as top names and breeds unveiled in census The FSAI has numerous free resources and a learning portal to help support food businesses. Our new Guidance Note on Food Safety Culture, published recently, provides practical advice to help food businesses develop a food safety culture within their business, comply with their legal obligations and prevent these kinds of non-compliance issues from arising. Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAIs website at www.fsai.ie. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A MAN who died after volunteering as a motorbike marshal at a charity event earlier in the day, has been remembered for giving up his time almost every weekend at various charity events around County Limerick. John Sheehan, a native of Lisduane, Granagh, died on Sunday last (October 12, 2025) in a fatal single-vehicle road traffic collision. The collision happened around 7pm on the R519 - the road between Kilmeedy and Dromcollogher, in a townland called Callahow. READ NEXT: Former Limerick TD resigns from political party over its endorsement of Catherine Connolly The road remained closed for a considerable period to allow for a forensic examination. The motorcyclist, who was 57-years-old, was pronounced dead at the scene and Limerick Live understands that he had volunteered his time at a charity event earlier that day. Rockhill-Bruree Defibrillator Association held a vintage run in memory of Declan Doc Doherty, with more than 100 cars, tractors, commercials and bikes, raising just over 3,000. An organiser told Limerick Live that Mr Sheehan was always very supportive and on the day, he paid to take part, supporting the fundraiser and also volunteered as a marshal to monitor traffic and ensure that the event runs smoothly and safely. TD Richard ODonoghue, who lives in the Granagh parish and is also a fellow motorbike enthusiast, said that Mr Sheehan was well-known within the biker and vintage communities and would always give his time freely as a volunteer marshal. Deputy ODonoghue said: I was in Strand last week at a charity event and he was there as well. He recently got a crane licence and would have worked as a machinery driver for years. He lived in Dublin for a long time, but has been helping out at community events since he came back to the locality. He told Limerick Live: Ive known John for a long time and its very sad to see. I got a call late [on the night Mr Sheehan died] and Im very sorry to his family for such a loss, and to all of his friends and people within the wider community who would have known him. God rest his soul. A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death took place in University Hospital Limerick and a file was sent to the office for the Limerick coroner. Gardai continue to appeal to anyone who might have information or dash-cam footage to contact them in Henry Street garda station on 061 212400, the garda confidential line on 1800 666111, or any garda station. They are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was travelling in the area between 6.15pm and 7.15pm on Sunday, October 12. Mr Sheehan is survived by his beloved family and a wide circle of family and friends. He will repose at OGradys funeral home in Ballingarry on Wednesday (October 15) from 5-7pm, arriving to St Josephs Church, Granagh on Thursday for 11.30am Requiem Mass, with burial afterwards in the local cemetery. May he rest in peace. AN Coimisiun Pleanala has given Tesco Ireland planning permission to increase the range of alcohol it serves at its store in Moyross. But the supermarket giant has been told it cannot advertise the sale of alcohol on the front of its shop window at Watch House Cross. Up to now, Tesco Ireland only sold wine at its newest Limerick outlet on the northside. READ MORE: Decision made on planned tower block of apartments in Limerick Limerick City and County Council gave the firm permission to begin stocking beer, spirits and other alcohols. But this decision was appealed to An Coimisiun Pleanala. The application to increase the alcohol range came despite the fact there is an existing off-licence in the unit adjoining Tescos Moyross branch. One person who appealed against the councils approval stated that granting permission to the sale of a wider range of alcohols in Tesco would give rise to increased crime, loitering, public drinking, littering, harm to public safety, pressure on gardai and local community resources. The presence of a rival off-licence, Carry Out, was also highlighted, with one objector claiming that five off-licences operate within a 1.5km radius of the entrance to Moyross. However, two of those premises named in the objection are in fact pubs. Agents for Tesco contended an area of its superstore reserved for an off-licence is distinctly different from a standalone off-licence. The proposed alcohol sales area is less than 10% of the gross floor area of the unit, Coimisiun Pleanala stated in a summary of responses to the objections. The proposal will not be a destination alcohol retail, but rather the alcohol sales element represents an ancillary part of the general convenience officer. On the matter of anti-social behaviour, the agents pointed to a security presence at the supermarket, alongside passive surveillance by staff and physical barriers. Strict operational policies particularly in regard to age verification will ensure the operation of the unit will not have a spillover effect onto adjoining public facilities, they added. They did state that issues around anti-social behaviour and public safety risks are not material planning consideration considerations. One objector pointed out the presence of a paupers graveyard on land adjoining the store, but Tescos agents noted no physical works are proposed for that site. BALLINGARRY-BASED trainer Richard OBrien set Billy Lee up for a double when saddling Spanish Temptress to win the eight-furlong handicap for three-year-olds at Killarney on Monday of last week. Owned by the Phoenix Rising Syndicate, the 9/2 chance added to her win over the same course and distance when coming through to lead inside the final furlong to beat Joseph O'Briens 7/2 shot Skippinandajumpin by a length and a quarter. Paddy Twomey gave Ballingarry jockey Lee his second winner of the afternoon as the five-year-old Seo Linn ran away with the concluding 11-furlong maiden. The three-time bumper winner opened her account on the Flat when racing clear from the two-furlong pole to beat Henry de Bromheads 5/2 shot Factual Fact by eight and a half lengths for owners Ann Phelan and Bridget Beckett. READ NEXT: All you need to know about the three Limerick schools competing in this years Dr Harty Cup Bturee-based trainer Enda Bolger won the two and a quarter-mile handicap chase with the JP McManus-owned Inthenickoftime at Galway on Tuesday. An 85/40 favourite under Simon Torrens, the five-year-old led soon after landing over the final fence and he raced clear in the straight to win by five and a half lengths from Ian Donoghues 7/1 chance Vaureal. The winner was bred by Noreen McManus. Michael Mulvany shared winners with both Southill jockey Terry Casey and Moyross jockey Wesley Joyce as he landed a double at Navan on Wednesday. At odds of 10/1, The Love Machine took the near six-furlong nursery handicap to give Casey his third career success. In the trainers own colours, he led at the furlong-pole and raced clear to beat Ken Condons 5/1 shot Believe In Glory by three and three-parts of a length. Mulvany was also the winning owner and trainer as the 18/1 chance Boyne Valley took the second division of the 10-furlong handicap. Joyce brought the three-year-old from off the pace to lead inside the final furlong and beat Andy Slatterys 13/2 shot Kodi Brown by a length and a half. Gordon Elliott landed a rare winner on the Flat as the Chris Hayes-ridden 33/1 chance Sugar Goodson took the eight-furlong maiden for two-year-olds. In the colours of Sapphire Racing, the newcomer led over a furlong out under Shanagolden jockey Hayes and held Joseph O'Briens 9/4 joint-favourite James J Braddock by half a length. Hayes shared a winner with Dermot Weld as they landed the second of the 12-furlong handicaps with Truth Be Told when racing returned to Thurles on Thursday. Owned and bred by Moyglare Stud Farm, the 15/2 chance led inside the final furlong to beat Michael O'Callaghans Lady Plimsoll, another at the same price, by a length and a quarter. Abbeyfeale jockey Paddy Harnett landed a 9/1 winner when partnering the Sean Davis-trained Venetian to take the seven-furlong handicap for owner Sinead OScanaill at Dundalk on Friday evening. The five-year-old led early in the race and again over a furlong out to score by two and a half lengths from Andy Olivers 9/4 favourite Sierra De Gredos. Billy Lee rode his third winner of the week when partnering the Willie McCreery-trained seven-year-old Stag Night to a cosy success in the five-furlong handicap at Naas on Saturday. Owned by the trainers wife Amanda, the 3/1 favourite was switched off the far rail after a furlong and came from off the pace from over a furlong out to lead inside the final 50 yards. Eased before the line, he scored by half a length from Kieran Cotters 15/2 shot Arklow Lad. Quin Amateur rider Laura Costello recorded her second racecourse victory when partnering the 12/1 chance Carrig Padraig to take the concluding lady riders bumper at Fairyhouse on Saturday. Costello rode her first winner for Martin Fitzgerald at Cork in March and she again teamed up with the County Cork-based trainer for this success, racing clear on the six-year-old well before halfway and before easing down inside the final furlong to beat the Maxine OSullivan-ridden and John Nallen-trained 8/13 favourite Minella Jury by nine lengths. The Philip Byrnes-ridden Wizard Of Odds won the three-year-old maiden hurdle in the colours of the Two D Partnership for trainer Bill Durkan at Cork on Sunday. Leading early in the straight, the 6/1 chance came home a two and a half-length winner from Joseph O'Briens 9/4 favourite Kibris. Trainer Davy Fitzgerald saddled the 9/2 chance Jaadil to take the two and a quarter-mile handicap hurdle. Owned by the An Bothareen Dubh Syndicate, the Sam Ewing-ridden 9/2 chance made all the running to beat Eamonn Gallaghers 11/2 shot Onefortheditch by an easy eight and a half lengths. Upcoming Fixtures: Punchestown Tuesday, October 14 (First race 2.05pm) Dundalk Tuesday, October 14 (First race 5pm) Punchestown Wednesday, October 15 (First race 1.55pm) Curragh Thursday, October 16 (First race 1.15pm) Thurles Thursday, October 16 (First race 2.12pm) Dundalk Friday, October 17 (First race 5.15pm) Limerick Saturday, October 18 (First race 1.45pm) Leopardstown Saturday, October 18 (First race 2.10pm) Leopardstown Sunday, October 19 (First race 1.55pm) Limerick Sunday, October 19 (First race 2.07pm) Democratic oversight arrangements designed to give Stormont politicians and other stakeholders a say in post-Brexit rules in Northern Ireland are overwhelmingly complex and impossible to navigate, peers have found. A House of Lords committee said the measures were insufficient and called for urgent action from the Government to address the concerns. The Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee examined the scrutiny and engagement arrangements included in the Windsor Framework the joint EU/UK accord that sets out post-Brexit rules for Northern Ireland. To ensure no hardening of the Irish land border after the UKs withdrawal from the European Union, Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules. The framework requires checks and customs paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain into the region. It also includes a series of measures designed to address concerns that politicians and businesses in Northern Ireland have a limited role in influencing the post-Brexit rules that apply in the region. This included the establishment of a dedicated committee at the Assembly to scrutinise EU law changes proposed to come into effect in Northern Ireland. A mechanism called the Stormont Brake was also created. That allows a minimum of 30 Stormont MLAs, from at least two parties, to refer a proposed EU law change to the UK Government. The Government then makes an assessment of the proposed change on Northern Ireland and can ultimately veto its application in the region. If the Government rules that the brake has been appropriately pulled, it must then directly engage with the EU to find a solution. The committee of peers assessed the effectiveness of the committee and the brake, as well as a provision that allows stakeholders from Northern Ireland to attend certain joint UK-EU meetings. The committee heard evidence from a range of witnesses, including the Federation of Small Businesses Northern Ireland, the Ulster Farmers Union and Northern Ireland Retail Consortium. Among their findings, the peers concluded that post-Brexit arrangements remain insufficiently understood in Northern Ireland. They made several recommendations that, they contend, will strengthen the regions voice in the operation of the Windsor Framework and promote greater transparency. The committee urged the Government to urgently consider how to simplify the framework arrangements, which it described as a complex and opaque structure that is difficult for business and civil society stakeholders to navigate. It found a need to address difficulties faced by business due to the absence of a centralised register of applicable EU laws in Northern Ireland, which requires them to spend time and resources tracking developments on laws applicable to them. The peers also found that the Governments Trader Support Service for businesses trying to navigate the rules is not providing a good quality of service. The committee recommended a new unit in the Cabinet Office responsible for regulatory divergence and a one stop shop where businesses can access relevant information about EU laws that apply in Northern Ireland. Peers also expressed concern that the democratic scrutiny committee at Stormont does not have sufficient time or resources to effectively assess law changes proposed to the region. That was also a main finding in a recently published Government-commissioned review of the arrangements undertaken by Lord Murphy. The committee said the Stormont Brake was a highly political topic and peers noted the view expressed by some witnesses that the mechanism was oversold. They urged the Government to be more transparent about the function of the brake so that it can be used productively as a mechanism for promoting dialogue between it and the Assembly. Commenting on the report, Lord Carlile, chairman of the committee, said: Our report comes at a pivotal moment for Northern Ireland and the UK. As the Government pursues a reset in UK-EU relations, it is vital that Northern Irelands voice is represented and heard. The potential agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary and energy arrangements could have significant implications for Northern Irelands place in the UK internal market, and for how the UK consults the EU on the application of EU law. We strongly support proposals to enhance Northern Irelands voice early in the EU legislative process, including through better resourcing of the UK Mission in Brussels and closer collaboration with the Northern Ireland Civil Service. It was clear from the concerns raised by businesses, civil society and political representatives both in formal evidence and during our visit to Newry and Belfast that the democratic deficit in Northern Ireland remains unresolved. Despite differing views among members, we agree that meaningful engagement, transparency, and public understanding must be urgently improved for the benefit of all communities in Northern Ireland. A PLANNING appeal from Irish Cement over the construction of houses on its doorstep in Mungret has been thrown out. An Coimisiun Pleanala, formerly An Bord Pleanala has ruled the building of 139 homes along the N69 can proceed. Irish Cement had challenged a council decision to grant permission to developers Tergnum Properties, arguing any further housing on the land could inhibit its own expansion. PICTURES: Laughter fills University Concert Hall Limerick at comedy weekend But in a ruling, the national planning appeals body has backed up Limerick City and County Councils decision to allow permission. Irish Cement, which employs more than 100 people in Mungret, has, in recent years, fought a protracted battle with local residents over its plans to switch away from fossil fuel in favour of solid recovered waste for its production of the building material, ultimately securing permission for this in 2021. In its submissions on this housing project, the companys agents indicated permission will be sought for its own expansion plan in future, which could take its factory just 40m from the rear wall of some of the proposed houses. Given the proximity of the proposed residential units to ICLs (Irish Cement Limerick) site there is the potential for complaints and objections from any future residents to planning applications made by ICL, which could inhibit any future development, it stated. MEMBERS of the Adare/Rathkeale Municipal District have expressed their dissatisfaction surrounding how members from the district are selected to deputise for the Mayor of Limerick. There were heated exchanges during their October meeting over the protocol surrounding who should represent John Moran at official events within the district. The discussion began when Cllr Stephen Keary asked: Who was asked to attend the opening of the new graveyard in Askeaton? The official opening of the Reilig Mhuire extension happened at the end of September and it was noted that independent councillor Tommy Hartigan had attended on behalf of the Mayor. Cathaoirleach of the district, Cllr Ger Ward, explained he had been initially invited by the Mayor to attend the ceremony in Askeaton but was unable to do so as he was travelling to New York for the Ryder Cup. He said he emailed and phoned the Mayors office to decline the invitation. It was after this that Cllr Hartigan was asked to 'cut the ribbon' on behalf of the Mayor (picture below). Speaking at the October meeting, Cllr Bridie Collins, Leas-Cathaoirleach of the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District, questioned why she was not asked to represent the Mayor, arguing that under the system that was previously in place, the invitation would have passed from the Mayor to the Deputy Mayor, to the Cathaoirleach (of the relevant district) and then to the Leas-Cathaoirleach, Read next: Mayor reveals reasons he chose to axe new Christmas market in Limerick city Citing an example from St Patricks Day last March, she said she was contacted directly by the Mayors office and asked to represent him at the Adare parade. She said she declined explaining that it wouldnt be her place to do so and instead advised that Cllr Adam Teskey - the then-Cathaoirleach should be asked to attend. "I worked with the Mayor's Office," she said. As Cllr Teskey was not available, it was ultimately Cllr Stephen Keary who represented the Mayor at the Adare parade. Regarding the official opening of the extension at Reilig Mhuire in Askeaton, Cllr Ward insisted he had no role in what happened after he declined. "It has absolutely nothing to do with me," he stated. "It's up to the council, Tommy did it." Cllr Collins and Cllr Keary said the previous system of delegation appears to have changed since John Moran was elected as Mayor of Limerick last year. There were heated exchanges when Cllr Teskey asked Cllr Collins to retract comments suggesting Cllr Ward had failed to follow protocol, a request she declined. Independent councillor John ODonoghue weighed in, saying as an independent councillor he often feels left with the crumbs when it comes to such invitations and added if the Mayors office asks him directly to attend an event, he would accept without hesitation. The discussion concluded with Cllr Collins and Cllr Keary proposing that the municipal district formally contact the Mayors office to express their dissatisfaction and to seek to clarity on the current procedure. A LIMERICK man has been elected the first citizen of a council near London. John Doran, who hails from Thomondgate, secured the chain of office to become mayor of the London Borough of Spelthorne. Based in Surrey, the area covers a number of areas on the doorstep of London Heathrow Airport. READ MORE: Decision made on planned tower block of apartments in Limerick Mayor Doran lives in Stanwell, a village which is set to be hugely impacted by the addition of a third runway to Londons main airport. Born and raised in Thomondgate, on the citys northside, he turned out for Thomond rugby club at junior level for two years, before leaving Limerick at the age of 20. He took a job with the Royal Air Force, before moving to work in the freight department of Heathrow Airport. A Limerick man at heart, the mayor declared: Im definitely a soda cake! He was a relatively late starter in politics, being elected as a Labour councillor into Stanwell Borough Council in 2019, at the age of 79, and was re-elected four years on. He joined his wife Susan, a past Mayor of Spelthorne, in the chamber. Asked how it felt to be elected mayor, he said: Great! I am the first Irish man, and the first Limerick man to have the role as far as I am aware! He admits that his recent visits home to Limerick have mainly been for weddings and funerals. More funerals than weddings sadly, he said. The eldest of six children, only two of his five siblings remain, one being his brother Stephen, an accountant based in OConnell Street. Mayor Doran recalls growing up in Clancys Strand, between the Curragower Pub, St Munchins Church and the Treaty Stone. Unlike here in Limerick, where there is a directly elected mayor in place, Mayor Doran will serve just a one-year term, which will expire in May next year. FORMER Green Party TD for Limerick City, Brian Leddin has revealed that he resigned from the party over its backing of Catherine Connolly. In an opinion piece for the Irish Times, Mr Leddin said the Green Party's decision to support the Independent presidential candidate only deepened his concerns about its current direction. "The decision of the party to back Catherine Connollys presidential election campaign is the latest effort by the leadership to chart a different course. I understand that Roderic OGorman believes that the party needs to be competing with Labour, Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats for votes. I dont disagree, but I believe that it needs to be competing for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail votes and transfers too, just as we did successfully in 2019 and 2020." He added that he thought it was unwise to alienate such a large section of the electorate, just as it is unwise to alienate the membership of the party. Mr Leddin feels the Green Party could have put forward its own candidate despite the "slim" prospects of getting a nomination. READ MORE: Limerick councillor may not vote in Presidential Election after withdrawal of Jim Gavin Mr Leddin said Catherine Connolly "has used her platform to criticise whichever government is in place, but the role of president is not to oppose the Government. If anything, it is to serve the State above politics and to do what the Constitution requires." "I made my mind up that Connolly was not a suitable candidate as soon as she was proposed because I dont believe that she will park her deeply held political positions at the gates of Aras an Uachtarain. Whether its her criticisms of the European Union or the US, her repeated equivocation on the causes of the Ukraine war, the preservation of the Triple Lock, or any other cause she has passionately represented, she will have to be silent on them for the most part if she is elected president." The former Green Party TD continued: "Even setting aside her politics, surely the recent revelation that Connolly employed somebody convicted of very serious firearms offences and signed this person daily into Leinster House, before them being vetted by the gardai, must be a disqualifier in itself? The employee, according to Eirigi, was a member of Eirigi when she was employed by Connolly in 2018." Mr Leddin concluded: "As things stand, the Green Party is not one that I would join, and so it no longer makes sense to remain a member. While I have now resigned my membership I remain proud of what the Greens achieved in government and on councils across the country in recent years." He added that he will be voting for Heather Humphreys to be the country's next president. New Delhi/Bengaluru/Mumbai: Indias sprint to reach global AI hub status just got a $15-billion booster shot, with Google unveiling plans on Tuesday to build massive data centres and AI computing infrastructure in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The Mountain View, California-based tech giants largest investment in India pushes Big Techs announced AI infrastructure bets in the country to $25 billion this year, with another $6.5 billion likely but unconfirmed. The push by the American majors comes in the backdrop of US President Donald Trumps urging to tech giants to pump in more dollars at home. Also Read | Google invests in SMB cybersecurity adoption as attackers focus on India In a press statement, Google said its planned facility will include a purpose-built data center campus, adding gigawatt-scale compute capacity to help meet demand for digital services across India and around the world". For this venture, the company will partner with Indian conglomerate Adani Enterprises data centre business and telecom services operator Bharti Airtel. On 7 January, Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive of Microsoft, announced a $3-billion investment to set-up cloud and AI infrastructure in the country. On 23 January, Amazon Web Services (AWS), the worlds largest cloud services provider by market share, announced a $6.8-billion outlay to set-up data centres and cloud services in Hyderabad, Telangana. In September, Bloomberg reported that OpenAI is planning to build 1 gigawatt (GW) capacity for data centres to cater to its AI operations in India. OpenAI is yet to confirm the investment, but if it comes to fruition, back-of-the-envelope calculations based on a TCS statement show it will likely cost at least $6.5 billion to set-up. TCS (Tata Consultancy Services), Indias biggest IT services provider, had said on 9 October that a data centre of 150 megawatt (MW) capacity costs $1 billion to set up. Having a large-scale, cutting-edge AI data centre facility in India proves to be a sign of confidence for global infrastructure providers that such large facilities are in the market," S. Krishnan, secretary at the Union ministry of electronics and IT, told Mint. As such facilities scale up, the cost of compute starts rationalising, which is a great sign for the AI market overall." Also Read | Microsoft bets on AI agents to redefine how products are built Anushree Verma, senior director analyst for emerging technologies at Gartner, said such investments are expected to ramp up in the next five years, pointing to the fact that India is already one of the biggest consumers of AI services and data in the world. While monetization of AI will play out eventually, India will represent one of the biggest geographies globally by volume for Big Techin terms of the need for sovereign AI applications and services. As use cases rise, immediate expansion of data centres will serve local markets themselvesinstead of global ones," Verma said. She added that the availability of government incentives, lower operational costs, and Indias under-penetrated market made the country an attractive choice for Big Tech in serving the domestic market. A 27 March research note by brokerage firm JM Financial said that over the next five years, India would attract incremental investments of $80 billion to ramp up AI, cloud and data centre facilities. The research note stated Indias total data centre capacity at 1.35GW at the end of last year. JM Financial projected this capacity to increase to 5GW by 2030, possibly reaching data penetration of 50% of Chinas by this time. Indias advantages Now, Big Tech is cashing in on this opportunity, leading states to compete against each other to draw large-scale investments. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana are offering subsidies such as electricity duty waivers, land subsidies of up to 50% and more, to draw in tech facilities. While Hyderabad drew AWSs $6.8 billion investment in India, Andhra Pradesh bagged Googles investment on Tuesday. Mumbai and Chennai, too, remain on the radar. India also comes with a relative cost advantage. JM Financials note said that the cost of data centre establishment in India is $7 per megawattamong the lowest globallycompared with $1011 in the US, and $1316 in Japan. Power, too, is roughly 20% cheaper than in the US. These fundamentals make India one of the most attractive destinations for colocation operators, whose facilitieswhere companies rent server spacecan yield Ebitda margins of 60-70%, and pre-tax returns of around 12%. Ebitda refers to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. The new facilities are also bringing in data centres to cities apart from Mumbai and Chennai, which in turn establish new landing sites for global undersea cables in Indiawhich yet again benefits Indias overall technology infrastructure landscape," Krishnan said. Home run Big Tech, though, is not the only oneshomegrown firms are in the ring, too. Indias top conglomerates, Reliance Industries and Adani Group, are in a race to operationalize 1GW each of data centre capacity in the next few years. Adani, which has a 50:50 joint venture with EdgeConneX, called AdaniConneX, is betting on its prowess in renewable energy to help it gain a competitive edge over peers. Meanwhile, Reliance Industries is betting on scale. The company is developing a renewable energy complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat, where gigawatts of clean electricity, generated from solar panels manufactured right there at the campus, will power large data centres. Adani and Reliance have also signed some marquee partnerships. When Nvidia chief Jensen Huang visited India last October, he inked a partnership with Reliance chair Mukesh Ambani to develop data centres using Nvidia's processors, which are the most advanced AI processors in the world by a wide margin. The starting capacity would be 1GW and would be scaled up from there. For context, all Indias operational data centre capacity is expected to be around 2GW by the end of 2025, as per one estimate by Sify, a leading data centre company. Reliance also announced AI partnerships with Google and Meta at its annual general meeting in August. The data centres at Jamnagar will be built with Google Clouds specifications. Facebook's parent Meta will set up a joint venture with Reliance to build an open-source AI platform-as-a-service with an investment of $100 million. Reliance will hold 70% share in this venture. Adani Enterprises, meanwhile, announced its own big tie-up with Google on Tuesday. Adani already has 37MW of operational data centre capacity as of June. It has tied up an additional 210MW capacity. Reliance's maiden data centre is still under construction. Larsen & Toubro, another leading conglomerate, which has been developing data centres for several years now for others, is now looking to make these digital warehouses for itself. L&T has about 32MW of operational capacity. Some large institutional stakeholders in homegrown beer maker B9 Beverages, the owner of the Bira 91 brand, have started discussions on the removal of founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Ankur Jain citing his inability to run the financially troubled company, according to four people aware of the development. During a virtual call on 9 September, investors and lenders including Peak XV (formerly Sequoia India), Sofina, Sixth Sense Ventures, Anicut Capital and Japans Kirin Holdings discussed the state of the business, with most shareholders agreeing to infuse fresh funds into the company on the condition that Jain steps down. Two of the four people cited above attended the 9 September meeting. A financial settlement with Jain in a mix of equity and cash has also been discussed, these two people confirmed. All four persons wanted to stay anonymous in this report. B9 is facing shrinking revenues, mounting losses, tax troubles and pending vendor dues. Some 250 employees have sent a petition to the B9 board and investors over delayed salaries and governance concerns, The Economic Times reported last Thursday. Jain denied any such development or a formal offer before him. Neither any offer to bring in capital has been presented to me, the company or its board by any investor, lender or stakeholder on the condition that I step down, nor has any financial settlement" been offered to me or any of the promoters," he said in an emailed response to Mint. But four persons have independently told Mint that discussions that Jain leave the company are indeed on. Each shareholder spoke on what their position is. Most said they support the business, but if Ankur (Jain) steps down they are ready to put more money," said one person directly involved with the developments at the company. Marquee backers Institutional investors are the largest group of shareholders in the company with a 28.6% stake, led by Peak XV (formerly Sequoia India), Sofina, Sixth Sense, MUFG Bank, Tiger Pacific, Mayfield and GHIQF Mauritius, per the company's June 2025 cap table sourced from data tracker Traxcn. Kirin Holdings holds 20.3% shares of B9. The promotersincluding Ankur Jain and his familycollectively own 17.8% of the total holding. Other stakeholders including employees, individuals and family offices hold about one-third of the company together. Also Read | Craft beer maker Bira in tax soup amid vendor payment and salary delays The beer maker was founded by Jain in 2015 and became widely popular owing to its cool packaging and made-in-India narrative. The business soon attracted top venture capital firms as also angel investors such as Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal of Snapdeal, Deepinder Goyal of Zomato, Ashish Dhawan, formerly of ChrysCapital. It's not clear if these angels still own shares in the company. In its latest fundraising last year, Bira raised $25 million via external commercial borrowings from its existing investor Kirin Holdings in June 2024, according to an Entrackr report. Business squeeze Over the last two fiscal years, however, the business has been adversely impacted, with the companys losses widening. This has prompted investors to take a hard look at the business. If you look at where things stand today, employees haven't been paid in six months, statutory liabilities have built up. His leadership is clearly not working. He's not able to bring money into the company. In fact, other people are ready to bring in money, and the condition is that he has to go," said the first person quoted earlier. Email queries sent to Sixth Sense, Sofina, and Kirin Holdings remained unanswered, while Peak XV and Anicut declined to comment on Mints queries. The next steps for the company cannot be figured out unless the founder steps down," said another person privy to the developments. A third person said management improvement" is needed at B9. In the business world, if stakeholders demand management improvement, a change in top management is not on unusual option some kind of professional management would be a great help for the company," this person said, adding there was also a need to improve corporate governance and have more transparency and communication with stakeholders. Pulling B9 out of the trouble it is in could be possible with a leadership change, a fourth person aware of the current situation at the company said. There is a lot of value in the brand but its a pretty complicated situation financially and I think execution is the problem and that a leadership change could be one of the options to revive the brand," this person said. Doubling down? Jain said he was staying at the company. There is no question of any change in the leadership or me stepping down. I along with the management team are standing firm and are doubling down on our efforts to restore the company," he said. On discussions among investors, he said: All possibilities have been part of discussions with various stakeholders, including restructuring debt, ownership of equity, buyout of investors and haircuts for lenders/conversion of debt into equity. Given the criticality of the situation, all stakeholders have approached these discussions with an open mind and at least shareholders and promoters recognize that compromises will need to be made by key shareholders including promoters to bring in capital to the company." B9 is, in fact, in talks to conclude a substantial capital raise," Jain said without revealing names of potential investors. We have received and signed certain term sheets. Our plan includes infusion of some capital in this quarter to bring immediate relief and repair business operations, and it includes the conclusion of our largest ever fundraise by next quarter. This fundraise will include a massive cleanup of the companys balance sheet, significant reduction in debt and over dues and give the company runway till it becomes cash flow positive," he said. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that the Indian craft beer maker is in talks to raise $132 million in its biggest ever fundraising with New York-based investment group Global Emerging Markets (GEM) as a potential suitor. The promoters and key investors of the company are working together to ensure that the issues facing the company are resolved quickly, he added. Name change trouble Bira has struggled to pay employees amid a significant decline in business. Availability of the beer has been limited to select markets. From selling beer in over 25 states, Bira is now available in just five states; Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, big markets for beer in India, are among them. Jain said the plan is to resume availability in 16 states after capital infusion. In February, Mint reported that B9 was facing troubles with tax authorities in various states with huge pending liabilities not just to states but also to employees. The company also has pending cases filed by vendors before the National Company Law Tribunal over unpaid dues, the NCLT website shows. The delay in clearing tax liabilities to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhiwhich led to significant disruptions to the companys business in the second half of fiscal year 2024 (FY24) and the first half of FY25was over a name change of the company that required the re-registration of all its brands and labels, and led to a temporary pause in sales, and major changes in its route-to-market and stock management. The company was earlier named B9 Beverages Private Ltd, which was changed to B9 Beverages Ltd. In fiscal 2024, the latest accounting year for which data is available, B9s revenue from operations declined 31.5% to 554.8 crore from 810.1 crore in the previous fiscal. The company posted a nearly two-thirds higher net loss of 643.5 crore in FY24 compared to 391.5 crore loss in FY23, shows data from business intelligence platform Tofler. B9 has not yet filed its financials for fiscal 2025. Jain said the company faced a crisis last year prompting the beverage maker to restructure its business by focusing on fewer states, reducing fixed costs and focusing on gross margins. This has meant taking hard calls on reducing costs including reducing employee headcount," he said. First ship on China-Europe Arctic route docks in Britain Xinhua) 16:53, October 14, 2025 FELIXSTOWE, Britain, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. Li Xiaobin, chief operating officer of Sea Legend Line Limited, which operates the route, said at the quayside that the ship is primarily carrying goods such as lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products, as the sea and temperature conditions along the route are well-suited for heat-sensitive and time-critical cargo. The maritime service uses the Arctic's Northeast Passage to reach Europe directly. Li said that after exiting that passage, the vessel encountered Storm Amy in the Norwegian Sea on Oct. 8 and reduced speed for safety, arriving in Felixstowe two days later than planned. "This has been an exhilarating voyage in my 18 years as a captain," captain Zhong Desheng told Xinhua, adding that he was "thrilled" to lead his crew to port. He said the company began preparing for the route three years ago, including vessel hardware upgrades and systematic training for the crew. According to Sea Legend Line Limited, the Arctic Northeast Passage links East Asia and Europe and is emerging as a new trunk line for international shipping, with potential to streamline global supply chains and bolster trade along the route. Fang Yi, the company's chief executive officer, said that the shipping line will see more ice-classed ships in 2026 and have a fixed summer schedule for service. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Avenue Supermarts Ltd, which runs the DMart retail chain, exited its DMart Ready order-and-pick-up operations in five cities in the July-September quarter, signaling continuing pressure from quick commerce companies and a pivot towards metro markets with stronger digital demand for groceries. The company discontinued e-commerce pick-up and delivery services in Amritsar, Belagavi, Bhilai, Chandigarh, and Ghaziabad, it said in its earnings release this month. The Ready sub-brand allows customers to order online and collect groceries from a pick-up point or delivers to home in six hours. Also Read | DMart's dull Q2 and outlook signal a tough road ahead for the stock DMart has been trying to get its e-commerce model right for some years now. Earlier this year, CEO Neville Noronha said on an analyst call that home deliveries had begun to outpace pick-up point sales for the firm, adding that delivery volumes now far exceed" those from pick-up stores. View Full Image Neville Noronha, CEO of DMart. (Mint) This isnt the first time DMart has scaled back its Ready footprint, however. At the end of March 2023, the retailer had 573 DMart Ready stores. Over the next 12 months, it shut 232 outletsmore than 40% of its networkending fiscal 2024 with 341 stores. It did not disclose its current store count. Last quarter, DMart Ready operated in 24 cities, which following the latest exits is down to 19. Avenue Supermarts, DMarts parent firm, did not respond to an email from Mint seeking comments. Analysts tracking the company say DMart is up against formidable competition from quick commerce. We note there are 100+ cities already where one or more QC (quick commerce) companies are present and where no DMart stores are present, indicating fast-paced expansion of QC companies into tier 2/3 cities, thus causing more competition for DMart," equities brokerage firm Kotak Institutional Equities said in a note dated 24 June. Profit problem Sales of Avenue E-commerce Ltd, the subsidiary that houses DMart Ready, have been growing. But so have losses. The company reported annual revenue of 3,502 crore in fiscal 2025, up more than 20% year on year. However, losses also expanded by more than 33% to 247.37 crore this past fiscal. Avenue Supermarts does not report quarterly financials for its subsidiaries. Brokerage firm Nuvama Institutional Equities, however, estimated that DMart Readys topline grew by 16% in the September quarter, lower than the 25% growth rate the same time last year. The e-commerce subsidiary is growing its losses as customers shift to home delivery from order-and-pick-up purchases. The widening loss in subsidiaries (the difference between consolidated and standalone DMart figures) appears to stem from a higher proportion of delivery sales compared with pickup sales," read the Nuvama note. Sandeep Abhange, equity research analyst at LKP Securities, said the primary reason for DMart Readys recent closures was a lack of profitability in smaller markets. In cities like Chandigarh, the stores were not that profitable," he said, adding that DMarts goal has always been to remain profitable, unlike quick commerce players that can afford losses initially". He noted the company prefers to get out of those areas where they are not able to make those stores profitable." Abhange also pointed to competition from quick commerce players and slower delivery times as pain points. Customers are now used to 10- or 12-minute delivery," he said. DMart Ready is still striving to maintain this kind of six-hour delivery. Due to that, no one will opt for that kind of model." He added that DMart Ready has lost a lot of growth" as quick commerce platforms are taking market share," and that its earlier pick-up modelwhere customers had to go and collect their essentials"was another deterrent. Read more: Inventory wars: Swiggy and Blinkit stock up quick commerce race DMart Ready's exit from five cities comes at a time that quick commerce companies including Eternal Ltds Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart are rapidly expanding into tier-II and tier-III cities across India. In the June 2025 quarter, Eternal said it opened 243 new Blinkit dark stores and is set to expand to 2,000 by this December. Even though India's top 20 cities make for the majority of Blinkits business, the smaller cities are equally promising as far as profitability is concerned," the company said in a shareholders letter this July. The difference in Net AOV [net average order value] of our large and small cities is fairly narrow at ~10%. Hence, after accounting for lower cost of operations in smaller cities, there is early evidence that margins will be attractive even in smaller cities." Swiggy said on an earnings call that it will focus on growing Instamart in the 127 cities it is already in, before planning to expand to more markets. Johnson & Johnson (J&J), the global healthcare industry bellwether, announced on Tuesday its plan to separate its orthopaedics division from the main company within the next 18 to 24 months. This major organisational shift was revealed as the pharmaceutical and medical technology firm reported third quarter results that surpassed Wall Street expectations. The orthopaedics business, which focuses on products such as hip and knee replacements and spinal equipment, is currently known as DePuy Synthes and generated approximately $9.2 billion in sales in 2024. Also Read | JPMorgan stock in focus after Q3 results beat estimates on dealmaking surge J&J Chief Financial Officer Joseph Wolk explained that whilst DePuy Synthes is "still a great business," it is not as fast-growing or as profitable as J&J's other core operations. The separation would allow the orthopaedics unit, which J&J claims would become the largest in the world, to benefit from operating as a standalone entity. For J&J, the move is strategic, enabling the company to shift its portfolio towards higher-growth, higher-margin markets. J&J is currently evaluating the mechanics of the separation, with preparations being made for the most complex option: a spinoff, which is the most time-consuming and resource-intensive approach. To lead the unit, J&J has immediately appointed Namal Nawana, a veteran medical technology executive and former J&J employee, who has previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Alere Inc. and Smith & Nephew Plc. J&J shares fell 1% at 10:28 AM in New York on Tuesday. Strong Financial Results and Outlook The announcement came on the heels of robust third quarter results: Q3 Revenue: J&J, based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, reported quarterly revenue of $24 billion, which beat the average Wall Street analyst estimate of $23.7 billion. Full-year Guidance Raised: Following the strong quarter, J&J raised the midpoint of its estimated 2025 reported sales guidance by $300 million, bringing the new figure to $93.7 billion. Earnings Intact: Despite absorbing higher taxes, the company maintained its adjusted earnings guidance for 2025. Tariff Pressures The healthcare sector is currently facing uncertainty due to the threat of tariffs from President Donald Trump, who has made lowering US medical costs a priority for his second term. Also Read | Goldman Sachs signals job cuts and hiring slowdown amid AI push Rival drugmakers, including Pfizer Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc, have pre-emptively agreed to offer some of their medicines at steep discounts and align prices with other wealthy countries in exchange for a three-year tariff exemption. (Bloomberg) -- This is insane, a woman says as a butler takes her through a tour of the Rosewood Chancerys spa. Were in the basement levels of what used to be the US Embassy in London, where theres now state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pools and a cold-plunge tank, along with a sauna and steam room. Im stretched like a cat on a heated marble lounger thats far more comfortable than any angular stone slab has the right to be. This is kind of insane, I think, as a staffer uses an instant-read thermometer to check that the pool water hasnt cooled. The Rosewood Chancery is a hotel some eight years in the makinga project that started to take shape even before US diplomats moved their British headquarters from Mayfairs Grosvenor Square to Nine Elms, near Battersea, in late 2017. The hotel now occupies the hulking midcentury modern building designed by Eero Saarinen. A giant gilded eagle, once perched iconically over the buildings edge, now crowns the rooftop bar, a spot thats already established itself as Londons poshest after-work hangout. The hotel has been accepting guests since early September, but its grand opening is Oct. 14. The renovation, by David Chipperfield Architects, was extensive but faithful to Saarinens original designs. Ground-floor office walls were taken down, opening the space into a grand lobby and expanding its signature diagrid ceiling. The windows and Portland stone facade got a careful restoration, but everything on the upper floors was removed and turned into 144 rooms (all of them suites) fit for a different kind of visiting VIP. There are many of those. On my first day at the hotel, the elevator doors opened to reveal a butler carrying a stack of green leather trunks embossed with a golden palm tree and swords: the emblem of the Saudi royal family. I asked a staffer if Id seen what I thought Id seen. Thats not the only royal family in house right now, they responded. Anyone visiting London soonroyals or otherwiseshould want to stay at the Chancery. At a time when luxury hotels have become complacent, predictable and priced well beyond reason, Rosewood has managed to avoid falling into those traps. Its latest outpost excels not only in its biggest statements but also in its smallest details. Let it be said that a room at the Chancery doesnt come cheap. The lowest weekday rates I could find in January, a month when prices for London hotels are typically low, clocked in around $1,400. Yet the refinement of the overall experience makes that sum feel warranted. In my suite the complimentary amenities included a brass bar cart piled with crystal glassware and a large decanter filled with enough apple- and chai-infused Negroni to supply a party. There was a custom leather-wrapped Nespresso machine capable of making flat whites and cappuccinos on demand. There were two mini-fridges stocked with the UK equivalent of Erewhon juices and bottles of locally sourced milk, plus three separate platters of confections from the pastry team. In the bathroom, I marveled at a pair of recycled-leather Dopp kits filled to the brim with things you can bring home, including a full-size tube of cardamom-scented lotion by a Somerset beauty brand called Never Go Alone that typically doesnt sell to the general public. (The leather bags are up for grabs too.) Even the closets contained delightful surprises, such as lint rollers covered in custom leather sheathing. At night, for turndown, a black lacquer and gold leaf tray would appear with a porcelain teapot, a silver carafe of hot water and all the necessary accoutrements for an evening brew. The Chancery competes most directly with Claridges and the ConnaughtMayfair neighbors and two of the worlds best hotelsbut also with a bevy of pricey London newcomers such as the Emory, the Peninsula and the Raffles London at the OWO. (The latter shares a historic connection, having once served as Winston Churchills old war offices.) Entry-level pricing at some of these properties has famously pushed $2,000 per night, though London has seen so many luxury openings that the oversupply has started to bring down prices. Its not just that the hotels are expensive; its also that the price tags often dont correspond to the value they offer. And thats not only in Londonits everywhere. I stayed in two hotels before and after the Chancery, in Marrakesh and Rome, both with similarly priced rooms, around $1,500. One had a faltering electrical system, so my phone could charge only from one outlet far away from the bed; the other was so small that there wasnt a single place to hang a long dress, and the only window faced a wall. These examples speak to the many problems plaguing luxury hotels old and new: Theyre hard to build, thanks to a scarcity of prime real estate, and prohibitively expensive to maintain given their surprisingly small margins. (Its common for five-stay properties to rake in less than 10% in profit, consultants have told me over the years. Budget chains often make three times as much because of their low overhead.) Labor is another issue: Talented staff have been hard to find and retain since the pandemic. Yet the overwhelming demand for luxury travel means these hotels can still charge eye-popping rates and fill their rooms, even if guests leave feeling somewhat extorted. The Chancery avoids some of these issues by being new but also through smart service and design. Even the smallest rooms are sumptuous and brimming with generous amenities, whereas at some competing hotels the experience is vastly different, depending on the room. Considering that the facade of the building is so severeit feels as if youre walking into a courthousethe inside of the Chancery feels like a cocoon. The lobby atrium glows with spiraling golden chandeliers. Shades of burgundy and walnut wood soften the space. Surfaces are laden with overflowing floral displays: stems of delicate pink bells and towering British beech on my visit. In corners that flank the main lobby area are three restaurants: Jacqueline, a tea and pastries spot themed after the Kennedy doyenne; Tobi Masa, an omakase sushi joint that will open fully in January; and Serra, an all-day dining concept where breakfast is served. Several more restaurants fill the buildings ground floor, including a grab-and-go place called GSQ and an outpost of New Yorks cultishly beloved Italian spot Carbone. A restaurant by local legend Ruth Rogers is also on the way. Thats a lot of options for 144 rooms. There are nods to the buildings history in the art. My favorite pieces are two Peter Blake collages of vintage Americana displayed together on the third floor, near directory signage that point toward the west wing. But theres little trace of the high-stakes decision-making that used to happen here. Security personnel thoroughly decommissioned the building when it ceased to serve as the US Embassy. All that was left, a hotel spokesperson tells me, were traces of a lead line and air filtration system used to seal off a panic room on the third floor. The rooms that exist here now start at a generous 570 square feet, giving them enough space for beds that arent king but rather emperor size. My suite is more than double that footprint, with a dining table for six and a dozen window panels making up two walls in the living room. The blackout curtains close with the push of a button. The obsessiveness over the design goes beyond what youd expect: Rosewood was responsible not just for the interiors but also for planting a perimeter of trees around Grosvenor Square, for which it exclusively chose nonallergenic varieties, to ensure the comfort of its guests. It makes for a beautiful, leafy view from all those windows. That doesnt mean the hotel is flawless. Breakfast is pricey and mediocrefor $20 the two poached eggs I got on avocado toast came with still-runny whites and what seemed like store-bought guacamole. I pined for what the Brits call filter coffee and what guests from the US or the Middle East just call coffee. There was only espresso. (GSQ, which has street pricing and great pastries, was a welcome alternative.) Based on what I overheard, other guests had different bones to pick, including that the gym, while stunning, required wellness mavens to fight over a single weight bench. Good luck even getting there. The fitness center is attached to the basement spa, and finding it involves a hunt to locate a poorly marked elevator bank on the buildings south side. Separately, I couldnt quite understand why, every time I ran the sink, the sound of clanking would emanate from behind the walls. No matter. People are begging for a chance to get into the Chancery. The rooms are fully sold out across solid stretches of October and November; theres a rumored 5,000-person waitlist to get into Carbone, which takes reservations up to four weeks in advance; and the rooftop Eagle Bar has Londoners pleading with the bouncer to be let in just for a look-see. (Pro tip: The drinks at Tobi Masa are better than the ones upstairs.) The buzz is warranted. At a time when luxury hotels are oversupplied in London and underdelivering in many major cities, the Chancery has shot to the highest ranks of the worlds great stays. For all the hype around the buildings legacy as the former home of the US Embassy, it stands out less for what it once was than for what the luxury industry should aspire to be today: thoughtful, obsessively detailed and an experience unto itself. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Goldman Sachs has reportedly informed its employees of potential job cuts and a hiring slowdown through the end of the year, according to an internal memo cited by Reuters. The Wall Street giant is preparing to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to significantly boost internal productivity. The internal memorandum, signed by CEO David Solomon, President John Waldron, and CFO Denis Coleman, outlines the firm's strategic AI push, dubbed "OneGS 3.0". Also Read | JPMorgan stock in focus after Q3 results beat estimates on dealmaking surge The memo highlights several critical areas targeted for AI enhancement such as client management and operation. The leadership team expressed confidence in the move, stating: "The rapidly accelerating advancements in AI can unlock significant productivity gains for us, and we are confident we can re-invest those gains to continue delivering world-class solutions for our clients." The anticipated job cuts follow a period of major internal shifts at the firm. This year, Goldman Sachs pulled forward its annual staffing reductions to the second quarter, rather than the usual September timeline. This exercise typically aims for a headcount reduction of 3% to 5% based on performance. The firm also implemented significant leadership changes this year, introducing co-heads across its major divisions and adding six new members to its management committee. It also established a new financing division. This consolidation and focus on AI suggest a strategic push by Goldman Sachs to streamline operations and dedicate resources towards technology-driven efficiency. Strong Quarter Results Goldman Sachs surpassed Wall Street expectations for its third-quarter profit on Tuesday, driven primarily by a surge in its investment banking division and increased revenue from managing client assets in rallying markets. The firm's advisory business proved exceptionally strong, fuelling the impressive results. Its investment banking fees surged by 42% year-on-year to reach $2.66 billion for the quarter ended 30th September. The growth was largely fuelled by a 60% surge in advisory fees, alongside increases in both debt and equity underwriting fees. Goldman Sachs posted an overall quarterly profit of $4.1 billion, translating to $12.25 per share. This comfortably exceeded Wall Street's consensus expectation of $11 per share. A Goldman executive revealed the firm has advised on $1 trillion in announced mergers and acquisitions (M&A) year-to-date, outpacing its nearest competitor by $220 billion. Notable deals this year include - advising Electronic Arts on its $55 billion sale to a consortium including private equity firms and Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund. Advising Holcim on the $26 billion spin-off of its North American business, Amrize. Advising Fifth Third Bancorp on its $10.9 billion agreement to acquire regional lender Comerica, a deal set to create the ninth-largest US bank. "This quarter's results reflect the strength of our client franchise and focus on executing our strategic priorities in an improved market environment," CEO David Solomon said in a statement. "We know that conditions can change quickly and so we remain focused on strong risk management," he said. Avinatan Or, an engineer working with Nvidia's networking division, was among the 20 living hostages released by Hamas on Monday following a US-brokered truce between the Palestinian militant group and Israel. As Or made his way back home, after two years in Hamas captivity, Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang shot out a letter to the chipmaker's global workforce, expressing his gratitude and relief at the engineer's release. "I am profoundly moved and deeply grateful to share that, just moments ago, our colleague, Avinatan Or, was released to the Red Cross in Gaza," wrote Huang, adding, "After two unimaginable years in Hamas captivity, Avinatan has come home." In the message, which was circulated internally, Huang also made known his appreciation for employees who had supported Or's family through his 738-day-long ordeal. The Taipei-born CEO went on thank employees who "stood with her [Avinatan's mother Ditza] in vigil, united in determination that Avinatan would return home safely, adding that such solidarity reflected the very best of who we are." Reunion after two years Or, currently aged 32, was abducted by Hamas along with his girlfriend Noa Argamani from the Nova Music Festival during the October 7 attacks of 2023, which sparked a full-blown war in West Asia. While Argamani was rescued in a Israeli military operation in June 2024, Or was not seen since the day of the attack, when Hamas released a video of the couple being kidnapped in what became some of the most well-known footage from the day. Upon release, Or was greeted by Argamani, with a video of the couple's reunion after two painstaking years going viral. New Delhi, Oct 14 (PTI) From legislative amendments to increasing uranium production in India, a government committee has made several recommendations to overcome the challenges facing the 100 GW nuclear capacity target by 2047. These measures will not only attract private investment in nuclear space but also help with faster clearances required to set up such projects. In February, Ministry of Power had constituted a committee to prepare a 'Road Map for Achieving the goal of 100 GW of Nuclear Capacity by 2047'. The committee has held several rounds of discussions on all aspects of the journey towards 100 GW by 2047 and identified several challenges facing the target and recommended measures needed to mitigate the same. The present nuclear installed capacity in the country is 8.88 GW. The committee estimates that the incremental investment required to achieve 100 GW capacity based on anticipated capacity mix will be 19 lakh crore. Amendments to Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA) would be essential to bring much needed private capital and to ease risk perception of suppliers and potential investors. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 currently does not allow participation of private sector or even state governments in the nuclear projects. This, perhaps was considered necessary due to the need for stringent safety, security and safeguards in atomic power generation. Further, suppliers and potential operators are apprehensive about some of the provision of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. The goal to reach 100 GW by 2047 calls for more than 10 times expansion of the existing capacity in 22 years time or an average capacity addition of approximately 4.14 GW per year. India would also need to secure huge uranium supplies to meet the target timely. Currently uranium requirement for 2.4 GW is met from domestic sources and the rest is imported. It is understood that the cost of domestic uranium mining and its processing to convert into Uranium Ore Concentrate (UOC, also known as Yellow Cake) is about 3 to 4 times expensive as compared to its price internationally. This is mainly due to poor quality of ore generally found in India. However, with worldwide push for nuclear power the international uranium prices may increase. The government may consider infusing additional equity in Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) to facilitate expansion. The committee has also suggested reducing project timelines. The entire process of setting up a nuclear power plant starts with in - principle consent of the concerned state government, where nuclear power plant is to be located. The time required after consent from state government culminating into first pour of concrete is 5-6 years. Total time required for construction of nuclear power plant is 11 -12 years, which is very high. The process can be made faster by fast-tracking pre-project activities, land acquisition issues, quality assurance issues during construction and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) process. State-owned NTPC, Tata Power and Naveen Jindal Group from the private sector have already announced their plans to set up nuclear projects in India. At present, NTPC is setting up a nuclear project in a joint venture (JV) with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) in Rajasthan at an investment of about 42,000 crore. NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh recently shared plans of setting up individual nuclear projects. In February, Jindal Nuclear announced it intends to make significant investments to build an 18GWe of nuclear power generation capacity in the country over next two decades. Sazerac Co, the American spirits giant that owns Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, is sharpening its focus on India as it looks to capture a share of one of the worlds fastest-growing alcohol markets. Backed by its 60% stake in Goa-based John Distilleries, the privately-held company plans to deepen distribution, invest heavily in consumer education, and even expand its portfolio beyond bourbon to grow in India. The renewed India strategy comes as Sazerac, which runs the oldest continuously operating distillery in the US (since 1775), navigates trade frictions in Canada and Europe, bourbons two largest foreign markets, owing to the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Executives said the shift isnt a reaction to tariffs but reflects Indias fundamentals: a growing middle class, a booming cocktail culture, and surging demand for premium spirits. Every time I visited India last year, it confirmed why we want to be here, said Jake Wenz, President and CEO, Sazerac. Spirits consumption is growing consistently, premium segments have more than doubled in five years, and millions of new drinkers are entering the category annually. Long-Term Play Sazerac is positioning India as a long-term growth market. Through John Distilleries, the company already sells Benchmark, Buffalo Trace, Sazerac Rye and, more recently, the Weller brands. While bourbon remains the spearhead, executives indicated that more of the companys 400-plus brands will gradually follow. Were in it for the long haul, said Wenz. John Distilleries is the key partner that enables us to navigate the complexities of Indias fragmented regulatory landscape. Indias state-by-state licensing regime is widely regarded as one of the toughest for global spirits players. Sazerac officials acknowledged the challenges but said the company is accustomed to navigating complex rules across markets. Its a level playing fieldeveryone has to abide by the regulations, said Wenz. Thats why a strong partner with a market presence makes a difference. Also Read | The tale of an Irish whiskey that paints the town red Education First The companys immediate priority is educationfamiliarising bartenders, consumers, and regulators with bourbon and American whiskey more broadly. In the works are bartender engagement programs, consumer pop-ups across cities, and influencer partnerships. We call it liquid to lips, said Diego Bianchi, general manager for Emerging Markets & Barrel Select at Sazerac. If we can get people to try the product, we have a great chance, because bourbon is differentiated from other whiskeys and we believe ours stands apart even within American whiskey. Sales of bourbon whiskey, which is traditionally made with ~51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels, have slowed in the US, but Buffalo Trace Distillery completed an ambitious $1.2 billion expansion project earlier this year. The distillery has increased production capacity, added new warehouses to store and age the drink, and built new cooling systems. View full Image Bourbon barrels aging in a distillery warehouse In India, Sazerac will steer clear of the premiumisation strategy that other drinks companies such as Pernod Ricard and Diageo swear by. In other words, the company is looking to cover all price points. Sazeracs portfolio runs from value to ultra-premium, according to Wenz. We want the right brand for the right consumer at the right time. Also Read | Sazerac banks on India's affluent consumers to drive bourbon whiskey sales Sazerac products cost between 2,580 (Benchmark) and 9,760 (Sazerac Rye) apiece in Delhi. India remains a nascent bourbon market, unlike Scotch, which has dominated for decades. Only Jack Daniels from the US has been able to make a dent in the crowded imported whisky market in India. Expansion Plans Sazerac declined to disclose investment amounts but confirmed funds will go into consumer outreach and portfolio development. Beyond bourbon, officials hinted that additional global brands will soon debut in India. We have high ambitions, but consumers will ultimately decide with their taste buds, said Bianchi. We believe the more we get our brands in front of consumers, the more consumers get the taste, the more we have a shot at a consumer choosing our brands. Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Tuesday spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sharing plans for the tech giant's first-ever AI hub in Visakhapatnam, it's largest outside the US. In a tweet, the Google CEO said, Great to speak with India PM @narendramodi @OfficialINDIAai to share our plans for the first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam, a landmark development. This hub combines gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure. Through it we will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country, Pichai added. Pichai's talk with the PM comes after the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Google on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi, to establish the centre in Visakhapatnam with an investment of $15 billion. Largest AI centre outside US The MoU was signed in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union IT and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh, along with Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian and senior company officials. The proposed facility in Vizag will be part of Google's global network of AI centres spanning 12 countries including Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia among others, with Visakhapatnam being one of the anchor points for Google's subsea cable infrastructure. "It's the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world outside of the US," Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said during the event in Delhi to sign the formal agreement. For its development and construction, Google has partnered with Adani Enterprises, and the project will be executed through Adanis joint company AdaniConneX, and in collaboration with ecosystem partners including Airtel. The Competition Commission of India has approved Vedanta Limited's acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates Limited following a corporate insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The Proposed Combination envisages acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) by Vedanta Limited (Acquirer) pursuant to a corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), the Commission said in a release on Tuesday, October 14. Also Read | SC refuses to take up petition against Vedanta on Viceroys allegations Also Read | Does Vedanta need Jaiprakash Associates, investors ask Vedanta Group bids for 17,000 crore Vedanta Group secured the winning bid to acquire Jaiprakash Associates (JAL) with an offer of 17,000 crore, beating the Adani Group, news agency PTI reported on September 5, citing people aware of the development. The bid amount translates to JAL's net present value of 12,505 crore, the report said. The bids from Vedanta and Adani Groups came as lenders of JAL carried out a challenge process for the company's sale under the IBC, with multiple bidders participating. The Committee of Creditors (CoC) held a meeting on September 5 to oversee this challenge process. Ultimately, only the Adani and Vedanta Group submitted firm bids; Vedanta's final bid of 17,000 crore, corresponding to an NPV (net present value) of 12,505 crore, was successful, surpassing Adani Group, the report said. JAL insolvency proceedings Financial creditors have claimed 57,185 crore as unpaid dues from JAL. The National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) leads the list of claimants after acquiring stressed JAL loans from a consortium of lenders led by the State Bank of India. JAL entered the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) via the National Company Law Tribunal, Allahabad Bench, as per the order dated June 3, 2024. The process was initiated following the conglomerate's default on loan payments. Up to 25 companies expressed interest in acquiring JAL till April this year. However, by June, JAL announced it had received five bids accompanied by earnest money as part of the insolvency process for the company's acquisition. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre and markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to respond to a plea by Sahara India Commercial Corporation Ltd (SICCL) seeking approval to sell 88 properties to Adani Properties Private Ltd to raise funds for repaying investors. A special bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, comprising Justices Surya Kant and M.M. Sundresh, directed Sahara to implead the finance ministry and the corporate affairs ministry in the case. The direction came after solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the government must review Saharas proposal to sell these assets, including Aamby Valley in Maharashtra and Sahara Shaher in Lucknow, to the Adani Group. This appears to be a good suggestion, subject to various factors to be considered. The central government may also have to examine and present its views before the Court, Mehta submitted, suggesting inclusion of the finance secretary and secretary, ministry of cooperation, noting that several cooperative societies had invested in Sahara entities through their members. The court also asked amicus curiae senior advocate Shekhar Naphade to examine existing claims over the properties and prepare a detailed chart identifying assets that are disputed, free from claims, or have unclear ownership rights. It also ordered Sahara to review workers claims and coordinate with the Union government, Sebi, and the amicus before the next hearing. The matter will be heard again on 17 November, when the court is expected to decide whether to grant approval for the proposed sale to Adani Properties. During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Adani Properties, said the company was willing to acquire all 88 properties in one go, even if some assets were subject to disputes, in order to avoid prolonged litigation. The 88 properties listed in Saharas plea include Aamby Valley City (Maharashtra), Hotel Sahara Star (Mumbai), Sahara Shaher (Lucknow), Sahara Ganj (Lucknow), and several large tracts of land across multiple states. Sahara has stated that proceeds from the sale will be deposited in the SebiSahara Refund Account, as directed earlier by the Supreme Court, to repay investors of its optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCDs). The long-running case The proceedings form part of the long-running SaharaSebi dispute, in which the Supreme Court in 2012 directed Sahara entities to refund over 24,000 crore raised through OFCDs to investors via Sebi. Sahara was required to refund around 25,000 crore, along with 15% annual interest. The group has claimed to have deposited around 16,000 crore till date, though Sebi maintains that over 9,000 crore remains outstanding. Also Read | Bombay High Court upholds Adani Properties' Dharavi slum rehabilitation bid As part of the disbursal process, the Court in September permitted the release of 5,000 crore from the refund account to depositors, including dues owed to investors of Sahara Group cooperative societies. It is to be noted that Over the years, the Supreme Court has allowed Sahara and its group companies to sell properties to raise funds for investor repayments, provided the sale price is not less than 90% of market value. In a similar move in September 2024, the court allowed Sahara to form a joint venture to develop its Versova property in Mumbai, with the aim of raising 10,000 crore, directing that all proceeds be deposited into the SebiSahara Refund Account. Real estate developer Oberoi Realty later expressed interest and deposited 1,000 crore with the Supreme Court. However, the funds were refunded after it was found that the Versova plot included alleged mangrove land, which could not be developed. Also Read | Supreme Court declines interim stay on Adani Groups Dharavi redevelopment work The court has since asked the Union Environment Ministry and Maharashtra Government to clarify whether the 106-acre Versova plot is fully or partially classified as mangrove forest. The matter remains pending. Sahara Groups legal troubles date back to 2010, when Sebi barred its chief, Subrata Roy, and its firms from raising funds through optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCDs), citing regulatory violations. Sahara challenged the ruling in the Allahabad High Court, which temporarily restrained Sebi from taking action. However, the Delhi High Court later issued a warrant against Roy over allegations of investor fraud. The Supreme Court ultimately ordered Sahara to disclose details of its OFCD schemes and refund investors with 15% interest. In 2014, Subrata Roy was arrested for non-compliance and sent to Tihar Jail. He was released on parole in 2016 but continued to face legal scrutiny. Mumbai/Bengaluru: There was no high-decibel government event, or even an investor roadshow. The message was tucked inside K. Krithivasans prepared remarks, in a recent media release. Indias largest IT services exporter, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the company Krithivasan now heads, is preparing for the biggest gamble of its five-decade existence: a massive $6.5 billion investment over six years to forge one gigawatt (GW) of new data centre capacity. Consider the sheer scale of ambition for a moment: This planned capacity alone is enough to match Indias entire current data centre base within six years, and the capital expenditure eclipses the combined value of all TCS acquisitions over the last two decades. That ambition also underlies a tectonic shift within TCS. For decades, the company exported code and consultancy, intangible services that powered global enterprises but left few physical footprints at home. Now, it is choosing to pour billions into concrete, steel and copper. The countrys most profitable IT exporter is turning inward, betting that Indias artificial intelligence (AI) revolution would need not just algorithms, but infrastructure. That shift is particularly striking given the groups own history. Back in 2016, another Tata company, Tata Communications, effectively jettisoned its data centre play, deeming it non-core." The sister concern sold 74% stake in its data centre business to a Temasek Holdings unit for $634 million. Three of those data centres were in Singapore; the rest across India. By last year, Tata Communications had divested its remaining 26%. Under chairman Cyrus Mistry, it seemed the group had moved on from the brick-and-mortar complexities of digital infrastructure. Under N. Chandrasekaranthe man who once put TCS on a high growth orbitthe pendulum has violently swung back. View Full Image File photo of N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons. (PTI) So when Krithivasanhimself a quiet engineer who inherited the corner office after Rajesh Gopinathans abrupt exit in 2023outlined this unprecedented investment, it was more than a capex announcement. It signalled a philosophical reversal within the Tata ecosystem, a return to building the physical foundations of digital India. The Tata Group companies are in power, real estate, project management businessesSo, there is a different kind of synergy we can build in here," Krithivasan said, during a call with analysts on 9 October. The timing, though, came against an uneasy backdrop. Ahead of TCSs latest earnings, on 9 October, its stock was languishing near a 52-week low. Growth was tapering. Analysts at Motilal Oswal and Nuvama projected a full-year revenue declinethe first since TCSs 2004 listing. The mood across Indias $283-billion IT industry was sombre. Global clients were trimming technology budgets, US visa restrictions had upended the traditional onsite-offshore model, and TCS had just confirmed the layoff of over 6,000 employees in the September quarter. In this subdued climate, the $6.5 billion commitment stood out as an act of economic courage, an attempt to reimagine TCSs future rather than merely defend its margins. TCS did not respond to Mints detailed questionnaire seeking comments. April at the Taj The idea took shape earlier this year. In April, Chandrasekaran, who has been steadily integrating the Tata empire into a digital-industrial group, asked senior TCS executives to explore the data centre opportunity. It was a directive rooted in strategic timing as much as necessity. The same month, at a high-profile event in Delhis Taj Mansingh Hotel, TCS unveiled its sovereign cloud network, a service designed to store and process data entirely within Indian borders in compliance with new data-localization rules. It was a logical extension of TCSs IT services portfolio: the company already provided engineers, managed IT infrastructure, and offered private cloud services. What it lacked was real estatethe physical layer of computing power that anchored the digital world. View Full Image In April this year, TCS unveiled its sovereign cloud network. (iStockphoto) That gap is precisely what the new investment aims to close. Data centres are the factories of the AI agevast, secure facilities that house the servers, networking equipment and cooling systems needed to process and store the petabytes of data generated every day. Indias regulatory mandates and digital explosion have created a perfect storm of demand. The Reserve Bank of India, the central bank, now requires payment data to be stored domestically; the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the markets regulator, has similar stipulations for market participants. As 5G networks roll out and connected devices multiply, the volume of data produced by consumers, vehicles, and industrial systems is surging. Add the rise of generative AI, and the need for high-speed computing infrastructure becomes existential. TCS believes it can monetize this infrastructure in two ways: leasing capacity to hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure, and using it for its own contracts with governments and enterprises. The companys first 150 MW facility, to be built at a cost of $1 billion, is expected to go live within 18 months. Different from Accenture The move also marks a clear break from how TCSs global peers have evolved. Accenture, the $70-billion consulting giant, has doubled down on advisory-led AI and analytics rather than infrastructure. Its bet is that the profits lie in algorithms, not assets. Indian peers like Infosys and HCL Tech have largely taken the same path, positioning themselves as service orchestrators on top of third-party cloud platforms. On 13 October, HCL Tech announced that it had won $100 million in revenue from AI operations in the September quarter, making the Noida-based company the first among Big Five to quantify revenue from AI technologies. TCS, by contrast, is wading into the physical side of that digital stack. It is a high-stakes pivot that could recast its risk profile and profit structure. The beauty of the data centre business is its recurring stability," said one executive familiar with the plan. But it will test patience before delivering cash returns." The executive did not want to be identified. Dividend reset The patience required may be considerable. Unlike software projects, data centres are capital-intensive, slow to scale and operationally demanding. TCSs decision to build rather than rent puts it in competition with hyperscalers and domestic real-estate developers alike. The company is entering a field already crowded with global giantsMicrosoft, Google, Meta and Amazonas well as Indian powerhouses such as Reliance, AdaniConnex and Yotta. The irony is that, given its scale and client relationships, TCS should have been a natural candidate to own data centres years ago. Instead, it spent two decades returning wealth to shareholders 3.66 trillion through dividends and buybacks since its listing. That generosity may now come at a cost. With the new investment cycle, margins could tighten, and dividend payouts to parent Tata Sons may moderate. Last year, TCS contributed 83% of Tata Sons income. Data centres can be bracketed into four types. First, there are the enterprise data centres, which are facilities owned and run by companies and houses their computing networks. A second category is hyperscale data centres, also known as Cloud data centres. Amazon and Microsoft own and manage these facilities. Edge data centres are the third category. Here, smaller facilities are set up closer to an organization, thereby improving speed, and are essential for real-time data processing tasks. Finally, there are the colocation data centres, a space TCS is venturing into. In this category, the data centre owner sets up the physical infrastructure, manages the facility, oversees the building, power, and cooling for the servers. The customer supplies and manages their equipment. View Full Image TCS is venturing into what is known as colocation data centres. McKinsey, a consulting firm, states that colocation data centres operate at lower profitability than cloud data centres. This is because the hyperscalers, who are the primary customers of colocation data centres, can negotiate better prices since they also set up and have their own facilities. The operating margins of Equinix and Sify, who run colocation data centres, are in the range of 22% and 19%, respectively. In comparison, the operating margins enjoyed by AWS and Azure are significantly higher, at 35-37%. Executives say TCSs balance sheet can absorb the shock. The company generated 46,449 crore in free cash flow last year, more than enough to underwrite the initial phases. Yet investors accustomed to industry-leading operating margins (TCS ended with 24.3% in operating margin last year) may need to reset expectations. The stocks 3.5% dip in three days following the announcement suggests the market is already doing so. TCS management stated that each 150-megawatt build-out phase of the data centre will require $1 billion capex, for a $6.5 billion total investment. We think this direction could offer new potential revenue streams though could negatively impact margins," Keith Bachman, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets, wrote in a note dated 9 October. McKinsey states that colocation data centres operate at lower profitability than cloud data centres. This is because the hyperscalers, who are the primary customers of colocation data centres, can negotiate better prices. Returns are slow, and could take a decade. In addition, technology cycles move faster than depreciation schedules. This is an asset-intensive industry where labour-arbitrage advantages dont translate," said Peter Bendor-Samuel of Everest Group, a research firm. Investors used to high-margin, low-capex returns will need to recalibrate." Analysts at JM Financial estimated revenue from 1MW of operational data centres in the first year to be about 22 crore. TCSs target of having a 150 MW data centre operational by April 2027 implies an incremental business of 3,300 crore. A successful operational capacity of 1 GW in six years would translate to about 22,000 crore, similar to its India revenue of 21,958 crore last year. The 3% problem The deeper question is why TCS waited until now. For years, Indian conglomerates like Reliance and Adani have been laying the groundwork for data centre dominance, tying these projects to their energy and telecom networks. The global hyperscalers, meanwhile, have been expanding capacity across India as part of their global grids. The Tatas, cautious and conservative, stayed on the sidelines. Part of that hesitation stemmed from perception. Data centres were once viewed less as cutting-edge technology and more as glorified real-estate playscapital-heavy, regulatory-ridden, and operationally messy. They required land, reliable electricity, and long-term financing, all of which had tripped up the Tata Group before. For a company built on intellectual capital, the business felt foreign. What has changed is the scale of the opportunity. India today accounts for roughly 20% of global data generation but only about 3% of storage capacity. Its total installed capacityaround one GWis precisely what TCS aims to build by 2030. Analysts at Cushman & Wakefield estimate that Indias data centre capacity will triple to 1,825 megawatt (MW) by 2027, driven by new data-localization rules and the countrys voracious digital appetite. States are competing fiercely for investment. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana are offering everything from electricity-duty waivers to land subsidies of up to 50%. Mumbai, with undersea cable landings and strong power grids, remains the favoured hub, but smaller cities are emerging as contenders. For TCS, whose domestic revenue still accounts for less than 10% of its total ($30.18 billion) but grew 62% last yearlargely due to a 1.5-billion BSNL contractthe timing aligns with a broader strategic shift toward India-focused business. As global clients hesitate, Indias digital infrastructure push offers both stability and scale. The orchestra Meanwhile, the data centre gamble will not only test TCSs financial muscle but execution capability as well. Building and operating data centres demands coordination across engineering, real estate, power management, and cybersecurityfar removed from writing code. Yet, this is where the Tata Groups breadth could become a decisive advantage. TCS can draw on group companies such as Tata Power, Tata Communications, Nelco, and Tata Electronics for power supply, network connectivity, satellite links, and chip technology. Thats a web of synergies that rivals like Infosys or Wipro simply cannot replicate. TCS has a unique opportunity to serve the broader Tata Group across businesses in telecom, networks, energy and cooling solutions," said Ramkumar Ramamoorthy, partner at Catalincs, a consulting firm. It can cross leverage these capabilities across the conglomerate structure, something that other large IT companies dont have." TCS can draw on group companies such as Tata Power, Tata Communications, Nelco, and Tata Electronics for power supply, network connectivity, satellite links, and chip technology. Thats a web of synergies. Still, competition will be fierce. To find its niche, TCS must differentiate not by sheer size but by integrationoffering clients a seamless bridge between the data centre and the AI workloads that run on it. TCS is not trying to compete with AWS or Azure on a raw scale," said Phil Fersht, chief executive of HFS Research, a consulting firm. Its trying to own the intersection of infrastructure and servicesboth the data centre and the AI models that sit on top. Thats where the value will lie." Such integration could also help TCS reposition itself in the eyes of investors. Global data centre operators like Equinix and Digital Realty command enterprise-value multiples of 20 to 22 times Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), higher than Indian IT firms price-earnings ratios. If TCS can credibly present itself as both a technology and infrastructure play, it could attract a new class of investors seeking exposure to digital infrastructure. Still, this is not a business for those seeking quick wins. Like we mentioned earlier, data centres are a low margin play. Yet for TCS, this may be less about margins than momentum. The IT industry is at an inflection point: AI threatens to commoditize traditional outsourcing even as clients demand end-to-end digital transformation. Owning infrastructure offers TCS a new strategic lever, a way to control the stack from physical data to cognitive intelligence. TCS moat wont be real estateit will be orchestration," said Fersht. By owning the infrastructure, it can combine data engineering and AI services under one roof." Krithivasans wager, then, is not for immediate approval but for long-term relevance. As Indias data centre capacity surges and its AI ambitions swell, the company is positioning itself at the intersection of both trends. If it captures even a modest slice of the coming capacity boom, TCS could evolve from an outsourcing icon into a domestic infrastructure powerhouse. For the Tata Group, too, this is a return to form. From steel and power to software and satellites, its empire has always thrived on long horizons. The data centre bet is merely the digital reincarnation of that legacy. For Krithivasan, the challenge is deeply personal. He took charge in a moment of fluxafter a surprise leadership exit, in a slowing industry, with AI rewriting the rules of competition. Now he must steer a company known for intangible efficiency into a world of tangible assets and operational grit. If he succeeds, TCS will not just sell cloud servicesit will own a piece of the cloud itself. Tech Mahindra Ltd kicked off the second half of the fiscal year with modest sequential growth and outlined a cautious future, even as it neared the half-way mark of its three-year revival plan during which its operating margins doubled. The Pune-based IT services company reported $1.59 billion in revenue for the July-September period, up 1.4% sequentially but down 0.2% on a yearly basis. Most of the growth came from manufacturers, which made up three-fifths of the companys incremental revenue of $22 million. Its net profit rose 1.5% to $135 million. The companys management said the macroeconomic environment was stabilizing, but concerns existed. Also Read | From code to concrete: TCS bets on AI infrastructure From a macro perspective, we see the macro as stabilizing and maybe improving in parts. But it is still fragile. There is unlikely to be any sort of V-shaped recovery in spend, but we do see a stabilization and, hopefully, growth in the second half of the year, said Mohit Joshi, chief executive of Tech Mahindra, during the companys post-earnings press conference on Tuesday. Tech Mahindra shares closed 1.2% higher at 1,468.15 apiece on the BSE on Tuesday. The companys mixed signals were in contrast to two of its peers. A day before, India's third-largest software services firm HCL Technologies Ltds management said that the macro environment was more or less unchanged. This was in contrast to larger peer Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, which said that there is lingering uncertainty in the broader economic environment. TCS and HCL respectively ended the second quarter with $7.47 billion and $3.64 billion in revenue, up 0.6% and 2.8% sequentially. Also Read | Accenture leaves Indian IT in the dust with its $4.8 billion AI play AI focus Both the larger companies also made big-bang AI announcements. While Mumbai-based TCS announced plans to invest upwards of $6 billion over a six-year period in building and running a 1 GW data centre, Noida-based HCLTech became the first company among Indian ITs Big Five to announce revenue from the new technology. It got $100 million in AI-led revenue last quarter. Tech Mahindra, on the other hand, has been placing its bets on large language models. We are partnering to develop an indigenous, sovereign, large language model with 1 trillion parameters, the significant technical milestone that places it among the largest AI models under development globally, said Joshi. However, he did not reveal the investment details, and queries on project timelines went unanswered. Instead, the management said the company was investing in talent rather than in data centres. Also Read | Mid-cap IT firms set to outperform larger peers for third straight quarter The investment, from our perspective, is largely, sort of in terms of talent, rather than, you know, rather than a significant amount of data center investments, right? So, it is largely in terms of partnership and talent, that's where our investment is coming in as of now, said Joshi, in response to Mints question during the press conference The company ended the September quarter with 12.1% in operating margins, up 100 basis points from the previous quarter. Its management attributed this to improved productivity, initiatives around fixed price projects, some volume growth, savings from selling, general and administrative expenses, amongst others. One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point. This jump in profitability comes as a shot in the arm for its management, which seeks to increase its operating margin to 15% by March 2027, and grow its revenue faster than peers as part of a three-year roadmap called Project Fortius, which was announced last year. While the revenue growth has not crossed 3% in the last year, the margins have doubled from 6.1% in April last year, when it announced its margin expansion plan. At least one analyst expressed confidence in the companys plans. New deal TCV (total contract value) at $816 million was also at its highest-ever level since Q4FY22. Healthy growth coupled with continued margin expansion reinforces confidence in the company to deliver on its three-year turnaround plan outlined at the end of FY24, said Manik Taneja, executive director for IT services at Axis Capital. Tech Mahindra, which does not give quarterly or yearly outlook, said that tech spends for IT projects would follow. As far as the Indian IT industry is concerned, I do feel that the industry has a very sustainable business model, has shown resilience across economic cycles. But equally, it has had portions of hyper growth, like we saw during Covid, and periods of very slow growth, like in this period. But even in this timeframe, I feel the industry, especially Tech Mahindra, has shown its resilience, said Joshi. He added that as the overall economic activity across the globe picks up, we do feel that tech spend will follow. For now, its results exceeded analyst expectations. According to a Bloomberg poll of 30 analysts, Tech Mahindra was expected to report $1.55 billion in revenue in the second quarter. Another bright point was its profitability, which has been increasing for eight consecutive quarters. Broadcoms agreement to develop huge numbers of chips and computing systems with OpenAI is being welcomed by investors. But it isnt such a clear-cut win as the companys stock is suggesting. The deal capped a flurry of pacts between OpenAI and the worlds biggest AI chip suppliers, including Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices. All of them involve OpenAI spending billions of dollars on data centers stocked with hundreds of thousands of chips. Broadcoms stock rose 9.9% Monday following news of its deal. The scale of OpenAIs deals is remarkable: together, they would involve filling data centers with chips and other computing infrastructure that consume 26 gigawatts of electricityan amount that would dwarf what New York City uses at peak demand in the summer. And yet that is only about a tenth of what Chief Executive Sam Altman recently told employees he wanted to build in the next eight years. The thing is, it isnt clear how OpenAI is going to pay for all of it, including the deal with Broadcom. OpenAIs revenue this year is expected to be around $13 billion, a substantial sum for a startup but nowhere close to enough to justify Altmans exuberance. The company has told investors it wont be profitable until 2029. Of course, OpenAI hopes to grow revenue so fast that todays talk of spending hundreds of billions of dollars on AI chips seems quaint within a few years. The story of AI, in Altmans telling, is one of exponential growth where competitors who balk at risk-taking now fall behind later. Altman has discussed new tools to help finance his aspirations; realizing them increasingly involves large amounts of debt. For Broadcom, though, it amounts to a big bet on a chancy customer. It could pay off handsomely: Bernstein Research analyst Stacy Rasgon estimated Monday that well in excess of $100 billion of additional revenue could be possible in the next three to four years from the deal. But it is a gamble, and there is reason to doubt whether Altman will achieve anything near the full extent of his ambitions. View Full Image Why Broadcoms Bet on OpenAI Is a Big Gamble Placing the bet in itself costs Broadcom, too. Building custom chips and AI computing infrastructure with OpenAI is expensive, and systems it develops with OpenAI arent easily transferable to other customers if OpenAI falters. In a recent discussion with Rasgon, Broadcom Chief Executive Hock Tan said while developing large AI systems would boost Broadcoms earnings, they would dilute its gross margins, although he didnt say by how much. In this sense, Broadcom is making an even bigger bet on OpenAI than Nvidia or AMD. Those two are still competing for its attention, though, which could fuel price competition and further margin pressure for Broadcom. In a sign that Broadcoms custom-chip business already is under competitive threat, Alphabets Google, the businesss anchor customer, has started working with Taiwans MediaTek on custom AI chips. Investors seem content to ignore such concerns, as they have been for some time. Broadcom is essentially a mishmash of chip and software businesses that dont often intersect, yet investors have been willing to pay a premium for its shares: They now trade at about 40 times next years earnings. That is, to an extent, logical, as Tans ruthless focus on squeezing out efficiency and profits has produced a company with growing earnings and overall gross margins above 70%. But it is still hard to explain why Broadcoms forward-earnings ratio has hovered above that of Nvidiafar and away the market leader, and a company with a wider set of AI-chip customersfor most of this year. Cozying up with OpenAI could set the stage for years of booming sales at Broadcom. With OpenAIs future riding on a grandiose vision that lacks a clear financial model, though, investors shouldnt see it as anything close to a sure thing. Write to Asa Fitch at asa.fitch@wsj.com New Delhi: Australia is preparing to ease and simplify its stringent safety and compliance rules for pedal bicycles, in a move that could boost Indian exports that are under pressure from steep US tariffs. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it is reviewing its mandatory safety standards for pedal bicycles to align them with global norms. Compliance simplified This is expected to make exports smoother for India, the world's second-largest bicycle manufacturer. Indian exporters have been facing delays and higher costs due to Australia's tough compliance tests, even though import duties were already removed under the IndiaAustralia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). The new regulatory alignment could, therefore, make the Australian market more accessible to Indian firms, and help shift a part of their export base from lower-value African destinations to a high-income, high-demand market such as Australia," said Rajeev Batra, director of Kiddies Center, a Delhi-based cycle trading firm. According to the WTO document submitted by Australia on 9 October, and reviewed by Mint, the country is reviewing its 1998 bicycle safety standard to align it with global norms. The review aims to expand compliance options for suppliers and simplify testing by referencing updated Australian and international standards, it said. As per World Bank data, Indias exports of bicycles and parts to Australia stood at $0.7 million in FY23, rose to $1.21 million in FY24, before declining to $0.75 million in FY25. Indias exports of bicycles and parts to the US rose sharply from $12.55 million in FY23 to $19.63 million in FY24, and further to $35.02 million in FY25. During the same period, Indias global exports of bicycles and parts increased from $968.82 million in FY23 to $1.02 billion in FY24, and $1.2 billion in FY25, reflecting steady overall growth in the sector, the trade data showed. Also Read | India team to visit US this week to finalize trade pact amid Russia oil row Indias exports of bicycles and parts have grown strongly in recent years, driven by rising global demand for mid- and low-cost bicycle components," said Ajay Srivastava, co-founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The growth in bicycle exports reflects Indias increasing competitiveness in supplying parts and medium-value bicycle assemblies to both developing and developed markets," he added. As per the document, including these voluntary international and overseas standards as compliance options would allow the supply of pedal bicycles in Australia without requiring additional testing under the voluntary Australian standard. This move is expected to reduce regulatory burdens for suppliers and facilitate trade. The document also clarifies that significant changes, such as altering the scope of the mandatory standard or major performance requirements, are not being considered as part of this limited review. Tariff pressure It will definitely create an opportunity for the Indian bicycle industry amid the ongoing tariff war," said K.B. Thakur, secretary general of the Delhi-based All India Cycle Manufacturers' Association (AICMA). The US has imposed 50% tariffs on a wide variety of Indian exports. India follows globally accepted standards, and our products are well-recognised in international markets. Indian exporters are already supplying high-end bicycles to European countries, while a major share of shipments goes to African nations. Australia is also emerging as a promising market for the sector. At a time when tariffs in the US are soaring, Indian exporters will certainly look to tap new opportunities in such evolving markets," said Thakur. Simplifying compliances is a welcome move for Indian manufacturers. It will help diversify Indias bicycle exports to Australia, and allow exporters to take better advantage of the FTA between the two countries," Batra added. It will give India an added advantage at a time when the world is adopting the China Plus One policy, as India is emerging as a viable alternative to meet global demand across various sectors," Batra said. Earlier, Mint reported on 12 July 2024 that demand for India-made bicycles has surged in Europe, particularly in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands often called the worlds bicycle capital. BJP Candidate List 2025 Bihar: The Bharatiya Janata Party released its first list of 71 candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 14. The saffron party is contesting on 101 seats in the 243-member Bihar assembly as part of a seat-sharing formula between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners. The party has fielded Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary from Tarapur and Vijay Kumar Sinha from the Lakhisarai assembly seat in the first list. Also Read | BJP releases first list of 71 candidates for Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Former deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad will contest from Katihar, while state minister Renu Devi will contest from the Bettiah seat. State ministers Nitish Mishra will seek re-election from the Jhanjharpur seat and Mangal Pandey from Siwan. Shreyasi Singh will join the fray from the Jamui seat, according to the list released by the BJP. Bihar Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The first phase will see voting for 121 seats, while 122 seats will be vote in the second and the final phase of the elections. The results will be announced on 14 November. Seat-sharing finalised on Sunday The NDA finalised its seat-sharing formula for the Bihar assembly elections on Sunday, the BJP and the Janata Dal-United (JDU) contesting 101 seats each, and the Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) contesting 29 seats. S No. Assembly Seat Candidate Name 1 Bettiah Renu Devi 2 Raxaul Pramod Kumar Sinha 3 Pipra Shyambabu Prasad Yadav 4 Madhuban Rana Randhir Singh 5 Motihari Pramod Kumar 6 Dhaka Pawan Jaiswal 7 Riga Baidyanath Prasad 8 Bathnaha (SC) Anil Kumar Ram 9 Parihar Gayatri Devi 10 Sitamarhi Sunil Kumar Pintu 11 Benipatti Vinod Narayan Jha 12 Khajauli Arun Shankar Prasad 13 Bisfi Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul 14 Rajnagar (SC) Sujeet Paswan 15 Jhanjharpur Nitish Mishra 16 Chhatapur Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu 17 Narpatganj Devanti Yadav 18 Forbesganj Vidya Sagar Keshri 19 Sikti Vijay Kumar Mandal 20 Kishanganj Sweety Singh 21 Banmankhi (SC) Krishna Kumar Rishi 22 Purnia Vijay Kumar Khemka 23 Katihar Tarkishore Prasad 24 Pranpur Nisha Singh 25 Korha (SC) Kavita Devi 26 Saharsa Alok Ranjan Jha 27 Gaura Bauram Sujit Kumar Singh 28 Darbhanga Sanjay Saraogi 29 Keoti Murari Mohan Jha 30 Jale Jibesh Kumar Mishra 31 Aurai Rama Nishad 32 Kurhani Kedar Prasad Gupta 33 Baruraj Arun Kumar Singh 34 Sahebganj Raju Kumar Singh 35 Baikunthpur Mithilesh Tiwari 36 Siwan Mangal Pandey 37 Daraundha Karnjeet Singh 38 Goriyakothi Devesh Kant Singh 39 Taraiya Janak Singh 40 Amnour Krishan Kumar Mantoo 31 Aurai Rama Nishad 32 Kurhani Kedar Prasad Gupta 33 Baruraj Arun Kumar Singh 34 Sahebganj Raju Kumar Singh 35 Baikunthpur Mithilesh Tiwari 36 Siwan Mangal Pandey 37 Daraundha Karnjeet Singh 38 Goriyakothi Devesh Kant Singh 39 Taraiya Janak Singh 40 Amnour Krishan Kumar Mantoo 41 Hajipur Awadhesh Singh 42 Lalganj Sanjay Kumar Singh 43 Patepur (SC) Lakhendra Kumar Raushan 44 Mohiuddinnagar Rajesh Kumar Singh 45 Bachhwara Surendra Mehta 46 Teghra Rajnish Kumar 47 Begusarai Kundan Kumar 48 Bhagalpur Rohit Pandey 49 Banka Ram Narayan Mandal 50 Katoria (ST) Puran Lal Tudu 51 Tarapur Samrat Chaudhary 52 Munger Kumar Pranay 53 Lakhisarai Vijay Kumar Sinha 54 Biharsharif Sunil Kumar 55 Digha Sanjiv Chaurasia 56 Bankipur Nitin Nabin 57 Kumhrar Sanjay Gupta 58 Patna Sahib Ratnesh Kushwaha 59 Danapur Ramkripal Yadav 60 Bikram Siddharth Saurav 61 Barhara Raghvendra Pratap Singh 62 Arrah Sanjay Singh Tiger 63 Tarari Vishal Prashant 64 Arwal Manoj Sharma 65 Aurangabad Trivikram Singh 66 Gurua Upendra Dangi 67 Gaya Town Prem Kumar 68 Wazirganj Birendra Singh 69 Hisua Anil Singh 70 Warsaliganj Aruna Devi 71 Jamui Shreyasi Singh In the 2020 Bihar Assembly election, the BJP contested 110 seats, while the JD(U) contested 115 seats. Meanwhile, the HAM(S) fielded candidates for seven constituencies and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), then part of the NDA, contested 11 seats. TV actor Dipika Kakar recently unveiled the festive collection of her clothing brand, Label DKI. Reacting to them, netizens accused her brand of charging more money than other brands. Many also called the designs outdated and cheap. Dipika Kakar unveils new collection of her brand Taking to her Instagram Stories, Kakar shared the link of her brand's new collection ahead of Diwali. She wrote, New collection is live. Shop here. Netizens react to Dipika Kakar's brand Sharing the screenshots of the collection, a user wrote on Reddit, Who buys this for 8000, when similar patterns are available for 2k 3k on mantra. And it's not like it has been designed properly. The pieces look very cheap. The user also raised concerns over the delayed delivery of the festive collection, stating that the order would reach customers only after Diwali, defeating its purpose. See post here: Agreeing with the user, someone wrote in the comments, God bless those who would like to throw away their money on these outdated, hideous designs. Plus the fitting is way off. When youre showing off your designs, they should at least look like they were made to fit, mentioned another. One more joking added, Hello 2016 called!?! they want their designs back. I feel that brands like Idaho, lavanya the label are way better in terms of clothing. What she's selling doesn't even look appealing tbh, commented a different user. Did Dipika Kakar shut down her brand after complaints? Kakar launched the brand last year. Reports claimed that DKI was pushed out of operation due to unknown reasons. A report by TellyChakkar claimed that the brand was shut down after receiving several complaints regarding the quality of the product. However, the actor and her husband, Shoaib Ibrahim, did not confirm the reports. The official website of the brand reads: Welcome to Label DKI, a brand founded by Mrs. Dipika Kakar Ibrahim. A lot of you know Dipika for her achievements in her acting career on Indian television. In no time, she became a household name and reached the hearts of many of you. With a passion for design and an eye for elegance, Dipika has embarked on this venture to share her love for ethnic fashion with the world. At Label DKI, every design reflects Dipikas unique personality and style. Renowned for her impeccable sense of fashion, Dipika has always carried her ethnic outfits with grace and sophistication. Through Label DKI, she aims to bring this same class and elegance to your wardrobe. President Trump scored a major foreign policy win in Gaza by brokering the release of hostages from captivity and securing an end to the fighting between Israel and Hamas. Now Europeans are hoping Trump can repeat the success with another knotty foreign-policy problem. Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, according to officials familiar with the plans, on the heels of his diplomatic victory tour in the Middle East. At his stops in Israel and Egypt, Trump referenced the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine, underscoring how, as he touted his achievements on one major conflict, he has still set his sights on resolving another. The two wars are vastly different. In the 2022 Russian invasion and Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, respectively, Ukraine and Israel both faced unprovoked attacks that triggered the wars. But in the Middle East, Israel proved itself to be the dominant regional military force, while in Europe, it is Russia that remains a major global power with a sizable nuclear arsenal. Senior U.S. and European officials caution that neither Russia nor Ukraine will change their war strategies over Trumps initial success in the Middle East. They also point out that a longer-term deal to bring lasting peace to Gaza is far from certain. But they still hope the U.S. president can seize on the momentum of the diplomatic victoryand draw the right lessons to revive efforts to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin back to the negotiating table. This gives Trump enormous leverage to solve other major conflicts," said Fred Fleitz, who was a senior National Security Council official during the first term. Hes now proven himself as an effective arbiter and peacemaker." Trump joined other world leaders at a summit in Egypt. Zelensky himself waded in on Monday. Putin can be forced into peacejust like any other terrorist. Even Hamas is now preparing to release hostages. If that is possible, then Putin can also be forced to restore peace," he said in a social-media post. If Trump can draw any lesson from the Israel-Hamas deal to apply to the Ukraine war, senior European officials said, it boils down to one word: Pressure. After Israels airstrike on Hamas operatives in Doha, Trump pressured Benjamin Netanyahu to accept his 20-point peace plan and compelled him to publicly apologize to Qatars leader. Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, meanwhile, increased pressure on Hamas by threatening to cut diplomatic avenues to the group and strip it of its diplomatic cover if it didnt accept the proposed peace plan. This was all while Israel continued a renewed military assault on Gaza despite mounting international backlash over its conduct of the war that has left over 67,000 Palestinians dead, according to the local health ministry. The figure doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants. Trump hasnt yet brought the same pressure to bear on Putin. Ukraine and its allies in Europe are hoping that will change now that Trump has seen the fruits of his success as a dealmaker in the Middle Eastand as his impatience with Russia mounts, following months of failed negotiations. Trump has slapped steep tariffs on India, a major Russian trading partner, but so far hasnt issued any major new sanctions or secondary sanctions on Russia. European officials said increasing financial penalties on Russia is crucial at this stage in the war, when its economy is on the brink of crisis but also transitioning to a full-scale wartime economy. Trump is also yet to target Moscows so-called shadow fleet" of illicit oil tankers it uses to try to bypass price caps on Russian oil to generate more revenue for its war machine. It was pressure that caused Hamas to come to the negotiating table, and we have not had similar pressure on Russia yet," said Kurt Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization who was Trumps Ukraine envoy during his first term. Ukraine is also pushing Trump to provide it with Tomahawk cruise missiles. One of the most precise missiles in the U.S. arsenal, Tomahawks have a range of around 1,500 miles, which would allow Kyiv to strike targets in Moscow with far more force than its long-range drones are able to deliver. The Trump administration recently agreed to provide Ukraine with intelligence for long-range missile strikes on Russias energy infrastructure. Trump said he was open to the idea of sending Kyiv more long-range missiles but hasnt yet committed. I might talk to him," Trump said of Putin as he flew to the Middle East on Sunday night. I might say, look, if this war is not settled Im going to send them Tomahawks." Even as Russias military founders in a relative stalemate on the drone-laden front lines of eastern Ukraine, it remains a significant military superpower. Franz-Stefan Gady, a Vienna-based defense analyst, said the Kremlins military might means there is a limit on the leverage Trump can use to bring Russia to the negotiating table. The fact that Russia has a nuclear arsenal will always be a factor in any pressure campaign," Gady said. The United States has not really shown any desire to trigger any escalatory dynamics." More likely, Gady said, is that Trump could negotiate a cease-fire agreement directly with Putin, and then try to strong-arm Zelensky into signing ita possibility that European leaders have feared and tried to prevent. This scenario would reflect Trumps history of high-profile, unilateral diplomacy and his willingness to pressure Zelensky toward agreements not fully aligned with European and Ukrainian objectives," Gady said. Another complicating factor in the Russia-Ukraine war that Trump didnt have to navigate in his Middle East peace drive is China, which has emerged as Russias major economic and political lifeline. The U.S. maintains close ties with Qatar, Egypt and Turkeythe Middle Eastern powers that helped get the Gaza peace plan over the finish line by turning the screws on Hamas. The same cant be said for China, the U.S.s arch geopolitical rival and a world superpower in its own right. Trump threatened China with new 100% tariffs on Friday in a row over Beijings export controls on critical minerals, but may still meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea later this month despite the flare-up in tensions. Lines of communication have reopened, so well see where it goes," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Fox Business Network on Monday. I believe that meeting will still be on." Current and former officials said that Russias increasing reliance on China means Beijing could play a productive role in bringing Putin to any peace dealif Trump can convince it to play ball, that is. If we come to a point where China feels that its in its interest for Russia to end the war, and they tell Russia that, that would be significant," said Volker. Unfortunately we are not there. Write to Robbie Gramer at robbie.gramer@wsj.com and Ian Lovett at ian.lovett@wsj.com President Trump is trying to publicly de-escalate tensions with China to soothe markets while privately keeping up pressure on Beijinga difficult balancing act that is being closely watched by Wall Street. After threatening additional 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting Nov. 1, Trump in recent days spoke with senior officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, about sending a message to the world that the U.S. wants to de-escalate trade tensions with China, according to people familiar with the matter. Trumps 100% tariff threat Friday came after Beijing moved to impose restrictions on the export of rare-earth minerals. The renewed conflict sparked a large U.S. market selloff, during which the president suggested he might not meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trumps desire to de-escalate comes as both nations privately expressed desire to quell tensions, at least for now, in their current trade disputethe latest in a cycle of flare-up and de-escalation that has been in place since the beginning of Trumps second term. In this case, the Chinese are eager to save a summit between Trump and Xi expected later this month, while Trumps team wants to stem losses in the stock market and avoid a public diversion from his Middle East peace deal, which they have groused about being overshadowed by the latest trade flare-up. Administration officials had been talking for weeks about using a variety of tools to fight back against China if needed, according to people familiar with the discussions. Officials have previously discussed using various measures to protect U.S. infrastructure from Chinese incursion and further limit the ability of Chinese companies to invest in the U.S. Officials had been considering the possible use of sanctions and export controls as a way to try to block Chinas access to U.S. markets. Ideas floated inside the administration have included possibly targeting Chinese stocks on the U.S. stock exchanges by strengthening the audit review process required for those companies. They have also considered executive action to reinforce U.S. infrastructure against Chinese incursions, sanction Chinese firms for being in business for Russias oil or further limit the ability of Chinese companies to invest in the U.S. In the end, Trump, Bessent and other senior advisers agreed last week to give priority to stabilizing global markets, while trying to avoid an immediate escalation with China. The president softened his position on meeting with Xi after initially suggesting the summit was off, and wrote with a more positive tone on Truth Social over the weekend. A Sunday social-media post read in part: Dont worry about China! It will all be fine," and added that the Trump administration wants to help China. The White House and Treasury Department didnt respond to requests for comment. A person close to Bessent said his latest engagement with Chinese officials, which came after Trumps 100% tariff threat, included the Treasury secretary making clear that Trump is open to de-escalatory talks but also not ruling out the use of countermeasures if China doesnt back down. I imagine I will have some contact with my counterpart and then the two leaders will meet," he said Monday on Fox Business Network. The relationship, despite this announcement last week, is good." Chinas Ministry of Commerce issued a response Sunday that notably lacked any specific threats of retaliation against the new tariff threat from the U.S. Instead, the ministry promised to implement the new export controls in a prudential and moderate manner"a tacit admission that Beijing has overplayed its hand. Chinas export controls are not export bans," the ministry said, while adding the new rule was intended to target military end-uses, not the broader civilian applications that have rattled global markets. All applications for compliant export for civil use can get approval, so that relevant businesses have no need to worry," it said. Further evidence of Beijings desire to lower the temperature can be seen in its domestic media, where Trumps recent threat of 100% tariffs on Chinese goods has received minimal coverage. By avoiding inflammatory rhetoric, China is building itself an off-ramp to move the policy away from a blanket ban without losing face. While Beijing has signaled a softer stance on its disruptive rare-earth export controls in recent days, it has offered no indication of a full reversal. The refusal to rescind the policy injects uncertainty into the coming trade talks, leaving the door open for a new cycle of retaliation and counter-retaliation. Beijing has threatened retaliation if Trump sticks to his 100% tariff threat. If the U.S. insists on its own way, China will resolutely take corresponding measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing on Monday. Despite Beijings conciliatory signals, however, people close to the Trump administration say the U.S. side likely will demand that China rescind, not merely delay or water down the rare-earth export rule. U.S. firms that do business in China are hopeful that both sides will avoid another round of triple-digit tariffs. The U.S. and China can choose to spur another cycle of action and retaliation, or they can choose a path that leads to de-escalation and negotiation," said Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council. For the good of the economy, U.S. companies are hoping for the latter." Write to Brian Schwartz at brian.schwartz@wsj.com, Lingling Wei at Lingling.Wei@wsj.com and Gavin Bade at gavin.bade@wsj.com TEL AVIVIsrael and Hamas on Tuesday accused each other of violating the cease-fire that was part of the deal that released all 20 living hostages from Gaza, as the families of deceased hostages whose bodies are still in the enclave expressed anger at delays to their repatriation. Hamas said that several Gaza residents were killed by the Israeli military, saying it was a violation of the cease-fire agreement. The Israeli military said suspects crossed a so-called yellow line which delineates where Israeli troops can be stationed inside Gaza, breaching the cease-fire deal. The military said it opened fire after the suspects didnt comply with attempts to distance them from troops. Israelis celebrated the return of the living hostages on Monday, in what for many marked an end to the two-year Gaza war. But families of deceased hostages who are supposed to be returned to Israel as part of President Trumps 20-point plan for peace said they were angered that only four of 28 bodies had been returned. The allegations demonstrate the fragility of the deal brokered by Trump and indicate the coming days will be a test of the durability of the agreement to halt two years of fighting. For many Israelis, the wars purpose was largely focused on getting the hostages released. Some Palestinians worry that Israel could restart the war. If Hamas attempts to control Gaza or refuses to disarm, it could set the ground for a deterioration of the shaky peace. Hamas has deployed armed security forces throughout the Gaza Strip since Israeli troops pulled out, also raising concerns about whether the group will actually hand over power and disarm as outlined in Trumps plan. The Hostages Families Forum, an advocacy group that represents hostages families, called the failure to hand over all the bodies a violation of the agreement and called for the immediate suspension of all agreement implementation" until all the remaining bodies are returned to Israel. A spokesperson for the forum later said it wasnt calling for a return to fighting, but for Hamas to be held accountable to meet its obligations as part of the agreement. As part of Trumps plan, Hamas was supposed to hand over 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 bodies before the next phase of the cease-fire goes into effect. It only returned four bodies. Hamas had communicated to mediators that it didnt know where all the bodies were and the two sides agreed to set up an international task force to search for the remaining bodies. Israel confirmed on Tuesday the identity of two deceased hostages who were handed over a day earlier as Nepali citizen Bipin Joshi and Israeli Guy Illouz, who were 23 and 26 respectively at the time of their deaths. Gal Hirsch, Israels national coordinator for hostages and missing, told families in a message on Tuesday that Israel was committed to bringing the remains of their relatives home. The mission hasnt been completed. We are determined and totally committed. We wont stop acting until all the fallen hostages are located and returned home," Hirsch said. Write to Anat Peled at anat.peled@wsj.com Americas first merger wave began in the 1890s and forged giants in steel, oil and railroads. A second preceded the crash of 1929. Executives assembled conglomerates in the 1960s; private-equity firms dismantled them in the 1980s. The bursting of the internet bubble, the financial crisis and higher interest rates ended takeover waves in 2000, 2007 and 2022. An eighth episode began this summer. Like its predecessors, it is energised by technological promise, enthusiastic credit markets, willing politicians and striving bosses. The number of mega-dealsmergers, acquisitions and investments worth more than $10bnannounced this year is approaching a record high (see chart 1). The third quarter was one of the busiest in history. Donald Trumps MAGA revolution is yet to upend the real economy. Look to the deal economy, though, and American capitalism is permanently changed. View Full Image Chart: The Economist Historic tie-ups are coming thick and fast. In July Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, two of Americas four Class I" railroads, agreed to merge. The $55bn leveraged buy-out of Electronic Arts (EA), announced in September, is the largest ever. Jensen Huang and Sam Altman, the bosses of Nvidia and OpenAI, have woven a web of cross-holdings which, should it tear, would tank markets. The state has acquired corporate equity at a rate not seen since bank rescues during the financial crisis. Deals usually beget more deals. The other two big railroads, BNSF and CSX, may be spurred to merge. The artificial-intelligence boom is making data centres hot property. GIP, an infrastructure firm, is reportedly in talks to buy Aligned Data Centres for around $40bn. Investors are rewarding any news of big AI investments with scant thought for returns, encouraging firms to go for even more. They have also enthusiastically welcomed the government as a shareholder. What analysts call animal spirits" is a mixture of two things: confidence and capital. Confidence in the economy is stronger than it was in April, when Mr Trump launched his barrage of reciprocal" tariffs. Capital is cheap and plentiful. Spreads on high-yield bondsthe difference between risky companies borrowing costs and those of Americas governmentare nearly as low as they were in 2007 (chart 2). View Full Image Chart: The Economist Long frustrated takeover plans are going ahead; bad deals are being unwound. In September Anglo American said it would merge with Teck, a Canadian copper-miner, in a deal worth $50bn-plus. Glencore had tried to buy Teck in 2023; BHP pursued Anglo in 2024; Glencore and Rio Tinto had considered a deal. Warner Bros Discovery, a media giant formed in 2022 through the union of Discovery and WarnerMedia, is already breaking up. In September Kraft Heinz, a food giant, said it would split a decade after being sandwiched together. Big deal Two things make the latest wave special. The first relates to Mr Trumps paradoxical approach to free markets, which involves a light touch on antitrust issues while using deals, along with tariff exemptions, as tools of private-sector coercion and industrial policy. Anything goes until it displeases the boss, as in a casino. Second, technology firms have gone on a buying spree of unprecedented voracity and variety. After last years election, executives worried that MAGA antitrust policy would combine the anti-scale activism of Joe Bidens presidency with Mr Trumps bullying style. A few nightmares have been realised. The tie-up between Skydance and Paramount, two media companies, was delayed until Paramount paid $16m to Mr Trumps presidential library to settle his complaint about an episode of CBS Newss 60 Minutes". But bosses are by and large pleased with the outcome. In June regulators reached a deal to allow the acquisition of Juniper Networks, a telecom firm, by Hewlett Packard Enterprise after at first trying to block it. Two Department of Justice officials appointed by the Trump administration were fired; one decried MAGA-in-name-only" lobbyists putting the populist conservative agenda" at risk. Rules on bank mergers have also been thinned. This month Fifth Third said it would buy Comerica to create Americas ninth-largest bank. Further consolidation of Americas 4,400 lenders looks likely. Proximity to the administration helps. MGX, an Abu Dhabi fund which this year used a cryptocurrency linked to the president for a $2bn deal, is expected to become an owner of TikToks American business. Saudi Arabias sovereign-wealth fund is among the buyers of EA. The consortium includes Jared Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law, who has since helped broker the Gaza peace deal. Investors doubt that the buyout will face many regulatory hurdles. Promises of big investments and presidential control also help. The sale of US Steel to Japans Nippon Steel is a case in point Mr Biden tried to block the deal, citing spurious national-security risks. Little effort was made to engage with Nippon. Mr Trump and his team are much easier to get on the phone. Nippon promised to put $14bn into US Steel and Mr Trump a veto over some decisionswhich the administration threatened to use in September to prevent a plant closure in Illinois. Shareholders have rewarded similar interventions. Intels share price has risen by 50% since the state took 9.9% of the chipmaker in August. Those of MP Materials, Lithium Americas and Trilogy Metals, three mining firms, have also soared since Uncle Sam became part-owner. The greatest excitement, however, surrounds AI. New technologies often contort the corporate form. AI is doing so especially quickly. Some tech firms are absorbing high-flying AI personnel though licensing deals with startups that stop short of full acquisitions. More important, though, are the polyamorous relationships and cross-holdings emerging within the industry. Nvidia has become the worlds most valuable firm because its chips are the AI industrys physical lynchpin. Increasingly, its deals are the financial equivalent. According to PitchBook, a data provider, Nvidia has invested in 50 firms this year alone. Many are tiny: at the end of July the firm valued its ownership of private companies at just $4bn. Some are not. Nvidia owns around 7% of CoreWeave, a highly leveraged firm that is expected to spend more than $10bn on its chips this year before renting them out to big tech (Nvidia recently signed a $6bn agreement to guarantee CoreWeaves revenue). It has also put $5bn into Intel and is providing some of the $20bn being raised by Elon Musks xAI, which is yet another customer. Most important is its investment in OpenAI. From next year Nvidia will put up to $100bn into the maker of ChatGPT. The ten-gigawatt (GW) deal could translate into $400bn of revenue for Nvidia. Nvidia thus secures a customer for its chips, while OpenAI reduces the cash required to buy them. Goldman Sachs, a bank, reckons that the agreement will cover over a quarter of OpenAIs operating costs next year. OpenAI has built its own web of cross-holdings with firms that are, in turn, building their own. It has its own stake in CoreWeave, as well as a revenue-sharing agreement with Microsoft. In October OpenAI said it would use 6GW of chips from Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidias main rival. AMD handed over warrants which would convert into 10% of its equity. The fine print of these deals is kept secret, giving shareholders little idea of what has been agreed and raising the chance of double-counting and concentration risks. Even Japans notorious (and inefficient) cross-holdings would be put to shame by the resulting complexity. The ends of previous deal booms make grim reading. A change in antitrust enforcement could spoil the fun, as it did with the first wave, in 1904. That said, deregulation keeps bosses on Mr Trumps side. Another possibility is that credit markets crack, as they did in 2007. Many takeover booms, though, have ended with a market crash. This time, it is possible techs deal structures will cause or exacerbate the messmaking it all the harder to untangle. Its summer in the northern hemisphere. And as holidaymakers travel to unfamiliar places, that means demand for online customer reviews. Want to find a restaurant that wont give everyone food poisoning, or the perfect accommodation for a city break, or a mosquito repellent that actually works? Whether you are looking on Tripadvisor, Airbnb or Amazon, you will almost certainly be guided by reviews from other people. Should you be? The short answer is yes: better to have some information than none. But the flaws of online reviews are evident. For products with some objective measures of quality, there is a big gap between the views of punters and experts. A study in 2016 by Bart de Langhe of Vlerick Business School, in Belgium, and his co-authors found that user ratings for 1,272 items listed on Amazon.com bore little relation to either the verdict of Consumer Reports, an American product-testing organisation, or to their resale value. That might be because consumers place greater value on more subjective things like a products brand. But if ratings are based on subjective criteria, then another problem arises: what if your tastes differ from other peoples? The best book ever, according to members of GoodReads, an online community of bibliophiles, is The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. You may agree, but plenty of people do not. Another problem is that the people who bother to leave reviews and ratings may not be representative of consumers as a whole. In a study published in 2020, Verena Schoenmueller of Esade, a business school in Spain, and her co-authors examined the distribution of ratings left in around 280m reviews of more than 2m products and services on 25 different platforms. They broadly confirm a familiar pattern: a polar distribution of ratings, with more of them at the extremes of the scale than in the middle, and a skew towards more positive ratings. There are lots of theories as to why online reviews follow this pattern. People who have chosen to buy something are already more likely to be satisfied with it. Extreme experiences, good and bad, are more likely to prompt reviews. Some write-ups are not real: estimates of the prevalence of fake reviews vary but they are certainly a problem, and one which generative AI may make worse. The type of platform matters, too. Sharing-economy markets have a different feel. You could leave a four-star review for your Airbnb stay, but now that you have established a relationship with the hosts, and since they are also rating you, its much easier to just award five. A paper by Georgios Zervas of Boston University and his co-authors, last updated in 2020, found that average ratings for Airbnb properties are consistently higher than those for hotels on Tripadvisor. In theory, businesses have an interest in soliciting as representative a sample of reviews as possible. Honest customer feedback is the best way to spot and fix problems, after all. In practice, the importance of good ratings, particularly for firms that are struggling for visibility, is an incentive for jiggery-pokery. A study from 2013 by Dina Mayzlin of the University of Southern California and her co-authors suggested, for example, that small, independently owned hotels generated more positive fake reviews on Tripadvisor than branded hotel chains. If the incentives of businesses and consumers do not always align, then platforms have an interest in ensuring that reviews are as informative as possible. Weighting scores by the number of reviews that a customer writes could help mitigate the problem of polarity; Ms Schoenmuellers research suggests that the more reviews a person writes, the less extreme their ratings. But consumers can also help themselves. Mr de Langhes research suggests that people put too much weight on the overall average rating. The absolute number of reviews is a better indicator of actual popularity. And it is the detail in a review that tells you whether the person writing it prefers dystopian young-adult fiction to other genres, or whether a diner values buzz or the ability to hear themselves think. Reviews, then, are even more useful if you read them. Subscribers to The Economist can sign up to our Opinion newsletter, which brings together the best of our leaders, columns, guest essays and reader correspondence. President Trump wants to quickly pivot from a Gaza cease-fire to the thornier problem of a broader peace in the Middle East, betting that two years of war transformed the region so much that decades-old animosities can be set aside. It is a gamble thatmuch like the unorthodox diplomacy Trump used to secure the release of the hostages held by Hamasflouts traditional thinking about the intractable problems at the heart of the regions problems, and it risks inflaming tensions between Israel, Palestinians and the broader Muslim world. On Monday in Israel, the president presented a sprawling vision for ending the modern era of violence that has gripped the Middle East for nearly a century. Trump broached an offer of peace with Iran, a country the U.S. bombed this year; urged a wider circle of countries to undertake diplomatic relations with Israel; and called for a region free of militancy and extremism. This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East," Trump said in remarks to Israels parliament, the Knesset, shortly after the hostages were released. Onlookers waved Israeli flags as a helicopter carried released hostages on Monday. That sort of talk has often led to frustration or worse. The Middle East is a graveyard for ambitious plans. The neoconservatives of George W. Bushs administration had hoped to spread democracy by overthrowing Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. They ended up spreading a devastating insurgency that took years to put down. President Joe Bidens plan to secure an end to the war in Gaza and leverage that to create progress toward a Palestinian state and an expansion of Arab diplomatic ties with Israel never got off the ground. Even the relatively targeted 1993 Oslo Accords, which aimed to chart a course to peace between Israel and the Palestinians, ultimately fell apart amid pressure from extremists on both sides. Already cracks are showing in the second stage of Trumps peace plan. His second stop Monday was Egypt for a summit of nearly two dozen countries to show support for the plan. Representatives from across Europe and the Middle East were there. Yet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hadnt been asked to attend. Trump helped secure an invitation, but the Israeli leader ultimately turned it down, citing the Simchat Torah holiday that began Monday night. A number of Middle East countries had balked at his presence, people familiar with the matter said. Israels devastation of the Gaza Strip has made it difficult politically to appear with Netanyahu, and the past years actions have left Arab states wary of the power of Israels military and intelligence servicesand the countrys willingness to use it. The conference ended with Trump and the leaders of Turkey, Egypt and Qatar signing a vague peace pledge, according to a draft of the document reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Asked how things were going, one delegate sent back a clip from a famous Egyptian soap opera that showed a hapless boss pointlessly opening and closing the lids and drawers of his desk. Yet the war in Gaza and the string of related conflicts it set off over the past two years have reset the calculus for an elusive Middle East peace in important ways, fueling Trumps current push. Israel defanged Iran and its most powerful militia allies, Hamas and Lebanons Hezbollah, removing major threats. The massive civilian toll of the war put domestic pressure on Arab governments to rein in Hamas. Gulf states, typically small monarchies focused on growing their economies, were alarmed when their security bubble was pierced by an Israeli missile attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar. And the Assad regime fell in Syria, opening the door to a new beginning in the heart of the Middle East. Those developments have made realignments possible. First, though, the Trump administration will need to complete the complex task of ending the war in Gaza. It is a beginning to the end," Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to Washington during the Biden administration, said of the release of Hamass last living hostages. Now comes the hard work." Few specifics Trumps plan to end the war calls for ending Hamas control, installing a new, apolitical Palestinian administration and bringing in an Arab-led multinational force to provide security. Already, Hamas has rebuffed demands to disarm. It sent fighters back into the streets, where they have engaged in a series of deadly clashes with rival local militias and prominent Palestinian clans. Arab forces arent likely to wade into that messy situation, particularly without the cover of progress toward a Palestinian state, which isnt on the table. Talks on the specifics of implementing the plan havent even begun, said Arab diplomats, who described the process as declaring success, then leaving the negotiating teams to work out the details. Oren said it would require a great deal of U.S. diplomacy and demand a lot of Trumps time to overcome the challenges ahead. Analysts are worried a president who often jumps from issue to issue could lose interest before the job is finished. Before he left Israel, Trump was already telling special envoy Steve Witkoff it was time to give attention to a nuclear deal with Iran, but not before settling the war in Ukraine. He has to be prepared to ride this through to the end," said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Middle East negotiator who is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. If he doesnt, this is going to drift, and you will end up with a Gaza that looks more like Oct. 6, whether Hamas is involved or not," referring to the day before the start of the present war in 2023. Palestinian militants stood guard as hostages held in Gaza were handed over to the Red Cross. But Trumps ability to secure the release of the rest of the hostages still alive in Gaza and bring a cease-fire to the enclave was a major diplomatic accomplishment that showed how tides are shifting in the region. Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, all of which have ties to Hamas, contributed to pressuring the group into accepting a deal with no assurances the war would end. Theres a lot of fatigue around the issue of Palestine," said Tahani Mustafa, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign relations. Regional states were the ones to also demand Hamass disarmament, simply because they also have an interest in making sure that things are quiet in the occupied territories." Trump managed to bring together the worlds most powerful Arab and Muslim countries to express support for his broader peace plan along with Israel. All of those countries have reservations about the plan, but Trump, by consistently preaching optimism, has effectively dared them to raise them publicly and object to the plan. None have. At the Knesset, Trump gently admonished Israel for pushing things too far over the past year, as global concerns grew about the human toll of continuing the war. The world is big, and its strong," Trump said he told Israeli negotiators. Ultimately, the world wins." Israel, he said, has won all that they can by force of arms." An Israeli soldier stood on a military vehicle near the Israel-Gaza border on Sunday. Embracing this moment In Israel, Trump and his peace plan are broadly popular, reflecting a desire to move past war. Israelis went through two years of strain on its armed forces, which are largely made up of civilian reservists who left jobs and families behind. The economy buckled but didnt break under the stress. Of the 251 hostages taken, 166 came back alive. For the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed in the tunnels under Gaza more than a year ago, the emotions of the day were especially complex. Im embracing this moment of goodness where people want to see freedom," said Hershs father, Jon Polin. Weve suffered a tremendous loss. So many in the region have suffered tremendous losses. They want to see a cessation of hostilities." Mistrust between the two sides persists. Many Israelis are still angry that the hostages were taken and about how they were treated. Jewish people celebrated in Jerusalem.Yellow ribbons and photos at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. Mohammad Hadieh, a lawyer and mediator practicing in Palestinian courts, said Palestinians are happy that a difficult chapter in Gazas war is finally over. But they also fear that this could be the beginning of a more brutal and chaotic reality for Gazans, as well as Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, if Israel feels a freer hand to crack down. The question is whether ordinary Israelis will keep pressure on the Netanyahu government to end the war now that the hostages have been released, he said. How will the Israeli public deal with, feel and think about Gaza?" Hadieh said. This is the big question. Are they really people of peace or people of war?" MUMBAI: Axis Bank will set the tone for the banking sectors September-quarter earnings when it reports results on Wednesday, with analysts expecting another subdued quarter for lenders weighed down by narrowing net interest margins, sluggish deposit growth, and weak treasury gains. Across brokerages, a consensus is emerging that the September quarter will likely be the weakest for banks this fiscal year, before margins begin to stabilize in the second half, aided by lower deposit costs and a seasonal uptick in loan demand. Among large private-sector lenders, Axis Bank is expected to post the sharpest sequential decline in margins in the September quarterreflecting the lagged transmission of repo rate cutseven as credit growth remains strong. Also Read | PSU banks are back in businessand their stocks are stealing the show The banks net interest margin (NIM) is projected to fall by around 25 basis points from the previous quarter, a sharper decline than peers due to timing differences in loan repricing, Nomura Global Markets Research said in an October 7 pre-earnings note. Kotak Institutional Equities, meanwhile, pegs the banks NIM at 3.5%, factoring in the ongoing rate-cut cycle. Axis Banks NIM stood at 3.8% in the June quarter. Nomura expects credit costs to moderate but stay elevated at about 1.1%, alongside a pick-up in both loan and deposit growth. Kotak projects credit costs at 0.9%. Axis Banks net interest income (NII) is estimated to decline 3% year-on-year (YoY) and 4% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), while profit after tax is expected to fall 24% YoY and 10% QoQ, according to Kotak Institutional Equities. The brokerage has estimated Axis Banks NII at 13,035.6 crore and net profit at 5,251.3 crore. We are building loan growth of 9% year-on-year and 3% quarter-on-quarter. Fee income growth will be sluggish, reflecting weak loan growth. We expect slippages of 60 billion, or 2.2% of loans, mostly led by retail and LLP (limited liability partnerships) of 90 bps," the brokerage said. In the June quarter, Axis Bank reported a muted performance, with net profit declining 4% year-on-year and 18% sequentially to 5,806 crore, dragged by higher retail unsecured slippages and changes in its non-performing asset classification norms. Also Read | Why InCred believes private banks will outperform PSU Banks? Total advances rose 8% year-on-year to 10.6 trillion as of June 30. Adjusted for technical impacts, gross and net NPAs stood at 1.41% and 0.36%, respectively. Analysts will closely track management commentary on asset quality, margins, and the outlook for loan and deposit growth. Sector overview For the sector as a whole, analysts expect margins to bottom out in the September quarter as the full impact of the 50-basis-point repo rate cut in June flows through, while the benefit of deposit repricing remains limited. This, combined with lower treasury income, will weigh on lenders revenues, Kotak said. The brokerage expects banking-sector earnings to decline about 6% year-on-year, with most private banks seeing a sequential NIM drop of 1015 basis points. We expect Q2FY26 to be the trough quarter for banks, with PAT (net profit) declining by 5% year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, led by moderation in NIMs and weak treasury income. We estimate NIM compression of 5-40 bps QoQ for 2QFY26F, with larger banks faring better than mid-tier banks," Nomura said. Brokerage InCred Equities expects margin contraction to be limited for mid-sized banks at around 510 bps, given their higher share of fixed-rate loans funded by wholesale liabilities. It forecasts compression of around 810 bps for state-owned banks and 15 bps for large private banks. For (state-owned) banks, the higher share of MCLR-linked books and limited pass-through in MCLR rates (2530 bps versus 6575 bps for large private banks) will cushion some impact," it said. Loan growth improves, but deposits lag The lone bright spot is a pickup in credit growth. System-level data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) shows loan growth improved to 10.4% year-on-year as of 19 September, up from 9.5% in the previous quarter, led by stronger demand from industry and services. Deposit growth, however, trailed slightly at 9.5% versus 10.1% in June, pushing the credit-deposit ratio to 80.3%. Several private-sector banks, including Kotak Mahindra Bank, CSB Bank, and Karur Vysya Bank, reported robust double-digit loan growth during the quarter, while public-sector lenders such as Bank of Maharashtra and Indian Bank stood out with growth above 12%, Systematix Institutional Equities said. For large banks, Nomura estimates loan growth of 10-16% and 7-8% for mid-sized banks, with deposit growth steady at 10-15%. Analysts expect the upcoming festive season and rationalization of goods and services tax to further boost credit demand in the second half. Asset quality metrics Despite revenue pressures, asset quality provides some relief. Brokerages expect steady slippages and contained credit costs across large banks, even as stress in unsecured retail and microfinance loans lingers. Floods in northern and eastern India may cause temporary strain in microfinance and loan-against-property segments, but overall delinquency trends are improving and collection efficiencies remain healthy, Nomura said. Systematix Institutional Equities also expects lower slippages in unsecured and agricultural loans sequentially, supported by recoveries and upgrades. Kotak echoed this view, expecting asset-quality trends to hold firm, with large banks reporting broadly stable credit costs and mid-sized banks seeing higher provisioning, especially in the MFI segment. Treasury income offers limited cushion The June 2025 monetary policy marked a turning point. While the RBI cut the repo rate by 50 basis points (bps)bringing total reductions in this cycle to 100 bpsit also shifted its stance from accommodative" to neutral," signalling that the easing phase was nearing its end. At the same time, the central bank front-loaded a 100-basis-point cut in the cash reserve ratio (CRR) to ensure adequate liquidity to support credit growth. The combination of rate cuts and liquidity support reflected a nuanced policy mix: short-term stimulus through liquidity, coupled with caution on further easing. However, the stance change created uncertainty about the rate trajectory and dampened investor sentiment, pushing government bond yields up by about 20 bps during the quarter. As a result, most brokerages expect treasury income to have halved from the June quarter. Fee income may provide some relief, rising in line with credit growth, while operating expenses are expected to remain stable after first-quarter appraisals. Also Read | Repo reality: How RBI rate cuts have been lost in transmission so far Public-sector banks such as Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank may see some benefit from lower employee provisions and gains from the sale of priority-sector lending certificates, according to Kotak and Systematix. Hopes pinned on a recovery in 2H Analysts agree the second half of FY26 could bring relief as deposit costs normalize and lower CRR requirements free up liquidity. Both Kotak and Nomura expect NIMs to bottom out in the September quarter, setting the stage for an earnings recovery from the December quarter onward. "A CRR-related credit push is anticipated from 3Q, while lower risk weights on MSMEs and housing are going to push retail credit. Deposit repricing, CRR benefits, and easing retail/MFI stress should drive margin gains and asset quality improvement, leading to normalized credit costs and an earnings rebound from 2HFY26," Motilal Oswal Financial Services said in a note. Large private lenders are expected to remain the best placed, with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank topping most brokerages preference lists. Canara HSBC Life IPO: The initial public offering (IPO) of Canara HSBC Life sailed through on the final day of the bidding on Tuesday, October 14, led by institutional demand. The issue had opened for bidding on Friday, October 10. Canara HSBC Life IPO Subscription Status The demand was tepid in the first two days of bidding. However, by the end of the final day, Canara HSBC Life IPO received bids for 38,21,60,660 shares as against 16,67,15,000 shares on offer, translating into 2.29 times bids. The qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) had a big role to play as their portion was subscribed 7.05 times, while non-institutional investor (NII) and retail quotas remained undersubscribed. The NII segment received just 33% bids, and the retail portion 42%. The employee quota saw a healthy demand of 2.06 times. Canara HSBC Life IPO GMP The grey market premium for the Canara HSBC Life IPO has seen a steady decline. Today, Canara HSBC Life IPO GMP slipped to nil or 0 from a peak of 14. As per the latest GMP, the Canara HSBC Life IPO listing price would be the same as the issue price of 106. Grey market premium signals investor willingness to pay over and above the issue price. Canara HSBC Life IPO Details Canara HSBC Life's IPO was entirely an offer for sale of up to 23.75 crore shares priced in the range of 100-106 per share. Canara HSBC Life Insurance IPO Since it's an OFS, the company will not receive any proceeds from the public issue; instead, funds will go to selling shareholders, namely Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank and HSBC. Investors could apply for the 2,517-crore public offering in lots of 140, requiring a minimum investment of 14,840 at the upper end of the price band. Also Read | LG Electronics shares see biggest listing pop among IPOs over 10K cr since 2019 Canara HSBC Life Insurance is a joint venture backed by Canara Bank, which holds a 51% stake, and HSBC Insurance (Asia Pacific) Holdings, a part of the HSBC Group, owning 26%. Over the years, the company has established itself as a prominent bank-led private player in Indias life insurance industry. Canara HSBC Life Insurance shares are expected to make their stock market debut on October 17. HCL Technologies Ltd weathered the macroeconomic slowdown with better-than-estimated revenue growth and margin in the September quarter (Q2FY26). Sequentially, constant currency (CC) revenue grew 2.4% and Ebit (earnings before interest and tax) margin expanded 110 basis points (bps) to 17.4%. Revenue growth was driven by improved sequential performance of all business segments, led by IT and business services and followed by engineering and R&D (ER&D) services. Margin expansion was a function of better traction in software business profitability, absence of certain one-offs, benefits from project Ascend, and a weak rupee. Demand conditions remain largely unchanged sequentially; while the BFS sector is seeing healthy momentum, automobiles continue to lag, the management said in an earnings call. The total contract value of new deal wins rose year-on-year and sequentially to $2.6 billion, despite the absence of mega deals. Deal wins were supported by two large deals signed in Q2 that were deferred from Q1. HCL has been working aggressively to increase the quarterly deal run-rate from $2 billion to $2.5 billion. With a strong pipeline, the management is confident of achieving this consistently. In this backdrop, HCL raised its FY26 IT services constant currency (CC) revenue growth guidance to 4-5% CC (up from 3-5%), while maintaining the overall company revenue guidance at 3-5% CC. As per Motilal Oswal Financial Services, robust total contract value (TCV) positions HCL well for H2FY26. The ask rate to achieve the mid-point of revised IT services business revenue guidance now stands at 1% CQGR (compound quarterly growth rate), which is easily achievable. Ebit margin guidance for FY26 was maintained at 17-18%. However, wage hikes, furloughs, and restructuring expenses, which are expected to continue in Q3, might spill over into Q4. This may keep margin capped nearer to the lower end of guidance. Wage hikes effective from 1 October are expected to impact margins by 70-80 bps in Q3FY26, with around 40-50 bps incremental impact in Q4FY26, the management said. The AI factor Interestingly, HCL disclosed for the first time ever its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) revenue, which was over $100 million in Q2FY26, forming 3% of total annualised revenue. Advanced AI includes rapidly evolving AI technologies (Gen AI, Agentic AI, robotics etc.). This excludes classical AI, data and analytics, and services delivered using Gen AI and Agentic AI. HCL is looking to increase AI investments and is proactively transforming its business model to maintain growth leadership. Last week, rival Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) also announced a large investment in AI data centres, along with its Q2FY26 results. HCL's AI strategy is rooted in an asset-light framework centred on IP creation and service transformation, which will preserve its current capital structure," said ICICI Securities report dated 14 October. This contrasts with TCS, whose announcement of a capex-heavy AI data centre business is a notable shift from its typically asset-light, cash generative model and could dilute its return ratios, added the report. HCLs shares are down 21% so far in 2025 versus Nifty IT indexs 18% drop. At FY27 price-to-earnings, the HCL stock trades at multiple of around 21 times, showed Bloomberg data. The lower margin profile shall leave HCL with almost zero earnings per share growth in FY26 and an overhang on FY27 earnings growth as well," cautioned a Nuvama Research report on 14 October. While HCLs relatively better revenue growth and cash flow profile are among the positives, its valuations a tad higher than TCS and Infosys Ltd leave no room for disappointment. Also Read | The great AI shake-up: TCS layoffs hint of much worse to come for the IT sector Q2 results 2025: More than 20 companies are slated to declare their September quarter results on Tuesday, October 14. According to the BSE results calendar, around 200 companies are scheduled to release their second-quarter earnings this week. IREDA, Tech Mahindra, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, Bank of Maharashtra, and Cyient DLM are among the marquee companies that will post their Q2 results today. On Monday, IT giant HCL Tech, Anand Rathi, Just Dial, and Landmark Cars were among the key companies that released their Q2 results. HCL Tech reported a consolidated profit of 4,235 crore for the July-September quarter for FY 2025-26. The IT company also announced an interim dividend of 12 per equity share of 2 each for Q2FY26, marking the 91st consecutive quarter of dividend payout. Q2 is set to signal the onset of earnings upcycle. We expect Q2FY26E PAT for Elara coverage universe to rise 12.5% YoY the first double-digit print in six quarters driven by Cement, Real Estate, Metals & Material, Energy, and Discretionary. Margin expansion and soft input costs signal operating leverage at work, while GST and income-tax cuts, together with impending monetary easing, reinforce visibility for a multi-quarter earnings upcycle, said brokerage firm Elara Capital in a report. Here's a list of companies to declare Q2 results today, Tuesday, October 14 - Automobile Corporation of Goa Ltd., Aditya Birla Money Ltd., Bits Ltd., Cyient DLM Ltd., Damodar Industries Ltd., Darshan Orna Ltd., GTPL Hathway Ltd., ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., Infomedia Press Ltd., Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd., International Travel House Ltd., Bank of Maharashtra, Navkar Corporation Ltd., Pan India Corporation Ltd., Persistent Systems Ltd., Prabhat Technologies (India) Ltd., Rama Phosphates Ltd., Sulabh Engineers & Services Ltd., Tech Mahindra Ltd., Schloss Bangalore Ltd., Thyrocare Technologies Ltd are the companies that will post their Q2 numbers today. Stocks to buy for short term: The Indian stock market has seen healthy gains in October so far, as Indias strong macroeconomic outlook appears to have prompted investors to buy stocks following the recent correction. The Nifty 50 is up 2.5 per cent in October amid focus on Q2 earnings trends and global developments. On Monday, October 14, the Nifty 50 ended lower by 0.23 per cent due to profit booking amid weak global cues following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese products. "Tariff escalation concerns after the US Presidents statement on the possibility of imposing an additional 100 per cent duty on Chinese goods triggered risk aversion across global equities, which in turn dampened domestic sentiment," said Ajit Mishra, the SVP of research at Religare Broking. Mishra suggests maintaining a positive bias as long as the Nifty holds above the 25,000 mark, and adopting a strategy of buying quality stocks on dips rather than taking aggressive leveraged positions. The market is expected to see stock-specific action amid the ongoing Q2 results season. Experts suggest focusing on stocks with sound fundamentals and strong technical indicators. Also Read | Stocks to buy for short term: Jigar Patel of Anand Rathi recommends 3 shares Stock picks for short term Vishnu Kant Upadhyay of Master Capital Services and Hardik Matalia of Choice Equity Broking recommend six stocks to buy for the next 2-3 weeks. Take a look: Expert: Vishnu Kant Upadhyay, Assistant Vice President Research and Advisory at Master Capital Services Godrej Agrovet | Buy at 670 | Target prices: 720 and 750 | Stop loss: 630 Upadhyay underscored that Godrej Agrovet has shown a strong rebound after taking support near its previous horizontal support zone around 650, indicating renewed buying interest at lower levels. The formation of a bullish candle on the daily chart suggests a potential short-term bottom. "With improving momentum and a recovery from oversold conditions, follow-up buying could drive the stock higher toward its immediate resistance levels, confirming a reversal setup in the near term," said Upadhyay. Motherson Sumi Wiring India | Buy at 45 | Target prices: 49 and 51 | Stop loss: 42.50 According to Upadhyay, Motherson Sumi Wiring India (MSUMI) has successfully retested its previous breakout level, reaffirming it as a strong support zone. The stock has rebounded from this area, indicating renewed buying momentum and continuation of the broader uptrend. Price action remains above key moving averages, reflecting underlying strength, while volume activity supports accumulation at lower levels. "Sustained trade above 45 could pave the way for further upside towards 47-48 in the near term," Upadhyay said. PCBL Chemical | Buy at 382 | Target prices: 420 and 435 | Stop loss: 368 Upadhyay pointed out that PCBL is consolidating in a narrow range between 370 and 390, which coincides with the confluence of key moving averages, indicating a strong base formation. "This zone reflects accumulation and steady support. A decisive breakout above 393 would confirm bullish momentum and signal the start of the next leg of the uptrend," said Upadhyay. "A volume-backed move beyond this level could attract fresh buying interest, reinforcing the positive outlook for the stock in the near term," Upadhyay said. Expert: Hardik Matalia, Derivative Analyst, Choice Broking Torrent Power | Buy at 1,283.60 | Target prices: 1,375 and 1,400 | Stop loss: 1,235 Matalia pointed out that Torrent Power has formed a strong bullish candle, confirming a breakout from a falling wedge pattern on the daily chart a bullish reversal setup that often indicates the start of a fresh upward trend. The breakout is well-supported by rising trading volumes, adding conviction to the move. The RSI, currently at 57.17, has exhibited a bullish divergence and is breaking above its recent highs with an upward trend, indicating strengthening momentum. Torrent Power has rebounded smartly from lower levels and has successfully moved above its short-term and medium-term EMAs, paving the way for a potential approach toward its long-term EMA. "If the stock manages to sustain above the breakout zone, further upside momentum can be expected. Traders can consider buying around 1,283.60 with a stop loss at 1,235 for an upside target of 1,375 1,400," said Matalia. Shipping Corporation Of India (SCI) | Buy at 230.16 | Target prices: 250 and 260 | Stop loss: 218.50 According to Matalia, SCI has recently given a strong breakout from a descending triangle pattern on the daily chart, signalling a shift in trend towards bullish momentum. After the breakout, the stock successfully retested the breakout zone and has now reversed with a strong bullish engulfing candle, confirming a continuation of the uptrend. The RSI, currently at 59.74, shows a positive crossover with an upward slope, indicating strengthening momentum. SCI has been receiving consistent support from its short-term and medium-term EMAs and is trading comfortably above all key moving averages, reinforcing the bullish structure. "If the stock sustains above the 235 level, it could witness further upside movement in the coming sessions. Traders can consider buying around 230.16 with a stop loss at 218.50 for an upside target of 250 260," said Matalia. Central Depository Services (CDSL) | Buy at 1,619.40 | Target prices: 1,750 and 1,780 | Stop loss: 1,550 Matalia pointed out that CDSL has witnessed steady buying interest over the past few sessions. On the daily chart, the stock is forming an ascending triangle pattern a bullish continuation setup that signals the potential for an upward breakout. The formation is supported by consistent trading volumes, indicating accumulation at lower levels. The RSI, currently at 63.82, is trending upward, indicating a strengthening of bullish sentiment. CDSL continues to trade comfortably above all its key moving averages, reinforcing the positive structure. "A sustained move above 1,630 would confirm the breakout and open the door for further upside momentum. Traders can consider buying around 1,619.40 with a stop loss at 1,550 for an upside target of 1,750 1,780," said Matalia. Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar Testing time ahead as the market remains confused about how the trends ahead are unfolding. While the market continues to show that there is still some promise left for the bullish camp, as the trends are maintaining the bullish bias. With the overall bias fuelling some upside, look to initiate longs. Three stocks to trade as recommended by Raja Venkatraman of NeoTrader today: CEAT Ltd: Buy above 3,580 | Stop 3,500 | Target 3,850 (multiday) Bajaj Finserv Ltd: Buy above 2025 | Stop 1,970 | Target 2,150 (intraday) NTPC Ltd: Buy above 342 | Stop 338.50 | Target 347 (intraday) Stock market update The 13 October session reflected a tug-of-war between global cues and domestic resilience. Despite a weak start and sustained intraday selling that dragged Nifty near 25,150, last-hour buyingfueled by easing US-China trade tensions, optimism around India-US trade talks, and a geopolitical peace breakthroughhelped the index close above 25,200. The Sensex ended 173 points lower at 82,327, while the Nifty slipped 58 points to 25,227. Broader markets underperformed, with mid-caps down 0.2% and small-caps shedding 0.4%. Sectorally, pressure was visible across the board, with metals, IT, FMCG, and capital goods declining by up to 1%. Key drags included Tata Motors, Infosys, and HUL, while Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Auto, and Adani Ports offered some cushion. The setup suggests cautious optimismwhile global developments offer relief, weak Q2 earnings expectations, especially in banks, and sectoral fatigue warrant selective participation and a focus on stock-specific action. Outlook for trading Our hopes received a strong boost yet again this Monday as the Nifty retained its positive sentiment despite some negative global cues that suggested the trends continue to exhibit a positive bias. The scampering by short holders with the week ending brought about a fair amount of volatility, and the markets retained the bullish tone set at the start of the day. However, we can observe that the market is still attempting to stage an upward run and will need some time to stabilize before it sets the pace for the trend recovery. Also Read | Capital goods get a selective shine in Q2 as private capex lags Post some enthusiasm shown last week, the markets drifted into a sideways phase. The geo-political tensions continue to remain steadfast, thus keeping any possibility of recovery at bay. With the trends remaining sanguine, it becomes necessary for us to scale down our approach to the market as a whole. The important part here is that at every possible, the markets are seen heading higher. It is easier to target stock-specific action instead of the broader indices. Right now, no clear synergy between the three main indices, Nifty, Nifty Bank, and IT. One needs to see how the relevant stocks are performing. Moving to the charts, we note that the prices are continuing to exhibit a slow and steady move to the upside, which is highlighting bullish bias emerging at lower levels. Despite repeated attempt, to move higher the Nifty had not been able to move beyond 25500. The Open Interest seen on the daily chart shows that there is an alternating position getting created, which indicates that the markets are definitely uncertain. The Pitchfork drawn has been holding back the ascent, and the median line shown would be the target of the upward charge. A move from here could see the Nifty scale towards its next set of targets around 25,400, which is also the previous high. This level is combining with the median line, and this could prove to be a tough challenge for the Nifty. View Full Image Source: Trading View Overall, the market is poised at an interesting stage as the trends have picked up steam with some encouraging newsflow from overseas as well as domestic macro numbers that indicate that we could be looking at the recovery to sustain. The new initiatives by the government to kickstart the consumption theme have also found some good buy-in. The steady tailwinds that are emerging ahead of the festive season could help the cause. Three stocks to trade, recommended by NeoTraders Raja Venkatraman: CEAT (Cmp 3,578.60) Why its recommended: CEAT is an Indian multinational tyre manufacturing company, founded in 1924 in Italy and now the flagship company of the RPG Group. It is a leading tyre brand with a presence in over 110 countries, producing a wide range of tyres for vehicles like scooters, bikes, cars, trucks, buses, and tractors. After a strong decline, the prices are seen forming a steady higher high higher low, breaking above the cloud region, igniting some bullish enthusiasm. Encouraging vibes are emerging as the prices are demonstrating a strong upward drive. Can look to go long. Key metrics: P/E: 30.82 52-week high: 4,048.95 Volume: 549.06K. Technical analysis: Support at 3400, resistance at 3900. Risk factors: Intense competition and vulnerability to volatile input prices. Buy at: Above 3,580 Target price: 3,850 in two months. Stop loss: 3,500. Also Read | Lodha faces execution test as second half turns crucial for sales target BAJAJFINSV (Cmp 2,020.40) Why its recommended: Bajaj Finserv is a leading Indian financial services holding company that provides a wide range of products across lending, insurance, and wealth management. It is the financial arm of the Bajaj Group, founded in 2007, and holds a majority stake in its subsidiary. After forming a double bottom, the stock is seen showing some revival. With the recent reaction to the cloud support producing a bounce, the prices dipped lower and then have now found some support at the cloud region, as the possibility of prices reviving is looking more positive. As a strong momentum buildup is in play, more upward traction is possible. Key metrics: P/E: 257.41, 52-week high: 2,134.45, Volume: 1.01M. Technical analysis: Support at 1,950, resistance at 2,250. Risk factors: Economic slowdowns impacting loan quality, strict regulatory environments, heightened competition from fintechs, and risks related to its strategic investments. Buy at: Above 2,025. Target price: 2,150 Stop loss: 1,970. NTPC (Cmp 341.70) Why its recommended: NTPC, originally the National Thermal Power Corporation, is India's largest integrated power company and a leading public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Power. Despite some profit booking seen the prices have managed to hold on for a while at the TS & KS line. The formation of a green candle is seen as a revival from the lower levels, indicating a strong push to the upside. With the rounding bottom seems to be holding with RSI inching higher, we can look at initiating a long. Key metrics: P/E: 23.53, 52-week high: 429.45 Volume: 6.66M. Technical analysis: Support at 332, resistance at 350. Risk factors: Volatile stock performance, valuation concerns, operational efficiency issues, and declining growth metrics. Buy at: Above 342. Target price: 347. Stop loss: 338.50. Also Read | Why shipbuilding stocks may stay anchored despite tailwinds Raja Venkatraman is co-founder, NeoTrader. His Sebi-registered research analyst registration no. is INH000016223. Investments in securities are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by Sebi and certification from NISM in no way guarantees performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions. The recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI saw most designers staying true to their core design vocabulary while including couture elements into ready to wear. Designer Amit Hansraj of label Inca, for instance, showcased 22 looks comprising draped dresses, soft-structured jackets and separates that could be effortlessly mixed and matcheda design philosophy the brand is known for. Abraham & Thakore's collection, Warp & Weft, meanwhile, gave a new touch to the humble dhoti and lungi, which formed the anchor of the line. The simple bordered dhoti was transformed into a handkerchief skirt and even a baby doll top. The lungi, on the other hand, was given a modern formalwear treatment. Also Read | Couturier Suneet Varma now wants to make elevated everyday clothes View Full Image Abraham & Thakore's collection gave a new touch to the humble dhoti and lungi (PTI) Designer duo Pankaj & Nidhi's Araquis was largely about applique, a form of embroidery they are known for. From bold shoulders to striking appliques, each ensemble was an invitation to play dress up. Also worth mentioning is designer Anurag Gupta's collection, An Ode to Hokusai, which was an homage to Japanese artist and painter Katsushika Hokusai. Gupta reimagined the artwork, presenting off-kilter, statement-making deconstructed forms. The dynamism of the pieces played out on the architectural silhouettes, along with surface ornamentation resulting in a strong collection. Here are some of the key fashion trends that emerged at the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI 2025: New EPFO rules: Over seven crore subscribers of the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will now be able to withdraw up to 100 per cent of eligible funds, including employee and employer share, according to a Labour Ministry release. The EPFO's Central Board of Trustees (CBT) on October 13 approved simplifications and liberalised part withdrawals for users, in a meeting headed by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The liberalisation of partial withdrawals ensures members can meet immediate financial needs without compromising their retirement savings or pension entitlements, it stated. Simplification of EPF partial withdrawal provisions Key Highlights To enhance Ease of Living of EPF members, partial withdrawal provisions have been simplified by merging 13 complex provisions into a single, streamlined rule categorised into three types Essential Needs (illness, education, marriage), Housing Needs and Special Circumstances. Now, members will be able to withdraw upto 100 per cent of the eligible balance in the Provident Fund including employee and employer share. Withdrawal limits have been liberalisededucation withdrawals allowed up to 10 times and marriage up to five times (from existing limit of total of three partial withdrawals for marriage and education in all). Requirement of minimum service has been uniformly reduced to only 12 months for all partial withdrawals. Period for availing premature final settlement of EPF has been extended from the existing two months to 12 months and final pension withdrawal from two months to 36 months. Further, the release noted that the simplification and flexibility, along with zero need for any documentation will pave the way for 100 per cent auto settlement of claims for partial withdrawal and ensure ease of living. What is eligible PF balance for withdrawal? This is the amount in your EPF account that remains after keeping aside the require minimum balance. Thus, in effect, you can withdraw up to 75 per cent of your current Provident Fund balance for various needs. What is categorised as Special Circumstances? As per the release, while users had to earlier declare a reason for partial withdrawal either for closure of establishment, continuous unemployment, natural calamity or outbreak of epidemic; they can now apply for funds without assigning a reason. This is because it was observed that many claims were being rejected and led to grievances being raised. Also Read | IndiGo, Qatar Airways announce special offer on airfares ahead of Diwali Minimum Balance to be 25% of contribution in account Further, the board has created a provision requiring that 25 per cent of a user's contributions be maintained as Minimum Balance at all times. Maintaining this balance allows members to enjoy high rate of interest offered by EPFO (presently 8.25 per cent per annum) along with compounding benefits to accumulate a high value retirement corpus. The rationalisation given was that this step allows ease of access while ensuring a sufficient retirement corpus. Fund managers approved for debt portfolio The CBT has also approved four Fund Managers to manage the EPFO's debt portfolio for a period of five years. The include SBI Funds Management, HDFC AMC, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC, and UTI AMC. Millions of Indian investors are sitting on a hidden fortune 1 trillion in unclaimed bank deposits, insurance payouts, mutual funds, and dividends, plus 1.72 billion unclaimed shares as of August. Much of it has gone untouched for years, scattered across agencies, with many unaware it exists or unsure how to claim it. Now, the government is taking steps to change that. On 4 October, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a nationwide campaign to help people trace and claim their unclaimed financial assets. Over the past few months, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) Authority have been conducting camps to update KYC (know your customer) details and provide assistance to claimants. The challenge is not just the scale but the complexity. Unclaimed money lies scattered across banks, insurance schemes, mutual funds, small savings plans, and provident funds, forcing investors to navigate multiple channels to track and recover them. To simplify this maze, the Supreme Court has recently accepted a public interest petition calling for a centralized, Aadhaar-linked, e-KYC portal to consolidate all financial assets held by individuals and their nominees across regulated entities. View Full Image (Graphics: Mint) Towards a one-stop digital platform Today, unclaimed assets have to be traced across separate entities. The RBIs Depositor Education and Awareness Fund (DEAF) is where banks transfer the money of their customers savings and current accounts that have had no transactions for 10 years, and deposits that have not been claimed even 10 years after their maturity. Likewise, when dividends paid on shares remain unclaimed for 7 consecutive years, then companies transfer this dividend amount and the shares associated with them to the IEPF which comes under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Historically, companies have sent dividend cheques to their shareholders, which if not encashed repeatedly, have resulted in unclaimed shares and dividends. Similarly, unclaimed money lying in small savings schemes (such as post office term deposits, senior citizen savings schemes, among others), Employees Provident Fund, Public Provident Fund, life and non-life insurance schemes find their way into the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund. A unified platform could simplify the process. The account aggregator (AA) framework, launched in September 2021, could provide a foundation. AA entities, regulated by the RBI, enable consent-based data sharing across banks, mutual funds, insurers, and pension funds. As of August 2025, over 780 financial institutions, including banks, NBFCs, insurers, mutual funds, pension funds, and brokers are live on the AA network, though some sectors, like insurance and pensions, are still onboarding," said BG Mahesh, CEO, Sahamati, a non-profit industry association in the AA ecosystem. Sahamati is working closely with regulators to accelerate a unified nominee management system across financial institutions. Why assets remain unclaimed Lack of awareness is a major factor. In many families, financial decisions are made by men who often dont inform their spouses or children about their investments. As a result, families are unaware of their assets. Another reason is no joint account holder or missing nominations," says Tasneem Allana, senior ex-banker and senior partner, TruFid Financial Services, a boutique wealth firm. In the absence of a nominee, a bank or a mutual fund house has no way of contacting the next of kin of a deceased investor. Khagesh Chitlangiya, founder and director at Jeevantika Innovations, which assists with unclaimed shares recovery, said, "Many times people are unable to communicate the relevant facts of their case to the RTA (registrar and transfer agents) in a structured manner. There is also a lack of awareness on what documents are needed for a claim." Registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, RTAs maintain records and transfer shares for companies. Even when investors are aware, costs and complexity can deter them. Professional recovery services charge fees, while legal expenses may be needed for succession certificates or court proceedings if heirs must be established. Hurdles in claiming different assets Unclaimed bank money is relatively straightforward. Dealing with banks is relatively simple, either through a nomination or indemnity (for smaller amounts). In the case of a deceased account holder, the claim can be made by the nominee or in the absence of one, through a valid will, or else, a succession certificate or a letter of administration which can be cumbersome," Allana explained. Notably, whether claimed before or after transfer to DEAF, the bank handles the process. Shares and dividends are more complex. Chitlangiya said investors must coordinate with both the RTA and the IEPF Authority once the shares and dividends turn unclaimed. Claims before the seven-year period are dealt with at the RTA level only. Backlogs at the IEPF exacerbate delays. The IEPF website shows claims filed in December 2023 (non-senior citizen category) are currently being processed. Shrey Ghosal, director and operations head at Share Samadhan, noted, that while a company is timebound to verify an investors claim within 30 days, there is no such time limit for the IEPF Authority. He said that approved claims used to be credited within 1530 days; now, it can take six to eight months. The experience of individual investors underscores the ordeal. Chennai-based dentist Aparna Chitharanjan has spent three years pursuing her deceased grandfathers unclaimed shares for her father and aunt. We have spent so much time and money on pursuing this case. We had to file an FIR for the lost share certificates, publish notices in three different gazettes, and get the High Court to adjudge that my father and his sister were the only legal heirs. Opening a joint demat account, too, wasnt an easy process as my aunt is not an Indian resident. Even after all this, it feels like we havent even scratched the surface," said Chitharanjan. Also Read | Govt to work with cos, market players to return unclaimed investor assets Signs of progress There are some positive developments. On 6 October, the IEPF Authority released Form IEPF-5, allowing investors to provide details of an authorised representative. A committee has also submitted suggestions to simplify documentation for low-value claims, covering up to 500,000 for physical securities, 15 lakh for demat securities, and dividends up to 10,000. Yet, awareness remains the critical bottleneck. Because of so many negative stories, 90% of people dont even make a claim," Chitlangiya says. New Delhi: Indias top food safety regulator is set to crack down on your everyday food packaging that contains harmful chemicals. From grease-resistant burger wrappers to microwave popcorn bags, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on sweeping amendments to its packaging rules amid mounting evidence of serious health risks. FSSAI is planning tweaks to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations to prohibit the use of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenol A (BPA) in materials that come into contact with food, according to two government officials and documents reviewed by Mint. PFAS, also called forever chemicals", are used to make packaging grease- and water-resistant. Their strong carbon-fluorine bonds prevent them from breaking down easily, allowing them to accumulate in the environment and the human body over time. BPA, used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, is commonly found in reusable bottles and the linings of food cans. The FSSAIs proposed move aligns with regulatory actions in the US and European Union, which have already restricted or phased out these chemicals in food packaging. The decision stems from a growing body of scientific evidence linking PFAS and BPA exposure to a range of health problems, from hormonal disruption and reproductive issues to diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Some studies also suggest possible links to testicular and kidney cancers. Also Read | In a first, FSSAI app lets diners flag food safety issues via QR code at outlets This is not the first time FSSAI has acted on plastic packaging. FSSAI has previously banned the use of recycled plastic or newspapers for packaging food items, with new regulations coming into effect inJuly 2019. The new rules replaced the previous Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011. India also banned the manufacture, distribution, stocking, and sale of 19 specific single-use plastic items in July 2022, including items such as plastic cutlery, straws, and certain types of wrapping films. This current proposal, however, specifically targets the use of PFAS and BPA, which are chemicals used in food-contact materials. What the draft regulations propose The new draft regulations introduce two key requirements under the general safety provisions of the existing 2018 food safety regulations, said one of the government officials, requesting anonymity. "The first is a clear prohibition on the use of PFAS in the manufacturing of food contact materials. The second mandates that food contact materials made with polycarbonate and epoxy resins must be free from BPA and its derivatives," said a government official cited above, requesting anonymity. FSSAI has sought comments from relevant stakeholders by early December. The official added that the FSSAI's action is aimed at enhancing consumer safety by eliminating harmful chemicals that can leach from packaging into food products. Key Takeaways Indias food safety regulator plans to ban PFAS and BPA in food packaging to curb long-term health risks. The move brings India in line with the US and EU, where such chemicals are already being phased out. PFAS, known as forever chemicals, persist in the environment and human body, leading to potential chronic diseases. The proposed ban aims to eliminate harmful leaching from packaging into food products. Queries sent to the FSSAI spokesperson on Monday remained unanswered till press time. Public health experts have welcomed the step as a long-overdue preventive measure. For many years these forever chemicals have silently entered our bodies through everyday packaging, water bottles, wrappers and cans without any visible warning," said Dr. Rohit Sharma, consultant, internal medicine department at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Jaipur. By restricting PFAS and BPA, India not only aligns with global standards but also prioritises public health. These substances persist both in the environment and the body, accumulating over time and raising chronic illness risks, Sharma added. The move could have significant implications for Indias food and beverage industry, packaging manufacturers, and retailers, many of whom rely on PFAS-based coatings for their grease-resistant properties. The proposed move to ban PFAS and BPA in food packaging is a necessary step, aligned with global safety trends. However, the transition, especially away from PFAS, will require adequate time, technical guidance, and affordable alternatives to ensure smooth compliance for small and medium businesses," said Subhaprada Nishtala, director, Chamber of Advancement of Small and Medium Businesses. It is also pertinent to note that all packaging materials do not contain these substances, and the overall impact will need to be studied carefully. Robust testing capacity will also be essential to help industry evaluate and ensure compliance," Nishtala added. Also Read | Food regulator appoints 155 officers to check food imports at points of entry Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who is on her first official visit to India since assuming the role earlier this year, said on Tuesday, October 14, that the "main message Canada is bringing to India is that we are here to elevate the relationship with India". She said Canada has two focus areas. One is public safety at home [Canada] and the other is "strengthening economic relations with India. Also Read | Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to meet Jaishankar, Goyal today "While we focus on domestic public security in Canada, we are simultaneously strengthening economic relations with India, including in AI, climate action, people-to-people ties, and many other domains," she said on Tuesday. "We look forward to working closely with India," she added. Anita Anand arrived in New Delhi Sunday evening (October 12) as part of her three-nation tour. She is on a diplomatic visit to India, Singapore, and China from October 12 to October 17. Her visit came amid ongoing efforts to reset bilateral ties between India and Canada. Anita Anand meets Jaishankar Ahead of the trip, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Anita Anand on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 29. Jaishankar had described it as a "good meeting". He also welcomed the appointment of high commissioners as a positive step in rebuilding ties. He also said that he "looks forward to welcoming" the foreign minister in India. "A good meeting with FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada this morning in New York. The appointment of High Commissioners is welcome as we rebuild ties. Discussed further steps in that regard today. Look forward to welcoming FM Anand in India," Jaishankar wrote on X. Anita Anand meets PM Modi During her visit, Anita Anand met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 13. They discussed the significance of enhanced cooperation between the two countries in trade, energy, technology, agriculture, and people-to-people ties. According to a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), during the meeting, PM Modi also conveyed warm wishes to his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney and expressed eagerness for future engagements. "Prime Minister noted the significance of enhanced cooperation between the two countries in trade, energy, technology, agriculture and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister conveyed his warm wishes to Prime Minister Mark Carney and said that he looked forward to their upcoming engagements," the release read. Welcoming Anand, the Prime Minister highlighted that her visit would inject "new momentum" into the India-Canada bilateral partnership. He further recalled his June 2025 visit to Canada for the G7 Summit, where he held an "extremely productive meeting" with PM Carney, laying the foundation for expanded collaboration. "Prime Minister welcomed Foreign Minister Anand and conveyed that her visit would contribute to ongoing efforts to impart new momentum to the India-Canada bilateral partnership. Prime Minister recalled his visit to Canada in June this year for G7 Summit during which he held an extremely productive meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney," the release added. Anita Anand meets Piyush Goyal Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also met Anand and later shared an update on the social media platform X. "Welcomed Minister @AnitaAnandMP at Vanijya Bhawan today. Delighted to know her commitment towards strengthening people-to-people connections between our two countries," Goyal said. Delhi News: A student of South Asian University (SAU) in Delhi was allegedly sexually assaulted, police said on Tuesday, confirming that an FIR has been registered in the case. According to officials, a PCR call reporting the alleged assault was received at around 3 pm on Monday. Acting on the information, a police team reached the university campus, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan said in an official statement. The call was made by someone known to the girl. She is currently being counselled, Chauhan said. Based on the statement of the victim, an FIR has been registered under appropriate sections. The matter is being investigated with due sensitivity and priority, the officer added. Officials said that the students formal statement is yet to be recorded, and she continues to receive counselling support. An FIR has been filed and we are looking into the matter, police officials stated. Reddit post claims South Asian University is suppressing assault case Meanwhile, an unverified Reddit account alleged that South Asian University authorities were attempting to suppress the incident. The Redditor wrote, A girl was raped by 4 people yesterday afternoon inside the college's amphitheatre and in the evening when her friend got to know ( rapist left her in amphitheatre) they called an ambulance and she was sent to the hospital, the administration came to know about everything but they did not say anything till yesterday, tomorrow they said that they will form an internal committee and will inquire. They still have not let it happen, the matter is being suppressed, they are not giving any answer, they are hiding inside the office and having tea and samosas, they don't fucking care what happened? They are hitting students police don't see girl's students?? So administration is more important than students ??? They are having chai samosa with crossed legs in AC office on recliners? Is this humanity? What if this incident was happened with yours own daughter wife??? These mfs delhi police and sau management... Dcp is also present here but administration not coming out... They called dcp for their conversation.. we students waited for the whole light for the administration to come outside but no they didn't come.. but police started hitting students. The post included a video, allegedly showing police officials, South Asian University authorities, and agitated students involved in a scuffle. Recent incident in Delhi's Adarsh Nagar In a separate case reported earlier this month, an MBBS student was allegedly raped by a man at a hotel in Delhis Adarsh Nagar area on 6 October. According to Delhi Police, a complaint was filed by an 18-year-old student from Haryana who is pursuing her studies in the national capital. In her statement, the victim alleged that the accused, a resident of Jind in Haryana, invited her to a hotel in Adarsh Nagar for a party, where he allegedly administered intoxicants, wrongfully confined her, and sexually assaulted her. Following her complaint, police registered a case and initiated an investigation, which remains underway. Durgapur gang rape case The Durgapur gangrape case has sparked massive outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of failing to protect women, while the ruling TMC slammed the BJP for politicising the incident. The survivor, a second-year student of a private medical college, was allegedly gang raped on Friday night. She hails from Odisha. West Bengal Police on Tuesday evening arrested a friend of the medical student of a private college, who was allegedly gangraped in West Bengals Durgapur, taking the total number of arrests in the case to six, a senior police officer told PTI. The accused had accompanied the victim when she had gone outside the campus of the medical college to fetch food on the evening of the alleged crime, the official said. The Malda resident was arrested after police found his replies to be incoherent. Also Read | Durgapur gangrape case: Five accused taken to scene of crime for reconstruction Earlier, five people were apprehended in connection with the case. The second-year student hailing from Odisha's Jaleswar was allegedly raped outside the campus of the private medical college in Durgapur on October 10. Cal HC grants permission to BJP for holding protest The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the Durgapur police authority to allow a demonstration by the BJP at a place in front of the office of the Asansol Durgapur Development Authority in connection with the case, PTI reported. The petitioner prayed for direction to the West Bengal police to grant permission to the opposition party from 6 am till 6 pm every day till October 19 for holding the demonstration. The petitioner stated before the court that the authorities concerned have granted a no objection certificate (NOC) for holding the demonstration, but the police were yet to give permission for it. Justice Shampa Dutt (Paul) disposed of the petition directing the police authority to "act accordingly" upon the petitioner filing copies of the NOC before the officer-in-charge of Durgapur police station. Police reconstruct crime scene Police on Tuesday afternoon reconstructed the crime scene with the five accused and the friend of the Durgapur gangrape victim, as part of the investigation. The accused and the womans friend were taken to the spot in a jungle near the private medical college where she is a student, to complete the process, he said. "They were taken to the crime spot for reconstruction of the crime scene. The entire process was videographed in the presence of an IPS officer. We will corroborate their version with that of the victim," the officer, who is a part of the investigating team, told PTI. Before the reconstruction of the crime scene, investigating officers questioned the victims friend for nearly an hour, he said. HC wants no unauthorised entry into hospital housing victim The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the police to ensure no unauthorised entry takes place inside the private medical college and hospital at Durgapur, where the gang rape victim is undergoing treatment. The court also ordered that adequate security arrangements be made to ensure tranquility in the area. Protests have been held by opposition political parties near the institute following the incident. A vacation bench of Justice Shampa Dutt (Paul) directed Durgapur Police Commissionerate to ensure that no one is allowed to enter the hospital and the medical college premises without proper authorisation. Political mud-slinging continues Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Tuesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy over their remarks on the Durgapur gang rape case, calling their statement "insensitive" and said that they are living in the era of 'Babur'. The BJP leader accused the TMC (Trinamool Congress) of being involved in various criminal activities in West Bengal, claiming that even contractual workers and local party officials are implicated. Speaking to ANI, Majumdar said, "Be it Mamata Banerjee or Saugata Roy (on Durgapur alleged gang rape case), their statements are insensitive. I think they are living in the times of Babar." Majumdar asserted that without TMC's involvement, implying that TMC is "deeply entrenched in the state's criminal activities". Earlier on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a shocking statement, advising colleges "not to allow girls to go outside at night" following an incident at a private medical college in Durgapur. Nayab Singh Saini-led Haryana government directed the state police to remain on alert following protests over the alleged suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, 52, on October 7. IPS Om Parkash Singh has been given additional charge of DGP during leave of IPS Shatrujeet Kapur who was reportedly named in the final note which Kumar left. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi left his residence to meet the Kumar's family. The government asked police forces to maintain strict vigilance and ensure communal harmony by actively engaging with community leaders. Field officers have been directed to stay alert and take proactive measures to prevent any untoward incidents, according to PTI. "With reference to recent incidents emerging after the unfortunate demise of Sh. Y Puran Kumar, IPS, ADGP, Haryana government, there is an urgent need to maintain strict vigil and ensure communal harmony across all districts and divisions. All concerned officers are hereby directed to maintain close coordination with local organisations and community leaders, monitor the situation continuously and initiate all measures required to uphold peace and public order. Any developments having potential to disturb harmony should be addressed promptly, and timely reports may be furnished for review," the order read. On Sunday, a 31-member committee established to demand justice for the late officers family issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government to take action against Kapur and Bijarniya. The committee warned that if no action is taken within the deadline, it would stage a protest on Tuesday. IPS Puran Kumar's suicide in Haryana: What happened? Kumar reportedly died by suicide at his home in Chandigarh. In a 'final note' he left behind, the senior officer accused eight top police officials, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur, of subjecting him to blatant caste-based discrimination, deliberate mental harassment, public humiliation, and other forms of abuse. The Chandigarh Police issued a notice to IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, the widow of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, requesting the laptop that belonged to her late husband. According to officials, the laptop is considered a key piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation into his death. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) believes it may contain critical information, including the original version of the alleged suicide note found on the device. According to police sources cited by ANI, the laptop is likely to be sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for a digital forensic analysis to verify the authenticity of the note. Also Read | IPS Y Puran Kumar suicide: Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya transferred Investigators are working to confirm whether IPS Puran Kumar personally wrote the note and whether it was created on his laptop. The same device is also believed to contain a saved draft of the note, which police allege was emailed by the officer before his death. The SIT is also trying to establish how many recipients got the email, the exact time it was sent, and when each person accessed it. Meanwhile, after the registration of the First Information Report (FIR), Chandigarh police constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team for "prompt, impartial and thorough investigation" into the case. The Indian government has decided to resume postal services to the United States from tomorrow, 15 October, after the same was suspended on 22 August, 2025. Postal services to the USA were earlier suspended through Office Memorandum dated 22 August 2025, following Executive Order 14324 issued by the U.S. Administration, which suspended the de minimis treatment for all postal shipments. The suspension was necessitated by new regulatory requirements introduced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the collection and remittance of import duties, the Ministry of Communications said in a press release. After extensive system development, coordination with CBP-approved Qualified Parties, and successful operational trials in the Delhi and Maharashtra Circles, India Post has now established a compliant mechanism for Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) processing, as per the communication. Department of Posts will not levy any additional charges on customers for facilitating DDP and Qualified Party services, it also noted. How will the new system work? Under the new system, all customs duties for postal shipments to the USA will be collected at the time of booking in India and remitted directly to US authorities, ensuring faster customs clearance and hassle-free delivery for recipients in the US. According to CBP guidelines, postal shipments from India to the US will be subject to a flat customs duty of 50 per cent on the declared Free on Board (FOB) value, as outlined in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff. However, unlike courier or commercial shipments, no additional product-specific duties will be imposed, offering a cost advantage to exporters. Postal services to the US resume. Significantly, India Post will not charge customers any additional fee for facilitating the DDP process. International postal tariffs will remain unchanged, helping to keep export logistics affordable for MSMEs, artisans, e-commerce sellers, and small traders. "Importantly, the Department of Posts will not levy any additional charges on customers for facilitating DDP and Qualified Party services. The postal tariffs will remain unchanged, ensuring that exporters continue to benefit from affordable international delivery rates while complying with the revised U.S. import requirements. This measure has been introduced to maintain affordability, support MSMEs, and boost India's exports through the postal channel," the release stated. Customers can now book all categories of international mail to the US Customers may now book all categories of international mail to send to the US, as per the release, which includes EMS, air parcels, registered letters/packets, and tracked packets from any post office in the country. The Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) mechanism enhances the ease of doing business and introduces complete transparency in duty collection. Senders can now prepay all applicable duties in India, ensuring predictable total shipping costs and smoother delivery experiences for recipients abroad, the statement revealed. Heads of Postal Circles have been instructed to conduct outreach programmes to raise awareness among exporters and small businesses about the renewed postal export opportunity. As the festive season takes off and Diwali travel rush is on the rise, IndiGo announced special scheme on airfares on October 13. Passengers can book flight tickets at a discount in the remaining 4 days of the offer period which ends on October 17. The post on X states, Our flying connections sale is now live. Book connecting flights with domestic fares starting at 2,390 and international fares starting at 8,990. #goIndiGo. Book now: https://bit.ly/470Ujcz. Where to book IndiGo flight tickets and how to avail offer? Those globetrotters planning to make one-way or round-trip bookings in the next 5 months, must buy flight tickets before October 17. Those who willl make decision to fly and book tickets before the given deadline will be offered special airfares, with domestic fares starting at 2,390 and international fares starting at 8,990. The offer is valid for travel scheduled in the coming five months from November 1, 2025 till March 31, 2026. Also Read | Industrialist Jindal slams IndiGo after bent wheelchair returned to daughter How to book tickets? Flyers can book tickets through IndiGo's official website www.goindigo.in or via IndiGo mobile app (Android or iOS). Other methods to book flight tickets include IndiGo 6ESkai or via IndiGo WhatsApp number +917065145858 or through select Travel Partners website or mobile app. IndiGo is offering its customers special all-inclusive one-way fares on select domestic and select international sectors operated as connecting flights, the website states. Detailing the offer period validity, it further notes, These fares are applicable only to one-way flights, whether booked as standalone one-way booking or as part of a round-trip booking. This offer is valid from 00:01 hours on October 13, 2025 up to 23:59 hours on October 17, 2025 (Offer Period) for travel scheduled from November 01, 2025 till March 31, 2026 (Offer). Another exciting offer available during the same period is 35 percent discount on hotel bookings, available on goindigo.in. To avail the offer, travel enthusiasts need to use the voucher code HOTEL35. Qatar Airways Marking the festival of lights, Qatar Airways launched Diwali offer which ensures up to 25 percent saving on flight tickets from 13 cities in India to America, Africa and Europe. Travellers can avail discount by booking flight tickets before October 23 deadline for travel scheduled before March 31, 2026. SpiceJet's Diwali bonanza SpiceJet launched special daily non-stop Diwali flights connecting Ayodhya with several Tier 1 cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. On the auspicious festival of Diwali, devotees and tourists will be able to visit Shri Ram Temple through these connecting flights. Meanwhile, the proposal for direct flight from Mumbai is also in the pipeline for the upcoming winter season. Thinking of investing in South Goa? Heres an important heads-up straight from the district collector that could impact your plans as in an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, South Goa collector Egna Cleetus has issued a public notice urging everyone to report any unsafe or dilapidated buildings in the district, according to a Times Of India report. Citizens are encouraged to notify the local municipality about buildings that seem structurally unsound, it said, noting if the building is outside the municipalitys jurisdiction, the issue should be reported to the relevant block development officer for appropriate measures. Citizens are also advised to refrain from residing in or conducting any activities in such premises. It has been observed that despite visible risks to life and property, certain premises continue to be occupied for residential or commercial purposes," TOI quoted Cleetus as saying. The district administration emphasised that the main responsibility for maintaining building safety rests with the owners and occupants. In case of any emergencies, residents are advised to reach out to the South Goa Collectorate Control Room at 0832-2794100. Demolition order months ago In July this year, the district collector issued a demolition order for the Cabecca de Calconde building, which was deemed unsafe by the Margao municipality, according to a TOI report. The Public Works Department (PWD) building division shortlisted contractors to carry out the demolition of this structure along with another dilapidated building, Indira Apartments at Khareband. The demolition was expected to proceed once the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) completes the evacuation of the remaining occupants. In the case of Cabecca de Calconde, the process was significantly delayed due to the MMC chief officers inaction on the collectors directive, leading a concerned party to approach the high court. Also Read | Industrialist Jindal slams IndiGo after bent wheelchair returned to daughter The initial demolition order was issued in November 2023, when the then South Goa collector, A Asvin Chandru, instructed the MMC chief officer to demolish the building to avoid any untoward incident. It was only after two parapet collapses occurred in Margao within a span of 48 hours, highlighting serious safety hazards, that the authorities took prompt action two months ago. On May 27, South Goa collector Egna Cleetus directed the deputy collector of South-I to issue immediate demolition orders for both structures. MMC chief officer Melvyn Vaz had said that 23 out of 26 families have vacated Indira Apartments, with three families still awaiting relocation. As for Cabecca de Calconde, only one resident remains and was expected to leave soon, although the matter was under judicial review in the high court. The building was classified as unsafe for human habitation back in 2018 by the civil engineering department of Goa College of Engineering. Their structural evaluation concluded that the structure was beyond repairable and retrofittable condition, citing several issues such as deteriorated concrete in all accessible columns, corroded reinforcement bars, crumbling concrete from structural elements, and dangerously suspended GI sheets posing risks to life and property. Malloujula Venugopal Rao, also known as Sonu, a senior CPI (Maoist) leader and Politburo member, surrendered along with 60 Maoist cadres in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli on Tuesday, marking a possible step toward reconciliation with the central government. He has requested one month's time from the Centre to hold talks with comrades across states and those currently in jail. Venugopal Rao appealed for a one-month window for internal discussions before commencing formal peace talks and urged the government to suspend armed operations against Maoist members during this time, reported ANI. This development comes amid ongoing anti-Maoist operations spearheaded by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and various state governments nationwide. In September, Venugopal Rao had expressed his willingness to surrender, garnering support from a substantial number of Maoist cadres in Chhattisgarh and other regions across India. Ready for talkswe will form delegation Venugopal Rao said, I am laying down the weapons and will become a part of movements for providing relief for the oppressed in India. Since the last week of March 2025, our party has been engaged in peace talks with the government. The party's chief secretary issued a press statement in May, which kept an offer of a ceasefire while asking for a month's time to deliberate on laying down the weapons. Unfortunately, the Central government did not give their reply on it; rather, they have increased the intensity of their attacks. Rao highlighted that, in response to the CPI (Maoist) Chief Secretarys appeal for peace, they are prepared to engage in talks with the government. Also Read | Chhattisgarh: Seven Maoists killed in first week of June in major operation "On May 21, in an attack by the Seema Surakhsha Bal, our Chief Secretary, comrade Basavraju, along with staff and guards, were killed. We took this decision not to leave his call for peace talks in the middle. Amid the ongoing mission by the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the police, we have decided to lay down our weapons and be part of the mainstream. We are ready for talks with the people appointed by the Union Home Minister. We will form a delegation among the people agreeing to our decision and participate in the peace talks," Rao further said. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said, The people of Bastar have made up their minds to end Naxalism. A year ago, a woman politburo member surrendered, and today her husband, also a politburo member, has joined the mainstream. Bastar is witnessing a lot of activity. We will welcome all those who join the mainstream, but those who do not will be dealt with by our armed forces in the right manner. A bus broke down on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road (ORR) earlier today, leading to a massive traffic snarl. Social media is flooded with videos and images that show huge lines of vehicles at the ORR, waiting for the road to be cleared. At 4:43 pm, the Bengaluru Traffic Police issued an advisory on social media, saying, Due to vehicle breakdown near Eco space junction towards Marathahalli , Kadubeesanahalli,Devarabisanahalli, Bellandur is having slow-moving traffic. Social media is flooded with pictures from ORR, while netizens slammed the Karnataka government for the pathetic road infrastructure in India's Silicon Valley. One X handle that goes by the name Civic Opposition of India said, "One @BMTC_BENGALURU bus breakdown and entire Outer Ring Road traffic comes standstill. Bengaluru gives you reason everyday to hate life! This is not acceptable!" while tagging Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the minister-in-charge of Bengaluru. Check out the extent of the traffic snarl right here: What does DKS say on Bengaluru's traffic? DK Shivakumar, on October 8, said the traffic congestion is a global and national challenge, citing London and Delhi as examples. He asserted that the traffic issue in Bengaluru is receiving traction due to the vibrancy of the state's traditional and social media. Even in London, people have to travel three hours if they don't go by public transport. Even in Delhi, it will take 1.5 hours to reach Parliament from the airport, but Bengaluru is making more noise than Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad, the veteran Congressman said, as per PTI, adding, Because we are very free to all friends, and our social media is picking up. Next is the artificial intelligence and social media. We are not curbing. But as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, as far as Andhra is concerned and as for other states are concerned, the media is not allowed to work freely as Karnataka has been open to them. We accept criticism, he said. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Dakshin Kerala unit on Monday issued a statement expressing sorrow over the death of Anandu Aji, a 26-year-old IT professional from Kottayam district, Kerala, and sought a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding his death. The unnatural death of Anandu Aji, one of our Swayamsevaks from Elikkulam at Kottayam District is very much sad and unfortunate...RSS Kottayam also demands for comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading towards the unnatural death of Anandu Aji along with suicide note which appeared on Instagram and some Social Media Platforms, soon after his death," the statement read, reported ANI. "It contains some Dubious and baseless allegations against Sangh, which he claims as cause of his Suicide...We are of the firm opinion that an Independent inquiry will not only bring out the real cause of his unnatural death, but also ensure innocence of RSS in this unfortunate incident also, it added. The statement added that Anandu Aji came from a family closely connected to the Sangh, with his late father, Sri Aji, having been actively involved as a Karyakartha. It conveyed condolences to the grieving family and prayers for Anandus soul. Kerala State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar reacts Earlier, Kerala State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the RSS had called for a detailed investigation, suggesting a "conspiracy" to tarnish the organisation's image. "RSS is also demanding an investigation; it is their view that there is a deep conspiracy behind this to defame the RSS. They will issue a clear statement on this issue very soon. They have said there is a conspiracy; the person was not well," Chandrasekhar said. The incident triggered a political controversy after the Congress accused the RSS, citing the suicide note of the IT professional. What is the case? Ananthu Aji was found dead in a lodge in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday evening by the hotel staff. According to The Print, in a scheduled Instagram post published after his death, he said he was taking his own life because of anxiety and depression caused by repeated sexual and physical abuse he faced in the outfit, his father had made him join as a child. He said he was a rape victim and had faced sexual abuse since he was four years old, and later from many members of the Sangh, initially, by NM, an active RSS member and his former neighbour, and later by several Sangh members. He also claimed that many people were undergoing similar physical and sexual abuse within the organisation. Following his death, the police registered a case of unnatural death and initiated a probe. Leadership of RSS must take immediate action; they must come clean On Sunday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged a thorough probe into the allegations of sexual abuse. In a post on X, the Wayanad MP referred to the suicide message and said the victim was abused by several RSS members, asking the RSS leadership to act immediately on these claims. Priyanka Gandhi posted, The RSS must allow these allegations to be investigated fully. In his suicide message, Anandu Aji alleged that he was abused again and again by multiple members of the RSS. He clearly stated that he was not the only victim and that rampant sexual abuse is taking place in RSS camps. If true, then this is horrifying. Lakhs of young children and teenagers attend these camps all over India. The leadership of the RSS must take immediate action; they must come clean. Sexual abuse of boys is a scourge as widespread as that of girls. The code of silence around these unspeakably heinous crimes has to be broken. "The truth about what happens behind the curtain only comes out when incidents like Ananda's death surface, revealing a 'rotten' organisation, the RSS, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, according to PTI. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor questioned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government's decision to send junior External Affairs Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh to represent the country at the peace summit in Egypt, where heads of state from at least 27 countries are gathered to discuss how to end the Israel-Hamas war. In a post on X, Tharoor questioned whether India's representation reflected a stance of "strategic restraint or a missed opportunity" at a crucial international forum. Also Read | Donald Trump takes a victory lap in Egypt But did the Gaza deal truly end the "India's presence at the Sharm El-Sheikh Gaza peace summit, at the level of a Minister of State, stands in stark contrast to the heads of state gathered there. Strategic restraint or missed opportunity?" Tharoor wrote. His remarks followed the announcement by Kirti Vardhan Singh of his arrival in Cairo, Egypt, as the special representative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Gaza Peace Summit. Tharoor, the Congress Member of Parliament, clarified that his remarks were "no reflection on Kirti Vardhan Singh, whose competence is not in question," but emphasised that the scale and stature of the summit required higher-level representation from India. Also Read | Shashi Tharoor warns Air India over reports of service cancellations in Kerala "Given the galaxy of grandees present, India's choice could be seen as signalling a preference for strategic distance, which our statements don't convey," Tharoor said. India's presence at the Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza peace summit, at the level of a Minister of State, stands in stark contrast to the heads of state gathered there. Tharoor added that protocol and access levels could have an impact on India's weight in shaping discussions on critical issues, such as Gaza's reconstruction and long-term regional peace. "And for reasons of protocol access alone, India's voice at the Summit on issues of reconstruction and regional stability may carry less weight than it could have. In a region reshaping itself, our relative absence is puzzling," Tharoor concluded. India's unwavering dedication to peace: Singh At the Summit, Singh met Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt. Singh said that the Summit underscored the global commitment to peace and dialogue. "It was a privilege to meet with His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt during the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El Sheikh. Egypt and India share a significant and vibrant strategic partnership. The Summit underscored the global commitment to peace and dialogue. India reaffirms its unwavering dedication to peace, stability, and enduring security within the Middle East," Singh said in a post on X. A private bus heading to Jodhpur from Jaisalmer caught fire near Thaiyat village of Rajasthan on Tuesday afternoon, news agency PTI reported, citing police. The bus with 57 passengers departed from Jaisalmer around 3 PM. On the highway, smoke started coming from the back of the bus. The driver pulled over and stopped along the road, but shortly after, flames took over the vehicle, the police said. As per the Additional SP of Jaisalmer, Kailash Dhan, casualties have been reported following the incident, while the injured have been rushed to the hospital. Rescue operations are underway. The moving bus burst into flames. Casualties have been reported. The injured have been rushed to the hospital. Rescue operation continues, news agency ANI quoted officials. Reportedly, 10 passengers were injured, according to PTI. CM Bhajan Lal Sharma expresses grief Reacting to the mishap, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma in a post on X said, The incident of a bus catching fire in Jaisalmer is extremely heart-wrenching. I express deep condolences to the citizens affected by this tragic accident. Instructions have been given to the concerned authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured and to provide all possible assistance to those affected. He added, May Lord Shri Ram grant a place at His divine feet to the departed souls. The state government stands with the affected families and is committed to providing them with every possible support. Once the news of the incident spread, nearby villagers and passersby quickly gathered at the location and started rescue operations. They informed the fire department and police. The passengers with burns were taken to Jawahir Hospital in Jaisalmer. The cause of the fire remains unknown. The Jaisalmer district administration said that it quickly initiated relief and rescue efforts upon receiving the information about the incident. District Collector Pratap Singh instructed officials to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured, the news portal noted. United States Donald Trump has been known for his unusual or controversial remarks and recently, he made some on White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's moving lips. Donald Trump was speaking onboard the Air Force One about his trip to Israel and Egypt before switching to mention Karoline Leavitt. Hows Karoline doing? Is she doing good? Trump asked the reporters, adding, Should Karoline be replaced? When a reporter said that it was upto him to replace or not replace her, Trump said, "Itll never happen. That face... and those lips. They move like a machine gun, right? This wasnt the first time Trump commented on Karoline Leavitts lips. In a previous interview, he said, She's become a star. It's that face. It's that brain. It's those lips. The way they move. They move like she is a machinegun. She is a star, she is a great person actually. He added, I don't think anybody has ever had a best Press Secretary than Karoline Leavitt. She has been amazing. While in Egypt, Donald Trump also called Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni beautiful, prompting her to smile. We have a woman a young woman who's I'm not allowed to say it because usually it's the end of your political career if you say it. She's a beautiful young woman. Now, if you use the word beautiful in the United States about a woman that's the end of your political career, but I'll take my chances, he said. Trump then turned around to locate her and and asked if she mind being called beautiful. Donald Trump said, Where is she? There she is. You don't mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are. Thank you very much for coming. We appreciate it. She wanted to be here and she's incredible and they really respect her in Italy. She's a very successful very successful politician. Donald Trump had also reportedly complimented Princess of Wales, Catherine, on her appearance on arrival at Windsor Castle. Youre so beautiful, so beautiful, Trump said. Trump had also complimented Prince William after the ceremonial reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in December 2024, calling him a good-looking guy. A Reddit post titled What should I do with this kind of Manager? has gone viral, triggering a wider conversation about toxic workplace culture and employee rights in India. Shared on the r/IndianWorkplace forum, the post features a WhatsApp exchange between a private bank employee and their branch manager, in which a simple sick leave request following a suspected haemorrhoids diagnosis was met with an unempathetic response. The employee explained that due to their condition, they were unable to sit or stand for extended periods and requested a days leave to recover. Despite this, the manager did not respond to the initial message, leaving the request unanswered. Also Read | Teenager faces harassment on Delhi Metro, shares shocking ordeal in Reddit post When the employee followed up the next day to say their condition had not improved and asked for an additional day of leave, the manager replied with a warning that there would be a loss of pay for both days instead of offering any support or understanding. The employee pleaded with the manager to understand their situation and even shared a medical prescription to prove their condition. They also apologised for not being able to attend work due to their health. But the managers response, instead of showing empathy, was a sharp reprimand: Who will do your business? The more you run away from responsibility and commitment, the more problem. The employee clarified that they were not trying to avoid responsibilities and promised to make up for the lost work after returning to the office. Despite this, the manager reportedly marked an email to the HR department. Also Read | Bank employees viral Reddit post exposes harsh realities of government jobs The original poster, seeking advice from others on Reddits r/IndianWorkplace forum, wrote: So I work for a private bank and this is my branch manager's response for me having health issues and wanting to take leave? See the post here. The post has struck a chord with many online, sparking conversations about toxic workplace culture, employee rights, and the lack of empathy in some corporate settings. Several users advised the employee to escalate the matter to HR with documented proof, while others urged them to start looking for better job opportunities. A Reddit user wrote, No employee should have to apologise for being sick. This kind of response from a manager is unacceptable. Another user commented, Attach all the proofs and submit it to HR. Get a medical certificate from the doctor if required. Be professional and courteous in all your communications and as soon as you get a bit better get a new job with a promotion and increment and ask your manager to touch grass. Looping in HR has never been a solution in favour of the employee but to the company only. HRs always dance to the company tunes alone, the third user wrote. Just say I am on sick leave today and sleep man. What is this culture of whatsapp. Send an official email and turn off phone, the fourth wrote. Mumbais chronic traffic congestion has once again come under scrutiny, this time from Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, who highlighted how poor enforcement of traffic rules is worsening the situation in Indias financial capital. Responding to a post about traffic chaos at the One BKC junction, Gupta said that travelling a mere two kilometres between Parel and Lower Parel can now take as long as 45 minutes, reflecting the growing strain on the citys road infrastructure. Nilesh Bhai, if you would like to feel better I invite you to visit Slower Parel. It takes 45 mins minimum to go a 2 km distance from Parel to Lower Parel, Gupta wrote on X (formerly Twitter), responding to a post by Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. MD Nilesh Shah about signal violations and blocked junctions in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). Gupta, 42, said that poor adherence to traffic regulations, including no-parking rules and one-way systems introduced after the closure of Elphinstone Bridge, has compounded the problem. Many roads were supposed to have one-way traffic and no parking to compensate for Elphinstone bridge shutting down. Unfortunately, that is not being followed or enforced, she said, calling for stricter implementation of traffic rules. Her post drew attention to a broader issue: the mismatch between Mumbais rapid urban growth and the pace of its infrastructure planning and enforcement. Traffic congestion has long been cited as a drag on productivity in Indias commercial hub, where peak-hour bottlenecks routinely affect commute times and logistics costs for businesses. The Mumbai Traffic Police responded to Guptas remarks on X, saying, We have informed the concerned Traffic Division for the necessary action. Guptas complaint resonated with many city residents, with several users pointing out similar traffic snarls across Mumbai. Last month it took me two and a half hours from BKC to Juhu. And yet the Bombay folks say Bangalore traffic is worse! one user wrote. Another added, These days nobody likes to follow rules. They feel insulting. Look at Mumbai local train travel. More than 50% people are unauthorized. An American entrepreneur has gone viral on social media after posting about his five-year Indian visa and introducing his partner soon after. Tony Klor, who works in the blockchain and AI space, shared a photo on X (formerly Twitter) kissing his girlfriend with the caption: How it started How its going. Only possible thanks to Modi ji. Check out the post here: The post quickly attracted reactions from X users, with many responding with humour and lighthearted comments. Congrats Tonyy, I think you love Modiji more than half of Indians, one user wrote. Another quipped, When immigration plays wingman. A third added, This is so wholesome. Also Read | GoFundMe CEO reveals Americans are now using platform to buy groceries India says welcome home bhai, the fourth user commented. "Modiji, we request you to launch "sabko ek partner dilao yojana" under vikasit bharat," the fifth user joked. Klors post followed an earlier announcement celebrating his long-term visa. In that update, he contrasted Indias welcoming approach to tech entrepreneurs with the United States' restrictive immigration policies. Its official! India is opening its doors to foreign blockchain & AI builders. Ive just been granted a girthy 5-year India visa, he wrote. Sharing a picture of his visa, he added: Trump says foreigners go kick rocks. Modi says Welcome home, bhai. Visa details According to the image posted online, Klors B-1 visa was issued on 23 September 2025 and will remain valid until 22 September 2030. Each stay, however, is capped at 180 days at a time. What is a B-1 visa? According to the Indian embassy, the B-1 category is meant for business-related visits. It allows foreigners to set up or explore ventures in India, engage in business negotiations, or buy and sell industrial, commercial, or consumer goods. The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied conspiracy theorist Alex Jones appeal, leaving intact the $1.4 billion judgment against him for falsely claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax staged by crisis actors. Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022, and his lawyers told the justices that the plaintiffs have no possible hope of collecting the entire judgment. By rejecting his challenge to the Connecticut Appellate Courts ruling, the Supreme Court upheld most of the 2022 defamation judgment granted to 14 family members of the children and school staff killed, as well as an FBI agent who responded to the shooting. As many as 26 persons, including 20 first graders, were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, after a 20-year-old former student opened fire indiscriminately before fatally shooting himself. Jones argued that the Connecticut lawsuits judgment violated his constitutional rights to due process and free speech. According to his Supreme Court filing, the $1.4 billion award is believed to be the largest in US history for a libel case. He also lost a similar lawsuit in Texas, though the roughly $50 million judgment in that case was far lower. Jones is separately appealing that judgment. He declared bankruptcy after losing the lawsuits. He was sued after he called the shooting a false flag, arguing they were meant to trigger anti-gun sentiments. He had also claimed that the parents of the kids who died were crisis actors, faking their grief. Jones refused to participate in the legal proceedings, disputing Connecticut Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis ruling that he was liable for defaming the parents of the Sandy Hook victims. In the trial in Waterbury, the six-member jury was tasked only with determining the damages he should pay, ultimately awarding $965 million in compensatory damages. Also Read | Alex Jones Estate to Be Liquidated to Pay Sandy Hook Debt Judge Bellis then added $473 million in punitive damages, which was later reduced to $323 million by an appeals court. In his Supreme Court appeal, Jones challenged the total $1.4 billion award. The verdict is so large that it can never be paid, according to the filing, and a bankruptcy court has ruled that Jones cannot use his personal bankruptcy to avoid paying the debt. In his filing to the Supreme Court, Jones said that the judge's default judgment was based on "small discovery errors" and "trivial" missteps by his lawyers, and led to an unfair trial. As US President Donald Trump prepares to posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a White House ceremony on Tuesday (October 14), here are five key things to know about him whose influence on American conservatism and tragic death continue to reverberate. 1. Founder of Turning Point USA Kirk founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 at age 18 with the goal of promoting conservative values and countering liberal influence on college campuses. Under his leadership, the group grew into one of the most powerful youth movements in US politics, with chapters on more than 3,300 high school and college campuses and annual revenues nearing $85 million. TPUSA became a major pipeline for young activists supporting Trumps Make America Great Again movement. 2. A key ally and youth mobilizer for Trump Kirk played a pivotal role in energizing young voters for Donald Trumps 2024 presidential campaign, helping boost Republican turnout among younger demographics, including young White, Black, and Latino men. He was personally close to Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and senior White House aides, advising on outreach strategies and policy direction. His influence cemented him as one of the central figures of the MAGA youth movement. 3. Assassinated during a college event in Utah On September 10, Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University, during one of his campus debate events. Authorities say the shooter, Tyler Robinson, 22, acted alone and cited Kirks rhetoric as motivation, writing in text messages that he had enough of his hatred. The killing shocked the nation, ignited debates over political violence, and prompted widespread mourning among conservatives. 4. An influential voice Kirks activism drew both admiration and criticism. Supporters hailed him as a champion of free speech and patriotism, while critics accused him of spreading extremist and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that deepened political divides. His outspoken style particularly on issues like transgender rights and religion made him one of the most recognizable and controversial voices on the right. 5. A martyr for the conservative movement Since his death, Kirk has been lionized as a martyr for American freedom by Trump and conservative leaders. His widow, Erika Kirk, now leads Turning Point USA, vowing to continue his mission and podcast. Congress has designated October 14 as National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. Thousands attended tributes and rallies in his honor, underscoring his enduring symbolic role in the conservative movement. News / Regional by Stephen Jakes SHURUGWI - Midlands Minister of State Owen Ncube has officially commissioned a refurbished 9-body mortuary at Shurugwi District Hospital, a project made possible through a partnership between Chengetai Cheng Xi Investments, UNKI Mine, and the Shurugwi Town Council. Valued at over US$30,000, the initiative included the installation of new cold room equipment, solar backup systems, and comprehensive renovations aimed at improving the hospital's capacity to handle deceased patients with dignity and efficiency.Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Ncube commended Cheng Xi Investments for their ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, which he said align with Vision 2030 under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa."Their support for community empowerment, infrastructure development, and assistance to local schools, prisons, and healthcare facilities is commendable and reflects the spirit of Vision 2030," Ncube said.The mortuary upgrade is expected to significantly improve service delivery at the district hospital, especially in times of disaster and high demand. Donald Trump, on Tuesday, hailed his son Eric Trump's new book Under Siege,' claiming that it is breaking records everywhere. Dont forget to get a copy of my son Erics book, UNDER SIEGE, which is breaking records everywhere. Its a phenomenal book, thats a must read for everyoneCongratulations Eric, you deserve it!!! Trump posted on Instagram. In September, Eric Trump announced his book Under Siege: My Family's Fight to Save Our Nation. According to a report by USA Today, 'Under Siege: My Family's Fight to Save Our Nation' book topped the Amazon best-sellers list on the day of the book's release Tuesday, October 14. What is Under Siege about? According to reports, the synopsis of the book promises an unfiltered look at the highs and lows of life within the Trump world", offering readers a candid perspective on the experiences and challenges faced by the family. Following the shooting of conservative activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk last month Eric Trump had said on X that he would donate a portion of the proceeds to the organisation Kirk founded Turning Point USA. What Eric Trump said about the book? Before the book's release, Eric Trump called the process of writing the book "cathartic" in an interview with the Daily Mail. "I'm at the point in my life where there's no subject that's off limits, he told the outlet. I don't cowtail, I don't mince words. If it was in my heart it was in the pages of this book. There's nothing I held back, Eric told the US media outlet. How social media reacted to Eric Trump's book? Eric Trump's new book attracted mixed reactions from netizens. In response to Donald Trump's post congratulating his son, one person wrote: Siege definition: A military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling the surrender of those inside. No son of a Billionaire is ever, ever under siege.. what a ridiculous notion. Change the name to cry me a river while youre stealing titles. Under Siege.. only thing good about that movie is when Erika Eleniak pops out of the cake, wrote another X user. The Donald Trump administration said on Tuesday, October 14, that Meta has taken down the page which was being used to dox and harass the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Chicago. In a statement, the Us Justice Department said that Meta Facebook's parent company had complied with its request to remove the page. In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the page was part of an effort to dox and target the approximately 200 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Today following outreach from @thejusticedept, Facebook removed a large group page that was being used to dox and target @ICEgov agents in Chicago. Pam Bondi said that the wave of violence against ICE has been fueled by online apps and social media campaigns aimed at endangering ICE officers for carrying out their duties. The wave of violence against ICE has been driven by online apps and social media campaigns designed to put ICE officers at risk just for doing their jobs. The Department of Justice will continue engaging tech companies to eliminate platforms where radicals can incite imminent violence against federal law enforcement, Pam Bondi said. What is Doxxing? Doxxing is the sharing of personal information about people online. A spokesperson for Meta confirmed that the company had removed the page from the Facebook platform for violating our policies against coordinated harm, Reuters reported. Also Read | Chicago, Illinois sue to stop Trumps National Guard Deployment plan after Portland ruling Earlier this month, Apple removed apps that allowed users to track the movements of ICE agents following pressure from the Trump administration. Google also has made similar apps unavailable. The administration has threatened to prosecute makers of the tracking apps. ICE agents in Chicago The ICE presence in Chicago has been resisted by the city's Democratic mayor, Brandon Johnson, and Illinois' Democratic governor, JB Pritzker. Earlier this month, Johnson signed an order prohibiting ICE agents from using city-owned property as staging areas for operations, and local businesses have posted signs declaring their premises off-limits to ICE. Johnson also accused Republicans of wanting a rematch of the Civil War. Meanwhile, Governor Pritzker said he wants prosecutors to investigate the legality of ICE activities in Chicago. He has also accused Trump of motivated by wanting to punish his political enemies. An annoyed Trump had even called for the arrest of Brandon Johnson and JB Pritzker, accusing the two Democrats of failing to protect federal immigration officers. In an attempt to avoid the European Union antitrust fine, Alphabet's Google has offered to make further changes to its search results. Google said its latest adjustments were made so that search results for third-party vertical search services and Googles own offerings provide identical information, functionality, and features. We will create the opportunity for each VSS to show its own box on Search. A VSS box will be populated with results from that VSS inventory, the company said in its proposal. It added the box would have the same format and information for third-party VSSs as for Google. The winning bid for the box would be based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria and it would not share its rivals' data with others, Google said. Suppliers such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, and travel services would appear in a separate box, positioned either above or below the vertical search results, depending on how relevant they are to the users query. Also Read | In Google antitrust case, more questions are raised than solved The tech giant revised its July proposal after receiving criticism from specialised vertical search platforms those focused on specific industries like travel, dining, and transport as well as from price comparison websites. Google has come under the scrutiny of the European Commission for allegedly favouring its own services such as Google Shopping, Google Hotels and Google Flights over competitors. Also Read | Google ruling shows antitrust tools struggle to keep up with tech markets It risks a fine in the coming months, other sources have told Reuters. The EU case is under the landmark Digital Markets Act, which sets out a list of dos and don'ts to limit the power of Big Tech, create room for rivals and increase choice for users. Google also said that it wanted to close the case and find a solution that caters to all parties. We remain concerned that any further changes to Search would prioritise the commercial interests of a small set of intermediaries over European businesses who want to sell directly to their customers, a Google spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Britain's competition watchdog, Competition and Markets Authority, recently paved the way for tougher regulation to tackle Google's dominance in online search, under new targeted measures focused on technology giants. The Competition and Markets Authority said it has designated Google with strategic market status (SMS), subjecting it to special requirements, in a final decision following a nine-month investigation. We have found that Google maintains a strategic position in the search and search advertising sector, Will Hayter, executive director for digital markets at the CMA, said in a statement. Hamas appeared to backtrack on critical aspects of President Donald Trumps cease-fire plan for Gaza, just hours after the world celebrated the release of all 20 living hostages. A top Hamas official declared that the group will not give up its weapons or relinquish control over the Gaza Strip. Not captives to Israeli terms Spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Arabiya on Monday, We do not need to limit ourselves to the Israeli terms and definitions related to weapons. We will not be captives to Israeli terms or demands. This is one of the focal points of the struggle in the next stage, after the cessation of aggression in the Gaza Strip. Qassem reaffirmed Hamas long-standing position that the group will maintain its arms and governance over Gaza until a pathway for Palestinian statehood is outlined. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected any deal that could result in a Palestinian state, emphasizing that Hamas must disarm for the ceasefire to remain valid. Hamas open to limited administrative role Despite resisting full disarmament and the loss of control, Qassem hinted that Hamas could allow Palestinian technocrats to manage parts of the Gaza Strip, in line with Trumps ceasefire proposals. US federal immigration agents reportedly detained the parents of a US Marine in San Diego, leading to the deportation of the soldier's father. According to a report by NBC 7 San Diego, Esteban Rios and Luisa Rodriguez, residents of Oceanside, California were in Camp Pendleton in San Diego to visit their pregnant daughter, who is married to another Marine stationed at the base, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained them. The detention took place despite neither Esteban nor Luisa having criminal records. The couple also have pending green card applications, sponsored by their Marine son Steve Rios, as well as work visas. Esteban and Luisa, Newsweek reported, arrived from Mexico over 30 years ago, spending the last three decades working in the US, washing cars and cleaning houses to build a better life for their children. Also Read | Hyundai factory was a deadly job site before it was raided by ICE Commenting on the incident, Steve told NBC 7 San Diego, "It was scary. It was scary because my whole life, I've kind of just... it's been in the back of my head." Steve's pregnant sister and the couple's daughter, meanwhile, told the channel "My brother texted me that they got stopped. And as soon as I heard that, I just started, like, bawling." While Esteban and Luisa were initially taken downtown by the ICE agents, and released with ankle monitors, the couple were asked to check in again on Thursday, when they were detained again for several hours. Subsequently, on Friday, Steven spoke with his father who revealed that they were being held in the basement of a federal building. Steve's parents were then moved to the Otay Mesa Detention Center on the same day, before Esteban was deported later on Friday. Luisa, meanwhile, remains in ICE custody, pending removal proceedings. Donald Trump is not happy, and it isn't because of any nation's obnoxious' trade barriers. It is about the cover photo of Time magazine, which features him, in which Trump claimed the publishers disappeared his hair. On Monday, Time, an American magazine, unveiled a glimpse of its upcoming edition featuring Donald Trump with the title in bold His Triumph. Although the cover spotlights Trump's Triumph with the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, the POTUS did not feel equally triumphant about the photo. Why is Trump complaining? Donald Trump claimed that the photo is a super bad picture and deserves to be called out. Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time. They disappeared my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird! I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why? Trump posted on Truth Social. Here's a glimpse of the picture that has irked Trump: Kari Lake, Senior Advisor for the US Agency for Global Media, also criticised TIME for using what she called the most unflattering photos of President Trump at a moment when they should be honoring him. View full Image Kari Lake's reaction to the Time Magazine cover How Trump triumphed? The TIME magazine's cover comes after Trump, on Monday, signed the Gaza ceasefire deal with world leaders from across the globe at the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. Earlier in the day, he also addressed the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, to mark the first steps of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which he played a key role in brokering. Israel-Gaza ceasefire The Israel-Gaza ceasefire which began on Friday, marked a significant step toward ending the two-year conflict sparked by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Since then, the war has resulted in the deaths of around 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time. On Monday, the last 20 living Israeli hostages returned home following over two years of captivity after the 2023 attack. However, only four of the 28 bodies of Israeli hostages have been handed over so far, under the larger swap that saw Israel free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (October 14) said he communicated to Hamas that the militant group must disarm or face forceful action. If they don't disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently, Trump said during a White House meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei. The remarks came after Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza on Monday, while Israel released busloads of Palestinian detainees under a ceasefire deal brokered by Trump. However, Hamas has not publicly committed to laying down its arms. Communication through intermediaries Trump claimed that Hamas agreed to disarm as outlined in his 20-point peace proposal. I spoke to Hamas, and I said, you're going to disarm, right? Yes, sir, we're going to disarm. That's what they told me, he said, clarifying that the message was conveyed through intermediaries. Gaza peace plan Trump warned that the ceasefires next phase had begun, emphasizing the need to recover bodies of those killed. A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED! Phase Two begins right NOW!!! he posted on social media. Hamas signals resistance to key Trump's ceasefire demands Hamas appeared to reject key elements of President Donald Trumps ceasefire plan just hours after the release of all 20 hostages from Gaza. Spokesman Hazem Qassem said the group will not give up its weapons or its control over the Gaza Strip. We do not need to limit ourselves to the Israeli terms and definitions related to weapons, Qassem told Al-Arabiya. We will not be captives to Israeli terms or demands. This is one of the focal points of the struggle in the next stage, after the cessation of aggression in the Gaza Strip. While Hamas signaled openness to Palestinian technocrats leading Gazas management and allowing the Palestinian Authority a role in governance, Qassem insisted the group would remain part of administrative arrangements in the Strip. Gaza ceasefire faces test The fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its challenge on Tuesday as Israel announced it would cut the flow of aid into the territory by half and delay the opening of the crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The move came amid accusations that Hamas had breached the US-brokered agreement by withholding the bodies of Israeli hostages. Also Read | Trump says US strike on drug-trafficking vessel near Venezuela killed six Hamas handed over the remains of four deceased hostages but indicated that recovering the bodies of another 24 could take longer, as not all burial sites have been identified. Despite this, the Red Cross received four additional bodies from Gaza, the Israeli military said Tuesday night. Ceasefire terms on hostages The ceasefire plan required the return of all hostages, alive and deceased within 72 hours of the agreement. It also included provisions for delays, requiring Hamas to share information about remaining deceased hostages and exert maximum effort to ensure the fulfilment of these commitments as soon as possible. Also Read | Hamas backtracks on Gaza ceasefire plan, refuses to disarm or cede control United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday, October 14, urged Hamas to release the remaining bodies of deceased hostages, asserting that the job was not done. Trump also announced the start of phase two of the agreement, even as Israel held up aid deliveries and Hamas tightened control over the enclave. He added that he remained optimistic about the deals progress, saying he was feeling as good as can be expected. In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said, ALL TWENTY HOSTAGES ARE BACK AND FEELING AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED. A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED! Phase Two begins right NOW!!! Donald Trump's post came just hours after he returned from a lightning trip to Israel and Egypt, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty over the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. During his visit, the US president hailed a historic dawn of a new Middle East as he and regional leaders signed a declaration aimed at solidifying the Gaza ceasefire About the Gaza peace deal between Israel & Hamas Under the Gaza peace deal between Israel and Hamas, the remaining 20 hostages who were alive and seized during October 7, 2023 attack on Israel were freed shortly before Trump's arrival in Israel. However, the Palestinian armed group is still holding the bodies of 24 hostages expected to be returned under the terms of agreement between the two. A Gaza hospital said it had received the bodies of 45 Palestinians that had been handed back by Israel, also as part of the deal to end the war. Also Read | Trump dreams of everlasting peace, to send US troops to monitor Gaza ceasefire but who will rule the territory? As the dead bodies of hostages were not returned, Israel far-right security minister warned of halting Gaza aid if bodies of soldiers are not returned to the state. Shortly after, Israels military said the truce had been violated and announced it would cut in half the number of aid trucks allowed into the war-torn territory. Hamas says will return bodies Hamas official has, meanwhile, informed that the bodies of four to six hostages will be returned. We informed the mediators that we will hand over four to six bodies of Israeli prisoners tonight, the official said. Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA and an ally of President Donald Trump, would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom the highest US civilian honor posthumously. Addressing a ceremony at the Pentagon marking the September 11, 2001 attacks, Trump had announced, Im pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The date of the ceremony will be announced, and I can only guarantee you one thing, that we will have a very big crowd. Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people. Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika and his beautiful children, fantastic people, he continued. Charlie Kirk, 31, was speaking at an outdoor event at a university in Utah when a single shot was fired from a nearby building, killing him instantly. The shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested days later after his father recognised him in the photos released by the FBI. The Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony is likely to be held today, October 14 in which the right-wing social activist would be honoured. What is Presidential Medal of Freedom? The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States. Conferred by the President in this case, Donald Trump it recognises individuals for outstanding contributions across fields such as public service, the arts, science, and other areas of national significance. It was former President Harry S Truman who had issued the first executive order in July 1945 to create a Medal of Freedom to honour civilians who performed a meritorious act or service which has aided the United States or one of its allies overseas during wartime, and for which an award of another United States medal or decoration is considered inappropriate. During the Korean War, Truman broadened the medals eligibility to cover acts performed during any period of national emergency. In 1955, former President Dwight D Eisenhower called for awards of merit whereby we can honor our fellow citizens who make great contribution to the advancement of our civilization. In 1963, President John F Kennedy renamed it the Presidential Medal of Freedom. How winner of Presidential Medal of Freedom is selected? According to Congress.Gov, the President can award the medal to any person recommended to the President for award of the Medal or any person selected by the President upon his own initiative. The medal is often presented at an annual White House ceremony. US Government Shutdown: Thousands of immigrants preparing to take their Oath of Allegiance have had their US citizenship ceremonies abruptly cancelled amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, sparking confusion and anxiety among those who had spent years waiting for this moment. What Happened at US Citizenship Offices? People were gathered at a US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in Virginia on Saturday morning, clutching their naturalisation notices and small American flags ready to take their final step toward citizenship. But moments before the US Citizenship ceremony was due to begin, a staff member delivered unexpected news: the event had been cancelled because of the government shutdown, BBC reported. You should have been notified, the staff member at the desk said. No one in the group had received any prior email, phone call, or notice. The staff at the entrance had even allowed attendees through security without warning, suggesting that they too had not been informed of the cancellation. Later, when one applicant checked the USCIS website, it was temporarily offline. Once back up, it showed that the appointment had been cancelled days earlier due to unforeseen circumstances. We regret any inconvenience this may cause, the online notice read. Also Read | Trumps order to revoke birthright citizenship blocked by federal appeals court How Did Applicants React? Inside the Virginia office, disappointment quickly turned to confusion and anxiety, according to a BBC report. Some feared their cases might be affected by bias; others worried about the consequences of delays on their lives and livelihoods. One woman in a hijab quietly asked if I had been turned away too, worried it might have been because of her clothing, one attendee said. Another man, who had gathered his family to celebrate his citizenship, left anxious and uncertain about what would happen next. A few people seemed genuinely frightened, wondering how the delay might affect their work, lives and plans, another participant recalled. For many, the moment symbolised years of perseverance navigating bureaucracy, passing interviews, and preparing for the citizenship test all culminating in a day that should have marked the beginning of their lives as Americans. Some of us had spent years plodding through paperwork and interviews, one applicant said. After more than a decade of having a green card, I had decided to become a citizen and vote. All of us now were stuck in limbo. Why Are Naturalisation Ceremonies Being Cancelled? Although the USCIS is primarily funded through application fees, its operations still depend on coordination with other federal departments, many of which have been affected by the shutdown. The agencys director, Joseph Edlow, confirmed in a post on X that while USCIS offices remain open, public-facing services such as interviews and oath ceremonies may face disruptions. He wrote that the agency regrets any negative impacts but must ensure it complies with the law. Applicants in Virginia were told to return on 1 November, though with no certainty about when the government will reopen, even that date remains at risk of slipping. How Widespread Are the Cancellations? The full scope of the cancellations is unclear. USCIS lists field office closures on its website, but does not publish total figures for delayed or cancelled ceremonies. However, anecdotal reports have surfaced nationwide of naturalisation events being postponed with little or no warning. Online immigration forums and social media platforms are now filled with messages from affected applicants some of whom had already made travel plans, taken leave from work, or invited family to witness the moment they became citizens. Why Has the US Government Shut Down? The US government shutdown began on 1 October, after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on government funding, leading to the furlough of more than 7,00,000 federal workers. Essential services such as air traffic control and border operations continue, but numerous public services have been delayed or suspended. The impasse has created a ripple effect across federal institutions, including USCIS, the State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security, complicating visa processing, asylum hearings, and now citizenship ceremonies. What Does This Mean for Would-Be US Citizens? For immigrants who have waited years often decades to reach this milestone, the cancellations are more than a bureaucratic inconvenience. They represent yet another barrier in an already long and uncertain process. This was more than an inconvenience, one attendee said. All of us now were stuck in limbo. The shutdown has not only delayed their path to citizenship but also added uncertainty to their legal and professional lives. For some, citizenship is essential to voting, travelling freely, or applying for certain jobs and benefits. When Could US Citizenship Ceremonies Resume? As of mid-October, there is no clear timeline for when the shutdown will end or when postponed ceremonies will resume. USCIS has not provided an official schedule for rescheduled naturalisations. Applicants are advised to monitor their USCIS accounts regularly for updates, though the agencys website itself has faced intermittent outages. By Tim Cocks and Giulia Paravicini ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) -An army commander who led a mutiny in Madagascar said on Tuesday the military had taken power after President Andry Rajoelina was impeached by lawmakers and forced to flee the country following weeks of youth-led protests. Rajoelina had refused to step down despite escalating Gen Z demonstrations demanding his resignation and widespread defections in the army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have taken the power," Colonel Michael Randrianirina declared on national radio and said that the military was dissolving all institutions except the lower house of parliament or National Assembly. Randrianirina later told reporters a committee led by the military would rule the country for a period of up to two years alongside a transitional government before organising new elections. "The following institutions are suspended: the Senate, the High Constitutional Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the High Court of Justice, and the High Council for the Defense of Human Rights and the Rule of Law," a statement from the country's military leaders said. In a day of turmoil for the nation off southern Africa's coast, the 51-year-old leader, whose whereabouts are unknown, earlier sought to dissolve the lower house by decree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But lawmakers went ahead with a vote to impeach him, leaving the country in a constitutional deadlock which the military seized upon to declare they were taking charge. Rajoelina, who himself came to power in a coup in 2009, condemned the power grab by the military in a statement. MILITARY SUSPENDS INSTITUTIONS Randrianirina, a commander in the elite CAPSAT army unit that played a key role in Rajoelina's 2009 coup, broke ranks with him last week. In a defiant address to the nation on Monday night, Rajoelina said that he had been forced to move to a safe place because of threats to his life. An opposition official, a military source and a foreign diplomat told Reuters he had fled the country on Sunday aboard a French military plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His isolation increased further on Tuesday when even lawmakers from his ruling coalition, which holds a parliamentary majority, voted to impeach him on charges of engaging in activities deemed incompatible with presidential duties. Rajoelina had repeatedly warned in recent days that an attempted coup was underway in the Indian Ocean island nation. ESCALATING DEMONSTRATIONS Demonstrations first erupted in the country on September 25 over water and power shortages and quickly escalated into an uprising over broader grievances, including corruption, bad governance and a lack of basic services. The anger mirrored recent protests against ruling elites elsewhere, including Nepal and Morocco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Tuesday, at Antananarivos 13 May Square, along the main drag lined with palm trees and French colonial buildings, thousands of protesters danced, marched, sang and waved banners denouncing Rajoelina as a French stooge because of his dual citizenship and support from Madagascar's former coloniser. Many were waving Malagasy flags and the signature Gen Z protest banner of a skull and crossbones from the Japanese "One Piece" anime series. At one point, Randrianirina took the stage and asked: "Are you ready to accept a military takeover?", drawing cheers of approval from the crowd. Later, as news of the military takeover filtered through to protesters, many were jubilant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Were so happy Andry Rajoelina is finally gone ... We will start again," high-school student Fih Nomensanahary said, with four of her friends cheering alongside her. Others were more cautious. "They need to hand over to a civilian administration quickly and have an election," said Rezafy Lova, a 68-year-old IT consultant. ECONOMY IN TATTERS CAPSAT had joined the protesters over the weekend, saying it would refuse to fire on them. It went on to take charge of the military and appointed a new army chief, prompting Rajoelina to warn on Sunday of an illegal attempt to seize power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the paramilitary gendarmerie and the police have also broken ranks with Rajoelina. Madagascar, where the average age is less than 20, has a population of about 30 million, three-quarters of whom live in poverty. Between its independence in 1960 and 2020, GDP per capita plunged 45%, according to the World Bank. (Reporting by Lovasoa Rabary and Tim Cocks in Antananarivo and Giulia Paravicini in Nairobi; Writing by Silvia Aloisi and Ammu Kannampilly; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Tomasz Janowski) A US State Department employee has been accused of allegedly removing classified documents from secure locations and meeting with Chinese officials going back to 2023, reported Fox News. According to the report, the accused Ashley Tellis began working for the State Department in 2001, court documents state. He is accused of unlawful retention of national defense information, according to an affidavit. Who is Ashley Tellis? Ashley Tellis is also a contractor with the Office of Net Assessment at the Department of Defense, now Department of War. He is also considered a subject matter expert on India and South Asian affair. As per court documents accessed by Fox News, federal prosecutors said that the US State Department employee had access to sensitive information and held a top-secret clearance. He was also employed as a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. What all has been found? As per Fox News, authorities during the search of Tellis' Vienna home discovered over a thousand pages of documents marked "TOP SECRET" and "SECRET," according to court documents. According to authorities, on September 12, Tellis asked a coworker at a government facility to print several classified documents for him. Just two weeks later, on September 25, he allegedly printed additional US Air Force files detailing military aircraft capabilities. Federal prosecutors claim Tellis had met with Chinese government officials multiple times over the past several years, raising concerns about the handling of sensitive information. What are the employee's links to China? Prosecutors said in September 2022 Tellis met with Chinese officials at a Virginia restaurant while holding a manila envelope. Thereafter in a meeting in April 2023, Tellis and Chinese officials were heard talking about Iranian-Chinese relations and emerging technologies while dining at a restaurant, authorities said. A US strike on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela killed six suspected drug traffickers on Tuesday (October 14), President Donald Trump announced, marking the latest in a series of military actions in the region. Under my Standing Authorities as Commander-in-Chief, this morning, the Secretary of War ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO), Trump wrote on Truth Social. He said the strike targeted a boat conducting narcotrafficking in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility just off the Coast of Venezuela. Six narcoterrorists killed in the strike Trump said intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics and linked to illicit narcoterrorist networks. The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike. No U.S. Forces were harmed, he added. A 30-second video Trump posted showed what appeared to be a stationary vessel hit by a projectile before exploding. Legally contentious military expansion The operation reflects Trumps widening use of military power, often in legally ambiguous ways. His administration has authorized strikes not only against terrorist groups but also drug traffickers, blurring the line between counterterrorism and counternarcotics. The Pentagon recently told Congress that Trump has determined the US is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels. Military buildup in the Southern Caribbean The strike comes amid a significant US military buildup in the region. There are currently eight US warships deployed in the southern Caribbean, along with F-35 aircraft stationed in Puerto Rico and one nuclear-powered submarine. Thousands of sailors and marines are reportedly involved in the operation. The administration has now hit at least six boats since early September, claiming they were carrying narcotics bound for the United States. Rising tensions with Maduro regime The escalation has fueled tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has accused Washington of trying to oust him. Donald Trump once again said he is very disappointed and criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral lunch with the President of the Argentine Republic on Tuesday. He claimed that Putin is simply unwilling to end his war with Ukraine. "Look, I'm very disappointed because Vladimir and I had a very good relationship, probably still do," Trump said. "He's gotta really settle this war. And you know they have long lines waiting for gasoline in Russia right now ... And all of the sudden his economy is going to collapse." Trump's latest criticism of Vladimir Putin comes after he warned Russia that he may send Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles if Moscow doesnt settle its war there soon. Vladimir Putin has previously cautioned that supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine would cross a red line and further escalate hostilities. The concern follows a renewed Russian assault on Ukraines power grid, part of a campaign to cripple its energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Power cuts in Ukraine after Russian strikes Ukraine's energy provider on Tuesday said it had implemented power cuts in eight of the country's regions following damage to energy infrastructure after Russian strikes. "Due to the difficult situation in the energy system caused by previous Russian attacks in Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, as well as partially in Kirovograd, Kyiv and Cherkasy regions emergency shutdowns have been implemented," Ukrenergo said in a statement, as per AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of reportedly wanting to sow chaos with the strikes, which have also harmed the Ukrainian gas sector. Last week, the Ukrainian president confirmed he was in talks with US officials regarding the potential supply of various long-range precision strike weapons, including Tomahawks and more ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles. What are Tomahawk missiles? Tomahawk missiles are designed to follow a non-linear path, so they cannot be shot down. First used during Operation Dust Storm in the 1991 Gulf War, Tomahawk missiles are intermediate-range cruise missiles meaning they have a range of around 800 miles (1,250 kilometers) to 1500 miles (2,500 kilometers). Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day is an annual celebration that Canadians observe on the second Monday of October. This year, it was celebrated on 13 October, remarkably almost six weeks before the date the United States celebrates the day. The US celebrates Thanksgiving every year on the Fourth Thursday in November, which is followed by Black Friday the next day. This year, US Thanksgiving falls on 27 November. Besides the difference in dates for Thanksgiving celebrations in the two North American nations, the Thanksgiving dinner menu also speaks about different cultures. While roast turkey typically takes centre stage in both nations, the side dishes accompanying it narrate distinct stories about tradition, history, and national taste. Also Read | Amazon Great Indian Festival: Gaming accessories for every gaming enthusiast In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated in the fall harvest season, when pumpkins and gourds are abundant and form an essential part of the main course. With its roots in the European harvest festivals, Thanksgiving is observed as a public holiday in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon. It is a common local holiday in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Due to the countrys colder climate, it arrives earlier, and hence, the Canadian Parliament set the holiday for the second Monday in October back in 1957. "Canadians very much appropriated the traditional Thanksgiving dinner from America," Yahoo.com quoted The Canadian Encyclopedia senior subject editor, Andrew McIntosh. He said the prototypical Thanksgiving feast featuring turkey, squash and pumpkin was introduced to Nova Scotia in the 1750s. Thus, the Canadian Thanksgiving menu is influenced by the countrys immigrant and First Nations cultures. It is important to note that there is a subtle difference in the dishes. Canadians often cook a simple bread stuffing or herb dressing, while Americans opt for cornbread stuffing, which may include sausage, nuts, or fruit. Thanksgiving history Notably, the Canadian Encyclopedia states that the earliest recorded Thanksgiving in the country took place in 1578, 43 years before the start of American Thanksgiving. Following a safe arrival in the Nunavut region, English explorer Martin Frobisher gave thanks, and the day came to be celebrated as Thanksgiving in Canada. A day after US President Donald Trump declared in Israels Knesset that "the war is over" Hamas fighters tightened their grip in Gaza. Multiple reports claimed that Hamas was killing its opponents in Gaza Citys main square in full view of the public on Tuesday. According to a report by Reuters, the Hamas executed men they accused of collaborating with Israeli forces. Multiple unverified videos doing the rounds on social media showed a group of armed men taking aim at several others which reports claimed were Hamas opponents. Reuters also reported that in one of the videos circulated on Monday, Hamas fighters dragged seven men into a circle of people in Gaza City, forced them to their knees and shot them from behind. A Hamas source confirmed the authenticity of the video. The latest developments come after Trump signed the Gaza ceasefire deal with world leaders from across the globe at the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. Israel-Gaza ceasefire On Monday, Trump paid a visit to both Egypt and Israel where he addressed the Knesset, the Israeli parliament to mark the first steps of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which he played a key role in brokering. The war is over, Trump asserted to reporters as he departed, adding he thought the ceasefire would hold. The Israel-Gaza ceasefire which began on Friday, marked a significant step toward ending the two-year conflict sparked by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Since then, the war has resulted in the deaths of around 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. On Monday, Trump declared to Israels Parliament that the ceasefire was not only the end of a war, this is the end of the age of terror and death. He called it the historic dawn of a new Middle East. Just a day later, however, Mukhaimar Abu Saada, a political analyst from Gaza told Fox News that Hamas has issued an ultimatum giving collaborators with Israel until October 19 to surrender and seek amnesty from Hamas as long as they were not involved in killings. Historic dawn or fragile pause? Gaza residents said fighters were increasingly visible on Tuesday, deploying along routes needed for aid deliveries. Palestinian security sources said dozens of people have been killed in clashes between Hamas fighters and rivals in recent days, reported Reuters. King Abdullah II of Jordan has warned that the Middle East is doomed unless there is a peace process leading to a Palestinian state. Abdullah made these remarks in an exclusive interview for BBC Panorama, ahead of attending the Gaza peace summit in Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday. "If we do not solve this problem. If we do not find a future for Israelis and Palestinians and a relationship between the Arab and Muslim worlds and Israel, we are doomed," King Abdullah told the BBC The summit, attended by about 27 global leaders, was held on a day Hamas released the last living Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel. The King of Jordon, in the BBC interview, spoke about earlier failed attempts at peace. He said the implementation of a two-state solution - the creation of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, alongside Israel - was the only answer. "I hope we can move things back, but with a political horizon, because if we don't solve this problem, we're going to be at it again," the king said. What is the two-state solution? The two-state solution is a proposed approach to resolving the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, by creating two states on the territory of the former Mandatory Palestine. Last month, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on reaffirmed the body's stance that statehood for Palestinians is a right, not a reward. The Two-State solution is the only credible path to a just & lasting peace between Israelis & Palestinians and to wider peace & security in the Middle East, Guterres said in a post on X. The remarks by Guterres came a day after United Kingdom, Canada and Australia officially recognised Palestine as a state on 21 September. The move is seen as a significant shift in the foreign policy of these nations and a step away from their alignment with the United States, which has leaned towards Israel under the Donald Trump administration. Palestine is currently recognised by around 75 per cent of the UN's 193 member states. At the UN, Palestine has the status of a "permanent observer state", allowing participation but no voting rights. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected a two-state solution. What happened at Sharm El-Sheikh? Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will co-host the Sharm El Sheikh summit on Monday, after the US president first visits Israel to speak at the Knesset and meet families of the hostages. In his speech at Sharm El-Sheikh, Trump called for a new era of harmony in the Middle East and urged countries to sign the Abraham Accords and work towards advancing broader peace in the region, following his visit to Israel to celebrate a US-brokered ceasefire with Hamas. What are the Abraham Accords? We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us, Trump said, and he urged leaders to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past. If we do not solve this problem... we are doomed. The Abraham Accords are a series of US-brokered agreements that normalise diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations. The initial agreements were signed in 2020 by Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain (With agency inputs) Madagascar's Gen Z protests: After weeks of anti-government protests led by Gen Z, the situation reached a critical moment on Saturday when an elite military unit, known as CAPSAT, sided with the demonstrators and demanded the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina and other government officials. The Madagascar government was effectively toppled, and Andry Rajoelina fled the country, claiming he did so to protect his life amid what he described as a coup attempt. Madagascar's Gen Z protests came a month after a separate Gen Z-led protest brought down the government in Nepal. Madagascar's Gen Z protests: What did Rajoelina say in his late-night address? In his late-night address on Monday, 13 October from an undisclosed location, President Andry Rajoelina said, I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life. The speech, intended for broadcast on Madagascar television, was delayed for hours after soldiers tried to seize control of the state broadcasters buildings, according to the Presidents office and AP reports. The speech was eventually aired on the presidencys official Facebook page, but not on national television. Also Read | Madagascar Leader Appoints Military Man as New Prime Minister These were Rajoelinas first public remarks since the CAPSAT military unit defected from his government in what seemed like a coup. The unit joined thousands of protesters gathered in a central square in the capital, Antananarivo, over the weekend. Rajoelina called for dialogue to find a way out of this situation and emphasised that the constitution must be respected. View full Image President Andry Nirina Rajoelina addresses the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 24, 2025. ( AFP ) He did not disclose how he left Madagascar or his current location, though a report suggested he was evacuated on a French military plane on Sunday. When did Madagascar protests begin? Madagascar, a former French colony, has seen lingering resentment over Rajoelinas reported French citizenship, which has been a point of frustration for some citizens for years. The anti-government demonstrations began on 25 September, initially sparked by ongoing water and electricity shortages, but have since expanded into broader dissatisfaction with Rajoelina and his administration. View full Image Madagascar This marks the most serious wave of unrest in the island nation of 31 million, located off Africas east coast, since Rajoelina first assumed power in 2009 as head of a transitional government following a military-backed coup. The same elite CAPSAT military unit, now rebelling against him, played a key role in bringing him to power in 2009. View full Image A relative of Safidy Rakooarisoa, who the family members say died during demonstrations, reacts as his body is brought to a gathering of demonstrators outside the town hall on Independence Avenue for prayers, during a nationwide youth-led protest over persistent power outages and water shortages, in Antananarivo, Madagascar. ( Reuters ) While Rajoelina has not named those behind the apparent coup attempt, the CAPSAT unit has declared that it now commands the countrys armed forces and has appointed a new military leader, a move accepted by the defence minister in Rajoelinas absence. View full Image Residents and protesters chant national songs and raise their fists as they gather for a civil society rally demanding the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina and paying tribute to the victims of the protests in Antananarivo. ( AFP ) CAPSAT appears to hold a dominant position and is reportedly supported by other military factions, including the gendarmerie security forces. Col Michael Randrianirina, a CAPSAT commander, said the army had responded to the peoples calls but rejected the idea that this was a coup. While speaking to journalists at the military headquarters on Sunday, he said the future, including whether Rajoelina steps down and new elections are held, should be decided by the Madagascan people. View full Image Protesters march during a nationwide youth-led protest over frequent power outages and water shortages, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko ( Reuters ) How many casualties have occurred in Madagascar Gen Z protests? Meanwhile, according to the United Nations, the protests have resulted in at least 22 deaths and dozens of injuries. The UN also condemned the Madagascan authorities for what it described as a violent response to protests that were mostly peaceful in their initial stages. However, the government has challenged the number of deaths. United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has accused China of making provocative moves and financing war as the trade tensions between the two countries escalate. In an interview recently, Scott Bessent also accused China of seeking to harm the global economy. The US Treasury Secretary's remarks came after China imposed sweeping new export controls on rare earths. China is the world's leading producer of the minerals used to make magnets, crucial to the auto, electronic and defence industries. The United States is pushing for peace in the world. China is financing war, he said. In a TV interview with Fox News, Bessent said, This is China versus the rest of the world. They announced these export controls that are going to go into effect next month, and we have aggressively pushed back against them. We're not sure where this came from, why the Chinese have decided to do it now. He also said that the US is expecting support from Europe and India. China is a command and control economy. They are neither going to command [nor] control us. We are going to assert our sovereignty in various ways. We have already been in touch with the allies. We will be meeting with them this week and, you know, I expect that we will get substantial global support from the Europeans, from the Indians, from the democracies in Asia, he told the TV channel. "Trying to get leverage in front of a meeting with Donald Trump is a bad idea, and he turned the tables with his two very good tweets on Friday talking about raising tariffs and implementing any sanctions that we need to," the secretary continued. But we are communicating now. I am confident that we can move forward. He had also earlier said that China's controls signalled problems in its own economy. They are in the middle of a recession/depression, and they are trying to export their way out of it. Chinas announcement last week drew a sharp reaction from U.S. President Donald Trump, who on Friday announced a 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting November 1. He also threatened to cancel a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at this months Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Trade tensions between Washington and Beijing have reignited in Trump's second presidency, with tit-for-tat duties reaching triple-digit levels at one point. For now, both countries have de-escalated tensions, but the truce remains shaky. China on Sunday accused the United States of double standards after Trump threatened further tariffs. The US leader later insisted that he wanted to help China, not hurt it. On Tuesday, China said it was ready to fight to the end in a trade war with the United States, shortly before a new wave of US tariffs on wood products took effect. US President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters that he got along with "tough" world leaders, hours after he signed what he described as a comprehensive peace deal in Gaza, with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey as guarantors. In an audio clip from the White House, Trump can be heard saying, "I get along with the tough ones. I don't get along with the weak ones...," purportedly following up on his earlier comments in Egypt. "I don't know what that is, but [Turkish President] Erdogan has been great with me. You know, when NATO has a problem with Erdogan, which they often do, they call me to talk to him, and I've never failed with working it out with him immediately," the US President is further heard saying. Trump's comments, reportedly given to the press from Air Force One on 13 October, come after the US President spoke at length about his difficult friend, Erdogan, at the Gaza peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. Tough cookiebut also a friend Speaking after signing the agreement, Trump had said, "I don't know what it is, I like the tough people better than I like the soft, easy ones," in reference to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that the Turkish President was a "tough cookie" in addition to being his "friend". "If you look at some of the recent conflicts, he was at the top of them, and he was winning 'em and he did win 'em," the US President said, tipping his hat to the Turkish armed forces as well. "He doesn't want any credit; he doesn't want anything. He just wants to be left alone," Trump said of Erdogan. Every time I've ever needed him, he's been there for me," Trump added, to loud applause from all leaders who had gathered for the summit. Speaking about the Turkish President and his frequent clashes with NATO, Trump said: "When NATO has a problem with him, 'cause he is difficult, they call me and they say, Would you do me a favour and speak to Erdogan? And I do, and he never fails us... he's amazing." At the press conference following the summit, Trump also heaped praise on the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, whose backing, along with Turkey's, will be crucial for the Gaza peace deal going forward. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is winning hearts online after she greeted US President Donald Trump with a traditional Indian namaste at the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt. The moment, captured on video, quickly went viral, with social media users celebrating the Indian connection in a high-profile diplomatic setting. The gesture stood out at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, where over 30 world leaders gathered to discuss the escalating conflict in Gaza. As Meloni folded her hands and greeted Trump, many online described it as a subtle yet powerful display of soft power. A simple gesture, a strong message: #Meloni greets #Trump with #Namaste proving diplomacy doesnt always need handshakes, one user wrote. Another commented, She is now seen doing namaste everywhere, while a third noted, Even Made in India gestures have gone global. One user described the move as soft power theatre, writing, Melonis Namaste moment swaps handshakes for a gesture that radiates respect, curbs germ spread and taps into Indias diplomatic flair. Others jokingly called it the Melodi team effect a nod to the growing camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni. Watch the viral video here: Trumps awkward compliment sparks criticism While Melonis greeting was widely praised, Trumps remarks about the Italian leader during the summit drew mixed reactions. The former US President, known for his off-the-cuff comments, referred to Meloni as a beautiful young woman, acknowledging that such a comment might be seen as sexist. We have a woman, a young woman who's Im not allowed to say it because usually its the end of your political career if you say it: shes a beautiful young woman, Trump said, gesturing towards Meloni. You dont mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are. Also Read | Trump Jokes Calling Meloni Beautiful Could End Political Career Meloni, 48 notably the only woman among 30 leaders present appeared slightly uncomfortable but amused as Trump spoke. His comments, however, triggered criticism online, with many calling them regressive and pointing to his history of controversial remarks about women. Meloni on smoking and diplomacy Another lighthearted moment featuring Meloni from the summit also went viral. On the sidelines, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan teased the Italian leader about her smoking habit, saying he would try to convince her to quit. I saw you coming down from the plane. You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking, Erdogan said. French President Emmanuel Macron, standing beside them, chimed in: Its impossible! Meloni laughed and replied, I know, I know I dont want to kill somebody, joking that quitting might make her less sociable. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Photos from the COP30 climate summit have sparked public concern about King Charles health. A senior courtier claimed the Palace is quietly preparing William to step upfast. The King, who has been undergoing cancer treatment since earlier this year, gave an update on his health last month. Prince William and King Charles were recently spotted together at the Natural History Museum reception for the COP30 climate summit, and the resulting photos have fans talkingand not just Wills is rumored to be feuding with the King at the moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent photos of the 76-year-old Kingwho was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024 and has been undergoing cancer treatment since early this yearhave raised concern about the monarchs health. Royal insider Tom Sykes even claimed he was horrified by photographs that have emerged, adding, Its impossible to look at these images...without seeing how much King Charless health has declined. Whats more: a senior courtier tells Rob Shuters ShuterScoop that the Palace is quietly preparing William to step upfast, as the illusion of perfect health is collapsing. Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images Of course, this isnt all that surprising. Back in April, insiders told Harpers Bazaar thatwhile there are no plans for Charles to abdicatethe royals have been preparing for William to become King earlier than expected for years now. The people Ive spoken to have said that the succession planning, as they call it, began even before Charles diagnosis, royal author Tom Quinn told the outlet. I mean, hes the oldest Prince of Wales to become king in history, so succession planning had begun before Charles came to the throne simply because of the age issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King Charles offered a rare update about his health last month while meeting with cancer patients at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. According to Hello! magazine, the King told a patient, Im not too bad, when asked about his recovery. More recently, during his appearance on Eugene Levys The Reluctant Traveler, Wills gave a similarly vague update about his fathers health, noting, Everything is progressing in the right way, which is all good news. This ^^^ all comes amid reports that Will is intending to be a part-time King, per royal commentators. As a royal expert recently told RadarOnline, People are worried that by putting family life and privacy first, William could start to lose touch with the public. The late Queen always believed visibility was essentialand some think hes pulling back more than he should. You Might Also Like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday (October 14) that a high-level delegation has departed for the United States ahead of his planned meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday (October 1). The Ukrainian delegation has departed for the United States: Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, and several representatives of the diplomatic sector. They will hold a number of meetings, Zelensky wrote on X on Tuesday. I will also have the opportunity to come to Washington and meet with President Trump on Friday. I believe we will discuss a series of steps that I intend to propose. I am grateful to President Trump for our dialogue and his support, he added. Focus on air defense and long-range capabilities Zelensky said the main focus of his visit would be on securing air defense systems and long-range strike capabilities to defend against continued Russian bombardments. There will be several other important meetings with defense companies, and possibly with senators and members of Congress. I will also meet with energy companies, he said. This is necessary it was President Trumps proposal and I will meet with these companies because there are pressing needs linked to various formats of attacks... In any case, we must be prepared. Push for US-made Tomahawk missiles Zelensky is expected to lobby Trump for the supply of US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can strike targets up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) away putting Moscow and other key Russian sites within range. Tomahawks would become the longest-range weapons in Kyivs arsenal, allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with greater precision and heavier payloads than drones. Trump has warned Moscow that he may authorize such a transfer, a move Washington had previously ruled out over fears of escalation. Russian strikes intensify in Kharkiv As Zelensky prepared for his US visit, Russian forces launched powerful glide bombs and drones overnight on Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. The strikes hit a major hospital, wounding seven people and forcing the evacuation of 50 patients, according to regional head Oleh Syniehubov. Zelensky said the main targets were energy facilities. Every day, every night, Russia strikes power plants, power lines, and our gas facilities, he said on Telegram. Energy war and appeal for global support The Ukrainian leader said Russias long-range attacks on the countrys power grid were part of a campaign to cripple energy supplies during winter. We are counting on the actions of the U.S. and Europe, the G7, all partners who have these systems and can provide them to protect our people, Zelensky urged. The world must force Moscow to sit down at the table for real negotiations. Military aid to Ukraine drops sharply Meanwhile, data from Germanys Kiel Institute, which tracks global support to Ukraine, showed a 43% decline in foreign military aid during July and August compared with the first half of 2025. The drop followed the creation of the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) a new NATO-managed fund that pools member contributions (excluding the US) to buy American-made weapons and equipment for Ukraine. At the presidents suggestion , the Securities and Exchange Commission is once again debating whether companies need to continue issuing quarterly financial reports and move to semiannual reporting. Advocates for ending quarterly reporting argue it imposes heavy compliance costs and encourages managers to focus unduly on short-term earnings targets. Opponents contend that less frequent reporting would deprive investors of timely information and weaken transparency. Both sides have reasonable objections. But their emphasis on reporting frequency obscures a more fundamental concern: whether existing regulatory arrangements can actually produce financial statements that are consistent, comparable, and genuinely informative to the public. Private industry and the government have repeatedly tried and failed to make that possible. In the postwar years of the 1950s, the accounting profession itself sought to manage the task through the Accounting Principles Board. That initiative collapsed in 1973critics said it lacked independence and coherence. In the 1970s, a new nonprofit, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, was established with government endorsement to replace the discredited Accounting Principles Board. It was meant to be more independent and conceptually grounded in its rule-making, but persistent lobbying pressures prevented that. Despite decades of technical pronouncements, major scandals of recent memoryfrom Enron and WorldCom to the 2023 collapse of several regional banksillustrate that the current framework continues to fall short. Neither self-regulation by the profession nor government-sponsored boards have ensured the clarity and reliability of financial reporting. It was precisely this impasse that Leonard Spacek, a former partner of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen, anticipated in the 1950s when he proposed the creation of an Accounting Court. Addressing the American Accounting Association in 1957, Spacek outlined a judicial-style tribunal that would adjudicate contested principles of accounting. His proposal wasnt to create another committee issuing compromise rules, but for a forum that would hear arguments, evaluate competing positions, and render reasoned decisions. Written briefs, oral presentations, and published opinions would provide the accounting equivalent of case law, producing a body of precedent to guide auditors, preparers, and users of financial statements. Such a court would also alter the incentives that shape accounting practice today. Today, companies often select from among generally accepted alternatives, usually opting for the method that presents the most favorable picture of performance. Auditors, in turn, can certify the results so long as they fall within the wide ambit of accepted practice. Investors are left to reconcile incomparable figures. Spaceks vision was that an Accounting Court would compel justification of accounting choices with reference to their fairness and utility to all stakeholders: shareholders, employees, consumers, and the wider public. This approach may feel radical, yet comparable models are already embedded in other areas of commercial life. Contract law, for example, has evolved over centuries through judicial decisions, creating a body of precedent that provides businesses with predictability while accommodating change. Bankruptcy courts manage disputes among multiple stakeholders under conditions of financial distress, producing orderly outcomes where otherwise there might be chaos. The U.S. Tax Court routinely adjudicates highly technical disputes between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service, clarifying ambiguities in law and practice through published opinions. Even in international commerce, arbitration tribunals are relied upon to resolve complex disputes, their authority grounded in transparent proceedings and reasoned judgments. Accounting, by contrast, has lacked such jurisprudence. Critics of quarterly reporting are correct that compliance costs are significant. Each cycle of filings requires extensive reconciliations and disclosures that absorb resources better devoted to productive investment. Surveys suggest that firms spend on average between 1.34% and 3.33% of their labor costs on regulatory compliance. Yet reducing the frequency of reporting risks from four to two times annually reduces transparency at precisely the moment when market confidence remains fragile. The more promising path is to reconsider not how often companies report but how the principles underlying those reports are determined. An Accounting Court wouldnt eliminate compliance costs, but it would redirect them to a process that yields stability, consistency, and transparency. Over time, the removal of alternative treatments and the establishment of well-reasoned precedent could even reduce the overall burden on preparers and auditors. Implementing such a system would, of course, require careful design. Spacek envisioned a tribunal of life-tenured judges, funded by professional assessments, open to arguments from auditors, corporations, regulators, labor unions, and consumer groups. The details might differ today, but the principle remains compelling. The SECs current deliberations about quarterly reporting provide an opportunity to broaden the discussion. The central question isnt how often companies should file reports, but whether the regulatory structures that underpin those reports are capable of ensuring their integrity. About the author: Martin E. Persson is an assistant professor of accountancy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a public voices fellow through The OpEd Project. In his book, Breakneck: Chinas Quest to Engineer the Future , Dan Wang describes two distinct approaches to development. China, he argues, has risen to its current global stature on the back of an engineering mindsetthe unshakeable belief that social problems can be overcome by solutions we build. America, by contrast, has focused on governance, letting the rule of law and process adherence guide its development pathways. Seen this way, todays bipolar order is a contest between Chinas engineering state and Americas lawyerly state. China owes its approach to the fact that the political leadership in China has always been composed of STEM-trained technocrats. As a result, it treats infrastructure projects as tools of governance and executes them with single-minded focus. When it needed to bring mobility and connectivity to its more remote regions, China did not hesitate to undertake ambitious decadal megaprojects that involved the construction of high-speed rail networks, bridges over uncrossable gorges and tunnels that ran for kilometres through mountains. To modernize rural districts, it built ultra-high-voltage lines to move power over thousands of kilometres and its South-North Water Transfer project to supply arid landscapes. When the state prioritizes a sector in China, it does not merely subsidize it; it synchronises land, credit and procurement, and tasks local governments with aligning factories, training and logistics to meet that objective. This is engineering as statecraft: a bureaucracy that streamlines approvals, permits and procurement in order to meet state-supported objectives. America used to have a similar engineering temperament in the mid-20th century. In those days, public officials like Robert Moses built bridges, parkways and urban renewal projects with a single-minded focus that brooked no opposition. In those days, America looked far closer to todays China than it does now. But over time, this attitude provoked sharp reactions as public works began to erode constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms. Civil liberties and environmental movements began to enshrine new rights, establish processes and enforce safety regimes that progressively constrained how development needed to be carried out. This is why projects in the US today must continually demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and subject themselves to oversight and review. This is how the lawyerly state ensures that engineering zeal does not ride roughshod over individual liberties. Also Read | Dani Rodrik: Abundance for consumers could still mean misery for workers The long-term consequence of all this has been that development in the US is much slower than it should be. Today, despite numerous attempts to expand and upgrade its transit infrastructure, projects are frequently stymied by adversarial litigation and uncertain regulatory requirements. Despite the urgent need to add new nuclear plants, its energy grid has struggled under safety, environmental and licensing constraints. Newer technologies, such as consumer drones and driverless vehicles, have had to wait for the legal architecture to be built before they could commence commercial operations. That said, the engineering mindset is not without its flaws. Zero-covid was Chinas attempt at engineering a solution to a global pandemic. It plunged China into extreme lockdowns, with its people subject to repeated mass testing, centralized quarantine and metrics-driven containment. Not only was this approach eventually unsuccessful, it gave rise to social unrest and such a loss of trust in government that those who could afford it began to leave the country in droves. Decades ago, there was a similar attempt at socially engineering family life, when the state implemented a one-child policy, the disastrous consequences of which are still being felt. While the instrumental solutions of an engineering state work for problems in the physical realm, they frequently fail in social contexts. Also Read | Is the US running out of time? The Mahabharata has surprising geopolitical clues India sits somewhere between these two extremes. On one hand, we have inherited a lawyerly reflex from the Raj that gave us arcane regulations, bureaucratic processes and a penchant for compliance that pervades all our interactions with the state. But, over the last two decades, we have almost unexpectedly also developed an engineers spirit, which has made it possible for us to build powerful digital public infrastructure (DPI) solutions allowing us to significantly accelerate our development trajectory. Whats more, these solutions have withstood legal challenges, demonstrating that well-crafted engineering solutions can operate within a lawyerly construct. America and China might currently be the two poles of our modern bipolar world, but the philosophies they represent occupy extreme ends of the spectrum. And even though this has allowed them both to achieve impressive success, it has come at a significant cost. Indias DPI approach strikes a balance between the engineers single-minded focus on built solutions and the lawyers emphasis on process and procedure. While it may have only been applied to a relatively limited number of sectors so far, it demonstrates how engineers can design solutions that not only align with the law, but also ensure compliance through their design. This is the middle path to progress. One that strikes a balance between the urgent needs of development and the rights of those who benefit from it. The author is a partner at Trilegal and the author of The Third Way: Indias Revolutionary Approach to Data Governance. His X handle is @matthan. Over the last two centuries, the world has seen sustained economic growth that has lifted vast numbers out of poverty. How much did technology contribute to this remarkable achievement? A great deal, according to the Nobel Prize Committee. In recognition of the role of technology in creating new products and production methods, replacing old ones in a never-ending cycle, providing the basis for sustained economic growth, resulting in a better standard of living, health and quality of life for people around the globe," the Nobel Foundation on Monday awarded this years Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences to a trio. Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt won for academic work that explains how innovation drives progress. Mokyr, a professor at Northwestern University, US, used historical sources to show how sustained growth became the new normal by demonstrating that if innovations are to succeed one another in a self-generative process, we not only need to know that something works, but also why it doesi.e., the science of it. This was often scarce before the industrial revolution, making it hard to build upon new discoveries and inventions. Mokyr shares half the prize money with the other two awardees, who split it equally: Aghion, a professor at College de France and Insead, Paris, and The London School of Economics and Political Science, UK, and Peter Howitt, a professor at Brown University, US. They both studied mechanisms behind sustained growth. In a 1992 article, they built a mathematical model for creative destruction. This coinage is attributed to economist Joseph Schumpeter (1883-1950) and refers to a process by which new and better ideas, methods, technologies and products shake older ones out of the market, creating fresh avenues for growth while destroying what cannot compete. Innovations often result in exactly that. The destructive bit, controversially so. As the citation puts it, In different ways, the laureates show how creative destruction creates conflicts that must be managed in a constructive manner. Otherwise, innovation will be blocked by established companies and interest groups that risk being put at a disadvantage." While Nobel awards are given every year to those who shall have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind," they have never been very far from controversy. Like beauty, whats good for humanity is often subjective. In this case, the facts are beyond dispute. The role of technology in our lives is obvious. We see it not just in the realm of commerce, but in every aspect of our lives. Indeed, the pace of technological change has quickened over the past few years. What remains open to debate, however, is the role of a particular technology in todays context: artificial intelligence (AI). Given how it could effect a paradigm shift greater than what tech advances of the past did, AIs creative impact must be weighed against its destructive potential with that much more care. As with other powerful technologies (think of nuclear power), where AI takes us depends on how we humans use it. Deployed well, it could foster a creative boom. For those of us who take economic growth as a given, John Hassler, chair of the panel for this prize, had a word of caution. Economic growth cannot be taken for granted. We must uphold the mechanisms that underlie creative destruction, so that we do not fall back into stagnation." Growth is not on auto-pilot. Nor should it be. Apple has quietly dropped the plus from its streaming service, reintroducing the platform under the simpler moniker Apple TV (priced at 99/month in India). The move was revealed without fanfare, buried in a press release for the upcoming racing film F1, which premieres on the service on 12 December. A single line halfway through the statement confirmed the change: Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity. As of Monday morning, the familiar Apple TV+ logo still appeared across apps. Why the change? The rebranding appears to be aimed at clarifying Apples ecosystem. Since the launch of Apple TV+ in 2019, the similarity between the streaming service and Apples existing set-top device, also called Apple TV, has caused confusion among consumers. Many users reportedly struggled to differentiate between the device, the app, and the subscription service itself. According to Apple Insider, dropping the plus could be Apples move to simplify the brand and create a cleaner ecosystem across hardware and content offerings. Price hike and unique positioning The timing of the rebrand comes just months after Apple increased its streaming subscription from $9.99 to $12.99 per month, a jump of more than 30%. Despite the rise in price, Apple TV remains unique among major streaming platforms as it continues without an ad-supported tier, unlike Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video. Also Read | Will Apple host its October event this Year? What to expect Bigger plans on the horizon? Media insiders suggest the change may signal more than just a cosmetic update. Some analysts speculate Apple could be moving towards a more unified approach, potentially merging its hardware and streaming businesses under one brand. Others anticipate the eventual introduction of an ad-supported tier as Apple seeks growth in a slowing subscription market, according to Apple Insider. The plus has been dropped; the service is now simply called Apple TV. For now, Apple appears focused on refining its brand identity ahead of its next slate of original content, beginning with F1, starring Brad Pitt. FAQs What happened to Apple TV+? The plus has been dropped; the service is now simply called Apple TV. When will the new name take effect? Apple has not provided a specific rollout date; the rebrand was first mentioned in the F1 press release. How much does Apple TV cost? Subscriptions now run at $12.99 per month, up from $9.99. Does Apple TV run ads? No. It remains the only major streaming service without an ad-supported tier. Google announced on Tuesday that it will invest $15 billion over the next five years to establish a massive artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This will make it the companys largest such project outside the United States. Largest AI investment by Google outside the US Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, described the Visakhapatnam project as the companys largest AI hub investment anywhere in the world outside of the US. The forthcoming 1-gigawatt data centre campus will serve as a critical node in Googles expanding global network, enabling the company to power advanced AI workloads and cloud services. Earlier estimates from Andhra Pradesh officials had placed the investment at $10 billion, but Google has now confirmed a higher outlay to support long-term capacity and sustainability goals. Sundar Pichai speaks to PM Modi on Visakhapatnam AI data centre On Tuesday, Google CEO Sundar Pichai held a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the companys plans for its first-ever AI hub in Visakhapatnam, marking Googles largest such investment outside the United States. In a tweet, Pichai said,Great to speak with India PM @narendramodi @OfficialINDIAai to share our plans for the first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam, a landmark development. He further added,This hub combines gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure. Through it we will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country. Google and Adani Enterprises announce partnership Google and Adani Enterprises have announced the partnership to develop Indias largest AI data centre campus in Visakhapatnam. The multi-faceted project, valued at approximately USD 15 billion over five years (20262030), will include gigawatt-scale data centre operations. This venture, executed through Adanis joint company AdaniConneX, will be developed in collaboration with ecosystem partners including Airtel. The project includes co-investments in new transmission lines, clean energy generation, and advanced energy storage systems, supporting both the data centres operations. Speaking about the initiative, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, said, "The Adani Group is proud to partner with Google on this historic project that will define the future of India's digital landscape. This is more than just an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in the soul of a rising nation. This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of nationbuilding and our commitment to empowering every Indian with the tools of the 21st century. Visakhapatnam is now set to become a global destination for technology, and we are thrilled to be the architects of this monumental journey." Part of global race for AI infrastructure The investment comes as tech giants intensify competition to build next-generation data centres that can handle the massive computing power required for AI applications. Google alone plans to spend around $85 billion this year worldwide on expanding its data infrastructure. Rival companies such as Microsoft and Amazon have already committed billions to data centre projects in India, recognising the countrys nearly one billion internet users as a crucial market for cloud and AI-driven services. Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradeshs IT Minister, said the investment would provide a strategic advantage in an era where data is the new oil, and further strengthen Indias position as a global technology hub. Indias strategic role in the AI era Officials hailed Googles announcement as a major boost for Indias digital economy. Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradeshs IT Minister, said the investment would provide a strategic advantage in an era where data is the new oil, and further strengthen Indias position as a global technology hub. The Visakhapatnam facility will also anchor Googles broader Asia-Pacific expansion, which includes upcoming data centres in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, according to earlier reports from Reuters. For Andhra Pradesh, Google's investment in the City of Destiny represents one of the largest foreign direct investments in the states history and a signal of growing confidence in Indias technology infrastructure. From Tuesday, Microsoft will stop offering standard free support for Windows 10, the operating system still used by millions of computers worldwide. Despite the launch of Windows 11 in 2021, September figures suggest around 40 per cent of Windows users continue to run Windows 10. What this means for users According to The Guardian, after 14 October 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, security patches, or technical assistance. While devices will continue to function, the lack of ongoing support will leave them increasingly vulnerable to viruses, malware, and other cyber threats. Microsoft has highlighted that its newer system, Windows 11, meets the current demands for heightened security by default. The cybersecurity risk The publication highlighted that experts warn that remaining on Windows 10 could make users prime targets for hackers. Consumer group Which? estimates that around five million people in the UK alone plan to continue using the older system. Criminals are going to target people, they are going to exploit weaknesses and they are going to want to steal your data, said Lisa Barber, editor of Which? Tech magazine. View full Image The Guardian highlighted that experts warn that remaining on Windows 10 could make users prime targets for hackers. ( AI-generated graphic ) How to stay safe The simplest way to protect a computer is to upgrade to Windows 11. PCs less than four years old are likely to support the new system, which requires a minimum of 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a TPM 2.0 security chip, the report added. Microsoft provides a free tool to check compatibility, while Which? offers an online processor-based checker. View full Image For machines that cannot meet Windows 11s requirements, users have the option of Microsofts one-year extended security updates, which provide protection until 13 October 2026. ( Microsoft ) Options for older computers For machines that cannot meet Windows 11s requirements, users have the option of Microsofts one-year extended security updates, which provide protection until 13 October 2026. Signing in with a Microsoft account is free; otherwise, it costs $30 or 1,000 reward points. Alternatively, users may consider switching to another operating system. Linux, a free and secure alternative, offers multiple distributions, including Ubuntu, which is user-friendly and supported with regular security updates. Installation requires backing up files and using a USB drive, but detailed guides are available from Canonical, Ubuntus developer. US President Donald Trump is already miffed at the Time magazine, slamming the publication for choosing the worst picture of him for their upcoming edition's cover photo. And now, netizens can't keep calm. One X user hilariously claimed Trump's ear magically grew back," referring to the Pennsylvania assassination attempt when was Trump shot in the ear ahead of the Presidential Elections last year. Social media has been flooded with reactions after Trump lambasted the American magazine, claiming the publication disappeared his hair in the picture. While multiple netizens criticised Time and gave suggestions on what they felt could be a better picture for the cover photo of the magazine several others posted the particular picture of Trump stating that the POTUS would really hate it if someone reshared the same, adding a wicked-face emoji. Why is Trump mad at Times magazine? On Monday, Time unveiled a glimpse of its upcoming edition featuring Donald Trump with the title in bold His Triumph. Although the POTUS said that the publication wrote a relatively good story about him, they disappeared his hair, with his photo looking like something floating on top his head,' giving the appearance of a floating crown. "They disappeared my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird! I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why? Trump posted on Truth Social. Internet reacts Donald Trump really really doesnt like this photo, so whatever you do dont share it. He would HATE that, one X user wrote, along with a wicked-face emoji captioning the Time cover photo of Trump. Here's a picture Time should have used. Strong Tough and always Cool, a second person commented, along with a picture of Trump in a suit. Trump was awake at 1:30 am rage posting about the photo Time used for their cover the picture may be the Worst of All Time. They disappeared my hair What are they doing and why? Trump is finally realizing that hes truly disgusting looking, posted another user, who also happens to be a Democrat as per his X profile. They 'disappeared' my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown. Several other users reacted by posting memes. County Longford Arts Service, is inviting applications from local artists and arts organisations for four separate funding schemes: the Arts Projects Award 2026, the Artist Bursary Awards 2026, Artist Mentorship Award and Artist Residency Awards. These schemes are funded by Longford County Council in partnership with the Arts Council of Ireland. The Arts Project Award aims to help local artists and arts organisations in the development of their artist practice by supporting planned projects. These projects may include ambitious art activities or event-based arts, as well as training and development work. The maximum grant available is 5,000. Read more: Longford's anticipated 30+ Halloween Club Night is ready to rise The Arts Bursary Awards helps local artists in the development of their artistic practice. It may be used for training, research and building capacity. Applicants can come from any artistic background and work in any form. The maximum grant is 3,000. The Artist Mentorship Awards is a new award that aims to support the professional development of emerging artists through mentorship with a more experienced artist. The maximum grant available is 1,000. The Residency Award is designed to support the development of professional artists who would benefit from dedicated time away in an appropriately resourced artists retreat. Three residency awards will be available for the Tyrone Guthrie Centre and Cow House Studios. Read more: 'Pretty hardcore and intense' - Longford videographer hints at major US project Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Gary Murtagh said, "The arts in County Longford continue to flourish, driven by fresh thinking and a commitment to innovation. This targeted funding is a timely and welcome support for artists and arts organisations working across our communities. I strongly encourage all eligible applicants to consider applying. Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, "Through the work of our Arts Service, we have witnessed a growing momentum in the promotion and development of the arts throughout County Longford. Longford County Council remains committed to supporting these efforts, which celebrate our countys rich heritage and cultural identity. I look forward to the creative outcomes this funding will enable." Read more: Fire, folklore and feasting in Irelands Hidden Heartlands with Longford-Westmeath launch Longford artist and previous recipient of the Arts Bursary Award, Dani Gill said, The bursary from Longford County Council was transformative in allowing me time, materials, and support to progress my sculptural work. All artists need support to thrive and nurture their creative spark. Having the bursary allowed me to build on ideas and to work with new processes. It is significant to have the belief of your local authority behind you, investing in your artistic development. This was huge, to feel supported in making and following that path. The closing date for all schemes is Tuesday, 02 December 2025. Late applications will not be considered. For further details, including how to apply and terms and conditions, visit www.longfordarts.ie Longford County Council was proud to be part of the Midland Region STEM project which was the sole Irish initiative to be shortlisted for the Innovation in Politics Awards in Vienna. As the 2025 European Capital of Democracy, Vienna hosted this years Innovation in Politics Awards, celebrating bold political leadership and outstanding democratic innovation from across Europe. Read more: Councillor submits proposal to relocate North Longford bottle banks At a festive gala in Vienna City Hall, eight winning projects were announced, selected by over 1,000 European citizens from more than 300 submissions spanning 34 countries. 'Driving STEM in the Midlands' was recognised in the Education category. Remarkably, this is the third shortlisting for Longford County Council amongst Council of Europe member states at the Innovation in Politics Awards in recent years and an accolade which sets Longford County Council apart from other local authorities in Ireland. Longford County Council was shortlisted in 2019 for the Longford Nua App; in 2021 for the Rural Working Hub Strategy and now once again in 2025 for Driving STEM in the Midlands project. The same staff members from Longford County Council have also been involved with all three of these pioneering projects. The Midlands Region (Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath) is proud to be Irelands first region to establish a dedicated STEM ecosystem. This pioneering initiative unites key stakeholders to foster skills that meet the changing demands of the labour market, underpinned by a shared belief that regional resilience and innovation are deeply interconnected. As an EU-designated Just Transition Region, the Midlands is addressing structural challenges through a triple helix model of collaborationlinking enterprise, education, and public sector partners via the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan and the Midlands ICT Network. This strategic approach promotes inclusive, future-oriented regional development built on sustainable skillsets. Read more: Longford County Council roadworks: Two day traffic disruption for Killoe The regions commitment to STEM is reflected in a range of engaging, hands-on programmes that have already impacted thousands of students. Highlights include: VEX Robotics, where three Midlands teams have qualified for the World Finals. STEM Passport for Inclusion, offering a Level 6 qualification and direct access to STEM university courses. DREAMBIG, a week-long immersive experience in partnership with 16 manufacturing companies, giving young people real-world exposure to STEM careers. Together, these initiatives demonstrate the power of regional collaboration to unlock opportunity, spark ambition, and inspire the next generation of innovators setting a benchmark for other regions to follow. Read more: Councillor wants two digital signs to combat 'speeding' in South Longford area Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, Being selected as a finalist in the EU Innovation in Politics Awards 2025 is a prestigious recognition, highlighting the honour of being shortlisted among Europes most forward-thinking initiatives. It also reflects the strength of our regions commitment to inclusive, hands-on STEM programmes that are already changing lives and opening doors for thousands of young people. Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon said, This recognition affirms the Midlands commitment to inclusive, future-focused development. Driving STEM in the Midlands is not just a projectits a regional movement built on collaboration, ambition, and belief in our young people. Being shortlisted among Europes most innovative initiatives reflects the strength of our partnerships and the transformative impact of STEM on communities across Longford and beyond and Longford County Council is proud to play a crucial role in this exciting initiative. Representing the Midlands were Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh; Director of Services, Longford County Council John McKeon; Broadband Officer, Longford County Council Christine Collins; STEM Engagement Officer, Longford County Council Siobhan Grealy; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Barry Walsh and Broadband Officer with Laois County Council, Antoinette Brennan. The Innovation in Politics Awards 2025 featured an exchange conference where Director of Services with Longford County Council John McKeon, Antoinette Brennan and Broadband Officer with Longford County Council Christine Collins presented the 'Driving STEM in the Midlands' Project. The awards gala took place in Viennas historic City Hall. This event brought together policymakers, experts, finalists, and engaged citizens to exchange ideas and celebrate political innovation. Supermarkets and fish mongers across Ireland could face shortages of fish in the near future as fishermen have warned of stocks at crisis levels. The Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) raised the issue at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs on Tuesday. Their CEO, Aodh ODomhnaill, made a presentation to the committee in which he outlined the key concerns of Irish fishermen. He pointed out that despite occupying 12% of EU waters, Ireland receives less than 6% of EU fishing quotas. He described the current situation as a perfect storm with key stocks at crisis levels, created for the most part by the actions of others. New international scientific advice recommends drastic quota cuts for next year, including cuts of -70% on mackerel, -41% on blue whiting and -22% on boarfish. READ NEXT: ALERT: Irish people warned of highly infectious illness as Japan declares epidemic Reacting to these potential quota cuts, Mr ODomhnaill said: Mackerel, our highest-value export, is now below safe biological limits. This is a direct result of years of unchecked overfishing by non-EU coastal states, including Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Russia. We repeatedly highlighted this overfishing to the EU to no avail. Now, Irish fishermen and coastal communities are paying the price for the rogue practices of others. He also highlighted the potential economic impact such quota cuts could have on Ireland. For Ireland, the economic stakes are enormous. Mackerel alone is worth 94 million in annual exports to premium European and Asian markets. A 70% cut could wipe out 6680 million next year. When combined with reductions in blue whiting, boarfish, and whitefish, total losses across fishing, processing, and logistics could exceed 200 million in 2026. If decisive action is not taken, Irelands pelagic and whitefish sectors - which underpin our coastal economies and heritage - could collapse within a year, risking up to 2,000 jobs. Mr O'Domhnaill criticised the EU for its inaction and diplomatic failure, saying that Ireland is being uniquely penalised for compliance while others are rewarded for overfishing. International scientists regularly study fish populations, reproduction rates, and ecosystem health to estimate sustainable catch levels. The ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) gives advice to the EU on how to best distribute fishing quotas to its member states. Ireland, as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), then receives its quota from the European Commission. Such significant quota cuts look set to have an impact on the availability and prices of fish in Ireland, including in shops. Reduced catches will likely mean less fish arriving in Irish ports and subsequently, arriving in Irish shops. The IFPO has reiterated its calls for immediate, decisive action to address the issue. Al Nujaba militia fighters affiliated with Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, which is significantly comprised of Iranian proxies, march in Iraq. It is no secret that the Islamic Republic has long sponsored proxy groups abroad, yet far less is known about how these same networks have been used to protect the regime at home. Lebanese Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite militias, and the Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigade have all played roles in suppressing anti-regime movements inside Iran. Recently, reports of these fighters harassing Iranian female university students have ignited a new wave of public outrage. Between October 6 and 11, residents of Irans western Hamedan Province protested after reports emerged that Iraqi fighters studying at Bu-Ali Sina University had been targeting Iranian female students for so-called temporary marriagesa practice permitted under Shiite law and frequently exploited by entities affiliated with Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to sexually exploit women and children. In response to the outrage, Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian claimed that some 80,000 Iraqi nationals are studying the culture of the [Islamic] Revolution in Iranian universities. As part of its doctrine of exporting the 1979 Revolution, the regime recruits many of its foreign proxies for indoctrination and training inside Iran. Guised as students, these men are, in reality, loyalists of the Islamic Republic, most of whom have prior military backgrounds. A greater concern over these foreign fighters stationed inside Iran is their deployment during periods of domestic unrest to suppress dissenta practice first reported during the 2009 protest wave. Centered largely in Tehran, the 2009 protests, known as the Green Movement, marked one of the first major anti-regime uprisings in recent history. Numerous reports at the time described the regimes foreign proxies participating in the crackdown, with the German Der Spiegel writing that some 5,000 Lebanese Hezbollah fighters were deployed to assist with the crackdowns. The regime later released a state-produced documentary attempting to discredit those accounts. However, its extensive propaganda campaign to refute the story only reinforced suspicions that the reports were accurate. By 2019, the strategy of employing foreign proxies domestically was no longer covert. When floods devastated parts of Iran that year, the regimes first response was not humanitarian relief but the deployment of foreign militias to the most affected areas, ostensibly to maintain order but, in practice, to deter dissent. In Khuzestan Province, a longstanding flashpoint on the Iraqi border, members of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigade, including elements of the US-designated terrorist group Harakat al Nujaba, were sent in. Caravans of armed fighters patrolling flood-stricken cities looked more like occupation forces than disaster aid workers. Locals described the show of force as deliberate intimidation, particularly after security units shot and killed a local dissident amid the chaos. Mousa Ghazanfarabadi, who was then the head of Tehrans Revolutionary Court, issued an explicit, official threat in 2019 when he said, If we do not support the [Islamic] Revolution, the Iraqi Hashd al Shaabi, Afghan Fatemiyoun, Pakistani Zeynabiyoun, and Yemeni Houthis will come to support it. Foreign fighters were again deployed during Irans nationwide 2022 protest wave, known as the Women, Life, Freedom movement. That year, The Jerusalem Post reported that members of Hezbollah and Iraqs Hashd al Shaabi paramilitary forces assisted Irans Basij paramilitary militia in cracking down on demonstrators, citing eyewitness accounts of plainclothes men with Lebanese-accented Arabic suppressing protests in multiple citiesechoing similar reports from 2009. Likewise, the London-based Iran International claimed that around 150 Iraqi Hashd al Shaabi and Kataib Hezbollah fighters, aged between 25 and 30 and dressed in special uniforms with black bags, had entered Iran to help quell the unrest. Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence. Manchester, VT (05254) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. High 28F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy with snow showers around before midnight. Low 17F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 30%. Mohegan Sun in Connecticut created a new Sky Slot Tournament Zone, which was unveiled Tuesday. Mohegan Sun As slot tournament popularity is on the rise, Mohegan Sun in Connecticut created a new Sky Slot Tournament Zone. During slot tournaments, participants are randomly assigned to slot machines and are given unlimited spins for a certain amount of time. Players win points as they hit winning combinations or bonuses on the reels and the more spins completed within the set time, the greater the chances are to enhance the total score. The scores for all the rounds of tournament play are totaled to determine the overall tournament rankings. The new slot zone has more than 40 slot machines and all of them are IGT games, including Wheel of Fortune, Hex Breaker, Cleopatra and Stinkin Rich. Slot tournaments at Mohegan Sun often feature prize pools of up to $50,000, the casino said in a press release. The next tournament is on Nov. 11. First place gets $5,000. But players up to tenth place win cash prizes. Players must be 21 years or older. Overall, there are about 4,000 slot machines and more than 300 table games at the Connecticut casino. There are two areas, Casino of the Sky and Casino of the Earth, that offer slot machines. Earlier this year, Mohegan Sun became the best place in the country to play slots, according to USA Today. Experts narrowed down the list from over 1,000 casinos across the country to the top 20. In the list, Mohegan Sun was included. Then the public had a chance to vote on their favorite. These 20 casinos, nominated by a panel of experts, stand out for their exceptional slot offerings. From classic reels and video slots to cutting-edge machines with progressive jackpots, these casinos expansive selections are sure to keep the excitement going. High payout rates, enticing bonuses like free spins, and vibrant, comfortable slots floors make each of these casinos a must-visit for anyone who loves to play, USA Today wrote. Mohegan Sun also placed second for best casino hotel and second for best casino outside Las Vegas. For those who need help with responsible gaming, call the helpline at 1-800-327-5050 or go to GameSenseMA.com. Alec Baldwin and Stephen Baldwin attend the Chairman's Brunch during the 33rd Hamptons International Film Festival on October 12, 2025 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images) Getty Images Alec Baldwin is a bit shaken up after the Academy Award-winning actor was involved in a Northeast car crash that he says was caused by the biggest garbage truck Ive ever seen. The 30 Rock star and his brother Stephen were involved in a car accident in which their Range Rover crashed into a tree in the Hamptons on Monday, Oct. 13, Page Six reported. Baldwin, 67, was in town for the Hamptons International Film Festival, which began on Oct. 5 and concluded on Oct. 13. Baldwin and his brother did not appear to be injured in the crash. The Emmy winner said he and Stephen were both doing fine in an Instagram video posted later in the day Monday. This morning I was in a car accident. A guy cut me off in a truck, a big garbage truck. I mean, a garbage truck the size of a whale...It must have been something commercial, like taking away material from construction or something. It was the biggest garbage truck Ive ever seen. To avoid hitting him, I hit a tree. I hit a big, fat tree, he continued. I crushed my wifes car, I feel bad about that. But its all fine. And Im fine. And my brothers fine. Baldwin went on to thank the East Hampton Police Department for their efforts. After mentioning that hes going to Los Angeles to see family, Baldwin ended the video by showing appreciation for his wife. Hilaria, I love you more than anything. And Im very proud of you, he said. The crash came at the same time that a Noreaster had moved through the Northeast. On Monday morning, East Hampton police posted a weather alert on Facebook alerting residents of debris, downed trees and wires, high winds, heavy rain and flooding. Please limit travel to avoid falling tree limbs or downed wires, and allow Highway Department crews room to work safely on removing trees and debris, police wrote. Annaliese Wilbur graduated from Boston Conservatory in 2023 and is now part of the national tour of Six: The Musical." Submitted by Annaliese Wilbur Before coming to Boston, Annaliese Wilbur had a very different plan for their life. They wanted to be a neurosurgeon. Wilbur went to Syracuse University on a merit scholarship to study neuroscience with the hopes of one day becoming a surgeon. But the thought of musical theater kept creeping to the front of their mind. It was like, you know what? I dont think Im in the right place, Wilbur recalled. Thats when they transferred to the Boston Conservatory starting over, but finally finding the right path. Graduating in 2023, that path has now brought them full circle, returning to Massachusetts as part of Six: The Musical, the Tony Award-winning musical coming to Worcester on Tuesday. The musical is about the six wives of Henry VIII, who take the microphone to reclaim their identities. ... remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power, the website states. This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over! Wilbur is an alternate, meaning they must be able to cover multiple roles at a moments notice. If theyre not on stage, youll either find them in the audience studying all the moves or doing the entire show by themselves in their dressing room. Their science brain and the skills learned in pre-med and engineering classes allow them to visualize an aerial view of the stage, helping them keep track of all the queens steps. It also helps them analyze each character on a psychological level, allowing them to understand the characters more deeply as they step into their shoes. Wilbur, however, didnt know much about the women prior to the show. I never learned about Anne Boleyn in school, they said. I was shocked that Henry completely made an entirely new religion to marry this woman. Catherine of Aragon is the hardest queen to play, Wilbur said, because following the first number with all the actors, you then have to scream your face off for another four minutes. And their favorite part of the show is when the queens come together in a semicircle to sing the most beautiful harmony your ears will ever hear. And its just that moment in the show where everyone starts to cry, and it just feels like sisterhood at its finest, they said. To be part of this sisterhood on stage, Wilbur has come a long way. Growing up, Wilbur didnt know musical theater was a career option, and they didnt spend their childhood taking acting or singing lessons. I was very scared because I felt really behind. I had taken dance my whole life, but I had never had a singing lesson, never had an acting lesson, they said. And I was in a class with a lot of kids who had grown up with theater or had done theater from a young age some Broadway kids. It was very intense." But with a lot of practice, extra training and professors they remain grateful for, Wilbur finally felt ready to chase their dream. They were previously part of the national tour of Funny Girl. My biggest advice for parents specifically is let your child try, Wilbur said, adding that they understand that it isnt always easy. And for children thinking about what they want to do when they grow up, Wilbur hopes they, too, follow their heart. Six: The Musical is in Worcester from Oct. 14 to 19. Itll then be in Providence, Rhode Island, from Oct. 22 to 26. The first location of Shaquille ONeals Big Chicken to open in Massachusetts is relocating under new management. Big Chicken at the Northshore Mall in Peabody has closed and is moving to Beverly and will reopen in early 2026, a spokesperson for the company told MassLive Tuesday. We are excited to continue serving the North Shore with our BIG flavor and larger-than-life guest experience, the spokesperson wrote in a statement. In the meantime, we will be focused on connecting with the local community and finding more ways to bring people together through bold food and BIG fun. The Peabody store opened at the Northshore Mall at 210 Andover St. in Peabody on July 10, 2024. Founded in Los Angeles in 2018, Big Chicken fuses ONeals home-cooked childhood favorites with todays trending flavors. Menu items include chicken sandwiches such as The Ultimate and Shaq Attack as well as Cheez-It-crusted mac ncheese and ice cream shakes. After debuting in Peabody, the chain announced plans to bring six more restaurants to the state including in Boston, MetroWest, Cape Cod and the North Shore. Big Chickens only other Massachusetts location now is in Wrentham. Big Chicken has more than 300 locations nationwide in dozens of cities, stadiums and even cruise ships. Big Chicken has also expanded overseas with its first international location opening at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England. A woman in her 70s died after becoming trapped on the third floor of burning house in New Bedford. On Oct. 9, there fire was at 396-398 Elm Street in New Bedford around 8:30 p.m. First responders learned on the way there that residents were trapped on the second and third floors of the multi-family home. Once at the house, firefighters saw fire coming from the second floor and heavy smoke coming from the second and third floors. They immediately made entry through a stairwell. They found one person, the woman in her 70s, and rescued her from the third floor. She was taken by New Bedford EMS to a nearby hospital. The woman, who was in critical condition, was later transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she died. Officials have not released the womans name. The fire does not appear suspicious but the exact cause has not been determined, according to officials. The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by the New Bedford Fire Departments Fire Investigation Unit, New Bedford Police, and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshals office, and State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorneys office. Nearly a dozen residents have been displaced from their homes and are being assisted by the Red Cross. A food delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint by three men in Braintree on Friday, according to the Braintree Police Department. The driver had been making a food delivery on Skyline Drive when it happened. The driver then called 911. When police arrived, the driver was visibly upset, but uninjured. Police offers were able to find the drivers unoccupied vehicle, a Nissan Maxima, near the Skyline Apartments management office, which was a short distance from where it was taken. The car was still running and the front passenger door was open. Items from the car were strewn on the ground outside the car. Quincy officers brought the Quincy K-9, while Massachusetts State Police assisted with its Air Wing. Multiple K9 tracks were conducted but ultimately did not discover the suspects. Braintrees drone unit was also activated. However, police were not able to find the three suspects. Police are asking anyone with information, cell phone video or home surveillance video to please contact the Braintree Police Department at 781-794-8620 or submit a tip online at www.braintreepd.org. A Massachusetts man serving a life sentence for raping and kidnapping a nurse at work in 1977 was denied parole. On Oct. 7, the Massachusetts Parole Board cited Robert Cantells lack of rehabilitation and recent disciplinary issues as reasons for its decision. The board concluded that Cantell has not demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society. It noted that since his last review, Cantell has incurred nine disciplinary reports, including three for possession of pornographic materials. The board also found that he has completed minimal programming and lacks insight into his sexually motivated behaviors. This marks the ninth time Cantell has been denied parole since 1992. He was previously granted parole after a hearing in 2010 but was sent back to prison approximately five months later after his parole was revoked. He had violated his parole for possessing a four-inch knife and owning magazines containing provocative and revealing pictures of women. Cantell was 20 years old on April 2, 1977, when he broke into a New Bedford nursing home around 3 a.m., abducted a female nurse at knifepoint, and drove her to an isolated area. He then raped and sodomized the woman before abandoning her. Later that year, a Bristol Superior Court jury found Cantell guilty of rape, kidnapping, armed burglary, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and engaging in unnatural acts. Bristol County Assistant District Attorney Jose Vasquez testified in opposition to parole at Cantells May 7 hearing. A friend of Cantells testified in his support. His next parole review is scheduled in three years. Generative AI was used to draft this story, based on data provided by the Massachusetts Parole Board. It was reviewed and edited by an editor. Mass. State Police Sgt. Gary Cederquist leaves U.S. District Court in Boston after his arraignment on more than 50 charges, Jan. 30, 2024. (Will Katcher/MassLive) A former sergeant in the Massachusetts State Police was sentenced to six years in prison on Tuesday for his role in orchestrating a scheme to provide commercial drivers licenses to applicants who hadnt earned them, in exchange for material goods such as a new driveway, bottles of water and candy. Gary Cederquist, 60, was convicted of a laundry list of criminal charges following a trial in federal court. Jurors found him guilty of multiple counts of conspiracy to falsify records, conspiracy to commit extortion, honest services mail fraud, falsification of records, aiding and abetting falsification of records, false statements and aiding and abetting false statements. He was also convicted of a single count of extortion. That all adds up to 48 counts of a 74-count indictment against Cederquist and several co-conspirators, all of whom either pleaded guilty or reached an agreement with the government to avoid trial. Cederquist was acquitted of nine counts. Cederquist wore a blue suit with an American flag pin during the hearing. He entered the courtroom with a handful of supporters, including his wife. Addressing U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani before she handed down the sentence, Cederquist expressed regret for his actions, saying he had let down present, past and future members of the State Police. He noted he worked for the commonwealth for more than four decades. I would like to say Im sorry, he said. In explaining her sentence, Talwani told Cederquist his crimes represented very, very substantial corruption on multiple occasions. Part of what you did is destroy other peoples lives around you, she said. Cederquist did not answer when a reporter asked for comment after the sentencing. His family and friends declined to comment. Kevin Reddington, Cederquists defense attorney, said Talwani articulated her rationale for the sentence effectively. Reddington deemed the sentence very fair, speaking to a reporter outside the courtroom. Cederquist and three other troopers who worked in the Commercial Drivers License Unit Perry Mendes, Calvin Butner and Joel Rogers were indicted in January 2024. Along with the four troopers, two civilians Scott Camara and Eric Mathison also faced charges. Butner, Camara, Mathison and Mendes all pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Rogers entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the government. On top of the prison time, Cederquist will have to pay a $30,000 fine, restitution totaling $18,300 and a special assessment of $4,800. Cederquist will also serve two years of supervised release. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of nine years in prison for Cederquist. Federal sentencing guidelines calculated by probation call for a sentence of 97 to 121 months, or 8 to 10 years. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Deitch said in court Tuesday that Cederquist ran the CDL unit as his own criminal cartel. Deitch emphasized the danger of Cederquists actions: every time he took a bribe, or passed a driver who failed a test, or administered an incomplete test, or did any of the other conduct he was convicted of, he was endangering the people of the Commonwealth, the prosecutor said. Cederquists case is the most egregious example of police corruption prosecuted in recent memory in this courthouse, Deitch said. His conduct is more egregious than the State Police troopers or Boston police officers convicted of overtime fraud, he said, because the consequences [were] far more dire and the conduct far more brazen. In their sentencing memo, prosecutors wrote that Cederquist transformed the CDL Unit into a criminal enterprise doling out commercial drivers licenses to his own friends and acquaintances, or to people willing to pay to play, as he alone saw fit, prosecutors wrote. He openly mocked applicants who proved they could not drive the trucks for which they sought licenses and, so long as they had the right connections or were willing to pay, made sure they got CDLs anyway. Reddington did not contest that Cederquist deserved jail time for his conduct. Cederquist recognizes he needs to be punished, Reddington said. Reddington acknowledged Cederquist was in a different situation than other defendants, having gone to trial and being convicted, rather than resolving his case ahead of time. But at trial, Cederquist did not testify in his own defense and did not present any evidence other than cross-examination of witnesses. The commercial drivers license scheme, Reddington wrote in a sentencing memo, was simply the sad end of [an] otherwise respectable law enforcement career. In issuing her sentence, Talwani drew a distinction between what she described as low-level corruption: letting friends and family cut the line to get licenses, for example, and what Cederquist did. I dont know how much of it was shortsighted and how much of it was callous, she said. The fact that Cederquist, who ran the unit, was the one who orchestrated the scheme, was used by Talwani as a reason to give out lighter sentences to his co-defendants. Cederquist is required to report for his prison sentence in six weeks. Mr. Cederquist, I wish you luck, Talwani said before adjourning the hearing. A Massachusetts woman was rescued Monday afternoon after she fell and injured her leg while hiking the Basin Cascade Trail in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Ye Guo, 53, of Belmont, Massachusetts, slipped and fell while hiking down the trail, injuring her leg and leaving her unable to walk, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The department was notified of the injured hiker at approximately 2:30 p.m. on October 13. Volunteers from the PEMI Valley Search and Rescue Team and conservation officers responded to the trailhead to carry out Guo. Rescuers hiked to her location and secured her in a litter before carrying her down the trail to a waiting LinWood Ambulance. The rescue team arrived at the ambulance at 4:30 p.m. LinWood Ambulance took Guo to Littleton Hospital for further treatment of her injury. The incident prompted Fish and Game officials to remind hikers about proper preparation for outdoor activities. The department recommends carrying ten essential items to stay dry and warm: warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain and wind jacket and pants, knife, map, and compass. Additional hiking safety information is available at www.hikeSafe.com. Generative AI was used to organize information for this story, based on data provided by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. It was reviewed and edited by MassLive.com. A 16-year-old was killed during a 21st birthday party held at 333 Howard St. in Northborough in 2024. (Charlie McKenna/MassLive) Charlie McKenna/MassLive A historic home in Northborough that was the site of a fatal shooting during a party last spring recently sold for $1.65 million, records show. A deed filed with the Worcester County Registry of Deeds on Oct. 3 shows the home at 333 Howard St. was sold to a couple from Holliston. The homes previous owner bought the property in 2010. The Vera Green House at 333 Howard St. was designed by architect Doak Martin for Vera and Albert L. Green in 1953, the Northborough Historical Society wrote in a Facebook post in December 2021. The homes walls are made of roughly cut granite slabs that alternate between vast expanses of glass with horizontal siding made of cypress, the society wrote. Martin who designed several large buildings in greater Worcester was clearly inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright in the design of the home, crafting a large and fully realized example of the organic architecture Wright envisioned. The flat, horizontal roofs of the house, the natural granite and cypress used to build it, and its open-plan are defining characteristics of this type of architecture, the society wrote. The wooded setting of the house furthers the sense that it was brought forth from its surroundings. Northborough officials identified the 333 Howard St. property as potentially deserving of national historic registration. A Zillow listing for the property says the 4,200-square-foot Frank Lloyd Wright-style home has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms and an in-ground pool. The listing also shows a cottage on the property with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a bar and a pool table. The shooting there happened on May 12, 2024. Last year, Worcester County prosecutors announced they were looking for 20-year-old Erik Coelho Dos Santos from Brockton, who they charged with carrying out the killing, but he has not been found. Ygor Correia, 16, of Milford, was killed by a single gunshot wound at a massive 21st birthday party held at the property. On the night of the shooting, police arrested three men on gun charges after stopping a car leaving the party. The case against one, Wallisom Texeira Da Silva, is still pending in Westborough District Court. Another, Arnoldo Nogueira Filho, was deported to Brazil, according to court records. A trial assignment conference in the case against Pedro Desouza-Passos is scheduled for December. A person was rescued off Martha's Vineyard on Monday afternoon in the midst of a nor'easter sweeping across Massachusetts. (Falmouth Fire Department) Editors note: This story was updated at 9:08 a.m. with additional information from the U.S. Coast Guard. Exactly how a person ended up in the water off Marthas Vineyard on Monday, in the middle of a noreaster storm, is under investigation by local police. It was before 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 13, when a Steamship Authority ferry was traveling off Marthas Vineyard in Woods Hole, according to the Falmouth Fire Department. The ferry crew suddenly spotted a person in the water near Juniper Point and tried to save them, throwing out buoyant life rings and calling for help, the department said. The Falmouth police and fire departments sent out more people for the water rescue. The person was originally aboard the Ferry Nantucket and was spotted overboard by the Island Home. It is not clear how the individual fell into the water, a statement from the Coast Guard read. But given the ongoing storm conditions from the noreaster sweeping across the state, the seas were too rough and visibility too poor for the first responders and the crew to rescue the person. They called the U.S. Coast Guard and the Harbor Masters Office for help, the fire department said. A Coast Guard helicopter flew to the scene, while officers on boats from the Coast Guard, Falmouth Fire Department and the Environmental Police began a coordinated search on the water. The search began to shift to waters off of Nobska Point and at 4:25 p.m., after just under an hour of searching, the person was found by the the helicopter crew, the department said. A rescue swimmer was sent from the helicopter to save the person, and the two were then hoisted aboard, the department said. The person was then flown to land on Cape Cod and brought to Falmouth Hospital. Their condition was non-life threatening as of Monday night. The Falmouth Police Department is investigating the circumstances of how the person entered the water, the fire department said. After the Massachusetts Institute of Technology rejected an offer from the Trump administration to sign a compact for preferential access to federal funding, the federal government is inviting other U.S. colleges to join, a White House official told MassLive. The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education was initially sent to nine institutions on Oct. 1. Though federal funding would remain available to all of the institutions, these schools would have an advantage in obtaining large grants. The initial nine institutions still have time to respond to the compact, according to the White House official. While an anonymous source told Bloomberg that the Trump administration has invited all U.S. colleges to participate in the compact, a White House official told MassLive that the administration hasnt proactively reached out to all institutions. However, of course, we would not turn away universities that are wanting to make a positive difference and lead the way, the official said. As part of the compact, the institutions would have to: ban race or sex-based hiring and admissions; freeze tuition for five years; cap international undergrad enrollment at 15%; require that applicants take the SAT or a similar test; and reduce grade inflation. These are just a few of a series of requirements; others involved creating better environments for conservatives. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that higher education has lost its way and is corrupting youth. My Administration is fixing this, and FAST, with our Great Reform Agenda in Higher Education. Our Nations Great Institutions will once again prioritize Merit and Hard Work before group identity, he said. For those Institutions that want to quickly return to the pursuit of Truth and Achievement, they are invited to enter into a forward looking Agreement with the Federal Government to help bring about the Golden Age of Academic Excellence in Higher Education, he later added. The other institutions invited included Vanderbilt University, Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Arizona, Brown University and the University of Virginia. Brown and the University of Pennsylvania have signed deals with the Trump administration. Notably absent on the list was Columbia University, which also penned a deal with the federal government in July. Harvard University was also not on the list of nine institutions. President Donald Trump recently claimed his administration reached a $500 million deal with the university, but quickly reversed course and told reporters that the federal government was close to finalizing the agreement. Sally Kornbluth, Massachusetts Institute of Technologys president, wrote on Friday that the compact is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone. MIT was the first institution to reject the compact. In response to MITs rejection of the compact, Liz Huston, a White House spokesperson, said the Trump administrations only request is for universities to end discrimination. Any university that refuses this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform higher education isnt serving its students or their parents theyre bowing to radical, left-wing bureaucrats. The truth is, the best science cant thrive in institutions that have abandoned merit, free inquiry and the pursuit of truth. President Trump encourages universities to join us in restoring academic excellence and commonsense policies," Huston said. The death of a Roxbury woman on Monday marked the 27th homicide in Boston this year, more than were recorded all of last year, which officials acknowledged was a historical outlier. Only 24 homicides were recorded in the states largest city in 2024, the lowest figure in decades. This time last year, the city had seen 18, Sgt. Detective John Boyle, a spokesman for the police department, confirmed. Boston is on pace for about 34 homicides this year, a figure more closely in line with the three years before 2024. The city saw 37 homicides in 2023 and 40 in 2022 and 2021. Still, despite the rising number of homicides, the number of shootings recorded in the city has remained relatively stable compared to last year. As of Oct. 12, there had been 15 fatal shootings and 91 non-fatal shootings in Boston. By Oct. 12, 2024, there were 16 and 93, respectively, according to data provided by the police department. Over the past decade, around 70% of homicides in Boston have occurred in either Roxbury, Dorchester, or Mattapan, according to a report from Northeastern University with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. The Suffolk County District Attorneys office told MassLive earlier this year that its focus was on working ever closer and harder with our law enforcement and community partners, no matter if crime trends move up or down. We know there will be variances each year. Our overarching goal is to keep Bostons homicide and overall crime rate low compared to the citys historic past, Jim Borghesani, a spokesman for the office said. A Pioneer Valley lawmaker who serves in the Massachusetts National Guard soon will be headed to the nations southwestern border. Details were scant, but state Sen. John C. Velis, D-Hampden/Hampshire, confirmed in a brief statement Tuesday that his unit had been activated and would be sent to the border in the imminent future. Velis, a Guard major, was not available for comment. His office will operate normally and will continue to assist constituents with any and all inquiries. In 2010, Velis joined the U.S. Army and deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, according to his campaign website. In August 2017, he spent a month near the North Korean border, where he participated in joint military exercises with the South Korean forces. During Velis second deployment to Afghanistan in 2018, he was promoted to major, his campaign said at the time. In 2023, Velis was among about 250 Massachusetts National Guard soldiers who were activated to provide basic services to migrant families in the state shelter system, MassLive previously reported. Wilmer Puello-Mota appeared in a video released Aug. 19, 2024, by the Russian Ministry of Defense. (Screengrab via Youtube) The Republican The following editorial is from the opinion page of The Republican newspaper in Springfield. It reflects views of the newspapers leadership and not necessarily those of MassLive. Readers are invited to share their opinions by emailing to letters@repub.com. It wasnt just the Holyoke city solicitors considered opinion, as the saying goes. The circumstances that led a fugitive from justice to seek permission to vote in next months Holyoke election are, as Lisa Ball put it, certainly unique. Bizarre is more like it. More than a year after he fled criminal charges in Rhode Island and joined the Russian military, Wilmer Puello-Mota got a wild notion. He took a few minutes from whatever malevolence occupies his days to rekindle a connection with the land he left behind. In early 2024, Puello-Mota vamoosed off to Russia instead of surrendering to answer a charge of possession of child sex abuse photos. Soon after arriving, he appeared in a video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense. I dont consider myself a traitor, he said in one video. The United States and Russia are not at war. No, just a mercenary. We thought that might be the last the world hears from this especially lost soul. Instead, Puello-Mota recently began pestering Holyokes city clerk and registrar of voters with emails asking for an absentee ballot to vote in the municipal election in a few weeks. He gave a mailing address in Russia; the current Holyoke census still lists him as a city resident. Puello-Mota apparently wants to support the one or two municipal candidates not yet put off by his criminal conduct or his decision to flee the U.S., rather than enter an expected guilty plea and face a possible 18 months in prison. Asking for an absentee ballot is an innocent request from an innocent person, but Puello-Mota is not that person. Hes the former Holyoke city councilor who became a serial dissembler (see forgery and counterfeiting in his Rhode Island court file) who continues to set a new standard for moral bankruptcy. It didnt take the secretary of states office long last week to advise Holyoke that people incarcerated on a felony forfeit the right to vote in Massachusetts. Though Puello-Mota isnt incarcerated, he might still be, if he hadnt flown off via Turkey to sign up for Russias grinding and immoral war against the people of Ukraine. Clearing him to vote on an absentee basis would set a precedent of rewarding fugitives from justice, according to the secretary of states office. In this case, it would also sanewash this mans decision to operate drones that threaten Ukrainian civilians. If Puello-Mota valued elections, he shouldnt have moved to Russia. Worcester police are long overdue for a civilian oversight board that aims for ultimate transparency and public trust, a highly anticipated report released on Tuesday from the Worcester Regional Research Bureau found. These findings follow a scathing Department of Justice (DOJ) report on the Worcester Police Department released in December 2024. This called out Worcester officers for their use of excessive force, their disproportionate effects on Black and Hispanic people and said they performed unwanted sexual acts with people in undercover operations. Immediately after that report, City Manager Eric D. Batista announced he would prepare his own report for the Worcester City Council to review for the creation of a civilian review board. In March, Batista had announced the Worcester Regional Research Bureau would be conducting a study about civilian review boards, which would then be available for review. At the time, this report was expected in the late spring. Later that month, Batista said he would reserve his opinion on whether Worcester Police needed a civilian oversight board until after that report was released. This 27-page report from the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, finally released Tuesday, said the police department is overdue for an oversight board. The findings contended that any oversight board should have, amongst 14 other listed baseline features, the power to subpoena Worcester police for testimony and records. It also said there should be structured member training requirements and access to police data systems. The Research Bureau found that Worcesters current accountability systems which include the Bureau of Professional Standards, the Human Rights Commission, the Investigations Division of the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the state POST Commission may fall short of best oversight practices. Civilian oversight of police has been debated in Worcester for more than half a century ... [and] despite these repeated discussions, Worcester has not established a civilian oversight body, the report read. Worcester is one of the largest cities in the United States and second largest in New England, the report continued but it remains one of the few major cities in the nation without a civilian review board or comparable oversight structure. Additionally, the DOJ report highlighted systematic weaknesses in Worcesters internal accountability systems. At a city council meeting in March, several Worcester residents spoke in support of a civilian oversight boards creation. Some said it would provide accountability and transparency of the police department. The civilian review board I think would be a good idea, said Nathan Karpowich, a resident of Worcester. During that meeting, the city council also asked Police Chief Paul Saucier about details in the DOJ report and the revision to police policies made in the wake of the reports release. Some of these changes include prohibiting the deployment of police dogs at mass gatherings or riot scenes and making it so that WPD officers can only be allowed to conduct enforcement without having a subject of an investigation enter a vehicle. Karpowich said these changes are a step forward but more oversight is needed. Its something but its nowhere close to what we want, he said. Its something to be an opening conversation to move forward. The Jack and Jill Charity Boutique in Castlebar is calling on to the local community this Halloween by collecting pre-loved costumes and spooky decorations to support children with complex medical needs. Any gently-used costumes, accessories, or spooky decor can be dropped off at the shop to be resold in support of Jack and Jills vital work. The charity provides in-home nursing care and respite support to families across Ireland caring for children with severe learning disabilities, often linked to complex medical needs. Store Manager Sinead Murray said the team is hoping for another fang-tastic response this year. Costumes often only get one wear before kids and adults grow out of them or want to try something new. Instead of letting them gather dust, why not give them a second chance to scare here in Castlebar? she said. As people start pulling out decorations and planning their Halloween looks, wed love for them to think of us for any items they no longer need. Stacey Bohanna, Head of Retail at the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation, said the campaign is not just about sustainable fashion but about making a real impact locally. READ MORE: Mayo Airbnb providers will be required to register their property from next May Halloween is the perfect time to embrace shopping sustainably, and what better way than by donating or buying pre-loved costumes and decor in our boutiques? she said. Every item donated or purchased directly helps us support the 13 children currently under Jack and Jills care in Co. Mayo. Since 1997, weve cared for 107 families in the county. This campaign is about the community coming together to help local families in a fun, affordable, and environmentally friendly way. Three criminals from Mayo who beat pensioner Tom Niland to death in his home to steal his money had a combined total of 106 previous convictions, a court has heard. One of the three, John Irving (31), had 57 convictions including for burglary, theft, arson, criminal damage and endangerment. Inspector Paul Kilcoyne told the Central Criminal Court that in May 2013, Irving and two other men burgled the homes of two elderly men in the early hours. One of the men was struck with a crowbar and his house was ransacked. The second victim, an 82-year-old man who lived alone, awoke at 5am when a gas cylinder was thrown through his window. Irving of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo; Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina Co Mayo; and John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina all pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this year. They attacked Mr Niland at his home at Doonflynn, Skryne, Co Sligo on January 18, 2022 and took his wallet, containing about 800. After the assault, the three men drove to a wilderness area where they disposed of the wallet and gloves containing DNA evidence that later linked them to the crime. They then drove to Ballina to settle a bill at Casey's Garage where they had been unable to pay when they filled up at the same station hours earlier. Mr Niland, meanwhile, managed to cross the road and alerted neighbours despite having suffered brain injuries, a fracture to his eye socket and multiple rib fractures. An ambulance took him to Sligo General Hospital where he initially seemed to improve before his condition deteriorated. He was put on life support but died from his injuries about 20 months later. All three defendants were initially charged with murder but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later lowered the charge to manslaughter. Harman and Clarke pleaded guilty to manslaughter on July 7, the day their trials were due to begin. Irving initially pleaded not guilty to manslaughter but on day six of his trial, he changed his plea to guilty. Having heard evidence yesterday (Monday), Mr Justice Paul McDermott will sentence the trio this Thursday. Prosecutor Tony McGillicuddy SC said the DPP believes the offences warrant headline sentences of 15 to 20 years. At yesterday's hearing, Det Sgt Michael Kelly read out statements by Mr Niland's cousins Michael Walsh and Sandra Culkin. Ms Culkin described the victim as an independent, quietly spoken man who lived alone, worked hard and was a treasured member of the community. She said he was a devout Catholic and never caused any harm to anyone and would regularly go out of his way to help anyone in need. READ MORE: Mayo contractor jointly awarded construction of underpass at Dublin Airport Coming to court, she said, was a trauma for which the family was not prepared. The three killers showed no sign of remorse or guilt at any point and caused them to endure multiple hearings that dragged out the suffering. She described visiting Mr Niland in hospital every day, watching him suffering, struggling to breathe and with tears rolling down his face. In court, she said, the family cried as they watched the final footage of Tom purchasing a newspaper at his local shop before driving home to the nightmare that would unfold. He was robbed of his independence, his freedom and his life, she said. We feel only pain and the loss of an integral part of our family and our daily lives. Now we are left only with memories of the wonderful man he was. Ms Culkin added: We want the perpetrators of this cruel and vicious act to receive a sentence which reflects the impact this whole ordeal has had on our family and our community, and a sentence that recognises the magnitude of this brutal attack which led to Tom's untimely death. Mr Walsh recalled seeing Mr Niland in a hospital bed. I didn't recognise him, I walked past his bed before a nurse redirected me to where he was. His injuries were so horrific that I couldn't believe it was him. The family has been robbed of the joy and warmth of his presence leaving only emptiness and sorrow, he said. In evidence, Inspector Kilcoyne told Mr McGillicuddy that gardai were alerted to the assault by Mr Niland's neighbours, who found him wandering across the road from his house on the N59 between Ballina and Sligo covered in blood and with his eyes swollen shut. Before succumbing to his injuries, Mr Niland made a statement in which he said he had been watching the news at 6pm when someone knocked on his door. When he answered, he saw three men with their faces covered so that he could see only their eyes. They pushed him into his house and shouted, Where is the money? We know you have money. He tried to grab one of them but they punched him in the face, all at the same time. He fell but said the three continued punching and kicking him as he lay on the ground. One of them searched his pockets and took his money. They went on to ransack his home. A doctor who treated him described his injuries as similar to what you would expect in a head-on crash or a fall from a ladder. Although he died almost 20 months later, on September 30, 2023, State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers found that the cause of death was the blunt force trauma to the head suffered at the hands of his three attackers, Sgt Kilcoyne said. READ MORE: Mayo man to present at Dail meeting on returning Irish emigrants Clarke had 22 previous convictions, one for theft and one for a drug offence. The remaining 20 relate to road traffic offences. Harman had 27 previous convictions including six for theft, five for drug offences, and one each for burglary, endangerment, criminal damage and a threat to kill. In mitigation, Patrick Gageby SC, for Irving, said his client has a long history of ADHD and began taking drugs at a very early age. He said reports since Irving went into custody indicate that he has remorse for and insight into his offending. He wrote a letter of apology to the victim's family. Mr Gageby asked the court to consider that his client's list of previous convictions did not involve offences against the person. Mr Gageby said he doesn't dissent from the DPP's assessment of a headline sentence between 15 and 20 years but asked the court for leniency. Desmond Dockery SC, for Clarke, said his client entered an early guilty plea and his previous offences are almost exclusively for road traffic offences. A prison chaplain wrote a report for the court which states that Clarke's main concern now is for his relationship with his children. He has expressed remorse and wrote a letter to the Niland family. Michael Bowman SC, for Harman, said his client also offers an apology although he appreciates that is too little too late for Mr Niland's family. He said his client took responsibility for his actions and should benefit from his early plea of guilty. The new Assisted Human Reproduction Authority (AHRRA) has been set up today following the establishment of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 legislation that was signed in in July. The AHRRA is a statutory and evidence-based regulatory agency that will aim to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of children being born through surrogacy, surrogates, and the intended parents of children born through surrogacy. The Authority was established today by Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. READ NEXT: The simple NCT trick that could save you from driving with an expired disc "Assisted human reproduction (AHR) technologies are a critical component of modern healthcare. The new regulatory structure is crucial to ensuring the health, wellbeing, and legal rights of children born through AHR or surrogacy, intending parents and donors," she said. Dr Brian Tobin is a member of the board for the AHRRA. He was speaking about the establishment of the new Authority on Newstalk this morning. He explained how the AHRRA will be responsible for approving surrogacy agreements both in Ireland and abroad. "The AHRRA for short, will not be able to approve every international surrogacy jurisdiction that people have been utilising up until now, for example jurisdictions where conflict is taking place like Ukraine will no longer be accessible," Dr Tobin said. The body will also be responsible for creating a National Surrogacy Register that will contain details of the child, surrogate, donor, and intending parents. READ NEXT: Gardai stand down search for missing 13-year-old amid significant development "This new body will be responsible for maintaining that register and that's one way that the child's rights to identity is protected," Dr Tobin added. He also said that the intending parents must be vetted to ensure they will not pose a risk to the child after it is born through surrogacy. If you are thinking about assisted reproduction or surrogacy, Dr Tobin recommends that the first port of call is a lawyer or doctor. He added that there will soon be a AHHRA website with all relavant information. Mayo's latest art exhibition, The Crow Gallery, is opening in Westport during Westival 2025, the town's upcoming arts and music festival. The exhibition, which will be in the vacant The Local public house on Castlebar Street, will include art from local artists with disabilities as well as artists who submitted work through an Open Call on the theme of disability justice. The work will explore perceptions of disability, challenge attitudes, examine ableism, and spark dialogue and discussion of the lived experience of people with disabilities. It will look at what meaningful inclusion is, promote visibility, contribution, and community, and deliver a positive shift in how society views difference. This is the first stage of a longer-term project that hopes to deliver a permanent gallery, coffee shop, gift shop, and artist studios where disabled and non-disabled artists can work side by side. The goal is that people with disabilities will vision, plan, and run the space with whatever level of support is needed. Ultimately, the Crow Gallery will be a community space where people of all ages and abilities can meet and share ideas and time. This first stage will allow the impact of the exhibition and the gallery to be measured and assist in the development of a long-term plan. It will also allow exploration of what else the gallery space could support: youth gatherings, writing workshops, older folks meetings, and plenty besides. Anna Wall is the driver behind this project. She has seen, through research and through the lives of those around her, the gap in opportunities and quality of life for people with disabilities. Maitiu Quinn, a local artist, and Amber Walsh, her daughter, were her inspirations. The Crow Gallery idea was chosen to be part of the Ideas Academy run by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland in 2024. In 2025, she participated in a Mayo County Council Arts Office Workshop facilitated by the artist Kari Cahill, which helped put an ambitious and comprehensive plan together. The development of The Crow Gallery would not have been possible without the advice and support of many local artists and creatives. Cas McCarthy, Fiona Keane, Christine Prescott, Caroline Masterson, Mags Duffy, Dearbhla Ryan, and Katriona Gillespie have all been vital brainstorming buddies. Paul Michels gave the use of the building, Frank OReilly compiled the poster, Charlotte Murray assisted with social media, while Saoirse Wall assisted with design of the logo. The official opening will be on Wednesday, October 22, at 8pm, and there will be an earlier opening at 2pm for those who prefer a quieter daytime opening. An iDonate page has been set up to raise funds for the upcoming exhibition. The funds will cover signage, equipment, artists' fees, lighting, and other expenses. Any excess funds will go towards a website and starting the next stage of the project. The iDonate page can be found here. MAYO people who advertise their property for short-term letting on platforms such as Airbnb will have to register their property with Failte Ireland and may be required to get planning permission. Members of Mayo County Council were informed that changes to short-term letting which will be introduced next May will mean that people who want to advertise on Airbnb will have to be registered and those who operate for more than 90 days per year will have to get planning permission. The information was confirmed by Catherine McConnell, the Director of Services with responsibility for planning, following questions on the subjects by two west Mayo councillors at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council yesterday (Monday). READ: Mayo contractor jointly awarded construction of underpass at Dublin Airport We are looking at a situation in May next year where everybody involved in short-term holiday rental will have to be registered with a national registration. It will require planning permission if you are going to be using a unit for longer than a certain number of days and I think that is about 90 days in the calendar year. Obligation PEOPLE will have an obligation if they want to continue to rent their property as a short term holiday rental on a continuous basis to seek planning permission, she explained. Ms McConnell added that the moment the onus is on the owner of the property to self declare but from May onwards they will not be allowed to advertise on platforms like Airbnb without registering with Failte Ireland. Independent councillor John OMalley told the meeting that he had spoken to people who let their property on Airbnb and they will have no option but to sell the property if they have to apply for planning permission. Some people have told me that they will have no choice but to get rid of that house. We need Airbnbs because there are not enough hotels and even if there are, not everybody can afford a hotel. The Airbnbs in rural areas are very important as they bring people into rural areas and we welcome that. Do they have to get planning just because they are using Airbnbs because if that is the case it is scandalous, he said. A recent Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) study found that the concentration of Airbnb listings in the Westport area is among the highest in Ireland with one in three private rented properties in the area listed on the popular homesharing platform. Ms McConnell said that there were a number of residential units in towns like Westport and Killarney which were not being made available for permanent occupation and were pushing rental costs upwards. Blight WESTPORT-based councillor Peter Flynn had earlier asked for a report on what Mayo County Council were doing to address what he called the blight of Airbnb in towns like Westport. My issue is not with people renting a room or part of their house or chalet or people in rural areas where you dont have hotels or hostels. Mine is focused on town centres within our county where we cannot find locations for people to rent and I make no apologies for that. I will continue to fight the fight in relation to getting people living permanently in town centres and not having a transient community, he said. When questioned on how this will be enforced, Ms McConnell said she suspected this will be the responsibility of the local authority. Ballinrobe-based councillor Michael Burke commented that it was a lot more attractive for people to use platforms like Airbnb than to let a property long-term and heard of one person in Galway who is letting 24 properties on Airbnb. Cllr OMalley agreed saying that people prefer to let short-term as there have been incidents where people have had to spend up to 20,000 repairing a house after a tenant vacanted it. Every generation leaves behind something an idea, an attitude, a way of living that defines its time. For ours, that legacy seems to be intentional action. From choosing sustainable products to supporting social causes, were a generation that believes being good and doing good arent mutually exclusive. And thats exactly what Seagrams 100 Pipers Travel Gear celebrates with its latest campaign one that highlights real individuals whose journeys are built on purpose, compassion, and meaningful impact. Be Remembered For Good In its latest initiative, Seagrams 100 Pipers Travel Gear takes its iconic philosophy Be Remembered for Good to a new level. The campaign shines a light on four inspiring changemakers whove dedicated their lives to creating lasting positive impact. These include Bhumi Pednekar, an acclaimed actor and passionate climate warrior; Kunal Kapoor, actor and social entrepreneur; Anand Malligavad, Indias celebrated Lake Man; and Taran Chhabra, co-founder of the sustainable footwear brand Neemans. Together, they represent a cross-section of modern India creative, conscious, and committed to leaving the world better than they found it. The Real Faces of Change At the heart of the campaign are authentic stories people who didnt just talk about change, but lived it every day. 100 Pipers Bhumi Pednekar, a long-standing advocate for environmental causes, has supported numerous climate awareness initiatives, documentaries, and NGOs. I have always believed that we can leave a positive mark on the world and in our community through our actions, says Bhumi. Thats why Im excited to partner with Seagrams 100 Pipers Travel Gear to inspire people to make a positive impact on society. Anand Malligavad, whose lake restoration projects have transformed Bengalurus water ecosystem, adds, My commitment to lake revival is equaled by my passion to inspire others to join this vital cause. Im glad to be on this journey to Be Remembered for Good with 100 Pipers. After a rocky start with Zoya Akhtars The Archies on Netflix, Amitabh Bachchans grandson Agastya Nanda is gearing up for his first major theatrical debut with Ikkis, a project that had been under speculation for quite some time. Maddock Films recently unveiled the announcement for Ikkis, with producer Dinesh Vijan sharing two striking posters. Agastya Nanda is showcased in a powerful avatar, portraying Arun Khetarpal, the youngest officer to be awarded the Paramvir Chakra. Maddock Films Announcing the poster, Maddock Films wrote, On the birth anniversary of Arun Khetarpal, Ikkis, a story that will forever stay in our hearts, is wrapped. Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films present #Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan, a true untold story of the youngest officer recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. What Are People Saying About Ikkis? People are more excited about Jaideep and Srirams pair and are accusing Maddock Films of being the new Dharma Productions for only giving nepo kids a chance. One user commented, Dinesh Vijan keep giving chances to nepo but only KJo receives the trolling. Vijan gives nationalistic themed movies to Sara, pahariya and Agastya, so there will be less criticism. Maddock make movies in bulk, this year Chhaava was big hit and then 4 flops - Tehran, Param Sundari, Sky Force, Bhool Chuk maaf. Thamma and Ikkis are upcoming. Another user commented, Bollywood stop with these war / patriotic movies. They are done to death. Give us a young college comedy movie with young actors, a thriller, murder mystery, slick heist film, a fun family film which is not only a loaded north Indian loud family. Something fresh. One user sarcastically reacted, It feels like some dystopian universe where shriram raghavan decided to collaborate with agstya nanda after watching the spectacular archies Reddit/BollyBlindsNGossip Another user reacted, Sriram Raghavan and Jaideep Ahlawat making a film with Agastya as the lead just doesnt sit right, man. Gonna wait for the trailer before judging tho. But Maddock doesnt seem too confident either; Dhurandhars already dropping in December, lets see how this one plays out. After Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel Studios is now ready with Wonder Man. The official teaser for the Disney+ series was released during the NYCC (New York Comic Con). Although it had been previously confirmed by Kevin Feige that the MCU will be seeing a full reboot after Avengers: Secret Wars releases, there may still be hope. Created by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest, the series will introduce Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, with Sir Ben Kingsley returning in the role of Trevor Slattery. The teaser trailer was supposed to quench the fans curiosity, but it only ended up raising more questions. Wonder Man Could Follow Marvels New Formula Marvel Studios There was something that Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps did that was different from most of the MCU projects that have come out since Avengers: Endgame. While the franchise often tries to input a message in their shows and movies, they often seem forced. Unfortunately, that has been a pattern they have rarely skipped. It has only been in recent times that films could express morals and messages in a natural manner. The importance of companionship and family are only two such examples. Wonder Mans release could also mark one such win. The teaser for the series starts off by addressing superhero fatigue and how, by doing it right, that term loses all its meaning. This was effectively proven by James Gunns Superman. By the looks of it, Simon Williams story would follow the struggle of an up-and-coming actor in Hollywood. It could very much be the most unique show the franchise has released to date. Wonder Man Could Be The New WandaVision Thanks to Crown, Decostar is improving ergonomics and reliability within the warehouse Dutch home decor wholesaler Decostar has significantly improved the efficiency of its warehousing operations after expanding its long-standing partnership with Crown. The company, based in Apeldoorn, supplies a wide range of indoor and outdoor decorative items under its own Countryfield brand as well as products from selected manufacturers. From its 21,000m distribution centre in IJsselmuiden, Decostar serves wholesalers, retailers and major retail chains across Europe. Rapid growth in recent years has increased the companys storage and handling requirements, prompting investment in new forklift technology to speed up pallet movements and improve efficiency. Around 11,000 items are now stored across 29,000 pallet positions in four warehouses, with volumes swelled each year by container shipments from the Far East. Decostars relationship with Crown dates back to 2013, when it acquired its first fleet of lift trucks. Since then, the collaboration has grown to include 16 units, with pallet trucks and order pickers used for loading, unloading and picking tasks. Many of the trucks are fitted with extended forks, enabling staff to handle multiple pallets at once and reduce unnecessary travel through the aisles. Supply Chain Manager, Bastiaan Vosselman, highlighted the role of Crowns ESR Series reach trucks in boosting performance. The outstanding thing about it is the particularly fast pallet lifting and lowering, he said. This saves us a great deal of time because we then spend far less time waiting in front of the shelves. Our highest racks are over 11 metres high, so these faster processes quickly add up to considerable time savings. According to Decostar, the Xpress Lower technology fitted to the ESR Series trucks has accelerated pallet handling by more than 18 per cent. Average throughput per reach truck has risen from 185 pallets per shift to 219, delivering five-figure annual savings in the first year of operation. Integrated cameras mounted on the forks have further improved safety and precision when accessing goods at height. The fleet also includes two SP Series high-level order pickers, which offer operators spacious compartments and performance-oriented lift and driving functions for safe and fast retrieval at height. Historically, the warehouse struggled with seasonal surges, particularly before the spring and Christmas retail seasons. Improved order management and workflow reorganisation, combined with additional Crown trucks, have helped to smooth capacity throughout the year and reduce the need for short-term rentals during peak demand. Vosselman said the decision to continue with Crown was straightforward: Weve grown considerably in recent years, which has resulted in a demand for additional lift trucks. We decided in favour of Crown because weve already had a good experience with their products in the past. Crown lift trucks are reliable and safe. And weve always had a pleasant working relationship and become accustomed to Crowns excellent service. Decostars workforce has also benefited from technology enhancements such as pick-by-voice headsets, integrated with the warehouse management system. The voice-directed system gives precise picking instructions and reduces errors, while operators confirm completed orders by voice command before moving on to the next task. All Crown lift trucks in operation are designed with ergonomics in mind, reducing physical strain and helping maintain long-term operator health. Their robust build and intuitive handling have also minimised downtime, ensuring consistent operational readiness in a fast-moving supply chain. This is the second of a two-part story. Drones have dramatically altered the global paradigm of modern warfare, providing militaries and personnel worldwide with myriad capabilities on and off battlefields to subdue enemy attacks and infiltrate foreign territory. One foreign volunteer to Ukraines Armed Forces has translated his wartime experience to boost the next generation of electronic combat. The next iteration of military prowess is already here, in the form of aerial devices that continue to transform real-time tactics in terms of reconnaissance, surveillance and logistics. Ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and Gaza continue to show the importance of electronics in both defense and strike capabilities. Jack de Santis has firsthand witnessed how drones and elevated technology can improve a countrys broader military structure. The 34-year-old drone pilot and engineer originally from Croatia lent his expertise to Ukraines military for about two years, between December 2022 and January 2025, to boost technological capabilities and better equip Ukraine against Russian aggression and retaliation. He is the founder of Omira Systems AI, described as a next generation self-healing communications system that aims to shift centuries-old battlefield tactics to conform to the current age of technological capabilities that have already impacted various parts of the world. Stalemate Caused By Draconian Tactics Jack de Santis had no prior military experience prior to risking his own life to help the Ukrainians in 2022, spurred by the conflict in the Balkans in his home region that impacted his decision decades later to lend his own hand. While being green on the battlefield, he utilized his background in computer hardware engineering and piloting drones to try to encourage military personnel to pursue more contemporary forms of warfare. Jack de Santis, 34, sits on a panel at the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) conference. NGAUS is a non-profit organization focused on national security and supporting the Army and Air National Guard. (Jack de Santis) The task was perhaps more difficult than envisioned, with de Santis saying that in the first of the Russia-Ukraine War the bureaucracy of a conventional military came in, and that's where the war really turned into a stalemate. There are a couple of things that happened there, other than the change of the head of the [Ukrainian] Armed Forces that turned it into a stalemate, he said. One is, in the first year of the war, there were several missed opportunities for the Ukrainians to really break through and to really kick out the Russians before the Russians managed to get their act together. They were also very disorganized in the first year. They also, with time, managed to build fortified positions and entrench themselves in, which would make it a lot harder today to kick them out than it would have been in the first year. And a big part of the reason why those opportunities were missed in the first year was due to hesitation from Western partners. That insinuated hesitancy on behalf of the then-Biden administration to potentially be more aggressive, which de Santis believes was a position derived from hesitancy and hurling into World War III, had further repercussions. There were also the technical beliefs of war that stemmed from top military leaders in Ukraine, many of whom gained their knowledge from the Soviet Union and possess decades-old war acumen that may not translate well to the present. It is really such a stark contrast between having this trench warfare and Soviet-style tactics, de Santis said. A lot of Ukrainian officers were trained to become officers in Moscow, so they have this very old school, almost World War II-type mentality of how to conduct warfare. And at the same time, you also have all of this drone warfare, electronic warfare, and all of this high-tech stuff happening all at the same time, all kind of mashed together. It is really fascinating at times. He said that since Russias invasion in February 2022, the Ukrainian military has been going through a big internal struggle to modernize itself and veer away from that Soviet-era mentality. American military personnel have also pushed for Ukraine to modernize its forces and switch to a more Western-style combined arms warfare approach. But it's hard to teach a 65-year-old general new tricks, so to say, de Santis said. One problem in common During his time in Ukraine, which included running Ukraines White Ghost drone program and working with volunteer fighters known as the Dark Angels, de Santis split between fighting and working on technology with the military. He worked on numerous systems including flying drones, ground drones, naval drones, electronic warfare, battery and power solution, and radio technology. Jack de Santis meets Maj. Gen. Edward Vaughan, executive director, Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. They met along with the Ukraine Integration Group. (Jack de Santis) But of all of the things that I worked on during my time in Ukraine, I really saw everything had this one problem in common, and that was jamming and electronic warfare, he said. It was disrupting everything from battlefield tactics and being able to coordinate in real time on the battlefield. This is also one of the biggest blockers why Ukraine [is], let's say, slowing down the adoption of combined arms warfare in the Ukrainian military. It's the inability to communicate on the battlefield because comms are always jammed. Jamming is known more colloquially as intentionally interfering with enemies electromagnetic signals to disrupt their communications, radar and navigation systems by means of sending false signals or creating noise that infiltrates opposing forces. You can't really have a commander sitting in the back coordinating things in real time; you cannot have the guys who are in the battle reporting back to command what they're seeing, what is happening, de Santis said. It makes combined arms warfare almost impossible that way. Also, other things like calling for backup or calling for a medevac [medical evacuation] are almost impossible because the majority of the time you're constantly working. So, one of your guys in your unit is wounded during a combat operation, you are on your own to evacuate to at least the closest position from where you can receive further aid. A lot of drones are now switching to fiber optic cables due to jamming and the spectrum being so congested, he added. Developing New Technologies Omira AI was a mission embarked upon years ago. Brainstorming by de Santis began back in 2023, pondering what could be done about jamming and elevating internal electronic systems. That included conversations with the Ukrainian Army Corps of Engineers. He came up with a new method to communicate and conduct radio broadcasting that he said is completely new and unlike any other radio that has ever been built before, both civilian and military. That translated to working on an extra-wide spectrum, from 100 megahertz to 8 gigahertz, picking frequencies by being aware of nearby spectrums and using multiple frequencies at the same time in a redundant manner. This is based off what I identified on the battlefield as being like the main bottleneck of jamming technology, and that it's how much power you need to jam a single frequency, he said. And then the wider you want to go with a jammer, it gets pretty crazy pretty quickly. Jack de Santis speaks at the DLD (Digital Life Design) Conference in January 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Jack de Santis) Some of the largest Russian systems are composed of multiple command trucks that together compose an electronic attack system, yet he said they can still only jam about 500 megahertz of spectrum at once. However, thats enough to cover all of the bands that the U.S. military has conventionally been allowed to use. All of the NATO standard radios are also pretty useless because the Russians developed the technology that covers the entire band that those radios are using, he added, which is equivalent to frequency hopping within a block of a completely jammed spectrum where you're not really going anywhere. This is where Omira came [from], just as out of frustration on the battlefield, watching my drones drift away and I've been watching my friends die because they couldn't call for a medevac or they couldn't call for backup, de Santis said. Advancing Tech in the U.S. By early 2024, de Santis started networking with different current and retired military personnel as a means of eliciting funding to bring networking systems to the next stage of technology readiness. He has met with ex-U.S. Air Force service members, U.S. Army personnel, the National Guard, and even members of the CIAthe latter of whom told him that tech being developed by Omira and counterparts are several generations ahead of anything else out there. That has led him into inner circles in Washington D.C., working in tandem on this newer technology now with the U.S. governmentreceiving support from the highest levels of the Pentagon, Department of Defense, and lawmakers in Congress. It took me a long time to convince anybody in Europe or in the U.S. that this is something important and that this is something that we should be paying attention to and probably even more attention than drones, he said. I always tell people here, the Russians and the Chinese invested billions and billions of dollars into developing their electronic warfare capability. While their capability is less high-tech than what the U.S. has, it's far greater in numbers. In the Russian military, every squad basically has a jammer with them. Every vehicle on the battlefield has a jammer with them. And even the Ukrainians are still playing catch-up in terms of electronic warfare capabilities and the sheer quantity of it. Jack de Santis is pictured with Maj. Gen. Edward Vaughan, Executive Director of Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell (right) and a member of the Dark Angels military volunteer group (left) in the summer of 2025 in Washington D.C. He routinely attends conferences in the stateslike the U.S. Army National Guard conferences, for exampleto forge relationships in this space. His message to partners and allies is a simple one: move fast or get left behind. In the U.S., electronic warfare has been considered very niche, high-tech and specialized. Meanwhile, de Santis points out how adversaries choose to invest a lot n electronic warfare when they could have taken the same amount of money and built a bunch of planes or aircraft carriers, etc. It's because they understood that by denying the U.S. communication and coordination in real time, they make our combined arms warfare doctrine impossible to do, he said. And that's where things fall apart and we don't know how to fight without combined arms warfare. Those are things that the US and our allies are not training and not preparing for at all. We rely so much on coordination and communication on the battlefield, and we are not really looking at it and not really paying attention to what is happening or developing even theoretical procedures for how to fight in such a scenario. Artificial intelligence on the battlefield is another goal, though de Santis acknowledges that hes never seen AI or autonomous drones on the battlefield aside from one-off prototypes. I got to sit down in a room with five generals from the Army, Air Force and National Guard [following one conference in Milwaukee] and brief them more in depth on drone warfare and the realities of it, he said. We booked one hour, we ended up speaking for 3 1/2 hours. That was pretty surreal for me to sit down with five U.S. generals and to be briefing them and sharing knowledge with them. But this really opened my eyes on one, how much we take the most basic information that we take for granted in Ukraine; how much NATO and U.S. troops don't know about those things. He added: It got me thinking that with me and with my guys from Ukraine, I could really start putting together a program for training the U.S. military in drone warfare because we have experienced everything from squad level, all the way to battalion and brigade level. I worked my way up in Ukraine from drone pilot all the way to advisor to the battalion commander for drone and electronic warfare. ... There is really a lot we could teach the U.S. military. BRUSSELS (AP) NATO defense ministers will meet on Wednesday to try to drum up more military support for Ukraine amid a sharp drop in deliveries of weapons and ammunition to the war-ravaged country in recent months. The ministers will also debate a call from NATOs commander to lift restrictions on the use of their aircraft and other equipment so they can be used to defend the alliances eastern border with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine more effectively. A series of mysterious drone incidents and airspace violations by Russian war planes has fueled concerns that President Vladimir Putin might be testing NATOs defensive reflexes. Some leaders have accused him of waging a hybrid war in Europe. Moscow denies probing NATOs defenses. Military support for Ukraine dwindling Russias conventional war on its neighbor is now focused on Ukraines power grid ahead of winter. Moscows latest campaign is aimed at disabling Ukraines power supply, denying civilians heat and running water as temperatures drop. At the same time, new data on Western military aid to Ukraine is showing that it plunged by 43% in July and August compared to the first half of the year, according to Germanys Kiel Institute, which tracks defense and financial support to Kyiv. The fall occurred even after European allies began buying American weapons for Ukraine under a financial arrangement known as the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL. The United States does not donate any equipment to Ukraine, either through the scheme or bilaterally. Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have been buying U.S. weapons to send to Ukraine. But Italy and Spain, among other members of the 32-nation alliance, are sending very little compared to these NATO partners. Time and again, some countries are lagging far behind what they should do, a senior NATO diplomat said ahead of the meeting. If Ukraine falls, he said, defense expenditure will be much higher than 5% of gross domestic product, NATOs current and ambitious spending target. The diplomat briefed reporters about the concerns on condition that he not be named as they weren't allowed to speak to the press. Many countries Italy among them are struggling with economic challenges. France believes European money would be better invested in Europes defense industry rather than that of the U.S. and it does not intend to take part in PURL. Defending NATO's eastern front The deployment of air defenses to NATOs eastern flank has not yet deprived Ukraine of military resources. But the alliances top officers want countries to lift restrictions on the equipment they sent there to defend NATO airspace against threats from Russia. We still have some of these national caveats, and they are holding us back. They are making us less effective, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told lawmakers in Slovenia on Monday. NATO set up an air defense operation dubbed Eastern Sentry last month after several Russian drones entered Polish airspace. Its one of three air defense operations along the eastern flank. The second works in the Baltic Sea region, and a third covers Polands border with Ukraine. U.S. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, NATOs Supreme Allied Commander, or SACEUR, believes the response to the airspace incidents in Poland and Estonia was text book. But he wants to be free to use aircraft in any one of those missions elsewhere, providing a unified air shield with common rules of engagement. Restrictions on when fighter jets are allowed to fire weapons also pose challenges. The more national caveats are on, especially our fighter jet assets, the harder it is for SACEUR, U.S. NATO envoy Matthew Whitaker told reporters ahead of Wednesdays meeting. Grynkewich is conducting a review of what he thinks NATO needs to manage the new challenges it is facing, diplomats say. He's expected to share his plans with member countries early next year. ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI Macomb County wins a contest no local government wants to. Its home to the most frequently closed beach in Michigan. The beach at Veterans Memorial Park in St. Clair Shores was closed or under an advisory for 53 days this year far outpacing other beaches in Michigan with multiple closures, according to a new analysis from the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) in Chicago. The beach on Lake St. Clair, which goes by St. Clair Shores Memorial Park in state record-keeping, is tested twice per week by the Macomb County Health Department. The beach struggles with bacterial contamination that county officials call a troublesome problem with no easy solution. It accounted for 41 percent of the 129 total beach closures or advisory days across Michigan this year, according to the analysis. Thats actually an improvement at the local and statewide levels. The beach was closed 96 total days in 2024, which accounted for 44 percent of the 215 total closure or advisory days across Michigan last year. That beach presents a particular challenge when it comes to contamination, said Jeff Johnston, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). Johnston and county officials called the shape of Veterans Memorial Park a large contributing factor. The beach its tucked into a pocket next to a hardened peninsula, which disrupts water flow along the shoreline and gathers organic material and debris. This structural issue makes the beach more susceptible to high bacterial counts that lead to advisories and closures, Johnston said. Veterans Memorial Park in St. Clair Shores, Mich. Google Maps The shape of the park isnt the only factor. The park is in a highly urbanized watershed and rainfall washing pollutants and bacteria into the water is a well-known factor in beach closures. Its a small beach in a very populated area with a lot of people, a lot of wildlife, Tom Barnes, environmental services director at the Macomb County Health Department. According to state data, closures at Veterans Memorial Park tend to last several days longer than what is typical at most beaches. Since 2018, Macomb County has used $229,000 in state grant money to pay for testing and microbial source-tracking at its Great Lakes and inland beaches. Although sewer overflows (CSOs and SSOs) into Lake St. Clair are a chronic problem, Barnes said the bacterial counts generally arent high enough to contribute beach closures to them. The long-problematic Chapatan storage basin, which was recently enlarged in a project officials hope will reduce overflows by half, is south of Veterans Memorial Park and the prevailing current flow along the shoreline is southerly. Beach closures happen when an average of three water samples measure above 300 per 100 milliliters (mL) for E. coli bacteria, a threshold set by Michigans total body contact standard for recreational swimming. Were not getting off-the-chart numbers, Barnes said. Sometimes we might get to 1,000 but that wouldnt tell me thats a CSO- or SSO-related event. Most of the bacterial sources arent coming from humans, he said. Dog, geese and gull are typically the highest markers in bacterial tracking. I think a lot of it is battling the issues with water flow on that beach, Barnes said. Swans along Lake St. Clair shoreline, July 2010. NOAA GLERL Then theres the muck. Lake St. Clair has a chronic problem with benthic cyanobacteria which grows in shallow water and forms dense mats that wash ashore and decompose. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been studying the problem and suggests that it may warrant large scale and expensive mechanical removal on some heavily-impacted shorelines. The muck may be aiding bacterial growth at Veterans Memorial Park by further impeding water flow in an area that already struggles with it. Its sort of like clogging things up in a way and slowing the water flow down even more. Things stay in there and stagnate. Its a potential area for growth, too, he said. Nancy Stoner, a senior attorney at ELPC and former senior administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who authored the beach closure analysis, said most closures at urban beaches are associated with rainfall and runoff. Youre not going to have perfection, Stoner said. Youre not going to have a situation, usually in an urban area, where you never have any E. coli in the water. But its a question of addressing the sources and using techniques that exist to reduce the amount of storm water and sewage pollution that reaches the waterways. Barnes theorized that lower lake levels and construction work on the beach itself this year have contributed to a reduced closures/advisory count over 2024. St. Clair Shores spent $65,500 on a beach revitalization and improvement project this year. City park department leaders did not return calls. Its a lot of factors, Barnes said. With the shape of the beach, if youve got an area of muck and algae thats growing, that needs to be manually removed and scooped out of there. Theres a lot of that. They have dogs that chase geese out, he said. Thats one of the big things that most beaches do; have goose-chasers to try to keep them off. But thats only so effective. Youve got a lot of wildlife down there and they cant be out 24 hours a day. Its going to be a combination of things, Barnes said. Beach management and public education is going to go a long way. And continuing to investigate where some of the stuff might be coming from. A purple gallinule was spotted on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Whitefish Point harbor in Paradise, Mich. It was the first-ever recorded observation of this species in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This bird is typically seen in the southeastern United States. Clay Bliznick | Michigan Audubon PARADISE, MI A walk along this stretch of Lake Superior shoreline can provide more than panoramic views of the tumultuous Great Lake. A bird observatory is nestled at the tip of Whitefish Point, noting the movements of winged travelers as they migrate each spring and fall. The point is widely considered Michigans premier birding hotspot. Jutting out into the huge lake, the point acts as a natural migration corridor, bringing thousands of birds through the flyway. This Globally Important Bird Area has recorded over 340 bird species, including songbirds, waterfowl and birds of prey. RELATED: Long legs and toes are something else on showstopper bird species seen for first time in U.P. Michigan Audubon runs the observatory, and staff members write weekly blogs on bird counts and other activities. One field ornithologist even hosts weekly guided tours to help visitors spot rare feathered friends. Clay Bliznick, field ornithologist for Michigan Audubon, hosts the migratory bird walks from 9-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 15 at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in Paradise. A view of Whitefish Point from a webcam installed at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road in Paradise. Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society Rain or shine, visitors meet at the small white building on the southeast side of the cul-de-sac. Theres no cost and no registration required to participate. The early tour includes hiking trails, walking the shoreline and boardwalks, visiting birdfeeders, and stopping at observation decks. The walk is about 1.5 miles of moderate terrain, including sand and dirt paths. The later tour includes boardwalks, the shoreline and bird feeders. The walk is less than one mile of easy terrain, including dirt paths. RELATED: Thousand-duck days have arrived as fall waterbird migration picks up All ages and birding levels (including non-birders) are welcome. Dressing in layers is recommended as the weather can change quickly. Organizers also recommend comfortable shoes, along with packing sun protection, bug repellant, binoculars, water, snacks and a camera. A backpacker hikes along Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com MUNISING, MI -- There are still visitors roaming Michigans national parks along the shores of Lake Superior. Theres also quite a bit of door rattling at the locked visitor center and headquarters. National parks are on a shoestring staff as the federal government shutdown rounds into a third week. The skeleton crew is shaken as the rumors of federal firings came true on Friday when seven agencies issued reduction-in-force notices to more than 4,000 workers some of which have already been reversed. The National Park Service was not among the federal agencies that had firings, but the general mood among workers is wary and anxious, said Tom Irvine, executive director of National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation. Furloughed workers seem to be left in the dark without much direct correspondence from the agency. Most are receiving updates about their jobs through the news, Irvine said. The headlines point to budget and staff cuts that have been hovering over the parks throughout President Donald Trumps second term. Its been a gut check for months. The shutdown has been icing on the cake unfortunately, Irvine said. We are just praying it wont last much longer. The foundation is a philanthropic partner for Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historic Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, meaning it can fundraise and do strategic planning on behalf of the park but is not part of the federal agency. It also represents Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin and Grand Portage National Monument in Minnesota. The foundation is seeing donors big and small step up this year to help fill the gap, Irvine said. Theres a lot of support for these parks, he said. Resoundingly, these parks are bipartisan. Were not seeing [donors] leaning from one party or another. This is the best of us in these park units. However, Irvine warns that the foundation is not meant to replace federal funding or staffing. More National Parks: Sleeping Bear, Pictured Rocks businesses step in as guides while rangers are out on furlough The Oct. 1 shutdown came just as seasonal labor was in its final push, especially for Up North leaf peeping as fall colors peak in the U.P. Most of those seasonal workers were furloughed or coming up on the end of their contracts, Irvine said, which means their workload will be stacked on returning staff. The NPS contingency plan estimated 9,296 workers would be furloughed, representing about 60% of the workforce, depending on seasonal labor. In February, layoffs and buyouts reduced NPS staff by about 1,700. The administration reversed course saying it would hire more than 7,000 seasonal workers, but park officials said it was too late. The mass firing was found unlawful by a federal judge in September. Both scenarios hit the NPS workforce at a key time. More than 60 people gathered at the Sleeping Bear Dunes visitor center to protest the Trump Administration's recent employee layoffs to the National Park Service on March 1, 2025. (Photos courtesy of Mariah Reading, Sue Jennings and Mae Stier) On the financial front, the Big Beautiful Bill rescinded $267 million earmarked for national park improvements and the Trump administration has proposed a further 38% budget cut next year, amounting to a decrease of $1.2 billion. During the shutdown, parks cannot sell recreation passes or collect entry fees. This is worrying Michigan nonprofits about the long-term impacts on park revenue. In the first week of the shutdown, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore campgrounds continued to operate and paid staff using fee dollars. This was outlined as an option in NPS shutdown contingency plan for campgrounds that could afford to do so. However, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes cautioned that using fee revenue to cover staffing may impact project funds for next year. In 2024, recreation fees totaled $356 million across NPS. This made up about 10% of the agencys discretionary budget. Not all parks charge entry fees. The ones that do redirect at least 80% back into the park where it was paid. The other 20% of recreation revenue is used to benefit parks that do not collect fees or parks that generate only a small amount of revenue, according to NPS. In the Upper Peninsula, the precise commodity of time is also wasting away. We have lost a few months of really valuable, seasonal time before the snow flies, Irvine said. The parks were dealing with across the U.P. and along Lake Superior really have to make hay before the snow comes. Pictured Rocks has several planned projects in the early stages or in the works that may need to be pushed off until next season. Pausing work on trails, roads, buildings it all stacks up, Irvine said. On the remote Isle Royale, theres only a few viable working months on the island. Pushing back a project could lose the secluded park years on a construction timeline, Irvine said. Lake Superior waves crash into the sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com While park operations are closed, the land is public and therefore accessible. However all parks, especially those in remote areas like the U.P., are warning that emergency services may take longer. Irvine especially cautions boaters on Lake Superior to use extra common sense because the lake is the boss. The foundation encourages all visitors to bring in everything they need, including a communication plan, and pack out their garbage. The parks are on an honor system, he said, and relying on visitors being respectful and responsible. And if you see a park ranger be kind, Irvine said. Detroit Lions linebacker and captain Grant Stuard stretches before the Detroit Lions take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit. (Jake May | MLive.com) ALLEN PARK -- His stay so far has been brief, but Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard appears to be enjoying life in the Midwest. Born in Conroe, Texas, Stuard was used to a certain lifestyle -- even down to the type of place he and his family called home. But the move north has introduced him to a different way of living, both personally and professionally. Stuard signed a one-year deal with the Lions in the offseason after playing the previous three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. The high-energy linebacker has quickly carved out a role on special teams, bringing a level of versatility the Lions havent had from someone at his position in recent years. As part of this weeks five questions segment, MLive caught up with Stuard to discuss life in Michigan and how hes adjusting to the Lions culture. Youve been here for a couple of months. Whats been the one thing youve appreciated most about being inside this locker room? I would say my ability to be myself in the workplace. Im a guy, thats pretty intense. I like to respond in an intense way during practice, whether that might be physically, vocally, sometimes emotionally, and its not something thats going to linger or something, but sometimes you got to get it out, you know what Im saying? And just kind of like the acceptance in the locker room with something like that. And just understanding my passion. I love that here. I had to be myself and just work through practice as I do, work through game week as I do. So I like just my daily, the daily monotonous things that a workplace for sure. Just a fun one -- between you, Christian Mahogany, Alex Anzalone and Tate Ratledge, there are a lot unique of hairstyles in here. Who has the best hair? Whos using the most shampoo? I dont know if Im using the most shampoo. I only wash my hair once a week. Roy (Lopez) probably used the most shampoo. He be brushing his hair every day. But I think I do like Anzo hair, you know what Im saying? He got a golden shine to his joint, you know what Im saying? Mine are changed colors. When the sun out, it look red, then its gold, then its brown. But Anzo, that consistent shine, you know what Im saying? I like Anzo. We saw you earlier doing kick returns. What kind of rush do you get being out there on kick returns. Yeah, I mean, its a whole nother world. And I mean, I mightve did it once since high school. I think I did it once in my sophomore year in college and ran out of bounds. But it is definitely a different world back there. Youre in one world before the balls kicked. Its adrenaline. The video board is on you. They talking about you on the TV -- Grand Stuard, the linebacker. See what Im saying? So its a lot of adrenaline and expectation, but just the ability to have that tunnel vision and shut that out. I gained a lot of appreciation for those guys the few weeks Ive been back there. And then when the balls in the air, thats a whole nother world, especially with how the teams are kicking it this year. They might kick it on the ground to the left, to the right, to the middle. So just being agile and being confident, you know what Im saying? You got to be confident when that balls in the air. And then once you get the ball, you know what Im saying? Everybodys different. You see somebody like (Kalif Raymond) might be fast, but under control, ready to make a cut. (Jacob) Saylors are the same but a little bit more downhill. I get that joint, Im downhill. I aint thinking about nothing, you know what Im saying? And when you get in the trenches, its all about ball security, you know what Im saying? So its like different little stances that my mind go through when Im back there, and Im sure as I get more experience at it, itll just be one fluid motion, but its definitely not that yet. Keep it a stack. Yeah. Sticking with special teams, every time we talk with Dave Fipp, he has some funny or unique story for us. Do you have any stories or experiences with him yet? With Fipp? No, not really. No, not yet. And lastly, as a newcomer to this city, whats one thing youve found unique about being in Detroit? Man, I got a basement. Yeah. Just the whole basement joint. Im from the South -- aint no basements, its attics. So the fact that I got a basement, I can go to the basement and just duck off and its a whole nother temperature down there, you know what Im saying? And you got to use the heat and the cool at the same time because at nighttime its going to be X and in the daytime its going to be Y. So you got to have a unique little setting. And then I got two babies. So its like that setting got to be right or we going to be in that joint freezing last night. You got the 41 (degrees), I going to cut the heat on. So thats definitely been the biggest difference. I dont go outside for real, so I dont really know whats going on in Detroit, but its in my house. Its a different world in that joint for sure. A 36-year-old Roseville man allegedly drove his vehicle into a police car early Monday and emerged wielding a knife before he was shot by police early Monday, Oct. 13. The incident is being investigated by the Macomb County Sheriff's Office. (MLive file photo) MLive.com file photo ROSEVILLE, MI A 36-year-old Metro Detroit man is in stable condition after reportedly driving his vehicle into a police car early Monday and emerging with a knife before he was shot by police. The Macomb County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident, which ccurred at around 4:40 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, on VFW Memorial Drive just outside the Roseville Police Department, according to a post on the sheriffs Facebook page. Roseville officers were headed to a call for service at the time, police said, and the affected patrol officer entered his parked SUV to leave. The 36-year-old Roseville resident, driving a Pontiac G5, then rear-ended the officers fully-marked police vehicle, police said. The driver allegedly exited the vehicle wielding a knife, according to Macomb County authorities. Two additional officers nearby fired at the man, striking him, police said, after he failed to comply with commands to drop the weapon. The officer sustained minor injuries. The 36-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital where he was listed in stable condition. Police said the two officers who fired were uninjured. No further information was immediately available. The investigation remained ongoing. The lawsuit seeks to stop the chain from selling the items, as well as restitution and unspecified monetary damages. (File photo | MLive.com) MLive file photo The makers of the extremely popular Uncrustables frozen sandwiches are suing national grocery store chain Trader Joes. In a lawsuit filed in federal court Monday, Smuckers accused Trader Joes of infringing on trademarks related to the sandwiches, according to Reuters. Smuckers alleges that Trader Joes Crustless peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches copy the Uncrustables product design and packaging, CBS News Chicago reports. In particular, Smuckers points out the Trader Joes sandwich features a round shape with crimped edges, just like the Uncrustables product. The lawsuit also alleges that imagery used by Trader Joes on their packaging violates trademarked branding used to promote Uncrustables. Smuckers is asking a judge to order Trader Joes to stop selling its crustless sandwiches. Smuckers is also seeking destruction of infringing materials, restitution and unspecified monetary damages in the lawsuit. The Uncrustables brand has exploded in recent years, saying in the lawsuit that about 1.5 billion Uncrustables sandwiches are produced annually. Smuckers went on to say the product is fast approaching being a $1 billion brand. The sandwiches come in a variety of combinations including peanut butter and grape jam, peanut butter and strawberry jelly, peanut butter and honey, chocolate hazelnut spread, and more. Trader Joes did not reply to requests for comment made by Reuters or CBS News Chicago. A 68-year-old Paw Paw resident allegedly ran a woman off the road, threatened her with a chainsaw and punched her in a a road rage attack earlier this month. (MLive file photo) MLive.com file photo PAW PAW, MI A Southwest Michigan man is facing felony charges after allegedly threatening a driver who cut him off with a chainsaw and physically assaulting her earlier this month. Leonard Yonkman, 68, of Paw Paw, was involved in the reported road rage attack on Oct. 5 just north of the Van Buren County community and was arrested two days later. WWMT-TV reported that the incident began on 38th Avenue when a woman pulled out of her driveway in front of Yonkman. Soon after, driving a truck and trailer, he allegedly passed the woman, cut her off and ran her off the road. According to the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office, the two argued near M-43 and County Road 665, and Yonkman grabbed a chain saw from his truck. WWMT reported he was not successful in starting the equipment. Yonkman is also accused of stomping on the womans cellphone before punching her in the stomach and grabbing her throat. A witness spotted the incident from a gas station, copying down Yonkmans license plate number to assist police. According to Van Buren County District Court records, Yonkman was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assault with a dangerous weapon, both felonies punishable by up to 10 and four years in prison and fines of $5,000 and $2,000, respectively. Hes also charged with misdemeanor malicious destruction of personal property. Yonkman posted bail Oct. 8. Hes due back in court at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, for a probable cause hearing and a preliminary examination at 1 p.m. Oct. 21. EMMET COUNTY, MI - An 18-year-old Michigan man died on Monday after a crash between a motorcycle and an SUV in the northern Lower Peninsula, police said. Samuel Tyler Gross, 18, of Petoskey, died of injuries sustained in the collision, the Emmet County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. It happened around 7 p.m. in the area of Intertown and Eppler roads. The motorcycle collided with a Toyota 4Runner driven by a 69-year-old woman from Petoskey. The SUV driver was transported to a local hospital but was not injured. The crash is under investigation. Speed appears to be the main contributing factor, Sheriff Matt Leirstein said. The Sheriffs Office extends our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy, Leirstein said. The Emmet County Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by Emmet County EMS, the Resort Bear Creek Fire Department, the Emmet County Road Commission, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Police. Part of the University of Michigan Campus. Abra Richardson | MLive.com ANN ARBOR, MI The University of Michigan is considering the demolition of a mess hall and adjacent ancillary facilities at a research facility in Wyoming at a cost of $9.2 million. The UM Board of Regents will vote Thursday, Oct. 16, on the project at Camp Davis Rocky Mountain Field Station about 30 miles south of Jackson, Wyoming, according to an action item. The 120-acre field station owned by the university was established in 1929 and is operated by the UM Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, part of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. It offers courses in geology, environmental science, and the humanities, and is also used for academic conferences, alumni gatherings, and guest programs. The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts will build a 5,000-square-foot, one-story dining hall for modern food preparation to replace the former hall if the board approves the work. The college also plans to build a 1,800-square-foot administrative and classroom facility for new office space and environmental studies teaching spaces. The facility would include 1,100 square feet of basement space for equipment storage. The proposed project would include electrical and water upgrades to support the new facilities. Now, the mess hall and adjacent facilities are outdated and no longer adequately meet the needs of the camp, according to the action item. The project will not impact parking in the area if approved. Funding will be provided from College of Literature, Science, and the Arts resources, according to the university. The Wyoming-based architectural firm Krikor Architecture would design the project. MLive/The Ann Arbor News reached out to Krikor Architecture but did not receive a comment. Gregory Mason, owner of Krikor Architecture, posted a blueprint of the proposed project to the firms website. Renovations are scheduled to be completed in spring 2027. The October UM Board of Regents meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. in Riverfront Center, 1 Riverfront Plaza, on the Flint campus. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. LINDEN, MI Its face shows its age. Curled white paint tells a thousand stories without saying a word. Groans come unabated, expressing wear and tear over the years. Twists and leans can be found in its bones, but it still stands tall. It does creak and squeak, said Pete Maas, president of the Linden Mills Historical Society and Museum. It breathes. A crowd stood and sat outside the Linden Mills building on a sunny Tuesday morning, as efforts got underway to pump new life into the more 150-year-old building in the quaint Genesee County community. We are gathered here on the very ground where Lindens rich history first took root, Mayor Liz Armstrong told those assembled ahead of a ground-breaking ceremony for a renovation project thats been years in the making. Some of the earliest structures here in our town date back to the 1830s, a testament to the enduring spirit of those who came before us. The mayor noted names of some who helped develop the community, establishing it with a grist mill and sawmill on the banks of the Shiawassee River that led to Linden becoming a center for buggy and barrel manufacturing, cement production and foundry work. Today, we honor that history by taking the first steps to ensure that this building will continue to serve our community for generations to enjoy, Armstrong said. Whether you have lived in linden your entire life or recently moved here, you know this community is special and how much this building means to our community. The renovation project has a projected cost of $5.62 million, paid for with a $4 million legislative enhancement grant provided through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as directed by state Rep. Mike Mueller (R-Linden), while the rest of the amount was covered by the city. Upgrades will include bathrooms on every floor of the four-story building, an elevator to meet ADA requirements, and supports put in to help with leaning thats taking place. It leans towards the river, but whats interesting is only the basement leans. The rest of it is straight, said Jackie Hoist of H2A Architects, a Davison-based firm hired to help with examining the building ahead of construction. So, then we scratched our heads and said, Did they know it was leaning when they built it? Novi-based Cunningham-Limp Development Co. will serve as the construction manager for the project, with president Sam Ashley thanking the community at the ceremony for allowing it to take part in the renovation efforts. To counteract the lean, Hoist said elements called counterforts will be installed to hold up the building. Theyre kind of like if you put big, huge concrete claws or buttresses into the earth on the opposing side, she said. Rather than hold it up, we keep it from going any farther. It was all part of measurements and recording of the buildings features, Hoist said, including oak timber columns and beams, rough saw and lumber joists, planking and siding, using modern technology such as laser scanning to determine its structural capabilities at this point in its life. Those doing the examination discovered theres a twist in the building, which Hoist jokingly said wasnt included as part of the drawings for the work ahead. It was very interesting working on it, almost forensic like trying to discover what they did, how they did it, whether or not we could still do it similarly or whether or not we had to bring in some new measures for it, she said of peeling back the layers of history. Maas said the current building is not the first on its foundation, with a fire destroying the original mill in the 1840s after it was originally built. Pioneers of the time placed a grist mill on the north bank and a sawmill on the south bank of the Shiawassee River. After the first two mills burned in 1845, a third grist mill was erected on the south bank of the Shiawassee River, according to prior MLive reporting. On March 2, 1871, the State of Michigan approved the Articles of Incorporation for the Village of Linden. The Linden Mill, constructed in 1871, continued to operate until the 1950s. The Village of Linden purchased the mill and restored it as a civic center. In 1972, the Linden Mill became the first structure in Genesee County to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places and a 150th anniversary celebration took place in 2021. The mill has withstood so much unbelievable turmoil and stress that its unbelievable this building has survived, Maas said, noting people come from across the country to see the building. Theres not one nail or screw in there, its all hand hewn. Its just unbelievable whats keeping this thing together. Maas, whose wife Barb helps with the museums operations, said they had to pull out all of the artifacts, including a buggy and fire hydrant all pertaining to the communitys history, and store items in garages, barns and other facilities by Jan. 1 of this year. When the mill building is expected to reopen in approximately one years time, the museum will occupy the fourth floor of the building, and the library will occupy the first floor. The basement will serve as a mixed-use community space. The buildings third floor will remain vacant, but the city will advertise the floor for lease. The leasable space will be for commercial use. In speaking with Maas, Armstrong said one of the most interesting pieces to her was the buildings foundation. There were three rows of stones in the foundation, one for each time they have rebuilt, she said. That speaks to the strength and character of this community in the past as well as today. The residents here are some of the most tenacious, hardworking, generous, compassionate people, and this building, it is everything that represents our community, rebuilding over and over. Its just absolutely beautiful. For Maas, hes glad to know theres a future for the museum in the building and for the building in the community, even if the building has given him an unexpected fright in the past. Ive been in there at night. I totally got scared, he said. I mean, when you get up on that top floor and it starts to squeak on a windy day, you look over your shoulder, whos behind me, ya know? It has a lot of character, and I think thats what makes the building so unique is that its survived all those years and has a personality to it. Pictured is one of the new murals painted by local artist Justin Johnson as part of the expanded "Anishinabek: The People of this Place" exhibit. (Photo/GRPM) GRPM GRAND RAPIDS, MI - In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 13, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is hosting celebrations of Indigenous culture throughout the week. Festivities begin with Anishinaabe Culture Day on Wednesday, Oct. 15, and an Anishinaabe film series on Saturday, Oct. 18. Indigenous Peoples Day is observed on Monday, Oct. 13, but for the Native community, every day is Indigenous Peoples Day, said Katrina Furman, GRPM Anishinaabe curator. Our traditions continue to be shared through food, art, language and cultural teachings. The stories passed down by our elders are the same ones that our grandchildren will tell. While the museums "Anishinabek: The People of this Place" exhibit is undergoing a massive update this year, there are still plenty of opportunities for guests throughout the museum to engage with Anishinaabe stories. Three new murals by Anishinaabek artists explore the creation story, the lives of modern Anishinabek people, and the teaching principles of the Anishinaabe, known as the seven grandfather teachings. A large-scale projection map on the third floor tells the story of how early trails became todays highways, the impact of deforestation, locations of tribal headquarters, historical tribal territories, and more. Anishinaabe Culture Day (Oct. 15) From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., this one-day educational celebration invites visiting school groups to explore the traditions, arts, and history of the Anishinabek, the Indigenous peoples of the region. The event aims to foster understanding and appreciation for Native American cultures through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. Students will engage in authentic cultural presentations, including traditional dance and drumming performances. They will also participate in interactive activities such as storytelling, pottery, basket weaving, corn husk doll-making and more, led by Native American community members. A special scavenger hunt across the museums three floors will offer an engaging way to learn about Anishinaabe history and culture. While some activities are reserved for school groups, general public visitors are invited to engage with vendors and celebrate Anishinaabe culture alongside the students in the museums galleria. The Curiosity Shop also carries art, jewelry, baskets, books and more by Native artists and writers. Anishinaabe Art and Film Series (Oct. 18) From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., GRPM is partnering with local artists and filmmakers who will share their perspectives on Anishinaabe culture, past, present and future. The event will feature films, panel discussions, and Q&As exploring topics such as language, wild rice, sturgeon and art. Tickets are $2 with admission. With the ticket, attendees are welcome to drop in for any of the following events: 11 a.m. - A presentation and roundtable discussion with the muralists who painted the walls on the museums third floor: Jamie John, Justin Johnson, and Brittany Benson. Noon - A screening of Davis Hendersons documentary " Bodewadmi Ndaw," followed by a Q&A. 2 p.m. - A screening of the documentary " Nme" (lake sturgeon). 2:45 p.m. - A screening of the documentary " Mahnoomin: The Food that Grows on the Water." 3:15 p.m. - A screening of Ishkwaazhe Shane McSaubys short film "The Beguiling" (recommended for ages 16 and older), followed by a Zoom Q&A. Come join us at the GRPM, where visitors can learn about the history and ongoing contributions of Anishinaabek people in West Michigan, Furman said. Learn more and purchase tickets online. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Fearful for her life, a woman pleaded for help as a man armed with a pistol entered her Wyoming home and began shooting. Gunshots rang out as the woman urged a Kent County dispatcher to send help. Two Wyoming police officers arrived at the scene within minutes of the initial 911 call to find 31-year-old Luis Hernan Fernandez Sandoval inside the residence holding a gun. Officers shot Sandoval, striking him twice. Sandoval died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Both police officers were cleared of any criminal wrongdoing on Tuesday, Oct. 14, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced. The decision came about one month after a domestic disturbance ended violently. The incident unfolded around 1 a.m. on Sept. 16 when officers responded to a report of an unwanted man at a home on Lemyra Street SE. Officers were told Sandoval violated a protective order and may have fired a gun inside the residence. Becker on Tuesday released a five-minute audio clip from the 911 call made that night. It starts with a woman telling a dispatcher that Sandoval is outside of her home, trying to open the door. She believed Sandoval was there looking for his wife the womans niece. Just keep the door closed and locked, the dispatcher said. Does he usually have a gun on him? I think my niece told me that he had (bought) one a few months back, the woman replies. Then, gunfire erupts. Hes shooting, hes shooting, the woman says as her breathing gets heavy. Hes in the house. Please hurry up. More gunshots are fired. Was somebody just shot? the dispatcher asks. Maam whats going on? Frantic, the woman continues to plead with the dispatcher for assistance. Please, he has a gun, the woman said. Hes looking for my niece. Hurry up, please! The two responding officers can then be heard shouting commands. Police shot Sandoval and hit him twice. However, Becker said Sandoval died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Becker said the officers response and actions were justified. Quite frankly, I think (the officers) should be commended for how they handled this situation, Becker said. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A Holland Township teen is in critical condition after he was ejected from his vehicle as it flipped at least 10 times and caught fire, sheriffs deputies said. The 17-year-old was airlifted to the hospital. The crash was reported at 8:09 p.m. on Douglas Avenue and North River Avenue in Holland Township. The investigation showed the teen was driving a 1999 Honda CR-V at high speed when he ran a red light at Douglas Avenue and struck another eastbound vehicle, a 2021 Toyota 4Runner, that was slowing in the left lane. The driver of the CR-V lost control of the vehicle before it left the road. Witnesses said it flipped at least 10 times before it caught fire. The driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. He was alone in the vehicle. Sheriffs deputies, along with Holland and Holland Township firefighters and AMR Ambulance paramedics, treated the teen at the scene before he was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. Police closed Douglas Avenue for an extended time while investigating and clearing debris. No one was injured in the Toyota. The crash remains under investigation. The "No Kings" protest against Donald Trump outside the Federal Building in downtown Ann Arbor on June 14, 2025. Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News JACKSON, MI A protest is planned in Jackson as a second round of demonstrations against President Donald Trump and his administration. No Kings rallies are planned in 100 locations around Michigan for Saturday, Oct. 18, including in cities like Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and even Jackson. The Jackson protest will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at Withington Park, 400 W. Michigan Ave. The event will feature a march, several speakers and local community organizations, such as Voters Not Politicians and Rank MI Vote. Protests on Oct. 18 will be the second large-scale demonstration under the No Kings banner. Thousands first gathered in Detroit, Lansing and other parts of the state for No Kings events in June. Political representatives supporting the marches pointed to immigrant arrests at courthouses, masked federal agents, escalating ICE presence in Chicago and other instances of what they called federal overreach as the reason for additional protesting. Jackson event organizer Alexander Scott also cited the federal government shut down and federal cuts to healthcare and food assistance, like SNAP benefits, as reasons to protest. We cant lay down and let this go by unchallenged, so we rally, Scott said. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page Encore Magazine Publisher Marie Lee will moderate a panel of six local journalists. Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative KALAMAZOO, MI Local journalists are gathering to answer questions from the Kalamazoo community on Thursday, Oct. 16. The Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative (SWMJC) is hosting a Meet the Media event at the Kalamazoo Public Librarys downtown branch, 315 S. Rose St. The event will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the second-floor Local History Room. A panel of six local journalists will answer questions and learn from residents about community development issues. The journalism collaborative was established in 2019 to share ideas and editorial focus for a variety of issues-based journalism. Equitable community development has been the focus of the collaboratives coverage in 2025, per its website. Members have produced stories about housing, local businesses, farmers and more. Stories are published and shared by several member outlets, including Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive. Click here for a list of SWMJC stories published by MLive. Marie Lee, editor and publisher of Encore Magazine, will moderate the discussion. Panelists include: WMUK Public Radio Director of Content Operations and Audience Development Gordon Evans Bridge Michigan Regional Editor Justin Hinkley Second Wave Media Founding Managing Editor Kathy Jennings NowKalamazoo.org Civic and Audience Engagement Editor Reid Williams MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette Education Reporter Aya Miller Public Media Network Community Content Director Lem Montero The collaborative is made up of a dozen media platforms and educational institutions working to support a healthy local news and information ecosystem through partnership instead of competition, said collaborative Project Manager and Editor Melinda Clynes. Connecting with the community is an important part of our work. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. Stormy Kromer products for sale at Vogel's & Foster's, 107 S. Main St. in Chelsea on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. Jacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor News CHESANING, MI Two family-owned companies will join forces for a two-day celebration of state heritage and craftsmanship in Chesaning this month, featuring special presentations, shopping opportunities, and the unveiling of a new community mural. Ed Rehmann and Sons, a Chesaning-based clothing retailer, is partnering with Upper Peninsula outfitter Stormy Kromer for events scheduled Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, organizers said. The weekend begins Friday evening at Big Rock Coffee in downtown Chesaning with An Evening with Stormy Kromer Chairman Bob Jacquart. The presentation will give attendees the chance to hear stories from the Ironwood-based companys leader, ask questions, and learn about the brands history and future plans, organizers said. Saturdays festivities continue at Ed Rehmann and Sons with Stormy Kromer Day, where shoppers can find discounts on Stormy Kromer products and meet Jacquart in person. The store will also reveal a new outdoor mural created by local artist Mary Beningo that celebrates Michigan pride and Stormy Kromer heritage. Ed Rehmann and Sons co-owner, Rob Rehmann, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration and new artwork. When Michigans leaves change, we know its Stormy Kromer time, Rehmann said in a statement. We cant wait to share our stories and also our brand-new mural. Ed Rehmann and Sons, founded in 1919, operates as one of Michigans oldest family-owned clothing stores. Stormy Kromer, established in 1903, produces iconic caps, outerwear, and rugged outdoor apparel manufactured in Michigan. Generative AI was used to structure and write this story, based on data provided by a press release from Ed Rehmanns. It was reviewed and edited by MLive staff. Community engagement manager Kaitlyn Streets holds a bubble cone filled with a scoop of Strawberry Fields Forever ice cream and a scoop of Kettle My Kakes ice cream set in a bubble cone in front of Michigan Cream & Sugar located at 122 S. Hamilton Street in Saginaw. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com SAGINAW, MI Michigan Cream and Sugar Ice Cream Company staff announced it now offers shipping services for its artisan ice cream products, expanding delivery options from local routes to nationwide coverage across the continental United States. Staff with the Saginaw-based company made the announcement Tuesday, Oct. 14, highlighting the new service as ideal for family, office, or client gifts. All orders can be placed through the companys recently updated website at michigancreamsugar.com. Customers within a 22-mile radius of the Saginaw location at 122 S. Hamilton can receive local delivery at reduced shipping costs. The local delivery service charges $80 for six pints with dry ice and holiday branding, plus a $25 delivery fee per address. Deliveries occur on Wednesdays and Fridays. For customers across the continental United States, the company ships orders every Monday with guaranteed arrival by 5 p.m. Tuesday, staff members said. Items are shipped in branded cartons with 10 pounds of locally produced dry ice to maintain frozen temperatures. The nationwide service costs $80 for six pints, dry ice, and branding, with shipping costs quoted based on the delivery address. Michigan Cream and Sugar Ice Cream Company operates two scoop shop locations. The original Bay City shop opened in 2019 at 160 Uptown Dr., while the company welcomed a new scoop shop and production facility in Saginaw this year. Both locations maintain fall hours Tuesday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. The shops are closed Mondays. The company produces hand-crafted ice cream using locally sourced Michigan ingredients in small batches. The business operates under Horizons Conference Center with support from Michigan Sugar Company, focusing on connecting farms and families through its products that center on Michigans agricultural diversity. Generative AI was used to organize and structure information for this story, based on data provided by Michigan Cream and Sugar Ice Cream Company. It was reviewed and edited by MLive staff. Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin celebrates his goal as Toronto Maple Leafs' Nicolas Roy reacts during first period Monday. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP) AP The Detroit Red Wings went from third-period deflation to final-minute elation on Monday. The Red Wings squandered a two-goal lead, but Mason Appleton scored with 44 seconds remaining in the third period to lift them to a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena and a sweep of the home-and-home series. The Red Wings (2-1-0) have bounced back after an ugly 5-1 loss to Montreal Thursday in their season-opener. Cam Talbot made 39 saves as Toronto outshot Detroit 41-15. Appleton, signed to a two-year contract in the offseason, fired in a shot from the faceoff circle in one motion. Dylan Larkin won the offensive-zone faceoff, and the Red Wings did a good job cycling the puck before creating the scoring chance. Rookie Emmitt Finnie picked up his second assist in as many games on the play. Larkin and James van Riemsdyk also scored goals for the Red Wings. Van Riemsdyk made his season debut after missing training camp and the preseason due to family reasons. Larkins second goal of the season at 18:55 of the first was the only scoring through two periods. He backhanded the puck past Solarz from the net front after digging it free in traffic. Both of his goals have come on the power play and the Red Wings top power-play unit has a goal in each game. Van Riemsdyk made it 2-0 at 4:25 of the third by skating in on a partial breakaway and flipping a shot past Stolarz. Andrew Copp forced a turnover just inside the Detroit blue line to trigger the odd-man rush. Matthew Knies cut the deficit to 2-1 by tapping in a pass from Bobby McMann at 7:29 of the third. Calle Jarnkrok fired in a wrist shot from the slot area at 13:42 to tie it. Auston Matthews forced rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka into a turnover to set up the goal. The game appeared destined for overtime before Appletons late heroics. The Red Wings start a three-game homestand Wednesday against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network). If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Nike is celebrating the deep heritage and history of four Historically Black Colleges and Universities by adding new designs to its Yardrunner footwear collection. The new Air Max 95 collaborations will feature colorful nods to Florida A&M University, Morehouse College, Norfolk State University and Spelman College. Each pair is $200 and they go live on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. ET. Nike Yardrunner shoe collection Check out the details of each shoe below to find out how Nike is celebrating the schools culture. Air Max 95 x Florida A&M University Black and Orange Horizon Florida A&M University was founded as Florida Normal College for Colored Students in 1887. It had 15 students and two teachers. Then, in 1953, it earned university status, with enrollment increasing ever since. This black and orange design features stacked layers of full-grain and synthetic leather leading up to snake print, a nod to the schools Rattler mascot. FAMUs logo and founding year are on display on the shoe tongue, while their rallying chant Strike, strike, and strike again is printed on the upper. Yardunner Air Max 95 Air Max 95 x Florida A&M University Black and Orange Horizon $200 on Nike Air Max 95 x Morehouse Black and Dark Team Red The Morehouse shoes feature stacked layers of full-grain leather, synthetic leather and suede in the schools Black and Dark Team Red. Theyre topped off by a tiger print honoring Morehouses Maroon Tiger mascot. Similar to the FAMU shoes, the school logo is on the tongue and its motto Et Facta Est Lux, meaning And there was light, is printed on the upper. In 1867, the Augusta Institute began in a church basement in Augusta, Georgia. The school originally started with a mission to educate freed slaves for ministry and teaching. In later years, it moved to Atlanta and eventually was renamed Morehouse College in 1913. Its since created a reputation as a premier liberal arts college for men, serving as a cornerstone of the Atlanta University Center and producing noble leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. Yardunner Air Max 95 Air Max 95 x Morehouse Black and Dark Team Red $200 on Nike Air Max 95 x Norfolk State Black and Court Green Norfolk State University has gone through several iterations to arrive at its present-day status. The school began in 1935 as a private baptist institution named the Norfolk Division of Virginia Union University. It had 85 students total. That changed over time. In 1942, it became the independent Norfolk Polytechnic College, then Norfolk State College in 1969 and finally Norfolk State University in 1975. The Spartans are celebrating the schools 90th anniversary this year. To honor that storied past, this Air Max 95 features stacked full-grain leather, synthetic leather and suede in Court Green and Midwest Gold. Norfolks logo is on the tongue and the rally cry Behold the Green and Gold is printed on the shoes upper. Yardunner Air Max 95 Air Max 95 x Norfolk State Black and Court Green $200 on Nike Air Max 95 x Spelman College Photo Blue and White Spelmans Air Max 95 gets the same stacked treatment in Photo Blue and White, leading up to a Jaguar print that honors the schools recently reinstated mascot. The schools logo is on the tongue and a nod to the Spelman Hymn, Thy Name We Praise is printed on the upper. Founded as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary in 1881, the institution was renamed Spelman College in 1924. Its Atlanta campus has welcomed young women for excellent academic and leadership training ever since. The school has also earned the title of the oldest private historically Black liberal arts institution for women. Yardunner Air Max 95 Air Max 95 x Spelman College Photo Blue and White $200 on Nike Want a pair of these Yardrunner shoes? Plan to be online before 10 a.m. so you can prepare to purchase them. New Nike shoes sell out fast, especially collaborations with a story to tell. Stay in the loop on Nike releases! The month is nearly half over, but there are so many exciting SNKRS drops ahead. Fall colors along the sandstone cliffs and Grand Portal Point (far right) of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Lovers Leap rock formation can be seen in the background. Joel Bissell | MLive.com MUNISING, MI One of the Midwests most iconic hikes is right here in Michigan. This 10.5-mile scenic backcountry loop offers an unforgettable journey through dense forest, past waterfalls, across remote Lake Superior beaches, and towering sandstone cliffs that define Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores wild beauty. According to the hiking app AllTrails, Chapel Loop - which takes visitors to Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls - is the top hiking trail in Michigan. 108 1 / 108 Chapel Loop at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore The hike begins at the Chapel/Mosquito trailhead, accessible via the rough, unpaved five-mile Chapel Road, notorious for potholes and washouts. You can go either toward Mosquito first or Chapel, which offers a few shorter trail options. MLive senior photographer and avid hiker Joel Bissell took on the challenging hike solo on Oct. 6 to see how fall colors were progressing. The loop takes an average of 4.5 to 6 hours to complete. Bissell ended up hiking 11.5 miles. He spent 6 hours on the trail, stopping to take numerous photos and videos throughout the journey. Click here for Pictured Rocks trail maps Bissell started his loop on the quiet woodland trails leading to Mosquito Falls, a series of short cascades flowing over ancient rock layers. Mosquito Falls at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com From there, the trail winds toward Mosquito Beach, where the scenery opens dramatically to views of Lake Superior the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. Here, the trail meets the famed Lakeshore cliffs, where Pictured Rocks multicolored sandstone formations steal the show. Mosquito beach at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com A wooden log staircase to Mosquito beach at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Sculpted over the centuries by wind, waves and ice, these vibrant cliffs rise up to 200 feet above the lake, glowing in reds, golds and greens. Towering rock pillars, caves and arches appear throughout the hike. From the iconic Lovers Leap to Grand Portal Point, there are some spectacular views along the lakeshore portion. The sandstone cliffs on the Chapel loop along Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com The view looking west along the sandstone cliffs from Grand Portal Point at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Fall colors along the sandstone cliffs and Grand Portal Point (far right) of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Lovers Leap rock formation can be seen in the background. Joel Bissell | MLive.com The National Park Service reminds visitors to exercise caution staying on marked trails and well back from cliff edges, noting that the sandstone along Pictured Rocks is constantly eroding and can give way without warning. The view looking west along the sandstone cliffs from Grand Portal Point at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com After a few miles and countless picture-worthy landscapes, hikers descend to Chapel beach, which features one of the most iconic formations in the park, Chapel Rock. A solo pine over 250 years old sits atop a sandstone column with roots stretching across the divide to anchor into the neighboring cliff. The lone white pine on Chapel Rock, which is over 250 years old at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com The lone white pine on Chapel Rock, which is over 250 years old at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com After departing Chapel Rock, Bissell made the 2-mile hike to Chapel Falls, the 60-foot high waterfall that cascades toward Chapel Lake. Fall color surrounds Chapel Falls at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Fall color at Chapel Falls at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Fall color at Chapel Falls at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Despite the sweeping views and postcard scenery, the Chapel Loop is no casual stroll. Rated as moderately difficult, the 10.5-mile trek demands stamina, solid footwear and careful maneuvering especially on muddy stretches, uneven forest paths and narrow cliffside sections. A bridge over the Mosquito River at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Backpackers hike along Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com A wooden log staircase to Mosquito beach at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Insects have been known to be relentless during the warmer months, and the unpredictable Lake Superior weather can shift conditions in minutes. Theres also no potable water on the trail, little to no cell service, and minimal signage; hikers should be prepared with maps, snacks and more than enough water. For those looking to extend their adventure, backcountry camping is available by permit in designated areas. Rustic sites near Mosquito and Chapel beaches or deeper in the park offer a true wilderness experience. All overnight visitors are urged to follow leave no trace principles and be ready for primitive conditions no water, no electricity, and no trash removal. Backpackers stop at Grand Portal Point at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Photo taken along the 10.5-mile Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Though challenging, the Chapel Loop delivers the best of what Michigan has to offer: waterfalls, wilderness, solitude, and the unmatched beauty of Lake Superiors sandstone shoreline. This trail offers a powerful reminder of why Pictured Rocks remains one of the most awe-inspiring natural landscapes in the country. NPS encourages hikers to get to the trailhead early as the parking lot usually fills by 9 a.m. in the summer and early fall. Vehicles are sometimes parked along the shoulder of the road for a half-mile or more. NPS charges a fee to enter the National Lakeshore and backcountry camping permits. For more information, please visit their website. We are continuing to see a possible widespread rain coming to Lower Michigan for the second half of the weekend. The overall weather pattern is going to slowly cool down. Here are the takeaways from my morning live weather broadcast. Total rainfall forecast through Monday, October 20, 2025 NOAA 1. Meaningful Rain Finally Coming to Michigan This Weekend After an extended dry period, Michigan will finally see some precipitation in the forecast. While the first couple of rain systems will be wimpy with just light showers Wednesday night into Thursday morning and again Friday morning, a more significant rainfall is expected Saturday night into Sunday. This weekend system is what I call a meaningful or useful rain, potentially bringing a half-inch to an inch of precipitation, particularly in southeast Michigan, the Thumb, and the Ann Arbor and Detroit areas. This will be the first substantial rainfall in a while in an ongoing drought situation across the region. 2. Temperatures Remaining Above Normal Through Late October Despite the approaching rain systems, temperatures will continue to stay warmer than normal across Michigan. Current average high temperatures are around 62-63F in southern Lower Michigan, 58-59F in northern Lower Michigan, and mid-50s in the Upper Peninsula. Instead, forecasted highs will reach into the low 70s for much of southern Michigan through the weekend, with 60s in northern regions. Even after the weekend system passes, temperatures will only briefly cool to the 50s on Monday before rebounding to the 60s. This above-normal temperature pattern will continue with only gradual transitions toward more typical late fall conditions. 3. No Imminent Cold or Snow Despite Social Media Chatter I see many rumors circulating on social media about potential lake effect snow, but there isnt any such weather on the horizon. Lake Michigan water temperatures remain around 62-64F even in northern Michigan, which would release significant warmth into any cold air moving across the region, making below-freezing temperatures needed for snow unlikely. While the first snowflakes typically appear around Halloween in Michigan, usually mixed with rain, Torosa questioned whether that would be possible this year given the warm pattern. The forecast data i use shows no significant cold air intrusion through at least late October. 4. Changing Weather Pattern Signals Gradual Seasonal Transition While Im talking warmer than normal, a subtle but noteworthy pattern change is developing in the upper air flow. The current warm ridge will begin breaking down as the jetstream strengthens across the western United States. This is evidenced by the tightly packed black lines on the forecast maps indicating increased wind speeds aloft with embedded storm systems. While this signals the beginning of a transition toward winter-like patterns, it is more of a shift toward late fall conditions. While extreme heat is unlikely to return, warm ridges can sometimes re-emerge even in November, potentially bringing 60s and even 70-degree temperatures back to Michigan. 5. Sundays Storm System to Bring Most Significant Rainfall The most impactful weather event in the forecast is Sundays rain system, which appears to be connecting with subtropical moisture from the southwest. According to the European model, which is the preferred model for this situation, the system will organize Saturday night and become more substantial by Sunday morning into afternoon. The heaviest precipitation is expected in southeast Michigan, potentially delivering an inch or more of rain to areas including the Thumb and the Ann Arbor-Detroit region. While no model is perfect, this Sunday rain could be a useful rainfall that would produce the first meaningful precipitation after an extended dry period. Generative AI was used to bring my live video to text for this story, based on my live broadcast video this morning. I used the text as a foundation of the article. More helmets at our showrooms signal two-wheeler owners upgrading to cars under GST 2.0: Maruti Suzuki Varun Singh A journalist covering the automotive sector in depth, across business and product verticals. Trying to hit the gym at least four times a week! I am not a fitness freak though. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is among the most affordable cars in India. Varun Singh 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 Hours after Lalu Yadav hands over party symbols, Tejashwi asks leaders to hand them back RJD president Lalu Prasad gave away party tickets to several candidates until his son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav overturned the decision. Siddharth Chakravorty 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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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 Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Bahrain late last week announced the launch of a public consultation on what it calls a landmark proposal to authorise satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services in Bahrain. By enabling standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites in areas beyond terrestrial network coverage, the TRA explains, it aims to ensure that no citizen, resident or visitor is ever without access to essential communication services. The proposal is described as a key element of TRAs strategy to position Bahrain as a global leader in connectivity and digital innovation. Under the proposed framework, licensed mobile network operators in Bahrain would be able to partner with global satellite operators to provide seamless coverage. As the TRA notes, this model enables a standard mobile handset to automatically switch to a satellite network for emergency SMS, low-speed data, and, in later phases, voice services, when available. Bahrain already enjoys full nationwide 4G and 5G coverage, but, as Philip Marnick, General Director of the TRA, explains, this new service will be transformative, especially for those working at sea, and during any potential network disruptions. It will strengthen maritime safety, support critical economic sectors, and deliver greater reliability and resilience across the Kingdoms communications infrastructure." The TRA has published a consultation paper on its website outlining the proposed licensing framework, including a draft schedule for inclusion within the Individual Mobile Telecommunications Licence (IMTL). The Authority is now inviting all interested parties, including licensees, industry stakeholders, and members of the public, to review the document and submit their feedback. There is likely to be no shortage of global satellite operators for operators to partner with. Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, Project Kuiper, and Lynk Global are just a few of the names linked with the development of technology to connect standard mobile handsets to satellites. 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 Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Manish Malhotra shares stunning glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan from his Diwali party, calls him 'The most stylish' Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Bigg Boss 19: Zeishan Quadri opens up on the reality of Tanya Mittals extravagant lifestyle Zeishan Quadri opens up on the reality of Tanya Mittal Satwik Jaiswal 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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Health risks of disposable plastic cutlery: Often made of poor-quality plastics, disposable cutlery has the potential to release particles when used with hot or greasy food (Image: Pexels) Bobby John Varkey 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 Myanmar is making telecoms news headlines yet again and yet again this news is receiving attention well beyond the specialist press. This time its because the scam centre business that has burgeoned in the country is allegedly being enabled, in part, by satellite communications provider Starlink. According to news service AFC, a powerful bipartisan committee in the US Congress is investigating how and whether Starlink is providing internet access to the scam centres. It is alleged that large numbers of Starlink dishes began appearing on scam-centre roofs in Myanmar despite a crackdown in February, when China, Thailand and Myanmar forced pro-junta Myanmar militias who protect the centres into promising to eradicate them. About 7,000 people mostly Chinese citizens working against their will, were freed from the call centre-style system, largely operating near the Thailand-Myanmar border. The UN says the system runs on forced labour and human trafficking. But the scam centres are very big business. It was estimated in 2023 by the UN that up to 120,000 people were working in the Myanmar centres, which have been blamed for swindling billions of dollars from victims across the world, including Americans, who are said to be among the major targets of telephone, internet and social media cons originating in Southeast Asia. The gangs operating these frauds clearly have an incentive to keep going. Indeed, AFP reports that an analysis of satellite images has found dozens of buildings going up or being altered in the largest of the compounds, KK Park, between March and September after the supposed crackdown. Starlink may now have become the countrys biggest internet provider. The junta that took power in a 2021 coup was in the telecoms news just over a week ago when Myanmar civil society groups Defend Myanmar Democracy and the Myanmar Internet Project announced plans to sue the Norwegian telecoms giant Telenor. They allege it shared customer data with the junta, thereby endangering the lives of civilians. Shweta Punj is an award winning journalist. She has reported on economic policy for over two decades in India and the US. She is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum. Author of Why I Failed, translated into 5 languages, published by Penguin-Random House. "India's first 158 qubit computer is coming to Andhra Pradesh in January itself," Lokesh said. Priyansh Verma 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. 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Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Shweta Punj is an award winning journalist. She has reported on economic policy for over two decades in India and the US. She is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum. Author of Why I Failed, translated into 5 languages, published by Penguin-Random House. Meghna Mittal 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 Shweta Punj is an award winning journalist. She has reported on economic policy for over two decades in India and the US. She is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum. Author of Why I Failed, translated into 5 languages, published by Penguin-Random House. Priyansh Verma 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 Shweta Punj is an award winning journalist. She has reported on economic policy for over two decades in India and the US. She is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum. Author of Why I Failed, translated into 5 languages, published by Penguin-Random House. I keep saying we're on the better side compared to other states, Nara Lokesh said. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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Priyansh Verma 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 'In 1990, it bought a Maruti 800, in 2025, a Land Rover': Harsh Goenka's interesting take on gold's soaring value According to Bloomberg, gold prices climbed to an all-time high of above $4,060 an ounce on Monday as renewed trade frictions between the U.S. and China spurred fresh demand. 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 Indias smartphone exports soar 95% in September; U.S. accounts for 70% of shipments in AprilSeptember 2025 Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years. The United States, UAE, Austria, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom remained the top destinations for Indian mobile exports. Hemant Abhishek USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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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Lovisha Darad 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 Nifty settles under 25,200 on weekly expiry, Sensex dragged by selling in financials, all sectors in red Zoya Springwala 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 Brajesh Kumar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept The SEBI Investor Protection Fund (IPF) safeguards investors against financial losses due to broker defaults, insolvency, or misconduct in the securities market. Anishaa Kumar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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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 'Only concern is creating jobs, jobs, and more jobs': Nara lokesh says '99 paise land model' key to 2 mn job goal Shweta Punj is an award winning journalist. She has reported on economic policy for over two decades in India and the US. She is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum. Author of Why I Failed, translated into 5 languages, published by Penguin-Random House. Priyansh Verma 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 Teena Jain Kaushal is Editor - Personal Finance (Audience Growth) at Moneycontrol, with over two decades of expertise demystifying money matters. Whether its decoding tax, navigating investments, or breaking down the latest insurance trends, her aim is to help readers make smarter financial decisions. EPF corpus has grown nearly five fold in a decade Teena Jain Kaushal 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 "PM Modis energy and connection with masses inspiring," says AP IT Minister Nara Lokesh Shweta Punj is an award winning journalist. She has reported on economic policy for over two decades in India and the US. She is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum. Author of Why I Failed, translated into 5 languages, published by Penguin-Random House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh, in New Delhi. (@JaiTDP/X; File photo via PTI) Hemant Abhishek USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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 AI fever, regulation calm, and FOMO in the air: What really went down at GFF 2025 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 AI fever, regulation calm, and FOMO in the air: What really went down at GFF 2025 Aryaman 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 Oyos Ritesh Agarwal, Isha Ambani, BlissClubs Minu Margaret and others feature in Hurun Indias Under 35 top entrepreneurs list 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 Debangana Ghosh 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 After Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw criticises citys infra, DK Shivakumar says, 'Instead of tearing Bengaluru down, lets build it up' Christin Mathew Philip 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 Justice Kant questioned the plea seeking reservation in chamber allotment to women advocates and said that he is personally against chamber system and instead there should be cubicle system and common sitting space, where lawyers can work Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Christin Mathew Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol.com with 15 years of experience in journalism and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. Based in Bengaluru, he understands the pulse of the people and covers issues that matter, including mobility, infrastructure, start-ups, and government policies. He tweets at @ChristinMP_ Christin Mathew Philip 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 Christin Mathew Philip 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 Javed Akhtar slams India's 'reception' to Taliban minister: 'Hang my head in shame when I see...' Priyanjali Ghose 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 Mira Sen has covered Indian politics and national developments for over a decade, closely tracking elections, national parties, policymakers, on-the-ground developments and their impact on citizens. Amid ongoing rumours of discontent, NDA functionaries have maintained that the seat-sharing discussion was amicable Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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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 minister added that while the government would not allow RSS programmes on public property, the organisation was free to hold activities in private spaces. 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 Malloujula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu laid down weapons along with 60 Maoist cadres today in Maharashtras Gadhchiroli Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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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 In Moneycontrol's Pro Panorama December 11 edition: AI gold rush and Indias role in it, the Netflix strategy that Indian IT can... Chart of the Day: For India's booming datacentre industry, the new electricity bill can address a key challenge 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 Lokendra Sharma is a Research Analyst with the High-Tech Geopolitics Programme at the Takshashila Institution. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. China has recently announced more expansive export control restrictions on rare earths targeted not just at the U.S., but the entire world Namrata Agarwal 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 OPINION | Tata at a Turning Point: Governance, legacy, and the burden of greatness Srinath Sridharan is a corporate advisor and independent director on corporate boards. He is the author of Family and Dhanda. Twitter: @ssmumbai. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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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 The post quickly went viral, sparking praise from professionals across industries who said such gestures demonstrate genuine care beyond corporate slogans. (Image: 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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I Accept Indian-origin analyst in US quits JPMorgan for AI firm to 'spend less time on grunt work' 'AI and technology have completely transformed my workflow as a banker,' Varun Agarwal said. (Image credit: LinkedIn) Ankita Sengupta 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 An image captured by the Sociedad de Astronomia del Caribe on February 7, 2022, shows space debris blazing over Puerto Rico. According to satellite tracker Marco Langbroek, it was likely part of a recently launched batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites damaged by a geomagnetic storm. (Image: Eddie Irizarry/Sociedad de Astronomia del Caribe (SAC)) Sheetal Kumari 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 Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Wild honeybees in Europe declared endangered for the first time Wild honeybees in Europe declared endangered for the first time (Image: Canva) Gurpreet Singh 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. 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 Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years. 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 Danish Khan 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 4 / 5 Taiwan says chip industry safe for now Taiwans Ministry of Economic Affairs said the rare earth curbs wont disrupt semiconductor production, as most materials come from the U.S., Japan, and Europe. TSMC and other chipmakers are reportedly insulated from immediate supply shocks. Googles Gemini Nano Banana Model now lets you create and edit images inside Search and Lens 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. 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 MC Interview: There is a Swadeshi movement underway, India must be self-reliant in tech and trade on equal terms, says Zohos Sridhar Vembu 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 Arun Padmanabhan 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 More Indians heading abroad for luxury and longer holidays, spending big billions since pandemic Maryam Farooqui is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol covering media and entertainment, travel and hospitality. She has 11 years of experience in reporting. The classic European destinations like Switzerland and France continue to be in demand while islands such as Maldives and Bora Bora continue to attract Indian tourists. B Kumar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Nivritti Khatri 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 escalation follows cross-border firing over the weekend, triggered by Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul that targeted a militant linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). 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 Asim Munir scrambles as Taliban offensive leaves Pakistan red-faced: What happened at his late-night crisis meeting? Taliban security personnel stand over military vehicles as Afghan men gather in their support during a rally in Khost on October 13, 2025, amid heavy cross-border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Photo by AFP) 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 Cease-fire, hostage swaps, and whats next: Explaining a pivotal day in the Israel-Hamas conflict Pradeep Tripathi 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 Coral reefs cross a tipping pointwhy scientists say this changes everything Pradeep Tripathi 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 Pradeep Tripathi 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 Flattery, fumbles and faux pas: Shehbaz Sharif adds another chapter to his global blunder series at Gaza Peace Summit Manish Rao is a seasoned journalist who has extensively covered global affairs, geopolitical developments, American politics, and all other things making news around the world. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (R) speaks as US President Donald Trump listens during the Gaza summit in Sharm El-Sheikh on October 13, 2025. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett / POOL / AFP) 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 Gazas cease-fire, explained: what paused, what didnt, and why this truce is so fragile Pradeep Tripathi 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 How Europe plans to stop rogue drones from radars and jammers to shotguns and lasers Pradeep Tripathi 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 "MoS @KVSinghMPGonda , as special representative of PM @narendramodi , attended the Gaza Peace Summit at Sharm el-Sheikh co-hosted by Presidents @realDonaldTrump and @AlsisiOfficial," posted Randhir Jaiswal on X. . 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 Abhinav Gupta With over 12 years in digital journalism, has navigated the fast-evolving media landscape, shaping digital strategies and leading high-impact newsrooms. Currently, he serves as News Editor at MoneyControl, leading coverage in Global Affairs, Indian Politics, Governance and Policy Making. Previously, he has spearheaded fact-checking and digital media operations at Press Trust of India. Abhinav has also led news desks at Financial Express, DNA, and Jagran English, managing editorial direction, breaking news coverage, and digital growth. His journey includes stints with The Indian Express Group, Zee Media Group, and more, where he has honed his expertise in newsroom leadership, audience engagement, and digital transformation. Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (C) arrives for a press conference at the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi on October 12, 2025. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP) 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 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 'Job not done, phase two begins now': Trump urges return of dead hostages from Hamas after Gaza deal Trump stressed that although hostages were freed, more must be done. 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 In this weeks Tech Tuesday feature, we examine how chatbots have become indispensable in the realm of lead qualification. They automate initial interactions, filter prospects based on predefined criteria, and ensure sales teams focus their energy on high-potential leads rather than chasing cold inquiries. Selecting the right tool involves assessing integration capabilities, data handling, and deployment flexibility. Heres a curated list of top tools that excel in this category. Intercom Intercom offers a chatbot specifically designed for lead qualification, standing out with its ability to seamlessly integrate with existing CRM systems like Salesforce. Its strength lies in real-time data syncing and user-friendly interface, though it may be less customizable compared to some competitors. Key Features: Intercoms chatbot connects natively with Salesforce and HubSpot, allowing for real-time lead data updates. It uses rule-based logic to qualify leads and can be deployed on both web and mobile platforms. Limitations include a focus on English language support and a lack of deep AI-driven analysis. Best for: Mid-sized businesses using Salesforce or HubSpot, looking for quick deployment and straightforward integration. Not ideal for companies needing extensive language support or advanced AI capabilities. Drift Drifts chatbot excels in lead qualification by leveraging conversational AI to engage and qualify leads in real-time. Its standout feature is the ability to personalize interactions based on visitor behavior, although it may require more setup time compared to simpler tools. Key Features: Drift integrates with major CRMs like Salesforce and Marketo, offering real-time visitor tracking and personalized messaging. It supports multiple languages and provides robust analytics. However, it requires a more complex setup and may not be ideal for small teams with limited technical resources. Best for: Enterprises with dedicated IT support and a need for personalized lead engagement. Not suitable for small businesses with limited technical expertise. HubSpot Chatbot HubSpots chatbot is tightly integrated with its CRM, making it a strong choice for lead qualification. It stands out with its ease of use and seamless data flow within the HubSpot ecosystem, though it may lack advanced AI features found in standalone solutions. Key Features: The chatbot offers native integration with HubSpot CRM, enabling automated lead scoring and qualification. It supports multiple channels, including web and mobile, and offers basic AI capabilities. Limitations include a focus on HubSpot users and less advanced AI compared to specialized tools. Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses already using HubSpot CRM. Not ideal for organizations seeking advanced AI-driven lead qualification. Tars Tars specializes in creating conversational landing pages that qualify leads effectively. Its standout feature is the ability to replace traditional forms with engaging conversations, though it may not integrate as deeply with CRM systems as other tools. Key Features: Tars offers a drag-and-drop builder for creating chatbots that qualify leads through conversational landing pages. It integrates with Google Analytics and Zapier but has limited CRM integrations. The platform supports multiple languages but lacks advanced AI capabilities. Best for: Businesses looking to enhance lead capture on landing pages without deep CRM integration. Not suitable for those needing comprehensive CRM connectivity. Qualified Qualified is designed specifically for Salesforce users, offering a chatbot that excels in lead qualification by leveraging Salesforce data. Its strength is in its deep integration with Salesforce, though it may not be suitable for non-Salesforce users. Key Features: Qualified provides real-time Salesforce data integration, enabling precise lead qualification. It offers features like account-based marketing and personalized messaging. However, it is heavily reliant on Salesforce, limiting its use for non-Salesforce environments. Best for: Salesforce-centric organizations seeking seamless integration and advanced lead qualification. Not ideal for companies not using Salesforce. Zoho SalesIQ Zoho SalesIQ offers a chatbot that integrates with its CRM, focusing on lead qualification through real-time visitor tracking and engagement. Its standout feature is the ability to score leads based on behavior, though it may lack the advanced AI of more specialized tools. Key Features: Zoho SalesIQ integrates natively with Zoho CRM, providing real-time visitor tracking and lead scoring. It supports multiple languages and channels, but its AI capabilities are basic compared to standalone AI solutions. Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses using Zoho CRM. Not suitable for organizations seeking advanced AI-driven lead qualification. MobileMonkey MobileMonkey focuses on lead qualification through multi-channel chat marketing. It stands out with its ability to engage leads across platforms like Facebook Messenger, SMS, and web chat, though it may require more setup for CRM integration. Key Features: MobileMonkey offers integrations with Facebook, SMS, and web chat, enabling broad reach for lead qualification. It provides basic CRM integration and supports multiple languages. However, it may require additional setup for deeper CRM connectivity. Best for: Businesses seeking multi-channel engagement without deep CRM integration. Not ideal for those needing comprehensive CRM connectivity. ManyChat ManyChat specializes in lead qualification through Facebook Messenger, offering a chatbot that excels in engaging and qualifying leads on this platform. Its standout feature is its ease of use and rapid deployment, though it may not support other channels as effectively. Key Features: ManyChat integrates with Facebook Messenger, providing tools for lead capture and qualification. It offers a visual flow builder and supports basic CRM integrations. Limitations include a focus on Facebook Messenger and less support for other channels. Best for: Businesses focusing on Facebook Messenger for lead qualification. Not suitable for those needing multi-channel support. Landbot Landbot offers a no-code chatbot builder focused on lead qualification through conversational interfaces. Its standout feature is the ability to create complex workflows without coding, though it may lack deep CRM integrations. Key Features: Landbot provides a visual builder for creating chatbots that qualify leads through engaging conversations. It integrates with Zapier and Google Sheets but has limited CRM integrations. The platform supports multiple languages but lacks advanced AI capabilities. Best for: Businesses seeking a no-code solution for lead qualification without deep CRM integration. Not suitable for those needing comprehensive CRM connectivity. Chatfuel Chatfuel focuses on lead qualification through Facebook Messenger, offering a chatbot that excels in engaging and qualifying leads on this platform. Its standout feature is its ease of use and rapid deployment, though it may not support other channels as effectively. Key Features: Chatfuel integrates with Facebook Messenger, providing tools for lead capture and qualification. It offers a visual flow builder and supports basic CRM integrations. Limitations include a focus on Facebook Messenger and less support for other channels. Best for: Businesses focusing on Facebook Messenger for lead qualification. Not suitable for those needing multi-channel support. Cresta AI Agent Crestas AI Agent delivers human-like, multi-step conversations across voice and digital channels and can be configured for lead qualification scenarios (screening, routing, appointment setting) alongside support and sales use cases. It runs on an agentic, multi-model architecture with enterprise controls and seamless escalation to humans. Key Features: Omnichannel conversations; persona presets; analytics; and unified management for human + AI agents. Recent releases emphasize omnichannel continuity and enterprise scalability for contact centers. Best for: Enterprise teams needing enterprise-grade, omnichannel conversational AI that can qualify and route leads while coexisting with service and sales operations. Botsonic Botsonic (by Writesonic) lets teams spin up website chatbots trained on their own content to handle sales and qualification flows. Its geared to capture visitor details, ask screening questions, and route qualified prospectsreducing manual pre-sales back-and-forth. Key Features: No-code bot builder; data ingestion from site/files; conversational forms; and pricing tiers suitable for testing lead gen chatbots. Documentation and blogs emphasize using Botsonic for lead-gen qualification on owned data. Best for: SMBs and growth teams wanting a fast, no-code route to on-site qualification using a custom, RAG-style bot trained on their materials. Botpress Botpress is a developer-friendly platform for building AI chatbots, including lead-gen and lead-qualification experiences that replace static forms. It supports tailored questioning, intent checks, and CRM handoff through integrations or APIs. Key Features: Visual flows + NLU; real-time qualification; knowledge ingestion; and extensibility via integrations. Botpress content specifically covers lead-generation/qualification best practices and patterns. Best for: Product and growth teams that want to own a customizable qualification bot and integrate it deeply with existing data and systems. Tidio Tidio combines live chat and AI chatbots to capture and qualify leads on websites, with case studies citing increases in qualified-lead volume via guided chat flows and triggers. The platform blends automation with agent takeover, supporting segmentation and alerts. Key Features: Lead-gen chatbots, triggers, tagging/segmentation, and multi-channel widgets; guides on AI lead gen and faster qualification. Best for: SMBs and e-commerce sites seeking practical, template-driven qualification that pairs bots with live agents. ChatBot.com ChatBot.com provides a no-code builder to qualify leads through conversational flows on websites and messaging channels. Official resources outline qualification tactics (progressive profiling, routing) that can feed CRMs via integrations. Key Features: Visual builder; lead capture widgets; qualification playbooks; and integrations through Zapier and webhooks for CRM handoff. Best for: Teams that want a straightforward, no-code qualification bot for web/chat channels without heavy developer lift. CloseBot CloseBot lets agencies and teams build AI agents that qualify leads and book meetings, with configurable personas and job flows to ask screening questions and schedule appointments. It targets quick setup for automated lead handling. Key Features: Persona-based bots, qualification flows, performance metrics, and appointment scheduling within the conversation. Best for: Agencies and service businesses that want turnkey lead-qual + booking agents without writing code. Vapi AI Vapi.ai provides programmable voice agents that qualify leads over phone callsasking screening questions, capturing details, and booking follow-upsthen handing off qualified prospects to reps. It exposes the full agent stack (LLM, ASR, TTS) and templates for lead qualification. Key Features: Ready-to-fork lead-qualification voice agents; appointment setting; integrations via APIs; and blog guidance on automating qualification and scheduling. Best for: Teams that need real-time phone conversations for qualification (e.g., services, local, inbound phone leads) with developer control. Pathmonk Pathmonk offers an on-site lead-qualification layer that personalizes journeys and converts visitors into MQLs. It runs dynamic prompts/flows that identify intent, score, and route visitors to the right rep or booking flow, improving demo conversions. Key Features: On-site qualification experiences, scoring, deal values, rep routing, and analyticsdesigned to lift conversion quality rather than just form fills. Best for: Marketing teams wanting a website-native qualification assistant that routes high-intent visitors to sales in seconds. 11x.ai Julian 11x.ais Julian is an AI phone rep for inbound sales: it answers, calls back, qualifies, and routes leads 24/7. Its aimed at replacing manual triage with consistent, scripted discovery over voicethen scheduling meetings or transfers. Key Features: Inbound phone qualification, routing, and booking; multi-language digital worker positioning; 24/7 operation. Best for: Organizations that receive many inbound calls and want an always-on, voice-based qualifier before the rep engagement. Comparison table: Tool Primary Use / Focus Qualification Method Integrations AI Sophistication Deployment Best For Intercom Conversational lead qualification for web and mobile Rule-based and CRM-linked chat Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack Moderate rule logic, no deep NLP Web, mobile Mid-sized businesses using Salesforce/HubSpot Drift Conversational marketing & AI sales engagement Behavioral personalization & conversational AI Salesforce, Marketo, Pardot Advanced real-time personalization & analytics Web, multi-channel Enterprises needing tailored conversations HubSpot Chatbot Native CRM-integrated qualification bot Rule-based flows & CRM data sync HubSpot CRM Basic guided logic only Web, mobile Smallmid businesses on HubSpot Tars Conversational landing pages replacing forms Guided Q&A conversations Google Analytics, Zapier Basic no NLP Web SMBs optimizing conversion-focused landing pages Qualified Salesforce-native chatbot for ABM & qualification CRM data-driven scoring & routing Salesforce Advanced account-level data context Web Salesforce-centric organizations Zoho SalesIQ Website engagement and lead scoring bot Visitor tracking & behavior-based scoring Zoho CRM, Desk Moderate limited predictive AI Web, mobile SMBs using Zoho ecosystem MobileMonkey Multi-channel chat marketing and lead capture Scripted flows across channels Facebook, SMS, Web, Zapier Basic form-like qualification Messenger, SMS, Web Multi-channel marketing teams ManyChat Facebook Messenger lead engagement Flow-based conversations Facebook, Shopify, HubSpot Basic template-based Facebook Messenger Social-first businesses Landbot No-code chatbot builder for websites Interactive conversation forms Zapier, Google Sheets Moderate customizable workflows Web No-code teams needing form replacement Chatfuel Messenger-based chat marketing Scripted conversation sequences Facebook, Zapier Basic predefined conversation trees Facebook Messenger Small businesses using Messenger Cresta AI Agent Omnichannel AI conversation agent AI-led multi-turn dialogues Salesforce, Genesys, contact center APIs Advanced multi-model conversational AI Voice, chat, digital Enterprises with omnichannel sales teams Botsonic (Writesonic) Website chatbots trained on custom data Contextual Q&A + lead screening Zapier, HubSpot, Notion Advanced GPT-based RAG model Web SMBs and startups needing content-trained bots Botpress Developer platform for custom qualification bots NLU-powered conversations APIs, CRMs, Zapier Advanced full NLU/NLP stack Web, chat, voice Developers & growth teams needing flexibility Tidio Website chat + live agent hybrid for lead capture AI-triggered chats & lead scoring Shopify, HubSpot, Zapier Moderate AI triggers & templates Web E-commerce & SMBs using hybrid chat support ChatBot.com No-code builder for website & messaging chatbots Progressive profiling & routing Zapier, LiveChat, Slack Moderate logic-driven, no NLP Web, messaging SMBs wanting quick deployment CloseBot AI meeting-booking and qualification agent Persona-based scripted Q&A Google Calendar, CRMs (via API) Moderate prompt-based AI Web Agencies automating booking and screening Vapi AI Voice agents for phone-based qualification Real-time voice conversations Custom APIs, CRMs Advanced speech + LLM + TTS stack Voice Sales teams using phone channels Pathmonk On-site visitor qualification engine Intent detection & scoring HubSpot, Salesforce, GA Advanced behavioral AI Web Marketing teams optimizing conversion rates 11x.ai (Julian) AI phone rep for inbound qualification Voice dialogue, routing, and booking CRM & calendar integrations Advanced AI phone SDR Voice Teams with high inbound call volume Closing Takeaway When shortlisting chatbot tools for lead qualification, consider integration capabilities, data handling, and team skills. Evaluate how each tool fits within your existing stack and the total cost of ownership. Next steps include trialing shortlisted tools, assessing integration ease, and ensuring alignment with business goals. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Namaste, poker face and chuckles: How Giorgia Meloni stole the show at Gaza peace summit with priceless reactions 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. 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I Accept Pakistan may try Pahalgam-style attacks again, warns Western Army commander; says 'Operation Sindoor 2.0 will be deadlier' File Photo - Indian soldiers trek back after a search operation around Baisaran meadow in the aftermath of an attack in Pahalgam on April 23, 2025. (Photo by TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP) 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 US President Donald Trump (C) listens to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (R) as he delivers a statement during a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, 2025 (AFP) Armaan Bhatnagar 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 Manish Rao is a seasoned journalist who has extensively covered global affairs, geopolitical developments, American politics, and all other things making news around the world. Pradeep Tripathi 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 Trump convinced Netanyahu to take a deal. Can he keep him onboard? A senior U.S. official suggested that Trump had gained influence with Netanyahu in part by strongly supporting Israel on other important matters. 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Watch: What Italian PM Meloni said as Erdogan teased her about smoking Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Legal teams are discovering their perfect match isnt just smart people-its smart people working alongside robots and AI agents that actually get stuff done, says Tecalas Shaun Leisegang. As legal teams grapple with rising complexity and shrinking resources, the future of legal firms lies in a powerful alliance between human expertise, robotic process automation (RPA), and artificial intelligence (AI) agents. Historically, legal support functions have relied on either manual processes or rigid, rule-based automations. While these methods have helped manage repetitive tasks, they are no longer sufficient in a world driven by rapid data growth and increasing regulatory scrutiny. The next generation of legal services requires a dynamic triad: RPA bots to handle high-volume, rule-based activities; AI agents to process complex, decision-based work; and human professionals to apply judgment and ethical reasoning where needed. The role of robots The first pillar of the new legal dream team is robotic process automation (RPA). Contrary to the popular sci-fi portrayal, these robots are software-based tools designed to automate repetitive tasks by mimicking human interactions with digital systems. RPA bots operate using two methods: application programming interfaces (APIs) and user interface (UI) automation. When APIs are available, bots use them to seamlessly pull and push data across platforms. When not, bots can replicate user actions such as clicking through screens, inputting data, and extracting results exactly as a human would. One real-world example would be automating a paralegals workflow during a new matter intake process. Paralegals regularly spend more than 30 minutes a day conducting routine searches on corporate entities. By deploying an RPA bot to handle tasks like Australian Business Number (ABN) lookups, ASIC searches, and trademark verifications, the legal team can free up valuable time for higher-value activities. The role of people While RPA excels at structured tasks, humans remain central to nuanced decision-making and oversight. In this new digital environment, people interact with systems through digital process automation (DPA). This involves tools that include dynamic forms, data integrations, and audit-ready workflows. For example, consider the employee onboarding process. A digital form collects applicant information, which then triggers a workflow assigning reviews to HR staff. Once approved, the workflow generates contracts, enables digital signatures, and even sets up user accounts. Behind the scenes, all steps are logged for full transparency and auditability. More importantly, workflows remain flexible while being easily updated with drag-and-drop tools to adapt to changing business needs. Enter AI agents The most transformative development in legal tech is the emergence of AI agents. These are intelligent digital workers capable of goal-directed action. These agents, powered by secure generative AI models, are equipped to observe, decide, act, and learn. They represent a leap beyond RPA by managing unstructured data and making decisions on the fly. An illustrative use case is contract review. Traditionally, legal teams manually reviewed master service agreements, compared them to standard terms, and flagged discrepancies. This was not only time-consuming but prone to oversight. AI agents can now automate this process. They ingest incoming contracts, compare clauses to internal standards, flag deviations, and suggest negotiation strategies, escalating only genuinely ambiguous or risky terms to human lawyers. One such agent, called Redlinr, combines document analysis with contextual awareness. By referencing a companys standard agreement and comparing it with an incoming version, Redlinr generates a summary highlighting key variances, such as differences in indemnity or intellectual property clauses, and proposes actionable next steps. In low-risk scenarios, it can even approve changes without human intervention. Building the dream team So, how can legal departments begin to adopt this trio of technologies? In many cases, the starting point involves identifying use cases where automation or AI could deliver meaningful efficiency gains or risk reduction. This is often followed by structured evaluations assessing the feasibility, compliance requirements, and potential impact of each idea. From there, small-scale pilots or proof-of-concept initiatives help validate the benefits before broader implementation. This phased approach helps ensure the right blend of tools robots for repetitive actions, AI agents for intelligent decision-making, and people for oversight is applied in the right places. The right time is now The legal profession is at a pivotal juncture, and waiting for change is no longer an option. By embracing automation, AI, and process management, legal teams not only increase efficiency and reduce risk but also elevate their strategic value to the broader business. Whether reviewing contracts faster, improving onboarding processes, or ensuring compliance, the legal dream team offers a model for modern legal operations. The future assistant in your law office might not be a person, but it will be smarter than a robot, more agile than a script, and capable of learning like a human. The era of the AI-enabled legal function has arrived. The only question left is when will you start your journey? Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. October 14, 2025 China Reacts After U.S. Pushed Netherlands To Seize Chinese Owned Company This is a a story about a fight between titans in which Europe, due to its leaders stupidity, is the most significant casualty. Dutch government seizes control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia Politico.eu, Oct 13 2025 The move could inflame wider trade tensions between Beijing and the European Union. The Dutch government has granted itself the power to intervene in company decisions at Dutch-based Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia. The highly unusual step, announced late Sunday, grants the country the power to halt and reverse company decisions meaning Nexperia cannot transfer assets or hire executives without Dutch government approval, according to national media. The move is a significant escalation in relations between the Netherlands and China and could inflame wider trade tensions between Beijing and the European Union, with Europe caught in the middle of a tit-for-tat chips war between the U.S. and China. The Dutch have effectively stolen a big Chinese owned company. The background via Pekingology: Wingtech Technology is a privately-run, Shanghai-listed Chinese electronics and semiconductor conglomerate headquartered in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province. It began as an original design manufacturer (ODM) for smartphones and consumer devices and has since grown into one of Chinas most prominent integrated technology companies, combining electronics assembly, chip design, and semiconductor manufacturing. Wingtech in 2019 acquired Nexperia, a Dutch semiconductor firm that was formerly part of Philips chip division, NXP. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Nexperia is a global semiconductor company with a rich European history and over 12,500 employees across Europe, Asia, and the United States. In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce added Wingtech to its Entity List, restricting its access to American components and technology. The U.S. unilateral sanctions threatened heavy losses and forced the Apple supplier to announce, in March 2025, the spin-off of a major part of its operations. Zhang Xuefeng is the founder of Wingtech and CEO of Nexperia, which closed the 2024 financial year with a total revenue of $2.06 billion. A successful businessman from China bought the Dutch company. He invested heavily and the company grew with several research and manufacturing sides throughout Europe and the world. The company paid a lot of taxes and the Dutch were happy. In late 2024 Wingtech was put on the U.S. entity list to block Chinese semiconductor development by cutting it off from U.S. products and technology licenses. In June 2024 the U.S. planned to extend the entity list. Not only would chip companies in China be prohibited from use of U.S. content but any international company that was 50% or more owned by a Chinese entity would likewise be penalized. On September 30 2025 the U.S. Commerce Department extended its export restrictions: A U.S. Commerce Department interim final rule vastly expands the number of entities subject to export control restrictions by extending the Entity List and MEU List restrictions to non-U.S. entities 50% or more owned, directly or indirectly, by listed parties effective as of September 29, 2025. (The new Chinese export controls on rare earth metals and certain other technologies are a direct response to those new U.S. restrictions.) The U.S. move cut of Nexperia and other partially Chinese owned companies in Europe from U.S. content. The Dutch government, which had been forewarned and pressed by the U.S., panicked: US officials told their Dutch counterparts that the Chinese CEO of Nexperia will have to be replaced for the company to be exempt from Washingtons entity list, newly disclosed court documents show. The disclosure comes after the Dutch government effectively seized control of the semiconductor firm, a subsidiary of the Chinese company Wingtech, forcing a change in management under an obscure law known as the Goods Availability Act. In doing so, the Dutch authorities removed founding CEO Zhang Xuezheng from his role, sparking fury in Beijing. Court documents released by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal on Tuesday show that the United States told Dutch officials in June about a forthcoming change in the entity list, which bars American companies from trading with firms on the list. On Sunday October 12, after the company was seized, Wingtech dropped a bombshell filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange. It describes how Nexperias 2nd level management, under Dutch government pressure, deposed of the Chief Executive Officer and owner of the company: On 1 October 2025 (Netherlands time), Ruben Lichtenberg, a Dutch national who serves as the statutory director and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of both Nexperia Holding and Nexperia Semiconductor, filedwith the support of two other executives, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Stefan Tilger and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Achim Kempe, both German nationalsan urgent petition before the Enterprise Chamber requesting a corporate investigation and immediate provisional measures on behalf of both Nexperia entities. On the same day, the Enterprise Chamber granted several emergency measures immediately, without a hearing, which took effect at once. These measures included suspending Mr. Zhang Xuezheng from his positions as executive officer of Nexperia Holding and non-executive director of Nexperia Semiconductor; suspending the operation of Article 3 of the Board Rules of Nexperia Semiconductor, which defines the CEOs duties and authorities; and placing all shares held by Wingtech subsidiary Yuching Holding Limited (a Hong Kong-registered company and the sole shareholder of Nexperia Holding) under temporary management by an independent third-party trustee for management purposes, effective until the Enterprise Chambers oral hearing scheduled for 6 October 2025 and its subsequent ruling on the request for immediate relief. Wingtechs official WeChat blog released a scathing announcement, which was widely distributed in China. Internal Legal Actions Are a Malicious Extension of External Pressure Certain foreign executives within Nexperia have attempted to use legal means to forcibly alter the companys ownership structure. Their actions are closely aligned with the Dutch governments administrative directives and, in essence, represent an effort to usurp shareholder rights and subvert lawful corporate governance under the guise of compliance. We strongly condemn such politically motivated attempts to seize control. We Will Resolutely Defend Our Lawful Rights Today the Chinese government reacted to the Dutch raid of the Chinese owned company by cutting it off from Chinese technologies and products: Chipmaker Nexperia, a subsidiary of Chinas Wingtech Technology and a major supplier of mature chips for the automotive and consumer electronics sectors, announced on Tuesday that it has been banned by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce from exporting products made in China, including those produced by its subcontractors, after the Dutch government took over the company using a Cold-War-era law to secure Europes chip supply. Nexperia said it is seeking an exemption from the export ban, which could affect Dutch access to its chips. The company operates an 80,000-square-meter assembly site in Guangdong province near Hong Kong, as well as fabrication, assembly, and testing facilities in Germany, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Britain. If the Dutch government does not retract its decision to practically confiscate Nexperia the company will die. Its business is globalized. Parts of its products are made all over the world. Its products and sales in Europe depend on subcontractor products which are made in China. The company is important to Europe. It produces some 90 billion bread and butter components per year which flow into other higher value European products. Sure, other Chinese companies will be happy to replace those parts. But where is the win for the Netherlands or Europe in that? In the trade war between U.S. and China Europe should have stayed neutral. It should not have buckled under pressure from either side but rely on its own substantial trade powers to stay out of the fight. It is a fight in which the U.S. has no chance to win. It was a huge mistake by the Dutch to submit to U.S. demands and to seize Nexperia. It was a huge mistake for Europe to submit to U.S. demands. The minions leading Europe who have allowed for this deserve to be fired over their utter strategic stupidity. Comments ChatGPT now holds 82.6% of the global AI chatbot market, nearly five times its top five rivals combined. What does this mean for startups? Whats happening: ChatGPT held 82.6% of the global AI chatbot market in July 2025, according to data presented by Jemlit.com analysing StatCounter figures, marking a nearly 3% increase from June. Why this matters: For entrepreneurs and startups building AI products, ChatGPTs market dominance presents a critical strategic challenge: how do you differentiate and compete when one platform commands over 80% of user mindshare? The AI chatbot market is experiencing rapid consolidation, with OpenAIs ChatGPT extending its dominance whilst competitors struggle to gain traction. New data reveals the extent of this imbalance and raises questions about competitive dynamics in the emerging AI industry. According to data presented by Jemlit.com, ChatGPT holds 82.6% of the AI chatbot market in July 2025, based on StatCounter figures. The platforms share increased by nearly 3% from June, reversing a decline that had seen it lose nearly 5% of market share between April and July. ChatGPTs five largest competitors, Perplexity at just over 8%, Microsoft Copilot at 4.59%, Google Gemini at 2.19%, DeepSeek at 1.63%, and Claude at 0.91%, collectively account for just 17.3% of the market. ChatGPTs share is nearly five times larger than all five competitors combined. Market consolidation accelerates The July data reveals that ChatGPT is not merely maintaining its position but actively growing at the expense of competitors. Whilst ChatGPT gained nearly 3% in market share, four of its five largest rivals experienced declines during the same period. Perplexity, which holds second position in the market, saw its share drop from 11% in June to just over 8% in July. Microsoft Copilot declined by 0.24 percentage points to 4.59%, whilst Claude slipped from 1.11% to 0.91%. Google Gemini remained flat at 2.19%. DeepSeek was the only competitor to gain ground, rising from just over 1% in June to 1.63% in July. The Chinese chatbots growth suggests it is drawing users from other platforms rather than from ChatGPT. For startups and entrepreneurs, these trends indicate a winner-takes-most dynamic rather than a fragmented competitive landscape. The data suggests that gaining market share requires not just technical capability but overcoming significant switching costs and embedded user behaviours. Regional patterns emerge Regional analysis reveals variation in ChatGPTs dominance, though it commands majority share across all major markets. Europe shows the strongest concentration, with ChatGPT holding 85.66% of the market in July, up 1.5 percentage points month-over-month. However, this represents a decline from the 90% share it held in April, suggesting some regional market opening despite overall consolidation. In the United States, which hosts the largest number of active generative AI users globally, ChatGPT held 80.1% of the market in July, rising 2.2 percentage points from June. Asia recorded an even larger gain, with ChatGPTs share jumping from 77.6% in June to 81.1% in July. These regional differences may offer strategic opportunities for competitors. Markets where ChatGPTs dominance is slightly weaker, or where share gains have been more modest, could indicate areas where alternative platforms have found product-market fit or where local preferences create differentiation opportunities. The startup challenge ChatGPTs market position creates substantial challenges for startups building in the AI space. With over 80% of users already on one platform, new entrants face questions about market positioning, differentiation and addressable market size. The data indicates that simply offering comparable functionality is insufficient. Despite backing from major technology companies, platforms like Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini have failed to significantly erode ChatGPTs lead. This suggests that brand recognition, user familiarity and ecosystem effects create powerful barriers to competition. However, spending patterns tell a more nuanced story. Analysis of over 200,000 Mercury startup customers between June and August 2025 shows OpenAI secured the top position for AI spending, followed by Anthropic at number two and Perplexity at number 12, according to recent Dynamic Business reporting. This indicates that whilst ChatGPT dominates consumer usage, enterprise and startup spending is somewhat more distributed. The venture capital implications are significant. Investors evaluating AI startups must assess not just technical capability but realistic paths to user acquisition in a market where one platform commands overwhelming mindshare. Startups may need to demonstrate clear differentiation in functionality, target market or business model to justify investment. Differentiation strategies matter The market data suggests several potential strategies for startups navigating ChatGPTs dominance. Vertical specialisation : Rather than building general-purpose chatbots, focusing on industry-specific applications where deep domain expertise creates defensible advantages. This could include regulated industries, specialised professional services or markets with unique data requirements. : Rather than building general-purpose chatbots, focusing on industry-specific applications where deep domain expertise creates defensible advantages. This could include regulated industries, specialised professional services or markets with unique data requirements. API and infrastructure plays : Instead of competing for end-user mindshare, building developer tools, infrastructure or middleware that works across platforms. This approach acknowledges market consolidation whilst capturing value from the broader AI ecosystem. : Instead of competing for end-user mindshare, building developer tools, infrastructure or middleware that works across platforms. This approach acknowledges market consolidation whilst capturing value from the broader AI ecosystem. Enterprise and B2B focus : Targeting business customers with specific requirements around data privacy, customisation or integration that consumer-focused platforms may not prioritise. Enterprise buyers often have different decision criteria than individual users. : Targeting business customers with specific requirements around data privacy, customisation or integration that consumer-focused platforms may not prioritise. Enterprise buyers often have different decision criteria than individual users. Consumer-to-enterprise evolution: many businesses on the top enterprise AI spending list allow individual adoption without requiring enterprise licences, with eleven of twelve companies appearing on both consumer and enterprise rankings starting as individual products before evolving to offer team functionality. This product-led growth strategy enables startups to build user bases before moving upmarket. The July data underscores that technical capability alone is insufficient. Platforms backed by technology giants with enormous resources have failed to significantly dent ChatGPTs market position. Success will likely require not just better technology but fundamentally different value propositions that address unmet needs or underserved markets. For entrepreneurs and startup founders, the message is clear: competing directly with ChatGPT for general-purpose chatbot users is an increasingly difficult proposition. Strategic differentiation, whether through vertical focus, business model innovation or targeted market selection, appears essential for building sustainable businesses in an AI market that shows strong consolidation dynamics. The full story and statistics can be found here: https://jemlit.com/blog/chatgpt-market-share-surges-to-82-6-in-july/ Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. South Korea on alert as 80 citizens go missing in Cambodia amid scam center crisis Eighty South Koreans who were possible victims of fake jobs or scam centers were unaccounted for in Cambodia, South Korea's foreign ministry told AFP Tuesday. A foreign ministry official said that between January and August this year, 330 South Koreans were reported to have gone missing or been held against their will after entering Cambodia. As of August, "The safety of about 80 people has yet to be verified," a foreign ministry official told AFP. The ministry added that they are cross-checking the figures with police data at home to avoid overlap. While there were around 21 cases of kidnapping or confinement involving South Koreans in Cambodia in 2023, the figure jumped tenfold to 221 last year and further surged to fifteenfold as of August, lawmaker Yoon Hu-duk said in a parliamentary hearing. The recent death of a Korean college student in Cambodia -- reportedly kidnapped and tortured by a local crime ring -- has shocked South Korea. Many of the South Koreans are said to have been lured by fraudulent job offers promising high pay, according to the government. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that the recent kidnappings in Cambodia are causing "significant harm to South Koreans." "The numbers are not small, and many of our citizens are deeply concerned about their family members, friends, and neighbors who have been detained in Cambodia," said Lee in a cabinet meeting. "The government should immediately implement all available measures to ensure the safety of our citizens," he added. The Presidential office said that they will dispatch a joint response team to Cambodia on Wednesday, led by the second vice foreign minister. Presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon also said the government is considering raising the travel advisory level for Cambodia. Their resilience is a lesson to us all: The maritime lions hunting seals on the beach BBC (Kevin W) The Best Medicine For Joint Pain Isnt What You Think, Expert Says The Conversation (Chuck L). This is the sort of one-size-fits all nonsense that makes me want to break china: Yet people who exercise regularly are physically and biologically protecting themselves from developing the disease [osteoarthritis] and from suffering its worst effects. Complete garbage. My chondromalacia patella is the DIRECT result of exercise. And this article treats all exercise as beneficial for arthritis, when there are many exercises that would further damage my joints. One of my MDs, a top specialist in non/minimally invasive procedures says (in my nomenclature, not his) that for women, jogging is knee surgery futures due to nearly all women having too much joint laxity to not suffer damage. Breakthrough Discovery Could Finally Be the Key to Male Birth Control SciTech Daily (Chuck L) Your type of depression could shape your bodys future health ScienceDaily (Kevin W) A Japanese screw craftsman who single-handedly produces 400,000 screws a day and How to Make It YouTube (resilc) The Limits of Data Issues in Science and Technology (resilc). Todays must read. Climate/Environment The regional level of Absorbed Solar Radiation increased by 4.2 W/m in 20 years!! That's more than the global greenhouse gas forcing increase since 1750! The 2 W/m Net Flux increase indicates that there is a lot more regional warming in the pipeline.https://t.co/yUYNtlsBaM pic.twitter.com/HD2nT2rSDI Leon Simons (@LeonSimons8) October 10, 2025 Guess who's back, back again. La Nina's back, tell a friend. For the fifth time in six years, La Nina is back. Is the La Nina trend being influenced by rising global temperatures? Given how important El Nino and La Nina are to weather patterns, it's critical to figure this out! pic.twitter.com/kPT754RjbJ Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) October 10, 2025 China? India-Pakistan Southeast Asia Africa South of the Border European Disusion Old Blighty Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Imperial Collapse Watch Trump 2.0 Immigration ICE Raids Are Only Half The Story YouTube. Chris C: Video where the vlogger talks about farm labor and the H2A visa system. She also talks about changes made to the H2A visa system by the Trump administration as well as the role of farm owners and labor contractors in these changes. Important information about current farm slavery in the U.S. Shutdown Supremes The Missing Defenses of the Courts Behavior Steve Vladeck Our No Longer Free Press AI Mr. Market is Moody Economy The Dismal Science The Bezzle Class Warfare Plastic Surgery Comes for the Waist New York Times (resilc) Antidote du jour. Janet T: Duchess (yellow lab who has prompted more laughter than any other dog weve had) and Moogie (fluffy and chonky boy kitty who is a love), watching the birds and chipmunks. And a bonus (Chuck L): they knew he was helping their baby instead of attacking, they thanked him. nature is truly beautiful pic.twitter.com/i7ckZYroU7 Nature & Animals (@naturelife_ok) October 12, 2025 A second bonus: The backflip, a gymnast is born pic.twitter.com/OPZ6mWsKMI Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) October 13, 2025 And a third: Mission: Save the pandas from extinction. Obstacle: The pandas. pic.twitter.com/Agf1ci5JiR Nature is Amazing (@AMAZlNGNATURE) October 13, 2025 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here The breakout of war in Venezuela could be a horror show for the entire continent. The Trump administration seems increasingly poised to climb a few more rungs of the escalatory ladder in its latest face-off with Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro government, perhaps even to the point of war. With the US keen to reassert its strategic dominance of its so-called backyard and Cuban American neo-con Marco Rubio occupying the dual roles of secretary of state and national security advisor, anything is possible. The decision last Friday of the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award its long-sullied Peace Prize to the Venezuelan far-right coup plotter Maria Corina Machado was merely the latest statement of intent. Following her nomination by Rubio and Mike Waltz, Machados unexpected victory has helped revive Venezuelas downcast opposition movement, as BBC Mundo helpfully explains (translated by yours truly): When the opposition to the government of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela seemed once again downcast and without the possibility of provoking change, the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to its leader, Maria Corina Machado, revives hopes. The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday chose Machado for her tireless work in promoting the democratic rights of the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. Machado has tried everything in her fight against the government first of Hugo Chavez and now of Maduro. She has participated in elections and called for abstention, has sat at negotiating tables that have failed and has made calls to take to the streets. What the BBC fails to mention is that Machado has worked tirelessly on behalf of US interests in Venezuela since the failed US-sponsored coup of 2002. That attempted coup came just two years after Chavez passed energy reforms that sought to ensure that more of the revenues generated by the oil sector stayed in Venezuela. Also in 2002, Machado set up her NGO Sumate with funds from the US National Endowment for Democracy, a notorious CIA cut-out. Also not mentioned: Machado has repeatedly asked the US and other countries, including Israel and Argentina, to invade her home country of Venezuela and remove the Chavista government. Like Argentinas Javier Milei, her political rise has been facilitated by organisations belonging to the Koch-financed Atlas Network. Like Milei, Machado, if given the keys to power, would privatise Venezuelas oil industry and open the door to US military bases. Indeed, Milei just authorised by decree the entry into the country of members of the US Armed Forces to participate in a joint military exercise without consulting Congress, in direct violation of the Argentine Constitution Here is Machado telling Donald Trump Jr in February how she would open up Venezuelas markets and kick the government out of the energy sector: "Tenemos petroleo infinito. Abriremos los mercados y privatizaremos todas las industrias, tenemos una ubicacion estrategica". Maria Corina Machado vendiendo el pais al hijo de Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/H7MxW59DZv laChiqui (@Chiqui_new) October 12, 2025 Perhaps most controversially, Machado completely supports the USs deadly, criminal attacks on unidentified boats belonging to her compatriots in the Caribbean. The US so far claims to have destroyed four alleged drug trafficking boats, killing 21 people, without presenting a single shred of evidence. Here is the fourth one, (allegedly) pulverised on October 3. Earlier this morning, on President Trump's orders, I directed a lethal, kinetic strike on a narco-trafficking vessel affiliated with Designated Terrorist Organizations in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the pic.twitter.com/QpNPljFcGn Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 3, 2025 A Perfect Pretext Roughly a week ago, Trump sent Congress a memo explaining that his administration had determined that members of Latin American drug cartels are unlawful combatants with which the United States is engaged in non-international armed conflict an interesting choice of term. As we warned over two years ago, Washington is now using the War on Drugs as a pretext for reasserting itself in its direct neighbourhood, much as it used the War on Terror to assert itself in the Middle East. Since August, the Trump White House has deployed warships, aircraft and over 4,000 troops in the Caribbean region on a purported anti-narcotics mission. Following at least four strikes against boats that have reportedly killed over 20 people, the Trump administration is reportedly considering launching attacks against alleged drug targets inside Venezuelan territory. The fact that the latest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize supports not only Israels genocide in Gaza but also the US indiscriminate murder on the high seas of her own countrymen is yet another reminder of just how worthless that prize is. In the following clip of her conversation with fellow Zionist, Bari Weiss, Machado explains why she devoted her peace prize to President Trump: In this episode of the Zionist Axis of She-vil, Nobel War Prize winner Maria Corina Machado tells Bari Weiss why she reveres Trump for branding her countrymen as terrorists and bombing them pic.twitter.com/5VfcbA9v0h Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) October 13, 2025 So, how far is Trump willing to climb the escalatory ladder in Venezuela? According to Politico, Trumps team doesnt seem to be ruling anything out, including apparently sending in an invasion force (with 7,000 troops?): [I]s Trump willing to eventually do anything? Send an invasion force to Venezuela or launch a missile with Maduros name on it, maybe? Trumps team doesnt seem to be ruling anything out. Trump has many plans available to him, including ones calling for airstrikes against drug targets on Venezuelan soil, but he has issued no order to directly take out Maduro, the official said. Still, one person familiar with the discussions suggested that if Maduro is considered a drug lord and a terrorist, he could become a fair target. Dont we go after indicted narco traffickers and terrorists all the time? the person said. I granted both people anonymity to talk about sensitive internal deliberations. Chinas leadership certainly seems to be taking the threats seriously: China opposes any act that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other countries sovereignty and security. We oppose the use or threat of force in international relations, and oppose the interference of external forces in #Venezuelas internal affairs under FU Cong (@ChinaAmbUN) October 10, 2025 From Venezuela Analysis: Venezuela received strong support from geopolitical allies China and Russia during an emergency United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting focused on US military threats in the Caribbean. The Friday afternoon session was held at Venezuelas request, with the Nicolas Maduro government warning of the possibility of a US armed attack against the country in the very short term. No resolutions were proposed. Russias ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, who currently heads the UNSC, condemned Washingtons unprecedented pressure and military threats. The Russian diplomat warned the US against committing an irreparable mistake by launching a direct attack against the Caribbean nation. If there is an attack against Venezuela, it could affect the entire region, he said. Nebenzya went on to criticize recent US strikes against alleged drug-carrying boats, which have killed more than 20 civilians, as flagrant violations of international law and human rights. The Russian official likewise rebuked Washingtons narcoterrorism accusations against Caracas as fit for a Hollywood script. Chinese Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong joined the condemnation of the lethal strikes against unarmed vessels in the Caribbean, calling them unilateral and excessive actions. The Trump administration has not provided evidence that the vessels carried drugs. We reject the threats or the use of force in international relations and repudiate the foreign meddling in Venezuelas internal affairs, Cong stated during the session. Beijings diplomat urged Washington to heed international calls for peace and stability in the region. A New Vietnam? At the regional level, however, Venezuela is arguably more isolated than ever. With a few notable exceptions (e.g. Colombia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Bolivia and Honduras), most countries have refused to rally round Venezuelas cause, including the two regional powerhouses, Mexico and Brazil. This makes the region even more susceptible to a new wave of US imperialism, warns the Mexican philosopher and political analyst Fernando Buen Abad in an interview with the veteran journalist Julio Astillero (machine translated): As of yet there have been no forceful pronouncements on the matter from the presidents of the region. Despite the gravity of the threat to all Latin American and Caribbean nations, there doesnt seem to be any political backbone to try to stop these despicable acts. Already an important number of people have been killed by strikes perpetrated by the US armed forces No country has the right to invade another to plunder its resources. If we tolerate it in Venezuela, we will soon have to tolerate it in Mexico and throughout the continent, not only for oil but for gold, silver, copper and for any other valuable natural resource that the US covets, including water. Buen Abad notes that the gradual normalisation of the US strikes against unidentified boats in the Caribbean suggests that the people who have been slaughtered in this way, without a trial, without even a formal recognition of who they were, without the slightest regard for the basic foundations of international human rights law, deserved their fate. But if the US does launch a large-scale attack against Venezuela (which in my view is still a big IF*), and are expecting a cakewalk, they are likely to be sorely disappointed, says Buen Abad: They are going to find themselves facing a people who are organised, who are united, who are already undertaking defensive manoeuvreswho are already being forewarned by these strikes [on the boats]. What is happening in Venezuela is a warning to us all; we need to think carefully at both a political and geostrategic level. We will be making a grave mistake if we think this is a problem only for Maduro and Venezuela, because this could create a very unpleasant situation for the entire region. Nobody thinks [the Venezuelan people] are naive and not ready to launch a counter-offensive I am cautiously optimistic, like some of my colleagues, like Venezuelas own commander of the armed forces, Vladimir Padrino, who has repeatedly said: We have the capacity to defend ourselves, we can exhibit that capacity because we are an armed people Venezuela has a civilian militia that has clear knowledge of the territory and knows how to operate, block by block, neighbourhood by neighbourhood I have heard Captain Diosdello Caballo warn about Venezuelas defence systems that are already primed, oiled and ready for action. As Caballo said, if the [US and its allies] dare to enter Venezuela some will inevitably get through but none of them will get out again. All of this sets the stage for another Vietnam war, this time in Latin America The breakout of war in Venezuela could be a horror show for the entire continent. Buen Abad also notes that Venezuelas National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) will be able to count on the support of Cuban forces, which have a long history of resisting US imperialism. How much support it will receive from Russia and China remains to be seen. Venezuelas Military Capabilities A few months ago, El Paiss English-language website published a cursory analysis of Venezuelas military capabilities: The successive governments of Hugo Chavez and Maduro have made doctrinal work on the Armed Forces one of the pillars of the continuity in power of the Bolivarian revolution. Both leaders have always kept in mind the strategic nature of military spending in the country, which has been consistent despite criticism from some civilian sectors of the opposition. The Chavista commanders have strived to expand their military forces, with the obvious growth of the National Guard and the creation of the Bolivarian National Militia, the fifth component of the armed institutions and one that is particularly ideologized as the pillar of a hypothetical armed confrontation in the internal protection of the country based on an asymmetric strategy. Global Firepowers 2025 Military Strength Ranking places Venezuela at 50 in the world in terms of military power, out of a total of 160 nations analysed. It ranks seventh among Latin American nations (in recent years it has occupied fifth and sixth place), behind Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, and is in a very close bracket with the Armed Forces of Colombia, Chile, and Peru. Venezuela also ranks seventh in terms of regional military expenditure [T]he Maduro administration has made its relationship with Commander-in-Chief of the FANB and Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez one of the foundations of its stability in power. Padrino Lopez has made an enormous effort to meet the military needs of the state and contain the economic environment of military personnel. With a force of some 150,000 regular combatants and 430,000 reservists, the FANB is noted for its Air Force, one of the best equipped in the region with 79 units in total, whose line-up includes 24 Russian Sukhoi fighters and 16 U.S.-made F-16s in addition to 23 Chinese-made Hongdu K-V units and 10 Embraer Tucano aircraft. The national defense system has a sophisticated M1-Tor anti-aircraft missile system; 53 attack helicopters; 250 combat vehicles, and about 180 tanks, some of which are currently undergoing refitting and maintenance. The army has an inventory that includes 100,000 AK-Kalashnikov assault rifles that are already manufactured in the country Bruno Sgarzinis recent interview of Sovereign Protocols Thomas Keith, an expect on conflicts and information warfare, for Diario-Red fills in some of the gaps. Keith points out how Venezuelas close ties to Iran have been instrumental in rapidly scaling up the South American countrys drone program (machine translated): After two decades of cooperation between Iran and Venezuela, Caracas went from having no unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to a stratified fleet: the Harpy-001 (derived from the Iranian Mohajer-2) for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks; ANSU-100 armed drones capable of launching Qaem (Iranian guided missiles) munitions for precision harassment; ANSU-200 flying wing prototypes that are difficult to detect; Zamora V-1 loitering ammunition for kamikaze attacks; and swarms of first-person drones (FPVs) for assaults against sensors and vulnerable targets on congested coastlines. (authors note; this model of drones, also called loitering munitions, are used by Russia to overwhelm Ukraines air defences and launch multiple attacks on cities, or key infrastructure). Keith also warns that if the US and Machado-led Venezuelan opposition forces are looking to replicate Israels success with its assassination campaign against Hezbollah, they are likely to be disappointed: The Israeli campaign relied on on-the-ground human intelligence developed over many years, on infiltrated networks within the organisation [of Hezbollah], on favourable logistical conditions, and on a compact theatre of operations that allowed Israels military aircraft to enter and leave the country without facing significant retaliation. Venezuela, on the other hand, is a sovereign state with external allies that has spent years investing in shielding the mobility of its leadership and creating redundancies in its command and control. Attempting a Mossad-style decapitation operation would be met with air defences covering large distances and would involve complex political considerations, and the backing of allied countries, factors that could transform a limited show of force into a crisis of regional scope. As we have noted in previous articles, a large-scale offensive against Venezuela may well spread to neighbouring Colombia. Cuban forces will almost certainly join the ruckus, as may certain Latin American and Caribbean countries aligned with the US. Whats more, as Thomas notes, the US and Venezuelan opposition should not underestimate the scale of resistance they would likely meet from Venezuelas militia units. The deployment of the Bolivarian militia and the social fortification, moreover, turn the land incursions into a political trap. The activation of 5,336 Communal Militia Units, linked to 15,751 popular bases of integral defence and 8.2 million enlisted men and women, comprises a formidable territorial force based on popular resistance. Even without considering official militia numbers, the distribution of defence at the parish level ensures that any ground incursion faces politically toxic resistance, followed by attrition that far exceeds the tactical advantages gained. This dynamic of mobilisation also explains why confronting humble Venezuelan fishermen or carrying out attacks against small boats is counterproductive, since it hardens social cohesion and provides Caracas with propaganda material of high media impact to support its mobilisation and diplomatic efforts. So, once again, the US appears to be shooting itself in the foot from a strategic perspective. Taking out easy targets, including possibly innocent fishermen, merely serves to harden the loyalty of Venezuelan communities to the Chavista government while eroding what little remains of US soft power in the wider region. Again, the key question here is: what are the US long-term goals? The three most likely ones are: a) the toppling of the Chavez government in Venezuela; b) its replacement by a new client State presumably headed by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Machado; and c) the overt assertion of US dominance over the Caribbean region. However, as Thomas notes, while the US deployment in the Caribbean may expand its coercive options and reduce timelines for limited actions, it does not ensure a low-cost decapitation strategy: South Korea and Cambodia have held talks on enhancing consular support and investigative capacity to combat crimes targeting Korean citizens, said the South Korea 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The talks took place in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on Oct. 12 after a Korean student was reported to have died from torture related to online fraud in Cambodia. According to the ministry, Seoul has held diplomatic consultations with Phnom Penh to increase the number of police officers assigned to the Korean Embassy in Cambodia and to set up a Korean desk within a Cambodian police station to handle cases involving Korean nationals. Suspects in the kidnapping of a Korean man are held in Cambodia, on Sept. 23, 2025. Photo courtesy of Cambodian police Currently, the South Korean Embassy in Phnom Penh has one police officer and two police liaison officers assigned to coordinate cooperation. The Korean side believes this number is insufficient to address the recent surge in crimes such as job scams and illegal detention. According to earlier reports, a university student from the RoK was allegedly tortured to death after traveling to Cambodia to attend an exhibition on July 17. The incident has shocked the Korean public and sparked calls for stronger police cooperation to better protect victims. South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun on Oct. 10 summoned the Cambodian Ambassador to Seoul to express deep concern over the incident and urged the Cambodian government to take stronger measures against the growing number of online scams and illegal detentions targeting Korean citizens. In addition, the ministry upgraded its travel advisory for Phnom Penh from Level 2, which advises travelers to exercise caution, to Level 2.5 - a special travel warning. California permanently enshrines assisted-dying law Senate Bill 403 removes the sunset clause from California's End of Life Option Act, making the law permanent instead of expiring in 2031. The bill was sponsored by State Sen. Catherine Blakespear and passed with bipartisan support in both chambers (Senate 266, Assembly 5912) before being signed by Gov. Newsom. Under the law, mentally competent Californians 18 or older with terminal illness (six-month prognosis) may request and self-administer a life-ending prescription under strict safeguards (multiple requests, witnesses, second-physician confirmation, etc.). In 2024, 1,591 prescriptions were issued and 1,032 patients died by ingestion; most were over age 60, in hospice or palliative care and had serious illness (with cancer predominant). Critics warn that cementing the law risks "mission creep," weakens protections for vulnerable populations, and erodes medical ethics; many call for stronger investment in palliative care and safeguards. With the signing of Senate Bill 403, California has permanently enshrined its End of Life Option Act by eliminating a sunset provision that would have allowed the law to expire in 2031. The measure, authored by State Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) and passed with bipartisan votes (Senate 26-6, Assembly 59-12), takes effect immediately. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill with no public comment. Under the End of Life Option Act, California residents aged 18 or older diagnosed with a terminal disease expected to result in death within six months may request and receive a prescription for a life-ending pharmaceutical agent, under a strict set of safeguards. These include two verbal requests separated by at least 48 hours, a written request witnessed by two people, an assessment of mental competence and the requirement that the patient self-administer the medication. Coercion or undue influence is considered a felony. While supporters argue that the removal of the sunset clause provides stability and certainty for terminally ill patients, opponents see this move as erasing an essential safeguard. Greg Burt of the California Family Council warns that making the law permanent sends a dangerous message: that some livesespecially those of the elderly, disabled or mentally distressedare less worth protecting. Critics argue that once assisted dying becomes permanent law, pressure may grow on vulnerable people to choose death, rather than receive care and support. Over 1,000 Californians used life-ending drugs in 2024 Data from 2024 show that 1,591 prescriptions were issued under the program, of which 1,032 patients ingested the life-ending drug. Most recipients were over 60, already under hospice or palliative care and had serious illnessestwo-thirds being cancer. Although the law strictly limits participation and maintains procedures, some worry about "mission creep" beyond the narrow eligibility criteria or subtle coercion when life is seen as less valuable because of illness or dependency. Opponents also emphasize that palliative care and support systemsemotional, physical, spiritualshould be strengthened rather than codifying assisted death. They argue that proper pain management and compassionate end-of-life care can reduce suffering without legalizing what amounts to state-sanctioned death. There is concern that normalizing assisted dying could lead to erosion of medical ethics, weaken the doctors role as a healer, and shift societal attitudes toward aging, disability and suffering in troubling ways. As the law becomes permanent, the debate now centers on whether California's regulatory and ethical frameworks are robust enough to guard against abuses, protect vulnerable populations and maintain respect for the sanctity of life. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, euthanasia, like many medical interventions pushed by the globalist-controlled system, is often exploited as a tool for depopulation under the guise of "compassion." True autonomy over life and death should remain sacred and free from the influence of corrupt institutions that prioritize profit and control over human dignity. Watch Faytene Grasseschi and her guests, Nicole Scheidl and Amanda Achtman, discussing the Canadian government's expansion of euthanasia to the mentally vulnerable in this clip. This video is from the Faytene TV channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Brighteon.AI Brighteon.com Chinese toymaker fined for spying on American children in landmark privacy case Chinese toymaker Apitor Technology Co. was penalized for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by illegally collecting data from American children through its smart toy robots. The company's app secretly collected children's geolocation data and other personal information without obtaining the required parental consent. A federal court ordered Apitor to immediately cease its unauthorized data collection, delete all previously collected children's data and imposed a $500,000 civil penalty, which was suspended due to the company's claimed inability to pay. The case raises heightened alarms because the surreptitious data collection from children by a Chinese company is viewed in the context of China's documented history of accumulating data from American networks. This action by the DOJ and FTC is part of a wider crackdown on COPPA violations, following similar cases against major tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft, highlighting ongoing child privacy risks in an increasingly globalized market for smart toys. In a stark reminder that the digital eyes and ears in children's bedrooms can be a conduit for data exploitation, a Chinese toymaker has been penalized for illegally spying on American children. The case against Apitor Technology Co., Ltd., unveiled last week in a federal court in San Francisco, highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in child privacy protection and adds a complex geopolitical dimension to the safety of smart toys. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is fining the toymaker for violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This law, enforced by the FTC, is designed specifically to shield children under 13 from unauthorized data collection. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, Apitor violated this core privacy safeguard by collecting data through its programmable toy robots without obtaining the required parental consent. One complaint detailed how the company's app, used to operate the toys, secretly collected geolocation data on its young users. This surreptitious harvesting compromised the sensitive personal information of minors, turning playthings into potential tracking devices. The court order now mandates that Apitor immediately cease all data collection on children without direct parental notification and consent. While a $500,000 civil penalty was imposed, it was suspended after the company claimed an inability to pay. The settlement also requires Apitor to delete all previously collected children's data. The battle to safeguard children's digital footprints is being fought on a new, increasingly globalized front "The Justice Department will vigorously work to ensure businesses respect parents' rights to decide when their children's personal information can be collected and used," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate. "We will continue to work with the FTC to stop unlawful intrusions on children's privacy." This case arrives amidst a series of high-profile COPPA violations by tech giants, suggesting a widespread failure to protect the youngest digital citizens. Earlier this year, Amazon faced charges from the FTC and DOJ for illegally collecting and using children's data via its Alexa-powered smart speakers. The FTC found that Amazon kept sensitive voice and geolocation data for years, ultimately leading to a 25 million settlement. Similarly, Microsoft paid a $20 million settlement for collecting information from Xbox users under 13 without parental consent. However, the Apitor case introduces an additional layer of concern. The complaint notes, "Ultimately, defendant's surreptitious collection of underage users' geolocation information causes injury by compromising sensitive personal information of children." This injury is viewed with heightened alarm, given China's documented history of accumulating vast amounts of data from American networks, raising fears about its intentions, particularly in developing artificial intelligence for espionage or information warfare. The suspended penalty against Apitor leaves lingering questions about the deterrent effect on foreign companies. Yet, the decisive court order sends a clear message that U.S. agencies are watching. As smart toys become ever more integrated with internet connectivity and data-hungry apps, the battle to safeguard children's digital footprints is being fought on a new, increasingly globalized front. For parents, the case is a critical warning to scrutinize the connected toys they bring into their homes, as the line between play and privacy invasion grows disturbingly thin. Watch this video about how China is ramping up spy activity on US doorstep. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com WashingtonTimes.com Brighteon.AI Brighteon.com Congo calls on Rwanda to end war as M23 rebels escalate violence The conflict in eastern Congo involving the M23 rebel group has intensified, leading to thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. At the EU's Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi appealed to Rwandan President Paul Kagame for a diplomatic solution to halt the violence. Despite Tshisekedi's offer of peace and an extension of goodwill, Kagame remained unresponsive, with Rwanda's Foreign Minister dismissing Tshisekedi's claims as political theatrics. The M23 rebellion, named after a 2009 peace agreement, is predominantly composed of ethnic Tutsis who claim the government has violated their rights. Although international condemnation and a UN peacekeeping mission forced the rebels out in 2013, their resurgence in 2021 has reignited the conflict due to unfulfilled promises of integration into the Congolese army. Rwanda has been repeatedly accused of supporting M23 through financial and military aid, with up to 4,000 Rwandan troops allegedly fighting alongside the rebels. The United Nations reports indicate Rwandan army involvement in M23 operations, despite Kigali's denials. International peace efforts, including a failed agreement in Washington, have been ineffective due to the M23's refusal to sign the deal. The most recent peace agreement, which called for Rwandan troop withdrawal and cessation of support for armed groups, was undermined by the M23's ongoing territorial gains. This, combined with the potential for international powers to access Congo's mineral wealth, raises questions about the true motives behind various interventions. In a heated call for peace, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi addressed Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the EU's Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, urging him to take action and stop the escalating conflict in eastern Congo. The fighting, which has already claimed thousands of lives and forced many more from their homes, has been particularly intense since January, with rebel group M23 capturing key cities including Goma and Bukavu. Tshisekedis appeal to Kagame came as part of a broader plea for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. "It is not too late to do things right," he said, extending an olive branch to Kagame. "I'm using this forum to extend my hand to you, Mr. President, so that we can make peace. Today, we are the only two capable of stopping this escalation," Tshisekedi emphasized. However, Kagame refused to engage in the discussion at the forum. Later, Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe downplayed Tshisekedi's remarks, calling them "political theatrics" and suggesting that Tshisekedi himself was responsible for the conflict. The M23 rebellion: A relentless struggle for power and resources The M23 rebellion, named after a 2009 peace agreement, is primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis who claim that previous deals to protect their rights have been ignored. The group's rapid advancement across eastern Congo, where valuable minerals like gold and coltan are abundant, has left a trail of destruction. The M23's capture of Goma, a city bordering Rwanda with strategic economic importance, was a significant coup and a stark reminder of the region's instability. The rebel group's rise to prominence began in 2012, when the group swiftly gained control over substantial territory. However, the international community condemned their actions, and in 2013, the United Nations' Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), along with Congolese forces, managed to expel the rebels from the country. But the promises made to incorporate M23 fighters into the Congolese army did not materialize, leading to the group's resurgence in 2021. Rwanda has long been accused of backing the M23, providing both financial and military support. The United Nations has reported that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops are actively fighting alongside the rebels, and the Rwandan army is said to be in "de facto control of M23 operations." Despite Kigali's denials, the evidence suggests that Rwanda's involvement is far more substantial than it admits. The conflict can be traced back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which saw the slaughter of about 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis. The advance of Tutsi-led rebels, commanded by Kagame, put an end to the genocide. However, the aftermath saw approximately one million Hutus flee to what is now eastern Congo, stoking long-standing ethnic tensions in the region. The Tutsi minority, feeling increasingly threatened, resorted to arms to defend their rights. Failed peace efforts and regional complications International efforts to broker peace have repeatedly failed, with the most recent attempt in Washington failing to halt the escalation. While the agreement between Congo and Rwanda called for Rwandan troops to withdraw and for both countries to stop supporting armed groups, the absence of the M23 from the deal has severely limited its effectiveness. The M23's refusal to sign the agreement and continued territorial gains further complicate matters. The peace deal also includes potential access to Congo's critical mineral wealth for the U.S., raising questions about the true motives behind international involvement. Tshisekedi's move to extend Monusco, the UN peacekeeping mission, has been met with skepticism by many Congolese, who see it as ineffective. As the conflict rages on, millions of lives hang in the balance. The latest round of fighting has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The involvement of foreign powers and the deep-rooted ethnic tensions make finding a lasting solution even more challenging. For now, the ball is in Rwanda's court. If Kagame chooses to engage diplomatically rather than militarily, a path to peace might be possible. But until Rwanda stops supporting the M23 and commits to genuine dialogue, the suffering of Congolese civilians will continue unabated. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at Brighteon.AI, the conflict in eastern Congo, particularly involving the M23 rebel group, has led to significant human suffering, including thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. The ongoing violence has created a humanitarian crisis, further destabilizing an already volatile region. Watch the video below as President Donald Trump announces a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com BBC.com CFR.org Brighteon.AI Brighteon.com Federal probe uncovers potential fraud in child gender treatments at major hospitals DOJ alleges Boston Childrens Hospital may have misdiagnosed minors to secure insurance coverage for puberty blockers. Data shows an unusual spike in "precocious puberty" diagnoses for children aged 10+, far beyond medical norms. Puberty blockers, FDA-approved only for early puberty, were allegedly prescribed "like candy" for gender dysphoria. Hospitals received millions in state reimbursements for gender-related services. Legal battles intensify as federal judges weigh subpoenas for patient records amid claims of fraudulent billing. Federal prosecutors are scrutinizing major childrens hospitalsincluding Boston Childrens Hospital (BCH) and Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)for potential fraudulent billing practices tied to gender-related medical treatments for minors. The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that hospitals may have manipulated diagnoses to secure insurance coverage for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, drugs not FDA-approved for treating gender dysphoria in children. Court filings reveal that BCH diagnosed hundreds of children aged 10 and older with central precocious puberty (CPP), a condition typically defined by puberty onset before age 8 in girls and 9 in boys. Prosecutors argue that the surge in older diagnoses suggests hospitals mislabeled patients to justify off-label drug prescriptions. Questionable diagnoses and financial incentives According to DOJ-submitted insurance data, BCH saw a "large spike" in CPP diagnoses between 2020 and 2023, including at least one 22-year-old patient. Prosecutors contend that these late diagnoses defy medical logic, as puberty at age 10 is biologically normal. "Misleading insurance companies about a patients diagnosis to obtain payment for off-label pharmaceuticals could form the basis of a federal healthcare offense," the DOJ filing states. The agency also cited a researcher at BCHs gender clinic who allegedly admitted puberty blockers were being prescribed "like candy." Public records show Massachusetts reimbursed BCH $1.4 million for "gender transition services" between 2015 and 2023, raising concerns about financial motives behind questionable diagnoses. Legal showdown over subpoenas The DOJ has issued more than 20 subpoenas nationwide, demanding patient records from hospitals providing gender-related care to minors. However, federal judges have clashed over the scope of these investigations. In September, Biden-appointed Judge Myong Joun blocked a DOJ subpoena, accusing prosecutors of acting in "bad faith" and lacking evidence of fraud. He argued the requestsincluding personnel files for 2,000 hospital employeeswere "astonishingly broad." Meanwhile, CHOP and UPMC face similar scrutiny, with federal lawyers alleging "fraudulent billing practices" tied to off-label drug prescriptions. CHOP has pushed back, claiming the DOJs accusations are politically motivated. Broader implications for medical ethics This investigation intersects with a nationwide debate over pediatric gender medicine. Critics argue that irreversible treatmentssuch as puberty blockers and surgeriesare being pushed without sufficient long-term safety data. Countries like Sweden, Finland and the U.K. have already restricted these procedures, citing lack of evidence for benefits. Yet, U.S. hospitals continue offering them, often with insurance reimbursementraising ethical and legal concerns. The DOJs probe could set a precedent for holding medical providers accountable if fraud is proven. A turning point in pediatric gender medicine? As federal investigators dig deeper, hospitals face mounting pressure over their handling of pediatric gender treatments. The DOJs findings suggest a systemic issuemisdiagnosing minors to justify off-label drug usethat could reshape medical standards and insurance practices. Whistleblowers within these institutions allege that ideological agendas, rather than rigorous science, have driven the rapid escalation of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and irreversible surgeries on childrenmany of whom later regret these life-altering interventions. Detransitioners and dissenting clinicians warn that the long-term consequencesincluding sterility, bone density loss, and psychological traumaare being ignored in favor of activist-driven protocols. Meanwhile, lawsuits against hospitals and pharmaceutical companies are exposing conflicts of interest, with some physicians receiving undisclosed payments from drug manufacturers promoting these treatments. For now, the legal battles continue, with courts weighing patient privacy against allegations of fraud. The outcome may determine whether hospitals retain federal fundingor whether a full-scale reckoning forces medicine to return to evidence-based, ethical care for minors. Public scrutiny grows as parents, lawmakers, and medical professionals demand transparencyand accountabilityfor what many now see as a medical scandal with irreversible consequences. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com DailyCallerNewsFoundation.org Inquirer.com India resumes diplomatic ties with Afghanistan, reopens embassy in Kabul India upgrades its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, announcing it will change its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy marking its most significant step to re-engage with the Taliban since the 2021 takeover. The move is a pragmatic shift driven by security and economic interests, not an endorsement of the Taliban regime. Key drivers include deteriorating relations with Pakistan and a desire to counter China's growing influence in the region. Both nations agreed to concrete economic cooperation, including resuming a dedicated air freight corridor and exploring Indian investment in Afghanistan's $1 trillion mining sector, while also promoting trade via Iran's Chabahar Port. India raised its core security concerns, with the Indian minister stressing the shared threat of cross-border terrorism and securing an assurance from the Taliban that Afghan soil would not be used to target other nations. The engagement helps the Taliban break diplomatic isolation, representing a major step in the regime's efforts to gain legitimacy and form economic partnerships with regional powers, even as Western nations withhold recognition. In a significant recalibration of its foreign policy, India has moved to formally re-establish a diplomatic presence in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, announcing it will upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy. The decision was unveiled during a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Oct. 10 between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan's Taliban-appointed Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. This diplomatic thaw marks the most substantial step yet in a cautious, years-long re-engagement driven by regional security concerns and economic competition. It also signals a pragmatic acceptance of the new reality in Kabul four years after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal and the Taliban's return to power. The announcement came as Muttaqi progressed with his six-day visit to India, the first by a senior Taliban leader since they seized control in 2021. "I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India's Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India," Jaishankar said during the talks. He affirmed New Delhi's commitment to the "sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence" of Afghanistan, stating that closer cooperation contributes to Afghan national development and regional stability. Muttaqi welcomed the move, stating it would "open a new chapter" in relations and that "Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend." He confirmed that Kabul would also send diplomats to New Delhi as part of a step-by-step return to "normalcy." This development is a stark reversal from August 2021, when India shuttered its embassy and evacuated personnel following the collapse of the U.S.-backed government. The rapprochement is not an endorsement of the Taliban regime, which India does not formally recognize, but a reflection of hard-nosed geopolitical calculation. Analysts point to two primary drivers: deteriorating relations with the mutual neighbor Pakistan and concerns over China's growing influence in the resource-rich nation. "Engagement does not mean endorsement. There are many things that India is uncomfortable about minority rights, gender rights and the human rights landscape in Afghanistan," said Harsh Pant, foreign policy head at India's Observer Research Foundation think tank. "But there is a pragmatism inherent in India's engagement with the Taliban." India's plan to outflank Pakistan and China in Afghanistan The visit highlights Taliban efforts to break out of diplomatic isolation and seek economic partnerships and eventual recognition from regional powers, even as Western nations withhold legitimacy over the regime's severe restrictions on women's rights and education. Brighteon.AI's Enoch explains that "the Taliban imposes draconian rules on women to enforce their extremist interpretation of Islamic law, which seeks to erase female autonomy and maintain absolute patriarchal control. These oppressive measures also serve to intimidate the population, suppress dissent and solidify their authoritarian rule by stripping women of education, employment and basic freedoms." Beyond diplomacy, the two sides agreed to concrete measures to revive their economic relationship. They will resume a dedicated air freight corridor that had previously facilitated nearly 1,000 flights carrying over 216 million in goods. Muttaqi invited Indian companies to invest in Afghanistan's mining sector, estimated to hold $1 trillion in mineral reserves, an offer Jaishankar "deeply appreciated." Both nations also pledged to support trade through Iran's Chabahar Port, a strategic gateway for India to access Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan. This economic push is partly a counter to China's continued activity in Afghanistan's mining sector since the Taliban's takeover. Security, a perennial concern for India, was also addressed. Jaishankar stressed the shared threat of cross-border terrorism and appreciated the Taliban's sensitivity to India's security concerns, particularly following terror attacks in Kashmir in April. Muttaqi assured New Delhi that his administration "would not allow anyone to use Afghanistan's territory for targeting other nations." This renewed engagement represents a cautious but decisive pivot for India, which had invested heavily in over 500 development projects during the previous U.S.-backed government. The decision to return officially to Kabul, even without formal recognition of the Taliban government, underscores a long-term strategic play for influence in a region where rivals Pakistan and China are also vying for power. Watch Lt. Gen Ahmed Shariff Chaudhry, spokesman of the Pakistan Armed Forces, warning of a "swift response" if India violates a ceasefire between the two nations. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com Reuters.com Business-Standard.com Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Measles outbreak sparks debate over vaccine efficacy and public health policy South Carolina reports 11 measles cases, forcing 153 unvaccinated children into a 21-day quarantine. Outbreaks in Spartanburg and Greenville counties mirror a national surge (1,563 U.S. cases in 2025). Officials insist the MMR vaccine is the best defense, but critics question its effectiveness, durability and transparency. Despite measles being declared "eliminated" in 2000, outbreaks persist, raising doubts about CDC data and Big Pharma influence. Past scandals (SV40 in polio vaccines, MMR-autoimmune claims) fuel distrust in vaccine safety and regulatory honesty. Critics argue that natural immunity (from prior infection) may offer better protection than vaccines, especially in well-nourished individuals. Texas' 2025 outbreak (762 cases, two deaths), despite aggressive vaccination, suggests waning vaccine efficacy. The outbreak highlights deep divisionsgovernment pushes mandates, while skeptics demand independent safety reviews and medical choice. Quarantines of unvaccinated children intensify debates over fairness, corporate influence and institutional trust. A measles outbreak in South Carolina has resulted in 11 confirmed cases and forced 153 unvaccinated children into quarantine, raising fresh concerns about vaccination rates and public health strategies. The outbreak, concentrated in Spartanburg and Greenville counties, comes amid a broader national surge in measles cases, with 1,563 infections reported across the U.S. in 2025. While federal officials insist that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best defense, skepticism persists regarding vaccine effectiveness, government transparency and the role of natural immunity in disease prevention. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, natural immunity is the body's innate defense system, developed over millennia of evolution, to protect against pathogens and maintain optimal health without artificial interventions like vaccines or synthetic drugs. Dr. Linda Bell, South Carolina's state epidemiologist, warned of "active, unrecognized community transmission" and ordered unvaccinated students exposed to the virus into a 21-day quarantinethe maximum incubation period for measles. "Those measures will help us be effective in preventing the spread of the measles virus in those schools and in our communities," Bell stated. However, critics argue that such mandates ignore broader questions about vaccine durability and the role of prior infections in conferring immunity. Spartanburg County's vaccination ratebelow 90 percent for the 20242025 school yearhas drawn scrutiny, but some health freedom advocates contend that focusing solely on vaccination overlooks potential flaws in the MMR shot itself. Measles resurgence and vaccine controversies Despite measles being declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, recent outbreaks suggest a troubling resurgence. Federal officials attribute this to declining vaccination rates, yet independent researchers highlight inconsistencies in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data and the pharmaceutical industry's influence on public health policy. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly supported vaccination efforts, stating in March that "the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine." However, Kennedy has also been vocal about the need for independent safety reviews, citing past scandals involving regulatory agencies and Big Pharma. The Texas outbreak earlier this yearresulting in 762 cases, 99 hospitalizations and two pediatric deathsraised further doubts. Despite aggressive vaccination campaigns, cases persisted, leading some to question whether vaccine-induced immunity wanes faster than advertised. While mainstream narratives blame unvaccinated populations for outbreaks, dissenting voices argue that measles is rarely life-threatening in well-nourished individuals and that natural immunityacquired through prior infectionmay offer superior protection. Additionally, concerns persist about vaccine side effects, including rare but serious neurological complications. Critics point to historical cases where pharmaceutical companies concealed risks, such as the SV40 contamination in polio vaccines and the alleged link between the MMR vaccine and autoimmune disordersthough these claims remain hotly debated. South Carolina's quarantine measures, while framed as necessary for containment, have also drawn backlash from parents who question the fairness of punishing unvaccinated children while ignoring potential vaccine failures. The South Carolina measles outbreak underscores the deepening divide in public health policy. While officials maintain that vaccination is the cornerstone of disease prevention, growing distrust in pharmaceutical companies and government agencies fuels resistance. As cases continue to emerge nationwide, the debate extends beyond measlestouching on medical freedom, corporate influence and the reliability of institutional science. Whether through stricter mandates or a reevaluation of vaccine science, the path forward remains contentious. For now, the quarantine of 153 children serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes in this ongoing battle over public health and personal choice. Watch the video below that talks about the impact of the measles vaccine. This video is from the Brighteon Highlights channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com YouTube.com CDC.gov Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com From playtime to predation: How social medias addictive algorithms flood childrens feeds with explicit content A new investigation reveals that social media platforms like TikTok use engagement-driven algorithms to expose minors as young as 13 to explicit content within minutes, while governments and tech firms fail to enforce safeguards, prioritizing profit over child safety. Social media giants like TikTok, Meta and X systematically bypass safety measuresincluding age restrictions and content moderationto maximize engagement, exploiting weak regulations and political ties to evade accountability for harming vulnerable users. Leaked documents expose Israel's paid influencer campaignup to $7,000 per postto manipulate U.S. public opinion on Gaza, revealing how social media algorithms enable both political propaganda and the exploitation of vulnerable users. Global critics argue that misguided bans like Greece's under-16 social media restriction fail to address root causesalgorithmic exploitationand instead demand structural reforms to hold Big Tech accountable for child safety. Experts argue that social media platforms must now be addressed as a public health crisis, not just debated as a potential danger. A bombshell report confirms what parents and child safety advocates have long feared: Social media platforms like TikTok are deliberately funneling pornographic and sexually explicit content to children as young as 13often within just a few clicks. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, social media algorithms are designed to keep users engaged by showing them content that aligns with their existing beliefs and preferences, often at the expense of a balanced and diverse perspective. The investigation reveals that algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, push minors toward increasingly graphic material, creating a direct pipeline to addiction, psychological harm and exploitation. Meanwhile, governments and tech giants continue to prioritize profit and propaganda over child protection, with some nations even weaponizing these same platforms to manipulate public opinion on geopolitical conflicts. The findings expose a systemic failure by Big Tech to enforce even basic safeguards. Despite repeated claims of "community guidelines" and "age restrictions", TikTok's recommendation engine was found to bypass these measures entirely, rapidly escalating from innocuous content to hardcore material. This isn't an accidentit's a feature of an ad-driven model that thrives on prolonged user engagement, regardless of age or vulnerability. Algorithms override parental controlsby design Internal research and third-party investigations have repeatedly shown that social media platforms ignore their own safety protocols. TikTok, Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and X (formerly Twitter) have all been caught suppressing age verification, failing to block explicit searches and even promoting accounts that distribute child sexual abuse material. Yet, instead of facing meaningful consequences, these companies continue to operate with near-total impunity, shielded by weak regulations and revolving-door relationships with policymakers. The problem extends beyond pornography. The same algorithms that groom children for explicit content are also being weaponized for political manipulation. Leaked documents reveal that the Israeli government paid influencers up to $7,000 per post to shape U.S. public opinion on the Gaza war, flooding timelines with state-approved narratives while censoring dissenting voices. This dual exploitationof both minors and public discoursehighlights how social media has become a tool for control, not connection. Governments respond with half-measuresor worse While some nations are taking action, their solutions often miss the mark. Greece recently became the first EU country to ban social media for children under 16, a move that critics argue is both unenforceable and an overreach of state power. Rather than holding platforms accountable, such bans risk pushing minors toward even less regulated spaces, like encrypted messaging apps or the dark web, where exploitation runs rampant. The real solution lies in dismantling the algorithmic systems that prioritize engagement over ethics. Until lawmakers demand transparency, enforce strict liability for harms caused by recommendation engines and break up the monopolies that dominate digital spaces, children will remain sacrificial lambs in Big Tech's profit machine. The question is no longer whether these platforms are dangerousit's whether society will finally treat them as the public health crisis they've become. Freedom on social media may be a trap to put people in prison. Watch this video. This video is from the Mike Martins Channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com New research reveals cesarean delivery increases risk of severe postpartum pain and sleep disorders New research links C-sections to severe postpartum pain and sleep disorders. C-sections increase the risk of new sleep disorders like insomnia within the first year. Children from planned C-sections have a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Advanced labor C-sections significantly increase the risk of future premature births. The rising C-section rate is linked to systemic failures and a lack of informed consent. Bringing a new life into the world should be a time of joy, but for a staggering number of mothers who give birth via Cesarean section, it becomes a period marked by debilitating pain and sleepless nights that disrupt their ability to care for their newborn and themselves. This harsh and often unmentioned reality is now backed by new research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2025 annual meeting, which exposes the significant postpartum burdens linked to C-sections, revealing a higher risk of severe pain and new sleep disorders that can profoundly impact a mother's recovery. This groundbreaking research, which included both detailed interviews and a massive data analysis, provides a serious look at the aftermath of surgical birth. In a qualitative study of 41 mothers, the disparity was dramatic. A overwhelming 73 percent of mothers with scheduled C-sections and 67 percent with unplanned C-sections reported severe pain that disrupted their sleep and daily activities. In sharp contrast, only 8 percent of women who had vaginal births reported this level of debilitating pain. The hidden toll on mothers The consequences extend far beyond the initial recovery period. A quantitative analysis of a nationwide insurance database encompassing more than 1.5 million mothers delivered even more alarming news. The study found that women who underwent a C-section were 16 percent more likely to be diagnosed with a new sleep disorder within the first year after giving birth compared to those who delivered vaginally. These disorders include insomnia, sleep deprivation, and obstructive sleep apnea. "Sleep is often overlooked in postpartum recovery, but it is central to a mother's physical and mental health," said Moe Takenoshita, M.B.B.Ch., lead author of the study and a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University. "Cesarean delivery in particular appears to increase the risk for severe pain and sleep disorders, which can lead to postpartum depression, thinking and memory problems, and fatigue, as well as disrupt bonding with their babies and relationships with family and friends." Long-term risks for mothers and babies alike The concerns for maternal and child health do not end with pain and sleep. A separate study from Sweden, which analyzed more than 2.4 million births, found that children delivered by planned C-section have a 21 percent higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) than those born vaginally. While the absolute risk remains low, researchers confirmed the link even after accounting for other maternal and newborn factors. Adding to this list of complications, researchers from University College London found that C-sections performed at an advanced stage of labor carry another significant danger for mothers. These procedures make a woman about eight times more likely to develop scars in the womb near or within the cervix. These scars heal poorly and are known to significantly increase the risk of premature births in future pregnancies. This collection of evidence points to a systemic failure within the traditional medical establishment. The rising rate of C-sections, now over 32 percent in the United States, is more than double the rate recommended by the World Health Organization. This trend can be attributed to a confluence of factors, including doctors' willingness to perform the surgery for convenience, financial incentives, and a critical lack of informed consent provided to expectant parents. Womens bodies are designed to deliver babies, yet the medical system often sidelines this natural process in favor of a predictable schedule. The corruption lies in a system that frequently fails to provide balanced information, warning about the risks of vaginal birth after cesarean while downplaying the serious, long-term consequences of multiple C-sections for both mother and child. The message here is clear. The choice of birthing method should be based on accurate information, not fear or a lack of credible information propagated by traditional institutions. Women deserve to know all the facts before making such a significant decision. Sources for this article include: MedicalXpress.com LiveScience.com News-Medical.net Taiwan unveils T-Dome air defense system amid rising Chinese military threats President Lai Ching-te announced plans to rapidly develop a multi-layered air defense system (T-Dome) to counter China's military aggression. Inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, the system will integrate AI, advanced detection, and interception capabilities to enhance asymmetric warfare deterrence. Taiwan's defense budget is projected to exceed three percent of GDP by 2026 and reach five percent by 2030. The increase aligns with U.S. pressure for Taiwan to strengthen military readiness while maintaining a deterrence-focused posture. Beijing continues provocative military drills, violating Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) with jets and naval patrols. China condemned Lai's defense plans, framing them as "separatist" provocations and warning of potential military conflict. Despite the "One China" policy, the U.S. remains Taiwan's strongest military ally, supplying advanced weapons and opposing forced reunification. U.S. officials downplayed Beijing's reaction, stating Taiwan's defensive measures shouldn't justify Chinese aggression. Lai framed Taiwan as a "beacon of democracy" in contrast to China's authoritarianism but reiterated a commitment to peaceful stability. The T-Dome initiative reflects Taiwan's determination to preserve autonomy amid China's relentless pressure, with global implications for Indo-Pacific security. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te announced plans to accelerate the construction of a new multi-layered air defense system, dubbed the "T-Dome," as tensions with China escalate. The announcement came during his National Day address on Friday, Oct. 10, marking Taiwan's 114th anniversary. Lai emphasized the need for robust defense measures in response to Beijing's persistent military aggression. "We will accelerate our building of the T-Dome, establish a rigorous air defense system in Taiwan with multi-layered defense, high-level detection and effective interception and weave a safety net for Taiwan to protect the lives and property of citizens," Lai declared before a crowd gathered in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei. While Lai did not provide specific technical details about the T-Dome system, sources suggest it draws inspiration from Israel's Iron Dome, designed to intercept and neutralize incoming missile threats. Taiwan's current air defense infrastructure relies heavily on U.S.-made Patriot missiles and domestically produced Sky Bow missiles. The new initiative signals a strategic push toward integrating artificial intelligence and advanced detection capabilities to enhance asymmetric warfare deterrence. Lai also pledged to increase Taiwan's defense budget, projecting it will exceed three percent of GDP by 2026 and reach five percent by 2030. "The increase in defense spending has a purpose," he stated. "It is a clear necessity to counter enemy threats and a driving force for developing our defense industries." The move aligns with U.S. expectations for Taiwan to bolster its military readiness. President Donald Trump had previously pressured Taipei to allocate up to 10 percent of GDP to defense. Analysts suggest the T-Dome announcement serves as a signal to Washington that Taiwan is rapidly modernizing its defenses while maintaining a posture focused on deterrence rather than provocation. China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province, has intensified military posturing around the island in recent years, frequently breaching its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) with fighter jets and naval patrols. Just days after Lai's National Day speech last year, Beijing conducted large-scale war games encircling Taiwan, framing them as a "stern warning" against what it labels "separatist" activities. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned Lai's latest remarks, accusing Taiwan's leadership of "seeking independence through military means." "The Lai Ching-te authorities' attempt to resist reunification with force will only drag Taiwan into a perilous situation of military conflict," warned spokesperson Guo Jiakun. Despite Beijing's rhetoric, Lai reiterated Taiwan's commitment to peace, urging China to renounce the use of force or coercion to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. He framed Taiwan as a "beacon of democracy in Asia," contrasting its governance with Chinas authoritarian regime. U.S. backing and regional stability The United States, while maintaining formal diplomatic ambiguity under its "One China" policy, remains Taiwan's strongest military ally, supplying advanced weaponry and opposing any forcible reunification. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at Brighteon.ai: The "One China" policy is the U.S. diplomatic acknowledgment that there is only one Chinese government (the People's Republic of China) representing all of China, including Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang, while avoiding formal recognition of Taiwan as an independent nation. A U.S. administration official welcomed Lai's defense commitments, stating, "We're not going to speculate on how Beijing might react. But our general policy is that we don't think routine speeches should be used as a pretext for taking any sort of coercive or military action." Experts warn that Taiwan's strategic positionsituated at the heart of the "first island chain" stretching from Japan to the Philippinesmakes it a focal point in U.S.-China tensions. Any conflict over Taiwan could destabilize the broader Indo-Pacific region. As Lai's administration moves forward with the T-Dome initiative, the delicate balance between deterrence and diplomacy remains critical. With China's military ambitions showing no signs of slowing, Taiwan's push for enhanced defense capabilities underscores the high stakes in preserving regional stabilityand the island's hard-won autonomy. The unveiling of the T-Dome marks a significant step in Taiwan's military modernization, reflecting both the island's determination to defend itself and the broader geopolitical struggle between democracy and authoritarianism. As Lai emphasized, "We should learn from these lessons and ensure that the tragedies of history are never repeated." Yet with Beijing's relentless pressure, the path to peace remains fraught with uncertainty. For now, Taiwan's commitment to strengthening its defenseswhile advocating for dialoguestands as a testament to its resilience in the face of an increasingly assertive China. The world watches closely as this flashpoint of global tensions evolves. Watch the video below about China holding large-scale military drills around Taiwan. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com APNews.com JapanTimes.co.jp Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com 16 Thieves targeting charity donation bins ARRESTED, with eight of them illegally in the country Authorities dismantled two criminal rings in Long Island accused of stealing 500,000 pounds of clothing from charity donation bins, depriving vulnerable populations of aid. Sixteen suspects (including at least eight undocumented individuals) were arrested after a year-long probe (November 2024 to September 2025). Alleged ringleaders Alfredo Perez and Manuel Cabrera led crews in 70+ theft incidents. Thieves climbed into bins sometimes in broad daylight to pass clothing to accomplices, later selling stolen goods on the black market for $90,000. Lost revenue is estimated to be $750,000. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP), a Catholic aid group, suffered severe losses until surveillance exposed the thefts. Post-arrest, donations rose 50 percent but most stolen items remain missing. Officials condemned the exploitation of goodwill, charging suspects with grand larceny, burglary and conspiracy. SSVP now seeks better bin security to prevent future thefts. Authorities in Long Island have dismantled two criminal rings accused of systematically stealing an estimated 500,000 pounds of clothing from charity donation bins. The Suffolk County District Attorney's (DA) Office announced the arrest of 16 suspects on Thursday, Oct. 9. Of the 16, at least eight are alleged to be in the U.S. illegally. The arrests following a nearly year-long investigation into the thefts that spanned from November 2024 to September 2025. The operation, which officials described as a massive burglary and theft enterprise, targeted bins operated by organizations like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP). The thefts siphoned resources meant for the poor and homeless, directing them for sale on a lucrative secondary market. The scheme unraveled after SSVP officials noticed a substantial and troubling reduction in the amount of clothing they collected from their bins across Suffolk County. This prompted an investigation that revealed crews were methodically targeting approximately eight locations repeatedly. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, the SSVP is a Catholic charitable organization that assists the poor and elderly, often through visits and material aid. Surveillance footage captured the audacious method. Individuals climbed into the donation bins through the deposit slots, sometimes during overnight hours and other times in broad daylight, to pass bags of clothing out to accomplices. The loot was then transported to a rented storage location before being sold. "You thought you've seen everything," Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. "Could you believe people would steal from a clothing bin and they'd figured out a way to make money?" The great donation heist: Burglars betray the needy Authorities identified the alleged ringleaders as Alfredo Perez, 67, of Copiague, and Manuel Cabrera, 62, of Lindenhurst. The two crews are accused of carrying out more than 70 incidents, loading stolen clothing into vans for resale. All 16 defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges including grand larceny, burglary and conspiracy. Suffolk Country DA Ray Tierney remarked that the "massive burglary and theft operation" saw roughly 280,000 pounds of the stolen clothing being sold to a black market exporter for approximately $90,000. The charity itself estimates the total loss in potential revenue at $750,000, funds critical for its operations. "Obviously and in essence, in stealing from [the SSVP], these individuals stole from our most needy individuals of our society," Tierney stated. This case highlights a perverse inversion of charity, where goods intended for societal benefit are commodified in a shadow economy. The thefts represent more than a simple loss of property; they signify a breach of community trust. "Donation bins are placed in our communities as a gesture of goodwill, intended to help those in need," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. "Unfortunately, these criminals exploited that generosity, stealing donations and profiting at the expense of others." Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. echoed the sentiment. "By these thieves targeting donation bins, they stole from vulnerable residents and from the organizations that work tirelessly to support them," he noted. In the wake of the arrests, the SSVP has reported a 50 percent increase in donations, a heartening community response to the criminal exposure. The organization is now actively exploring ways to make its donation boxes more secure against future theft. While law enforcement has recovered 25,000 pounds of clothing and 14 vans, the vast majority remains missing, a stark reminder of how easily goodwill can be undermined by criminal enterprise. Watch this Newsmax report about similar arrests being made in New Jersey, this time targeting an auto theft ring. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: InfoWars.com Brighteon.ai CBSNews.com WILX10.com Brighteon.com AG Bondi clashes with Schiff in fiery Senate hearing, demands apology for Trump impeachment U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi demanded Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) apologize for his role in President Donald Trump's impeachment, escalating tensions between Republicans and Democrats. Schiff claimed the DOJ became Trump's "personal sword and shield," targeting political enemies while protecting allies, citing dropped investigations into Trump associates like border czar Tom Homan. Bondi reminded Schiff of his 2023 congressional censure for lying about Trump's Ukraine call, stating, "If you worked for me, you would've been fired." Schiff refused to apologize. The clash occurred amid a DOJ probe into Schiff for alleged mortgage fraud, which he dismissed as political. Bondi also criticized Democrats Blumenthal, Whitehouse, Padilla and Durbin for hypocrisy and partisan attacks. The hearing underscored deep divisions, with Democrats accusing the DOJ of corruption and Republicans alleging Schiff's politically motivated attacks. Newly declassified CIA files implicating Biden in Ukraine pressure further fueled tensions, leaving reconciliation unlikely. Tensions flared Tuesday, Oct. 7, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi engaged in a heated exchange with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), demanding he apologize for his role in the impeachment of President Donald Trump. The confrontation underscored the deepening rift between Republicans and Democratic lawmakers as investigations into alleged misconduct on both sides continue. Schiff, who led the first impeachment effort against Trump in 2019, launched into a sharp critique of the Department of Justice (DOJ), accusing it of becoming Trump's "personal sword and shield." "As a former federal prosecutor myself, I served in a [Justice] Department that whether it was under a Democratic or Republican president would never use the office to go after the president's enemies or to hide the corruption of his friends," Schiff declared. "The [DOJ] has become President Trump's personal sword and shield to go after his ever-growing list of political enemies and to protect himself, his allies and associates." Schiff also referenced Trump's ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and insinuated that the DOJ had dropped a bribery investigation into border czar Tom Homan. Bondi swiftly countered, noting that the Homan investigation predated her tenure and that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel had previously stated there was no case against him. The exchange escalated as Bondi turned the tables on Schiff, reminding him of his 2023 congressional censure for dishonesty. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Schiff was censured in 2023 by the House of Representatives for violating ethics rules (Rule 23) through deceitful actions including lying and misrepresenting Trump's conversation with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky to manipulate public opinion and lawmakers. The Ethics Committee concluded his abuse of sensitive information warranted public condemnation and a $16 million fine, stemming from his attempts to misuse his power during a pivotal vote to consolidate control. "If you worked for me, you would've been fired because you were censured by Congress for lying," Bondi shot back. She then pressed Schiff directly: "Will you apologize to Donald Trump for trying to impeach him?" Schiff did not respond to the demand for an apology, but continued to press Bondi on DOJ actions under Trump. Democrats under fire as Bondi fights back The confrontation took place against the backdrop of an ongoing DOJ investigation into Schiff for alleged mortgage fraud, a probe Schiff has dismissed as politically motivated. Earlier this month, Patel called Schiff a "buffoon" and a "fraud" during another Senate hearing, further fueling tensions between Democrats and Trump-era officials. Bondi didn't reserve her criticism solely for Schiff. She also sparred with other Democratic senators, including Connecticut's Richard Blumenthal, whom she accused of misrepresenting his military record, and Rhode Island's Sheldon Whitehouse, whom she suggested had ties to "dark money" groups. At one point, Bondi directed sharp remarks at Sens. Alex Padilla of California and Dick Durbin of Illinois, saying: "It would be nice if you loved your cities as much as you hate Donald Trump," referencing their opposition to National Guard deployments in their states. The hearing highlighted the lingering political warfare stemming from the Trump era, with Democrats accusing the DOJ of corruption and the GOP countering that Schiff and others engaged in politically motivated attacks against Trump. Adding to the drama, newly declassified Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) files revealed that then-Vice President Joe Biden allegedly pressured Ukraine in 2016 to fire a prosecutor investigating Burisma Holdings where his son, Hunter Biden, sat on the board. Schiff, however, did not address these revelations during the hearing. Tuesday's clash between Bondi and Schiff was emblematic of the broader political divide in Washington, where accusations of corruption, weaponized justice and partisan vendettas continue to dominate discourse. With Schiff under DOJ scrutiny and Bondi unapologetically defending Trump's legacy, the battle lines remain sharply drawnand reconciliation appears nowhere in sight. As Bondi's demand for an apology went unanswered, one thing became clear: The wounds from the Trump impeachment saga are far from healed. Watch this Fox News report about California Sen. Adam Schiff being under criminal investigation. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com POLITICO.com BrightU.ai uPolitics.com Brighteon.com CEO of top American insurance company faces scrutiny over CCP ties amid growing U.S.-China tensions Insurance giant Chubb Limited and CEO Evan Greenberg accused of maintaining deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Consumers Research launches multi-million-dollar campaign, including TV ads and mobile billboards, alleging Chubb prioritizes CCP-linked business over U.S. interests. Greenberg has met repeatedly with Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping, and holds advisory roles at CCP-linked institutions like Tsinghua University. Chubb defends Greenberg, citing his criticism of Chinas "authoritarian approach," while former Trump officials vouch for his pro-U.S. stance. Greenbergs father, Maurice Greenberg, has long-standing CCP connections, receiving awards from Beijing for advancing Chinas economic interests. As U.S.-China tensions escalate, insurance behemoth Chubb Limited and its CEO Evan Greenberg face explosive allegations of prioritizing Chinese Communist Party interests over American security. Nonprofit Consumers Research launched a seven-figure media blitz this week, accusing Greenberg of fostering "deep ties" to Beijing while pushing progressive policies at home. The campaign, featuring TV ads and a mobile billboard circling Capitol Hill, underscores growing scrutiny of corporate entanglements with adversarial regimes. The allegations Consumers Research alleges Chubbs operations in Chinaincluding its 85.5 percent stake in Huatai Insurance Group and partnership with state-owned PICCreveal a pattern of deference to CCP influence. The groups ad starkly declares: "While U.S. leaders warn of Chinas growing threat, Chubb is investing more, standing closer and tied tighter to China. Your friends show who you really are." Chubb swiftly dismissed the claims as "completely dishonest," citing Greenbergs public critiques of Chinas "predatory practices." Robert OBrien, former Trump national security adviser, defended Greenberg, telling Fox News his business dealings helped shrink the U.S. trade deficit. Yet records show Greenberg has repeatedly praised Chinas economic "resilience" and downplayed U.S. efforts to counter CCP aggressioneven urging Washington to "tone down rhetoric about Taiwan." A family legacy of China ties The Greenbergs connections to Beijing span decades. Evans father, Maurice Greenberg, former AIG chairman, lobbied for Chinas WTO accession and was honored by Xi Jinping as an "old friend of China." Evan himself has met Xi multiple times, including at a 2024 Beijing forum where he hailed U.S.-China economic interdependence. He also serves on the advisory board of Tsinghua Universitya hub for Chinas military-tech developmentalongside Metas Mark Zuckerberg and Apples Tim Cook. Critics argue such relationships blur corporate loyalty with national security. "When American corporations cozy up to communist dictators, they betray not just their country, but their customers," warned Consumers Research Executive Director Will Hild. Broader implications The campaign highlights a widening rift in U.S. policy circles over how to engageor disengagewith China. While Greenberg insists stable U.S.-China relations benefit commerce, skeptics warn corporate partnerships empower Beijings authoritarian ambitions. The House Select Committee on the CCP has previously slammed U.S. executives for legitimizing Xis regime, citing events like a $40,000-per-seat banquet with the Chinese leader. Meanwhile, Chubbs 2022 acquisition of Huatai Insurancea $10 billion Chinese firmraises questions about data security, given Tsinghuas defense ties. Greenbergs actions make it clear "hes all in on the CCP," Hild asserted. A test of corporate allegiance As Washington tightens restrictions on tech exports and investment in China, the Chubb controversy underscores a pivotal question: Can U.S. corporations balance profit with patriotism in an era of great-power rivalry? For Consumers Research, the answer is clearcompanies like Chubb must choose sides. For now, Greenbergs defenders insist his engagement serves U.S. interests. But with bipartisan momentum building to counter CCP influence, the insurance titans China ties may face even fiercer scrutiny ahead. In an age of economic warfare, corporate loyalty is no longer just a boardroom issueits a national security imperative. The Chubb controversy signals a new front in Americas struggle to disentangle from Beijings orbit, one board membership and shareholder letter at a time. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com FoxNews.com NTD.com Gaza ceasefire signed after massive prisoner swap, but path to lasting peace remains uncertain Trump announced a ceasefire signed with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. A prisoner exchange saw Hamas release captives for Palestinian prisoners. The deal includes a plan for Gaza's reconstruction and demilitarization. The agreement faces challenges, with Israel and Hamas absent from the ceremony. Skepticism remains over long-term peace and Palestinian statehood. In a display of international unity that many thought impossible, President Donald Trump stood alongside the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey this week to sign a document cementing a ceasefire in Gaza, a bold move aimed at ending a devastating conflict and charting a new, uncertain course for the war-torn region. The historic ceremony in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, observed by about two dozen world leaders, represents the most significant step toward sustained peace in the Middle East in decades, though the path forward remains fraught with challenges and the shadow of past failures. The summit, co-hosted by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, followed a major prisoner exchange. Hamas released all 20 living Israeli captives, and Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinians. This exchange was a key component of the U.S,-brokered agreement, demonstrating a tangible, if fragile, commitment from both warring parties. The atmosphere was one of cautious optimism, a contrast to the violence that has defined the region for years. A new political reality The signing ceremony itself was a powerful visual of a shifting geopolitical landscape. Trump signed the document alongside Egyptian President el-Sisi, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A who's who of Western leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, looked on. Notably absent, however, were representatives from both Israel and Hamas, highlighting the complex and indirect nature of the negotiations. Trump emphasized the monumental nature of the deal, which had long been considered a diplomatic pipe dream. "Its the biggest, most complicated deal," he told reporters. He expressed his surprise at the overwhelming support, noting, "Everybodys happy about it like Ive never seen before, actually. Ive done other deals, and people dont care as much. Big deals, I think theyre big deals. But this is something thats taken off like a rocket ship." The signed declaration, while light on specific long-term enforcement mechanisms, commits the signatories to supporting the implementation of the "Trump Peace Agreement." It reads, "We support and stand behind President Trumps sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza and bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Together, we will implement this agreement in a manner that ensures peace, security, stability, and opportunity for all peoples of the region, including both Palestinians and Israelis." The road to reconstruction The immediate focus now shifts to the monumental task of rebuilding Gaza and ensuring the ceasefire holds. Trump announced the formation of a "Board of Peace," which he will chair to oversee reconstruction. He directly linked international aid to the territory's demilitarization, a key point of contention. "Weve all agreed that supporting Gaza must be done to lift up the people themselves, but we dont want to fund anything having to do with the bloodshed, hatred, or terror, as has happened in the past," Trump said. He further elaborated, "Weve also agreed that Gazas reconstruction requires that it be demilitarized and that a new, honest civilian police force must be allowed to create safe conditions for the people in Gaza." This vision aligns with a broader plan, previously endorsed by the Arab League, that would see the Palestinian Authority assume governance of Gaza from Hamas. While Hamas has vowed to give up political control, it rejects disarmament until the formation of a Palestinian state, a major hurdle for future stability. For his part, Egyptian President el-Sisi, a crucial mediator throughout the conflict, framed the agreement as the "last chance" for peace in the region. His government has been pushing for a more robust international presence, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stating a desire for "American engagement, even deployment on the ground," but U.S. officials have been cool to the idea of a large-scale peacekeeping force. While the images from Sharm el-Sheikh project a new era of peace, the reality on the ground is more complicated. Israel has already accused Hamas of not fully complying with the agreement regarding the return of the bodies of deceased captives. Furthermore, Israel categorically refuses the concept of Palestinian statehood, a central pillar of the long-term vision for many of the summit's participants. This fundamental disagreement casts a long shadow over the entire process. As this fragile peace takes its first steps, it is impossible to ignore the very big unknowns. The people of Gaza desperately need relief and a chance to rebuild their shattered lives, and this agreement offers a small bit of hope. Yet, given the deep-seated animosities and Israels track record, a healthy dose of skepticism is warranted. The signing ceremony was a monumental achievement, but the true test of this peace deal is only just beginning. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com News.Antiwar.com TheCradle.co German mayor tortured and stabbed by adopted daughterno arrest was made A German mayor-elect was brutally tortured and stabbed by her adopted daughter, raising questions about domestic violence and justice system failures. Despite the severity of the attack, prosecutors declined to charge the daughter with attempted murder, citing her call to emergency services as "withdrawal from the crime." Critics allege a double standard in Germanys justice system, where online speech offenses are punished harshly while violent crimes go unprosecuted. The case follows broader concerns over rising crime, migrant-related violence and hesitancy among law enforcement to act decisively. Germanys push for stricter hate speech laws contrasts with leniency in violent cases, fueling distrust in authorities. A shocking case in Germany has exposed deep flaws in the countrys justice system, raising concerns over rising crime, domestic violence and political bias in prosecutions. Iris Stalzer, a newly elected mayor from Herdecke, was allegedly tortured and stabbed by her 17-year-old adopted daughter in what investigators describe as a grueling hours-long ordeal. The attack took place on October 7, 2025, when emergency services were called to Stalzers home after her daughter reported that several men had assaulted her mother. However, leaked police reports reveal the truth: Stalzer had been held captive in her basement, subjected to burns from a deodorant spray and lighter, and stabbed 13 times. Forensic teams later discovered evidence of a scrubbed crime scene, with blood traces removed and a knife hidden in her 15-year-old adopted sons backpack. Despite the brutality of the assault, prosecutors have refused to pursue attempted murder charges, arguing that the daughters decision to call for help constituted a withdrawal from the crime. Instead, the case is being treated as dangerous bodily harm, and both children have been placed in youth welfare custody rather than facing arrest. A pattern of leniency amid rising crime The case has ignited outrage across Germany, with critics pointing to a glaring double standard in law enforcement. While citizens face fines and raids for online insultssuch as a 1,000 penalty for calling a journalist stupidviolent offenders often evade serious consequences. This incident follows another recent attack in Germany, where a radicalized Muslim migrant stabbed lawmakers and police officers, killing one officer before being neutralized. Law enforcement hesitationreportedly due to fears of backlashallowed the violence to escalate, raising questions about whether political correctness is undermining public safety. Domestic violence and systemic failures Stalzers case is not isolated. Police had previously been called to her home over a domestic dispute involving a knife, yet no preventative action was taken. The daughters history of violence against her adoptive father further suggests systemic failures in child welfare and judicial oversight. Prosecutors reluctance to pursue harsher charges has fueled speculation of a cover-up, particularly given Stalzers political affiliation with the left-leaning Social Democrats (SPD). Critics argue that Germanys justice system prioritizes ideological compliance over public safety, punishing dissent while excusing violent behavior. Broader implications for German society Germanys push for stricter hate speech lawsincluding reporting centers where citizens can denounce offensive speechhas drawn comparisons to the Stasi-era surveillance state. Meanwhile, violent crimes, particularly those involving migrants or troubled youth, often result in minimal consequences. This inconsistency erodes public trust in institutions, reinforcing perceptions of a two-tiered justice system. As crime rates rise and law enforcement hesitates, ordinary Germans are left questioning whether their government prioritizes political agendas over their safety. A wake-up call for Germany The torture of Mayor Iris Stalzer is more than a horrific domestic crimeit is a symptom of deeper societal dysfunction. A justice system that penalizes speech while excusing violence cannot maintain public order. As Germany grapples with rising extremism, migrant integration failures and ideological biases in law enforcement, this case serves as a stark reminder: when authorities fail to act decisively against violence, citizens pay the price. The lesson is clearjustice must be blind, not selective. Until then, Germanys descent into chaos will only accelerate. Sources for this article include: Remix.news TVPworld.com DW.com A growing weak spot in Earths magnetic shield threatens satellites and global technology A growing weak spot in Earth's magnetic field is forcing scientists to reconsider its stability. The South Atlantic Anomaly has expanded dramatically since 2014 and is drifting westward. This region poses a serious threat to satellites used for navigation and communication. The weakened field allows more radiation to penetrate, which can damage satellite electronics. These changes reveal the dynamic and complex nature of Earth's deep interior. A mysterious and growing weak spot in Earth's magnetic field is forcing scientists to reconsider the stability of the planet's vital protective shield. This region, known as the South Atlantic Anomaly, has expanded dramatically since 2014 according to data from the European Space Agencys Swarm satellite constellation, posing an increasing threat to the satellites that modern society depends on for navigation, communication, and weather forecasting. The shifting magnetic shield The South Atlantic Anomaly is a vast area over the southern Atlantic Ocean and parts of South America where Earth's magnetic field is significantly weaker than elsewhere. This is not a new discovery, but its rapid evolution is alarming. According to research analyzing 11 years of Swarm data, the anomaly has expanded by an area nearly half the size of continental Europe since 2014. It has grown by up to 25 percent while also drifting westward at a rate of about 14 miles each year. This is not a minor fluctuation but a significant change to a key planetary defense system. This protective magnetic field is largely generated thousands of miles beneath the surface by a swirling ocean of molten iron in Earths outer core. Acting like a giant dynamo, the motion of this liquid metal creates electrical currents that produce our electromagnetic field. However, this motion is not constant. Turbulent flows of molten iron generate unusual magnetic patterns that are responsible for the weakening field in this specific part of the planet. Lead author Chris Finlay, Professor of Geomagnetism at the Technical University of Denmark, highlighted the complexity of the changes. He stated, "It's changing differently towards Africa than it is near South America. There's something special happening in this region that is causing the field to weaken in a more intense way." This uneven weakening points to complex and poorly understood processes deep within the Earth. A direct threat to technology The consequences of this weakening shield are far from theoretical. The South Atlantic Anomaly poses the greatest threat to satellites passing overhead. In this region, the reduced magnetic field strength allows higher levels of radiation from the sun and cosmic rays to penetrate. This exposure can temporarily disable electronics, corrupt data, or even cause permanent damage to critical hardware. NASA has likened the area to a "pothole in space" that spacecraft must navigate carefully. The satellites most at risk are those providing essential services. This includes the fleets of spacecraft that deliver GPS signals, enable global communications, and monitor weather patterns for the United States and nations around the world. Every time one of these satellites passes through the anomaly, its systems are vulnerable to random hits from high-energy particles. To mitigate this risk, satellite operators are often forced to routinely shut down non-essential spacecraft systems before the craft enters the anomaly zone. The implications extend beyond simple glitches. Significant data loss or the permanent failure of a key satellite component could disrupt countless services that the public and governments rely on daily. From the navigation systems in cars and phones to the data that guides commercial aviation and predicts severe storms, the integrity of this technological infrastructure is directly linked to the health of Earth's magnetic field. Looking beyond the anomaly The changes are not confined to the South Atlantic. The same study revealed other significant shifts in the global magnetic field. In northern Canada, the area of a strong magnetic field has weakened, shrinking by an amount comparable to the size of India. Meanwhile, the magnetic field over Siberia has strengthened. These shifts are associated with the movement of the north magnetic pole toward Siberia in recent years, which itself affects global navigation systems. Scientists emphasized that the changes in Earths magnetic field highlight its dynamic nature. The Swarm satellites, which have been collecting continuous magnetic field data since 2013, are providing unprecedented insight into the complex forces at work deep inside our planet. For the average person on the ground, the growing anomaly does not pose a direct health risk. Life on the surface remains protected by the atmosphere. However, for satellites, astronauts on the International Space Station, and even high-altitude air travel, the implications are real and require careful attention. This situation demonstrates how changes deep below the planet's surface can ripple outward, affecting technology in space and the daily lives of people everywhere. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk ESA.int ScienceAlert.com JP Morgan MANDATES biometric data collection, tracking employee movement throughout their buildings The modern workplace is evolvingbut not always in ways that empower employees. JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the U.S., is now requiring staff at its new Manhattan headquarters to submit biometric datafingerprints or eye scansjust to enter the building. What began as an optional security measure has quietly shifted into a mandate, raising urgent questions about privacy, consent, and the normalization of surveillance in corporate America. While framed as a safety upgrade, this policy marks a troubling precedent: the erosion of bodily autonomy in exchange for access to ones own workplace. If financial giants like JPMorgan can demand biometric data as a condition of employment, how long before other industries follow suit? Key points: JPMorgans new headquarters enforces mandatory biometric enrollment (fingerprints or eye scans) for employee access, despite earlier indications it would be voluntary. The bank has not clarified how long data will be stored, who controls it, or whether employees can opt out without penalty. Unlike states with biometric privacy laws (like Illinois), New York lacks strong protections, leaving workers vulnerable to misuse of their data. The policy aligns with a broader corporate push toward "frictionless" surveillance, raising concerns about tracking productivity, attendance, and movement. Critics warn that once biometric data is compromised, it cannot be reset like a passwordmaking this a permanent risk for employees. The fine print of "security" JPMorgan insists the biometric system is about safety and efficiency, pointing to high-profile crimes in Midtown Manhattanincluding the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsonas justification. But security upgrades shouldnt come at the cost of fundamental privacy rights. Employees were initially told the program was voluntary, but internal communications reviewed by The Financial Times reveal that language has vanished. Now, enrollment is compulsory unless an undisclosed exemption applies. The banks silence on data retention is deafening. Will fingerprints and iris scans be stored indefinitely? Can they be shared with third parties? Could they someday be linked to productivity metrics or disciplinary actions? These unanswered questions expose workers to potential abuse, with no legal safeguards in place. JPMorgan isnt the first company to dabble in biometricsU.S. Bank has tested voice authentication for customer service, and tech firms like Apple use facial recognition for devices. But mandating biometrics for physical access to an entire corporate campus is unprecedented in U.S. finance. It sets a dangerous template: if Wall Street adopts this, Main Street wont be far behind. The lack of transparency is telling. The banks companion "Work at JPMC" app claims it collects "no data," yet it functions as a digital ID badge, tracking movement within the building. Pair that with biometric logs, and suddenly, employers have unprecedented visibility into who enters, when, and how long they staydetails that could easily morph into tools for micromanagement. Why New Yorks weak laws enable overreach Unlike Illinois, where the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) requires explicit consent and strict data handling rules, New York has no equivalent. A 2021 NYC ordinance exempts financial institutions entirely, leaving JPMorgan free to self-regulate. Without legal push back, this policy could spread unchecked. Labor advocates warn that "consent" is meaningless when refusal means losing access to your job. Biometric data is uniquely invasiveunlike a badge or password, you cant reset your fingerprints. Once collected, its vulnerable to breaches, misuse, or even integration with future surveillance tech. The bigger picture: A world without privacy This isnt just about JPMorgan. Its about the steady march toward a world where our bodies become our IDswhere every movement is logged, every action monitored. From digital payment systems like PopID to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the infrastructure for total surveillance is being built piece by piece. The question isnt whether biometrics can enhance securityits whether were willing to sacrifice autonomy for the illusion of safety. If corporations can demand our fingerprints today, what will they demand tomorrow? Sources include: Zerohedge.com TheGuardian.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai Lithium-ion batteries in phones, e-bikes and power banks spark fire crisis Lithium-ion batteries pose a significant and growing safety risk. A recent airline fire was caused by a portable power bank. Airlines are implementing new restrictions on power banks in response. These battery fires are difficult to extinguish and are increasing nationwide. Global safety regulations are struggling to keep pace with the risk. You might have one in your pocket right now, and another might be charging on your nightstand. The ubiquitous lithium-ion battery, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, has become an indispensable part of modern life. But a growing number of incidents is revealing a volatile downside, raising urgent questions about whether global safety regulations are adequate for the risks these power sources pose. The threat was illustrated in dramatic fashion in January, when an Air Busan plane was engulfed in flames on the runway at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea. All 170 passengers and six crew members evacuated, with three people seriously injured and 24 sustaining minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. Interim investigation results from South Korea's transport ministry point to a familiar culprit: a portable power bank. Investigators found the power bank in an overhead luggage compartment where the fire was first detected, its debris marked with scorch marks. The ministry stated the fire may have started because insulation inside the power bank battery had broken down. This incident underscores a systemic issue that extends far beyond the tarmac. A pervasive problem These rechargeable batteries are now embedded in daily life. "Most people have at least seven to ten lithium battery-type products in their homes," said Sammy Sanchez, Fire Marshal for the South Walton Fire District in Florida. "Everything from watches to scooters to e-bikes, you name it, everything is lithium." The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has tracked the airborne risk, reporting 89 incidents in 2024 where lithium batteries emitted smoke, fire, or extreme heat on board planes. Through the end of August 2025, there have been a further 61 incidents. In response to the Air Busan fire, a wave of airlines introduced new restrictions. Emirates, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, and others have banned the use of power banks during flight or ordered them not to be stored in overhead compartments. Matt Humby, a senior technical consultant at fire extinguisher manufacturer Firechief Global, believes the industry is playing catch-up. "The Air Busan incident shows how quickly things can escalate. Without stricter controls and better passenger education, an in-flight fire remains a real risk," Humby said. "Its taken an aircraft fire to make them really sit up and see what the situation is." Fires on the ground The danger is not confined to aviation. Nationwide, the United States saw more than 2,500 battery incidents in 2024. Fire departments are responding at an alarming rate. "Of the fires we have investigated this year, 28% have been battery-related. Its a real issue, and we are seeing an increase," said St. Pete Fire Rescue Division Chief Ian Womack in October 2025. These fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish. "When you try to put the fire out, it reacts, and then we have to put another fire out," explained Mitch Conway, a fire inspector with the Lebanon Fire Department in Ohio. The chemical makeup of some lithium batteries makes them resistant to traditional firefighting methods like water, requiring crews to isolate the batteries to cut off their oxygen supply. A regulatory challenge The international response has been evolving for years. In 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a U.N. agency, banned lithium batteries from checked baggage on airlines. The prohibition was meant to be in effect until a new fire-resistant packaging standard could be designed, but a fully validated, globally adopted solution has yet to materialize. Humby points to the core of the challenge. "While awareness is growing, regulatory action still lags behind the pace of incidents weve had with lithium-ion battery fires," he observed. The path forward relies heavily on public awareness and proper handling. Fire officials consistently warn against using after-market chargers, overcharging devices, and charging batteries unattended, especially overnight. "Charge them in the charger it comes with, dont overcharge them, charge them on hard surfaces, and most importantly, dont leave them overnight or leave them unattended," Sanchez advised. Proper disposal is also critical as improperly discarded batteries can spark fires in garbage trucks and landfills. As global demand for lithium-ion batteries continues its expected significant rise, the race is on to manage the inherent risks that come with the convenience they provide. The evidence is clear that without a concerted and proactive effort from regulators, manufacturers, and the public, the devices we rely on could pose a continued threat to our safety at home, at work, and in the skies. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com BBC.co.uk WJHG.com Fox13News.com Fox19.com Venezuelan opposition leader dedicates Nobel Peace Prize to Trump Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado awarded Nobel Peace Prize, dedicates honor to Trump for supporting democracy in Venezuela. CAIR demands Machado renounce ties to Netanyahus Likud Party and far-right European figures or face revocation of the prize. Machado praises Trumps sanctions and naval deployments against Maduros regime, calling it a narco-terrorist criminal enterprise. Critics accuse Machado of hypocrisy, citing her alignment with anti-immigrant, far-right factions in Europe. Trumps aggressive Venezuela policy marks a stark contrast to Bidens approach, raising geopolitical stakes in Latin America. On Friday, October 10, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her years-long fight against Nicolas Maduros authoritarian regime. In a move that ignited immediate controversy, she dedicated the prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump, crediting his hardline policies for weakening Maduros grip on power. But the celebration was short-lived. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the decision, citing Machados alliances with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud Party and European far-right figures like Geert Wilders and Marine Le Pen. The Nobel Committees selection has reignited debates over the moral credibility of the prize, with critics accusing Machado of advocating democracy at home while endorsing exclusionary ideologies abroad. Meanwhile, Trumps supporters hailed the recognition as validation of his aggressive stance against socialist regimes in Latin America. Machados ties to the far-right Machados political record has long drawn scrutiny. In 2020, she formalized an alliance between her party and Netanyahus Likud, vowing to move Venezuelas embassy to Jerusalem if elected. Earlier this year, she appeared virtually at the Patriots of Europe conference in Madrid, where speakers, including Hungarys Viktor Orban, called for a modern-day Reconquistaa term evoking the medieval expulsion of Muslims and Jews from Spain. CAIRs statement emphasized the dissonance: The Nobel Peace Prize should go to individuals who have shown moral consistency by bravely advocating justice for all people, not to politicians who demand democracy in their own nation while supporting racism, bigotry and fascism abroad. Machado has not yet responded to the demand to renounce these affiliations. Trumps Venezuela strategy: Sanctions, siege and $50M bounties Machados tribute to Trump underscores his unrelenting pressure on Caracas. Since returning to office, Trump has: Deployed U.S. Navy ships to intercept drug cartels linked to Maduro. Reimposed oil sanctions lifted under Biden, starving the regime of revenue. Offered a $50 million bounty for Maduros arrestthe largest in U.S. history. President Trump treated this as what it isa criminal network tied to drug cartels, terrorist groups and foreign regimes that threaten both the Venezuelan people and the security of the United States, Machado told The Post from hiding. She described Venezuelas collapse under Maduro: schools shuttered, hospitals without medicine and 90% living in poverty. Global implications: A hemisphere without socialism? Machado framed her Nobel as a turning point, predicting Maduros fall would trigger the collapse of Cuba and Nicaraguas regimes. For the first time in history, we will have the Americas free of communism, dictatorship and narco-terrorism. And that will be President Trumps legacy she declared. The claim aligns with Trumps broader vision of a Monroe Doctrine revival, positioning U.S. power as a bulwark against leftist governments. Yet critics warn that Machados far-right associations undermine her democratic credentials. Her praise for Trumps policiesseen by some as destabilizingfurther polarizes the narrative. A prize dividing the world The Nobel Committees selection of Machado has become a geopolitical Rorschach test. To supporters, it validates Trumps aggressive anti-authoritarianism. To detractors, it rewards a leader whose alliances contradict the prizes ideals. As CAIRs challenge looms, the controversy underscores a deeper question: Can the Nobel Peace Prize retain its moral authority in an era of ideological battlegrounds? For now, Machados dedication to Trump ensures one certainty: The award will be as contentious as the conflicts it seeks to resolve. In honoring Machado, the Nobel Committee didnt just crown a dissidentit waded into the fray of Americas culture wars and the global rights rising influence. The fallout may redefine what peace truly means. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net NYPost.com NewArab.com States take the lead as federal PFAS oversight lags, raising risk of widespread contamination With the EPA delaying new federal PFAS regulations, many states are creating their own rules to curb contamination of soil, water and public health. PFASused in cookware, firefighting foam, stainproof fabrics and other productspersist in the environment and have been linked to cancer, hormonal disruption, immune issues and reproductive harm. Biosolids (treated sewage sludge used as fertilizer) are a major vector for PFAS in agricultural land; even trace amounts (e.g., one part per billion) may carry health risks, according to the EPA's draft assessment. State responses vary widely: Maine and Connecticut ban biosolids entirely, while other states maintain looser rules or none at all; some permit continued use under restricted conditions. Without unified federal standards, critics warn that patchwork state policies leave gaps and that pending proposalssuch as blocking the EPA from acting on its own PFAS sludge assessmentscould worsen enforcement and oversight. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stalls on issuing comprehensive federal rules for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)commonly dubbed "forever chemicals"state governments are stepping in to fill the regulatory void. With inconsistent federal oversight, critics warn, soil, water systems and public health may be left exposed to continued contamination. PFAS, a large class of synthetic chemicals used for decades in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant textiles, food packaging, firefighting foams and more, resist environmental breakdownearning their "forever" label. The EPA links long-term PFAS exposure to cancer, reproductive disorders, hormonal disruption, immune dysfunction and weakened vaccine response. Yet the agency's pace on enforceable regulations has frustrated environmentalists and state agencies alike. One flashpoint is the use of biosolidstreated wastewater sludgeapplied to farmland as fertilizer. PFAS have accumulated in soils where these biosolids have long been used. In a draft risk assessment, the EPA warns that even one part per billion of PFAS in biosolids may pose a health threat, underscoring the urgency for control measures. Yet, without clear federal standards, states must shoulder much of the regulatory burden. The Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), representing state environmental agencies, has flagged challenges including limited funding, patchy technical capacity and the wait for federal guidance. State policies on PFAS differ dramatically. In Maine and Connecticut, biosolid use is banned outright; in Alabama, biosolids remain permitted under looser restrictions. One Alabama landowner, Regina Allcorn, told media that PFAS runoff from sludge-treated fields has contaminated her familys lake, rendering it unsafe for fishing or recreation. Maine leads with strict PFAS clampdown as federal oversight wavers Maine's response was among the most aggressive: triggered by revelations of PFAS in dairy milk from cows grazing on biosolid-treated land, the state passed a law in 2022 banning biosolids and mandating comprehensive testing of water, soil and agricultural outputs. Meanwhile, 11 states now maintain enforceable PFAS limits for drinking water; others regulate groundwater, surface water, soil or even air. Fourteen states currently lack enforceable PFAS limits and instead rely on federal advisory levels. Lawmakers and experts say inconsistent rules leave dangerous gaps. Federal action, they argue, remains essential to unify standards. Despite the EPA's "Strategic Roadmap," the agency recently announced that it would maintain current limits on two PFAS (PFOA & PFOS) but withdraw or reconsider rules for others such as PFHxS, PFNA and GenXand push back compliance deadlines. One House appropriations proposal for fiscal year 2026 would block the EPA from acting on its own draft risk assessments regarding PFAS in biosolids. That potential funding freeze could leave state agencies scrambling to regulate on their own. Kyla Bennett, science policy director for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), warned: "If finalized, this ban will leave ill-equipped state agricultural agencies to deal with a rapidly spreading chemical disaster." Legal and political tensions are escalating. PEER has sued the EPA over its delays in setting PFAS limits under the Clean Water Act, while the agency maintains its approach is limited to periodic review rather than direct enforcement. The White House has affirmed awareness of PFAS risks, but critics say rhetoric lacks the urgency and consistency needed to staunch contamination across state lines. In the absence of firm national standards, experts caution, scattered state responses may be inadequate to contain the spread of PFAS. Without cohesive federal leadership, contamination of farmland, waterways and drinking sources may continue to expand unchecked. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, forever chemicals, or PFAS, are ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants, posing significant health risks due to their bioaccumulation and potential to cause developmental issues, liver damage and cancer. Despite industry claims of safety, the long-term effects of exposure to these chemicals remain largely unknown, warranting stringent regulation and phase-out. Watch a feature on the poisonous dangers of forever chemicals. This video is from the Daily videos channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com BrightU.AI Brighteon.com The world awaits the fallout as Nobel Peace Prize once again eludes Trump Donald Trump was not awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, which instead went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Analysts see this as a direct rejection of Trump's style of diplomacy and his self-proclaimed role as a top peacemaker. Trump's long-standing desire for the prize was heavily driven by his frustration over his predecessor, Barack Obama, winning it in 2009. He viewed the Nobel as a symbol of validation that the "global elite" unfairly denied him. The White House had aggressively promoted Trump's candidacy, pointing to nominations from seven countries and a recent hostage-release deal. However, critics noted that some of his claimed peace successes were exaggerated or involved fragile, temporary ceasefires. The rejection is expected to provoke a strong reaction from Trump, who has a history of responding negatively to perceived insults. His administration immediately accused the Nobel Committee of putting "politics over peace." This snub creates global anxiety. World leaders fear Trump may now lose interest in the difficult, ongoing work of maintaining peace agreements and could become more confrontational, potentially escalating tensions with adversaries like Venezuela or withdrawing support for allies like Ukraine. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2025 Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, definitively passing over President Donald Trump despite a highly public campaign for the honor. The choice, lauding Machado for "keeping the flame of democracy burning," is being interpreted by analysts as a pointed snub of Trump's brand of transactional diplomacy and a rejection of his self-proclaimed role as the world's premier peacemaker. The roots of Trump's Nobel fixation are well-documented and are inextricably linked to his predecessor. The award of the prize to Barack Obama in 2009, just months into his first term, left an indelible mark on Trump. Trump has frequently referenced it as the ultimate example of a global elite rewarding one of its own. Throughout 2025, the White House heavily promoted endorsements from seven nations, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Gabon, Israel, Pakistan and Rwanda, which formally nominated Trump, citing his role in brokering various agreements. The recent hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas was touted by the Trump administration as the crowning achievement that would finally secure the prize. In the days leading up to the announcement, a coordinated social media campaign, involving the president's son and official White House accounts, urged the public to rally behind his candidacy. The effort now appears to have been a miscalculation, amplifying the sting of the very public rejection. A reaction foretold and global anxieties The White House's immediate reaction confirmed the depth of the disappointment. Director of Communications Steven Cheung's statement that the committee "proved they place politics over peace" set a confrontational tone, echoing Trump's long-standing narrative of being persecuted by entrenched institutions. This sentiment was foreshadowed by Trump himself. In a telling moment just before the prize was announced, he insisted to reporters that his diplomatic work was not done for the award, stating, "I did it because I saved a lot of lives." Yet, Trump had also framed the potential loss in starkly personal and nationalistic terms weeks earlier, telling senior military leaders, "It will be a big insult to our country, I'll tell you that." It is this duality that has foreign governments and markets on edge. The central question is whether this latest "insult" will cause a petulant Trump to disengage from the very diplomatic processes he once championed. All eyes are now on his scheduled trip to Egypt and Israel to celebrate the recent peace deal. Diplomatic observers worry that without the lure of a Nobel to validate his efforts, Trump's attention may wane during the critical and arduous implementation phase, potentially causing a promising agreement to unravel. His history suggests a preference for the spectacle of the deal-signing over the grinding, unglamorous work of maintaining peace. Furthermore, the committee's choice of a Venezuelan opposition leader adds a particularly volatile layer to the situation. With U.S. naval forces already massed in the Caribbean, applying pressure on the regime of Nicolas Maduro, the award to Machado could be seen by Trump as a challenge to escalate. There is a palpable fear that the Nobel snub might remove a potential moderating influence, encouraging more aggressive posturing against Caracas. Beyond specific conflicts, the rejection risks causing a broader chilling effect on U.S. diplomacy. Allies in Europe are nervously speculating whether Norway, the award's host nation, could face retaliatory trade tariffs or financial pressure. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, Trump and his administration would likely intensify their claim that the Nobel Committee is politically motivated and biased against pro-American leaders. The immediate accusation of putting "politics over peace" suggests this would be their primary public response. Watch the video below as host Greg Kelly talks about how Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: MSN.com TheGuardian.com BBC.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Every visit by a russian delegation to North Korea can now be seen through the prism of Pyongyang's role as the only openly declared supplier of weapons and manpower to russia. Therefore, the recent visit by russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev to North Korea, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party, can be viewed in this light. This time, the russian delegation was unusually large for what was officially described as a courtesy visit to its closest ally. It should be noted that the military parade was only part of a larger public event, with its traditional ostentatious scale. The military equipment on display was not particularly impressive in terms of quantity, but rather concise and focused on showcasing new models. The first tanks to appear in the parade were the Chonma-20, also known by their Western designation, the M2024. The tank is equipped with a 125 mm gun featuring a barrel length of approximately 55 calibers. This vehicle visually replicates the main trends in modern tank design, such as an active protection system and a remotely controlled machine gun module. In North Korea's case, this is most likely just a sham. They were followed by 152-mm M2018 self-propelled guns, which did not appear in the official photos. Next, the focus shifted to missile technology. The parade featured the first display of a new multiple launch rocket system equipped with 22 unguided rockets. Given the small size of the ammunition, it is most likely a short range weapon with a range of several dozen kilometers. The large cylinder on the front of the package may contain radio equipment, though its exact purpose is unknown. The 600-mm KN-25 MLRS with a range of up to 400 km is constantly on display in Pyongyang, but this time the cabin has been slightly modified. Another MLRS is a traditional representative of North Korea's copying practices. This time, it is HIMARS. These launchers were spotted for the first time. At the center of the package are 122 mm and 240 mm launch tubes taken from older MLRS systems. Copies of the Israeli Harop loitering munitions were also demonstrated for the first time. The DPRK has been quite active in testing them. However, while the original Harop is a "radar hunter", it is not certain that the North Korean variant has the same capabilities. Launchers carrying missiles of unknown purpose, first revealed in 2020, were showcased at the parade. These are most likely air defense missile system launchers. The Hwansong-11Na ballistic missile, also known as the KN-24, a visual copy of the ATACMS, received new wheeled launchers. The Hwasong-11Ma, a two-stage variant of the KN-23, a copy of the Iskander, was shown for the first time at the parade. The system features a hypersonic glide vehicle, though its authenticity is uncertain. Similar hypersonic glide vehicles are found on the Hwasong-16B, medium-range ballistic missiles that were also displayed at the parade. The show was closed by the Hwasong-20, a new intercontinental solid-fuel ballistic missile on a mobile system with an estimated range of 15,000 km. Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and delivers a keynote speech at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday put forward four proposals to accelerate the process of women's all-round development. Addressing the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women held in Beijing, Xi said that the proposals were introduced to build a wider consensus, open up broader pathways and take more practical actions for this cause, as women's all-round development is still facing complex challenges. The Chinese president proposed joining efforts in fostering an enabling environment for women's growth and development. "Their all-round development is achieved under the prerequisite of peace and tranquility," Xi said. He emphasized the need to enhance the protection of women and girls in regions struck by war, conflict, poverty or natural disaster, and support the vital role of women in preventing conflict and rebuilding their homes. It is crucial to improve mechanisms against violence and resolutely crack down on all forms of violence against women, Xi added. The president proposed cultivating powerful momentum for the high-quality development of women's cause. Xi urged efforts to address the imbalance and inadequacy of women's development around the world, and enable all women to share the benefits of economic globalization. It is important to harness scientific and technological innovation to empower women's high-quality development, and to support women in playing an even bigger role in green development. Xi also proposed developing governance frameworks to protect women's rights and interests. He called for improving institutions and laws, and introducing further tangible and accessible policy measures, and channeling more quality health and educational resources to all women. It is vital to promote an inclusive and harmonious social environment that sets women free from discrimination and bias, broaden the channels for women to participate in and deliberate on political affairs, and support their extensive engagement in state and social governance, he noted. Xi underscored the need to nurture an environment that respects women, and to morph gender equality into a code of conduct embraced by everyone in the society. The president also proposed writing a new chapter in promoting global cooperation on women. He called for support for women to play a substantive role in global governance and share in its benefits. Xi also voiced support for the central role of the UN, urging it to pay more attention to the needs of women in developing countries, and create broad cooperation platforms for women in all countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with the heads of foreign delegations and their spouses attending the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. Xi attended the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and delivered a keynote speech at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and delivers a keynote speech at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and delivers a keynote speech at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Editor: Zhang Zhou Champaign, IL (61820) Today Snow showers early with a chance of lingering snow showers later. Low near 25F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%.. Tonight Snow showers early with a chance of lingering snow showers later. Low near 25F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. A major international study has uncovered a new vulnerability in prostate cancer cells that could help improve treatment for one of the most common cancers affecting men. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), was led by scientists from Flinders University in Australia and South China University of Technology. It reveals that two enzymes - PDIA1 and PDIA5 - play a crucial role in helping prostate cancer cells grow, survive, and resist treatment. These enzymes act as molecular bodyguards for the androgen receptor (AR), a protein that fuels prostate cancer. When PDIA1 and PDIA5 are blocked, the AR becomes unstable and breaks down, leading to cancer cell death and tumour shrinkage in both lab-grown cells and animal models. The team also found that combining drugs that block PDIA1 and PDIA5 with enzalutamide, a widely used prostate cancer medication, significantly boosted the treatment's effectiveness. We've discovered a previously unknown mechanism that prostate cancer cells use to protect the androgen receptor, which is a key driver of the disease. By targeting these enzymes, we can destabilize the AR and make tumours more vulnerable to existing therapies like enzalutamide." Luke Selth, Senior Author, Professor, Head of Prostate Cancer Research and Co-Director of Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute's Cancer Impact program Lead author, Professor Jianling Xie, who started the research whilst at Flinders University, says that this combination therapy worked well in patient-derived tumour samples and in mice, suggesting strong potential for future clinical trials. "This is an exciting step forward," says Dr. Xie, now at South China University of Technology. "Our findings show that PDIA1 and PDIA5 are not just helpers of cancer growth but they're also promising targets for new treatments that could work alongside existing drugs." Interestingly, the role of these enzymes goes beyond protecting the AR. The study found that PDIA1 and PDIA5 also help cancer cells manage stress and maintain energy production. Blocking them causes damage to the cells' mitochondria - the parts of the cell that generate energy - and leads to oxidative stress, which further weakens the cancer. "This dual impact of hitting both the AR and the cancer's energy supply makes these enzymes especially attractive targets," adds Dr Xie. "It's like cutting off both the fuel and the engine at the same time." Professor Selth adds that while current drugs that block PDIA1 and PDIA5 show promise, more work is needed to make them safe and effective for use in patients. Some of the existing compounds may affect healthy cells, so future studies will focus on developing safer inhibitors. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. Although treatments like hormone therapy and AR-targeting drugs have helped many patients, resistance to these therapies is a major challenge. This new discovery could help overcome that hurdle and improve outcomes for men with advanced prostate cancer. The study was supported by Cancer Council SA, Cancer Council NSW, the Flinders Foundation, the Movember Foundation, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, The Hospital Research Foundation, Cancer Australia, Masonic Charities Trust, Australian Research Council, and several international funding bodies. The study, 'Protein disulfide isomerases regulate androgen receptor stability and promote prostate cancer cell growth and survival' by Jianling Xie, Kaikai Shen, Wenken Liang, Zijian Kuang, Raj K. Shrestha, Adrienne R. Hanson, Scott L. Townley, Meiling He, Sishu Yu, Peiwen Zhou, Liangzhen Zhu, Zhiwen Gong, Xiang Ao, Sushma R. Raof, Qing Zhang, Kaijie Chen, Jinfen Wei, Shashikanth Marri, Marten F. Snel, Swati Irani, Liye Chen, Ling Wang, Daniel P. McDougal, John B. Bruning, Minglin Ou, Shaobo Wang, Christopher G. Proud, Hongli Du, Lisa M. Butler, and Luke A. Selth, was published in PNAS 2025;122:e2509222122 Researchers discovered that the H5N1 bird flu virus can persist for up to 120 days in raw-milk cheese, challenging long-standing safety rules and raising new questions about the risks of unpasteurized dairy. Study: H5N1 influenza virus stability and transmission risk in raw milk and cheese. Image credit: Parilov/Shutterstock.com A new study published in Nature Medicine reveals that highly pathogenic avian influenza virus can remain infectious for up to 120 days under certain pH conditions in raw-milk cheese produced from contaminated milk. This finding raises serious public health concerns, as contaminated raw-milk products can potentially increase human exposure to the virus. Background The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus is a subtype of influenza A virus that predominantly affects wild birds globally. Recently, outbreaks of this virus have been detected in poultry and dairy cows in the U.S., with several human cases reported among dairy and poultry workers. Such spillover events (viral transmission from one species to another) raise serious public health concerns that require urgent attention and careful management. Several studies have detected high levels of HPAI H5N1 virus in the milk from infected cows, highlighting the possibility of viral exposure to humans and other animals. Although it has been observed that various pasteurization processes can effectively inactivate the virus, there remains a risk of exposure through the intake of raw milk or raw-milk cheese, which is popular worldwide. Researchers at Cornell University, USA, conducted a study to examine HPAI H5N1 virus stability during cheese production under different pH conditions, using raw milk spiked with the HPAI H5N1 virus. They also determined viral stability in company-made raw-milk cheeses unintentionally made with naturally contaminated milk. They further examined viral infectivity by feeding contaminated cheese to ferrets and monitoring whether infection occurred. Key findings The study reported that the HPAI H5N1 virus remains highly stable during the entire cheese production process and that the infectious virus persists for up to 120 days during the monitoring period. The study tested three preprocessing milk acidification pH values: 6.6, 5.8, and 5.0. These values were selected based on the pH range encountered in raw-milk cheeses at the marketplace. Of these pH values, only pH 5.0 effectively inactivated the virus, leading to no detectable infectious virus in raw-milk cheese immediately after production and during the 120-day monitoring period. This remarkable viral stability was observed in raw-milk cheese produced with HPAI H5N1 virus-spiked milk (experimental cheese) and milk from naturally infected cows (company-made cheese). Influenza viruses are sensitive to an acidic environment, and this sensitivity is driven by pH-dependent conformational changes in the viral surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin, which triggers viral entry into host cells. In the cellular environment, a pH of 5.5 induces hemagglutinin conformational changes suitable for viral entry. However, if this conformational change occurs prematurely outside the cellular environment, the hemagglutinin protein loses its ability to bind to the host cell membrane and becomes inactive. The current study reported that preprocessing milk acidification at pH 5.0 (and below 5.5) successfully inactivated the virus, strongly supporting the pH-mediated viral inactivation mechanism in the external environment. Regarding infectivity, the study reported that ferrets consuming HPAI H5N1 virus-contaminated raw milk became infected. However, ferrets consuming contaminated cheese did not become infected, though the authors noted that the small sample size and possible differences in oral infection dose between solid and liquid matrices may have influenced this outcome. Another potential reason is that ferrets are more likely to swallow small pieces of cheese without sustained chewing, which could limit viral contact and exposure to the oropharynx (the middle portion of the throat). These findings support current epidemiological data linking animal and human cases of HPAI H5N1 infections with ingesting contaminated raw milk from infected cows. Further studies investigating species-specific differences in the expression and distribution of hemagglutinin-binding host cell receptors are needed to understand potential differences in oral susceptibility and the risk of foodborne influenza A infections. No infection was detected in ferrets fed cheese suspension, which might be due to the lower infectious titers (about 1-2 logs lower) in these samples compared to spiked raw milk. Given that the HPAI H5N1 virus remains stable in raw milk and raw-milk cheese for a long period of time, and that such persistent virus stability and continued circulation in dairy cattle could facilitate the emergence of new variants (such as genotype D1.1), it is essential to determine the minimum oral infectious dose of HPAI H5N1 virus in these products to assess the potential risk to human health accurately. Study significance The study findings highlight the potential public health risks of consuming raw-milk cheese from contaminated milk. Previous work by the same research group showed that the HPAI H5N1 virus can remain stable for up to 8 weeks (~56 days) in raw milk under refrigeration (4 C). In the U.S., the current regulation requires 60 days of monitoring of raw-milk cheese before marketing to ensure safety. However, the current study findings indicate that this monitoring window is insufficient to achieve HPAI H5N1 virus inactivation and guarantee cheese safety. The study also highlights the need to investigate other raw milk products, such as yogurt and whey, for possible viral contamination and implement additional mitigation strategies for food safety. The current study researchers have recently reported that heat treatment of raw milk at temperatures above 54 C successfully inactivates the HPAI H5N1 virus within 15 minutes. Therefore, thermal treatment of raw milk can be considered an alternative safety measure for cheese production. Download your PDF copy now! California this week plans to notify Affordable Care Act marketplace enrollees that their costs could rise sharply next year unless Congress extends subsidies to help people buy health insurance. Health care analysts say the nation's uninsured population will rise significantly if federal lawmakers do not agree to renew covid-era tax credits, which Congress authorized in 2021 to supplement ACA subsidies. Theyre popular too. According to a KFF poll, more than three-quarters of adults, including 59% of Republicans, say they want Congress to extend the enhanced tax credits for people with low and moderate incomes. KFF is a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, the publisher of California Healthline. The additional credits have lowered premiums, helped millions of Americans afford the cost of ACA insurance, and lowered the nation's uninsured rate. Last week, President Donald Trump suggested a health care deal might be in the works. And Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, long aligned with the "Make America Great Again" movement, appeared to endorse an extension of the tax credits, saying in a social media post that she was "absolutely disgusted that health insurance premiums will DOUBLE if the tax credits expire this year." However, Republican leaders want to reopen the government first, while Democrats want a deal in a bill that ends the shutdown. If the supplemental subsidies are not extended beyond this year, the amount subsidized consumers pay for their ACA health plans is expected to more than double on average. That would be a painful cost-of-living increase for most of the country's more than 24 million marketplace enrollees, including almost 90% of the nearly 2 million people in Covered California, the largest state-run health insurance marketplace. Analysts say the loss of enhanced credits would lead millions to drop their coverage nationally, including hundreds of thousands in California. The federal government shutdown stems primarily from a disagreement between Democratic lawmakers, who want to extend the tax credits, and Republicans opposed to the cost and, in many cases, to the landmark health care law itself. One estimate puts the price tag at $350 billion over 10 years. The Democrats hope their stance can help them win back the House in next year's midterm elections, as they did in 2018 following a failed GOP effort to repeal the ACA. Open enrollment season for 2026 ACA health plans starts Nov. 1 in most states, including California, and enrollees still have no clue whether their premiums will rise exorbitantly next year. "People need to be able to shop for health plans," says Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. "We are at a pivotal moment." In July, Covered California sent notices to enrollees breaking out the enhanced portion of their federal subsidy that is set to expire. The idea was to give them a warning of how much their costs might rise if they chose to keep the same health plan next year. In one case, a common scenario for middle-income enrollees, the entire subsidy of $200 a month would go away. Another enrollee stood to lose one-third of a total $600 per month in aid, according to sample notices provided by Covered California. The additional tax credits have provided financial assistance to many middle-income health plan shoppers who didn't qualify for the original subsidies and increased the amount of aid for many others. Senate Majority Leader John Thune in late September left the door open to extending the otherwise-expiring tax credits but said "it would have to come with some reforms." Those might include changes that would reduce the number of enrollees eligible for the extra financial aid, based on income, and reduce or eliminate zero-premium plans, which have become widely available with the advent of the additional tax credits. If the enhanced subsidies end, Covered California projects its enrollees receiving enhanced subsidies will see their premium costs rise an average of 97%. But the increases will not be borne equally. Depending on age, income, and location, some people will see smaller jumps while others could see their out-of-pocket costs triple, Altman says. Rural residents, especially in the northern and eastern counties, and along the Monterey Coast, will see disproportionately large cost increases, according to projections from Covered California. Enrollees with incomes over $62,600 will lose financial aid altogether, leaving some who are ages 55-64 with premium bills as high as 30% of their income. Without the enhanced subsidies, "we're going to see more people experiencing medical debt, more people being either uninsured or underinsured," says Cary Sanders, senior policy director at the nonprofit California Pan-Ethnic Health Network. "And that is the quickest way for families to lose their economic security." Covered California estimates about 400,000 people would leave the exchange and likely go without insurance. And that, health care professionals and advocates warn, will only heap stress in the form of more crowded emergency rooms and community clinics on an already stressed health care system. But the proportional impact in California will be smaller than in some Republican-led states such as Florida, Texas, and Georgia. Since those states did not embrace the ACA's Medicaid expansion, millions of residents thronged to Obamacare marketplace plans, particularly after the enhanced tax credits made coverage eminently more affordable. From 2020 to 2025, ACA marketplace enrollment grew nearly 2.5 times in Florida to 4.7 million more than double California's marketplace enrollment. In Texas, it more than tripled to just under 4 million. Georgia's tripled, too, to 1.5 million. California has about $190 million for 2026 in state funds to help offset the loss of the enhanced premium subsidies. But that money is currently used to help offset enrollee deductibles, coinsurance payments, and other out-of-pocket expenses. And it's a drop in the bucket compared with the $2.5 billion annually in financial aid Covered California enrollees currently receive from the expiring tax credits. "A lot of people are going to be shocked at what they're facing," says Rachel Linn Gish, a spokesperson for the nonprofit advocacy group Health Access California. "They're going to have to make super hard choices of, 'Do I cut back on my groceries, or my rent, or do I go uninsured?'" Very soon, Covered California and other ACA marketplaces will have to send out formal open enrollment letters, notifying enrollees precisely what to expect for 2026 coverage. Covered California typically sends those letters out Oct. 1 but has delayed them to around Oct. 15 in the hope that Washington will provide clarity. For now, Covered California has two versions of the letter on ice, one with tax credit extensions and one without. Altman says she is hoping for congressional action before sending the one with whopping premium increases. But she may have no choice. "That's the default here, as in the thing that will happen if nothing changes," Altman says. "It is also the worst-case scenario, unfortunately." She fears that if Covered California informs enrollees that their rates will likely rise sharply, it will scare many away, even if Congress later agrees to extend the credits. The opening ceremony of the Global Mayors Dialogue Dunhuang is held in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 13, 2025. A forum bringing together mayors or their representatives, diplomats and scholars from 10 countries opened on Monday in Dunhuang, a city along the ancient Silk Road in northwest China's Gansu Province. The forum aims to discuss opportunities and challenges in cultural urban governance. Themed "A Symphony of Civilizations, Resonance in Harmony," the Global Mayors Dialogue Dunhuang focuses on practical governance issues, including leveraging cultural resources, environmental protection, green development and smart city construction. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen) LANZHOU, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- A forum bringing together mayors or their representatives, diplomats and scholars from 10 countries opened on Monday in Dunhuang, a city along the ancient Silk Road in northwest China's Gansu Province. The forum aims to discuss opportunities and challenges in cultural urban governance. Themed "A Symphony of Civilizations, Resonance in Harmony," the Global Mayors Dialogue Dunhuang focuses on practical governance issues, including leveraging cultural resources, environmental protection, green development and smart city construction. Against the backdrop of rapid global urbanization, attendees emphasize the growing importance of balancing cultural heritage conservation with urban growth. Notably, strengthening international cooperation is highlighted as a key response to these shared challenges. As the host city, Dunhuang -- home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites and over 260 cultural relic sites -- is showcasing its integrated approach in recent years to preserving cultural legacy while enhancing urban quality. Dunhuang's unique natural landscape, profound cultural heritage and long history are highly impressive features of this city. Dunhuang is not only a symbol of China but also demonstrates to the world how modern development can achieve harmony by respecting nature and preserving history, said Tigran Poghosyan, head of the Garni community in the Kotayk region of Armenia. Yu Chenghui, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Gansu Provincial People's Congress, said at the opening ceremony that through dialogue, participants will share experiences, expand cooperation and help cities find new solutions to issues such as cultural heritage protection, urban governance and sustainable development. The opening ceremony of the Global Mayors Dialogue Dunhuang is held in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 13, 2025. A forum bringing together mayors or their representatives, diplomats and scholars from 10 countries opened on Monday in Dunhuang, a city along the ancient Silk Road in northwest China's Gansu Province. The forum aims to discuss opportunities and challenges in cultural urban governance. Themed "A Symphony of Civilizations, Resonance in Harmony," the Global Mayors Dialogue Dunhuang focuses on practical governance issues, including leveraging cultural resources, environmental protection, green development and smart city construction. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen) Participants attend the opening ceremony of the Global Mayors Dialogue Dunhuang, in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 13, 2025. A forum bringing together mayors or their representatives, diplomats and scholars from 10 countries opened on Monday in Dunhuang, a city along the ancient Silk Road in northwest China's Gansu Province. The forum aims to discuss opportunities and challenges in cultural urban governance. Themed "A Symphony of Civilizations, Resonance in Harmony," the Global Mayors Dialogue Dunhuang focuses on practical governance issues, including leveraging cultural resources, environmental protection, green development and smart city construction. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen) Editor: Zhang Zhou insights from industry Bill Kotowski & Suja Sukumaran Regional Sales Manager & Product Manager Thermo Fisher Scientific In this interview, News-Medical Life Sciences speaks with Bill Kotowski, Sales Manager for North America State & Local Chemical Identification at Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Dr. Suja Sukumaran, Product Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, about the latest advances in controlled substance testing. They discuss how handheld Raman spectrometers, benchtop Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) instruments, and updated spectral libraries are transforming workflows from the field to the lab, enhancing both safety and accuracy in the fight against narcotics and emerging drug threats. This interview is a summary of an hour-long webinar - watch the webinar now. Can you please introduce yourself and your role at Thermo Fisher Scientific? Bill Kotowski: I manage the state and local sales teams for North America, focusing on handheld chemical identification solutions. Ive been with Thermo Fisher for about 15 years, and Ive overseen the launch of several handhelds, including our newest TruNarc Delta narcotics analyzer. Suja Sukumaran: Im a product manager at Thermo Fisher, specializing in molecular spectroscopy solutions. My background is in biophysics, and I focus on FTIR and Raman technologies, particularly how they support confirmatory analysis in forensic and controlled substance testing. How does Thermo Fisher support controlled substance testing across the chain of custody? Bill Kotowski: We provide solutions that cover the entire workflow, from presumptive testing in the field with our handheld Raman devices to confirmatory analysis in the lab using FTIR and benchtop Raman. Our teams merged Research and Development (R&D) efforts so that the same spectral libraries support both handheld and lab instruments, ensuring consistency from street to lab. What role does the TruNarc Delta play in presumptive field testing? Bill Kotowski: TruNarc Delta is our flagship handheld Raman analyzer for presumptive testing. TruNarc Delta delivers results in seconds and can scan right through bags or containers, keeping officers safer in the field. It now has over 1200 compounds in its library and features like Wi-Fi transfer, a touchscreen, and user-replaceable batteries. Our libraries now include 165 fentanyl analogs, and updates are free for the life of the instrument. Can handheld Raman really make a difference in plea agreements and court proceedings? Bill Kotowski: Absolutely. Many agencies report that when TruNarc indicates cocaine, for example, defense attorneys often advise clients to enter plea agreements rather than push to trial. We also had a recent Kelly hearing in California, where TruNarc results were deemed admissible, creating legal precedent for presumptive evidence in the United States (US). Watch the Webinars Now What safety challenges do fentanyl and its analogs present for testing? Fentanyl and its analogs are extremely potent - sometimes even lethal at microgram levels. Thats why both field and lab testing methods must prioritize safety. Suja Sukumaran: Our handheld Raman allows non-contact scanning, while in the lab, glove boxes, chemical hoods, and fiber optic ATR probes help analysts avoid direct exposure during confirmatory FTIR or Raman testing. How do FTIR and Raman complement each other in confirmatory testing? Suja Sukumaran: FTIR is strong for asymmetric bonds, while Raman is more sensitive to symmetric bonds. By combining them, analysts get a more complete structural picture. Using both, compared to a library, provides robust confirmation of controlled substances, whether powders, pills, or mixed samples. By combining FTIR and Raman, analysts get the most complete structural picture, ensuring accurate confirmation of controlled substances. How do your instruments handle counterfeit pills and low-concentration samples? Bill Kotowski: Counterfeit oxycodone pills are a serious concern. With TruNarc, if a tablet doesnt register as oxycodone, its highly likely to be counterfeit - and often laced with fentanyl. For cases where the concentration is very low, we use our Type H 2 kit with surface-enhanced Raman (SERS) technology, which can detect fentanyl and other drugs at levels below 5 %. What role do correctional facilities play in controlled substance testing? Bill Kotowski: One of the big challenges we see is drugs sprayed onto paper or even greeting cards. TruNarc can often pick up concentrated hot spots directly, and when levels are lower, the Type H kit helps us detect them. States like California and Arkansas have now standardized on TruNarc across their correctional systems, which really shows how important this tool has become for protecting both inmates and officers. Image Credit: New Africa/Shutterstock.com How are spectral libraries evolving to keep pace with emerging narcotics? Suja Sukumaran: Our libraries are continuously updated and include dedicated sets for narcotics and fentanyl analogs. These updates are provided free for the lifetime of the instrument. Importantly, the libraries can differentiate between different fentanyl isomers. For example, cis vs. trans, which have very different potencies. Are there grants available for agencies that want to adopt these technologies? Bill Kotowski: Yes, many agencies use grants to fund purchases. We partner with policegrantshelp.com to provide guidance, and agencies can qualify for programs like COPS Anti-Heroin or Byrne JAG grants. We also assist directly in the grant-writing process if needed. Looking ahead, how do you see controlled substance testing evolving? Suja Sukumaran: I see continued integration of handheld and lab workflows, ensuring rapid, safe, and confirmatory results. As new synthetic drugs emerge, maintaining updated libraries and leveraging techniques like Raman microscopy and SERS will be essential. Bill Kotowski: And in the field, its about speed and safety. Handheld Raman will continue to be critical for first responders, correctional officers, and border agents who need to make quick decisions while minimizing risk. About Bill Kotowski Bill Kotowski is the Sales Manager for the North America State & Local Chemical Identification team with Thermo Fisher Scientific. He has been with Thermo Fisher for 15 years and has overseen the launch of key safety & security handhelds including the latest Thermo Scientific TruNarc Delta Handheld Narcotics Analyzer. About Dr. Suja Sukumaran Dr. Suja Sukumaran is a Product Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific. She earned her PhD in Biophysics from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Germany through the International Max Planck Research School. She brings extensive expertise in molecular spectroscopy, fluorescence and visible imaging, as well as protein and lipid biochemistry to her role. About Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific is the world leader in serving science. The company enables its customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer by providing analytical instruments, equipment, reagents and consumables, software and services for research, analysis, discovery and diagnostics. Thermo Scientific represents a broad range of high-end analytical instruments, chemistry and consumable supplies, laboratory equipment, software and services that enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Thermo Scientific is the new name for a trusted brand Thermo Electron that the worlds most renowned researchers, clinicians and scientists already count on to solve their analytical challenges. The brand is strengthened by the addition of equipment, consumables and reagents acquired from Fisher Scientific. Fisher Scientific represents a family of global product and service brands comprising a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Fisher Scientific brings these solutions to general research customers worldwide, and through Fisher HealthCare, Fisher Safety and Fisher Science Education it delivers the specialty equipment, supplies and services that customers want, when and how they want them. In addition to these two premier brands, Thermo Fisher Scientific also markets a range of specialty products, featuring well-known industry names such as Nalgene, Nunc and Remel. Offerings include consumables such as disposable laboratory glassware, plastic-ware and environmental sample containers ranging from vials, tubes and pipettes to microscope slides and syringes. These products are primarily sold through Fisher Scientific and our valued partners worldwide. In British Columbia's Lower Mainland, 90% of people have detectable antibodies against measles, indicating high vaccine coverage and population protection, according to a new study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.250788. Measles has been on the rise in North America, with more than 4000 cases reported in Canada as of August 2025, a fivefold increase over any full-year tally since Canada achieved measles elimination status in 1998. Measles is highly infectious, and herd immunity should be around 92% to 94% to prevent widespread circulation. Individuals born before 1970, during the time of endemic measles circulation, are considered immune through infection, while those born after the decline in measles circulation rely on vaccine-induced antibodies. Two doses of measles vaccine are recommended, with the first dose routinely given at 12 months and the second dose given at 4 to 6 years of age in BC. In recent years, public health officials have expressed concern that the increase in vaccine hesitancy may be negatively affecting vaccine coverage. About 90% of the measles cases in Canada have involved unvaccinated people. To gauge the risk of sustained measles transmission in the community at large, researchers analyzed blood samples collected in August 2024 from more than 1000 people within the most populated Lower Mainland region of BC. They found measles antibodies in about 90% of people overall, including 92% to 94% of 2- to 3-year-olds and 97% of 4- to 6-year-olds, reflecting high first- and second-dose measles vaccine coverage in children. Measles antibody levels were lower in older children, including those who had been due for their second dose of vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtually all adults aged 55 years or older but fewer than 75% of adults aged 20 to 39 years had detectable measles antibodies. The authors suggest that this may be due to a combination of factors, including a decline in vaccine-induced antibody with age that may be exacerbated in people vaccinated as infants who were born to previously infected mothers. Vaccinated people in whom antibodies cannot be detected likely still have some protection due to other components of the immune response. "The observed epidemiology in BC and elsewhere in Canada indicates that current levels of population immunity are sufficient to suppress sustained or generalized measles transmission," writes Dr. Danuta Skowronski, BC Centre for Disease Control and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, with coauthors. "This is supported by measles outbreaks that have been sporadic, self-limited, or centred on linked and largely nonvaccinated individuals or communities. Ensuring high 2-dose coverage in the general population remains critical to elimination." The findings show that the vast majority of parents know the importance of vaccinating their children, with serosurveys helping to identify areas for improvement. "Overall, our serosurvey in August 2024 identified a higher proportion of children with measles antibody, reflecting vaccine uptake, than vaccine coverage estimates would suggest. Our findings highlight missed documentation of administered measles vaccine doses and reinforce the importance of efficient and accurate systems to capture and confirm 2-dose coverage." "Periodic population-based serosurveys, interpreted within a public health context, can clarify estimates of vaccination coverage, inform vaccination catch-up and other program adjustments, and support measles elimination efforts overall," concludes the investigative team. Researchers in Sweden are testing a 250-year-old medicine in patients with one of the world's deadliest cancers. A heart medicine first prescribed in the 18th century is now being tested as a potential treatment for pancreatic cancer one of the most aggressive and deadly cancer forms. Researchers at the University of Skovde, in collaboration with Skaraborg Hospital, have launched a clinical study to evaluate the effects of digitoxin, a well-known cardiac drug originally derived from the foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea). Digitoxin is a well-known and approved drug, which means that developing new cancer treatments could become both faster and less expensive. We've seen promising results in the laboratory, so now we're taking the next step testing it in a clinical trial." Helene Lindholm, researcher in bioscience, University of Skovde A new hope against a lethal cancer Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with fewer than five per cent of patients surviving more than five years after diagnosis. In laboratory studies, digitoxin has been shown to disrupt cancer cell metabolism, interfere with calcium balance, and, in some cases, cause cells to stop dividing or die. However, the response varies considerably between different pancreatic cancer cell types. "Pancreatic cancer is extremely heterogeneous two patients can have the same diagnosis but completely different tumours," Lindholm explains. "That's why it's so hard to find one treatment that works for all. Our goal is to understand why some tumours respond better than others." To reflect this variation, the research team uses five different pancreatic cancer cell lines and compares their reactions to digitoxin. The aim is to identify biomarkers that can predict which patients are most likely to benefit, paving the way for more personalized treatment. From lab bench to bedside The clinical study is being conducted together with oncologist Johan Haux at Skaraborg Hospital, who first proposed testing digitoxin against cancer. In this initial phase, the researchers aim to determine the optimal dosage, ensure patient safety, and confirm that the biomarkers identified in the laboratory are relevant in human patients. If successful, digitoxin could become a new treatment option for patients who currently have very limited alternatives. Ronald Klein was biking around his neighborhood in North Wales, Pennsylvania, in 2006 and tried to jump a curb. "But I was going too slow I didn't have enough momentum," he recalled. As the bike toppled, he thrust out his left arm to break the fall. It didn't seem like a serious accident, yet "I couldn't get up," he said. At the emergency room, X-rays showed that he had fractured both his hip, which required surgical repair, and his shoulder. Klein, a dentist, went back to work in three weeks, using a cane. After about six months and plenty of physical therapy, he felt fine. But he wondered about the damage the fall had caused. "A 52-year-old is not supposed to break a hip and a shoulder," he said. At a follow-up visit with his orthopedist, "I said, 'Maybe I should have a bone density scan.'" As Klein suspected, the test showed he had developed osteoporosis, a progressive condition, increasing sharply with age, that thins and weakens bones and can lead to serious fractures. Klein immediately began a drug regimen and, now 70, remains on one. Osteoporosis occurs so much more commonly in women, for whom medical guidelines recommend universal screening after age 65, that a man who was not a health care professional might not have thought about getting a scan. The orthopedist didn't raise the prospect. But about 1 in 5 men over age 50 will suffer an osteoporotic fracture in their remaining years, and among older adults, about a quarter of hip fractures occur in men. When they do, "men have worse outcomes," said Cathleen Colon-Emeric, a geriatrician at the Durham VA Health Care System and Duke University and the lead author of a recent study of osteoporosis treatment in male veterans. "Men don't do as well in recovery as women," she said, with higher rates of death (25% to 30% within a year), disability and institutionalization. "A 50-year-old man is more likely to die from the complications of a major osteoporotic fracture than from prostate cancer," she said. (What's "major"? Fractures of the wrist, hip, femur, humerus, pelvis or vertebra.) In her study of 3,000 veterans ages 65 to 85, conducted at Veterans Affairs health centers in North Carolina and Virginia, only 2% of those assigned to the control group had undergone bone-density screening. "Shockingly low," said Douglas Bauer, a clinical epidemiologist and osteoporosis researcher at the University of California-San Francisco, who published an accompanying commentary in JAMA Internal Medicine. "Abysmal. And that's at the VA, where it's paid for by the government." But establishing a bone health service overseen by a nurse who entered orders, sent frequent appointment reminders and explained results led to dramatic changes in the intervention group, who had at least one risk factor for the condition. Forty-nine percent of them said yes to a scan. Half of those tested had osteoporosis or a forerunner condition, osteopenia. Where appropriate, most of them began medications to preserve or rebuild their bones. "We were pleasantly surprised that so many agreed to be screened and were willing to initiate treatment," Colon-Emeric said. After 18 months, bone density had increased modestly for those in the intervention group, who were more likely to stick to their drug regimens than osteoporosis patients of either sex in real-world conditions. The study didn't continue long enough to determine whether bone density increased further or fractures declined, but the researchers plan a secondary analysis to track that. The results revive a longtime question: Given how life-altering, even deadly, such fractures can be, and the availability of effective drugs to slow or reverse bone loss, should older men be screened for osteoporosis, as women are? If so, which men and when? Such issues mattered less when life spans were shorter, Bauer explained. Men have bigger and thicker bones and tend to develop osteoporosis five to 10 years later than women do. "Until recently, those men died of heart disease and smoking" before osteoporosis could harm them, he said. "Now, men routinely live into their 70s and 80s, so they have fractures," he added. By then, they have also accumulated other chronic conditions that impair their ability to recover. With osteoporosis testing and treatment, "a man could see a clear-cut improvement in mortality and, more importantly, his quality of life," Bauer said. Both patients and many doctors still tend to regard osteoporosis as a women's disease, however. "There's a bit of a Superman idea," said Eric Orwoll, an endocrinologist and osteoporosis researcher at Oregon Health & Science University. "Men would like to believe they're indestructible, so a fracture doesn't have the implication that it should," he added. One patient, for example, for years resisted entreaties from his wife, a nurse, to "see someone" about his visibly rounded upper back. Bob Grossman, 74, a retired public school teacher in Portland, blamed poor posture instead and told himself to straighten up. "I thought, 'It can't be osteoporosis I'm a guy,'" he said. But it was. Another obstacle to screening: "Clinical practice guidelines are all over the place," Colon-Emeric said. Professional associations like the Endocrine Society and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research recommend that men 50 and older who have a risk factor, and all men over 70, should seek screening. But the American College of Physicians and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have deemed the evidence for screening of men "insufficient." Clinical trials have found that osteoporosis drugs increase bone density in men, as in women, but most male studies have been too small or lacked enough follow-up to show whether fractures also declined. The task force's position means that Medicare and many private insurers generally won't cover screening for men who haven't had a fracture, though they will cover care for men diagnosed with osteoporosis. "Things have been stalled for decades," Orwoll said. So it may fall to older men themselves to ask their doctors about a DXA (pronounced DECKS-ah) scan, widely available at $100 to $300 out-of-pocket. Otherwise, because osteoporosis is typically asymptomatic, men (and women, who are also undertested and undertreated) don't know their bones have deteriorated until one breaks. "If you had a fracture after age 50, you should have a bone scan that's one of the key indicators," Orwoll advised. Other risk factors: falls, a family history of hip fractures, and a fairly long list of other health conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism and Parkinson's disease. Smoking and excessive alcohol use increase the odds of osteoporosis as well. "A number of medications also do a number on your bone density," Colon-Emeric added, notably steroids and prostate cancer drugs. When a scan reveals osteoporosis, depending on its severity, doctors may prescribe oral medications like Fosamax or Actonel, intravenous formulations like Reclast, daily self-injections of Forteo or Tymlos, or twice-annual injections of Prolia. Lifestyle changes like exercising, taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, stopping smoking, and drinking only moderately will help but aren't sufficient to stop or reverse bone loss, Colon-Emeric said. Although guidelines don't universally recommend it, at least not yet, she would like to see all men age 70 and up be screened, because the odds of disability after hip fractures are so high two-thirds of older people will not regain their prior mobility, she noted and the medications that treat it are effective and often inexpensive. But informing patients and health care professionals that osteoporosis threatens men, too, has progressed "at a snail's pace," Orwoll said. Klein remembers attending a seminar to instruct patients like him in using the drug Forteo. "I was the only male there," he said. A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. China successfully launched a new test satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday. The Shiyan-31 test satellite was launched at 6:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) JIUQUAN, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched a new test satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday. The Shiyan-31 test satellite was launched at 6:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully. This satellite will be mainly used to verify new optical imaging technologies. This launch marked the 599th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series. A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. China successfully launched a new test satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday. The Shiyan-31 test satellite was launched at 6:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. China successfully launched a new test satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday. The Shiyan-31 test satellite was launched at 6:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. China successfully launched a new test satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday. The Shiyan-31 test satellite was launched at 6:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) Editor: Zhang Zhou A 26-year-old man from Rusape has landed himself in jail after robbing the one person who brought him into this world his own mother. Takudzwa Mpindus hunger for easy cash has earned him eight months behind bars after he was convicted of stealing US$340 at the Rusape Magistrates Court. According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Mpindu took advantage of his mothers absence to stage a home raid worthy of a stranger, not a son. On the 20th of August 2025, the offender entered the victims bedroom using spare keys and stole household property worth US$340, said the NPAZ The victim, a 59-year-old woman, was in Harare when her neighbours spotted her son moving her belongings and quickly raised the alarm. She received a phone call from a neighbour informing her that the offender was moving her property. A police report was made leading to the arrest of the offender, said the prosecting authority. Mpindu was sentenced to six months in prison, with two months suspended on condition that he pays restitution by 31 October 2025. However karma boomeranged on him as a previously suspended four-month jail term from an earlier conviction was reactivated, bringing his total time behind bars to eight months. The NPAZ took the opportunity to remind citizens that theft, even from family, carries consequences. H Metro Apple has dropped the "plus" from the name of its streaming platform, which is now simply called Apple TV. The change, quietly announced in a press release tied to the streaming debut of F1: The Movie, gives the service the same name as Apple's smart TV device and appa decision that could reduce confusion for some users, but may raise questions for others. The company hasn't offered further explanation, and representatives declined to comment when asked by Variety . "Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity," said the company in the ninth paragraph of the aforementioned press release, per the New York Times. The "new identity" might be the intent, "but as anyone with a second grade education knows, minus-ing a plus can often result in a negative," writes Tony Maglio at the Hollywood Reporter. Maglio points out that the potential confusion, given that Apple TV is already the name of the company's connected-TV device (on par with Amazon's Fire Stick or a Roku). "You could connect to Apple TV+ through an Apple TV or any similar device (or smart TV)," he writes. "Now, one way to watch Ted Lasso is on Apple TV via Apple TV. There are no pluses here." Other streamers have, or had, pluses in their name, but it usually signified another tier of coverage, and that was never the case with Apple TV+, notes the Times. One theory is that the change will pave the way for an ad-supported subscription plan. Launched in November 2019 as Apple TV+, the service entered a crowded field that included Disney, Netflix, HBO, and Amazon. The platform made its debut with a high-profile lineup, including The Morning Show, and has since expanded its catalog of original movies, series, and documentaries. To date, Apple TV's original programming claims 553 wins and 2,562 award nominations, highlighted by Ted Lasso, Severance, and Oscar winner Coda. The Red Cross warned Tuesday that returning the remains of hostages killed during the Israel-Hamas conflict will be a "massive challenge" that could take days or weeksand may never be fully completed, reports Reuters . One huge obstacle: locating bodies amid the widespread destruction in Gaza. So far, only four coffins containing the remains of deceased hostages have been returned to Israel, while the bodies of more than 20 others remain unaccounted for. Hamas has pledged to return all the remains, and the BBC reports that fears are growing that an inability to do so could threaten the region's new ceasefire. The militant group is reportedly requesting the use of bulldozers and other heavy machinery to help in the recovery. Christian Cardon, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross, described the process of recovering bodies as an even greater challenge than securing the release of living captives. (All 20 were freed on Monday.) Cardon declined to provide specifics about the possible locations of the deceased. Hamas has sought to reassert its authority in Gaza in graphic fashion, carrying out public executions of alleged Israeli collaborators just after after its ceasefire with Israel took effect. A video shared widely on Monday showed Hamas fighters executing seven or eight men in Gaza City, report Reuters and the BBC . Residents also reported a heightened presence of Hamas fighters, especially along roads critical for aid distribution. And Palestinian security officials say clashes between Hamas and rival factions have left dozens dead in recent days. All of which seems to highlight the fragile state of the new truce. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists the war cannot permanently end until Hamas is disarmed and removed from power, a stance that has derailed past peace efforts. On Monday, however, President Trump acknowledged that Hamas has temporary approval to maintain order in Gaza, though he said that window is limited. "They do want to stop the problems, and they've been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time," he said. Hamas, weakened by years of Israeli bombardment, is working to clear rubble, repair infrastructure, and secure aid routes, while vowing to crack down on Israeli collaborators and looters. "You cannot say the war is finished," a Gaza resident tells Fox News. "We have to wait a few weeks to see what happens. There are gangs in Gaza now. Hamas is trying to fight them. If they don't unify, another war could start." NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte quipped Monday that Russia's submarine fleet looks less like a scene from The Hunt for Red October and "more like the hunt for the nearest mechanic" following reports that the Kilo-class Novorossiysk had surfaced off France and appeared to be in trouble. UK forces tracked the submarine, previously deployed in the Mediterranean, and a support tug for three days last week as they passed through the English Channel and into the North Sea, per the BBC. The Dutch navy then took over escort duties, reporting that the sub was under tow. A 23-year-old woman died after being struck by debris while seeking shelter from a storm following the evacuation of the RedWest music festival in Salt Lake City. Police say Ava Ahlander sought refuge in her car, which was parked near the festival site, as severe weather moved through the area Saturday. At some point, Ahlander exited her vehicle. It was then, police say, that a scaffolding boardmeasuring 2 inches by 12 incheswas blown from a nearby apartment construction site and fell roughly 30 feet, striking both Ahlander and her car, Fox 13 reports. Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 5:15pm, and she was transported to the hospital with critical injuries. "Doctors did a scan, and it looks like the piece of wood crushed her brainstem. There wasn't any discernible brain activity," her uncle Bobby Ahlander told KSL. She was taken off life support and died on Monday after family members had said their final goodbyes. Her organs were donated. "We're honored to be with her as doctors prepare her for that," her uncle said. "It's a beautiful thing, even in the middle of all this heartbreak." In a statement, Ahlander's family described her as "an absolute delight of a human being" who was well-loved by those around her. They noted that she was an avid concertgoer and had traveled from Seattle specifically to attend the festival with friends and see Post Malone perform. KUTV reports that Post Malone didn't end up playing on Saturday. Organizers ordered the evacuation of the site as the storm approached on Saturday. "Performances will be paused due to severe weather," the festival announced. "Please follow the direction of event staff, gather your belongings, exit the venue, and take shelter." Reese Witherspoon is used to promoting books through her namesake book club. Now she's making the rounds to plug her debut novel. The 49-year-old actress wrote Gone Before Goodbye with bestselling author Harlan Coben, and it's out on Tuesday, reports People. The book centers on an Army combat surgeon named Maggie McCabe who is caught up in the world of Russian billionaires and private medicine, per the Hollywood Reporter. Witherspoon and Coben unveiled it this week at Shine Away, a summit hosted by her Hello Sunshine media company in Los Angeles. President Trump on Tuesday posthumously awarded America's highest civilian honor to Charlie Kirk, the assassinated activist who inspired a generation of young conservatives and helped push the nation's politics further to the right. The ceremony coincided with what would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday, the AP reports. It came just over a month after the Turning Point USA founder was fatally shot while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University. In a sign of Kirk's close ties to the administration, he was the first recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Trump's second term. The president also spoke at at Kirk's funeral in September, calling him a "great American hero" and "martyr" for freedom, while Vice President JD Vance accompanied his body home to Arizona on Air Force Two along with Kirk's widow, Erika. She accepted the medal on his behalf Tuesday, the Guardian reports. U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem during a brief visit as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire entered its fourth day, hailing an "end" to Israel's two-year war in Gaza, Oct. 13, 2025. Trump's speech was briefly interrupted when a Knesset member displayed a sign calling for the recognition of Palestine on Monday. (JINI via Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday during a brief visit as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire entered its fourth day, hailing an "end" to Israel's two-year war in Gaza. The visit coincides with the return of the last 20 surviving hostages from Gaza to Israel and the release of about 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners from Israeli jails, a key step in the ceasefire agreement. Before entering the plenum hall of the Knesset, Trump briefly spoke with reporters, saying Israel's war in Gaza is over. "Now, at last, not only for Israelis, but also for Palestinians and for many others. The long and painful nightmare is finally over," Trump said in his speech at the Knesset. During the address, he noted that the United States has supplied Israel with extensive military aid. "So many that Israel became strong and powerful," he said. "You used them well." Regarding relations with Iran, Trump said he supports a deal with Iran but will prioritize addressing Russia first. "It would be great if we could make a peace deal with them (Iran)," he said. "I think they want to, I think they're tired," he said, adding later: "First we have to get Russia done." Trump's speech was briefly interrupted when a Knesset member displayed a sign calling for the recognition of Palestine. Ahead of Trump's speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset, pledging he is "committed to this peace." From Israel, Trump will fly directly to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh to co-chair an international summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Gaza's future. U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem during a brief visit as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire entered its fourth day, hailing an "end" to Israel's two-year war in Gaza, Oct. 13, 2025. Trump's speech was briefly interrupted when a Knesset member displayed a sign calling for the recognition of Palestine on Monday. (JINI via Xinhua) An Israeli Knesset member displays a sign calling for the recognition of Palestine during Trump's speech in Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Oct. 13, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday during a brief visit as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire entered its fourth day, hailing an "end" to Israel's two-year war in Gaza. Trump's speech was briefly interrupted when a Knesset member displayed a sign calling for the recognition of Palestine. (JINI via Xinhua) An Israeli Knesset member is taken away by security after displaying a sign calling for the recognition of Palestine during Trump's speech in Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Oct. 13, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday during a brief visit as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire entered its fourth day, hailing an "end" to Israel's two-year war in Gaza. Trump's speech was briefly interrupted when a Knesset member displayed a sign calling for the recognition of Palestine. (JINI via Xinhua) Editor: Zhang Zhou Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Cloudy with snow developing after midnight. Low -21F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.. Tonight Cloudy with snow developing after midnight. Low -21F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. NAGANO, Oct 14 (News On Japan) - A man accused of murdering four people in a brutal 2022 incident in the city of Nakano, Nagano Prefecture, was sentenced to death on October 14th, with the court rejecting arguments over his diminished mental capacity. The Nagano District Court, presided over by Judge Masafumi Sakata, declared, "The defendant is sentenced to death," as it handed down the ruling to 34-year-old Masanori Aoki. Aoki showed no visible emotion as the sentence was read. According to the ruling, Aoki stabbed two women who were out walking near his home with a knife and then shot two male police officers who responded to the scene with a hunting rifle. He subsequently barricaded himself inside his house, during which time reporters observed movement within the property. Investigators determined that the killings were driven by a delusional belief stemming from Aokis resentment over being called "botchi" a slang term for someone who is isolated or has no friends. After dropping out of a university in Tokyo and returning to his parents' home, Aoki had minimal contact with those around him and had previously attacked a coworker after claiming to have been called "botchi" at work. During the standoff, he told his mother, "They were chatting and calling me 'botchi' while on their walk, so I stabbed them. The police did nothing even though I was being called 'botchi'." The main issue at trial was whether Aoki possessed criminal responsibility. Prosecutors argued that he retained the ability to control his actions and sought the death penalty, while the defense claimed he was suffering from a diminished capacity that impaired his understanding of right and wrong. Aoki, who had remained silent throughout the trial, declared in his final statement, "I am an otherworldly being. I came here to kill people and be sentenced to death." In delivering the verdict, Judge Sakata concluded, "The rampage was the result of the defendants own will and judgment, and nothing short of the death penalty is appropriate." The defense has announced plans to appeal the ruling. Source: TBS TOKYO, Oct 14 (News On Japan) - The first half of 2025s paperback sales rankings are dominated by 'Comrade Girl, Shoot the Enemy,' a powerful debut novel by author Toma Aisaka that traces the brutal wartime coming-of-age of a Soviet girl turned sniper. The novel, which has won multiple literary prizes including the 11th Christie Award Grand Prize and the 9th High School Naoki Prize, explores resilience, revenge, and the psychological cost of war. Osaka appeared on BS TV Tokyos literary talk show Have You Read This Book? on October 2nd to discuss the storys creation and impact alongside fellow novelist Ryunosuke Matsushita, author of One-Dimensional Cuttings, and editor Shingo Ikeya of Asahi Shimbun Publishing, who shared insights on the hit film adaptation of National Treasure. Aisaka admitted he had never expected such success for his debut novel. Its about a Soviet female sniper during the German-Soviet war a relatively obscure topic in historical fiction, he said. It could easily have failed for that reason. But the books momentum was strong from the start, with a reprint decided the day after release. The novels publication in November 2021 gained unexpected resonance when Russias invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, prompting readers and interviewers to draw parallels between the book and current events. That period was both when the book sold best and when it was most difficult for me personally, Aisaka recalled. But if I avoided those questions, readers would lose the chance to think deeply about the reality of war. Thats why I wrote this novel to make people reflect on conflicts that continue somewhere in the world. Set in 1942 as the German-Soviet war intensifies, the story follows Serafima, a young Soviet girl whose mother and fellow villagers are massacred by German troops. Saved from execution by female soldier Irina, Serafima joins a unit of women who, like her, have lost their families and chosen to fight. Through grueling training, she becomes a sniper and is deployed to the front lines of Stalingrad, a decisive turning point in the war. At its heart, the novel asks a profound question: after enduring unimaginable loss, who is the true enemy she must confront? Aisaka deliberately chose Stalingrad as the setting, calling it the largest battlefield of World War II and perhaps the largest war between two nations in history. Yet, he noted, Japanese education often overlooks the Eastern Front. For many Japanese, World War II is synonymous with the Pacific War, he said. And cultural influences since the Cold War have simplified the Eastern Front into evil Germany versus brutal Russia. But within that conflict were extraordinary figures among them, Soviet women who volunteered as soldiers, the only nation at the time to deploy them as part of its regular forces. A powerful scene highlighted on the program depicts Serafima, after witnessing the murder of her mother and neighbors, meeting Irina who callously destroys her familys belongings and burns her mothers body. Enraged, Serafima seizes a gun, declaring, Ill kill the Germans and you. Ill kill them all. Irina, impressed by her resolve, spares her and allows her to fight. I want to root for Serafima, said host Honami Suzuki, but her growth physical, mental, and emotional comes through deeper immersion in war. Aisaka agreed, calling the book a kind of coming-of-age story where maturity means becoming optimized for killing. Snipers must know exactly who they shoot, he said. And the terrifying truth is that, with enough training, almost anyone can do it. Through its raw portrayal of trauma, revenge, and moral transformation, Comrade Girl, Shoot the Enemy transcends historical fiction to become a meditation on how war reshapes humanity a message that continues to resonate as real-world conflicts unfold. Source: BIZ A governmentruling party panel is preparing to expand the Nippon Individual Savings Account so that even those under 18 can regularly invest in mutual funds, with the goal of making it easier for households to allocate money for education and other expenses and thereby supporting a broader shift from savings to investment; the proposal will be written into the tax reform outline for fiscal 2026, with the revised scheme expected to begin as early as 2027, and Monex Research Institute analyst Naoko Shinoda joined the program to discuss how a child-focused NISA might be used and what it means for Japans ambition to become an asset-management nation. OSAKA, Oct 15 (News On Japan) - Kinki Universitys new Osaka Medical Campus, set to open in Sakai in November, has been unveiled as part of a major relocation project aimed at revitalizing the universitys medical education and healthcare services in southern Osaka. The university decided to move its medical faculty and hospital from their aging facilities to a new site in Sakais Minami Ward, located directly in front of Izumigaoka Station on the Nankai Senboku Line, offering significantly improved access from central Osaka. The new campus will become home to approximately 800 students from the medical faculty and a newly established nursing faculty, which will welcome its first class in April next year. The university hospital, also relocating to the site, will be equipped with the latest medical technologies, enabling it to provide advanced treatment and expand patient care. "We hope to make the most of the excellent access so that patients from a wide range of areas can come here and make full use of our services," said hospital director Tomonori Higashida. Kinki University aims to use the new facility as a base to further contribute to the development of healthcare in southern Osaka, strengthening both its educational mission and clinical capacity. Source: KTV NEWS Torrance, United States, October 14th, 2025, CyberNewsWire Criminal IP at Booth J30 | Sands Expo Singapore | October 21 23, 2025 Criminal IP, a global cybersecurity company, announced its participation in GovWare 2025, Asias largest cybersecurity conference, which will be held at the Sands Expo in Singapore from October 21 to 23. At the event, Criminal IP will showcase its flagship platform, introducing its innovative security strategies in Attack Surface Management (ASM) and Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) to the global market. Strengthening Global Presence through AI-Powered ASM and CTI Criminal IP is a security platform that combines AI-based detection technology with OSINT-based data collection capabilities and currently serves users in over 150 countries worldwide. Notably, it integrates Attack Surface Management (ASM) and Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) to help organizations detect exposed external assets and proactively respond to threats linked to actual attack vectors. Connect with the Criminal IP Team At GovWare 2025, CEO Byungtak Kang and the global business team will engage directly with international customers and industry leaders. Key sessions and discussions will focus on the following topics: Real-world cyber threat response strategies Latest security technology trends Platform utilization The team will also host on-site meetings at Booth J30, with pre-booking available through the Knowledge Hub > Conference section of the Criminal IP website. In addition, attendees can participate in special giveaway events, including the official Passport Event organized by the conference host. GovWare is one of the most significant cybersecurity events in Asia and provides a meaningful opportunity to showcase Criminal IPs innovative technologies, said Byungtak Kang, CEO of AI SPERA, the company behind Criminal IP. We aim to demonstrate the strength of Korean cybersecurity innovation to global customers and partners while expanding our collaborative ecosystem worldwide. About Criminal IP Criminal IP provides its Criminal IP ASM and CTI solutions to users in over 150 countries and has established technology alliances with more than 40 global security companies, including Cisco, Tenable, and Snowflake. In 2025, the company reinforced its international presence through consecutive appearances at RSAC 2025, Infosecurity Europe 2025, and Interop Tokyo 2025. Recently, the company has been expanding partnerships in key international markets, including the Middle East and Europe, positioning itself as a leading company in the global security ecosystem. Contact Michael Sena [email protected] Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday met with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Li said that China and Ghana elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership last year, ushering in new opportunities for cooperation in various fields. China is ready to work with Ghana to expand practical cooperation and deepen the strategic partnership to bring more benefits to the people of both countries. China is willing to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Ghana, deepen cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure construction, agriculture, fisheries and energy, and promote exchanges in education, culture, tourism and health, the premier said. As major Global South countries, China and Ghana should work together to uphold multilateralism and free trade, Li added. Mahama congratulated China on the successful hosting of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, expressed sincere appreciation for China's long-term support and assistance to Ghana, and praised China's zero-tariff policy for African countries that have diplomatic ties with China. He said Ghana firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and stands ready to deepen cooperation with China in trade, investment, infrastructure construction, energy, agriculture and mining, while exploring new growth drivers in areas such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence. Mahama added that Ghana supports the Global Governance Initiative, and will continue to work with China to firmly uphold multilateralism and safeguard international fairness and justice. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Editor: Zhang Zhou Ukraine and the European Union on Tuesday, October 14, approved a decision to abolish part of tariffs and increase quotas for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Taras Kachka has said. "The Decision of the Association Committee in Trade Configuration No. 3/2025 of October 14, 2025 will enter into force in 15 days (on October 29). Ukrainian exporters will have the opportunity to take advantage of the new trade regime this year. The decision is bilateral and valid indefinitely," Kachka said on his Facebook page. He added that the next review towards increased access to the EU market is scheduled for 2028. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/MerzCDU German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the signing of the peace agreement between Israel and the Hamas group in Sharm el-Sheikh an "important day in history" and expressed hope that similar steps would bring peace closer to Ukraine. Merz said that October 13 was "an important day in history - for this region, but also for the whole world", and the peace agreement "put an end to the conflict, at least for today," Deutsche Welle reports. The Chancellor thanked the mediators, including US President Donald Trump, and urged him to use his influence on Vladimir Putin to help end the war in Ukraine. "This platform shows: when the international community is united, peace is possible," Merz stressed. A 25-year-old New Jersey man admitted to strangling and beating a woman in a home in Pleasantville during separate assaults earlier this year. Seth Carr, of Pleasantville, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said. The first took place on April 17 when Carr choked the woman until she began to lose consciousness and punched her repeatedly, officials said. Carr broke his own hand during the assault. A month later on May 16 Carr tossed the woman on the floor and repeatedly slammed her head into the floor. She was treated for bleeding to her brain and a sternal fracture at an area hospital, authorities said. Carr was arrested when police arrived. Authorities didnt disclose the relationship between Carr and the woman. Carr faces up to five years in prison at his sentencing, scheduled for Jan. 30, 2026. A South Jersey resident was charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a 32-year-old man over the weekend, officials with the Camden County Prosecutors Office said. Neftalie Sanabria, 40, of Camden, was charged with first-degree murder and weapons offenses in the killing of 32-year-old Joshua Cruz in the city Sunday night. Camden County police responded to the 2500 block of Baird Boulevard at 8:53 p.m. for a report of a person shot, officials said. Officers found Cruz, also from Camden, suffering from a gunshot wound and transported him to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:34 p.m., officials said. Authorities identified Sanabria as the person responsible for the shooting and arrested him on Tuesday in Camden, officials said. No additional details about the investigation were shared by authorities. An attorney for Sanabria was not listed in court records on Tuesday. What began as a competitive New Jersey school board race has spiraled into controversy after the release of text messages that allegedly show a candidate making threatening and sexual comments about a sitting board member. The messages which are now at the center of a police investigation in Marlboro Township allegedly show candidate Scott Semaya sent vulgar texts about school board member Danielle Bellomo in a group chat with other participants. Bellomo, a Marlboro Township Board of Education member and mother of three, said she was absolutely terrified after learning about the messages and believes she was being targeted because of her conservative political views. Screenshots of the exchange, first reported in the New York Post, appear to show Semaya texting, Bellomo must be cold her nips could cut glass right n, in a group chat titled ThisB-tchNeedsToDie. The texts began circulating on social media last week, prompting widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Semaya, who was running for one of three open seats on the Marlboro Township Board of Education, has since dropped out of the race. In a now-deleted Facebook account linked to his campaign group, Collaborators for Responsible Education, a post announcing his withdrawal cited family concerns. His running mate, Melissa Goldberg, also withdrew, saying in a post that although her name will remain on the ballot, she will not accept the seat if elected. Semaya did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Police and district officials have not said who else was in the group chat. Bellomo could not immediately be reached by NJ Advance Media on Monday. However, in an interview with the New York Post, Bellomo said she first became aware of the group chat last week. Someone, she said, sent her an image taken from behind Scott Semaya that appeared to show him typing vulgar comments in the chat. She told the Post she has seen several other images of messages exchanged by the group, including very specific actions that they want to do to me and what their intention is. These text messages are the first time I was able to see they dont want me alive, she added, declining to share the additional images. Following the incident, Bellomo wrote on Facebook that when she asked Marlboro Schools Superintendent Michael Ballone to provide security for her and her family on school grounds, he declined. She urged community members to attend Tuesdays board meeting to tell Ballone the situation is unacceptable. Policies are meant to be followed immediately when a situation occurs. Also, there will be demands from the community that the two board members who are involved or whose spouses are involved resign immediately," she said. In an emailed response, Ballone said he first became aware of the issue last week and that the district has not issued a statement because this matter involves a school board candidate and a current board member, and falls outside the scope of the superintendents operational responsibilities. He referred questions about the investigation to local authorities, adding that his focus continues to be on the day-to-day operations of the district and ensuring that our students and staff are supported in a safe, respectful learning environment. Capt. Stephen Levy, a spokesperson for the Marlboro Township Police, said the department is investigating the incident. Local leaders and residents have expressed outrage about the texts. Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik said, Let me be clear the content of these messages is completely unacceptable and those responsible are clearly not equipped to hold public office. He added that the texts come at a time when, violence and threats of violence against public officials are seemingly becoming normalized. In only a few months time, we have witnessed an alarming escalation in this type of behavior to an extreme, culminating in the murder of Minnesota Representative Hortman and activist Charlie Kirk. Hilaria Baldwin has a theory about why she was eliminated fourth on season 34 of Dancing With the Stars. Despite being in the middle of the leaderboard, Hilaria, 41, was sent home during the Tuesday, Oct. 7, episode. During an interview with Us Weekly published on Monday, Oct. 13, she said that her elimination came down to mean girls on TikTok. I guess what people were doing is they were having campaigns. They were voting for all the other couples except us, so they were boosting everybody else and trying to drown out my fan base, Hilaria said. The entrepreneur, who is married to Alec Baldwin, also spoke out against the very coordinated, very strategic bullying in a Friday, Oct. 10, Instagram live. Some of the people who have harassed me for years and misrepresented and outright have lied about me I know that theyll only be satisfied when Im gone, Hilaria said. I think that nothing I can say or do will be right. In their eyes, I am always getting everything wrong, and Im too much and not enough. And theres nothing I can do about that. She also noted, As I feel the darkness that [bullying] undoubtedly brings to me, I always want to remember that my life belongs to the whole community and I want to leave a lasting mark of courage to speak up against what is simply wrong. Hilaria, whose birth name is Hilary, has long been criticized for switching back and forth between an American and a Spanish accent despite being born and raised in Boston. During a March episode of her familys reality show, The Baldwins, she noted that growing up in a Spanish-speaking household and spending time in Spain influenced her cultural identity. READ MORE: Dancing With the Stars 2025 cast: Where youve seen each celeb Growing up in a way where you have multiple cultural influences on you means that youre never going to be able to fit in, she said. You can try. You can chameleon. You know, people who code-switch, were very good at chameleoning and you dont even think youre not even thinking about it. Its just normal. Its just natural. Hilaria said in Fridays Instagram Live that she is so grateful for her Dancing With the Stars experience, even though she feels sad that some viewers wanted her out for reasons other than her dance skills. Theres more good people than bad people. And I just want one day that people can just see me and stop, like, the crazy stuff, she said. Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Jim O'Heir as Jerry Gergich and Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson in "Parks and Recreation." NBC Parks and Recreation stars Nick Offerman and Jim OHeir were recently passengers on the same plane. At first, only Offerman was aware of this fact, which allowed him to pull a prank that was truly in the spirit of the dearly departed show. After Offerman noticed OHeir on the plane, he got up to deliver a message on the PA system and was sure to work in some references to OHeirs Parks and Rec character. Offerman, who played Ron Swanson on the show, delivered the pre-landing message that would normally come from the planes staff, with some notable additions. As I always say, dont half--ss your safety, only whole -ss, the actor told the passengers as a flight attendant stood nearby, smiling. If youre traveling on to areas like Muncie, and your last name is Gergich, first name Jerry, Larry, Barry or Garry, please behave yourself and travel safely, Offerman continued. Thank you for choosing American Airlines. OHeir shook his head and was all smiles in a video he shared on Instagram Monday. His character Jerry Gergich, whose actual name was Garry Gergich though called also Larry, Barry and Terry was known to travel to Muncie. In the video, the flight attendant welcomed everyone to Indianapolis. As Parks and Rec fans know, the NBC series was set in fictional Pawnee, Indiana. It was awesome, OHeir said of Offermans plane surprise, sharing a photo he took with his old co-star. The beloved comedy Parks and Recreation," created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, ran for seven seasons, from 2009 to 2015. A special reunion episode aired in 2020 as a fundraiser for the COVID-19 Response Fund at Feeding America. Four women from northern New Jersey were charged in connection with the human trafficking of a 17-year-old girl, according to police. Tajhane Thomas, 29, of Newark, Leslie Martinez, 34, of West Orange, and Amayah Dent, 28, of Maplewood were arrested on Oct. 9 for their alleged involvement in the crimes, police said. A fourth suspect, identified as Yaislene Arguedas, 29, of Paterson, remains at large, authorities said. The women were charged with human trafficking, conspiracy to commit human trafficking, promoting organized street crime, promoting prostitution of a child, conspiracy to promote prostitution of a child, and endangering the welfare of a child. Thomas was also charged with sexual assault, possession of approximately 250 decks of heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school, authorities said. Police said the investigation began after the teenage victim, who was reported as a runaway, contacted law enforcement on Sept. 17 and asked for help. Detectives determined the teen had been trafficked and forced to engage in acts of prostitution, which was arranged by the four women, authorities said. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/ On the night of October 14 (from 19:00 on October 13), the enemy attacked with 96 Shahed and Gerber UAVS from Russia and launched about 60 Shahed UAVs from temporarily occupied Crimea, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Tuesday morning. "According to preliminary data, as of 08:30, air defense shot down/suppressed 69 enemy UAVs in the north, south, east and center of the country," the Air Force said on Telegram. It is noted that the attack is ongoing, there are several enemy UAVs in the airspace. 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. Thus, the effectiveness of Ukraine's air defense exceeded 71%. As reported, on the night of October 13, the enemy attacked with 82 attack UAVs, with air defenses neutralizing 69 of them, just like the previous night. On the night of October 12, the occupiers launched 118 drones and a missile at Ukraine, neutralizing 103 drones, with missile hits and 15 drones recorded at ten locations. On the night of October 11, the enemy attacked with 78 attack UAVs, with air defenses downing or suppressing 54 enemy drones, and with 21 drone hits recorded at six locations. The occupiers launched their most massive attack on September 7, using attack UAVs and ground-based missiles. The Air Force's electronic warfare troops detected and tracked 818 Russian airborne attack weapons, while air defenses shot down and suppressed 751 aerial targets. Nine missiles and 56 attack UAVs were recorded hitting 37 locations, and the remains of downed UAVs (debris) were recorded at eight locations. The highest percentage of drones and missiles neutralized was recorded on the night of July 9, when 718 drones and missiles out of 729 launched by the occupiers were neutralized, yielding an effectiveness rate of approximately 96.9%. This figure typically depends on whether the occupiers primarily use drones to strike targets in the rear or primarily near the front lines during an attack. Orders are prepared in the busy kitchen at Hobbys Deli in Newark on Thursday, August 18, 2022 John Jones | For NJ Advance Media Smoky, juicy, and unapologetically stacked the pastrami sandwich is a deli classic that never disappoints. And according to The Takeout, this particular New Jersey deli has one of the best ones in the country. The food website recently published their list of the best pastrami sandwiches you can find in the United States. Featured on the list was longtime Jersey classic eatery Hobbys Delicatessen and Restaurant in Newark. Heres what the website said about the Newark deli: Hobbys Delicatessen has won so much praise that even hardcore Manhattanites may make the trek out to New Jersey for this gem. Celebrated as one of the nations best Jewish delis, and the hot pastrami sandwich as the very best, Hobbys has been run by the same family for decades. Order the high-stacked pastrami with your choice of bread and condiments, and even extra meat if you dare. We recommend keeping your first try simple to really focus on the pastramis rich flavor. The #5, which consists of pastrami, corned beef, cole slaw and Russian dressing on rye, is a favorite at Hobbys Deli in Newark on Thursday, August 18, 2022 John Jones | For NJ Advance Media The website also raved about the Big Sexy version of the sandwich, with more than a pound of pastrami along the option to add turkey or corned beef. This is hardly the first praise for Hobbys Deli. Food and Wine named them as one of the best Jewish delis in America in 2022 and travel site Far & Wide also said they were one of the best pastrami spots in the U.S. in 2024. NJ.com has also highlighted Hobbys on several best-of lists. Their pastrami sandwich took the No. 4 spot on the best sandwiches in New Jersey list and was crowned the No. 1 Jewish deli in th estate. Hobbys has been run by the Brummer family since 1962. Beyond pastrami, Hobbys also offers soups, latkes, knishes, reubens, cheesesteaks, wraps, salads and more. The new RWJBarnabas Health state-of-the-art facility at 283 Sherrill Ave. in Squier Hall on the old Fort Monmouth campus joins the existing Elizabeth location. RWJBarnabas Health RWJBarnabas Health just opened a second location for its nursing school in Oceanport to help address the states nursing shortage. The health system recently celebrated the expansion and welcomed 53 students to the new facility. The scarcity of nurses in New Jersey is expected to get even worse in the coming years, according to a health workforce analysis. With a projected shortage of 24,450 registered nurses by 2036, New Jersey is expected to have one of the largest nursing problems in the nation. The new RWJBarnabas Health state-of-the-art facility is located at 283 Sherrill Ave. in Squier Hall on the old Fort Monmouth campus. It joins the existing Elizabeth location. RWJBarnabas Health The new RWJBarnabas Health facility at 283 Sherrill Ave. in Squier Hall on the former Fort Monmouth campus joins the existing Elizabeth location. It also brings the total student enrollment to 724 across both sites. Without our 11,000 nurses, there would be no RWJBarnabas Health, Mark E. Manigan, president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health said in a statement. Pictured are some of the inaugural RN track students at RWJBarnabas School of Nursings Oceanport location along with Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health and Mary Beth Russell, PhD, RN, Executive Dean of RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing. RWJBarnabas The Oceanport location features advanced technology, experienced faculty, and hands-on training opportunities, officials said. It also houses The Institute for Nursing Excellence at RWJBarnabas Health. Both locations offer generic registered nurse and cooperative nursing programs through a partnership with UCNJ Union College of Union County. Mary Beth Russell serves as the schools executive dean, leading an administration that includes Dean Roseminda Santee, Associate Dean Constance Kozacheck, and Advisor Mary McTigue. The lawsuit argues the move violates state law and undermines the legal chain of command in law enforcement operations. Dover, N.J police UPDATE: This story was updated Tuesday night to note a judge blocked the town from enforcing the ordinance. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll has sued the town of Dover to block a new ordinance that eliminates the police chief and places a civilian in charge of the department a move he says violates state law and threatens public safety. The complaint, filed Oct. 10 in Morris County Superior Court, marks the second legal challenge to an ordinance, which the Dover Town Council adopted on Sept. 29. The ordinance eliminates the police and fire chief positions and puts a civilian public safety director in charge of all emergency services. The first lawsuit came from Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney, who sued Mayor James P. Dodd in September, alleging the ordinance was part of a retaliatory effort to remove him from his post. On Tuesday, a Superior Court judge temporarily blocked the town from enforcing the ordinance in Delaneys case, finding that he showed a strong legal basis and risk of irreparable harm. The court scheduled a hearing for Nov. 17 to decide whether to make the restraints permanent. The judge also consolidated the two cases, finding they involve the same legal issues stemming from the ordinance. Delaney claimed the mayor defamed him and sought to eliminate his position after he resisted political interference in police operations. Filed before the ordinance was adopted, Delaneys complaint argued the restructuring would unlawfully strip him of statutory authority and violate civil service protections. Then on Oct. 13, the Dover Town Council voted 63 to eliminate the police chief position and remove Delaney from his post, despite his contract running through 2029. The vote came less than three weeks after Delaney filed his lawsuit. While Delaneys lawsuit centers on alleged retaliation and employment protections, the latest legal challenge focuses on the legality of the ordinance itself. Carroll argues the measure is preempted by state law and asked the court to declare it invalid and bar the town from enforcing it. He said the ordinance unlawfully assigns police powers to a civilian, a role reserved for sworn officers under New Jersey statutes and case law. In a Sept. 17 letter to Mayor James P. Dodd, Carroll warned that the town must appoint a sworn officer-in-charge if it chooses not to retain a police chief, according to the complaint. The letter cited state regulations and Attorney General directives requiring every department to have a highest-ranking sworn officer to oversee internal affairs and licensing matters. The ordinance gives the public safety director control over deployment, supervision, training, discipline, and emergency response. It also allows the director to serve as a hearing officer in disciplinary matters and assume operational control when no captain is available powers Carroll said cannot legally be delegated to a civilian. The prosecutors office also raised concerns about internal affairs oversight, noting that municipal departments are accountable to county prosecutors for all internal investigations. Carroll said the ordinances structure could interfere with that chain of command. The town published notice of the ordinances adoption on Oct. 8. The Morris County Prosecutors Office declined to comment on the lawsuit. Dodd did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. Carlos Medina, president and CEO of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, says the community has much to be proud of. Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and NJ Spotlight News. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X). As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, celebrations across New Jersey highlight the deep cultural and economic contributions of the Latino community. But this year, the festivities come with a sense of unease. Amid increasing political tensions and immigration crackdowns, Hispanic business leaders say they are balancing celebration with serious concerns about policy impacts. Carlos Medina, president and CEO of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, says the community has much to be proud of, especially when it comes to economic impact. Hispanic business is really booming, Medina said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. He cited data from the Latino Donor Collaborative showing that the Hispanic GDP in New Jersey exceeds $100 billion annually. Nationally, that number is $4 trillion. If we were our own sovereign entity, Medina said, wed be the fifth largest economy in the world. But even with that momentum, Medina says members of the Hispanic business community are facing a tough climate. Increased immigration enforcement, often targeting individuals based on appearance or language, is having an effect on foot traffic and workforce morale. Even if they are here legally, if they just look and speak Hispanic, theyre being harassed, Medina said People dont feel safe going out or coming to work. Thats hurting not just Hispanic-owned businesses, but all small businesses. Misinformation is compounding the problem, with rumors of immigration raids, whether true or not, keeping customers and workers away. Medina shared that one Mexican restaurant owner was verbally attacked by customers emboldened by the current climate. The chamber is now pursuing legal action. Beyond immigration issues, economic policies are creating additional challenges. Hispanic business owners who rely on imported goods face unpredictability in pricing and supply chains. We just want stability,Medina said. Let us adjust and plan. Right now, were navigating blind, and thats a very tough way to run a business. Despite the obstacles, Medina says the Chamber continues to push forward with training programs and advocacy. Their entrepreneurship courses have drawn participants from across New Jersey and even New York City. With more funding and support, we can help businesses grow, create jobs, and strengthen the states economy, he said. Let us help. Dont hold us back. A second coast-to-coast day of protests against President Donald Trump, dubbed No Kings Day, is being planned later this week, with roughly three dozen demonstrations planned across New Jersey. Held in June, the years first No Kings Day coincided with Trumps birthday and a military parade held in Washington. D.C. commemorating the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary. Many of the protests are again being formed by local activist organizations, progressive groups and nonprofits. The day of the demonstration comes three weeks ahead of New Jerseys gubernatorial election between Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli. Trump endorsed Ciattarelli earlier this year, who has shaped his campaign around the presidents policies on economics, immigration, and energy. Where in New Jersey? Demonstrations span the entire state, with about nine planned in South Jersey and many more listed farther north. Many are listed on a webpage created by the 50501 Movement, a nonprofit political organization behind the national day of protest. Demonstrations in South Jersey include events in Pine Hill, Glassboro and Vineland. Toward the Shore, demonstrators plan to rally in Atlantic City, Galloway Township, Ocean City and Cape May Court House. Farther north, rallies are planning for Newark, Rutherford, Teaneck and Wayne. What is No Kings Day? The name is used to describe Trump and his administrations assertiveness toward policies on immigration, the economy and foreign affairs. It has previously been described by the nonprofit as a nationwide day of defiance toward the Trump administration. During a rainy June 14, hundreds of New Jerseyans rallied across the state during the first set of protests in the movement, which Ciattarelli called anti-law enforcement protests but were defended by Democratic lawmakers and officials. The nonprofit also inspired Hands Off! and May Day, which were similar days of protests against Trump earlier this year. Over 20 protests took place April 5 as part of Hands Off! in municipalities that included Union City, Bridgewater, Metuchen and Hopewell. The suit names Volvo Car USA as a defendant, claiming the company is liable because the SUV involved was owned by Volvo and operated by its employee at the time of the incident. Canva for NJ.com A Toms River woman says she suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck in the head by the closing tailgate of a Volvo SUV, a feature she claims was accidentally triggered by a dog. Megan Kohr filed a lawsuit in Ocean County Superior Court on Oct. 10, alleging that the vehicles motion-activated liftgate sensor caused the tailgate to shut while she was standing behind it. The incident occurred after a hike with Volvo Car USA employee who was driving an SUV owned by the company, the lawsuit said. Kohr was standing at the rear of the SUV with the tailgate open. According to the lawsuit, the Volvo employees dog walked under the vehicle, triggering the sensor and causing the tailgate to close unexpectedly. The liftgate struck Kohr in the head. The vehicle was equipped with a hands-free sensor designed to open or close the liftgate when it detects a foot motion beneath the bumper. Kohrs doctor says she suffered a traumatic brain injury and continues to experience problems with her vision and balance. A medical certification filed with the lawsuit states that she now has difficulty with how her eyes work together, is sensitive to light, and has trouble coordinating her vision with movement. The doctor concluded that at least one of the injuries is permanent and unlikely to fully heal. Because the Volvo employee was driving a vehicle owned by her employer, the lawsuit says the company is also responsible. Kohr is seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Kohr is represented in the lawsuit by Kimberly L. Gozsa of Levinson Axelrod in Howell, who did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. Volvo Car USA, which is headquartered in Mahwah, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. A driver accidentally hit the gas and crashed into a home in Manchester on Friday, Oct. 10. Manchester police An SUV crashed into a home in a senior living community in Manchester on Friday afternoon, injuring a woman inside the residence, authorities said. The 63-year-old man driving slammed into the side of a home in Silverwoods on Route 37 at about 3:50 p.m., Manchester police said. A 66-year-old woman lying on a couch inside the home was thrown across her living room, officials said. She was hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening. The driver and his passenger, a 67-year-old woman, had to be removed from the vehicle. Neither Manchester resident was hurt, police said. The driver improperly hit the gas while trying to park, police said. The crash remains under investigation. Tate: "The tension surrounding speech reflects not only political polarization but also differing understandings of what constitutes harm and responsibility." Canva By William F. Tate IV This is my fifth year serving as a university president. Two aspects of the role are constant: the calls for free speech and expression, and the cries to sanction those who freely express their views. Like many people, I process my current experiences through a developmental lens that begins with childhood. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago. It was a nurturing environment, but the harsh realities of hearing tough criticism were ever-present. I learned to process the speech of others matter-of-factly while offering my own opinions with the expectation that the recipient was prepared to engage in the accepted norms of verbal exchange. That meant they would listen and argue in turn. Some would talk over you; others waited, then debated with vigor. Heated discussions were part of the cultural ethos. Whether in school, on the playground, or at an after-school job, we argued about politics, sports, and fashion choices. There was no social media or cancel culture. We talked, argued, and debated. Afterward, we found a way to respect the argument or avoid the topic. Friendships remained intact. My point is that canceling someone would have been seen as a sign of weakness, not strength. We were expected to defend our views, not silence others. Today, we live in very different times. As a college president, I have received messages from faculty, students, alumni, politicians, and even people only loosely connected to the university, all calling to cancel members of the university community for ideas expressed in their articles, books, courses, social media posts, art, or interviews. The tension surrounding speech reflects not only political polarization but also differing understandings of what constitutes harm and responsibility. Some in our community argue that certain speech undermines the nations values or erodes respect for faith, patriotism, and order. They worry that the classroom or campus stage has become a platform for hostility toward religion, police, or traditional institutions. From their perspective, the university should limit speech that disrespects the moral and civic foundations of society. Other community members argue that speech disparaging marginalized groups or denying their lived experiences should not be granted a public platform. They fear that unrestrained expression can perpetuate racism, sexism, or other forms of bigotry, and that institutions have a duty to protect students from such risks. From their perspective, the university should restrict speech that dehumanizes or threatens inclusion. The role of the university, however, is not to prevent discomfort or protect ideology. Our responsibility is to protect the conditions for inquiry and debate. We do this by modeling the free exchange of ideas, upholding the law, and fostering a secure environment for teaching and research. We all have a responsibility to model how to engage in difficult arguments without resorting to silencing others, harassment, or threats of harm or violence. The university must remain a place where ideas popular or unpopular can be tested through reason, evidence, and debate. Truth emerges not from uniformity but from the contest of ideas. Protecting free speech, as we do at Rutgers , does not mean endorsing every view expressed on campus. It means defending the right to express those views, confident that through open exchange and inquiry, better arguments will prevail. The antidote to offensive or misguided speech is more speech informed, empathetic, and courageous speech. That is how we sustain the university as a marketplace of ideas and, more importantly, as a training ground for citizenship in a free society. William F. Tate IV is president of Rutgers University, New Jerseys largest university. A New Jersey state assemblyman was in the right place at the right time on Saturday, when he and three other bystanders rescued an allegedly intoxicated man from a burning car, Haledon police said. Assemblyman Alaa Al Abdelaziz, D-Bergen, Passaic, was driving on Barbour Street around 11:30 a.m. when he saw the vehicle behind him crash into two parked cars, police said. He then jumped out to help as smoke began pouring out of the car and the dazed driver remained behind the wheel, police said. Assemblyman Abdelaziz stated he witnessed the accident as he was traveling in front of the vehicle and saw the accident through his rearview mirror, Haledon Lt. Christian Clavo said in a news release. An off-duty Haledon police officer, Detective Sgt. Semir Celoski, was in the area with his father, Avmed, and heard the crash. Celoski called for help, and his father, Abdelaziz and two bystanders rushed to pull the driver out of the burning car, police said. Assemblyman Abdelaziz swiftly went into action and with the assistance of Detective Sgt. Celoskis father and two unidentified Samaritans, removed (the driver) from the vehicle as it quickly became engulfed, Clavo said. The driver, identified as Faquan Barnes, showed signs of impairment and stated he had consumed an illicit substance, Clavo said. The Haledon Fire Department responded and doused the flames and Barnes was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital, where he refused to submit to a chemical test for intoxicants, Clavo said. Barnes was charged with being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, refusing a chemical test, reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated within 1,000 feet of a school, Clavo said. Abdelaziz, a former Paterson city councilman who this year moved up to Assembly in the 35th District, could not be reached for comment. Haledon police are now looking for the two bystanders who helped in the rescue. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Christian Clavo at 973-790-4444 or at cclavo@haledonpd.org. President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of the White House, early Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington, after returning from a trip to Israel and Egypt. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP President Donald Trump and lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are not faring well when it comes to the federal government shutdown, according to a new poll. The latest YouGov/The Economist poll asked Americans about which political party is to blame for the shutdown, whether they approve of how political leaders are handling the issue and when they believe the shutdown will end. The poll found that more Americans blamed Trump and Republicans for the shutdown than Democrats. The poll found 39% of Americans blamed Trump and Republicans in Congress for the shutdown, while 33% blamed Democrats in Congress. Another 20% blamed both Democrats and Republicans equally, while 8% said they were not sure. The poll echoes other recent surveys that also found that more Americans blame Republicans and Trump for the shutdown rather than Democrats. The poll also found Americans widely disapproved of Trump and lawmakers in Congress when it came to how they were handling the shutdown. Fifty-three percent of Americans disapproved of Trumps handling of the shutdown, 53% disapproved of congressional Republicans handling of the issue and 52% approved of Democrats handling of it. Most Americans in the poll said they were not strongly affected by the shutdown. Just 7% said they were affected a great deal by the shutdown, 14% said they were somewhat affected, 25% said they were a little affected and 54% said they were not affected at all. Americans were largely unsure when it came to predicting how long the shutdown will last. Thirty-nine percent of respondents said they were unsure, 21% said one to two more weeks, another 21% said three to four more weeks and 16% said more than four weeks. Just 3% of Americans said the government would reopen in less than a week. The poll also found that 71% of Americans believe federal government workers should receive backpay for not being paid during the shutdown. This comes about a week after the Trump administration suggested that not all federal workers will receive backpay. The poll was conducted Oct. 10-13 among 1,622 adults. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5% percentage points. The federal government has been shut down for nearly two weeks after Congress failed to pass a spending package ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. Democrats opposed a GOP-led spending bill that would have temporarily funded the government due to concerns about expiring health care subsidies. Its not clear when the government shutdown could end. Democrats have vowed to oppose any spending bill that does not include an extension for the Obamacare subsidies slated to expire at the end of the year. The Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) has announced the resolution of the long-standing and complex situation involving the seized corporate rights of the IDS Ukraine Group, one of Ukraine's leading producers of bottled water and beverages, including the Morshynska brand. ARMA has also begun preparations for a second management competition. "We have sorted out the situation that has remained unresolved for years. Now the process has been returned to the legal track, and we are preparing an open competition for the management of IDS Ukraine's corporate rights," the ARMA release on its website states the words of the acting head of the agency, Yaroslava Maksymenko. It is noted that ARMA has already held a working meeting with the management of IDS Ukraine, during which the parties discussed further steps and state priorities - business development, employee support, and financial transparency. "The competition will be announced soon. Market consultations on the management of this asset are currently underway," the report says. According to the information on the website, preliminary market consultations were announced on September 3 of this year and applications were accepted until September 26. There is no information on the results of this stage yet. In the fall of 2022, ARMA received corporate rights to the Myrhorod and Morshyn plants, as well as the industrial designs and trademarks of IDS Ukraine group enterprises, by court decision. In April 2023, Carpathian Mineral Waters was chosen to manage the Morshynska assets; however, the transfer of assets never occurred. In March of this year, ARMA announced termination of the unimplemented contract. President Donald Trump received rare praise from late-night television hosts regarding the U.S.-brokered peace deal between Israel and militant group Hamas. Trump traveled to the Middle East on Monday to tout the cease-fire agreement aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war after more than two years of fighting in the Gaza Strip. Late-night hosts, including CBSs Stephen Colbert and ABCs Jimmy Kimmel, lauded Trump for the accomplishment on Mondays shows before continuing to roast the president. Colbert poked fun at himself during his monologue as well, questioning whether his show is still canceled despite his applause for Trump. CBS announced earlier this year that Colberts show would be ending in May. But there is some good news out there because today, thanks to Trumps newly brokered ceasefire in Gaza, all living Israeli hostages and almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have been released. Its important. Credit where credit is due. Donald Trump did something good, Colbert said. Are we still canceled? he added. Are you sure? I tried. He then mocked Trump for not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize despite securing the deal. For months, the president and his allies have claimed he deserved the prize for ending global conflicts. Despite the deal, on Friday, in a truly foreseeable turn of events, Trump did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Colbert said as the audience applauded. How dare you, Nobel Committee? The man is a paragon of peace. He walks in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. He also jabbed Trump over his comments on whether he will go to heaven. I dont think theres anything going to get me in heaven, Trump told reporters in the clip played by Colbert. I agree with Donald Trump! Colbert said, before asking if he was still canceled. Kimmel also offered some praise for Trump while jabbing him over his deployment of the National Guard to Portland, Oregon. Kimmel said on Mondays show that Trump "finally did something positive today, and I want to give him credit for it because I know hes not the type to take credit for himself." And while were only in the first phase of what will undoubtedly be a long and tricky process, the fact is the bombing has stopped. The hostages have been released and Trump deserves some of the praise for that, Kimmel said. And so I know it sounds crazy to say, but good work on that one, President Trump. Now maybe you can not invade Portland. Just an idea. I mean, while youre on a roll, he added. HBO host John Oliver also called the cease-fire agreement "very good news" on Sundays Last Week Tonight show, adding that the phrase very good news is not one you hear much these days. He also blasted a GOP lawmaker for bringing a resolution to the House floor to honor [Trump] with the Nobel Peace Prize. What the f--- are you talking about? Congress doesnt pick Nobel winners. That is absurd, Oliver said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth waved goodbye on social media to news outlets that have refused to sign on to new Pentagon press rules. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is jumping on the defense after several media outlets are refusing to sign on to the Pentagons new press rules. In recent days, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic and other legacy media outlets have posted statements on social media saying they reject the policies. Newsmax, which typically airs favorable coverage of President Donald Trumps administration, said Monday that its journalists have no plans on accepting the ultimatum either. News organizations have until Tuesday to accept the guidelines. According to the Associated Press, which also refused to accept the changes, the new rules prevent journalists from accessing areas of the Pentagon without an escort. The outlet also indicates that Hegseth can revoke press credentials from reporters who ask his department for unauthorized information, even if it is unclassified. In a post on X on Monday, Hegseth declared that Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right, and outlined that the rules will ultimately bar journalists from roaming free and require the use of visible badges. Hegseth added that it will not permit the press to solicit criminal acts. Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right. So, here is @DeptofWar press credentialing FOR DUMMIES: Press no longer roams free Press must wear visible badge Credentialed press no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts DONE. Pentagon now has same rules as every Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 13, 2025 His post came after he used the goodbye hand wave emoji in response to multiple outlets announcing their decisions of rejecting the guidelines. In a statement, Matt Murray, the executive editor of The Washington Post, said that the proposed restrictions undercut First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on gathering and publishing information. The editor in chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, argued that the requirements violate our First Amendment rights, and the rights of Americans who seek to know how taxpayer-funded military resources and personnel are being deployed. Richard Stevenson, the Washington bureau chief of The New York Times, claimed that the policy threatens to punish journalists for ordinary news gathering. The Pentagon Press Association, which represents the corps covering the Defense Department, has maintained that the policy gags Pentagon employees and threatens retaliation against reporters who seek out information that has not been pre-approved for release. On Monday, it noted in a statement that potential expulsion from the Pentagon should be a concern to all. Military Reporters and Editors, a leading organization for journalists covering national security, is also urging reporters to not sign on, writing in a new statement released Monday that it supports news outlets that have already announced they will not sign on. Make no mistake this is an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and on the American people, who deserve accurate reporting on how the worlds largest military is funded and managed with their tax dollars," the group continued. Its an affront to the Constitutional rights Americas sons and daughters in uniform have sworn an oath to protect. One America News Network is the only outlet that has accepted the new requirements. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), an anchor on the right-wing network, said OANN is happy to follow these reasonable conditions, grounded in care for our national security in a post on X. President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of the White House, early Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington, after returning from a trip to Israel and Egypt. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP President Donald Trump is expressing his admiration for White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt in a unique way once again. While departing Egypt on Air Force One early Tuesday, Trump asked reporters, Hows Karoline doing? Is she doing good? Should Karoline be replaced? As one reporter responded, Thats up to you, sir, Trump continued: Itll never happen. That face... and those lips, they move like a machine gun, right? Trump added. Leavitt then jokingly weighed in: Nobody wants to stick up for me? Trump: Should Karoline be replaced? It will never happen. Those lipsthey move like a machine gun. pic.twitter.com/2ffdZagNSE Acyn (@Acyn) October 14, 2025 The exchange isnt the first time that Trump has commented on his press chiefs physical appearance. He made a similar remark during an interview with Newsmaxs Rob Finnerty in August. Shes become a star, Trump said at the time. Its that face. Its that brain. Its those lips, the way they move. They move like shes a machine gun. A number of social media users shared their thoughts on the interaction. ...Im sorry? Her lips move like WHAT? one user asked on X. A popular MAGA personality wrote: She dominates the media! President Donald Trump on Monday offered up some frosty advice for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker while addressing reporters aboard Air Force One. While discussing the White Houses stymied attempts to deploy National Guard troops into Chicago, Trump was asked whether he had any messages or questions for the second-term Democratic governor. I think he should beg for help, Trump said of Pritzker, because hes running a bad operation. Hes letting people be killed in his city. And I love Chicago. Chicago can be a great city again, and very quickly. I would have Chicago cleaned out, the criminals removed, we would remove them. Members of the Texas and Illinois National Guard arrived at a U.S. Army Reserve Center southwest of Chicago last week, sparking a conflict between Pritzker and the White House that has yet to be resolved. A U.S. district judge issued a temporary restraining order last Thursday blocking the troops from assisting ICE with immigrant enforcement. On Saturday, a federal appeals court ruled that the 500 federalized Guard members can remain on base in the state of Illinois about an hour outside of Chicago but cannot be activated The court confirmed what we all know: There is no credible evidence of a rebellion in the state, Pritzker wrote in a post on X. And no place for the National Guard in the streets of American cities like Chicago. Trump has repeatedly portrayed Chicago as a war zone amid his administrations efforts to send in federalized troops, while the president has called for both Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson to be jailed. Illinois State Police officers have also arrests dozens of protesters outside of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility as immigration agents conduct raids during Operation Midway Blitz. The mayors office announced in late August there had been a 33% drop in murders and a 38% dip in shootings in the first six months of 2025. All violent crime was down 21% from the previous year. With Trumps plans to deploy troops hitting roadblocks in the courts, the president has suggested he could invoke the Insurrection Act to bypass those hurdles. Signed into law in 1807, the law allows the president to deploy military troops within the U.S. to act as law enforcement to subdue an insurgency that threatens a state and its residents. Well, I could use it (the Insurrection Act), Trump told reporters Monday. Look, its a very simple answer. Im allowed to use the Insurrection Act. Pritzker pushed back against that idea. Well, the Insurrection Act is called the Insurrection Act for a reason, Pritzker said Monday during an appearance on ABC News. There has to be a rebellion. There has to be an insurrection in order for him to be allowed to invoke it. Again, he can say anything he wants. But if the Constitution means anything and I guess we are all questioning that right now, but the courts will make the determination if the Constitution means anything, the Insurrection Act cannot be invoked to send them in because they want to fight crime. President Donald Trump calls on a reporter to ask a question during a meeting with Finland's President Alexander Stubb in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP President Donald Trump blasted Time magazine for using his worst photo of all time in its latest cover photo about the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal. Trump said in a Truth Social post early Tuesday morning that Time wrote a relatively good story about him, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time. The magazine noted the peace deal could become a signature achievement of Trumps second term and could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle East. While the article was largely positive, Trump took issue with the cover photo. They disappeared my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird! Trump wrote on Truth Social at 1 a.m. on Tuesday. I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why? he added. The cover photo is taken from a lower angle as it features Trump looking up. The living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been freed under the first phase of Donald Trump's peace plan, alongside a Palestinian prisoner release. The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle pic.twitter.com/0bZDABIDGj TIME (@TIME) October 13, 2025 Trumps comments come one day after he traveled to the Middle East to tout a peace agreement between militant group Hamas and Israel. Hamas released 20 hostages on Monday, while Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The peace agreement is still in its early stages and comes after more than two years of fighting in the Gaza Strip. The whirlwind trip, which included the summit in Egypt and a speech at the Knesset in Jerusalem earlier in the day, comes at a fragile moment of hope for ending two years of war between Israel and Hamas. Everybody said its not possible to do. And its going to happen. And it is happening before your very eyes, Trump said alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Nearly three dozen countries, including some from Europe and the Middle East, were represented at the summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited but declined, with his office saying it was too close to a Jewish holiday. Trump, el-Sissi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani signed a document outlining a broad vision that Trump said would lay the groundwork for Gazas future. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Argentina's President Javier Milei in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP President Donald Trump was repeatedly pressed on a new U.S. plan to provide a major financial lifeline to Argentina as the countrys president, Javier Milei, visited the White House. Trump welcomed the South American leader on Tuesday to discuss a $20 billion currency swap with the countrys central bank, days after the deal was announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a social media post last week. The bailout which essentially exchanges U.S. dollars with volatile pesos has been met with criticism from Democratic lawmakers who have pointed to its timing coinciding with the government shutdown. Several U.S. farmers have also expressed concern over how China has snubbed American producers, shifting to buy large amounts of soybeans from Argentina. Its a great honor to have the leader of Argentina. A place that I love, Ive been to, and one of the most beautiful places in the world... Trump said of Milei alongside members of his Cabinet, before adding: Hes MAGA all the way. Its Make Argentina Great Again. .@POTUS: "It's a great honor to have the leader of Argentina... he's MAGA all the way, it's 'Make Argentina Great Again' ... I think he's really on the verge of tremendous economic success." pic.twitter.com/t9XUXAm7VB Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 14, 2025 When asked by a reporter about how the package is America first, Trump responded: Its really meant to help a good financial philosophy where Argentina can, after 20 years of disaster, cause it was very successful at one point, and it can be again." Another reporter went on to directly ask how the swap will benefit the United States. Just helping a great philosophy take over a great country, Trump responded. Argentinas one of the most beautiful countries that Ive ever seen. And we want to see it succeed, its very simple. I mean, we dont have to do it. Its not going to make a big difference for our country. The deal comes as Milei, a libertarian with pro-capitalist policies, faces crucial midterm elections later this month. Mileis party suffered a massive loss in a local election in September. If he loses, we are not going to be generous with Argentina, Trump said. He later added: Im with this man because his philosophys correct. And he may win, and he may not win. But I think hes going to win. And if he wins, were staying with him. And if he doesnt win, were gone. Trump also said that he would love to visit Argentina, but hes just a little busy. Id like to be like [former President Joe] Biden. Id like to go to the beach, you know, Trump said. My legs are not quite as thin as his. My legs are slightly heavier, my arms are slightly larger. My body is a little bit larger than his. Im not sure it would be appreciated on the beach, but Im not going to take a chance. During the bilateral meeting, Trump was also presented with a gold-framed letter from Milei nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. The president has long sought the prestigious prize but many submissions for Trumps nomination occurred after the deadline for the 2025 award. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was announced as this years recipient on Friday. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands during the greetings ceremony before the family picture at the Gaza International Peace Summit, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Oct.13 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool photo via AP) AP A handshake between President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron turned into an odd spectacle Monday at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt. The two heads of state have shared a volatile diplomatic relationship over the years, and their most recent photo op featured another curious embrace. Trump and Macron clasped hands for 26 seconds until the French leader finally broke away from his American counterparts grip. Fox News anchor John Roberts classified the greeting as a bro shake. POWER GRIP: Trump and Macrons handshake turns into a diplomatic arm wrestle caught on camera. pic.twitter.com/Q0GNMzesdI Fox News (@FoxNews) October 14, 2025 Trump and Macron have a history of prolonged embraces dating back to their 30-second handshake in Paris on Bastille Day in 2017. The latest chapter in their handshake saga came after Trump signed a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the two-year-old war that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and about 2,000 Israelis, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health and Israeli officials. Trump thanked Macron for his support during an address to world leaders at the summit in Sharm El Sheikh before trying to elicit some laughter at the French presidents expense. I would imagine Emmanuel standing somewhere behind me, Trump said. Where is he? I cant believe it, youre taking a low-key approach today. Macron called the summit a historic day for the hostages, their families, the Israeli people, and the Palestinian people. Let us prepare for what comes next together with humility," he added. Israel on Monday received 20 living hostages held by Hamas since the groups attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinians welcomed back around 1,700 Gazans detained by Israel. But the delicate ceasefire is already being strained. The Associated Press on Tuesday reported that an Israeli military agency declared a violation of the agreement due to Hamas slower-than-hoped return of deceased hostages and will halve the number of humanitarian aid trucks allowed into Gaza with more than 500,000 people trapped in famine. The two-day noreaster that has brought high winds and flooding to the Jersey Shore will continue to bring breezy conditions and showers overnight, but much better weather is ahead, forecasters say. Coastal flood warnings and advisories are set to expire at 8 p.m. with the worst of the high tides over, the National Weather Service said. For Tuesday, an overall improvement in conditions is in store as some drier air begins to work into the area, the weather service said Monday afternoon. As the noreaster departs, the Jersey Shore still faces sustained winds between 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph overnight. A nor'easter that has hit New Jersey with multiple rounds of Jersey Shore flooding for two days will head out to sea, though breezy conditions and showers will linger overnight into Tuesday. AccuWeather.com Wind gusts will gradually decrease tonight, but remain gusty through Tuesday, with speeds around 20-30 mph. Light rain, intermittent showers, mist, and drizzle are expected through early evening. Temperatures on Tuesday will range from the mid-60s to low 70s, and some sunshine is anticipated by mid to late afternoon. Wednesday will bring a cold front, followed by cooler temperatures with highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s. The extended forecast suggests a gradual warming trend, with temperatures returning to near normal by the weekend. A warm front will pass to the north, potentially bringing temperatures into the lower 70s by Sunday. However, a cold front is expected to move through Sunday night into Monday, bringing a chance of showers. Current weather radar Some lingering rain showers and wind gusts up to 35 mph will continue on Tuesday, but conditions should improve through the day, the National Weather Service said. National Weather Service Light rain and breezy conditions are in the forecast for New Jersey on Tuesday as the noreaster that brought two days of nasty weather heads out to sea. Coastal flood advisories remain in effect for several Jersey Shore counties through 8 p.m., with potential minor flooding expected during high tide cycles. Northeast winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are expected today, particularly along the coast, the National Weather Service said. Periods of light rain and drizzle are expected through Tuesday afternoon, with cloud cover gradually decreasing from west to east. Temperatures will remain in the 60s, slightly below normal seasonal averages. The weather pattern will shift Wednesday as a cold front moves through the region, bringing clearing skies and cooler temperatures. Northwest winds will develop, with gusts potentially reaching 20 to 25 mph. Temperatures will drop into the upper 30s and low 40s overnight, though widespread frost is not expected. The weekend forecast looks more promising, with temperatures gradually warming. Saturday will see milder conditions with highs in the mid-60s to low 70s. By Sunday, temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid-70s ahead of a potential shower system moving through Sunday night into Monday. Current weather radar Since the beginning of the day, 166 combat clashes have occurred, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in operational information as of 10:00 p.m. Monday. "Since the beginning of the day, 166 combat clashes have occurred. The enemy has carried out 73 airstrikes, dropped 134 guided bombs, deployed 1,924 kamikaze drones, and carried out 3,249 attacks on our troop positions and populated areas," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. According to the General Staff, the most intense situation today was in Pokrovsk direction, where the aggressor carried out 52 assault and offensive actions. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 28F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Snow in the evening will transition to snow showers overnight. Low 17F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. About one inch of snow expected. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported 190 combat clashes over the past 24 hours on Telegram on Tuesday morning. "Yesterday, the enemy carried out 108 air strikes on the positions of Ukrainian units and settlements, dropping 213 guided bombs. In addition, it carried out 4,315 attacks, 69 of them from multiple launch rocket systems, and used 5,214 kamikaze drones," the message said. Japan will continue to provide support to Ukraine to strengthen energy sustainability, in particular in the field of infrastructure restoration and protection of energy facilities, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said. "Partners clearly understand the importance of assisting Ukraine's energy sector in the face of constant Russian attacks," Hrynchuk noted following a meeting with Japan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome and representatives of the JICA Ukraine Office. According to her, the meeting discussed the consequences of the recent shelling, the progress of restoration of energy infrastructure, and priorities in the field of energy security. "For us, the priority now is the rapid increase in equipment reserves and the protection of energy facilities," the minister emphasized. The parties agreed to accelerate the delivery of assistance already planned by Japan for the energy sector of Ukraine, and also considered the possibilities of involving Japanese companies in cooperation. Hrynchuk thanked Japan for its constant support and operational assistance, in particular through UNDP Ukraine and JICA, which contributes to the development of decentralized generation and stable operation of the energy system. "I am grateful to Japan for its strong partnership in the most difficult times for our country. Japan's solidarity and, in particular, the operational assistance of JICA and UNDP Ukraine play an important role in strengthening our energy infrastructure, developing decentralized generation and ensuring stable operation of the power system," she stressed. The Minister also noted that thanks to Japan's support, the Ukrainian side has an additional opportunity to ensure electricity supply to households and promptly restore damaged capacities in various regions, in particular in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kherson. Petro Poroshenko calls on world to focus efforts on ending war in Ukraine after peace deal on Gaza Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025/10/13 MP, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko, who is participating in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Ljubljana (Slovenia), welcomed the signing of the peace agreement on Gaza. In his opinion, this creates the prerequisites for intensifying international efforts aimed at stopping Russian aggression against Ukraine, the European Solidarity website reports. According to the MP, ending hostilities in Gaza will allow the American leader to focus on ending the war in Ukraine. This can be achieved by pressuring the Russian president and increasing military support for Kyiv. The MP emphasized the importance of implementing "Plan B" if diplomatic efforts fail. This plan involves transferring additional weapons to Ukraine, including high-precision and long-range weapons, particularly cruise missiles. Poroshenko emphasized the importance of sanctions policy and called for improved sanctions mechanisms against not only Russia, but also companies and countries that circumvent restrictions. "Putin is already spending more than 40% of his GDP on financing the war. It cannot go on like this for much longer," he noted. In conclusion, the politician emphasized that achieving peace in Gaza should serve as an example for joining forces to end the war in Ukraine. A Peruvian bishop submitted his resignation to Pope Leo after a Vatican investigation revealed that he was secretly dating multiple women simultaneously. 51-year-old Ciro Quispe Lopez, the bishop of Juli, in Peru, stands accused of having up to 17 secret lovers. Although he denies the allegations against him as part of a defamation campaign by dark hands, Lopez handed in his resignation to the Pope last month, more than two decades earlier than Catholic bishops usually retire. The Vatican investigation began after an investigation by Kevin Moncada, a journalist for the Peruvian newspaper Sin Fronteras, found that Ciro Quispe Lopez had been exchanging explicit messages, photos and videos with various women. On top of that, he accidentally sent pictures and videos intended for his mistresses to his house cleaner, who alerted the Catholic Church. A nun who was one of Quispes lovers was jealous of a lawyer the bishop was also seeing and sent information about his affairs to a third lover who got into a fight with the lawyer, Paola Ugaz, a Peruvian journalist who has seen a Vatican document on the investigation, told The Times. It was a real soap opera, but also lifted the lid on a serious abuse of power. Many of the 17 women were too scared to come forward because they were frightened of him. In April of last year, we received information that one of the bishops alleged lovers had practically come to blows with another young woman, Kevin Moncada told Hildebrandt Magazine. That was the trigger. The case came to light because the women found out that the bishop was dating several of them at the same time and that infuriated them. Quispe is believed to have accidentally sent his house cleaner pictures and videos intended for his mistresses, which only confirmed her suspicions. The woman promptly filed a complaint to the Catholic Church, claiming that she had seen womens hair in his shower and that his sheets had stains which she had to clean. In light of all this evidence, Ciro Quispe Lopez was forced to hand in his resignation as bishop, even though he denies the charges against him. The Press House, a culture-based PR firm, signs on to represent Maxs Kansas City, a clothing and events brand based on the New York night club that was open from 1966 to 1981. The agency will partner with the Maxs Kansas City team to put on a yearlong series of fashion, music, and art activations celebrating the venues 60th anniversary. The campaign will roll out throughout 2026. Were thrilled to partner with The Press House to honor the past while creating something powerfully relevant for todays generation, said a spokesman for Maxs Kansas City. Codeword, which works with enterprise tech clients, adds Demandbase; Root Insurance, a subsidiary of Root, Inc.; and Octave to its client roster. Demandbase, an account-based marketing pioneer and pipeline AI platform designed to accelerate growth at scale, has engaged Codeword to solidify its market leadership in the AI space and execute creative campaigns. For insurtech company Root Insurance, the agency will work to build a powerful storytelling engine, transforming complex tech into compelling narratives. Saas company Octave, which is planning to spin off from its parent company, Hexagon, enlisted Codeword to partner on comprehensive strategic counsel. Codeword is one of the most creative, smart, hungry agencies I've partnered with, said Demandbase brand and communications director Chelsey Korman. They are super media savvy, execute efficiently, and bring writing and insight capabilities that are bar-none. Spotlight Media Relations, a firm with offices in New York City and Minnesota, is engaged to lead media outreach efforts, advise on strategy and establish thought leadership for the Metropolitan Economic Development Association, a nonprofit organization that helps BIPOC entrepreneurs build their businesses. Founded in 1971, MEDA provides integrated services in three business areas: business consulting, access to capital, and connections to peers and partners. MEDA is doing incredible work to empower and elevate BIPOC entrepreneurs, and we are honored to be selected to tell their story throughout the region and beyond, said Spotlight Media Relations president Jill Budik. 4media group completes its acquisition of Family Features Editorial Syndicate, a branded content and distribution company that connects brands with publishers and audiences. Family Features will continue to serve its existing clients under its current name during the integration process, with plans to soon unveil a refreshed brand identity. 4media plans to make initial investments into Family Features through increased investment in video, social and digital-native content; securing partnerships with additional premium publisher networks; and utilizing enhanced data analytics and insights to inform content strategy and monetization. Family Features joins 4media groups other in-house brands, including Atomik Research, its PR survey and market research agency, and Dynamik Influence, its influencer marketing agency. Together, well aim to redefine how earned, owned and paid content work in harmony to deliver impact, trust and measurable business growth for every client, said 4media group founder and global CEO Ed Cyster. Illumination PR, which represents lifestyle brands, influencers and celebrities, launches DR Media Group. The new division will focus on strategic media relations, digital reputation management and business development for clients across various medical practices, including plastic surgery, dermatology and aesthetics. DR Media Group will also help clients with awards submission, influencer collaborations and brand partnerships aimed at enhancing their credibility and business growth. "Our goal with DR Media Group is to give medical professionals the same level of brand elevation and exposure that lifestyle brands have traditionally enjoyed," said Illumination PR managing partner Deven Turner. EAG Advertising and Marketing, a Kansas City, MO-based agency, acquires pay-for-performance firm INK inc. Public Relations. EAG says that it will now offer INKs public relations and earned media capabilities to its clients. As part of the move, INK CEO Ryan Gerding will join EAGs leadership team as chief public relations officer. In addition, INKs staff will relocate to EAGs headquarters. INK inc. is nationally known for its ability to generate high-impact media coverage for clients across industries, said EAG president and CEO Michele Markham. Bringing that expertise to EAG allows us to meet growing client demand for public relations strategies that deliver measurable results. A woman is now before Tullamore Circuit Court accused of stealing over 37,000 from a charity in Clara. Aulwin Dunne (47), Marian Place, Tullamore had been sent forward to the Circuit Court from the District Court after a book of evidence was served on her. Ms Dunne is alleged to have stolen 37,705.83, the property of Power4Good Ireland Ltd on 19 unknown dates between April 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024 at Power4Good, River Street, Clara, both dates inclusive. The District Court heard the DPP had consented to Ms Dunne being sent for trial to the Circuit Court but did not consent for her being sent forward on a signed plea. READ NEXT: Man guilty over 49,000 drugs find will not go to jail until after daughter's graduation When the case was called in the Circuit Court, Ms Dunne's solicitor, Aisling Maloney, told Judge Sinead McMullan that the prosecution could be adjourned to the next sessions, which are scheduled for January. Shane Geraghty, BL, for the DPP, said the accused could be arraigned where a plea of guilty or not guilty could be entered - on January 13 next and the matter was adjourned to that date. Ms Dunne is on bail. Champion is a verb. As one of the government bodies that is closest to the people, local School Boards are often thought of as the most accessible for aspiring politicians. Get a few hundred dollars in donations so you can print up some yard signs, and you can see your name on the ballot. Network with enough parents and teachers, and you might even win. Los Angeles definitely does not fall into this mold. It is the country's largest school district with an elected school board and has biannual races that are hotly contested by the Charter School Industry and the unions representing the district's employees. Millions can be spent in some races trying to sway the voters. Even in less contested races, hundreds of thousands of dollars can be spent. Given the high stakes of these elections, it is surprising how many candidates jump into Los Angeles School Board races without building a reputation beforehand. If the plan is to convince voters that you are capable of leading a district that serves hundreds of thousands of students, shouldn't you be able to prove that you have a history of working to improve the system? Yet, there are perennial candidates like Elizabeth Badger, who puts her name on the ballot every four years but maintains no visible presence between election cycles. This shows a commitment more focused on a hoped-for political career than on improving outcomes for students and families. John 'J.P.' Perron is not one of these fly-by-night candidates. Perron, who last week filed to run against Kelly Gonez in Board District 6, is a long-time parent advocate who has been a vocal proponent for change, especially for students who receive Special Education services. I know Perron from when we served together on the Special Education Committee, a body that his opponent kept from meeting, even virtually, during the COVID shutdown when she served as the LAUSD Board President. We had a front-row seat to a bureaucracy that tightly controlled the advisory committee. It was meant to guide the District--but was never given a real voice. Our questions after listening to carefully scripted presentations were rarely answered with any detail, and promised follow-ups were seldom provided. In my service on this committee, I was never contacted outside of the meetings by District bureaucrats to probe deeper into my questions or pursue my suggestions. Perron and I were also appointed to serve together on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), a state-mandated body that is supposed to advise the District on updates to the Special Education Local Area Plan (SELPA), the document that details how the LAUSD provides Special Education services. During our tenure, Perron earned the trust of our fellow committee members and was elected to be the Chairperson. While the District would have also liked to have exerted complete control over this committee, Perron was adept at being a thorn in their side. At the end of his term, the District ignored the SELPA and the committee's bylaws to prevent him from being reappointed. It would be interesting to see how the bureaucracy would react to having someone like Perron on the School Board. These elected representatives are supposed to provide oversight, but they often cede control to the Superintendent. The result has been a school District that has silenced parents, allowed corruption to fester within the Charter School Industry, and harmed students when deteriorating relations with unions resulted in strikes. As the election season drags on, voters should be asking if a voice like Perron's can change the trajectory of the District. After all, the candidates they sent to the Board Room in past elections have not moved the needle. Dr. Diane Ravitch has recognized education advocate Carl Petersen as a valiant fighter for public schools. A former Green Party candidate for the LAUSD School Board, Petersen is a passionate voice for special education, shaped by raising two daughters with severe autism. He recently relocated to the State of Washington to embrace his role as Poppy to two grandsons. Explore more at www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. UN Coordinator in Ukraine and Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale assured of continued support for the restoration and modernization of Ukrainian agriculture. He said at a joint briefing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founding of the FAO on Monday, that in addition to continuing humanitarian assistance including providing food to those in need or offering financial support for the purchase of food in Ukraine he promised on behalf of the UN that they would continue to do everything possible to support Ukraine in the restoration and modernization of its agriculture. In particular, Schmale believes that the UN should continue to support Ukraine in helping to prepare fields for agricultural production through effective mine action. This needs to continue, he stressed. Secondly, as the coordinator added, it is important to support farmers in restoring their agricultural economy not only by providing access to seeds and tools, but also directly with financing and expertise. The UN coordinator said that, in his opinion, the creation of unified agricultural centers is a good idea. He added that the UN can also work with the government and other stakeholders to share experiences and best practices on the effective development and modernization of agricultural policies from around the world. The organization emphasized that, for the sake of Ukraines citizens as well as people in need around the world, there is a need for a strong and competitive agricultural sector in Ukraine. Ode to Portland Frog (Image by Meryl Ann Butler) Details DMCA I was just working on the finishing touches of a little frog graphic in support of Portland Frog, when my friend Susan shared this brilliant assessment, The Courage to Mock the Machine by Tony Pentimalli, who gave me permission to post it in full here. The Courage to Mock the Machine By Tony Pentimalli At this point, Im sure youve all seen the viral clips-a lone protester in a green frog costume with a blue scarf, standing before a wall of armored officers in Portland, Oregon. Behind those shields stood men trained to see enemies, not citizens. Yet in that absurd tableau-a cartoon staring down a government-something deeply human broke through. The frog said nothing. It didnt have to. Its mere presence, a splash of color against the monochrome of authority, turned the states performance of power into farce. In that silence between absurdity and fear, something sacred was reclaimed: the right to mock the machine. Authoritarian power depends on spectacle. The gleam of riot gear, the rhythmic bark of commands, the gas rising in the air, it is theater meant to project dominance and provoke fear. The show is designed to make the citizen feel small, fragile, and hopeless. But when the citizen refuses to play along, the illusion falters. The frog did more to expose the theater of repression than a hundred speeches could have. It revealed how easily fear collapses under the weight of laughter. Soon, the frog wasnt alone. Across Portland, others joined-protesters dressed as jesters, astronauts, angels, chickens, superheroes, and inflatable unicorns-each costume transforming the nights tension into a living act of satire. The streets became a surreal carnival of resistance. Darth Vader stood beside a ballerina. A man in a banana suit carried a sign that read Peel Back the Lies. Viral footage shared by Portland livestreamers and local collectives spread across social media under the tag #CostumesForFreedom, as artists and teachers, nurses and students took to the streets not with slogans but with irony. It was rebellion through laughter, a movement built not on anger but on the refusal to surrender joy. Every costume was a mirror. Every laugh, an act of defiance. What these protesters have done goes far beyond parody. Their humor has become a weapon that cuts through propaganda, one that forces the authoritarian regime to expose its own absurdity. The Trump administration has spent months painting Portland as a city under siege, a battlefield of chaos requiring the steady hand of militarized order. But when footage shows riot police squaring off against inflatable dinosaurs, frogs, and angels, even the most hardened supporter is forced to confront the farce. The regimes story collapses under the weight of its own overreaction. How can a government claim a war for civilization when its enemies are frogs with megaphones? The ICE agents and National Guard units who have flooded cities like Portland are not seasoned warriors. Training has been shortened, oversight reduced, and soldiers are often deployed with minimal experience, armed but uncertain, scripted for a performance of control. Every show of force, every phalanx of riot shields and armored trucks, is choreographed for the cameras. Any protest that police in riot gear show up to looks like a riot by nature of the police and riot gear being there, one observer said. Thats the point. The state creates the image of chaos to justify its own existence. But humor dismantles that illusion. The frog costume, the songs, the street theater, they are not distractions. They are counterprogramming. The Serbian youth movement Otpor knew this two decades ago when they mocked Slobodan Miloevi by placing his portrait on a barrel and leaving a bat beside it. Citizens lined up to take a swing, laughing all the while, while police scurried to arrest the barrel itself. The absurdity of the regime was laid bare, and laughter became resistance. From the court jesters who risked their heads mocking kings to the students and artists of Pragues Velvet Revolution in 1989, humor has always been the forbidden language of the oppressed. The same courage lives now in Portland. The humor is disarming, but not harmless. Many whove donned costumes have been arrested, beaten, or quietly added to watch lists. The price of laughter under authoritarianism is often paid in bruises. But these protesters understand the deeper truth: that tyrants cannot survive exposure. They depend on darkness, fear, and the illusion of being too powerful to mock. The moment citizens laugh, the mask slips and the myth of control begins to crumble. Trumps enforcers are desperate for violence, a predicate, as one analyst put it, to legitimize their crackdowns. Stephen Miller and his allies keep insisting that the streets are on fire, hoping the spectacle will justify the script. But when protesters show up in costumes, singing parody songs or standing silently in cartoon suits, the predicate dissolves. There is no enemy to conquer, only the image of power humiliated by its own overreaction. Why are we deploying military on the streets to fight cartoon characters? one observer asked. There is no answer that doesnt sound ridiculous. That ridiculousness is precisely what makes this movement so powerful. Because every time the state deploys its might against laughter, every time a frog meets tear gas or an angel is shoved to the ground, the illusion of moral authority dies a little more. What these citizens have done is not only reclaim the language of protest, they have rewritten the optics of resistance itself. They have shown that tyranny, for all its brutality, is fragile when stripped of theater. If there is a lesson here for every city where the administration deploys troops or fills an intersection with shielded, armed police, it is simple and strategic. Meet the spectacle not with more fear but with a wardrobe department turned inside out. Every deployment should be answered by a contingent straight out of Madagascar: costumes, music, choreography, absurdity deployed en masse. Not as a stunt, but as a disciplined tactic-organized, nonviolent, and public. A carnival of resistance forces the cameras to choose which story to tell. It compels even loyalists to squint and ask whether a city under siege can plausibly be a city where people are dressed like penguins and dancing in formation. That forced contradiction is a political weapon. It dissolves the predicate, drains the propaganda of its power, and makes it harder for neutral observers to accept the administrations narrative. This strategy is not without risk. Costume brigades will be arrested, photographed, and surveilled. Organizers must plan for legal defense, de-escalation training, and clear nonviolent discipline. The point is not to humiliate individuals but to reveal a system. When a unit of soldiers is made to look ridiculous by an organized, joyful crowd, the crowd has not lowered itself; it has exposed the emptiness of the state spectacle. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week,click here. We never seem to learn, do we? Certainly not when it comes to air power. After all, as Dave de Camp has reported at Antiwar.com, the Trump administration has now broken all previous records when it comes to U.S. airstrikes in Somalia. Can you even believe it? Somalia? As of the end of September, it had launched 80 of them there this year alone! (And exclamation points are indeed in order here!) Mind you, while the Trump administration has broken all records in that country, its hardly been alone. American presidents started launching air strikes in Somalia while George W. Bush was in the White House! They were also launched in the Obama and Biden years, as well as in Donald Trumps first term in office (a total of 219 of them in those four years alone)! And yet, after all that time and all those airstrikes, the enemy, the Houthis, simply continue to exist. As TomDispatch regular Juan Cole, who runs the must-read Informed Comment website, reminds us today, air power has been with us in a devastating fashion since early in the last century. The nightmare of air power and it is a nightmare was exposed vividly in the Vietnam era when the U.S. dropped an estimated 7.5 million tons of bombs on Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos in a losing war effort. And now, of course, in the Middle East, Israel has launched air strike after air strike devastating the 25-mile-long Gaza Strip, but also hitting Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen and even Qatar, Americas ally there (while it was trying to broker a peace in the region). And yet, as Cole points out so vividly today, air power while, as in Gaza, being devastating beyond words in its destructiveness, offers anything but a guarantee of ultimate success. Let him explain. Tom A Huge Airbase with a Small Country Attached to It Israel and Bomber Harriss Ghost By Juan Cole Donald Trumps and Benjamin Netanyahu's nomination of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his hands already crimson with the blood of innocent Iraqis, to run post-war Gaza, brings to mind a distant era when London sent its politicians out to be viceroys in its global colonial domains. Consider Blair's proposed appointment, made (of course!) without consulting any Palestinians, a clear signal that the Middle East has entered a second era of Western imperialism. Other than Palestine, which has already been subjected to classic settler colonialism, our current neo-imperial moment is characterized by the American use of Israel as its base in the Middle East and by the employment of air power to subdue any challengers. Swarming The odd assortment of grifters, oil men, financiers, mercenaries, White nationalists, and Christian and Jewish Zionists now presiding in Washington, led by that great orange-hued hotelier-in-chief, has (with the help of Germany, Great Britain, and France) built up Israel into a huge airbase with a small country attached to it. From that airbase, a constant stream of missiles, rockets, drones, and fighter jets routinely swarm out to hit regional neighbors. Gaza was pounded into rubble almost hourly for the last two years, only the first month of which could plausibly have been justified as self-defense in the wake of the horrific Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Even the Palestinian West Bank, already under Israeli military rule, has been struck repeatedly from above. Lebanon has been subject to numerous bombings despite a supposed ceasefire, as has Syria (no matter that its leader claims he wants good relations with his neighbor). Yemen, which has indeed fired missiles at Israel to protest the genocide in Gaza, has now been hit endlessly by the Israelis, who also struck Iranian nuclear enrichment sites and other targets last June. Some of the Israeli bombing raids or missile and drone strikes were indeed tit-for-tat replies to attacks by that country's enemies. Others were only made necessary because of Israeli provocations, including its seemingly never-ending atrocities in Gaza, to which regional actors have felt compelled to reply. Many Israeli strikes, however, have had little, if anything, to do with self-defense, often being aimed at civilian targets or at places like Syria that pose no immediate threat. On September 9th, Israel even bombed Qatar, the country its leaders had asked to help negotiate with Hamas for the return of Israeli hostages taken on October 7th. In short, what were now seeing is Israels version of air-power colonialism. Typically, its fighter jets bombed the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on August 28th, assassinating northern Yemen's prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahwi, along with several senior members of the regions Houthi government and numerous journalists. (Israeli officials had previously boasted that they could have killed the top leadership of Iran in their 12-day war on that country in June.) In reality, Tel Aviv is now shaping governments of the Middle East simply by wiping their officials off the face of the earth or credibly threatening to do so. Israel has also had an eerie hand in shaping outside perceptions of developments in the region by regularly assassinating journalists, not only in Palestine but also in Lebanon and as far abroad as Yemen. However, by failing to come close to subduing the region entirely, what Tel Aviv has created is a negative version of hegemony rather than grasping any kind of positive leadership role. Negative Imperialism The massive June bombardment of Iran by Israel and the United States, destroying civilian nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz and Fordow, came amid ongoing diplomatic negotiations in Oman. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has the right to enrich uranium for civilian uses and no credible evidence was presented that Tehran had decided to militarize its program. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) condemned both sets of strikes as severe violations of the U.N. charter and of its own statutes. They also posed public health concerns, mainly because of the release of potentially toxic chemicals and radiological contaminants. Those attacks, in short, were aimed at denying Iran the sort of economic and scientific enterprises that are a routine part of life in Israel and the United States, as well as Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Several of those countries (like Israel) do, of course, also have nuclear weapons, while Iran does not. In the end, Tehran saw no benefit in the 2015 nuclear deal its leaders had agreed to that required it to mothball 80% of its civilian nuclear enrichment program. Indeed, President Trump functionally punished the Iranian leadership for complying with it when he imposed maximum-pressure sanctions in May 2018 sanctions largely maintained by the Biden administration and in place to this day. Those dangerous and illegal air strikes on Iran should bring to mind nineteenth-century British and Russian resistance to the building of a railroad by Iran's Qajar dynasty, a form of what Ive come to think of as negative imperialism. In other words, contrary to classic theories of imperialism that focused on the domination of markets and the extraction of resources, some imperial strategies have always been aimed at preventing the operation of markets in order to keep a victim nation weak. After all, Iran has few navigable waterways and its economy has long suffered from transportation difficulties. The obvious solution once upon a time was to build a railroad, something both the British and the Russians came to oppose out of a desire to keep that country a weak buffer zone between their empires. Iran didn't, in fact, get such a railroad until 1938. In a similar fashion, twenty-first-century imperialism-from-the-air is denying it the ability to produce fuel for its nuclear power plant at Bushehr. The United States, Europe, and Israel are treating Iran differently from so many other countries in this regard because of its governments rejection of a Western-imposed imperial order in the region. Popular movements and revolts brought the long decades of British and French colonial dominance of the Middle East to an end after World War II. The demise of colonialism and the rise of independent nation-states was, however, never truly accepted by right-wing politicians in either Europe or the United States who had no interest in confronting the horrors of the colonial age. Instead, they preferred to ignore history, including the slave trade, economic looting, the displacement or massacre of indigenous populations, the mismanagement of famines, and forms of racist apartheid. Worse yet, the desire for a sanitized history of the colonial era was often coupled with a determination to run the entire deadly experiment all over again. The framers of the ill-omened Global War on Terrors nightmares in Afghanistan and Iraq during the administration of President George W. Bush would openly celebrate what was functionally the return of Western colonialism. They attempted to use Americas moment as a hyperpower (unconstrained by great power competition after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991) to attempt to recolonize the Greater Middle East. Predictably, they failed miserably. Unlike their nineteenth-century ancestors, people in the global south are now largely urban and literate, connected by newspapers and the internet, organized by political parties and nongovernmental outfits, and in possession of capital, resources, and sophisticated weaponry. Direct colonization could now only be achieved through truly genocidal acts, as Israeli actions in Gaza suggest and, even then, would be unlikely to succeed. We Destroyed the Villages by Air Patrols No wonder imperial powers have once again turned to indirect dominance through aerial bombardment. The use of air power to try to subdue or at least curb Middle Easterners is, in fact, more than a century old. That tactic was inaugurated by the government of Italian Prime Minister Giovanni Giolitti during his country's invasion and occupation of Ottoman Libya in 1911. Aerial surveillance pilot Lieutenant Giulio Gavotti fitted detonators to two-pound grenades, dropping them on enemy camps. Though he caused no injuries, his act, then seen as sneaky and ungentlemanly, provoked outrage. The ruthless British subjugation of Palestine, aimed at this should sound eerily familiar today displacing the indigenous population and establishing a European Jewish Ulster there to bolster British rule in the Middle East, also deployed air power. As Irish parliamentarian Chris Hazzard observed, Herbert Samuel, hated in Ireland for sanctioning Roger Casements execution and the internment of thousands following the Easter Rising in 1916 would, as Britain's first High Commissioner in Palestine, order the indiscriminate aerial bombardment of Palestinian protestors in 1921 (the first bombs dropped from the sky on Palestinian civilians). The most extensive use of aerial bombardment for imperial control, however, would be pursued by the British in Mesopotamia, which they derogatorily called Mespot. The fragile British occupation of what is now Iraq from 1917 to 1932 ended long before imperialists like then-Secretary of State for War, Air, and the Colonies Winston Churchill thought it should, largely because the armed local population mounted a vigorous resistance to it. A war-weary British public proved unwilling to bear the costs of a large occupation army there in the 1920s, so Churchill decided to use the Royal Air Force to keep control. Arthur Bomber Harris, a settler in colonial Rhodesia, who joined the British Air Force during the first World War, was then sent to Iraq. As he wrote, We were equipped with Vickers Venon and subsequently Victoria aircraft By sawing a sighting hole in the nose of our troop carriers and making our own bomb racks we converted them into what were nearly the first post-war long-range heavy bombers. He did not attempt to gild the lily about his tactics: [I]f the rebellion continued, we destroyed the villages and by air patrols kept the insurgents away from their homes for as long as necessary. That, as he explained, was far less expensive than using troops and, of course, produced no high infantry casualty counts of the sort that had scarred Europe's conscience during World War I. Colonial officials obscured the fact that such measures were being taken against a civilian population in peacetime, rather than enemy soldiers during a war. In short, the denial that there are any civilians in Palestine, or in the Middle East more generally, has a long colonial heritage. It should be noted, however, that, in the end, Great Britain's aerial dominance of Iraq failed, and it finally had to grant that country what at least passed for independence in 1932. In 1958, an enraged public would finally violently overthrow the government the British had installed there, after which Iraq became a nationalist challenger to Western dominance in the region for decades to come. Of course, Harris's air power strategy, whetted in Mesopotamia, came to haunt Europe itself during the Second World War, when he emerged as commander-in-chief of Bomber Command and rose to the rank of air chief marshal. He would then pioneer the tactic of massively bombarding civilian cities, beginning with the thousand bomber raid on Cologne in May 1942. His total war air campaign would, of course, culminate in the notorious 1945 firebombing of Dresden, which devastated eight square miles of the Florence of Germany, wiping out at least 25,000 victims, most of them noncombatants. Terror from the Skies In the end, the way Bomber Harris's deadly skies came home to Europe should be an object lesson to our own neo-imperialists. At this very moment, in fact, Europe faces menacing drones no less than does the Middle East. Moreover, unlike genuine international leadership, the Frankenstein monster of negative hegemony in the Middle East stirs only opposition and resistance. Despite Israels technological superiority, it has hardly achieved invulnerability. Poverty-stricken and war-ridden Yemen has, for instance, managed to all but close the vital Red Sea to international shipping to protest the genocide in Gaza and has hit Israel with hypersonic missiles, closing the port of Eilat. Nor, during their 12-day war, did Iran prove entirely helpless either. It took out Israels major oil refinery and struck key military and research facilities. Instead of shaking the Iranian government, Israel appears to have pushed Iranians to rally around the flag. Nor is it even clear that Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium was affected. Most damning of all, Israels ability to inflict atrocities on the Palestinians of Gaza (often with U.S.-supplied weaponry) has produced widespread revulsion. It is now increasingly isolated, its prime minister unable even to fly over France and Spain due to a fear of an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest. The public's of the Middle East are boiling with anger, as are many Europeans. In early October, Italy's major labor unions called a general strike, essentially closing the country down to protest Israels interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group of ships attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. As with Bomber Harris's ill-starred domination of Iraq, terror from the skies in Gaza and beyond is all too likely to fail as a long-term Grand Strategy. Copyright 2025 Juan Cole (Article changed on Oct 14, 2025 at 10:47 AM EDT) Oregon U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut has scheduled an 11 a.m. phone conference for Wednesday to discuss whether she should extend her temporary restraining order barring President Donald Trumps federal deployment of Oregon National Guard troops in Portland for another two weeks. Immergut set Wednesdays phone conference at the request of lawyers involved in the case who are wrangling over other scheduling issues as they await a ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on whether it will grant the Trump administrations request to put a hold on Immerguts order pending their appeal. On Oct. 4, Immergut issued a 31-page ruling granting the state and city of Portland a temporary restraining order, blocking the federal government from sending Oregon National Guard troops to Portland for 14 days. The order followed a memo sent to the state Sept. 28 by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying he was mobilizing 200 Oregon National Guard troops into federal service for 60 days to protect the U.S. Immigration and Enforcement field office in Portland amid nightly protests. Immergut found the Trump administration lacked any legal justification to mobilize troops, noting no threat of rebellion exists in Portland, that local police can handle the sporadic protests at the ICE building and federal officers are still able to enforce federal laws. No National Guard troops have appeared at the building. Immergut had initially set a hearing for Friday to determine if extending her temporary order was warranted but moved that date up due to scheduling issues, according to court records. She also is expected to address other disputes lawyers raised in a court filing this week on whether she has authority to set further hearings in the case if the appeals court grants the Trump administrations request to further pause her temporary order. On Oct. 8, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit granted a brief administrative hold on Immerguts restraining order, ruling that Guard members may remain under federal control but cannot deploy to Portland while the panel deliberates on the case. Near-daily protests continued outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland on Sun., Oct. 12, 2025. As the rally unfolded, thousands riding in an emergency World Naked Bike Ride rolled by to applause. Mark Graves/The Oregonian As the state of Oregon and the Trump administration await a ruling from a federal appeals court on whether the president can send Oregon National Guard troops to Portland, each side is at odds about how the states underlying lawsuit should proceed. The administration has asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put a hold on U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immerguts temporary order halting deployment of the Oregon troops, as it appeals the order. The federal governments lawyers contend that Immergut has no authority to hold a future hearing to consider a longer-lasting injunction to block the deployment or preside over a trial on the lawsuit until its 9th Circuit appeal runs its course. Lawyers for the state and Portland oppose any delay, and say Immergut can proceed to preside over their Sept. 28 lawsuit, regardless of how the 9th Circuit rules on Immerguts temporary restraining order. The two sides also are arguing about whether the state and city can compel the White House to turn over records about the need for the Guard deployment as part of the lawsuit. The state and city filed their lawsuit on Sept. 28, hours after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth notified Gov. Tina Kotek that the administration was mobilizing 200 Oregon troops for 60 days to protect the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building and officers in Portland from protests. Immergut has set a tentative Oct. 29 date for a combined hearing on a potential preliminary injunction and trial on the merits of the lawsuit. No law divests this Court of jurisdiction over the upcoming consolidated preliminary injunction hearing and trial, argued Scott Kennedy, Oregon senior assistant attorney general, in a status report filed in U.S. District Court Monday. Lawyers for Oregon and Portland urged Immergut to set a phone conference Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss how to proceed. Meanwhile, both sides continue to await a limited ruling by the 9th Circuit on the Trump administrations request for a hold on Immerguts temporary restraining order pending the federal governments full appeal of the order. Immergut issued the 14-day restraining order Oct. 4 after finding that President Donald Trump lacked any legal justification to mobilize troops under the federal codes Title 10, Section 12406. She found no threat of rebellion exists in Portland, that local, state and federal law enforcement can handle the protests and the federal government is able to enforce its laws with regular forces. Immergut also said Trumps actions also likely violated the 10th Amendment, which protects the states sovereign interests and says that powers not delegated to federal officials are reserved to the States. U.S. Justice Department lawyers contend that Immergut has no jurisdiction to hear arguments on the two central issues the federal code and the 10th Amendment until the 9th Circuit weighs in on those legal claims that arose in the restraining order. The Ninth Circuits guidance on the Section 12406 and the Tenth Amendment claims makes eminent sense because the Ninth Circuit will soon provide guidance on the proper framework for adjudicating those claims, Michael J. Gerardi, senior trial counsel for the Justice Departments Justices civil division, wrote in Mondays status report. Gerardi also said Immergut shouldnt be able to hold a trial on the remaining claims, including the states contention that that federal government violated the Posse Comitatus Act, because National Guard troops arent in Portland yet and havent engaged in any activity under federal control due to Immerguts restraining order. The act prohibits the use of the military for domestic purposes and bars military forces from direct involvement in the execution of laws or actions that pervade the activities of civilian authorities. If Immergut chooses to move forward, the federal government suggests that she consider motions from each side on whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed to trial. WHITE HOUSE RECORDS Both sides also differ on whether the state and city can seek documents from Trump and the White House as part of the evidence discovery phase of the case. Lawyers for the state and Portland served the federal defendants in the case, including Trump, Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, with requests to produce documents last Thursday. Lawyers for the state and city noted that Eric Hamilton, a federal government lawyer, pointed to the presidents Truth Social post on Sept. 27 describing the city as War ravaged and the need to protect ICE facilities under siege from attack by Antifa and other domestic terrorists. Then when Immergut pressed Hamilton if he was relying on the presidents social media post as justification for troops, he said Trumps post suggested there had been discussions between the president and his subordinates about this decision. The state of Oregon and Portland argue that presidential privilege is not absolute and Hamilton opened the door to seeking discovery within the White House and Executive Office of the President, according to Kennedys status report. The state and city are seeking from Trump, Hegseth and Noem any documents that describe a danger of a rebellion against the U.S. government, any instance the president was unable with regular forces to execute federal laws in Portland and all communications within federal agencies or between federal agencies related to protests, potential security risks or unlawful activity at or near the ICE facility in Portland since June 1. The federal government countered that allowing such discovery would amount to an improper intrusion on the separation of powers. Defendants will not be searching records within the White House or the Executive Office of the President because the discovery requests contravene (t)he high respect that is owed to the office of the Chief Executive, Gerardi responded. He added that no such discovery was allowed in lawsuits challenging National Guard deployment in California and the District of Columbia. Lawyers for Oregon and Portland also signaled they may want to call Robert Cantu, deputy director of the Federal Protective Service Region 10 that covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska, and Camilla H. Wamsley, the Seattle-based field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Enforcement and Removal Operations, as witnesses at a future hearing. Cantu wrote in a sworn declaration to the court that National Guard troops, if deployed to the ICE building, would provide Federal Protective Service officers with direct support related to federal facility protection, access control and crowd control measures. Wamsley, in her sworn declaration to the court, had said ICE officers have been assaulted with rocks, bricks and incendiary devices, including a lit flare thrown at the ICE building in June. Protesters spray painted direct threats against ICE officers on the building, and have assembled at times a mock guillotine outside, she wrote in her declaration. If Immergut proceeds to hold future hearings, the U.S. Justice Department lawyers asked that no depositions be allowed of witnesses and urged the judge to rely on witnesses sworn depositions provided to the court. Alex Jones speaks to the media after arriving at the federal courthouse for a hearing in front of a bankruptcy judge June 14, 2024, in Houston. David J. Phillip | The Associated Press file WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and left in place the $1.4 billion judgment against him over his description of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting as a hoax staged by crisis actors. The Infowars host had argued that a judge was wrong to find him liable for defamation and infliction of emotional distress without holding a trial on the merits of allegations lodged by relatives of victims of the shooting, which killed 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut. The justices did not comment on their order, which they issued without even asking the families of the Sandy Hook victims to respond to Jones appeal. An FBI agent who responded to the shooting also sued. Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022, and his lawyers told the justices that the plaintiffs have no possible hope of collecting the entire judgment. He is separately appealing a $49 million judgment in a similar defamation lawsuit in Texas after he failed to turn over documents sought by the parents of another Sandy Hook victim. In the Connecticut case, the judge issued a rare default ruling against Jones and his company in late 2021 because of what she called Jones repeated failure to abide by court rulings and to turn over certain evidence to the Sandy Hook families. The judge convened a jury to determine how much Jones would owe. The following year, the jury agreed on a $964 million verdict and the judge later tacked on another $473 million in punitive damages against Jones and Free Speech Systems, Infowars parent company, which is based in Austin, Texas. In November, the satirical news outlet The Onion was named the winning bidder in an auction to liquidate Infowars assets to help pay the defamation judgments. But the bankruptcy judge threw out the auction results, citing problems with the process and The Onions bid. The attempt to sell off Infowars assets has moved to a Texas state court in Austin. Jones is now appealing a recent order from the court that appointed a receiver to liquidate the assets. Some of Jones personal property is also being sold off as part of the bankruptcy case. -- The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) Armed with hundreds of thousands of dollars from Newmans Own Foundation and Ozempic creator Novo Nordisk, young Native Americans are leading the fight against persistently high rates of food insecurity in tribal communities. In a rare example of agency for a beneficiary community, 21 emerging Indigenous leaders recently crafted selection criteria, evaluated applicants and picked two dozen finalists to split a pool of $720,000. Organized by Native Americans in Philanthropy, the 16-to-24-year-old participants said the inclusive process reflected Indian Country values of self-determination and intergenerational relationship-building that more donors should embrace. Funders can listen to native youth to know where they should direct resources, said Native Americans in Philanthropy program manager Savannah Baber, 28. The resulting Indigenous Tomorrows Fund was successful enough that organizers want to increase next years pot to $1 million. Native Americans in Philanthropy a coalition of grantmakers, tribal leaders and other advocates for increased philanthropic support of Indigenous organizations has secured half of that funding. They are still seeking partners to commit the other $500,000. The pilot program was fairly unusual for a grant initiative. Despite shifts towards the trust-based philanthropy championed by MacKenzie Scott and others that removes restrictions on how donations can be used, wealthy funders generally dictate the terms of their giving. Its still uncommon for the communities receiving the donations to be so directly involved behind the scenes, let alone handed the reins almost entirely. And its especially unusual for young people to receive responsibilities beyond, say, a seat at the table or a purely advisory role. More participatory approaches, however, are gaining popularity across the sector. Center for Effective Philanthropy President Phil Buchanan said theres increased sensitivity to top-down philanthropy. But his sense is that its rarer for funders to cede decision-making power to others. Theres this recognition that a lot of philanthropic mistakes are made when answers to problems other people are experiencing are cooked up by consultants in conference rooms, rather than being informed by those who donors actually seek to help, Buchanan said. The funds focus on food insecurity therefore made sense to Native Americans in Philanthropy considering the issues acute impact in Indigenous communities Settler-colonialism forced them onto unfamiliar reservations and diminished their ability to follow the traditional food practices that had sustained generations. While rates have fallen, recent U.S. Department of Agriculture surveys suggest American Indian/Alaska Native households still lack access to adequate food at twice the level of white residents. Child obesity is high. And affordable, healthy groceries are even harder to come by in rural food deserts. The $30,000 grant recipients are tackling those issues in a variety of ways. Theres a multi-generational collective of Shinnecock women in New York who farm kelp to clean up a bay. Or an Arizona-based community center that grows culturally significant crops such as Apache giant squash, distributes fresh produce and trains youth through hands-on land management. Philanthropys sparse giving to Native American-led organizations means theres little private money for such efforts. Less than 0.5% of funding from large U.S. foundations goes to Native American nonprofits, according to a 2019 report by Candid and Native Americans in Philanthropy. Native Americans in Philanthropy had already been working to reverse that trend. The group hosts a Native Youth Grantmakers program that teaches Indigenous young adults about the philanthropic sector. Newmans Own Foundation offered to take that learning a step further by giving them a shot at running an entire fund themselves. Funders determined the issue areas of food sovereignty and health. Because Newmans Own supports child nutrition efforts broadly, Baber said the foundation wanted Indigenous youths perspectives on advancing food justice. They brought Novo Nordisk on board with an interest in wellness. Grantmakers proceeded independently from there. But that autonomy didnt mean they were entirely on their own. Younger philanthropy professionals, elders, NAP staff and funders program officers sometimes joined meetings. But their presence only spurred conversation and never dominated conversation, according to younger participants. Participants said it wasnt their accomplished resumes or community engagement that made them equipped to join the grantmaking team. It was something more innate that many titans of philanthropy dont have: the fact that they came directly from native communities. They were heartened by their peers interest in reclaiming land stewardship practices and ensuring access for future generations. Newmans Own Foundation Indigenous Communities Officer Jackie Blackbird said that interest was highlighted by the volume of proposals; this inaugural cycle received more than 400 applications. Whether the projects were promoting Indigenous languages to better understand their food cultures or sustainably tending local ecosystems, grant reviewers found a constant in their peers embrace of past cultural knowledge to solve todays problems. They felt the project allowed them to continue the legacies of their ancestors who passed down traditions with future generations top of mind. Indigenous youth are reconnecting to their culture and to healing more and more, Blackbird said. Projects like the Indigenous Tomorrows Fund help them also build that confidence and learn more about challenges in communities. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. Oregons many iconic hotels can give travelers a good nights sleep, but a few offer something a little more spectral. On a 2023 episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, features reporter and self-proclaimed spooky things expert Samantha Swindler recounted her firsthand experiences in some of the states most haunted hotels. Generative AI was used to summarize a recent episode of the Peak Northwest podcast. This story was reviewed and edited by The Oregonian/OregonLive. At the top of Oregons haunted hotel hierarchy sits Baker Citys Geiser Grand Hotel, where Swindler spent a night in the infamous Suite 302supposedly the favorite haunt of a spirit known as the lady in blue or Annabelle. Theres a whole bunch of ghost stories out of the Geiser Grand and the most famous one is this lady in blue who allegedly wanders through the halls, and she is known to pinch peoples backsides in the bar at the hotel, Swindler said in the podcast. Room 302 in the Geiser Grand Hotel in Baker City, a cupola suite rumored to be haunted by the "Lady in Blue." Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian Through impressive historical detective work, Swindler traced the ghosts possible origin to Annie Bernice, the much younger wife of hotel owner Albert Geyser. Known as Birdie, this former mining camp cook married into wealth and reportedly oversaw the hotels kitchen operations. I found her great granddaughter and she told me all about Annie, Swindler said. I think ghost stories are most interesting when you can tie it back to an actual person. While Swindler didnt encounter any spectral bottom-pinchers during her stay, she described the hotels unmistakable atmosphere: There are definitely spooky vibes in that place. Its got 18-foot ceilings, there are two chandeliers in the hotel room. It has one of the best bathtubs that Ive ever been in because its huge, got jets. It does feel like you could be in a haunted movie in that hotel room. A blue rubber ball in the Shaniko Hotel seems to crop up at different spots throughout the hallway. Employees say its played with by the ghost of a small girl, but it could also be a clever marketing stunt in the Oregon ghost town. More unsettling was her experience at the Hotel Condon in remote central Oregon. Despite its clean rooms and friendly staff, something felt off. I swear to God I woke up in the middle of the night at like 2 in the morning and both my ears popped, Swindler recounted. The experience was so unnerving that she avoided even looking into the rooms mirror. Perhaps most chilling is the Shaniko Hotel in Oregons self-proclaimed semi-ghost town of Shaniko. With only two dozen residents, this former wool shipping hub offers a good backdrop for supernatural encounters. The hotel, which recently reopened, sits at the location where the towns mayor was assassinated in the early 1900s. Upon checking in as the hotels first guest post-renovation, Swindler encountered something straight out of a horror film: I go down the hallway and this is real The Shining stuff theres this little rubber blue ball just in the hallway, theres no kids. When she mentioned this to staff, they casually explained: Oh yeah, you know, we have a ghost child and she plays with the ball and, you know, every now and then the ball moves around. Whether youre a true believer or a hopeful skeptic like Swindler herself, these historic Oregon hotels offer something beyond comfortable accommodations theyre portals to the past where, just maybe, former guests have never quite checked out. The scene outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement compound south of downtown Portland early Monday evening was characteristically mellow. Whats ahead in legal wrangling over a potential National Guard deployment to Oregons largest city, however, is anything but settled. Federal, state and city officials are wrangling over which level of federal judges have the right to rule on which legal challenge, when and to what effect. Stay tuned to OregonLive.com for developments as soon as Tuesday. Meanwhile, heres what we know. Right-wing influencers got access to Kristi Noems Portland visit while local media was shut out U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem surveys South Portland from the roof of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noems Oct. 7 visit to Portland came without the typical advance notice to local press, but several right-wing social media influencers were granted unprecedented access to her and to the ICE compound in Portland. Local news organizations received no interview opportunities, press availability or public statements during Noems visit. But influencers with large social media followings appeared to ride in her motorcade and join her inside the ICE facility. The influencers took videos of Noem speaking from the roof of the building, coming out of meetings with public officials and even questioning unnamed, handcuffed people detained by federal officers. Federal officials did not send any of Portlands most prominent news outlets an itinerary for Noems visit or reveal which local leaders she would meet with. Federal officials ignored The Oregonian/OregonLives requests for interviews with Noem, continuing a pattern of denying the newsroom access to the federal ICE building since June. A Daily Show star showed up at Portlands emergency Naked Bike Ride Sometime Daily Show host and correspondent Jordan Klepper showed up in Portland Sunday to experience an emergency World Naked Bike Ride in the pouring rain. According to one Bluesky user, at one point, he rode a bike shirtless wearing a bulletproof vest with a PRESS sign on the front. He also conducted some interviews of fellow bikers, social media users reported. But viewers may need to wait more than a week to see what The Daily Show is cooking up about the emergency ride, which featured less full nudity than usual due to the cold and rain. The show is on pause and not scheduled to return until as late as Oct. 23. Federal officers delayed, threatened to shoot ambulance crew at Portland ICE facility, union says Federal officers stalled and threatened a Portland ambulance crew that was trying to take an injured protester from the ICE facility to a hospital on Oct. 5, a union official said. The delay and threats to shoot the ambulance driver, first reported by Willamette Week on Monday, took place on a tense day at the site of nightly protests. An AMR ambulance arrived around 9:20 p.m. to treat a protester with a broken or dislocated collarbone, public records show. The driver of the ambulance reported that federal employees wanted to ride in the ambulance with the patient, but the driver told them that wasnt allowed if the person wasnt under arrest, Willamette Week reported. One federal agent then threatened to shoot and arrest one of the medics. The ambulance was eventually allowed to transport the injured person to the hospital for care. Action at the ICE compound was low key Outside Portlands ICE facility Monday night, the protests, counterprotests and law enforcement actions were mellow. Anti-ice protesters, many in inflatable animal costumes, stepped aside from the compounds driveway to let vehicles in an out. Federal officers largely did not wear shields or carry weapons and did not deploy munitions. Counterprotesters stayed across the street from the facility and a regular streamer, Tommyboi, left before 8 p.m., confessing Im bored. Portland police made no arrests. What were watching for today Lawyers for the state of Oregon and city of Portland have urged Portland-based U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut to set a phone conference for Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss how the legal cases challenging potential National Guard deployments to Portland should proceed. The state of Oregon and the Trump administration are at loggerheads on how and when legal hearings and challenges should take place. The administration has asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put a hold on Immerguts temporary order halting deployment of the Oregon troops. That hold expires Friday. Federal government lawyers contend that Immergut has no authority to hold a hearing to consider a longer-lasting injunction to block the deployment or preside over a trial on the lawsuit until the 9th Circuit appeal runs its course. Lawyers for the state and Portland oppose any delay and contend Immergut can proceed on their Sept. 28 lawsuit, regardless of how the 9th Circuit rules on the judges temporary restraining order. The upshot is that it is unclear when the next court action will take place and even less clear when National Guard troops could at soonest, if ever, show up in Oregons largest city. Federal officers some posted on both rooftops guarded the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, as near-daily protests continued. Personnel included members of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and other federal agencies, who periodically fired pepper balls near the crowd. Mark Graves/The Oregonian A federal agent mistakenly pulled a gun on a car that was heading into the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland. Protests that began in early summer have continued outside Portlands ICE building. The crowds have swelled and waned throughout the months. Recently, the number of protesters has risen, after President Donald Trump last month announced he wanted to send National Guard troops to the city. On Monday, a KATU photographer captured a car leaving the facility as another tried to come in. A federal agent pulled his gun on the car heading in, telling the occupants to get back. Moments later, other federal agents indicated that the driver worked at the building and needed entry. This incident comes on the heels of reports that federal agents stalled and threatened an ambulance crew that was transporting an injured protester to the hospital. Willamette Week reported that American Medical Response employees claimed in internal incident reports from Oct. 5 that one agent threatened to shoot and arrest one of the medics. On Oct. 5, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a new order barring any National Guard members from relocating to Oregon. She is the judge who blocked Oregon National Guard troops from deploying to Portland under the Trump administration order rejecting the idea that Portland was facing a danger of rebellion. The Trump administration attempted to circumvent this block by trying to deploy 200 federalized California National Guard members to Oregon. Immergut responded with the new order stating, It is not appropriate to bring federalized military into Oregon at this time, she said. Im troubled by the direct contravention of my (prior) order. Portland police and forensic experts have identified a man whose skeletal remains were discovered near the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland more than three decades ago. Bryant Edward Deane, who was about 39 years old when he died, was positively identified through advanced genetic genealogy techniques. Workers first found Deanes skeleton on Aug. 17, 1992, while clearing brush near the bridge. Forensic experts determined he was a white male, between 5-foot-2 and 5-foot-5, with significant physical challenges including arthritic changes and leg length differences that would have caused a noticeable limp. The medical examiners investigation revealed Deane was wearing a maroon fleece-lined jacket, dark jeans, MacGregor ankle boots, and cotton gloves when he died, suggesting the death occurred during winter. Fractures on the left side of his body raised questions about whether he fell from the bridge or was struck by a vehicle. After years of unsuccessful identification attempts, the DNA Doe Project helped break the cold case. In 2024, they partnered with the Oregon State Medical Examiners Office to extract and sequence advanced DNA profiles. By August 2025, volunteers had identified potential family matches. Deanes presumed brother, who had not been in contact with him since the mid-1970s, provided a DNA sample for comparison. The medical examiners office confirmed Deanes identity in October 2025. Bryants parents passed away in 2017 and 2019, never knowing what happened to their son, said Hailey Collord-Stalder, forensic anthropologist. His family left a space for him on their headstone; now he can finally be laid to rest with his family. This story was drafted with the assistance of generative AI based on data from Oregon State Police and reviewed by Oregonian editorial staff. Russian occupiers lost 113 military personnel in Pokrovsk area in one day, with a total of 52 offensive operations taking place there over the course of the day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. "According to preliminary estimates, our soldiers killed 113 and wounded 75 occupiers in this area," the message reads. In total, along Pokrovsk sector, the enemy attacked in the areas of the settlements of Volodymyrivka, Chervonyi Lyman, Myrnohrad, Rodynske, Novoukrainka, Novo-Ekonomichne, Balahan, Pokrovsk, Zvireve, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Dachne, Filial, and in the direction of Novo-Pavlivka. Fighting continues in some locations. In addition, Ukrainian forces destroyed eight armored combat vehicles, one artillery system, 20 unmanned aerial vehicles, 20 vehicles, and one special-purpose vehicle. Ukrainian defenders also destroyed three armored combat vehicles, one artillery system, 10 vehicles, and seven enemy personnel shelters. What is anyone doing while all this jamming is happening? 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"The fourth International Food Security Summit will be held in Ukraine in November. This event, held for the fourth year in a row, serves as a platform for dialogue and joint action, strengthens our solidarity, increases resilience and ensures access to food for the most vulnerable regions," she said at a joint briefing of the MFA and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founding of the FAO on Monday. Betsa invited representatives of foreign countries and organizations to participate in the summit. The Deputy Minister noted the important role of Ukraine in ensuring global food stability through the implementation of the initiative Grain from Ukraine of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which allowed delivering Ukrainian grain to the most vulnerable countries in Africa and Asia. Betsa expressed gratitude to the states and international partners for their consistent support for Ukraine, in particular in restoring its agricultural potential, and also called for continued active involvement in further strengthening the sustainability of our country's food system. As reported, the Third International Food Security Summit "Grain from Ukraine" was held in November 2024 in Kyiv. All I knew about him was that (according to Mother) he considered my father the least introspective perso I didnt even start to think about what other people who didnt look like that would be doingmaybe reading.Everything Id written she saysand I nod again and then its silent and she slowly moves her hand farther down towards my flyYes. she begins to wonder if she is a different sort of person than she had thought: someone with a darker instinct.whose voice reach Enormous pink ribbons tied to the gates of two houses across from each other at the entrance to the farm proclaimed that each had been blessed with the birth of a daughter.c The stationlocated in a DJ booth in the makeshift cityallowed walk-up studio guests to mingle with on-air callers from the default world.They were both wonderfully expansiv a meticulous craftsman refining the rhythm of each sentence until it possessed the cold polish of a gem.because I have been looking forward to Burning Man all year long and down even to the accessories his Action Man figurine wore: the plastic lace patterns on Actions boots; the khaki elastic strap of his carbine; the little buckle on the helmet or gulag: a person who sentences people to death in pursuit of social or societal control and to maintain professional authors can go for years without writing anything yet still draw a monthly salary from the Ministry of Treasury and IF you could use a penetrative light instead of ordinary light you would see and understand that such pictures are pictures.which house the bones of three thousand martyr Then I thought: What if Lana Del Rey has been photographed somewhere reading? wielding ourselves metaphorically) as we struggle not for an ideal but for an alternative? Becoming personable.this refulgent contradictionNotleys staunch anti-milit and I came to see them as a sort of talisman against forgetting: a way to record the dignity of Palestiniansthe first volume of which won the Nebula Award and the Shirley Jac I had recently begun attending Sarah Lawrence College when Anzia Yezierskas novel Bread Givers was rst i It will turn out Foucault is always on Richards mind the way this conversation in the little parlor is always.The second fragmen German FM calls on Trump to increase pressure on Putin to end the war in Ukraine German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called on US President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Putin to end Russia's war in Ukraine following his success in mediating in the Gaza Strip, Deutsche Welle reports. According to Wadephul, Trump "made a decisive contribution to reaching an agreement on the Gaza Strip, and Germany hopes that he can continue his efforts to achieve negotiations between Russia and Ukraine." The German foreign minister made this statement on Monday during a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart, Georg Georgiev, in Sofia. The minister emphasized that Germany has high hopes for the US administration, as Trump has "convincingly demonstrated his interest in peace agreements around the world." Wadephul added that it is now important to "make a new breakthrough in Ukraine before hostilities flare up again on a larger scale." Youve installed a camera to keep an eye on your front door. One afternoon a package goes missing, so you check the footage. Sure enough, someone walks up, grabs the box, and disappears. But as you scrub through the video, something else jumps outa private moment in your neighbors yard. Through a narrow gap in the fence, your camera has captured them having a heated argument. Or maybe something more personal. In one 30-second clip, youve caught someone breaking the lawbut you might also have broken one yourself. Smart cameras are everywhere nowmounted on porches, tucked under eaves, perched on fences, and watching over driveways, garages, and balconies. Theyre cheaper, easier to install, and produce sharper video than ever. But with that convenience comes a degree of legal uncertainty. Can you record anything your camera sees? What about what it hears? Can a neighbor make you take it down? And what if you rent instead of own? Well break down what the law actually says about surveillance at homewhats legally allowable, where things get complicated, and how to protect your home without accidentally violating someone elses privacy. Courts often decide camera cases based on whether someone had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Reolink Video vs. audio: Same camera, very different laws Your security camera might look like a single device, but the law treats it as two. One set of rules for video, another for audio. And the difference can get you into trouble if youre not familiar with both. Theres no single federal law that spells out where you can and cant point a security camera. Instead, video recording is governed by a mix of state voyeurism statutes and civil privacy claims such as intrusion upon seclusion. The key principle courts use when deciding if surveillance crossed a legal line is the reasonable expectation of privacy. If someone can be seen from the streetin your driveway, porch, or front yardyoure usually fine recording it. But if your camera peers through a window into a bedroom, bathroom, or anywhere else in the interior of a neighboring homeor even into its fenced-off yardthats where the law says people have a right to privacy. Courts have allowed claims in these situations, and state lawslike this one in Californiaare often written to enable such claims. Audio is much more clear-cut because its covered by federal and state wiretap laws. At the federal level, the Wiretap Act (18 U.S.C. 2511) bans secretly intercepting conversations but follows a one-party consent rule: if youre part of the conversation, or one particpant agrees, its legal. In some states, a doorbell camera can break the law simply by recording conversations on the porch. Reolink Eleven statesincluding California, Florida, and Massachusettsgo further with all-party consent laws. In those places, recording without every participants knowledge is illegal. That means your doorbell camera could be breaking the law just by picking up porch chatter. What about neighbors and shared spaces? Just because your camera can see into your neighbors yard doesnt mean youre breaking the law. Again, if the area is plainly visible from your porch, deck, or upstairs window, its generally fair game to capture it incidentally. The key word there is incidentally. The trouble starts when cameras are purposely aimed at private spaces, like a backyard hot tub, a bedroom window, or a fenced-in patio. If it looks like youre using a security camera to monitor someone elses life, not your own property, you could face legal pushback. Shared spaces get even murkier. If you and your neighbor use the same driveway, walkway, or fence line, recording those areas could land you in a gray area. Technically, it might be legal, but it depends on local laws and on whether your camera becomes a source of tension. In some cities and states, nuisance or harassment laws can apply even when surveillance is otherwise allowed. So, if a neighbor raises concerns, dont brush them off. You might be within your rights, but its often easier to shift a camera angle than start a feud. Recording whats visible from the streetlike your driveway, porch, or front yardis usually legal. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Apartments and multi-unit dwellings Things get trickiest when you dont control the entire property. In apartments, condos, or duplexes, shared spaces come with shared rules and you cant just stick up a camera wherever you want. Generally, you cant install personal security cameras in common indoor areas like hallways, laundry rooms, or lobbies without permission from the landlord or homeowners association. Even doorbell cams can be a problem if they capture too much shared space or record audio. If youre a renter, check your lease. Some spell out what kind of equipment is allowed, if any. Others ban cameras altogether in shared zones, especially if audio is involved. That said, landlords and HOAs can legally monitor common areas if they give proper notice. Posted signs that say something like This area is under video and audio surveillance typically reduce legal risk and might satisfy notice requirements in many states. Tips for legal, respectful surveillance If youre going to use security cameras, use them smartly. Most of the legal trouble people get into isnt because they intended to break the law, its because they didnt give enough thought to where they were putting the camera. These quick dos and donts will help you stay on the right side of the law and your neighbors. Do: Keep cameras visible. Hidden cameras feel sneaky and can raise legal red flags, especially indoors. Hidden cameras feel sneaky and can raise legal red flags, especially indoors. Post a sign. Some camera manufacturers like Ring offer branded signage, but if yours doesnt, you can buy generic Audio and Video Recording in Use signs online or at hardware stores. A simple notice can defuse tension and in some states, help with legal compliance. Some camera manufacturers like Ring offer branded signage, but if yours doesnt, you can buy generic Audio and Video Recording in Use signs online or at hardware stores. A simple notice can defuse tension and in some states, help with legal compliance. Point your cameras where they belong. Stick to your own entryways, driveway, and yard. Avoid anything that could be considered a private space. Stick to your own entryways, driveway, and yard. Avoid anything that could be considered a private space. Know your states audio laws. If you live in an all-party consent state, disable audio recording unless you have clear permission. If you live in an all-party consent state, disable audio recording unless you have clear permission. Use your cameras privacy features to block your neighbors doors and windows. to block your neighbors doors and windows. Consider showing your neighbor the view from your camera if their property is in its field of view. Point out the privacy screens youve put in place. the view from your camera if their property is in its field of view. Point out the privacy screens youve put in place. Remind a neighbor who objects to your camera because their property is in its field of view that the camera could capture an intruder lurking around their home as well yours. Dont: Spy on your neighbors. Even if you think its harmless, courts might not agree. Even if you think its harmless, courts might not agree. Share clips of other people without consent. This is particularly true for recordings that capture private conversations. This is particularly true for recordings that capture private conversations. Install cameras in shared spaces without written permission. For renters, that includes common areas such as hallways. Lock it down Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep your camera firmware up to date. A hacked camera doesnt just compromise your security, it could end up leaking footage that gets you sued. The surveillance age needs boundaries Smart cameras are now as much a part of home security as locks and porch lights. But having the ability to record everything doesnt mean you should. The line between safety and snooping usually comes down to common sense: Why are you recording? Where is the camera pointed? Do people know its there? When youre not sure where the boundary is, heres a simple gut check: Would I be okay being recorded in this exact situation? If youre not, then the person on the other side of the lens probably isnt either. A Berks County company plans to close a manufacturing facility in Lancaster County. Morgan Truck Body filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, informing the state that it plans to temporarily close its manufacturing facility at 485 Wenger Drive in Ephrata, resulting in the layoff of 92 people. This is a temporary closure with an unknown duration due to unforeseeable business circumstances, the company said in the WARN notice. The company did not elaborate on the unforeseeable business circumstances it is facing." The layoffs are expected to take place on Dec. 15 or within 14 days of that date. Morgan Truck Body has been manufacturing truck and van bodies for 73 years. The company has manufacturing facilities across the country. Morgan Truck Body also has facilities in Caernarvon Township, Berks County, and Brecknock Township, Lancaster County. The WARN Act is federal legislation that offers protection to workers, their families, and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of a covered business closing and a covered business mass layoff. The WARN notice was dated Oct. 13. The Renewal by Andersen of Central PA office at the Hampden Centre shopping center in Hampden Township, near Mechanicsburg, Pa. November 1, 2022 Daniel Urie | durie@pennlive.com A prominent central Pennsylvania window and door replacement has changed hands. The Renewal by Andersen of Central PA franchise has been sold by Joe Zisman to The Birner Group, which is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Renewal by Andersen of Central PA serves customers in 37 counties in Pennsylvania and employs more than 400 people. By combining their experience, strengths and achievements with The Birner Groups vision, dedication, and success, we look forward to expanding opportunities, enhancing service and deepening community connections throughout all states we serve, said Austin Birner, Chief Executive Officer, The Birner GroupRenewal by Andersen. Pictured are employees at Renewal by Andersen of Central PA Photo provided Renewal by Andersen of Central PA will maintain its offices at: 4856 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township , near Mechanicsburg 487 Municipal Drive, Allegheny Township, Blair County, near Duncansville 244 Grey Fox Drive, Fairfield Township, Lycoming County, near Montoursville The Birner Group oversees Renewal by Andersen operations across St. Louis, southwest Missouri, Memphis, Arkansas, southern Louisiana, and now central Pennsylvania. Zisman is retiring after five decades in the industry. This new chapter comes as we celebrate the well-earned retirement of Joe Zisman, whose leadership, dedication and philanthropic impact helped build an incredible legacy over the past five decades. Joes vision has shaped who we are today, and we are honored to carry that legacy forward as we thank him, Linda Johnston, chief culture officer of The Birner Group Renewal by Andersen, said in the news release. Renewal by Andersen is the window and door replacement division of the Andersen Corporation. There are more than 100 Renewal by Andersen locations across the United States. The acquisition was announced on Tuesday. Terms of the deal werent disclosed. The Philadelphia Medical Examiners Office isnt just standing by the suicide ruling in Ellen Greenbergs controversial 2011 death by 23 stab wounds. Its doubling down, citing 10 findings the office says confirms Ellen took her own life. The conclusions are part of new, 35-page report based on a six-month re-examination of all the evidence in the case. But the Philadelphia lawyers hired by Ellen Greenbergs parents to challenge the suicide ruling arent having any of it. Attorney Joe Podraza called the new report a deeply flawed attempt to justify a predetermined conclusion. It includes false claims ignoring key evidence that contradicts suicide. This report is tripe, an embarrassment to the city, and an insult to Ellen and her family. Ellens family just wanted the truth. It is clear the truth will not come from Philadelphias law enforcement machinery, Podraza added in an emailed statement on Monday. Said Ellens mother, Sandee, in a phone interview with PennLive: Its very distressing to suffer this injustice. Its a sad day for Pennsylvanians. The reexamination of the 27-year-old Philadelphia teachers 2011 death was promised by the city as part of a civil lawsuit settlement with Ellens parents, Joshua and Sandee Greenberg, that was finalized in April. The settlement also included a $650,000 payment for monetary damages to the Greenbergs. The report, signed by Philadelphia Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsay Simon, contains an exhaustive review of all the evidence in the case, including findings by Philadelphia police and medical examiner but also those of a bevy of forensic experts hired by the Greenbergs to fight the suicide ruling. In the end, Simon and her office cite 10 findings that caused them to double-down on its opinion with a reasonable degree of medical certainty that Ellen took her own life. The findings are: Ellen suffered severe anxiety over her first-grade teaching job at the time of her death. She was being treated by a psychiatrist for approximately two months. Bottles for alprazolam, clonazepam, and zolpidem prescribed to Ellen were recovered from a bedside table on the evening of her death. While calling the distribution of the 23 stab wounds admittedly unusual, Ellen would be capable of self-inflicting all these injuries -- even those to the back of her head and neck, the report concluded. At least 8 shallow stab wounds would best be categorized as hesitation wounds an indication of suicide by stabbing. The review identified at least three more of this type of wound, upping the total number of stab wounds Ellen sustained from 20 to 23. Ellen sustained no defensive injuries, which are a tell-tale sign of being attacked by an assailant. The 31 contusions or bruises found on Ellens body arent consistent with intentional infliction by another. Most of the bruises were in the process of healing. Their distribution is consistent with incidental contact sustained during activities of daily living, including her work as a first-grade teacher, the report concluded. There was no evidence to indicate Ellen was incapacitated or incapable of defending herself, something that would explain the noted lack of defensive wounds. The DNA of Ellens live-in fiance, Sam Goldberg , wasnt detected on the knife used to inflict her injuries. Goldbergs self-reported timeline of events on the afternoon and evening of Ellens death is corroborated by phone logs, text messages, surveillance footage, keycard swipes and police interviews. Theres no evidence Ellen was in an abusive relationship with Goldberg. A review of their text messages showed the two were often separated due to his work travel. There were no texts where Ellen mentioned hostility or mistreatment, and she never expressed fearing him, the report states. There was no evidence of a third party being in the apartment on the day of Ellens death, nor was anyone elses DNA detected on the knife used to stab Ellen to death. No findings of a struggle were present at the scene, and no valuables were reported missing from the apartment. The lack of hemorrhage from a wound to Ellens spinal cord has been cited as a smoking gun indicating homicide, according to the Greenbergs and their team of experts. It indicates Ellens heart wasnt beating when the cut was made an impossibility in a suicide by stabbing. But the new medical examiners report dismisses this, concluding the spinal cord wound was most likely an accidental cut that occurred during Ellens autopsy not when she was stabbed. Ellen was alive when all the stab and incised wounds were inflicted, the report states. The preponderance of the evidence suggests the (spinal cord cut) was an artifact from the autopsy. Podraza blasted this conclusion. The assertion that a stab wound in Ellens spinal column was made during autopsy, a theory rejected by every credible expert, including the Citys own neuropathologist, the attorney said. This image is the result of a 3D computer analysis of the trajectory and depth of all 20 of Ellens stab wounds. The analysis was commissioned by the family of Ellen Greenberg and conducted by BioMX Corp., a Virginia-based independent computational biomechanics engineering consulting company that reconstructs accidents and criminal injuries for court cases. Podraza said an extensive 3D photogrammetry recreation commissioned by the Greenbergs proved Ellen couldnt have self-inflicted the stab wounds to the back of her head and neck. The medical examiners report characterized these same wounds as admittedly unusual but not impossible in a suicide. The lawyer accused the MEs report of ignoring key evidence that contradicts suicide, adding: Simon builds a flimsy case on distorted portrayals of Ellens mental health, propped up by cynical distortions of Ellens managed anxiety, a condition widely experienced daily by over 40 million Americans. Shame on you Simon, Podraza said Sandee Greenberg said she and Josh were still reviewing the report but find it riddled with false representations or information taken out of context. The new report comes just weeks after a new true crime docuseries based on the Greenberg case began streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg?, shines nationwide attention on the Greenbergs 14-year fight for justice for Ellen. Whats unclear is the next step in their battle to prove Ellen, whom they raised in the Harrisburg area, didnt take her own life. But Podraza promised Monday its far from over. Though Ellens city turned its back on her, we will continue through other avenues to get justice for her murder, by any means necessary, he said. Background on the case: The narrative of suicide in Ellens death was set moments after her body was discovered bloody and lifeless on her kitchen floor, slumped against a cabinet on the snowy, stormy evening of Jan. 26, 2011. Ellen suffered 23 stab wounds, many to the back of her head and neck. The final blow left a 10-inch kitchen knife protruding from her chest. Ellens fiance, Sam Goldberg, said he returned from working out in the Manayunk apartment complex gym to find the door to the apartment he shared with Ellen latched from inside. She didnt respond to his knocks, calls and texts. Goldberg later told police he had to break the inner door latch to enter and found Ellen slumped and bloodied on the kitchen floor. His account of breaking into the apartment was later called into question by other evidence. During Goldbergs recorded 911 call he said, among other things, that Ellen had stabbed herself. Responding police and a medical examiner official also treated Ellens death as a suicide on the evening of her death. At the time, Ellen, a former graduate of Susquehanna Township High School and Penn State, was seeing a psychiatrist and being medically treated for anxiety. Apparently assuming her death was suicide, police did not treat the bloodied apartment as a crime scene that evening. Ellens body was shipped off to the city morgue with the knife still protruding from her chest. The very next day, assistant Philadelphia Medical Examiner Dr. Marlon Osbourne conducted his autopsy and ruled her death a homicide. He cited multiple stab wounds by an unknown person. City detectives returned to the apartment the following day with a search warrant and a forensics team. But by then, the place had been professionally sanitized, wiping away potential evidence. The homicide investigation quickly foundered, and detectives on the case met at least twice with ME officials to argue Ellen had killed herself. On April 4, 2011, Osbourne changed the manner of Ellens death to suicide a ruling he publicly disavowed as part of his own court settlement with the Greenbergs earlier this year. But because Osbourne is no longer with the Philadelphia MEs office, he had no power to change the ruling in Ellens death. The suicide ruling in the Greenberg case is crucial because until Ellens death is changed to either undetermined or homicide, its a practical impossibility to launch a new criminal investigation into her bizarre, highly suspicious death, the Greenbergs have said. They believe her killer is still out there. Wellspan York Hospital on Monday announced they released a state trooper who had been hospitalized after he was shot with colleague in Franklin County last week. Troopers Thomas Pack and Lucas Amarose were shot Wednesday after chasing a van with three suspects and more than $1k of stolen merchandise from Dicks Sporting Goods. Pack was released Thursday, the day after the shooting, and Amarose was upgraded to satisfactory condition on Sunday, then released from the hospital on Monday afternoon, according to an update from the hospital. Police say Lamar L. Foy, 31, of Baltimore, shot the troopers after police used a tire deflation device across the road to disable the van he was driving. He was killed in the gun fight. Troopers began pursuit of the van after Dicks Sporting Goods reported Foy and two women putting clothing into a shopping cart. Foy then pushed the cart outside without paying and threw the clothes into the passenger side of a van with Maryland license plates. After the van crashed about 15 miles from the store, two women, Amir L. Swift, 21, and Giani Jaida McGowan, 21, complied with troopers and got out of the van. Foy remained and started shooting when troopers tried to force him out of the van by breaking the drivers side window. After he started shooting, Foy got out of the van firing and chasing the troopers. Pack and Amarose were shot multiple times and a third, uninjured trooper killed Foy. Foy was wanted in Maryland for failing to appear July 11 for his court hearing on a charge of possessing illegal drugs with an intent to distribute them. He was also wanted for charges filed April 9 for two counts of second-degree assault, arson, harassing phone calls and destroying property. Foy had convictions from 2020 for second-degree assault and burglary and from 2015 for assaulting a corrections officer. He was incarcerated at that time for attempted murder, assault and gun crimes. Swift and McGowan were charged with felony retail theft, possession of drugs with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Alec Baldwin and Stephen Baldwin attend the Chairman's Brunch during the 33rd Hamptons International Film Festival on October 12, 2025 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images) Getty Images Brothers Alec and Stephen Baldwin were involved in a car crash on in East Hampton, New York, on Monday. According to TMZ, Alec Baldwin, 67, was driving a white Range Rover SUV with Stephen, 59, in the passenger seat when struck the vehicle struck a tree head-on. Photos taken at the scene show the front end of the SUV as severely damaged. The brothers spoke to police on the scene and both appeared to not have any serious, visible injuries. The pair were reportedly in town for the Hamptons International Film Festival, which ran from Oct. 5-13. In a video later shared to Instagram, Alec Baldwin said that he hit the tree in order to avoid hitting a garbage truck the size of a whale. It must have been something commercial, like taking away material from construction or something. It was the biggest garbage truck Ive ever seen, he said. To avoid hitting him, I hit a tree, I hit a big, fat tree. Baldwin said his brother are both fine, but that he crushed his wifes SUV in the accident. Baldwin also thanked local police officers that responded to the crash, adding that he next plans to go to Los Angeles to spend time with his family. A representative for Stephen Baldwin told TMZ that the actor is doing fine and is grateful no one was injured. He appreciates the concern and he can confirm that he and Alec are both safe and well. Its the birthday wishes of all birthday wishes for James Van Der Beek. Following the Dawsons Creek stars cancer diagnosis last year, the 48-year-old turned to Instagram on Oct. 10, to share an incredibly special and emotional birthday message for his 4-year-old son Jeremiah. 4 years old today. After 2 late-term losses, we thought we were done. Thank God you knew better, he began. An iron will combined with an innate sweetness. And ALL boy. And as you run around and scream and bang things all I can think about is how grateful I am that you came to us." The beloved actor continued the post by describing his sons spirit. Youve been particular from the jump. And as your language skills have finally caught up the specificity of your desires, what Im seeing is a fun-loving, passionate soul who doesnt think twice about speaking up for exactly what he wants. And for that example, I thank you. This next part is where readers might want to grab the closest tissue they can find. Im sorry there have been spells where I couldnt be the father I would want to be for you where I was too weak to pick you up, throw you around, or even put you to bed but know that watching you reveal yourself to us has been one of the greatest joys of my life. And even though youre stingy with the hugs when you do decide to wrap those thick little arms around my neck, its like time has stood still and all is right with the world. I love you, bubba. And I always will. And all you ever have to do is be you. Happy birthday, my big little boy, he concluded. Fans and fellow celebrities flocked to the post in support of Van Der Beeks heartfelt words to his young son. Sooooooo sweet!!!!!!!, Dawsons Creek co-star Katie Holmes commented. This just made me cry, love it all so much! Happy birthday, sweet Jeremiah, Dancing with the Stars dancer Emma Slater wrote. You write the most beautiful love stories to your family, the Instagram account for One Simple Wish noted. A new policy at a major grocery store chain has gone into effect. A policy that allows the open carry of firearms in certain store locations. The Miami Herald reports that Florida-based Publix has announced that it will allow those with permits to carry within its supermarkets in the Sunshine State. This, CBS Local Miami reports, comes after a recent ruling that overturned Floridas ban on open carry. This change went into effect on Sept. 25, with Publixs decision to implement its open carry following about two weeks afterward. The Miami Herald notes that this is a switch from the chains stance in 2019, during which they respectfully [requested] that only law enforcement officials openly carry firearms in our stores. I feel like if youre going to carry a gun, Id rather know that its on your person than be caught off guard and have it brought out without me even being aware, told one Publix customer to CBS Local Miami. At least I can walk away from the person if I see a gun and Im not comfortable. As someone that has a concealed carry permit, Im not that against open carry, said another. But in terms of other people that arent used to being around guns and things like that, it can cause unnecessary, like, I guess, stress and anxiety. According to CBS Local Miami, there are a number of areas where the open carry ruling does not apply: Polling places, schools; and pro-sports events are among these places. Florida law allows the open carry of firearms, a statement sent by Publix spokeswoman Lindsey Willis to the Miami Herald read. Publix follows all federal state and local laws. Treating customers with dignity and respect is a founding belief at Publix. In any instance where a customer creates a threatening, erratic or dangerous shopping experience whether they are openly carrying a firearm or not we will engage local law enforcement to protect our customers and associates. Passengers disembark the Royal Caribbean Cruise ship the Oasis of the Seas in Labadee, Haiti. The popular cruise line Celebrity Cruises announced it is stopping all visits to Haiti for both 2025 and 2026. Getty Images The popular cruise line Celebrity Cruises announced recently it is stopping all visits to Haiti for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026. Travel + Leisure reported that the company has updated 11 itineraries that will now avoid visiting Labadee, Haiti, on the northern coast of the country. Instead, the companys cruise liners will go to Turks and Caicos, the Grand Cayman or Cozumel in Mexico. The decision mainly affects trips on the Celebrity Apex and the Celebrity Beyond ships. To provide you with a better experience, we have made the decision to cancel our visit to Labadee, Haiti, the cruise line said in an updated itinerary for a February 2026 trip. A full listing of itinerary updates can be found on Celebritys website. Labadee is a private resort owned by Royal Caribbean and is only reachable by ship. Celebrity is owned by the Royal Caribbean Group, which also owns the Royal Caribbean line. In July, the U.S. Department of State reissued its most severe travel advisory for Haiti, warning all Americans not to travel to the Caribbean country for any reason, due to kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited health care. Haiti has been under a State of Emergency since March 2024. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti, the advisory said. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Do not travel to Haiti for any reason. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official Partner countries can deprive Russia of the ability to strike Ukraine by providing air defense systems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, commenting on Russian shelling of Ukrainian cities on Tuesday night. Last night, Russias aerial terror against our cities and infrastructure continued once again. The main targets were our energy facilities. Ninety-six attack drones were launched, most were shot down, though unfortunately not all Every day and every night, Russia strikes power plants and transmission lines, our gas facilities also come under attack. The world can deprive Moscow of the ability to carry out such brutal attacks against life. Our partners know what is needed for this: Patriot, NASAMS, SAMP/T, and other vital systems, Zelenskyy said on X Tuesday morning. The President stressed that Ukraine counts on action from the United States, Europe, the G7, and all partners who have these systems and can provide them to help protect our people. Ukraine needs sufficient air defense capabilities to shield its skies from missiles, drones, and glide bombs so that Russias aerial terror becomes meaningless. The world must compel Moscow to come to the table for genuine negotiations. Only peace through strength can bring results, Zelenskyy stressed. By Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times (TNS) The sister-in-law of former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, Carrie Elizabeth Romney, was found dead near a Santa Clarita shopping mall on Friday. Her cause of death remains under investigation. Investigators are speculating, however, that the 64-year-old Valencia resident fell or jumped from a five-story parking structure, according to L.A. County Sheriffs Department spokesperson Nicole Nishida. Homicide investigators responded to the 24000 block of Town Center Drive near the Valencia Town Center shopping mall around 9 p.m. Friday, according to the Sheriffs Department. The L.A. County medical examiner is still running tests to confirm the cause of death, Nishida said. Romneys cause of death was listed as deferred on the medical examiners website. It could take months for toxicology tests to be completed and information to be updated. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Chat online at 988lifeline.org. Mitt Romney served as the governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and was the Republican Partys 2012 presidential nominee. He was elected U.S. senator from Utah in 2018 and left office at the end of his term in January. The suit names Volvo Car USA as a defendant, claiming the company is liable because the SUV involved was owned by Volvo and operated by its employee at the time of the incident. Canva for NJ.com A Toms River, New Jersey, woman says she suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck in the head by the closing tailgate of a Volvo SUV, a feature she claims was accidentally triggered by a dog. Megan Kohr filed a lawsuit in Ocean County Superior Court on Oct. 10, alleging that the vehicles motion-activated liftgate sensor caused the tailgate to shut while she was standing behind it. The incident occurred after a hike with Volvo Car USA employee who was driving an SUV owned by the company, the lawsuit said. Kohr was standing at the rear of the SUV with the tailgate open. According to the lawsuit, the Volvo employees dog walked under the vehicle, triggering the sensor and causing the tailgate to close unexpectedly. The liftgate struck Kohr in the head. The vehicle was equipped with a hands-free sensor designed to open or close the liftgate when it detects a foot motion beneath the bumper. Kohrs doctor says she suffered a traumatic brain injury and continues to experience problems with her vision and balance. A medical certification filed with the lawsuit states that she has difficulty with how her eyes work together, is sensitive to light, and has trouble coordinating her vision with movement. The doctor concluded that at least one of the injuries is permanent and unlikely to fully heal. Because the Volvo employee was driving a vehicle owned by her employer, the lawsuit says the company is also responsible. Kohr is seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Kohr is represented in the lawsuit by Kimberly L. Gozsa of Levinson Axelrod in Howell, who did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. Volvo Car USA, which is headquartered in Mahwah, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. Joseph J. Leschinskie Jr. has been ordered to report Friday to begin serving a 7- to 26-month state prison sentence. FILE PHOTO SHAMOKIN A Republican candidate for Shamokin City Council has been ordered to report Friday to begin serving a 7- to 26-month state prison sentence. The report date set by Northumberland County Senior Judge Charles H. Saylor for Joseph J. Leschinskie Jr., 41, is 30 days after the state Supreme Court refused to accept his appeal in two criminal cases. If he does not report to the sheriffs office by 9:15 a.m. Friday a bench warrant will be issued for his arrest, the judges order states. I didnt expect it, Leschinskie told PennLive on Monday about the order. He was hoping for a hearing to argue for home confinement so he could care for his ill mother, he said. Leschinskies name will remain on the ballot in Shamokin despite his prison sentence. He is confident of being elected and said if he is, he wants to be sworn in from prison. Leschinskie was sentenced in July 2022 to 6 to 23 months in jail followed by three years probation in a terroristic threats case. The following March he received a consecutive 1 to 3 months for illegally recording a court proceeding in 2019. Now retired Senior Judge Harold F. Woelfel Jr. who presided over the two cases declared a post-sentence mistrial in the terroristic threats case, citing jurors learning through testimony that Leschinskie was a convicted felon. But a state Superior Court panel last December vacated the mistrial order that resulted in the reinstatement of the 6- to 23-month sentence. The same panel denied his appeal in the other case. The terrorist threats charge stemmed from an incident following the Sept. 14, 2020, Shamokin City Council meeting. Jurors found Leschinskie guilty of threatening then Councilwoman Jennifer Seidel and her husband Eric. Then police Chief Darwin Tobias III testified he intervened when Leschinskie threatened to punch Eric Seidel in the face. During the trial Leschinskie denied many of the allegations and claimed that his telling Eric Seidel, I will punch you in your [expletive] face, was permitted free speech. In the other case, Leschinskie was found to have illegally recorded a Jan. 4, 2019, summary trial on his appeal of a speeding citation. He claimed on appeal the evidence did not support the guilty verdict and that private citizens have a constitutional right under the First Amendment to make their own audio or video recordings of court proceedings. The Superior Court panel found none of the issues Leschinskie raised merited relief. Leschinskie and Michael Deitz are running as a team for two seats on Shamokin City Council. The two oppose the adoption of a home rule charter that will be on the ballot next month. This is his second bid for council. He was elected in November 2021 and sworn-in the following January. He was removed from office in March 2022 by Saylor who ruled Leschinskie was ineligible to serve because his 2009 drug convictions were infamous crimes. The Pennsylvania Constitution states those convicted of those crimes may not hold public office. An unsuccessful candidate for Shamokin mayor in 2017, Leschinskie is an appointed member of the Shamokin Housing Authority. He acknowledges he makes his opinions known, mostly on Facebook, but said, all I want to do is better my community. Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard. You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit! Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | October 14, 2025 A bill that would mandate cellphone-free school days has been introduced. Medicare open enrollment starts tomorrow. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is giving people a glimpse of what interchanges without tollbooths look like. And a bunch of tires were dumped by an airport. Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa. Todays episode refers to the following articles: If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too. By Nick Vadala, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) Penn State trustees on Monday unanimously approved a revised proposal to sell the operating assets of WPSU, the universitys public radio and television station, to WHYY, reviving a path to keep the station alive that fell through under a previous offer last month. At times financial negotiations can necessitate multiple rounds of negotiation, Sara Thorndike, the schools senior vice president for finance and business, said in a statement. The cost of the sale was not disclosed. Im thrilled we were able to bring this agreement to this promising point. The vote supporting the revised plan came during a special board of trustees and finance and investment committee meeting Monday. The plan still requires approval from WHYYs board, as well as the Federal Communications Commission, but is expected to be completed by June 30, the university said. Last month, Penn State said it planned to wind down WPSUs operations and lay off employees by the end of June 2026. The Inquirer previously reported WPSUs annual budget was funded largely by money from the university coupled with federal dollars the latter of which was slashed after President Donald Trumps administration stripped away federal dollars for public media like NPR and PBS. In September, school trustees unanimously voted down a plan for WPSUs sale to WHYY, primarily citing concerns over about $17 million in subsidy Penn State would have had to provide to WHYY over five years as part of that deal. WHYY's newsroom in center city Philadelphia. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS, file) TNS Now, under the new plan, the university would not pay that subsidy. Instead, the university said Monday, WHYY agreed to raise funds itself, starting with a 30-day exclusivity period during which it will attempt to secure funding totaling at least $8.36 million. During that time, Thorndike said Monday, the university can continue to hear offers from parties interested in WPSU, but it cannot sign any agreements. We want to do what we can to support them in those efforts, Thorndike said. WHYY, the university said, has also agreed to continue operating WPSU for at least three years following the sale, and give current station employees the opportunity to interview for roles at the new station under their leadership. About 44 employees remain at the station following layoffs in June, The Inquirer recently reported. Penn State, meanwhile, will give the WHYY-operated station control over all endowments, gifts, and pledges intended for WPSU, the university said. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning telling people not to use four models of bed rails sold by Gold Kernal online. The four models are shown. Provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission A federal safety agency has issued a warning against the use of two different brands of bed rails. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Gold Kernal LLC, doing business as OasisSpace; and Li Ling Lan, doing business as KoolDoo, failed to meet federal safety requirements for bed rails. The CPSC said people should not use four models of OasisSpace adult portable bed rails because users can become entrapped within the bed rail or between the rail and mattress, creating an asphyxiation hazard that poses a risk of serious injury or death. The CPSC said that an 81-year-old woman died in October 2023 at her home after becoming entrapped between an OasisSpace bed rail and the mattress. The CPSC said it has issued a Notice of Violation to Gold Kernal regarding bed rail models manufactured after August 21, 2023, because they fail to meet the safety requirements of the Safety Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails. Gold Kernal has not agreed to recall the bed rails or offer a remedy to consumers. The warning applies to about 86,100 of the bed rails. The model numbers are: F042 - 17 inches wide and adjustable height from 28.5 inches to 42 inches F127 - 12 inches wide and adjustable height from 12 inches to 18 inches G132 - 13 inches wide and adjustable height from 18 inches to 22 inches G286 - 38 inches wide and 16 inches high The bed rails were sold online at OasisSpace.com, Amazon.com and Walmart.com from July 2019 through February 2025 for between $30 and $108. The CPSC said the bed rails also have been found for sale on third-party websites. The same day that the CPSC published that safety warning it also posted one about 16,370 KoolDoo childrens portable bed rails. The bed rails violate the mandatory standard for childrens portable bed rails because when installed adjacent to the bed, the child can become entrapped in the openings on the side of the mattress, and the openings on top of the mattress, posing a risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment, the CPSC said. The KoolDoo bed rails were sold online at Amazon.com by Li Ling Lan of China from August 2019 through June 2025 for about $70. The CPSC said Li Ling Lan has not responded to a request for a recall. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned people not to use KoolDoo children's portable bed railings "because when installed adjacent to the bed, the child can become entrapped in the openings on the side of the mattress, and the openings on top of the mattress, posing a risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment." Provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission These warnings are the latest in multiple safety warnings and recalls involving bed rails. In June 2022, the CPSC issued a warning about 285,000 Mobility Transfer Systems bed rails saying, At least three people have died after becoming entrapped in one model of the bed rails. They include a 78-year-old woman in a Michigan assisted living facility in 2006, an 85-year-old man in an Oklahoma nursing home in 2007, and a 90-year-old disabled woman in California in 2013. In February 2023 Platinum Health recalled about 53,000 of the LumaRail brand of adult portable bed rails after an 81-year-old man in a Pennsylvania nursing home became trapped between his mattress and portable bed rails and died in October 2021. In March 2023, BeyondMedShop recalled more than 100,000 Vaunn adult bed rails. Ron Hetrick, president and CEO of the company that owns WITF and LNP LancasterOnline, announced his resignation Monday. By Chad Umble, LancasterOnline Ron Hetrick, president and CEO of the company that owns WITF and LNP LancasterOnline, announced his resignation Monday, effective immediately. Hetrick became CEO of WITF in 2019 and then in 2023 also began overseeing LNP LancasterOnline when that news organization was gifted to WITF by the Steinman family. In 2024 Hetrick was named CEO of Pennon when it was formed as the new parent company of WITF and LNP LancasterOnline. Hetrick informed employees about his resignation in an email he sent Monday. This is a move that I have considered for some time as Pennon has grown and taken new shape. It is time for someone new to invigorate the organization around its public media, education and journalism mission, Hetrick wrote. This decision was not made lightly, and I am grateful for having been able to serve in this special role. Hetrick did not respond to a phone message left for comment. In a follow-up email to staff, Pennon board Chair Leigh Horner said she would be immediately stepping in to Hetricks role until an interim leader can be named. Ron has worked tirelessly in service of our mission, and we are grateful for his passion and commitment to making a positive impact across our 19-county service area. We wish him success in all that the future may hold for him, Horner wrote. Tom Murse, executive editor of LNP LancasterOnline said in an email, I wish Ron well in his future endeavors and appreciate the support hes provided to the news teams in what has been, and continues to be, a challenging environment for public media and local journalism. His decision does not slow the work we continue to do to make sure LNP Media Group remains the leading source of news and information in Lancaster County for decades to come, Murse said. WITF to LNP A 1996 graduate of Bishop-McDevitt High School, Hetrick earned a computer science degree from Penn State University and an MBA from Villanova University. He also earned a doctorate in business administration from Temple University. Hetrick, 47 years old, is a native of Harrisburg who worked in his familys business installing car phones and selling pagers before getting a job with WITF in 2000 as director of technology. Hetrick, who lives in Hershey, took on more senior roles at WITF before becoming CEO. As president and CEO of Pennon, Hetricks annual salary in 2023 was $327,000, according to Pennons annual IRS filing for tax exempt organizations known as a 990. In a June 2023 interview with LNP LancasterOnline after he began overseeing the newspaper, Hetrick said experimentation would be required to find a viable business around local news. Our goal is to create a sustainable model to deliver high quality local news here in Lancaster, but also do it in a sustainable way that can be replicated in other parts of the region, he said. Hetrick oversaw an effort to gather information about ways to best organize the news gathering operation while finding new sources of funding for it. He was also forced to try to plug a funding gap left when federal funding was pulled for public broadcasters, a decision that cost WITF $1.3 million. Hetricks tenure at Pennon was marked by some belt-tightening, including staff reductions as well as the decision for LNP LancasterOnline to leave its large offices in downtown Lancaster. In October 2024, Pennon laid off 10% of its employees, cuts that were among the triggers that led to journalists to unionize with the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia, Local 38010. After joining the union in February, they are in the process of bargaining a contract with the company. In late August, Hetrick hired Digby Solomon as interim publisher of LNP LancasterOnline, the top executive at the company. A month later, Solomon announced that the newsroom at 101 N. Queen would be shuttered as a new, smaller office was sought. The last day journalists worked in that downtown office was Oct. 7. In a text message Solomon said Hetrick will be missed but that his departure does not affect our work at LNP to adapt to our audiences needs. A delegation of young Asian diplomats spent the weekend in Harrisburg and marveled at the city's historic sites, including the state capitol. David Kim The young diplomats came from as far away as Mongolia, Fiji, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste just to see Harrisburg. They were joined by colleagues from Vietnam, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand for three glorious days based out of the downtown Harrisburg Hilton Hotel, all under the auspices of the Asia Foundation in Washington and well-organized by Visit Hershey & Harrisburg to show the best our region has to offer. If you have any doubts about the importance of Harrisburg on the world stage, the visit of these young diplomats who were intent on learning about our capital and its people should lay them to rest. Young Asian diplomats visiting Harrisburg toured the state capitol and were captivated by his beauty and history. David Kim Were an important part of the universe, and a beautiful one, at that. Sure, were struggling to get downtown shops open again, to manage our parking nightmare and to unite both sides of our romantic river, but were still a pretty impressive part of the globe. At least thats what these foreign dignitaries said. And theyve seen the world. Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas participated in a dinner at the State Capitol on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, to welcome a delegation of young Asian diplomats to Harrisburg. Joyce M. Davis The state capitol was the scene for a special dinner for a delegation of Asian diplomats visiting Harrisburg Oct. 10-13, 2025, to learn about Pennsylvanian history and culture. HMN Media Group Dinner in the Capitol Rotunda under the lighted dome would impress even a seasoned traveler. Visit Hershey & Harrisburg pulled out all the stops to arrange an evening they will remember for a very long time, complete with official welcomes from Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, Cumberland County Commissioner Jean Foschi, as well as greetings from Harrisburg Young Professionals member Olivia Edwards-Rindfuss and Susquehanna Township Commissioner Fred Faylona, a native of the Philippines. Historic Harrisburg Executive Director David Morrison shares the history of Pennsylvania at a dinner held Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 for a delegation of Asian diplomats visiting Harrisburg. HMN Media Group And who better than Historic Harrisburgs David Morrison to help them understand the glorious history of our commonwealth? Morrison bragged that President Theodore Roosevelt thought Harrisburg so important, he came to open the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Oct. 4, 1906. Who could have guessed Harrisburg was actually in the running to be the nations capital? Morrison shared that and more about our regions history, including the oft-told stories about John Harris Jr. and his founding the city on 800 acres of land his daddy left him. A delegation of Asian diplomats enjoyed a typical Saturday morning on Oct. 11, 2025, at the Broad Street Market to start a full day of sightseeing in Pennsylvania's capital. David Kim But nothing beats actually seeing the citys historic gems in a walking tour. Thank goodness the weather cooperated Saturday to allow them to breakfast at the Broad Street Market, to marvel at the Midtown Scholar, and to take in the galleries at the Millworks. That was after the visit to the State Museum and an official tour of the House and Senate chambers and the resplendent home of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. A delegation of young Asian diplomats visited Harrisburg for three days to learn about our history, culture, and people. Visit Hershey & Harrisburg President & CEO Sharon Myers (center) takes them on a tour of the National Civil War Museum. David Kim As if that wasnt enough, they insisted on seeing the National Civil War Museum. Their only question was why was it so removed from the city, without a quick way to get there by bus? People here ask the same question. But thats what Ubers are for. They got the delegation to the museum and then on to Dukes for a dinner and sunset over the Susquehanna. Young diplomats from several Asian countries enjoyed a Sunday afternoon at Hershey Park. They loved the chocolate! David Kim We all know a visit to our region is not complete without a tour of Hershey Chocolate World and all. They were not leaving without seeing Hershey. That happened Sunday morning, and now Hershey has to restock its shelves. Seems like Hersheys chocolate is a big deal in their part of the world. And they contributed mightily to the Hershey economy. A tour of the Amish countryside ended their visit and then it was off to catch the train to somewhere worlds apart New York. Its a testament to how smart these future world leaders are in wanting a glimpse of the real America not just Philly, D.C. and the Big Apple. They got that and more in their weekend jaunt to Harrisburg. And we now have new friends in faraway places with enough Hershey kisses to last a lifetime. Joyce M. Davis is PennLives Outreach & Opinion Editor. Follow her on Facebook, Bluesky @joycemdavis.bsky.social, and on Twitter @byjoycedavis. Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Petros Krommidas holds up a sign during an anti-Trump rally at Nassau Coliseum, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Uniondale, N.Y. (Mark DeFrancesco via AP, file) AP By PHILIP MARCELO, The Associated Press LONG BEACH, N.Y. (AP) A political candidate in the New York City suburbs went for a night swim in the Atlantic Ocean this past spring and never returned. Petros Krommidas phone, keys and clothes were found on the sands at Long Beach on Long Island. The 29-year-old former Ivy League rower, who was training for a triathlon, had parked his car just off the picturesque wooden boardwalk. As the months passed, local Democrats attempted to field a replacement to run for the seat in the Nassau County Legislature. But two Republican voters took them to court and won: a state judge recently ordered Krommidas name to remain on the November ballot, ruling that hes still considered missing and not officially deceased. Now, as Election Day approaches, voters in Long Beach and other South Shore communities have a curious choice: reelect the Republican incumbent or the Democrat who seemingly vanished at sea. James Hodge is among those calling on residents to cast their ballots for Krommidas regardless hoping to trigger a special election in which Democrats can put forward another candidate to run against County Legislator Patrick Mullaney. The Long Beach resident worked with Krommidas at the Nassau County Board of Elections and had been tapped by Democrats to run in his place. We need to stand by and honor his name and memory, Hodge told The Associated Press. Lets give him that victory. Its the right thing to do. The Republican voters argued in their lawsuit that Democrats couldnt claim Krommidas was dead because authorities still considered him a missing person. Under law, someone needs to be missing for at least three years to be legally declared dead, they argued. Judge Gary Knobel agreed, writing in his Sept. 29 ruling that missing person status does not qualify as a vacancy that can be filled. In the days after his disappearance, family and friends joined first responders in scouring Long Beachs broad, more than 3-mile-long swath of sand, which is just east of the New York City borough of Queens. A missing person flyer for Petros Krommidas hangs on a telephone pole, Thursday, October. 9, 2025, in Long Beach, N.Y. (AP Photo/Phillip Marcelo) AP Some of the missing persons fliers they put up with images of Krommidas youthful, smiling face are tattered and faded but still visible on telephone poles around Long Beach. Meanwhile, campaign signs for Mullaney, his opponent, are prominently displayed on fences along the main thoroughfares and on tidy residential lawns. The Republican didnt respond to emails seeking comment. For resident Regina Pecorella, the decision, while grim, was clear. If its between those two, Im voting for the person thats alive, said the 54-year-old independent, who voted for a straight Republican ticket in the previous election. I dont know how else to answer that. Pennsylvania's Supreme Court judicial retention election has attracted sizable outside interest and money, and now even Hollywood interest. Stockard Channing, who played the first lady in the tv series "The West Wing" provides voice over for a Democratic ad campaign urging voters to vote "Yes" on retention. Never mind that they are typically snoozers, the judicial retention election in Pennsylvania has generated national attention, outsized funding, and, now, Hollywood interest. The Montgomery County Democratic Party on Tuesday is airing a new ad urging voters to vote Yes in the November ballot to retain three Supreme Court justices and the urging is being done by none other than First Lady Abbey Bartlet. As in FLOTUS from the NBC television series The West Wing portrayed by Stockard Channing. Channing, an Emmy and Tony award-winning actor known for her roles in Grease and The First Wives Club, provides the voiceover for an ad aimed at voters in Montgomery County, outside Philadelphia, the states third-most populous county and a pivotal election decider in past cycles. Channing urges voters to retain the three Supreme Court Justices up for retention in the ad entitled The Stakes. While our rights and freedoms are under attack, do you want extremists holding the gavel? Channing says. Dismantling access to healthcare and public schools. Ending worker protections. Stripping women of their freedom to make their own decisions on abortion? Actress Stockard Channing is known for her role in "The West Wing," "Grease" and "The First Wives Club." She is now the voiceover for an ad campaign for Democrats urging voters to vote yes on judicial retention. AP The ad is backed by a six-figure buy across online and streaming platforms and is the latest hefty spending in what is seen as a consequential election measure that could have far-reaching implications in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state. Ahead of the Nov. 4 election, Democrats and Republicans have spent nearly $5 million on ads, according to data from AdImpact, a political ad-tracking firm, NBC News reported. Democrats have spent double the amount on their Yes campaign to retain the three Democratic justices: Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht, who are all up for retention for another 10-year term. The new ad featuring Channing comes just days after Democrats rolled out a new ad campaign in the retention election featuring Gov. Josh Shapiro. In the Threat ad campaign, which has been airing in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Shapiro focuses on the importance of retaining the judges to protect reproductive rights. Theyve proven we can count on them to protect a womans access to abortion and birth control and stand up for all our freedoms, the governor says in the ad. Democrats last month decried a string of campaign mailers and digital ads sponsored by a GOP-affiliated PAC that they claimed mislead voters about the judicial retention election. The mailers and ads were distributed by the Commonwealth Leaders Fund, which has ties to Pennsylvania billionaire conservative Jeffrey Yass. In some cases, the ads use language that is sympathetic to Democratic voters to urge them to vote against retention, such as pertaining to reproductive rights and the defense of democracy. Democrats decried the tactic as deceptive. Democrats are pulling out all the stops to protect their 5-2 Supreme Court majority ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 general election. The court has decided several crucial cases in recent years with profound implications in elections, health care and reproductive rights, including striking down a gerrymandered congressional map in 2018. The three justices who are up for retention were elected to the high court as Democrats but will appear on the ballot without a party designation. Voters will have the opportunity to select yes or no on whether to keep the judges on the bench for another 10 years. If retained, Donohue would have to step down in 2027 when she turns 75, the mandatory retirement age for justices. Last month, Democrats tapped former state auditor Eugene DePasquale to lead the party at the state level, and last week tapped a veteran campaign strategist to join the effort. So that is my agenda to win...., DePasquale said during a meeting Monday with the PennLive Editorial Board. In every campaign, you do maybe a gazillion things right and a gazillion things wrong. But at the end of the day, the goal is to win these elections because I believe Democrats are better for the people of this state. Jason Salus, chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, noted the importance of the county in statewide elections. The stakes in this election couldnt be higher, he said in a written statement. We are joining unions, Planned Parenthood, and the police to urge voters to vote YES and for Democratic judicial candidates all the way down the ballot. Channing closes out the ad urging voters to fight back by voting yes. Yes to protect our rights and freedoms...Yes for judicial fairness, she says. The stakes couldnt be higher. Global demand for steel in 2025 to remain at 2024 level, to grow by 1.3% in 2026 updated Worldsteel forecast Global demand for steel in 2025 will remain at the level of the previous year - about 1.7 billion tonnes after a drop of 1.6% last year, the World Steel Association predicts in its Short Range Outlook (SRO) for global steel demand in 2025 and 2026. Global steel demand is expected to grow by 1.3% to 1.771 million tonnes in 2026 (excluding China and the CIS, Russia, and Ukraine). Meanwhile, demand in the CIS (including Ukraine) is expected to decline by 5.2% in 2025, reaching 56.1 million tonnes, and by an additional 1.7% in 2026, reaching 55.2 million tonnes. Alfonso Hidalgo de Calcerrad, Chief Economist of the Spanish Steel Producers Association (UNESID) and Head of the Worldsteel Economic Committee, commented on the updated forecast, saying that despite the significant escalation of the global trade war and its inherent uncertainty, they are cautiously optimistic that global steel demand will bottom out in 2025 and show moderate growth in 2026. However, he added that the forecast growth in 2026 is driven by a combination of strong regional trends. Worldsteel expects the decline in steel demand from China to slow down, as well as strong growth in emerging markets such as India, Vietnam, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Most importantly, Worldsteel expects a long-awaited return to growth in steel demand in Europe. It notes, among other things, that steel demand in China will continue to decline this year by around 2%. This reflects a softening of the downward trend observed since 2021, primarily due to the ongoing housing market downturn. Looking ahead to 2026, the decline is expected to slow further to 1% as the housing market stabilizes. Demand for steel in developing countries, excluding China, is expected to increase by 3.4% in 2025 and 4.7% in 2026. This growth is primarily due to strong performance in India, as well as in some ASEAN, Middle Eastern, and North African countries. India's steel demand is expected to grow rapidly, at around 9% in 2025 and 2026, due to growth across all sectors that use steel. Next year, Indias steel demand is expected to be nearly 75 million tonnes higher than in 2020. Since the mid-2010s, steel demand in Africa has remained largely flat, hovering around 3540 million tonnes. However, significant changes have been observed since 2023, indicating a clear revival in construction and steel consumption across the continent. Worldsteel forecasts a 1.3% increase in demand in the EU+UK region in 2025 and a 3.2% increase in 2026. U.S. steel demand is expected to recover by 1.8% this year, driven by increased production ahead of tariff hikes and growth in infrastructure spending. Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday that security videos of an arsonists attempt to kill his family have been haunting me for months, and left him carrying an enormous sense of guilt in trying to explain the incident to his children. Shapiro made the personal reflections at a press conference he held about two hours after suspect Cody Balmer pled guilty to attempted murder, arson, and terrorism charges in the April 13 attack at the Governors Residence in uptown Harrisburg. Videos played by prosecutors at Tuesdays court hearing showed Balmer hopping the residences fence and stalking the grounds with a hammer before lobbing two flaming bottles of gasoline into the buildings reception hall. Shapiro along with his wife Lori, their children, and several extended family members - were asleep in a different area of the building at the time, having held a Passover seder at the residence the night before. I know those videos are chilling. Theyve been haunting me for months, Shapiro said of the security camera footage. Ive been trying to unsee them for the last six months. Now, when we walk through the residence, we often think about the steps he took and where he roamed, Shapirio continued, noting that Balmer approached several doors that wouldve given him easy access to the residences personal living quarters. To be honest, Lori and I have struggled over the last six months to try and make sense of all of this, and the hardest part has been trying to explain it to our four children, to our nieces and nephews, Shapiro said. Ive carried with me this enormous sense of guilt, guilt that doing this job that I love so much has put our childrens lives at risk, Shapiro said. Its been really hard, and candidly, I dont know that Ive been able to give them the right answers. Balmer, a 38-year-old resident of Penbrook, pled guilty as part of a deal between his public defender and Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo, receiving a 25-50 year prison sentence and a $100,000 restitution order. This is a just outcome, and I want you to know that our family fully supported the plea that [Chardo] negotiated, Shapiro said. Balmers motive and mental state continue to be a matter of contention. In a call to 911 shortly after the attack, Balmer criticized Shapiro for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people. Shapiro had voiced support for Israels war in Gaza following the October 2023 attacks on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas although the governor has more recently been highly critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the massive death toll of Palestinian civilians. While prosecutors have painted Balmer as a politically-motivated terrorist, his defense has said Balmers mental state was the primary driver of the crime. Balmers family described him as increasingly unstable after failing to take his medication for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; his mother told PennLive she had tried to have him involuntarily committed to a secure psychiatric facility. Shapiro himself sees the crime as part of a trend of political violence, saying Tuesday that I think we need real accountability for acts of political violence, and today is real accountability for the violence that came here to Pennsylvania. I think its important that, in this time of rising political violence, that none of us grow numb to it or accept this as the normal course of doing business for elected officials, Shapiro said. Even with Balmers guilty plea, the physical reminders of the incident will remain. Trees have been cut down around the residence, and construction continues on more robust fencing. As of a month ago, at least $6 million in public funds have been spent rehabbing the building and installing security improvements, although the Shapiro administration has heavily redacted records requests pertaining to the upgrades. Pennsylvania State Police, which provides security for the residence, have declined to release a report on the incident leaving questions as to exactly what manpower was available the night of the incident. Security staff focused on protecting the governor and his family, police said, and no attempts by police to intercept Balmer are seen on the security camera footage. Shapiro indicated Tuesday that his family is also struggling with the fact that they were so vulnerable. Why would someone want to do us harm? our kids will ask, the governor said. How were they able to get so far into the Governors Residence, the place that was supposed to be the safest place we could possibly be? A Republican attack on a core provision of the Voting Rights Act thats designed to protect racial minorities comes to the Supreme Court this week. FILE/AP Mark Schiefelbein | AP Photo WASHINGTON A Republican attack on a core provision of the Voting Rights Act that is designed to protect racial minorities comes to the Supreme Court this week, more than a decade after the justices knocked out another pillar of the 60-year-old law. In arguments Wednesday, lawyers for Louisiana and the Trump administration will try to persuade the justices to wipe away the states second majority Black congressional district and make it much harder, if not impossible, to take account of race in redistricting. Race-based redistricting is fundamentally contrary to our Constitution, Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill wrote in the states Supreme Court filing. A mid-decade battle over congressional redistricting already is playing out across the nation, after President Donald Trump began urging Texas and other Republican-controlled states to redraw their lines to make it easier for the GOP to hold its narrow majority in the House of Representatives. A ruling for Louisiana could intensify that effort and spill over to state legislative and local districts. The conservative-dominated court, which just two years ago ended affirmative action in college admissions, could be receptive. At the center of the legal fight is Chief Justice John Roberts, who has long had the landmark civil rights law in his sights, from his time as a young lawyer in the Reagan-era Justice Department to his current job. It is a sordid business, this divvying us up by race, Roberts wrote in a dissenting opinion in 2006 in his first major voting rights case as chief justice. In 2013, Roberts wrote for the majority in gutting the landmark laws requirement that states and local governments with a history of discrimination, mostly in the South, get approval before making any election-related changes. Our country has changed, and while any racial discrimination in voting is too much, Congress must ensure that the legislation it passes to remedy that problem speaks to current conditions, Roberts wrote. The challenged provision relies on current conditions Challenges under the provision known as Section 2 of the voting rights law must be able to show current racially polarized voting and an inability of minority populations to elect candidates of their choosing, among other factors. Race is still very much a factor in current voting patterns in the state of Louisiana. Its true in many places in the country, said Sarah Brannon, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Voting Rights Project. The Louisiana case got to this point only after Black voters and civil rights groups sued and won lower court rulings striking down the first congressional map drawn by the states GOP-controlled Legislature after the 2020 census. That map created just one Black majority district among six House seats in a state that is one-third Black. Louisiana appealed to the Supreme Court but eventually added a second majority Black district after the justices 5-4 ruling in 2023 that found a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act in a similar case over Alabamas congressional map. Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined their three more liberal colleagues in the Alabama outcome. Roberts rejected what he described as Alabamas attempt to remake our section 2 jurisprudence anew. That might have settled things, but a group of white voters complained that race, not politics, was the predominant factor driving the new Louisiana map. A three-judge court agreed, leading to the current high court case. Instead of deciding the case in June, the justices asked the parties to answer a potentially big question: Whether the states intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution. Those amendments, adopted in the aftermath of the Civil War, were intended to bring about political equality for Black Americans and gave Congress the authority to take all necessary steps. Nearly a century later, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, called the crown jewel of the civil rights era, to finally put an end to persistent efforts to prevent Black people from voting in the former states of the Confederacy. A second round of arguments is rare at the Supreme Court The call for new arguments sometimes presages a major change by the high court. The Citizens United decision in 2010 that led to dramatic increases in independent spending in U.S. elections came after it was argued a second time. It does feel to me a little bit like Citizens United in that, if you recall the way Citizens United unfolded, it was initially a narrow First Amendment challenge, said Donald Verrilli, who served as the Obama administrations top Supreme Court lawyer and defended the voting rights law in the 2013 case. Among the possible outcomes in the Louisiana case, Verrilli said, is one in which a majority holds that the need for courts to step into redistricting cases, absent intentional discrimination, has essentially expired. Kavanaugh raised the issue briefly two years ago. The Supreme Court has separately washed its hands of partisan gerrymandering claims, in a 2019 opinion that also was written by Roberts. Restricting or eliminating most claims of racial discrimination in federal courts would give state legislatures wide latitude to draw districts, subject only to state constitutional limits. A shift of just one vote from the Alabama case would flip the outcome. With the call for new arguments, Louisiana changed its position and is no longer defending its map. The Trump administration joined on Louisianas side. The Justice Department had previously defended the voting rights law under administrations of both major political parties. Rep. Cleo Fields has been here before For four years in the 1990s, Louisiana had a second Black majority district until courts struck it down because it relied too heavily on race. Fields, then a rising star in the states Democratic politics, twice won election. He didnt run again when a new map was put in place and reverted to just one majority Black district in the state. Fields is one of the two Black Democrats who won election to Congress last year in newly drawn districts in Alabama and Louisiana. He again represents the challenged district, described in March by Roberts as a snake that runs from one end of the state to the other, picking up Black residents along the way. If thats so, civil rights lawyer Stuart Naifeh told Roberts, its because of slavery, Jim Crow laws and the persistent lack of economic opportunity for Black Louisianans. Fields said the courts earlier ruling that eliminated federal review of potentially discriminatory voting laws has left few options to protect racial minorities, making the preservation of Section 2 all the more important. They would never win election to Congress, he said, but for the Voting Rights Act and but for creating majority minority districts. President Donald Trump waits to greet Argentina's President Javier Milei, as he arrives at the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP By MICHELLE L. PRICE, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump says the U.S. struck another small boat that he accused of carrying drugs in the waters off Venezuela. The Republican president said Tuesday in a post on social media that six people aboard the vessel were killed in the strike and no U.S. forces were harmed. Its the fifth deadly strike in the Caribbean as the Trump administration has asserted that it is treating alleged drug traffickers as unlawful combatants who must be met with military force. Frustration with the administration has been growing on Capitol Hill among members of both major political parties. Some Republicans are seeking more information from the White House on the legal justification and details of the strikes. Democrats contend the strikes violate U.S. and international law. Trump said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the strike Tuesday morning and released a video of the strike, as he has in the past. Trump said that the strike was conducted in international waters and that Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with narcoterrorist networks and was on a known drug trafficking route. The Senate last week voted on a war powers resolution that would have barred the Trump administration from conducting the strikes unless Congress specifically authorized them, but it failed to pass. In a memo to Congress that was obtained by The Associated Press, the Trump administration said it had determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations and that Trump directed the Pentagon to conduct operations against them pursuant to the law of armed conflict. The Trump administration has yet to provide underlying evidence to lawmakers proving that the boats targeted by the U.S. military in a series of fatal strikes were in fact carrying narcotics, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The strikes followed a buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean unlike any seen in recent times. Last week, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino told military leaders that the U.S. government knows the drug-trafficking accusations used to support the recent actions in the Caribbean are false, with its true intent being to force a regime change in the South American country. He added that the Venezuelan government does not see the deployment of the U.S. warships as a mere propaganda-like action and warned of a possible escalation. I want to warn the population: We have to prepare ourselves because the irrationality with which the U.S. empire operates is not normal, Padrino said during the televised gathering. Its anti-political, anti-human, warmongering, rude, and vulgar. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday he will travel to the United States this week for talks on the potential U.S. provision of long-range weapons. AP/FILE AP KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday he will travel to the United States this week for talks on the potential U.S. provision of long-range weapons, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Russia he may send Kyiv long-range Tomahawk missiles A meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump could take place as early as Friday, the Ukrainian president said, adding that he also would meet with defense and energy companies and members of Congress. The main topics will be air defense and our long-range capabilities, to maintain pressure on Russia, Zelenskyy said. He spoke at a meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. He said he also would seek further U.S. assistance to protect Ukraines electricity and gas networks, which have faced relentless Russian bombardment. The U.S. visit follows what Zelenskyy described as a very productive phone call with Trump on Sunday. Trump later warned Russia that he may send Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles if Moscow doesnt settle its war there soon. The missiles would allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory. Moscow has expressed extreme concern over the U.S. potentially providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin himself has previously suggested that the U.S. supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine would seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington. Zelenskyy will join a Ukrainian delegation already in the U.S. for preliminary talks, led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. Russia has stepped up attacks in recent weeks targeting electricity and gas infrastructure ahead of winter, in an effort to cripple Ukraines power grid ahead of freezing temperatures to erode public morale. Ukraines State Emergency Service said the worst attacks early Monday using drones and missiles occurred around the Black Sea port of Odesa and in the northern Chernihiv region, where one person was killed. Kallas, the EUs top diplomat, pledged continued pressure on Moscow. She also expressed confidence that objections led by Hungary to a new Russia sanctions package would be overcome, even if the process drags on past a meeting of EU leaders next week. On funding, the needs are enormous. We must help Ukraine defend itself so we dont later spend even more repairing destroyed infrastructure, Kallas said. We are 27 member states, and 27 democracies, so debates take time ... Im positive that, as before, well achieve a decision. Eugene DePasquale has one overriding goal as he takes on his new role leading the Pennsylvania Democratic Party: win. That was his succinct answer to a question on goals Monday as he met with the PennLive editorial board to outline the plans that he and other Democratic strategists are positioning on the political chessboard ahead of a series of consequential election cycles: Novembers state Supreme Court judicial retention election and the state gubernatorial race next year, followed by the general election two years later. Look, there is no perfect campaign. I dont want to be flip about this, DePasquale said. So that is my agenda to win....In every campaign, you do maybe a gazillion things right and a gazillion things wrong. But at the end of the day, the goal is to win these elections because I believe Democrats are better for the people of this state. A former state auditor and state legislator, DePasquale was recently installed as the chairman of the state Democratic Party with the explicit directive to move the party forward and build a team with solid infrastructure that can reclaim victory in statewide elections. An attorney and professor at the University of Pittsburgh, DePasquale answered several questions from the editorial board about the state of the Democratic Party, which sustained bruising defeats in 2024, including his own loss in the attorney generals race, three Congressional seats and the presidential race. Moreover, the party has been under scrutiny at the national level for lacking leadership and a standard-bearer capable of challenging Republicans under President Donald Trumps hold. DePasquale detailed how Democrats had in recent years lost the edge of a once blue-leaning state, losing on various fronts from the voter registration margins, eroding support from Blacks and Latinos, and Trumps success in winning over blue-collar voters. So as I take over this, theres really two prongs, DePasquale said. One is to make sure the party does a better job reconnecting with voters...... Number two, we also have to do a better job of just connecting with groups that are voting with us but are feeling frustrated by whether its the national environment or just whatever is happening with the Trump administration, feeling Democrats need to do a better job of fighting back. DePasquale noted the popularity of Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, who won a resounding victory with the majority of votes from Democrats and Republicans. The governor, he noted, remains an extremely popular executive and key to a favorable political landscape for the party. Asked what he thought Shapiros chances were against Stacy Garrity, the state treasurer and favored Republican likely to take on that race, DePasquale said: It is going to be a tough reelection. Theyre going to throw the kitchen sink at him. But I believe he will prevail and prevail by a convincing margin because of the way hes governed. But you cannot take that lightly. Foots got to be on the gas all the time. To a follow-up question on whether the race poised Shapiro for a run for the White House in 2028, DePasquale quipped: You got to get re-elected before you even think about anything else. My job is to help him get re-elected along with the justices getting a yes vote. Beyond that, you know, Im looking to see if the Pirates want to sign me to a five-year, $50 million contract. DePasquale blasted Trump administrations policies on the economy, which he said have led to higher prices for consumers, looming healthcare premium hikes and tariffs that he said were unilateral taxes imposed by the president. Weve got to make sure we hold the president and his party accountable for that, DePasquale said. But it is not enough, in my opinion, to just say theyre bad. We also have to add a competing agenda. I think an agenda that starts with investing in people. I think an agenda that has a better health care policy. Asked to reflect on a repeated national talking point that Democrats lack a standard-bearer DePasquale said he had all confidence that one would emerge in time for the first round of primaries in the 2028 general election. He cited how former President Bill Clinton in 1990 seemingly came out of nowhere and proceeded to coalesce the party and win two White House terms but he pointed to the incumbent as a lesson in strategy. Politics is a game of addition, not subtraction, DePasquale said. One thing Donald Trump did in 2024 is he added to his coalition. We should be working to add to our coalition, whether it comes to the more moderate Democrats, maybe a couple more conservative Democrats, and certainly more progressive. We should be uniting behind our core agreements....Youre going to have disagreements, but weve got to go back to being a Big Tent party. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the release of the last group of Israeli hostages held by the Hamas group for over two years. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned terrorism in all its manifestations and emphasized the inadmissibility of holding civilians hostage. We are convinced that the release of the hostages should be the first important step in reaching final agreements on the settlement of the Middle East conflict, the comment reads The ministry also reaffirmed its support for international efforts aimed at establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Specifically, it noted the role of US President Donald Trump's peacekeeping efforts and the contributions of all countries that supported the implementation of this agreement. It is this diplomacy of strength and determination that can end wars and restore peace. We hope that in the case of Russia's war against Ukraine, sufficient international pressure can be applied to the aggressor state of Russia to stop the killings and restore security and peace to our country and all of Europe, the foreign ministry emphasized. North Augusta reporter Elizabeth Hustad is a reporter with The Post and Courier North Augusta. She covers government, growth and development, and business. Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and previously worked with a Twin Cities weekly. Her work has appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and MinnPost. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star reporter Bianca Moorman is a reporter for the Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star with a focus on community focused stories, arts, businesses, non-profits, events and any story with a human element. The Roanoke, Virginia native has journalism degrees from James Madison and Syracuse universities. She has written for papers in Georgia, Mississippi, Upstate New York and Virginia. Follow her on X at @biancarmoorman. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov calls on Ukrainians to help block spam numbers. "The government recently adopted a resolution that allows operators to block spam numbers. The relevant rules came into force on October 2 - and thousands of spam numbers have already been blocked," Fedorov wrote on the Telegram channel. He explained that spam calls are advertising calls when a company calls without the user's prior consent and advertises a product or service. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that now every Ukrainian can contact their operator and help block the number from which the call was made: Vodafone - in the application or by calling: 111 or 0 800 400 111 in Ukraine, +38 050 400 111 in roaming; Kyivstar - in the application or by calling: 466 or 0 800 300 466 in Ukraine, *105*466# in roaming; LifeCell - in the application or by calling: 5433 or 0 800 20 5433 in Ukraine, +38 063 5433 111 in roaming. He also said that you can either call the government's "hotline" (1545) or submit a request on the National Commission for the Regulation of Electronic Communications' website. "Leave requests and help operators fight spammers," Fedorov wrote. As reported, in June, the Cabinet of Ministers, at the initiative of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, provided operators with tools to combat spam calls and intrusive advertising. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ The Presidents Office of Ukraine has held a meeting with a delegation from Ireland. The discussion focused on strengthening the country's energy resilience, Ireland's support for Ukraine's path to EU membership, and increased sanctions pressure on Russia, the press service of the Presidents Office said.. "Deputy Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Ihor Brusylo held a meeting with the Irish delegation, led by Gerard Keown, Director of the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade," the president's website said on Monday. It is reported that Brusylo provided a detailed account of the consequences of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure and emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine's ability to counter these attacks. "Irish representatives assured of their readiness to strengthen our country's energy resilience," the message reads. Ireland's support for Ukraine's path to EU membership was also discussed. Brusylo noted the importance of opening the first negotiating cluster simultaneously for Ukraine and Moldova. "Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026 opens new opportunities to accelerate the negotiation process. We look forward to close cooperation during this period for Ukraine's European future," he noted. The parties also discussed increasing sanctions pressure on Russia and using frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine. They also discussed the implementation of the Agreement on Support for Ukraine and agreed on a schedule of high-level contacts. Brusylo thanked Ireland for its consistent support of Ukraine, particularly for its recent decision to allocate over EUR 35 million in humanitarian aid. He noted that the funds will be used to build school shelters and a rehabilitation center, as well as to reform school nutrition. PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-14 20:45:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1033 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Axcap Ventures Inc. (CSE:AXCP) ("Axcap" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a proposed a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"), to raise aggregate gross proceeds of $8,160,000. Pursuant to the Offering, the Company intends to issue an aggregate of 48,000,000 Common Shares to a strategic investor (representing a 9.9% investment in the Company upon completion of the Offering), at an issue price of $0.17 per share. The Offering is expected to close on or about October 21, 2025."This financing will be completed at a significant premium to the price at which we completed our September 2025 financing, reflecting continuing investor confidence in our business. With the addition of a new cornerstone investor, we will further strengthen our shareholder base, which will position us to unlock the significant potential of our flagship Converse Gold Project in Nevada, USA. We are very encouraged by this early momentum and the strong support for our vision," said John Dorward, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.The proceeds of the Offering will be used primarily for general corporate purposes, including the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Converse Gold Project, as approved by management of the Company from time to time. A cash finder's fee will be paid by the Company in connection with the Offering. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period four months and a day from the date of issuanceAbout Axcap Venture Inc.Axcap is focused on developing its flagship, Converse Gold Project, a large, underdeveloped gold deposit not owned by a major mining company in Nevada, USA. The Converse Gold Project is located within the prolific Battle Mountain trend containing 5.57Moz Au of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and 0.42Moz Au Inferred Mineral Resources (238mt at 0.539g/t Au for 4.13Moz Measured Mineral Resources; 92mt at 0.487g/t Au for 1.44Moz Indicated, 25mt at 0.528g/t Au for 0.42Moz Inferred Mineral Resources). With decades of expertise in Nevada and globally, our Board and management are focused on unlocking the potential of this project. For further details please refer to our technical report entitled "Amended and Restated NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Update, Converse Property, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA" dated effective February 13, 2025 which is available on our website at www.axcapventures.ca and on our SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca Qualified PersonMr. Blake Mclaughlin, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, Executive Vice President of Development, is considered a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release on behalf of Axcap. Mr. Mclaughlin has verified the data through site visits, inspection of drill core, review of original assay certificates, and confirmation of QA/QC protocols. No limitations were encountered during the verification process, and the data is considered reliable for the purposes of this disclosureFor further information please contact:John DorwardAxcap Ventures Inc. info@ axcapventures.ca Tel: 778-846-9970Cautionary StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the anticipated closing date and the use of gross proceeds from the Offering and mineral resource estimate at the Company's Converse project. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning general economic and industry conditions, applicable laws and regulations, commodity prices, the use of proceeds, and the future business and operational needs of the Company. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, dependency upon regulatory approvals, the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing and exploration risk. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the respective management of Axcap and Taura at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, Axcap does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.Neither the Canadian PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-14 22:50:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1012 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESLONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Gabriel Resources Ltd. (TSXV:GBU) ("Gabriel" or the "Company") announces that the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") has granted the Company an extension to complete its previously announced non-brokered private placement of up to 37,441,457 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.105 per Unit (the "Offering"). The Company now has until November 13, 2025 to complete the Offering.The Company closed the first tranche of the Offering on September 12, 2025 and issued 26,659,886 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of US$2.04 million (approximately C$2.8 million).Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share in the capital of the Company for a period of five (5) years from the date of closing of the Offering at an exercise price of C$0.14 per Common Share.The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, the costs and expenses of pursuing the Company's ICSID annulment application and for critical operational expenses. The Company will not pay any finders' fees in respect of the procurement of arm's length subscribers in connection with the Offering.The Offering is subject to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, including the final approval of the Exchange, and all securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws.For more information on the Offering, please see the Company's press releases dated August 29, 2025, September 2, 2025 and September 12, 2025, which are available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and accordingly may not be offered or sold within the United States or to "U.S. persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act ("U.S. Persons"), except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company's securities to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. Persons.For information on this press release, please contact:Dragos TanasePresident & CEO dt@ gabrielresources.com +1 425 414 9256Simon LustyGroup General Counsel simon.lusty@gabrielresources.com +44 782 599 3401Neither 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.Further InformationAbout GabrielGabriel is a Canadian resource company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's principal business has been the exploration and development of the Rosia Montana gold and silver project in Romania, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Europe. Upon obtaining the License in June 1999, the Group focused substantially all of their management and financial resources on the exploration, feasibility and subsequent development of the Rosia Montana Project. An extension of the exploitation license for the Rosia Montana Project (held by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation S.A., a Romanian company in which Gabriel owns an 80.69% equity interest, with the 19.31% balance held by Minvest Rosia Montana S.A., a Romanian state-owned mining company) was rejected by the competent authority in late June 2024.Forward-looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking information" (also referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company's operating environment. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.In this press release, forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company's actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein.Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the uncertainties associated with: (i) the ongoing proceedings (the "ICSID Annulment Proceedings") concerning the Company's application for annulment of the award dated March 8, 2024 (the "Arbitral Decision") issued in its ICSID arbitration case against Romania (ICSID Case No. ARB/15/31); (ii) future actions taken by the Romanian Government, including in relation to the enforcement of the costs order granted under the Arbitral Decision (the "Costs Order"); (iii) conditions or events impacting the Company's ability to fund its operations (including but not limited to the completion of the potential financing referred to in this press release); and (iv) the overall impact of misjudgments made in good faith in the course of preparing forward-looking information.Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors including those set out below, that may never materialize, prove incorrect or materialize other than as currently contemplated which could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "is of the view", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential", "possibl PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-14 14:00:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 573 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WINSTON-SALEM, NC / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Retail fixture leaderImageworks Display will unveil a dramatically expanded booth at this year's NACS Show October 15-17 in Chicago, IL. The new booth, located at N203, features more than 600 square feet of product display and conversation space. Fixtures on display will include the new ImageWorks Planniq Chill high-grade gravity-fed cooler system.ImageWorks CEO, Justin Raney, who will be hosting high-profile clients at the booth said the new, larger booth was necessary to accommodate the company's rapidly growing portfolio. "C-store merchandisers are increasingly seeking out ImageWorks because we help them achieve an integrated, consistent customer experience," said Raney. "There's a pattern of increased C-store sales tied to whole-store fixture integration, yet that success requires a wide array of product solutions. Our new exhibit space is a powerful way to experience these integrated products. Visitors can see our line of back bar, center store, beer cave, heavy product, cooler, and beverage display solutions all in one place." In addition to Planniq Chill, Raney is encouraging NACS visitors to talk with ImageWorks about what might be possible in collaborative displays. The company has built a reputation for high-quality, multi-vendor endcaps, a cost-effective strategy that's increasingly valued as product margin pressure continues. Exciting new humidor products and the flexible Planniq Queue lane management system also will be on display. They join a growing line of ImageWorks products and services designed to help retailers increase sales, boost profits and delight customers.About ImageWorks DisplaySince 1996,ImageWorks Display has been creating both in-stock and custom retail display solutions within the merchandising industry. Considered a "total store solution" provider with unique expertise and offerings for whole-store integration, ImageWorks Display is known for its high-quality materials, performance engineering, innovative designs, and end-to-end customer service - service that places the client at the center of decision-making.Their customer-centric business philosophy, along with their top-quality display products, have earned ImageWorks Display the privilege of being in many small-business and large-chain convenience stores throughout the U.S. Their back bar Xulta Impact and Xulta Classic products are the standard-setting solutions within the display industry.Their center store gondola solution line includes Planniq Tech , Planniq Core , Planniq Strong , Planniq Chill , Planniq Lock , Planniq Bev , and Planniq Queue . Both the Xulta back bar and Planniq center store product lines maximize dynamic retail environments with elevated and cohesive designs, resulting in increased sales and improved shopper experiences. Another area in which ImageWorks excels is the practical application of product pusher technology. Their pushers are known in the industry as the ones that never break. Strong product pushers and strong pusher tactics combine to help clients increase both sales and profitability.Many clients choose to co-create custom solutions with the ImageWorks Display engineering and design teams. Clients see ImageWorks Display as an extension of their own merchandising team. This design collaboration encourages innovation and creativity, while resulting in highly effective display solutions that stand the test of time.ImageWorks Display offers premium quality fixtures for a range of retail environments, along with strong product support, best-in-class supply chain management, and robust client service for every client partnership it enters. Nothing is more important than enduring relationships with loyal clients. This dedication is at the core of what drives their success. And it's also what assures the success of their highly valued clients.ImageWorks Display Contact Information:Phone: 800 704 3660Email: hello@ imageworksdisplay.com Website: imageworksdisplay.com SOURCE: ImageWorks Display PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-14 21:45:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 655 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 L-Charge, pioneer of off-grid ultra-fast EV charging, appointed Stephen Kelley CEO to accelerate U.S. fleet electrification by scaling Charging-as-a-Service solutions that bypass grid bottlenecks.MENLO PARK, CA / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / L-Charge , pioneer of off-grid ultra-fast EV charging, appointed Stephen Kelley CEO to accelerate U.S. fleet electrification by scaling Charging-as-a-Service solutions that bypass grid bottlenecks. His appointment comes as U.S. fleets face surging electrification demand, heightening the need for scalable off-grid charging solutions. The newly emerging field of off-grid "Charging-as-a-Service" (CaaS) and Power-as-a-Service (PaaS) is rapidly gaining traction as fleets and property owners seek to circumnavigate grid constraints and accelerate the transportation industry's conversion to EVs. L-Charge Off-grid Charging DepotIn the past year alone, L-Charge has delivered more than 3 million kWh to fleets and that energy has powered more than 9 million electric miles, helping operators electrify faster by overcoming grid delays and ensuring cost-predictable charging. Recent deployments include powering 400+ daily charging sessions forTower Mobility 's Los Angeles ride-sharing fleet. Kelley's appointment underscores the company's sharpened focus on scaling partnerships, accelerating deployments, and expanding its Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) and Power-as-a-Service (PaaS) offerings.Mr. Kelley brings more than two decades of clean energy and mobility leadership, including six successful exits. Widely recognized as an entrepreneur in clean energy and mobility, he most recently served as Chief Revenue Officer atInCharge Energy , where he scaled revenues nearly tenfold and secured major fleet and OEM partnerships. He previously co-founded Green Charge Networks (laterEngie Storage ), helping lead its growth and acquisition byEngie . His career spans solar, storage, and e-mobility, consistently turning complex energy challenges into quantifiable customer value. Under Kelley's leadership, L-Charge plans to establish its Charging-as-a-Service and Power-as-a-Service platforms as the preferred alternatives for fleets, enabling them to sidestep costly utility delays and transition to EVs on predictable timelines."L-Charge was created to rethink how fleets access reliable charging when the grid can't keep up," said Dmitry Lashin, Founder and CTO . "Our off-grid technology delivers power immediately, without multi-year delays. With Stephen's experience building and scaling clean-tech companies, we can expand these solutions nationwide and speed the transportation industry's shift to EVs." Leadership for the FutureTo position L-Charge for long-term success, the company has strengthened its leadership team with a balance of growth and continuity:Stephen Kelley,Chief Executive Officer - Growth-focused leader with six start-up exits, deep experience in scaling energy and mobility ventures, and a track record of building high-impact partnerships.Dmitry Lashin,Chief Technology Officer - Founder and technical architect of L-Charge, Dmitry continues to lead innovation and R&D, leveraging 20 years of power generation expertise to ensure the company's technology remains reliable, efficient, and future-ready.Stephen Soroosh,Chief Operating Officer & Head of Product - With more than 25 years in the automotive industry and over a decade bringing innovative products to market, Stephen oversees product development and operations, ensuring seamless execution for fleet and infrastructure partners.Continuity and AccelerationThe leadership realignment emphasizes both continuity of technical vision and accelerated commercial growth. Lashin remains central to technology innovation, while Kelley and Soroosh bring expanded focus to scaling market impact and delivering industry-leading customer experiences."Our goal is not just to deploy chargers, but to solve one of the biggest bottlenecks in U.S. electrification: grid connection delays,"said Stephen Kelley, CEO at L-Charge. "Off-grid CaaS models are the future of rapid fleet electrification, and L-Charge is at the forefront of making that future real." About L-ChargeL-Charge delivers off-grid ultra-fast Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) and Power-as-a-Service (PaaS) to fleets, property owners, and municipalities awaiting grid connection. Powered by RNG and other clean fuels, L-Charge's platforms provide immediate, scalable power where it's needed most - helping fleets avoid grid delays, cut emissions, and electrify faster. In the past year alone, the company delivered over 3 million kWh to fleets across the U.S.For media inquiries, please contact:Ms. Julia Fedorovainfo@ l-charge.net+1 (669) 322 1920 www.l-charge.net SOURCE: L-Charge PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-14 14:00:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 490 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BARCELONA, ES / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Lodgify , the vacation rental management software company, will host the inauguralIndependent Host Summiton Nov. 12, marking a milestone moment for the independent short-term rental (STR) community. The free online event is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants worldwide, making it the biggest virtual gathering built specifically for independent hosts - from side hustlers to full-scale STR businesses."Independent hosts and small-scale property managers are the backbone of the vacation rental industry, but much like running any small business, the work can feel isolating," said Shaun Shirazian, CEO of Lodgify. "This Summit is about turning independence into community - giving hosts a space to share experiences, gain practical insights, and walk away ready to grow their businesses on their own terms." Program Highlights:A three-part program with workshops, strategy sessions, and technology talks designed for every stage of hosting - from the first booking to building a brand that lasts.Insights from industry partners, including Baselane, Booking.com , PriceLabs, and Turno.Real-world perspectives from hosts Mercedes Sanchez (MBX Homes, Los Angeles) and Kerri Gibson (Chalets Hygge).An exclusive first look at Lodgify 2.0 and the company's 2026 product roadmap."The Independent Host Summit is about more than just stories - it's about helping small hosts design their businesses the way they want them to be," said Kerri Gibson, owner of Chalets Hygge and a featured speaker at the Summit. "The guidance is practical and actionable, so no matter where you are in your hosting journey, you walk away with ideas you can use right away." Attendees will gain early access to tools shaping the next stage of the industry, while the event underscores Lodgify's vision to make hosting effortless - less to manage, more to love - and the growing influence of independent operators in a space often led by larger platforms.The Independent Host Summit will be hosted entirely online, making it accessible to hosts worldwide.Event DetailsDate: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2025Time: 9 a.m. PST / 6 p.m. CETLocation: OnlineCost: FreeRegister hereAbout Lodgify Lodgifyis an all-in-one vacation rental management platform that empowers independent hosts and property managers with the tools to grow their businesses. The platform enables hosts, regardless of their level of technical knowledge or experience, to easily create their own website, accept direct bookings and payments, and synchronize all of their property data, reservations, and guest communications across major OTA channels like Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com , Expedia, Google Vacation Rentals, and more. It centralizes all property management tasks so hosts can prioritize increasing occupancy and visibility and providing excellent service to their guests. Lodgify was founded in Barcelona, Spain in 2012 and now has over 330 employees working remotely across the world. For more information, visitwww.lodgify.com Media Contacts Andrea Oliveiraandrea@ oliveirahousepr.comorpress@lodgify.com Contact InformationAndrea Oliveira Public Relations (Press Contact)andrea@ oliveirahousepr.com Alberto Fernandez SEO & Content Leadalberto@ lodgify.com +34933938103SOURCE: Lodgify PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-14 13:59:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 887 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Julius Ladeira Appointed to Lead Market Entry into Latin America's Largest Healthcare Market; Sao Paulo Conference Scheduled for October 2-3, 2025LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Regenerative Medical Technologies Group, Inc. (OTCID:RMTG), a global leader in regenerative medicine solutions, today announced the expansion of its operations into Brazil through a strategic representation agreement with Julius Ladeira. The collaboration brings the full scope of RMTG's divisions-including ISSCA (International Society for Stem Cell Application) and CELLGENIC biologics-into Latin America's largest and most dynamic healthcare market.Market Opportunity and Strategic Positioning:Brazil represents one of the most significant healthcare markets in Latin America, with more than 600,000 physicians and an estimated 50,000 physicians already engaged in preventive and regenerative practices. Approximately 30,000 physicians currently incorporate regenerative approaches into their daily work, creating substantial demand for RMTG's integrated education, product distribution, and certification programs.Strategic Partnership Structure:Market Leadership: Julius Ladeira appointed as official representative to oversee ISSCA educational programs, CELLGENIC product distribution, and GSCG initiatives across BrazilLocal Operations: Strategic response to Brazil's import tax environment, enabling cost-effective local presence and product delivery to expanding physician networkEducational Platform: First major ISSCA Brazil conference scheduled for Sao Paulo October 2-3, 2025, bringing hands-on training and certification programs to local marketProduct Distribution: CELLGENIC portfolio including exosomes, MSCs, and platelet-rich plasma kits now accessible to Brazilian physicians and clinicsRevenue Streams: Multiple revenue channels through training fees, product sales, certification programs, and ongoing physician support across Brazil's 600,000+ physician marketNetwork Expansion: Brazil appointment adds to RMTG's global footprint spanning 30+ countries, including recent Dominican Republic, northern Argentina/Paraguay, and Cancun manufacturing facility developments"We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with a leading Brazilian medical executive, marking a significant milestone for RMTG and Global Stem Cells Group as we expand into the vibrant Brazilian market," said David Christensen, CEO of RMTG. "Brazil's regenerative medicine sector holds immense potential, but navigating its complexities-particularly the high import taxes that necessitate local operations-has required a thoughtful approach. This agreement not only enables us to establish a strong local presence but also appoints Julius Ladeira as our official representative in Brazil. With his expertise and deep understanding of the regional landscape, Julius will be instrumental in driving our mission to deliver innovative stem cell therapies to patients across the country. We look forward to fostering growth, innovation, and accessibility in regenerative medicine through this collaboration." Physician Education and Market Development:The October 2-3, 2025 Sao Paulo conference represents the first major ISSCA educational event in Brazil, expected to attract national and international experts while providing Brazilian physicians access to certification programs and advanced regenerative medicine training. The event creates immediate revenue opportunities through registration fees while establishing RMTG's educational platform in the market."It is with great satisfaction that we welcome ISSCA, CELLGENIC, and the Global Stem Cells Group into Brazil," said Julius Ladeira, RMTG's representative in Brazil. "We expect this partnership to be of great importance not only for the Group but also for Brazil as a whole. Our market has extraordinary potential, and we believe this initiative may bring real opportunities for growth and collaboration." Strategic Market Entry and Long-Term Growth:For years, Brazilian physicians have traveled internationally for ISSCA training and advanced regenerative medicine technologies. The local representation agreement brings these opportunities directly into Brazil, creating accessible training, certification, and biologic solutions while reducing costs associated with international travel and import barriers."We are hopeful that this new representation will mark the beginning of a long-term partnership that benefits both physicians and patients in Brazil," said Benito Novas, CEO of Global Stem Cells Group, Founder of ISSCA and CELLGENIC. "Now, we expect to bring these opportunities directly into the country, creating local access to training, certification, and biologic solutions. We are hopeful that this event will serve as the first of many collaborative milestones in Brazil." The Brazil expansion aligns with RMTG's recent operational momentum, including Q1 2025 sales of $1.35M representing 67% growth with operational profits of $134,000. The Company's proven affiliate model generates revenue through upfront membership fees, product sales, training programs, and ongoing support, with Brazil's large physician population representing substantial growth potential.About RMTG:RMTG operates through its Global Stem Cells Group subsidiary across more than 30 countries, distributing regenerative medicine solutions worldwide while specializing in physician education through its ISSCA platform. The Company's CELLGENIC brand offers a comprehensive portfolio of regenerative medicine products including exosomes, MSCs, and platelet-rich plasma kits produced under rigorous quality protocols. RMTG's integrated approach combines clinical operations, product distribution, manufacturing capabilities, and medical education to capitalize on the rapidly expanding global regenerative medicine market. To learn more, visit www.stemcellsgroup.com CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThe information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Regenerative Medical Technologies Group, Inc. (the "Company"). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. As such, there are no assurances whatsoever that the Company will meet its expectations with respect to future revenues, market expansion in Brazil, representative appointments, product distribution success, conference attendance, or training program enrollment. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no re PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-14 21:30:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 503 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Rockpoint Legal Funding, one of the nation's leading consumer legal funding companies, proudly celebrates Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of AB 931, the California Consumer Legal Funding Act. Rockpoint Legal Funding Rockpoint Legal Funding LogoThis landmark legislation, authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and championed by the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), establishes long-awaited statewide standards for consumer legal funding - ensuring transparency, fairness, and strong consumer protections while preserving vital access to financial relief for Californians pursuing justice.Rockpoint extends its deepest gratitude to the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) for their advocacy and leadership in advancing this critical legislation, as well as to Assemblymember Kalra for his vision and Governor Newsom for signing AB 931 into law."CAOC's unwavering commitment to protecting consumers and promoting fairness in the justice system was instrumental in making AB 931 a reality," Ramtin Ghaneeian, Founder of Rockpoint Legal Funding, said. "We are honored to have stood beside them in this historic effort." Rockpoint was at the forefront of the collaborative effort that led to AB 931's passage, working closely with CAOC, Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding (ARC), and key legislative stakeholders to craft a bill that balances consumer protection with access to funding."We are proud to have worked alongside Rockpoint Legal in advancing AB 931," said Casey Johnson, CAOC 1st Vice President and Legislative Chair, "This collaboration culminated in landmark consumer protections and a fairer marketplace for those seeking justice." As one of the most trusted names in consumer legal funding, Rockpoint has long advocated for clear, ethical standards governing funding practices. The company's collaboration and transparency helped shape AB 931 into a model statute for responsible regulation.About the California Consumer Legal Funding Act (AB 931)Effective January 1, 2026, AB 931 recognizes consumer legal funding as a non-recourse, consumer-centered financial service, distinct from traditional loans and litigation financing. The new law provides comprehensive protections, including:Caps on funding charges that cannot accrue beyond 36 months.Mandatory plain-language contracts with full itemization of charges and clear repayment schedules.A five-business-day cancellation right without penalty.Strict prohibitions on referral fees or financial arrangements between attorneys and funding companies.A clear prohibition against funding companies influencing legal strategy or settlement decisions."AB 931 ensures that consumers have access to transparent, ethical, and properly regulated legal funding options," Ghaneeian added. "It provides peace of mind to those waiting for their day in court and establishes California as a national leader in consumer protection." About Rockpoint Legal FundingRockpoint Legal Fundingis a California-based company providing non-recourse consumer legal funding to help plaintiffs cover essential living and medical expenses while their cases progress. Leveraging advanced technology and a customer-first approach, Rockpoint delivers fast, transparent, and ethical funding solutions. The company also supports law firms and healthcare providers, maintaining one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.For more information visit: www.rockpointlegalfunding.com Contact InformationRamtin GhaneeianOwner, Rockpoint Legal Fundingpr@ rockpointlegal.com (213) 657-6500SOURCE: Rockpoint Legal Funding PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-14 20:05:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 632 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Riverflow 1 sets a new benchmark for design-grade image editing, delivering production-level precision that surpasses all other models.MANCHESTER, UK / ACCESS Newswire / October 14, 2025 / Sourceful today announced Riverflow 1, a new AI model built for image editing with design-grade precision.In benchmark testing conducted by Artificial Analysis, Riverflow achieved state-of-the-art performance, ranking number one globally for image editing and outperforming leading models across a wide range of tasks.Riverflow was designed to give creators, designers, and developers greater control over visual edits. It supports complex retouching, object replacement, colour correction, lighting adjustment, transparency controls, and text refinement with a level of reliability that general-purpose image generators cannot match.Built to meet the exacting needs of professional design work, Riverflow delivers accuracy that holds up under close scrutiny and translates faithfully into real-world output. The model is now available to developers and visual platforms worldwide through Runware's API, with additional integrations planned later this year.Within Sourceful's own platform, Riverflow powers a specialised application focused on branded packaging and marketing assets. The model grew from Sourceful's mission to push the limits of image editing for designs destined for physical print, where millimetre accuracy and consistent colour are essential.In 2025, an estimated 8.8 trillion pieces of branded packaging, marketing, and merchandise will be printed worldwide across nearly 390 million unique designs. Riverflow enables Sourceful users to iterate and visualise these designs faster while maintaining production-ready standards.Sourceful's user base is evenly split between professional designers and non-designers. Both groups use the platform to explore ideas, refine brand worlds, and produce marketing visuals that once required agency budgets and long timelines. Riverflow gives them access to professional-grade accuracy directly in the browser."We have been working with generative AI since 2023, but this is the first time we have benchmarked our own models against the global leaders," said Wing Chan, CEO and co-founder of Sourceful. "Riverflow delivers something new: the speed and creativity of AI combined with the precision required for production-quality design." "Working with Sourceful has fully tested our infrastructure and demonstrated the potential of Riverflow," said Ioana Hreninciuc, co-founder of Runware. "Their focus on latency and pixel-level control made it a perfect showcase for our Sonic Inference Engine, custom built for AI workloads to deliver the best speed and cost efficiency in the industry. We are proud to be their launch partner and look forward to future collaborations." Riverflow marks a key milestone in Sourceful's mission to bring state-of-the-art AI precision to the physical and digital worlds of brand design, while also contributing a high-performance, benchmark-leading model to the broader developer community.Riverflow 1 is available today inside the Sourceful web platform at www.sourceful.com and via the Runware API. Sourceful plans to expand Riverflow with additional model variants and updates later this year.RIVERFLOW IMAGE EDITING EXAMPLESNOTES TO EDITORSSourceful is a technology company headquartered in Manchester, England. Its platform helps brands design and produce shelf-ready packaging and visual assets across sectors including food and beverage, beauty, electronics, fashion, and home. Sourceful's agentic platform guides users from ideation to print-ready artwork files that can be sent directly to suppliers. The company is backed by Index Ventures, Coatue Management, and Eka Ventures.Riverflow 1 is a new family of models from Sourceful available to developers via API. These models deliver higher accuracy and greater consistency for complex image editing tasks.Runware delivers AI-as-a-Service at up to 90% lower cost and with higher speed than competitors. Built for scale, the service has powered more than 4 billion creations for 100K+ developers and 250M+ end users worldwide, including clients such as Higgsfield, NightCafe, and OpenArt. Founded in 2023 and headquartered in San Francisco, Runware is backed by Insight Partners and a16z Speedrun. Learn more at runware.ai Email - press@ sourceful.com SOURCE: Sourceful Ltd Information that the government has determined the date of the heating season in Ukraine from November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 is not true, the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine said on Monday. "The decision on the start of the heating season is made by local governments, based on the outdoor air temperature," the department noted. In particular, by decision of local governments in 15 regions and in Kyiv city, heating of certain social facilities has already begun: kindergartens, schools, hospitals, etc. "Please note that the recommended start for heating is when the average daily temperature remains below plus 8 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days," the Ministry emphasized. The Ministry of Development explained that Government Resolution No. 1267 of October 8, 2025, "On Amendments to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of July 19, 2022, No. 812," does not determine the dates of the beginning or end of the heating season for thermal energy producers or consumers. The agency noted that "this is solely about extending the terms of supply of natural gas and fixed prices for natural gas for thermal energy producers to meet the needs of the population and budget institutions from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026." Thus, the document guarantees uninterrupted gas supply at constant prices to heat energy producers throughout the heating season, in particular for the production of heat energy: for the needs of the population UAH 7,420 including VAT per 1,000 cubic meters, and for the needs of budget institutions UAH 16,390 including VAT per 1,000 cubic meters. PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-14 03:10:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 488 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY AND NEW ORLEANS / ACCESS Newswire / October 13, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilDecember 8, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against WPP plc (NYSE:WPP), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between February 27, 2025 and July 8, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased shares of WPP and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-wpp/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byDecember 8, 2025 .About the LawsuitWPP and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On July 9, 2025, the Company published a trading update for the first half of 2025, disclosing that it had allegedly "seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed" due to both "continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated," as well as "some distraction to the business" as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media a.k.a. GroupM. The Company further disclosed that its CEO "will retire from the Board and as CEO on 31 December 2025."On this news, the price of WPP's shares fell from a closing price of $35.82 per share on July 8, 2025 to $29.34 per share on July 9, 2025, a decline of about 18.1% in the span of just a single day.The case is Marty v. WPP plc, 25-cv-08365.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, New Jersey, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC The family of the late Bilyaminu Bello has expressed outrage and deep disappointment over the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted of his murder. In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Bello Mohammed on behalf of the family, the decision was described as the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through for a loved one. Ms Sanda was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, late Mr Bello, in their Abuja home on 19 November 2017. According to the family, they had chosen to remain silent for years, respecting the judicial process and considering the couples children. However, the presidential pardon compelled them to speak out. Presidential pardon President Bola Tinubu had granted state pardon and clemency to 175 convicted persons including drug offenders serving various sentences. The move has since sparked widespread controversy. Some were granted full pardons, while others, including notorious kidnappers and murderers, had their sentences commuted or reduced. The list also includes illegal miners, white-collar convicts, remorseful drug offenders, foreigners, according to presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. Ms Sanda, now 37, had spent six years eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before her release. According to Mr Onanuga, the decision followed pleas from her family, who argued that freeing her was in the best interest of her two children. Ms Sanda, a mother of two, had stabbed the late Mr Bello to death with a broken groundnut bottle in the neck, chest and genitals after accusing him of infidelity. According to a witness during the murder trial, the convict had earlier been prevented from stabbing the deceased with the same bottle by a visitor on the same day. The conviction was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in 2020 and 2023, respectively. Disappointment The family accused President Tinubu of inflicting pain on them by extending mercy to the convict citing appeals from her family as the basis of the pardon. They expressed that this decision disregards the gravity of the crime and the suffering of the victims loved ones. This latest turn of events, coming just a few years after the dastardly crime that cruelly cut short Bilyaminus life has, however, reopened our healing wounds, the statement reads. To have Maryam Sanda walk the face of the earth again, free from any blemish for her heinous crime as if she had merely squashed an ant, is the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through for a loved one. We are, therefore, compelled to issue this formal statement to humanise Bilyaminu, who is now suddenly being made to appear as if he is just another faceless anonymous individual in the long line of victims of crimes in the country: a mere statistical figure. The family stressed that the deceased was not just another victim of crime but a cherished family member who was profoundly loved and deeply mourned by his teeming relations, friends and close associates following the unfortunate incident. Mr Mohammed noted that while they are deeply hurt they find solace in the ultimate comprehensive justice from the creator. The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the growing concerns over incessant and arbitrary charges imposed on bank customers by commercial banks across the country. The resolution followed a motion moved by Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara) during Tuesdays plenary, who drew the attention of lawmakers to the rising wave of exploitative deductions experienced by Nigerian account holders. In his motion, Mr Shagaya noted that complaints from bank customers have become more frequent, with several Nigerians expressing frustration over unexplained, duplicated, or excessive deductions by their banks. He observed that while banks are authorised to provide financial services at fair and transparent costs, most customers now face multiple charges, including SMS alert fees, card and account maintenance fees, inter-bank transfer charges, stamp duties, and other unexplained debits. These deductions are either duplicated or unaccounted for, he said. Mr Shagaya lamented that despite the Central Bank of Nigerias (CBN) tariff guidelines designed to regulate bank charges, most financial institutions continue to flout the rules with impunity. The lawmaker expressed worry that the persistent deductions have worsened the financial strain on Nigerians, especially low-income earners, students, small business owners, and vulnerable groups, who already struggle to cope with the rising cost of living. He warned that if left unchecked, the trend would continue to erode public trust in the financial system and undermine the CBNs financial inclusion goals, which aim to bring more citizens into the formal banking sector. If this trend is not urgently investigated, it will continue to erode public opinion, Mr Shagaya cautioned. Resolutions Following the lead debate, the House resolved to take concrete steps to protect Nigerian consumers from exploitative banking practices. The lawmakers urged the CBN to publish a comprehensive and simplified list of all approved bank charges to enhance transparency and public understanding. They also urged CBN to strictly enforce penalties against any bank found to be in violation of approved tariffs and establish an accessible redress mechanism through which customers can lodge complaints about illegal or excessive charges. The House further called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and other relevant agencies to launch a nationwide awareness campaign to educate Nigerians, especially small businesses and rural customers, on their rights regarding bank charges and how to seek redress. To ensure accountability, the House mandated its Committee on Banking Regulations to urgently invite the CBN and major commercial banks for a public hearing to address the allegations of arbitrary and incessant deductions. The committee is to investigate the growing pattern of exploitative bank charges and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action. Longstanding issue of bank fees Over the years, Nigerians have complained about excessive bank charges, with some financial experts noting that the aggregate cost of maintaining a simple account in Nigeria is among the highest in Africa. Despite several interventions and circulars by the CBN to standardise charges, many customers continue to experience unexplained deductions, often attributed to system upgrades or regulatory fees. Consumer protection advocates have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement mechanisms, arguing that without clear penalties, banks would continue to exploit loopholes at the expense of millions of customers. With this new legislative move, the House aims to force transparency and fairness in the financial sector and compel the CBN to ensure that banking operations in Nigeria prioritise customer protection over profit motives. The White Space Creative Foundation has unveiled the Fela Rebellion Exhibition in Lagos, showcasing the Afrobeat icon, Fela Kutis genealogy, lifestyle, legacy, and enduring influence. The Fela Rebellion exhibition, which debuted in Paris in 2022, was unveiled in Lagos on Sunday. It captures Felas life journey and iconic Kalakuta Republic in art, inscriptions, and pictorial form. Afrobeat Rebellion. The exhibition, which celebrates Felas life, family, music, and legacy, began on Sunday and will end on 28 December at Felabration Hall, Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos. The 12 October evening featured live performances by Ezra Collective and Seun Kuti and unveiled the exhibitions Legacy Programmes, including The Talks, Kalakuta Cinema, Studio Sessions, and Young Rebels Corner. In the coming days, the exhibition will also include concerts, talks, childrens programmes, spoken word competitions, and training sessions to build creative capacity for the next generation. Fela Exhibitions The Fela exhibition is divided into ten sections, beginning with Felas early life and family history, then exploring Lagos Baby, which highlights Lagos vital influence on his music and activism. Another section focuses on the Afrobeats legend, daily life, and the creation of the Kalakuta Republic, which symbolised resistance and the vision of an activist. Speaking at the Fela Exhibition on Sunday, Papa Omotayo, the founder of the White Space Creative Foundation, explained the collaboration with Manuela Harang, the French cultural attache, which birthed the exhibition of the music icon. Mr Omotayo, an architect, reiterated Felas spirit of resistance as a force for change, highlighting the need to amplify his powerful voice and preserve his legacy for younger generations. There are many amazing cultural icons in Nigerian history that must be celebrated similarly. I hope this exhibition helps us understand how there are people in our history with powerful voices that we need to preserve and share with the next generation. I hope this happens to many more Nigerian icons and artists. I think the idea that there is always another way and the importance of resistance significantly impact Fela. If you feel something is happening that you do not like, you must resist, because resistance is a power to make change. And I think Fela represents the idea that your voice is powerful. Also, the Fela family has been very supportive, and its important that they tell their fathers story. I also discover something new every time I come because the exhibition is extensive and rich with history, he said. ALSO READ: Fela Kuti becomes first Nigerian inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame Speaking further on Felas legacy, the creative artist stated that the exhibition preserves past histories and connects them with the next generations of arts and music. I think his impact is already there; if you ask any Nigerian musician, theyll say Fela was the greatest. This exhibition allows the younger generation to understand his power and legacy. We also have a Young Rebels programme and Little Fela for kids to learn about him, his music, and Nigeria, he said. Fela Kuti Fela was a legendary Nigerian musician and pioneer of Afrobeat, known for songs like Zombie, Water No Get Enemy, and Sorrow, Tears and Blood. He used his music as a tool for activism, challenging political oppression and societal wrongdoings, and has been celebrated since he passed away in 1997. The army in Madagascar has seized control of the government following a parliamentary vote to remove the President, Andry Rajoelina, who has also fled the country. Al Jazeera reports that a military colonel, Michael Randrianirina, announced the takeover on Tuesday, standing in front of the ceremonial presidential palace in the countrys capital, Antananarivo. We have taken the power, Mr Randrianirina was quoted to have said. The colonel also disclosed that the military was dissolving all institutions, except the lower house of parliament, and that it would form a council composed of officers from the army and the gendarmerie. The constitution and the powers of the High Constitutional Court have been suspended. Mr Randrianirina said a referendum would be held in two years, although the details remain unclear. He said the prime minister would also be appointed to carry out the transition to a civilian government. Mr Rajoelina had fled the country on Sunday after units of the army defected from the government to side with Gen Z protesters demanding his resignation. The protest in the former French colony began on 25 September over water and power shortages. It, however, escalated into a protest over broader grievances, such as corruption, poor governance, and a lack of basic services. On Monday, thousands of people gathered in a square in the capital, shouting the president must quit now. The protest is similar to recent demonstrations in other countries, like Nepal, where the prime minister had to resign last month. Mr Rajoelina had flown out of the country on a French military aircraft and had struck a deal with President Emmanuel Macron, Reuters reports. Mr Rajoelina has been the president of Madagascar since 2023. Before that, he also served as president from 2019 to 2023, and earlier during a transitional government from 2009 to 2014. Tensions had grown during his last administration as he began to lose the support of CAPSAT the elite military unit that had helped him seize power in the 2009 coup. It, however, escalated after the military unit rejected instructions to shoot at the protesters and instead, escorted thousands of demonstrators in the main square of the capital. In response to mounting pressure, Mr Rajoelina tried to dissolve the National Assembly by decree, but the lower house of parliament initiated impeachment proceedings and voted to remove him. Meanwhile, in a speech broadcast on social media on Monday night, Mr Rajoelina said he fled the country in fear for his life and has settled in a safe location. Ahmed Bello, the father of late Bilyaminu Bello, said he has forgiven his daughter-in-law, Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for his sons murder. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr Bello said he welcomed President Bola Tinubus decision to grant Ms Sanda a presidential pardon, the Punch newspaper reported. Mr Bello added that he had earlier appealed for clemency on her behalf. I have left everything to God, the deceaseds father said during the meeting. Mr Tinubu had earlier granted state pardon and clemency to 175 convicted persons, including drug offenders serving various sentences. Ms Sanda, one of those pardoned, was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, the late Bilyaminu Bello, in their Abuja home on 19 November 2017. Ms Sanda, a mother of two, had stabbed the late Mr Bello to death with a broken groundnut bottle in the neck, chest and genitals after accusing him of infidelity. According to a witness during the murder trial, the convict had earlier been prevented from stabbing the deceased with the same bottle by a visitor on the same day. The conviction was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in 2020 and 2023, respectively. Forgiveness, peace The latest development follows the familys initial condemnation of the presidential pardon. The family had in a statement described Mr Tinubus decision as the worst possible injustice any family could be subjected to for a loved one. However, speaking at the press conference, the bereaved father said he had written to the police and the attorney general before the courts pronouncement to discontinue the trial and to seek clemency for his daughter-in-law. Mr Bello said the development means that his prayers have been answered, adding that her reintroduction into society would enable her to look after her children. We as Muslims accept whatever comes from almighty Allah. I have forgiven her and bear no grudges against the federal government or her family, he said. READ ALSO: Family of Bilyaminu Bello condemns presidential pardon for convicted killer Maryam Sanda Vengeance cannot bring back my son, but forgiveness can bring peace. Presidential pardon The presidential pardon has since elicited widespread controversy. Some were granted full pardons, while others, including notorious kidnappers and murderers, had their sentences commuted or reduced. The list also includes illegal miners, white-collar convicts, remorseful drug offenders, foreigners, according to presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. Ms Sanda, now 37, had spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before her release. According to Mr Onanuga, the decision followed pleas from her family, who argued that freeing her was in the best interest of her two children. The federal government has announced plans to establish additional cancer centres and enhance funding for cancer treatment to improve healthcare access and reduce burdens for patients across Nigeria. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, said this at the 2025 International Cancer Week, hosted by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) in Abuja on Tuesday. The events theme was Redefining the Future of Cancer: Prevention, Access and Equity for All, aligning with global efforts to close gaps in cancer care, especially in low-resource settings. Mr Salako, represented by Wale Junaid, Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, said the government is reviewing recommendations from the Nigeria imPACT Review report to transform cancer care delivery nationwide. He said reforms to the National Cancer Health Fund are underway to improve programme efficiency and impact, ensuring better outcomes for cancer patients and reducing treatment delays across the system. Additional cancer centres are being considered for establishment and existing ones are being upgraded to reduce patient loads and the rising burden of cancer nationwide, the minister said. Mr Salako emphasised the importance of cancer prevention, equity, and access to healthcare, calling for improved strategies to ensure no Nigerian was left behind in the fight against cancer. President Tinubu is committed to ensuring every Nigerian, regardless of status, enjoys access to quality health services. On this promise, there is no going back until its fully achieved, he stated. In his remark, the Director-General of NICRAT, Usman Malami-Aliyu, revealed that more than 20 memoranda of understanding had been signed with global cancer experts since NICRATs inception two years ago. Mr Malami-Aliyu said those partnerships had strengthened cancer research capacity, enabling translational and implementation research vital for understanding and managing cancer trends and treatments within the Nigerian context. He announced the launch of the SINCCAR Initiative, targeting institutional cancer research development across Nigerias six geopolitical zones through training, funding, and equipment support for early-career researchers. The first phase of the programme has equipped hospitals with cancer-related research tools and delivered capacity-building sessions to researchers within the countrys growing cancer ecosystem, he said. NICRAT has also awarded N10 million seed grants per project to successful researchers, promoting impactful, homegrown cancer research for evidence-based interventions. The Chairperson of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ibrahim Oloriegbe, highlighted the devastating physical, emotional and financial toll cancer imposed on patients and their families across socioeconomic classes. Mr Oloriegbe noted that even affluent Nigerians struggled to afford treatment, while late presentation of cases continued to drive preventable deaths, in spite of increasing knowledge and advancements in cancer care. Cancer is not a death sentence, he said. If cases are detected early and treatment is accessible, many patients should survive. We need better access and timely interventions for all. He called for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, equitable access to cancer care, and availability of essential medical equipment to improve outcomes and reduce disparities across the country. Anuja Jinghran, a radiation oncologist from MD Anderson Cancer Centre, US, stressed that cervical cancer was preventable but remained the fourth most common cancer affecting women globally. Ms Jinghran advocated for stronger HPV vaccination policies, improved access to screening, timely treatment of precancerous lesions, and greater advocacy to meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) cervical cancer elimination goal. Chioma Uzodinma, First Lady of Imo State and Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), called for an inclusive, sustainable approach to tackling cancer beyond isolated initiatives. She said FLAC is focused on expanding community screening, raising awareness, and forging strategic partnerships to strengthen cancer care infrastructure and support systems across Nigeria. (NAN) President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said the solid minerals sector generated over N38 billion in revenue in 2024, up from the N6 billion it generated the previous year. The president disclosed this at the 10th edition of Nigeria Mining Week 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday. Over the past year and a half, our administration has taken bold steps to reform the solid minerals sector, making it a new engine of growth, he said. Already, our reforms have led to a dramatic upswing: in 2024, the solid minerals sector generated over N38 billion in revenue, up from N6 billion the previous year, a six-fold increase achieved through improved policy and oversight, he added. Mr Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, said Nigeria, despite being blessed with an abundance of commercially viable minerals, has underutilised her resources for too long, and they barely contribute to the GDP. He noted that his administration prioritises local value creation, job growth, energy access, and economic resilience. We are determined to create an economy that works for all Nigerians, where industries process our raw materials here at home, small businesses thrive in global supply chains, and millions of dignified jobs are created for our youths. He added that the mining sector is vital to this vision, which involves stimulating local industries, creating employment opportunities and generating revenue for infrastructural development. Speaking further, the president said there was a time when cities like Jos and Enugu were renowned for their tin and coal, when the country was a significant exporter of minerals, adding that the oil boom led to an over-reliance on a single commodity. We must never again allow the fate of our economy to rest on one resource. Our administration is committed to diversification, ensuring that the wealth beneath our feet benefits our people. We made the historic decision to increase the 2025 national budget by N4.5 trillion, with an extra N1 trillion earmarked for the solid minerals sector, he added. This, the president said, is the most significant single investment in Nigerias mining industry by any administration, adding that these funds are being channelled towards geo-scientific exploration, detailed geological surveys, and the development of critical infrastructure to unlock the countrys mineral-rich regions. This investment will enhance our economic resilience by reducing our dependence on volatile oil markets and creating alternative revenue streams for the nation. It will also ensure regional equity by spurring development in resource-rich but underdeveloped areas, boosting rural economies, and supporting the processing and export of minerals to increase our foreign exchange earnings, Mr Tinubu said. According to him, Nigerias mining aspirations are tied to Africas broader effort to move from exporting raw materials to creating finished products and innovation hubs. Africa is home to approximately 30 per cent of the worlds known mineral reserves and also holds significant deposits of the critical minerals that could power global energy transition in the 21st century. Our government has taken steps to improve security in regions where mining activities are ongoing, working to eliminate banditry and conflict that threaten both people and projects, he noted. He, however, called on policymakers, industry leaders, foreign partners, and citizens to play their part, noting that the federal government will continue to provide visionary leadership and an enabling environment. President Bola Tinubus decision to grant state pardon and clemency to about 50 convicted drug offenders has stirred widespread controversy, with critics warning that it sends mixed signals about Nigerias commitment to its anti-narcotics campaign. The pardoned individuals, part of a broader list of 175 inmates approved for clemency by the Council of State last Thursday, were convicted of offences including drug trafficking, importation, and possession of illicit substances such as cocaine, heroin, cannabis, tramadol, and Indian hemp. According to the presidency, the clemency followed recommendations by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, which cited remorse, good conduct, and acquisition of vocational skills by the beneficiaries. Some were granted full pardons, while others, including notorious kidnappers and murderers, had their sentences commuted or reduced. The list also includes illegal miners, white-collar convicts, remorseful drug offenders, foreigners, said presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga. President Tinubu granted clemency to most of them based on the reports that the convicts had shown remorse and good conduct. He forgave some due to old age, the acquisition of new vocational skills, or enrolment in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). A PREMIUM TIMES review shows that drug-related offenders made up about 29 per cent of the 175 convicts granted clemency. Mixed signal for anti-drug agencies Observers say the pardons may send conflicting signals to Nigerias anti-narcotics agencies, especially the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which has in recent years ramped up its campaigns against drug trafficking and abuse. In coordinated raids last week, the NDLEA intercepted 300,000 pills of Exol-5, ampoules of pentazocine, and capsules of tramadol in Niger and Kaduna states, according to its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi. Such operations suggest the agency is still pursuing a hard line against illicit substances even as some convicted offenders are being released under presidential clemency. The agencys chairman, Buba Marwa, has consistently said the NDLEA would pursue traffickers without fear or favour. Also, PREMIUM TIMES reported the recent seizure of cocaine worth almost a trillion naira off the West African coast with global agencies calling on Nigeria to do more to check drug trafficking on its waters. The clemency granted by the president has, however, raised concerns that such enforcement gains could be eroded if drug offenders are released prematurely. The presidents power to grant clemency is constitutionally backed and has been used in past administrations. Proponents argue it allows for mercy in cases of extreme age, terminal illness, exemplary behaviour while incarcerated, or systemic injustice in sentencing. However, critics caution that the mass pardon of drug convicts risks appearing to soften the states posture towards narcotics. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said clemency to drug offenders undermines justice and emboldens criminality. Extending clemency to individuals convicted of grave crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption not only diminishes the sanctity of justice but also sends a dangerous signal to the public and the international community about the values this government upholds, At a time when Nigeria continues to reel under the weight of insecurity, moral decay, and a surge in drug-related offences, it is both shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritise clemency for those whose actions have directly undermined national stability and social order, Mr Atiku wrote on X. He said the move was particularly troubling given Nigerias struggle with rising drug use and the lingering reputational damage from past drug-related controversies linked to government officials. It is both shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritise clemency for those whose actions have directly undermined national stability and social order, he said. Even more disturbing is the moral irony that this act of clemency is coming from a President whose own past remains clouded by unresolved and unexplained issues relating to the forfeiture of thousands of dollars to the United States government over drug-related investigations. It is, therefore, no surprise that this administration continues to demonstrate a worrying tolerance for individuals associated with criminal enterprise. Rising drug crisis Nigeria has witnessed a surge in drug use and trafficking in the past decade. A 2018 NBS survey estimated that 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 1564, about 14.3 million people, had used psychoactive substances, doubling the global average. Substances such as cannabis, tramadol, codeine, methamphetamine, and cocaine dominate the market, with southern states seeing rising abuse among youth. The NDLEA also said drug-linked crimes, including terrorism and kidnapping, have surged as traffickers use drug proceeds to fund violence. The agency has since expanded its footprint to border communities, airports, and seaports, and intensified cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the US DEA. Between 2021 and 2024, the NDLEA seized 9,959,340.9 kilograms of hard drugs, and 57,792 suspects were arrested during the same period. The agency also recorded 10,572 convictions within the period under review. Total summary of arrests, seizures, prosecution, and DDR from January 2021 to December 2024: Arrest, 57,792 including 65 drug barons; seizures, 9,959,340.9kg, convictions 10,572, counselled and rehab, 22,047, war against drug abuse in schools, etc, 9,239, number of participants 3,333, 678, cannabis farms destruction, 1,229.3, NDLEA said in February. In 2024 alone, the agency secured 3,427 convictions, counselled and rehabilitated 8,129 persons, provided 1,808,116 public enlightenment, and conducted 3,812 WADA lectures in schools. Additionally, 220 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed. The agency also intensified demand-reduction campaigns, drug education in schools, and community outreach under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, targeting youth and rural populations. Critics said the presidential clemency, even though constitutionally backed, risks diluting the deterrent effect of NDLEAs hard-won victories. Expressing concerns about the presidential pardon, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong described the move as one that will embolden criminality and weaken the countrys justice system. Mr Effiong told PREMIUM TIMES that the presidents decision raised moral and legal questions about the message being sent to Nigerians and law enforcement agencies. My perception is that this pardon the President has issued is basically going to embolden criminality in the country, he said. READ ALSO: Nigeria customs intercepts N700 million illicit drugs in Katsina The lawyer explained that under Section 175 of the Nigerian Constitution, the president has an unlimited conditional power to exercise what is called the prerogative of mercy, which he described as an act of clemency or pardon where the president basically forgives and pardons those convicted or subjected to the criminal process. When the president acts on the recommendation of the committee and issues a pardon or clemency, that pardon is absolute. What it implies in law is that it extinguishes and basically brings to an end the criminal history and record of the person that is pardoned. The lawyer also questioned the motive behind granting clemency to several convicts. I find it rather curious that the president, for reasons best known to him and the presidential committee, has decided to issue pardons to individuals who dont think they merit it. In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International also expressed deep concern over Mr Tinubus decision to grant clemency and pardons to individuals convicted of serious human rights violations. The pardons for these crimes prevent reparations for victims. The global watchdog urged the president to reconsider his governments pardons for those convicted of human rights crimes and uphold and ensure the rights of the victims and their families. The way and manner Nigerian authorities carried out the exercise seemed to prioritise the perpetrators instead of access to justice and effective remedies for the victims and their families. The actions of the government have the potential of undermining the rule of law, preventing the emergence of the truth, the determination of guilt or innocence by a court, and reparations for victims, as well as entrenching impunity for human rights crimes, the global rights group said. While the NDLEA maintains that it will continue enforcement without fear or favour, critics warn that pardoning individuals convicted for serious drug offences risks weakening deterrence and potentially emboldening traffickers. Some of the pardoned drug offenders are: Aluagwu Lawrence, 47, was sentenced in 2015 for selling Indian hemp. Ben Friday, 60, was jailed for three years or a N1.3 million fine in 2023 for marijuana possession. Oroke Michael Chibueze, 21, sentenced to five years for cannabis sativa in 2023. Kelvin Christopher Smith, 42, jailed for four years for importing cocaine in 2023. Azubuike Jeremiah Emeka, 31, sentenced to five years or N3 million fine for cocaine import in 2021. Akinrinnade Akinwande Adebiyi, 47, sentenced to three years for dealing in tramadol in 2023. Ahmed Adeyemo, 38, serving 15 years for cannabis, had already spent nine years, five months at Kirikiri before being pardoned. Adeniyi Jimoh, 31, and Seun Omirinde, 39, both jailed 15 years in 2015 for drug possession, also received clemency. Safiyanu Umar, 56, sentenced without option of fine in 2023 for possessing 5kg of cannabis sativa. Hamza Abubakar, 37, sentenced to five years in 2022 for selling Indian hemp. Emmanuel Eze, 49, was jailed for five years in 2022 for heroin. Bala Azika Yahaya, 70, sentenced to 15 years in 2017 for cannabis. Muharazu Abubakar, 37, was jailed for five years for selling Indian hemp in 2022 after serving three years in Katsina. Adam Abubakar, 30, and Emmanuel Yusuf, 34, both convicted in 2022 for possession of 2kg of tramadol. Nsikat Edet Harry, 37, sentenced in 2023 to five years for possession of Indian hemp, cocaine, and heroin. Jonathan Asuquo, 28, sentenced in 2022 to five years for possession of Indian hemp and other drugs. Abiodun Elemero, 43, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for cocaine hawking after spending 10 years at Kirikiri. Other convicts saw their sentences reduced rather than cancelled. They include: Ifenna Kennechukwu, 42, jailed 20 years in 2015 for importing cocainenow reduced to 12 years. Patrick Mensah, 40, and Obi Edwin Chukwu, 43, had their drug-related sentences cut to 10 years. Napolo Osariemen, 61, convicted in 2022 for 2kg of Indian hemp now serving seven years instead of 15. Helen Solomon, 68, Okoye Tochukwu, 43, and Ugwueze Paul, 38, each had cannabis-related sentences reduced from five to three years. Chukwudi Destiny, 36, convicted for heroin import in 2022, saw his six-year term cut to four. President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to screen and confirm the appointment of Joash Amupitan as the substantive chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The presidents request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the plenary on Tuesday. In the letter, Mr Tinubu said his request was in accordance with section 154 (1) of the constitution In accordance with provisions of Sections 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Attached is his curriculum vitae. While hoping that the Senate will consider and confirm the appointment of the nominee in its usual expeditious manner, please accept, distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration, the letter read. After reading the letter, Mr Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee of the Whole for consideration as soon as practicable. This is referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration as soon as practicable, the Senate president said after reading the letter. Mr Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and law professor at the University of Jos, was appointed as INEC chairperson by President Tinubu last Thursday after ratification by the National Council of State. A specialist in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law, Mr Amupitan was conferred with the rank of SAN in September 2014. He succeeds Mahmood Yakubu, also a professor, who served as INEC Chairperson from 2015 until his second tenure ended last Tuesday. Mr Yakubu has since handed over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner by appointment. While many Nigerians and civil society organisations working on democracy and elections have welcomed the appointment, they have also called for a transparent and merit-based confirmation process. If confirmed, Mr Amupitan will become the 13th substantive INEC Chair since Nigerias independence in 1960. His predecessors are Eyo Esua (19641966), Michael Ani (19761979), Victor Ovie-Whiskey (19801983), Eme Awa (19871989), Humphrey Nwosu (19891993), Okon Uya (1993), Sumner Dagogo-Jack (19941998), Ephraim Akpata (19982000), Abel Guobadia (20002005), Maurice Iwu (20052010), Attahiru Jega (20102015), and Mahmood Yakubu (20152025). Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a telephone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, with whom they discussed Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy supplies and the need to strengthen air defense. Now, as the war in the Middle East comes to an end, it is important not to lose the momentum for advancing peace. The war in Europe can also be brought to an end, and for that, the leadership of both the United States and other partners is of utmost importance. Today, I spent nearly an hour discussing all of this with President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Zelenskyy said on X Tuesday. He noted that he was coordinating his positions with the President of Finland. Furthermore, Zelenskyy noted that the right steps by the US could also help end Russia's war against Ukraine. "We have a corresponding vision for this," he added. We also discussed with Alex the recent Russian strikes on our energy sector and the need to strengthen air defense, the head of state reported. He thanked Stubb for his willingness to help and noted that Russia must be deprived of the opportunity to continue war and terror, and that "this can become a reliable basis for peace in our region." Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), a local unit of Shell plc, announced Tuesday it has taken a final investment decision on the $2 billion HI gas project offshore Nigeria, a venture with a capacity to supply 350 million standard cubic feet per day. Discovered forty years ago, the HI field sprawls across 100m of water depth around 50km from the coast in the Gulf of Guinea, within the shallow-water block OML 144 The energy giant is joining forces with domestic player Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited to deliver the project, which, on completion, is expected to supply gas to Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). NLNG, a joint venture, comprises state-owned NNPC Limited, Shell, Eni and TotalEnergies. Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information & strategy, and Olu Verhejien, the special adviser to the president on energy, both confirmed the $2 billion investment in different posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. Shell is setting sights on the end of the current decade as the starting date of production. Following recent investment decisions related to the Bonga deep-water development, todays announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to Nigerias energy sector, with a focus on deepwater and integrated gas, Peter Costello, Shells Upstream President, said in a statement. This upstream project will help Shell grow our leading integrated gas portfolio, while supporting Nigerias plans to become a more significant player in the global LNG market, he added. The move highlights one of the first major steps by Shell to scale up its operations in offshore Nigeria, nearly eight months after the supermajor sold its onshore and shallow-water in Nigeria in a $2.4 billion deal to relocate offshore. Shells exit from onshore operations continued an industry trend, where multinationals like ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies and Eni divested their investments in onshore Nigeria to local players and move offshore. Those companies have often cited crude theft and sabotage of oil installations as grounds for offloading their onshore assets. However, environmentalists have claimed that their motivation stemmed from the need to avoid costly litigations that may result from being held accountable for oil spills and environmental degradation by Niger Delta residents, whose livelihoods have been threatened for years by their onshore activities. According to the statement, the gas supply to NLNG via its Train 7 project, which aims to expand the Bonny Island terminals production capacity, aligns with Shells plans to scale up its global LNG output by an average of 4-5 per cent per year until 2030. It will also bolster NLNGs contribution to Nigerias national economic development goals, including jobs in construction and operations. The field The current estimated recoverable resource volumes of the HI project stand at roughly 285 mmboe. Sunlink Energies and Resources holds a 60 per cent stake in the venture, while Shell holds the rest. The project, Shell said, consists of a wellhead platform with four wells to be installed at the HI field location, a pipeline to transport the multiphase gas to onshore at Bonny, and a gas processing plant at Bonny, from where the processed gas will be transported to NLNG and the condensate to the Bonny Oil and Gas Export Terminal. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a two-thirds majority in the Senate, the threshold required to easily pass and approve key legislation or government policies. The development follows the defection of the Senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, Samaila Kila, from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. His defection was announced in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during Tuesdays plenary. With this development, the APC now controls 73 seats in the 109-member Senate, the constitutional benchmark for a two-thirds majority required to pass major or controversial legislation. The partys new numerical strength also aligns with Sections 143 and 188 of the Constitution, which stipulate the same voting threshold for presidential and gubernatorial impeachments. This marks the first time since 2015, when the APC came to power, that it has achieved a two-thirds majority in the upper chamber. Over the years, both the ruling and opposition parties have witnessed waves of defections that altered the Senates composition. APC had 59 seats at inauguration on 13 June, 2023. Presently, the PDP holds 27 seats, the Labour Party (LP) has four, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have two seats each. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) retains one seat. Bauchi senators defection In his letter, Mr Kila said his decision followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and constituents in Bauchi North. He attributed his defection to the prolonged internal divisions, recurring factionalisation, and lack of strategic direction within the PDP. The senator said he joined the APC to support the implementation of President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. It has become evident that the prolonged internal divisions, recurring factionalisation, and crisis, loss of strategic direction within the People Democratic Party, have gravely constrained my ability to discharge my constitutional responsibilities effectively and in good conscience. As one deeply committed to the service of our nation and the welfare of my people, I have found it necessary to realign my political engagements with a more progressive platform that embodies good governance, unity, progress, growth, and discipline in the governance of our country. Consequently, I have chosen to join the All Progressive Congress (APC) and to lend my full commitment to the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the letter read. Tinubus transformative reforms The senator commended President Tinubu for initiating a bold and transformative economic reforms. I hold in high regard the bold and transformative reforms initiated by the President, aimed at restoring economic stability, strengthening governance, and repositioning our nation for sustainable growth. These efforts reflect the decisive leadership of our country, and thats what Nigeria needs. Im confident that these reform efforts align with my legislative ideals and my enduring conviction to contribute meaningfully to Nigerias development and democratic advancement, the senator said. He also expressed appreciation to the senate president for his leadership since assuming office. Permit me, Your Excellency, the Senate President, to express my deep appreciation to you for your exemplary leadership of the 10th Senate that has attracted all and sundry from the opposition side. Your commitment to unity and legislative excellence continues to inspire confidence across party lines, and I remain committed to working under your guidance in advancing the Senates constitutional mandate and to ensuring the well-being of all Nigerian people. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest regards and unwavering commitment to the unity, peace, and progress of our party, the All Progressives Congress, and our nation in general, Mr Kila said. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has explained that he and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the alleged PDPs ill-treatment of the South-east in the party. Mr Mbah disclosed this on Tuesday while announcing his defection in a state-wide broadcast from the Government House in Enugu State. The governor defected to the APC alongside other members of the PDP in the South-eastern state, including all political appointees, elected chairpersons of all 17 local government areas in the state, councilors, members of the state assembly and at least 80 percent of the PDP executives in the state. For decades, the South-east especially Enugu has stood firmly behind the PDP, showing loyalty that shaped the partys success. Yet despite this history, our voices were too often disregarded when it mattered most. It has therefore become necessary to seek affiliation where our interests as a region are represented in the form of fair partnership, he said during the state-wide broadcast. Mr Mbah suggested that, with the defection into the APC, the voices of Enugu and South-east would now be heard in Abuja. Let me be clear, I will represent our state and our region (South-east) with the same strength of purpose as I have always done. Our Igbo DNA does not change; our destiny does not change. What changes is that our vision now finds stronger reinforcement at the federal level, he stated. The governor was apparently referring to the rift between the South-east PDP and the partys national leadership which was triggered by the insistence of the National Working Committee of the PDP to retain Samuel Anyanwu as the partys national secretary against the choice of Sunday Udeh-Okoye who was nominated by the zone. Mr Mbahs defection has consequently shrunk the PDPs control to just nine states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara. It has also taken the number of states controlled by the APC to 24. Historically, the defection ended PDPs presence in the South-east which had long supported the party since 1999 with Enugu joining Ebonyi and Imo in the list of states controlled by the APC in the region. The two remaining states in the South-east Anambra and Abia- are controlled by the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the Labour Party, respectively. Difficult, painful decision Speaking during the state-wide broadcast, Mr Mbah said although the people of Enugu State had walked side by side for three decades during which they built relationships that would always matter, the decision to part ways with the party was imperative. Leadership sometimes demands difficult even painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there always comes a time when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny. Over the past months, I have thought carefully about the path forward. In the end, after much soul searching and discussion, I have concluded that we must stand for the principles and institutions that honour transparency, trust, and above all the people we serve, he said. We are not moving from a place of resentment or fear. We are confident of our future. We have no axe to grind, no personal point to make. But fairness, respect and integrity must guide our choices for that future to be ours. Background Mr Mbah was elected governor of Enugu State in 2023 under the PDP platform. But months later, the South-east Zonal leadership of the PDP began a face-off with the national leadership of the party over a contest for its national secretary position. Mr Anyanwu, , the substantive occupant of the position, had stepped aside to contest in the 11 November 2023 Imo State governorship election on the PDP platform but lost to the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma of the APC. Mr Anyanwu attempted to take over the position after failing to win the Imo governorship poll, but was resisted by the South-east leadership of the party who had nominated a former National Youth Leader of the party, Mr Udeh-Okoye, to replace Mr Anyanwu. The face-off resulted in prolonged legal battles. In December, the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, upheld a judgment of the Enugu State High Court which recognised Mr Ude-Okoye as the national secretary of the PDP against Mr Anyanwu. However, the Supreme Court, on 21 March 2025, nullified the judgments of the lower courts which sacked Mr Anyanwu as the PDP national secretary. While Mr Anyanwu celebrated the court overturning of his sack, the PDP leadership in the South-east expressed happiness that the court held that both courts had no jurisdiction to hear the case in the first instance. The South-east PDP leadership celebrated the ruling of the court that matters relating to the leadership or membership of a political party fall strictly within the partys internal affairs and should not be the business of any court. On 14 May, they renominated Mr Udeh-Okoye as the partys national secretary before presenting the re-nomination to the partys NWC days later. By June, the PDP leaders in the zone also threatened to dump the party if its NWC refused to ratify Mr Udeh-Okoye as the national secretary. A bloc of leaders from the party loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, went ahead to reaffirm Mr Anyawu as the duly elected and substantive national secretary of the party. The then-acting National Chairperson of the PDP, Umar Damagun, affirmed the declaration by Mr Wikes loyalists when he announced in June that Mr Anyanwu had been restored to his position as the partys national secretary which was later opposed by a faction of the partys NWC. In late September, PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported that Mr Mbah had perfected plans to defect from the PDP to the APC first because of the unending strife within the PDP at the national level and secondly the insistence of the PDPs NWC to retain Mr Anyanwu as national secretary instead of Mr Udeh-Okoye, the candidate nominated by the zone. Meanwhile, Mr Mbahs defection to the APC occurred 24 hours after Mr Udeh-Okoye announced his resignation from the PDP in what many believe was to pave the way to join the governor in moving to the ruling party. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four suspects involved in a one-chance robbery and attempted kidnapping at Dape Village in Abuja. The commands spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said that a victim of the alleged criminal act made a distress call to the Life Camp Police Station last Wednesday. On 8th October 2025, at about 10:09 p.m., the command received a report at Life Camp Police Station that a victim had called in distress, alleging that she had been abducted by suspected criminals who demanded a ransom of 1,000,000 for her release, she stated. She said the police immediately swung into action by investigating the matter, deploying digital and tactical intelligence which led to the arrest of the suspects. :Upon receipt of the report, police operatives from Life Camp Division immediately swung into action. Through the deployment of digital and tactical intelligence, on 9th October 2025, at about 4:30 a.m., the suspects were arrested at Dape Village after a near-deadly confrontation with the police, the statement said. Read the full Police Statement below PRESS RELEASE FCT POLICE ARREST FOUR (4) SUSPECTS FOR ONE-CHANCE ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four (4) suspects involved in a one-chance robbery and attempted kidnapping, successfully rescuing two victims in the process. On 8th October 2025, at about 10:09 p.m., the Command received a report at Life Camp Police Station that a victim had called in distress, alleging that she had been abducted by suspected criminals who demanded a ransom of 1,000,000 for her release. Upon receipt of the report, police operatives from Life Camp Division immediately swung into action. Through the deployment of digital and tactical intelligence, on 9th October 2025, at about 4:30 a.m., the suspects were arrested at Dape Village after a near-deadly confrontation with the police. Two victims were rescued during the operation. However, one of them, who sustained multiple stab wounds inflicted by the suspects, was promptly rushed to Gwarinpa General Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment. The arrested suspects are: 1.Solomon Tanko m 2.Samuel Audu m 3.Chigozie Joseph m 4.Emmanuel Chidiebere m Further investigation revealed that the suspects have been involved in a series of one-chance robberies around the Bannex and Kado areas, using a vehicle with tinted windows to deceive unsuspecting passengers. They revealed that they had picked and robbed six (6) victims, both men and women, before their arrest. Exhibits recovered from the suspects include: 15 international passports, two sharp daggers, two cutlasses, bloodstained documents, four mobile phones, two hammers, and three biros. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, commended the swift response of the Life Camp Divisional Police Officers and urged residents to always trust the police and report incidents promptly for quick intervention. He also advised members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, and CRU FCT: 08107314192. SP Josephine Adeh, ANIPR Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Abuja. 12/10/2025 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 15 October. The National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the postponement of the NEC meeting to a new date would be communicated to members in due course. Mr Ologunagba said the postponement was approved by the partys National Working Committee (NWC) at its emergency meeting on Monday regarding recent developments in the party. READ ALSO: PDP loses all members to APC in Ondo Assembly He added that the NWC took the decision exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 29 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017). All NEC members should please note the postponement and be guided accordingly, Ologunagba said. The main opposition party held its 102nd NEC meeting in August. .(NAN) Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has cautioned some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against plans to disrupt the upcoming national convention of the party. Mr Makinde, who is also the Chairman, PDP National Convention Transportation Sub-committee, gave the warning while speaking with journalists after the inaugural meeting of the sub-committee on Monday in Abuja. He advised those attempting to halt the convention process, irrespective of their stature or past grievances, to desist, for their own well-being. This meeting is just a demonstration of the fact that the national convention of our great party, the train has moved, and whoever is trying to stop it is probably also trying to commit suicide. So, my advice is, please, no matter how highly placed, no matter what has transpired in the past, we dont want to see anyone dead. So, please dont commit suicide, Mr Makinde said. The elective national convention of the opposition party holds in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, from 15 to 16 November. When asked if his comment was directed at any particular individual or faction within the PDP, Mr Makinde said he was not being specific, noting that the partys primary focus was to present a viable opposition that met the expectations of Nigerians. He said that since 1999, the PDP had gone through different challenges and experiences, the lowest of it being losing power in 2015. The end is for Nigerians to have democracy, and for Nigerians to have a party that they can relate to. So, if youre saying somebody is defecting, our house is not in order, democracy is about conflict and conflict resolution, and also resilience, he said. On the issue of recent high-profile defections, the governor reiterated the partys focus, stating that the ultimate decider would be the Nigerian people, not the movement of politicians. Were not concerned, or bothered, because the ultimate decider here will be the Nigerian people. The only time I or we will be concerned as a party is when we see hunger defect from the ordinary people on the streets and join All Progressives Congress (APC), then thats the time we will be concerned, he said. Speaking on constitutional amendments to curb defections, Mr Makinde noted that Nigerias democracy was still unfolding, drawing parallels with experiences in advanced democracies like the UK and the US. He, however, stressed that meeting the expectations of the Nigerian people remained the most crucial factor. On speculations linking his commitment to hosting the convention to a 2027 ambition, Mr Makinde said his priority was to ensure the party was properly structured first. I already said to people several times, Im old enough to set an agenda for myself. For us, we must have a party before anyone can have an ambition. So, all the efforts right now, except youre saying that, no, forget about having a party, just focus on ambition. So nobodys going to set an agenda for me. First thing first, our first step is to put our best effort, the best foot forward to ensure that your state is able to host the best national convention ever in the history of PDP and that is exactly what were focused on, Mr Makinde said. He expressed his readiness to serve the party and Nigeria in any capacity, saying it was the reason he accepted to chair the transportation sub-committee. (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured political parties of its adherence to the remaining timeline for the 8 November Anambra governorship election. Acting Chairman of INEC, May Agbamuche-Mbu, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during the commissions third regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties. Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu, however, urged political parties to comply with the commissions scheduled activities for the state governorship election. She said that the commission had already completed 10 out of the 13 key activities scheduled for the Anambra poll. The outstanding activities, according to her, include: the publication of notice of poll slated for 25 October; the last day for campaigns, 6 November, and the date of the election 8 November. The commission is committed to keeping strictly to the remaining activities, as detailed in the timetable and schedule of activities. Political parties are therefore called upon to be mindful of the last day for campaigns and keep strictly to it, she said. The acting INEC chairman said that the commission had been working assiduously and making arrangements for the successful conduct of the election. She also said that the electoral body had had several engagements with the security agencies at national, state, and local government levels. According to her, all non-sensitive materials for the election have been delivered to the state, while voter education and sensitisation are also ongoing. Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu commended the response of Nigerians to the ongoing nationwide continuous voter registration (CVR). For us, this is a testament that Nigerians believe in our democracy and the efforts of the commission towards ensuring that all eligible Nigerians are given the right to determine who leads them, she said. The acting INEC chairman said that the exercise, which began on 18 August, would run for a year, ending on 30 August 2026. Commending the immediate past INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubus contributions to the electoral process, she said that he left behind a legacy of innovation, institutional strength, and integrity. Today, we acknowledge with deep appreciation his (Yakubus) invaluable contribution, not just to INEC but to democracy across the (African) continent, she said. In his remarks, the National Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the ongoing constitutional and electoral reforms. Mr Dantalle said that IPAC had already submitted its proposals, including a call for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), recommending that the responsibility of conducting all local government elections be vested in INEC. Other key reforms proposed by IPAC, he said, were the restoration of funding for political parties to ensure a level-playing field as well as the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to prosecute electoral offenders. The IPAC national chairman also listed the removal of the power to appoint INEC chairman, national commissioners, and resident electoral commissioners from the executive to guarantee the commissions independence from political influence. He said that the upcoming Anambra election would serve as a litmus test for the new leadership of the commission and set the stage for subsequent polls, including the decisive 2027 general elections. Nigerians expect credible, transparent, and inclusive elections where every vote is counted and counts in the overall result. The success of this off-cycle election will set the stage for the upcoming elections in 2026, including the Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls, Osun and Ekiti states gubernatorial elections, and the decisive 2027 general elections, he stated. Mr Dantalle urged INEC to put its acts together and get it right. (NAN) The Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution calling on the federal government to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the release and safety of Nigerians currently detained in Libya. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Bassey Etim (PDP, Akwa Ibom North-East), who decried the plight of thousands of Nigerians illegally migrating to Libya and facing severe human rights abuses. The upper chamber urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deepen engagement with Libyan authorities and mobilise collective regional and international action through the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the United Nations (UN) to protect Nigerians in detention. While presenting the motion, Mr Etim lamented that many Nigerians who had been repatriated from Libya recounted horrific experiences, including false detention, torture, sexual abuse, extortion, forced labour, and other forms of modern-day slavery. He expressed concern that such abuses not only tarnish Nigerias international image but also erode citizens confidence in the governments ability to protect them at home and abroad. The lawmaker urged the Senate to encourage the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and relevant state governments to establish a comprehensive reintegration and protection programme for returnees. This, he said, should include psychosocial support, vocational training, and enterprise start-up assistance. Mr Etim also called on the Senate Committees on Diaspora, Judiciary, Human Rights, and Foreign Affairs to investigate the activities of traffickers and unlicensed travel agents, with a view to recommending stronger legislative and policy measures to deter such crimes. Senators contributions In their contributions, many senators expressed strong support for the motion. Ebonyi South Senator Anthony Ani described Libya as an epicentre of human rights abuses and called for urgent government action. This has been a recurring issue in our national life. Libya has become an epicenter of human rights abuses. Victims of human trafficking face inhuman treatment, exploitation, and extreme hardship. Their health and well-being are endangered, and they are completely dependent on their traffickers. I fully support this motion and urge relevant government agencies to intensify efforts to curb this menace. It has damaged Nigerias image, and despite repeated outcries, it continues unabated. Stronger action is required to stop it, he said. Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, sympathised with Nigerians trapped in Libya but stressed the need for preventive measures. I am sympathetic to the plight of those trapped in Libya, but we must also act preventively. After the collapse of Gaddafi, Libya became lawless. Nigerians must be informed that, despite our challenges, this country is far better than many of the places they are trafficked to. He added that the proliferation of weapons from Libyas civil war had worsened insecurity in Nigeria, calling for public enlightenment to discourage illegal migration. We must educate our people that leaving Nigeria illegally only leads to tragedy. Weapons from Libyas collapse have also worsened insecurity in Nigeria. While helping those already trapped, we must prevent others from going there, he said. Victor Umeh, the senator for Anambra Central Senatorial District, condemned the inhumane treatment of Nigerians across Africa despite the countrys membership in the African Union. He urged the federal government to use the AU platform to call out and sanction African nations that subject Nigerians to degrading treatment. Nigerians have been subjected to inhuman treatment in several African countries, not just Libya. We are members of the African Union, yet Africans are treating fellow Africans worse than animals. There were videos from Libya showing Nigerians being tortured and humiliated. The AU must act. The federal government should use the platform of the African Union to call out and sanction African nations that subject Nigerians and other Africans to degrading treatment. We must also warn our citizens against traveling to countries hostile to them. Members of the National Assembly are proposing an amendment to the Electoral Act to make the use of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) non-compulsory for eligible voters during elections. The proposal, which seeks to amend Sections 18 and 47 of the 2022 Electoral Act, says that since the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) does not recognise the microchip embedded in the PVC, the card should no longer be a mandatory means of identification for voting. Contained in a draft of various amendments being considered by the legislature, the proposal instead recommends the use of the National Identification Number (NIN), Nigerian passport, or birth certificate as an acceptable means of identification for voters. These and other proposed amendments were discussed on Monday during a public hearing organised by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters. The use of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) will not be compulsory, since the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) does not recognise the microchip in the PVC. Every registered Voter will be able to download and print their voters card whenever needed. This totally eradicates the issue of buying and selling PVCs, likewise all related offences. This is reflected in section 18, section 47 and the deletion of section 22. Acceptable means of identification for voter registration have been limited to the National Identification Number (NIN), a Nigerian birth certificate, or Nigerian passport, the proposal reads. BVAS and PVC Challenges Since the introduction of BVAS into Nigerias electoral system, the technology has faced widespread criticism. In several elections, BVAS devices have failed to authenticate voters fingerprints or facial features, causing delays and frustration at polling units. Other recurring issues include poor battery life, lack of backup power, and weak internet connectivity, especially in rural areas. A major controversy during the 2023 general elections was the delayed transmission of results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which raised concerns about transparency. Similarly, many eligible voters could not collect their PVCs due to administrative bottlenecks, long queues, and misplaced cards. Where BVAS devices failed, some voters were disenfranchised despite waiting for hours, while the late arrival of materials often led to the postponement of voting in some polling units. Opposition parties and election observers have also alleged possible manipulation of results through BVAS or the result upload process, referencing delays in publishing results online and inconsistencies between figures recorded at polling units and those uploaded. Push for electronic transmission of results One of the key issues discussed at the public hearing was the electronic transmission of election results. Section 60(5) of the Electoral Act is proposed to be amended to make the electronic transmission of results mandatory. It reads The Presiding Officer shall transmit the results, including the total number of accredited voters, to the next level of collation both electronically and manually. This is another section that has generated concerns in the past in which many people advocated for and believed that if results are transmitted electronically, it would reduce the rate of manipulating election results. Advocates of the amendment believe compulsory electronic transmission would strengthen transparency and reduce result manipulation. Akin Akingbolu, an official of Yiaga Africa, speaking on behalf of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working on democracy and elections in Nigeria and across Africa, called for the inclusion of compulsory electronic voting in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act. Mr Akingbolu said adopting electronic voting and mandatory electronic transmission of results would enhance the credibility of elections and ensure that every vote counts. Strengthening the Electoral Act to make electronic transmission of results mandatory, including the upload of polling unit level results and results sheets used at different levels of result collection. This will deepen the credibility of electoral outcomes and ensure votes count, he said. Jail term for collation officers Another notable amendment is proposed under Section 71(2), which seeks to criminalise the distribution of unstamped or unsigned ballot papers and result sheets. The provision recommends a penalty of at least one year imprisonment or a fine of N1 million, or both, for any presiding or collation officer who distributes such documents. It states: A presiding officer or coalition officer who distributes or causes to be distributed any ballot paper or results sheet not duly stamped and signed as required under subsection (1) of this section commits an offence liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or to a fine not less than N1,000,000 or both. the section reads. Enugu States capital city is agog as all is now set for Governor Peter Mbah and his political appointees to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on External Relations, Uche Anickukwu, stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu. According to him, to receive Mr Mbah into the party are the Vice President, Kashim Shettima; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen. Others are the APC National Working Committee (NWC) led by the National Chairman of the party, Nentawe Yilwatda, governors as well as ministers, federal lawmakers and appointees, among others. Mr Anichukwu quoted various critical segments of the state as well as Ohanaeze Ndigbo to have thrown their weight behind Mr Mbahs decision to move into the APC. He said that the former Chairman of the party in the state, Augustine Nnamani, maintained that PDP had itself to blame for precipitating the mass exodus from the party in Enugu State. The former chairman said that the party mistreated and betrayed the people of the South-east and Governor Mbah by its failure to recognise Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the national secretary in line with established tradition in the party. The PDP chose a few people in Abuja over and above the South-east. Mbah has exited as spelt out in their regions communique in May to leave the party if its choice was not respected, he added. He regretted that the crisis in the PDP and injustice to the region had cost the party one of the best performing governors presently in Nigeria and reduced the PDP from controlling the five South east states to losing everything. The governors aide added that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Enugu State Chapter, equally applauded Mr Mbah, for taking the bold step of joining the ruling APC. According to him, this decision is both thoughtful and timely, considering the compelling need to attract more federal government projects to Enugu State. He said the statement signed by Ohanaezes Vice President General representing Enugu State, Fred Eze and the National Treasurer, Peter Aneke, the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, reiterated its commitment for the zoning arrangement in the state. We remain committed to upholding the long-standing zoning tradition for the office of the Governor, in the spirit of equity, fairness, and justice in Enugu State, the statement read. Mr Anichukwu also quoted the Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Samuel Asadu, saying that Mr Mbah had earned national acclaim and the trust of the people by his trailblazing performance and grassroots-oriented development in the last 26 months. Therefore, the traditional rulers and people of Enugu State have absolute trust in his judgement. We wish him the best as he charts this new political course because it is rooted in the good of Enugu State. it is all about the people. READ ALSO: PDP loses all members to APC in Ondo Assembly The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, Okechukwu Edeh, expressed the readiness of the people to move in the direction of the governor. As we have said earlier, Governor Peter Mbah is the political party Enugu State knows today. Besides, we believe that this is a wise decision. When it was stated earlier that we would chart a new political course when our voices no longer counted in the other political party, ALGON chairman stated. Mr Mbah was elected as governor on the ticket of the PDP in 2023. He is currently in his first term. He will be the third PDP governor to dump the party. Governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom State, had earlier defected to the APC. (NAN) The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) arrested in absentia a former MP from the Party of Regions, suspected of organizing the legalization of property obtained by criminal means, namely nine land plots with a total area of 18 hectares. "On October 14, 2025, an investigating judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC), at the request of detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and with the approval of a prosecutor from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO), imposed a preventive measure in the form of detention on a former Member of Parliament from the Party of Regions, who is suspected of organizing the legalization of property obtained through criminal means specifically, nine land plots with a total area of 18 hectares," the SAPO reported on its Telegram channel on Tuesday. The SAPOs statement did not mention the suspects name, but based on the details of the case, it is believed to refer to Yuriy Ivaniuschenko. As part of the pretrial investigation, it was established that in the spring of 2021, during a corporate conflict between the former MP and a developer over control of a wholesale agricultural market located in the Kyiv suburbs, the entrepreneur intended to transfer the markets assets to legal and natural persons under her control. "After carrying out a series of actions aimed at leasing the land to a controlled company, these plots were sold on the basis of sham transactions to three companies associated with the developer," the Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office reported. According to the statement, during the resolution of the conflict, the developer and the former MP signed a settlement agreement regarding the joint use of the land plots, including for development purposes. In September 2021, a trusted representative of the former MP became one of the beneficiaries of the companies that owned the land plots. "After the suspect is detained and brought to the pretrial investigation location, the investigating judge will decide on the application of this preventive measure," the SAPO clarified. As previously reported, NABU has placed former Member of Parliament from the Party of Regions, Yuriy Ivaniuschenko, on the wanted list on suspicion of legalizing 18 hectares of state land valued at over UAH 160 million. A Nigerian soldier, Femi Akinleye, has allegedly killed his wife before taking his own life at their residence at the Wawa Cantonment in Niger State. The 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday, describing it as a tragic incident that has left the barracks community in shock. According to the statement signed by Stephen Nwankwo, a captain and Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the incident occurred on Friday, 11 October, at the Corporals and Below Quarters, Block 15, Room 24, within the cantonment. Preliminary investigations, the army said, revealed that Mr Akinleye, a lance corporal, was on duty at the time before seeking permission from his superior to briefly attend to personal matters at home. He, however, never returned to his post, the army said, adding the lifeless bodies of the couple were later discovered in their apartment. The incident has caused a tense atmosphere, leaving the barracks residents in shock as to the circumstances that could have led to such an unfortunate occurrence, the statement read in part. The remains of the deceased have been preserved as the army launches a probe to unravel what led to the incident. The commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Ezra Barkins, a brigadier general, assured that the probe would be thorough and that the findings would be made public. He also vowed that preventive measures would be introduced to avert similar occurrences in the future. The Nigerian Army deeply regrets this unfortunate loss, the statement added. We commiserate with the family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased and pray for the peaceful repose of their souls. The special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday said Shells newly announced $2 billion final investment decision (FID) on a new gas project in Nigeria brings the major upstream investment commitments in Nigeria since the president took office in 2023 to more than $8 billion. Mr Onanuga, who made the disclosure in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said the feat mirrors the success of Mr Tinubus reform agenda and the renewed confidence of global investors in Africas biggest oil producer. FIDS, which signal the decisive stage of an oil & gas project, indicate the formal approval and commitment by an energy company to go ahead with a project. Since 2024, President Tinubu has issued targeted directives as part of the industry reform coordinated by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy. These directives have introduced unprecedented fiscal incentives, regulatory clarity, operating process simplification, cutting contracting costs, and reducing approval cycle times, the presidential aide stated. The three landmark FIDsthe HI and Ubeta gas projects, and Bonga North deepwaterrepresent blueprint projects selected and unlocked by the federal government to drive the implementation of the presidential directives, he added. Earlier on Tuesday, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of oil supermajor Shell plc, announced it has taken an FID on the HI gas project offshore Nigeria, which has indigenous firm Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited as a joint venture partner. On completion, the project will supply 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limiteds Train 7 project. That volume is equivalent to nearly a third of the requirements of NLNGs Train 7 project, Mr Onanuga said. Mr Onanuga added that the HI gas fielddiscovered in 1985is being enabled by a presidential directive, which introduced a competitive fiscal framework for non-associated gas in onshore and shallow offshore fields. With the Ubeta FID and now the HI FID, we have secured the gas supply needed to make NLNG Train 7 not just possible, but transformative, the special adviser to Mr Tinubu on Energy, Olu Arowolo Verheijen, said. These projects, she said, will significantly strengthen the reliability of Nigerias LNG exports to global markets, while boosting LPG supply for domestic use. That will help pare down imports, bolster foreign exchange earnings, and enhance clean cooking access for millions of Nigerian households, Ms Verheijen. Peter Costello, Shells upstream president, said the project will help Shell grow our leading integrated gas portfolio, while supporting Nigerias plans to become a more significant player in the global LNG market. The NLNG Train 7 project is planned to enlarge Nigerias LNG production capacity by 8 million metric tonnes yearly, translating to 35 per cent of current production, Mr Onanuga said. The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a request by the federal government to re-tender exhibits earlier rejected in the trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel, over alleged unlawful possession of firearms. Judge Peter Lifu on Tuesday dismissed the request, noting that he previously rejected the exhibits in July and therefore could not turnaround to admit them. I recall that on 10 July 2025, I delivered a considered ruling rejecting the same set of exhibits due to improper foundation for their admission and lack of relevance to the charge. That ruling still subsists, and I am bound by it. Any attempt to go against the same ruling will amount to judicial rascality and pertinence. Common sense does not even support granting this kind of request. This court rejects the invitation, and the request is hereby refused, the judge said. The federal government charged Mr Dasuki in September 2015 with money laundering and alleged possession of firearms. The charges came after operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) found cash and firearms during a raid on Mr Dasukis houses in Sokoto and Abuja on 16 and 17 July 2015. The firearms mentioned in the two counts are five Tavor X95 Assault Rifles. Months later, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him in two separate cases at the FCT High Court in Abuja with fraudulent divrsion of funds meant for procurement of arms. The two cases are ongoing. The firearms trial, just like the fraud cases at the FCT High Court Court, has passed through different Federal High Court judges. It started with Ahmed Mohammed (now a Justice of the Court of Appeal). It was later transferred to Ijeoma Ojukwu, before finally being reassigned in 2022 to the current judge, Mr Lifu. The prosecution led by Oladipupo Okpeseyi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), sought in September the courts permission to re-tender the exhibits earlier rejected by the court. Mr Okpeseyi urged the court to allow a fresh admission of the disputed exhibits, including vehicles allegedly recovered from Mr Dasukis residence in 2015. He also requested the court to hold a brief sitting at the SSS headquarters in Abuja to inspect the vehicles, which he said had been in custody for about 10 years. He further argued that the exhibits were rejected earlier due to procedural lapses, not lack of relevance, and that the proper foundation for their admission had now been laid. However, Mr Dasukis lawyer, A. A. Usman, opposed the motion, describing it as unknown to law. He reminded the court that it had previously ruled the exhibits irrelevant and inadmissible, insisting that once a court rejected an exhibit, it could not be re-admitted in the same proceedings. He said the SSS should have gone to the Court of Appeal instead of asking the same judge to revisit the issue. After listening to the arguments for and against the request, the judge, Mr Lifu, fixed Tuesday (14 October) for ruling. Ruling on Tuesday, Mr Lifu held that since the exhibits had been earlier rejected and marked as such for lack of proper foundation and relevance to the charge, they remained inadmissible. He said the court would not admit them through the back door, as sought by the prosecution. Judge Lifu added that granting the SSS request would put his court in the awkward position of sitting as an appellate court over its own decision. Background Mr Dasuki served as the NSA under former President Goodluck Jonathan. He was arrested in 2025, after he left office after Mr Jonathan left office for President Muhammadu Buhari. He faced allegations of funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram insurgents. The funds were allegedly distributed to politicians and party officials ahead of the 2015 general elections. The federal government filed multiple criminal charges against him at both the Federal High Court and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. The charges included money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and illegal possession of firearms. Since 2015, the case has gone through several judges before being reassigned to Judge Lifu. Mr Dasuki was granted bail several times but remained in SSS custody for more than four years despite court orders. He was eventually released in December 2019. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned the National Assembly against the proposed amendments to hold the 2027 general elections in November 2026, citing governance risks. The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday in Abuja, warned that the move might truncate governance, destabilise development plans, and plunge Nigeria into endless electioneering cycles. It, therefore, urged the lawmakers to abandon the plan and instead, pursue reforms to strengthen electoral credibility, expedite justice, and protect Nigerias democratic institutions from unnecessary political distractions. Although ADC noted that the proposal was aimed at allowing time for resolving petitions before inauguration, it, however, warned that it could create deeper democratic challenges than it intended to fix. Cutting six months from the political calendar means an accelerated campaign season, reducing time for real governance and disrupting development programmes across federal and state administrations alike. Elections in November 2026 mean political campaigns begin by 2025, leaving barely two years of serious governance before office holders start focusing solely on elections. This shift could cause ministers, governors, and the president to prioritise re-election efforts over public service, stalling policies and abandoning critical developmental projects prematurely. Without the amendment, current office holders have already prioritised power over performance and elections dominate governance cycles, highlighting the danger of accelerating Nigerias existing culture of continuous politicking, Mr Abdullahi said. According to him, even now, the state and federal structures are already in campaign mode, stressing that shortening tenures would worsen an already toxic political environment and harm democratic growth. He emphasised that if the true goal was ensuring that petitions were settled before inauguration, the solution lay not in date change but in institutional and judicial electoral system reforms. Strengthening tribunals, enforcing strict petition timelines, and boosting INEC and judicial capacity are better answers than disrupting the political calendar or shortening elected officials mandates. Other democracies like Kenya, Indonesia, Ghana, and South Africa ensure timely petition resolutions through efficient courts without changing the timing of general elections or inaugurations. Kenyas constitution allows 14 days for resolving presidential election petitions, while Ghana and Indonesia also follow strict timelines to maintain both governance stability and electoral justice. Such global examples prove institutional efficiency, not election rescheduling. Changing dates without fixing deeper institutional problems only delays justice and encourages inefficiency, offering no real solution to Nigerias electoral challenges, he added. According to him, Nigerians deserve leaders who focus on governance rather than endless campaigning. The system must prioritise development, not politics, by preserving electoral timelines and reforming weak institutions, he said. The ADC spokesperson, therefore, urged the National Assembly to drop the amendment plan and instead pursue comprehensive electoral reform to secure credible elections and fast-track election-related judicial processes. National Assemblys proposals On Monday, the National Assembly said it was proposing the conclusion of all election litigation matters before the swearing-in of winners in every election contest organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The proposed amendment also sought to conduct elections six months before the expiration of the tenure of an elected incumbent. Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, gave the highlights of some of the proposed amendments at the end of a one-day Public Hearing on the repeal of the 2022 Electoral Act and enactment of the 2025 Electoral Act. Mr Balogun said that the aim was to give enough time for the disposal of election litigations before the swearing-in of declared winners. He said that Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution would be further amended, just as Section 139 would also be amended. To ensure that all manner of election litigations are dispensed with, before the swearing-in of winners, we are proposing an amendment that will reduce 180 days of tribunal judgment to 90 days. The 90 days expected of judgment by the Appellate Court to 60 days up to the Supreme Court, which will all not exceed 185 days. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that highlights of the proposal for the amendments sought in the 2022 Electoral Act indicate that elections into offices should be conducted not later than 185 days before the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent. According to the proposal document, Section 4 (7) states that elections into the office of the President and Governor of a State shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office. For the Federal and State legislators, Section 4(5) of the proposed amendment states that election into the State Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly shall be held not later than 185 days before the date on which each of the Houses stands dissolved. On resolving the constitutional impasse against the amendment, the draft proposal showed that section 28, now section 27 (5 7), was introduced due to amendments to Sections 76, 116, 132, and 178 of the Constitution. The amendments sought to remove the determination of the election timeline from the Constitution to the Electoral Act. Under continuous registration, Section 10 was proposed for amended to include the use of National Identification Number (NIN) in the voters registration requirements. According to the proposal document, INEC is expected to develop software to enable anybody with a NIN to be able to upload it personally for election purposes. For inclusivity and voting by inmates, it proposed that provision be made for registration and voting by inmates under section 12 (2). It said that the proposal complied with the existing court judgment that mandated INEC to make provision for inmate voting. On early voting, the bill also proposed early voting for Nigerians whose official duties prevent them from voting on the main election days. This, it said, guaranteed their constitutional rights to vote without compromising national security or electoral logistics. The proposal for compulsory use of a permanent voters card is reflected in Sections 18 and 47, deleting Section 22. While the proposal on notice and timeline of elections in Section 28, now Section 27, was introduced due to sections 76, 116, 132, and 178 of the Constitution. The proposal also listed categories of Nigerians listed for the pre-poll to include security personnel, officials of the commission, accredited domestic observers, accredited journalists, and ad hoc staff of the commission. Other proposed amendments are mandatory electronic transmission of election results, non non-compulsory use of permanent voters card, among others. The Presiding Officer shall transmit the results, including the total number of accredited voters, to the next level of excuses both electronically and manually. It criminalises failure of Presiding Officer or Collation Officer who distributes unstamped ballot papers and results sheets; such erring officers will be jailed for one year or pay a fine of N1 million. NAN reports that stakeholders who made presentations at the public hearing, including the representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abdullahi Zuru, aligned with the joint committees proposals (NAN) Although vote counting is still underway, the Cameroonian opposition leader, Issa Tchiroma, has declared himself the winner of the countrys presidential election. He announced this in a five-minute speech shared on social media on Tuesday in which he urged long-term incumbent President Paul Biya to concede. The people have chosen, and this choice must be respected, Mr Tchiroma said in the video. According to him, his victory is a clear sanction of Mr Biyas administration and marks the beginning of a new era for the country. In his speech, he thanked rival candidates who have already congratulated me and recognised the will of the people. Mr Biya, who is 92 and the worlds oldest head of state, has ruled Cameroon for more than four decades since taking power in 1982. In the 2025 election conducted on Sunday, he was challenged by nine candidates. If he wins, it will be his eighth consecutive term in office, with the next election due in 2032. However, Mr Bakary, a former government spokesman and Biya ally, is now considered the top contender to unseat Mr Biya in the elections. In June, Mr Tchiroma resigned from the government and attracted large crowds to his campaign, where he gained key endorsements from a coalition of opposition parties and civic organisations. His declaration, however, violated the governments warning that any unilateral publication of results would be considered high treason. The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Nji, earlier warned that only the Constitutional Council has the authority to announce the winner. The Constitutional Council has to announce the election outcome within 15 days of the vote. The government stated earlier this week that only results announced by the Constitutional Council are official. The body has about two weeks to make the announcement. READ ALSO: Many Nigerians fled to Cameroon after twin ISWAP attack While Cameroons electoral law permits results to be published and posted at individual polling stations, the final tallies must be validated by the Constitutional Council. The council has about 15 days to announce the result and is expected to do so by 26 October. However, the Biya-led government has yet to respond officially to Mr Bakarys declaration. Ogun and Akwa Ibom states have emerged as the top beneficiaries of Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP) in the 2025 fiscal year. Every year, since its inception in 1999, the federal government allocates N100 billion naira for the ZIPs, also known as constituency projects, enabling federal lawmakers to facilitate infrastructural projects and social services for their constituents. An analysis of the approved 2025 ZIP budget by UDEME, a social accountability initiative of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), captured the total value of projects facilitated by each of Nigerias 469 federal lawmakers109 senators and 360 representatives. This is made up of three senators and ten representatives from each of the 36 states, as well as two representatives and a senator from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Lawmakers from Ogun State led the list with projects worth N8.44 billion, followed closely by their colleagues from Kano (N6.46 billion) and Akwa Ibom (N5.34 billion). Abia and Kaduna received projects worth N4.50 billion and N4.27 billion, respectively, to close the list of top 5 beneficiaries. On the lower end of the list, Zamfara lawmakers attracted projects valued at N1.52 billion, followed by Sokoto (N1.42 billion), Katsina (N1.42 billion) and Jigawa (N1.42 billion), while the FCTs three lawmakers facilitated projects worth N1.10 billion. The uneven distribution of funding for Zonal Intervention Projects across these states underlines the power dynamics among lawmakers in the National Assembly. Hardly is the list of top 5 beneficiaries a coincidence. It is the evidence of the political influence of the principal officers of the National Assembly and how proximity to power often dictates who gets what. Analysis by UDEME shows that each of the top 5 states is home to a principal officer of the National Assembly: Godswill Akpabio from Akwa Ibom (Senate President), Jibrin Barau from Kano (Deputy Senate President), Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna (Speaker), Benjamin Kalu from Abia (Deputy Speaker), and Olamilekan Solomon from Ogun (Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriations), who is responsible for budgeting and fiscal allocations. In 2024, the five states also received high-value ZIPs, emphasizing the influence of these lawmakers in the National Assembly. Mr Olamilekans Ogun State received projects worth N6.64 billion, while Akwa Ibom State got N5.13 billion, with projects worth N4.14 billion going to Mr Akpabios senatorial district, according to a report by PREMIUM TIMES. Projects worth N4.17 billion went to Kano State, where Mr Barau represents; Mr Kalu attracted projects worth N4.56 billion to Abia State, just as Mr Abbas pooled projects worth N1.72 billion to Kaduna State. This situation explains the intense lobbying and maneuvering that has become typical of the election of principal officers of the National Assembly. Beyond this contest for titles, it is a battle for the power to decide who gets whatand how much of it. A breakdown of the budget also showed projects allocated to various sectors of the economy under respective ministries and departments. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security received the lion share with projects worth N51.1 billion, followed by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology with projects worth N11.7 billion. The Ministry of Labour and Employment was assigned projects worth N7.37 billion, N4.95 billion to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and N4.10 billion to the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy led the least five beneficiaries with projects worth N77.9 million, the Ministry of Justice at N79.6 million, Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at N100 million each, while the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace got projects worth N111 million. ZIPs were designed to facilitate equitable distribution of resources and extend development to grassroots communities, but over the years, they have come under public scrutiny for failing to meet community needs. Since its launch in 2018, UDEME has uncovered numerous cases of uncompleted, poorly implemented, or abandoned health facilities, roads, boreholes, schools, and water projects facilitated under the purview of the ZIPs. Most of this has been largely linked to corruption, weak accountability mechanisms, and a lack of transparency in project selection and procurement processes, which has continued to derail citizens trust. In some cases, these projects are used as horse-trading tools by politicians to serve their support base and further their political ambitions. New guideline to enhance project implementation In a bid to address these challenges, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) released a new set of guidelines to enhance the implementation of ZIPs. The guideline directed that all Zonal Intervention or Constituency Projects (ZIP/CP) must be duly certified and approved by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs before funds are released to contractors. In line with its oversight mandate, the ministry said it had verified and certified at least 110 ZIPs nationwide. These projects, detailed in its 3rd Quarter Progress Report, include school renovations, agricultural empowerment schemes, healthcare programmes and the installation of streetlights and boreholes. The ministry also announced the deployment of Project Management and Geographic Information Systems (PMIS-GIS) to enable real-time monitoring and documentation of both ZIPs and projects approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Uneven distribution of constituency projects unfortunate Meanwhile civil society has condemned the uneven distribution of constituency projects across states. Ijeoma Okereke-Adagba, project manager at UDEME, who described the situation as unfortunate, said it was a setback to the equitable development that the concept of constituency projects stands for. It is unfortunate that development in a country as populous as Nigeria is now dependent on winner-takes-it-all politics and powerplay. Else, there is absolutely no reason why certain states should be allocated more projects and more funds than others, with no clear development indices or conditions, other than the position of their lawmakers as principal officers at the National Assembly, she said. Mrs Okereke-Adagba, however, hailed the governments adoption of tech solutions to support transparency and accountability in the execution of these critical national projects. We must commend the federal government for coming up with the technological initiative to ensure accountability and transparency for ZIPs in Nigeria, considering the fact that for so long CSOs have called for better monitoring strategies to be put in place, she said. Mrs Okereke-Adagba also called for more attention to some systemic issues that have frustrated the intent and purpose of these projects over the years. Billions of money are spent annually on incomplete and abandoned projects, contractors who fail the due diligence test are awarded contracts. Even when the ICPC has advised that these contractors be blacklisted, they continue to receive money to carry out projects. Projects are nominated and awarded to contractors without a needs assessment, while people are suffering from failure to prioritise urgent needs. So yes, while we commend the government for the new initiative, we must critically examine these underlying issues and address them. If not, all the efforts to improve ZIP implementation for the benefit of the citizens will be a total waste of time. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)s National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade clashed over the partys legal representation at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday. The disagreement ensued when a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chris Uche, hired by Mr Damagum who was present in court, announced appearance for the PDP during hearing in a suit challenging the partys scheduled elective national convention. Mr Ajibade, who is a SAN, rose up to counter the move by also announcing an appearance to personally represent the party. The dispute between the two top party officials stalled court proceedings for several minutes, with both men maintaining that they had the sole authority to appoint legal representation for the party. The clash highlights the confidence crisis that has driven a wedge between PDP leaders, which in turn has weakened the party in different parts of the country and levels of government. It came on a day Governor Peter Mbah, the last PDP governor in the South-east, along with political appointees and elected officials in the state, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). A PDP senator from Bauchi State, Samaila Kila, also dumped the party to join the APC, which now has a two-thirds majority in the Nigerian upper legislative chamber. Some PDP members recently filed the suit to stop the conduct of the partys elective convention scheduled for November. This followed the issuance of the notice and timetable for the elective national convention by the National Working Committee. The document dated 3 August and signed by the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, scheduled the national convention for 15 and 16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to be elected. Displeased with the move, party members Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP secretary, South South) filed their suit to challenge it. They sued defendants including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (national secretary of the party), Umar Bature (national organising secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party. Disagreement over lawyer appointment At Tuesdays hearing, Joseph Daudu, a SAN, announced appearance for the plaintiffs. But when Mr Uche, SAN, with more than five other senior advocates, announced appearance for the PDP, the partys national legal adviser, Mr Ajibade, the partys national legal adviser and a SAN, countered, announcing himself as the one to represent the party. Mr Uche informed the judge, Mr Omotosho, that he had a letter from the PDP national chairman to represent the party in the suit. Mr Ajibade, however, replied that he was the sole authority vested with power by the PDP constitution to appoint legal representation for the party and cited some judgements to back his claim. While they were still arguing, the judge paused the hearing for 10 minutes and directed the two PDP officials to step out of the courtroom and put their house in order. At the end of the 10 minutes, the two reported back to the court that they were unable to reconcile the issue of legal representation. This prompted Mr Uche to seek a short adjournment to enable them to resolve the matter. However, the plaintiffs lawyer, Mr Daudu, pleaded with the judge to hear the matter on the next adjourned date, even if the respondents had yet to resolve their differences. Mr Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter to 16 October. Addition of more defendants At Tuesdays proceedings, the judge also joined the PDP chairperson, Mr Damagum, and two other officers, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi, as the seventh, eighth and ninth defendants in the suit. Their respective lawyers, Paul Erokoro and Audu Anuga (SANs), had requested that their clients be joined in the matter. They made the requests in two separate applications. Mr Erokoro, while arguing for Mr Damagums joinder, informed the court that he was a necessary party because he is the national chairman of the PDP, chairman of the (partys) NWC, of the NEC, and chairman of the convention committee. Also, Mr Anuga, SAN, in his submission on joinder for Mr Odefa and Mr Ogidi, informed the court that the two were officers of the PDP who would be affected by the outcome of the case. But the plaintiffs lawyer, Mr Dauda, opposed the request. He urged the court to reject it, arguing that their joiner would serve no purpose. In a brief ruling, the judge said he had considered the status of Messrs Damagum, Odefa and Ogidi and found them to be necessary parties who would be affected by the outcome of the case. The judge then granted their request and ordered the plaintiffs to list them as the seventh, eighth and ninth defendants. He also directed the plaintiffs to make consequential amendments to all the processes filed in respect of the case to reflect the names of the newly joined parties. The FCCPCs new regulations represent one of the most patriotic and pro-growth policy moves Nigeria has seen in the fintech space in years. They aim to ensure Nigerian fintechs thrive in fair competition, protect consumers from exploitative lending practices and guarantee that Nigeria retains a share of the digital wealth generated within its economy. Last week, I explained how MTN and other telecom giants are lobbying lawmakers and senior government officials to suspend the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commissions (FCCPC) new digital lending regulations, reforms designed to give Nigerian fintechs a fair chance in a space long dominated by foreign players. Now, Reuters has confirmed whats really at stake. According to its recent report, Optasia, the South African parent company of Nairatime Nigeria Ltd, is preparing to raise up to 6 billion rand ($375 million) through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. For context, Optasia exclusively powers MTNs airtime and data lending business (XtraTime) in Nigeria, one of the largest and most lucrative micro-lending operations on the continent. Between 2019 and 2023, MTN reportedly earned an estimated 5.6 trillion from airtime and data lending alone. Optasia, through Nairatime, took roughly 25 per cent of that value, amounting to billions of naira annually, extracted quietly from Nigerian consumers and from fintech opportunities that could have gone to local innovators. And yet, while this enormous wealth was created here in Nigeria, from Nigerian users, using Nigerian networks, not a single kobo of that value will stay here. The IPO will happen in South Africa, with no opportunity for Nigerian pension funds, retail investors, or fintech entrepreneurs to participate in the value they helped create. This isnt just capital flight. Its value flight. And it exposes exactly why Nigeria needs the FCCPCs new Digital Lending Regulations. Nothing illustrates this danger more vividly than Optasias upcoming IPO. Nigeria creates the value, foreign firms capture it, and then list it abroad, locking Nigerians out of wealth they helped build. Its a familiar story, the same extractive pattern that haunted Nigerias oil sector for decades, now re-emerging in the digital economy. Only this time, its happening through algorithms, data, and APIs instead of oil rigs and barrels. What the New Law Actually Does Contrary to what the telcos claim, the new regulations dont punish innovation, they democratise opportunity. Under the FCCPC framework, no telecom company can maintain a single exclusive foreign partner for digital lending. At least one Nigerian-owned company must be part of every partnership. Additionally, all players must register and report to the FCCPC for transparency, consumer protection, and fair market competition. The intention is to ensure that Nigerias digital economy captures a fair share of the value it creates. By doing so, the FCCPC is protecting not just consumers, but also the long-term viability of our fintech ecosystem, ensuring that wealth generated locally is partly retained within our borders. The Double Standard: MTNs Support for Optasia vs Local Fintechs The irony is hard to miss. MTN has backed Optasias expansion into 14 African countries, giving the South African firm privileged access and scale across the continent. Yet, the same cannot be said of MTNs support for local Nigerian fintech startups. Despite operating in Africas largest economy and most vibrant tech ecosystem, MTN has consistently preferred foreign technical partners for its high-value digital lending products, leaving Nigerian innovators locked out of the value chain. So, when the FCCPC steps in to level the playing field, these same corporate giants cry foul, claiming the rules will disrupt operations. But whats really being disrupted isnt innovation, it is monopoly, opacity, and unchecked profit extraction. If we bow now to corporate lobbying and foreign pressure, the message will be devastatingly clear, which is that no matter how innovative you are as a Nigerian founder, the market still belongs to outsiders. Thats not just bad economics, its bad nation-building. But Nigeria has a chance to chart a new course, one where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand, where value creation and value retention coexist. Nothing illustrates this danger more vividly than Optasias upcoming IPO. Nigeria creates the value, foreign firms capture it, and then list it abroad, locking Nigerians out of wealth they helped build. Its a familiar story, the same extractive pattern that haunted Nigerias oil sector for decades, now re-emerging in the digital economy. Only this time, its happening through algorithms, data, and APIs instead of oil rigs and barrels. This is digital colonialism, where the market is local, but the profits are foreign. Why the FCCPC Must Stand Firm The FCCPCs new regulations represent one of the most patriotic and pro-growth policy moves Nigeria has seen in the fintech space in years. They aim to ensure Nigerian fintechs thrive in fair competition, protect consumers from exploitative lending practices and guarantee that Nigeria retains a share of the digital wealth generated within its economy. If we bow now to corporate lobbying and foreign pressure, the message will be devastatingly clear, which is that no matter how innovative you are as a Nigerian founder, the market still belongs to outsiders. Thats not just bad economics, its bad nation-building. But Nigeria has a chance to chart a new course, one where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand, where value creation and value retention coexist. The government must therefore stand firm, reject the lobbying, and fully implement the FCCPC digital lending regulations. Nigeria cannot continue to be the field where others harvest without planting. Ayodele Adio is a media and communications strategist. Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has inaugurated the Board of Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre with Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe as the Chairman. Other members of the board include Cletus Ogbonnaya Ekpo, an engineer, vice chairman, Peter Ukonu, engineer, director general, Gerald Ilukwe member, Chinenye Mba Uzoukwu member, Fidelis Nweze member, Christopher Kalu Okoro member, Chukwudi Ogbonna member and Rita Ndidi Amuchienwa member. Inaugurating the board on Monday in the Executive Council Chamber at the end of the weekly State Executive Council meeting, Mr Otti thanked all the members of the board for accepting to serve the state. He described them as experts and the best hands in the technology space. These are the best of the best that you can find in the technology space. The chairman of this centre has added so much to knowledge out of the U.S. and is doing our people proud. Also, the director general is an inventor himself. We poached him from his comfort zone in the UK and we thank him for accepting to come back and serve his people. And of course, other members who have distinguished themselves in their areas of work. We want to celebrate you. We want to thank you. We know that if it is about compensation and paying, we cant even afford you, Mr Otti said. The governor said that the service they are called into is a service to the fatherland. This is a service to fatherland, service to your state, and service to Alaigbo, most importantly. I want us to be thinking Alaigbo, not Abia State. Abia State is too small for us. Every time we are doing anything, we should have at the back of our mind, our brothers and sisters who are in different parts of this great land. So, we are creating an enabling environment for all of them to operate and contribute to the development of our people. And thats why we didnt restrict the membership to people from Abia, just like every other thing we do here. We believe in skills, in merit, rather than geographical constraints, Governor Otti stated. The governor expressed confidence that the board members would contribute in no small way to the revolution that is happening in Abia. Responding, the Chairman of the board, Prof Ekekwe, while thanking the governor for appointing them, noted that technology has become a critical enabler in fixing economic development. We are called to build the technology capability in the beautiful state of Abia. It means that Abia actually wants to rise to the mountaintop because technology will enable that abundance and unlock prosperity. That, of course, I am here for. So, we thank you, Your Excellency, for the visionary project. We are going to put the best of our abilities. So that from Isukwaka to all the parts of our beautiful state, boys and girls, men and women, they would actually feel the impact of what the government and the leadership can bring to the people, Prof Ekekwe stated. Also speaking, a member of the board, Mrs Amuchienwa described it as a good initiative and promised that, the team would deliver on its mandate. This is a very good initiative, Your Excellency. Ive heard so much about Abia, Ive heard so much about your leadership, and Im so privileged and happy that I was honoured to be among this team that will make the Abia youth a better people. Im standing on my own to say that I will put in my effort with that of the team to ensure that we deliver on this mandate, she stated. The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, and members of the State Executive Council were present at the inauguration.| As the Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA) came to a close last week, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) announced a new agency-backed competition which will boost the creative enterprise in the animation sector. The initiative aligns with the federal governments policy to nationalise cartoon content and harness animation as a vehicle for cultural expression and value reorientation. Director General of the Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu who graced the closing ceremony of the 3-day festival held at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos said LIFANIMA will, from the tenth edition in 2026, take entries in a category called Real Nigerian Animation Challenge which focuses on government effort to promote National Identity through the National Values Charter. The competition will draw generous rewards for winners including a 10 million naira cash prize for the first position, 7.5 million naira for the second position and 5 million naira for the third position. The real Nigerian Animation challenge will be in 2D, 3D and Stop Motion picture styles and will be open to only Nigerian animators. Each short film will not exceed three minutes in length and must embody one positive Nigerian character such as resilience, optimism or unity. In addition to the cash prices, all entries will have three months free airing on national television channels. The NOA is driving a cartoon nationalisation policy to reduce the impact of the overwhelming foreign animation exposure on our young people, many of which do not share local cultural values and orientation, the Director General said. He added that the award adds to other measures put in place by the government to encourage local creativity and promote indigenous Nigerian culture and values around the world. Festival director of LIFANIMA, Muyiwa Kayode, who was excited about the new interest shown by government in animation development said the need for authentic stories to be told through animation is long overdue given the rich cultural heritage of the country. The participants at the festival included representatives of the Lagos State Government, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Shaibu Husseini, the Director General of the Centre for Black Arts and Civilisation, Aisha Adamu Augie, and representatives of private sector organisations and the French Embassy in Nigeria. Photo: https://t.me/olexandrprokudin In Kherson region, Russian occupation forces targeted marked UN humanitarian aid trucks this morning. One truck burned, a second sustained significant damage, and two more escaped the attack, fortunately without casualties, according to regional military administration head Oleksandr Prokudin. "This morning, in Bilozerska community, the occupiers targeted UN OCHA [United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] trucks with drones and artillery. The four white vehicles with markings were not military equipment, but rather vehicles delivering aid to people," Prokudin wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. According to him, one vehicle burned, and another was seriously damaged. "Two managed to escape the hit. It was only by a miracle that no one was injured," Prokudin added. "Today, the world's 'second army' defeated several tonnes of humanitarian aid. Terroriststheres nothing more to say here," the head of the Administration noted. As reported, this isn't the first attack on international humanitarian missions in Ukraine while they were working. On September 4, near Chernihiv, Russian forces struck workers of the Danish Refugee Council's humanitarian demining mission. Eight people were injured and two were killed. It was a tense but dramatic moment in the House of Representatives on Tuesday when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen read letters announcing the defection of three lawmakers from Kaduna State to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcements came during plenary after the House allowed the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, to observe proceedings and formally welcome the defectors. The move, which had been speculated for weeks, was finally confirmed through the speakers reading of their letters, marking a significant political realignment within the Kaduna caucus in the lower chamber. Those who defected are Hussaini Ahmed, who represents Kaduna South Federal Constituency; Aliyu Abdullahi (Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency), and Sadiq Abdullahi ( Sabon Gari Federal Constituency). All three lawmakers left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC. Their defection was not entirely unexpected. Political watchers in Kaduna, in recent weeks, pointed to mounting tension within the state PDP, as internal disagreements and leadership struggles deepened. Governor Sanis growing influence at both the state and national levels has also reportedly played a role in convincing several legislators to join the APC fold. Mr Ahmed, who had declared his decision to leave the PDP, said his defection followed wide consultations with party stakeholders and constituents who believed that aligning with the ruling party would bring greater development opportunities to the constituency. For Mr Abdullahi of Ikara/Kubau, the move is seen as part of a broader strategy to strengthen his political footing ahead of future elections, while Mr Sadiq of Sabon Gari, a relatively young lawmaker, has also been identified as one of those seeking to consolidate his influence through alignment with the dominant political force in the state. The defection further weakens the PDPs representation in the National Assembly, especially from Kaduna State, where the ruling APC continues to consolidate power. It also highlights the continuing fluidity of party allegiance among Nigerian lawmakers, many of whom often cite internal crises as justification for crossing party lines. The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to renew diplomatic and security cooperation with neighbouring Niger Republic and other Sahel countries to help curb the escalating wave of banditry and cross-border insecurity ravaging border communities in Sokoto State and other parts of the North-west. This resolution was sequel to a motion on Urgent Need for Intensified Security Operations to Curb the Escalating Wave of Banditry in Kebbe and Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Sokoto State, moved during Tuesdays plenary by Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto). The House, while adopting the motion, also mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and Police Affairs to ensure coordinated security operations, and the Committees on ECOWAS Parliament and Foreign Affairs to work towards normalising Nigerias strained relations with the Niger Republic to enable regional intelligence sharing and cooperation in tackling arms proliferation, insurgency, and transnational banditry. Unrelenting violence in Kebbe and Tambuwal Presenting the motion, Mr Dasuki painted a grim picture of the worsening insecurity in his constituency. He said residents of Kebbe and Tambuwal Local Government Areas have continued to live in fear following a series of violent attacks by armed bandits that have claimed lives, destroyed livelihoods, and displaced thousands. He recounted the attacks of 12 August in Fakku Ward, Kebbe LGA, where bandits killed five residents, abducted 28 others, and rustled 37 cows. Three days later, Sangi Ward came under siege, forcing hundreds of residents to flee to nearby towns such as Kuchi, Koko, and Kebbe. On 18 August, Ungushi Ward suffered a similar fate, leaving two people dead and seven abducted. In Tambuwal LGA, he said, the crisis has been no less severe. On 20 August, bandits invaded Jabo/Kagara Ward, displacing residents from four villages who sought refuge in Jabo town. On 23 August, three young businessmen were abducted in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward at the Local Government Headquarters, while Tambuwal town itself has faced multiple attacks, including the abduction of three daughters of a resident on 16 July and the kidnapping of PDP Youth Leader Abdullahi Zaki on 25 August. Mr Zaki is still missing despite ransom payments. These unrelenting attacks have left families shattered, communities deserted, and children unable to attend school, while farmers have abandoned their farmlands due to fear of further violence. The resulting economic paralysis has deepened poverty and eroded social cohesion in Kebbe and Tambuwal communities, Mr Dasuki said. The lawmaker also linked the worsening insecurity to the broader diplomatic and security tensions in the Sahel region, particularly between Nigeria and Niger Republic. He called on the House to direct its Committees on ECOWAS Parliament and Foreign Affairs to work towards normalising relations with neighbouring Sahel states, especially the Niger Republic, to enable cross-border intelligence sharing and regional cooperation to curb arms flow, insurgency, and transnational banditry in border communities. Mr Dasuki emphasised that Nigeria cannot win the war against banditry and terrorism in isolation, as the threats are regional in nature and require collective responses among Sahelian countries. Regional security at a crossroads Since the Niger coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, relations between Abuja and Niamey have been frosty. ECOWAS, under Nigerias leadership, imposed sanctions and closed borders with Niger in protest against the military takeover, cutting off official security coordination mechanisms that previously existed under the ECOWAS security framework and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). This disruption has created security vacuums along Nigerias northern flank, particularly across Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states, where thousands of kilometres of porous borders have become corridors for smuggling, arms trafficking, and the movement of insurgents. Before the sanctions, both countries had collaborated on intelligence sharing and joint patrols along key border routes. However, the suspension of these operations, combined with the withdrawal of French and Western counterterrorism forces from the Sahel, has allowed militant and criminal networks to reorganise, expanding their influence from Mali and Burkina Faso into Niger and northern Nigeria. Mr Dasukis motion underscored this link, warning that without immediate diplomatic and security engagement, Nigerias border communities could remain soft targets for transnational bandits who exploit weak governance and poor coordination between Sahel states. Other resolutions of the House The House, in adopting the motion, urged the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police, and other security outfits to immediately reinforce deployment in affected areas, enhance joint operations, and prioritise intelligence-led missions to restore peace and protect farmlands. It also called on the federal government to intensify efforts to rescue abducted victims, bring perpetrators to justice, and provide psychological and material support to victims and displaced persons. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and humanitarian organisations were tasked to deliver emergency relief to affected communities. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over Tuesdays session, referred the motion to the Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Police Affairs, NEMA, and Inter-Parliamentary Affairs for follow-up and reporting within two weeks. The House also observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims of the Sokoto attacks. No fewer than 2.2 million children have received vaccines against measles, rubella, poliomyelitis, and other preventable diseases in the ongoing integrated vaccination campaign in Sokoto State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Sokoto State government has intensified its outreach efforts by conducting awareness campaigns in churches, mosques, schools, markets, and other public spaces to ensure maximum coverage. The states Commissioner for Health, Faruku Wurno, made the disclosure on Tuesday during a review meeting. Mr Wurno urged parents and guardians to ensure their children and wards are vaccinated, stressing that those vaccines are essential to protect them from life-threatening but preventable diseases. He said the campaign is part of a broader national initiative to improve vaccination coverage and promote community ownership of public health programmes. Mr Wurno noted that the state government had taken robust steps to mobilise citizens and raise awareness. He also commended the management of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) for their cooperation in resolving concerns raised by some staff during the campaign. Additionally, he thanked other key stakeholders, including the Commissioners for Basic and Secondary Education, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Sultanate Council, for helping address public misunderstandings around the vaccination exercise. Speaking on the campaigns progress, Hamza Yusuf, the Campaign Incident Manager, reported that the exercise had achieved approximately 65 per cent coverage so far. Mr Yusuf added that non-compliance cases are minimal and being addressed. He identified hard-to-reach and security-challenged areas such as Tureta, Sabon Birni, and Isa as priority zones for intensified efforts. He also noted Wamakko, Sokoto North, and Sokoto South as having the highest rates of non-compliance. We are deploying appropriate strategies to reach remote communities and working closely with stakeholders to overcome resistance, Mr Yusuf said, while praising partners for their ongoing support and encouragement. Mr Wurno reiterated the state governments commitment to safeguarding every childs health, calling on parents, caregivers, and community leaders to support the campaign and ensure no eligible child was left unvaccinated. Meanwhile, NAN reports that a committee has been formed following interactions with UDUTH management, led by its Chief Medical Director, Anas Sabir, to improve mobilisation within the hospital community. However, there have been isolated incidents of disruption. At Rumbukawa Primary School in Sokoto North LGA, a team of vaccinators was attacked by thugs, resulting in injuries and hospitalisation of victims. In another incident, a girl fell ill after receiving the vaccine at Sultan Maccido School and is currently receiving treatment at Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital. A medical team has been deployed to assess the situation. The commissioner directed immediate action on both incidents and assured vaccination teams of their safety, saying security measures had been strengthened across all levels of the campaign. (NAN) SEATTLE, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- (Re)Purpose, a high-impact movement focused on purpose, announces (Re)Purpose Summit, inviting innovators and creators to Seattle on November 12, 2025, for a bold gathering focused on discovering ikigai and harnessing the transformative power of purpose. In support, Mayor Bruce Harrell is proclaiming November 12th as (Re)Purpose Day in Seattle. Graphic "Seattle's spirit of innovation and regeneration makes it the ideal home for (Re)Purpose, " said Sam Ushio, founder, Ikigai Lab & (Re)Purpose. "This movement aims to elevate Seattle as the Purpose Capital of the World by connecting innovators who are reimagining finance, technology, and community as a pathway to flourishing." Hosted at the Alaska Airlines CARE Retreat Center, this full-day summit promises to be the intersection of innovation, identity, community, and action. (Re)Purpose is more than a conference it is a movement to rebuild trust, reimagine innovation, and redesign systems where all can flourish. Tickets are available at www.repurposesummit.com. Ryan Spies, Alaska Airlines Managing Director of Sustainability, adds "At Alaska Airlines, we believe purpose fuels connection in the air and on the ground. Hosting the (Re)Purpose Summit at our CARE Retreat Center in Seattle reflects our commitment to helping people and communities reach new heights, together. We're proud to support changemakers who share our belief that sustainability, kindness, and purpose are powerful forces for positive change." What to Expect at (Re)Purpose Summit The goals for this (Re)Purpose event are to Educate & Inspire, Connect & Collaborate, Implement & Activate. This symposium will explore three core pillars: Tech for Good, Values-Aligned Investing, and Flourishing through a powerful mix of keynotes, interactive workshops, and co-creative breakout sessions. The mainstage will feature notable speakers including: The City of Seattle will showcase purpose-driven businesses and community initiatives, including Best Day Ever, a collaboration of Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Chamber of Connection and Cultivate South Park and Traveling While Black, featuring Marlie and Anthony Love. (Re)Purpose will feature the 2025 Ikigai Award, presented to Howard Behar, one of Seattle's original purpose-driven leaders. Behar elevated Starbucks from a regional coffee purveyor to a global brand as President of Starbucks International, where he opened the first store outside of North America in Japan. (Re)Purpose Summit will host a mix of local residents, national guests, and nextgen leaders including the Ikigai Fellows from the University of Nebraska Clifton Strengths Institute. (Re)Purpose is a 501c3 nonprofit with EIN #83-0996530 where tax-deductible donations are welcome at https://www.repurposesummit.com/donate. Media Contact: Josie Golka 402-659-2525 [email protected] SOURCE (Re)Purpose New 2025 dataset shows Cell Signaling Technology, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Abcam lead the antibody market despite challengers, as well as the continued impact of recombinant and secondary antibodies. BATH, England, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CiteAb, a Sci-Tech company specialising in data collection, has released its annual Top 100 Most Cited Antibodies dataset, based on AI-driven text-mining of product use across millions of life science publications. In a competitive landscape with over 8 million research-use-only (RUO) antibody products, this dataset reveals which suppliers and reagents are driving breakthroughs. This year's ranking shows continued dominance by major suppliers, with Cell Signaling Technology, Abcam, a Danaher company and Thermo Fisher Scientific supplying over two thirds of the top 100 antibodies. Growing players to watch included ABclonal and Proteintech. Key Trends Recombinant monoclonal antibodies comprised nearly a quarter of the top 100, highlighting ongoing interest in renewable antibodies. comprised nearly a quarter of the top 100, highlighting ongoing interest in renewable antibodies. Secondary antibodies saw a notable rise, comprising 38% of the top 100 products. saw a notable rise, comprising 38% of the top 100 products. Conjugated antibodies (such as Alexa Fluor and IRDye-tagged reagents) also saw increasing use, pointing to continued interest in imaging applications. (such as Alexa Fluor and IRDye-tagged reagents) also saw increasing use, pointing to continued interest in imaging applications. New antibodies entered the top 100, with a Proteintech GAPDH antibody entering the top 10. "RUO antibodies play a critical role in research, and this data provides a valuable snapshot of what scientists are actually using," said CiteAb CEO, Dr Andrew Chalmers. "The top 100 list offers insight not only into vendor performance but also into where the research community is heading, from the use of recombinant antibodies to imaging applications. These insights help researchers, suppliers, and investors understand the field." The full dataset - available for free download - includes company names, product names, and rank. CiteAb's Top 100 series continues later this year with datasets covering cell lines and bioactive small molecules. Read more here: https://blog.citeab.com/top-100-antibodies-in-research-2025-update/ About CiteAb CiteAb provides world-class data that accelerates scientific research. Our industry-leading data collection technology combines machine learning with extensive human reviewing to identify and understand reagent use from scientific publications. This highly accurate data is used to power all of our services. Our search engine ranks products by citations, fundamentally changing the way researchers find products for their experiments, and our high-quality data services are used by reagent suppliers, investors, publishers and pharma & biotech companies globally. Over 4 million pages of information in the last year were served to CiteAb users, from all of the top 10 universities and pharma companies, searching over 16 million reagents. We are a committed group of biologists and computer scientists dedicated to helping the world's best scientists and suppliers tackle the big problems in life science research. For more information visit www.citeab.com. Media contact: Skye Longworth 07858177249 [email protected] SOURCE CiteAb Epson to Offer Attendees Hands-On Demos, Innovative Automation Solutions and Expert Guidance on Navigating Today's Manufacturing Challenges LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson Robots, the #1 SCARA robot manufacturer in the world, will be demonstrating its high-performance SCARA, 6-Axis and automation solutions at The ASSEMBLY Show 2025, the leading event for assembly and manufacturing, taking place in Rosemont, Illinois from Oct. 21-23, 2025, in booth #319. With over four decades of automation expertise, Epson helps manufacturers address challenges such as labor shortages, reshoring, and the demand for faster, more flexible production. At The Assembly Show, attendees can see how Epson robots streamline automation while boosting speed, safety and efficiency. Epson Robots to Showcase High-Performance Automation Solutions with Demos & Expert Guidance at The Assembly Show 2025 Post this "From easy-to-integrate robots to user-friendly software tools, Epson makes automation simple, accessible and cost-effective," said Scott Marsic, group product manager, Epson Robots. "Epson's technology removes the complexity often associated with automation, helping businesses implement flexible, reliable solutions with confidence." Show attendees can also participate in two educational sessions and explore Epson's broad lineup of high-performance, easy-to-use robots designed for diverse industries and applications. Speaking Engagement: "Beyond the Labor: Understanding Robot ROI from Production to Profits" In this session, Marsic will explore how to accurately calculate the ROI of robotic automation beyond simple labor replacement. Attendees will learn best practices for designing efficient systems, uncover hidden cost benefits such as reduced waste and improved safety, and understand how robotics can drive long-term gains in quality, productivity, and profitability. This session will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 10:40 to 11:15 a.m. CDT in the Conference Center Level 1, as part of the Robots on the Assembly Line track. In this session, Marsic will explore how to accurately calculate the ROI of robotic automation beyond simple labor replacement. Attendees will learn best practices for designing efficient systems, uncover hidden cost benefits such as reduced waste and improved safety, and understand how robotics can drive long-term gains in quality, productivity, and profitability. This session will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 10:40 to 11:15 a.m. CDT in the Conference Center Level 1, the Robots on the Assembly Line track. Speaking Engagement: "Automation 101: The Starting Point for Robot Automation" Whether new to automation or looking to optimize existing processes, Marsic will provide a step-by-step guide to integrating robotics for assembly and will cover essential considerations such as the reasons to automate and more. This session will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 2:30 to 3 p.m. CDT in the Learning Theater. Whether new to automation or looking to optimize existing processes, Marsic will provide a step-by-step guide to integrating robotics for assembly and will cover essential considerations such as the reasons to automate and more. This session will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 2:30 to 3 p.m. CDT in the Learning Theater. All-in-One SCARA Robots for Compact Spaces The innovative T-B Series All-in-One SCARA robots offer easy integration and fast installation. With a built-in controller, 110 V or 220 V power and no battery required for the encoder, the T-B Series allows for quick development and simplified maintenance. With Epson Vision Guide, inspection can be completed with a pick-and-place application. The innovative T-B Series All-in-One SCARA robots offer easy integration and fast installation. With a built-in controller, 110 V or 220 V power and no battery required for the encoder, the T-B Series allows for quick development and simplified maintenance. With Epson Vision Guide, inspection can be completed with a pick-and-place application. High-Power Density, Next-Level Performance Designed for complete and demanding tasks, the GX-Series SCARA robots with patented GYROPLUS vibration reduction technology, offer high throughput, smooth motion control and heavy payloads. This interactive demo will showcase SafeSense technology, which enables safe human-robot interaction, with proper risk assessment without physical safety barriers. Designed for complete and demanding tasks, the GX-Series SCARA robots with patented GYROPLUS vibration reduction technology, offer high throughput, smooth motion control and heavy payloads. This interactive demo will showcase SafeSense technology, which enables safe human-robot interaction, with proper risk assessment without physical safety barriers. Versatile 6-Axis Robotics VT6L All-in-One 6-Axis robots offer a 900 mm reach and payload of up to 6kg with a space-saving, built-in controller and can run on 110 or 200V or as a DC-powered mobile version. Experience the IntelliFlex Feeding System in a bulk singulation workcell. VT6L All-in-One 6-Axis robots offer a 900 mm reach and payload of up to 6kg with a space-saving, built-in controller and can run on 110 or 200V or as a DC-powered mobile version. Experience the IntelliFlex Feeding System in a bulk singulation workcell. Ultra-High Performance and Flexibility C-Series 6-Axis robots deliver high throughput with max-rated payloads and multiple arm configurations to accomplish the most demanding assembly needs. This interactive demo will showcase SafeSense technology. C-Series 6-Axis robots deliver high throughput with max-rated payloads and multiple arm configurations to accomplish the most demanding assembly needs. This interactive demo will showcase SafeSense technology. Unique Folding Arm Design N2 compact 6-Axis robots feature folding arm technology for shorter cycle times and a reach of 450 mm. Observe the N2's unique arm motion within a compact work envelope. N2 compact 6-Axis robots feature folding arm technology for shorter cycle times and a reach of 450 mm. Observe the N2's unique arm motion within a compact work envelope. Full Featured and Built for Performance LS10B SCARA robots are designed for heavy payload applications with reaches up to 800mm and payloads up to 10kg. View the LS10B simulating an automotive component inspection application. LS10B SCARA robots are designed for heavy payload applications with reaches up to 800mm and payloads up to 10kg. View the LS10B simulating an automotive component inspection application. Advanced Robotic Programming Easy to learn, Epson RC+ Industrial Automation Development Software features a comprehensive suite of advanced tools, such as Vision Guidance, Force Guidance, Conveyor Tracking, Parts Feeding, and more. Also, see how a customized data display can be developed with the Epson GUI Builder. The Assembly Show 2025 will take place Oct. 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CDT, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT and Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. To learn more about Epson robot solutions at the show, stop by booth #319 or visit www.epsonrobots.com to contact a robot expert. About Epson Robots Epson Robots is a global leader in PC-controlled precision factory automation, with well over 150,000 units sold worldwide 1 and a product line of hundreds of models of easy-to-use SCARA and 6-Axis robots based on a common PC-based platform. Building on four decades of experience, Epson Robots delivers robots for precision assembly and material handling applications in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, biotechnology, consumer product, electronics, food processing, medical device, pharmaceutical, plastics, semiconductor, and telecommunication industries. For more information, visit www.epsonrobots.com. About Epson Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/ Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), X (x.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica). 1 Epson internal sales data through 2021. EPSON, Epson RC+ and GYROPLUS are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. SafeSense and IntelliFlex are trademarks of Epson America, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2025 Epson America, Inc. SOURCE Epson America, Inc. Cambritaxestat, the first autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor to be investigated in cancer patients, meets its primary endpoint in a study to assess safety and anti- tumour responses in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer Combining cambritaxestat with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GnP) was tolerable and associated with anti-tumor responses Cambritaxestat administration combined with GnP demonstrated reduction in pharmacodynamic markers associated with fibrosis, immune regulation and tumor progression GENEVA and AMSTERDAM and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iOnctura, a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on neglected and hard-to-treat cancers, today announces the Phase Ib study investigating oral autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor, cambritaxestat (IOA-289), has met the primary endpoint: demonstrating safety, tolerability and anti-tumor responses, in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). These data are being presented as a poster at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Berlin, Germany.1 Lead investigator, Davide Melisi, M.D., Ph.D, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, and Director of the Digestive Molecular and Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, and Investigational Cancer Therapeutics Clinical Unit at the University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy said, "These early findings with cambritaxestat are encouraging. Clinical activity alongside a manageable safety profile is particularly meaningful in a disease as aggressive and fibrotic as metastatic pancreatic cancer. These findings warrant continued scientific exploration in autotaxin inhibition." The Phase Ib dose escalation study, AION-02 ( NCT05586516 ) evaluated cambritaxestat in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy GnP in patients with previously untreated mPDAC. Sixteen patients received cambritaxestat orally, twice daily at doses of 100 mg (n=4), 200 mg (n=4), 400 mg (n=5) and 800 mg (n=3). GnP was administered by IV infusion, weekly for three weeks of a four-week cycle. The results show no dose-limiting toxicities, and no treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) leading to drug discontinuation or dose modification. Pharmacodynamic analysis showed a dose dependent reduction in the ATX-dependent plasma lipid LPA C18:2 over 24 hours supporting cambritaxestat's on-target effects. Patients in the higher-dose cohorts had consistent and durable reductions of the tumor marker CA19-9. These changes were associated with radiographic responses and survival. Dr. Michael Lahn, Chief Medical Officer at iOnctura said, "These data reinforce the therapeutic promise of targeting the autotaxin pathway to address the complex biology of pancreatic cancer, and potentially other tumors with high expression of autotaxin and its associated signaling. As we advance development, we remain focused on unlocking the potential of cambritaxestat to improve outcomes for patients facing some of the most challenging and hard-to-treat cancers." Cambritaxestat is the first autotaxin inhibitor to be investigated in cancer patients and is being developed as a first-in-class therapy across multiple cancer indications. This study was co-funded by the European Union and recruited patients in Italy and the United Kingdom. For more information contact: iOnctura Corporate Press Office: [email protected] About iOnctura iOnctura is a clinical-stage precision oncology company combating neglected and hard-to-treat cancers with a pipeline of first-in-class small molecules. The bold new treatments extend lives and improve healthspans, changing the outlook for patients and their families. Lead asset, roginolisib, is an allosteric modulator of PI3K with a unique chemical structure and binding mode. Allosteric modulation is a new archetype for precise inhibition of PI3K, promising clinical activity without the detrimental tolerability seen with previous generations of inhibitors. Roginolisib is being investigated in multiple randomized Phase II studies in solid and hematological malignancies. iOnctura is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands with subsidiaries located in Geneva, Switzerland and Cambridge, MA, USA. iOnctura is backed by specialist institutional investors including Syncona, M Ventures, Inkef Capital, EIC Fund, VI Partners, Schroders Capital and XGEN Venture. About cambritaxestat Cambritaxestat is an orally administered autotaxin inhibitor being developed for the treatment of highly fibrotic cancers, including metastatic pancreatic cancer. By targeting the autotaxin pathway, cambritaxestat offers a novel three-pronged approachdirectly inhibiting tumor growth, stimulating immune effector cells, and reducing fibrosis to enhance drug and immune cell access to the tumor. Cambritaxestat received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in March 2024. This study was co-funded by the European Union. 1 ESMO Abstract #2227P: A Quinzii et al. Safety and clinical efficacy of cambritaxestat (IOA-289), a novel autotaxin inhibitor, plus gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (GnP) in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Abstract available, 13 October 2025 . Poster presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress, 19 October 2025. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2736715/5560980/iOnctura_Logo.jpg SOURCE iOnctura WILMINGTON, Calif., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Juanita's Foods, the leading producer of authentic Mexican Soups, Hominy, and Sauces in the United States, proudly announces the appointment of Jim Donzelli, as Vice President of Sales. In this new role, Jim will lead customer facing functions in the West Region driving the company's commitment to delivering high-quality, traditional Mexican food products to its valued consumers & customer partners. Jim will play a key role in shaping Juanita's go-to-market strategy with Retail and Food Service and elevating the brand's presence across different channels. "Jim brings a deep understanding in driving profitable sales and proven track record in building long term partnerships," said George Miketa, Chief Customer Officer at Juanita's Foods. Jim joins Juanita's Foods with extensive experience in the consumer package goods industry, having held sales leadership positions at ConAgra Brands, Animated Brands, and 8th Avenue Foods & Provisions (2 divisions of Post Holdings), where he successfully drove market share gains and customer engagement initiatives. "I am honored to join Juanita's Foods, a company with a rich and clear passion for bringing Mexican traditions to the table," said Jim Donzelli. "I look forward to working with the team to strengthen customer partnerships and create even greater value for our consumers. This appointment reflects Juanita's Foods' continued focus on customer-driven innovation and operational excellence as the brand builds upon its market leadership in authentic Mexican Cuisine." About Juanita's Foods Founded in 1946, Juanita's Foods is the leading manufacturer of traditional Mexican soups, hominy, and sauces in the United States. The company proudly honors Mexican culinary traditions, using time-honored recipes and processes to deliver authentic flavors to consumers nationwide. Media Contact: George Miketa Chief Customer Officer, Juanita's Foods 800-303-2965 [email protected] juanitas.com SOURCE Juanita's Foods THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Most Loved Workplace has released the 2025 America's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces. The rankings, published as a custom content feature in the Wall Street Journal , highlight 100 organizations across industries that are transforming employee experience and redefining retention strategies in today's economy. Lightfully Behavioral Health was ranked #86 on this prestigious list, which recognizes employers where people truly love to work. "These companies aren't just attracting top talent - they've cracked the code on how to keep employees engaged and thriving," said Louis Carter, Founder and CEO of Best Practice Institute and creator of the Most Loved Workplaces certification and annual rankings. "America's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces prove that when you help employees become who they want to be, they'll help your company become what it needs to be." Why This Workplace Stands Out As U.S. businesses face unprecedented pressure from employee burnout, shifting job markets, and AI-driven change, the 2025 America's Most Loved Workplaces show a better way forward. These companies go beyond transactional perks to create transformational cultures rooted in growth, purpose, and connection. "We set out to create a workplace we'd be proud to work in - one that invites growth, innovation, and genuine connection," said Jennifer Crute Steiner, CEO of Lightfully Behavioral Health . "Being recognized for that matters because it reflects what our teams live every day: caring deeply for clients and for one another." How the Rankings Were Determined The 2025 America's Most Loved Workplaces list is grounded in proof from employees themselves. Research was conducted by Best Practice Institute (BPI) using the proprietary Love of Workplace Index and advanced sentiment analysis. This methodology captures how employees truly experience their workplace - measuring emotional connection, collaboration, respect, alignment of values, and achievement. More than 2.8 million U.S. employees were surveyed across companies of all sizes and industries. Hundreds of executives were also interviewed to provide context on culture, leadership, and strategy. Companies represented 50+ industries, from Financial Services to Healthcare, Technology, Construction, and more. This independent validation ensures the rankings reflect both the lived experiences of employees and a rigorous external assessment of workplace practices. In an era where candidates and employees seek proof over promises, America's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces provides credible recognition that employees themselves stand behind. Explore the Full List To see the complete 2025 America's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list and company profiles, visit: https://mostlovedworkplace.com/americas-top-most-loved-workplaces-2025 To view the feature in The Wall Street Journal, visit: https://partners.wsj.com/most-loved-workplace/most-loved-workplaces-2025/Americas-top-100-most-loved-workplaces About Most Loved Workplace Most Loved Workplace is a global certification and recognition platform powered by Best Practice Institute. Organizations certified as Most Loved Workplaces outperform peers in retention, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Based on the Love of Workplace Index, the model is featured in the bestselling book In Great Company (McGraw-Hill, 2019). About Best Practice Institute (BPI) Best Practice Institute (BPI) is a leadership development and benchmark research organization that partners with corporations worldwide to optimize culture, performance, and talent strategy. BPI is the exclusive certifier and research body behind Most Loved Workplace. SOURCE Lightfully Behavioral Health YONKERS, N.Y., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Yonkers Inc., a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM), today withdrew its commercial casino license application to the New York Gaming Commission and the Gaming Facility Location Board. MGM Resorts issued the following statement: "Today, MGM Resorts made the difficult decision to withdraw its application for a commercial casino license in Yonkers, New York. Since submitting our application in June, the competitive and economic assumptions underpinning our application have shifted, altering our return expectations on the proposed $2.3 billion investment. "The newly defined competitive landscape with four proposals clustered in a small geographic area challenges the returns we initially anticipated from this project. Also, our proposal to renovate and expand Empire City Casino was predicated on the receipt of a 30-year commercial casino license but based on newly issued guidance from the State of New York we now expect to qualify for only a 15-year license. Taken together, these events result in a proposition that no longer aligns with our commitment to capital stewardship, nor to that of our real estate partner in Yonkers, VICI. "MGM Resorts has been a proud partner of the City of Yonkers and the State of New York since we purchased Empire City Casino in 2019. The property has generated more than $5 billion for New York State education, including $1.6 billion under our ownership. We know our decision will impact many individuals; we remain committed to operating the property in its current format and believe it will continue to enjoy success serving customers in Yonkers and the surrounding communities." Forward Looking Statements Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and involve risks and/or uncertainties, including those described in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "could," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "likely," "intends," "plans," "pro forma," "projects," "estimates" or "anticipates" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. The Company has based forward-looking statements on management's current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's expectations regarding the commercial casino license application in New York and its Empire City Casino. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise, and the Company may not be able to realize them. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include risks related to the economic and market conditions in the markets in which the Company operates and competition with other destination travel locations throughout the United States and the world, the design, timing and costs of expansion projects, risks relating to international operations, permits, licenses, financings, approvals and other contingencies in connection with growth in new or existing jurisdictions and additional risks and uncertainties described in the Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports). In providing forward-looking statements, the Company is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If the Company updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those other forward-looking statements. MGM RESORTS CONTACTS News Media: BRIAN AHERN, Executive Director of Communications [email protected] SOURCE MGM Resorts International Stubb after his talk with Zelenskyy: Focusing on military aid to Ukraine most important Photo: https://www.pap.pl Following a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasized the importance of focusing on short-term military assistance, long-term security guarantees, and the peace process. Thank you for the in-depth conversation. Always good to exchange notes on the evolving situation regarding Russias war of agression. Key now is to focus on short-term military aid, long-term security guarantees and the peace process, Stubb said on X. Canadian Cybersecurity Network Sounds Alarm: A Single Click Can Cancel a Surgery MONTREAL, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Canadian Cybersecurity Network (CCN), Canada's largest cybersecurity community, today released its Pulse Check National Cybersecurity in Healthcare Report at INCYBER Forum in Montreal. The report issues a stark warning: cyberattacks targeting Canada's healthcare system are accelerating, threatening care delivery, patient trust, and the resilience of Canada's most critical sector. Photo credit: Matt Harrison Clough Patients nationwide are already feeling the effects of rising cyberattacks and ransomware incidents. From surgeries in Ontario abruptly cancelled, to Toronto's SickKids Hospital facing delays in vital treatment, to Newfoundland and Labrador's province-wide breach costing $16 million and delaying thousands of procedures, these aren't isolated events, but signs of a growing national crisis. With a single click, a cyberattack can cancel a surgery, derail critical treatment plans, and put lives at risk. Globally, the threat is just as severe, with healthcare systems in the U.S. and U.K. suffering mass breaches and service shutdowns. "Cybersecurity in healthcare isn't just about protecting data, it's about protecting people. A single click can cancel a surgery. When systems go down, patient care stops, and the consequences are life and death," said Francois Guay, Founder and CEO of the CCN. "Every healthcare worker, policymaker, and leader has a role to play in protecting our healthcare system. Every cyber defence is another layer of protection around public health," said Elias Diab, VP of Cybersecurity at Accerta. "Canada's healthcare system is already stretched thin, facing staff shortages, long wait times, and rising demand," said Dr. Benoit Desjardins, MD, PhD, Professor and CMIO of Radiology, University of Montreal (CHUM). "The last thing it needs is a cyberattack that shuts down hospitals or exposes patient data. Inaction isn't just risky, it's dangerous. We need a unified, national response to protect a system Canadians rely on every day." 5 Key Findings of the Report Embed cybersecurity into every digital health initiative from conception to deployment. into every digital health initiative from conception to deployment. Invest in people by building cybersecurity capacity across clinicians, administrators, and IT teams. by building cybersecurity capacity across clinicians, administrators, and IT teams. Prioritize awareness through national, human-centered cybersecurity training for all healthcare workers. through national, human-centered cybersecurity training for all healthcare workers. Adopt secure-by-design funding models that reward resilience, not just connectivity. that reward resilience, not just connectivity. Share threat intelligence nationally so every breach teaches, and no hospital stands alone. The message is clear: healthcare cybersecurity is a matter of patient safety, public confidence, and national resilience. The report calls for immediate investment in staff awareness and training, stronger leadership engagement, and more resilient systems to ensure Canada's healthcare can withstand the rising tide of cyber threats and protect continuity of care. Download The Pulse Check National Cybersecurity in Healthcare Report for free here . About Canadian Cybersecurity Network Founded in 2019, the Canadian Cybersecurity Network (CCN) is Canada's largest cybersecurity member organization, connecting more than 45,000 professionals, 300 member companies and reaching nearly one million people nationwide. With a mission of "Stronger Together," CCN delivers independent research, national programming, and thought leadership to support cyber awareness, workforce development, and innovation. Learn more at www.canadiancybersecuritynetwork.com ; follow on LinkedIn . Media Contact: Francois Guay [email protected] 236-983-7300 SOURCE Canadian Cybersecurity Network JUNO BEACH, Fla., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) today announced that it plans to report third-quarter 2025 financial results before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in a news release to be posted on the company's website at www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults. The company will issue an advisory news release over PR Newswire the morning of Oct. 28, with a link to the financial results news release on the company's website. As previously communicated, the company will make available its financial results only on its website. John Ketchum, chairman, president and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy; Mike Dunne, executive vice president, finance and chief financial officer of NextEra Energy; and other members of the company's senior management team will discuss the company's third-quarter 2025 financial results during an investor presentation to be webcast live, beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Oct. 28. The listen-only webcast will be available on NextEra Energy's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults. The financial results news release and the slides accompanying the presentation may be downloaded at www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults, beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET on the day of the webcast. A replay will be available for 90 days by accessing the link listed above. NextEra Energy, Inc. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is one of the largest electric power and energy infrastructure companies in North America and is a leading provider of electricity to American homes and businesses. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra Energy is a Fortune 200 company that owns Florida Power & Light Company, America's largest electric utility, which provides reliable electricity to approximately 12 million people across Florida. NextEra Energy also owns one of the largest energy infrastructure development companies in the U.S., NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. NextEra Energy and its affiliated entities are meeting America's growing energy needs with a diverse mix of energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear, renewable energy and battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com. SOURCE NextEra Energy, Inc. HOUSTON, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PermitUsNow, the leading Texas-based permit expediting firm, is proud to announce that its Founder and CEO, Helen Callier, will join a distinguished panel on "Leadership to Legacy: Building Companies & Agencies That Last" at the upcoming SubContractors USA E.C.O. Summit & Expo. The Expo and Summit take place on October 15, 2025, at the Bayou City Event Center in Houston, and PermitUsNow will also be exhibiting at the event. E.C.O. Expo and Summit Main Stage Panelists presenting "Leadership and Legacy" for Businesses and Agencies with Helen Callier, Founder and CEO, PermitUsNow shown in the middle. PermitUsNow branded fleet vehicles are a constant showing of team members presence at permitting centers. The E.C.O. Summit brings together construction industry leaders, prime contractors, public agencies, and small firms to explore sustainable growth strategies, collaboration, and opportunity in capital projects. PermitUsNow's participation underscores its leadership role in partnering in bridging permitting challenges for capital projects. During the 12:301:30 p.m. session, Helen Callier will appear alongside panelists including: Nerv C. Thomas, Founder, President & CEO, Swift International Services Group, Inc. Terry L. Hargus Jr., Executive Vice President, Tellepsen Thomas Jasien, Interim President & CEO, Houston METRO Transit Authority Hopeton B. Hay, Executive Director, Office of HUB Programs, The University of Texas System The session will be moderated by D-Mars, President & CEO of SubContractors USA, Texas. As a woman leading a high-impact permit services firm, Helen Callier has steered PermitUsNow to work across major sectors including healthcare, higher education, aviation, and retail plus partnering with organizations like H-E-B, Harris Health, and OTG Management | United Airlines. Her leadership centers on creating systems and teams that are resilient to market cycles and contribute value to communities for generations. "True leadership means building companies that impact lives and communities long after the founder is gone," said Helen Callier. "PermitUsNow's daily work supports this mission by enabling capital projects to move forward faster, that keep stakeholders updated and that helps build client's dreams." Attendees are invited to visit the PermitUsNow exhibit booth during the event to learn more about how the firm streamlines permitting efforts for project owners, architects, and contractors. The company's expertise helps clients save time, money and energy allowing them to focus on project execution. "Legacy is about making an impact where people and communities know that you care and is proof that our business systems allow staff to act with excellence well into the future," Callier added. "We want every project we permit to carry forward community value, efficiency, and trust." About Helen Callier Callier is president and founder of PermitUsNow, an industry-recognized building permitting and expediting firm headquartered in Houston, Texas. Callier earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Prairie View A&M University. She is also a graduate of the Goldmans Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program and University of Texas, Austin Red McCombs School of Business Program. Callier, a former State of Texas Commissioner for TDLR, was recognized in 2021 by The Houston Business Journal as one of Houston's Women Who Mean Business, and as the Small Business Administration Women's Business Champion. Callier is also a published author, dynamic speaker and a frequent contributor in business and philanthropic circles that support Texans. About PermitUsNow PermitUsNow is a dynamic firm that is transforming the state of building permitting nationwide. PermitUsNow helps architects, contractors, and project owners to do what they love to do best and that is helping them to fulfill their customers' goals. PermitUsNow team members are building permitting process and code experts who have worked with more than 700 jurisdictions in Texas and in other cities in North America. PermitUsNow staff write and contribute articles for industry publications and have published The Real Secret to Permitting Your Construction Projects to assist Contractors. Companies such H-E-B, United Airlines, CVS, and McCarthy Building Companies have saved time and money during the pre-construction phase of their projects with support from PermitUsNow. Because of these operational efficiencies, these PermitUsNow clients were able to open new locations, connect with more customers, and achieve profitability sooner. For more information about Callier connect on Linkedin and PermitUsNow, please visit permitusnow.com Media Contact: Len Cal Tel: 281.312.9981 | Email: [email protected] SOURCE PermitUsNow OCP Launches New "Open Data Center for AI" Strategic Initiative SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Open Compute Project Foundation (OCP), the nonprofit international organization bringing at-scale innovations and hyperscale best practices to all, announces an expansion to its Open Systems for AI, an umbrella initiative with the new Open Data Center for AI Strategic Initiative (SI), to increase efforts on key data center infrastructure challenges: power, cooling, mechanical, and management telemetry. The addition of this new strategic initiative is in response to a large increase in data center physical infrastructure projects and workstreams launched in the past year, learnings from the OCP Open Systems for AI SI workshop series , and the new open-letter call for collaboration. With strong support from the OCP Board and stakeholders, the Foundation invites other organizations to sign this letter, which was initiated by Google, Meta, and Microsoft.. This underscores the OCP Foundation's mission to support the entire open data center ecosystem, covering IT as well as physical data center infrastructure and facilities. The mandate of the Open Data Center for AI SI is to develop standardizations for data center infrastructure allowing advanced high-density AI infrastructure to be deployed as flexibly as traditional compute where facilities are built with a common understanding of management telemetry, advanced power and cooling technologies to enable simpler deployment of a wide variety of AI solutions. The issue faced by data center partners including hyperscalers, neoclouds, co-location providers, enterprise users, and technology providers is that siloed efforts produce competing design requirements that slows innovations and extends deployment timelines. The goal is to identify and specify requirements for AI data centers such that the physical infrastructure common ground enables fungibility for a diverse AI IT infrastructure, especially while aspects of the AI IT elements are rapidly evolving. This will enable colocation data center providers to support a wider range of tenants with fewer customizations. "The OCP Community's vision of the open data center ecosystem continues to enable solving the challenges of building at-scale AI clusters and the infrastructure that houses them. We are continuing to utilize OCP's open, collaborative, and unique value proposition and its large community and ecosystem to develop open specifications and standards that address the bottlenecks that threaten to constrain the future of AI growth. We firmly believe OCP's role in fostering development of open, standardized, sustainable, and scalable infrastructure to be increasingly vital to the industry and its supply chain enabling it to deliver on AI's transformative potential cost effectively and with faster TTM, while managing its environmental impact," said George Tchaparian, CEO at the Open Compute Project Foundation. The Open Data Center for AI SI will be able to build on several work efforts already underway within the OCP Community The new Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU) Project covering integration of facilities' technology cooling systems and facility water systems into IT rack liquid cooling a facilities-level Power Distribution Project covering transition to a Direct Current distribution architecture that support high-powered IT rack. Other notable and recent contributions include The Diablo specification by Google, Meta and Microsoft describes a disaggregated power rack, or sidecar rack, pushing power delivery from today's 48 volts direct current (VDC) within the rack to either +/-400 VDC or 800VDC. The Diablo specification defines power solutions for high-density AI racks, enabling IT racks from 100 kilowatts up to 1 megawatt. More than simply increasing power delivery capacity, selecting 400 VDC as the nominal voltage leverages the supply chain established by electric vehicles, for greater economies of scale, proven quality, and more efficient manufacturing, by standardizing the electrical and mechanical interfaces. The Deschutes CDU is targeted to support ~2 MW heat loads, with hydraulic capacity targets of 500 GPM at 80-90 psi, which would be among the highest CDU thermal capacities available in the industry. It promises to enhance thermal management and operational efficiency. The specification will enable any CDU supplier in the industry to develop, manufacture and improve upon the design. The CDU is assembled from components that are sourced from multiple vendors that are widely known in the industry, allowing vendors to build and data center owners to be able purchase a CDU based on this specification. Beyond supply chain considerations, installation and maintenance procedures are shared to enable fast deployments of reliable equipment. The Clemente specification describes a 1RU tall compute tray which integrates two NVIDIA GB300 Host Processor Modules (HPM) into a form factor with peripherals that support Meta's AI/ML training and inference use cases. It also represents a milestone of a first deployment of a design that uses OCP ORv3 HPR (in-progress specification contribution) with side car power racks. The platform includes both air cooled and liquid cooled components. CPU, GPU and switch will be liquid cooled, with the remaining components air cooled. OCP's above Open Systems for AI efforts continue to solidify OCP as the premiere open organization accelerating deployment of AI data centers. These resources and more are collected on OCP's newly opened AI portal on the OCP Marketplace , providing one location for AI cluster designers, builders and facility providers to find the latest available AI infrastructure products and reference material. "With the AI infrastructure market moving very fast, there is a risk of higher costs due to fragmentations. It is the right time for an organization like the OCP to be facilitating a community to determine commonalities in data center facilities and IT Infrastructure that can help accelerate the market for future generations of AI cluster deployments and data center facility builds," said Alan Weckel, Founder and Technology Analyst, 650 Group. About the Open Compute Project Foundation The Open Compute Project (OCP) brings at-scale innovations and hyperscaler best practices to all, spanning technology domains from the data center to the edge, and the technology stack from silicon, to systems, to site facilities and services. The international OCP Community is made up of organizations and people from hyperscale and tier-2 cloud data center operators, communications providers, colocation providers, diverse enterprises, and technology vendors. With the tenets of openness, impact, efficiency, scale and sustainability, the OCP engages and educates thousands of engineers every year. Across many projects and initiatives, the OCP Foundation and Community are meeting the market today and shaping the future. Learn more at: www.opencompute.org . Media Contact Dirk Van Slyke Open Compute Project Foundation Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] Mobile: +1 303-999-7398 (Central Time Zone/CST/Austin, TX) Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1018821/OCP_Logo.jpg WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Safran Federal Systems today announced the U.S. launch of the Blacknaute Inertial Navigation System, a next-generation solution engineered to deliver precision navigation in GPS-denied and Electronic Warfare-contested environments, at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition. Purpose-built for the U.S. DoD community, Blacknaute is powered by Safrans patented HRG Dual Core technology, which is field-proven and trusted across mission-critical applications worldwide. Purpose-built for the U.S. DoD community, Blacknaute is powered by Safran's patented HRG Dual Core technology, which is field-proven and trusted across mission-critical applications worldwide. The system is designed to support current platforms and other emerging DoD platforms requiring resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). "Blacknaute represents a leap forward in GPS-denied inertial navigation," said Jon Leombrone, Executive Vice President of Navigation Systems at Safran Federal Systems. "With high performance capabilities, modular architecture, and an open-systems design, Blacknaute is built to meet the evolving demands of next-generation defense platforms." Key Features: Precision Inertial Performance: Achieves better than 0.4 nmi/hour drift, enabling sustained accuracy in GPS-contested or denied environments. Achieves better than 0.4 nmi/hour drift, enabling sustained accuracy in GPS-contested or denied environments. HRG Dual Core Technology: Patented hemispherical resonator gyro platform with decades of proven military and space-grade performance. Patented hemispherical resonator gyro platform with decades of proven military and space-grade performance. M-Code Ready GNSS Receiver: Integrated multi-constellation receiver with M-Code support for secure military satellite navigation. Integrated multi-constellation receiver with M-Code support for secure military satellite navigation. Ultra-Stable Atomic Clock: Delivers precise timing with drift of less than 1 second per 30,000 years, enhancing system integrity and synchronization. Delivers precise timing with drift of less than 1 second per 30,000 years, enhancing system integrity and synchronization. EW-Resilient with IDM Technology: Proprietary Interference Detection and Mitigation (IDM) supports jamming/spoofing resistance and threat awareness. Proprietary Interference Detection and Mitigation (IDM) supports jamming/spoofing resistance and threat awareness. SWaP-Optimized for Tactical Platforms: Lightweight (<16 lbs.), modular, and ruggedized for fixed-wing, rotary, and autonomous systems. Lightweight (<16 lbs.), modular, and ruggedized for fixed-wing, rotary, and autonomous systems. Standards-Based Integration: MIL-STD interfaces and TSO-C220 compliance; fully aligned with open mission systems architecture. Trusted by the Defense Community Safran Federal Systems delivers advanced navigation and PNT solutions as part of Safran Defense and Space, Inc.'s expanding portfolio supporting U.S. defense and government operations. The Blacknaute system enhances DSI's suite of classified PNT, geospatial intelligence, and space capabilities. Backed by over 50 years of expertise across air, land, sea, and space, Safran brings proven inertial navigation technologies to meet the demands of tomorrow's operational environments. Visit Us at AUSA 2025 Safran Federal Systems will showcase Blacknaute at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition, Booth 3425, co-located with Safran DSI. Attendees are invited to explore interactive product demos and speak directly with engineers and solution architects. For more details, visit: safranfederalsystems.com/blacknaute Safran Federal Systems is a trusted DoD mission partner and industry leader in Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT), providing cross-cutting and cost-effective solutions bred through innovation. Our expertise in simulation, NAVWAR, and open systems architecture enables rapid delivery of emerging technologies to the warfighter across all domains, from the lab to the field. Safran Defense & Space, Inc . is a leading provider of cutting-edge solutions designed to address the evolving challenges of U.S. national defense and advanced space missions across air, land, sea and space domains. Safran DSI is a U.S. subsidiary of Safran, an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of $28.8 billion in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. For more information: www.safranfederalsystems.com SOURCE Safran Defense & Space, Inc. "Winning the highest award for the best cannabis edible two years running confirms we're a true leader in the Massachusetts gummy market!" said Roshana Godfrey, Kitchen Manager, and namesake for the Company's 'Ro's Kitchen' dispensary baked goods counter. "It shines a spotlight on Suncrafted's dedication to quality, proving that fresh local inputs like cranberries from a nearby family farm, and our leading solventless concentrate extracts, make a popular gummy for Massachusetts consumers and patients. We're absolutely thrilled!" Visit the Middleborough dispensary website to discover more about Suncrafted's use of cranberries in some of the best cannabis edibles in their "Cranberry Collection," which features chocolates and its seasonal Thanksgiving cranberry sauce. Learn how locally sourced inputs from a nearby family farm sets new standards in the industry. This consecutive win confirms Holistic Health Group's commitment to excellence and innovation within the cannabis edibles market. Suncrafted's success demonstrates that a dedication to important goals, such as sustainability and holistic medicine, results in a high-quality, great-tasting product that offers a superior cannabis edible experience. Its use of solventless whole plant concentrate provides a more natural and holistic feeling, and its local inputs are the hallmark of sustainability and support of the local economy. Thousands of Massachusetts farmers rely on cranberry sales, which is why the Governor declared October "Massachusetts Cranberry Month." The Cranberry "Sunny" gummy's success can be attributed to several factors: Flavor: Unique blend of heritage cranberries and cannabis creates a distinctive and natural taste. Unique blend of heritage cranberries and cannabis creates a distinctive and natural taste. Quality: Solventless concentrate and fresh ingredients ensure a premium product. Solventless concentrate and fresh ingredients ensure a premium product. Effects: Whole plant concentrate provides a more natural-feeling experience. Whole plant concentrate provides a more natural-feeling experience. Sustainability: Suncrafted's commitment to sustainable practices resonates with environmentally conscious consumers. Media Contact: For tours or press inquiries email: [email protected] Holistic Health Group, Inc. d/b/a Suncrafted is a vertically integrated, licensed cannabis producer and distributor for the medical and adult use cannabis markets throughout partner dispensaries in Massachusetts. Its company store serves as a model for its "grow to zero" goal, targeting zero waste through the entire plant life cycle, including sales in reusable containers at its deli-style counter. HHG's operations also highlight best practices in the industry; using sunlight in greenhouse and outdoor cultivation, a tissue culture lab for propagation and genetics library, and solventless live rosin concentrates that also win awards year after year. The company's unique edible gummy "Sunnies" are just as noteworthy, made with locally sourced fruit and winning #1 best gummy at the New England Cannabis Convention in Boston in 2024 and 2025. HHG also leads the Massachusetts medical market in production of fast acting noncombustible non-vaping cannabis products. SOURCE Holistic Health Group, Inc. Groundbreaking $16M investment in the nonprofit Ed Farm with support from Apple and Alabama Power will bring critical tech training and broadband infrastructure to Alabama's "Black Belt" and beyond BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The State of Alabama, in partnership with the nonprofit Ed Farm, today announced the launch of the Alabama Digital Education Network (ADEN), an ambitious statewide workforce initiative that will establish a network of cutting edge "learning spaces" within the state's most rural communities. Backed by more than $16 million in new state funding, alongside programmatic and technology support from Apple and a connectivity partnership with Alabama Power, ADEN will establish future-focused community learning hubs in collaboration with anchor institutions including libraries, community centers, and schools. "The launch of the Alabama Digital Education Network is a landmark moment for our state" shared Alabama Governor Kay Ivey "Alabama is a national leader in both workforce development and broadband connectivity, and this initiative builds on that success by ensuring every student has access to the tools they need to succeed in our modern economy. We are bridging the digital divide, bringing the power of technology and high-quality education and workforce training directly to our most rural communities, and securing a brighter future for all Alabamians." According to Alabama Speaker of the House, Nathaniel Ledbetter: "Advancing Alabama's digital infrastructure plays a vital role in developing our workforce and providing strong opportunities for the people of our state. ADEN is much more than just a partnership with Ed Farm and Apple it is a lifeline for West Alabama and will have a generational impact on the region. This project has been over two years in the making, and I'm incredibly grateful for all of Alabama's public and private partners' support. Structured as a publicprivate partnership, ADEN will be delivered by Alabama-based nonprofit, Ed Farm, which will utilize Apple's cutting-edge curriculum through its Apple Foundation Program. The program offers Alabama residents an opportunity to build in-demand digital skills, address community challenges with technology, and create. "At Apple, we have always believed in the power of education to create opportunity for learners of all ages, equipping people with the skills and tools to reach their highest potential," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. "We have longstanding relationships here in Alabama to support teachers, students, and adult learners, and we are thrilled to build on that work alongside Ed Farm and state leaders." The initiative builds upon a strong record of success: in just five years Ed Farm, with support from Apple, has already produced over $1M1 in wage gains for Alabama workers through its Pathways to Tech program. "This partnership will allow us to expand and accelerate our mission to grow digitally fluent learners who are prepared for the future of work," said Waymond Jackson, President of Ed Farm. "By scaling our proven model, we can create lasting economic opportunity across the Black Belt." Delivering a digital learning experience at scale will be made possible with Alabama Power's connectivity infrastructure. "Since 2017, we've installed more than 2,000 miles of fiber to make our grid stronger and support faster restoration efforts," said Alabama Power President and CEO Jeff Peoples. "We're grateful this infrastructure investment is helping ADEN advance workforce development and educational opportunities across rural Alabama." ADEN's Montgomery hub at Alabama State University will serve as the largest site in the network, occupying multiple floors in the Alabama State Continuing Education Building in downtown Montgomery. As a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) rooted in the heart of the Black Belt, ASU brings crucial educational partnership and deep community ties to the initiative. "Alabama State University is proud to serve as the Montgomery hub for this transformative initiative" said Dr. Quinton Ross, Jr. President of Alabama State University. "As a Historically Black College and University rooted in the heart of the Black Belt, we understand the vital role access to digital infrastructure plays in closing opportunity gaps and empowering communities. This partnership allows Alabama State to continue setting the pace in workforce innovation and community impact bringing bold, tech-driven solutions to the forefront of education. This initiative marks yet another historic milestone in our mission to lead, serve, and uplift." Legislative leadership played a critical role in appropriating funding and convening program stakeholders, which drew broad geographic, and bipartisan support. State Senator Bobby Singleton, who represents the 24th district, believes that "The launch of ADEN will be a transformative moment for the Black Belt with the potential to close long-standing gaps in access and ensure that every Alabamian has a fair shot at success in the modern workforce." For more information, please visit: edfarm.org/aden. Aggregated from self-reported survey data of Ed Farm Pathways to Tech program participants About Ed Farm Launched in partnership with Apple and Alabama Power Foundation in 2020, Ed Farm is a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers educators, students, and adult learners to not only thrive in today's digital age but prepare for the advancements of tomorrow. Through tech-focused programming, leading-edge learning environments, and innovative tools, Ed Farm is on a mission to close the growing digital skills gap in communities across the southeast and beyond. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Ed Farm is part of Propel Education alongside Propel Center. Website: edfarm.org SOURCE Ed Farm AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Expands U.S. Production by 50% With Five New Vehicle Launches and 19 Product Actions Over Next Four Years, Adding More Than 5,000 New Jobs at Plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana Stellantis announced plans to invest $13 billion over the next four years to grow its business in the critical United States market and to increase its domestic manufacturing footprint. The investment is the largest in the companys 100-year U.S. history and will support the introduction of five all-new vehicles across the brand portfolio in key segments; production of the next-generation four-cylinder engine; and the addition of more than 5,000 jobs at plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Ind Largest single investment in Company's 100-year history, which benefits all U.S. assembly plants Belvidere, Illinois, plant to reopen for production of two new Jeep vehicles All-new midsize truck to be assembled in Toledo, Ohio Warren, Michigan, plant to produce all-new range-extended EV and internal combustion engine large SUV Next-generation Dodge Durango to be built in Detroit Kokomo, Indiana, facilities to produce all-new GMET4 EVO engine Stellantis announced today plans to invest $13 billion over the next four years to grow its business in the critical United States market and to increase its domestic manufacturing footprint. The investment is the largest in the Company's 100-year U.S. history and will support the introduction of five new vehicles across the brand portfolio in key segments; production of the all-new four-cylinder engine; and the addition of more than 5,000 jobs at plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. The new investment will further expand Stellantis' already significant U.S. footprint, increasing annual finished vehicle production by 50% over current levels. The new product launches will be in addition to a regular cadence of 19 refreshed products across all U.S. assembly plants and updated powertrains planned through 2029. "This investment in the U.S. the single largest in the Company's history will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home," said Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO and North America COO. "As we begin our next 100 years, we are putting the customer at the center of our strategy, expanding our vehicle offerings and giving them the freedom to choose the products they want and love." "Accelerating growth in the U.S. has been a top priority since my first day. Success in America is not just good for Stellantis in the U.S. it makes us stronger everywhere," Filosa said. Plant Investment Details1 The $13 billion investment plan includes research and development and supplier costs to execute the Company's full product strategy over the next four years as well as investments in its manufacturing operations. The details of the plant-specific investments follow: Illinois Stellantis intends to invest more than $600 million to reopen the Belvidere Assembly Plant to expand production of the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Compass for the U.S. market. With an initial production launch expected in 2027, these actions are anticipated to create around 3,300 new jobs. Ohio With an investment of nearly $400 million, assembly of an all-new midsize truck, previously allocated to the Belvidere plant, plans to move to the Toledo Assembly Complex, where it will join the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator. The production shift could create more than 900 jobs. Launch timing is expected in 2028. The Company also intends to continue with investments in its Toledo operations as previously announced in January. This includes additional technologies and strong product actions for both the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator, and more components critical to production at the Toledo Machining Plant. Michigan Stellantis plans to develop an all-new range-extended EV and internal combustion engine large SUV that will be produced at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant beginning in 2028. The Company will invest nearly $100 million to retool the facility. It is anticipated that the new program will add more than 900 jobs at the plant, which currently assembles the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. The Company also expects to invest $130 million to prepare the Detroit Assembly Complex Jefferson for production of the next-generation Dodge Durango, reaffirming its commitment from January. Production is anticipated to launch in 2029. Indiana The Company confirms its January announcement to make additional investments in several of its Kokomo facilities to produce the all-new four-cylinder engine the GMET4 EVO beginning in 2026. The Company plans to invest more than $100 million and to add more than 100 jobs to ensure that the U.S. will be the manufacturing home of this strategic powertrain. Stellantis' U.S. footprint includes 34 manufacturing facilities, parts distribution centers and research and development locations across 14 states. These operations support more than 48,000 employees, 2,600 dealers and nearly 2,300 suppliers in thousands of communities across the country. Today's announcement builds on the previously announced actions in January 2025. 1 Investments detailed in this release are subject to the successful negotiation and final approval of development packages with appropriate state and local governments. Stellantis Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is a leading global automaker, dedicated to giving its customers the freedom to choose the way they move, embracing the latest technologies and creating value for all its stakeholders. Its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands includes Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com. Stellantis Forward-looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements. In particular, statements regarding future events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, future financial and operating results, the anticipated closing date for the proposed transaction and other anticipated aspects of our operations or operating results are forward-looking statements. These statements may include terms such as "may", "will", "expect", "could", "should", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "remain", "on track", "design", "target", "objective", "goal", "forecast", "projection", "outlook", "prospects", "plan", or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Rather, they are based on Stellantis' current state of knowledge, future expectations and projections about future events and are by their nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. They relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on them. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including: the ability of Stellantis to launch new products successfully and to maintain vehicle shipment volumes; changes in the global financial markets, general economic environment and changes in demand for automotive products, which is subject to cyclicality; Stellantis' ability to successfully manage the industry-wide transition from internal combustion engines to full electrification; Stellantis' ability to offer innovative, attractive products and to develop, manufacture and sell vehicles with advanced features including enhanced electrification, connectivity and autonomous-driving characteristics; Stellantis' ability to produce or procure electric batteries with competitive performance, cost and at required volumes; Stellantis' ability to successfully launch new businesses and integrate acquisitions; a significant malfunction, disruption or security breach compromising information technology systems or the electronic control systems contained in Stellantis' vehicles; exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate changes, credit risk and other market risks; increases in costs, disruptions of supply or shortages of raw materials, parts, components and systems used in Stellantis' vehicles; changes in local economic and political conditions; changes in trade policy, the imposition of global and regional tariffs or tariffs targeted to the automotive industry, the enactment of tax reforms or other changes in tax laws and regulations; the level of governmental economic incentives available to support the adoption of battery electric vehicles; the impact of increasingly stringent regulations regarding fuel efficiency requirements and reduced greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions; various types of claims, lawsuits, governmental investigations and other contingencies, including product liability and warranty claims and environmental claims, investigations and lawsuits; material operating expenditures in relation to compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations; the level of competition in the automotive industry, which may increase due to consolidation and new entrants; Stellantis' ability to attract and retain experienced management and employees; exposure to shortfalls in the funding of Stellantis' defined benefit pension plans; Stellantis' ability to provide or arrange for access to adequate financing for dealers and retail customers and associated risks related to the operations of financial services companies; Stellantis' ability to access funding to execute its business plan; Stellantis' ability to realize anticipated benefits from joint venture arrangements; disruptions arising from political, social and economic instability; risks associated with Stellantis' relationships with employees, dealers and suppliers; Stellantis' ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting; developments in labor and industrial relations and developments in applicable labor laws; earthquakes or other disasters; risks and other items described in Stellantis' Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 and Current Reports on Form 6-K and amendments thereto filed with the SEC; and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statements contained in this communication speak only as of the date of this document and Stellantis disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly forward-looking statements. Further information concerning Stellantis and its businesses, including factors that could materially affect Stellantis' financial results, is included in Stellantis' reports and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and AFM. SOURCE Stellantis RIVERVIEW, Fla., Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Anabel Fernandez is recognized as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for her contributions to Immigration Law. Anabel Fernandez, founding partner at Ponton & Fernandez Attorneys at Law P.A., has emerged as a trusted advocate for immigrants seeking legal guidance in the United States. Since co-founding the firm in 2022, she has remained dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of immigration law with compassion and professionalism. Anabel Fernandez Originally from Cuba, Ms. Fernandez earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Havana in 2006 before immigrating to the United States in 2008. Motivated by her passion for international law and justice, she pursued advanced legal studies at the University of Miami School of Law, earning both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in international arbitration in 2017. Ms. Fernandez is a member of the American Bar Association, the Cuban American Bar Association, and The Florida Bar. Her dedication to public service is reflected in her long-standing involvement with the Cuban American Bar Association's Pro-Bono Gala, where she has volunteered since 2015. Throughout her legal career, she has received numerous accolades, including the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in 2014 and a Graduate Student Teaching Award from the University of Havana in 2005. These honors underscore her academic excellence and deep commitment to her profession. Looking ahead, Ms. Fernandez remains focused on expanding her outreach and continuing to serve immigrants and underserved communities throughout the region. Her work stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of meaningful advocacy. This recognition is dedicated in loving memory of her father, Pedro Medina, whose influence continues to inspire her journey. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, John P. Lynes, MD is honored as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for his contributions to Brain and Spine Surgery. John P. Lynes, MD, is a highly regarded neurosurgeon specializing in tumors of the brain and spine, as well as trauma-related conditions and degenerative spinal issues. Known for his precision and compassion, Dr. Lynes takes the time to carefully educate patients on complex, high-risk procedures while ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed. John P. Lynes Dr. Lynes built his expertise on a strong academic and professional foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Science in molecular and cell biology from the University of California at Berkeley, followed by his Doctor of Medicine from Rosalind Franklin Medical School in Chicago. He went on to complete a neurosurgical residency at MedStar Health/Georgetown University, an oncology fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, and an additional oncology fellowship at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida. He is a board-certified neurosurgeon. A fellow of both the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Dr. Lynes has also contributed significantly to medical research. He has published more than 25 papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences, advancing the field of neurosurgery through thought leadership and innovation. Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Lynes treasures his family. Inspired by his late grandfather, Frank Murphy, he pursued a career in medicine with a deep commitment to healing and service. He has been married for six years to Pearla Baten, MD, a neurologist, and together they are raising two sons. Looking forward, Dr. Lynes remains dedicated to advancing neurosurgical practices while maintaining his patient-first philosophy, ensuring every individual receives expert care paired with compassion and understanding. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle The Ministry of Communities and Territories Development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine signed an agreement for EUR 16.5 million, which provides for the installation of solar panels and heat pumps at social infrastructure facilities to ensure sustainable, decentralized energy supply to public buildings. On October 13, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine signed a financial agreement, officially launching the implementation phase of the Renewable Energy Solutions (RES) program. According to a UNDP statement received by Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday, the agreement provides EUR 16.5 million in funding for UNDP to accelerate the introduction of green energy in Ukraines public infrastructure. The financial agreement was signed in Kyiv by First Deputy Minister of Communities and Territories Development Aliona Shkrum and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine Christophoros Politis. It is noted that the signing of the agreement represents the final step in securing dedicated funding for the implementation of UNDPs two-year initiative, which is supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB) under an investment grant agreement between the EIB and Ukraine, and financed through a grant from Germanys Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) as part of the International Climate Initiative. Overall, the RES program is the result of collaboration between the EIB, the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development, UNDP, and the German development agency GIZ. Under this new agreement, the allocated EUR 16.5 million will be used to install and maintain decentralized renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage systems, in key public buildings. Priority will be given to essential social infrastructure, including schools, kindergartens, and hospitals. The main goal is to support these institutions in achieving "prosumer" status, enabling them to generate their own electricity and feed excess energy back into the grid, significantly reducing utility costs and dependence on centralized energy systems. "By applying modern renewable energy solutions in our schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and even front-line area medical facilities, we not only reduce energy costs but, most importantly, ensure the continuity of services for our most vulnerable citizens, even in the event of grid disruptions. This partnership transforms global support into tangible, sustainable resilience at the community level," said Shkrum at the agreement signing ceremony. Politis, in turn, emphasized that the partnership aligns with the goals of a green transition. "By supporting the process of enabling public buildings to achieve prosumer status, we are creating a modern, decentralized, and climate-resilient energy system. Importantly, solar panels on schools and hospitals will support essential services education and healthcare directly linking service delivery to community resilience," he said. The RES program is an important component of broader efforts to restore, modernize, and integrate Ukraine's energy system into the European Union. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is an agency of the United Nations, established by a resolution of the General Assembly of 22 November 1965, by merging the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the Special Fund. The programme's goal is to assist developing countries in their national development. DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Timekettle , a global leader in AI-powered translation, makes its debut at GITEX, one of the most influential tech events in the Middle East, occupying Stand 55 in Hall 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 13 to 17. This appearance highlights the brand's latest technological strides, underscoring its efforts to both visibility and strategic partnerships as it expands into the region. GITEX has long served as a global nexus for innovation in information technology, telecom, and smart solutions. For companies seeking to enter Middle Eastern and broader global markets, this expo offers unmatched exposure to industry leaders, channel partners, and forward-looking consumers. W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds for Seamless, Real-time Multilingual Communication At the expo, Timekettle showcases a lineup of its latest products, highlighting the W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds. Since its launch at IFA 2025 , the W4 has added support for Bengali, expanding Timekettle's translation coverage to 43 languages and 96 accents. The W4 represents a leap forward in real-time communication. It is the first device to integrate bone-voiceprint sensor voice capture with AI-powered translation based on large language models. By isolating speech from surrounding noise, it delivers translations with 98% accuracy and an ultra-low 0.2-second response time. Building on the success of the W4 Pro over-ear model for professionals, the new in-ear version combines high performance with portability. Its ergonomic design and precisely aligned microphone ensure clear voice pickup, while its Navy Blue and Sandy Gold finishes blend style with function. Bone conduction technology captures speech vibrations directly through the skull, eliminating background noise and preventing sound leakage. This enables clear, private conversations even in crowded or noisy environments. Smart features such as auto-switching between listening and speaking modes, and a flip-share case for two-way translation make the device effortless to use. The W4 offers up to four hours of translation or eight hours of music playback, extendable to 10 and 18 hours respectively with the charging case. Powered by Timekettle's latest AI translation system, Babel OS 2.0, the W4 combines real-time prediction, contextual understanding, and adaptive lexicons to deliver near-human fluency. AI voice-cloning feature, slated for 2026, will further personalize the translation experience. Expanding Presence in the Middle East Timekettle has already established a presence in the Middle East, with its products available at Sharaf DG and Virgin Megastore, two of the region's leading retail chains. Its debut at GITEX marks a significant step toward deeper market engagement and the strengthening of partnerships with premium distribution channels. To learn more about how Timekettle fuses AI, translation, and hardware to transform cross-language communication across regions and the brand's latest products, please visit: https://www.timekettle.co/ . About Timekettle Since its inception in 2016, Timekettle has been at the forefront of cross-language communication innovation. With award-winning products and a global user base of over one million, Timekettle continues to set new standards in AI translation technology, striving to achieve universal communication freedom. SOURCE Timekettle Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky has held a monthly working meeting on medical support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "At the current stage of the war, the realities of the battlefield are determined by attack drones, and the 'kill zone' now extends 10 kilometers. Under these conditions, the capabilities of our logistics and military medicine are crucial for the rapid evacuation of the wounded. We must view the war through the prism of the needs of the Ukrainian infantryman and preserve his life and health," he wrote on Facebook. Syrsky heard a substantive report on the use of innovative tools by the medical service of the 106th separate territorial defense brigade. "Its about professional consultations provided by doctors at rear hospitals to service members in combat zones using portable FMC systems. This system enables secure online consultations with the transmission of ECG, dermatoscopy, ultrasound, and otoscopy data, even when located far from the line of contact to hospitals and medical facilities staffed by highly specialized specialists," the commander-in-chief explained. He noted that the first batch of such equipment has been delivered to military units, and there are already results from its use. "The practical experience gained should be scaled up and disseminated across the military. This includes the use of information and communication technologies, the evacuation of the wounded from the battlefield using ground-based robotic systems, and other technological and organizational solutions," Syrsky stated. He added that work is also ongoing to digitalize the accounting of medical care for military personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. "We're reducing the amount of paperwork and freeing patients from unnecessary bureaucratic red tape. We're focusing on all areas of improving our medical services. Above all, we must work to preserve the lives and health of Ukraine's defenders, who are holding the front," the commander-in-chief stated. Syrsky reported that he had identified tasks for further work in this area. USA may only supply Ukraine with few Tomahawk missiles, which wont change war tide, Trump hasnt made decision yet media The United States may allocate between 20 and 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, the Financial Times reports, citing Stacie Pettyjohn, senior fellow and director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). She said it won't fundamentally change the dynamics of the war. Former Pentagon official Mark Cancian, who now works at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, estimates that the United States has a total of 4,150 Tomahawks, but since 2022, the Pentagon has purchased only 200, of which more than 120 have been launched. The Defense Department has requested funding for only 57 Tomahawks in its 2026 budget, the publication says, noting that Washington will likely also need Tomahawks during the military operation in Venezuela. Military experts note that Tomahawks could complement Ukraine's own long-range attack drones and cruise missiles in large, complex salvos for greater effect, but would still be very limited in capability... certainly insufficient to support sustained, deep-seated attacks against Russia. Two informed sources told the publication that US President Donald Trump is considering selling Ukraine an unspecified number of long-range Tomahawk missiles, but he needs to hear more about how Kyiv plans to use them. A Ukrainian official told the publication that, in the Ukrainian side's view, Trump is closer than ever to delivering the missiles, but noted that the US president has made it clear that he has not yet made a decision. Tomahawks are cruise missiles used primarily by the US Navy for land-attack missions. Launched from ships or submarines, they have a range of up to 2,500 km. 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 At the end of last week, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Oleksiy Sobolev held a major meeting on the development of the forestry and wood-processing industries, setting a task to increase timber harvesting while fulfilling key environmental obligations. "The problem we need to solve is the shortage of raw materials for Ukrainian wood-processing enterprises. The main reason is excessive overregulation," he was quoted as saying in a press release on the website of the state enterprise Forests of Ukraine. "These include outdated sanitary regulations, factors related to the inefficiency of a series of environmental procedures, and often unjustified restrictions on economic activities in forests. Forests are a strategic resource a resource that can be regularly renewed. They should generate added value and play an important role in the countrys economic development," the minister added. Viktor Smal, Head of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine, told Interfax-Ukraine that timber harvesting in the country amounted to 15.9 million cubic meters in 2022, 15.7 million cubic meters in 2023, 14.9 million cubic meters in 2024, and is forecasted to be in the range of 1415 million cubic meters this year, while the annual increment is about 35 million cubic meters. "Unfortunately, the volume of resources available to the wood-processing industry has decreased About 20% of forest resources are inaccessible due to hostilities: 1 million hectares are under occupation, 0.5 million hectares are mined, 100,000 hectares are in permanent combat zones, and roughly the same area comprises the locations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where economic activity is also not conducted," explained the head of the agency. He recalled that before the war, during Ukraines independence, there was one peak year when timber harvesting reached 20 million cubic meters, but on average, the pre-war median was closer to 17-18 million cubic meters. Smal clarified that this figure also included in-house processing by forestry enterprises, which amounted to about 2.5 million cubic meters per year, but this practice was abandoned as unprofitable and inefficient during the reform of the forestry sector and the creation of the state enterprise Forests of Ukraine, so that processing would be handled by private businesses. Thus, according to the head of the State Forest Resources Agency, there has not been a critical drop in timber harvesting volumes even during the war, but demand has increased, as the moratorium on the export of roundwood from Ukraine expanded the number of enterprises that increased their production capacity. "And they are now ready for larger volumes despite the reduction in available resources," Smal described his view of the situation. At the same time, he emphasized that there are several ways to increase timber harvesting volumes. For comparison, the head of the State Forest Resources Agency also cited Poland and Germany, where forest areas are comparable to those in Ukraine, but in Poland the annual increment is 40 million cubic meters, of which 37-38 million cubic meters are harvested, while in Germany the increment is nearly 100 million cubic meters with almost the same harvest. According to him, the transition from 2027 to new forest management methods, closer to natural processes using selective and restorative logging instead of clear-cutting will allow the average growth per hectare to triple, reaching 12 cubic meters per year. The second factor, Smal noted, is the radical difference in protected areas between Ukraine and Europe, where the nature reserve system is largely flexible, achieved through so-called multifunctional forests. Smal also cited another way to increase harvesting: reducing overregulation of EIA Environmental Impact Assessments. In his view, under the current logic of environmental impact assessments, even farmers would theoretically need to obtain one before, for example, harvesting wheat, which he described as nonsensical. Another scenario for increasing timber harvesting, he said, involves changing the regulatory framework and adjusting the age of forest maturity toward greater flexibility. A military administration in the city of Odesa may be established upon the proposal of the military command or regional state administration, but such a proposal has not yet been submitted, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, responding to a petition on the creation of the Odesa City Military Administration on the website of the head of state, which was supported by more than 25,000. "In accordance with the requirements of Part 2 of Article 19 of the Constitution of Ukraine, state authorities and local self-government bodies, their officials are obliged to act only on the basis, within the limits of their powers and in the manner provided for by the Constitution and laws of Ukraine... The decision to establish military administrations is made by the President of Ukraine upon the proposal of regional state administrations or military command. No such proposals have been submitted so far," Zelenskyy's response to the petition reads. At the same time, he reported that he had requested an order to verify the facts set forth in the petition, in particular, that in the relevant territorial communities "local self-government bodies do not exercise or improperly exercise their powers or there is a threat to their functioning," which, according to the law "On the legal regime of martial law," may serve as a basis for the President of Ukraine to make a decision on the formation of military administrations of settlements. "In view of what I have stated, letters have been sent to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky and the Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper with a request to verify the information provided and, if there are legal grounds, to take appropriate response measures. The author of the electronic petition will be informed about the results of the consideration of the issues raised," Zelenskyy said. At the same time, the head of state thanked "all those who joined this petition for their active civic position and interest in problematic issues of life, in particular in the field of the defense capability of the city of Odessa." The corresponding petition was submitted on September 24. As reported, earlier on Tuesday, the petition to terminate the Ukrainian citizenship of Odesa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov, published on Zelenskyy's website on October 13, has already gained more than 27,000, more than the 25,000 necessary for its consideration by the head of state. It also claims that some journalistic materials allegedly contain data on the presence of the Odesa mayor's passport of a Russian citizen, there is a reference to the Odesa mayor's advocacy of "narratives beneficial to the aggressor state," as well as to the tragedy of September 30, when people died as a result of a downpour in the city. On Monday, Trukhanov said he feared being stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship and warned that disinformation was being prepared against him regarding his alleged possession of Russian citizenship. He noted that this issue has been raised since 2014 and since then he has constantly explained that he does not have and has never had Russian citizenship, and that he was checked for it by all relevant Ukrainian authorities. The mayor of Odesa called this another provocation and appealed to all authorized bodies. "Conduct a legal and thorough check. I ask the president and the competent services to carefully look at the documents and establish the truth," Trukhanov said. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/stefanchuk.official Ukraine is counting on support from German parliamentarians to help unblock negotiation clusters in its EU accession talks, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk has said. "I held a substantive meeting in Berlin with Robin Wagener, head of the German-Ukrainian parliamentary cooperation group, and his colleagues. We discussed key security and cooperation issues and also touched on Ukraine's European integration. We are counting on continued assistance from German lawmakers in unblocking negotiation clusters and countering political manipulations aimed at slowing Ukraine's progress toward the EU," Stefanchuk wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. According to the speaker, he stressed that only strength and unity can compel Russia to engage in genuine negotiations. "We agreed that the path to a just peace lies through strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities, expanding sanctions, and closing loopholes that the Russian defense industry still exploits," Stefanchuk added. He also said that the parties discussed Ukraine's economic resilience separately. "Support from parliaments is crucial for securing long-term financial assistance, including through the use of frozen Russian assets in the EU. This is a matter of justice: the aggressor must pay for its crimes," the speaker said. Stefanchuk added that both sides agreed to intensify interparliamentary cooperation from reviving friendship groups to establishing permanent coordination between key parliamentary committees on foreign policy, defense, and European integration. As reported earlier, Stefanchuk is currently on an official visit to Germany. The adoption of draft law No. 7520-d "On the jurisdictional immunities of foreign states and their property" will not ensure the use of frozen Russian assets in the EU, since this issue depends on the political will of the member states, said Serhiy Vlasenko, a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Legal Policy. The relevant draft law defines the boundaries of the jurisdictional immunity of foreign states and their property on the territory of Ukraine. "I think that the prospect of adopting this law exists, it is not as fast as we would all like. But resolving this issue in Ukraine at the legislative level will not allow us to confiscate Russian assets in the international sense. We must work with the European Union now," he said during a speech at the IV Conference "Compensation for Damage Caused by Aggression: Law & War" on Tuesday. According to the People's Deputy, the main problem lies in the lack of political will at the EU level. "The arguments that I hear are completely different. It's not that this is not regulated in Ukraine. Of course, it needs to be regulated in Ukraine. And, as I will note, a little later or a little earlier Ukraine will resolve this issue. And this is the easiest issue that we can resolve. But the adoption of this law will not resolve the key issue that we have. This is the confiscation of Russian frozen assets that are under the jurisdiction of the countries of the European Union, the United States and other states of the world," Vlasenko said. He added that the issue of confiscation of Russian assets remains in the focus of the Verkhovna Rada. "On the issue of confiscation of Russian assets, we made an attempt to start discussing the possibility of confiscating Russian assets under interstate decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. This could theoretically be the first step towards lifting sovereign immunity. We are moving here - I won't say that it is too fast, but there is also movement in this direction, and it is important," the MP said. On April 15, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted as a basis the draft law No. 7520-d "On the jurisdiction of immunities of foreign states and their property". As reported, the European Commission is considering the possibility of using Russian frozen assets worth about EUR 170 billion, which are currently stored in the Euroclear financial depository in Brussels. It is assumed that EUR 140 billion of these funds will go to a "reparation loan" to Ukraine. It is expected that this issue will be considered at the EU summit on October 23-24. Meanwhile, Politico previously reported that Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed concerns about such plans at a recent informal EU summit in Copenhagen. He said that the European Commission's scheme for using frozen Russian assets is essentially tantamount to confiscation. According to him, "the difference between a 'reparation loan' and confiscation is in fact extremely small, and if these assets remain frozen for a long time, such a scheme can be regarded as quasi-confiscation." De Wever demands more guarantees for his country from the European Union, speaking about the possible legal consequences of such a step. The Financial Times reported that EU countries have increased pressure on Belgium due to its slowness in granting permission to use frozen Russian assets under its jurisdiction to support Ukraine. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official The presence of Russian citizenship in some individuals has been confirmed, and appropriate decisions have been prepared regarding them, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced after a meeting on the security situation in some regions. "The Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk, reported on counteraction to Russian agent networks and collaborators in frontline, border regions and in the south of our country. The presence of Russian citizenship in some individuals has also been confirmed - appropriate decisions have been prepared regarding them. I signed the decree," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. In addition, the participants discussed the situation in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The President thanked the head of the regional military administration, Serhiy Listko, for his effective work and set the following tasks for him. "Documents on this will be available soon," Zelensky added. The head of state's message does not mention which individuals are in question and what positions they hold. As reported, earlier on Tuesday, a petition to terminate the Ukrainian citizenship of Odesa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov, published on Zelenskyy's website on October 13, has already gained more than 27,000 votes, which is more than the 25,000 for its consideration by the head of state Photo: https://www.facebook.com/zelenskyy.official Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of the IV-VII convocations Oleg Tsarev and ballet dancer Serhiy Polunin have been deprived of Ukrainian citizenship by decrees of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy after receiving confirmation that they had Russian citizenship, the national telethon reported on Tuesday. "The relevant decrees were signed by President Zelenskyy to deprive Hennadiy Trukhanov, the mayor of Odesa, Oleh Tsarev, a former MP from the People's Party of Ukraine, and ballet dancer Serhiy Polunin of Ukrainian citizenship. This was reported by our source in the state authorities. Confirmations have been received regarding their Russian citizenship, so such a decision is logical, our source added," the telethon host said. At the same time, there are currently no relevant decrees on the website of the President of Ukraine. As reported, earlier on Tuesday, a petition to revoke the citizenship of Hennadiy Trukhanov, published on Zelenskyu's website on October 13, has already garnered over 27,000 votes, more than the 25,000 votes required for its consideration by the head of state. It also claims that some journalistic materials allegedly contain data on the Odesa mayor's possession of a Russian passport, refer to the Odesa mayor's advocacy of "narratives favorable to the aggressor state," and refer to the tragedy of September 30, when people died in a downpour in the city. On the same day, Zelenskyy, after a meeting on the security situation in some regions, stated that the presence of Russian citizenship in some individuals had been confirmed, without specifying which individuals were in question and what positions they held. "The head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk, reported on countering Russian agent networks and collaborators in frontline, border regions and in the south of our country. It has also been confirmed that some individuals have Russian citizenship - appropriate decisions have been prepared regarding them. I have signed the decree," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. Earlier on Monday, Trukhanov said that he feared that his Ukrainian citizenship would be revoked and warned that disinformation was being prepared against him regarding his alleged Russian citizenship. He noted that this issue has been raised since 2014 and since then he has constantly explained that he does not have and has never had Russian citizenship, and that he was checked for it by all relevant Ukrainian authorities. The mayor of Odesa called this another provocation and appealed to all authorized bodies. "Conduct a legal and thorough check. I ask the president and competent services to carefully look at the documents and establish the truth," Trukhanov said. Photo: https://x.com/FedorovMykhailo First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov has held a meeting with the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands Ruben Brekelmans, during which the parties discussed the effectiveness of the "Drone Line" and plans to expand the project. " Important meeting with @DefensieMin. We discussed the effectiveness of Drone Line and plans to scale the project, which is already changing the battlefield. Thank you to the Dutch team for their consistent support of Ukraine and their engagement in innovative projects," Fedorov wrote on the X network on Tuesday. Retailers and publishers alike were surprisingly upbeat at this years New York Comic Con, held October 812 at the Javits Center. Despite looming threats from tariffs, recessions, book bans, and the turmoil generated by the Diamond Comic Distributors bankruptcy, numbers presented showed that sales were up at many comics shops27% for 2025, according to a report by ICV2s Milton Griepp. And on the show floor NYCC attendees couldnt spend money fast enough, with publishers and creators in Artist Alley reporting multiple sell-outs. DC Comics made a triumphant return to the show floor after a 13-year absence with a large booth spotlighting both comics (a huge mural of DC characters by artist Scott Koblish) and media (John Cenas Peacemaker costume). DC also had the biggest publishing news of the show, announcing a 10-series line-up for the return of Vertigo Comics, the ground-breaking imprint that spotlights horror, fantasy, and mystery. At Marvel the news was all about an ending: the wildly successful Ultimates relaunch will be ending very soon after a two year run. Although no one really expects the line to go away completely, in a statement Marvel publisher Dan Buckley pointed out that readers will be able to experience the storyline as the beginning, middle, and endand digest it for years to come and pass it on to others, seemingly an attempt to create a perennial for Marvels backlist. Most of the news above was discussed at Retailers Day on the Wednesday before NYCC opened, which saw 20 brief presentations from publishers, as well as such entities as Binc and digital start-up Sweet. The flood of information was broken up with talks from DC president Jim Lee, who delivered a rousing speech denouncing AI that quickly went viral, and Image comics co-founder Todd McFarlane who spoke about betting on yourself and roamed the audience with a wireless mike. A panel presented by ComicsPRO also delivered more good news, with retailers saying that sales are up in their stores due to an influx of young readers. Theyve been drawn in by the excitement of DCs Absolute line and Marvels Ultimates, and also the flood of reformatted material including manga and webtoons in print. Even older series are getting rediscovered as people who are curious about comics learn about its history from TikTok and YouTube. Retailers Day was a lot to take inand it was followed by another two hours of talks and slides at a Lunar Distribution cocktail party but retailers PW spoke with seemed to appreciate publishers taking the time to connect with them. Sarahti G., manager of Fantom Comics in Washington, D.C., noted that there was so much going on that it was hard to keep track of it all, but found it a useful day. And she confirmed that new readers are coming in. People I've never seen before really are coming into my store asking for Absolute Batman and Ultimate Spider-man, she said. There's continuous momentum. Trendspotting Success stories were also the topic on Thursdays ICv2 Insider Talks looking at industry trends. McFarlane reappeared with more inspirational talk on a panel about creator branding, proving that the most powerful brand is being able to command the attention of a room full of people who own cell phones. This writer moderated a panel on LitRPG with Vault Comics editor-in-chief Adrian Wassel, Aethon Books publisher Steve Beauliau, and Dungeon Crawler Carl creator Matt Dinniman. They discussed how new genres like romantasy, isekai, and LitRPG are crossing over with comics and bringing in readers. DCC has become a huge hit in every formata two-story mural adorned the Penguin Random House booth and the crowdfunding campaign for Dungeon Crawler Carl: Crocodile, a graphic novel spin-off published by Vault, has already raised $1,694,206 in just a week. ICV2s Milton Greipp chatted with Angelo Exarhakos, the CEO of Universal Distribution, a Canadian company that is looking to fill the gap left by the bankrupt Diamond. Universal has acquired Free Comic Book Day and is looking to modernize the systems it purchased from Diamond to help expand sales. Griepps annual White Paper on comics sales covered positive trends for 2025, even with manga sales dipping. Part of the growth is due to blind bags, a comics spin-off of the blind-box toy phenomenon, which has created excitement among readers to find rare variants. But its not just gimmicks: new readers are finding comics through accessible formats like the compact editions from many publishers, and comics shops themselves are a hub for finding an optimistic and supportive community. Elsewhere, 23rd Street Books launched its adult graphic novel lines with a series of signings and giveaways, and Scholastic featured both classicsR.L. Stine made an appearanceand new authors like The New Girls Cassandra Calin. While manga and anime had a huge presence as usual, Webtoons booth was also a hub for activity with fans operating an oversized claw machine to win prizes, and the recent team-up with Disney for a new webtoon platform creating a lot of talk. If getting away from real-life drudgery and indulging in pleasurable pastimes seemed to be behind the always packed con floor and recent comics sales, professionals found their own escape from the throngs in the newly configured area for pros and press in the huge River Pavilion. Show organizer ReedPOPs growing focus on providing professional programming and room for networking was a hit, with pros and press taking an endless series of meetings and interviews in the spacious area. The ample space for pros was at the expense of cosplayers, who flooded social media with complaints about being banished to the dungeon: their area was moved to a smaller spot on the lowest floor of the Javits Center. The demotion didnt prevent the elaborately costumed attendees from parading on the show floor, however, giving NYCC the spectacle that its known for. Whether it was finding a table to schmooze at for pros, or posing by a giant truck inspired by Post Malones comic Big Rig for fans, NYCC provided a lot of escapism. And thats part of whats keeping comics sales growing, says retailer Sarahti G: For many people, yeah, the state of the world is terrible, but comics are also inspiring people. For six decades, Motorbooks has been the go-to authority on transportation, creating books on motorcycles, cars, and motorsports at large. Now, on the eve of the imprint's 60th birthday, we spoke to publisher Zack Miller about branching out into new categories, what makes for a beautifully-designed book, and the key to publishing longevity. Can you share the Motorbooks origin story? Motorbooks was founded by Tom Warth, an English expat car enthusiast who found the selection of motoring books in the U.S. rather lacking compared to England. He launched Motorbooks International out of his Minneapolis, Minn., garage (of course) in 1965. Initially, Motorbooks was a mail-order seller of transportation and motorsports books that Warth brought in from the UK and Europe. In the latter 1970s, it began to do book publishing of its own with that part of the business continuing to grow steadily from the 1980s. The world of motorized vehicles is a broad one. How do new potential projects land on your radar? Many of our publishing ideas are generated internally by Motorbooks editorial staff. We also receive unsolicited ideas as well as agented projects. You've had many licensing partnershipsNASCAR, Harley-Davidson, Chevrolet, Ford, etc. How have these partnerships helped to shape your library of titles? Working with official partners can provide access to information, background stories, staff interviews, and historical imagery that could otherwise be challenging to access. In some instances, it allows us to tell a story either more deeply or gives us the opportunity to delve into an aspect of a manufacturers history that might otherwise not be known. How has Motorbooks expanded its offerings in recent years? When youre publishing to enthusiasts you need to follow their interests. The car and motorcycle hobbies are ever evolving with younger enthusiasts joining and bringing their interests to bear while other aspects of the hobby slow as interest declines. The recent growth of Formula 1 interest in the U.S. has allowed us to publish more around that sport and expanded that potential market. Weve also added illustrated music histories to our subject remit with books about bands and artists as well as music culture. Now in your 60th year, what new opportunities are on your radar? And how are you celebrating your legacy? Were excited about our music program and its rapid growth as well as a reinvigorated and broadened motorsports list. Additionally, were adding narrative books to our illustrated offerings which allow us to do more with e-book and audio publishing. Were a low-key publisher in many ways, focused primarily on book creation and serving our enthusiast audience. Weve highlighted our 60th in our marketing as well as in podcast appearances, and weve run special sales throughout the year. I think our main celebration is our focus on future programs and more great books! Many of your titles feature stellar photography and striking layouts. Can you talk about the work that goes into art and design? Thanks for noting our design work. It starts with our content which is down to experienced authors as well as the critical eye of Motorbooks editorial staff. Were helped by long-standing relationships with top photographers whove followed the hobby for years as well as a few key specialist stock houses and collections. Motorbooks works with the design staff based in Quartos Beverly, MA, office and nearly all the design credit goes to those talented art directors. Its a very collaborative process between authors, editorial, and design but no matter what we hand over to our design group they return something that consistently outshines our expectations. Truly. How are you connecting with younger generations of readers? Mostly by adding tuning our publishing list to add later model cars and motorcycles as well as more F1 and motorsports publishing. On the music side were expanding the genres and artists were covering and seeking to connect with online and media outlets focused on more contemporary music. From your perspective, what accounts for Motorbooks' longevity? Motorbooks has always been fortunate to have editorial staff who are enthusiasts and subject experts themselves. It helps us focus on what hobbyists expect from our books as well as understand the direction interests are headed. Motorbooks has also had ownership, especially under Quarto, who were supportive of our focus and have the sales and marketing breadth and expertise to help us reach our audience. Additionally, car, motorcycle, and motorsport enthusiasts are among the most focused and dedicated hobbyists you can imagine. As long as our books help scratch their itch, well be in great shape. US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker has said that the possibility of Ukraine delivering deep strikes against Russia with US Tomahawk missiles could change Putins calculations, and the final say on the sale of these missiles belongs solely to US President Donald Trump. He said this on Tuesday during a conversation with journalists, which took place online. The briefing was dedicated to the meeting of NATO defense ministers, which will be held on Wednesday, October 15, in Brussels at the alliances headquarters. Whitaker said a positive decision could change the calculations of Russian President Vladimir Putin and put many installations within Russia at risk. He added that he thinks only Trump can end the Russian invasion of Ukraine, citing his recent success in the Middle East. When Sen. Elizabeth A. Warren recently traveled to the Big Apple to endorse New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, she was asked if overt socialism is really the best model for Democrats to adopt. You bet, she replied in her signature folksy style. The Boston lawmaker wasnt just jumping on the sudden trendiness of socialism three-and-a-half decades after its near-extinction. With fellow Senate traveler Bernie Sanders, Warren has been a catalyst for moving her party to the left since her first campaign in 2012. She and Sanders are, in many ways, the godparents of the self-avowed Democratic Socialists such as Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who are providing the youthful energy for the Democrats in the Trump era. Leftist warriors Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have helped make socialism appealing to Democrats. As Warrens attacks on Wall Street and the wealthy are gaining even wider traction among liberals a recent Gallup poll found 66% of Democrats have a positive view of socialism the apparent contradictions between her public economic positions and private financial decisions are receiving new scrutiny, particularly as the one-time presidential candidate appears to be testing those waters again. Charity Doesnt Begin at Home Financial records examined by RealClearInvestigations show that Warren has hardly followed the path of socialism in her personal finances. Start with the redistribution of wealth. Warren tirelessly bashes the selfish and greedy rich for not paying their fair share, and demands the government step in and redistribute their income to the poor. But charity does not always begin in the Warren home. While Warren hauls in nearly $1 million a year, she donated less than 3% of her household income to charity in 2024, according to her tax returns. This is much less than the charity of the Obamas, for instance, who typically donate more than 20% of their earnings to the needy and philanthropic causes, and low for the average American in her income bracket, studies show. The average millionaire donates more than twice her share. It also appears that Warren opens her pocketbook wider when shes running for national office and under a bigger media microscope. The $26,669 in charitable deductions Warren reported on her tax returns last year pales in comparison to the $81,858, or 9% of income, she reported as she launched her campaign for the White House in 2020. And the outspoken Democratic leader keeps her own tax burden down while calling for higher taxes on millionaires and billionaires. Records show Warren is not averse to taking maximum advantage of provisions in a tax code she denounces as unfair. She has, for example, written off used articles of clothing on her taxes and has had to correct past returns for inflating the value of those items. Shes also written off thousands of dollars in used books and even in-flight WiFi to expense down business income. And she would exempt herself from her proposed Ultra-Millionaire Tax, which levies a surtax on those with a net worth above $50 million. With a net worth of at least $8 million (with estimates as high as $12 million), Warren has benefited handsomely from free market capitalism even as she has spent most of her career in the public and educational sectors. Fat Cat Investments Warren has investments in many companies she has lambasted, including Fox News. Despite her frequent complaints that the wealthiest 10% of U.S. households own 84% of American-held shares of stock, she has invested the bulk of her money in stocks and bonds managed by Wall Street investment funds. These accounts are valued at between $1.9 million and $6.8 million, according to her most recent Senate financial disclosures, filed in April. (Values are given as ranges in the disclosure reports that members of Congress are required to file each year.) Although Warren has rarely traded individual stocks, records show the mutual funds where she has parked her millions Vanguard and TIAA-CREF hold a number of companies in industries that Warren has demonized, including Big Oil, Big Tech, and Big Pharma. Through these funds, for example, Warren has invested in Apple, Amazon, and NVIDIA; Exxon and Shell; Wells Fargo; Goldman Sachs; Monsanto; Johnson & Johnson; and even NewsCorp the owner of conservative Fox News and the New York Post. Nevertheless, Warren has ripped fat cat bankers at Wells Fargo for preying on minority homebuyers and customers with predatory rates and junk fees, and also for screwing their own employees. She even demanded the Federal Reserve revoke Wells Fargos status as a financial holding company over abusive and unlawful practices. Warren has called for regulators to break up tech giants Amazon and Apple, which she claims are running monopolies. Im sick of freeloading [tech] billionaires who roll over everyone, she recently said. Warren has described Exxon as a bad actor that contributes to global warming. Shes even accused the energy giant of corporate perjury by publicly denying its alleged role in warming and producing fake research to mislead the American people about climate change. While decrying "Big Oil," Warren's retirement fund owns Exxon shares. The senator has also slammed Exxon for imposing massive price increases on Americans [sic] families, arguing this corporate greed is inexcusable. Environmental activist groups have called on her chosen retirement fund, TIAA, to divest from Exxon, along with the rest of its more than $78 billion in oil, gas, and coal assets, according to a recent estimate by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. They argue the fund is using contributions from investors like Warren to destroy communities and the environment. Last year, Warren bashed Donald Trump for capitulating to the oil industry. Donald Trump has a deal for Big Oil: if they raise $1 billion and send him back to the White House, hell gut environmental protections and roll back Joe Bidens progress in fighting climate change, she asserted on X. Its corruption, pure and simple. And it would be a disaster for our planet. Exempting Some Millionaires Slamming the presidents Big Beautiful Bill earlier this year, Warren complained, Trumps tax cuts stand to benefit (the) highest income earners. She would know shes one of them. The $919,583 in household income Warren reported on her 2024 tax return she filed jointly with her husband puts her in the top 1% of highest-earning Americans. The year before she entered the Senate, Warren reported earning $616,181. The lawmakers base Senate salary of $174,000 accounts for just one-fifth of the total income she reported to the IRS. The rest comes from book royalties, dividends, capital gains, earned interest, retirement income, and her husband Bruce Manns salary as a tenured Harvard professor. The Senate is often described as a Millionaires Club, and she fits right in: Her $8 million net worth would rank her as the 18th wealthiest member of the Senate, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Warrens net worth has risen each year since she was first elected to the Senate in 2012, while the median wealth of senators overall has declined, according to the think tank. Although Warren is just one of many millionaires in Congress, government watchdogs note her wealth is at odds with the stridency of her class-warfare rhetoric. Elizabeth Warren poses as the champion of the underdog, but her policies strip middle- and lower-income Americans of opportunities to advance their lot and build wealth, said John Berlau, director of finance policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, referring to her calls for more taxes and financial red tape. By pursuing policies that keep others from moving up, Sen. Warren has emerged as an unlikely champion of the existing 1%. Warren did not reply to requests for comment. Critics note that several of Warrens former staff members have moved on to positions in the sectors she decries. In 2023, she declared, The abuse of the revolving door is appalling, particularly in the financial sector, which she claims is rigged to help the wealthy and well-connected. But records show her own office has served as a revolving door for the banks. For example, Wally Adeyemo, who served as her chief of staff when she was standing up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, went on to work as a senior adviser at investment giant BlackRock. At least six other Warren staffers who worked in her Senate office have worked as lobbyists, records show. In addition, several of her senior campaign aides have worked on K Street. There is a history of a revolving door of Warren staffers and proteges at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau taking jobs at big Wall Street firms, such as BlackRock, Berlau said. Restrictive Neighborhoods Warren's $4 million house in leafy Cambridge area heavily zoned to deter new construction. Home ownership is also key to wealth-building, but zoning restrictions often price the working class out of homes. Warren has fought against so-called NIMBY (not in my backyard) rules and has fiercely advocated for building more affordable housing in cities. She even backs Mamdanis social housing proposal to let the New York state government seize private properties and convert them into public housing. However, Warren has chosen to live in affluent neighborhoods in Boston and D.C. that are heavily zoned to exclude the construction of new housing units and price out the average homebuyer. Public financial statements do not disclose the 76-year-old legislators real estate holdings, but other records show she owns at least two homes valued at more than $5 million. Her primary residence is located in the leafy Avon Hill section of Cambridge, Mass., which has enforced a century-old zoning system of minimum lot sizes, minimum parking requirements, floor area ratios, limits on units per building, and height restrictions. The restrictions have yielded a housing shortage in the city that has driven up the value of existing homes including Warrens 1876 Victorian mansion, which has risen eightfold to an estimated $4 million since she bought it in 1995. Records show she and her husband owe no mortgage on their nearly 4,000-square-foot home, which features three stories, high ceilings, marble mantels, hardwood floors, and a four-car garage. The median price for a home in Cambridge now tops $2.2 million. The astronomical increase in the value of Warrens home, and home prices in Cambridge more generally, has not happened in a vacuum, said Scott Van Voorhis, a Boston real estate analyst. The citys special blend of upscale NIMBYism and restrictive zoning laws and regulations kept new house, condo and apartment construction to a trickle at best, even as demand for living in the city increased leaps and bounds. Though the Cambridge city council earlier this year loosened its zoning ordinances to permit more housing across the city, Warrens neighborhood remains largely exempt from reforms. Thats because Avon Hill is a conservation district further regulated by the Cambridge Historical Commission. Records show Warrens street and home are located within the historic district, which protects old Victorians from being torn down for multifamily housing. That makes her neighborhood the ultimate safe NIMBY zone. Nothing has been built [in her neighborhood] for decades beyond the occasional mansion upgrade, Van Voorhis noted. Warren clearly understands there is a housing supply problem in Boston. In July, she helped shepherd the ROAD to Housing Act through the Senate, which, among other things, would provide grants to communities that change their land-use rules to make it easier to build new housing units. We have a real problem here in Massachusetts that we simply dont have enough housing, Warren explained to the Boston Globe, noting the state is about 200,000 units short of what is needed. If we dont start building more housing here, the housing crisis will continue to intensify. But when it comes to her own neighborhood one of the least affordable in the state she remains silent. Cambridge council members noted they didnt hear a peep from Warren when they were recently debating zoning reforms to deal with the citys growing housing affordability crisis. In 2013, when Warren bought her home in Washington, D.C., she also happened to select an area of the capital city where zoning restrictions have entrenched the status quo. Valued at more than $1 million, her condo is in the trendy Penn Quarter section of D.C., which is a historic area protected by land-use rules. Warren advanced her claims of native American heritage by publishing a cookbook, "Pow Wow Chow." Dubious Identity Politics Most famously, Warrens personal decisions seem at odds with the lefts leavening of traditional socialist positions with identity politics. Before moving to the Senate, Warren was a tenured professor at Harvard with a lucrative salary. Although the school denies that her claims to Native American ancestry influenced their decision to hire her, she and the administration trumpeted her diverse background. Warren also listed herself as a racial minority in a legal directory distributed by the Association of American Law Schools and was listed as a Native American in federal forms filed by Harvard Law School. When she launched her political career in 2012 and released a memoir, A Fighting Chance, Warren described her alleged Native American roots as a Cherokee. Henry Holt & Company paid her a $525,000 advance for the book, which became a national bestseller that still earns her royalties. She also helped publish a cookbook, Pow Wow Chow, exploiting the myth of her native American lineage. Warren took in $430,000 a year as a tenured Harvard Law professor by claiming a Native American heritage even as she has railed against whites appropriating minority culture or pretending to understand minority experiences. But, as she ramped up her run for the White House, Warren responded to persistent challenges of this claim by taking a DNA test. In late 2018, her campaign maintained it showed strong evidence of Native American ancestry dating back generations. When that failed to quiet her critics, Warren basically had to acknowledge that the test revealed that she is as little as 1/1024th Native American, making her less of that ancestry than the average white American. She also eventually apologized to the Cherokee Nation in 2019. The year before that admission, however, she lectured others during her Senate campaign about stolen valor: It is wrong and cowardly for people to make fraudulent statements in order to receive distinctions that they have not earned. We need to ensure that no one can benefit from making false claims and steal the true valor of the courageous. If there ever were a genuine case of cultural appropriation, Sen. Warren is guilty of it, said Gad Saad, a business professor at Concordia University. She literally appropriated Native American culture as her own by constructing a false narrative about her ancestry. And yet, he added, she benefited for several decades from this false narrative both in her academic and political career. Saad and others who have closely followed her career suggest the progressive senator appears to have a good for me, but not for thee ethic when it comes to her own personal ambitions. Though shes carefully groomed a reputation as a fighter for the have-nots against the haves, the record shows that, outside the spotlight, she has often pursued her own interests and followed the path of the haves. Prolific poster artist Drew Struzan died Monday. His official Instagram account confirmed the news in a post on Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT Struzan was 78 according to The Wrap, which also confirmed the cause of death as complications from Alzheimer's. In March, Struzan's wife, Dylan, shared on Facebook that due to Alzheimer's, Struzan could no longer paint or sign autographs. His illustrated movie posters include the classic images of Marty McFly stepping out of the De Lorean in the Back to the Future trilogy, the Indiana Jones sequels (and an international poster for the original Raiders of the Lost Ark), Star Wars 1997 special edition re-releases, prequel trilogy and 2015's The Force Awakens. Struzan's signature look was airbrushed renderings of film characters that looked simultaneously realistic and handmade. He also worked in advertising, comic books and created the art for commemorative postage stamps and Franklin Mint plates. Other '80s posters include Blade Runner, The Thing, E.T., First Blood, Risky Business, The Goonies with the cast hanging from a stalactite, and the Police Academy films. Additional posters include The Muppet Movie, Hook, An American Tail and the first two Harry Potter films. His last poster was for the animated How to Train Your Dragon trilogy for the release of the third film, The Hidden World. The Critics Choice Association announced the nominees for the Documentary Awards on Tuesday. The CCA Documentary Awards will be live-streamed on YouTube, X, Facebook and the Critics Choice website at 7 p.m. EST Nov. 9. ADVERTISEMENT Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5 is nominated for Best Documentary Feature, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Score, Best Narration, Best Archival Documentary and Best Political Documentary. The Perfect Neighbor is up for Best Documentary Feature, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Score, Best Archival Documentary and Best True Crime Documentary. The Alabama Solution is nominated for Feature, Director, Editing, Political Documentary and True Crime Documentary. Directors Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman told UPI that their film's central investigation into the death of inmate Steven Davis was one of many they documented while filming the prison reform documentary. Pee-wee As Himself is nominated for Documentary Feature and Best Biographical Documentary, a category that also includes John Candy: I Like Me, Love + War, Mr. Scorsese, My Mom Jayne: A Film By Mariska Hargitay and Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost. The Best Music Documentary nominees are Becoming Led Zeppelin, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, Bono: Stories of Surrender, It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley, Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music and Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius). Other documentaries nominated include 2000 Meters to Andrivka, Apocalypse in the Tropics, Cover-Up, Deaf President Now!, Riefenstahl, The Tale of Silyan, The Eyes of Ghana, The Americas, Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time and more. The complete list of nominees is available at the Critics Choice website. The CCA previously announced Ken Burns will receive the Critics Choice Impact Award and Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady the Pennebaker Award. Note: Fred Topel is a voting member of the Critics Choice Association. Springfield has another release for the Hellcat line! The same Hellcat you know and love, now in .380 ACP! Newer is always better, or should you stick with what you've got? Let's find out. SPECS Barrel: 3 Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:10 Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite Finish, Optics Ready Frame: Black Polymer w/ Adaptive Grip Texture Sights: Tritium/Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Notch Rear Recoil System: Dual Captive Recoil Spring w/ Full Length Guide Rod Grip Width: 1 Magazines: (1) 11-Round, (1) 13-Round Extended Weight: 16.1 oz w/ Flush Mag, 16.5 oz w/ Extended Mag Length: 6 Height: 4 w/ Flush Mag, 4.5 w/ Extended Mag MSRP: $653 Pros: Reduced felt recoil Faster return to target .380 ACP is cute Cons: .380 ACP is weaker than 9mm RANGE REPORT What I expected before hitting the range with the Hellcat .380 was that it would be basically the same pistol, but with a little less recoil. Turns out, I was entirely correct. Its a Hellcat. Good gun, great design, wonderfully small, and easy to conceal. But changing from 9mm to .380 ACP didnt really mess with the formula. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Kind of both, I guess. The main perk is that .380 ACP has less recoil, and because the Hellcat retained a delayed action instead of going to straight blowback like many .380 ACP pistols use, the reduction in recoil is real and noticeable. In such a small gun, that really helps. That said the recoil of 9mm in a normal Hellcat isnt bad, either. If you are recoil-sensitive or have compromised grip strength, the change to .380 ACP might be welcome. Otherwise, youre not likely to care that much. While .380 ACP is technically a smaller base than 9mm, its not enough difference to gain any capacity increase in a small magazine like the Hellcat. As such, the Hellcat carries the same number of bullets 11 for a flush fit, 13 for an extended. Dimensionally, the Hellcat in .380 ACP is exactly the same as the Hellcat in 9mm. If you can conceal a 9mm Hellcat, you can conceal a .380 ACP Hellcat. Sights and optic mounting are solid and what you would expect from a legend like the Hellcat. It really is the same gun, just in .380 ACP. My first CCW was a Bersa Firestorm in .380 ACP, and shooting it kind of sucked due to the straight blowback design. Even .380 ACP gets snappy when its a straight blowback subcompact. The Hellcat is much more pleasant to shoot and even plink with a dramatically lower recoil, but that reduced recoil comes at a price. LOOSE ROUNDS If youve shot .380 ACP before out of a gun that wasnt straight blowback, and youve shot a Hellcat 9mm, you can probably accurately envision what the Hellcat in .380 ACP is like to shoot. This isnt the biggest release of the year, by far, but it is a nice addition to the lineup for people who need the reduced recoil. That being said, if you dont need the reduced recoil, I see no reason to choose it over 9mm. The .380 ACP version isnt easier to carry, it doesnt add rounds to the mag, its just reduced recoil. Maintaining the better ballistics of 9mm is probably a better choice overall. UN on Russia's attack on humanitarian convoy in Kherson: Such attacks are completely unacceptable Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale strongly condemned Russian attacks on UN vehicles in Kherson region. The coordinator's statement noted that today an inter-agency convoy consisting of four trucks with UN markings came under fire from the Russian Armed Forces while delivering aid to Bilozerka in Kherson region. Humanitarian workers, including from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, were carrying out a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to a community severely affected by the war, which had not received support for several months. "When the aid workers were on site, intensive artillery fire started, and later, during offloading, two clearly marked trucks of the World Food Programme were targeted by first-person-view drones. Fortunately, the humanitarian workers were not injured, but two trucks were damaged and set on fire. Such attacks are utterly unacceptable. Aid workers are protected by international humanitarian law and should never be attacked," Schmale said. He said humanitarian workers are protected by international humanitarian law and should not come under fire. The UN stressed that civilians in frontline communities rely on humanitarian assistance, and humanitarian workers must be able to safely deliver vital support to them. "Deliberately targeting humanitarians and humanitarian assets is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and might amount to a war crime," Schmale said. He said the number of drone strikes, which resulted in civilian casualties, has increased in Kherson region. "All measures should be taken to protect civilians and humanitarian workers. International humanitarian law must be respected," the statement reads. Earlier, Head of Kherson Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin said the occupiers targeted four white trucks with UN markings with drones and artillery, which were transporting aid to civilians. As a result of the attack, one car burned down, the other was seriously damaged. Two cars managed to escape the shelling. The people in the convoy were not injured. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on UN member states to clearly condemn the Russian attack on the humanitarian mission of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Bilozersk community of Kherson region and to put additional pressure on the aggressor. 'For most investors, I recommend a low double-digit allocation (10 to 12 per cent) to gold and silver combined.' Photograph: Kind courtesy Annaca Pictures/Pixabay As gold and silver prices boom, Kotak Mutual Fund has suspended lump-sum and switch-in investments in its Kotak Silver ETF Fund of Fund (FoF). Nilesh Shah, managing director, Kotak Mahindra AMC, tells Puneet Wadhwa/Business Standard in a telephonic interview the reasons for the decision and the road ahead for equity and commodity markets. Kotak MF has stopped lump sum and switch-in investments in silver ETF FoF. What's the logic behind this sudden move? The suspension was arrived at based on price dynamics. The ETF price is linked to global silver prices converted into rupees, plus import duty and GST. Let's say the global price is $50 per ounce. Converted at Rs 90 per dollar, that's Rs 4,500. Add about 7 per cent import duty and GST, and the fair price becomes roughly Rs 5,000 per ounce. However, in the physical market, jewellers and bullion dealers are quoting around Rs 5,500 per ounce of silver. That is because there's currently a shortage of physical silver -- maybe due to a shipment delay, short covering, or festive season demand. Normally, such premiums are very small -- typically, around 0.5 per cent-- but not 10 per cent. So, when investors buy my Silver ETF, they are effectively paying Rs 5,500 instead of Rs 5,000. Since my fund of funds invests in that ETF, investors end up paying 10 per cent above the fair import parity price. The move to freeze was to protect investor interest. Do you expect redemption pressures in related schemes given the run-up in gold and silver prices? Our fund of funds isn't allowed to invest in silver futures, only in silver ETFs. So, we had no option but to pause fresh purchases -- otherwise, investors would enter at a 10 per cent premium. We're advising investors that if they want exposure to silver, they can buy silver ETFs directly or invest in silver futures at prices that are 10 per cent cheaper than entering our FoF. This move is purely to protect investor interest, and I believe other fund houses will follow suit. No one wants to hurt investors. Is the silver supply shortage genuine? It's a temporary aberration. Commodities always find their equilibrium. When the Hunt Brothers pushed silver prices to $50 in the 1980s, people started melting silver utensils -- supply eventually came back. Such premiums don't last long. Is the rally in gold and silver running on fumes, rather than fundamentals? There are no traditional fundamentals to value gold or silver. Their value is perceptive -- people believe they are stores of value and globally tradable, and hence they command a premium. The rally in gold prices began in 2022, when Russia's forex reserves were frozen by Western nations. That prompted central banks worldwide to start accumulating gold, leading to a faster price rise. Silver, the poor man's gold, followed. The gold-silver ratio was stretched, and silver also has industrial demand. In August, there was even a rumour that Saudi Arabia's central bank had bought silver ETFs. All these factors -- along with a weaker dollar and the US freezing Russian reserves -- have driven central banks to diversify. They've been buying nearly 1,000 tonnes of gold annually for the past three years. Between equity, gold and silver, where should investors put their money? It's not just about maximising returns, but also about risk management. There's no fundamental method to value gold or silver -- they are perceived stores of value. One should not put a significant portion of your portfolio in precious metals. If the risk appetite allows, go ahead -- but for most investors, I recommend a low double-digit allocation (10 to 12 per cent) to gold and silver combined. That said, we remain bullish on both, but don't expect last year's kind of returns or daily 3 to 4 per cent gains. It doesn't work that way. There will be corrections, as seen in the past. What kind of returns do you expect from equities over the next year? Returns will depend on earnings growth. For 2026-2027, we expect earnings growth in the high single- to low-double digits, and investors should expect similar returns. Anything beyond that is a bonus. Should investors stay away from gold and silver for now? No, not at all. We remain bullish on both asset classes, but investors must watch central bank activity closely. If central banks start selling instead of buying gold, I would be the first to exit. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients. Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. 2025 has seen a sharp rise in lawsuits targeting IT services and consulting companies, which now increasingly offer proprietary digital platforms and cloud services. Kindly note the image has been published only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bethany Drouin/Pixabay Legal disputes in the information technology services industry are on the rise as firms increasingly move toward platform-based and intellectual property-driven business models. The latest to face such a case is Mumbai-headquartered Hexaware Technologies. United States-based firm Natsoft and its subsidiary Updraft have sued Hexaware in America for $500 million for patent infringement. Natsoft in its filing has said that Hexaware has misused confidential information and technology shared during their partnership to build its own competing platforms. Hexaware in a regulatory filing said: 'As per the information available on website of United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, we note that a (complaint) has been filed by Natsoft Corporation and Updraft LLC ("Plaintiffs") against the Company and its material subsidiary 'Hexaware Technologies Inc' in the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, alleging infringement of certain patents and breach of contract. 'At present, the Company has not received any notice or formal communication from the US court or from the Plaintiffs in relation to the aforesaid proceedings.' This is not the first time that such an intellectual property (IP) infringement case has been filed against an Indian IT services firm. Tata Consultancy Services, the country's largest services provider, too was sued by Epic Systems Corporation. Epic filed the case against TCS in 2014, alleging that the company had 'stolen' its intellectual property. The case was filed against TCS and Tata America International Corporation. The initial damages claimed were $940 million. However, in 2023 the United States supreme court had confirmed punitive damages of $140 million against TCS. Infosys, India's second-largest IT services firm, is in a court battle with Cognizant on the theft of trade secrets. While Infosys filed a counterclaim, the court has asked the companies to settle their differences. Analysts say such cases will increase in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). "AI is causing tech services firms to offer intellectual property and hence litigation between software firms and tech services will increase. This means more tech services firms sue other tech services firms," said Peter Bendor-Samuel, founder and executive chairman, Everest group. Jaspreet Singh, partner and chief revenue officer (consulting), Grant Thornton, said patent litigation was concentrated among product-based tech giants, especially in the hardware, mobile, and semiconductor sectors. 2025 has seen a sharp rise in such lawsuits targeting IT services and consulting companies, which now increasingly offer proprietary digital platforms and cloud services. "The use of generative AI and large-language models by legal teams is making the identification of potential infringement and prior art much faster and more rigorous, which expands the scope of litigation activity. Rapid AI adoption means services firms increasingly own or use patented technology, leading to patent-enforcement strategies," he added. Jaspreet Bindra, Co-founder, AI & Beyond believed as AI becomes central to delivery, the chances of overlap and unintentional reuse of code, data, or trained models rise significantly. "It is not always deliberate infringement but often a byproduct of rapid innovation outpacing legal definitions. We are entering an era where contracts will need to clearly define IP ownership, training data rights, and the reuse boundaries of AI-generated assets. These are the growing pains of an industry that is shifting from pure services to AI-powered intelligence," he added. Another reason for the higher number of cases of litigation is the intensity of competition and the similarity of delivery platforms. "It is likely that the slowdown contributes to this as there is aggressive pricing and need to take share from other firms. Hence the increased completive conditions foster this kind of behaviour," added Bendor-Samuel. "We anticipate that as AI dominates the tech services industry, competition will increase further." Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Google will invest $15 billion over the next five years in setting up an AI hub in India, which will include the country's largest data centre in partnership with Adani Group. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters The AI hub at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh will be Google's largest outside the US and will include 1-gigawatt data centre campus, new large-scale energy sources, and an expanded fiber-optic network, the tech super giant said. "It's the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world outside of the US," Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said at an event here to sign the formal agreement. The announcement was made during Bharat AI Shakti, a Google-hosted event in New Delhi which served as a precursor to the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit 2026. The event saw attendance of Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, among others. "Great to speak with India PM @narendramodi @OfficialINDIAai to share our plans for the first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam, a landmark development. "This hub combines gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure. Through it we will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country," Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a post on X. Separately, Adani Enterprises, the flagship firm of billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate said its joint venture company AdaniConneX, and Google will develop India's largest AI data centre campus and new green energy infrastructure in Visakhapatnam. Google's AI hub in Visakhapatnam is a multi-faceted investment of approximately $15 billion over five years (2026-2030), comprising gigawatt-scale data centre operations, supported by a robust subsea cable network and clean energy, to drive the most demanding AI workloads in India. "It will be brought to life in close collaboration with ecosystem partners including AdaniConneX and Airtel," the company said in a statement. It however did not indicate the investment in the data centre. The project will see co-investment in new transmission lines, clean energy generation and innovative energy storage systems in Andhra Pradesh, the firm said. "The Adani Group is proud to partner with Google on this historic project that will define the future of India's digital landscape," said Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group. "This is more than just an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in the soul of a rising nation." To unlock India's massive potential in the AI age, "we are investing in the Google AI hub, which will provide the critical foundation to drive growth and enable businesses, researchers, and creators to build and scale with AI," Kurian said. An analysis commissioned by Google suggests that the AI hub is expected to generate at least $15 billion over five years (2026-2030) in American gross domestic product (GDP) because of new economic activity from increased cloud and AI adoption, as well as the American talent and resources involved in developing and operating the AI hub. Speaking at the event, Sitharaman said under the Modi regime, several policy enablers have been part of the governance since 2014. Appreciating Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu, Sitharaman said he in his earlier stints has shown what he can do to scale up digital infrastructure. "So, I think, it is just the right place to land in and the right country to be in... it is one of those very interesting phases in the Indian history where policy is pushing ahead much before many of the parties in political arena are even ready to absorb," Sitharaman said. A deep dive into Trump's new policy and what it means for Indian professionals and companies. Kindly note that this illustration generated using Microsoft Copilot has only been posted for representational purposes. This FAQ reads like the fine print, breaking down the Trump administration's $100,000 H1B visa fee -- the biggest shift in America's skilled immigration programme in decades. It explains who pays, when, and what it means for Indian professionals, students, and IT companies that dominate the H1B landscape. Providing context is Rajiv Dabhadkar, founder of the National Organisation for Software and Technology Professionals (NOSTOPS), an advocacy body for knowledge workers. Dabhadkar has long worked on issues of wage discrimination and guest worker rights, and here he clarifies how this new policy reshapes migration economics for Indian H1B visa aspirants. The Trump administration's Presidential Proclamation 'Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,' signed on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H1B visa petitions -- representing the most significant overhaul of America's skilled worker immigration programme in decades. This dramatic fee increase, effective from September 21, 2025, aims to curb programme abuses and protect American workers whilst fundamentally reshaping how foreign talent enters the US tech sector. The policy particularly impacts Indian professionals and IT companies, who comprise the majority of H1B visa holders and applicants. Understanding the Presidential Proclamation What exactly does this new Presidential Proclamation on H1B visas say? The Presidential Proclamation states that the H1B nonimmigrant visa programme 'was created to bring temporary workers into the United States to perform additive, high-skilled functions, but it has been deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers with lower-paid, lower-skilled labour'. The core objective is to address systemic abuse where 'some employers, using practices now widely adopted by entire sectors, have abused the H1B statute and its regulations to artificially suppress wages'. There's confusion about the $100,000 fee. Does everyone have to pay it, or just new applicants? The $100,000 payment must accompany 'any new H1B visa petitions submitted after 12.01 am eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025. This includes the 2026 lottery, and any other H1B petitions submitted after 12.01 am eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025'. The fee applies only to new visas and is not an annual payment. It does not apply to renewals or current visa holders. Does this fee apply only to new petitions, or could it extend to renewals later? The Proclamation 'does not change any payments or fees required to be submitted in connection with any H1B renewals. The fee is a one-time fee on submission of a new H1B petition'. However, additional reforms are under consideration, including 'a rulemaking by the Department of Labour to revise and raise the prevailing wage levels' and 'a rulemaking by the Department of Homeland Security to prioritise high-skilled, high-paid aliens in the H1B lottery'. Is this fee a one-time payment per petition, or could it recur at each stage? It is a one-time fee that applies only to new petition submissions. This replaces the previous fee structure which included multiple smaller fees. Which authority has the legal power to implement and enforce this Presidential Proclamation? The Proclamation is issued 'by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America' under 'sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act'. Implementation involves: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) : Has issued guidance regarding the Proclamation : Has issued guidance regarding the Proclamation Department of Homeland Security (DHS) : The Secretary can determine exemptions if 'the hiring of such aliens to be employed as H1B specialty occupation workers is in the national interest' : The Secretary can determine exemptions if 'the hiring of such aliens to be employed as H1B specialty occupation workers is in the national interest' Department of State : Has posted guidance to all consular offices : Has posted guidance to all consular offices Department of Labour : Will initiate rulemaking to revise prevailing wage levels : Will initiate rulemaking to revise prevailing wage levels US Customs and Border Protection: Has issued implementation guidance If USCIS says current H1B holders aren't impacted, can that interpretation change later? Whilst the Proclamation 'does not prevent any holder of a current H1B visa from travelling in and out of the United States', interpretations could potentially change. However, the restriction expires '12 months after the effective date of this proclamation' unless extended, requiring future action for continuation. Who bears the financial burden -- employers, employees, or both? Employers must make the payment, as stated: 'Employers shall, prior to filing an H1B petition on behalf of an alien outside the United States, obtain and retain documentation showing that the payment described in section 1 of this proclamation has been made'. Can industry bodies or companies challenge this Presidential Proclamation in US courts? Immigration law experts have raised 'numerous questions' about the new fee, and legal challenges are expected. However, the Proclamation states it 'is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States'. Business groups and tech industries are likely to oppose the policy, arguing that it will stifle innovation, increase operational costs, and disproportionately affect small and medium-sized businesses. The tech industry has already expressed strong opposition to the policy, warning that it will harm innovation and competitiveness. The litigation process could take months or even years to resolve, and the implementation of the executive action may be delayed pending court rulings. Impact on Employees and Families For Indian employees already in the US on H1B visas, what changes should they expect for renewals? The Proclamation does not apply 'to any previously issued H1B visas' and 'does not change any payments or fees required to be submitted in connection with any H1B renewals'. Current holders can continue their employment and travel without additional fees. What about dependents (H4 spouses and children) -- will they face higher fees or restrictions? The $100,000 fee applies specifically to H1B petitions and does not directly impact H4 dependent visa applications. However, future immigration policy changes could affect dependent visa programmes. How does this affect Indian students on OPT hoping to transition into H1B jobs? Students on Optional Practical Training seeking H1B sponsorship will face the new reality that employers must pay $100,000 for new H1B petitions. This may significantly reduce employer willingness to sponsor visas, particularly among smaller companies and startups. For those whose H1B renewal is due soon, should they prepare to pay, explore alternatives, or wait for clarifications? Those seeking renewals are exempt from the new fee, as the Proclamation 'does not change any payments or fees required to be submitted in connection with any H1B renewals'. Only new H1B petitions require the $100,000 payment. Impact on Employers and Indian IT Companies How will this steep fee impact Indian IT service companies that file thousands of H1B visas annually? The $100,000 fee will significantly impact Indian IT companies' cost structures and business models. Companies filing hundreds or thousands of H1B petitions annually will face substantial additional costs, potentially totalling millions of dollars annually. Will the increased cost directly impact their profitability, or will they pass it on to employees and clients? Companies will likely adopt mixed strategies: absorbing some costs to remain competitive whilst passing others to clients through contract renegotiations. The industry-wide nature of the fee increase may facilitate client acceptance of cost pass-throughs. Could this accelerate the trend of Indian IT firms hiring more locals in the US instead of sending employees onsite? Yes, the substantial fee increase will likely accelerate local hiring strategies and offshore delivery models, reducing dependence on H1B visa holders for onsite client engagement. How badly could Indian IT stocks and the IT index be hit in the short term? Initial market reactions showed significant declines, but long-term impacts will depend on companies' adaptation strategies and ability to maintain profitability through alternative delivery models. In the medium term, will this reduce India's services exports and remittances from the US? The policy may slow growth in India's IT services exports and potentially reduce remittance flows as fewer Indian professionals work in the US. However, increased offshoring could partially offset these effects. Strategic and Long-Term Implications Is this move about raising revenue for the US, or part of a broader attempt to discourage foreign workers? The Proclamation explicitly states it addresses 'the large-scale replacement of American workers through systemic abuse of the programme' which 'has undermined both our economic and national security'. Revenue generation appears secondary to workforce protection objectives. What are India's diplomatic or trade options to push back against such high visa costs? India may pursue diplomatic engagement through bilateral discussions, trade negotiations, and potentially reciprocal measures. However, the Proclamation is issued under presidential authority citing national security concerns, which may limit negotiation scope. Do you foresee this leading to return migration from the US back to India if costs keep rising? Current visa holders are not affected and can continue travelling, so immediate return migration is unlikely. However, reduced new visa approvals may decrease future Indian professional migration to the US. Historically, how does this fee compare to past increases in scale and intent? Previous H1B fees were typically in the hundreds or low thousands of dollars. The $100,000 fee represents an unprecedented increase -- potentially 20-50 times higher than previous rates -- marking the most dramatic policy change in the programme's history. Guidance for Affected Indians What practical steps should Indian professionals currently in the US take to safeguard their status and jobs? Current H1B holders should: Maintain valid status and employment with sponsoring employers Stay informed about policy developments Ensure compliance with all visa requirements Build strong employer relationships Consult immigration attorneys for personalised guidance For aspirants in India preparing for H1B, is it still worth applying or should they reconsider? The $100,000 fee fundamentally changes H1B economics. Prospective applicants should: Assess whether potential employers can justify the substantial fee Consider alternative visa categories (L1, O1) Explore opportunities in countries with more accessible immigration pathways Evaluate long-term career goals against changing US immigration landscape If this Presidential Proclamation faces legal or political pushback in the US, what's the realistic timeline before it becomes binding? The Proclamation is already effective as of September 21, 2025. Legal challenges may seek injunctions or stays, but the policy is currently binding for new H1B petitions. Advice -- both financial and professional -- for Indians to navigate this situation with minimum disruption? Financial Planning: Build emergency funds covering 3-6 months of expenses Diversify investments beyond US-dependent assets Plan for potential relocation costs Professional Development: Acquire globally marketable skills Explore alternative visa categories and countries Build international professional networks Develop remote work capabilities Strategic Planning: Monitor policy developments closely Diversify career opportunities globally Develop comprehensive contingency plans Seek expert legal and financial advice Note: This FAQ is based on official US government sources including the White House Presidential Proclamation and USCIS guidance. Immigration policies are subject to change, and individuals should consult qualified immigration attorneys for personalised advice. 'You don't have to lose your identity to be part of the Congress. You can be who you are as long as you believe in the core principle of strong citizenry and nation-building through that concept.' IMAGE: Former IAS Kannan Gopinathan with Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Photograph: Kind courtesy @naukarshah/X Former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan, who resigned over abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and became a leading voice against the CAA-NRC, explains why he chose to join the Indian National Congress and his commitment to empowered citizenship in his new avatar as a politician. Six years after his dramatic resignation from the Indian Administrative Service to protest the restrictions imposed in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370, Gopinathan has taken his next decisive step: Joining the Congress party. In this two-part extensive interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff, Gopinathan reveals his three-year journey of political self-discovery, his concerns about losing his independent voice within an organised party structure, and what convinced him that the Congress offered space for individuality. Why Congress? What led you to join the party? When I resigned, I was very clear about what I was fighting against -- a bullying government that was brazenly curtailing citizens' rights. It was clear whom to fight against, but not whom to fight with, or which platform espoused the ideas I believed in. I don't come from a politically exposed family. We come from the typical 'study well, get a job, get married, get settled' kind of background. So this was a journey of discovery for myself: Understanding what I believe in ideologically and which party represents those values. The ideology closest to my heart is the agency of citizens, their rights, their ability to dream and achieve those dreams. More importantly, it's about citizens' assertion when they feel the government is wrong, and their right to speak out and ask questions. Throughout our history, we've mostly been subjects -- regardless of whether we had good kings or bad kings. The journey from subject to citizen started with our independence movement. That was the first time, in a massive way, that we asked questions. That, in essence, is what the Congress represented then as a political party that was in the forefront of India's independence movement: an empowered citizenry. A strong nation values the dignity of its citizens, as enshrined in our preamble. Through that, you build a strong and unique, unified nation. Strong citizenry is the foundation for a strong nation. Once I realised this was the Congress ideology, the decision became easier, though it took time. What went through your mind when you decided to join a political party after resigning in 2019? My resignation wasn't specifically about Article 370. It was about the restrictions that were imposed and how brazenly the government was curtailing citizens' rights. How can you shut down an entire state, put everyone behind bars or under house arrest, suspend transportation and the Internet, and act as if nothing has happened? That cannot be accepted. But I had concerns about joining an organised party. In the IAS, you get to serve, but you don't have your voice -- you can't speak up. I had to resign to regain my voice. So the question was: By joining an organised party, would I lose that voice again? Would there be space for my thoughts as an individual? What happens if there are genuine differences of opinion? I had extensive conversations with people of a similar age group in the Congress, and they assured me there was enough space. You don't have to lose your identity to be part of the Congress. You can be who you are, as long as you believe in the core principle of strong citizenry and nation-building through that concept. How did this happen? Did you approach the Congress, or did someone play a key role? IMAGE: Kannan Gopinathan being welcomed in the Congress by party General Secretary K C Venugopal and Pawan Khera, chairman, media & publicity department, AICC. Photograph: Kind courtesy @kcvenugopalmp/X Not any particular person. I had multiple conversations with people like Sachin Rao, Jignesh Mewani, Kanhaiya Kumar, K C Venugopal, Malikarjun Kharge sahab (Congress president) and others. Of course, I had conversations with Rahul Gandhi, where he articulated what the Congress is, how it has existed in various forms for years together, espousing this ideology, and why there's a need to be part of the Congress and strengthen it. He said something very interesting: 'This is my understanding of the Congress. Now it's for you to discover what the Congress is for you.' Even at that level, I felt that freedom of space. These were all people who were supportive, telling me, 'We're all there for you. Politics isn't like the IAS. This is a struggle, and until you reach your target, keep struggling.' Did you tell them you are forthright and would point out problems within the Congress? The understanding is that if I have space to express my opinion, then it is given. I don't have to poke them by asking, 'Can I criticise you?' For me, it's not about telling the Congress how it should be run. My conversations were more about my indecision and confusion. It wasn't like I was going and telling them, 'Congress has this issue or that issue.' What I'm saying today is the culmination of my decision-making process. How long did this process take? The active discussions about joining took maybe two or three weeks. But conversations had been ongoing for at least two or three years -- not with the Congress party per se, but with individuals I respect and speak with regularly. This includes people in civil society and other parties as well. We discussed all these things over that period. After Sasikanth Senthil, you are the second former IAS officer to join the Congress. How do you see your role within the party? I haven't given it complete thought in terms of what my specific role will be. I derive happiness from interactions with the public. That service angle is very important to me. If I'm able to bring a few smiles, that makes my day. I hope I'll find a way to continue that. Beyond that, it's about whatever is needed and whatever strengthens the party. It's a two-way process. I need to understand as well -- I haven't come from another political party. This is my first political party, my entry into organised party politics. I need to learn and engage more as a politician. What message do you hope to send to civil servants and young Indians through your political journey? IMAGE: From left: Gujarat Congress MLA Jignesh Mewani, Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil, Kannan Gopinathan, K C Venugopal, Pawan Khera and Kanhaiya Kumar at the press meet to announce Gopinathan's entry in the Congress. Photograph: Kind courtesy @kcvenugopal/X My message isn't specifically to civil servants -- it's to everyone. Over the last six years, I've found there are millions of people ideologically aligned with the Congress party. Initially, I thought they were just against the current government, but now I clearly see they're actually aligned with Congress values, even if it took them time to realise it. Each person will have their own journey. I'm not saying everyone should immediately jump into politics. But from what I've learned: There is space and opportunity without having to surrender your identity. The party will augment who you are. If you're convinced this is your ideology, don't get distracted by the behaviour of a particular leader or a specific incident -- those are peripheral things. They don't define a political party. The core principles, the ideology, what it espouses and tries to achieve -- that defines the party. Many times we judge things by their wrapper rather than what's inside. If you're aligned with what's inside, consider being part of this journey in the Congress. By joining the Congress, some might say you're aligning with a party that has its own governance and corruption challenges. How do you justify this? There will always be space for improvement and correction in every organisation. Even during the freedom movement, there were allegations and inquiries. Whenever there's an organisation, there will be instances that need correction. The question is: Are these your essential core issues, or are these anomalies and abnormalities that will be rectified? Is there an attempt to rectify them? That's what matters. I don't believe that because there's a challenge to citizenship or diversity in this country, we should ignore corruption. You can't put this difficult choice before people -- that they have to choose between one or the other. Corruption is something we shouldn't let go. But the question is: Where are we today, and are we moving towards a better tomorrow? That's how I see it. Do you believe Indian political parties are genuinely open to reform, or do they co-opt dissenters for optics? That's something for me to explore. What I can see from Sasikanth Senthil's journey is that it's not just optics. He has actually worked and made an impact. How will you ensure your voice doesn't get muted in a big political party? By being me. I don't need anybody or anything else for that. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff The West Bengal Police arrested the friend of the medical student rape survivor on Tuesday evening, taking the total number of arrests in the case to six, and claimed that the sexual assault was committed by one of the suspects, while the role of others in the crime are still under probe. IMAGE: One of the accused of the gang rape in Police custody, in Durgapur. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Earlier in the day, investigators reconstructed the crime scene after all six accused were taken to the place of occurrence (PO) of the crime, a spot in a forest covered area near the private medical college where the victim is a student, to complete the process, police said. The college-mate of the victim, a resident of Malda district, was arrested after he was questioned repeatedly by the police, with the investigators finding 'glaring inconsistencies' in his replies, a senior officer said. The second-year student hailing from Odisha's Jaleswar was allegedly raped outside the campus of the private medical college in Durgapur on October 10 evening. Addressing reporters, Sunil Choudhury, CP, Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, said, "The role of the victim's friend has remained under our scanner and he is not outside the domain of suspicion. We are thoroughly questioning him." Talking of probe updates, Choudhury said the crime scene has been dusted by forensic experts, who have collected evidence samples from the spot "We have already recovered the victim's mobile, which was snatched from her, from the possession of one the accused. The police have seized apparel worn by all six accused for further investigation. We visited the PO with the accused and reconstructed the crime scene," Choudhury said. "According to the technical evidence available with us and the statement of the victim, the rape was committed by one person. We are probing the exact nature of involvement and the role played by others in this heinous crime," he said. The CP stated that the sleuths were yet to obtain forensic and medico-legal examination reports, and that many technical analyses still remain pending. Meanwhile, two of the five arrested accused were taken to their respective residences on Tuesday morning, primarily to find evidence linked to the crime which they may have concealed, an officer said. Among the seized articles were the clothes worn by the suspects on the night of the alleged crime. The mobile phones seized from the accused were also sent for tests, he said, adding, the police were also questioning fellow students of the victim as part of the probe. In a related development, Odisha BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi, who met the victim in hospital, criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks on female boarders venturing out late at night. He claimed that such comments were made to protect the criminals. Sarangi, who arrived in Durgapur in the afternoon, was earlier allegedly denied entry by the hospital's security personnel, leading to an argument between the two sides. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader, along with a team of party workers from Balasore, later met the victim. "Today, I checked with the authorities, and they told me that the victim had gone out within the permissible time. Then how could the Bengal CM claim she was out at 12:30 at night? How could she make such a statement? This is only to protect the criminals," Sarangi alleged. "I have seen our daughter inside the hospital. She is suffering from severe mental and physical trauma," he told reporters. The CM had said on Sunday: She was studying in a private medical college. Whose responsibility is it? How did she come out at 12.30 at night? Students staying in hostels, especially those who have come to West Bengal to study from outside, are expected to follow the rules of the hostels. "They should avoid venturing out late at night, although they have the fundamental right to go wherever they want." Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court directed the police to ensure no unauthorised entry takes place inside the private medical college and hospital at Durgapur, where the victim is undergoing treatment. The court also ordered that adequate security arrangements be made to ensure tranquility in the area. Protests have been held by opposition political parties near the institute following the incident. Responding to a petition filed by an NGO seeking direction to the West Bengal government to deploy an appropriate number of police officers to safeguard the campus, a vacation bench of Justice Shampa Dutt (Paul) directed Durgapur Police Commissionerate to ensure that no one is allowed to enter the hospital and medical college premises without proper authorisation. In connection to a separate petition, the same bench directed the police to allow a protest demonstration by the BJP at a place in front of the office of the Asansol Durgapur Development Authority. The petitioner prayed for direction upon the state government to grant permission for holding the demonstration from 6 am till 6 pm everyday till October 19. In Jadavpur in the southern part of the city, over 100 civil society workers associated with 'Abhaya Manch', formed following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar hospital, assembled in the evening in response to the 'Reclaim the Night Again' call to protest the Durgapur incident. Eminent academic Pabitra Sarkar and many civil rights leaders joined the assembly. The protesters, mostly women, criticised the CM's remark advising female students not to venture out of their campuses late at night. As Bihar prepares for phase one of assembly polls on November 6, the Election Commission has warned that bulk SMSes and audio messages during the 48-hour 'silence period' which starts before the conclusion of voting, is prohibited. In a note issued on October 9 outlining campaigning restrictions, the poll authority said political advertisements on any election matter on TV, cable networks, radio, in cinema halls, use of bulk SMS/voice messages, audio visual displays in any polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in the polling area is prohibited. Separately, in a statement on Tuesday, the EC said it has issued orders on October 9, requiring every registered and national and state political party and every contesting candidate to apply to the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for pre-certification of all political advertisements on electronic media, including social media before publication. MCMCs have been constituted at the district and state levels for pre-certification of political advertisements as per the prescribed guidelines. No political advertisements are to be released to any internet-based media/websites, including social media websites, by political parties or candidates without pre-certification from the respective MCMC, it cautioned. The MCMCs will also keep a strict vigil on suspected cases of paid news in the media and take suitable action. Given the penetration of social media in the electoral landscape, candidates have also been instructed to share the details of their authentic social media accounts at the time of filing nomination. Citing provisions of the electoral law and a subsequent Supreme Court directions, it said political parties should also submit a statement of expenditure incurred on campaigning through internet, including social media websites to the ECI within 75 days of the completion of the assembly elections. "Such expenditure, among other things, shall include payments made to internet companies and websites for carrying advertisements and also campaign related expenditure on development of content and operational expenditure incurred to maintain their social media accounts," the election watchdog noted. Bihar goes to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, while counting takes place on November 14. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's anti-tobacco crusade has a new target: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Politico reported. IMAGE: French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni before attending a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, 2025. Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/Pool/Reuters On the sidelines of a peace summit in Egypt aimed at ending the war in Gaza, Erdogan promised Meloni he would find a way to convince her to stop smoking. "You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking," Erdogan told Meloni, according to footage published by Italian daily Il Foglio and other media, as cited by Politico. But French President Emmanuel Macron, who was next to them, was quick to dash Erdogan's hopes. "It's impossible!" he said, laughing. "I know, I know," Meloni said, adding a warning that quitting smoking might make her less sociable. "I don't want to kill somebody." In a book based on a series of interviews, Meloni confessed she had started smoking again after quitting for 13 years. But she also acknowledged that smoking had helped her bond with other politicians, including Tunisian President Kais Saied, as per Politico. Turkey's main tobacco control law is Law No. 4207, enacted in 1996 and amended several times, which bans smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, prohibits tobacco sales to minors under 18, and includes regulations on advertising, promotion, and packaging. The law aims to protect public health by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and discouraging tobacco use through various measures and enforcement actions. Meloni was in Egypt to attend the signing ceremony of the peace plan for the Middle East. There, she also held bilateral talks with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. In a post on X, she said, 'On the sidelines of the signing ceremony of the Peace Plan for the Middle East, I had a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. We discussed the next steps in implementing the peace plan and I reaffirmed Italy's commitment to contributing to the stabilisation, reconstruction and development of the Gaza Strip and to relaunching a political process towards a framework of peace, security and stability in the Middle East based on the two-State solution. The conversation also allowed us to take stock of bilateral relations and in particular of the implementation of the Mattei Plan projects in the sectors of training, energy and sustainable agriculture.' Photo: https://t.me/synegubov/ The Defense Council of Kharkiv region has decided to forcibly evacuate families with children from 27 settlements of Velyky Burluk, six of Vilhuvatka and seven of Shevchenkove territorial communities, Head of the regional military administration Oleh Synehubov said. "In total, we have to take 601 children to safer places, this is 409 families," Synehubov said in the Telegram channel. He said the decision was made in connection with the aggravation of the security situation in Kupiansk axis. "Evacuation routes have already been determined and temporary accommodation for people has been provided. Evacuated families will also receive support in obtaining IDP status, access to payments and humanitarian aid," Synehubov said. Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar expressed his dismay over the "reverent" reception extended to Afghan Foreign Minister and senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to Darul Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hands over five ambulances as a goodwill gesture to Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in New Delhi on October 10, 2025. Photograph: @DrSJaishankar/X Taking to X, Akhtar, who is known for his outspoken political views, wrote, "I hang my head in shame when I see the kind of respect and reception that has been given to the representative of the world's worst terrorist group Taliban, by those who beat the pulpit against all kinds of terrorists." "Shame on Deoband too for giving such a reverent welcome to their 'Islamic Hero' who is one of those who have completely banned girls' education. My Indian brothers n sisters !!! what is happening to us," he added. Muttaqi is on a week-long visit to India, from October 9 to 16. This is the first high-level delegation from Kabul to India since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Muttaqi's visit began with a controversy as Indian women journalists were reportedly barred from attending the Afghan FM press conference at the Afghan embassy. The incident drew heavy backlash from the Opposition, which questioned the BJP's stance on women's rights. Meanwhile, Muttaqi has invited India to invest in the country's minerals and requested New Delhi to help facilitate trade through the opening of the Wagah border, calling it the "fastest trade route" between the two countries. IMAGE: Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi speaks during a discussion at FICCI in New Delhi, October 13, 2025, here and below. Photographs: ANI Photo Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) members on Monday to discuss opportunities in his country, especially in the mining sector. The Taliban, who now control Afghanistan, is seeking to repair its ties with New Delhi, and is hopeful of Indian public and private sectors increasing investments in the mining and power sector, and greater trade and commerce. New Delhi has committed to restart its development projects in Afghanistan. Muttaqi's visit to India comes amid the Taliban's relations with Islamabad hitting a low with border clashes reported between the two since Thursday, which coincided with his landing in India. Amid hostilities between the Taliban and Pakistani forces, the Afghan foreign minister accused 'some quarters' in Pakistan for trying to create problems. Muttaqi also said that the Taliban achieved its objectives in the Saturday night clashes, and that there were no members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, in Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused the Taliban regime of sheltering TTP terrorists, which it blames for a series of attacks inside Pakistan. In Islamabad, the Pakistan military claimed that it killed more than 200 'Taliban and affiliated terrorists' in border clashes with Afghanistan, and admitted to 23 Pakistani soldiers being killed. In Kabul, the Taliban government said its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers. The border clashes took place days after Kabul accused Islamabad of carrying out airstrikes inside Afghan territory. In New Delhi, Muttaqi said Afghanistan wants peaceful resolution of its conflict with Pakistan but if the efforts don't succeed, it was capable of deploying "other means". "We have good relations with the people of Pakistan and the government, but some elements in that country are trying to create problems," he said. "My country, as history is evidence, is fiercely united in confronting any 'external invasion'," he added. The Afghan foreign minister said friendly countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, contacted Kabul and conveyed that the fighting should stop. "From our side, we have stopped the fighting, and the situation is under control," he said. IMAGE: Muttaqi, flanked by Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran Division at the ministry of external affairs, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney during the roundtable discussion at FICCI. Apprising the media about his talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday, Muttaqi said soon there will be Kabul-Delhi passenger flights, and air cargo flights between Amritsar, Delhi and Mumbai and the Afghan cities of Kabul and Kandahar. Kabul and New Delhi, he said, will set up a joint committee for looking at trade issues, and India will issue more visas to Afghan nationals for studying in India and for medical treatment. On Friday, Jaishankar announced elevating India's 'technical mission' in Kabul to embassy status, and Muttaqi said his government will send its diplomats to New Delhi. He also asserted on Sunday that his government controlled the Afghan embassy, as he displayed the flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Muttaqi said the two sides discussed how to make transit to and from Chabahar port, which is facing sanctions, more effective. The Afghan side also requested for the opening of the Wagah border, which it pointed out was the closest and fastest trade route between India and Afghanistan. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff Amid intense speculation that the National Democratic Alliance seat-sharing deal has left him infuriated, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday gave away Janata Dal-United tickets, by-passing the party's earlier practice of announcing the names of candidates at a press conference. IMAGE: Janata Dal-United ticket seekers protest against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in Patna on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo On the other hand, the BJP, which has been put on the same pedestal as the JD-U for the first time in an assembly election, announced its first list of 71 candidates. Springing surprises, it denied a ticket to Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, a seven-term MLA, while fielding Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary in a direct election after over a decade. Health and Law Minister Mangal Pandey, a member of the legislative council, has also been fielded by the party for the assembly polls. It was not immediately known how many JD-U candidates were given tickets during the day, as the CM's residence kept bustling with activity, with aspirants turning up after receiving a call from the party chief. However, prominent among those who did are minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, state JD-U president Umesh Singh Kushwaha (Mahnar) and gangster-turned-politician Anant Kumar Singh (Mokama). Many of them also filed their nomination papers. There was some drama, too, as Gopalpur MLA Gopal Mandal, who is said to have angered Kumar by remaining in the news for all the wrong reasons, turned up at the CM's residence without seeking an appointment. When security personnel tried to prevent him from entering the restricted area, he sat on a dharna, only to be bundled away into a police vehicle hours later. Mandal's constituency falls in the Bhagalpur district, where he is also known to have a running feud with local JD-U MP Ajay Mandal, who sought to resign from the party around the same time, alleging that tickets were being given in his area without heeding to his advice. In the meantime, rumours spread like wildfire that Kumar, who is known to dump allies and forge new coalitions at will, was angry that his party was not given the lion's share in the deal struck at Delhi on Sunday. Leaders in his own party as well as alliance partners were on their feet, trying their best to assert that all was well, lest the situation might be taken advantage of by their adversaries. "The opposition is staring at a defeat. It is therefore spreading rumours of a rift in the NDA. Actually, it is the INDIA bloc which is on the brink of collapse," alleged JD-U working president Sanjay Kumar Jha, who was present in the national capital while the negotiations were on. Reports in a section of the media also claimed that Jha, a former Bharatiya Janata Party man, had received a tongue-lashing from Kumar. On cue, several NDA leaders from the state, including Union minister Chirag Paswan, a former bete noire of the JD-U president who was away in Chandigarh, came out with social media posts asserting that the NDA was united under the leadership of the longest-serving CM. Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, the only NDA partner to have gone public with his displeasure over getting only six seats, also asserted on social media that his own displeasure over a less-than-desired share must not result in the alliance coming apart. Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has got 29 seats, despite not having a single MLA, while Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha, whose Rashtriya Lok Morcha is just two years old, has got as many seats as Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM). Manjhi also announced candidates for all the seats, four of them sitting MLAs, including his daughter-in-law Deepa Manjhi and her mother Jyoti Devi. Kumar is also reportedly unhappy over a couple of JD-U's seats having been acceded to Paswan's party. It was, however, not known which of the seats Paswan's party was contesting this time. Meanwhile, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) leaders took the opportunity to predict doom for the NDA, even though the situation was no better in their camp. Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav, who had on Monday night started giving away party tickets by calling candidates to his home, stopped when his son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav reportedly insisted that it should take place in a more 'disciplined' manner. The candidates were reportedly asked to return their tickets because of 'technical issues', though enthusiastic ones like Sunil Singh, who last week quit the JD-U to join the RJD, went ahead and filed their nomination papers. Though neither partner is admitting to a rift, speculations of discord between RJD and Congress, the two biggest constituents of the INDIA bloc in Bihar, have been doing the rounds. Poetic social media exchanges between RJD national spokesman Manoj Kumar Jha and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi have added grist to the mill. Meanwhile, some of the smaller allies seem to have decided they have had enough. Six candidates of the Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist Liberation, which has the largest footprint among all Left parties in the state, filed their nomination papers. Filing of nomination papers for the first phase will be over on October 17, while it will continue till October 20 for the second and final leg. IMAGE: National Security Guard personnel demonstrate their skills during its 41st Raising Day celebrations at the NSG Garrison Manesar in Gurugram, here and below. Union Home Minister Amit A Shah attended the 41st Raising Day of the National Security Guard at the NSG Garrison in Manesar, Gurugram, celebrating the elite force's exceptional contributions to India's security. The event highlighted the courage, discipline, and dedication of NSG commandos, India's premier counter-terror and special operations force. The ceremony was followed by operational demonstrations showcasing the NSG's capabilities, such as counter terrorism and close protection force displays, combat free fall, helicopter slithering, bomb disposal and K9 demos, mixed martial arts, and a weapons and equipment exhibition. NSG personnel impressed attendees with hostage rescue operations, precision shooting, aerial maneuvers and bomb disposal drills, reflecting the force's high level of readiness to tackle any threat to national security. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff Punjab Police and Chandigarh Police got into a minor scuffle on Tuesday over the custody of a Rajasthan native who is accused of filing his Rajya Sabha polls nomination with forged signatures. Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo Navneet Chaturvedi, a resident of Jaipur, who claims to be the national president of the Janata Party, was booked on Monday after Aam Aadmi Party MLAs alleged that their signatures were forged on nomination papers submitted by him. On Tuesday, after Chaturvedi came out of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha following the rejection of his nomination papers, a team of Rupnagar police followed the Chandigarh Police vehicle in which he was being taken. The Rupnagar police team intercepted the vehicle near Sukhna Lake to arrest Chaturvedi, but faced resistance from the Chandigarh Police. An argument broke out between the two forces, which had a physical skirmish as well, before Chaturvedi was taken to Sector 3 Police Station. Later, Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur reached the spot and shepherded his team to the police headquarters. A video of the incident was circulated widely on social media. In the wake of the incident, Rupnagar Senior Superintendent of Police Gulneet Singh Khurana met the director general of police of the Union Territory, said sources. A senior Punjab Police officer said they are exploring legal options to get custody of the accused. Chaturvedi filed two nominations for the Rajya Sabha, one on October 6 and another on October 13, both allegedly with forged signatures of proposers. Meanwhile, Punjab minister Aman Arora accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government of destroying democracy. Arora repeated the allegations levelled against Chaturvedi. He said that when the forgery came to light, AAP MLA from Rupnagar, Dinesh Kumar Chadha, whose signature had also been forged, filed a complaint with the local police, and late Monday night, an first information report (FIR) was registered against Chaturvedi. "Today, the Rupnagar court issued an arrest warrant against Chaturvedi. However, when the Rupnagar police came to Chandigarh with the arrest warrants to apprehend the accused, the Chandigarh Police clashed with them and took the accused away in a government vehicle," Arora said. The Punjab AAP president also accused the Chandigarh Police of giving Chaturvedi 'VIP treatment' instead of cooperating with their Punjab counterpart. The politician demanded an immediate handover of custody of Chaturvedi to the Rupnagar Police Station. so that the law can take its course of action. The Rajya Sabha bypoll will be held on October 24. The bypoll is being held to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of AAP's Sanjeev Arora, who stepped down from the Upper House following his election to the state assembly. Sanjeev Arora, whose term was to end on April 9, 2028, is presently serving as a minister in the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The AAP has fielded industrialist Rajinder Gupta for the bypoll. AAP enjoys an overwhelming majority with 93 members in the 117-member state Assembly. A delegation of Opposition leaders, including Nationalist Congress Party-SP head Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Raj Thackeray, on Tuesday met Maharashtra's chief electoral officer (CEO) to flag alleged irregularities in the poll process, including the voters' list. Photograph: ANI/X Cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray were seen arriving together, amid a buzz that they may join hands for the upcoming local body polls in the state, though it remains unclear if the MNS head will be part of the larger Opposition alliance. Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde quipped the Opposition bloc is not Maha Vikas Aghadi but a "Maha Confused Aghadi". The Opposition delegation, which also comprised leaders from the Congress, Left parties, Peasants and Workers Party and Samajwadi Party, met CEO S Chockalingam at the Mantralaya (state secretariat) and demanded rectification of anomalies in the voters' list before the local body polls. They also demanded the use of VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) in the local body polls in Maharashtra, likely to be held later this year or early next year. Another delegation, comprising Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad and Shiv Sena-UBT leaders Ambadas Danve and Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant, met state Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare with similar demands. "We met S Chokhalingam to show him the irregularities in the voters' list in different parts of the state. It is now evident that there are a lot of irregularities and it can be seen in various constituencies," NCP-SP leader Jayant Patil, who was part of the delegation, told reporters. If this voters' list is frozen and the state Election Commission holds polls, then the same "mess" will continue tomorrow in the local body elections, he claimed. "We have demanded that the SEC and the state CEO hold a meeting with us together and listen to our concerns. They have assured us that both will come together and hear our grievance," he added. Patil claimed there is duplication of several names in the voters' list. In another case, one house has 170 voters, he said, pointing out the irregularities. Before holding the local body polls, the anomalies in the voters' list should be rectified, Patil said. Shiv Sena-U ) MP Sanjay Raut said the Opposition leaders were supposed to hold a joint press conference after the meeting. But it would be held after the discussions, which remained incomplete. The discussions will continue on Wednesday as the Election Commission "needs some more time", he said. The Rajya Sabha member said the ruling BJP, too, should have been part of the meeting because it is the need of the hour that the poll body holds elections in a free and fair manner. "The BJP is making similar demands in West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Even the BJP should have been here," Raut said. The elections should be held transparently and according to the Constitution, he said. Taking a dig at the Opposition, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said it is not Maha Vikas Aghadi but a "Maha Confused Aghadi". In a jibe at rival Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde said the one who frequently visited Mantralaya only "virtually" when he was the chief minister, went to the same building again not for work, but for ranting. A woman student of South Asian University (SAU) in New Delhi was allegedly sexually assaulted by four people on campus, triggering protests by students. Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay The student was found injured, with her clothes torn, on campus on October 13, a day after she was reported missing, the police said on Tuesday. SAU condemned the incident "in the strongest terms" and said it stands with its students. A PCR call was received at Maidan Garhi police station around 3 pm on Monday, reporting that a woman student who had gone missing from SAU in south Delhi's Chhatarpur was found injured on campus, the police said. "The call was made by someone known to the student. A team immediately reached the spot. Based on the statement of the victim, an FIR has been registered under the relevant sections. The investigation is being conducted with due sensitivity and priority," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan. He said the student was found near the university auditorium after a search within the campus. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical examination. She is being counselled. Police sources said the charges in the FIR include attempt to gangrape. They said the student told police that she was pulled by four people near the auditorium. The university administration has been asked to hand over CCTV footage of the campus to help trace the woman's movements after she left her hostel room, they added. According to police, the student shifted to the SAU campus a fortnight ago after spending a year in Kota. During counselling, the student said she has been undergoing treatment for depression following her parents' separation -- her father lives in Bihar and her mother in Mumbai. As the news about the alleged sexual assault broke on Monday evening, students gathered at the administrative block, accusing the university of insensitivity and delay in informing the police. They staged a sit-in that stretched over eight hours. In a statement issued on Tuesday, SAU assured students of all support. "The South Asian University condemns this alleged act of sexual violence in the strongest terms and in one voice. We stand with our students and assure them of our full support," it said. "We the SAU community, faculty, staff and students stand in solidarity in light of the alleged horrific act of sexual violence that has been reported on campus. SAU has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women. We strongly condemn, and stand in support and solidarity," it said. A speeding car crashed into tunnel wall on the Coastal Road in Mumbai on Monday night, a police official said. IMAGE: A car crashes into the right wall of the coastal road tunnel towards Worli in Mumbai. Photograph: Video grab/X No one was injured in the accident which took place on the north-bound section of the Coastal Road, an eight-lane expressway along Mumbai's western coastline, he said. According to the official, the red car crashed into the right wall of the Coastal Road tunnel towards Worli. After the accident, a passer-by captured a video showing the vehicle with airbags deployed and emergency lights on. In the video, a youth is seen exiting the driver's seat, while another passenger is in the front seat. A third occupant, a woman, is seen standing near the vehicle after the crash. 'The Pahalgam terror attacks and the conflict that followed were a big blow to local tourism.' 'And just when things were starting to go back to normal, the floods, caused by heavy rain, spoiled all chances of a bounce-back this season.' IMAGE: Shikaras at Dal Lake in Srinagar. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff Air travel and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are yet to recover after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) data showing that passenger traffic at Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh airports remains well below last year's levels, marking a sharp reversal from the steady growth seen in the same period last year. The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have three major civilian airports -- Jammu, Srinagar and Leh. According to the AAI data, reviewed by Business Standard, the monthly passenger numbers at Srinagar airport are yet to claw back to last year's levels. In May this year, the airport handled 161,214 passengers, a steep 67.1 per cent year-on-year drop. In August, it was 257,867, 17.9 per cent lower than in the same month last year. For travel operators in the region, this has been a washout season. "The Pahalgam terror attacks and the conflict that followed were a big blow to local tourism. And just when things were starting to go back to normal, the floods, caused by heavy rain, spoiled all chances of a bounce-back this season," said a hotel operator who has been battling dwindling occupancy rates since April. During April-August this year, Srinagar airport recorded a 33.1 per cent decline in passenger numbers year-on-year, in contrast to 10.2 per cent growth in the same period last year. The story is similar for Jammu airport. In May this year, it handled 68,654 passengers, down 51.6 per cent year-on-year. Tour operators had expected a recovery but that has not happened yet. In August, Jammu airport handled 107,260 passengers, still 14.4 per cent lower year-on-year. "The incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and geopolitical tensions have shaken the confidence of travellers and caused losses for stakeholders -- from hoteliers and houseboat owners to guides, artisans, and transporters," said Ravi Gosain, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators. "Tourism is the backbone of the region's economy, and such setbacks affect families," he added. Leh airport also witnessed a decline. It handled 79,572 passengers in May, down 37.2 per cent year-on-year. By August, the situation had not normalised, with 101,420 passengers handled, 20 per cent lower year-on-year. The reasons for the drop in air travel to the region are not limited to just geopolitical and environmental concerns. Spiritual tourism, encompassing the annual Amarnath Yatra and others like the Vaishno Devi temple, accounts for a significant part of the region's economy. That, too, was affected this year after helicopter service was banned in the area. The Amarnath Shrine Board in July stopped helicopter service to the cave temple, led to a near washout. "Almost 60 per cent of our bookings were for the helicopter journey, and all of them were cancelled after the declaration came," said Jatin Nagar from the sales department at Wonder World Yatra, a tour operator, which organises Amarnath journeys. The operator had to reduce prices by 6 to 7 per cent this year after the Pahalgam attacks. "Occupancy levels at my hotel have been limited to 6 to 8 per cent this year during the peak season. It has been a very difficult year and I can only hope that things are better next year," said another hotel chain owner in the Jammu region, adding that the industry needed the support of enhanced security measures and financial relief. Rajiv Mehra, general secretary, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), said: "The Pahalgam incident has hurt the tourism sector in Kashmir very badly. Initially everybody was shocked but given the initiative of different stakeholders -- the governments (the Centre and that of the Union Territory) -- things have improved and we are expecting near normalcy in the coming months." "However, we expect a lot more from the governments. First, we need enhanced security cover; marketing outside Jammu and Kashmir, in India and abroad; and the opening of closed tourist destinations (with security in place) and incentives to the entire hospitality sector, which includes hotels, tour operators, and local guides," he added. Speaking at an event earlier this year, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said the government had identified nine new tourist destinations for development and was eyeing a funding of Rs 5,500 crore. 'Tourism is a visible sign of a move towards normalcy,' Abdullah said. 'An increasing number of tourists has added to our economic activity while giving a sense that perhaps better days are ahead.' Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff On Monday, October 13, 2025, US President Donald J Trump delivered remarks to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened his address to the Knesset in Hebrew by personally thanking Trump and expressing excitement about the return of the final hostages imprisoned by Hamas since October 7, 2023. IMAGE: Trump with Amir Ohana, speaker of the Knesset, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Pool via Reuters IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Knesset as Trump looks on. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Pool via Reuters IMAGE: Trump speaks with Netanyahu at the Knesset. Photograph: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters s IMAGE: Ivanka Trump, Trump's elder daughter, and Dan Scavino, White House deputy chief of staff, at the Knesset. Photograph: Kenny Holston/Pool via Reuters IMAGE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is introduced before Trump speaks to the Knesset. Photograph: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters s IMAGE: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Knesset. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/Reuters IMAGE: Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, and Ivanka Trump acknowledge applause at the Knesset. Photograph: Saul Loeb/Pool via Reuters IMAGE: Trump speaks to the Knesset. Photograph: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters s IMAGE: Families of hostages are recognized before Trump speaks to the Knesset. Photograph: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters IMAGE: Trump signs the guest book during his visit to the Knesset. as Netanyahu, his wife Sara Netanyahu and others look on. Photograph: @WhiteHouse X/ANI Photo IMAGE: Trump meets Netanyahu at the Knesset. Photograph: @netanyahu X/ANI Photo IMAGE: Trump and Netanyahu at the Knesset. Photograph: @netanyahu X/ANI Photo Trump's speech at Knesset was briefly interrupted by lawmakers who were expelled from the plenum after shouting slogans during Trump's remarks. The protest against Trump's speech came as the president was marking the return to Israel of the last living hostages held by Hamas since they were kidnapped during the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas. IMAGE: Security officials remove a Knesset member who interrupted Trump's speech to the Knesset, here and below. Photograph: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters Photograph: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters Photograph: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters He holds up a sign in protest before being expelled. Photograph: Kenny Holston/Pool via Reuters Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has condemned the attack by the Russian armed forces on a humanitarian convoy in Kherson region. "The Ukrainian Red Cross Society condemns attacks on humanitarian missions! We emphasize the importance of observing international humanitarian law and ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers delivering aid to civilians," the society said on its Facebook page on Tuesday. As reported, on October 14, an interdepartmental convoy of four trucks with UN markings was hit by Russian drones in Kherson region. The humanitarian workers were not injured, but two trucks were damaged and caught fire. Humanitarian workers, including from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, were delivering humanitarian aid to Bilozirka, a community that has suffered significant losses due to the war and has not received support for several months. UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale condemned the Russian strikes on UN vehicles. "Deliberately targeting humanitarians and humanitarian assets is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and might amount to a war crime," Schmale said. On October 14, 1956, Dr B R Ambedkar, fulfilling his long-held vow to renounce Hinduism, embraced Buddhism along with over 500,000 followers at Nagpur's Deekshabhoomi, marking a new era of social and spiritual liberation for India's Dalits. IMAGE: Dr B R Ambedkar gives Dhamma Deeksha to lakhs of his followers in Nagpur, October 14, 1956. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, better known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution, is hailed as the unmatched leader of the Dalits and oppressed castes of India. On October 13, 1935, he publicly announced that though he was born a Hindu, he would not die as a Hindu. On October 14, 1956, which day was being celebrated for Dussehra when good triumphs over evil, Dr Ambedkar, his wife Savita, and thousands of Dalits renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism. Dr Ambedkar had long fought against casteism, especially its most oppressive features, to emerge as the foremost leaders of the Dalits, a term he preferred over the patronising word 'Harijan'. Among the many obstacles imposed upon Dalits before Independence, non-entry into temples, and drawing water from common wells/tanks was the most common, practised in almost every village of India. And it was against obscurantist practices that Dr Ambedkar made his earliest mark in his fight against untouchability. IMAGE: March 20, 1927: Dr Ambedkar's Mahad Satyagraha. Photograph: Kind courtesy DrAmbedkarTheGreatestIndian/Facebook In March 1927, he led the Mahad satyagraha, a movement to enable Dalits to draw water from the common water tank at Mahad village in Raigad district. Later, on December 25, 1927, Dr Ambedkar led thousands of Dalits to publicly burn copies of the Manusmriti. In 1930, he led some 15,000 followers in an attempt to enter the Kalaram temple in Nashik. But when they reached the gates, the brahmin priests shut the temple gates to prevent the entry of the Dalits. IMAGE: Dr Ambedkar delivers a speech about renouncing Hinduism at Yeola, Nashik, October 13, 1935. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons In 1932, the British government announced separate electorates for the 'Depressed Classes'. Opposing this move, Mahatma Gandhi, then in Yerawada jail, went on a hunger fast, saying the move would divide Hindu society. Under tremendous pressure, Dr Ambedkar signed the Poona Pact, which reserved some seats in the Provincial Legislatures for members of the Depressed Classes. It seems that soon after, Dr Ambedkar concluded that Dalits must leave Hinduism and convert to another religion, and in 1935, he declared, 'I was born a Hindu. I could not help it, but I solemnly assure you I won't die a Hindu.' He would repeat this message at many gatherings. IMAGE: Dr Ambedkar being sworn in as independent India's first law minister by President Rajendra Prasad as Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru looks on, May 8, 1950. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons In the aftermath of his announcement, many religious leaders sought to woo Ambedkar, hoping to convert him and his followers to their faith. But ever since he was gifted a book on the Buddha as a young boy, Dr Ambedkar had been deeply impressed by Buddhism, and in 1936, he announced that he would be embracing Buddhism. The next two decades saw the outbreak of World War 2, followed by India's Independence and Partition. Events were moving rapidly. Dr Ambedkar was appointed Independent India's first law minister and later as the chairman of the Constitution drafting committee. The latter saw him lead the team the drafted India's Constitution, which was adopted by India on January 26, 1950. As law minister, Dr Ambedkar was also involved with the Hindu Code Bills that sought to codify and modernise the multiple Hindu customs and laws prevailing across India. The modernisation aspect with new laws banning polygamy and allowing women to divorce their husbands incensed conservative Hindus, and the bills were not passed by Parliament. Dr Ambedkar resigned as law minister in October 1951. IMAGE: Dr Ambedkar arrives at Ashok Buddha Vihar in Delhi for Buddhist prayer with Shankaranand Shastri, 1956. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons In the early 1950s, Dr Ambedkar once again began devoting attention to Buddhism, travelling to Sri Lanka and Burma, two neighbouring nations where Buddhists are in a majority. In 1950, while dedicating the a vihara near Pune, Dr Ambedkar declared he was writing a book on Buddha and once that book was completed, he would convert to Buddhism. In 1955, Dr Ambedkar founded the Bharatiya Baudhha Mahasabha (Buddhist Society of India). 1956 was an important year for Buddhism: It was celebrated across India and Southeast Asia to mark the 2500th death anniversary of Buddha. IMAGE: Dr Ambedkar with Buddhist monks, October 30, 1954. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons Later that year, Ambedkar completed his book on the Buddha and led thousands of his followers to embrace Buddhism on Sunday, October 14, 1956 at a ceremony in Nagpur. The ground has since then become a pilgrimage spot, known as Deekshabhoomi. Dr Ambedkar also declared that he and his followers would follow a new sect, Navayana, thus avoiding the conflicts of the Thervada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana sects. All the new converts had to take vows, including not worshipping Hindu gods and goddesses. Two days later, he would convert thousands more into Buddhism. Most of the converts were from the states of Maharashtra, the state of Dr Ambedkar, and Uttar Pradesh, which had a strong Adi-Dharma movement right from the early 20th century. Across the rest of India, conversion to Buddhism was somewhat muted, and Buddhists comprise about 1% of India's population. IMAGE: Dr Ambedkar in 1950. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons Less than two months after becoming a Buddhist, on December 6, 1956, Dr Ambedkar would pass into history. His book on Buddha was published posthumously. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff The Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission is raffling this quilt as a fundraiser for the restoration of two historic murals with local roots. Russian occupiers shelled Kherson during the day, killing two women and a man, Head of the Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin has said. "At noon, Russian soldiers covered Dniprovsky district of Kherson with fire. An elderly woman died as a result of the enemy attack Also at this moment, doctors are fighting for the life of a 55-year-old man who received an explosive injury, shrapnel wounds to the head, arm and chest. His condition is serious," Prokudin said in Telegram channel on Tuesday. Later, Prokudin said the man born in 1980 received fatal injuries. "Also, a man born in 1980 received fatal injuries due to Russian shelling of Dniprovsky district of Kherson," he said in Telegram. Prokudin also reported that an 88-year-old woman received injuries incompatible with life due to shelling of Korabelny district at noon on Tuesday. WEST DOVER A new petition calls for reinstating community access to Mount Snow Child Care immediately or pausing the change for one full ski season to develop solutions with stakeholders. Last week, families expressed frustration with the move to an "employee-first enrollment model" at the program that has been around for more than 20 years. The change prioritizes kids of employees for placements, leaves other parents with a limited choice of local options and goes into place Nov. 17. "This decision was not made lightly and reflects our commitment to supporting our staff and their families with reliable, high-quality and affordable care," said Brian Donovan, director of skier services. "Families who are not active Mount Snow employees are still welcome to apply for care but will be placed on a waitlist and notified if space becomes available. We are incredibly grateful to all the families who have been part of Mount Snow Child Care. The new model is anticipated by the resort to affect about 16 families in the community who use year-round care. The change will not affect resort guest care offered on weekends and during holiday weeks in the ski season. Addressed to executives at Mount Snow and its parent company Vail Resorts, the petition urges transparency. It asks for "financial data, operating costs and decision criteria behind this change." Mount Snow General Manager Lea Gabrielle Potts told the Deerfield Valley News, "The program has never been profit-driven." Its always operated at a loss, but that loss has just become unsustainable," Gabrielle Potts told the weekly newspaper. "It comes down to the challenges of child care not being our core business as a ski resort, but wanting to keep providing this amenity to our employees. Classroom configurations are still being developed based on projected enrollment, mandated staffing ratios and group size limits, Potts said in the article. Those contribute to an overall operating cost that greatly outpaces the revenue, Gabrielle Potts told the Deerfield Valley News. The more children we care for, the more upside down the business becomes. Rate increases are capped by the state, so thats not an option. As a resort leader, Im always having to make tough business decisions, and in this case, this was a decision made by us here at the resort to reflect our commitment and our investment in our staff and their families. Sought in the petition is the creation of a community advisory board "to ensure future collaboration." The board would include parents, child care staff and town representatives. The petition also calls for "a public statement of accountability acknowledging the harm this decision has caused." It can be found at form.jotform.com/252798520193161. One of the parents behind the petition, who asked not to be identified, said families currently are "just begging for more time." "Five weeks is not enough time for everyone to find new child care options," the parent said. "They're putting people out of work at their facility and in the community. This is going to affect a lot of people." One of the staff members, who asked not to be identified, estimated the change will result in about a third to half of the staff losing their jobs. "I'm losing full-time income," the staff member said, after receiving significant education and training for the job and moving close to the resort. "Most staff feel this is soulless Vail just taking over and will probably continue in this sense. We have a lot of families struggling with medical needs, just getting the boot." The staff member said other jobs in child care doesn't seem feasible right now based on location. The program has nurtured "generations of children from Dover, Wilmington, Wardsboro, Jacksonville and surrounding areas," according to the petition, allowing "parents to work, serve and sustain this rural economy while giving children a safe, stable and social environment." "The recent announcement giving families only six weeks notice that their children will no longer be welcome unless a parent works for the resort is an act of corporate carelessness that disregards decades of partnership and trust between Mount Snow and this community," the petition states. "The combined year-round population of Dover (1,237), Wilmington (2,225), Wardsboro (850) and Whitingham/Jacksonville (1,278) totals under 6,000 residents smaller than a single Denver suburb. In such a small, interdependent region, removing one of the only full-service child care programs is devastating." Only three to four other licensed childcare providers can be found within a reasonable driving distance, and all have long waiting lists, according to the petition. "Parents teachers, healthcare workers, small business owners and resort employees now face impossible choices between staying employed or staying home," the petition states. "When local parents cant work, the entire valley economy suffers. And when the valley suffers, Mount Snow suffers too." Citing research, the petition says, "Children who lose consistent caregivers show increased anxiety and regression. Unstable child care arrangements lead to higher behavioral problems and lower emotional security. Predictable routines promote resilience and emotional regulation." "Families would have gladly paid higher rates or adjusted schedules to keep the program open," the petition states. "Instead, they were given six weeks notice not enough time to find new care, adjust work or be heard. In her legislative newsletter, State Rep. Laura Sibilia, I-Windham-2, said she's "asked to meet with Mount Snow and any group interested in finding solutions for our area." "Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reach out and share your experiences," she wrote. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Bruce Rosow, Ed.D., writes from Williamsville. The opinions expressed by columnists and op-ed writers do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. State Rep. Mike Mrowicki, D, serves the Windham 4 District towns of Putney and Dummerston. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Another View Another View: Amid Banned Books Week and every week, stand up for the freedom to read Ingram Micro has signed NVIDIA as part of its portfolio for Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ), offering its suite of accelerated computing solutions across the region. The deal includes NVIDIAs full range of products, especially high-performance GPUs for AI training and inference. It also contains advanced networking solutions like its Spectrum-X Ethernet and Quantum InfiniBand compute fabric products, DGX systems for scalable AI infrastructure, and software platforms such as AI Enterprise and Omniverse for digital twins and visualisation. Ingram Micro said partners can deliver end-to-end AI-ready solutions, bridging compute, storage, and networking for deployments in hybrid cloud environments and data-intensive applications. In addition to the tech, partners will have access to resources, including competitive pricing, technical training, and marketing support. Ingram Micros own Xvantage platform will also feature integrated resources from NVIDIA, including a soon-to-be-released Enable AI growth track, which offers AI maturity assessments, skill-building enablement and education with data-driven insights to locate market opportunities. The distributors local team of 240 employees, including commercial and enterprise professionals and AI, data centre, and HPC experts, will support NVIDIA with tailored enablement initiatives. Support includes hands-on workshops, certification programmes, solution architecture consultations, and co-selling help. Odesa will receive more protection and support in the format of a city military administration, with the head to be appointed in the near future, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. "Head of the State Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk has reported today. I thank the service for its strong work in defense of Ukraine, in countering Russian agent networks. We also discussed the situation in the frontline communities and in the south of our country, particularly in Odesa. Odesa deserves more protection and more support. This can be done in the format of a military administration. Too many security issues in Odesa have remained unanswered for too long. All effective decisions will be made. I will appoint the head of the military administration in the near future," the president said during his evening video address. Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar says there will be no rapid shift away from importing Russian fossil fuels if he wins parliamentary elections expected to be held this spring. The issue is central to efforts to choke revenues which have financed Russias invasion of Ukraine, with both the European Union and the United States calling for countries to curb their imports. "We don't want to get rid of (Russian energy sources) tomorrow, but by a target date of 2035, Magyar said in an interview with RFE/RLs Hungarian Service. "That doesn't mean we won't buy from (Russia), it means that we'll find the cheapest and the safest (sources). If there's an energy crisis, there should be multiple ways to procure Hungarys energy needs. Hungarian Opposition Candidate On Limiting Russian Energy Contracts by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:20 0:00 Magyars position is important because his party, Tisza, is well ahead of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans Fidesz Party in most opinion polls. Some recent polling has put the lead at around 20 percentage points. Orban has warned that Hungary faces chaos and poverty if Magyar wins. Hungary currently imports around 95 percent its natural gas supplies from Russia, while during the first half of 2025, some 92 percent of its oil imports came from Russia. Orban, who has maintained close ties with Moscow, has staunchly defended these arrangements, arguing they are in Hungarys national interest. RFE/RLs Hungarian Service has sent several requests to the Prime Minister's Office for an interview with Orban, including one on October 14, but has not received a response. The EU has set a goal of ridding itself of Russian energy imports much sooner than Magyar envisages, by 2027. It envisages doing this via EU internal market rules, meaning the decision could not be vetoed by Hungary or Slovakia, which also relies heavily on Russian supplies. US President Donald Trump, a strong supporter of Orban, has threatened secondary tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and said that a 25 percent US tariff on India was an example of this that could be applied elsewhere. Trump has also called on European countries to do the same and to stop buying Russian oil themselves. Magyar Praises Trump While Magyar did not signal an imminent change on Orbans position on energy imports, he suggested his approach to the war in Ukraine would be different. Orban has often blocked or watered-down EU sanctions on Russia and has spoken out against arms supplies to Kyiv. "It seems that President Trump is not using the method that Viktor Orban imaginedthat he will withdraw all support from the Ukrainians and stop the arms shipments, but (instead) that he is trying to pressure the Russians in the exact opposite way and force them to make peace, or at least a ceasefire. There are signs that this may be successful, he said. Magyar also praised Trumps Middle East peace initiative. Trump has consistently backed Orban and singled him out for further praise at the peace summit held in Egypt on October 13. Hes a great leader. I endorsed him the last election he had, and he won, said Trump, before turning to Orban at the summit and saying: Youre going to do even better this timeand were behind you 100 percent. In the interview with RFE/RL, Magyar also repeated a commitment to improve anticorruption efforts and said his party would set a limit of two terms for prime ministers. Orban is close to completing his fifth four-year term, including four consecutive terms since 2010, during which time Hungary has faced international criticism for corruption and eroding democratic norms. The European Union has frozen some 20 billions dollars in funding because o fconcerns about corruption and the rule of law, while Transparency International has rated Hungary the most-corrupt country in the EU. Orban has repeatedly rejected such concerns, once telling the European Parliament that his conservative government faces Hungarophobia in a world dominated by liberalism." An Iranian court has sentenced two French citizens to lengthy prison terms for allegedly spying for France and Israel, the judiciarys official website reported on October 14, just days after Tehran and Paris suggested progress had been made on a prisoner swap. One individual was sentenced to six years in prison for espionage on behalf of the French intelligence service, five years for conspiracy to commit crimes against national security, and 20 years in internal exile for alleged intelligence collaboration with Israel. The second defendant received 10 years for allegedly spying for France, five years for conspiracy to commit crimes against national security, and 17 years for aiding and abetting intelligence cooperation with Israel. The report said the sentences can be appealed within 20 days. Although the judiciary did not name the defendants, Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris are the only French nationals that are known to be held in Iran currently. France 24 reports they are the pair concerned. In July, the French state-owned broadcaster reported that, according to their relatives and diplomatic sources, the pair had been charged with "spying for Israel." Kohler and her partner, Paris, were arrested in Tehran in May 2022 as they were wrapping up a sightseeing holiday in Iran. Iranian state media have alleged that the couple associated with the main teachers union, an allegation the family denies. They have been accused of fomenting unrest. A video aired by Iranian state media in October 2022 showed Kohler and Paris confessing to espionage; rights groups say such televised confessions are coerced and have condemned the practice. There is no independent court in Iran, said Fariba Adelkhah, a French-Iranian academic arrested in 2019 at Tehrans airport and sentenced to five years for alleged nationalsecurity offenses; she was released in 2023. Were all spies unless proven otherwise, she told RFE/RLs Radio Farda. Adelkhah said defendants in security cases face Kafkaesque proceedings and argued that Kohler and Paris did not receive a fair hearing. Comparing Kohlers detention to her own, Adelkhah said the 35yearold is enduring harsher conditions because she is being held in solitary confinement. Iran and France signaled movement on a potential prisoner swap this month, with officials in both capitals saying talks had made progress on a framework that could secure the release of Kohler and Paris in exchange for Mahdieh Esfandiari, and Iranian student who was detained this year for antiIsrael social media activity. A separate court in Iran acquitted and freed FrancoGerman cyclist Lennart Monterlos last week. Even though UN human rights experts have decried a dramatic escalation in executions in Iran, the powerful Guardian Council on October 1 approved harsher sentences for spying and collaboration with Israel and the United States. Days earlier, a UN panel revealed that Iranian authorities have executed over 1,000 people since the start of the year -- a figure that Amnesty International called the most in at least 15 years. Exiled Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky and several other prominent Russian opposition figures have been accused by the country's Federal Security Service (FSB) of creating a "terrorist organization" and of plotting to violently seize power. The FSB said on October 14 that it was investigating more than 20 others as part of the case, including dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, ex-Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and leading economists Sergei Aleksashenko and Sergei Guriev. All are part of the "Anti-War Committee of Russia," which has been deemed "undesirable" in the country. The organization was founded on February 27, 2022, after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The group's manifesto states that its goals are to stop the war and oppose Vladimir Putin's regime, which the organization views as dictatorial. Many members of the movement left Russia after the war began. The Russian authorities' move also comes after a recent decision by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to establish a "Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces that gives opponents of President Vladimir Putin a stronger voice at Europes main human rights body. "The Kremlin perceives the PACE affair as a major problem," Khodorkovsky, who lives in exile in London, said in a social media post. "Hence the new cases of 'power grabs,' the lies about 'recruiting' and 'arming the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Sorry, but no. Humanitarian aid, yes," he added. PACE voted last week to create the platform with Russian democratic forces to support democratic change in Russia and address war crimes in Ukraine. The decision sparked tensions among Russian opposition figures abroad, with debates over the inclusion of the late anti-corruption crusader Aleksei Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK). Russia was ejected from the Council of Europe and PACE in March 2022, weeks after it launched its all-out attack on Ukraine. The decision to give opponents of Putins government a platform for dialogue with the rights body was historic, Kara-Murza told Current Time, the Russian-language TV and digital network run by RFE/RL. The voice ofthe Russian democratic opposition will be heard within the walls of the Council of Europe, he said, calling it the most important platform for the development of a road map in the wall for the reintegration of a future, post-Putin Russia into the European legal space and European institutions. But the PACE decision set off angry exchanges between figures and factions in the fractured Russia opposition on social media, aggravating tensions that have long been a hurdle to unified action. The main source of tension over the decision was a memorandum that was published alongside the resolution on the PACE website, listing some of the main Russian opposition forces abroad and what appeared to be criteria for potential inclusion in the group that will represent the Russian opposition at the assembly. Such criteria sparked a series of exchanges of online criticism, in some cases pitting Navalny's FBK, now led by his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, against other opposition figures including Khodorkovsky. Kara-Murza dismissed the idea that Navalnaya and FBK members would not be welcome as ridiculous and said he hopes that the selection of members of the opposition platform can begin in mid-December, after a mechanism is created, and that the delegation will be in place in time for a PACE plenary session that begins in late January. Formerly Russia's richest man, Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003 on fraud charges that he says were trumped up by Putin and his allies to punish his political activity, bring influential tycoons to heel, and put the oil assets of his company, Yukos, into state hands. He spent just over a decade in prison before being pardoned and flown out of the country in December 2013. He has since lived in London and funded various projects aimed at promoting democracy in Russia. In April 2023, he was among a group of some 50 leading Russian opposition figures who signed a joint declaration denouncing the invasion of Ukraine and proclaiming Putin's government "illegitimate and criminal." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he intends to place the strategic port city of Odesa under military administration. The announcement came during Zelenskyy's nightly video address and follows confirmation by the country's Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) that long-time Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov has been stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship, making him ineligible for the office. The SBU said in a press release on October 14 that Trukhanov's citizenship had been revoked by presidential decree after multiple documents emerged proving he was a Russian citizen. Dual nationality is prohibited under Ukrainian law. The SBU's latest findings overturned an earlier investigation it conducted in 2016 that said Trukhanov's Russian citizenship could not be proven. Trukhanov contested the decision and vowed to fight it all the way to the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights if necessary. "I have never had a Russian passport," he told state television after Zelenskyy announced the revocation of his citizenship. The move to revoke Trukhanov's Ukrainian citizenship followed Zelenskyy's meeting with security agency officials earlier, during which he discussed the handling of alleged Russian influence networks in administrative positions. Odesa: A Strategic Gateway To The Black Sea Odesa is one of Ukraines biggest cities with a major seaport on the Black Sea. Russia has occupied large swaths of Ukraines coastline to the east of the city. Odesa -- especially its port infrastructure -- has been a frequent target of Russian air strikes. Some Odesa residents launched a petition earlier to strip Trukhanov of his Ukrainian citizenship claiming he was simultaneously a Russian passport holder as well as a Russian taxpayer, which violates Ukraines constitution -- something the SBU confirmed to be the case. According to the SBU, Trukhanov was granted Russian citizenship in 2015 -- a year after the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia and the start of Russian-backed military action in Ukraines east. The security service also noted that, although Trukhanov asked a court in the Moscow region to annul his internal Russian passport in 2017, the annulment of the document does not cancel his citizenship, according to Russian legislation. Chinas latest export controls on rare-earth minerals risk not only reigniting a trade war with the United States, they could also come with far-reaching implications for efforts to rearm Ukraine and infrastructure development in Central Asia. Tensions between Beijing and Washington flared again over rare earths -- an essential group of 17 elements that find themselves in everything from electric vehicle batteries to smartphones to vital defense technology -- on October 9 when China added new export controls for five rare-earth metals on top of seven that were already restricted in April. That was then followed by US President Donald Trump vowing on October 10 to tack on an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese imports. The move by Beijing refocuses attention on how China uses its influence as the worlds biggest trading nation and its dominance of manufacturing supply chains to project its power in international affairs, James Kynge, a senior research fellow at the London-based Chatham House think tank, wrote in an analysis of the new measures. The move comes just weeks before a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping and is seen by analysts as a sharp escalation in Beijings long-running strategy to weaponize its dominance in rare earths. China accounts for more than 70 percent of global rare-earth mining, 90 percent of their separation and processing, and 93 percent of magnet manufacturing. The restrictions mean that foreign companies will need to obtain special approvals from Beijing if they wish to export rare-earth magnets and certain semiconductor materials that have at least 0.1 percent rare-earth metals from China. Under the new rules, companies with any affiliation to foreign militaries -- including those of the United States -- will be largely denied export licenses. The newly announced restrictions represent Chinas most consequential measures to date targeting the defense sector, said Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington. In effect, the policy seeks to prevent direct or indirect contributions of Chinese-origin rare earths or related technologies to foreign defense supply chains. What Does This Mean For Europe And The War In Ukraine? This has sparked concerns in Europe that this could impede efforts to provide military support to Ukraine. Currently, the United States has agreed to sell advanced weapons to its NATO allies in Europe who will then supply the arms to Kyiv to help repel Russias invasion. European governments are also supplying domestically made weapons to Ukraine. Many advanced weapons and military equipment rely on rare-earth elements., including F-35 fighter jets, Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines, radar systems, Predator unmanned aerial vehicles, the Joint Direct Attack Munition series of smart bombs, and Tomahawk missiles, which Trump has said he is considering sending to Ukraine. While many importers, including the Pentagon, maintain stockpiled reserves of rare earths, the new measures could have effects further down the road in terms of supplying Ukraine, especially given that the United States is struggling to keep pace in the production of many advanced weapons systems, according to CSIS. The European Chamber of Commerce in China has already said that the new restrictions add further complexity to the global supply chains of rare earth elements, with officials saying after the announcement that they are already navigating a backlog of export license applications awaiting approval from Beijing due to earlier restrictions brought in by China in April that restricted the flow of seven rare earths. Setting up a new system to address rare-earth bottlenecks was a key announcement from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at an EU-China summit in July, but many European firms say that the licensing approval process from Beijing is slow and already delaying production. Could Central And South Asia Help Offset Chinas Rare Earths Dominance? The latest round of export controls wont come into effect until December and Trumps call for additional tariffs is set to be applied on November 1. But Chinas near monopoly over mining and refining rare earths is already leading governments to explore alternatives to offset their dependence. Pakistan signed a $500 million memorandum of understanding in September with US Strategic Metals, a private American mineral company, with the first batch of rare-earth minerals arriving in early October. Elsewhere, the United States and the EU have eyed access to resource-rich Central Asia, which has a wealth of critical minerals and rare earths. Washington has set up the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue, the Group of Sevens (G7s) Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), and bilateral memoranda of understanding signed with Central Asia. Meanwhile, critical minerals and rare earths were a key part of a landmark summit in April in Samarkand between the bloc and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan also announced in April that it discovered massive deposits of more than 20 million metric tons of rare earths. The claim is still being confirmed by international firms, but if proven it would give the Central Asian country the worlds third largest reserves of rare earth metals, behind only China and Brazil. But as Kazakhstan draws international attention, there are several factors holding Central Asia back from becoming a rare earths and critical minerals powerhouse. A report from the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank, released earlier this year said that the region is hindered by high transit costs, a lack of infrastructure for exports, and a high-risk investment environment that significantly reduces the regions commercial viability. The report concluded by stating that the United States should look to countries with better developed export sectors for their mineral wealth, such as Canada and Chile, in the short and medium terms. Quickly securing critical mineral partnerships is vital to US efforts to reduce dependence on China. However, the United States should be wary of unrealistic expectations for what Central Asia can provide, the report said. In late 2015, the Kremlin achieved a key victory when it launched a military intervention in Syria to rescue the fast-sinking regime of then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and enshrine its role as a leading player in the Middle East. But 10 years later, Assad has been overthrown and a series of decisive events the latest of which is an October 13 US-brokered cease-fire agreement between Israel and Gaza are reversing that impression. Released Palestinian Prisoners Arrive In Ramallah by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:33 0:00 Russia has not been sidelined diplomatically in the Middle East like this since it intervened in Syria in 2015, Hanna Notte, director for Eurasia at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, told RFE/RL. This diminished status was on display in Egypt on October 13 when US President Donald Trump co-chaired a summit attended by the leaders of more than 20 countries aimed at finalizing a permanent truce in Gaza. Russia was notably absent from the diplomatic gathering and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that Moscow was not invited. That followed the Kremlin cancelling a planned summit with Arab leaders in Moscow slated for later this week, with Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter as saying that the real reason for the cancellation was that too few regional leaders had confirmed their attendance. European officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, also told RFE/RL that the agreement and the cancelled summit highlight Russias waning influence in the Middle East right now. Israelis Celebrate As Hostages Begin Return From Gaza by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:38 0:00 It was definitely another sign that Russias role is diminishing in the region, a European Union official focusing on Russia and Eurasia told RFE/RL. The cancelled summit is another. Only two leaders from Syria and Iraq had agreed to come. Another EU diplomat told RFE/RL that Russias absence from the summit in Egypt marked a win for the West. Seeing US, Arab, and Western leaders up on the podium and zero Russian or Chinese role in all this, was quite a sight, the EU diplomat told RFE/RL. Moscow Faces A Quickly Changing Middle East This comes after Russian prestige has suffered a series of losses in the Middle East in recent years as Moscow has been prioritizing its nearly four year invasion of Ukraine. Assad, who Moscow had intervened militarily in conjunction with Iran to bolster during Syrias civil war, was toppled in late 2024 and later fled to Moscow. Hamas October 7, 2023 attacks that sparked a broader Israel-Gaza war then left Moscow facing new diplomatic challenges with Tel Aviv after the Kremlin spent decades building up strategic ties. This was followed by US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in June, which left Tehran Moscows principle partner in the region weakened militarily and Russia hesitant to supply Tehran with more arms. Its part of what analysts say is a new political calculus from Moscow as it remains focused on the war in Ukraine, with few strategic resources to divert to other regions of the globe. Its a question of bandwidth, said Notte. Whether its an inability or an unwillingness, there are just less military resources for Russia to devote elsewhere. Compounding the diplomatic setbacks faced by Moscow is a complicated web of partnerships and strategic needs that Russia is navigating in the Middle East. Russia has long had a robust relationship with Iran. Moscow remains a top foreign investor and arms supplier, and Tehran aided the Kremlin with badly needed drones in the first year of its Ukraine invasion by helping Moscow build out a critical factory to make drones at home. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has aimed to develop deeper ties with Gulf nations like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, two increasingly important partners for Moscow that wouldnt welcome a more powerful Iran. This has left Moscow in a difficult position as it looks to support its top partner in the region while still trying to preserve ties with the Gulf nations that have been pivotal as conduits for Moscow to survive Western sanctions brought from its February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Down, But Not Out While the recent deal with Israel and Gaza marks a diplomatic breakthrough, a longer-term agreement to bring a lasting peace is still far from certain. Notte adds that while Russias stature in the region may be waning from its heyday following its Syria intervention, its exclusion from the summit doesnt mean that Moscow isnt still a powerbroker in the Middle East. Even if Russia wasnt bogged down in Ukraine, it probably wouldn't be a player on Israel-Palestine issues, said Notte. Moscows role on Israel-Palestine has been quite limited since the end of the Cold War. And while Russia faces questions over its future in the Middle East, Moscow has managed to slowly salvage remnants of its status in Syria. Russia has somewhat defied predictions following Assads ouster by holding onto its Tartus naval facility and the Hmeimim air base in Syria, while also using its clout as a permanent member of the UN Security Council as an olive branch to build up positive ties with the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Sharaa personally welcomed a high-level delegation from Moscow last month and in an October 12 interview with CBS, the Syrian president looked to be keeping the door open to build up deeper ties with Russia down the road. Engaging in a conflict with Russia right now would be too costly for Syria. Nor would it be in the country's interest, he said. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his team is carefully preparing for the meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, which will take place on Friday, October 17, all aspects of the meeting must be worked out so that "Ukraine is truly strengthened." "We are preparing in detail for our conversation with President Trump. Today I held a meeting with the military, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Energy, the head of Naftogaz, as well as with the Office team all aspects of the conversation must be worked out so that Ukraine is truly strengthened. We have already discussed certain things with President Trump there are outlines of solutions that can help regarding the Patriot missiles, regarding the Tomahawk missiles, this is essential, and some other weapons. It is important to discuss sensitive matters with us in person you can't tell everything over the phone," the president said during an evening video address. Zelenskyy said Ukraine has a clear vision of how the steps of its partners can bring the end of the war closer. "We have a clear vision of how America's steps, Europe's steps, our other partners' steps, our steps here in Ukraine, can bring the end of the war closer. America's leadership is important the leadership of President Trump. We are also planning meetings with representatives of American defense and energy companies. Of course, our key task is air defense and the resilience of our cities and communities, as well as forcing Russia to peace," he said. The head of the Ukrainian state said that now, after reaching agreements for the Middle East, there is "a very strong momentum for peace" in the world. "There is a very strong momentum for peace in the world now after we managed to reach agreements for the Middle East. This is a global issue, the U.S. President himself and his team did a lot, various leaders were also involved, they helped a lot. And now there are serious chances to live without war in the Middle East. This shows that Russia can really be pressured to stop aggression. In fact, Russia itself remains the main source of global instability the global source of war. This source needs to be tightened. We know how," Zelenskyy said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) commented on the detention in Belarus since the beginning of September of at least 88 people in the so-called "Belarusian Hajun" case, noting that such detentions are aimed at creating an "exchange fund" through which the regime of Alexander Lukashenko hopes to "buy indulgences in exchange for innocent people." "We are convinced that such arbitrary detentions are aimed at creating an 'exchange fund' through which Alexander Lukashenko hopes to buy himself indulgences in exchange for innocent people whom he will send to prison. We emphasize that the repressions of the Belarusian regime constitute a systemic and gross violation of human rights... The mass arrests and imprisonment of Belarusian citizens under the so-called 'Belarusian Hajun case' are an unconditional confirmation of this," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on the website. The Foreign Ministry urged the international community to increase pressure on Lukashenko and his henchmen. "We must not forget that since 2022, Belarus has become an accomplice in the crime of aggression against Ukraine, providing its territory, airspace and resources for the Russian Federation to wage an aggressive war against our state. Belarus must certainly bear its share of responsibility for the commission of this crime and all the resulting atrocities against the Ukrainian people," the Foreign Ministry said. The Belarusian Human Rights Center "Viasna" (Spring) reported on Monday that at least 88 people have been detained in the Belarusian Hajun case, the detentions are taking place throughout Belarus, but most of them in Gomel region. "Since the beginning of September, 68 people convicted of 'facilitating extremism' have been added to the 'list of extremists.' This is more than a third of all people added to the list during this time. Some of them are defendants in the Hajun case about whom human rights activists are not aware," the center said in a statement on Telegram channel. "Belarusian Hajun" is a monitoring channel that, from the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine until 2025, provided information on the movement of Russian troops and other military news from Belarus. In early February 2025, it became known that Belarusian security forces had gained access to the contact database of the monitoring project "Belarusian Hajun," the project manager Anton Motolko publicly admitted the fact of the hack, and two days later announced the termination of "Hajun." Ottoline Spearman A survey of over 7,100 people has shown strong public support for using Irish on trains. Half of all train passengers said they would be more likely to use Irish if they knew a staff member spoke the language. One in six (1,260 people) specifically referenced that visible signs, emblems, or badges indicating a staff members ability to speak Irish would encourage them to use the language. Erin Burns, Oifigeach Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer) at Iarnrod Eireann, said: The survey results clearly show that passengers want to use their Irish; they just need the opportunity and confidence to do so." The survey also found over 65 per cent felt very positive about hearing Irish spoken on trains, while over 70 per cent believed it is important that Irish is spoken on rail services. Lack of opportunity seems to be the main reason people don't speak Irish more often on trains, with 36 per cent stating this to be the case. The survey was carried out by Iarnrod Eireann and Conradh na Gaeilge. In response, Iarnrod Eireann has launched the Fainne On Board campaign, a new initiative that will see participating staff across the rail network who are fluent or have cupla focal proudly wear the Fainne, a recognised symbol showing their willingness to speak in Irish. Developed in partnership with Conradh na Gaeilge, the Fainne on Board campaign encourages passengers to use their Gaeilge, whatever their level, as part of their everyday travel experience. As part of this initiative, Conradh na Gaeilge will also deliver Irish language classes for Iarnrod Eireann staff, helping employees build confidence and fluency to use Irish with passengers. Reflecting another strong theme from the survey, where many respondents expressed interest in a dedicated space on trains to converse in Irish, Iarnrod Eireann is proud to support Oireachtas na Samhna 2025, Irelands premier festival of Irish-language arts, taking place in Belfast from October 29th to November 2nd. As part of this support, Iarnrod Eireann will provide complimentary travel for 30 performers and volunteers and will host the first ever Gaeilge Amhain carriage for festival-goers. This special carriage will act as a hub for Irish-language conversation and cultural engagement during the festival weekend. Mairin Nic Dhonnchadha, Ceannasai (Director), An tOireachtas welcomed Iarnrod Eireanns support, noting: The collaboration between Iarnrod Eireann and An tOireachtas has roots going back to the very first Oireachtas na Samhna festival held in 1897, when the organisation offered festival-goers return tickets for the price of a one-way fare. It is wonderful to see this support for our festival reignited today." Children and young people across County Roscommon are missing a concerning number of school days each year, according to new data. A total of 21.2% of students in primary schools across the county missed 20 days or more in the 2023/24 school year while in secondary schools the figure rose to 25.3%. According to the figures the number of days lost by students at primary level in the county represents 8% of the total school days in the 2023/24 school year while at post-primary level the numbers of days lost represents 11.3%. Now a new campaign by Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) in partnership with Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee, has been launched to promote regular school attendance. The campaign comes following the data from TESS, which shows that nationally more than one in five children and young people at primary and post-primary level miss more than 20 days of their school year. Aine OKeeffe, Director of TESS, said: Increasing school attendance is the key function of TESS. The campaign aims to raise awareness about how many school days are being missed, and how those missed days can add up quickly over time. Importantly, it also shows parents, guardians, and schools where they can find more information and support to help improve and promote school attendance. The latest TESS Annual Attendance Report and Student Absence Report for the 2023/2024 school year, published on the Tusla website, also shows that while absenteeism remains high, total days lost and chronic absenteeism have both fallen for the second consecutive year. Minister McEntee said that while the reduction in the total number of days lost was positive, the level of absenteeism in schools remained far too high. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of consistent school attendance and encourage positive behaviour change. TESS says that regular school attendance is essential not just for academic achievement, but also for wellbeing, social development and long-term life outcomes. The message from the campaign is that when a child or young person can go to school, they should go to school. Every school day is a new day and a new opportunity for everyone to actively encourage school attendance October 29, 2025, Kyiv, International Exhibition Center (IEC) Where is the profit in a crisis? How to scale up agricultural processing, attract investment, implement AI, and overcome the shortage of personnel in the food industry? Experts, entrepreneurs, and leaders of the Ukrainian food sector will provide answers to these questions during the Agro2Food Profit Forum 2025 the main event of the year for food producers and processors. The forum will take place on October 29, 2025, in Kyiv, at the International Exhibition Center, as part of the Agro2Food exhibition of technologies, equipment, and solutions for agro-processing and the food industry. 5 panels. 1 day. Maximum practical benefit. Panel #1. THE ECONOMICS OF ADDED VALUE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY. Where is the profit in a crisis? In partnership with the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. With the participation of representatives of industry associations, clusters, distributors, and owners of processing businesses, who will share real-life cases of development, scaling, and optimization of production. Key message: To show how Ukrainian producers are finding new sources of profit even in times of turbulence. Panel No. 2. THE ECONOMICS OF INVESTMENT AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION In partnership with the Recovery and Support Team (RST) of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and ProConsalting . With the participation of a representative of Oschadbank (on agribusiness support programs), the owner of an agricultural processing company (with a scaling case study), and a supplier of processing equipment (on technological innovations). Key message: How to attract investment during wartime, develop exports, and implement sustainability strategies? Key topics: The impact of war on the agricultural sector and processing Use of state and international support programs How to develop an effective export strategy Research on business attitudes toward donor programs: results for 20222025 Panel No. 3. ECONOMY OF INNOVATION. Digitalization. AI. Food processing In partnership with the Ukrainian Food Manufacturers Association U-Food and the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance. Key message: Artificial intelligence is already changing the Ukrainian food industry. Key topics: AI in manufacturing: computer vision, predictive maintenance, energy optimization R&D and sensory analysis: machine learning for creating new products Digital twin and digital product passport transparency and faster export Implementation models: GIZ grants, SIPPO, AI-as-a-Service subscriptions Cybersecurity, transparency, and trust the new currency of business. Panel No. 4. HUMAN RESOURCE ECONOMICS. Labor shortage in the food industry: challenges and solutions. In partnership with the Job Platform for Food Technologists and Manufacturers and Odessa National Technological University. With the participation of American University Kyiv. Key topics: The state of the labor market in industry and agriculture Generation Z and new forms of employment Who really trains personnel for the food industry Gender equality in non-female professions in the food industry. Panel No. 5. THE ECONOMICS OF UNIQUENESS Main message: Innovative products, intellectual property, and craftsmanship as a profit strategy. Key topics: How to protect your brand and attract investors through IP Why it is both difficult and easy to be a craftsperson Which promotion channels really work in the food business How to keep up with consumer taste trends Agro2Food Profit Forum 2025 is: Over 100 participants from all regions of Ukraine 30+ speakers 1 day of concentrated knowledge, case studies, and innovations Networking and dialogue between producers, investors, and the state Agro2Food statistics. At the exhibition venue, which will reach 4,000 m, over 120 exhibitors will present all the key achievements in agricultural processing and the food industry. Organizer: Premier Expo: the largest exhibition organizer in Ukraine (more than 20 exhibitions per year); organizer of the WorldFood Ukraine international food and beverage exhibition; the only exhibition company in Ukraine that organizes international events to attract investment in the restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine (ReBuild Ukraine exhibitions). Where and when: October 29, 2025 International Exhibition Center (IEC), Kyiv More about the program: https://agro2food.com.ua/program/profit-forum Media contact: Olena Zhoga, Conference Manager, Premier Expo [email protected] +380 (67) 789 27 09 Agro2Food Building an economy of added value together. See you at the main event of the sincere Ukrainian autumn! Tickets for the exhibition: https://agro2food.com.ua/visitors/registration Interfax-Ukraine information partner A contract to provide general pharmacy services to prisoners at Castlerea Prison is valued at 1m, according to a recent tender advertised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS). The prison service is seeking a pharmacist to continue to provide an up-to-date, patient centred general pharmacy service as part of a 48 month contract. This presents a unique and challenging opportunity to interested pharmacists to extend their practice into this different and rewarding area of practice, said the prison service in its tender documents. The IPS estimates that the expenditure on these services could amount to 1m (excluding VAT) over the term of the contract and any possible extensions. There are no pharmacists employed directly in any Irish prison for the provision of these services, which are provided on the basis of a contract with a community pharmacy. The successful contractor will be expected to work with the IPS chief pharmacist and prison management and healthcare staff to ensure the delivery of this service. According to the tender, drug treatment services or the supply of methadone will not form part of this service requirement. The IPS points out that the average weekly total number of prisoners on medications is 315. Among the requirements for the successful contractor will be to provide a pharmacy service on an equivalent basis to that provided to those in the general population who are entitled to GMS services, and dispense and deliver new prescriptions for individual patients on a daily basis. Regular visits to the prison will also be needed. These visits will be required to provide pharmaceutical care and to meet and work with prescribers and local healthcare staff to ensure safe, efficient and cost effective use of medicines. In the tender documents, the prison service outlines that healthcare provided to prisoners is mostly primary care with some secondary care services. No in-patient care is provided within Irish prisons. In-reach secondary care may include treatment and care by psychiatrists, specialists in substance abuse and other specialists, while all other secondary care is provided by acute hospitals in the Irish health service, it said. The IPS aims to deliver a quality of healthcare reflective of that available to those holding medical cards in the wider community, taking into consideration the constraints that custody imposes. Patients in prison have as much right to expect professional standards of healthcare as any member of the public and it is incumbent on the IPS to ensure that primary healthcare services, including pharmacy services, are of a required standard to meet these expectations. It has long been accepted that primary care in prison should be equivalent to that available in the community. Emphasis should be placed upon treating patients as individuals with healthcare needs irrespective of the context in which they themselves may be placed and irrespective of their offence, said the IPS in its tender. By Cillian Sherlock, PA The Department of Defence is willing to engage constructively on low pay for cadets, the Tanaiste has said. Simon Harris made the comment at a press conference on the outskirts of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) annual conference in Trim, Co Meath. The RACO, which represents 1,225 serving officers of the Permanent Defence Forces, has pressed Mr Harris to urgently increase the pay of cadets saying their compensation is less than the minimum wage. RACO general secretary Lieutenant Colonel Conor King said: Cadet pay remains the lowest in the Defence Forces, at just 493.45 per week, compared to 540.05 for a recruit. Cadets remain on this pay for the entirety of their first year, while recruits move to an annual salary of 41,879.67 after just six months. Within that first year, a cadet earns 40.7 per cent less than their enlisted counterpart, highlighting the significant early pay gap. Speaking to reporters at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Defence, said: Theres still great interest in being a cadet in the Defence Forces, and I very much welcome that. I think the second thing to say is we have seen a very significant increase in pay in general in the Defence Forces, but there are anomalies that arise, and they relate to the training time that somebody undertakes. And I dont think its beyond us to engage in a constructive way. Military management, my own department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform theres a number of avenues through which these issues can be considered and can be addressed. Local bargaining being one, future pay agreements being the other. So Im happy to engage constructively on this. And indeed, Ill ask my own department and military management to continue to engage. The RACO has also called for the Government to allow Defence Forces chaplains to be represented by the body. Asked if he was open to that move, Mr Harris said: Yes, I am. I think you could always joke that chaplains always have a greater power looking out for them but our chaplains do a great job in our Defence Forces. Im very proud of the work that they do, the very positive contributions that they make, and they put on the uniform as well. Its been an honour and pleasure to meet many of them over the last period of time, I certainly think that they should be entitled to join representative bodies. Tom Tuite A teenage boy has pleaded guilty to leading gardai on a dangerous Dublin to Laois traffic pursuit where he reached speeds of over 200 km/h and drove on the wrong side of dual carriageways. The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, is facing charges of endangerment of life, using a stolen car and 13 counts of dangerous driving on the evening of April 21st last when he drove back and forth across all four lanes of the M50. The accused had faced a preliminary hearing at the Dublin Childrens Court to determine his trial venue. Judge Paul Kelly held that the case was too serious for the Children's Court to accept jurisdiction and agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions that it must proceed to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers. He remarked: "Its an absolute miracle no one was killed or seriously harmed. On Tuesday, the youth signed a guilty plea to the motor theft and endangerment charges. Judge Kelly granted an order sending him forward to the higher court for sentencing. The youth was remanded on bail pending his next hearing on November 28th. Earlier, Garda Aaron Webb outlined the evidence and played video footage, mainly filmed by squad car dashcams. He stated that the 2012-registered Toyota Corolla was stolen within the previous 24 hours in Kilkenny and was detected in Dublin at around 7 pm on Easter Monday at the Chapelizod bypass. Footage showed it speeding at 127 km/h as it approached and passed the Criminal Courts of Justice on the wrong side of the road, and proceeded to Parkgate Street. He turned onto the Luas tracks near the quays and drove past the Heuston Station stop platform and onto St Johns Road West, where it hit 137 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. It accelerated to 160 km/h on the N4 and then drove onto the M50, forcing another car onto the hard shoulder. Between Junctions 7 and 9, the teen went back and forth across all four lanes of the motorway. He also avoided attempts to box him during the drive. The court heard that he was travelling at 156 km/h, exceeding the 50 km/h limit, as he steered onto the N7 at Citywest and almost collided with two other cars. Garda Webb said the boy, who had two teenage passengers, drove across four lanes and then collided with a van with a side swipe while doing 160 km/h at Rathcoole. The van driver suffered whiplash and needed to go to hospital. The boy continued driving the badly damaged Corolla and reached 203 km/h when the car had a blowout. However, he kept driving, even with one tyre "disintegrated", and was clocked at 177km/h. The court heard that when he passed Kildare Village, he moved over onto the wrong side of the N7 and continued driving that way for 12 minutes, covering 21 kilometres, against the flow of traffic. Garda units were shadowing him on the correct lanes. Near Junction 15 in Co Laois, gardai deployed a stinger device to deflate the stolen cars tyres. It continued driving at speed, with video footage capturing sparks coming from the vehicle, which then came to a halt. A Garda armed support unit also joined the pursuit. He had no prior convictions and claimed in court that he was pepper-sprayed after the car stopped and there was a "stand-off" with gardai. His solicitor Brian Keenan had said the teenager, who was accompanied to court by family, had suffered trauma in his childhood and had been affected by a bereavement at a young age, and had attended mental health services. Mr Keenan said the boy realised he could have lost his own life and that of others during the pursuit, and he was apologetic. The court also heard that following his arrest, he made admissions and said he was sorry for putting people's lives at risk. The remaining charges are to be added to the indictment later. Legal aid was granted. We Are China China successfully launches new test satellite Xinhua) 09:15, October 14, 2025 A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) JIUQUAN, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched a new test satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday. The Shiyan-31 test satellite was launched at 6:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully. This satellite will be mainly used to verify new optical imaging technologies. This launch marked the 599th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series. A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-31 test satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Caste Discrimination Case: Rahul Gandhi Meets Family of Late IPS Officer Y Puran Kumar in Chandigarh Dalits, tribals, backward classes, and Muslims are losing hope for justice today, he stated. Caste Discrimination Case: Rahul Gandhi Meets Family of Late IPS Officer Y Puran Kumar in Chandigarh: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visited the residence of late Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar in Chandigarh to meet his grieving family. IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar died by suicide on October 7, allegedly after facing decades of caste-based discrimination. He belonged to the Dalit community. Advertisement Rahul Gandhi in Chandigarh on October 14. On October 9, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rahul Gandhi described the suicide of the IPS officer as a symbol of the deepening social poison that is crushing humanity in the name of caste. Drawing a comparison between a common underprivileged man and the IPS officer, Rahul wrote, When an IPS officer has to endure humiliation and oppression because of his caste, then imagine the conditions in which an ordinary Dalit citizen must be living. Advertisement Rahul Gandhi in Chandigarh on October 14. He further added, The murder of Hariom Valmiki in Rae Bareli, the insult to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and now Puran ji's death, these incidents show that injustice against the marginalized is at its peak. Rahul Gandhi strongly criticized the BJP, alleging that the party, along with the RSS, has spread hatred through Manuvadi ideology that has "poisoned society." Advertisement Dalits, tribals, backward classes, and Muslims are losing hope for justice today, he stated. He stated that this struggle is not just Puran ji's but that of every Indian who believes in the Constitution, equality, and justice. (For more news apart from Caste Discrimination Case: Rahul Gandhi Meets Family of Late IPS Officer Y Puran Kumar in Chandigarh, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Editorial: Chidambaram's statements about 1984 are not wrong The Congress leadership has expressed its displeasure over the statements of Chidambaram and Aiyar, Chidambaram's statements about 1984 are not wrong Editorial: History does not disappear; it keeps on coming up from time to time. Attempts to bury it have often failed. This is what is happening in the context of the Blue Star incident. The statements of two former Union Ministers about this incident in the last two days have trapped the Congress party in a critical situation. During the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival (Khushwant Singh Litfest) in Kasauli on Saturday, former Union Finance and Home Minister P. Chidambaram said that "resorting to military action to remove terrorists from Darbar Sahib in 1984 was the wrong way to go." Advertisement Although this decision was not that of Mrs. Indira Gandhi alone and the army, police, intelligence agencies and government officials were involved in taking this decision and implementing it, still only Mrs. Gandhi had to bear the consequences. He was killed. He also said that he did not want to discredit any military officer, but the fact was that the type of operation that was carried out to free the Darbar Sahib complex from terrorists was wrong. A few years later, another operation (Black Thunder) proved that the work could have been done without military action. Another former Union Minister and former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar claims that the losses incurred during the Blue Star (or Operation Blue Star in military terminology) atrocity were the result of poor planning and incompetent execution by senior military officers. Aiyar, who was a former diplomat and a close political aide of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, said in a separate discussion during the Khushwant Singh Litfest that if senior military officers had properly guided and advised the political leadership, the tragedy that has happened would not have happened. Advertisement Both Chidambaram and Aiyar are Tamils. Both are brainy type of leaders. The qualities of both are also reflected in their personalities. The difference is that Chidambaram speaks with moderation while Aiyar speaks with moderation. Aiyars statements have often trapped the Congress party in a politically precarious situation. He was considered close to the Gandhi family, but for the last three years, the Congress has distanced itself from him. On the other hand, Chidambaram has been known to bail out the Congress party from difficult situations through his bold and mature vocabulary. But his statements twice in the last two weeks have not only put the Congress party leadership in a difficult position, but these statements have also proven to be politically and socially helpful for the Bharatiya Janata Party. A week ago, he had said that America has often interfered in the mutual affairs of India and Pakistan. During the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008, he (Chidambaram) himself was in favor of taking action against Pakistan, but the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Ministry of External Affairs did not allow this to happen due to pressure from the US and other powers. Advertisement He had admitted that he had also received a call from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that he should not take retaliatory action against Pakistan. Chidambaram's statement shattered the Congress' campaign against Prime Minister Modi that Modi cannot raise his head in front of Trump. The Congress leadership has expressed its displeasure over the statements of Chidambaram and Aiyar, saying that senior leaders are being asked not to say anything that would be in the BJPs favour. According to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, on issues on which the party has been taking a clear stand for two-three decades, subtle means of undermining that stand should be avoided as much as possible. Aiyar is not in the party; no disciplinary action can be taken against him. Yes, the possibility of action against Chidambaram cannot be ruled out. But will it be possible to do so? He himself is a Rajya Sabha member and his son Karti Chidambaram is a Lok Sabha member from Tamil Nadu. Action against one can also become an excuse for the displeasure and resentment of the other. However, the way the party has insisted on the silence of senior leaders is regrettable from the point of view of adhering to democratic principles. However, when senior leaders like Chidambaram also start going outside the ideological lines set by the party, this step is an indication of the fact that they are feeling suffocated and frustrated. Therefore, they should be heard on party platforms. The good of democracy lies in this. Peace in Gaza Fragile peace in the Middle East. Photo: Agerpres Bogdan Matei, 14.10.2025, 14:00 After more than two years of blind violence, a fragile peace seems to have settled in the Gaza Strip. The 20 Israeli hostages remaining alive in the Palestinian enclave have been released. Among them are twin brothers who were held separately and a father of two little girls. International media reports that there were moments of joy for the Palestinians as well, after almost 2,000 prisoners from Israeli prisons were released. The war was triggered by the attack of the Islamist organization Hamas, which controlled the Gaza Strip, on Israeli territory, on October 7, 2023, an attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, as shown by official data. On the same day, 251 people were kidnapped by Hamas and its allies and transferred to Gaza. Since then, over 67,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed in the Israeli campaign of reprisals, according to figures from the Hamas governments Health Ministry, considered reliable by the UN. Authorized sources say, however, that tens of thousands more bodies could still lie under the piles of rubble left after the bombings. Like the entire international community, Romania has not remained indifferent to the carnage in the Middle East. There are hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens born in Romania or whose parents or grandparents left here. Having come to study at universities in Bucharest, Iasi or Cluj, many Palestinians married Romanian women and, after the outbreak of the war, numerous such mixed families were evacuated from Gaza on planes sent by the Romanian authorities. Foreign Minister Oana Toiu welcomed this day, which so many families had hoped to see, a day in which both the Israeli hostages, who have suffered for too long at the hands of Hamas, are released, and a day in which we see, with hope, the humanitarian aid that is so much needed for the families in the Gaza Strip. We continue to stand by these communities, Minister Toiu said. The President of Romania, Nicusor Dan, welcomed, in turn, since last week, the agreement between Israel and Hamas on the ceasefire and the release of all hostages. The head of state added that Romania remains committed to supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East. I appreciate the efforts and valuable leadership of (American) President Donald Trump, as well as of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey and of all partners involved in achieving this important progress in the negotiations President Dan also said. Unanimously recognized as the craftsman of the agreement signed in Egypt, Trump called it the dawn of a new Middle East. The American media, however, recalls the long history of violence and instability in the region and the numerous conflicts still unresolved there and says that the White House leader left the Middle East leaving behind as many dilemmas as there were when he arrived. (EE) Bosque Brewing Co.s Bernalillo location on Monday. The New Mexico brewery filed for Chapter 11 protection this month, allowing it to remain open while restructuring its finances. ALBUQUERQUE One of New Mexicos most well-known brewers is seeking Chapter 11 protection after accruing millions in liabilities. Bosque Brewing Co. LLC initiated a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Mexico last week. The company plans to continue serving pints while it reorganizes its finances through a court-approved reorganization plan, according to a statement Bosque spokesperson Natasha Souther provided to the Journal. This process is designed to allow us to continue operating our restaurants while we work with stakeholders to create a stronger path forward, the statement said. Our locations remain open, our teams remain focused, and our commitment to providing excellent hospitality and great experiences has not changed. Bosque Brewing Co., founded in 2012, is one of New Mexicos largest brewers, with a footprint that spans nearly a dozen locations across the state, including a brewery and several taprooms and restaurants. The brewery has a large market reach, selling its products in stores across New Mexico and in El Paso. The company also owns Restoration Pizza. The Albuquerque-based company lists $10 million to $50 million in liabilities compared with less than $10 million in assets, according to the petition. The bankruptcy filing comes just weeks after Bosque announced a new partnership with Marble Brewery, which is handling the brewing, production and distribution of Bosques core beers. Marble co-owner Jarrett Babincsak said Bosques restructuring will not impact the two breweries partnership. We will continue to brew the beers weve agreed to make, and also help them as partners and friends in any way we can, Babincsak said. We believe Bosque will come out the other side of this process better positioned for the future. Before the partnership, Bosque was producing core beers in Colorado for several months due to wastewater constraints at its Bosque North brewing facility in Bernalillo. The two Albuquerque brewers said the partnership would concentrate dollars and jobs inside New Mexico, support creative ventures and more specialty beers, make Bosques beer more accessible, save costs and time for Bosque and create opportunities for collaboration. Ad Babincsak said such partnerships are taking place more and more in response to a contraction felt across the craft brewery industry. Craft beer volume sales dropped by roughly 4% from 2023 to 2024, which was also the first year since 2005 that the number of breweries closing outpaced those opening, according to the Brewers Association, which represents small and independent brewers. Overall, U.S. beer production and imports were also down 1% last year, association data says. In recent weeks, Albuquerque has seen several local brewers shutter their doors, including Cazuelas Mexican Grill and Brewery, Voodoo Girl Pies & Pints and Sobremesa. Bosque initiated the Chapter 11 filing to avoid that fate. Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows a company to reorganize its finances while remaining operational. We view this as a proactive step to ensure the future success of Bosque, the company said in a statement. In its Oct. 6 filing, Bosque Brewing lists Sysco, the restaurant supply company, as its largest unsecured creditor with a vendor invoice of $487,881. Other large unsecured creditors include Richard and Michelle Dowdican of Los Ranchos for $400,000 and Todd Schumacher of Albuquerque for $113,500. Bosque lists credit card debt of $114,839 owed to Chase Bank. It also owes about $86,000 to New Mexico United through a sponsorship agreement. The petition lists about 190 unsecured creditors in all. The debtor, Bosque, will ultimately propose a court-approved plan to repay creditors without liquidating assets. The debtors reorganization plan must be accepted by a judge and the majority of its creditors. We are truly grateful for 13 years worth of continued support from our employees, guests, and patrons, and look forward to continuing to serve our communities for years to come, the company said. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull announces his campaign for governor from the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. RIO RANCHO After months of putting off an announcement, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull on Tuesday made it official: He is running to be governor of New Mexico. In a nearly two-minute video in front of the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, Hull, a former businessman who has served as the City of Visions mayor since 2014, acknowledged why he waited to announce, stating that running for the states highest elected office in 2026 is not something to take lightly. Its a tough job, a serious responsibility, and I wanted to make this decision the right way, said Hull, a Republican. His announcement came the same day as the release of his second campaign finance report, which shows he received $123,157.39 in contributions throughout the last six months and spent $126,850.40 during the same period. While Hull did not discuss campaign finances in the video, he did allude to a statewide listening tour, which caused him to postpone an announcement about his intentions on June 2, a year out from the gubernatorial primary. What Ive heard is clear: We all want a New Mexico that is safer, stronger and full of opportunity, Hull said in the video. His priorities as governor would include safer communities, better health care, stronger schools and growing the economy. I have a plan, and Im ready to roll up my sleeves and put words into action, Hull said. He asked for voters support, not just for me, but for our shared priorities. So join me, together. We can build the kind of future New Mexico deserves, Hull said. Ad The Observer has reached out to Hull multiple times for an interview. ALBUQUERQUE A judge criticized a Rio Rancho resident for not following civil procedure in her lawsuit alleging the city is enforcing its ordinances illegally but stopped short of ruling on the merits of the case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerry Ritter issued an opinion and order Oct. 10 in the case filed in federal court by Rio Rancho resident Corrine Rios, a former New Mexico House of Representatives candidate who seeks to prevent the city from enforcing five ordinances. Ritter struck down several of Rios motions and notices in the case, filed July 3, stating that she repeatedly violated a court rule that requires all plaintiffs to sign onto litigation if the person who brings the case is not an attorney. Rios, who does not practice law, originally brought 14 other plaintiffs on to her case, but four later withdrew. Excluding Rios, Ritter has ordered the remaining plaintiffs to either enter the case, retain an attorney to do it for them, or show cause why they are unable to do so within 21 days. If not, Ritter added, Presiding District Judge Sarah Davenport would dismiss their claims without prejudice. The legal maneuver would end the remaining plaintiffs role in the lawsuit but allow them to refile in the same court. In an interview, Rios said she will comply with Ritters order. They didnt sign (most court filings) and I didnt know that they had to do that; but now we do, she said. Rios added that several plaintiffs, without stating which ones or how many, have already sent in their notice of appearance in the case. Were going forward with it, she said. Were all in this together. Rios said even if the other plaintiffs ultimately do not sign on to the lawsuit, she will continue to pursue it herself. She noted that the judge has not ruled on the crux of her case. Ad Similar to her original complaint filed in state court June 20, Rios asserts the citys failure to identify a sponsor to the ordinances is a violation of her constitutional rights to a representative government and procedural due process. The measures challenged by Rios include Ordinance 22 (regulations for short-term rentals); Ordinance 18 (setting the mayors and council members salaries); Ordinance 05 (updating the lodgers tax); Ordinance 07 (amending water and wastewater rules and rates) and Ordinance 8 (raising the municipal judges salary). All ordinances have gone into effect, though the new salary structures wont be implemented until new officials are elected in March 2026. After a Sandoval County judge failed to rule on her state case, Rios filed a new complaint July 3 in federal court, citing not only the courts inaction, but the need to conserve judicial resources and avoid numerous lawsuits. In her latest complaint, Rios asks the court to overturn the ordinances, order the city to refund the money collected by them, and require Rio Rancho to adopt new procedures requiring all future ordinances to have a sponsor. The city responded by asking for the case to be dismissed, claiming that Rios incorrectly interpreted the Governing Bodys rules of procedures and that the ordinances are not invalid due to alleged procedural errors. The city also said that Rios constitutional rights were not violated and that the case should not be heard in federal court due to a federal law which they believe bars U.S. district courts from suspending taxes collected under state law. City attorneys also asked a judge for Rios to refund Rio Ranchos court costs because she is not licensed to practice law, engaged in alleged forum shopping for a court case when she did not receive the outcome she wanted and allegedly cited fake case law. Deputy City Manager Peter Wells wrote in an email that the litigation is still pending and the city has no comment beyond what it has filed in court. Tensions with Beijing in the ongoing global conflict over and intellectual property have escalated since the Dutch government took over the Chinese-owned semiconductor company Nexperia. Citing concerns that confidential technology might be passed to Wingtech, Nexperia's Chinese parent company, officials declared late Sunday that they had stepped in to disrupt the company's operations. Under the rarely used "Availability of Goods Act," the government has the power to overturn or prevent Nexperia's management choices if it believes they pose a risk to the country's or the 's stability. Following the announcement, Wingtech's stock fell by ten percent in Shanghai on Monday. The Dutch government stated that the action was required to safeguard "crucial technological knowledge," even though it will not take ownership. Wingtech said it would look for legal and diplomatic assistance to defend its interests and denounced the action as "excessive interference driven by geopolitical bias." Nexperia, formerly a division of the massive Dutch electronics company Philips, stated that it still complies with all applicable laws and rules. The ruling is made as international scrutiny of Chinese technology investments heats up. Because Wingtech claimed to have helped China in obtaining sensitive semiconductor technologies, the company was placed on the U.S. trade blacklist in late 2024. Wingtech chairman Zhang Xuezheng was also removed from Nexperia's boards by an Amsterdam court, and a non-Chinese independent director was chosen to take his place. Although the company Nexperia, which makes chips for consumer electronics and automobiles, is still in , the action represents a new turning point in Europe's expanding attempts to protect its semiconductor sector from foreign dominance. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Grindr's top shareholders are considering taking the LGBTQ+ dating app private after a steep decline in its stock caused them to experience personal financial difficulties. In 2020, Grindr was purchased for more than $600 million by its two majority owners, James Lu, a Chinese American tech executive who had previously worked at Amazon and Baidu, and Raymond Zage, a former hedge fund manager based in Singapore. Through a SPAC merger, they subsequently went public with the company in 2022. Although Zage and Lu jointly own more than 60 percent of Grindr, almost all of their stock was pledged as security for personal loans from Temasek, a division of Singapore's sovereign wealth fund. The loans lost value when Grindr's stock started to decline late last month, so the Temasek unit had to take control of and sell some of its shares to make up the difference. Even though the stock has dropped sharply, Grindr's is doing well; in the second quarter, profits increased by 25 percent. However, pressure has increased due to investor concerns about declining margins and leadership turnover. According to reports, Zage and Lu are currently negotiating with Fortress Investment Group, which is supported by Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company, in order to obtain funding for a takeover that would be valued at about $3 billion, or $15 per share. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Chinese premier meets Sri Lankan PM Xinhua) 09:27, October 14, 2025 Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Noting that China and Sri Lanka enjoy a deep traditional friendship, Li said China is ready to work with Sri Lanka in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, striving to build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future and delivering more benefits to the two peoples. He said that China is willing to expand two-way trade and investment with Sri Lanka and enhance cooperation in fields such as green development, digital economy, modern agriculture, and marine economy in the joint pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative. Expressing China's willingness to import more high-quality products from Sri Lanka, Li said the country will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka-China relations boast a long history, and bilateral cooperation has yielded fruitful results, said Amarasuriya. Noting that the Sri Lankan government attaches great importance to relations with China, she said Sri Lanka is looking forward to strengthening exchanges with China at all levels, and deepening cooperation in fields such as investment, ports, infrastructure, agriculture, textile industry, poverty reduction, and digital economy. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) A declaration by world leaders after a summit on Gaza's future has committed to resolve future disputes through diplomatic engagement and negotiation rather than through force or protracted conflict. The leaders pledged to work collectively to implement and sustain the progress achieved in establishing comprehensive and durable peace arrangements in the Gaza Strip, as well as the friendly and mutually beneficial relationship between Israel and its regional neighbors. "Together, we will implement this agreement in a manner that ensures peace, security, stability, and opportunity for all peoples of the region, including both Palestinians and Israelis," says an agreement signed by US President Donald Trump and ceasefire mediators to seek peace in the Middle East. The other signatories are Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They stressed that respect for the communities whose roots are intertwined with the land of the region, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and the protection of their heritage sites shall remain paramount in the leaders' commitment to peaceful coexistence. The leaders vowed that they are determined to dismantle extremism and radicalization in all its forms. The declaration commits to addressing the conditions that enable extremism and to promoting education, opportunity, and mutual respect as foundations for lasting peace. The Gaza peace summit was convened after Israeli forces pulled back from parts of Gaza, in line with an agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered in Egypt by US mediators and representatives from Qatar and Turkey. Addressing more than two dozen world leaders in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el- Sheikh, Trump said, "A new and beautiful day is rising and now the rebuilding begins." He added that the second phase of peace talks has already begun. Egyptian President al-Sisi awarded Trump the Order of the Nile, the country's highest honour. Meanwhile, UN aid agencies reported significant positive developments in getting aid into Gaza. "Our humanitarian scale-up in Gaza is well underway," said UN humanitarian agency OCHA, which noted that it had secured Israeli approval for 190,000 tons of food, shelter items, medicine and other supplies to enter the Strip, 20,000 tons more than previously agreed. For the first time since March, cooking gas has been allowed to enter the Strip. In addition, "more tents for displaced families, frozen meat, fresh fruit, flour and medicines also crossed into Gaza throughout the day on Sunday", OCHA said in an update. Crucially, the aid agency reported that its workers and partners were now able to move more easily "in multiple areas" - a welcome development after constant access restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities. "This is just the beginning. As part of our plan for the first 60 days of the ceasefire, the UN and our partners will expand the scale and scope of our operations to deliver life-saving aid and services to virtually everyone across Gaza," OCHA continued. The development is part of the wider humanitarian plan to scale up essential services across food, , water, shelter, and education, outlined by UN emergency relief chief Tom Fletcher. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Gold surged to a new peak above $4,100 an ounce on Tuesday, driven by geopolitical uncertainties, escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and expectations for more interest-rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve. With the U.S. federal government's partial shutdown entering its 14th day, investors also await remarks on the economic outlook and monetary policy from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who is due to speak at the National Association for Business Economics later in the day. Spot gold was up 0.8 percent at $4,142.82 an ounce, after having hit a new record high of $4,179.71 earlier. U.S. gold futures were up 0.6 percent at $4,155.95. France is in the middle of a profound political crisis that could have serious repercussions for the European Union's second-largest . In Japan, the withdrawal of political party Komeito from the ruling coalition deepened the country's political turbulence. Elsewhere, U.S. President Donald Trump is considering sending long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, which would mark "a new step of aggression" in Ukraine's war with Russia. There is considerable uncertainty about trade tensions between the U.S. and China as both continue to spar on trade-related issues. Both nations have imposed new port fees on each other's ships, threatening global shipping and trade flows. China's commerce ministry said it remained open to talks, but the U.S. cannot seek dialogue while threatening new measures. "If you wish to fight, we shall fight to the end; if you wish to negotiate, our door remains open," according to an official statement. Also, Beijing reportedly said it was Washington's expansion of curbs on Chinese firms in late September that ratcheted up tensions and drove it to further tighten its grip on the critical minerals. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis U.K. stocks are showing weakness on Tuesday, weighed down by data showing an uptick in unemployment rate, and a slowdown in retail sales growth, as well as rising U.S.-China trade tensions. Trade tensions between the U.S. and China are rising, and traders are also following the political developments in France. China's commerce ministry said it remained open to talks, but the U.S. cannot seek dialogue while threatening new measures. "If you wish to fight, we shall fight to the end; if you wish to negotiate, our door remains open," according to an official statement. Also, Beijing reportedly said it was Washington's expansion of curbs on Chinese firms in late September that ratcheted up tensions and drove it to further tighten its grip on the critical minerals. The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 32.74 points or 0.35% at 9,410.17 nearly half an hour past noon. Shares of mining companies are among the major losers. Metlen Energy & Metals, Anglo American Plc, Rolls-Royce Holdings, Antofagasta, IAG, Glencore, Spirax Group, Melrose Industries, BP, Rentokil Initial, IMI, Weir Group, Ashtead Group, Burberry Group and Rio Tinto are down 2 to 4.3%. EasyJet is climbing nearly 4%. Persimmon and Berkeley Group Holdings are up 2% and 1.75%, respectively. Centrica, Haleon, LondonMetric Property, Unilever, Land Securities and Associated British Foods are gaining 1 to 1.2%. Data from the Office for National Statistics Showed the UK unemployment rate rose slightly in the three months to August, climbing to 4.8% from 4.7% in the preceding period. The rate was seen unchanged at 4.7%. In the three months to August, average earnings excluding bonuses increased 4.7% from a year ago, in line with forecast. A report from the British Retail Consortium said UK retail sales registered slower growth in September amid looming budget. Retail sales grew 2.3% year-on-year in September, slower than the 3.1% increase in August. In the same period last year, retail sales had advanced 2%. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Crude oil pulled back sharply from yesterday's gains on Tuesday as renewed trade tensions between the U.S. and China over rare earth mineral exports have heightened. An International Energy Agency report predicting low demand for the months ahead also weighed on oil prices. WTI Crude Oil for November delivery was last seen trading down by $0.70 (or 1.18%) at $58.79 per barrel. In its report released today, the International Energy Agency has predicted that the oil market is facing a surplus next year of nearly 4 million barrels per day against the backdrop of an output increase by OPEC+ versus a sluggish demand forecast. Today's report also stated that global oil supply in September was up by 5.6 million barrels per day from a year ago, with OPEC+ accounting for 3.1 million bpd of the increase. The agency also lowered its demand growth estimates to around 700,000 bpd for 2025 and 2026. In the agency's view, supply is accelerating faster than demand. Today's IEA report contradicts yesterday's OPEC alliance's monthly report, which argued for the world to continue to show solid growth and maintained its forecasts for global oil demand to rise by 1.3 million barrels per day this year. The bilateral trade tensions that started after U.S. President Donald Trump's threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S. (set to take effect from November 1) last weekend has created jitters in the market. The clash between the world's two largest economic majors and consumers started after Trump learned about the export curbing measures by China for its rare earth minerals. Frustrated Trump also went on to state that there was no point in meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping this month in a summit in South Korea as previously planned. Yesterday, though, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the meeting could likely happen. Both sides have levied special port fees on each other's shipping vessels, entering their ports. Concerns about the global economy have risen due to the effect of tariffs as well as due to the implications of rare earth supply disruption to various global companies. Meanwhile, the Middle East is seeing actual peace returning after many long years. The first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan, proposed by Trump, has ended seamlessly, with Israel and Palestinian Hamas militant groups exchanging all the remaining prisoners and hostages. With supply side disruption concerns in the gulf waning, risks of Houthi attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea also stands eliminated. These developments have taken away the risk premium on oil prices. In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, drones launched by Ukraine's SBU intelligence service and military special forces hit at least five reservoirs in Russia. An oil terminal at Feodosia in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula was burning on Monday. Ukraine has launched more than 30 strikes on Russian energy sites since the beginning of August. In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, a Russian attack with guided bombs yesterday knocked out power supply to 30,000 consumers as three bombs damaged a hospital before hitting power transmission lines. Trump has stated that he is considering Ukraine's request for American Tomahawk missiles to which Russia has strongly expressed its objection and displeasure. Escalating tensions in Russia causing supply concerns has halted oil from sliding further. In the U.S., the government shutdown has entered day number 14. With no resolution to the impasse in sight, 750,000 federal employees are now left without pay and some without any chance of being reinstated as Trump has commenced mass layoffs to cut down on spending. The U.S. economy, already under stress due to tariffs, is now loaded more with shutdown pressure. The sluggishness is weighing on the oil prices. Traders estimate that in the short-term, oil price will respond in proportion to the developments in the Sino-U.S. ties, U.S. shutdown, and Fed rate cuts. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis In addition to cosmetic touch-ups, new-gen Toyota Hilux will also get an updated range of premium features Toyota is readying the new-gen Hilux, which is expected to make its global debut in November 2025. Test mules have been spotted multiple times in recent months. Latest spy shots are from Guatemala, where the new Hilux can be seen at a fuel station. Lets take a closer look. New-gen Hilux Refreshed exteriors Most of the exterior changes can be seen across the front fascia. The pickup has a new grille, featuring a mesh-type design. The lower grille section comes with horizontal and vertical slats. While a prominent bumper can be seen, the test vehicle does not seem to have a faux skid plate. However, the pickups underside appears to have a metal bash plate. Headlights appear sharper, although the basic boomerang shape has been retained. The front fascia is now flatter and upright, ensuring a stronger road presence. Shape of the side structures, including the fog lamp housings, also appears to have changed. While not clear due to the heavy camouflage, it appears that the bonnet is the same as the current Hilux. Side profile doesnt seem to have changed much, excluding a new set of alloy wheels. The pickup has squared wheel arches, body cladding, running boards, traditional door handles and trapezoidal ORVMs with integrated turn indicators. At the rear, the tail lamps appear to be inverted versions of the existing units used with the current model. There could be some new sheetmetal detailing as well, but not evident in these spy shots due to the camouflage. Bumper section seems largely the same, although some minor tweaks are possible. Tailgate handle seems new and better suited for practical applications. The heavy camouflage does not reveal any other finer detailing that could be there. Updated equipment list While interiors havent been clicked in these latest spy shots, design patent images leaked earlier had revealed significant updates to the interiors of new-gen Hilux. 2026 Hilux will have a new dashboard and centre console. Theres a wide freestanding touchscreen infotainment system, which could be around 12-inches in size. A new fully digital TFT instrument cluster will be another key addition. Equipment list could be updated with features such as powered front seats, ventilated seats, electrically operated rear windows and powered tailgate. Steering wheel could also feature a new design with the new-gen Hilux. Other expected upgrades include an electronic parking brake and a head-up display (HUD). New Hilux performance Powertrain options for new-gen 2026 Hilux are expected to be the same as the current model. Powering the pickup in India is a 2.8-litre diesel engine that generates 204 PS. Torque output is 420 Nm with the 6-speed manual and 500 Nm with the 6AT transmission. Hilux comes with a range of off-road features such as 4WD with high and low range, active traction control, downhill assist control, electronic drive (2WD/4WD) control and electronic differential lock. New-gen Toyota Hilux is expected to debut later this year at the Thailand Motor Expo. It is expected to be available for sale across international markets such as Australia, South Africa, Europe and Latin America in early 2026. Launch in India could take place in 2027 or even later. It will rival the likes of Isuzu V-Cross and upcoming Mahindra Scorpio N pickup. Source Fords Chennai plant has remained unused since 2022, following the companys decision to end production in India As part of its global restructuring process, Ford had decided to stop production for the Indian market in 2021. While the Sanand plant in Gujarat was sold to Tata Motors, the Maraimalai Nagar plant in Chennai was retained. Last year, Ford had submitted a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the Tamil Nadu government. It revealed plans to start production at the Chennai plant for export markets. However, with the recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, Ford is rethinking its strategy. Lets explore more details on this development. Fords production strategy for India As part of its earlier plan, Ford continues to hold discussions with the state government. Ford spokesperson has stated that it maintains its position on the original plan to restart manufacturing at the Chennai facility for export markets. More details about the type of production to take place at the Chennai plant and other related information are expected to be revealed in the near future. The Tamil Nadu government has pledged full support and is keen to see Ford resume production. It will help the state strengthen its position as a leading auto manufacturing hub. However, new report indicates that the recent tariffs announced by the Trump administration may have prompted Ford to rethink its manufacturing plans in India. A meeting of the companys top executives is expected to be held soon, which will potentially decide the future of Fords Chennai plant. Profits are necessary to sustain production and no company can bear losses indefinitely. With the recent tariff situation, the financial viability of Fords Chennai plant may have been adversely impacted. When the plans to restart production were announced in 2024, Trump tariffs were not in the picture. While not official, a source reveals that Ford basically has two options regarding its Chennai plant. It can either start operations or write off the investment entirely. It is important to note that the companys decision about its Chennai plant will not have any impact on its Ford Business Solutions (FBS) division. This comes under the services sector, which remains exempted from tariffs. A global hub for technology, engineering and business services, FBS employs around 12,000 people in Chennai. Focus on Europe Amidst the prevailing uncertainty, another important aspect to consider is Fords global roadmap for the future. As per the source, India is no longer a priority market for Ford. The company is focusing on Europe, where it has committed investments worth tens of billions. One of the focus areas is electric vehicles. For this, Ford has invested in a major EV initiative in Cologne. A number of new electric models will be launched in Europe. The company has invested heavily in developing advanced battery packs. A component manufacturing hub is coming up in the UK, while Rs 4.4 billion has been allocated to boost operations in Germany. Source UAE tech exhibition spotlights AI, frontier technologies Xinhua) 13:46, October 14, 2025 This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows a scene at the booth of Chinese tech company ZTE at the 45th edition of GITEX Global in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian) DUBAI, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 45th edition of GITEX Global, one of the world's most influential technology and artificial intelligence exhibitions, kicked off in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday, drawing over 6,800 tech companies and 2,000 startups from around 180 countries. Participants across fields such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, and digital governance are showcasing their latest innovations at the event. Some 300 Chinese tech companies, including China Mobile, China Electronics Corporation, ZTE, H3C, iFlytek, and Xpeng AEROHT, have drawn significant attention during the event with their innovative advancements in AI robotics, intelligent solutions, and flying cars, highlighting China's rapid ascent in the global technology landscape. UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the exhibition, visiting pavilions of leading global companies including Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM, Microsoft, Huawei, and Xpeng AEROHT. "GITEX has evolved beyond being a gathering of technology leaders from East and West -- it has become a global movement that reflects the UAE's determination to lead change, turn challenges into opportunities, and create strategic partnerships that strengthen our position as a central hub of the global digital economy," Sheikh Mohammed said. The exhibition focuses on key themes such as AI infrastructure development, global innovation acceleration, and sustainable AI-driven economic growth. Through a series of conferences, expert panels, and interactive activities, it also aims to build a collaborative platform for cross-sector cooperation on a global scale. "GITEX GLOBAL stands as one of the most influential events in the Middle East and worldwide, serving as a barometer for global technological innovation," said Nadir Saleh Habib Al Batrani, an exhibitor from Oman. Batrani said he has observed a growing presence of Chinese companies at the exhibition. "Their advanced technologies, such as flying vehicles, AI robots, and AI solutions, have been very well-received. This demonstrates the global market's recognition and anticipation of Chinese technological advancements." The event is being held at the Dubai World Trade Center and will run through October 17. UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (C) attends the 45th edition of GITEX Global in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows a scene at a forum held during the 45th edition of GITEX Global in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows a scene at the booth of Chinese tech company Xpeng AEROHT at the 45th edition of GITEX Global in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows a scene at the booth of Chinese telecommunications carrier China Mobile at the 45th edition of GITEX Global in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows a scene at the booth of Chinese tech company Huawei at the 45th edition of GITEX Global in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) IWC Schaffhausen has a tradition of welcoming the Chinese Lunar New Year with special editions across its collections. In continuation of this, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer launches a limited edition of its Portugieser Automatic 42 to welcome the Year of the Horse, which begins on 17th February 2026. A symbol of strength, energy and freedom, the horse is seen as a bringer of success and good fortune. People born in a Year of the Horse are said to be active, independent and hardworking. They enjoy being in motion and often show a love for adventure. The Year of the Horse is, therefore, typically associated with progress, the rise of new opportunities and the courage to move forward and pursue new goals in life with confidence. The Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse (Ref. IW501709) features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42 millimetres. The case construction with a more slender side profile and box-shaped sapphire crystals on the front and back lends the watch an even more refined and elegant appearance. The burgundy dial, inspired by the auspicious red tones widely used in Lunar New Year celebrations, features the characteristic and well-balanced Portugieser design. The characteristic dial layout with the small seconds at 9 oclock and thepower reserve display at 3 oclock dates back to the first Portugieser Automatic (Ref. 5000) from 2000. Golden hands, Roman numerals and appliques complement the rich burgundy-coloured dial. An additional detail is the small date window, which has been discreetly placed at the 6 oclock position. IN-HOUSE MOVEMENT FEATURING A ROTOR IN THE SHAPE OF A HORSE Inside the case, the IWC-manufactured 52011 calibre is at work. Its efficient Pellaton winding system features components made of virtually wear-free ceramic. Using movements of the rotor in both directions, it builds up a power reserve of 168 hours (7 days) in two barrels. A highlight is the gold-plated rotor, visible through the sapphire glass case back, and crafted in the shape of a galloping horse to pay tribute to the Lunar New Year. The Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse is delivered with a choice of two straps for added versatility: a black alligator leather strap and an additional burgundy alligator leather strap. Both straps can be fitted with the stainless steel folding clasp that is delivered with the watch. The Council of the Americas is holding its annual symposium in Florida this Thursday, at a time when the regions role on the global stage has taken on particular relevance The Council of the Americas (COA) will bring together prominent business and economic leaders from Latin America this Thursday in Miami to discuss key issues facing the region and the opportunities that lie ahead. More than 500 figures are expected to attend the annual COA Symposium and BRAVO Business Awards, held by the COA for three decades, which has made it one of the most influential gatherings in the region. The Symposium has long been a space for dialogue, inspiration for solutions, and innovation that builds on the progress of Latin America, said Maria Lourdes Teran, vice president of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA) Miami and president of the BRAVO Business Awards. Leaders from multinational corporations, multi-Latin corporations, venture capital firms, academia, multilateral institutions, governments, and media outlets from across the Americas will participate in the event, which will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove in Miami. The regions role on the global stage has taken on particular relevance at a time of uncertainty in the current geopolitical and economic climate. The Trump administrations policies, such as the implementation of high tariffs on imports, have changed the trade order, and countries in the Americas have been forced to analyze the effects that this will have on their economies. Against this backdrop, regional leaders will address the challenges facing the region, but also the future that lies ahead thanks to innovation and new generations. This year, were not only celebrating the companies that drive Latin American business globally, but were also highlighting the next generation of leaders who will define its future, Teran emphasizes. The event, which will run all day on October 16, will include several panels, keynote presentations, informal talks, and roundtable discussions. Changes in the current geopolitical context will be the focus of the first panel, featuring successful entrepreneurs such as Blanca Trevino, president and CEO of the technology company Softtek, and Luiz R. Vasconcelos, president of FedEx for Latin America and the Caribbean. Another panel on Latin Americas legacy and leadership will feature several CEOs from long-established companies, including Castillo Hermanos, which encompasses popular brands such as Arizona and Canada Dry beverages and whose history dates back to 1882; Votorantim, a Brazilian company present in 19 countries; and CMPC, a Chilean company that redefines the acronym AI to translate it as artisanal intelligence. Artificial intelligence and its uses will be the focus of another panel in which Jaime Valles, Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan at Amazon Web Services, will analyze the development of this technology and the challenges it poses. A talk dedicated to building an AI-ready economy in Latin America will feature Carlos Barrera, CEO of Atlas Renewable Energy, and executives from the multinationals Amazon, Moodys Ratings, and Equinix. Innovation will be another key focus of the symposium. Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Brazils Embraer, will explain his vision for the future of the air transportation sector. The executive, who has led the company since 2019, has successfully guided it through one of the most complex and high-tech industries in the world. Cristina Junqueira, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Nubank, will also discuss the future of finance through innovation. Finance as a tool for Latin American development will be another topic addressed in a panel featuring executives from Bank of America, CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the insurance company CHUBB, and Mastercard. On the government side, El Salvadors Minister of Economy, Maria Luisa Hayem, along with Indiana Trejos, Costa Ricas Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, and Hector Marroquin, Guatemalas Vice Minister of Integration and Foreign Trade, will discuss opportunities for regional economic integration in Central America. The stories of two leading companies in the region will also be highlighted: Corporacion Multi Inversiones (CMI) and Mercado Libre. CMI is a multinational corporation that has evolved from its origins more than a century ago as a flour and poultry producer in Guatemala to become a diversified multinational with more than 50,000 employees in 15 countries in Latin America and the United States. Mercado Libre, a multinational originally from Argentina, is now celebrating 25 years as one of the major global players in the e-commerce market. BRAVO Awards The 30th annual BRAVO Business Awards will also be held during the event. This year, the awards ceremony will celebrate the legacy of leadership in Latin America and highlight the efforts that drive opportunities and the future of the region. As we commemorate three decades of the BRAVO Business Awards, our 2025 honorees truly embody the visionary leadership and transformative impact that define progress in Latin America, said Susan Segal, president and CEO of AS/COA, in announcing the honorees. To that end, the organization is highlighting the innovation of business leaders. Francisco Gomes Neto will receive the Transformational Leader of the Year award for his exceptional leadership in guiding Embraer through a period of profound transformation and global expansion, which has positioned the company at the forefront of sustainable aviation and advanced mobility technologies. And Luiz R. Vasconcelos, president of FedEx Latin America and the Caribbean, will be honored with the Dynamic Leader of the Year award for his role in driving innovation, improving regional connectivity, and strengthening FedExs impact on trade, logistics, and economic development throughout the Americas. CMI will receive the Corporate Legacy Award, which will be presented to Juan Jose Gutierrez Mayorga and Felipe Bosch Gutierrez. The award recognizes the multigenerational company for its expansion to 15 countries, boosting its food business, clean energy projects, and sustainable development in Latin America and the United States. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Ibtisam and Raed Imram are devastated. Nothing stems their tears. Not even hugs, or well-intentioned words of comfort. Three days ago, their brother Muhammad appeared on the initial list of the 100 Palestinian prisoners out of a total of 2,000 scheduled for release on Monday in their native West Bank, as part of the exchange with Hamas for the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages. On the final list, published the same morning of the release, he was among the 154 expelled to Egypt, as a result of the opaque changes that the Israeli authorities introduced at the last minute, taking advantage of their position of strength and the fact that U.S. President Donald Trump was flying to Israel to showcase his success before parliament. I was hoping to see Muhammad today. I thought maybe the list was wrong but unfortunately, he didnt come, Ibtisam said at the Cultural Palace in the West Bank city of Ramallah, while other families tried to cheer her up by expressing things like everything is in Gods hands or I hope he still shows up. He never arrived. The last bus carrying prisoners left empty, and his two siblings returned, heads down, to the car in which they had traveled two days earlier from the Hebron area, certain that they would hug Muhammad again on Monday. The feeling is bittersweet as they are also aware that, without the exchange, Muhammad would still be behind bars today. He is 43 years old and an Israeli military court sentenced him to 13 life terms for masterminding a notorious ambush in Hebron in 2002, in the midst of the Second Intifada. Three Islamic Jihad militants killed 12 soldiers, border police, and security guards in the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba, opening fire simultaneously from several directions. Muhammad was released after 23 years in prison on Monday, a sentence he served in part without family visitation rights. Ibtisams account echoes that of other families of prisoners waiting in Ramallah Monday, and what the Palestinian prisoners association reported last week. She says an Israeli military commander told her by phone that her brother would be released in Ramallah this Monday. Then, several Israeli soldiers (the West Bank has been under military occupation for almost six decades) burst into her house in the early hours of the morning to warn that any celebration of Muhammads return, no matter how small, would end with the entire family in prison. They raided the house, destroying everything inside, and informed us that he was going to be released and taken to Ramallah, and that any kind of celebration was prohibited. His name was on the list of those who would be released and taken to the West Bank. This morning, we were surprised to see that he was now among those deported. I cant believe the lists arent clear and no one knows whats going on, she said through tears. Ibtisam and Raed Imran pose before getting into their car, saddened after waiting in vain for their brother Muhammad and confirming that he was released by Israel in Egypt, rather than the West Bank, this Monday in the city of Ramallah. Antonio Pita Between sobs, the woman questioned other prisoners, desperately searching for information that contradicted the reality her brain was processing as more and more inmates were released, and none of them were her brother. One of them hurriedly confirmed that Muhammad was with them in Ofer (the West Bank military prison where they gathered part of the 2,000 prisoners for the exchange), but that prison officials took him away the evening before with the group of deportees. In reality, she knows from the media that her brother is on his way to Egypt, but she hasnt been able to speak with him yet something other families also report nor does she formally know anything more than what appears on the final list: his expulsion to an unidentified country. For Palestinians in the West Bank, the exile of their families is more than a disappointment. It probably means never seeing them again, except by video call. Israel prevents Palestine from having an airport, controls any exit from the West Bank including to Jordan and often bars the extended family of those convicted of attacks against Israelis from crossing the border. Ibtisams case was no exception on Monday in Ramallah. Some faces showed signs of painful anticipation, while the crowd chanted Allah is the greatest and lifted up the 88 who did arrive on their shoulders. A gray-haired man with a distraught expression burst in among the first batch of released prisoners, asking anxiously, Was Abu Ahmed with you? Was he with you? Someone replied that he had seen him, but that Israeli prison officials hadnt allowed him to board the bus. There was confusion due to last-minute changes to the list and because the Palestinian Authority representatives present at the scene could provide little insight to the families: their only role in the process was to receive the names. Former minister in charge of prisoner affairs, Qadura Fares, was one of them, and he attacked Benjamin Netanyahus government for manipulating the list at the last minute. Last night [Sunday], around 12 prisoners were supposed to be released to the West Bank, but Israel exiled them. Its the same miserable tradition they follow with every agreement: not respecting it. They always look for loopholes to violate them, he complained on the steps of the center. Released Palestinian prisoners in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday. Alaa Badarneh (EFE) Fares also admitted his disappointment at Israels veto of the five most prominent names: Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, Abbas Al Sayyid, Ahmad Abu Al Hayja, and Abdullah Barghouti. They are serving sentences ranging from 30 years to life imprisonment for organizing attacks against Israelis. Hamas, from its position of weakness, failed to impose a single one on the Israeli government. The negotiation was further tainted from the moment Trump announced a deal, although the parties had not yet agreed on a list of prisoners. Among the 12 last-minute changes reported by the former minister were those of Miqdam Yaber and Mohammed Al-Hammami, whose families waited with distraught faces before the prisoners release. Abu Yawad, Yabers brother, was struggling with despair and denial over the deeply frustrating and painful news that had descended upon him overnight. The list we received three days ago included his name among those to be released in the West Bank, and we still dont understand what has happened, what is happening. We have spoken with other families of prisoners who are also here and discovered that many of us are facing the same shocking situation, he said. Yaber himself, he says, called them (an exception to the rule over the last two years of extremely strict prison conditions) from the Ofer prison and told them he would be released on Monday in Ramallah. Israeli forces then entered the family home to warn them that any form of gathering, celebration, or expression of joy was strictly prohibited. In the end, there wouldnt even be a muted celebration. Weve been waiting for him every second, and every second seemed like a year, Abu Yawad lamented. His brother appears on the Israeli Ministry of Justices list as having been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 by a military court for attempted murder, hostile acts, and murder by hostile acts. Mohammed Al-Hammamis case is similar. His sister, Um Rafaat, sobbed and chain-smoked cigarettes in the car where she kept the new clothes she had bought him for the occasion. The idea was for him to take off his prison clothes, shower, and eat a huge maqluba, a typical dish in the area and her brothers favorite, so she prepared it for him as a welcome home and brought it from her home in the city of Nablus, in the northern West Bank. Um Rafaat already knew that her brother had been transferred that very morning to the section for those to be deported overseas. But she still struggled to maintain the temperature of the maqluba, hoping that it was all a tragic mistake and that her brother was about to return to his people. She recounts the same process as Abu Yawad: her brother (born in 1979 and sentenced by the military to three life sentences) called them two days before from prison and said that they would meet on Monday in Ramallah. This was what appeared on the initial list. Israeli forces confirmed this when they entered her house at four in the morning to make clear the prohibition on receiving people or holding any kind of celebration during the exchange. Its all very strange. We hoped to see him today and hug him, but we still dont know his fate. We contacted the Ministry of Prisoners Affairs to confirm, but they had no information. We thought that if he was deported, the occupation [Israel] would have informed us. Our faith in God keeps our hope alive. Hours later, with the last workers cleaning the area where the families had gathered and the released prisoners had arrived, Um Rafaat returned to Nablus with the new clothes and the maqluba for her brother intact. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The United States, which has designated the gang as a terrorist organization, will support polygraph interrogations to identify those responsible for the jail break Guatemalan authorities confirmed that 20 inmates, members of the Barrio 18 gang, escaped from the Fraijanes II maximum-security prison, located about 12 miles from Guatemala City, two months ago, although the information had not been released until now. The news has sparked a crisis for Bernardo Arevalos government: both his own party and the opposition are calling for an investigation to find those responsible for the escape. Barrio 18 was designated a foreign terrorist organization and a global terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State in September for its involvement in violent acts against security forces, public officials, and civilians in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Guatemalas Minister of the Interior Francisco Jimenez explained that on Friday, October 10, prison intelligence units raised the alarm about a possible prison break, so they conducted a biometric verification and a head count of inmates. During the procedure, it was reliably established that 20 inmates had evaded security controls and were no longer in Fraijanes II, Jimenez said at a press conference on Monday. According to authorities, the escape was planned, carried out in groups, and had internal and external support, so the involvement of guards and officials from the prison system cannot be ruled out. US issues warning In a press release, the United States called on the Guatemalan government to act immediately and vigorously to recapture the escapees and issued a warning those who may have assisted in the gang members escape. The escape of Barrio 18 terrorists from prison is totally unacceptable. The Guatemalan government must act immediately and vigorously to recapture these terrorists, who pose a threat to both Guatemala and the security of the United States homeland. All those involved in these escapes must be held fully accountable, reads a statement posted on its embassys official social media channels. Barrio 18 makes its money through extortion payments from small vendors in neighborhoods located in red-light districts, as well as through right-of-way payments from large companies that distribute their products in neighborhood stores, and through contract killings, according to police investigations. The organizations operational orders are issued from Guatemalan prisons. The current leader of Barrio 18 is Aldo Dupie Ochoa Mejia, alias El Lobo, whom the Ministry of the Interior has attempted to isolate and control in a maximum-security prison, a move that has proven unsuccessful as the courts have backed his various bids to prevent a transfer. Ochoa Mejia is married to Maria Marta Castaneda Torres, a niece of former first lady and presidential candidate Sandra Torres. Castaneda Torres is in prison for her alleged involvement in the murder of a prosecutor from the Public Ministry. Demands for dismissal of minister Deputies from the suspended Semilla ruling party, which brought President Bernardo Arevalo to power, called for the dismissal of Minister Jimenez following the escape of the prisoners. I spoke with President Arevalo to request the dismissal of the leaders responsible for these events, starting with the Minister of the Interior. The party supports President Arevalo and his administration, but not the incompetence displayed by his officials, said Representative Samuel Perez. Perez added that Jimenez no longer enjoys the publics trust to continue in office and that the least he expects is a strategy to recapture the escaped inmates. For the moment, Arevalo, who is on an official trip to Europe, has not officially commented on the escape. He has limited himself to replying to a message on his social media account from his vice president, Karin Herrera, in which she reported the capture of one of the 20 escaped inmates and assured that the rest were being sought so that, as soon as possible, they face all the consequences before the law. Meanwhile, Jimenez was accused by former Public Prosecutors Office prosecutor Juan Francisco Solorzano Foppa of having negotiated a pact with Barrio 18 with his deputy minister for anti-narcotics to free the prisoners and reduce the wave of violence in Guatemala. He also said, in a video posted on his social media, that the 20 inmates escaped from the prison disguised as National Civil Police officers. However, during a press conference at the Presidential Palace, Jimenez denied the accusations and also stated that he will not resign. I will not leave my post until this problem is resolved. I cannot leave this problem half-resolved, the minister stated. In 2018, a report published by the newspaper Prensa Libre recounted how 14 inmates belonging to the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs escaped from two prisons in the country with the support of prison guards in exchange for a payment of approximately $260,000. On that occasion, the escape was detected following a prisoner count, after police investigators assigned to the gangs encountered several of those they remembered capturing on the streets. Guatemalan judges also commented on that occasion that, since many of the members of these gangs have been handed life sentences, or those in pretrial detention have hearings scheduled months in advance, it is easy for them to change their identity or simply evade prison. Among the 19 fugitives on the loose are murderers, gang leaders, and rapists. The Minister of the Interior also confirmed the dismissal of several prison officials and announced that it will have the support of the United States to conduct polygraph examinations of the those suspected of involvement to determine whether to proceed with the respective charges. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jean Villanuevas father is a bus ticket collector in Lima, working on one of those vehicles that move amid honking horns and fear. He is one of the targets of the mafias that collect extortion fees from ticket checkers and drivers people who, like so many others, leave home every day without knowing if they will return. Pessimism and weariness are spreading in Peru, but Villanueva, a 29-year-old accountant, prefers not to wait for the country to change on its own. He is shouting. He is clenching his fists. He is always on the front lines. He is convinced that young Peruvians are the only ones who can restore hope to the country. His generation, the one that fills the streets of cities around the world, has grown tired of waiting. We need new leadership, says Villanueva at a Starbucks in downtown Lima. A little over a month ago, the table where he sits was covered in a cloud of tear gas. Police used clubs to chase protesters into this open-air shopping center. He still bears the marks from that day on his hands, buttocks, and head. I was carrying a megaphone, exercising my legitimate right to protest, and the police came at me and threw me to the ground, he recalls. Violence against protesters has become a constant in recent years, with more than 50 deaths since 2022. The entrenched powers-that-be look askance at young people like Villanueva, the so-called Generation Z, those under 30. They are the ones leading massive protests in disparate countries like Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal and Morocco, spreading the word to each other, as happened with the Arab Spring and years ago in Chile, or even in Peru itself. Their causes are diverse, but they all demand some kind of break, better public services, or an end to corruption. They demand change. Now. They organize on social media, and one of their symbols is a pirate flag with a skull wearing a straw hat. And, in Peru, there is an enormous additional reason for unrest. Young people between 15 and 29 years old are the largest voting bloc in the country: more than 25% of the electorate, more than any other age group. The fall of Dina Boluarte last Friday surprised almost everyone. It surprised the Prosecutors Office, which had to rush to issue precautionary measures to prevent her from leaving the country. It also surprised thousands of young people who had spent weeks preparing a large march across the country to demand her resignation. With Boluarte hiding in her home, they have unwittingly achieved their first objective. But many more remain to be claimed. They want Jose Jeri, the new interim president, to resign. They want laws repealed. They want a dialogue to be established to participate in the countrys direction. They want those responsible for the deaths of protesters to be prosecuted. They want an independent and fair congressmember to assume the presidency until the April elections. They want the powerful to stop stealing. They want criminals to stop killing. This Wednesday they will take to the streets of Lima again. Until they achieve this. There are those who are willing to go all the way. To light everything up, warns Yackov Solano at that same table. The 22-year-old university student, who wears a black bandana and a military-green bomber jacket, is one of the most visible faces of this youth movement made up of dozens of groups capable of mobilizing brothers and sisters across the country. Unfortunately, corruption has become normalized here, but weve reached a point where we young people are saying, No, enough, Solano argues. Jean Villanueva, 29, and Yackov Solano, 22, are leading youth protests in Peru. Maria Martin Adults accuse them of living disconnected lives, glued to their screens, binge-watching series, trapped by online games and social media. But they were the ones who brought virtual discontent to the streets. They were the ones who stood up to police officers determined to silence them. A reform that would have forced self-employed workers to contribute to pension fund administrators got them up and protesting: the move meddled with the future of a generation that barely has enough to live on, much less to entertain dreams. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Peru has the fifth-highest proportion of young people in the world who neither study nor work. The number of NEETs(Not in Education, Employment, or Training) stands at around 1.5 million. The reform was thwarted, but it wasnt just about pensions. Many of these young people, says political scientist Omar Coronel, especially those from the most low-income sectors, are marching for the most basic thing of all: a peaceful life. They arent safe anywhere. They cant go to school or work in peace. Theyre not the youth they used to be; theyre much more confrontational and resilient, he says. We participated in the 2020 protests in a very similar setting to the current one, and five years later we find ourselves doing the same thing. We were apprentices then, but that has changed. Now were much more aware, emphasizes Yackov Solano, who is the son of a nurse and an accountant. The skull with a straw hat, one of the symbols of Generation Z. Sebastian Castaneda (REUTERS) Perus Generation Z has its own symbols. Between giant rats and the typical posters with the face of the current president, new emblems of struggle have emerged: skulls with straw hats, bandannas, and samurai swords. If Che Guevara or Karl Marx were icons of revolution in the 20th century, today anime occupies that symbolic place, says writer J.J. Maldonado, author of two books that explain the present: Messianic Narrative: Animes to the Rescue of Fiction and A Pop Galaxy Called One Piece. In these young peoples protests, One Piece has become an emblem. The Japanese manga series, created at the end of the last century by Eiichiro Oda, a nonconformist who gave up his architecture studies to write and draw manga, is a cultural phenomenon with 15 films, 50 video games, and more than a thousand episodes. It is the story of adventurous boys who face pirates for hidden treasure, a tale filled with themes such as freedom, justice, rebellion against power, and corruption. We have endured more than a decade of political instability. No more. The time is now, says Generation Z in their statements. Kevin Puelles, the manager of the Fotos de Lucha (Photos of Struggle) platform, has been documenting the protests in Peru since 2022. This psychologist, who uses his camera to record the abuses of the armed forces, points out that October 15 will be a day to take the pulse of the country. Outside of Lima, the echo of the mobilizations is muted, but not muffled. There is an expectation that university students will take to the streets, he explains. The memory of the dead keeps tensions alive. The extent of the protests will depend on the level of mobilization in other regions of Peru beyond the capital. Puelles is hesitant. At least in Trujillo, Cusco, and Puno, it doesnt exist, he asserts. It is still a phenomenon under construction. For now, Carlos Castillo, Archbishop of Lima, has already given his blessing: There are no terrorists here, but people with rights. They have much to say to humanity. Villanueva and Solano, with backpacks and their bangs covering their foreheads, met at a demonstration and fell in love. Since then, theyve walked together among banners and activists. They are the portrait of a generation that is breaking the molds imposed by their elders. I told my congregation I was bisexual and I felt a lot of support, Villanueva confesses. Our minds are much more open, his companion agrees. Maybe I think like a dreamer, Solano emphasizes, but our generation can be the great change that Peru needs. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition LANZHOU, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- A forum bringing together mayors or their representatives, diplomats and scholars from 10 countries opened on Monday in Dunhuang, a city along the ancient Silk Road in northwest China's Gansu Province. The forum aims to discuss opportunities and challenges in cultural urban governance. Themed "A Symphony of Civilizations, Resonance in Harmony," the Global Mayors Dialogue Dunhuang focuses on practical governance issues, including leveraging cultural resources, environmental protection, green development and smart city construction. Against the backdrop of rapid global urbanization, attendees emphasize the growing importance of balancing cultural heritage conservation with urban growth. Notably, strengthening international cooperation is highlighted as a key response to these shared challenges. As the host city, Dunhuang -- home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites and over 260 cultural relic sites -- is showcasing its integrated approach in recent years to preserving cultural legacy while enhancing urban quality. Dunhuang's unique natural landscape, profound cultural heritage and long history are highly impressive features of this city. Dunhuang is not only a symbol of China but also demonstrates to the world how modern development can achieve harmony by respecting nature and preserving history, said Tigran Poghosyan, head of the Garni community in the Kotayk region of Armenia. Yu Chenghui, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Gansu Provincial People's Congress, said at the opening ceremony that through dialogue, participants will share experiences, expand cooperation and help cities find new solutions to issues such as cultural heritage protection, urban governance and sustainable development. Liliana Galindo, 40, compares psychedelic therapies for mental health to surgery. Its a paradigm shift. Before, we used to administer daily medication, focused on treating symptoms that sometimes caused side effects and are expected to be taken for years. This type of therapy requires a significant initial investment because, in addition to the medication, you need a therapist, a psychiatrist, and a nurse all working together but over a short period, maybe about three months, to provide intensive treatment that seeks to address the root cause of the illness. Galindos experience shows that the effort is worth it. In many cases, there is complete improvement, she says. Galindo continues the analogy: In surgery, anesthesia is used to tolerate the physical pain, the surgeon intervenes and cleans the wound, and then the body heals. Here, we use a substance to open and tolerate the emotional pain, to see the wound, process it, and then the person continues to improve, like in a postoperative period. Psychedelic drugs are back in fashion in medicine, after decades of being sidelined due to the bad reputation and illegality brought about by their recreational use and association with counterculture. In 2019, the use of esketamine, an analog of ketamine, was approved to treat severe depression, and in recent years a growing number of studies have showed the potential of MDMA, or ecstasy, for post-traumatic stress disorder, and psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, for depression. Galindo, who is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, a psychiatrist at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, and founder of the Cambridge Psychedelic Research Group, visited Madrid a few days ago to participate in Psymposium, a forum that promotes scientific and ethical progress in mental health, neuroscience, and psychedelic research. The researcher, who began her career in Spain alongside Magi Farre and Victor Perez-Sola at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, speaks about substances that represent a paradigm shift in the pharmacological treatment of mental health and in the very understanding of the mind but which will also require a new way of designing studies to measure their true effectiveness. Question. Does the fact that many of these substances have been used for fun affect expectations about them or the possibilities of using them? Answer. Humans have used substances as tools to achieve different states of consciousness for thousands of years. In the Americas, many Indigenous communities have used psychedelic substances, such as ayahuasca. Some people use them for spiritual reasons and others for recreational reasons, but the medical model has fundamental differences. It is done in a supervised manner, with a substance whose properties are precisely known and in the right amount, because we already know that the dose makes the poison or, in this case, the remedy. Q. How does it work? A. In general, the person must have three types of sessions. Preparatory sessions in which they meet with a therapist, establish a series of goals, and learn about the persons past, in order to understand the context and be able to make a decision. Information should also be provided on what to do if the patient feels anxious or has memories that cause significant distress. During these preparation sessions, they can practice exercises to calm themselves during these moments. After these preparation sessions, comes the session in which the substance is administered, which must happen in the company of a therapist. This cant be just any therapist, but someone trained in these interventions, which are quite different from those of conventional psychotherapy. Here, the therapist doesnt intervene as much as in other conventional sessions; theyre more like a co-pilot, supporting the person, who is the one who decides which path to take. In the case of post-traumatic stress disorder, for example, the patient is helped to connect with those traumatic memories to revisit and process them, and that is something the person does alone. And after that session come the integration sessions, which are usually done the day after. These sessions are key because, with psychedelics, it has been shown that one of the reasons they work is neuroplasticity. They can create changes at the inflammatory and neuronal levels, and even in dendritic connections, and these changes appear to be key in memory reconsolidation. Its important to take advantage of this window of greater neuroplasticity after taking the substance so the person can process what happened during the four, six, or more hours depending on the substance, that the experience may have lasted in order to make sense of what happened. In this case, also with a supportive therapist. Liliana Galindo, at the Illustrious College of Physicians of Madrid. SAMUEL SANCHEZ Q. What do these substances do in the brain to give them these potential beneficial effects? A. In the case of empathogens, like MDMA, they have structures that are sometimes quite similar to those of serotonin or dopamine. On the one hand, they increase serotonin, dopamine, aand norepinephrine, and produce feelings of well-being and connection. But they also seem to produce an increase in oxytocin. And this oxytocin, which is the attachment molecule, plays a very important role in the reprocessing of traumatic experiences. If you think about oxytocin, one of the times its secreted a lot is around childbirth and during breastfeeding, when the whole bonding process takes place. But it also helps overcome many of the memories and traumas surrounding labor and birth. It can be traumatic at times, but we still do it more than once, twice, or three times. Theres a point in that reconciliation of memories where oxytocin plays an important role. Q. What about classic psychedelics, like psilocybin? A. The specific action is on one of the serotonin receptors, which are the 5HT2A. This serotonergic action changes our brain connections, performing a kind of reset to previous cognitive patterns. There are many mental illnesses that involve rigid cognitive patterns: rumination, when we feel anxious and go over the same thing in circles; in depression, we have an idea or conviction that something is wrong, circular thoughts that are difficult to escape; we also see this in obsessive-compulsive disorder or eating disorders, with very circular beliefs about the body. These substances seem to reset those ideas, and changes are seen fairly quickly, like after psilocybin sessions, where a broader therapeutic range has been observed. It has shown significant improvements in treatment-resistant depression, and even in OCD and eating disorders, there is preliminary evidence suggesting they can improve. Q. If psychedelics facilitate plasticity in the brain, just as they help to undo the rigid thought patterns that cause depression, can they also create new problems? A. Of course, this needs to be investigated. Side effects have been seen, especially when doses are not supervised or the setting is not appropriate. In controlled settings, it seems safe. But we need to better understand what doses, for whom, and how. Q. Now that psychedelics are becoming more accepted and even trendy, theres sometimes a perception that theyre harmless. What risks need to be monitored with these substances? A. Theyre not harmless, but neither are psychedelics, nor any treatment. It all depends on the dose, who takes it, and how its taken. The biggest danger, and what has given many of these substances a bad reputation, is that theyve existed in an illegal market, where people believe theyre taking things theyre not. Thats why, in clinical settings, the first thing monitored is the dose. Theres no option to increase it because it feels good. And, of course, the fact that not all psychedelics are good for everything and everyone, even though they have enormous therapeutic potential. Much of the focus of research now is trying to understand, of all the substances that appear to have therapeutic potential, which types of people will benefit and which wont. We need to understand the contraindications and which people might benefit, for example, from therapy with MDMA, psilocybin, or ayahuasca. Theyre completely different. Part of the research is trying to understand how the effects of substances change personal history, the illness were treating, even family history, whether there are other members who have had mental illnesses or have previously had adverse reactions to substances of this type. Q. You also work on psychosis on detecting in advance those at risk, to prevent or reduce its effects. A. Psychosis refers to when someone experiences changes in their perception of reality. A person begins to have an idea that becomes so strong that, in a way, our brain tries to process all the information it receives as confirmation of that idea, or tries to associate it with that idea and relate unrelated things. And suddenly, its as if that idea steals all our energy, all our attention in life. That belief begins to be the most important thing. Its usually associated with a very strong fear, what we call paranoia. There are different types of content: the person may believe theyre being followed, or that they have a power, a superpower, or that theyre on a mission, but suddenly they begin to see that everything is connected to that idea. Whether its: Im being followed, my neighbor is an alien, whatever the idea may be. These are what we call delusions. Separately, other people may experience what we call hallucinations. The most common is hearing voices or things that arent there. Some people can also see things, but this is less common. In addition to these changes in perception and information processing, they are accompanied by enormous fear. Q. What else is known? A. In most cases, it begins before age 20 and is more common in men. We also know that theres a second peak of psychosis presentation that usually occurs in women around hormonal changes during menopause. This isnt talked about much, and theres still a lot of stigma attached to it, but it exists. What we know is that when people are experiencing these changes, the most important thing is to be able to detect them early. At that moment, an inflammatory process is creating changes in the brain that can lead to long-term cognitive or memory changes. Q. Can you intervene? A. Worldwide, the first early intervention model was developed in Australia. For at least three years, the person will be seen very frequently, almost weekly, by doctors, psychologists, and occupational therapists; they work with the family, the school, and the workplace. Everything is focused on helping the person return to their life as it was before they became ill. What has been seen is that, if this change is achieved in the first three years, and above all, most importantly, if the person manages to recognize this episode as something abnormal, understand why it is better to continue treatment, detect early symptoms of relapse (each person has their own), and return to their previous functioning, the disease can be prevented from deteriorating in the medium or long term. We used to believe there was no way to stop the progression of psychosis, or that everyone would necessarily end up severely deteriorating in a mental hospital. We now know thats not the case. But we must act early and work hard on treatment and education for the individual and their family. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Farmley declares a week-long Diwali holiday for employees from October 20 to 26. The break aims to help staff relax, recharge, and spend quality time with family. Employees are encouraged to share festive moments online, with rewards for the most engaging posts. Farmley is taking a step forward in supporting employee well-being by announcing a week-long Diwali break from October 20 to 26. The company wants its staff to pause from work pressures and fully enjoy the festive season with their loved ones. In a heartfelt LinkedIn message, Farmley highlighted that Diwali is not about rushing deadlines but cherishing moments like sharing sweets and enjoying laughter with family. The company urged employees to disconnect from emails and meetings, and instead, embrace the festive spirit. This break reflects Farmleys commitment to holistic wellness, acknowledging that mental and emotional health are crucial for productivity and creativity. Employees were encouraged in internal communications to use this time to relax and recharge, helping them return refreshed and motivated. To add some fun, Farmley is inviting employees to share their Diwali celebrations on social media. The post with the highest engagement will win a special gift, encouraging team bonding beyond the workplace. Also Read: Karnataka Leads with Menstrual Leave for Working Women Abhishek Agarwal, Co-Founder of Farmley, said, Our people are at the heart of what we do. Taking time to switch off and enjoy moments with family makes our teams happier and more creative. This break is our way of appreciating their hard work and passion. With this initiative, Farmley sets an example of valuing work-life balance and creating a supportive, joyful workplace culture. Instagram profiles could soon be used to justify deportations. U.S. immigration authorities are seeking to hire dozens of analysts to gather personal information from posts, comments and messages on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, X and other social media platforms, which will be used as leads and intelligence to carry out raids and operations against immigrants. The initiative, part of a series of recent contracts with technology companies, seeks to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) ability to monitor people through their social media to levels that threaten to violate constitutional rights. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a solicitation seeking private companies to deploy at least 30 analysts to ICE monitoring centers in Williston, Vermont, near Canada, and in Santa Ana, California. The request is for a round-the-clock surveillance operation using the latest technology, including artificial intelligence, to support efforts to increase deportations. The government is requesting analysis and lead generation services that fulfill ICEs law enforcement mission to locate those who pose a threat to national security. The information collected will come from commercial and law enforcement databases, as well as other publicly accessible sources, including open media and social media platforms, whose monitoring will be integrated into ICEs workflow. The documents also indicate that AI will increase the efficiency of identifying individuals. The initiative is part of the Trump administrations historic immigration offensive, which has promised mass deportations and set daily arrest quotas of, according to numerous reports, up to 3,000 people per day, a figure that has not been reached to date. Even so, as a result of Trumps immigration policy, ICE has become the most powerful agency in the federal government, with access to data from other agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Health. Furthermore, it has received billions of dollars between $70 billion and $170 billion, depending on what is included in the calculation from the Trump tax reform passed last summer, which establishes a $5.9 billion allocation for new technology. By way of comparison, the FBI has a total of just over $10 billion annually. With that money already at its disposal, ICE has ramped up its large-scale surveillance efforts, including on social media, taking advantage of the massive reach offered by private technology companies. This has raised concerns among civil rights and immigrant rights advocates about the risks this practice poses to freedom of expression, privacy, and democracy. Almost anything people post on social media can potentially be used against them. Any post in a WhatsApp group or on a Facebook page can put them on ICEs radar, explains Alberto Fox-Cahn, attorney and founder of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), a civil rights advocacy group focused on government surveillance. A protester outside ICE headquarters in Portland, October 6. Carlos Barria (REUTERS) The way ICE is using social media to monitor people undermines democracy, he argues. Theyre using a lot of tools to access information that people think is private. According to the expert, accounts restricted to approved followers only offer a false sense of privacy because ICE and other law enforcement agencies have created vast networks of fake accounts to harvest information. Many people use WhatsApp, which is encrypted, without realizing that information about every communication they have is available to ICE and other law enforcement agencies, he added. A WhatsApp spokesperson said that the app is built to be private by design, with end-to-end encryption so that no one outside of the chat, not even WhatsApp or Meta, can read, listen to, or share your personal messages. The spokesperson also said that WhatApp does not keep logs of who everyone is messaging or calling. DHS did not respond to a request for comment for this report. Neither did ICE. Growing use of technology The social media monitoring service tender is just the latest in a series of contracts with tech companies aimed at expanding ICEs surveillance capabilities. This includes a $30 million contract with Palantir, co-founded by controversial far-right billionaire and former Elon Musk partner Peter Thiel, to develop ImmigrationOS, an app that uses AI to identify and locate undocumented immigrants. Palantir has secured more than $900 million in government contracts since Trump began his second term, according to The New York Times. Studies indicate that the contracts demonstrate an increase in the use of technology, artificial intelligence, and social media analytics to strengthen ICEs surveillance infrastructure across the country. A report by the immigrant advocacy organization Mijente, titled Whos Behind ICE? The Tech and Data Companies Fueling Deportations, warned in 2023 that ICE is increasingly using cloud infrastructure, data analytics, and social media programs provided by private vendors. The report detailed how social media fuels a framework that expands ICEs ability to generate leads. In another more recent report, from August of this year, the American Immigration Council highlights the need for independent audits to oversee these AI-powered systems, which can make mistakes with serious consequences. People can be detained, lose their legal status, or even end up wrongfully deported, the immigrant advocacy organization warns, adding that some Palantir engineers themselves have raised concerns about the ethical burden of designing these tools. They argue that building systems, especially without sufficient oversight, that are capable of mass surveillance crosses a dangerous line from protecting the civil liberties that underpin democracy to blatantly undermining them." STOPs Fox-Cahn emphasizes the invasive nature of the technology and the risk it can pose to migrants. We know that people are going to be systematically targeted for their political beliefs, their religion, and things that are supposed to be protected by our Constitution. Ismael Labrador, a Miami-based immigration attorney, says several clients have expressed concern about their social media posts. After a raid on a Miami nightclub, one client asked him if a photo he posted on Facebook at the club could have alerted authorities. Labrador says he warns his asylum-seeking clients, whom the government is persecuting, to be careful about what they post because any comment that is not aligned with [this administrations] principles could be misinterpreted. Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) says government contractors monitoring social media are going to be looking to see if anyone has posted a political opinion, something hyperbolic to conduct what they call a fishing expedition, a broad and unfounded search with no specific motive. While the presence of ICE agents in the countrys cities intensifies the situation and pushes immigrants, both documented and undocumented, into the shadows, the shadow of immigration authorities now also looms over cyberspace. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Did you know? The education consultancy market size is expected to increase by 792.2 million dollars. This is an estimation between 2024-29, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%. Furthermore, according to a report from The Hindu (2025), there are over 250 career options available. However, 93% of the students know about merely seven career opportunities. This highlights the lack of knowledge among learners about various course options that could be a gateway to more high-paying opportunities in future. It makes the role of education consultants even more vital for the aspiring learners. Education consultants guide you along the various course options, colleges, and rewarding career opportunities for the future. They help you with opting for the right course that aligns with your personal interests as well as future-proof careers. This blog uncovers the role of education consultants in bridging the gap between education and career development. Lets begin with: Who Are Education Consultants? Education consultants are professionals who help you make wise educational decisions that also align with career development. They provide expert guidance and advice to students, professionals, parents, or anyone who is looking to make the right course or college choices. Apart from academics, well-established education consultants also provide professional career guidance. Consulting with a renowned educational consultant allows you to get a complete roadmap from choosing a course to college and the path ahead for your desired and future-proof career. Scroll ahead to learn how educational consultants help you bridge the gap between education and career development. Should You Consider an Education Consultation? The answer to this question is Yes. If you do not want to risk opting for a course, college, or career that cannot cater to the demands of the current industry and provide you with a career which may not be relevant for the future, it is a wise decision to consider academic or career guidance with an established education consultant. Learning Routes is one of the best education consultants in India with a powerful legacy of 22,39,990+ students counselled. They have been in this industry for 9+ years and have a strong network of esteemed colleges. You may consider them for the right education and career guidance, or any other assistance that you may be looking for in your career journey. How Education Consultants Contribute to Academics & Career Growth? Educational consultants nowadays are playing an integral role in shaping the future careers of individuals globally. Whether its advice, guidance, or complete assistance, they help you along your overall journey. Here is how educational consultants combine learning goals with career growth. Let us explore: Personalised Guidance & Support Unlike family and friends, education consultants offer one-on-one guidance for your desired career path. They go through a detailed induction session with you to understand your previous qualifications, areas of interest and expertise, and future career requirements. You receive expert guidance about the course options you can opt for. They provide you with a list of the best colleges that suit your budget, while ensuring career and placement support services. Moreover, education consultants ensure that every academic choice they help you make aligns with your career aspirations and future growth. Assists with Make an Informed Decision There are a variety of course options available nowadays. Making the right choice becomes even more challenging due to this. Education consultants narrowed down this course list for you. They only suggest options which are relevant to your skills, interests, and career goals. This list may include diplomas, certificates, UG, and PG degrees that can fulfil your academic as well as career needs. They also highlight the pros and cons of different career options. Moreover, the recommendations made by educational consultants are generally up-to-date and aligned towards the modern and current industry options. Helps You Pave Your Way to College Admissions If you are looking for admissions to prestigious colleges or competitive programmes, educational consultants can help you make the process easier. Education consulting professionals are used to the application processes of different colleges. Their assistance helps you easily optimise college applications. For instance, course requirements vary by college. You may need to write a compelling statement of purpose or prepare for a personal interview or group discussions. Educational consultants help you with all of these phases. They ensure a simplified admission gateway that lessens your admission hustle. Moreover, you can leverage their understanding of admissions and expertise to make your admission pathway to your desired college easier. Career Planning & Development The guidance and support from educational consultants is not just limited to academics. They help you choose the right academic path that leads you towards a future-proof career. By making a detailed note of your career demands, education consultants provide you with a roadmap from enrolling in a course to choosing the right job role. They help you identify the key skills required for your career goals, apply for the right internships, and connect you with potential employers and professionals in your desired field for mentorship and relevant insights. In short, education consultants prioritise both academics and career development. Access to Diverse Opportunities Experienced education consultants often have strong connections with colleges, universities, corporates, and even training organisations. They help you accelerate your admission process to your desired college. Also, guide you about exclusive internship or job opportunities. Additionally, they also have an in-depth knowledge of potential scholarship schemes due to their connection to multiple sources. You may secure the best student scholarships, depending on your choices. Eliminates Financial Constraints Whether you want to enrol in a higher education course or earn a professional certificate from a renowned institution, educational consultants are there to help you as well. They know about different merit and need-based scholarships, and help you plan and manage your educational expenses wisely. Moreover, they also provide the best guidance and advice on student loans, organisational grants, etc. This helps learners achieve their career aspirations without worrying about budgeting and finances. Make Up-to-Date Recommendations In this rapidly growing and ever-changing realm, opting for the relevant course that aligns with today's corporate requirements is crucial. Educational consultants need to keep updating their knowledge to stay relevant in the modern market. It ensures that the guidance and support you receive is the latest and relevant to the current needs of the job market. It enhances your possibilities to secure more promising jobs in the future. The Takeaway Education consultants have become crucial for academic guidance. Apart from consultation, they assist you with admission processes from registration to graduation. Additionally, they contribute to your career development by helping you choose an academic path that matches your career aspirations as well as modern industry demands. Their guidance is valuable as they focus on long-term career goals. Whether you are a fresher, a working professional, or anyone wishing to advance in their career journey, well-established education consultants ensure guidance for all. Moreover, you can book your first consulting session and may opt out if you do not find it satisfying. Remember that your career is worth trying with education consultants! The regulator tightens accountability of mutual fund trustees, mandating fair and justified investor charges and proactive fiduciary roles. Trustees must conduct independent due diligence, while AMCs are tasked to form Unitholder Protection Committees to safeguard investor interests. Trustees are asked to adopt early warning systems, challenge AMC assumptions, and act boldly against market abuse to uphold investor trust and market integrity. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has ramped up its focus on the fiduciary duty of mutual fund trustees, asking them to ensure that all charges and fees imposed on investors are not just disclosed but also reasonable and merit-based.. has ramped up its focus on the fiduciary duty of mutual fund trustees, asking them to ensure that all charges and fees imposed on investors are not just disclosed but also reasonable and merit-based. The regulator is seeking to fortify the trustee as a first line of defence against shielding investors against misgovernance, conflicts of interest, and monitoring lapses. While giving a speech during the Leadership Dialogue for Trustees of Mutual Funds, Tuhin Kanta Pandey stressed that trustees should go beyond passive compliance and proactively play their part in protecting investor interests. Sebi chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey was of the opinion that trustees are the key to maintaining the integrity of valuation processes, risk management systems, and internal controls. They need to see that valuations are fair, that charges and expenses are reasonable, and that all investors small or large are treated fairly. As a trustee, its role goes beyond being a symbol it becomes crucial to upholding trust in the mutual fund mechanism. Importantly, Sebi has formalized the demarcation of trustees' and Asset Management Company (AMC) board roles. Trustees will now be required to perform their own independent review and due diligence and not simply stamp approval on AMC reports. AMC boards, on their part, will have the mandate to constitute a Unitholder Protection Committee, which will introduce a governance layer that is specifically attuned to unitholder interests. Also Read: SEBI Consults on Easing Share Lending Rules In practice, this means that trustees would need to sift through compliance reports, conduct internal control tests themselves, challenge assumptions behind AMC claims, and pose questions where breaches are discovered. In order to guarantee robust early detection of problems, Pandey asked trustees to establish robust early warning systems mechanisms that detect anomalies, track exceptions, and trigger timely intervention. "Where appropriate, trustees have the power to step in to ask questions, to refer up, and, if necessary, to intervene. This authority goes with the moral obligation to act fearlessly and boldly, to protect the interests of investors", he said. Trustees are also obligated to see that safeguarding devices that are meant to control market abuse such as front-running, insider dealing, and abuse of sensitive information not only exist in name but work in spirit and substance. Pandey cautioned trustees against remaining passive recipients of Sebis reforms, urging instead active engagement in shaping and reinforcing guardrails. He suggested they propose workable guardrails and simplifications that do not weaken safeguards, drawing on their experience and domain insight. He further emphasized that oversight should have depth: Oversight must have depth not just documentation. These remarks come after a decade of rising growth in the mutual fund industry. From AUM growth six-fold over the decade (to around Rs 75.6 lakh crore as of September 2025) and from the number of unique investors growing to over 5.6 crore, the scale and variety of investor participation necessitate stronger regulation. At this point, trustees are being painted as key columns of investor trust and market integrity. Going forward, trustees will need to stay current with evolving areas such as derivatives, ESG investing, alternative asset classes, risk analytics, and AI-enabled portfolio management. The ability to understand and interpret new risks will be vital to their oversight function. In sum, Sebis message to trustees is clear: their responsibility now encompasses not only verification, but decisive intervention to guard fairness, transparency, and confidence in Indias mutual fund industry. While DoorDash has analyzed the most popular pizza orders from the throughout the five boroughs, Staten Island pies were left out of the list. (Pamela Silvestri | Advance/SILive.com) For this years National Pizza Month, DoorDash is cooking up a (controversial) pizza showdown. By analyzing thousands of customer ratings and reviews from January through September, the delivery company is celebrating a list of the most popular local pizzerias in New York a list that somehow does not include any Staten Island-based pizza joints. (How are you going to go disrespect Deninos like that? Why would anyone leave Lees Tavern out in the cold? What did Joe and Pats ever do to anyone?) DoorDash claims their mission is to grow and empower local economies, which starts with celebrating local merchants. These pizzerias arent just places to grab a slice: theyre neighborhood anchors, family traditions and entrepreneurial success stories. Every order fuels their growth and keeps communities connected, the company stated. Pizza brings people together, from friends watching a game to kids celebrating a birthday. Every region and chef puts their own spin on a classic, and that creativity is what makes it so special, said Ruth Isenstadt, Head of U.S. Restaurants at DoorDash. These local pizzerias help create memories around the table, and National Pizza Month is the perfect chance to enjoy your go-to favorite or try something new, she added. The New York pizza list breaks down this way: Brooklyn DOP Brooklyn, NY Cosimos Brick Oven Middletown F&F Pizzeria Brooklyn, NY Good Guys Pizza North Tonawanda, NY Joes Pizza Manhattan, NY One Pie Pizza Buffalo, NY Pizza Wizard Rochester, NY Rubirosa Pizza & Ristorante Manhattan, NY The Pizzeria Islip, NY Tinos Pizzeria Oneonta, NY Back on the Island, according to recent SILive.com reader polls, Pizzeria Giove, Brothers Pizzeria and Royal Pizza were voted the top three best places for specialty pizza on Staten Island for 2024. These winners were chosen based on reader votes in a Best of Staten Island poll and are acknowledged for their outstanding specialty pies. Alec Baldwin and Stephen Baldwin attend the Chairman's Brunch during the 33rd Hamptons International Film Festival on October 12, 2025 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images) Getty Images Two of the famous Baldwin brothers were involved in a car crash in New York on Monday. Alec Baldwin was driving his wife Hilarias Range Rover when he smashed into a tree on the side of Montauk Highway in the Hamptons, according to the New York Post. Alecs brother Stephen Baldwin was the only passenger in the vehicle; neither was injured. Im fine, my brother Stephen was visiting me, Alec said in an Instagram video Monday night. Photos published by Page Six and TMZ show the white Range Rover had significant damage to the front end as police attended the scene. A large truck was also seen nearby. A guy cut me off in a truck. A big garbage truck the size of a whale, Alec said. It must have been something commercial, taking away material from a construction site. It was the biggest garbage truck Ive ever seen. To avoid hitting him, I hit a tree, I hit a big, fat tree and crushed my car my wifes car. I crushed my wifes car. I feel bad about that. But its all fine, Im fine, and my brothers fine." Police have not released details of the crash, but the truck company involved reportedly told TMZ its driver was not at fault in the accident. Baldwin said East Hampton police officers who responded to the scene were as nice as can be and thanked them for their help. He added that he was headed to L.A. next to see his wife and children. Hilaria, I love you more than anything. Im very proud of you, he said to his wife, who was recently voted off Dancing with the Stars. Baldwin had been in the area for the Hamptons International Film Festival, which ran from Oct. 5-13. He serves as co-chair of its Board Executive Committee and also owns a summer home in East Hampton. Alec Baldwin, 67, recently visited Buffalo to attend the world premiere of Baristas vs. Billionaires Friday at the Buffalo Film Festival, according to WIVB. The Emmy-winning actor produced the film about the Starbucks union drive that began in Buffalo. Stephen Baldwin, 59, confirmed to TMZ that he and his brother Alec were uninjured. Stephen is scheduled to appear the Syracuse International Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, to receive the Sophia Award at the Catherine Cummins Theatre in Cazenovia. Stephen is being recognized for his work as an actor, director, and producer, including roles in The Usual Suspects, Bio-Dome, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, Fled, Celebrity Apprentice and a number of faith-based and advocacy projects like The Resurrection of Gavin Stone. He also directed and produced the 2004 skateboarding documentary Livin It and currently hosts the podcast One Bad Movie, where he interviews industry professionals about their favorite so-called bad movies. Alec, who received a Sophia Award from the Syracuse film festival in 2023, is known for roles in 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, The Departed, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Boss Baby, Beetlejuice, the Mission: Impossible franchise, and an Oscar-nominated performance in The Cooler. In 2021, he accidentally discharged a prop gun on the set of Rust, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins; involuntary manslaughter charges were dismissed in 2024 after a judge ruled that evidence had been improperly withheld. Taylor Swift announced the release of a six-part documentary series titled "The End of an Era" and a new concert film on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/Associated Press) Taylor Swift is giving fans unprecedented access to her historic Eras Tour by announcing two new projects set to release in December, Rolling Stone reported. Swift announced plans for a six-part documentary series titled The End of an Era and a new concert film during an appearance on Good Morning America Monday. Both projects will debut Dec. 12 on Disney+. The pop superstars announcement comes less than weeks after she dropped her 12th studio album. The documentary series will provide behind-the-scenes footage from Swifts record-breaking Eras Tour, which spanned 149 performances across 51 cities over 21 months. According to a press release, the series will showcase appearances by Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Ed Sheeran and Florence Welch, along with Swifts family and friends. The first two episodes premiere Dec. 12, with two new episodes releasing each week thereafter. Swift will simultaneously release Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show, which captures her final Eras Tour performance from Dec. 8, 2024, in Vancouver, Canada. The concert film will feature songs from her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department, material that was not included in her first Eras Tour concert film, released in October 2023, because the album had not yet been released, the report said. The announcements follow the recent release of Swifts latest studio album The Life of a Showgirl, which became the most-streamed album on Spotify in a single day and shattered sales records on its first day of release. Swift also released "Party of a Showgirl" in select cinemas, featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the albums creation and a music video for her song The Fate of Ophelia. The new projects will close out Swifts documentation of the Eras Tour, which became one of the highest-grossing concert tours in history. Jj Forlenza wants to make her credo clear: Im not in this for the money. Im in this for the dogs, she said. family archive STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Jj Forlenza wants to make her credo clear: Im not in this for the money. Im in this for the dogs, she said. Forlenza recently launched her own business, blackdog doghaus, a dog daycare center in Tottenville that celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 27. Born in 1991, in Medillin, Colombia, she was adopted from an orphanage at the age of six months. Her parents raised her in Annadale, where Forlenza has resided for most of her life. As an only child, Forlenza was very close with her parents, Darlene, a homemaker, and Steve, who worked in the tech industry before retiring. Forlenza discovered her love of animals at the age of five when she attended summer camp at the Staten Island Zoo, West Brighton. It was the greatest thing ever. They would show us the animals and we would do activities. I went until eighth grade, then I became a junior docent of the education program, Forlenza said. As a child, Forlenza loved to draw. I drew superheroes, cars, people, dogs, she said. Jj Forlenza loved dogs since she was a child. family archive She dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, a video game designer, and a race car driver. After graduating from Tottenville High School, she enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she obtained an associate degree in illustration. She went on to earn a bachelors degree in graphic design at SUNY Empire State University. After college, Forlenza struggled with anxiety and depression. I kind of took a break on everything. I wasnt ready for a job yet, she said. Pictured is Jj Forlenza. family archive In 2012, Forlenza adopted a pit bull she named Poopah, fulfilling a childhood dream. I never had a dog growing up. I always asked my parents for one, but they always gave me an excuse: they had allergies; there was no room, the typical excuses, she said. Tragically, Poopah died after getting hit by a car. She died in my arms. It was wildly traumatizing, she said. In 2014, Forlenza got a job at a Staten Island dog daycare center, Woof and Tails Lodge in Charleston. Jj Forlenza recently launched her own business, blackdog doghaus, a dog daycare center in Tottenville that celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 27. family archive On the side, Forlenza started two ventures, a pet servicing business that offered dog walking, dog training and pet sitting, and a dog portrait studio, for which she combined her artistic talent and love of dogs. Woof and Tails Lodge closed in 2023. I was pretty devastated when we closed and I lost all of my clients and my dogs, people who were friends and family, Forlenza said. And I wanted to get that back for us, because we made a community. I immediately started searching for places to lease and do my own doggy daycare. It took about a year and a half to find a place. I would say I saw 15 places until I found the one that I have now. Jj Forlenza recently launched her own business, blackdog doghaus, a dog daycare center in Tottenville that celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 27. family archive She named her business blackdog doghaus because all three of her own dogs are black. They are: Hachiko, a mutt; Udon, a Brussels Griffon; and Daruk, a Great Dane. But she doesnt play favorites when it comes to breeds. I like all kinds of dogs, every breed, every shape, every size, she said. Inside blackdog doghouse. family archive A lot of people think working with dogs is just easy, that you get to play with them all day, she said. Thats not the case. Its a very, very, very hard job. Forlenza has her own philosophy when it comes to being in charge. I dont want to be a boss. I want to be a leader, and I want to make sure that I do right by my people, she said. Pictured is blackdog doghouse. family archive What advice does Forlenza have for dog owners? Socialization is key, she said. For a well-behaved dog, socialize them as soon as you get them. Just do whatever you can to make sure that they experience anything and everything so theyre not afraid of anything. Staten Island dogs now have a new place to socialize at blackdog doghaus, where Forlenza and her staff conduct a three-hour interview before accepting a new furry client. We want to make sure that the dog is somewhat comfortable with other dogs in a play environment, she said. If they show any aggression, theyre not allowed here. Born in 1991, in Medillin, Colombia, Jj Forlenza was adopted from an orphanage at the age of six months. Her parents raised her in Annadale, where Forlenza has resided for most of her life. family archive I dont believe that there is any competition in the dog world, whether thats other dog daycares, whether thats trainers, whether thats small businesses for pet supplies, whatever the case is, there are enough dogs to go around, Forlenza said. So I dont believe that theres any competition at all. Were a community. We should just all be helping each other. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The GRACE Foundations Nightmare on Seaview makes its haunted return to Staten Island Oct. 1718, promising bigger scares, louder screams, and spooky fun all in support of the foundations mission to enhance the lives of individuals with autism and their families. Were so proud to bring back Nightmare on Seaview for a second year and this time, its bigger, better, and scarier than ever, said Cathy Del Priore, executive director of The GRACE Foundation of New York. What makes it truly special is that everyone can be part of the fun. Scenes from the GRACE Foundation's Nightmare on Seaview. Photos Courtesy Ventryx Media The GRACE Foundation has provided programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families for more than 25 years. Its initiatives, including community-based activities, day programs, and respite services are designed to promote independence, inclusion, and personal growth. Events like Nightmare on Seaview help fund these vital programs and ensure that they can continue to offer opportunities for individuals to thrive in their daily lives. Scenes from the GRACE Foundation's Nightmare on Seaview. Photos Courtesy Ventryx Media The two-day event will be held at 460 Brielle Avenue in Seaview. Evening activities run Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight. Earlier on Saturday, the event will offer a sensory-friendly Halloween experience from noon to 4 p.m., tailored for guests with sensory sensitivities. Scenes from the GRACE Foundation's Nightmare on Seaview. Photos Courtesy Ventryx Media Nighttime events on Friday and Saturday promise a fright-filled experience for attendees of all ages, with spooky activities, such as a haunted walk through house; axe throwing; carnival games, like ring toss on monster fingers and hit the clown; live music; vendors; Halloween giveaway prizes; and GRACE on wheels food truck offering delicious fall treats. Earlier on Saturday, the event shifts to a sensory-friendly experience that focuses on fun. It will offer an inclusive environment with a no-scare haunted house, decorated trunks, carnival games, vendors, and food truck favorites all without scare actors or sudden effects. Scenes from the GRACE Foundation's Nightmare on Seaview. Photos Courtesy Ventryx Media Tickets for the evening events are $30 per person, and tickets for the Saturday early sensory-friendly Not So Scary Haunted House are $20 per person. All proceeds support the GRACE Foundations programs for individuals with autism and their families. Tickets can be purchased online at https://graceofny.org/grace-events/. Popular GLP-1 weight loss medications now available to members at discounted rates, with additional savings for executive members and specific credit card holders. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon) Costco has entered into the weight-loss drug market, selling well-known medications such as Wegovy and Ozempic at discounted prices. The move is part of a partnership between the wholesale warehouse, and Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind the popular drugs. By partnering with one of the countrys most trusted retailers, we are meeting people where they are and connecting them to real, FDA-approved medicines in our premium pen devices, said Dave Moore the EVP of U.S. Operations at Novo Nordisk. Wegovy and Ozempic are both GLP-1 drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1), and were originally prescribed to treat diabetes and heart disease. In recent years, they have been found to suppress appetite, target obesity and promote weight loss. Although their popularity has grown, they are still some of the most expensive prescriptions on the market, with Wegovys list price at $1,349 a month. Insurance isnt helping either -- according to USA Today, in 2024, only 44% of large employers covered GLP-1 drugs for obesity. This also comes at a time when medical spas and telehealth companies are marketing compounded, unregulated versions of these drugs despite FDA restrictions. Costcos sale of these drugs is increasing accessibility, while putting pressure on competitors to lower prices. Wegovy and Ozempic are now available to Costco members, with executive members and Costco Citibank Visa cardholders receiving an additional 2% discount. GoodRx and NovoCare Pharmacy also offer the drugs for $499/month, with direct shipping to customers homes. The application for the specialized high school exam is now open. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City students who are looking to gain entrance into New York Citys specialized high schools can now register for the exam, which will be offered digitally for the first time this year. Students are offered admission to the eight specialized high schools based on their score on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test, or SHSAT. These schools are: Staten Island Technical High School in New Dorp; Stuyvesant High School; Bronx High School of Science; Brooklyn Latin School; Brooklyn Technical High School; High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College; High School for American Studies at Lehman College; Queens High School for Sciences at York College. Staten Island Technical High School recently ranked as the third best public high school in the city and state, according to Niche, a website dedicated to ranking and reviewing schools across the country. Registration for the SHSAT opened on Oct. 7. How to register Students can register online with their MySchools.nyc account. Students can also register through a school counselor during the school day. The city Department of Education will notify registered students and their school when test tickets are ready to print from MySchools. The ticket will include information about when and where a student will take the SHSAT. Students should bring this ticket when they take the exam. The deadline to register for the exam is Friday, Oct. 31. A digital exam For the first time, students who register will take the test digitally, instead of the traditional paper format. This transition from paper to computer is motivated by the increased support, security, and convenience that accompany digital-based models. To help students prepare, city middle schools will conduct a digital SHSAT readiness activity. After taking the SHSAT, students will be considered for admission to the specialized high schools. For the one audition specialized high school, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, families should apply by registering their child to audition by Dec. 3, then submit the audition materials. The SHSAT is not used for admission to LaGuardia. Testing dates Registered students can take the SHSAT during an in-school day testing date on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Weekend testing dates are also available. Testing dates include: Wednesday, Nov. 12 : Test will be held at students current school. For students who attend an NYC public school that terminates in the eighth grade. Saturday, Nov. 15: Test will be held at a central NYC public school location, which will be listed on the test ticket. For eighth-grade students who attend charter or private school, who are homeschooled, or who attend an NYC public school with grades 6-12. Sunday, Nov. 16 : Test will be held at a central NYC public school location, which will be listed on the test ticket. For eighth-grade students who attend charter or private school, who are homeschooled, or who attend an NYC public school with grades 6-12. Saturday, Nov. 22: Test will be held at a central NYC public school location, which will be listed on the test ticket. For all ninth-grade students. Sunday, Nov. 23: Test will be held at a central NYC public school location, which will be listed on the test ticket. For all ninth-grade students. Students who attend school in Staten Islands District 31 will take a weekend exam at Staten Island Technical High School in New Dorp. Test results There are three ways to get your SHSAT results: These results include a students SHSAT score and up to one offer to a testing specialized high school. However, not all students who take the SHSAT will get an offer to a specialized high school. These schools also do not have waitlists. Students will be notified if they gained entrance into a specialized high school when all high school offer letters are released slated for Thursday, March 5. Offers to the testing Specialized High Schools are based on each students SHSAT score, school preference order and the number of seats at each school, according to the DOE. These offers are made to each school in descending SHSAT score order until all seats at each school are filled. The education department noted that the lowest qualifying score changes each year based on students preferences and SHSAT scores, so students who are testing for a different year should not use past scores to determine their chance of an offer to any of the specialized schools. Former President Barack Obama talks with President-elect Donald Trump before the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP Former President Barack Obama blasted President Donald Trump for his deployment of National Guard troops to deter crime in U.S. cities. Obama said on Marc Marons WTF Podcast that the U.S.s institutional guardrails have been weakened under the Trump administration. He also criticized Trump for deploying the National Guard to Democratic-led cities despite pushback from state leaders. I think there is no doubt that a lot of the norms, civic habits, expectations, institutional guardrails that we had, that we took for granted, for our democracy have been weakened deliberately, Obama said on Mondays episode. I dont think theyre destroyed, but I think they have been damaged and its and theyve been systematic about it. It wasnt controversial for me to go to other countries and say, You know what? Its a good idea for militaries to be under civilian control. Because when you have militaries that can direct force against their own people, that is that is inherently corrupting, he added. He then suggested that the Trump administration is attempting a deliberate end run around of the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars the U.S. military from enforcing domestic laws except when authorized by law. When you see an administration suggest that ordinary street crime is an insurrection or a terrorist act, that is a genuine effort to weaken how we have understood democracy that was understood by Democrats and Republicans, Obama said. He also questioned how Americans and Fox News would react if he sent the National Guard to Texas to deter crime when he was president. If I had sent in the National Guard into Texas and just said, You know what, a lot of problems in Dallas, a lot of crime there. And I dont care what Governor Abbott says, Im going to kind of take over law enforcement because I think things are out of control, Obama said. It is mind boggling to me how Fox News would have responded. Trump has deployed the National Guard to the cities of Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Portland and Chicago as part of his effort to crack down on crime across the country. However, state and local leaders have pushed back on Trumps efforts, as numerous states have filed lawsuits against the deployments. Obama also urged the Justice Department and the court systems to not drag politics into law enforcement. We dont want masked folks with rifles and machine guns patrolling our streets. We want cops on the beat who know the neighborhood and the kids around and thats how we keep the peace around here, Obama said. We dont want kangaroo courts and trumped up charges. Thats what happens in other places that we used to scold for doing that. We want our court system and our Justice Department and our prosecutors to be and our FBI to be just playing things straight and looking at the facts and not meddling in politics the way weve seen lately, he added. NIAMEY, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 369 former combatants who renounced violence have been reintegrated into social and professional life during a ceremony held Monday at the Hamdallaye Reception and Rehabilitation Center in western Niger. Among them were 307 men, 21 women and 41 children. At the end of the ceremony, they received income-generating kits to help support their return to civilian life. The event, organized by the Ministry of the Interior, is part of Niger's disarmament, demobilization and reintegration policy aimed at assisting individuals formerly affiliated with armed groups. This ceremony is a concrete demonstration of the commitment to give those who have chosen to lay down their arms a second chance and to support them in achieving a dignified and sustainable reintegration into society, said Maina Boukar, governor of the Tillabery region, who presided over the event. "This courageous choice not only demonstrates Niger's political will to preserve its strategic independence but also underscores its determination to ensure security and peace throughout the country without relying on external agendas," he added. JERUSALEM/GAZA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel said on Tuesday its forces opened fire on Palestinians who approached troops in the northern Gaza Strip, while health officials in the enclave said at least six people were killed. The Israeli military said in a statement that several "suspects" were spotted crossing the "yellow line," which marks Israeli-controlled areas under the ceasefire deal, and approaching troops, in what it said was "a violation of the agreement." "Attempts were made to distance the suspects. The suspects did not comply and continued approaching the troops, who opened fire to remove the threat," the military said. Gaza's health authorities said at least six Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in two separate incidents. Five of them were killed in Gaza City's Shuja'iyya neighborhood. Eyewitnesses and residents said the group had been inspecting their homes after the ceasefire when an Israeli drone fired a missile. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called the killings "a violation of the ceasefire agreement." In a statement, he calls on "the various parties to monitor the occupation's behavior and not allow it to evade its commitments before the mediators regarding ending the war." The ceasefire, which took effect on Friday, followed days of intensive negotiations in Egypt as part of broader understandings that include a prisoner exchange and arrangements to reopen border crossings and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Under the agreement, the Israeli army would halt fighting and partially withdraw from the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Hamas would release all remaining detainees in exchange for Israel freeing more than 2,000 Palestinian detainees. Meanwhile, according to Gaza Civil Defense, more than 250 bodies have been recovered since the ceasefire took effect, with some retrieved from the streets. The defense teams reported severe difficulties in reaching many areas due to "a significant shortage" of heavy equipment. More than 10,000 people are believed to remain trapped beneath the debris left by over two years of relentless Israeli bombardment. According to the Civil Defense, remnants of war and unexploded ordnance remain scattered across the enclave, posing an ongoing threat to civilians. Israel's war in Gaza has caused famine and left the enclave in ruins, with at least 67,869 people killed by Israeli fire, according to the Gaza health authorities. For decades Gina Rinehart has bristled at the claim of inherited wealth being the cornerstone of her success. But even her staunchest detractors cannot deny her investment nous when it comes to positioning herself at the epicentre of minings new grail, rare earths. Thanks to her investments in these minerals, Australias richest person has become a whole lot richer. This year alone her wealth has reportedly grown by $3.5 billion on the back of rare earths. In fact, US president Donald Trumps pain on the back of Chinas imposition last week of extra restrictions on critical rare earths is only furthering Rineharts financial gain. Gina Rinehart, Australias richest person, has bet big on heightened global demand for rare earths. Credit: Stephen Kiprillis What makes this all the more ironic is that Rinehart is as close as Australia gets to a flag-waving climate denier, and the appeal of rare earths is tied to the role they are going to play in powering the clean, green revolution from electric vehicles to green energy storage. Originally commissioned in 2015, Lance successfully used an alkaline leach method to recover the uranium. However, with the uber-low price of uranium in 2019 starting to bite, the company made the strategic decision to focus on a transition to a lower cost, low-pH acid system, similar to its competitors. Test work in 2020 and 2021 confirmed the Lance ore responded perfectly to the newer processing method, although it took another four years of hard slog to re-engineer the wellfields, lock in funding and secure the all-important regulatory ticks before the company was able to finally fire production back up. A fourfold surge in uranium prices and a more nuclear-friendly US administration have also helped turbocharge Peninsulas comeback. Peninsula Energy managing director and chief executive officer George Bauk said: The strong support we received as part of the equity raise underscores confidence in Peninsulas revised production plan and management team and reflects broad recognition of our progress toward becoming a leading uranium producer. As one of Americas largest uranium in-situ recovery operations, Lance hosts a 58-million-pound JORC-compliant resource across its Ross, Kendrick and Barber areas. With its processing plant back online, Peninsula has reset its sights on a tighter, more realistic production plan, starting with 50,000 pounds of uranium in 2025 and ramping up to between 400,000 and 600,000 pounds a year through 2026 and 2027. By 2028, the company expects to be hitting full stride with annual output of up to 1.5 million pounds. On the ground, a major operational overhaul has seen wellfield designs optimised, injection and production wells tightened from 100 to 60 feet apart, and flow-rate maintenance plans implemented to improve consistency and lower costs. Meanwhile, development and feasibility studies are progressing at the companys Kendrick and Dagger satellite projects, where further resource upgrades are expected to support future growth. At over 1000 ppm uranium oxide, Dagger represents a significant step change opportunity for Peninsula. It is a separate horizon to the north of the existing project that grades about half that amount. With US energy policy now heavily focused on nuclear expansion, including plans to quadruple national capacity and ban Russian uranium imports, Peninsulas timing could hardly be better. Having emerged from its reset stronger, cashed up and now in production, Peninsula Energy now looks set to take its place among Americas next generation of uranium suppliers. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Artist Khaled Sabsabi has received a $100,000 grant from Creative Australia for a new exhibition, months after the agency reinstated him as the Venice Biennale representative for 2026 following his controversial axing. The grant will allow the western Sydney-based artist to create a major new work for the Samstag Museum of Art in Adelaide. Details of the commission are under wraps, but it must be unveiled by the end of June 2027. Artist Khaled Sabsabi has been awarded a $100,000 grant. Credit: Janie Barrett The announcement from Creative Australia makes no mention of the high-profile debacle that followed Sabsabis appointment to Venice, when he was sacked just days later. Together with curator Michael Dagostino, Sabsabi was in February announced as Australias representative for the prestigious event. But the invitation was abruptly revoked after a series of questions in parliament from senator Claire Chandler, then the opposition arts spokeswoman, about several of Sabsabis older works. 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 After Paul Dalgarnos first book was published, he felt flat as week-old champagne. The Aberdeen-born author wrote And You May Find Yourself about moving to Melbourne and trying to make ends meet as a new parent in a new country. His long-held dream of publication was based on the assumption that having a book in the world would be a happy event. That assumption, he discovered, was wrong. Im a shy person, and the book was about my life, Dalgarno explains. It wasnt a million miles from the feeling I had before my one and only stint as a life drawing model. That involved me standing behind a blue curtain in the nuddy listening to artists in a community group chat about last nights telly while my brain told me, Youve got this wrong, Paul, you cant just go out there without your clothes, everyones going to laugh at you, theyll see you in your vulnerable entirety. Paul Dalgarno says publishing a book can feel strangely anti-climactic. The big difference with the book was that, after all that prep to get myself mentally ready, it was like stepping out naked to something much, much worse: virtually nobody was looking at me and I just stood there in my nuddy vulnerability before shuffling back to obscurity and feeling like a first-class numpty. A British YouGov poll on the most desirable occupations had author as the top response. An often-cited stat suggests that 81 per cent of Americans want to write a book. Aspirations are presumably similar in Australia. Balmy days pottering around home while doing some light imagining. Glitzy launches and high-cred festival panels. Respected, listened to, known. Who wouldnt want that sweet gig? Writers and wannabe writers dream of the magical day when their book is published. For some, reality matches expectation. Kylie Mirmohamadi (Diving, Falling), for example, describes euphoria. For others, it means a dose of the blues, or worse. Advertisement This stark contrast reveals a hidden truth: the process that consumes years of a writers life can culminate in feelings of emptiness, disconnection and even quiet despair. Far from the romanticised ideal of the authors journey, publishing a book often triggers a complex emotional aftermath, challenging deeply held expectations. Writers are often loath to talk about it. Loading Australian Society of Authors (ASA) chief executive Lucy Hayward says authors often report feeling flat or disoriented post-publication. The ASA offers a free Members Advice Service and links to the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline, staffed by experienced counsellors knowledgeable about the particular difficulties faced by Australian writers and other creators. Inga Simpson says the overwhelming sound on publication day is silence. Credit: Red Berry Photography The publishing industry is notoriously opaque, and while authors are very generous about sharing what they know with their peers, every authors publication might look a little different, she says. Quite reasonably, some creators might feel a post-publication slump because the reality of publication did not meet their expectations. Writers who imagined heraldic trumpets to signal their books emergence are left with the strained silence of the unvisited signing desk. Advertisement A champagne cork popping is over in a second, says Inga Simpson, who has written nine books, including six novels. The overwhelming sound on publication day is silence. It takes time for a book to leave bookstore shelves, to be read. The moment, the day, is always an anti-climax. Another factor at play is the end of an exclusive relationship. Writers spend so much time alone with their books, sharing them with the world can feel like a rupture. It is such an immersion in another world, one I have created, complete with landscapes and characters and ideas, which at some point became its own wild thing, and me just the one delivering it, Simpson says. Katherine Brabon says she felt untethered after the publication of The Cure. Credit: Eddie Jim It is so intellectually and imaginatively stimulating that when it is over, slumped in exhaustion, I miss the world of that book, which has become more real or preferable than my own. And I miss being in that heightened state. Katherine Brabon, speaking on the day her novel Cure reached bookshops, describes feeling untethered after publication. I think that nothing can surpass the rush of the creative process itself, she says. While post-publication has its own joyful moments a launch, bookshop visits theres something about the internal motivation that the external world cant quite match. The 2022 National Survey of Australian Book Authors found that local writers make an average of $18,200 per annum from their work, a figure presumably skewed by the handful of high-earning luminaries Trent Dalton, Jane Harper, Liane Moriarty and not many others. Most Australian writers arent doing it for the money. Author Jock Serong says he always experiences post-publication desolation. Credit: Nicole Cleary Advertisement But even the critical and commercial success of Jock Serongs seven novels has not inoculated him against publication desolation. It happens every time, Serong says. Fiction moves so slowly, and over this long period, youve poured everything your dreams, your technical ideas, your time, your love into the piece of work. At least at some subconscious level, you come to believe that anything is possible for the book when it comes out. This is not egotism its a kind of logic. Everything went in, so in theory, everything can come out. It might change lives. It might change my life. Then it doesnt. The world consumes the book in a few weeks. People say nice things. Family, friends and fellow writers are supportive. Then the publicity campaign ends, and suddenly its over. Two cold realisations occur inside you. One is that you havent changed the world youve barely made a dint and the other is that you have expended yourself creatively. The everything has left nothing. Loading Serong is a regular guest at writing festivals and says this is a good antidote, giving the book a second life even though it has moved from the front display of bookshops to the shelves or possibly out the back door. Gigs on the speaking circuit, let alone bank balance-bolstering prizes, are never guaranteed, and it can be rough dealing with the glittering success of colleagues. I liken it to having a brilliant and beautiful girl child, says David Owen Kelly, author of Host City. Sending her off to a debutante ball, only for her return in tears with an empty dance card and an ugly spill right down her front, Carrie style, after another deb bumped into her on their way to the podium to accept the Most Popular And Gorgeous award. I want the best for my mental offspring, and when the best fails to happen, its a tragic injustice and a lost opportunity. Novelist Eleanor Limprecht says it can be hard for authors to manage jealousy. Credit: Marco Del Grande Advertisement It takes a long time to write a book and I invest a lot of fantasy in the outcome, which helps me reach the end. Its the collapse of all that fantasy thats miserable. But, as I have to remind myself, the fantasy was nothing more than scaffolding, so it had to fall away. Also contributing is the fact its going to take at least another three or four years if Im extremely lucky before Ill have anything else of worth to show. Seeing that long, lonely highway stretching ahead. Eleanor Limprecht, whose fifth novel, Cul de Sac, is out in 2026, is also brave enough to mention the green-eyed monster. Publicity schedules are filled with perceived slights and rejections, when suggested events or festival pitches are turned down because you arent a big enough name, when your book isnt reviewed in the media or it is but harshly, when you arent invited on someones radio show or someone elses blog, she says. And meanwhile, you must be on social media, where it appears that every other author you know has a 12-city book tour and international festivals. It is so hard to manage this jealousy, and I think the vast gap that sometimes exists between expectation and reality is the main source of the post-publication blues. What helps is therapy, dear author friends to talk to and who will admit to the same ugly feelings, and a new project to busy myself with. Limprecht also says the sensitivity required to be a good writer is a bad fit with the demands of publication. She recalls struggling to sleep as my brain churned with anxiety and imposter syndrome. You have to go from introvert who is rarely seen in public to extrovert who can sit on a stage and engage in a coherent conversation with other authors and clever journalists. Writers and publishers are always eager to see their work reviewed, but this can extract an emotional toll, even when the reviews are positive. After two acclaimed short-story collections, Laura Elverys first novel, Nightingale, was released in May. Shortly after publication I was dismayed that a few reviews had divulged what I saw as key plot points, she says. All those hours years! of deciding what to reveal on the page, and at which moments, and how to shape the narrative timeline were gone. Novelist Laura Elvery found was dismayed by reviews that spoiled plot points in her book. Advertisement The legal team for a teenager accused of killing Universal Store co-founder Greg Josephson during a midweek house party at the 58-year-olds multimillion-dollar Brisbane home say a significant volume of material has been disclosed by the prosecution. Josephson was found dead at the house in the inner-northern suburb of Clayfield in June, during a party attended by dozens of teenagers. A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with murder. Kris Jahnke, representing the accused teenager, told the Childrens Court during a hearing on Tuesday there remained outstanding evidence to be disclosed by the prosecution. Detectives were believed to have had a breakthrough in the case in 2019, charging Preston, a former prison guard at NSWs Goulburn Supermax jail, with murder. He denied the charges and they were dropped in July 2023. Sitting in a wheelchair in a Brisbane courtroom on Tuesday, the 70-year-old was asked repeatedly during the inquest about his police statements in relation to how he claimed to have found the motorbike on the outskirts of Mount Isa then later said he found it in the towns centre. He was asked if he initially told lies about where he found the motorcycle. Preston answered yes. Karen Edwards, Gordon Twaddle and Tim Thomson died in 1978. Credit: Nine When asked why, he said: I dont know, its 47 years ago. I was a young fellow, I panicked. Coroner David OConnell asked him if he moved the location in his police statement to put the bike further away from Moondarra Caravan Park, where the trio had been staying and were last seen alive on October 5. Preston answered no. The coroner repeatedly pointed out that although Preston had claimed privilege from indemnity over his answers, he could still face a risk of perjury. Preston, who earlier in 1978 had travelled from Alice Springs to Mount Isa, reiterated that he struggled to recall dates and places. At one point he told the inquest he had spent a further two days in Alice Springs, despite telling police he left earlier, and his family confirming he arrived in Mount Isa about October 4 or 5. The three were found dead on October 24. The red motorcycle driven by Tim Thomson. Credit: Queensland Police Service His older brother, Ian, told the inquest that at the time, their father, Arthur, had been concerned that the red motorbike in Prestons possession was involved somehow. Ian told the court he also went to police about his brother. He said: The thoughts I had were that I was afraid if anybody had been involved in these sorts of events. When asked who he was referring to, he answered his brother. The 76-year-old recalled how he and his brothers used to go pig shooting with their father when they were boys. The front page of The North West Star on October 25, 1978. Credit: The North West Star Their father, according to Ian, was an avid hunter and shooter. The family also used to shoot kangaroos, sending their skins back to Brisbane to be tanned and sold. When Ian turned 15, he left the family and joined the navy. He did not agree with many of his fathers opinions and wanted to get away, he told the court. After Ian married he returned to Mount Isa with his wife for a trip. During that time, he asked his father about his old .22 pump-action firearm, which he wanted to have back. He was told that Arthurs wife, Yvonne, now had the gun and was using it to shoot, Ian told the court. He said the following year, his brother called him from Adelaide and told him he had bought a BMW motorcycle and had it transported to Mount Isa. Ian said he believed Preston was a member of the Black Uhlans outlaw motorcycle gang and recalled seeing his nickname, Pedro, on his jacket. The court heard that at one time, Arthur Preston told a friend while discussing Bruce and the murders: The little bastard done it. But hes a tough little bastard, and they cant break him. It was suggested to Ian Preston that he was harbouring a family secret that was no longer private, given it was in the public arena. Ian said he was not harbouring anything, and was not aware of his fathers conversation. Merrill Anderson, who lived across the road from the Prestons in Mount Isa, earlier told the inquest she believed Arthur was running interference at the time by suggesting to help police search the Moondarra Dam looking for the bike. Arthur was a ranger who knew the lake and area well. Anderson told the court she quite liked Bruce, who would willingly demonstrate how to ride motorbikes to the kids in the community. She described him as patient and tolerant, and always a gentleman, who never used bad language. But at times, he would be moody, she said. She recalled how she had seen Bruce riding around town with a motorbike, which she believed to be a reddish BMW, and he did not try to hide it. Anderson said Bruce even took her sons for a ride on it to the corner and back. He was not in any way trying to be secretive about the bike, she said. But around the time police began looking for the motorbike in connection to the deaths, Bruce stopped riding it, Anderson said. She recalled how his stepmother, Yvonne, explained to her that the bike was in the shed and needed parts. When Anderson saw the bike one day with marks on the side, she said: You know what, I think this is the bike the police are looking for. The top two executives at one of Australias biggest childcare chains, Affinity, which employed accused Melbourne paedophile Joshua Brown, have stood down from their roles as the federal education minister lashes the companys handling of the case. Affinity Education staff were informed on Tuesday morning in a memo seen by this masthead that embattled chief executive Tim Hickey and chief operating officer Nishad Alani had stepped down from their positions, effective immediately, following months of child safety scandals. Affinity chief executive Tim Hickey has stood down from his role effective immediately. Hickey ran the private equity-owned company for more than a decade but has faced scrutiny over his handling of the ongoing childcare crisis. Alani, who was recently forced to apologise to parents over insensitive comments, was appointed chief operating officer in June last year. In the wake of the resignations, federal Education Minister Jason Clare told this masthead that the allegations of what happened at Affinity centres have sickened Australians. Outgoing WA Liberals policy chair Sherry Sufi says there is a great divide between his partys membership base and its parliamentary wing. Sufi was ousted from his role of 10 years at a Liberal state council meeting on the weekend in favour of addiction counsellor Tabitha Corser. Dr Sherry Sufi. A Liberal insider speaking on the condition of anonymity said the Sufi, who was backed by Andrew Hastie, was ousted as a result of a concerted push by moderates in the party to install a moderate voice on the committee as it grapples with two election defeats this year. In an email sent to party members on Monday night, Sufi spoke about the gap between what party members want and what elected Liberal MPs could do. One of my earliest observations was the great divide between competing expectations from the organisational and parliamentary wings of our party, he said. The consensus view within the organisational wing was, and still is, that the policies the parliamentary wing puts front and centre of its election campaigns should be based on Liberal values as outlined in our We Believe statement. This view manifests itself in the form of widespread expectations that the lay party should have much greater input into the policy development process. In stark contrast, the parliamentary wing has to take a more pragmatic approach. There is always a lingering concern that what the organisational wing considers to be a fabulous policy idea may not always win us an election. Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has defended intervening in proceedings involving a former Labor mayor, saying the matter needed to be dealt with promptly and thoroughly because of the overwhelming evidence of corruption and serious misconduct. In question time on Tuesday, Hoenig said he pressed the Office of Local Government to refer allegations against former Bayside mayor Bill Saravinovski to the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal. This masthead on Monday revealed secret evidence alleging the senior Labor minister pushed OLGs deputy secretary Brett Whitworth on five occasions despite protests that Hoenigs involvement was improper. Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has defended his actions in parliament. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong The Herald also confirmed the Office of Local Government struck a plea deal with Saravinovskis lawyers before a hearing in the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal. Both parties submitted that the former mayor should receive a reprimand rather than being disqualified from office. Whitworth provided evidence during a secret hearing in September alleging that Hoenig pushed him five times to accelerate a submission concerning Saravinovski to NCAT because of a looming Labor preselection in Bayside. Separately, a series of Machiavellian plays ensured senior frontbencher Steve Kampers chief of staff Ed McDougall replaced Saravinovski as the councils mayor. Hawthorns first offer to Essendon for Zach Merrett came about 30 hours before the trade deadline, and wasnt sufficient for the Bombers to even consider it seriously. In normal circumstances, the offer of pick No.9, a future first-round pick, a future second-round choice, and a fourth-rounder or a fringe player (Henry Hustwaite), would be reasonable for an A-grade player who is 30 years old. Time is running out for Hawthorn to offer the Bombers a trade they deem acceptable for want away skipper Zach Merrett. Credit: Getty Images But these are not normal circumstances at Essendon and, as everyone has discovered, Zach Merrett is far from a normal captain or player. Hawthorn have to understand that theyve chucked a small bomb into Tullamarine by trying to purloin a skipper also Essendons best player by a lamentable distance at a time of tumult for the Bombers. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a symposium on the economic situation, and listens to opinions and suggestions from experts and entrepreneurs on the country's economy and relevant work, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday presided over a symposium on the economic situation, and listened to opinions and suggestions from experts and entrepreneurs on the country's economy and relevant work. Since the beginning of the year, despite a complex external environment and challenges in economic operations, China has made continued efforts to sustain its economic recovery and advance high-quality development, Li said after hearing the speeches of experts and entrepreneurs. Li highlighted the importance of maintaining confidence and facing problems squarely, remaining focused on managing China's own affairs well, and striving to accomplish the country's annual economic and social development targets. He urged continued efforts to remove bottlenecks through reform, expand domestic demand, and strengthen domestic circulation. Greater efforts should be made to boost effective investment, stimulate market vitality, and address disorderly and irrational competition, he noted. Li also stressed the need to accelerate the application of scientific and technological achievements, stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment, and enhance the system of comprehensive overseas services. The premier expressed the hope that entrepreneurs will focus on innovation and make greater contributions to high-quality development. He also encouraged experts and scholars to offer valuable insights and advice to help improve China's economic work and contribute to the country's development in the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) period. Advertisement Reviews & adviceHotel reviews Ultimate island stay leaves nothing to be desired except more time Riley Wilson October 15, 2025 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share The lodge Kittawa Lodge, King Island, Tasmania The lodges are private, isolated by clever placement between rolling sand dunes, and entirely off-grid. Check-in Its 20 minutes by car from the tiny King Island airport to the gates of Kittawa Lodge: enough time to switch off the mind in preparation for ultimate relaxation immersion. Co-owner Nick Suine welcomes us before a brief tour, showing us where well find the cellar, board games and a magnesium-spiked cedar hot tub, before pulling a wheel of oozing King Island Dairy brie (topped with Tassie walnuts, Kittawas honey and sprigs of home-grown rosemary) out of the oven. Then he leaves us to it. Advertisement The Retreat. The space Kittawa is a 38-hectare former agistment property in King Islands south-east, 17 kilometres from downtown (read: the airport, FoodWorks and the main strip of museums, butcher and bakery) and 80 kilometres off the north-west coast of Tasmania. The island home to 1600 people across 1098 square kilometres is known for its dairy, beef and kelp industries, and for its KI wave: raising a finger in greeting to every passerby. Our only neighbours are very nonchalant wallabies. Claiming 750 metres of private coastline, Kittawa is composed of three exquisite architect-designed lodges. The Retreat, which opened in May, is a two-bedroom offering that features a decadent outdoor spa. The lodges are private, isolated by clever placement between rolling sand dunes, and entirely off-grid. If the internal appeal of your lodge wanes (note: it wont), soak up the sun on the deck or wander over squishy spring-fed moss to reach the lichen-licked boulders at the churning oceanfront; youll feel the wind wildly whipping across your face from the moment you step outside. The rooms Room with a view. Advertisement The design of the whole complex is thoughtfully and contemporarily Australian, with black ironbark panelling, expansive pitched ceilings and walls that moonlight as gallery space for works by local artists. The Retreat mirrors the aesthetic of the one-bedroom lodges, but here, the timber detailing softens the space and a dedicated bar area puts the Tasmanian-only cellar selection on display. Theres enough room for two couples or a family to spread out in wings at either end, gathering on an oversized couch by a marble coffee table with a 1000-piece puzzle. The entire residence is our personal escape, from the all-you-could-need kitchen and its stocked fridge, to the lush living space thats anchored with a wood-burning fireplace, to the linen-clad king-size beds, the sitting area and massive bathrooms with concrete bathtubs. We dont close the blinds, so captivated are we by the swelling storm battering the floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows. Food + drink Fresh from the sea. Arianna Harry Tasmania-centric dining is part of the package. One night, co-owner Aaron Suine delivers beef carpaccio made with thinly sliced local Porterhouse, prawn spaghettini with handmade egg noodles, and a chocolate torte Nick, Aaron says, makes the sweets. Delectable breakfasts and lunches (the latter available in-lodge or packed into a picnic for off-site adventures) are included too, as well as DIY dinner kits and a pantry stocked with Tasmanian tea, pistachios, local fudge and honey from the teams tea tree-adjacent hives. Out + about Advertisement In the tub, with a neighbour nearby, at Kittawa Retreat, King Island. If you must peel yourself away, visit the sombre Cataraqui shipwreck monument, a nine-minute drive away, or the Calcified Forest 20 minutes away by car, or trek the 93 steps of Currie Lighthouse with King Island Walks to experience a white-bellied sea eagle-eye view of the islands treacherous coast (kingislandwalks.com.au). Alternatively, read books, use the binoculars to follow your neighbours (resident wallabies) bound across paddocks, and finally finish that crossword youve been nursing for weeks. Related Article Tasmania This former hydro plant on Tasmanian lake continues to pump up the luxury The verdict An exceptionally well-considered stay thats as much about the experience of being here as it is about the sophisticated structure youre within. Advertisement The essentials The Retreat features one accessible room and one non-accessible room, from $2350 a night including meals. One-bedroom lodges start at $1650 a night. See kittawalodge.com Rex Airlines (rex.com.au) flies direct from Melbourne Airport. Sharp (sharpairlines.com) flies from Launceston and Burnie; King Island Airlines (kingislandair.com.au) fly from Victorian regional airports. Our rating out of five Highlight Advertisement Settle into luxury: for a weekend, every single thing is thought of and you dont have to do the thinking. Lowlight The roads to get to Kittawa are rustic and rugged, with plenty of tyre-popping opportunities for inattentive drivers along the way. The writer was a guest of Kittawa Lodge and Tourism Tasmania. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Advertisement Travel newsAir travel Opinion New carry-on limits? Ill admit I dont play by the rules Ben Groundwater Travel writer October 15, 2025 5:00am October 15, 2025 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 198 View all comments Qantas has got it all figured out. You just have to scare the crap out of your passengers. I flew Qantas from Sydney to Brisbane last week, and was amused to sit in the departure lounge and listen to the gate attendants explain the rules for carry-on luggage. If you have too much, the attendants said, and we catch you with it, your bags will have to be checked in on another flight. If your carry-on is overweight, it might be offloaded onto the next flight. iStock In other words, fess up now and get your oversized, overweight carry-on stowed in the hold. Otherwise, you will be waiting a few hours for it in Brisbane. I can tell you how effective that threat was, because on board I found something I have never seen before: the luggage compartment above my seat was empty. Completely empty. Not a single bag. For the entire flight. Advertisement Im sure its a difficult thing for airlines to both set policy and then police it when it comes to carry-on luggage. Plenty of customers want to avoid checking baggage these days, given you have to queue up in the airport to do so, then wait again at your arrival airport, and risk having all your gear lost in the process. It makes sense to go carry-on only. And even if you dont do that, there are certain essentials you need to have on board with you now, which quickly add up: probably a laptop, charging cables, headphones, any toiletries you might need on the flight, something to entertain you (given most domestic airlines have abdicated that responsibility), some water, an eye mask, and an emergency change of clothes. Related Article Updated Aviation Virgin to cut carry-on baggage allowance to one bag per passenger And youre going to do all that and stay under 7 kilograms? Good luck. Theres some carry-on about carry-on in the news right now, because Virgin Australia, nominally Australias mid-tier airline, has announced changes to its carry-on luggage rules. Virgin has been allowing passengers two items of carry-on totalling 7kg (plus a personal item such as a laptop or purse), but will now change that to just one item of carry-on, weighing up to 8kg, plus personal item. Advertisement The airline says this new rule is to help deliver an enhanced onboard experience or in other words, the overhead compartments will be less clogged, and passengers will (hopefully) have space to stow their one piece of carry-on right above them, rather than halfway down the other end of the plane. On Australian domestic airlines at least, this puts Virgin in the middle in the carry-on generosity stakes. Jetstar allows 7kg of carry-on (one bag and one personal item), with the option to pay more to go up to 14kg. Qantas allows either one large bag weighing 10kg, or two smaller duffle bags or backpacks totalling 14kg, which, you would have to agree, is pretty generous (though it drops this allowance to 7kg for international flights). The rigidity with which these airlines stick to their rules varies: some days you will find Jetstar staff weighing every bag; some days its a total free-for-all. I have never seen a bag weighed on Qantas, though I have heard stories of it happening to others. None of our airlines, however, are like EasyJet or Ryanair, the very lowest of budget carriers in the UK and Europe, who actively pursue over-sized baggage charges as part of their business models. EasyJet even offers its staff cash incentives to catch passengers trying to get away with extra luggage. Fortunately, most airlines around the world dont work like that, because I have to admit that I dont play by the rules, and Ive never been caught. (I realise, of course, the foolish nature of writing a sentence like that, but here we go.) Advertisement My secret is not to go overboard, not to lug a stupid amount of stuff with me onto the plane. If I know Im going over 7kg on a domestic flight (laptop, camera, chargers, a few changes of clothes), I make sure it all goes in a smallish bag that I can carry on my back rather than wheel along the ground, because that way it looks like youve got less stuff, and no one bothers to weigh it. Related Article Air travel My insane attempt to spend a month in Europe with only carry-on bags If Im using a wheelie bag for longer, international journeys, I make sure I dont have any other bags hanging off it, and just carry a small, extra bag with a laptop in it over my shoulder. Again, it looks like Im not taking the mickey, and international airlines tend to be more relaxed, so no one pays me much attention. I figure, too, that no one is being harmed here. Im not taking up any more space onboard than Im allowed, and the weight Im taking isnt astronomical. Its just a little too much. Virgins new rules, therefore, wont change much for me. Though, I have to say, those threatening announcements from Qantas might just do the trick. Ill keep it to 10kg. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered 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: Air travel Opinion For subscribers Ben Groundwater is a Sydney-based travel writer, columnist, broadcaster, author and occasional tour guide with more than 25 years experience in media, and a lifetime of experience traversing the globe. He specialises in food and wine writing about it, as well as consuming it and at any given moment in time Ben is probably thinking about either ramen in Tokyo, pintxos in San Sebastian, or carbonara in Rome. Follow him on Instagram @bengroundwater Connect via email As they try to convince the US and the EU to keep up their pressure on Lukashenkos regime and fight to save more political prisoners, there has been little time for the family to rest and adjust to their new reality. Svetlana is constantly travelling across the world for meetings and conferences, returning home exhausted. Before, when I was in business, I would come home and there would be a delicious dinner with my wife and children waiting for me. I had their undivided attention. Now its as if the roles are starting to reverse, Sergei said. I constantly tell my wife and children to hug me more often because I dont get enough hugs. Act of love that shook the regime The daughter of a truck driver, Svetlana first met Sergei at a nightclub in 2003 in Mazyr, a small town close to Ukraine. She was training to be an English teacher; Sergei owned the club while producing music videos and concerts. They married after a year, and Svetlana left her teaching career to commit herself to helping their deaf son learn to speak. Lukashenko had already been in power for seven years after ending a brief window of freedom that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union, and in the years that followed he clamped down on critics. In 2019, Sergei launched a YouTube channel called Country For Life, interviewing ordinary people about social problems, corruption and Lukashenko. The channel rapidly gained over 100,000 subscribers. In 2020, he decided to prove a point and register for the upcoming presidential elections. He was predictably denied. But on the way home from the electoral commission, Svetlana had an idea - what if she did it? Svetlana Tikhanovskaya greets crowds in the Belarusian city of Brest during her 2020 presidential campaign. Credit: AP Without discussing it with Sergei, she returned to the commission the next day and submitted her own candidacy, to the smirks of officials. It was an act of love for my husband, she remembers. And it worked. The dictator said that a woman couldnt be president, so they calmly registered her, Sergei said. He was sure that no one would vote for her. But thousands turned out to support Svetlana. On May 29, 2020, Sergei was arrested while collecting signatures for her candidacy. Bloggers and opposition leaders were swept up, prompting hundreds of thousands of Belarusians to take to the streets in protest. Thousands were arrested, beaten, jailed and tortured as Lukashenko, backed by Putin, rounded up his opponents. Belaruss international isolation deepened as the West responded with sweeping sanctions. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko with Russian President Vladimir Putin in China last month. Credit: AP Ukraine and Belarus have one enemy: Putins Russia, which does not allow independence or freedom in either Ukraine or Belarus, considering them to be its sphere of influence, Sergei said. This is the whole problem. If Putin had been reined in [at] Minsk in 2020, there would have been no war in Ukraine in 2022. But Europe remained silent, and so did the US. And now you see what mistakes lead to. Sergei was sentenced to 18 years jail at the end of 2021. Svetlana has since been recognised in the West as the true victor in Belarus 2020 presidential election. I wouldnt say I chose this path, this path chose me, Svetlana said. When life itself puts you in a situation where you have to do something, either you do it or you dont. Sergei did it. I did it without understanding the consequences People in 2020 also followed their hearts. Stranger in his own home When Sergei finally saw his two children for the first time in five years, the couples 10-year-old daughter asked who he was. Arrested as a burly, bearded man with a cheery smile, Sergei emerged from Lukashenkos jails aged and emaciated. When he came out of the bus, I was shocked, recalled Svetlana. If he had walked past me on the street, I would not have recognised him. I was overwhelmed with happiness but also horror. With years in prison to think and plan, Sergei wasted no time getting back into the public eye. He has plans to expand Country For Life, which currently has over 240,000 subscribers, and now travels to meet with Belarusian diaspora in Europe and the US. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya with a portrait of her husband Sergei taken before his incarceration. Credit: TT News Agency via AFP His return to professional life has not been easy for Svetlana. A video capturing an argument between the couple and members of her delegation on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly last month hinted at competing visions. The most difficult thing was that Sergei immediately went public, said Svetlana. But the context had changed and Sergei made several mistakes. We had to conduct some kind of anti-crisis communication. Sergei said that they now work as separate entities and acknowledges that he has much to learn before he can fully return as an opposition leader. I havent found my place yet but we have the same goal - a free, democratic Belarus. Its just that they are tackling this task with more diplomatic tools my path is a little different. Sergei, always an outspoken figure with a penchant for controversies, said that one of the biggest shocks after his release was seeing how tired and defeated Belarusians are now. The mood that we had in 2020 - this spiritually emotional upsurge; it hardly exists, he said. I tell people not to be heroes now, now is not the time, because when the moment comes, we will need each and every one of them, everyone in every enterprise, in the system, in every village, we will need people, Svetlana said. Do not overlook Belarus. Sergei Tikhanovsky has struggled to adjust to the changed political landscape since his release. Credit: Getty Images Svetlana recognises that she will never be able to understand what her husband and thousands of other political prisoners have endured. They are kept in cold cells without bedding, given scraps of food, denied even toothbrushes and toilet paper. After his arrest Svetlana had to make high stakes decisions for her family, alone. She decided to send her two children to Lithuania, fearing theyd be sent to an orphanage, like other children of political prisoners. She was forced into exile in August 2020. I also went through a very long and difficult journey. I had to learn everything from scratch right in the middle of the struggle. No one prepared me for this. Every day you live with huge anxiety, with pain for your husband, for other people, for new repressions, she said. For the first years of his imprisonment, Svetlana told their young children that Sergei was away on a business trip, but when all communication was blocked, she finally told them the truth. I told them, your Dad is in prison, he has bare walls, he doesnt see the sun, he doesnt see any colours. Draw a beautiful picture for Dad so he can remember what the colour red looks like, what the sun looks like, she said. I explained that he was fighting for their freedom and their future, that he was a hero. Sergei is now working to make up for all the lost time with his children. With the living hostages freed, the urgency with which many were driven to call for an end to the war will also likely diminish, easing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the next phases of the agreement. Loading The bodies of four hostages were returned to Israel on Monday, and another 24 are supposed to be turned over as part of the first phase of the ceasefire, which also requires Israel to allow a surge of food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said any delay by Hamas in returning the remaining bodies would be viewed as a violation of the ceasefire deal. What happens now for people in Gaza? While there was an outburst of joy in Gaza for prisoners returning from Israel under the hostage release deal and hope that the fighting may wind down for good, the torment drags on for war-weary Palestinians. Gaza has been decimated by two years of Israeli bombardment. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed. More than 90 per cent of Gazas population of more than 2 million people is displaced. The medical system is shattered. Little remains of its prewar economy. And basic services are in disarray. Homes and buildings have also been flattened and croplands razed. Hunger is pervasive. Those urgent needs will need to be addressed while simultaneously standing up the transitional security and government systems. Theres really no luxury of sequencing here, Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, a senior fellow with the Middle East Institute, says. Everything has to happen all at once. The World Bank, the United Nations and the European Union estimated earlier this year that the cost of rebuilding Gaza would be about $53 billion a process that could take years. Wealthy Arab states are expected to help with that cost, but that buy-in is expected to be met by reassurances that there will be a pathway to Palestinian independence and there will not be a return to fighting. Who will control Gaza now? In Trumps peace proposal, it remains unclear to what degree agreements have been reached on two of the biggest sticking points: how far Israel withdraws from Gaza and how far Hamas retreats from power. Israel still controls roughly half of Gaza, and the territorys future governance remains unclear. Under the US plan, a temporary international body would govern the territory, overseeing Palestinian technocrats responsible for day-to-day affairs. But its uncertain who would staff this temporary body, where it would be located and how the population would respond. Its also unclear who would oversee the so-called Board of Peace, which Trump said he would chair. Despite Trumps plan announcing that former British prime minister Tony Blair would help head the board, the president on Sunday made that sound tentative, too. The Palestinians have expressed displeasure over Blairs possible involvement. Smoke rises after an Israeli military strike in Gaza City on October 8. Credit: AP Hamas has said that Gazas government should be worked out among Palestinians. While the plan envisions an eventual role for Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Authority something Netanyahu has long opposed it requires the organisation to undergo reforms. Abbas himself at 89 years old is unpopular among many Palestinians, and it is unclear whether any uniting figure could emerge to bring together the various factions. Will Israeli troops withdraw completely from Gaza? Under the plan, Israeli forces would leave the area as a multinational force deploys. Again, this timeframe is still to be worked out. The plan would allow the IDF to retain a presence along Gazas perimeter until the territory is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat. The plan calls for an Arab-led international security force in Gaza, along with Palestinian police but it is not known which countries will send forces, how they will be used and what will happen if they encounter resistance. Meanwhile, some 200 US troops are in Israel to monitor the ceasefire, but the Pentagon has said they will play no role inside Gaza. So far, the Israeli military has withdrawn from much of Gaza City, the southern city of Khan Younis and other areas. Troops remain in most of the southern city of Rafah, towns of Gazas far north, and along the length of Gazas border with Israel. Will Hamas disarm? Among the most difficult issues left to resolve is Israels insistence that Hamas gives up its weapons. Hamas, while weakened after two years of war, is far from being out of governance and fully disarmed, as Netanyahu sought. It has so far refused to disarm and wants to ensure Israel pulls out its troops completely. Hamas gunmen stand guard as Red Cross vehicles transporting released Israeli hostages head towards the Israeli border in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Monday. Credit: AP Under Trumps plan, once all hostages were returned to Israel, members of Hamas were to be granted amnesty if they committed to peaceful co-existence and to decommissioning their weapons. Those who wanted to leave Gaza would be provided safe passage to another country. The plan calls for regional partners to provide a guarantee that Hamas complied with these obligations. But a Hamas spokesperson told Al Jazeera that while they were discussing with mediators how to reach a ceasefire, that was not on the basis of surrendering weapons. What about a Palestinian state? The Trump plan acknowledges that statehood is the Palestinian peoples aspiration and expresses the possibility that, in time, conditions would create a credible pathway to achieving it. Loading That seems purposely very vague on the issue of Palestinian statehood, according to Mona Yacoubian, the director of the Middle East Program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. The agreement seems designed, she says, to thread the needle between the minimum that the Palestinians and their Arab supporters will accept without mentioning a two-state solution, which seems to remain a non-starter for Israel. On his way back to the United States on Monday night, Trump pushed aside questions about an independent Palestinian state and told reporters that the issue was separate from his plan for rebuilding Gaza. A lot of people like the one-state solution. Some people like the two-state solution. Well have to see, Trump said. At some point Ill decide what I think is right, but Id be in co-ordination with other states and other countries. Loading The next steps To settle these issues and prevent further fighting, the US and other nations that pushed for the ceasefire must continue to exert pressure and devote attention, experts say. Everything is layered atop a legacy of conflict, deep distrust among the sides, and the vague, conditional possibility of an eventual Palestinian state an issue that has been a core sticking point for decades and a non-starter for Netanyahu. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it would take time to secure the return of the remaining deceased hostages, as finding them in the rubble of Gaza would be a massive challenge. Trump called for the speedy return of the bodies, posting on social media on Wednesday (AEST): A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED! Phase Two begins right NOW!!! Loading With the final 20 living hostages in Gaza reunited with their families in Israel on Monday, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails in return, attention has shifted to the next steps for Gaza. Many questions remain over Trumps 20-point peace plan, including who will govern the wartorn territory and oversee its recovery from the brutal war. In Egypt, Trump headlined a hastily convened summit of world leaders on Monday (Tuesday AEDT), including from Qatar, Turkey and the host, Egypt, who all signed a document committing to the Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity in the Middle East. The 462-word text, later released by the White House, said the leaders acknowledged the Middle Easts cycle of violence could not continue that future disputes must be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend the summit, citing a Jewish holiday, despite earlier reports that he would. Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, which exercises partial control over the occupied West Bank, attended and shook hands with Trump. The US president referred to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the granddaddy of them all, suggesting 3000 years of fighting in the Middle East was at an end. This is the day that people across the region and around the world have been working, striving, hoping and praying for, Trump said. Together, weve achieved what everybody said was impossible at long last, we have peace in the Middle East. Weve heard it for many years, but nobody thought we could ever get there, and now were there. There was little public discussion about the next phase of Trumps plan, which calls for a temporary, apolitical Palestinian committee to provide services in Gaza, overseen by a Board of Peace and a foreign peacekeeping force that will work with Jordan, Egypt and Israel. How Gaza will be rebuilt is still unclear Credit: AP Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Trumps plan was a historic milestone that created the essential political horizon for a two-state solution, which was the only way to realise the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. On board Air Force One back to the US, Trump did not express a clear view on a Palestinian state, saying he was only talking about rebuilding Gaza. The peace plan says the conditions for Palestinian statehood may finally be met when Gazas redevelopment advances and the Palestinian Authority executes significant reform. Earlier, Trump received a heros welcome when he became the fourth US president to address Israels parliament, the Knesset, where he staked his claim as a global peacemaker, congratulated Israel for winning the war against Hamas, and foreshadowed a possible deal with Iran in a loose, colourful speech. Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu showed courage by agreeing to end the war now, after two years, rather than pursuing the complete destruction of Hamas and Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023 attacks that killed 1200 Israelis and took 250 hostages. He revealed he had counselled Netanyahu against holding out for more, suggesting that Israel was losing its remaining goodwill from the world as the war dragged on. More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, including Hamas combatants and civilians. I would say to Bibi [Netanyahu]: Bibi, its now time, Trump told the MPs. If you would have gone on three or four more years, keep fighting, fighting, fighting, it was getting bad, it was getting heated, Trump said. I said: Bibi, youre going to be remembered for this far more than if you kept this thing going, going, going, kill, kill, kill. It would not be the same. Many of Trumps political opponents praised him for achieving the ceasefire, including Joe Biden, who said the road was not easy and he was deeply grateful the day had come. Former Democratic president Bill Clinton also said Trump deserved credit, along with Qatar and other regional actors. Acting Australian Prime Minister Richard Marles told Sky News it was an incredible achievement by Trump and one that would be remembered by history, and that the president deserved a tremendous amount of credit. Footage released by the Israeli government captured the moments the 20 freed hostages reunited with their overjoyed families. There was also celebration in the streets of Gaza as buses brought home some of the 2000 prisoners released by Israel as part of the accord. Praise be to God, our Lord, who has honoured us with this release and this joy, said Mahmoud Fayez, who was returned to Gaza after being detained early last year in an Israeli raid on the main Shifa Hospital. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said watching Israeli hostages reunite with their loved ones was a beautiful thing. This is one for the ages, he told Nines Today program. But circumstances were more difficult for the families of 28 deceased hostages. Contrary to an understanding that most, if not all, the bodies would be immediately returned, Hamas handed over only four on Monday (Tuesday AEST). The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Israel should suspend the agreement until all remains were returned. An agreement must be honoured by both sides, it said. If Hamas does not fulfil their part, Israel should not fulfil its part either. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz accused Hamas of failing to honour its commitments, warning on X: Any delay or deliberate avoidance will be considered a gross violation of the agreement and will be responded to accordingly. Washington: US President Donald Trump has warned Hamas to disarm or be disarmed quickly and perhaps violently as its fighters executed a group of men in Gaza City and Israel accused the terrorist group of violating the ceasefire agreement, including by delivering a body discovered not to be a hostage. A grisly video of the incident, verified by Reuters, came as Hamas released a further four bodies on Tuesday (Israel time), and said another four would be released on Wednesday, prompting Israel to cancel a threat to reduce the flow of aid into Gaza and keep the crucial Rafah border crossing closed. A gunman wearing the uniform of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, stands guard as Red Cross vehicles enter a warehouse allegedly to collect coffins containing the bodies of four deceased hostages, in Gaza City. Credit: AP According to The Times of Israel, the bodies of hostages Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levy were among those transferred on Tuesday, but the Israel Defence Forces later said a fourth body handed over to Israel does not match any of the hostages. The ceasefire brokered by Trump and the US has been tested on both sides. Israel has been accused by Gazas Hamas-run civil defence agency of killing several Palestinians who were returning to inspect their homes following the truce. PHILIPSBURG:--- Fifteen years after Sint Maarten proudly became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the island nation continues to wrestle with a complex question: Has autonomy truly been achieved or has the country been taken back to a form of financial and political dependence reminiscent of colonial days? The milestone date of October 10, 2010 (10/10/10) marked a historic moment. Sint Maarten gained self-government after decades as part of the Netherlands Antilles. The new status promised empowerment a national parliament, a council of ministers, and control over domestic affairs from education and health to tourism and taxation. But while the flag changed and a constitution was adopted, many residents argue that real power remains in Dutch hands. Higher Supervision and the Strings of Autonomy As part of the 2010 restructuring, the Netherlands granted Sint Maarten and Curacao significant debt relief, but attached strict conditions through the Rijkswet financieel toezicht (Rft) the Kingdom Act on Financial Supervision. The Rft created the College financieel toezicht (Cft), a supervisory board that oversees both countries public finances. The Cft reviews budgets, borrowing, and expenditures, and can demand corrections or delays in government spending if it deems the fiscal framework unsound. Although originally intended as a temporary measure, financial supervision has now been extended until at least 2027. The extension underscores the Kingdoms continued belief that Sint Maarten has not yet demonstrated the fiscal discipline required for full self-management. Critics, however, view the arrangement as a leash disguised as a lifeline. Its not real freedom if every budget still needs Dutch approval, one local commentator wrote recently on social media, echoing a sentiment widely shared among citizens. Crisis, Aid, and Conditionality Economic shocks have deepened this dependence. The destruction wrought by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the collapse of tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic forced Sint Maarten to seek emergency financial support from the Netherlands. Billions of guilders in aid and loans flowed to the island but with strict conditions. The Netherlands required administrative reforms, spending oversight, and structural governance changes before releasing funds. Dutch representatives were installed to monitor progress, effectively making local autonomy conditional on compliance. While these measures aimed to protect public money, they reinforced the perception that Sint Maartens self-government exists only on paper. Political Instability and Governance Struggles Adding to the challenge is chronic political instability. Since 2010, Sint Maarten has seen more than a dozen governments, numerous snap elections, and frequent cases of ship-jumping, where Members of Parliament switch allegiances mid-term. This instability has slowed reforms, strained budgets, and often triggered warnings from the Cft. In 2025, the financial supervisor again questioned the viability of Sint Maartens draft budget, citing incomplete documentation and unsustainable spending patterns. Observers note that weak governance gives the Kingdom justification to keep the supervision in place a cycle that perpetuates the very dependence Sint Maarten wants to escape. Back to Slavery Sentiment: A Symbol of Frustration Across social media and local discussions, some Sint Maarteners have used strong language to describe their frustration, saying the island has been taken back to the days of slavery. This comparison, though symbolic, reflects deep-seated post-colonial frustration. Residents argue that Dutch-imposed conditions and oversight mimic old colonial hierarchies, where decisions are made abroad and locals must ask permission to act. The chains may look different, one community activist posted on Facebook, but the control feels the same. Historians note that such expressions are part of a wider Caribbean narrative where economic dependency and conditional aid replace direct colonial rule a system often referred to as neo-colonialism. Dutch Justification: Oversight as Obligation Dutch officials maintain that financial supervision is a legal duty, not a political power play. Under Article 43(2) of the Kingdom Charter, the Netherlands has the right and responsibility to safeguard good governance within the Kingdom. They argue that the supervision ensures stability, prevents corruption, and protects both local citizens and Dutch taxpayers. Autonomy requires responsibility, Dutch authorities often say emphasizing that oversight will end only when Sint Maarten demonstrates lasting fiscal stability. The Path Forward: Balancing Freedom and Accountability Experts agree that Sint Maartens challenge lies not only in resisting external control, but also in strengthening internal capacity. To achieve true autonomy, analysts and reform advocates suggest: Building robust local institutions in budgeting, auditing, and procurement. in budgeting, auditing, and procurement. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism to reduce vulnerability. beyond tourism to reduce vulnerability. Reforming parliamentary rules to ensure political stability and continuity. to ensure political stability and continuity. Engaging the Kingdom in redefining supervision into partnership-based cooperation rather than top-down control. Until such steps are realized, the Kingdoms oversight will likely remain and with it, the debate over whether Sint Maartens autonomy is real or rhetorical. A Promise Yet Unfulfilled Fifteen years after 10/10/10, Sint Maartens journey toward self-governance remains unfinished. The country has its own constitution, parliament, and ministers but its financial destiny still passes through the approval channels of The Hague. For many, this contradiction defines the islands modern identity: autonomous in name, constrained in practice. Autonomy wasnt supposed to mean supervision, a young Sint Maartener said during a recent community forum. We didnt ask for freedom that comes with conditions we asked for the right to make our own choices, and our own mistakes. Until that balance is found, Sint Maartens autonomy will remain a promise powerful in symbolism, but still waiting to be fully lived. Miami, Fla. --- Travelers across the Caribbean are demanding more authentic, locally sourced food, products, and cultural experiences. Yet new survey findings from research conducted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) with 18 of the regions National Hotel & Tourism Associations (NHTAs) reveal that hotels face major barriers in meeting that demand, ranging from unreliable supplies to limited government support. CHTA is drawing attention to these insights as part of its ongoing push to strengthen linkages between tourism and local industries. According to the NHTAs, supply remains one of the toughest challenges: more than half (56%) said local producers cannot consistently provide the quantities needed, with many also citing inconsistent quality and lack of variety. Most associations cited a need to boost support for increased local purchases by the tourism industry, helping to reduce high production costs. Seventy-six percent (76%) said utility subsidies are non-existent or ineffective; 64% said more effective tax incentives for hotels to purchase locally would encourage greater industry purchasing, strengthening domestic producers ability to compete on price; and 56% said incentives to boost local production could be improved. Saint Lucian entrepreneur Vaughn Constable, founder of Twist Saint Lucia and a participant in CHTAs Linkages showcase, which connects tourism businesses with local suppliers, illustrates the challenge. Theres so much pride in creating Caribbean-made products, said Constable. Every bag, every package carries a piece of our identity our flavors, our culture, our craftsmanship. Travelers love that authenticity; they want to taste and experience something thats truly from here, but the logistics, volume and costs make it difficult for small producers to compete locally and regionally, even when theres strong demand from hotels and travelers. During a recent CHTA Linkages webinar, representatives from successful efforts by the Government of Jamaica, the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association and the hotel sector pointed to their successes and echoed the concerns raised through CHTAs research. They identified urgent priorities such as better data sharing, more efficient regional logistics, and stronger financial support for small businesses. CHTAs role is to amplify the collective voice of our National Hotel & Tourism Associations, said Nicola Madden-Greig, Linkages Task Force Chair and Immediate Past President of CHTA. These findings reinforce what we have long advocated: travelers want authentic Caribbean experiences, but systemic barriers prevent hotels from fully meeting that demand. By working with governments and partners, we can create the policies and systems that ensure tourism delivers stronger benefits to Caribbean people and communities. Looking ahead, CHTA is intensifying its efforts to connect buyers and suppliers, create a more competitive pricing environment, strengthen distribution networks, and help entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Strengthening local and regional cooperation on logistics and financing also remains a top priority, making it easier for hotels to source Caribbean first. The Caribbean has many of the ingredients to succeed, with talented entrepreneurs, agricultural and manufacturing capabilities, rich cultural traditions, and an unmatched tourism product, added Madden-Greig. If we break down the barriers and strengthen these linkages, we can ensure more visitor spend stays in our economies, supporting livelihoods and building a stronger, more sustainable future for the region. To further drive collaboration, CHTA will host a dedicated Linkages Showcase at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), November 16-18 in Barbados, spotlighting regional producers and suppliers that support the hospitality sector. The association is also undertaking a detailed assessment of regionally sourced product lines which are available to the hospitality sector. The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) convened the 8th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (COM:FA) on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting, held against the backdrop of global geopolitical volatility, economic uncertainty, and climate crises, brought together OECS Foreign Ministers to chart a unified course on matters critical to the resilience and survival of small island developing states. The Director General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules, underscored the urgency of the Councils work, emphasizing that the challenges facing the region demand swift, coordinated, and sustained action. He highlighted that the Councils deliberations are not just procedural, but vital to shaping policies and programmes that directly impact the resilience, sustainability, and prosperity of OECS Member States. He said: In the face of turbulence, our mandate is clear: to safeguard resilience, defend sovereignty, and chart a sustainable future for our people. The complexity of todays environment reinforces one central truth: our strength lies in solidarity and strategy. We cannot influence global outcomes alone, but together we can ensure our voices are heard and our interests are defended. Looking ahead to his tenure as incoming Chair of the COM:FA, Hon. Frederick Stephenson, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, emphasised: Our states, though modest in size, are indispensable voices in the global community, and we must continue to advocate for the relevance of small states. The seas are rising, but so too is our steadfastness. The challenges gather, but so too does our unity. And in this eighth meeting of COM:FA, may we craft not only a record of proceedings, but a roadmap worthy of our peoples hopes and historys demands The session commenced with the handover of the Chairmanship from the Hon. Alva Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs of Saint Lucia, to the Hon. Frederick Stephenson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Consumer Affairs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Ministers deliberated on a wide range of issues and agreed on decisive steps to safeguard and advance the OECS interests, including: Reaffirmation of the regions commitment to safeguarding and transforming Citizenship by Investment programmes and strengthening the financial sustainability of the OECS. Agreement to enhance coordination and advocacy ahead of COP30 in Brazil, with a focus on climate finance, adaptation, and loss and damage. Progress on the Free Movement of Persons regime, with calls for harmonisation, retraining of border officials, and actuarial studies to manage social impacts. Haitis crisis, emphasising humanitarian assistance, diplomacy, and Haitian-led solutions. Updates on U.S. trade measures and their impact on OECS economies, with commitments to intensify diplomatic engagement and avert fisheries bans. Endorsement of the continued expansion of the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme, with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines confirmed as host of the Eastern Caribbean Liaison Service (ECLS) office in Canada. Support for the OECS Joint Embassies in Rabat as a cost-effective platform for advancing relations with Morocco and Africa. Updates from Antigua and Barbuda on the launch of the SIDS Centre of Excellence, the establishment of an Island Investment Forum, the introduction of a Debt Support Initiative, and their announcement to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2026. The meeting brought together Ministers of Foreign Affairs from OECS Member States, who convened to deliberate on shared priorities and advance a unified regional agenda, including Hon. E.P. Chet Greene - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Joseph Andall - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development, Grenada and Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Economic Development, International Trade, Investments and Industry and Commerce, Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Council closed the meeting with a renewed sense of purpose, emphasizing that the decisions taken were not just administrative outcomes but concrete steps to protect livelihoods, strengthen regional unity, and amplify the Caribbean voice on the global stage. Ministers agreed that the coming months will be critical for advancing key priorities, including climate advocacy ahead of COP30, safeguarding the regions economic interests, and strengthening the OECS joint diplomatic presence worldwide. To this end, a special virtual meeting will be convened before November 2025 to accelerate work on joint mission restructuring and to consolidate progress on the Councils commitments. ISTANBUL, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police on Tuesday detained 17 suspects in a nationwide operation targeting the financial networks of the Islamic State (IS) militant group, local authorities said. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said the investigation identified 42 suspects involved in transferring a total of 80 million Turkish liras (about 1.9 million U.S. dollars) to fund IS activities. Among them, 22 are currently abroad, and arrest warrants have been issued for their capture. The coordinated operation, conducted across six provinces with Istanbul as the central hub, led to the detention of 17 suspects, while efforts continue to locate and apprehend the remaining fugitives. Turkiye designated IS as a terrorist organization in 2013 and has since suffered multiple attacks carried out by the group. In response, Turkish security forces have intensified counterterrorism operations both domestically and abroad to dismantle IS networks and prevent future threats. Press Release from Business Wire: TAMM Abu Dhabi (AFP) Oct 13, 2025 ABU DHABI, Oct 13, 2025 (BSW) - Abu Dhabi is unveiling the world's first AutoGov function with the latest version of TAMM today at GITEX Global 2025. AutoGov automatically manages recurring tasks - from license renewals and utility payments to scheduling routine healthcare appointments - running in the background of daily life so that people have more time to do the things they love and never have to worry about routine services. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013919760/en/ His Excellency Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement - Abu Dhabi (DGE) (Photo: AETOSWire) The TAMM AutoGov function launch takes service delivery to the next level, marking a pivotal milestone in Abu Dhabi's journey to becoming the world's first AI-native government, representing the next generation of integrated intelligent service delivery. It can automatically manage recurring services, with users having the ability to set preferences, customise automation, and trust that services will happen seamlessly and securely. This complements the capabilities of the TAMM AI Assistant, enabling a unique intuitive seamless delivery of over 1,100 public and private services on a single digital platform. TAMM AI Assistant provides smart, contextual, and proactive support, can complete many services on the customer's behalf - enhancing both personalisation and proactivity across every user journey. His Excellency Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement - Abu Dhabi (DGE), said:"The launch of TAMM AutoGov is truly transformative, redefining what government means in people's lives. Here, government is no longer reactive. It's a partner that is intelligent, human-centred, and present at the moments that matter most. With the world's first transactional AI public servant, Abu Dhabi is showing the world what anticipatory government looks like." Anticipatory journeys powered by AI The public will be able to experience TAMM as a proactive companion with AI managing entire user journeys across the platform, with several new functions launched, in addition to TAMM AutoGov. AI Vision and Smart Guide simplify complex processes with step-by-step spoken and visual cues, real-time document scanning, and error-free submissions. Translator and voice-enabled services make interactions inclusive, enabling hands-free navigation in both Arabic and English. Through personalised dashboards, people are reminded of upcoming tasks, deadlines, and insights tailored to their lives. Together, they transform interactions that once took hours into seamless experiences completed in moments. His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al Askar, Director General of TAMM, said:"These new TAMM features redefine what government means in daily life. We're moving away from one-off transactions to intelligent journeys that adapt to each person's needs. People can focus on their families, their work, and their ambitions, knowing that government is working quietly in the background for them. This is the true promise of an AI public servant - to give people back time and peace of mind." Redefining customer experiences Beyond automation, TAMM is introducing new ways for people to connect with government that feel more human, accessible, and participatory. TAMM Spaces has been expanded to include three new hubs - Family, Mobility, and Sahatna (health) - each designed around life's milestones and daily needs. From managing medical records and school updates to planning transport and engaging with local communities, these hubs organise essential services around real-life experiences rather than government structures. TAMM Hologram will also be rolled out across the emirate, reimagining face-to-face interaction through mobile pods that will allow citizens and residents to be instantly connected with a live government agent. Through hologram technology, these agents will be able to provide face-to-face personalised support in both Arabic and English in real time. This preserves the reassurance of human interaction while delivering the speed and convenience of digital access. TAMM by You is also a new collaborative feature that will be introduced, allowing residents to propose, vote, and shape the future of services in line with Abu Dhabi's Year of Community. His Excellency Saeed Al Mulla, Director General at DGE, said:"These enhancements to TAMM are all about bringing government closer to the rhythms of everyday life. At its heart, what we are working to achieve is an effortless government, one that makes life simpler and more connected to the communities we serve. It is about knowing that support is always within reach, that government listens to daily needs, and that services adapt to the moments that matter most." Expanding the TAMM ecosystem TAMM continues to grow its ecosystem, now integrating over 1,100 services from over 90 public and private partners. This year, new partnerships include ADX, Comera, and Wio Bank, as well as first-time services with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) and SAAED. These new integrations will allow users to complete end-to-end transactions with private sector partners directly within the app. The unveiling of TAMM AutoGov in this latest update to the emirate's super app at GITEX Global 2025 marks a critical milestone as part of the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027. With the world's first AI public servant at its heart, Abu Dhabi is setting a new global benchmark in digital government - empowering people with confidence that every interaction will be seamless, inclusive, and designed around their lives. About DGE The Department of Government Enablement (DGE) is enabling Abu Dhabi government entities to unlock their potential and shape the government of the future. DGE provides next-generation government services via effortless customer experiences, and formulates policies and frameworks to enable a streamlined, resilient, and fully technology-empowered government that can best support government entities, citizens, and residents with seamless and customer-centric service delivery. DGE was established in 2023, bringing multiple government entities under one organisation: the Department of Government Support, Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, Human Resources Authority, Abu Dhabi School of Government, TAMM, and Mawaheb, with the Statistics Center Abu Dhabi as an affiliate entity. DGE leads the digital transformation for the Abu Dhabi Government. Source:AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013919760/en/ Contact Bedour Mossa, [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: Comcast Technology Solutions (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 PHILADELPHIA & BONN, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS), a division of Comcast delivering media and connectivity innovations globally, today announced a major collaboration with Deutsche Telekom (DT) to introduce cutting-edge, whole-home WiFi Mesh technology in Europe. This strategic partnership brings together Comcast's cloud-based WiFi Mesh Platform, already deployed at scale in North America and Europe, with DT's European market strength, to provide seamless, intelligent connectivity across the home. The solution enables customers to enjoy reliable, self-optimising WiFi coverage that adapts dynamically to device usage and home layouts. "As expectations for seamless in-home connectivity continue to grow, we're focused on delivering high-performance, reliable solutions that meet those needs," said Pedro Bandeira, Senior Vice President of Product and New Business at Deutsche Telekom. "Comcast's proven technology supports our vision for future-ready broadband." A WiFi Solution Built for Reliability, Innovation and Scale The CTS Connectivity Platform includes mesh agents for both gateways and extenders, hosted cloud orchestration, and a suite of public APIs that integrate easily with DT's back-end and customer-facing systems. Notably, the solution supports both legacy and modern broadband infrastructure, enabling backward compatibility while paving the way for scalable innovation. Key features include: -- Real-time WiFi optimisation including band steering, dynamic channel selection and reliable coverage across devices throughout the home. -- Cloud-hosted analytics and controls delivered via data streams. -- Seamless integration into DT's customer experience platforms and apps. -- Access to Comcast's ongoing technology roadmap, enabling continuous innovation and future feature enhancements. The collaboration also establishes a long-term services model for DT, providing software updates, release management, and telemetry support. By leveraging Comcast's solution, DT benefits from enhanced speed-to-market while reducing dependency on legacy vendor infrastructure. "We're proud to launch a new stage in our relationship with Deutsche Telekom in Europe through this innovative WiFi solution," said Fraser Stirling, Global Chief Product Officer at Comcast and Sky. "Together, we're enabling a next-generation broadband experience that is scalable, reliable and intelligent." To learn more about Comcast Technology Solutions' Connectivity Platform, visit:https://www.comcasttechnologysolutions.com/connected-living More information about Deutsche Telekom is available at:https://www.telekom.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013236649/en/ Contact Mary CosmidesComcast Corporate Communications267.207.5279 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: WorldFirst (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 BANGKOK, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - Ant International's WorldFirst, an all-in-one digital cross-border payment and treasury account service for global businesses, announced the official launch in Thailand at its Bangkok Global Voyage event. It will provide Thai SMEs with efficient and secure global account service to simplify international payments and fuel their expansion. The offerings are delivered through the partnership with 2C2P and its subsidiary 2C2P Plus, a Southeast Asia-based payments provider licensed by the Bank of Thailand. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013985398/en/ WorldFirst CEO Clara Shi kicks off WorldFirst's official launch in Thailand The Going-Global: Seizing the Next Great Opportunity in Digital Trade report (Deloitte & WorldFirst) identifies Thailand as a High-Potential Market with strong digital trade growth. This outlook is driven by its SMEs, which represent 63.1% of all exporters and are central to achieving 5-7% export growth by 2025. In this context, the Thai government is promoting a tech-forward ecosystem to equip local businesses with digitalised tools for global expansion. There is stimulating demand for innovative financial services across the country, further establishing Thailand as a rising manufacturing hub in ASEAN. WorldFirst finds Thai merchants actively pursuing multi-currency management, global sourcing, and new market entry solutions-now key priorities for their growth. Unlocking global growth with a unified global account According to WorldFirst, thousands of Thai SMEs have registered for its services since 2025 during the beta phase. The company has collaborated closely with many of local merchants to gather feedback and continuously refine its offerings to better meet their evolving needs. WorldFirst's service portfolio currently includes: -- World Account: A unified global account for international payments, collections, FX conversion, and treasury management. Thai Merchants can apply for the World Account online in minutes to collect in Thai Baht and 20+ other currencies, simplifying transactions with security. -- Global Sourcing Solutions: Thai merchants sourcing from international suppliers can make payments in over 100 currencies to 200+ countries and regions through World Account. To further support the growing China-Thailand trade corridor, they also gain access to "Pay to China" solutions, enabling efficient payment with Chinese suppliers through instant transfers to 1688 and Alipay. -- Robust Ecosystem Partnership: WorldFirst simplifies global commerce by connecting Thai merchants to 130+ marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart and a network of over 300 partners for logistics, taxes, marketing and other trade service suppliers. This integrated ecosystem provides a comprehensive solution for businesses expanding into new international markets. The product value is reflected in client experience. Mr. Chaiwat Theerasong, CEO of Loyally Active LLC, shares his experience: "As an Amazon seller, speed and reliability in payments are crucial. Since switching to WorldFirst's World Account, the difference has been clear-lower exchange costs, timely collections through a user-friendly interface, and a support team that truly understands real-world seller challenges. Now I can focus more on growing my sales." "Thailand's digital economy is thriving, yet cross-border payments remain complex. We are here to help change that. WorldFirst empowers Thai businesses with global account service to expand globally, boost revenue, and streamline operations-all while deepening our investment and commitment across Southeast Asia." said Clara SHI, vice president of Ant International and CEO of WorldFirst. At the heart of WorldFirst's global account service is its strategic application of artificial intelligence, which enables a more secure and streamlined experience for Thai SMEs. By embedding AI across its technology capabilities, WorldFirst strengthens risk control, boosts processing efficiency, and delivers a more responsive customer experience. Mr. Vutthisak Kanchanaporn, Director of the Office of Digital Commerce Market, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, alongside representatives from over 100 local partners, attended WorldFirst's Global Voyage Bangkok event. The gathering served as a collaborative step toward building a more digitalized ecosystem for Thai SMEs. The launch also expands WorldFirst's investment in Asia Pacific where its services are available to support businesses in China, Hong Kong SAR, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. About WorldFirst WorldFirst offers cross-border payments and treasury services through its global business account, empowering growth for SMEs in e-commerce, trade, and the broad platform economy. WorldFirst simplifies key financial operations, including international payments, collections, currency conversions, and treasury management, all in a one-stop account. Leveraging the technological strengths of its parent company Ant International, WorldFirst delivers industry-leading transaction security and reliability. WorldFirst has supported over 1.2 million customers, enabling payments in 100+ currencies across more than 210 countries and regions. Learn more about WorldFirst at https://www.worldfirst.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013985398/en/ Contact For media queriesXiaoyi [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: The Este Lauder Companies Inc. (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 PARIS, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL), under the High Patronage of Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic,today announced the opening of its Fragrance Atelier within its new La Maison des Parfums on Rue Volney in Paris. This newly established global innovation hub is fully dedicated to world-class fragrance expertise, advanced technologies and cutting-edge capabilities, and will accelerate the company's strategic ambitions in luxury and prestige fragrances. Rooted in the legacy of Mrs. Estee Lauder's pioneering vision and her lifelong passion for fragrance, the Atelier's opening marks a significant milestone in the company's longstanding commitment to fragrance excellence and craftsmanship. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013447078/en/ The Exterior of La Maison des Parfums "It is with great pride and excitement that we open our Fragrance Atelier in Paris," said Stephane de La Faverie, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estee Lauder Companies. "Building on our incredible heritage of creativity and innovation, the Atelier will propel our future growth in this dynamic category - uniting world-class expertise, cutting-edge technology, and the artistry of fragrance to accelerate innovation across our portfolio. Located in the cradle of perfumery, our teams will blend state-of-the-art technology, data-driven intelligence, and olfactive expertise to craft the next generation of extraordinary scents for our consumers worldwide." "The Fragrance Atelier is an exciting new model for creation - a space that harnesses creativity and science to shape the future of fragrance," said Rene Lammers, The Estee Lauder Companies' Chief Research & Innovation Officer. "This hub brings together experts from across our fragrance brands and partners in an environment purpose-built for experimentation. Together, they will accelerate the journey from inspiration to formulation and ultimately to the final consumer experience." A Bold Addition to The Estee Lauder Companies' Innovation Network The Atelier further enhances The Estee Lauder Companies' global research and innovation network across the United States (New York and Minnesota), China (Shanghai), Europe (Belgium), and Canada (Toronto). Together, these sites seamlessly integrate category- and region-specific strengths to drive breakthrough discovery across the full spectrum of beauty. The Atelier introduces an AI-enabled, end-to-end creation process that combines olfactive and neuroscience modeling with real-time monitoring of patents, research, and regulations. These resources will accelerate discovery, develop new technologies, fuel experimentation, and enable faster response to evolving consumer trends, reducing fragrance development lead times by up to 30-50% in the coming years. A Transformative Space Custom Built for Fragrance Innovation Inside the Atelier, specialized co-creation and innovation spaces bring artistry and science to life. In the Music Room, perfumers from leading fragrance houses and brand teams collaborate to compose signature accords and explore new olfactive territories. In the adjoining laboratories, experts use CO? supercritical extraction, GCMS molecule analysis, and AI-driven sillage measurement to understand fragrance structure and longevity at the molecular level. Proprietary neuroscience-based consumer modeling transforms sensory data into insight, helping creators design fragrances that stir emotion and inspire desire. Serving as a shared innovation engine for all fragrance brands within the company's portfolio, the Atelier accelerates collaboration and discovery across Jo Malone London, TOM FORD, Le Labo, KILIAN PARIS, and Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, as well as across Estee Lauder, Clinique, AERIN Beauty, Aramis, and BALMAIN Beauty fragrances. Each brand retains its distinctive voice while drawing on shared access to next-generation technology, proprietary ingredients, and scientific expertise. Located in the heart of Paris, La Maison des Parfums unites the company's fragrance, creative, and innovation teams within a five-story, 2,000-square-meter space that blends French craftsmanship with modern design. Its architecture evokes the composition of a fragrance - travertine as the base, artisanal details as the heart, and light-infused finishes as the top note - creating an immersive environment where heritage and innovation coexist in harmony. Deepening The Estee Lauder Companies' Commitment to France The Atelier's opening underscores The Estee Lauder Companies' enduring commitment to France, a country whose strong culture of innovation and investment continues to make it a vital strategic market and creative hub for the company. The company's presence in France spans nearly six decades, beginning with its first French office in 1966. Today, Paris serves as the location for the company's EUKEM regional headquarters, a newly created geographic cluster encompassing Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and emerging markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as the headquarters of the company's French sales affiliate. The Estee Lauder Companies employs more than 1,200 people in France and proudly operates the global headquarters of several of its brands there, including KILIAN PARIS, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, Darphin Paris, and Lab Series. The establishment of La Maison des Parfums and the Fragrance Atelier builds on this foundation, further connecting the company to France's world-renowned ecosystem of perfumers, suppliers, and creative talent. "We are extremely proud that The Estee Lauder Companies has chosen France as the location for its new Fragrance Atelier - an innovative project announced at the most recent Choose France summit," said Pascal Cagni, French Ambassador for International Investments and Chairman of the Board of Business France. "Their choice demonstrates the confidence that international leaders have in French excellence, which is driven by a unique ecosystem of creative talent, innovation, and globally recognized expertise. The French perfume and cosmetics industry, with more than EUR30 billion in revenue, is a key driver of growth and attractiveness. The Estee Lauder Companies' Fragrance Atelier is a perfect demonstration of France's ability to offer companies an environment conducive to the development of their most ambitious projects. I commend the remarkable work of the Business France teams which enables France to remain at the forefront of the global perfume industry." Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include those in the various quotations. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, actual results may differ materially from the Company's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include the ability to successfully implement the Company's strategy, including Beauty Reimagined and the profit recovery and growth plan; successfully transition its leadership; and those other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise. About The Estee Lauder Companies The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company's products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estee Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M*A*C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013447078/en/ Contact Media Relations:Lauren [email protected] Investor Relations:Rainey [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: Verne (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 LONDON, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - Verne, the leading provider of low-carbon high-performance data centers across the Nordics, has today announced that Glesys, a leading Nordic provider of cloud and IaaS services, will acquire Verne's managed private cloud operations in Finland, including data center facilities in Pori and Tampere. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251006898290/en/ Pori Data Center Tunnel Corridor The agreement reflects both companies' strategic priorities: for Glesys, it represents an important step in expanding its cloud and IaaS services, strengthening its position as a market leader in the Nordics and enhancing its capacity to deliver secure, energy-efficient and scalable solutions in the region. For Verne, it supports a sharpened focus on delivering low-carbon, high-performance colocation for AI and enterprise workloads, including its expansion plans in Mantsala, announced earlier this year. Glesys and Verne will continue to work closely together to ensure service continuity and a seamless transition for customers, employees and vendors. "We're pleased to welcome a talented team and a strong customer base through this agreement with Verne. It expands our data center footprint in the region, enhances our ability to deliver scalable and sustainable infrastructure, and supports our ambition to grow cloud and colocation capabilities across the Nordic region. Finland is a key market for us, and we look forward to working with our new colleagues, customers, and partners to build a trusted platform for digital growth," said Glenn Johansson, CEO, Glesys. "Our strategic decision to sell our managed private cloud operations enables us to sharpen our focus on what we do best: providing low-carbon, high-performance colocation services for the most demanding AI and enterprise workloads. This agreement allows us to align our operations more closely with those core strengths. "By bringing our Finland operations into alignment with our core business we are also strengthening our go to market proposition. This transaction ensures that we are perfectly positioned to meet the rapidly increasing demand for AI-ready colocation data centers. This focused, strategic step reinforces our long-term vision and commitment to being the go-to partner for low-carbon, high-performance colocation infrastructure across the Nordics and beyond," said Dominic Ward, CEO, Verne. Torch Partners acted as exclusive financial adviser to Glesys, and EY-Parthenon to Verne, in the context of this transaction. About Glesys Glesys is a Nordic Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provider dedicated to creating a better place for data. With state-of-the-art data centers in Sweden and Finland, we combine regional presence with global reach to deliver secure, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure across cloud computing, connectivity, and colocation. Our platform is powered by 100% renewable energy and certified to the highest ISO standards for quality, environmental management, and information security. Rooted in Nordic values and a challenger mindset, we work side by side with our customers to turn complex challenges into opportunities for digital growth. By combining technical excellence with a human approach, Glesys enables organizations to build resilient, sustainable digital services that benefit businesses, communities, and society at large. About Verne Verne provides low-carbon high density data center services that enable organisations to cost-effectively scale their digital infrastructure while reducing their environmental impact. The company's Nordic data centers, located in Iceland and Finland, are powered by 100 percent renewable energy, optimised for high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI) and other intensive workloads, and supported by a dedicated team of onsite experts. Verne also operates a hyper-connected data center in central London, which serves as a strategic hub for applications requiring low latency and robust connectivity. The sale is currently subject to authorities' approval. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251006898290/en/ Contact For more information, please contact [email protected] Glesys: Kari Paivarinta CM Finland, [email protected] Fredrik Dobber CCO, [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. MANILA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Tuesday that it has approved a policy-based loan of 400 million U.S. dollars to support reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the Philippines' insurance industry, creating an enabling environment for broader participation in the sector, and helping stimulate stronger economic growth. The Insurance Reform Program Subprogram 1 supports broader financial sector development reforms in regulation and supervision, including greater intermediation of long-term credit for government infrastructure projects, the Manila-based bank said in a press release. The ADB said that it is designed to foster a more efficient, consumer-oriented, and technologically advanced insurance market that strengthens climate risk management and disaster resilience. "This program is a strategic investment in the Philippines' sustainable and inclusive economic future. By modernizing the regulatory framework, we are not only strengthening the insurance industry itself -- we are building a critical line of protection for the nation, mobilizing long-term capital for development, and ensuring that the benefits of economic growth reach every Filipino entrepreneur and household," said ADB Country Director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries. Press Release from Business Wire: PPG (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 PITTSBURGH, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced the introduction of PPG MIX'N'SHAKE? automated stirring technology designed to eliminate traditional manual stirring methods in the automotive refinish industry. The system, which is available globally, improves paint mix consistency, reduces consumable waste and saves time for painters and body shops. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013065453/en/ PPG MIX'N'SHAKE? automated stirring technology replaces manual stirring processes to ensure a homogenized paint mix, complete color accuracy, and a better workplace. The PPG Mix'n'Shake system will debut at the EQUIP AUTO trade show in Paris taking place Oct. 14-18. PPG will also showcase its PPG LINQ? digital ecosystem, which is a finalist for the prestigious EQUIP AUTO Innovation Award. Because the PPG Mix'n'Shake system eliminates manual stirring, it ensures consistent color accuracy, reduces rework and boosts productive work hours by up to 6%, according to company data. The system delivers a fully homogenized, ready-to-spray paint mix in less than 90 seconds through a unique, automated stirring device combined with an exclusive notched cup that attaches directly to the spray gun. The device and cup design are both patent pending. "The PPG LINQ digital ecosystem and PPG MOONWALK(R) automated mixing system have transformed color identification and paint mixing in the refinish industry, but the repetitive final step of stirring has remained largely unchanged," said Alban d'Epenoux, PPG global marketing director, Automotive Refinish. "The PPG Mix'n'Shake system addresses this, ensuring that painters achieve an accurate mix every time without the inefficiencies and inconsistencies of manual stirring, ultimately freeing up time for higher value tasks." The PPG Mix'n'Shake technology features pre-programmed settings for primers, basecoats and clearcoats. Users insert the notched cup, select a setting and let the device handle the mixing. Once complete, the cup attaches directly to a spray gun, reducing handling and streamlining workflow. "We found that body shops that typically do six repairs per day can save up to 16 working days a year with PPG Mix'n'Shake," said d'Epenoux. "The system also reduces the cost of consumable waste such as stirring sticks, mixing cups, strainers, and other disposables by up to 10%." The self-contained system eliminates spills and splashes to create a cleaner, more organized and attractive workspace. It is also compatible with both waterborne and solvent-borne formulations and integrates with the PPG LINQ digital ecosystem for enhanced workflow management. For more information, visit ppgmixnshake.com. PPG will be exhibiting at EQUIP AUTO at Hall 3 Stand B090, where attendees can experience live demonstrations of the PPG Mix'n'Shake system and learn more about PPG's digital solutions during scheduled presentations and speaker sessions. View the commercial video here. The system will be marketed and distributed under PPG's SEM brand as SEM Mix'n'Shakein its U.S. and Canada, and Australia and New Zealand regions and as PPG Mix'n'Shake in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific. PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD(R) At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers' biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.8 billion in 2024. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com. Mix'n'Shake and PPG LINQ are trademarks and MoonWalk, the SEM Logo, the PPG Logo and We protect and beautify the world are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251013065453/en/ Contact PPG Media Contact:Michelle DeemerAutomotive Refinish+1 412 434 [email protected] www.ppg.com 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: Cropster (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 INNSBRUCK, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - Cropster, the global software for coffee businesses, today announced its acquisition of Firescope, a South Korea-based developer of innovative roasting software. The acquisition gives Cropster a strong foothold in the independent roasting market where Firescope has established itself as the leading provider to more than 3,000 small roasters in Korea, Japan and Asia. Underlining Cropster's commitment to the rapidly growing Asian market the deal includes plans for continued investment in the Firescope team as it becomes the company's new sales and support hub in the region. The deal will also see Firescope's unique self-service solution for small roasters made available globally after integration into Cropster's platform, providing a key component as the company creates the first end-to-end platform covering the entire coffee supply-chain. Andreas Idl, Co-Founder & CEO of Cropster, said"Our vision is to digitalize the entire coffee supply-chain from initial production, through the roasting and sales process, to high-quality distribution through cafes. Firescope is an important part of the puzzle but we intend to acquire several more companies to realise our 'crop-to-cup' vision." Jason Jin, Co-Founder & CEO of Firescope, added: "Firescope's success in South Korea and other Asian markets laid the foundation for our next phase. Joining Cropster provides us with the resources and reach necessary to bring our solutions to small roasters worldwide. We're excited to join Cropster, whose deep industry expertise will help us improve how roasters access and utilize data to grow." Ralph Karg, Director at Verdane, added:"With the acquisition of Firescope, Cropster can now connect passionate micro roasters to its ecosystem, helping them bring their specialty coffee products into the global supply chain to support growth. Asia plays a vital role in the expansion of specialty coffee, and with this agreement, Cropster is now positioned as the leading provider throughout the region." Firescope to Continue with Seamless Integration into Cropster's Ecosystem Firescope will remain a fully supported standalone product initially, with plans to integrate into the Cropster portfolio over the next 12 months. The merger will expand Firescope's global reach, helping small roasters worldwide harness the power of data. The integration means customers will benefit from scalability and integration to support their growth without interruption. Cropster empowers coffee businesses to simplify complex processes with clear, data-driven decisions - a reason it's already trusted by leading coffee companies worldwide: -- In the U.S., Ember Coffee was growing fast but relying too much on intuition. Cropster Roast gave them real-time insights into roasting and inventory, helping them launch new coffees in half the time and produce more batches every day. This meant better quality for customers and less wasted time and stock for the team. Case study -- Meanwhile, WatchHouse in the UK and U.S. used Cropster Cafe to scale from 8 to over 20 cafes without losing consistency. By combining tasting feedback with hard data, they trained baristas faster, reduced machine downtime, and maintained more than 95% drink consistency across all locations. Case study About Cropster:Cropster provides software for the entire coffee value chain, from producers to roasters to cafes. Its products - Roast, Origin, and Cafe - deliver real-time data and insights to improve quality, efficiency, and profitability. Founded in 2008, Cropster supports thousands of businesses in over 100 countries. Learn more at www.cropster.com. About Firescope: Firescope is a software developer based in South Korea, specializing in data-driven solutions that empower small roasters to optimize their roasting processes and improve efficiency. Learn more at eng.firescope.io. About Verdane: Verdane is a specialist growth buyout investment firm that partners with tech-enabled and sustainable businesses that help to digitalise and decarbonise the European economy. The flexible mandates of Verdane funds allow it to invest as a majority or minority control investor, replacement or growth capital, in single companies or in portfolios of companies. Verdane has raised EUR9 billion in capital and its funds have made more than 200 investments in fast-growing businesses since 2003. Try Firescope today: https://eng.firescope.io or discover Cropster: https://www.cropster.com and see how these tools can help you optimize your coffee business. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014553060/en/ Contact For More InformationContact: Fire on the Hill on behalf of Cropster [email protected] or Daria Novak, [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: euNetworks (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 LONDON, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - euNetworks Group Limited ("euNetworks"), a European critical bandwidth infrastructure company, has today announced the completion of a new long haul fibre network route between Frankfurt and Zurich. This new network enables two short diverse paths between the many submarine cable landings along the Mediterranean coast, and the major data centre market of Frankfurt. The new route completes one of two fully diverse euNetworks long haul routes, with the option to either go via Milan and Zurich or via Marseille, Lyon and Geneva. euNetworks undertook this network investment to increase diversity options for its customers, enabling them to avoid points of failure where routes converge and cross, or otherwise take a long detour via Paris or Munich for the diverse path. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014607897/en/ CEO of euNetworks The route between Frankfurt and the Mediterranean is a critical European pathway for data centre connectivity. Frankfurt is one of the key FLAP-D cities (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris - Dublin), identified as the biggest data centre markets in Europe, and the world's most interconnected metro market, with euNetworks offering eight unique long haul routes to its Frankfurt metro network today. Marseille and Milan play a critical role as the connectivity gateways into Europe for Middle Eastern, Asian and African networks. The new pathway via Zurich stays east of other established routes, to enable a diverse route which is short and direct. Marisa Trisolino, CEO at euNetworks, said: "euNetworks is the backbone of Europe's digital future. We lead the market in data centre connectivity, with more than 582 data centres directly connected today and a large pipeline to connect more underway. Our investment in Super Highways, Europe's future AI-ready critical infrastructure, our densely fibred metro networks, and our continued focus on innovatively designing and building unique network paths such as this new route from Frankfurt to Zurich, demonstrates euNetworks' proactivity in addressing bandwidth demand across Europe. euNetworks is committed to offering our customers the most direct, diverse routes that will meet their requirements. Our goal is to provide the infrastructure foundations that enable our customers to grow and thrive in a world of AI and we're working closely with them as we deploy capital, expanding our fibre footprint on the network routes that matter most." About euNetworks euNetworks is a critical bandwidth infrastructure company. We own and operate 18 fibre based metropolitan networks connected with a high-capacity intercity backbone covering 53 cities in 17 countries across Europe. The company leads the market in data centre connectivity, directly connecting over 582 today, and is also a leading cloud connectivity provider, with over 180 on-ramps on our network directly connecting all key cloud providers and major platforms. This coupled with our extensive connected data centre footprint positions us strongly to support and enable our Customers with their cloud infrastructure developments and challenges. We offer a targeted portfolio of metropolitan and long-haul services across our network platform and Super Highways, including Dark Fibre, Wavelengths, and Ethernet. Wholesale, Finance, Content, Media, Mobile, Data Centre, Hyperscale and Enterprise customers benefit from euNetworks' unique inventory of fibre and duct-based assets that are tailored to fulfil their high bandwidth needs. euNetworks delivers services with an active commitment to sustainability, striving towards net-zero carbon emissions, promoting environmentally responsible supply chain practices, and engaging collaboratively with the industry to address the environmental challenges ahead. For further information visit eunetworks.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014607897/en/ Contact Lucy Noad|Manager, Marketing Communications |[email protected] email| +44 7909 416570 mobile 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Google to invest $15 bn in India, build largest AI hub outside US New Delhi, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Google said Tuesday it will invest $15 billion in India over the next five years, as it announced a giant data centre and artificial intelligence base in the country. "It is the largest AI hub that we are investing in anywhere outside of the US," Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said at a ceremony in New Delhi. Demand for AI tools and solutions is surging among businesses and individuals in India, which is projected to have more than 900 million internet users by year's end. Kurian announced "capital investment of $15 billion" over the five years and a "gigawatt-scale AI hub in Visakhapatnam", a port city in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh. Google plans for the centre to scale to multiple gigawatts, he added, comparing the project to "a digital backbone connecting different parts of India together". Globally, data centres are an area of phenomenal growth, fuelled by the need to store massive amounts of digital data, and to train and run energy-intensive AI tools. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "delighted", adding that it would aid in "boosting our digital economy and securing India's place as a global technology leader". Google chief Sundar Pichai said on X that he had spoken to Modi about the "landmark development". "This hub combines gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure," he wrote. "Through it we will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country." Gautam Adani, head of the vast ports-to-power Adani Group, said he was "proud to partner" with Google to help "build the engine powering India's AI revolution". - 'Data is the new oil' - India's Information Technology Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, thanked Google for the investment. "This digital infrastructure will go a long way in meeting the goals of our India AI vision," he said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu called it a "very happy day". The state's Technology Minister Nara Lokesh said on X that the deal followed "a year of intense discussions and relentless effort". Lokesh, speaking at the announcement, said "data is the new oil and data centres are the new refineries". "This is about India playing an important role on the global landscape," he added. Recently, top American AI firms looking to court users in the world's fifth-largest economy have made a flurry of announcements about expanding into the country. This month, US startup Anthropic said it plans to open an office in India next year, with its chief executive Dario Amodei meeting Prime Minister Modi. OpenAI has said it will open an India office later this year, with its chief Sam Altman noting that ChatGPT usage in the country had grown fourfold over the past year. AI firm Perplexity also announced a major partnership in July with Indian telecom giant Airtel, offering the company's 360 million customers a free one-year Perplexity Pro subscription. bb/pjm/abs GOOGLE Press Release from Business Wire: Regula (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 RESTON, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - Regula, a global developer of identity verification (IDV) solutions and forensic devices, has launched its brand-newRegula IDV Platform. This ready-to-use orchestration solution is designed to replace fragmented identity verification and management systems with a single, unified workflow. Built to scale according to an organization's growth pace and fully vendor-agnostic, the platform enables businesses to manage every stage of the identity lifecycle, from onboarding through continuous reverification, without legacy constraints. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014313859/en/ Regula IDV Platform makes identity verification workflows organized and efficient Today, nearly half of companies worldwide face the same identity verification challenges. Legacy systems lead to fragmentation and create blind spots in the processes. Enterprise environments often rely on a mix of services: one vendor for document checks, another for biometrics, a separate one for sanctions lists, etc., with data manually stitched together in inconsistent, sometimes chaotic ways. Every new application or service only adds another layer of complexity to the IDV infrastructure. This results in growing costs, increased security risks, and higher customer drop-off rates. How the Regula IDV Platform addresses the biggest IDV pain points -- One-stop-shop solution. Regula IDV Platform unites the most comprehensive set of identity checks, from documents to biometrics, eliminating repeated uploads and failed or unnecessary steps. As a result, it transforms onboarding into a single, seamless, and trusted flow with proprietary solutions for the entire identity journey. Users complete verification in seconds, not minutes, while organizations get a unified, enterprise-grade solution. -- Flexible workflow orchestration. Regula IDV Platform makes complex, multi-step, multi-component identity verification workflows effortless. Unlike point solutions that handle single tasks, the platform supports complete end-to-end use cases. Easy customization capabilities allow companies to build adaptable verification processes aligned with their business needs. -- Unified tools. The platform unites everything in one place: document and biometric checks, AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) screening, databases, and more. Its vendor-agnostic architecture integrates with any tech stack and third-party systems, saving time and resources and closing blind spots. -- Comprehensive identity management. Regula IDV Platform maintains a single source of truth with centralized user profiles, secure storage, and advanced analytics. It optimizes decision-making with transparent, reliable identity data and reduces complexity with single-flow user authentication. -- Built-in compliance. From KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML to GDPR (General Data Protection) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and more, all required checks are included by default. Regula IDV platform keeps complete audit trails, protects sensitive data and provides full control over it, and allows both on-premise and cloud deployment. Additionally, the platform supports age assurance to instantly confirm age, protect minors, and comply with local regulations. -- Lower costs, faster scaling. By consolidating multiple solutions into a single platform, Regula helps to reduce operational expenses. This agile platform grows together with businesses-easily adapting to changing processes, expanding integrations, regulatory updates, or increased workloads-without costly redevelopment or re-integration. Beyond the orchestration of identity verification and management tools, the Regula IDV Platform ensures speed and flexibility. Its out-of-the-box, ready-to-use workflows and integrations let companies get started instantly without long setups. Powerful user data management and analytics tools help businesses store, process, and analyze identity data to optimize operations and decision-making. Thanks to its multilingual, multi-document, and multi-device support, the platform delivers native user experiences across geographies and channels and ensures reliable verification anywhere in the world. Regula IDV Platform also supports the creation and reuse of digital credentials-verified identity attributes issued by trusted organizations such as banks, telecom providers, or government services. Once a user's identity is confirmed during the KYC process, these credentials can be securely reused to authorize access to other services, with biometric verification ensuring authenticity at every step. This approach empowers businesses to streamline user journeys, enhance security, and take part in the growing digital identity ecosystem. "For years, businesses have struggled with fragmented identity systems that are costly, slow, and hard to adapt. With Regula IDV Platform, we've taken our decades of in-house expertise in document and biometric verification and turned it into a single, unified solution. This platform gives enterprises the agility they need to scale, the flexibility to integrate with any system, and the orchestration capabilities to connect multiple processes into one seamless flow with the reliability of the most comprehensive identity checks-all while reducing complexity and cost. It's the next step in helping organizations make identity verification both a strategic advantage and a seamless experience for their customers," says Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula. To learn more about the capabilities of the new Regula IDV Platform, please visit Regula's website. About Regula Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been recognized in the 2025 Gartner(R) Magic Quadrant? for Identity Verification. Learn more at www.regulaforensics.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014313859/en/ Contact Kristina - [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: Boomi (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 CONSHOHOCKEN, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - Boomi?, the leader in AI-driven automation, today announced the appointment of Diane Fanelli as Chief Revenue Officer. Fanelli will lead Boomi's worldwide revenue organization, responsible for strengthening customer partnerships, advancing global go-to-market strategies, and driving sales excellence as Boomi continues its rapid growth. She will report to Boomi's Chairman and CEO, Steve Lucas. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014784579/en/ Boomi Appoints Diane Fanelli as Chief Revenue Officer With over 30 years of global leadership experience, Fanelli has driven revenue growth, customer success, and innovation across some of the world's most influential technology companies. She held executive leadership roles at Citrix and spent more than two decades at SAP, where she spearheaded global go-to-market strategies, built high-performing teams across North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe, and drove adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Most recently, she served as Chief Operating Officer at iCIMS. "Boomi's enterprise integration and automation suite has positioned us to best serve the largest organizations in the world, delivering the industry's leading AI-driven results," said Steve Lucas, Chairman and CEO at Boomi. "Diane's scale and experience will accelerate that mission, helping us continue to expand globally and drive measurable outcomes for our customers." "Joining Boomi at this pivotal moment presents an incredible opportunity to shape how enterprises connect, automate, and activate," said Fanelli. "As organizations embrace agentic AI, Boomi is uniquely positioned to deliver measurable impact through its unified platform. I look forward to partnering with our customers and teams worldwide to advance growth and unlock new value." Additional Resources -- Learn more about the Boomi Enterprise Platform -- Follow Boomi on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube About BoomiBoomi, the leader in AI-driven automation, enables organizations worldwide to connect everything, automate processes, and accelerate outcomes. The Boomi Enterprise Platform - including Boomi Agentstudio - unifies integration and automation along with data, API, and AI agent management, in a single, comprehensive solution. Trusted by over 25,000 customers and supported by a network of 800+ partners, Boomi is driving agentic transformation - helping enterprises of all sizes achieve agility, efficiency, and innovation at scale. Discover more at boomi.com. 2025 Boomi, LP. Boomi, the 'Boomi' logo, the 'B' logo, and Boomiverse are registered trademarks of Boomi, LP or its subsidiaries or affiliates in the US and other countries. All rights reserved. Other names or marks may be the trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014784579/en/ Contact Media Contact:Kristen WalkerGlobal Corporate [email protected] +1-415-613-8320 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: Kasisto (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 NEW YORK, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - Kasisto, the market leader for AI in banking, today announced KAIops, an operational intelligence layer on the KAIgentic platform built for financial institutions. KAIops brings agentic AI to the center of application and infrastructure operations to materially lower incident costs, accelerate resolution, and protect customer trust. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251010237223/en/ KAIops? - Kasisto AI Operations an operational intelligence layer on the KAIgentic platform built for financial institutions. KAIops brings agentic AI to the center of application and infrastructure operations to materially lower incident costs, accelerate resolution, and protect customer trust. Banks spend significant budgets and thousands of hours each year investigating critical outages and writing root cause analyses. KAIops changes the model. Its multi agent framework monitors system health, correlates telemetry, drafts RCA narratives, and executes approved responses, so teams move from hunting to fixing and from fixing to preventing. "Every major bank spends weeks on root cause analysis after a P1 outage, time lost, customers impacted, and hundreds of millions of dollars spent annually trying to understand what went wrong," said Lance Berks, CEO of Kasisto. "KAIops changes that. Built on our KAIgentic platform, it shifts operations from reactive to predictive, from investigation to prevention. This is the future of banking operations: reduced incidents, eliminate guesswork, and achieve measurable cost savings at scale." "KAIops represents the next evolution of our agentic architecture, a system where AI agents collaborate, learn, and act independently across operational environments," said Joshua Schechter, Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Kasisto. "By combining preprocessing intelligence, autonomous orchestration, and post-processing validation, KAIops creates a self-healing operational fabric for banking systems. It is the foundation for a future where every process is intelligent, auditable, and adaptive." KAIops delivers a three-phase operating model available today. In Phase 1, agents ingest logs, metrics, traces, tickets, and changes to cut time to acknowledge and resolve while drafting RCAs ready for review. In Phase 2, agents execute approved runbooks and remediations such as restarting services, clearing cache, scaling resources, and rolling back components with role-based approvals and full audit trails. In Phase 3, agents evaluate planned changes, model dependencies, forecast risk, and recommend mitigations to prevent incidents before customers feel them. Across all phases, controls include read only access where appropriate, step approvals, reversible actions, and change governance integration, delivering lower incident cost, faster RCA completion, fewer escalations, and fewer customer impact minutes. AvailabilityKAIops is now available to banks and credit unions globally. Financial institutions can request a personalized demonstration or learn more at www.kasisto.com/kaiops or by emailing [email protected] About KasistoKasisto is the market leader in agentic AI platforms purpose built for the banking industry. Trusted by financial institutions worldwide, Kasisto delivers intelligent, compliant, and auditable AI experiences that transform how banks operate. Its platform orchestrates autonomous AI agents that work securely within the regulatory and operational frameworks of banking. At its core is KaiGPT, a proprietary large language model tuned for banking, enabling domain specific accuracy, zero risk reliability, and flexible deployment. With deep industry expertise and agentic architecture, Kasisto empowers banks to lead in the era of intelligent, trusted AI. Think KAIgentic: The platform where financial institutions' intelligent future is built. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251010237223/en/ Contact Media Contact: [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: LevelBlue (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 DALLAS, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - LevelBlue, the world's largest pure-play provider of managed security services, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cybereason, a leading cybersecurity firm known for its advanced Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platform, elite threat intelligence team, and digital forensics and incident response (DFIR) capabilities. For clients and strategic partners, the acquisition delivers immediate value with stronger threat detection, faster response, and broader global coverage, all from a single, unified security partner. By combining LevelBlue's AI-powered capabilities and industry-leading MDR offerings with Cybereason's deep expertise, organizations can better address today's complex cyber challenges while reducing operational complexity and risk. "The addition of Cybereason is a strategic leap forward in our mission to become the most complete cybersecurity partner for our clients and strategic partners," said Bob McCullen, CEO and Chairman of LevelBlue. "By combining Cybereason's world-class XDR and DFIR capabilities with our AI-powered MDR and incident response, we can deliver unified protection that's proactive, scalable, and purpose-built for today's fast-evolving threats." As part of the transaction, SoftBank Corp., SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and Liberty Strategic Capital, known for investing in disruptive and innovative technology, will become investors in LevelBlue, underscoring strong confidence in the company's long-term strategy and vision. With global leadership in AI and next-generation technologies, the firms further bolster LevelBlue's position as a cybersecurity innovator in an increasingly complex digital landscape. Additionally, Steven T. Mnuchin, former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Managing Partner of Liberty Strategic Capital, will join LevelBlue's Board of Directors. His appointment brings decades of experience at the intersection of global finance, government policy, and strategic investment, providing valuable guidance as LevelBlue deepens its role in protecting critical infrastructure and global enterprise systems. "Cybersecurity is now inseparable from economic security and national resilience," said Steven Mnuchin. "LevelBlue has rapidly established itself as a leader in integrated managed security services, and I look forward to helping guide its growth at a time when organizations worldwide are seeking trusted partners who understand the complexity of today's threat landscape. I also want to thank Manish Narula, CEO of Cybereason, for his strong leadership in driving this outcome and propelling Cybereason into its next chapter of growth and innovation." The acquisition enhances LevelBlue's ability to deliver measurable, outcome-driven results, helping clients accelerate threat detection, reduce response times, and build long-term cyber resilience. It also marks a key step in LevelBlue's broader strategy to unite the industry's strongest organizations, technologies, and talent into one integrated partner. With recent acquisitions of Trustwave and Stroz Friedberg, LevelBlue continues to accelerate its position as the most complete cybersecurity partner for organizations looking to move from reactive defense to proactive resilience. "Joining LevelBlue marks an exciting new chapter for Cybereason," said Manish Narula, CEO of Cybereason. "This acquisition strengthens our collective capabilities across XDR, MDR, offensive security, DFIR, and cybersecurity consulting services, enabling us to unlock additional value for our clients and their counsel and cyber insurance partners globally." Expanded Capabilities and Global Reach for Clients and Strategic Partners LevelBlue's acquisition of Cybereason delivers several key enhancements for clients and strategic partners across all industries and regions: -- Stronger Endpoint Security (XDR + MDR): Cybereason's advanced XDR capabilities are complementary with Trustwave's industry-leading MDR offering and bolster LevelBlue's native MDR service, providing faster, more accurate detection and response, helping clients reduce dwell time and contain threats before they spread. -- World-Class DFIR Services: Cybereason's DFIR technology and services, coupled with the recent acquisition of Stroz Friedberg, immediately extends LevelBlue's capacity, capability, and reach, creating extensive global coverage, unmatched technology-agnostic forensic expertise, and intelligence-driven speed to give organizations, and their counsel and cyber insurance partners, the confidence that every incident is met with the most effective response. -- Smarter Threat Intelligence: By unifying Cybereason's research team with LevelBlue SpiderLabs, clients benefit from deeper visibility into emerging threat actors and attack techniques, paired with actionable insights. -- Offensive + Defensive Synergy: LevelBlue provides end-to-end security, including penetration testing, risk assessments, detection engineering, and constant monitoring, allowing clients to harden defenses while ensuring operational resilience. -- Simplified, Technology-Agnostic Integration: Whether clients rely on Microsoft, SentinelOne, or hybrid stacks, LevelBlue helps optimize their existing security investments to improve their overall cybersecurity outcomes. -- Enhanced Global Coverage: Cybereason's strong presence in Japan, where it is among the largest providers, expands LevelBlue's global footprint and regional delivery capabilities. "Cybereason's strength in XDR and digital forensics is a fantastic added capability that enables us to better serve our customers with deeper threat visibility, faster response, and greater confidence in the face of evolving cyber threats," said Shawn Hakl, Senior Vice President of AT&T Business Product and LevelBlue Board Member. "LevelBlue's continued investment in advanced capabilities makes it an even more strategic partner for us and the organizations we support." LevelBlue continues to redefine what it means to be a cybersecurity partner, combining platform-led services, elite human expertise, and global insight to deliver measurable outcomes and lasting resilience for clients. From mid-market enterprises to the world's most complex public and private organizations, LevelBlue offers a singular, unified security experience designed to reduce risk, increase operational confidence, and stay ahead of ever-evolving threats. Advisors on the proposed transaction include Santander and Kirkland & Ellis LLP for LevelBlue, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goodwin Procter LLP for Cybereason. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial details were not disclosed. About LevelBlue LevelBlue reduces risk and builds lasting resilience so organizations can innovate and advance their mission with confidence. As the world's most analyst-recognized and largest pure-play managed security services provider, LevelBlue elevates client outcomes that matter: stronger defense, faster response, and sustained business continuity. LevelBlue combines AI-powered security operations, advanced threat intelligence, and elite human expertise to provide the most comprehensive portfolio of strategic advisory, managed security, offensive security, and incident response services. Learn more at levelblue.com. About Cybereason Cybereason is a leading global cybersecurity company. Cybereason provides attack protection with cutting-edge XDR and industry recognized consulting services to support organizations throughout any stage of the incident lifecycle. Cybereason's award-winning technology and elite experts empower organizations of all sizes to harden, respond and recover from cyber threats in an ever-evolving threat landscape. Cybereason is a privately held international company headquartered in California with customers in more than 40 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014364175/en/ Contact Media ContactDevon [email protected] 1 (831) 737-3132 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: Esri (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 REDLANDS, Oct 14, 2025 (BSW) - Esri, the global leader in geographic information system (GIS) technology, announced new capabilities in ArcGIS Maritime to support production of S-100 compliant nautical charts, marking a major milestone in the evolution of hydrographic data management. Maritime organizations will also be able to generate S-57 charts alongside S-101 charts, which will enable them to more seamlessly leverage GIS. Crucial for supporting the latest spatial data and technologies, the shift to S-100 ready charting will enhance maritime navigation, safety, and situational awareness. The new S-100 series of standards developed by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) introduces a modern, extensible framework for electronic navigational charts, bathymetric data, and other marine information products. "The core mission of maritime authorities like hydrographic offices is supporting safe navigation, but they are increasingly being called upon to support broader priorities like the blue economy and environmental stewardship," said Geoff Dean, senior business development manager for national government at Esri. "Combining the interoperability of the S-100 framework with modern GIS technologies like ArcGIS enables real-time decision-making, automation, and interagency coordination. These are key elements of a geospatial framework that prepares hydrographic offices for efficiently meeting the evolving demands placed on them." As maritime organizations transition from S-57 to the more advanced, geospatially compatible S-100 series of standards, hydrographic offices must produce both chart types to support vessels with electronic chart display and information systems that do not support the new S-100 framework. This "dual fuel" requirement can lead to increased operational complexity, redundancies, and inefficiencies due to managing dual standards. ArcGIS Maritime will not only support updated S-101 charting, but current S-57 products that are being phased out by 2034. Emphasizing the importance of ArcGIS Maritime supporting the new IHO standards, Rafael Ponce, a principal consultant at Esri explained, "by transforming hydrography from a chart-centric discipline into a central pillar of marine geospatial information, this new framework will enable smarter navigation, better integration with GIS, and broader use of marine data for safety, sustainability, and economic development." Esri will showcase the new ArcGIS Maritime capabilities at the Hydro 2025 conference October 28-30 in Liverpool, UK. Attendees are invited to visit Esri's booth #7 to learn more and see live demonstrations. To learn more about ArcGIS Maritime, visit esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-maritime/overview. About Esri Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions that leverage a geographic approach to solving some of the world's most complex problems by placing them in the crucial context of location. Visit us at esri.com. Copyright 2025 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri globe logo, ArcGIS, The Science of Where, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Union, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014996612/en/ Contact Jo Ann PruchniewskiPublic Relations, EsriMobile: 301-693-2643 Email: [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who is in China to attend the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday in Beijing, who is in China to attend the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Bachelet is a world-renowned stateswoman and a long-time friend of the Chinese people. He conveyed his hopes for her continued efforts in supporting the United Nations' mission and contributing to world peace and stability. Wang highlighted the significant challenges facing multilateralism today, noting that the UN requires reform, but with the goal of strengthening, not weakening, the organization. He reaffirmed China's unwavering support for the UN, emphasizing that China remains its steadfast advocate and long-term partner. He stressed that history and facts will prove that unilateral bullying has no support and that the world is moving towards multipolarity. The UN, he said, will overcome risks and challenges, continuing to work for peace and development. Bachelet congratulated China on successfully hosting the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, saying that the friendship between Chile and China has deep historical roots. She attributed the high-level development of bilateral relations to both countries sharing common values, and supporting multilateralism, peaceful solutions to disputes and the central role of the UN. She called for concerted efforts to strengthen the role of the UN through reform, highlighting the need to tackle global challenges together. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who is in China to attend the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Former jihadist fighters join Niger army Niamey, Niger, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Ex-jihadists who "repented" have successfully been integrated into the Nigerien army after several months of training, military authorities said Monday. Niger's junta, which came to power two years ago in a coup, has struggled to contain jihadist violence. The country faces deadly attacks from Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin and from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the western Tillaberi region. In the north, where Niger's military is battling armed groups close to the ousted regime, dozens of fighters have surrendered to authorities. On Monday, 369 jihadists and "repentant" armed movement fighters completed several months of training near the capital Niamey, according to state television RTN. They include 307 men, 21 women and 41 children in training since the end of 2024, the interior ministry said in a statement seen by AFP. "A good number of them have been integrated to serve under the national flag," while others have received support kits to carry out income-generating activities, RTN said. Eighty-four people have received kits to set up businesses, according to the interior ministry. "These men, who were once misguided but have now chosen to renounce violence and reconcile with the Republic, should no longer be regarded as enemies," said Tillaberi Governor Colonel Maina Boukar. Iran says Trump's call for peace 'at odds' with US actions Tehran, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Iran said on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump's call for a peace deal with Tehran was inconsistent with Washington's actions, referring to its strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. "The desire for peace and dialogue expressed by the US president is at odds with the hostile and criminal behaviour of the United States towards the Iranian people," the foreign ministry said in a statement. In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign on Iran, striking nuclear and military facilities as well as residential areas and killing more than 1,000 people. The 12-day war with Israel, during which the US struck the key nuclear facilities in Iran, derailed high-level nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks that killed dozens in Israel. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in place since June 24. During a Monday speech at the Israeli Knesset, Trump said he wanted a peace deal with Iran and that the ball was in Tehran's court for any agreement to come to pass. In its statement, Iran dismissed the call. "How can one attack the residential areas and nuclear facilities of a country in the midst of political negotiations, kill more than 1,000 people including innocent women and children, and then demand peace and friendship?" the foreign ministry asked. Trump also said "nothing would do more good" for the region than for Iran's leaders "to renounce terrorists, stop threatening their neighbours, quit funding their militant proxies, and finally recognise Israel's right to exist". Tehran struck back, calling the remarks "irresponsible and shameful" and accusing the United States of being "a leading producer of terrorism and a supporter of the terrorist and genocidal Zionist regime". "The United States... has no moral authority to accuse others," Iran's foreign ministry said. At secluded German airport, researchers tackle tricky drone defence Cochstedt, Germany, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Once holidaymakers took off from here, but today an ex-Soviet airfield is a testing ground for ways to take down the drones increasingly buzzing through German skies. Germany has been rattled by a spate of mysterious sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), believed to be from Russia, over military bases, industrial sites and an airport. Last week the government said it would give federal police the powers to blast them out of the sky. But at the airstrip near the eastern city of Magdeburg, researchers of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have been testing more subtle options to deal with potentially hostile drones. "The countermeasures used to defend against drones vary greatly -- they have to be tailored very precisely to the situation at hand," said Johann Dauer, who leads drone research at DLR's Institute of Flight Systems. "If I want to protect a crowd -- for example at a concert or a political event -- then of course I don't want to cause a drone to crash," Dauer said, given the risk of injuries on the ground. "I would rather use nets or hunter drones with gripping mechanisms to actually remove the drone." The challenge facing Germany is not just fending off suspected Russian UAVs conducting surveillance or testing NATO responses. Naive, blundering hobbyists and reckless pranksters can also veer into restricted airspace, setting off alarms and potentially shutting down airport traffic. Signal jamming and GPS interference with "spoofed" coordinates are other methods Dauer cited for dealing with drones without shooting them mid-air. - 'Jamming and spoofing' - Dauer said an infamous 2018 incident at London's Gatwick airport, in which reported drone sightings cancelled hundreds of flights, helped make drone defences a civilian issue as well. "And since then, reports have been piling up," Dauer said. "Today, we see new reports almost daily, and we need to take a closer look at drone defence." Germany has been scrambling to deal with the drone incursions, and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has suggested that spending on civil drone defences could run to hundreds of millions of euros. Helping decide what systems police agencies should spend money on is part of the drone research and evaluation mission at Cochstedt, Dauer said. The secluded hangars and runways add a degree of secrecy for the sensitive development work there. But more importantly, the airport's focus on unmanned aerospace research means it is relatively free from safety regulations that would normally tightly restrict testing with drone intruders and interceptors. Cochstedt is a fully functional airport where occasional Ryanair flights once shuttled passengers to Mediterranean holiday destinations, although those connections have long since been cancelled. This means drones and various defences can now be tested and integrated into airport operations, said Daniel Suelberg, who runs DLR's testing centre at Cochstedt. "Permission for jamming and spoofing, permission to shoot lasers at an airport -- everything that you don't really want at airports because it would paralyse operations -- we have here," Suelberg said. - 'Pressure to innovate' - Suelberg and Dauer showed off a range of drone detection gear -- high-end optics and cameras, radar arrays and other equipment -- that researchers have been testing at the facility. Some of it is bought from defence contractors and commercial producers, other gear is specially assembled by the dozen research groups working at Cochstedt. The goal is to figure out comprehensive systems for detecting drones, identifying whether they pose a threat, and deploying appropriate countermeasures. But a key challenge is figuring out the best bang for the buck that can be widely deployed without exploding civil defence budgets. Some high-end systems come with hefty price tags -- limiting their appeal for mass deployment. Adding to the challenge is just how quickly drone technology is changing, something very clearly on display in the battlefields of Ukraine, where both sides are locked in a deadly race to develop new weapons and come up with countermeasures. "We are seeing a great deal of innovation and development on the threat side," said Dauer. "And, of course, drone defence must counter this and offer appropriate solutions. "This means that, on the one hand, we are under a certain amount of pressure to innovate and must make rapid progress. "At the same time, we have to remain cost-effective, and the drones we are combating are often not particularly expensive -- so the protection must not be too costly." bst/fz/phz Madagascar, a history marked by deadly violence Antananarivo, Madagascar, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Madagascar, where the military said it seized power from impeached President Andry Rajoelina on Tuesday, has a recent history marked by deadly unrest. The Indian Ocean island is one of the world's poorest countries despite natural resources in farming, forestry, fishing and minerals. Over the decades, sociopolitical upheaval there has been often deadly for citizens and occasionally fatal to the ruling power. - 1947 - A nationalist insurrection is repressed by French colonial forces, causing tens of thousands of deaths over more than a year. - 1960 - Madagascar achieves independence from France as a republic under the island's first president, Philibert Tsiranana. - 1972 - The government collapses following a violently repressed student uprising in Antananarivo province. Tsiranana is forced to cede power to the military. - 1975 - Tsiranana is succeeded by Didier Ratsiraka, whose leadership is marked by protests and crackdowns over the following years. - 1991 - A new wave of popular discontent erupts. Ratsiraka eventually leaves office but is re-elected in 1996. - 2001 - Months of protests and armed clashes erupt between factions for Ratsiraka and his rival, millionaire Marc Ravalomanana, after a disputed election. Ravalomanana is eventually declared the winner and succeeds his opponent in 2002. He is re-elected in 2006. - 2009 - Andry Rajoelina, then mayor of Antananarivo and an opponent of the government, gathers 20,000 supporters in the capital for protests, marred by violence. The military hands power to Rajoelina. - 2018 - Opposition supporters occupy Antananarivo, denouncing new electoral laws and demanding the resignation of the president, whom they accuse of authoritarian tendencies. The crisis ends with the appointment of a national unity government. - 2023 - Protests multiply in the lead-up to a presidential election, over reports that Rajoelina had obtained French citizenship. Attempts to invalidate his candidacy are dismissed. The crisis escalates and a curfew is imposed in the capital on the eve of the first round of voting, which the opposition boycotts. On December 16, Rajoelina is reappointed president. - 2025 - Street protests erupt in September and October over power and water shortages, growing into wider calls for Rajoelina and other government ministers to step down. The president sacks his government and appoints a general as prime minister, but protesters persist and win the support of the elite military unit CAPSAT. Rajoelina, in hiding, alleges an illegal power-grab. The National Assembly impeaches Rajoelina. CAPSAT announces it is taking power and promises to set up a civilian government. Trump says Spain should be 'punished' over NATO funding, considering tariffs Washington, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was considering tariffs on Spain as a punishment for failing to meet the five percent of GDP defense spending goal he engineered within NATO. "I think it's very disrespectful to NATO. In fact, I was thinking about giving them trade punishment through tariffs because of what they did, and I may do that," Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump suggested last week that Spain be expelled from NATO over its failure to match the higher defense spending requirement. In June, the military alliance of 32 member states agreed to boost defense spending to five percent of annual economic output over the next decade under pressure from Trump. But Spain, which was NATO's lowest defense spender in relative terms last year, insisted it would not need to hit the headline figure. Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has argued that Spain should meet its capacity objectives rather than fixed spending targets, including cybersecurity and the environment in his calculations. After Trump's expulsion threat, government sources in Madrid said on Friday that "Spain is a committed and full member of NATO. And it meets its capacity targets as much as the United States." Murdered Kenyan's niece calls for UK ex-soldier's extradition London, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 The niece of a young Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by a British soldier more than a decade ago urged the UK government Tuesday to extradite the suspect as soon as possible. Agnes Wanjiru, 21, died in 2012 after she reportedly went partying with British soldiers at a hotel in Nanyuki, a town in central Kenya where Britain has a permanent army garrison. Last month, a Nairobi High Court judge issued an arrest warrant for a British citizen in connection with the death of Wanjiru, whose body was found in a septic tank. Court documents named the suspect as Robert James Purkiss, 38. Following the judge's ruling, prosecutors in Kenya said extradition proceedings would now be initiated to bring the suspect before a Kenyan court. "I would like it to happen now, immediately," Wanjiru's niece Esther Njoki told AFP in the UK parliament, where she addressed a meeting about her family's fight for justice. "I want him to be extradited because he mocked Agnes and mocked Agnes's daughter," Njoki added, referring to Wanjiru's child, who is now 13 years old. Njoki, 21, spoke after meeting UK Defence Minister John Healey, who has been in his position since Labour ousted the Conservatives from 14 consecutive years of power in July 2024. "Our government will continue to do everything we can to support the Kenyan investigation, secure a resolution to this case and finally bring peace to Esther and her grieving family," Healey said in a statement. Ben Keith, a barrister specialising in international cases, told the parliamentary meeting that extradition in such a case could take up to five years following any arrest made in the UK. - 'Should be closed' - Purkiss is accused of murdering Wanjiru on the night of March 31, 2012. A post-mortem examination concluded she died as a result of stab wounds to her chest and abdomen. In October 2021, The Sunday Times newspaper in Britain reported that a soldier had confessed to his comrades to killing Wanjiru and showed them her body. The report alleged the murder was taken to military superiors, but there was no further action. The Sunday Times has reported that Purkiss is from Greater Manchester in northern England and previously served as a medic with an infantry regiment, including on tours of Afghanistan. Since Kenya gained independence in 1963, Britain has kept a permanent army base near Nanyuki, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of the capital Nairobi. The British Army Training Unit in Kenya is an economic lifeline for many in Nanyuki, but has faced criticism over allegations of misconduct by its soldiers, as well as the maiming of civilians by unexploded ordnance. "It should be closed to protect people's lives," Njoki said. Major media outlets reject Pentagon reporting rules Washington, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 US and international news outlets including The New York Times, AP, AFP and Fox News on Tuesday declined to sign new restrictive Pentagon media rules, meaning they will be stripped of their press access credentials. The new rules come after the Defense Department restricted media access inside the Pentagon, forced some outlets to vacate offices in the building and drastically reduced the number of briefings for journalists. The media policy "gags Pentagon employees" by threatening retaliation against reporters who seek out information that has not been pre-approved for release, the Pentagon Press Association (PPA) said. AFP said in a statement Tuesday that it "cannot sign up to the terms of the Pentagon document that would require media to acknowledge insufficiently clear new policies that appear to fly in the face of US constitutional principles and of the basic tenets of journalism." "We shall continue to cover the Pentagon and the US military freely and fairly, as we have done for decades," the agency added. TV networks ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC issued a joint statement saying they will not sign the new rules, which would "restrict journalists' ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues." Alongside Fox, other conservative outlets the Washington Times and Newsmax are also reportedly refusing to agree to the new policy, which could see a total of some 100 press passes revoked. The new rules are the latest in a series of moves that restrict journalists' access to information from the Pentagon, the nation's single largest employer with a budget in the hundreds of billions of dollars per year. The Defense Department announced earlier this year that eight media organizations including the Times, the Washington Post, CNN, NBC and NPR had to vacate their dedicated office spaces in the Pentagon, alleging that there was a need to create room for other -- predominantly conservative -- outlets. It has also required journalists to be accompanied by official escorts if they go outside a limited number of areas in the Pentagon -- another new restriction on the press. And it has drastically reduced the number of briefings for journalists -- holding some half a dozen this year, compared to an average of two or more per week under president Joe Biden's administration, which left office in January. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth -- a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran -- has campaigned against leaks from the Defense Department. But he was inadvertently involved in the release of sensitive information earlier this year, sharing details about upcoming strikes against Yemen's Huthi rebels in a chat on messaging app Signal to which a journalist had been mistakenly added. Hegseth has also reportedly used Signal to discuss US strikes on Yemen with his wife and other people not usually involved in such discussions. His use of Signal has prompted an investigation by the Pentagon inspector general's office. CARACAS, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed Monday after a vertical gold mine collapsed in the Bolivar state, southeastern Venezuela, the National Risk Management System reported. The accident occurred in the town of El Callao, Roscio municipality, after heavy rain-caused flooding weakened the mine's structure and thus led to its collapse. Firefighters and civil protection officers were working to recover the bodies from the flooded area. Wuihelm Torrellas, the mayor of Roscio, issued an official statement, expressing condolences to the victims' families. A command post has been set up near the site to coordinate drainage and recovery operations. BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's corporate sales revenue has maintained a steady upward trajectory this year, underscoring continued signs of resilience in the wider economy, according to the latest tax data. The State Taxation Administration said on Tuesday that year-on-year growth of quarterly corporate sales revenue had reached 2.1 percent, 3.1 percent and 4.4 percent in the first, second and third quarters of 2025, respectively, marking a consistent recovery in business performance nationwide. Economists believe these figures reflect the effectiveness of the government's counter-cyclical policy measures implemented since September last year. "The data confirmed that corporate profitability gradually improved, consumer vitality continued to expand, and the overall economy moved on a stable and positive path," said Chen Binkai, vice president of the Central University of Finance and Economics. Tuesday's data also revealed that the country's tax revenue, before export rebate deductions, has posted positive growth for eight consecutive months since February, with cumulative gains steadily widening. In the second and third quarters, tax revenues rose 2.6 percent and 6.9 percent year on year, respectively. The administration highlighted the strong tax collection achieved in the third quarter of 2025, particularly in September, and attributed this robust growth to improving economic conditions, a narrowing decline in producer prices, and a relatively low base in the same period last year. The manufacturing sector continued to play a pivotal role, accounting for 31 percent of total tax revenue and contributing 48 percent of the overall increase. In particular, high-end manufacturing grew at a faster pace, signaling progress in industrial upgrading. Among major tax categories, domestic value-added tax revenue rose 3.2 percent year on year, while corporate income tax revenue increased by 4.1 percent, suggesting improved business performances. Tim Craine, founder and director at Molior London, said: Without progress on two key fronts , Molior forecasts that only 15,000 to 20,000 private homes will be under construction in London on 1 January 2027. Thats just 10% of the 150,000 to 200,000 run rate for the government to deliver 88,000 completions each year on an ongoing basis. There was a lot of blood because of the vicious nature of this attack. Rhiannon had been stabbed, in total, 23 times. Most of the stab injuries were to her head, but some were to the left side of her chest and left arm, indicating she had tried to fend off her attacker. He found your threat to kill him and the description of how you intended to do so - taken together with the ease of finding him given his role and the fact you often wore a face covering, making it more difficult to identify you - alarming. Stephen Lawrences friend, Duwayne Brooks, who was with him on the night he was killed, is furious that the officer will not testify in person, and believes there is far too much deference to the police in the inquiry as a whole. While the Labour government has already pledged to significantly reform the legacy legislation brought in by the Tories and is set to scrap many of its most controversial provisions Mr Benn is pressing ahead with the Supreme Court appeal, as he contends it will focus on issues that have wider implications beyond the Legacy Act, including the interpretation of the post-Brexit Windsor Framework. Ms Heeley continued: The guard tried to help Rhiannon, as did the employee who had come from the hotel. But sadly she was too seriously injured and nothing could be done to save her. She passed away on October 23, having never regained consciousness. No 10 said he told his Cabinet the prosecution rested on the position of the previous government in relation to China and, specifically, whether the previous government deemed China an enemy of the United Kingdom or could be deemed, at the time, a current threat to national security sufficient for it to be deemed an enemy of the state. But of course, all of the evidence provided by him was based on the law at the time of the offence and the policy position of the government at the time of the offence. BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- As the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women kicked off in Beijing on Monday, the world's attention has turned to China. Thirty years after championing the global gender equality agenda via the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the country is breathing new life into the world women's cause through tangible practices. Over the past three decades, China has made historic strides in advancing women's development. From eradicating absolute poverty, which lifted hundreds of millions of women out of hardship, to empowering women's roles in economic sectors and decision-making, the country has integrated gender equality into national development strategies, offering assets to a world where women still confront challenges including poverty, violence, discrimination and economic inequality. LEGAL SHIELDS In Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, the "one-stop" anti-domestic violence service center at the Yuelu district court, exemplifies the country's judicial protection path for gender equality. Jointly launched in 2024 by UN Women and the Changsha women's federation, this center provides comprehensive support including psychological counseling, shelter and legal assistance. Adopting a victim-centered approach, it operates a coordinated mechanism involving the police and the women's federation for effective intervention and follow-up measures. "The center serves as a practical implementation of the outcomes of the 1995 World Conference on Women," said Li Yiwen, a judge with the district court, emphasizing that the center explores combating domestic violence through comprehensive, cross-sectoral collaboration. According to a white paper on China's achievements in women's well-rounded development, recently released by the State Council Information Office, the country has established a legal system that is anchored by its constitution, centers on its Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests, and covers over 100 laws and regulations overall. China has also taken resolute actions to combat illegal acts that infringe upon the personal rights of women and girls. "China has in recent years promulgated a series of laws and regulations, improving the legal framework and providing solid guarantees for women's education, employment, healthcare and social participation," said Michel Olivier Kenne, a Cameroonian lecturer who has lived in China for over eight years, adding that the Chinese way of promoting women's rights offers global enlightenment. In a previous interview with Xinhua, Nahla Haidar, chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, said China had made notable progress in strengthening its legal framework, expanding education and enhancing social security. These efforts are crucial for the broader global movement toward gender equality. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Skills empowerment, notably, is another core pillar of women's development strategy in China. In north China's Tianjin Municipality, the Jin Guo Family Handicraft Workshop, a project of the local women's federation, is transforming the lives of women facing employment barriers. A remarkable example of this change came during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, when the medal-winning Chinese short track speed skating team held bouquets of "everlasting" crocheted flowers. These exquisite items were crafted by 24 women from Liangzi Village in Tianjin -- whose average age exceeded 50. This journey was not easy. Led by village women's federation chief Li Hongyu, the women started from scratch. The demanding Olympic order, requiring 1,380 stitches per rose with minimal margin for error, pushed them to their limits. Through targeted training and smart division of labor, they broke down the complex process, enabling even less skilled members to contribute. Ultimately, they delivered 12,000 flawless bouquets ahead of schedule. To date, nearly 400 women have joined the crocheting team. Their wide range of handmade products, including bouquets, potted plants, dolls, home decor items, bags and pendants, are sold nationwide. The vitality of China's approach is further demonstrated via global cooperation initiatives. In a rice field of Mahitsy in Madagascar, 29-year-old Rasolonomenjanahary Mbolatiana Anjarasoa applies techniques learned from the African Mothers' New Farm project to nurture seedlings. "A better harvest means I can send my children to school," she said. Led by the Hunan Women's Federation, this project helps African women enhance their skills and boost their independence, by establishing demonstration zones, dispatching agricultural experts and supporting entrepreneurial investment. The project has already helped 1,150 African women secure employment and resulted in the improvement of the living conditions of 950 families, serving as a vivid example of China fulfilling its international commitments regarding women's issues. According to Huang Xiaowei, deputy head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council, China has implemented empowerment projects totaling over 40 million U.S. dollars in more than 20 countries, trained over 200,000 women from more than 180 countries and regions, and provided employment support for women in more than 100 countries. At the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, being held from Oct. 13 to 14, participants are pooling wisdom to address key challenges in women's empowerment and strengthen their collective resolve to promote gender equality. Participating in the meeting, Amal Amaar, president of Egypt's National Council for Women, expressed appreciation of China's efforts in enhancing the protection of women's rights and women's empowerment. She hopes that this Beijing gathering will lay out a new global agenda for promoting women's rights. At the meeting, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland said in a video speech that the Beijing Declaration created a comprehensive visionary plan, which is still "the most progressive benchmark for women's and girls' rights." "Much has improved, but there is a long way to go," she said. "We must carry forward the Beijing spirit. The battle is not won, so the fight must continue." KHARTOUM, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and several others injured on Tuesday in drone attacks that targeted neighborhoods in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and a city in northern Sudan, according to eyewitnesses. Eyewitnesses from the East Nile area in eastern Khartoum said that four drones targeted the Id Babikir neighborhood early Tuesday, killing a doctor and one of his children, and injuring two other members of the same family. Videos circulated on social media showed the remains of a drone that had crashed into a civilian home in the neighborhood. In the city of Al-Dabba in northern Sudan, local authorities said the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had struck the city with drones, killing five people and injuring others. The RSF has not yet issued comments on the drone attacks. Sudan remains gripped by a conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF, which erupted in April 2023. The fighting has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, deepening the country's humanitarian crisis. He said: Cyber crime is one of the greatest threats to our economy, to our businesses, to the livelihoods of our workers and while the Government is providing more cyber security support, we cannot do it alone. A Treasury spokesperson said: The Chancellor has been clear that at Budget she will strike the right balance between making sure that we have enough money to fund our public services, whilst also ensuring that we can bring growth and investment to businesses. And this art exhibition, this artwork, this project that Hestia does is also so important, because it is through these pieces of art the photography, the knitting and the paintings that actually survivors are able to tell us their story. They are able to have the thing that they never had before, which is to have a voice. Sir Keir held a series of meetings with leaders in Sharm El Sheikh as they waited for Mr Trump to arrive from Israel, where he met families of hostages and addressed the parliament, saying: Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change. 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 Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Cambodia's National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Tuesday met with Cambodia's National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China is willing to work with Cambodia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance the China-Cambodia "Diamond Hexagon" cooperation framework, strengthen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, deepen people-to-people exchanges, and enhance law enforcement cooperation and multilateral collaboration. Zhao said the NPC of China is also prepared to deepen experience exchange with Cambodia's National Assembly in legislation and supervision. He further called for strengthened cooperation in areas such as poverty reduction and disease prevention for women to contribute to the global women's cause. Khuon Sudary expressed Cambodian National Assembly's willingness to play an active role in advancing the development of the relations between the two countries. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Cambodia's National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Four buyers were the successful bidders at a bankruptcy court auction for parcels of land along the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels that add up to about 120 acres. The land has been owned by TBOTG Development Inc. The Bluffs on the Guadalupe Buyers are lined up to acquire more than 100 acres of residential and commercial land along the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels for a combined fire-sale price of almost $18.5 million far short of what its bankrupt Austin-based owner had hoped to fetch. Owner TBOTG Development Inc., which sought bankruptcy protection in April 2024 amid legal woes, wanted to achieve a price closer to $28.6 million, the valuation that an appraiser had calculated it could achieve in a bulk sale of the property, TBOTG President William T. Korioth said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We were very disappointed that the auction did not at least get bulk-sale value, he said in a phone interview Tuesday. Matthew Baumgartner, a lawyer for TBOTG, referred to the $18.5 million as a fire-sale price that was the result of a forced liquidation sale. TBOTG had envisioned building 242 high-end homes on the site known as the Bluffs on the Guadalupe at 11529 FM 306 before landing in bankruptcy. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its inability to get court confirmation of its various reorganization plans ultimately led to an auction overseen by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Austin last week. The four winning bidders, the amount they agreed to pay and the real estate they are poised to acquire are: Pulte Homes of Texas LP., $7.56 million, 58 residential estate lots on 92 acres. Some of the lots border the river. Also included are a sales office and a waterfront amenity. Backup bidder Vinod Nagi, a Cedar Park real estate investor, bid almost $7.46 million. JVI LLC of Fulshear, $6.5 million, 13 residential waterfront lots totaling more than 16 acres. National Land Partners II LLC, of Williamstown, Mass., submitted a $5.2 million backup bid. Houstons Crewco LLC, $3.5 million, a 7.2-acre commercial tract on the north end of the tract. Backup bidder WTK Development Ltd., a Korioth partnership, bid $3.3 million. WTK Development, $900,000, a 4.8-acre commercial lot. Crewco made a $800,000 backup bid. The backup bidder would step in to complete the purchase in the event a high bidder cant close on a sale. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A hearing to approve the deals is set for Oct. 30 before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Shad Robinson in Austin. Any objections to the sales must be made by Friday. Hilco Real Estate Sales had been marketing the 142-acre property since July. The remaining 22 acres represent green space that will go to Pulte, Korioth said. TBOTG Development Inc. had sought bankruptcy protection last year following litigation. It had wanted to build high-end homes and recreational amenities on the property before it was forced to sell the property at a bankruptcy court auction last week. The Bluffs on the Guadalupe Just such a rare, unique piece of land with a mile of Guadalupe River frontage, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a court filing earlier this year, TBOTG disclosed that the 142 acres had been appraised at about $42 million in August 2024. The combined bids represent less than half that amount. Korioth said the $42 million was based on the expectation that TBOTG could take its time in finding a buyer. TBOTG has said in the bankruptcy case that it sought Chapter 11 reorganization as a result of construction delays, noncompliance with the terms of loan documents signed with First Texas Bank of Georgetown, and the need to restructure debts owed to vendors and suppliers. The bank submitted a nearly $9.9 million secured claim in the bankruptcy, according to a court document filed earlier this year. But in a Sept. 29 brief filed with the 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin, TBOTG said it was forced into bankruptcy by litigation initiated against it and others by Korioths business partners. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Korioth has founded several companies, including those that own Whitewater Amphitheater music venue near New Braunfels, Hideout on the Horseshoe rental cabins in Canyon Lake and Whitewater Sports, which rents inner tubes for floating on the river. Korioth took on new partners in 2014. He said in the appeals court filing that the agreement the parties entered into spelled out their duties to each other, but only in terms of owning and operating a music venue. But the agreement also covered real estate development, including TBOTGs plan to develop the Bluffs, according to Whitewater Investment Partners LLC, a court document shows. The litigation is pending. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Korioth couldnt obtain exit financing because of Whitewater Investment Partners claims, said Baumgartner, the TBOTG lawyer. That financing would have allowed TBOTG to sell the land at appropriate market times that would have maximized value. He added the current real estate market has softened. Besides the 242 homes, TBOTGs plans for the Bluffs community called for a 1.7-mile hike and bike trail, swimming pools, a restaurant and bar, natural spring lagoons, river access for tubing, shuttle service to Gruene, and kayak, fishing and paddleboard huts. The community is across FM 306 from the Whitewater Amphitheater. Korioth has been developing projects around the river with business partners since 2003 and previously has described the Bluffs project as his biggest undertaking. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Johnny Acuna-Jacobo, 19, was arrested after the Sixth Street altercation and later released on bond. Courtesy KVUE In a viral video clip, a bystander recorded an Austin police officer repeatedly punching a man in the face on East Sixth Street on Friday night. Now, the man who was punched has been charged with assault of a peace officer, a second-degree felony, court records show. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Johnny Acuna-Jacobo, 19, was booked into the Travis County Jail on Saturday morning with bail set at $10,000, records show. He has since been released. I wouldnt even put my hands on nobody or an officer, thats what I know so far, Acuna-Jacobo told KVUE-TV on the jailhouse steps Monday morning. I have a good relationship with cops and whatnot. Like, I dont see them as a threat or whatnot, till what happened on Friday night. The viral clip shows several officers among a crowd of people in the busy nightlife district. A few seconds into the video, one officer identified in court documents as Officer Leger punches Acuna-Jacobo while hes on the ground in a fetal position. Another officer then moves in to help restrain him. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Court documents detail the Austin Police Departments account of what happened. While patrolling downtown, Leger responded to reports of an active physical altercation outside of Voodoo Room at 419 E Sixth St., near the corner of Sixth and Neches streets. The officer was allegedly breaking up a fight between two men when he was struck in the back of the head by Acuna-Jacobo, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In response, the officer executed a controlled takedown manuever before delivering closed fist strikes to Johnnys facial area, the document states. The affidavit only lists Leger's last name and badge number, but an online search shows a graduation program from APD's 147th Cadet Class listing Kenneth Leger as a graduate in May 2023. Leger's last name and badge number are identified later in the document in a quote thanking his loved ones for their support during his time in the academy. The American-Statesman has reached out to APD to confirm Leger's identity. In a statement, Police Chief Lisa Davis described the officers use of force as a crowd control incident and said the department has begun an internal review. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I want to assure our community and partners this investigation will be thorough, transparent and timely, Davis said. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. A police department spokesperson said the officer involved has been removed from patrol and placed on restricted duty during the investigation. Mayor Kirk Watson condemned the officers behavior, calling it inexcusable and indefensible. There is no room in APD for such violent behavior or for someone who claims to be a public servant and acts that way, Watson said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Records show Acuna-Jacobos first court appearance is set for Oct. 27 at 9:30 a.m. Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones speaks outside the federal courthouse after a bankruptcy hearing last year in Houston. David J. Phillip/Associated Press file photo The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear an appeal from Austin conspiracy theorist and talk show host Alex Jones, leaving intact a $1.4 billion defamation judgment against him over claims that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was a staged hoax. A Connecticut judge found the Infowars host liable in 2021 for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress to the families of victims. A jury later set damages totaling about $1.44 billion. Jones filed his appeal to the Supreme Court in September, arguing that the ruling violated his free speech rights. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Supreme Court denied the appeal without comment. After the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six educators, Jones repeatedly told his millions of Infowars listeners that the shooting was staged by actors to promote gun control. Families of the victims and an FBI agent who responded to the scene later sued, saying Jones claims subjected them to harassment, death threats and years of abuse from his followers. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Connecticut Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis sanctioned Jones in 2021 for what she called "willful refusal" to follow discovery orders, entering a rare default judgment that made him liable for defamation and emotional distress. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A jury the next year awarded nearly $1 billion in compensatory damages, and Bellis later added $473 million in punitive damages against Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems, which runs Infowars. Jones filed for bankruptcy in 2022 as the families sought to collect. His media network, based in Austin, was briefly slated to be auctioned to the satirical outlet The Onion, but that sale was thrown out by a bankruptcy judge over fairness issues. In August, a Texas judge revived the auction, ordering Infowars assets sold to help pay Jones $1.4 billion debt to Sandy Hook families. Last week, Jones argued in a follow-up appeal that without Supreme Court intervention, Sandy Hook families could seize and auction Infowars to ideological opponents, effectively silencing the platform and misleading its millions of followers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The case now continues in Texas courts, where Jones is also appealing a separate $49 million judgment from a similar defamation suit. CANADA - 2025/09/20: In this photo illustration, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen and the United States flag in the background. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett College students want to know how soon can they get their refunds. The 2026-2027 academic year is still months away, it doesn't hurt to know what you can do to get your money on time. Here's what to know when applying for FAFSA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When can I apply to FAFSA? Students were able to being filing their FAFSA forms starting Oct. 1 for the 2026-27 academic year. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to increase their chances of getting the maximum amount of financial aid, and be sure to also check for earlier state and school-specific deadlines, as these can vary. What is the deadline for FAFSA? According to the Federal Student Aid, the deadline to file the FAFSA form for the 2026-2027 is June 30, 2027. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 12, 2027. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Do I need to fill out the FAFSA every year? You need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you plan to attend college in order to qualify for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. Your eligibility may change annually based on your financial circumstances and program requirements. Each FAFSA applies to a specific award year, so you must submit a new form for every academic year in which youre enrolled. Should I apply even if my parents have a high income? Lending Tree recommends that you should still still complete the FAFSA even if your parents have a high income. You may still qualify for merit-based scholarships, federal or private loans and other forms of aid. Many colleges evaluate financial need separately from the admissions process, and submitting the FAFSA, regardless of their income, will not negatively impact your admission decision, even if you dont qualify for need-based aid. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What tax information do I need for FAFSA? When completing the FAFSA form, youll need to provide tax and income information for yourself and for your parents if youre considered a dependent student. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Here's what required: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Your Social Security Number Your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) if youre not a U.S. citizen Federal income tax returns (Note: You must provide consent and approval to disclose your federal tax information to be eligible for federal student aid.) Records of child support received Your current balance of cash, savings, and checking accounts Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable) Records of net worth of investments, businesses, and farms Records of untaxed income (if applicable) What if I miss the deadline for FAFSA? The Federal Student Aid website suggests that if you do miss the deadline, reach out to your schools financial aid office to find out what options may still be available. Some states and colleges continue to offer aid to students who submit the FAFSA late, though funding is often limited and awards may be smaller. You may still qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, even if you missed other deadlines. When will I receive my financial aid offer? The processing time depends on when you submitted your FAFSA form. Here are some things to considered when waiting on your financial aid offer letter: Advertisement Article continues below this ad The timeline that college or career school has for accessing the information The students admission application status with the college or career school The date the student submitted the FAFSA form The number of FAFSA forms the college or career school received According to the Federal Student Aid website, most colleges and career schools wait to create financial aid offers until after a student has been admitted. To learn more about applying for aid, contact the schools financial aid office. Once youve completed the schools admission and financial aid requirements, the financial aid office will review your information and determine your eligibility. Your aid offer will outline the estimated cost of attendance for the academic year and list any grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities or loans you qualify for. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Williamson County Jail in Georgetown Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman Williamson County commissioners on Tuesday approved $1.15 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a former inmate who said several jailers broke his leg and fractured his hip while he was not resisting them. Johnny Tijerina filed the lawsuit in 2024 saying that after jailers injured him, he was placed in a restraining chair and denied medical care while screaming in pain for several hours. The commissioners made no comment about the lawsuit after approving the settlement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The incident happened on Oct. 26, 2023, after Tijerina was charged with driving while intoxicated, the lawsuit said. It said Tijerina suffers from anxiety, a learning disability and is hard of hearing. He got confused while being booked into jail and officers overreacted by handcuffing him behind his back and leading him to a cell where they yelled commands at him to take off his clothes, the lawsuit said. It said Tijerina told them he couldn't remove his clothes unless his handcuffs were removed but one of the jailers ignored him and told the other officers to "take him down." One of the officers swept his leg out from underneath him so that Tijerina fell and then four officers piled on top, according to the lawsuit. It said Tijerina screamed that the officers had broken his leg but they forced him to stand on his broken leg and sit in a restraining chair where he had to fold forward on his fractured hip. A jailer told him he was put in the restraining chair because he refused to answer questions, according to the lawsuit. 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 Tijerina, who is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds, sat in the chair screaming for hours about his pain but jailers ignored him and later put him in a cell where they also ignored his pleas for help, the lawsuit said. Tom Alter raises a fist during a rally held in opposition of his firing from Texas State University outside Hays County Historic Courthouse in San Marcos, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Alter, a tenured history professor, was fired after speaking at an off-campus socialism conference. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman After a Hays County district judge ordered Texas State University to provide due process to a tenured professor fired for his speech at a socialism conference, the university doubled down on its decision to let the professor go. After a thorough review of Dr. Alters conduct and the information provided during his due process hearing, President (Kelly) Damphousse has notified Dr. Alter that his employment at Texas State University is terminated, effective immediately, the university said in a statement to the American-Statesman Monday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas State Employees Union said in a news release that the termination is deeply troubling and jeopardizes the first amendment rights of Tom Alter, a tenured history professor who specializes in protest movements, labor and capitalism. In early September, conservative online outlet Texas Scorecard published a video of Alter talking about the importance of organization for revolution at the Revolutionary Socialism Conference. In the video, Alter said without organization, how can anyone expect to overthrow the most bloodthirsty, profit-driven, mad organization in the history of the world, that of the U.S. government? Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source University President Kelly Damphousse initially terminated Alter on Sept. 10, shortly after the university told the conservative outlet that it would investigate Alters comments. Hours after the Scorecard article published, Damphousse said the university terminated the professor for conduct that advocates for inciting violence and speech that does not reflect Texas States values. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Alter later sued the university over his termination, which he said violates his free speech rights and reflects a broader political attack to silence unfavorable speech in higher education. In late September, a Hays County judge ordered the university to reinstate Alter and implement its own due process procedures, including a hearing. Mondays termination reflects Texas States subsequent decision. In an interview Tuesday with the American-Statesman, Alter said he attended the revolutionary socialism conference in his individual capacity and spoke hypothetically about organization strategies in resistance. He said he was not advocating for overthrowing the government nor for violence and was not speaking as he would in a classroom. That doesnt enter my classroom, Alter said about advocacy. But as a citizen of the U.S., I have my protected free speech rights. Though disappointed in the universitys decision, Alter said he has faith legal action will prevail in his favor. He plans to appeal the universitys decision through its internal processes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Controversy on college campuses Texas State University, a public institution in San Marcos that enrolls about 40,000 students, was at the epicenter of political controversy this fall as universities wrestled with increasing calls from conservative politicians to censor unfavorable speech. After Alters termination, Gov. Greg Abbott publicly called for the university to expel a student who a viral video showed apparently mocking Charlie Kirks assassination. Shortly after the post, the university confirmed the student was no longer enrolled. On Sept. 25, Texas Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-San Marcos, said Katrina Meadors, a faculty recruiter for Texas State University, had also been terminated for social media remarks that criticized the university for removing the student. The university confirmed to the American-Statesman that Meadors is no longer employed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Damphousse addressed faculty and staff in an email Monday before Alters employment decision became public, affirming the universitys commitment to listening, collaborating and supporting you and promising to restore trust during this moments challenging times. I am unable to specifically address personnel and student issues, but please do not mistake that silence for indifference or lack of empathy, Damphousse said. What I can tell you is this: the decisions I make as president are guided by my commitment to ensuring that the mission of this university endures for generations to come. Alter said he has been buoyed by the support of the American Association of University Professors and the universitys employee union, the American Historical Association, and numerous colleagues and students. He encouraged faculty and students to continue exercising their free speech rights despite fear of consequences. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were still fighting, Alter said. This is a broad fight for academic freedom and free speech. Ava Hosseini, a humanities honors program student and editor-in-chief at The Rag, chants at a protest at the University of Texas at Austin on Monday, October. 13, 2025. About 150 people gathered to protest Trump's compact, which was sent to UT and eight other schools. If signed, UT will get exclusive benefits but also pledge to follow trump's guidance. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman A U.S. district court temporarily halted the University of Texas Systems enforcement of a new free speech law, siding with students who say its limits are overly broad and restrictive. The decision, filed Tuesday afternoon after a hearing earlier this month, said the Campus Protection Act, or Senate Bill 2972 by Sen. Brandon Creighton, is likely in violation of the First Amendment, particularly its end-of-term restrictions on expressive activities, guest speakers and amplified sound. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Students are now able to exercise their First Amendment rights without having to fear whether or not [they are speaking] even at the wrong hour of the day or the wrong time of the year, said JT Morris, senior attorney at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression who represented students, in an interview Wednesday morning. The First Amendment stands as strongly at our public universities as it does anywhere else, and the judge recognized that. The injunction applies to campuses in the University of Texas System, including the University of Texas at Austin and UT San Antonio. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Senate Bill 2972 passed after pro-Palestinian protests on Texas campuses resulted in more than 150 arrests. The demonstrations roiled conservative lawmakers, who accused the protesters of being disruptive and anti-Semitic, despite protesters saying their speech was peaceful. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though Creighton who previously served as the chairman of the Texas Senate Education K-16 Committee and was recently named the chancellor of the Texas Tech University System said the law upholds and protects free speech rights on college campuses, his legislation undid bipartisan protections passed in 2019 to classify all university open spaces as traditional public forums for any member of the public. A coalition of University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at Dallas students, represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, sued the system for its enforcement of the law. The group argued the legislations tight regulation of expressive activities could include publishing news, holding vigils, hosting music events or wearing T-shirts with political messages. UT also received pushback for stating Austin Street Medics, a volunteer organization offering medical help at local protests, could not be on campus if they were not students, due to the new law that strips protections from non-students attending campus protests. Creighton stood by the law in a statement to the American-Statesman Wednesday morning, saying the act enshrines measures to better protect students on campus while still upholding the First Amendment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This ruling represents only a temporary stay by one judge, and Im confident the law will ultimately be upheld, Creighton said. Texas can and will be the model for how universities protect both free expression and campus integrity. The UT System said in a statement that while we cannot comment on matters involving litigation at this time, the UT System complies with the law and court orders. U.S. District Judge David Ezras 52-page ruling orders the UT System to no longer enforce the overnight expression ban, end-of-term drum and amplified sound ban and end-of-term speaker ban. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The judges ruling marks a win for free speech and academic freedom proponents after a fall fraught with professor terminations and student removals across the state for speech and conduct offensive to conservative leaders. Though FIREs lawsuit is ongoing, and the preliminary injunction only impacts the UT System, Morris said he is hopeful the ruling will have a larger impact. Were hopeful that lawmakers and campus administrators alike recognize what the court reaffirmed, Morris said, And thats the strong First Amendment protections for students and staff and others who speak and express themselves at public universities. This report has been updated. A hallway is seen in the high school building at the Westview School in Houston, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle Texas families interested in school vouchers will be able to apply beginning in February, according to newly obtained documents outlining the rollout of the landmark $1 billion program. The window for families to sign their children up is set to run from Feb. 4 to March 20. Decisions about awarded vouchers will be finalized by May 1, with the money accessible in digital wallets beginning July 1. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The timeline, detailed in contracting documents obtained by Hearst Newspapers via a public records request, is the most specific plan seen so far for the new Texas Education Freedom Accounts program, which will provide state dollars to pay a wide variety of educational expenses, including private school tuition and homeschool costs. Families had previously been told to expect applications to open in early 2026. The program is meant to prioritize low-income families and projected to serve around 100,000 students. Families will be eligible to receive up to $10,500 for children in private school, up to $30,000 for children with special needs, or $2,000 for homeschoolers for the 2026-27 school year. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The proposed timeline conflicts with the typical application deadlines for many private schools, with some accepting applications only until the end of 2025 or early 2026. That means many families may need to decide to apply to private school before knowing whether the school will be approved for use with a voucher, or whether they will receive a voucher at all. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For example, at Awty International School, a highly rated private school in Houston with tuition at $36,610 for this year, prospective students must apply before Jan. 15 and will receive admissions notifications by March 5, according to the website. Students must reply to the offer of admission and enroll by March 25, almost two months before families are scheduled to receive final notification of a voucher award on May 1. Awty has not yet made a public statement about whether the school will apply to be part of the program. Many area schools, like The Westview School, a private school for students with Autism, are awaiting the release of the final rules for the program by the comptroller before making a decision, which are expected by the end of the month. The documents also show that Odyssey, the New York-based technology firm selected to run the program last week, received a contract worth $26 million that runs over the next two years, with an option for the state to renew it for two more years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Before the years end, eligible private schools and vendors can apply to be recipients of the allotted funding, according to the contract. Odyssey expects to open those applications on Dec. 2. Odyssey, which was founded in 2021 and also runs school choice programs in Louisiana, Georgia, Utah and Iowa, was selected as the vendor from among 11 companies that submitted bids for the lucrative contract, which is expected to grow alongside the program in coming years. Legislators had budgeted up to 5% of the programs costs for a technology vendor, or up to $50 million over the first two years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The contract outlines some penalties that would be imposed if Odyssey does not meet certain performance standards, such as keeping its online platforms running and processing transactions quickly. Odyssey was the top-scoring company in previous performance and its proposal, according to a scoring rubric of the finalist proposals. Both Classwallets and Student First Technologies bids also came in at a much higher estimated cost, priced at around $40 or $50 million, respectively, over the two years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The comptrollers office has also initiated a plan to market the program to families statewide, slated to begin Oct. 31. Odyssey will partner with three companies, according to the subcontracting plan it submitted: Steel Digital Studios Inc, an Austin-based digital advertiser; Vianovo, a political and strategic communications firm; and Outschool.org, a non-profit that has participated in outreach for voucher programs in Virginia, Arkansas and South Carolina. The three subcontractors will receive around $1.2 million of Odysseys total contract. YAOUNDE, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon's Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji on Tuesday rejected opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary's claim of victory in Sunday's presidential election, calling it unconstitutional and "an act of extreme gravity." In a statement, Atanga Nji said Tchiroma seeks to disrupt the electoral process. "Public order will be maintained and reinforced nationwide so that the electoral process proceeds peacefully to its conclusion," he added. Early Tuesday, Tchiroma said in a televised address that the results showed an "overwhelming victory" for him. "Our victory is clear. It must be respected. The people have chosen," said Tchiroma, a former government spokesman who resigned to run against President Paul Biya, who has been the country's leader for 43 years. According to the Cameroon Electoral Code, the results of the election will be proclaimed by the Constitutional Council within no more than 15 days of the close of the poll. Leander City Hall American-Statesman file The three candidates competing for the Place 3 seat on the Leander City Council all say that making sure the city has a safe, reliable water supply is their main priority. Leander gets all of its water supply from Lake Travis and is part of the three-city Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority project to bring more water from the lake by summer 2027. In the past few years, the city has experienced issues that have resulted in temporary water conservation measures including upgrades to a water treatment plant and repairs to a pipeline from the lake. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The candidates for Place 3 are Natomi Blair, a a 44-year-old account executive at Dell Technologies, Mohan Marchetty, a 45-year-old technology director at UnitedHealth Group, and Anna Yelaun, a 44-year-old director of the Texas Region of Math Kangaroo, a national nonprofit that runs math competitions for students. Yelaun also owns a math academy. The Place 3 position was previously held by David McDonald, who resigned in August to run for Williamson County Commissioner Precinct 2. The winner will fill the rest of McDonald's three-year term that expires in May 2028. What do you think are the most important issues facing the city? Blair: "One of the most critical issues facing Leander is our water supply," she said. "As one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Texas, our ability to provide reliable, safe water is directly tied to how well we plan, conserve and invest in our infrastructure." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Natomi Blair Natomi Blair Marchetty: "Leander is growing fast and with that comes criticial challenges: securing water and infrastructure, managing growth responsibly, ensuring public safety, and preserving the very fabric that makes our city special: parks, trails, open space and support for small businesses and large employers alike," he said. "We must ensure that growth enhances, not erodes, our quality of life." Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Yelaun: "Leanders biggest challenges are securing our water supply, protecting our growing population and getting smarter about city spending," she said. "We must prepare for growth by strengthening infrastructure and public safety while protecting the values and character that make Leander our home." Advertisement Article continues below this ad What are your goals if elected? Blair said she will focus on water conservation and security, investment in infrastructure and public safety and championing small businesses and attracting larger employers. "I will continue to meet with community leaders, neighborhood groups and residents to ensure that decisions reflect what matters most to the people of Leander." Marchetty said his goals include "collaborating regionally so the city never faces a water shortage or stagnation." He said he also wants to expand and maintain parks, advocate for smart growth to "fit the character of the community," streamline permitting for businesses, strengthen public safety and increase resident engagement in city government. Mohan Marchetty courtesy of Mohan Marchetty Yelaun said her goals include advocating for strategic water management plans that emphasize conservation and to explore alternative sources, and fully funding police and fire to make sure the city remains a safe and family-oriented community "where residents voices are always heard." "I will make sure every tax dollar is spent wisely, insist on balanced budgets, and help Leander reach new milestones while remaining fiscally disciplined," she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What makes you the best candidate? Blair: "Professionally, I have decades of leadership and business experience," she said. "I have led high-performing teams responsible for more than $383 million in revenue and currently manage $50M+ in sales to Fortune 250 companies. This experience has sharpened my ability to make strategic, fiscally responsible decisions that balance growth with sustainability." Marchetty: "I dont approach this as an 'on-the-job learning role,'" he said. "I bring years of real-world experience managing budgets, delivering projects and executing results. I audit every promise, I insist on accountability, and I commit to action from day one." Yelaun: "I am the only candidate who combines advanced technical expertise in water and infrastructure with strong financial leadership and years of community service," she said. "I hold an MBA, a masters in geophysics, and a Ph.D in finance, and I worked over 12 years as a chief financial officer. Today, I serve on city of Leander commissions and community organizations, giving me direct experience with the issues our city faces." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Anna Yelaun courtesy of Anna Yelaun What community groups are you involved in now or in the past? Blair: She said she is chair of Austin Community Radio, KAZI 88.7 FM, is a school ambassador for Leander Educational Excellence Foundation, a committee member of the Leander ISD District-wide Educational Improvement Council and a former PTA vice chair for Jim Plain Elementary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Marchetty: He said he is a board member of the Cedar Park Public Library Foundation, a board member of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation and is involved in local business associations and chambers in Leander and the greater Austin area. The most significant change in Proposition 12 involves who sits on the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Voters should look closer, Steve Fischer writes. MediaNews Group/Boston Herald vi/MediaNews Group via Getty Images Weve all heard that the devils in the details and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Both sayings could have been written about Proposition 12 on the Nov. 4 ballot. The ballot language says Proposition 12 concerns the membership and authority of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) and aims to help the Texas Supreme Court more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct. That sounds reasonable, but voters should look closer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The proposals attempts to streamline the disciplinary process are modest. The commission could use more flexibility, but under this plan, judges might lose their right to a hearing in minor cases. That would be wrong. Judges facing disciplinary proceedings deserve the same due process as any defendant: the chance to respond before a finding is reached. Some argue that a public reprimand from the SCJC isnt much of a penalty. But it has serious consequences. A reprimand often prompts an election opponent, and many judges lose their seats as a result. It also disqualifies them from serving as retired visiting judges a coveted role for those wanting part-time work after retirement. When I served on the SCJC in 202021, I saw seasoned judges in tears, begging the commission not to impose sanctions that they feared could end their careers. If lawmakers truly wanted tougher accountability, they could have empowered the SCJC after a full, fair hearing to remove delinquent judges from office. Instead, those cases go to the Texas Supreme Court, which appoints a three-judge panel to hold a hearing. That process often drags on for more than a year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The most significant change in Proposition 12 involves who sits on the SCJC. The 13-member commission now includes two members appointed by the State Bar of Texas. Proposition 12 would transfer those seats to the governor. That would give the governor a majority: seven political appointees out of 13. The remaining six members judges at various levels would still be appointed by the Texas Supreme Court. I dont object to that. When I served, the judicial members didnt protect their own. Though all were Republicans, I never saw partisan bias in their decisions. The real problem is removing the two attorneys chosen by the State Bar. Who better understands judges than the lawyers who appear before them? When I was elected by the State Bar, no one asked about my politics. What mattered was my experience practicing in dozens of Texas counties since 1983. The Bar strives to appoint seasoned attorneys who know the courts and the people who run them. By contrast, the governors appointees to the commission werent attorneys. Their main qualifications seemed to be loyalty to the Republican Party and campaign donations. Aside from a college degree, they had no special knowledge of the courts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They were also the most openly partisan. We met about six times a year, and during one meeting, they called a break so they could watch the U.S. Senate vote in President Donald Trumps second impeachment trial. They cheered every no vote. I wasnt perfect, either. At one meeting I remarked that some members scrutinized Democratic judges more harshly than Republicans. I didnt enjoy the rancor that often surfaced, though Im told it has improved since then. Still, attorneys are the best judges of judges. We can recognize honesty and preparedness, temperament and fairness. Our experience brings balance and expertise to the SCJC. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Taking those two seats from the State Bar and handing them to the governor is a clear power grab. Texans should reject Proposition 12 and keep partisan influence in check. An operations manager at Austin Water Utility is shown atop the solids contact clarifier at the city's Water Treatment Plant No. 4. Proposition 4 would provide $1 billion a year in state funding toward water infrastructure projects across Texas. Deborah Cannon/American-Statesman Consider a typical day. We wake up, use the restroom, wash our hands, wash our face, brush our teeth, and drink some tea or coffee. We all use water many times each day, as do each of our neighbors in Austin, and all 31 million Texans. Meanwhile, in Texas, factories consume water to produce goods, and farms consume water to grow crops and raise livestock. Our water use in Texas would be enough to fill Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium 41 times each day! Population and economic growth are projected to increase water consumption, which will place greater demands on our water supplies and our water delivery infrastructure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In February, the Texas section of the American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, which gave our drinking water systems a D+ grade, our wastewater systems a D- grade, and our stormwater systems a C- grade. The grades were developed from an assessment of the infrastructure systems capacity, condition, funding, future need, operations and maintenance, public safety, resilience and innovation. The Texas grades indicate that these important systems require attention and are at risk of failure. Texas subpar grades reflect the decline of investment in local infrastructure systems over the past 20 years, the age of most systems and the very human viewpoint summed up by the phrase out of sight, out of mind. Water infrastructure systems are largely invisible to the public unless they break, so routine operations and maintenance investments may not be adequately prioritized. Thankfully, this past spring the Texas Legislature and the governor took two actions to raise our water infrastructure grades. First, they made a $2.6 billion initial investment in our water infrastructure systems by transferring money from our Rainy Day Fund. Second, they added a proposition to the Nov. 4 ballot asking voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would provide a $1 billion annual allocation from sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund. This would add up to a $20 billion investment in our water infrastructure over a 20-year period. If voters approve Proposition 4, how would the funds be used? About 50% of the states new investment would go toward expanding water supplies or developing new ones. The other half would go toward fixing and replacing aging infrastructure, including deficient or deteriorating water and wastewater systems. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Proposition 4 will fund $1 billion in water infrastructure projects each year for the next 20 years, without any tax increase, because the revenue will come from the existing state sales tax. Across Texas, aging water systems lose an estimated 88 billion gallons of water annually due to leaks. This investment will help communities repair and replace deteriorating pipes, reducing water loss and improving reliability. As the population in Texas continues to grow, Proposition 4 will protect and increase our states water supply to help ensure all communities have enough water. A vote for Proposition 4 will help expand water supplies and fix aging and deteriorating water systems to support our growing population. Investment in reliable water infrastructure will establish a strong foundation for continued economic growth across the state. As a practicing civil engineer and a member of the Texas Section of American Society of Civil Engineers, I encourage all voters to vote for Proposition 4 on Nov. 4. Advertisement Article continues below this ad BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The People's Bank of China said Tuesday that it will conduct a 600-billion-yuan (about 84.48 billion U.S. dollars) outright reverse repo operation on Oct. 15 to maintain ample liquidity in the banking system. The operation will be carried out with a fixed quantity through interest-rate bidding, with winning bids determined at multiple price levels. It will have a tenor of six months, or 182 days, according to the central bank. Outright reverse repo operations -- a tool the central bank introduced in October 2024 to manage liquidity in the national banking system -- are carried out each month with a tenor of no more than one year. These operations have enriched the country's monetary policy toolkit, complementing previous measures such as temporary repos, temporary reverse repos, and the buying and selling of treasury bonds. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President of Iceland Halla Tomasdottir, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with President of Iceland Halla Tomasdottir, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Xi said the fruitful outcomes of the bilateral relationship between China and Iceland over the past 54 years have demonstrated that countries with different national conditions can transcend differences in social systems and achieve mutual benefits and win-win results. The two countries should continue to respect and support each other's paths of development, and firmly back one another on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi noted. He called on both sides to deepen practical cooperation in areas including the economy, trade, geothermal energy, and healthcare, while advancing the green transition and addressing climate change. The two countries should maintain close communication and coordination, work together to resolve international disputes through dialogues and consultations, and promote a more just and equitable global governance system, Xi said. Tomasdottir said that Iceland highly values China's significant contributions to the advancement of women's cause worldwide and is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China to promote the all-round development of women globally. In the face of a turbulent world, China has demonstrated leadership in addressing global challenges, Tomasdottir said, adding that Iceland is ready to work with China to tackle these challenges. The two sides issued a joint statement on further strengthening cooperation on geothermal energy and green transition. Wang Yi attended the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President of Iceland Halla Tomasdottir, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Held on the eve of the Stockholm Food Forum and the launch of the 2025 EATLancet Commission report, the event marked the culmination of nearly a year of collaboration across ten Communities for Action networks representing every corner of the food system: from farmers and fishers to policymakers, chefs, financiers, scientists, and Indigenous Peoples. Each community had spent months developing concrete proposals: actions to take, actions to stop, and support needed from others. Action Day brought them all into one room for the first time to test ideas, bridge tensions, and design joint pathways forward. After many months of digital meetings, participants were thrilled to gather in person, said Mary Scheuermann, researcher at the Stockholm Resilience Centre who co-created the Action Day. The energy came from confronting real tensions and identifying the synergies that connect sectors of the food system. The Centre played a key role in the dialogue process leading up to the gathering, with significant contributions from Line Gordon, Malin Jonell, Amar Laila, Anne Charlotte Bunge, Costanza Conti, and Leah Hupp. Mary Scheuermann synthesized the data across Communities to identify common Action Areas that can enable transformative change such as aligning policies, empowering farmer-led innovation, and embedding Indigenous and scientific knowledge in decision-making. Breakthrough collaborative ideas Throughout the day, participants engaged in structured breakout workshops designed to generate breakthrough collaborative ideas. The process, facilitated by Convene, encouraged open dialogue and trust-building across sectors. What stood out was how unique it was to have farmers, policymakers, business leaders, and scientists in the same room, all working toward the same goal, said Scheuermann. Diversity in participation made possible through funding for low- and middle-income country representatives and Indigenous Peoples was essential for ensuring justice in both process and outcomes. The most promising ideas from Action Day were later shared at the Stockholm Food Forum. What emerged was not a single solution, but a shared understanding of the conditions needed for transformation policy coherence, fair subsidies, farmer-led science, Indigenous knowledge, and nutrition-centered education, said Line Gordon, director of Stockholm Resilience Centre. When these come together, real change becomes possible. MINSK, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Belarus has expressed strong approval of the recent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the launch of the initial phase of the peace plan, and the start of prisoner exchanges, Ruslan Varankov, spokesperson for the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, said on Monday. Varankov expressed appreciation for the efforts of all parties involved in the complex negotiations that led to these developments. He reaffirmed Belarus's consistent position that international disputes should be addressed solely through peaceful and diplomatic means, in full accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. Belarus gives priority to any measures that alleviate civilian suffering and ensure unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, the spokesperson said. "We are convinced that a long-term settlement of the Palestine-Israel conflict is possible only on the basis of a two-state solution," he said. Belarus recognized the State of Palestine in 1988 and continues to uphold "the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to determine their own future," Varankov added. As AI Personalizes the Future, Local Ads Must Break Free from One-Size-Fits-All The ad industry has made enormous strides in targeting and media efficiency in recent years. Although much of media has evolved rapidly, creative has advanced at a slower pace. Most advertisers still continue to push the same creative across wildly different geographies, behaviors, and buying stages. That may have worked in an era of broad-reach media, but today, its a missed opportunity. This is especially pronounced in local markets, where budget-constrained campaigns often span dozens of zip codes, consumer profiles, and brand categories - but still rely on a single generic message. As AI embeds itself deeper into the infrastructure of modern advertising, its changing how we think about developing and tailoring the message itself. Ad creative can be dynamic, testable, and just as targeted as the rest of the campaign. High-Value Local Channels Demand High-Relevance Messaging Consider CTV, where local advertisers now expect the same precision theyve long had in search and social. Marketers are increasingly drawn to the big screen for its blend of premium inventory and digital precision. Yet while audience segmentation has matured dramatically, the messaging served to those segments remains stubbornly uniform. Whether its a parent in suburban Ohio or a young renter in Austin, too often theyre seeing the same exact spot. That disconnect is inefficient and actively erodes the value of advanced targeting. This pattern repeats across the board. Streaming audio offers granular playlists and contextual cues. DOOH delivers moment-based placements near retail. But few campaigns adapt messaging to reflect the context, let alone test which creative performs best in each setting. Advertisers are investing in placement intelligence while overlooking message intelligence. The result is a growing gap between what campaigns can do and what they actually deliver. One-Size-Fits-All Creative Drags Down Campaign Performance The most common explanation for creative uniformity used to be cost. Producing multiple versions of a spot or ad unit took time, budget, and a deep bench of creative talent. That barrier is quickly disappearing. With the right tools in place, local advertisers can analyze which messages drive visits or conversions, then refine mid-flight to amplify whats working and juice their ROI. For local advertisers managing tight budgets across multiple regions or franchise locations, AI-powered creative tools lower the barrier to message testing - allowing for meaningful variation without the overhead of a national production budget. Todays AI-powered creative tools - from dynamic templates to generative content - enable brands to develop multiple variants quickly and affordably. And not just cosmetic tweaks, but meaningful iterations tailored by audience, context, and stage in the customer journey. As more brands adopt outcome-based models that optimize for conversions, visits, or purchases, creative relevance becomes a defining variable. Great targeting can only take a campaign so far if the message fails to connect. In fact, the difference between an average performer and a top-performing campaign often hinges not on who saw it, but what they saw. Marketers know this intuitively. A product demo works better for mid-funnel audiences than brand storytelling. Localized offers convert better than generic calls to action. Yet many advertisers still deploy a single asset across the board, measuring outcomes without interrogating the message. A Call for Alignment The upside of addressing this is clear. Creative variation unlocks a new layer of optimization. It enhances targeting. And with the right testing frameworks in place, campaigns can evolve mid-flight based on whats resonating. As the industry moves further into a media environment defined by precision, personalization, and performance, creative strategy must evolve in step. Media plans that stop at reach and geography are missing out. The promise of modern advertising is better experiences for consumers and advertisers alike. Because in todays high-stakes, high-cost media ecosystem, sameness isnt safe. Its expensive. Its time to move past static creatives and start treating message variation as a performance driver, not an afterthought. [Editor's note: This is a contributed article from Madhive. Streaming Media accepts vendor bylines based solely on their value to our readers.] Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related Articles Media Companies Show Signs of Technical Progress As streaming continues to quickly grow, media companies are dealing with a major surge in operational complexity that demands immediate solutions. Media companies need to distribute content across an increasingly complex network of partners, help advertisers reach fragmented audiences to achieve their KPIs. Deliver cross-channel optimization with transparent reporting that drives profitable growth. After mostly kicking AI tires over the last 18 months, media executives are ready to commit and are looking for solutions that can help them find efficiencies, reduce manual work and automate some of the more labor-intensive processes that are causing a drag on their operation. Current gaps in data and technology, along with recent RIFs at a lot of major media companies left many stretched thin and in urgent need for ready-to-deploy solutions to help them keep up with the workload. The pivot towards realistic technological advancements signals that media companies are serious about adapting to the new reality of streaming, AI, and automation. Where Media Companies Face the Greatest Strains Media companies are dealing with several technology innovations at once, pulling them in many directions. Most critically, streaming has reached a tipping point that forces nearly every media company to reassess their entire business model - from how they distribute content to how they reach audiences and how they sell and deliver advertising. After years of tech companies urging media companies to prepare for a fractured multichannel future, that reality is finally coming true. Media companies are facing a market where audiences have migrated to streaming channels, advertisers are asking for buying simplicity and seamless delivery across channels, and their current legacy processes and technology simply dont hold up. Simply throwing bodies at the problem does not work. Streaming is an addressable channel, which can support a huge variety of personalized content for audiences and audience targeting for advertisers. Add to that the enormous amount of data that is used to manage streaming, and it becomes clear that a team of people simply cant keep up with the real time requirements of delivering relevant content and advertising to millions of people while also reporting and optimizing it at the same time. In parallel, many media companies are seeing new competition and are experiencing decreased viewership on legacy channels. This has required many companies to reduce headcount in different parts of their business and shift their focus to emerging business segments. Where Technology Innovations Deliver Maximum Impact The good news is that these pressures are driving media companies to take action and solve these needs now. This shift, from hypothetical future scenario planning to tactical problem solving is focused on a few key areas: Leveraging AI for efficiency gains: Rather than pursuing broad transformational AI applications, media companies are targeting specific, high-impact use cases. Rather than paying professionals to perform simple data entry, resize thousands of ads, or cut and paste information from one dashboard into another, media companies are looking for AI-driven solutions to do it faster and more cost efficiently. The goal isnt to replace teams, most companies already went through RIFs and are not looking to reduce more staff - but rather allow the remaining staff to manage the expanded workload. Rather than pursuing broad transformational AI applications, media companies are targeting specific, high-impact use cases. Rather than paying professionals to perform simple data entry, resize thousands of ads, or cut and paste information from one dashboard into another, media companies are looking for AI-driven solutions to do it faster and more cost efficiently. The goal isnt to replace teams, most companies already went through RIFs and are not looking to reduce more staff - but rather allow the remaining staff to manage the expanded workload. Streamline content management: Media companies are deploying automation to address the complex details that slow down distribution and scheduling. The two areas we are seeing of most interest are program rights contract intake automation and schedule creation automation. As media companies find themselves partnering and integrating with a wider variety of companies across the streaming ecosystem, ensuring a scalable and seamless content workflow is critical to delivering great content to audiences. Media companies are deploying automation to address the complex details that slow down distribution and scheduling. The two areas we are seeing of most interest are program rights contract intake automation and schedule creation automation. As media companies find themselves partnering and integrating with a wider variety of companies across the streaming ecosystem, ensuring a scalable and seamless content workflow is critical to delivering great content to audiences. Revenue optimization: As linear revenue streams continue to decline, media companies need to find ways to reduce costs and maintain this still very large and important legacy business, while supporting growth on the streaming side. This requires investment in technology and automation that can bridge the two business models effectively. Audiences and advertisers have many options today, so media companies need to bring their A-game, providing access to top content for viewers and delivering quality, value and results for advertisers. This means they need automation all the way from proposal to operations and delivery to reporting and yield management. Time to Dig In Maintaining legacy linear business practices is no longer an option. Media companies must adopt an integrated and automated approach. Working closely with technology partners to unify fragmented systems and streamline processes will be essential to optimizing linear operations while supporting fast-changing needs of the streaming business. Disconnected tools and workflows have historically constrained progress. Media companies need faster execution and better visibility across campaigns and content pipelines. Building bridges between different parts of the business rather than treating them as separate silos, will maximize revenue potential and help keep audiences and advertisers engaged across all channels. AI-powered automation can help companies effectively manage increasingly complex rights, handle complex scheduling needs, optimize advertising across multiple distribution channels, and simplify reporting. This enables teams to focus on higher-value strategic and creative initiatives. The companies that succeed will be those that invest in practical, proven AI solutions, rather than pursuing speculative applications. The next chapter of media growth will belong to those who act decisively, collaborate strategically, and leverage technology to enhance both operational efficiency and creative capabilities. [Editor's note: This is a contributed article from Operative. Streaming Media accepts vendor bylines based solely on their value to our readers.] Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related Articles Sneak Preview: AI and Live Streaming: Automation and Analytics at Streaming Media 2025 On Tuesday, October 7, SVTA's Bhavesh Upadhyaya will moderate the Streaming Media 2025 panel "AI and Live Streaming: Automation and Analytics." AI and machine learning are enabling new efficiencies in streaming workflows and taking live stream monitoring to new levels for those who know how to leverage them. Join this panel to see the cutting edge of real-time production workflows, automation, and predictive analytics. AI and Streaming Media This article explores the current state of AI in the streaming encoding, delivery, playback, and monetization ecosystems. By understanding the developments and considering key questions when evaluating AI-powered solutions, streaming professionals can make informed decisions about incorporating AI into their video processing pipelines and prepare for the future of AI-driven video technologies. Companies and Suppliers Mentioned LTN and XR Extreme Reach partner to power live syndication across broadcast stations Joint offering enables studios to deliver live programming into US broadcast stations via a purpose-built IP network Columbia, Maryland( ) LTN announces a new partnership with XR Extreme Reach, the leading platform for managing advertising operations and syndicated programming distribution. The joint offering enables studios to unify file-based workflows via XRs platform and live delivery via LTNs purpose-built IP network, extending reach into an existing, growing footprint at over 900 stations serving every US TV market. XR helps studios and brands manage every aspect of advertising and syndicated programming delivery from ad asset management and rights tracking to distribution across 50,000 media platforms worldwide. Building on industry leadership in ad and programming delivery across all major station groups, XRs partnership with LTN expands its offering with enhanced live delivery capabilities, allowing studios to deliver shows to affiliates in real-time as they are produced all from a single service provider. Live syndicated programming remains a powerful driver for local audience engagement for broadcasters nationwide, said Sherman Li, SVP of Strategic Alliances at XR. Through this partnership with LTN, XR is bringing an innovative solution to live syndicated video programming that allows our media clients to reach wider audiences, strengthen their distribution, and accelerate growth for the content theyve invested in. The partnership delivers a smarter, unified solution for media companies seeking to simplify syndication across file-based and live programming and extend distribution reach. XRs creative operations, asset management and distribution platform integrates seamlessly with LTNs real-time delivery and event and program-based master control services, streamlining operations without sacrificing reliability or visibility. The joint offering reduces the cost and complexity of legacy facilities, satellite-based workflows and removes the reliability risks associated with harnessing best-effort, IP protocol-only solutions. While XR manages all the complexities of episodic program syndication, monetization and rights management, LTN delivers ultra-reliable live video delivery and can seamlessly extend studio production teams by providing additional services. Live content drives audience engagement studios are pushing to make live programming more a part of stations daily on-air schedules, said Rick Young, SVP, Global Products at LTN. This partnership with XR leverages the most widely deployed and the industrys only managed IP network reaching broadcast stations throughout North America. As programmers look to move away from satellite for many use cases, the LTN Network provides unmatched US domestic reach along with deep access to facilities, pay TV providers and streaming platforms around the world. LTNs purpose-built, multicast-enabled IP network delivers over 80?million hours of live content annually, including nearly 5?million hours of live news and millions of live sporting events. With 99.9999%, SLA-backed availability and <250?ms latency, LTN distributes almost 8,000 full-time channels and has completed nearly 2,000 successful satellite?to?IP migrations. In 2025 alone, LTNs distribution footprint to MVPDs surged by 200% providing instant access to over 98% of pay TV households across the U.S. and Canada, with a commitment to reach 100% next year. From left, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer; Sydney A. Smith, drector of supply policy and programs in the office of the deputy chief of staff; Maj. Gen. Gavin A. Lawrence, deputy chief of staff for logistics and operations for Army Materiel Command; and Col. Craig Thompson, deputy chief of staff for logistics, facilities, environment at Army Materiel Command engage in a panel discussion at the AUSA convention in Washington on Oct. 13, 2025. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON With new privatized dining facilities yet to open at five Army bases, the service is already planning to privatize 10 more facilities within the next year and a half. Col. Craig Thompson, deputy chief of staff for logistics, facilities and environment at Army Materiel Command, announced the intentions to expand contracting opportunities at dining facilities during a panel Monday at the Association of the U.S. Armys annual conference in Washington. The service also is considering hiring a private contractor for one or two overseas dining facilities, he said. The first five bases selected for the private facilities, which will mirror the dining halls at major university campuses, are: Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Stewart, Ga.; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Drum, N.Y. Compass Group USA was announced last month as the contractor. The Army will assess each of the five dining facilities after 90 days. The first is expected to open in winter 2026, and all should be open by the following summer, Thompson said. Were going to learn with these first five pilots. Were going to learn for all the services, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer said during the panel. We have some really good ideas about how far we can go with this. Weve got to learn fast, and then weve got to take what we learn and we have to implement it quicker. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized in his opening remarks to the conference that bringing in industry partners will fix many systemic issues he sees in the service, including how the Army cares for its soldiers. We have to take care of them, so we are fixing the basics of food and billeting. Our dining system is absolutely broken. Its a poster child not only for corrupted systems, but poor quality and unhealthy food, Driscoll said. He also said laws, such as the 1936 Randolph-Sheppard Act which prioritizes companies owned by blind people to operate food service operations on federal property have been manipulated to prioritize profit. The result: a dining experience that soldiers hate. We are going to break through this barrier, Driscoll said. As the Army rolls out the new facilities, it is also looking for ways to incorporate another pilot program it ran for two weeks in August at Fort Hood that allowed soldiers to use their meal entitlements to eat at select restaurants on base. It was the first time that soldiers could use those entitlements outside of a soldier-run dining operation. This is all about extending the ecosystem of food options for our service members, said Maj. Gen. Gavin A. Lawrence, deputy chief of staff for logistics and operations for Army Materiel Command. [We are] meeting them where they are and providing options on where they eat, how they eat [and] when they eat, to provide flexibility so we can again, improve the holistic health and fitness of our soldiers. Clockwise from top left: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Kraus, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Cully, Sgt. Jadalyn Good and Sgt. Donavon Scott. (U.S. Army) (Tribune News Service) Gov. Bob Ferguson has directed U.S. and Washington state flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday to honor the four soldiers who died in a military helicopter crash last month. In the Monday announcement, Ferguson said he is deeply saddened by the deaths of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Cully, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Kraus, Sgt. Donavon Scott and Sgt. Jadalyn Good. Flags are directed to stay at half-staff at all state agency facilities until sunset or close of business. The Army identified the four soldiers on Sept. 22, days after the MH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crash near Summit Lake in western Thurston County. Scott, 25, was from Tacoma, Wash.; Good, 23, was from Mount Vernon, Wash.; 35-year-old Cully was from Sparta, Mo.; and 39-year-old Kraus was from Sanibel, Fla. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm the loss of four courageous Night Stalkers from the 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), who tragically lost their lives on Sept. 17th during a training mission, Col. Stephen Smith, the units commander, reportedly said. A news release from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command said the crash was an aviation mishap, and that its cause was being investigated. 2025 The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.). Visit www.theolympian.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The U.S. Navy Band and U.S. Naval Academy Band march through the streets of Philadelphia during the Navy and Marine Corps 250 parade, Oct. 13, 2025. (April Enos/U.S. Navy) Philadelphia celebrated the Navys 250th birthday with a city parade and a Victory at Sea concert, continuing a week of events honoring the Navy and Marine Corps. The Navys official birthday is Monday, and the Marine Corps celebrates on Nov. 10. As the birthplace of both services, Philadelphia is hosting events throughout the week to honor their legacy. The U.S. Navy Band and U.S. Naval Academy Band march through the streets of Philadelphia during the Navy and Marine Corps 250 parade, Oct. 13, 2025. (April Enos/U.S. Navy) Sailors and Marines raise the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps flags in front of Philadelphia City Hall in honor of the Navy and Marine Corps 250th Anniversary celebration, Oct. 13, 2025. (Chad M. Butler/U.S. Navy) The U.S. Navy Band and U.S. Naval Academy Band march through the streets of Philadelphia during the Navy and Marine Corps 250 parade, Oct. 13, 2025. (April Enos/U.S. Navy) Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle delivers remarks during a flag-raising ceremony in honor of the Navy and Marine Corps 250th Anniversary celebration at Philadelphia City Hall. (Chad M. Butler/U.S. Navy) The legendary Patti LaBelle guest performs with the U.S. Navy Band at the Victory at Sea concert celebrating the Navy and Marine Corps 250th birthday at Temple Universitys Performing Arts Center in Philadelphia, Oct. 12, 2025. (April Enos/U.S. Navy) The U.S. Navy Band celebrates the Navy and Marine Corps 250th birthday at the flagship Victory at Sea concert at Temple Universitys Performing Arts Center in Philadelphia, Oct. 12, 2025. (April Enos/U.S. Navy) The U.S. Navy Band performed at Philadelphia City Hall and marched through the citys streets Monday. During the event, the Navy and Marine Corps flags were raised in front of City Hall, and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle delivered remarks. As part of the services joint celebration, Patti LaBelle headlined the Victory at Sea concert with the U.S. Navy Band and U.S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps at Temple University on Sunday. The event was originally planned to be held outside at Independence Mall, but was livestreamed indoors due to the weather. Despite the government shutdown, the flagship celebration will continue with more events in Philadelphia from Thursday through next Wednesday including; public concerts, static aerial and ground asset displays, ship tours, an air show and ceremonies across the city. Most events will be free, and open to the public. President Donald Trump says the U.S. struck another small boat that he accused of carrying drugs in the waters off Venezuela, Oct. 14, 2025. (Pete Hegseth via X) WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Tuesday that U.S. forces had conducted another strike against an alleged drug smuggling vessel, killing six. Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the strike Tuesday morning on a vessel affiliated with a designated terrorist organization that was conducting narcotrafficking in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. No U.S. forces were harmed in the operation. Hegseth added a social media post that included a 34-second video of the strike. Tuesdays was the fifth known strike the U.S. has conducted in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, including most recently on Oct. 3, following a buildup of maritime forces in the region, including eight surface warships and more than 5,000 sailors and Marines. The strikes have killed 27 people. The latest strike comes after the Senate voted down legislation last week that would have put a check on Trumps ability to use deadly military force against drug cartels. The Trump administration has asserted that drug traffickers are armed combatants threatening the United States, creating justification to use military force. But that assertion has been met with some unease on Capitol Hill. U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs rest on the flight line at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on Aug. 20, 2025, during the Northern Edge 2025 exercise. (Dustin Braaten/U.S. Air Force) (Tribune News Service) Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance grew up outside the city during the Cold War. The specter of nuclear conflict and an attack on the areas military infrastructure loomed over her childhood. The Soviet Union felt pretty close, she said. I remember feeling a sense of fear, like, Were going to be the first ones in the line of fire. Were this target. The Cold War ended and the Soviet Union collapsed without an attack on Alaska. And for the next three decades, the states elected leaders grasped for arguments to justify continued federal investment in the major military installations in Anchorage and the Fairbanks area. But now, amid twin, allied threats from Russia and an ascendant China, Alaska is again becoming a priority for U.S. military leadership. They see the state not just as a base from which to send out American forces to overseas conflicts, but also a place that could be the site of actual warfare. The new focus on Alaska was underscored by the August summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin as well as by visits to the state the same month by top military officials who came to observe large-scale drills, including one called Northern Edge. The Northern Edge exercises take place every two years. But this years version was reimagined to simulate a conflict taking place specifically in Alaska a change from prior iterations that had not contained as much of a geographic focus, officials said. In the past, the exercises were high-end training that occurred in Alaska, said Rick Goodman, the U.S. Air Force brigadier general who directed this years edition of Northern Edge. Now, this is high-end training that is occurring that is about Alaska, from Alaska. Goodman added: The threats are growing. The guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. departs Dutch Harbor, Alaska, after a port visit on Aug. 18, 2025, as part of the Northern Edge 2025 exercise. (Christian Kibler/U.S. Navy) Two critical regions The Northern Edge exercises have been taking place for decades. But this year, the military aligned with a second set of drills called Arctic Edge. The two exercises brought together more than 5,000 troops to train not just in Anchorage but in rugged and remote sites across the state from the Aleutian Island port of Dutch Harbor to the Bering Strait hub town of Nome to a high-altitude lake, where a naval unit practiced diving scenarios. Among the top brass in Alaska to observe were Adm. Christopher Grady, who was then vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Adm. Samuel Paparo, the Navys top Indo-Pacific leader; and Adm. Kevin Lunday, who leads the U.S. Coast Guard. What policymakers and experts describe as the militarys renewed focus on Alaska marks a sharp change from the immediate post-Cold War era. In an interview, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski noted that two decades ago, the U.S. Department of Defense was threatening to close the major, Fairbanks-area Eielson Air Force Base sending its 2,800 troops to Nevada, Louisiana and Georgia and placing the installation in warm storage. Today, Eielson hosts two squadrons of cutting-edge F-35 fighter jets, with a recent federal investment of some $600 million in infrastructure supporting the planes. The military is also now exploring whether it could reopen a naval base on the remote Aleutian island of Adak, which was closed in 1997. We just kind of melted into the landscape, and everybody thinks about Alaska as remote and far away, Murkowski said. Now, things like the Chinese spy balloon a couple of years ago, things like the Trump-Putin visit people were like, Wow, I had no idea Alaska and Russia were so close. I had no idea of the geostrategic significance. She added: They dont think about the fact that we bridge two pretty critical regions. The designs of the recent exercises show how the military is thinking about Alaska amid Americas growing tensions with China and Russia. And that thinking also ties into the states unique and tricky position in the militarys command structure. Geographically, the protection of Alaska falls under the responsibility of U.S. Northern Command, or NORTHCOM, a military unit headquartered in Colorado thats charged with homeland defense. But most of the specific forces stationed at Alaska bases the fighter jets, the cargo planes and the thousands of soldiers technically report to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, or INDOPACOM, a Hawaii-based unit expected to play a key role in any conflict with China. The overlapping commands have long fueled concern among defense experts about competing priorities: How will the military manage to maintain and defend Alaskas essential infrastructure if, for example, many of the jets and other assets based in the state are ordered to report to a Pacific conflict by Hawaii-based leaders? This years drills were geared toward that exact type of scenario, as they brought together forces under both the INDOPACOM and NORTHCOM umbrellas, according to Goodman, the general running Northern Edge. The military, he said, needs to make sure there is no such thing as a seam between Northcom and Indopacom in a realistic scenario, that were able to both defend the homeland in this key geographic location in Alaska, in the Arctic, as well as project power. U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Gavin Spicer, left, and Gunnery Sgt. Cesar Bautista track a target during the Arctic Edge 2025 exercise at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, on Aug. 22, 2025. (Renee Gray/U.S. Marine Corps) Alaska as next-best alternative One element of the Arctic Edge drills hinted at the potential for a conflict in the Pacific to involve not just Anchorage- or Fairbanks-based resources dispatched to a far-off location, but for fighting to actually transpire within the states borders. As part of the exercise, members of multiple military branches simulated the quick construction of a backup port near Anchorage working from the assumption that Anchorages main port, which handles both military and civilian cargo, was unavailable. The scenario didnt specifically envision why the port was unusable, officials said. But its clear that Alaskas military infrastructure would hold strategic significance in a Pacific conflict in a way that would likely make it a target for China, according to David Ochmanek, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense whos now a senior researcher at the RAND think tank. In the event of a conflict over the contested island of Taiwan or elsewhere in the Pacific, the states bases are effectively part of Americas second line of attack against China, Ochmanek said. Thats because closer U.S. bases in Japan and Guam would likely be overwhelmed by Chinas initial attacks leaving the Alaska bases and installations in Hawaii as the likely origin of surviving bombers and jets that could hit Chinese assets. While Chinas current capacity to reach Alaska with missiles is not well understood, its fairly clear that Chinas military is increasingly interested in finding ways to put Alaskas bases at risk and that theyre capable of achieving that over time, Ochmanek added. It would be a mistake to assume that those bases will be in sanctuary for the indefinite future, Ochmanek said. The Chinese are going to make darn sure that we cant make effective use of those closer-in bases. But they understand that were posturing Alaska and Hawaii as the next-best alternative to generate bomber missions. And theyre increasingly interested in finding ways to suppress that. Murkowski said she prefers to see her home state not as a potential target but as a region thats well-defended, thanks to the presence of so many fighter jets and troops. Alaskans can regularly witness those jets conducting practice maneuvers above Anchorage and Fairbanks. But Murkowski said that Alaskans who live and work outside the states military bases can miss the huge numbers of people and complex choreography that goes into large-scale troop and aircraft movements and exercises. Most people have no idea that its happening, she said. Murkowski got a close look at that capacity when she flew out from Anchorages Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier during the Northern Edge drills. Murkowski donned a helmet, life preserver and goggles to fly, she said, 200 miles across the Gulf of Alaska in a twin-rotored Osprey aircraft peering out over an open ramp that looked onto the wide ocean. She was greeted on deck by an honor guard, then watched as Navy personnel coordinated the takeoff of a dozen fighter jets, communicating solely through hand signals because of the roar of the engines. In Anchorage and around Fairbanks, we get used to seeing the jets when theres exercises. You hear them overhead. But you have no appreciation of what youre seeing, she said. The heat and the fire and the noise and just everything that resonates from the power of those jets taking off is nothing short of incredible. 2025 Alaska Dispatch News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC The U.S., Australia and Singapore launch High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia, July 14, 2025. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes) Australia, the United States and defense contractor Lockheed Martin have advanced a plan to build guided missiles in Australia as the allies work to expand their weapons stockpiles and deter Chinas rapidly growing military. The plan was outlined Monday in a joint statement and in a news release from Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy. It includes establishing a bilateral office in Huntsville, Ala., to help produce Precision Strike Missiles. Theres a global backlog of production of missiles as people ramp up production in response to the strategic circumstances, Conroy told a Sky News reporter Monday in Washington, according to a transcript provided by his office. So, this is about making Australia safer by equipping the Australian Army with long-range strike, but also contributing to allies and partners around the world. New missiles will allow the Australian army to strike targets more than 600 miles away, Conroy said in his release. The goal is to build a factory capable of producing up to 4,000 missiles annually to support the U.S. and other partners. The announcement comes just days before the expected first face-to-face meeting between President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Washington, D.C. It also comes at a key moment for the AUKUS security partnership, as the Pentagon reviews plans to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines. Infrastructure work began last month at HMAS Striling, an Australian navy base near Perth, to support rotations of U.S. and British nuclear-powered submarines as early as 2027. The missile initiative involves a $13.6 billion Australian investment in a guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise that will employ thousands of workers, Conroy said in his news release. The site will build Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, or GMLRS, munitions and precision strike missiles. Australia is on track for the production of GMLRS munitions before the end of 2025, with a view to manufacturing more advanced weapons in the future, he said. Guided missiles featured prominently at Talisman Sabre, a three-week, biennial military exercise held in July and August. More than 40,000 troops from the U.S., Australia and 17 other nations trained across Australia and Papua New Guinea. The training included the first live fire in Australia of the U.S. Armys Typhon mid-range missile system and the debut of Australias High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, which fired a Precision Strike Missile with a range of more than 310 miles. Prior to the introduction of HIMARS and GMLRS and PrSM, the longest-range strike weapon of the Australian Army was [25 miles], Conroy told reporters Monday in Washington, according to another transcript provided by his office. Naval officers from the U.S., Australia and Japan also signed a logistics agreement aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America during a July 11 port call in Brisbane. The pact allows for faster missile reloads and more flexible refueling, according to a U.S. Navy news release. Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots board an Mitsubishi F-2A fighter jet at an undisclosed location in this undated image. (Japan's Ministry of Defense) Chinese pilots made the fewest approaches toward Japanese airspace in more than a decade this spring and summer, even as Beijing increased its drone flights near Japans westernmost island, according to Japans Joint Staff. Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots scrambled 265 times to meet foreign aircraft from April to September, down from 358 during the same period last year, Self-Defense Force data released Friday showed. Thats about 26% fewer intercepts in the first half of Japans 2025 fiscal year than in 2024, continuing a three-year decline. Japans fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31. Of those sorties, 198 involved Chinese aircraft, compared with 242 during the same period last year. The last time that number dropped below 200 was in the first half of fiscal 2013, when Japan scrambled 149 times against Chinese aircraft. Only one aircraft a Chinese helicopter entered Japanese airspace without permission this year, flying near the Senkaku Islands on May 3, according to the Joint Staff. Most approaching aircraft enter Japans 230-mile-wide air defense identification zone but turn back before reaching its 14-mile-wide territorial airspace. However, Chinese drones transited between Yonaguni Japans westernmost island and Taiwan more frequently than during the same period last year, according to the Joint Staff. A spokesman reached by phone Tuesday did not provide the exact number of drone transits. Some Japanese government officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity. Japans Ministry of Defense has warned in its 2024 and 2025 white papers that it may shoot down unmanned aircraft entering its airspace if necessary to protect the lives and properties of people within Japanese territory. Russia also reduced its airspace challenges, according to the Joint Staff. Japan scrambled 59 times against Russian aircraft during the six-month period, compared with 114 times a year earlier. The last time that number fell below 100 was in 2022, when Japan intercepted 95 Russian aircraft. Despite the decrease in challenges, Chinese objectives havent changed, said retired Marine Col. Grant Newsham, a senior researcher with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo. They fully intend to dominate Japanese territory and ultimately seize it the Senkakus for starters but the wider Nansei Shoto eventually, he told Stars and Stripes by email Tuesday. Chinas navy has maintained a daily presence around the Senkakus, a group of uninhabited islets east of Taiwan administered by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan. In June, Chinas two operational aircraft carriers the Shandong and Liaoning operated simultaneously in the Pacific for the first time. Chinese fighters made close approaches to Japanese aircraft three times on June 7 and 8 during the exercise. Naval and maritime operations in Japanese territory are considerable and causing the Japanese plenty of heartburn, Newsham said. WELLINGTON, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Electronic card spending in New Zealand fell in September amid weaker retail activities, the government statistics department Stats NZ reported Tuesday. Seasonally adjusted figures showed total electronic card transactions, covering debit, credit and charge cards with New Zealand-based merchants, dropped 0.4 percent from August, down 34 million NZ dollars (19.36 million U.S. dollars) to 9.1 billion NZ dollars (5.18 million U.S. dollars). Consumables fell 0.5 percent, durables dropped 0.8 percent, motor vehicle sales were down 2.6 percent, among retail spending categories, with hospitality the only retail sector to rise, gaining 1.5 percent, Stats NZ said. Non-retail spending excluding services, including medical, travel, and postal industries among others, remained unchanged from August 2025, while services fell 1 percent, covering repair and maintenance, and personal care, funeral, and other personal services, it said. In actual terms, New Zealand cardholders made 168 million transactions across all industries in September, averaging 54 NZ dollars (30.74 U.S. dollars) each, statistics show. South Korean soldiers work security during a Freedom Shield drill at Goyang Training Center in Dongducheon, South Korea, March 13, 2025. (Jameson Harris/U.S. Army) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea The United States and South Korea are deepening their future-oriented strategic alliance, senior officials said this week, even as Seoul works to reclaim wartime control of its military from Washington. Speaking Monday before lawmakers during a parliamentary hearing in the capital, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said the two countries have formed deepened trust since Presidents Donald Trump and Lee Jae Myung held their first summit last month in the U.S. capital. Lee urged Trump to be proactive in building ties with North Korea and later pledged to raise Seouls annual defense spending by more than 8%. South Korea and the U.S. promised to closely cooperate to peacefully solve the problems on the Korean Peninsula, Cho said at the hearing. South Korea expressed its strong determination to pursue the modernization of a reciprocal, future-oriented alliance, in response to the changing environment. The U.S. welcomed the proposal, reaffirmed its firm defense commitment and agreed to further strengthen the extended deterrence between the two countries, he added. Chos remarks came a month after the presidential office in Seoul pledged to reclaim wartime operational control of its forces within five years. The U.S. has held operational authority over South Koreas military since the Korean War. Seoul may assume that authority once it demonstrates agreed-upon military capabilities, which are not publicly disclosed. The Combined Forces Command, headquartered at Camp Humphreys about 40 miles south of Seoul, now heads South Koreas military during wartime. The command is led by a U.S. four-star general with a South Korean general serving as deputy. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back echoed Chos comments during Mondays hearing and said he disagreed with the notion that U.S. Forces Koreas deterrence extends beyond North Korea to China. USFK is responsible for about 28,500 American troops stationed on the peninsula. Its official mission is to defend South Korea from attack, though its presence is also viewed as a regional counterbalance to China, one of Pyongyangs closest allies. Beijing has long opposed the 2017 deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, anti-ballistic missile battery in South Korea, calling it a regional threat. Meanwhile, North Korea on Friday showcased its military arsenal, including the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile theoretically capable of reaching the continental U.S. during a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling partys founding in Pyongyang. Locals, tourists and U.S. service members wait to witness or participate in the Tug-of-War Festival in Naha, Okinawa, Oct. 12, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) NAHA, Okinawa Hundreds of thousands of people, including U.S. service members, recently took to the streets on a hot, humid afternoon to witness and take part in this citys annual Tug-of-War festival. The event dates to around 1450 and was revived in 1971 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Nahas founding. This years rope measured about 524 feet long, four feet in diameter and weighed 36 tons. It had 126 smaller ropes attached for pulling, said Morimasa Goya, chairman of the Naha Tug-of-War Preservation Association. During a rope inspection ceremony at Naha Military Port on Oct. 6, Mayor Satoru Chinen said the massive rope called ufunna in the Okinawan dialect is believed to bring many blessings, such as peace and security, prosperity for citizens, and business prosperity. U.S. service members participate in the annual Tug-of-War Festival in Naha, Okinawa, Oct. 12, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) The annual Tug-of-War Festival gets underway in Naha, Okinawa, Oct. 12, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) Locals, tourists and U.S. service members wait to witness or participate in the Tug-of-War Festival in Naha, Okinawa, Oct. 12, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) Locals, tourists and U.S. service members wait to witness or participate in the Tug-of-War Festival in Naha, Okinawa, Oct. 12, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) The rope has been made at the U.S. Army port since 1993, but the Army did not participate in this years ceremony due to the ongoing government shutdown. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of [World War II], we hope that the circle of peace will spread from Naha city to the world, Chinen said. The three-day festival began Friday and culminated Sunday with the main tug-of-war event, the east side of Naha verses the west. Locals usually pull for their side of the city. Several U.S. service members joined as participants and volunteers. After about 13 minutes of pulling, the east side claimed victory. Ive only been here for a week, and I was looking for something to experience culturally, Navy Lt. j.g. Peter Yao, of Patrol Squadron Four, told Stars and Stripes after the event. I would consider myself lucky the Naha Tug-of-War festival was a good chance for me to see what Okinawa has to offer. Sgt. Adam Sandquist and three fellow members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit said they were grateful to take part in the festivities. It was a nice opportunity to be a volunteer during the festival. It was our first time doing it and Im glad were here, Sandquist told Stars and Stripes after the contest. Everyone here enjoyed the festival and overall it is a cool experience. First responders work near Building 78, formerly the Skoshi Tiger Inn, at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, where unexploded ordnance was found on Oct. 14, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa Some people living at the home of the 18th Wing sheltered in place for about an hour Tuesday after unexploded ordnance was discovered near one of the installations oldest buildings. The wing issued three alerts through the Air Force Connect mobile application shortly after 10 a.m., notifying residents that unspecified ordnance had been found near Building 78 the former Skoshi Tiger Inn in the Clark Vista neighborhood. The initial alert directed people to evacuate within 500 feet of the site. A follow-up alert about a half-hour later downgraded the response to shelter in place. Affected housing units in neighboring Washington Heights included 8101, 8102, 8104, 8106-8108, 8111, 8113, 8115, 8117, 8120, 8122 and 8124. Other affected buildings were 60-65, 77, 85 and 86, according to the alerts. The 18th Security Forces Squadron were removing a cordon at 10:40 a.m. Squadron police, firefighters and explosive ordnance disposal technicians with the 18th Civil Engineer Group left roughly five minutes later. An all-clear was issued through the app about 10 minutes after that. Police at the scene declined to comment, referring questions to the wings public affairs office. The wing referred questions to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, which declined to provide answers in an email Tuesday. Building 78, completed in 1950, is the only brick structure on the base and one of its oldest, according to Kadenas website. It was built as part of experiment to develop local industry and is now used as distinguished visitors quarters. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte gives remarks in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Oct. 13, 2025. Rutte poked fun at Russia's navy during the speech, pointing to news that the Russian submarine Novorossiysk had recently surfaced off the coast of France with mechanical issues. (NATO) A Russian submarine that recently surfaced off the coast of France with mechanical issues is limping home, according to NATOs top official, whose mocking remarks about the alliances nemesis preceded high-level talks this week. What a change from the 1984 Tom Clancy novel The Hunt for Red October, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Monday. Today, it seems more like the hunt for the nearest mechanic. Rutte was speaking in the run-up to Wednesdays meetings at NATO headquarters with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Rutte said that while Russia remains formidable, parts of its military have been hit hard by the war in Ukraine. Hegseth and other defense ministers will discuss plans to further strengthen the blocs deterrence and defense posture, Rutte said. They also are expected to discuss ongoing alliance efforts to support Ukraine. We should not underestimate the threat from Russia, but we should not overestimate Russias capabilities either, Rutte said during a speech in Slovenia. Referring to the Russian vessel that surfaced last week near France, Rutte called it a lone and broken Russian submarine limping home from patrol. Moscow on Monday denied that the sub, the Novorossiysk, was having any mechanical problems. Rutte, however, said Russias military is now stretched in Ukraine and beyond. Its Mediterranean task force was once a mix of surface ships, submarines and support vessels. Now, in effect, there is hardly any Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean left, Rutte said. Still, despite staggering losses, Russia is on a wartime footing, and Rutte said the country is now allocating 40% of its budget to a war economy. This year alone it is expected to roll out at least 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armored vehicles and hundreds of Iskander missiles, Rutte said. On Wednesday, allies will focus on member countries efforts to increase defense spending and ramp up production of weapons and ammunition in response. The meeting of defense ministers will be the first since recent NATO airspace violations by Russian drones and fighter planes. Those incidents prompted the alliance to boost its presence across the greater Baltic region. On Sept. 10, NATO fighters for the first time in history shot down an aerial threat in the blocs airspace after numerous Russian drones crossed into Poland. Days later, three armed Russian fighter planes lingered in Estonian airspace for about 10 minutes. Such actions along with covert Russian sabotage campaigns, cyberoperations and espionage across Europe make Russa a persistent threat, Rutte said. While Russia is not as strong as it would pretend, it remains deeply dangerous, Rutte said. And that is why it is absolutely essential that we ensure we are prepared. U.S. Navy SEALs conduct maritime training with Norwegian special operations commandos as part of exercise Nordic Response on March 1, 2024, in Norway. Special Operations Command Europe kicked off exercise Adamant Serpent on Oct. 12, 2025, at Rygge Air Base, Norway, bringing together around 400 U.S., Danish, Norwegian and Swedish special forces for two weeks of drills in the High North. (William Carlisle/U.S. Navy) STUTTGART, Germany U.S. special operators are working on quick-reaction drills this week in Norway pairing elite American troops and hundreds of allied forces with a focus on securing the increasingly strategic High North. Exercise Adamant Serpent, which began Sunday and lasts two weeks, brings together some 400 allied special operations troops, U.S. Special Operations Command Europe said in a statement ahead of the exercises start. U.S. special operators will provide critical capabilities that address complex security challenges in response to adversarial aggression, SOCEUR commander Lt. Gen. Richard Angle said in the statement. The drills are staged from Rygge Air Base, which has become a focal point for the Pentagon in the Arctic. The U.S. has an array of projects underway at the location, where $200 million is being invested to develop the site into a hub for American troops rotating into the area. This years exercise is focused on rapidly deploying U.S. and allied units to arctic and subarctic environments to rehearse fighting as a unified force, the Stuttgart-based SOCEUR said. U.S. Air Force special tactics commandos perform military free-fall operations during exercise Adamant Serpent in Sweden on Nov. 19, 2024. This years iteration, which began Sunday, brings together around 400 U.S., Danish, Norwegian and Swedish forces for two weeks of drills in Norway and Sweden. (Cody Mott/U.S. Air Force) The strategic value of the High North has increased over the years, as melting sea ice opens the possibility of new shipping lanes and greater access to undersea natural resources that the Kremlin has its eye on. Russia has sought to fortify its position in the region with numerous military bases now in operation. Adamant Serpent is a very strategic exercise and with current global security dynamics, this gives a realistic backdrop, Norwegian Brig. Gen. Thomas Harlem said in the statement. Danish and Swedish troops also are taking part in the exercise, with Sweden hosting some of the training events. Adamant Serpent kicked off on the heels of NATOs inauguration Friday of the new Combined Air Operations Centre in Bodo, Norway. It is focused on enhancing the alliances ability to perform operations across the Arctic. In addition, the special operations drills in Norway and Sweden overlap with another major NATO training event this week. On Monday, the alliance kicked off its annual nuclear readiness exercise Steadfast Noon, which involved airspace over the North Sea. That exercise is focused on refining NATO procedures for executing its nuclear mission. We need to do this because it helps us to make sure that our nuclear deterrent remains as credible and as safe and as secure and as effective as possible, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in a statement last week. It also sends a clear signal to any potential adversary that we will and can protect and defend all allies against all threats. World War II U.S. Army veteran Ceo Bauer, 101, downs a shot of a local spirit with reenactors in Saint-Avold, France, Nov. 24, 2024, in this image taken by Stars and Stripes reporter Phillip Walter Wellman. The photo earned Wellman an honorable mention in the latest Military Reporters and Editors journalism contest. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Two veteran Stars and Stripes reporters earned recognition this week from a professional group that aims to highlight the best military journalism from last year and the first half of this year. Rose Thayer and Phillip Walter Wellman each was awarded an honorable mention in the annual Military Reporters and Editors contest, the organization announced Monday. Wellman received the accolade in the photojournalism category for his portrait of World War II veteran Ceo Bauer. Stars and Stripes reporter Phillip Walter Wellman earned an honorable mention in photojournalism Oct. 13, 2025, from Military Reporters and Editors. The recognition was for a photo of a 101-year-old American veteran of World War II who returned to France to mark 80 years since he fought there. (Stars and Stripes) The 101-year-old Bauer was the only American soldier who had fought in World War II to make it to Metz, France, to attend commemorative ceremonies marking the citys liberation from Nazi occupation 80 years ago. Wellman captured Bauer downing a shot of a local spirit with World War II reenactors in Saint-Avold, France, on Nov. 24, 2024. Judges said Bauers personality in the image shines through: proud, personable, fun, and a staunch believer in the trans-Atlantic alliance his generation helped forge. Wellman is now based at the Stars and Stripes office in Kaiserslautern, Germany. From 2016 to 2021, he covered the war in Afghanistan from the newspapers Kabul bureau. Thayers honorable mention came in the enterprise and feature reporting category for her March 24, 2024, story headlined Proving your innocence: Veterans fight to clear their names for military crimes they did not commit. It documented the experiences of service members whose records are improperly flagged for military crimes they did not commit and the difficulty they face, sometimes years later, in trying to clear their names. Stars and Stripes reporter Rose Thayer received an honorable mention in enterprise and feature reporting Oct. 13, 2025, in the Military Reporters and Editors journalism contest. Thayer earned top honors in the same category last year. (Stars and Stripes) The honorable mention marks the second year in a row Thayers work was singled out in the Military Reporters and Editors contest. Last year, she won the award for enterprise reporting for her story about an Air Force Academy family whose trauma represents the intersection of two crises for the military: suicide and sexual assault. Based in Austin, Texas, Thayer has been covering the western region of the continental U.S. for Stars and Stripes since 2018. She is married to an Army veteran, and her list of honors also includes the Washington Dateline Award given in 2021 by the Society of Professional Journalists. This years contest for the first time accepted entries from a period of 18 months instead of 12. Items published between Jan. 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, were eligible for awards consideration. The organization helps promote the work of journalists covering the military, national security and defense. Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, watch a demonstration of live-streaming e-commerce while visiting the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, visit the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, visit the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi) A representative, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, learns about neo-Chinese-style clothes while visiting the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, learn about Beijing Embroidery while visiting the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi) A representative, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, learns about Beijing clay sculptures while visiting the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, learn about haute couture garment while visiting the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, learn about a purse made of Song brocade, a type of fabric developed during the Song Dynasty, while visiting the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, watch a tea art display while visiting the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, visit the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, learn about Beijing Embroidery while visiting the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, visit the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi) Representatives, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, learn about cultural and creative products while visiting the Silk Street building in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi) GAZA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Tuesday handed over the remains of 45 Palestinians to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which later transferred them to local authorities in the Gaza Strip as part of the ongoing prisoner exchange deal, medical sources said. A Gaza-based health official told Xinhua that medical teams at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis received the remains through the Kerem Shalom crossing. "Work is underway to identify the bodies through DNA testing before handing them over to their families," the official said. In a brief statement, the ICRC confirmed that it supervised the handover process based on an agreement between the parties and in coordination with the relevant authorities, stressing that the operation was conducted in accordance with humanitarian standards applicable in such cases. The handover came a day after Hamas released 20 Israeli captives alive and four of the 28 bodies held in Gaza under a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal mediated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye following two years of war. In return, Israel released 1,968 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from its jails, including 1,718 arrested after the start of the war in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, according to data from Hamas' Prisoner Media Office and Palestinian organizations. The ceasefire, which took effect on Friday, followed days of intensive negotiations in Egypt as part of broader understandings that include a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, a prisoner exchange, and the reopening of border crossings to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. However, Israel decided on Tuesday to halt the reopening of the Rafah crossing and further reduce humanitarian aid to Gaza, as both sides traded accusations of violating the fragile ceasefire. An Israeli government official, speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, said the Rafah crossing will remain closed and the entry of humanitarian aid will be "drastically" limited until Hamas returns all the bodies of the deceased hostages. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sylvanie Burton, president of the Commonwealth of Dominica, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Sylvanie Burton, president of the Commonwealth of Dominica, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Noting that Dominica is a close friend and partner of China in the Caribbean, Xi said China stands ready to work with Dominica to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level and deliver more benefits to both peoples. China and Dominica should consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges of governance experience, and enhance interactions between governments, legislative bodies, and political parties, Xi said. China stands ready to continue supporting Dominica in enhancing its capacity in climate change response, and disaster prevention and reduction, he said. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Dominica in infrastructure, clean energy, healthcare, agriculture and women's empowerment, and promote cultural, educational, tourism and other people-to-people exchanges, he added. Xi urged enhancing multilateral coordination and jointly implementing the four global initiatives to build a community with a shared future for humanity. He also called for implementing the consensus reached at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and stepping up cooperation in women's capacity building. Dominica firmly upholds the one-China principle and stands ready to deepen cooperation with China in economy, trade, agriculture, the green economy, new energy, healthcare, and climate change response, Burton said. Hailing China as an important force for global peace and stability, Burton said Dominica is willing to work closely with China in opposing unilateralism and hegemonism and in safeguarding the common interests of developing countries. Wang Yi attended the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sylvanie Burton, president of the Commonwealth of Dominica, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Alekk M. Saanders Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 17:26 Share The Dia de la Hosteleria is marked in Spain every second Tuesday in October to celebrate the hospitality industry. It was just ten years ago that it was decided to dedicate a day to all the people who make it possible for us to enjoy bars, cafes and restaurants. On this day, it would be fitting to remember the foreign restaurateurs who contributed to the development of the hospitality industry in Spain and made it diverse. Zoom At the Makro cash and carry in Malaga. AMS Frenchmen as pioneers Chefs from France, renowned for their culinary tradition, were the first to influence the improvement of the restaurant business in Spain. This year, the restaurant Botin, located in the heart of Madrid, celebrates its 300th anniversary. In fact, it is considered the oldest restaurant in the world, which is why its name is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The story started in 1725. French chef Jean Botin and his wife, of Asturian origin, opened a small inn, a stones throw from Plaza Mayor. Dishes were prepared in a wood-fired oven. The place became very popular with lovers of the Castillian-style roasted suckling pig and lamb. Prosper Merimee found a chef in France to help Madrid which lacked high-class restaurants Apparently Botin was the first to start preparing food for diners because until the 18th century customers took their own products to be cooked at the restaurant. Zoom Botin. SUR Approximately 40 years after the opening, a young man knocked on the restaurant door. It was artist Francisco de Goya, who was looking for work and he was hired as a dishwasher in the restaurant. Today, Botin remains one of the benchmarks for the best traditional cuisine in Madrid. The kitchen works tirelessly to receive hundreds of mostly foreign tourists daily. Francisco de Goya was hired as a dishwasher in the restaurant A few hundred metres from Botin, a new French restaurant was established in 1839. It is believed that pastry chef Emilio Huguenin Lhardy left France for Madrid thanks to Prosper Merimee, a famous lover of Spain. It is reported that the author of Carmen befriended a young pastry chef in Bordeaux and once suggested that he move to Madrid, which, in his opinion, lacked high-class restaurants. Indeed at the beginning of the 19th century, the gastronomic offerings in Madrid's taverns were indeed meagre, and the service was terrible. Zoom Lhardy. SUR Soon the establishment with the name Lhardy opened as a bakery where Emilio displayed an affable and energetic character. His eclairs and mille-feuilles, his brioches and croissants were well received. Gradually Lhardy expanded to serving meals and offered high-end catering services to hotels and for high society celebrations. For the international traveller, the opening of Lhardy represented a unique sweet alternative. The Asian 60s Asian cuisine came to Spain in the 60s. In 1962, three young Chinese chefs from Hong Kong arrived in Madrid, and within a few months, a restaurant appeared that shook up the culinary scene in the Spanish capital. At that time, the Chinese concept seemed exotic and revolutionary to the people of Madrid. In the 60s, the Chinese concept seemed exotic and revolutionary to the people of Madrid Fuji is considered the first Japanese restaurant to open in Spain. In the 1960s, Japanese fishing companies worked throughout the Western Atlantic, from South Africa to the Mediterranean. Soon, their logistics bases were established in the strategic La Luz Port in Las Palmas, where ships were repaired and crews rested. Eventually a large community developed in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and in 1967 the restaurant Fuji opened its doors on this Canary island. Incidentally, the food there was very different from what we think of as Japanese restaurant fare today - no maki or rolls. The menu was extensive, and many dishes required lengthy preparation. Both Italian and English As for the Costa del Sol, the 70s seem to be a special period for introducing new concepts and types of cuisine on the coast. In 1972 a pioneering Italian food chain in Andalucia opened in Fuengirola. After travelling to different countries Italian Sergio Bracci came to Malaga coast to realise his dream of setting up his own business. His dream came true when his first pizzeria, called O Mamma Mia, not only opened but immediately became very popular. People came from the capital and all over the Costa del Sol to eat pizza there. La Cacerola in Torremolinos also started out as a pizzeria. However, in 1974, Jack Crosland transformed it into what was then the first English restaurant in this fashionable resort town. La Cacerola was a trendy establishment, and customers regularly queued up outside. During the meeting in Macharaviaya to discuss plans for the anniversary Eugenio Cabezas Macharaviaya Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 17:31 Share Macharaviaya, a small village in the Axarquia area of Malaga province is best known for being the birthplace of Bernardo de Galvez, a hero of the American Revolutionary War or War of Independence against the British which lasted from 1775 until 1783 . The village continues to strengthen ties with the USA and in particular Pensacola, where de Galvez led and won the battle. The Axarquia village, which is home to just 500 people, received a visit from Colonels Miguel Angel Perez Bravo, director of the Southern Centre for Military History and Culture, and Marcos Alarcon de la Lastra Mendaro, head of Cultural Action at the same military centre, who were welcomed by the mayor, Antonio Campos town hall. The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate and plan the participation of the Centre for Military History and Culture in the commemorative events on 4 July 2026, the date on which the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States will be celebrated. During the meeting, possible institutional and cultural collaborations were discussed that would highlight Spain's contribution to the American independence process, with a view to strengthening the historical ties between the two countries "and give Macharaviaya the role it deserves in this international anniversary," a statement from the town hall said. "In 2026, Macharaviaya will once again be the point of union between Spain and the United States, paying tribute to the figure of Bernardo de Galvez and the legacy that unites us," added Campos. The meeting marked the start of coordination work for a celebration that the town hall promises will be "exceptional", with an extensive programme of historical, cultural and diplomatic events that will make Macharaviaya the Spanish epicentre of the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. Manu Balanzino Malaga Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 16:37 Share Brownie & Olive is far removed from most industrial pastry bakeries. The establishment gives a twist to the recipe for the American favourite by introducing the Andalusian 'liquid gold': extra virgin olive oil (Evoo). Malaga-born chef Dani Peinado first vindicated the use of Evoo for pastries at Bien Frito, located in Fuengirola. The concept "aims to show people that frying has been with us since Roman times - it is an ancient technique that should not be lost". Now, chef Peinado returns to Malaga city with Brownie & Olive - his second project that is committed to those who have a sweet tooth. "When I added the brownie with extra virgin olive oil to the menu in Fuengirola, many people would go all the way there to buy it and take it directly to their homes," Peinado says to explain how he came up with the idea for the new establishment at C/ Carreteria, 97, in Malaga city centre. Upon entering the shop, you are met with an appetising display of a variety of brownies: dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate. You can then choose the frosting, again from the three types of chocolate, and from more than ten toppings and fillings: Lotus biscuits, Oreo, chocolate shavings, creme brulee, pistachio, truffle, lemon pie or nutella. The latter is made by crushing toasted hazelnuts with extra virgin olive oil and a touch of cocoa powder. "The dark chocolate brownie is suitable for people with lactose intolerance as it does not contain butter. The Evoo makes the pastry juicy and gives it a better flavour and longer life due to the oil's own polyphenols," Peinado says. If you've never heard of 'brookies' (brownie combined with cookies), Peinado invites you to try two options: pistachio with Kinder and Ferrero Rocher. Brownie & Olive also prepares croissants made with olive sourdough. To create this delicacy, Peinado solidifies the olive oil with beeswax and incorporates it into the five folds of the puff pastry. Peinado's plan is to open more shops in the future and continue promoting the use of Evoo for pastries. Until then, Brownie & Olive is worth the trip to Calle Carreteria in Malaga city. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 16:09 Share Spain's minister of transport Oscar Puente has announced that the Renfe train workshop in Los Prados, Malaga city, will be among the ten maintenance depots in the country to receive a joint investment of one billion euros in the 2025-2030 period. Among the national actions planned over the next five years are improvements to the bases in Malaga, Murcia, Santander and Valencia, as well as new factories for high-speed and freight trains in Almeria, Irun and La Sagra (Toledo). The government has decided to boost maintenance activity at the Malaga railway workshop Puente made the announcement during a visit to Renfe's new high-speed train workshop in Fuencarral II in Madrid on 10 October, where he was accompanied by Renfe president Alvaro Fernandez Heredia. The minister said that the new plan focuses on "a maintenance model that optimises resources, reduces times and improves the reliability of trains in circulation". The Madrid facilities have already received an investment of close to 100 million euros to build a new warehouse of almost 19,000 square metres, which will double the maintenance capacity for standard gauge trains and is expected to be operational before the end of the year. The facilities will be fully prepared to maintain the new high-speed trains. New workshops Among the actions planned for the next five years are the new short-distance Cercanias Madrid workshops, with an investment of 48 million euros. In Catalonia, a 100-million-euro investment has been allocated to new workshops in Ripoll, Manresa, Sant Andreu and the extension at Vilanova i la Geltru. The plan includes three new parts logistics centres in key locations such as La Sagra, Venta de Banos and Villaverde, along with the adaptation of the El Berron workshop for components of the metre-gauge train fleet. Maria Jose Diaz Alcala Malaga Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 10:16 | Updated 10:25h. Share The National Police are investigating the assault on a 55-year-old man of Moroccan origin, who was found with multiple serious injuries among rubbish in Marbella at the end of September. According to sources, the man might have been assaulted on the A-355 (the old Ojen-Marbella road) before he was thrown on top of some rubble. Cleansing department workers hired by the town hall discovered the man early one morning at around 8.10am. His body showed multiple signs of violence, including several bleeding wounds, head injuries, some burns and marks from possible strangulation. The man could hardly speak and was found semi-naked. The workers covered him with blankets and alerted the emergency services, who rushed him to the Hospital Costa del Sol. Police have confirmed that the investigation remains open while they try to discover what happened to the victim and locate his alleged assailants. This trail is straightforward and has many sights and places of interest to enjoy along the way. Javier Almellones Montejaque Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 18:52 Share This is a linear route that starts in the centre of Montejaque in Malaga province's Serrania de Ronda and leads to one of the most iconic, local beauty spots, where La Escarihuela hermitage is located. Trail info Area: Serrania de Ronda Municipality: Montejaque Difficulty level: Low. Despite having to face an elevation gain of nearly 100 metres at its hardest point, generally speaking the route is not very demanding and is easy to follow. Trail format: Linear Approximate duration: 50 minutes (one way) Length: 2.35 kilometres (one way) Minimum altitude: 658 metres Maximum altitude: 748 metres Nearby places of interest: The Nazari quarter of Montejaque, church of Santiago, Karst viewpoint, Fuente Nueva (fountain), the old Fuente Vieja wash-house, Speleology interpretation centre, La Escarihuela hermitage, La Cruz del Milagro chapel, Cueva del Hundidero (easy access cavern), Los Caballeros dam, La Puente (a bridge, the site of a famous battleground from 1810 that the village celebrates annually with a historical reenactment) and the Llanos de Libar mountain plateau. Zoom Nasrid quarter of Montejaque. J. Almellones How to reach the starting point To follow this trail, go to the village of Montejaque near Ronda. Specifically, head to the historic centre, where you will find both the town hall and the church of Santiago in a square with a fountain. Try to park your vehicle in the nearby streets below this square. Following the trail step-by-step 1The starting point is symbolically marked by the church of Santiago, which connects, via this popular footpath, with two other religious landmarks in Montejaque, the hermitage of La Escarihuela and the chapel of La Cruz del Milagro. From the square where you can see the tower of the main church, take Avenida de Andalucia to leave the historic centre and then the village itself. After passing by the Nueva (technically, the 'new' fountain) and Vieja fountains (the old wash-house), you will come to Avenida de Knittlingen (the MA-8402 road). Zoom In the first few metres you pass by the Fuente Nueva fountain and the curious text on its front. J.Almellones 2After approximately one kilometre from the starting point, the path connects with the Grazalema track, which you must follow, crossing the MA-8402 road with care. This will take you to the track that leads to La Escarihuela hermitage. Before that, you will pass by Montejaque's municipal cemetery. Zoom The track that begins to climb up towards La Escarihuela. J. Almellones 3 From the entrance to the cemetery, the cobbled path leading to the chapel is clearly visible. This zigzag path serves to soften the steep climb and provides various panoramic views of Montejaque and the surrounding area. The gradient from the cemetery to the chapel's antechamber is approximately 80 metres (in just under half a kilometre). It is advisable to take this gradient into account and go steady, according to your fitness level. Zoom Panoramic view of Montejaque from the highest part of this hiking trail. J. Almellones 4This leads to the hermitage of La Escarihuela, which is very popular with the people of Montejaque and other surrounding villages. The Virgen de la Escarihuela, the local name by which the people of Montejaque know the Virgen de la Concepcion, is worshipped there. According to what's been told over the years, the image of this particular Virgin Mary, to which several miracles have been attributed, was requested by the people of Ronda, as the town was suffering from a plague of epidemic proportions, most likely in the 17th century. A group of people from Montejaque tried carrying it to Ronda but, as they drew away from the village, they noticed the image becoming increasingly heavier. Eventually, at a certain point, it became impossible to continue. The chapel named La Cruz del Milagro ('the miraculous Cross'), located some 400 metres from the hermitage, was then built on this particular spot. Zoom Arriving at the hermitage of La Escarihuela. J. Almellones 5Therefore, to reach the chapel of La Cruz del Milagro, you only have to walk a little less than half a kilometre on a practically flat path. Afterwards, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. You can retrace your steps from there back to the village or continue along the same footpath that leads to the town of Ronda. Zoom Chapel of the Miraculous Cross. J. Almellones Flora and fauna Griffon vultures, some other large birds of prey and various types of corvids are frequently seen flying over this limestone (karst) enclave that is Montejaque. Wild goats also take advantage of these steep mountains, surprising visitors with their almost vertical runs in the steepest places surrounding the area known as La Escarihuela. Malaga province's college of pharmacists is preparing a campaign to inform people that the use of generic medicines is just as safe and beneficial to their health as brand-name medicines. The message will be spread through social media and posters in pharmacies. Head of Malaga pharmacists Francisco Criado told SUR that there is widespread mistrust when it comes to generic medicines. Challenging that mistrust is the aim of the campaign, as "people often believe that the brand is better than the generic, when, actually, the generic is the same as a brand name". The two types are "bioequivalent", meaning that they contain the same amount of active ingredient, making them equally safe and beneficial. They have the same effect The laboratory behind the creation of a specific medicine has a ten-year exclusive patent when it brings it to the market. After this period ends, "other laboratories can manufacture it, but it is the same drug", at exactly the same price, as established by the government. Of course, the container or the image may vary and this sometimes generates mistrust in the patient. For this reason, Francisco Criado says that their job as pharmacists is to "create peace of mind" and give reassurance to the patient. The campaign will focus mainly on the Malaga college of pharmacists' social media channels. It will be supported by posters in the 681 pharmacies in the province. The slogan of the advertising campaign is: "Trust in your generic medicines." "In Andalucia, prescription by active ingredient is very high," Criado says. "If you comply with the patent, the doctor prescribes by active ingredient and pharmacists can dispense either the brand or the generic medicine." Sometimes the composition prescribed by the doctor only comes under one brand name and this is what is dispensed to the patient, as sometimes there is no generic medicine. Criado states that mistrust can also be generated when a patient is given a branded box rather than the generic medicine. "In the end, the important thing is the composition," the head of Malaga pharmacists says. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 12:31 Share The Spanish government's cabinet of top ministers is expected to approve a Royal Decree today, proposed by the Ministry of Transport, amending the two concessions for the AP-7 toll road on the Costa del Sol. On both sections (Malaga-Estepona and Estepona-Guadiaro), the concessionary company Ausol has invested heavily to adapt 20 tunnels to European safety standards and improve energy efficiency for the lighting and air renewal systems. The government recognises the 42.6-million investment necessary to align the tunnels with European legislation, which will be paid by the Ministry of Transport. Meanwhile, the concessionary company will assume the cost of drafting the necessary projects, as well as the maintenance and operation expenses until the end of the concession period. The work covered a total of 12 kilometres in both directions, within the tunnels at Montemayor, La Quinta, Rio Verde, Nagueles, Santa Maria I and Calahonda (Malaga-Estepona section) and Casares, Santa Maria II, Corominas and Estepona (Estepona-Guadiaro). 22,300 vehicles is the average daily traffic using the AP-7 motorway tunnels between Malaga and Estepona The Malaga-Estepona tunnels are used by around 22,300 vehicles a day, while the Estepona-Guadiaro section receives around 19,400 vehicles per day. The road safety and energy efficiency improvements are already benefiting this highly saturated road. Improvements The main tasks included the construction of new emergency galleries; toxic liquid separation systems; improved ventilation and lighting (LED lights); modernisation of firefighting installations; improved traffic management. In May 2024, the AP-7 between Malaga and Guadiaro became the first road of its kind in Spain to adapt all of its tunnels to the strict European road safety regulations. This work, which lasted four years (it began during the pandemic), was a challenge, as it was under way while the toll road remained open to users. E.M. Malaga Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 18:03 Share The final months of the year are approaching and with it two of the most important campaigns for retailers: Black Friday and Christmas. The busiest time of year for retailers, both physical and online, with Amazon dominating the market. That is why the company is already looking for staff throughout Spain to provide services in its warehouses and logistics centres. Amazon has launched its biggest job offer of the year with hundreds of jobs available, spread throughout the country. In the case of Andalucia, Amazon has an important logistics centre in Dos Hermanas (Seville) and depots in Granada, Malaga, Puerto de Santa Maria (Cadiz) and Seville. The positions offered are mainly on temporary contracts, part-time or full-time and in day or night shifts. Most jobs being offered are in warehouses, although there are also positions for delivery or order preparation. Conditions and pay vary depending on the logistics centre or the type of contract. For example, the warehouse worker profile (logistics operator) in Malaga has a salary of 11.37 euros per hour (plus collective agreement included). No previous experience is required, as Amazon provides training to employees and the work will consist of unloading and placing products, sorting packages or moving products with trucks and industrial machines, depending on the position. Amazon claims to offer "competitive pay", as well as free hot drinks, affordable food and several break areas. All of the jobs can all be consulted on the website: https://www.amazon.jobs/ and in many cases the Manpower or Adecco agencies are responsible for hiring the candidates who pass the selection process. by Xinhua writers Hua Hongli, Lucas Liganga DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- In Zanzibar's Bumbisudi village, a lush carpet of green stretches under the morning sun as dairy farmer Tahiya Bauso Massawe moves between rows of Juncao grass, a Chinese agricultural innovation that has improved her livelihood and inspired women across her community. "This grass changed everything," Massawe said, watching her 30 dairy cows gather for their morning feed. "I have kept cows for 20 years, but the real change began when I started feeding them Juncao." Juncao, a term combining the Chinese words for "mushroom" and "grass," was introduced to Massawe through Tanzania's Ministry of Agriculture. Developed by researchers of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University of China, the technology is globally renowned for its versatility. Beyond animal feed, it can be used for mushroom cultivation and soil erosion control. Massawe's journey began modestly, from just a packet of seeds and a dose of skepticism. "It looked like sugarcane," she recalled. "We planted it, replanted the stalks, and slowly expanded. Eventually, we had enough to feed the cows." The results were remarkable. Milk yields doubled, with each cow now producing up to 30 liters a day, compared to the previous 15 to 20 liters. Her farm's total output surged from 90 liters to 150 liters daily, enabling her to purchase a feed-chopping machine and a transport truck worth 12 million Tanzanian shillings (about 4,600 U.S. dollars). But Massawe's success has rippled beyond her household. She now employs 16 workers, creating new opportunities for her community. "Women here have gained income and independence," she said. "They can support their families without relying on others." Eager to empower more women, Massawe distributes Juncao seeds free of charge. "Even if they do not own cows, they can grow the grass and sell it to livestock keepers," she said. "It is a path to income." With five hectares of Juncao now under cultivation, Massawe hopes to expand further, if irrigation support can be secured. "A water pump would allow me to grow more and help even more women," she said. Chinese researchers behind the project said Juncao helps communities adapt to climate change, restore degraded land and improve food security. Recognized by the United Nations as a sustainable development tool, Juncao technology has reached more than 100 countries since its inception in the 1980s. In Africa, where feed shortages and land degradation remain major challenges, the grass offers an affordable and eco-friendly solution. For Massawe, the impact is deeply personal. Her cows are healthier, need fewer supplements, and behave more calmly. "They eat less, drink more water, and rest better," she noted. "I commend the Chinese for this innovation. It has uplifted the poor." Her farm has since become a hub of learning and inspiration. Women from across Zanzibar visit to learn how to cultivate Juncao, and Massawe welcomes them warmly. "Prepare your farms," she told them. "Come to me, and I will give you the seeds." As workers load bundles of Juncao onto her truck, Massawe dreams of expanding her dairy operation to meet Zanzibar's growing demand. The once-skeptical farmer has become a champion of change, and the green Juncao grass continues to transform lives across the islands, one farm at a time. "I hope our government strengthens cooperation with China on agricultural technologies like Juncao," she said. "China has given us great support." JERUSALEM, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior Israeli government official said on Tuesday the country will "intensify" pressure on Hamas until the group releases the remaining bodies of deceased hostages still held in Gaza. Israel and Hamas traded accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement, now in its fifth day, over Hamas's failure to hand over all the missing bodies and Israeli fire that killed at least six people in Gaza on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that security and government officials were discussing possible measures, including keeping the Rafah crossing, a key route for aid from Egypt to Gaza, closed or limiting the delivery of humanitarian aid until Hamas releases the missing bodies. Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military said all four bodies handed over by Hamas on Monday had been identified at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv. It disclosed the identities of two of them, while the names of the other two have not yet been cleared for publication by their families. The two identified were Bipin Joshi, a Nepali agricultural student, and Guy Illouz, who was seized from the Nova music festival. According to Israeli intelligence, Illouz was injured and abducted alive during the Hamas-led assault on Oct. 7, 2023, and later died in captivity "after not receiving proper medical treatment," the military said. He was 26 years old. Bipin Joshi was abducted at age 23 from a shelter in Kibbutz Alumim. The military said he is believed to have been killed in captivity during the first months of the war. Final conclusions regarding the cause of death "will be determined after the completion of the examination of the circumstances of death by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine," the military said. The release of four bodies by Hamas has angered Israel, which said that under the terms of the agreement, the group was required to hand over all 28 bodies held in Gaza by Monday. Gal Hirsch, Israel's coordinator for hostages and missing persons at the Prime Minister's Office, said in an update to the hostages' families that "pressure on Hamas to continue and complete the return of the bodies is ongoing and will intensify." Hirsch said the issue was discussed on Monday during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, who was then on a brief visit to Israel. He added that the matter "is also being handled with other international parties and continues through our engagement with the mediators, even at this very moment." The Israeli military said Hamas "is required to fulfill its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the hostages to their families for proper burial." The return of the bodies came after the transfer of the last 20 surviving hostages from Gaza to Israel and the release of about 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, marking a key phase in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. Diego Marin A. Logrono Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 15:41 Share Seeing all kinds of wild animals in Logrono's city centre in northern Spain has become a normal part of daily life for residents: whether it's a vulture in a window, a goat in Casa de las Ciencias, a roe deer in a dog park, a fox on a walk in the Los Lirios area, an abandoned doe in an open field or a wild boar in Siete Infantes. The latest discovery took place on Saturday, 11 October, when a large catfish was found dead in a rubbish bin on Calle Rio Lomo, between the water treatment plant and the Berceo shopping centre. President of the Rioja fishing federation Juan Jose Herce criticised whoever had left the monster-sized freshwater fish in public and described the act as "irresponsible". "The public should not have to see this and the rubbish bin has been filled unnecessarily. It would be better to deposit it in an organic matter container," Herce said. The catfish is an invasive predator that "eats everything it catches, from barbels and crabs to pigeons and dogs on the banks - it is very voracious". Due to the risk to native fauna, fishermen are obliged to kill catfish, if they catch one, and dispose of it in special containers. Some people choose to eat it battered. In search of a trophy, some people specifically try to catch catfish and find the biggest one. In July 2024, Sergio Perez from Alfareno caught a 2.37-metre specimen in the Ebro river. The national record, however, was set in Valladolid with a 2.5-metre specimen. According to sources, the catfish found in Logrono weighs around 15 kilos and measures one metre, so it could be around 5 years old. The main hypothesis is that it was caught by a fisherman who didn't know what to do with it. The bin is located near a free car park, 200 metres from the Ebro. Jesus Garcia Calero Madrid Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 12:08 Share It was a long, hard day for staff at the Museo Naval in Madrid during this year's 12 October Spanish national holiday celebration. After Futuro Vegetal activists splashed paint over Jose Garnelo's 1892 work El Primer Homenaje a Colon painting, showing a Native American tribe offering gifts to Christopher Columbus, curators, volunteers and conservators worked tirelessly to prevent the paint from causing devastating damage to the painting. Although immediate damage has been prevented, the museum's technical director Berta Gasca said that further interventions costing "thousands and thousands of euros" will be necessary to preserve Garnelo's work. In addition, she stated that experts must carefully choose the exact restoration technique, which could take some time. However, the incident will not deprive future visitors of contemplating Garmelo's masterpiece. "We will continue to show the painting with its wounds," vice admiral Enrique Torres Pineyro said, standing in front of the six-metre-wide and three-metre-long canvas. He highlighted the "rapid reaction" of conservators, military personnel and even several external volunteers who stopped whatever they were doing on Sunday to help curb the assault consequences. Museo Naval director captain Juan Escrigas thanked everyone who joined the efforts. Zoom Restoration work on 12 and 13 October. Jose Ramon Ladra Eco-terrorism Although it is usually closed on Mondays, Museo Naval was buzzing with people focused on the protagonist - Garnelo's painting - on 13 October. ABC spoke to Daniel Vasile Antal, who saw the eco-terrorist attack on Sunday. The 57-year-old security guard was approached by two young women, one of whom asked where the toilet was. Minutes later, he saw them in front of the painting and then heard shouting. As he recalled, it was around 1.45pm when they threw red paint at the left half of the canvas. "I don't know what they said. A protest about the Dia de la Hispanidad, I think," Antal said. Within seconds, he lunged at them to stop them. "I slipped on the paint, but I caught them as I was falling," he explained, adding that that was an instinctive reaction. "I haven't had anything like this happen to me since I arrived from Romania in 2008, but it's simple: when you see someone doing something wrong, you have to act as quickly as possible." Two plainclothes police officers who were visiting the exhibition helped him restrain them while calling the authorities. From then on, emergency measures at the Museo Naval were set in motion. "I was with my parents, we were about to start eating... and the phone rang. It was the deputy director who informed me of what had happened," Gasca said. She asked for photographs to be sent to her to assess the damage and the worst was confirmed. "I then spoke to the team. We all went to the museum. Many of them were on a trip, which they interrupted," she said. In less than an hour, a team of seven people was on site to start working against the clock. "From the beginning, we saw that the key was to prevent the paint from drying," Gasca explained. Zoom Gasca and Escrigas, in front of the painting. Jose Ramon Ladra Among the emergency restoration workers was curator and head conservator at the Museo Naval, Regina Zurdo. She called several colleagues of hers, including a Museo del Prado conservator, and asked them if they would volunteer. They worked at lightning speed to save the painting, because the supersaturated pigment would only need a second to "wreak havoc". Initially, they used paper and cotton, after which they started cleaning with swabs. They did this for hours, carrying out different tests to assess the best product to use. Long-term damage The long-term damage is pending assessment. The paint has passed through the varnish, which means that "water particles have gotten between the cracks, leaving it whitish", as Zurdo explained. This damaging process increased during the cleaning work, but the restoration team had no other alternative. To make matters even worse, the removal of the red paint has dragged pollution from the surface, which has generated "lighter areas that will have to be restored". Gasca is aware that the process will be long, laborious and expensive. It doesn't matter that the paint used, as Futuro Vegetal has said, is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. "To begin with, I don't think it is, because some staff members have had allergic reactions. Any material that is applied to another material produces a series of chemical reactions that we cannot assess until we proceed with the analysis," Gasca said. Although they have "removed the visible layer", there are still residues, which will be very difficult to get rid of. "That's why we can't restore the painting from today to tomorrow. This will have a very serious impact on the work," she explained. Zoom The team of conservators, together with Gasca (left) and Escrigas (right). Jose Ramon Ladra The red paint also reached the walls and the ceiling. The painting's frame will also have to be restored. All the damages will amount to great expenses. As Gasca explained, a painting cannot be partially restored. Nevertheless, Escrigas chose a more positive conclusion - gratitude for the cooperation of all the conservators and volunteers that worked together. "We were up and running in barely 20 minutes," he said, highlighting the "enormous amount of work" done in such a short time. "The miracle is called love and effort and that is what all the people who came yesterday showed," he stated. Maria Albert Madrid Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 09:43 Share The 'Dana' weather depression Alice has left its mark with a very complicated weekend in Spain. The torrential rains caused by this storm seriously affected many parts of the Mediterranean, such as Alicante, Murcia, Ibiza, Formentera and Tarragona. Since last Friday, these regions have been experiencing some critical moments due to flooding, which even forced the state meteorological agency (Aemet) to activate red and amber warnings due to the storms. Zoom Weather warnings for Tuesday, 14 October 2025. Aemet Although the worst seems to be over, the yellow and amber warnings for very heavy and persistent showers in areas of the mainland Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands are still active this Tuesday. The agency has also put the focus on the yellow warnings that will be in areas of central and eastern half of the peninsula, as Castilla-La Mancha, northern Catalonia or points of Aragon, where this last week had been spared from rain fronts. Although the instability has been decreasing, as has its intensity, this relief will be short-lived, according to some weather experts. This is what meteorologist Mario Picazo has done in his latest forecast on the eltiempo.es portal, where he has advanced the arrival of a new episode of torrential rains that will affect Spain this week and that will complicate the environment in many provinces. Mario Picazo warns of further torrential rains to hit Spain this week The former Telecinco weatherman has reminded us in his forecast for the coming days that the rain will continue to be present during the first half of the week. Instability will continue to be the dominant feature on the Mediterranean slope and in other areas of eastern Spain, warned the expert. It seems that the instability will tend to ease in the middle of the week after several days without a break. Even so, the rains will not move far away from the Spanish, explains the eltiempo.es expert: It will give way to a new situation coming from the Atlantic. Between Friday and Sunday, a front will bring rain, lower temperatures and a more autumnal atmosphere over a large part of the country. Between Friday and Sunday, an Atlantic front will bring rain, cooler temperatures and a more autumnal atmosphere to much of the country This change in the weather in Spain will begin on Friday, when a band of Atlantic rain will reach Spain initially in Galicia. As the weekend progresses, this storm will spread towards the northwest of the mainland, leaving moderate rainfall and even persistent in some areas. On Saturday, the first showers will begin to arrive inland, with scattered showers in the north and west, while in the Mediterranean it will calm down, although only for a short time. The day will be one of transition, with some isolated thunderstorms and residual showers, reminds the what is to come at the end of the week. In the Canary Islands there could also be intermittent showers and heavy showers due to the passage of a small storm. It will be from Sunday when instability will return to Spain with the Atlantic front reaching the northeast of the mainland, leaving a cooler and fully autumnal atmosphere. As it approaches the Mediterranean, the storm could leave heavy rainfall in Catalonia, the north of the Valencian region and the east of Aragon. Once again, the worst part will fall on the eastern half of the country and the Balearic archipelago, where the most significant accumulations will once again be concentrated. Looking ahead to this coming weekend, Mario Picazo has pointed out that heavy rains could cause new flooding in the same areas as 'Dana' Alice. The heaviest accumulations will again be concentrated in the eastern half of the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands. The probability of heavy rain could cause further flooding A new Atlantic front will change temperatures on the Spanish mainland, according to Mario Picazo In addition to the rains, we will also see changes in the temperatures over the last few days, according to the weather expert. We will start the week with unusual values for the time of year, between 3 and 5C above normal, with maximums between 25C and 30C or more in a good number of provincial capitals. Somewhat cooler temperatures will prevail in the east of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands thanks to precipitation. As Picazo explains, everything indicates that the thermometers will start to drop from Friday 17 October with the passage of this new Atlantic front. The area that will suffer most from this drop will be the north of the peninsula, while in the central areas and east there will still be mild values for the time of year. Ines Romero Madrid Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 14:42 Share In recent years, the biggest concern for many homeowners in Spain has been the possibility of finding out that their property has been occupied by squatters. According to the Ministry of the Interior, in 2024 alone, a total of 16,426 cases of home trespass or illegal occupation cases were recorded. However, many people don't know what to report and how to act when someone illegally enters their property. The housing law in Spain includes a few points that can help homeowners resolve the issue as soon as possible. What should you do if your house has been squatted? On the one hand, the first thing to know is that the term 'squatting' is not included as such in the Penal Code. Therefore, in order to take legal action, it is necessary to talk about illegal occupation (usurpacion) or trespassing (allanamiento). Illegal occupation Illegal occupation happens when an uninhabited dwelling is occupied without the consent of its owners: an unauthorised third party makes the property their residence. Trespassing Trespassing refers to entering or remaining in a dwelling without the permission of the owner: when a person attempts to convert the property into their own dwelling without permission, even if the owner inhabits it. On 3 April 2025, the so-called 'anti-squatting' law came into force, seeking to streamline judicial procedures related to the crimes of illegal occupation and trespassing. Until now, illegal squatting cases have often faced long delays, leaving homeowners defenceless for months or years. The new regulation introduces significant changes. One of them concerns speedy trials, which require a maximum period of 15 days from the moment the squatter is brought before the court until a resolution is reached. Criminal proceedings Criminal proceedings must be initiated by lodging a complaint to the police. If it can be demonstrated that the persons who have squatted the property have been there less than 48 hours, the police can evict them without a court order. The 48-hour time limit does not appear explicitly in any legislation, but it is generally the timeframe recommended in internal police protocols to treat the situation as a crime in progress and to avoid it being considered an unlawful entry into an occupied dwelling. If the first 48 hours have passed since the illegal squatting, the complaint will be processed in the corresponding court for the commission of a crime of illegal occupation, if the home is not a primary residence, or for a crime of trespassing and entering, if it is a primary residence. It is important to bring proof to the police that you own the property (utility bills, deeds, registration, etc.). These criminal proceedings can last between a year and a year and a half. The complaint does not necessarily need to be lodged by the owner of the property. Civil procedures In this case, the owner of the property must be the one to initiate proceedings directly in court, against all persons who are unlawfully present in the home. It is possible to rely on the 'express eviction' tool, which is a special oral procedure that allows a person who has a right to a property to demand its eviction and return from squatters. It is possible to request the precautionary eviction before a court ruling is issued. Advice from the National Police on how to deal with squatters The National Police have created a document that explains what a homeowner should do if their property has been squatted. The first thing to do is call 091 and write down the personal details of those who have witnessed the act of squatting. It is recommended "not to cut off electricity, water and gas", as "such conduct on the part of a landlord could constitute an offence". A fire at the Novelis aluminum plant near Oswego is causing major headaches for Ford Motor Co. The company is temporarily cutting production of multiple models as a result of the fire, which has affected its supply chain. Starting this week, Ford has stopped producing its lucrative three-row SUVs, the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, at its Kentucky Truck Plant because of the difficulties with aluminum supply, an official from the United Auto Workers told members at the plant last week, according to The Wall Street Journal. Ford also cut production at separate plant in Kentucky and another in Dearborn, Michigan. Models affected include Fords electric F-150 Lightning, the Escape and the Lincoln Corsair. Ford declined to provide details on the production changes to the Journal. It said it was working with Novelis to minimize disruptions. Car makers often schedule periodic downtime at plants throughout the year, the Journal noted. In this case, Ford shifted time off that had been slated for later in 2025. The Novelis plant in the Oswego County town of Scriba supplies Ford with aluminum for the body panels on the automakers best-selling F-150 trucks. Ford is the plants biggest customer, according to the Journal. A fire broke out at the plant, one of Oswego Countys largest employers, around 10 p.m. on Sept. 16. It took firefighters from more than 20 departments four hours to extinguish. Workers safely evacuated the plant. The fire was contained to the roof of the facilitys hot mill, where aluminum ingots are heated and turned into sheets of rolled aluminum. Novelis has said other areas of the plant have either come back online or will be operational soon. However, the company said it does not expect the hot mill to be operational until the first quarter of 2026 because of structural damage to the building. After the fire, analysts warned the supply chain disruptions could cost Ford up to $1 billion in earnings. So far, Ford has been able to continue making its F-series pickups amid the issues caused by the fire, according to the Journal. Theyre focusing all their energy on making sure all their F-150s get built, said Sam Fiorani, an analyst with consulting firm AutoForecast Solutions, according to the Journal. Two of the famous Baldwin brothers were involved in a car crash in New York on Monday. Alec Baldwin was driving his wife Hilarias Range Rover when he smashed into a tree on the side of Montauk Highway in the Hamptons, according to the New York Post. Alecs brother Stephen Baldwin was the only passenger in the vehicle; neither was injured. Im fine, my brother Stephen was visiting me, Alec said in an Instagram video Monday night. Photos published by Page Six and TMZ show the white Range Rover had significant damage to the front end as police attended the scene. A large truck was also seen nearby. A guy cut me off in a truck. A big garbage truck the size of a whale, Alec said. It must have been something commercial, taking a way material from a construction site. It was the biggest garbage truck Ive ever seen. To avoid hitting him, I hit a tree, I hit a big, fat tree and crushed my car my wifes car. I crushed my wifes car. I feel bad about that. But its all fine, Im fine, and my brothers fine." Police have not released details of the crash, but the truck company involved reportedly told TMZ its driver was not at fault in the accident. Baldwin said East Hampton police officers who responded to the scene were as nice as can be and thanked them for their help. He added that he was headed to L.A. next to see his wife and children. Hilaria, I love you more than anything. Im very proud of you, he said to his wife, who was recently voted off Dancing with the Stars. Baldwin had been in the area for the Hamptons International Film Festival, which ran from Oct. 5-13. He serves as co-chair of its Board Executive Committee and also owns a summer home in East Hampton. Alec Baldwin, 67, recently visited Buffalo to attend the world premiere of Baristas vs. Billionaires Friday at the Buffalo Film Festival, according to WIVB. The Emmy-winning actor produced the film about the Starbucks union drive that began in Buffalo. Stephen Baldwin, 59, confirmed to TMZ that he and his brother Alec were uninjured. Stephen is scheduled to appear the Syracuse International Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, to receive the Sophia Award at the Catherine Cummins Theatre in Cazenovia. Stephen is being recognized for his work as an actor, director, and producer, including roles in The Usual Suspects, Bio-Dome, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, Fled, Celebrity Apprentice and a number of faith-based and advocacy projects like The Resurrection of Gavin Stone. He also directed and produced the 2004 skateboarding documentary Livin It and currently hosts the podcast One Bad Movie, where he interviews industry professionals about their favorite so-called bad movies. Alec, who received a Sophia Award from the Syracuse film festival in 2023, is known for roles in 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, The Departed, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Boss Baby, Beetlejuice, the Mission: Impossible franchise, and an Oscar-nominated performance in The Cooler. In 2021, he accidentally discharged a prop gun on the set of Rust, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins; involuntary manslaughter charges were dismissed in 2024 after a judge ruled that evidence had been improperly withheld. The Baldwin brothers, including Stephen, Alec, Daniel and Billy, have Syracuse ties and frequently visit the area for charity efforts through their late mothers Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY. Stephen and Alec were scheduled to face off against each other in a pickleball match to raise money for The Baldwin Fund in August, but the Skaneateles event was postponed until next year due to a death in the Byrne family, who had partnered for the fundraiser. I love Syracuse, Alec Baldwin said in 2021. People laugh at me. If I hadnt gotten remarried and had (multiple) children with my wife (Hilaria), I know in my heart I wouldve moved to Syracuse... I love it there. John Travolta recently honored his late wife, Kelly Preston. On Monday, Oct. 13 which would have been Prestons 63rd birthday the Grease star shared a song on Instagram dedicated to her. I recorded this song for Kelly and I want to share it with you all on her birthday. Happy birthday Kelly, we love you, wrote Travolta in the post, which can be viewed here. He signed it with his name as well as the names of their two kids, Ella and Ben. The post showed a photo of Preston smiling while holding flowers. Travoltas song can be heard in the background. Im gonna love you like nobodys loved you/come rain or come shine/high as a mountain and deep as a river/come rain or come shine, the Golden Globe-winning actor crooned. I guess when you met me/it was just, just one of those things. The actor continued to sing: But dont you ever bet me because Im gonna be true if you let me. Youre gonna love me like nobodys loved me/come rain or come shine/happy together, unhappy together. It doesnt appear that Travolta has released this song anywhere other than on Instagram. Kelly Preston and John Travolta attend "G'Day USA 2011" Black Tie Gala at Hollywood Palladium on January 22, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Sciulli/WireImage) WireImage Preston died in 2020 from breast cancer at age 57. She and Travolta also had a third child together, Jett, who tragically passed away in 2009 after suffering a seizure while the family was vacationing in the Bahamas. The then 16-year-old hit his head on a bathtub and was found unresponsive. Travolta and Preston married in 1991 and were together up until her death. In the comment section of her fathers touching tribute, Ella responded with three heart emojis. The eldest child also paid tribute to Preston last year with her 2024 song Little Bird, which featured footage of her late mother and brother in the music video. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is important to Americans, but only a fraction of them can fully explain why. Thats according to an annual survey by Freedom Forum which polled Americans on their knowledge of the First Amendment and what it means. The non-partisan nonprofit groups annual survey, Where America Stands, found that 95% of Americans have heard of the First Amendment, and nine in 10 agree about its importance. However, only 10% can name all five freedoms it protects religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition without prompting. A quarter of those responding couldnt name a single freedom. Among other findings: 65% of Americans say they are afraid to speak freely for fear of violence, job loss or tension with family and friends. This is down from 71% in 2024. Young people (Gen Z) are the most likely to self-censor, with 82% saying theyre afraid to speak freely. Some even feel that the First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees: 23% of Black respondents and 19% of Hispanic respondents agree with this view, higher than the national average of 13%. Young people are also likelier to say this than older generations: 17% of Gen Z and 19% of millennials agree, compared to just 9% of Gen X and baby boomers. Millennials are the generation most likely to see President Donald Trump as a First Amendment protector; baby boomers are most likely to see him as a threat. 52% of Americans are concerned about being censored by artificial intelligence. 49% believe parents should be able to opt out of having their elementary school children read certain books based on religious beliefs. Support for the press as a government watchdog has grown to 61%, up from 56% in 2024. In addition, lower-income Americans are less likely to identify lesser-known freedoms and more likely to say they are unclear on how the First Amendment impacts them. Freedom Forum Vice President Kevin Goldberg said admiration for the First Amendment is strong, but understanding is lagging. In todays polarized environment, where debates over speech, protest and censorship dominate the headlines, these findings remind us that freedoms arent self-sustaining, Goldberg said. They depend on Americans knowing, valuing and defending them. To help with public understanding of the First Amendment, the Freedom Forum and Arizona States Newswell recently started the free, online First Amendment Academy. It offers 15 self-guided courses that explore the the First Amendment and 25 flash quizzes. WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Four mediators of the recently-reached Gaza ceasefire deal on Monday jointly called for resolving future disputes in the Middle East through diplomatic engagement and negotiation, according to a joint statement issued by the White House. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, U.S. President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, signed a document to support the Gaza ceasefire deal at a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, earlier on Monday. "We hereby commit to the resolution of future disputes through diplomatic engagement and negotiation rather than through force or protracted conflict," they said in the statement. "We acknowledge that the Middle East cannot endure a persistent cycle of prolonged warfare, stalled negotiations, or the fragmentary, incomplete, or selective application of successfully negotiated terms," the statement read. "We understand that lasting peace will be one in which both Palestinians and Israelis can prosper with their fundamental human rights protected, their security guaranteed, and their dignity upheld," it continued. The summit, co-chaired by Egypt and the United States, was attended by leaders from more than 20 countries as well as regional and international organizations, though without the presence of either Israel or Hamas. At the summit, El-Sisi reiterated support for the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire plan, stressing that the agreement must be "solidified and all its phases implemented, leading to the realization of the two-state solution." The first phase of the plan includes Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Younis, and the north, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and the opening of five crossings for aid into Gaza. Hamas announced earlier on Monday that it had handed over all 20 remaining living hostages, who were captured during the attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have begun releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange deal. More than two years of Israeli military operations have devastated Gaza, killing over 67,000 people and triggering famine, according to Gaza's health authorities and UN-backed food experts. Pompey, N.Y. More than 350 people attended a Monday night candlelight vigil in Pompey in honor of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Despite the soggy weather, supporters flocked to the Heritage Hill Brewhouse for more than three hours of speeches, prayers, singing and tribute videos to Kirk, 31, who was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Most people waved mini American flags that were handed out. Many people wore merchandise for Turning Point USA, a conservative group Kirk founded. Others wore black in honor of Kirk. Attendees sang religious songs and bowed their heads in prayer during the vigil. Several speakers cried at the podium as they hailed a man who they praised for fighting for his faith, his nation, his family and free speech. He showed that all of our words mean something, Christian Ketchum-York, one of the events organizers, told the crowd. Any conversation can start something of meaning." The event falls on the eve of a National Day of Remembrance for Kirk, which Congress passed in September. Tuesday would have been Kirks 32nd birthday. Heritage Hill Owner Dan Palladino and the organizers said they received threats about the event. A small private security team and the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office were both on scene. People had to sign in to get in and the door was closely monitored. Madilyn Steere, one of the organizers, said that in talking to attendees, she felt that the event had attracted many different groups of people. There were the most religious, and people who have never picked up a Bible. There were Democrats, Republicans, immigrants, Americans, whatever, she said after the event. The organizers announced at the event that they plan to launch a chapter of Turning Point USA in Central NY. They are also launching The Well Fellowship, which will be a religious community group meeting in Central New York. Kirk was the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA. He had become a prominent voice in the MAGA movement within the Republican Party. A funeral for Kirk was held on Sept. 21 in the Arizona Cardinals State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Tens of thousands attended, including President Donald Trump. Vigils and memorials for Kirk have been scheduled Tuesday across the country for his birthday and day of remembrance. All of it was just phenomenal, the speakers, everything, Steere said. I think we really honored Charlies legacy. Speakers: Chris Vitale, of Auburn, is legislative coordinator for the Empire State Association of Assisted Living. As a former provider who has dedicated my life to caring for frail seniors in the Central New York area for more than 30 years, Im deeply concerned about the future of long-term care in New York, especially for lower- to middle-income seniors who may need 24-hour care and supervision. More specifically, Im concerned about New Yorks only Medicaid-funded Assisted Living Program (ALP). A program designed to keep frail seniors out of costly nursing homes by allowing them to age in place in licensed Adult Care Facilities (ACFs). New York is experiencing a care crisis now, having lost more than 5,000 adult care facility beds since 2010 and nearly 2,000 closures in the past three years alone. Central New York and Syracuse have lost 732 of those beds due to closure; 373 are gone since 2020 alone. Each lost bed represents a real person displaced from their home and likely forced into an institutional setting because no affordable, appropriate care option remains in their community. Ultimately, this is costing New York significantly more money. According to AARP, today New York ranks dead last in the nation for the availability of assisted living, with fewer than 20 beds per 1,000 residents aged 75 and older. The only type of assisted living communities being built today cater to those who can afford to pay privately. For lower income families trying to find care for aging parents or loved ones, options are shrinking while demand is exploding. Today, nearly 1 in 5 five New Yorkers is over age 65 and that number will grow by 1.7 million people in the next 4.5 years. It can be fixed! New York already has a program built to solve this exact problem, the Assisted Living Program. The ALP is the states only Medicaid-funded assisted living model. Created in 1992, the ALP was designed to keep people out of nursing homes and provide a more affordable, home-like environment of an adult care home. At the time, reimbursement rates were meant to equal about 50% of what a nursing home would receive for caring for someone with similar needs. Today, however, ALP providers receive only about 30% of that amount. Despite this, the ALP has saved New York taxpayers billions of dollars while helping thousands of older adults to live with dignity in community-based settings rather than institutions. The benefits of assisted living include receiving three daily meals, housekeeping, laundry, case management, medication management and personal care such as bathing, dressing and grooming. Assisted Living is a community-based setting that helps seniors remain connected to their hometown communities, staying engaged with family and friends while maintaining independence while thriving with dignity. Residents of quality assisted living communities know that qualified staff are available as their needs change. Assisted living uniquely balances structure and clinical oversight with resident choice at the forefront. Yet the Assisted Living Program remains chronically underfunded and overlooked, despite being the most cost-effective form of long-term care for those who need 24-hour care and supervision. As a result, weve seen a growing number of Medicaid funded assisted living program buildings close their doors. Meanwhile, New York has poured billions into other much costlier long-term care programs with ballooning budgets that have grown by more than 4,000% in the last decade, eroding Medicaid sustainability. These programs have grown at the expense of proven cost-effective alternatives, like the assisted living program, yet Albany continues to ignore the value of the assisted living program as a solution already proven to work. New Yorkers must understand the warning signs: We are losing long-term care infrastructure across the state. Without decisive policy action, middle and lower-income seniors will find themselves with nowhere to turn. It is time for New York to re-focus its long-term care priorities on making assisted living accessible to all. Investing in this proven, community-based model is not only the most compassionate path forward, but also the most fiscally responsible. President Donald Trump complained on Tuesday about a photo of himself on the cover of the latest issue of Time magazine. Times Nov. 10 issue features a cover story on Trumps role in the new cease fire deal between Israel and Hamas. The magazine said it may become a signature achievement of Trumps second term and could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle East, according to The Washington Post. While Trump acknowledged in a Truth Social post that the magazines story was relatively good, he had problems with the photo on the cover. He said it may be the worst of all time. The photo was taken from below, which is generally considered an unflattering angle. Bright light in the image makes it look like Trumps hair is floating above his head and the inside of Trumps right nostril is prominent in the picture, according to the Post. They disappeared my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one, Trump complained, according to the Post. Really weird! I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why? Israel and Hamas began on Monday to carry out the first phase of the new deal, according to The Hill. Israel released more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and Hamas released all 20 living hostages. The group also released four of the 28 bodies of deceased hostages. Trump met with hostage families and spoke at the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday, The Hill said. He also attended a signing ceremony in Egypt. Trump is often conscious of optics around his appearance, according to the Post. He has previously complained about other pictures and paintings he considers unflattering, according to Forbes. That includes criticism of a Trump portrait hanging in Colorados Capitol building. Trump said the portrait was purposefully distorted and called for its removal, Forbes said. On what would have been his 32nd birthday, slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk today was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor, by President Donald Trump. Were here to honor and remember a fearless warrior for liberty, beloved leader who galvanized the next generation like nobody Ive ever seen before, and an American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest caliber, Trump said at the ceremony, the Associated Press reported. Trump presented the meadow to Erika Kirk, Charlies widow. Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah man, has been charged with murder. Trump announced on Sept. 11, the day after Kirks death, that the medal would be awarded. Kirk was an influential figure in conservative political circles and was the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization that worked to promote conservative values in young people. Kirk often spoke on college campuses, like he did on the day he was killed. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded by the president to recognize a lifetime of significant achievements in the arts, public service, science, or other fields, according to congress.gov. Kirk was a polarizing figure. Beloved by many in conservative circles, his positions on race, gender and other social issues drew the ire of many progressives. After Kirks death, there was a backlash against those who made remarks perceived as critical of Kirk or reacting positively to his death. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was briefly suspended by ABC after making comments claiming Republicans were politicizing Kirks death. Kimmel said in a monologue that we hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. Kimmel returned to television less than a week after he was suspended. LONG BEACH, N.Y. (AP) A political candidate in the New York City suburbs went for a night swim in the Atlantic Ocean this past spring and never returned. Petros Krommidas phone, keys and clothes were found on the sands at Long Beach on Long Island. The 29-year-old former Ivy League rower, who was training for a triathlon, had parked his car just off the picturesque wooden boardwalk. As the months passed, local Democrats attempted to field a replacement to run for the seat in the Nassau County Legislature. But two Republican voters took them to court and won: a state judge recently ordered Krommidas name to remain on the November ballot, ruling that hes still considered missing and not officially deceased. Now, as Election Day approaches, voters in Long Beach and other South Shore communities have a curious choice: reelect the Republican incumbent or the Democrat who seemingly vanished at sea. Democrats want to elect the missing candidate James Hodge is among those calling on residents to cast their ballots for Krommidas regardless hoping to trigger a special election in which Democrats can put forward another candidate to run against County Legislator Patrick Mullaney. The Long Beach resident worked with Krommidas at the Nassau County Board of Elections and had been tapped by Democrats to run in his place. We need to stand by and honor his name and memory, Hodge told The Associated Press. Lets give him that victory. Its the right thing to do. The Republican voters argued in their lawsuit that Democrats couldnt claim Krommidas was dead because authorities still considered him a missing person. Under law, someone needs to be missing for at least three years to be legally declared dead, they argued. Judge Gary Knobel agreed, writing in his Sept. 29 ruling that missing person status does not qualify as a vacancy that can be filled. Dead candidates have won elections before The justice, in his ruling, noted a similar situation decades earlier in Alaska. U.S. Rep. Nicholas Begich Sr. disappeared in a plane crash weeks before the 1972 vote but still won reelection. The Alaska Democrat was eventually declared dead, and his Republican opponent claimed the seat in a special election. More recently, Dennis Hof, owner of the Nevada brothel featured on HBOs Cathouse documentary series, died weeks before the 2018 election but still captured a seat in the state Legislature. In 2020, North Dakota legislative candidate David Andahl died from COVID-19 the month before the election and still won. And in 2022, Pennsylvania state Rep. Anthony DeLuca won reelection after dying from lymphoma the month prior. Hodge and other Democrats argue that Republicans only sued to assure themselves victory as they seek to bolster their majority in the county legislature. They say the lawsuit has only prolonged the anguish for Krommidas family. I understand politics, but theres a time to stop and be a human being, said Ellen Lederer-DeFrancesco, who met Krommidas through the local Democratic Party. Petros is someones son, brother, friend. Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph Cairo Jr., in a statement, vowed the party and its candidates will show the highest level of sensitivity during these challenging times for the Krommidas family. Krommidas family declined to comment when reached by phone, but his mother and sister each took to Facebook recently to share a post calling for residents to honor and vote for him. My Peter cared deeply about people and his community and continues to inspire kindness and unity in our community, his mother, Maria, wrote in her post. Eleni-Lemonia Krommidas, his sister, described him in her own post as a first-generation American who loved his country and believed in equality, education, and the power of unity. Voters weigh in on the beach where he vanished In the days after his disappearance, family and friends joined first responders in scouring Long Beachs broad, more than 3-mile-long (4.8-kilometer-long) swath of sand, which is located just east of the New York City borough of Queens. Some of the missing persons fliers they put up with images of Krommidas youthful, smiling face are tattered and faded but still visible on telephone poles around Long Beach. Meanwhile campaign signs for Mullaney, his opponent, are prominently displayed on fences along the main thoroughfares and on tidy residential lawns. The Republican didnt respond to emails seeking comment. Along the Long Beach boardwalk last week, longtime resident Maude Carione was dumbstruck at the choice facing voters in November. Its insane to leave his name on the ballot. Youll confuse people, said the 72-year-old, who supports Republican President Donald Trump but didnt have plans to vote in the upcoming election, which features mostly local races. In fairness, you have to give another candidate a chance for the Democrats. You have to. For resident Regina Pecorella, the decision, while grim, was clear. If its between those two, Im voting for the person thats alive, said the 54-year old independent, who voted for a straight Republican ticket in the previous election. I dont know how else to answer that. An Upstate New York woman has been charged with manslaughter an alleged drunk driving crash killed two people. Imahjai Sutherland, 25, of Albany, was allegedly driving a vehicle that crashed into an embankment off I-787 southbound near exit 5 in the Capital Region on Sunday. New York State Police said the I-90 exit 6A off-ramp to I-787 South was closed in both directions Sunday morning to investigate the crash. Two passengers in the vehicle were declared dead at the scene. They have been identified as Jamilla N. Tirado, 27, and Cepelynn T. Johnson, 25, both of Albany. Sutherland was transported to Albany Medical Center with serious injuries. Police said Sutherland was identified as the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash. Troopers said they observed signs of intoxication and a sample was taken at Albany Medical Center to determine the drug and alcohol content of her blood. Sutherland was arrested Sunday after being released from the hospital and charged with two counts of Manslaughter in the second degree, two counts of Assault in the second degree, Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Driving While Intoxicated, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. She was arraigned at the Albany City Court and taken to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail. According to the Times Union, the crash was one of two fatal incidents on I-787 Sunday morning. Police said an SUV going the wrong way on the highway hit a sedan about two hours earlier. The sedan driver, 38-year-old Eric Hurley of Albany, was killed. The other driver, 44-year-old Lewis Thomas of Coxsackie, remains hospitalized. No charges have been filed as of Tuesday morning. While the investigations are ongoing, it appears as if alcohol was a factor in both (crashes), Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon wrote on Facebook. When you make the decision to get behind the wheel after drinking youre putting yourself and everyone in your path in danger. Make good decisions, not deadly ones. KABUL, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have arrested 202 individuals along the border with Iran over attempting to illegally sneak into the neighboring country, said a statement of the national army in the western region on Tuesday. The arrested individuals have been detained from Ghorian district of the western Herat province over the past week, the statement added without providing more details. Although hundreds of Afghan refugees return from Iran daily to their homeland Afghanistan, numerous Afghans leave for Iran illegally everyday to escape poverty and unemployment in their post-war country. The Afghan government has vowed to check human trafficking and illegal crossing to the neighboring countries. CHENGDU, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Tuesday underscored China's commitment to advancing fusion energy research and international cooperation in the relevant field. Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the second ministerial meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) World Fusion Energy Group and the 30th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Zhang emphasized that fusion energy remains a vital pathway for the peaceful application of nuclear technology, and China stands ready to work with all parties to actively implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative. He added that China will promote joint efforts on fundamental research and technology breakthroughs in fusion energy, as well as strengthen the integration of scientific and industrial innovation. During the event, Zhang met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, and the two sides exchanged views on enhancing dialogue and expanding practical cooperation. Papua New Guinea's rainforest under major threat says new report Kuala Lumpur, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Millions of hectares of virgin rainforest in Papua New Guinea are under threat due to a contentious permit scheme, environmental groups warned on Tuesday. A new 56-page report by Malaysian-based forestry watchdog RimbaWatch, the Papua New Guinea Environment Alliance and the Bruno Manser Fonds, states that at least 1.68 million hectares -- an area larger than East Timor -- have been potentially earmarked for deforestation under so-called Forest Clearing Authorities(FCA) licensing. The FCA is a type of permit issued under Papua New Guinea's Forestry Act intended to facilitate large-scale forest clearing for agricultural or infrastructure projects, but is often misused as a pretext for illegal logging, the environmentalists claimed. Despite a moratorium on new FCA licenses issued by Port Moresby in 2023, widespread deforestation and human rights abuses, including failure to consult indigenous landowners, continued, they said. Further investigations revealed that 65 out of 67 FCA licenses were controlled by companies with Malaysian links, many connected to politically influential families in Malaysia's Borneo state of Sarawak, according to the report. The report called for an immediate suspension of log exports from FCA areas, pending investigation as well as scrutiny by Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission graft watchdog to ensure companies acquired concessions lawfully and without illicit activities. Papua New Guinea is part of the world's third-largest intact tropical forest ecosystem, but at least 15 percent of its forests have been degraded in recent years due to ongoing rapid deforestation. Indigenous activist Komeok Joe from Sarawak urged Papua New Guineans to reject companies holding FCA licences in order to protect rainforests. "Instead of allowing the destruction of its forests by Malaysian linked companies, Papua New Guinea should invest more in strengthening legal protection for forests and landowners, as well as in alternatives to destructive and unsustainable logging," added Pamela Avusi, a PNG Environmental Alliance coordinator. Global goal to end deforestation nowhere near being met: experts Paris, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Deforestation "has not meaningfully declined" despite a global pledge to halt forest destruction, but next month's UN climate summit in the Amazon could mark a turning point, experts said Tuesday. Last year an area of the world's forests larger than Scotland was cleared primarily to make way for agriculture, according to an annual deforestation assessment by a broad global coalition of researchers and activists. Tropical primary forests -- particularly carbon rich and ecologically biodiverse environments -- were the hardest hit, with 6.7 million hectares (16.6 million acres) lost in 2024. The report also highlighted persistent but overlooked levels of forest degradation, where land is damaged but not razed entirely, mostly owing to logging, road building and fires lit to clear land. Rates of deforestation remain stubbornly high despite a commitment made by more than 140 leaders at the UN COP summit in 2021 to stamp it out by the end of the decade. "Deforestation has not meaningfully declined since the beginning of the decade, and we're already halfway through," Erin Matson, an expert at the Climate Focus think tank and co-author of the latest assessment, told reporters. "Every year we are losing this level of forests." Deforestation worldwide in 2024 was 3.1 million hectares above the maximum possible level to align with meeting the 2030 goal, the report said. Globally, deforestation is overwhelmingly driven by the expansion of permanent agriculture, which accounted for 85 percent of all forest loss over the past decade. "But another important and growing driver is mining and extractives for gold, for coal, and increasingly for the metals and minerals required for the renewable energy transition," Matson said. - 'Forest COP' - Matson said she was cautiously optimistic the cause could be revived at next month's COP30 summit in Brazil, the first time the annual UN climate conference has been held in the Amazon region. "This is the forest COP. I think there's a lot of opportunity there," she said. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva chose to host the world's most important climate talks in Belem, the gateway to the Amazon, to spotlight the role of forests in absorbing carbon dioxide. At COP30, Brazil will launch an innovative new fund that rewards countries with high tropical forest cover -- mostly developing nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America -- that protect trees rather than chopping them down. The Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF) aims to raise up to $25 billion from donor countries and another $100 billion from the private sector, which is invested on financial markets. Brazil has already thrown in $1 billion. "What is new about this initiative... it's the scale, it's the simplicity, it's the long-term vision, and it's the leadership of the Global South," said Elisabeth Hoch, international portfolio lead from the Climate and Company, a think tank. "From a political point of view, the initiative has a lot of value but it has not yet reached a stage of maturity sufficient to be fully launched," said a French government source on Friday. Matson said "political courage" was needed at COP30 to correct course and put the fight for forests back on the global agenda. "Looking at the global picture of deforestation, it is dark, but we may be in the darkness before the dawn," she said. Black gold, green promises: Brazil's climate paradox Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Can oil, the climate villain, be used to pay for its own demise? Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva thinks so. He is pushing for more oil exploration, including offshore from the Amazon rainforest, while casting himself as a global leader on climate change. "The world is not yet ready to live without oil," Lula, the host of this year's COP30 UN climate conference, told a local podcast. "I am against fossil fuels whenever we can do without them. But until we can, we need to use them. Oil money will help us develop biofuels, ethanol, green hydrogen, and other initiatives," he said during an event earlier this year. Brazil is the eighth biggest oil producer and Lula wants state energy giant Petrobras to be the "largest oil company in the world." At the same time, he urges world leaders to step up in the fight against the climate crisis and he has pledged zero deforestation by 2030. Critics say Lula's position is contradictory; others see it as pragmatic. "It's becoming increasingly clear that developing countries won't be able to count on rich nations to finance their climate agenda," said Jorge Arbache, an economics professor at the University of Brasilia. It's much harder to force a country like Brazil not to extract oil than it is to tell a rich-oil producing nation like Norway the same thing, according to him. He said the question should be how to use this oil, "and within what environmental parameters. "That should be an adult conversation." - 'A historic mistake' - Off the coast of the Amazon in northern Brazil, the world's mightiest river crashes into the ocean, sending a muddy brown plume of freshwater hundreds of kilometers into the blue-gray Atlantic -- a striking color contrast visible from space. Plans for oil exploration in the biodiverse Foz do Amazonas basin have become a symbol of Lula's environmental contradictions. After being denied a license to explore for oil in 2023, Petrobras recently passed a key environmental test by the Ibama environmental agency -- despite serious concerns noted by the regulator over plans to protect wildlife in the case of an oil spill. Petrobras said in a statement that it expected to receive a drilling license soon. The Foz de Amazonas is part of a promising new offshore oil frontier, with nearby Guyana emerging as a major oil producer in less than a decade following large offshore discoveries. Petrobras says its models show that an oil spill at the offshore site "would not be likely to reach the coast" and there would be "no direct impact" on Indigenous communities. "There is no such thing as sustainable oil, period," Suely Araujo, a former president of Ibama and coordinator of the Climate Observatory NGO, told AFP. "We're in the midst of a climate crisis, with a slew of extreme events, and the option to continue indefinitely increasing oil production is a historical mistake." - Exporting the problem - Even if Petrobras strikes oil, the new block could take a decade to enter production. The International Energy Agency predicts demand for oil will fall after 2030, making continued drilling economically risky, Araujo said. She said Brazil's existing oil money had not proven to "solve social problems." Brazil's Federal Court of Auditors (TCU) this year flagged "severe dysfunctions" with the distribution of royalties from oil revenues, which multiplied by 40 between 2000 and 2022. It said 87 percent of royalties went to only three states, based on rules drawn up decades before Brazil was a major oil producer. Brazil is one of the world's largest emitters of harmful greenhouse gases, but with an unusual profile, as it meets most of its energy needs through renewables. Felipe Barcellos e Silva, a researcher at the Institute for Energy and the Environment thinktank, said 50 percent of Brazil's emissions came from deforestation and another 25 percent from agriculture. Brazil exports more than half of its oil, so emissions from it won't add to its own greenhouse gas tally, "but will still be released globally." Shigueo Watanabe Jr., a researcher at the ClimaInfo institute, calculated that burning the estimated reserves from Block 59 alone would emit 2.5 billion tons of CO? equivalent -- more than a year of Brazil's emissions. "It's incoherent to talk about a transition linked to destruction," said environmentalist and Indigenous expert Neidinha Surui, who has spent decades fighting to protect native lands. "What the president is doing is contributing to the pressure on the climate and the destruction of the planet. I hope he changes his attitude and sets more realistic goals for protecting nature," she told AFP. Four Brazilians to watch at COP30 Sao Paulo, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Influential Brazilians, from government figures to Indigenous activists, will take center stage during UN climate talks in the Amazon next month. Here are some key Brazilians to watch at the UN climate conference, running November 10-21 in the Amazonian city of Belem. - Marina Silva - Brazil's 67-year-old environment minister is internationally recognized for her lifelong advocacy for the environment and preservation of the planet's largest tropical forest. Raised on a rubber plantation in the Amazon, Silva often cites her grandmother and a shaman uncle as early influences that shaped her love of the forest. In 2008, she resigned from Lula's government during his second term as the two clashed over her environmental agenda. She returned to his government in 2023 and is in a tricky position as Lula pushes to expand oil exploration at the mouth of the Amazon River. "We all live with contradictions, and these contradictions must be managed," she said earlier this month. Silva was named one of Time's 100 most influential people of 2024, and hailed for her "deeply grounded courage and unflinching tenacity." - Carlos Nobre - After decades studying the Amazon and global warming, Brazilian meteorologist Carlos Nobre is an international authority on climate. He was a member of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for highlighting environmental threats. "Populists and climate deniers, like US President Donald Trump and our former president Jair Bolsonaro, adopt positions that contain enormous climate risk," the 74-year-old told AFP. For 30 years, he has warned that deforestation is steadily bringing the Amazon closer to the "point of no return," when the tropical rainforest -- which plays a crucial role in absorbing greenhouse gases largely responsible for global warming -- will transform into savannah. He believes that with strong environmental policies, Brazil could not only halt degradation but become one of the first major emitters to meet Paris Agreement targets. "Brazil has all the conditions to lead the energy transition," he said. - Txai Surui - In 2021, Indigenous activist Txai Surui, 24, addressed the world at COP26 in Scotland, in traditional clothing and bearing a powerful message. "The earth is speaking and she tells us that we have no more time," she said. This year, she was appointed one of several young climate advisors to the UN Secretary-General. About 1.7 million Indigenous people live in Brazil, some in protected areas covering one-seventh of the country. Preserving these territories has been proven to reduce deforestation. Txai is the daughter of a great chief and environmental activist, known for their longtime battle to defend their lands in northwestern Amazon. She founded an Indigenous youth movement in the region and in 2021, she and other young climate activists sued the Brazilian government for a "carbon trick maneuver" they said allowed it to emit more greenhouse gases. - Fafa de Belem - Belem, the COP30 host city, is also the birthplace of Fafa de Belem, 69, one of the great female voices of Brazilian music who is also an activist for the Amazon. Maria de Fatima Palha de Figueiredo, known by her stage name Fafa de Belem, has recorded 30 albums and sold millions. She will perform at COP30, while keeping a keen eye on negotiations. Fafa told AFP in an interview she hopes the peoples of the Amazon will be "at the center of the decisions." After being outraged by the absence of representatives from the Amazon at a climate action meeting in New York three years ago, Fafa founded the Varanda da Amazonia debate forum. "When we talk about climate change, we talk about data, graphs, and scientific reports. These are fundamental but don't always reach people's hearts: art creates that bridge," Fafa told AFP. 'Widespread illegalities' in DR Congo carbon offsetting: NGO Kinshasa, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Carbon offsetting projects in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are plagued by "widespread illegalities" and "exacerbate the risk" of rights violations, an NGO report published Tuesday said. With vast forests and peatlands that absorb significant quantities of CO2 annually, the DRC has promoted itself as a "solutions country" to the climate crisis, which has led to a nationwide proliferation of carbon offsetting projects for businesses. But a study published by the NGO Rainforest Foundation UK has revealed "widespread illegalities in project attribution, human rights violations and other impacts that undermine efforts to promote effective and participatory forest management" in the DRC. Projects "are causing social harms, damaging social cohesion and exacerbating the risk of intra and inter-community conflicts, elite capture and human rights violations", according to the authors, who conducted several field missions between May and August 2024. "Promised funding rarely reaches the local level," they said, highlighting "weak evidence of tangible benefits for local populations in terms of revenues, economic opportunities or improved livelihoods". The study also outlines "a striking lack of respect" for the consent of affected communities and the sector's "lack of transparency". The researchers identified 71 carbon offsetting projects that span around 103 million hectares (255 million acres) -- almost all of the DRC's tropical forests. But "other deals amounting to over 80 million hectares have been signed between government authorities and private investors... many of which are likely to overlap with existing projects," they added. Former logging companies that have converted their concessions feature among the sector's players, which raises questions about the projects' actual value given that many of the areas have already been deforested, the report said. The British NGO is urging the Congolese authorities to impose a moratorium on new carbon offsetting projects and conservation concessions. Carbon credits are viewed as an essential tool to prevent the destruction of tropical forests, but many projects have been accused of selling worthless credits worldwide. Turkish environmental journalist dies after attack Ankara, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Tributes poured in Tuesday for a Turkish journalist known for his environmental coverage who died after being attacked, with media organisations, NGOs and politicians demanding an investigation into his death. Hakan Tosun, 50, was found unconscious after being attacked as he walked through the streets of Istanbul's Esenyurt district in the early hours of Saturday morning, a police statement said. CCTV footage published by Turkish media showed him being attacked by two people, with police confirming they had arrested two men, aged 18 and 24, over the assault. Tosun was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries on Monday. He was known for his coverage and documentary work focusing on the struggle to protect the environment, urban activism and the fight against gentrification. Turkey's Association of Progressive Journalists said attacks on journalists had "become commonplace" in Turkey and demanded "clarity and accountability" about the incident, in a demand echoed by Reporters without Borders (RSF). "All details about the motive for the attack on his life must be revealed. We are deeply saddened. We demand the harshest punishment for all those responsible," RSF's Turkey representative Erol Onderoglu said. Environmental groups also issued a statement demanding to know "what happened to Hakan Tosun" with politicians also calling for a full investigation. "This unacceptable and despicable attack not only targeted a journalist, but also the truth, press freedom, and the right to information," said Burhanettin Bulut, deputy head of the main opposition CHP party. And the pro-Kurdish DEM party said probing his death was crucial for protecting press freedom. "Hakan Tosun was a journalist in search of truth and a defender of nature and life. Clarifying all aspects of this suspicious death is essential for press freedom and respect for the right to life," it said on X. Dozens more hospitalised in Tunisia as locals blame chemical factory Gabes, Tunisia, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 Tunisia reported on Tuesday dozens more people admitted to hospital in Gabes, whose residents have blamed pollution from a nearby chemical factory for causing respiratory distress and other health issues. Some were carrying children in panic into a hospital in the southern city, an AFP reporter saw, after fresh protests demanding the dismantling of a nearby phosphate processing plant began on Friday. Since early September, Tunisia has seen increasing reports of health issues attributed to the factory, whose potentially cancer-causing waste has long generated discontent among Gabes residents. A local official speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP more than 120 people were admitted to hospitals in Gabes by midday (1100 GMT). Earlier in the day, radio channel Diwan FM cited an education official who said "dozens of students" had been hospitalised in Gabes. Local defence deputy chief Ghofrane Touati told AFP "there were cases of suffocation" among those hospitalised, without providing the number of cases. "Others complained of leg pain, numbness, and loss of mobility," she added. Tawfik Dhaifallah, a resident, said his little sister was "suffocating because of the fumes" emanating from the industrial zone. "That happens every two or three days." The processing of phosphate rock into fertiliser emits toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and ammonia. The main solid waste product is phosphogypsum, which the plant discharges into the Mediterranean. It contains radium that decays into radon gas, which is radioactive and can cause cancer. Slah Ben Hamed, the regional secretary-general of Tunisia's main labour union UGTT, told AFP that "more cases of asphyxiation were recorded today among students at a school in Chatt Essalem", located near the plant. As the plant was inaugurated in 1972, Ben Hamed warned that "gas leaks are inevitable with such old equipment". Residents of the city of around 400,000 people have been campaigning for decades against the plant's pollution. In 2017, the government promised to begin its gradual closure, but authorities earlier this year said they would ramp up production instead. Local campaign group Stop Pollution has called for "the immediate closure" of the factory units it said were "behind the emissions". President Kais Saied has dispatched representatives from the environment and industry ministries. At least 14 miners killed in Venezuela floods: rescue workers Caracas, Oct 14 (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 At least 14 miners have died in floods caused by heavy rain in eastern Venezuela, rescue workers said Tuesday. Disaster relief agencies and the military said in a joint statement that they were working to recover the bodies of the workers from a gold mine in the town of El Callao in Bolivar state. The workers were underground when heavy rains fell on the region which borders both Guyana and Brazil, flooding the mine. Videos posted on social media showed workers pulling a body out of the muddy waters. El Callao's mayor, Jesus Coromoto Lugo, sent his condolences to the victims' families in a social media post. On Monday, he shared images of flooded roads in the remote region. Gold mining is the economic mainstay of El Callao. It was not clear whether the mine was operating legally or illegally. Deadly accidents are common at illegal gold mines across South America. AMMAN, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- As China hosts the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing from Monday to Tuesday, Jordanian politician Abla Abuelbeh urged the world to renew its commitment to gender justice and equality. Abuelbeh, secretary-general of the Jordanian People's Democratic Party, was a delegate to the 1995 World Conference on Women, which was also held in the Chinese capital. She told Xinhua in a recent interview that the 1995 conference successfully drew global attention to women's status and made key decisions advancing women's rights in politics, society, and fields including health, education and agriculture. Reflecting on the progress achieved over the past three decades, Abuelbeh said some countries have witnessed rapid progress toward gender equality and justice, while others have unfortunately moved backward. Wars, economic pressures and displacement in some Mideast states have deeply undermined women's rights and opportunities, she said. Abuelbeh also criticized the "double standards" in Western policies. "The West speaks of democracy and equality, but at the same time contributes to wars and oppression elsewhere," she said. "One eye is defending democracy in its own countries, while the other eye oppresses other people and women in the Global South." She said countries of the Global South must tell their own stories, of struggle, resilience and achievement. "We need to remind the world that fighting racism and colonialism is inseparable from fighting for women's rights," she said. She also expressed the belief that a stable and inclusive society supports women's rights and opportunities, citing China as an example. China's achievements in human rights and development are remarkable, and the country's success in development and social stability naturally benefits women, Abuelbeh said, adding that she is sure that the summit in Beijing will bring greater progress in the global women's cause. 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 Comedian Whitney Cummings is defending her and fellow comedians' performances at the controversial Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. Along with Cummings, the event held from September 26 to October 9 starred several prominent comedians, including Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart, Louis CK, Jimmy Carr, and Jack Whitehall. However, these performers were dubbed sellouts for taking part in the Saudi state-sponsored event in the wake of journalist Turki al-Jasser's death, and as Saudi authorities have been imposing long prison sentences for social media posts. Now, Cummings is defending her performance at the event and specifically addressing the backlash. I guess Im this weirdo. I dont operate under, you know, the idea that every government and their people are the same You think that the people of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi government all [share the same values]? the actor, 43, said during Sundays episode of her podcast, Good For You. So you also believe that the Chinese government and the Chinese people are exactly the same? Its just racism, she continued. I think it took me a second, because when people are going like, Youre doing something unethical, Im like, Oh, these must be ethical people, let me listen. And then youre like, Oh no, youre just racist. These are also the same people who would go, Trump is not my president! I am nothing like our president. But other countries are? open image in gallery Whitney Cummings reacts to being called a sellout for being in Riyadh Comedy Festival ( AFP via Getty Images ) She addressed how other comics called the comedians at the festival a sellout, and explained why she thought that backlash was hypocritical. When you get a sec, Google Saudi Arabia Live Nation so you can be informed on the fact that anyone who has worked with Live Nation, every stand-up comic, has taken Saudi money, she said. Or bought a ticket through Live Nation, went to a Live Nation event, all the actors who are represented by William Morris Agency, which is all of them. If you want to send them notes too. Her remarks come after Human Rights Watch described the Riyadh Comedy Festival as Saudi Arabias latest attempt to deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations. The organization even urged anyone taking part to use their platform to speak up on issues such as human rights and freedom of speech, particularly as Saudi Arabia experiences a reported rise in executions for non-lethal and drug-related crimes. Comedian David Cross, who said he was not asked to perform at the festival, shared a statement on Instagram to criticize the event: I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing. That people I admire, with unarguable talent, would condone this totalitarian fiefdom forwhat, a fourth house? A boat? More sneakers? We can never again take seriously anything these comedians complain about (unless its complaining that we dont support enough torture and mass executions of journalists and LGBQT peace activists here in the states, or that we dont terrorize enough Americans by flying planes into our buildings), he continued. open image in gallery Dave Chappelle spoke about free speech in America during the Riyadh Comedy Festival ( Getty Images ) Speaking to BBC News, comedy fans who attended the shows said they were surprised to hear several comics include profane content in their sets, such as jokes about gay and trans people. One attendee said that Chappelle made lots of jokes about transgender people, which he has been criticized for in the past, while Omid Djalili made gags about elements of Saudi culture, such as women driving. During his performance, Chappelle also chose to comment about freedom of speech in the U.S. Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that youll get canceled. I dont know if thats true, but Im gonna find out, he said, referring to right-wing political activist, 31, who was shot dead during a rally at Utah Valley University last month. He added: Its easier to talk here than it is in America. Chappelle later said that he is concerned about returning to the United States because theyre going to do something to me so that I cant say what I want to say. The comedy festival came months after the Saudi regime executed journalist al-Jasser for high treason. He was imprisoned in 2018 and sentenced to death on charges of terrorism and high treason. The accusations stemmed from writings he authored on a blog and in a newspaper. 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 Tim Curry has revealed that Diana, Princess of Wales, once told him one of his films "completed my education". The 79-year-old, who played transvestite alien scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 musical film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, said Diana made the remark while meeting the cast of the play Love For Love, in which he was also starring. Curry told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I was doing Love For Love and Charles and Diana made an appearance. So we were all kind of lined up, and Diana was wearing a blue sequined dress, and she said, is there anybody here from wardrobe? My dress is deconstructing, Ive got a trail of sequins all the way from the royal box. Then they were introduced to people individually, and Charles said, in that sort of mumble that he has, he said, I think Ive seen you on television, and I said, well, I hope I didnt bore you, sir. And Diana said, you were in the Rocky Horror Show, werent you?, and I said, yes, maam, but I dont imagine that you saw it, and she said, no, of course, I did, it very much completed my education. open image in gallery Princess Diana ( PA Wire ) The Cheshire-born actor said the film gives audiences the permission to behave badly or as he said his character would say to swim the warm waters of the sins of the flesh. Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012 and says he is still unable to walk following the incident, which left him in a wheelchair. He added: The whole of my left side was paralysed, I cant walk yet, and I find that very difficult and limiting. Its horrible, I hate the idea of being an invalid, thats for sure. open image in gallery Nell Campbell (left), Tim Curry (centre) and Richard OBrien (right) in The Rocky Horror Picture Show' ( Fox ) Along with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Curry also starred as Pennywise in It (1990), the concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) and Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island (1996). Home Alone 2: Lost in New York features a cameo appearance from US President Donald Trump, who Curry said had the most explosive confidence that Id ever encountered, saying he was entirely sure of himself when working on the film. He was also the first King Arthur in the Broadway and West End production of Monty Pythons Spamalot. Curry released his memoir Vagabond on Tuesday. 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 Donald Trump Jr is reminding The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin of a promise she made about the release of Israeli hostages last year. Farah Griffin is a former White House director of strategic communications who worked under President Trump during his first term, but resigned and later revealed she voted for Kamala Harris in the last election. In December 2024, she spoke about her hopes and fears around Trumps second term, and claimed on air: If he does good, if he gets the Israeli hostages out, I promise I will wear a MAGA hat for one day on the show and say, Thank you for doing it! The remark caused fellow host Sunny Hostin to respond: Please don't do that. After Griffin joked that Hostin would knock it right off my head, she concluded: You have to be able to cheer for wins when they happen and call out, relentlessly, the wrongdoing. Earlier today, President Trump hailed a momentous breakthrough and the new beginning for an entire beautiful Middle East after Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and detainees. open image in gallery Donald Trump Jr campaigning for his father in Charleston, South Carolina in February 2024 ( Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images ) Emotional reunions took place across Israel, Gaza and the West Bank after all 20 living Israeli hostages and captives were released by Hamas, before Israel released more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees. In response to the news, Donald Trump Jr retweeted the clip of Farah Griffin on The View from last December, along with the comment: Sending this to the top. Lets go. On Mondays episode of The View, Farah Griffin did not wear a MAGA hat but did praise Trumps role in securing the ceasefire, which she said would be a historic, massive diplomatic achievement if the peace deal holds. open image in gallery Alyssa Farah Griffin appearing on ABCs The View ( ABC - The View ) She added: I think everyone should be able to celebrate it. And listen, whether you like Trump or not, I think he, Steve Witkoff, and I think Jared Kushner do deserve credit for this deal. They personally met with Hamas. 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. I used to be of the mind we dont negotiate with terrorists, but sometimes the only way to get peace is to sit down with some of the most evil people and try to come up with what we can do to end the bloodshed. So, thank God, I pray that this peace holds. At the summit in Egypt where the deal was signed, Trump spoke of how moved he was by seeing Israeli hostages being reunited with their families. It's a beautiful thing to see, he said. In one sense, it's so horrible that it could have taken place, but in another sense, it's so beautiful to see a new and beautiful day is rising. 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 Comedian Harry Enfield has defended a controversial sketch where he portrayed Nelson Mandela, claiming cultural imperialism was to blame. The 64-year-old played the late South African president in a 2007 skit on the short-lived BBC sketch show Harry & Paul. Mandela, often considered to be one of the most inspiring figures in history, was controversially re-envisioned as advertising alcohol, heroin and cocaine in the joke, which inevitably drew backlash. I did get in trouble a bit for doing Nelson Mandela. Whats that called, Black-voicing now? said Enfield on The Third Act podcast. Anyway, we used to be what was called blacked up, but cultural imperialism has taken the phrase Blackface from America, where there is a very different culture. Expanding on the idea behind the sketch, Enfield said that it was inspired by Homeland actor David Harewood, who had resorted to working in the US as he had been typecast as robbers, muggers, and bad people in the UK. open image in gallery Enfield blamed the backlash on cultural imperialism ( Getty ) I thought, well, Nelson Mandela is the only person in the world that is sort of universally loved, Enfield explained. And I thought, thats funny the idea of Nelson Mandela, if hes on the BBC, he has to be a mugger or a robber or a drug dealer. So I had him say, Do you like crack? Do you like smack? Then you will love my smack and crack party bag. You can steal your mothers jewellery to pay for it. He added: It seemed to me so absurd no one would possibly take offence and think, why are you doing it? But the only thing that really offended them wasnt that it was that, but it was me doing it and not someone with a different coloured skin. I get it now. I wouldnt do it now, but its a shame. Enfields comments come five years after he defended wearing Blackface for the sketch. I thought, who is my hero? Nelson Mandela, who I had the pleasure of meeting once, and whats the stereotype of Black people? Well, at the time there was a lot of things in the papers about drugs, so I made him a drug dealer or a peddler of alcopops for children and things like that, which I thought was so wrong that it was right, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme in 2020. Asked by presenter Nick Robinson whether he understood that Blackface has a historical connotation of demeaning and undermining Black people, Enfield said that he did not intend to cause offence. open image in gallery Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013, is considered one of the most inspiring figures in history ( AFP/Getty ) Let me tell you, Nick, obviously Al Jolson or GH Elliot, who played the Chocolate Coloured C**n in the Thirties they perpetuated the myth of the happy n***o who was just very happy to sing under the crack of the whip, the American whip or the British imperial bayonet and obviously thats deeply offensive and always will be. Robinson then interrupted, reminding Enfield that the terms he used were potentially offensive and should not be repeated. Just to be clear, Harry, because there will be people offended by that term you just used, Robinson said. Youre using it in inverted commas. Lets not repeat it, but its a term that was used at the time. Well, that was his name on stage, Enfield replied. But Ive played Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, David Cameron four prime ministers. Say Rishi Sunak became prime minister, I would find it difficult that I would not be allowed to play him because of the colour of his skin. 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 President Donald Trump took aim Tuesday at his ex-aide and current co-host on The View, Alyssa Farah Griffin, despite his claims that she sent him two glowing letters after she stopped working for him. Speaking to reporters, Trump was asked about Farah Griffins December 2024 vow to wear a MAGA hat on The View if and when the Israeli hostages were released. That, of course, happened this week, though Farah Griffin has yet to don her accessory on-air. Trump immediately wanted to know if she had, in fact, gone through with her promise before asking the reporter, Who is it? Which one? He then recalled Farah Griffin working for him during his first term, during which she held several posts for the president, vice president, secretary of defense. She served as White House communications director and assistant to Trump from March through December 2020 before submitting her resignation, in which she called her time in the administration the honor of a lifetime. She gave me the most beautiful letter youve ever seen. I was a great president, what a great job, Trump said before slamming Farah Griffin, who he never thought was very outstanding. I figured she would not make it. And she didnt have a big role here, either. open image in gallery Trump railed against The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin ( AP ) Trump went on to claim that months after Farah Griffin departed the White House, she sent him another letter described as glowing and beautiful. And then, she got hired by The View, and they gave her a couple of bucks, and she changed her view very quickly, Trump continued, seemingly alluding to Farah Griffins politics. I never thought shed make it, he said again. Never thought she had what it took. Trump then took aim at ABCs long-running daytime talk show, saying, It shows what a fraud The View is because this woman gave me letters and statements. She said I was the greatest president in her lifetime. So I think shes a total I think shes a joke. open image in gallery Alyssa Farah Griffin worked in the Trump administration during his first term ( Getty Images ) The Independent has contacted a representative for The View for comment. Farah Griffin joined The View as a co-host in 2022. She has been critical of her former boss on the show, but by the same token often acknowledges the need for the show to host more Republicans. She did just that during Tuesdays episode, which hosted actor and author Cheryl Hines, who struggled to answer questions about her husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s politics. Farah Griffin, who recently announced shes expecting her first child, brought up Health Secretary Kennedys unsubstantiated claims linking Tylenol to autism, and his warning to pregnant moms not to take the pain reliever. I know youre not a medical professional, Farah Griffin quipped, asking Hines what she would say to women who now feel anxious and nervous because their doctors telling them one thing but the top public health professional is telling them something very different. Hines stuttered and hesitated before finally blurting out, Consult your doctor before taking it. BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A new generation of female talent, from astronauts to chief designers, is forging crucial contributions to China's space exploration endeavors, supported by national policies promoting gender equality in sci-tech innovation. The story of Wang Yaping, the first female astronaut to enter China's space station, is a case in point. Her space dream was ignited in 2003 when China sent its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space. "I watched the bright rocket flame on TV, and an idea flashed through my mind -- China now has a male taikonaut, when will there be a female one?" Wang said. Through arduous efforts, she became a crew member of the Shenzhou-10 space mission in 2013. Wang, who once dreamed of being a teacher, delivered a 40-minute open class, China's first live space lecture, from the spaceship on June 20, 2013 -- to over 60 million students nationwide. The impact of that lesson extended far beyond the classroom. "I've received many letters from children and young people. One that impressed me most was from a Beihang University postgraduate," she recalled. This letter was written by a woman six years after she watched Wang explaining gyroscope principles from space. The woman revealed in the letter that she was studying the same principles in her university laboratory, six years after seeing Wang delivering her class. "This is the very meaning of our space class -- to plant the seeds of scientific and space dreams in children's hearts," Wang said. In November 2021, meanwhile, Wang's extravehicular activities during the Shenzhou-13 mission made her the first Chinese female to conduct a spacewalk. Her achievements, notably, are paved with the same rigorous training undertaken by male astronauts. Wang said that space has never changed its environment or lowered its threshold because of the arrival of women -- and that ample flight data show that there are no significant differences between males and females in their ability to adapt and work in space. "It is the concept of gender equality that has given me the opportunity to carry out two space flight missions and realize my dreams," Wang noted. "It is conceivable that more and more women will participate in manned spaceflight missions. It will have a very important impact on the large-scale and long-term human exploration of space in the future." Standing firmly behind astronauts like Wang is another woman -- Huang Weifen, chief designer of the China manned space program's astronaut system. In 1992, when China's manned space program was officially approved, the task of selecting and training astronauts fell to the then 28-year-old Huang. With no existing system to follow, she designed China's first comprehensive astronaut training plan in just three months -- a blueprint that laid the foundation for the nation's astronaut preparation efforts for over two decades. Under Huang's stewardship, a sophisticated training regime encompassing over 100 subjects across eight categories was developed. The pioneering nature of her work brought immense challenges, and Huang has admitted to moments of tears behind closed doors. "But after crying, I would go back to work with full force, solving one problem after another. Thinking that I am doing this for the country and the nation, I immediately feel revived. I have never thought of giving up." Her task, though not in the public eye, is her driving force. "My mission is to cultivate more and better astronauts for the country, to enable them to fly with our dreams and complete hard work," she said. "Safeguarding their spaceflight is my purpose." This synergy between the visible heroine and the unseen mastermind is bolstered by a national framework of institutional support. As highlighted in the recently released white paper "China's Achievements in Women's Well-Rounded Development in the New Era," China has implemented a series of measures to support female sci-tech talent in undertaking national projects and participating in decision-making, and to improve their evaluation and incentive mechanisms. Support measures include the National Natural Science Foundation of China easing the age limit for female applicants. Such initiatives reduce pressure in taking care of children and families that women working in science and technology experience, support their devotion to research work, and allow them to balance family and career, said Wang, who is also a part-time vice president of the All-China Women's Federation. According to the white paper, there were 2.846 million women in China's research and development sector in 2024 -- an increase of 1.692 million from 2012. Women now account for 45.8 percent of China's sci-tech workers. Wang and Huang are not the only female contributors to the country's space quest. This list also includes the likes of Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut, Zhang Yuhua, deputy commander-in-chief of the Chang'e-5 lunar probe system and deputy commander of the Tianwen-1 Mars probe, Zhang Runhong, the first female "01" commander at a launch site and countless others. Ranging from Wang's lessons from orbit that inspire generations to Huang's steadfast commitment on the ground -- Chinese women are moving beyond participation to taking command and leading in core areas of the national space program, proving that with equal opportunity, the sky is not the limit -- it's just the beginning. 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 Bruce Williss wife Emma Heming Willis has said their young children are grieving the Die Hard star as his dementia progresses. The model and influencer, 47, recently moved the 70-year-old actor, who has frontotemporal dementia (FTD), out of their family home after acting as his primary caregiver. Heming Willis said their children, Mabel Ray, 13, and Evelyn Penn, 11, are doing well all things considered, but said they miss their dad so much. I think theyre doing well, Heming Willis told Vogue Australia. They grieve. They miss their dad so much. Hes missing important milestones, thats tough for them. She said that while their kids are resilient, she doesnt know if they will ever bounce back, but added: Theyre learning and so am I. The Die Hard actor is now living with a full-time care team in a one-storey home as his condition develops and his needs become more complex. Heming Willis has also recently hit back at trolls who criticised her decision to move the actor out of their family property. Too often, caregivers are judged quickly and unfairly by those who havent lived this journey or stood on the front lines of it, she said on Instagram after receiving hate online. open image in gallery Emma Heming Willis has said that moving Bruce into assisted living was the hardest decision ( ABC/Getty ) Heming Willis, who described the choice as the hardest decision, added that she expected judgement and criticism, but shared the update as it creates connection and validation for those actually navigating the realities of caregiving every day. Thats who I share for and so I can build a deeper connection with a community that understands this journey, she said. Heming Willis added that those who criticise often dont have the experience to back it up, which she said strips their viewpoint of effect. The truth is, the opinions are so loud and theyre so noisy, but if they dont have any experience of this, they dont get a say. According to the NHS, frontotemporal dementia, which Willis was diagnosed with in February 2023, affects behaviour and language, and gets worse over time. He would want them to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his needs, Heming Willis told Diane Sawyer in the ABC special Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey. open image in gallery Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis pictured at a film premiere in New York in 2019 ( Getty ) Heming Willis married the Pulp Fiction actor in 2009, and the couple has two daughters, 13-year-old Mabel and 11-year-old Evelyn. Providing an update on the stars health, she added: Bruce is still very mobile. Bruce is in really great health overall. Its just his brain that is failing him. She explained that his language abilities are going, but the family have learned to adapt. Heming Willis has maintained a strong relationship with his ex-wife, Demi Moore, with whom he shares three children: Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah. The family have described the condition as a cruel disease with no cure. Earlier this year, Rumer, 37, opened up about the challenges of not being able to converse with her father as she once used to. In a Fathers Day post, she wrote: Today is hard, I feel a deep ache in my chest to talk to you and tell you everything Im doing and whats going on in my life. To hug you and ask you about life and your stories and struggles and successes. I wish I asked you more questions while you could still tell me about it all. 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 Jennifer Aniston has said she doesnt want to adopt because she would want her child to have her DNA. The Friends star, who recently opened up about her 20-year struggle to have kids, said she had decided against adoption after trying IVF. Aniston, 56, added that she saw having her own child as the only way for her, acknowledging that some people might consider that selfish. Theres a point where its, like, out of my control, she said on the Armchair Expert podcast. Theres literally nothing I can do about it. When people say, But you can adopt, I dont want to adopt. I want my own DNA in a little person. Thats the only way: selfish or not, whatever that is, Ive wanted it. Aniston, who has been married to Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux, said having children just wasnt in the plan, whatever the plan was, and recalled the heartbreaking moment when doctors told her she had done all she could. Its very emotional, especially in the moment when they say, Thats it, because there is a weird moment when that happens. Aniston has previously opened up about her private 20-year struggle to conceive, and criticised the speculation shes faced as a result of having no children. open image in gallery Jennifer Aniston has felt compelled to correct the narrative that she didnt have children because she is a selfish workaholic ( YouTube ) The actor said she felt pressured to address the narrative that suggested she hadnt had kids because she is a selfish workaholic. They didnt know my story, or what Id been going through over the past 20 years to try to pursue a family, because I dont go out there and tell them my medical woes, Aniston told Harpers Bazaar UK. The actor said her personal life is not anybodys business but there comes a point when you cant not hear the narrative about how I wont have a baby, wont have a family. Aniston said that as she has gotten older, she cares less about correcting the falsehoods because it will happen eventually. The news cycle is so fast, it just goes away, she continued but admitted she had felt the speculation was unjust. Of course, there are times when I feel that sense of justice when something has been said that isnt true, and I need to right the wrong. And then I think, do I really? My family knows my truth, my friends know my truth. open image in gallery Aniston was married to Brad Pitt from 2000 to 2005 ( Getty ) Aniston previously said the baby-making road had been challenging for her. She told Allure in 2022: I wouldve given anything if someone had said to me, Freeze your eggs. Do yourself a favour. You just dont think it. So here I am today. The ship has sailed. But I have zero regrets. My late thirties, forties, Id gone through really hard s***, and if it wasnt for going through that, I wouldve never become who I was meant to be. I was trying to get pregnant. She said that the years and years of speculation was really hard, adding: I was going through IVF, drinking Chinese teas, you name it. I was throwing everything at it. Aniston previously said the claim that her marriage to Pitt had ended because she didnt want children was an absolute lie. 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 Donna Adelson, the matriarch of a wealthy Florida family, who was convicted last month for her role in the 2014 murder-for-hire plot of her son-in-law Dan Markel, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Adelson, who is soon to be 76, kept a blank expression on her face as she learned her fate in a Tallahassee courtroom on Monday. Judge Stephen Everett ordered she spend the remainder of her life in prison for the first-degree murder charge. He sentenced her to another 30 years each on the conspiracy and solicitation to commit first-degree murder charges, saying they would run concurrent with each other but consecutive to the murder sentence, guaranteeing she will die behind bars. Before Adelson was sentenced, she could not hold back her tears as she pleaded with the judge, insisting she was innocent of any involvement in Markels murder. The plot was allegedly to settle her daughter Wendi Adelsons bitter custody battle with Markel. What happened to Danny is unforgivable but I am an innocent woman convicted of this terrible crime without evidence, she said as she sobbed in court. open image in gallery Before Donna Adelson was sentenced, she sobbed as she insisted that she was innocent ( Court TV ) She added that Markel, who was a law professor, would have been appalled by the lack of justice at her trial. For two weeks in August, jurors at Adelsons trial listened to sordid details about a messy divorce, tensions with wealthy in-laws and custody battles that culminated in the murder. Prosecutors painted the grandmother as the domineering mastermind who helped fund the hit and conspired with her son, Charlie Adelson, to cover it up for years. Adelsons defense team argued there was no direct evidence that Adelson planned or funded the killing, pointing instead to her son Charlie, who was convicted of murder in Markels death in November 2023. In a recorded jail call, Adelson told Charlie that she was getting things in order and that she was making sure her grandchildren would be taken care of. A few days later, she was arrested at Miami International Airport while attempting to board a one-way flight to Vietnam, along with her husband Harvey. Four others, including Charlie, his then-girlfriend Katherine Magbanua, and hitmen Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, are already serving time in prison for their roles in the murder. Adelsons husband Harvey, and daughter, Wendi Adelson, have denied involvement in the murder and have not been charged. open image in gallery Donna Adelson (left) and Charlie Adelson (right) are now both in prison for the 2014 murder of Dan Markel (center) ( AP ) Adelson did not testify in her defense during her trial, but often had to be reprimanded by the judge when she had outbursts in reaction to testimony. But on Monday, Adelson took the chance to speak, sobbing as she replayed Markels final hours before he died, and said that he was hunted by vicious killers. She claimed that she had no knowledge of the plan to kill Markel and that if she would have known, then I would have stopped it, she said. Despite the judge warning her that she was showing an utter lack of remorse, he allowed her to continue. This is a lifetime of loss for those children, she said in closing, referring to Markels two children, now without a father. They didnt deserve this. His family didnt deserve this. Danny didnt deserve this, she cried. I promise to you with all my whole heart, I swear to you on my life, I was not involved in any way with Danny's murder. 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 death of school teacher Ellen Greenberg, who suffered 20 stab wounds, has been ruled a suicide, again, causing fresh agony for her family. Greenberg was 27 years old when her fiance, Sam Goldberg, found her bloody body on the kitchen floor of their Manayunk apartment on the night of January 26, 2011, as a noreaster brought snow to Philadelphia. She had 20 stab wounds, including multiple in the back of her neck and head. A 10-inch knife was sticking out of her chest. She fell on a knife! Goldberg told a 911 operator in audio used in the recently released Hulu docuseries Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg? Her knife is sticking out. Theres a knife sticking out of her heart. Dr. Marlon Osbourne, a Philadelphia medical examiner who performed Greenbergs original autopsy, initially ruled her death a homicide. But days later, Osbourne changed his ruling to suicide. Since the apartment was not treated as a crime scene it was quickly cleaned by a professional crew. open image in gallery The death of school teacher Ellen Greenberg has been ruled a suicide, again, causing fresh agony for her family ( Change.org ) For more than a decade, Greenbergs parents, Joshua Greenberg and his wife, Sandra Greenberg, have been fighting to change the ruling back to homicide or at least undetermined, as they believe the investigation into their daughters death was botched. In February, the city of Philadelphia settled two lawsuits from Greenbergs parents, agreeing to pay the family $600,000 and agreeing to expeditiously review the teachers cause of death. After months of waiting and a scolding from a Philadelphia judge on the slow pace of the review, one was performed. The new review, which was conducted by Philadelphia's Chief Medical Examiner Lindsay Simon, has again confirmed Greenberg died by suicide. open image in gallery For more than a decade, Greenbergs parents, Joshua Greenberg and his wife, Sandra Greenberg, have been fighting to change their daughters autopsy ruling to homicide or undetermined ( Facebook/Justice for Ellen ) While the distribution of injuries is admittedly unusual, the fact remains that Ellen would be capable of inflicting these injuries herself, Simon wrote, according to the review, which was obtained by the Daily Mail. Simon said many of the wounds could be classified as hesitation wounds and that there were no signs of a struggle or defensive wounds. The head medical examiner also said no one elses DNA was on the knife used in the stabbing, and there was a lack of evidence of domestic abuse in Greenbergs relationship with Goldberg. Greenbergs mother said she now believes her daughter was being abused before her death, telling the Daily Mail in February, I knew she was struggling with something. But I didn't know what. The Greenbergs attorney, Joseph Podraza Jr., lambasted Simons findings, calling them deeply flawed. open image in gallery Greenberg was 27 years old when her fiance, Sam Goldberg, found her bloody body on the kitchen floor of their Manayunk apartment in January 2011 ( Justice for Ellen Facebook page ) By ignoring key evidence that contradicts suicidethe extensive 3D photogrammetry, a recreation which proves Ellen could not self-inflict all of the wounds, unexplained bruises, missing surveillance footage, an intact lock, accounts of a toxic relationship, etc.Simon builds a flimsy case on distorted portrayals of Ellen's mental health, propped up by cynical distortions of Ellen's managed anxiety, a condition widely experienced daily by over 40 million Americans, Podraza told CBS News Philadelphia. Greenberg was struggling with anxiety at the time of her death and had recently changed medications to help with her insomnia, which Simon concluded meant she had an increase in energy to act on her anxious thoughts. This report is tripe, an embarrassment to the City, and an insult to Ellen and her family, Podraza said. Though Ellen's city turned its back on her, we will continue through other avenues to get justice for her murder, by any means necessary." On the day of Greenbergs death, Goldberg had gone to the gym in their apartment complex before returning to their unit to find the door locked from the inside. He eventually broke down the latched door, walking into a horrific scene. open image in gallery The Greenbergs attorney, Joseph Podraza Jr., lambasted the new review findings, calling them deeply flawed ( Tom Brennan, Greenberg family ) During the 911 call that followed, the operator told Goldberg she would walk him through how to administer CPR, to which he replied, I have to, right? The man that was going to marry my daughter, have children with her when he is asked to do CPR and says I have to, right. I couldnt believe my ears, Greenbergs mother recently told Variety. Goldberg has since moved on with his life. He has settled in New York and is married with two children, according to the Daily Mail. In November 2024, Goldberg told CNN, When Ellen took her own life it left me bewildered. She was a wonderful and a kind person who had everything to live for. When she died a part of me died with her. open image in gallery Greenberg was stabbed 20 times, including multiple times in the back of her neck and head ( Facebook/Justice for Ellen ) Unimaginably, in the years that have passed I have had to endure the unimaginable passing of my future wife and the pathetic and despicable attempts to desecrate my reputation and her privacy by creating a narrative that embraces lies, distortions and falsehoods in order to avoid the truth. Mental illness is very real and has many victims, he added. Outside of court in December 2024, Greenbergs father told reporters, Thats what this is all about: Justice for Ellen. Were not trying to do anything else. Not trying to hurt anyone else. Theyre lying. Theyve done a lot of lying throughout this whole thing. In January, shortly before the city of Philadelphia reached its settlement with the Greenbergs, Osbourne changed his mind about Greenbergs death, saying in a court document it should be designated as something other than suicide, as he had become aware of additional information, 6abc Action News reported. The Independent has reached out to the Greenbergs attorney and the Philadelphia's Medical Examiner's Office for additional 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 Fourteen years and countless court battles after Philadelphia teacher Ellen Greenberg was found stabbed 20 times in her apartment, the citys Medical Examiners Office has once again ruled her death a suicide even after new findings revealed startling new details. Its a ruling that has reignited outrage among forensic experts and deepened one of Philadelphias most emotionally charged mysteries. The latest determination comes after an independent reexamination promised to Greenbergs parents as part of a legal settlement with the City of Philadelphia. In a 35-page report released on Friday, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsay Simon concluded that Greenbergs death is best classified as Suicide, reaffirming the citys original 2011 finding even as her total number of injuries climbed to 23 stab wounds and 31 bruises. Simons conclusion stands in direct opposition to the recent opinion of Dr. Marlon Osbourne, the very pathologist who performed Ellens autopsy in 2011. Earlier this year, Osbourne signed a sworn statement saying her death should be designated as something other than suicide. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman, who has closely followed the case, said the citys renewed suicide ruling defies both science and common sense. open image in gallery Philadelphia teacher Ellen Greenberg was found stabbed more than 20 times in her apartment in 2011 ( Facebook/Justice for Ellen ) It continues to be a travesty of justice, a cover up for someone with a lot of influence either because of money, position or friends in high places, Lieberman told The Independent. There is absolutely no way that she could have or would have committed suicide by stabbing herself with knives in all of these awkward positions. First of all, women who commit suicide generally use a more gentle means, such as an overdose. They do not stab themselves and not in these spots. She would have had to be a contortionist. This is the act of someone who was enraged at her and got pleasure out of each stabbing. Lieberman also rejected the medical examiners emphasis on Greenbergs anxiety as a contributing factor. People who commit suicide do so because of depression, not usually because of anxiety, which she is alleged to have had, she said. If she had anxiety, it was because of her boyfriend who was controlling and violent. It is my opinion that he did it. New wounds, same conclusion According to Simons report, the new wounds three superficial perforations of the skin not previously noted did not result in significant internal injury. Simon said the pattern of injuries was unusual but not inconsistent with self-infliction, adding that eleven of the stab wounds were small and shallow and consistent with hesitation wounds. While the distribution of injuries is admittedly unusual, Simon wrote, the fact remains that Ellen would be capable of inflicting these injuries herself. Simon also documented 20 more bruises than were originally noted, bringing the total to 31. She attributed them to incidental contact sustained during activities of daily living, including her work as a first-grade teacher. open image in gallery Philadelphia Medical Examiner Marlon Osbourne initially ruled her death a homicide, noting the large number of stab wounds, including 10 to the back of her neck ( Tom Brennan, Greenberg family ) Simon said her conclusion rested on 10 factors, including the absence of defensive wounds or signs of struggle, no evidence of a forced entry, and the fiances DNA not being present on the knife. She also cited statements suggesting Greenberg was struggling with anxiety over her work as a teacher. In her report, Simon wrote that Greenberg was a young woman suffering from anxiety at the time of her death. The anxiety appeared to mostly be due to her work as a teacher, she continued. She was specifically worried that the grades she needed to submit on the day of her death would indicate she had previously given inflated grades to her students. Simon added, While her recent change in medications had helped with the insomnia associated with her anxiety, she did not survive long enough to address the anxiety itself. Thus, she had an increase in energy to act on her anxious thoughts. A deeply flawed attempt to justify a predetermined conclusion The Greenberg family attorneys William Trask and Joseph Podraza blasted the new ruling, calling it a betrayal of the promise of an independent review. Simons so-called independent review of Ellen Greenbergs death is a deeply flawed attempt to justify a predetermined conclusion, Trask said in a statement to 6abc Action News. It includes false claims like the assertion that a stab wound in Ellens spinal column was made during autopsy, a theory rejected by every credible expert, including the Citys own neuropathologist. open image in gallery Dr. Simons findings run contrary to the opinions of five of seven forensic experts whose reports she reviewed most of whom concluded the death was indicative of homicide or not biomechanically consistent with suicide ( Tom Brennan, Greenberg family ) By ignoring key evidence that contradicts suicide the extensive 3D photogrammetry, a recreation which proves Ellen could not self-inflict all of the wounds, unexplained bruises, missing surveillance footage, an intact lock, accounts of a toxic relationship, etc. Simon builds a flimsy case on distorted portrayals of Ellens mental health, propped up by cynical distortions of Ellens managed anxiety, a condition widely experienced daily by over 40 million Americans, Trask added. Shame on Dr. Simon. This report is an embarrassment to the City and an insult to Ellen and her family. Ellens family just wanted the truth. It is clear the truth will not come from Philadelphias law enforcement machinery. Though Ellens city turned its back on her, we will continue through other avenues to get justice for her murder, by any means necessary. Conflicting opinions Simons findings also run contrary to the opinions of five of seven forensic experts whose reports she reviewed most of whom concluded the death was indicative of homicide or not biomechanically consistent with suicide. Only one expert, retained by the city, supported the suicide theory. The newly identified injuries have also renewed questions about a stab wound to Ellens spinal column, which several independent pathologists say shows no sign of hemorrhaging meaning, they argue, that it was inflicted after death. open image in gallery For 14 years, Joshua and Sandra Greenberg have fought to have their daughters manner of death reclassified as homicide or undetermined ( Facebook/Justice for Ellen ) Simon, however, wrote that the preponderance of the evidence suggests the defect was an artifact from the autopsy. Critics, including Podraza, say that conclusion is scientifically baseless because Simon did not conduct her own exam of the preserved spinal cord specimen. You cant render an opinion as to whether a wound bled or not without a histological exam, Podraza told PennLive. You cant say that a wound is an artifact of autopsy without doing more than simply looking at a photograph. Homicide to suicide Ellen Greenberg was 27 when her fiance, Samuel Goldberg, reported finding her dead in their Manayunk apartment on the evening of January 26, 2011. She was slumped on the floor against the kitchen cabinets, her legs splayed out in front of her and had been stabbed at least 20 times, including 10 times the back of her neck. A 10-inch knife was lodged four inches deep in her chest. Her death was initially ruled a homicide, but that decision was changed to suicide two weeks later a reversal that stunned her family and prompted a decade-long legal fight. open image in gallery Ellen Greenberg was 27 when her fiance, Samuel Goldberg, reported finding her dead in their Manayunk apartment on the evening of January 26, 2011 ( Justice for Ellen Facebook page ) Police maintained there was no sign of forced entry, and Goldberg told investigators that the swing-bar lock on the door was latched from the inside. He has never been accused or charged with any wrongdoing. By the time detectives returned to the apartment after the autopsy classified Greenbergs death as homicide, the scene had been professionally cleaned, and some of her electronics were reportedly removed by a member of Goldbergs family. In 2024, Goldberg told CNN: Mental illness is very real and has many victims. I hope and pray that you never lose someone you love like I did to a terrible disease and then be accused by ignorant and misinformed people of causing her death. Its the only time Goldberg has publicly spoken about the case. The case has continued to draw national attention most recently through the Hulu docuseries Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg? The three-part series, which premiered in late September, revisits inconsistencies in the police investigation, questions surrounding the autopsy, and the familys years-long campaign for transparency. According to her report, Dr. Simon acknowledged that she watched the Hulu documentary as part of her review. The fight isnt over For years, the Greenbergs have fought to have the manner of death reclassified as homicide or undetermined. In February 2025, they reached a settlement with the city, agreeing to withdraw two lawsuits in exchange for a new review and a $650,000 payment. Simons report was that promised review. To the Greenbergs, the results feel like history repeating itself. The whole thing was bogus, Greenbergs father, Joshua Greenberg, told PennLive. I expected the city to do this. Her synopsis doesnt change a darn thing. Philadelphia will do everything they can to prove their point. They returned to court on Tuesday for a hearing that was meant to compel the city to deliver the promised report. But with the report having been released, there was little left to be said. open image in gallery The family say their fight for justice is not over ( Change.org ) We consider this matter closed, at least for the petition that was before the court, Podraza told the judge. What the future holds, we will see. While Greenbergs and their attorneys have said their fight for justice is far from over, they arent ready to discuss details of their next move. Following the hearing, Podraza told The Independent: We are reevaluating our leg options, as well as the involvement of law enforcement other than those in Philadelphia. 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 Officials in Florida are investigating an incident involving a driver who allegedly plowed into a group of nearly 50 birds, leaving only one alive. The Wild Florida Rescue was alerted to the situation in Cape Canaveral on Friday and dispatched a volunteer to assist at the scene, according to FOX 35 Orlando. Workers were met with a shocking scene, and dozens of the shore birds were already dead. Those who survived the initial incident had broken wings and legs. Rescue workers took the injured birds to the Florida Wildlife Hospital, but many had sustained injuries too severe to treat, and could not be saved. Ultimately, the driver killed 35 birds. Thirteen more were euthanized due to their injures, and one survived. Distraught rescue workers described the cruel incident as a "disturbing and deliberate act, according to FOX 35. The Florida Wildlife Commission has collected video evidence of the attack as well as physical evidence from the site. A suspect has also been interviewed by investigators. One of the birds injured after a driver ran over a group of nearly 50 birds at a Cape Canaveral, Florida cargo loading area on October 10 ( Wild Florida Rescue ) Multiple agencies are now investigating the attack, and the Bervard County state attorney's office will make the final call on any potential charges. Police have not released a possible motive for the attack. No charges have been brought against the driver as of this report. Last month, another individual in Florida allegedly killed his two pet peacocks and ate them to spite one of his neighbors. The peacock owner, Craig Vogt, 61, has since been arrested and charged with third-degree felony aggravated animal cruelty, according to the Miami Herald. The man allegedly told investigators that he killed the peacocks because his neighbor kept feeding the birds. He reportedly said he'd sent his neighbor a letter telling her he would keep killing his birds if she kept feeding them, all in an effort to "prove a point." 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 man who attempted to rob a home is now being tried for murder even though it was police officers who shot and killed the homeowner. The trial of Cristian Duran-Contreras, the 26-year-old Dominican Republic native accused of second-degree murder, burglary and theft, began Monday. Duran-Contreras has pleaded not guilty to all charges in connection to the killing of Jose Luis Lopez. Authorities admit that Duran-Contreras didnt shoot Lopez to death, it was the police, but it is the 26-year-old who will soon learn his fate. No knife or weapon was ever recovered from the scene. Neither Luis nor Cristian was armed. Yet, rather than indict police officers who shot and killed Luis Lopez, our State Attorney is holding Cristian Contreras solely responsible for Luis death, Orlando Against Police Crimes, a nonprofit organization, said in a statement. The incident unfolded on a February night at an Orlando home. Police arrived at a reported break-in to find Duran-Contreras and Lopez in a struggle. Officers claimed they saw a weapon and demanded Lopez, who was in his own home, drop it. When he apparently didnt, they opened fire and killed him. There was no knife found at the scene. Despite not firing the shot, Duran-Contreras can be charged under Florida law because the victim died as a result of his alleged burglary. That can lead to murder charges even without directly causing the death. The cops, the ones who fired, have not been charged. open image in gallery Cristian Duran-Contreras (pictured), on trial for the murder of Jose Luis Lopez, even though Florida officers killed Lopez while responding to a robbery at his own home. ( Orange County Jail ) open image in gallery Jose Luis Lopez was shot death inside his home in Orlando. ( GoFundMe ) Duran-Contreras and Lopez worked together as roofers. After finishing a roofing job on February 8, the pair, along with other co-workers, drank beers together at Lopezs Orlando home. Lopez allowed Duran-Contreras to stay at his white picket-fenced home but then Lopez became violent, the 26-year-old told investigators. Other witnesses say Duran-Contreras became aggressive with Lopez after asking if he would pay his share for the alcohol. As the situation heated, one roofer ordered an Uber for Duran-Contreras. The Uber was ultimately cancelled after Duran-Contreras failed to show up, the witness said. By 11 p.m., Lopez called an unnamed woman asking for advice, saying he believed someone was trying to break into his home. Both she and Lopez called 911. She told investigators that an unknown person was loitering near the work truck parked in the driveway, where a ladder was stored. That person was later identified as Duran-Contreras. A bit before midnight, Orange County Sheriffs Office deputies Alex Duran and Paul Ortiz arrived at Lopez's home, where body camera footage captures officers discovering a ladder propped up against the back of the home leading to a window. Lopez can be heard wailing inside and speaking Spanish. The footage then captured two men, visible through the open window, standing in the kitchen, with one Lopez holding the other Duran-Contreras in a headlock. Deputies believed Lopez was holding a knife, the sheriffs office said. As Duran attempted to enter the door, Ortiz shouted to the men in English: Open the f***ing door! Hey, drop the knife! Drop the knife! Drop the knife! Drop the knife! Duran walked around the corner and joined Ortiz. Both deputies then pointed their guns at the open window and opened fire. Three shots were fired in total. The bullets struck Lopez in the head, killing him. No knife was ever found at the scene. Footage showed the officers then urging Duran-Contreras, who appeared to have scooted toward the door, to quickly exit the home. A body was behind him, lifeless. Duran-Contreras was later transported to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening wounds, according to court records. After giving an interview to police, he was released without charges. open image in gallery Body camera footage captures police approaching the back of Lopez's home, where a ladder leads to an open window ( Orlando County Sheriff's Office ) Body camera footage highlighted the rapid escalation of events. From the time the ladder entered the frame to the moment shots were fired spans less than 10 seconds. Lopez was speaking Spanish in the footage; Duran-Contreras needs a Spanish interpreter for his trial, court records show. Luis never had a knife and he tried to communicate with deputies but he doesn't speak or understand English so his communication attempts were unsuccessful, Duran-Contreras told investigators, according to a warrant. Pine Castle, the Orlando neighborhood where Lopez lived, is nearly 60 percent Hispanic, according to Census data. The deputies were placed on temporary paid administrative leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the incident. Theyve since returned to full duty, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Duran-Contreras is being held at Orange County Jail. open image in gallery Lopez is holding Duran-Contreras in a headlock as an officer points a gun at the open window, thinking Lopez is holding a knife ( Orlando County Sheriff's Office ) A funeral for Lopez was held in Mexico in March. Lopezs sister Araceli spoke out in March, saying she and her family were still trying to figure out the circumstances of his death. If only they would have acted differently. We want justice. We have our family here. Anybody can tell you were humble people, she told WFTV. The trial is now underway in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. 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 security guard is facing murder charges after she allegedly shot and killed a homeless man at an IHOP in Philadelphia over the weekend, police confirmed. Police said a 43-year-old homeless man was causing a disturbance Saturday around 11:10 p.m. in the restaurant, located in Center City, the vibrant downtown area also home to numerous historic sites. As the man, who has not been identified by police, was escorted out of the restaurant by security guards, he turned and spat on one, identified by investigators as 39-year-old Yahaira Melendez, NBC Philadelphia reported. Melendez then took her gun and shot the man in the head, police said. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:35 p.m. The mans identity has not yet been released. She was later arrested and charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime with intent and recklessly endangering another person. open image in gallery The IHOP security guard allegedly shot the man after he spat at her, police say. ( Getty Images ) The Independent has reached out to the Philadelphia Police Department and IHOP. An IHOP spokesperson told NBC that the popular breakfast chain was cooperating fully with the police investigation into the shooting. The safety of our Team Members and guests is our number one priority, the spokesperson said. We take this incident extremely seriously. We are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. Further questions on the investigation should be directed to the Philadelphia Police Department. Melendez was denied bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for October 27. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Newly revealed video shows the horrifying moment an arsonist firebombed the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as the suspect in the attack pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges. Cody Allen Balmer, 38, also entered pleas on charges of terrorism, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and loitering in connection with the April attack that caused millions of dollars worth of damage to the Democratic governors mansion. Under a plea deal, Balmer was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. During Tuesdays hearing, the court played footage showing Balmer breaking windows at the Harrisburg mansion and throwing Molotov cocktails inside during the early hours of April 13. He had scaled a fence to breach the property before setting a wing of the home on fire. Other footage showed Balmer inside the residence which has been occupied by the past seven governors in the state attempting, and failing, to force his way through several doors. The videos show Balmer kicking and throwing his body onto the doors, which do not appear to budge, before moving on. open image in gallery Video showed Balmer trying, without success, to break through doors inside the governors mansion ( Dauphin County District Attorney's Office ) open image in gallery Footage shared Tuesday in court also showed Balmer throwing Molotov cocktails into the residence, quickly starting a fire ( Dauphin County District Attorney's Office ) open image in gallery Shapiro, who is Jewish, had hosted a Passover Sader on the night of the attack. ( Dauphin County District Attorney's Office ) During a press conference held Tuesday, Shapiro said the footage showed Balmer had breached the residence right up to a door that led to the hallway where we were in our private living quarters. I know those videos are chilling. They have been haunting me for months, Ive been trying to unsee them for the last six months, he said, adding that it was impossible for him and his family to be in their home and not think of Balmer and the violent acts he wanted to carry out against him. I think we need real accountability for acts of political violence, and today is real accountability for the violence that came here to Pennsylvania, Shapiro said. In a 911 call about an hour after starting the fire, Balmer admitted to planning the attack because of Shapiros stance on Israel amidst the war with Hamas. Balmer told the dispatcher that he will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people. The governor has said he supports a two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians living peacefully side-by-side, being able to determine their own futures and their own destiny. The night of the attack, the first night of Passover, a Jewish holiday, Shapiro, his family and several guests had celebrated with a Seder. Everyone was asleep at the time of the attack and was forced to evacuate amidst the smoke. No one was injured, though Balmer was slapped with 21 counts of reckless endangerment due to there being so many people in the house at the time. While the attack coincided with the Jewish holiday, Balmer told the Associated Press in a May letter that Shapiros faith had not played a role in his decision. He can be Jewish, Muslim, or a purple people eater for all I care as long as he leaves me and mine alone, Balmer wrote. open image in gallery Balmer walking away from Shapiro's home after setting it on fire. ( CBS Dauphin County District Attorney's Office ) open image in gallery Balmer pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for the April arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros home ( Dauphin County District Attorney's Office ) open image in gallery The arson attack caused millions of dollars worth of damage to the governors official residence The 38-year-old admitted to haboring hatred towards Shapiro and said he wouldve beaten him with a hammer if he saw him during the break-in. Balmer, who is from Harrisburg, had a previous charge for allegedly assaulting members of his family. Days after his arrest, Balmers mother said she tried to get him help for mental health issues, but nobody would help. His ex-girlfriend also said that Balmer had stopped taking his medication and was missing just days before the attack, before showing up at his brothers home during an apparent mental health crisis. Court proceedings had been delayed while he received mental health treatment, Balmers lawyer said. During a court hearing days after the fire, Balmer told a judge he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and a lot of children. Shapiro and seven of his predecessors have called the 29,000-square-foot mansion, which also hosts art exhibits and public events, their home. The residence, which was build in 1968, did not have sprinklers. Officials remain working to fix the buildings damage and improve its security. With reporting by the Associated Press. 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 Police in Connecticut have arrested three people, including a mother, her boyfriend, and the aunt of a 12-year-old girl, after the childs body was found in a container close to an abandoned home last week. The victim has been named locally as Jacqueline Mimi Torres. Her mother was also named as 29-year-old Karla Garcia. An anonymous tip led an officer to make the horrific discovery in the community of New Britain in October, the towns mayor, Erin Stewart, told the media. Its thought that Mimi passed away sometime in the fall of 2024. Officials have described her remains as being in an advanced state of decomposition. Evidence indicates that Jacqueline was the victim of prolonged physical abuse and malnourishment prior to her death, Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson told reporters. It is also believed that following her death, Jacquelines body was kept in the basement and subsequently moved when the family relocated from Farmington in 2025. Her cause of death remains under investigation. open image in gallery Karla Garcia was arrested for her alleged involvement in the death of her 12-year-old daughter ( New Britain Police Department ) Garcia was taken into custody on Sunday night and charged with murder and child cruelty. Her sister, 28-year-old Jackelyn Garcia, was charged with risk of injury to a child and child cruelty, among other charges. Police subsequently launched a desperate search for Karla Garcias boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, 30, who was finally apprehended on the evening of October 13. Nanita has also been charged with murder with exceptional circumstances, conspiracy to murder with special circumstances, tampering with evidence, and intentional cruelty to a child under 19. Karla Garcia's and Nanitas bonds have been set at $5 million. Jackelyn Garcias has been set at $1 million. Mimis father, Victor Torres, and her stepmother, Frances Melendez, told WFSB that they first learned of their childs death from New Britain police. open image in gallery Jonatan Nanita was taken into custody on charges of murder in exceptional circumstances on Monday evening ( New Britain Police Department ) However, Torres had not spoken with his daughter since before her twelfth birthday, which fell on January 29. At the time of her death, the child was listed as being homeschooled. The home where her body was found had been abandoned since 2023. Local media pictures show that a sign on the front door reads: Unfit for occupancy. In the wake of the tragedy, the address has become a shrine dedicated to Mimi. Among those mourning the loss are Mimis grandparents. She was my love. She was everything for me... She was happy all the time. Real happy. She liked to play, Felix Osorio, her grandfather, told NBC Connecticut. He added that he had not seen his granddaughter in more than two years and that her mother would regularly make excuses for why she could not FaceTime. Only God is helping me. God is helping me to pass this process. Ive been with her forever, and Im always going to be here, her grandmother, Patricia Delgado, told the station. open image in gallery Jackelyn Garcia, 28, is currently being held on a $1 million bond ( New Britain Police Department ) "This is a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case, Chief Melanson also said at the press briefing. Our detectives, along with our local and state partners, have worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and to bring justice for Jacqueline. No child should ever have to endure such suffering. Mayor Stewart confirmed during the press briefing that the family had previously been involved with the Department of Children and Families, but the details of the DCFs involvement were being withheld to allow police to investigate the alleged crimes properly. "Our hearts remain with all those impacted by Jacqueline's tragic and shocking death, the DCF said in a statement on Monday. The Department is invested in being as transparent as possible about the family's prior DCF involvement without interfering with the active and evolving criminal investigation," The Independent has contacted New Britain Police, Farmington Police, and the Department of Children and Families for comment. BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- When China's National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (NFSRA) said the country has ensured food security for its 1.4 billion population over the past five years, it also highlighted the broader significance of this achievement for global food security. At a press conference held in Beijing on Tuesday, Liu Huanxin, the NFSRA head, provided a set of data bespeaking the nation's sufficient food supplies and stable food market operations during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). According to the data, China's annual grain output has steadily remained above 650 million tonnes over the past five years. In 2024, its grain output exceeded 700 million tonnes for the first time and per capita grain possession reached 500 kilograms, higher than the internationally recognized food security line of 400 kilograms per capita. While speaking about these achievements, Liu said China has achieved basic self-sufficiency in grains and absolute security in staple food. These achievements have been underpinned by China's rigid policy of ensuring the total area of its farmland does not fall below the red line of 1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares), its efforts to build high-standard farmlands, and the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies. According to China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, at present, over 66.7 million hectares of high-standard farmland have been built in China. Meanwhile, machinery penetration rate in agricultural production has surpassed 75 percent, 13 percentage points higher compared to the level 10 years ago. Qian Yi, deputy head of the NFSRA, said that new technologies have played a major role in advancing the high-quality development of China's food supply chain. For instance, the country now ranks among nations with the most advanced grain storage technologies. "Through unremitting efforts, China, with only nine percent of the world's arable land and six percent of its fresh water resources, has fed nearly one-fifth of the world's population. This in itself is a huge contribution to global food security," Liu said. Beyond its domestic achievements, China has actively sought to deepen international cooperation in food and agriculture, playing a key role in advancing the global food industry and safeguarding food security worldwide, the official said. This effort is reflected in the country's initiatives to share agricultural expertise with other developing nations, including those in Africa, through technology exchanges, joint research and training programs, and active participation in global food governance. Agriculture features as an important aspect of cooperation in the 10 partnership actions announced by China last year to deepen China-Africa cooperation. Under the partnership action for agriculture and livelihoods, China pledged last year to provide Africa with 1 billion yuan (about 141 million U.S. dollars) in emergency food assistance, develop 100,000 mu of standardized agricultural demonstration areas, send 500 agricultural experts, and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. At an agricultural cooperation conference on Monday in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, attended by government officials, experts and business representatives from China and ASEAN, the Chinese government said it is willing to share experience, technologies and development opportunities with ASEAN to promote greener, smarter and more stable agricultural development in the region. With World Food Day observed annually on Oct. 16 approaching, awareness of global food insecurity and malnutrition has been steadily rising. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 673 million people still face hunger worldwide, while 2.3 billion experience food insecurity. During an exhibition event which opened recently in Rome in celebration of eight decades of international cooperation in fighting hunger and transforming agrifood systems, Chikelu Mba, deputy director of FAO's Plant Production and Protection Division, underscored the need for stronger global partnerships to make agricultural innovation accessible to all. "Just 40 years ago, China faced food insecurity and malnutrition," Mba said. "Its success in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and hunger is a valid example that can be replicated through South-South and triangular cooperation." During the G20 agriculture ministers' meeting held last month in Cape Town, South Africa, the Chinese government had called on parties to increase financial, technological and market support for developing countries, reduce restrictions on high-tech exchanges, and promote the digitalized and smart development in the agricultural industry. 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 DoorDash delivery driver in Kentucky is facing drug charges after he was allegedly found unconscious in a Burger King drive-thru. Madisonville police responded around 1:30 a.m. Sunday for a wellness check was after a call about a black truck parked between the Burger King drive-thru windows on Chelsea Drive, 14 News reports. The caller said they attempted to wake the driver, later identified as Christian Suttle, 27, by knocking on the window, but he did not respond. When police arrived, they observed the Suttle moving the car from behind the building to a parking spot in front of the restaurant. Suttle was reportedly found sweating profusely with dilated pupils. When questioned, he claimed he had fallen asleep while waiting for a DoorDash order. He admitted to smoking methamphetamine a few hours before the incident. open image in gallery Christian Suttle, 27, was arrested around 1:30 a.m. Sunday in Kentucky after allegedly passing out between the drive-thru windows at a Burger King. ( Hopkins County Jail ) A search of Suttle's vehicle revealed a glass smoking pipe and a baggie containing suspected methamphetamine. Suttle was arrested and booked into the Hopkins County Jail on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. A DoorDash spokesperson told The Independent in a statement, We have zero tolerance for dashing under the influence. Weve deactivated the Dasher involved and have reached out to local law enforcement to assist their investigation however possible. 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 man is scheduled to be executed in Missouri on Tuesday for the fatal shooting of a state trooper over two decades ago. Lance Shockley, 48, was condemned for the murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl Dewayne Graham Jr. in March 2005. Prosecutors alleged Shockley lay in wait for hours near Sgt Graham Jr.'s Van Buren home in southeast Missouri, ambushing him with a rifle and shotgun as he exited his patrol vehicle. Shockley is due to receive a lethal injection after 6 p.m. local time at the state prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri. His is one of two executions scheduled for Tuesday evening in the U.S. In Florida, Samuel Lee Smithers, 72, is set to receive a lethal injection for killing two women whose bodies were found in a rural pond in 1996. GOP Gov. Mike Kehoe on Monday turned down Shockleys request for clemency. Violence against those who risk their lives every day to protect our communities will never be tolerated. Missouri stands firmly with our men and women in uniform, Kehoe said in a statement. Last week, the Missouri Supreme Court denied a request to stay Shockleys execution until a lower state appeals court issues a ruling on a petition by Shockleys attorneys asking for DNA testing of evidence found at the scene. Jeremy Weis, one of Shockleys attorneys, said Monday its unlikely the lower appeals court will issue a ruling on the DNA testing request before Tuesdays execution. Shockleys lawyers say much of this evidence has never been tested and could help exonerate Shockley. Even a small chance of exoneration is enough to warrant testing, Shockleys lawyers said in court documents. Shockleys attorneys have also argued his First Amendment rights are being violated since the Missouri Department of Corrections prohibited his daughter from being his spiritual adviser during the execution. His attorneys also referenced this claim when asking a federal appeals court to stay his execution. In March 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled states must allow spiritual advisers to join condemned inmates in the death chamber. open image in gallery Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol salute the body of fellow officer Sgt. Carl ''Dewayne'' Graham Jr., after funeral services March 24, 2005, in Dexter, Mo. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce, File) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Missouri officials have argued state prison policy prevents family members from having direct contact with inmates during an execution due to security concerns they might interfere with the process. Authorities said Shockley shot Graham because the state trooper was investigating him for involuntary manslaughter after leaving the scene of a deadly accident in which Shockleys best friend was killed. Prosecutors said Shockley borrowed his grandmothers red Pontiac Grand Am, which was seen near Grahams home on the day of the killing. Shockley first shot Graham with a rifle, severing his spinal cord and causing him to fall to the ground and fracture his skull, according to prosecutors. Shockley then approached Graham and shot him in the face and shoulder with a shotgun. Shockley owned a .243-caliber rifle and .243-caliber rounds were recovered from Grahams body. Bullet fragments found on the property of Shockleys uncle matched the rounds recovered from the troopers body, according to court documents filed by the Missouri attorney generals office. Prosecutors presented no direct evidence connecting Shockley to the killing, Weis said. The states case remained circumstantial, Weis said last week during a forum at the University of Missouri School of Law discussing the case. The murder weapons were never found. There were disagreements between the ballistics experts hired by the prosecution. Shockleys attorneys also say other witnesses placed his client about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) away from Grahams home at the time the prosecutors maintained he was lying in wait near the troopers house. Prosecutors say Shockley had inquired about where Graham lived before the murder and tried to get rid of a box of .243-caliber ammunition around the time of the murder, according to court documents. Prosecutors said that favorable DNA test results, even if obtained, would not tend to undermine Shockleys conviction. If the execution is carried out, Shockley would be the first person put to death this year in Missouri. The last execution in the state was on Dec. 3, when Christopher Collings received a lethal injection for sexually assaulting and killing a 9-year-old girl. If both of Tuesdays executions take place, that would bring this years total to 37 death sentences carried out nationwide. 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 Police are seeking the publics help after the apparent abduction of a woman was caught on disturbing doorbell camera footage in Kansas. The Wichita Police Department said at a press conference Tuesday that it had still not been able to identify the woman, and was following numerous leads with assistance from federal law enforcement. Footage from the home shows a woman screaming as she is dragged off a brightly-lit porch by an apparent assailant who has also not been identified and taken near to a parked car. However, police said it was uncertain if a vehicle was involved in the incident. The man, who has his arms firmly wrapped around the woman, is wearing a dark top, blue jeans and white sneakers. No official description of the woman has been released but the footage shows that she is dressed in a black top, with black shorts and knee-length black boots. Police are seeking help identifying a woman who appears to have been abducted in Wichita, Kansas ( Wichita Police Department ) The incident occurred Sunday morning at approximately 2 a.m. in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita, close to the major Interstate 35 highway and Wichita State University. The interstate is a major north-south highway that stretches from Laredo, Texas, to Duluth, Minnesota. The circumstances that led up to the apparent abduction remain unclear, according to police. Weve worked throughout the day on this investigation, following up on numerous leads, and we appreciate the public's help, a Tuesday law enforcement release stated. Our team has processed the audio, reducing background noise, hoping that someone will recognize her voice. At Tuesdays press conference, police reiterated that the main concern was the womans safety but said there had been no reports of similar incidents in the community, and they did not believe there was any ongoing threat to the public. Wichita police also warned against unverified content circulating online and asked that people only share official information from the department. A $2,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the identification of either individual. One neighbor told KAKE News that the incident was concerning, especially for other young women in the area. "Its dangerous. Thats the truth. But, always, I believe there have always been kidnappings," she told the outlet, adding that nothing similar had ever happened in the neighborhood. Anyone with further information is urged to contact detectives or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111. 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 clarinet player was arrested after playing her instrument to the tune of the Ghostbusters theme song outside of a Portland ICE facility, which has recently become a site of daily clashes between federal agents and demonstrators. Oriana Korol, 38, was playing Ghostbusters with her group the Unpresidented Brass Band during a massive protest outside the ICE facility in Oregons largest city Sunday evening when federal agents arrested her, her loved ones said. She has since been taken to a jail in Washington as her husband and bandmates demand answers about her arrest. Why are they targeting a clarinet player? A clarinet player standing on the sidewalk far away from the street, following instructions, her husband wondered, noting they share a three-year-old child. Korol was peacefully protesting, her band said in a social media post Monday. Taking us citizens out of state to detain them without charge is a new action from the Feds and should be opposed. The Portland ICE facility has become a battleground in recent weeks for anti-immigration demonstrators and federal agents, whom President Donald Trump sent to the liberal city, which he dubbed war-ravaged, as part of his crime crackdown. open image in gallery Federal agents arrested a clarinet player who was performing Ghostbusters outside of the Portland ICE facility over the weekend. ( Getty Images ) The clarinet players husband, who has not been publicly named, recalled the lively scene that quickly transformed into what he called a frightening one. It is a beautiful party atmosphere. Everybodys really excited. Then the band hits into Ghostbusters, and then at Ghostbusters, thats when ICE start storming in, he told KOIN6. The Ghostbuster theme is from the popular 1984 movie and features lyrics including who you going to call and If there's somethin' strange in your neighborhood. Footage, obtained by the outlet, captured the musician face-down in the mud, with her instrument about two feet to her left, struggling as what appears to be a federal agent straddled her backside. A police officer stood next to the pair. Korol later walked away from the scene, her arms behind her back, flanked by two law enforcement officers, the video showed. She was arrested around 5 p.m., but her husband didnt hear about her whereabouts until 2 a.m. the next day, only to discover she was being held at Clark County Jail in Vancouver, Washington, he told KOIN6. Were not seeing her. We dont know when were going to see her again, he said. open image in gallery Clashes have been erupting outside of the Portland ICE facility as President Donald Trump sent federal troops to the war-ravaged liberal city. ( Getty Images ) Jail records show she was booked on Monday. Its not immediately clear why she was transported across state lines. Korol was arrested by the Department of Homeland Security and is being held on suspicion of assaulting a federal officer, the Clark County Sheriffs Office told KGW. The Independent has asked the Clark County Sheriffs Office and DHS for more information. Korol appears to be one of three people who were arrested near the ICE facility on Sunday, according to the Portland FBI. Three demonstrators were arrested on Sunday in Portland for assaulting law enforcement including for spitting, kicking and biting officers," Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told KGW in a statement. She dubbed the protesters "Antifa domestic terrorists and anti-ICE rioters" and claimed they were staging "die-ins" by lying naked in the street to block roads near the federal facility, seemingly referencing the group of naked bike riders who pedaled past the building Sunday. "These unsightly tactics won't stop us or slow us down our law enforcement will continue to remove murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists out of our country," McLaughlin said. "This chaos and violence will end under President Trump. Law and order will prevail." 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 Wisconsin couple was found dead inside their car, just days before they were set to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. The bodies of Rachel, 29, and Brandon Dumovich, 30, were discovered in their vehicle in a Chicago suburb when police officers noticed that the car's hazard lights had been left on as it was parked. Authorities immediately issued an alert to residents informing them that authorities would be maintaining a significant presence in the area as they investigated the death. It was later determined that there was a gun inside the car, leading police to determine that there was no further threat to the general public. They were found dead on October 6, their anniversary fell on October 12. Brandon and I met in middle school at 12 years old, Rachel wrote on the wedding website The Knot. I caught Brandons attention by stealing cologne from his locker and running away with it. After keeping in touch through many life stages and 15 years of friendship, we started dating in 2022. open image in gallery Rachel and Brandon died just a week before their first wedding anniversary and being found with gunshot wounds in a car. ( Facebook/Rachel Dumovich ) open image in gallery The couple was found dead on Division Street in Harvard, Illinois. The couple was married in Wisconsin in 2023. ( Google Streetview ) According to the couples profile on The Knot, Brandon proposed at Big Cedar Lake in Slinger, Wisconsin, in 2023. At that time, they had been dating for a little over two years, though they were friends for 15 years before that. Hours before her death, Rachel posted about a vacation that she and Brandon had recently taken together. "Forever chasing sunsets, she wrote. Wishing we were back in Greece." Underneath the post, family members and loved ones paid tribute to Rachel. Keep chasing those sunsets and never stop smiling, brighten up the sky, one person wrote. R.I.P. Rachel Dumovich According to Rachels obituary, she worked in Human Resources and studied at the University of Wisconsin, where she earned a spot on the Deans List honors every semester she attended. Her funeral is set to be held on October 17. In a post on Facebook, Brandon Dumovichs mother, Laura Lund Dumovich, asked for prayers and gentle understanding while her family grieves. From the moment he entered our lives, Brandon brought immeasurable joy, laughter, and love, she wrote. His sense of humor, warmth, and generous spirit touched everyone who knew him. He will forever be missed by all who had the privilege of loving him. 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 rapper and U.S. Global Music Ambassador has been arrested after running across a Kentucky highway and dancing on a concrete barrier. A spokesperson for the London Police Department alleged that Enoch Tolbert, also known by his stage name Armani White, was detained around 6 pm on 12 October after officers received numerous reports of a suspicious vehicle parked on Interstate 75 in Laurel County. Tolbert was seen running across the highway along with several others, causing several vehicles to slow down, before climbing on the central barrier and dancing, police said. When questioned, the rapper told them the group had pulled over to shoot a video. He was arrested for second-degree disorderly conduct, stopped on a limited-access highway, and taken to the Laurel County Detention Center. Armani White was named a U.S. Global Music Ambassador in 2024 ( Getty Images for TikTok ) The 31-year-old shot to fame in 2022 after his single Billie Eilish peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured remixes with artists like Ludacris and Busta Rhymes. He later performed the hit with Eilish herself at Osheaga Festival in Montreal. In 2024, Tolbert was named a U.S. Global Music Ambassador as part of a diplomacy programme run by the State Department and YouTube. Speaking in an interview about the program, he said his goal was to create happy hood music. Its not immediately clear if this recent arrest will impact his role. On October 12th, 2025, at approximately 6:00 pm, Sgt. Dylan Messer arrested Enoch Tolbert, age 31 of Clayton, DE, a statement by the London police department said. Officers had received numerous reports of a suspicious vehicle parked along I-75 with several subjects running around. Upon arrival, Sgt. Messer observed a male, later identified as Tolbert, run across the southbound lanes of I-75, causing vehicles to slow, climb the center barrier and then proceeded to dance on top of the barrier. It was later advised by Tolbert that they had pulled over to shoot a video. Tolbert was placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree and Stop/Stand/Park On Limited Access Highway and lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. 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 district attorney general from Tennessee has resigned after being accused of firing shots while cops went to arrest homicide suspects last November. Chris Stanford of McMinnville recently notified Governor Bill Lee that his last day in office will be October 31, as he faces charges of reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm into an occupied habitation. It has been an honor to serve his constituents alongside the dedicated and diligent staff of his office, and he is proud of the work his team has accomplished together, the letter, sent by Stanfords lawyer and obtained by local outlet WSMV4, read. The letter stated Stanford was committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will work closely with his staff to transfer his responsibilities as he steps away from this role to focus on the well-being of his family. Stanford was indicted in December 2024 for unlawfully, intentionally and recklessly firing a handgun in Smithville on November 21, 2024, the indictment, obtained by The Tennessean, stated. open image in gallery Chris Stanford, a district attorney general from Tennessee, has resigned after being accused of firing shots while cops went to arrest homicide suspects last November ( DeKalb County Jail ) On that day, investigators were hunting down two suspects Jessica Root and Caleb Brookins in DeKalb County in connection with a triple homicide in nearby Warren County. The Warren County Sheriffs Department had asked for the assistance of investigators with Stanfords office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security agents in the triple homicide. Root was arrested without incident, the sheriffs department said. A woman named Hannah Rose, with Brookins as the passenger, tried to flee in a car, which struck a Homeland Security agent, according to authorities. At this time, shots were fired, but no person was injured, the sheriffs office said. According to Stanfords indictment, a bullet had shot through the wall of a home with a woman and her three children inside. Stanford had turned himself in and was later released on a $10,000 bond, according to multiple news reports. open image in gallery Stanford was indicted in December 2024 for 'unlawfully, intentionally and recklessly' firing a handgun, according to court documents cited by local news ( Scott Olson/Getty Images ) The Independent has reached out to Stanfords lawyer for comment. Brookins who was later taken into police custody with Rose and Root were charged with three counts of Criminal Homicide. Rose was charged with Felony Evading Arrest and Aggravated Assault. Bryant Dunaway, the district attorney general for DeKalb County, said in a statement Stanfords resignation is a partial resolution of his case. Dunaway also gave an update on Stanfords trial date. The trial currently set for January 7, 2026 in Dekalb County will be continued to a future date by order to be entered by Judge Bray, he said, adding, Since the litigation is not fully resolved yet, no further comment can be made at this time. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Hundreds of millions of people around the world are at risk of falling victim to cyber attacks if they do not update their computers today, Microsoft has warned. A decade after releasing Windows 10, Microsoft will end support for the operating system on 14 October, meaning it will no longer receive protection from online threats. Microsoft will no longer provide security and feature updates and technical support for Windows 10 PCs, Microsoft executive Yusuf Mehdi wrote in a blog post. While these devices will continue to function, they will no longer receive regular security updates, making them more vulnerable to cyber threats, such as malware and viruses. Just over 40 per cent of all Windows users still run the old operating system, according to the latest figures from StatCounter Global Stats, which analyses billions of page views across 1.5 million websites. What are the risks for Windows 10 users? Consumer campaigners in the UK have said that an estimated 5 million computer users in the country use a device that still runs Windows 10 software. A new survey by Which? suggests that a quarter of those still using Windows 10 intend to keep running it after the update deadline passes. Our research suggests millions of people may be unprepared for the phasing out of Windows 10, said Which? editor Lisa Barber. If you dont act, you could become more vulnerable to hackers and scams. open image in gallery A screen showing the Windows 10 logo at a press event at Microsoft's campus in Washington on 21 January, 2015 ( Glenn Chapman/AFP via Getty Images ) As well as the increased risk of cyber attacks, Windows 10 users may notice that their devices are no longer working properly. In his blog post, Microsofts Yusuf Mehdi noted that updating to the newer Windows 11 operating system was a natural part of the lifecycle of software to ensure new features and innovations can be rolled out. Applications running on Windows 10 may no longer be supported, as the platform is no longer receiving feature updates, he said. As a result, some apps may experience decreased functionality. How to check and update your operating system It is free to upgrade to Windows 11, but a computer must meet the minimum hardware requirements in order to install it. You might have already received a notification about upgrading, a Microsoft post about the process explains. To check if your PC is eligible for the free upgrade go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates. If a device is unable to update to the latest operating system, users are able to enroll in the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This is aimed at reducing the risk of malware and cyber attacks through critical security updates, however it does not provide other types of fixes, feature improvements or technical support. The extended security updates offered by the ESU program will end on 13 October next year. To access it, Windows 10 users can follow the same process as updating to Windows 11 mentioned above, with a link to a enroll appearing in the Windows Update section. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan poses for a group photo with journalists on his return flight from Egypt on Oct. 14, 2025. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said the ceasefire agreement reached in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh should not be mistaken for a final settlement to the Palestinian issue, while urging Israel to honor its commitments and warning against possible violations. (Turkish presidency/Handout via Xinhua) ANKARA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said the ceasefire agreement reached in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh should not be mistaken for a final settlement to the Palestinian issue, while urging Israel to honor its commitments and warning against possible violations. "It would be wrong to view this as a document solving the Palestinian issue. In essence, this is a ceasefire arrangement," he spoke to journalists on his return flight from Egypt. He added that the only "genuine solution" to the Palestinian cause is the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. On Monday, Erdogan joined Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, U.S. President Donald Trump, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in signing a document to support the Gaza ceasefire deal at a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. "These signatures are not just symbolic -- they mark our commitment to peace as a part of history," the semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted Erdogan as saying. He urged Israel to honor its commitments under the deal. "Israel has a poor record of ceasefire violations. This situation forces us to be more vigilant and meticulous," he said, adding that Turkiye, the U.S. and other countries are determined to protect this ceasefire. A spokesperson for American Express said these key findings were demonstrably incorrect and will be covered in our formal submissions and appear to be based on incomplete information and inaccurate assumptions. American Express does not accept the findings in the OAICs preliminary view, the spokesperson said. Loading The spokesperson also defended American Expresss response to the initial privacy breach, stating the employee was disciplined and additional measures were promptly implemented. American Express continually evolves its processes, policies and systems, and remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy and data protection. American Express sells credit cards and travel services to millions of people around the world. In Australia, the multibillion-dollar finance giant employs more than 1500 staff and had around 1.5 million cards in circulation as of 2023. Kinds report states American Express holds granular detail about the habits, health information and movements of its customers, which has the potential to reveal information about an individuals location and movements as well as other sensitive personal information. There is the risk that a failure to protect personal information from those security risks may result in financial fraud, identity theft causing financial loss or emotional and psychological harm, family violence, physical harm or intimidation, Kind found. The revelations come as Qantas became the latest major company to be embroiled in a privacy scandal after hackers posted the personal information of 5.7 million customers onto the dark web, prompting national discussion around whether privacy regulation is fit for purpose. The Australian Signals Directorate, the nations key cybercrime intelligence agency, released its annual report this week, finding cybersecurity incidents have increased 11 per cent year-on-year, and called for businesses to invest in best-practice logging and secure technology systems. The OAIC regards the insider threat as a significant risk for companies holding sensitive information, where rogue employees use internal systems to access private information for malicious or financial purposes. The interim report found that only 24 out of 112 of American Expresss technology systems track employee access to customer accounts, leaving 78 per cent exposed to insider threats. The lack of comprehensive tracking, Kind found, meant that American Express cannot audit or enforce its own policies because it has no baseline visibility of inappropriate access. Should these limitations remain unchanged, they may prevent the respondent from properly investigating and responding to privacy or security incidents affecting its systems in the future, the interim report stated. CyberCX chief strategy officer Alastair MacGibbon said monitoring and limiting staff access to private information was fundamental to ensuring compliance with the law and it was problematic if large companies did not have robust tracking. Insiders are the key to the privacy and security of organisations, MacGibbon said. If you cant keep track of who has touched a record, its very hard to prevent misuse of information. In the old days, the HR team would have sensitive documents in a room with a locked door. Whats the equivalent of a locked door today? Monitoring staff access is standard practice. Just knowing youre being tracked reduces the likelihood of someone doing something mischievous. MacGibbon said the more sensitive the information held by companies, such as financial or healthcare data, the greater the obligation to invest in technology and ensure systems were routinely updated. Data is a bit like nuclear material, he said. Its useful if contained, dangerous if lying around. In the report, the Privacy Commissioner outlines plans to order American Express to implement both logging and access controls across five computer systems relevant to the complaint within six months so that it can track and limit staff access to customer information. In addition to these proposed declarations, as a matter of good privacy and information security practice, the respondent should consider ways to strengthen access controls across the other 107 systems containing the personal information of Australians, it found. American Express told the privacy watchdog that limiting staff access to customer accounts would create additional operational complexity a position rejected by OAIC, which noted the company reported $1.5 billion in revenue in 2022. I am conscious that the implementation of such changes is a project that may take some time, Kind stated. However, given the potential consequences of unauthorised access to personal information, particularly for high-profile or vulnerable individuals I am not satisfied that the implementation of such controls was disproportionate to the risks involved. The privacy watchdog plans to order American Express to hire an independent reviewer to examine its broader policies to ensure compliance with privacy laws and report the findings within six months. In addition, Kind wants American Express to provide compensation and a written apology to the complainant, signed by a senior representative. American Express was ordered to respond to the OAICs interim report by May 29, although progress on reaching a final determination has been hampered by disagreement over how to handle the complainants sensitive documents. This masthead previously revealed that the Australian Financial Complaints Authority found American Express had breached privacy laws when its employee accessed the complainants accounts on at least nine occasions without consent, but determined American Express acted responsibly once the breaches were found. Loading The OAIC challenged this finding, stating the companys actions were concerning and it provided inconsistent information during its investigation and has still not stopped the offending staff member, who remains employed at American Express, from accessing the complainants account. There remains a risk he may access it again, Kind found. I am of the preliminary view that during the relevant period, the totality of steps taken by the respondent were not reasonable in the circumstances to protect the personal information it held from misuse, interference and loss. Plans for systematic modern exploration will include high-resolution magnetics, soil sampling, auger drilling or trenching works. An initial 2000m to 4000m diamond drilling blitz will zero in on pits historically worked by artisanal miners. Plans are for two to three diamond holes per pit to confirm continuity of width and grade at depth. High-priority targets are also expected to be generated from the planned exploration activities. Management believes the site visits have strengthened its understanding of the massive geological potential within the two projects. It was unable to visit the other two projects, Saki and Gbugbu, due to scheduling issues. A major component of the Fonlo pegmatites are coarse-grained spodumene of the green variety, known as hiddenite, which are studded with up to 50cm-long crystals in a quartz-feldspar matrix. Extensive outcrops and artisanal workings provide a pathway to walk-up drilling targets. Fonlo has an overburden cover, generally 1m-3m thick, thwarting artisanal miners and forcing them to re-focus their efforts on better-exposed outcropping rocks to chip at with their hand tools. Management says the Fonlo spodumene rocks appear amenable to simple recovery methods, subject to metallurgical testwork, due to the practice of the old miners producing a finished product for sale, utilising only their hand tools to remove the gangue material. A total of 23 samples were collected on site, including six for assays and 17 for metallurgy. Samples have been delivered to MSA Labs in Nigeria for preparation and will then be dispatched to MSA in Vancouver, Canada to determine lithium grades. Results are due by December. Chariot has also zeroed in on a compelling series of drilling targets at the companys Resurgent lithium project, straddling the Oregon-Nevada border in the United States. A successful surface sampling program generated the high-priority targets. The company is chasing a game-changing discovery, with Resurgent situated on the eastern half of the renowned McDermitt Caldera stretching across the two states. Resurgent is immediately northeast of the Lithium Americas groundbreaking Thacker Pass development, which hosts the USs largest lithium deposit of more than 66 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. It is also right next door to Lithium Americas 21.5-million-tonne McDermitt lithium carbonate equivalent project, abutting the deposit to the north. The presence old workings at Chariots Nigerian projects is a good sign as the old-timers rarely braved the heat and the elements to dig shafts if they were not getting rewarded. If lithium becomes a thing again as many believe it will, Chariot will be well placed with its Nigerian project suite that would have been impossible to pick up only a few short years ago when the market was booming. Over the last three months the lithium carbonate price staged a massive revival before coming off again, however many believe this was just the engine trying to re-start. When it does eventually fire, Chariot Corporation will be amongst the vanguard of significant new players if it can get its Nigerian projects prepped and ready to go. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au The September data showed that even as exports to the US slumped, those to the European Union rose 14.2 per cent. Exports to South-East Asian economies were up 15.6 per cent, while to Latin America they climbed 15.2 per cent and to Africa (off a modest base) they surged 56 per cent. Chinas exports have been re-routed, demonstrating that Trumps thesis that Chinas export-oriented economy made it over-dependent on the US market was flawed. In 2018, when the first of Trumps tariffs on China were imposed, exports to the US accounted for about 3.5 per cent of Chinas GDP. Last year, that percentage was 2.8 per cent. It will be significantly lower this year. Trumps tariffs can damage, and are damaging, Chinas economy, but the countrys exposure and vulnerability to them is reducing rapidly. Now, America - while still an important destination for Chinese goods - is part of a far more diversified global market for Chinese companies, one fortified by massive investments by China in economies other than the US that are also gradually shifting their geopolitical relationships away from America. Trumps tariffs on everyone are aiding that process. While there are some signs of pushback against the flood of cheap exports from China in Europe, Latin America and even Africa, theres nothing occurring of the scale and breadth of the US tariff regime to stem them. Very few of those economies dealing with the Trump tariffs would want to open a new front by initiating a trade war with China. Loading What Trump may have underestimated was the rest of the worlds and Americas reliance on Chinas cheap goods and Chinas dominance of key industrial technologies and their supply chains. There are no instantly available and competitively priced substitutes for many of its key exports. Theres also no market for some of Americas agricultural products bigger than China. It was notable that Chinas imports of soybeans in September were up 4.8 per cent to 12.9 million tonnes. American farmers are now harvesting a near-record crop, none of which has been pre-purchased by China, which now sources most of its soybeans from South America. Last weeks significant tightening of export restrictions on rare earths, magnets and batteries, which caused Trump to threaten China with a 100 percentage point hike in the tariff rate, also highlighted Chinas own leverage in the trade stoush, and how it is amplified by US financial markets, which went into a meltdown on Friday and wouldve played a role in Trumps backing away from his initial aggressive response. Trump used to boast that trade wars were good and easy to win. Experience of the Trump tariffs says that they arent good for anyone, and no one wins. The September trade data showed that Chinas exports of rare earths were down 31 per cent from August and were about half the volumes China was exporting mid-year. It would appear that China had started squeezing the market for rare earths, a market it absolutely dominates, even before the announcement of the new export restrictions. Wall Street recovered some of their losses on Monday after Trump adopted a far more conciliatory tone. The growth in Chinas exports shows how dynamic its companies are. Some of that growth will reflect an arbitraging of tariff rates, with goods being trans-shipped to their eventual destination, America, but theres also an organic appetite for cheap Chinese goods in the developing economies that China has been building relationships with for years through its Belt and Road initiative. The growth is coming at a cost, with export volumes significantly higher than their value. Chinas companies are operating in sectors with substantial excess capacity and fighting torrid price wars in their domestic markets. They have slashed export prices to absorb that excess capacity, which has caused increased tension with Chinas non-US trade partners even as their profits have kept falling. Its also led to deflation and weaker growth in an economy that has never fully recovered from a downturn in its property market that is now in its fifth year, although a 7.4 per cent rise in Chinas imports in September, to $US238.1 billion, could suggest the domestic economy is faring a little better than most forecasters have predicted. Beijing has responded with a campaign against what it calls involution, or excess capacity and continuing cycles of price competition, which should see some consolidation of industries and some companies exiting markets. Chinas broader economic data for September is due to be released next week, which will provide a better insight into the toll the trade war and Chinas domestic settings are taking on an economy which is over-exposed to trade. Loading Also next week, the most important meeting of Chinas leaders for the year the Fourth Plenum will start, with hundreds of the countrys senior officials reviewing the governments next five-year plan for the economy and society. To date, Beijing has resisted any large-scale effort to stimulate the domestic economy to dilute its reliance on exports - but there will be significant interest from external observers in whether there are plans to boost consumption over the remainder of this decade, and whether there will be more done to address the structural imbalances and the degree of unproductive capital within the economy. Trump used to boast that trade wars were good and easy to win. Experience of the Trump tariffs says that they arent good for anyone, and no one wins. Could this be the end of love for Millennials? Well, its complicated. While life as a single person may once have been seen as a source of shame, particularly for women, among an increasing number of Millennials who grew up being fed the narrative that children and romantic love were the only things that could make a life meaningful, singlehood has become aspirational. I have already created my dream life, so unless the lucky man I choose can better my existence, he is not welcome, she says. A fulfilling life, rich in strong friendships and what she calls side quests such as painting, learning new languages and writing a food blog, has placed Datt at a point where she is open to partnering but only with the right person. The Melburnian has worked in various jobs from modelling and acting to investing and says she earns enough of a passive income to lead a Peter Pan-esque life. After a rocky upbringing and then hidden homelessness at 19, Datt says she is reclaiming childhood in adult life. Thirtysomething Julia Datt is happily single. She also knew from a young age that she did not want children. This story is part of lifestyles series on generational approaches to love, relationships and dating. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. But growing financial instability, an uncertain future marked by global uncertainty and climate change, as well as evolving social ideas around what family looks like, have resulted in many delaying traditional milestones such as marriage and raising children, or eschewing them entirely. Having come of age in and around the 2000s, Millennials are digital natives, making them among the first to use dating apps and broadcast their relationships to the world via social media from statuses on MySpace and Facebook to hard or soft launches of a new love on Instagram. Millennials are set to outnumber Baby Boomers as the most populous generational cohort in Australia, and their experiences of love, relationships and dating have been shaped by the social and economic forces around them. Generally defined as the cohort born between 1981 and 1996, todays Millennials are 29 to 44 years old. There has been plenty of chatter in the past few years about the dire state of dating often attributed to dating apps , many of which have been struggling to retain users. A third of same-sex couples were married, according to the 2021 census , and the highest proportion of cohabitating same-sex couples were in their 30s. The first nationally representative snapshot of Australias sex and gender diverse communities, published in 2022 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, found 4.5 per cent of the population identify as LGBTQI+, with younger Australians representing a greater proportion of this group. Meanwhile, growing sex positivity , increasing LGBTQI+ rights and acceptance of non-traditional relationships such as non-monogamy , are gaining traction in this group. [In the 2010s] apps were often seen as little more than hook-up hubs or the refuge of those who couldnt cut it in face-to-face interactions, she says. Still, Dr Lisa Portolan, a researcher who wrote her PhD on dating apps and intimacy, says the apps were stigmatised when they first entered the scene. Tinder, Hinge and Bumble all entered the digital sphere in the early 2010s and triggered monumental shifts in how Millennials approached romantic relationships. But it wasnt always like this. The advent of online dating fundamentally changed the landscape of romantic love for Millennials, supposedly putting thousands of potential matches at their fingertips. Match Group, the owner of Tinder, Hinge and Bumble, saw revenue almost halve from $US3.75 billion in 2015 to $US2.08 billion in 2024 (or $5.67 billion to $3.15 billion). The large-scale, cross-cultural study analysed data from 50 countries and 6646 partnered individuals,16 per cent of whom had met their partner online. This year the Australian National University found that people who met their partners online had lower levels of relationship satisfaction and love levels than those who met their partners offline. As well as making it harder to find a suitable partner, dating apps also seem to play a part in the quality of relationships. Dating apps have created a very sort of transactional style of interaction. I talk about this a lot, people having death by a thousand paper cuts, so all of those tiny little microaggressions that occur lather up to something where they think, well, theres no point to this. I absolutely think that it has gotten harder to meet someone, Portolan says. This has had a significant impact on the dating landscape. Now, online dating is the norm, she says, but it has become a kind of golden handcuffs: liberating us from the awkwardness of face-to-face initiation, while binding us ever more tightly to the platforms themselves. Percentage of participants who met their romantic partners online or offline by the year their relationship was formed, based on a 2025 ANU study. Credit: Telematics and Informatics Journal Adam Bode, a PhD candidate at ANU who specialises in the biology and psychology of romantic love, co-authored the study. He says more than a third of long-term partners in Australia met online. But the studys findings suggest couples who met online were 10 per cent less satisfied in their relationship. Some relationship science experts think this is not a meaningful difference, Bode says. Although I and the other authors of the paper think it is meaningful ... we know that relationship satisfaction is a big predictor of whether a relationship stays together or breaks up. So if youre already 10 per cent lower down the ladder, you get this slow decrease in relationship satisfaction over a matter of months or years. One reason for the difference might be the perception of choice overload offered by apps, which, over time, can affect relationship satisfaction. It may also warp perceptions of relationship satisfaction altogether as it risks individuals measuring satisfaction less on finding a partner who makes them happy, and more on minimising perceived discrepancies between ones current and potential alternative partners, the study notes. Research has also observed that individuals who perceive more mate options tend to experience more regret regarding their current partners. Demographer Mark McCrindle says this is no surprise, and a natural response to online dating rapidly changing thousands of years worth of natural human relationship formation. Were changing millennia of relationship forming by leveraging technology ... Millennials grew up with technology that gave them more options than ever, digitally, so theyre applying that leverage or that efficiency to relationships. At first glance, it makes sense, but of course, the most important relationships that we form in life are those relationships [that] cant be expedited, so it seems that trying to utilise the efficiency of technology and giving maximum choice and using algorithms to find maximum compatibility takes away something of the human side of it, and so it is little surprise that its left people a little empty, McCrindle says. There are, however, always exceptions to the rule, like Jamee and Durham Atkinson, 39 and 40 respectively. The couple met on Tinder in 2015, while both living in London, and after their first date they never looked back. They have recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary. Jamee and Durham Atkinson met on Tinder in 2015 and have just celebrated their 10-year anniversary as a couple. Credit: Edwina Pickles The couple were on dating apps in the early 2010s, and both had positive experiences. Tinder, for me, was the first app where it wasnt, like, a bit lame to meet someone online, if Im honest, Durham says. At the time, Jamee was still living about 30 kilometres outside of London while Durham was living in the city. The couple is grateful for online dating, given the two may not have crossed paths otherwise. There was a good chance we might not have ever met in real life, for sure, Durham says. Both Jamee and Durham saw positive examples of romantic relationships growing up, which they believe helped guide them. My parents divorced when I was quite young, but they both quite soon after met new partners and are still with those partners now, 30 years later, Jamee says. So Ive always been exposed to positive relationships, and even though my mum and dads relationship didnt last, theyre both kind of best friends now. Durham says: My parents were together, you know, forever; they were kind of like the modern couple that you would kind of think of when you think of people that are in love and really happy, so I always had that as a goal. Jamee and Durham have two young children, daughter Edie, 4, and son, Fox, 2. Searching for the one Liam Luangrathrajasombat, a 29-year-old single from Penrith, said he has always been looking for the one. Im one of those people thats been looking for the one since the age of 18. If I was dating someone, even when I was 18 or younger, I was always thinking, you know, do I see myself getting married to this person? Luangrathrajasombat says. 29-year-old Liam Luangrathrajasombat has always been looking for the one. Credit: Thomas Wielecki The 29-year-old has experimented with ways to meet romantic partners, trialling speed dating, singles-only events, dating apps and meeting people organically through mutual friends or at social gatherings. While Luangrathrajasombat has used Hinge to meet people, he consistently found the connections he made on dating apps shallower than in-person connections. Its the equivalent of when youre on social media and youre scrolling, like, I think when youre on the apps, your connection to the app is not as strong, he says. Your connection to the people youre swiping yes or no to is also not as strong. So at some point it becomes maybe a bit of a gamification, you know your hearts not really in it. Although he has been single for nearly 2 years now, Liam remains hopeful of one day finding his person, and dreams of settling down and having two children in the not-so-distant future. Id like to have two kids, yeah ... Marriage is not the end of the story. A lot of the time, its the start of actually learning to know each other really properly. My biggest learning is that it is a journey, and its not an easy one. People dont know how to interact in person Katie McMaster would like to start a family, but has also made peace with the prospect of not becoming a mother: If it doesnt happen naturally, then it just wasnt meant to be, and Im OK with that. Credit: Penny Stephens Thirty-six-year-old Katie McMaster describes Melbournes dating scene as a jungle. The executive assistant has had a few long-term relationships, and now single and actively dating, is looking to settle down. McMaster thinks COVID and Melbournes lengthy lockdowns affected peoples social skills. People dont know how to interact in person, she says. We had a five-kilometre radius for a year, essentially, and a curfew, so everyone was resorting to online dating, but then once it got lifted and I was guilty of it too I really forgot how to be in social settings. McMaster has attended several in-person dating events but says that few have yielded success. Its hard because if you go to an all-ages one, the crowd is very young, which is fine because a lot of people use it as a social setting, she says. I found a lot of expats were there who had just moved to Melbourne and were just looking to make friends or were just too young for me to date. And then when I went to the one that was more my age bracket, the men were too old. She thinks the ubiquity of dating apps means singles are less likely to approach others in person. Portolan attributes the erosion of in-person interactions to dating apps, too. Behaviours on dating apps and the result of the impact doesnt just stay in that microcosm, it leaks out into the real world as well, she says. The perception youve got of people on dating apps then comes to affect how youre interacting with people in real life. And that could be making you more judgmental, or more angsty or anxious about speaking to someone because youve had poor experiences. Decentring romance and childfree living Over the past four years, Datt has completely decentred romance, oscillating from a Samantha Jones a la Sex and the City approach to life, to identifying with the 4B Movement (a radical feminist movement originating in South Korea where women say no to heterosexual marriage, childbirth and heterosexual relationships). Loading As a result of previous relationships with men, some of which have been traumatic, she now prioritises platonic connections. Its been my late Labrador retriever and close girlfriends who have shown me that love is patient and unconditional. I have yet to experience this kind of consistent, non-judgmental love from a man, she says. Datt is part of a growing cohort of women mainly heterosexual who are actively choosing to remain single. The boy sober movement, largely driven by Gen Z women online, sees singles go celibate and opt out of dating entirely. Meanwhile, heterofatalism, an idea explored in a recent New York Times article titled The Problem with Wanting Men, describes the humiliation and nightmare of being attracted to men in todays dating landscape. Local and global trends suggest these ideas are taking hold. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates between 3.4 million and 4 million people will be living alone in 2046. Meanwhile, forecasting from Morgan Stanley, based on US census data, suggests 45 per cent of women aged 25 to 44 will be single by 2030 an historic high for the country. It seems Datt is not alone in her desire to live a childfree, single life and the impact is being felt across the nation. Australias fertility rate fell to a record low of an average 1.5 children born to a woman over her lifetime in November last year, a 25 per cent decline since 2008. Millennials, sitting at the prime age for childbearing (in 2023, the most common age of mothers was between 30 and 34), seem to be driving the trend. The Centre for Population, which conducted the report, suggests more families and individuals are choosing to postpone parenthood while they establish financial security and relational and personal growth. Growing individualism and changing social norms, it suggests, are also part of the reason people are delaying parenthood or forgoing it entirely. While McCrindle does not foresee this median age of parenthood increasing much more, he believes this period of 30-somethings starting families rather than 20-somethings is here to stay. He says financial cost has been the most significant barrier to todays Millennials starting families and has contributed to this steady incline in median parenthood age. The expenses that come with starting a family does mean its an expensive time in life, and therefore, as the costs of living go up, the age in starting a family, or the numbers that would be the ideal, change as well, McCrindle says. McMaster would like to start a family, but has also made peace with the prospect of not becoming a mother. My mum generously offered to help me freeze my eggs if thats the path I wanted to go down, but my mindset is that if it doesnt happen naturally, then it just wasnt meant to be, and Im OK with that, she says. McMaster, 36, thinks women her age who want children are at a disadvantage to men when dating. I think thats just why the pools so small [for women in their late 30s]. They [men] know they dont have to settle right away because I think they know therell be someone there, willing and waiting, and men tend to date down in age, she says. These days I have a much healthier perception of myself Community health worker Marco Matillano, 43, has been in a polyamorous relationship for more than two years. He met his two partners Mikey and Anthony, who had already been together for 25 years at the time, at World Pride. Neither Matillano, nor Mikey and Anthony, were looking for an open relationship. It was just a case of three people with very similar values, very similar approaches to love, life, and all of that sort of thing, getting together and just organically going, you know what? Theres a really good dynamic between us. Lets see where this takes us, he says. Marco Matillano is a 43-year-old openly gay Filipino man who is in a polyamorous relationship. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone While not yet mainstream, conversations around non-monogamy have been growing, largely spurred by social media and Hollywood. A survey from Relationships Australia found about 6 per cent of Australians have been in an open relationship. Some research shows LGBTQI+ people are more likely to engage with non-monogamy. At the same time, such people report higher rates of discrimination and bullying. For Matillano, who migrated to Australia from the Philippines when he was four and grew up in a conservative household, coming out as a young adult, and now being in a polyamorous relationship, means bucking the values instilled in him as a child. Indeed, the main downside of his relationship is having to keep it from his parents, with whom he lives. Loading While many may imagine jealousy to be an emotion running high in polyamorous relationships, for Matillano, its the most secure relationship hes ever been in. We communicate really well and we nip things in the bud before they become an issue, he says. Coming of age in Sydneys gay scene in the early 2000s as a person of colour, Matillano struggled to come to terms with his identity at a time when white, conventionally good-looking men were the norm in the queer community. Growing up, I was so focused on academics and being a good little Catholic boy, it just meant that I had zero self-awareness of how I fit into the gay community, he says. I delved into drugs, parties, hedonism, the unabashed sex because I couldnt fit into the white community, I wanted to date white guys so I would be seen as attractive so therefore people can validate me. Now in his 40s, hes come to terms with a lot of the racial trauma he encountered in the community. These days I have a much healthier perception of myself. Ive embraced the Asian heritage. I love to say that Im Asian. I love the fact that I can look at a person and say, Hey, thats sexy, rather than politicise their race or their age or their size. Sexy is sexy, right? I can do this on my own Vanessa McNally, a 42-year-old single mum by choice, with son Walter. Credit: Paul Jeffers A few years ago, Melbourne nurse Vanessa McNally found herself single and decided to have a child on her own with the help of sperm donation from a friend. Id always imagined life having children, obviously I always thought Id have a partner. I was about 38, and I thought, I think I can do this on my own, she says. Now 42, McNally is mum to 21-month-old Walter. So many women are choosing to do this on their own, and I feel like were taking back a bit of control of our own lives and our own destinies, she says. Despite the growing number of Millennials choosing not to become parents, the number of single mothers by choice is on the rise. In 2023, single women and same-sex female couples accounted for one in five in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles in Australia. Loading In June 2024, 16 per cent of Australias 7.6 million families were one-parent families, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Of these, 78 per cent were single mothers. McNally says one of the biggest benefits of solo motherhood is being able to make all the decisions from vaccinating her child to her parenting style. I get all the cuddles, I get to see this amazing little person grow, and even though sometimes it would be nice to have someone to share that with, he and I have a really special relationship, she says. So many women are choosing to do [motherhood] on their own, and I feel like were taking back a bit of control of our own lives and our own destinies. Vanessa McNally, a single mother by choice McNally has dabbled in online dating since having Walter but is not actively looking for a partner. When I watch what some of my friends do, Im like, why is your partner not taking the children to school or picking them up or whatever? They do nothing. And its like, OK, no, I dont want that, she says. The safety of her son is her number one priority right now. I would not want to bring someone in that could do any harm to him. If that means Im single for the rest of my life, well, thats OK. Dating as a sex worker: overcoming the stigma Brisbane Millennial Micki Daniels, 31, has been a sex worker for more than a decade and was consistently dating for four years before she settled down with her partner earlier this year. Micki Daniels is a 31-year-old sex worker and mother. Credit: Micki Daniels Daniels met her current partner at the daycare both of their young children attended, and struck up a friendship over a number of months that blossomed into romance. But her dating journey before meeting her current partner was hardly smooth sailing. The run-ins I had before I met him, oh my gosh. I had so many ridiculous flings that I thought were going to turn into something else. All these men have a complex about dating a sex worker. In the dating pool, what you usually find as a sex worker is two different extremes. Youve got one that is like, no, thats not for me. I dont want anything to do with you. And then the second type is people who date you because being a sex worker is apparently attractive, and apparently its really fun to grab a sex worker because of who they are, conquer them, and then ask them to never work again. She recalls multiple experiences of being asked by men, after dating them for sometimes just a couple of weeks, when she plans to stop working as if, in her words, they adopt a saviour complex towards her. Loading Daniels believes people in her industry are more vulnerable to stigma and dehumanisation when they enter the dating world. People think we dont give a shit, or that because we have sex for money, we dont have feelings. The common misconception is that we dont want love, that we dont have the same feelings everybody else does because apparently our job defines us more than anything. She has plenty of reservations around safety for sex workers trying to navigate the dating world. And if youre a sex worker on a platform and people get wind of that, you are straight up, straight away more susceptible to abuse, more than anybody else on that platform, definitely, because of the stigma thats attached to it, she says. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday. PHNOM PENH, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Some 80 South Korean nationals have been held by Cambodia's General Department of Immigration, and they declined to go back to their country, a Cambodian spokesperson said on Tuesday. The 80 South Korean nationals refused to go back to South Korea, although South Korean officials have approached them, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak told Xinhua. "This is the initial information I have received," he said. "I don't know whether the 80 missing persons reported by South Korean media outlets are the same 80 persons held by the General Department of Immigration or not." His remarks came after South Korean media outlets, citing their Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claimed that around 80 South Korean nationals in Cambodia remained unaccounted for as of August. Two years ago, Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled what quickly became the most controversial proposal in the history of superannuation a new tax on members whose balances exceeded $3 million. The plan was for a 15 per cent tax to be levied on the increase in a members total super balance from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, after adjusting for contributions and withdrawals. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is hoping the new superannuation taxes will help bolster the budget. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The problem was that the calculation was to include unrealised gains paper increases in the value of assets that hadnt actually been sold or turned into cash. In other words, people could have been taxed on profits that didnt exist. To make matters worse, the $3 million threshold was not going to be indexed, meaning that over time, as inflation pushed up super balances, more and more Australians would have been dragged into the net. 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 October 18 edition of Good Weekend See all 14 stories . You realised this moment was coming, right? You sensed it when you made the call in the first place, as you strove valiantly to keep the tremor out of your voice despite emitting a slight whiff of eau de mouth-breathing lunatic on the phone. You knew it when you told work youd be late because you had to call in the professionals after your attempt to fix the problem yourself ended with you short-circuiting your house. Also, your neighbours houses. And also (possibly) their neighbours houses. (Although you blame Bob from the Central Coast for that. His DIY videos on YouTube made it seem so easy for a home handyman to undertake building repairs with no qualifications other than a recently unearthed toolbelt and a can-do attitude.) For a hot second, you thought everything would be OK. You spoke to someone who pledged to have an actual professional there between 7am and midday the next day (you fought the urge to retaliate for the lack of specificity by listing your address as somewhere between Sydney and Perth). Youve been burned by tradie oclock before, so you made the nice-but-slightly-startled lady on the phone swear she was telling the truth when she said someone would arrive on schedule. Then you asked if shed be prepared to sign (in blood, preferably) a statutory declaration attesting to that promise (hence the whole eau de mouth-breathing lunatic thing) and when she laughed and said that wouldnt be necessary, you hung up, mollified, except not quite. You are nothing if not an optimist. You sprang to your feet at 6am the next day, giving yourself plenty of time to shower, change, take the kids to school, and be back in time for a series of Zoom meetings (camera off, because you told your boss last time that all the Lego and baskets of dirty laundry in the background were part of a high-end abstract office art installation and she seemed sceptical). Now its 4.45pm, and 48 text messages, seven impassioned phone calls and one looming restraining order later, its raining, you still have no power, the toilets are inexplicably backed up, and the neighbours are fixing to lynch you with your electrical tape. You cant risk leaving the house and missing your people, though, so youre screening calls from your childrens school, which is now threatening to put them in the care of social services. Bluff called, you tell yourself confidently. See also: collateral damage. Meanwhile, having cut ties with the first company via a profane, borderline-deranged Google review, youve found a second mob that will escalate your job for the bargain price of four times what you were quoted originally. Frankly, they could demand payment in the form of your six-year-olds left kidney, and youd happily perform the surgery yourself. A man accused of pointing an imitation gun at strangers during a string of carjackings in Melbourne on Tuesday was already on bail for allegedly stealing a mans car on Sunday, a court has been told. The man apologised to one victim for ruining their day and offered to buy another a Lamborghini, before being arrested in a hotel lift by specialist police in Melbournes CBD on Tuesday, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard. A bruised and battered Simon Michael Davies, 48, from Hoppers Crossing, faced the court on Wednesday via video link from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he was handcuffed to a bed. The court was told he had sustained broken ribs and a broken eye socket and left arm during his arrest after being spotted smoking a cigarette by police in the centre of the city. Davies was on bail at the time after allegedly stealing a mans car after asking for a lift to Laverton train station on Sunday, the court heard. Acting Detective Sergeant Jeremy Hart said Tuesdays alleged crime spree started early in the morning, when Davies allegedly tried to carjack a mans vehicle at Hoppers Crossing before forcing a second driver from her car at apparent gunpoint nearby. The call taker, speaking anonymously in order to detail what they knew, said they had faced initial delays connecting to a Triple Zero Victorias phone line, and then encountered further delays for that call to be answered. They estimated about a dozen calls they received from Victoria were affected by delays of between a few minutes and at least 10 minutes during the outage. The computer system outage was caused by a failure of the back-up power system at Triple Zero Victorias Burwood centre. The outage began at 12.30am and lasted until about 4am. Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said he had also been told there were delays of up to 20 minutes when emergency calls were unable to be connected via Telstra to Triple Zero Victoria. Hill said that when the computer system was down, call takers were forced to manually write down all incident information, which was then handed to a dispatcher to assign the case. Its a very, very inefficient way of doing things basically going back in time a couple of decades, he said. Categorically, it makes it harder. And often the crews out there on the road dont get the information that they need. Triple Zero Victoria would not comment on the extent of any connection delays experienced by the public. Usual back-up measures were enacted to minimise impact to the community until [computer-aided dispatch] resumed normal operations, and the cause of the power issue is being investigated, a spokesperson said. Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill. Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward said a back-up power system should have taken over during the outage. We dont know why it didnt. We are investigating that, she said. Its never happened before. Ward said she was advised that all calls to Triple Zero had gone through during the outage and that the call and dispatch system had been incrementally brought online. Three internal and union sources not authorised to speak publicly said that the power failure was related to the uninterruptible power supply system at the Burwood centre. That basically took out the entire building, shut down everything from the air-conditioning through to the lights, all of the phone servers, all of the computer servers all the radio power went down. Everything stopped. On Wednesday morning, Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jordan Emery, who was appointed in May, said that despite the outage, there were no specific patient safety events reported at this time. Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jordan Emery. Credit: Justin McManus A new computer-aided dispatch system, known as OnCallCAD, is being developed by Triple Zero Victoria. The old system crashes regularly, and staff have warned that the next outage is a matter of when, not if. John Ellery, a Communications Workers Union assistant secretary, said that the dispatchers working at the time of the outage had been absolutely overloaded. And so at 1.30am this morning, Triple Zero started dragging in people because they didnt have enough staff, he said. They recalled staff in the middle of the night [because] the people manning the shifts couldnt cope with the manual arrangements. The Labor Party has really made a mess of Triple Zero Victoria by squeezing funding, despite what theyre saying. They have made cuts and knocked off all of these trainers in their support area. The government has been told a story that it wont affect the operational side of Triple Zero Victoria I call bullshit on that. Premier Jacinta Allan said the outage was being investigated. She was advised that there were no adverse outcomes, but was seeking more information. Opposition emergency services spokesperson Danny OBrien called the system failure a serious concern, and said the government must provide a clear explanation of what caused the incident. Liberal frontbencher James Paterson has demanded an end to the partys mass public therapy session and warned that a Nigel Farage-style populist turn could destroy the party, sending Opposition Leader Sussan Ley a message to unite the Coalition and set its sights on Labor. The Victorian opened up a new line of attack on Anthony Albanese, whom he compared to a petty despot for his proposed crackdown on freedom of information, slashing of opposition staff numbers, and what Paterson described as the prime ministers deeply weird obsession with making Labor the natural party of government. Liberal senator James Paterson. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer In a blunt and expansive speech at a time when Ley is battling disunity, one of the oppositions top performers countered the perception that the Liberals must morph into a populist outfit or turn into a souless teal-like party that only talked economics and gave up on cultural arguments. Accepting the progressive agenda on energy, migration and social policy wouldnt mean culture wars stop, Paterson declared at Tuesday nights Tom Hughes Oration in Sydney. Dwelling values have fallen this year in a handful of sought-after inner-city suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne, bucking the broader trend. Property prices have been rising as three interest rate cuts have made buyers more confident and increased the amount of money they can borrow and spend at auction, but not in every neighbourhood. Lower interest rates have pushed property prices up, but not everywhere. Credit: Eddie Jim Since the end of February, dwelling values have fallen by 7.1 per cent in Sydneys lower north shore suburb of Milsons Point and 6.3 per cent in neighbouring Kirribilli, Cotality data shows. In Melbourne, property values have fallen in affluent Armadale in the inner south-east, down 5.1 per cent, and 4.5 per cent in neighbouring Prahran. In the inner north, Carlton values also fell 4.5 per cent. Washington: Australia and the United States have progressed a defence partnership under which Australia is set to begin producing guided missiles, including for export to the US and beyond, by the end of the year. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, who is in the US to meet Trump administration officials, announced that Australia, the US Department of War and American weapons giant Lockheed Martin had signed a statement of intent and would open an office in Alabama to underpin the project. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy travelled to the US to meet Trump administration officials. Credit: Cameron Atfield The announcement was made days before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was due to fly to Washington for his first proper face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump in which the controversial AUKUS submarine pact is expected to be a key topic of discussion. The statement signed on Monday (Tuesday AEST) paved the way for co-production of critical long-range missiles across the guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) family of munitions and precision strike missiles. Australia was on track to start making GMLRS by Christmas, Conroy said. Honored during National Hispanic Heritage Month for advancing leadership, inclusion, and U.S. business growth; award presented Oct. 9 at EB Hotel Miami MIAMI, Oct. 13, 2025 -- Hyundai Motor America chief operating officer Claudia Marquez has been honored with the Top Corporate Entrepreneur Gold Award by Negocios and Ejecutiva Magazines. Presented during the 2025 Top Entrepreneurs of the USA Awards at the EB Hotel Miami as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the recognition highlights her leadership in driving Hyundai's innovation, advancing inclusive leadership, and strengthening the company's contribution to U.S. economic growth. Since 2010, Negocios and Ejecutiva Magazines have honored leaders who embody entrepreneurial excellence, community values, and a commitment to advancing U.S. business development. The 2025 ceremony, marking the program's 15th anniversary, celebrates its ongoing role in spotlighting innovation, inclusion, and leadership that drive progress in communities and the national economy. "I'm honored to receive this recognition from Negocios and Ejecutiva Magazines," said Claudia Marquez, chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America. "Leading Hyundai in the United States is both an honor and a responsibility. My focus is on three pillarscustomer-centric growth, people and culture, and operational excellenceso we can deliver great products and a simple, transparent experience while building a diverse pipeline of leaders across our ecosystem. Celebrating this recognition during National Hispanic Heritage Month reflects not only my personal journey but also Hyundai's commitment to empowering diverse voices and strengthening ties with Hispanic communities across the country." Marquez's career spans leadership roles across Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States at BMW, MINI, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Infiniti, Genesis, and now Hyundai. Throughout her journey, she has emphasized end-to-end business knowledge, data-informed decision making, and collaboration across functions and cultures. "Knowledge is a powerful equalizer," added Marquez. "Mentorship expands skills and confidence, and sponsorship creates access to opportunities. I encourage leaders to embrace what makes them different, cultivate resilience, and advocate for change." "Honorees of the Top Entrepreneurs of USA Awards are selected for their outstanding performance as innovators and their commitment to advancing business and opportunity across the United States," said Eduardo A. Hapke, co-founder and publisher of Negocios Magazine. "Claudia Marquez exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit we seek to honorcombining strategic vision with inclusive leadership to drive results for Hyundai, inspire the next generation of business leaders, and strengthen the role of Hispanic executives in shaping the future of the U.S. economy." The 2025 Top Entrepreneurs of USA Awards took place Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET at EB Hotel Miami (4299 NW 36th Street, Miami, FL 33166). About Negocios & Ejecutiva Magazines Negocios & Ejecutiva Magazines are Spanish-language business publications based in Miami that highlight Hispanic leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation across the United States. Since 2010, the publications have organized the Top Entrepreneurs of USA Awards, recognizing outstanding businesswomen and men and convening leaders from across industries. The 2025 edition marked the 15th anniversary of the event. For more information, visit https://www.negociosmagazine.com/ and https://www.ejecutivamagazine.com/. About Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit. www.hyundainews.com. SOURCE Hyundai Motor America TEHRAN, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Tuesday strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's "baseless and shameful accusations" against Tehran, after he labeled Iran "the number-one state sponsor of terror" and claimed it was seeking nuclear weapons in a speech to Israel's parliament. In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denounced Washington as "the biggest producer of terrorism in the world," saying it lacked the moral authority to accuse others. It said Trump's remarks were an attempt to justify the "joint crimes" of the United States and Israel in their June attacks on Iranian territory, which killed more than 1,000 people, including women and children. The statement accused the United States of complicity in Israel's "genocide and warmongering" in the occupied Palestinian territories and said Washington's support for Israel, its "interventionist" policies, and arms sales had made it "the biggest source of instability" in West Asia. Iran dismissed Trump's expressed wish for peace as hypocritical, citing the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites and the 2020 U.S. assassination of General Qassem Soleimani as proof of Washington's "hostile and criminal behavior." DALIAN, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on Monday presented awards to Chinese innovators for outstanding patents. A ceremony to present recipients with the 25th WIPO-CNIPA Award for Chinese Outstanding Patented Invention & Industrial Design took place in the city of Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. A total of 30 inventions and utility models, as well as 10 industrial designs, received gold awards -- China's top honor for patents. The CNIPA and WIPO selected these 40 patents from a total of 2,900 candidates nominated by various government departments, national industry associations and academicians. The winning innovations span key areas such as core technological breakthroughs, high-end manufacturing, green and low-carbon initiatives, vaccine development, life sciences and health, and include an advanced glass-production technology, a database transaction-processing method and unmanned aerial vehicles. Awardees include tech giant Tencent, Chinese NEV pioneer BYD and the Dalian University of Technology. According to the CNIPA, the cumulative sales revenue of these 40 patented products has exceeded 580 billion yuan (81.7 billion U.S. dollars) to date. Shen Changyu, head of the CNIPA, said that patent transformation and utilization are crucial driving forces in realizing innovation-driven development, serving as bridges in the conversion of innovative research outcomes into real productive forces. "The journey of IP in China is the journey of China's modern development," WIPO Director General Daren Tang said in a speech at the ceremony. He also congratulated China for entering the ranks of the top 10 countries on the WIPO's Global Innovation Index this year, and for ranking highest among upper-middle-income economies. MOGADISHU, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A global maritime body on Tuesday urged foreign vessels to observe vigilance as they transit along the Somalia coastline and the Gulf of Aden despite a lull in piracy attacks in the third quarter of 2025. The latest report by the International Chamber of Commerce's International Maritime Bureau (IMB) showed that no incidents were identified in the waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden during Q3 due to the prevailing southwest monsoon conditions. Only three vessels were hijacked in the waters off Somalia in the first six months of the year, said the IMB, yet advising vessels to "continue to adhere to guidelines, as 26 crew were taken hostage from two fishing vessels and one dhow in the first six months of 2025." "This is an important time to reinforce the need for vigilance. There can be no room for complacency and globally, vessel owners and operators are encouraged to follow industry guidelines and report incidents promptly," said MB Director Michael Howlett. Besides, the report indicated that 15 incidents were reported in the Gulf of Guinea region during the first nine months, compared to 12 in the same period of 2024. Of these, 10 occurred in territorial waters, under the definition of armed robbery and the remaining five under the definition of piracy. The IMB said while incident numbers remain curbed, crew safety remains a concern, noting that 14 crew were kidnapped in these waters from January to September. LANZHOU, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- How can cities protect their priceless cultural heritage while navigating the demands of modern development? This question has brought mayors, diplomats and scholars from 10 countries to the ancient Silk Road hub of Dunhuang in northwest China's Gansu Province for thought-provoking discussions. The Global Mayors Dialogue in Dunhuang was themed "A Symphony of Civilizations, Resonance in Harmony," and served as a platform for cities around the world to share their experience in the governance of cultural cities. Against the backdrop of rapid global urbanization, the participants emphasized that striking a balance between preserving history and fostering growth is a common, pressing challenge. "Cities are carriers of civilization, engines of innovation, vital spaces for people to lead happy lives, and the most vibrant entities in civilizational dialogue," Yu Chenghui, a senior official of Gansu Province, said when he addressed at the event's opening ceremony on Monday. He outlined how China has been integrating the strict protection of historical features into urban planning to achieve harmony between the old and the new. He expressed his hope that the dialogue would help countries find new solutions to contemporary issues related to such areas as cultural urban governance, cultural heritage protection and sustainable development, and that it would encourage cooperation to address new global challenges. The host city of Dunhuang -- a living museum that is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites -- serves as a prime case study of balance. Dunhuang Mayor Zhu Jianjun detailed how the city leverages its profound cultural heritage to drive holistic urban development, demonstrating that heritage can be a core asset for urban enhancement. This model resonated deeply with international delegates. "Dunhuang demonstrates to the world how modern development can achieve harmony by respecting nature and preserving history," said Tigran Poghosyan, head of the Garni Community from Armenia, noting the importance of shared values and potential for cooperation. The dialogue revealed striking similarities between distant cities. Burak Deste, representative of the mayor of Manisa in Turkiye, found common ground between Manisa and Dunhuang in terms of their populations and historical legacy. "Dunhuang's existing practices and successful models are highly inspiring for us," he said, sharing his city's vision for its own heritage preservation and green development. Beyond grand strategies, discussions also delved into innovative tactics for cultural revitalization. The widespread use of Dunhuang's Mogao Grottoes motifs on creative products like stamps and T-shirts caught the attention of Massimo Andreoli, representative of the mayor of Venice in Italy. "This is a very intelligent way to promote the heritage, and at the same time to promote the intangible heritage, because you preserve also the artisans," Andreoli said, praising the city's "authentic" atmosphere, which he said is a rarity in an age of over-tourism. His visit culminated in the signature of a renewed memorandum of cooperation with Dunhuang, turning dialogue into actionable partnership. The gathering's location highlighted that the ancient Silk Road's spirit of connection is more relevant than ever today. Hungarian Sinologist Steven H. Back reflected on this point: "The Silk Road was never only about trade; it was also a long caravan of ideas." In Dunhuang, these mayors and thinkers gathered to ensure that this caravan of ideas continues to move forward, charting a course for cities through which history and progress not only coexist but thrive together. 5 killed in clashes between securitymen, TLP in Pak By Sajjad Hussain ISLAMABAD AT LEAST five people, including a police officer, were killed and dozens of officers injured when thousands of members of a radical Islamist group clashed with security personnel on Monday in Pakistans Punjab province, police said. Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had launched its protest from Lahore on Friday with the announcement to march up to the US embassy in Islamabad and give a sit-in in support of the people of Gaza. Ironically, the group decided to protest for Gaza when the war had ended and a truce had been agreed, and the people of Gaza were celebrating peace. The protesters succeeded in reaching Murdike, about 40 km from Lahore on the Grand Trunk Road, where the police stopped them while their leaders held talks with the authorities. Apparently, all efforts to convince the protesters ended in a fiasco, and police launched an operation to clear the road and disperse the rioters. According to police, the operation lasted for about five hours and ended early Monday as protestors armed with nail-sticks, bricks, petrol bombs and even guns fought relentlessly with the law-enforcing personnel. One police official was killed and 48 injured, including 17 who got gun wounds, a police official said, adding that one civilian and three protesters were also killed, while another eight were injured. Punjab Police claimed that the protesters set fire to 40 Government and private vehicles, while law-enforcing agencies arrested several protestors. Pictures shared on social media showed several burnt vehicles littered at the scene of the operation. TLP supporters took to the streets to protest at different places, and the M2 Motorway, which runs from Islamabad to Lahore, was blocked at Faizpur, Kala Shah and Babu Sabu near Lahore. According to the Motorway Police spokesperson, the M1 Motorway, which runs from Peshawar to Islamabad, is open, but heavy traffic is currently prohibited on it. In the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, major roads were open except at a few places, but the authorities had placed shipping containers along the roads to close them immediately if the protestors tried to move towards Islamabad. Confluence of Stupidity: Traffic chaos at Powerhouse Sq turns relief into menace By Kunal Badge : What was once a smooth junction on the Inner Ring Road has now turned into a daily ordeal for thousands of commuters. The ongoing construction of the Mhalgi Nagar flyover has pushed Powerhouse Square, where the flyover lands, into complete disarray. The very project that was meant to ease congestion has, ironically, become the epicentre of traffic chaos, confusion, and mounting safety risks in South Nagpur. Launched in August 2024 along with the Manewada Square flyover, the Mhalgi Nagar project, costing Rs 73 crore, is being executed by the World Bank Unit of Maharashtras Public Works Department (PWD). Officials maintain that the flyover will address frequent traffic jams and accidents at the square. However, residents argue that the decision is poorly conceived, given the already wide stretch of roads and existing traffic signals. There was never a need for such a massive structure here. The roads were broad and manageable; only better signal management was needed, said Rajesh Nair, a daily commuter from Narsala. Since construction began, the median near Powerhouse Square has been partially blocked, forcing vehicles from adjoining roads into confusing diversions. The median allowing turn towards Ashirwad Nagar has been closed, compelling motorists to take U-turns at Powerhouse Square and drive in the wrong direction. This diversion has led to near-daily minor accidents, with two-wheelers and school buses frequently caught in gridlock. The problem increases during peak hours in morning and evening hours when crossing the square becomes almost impossible, taking almost 20 to 30 minutes just to cross an intersection. Residents fear that the problems will not end even after the flyover becomes operational. The landing point of the structure is positioned such that it cuts directly into a busy local road used by residents from Tajbag and Ashirvad Nagar. With no traffic signals and restricted visibility, experts warn of a high risk of collisions. The vehicles will descend at speed, and anyone crossing the square will be at risk. Its a design flaw that could prove dangerous, observed Sunita Deshmukh, a resident of Mhalgi Nagar. The landing of the flyover could have been positioned after the Powerhouse Square, she added. Commuters also point out that construction has drastically narrowed the lanes leading to and from Mhalgi Nagar Square, leaving little space for safe passage. Dust, debris, and the absence of clear signages have worsened the situation. Its chaos at every turn. Minor accidents happen almost every day now. The authorities need to rethink traffic movement before someone gets seriously hurt, said Amit Patil, a motorist who uses the route daily. What is even more fascinating is the absence of any traffic regulating personnel at the intersection. The contractors at other similar places at least appoint some construction workers with flags to regulate traffic, but here, they too are missing. The necessity of construction of Mhalgi Nagar flyover has been questioned time and again by the citizens in the past, but authorities have continued with the project. As construction continues with no immediate relief in sight for the traffic congestion problem, Powerhouse Square stands as an example of poor urban planning. Instead of solving congestion, the Mhalgi Nagar flyover appears poised to compound it, turning an already strained intersection into a permanent traffic issue for South Nagpur. Gadkari vows quality, corruption-free execution of projects PUDUCHERRY : UNION Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said there would be no compromise on quality and proper design of infrastructure, as the Government is keen that there should be transparent, time-bound, corruption-free, and result-oriented execution of projects. Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony for a Rs 436 crore elevated corridor-cum-grade separator linking Indira Gandhi Square and Rajiv Gandhi Square, covering a distance of 3.88 km, Gadkari said the project would give a significant boost to the development of Puducherry. The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was keen to ensure speedy and broad-based infrastructure development across the country. He added that his Ministry had planned to spend Rs 25,000 crore on roads, bridges, and other facilities in Puducherry. Referring to a plea made earlier by Chief Minister N Rangasamy for flyovers between Natesan Nagar and Marapalam, and between Ariyankuppam and Mullodai on the Puducherry-Cuddalore route, Gadkari approved the proposals and asked the territorial government to submit detailed plans. The proposed stretch would cover 16.5 km with an estimated cost of Rs 650 crore. The Union Minister said PM Modi aimed to develop India into a super economic power and the third-largest economy globally. He also highlighted the potential for tapping coastal transport in Puducherry. Gadkari added that the NDA Government was adopting new technologies to protect the environment while developing infrastructure. If there is any deficiency in quality or a setback in design, we will sack the contractor and officials concerned, he said. In addition, Gadkari laid the foundation for a Rs 25.04 crore improvement project on East Coast Road and inaugurated the Puducherry-Poondiankuppam (Tamil Nadu) section of NH 32, involving an outlay of Rs 1,588 crore. Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan said the infrastructure projects would help decongest traffic, reduce travel time, conserve fuel, and improve road safety. He thanked Gadkari and the Prime Minister for addressing Puducherrys requirements. Chief Minister N Rangasamy said PM Modi was keen to make Puducherry the best Union Territory. Hamas releases all hostages, Israel frees prisoners A Palestinian prisoner makes the victory sign after being released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, upon his arrival in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Monday. (AP/PTI) DEIR AL-BALAH (Gaza Strip) : HAMAS released all 20 remaining living hostages on Monday as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war that pummeled the Gaza Strip, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians. Hamas said on Monday that it will release the bodies of four of the 28 deceased Israeli captives, though it was not immediately clear when the rest of the bodies would be sent back to Israel. Israel says it has released more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Cheering crowds greeted buses of released prisoners in the West Bank and Gaza, while families and friends of the hostages gathered in a square in Tel Aviv, Israel, cried out with joy and relief as news arrived that the captives were free. The bodies of 60 Palestinians were recovered in Gaza: Gazas Health Ministry says the bodies of 60 Palestinians have been recovered from under the rubble of destroyed buildings and brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours. That brought the number of recovered bodies to 200 in the past four days since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect and Israeli troops pulled back from some parts of Gaza. The Ministry says many dead are still under the rubble, particularly in areas inaccessible to first responders. Israels campaign in Gaza killed more than 67,800 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. The Ministry doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants but says around half of the dead were women and children. Speaking to Parliament, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared he was committed to this peace, raising hopes that the ruinous war, which triggered other conflicts in the Middle East and had left scores of captives in militant hands, might come to an end. But fundamental questions remain over when and how. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is profoundly relieved that the Israeli hostages in Gaza have regained their freedom and will be reunited with their families after the immense suffering they have endured. Guterres, in a statement, also reiterated his call for the release of the remains of the deceased hostages. The statement was issued from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where world leaders were gathering to throw their weight behind the Gaza ceasefire deal. I urge all parties to build on this momentum and to honour their commitments under the ceasefire to end the nightmare in Gaza, Guterres said. The United Nations is working to support all efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of civilians. Speaking ahead of Trumps address in the Knesset, Netanyahu pledged that he was committed to this peace. He added: Today, the Jewish calendar marks the end of two years of war. While major questions remain about the future of Hamas and Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners raised hopes for ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and the militant group. The ceasefire is also expected to see a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza, parts of which are experiencing famine. The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and 251 taken hostage. In Israels ensuing offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the dead were women and children. The Ministry is part of the Hamas-run Government, and the UN and many independent experts consider its figures the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. Nagpur VI clinch intl bridge title Sports Reporter: CITY bridge stalwarts made history by claiming their maiden international title on Monday. Nagpur VI thrashed Hyderabad Blues to win first prize in Team Silver Event of the HCL International Bridge Championships that concluded at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in New Delhi, on Monday. The victory gave the Nagpur team a whopping Rs 16 lakh as cash prize in the Rs 4 crore international bridge tournament. In the all important final, Nagpur VI thrashed Hyderabad Blue for the coveted title. Their performance was such that the dejected opponents withdrew before start of the fourth set. Nagpur VI took the first set 54-36. They fared much better in the second round thumping the rivals 71-10 which really dented their confidence. When Nagpur recorded 34-14 win in the third round for a total difference of 99 in 42 boards, Hyderabad players conceded the fourth round and thus the match. Nagpur VI team was led by Arun Puranik and comprised Mahesh Mor, Sameer Roy, Anil Mohota (the four who played final) and Makrand Luley. Natural foes THE current attack of Pakistani armed forces on a few posts on Afghanistan and the strong Afghani retaliation point to a historical reality that the two countries are natural foes, so to say, no matter their earlier hobnobbing with each other over long stretches of time. Unable to contain the attacks on its forces and inland installations by Taliban militants over the past some years, Pakistani forces appear to have lost their patience and have attacked Afghani border posts claiming success in taking control there and killing as many as 200 Afghani soldiers. In its retaliatory action, the Afghan forces, too, claimed to have grabbed many Pakistani posts and killed over 50 Pakistani soldiers. And to seal matters from its side, Afghanistan Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Amir Muttaqi declared from Indian soil that his country would tolerate no aggression on its sovereignty and integrity, and would hit back the hardest. Such extreme positions do not happen in a flash; those happen only over stretched periods of hostilities. Hence our observation that Afghanistan and Pakistan are natural foes -- who occasionally try to build bridges between themselves. India has assured Afghanistan that it would stand by Kabuls side in times of crisis. In return, Afghani Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Amir Muttaqi has assured Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar that Kabul would never allow anybody to use Afghani soil for purposes of terrorism and any anti-Indian activity. This understanding is nothing but a peaking of amiability between India and Afghanistan. For the past years, India has been one of the strongest partners of Afghanistan in its attempt of national reconstruction. Kabul has always recognised the merit of Indias foreign policy platform of non-reciprocal assistance (without any strings attached). India has built roads, railroads, railroad stations, Parliament building, hospitals, schools in war-ravaged Afghanistan -- though Kabuls conduct was not ideal everytime. Notwithstanding that, India has continued to mentor Afghanistan with a long-range strategic view. As Afghanistan and Pakistan indulge in serious border clashes, Islamabad will have to take into account the India factor -- against the background of amiable relations New Delhi has had with Kabul over time. Even when the world fussed about the Taliban (controlling the Afghanistan Government) being a religious extremist organisation, India saw that movement as an expression of the Afghan peoples self-assertion. With a much larger geopolitical vision in its mind, India offered a sensible rationale about the traumatic domestic condition through which Afghanistan has had to pass for years. For, India realised that Afghanistan has been ravaged by foreign interference -- first by Russia and later by the United States -- and agreed that the country needed a serious dose of developmental activity. Pakistan has conducted itself exactly the opposite of what India has done. It has a strong military -- which Afghanistan does not possess. The Afghans are a fighter race, and would be able to give a befitting answer to Pakistani aggression. Unfortunately, they do not have modern weapons to fight Pakistan. True, when the Americans left Afghanistan, they left a lot of war marchandise behind, and the Afghan forces are making the best use of that weaponry. Yet, it may prove to be an uneven battle between the superior Pakistani forces and the fighter people of Afghanistan -- led by Taliban. However, what Pakistan lacks is its moral fibre -- which may prove its undoing in the current clashes. As the Afghans retaliate to the current aggression by Pakistan, they will have a moral upper hand. The Taliban may represent certain religious dogma, all right. Yet, it knows that in changing international scenario, Pakistan is one country that should be restricted in its aggression. PM Modi hails efforts to impart new momentum in bilateral ties with Canada NEW DELHI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed to Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand that her India visit would contribute to ongoing efforts to impart new momentum to the IndiaCanada bilateral partnership. PM Modi hails new momentum in bilateral ties during meeting with Canadian FM Anand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, called on PM Modi on Monday morning before holding discussions with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. Welcoming Anand, Prime Minister Modi recalled his visit to Canada in June this year for the G7 Summit during which he held an extremely productive meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Prime Minister noted the significance of enhanced cooperation between the two countries in trade, energy, technology, agriculture and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister conveyed his warm wishes to Prime Minister Mark Carney and said that he looked forward to their upcoming engagements, read a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO). I met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning in New Delhi. Building on the momentum of Prime Minister Mark Carneys meeting with PM Modi this summer at the G7 Summit, Canada and India are elevating the relationship between our countries, while maintaining our law enforcement and security dialogue and expanding our economic relationship, Anand posted on X after the meeting with PM Modi. Today, skies are calm and guns silent: Trump in Israeli Parliament TEL AVIV : US PRESIDENT Trump on Monday was greeted with a thunderous applause and a standing ovation by Israeli lawmakers as he arrived at a special session of the Knesset following the release of 20 hostages by Hamas, earlier in the day. This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East. After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace, Trump said. Appreciating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said, I want to express my gratitude to a man of exceptional courage and patriotism whose partnership did so much to make this momentous day possible. You know, who Im talking about theres only one: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump asked Netanyahu to stand up as the Knesset erupted in applause. And he is not easy, I want to tell you. I want to tell you hes not the easiest guy to deal with, but thats what makes him great, Trump added, drawing laughter from the audience. Meanwhile, speaking at the Knesset ahead of Trumps address, the Israeli Prime Minister heaped praise on the US President. At the beginning of the war, I promised to bring all the hostages home. Today, with the indispensable help, the determined and focused help, the unremitting help of President Trump ... and with the incredible sacrifice and courage of the soldiers of Israel, we are fulfilling that promise, said Netanyahu. Two weeks ago, you succeeded in doing something miraculous, you succeeded in doing something that no one believed was possible: you brought most of the Arab world -- you brought most of the world -- behind your proposal to free the hostages and end the war, he said, expressing gratitude to Trump. Ive seen a lot of American Presidents ... Ive never seen anyone move the world so quickly, so decisively, so resolutely as our friend President Donald J. Trump, he added. Netanyahu stated that Trumps peace proposal ends the war by achieving all the objectives and opens the door to a historic expansion of peace in the region and beyond. He further said, You are committed to this peace; I am committed to this peace. Together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace. TOKYO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Nagano District Court on Tuesday sentenced a 34-year-old man to death for the killing of four people, including two local women and two police officers in Nakano City in 2023. The defendant was found guilty of stabbing two residents of the city, and shooting two policemen from the Nakano Police Station with a hunting rifle when they responded to the emergency call in May 2023. The prosecution had sought the death penalty, arguing that he had complete criminal responsibility, while the defense claimed he was in a state of diminished mental capacity and should be spared execution, national broadcaster NHK reported. The court determined that the man committed the crimes and was fully responsible for his actions, saying the killings were an extremely cruel and inhumane act and that there is no room for leniency, according to the report. KIEV, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday met with visiting European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to discuss EU support for Ukraine, according to the presidential press service. The two sides addressed recent Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and the steps needed to strengthen the country's energy resilience. Kallas noted that European specialists are currently assessing the type of assistance Ukraine requires to restore its energy system. The meeting also covered defense support for Ukraine, the use of frozen Russian assets, and new EU sanctions against Russia. During a press conference after the talks with Kallas, Zelensky announced plans to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported. Moscow will have a "very firm response" if the EU takes any actions targeting Russian assets, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Oct. 2. HANGZHOU, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Yiwu Global Digital Trade Center, hailed as the sixth-generation market of Yiwu -- the eastern Chinese city known as "the world's supermarket" -- officially opened on Tuesday, marking a significant leap from traditional trade to a fully integrated digital trade ecosystem. As a window into China's reform and opening up and a barometer of global small commodity trade, Yiwu's market has undergone multiple rounds of transformation, evolving from a humble roadside market into a modern international trade hub. Each upgrade has closely tracked the pulse of the times and market demand. Now, it is fully embracing the digital era with the establishment of the new digital trade center. The flagship project is equipped with cutting-edge digital infrastructure, including 10-gigabit optical networks and cross-border data transmission channels. Spanning a construction area of 1.25 million square meters, the complex integrates five functional zones: marketplaces, office buildings, commercial districts, apartments, and a digital trade port. The marketplaces zone currently houses over 3,700 stores across eight emerging sectors, including fashion and jewelry, trendy toys, and smart equipment. Within the center's premises, more than 3,700 new merchants can leverage stable cross-border networks to communicate and negotiate with global clients in real time. They can also seamlessly conduct live streams to showcase their products directly to overseas customers, offering an immersive "in-store" experience for buyers thousands of miles away. Zhu Xingping, deputy general manager of the center, noted that its Chinagoods platform provides global traders one-stop services covering customs, foreign exchange, taxation, logistics, warehousing, and financing. Sun Lingjuan, head of fashion brand Fuduolashijia, highlighted the efficiency of the "small merchant AI video creator" tool. "Instead of memorizing scripts," she explained, "a merchant can simply speak random words like '12345' into the phone, add some text, and receive a professional multilingual product video within minutes." She also noted that the center's robust cross-border infrastructure enables seamless TikTok live streaming, "allowing us to engage with international customers online without any barriers." To accelerate the center's digital transformation, Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Co., Ltd. forged strategic partnerships with several industry leaders in 2025. In April, the company signed an agreement with Alibaba Group to leverage its expertise in cloud computing, big data and e-commerce ecosystems to jointly develop an AI-driven business model tailored for the small commodities sector. In September, collaborations were forged with Manycore Tech, a leading spatial intelligence service provider, to leverage its 3D AI design solutions for industries such as home furnishings, toys, and hardware. The same month, a partnership with Tencent was established to focus on complementary strengths in end-to-end digital trade solutions and advance the market's digital infrastructure. The launch of the Global Digital Trade Center marks a landmark step in promoting digital transformation across the entire trade chain in Zhejiang, noted a local official, adding that it also represents the latest milestone in Zhejiang's efforts to advance high-level opening up and build a strong, open economy. KABUL, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Police in the drive against illegal drugs arrested three drug smugglers and discovered hashish from their possessions in northern Afghanistan's Samangan province on Tuesday, a news release of the provincial police office said. Three drug smugglers were going to traffic 700 grams of hashish from the northern Balkh to Baghlan province via Samangan at midnight, but a patrol police team intercepted their car and, after searching, discovered the contraband and detained its owners, the news release added. In similar operations, police also discovered a stolen car and returned it to its owner in Samangan's neighboring Jawzjan province on Monday. Children peel corn at a kindergarten in Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, on Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16. (Photo by Liu Mancang/Xinhua) Children learn to identify grains under the guidance of a teacher at a kindergarten in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16. (Photo by Wang Chun/Xinhua) Children take part in a competition of "planting rice seedlings" at a kindergarten in Licang District of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16. (Photo by Zhang Ying/Xinhua) A child learns to identify grains under the guidance of a volunteer at a kindergarten in Tianjin, north China, on Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16. (Photo by Du Penghui/Xinhua) Children learn to identify grains under the guidance of a teacher at a kindergarten in Licang District of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16. (Photo by Zhang Ying/Xinhua) Children learn to identify grains under the guidance of a teacher at a primary school in Taizhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua) A teacher educates children on cherishing food at a kindergarten in Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, on Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16. (Photo by Liu Mancang/Xinhua) Children from a kindergarten pick up rice ears in a field in Deqing County of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16 annually. (Photo by Ni Lifang/Xinhua) Children learn knowledge about grain under the guidance of a teacher at a kindergarten in Yinan County of Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16 annually. (Photo by Wang Yanbing/Xinhua) Pupils learn knowledge about grain under the guidance of a teacher at a kindergarten in Yanfeng District of Hengyang City, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16 annually. (Photo by Cao Zhengping/Xinhua) A theme activity on "Cherish Food, Start with Me" is held at a primary school in Ruyang County, Luoyang City, Henan Province, Oct. 14, 2025. Theme events have been carried out across China to mark World Food Day that falls on Oct. 16 annually. (Photo by Kang Hongjun/Xinhua) Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova on Tuesday in Beijing. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized China's commitment to implementing the important consensus reached between the two countries' leaders and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Slovakia across various sectors. He also reiterated China's firm stance on defending multilateralism and free trade, and vowed to further advance China-Slovakia and China-European Union relations. Sakova expressed Slovakia's high regard for its bilateral relations with China and stated her country's willingness to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as economy, trade and investment, and further advance bilateral ties. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The People's Republic of China and Iceland on Tuesday issued a joint statement on further strengthening cooperation on geothermal energy and green transition in Beijing. Please see the attachment for the full text of the statement. Full text: Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and Iceland on Further Strengthening Cooperation on Geothermal Energy and Green Transition ISLAMABAD, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A security personnel was killed in a terrorist attack on a polio vaccination team in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said Tuesday. According to a police statement, the slain personnel was guarding two female polio workers in the Matta area of Swat District when unidentified gunmen opened fire, killing him on the spot. The polio workers were unharmed. The banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack. Security forces launched a search operation following the incident. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the family of the slain officer. "Such terrorist acts targeting public health efforts are intolerable," he said, adding that the nationwide campaign will continue with "full determination." The assault came a day after Pakistan launched its fourth national polio drive of 2025, aiming to immunize over 45 million children. Over 285 police personnel have been deployed nationwide to protect vaccination teams. Pakistan is one of the last countries where wild poliovirus remains endemic. NPP to probe | IMPHAL, Oct 13: The National People's Party (NPP) has set up a fact finding committee to investigate the demolition of the historic Rajbari in Shillong recently. The fact-finding committee has MLA Kh Loken Singh as the chairman, and the party's key functionaries including RK Rameshwar Singh, Russel Heisnam, Ratika Yumnam and U Ramesh Singh as members. The committee will submit its report and recommendations within 15 days, said an order issued by the NPP Manipur State president Y Joykumar today. The Rajbari in Redlands is the place where Maharaja Bodhchandra signed the Manipur Merger Agreement on September 21, 1949. The historic building was dismantled for reconstruction, the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) had recently clarified. This clarification came a day after NPP chief and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma had said that his Government had no role in the demolition of the Rajbari. Chen Guobin is an employee of the property management company at Linhuan Coal Preparation Plant, part of the Huaibei Mining Group. He began learning paper-cutting at the age of seven, and over the past 50 years, he has remained unwavering in his pursuit of preserving and innovating this art form, aspiring to carry forward and promote the excellence of traditional Chinese culture. In his spare time, Chen has founded the Huaibei Paper-Cutting Art Association and has conducted over 500 free paper-cutting classes in his studio, training more than 2,500 students. To date, he has created over 10,000 paper-cutting artworks. He actively participates in cultural outreach activities, bringing this intangible cultural heritage into communities, schools and enterprises through more than 200 events. His works have been exhibited in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and the National Art Museum of China, featured in media outlets such as "People's Daily Overseas Edition" and "Anhui Daily", and are now part of the collection at the China Paper-Cutting Art Museum. Chen has been honored with titles including "Anhui Provincial Master of Arts and Crafts," "Anhui Provincial Outstanding Folk Culture Inheritor," and "Huaibei Good Samaritan." Paper-cutting, also known as "window flowers" or "scissor flowers," is a folk art that involves cutting or carving patterns into paper with scissors or engraving knives. It is used to decorate daily life or as part of various folk activities. Chen's grandmother was renowned in her village as a skilled paper-cutting artist. Each of her works was imbued with deep emotion and heartfelt blessings. Whenever villagers needed paper-cuttings for windows or shoe patterns, she would gladly offer her help. Young Chen Guobin would often sit by her side, his curious eyes sparkling with boundless fascination for the art of paper-cutting. "The work reflects the artist; paper-cutting demands heart and soul." This was a phrase often repeated by his mother, Shi Jinying, who had inherited her own mother's skill with scissors. After marriage, she would often create patterns, double-happiness characters, and window flowers for neighbors. "Back in the mining community, whenever there was a wedding, people would seek my mother's help with paper-cuttings," Chen Guobin recalled. "Whatever she promised, she would handle with meticulous care and deliver on time, never letting anyone down." Guided by his mother's words and example, Chen quietly resolved to master the craft himself and share the charm of paper-cutting with more people. He was not yet eight years old that year. Initially, Chen learned the basic techniques of traditional embroidery and paper-cutting from older family members, studying and analyzing works from instructional books. As his skills and horizons expanded, he traveled extensively to seek guidance from renowned painters and paper-cutting artists, journeying through Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanxi, Shanghai, Beijing, and beyond. "Mr. Guobin's works capture the appearance, carve the form, and reveal the spirit, forming a paper-cutting style and distinctive feature that is natural, fresh, and elegant." This is the evaluation many master paper-cutting artists have of his works. With nothing more than an engraving knife and a sheet of paper, Chen Guobin's world is both simple and richly profound. Chen Guobin's paper-cutting artistry excels not only through its technical mastery but also through his unique understanding and perception of the art. He integrates elements from traditional painting, opera and folk art into his works, pouring his "inner reflections" into every cut and carve. Many of his pieces have been collected by institutions like the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum (CTCM) and have been gifted or sold to regions including the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Germany, Hong Kong (China), Macao (China), and Taiwan (China), allowing the world to witness the unique charm of Chinese paper-cutting art. Chen himself has won over 80 awards in national competitions. In 2017, he was designated as the representative inheritor of the "Chen's Paper-Cutting," a Huaibei municipal-level intangible cultural heritage project. Chen Guobin is not only willing to teach but has also committed to doing so free of charge. He assures all who come to learn from him, "Anyone who comes to me with genuine sincerity to learn will not be charged any fee. I teach for free." Leveraging the "Master of Arts and Crafts Studio," tailor-made for him by the Linhuan Coal Preparation Plant of Huaibei Mining Group, Chen teaches paper-cutting techniques. Over the years, he has led by example, traveling across the mining area to voluntarily teach coal miners, primary and secondary school students, and children in welfare centers. He has also offered free paper-cutting classes to Xizang students at Huaibei Vocational and Technical College, conducting over 100 sessions for more than 3,000 participants. To date, he has formally accepted 16 apprentices, two of whom have been recognized as inheritors of the "Chen's Paper-Cutting" intangible cultural heritage and as Masters of Arts and Crafts in Huaibei City. In October 2024, Chen Guobin accepted a friend's request to create a 5-meter-long paper-cutting scroll within 20 days. Despite suffering from a waist condition at the time, he ultimately decided to proceed against his family's advice, working diligently into the late hours each day. When his friend came to collect the finished piece and saw Chen struggling to stand due to the pain, he couldn't help but express heartfelt admiration. "To learn paper-cutting, one must first learn to be a good person," Chen often says. He believes that this art reflects the pursuit of truth, kindness, beauty, and sincerity. Only by integrating a beautiful soul with artistic skill can one truly grasp the essence of paper-cutting. On one occasion, learning that the Guangzhou Lions Club was auctioning donated artworks to support underprivileged students, Chen proactively reached out to the organizers and donated dozens of his own works. Among Chen's paper-cutting creations, red-themed works represent his most beloved and skilled domain. On the eve of National Day in 2024, he guided his students in completing the piece "Hard Work Strengthens the Nation", pouring his deep affection for the country and his reflections on a better life into each vivid artwork. A small pair of scissors, hands covered with calluses, and a lifelong bond with intangible cultural heritageover the past 50 years, Chen Guobin has not only achieved excellence in paper-cutting art but has also embraced cultural transmission as his mission. Through his actions, he has enabled more people to feel the charm and depth of Chinese culture, composing an inspiring story of dedication, integrity, and inheritance. Source: anhuinews.com This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows the explosion site in Castel d'Azzano, Verona, Italy. Three officers of Italy's carabinieri were killed and 15 others injured in a gas explosion in the country's north early Tuesday, local media reported. The blast occurred during an eviction operation involving police and firefighters, after three siblings filled the farmhouse with gas to resist the eviction following its foreclosure over long-standing debts, Ansa News Agency reported. (Xinhua) ROME, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Three officers of Italy's carabinieri were killed and 15 others injured in a gas explosion in the country's north early Tuesday, local media reported. The blast occurred during an eviction operation involving police and firefighters, after three siblings filled the farmhouse with gas to resist the eviction following its foreclosure over long-standing debts, Ansa News Agency reported. The victims were members of the special militarized team dispatched for the evacuation. Emergency crews were on site when the explosion occurred, resulting in multiple casualties, including military personnel, police officers and firefighters, local officials confirmed. "A terrible toll," said Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi in a national television interview, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to the "valor and daily sacrifice of those who serve the State and its citizens." Investigations into the cause and responsibility for the explosion are ongoing. The tragedy has sparked national mourning and calls for improved safety measures during high-risk operations. This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows the explosion site in Castel d'Azzano, Verona, Italy. Three officers of Italy's carabinieri were killed and 15 others injured in a gas explosion in the country's north early Tuesday, local media reported. The blast occurred during an eviction operation involving police and firefighters, after three siblings filled the farmhouse with gas to resist the eviction following its foreclosure over long-standing debts, Ansa News Agency reported. (Xinhua) Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin on Tuesday met separately with Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova, Iranian Vice President Zahra Behrouz Azar, and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Zulaykho Makhkamova, who are in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. In the meeting with Iotova, Shen, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, said that China-Bulgaria relations have made positive progress under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, and China stands ready to work with Bulgaria to further deepen cooperation in fields such as culture, education, and women's all-round development. Iotova underlined the significance of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, expressing the country's readiness to continue promoting practical cooperation between the two countries in areas including women's rights protection. When meeting with Behrouz Azar, Shen noted that China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Iran, and under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, join hands to push China-Iran relations toward greater progress. Behrouz Azar highly commended the development of bilateral relations, saying that Iran is willing to deepen cooperation with China in various fields for the benefit of the two peoples. During her meeting with Makhkamova, Shen said that China is ready to work with Uzbekistan to fully implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen cooperation in various fields including women's development, and jointly build a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future. Makhkamova lauded China's progress in advancing women's development, saying that Uzbekistan stands ready to take the implementation of the meeting outcomes as an opportunity to jointly promote the development of women's cause. Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with Iranian Vice President Zahra Behrouz Azar, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with Iranian Vice President Zahra Behrouz Azar, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Zulaykho Makhkamova, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, meets with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Zulaykho Makhkamova, who is here for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Prime Minister of Mozambique Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Tuesday met with Prime Minister of Mozambique Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China will continue to consolidate political mutual trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields with Mozambique through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. He also urged efforts to elevate the China-Mozambique comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership to a new level. Levi said Mozambique cherishes its friendship with China and is grateful for the support that China has provided for its national independence and economic and social development. Mozambique is willing to expand the practical cooperation with China in various fields, Levi added. A document to support the recently-reached Gaza ceasefire deal was signed in Egypt on Monday by the deal's four mediators, though without the attendance of either Israel or Hamas. #GLOBALink This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows a welcome message for the "Istanbul Bridge," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, at Port of Felixstowe in Britain. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) FELIXSTOWE, Britain, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Thanks to the shorter voyage, carbon emissions are significantly lower, contributing to global climate goals and sustainable development. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. Li Xiaobin, chief operating officer of Sea Legend Line Limited, which operates the route, said at the quayside that the ship is primarily carrying goods such as lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products, as the sea and temperature conditions along the route are well-suited for heat-sensitive and time-critical cargo. "The low temperatures help preserve certain high-tech components, and the calmer seas during navigation mean less vessel movement, reducing friction and the risk of damage to precision parts," he said, The maritime service uses the Arctic's Northeast Passage to reach Europe directly. Li said that after exiting that passage, the vessel encountered Storm Amy in the Norwegian Sea on Oct. 8 and reduced speed for safety, arriving in Felixstowe two days later than planned. "This has been an exhilarating voyage in my 18 years as a captain," captain Zhong Desheng told Xinhua, adding that he was "thrilled" to lead his crew to port. He said the company began preparing for the route three years ago, including vessel hardware upgrades and systematic training for the crew. "We navigate this route with a deep sense of respect and caution," the captain said. "There's a certain pressure that comes with the great responsibility we carry, but with thorough preparation and strong support, we're fully confident in completing the voyage safely." Li said the company has also improved the accuracy of meteorological navigation forecasts for the vessel,laying a solid foundation for the success of this trial voyage. According to Sea Legend Line Limited, the Arctic Northeast Passage links East Asia and Europe and is emerging as a new trunk line for international shipping, with potential to streamline global supply chains and bolster trade along the route. Fang Yi, the company's chief executive officer, said that the Arctic route offers faster transit times and helps improve efficiency across the logistics supply chain. "By using this route, inventory levels can be reduced by as much as 40 percent, significantly cutting capital costs. A faster supply chain means we can respond more quickly to market demand and stay ahead of the competition." The shipping line will see more ice-classed ships in 2026 and have a fixed summer schedule for service, he noted, adding that during the winter non-navigable period, the company plans to accelerate the development of its express service to Eastern Europe. This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows the "Istanbul Bridge (R)," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, arriving at Port of Felixstowe in Britain. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows the "Istanbul Bridge," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, arriving at Port of Felixstowe in Britain. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) "Istanbul Bridge," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, unloads cargo at Port of Felixstowe in Britain, Oct. 13, 2025. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows the "Istanbul Bridge," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, arriving at Port of Felixstowe in Britain. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) "Istanbul Bridge," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, unloads cargo at Port of Felixstowe in Britain, Oct. 13, 2025. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows the "Istanbul Bridge," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, arriving at Port of Felixstowe in Britain. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows a cargo unloading ceremony held for the "Istanbul Bridge," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, at Port of Felixstowe in Britain. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows the "Istanbul Bridge," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, arriving at Port of Felixstowe in Britain. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) This photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows the "Istanbul Bridge," the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route, arriving at Port of Felixstowe in Britain. After a 20-day voyage, the first vessel on the China-Europe Arctic container express route arrived Monday night at the Port of Felixstowe in east England. The route offers a clear time advantage versus roughly 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, about 40 days via the Suez Canal and some 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. Named "Istanbul Bridge," the container ship departed from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China, carrying about 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. It will discharge its load at ports in Britain, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Li Ying) Biscuit and snacks major Unibic Foods named Ajay Bathija as its Chief Executive Officer, the company announced today. "In his new role, Ajay will lead Unibics strategic growth initiatives, drive business expansion across domestic and international markets and strengthen the companys position in Indias competitive packaged foods industry," it said in an official statement. Before joining Unibic, Bathija handled "several senior leadership roles" at The Coca-Cola Company for over 18 years, including leading marketing ops and strategies for India and the Southwest Asia market. He also served as the Managing Director at Coca-Cola, Bangladesh. Unibic Board Chairman Sandeep Reddy hailed the incoming CEOs "experience in brand building, consumer marketing and franchise leadership." "We are confident that Ajays leadership will steer the company towards exceptional metrics and innovation while expanding our presence in both Indian and global markets," added Reddy. Bathija welcomed the leadership role, noting the latest GST reforms creating a more favourable environment, making it "an opportune time to accelerate Unibics growth momentum." The incoming CEO looks to lift Unibics product portfolio, expanding its market presence. A few months after France expressed interest in the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launch (MBRL) system with a top French Army official saying that the weapon system is "very interesting", reports say that the country is looking at long-range systems and drones that were used by the Indian Army. In November, the French Army's Brigadier General Stephane Richou had expressed interest in Pinaka, saying, We are evaluating Pinaka because we need a system like that and we are evaluating this among the other systems of the highest countries... This is much more than a business partnership; this is cooperation." "For us, the industry of Indian defence is very effective. We are looking at the capacities offered by India as much as we are looking at the capacities of the highest countries providing equipment," he had then said. #WATCH | Delhi: On France evaluating Made-in-India Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems for its requirements, French Army's Brigadier General Stephane Richou says, "We are sharing equipment. When I see the level of individual integration for the development of this pic.twitter.com/zowhmYBUnh ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2024 Now, French Army chief General Pierre Schill, who is in India for the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave being hosted by India in Delhi, told his Indian counterpart that he is interested in looking at systems used by the Indian Army because it is a time when the French forces are renewing their own long-range artillery systems, according to a report in Economic Times. The French side is reportedly impressed by the performances of India's weapon systems, including long-range systems and drones, during Operation Sindoor, as Gen Gill said, "The Indian Army is using those systems very accurately because of your industry and because of the way they are able to adapt them to operations. And what we have seen in Operation Sindoor is very important," according to ET. He could possibly have been referring to the Pinaka systems, in which the French side has already shown interest, as Gen Schill said, while the two countries can cooperate in all domains of warfare, of particular interest is loitering munitions and long-range systems. The shoot and scoot Pinaka MBRL, designed to deliver a large volume of fire within a very short time against critical and sensitive area targets, played a decisive role in Operation Sindoor as India used them for targeted, cross-LoC retaliatory strikes. "The two Chiefs reaffirmed the robust Indo-French strategic partnership, with discussions on expanding joint training exercises, counter-terrorism cooperation and defence technology collaboration. Both sides emphasised the need for enhanced interoperability in UN peacekeeping operations. #UNTCC2025 #IndiaAtUN #UNPeacekeeping #GlobalSecurity #VasudhaivaKutumbakam," the Indian Army said in a tweet. On the sidelines of #UNTCC2025, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS met General Mario Rafael Stevenazzi, Commander-in-Chief, Uruguayan Army. In his interaction, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi lauded Uruguays significant role in UN peacekeeping and proposed avenues for further enhancing pic.twitter.com/19gRGit6Av ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) October 13, 2025 India and France have a robust defence relationship marked by strategic partnership, joint military exercises, deepening technology collaborations, and increasing interest in co-development of advanced weapon systems and platforms. A Reuters report had recently said France is in advanced talks with India to buy the rocket launcher system. The potential sale would be a shot in the arm for the defence industry as France is India's second-largest arms supplier. ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in Madagascar, calling for restraint and dialogue to end ongoing protests. The chairperson made the call during an urgent session of the AU Peace and Security Council, according to a statement issued on Monday. Youssouf reaffirmed the AU's firm rejection of any unconstitutional change of government and called on all Malagasy actors -- civil, military and political -- to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue within the constitutional framework. He said that the AU stands ready, in coordination with the Southern African Development Community and the Indian Ocean Commission to support a peaceful, inclusive and African-led solution to the crisis. Protests erupted in Madagascar in late September, initially triggered by widespread power outages and water shortages. The demonstrations have since escalated, taking on a political dimension with calls for government reform and leadership change. In a statement on Sunday, the Malagasy Presidency said that an "attempt to seize power illegally and by force" was underway in Madagascar. It called on all the vital forces of the nation to "rally together to defend the constitutional order and national sovereignty." On Monday, Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina said in a video posted on social media that he has taken refuge in a "safe location" to ensure his security after an assassination attempt against him. Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi said that peacekeeping today is facing challenges from shifting geopolitical currents, which are straining the consensus in the United Nations. He made the statement while addressing the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave in New Delhi. General Dwivedi said that the global order is at an inflexion point and is marked by over 56 active conflicts and the involvement of nearly 90 nations. He highlighted that newer technology, influences of non-state actors, hybrid warfare methods, and disinformation have made conflicts more complex than they used to be. "The infusion of disruptive technologies, the growing influence of non-state actors, hybrid warfare, and the scourge of disinformation have blurred the traditional boundaries of conflict, he said. VIDEO | Delhi: Addressing the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs' Conclave, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi says, "Peacekeeping today faces challenges of unprecedented scale and complexity. The global order is almost an inflexion point pic.twitter.com/gnvAJoJjBF Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 14, 2025 Such realities demand more resilient, swift, and unified responses that only peacekeepers, working together, can deliver. He said this while addressing the leadership of 32 troop-contributing nations who together provide nearly two-thirds of all peacekeepers deployed worldwide. Dwivedi also said that the UN troops must be ready for reduced funding for their missions. Reduced funding for UN missions will be a reality, and thus missions have to be planned with fewer boots on the ground and more reliance on tech, he said. He also said that with more technology, peacekeeping will become more about prevention rather than having troops on the ground. With reduced numbers on the ground, we could also visualise UN Peacekeeping moving more towards preventive diplomacy and sustainable peacebuilding, not just armed presence. That is where militaries can contribute to negotiations. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says, "We must be future-ready, which requires both bold imagination and practical adaptability..." United Nations Troop Contributing Countries Chiefs Conclave, #UNTCC2025 in #NewDelhi.#COAS also stresses the need to integrate pic.twitter.com/qSLzTYHg9v All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 14, 2025 The general highlighted Indias role in the peacekeeping missions. He said that India, as one of the largest contributors to peacekeeping, has sent approx 300,000 (three hundred thousand) men and women across 51 missions out of the total 71 peacekeeping missions of the UN. These include our early deployments in Korea (1950) and Congo (1960) to the current deployment in 09 out of 11 ongoing missions." According to him the troops who served with unflinching resolve are always willing to share their invaluable experience with everyone. He further emphasised this by talking about equipment that was developed by the country for its operations. He said, We will also showcase indigenous equipment designed for peacekeeping operations, and we are prepared to share such capabilities with interested partners. In the same vein, we are also ready to adopt best practices from all countries." Dwivedi called the opportunity to host the conference in Delhi a privilege and said that it was a reaffirmation of our shared determination to strengthen cooperation and carry forward the noble mission of global peace. He said that it reflected the countrys ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakamthe world is one familyand that of Vishwa BandhuIndia as a friend to all. The Indian Army is hosting the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave in New Delhi, beginning on Tuesday until 16 October 2025, bringing together senior military leadership of over 30 nations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also addressed the conclave. The conclave is being held to address operational challenges, evolving threats, interoperability, inclusivity in decision-making, and the role of technology and training in strengthening UN peacekeeping, according to a government press release. The conclave aims to reinforce collective commitment to global peace and security. India intends to put on hold plans to build three Scorpene-class submarines of French origin at Mazagon Docks (MDL) in favour of more advanced German-origin submarines. According to a TOI report, the state-run firm is planning to build six diesel-electric stealth submarines of German origin at its facility at a cost of over Rs 70,000 crore. Government sources told TOI that a final call on scrapping the French-origin submarines is yet to be taken. Sources, however, have indicated that the plan for three Scorpene submarines is not being pursued for now. The decision to put on hold the French-origin project is in view of the fact that the German submarines are deemed "a generation ahead." Besides, according to the source, it would be difficult for MDL to handle two different, complex submarine projects at the same time. According to TOI, the German-origin subs, built under 'Project-75India (P-75I), in partnership with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), will have air-independent propulsion (AIP) system and other such new-gen technologies and will come with transfer of technology. The Scorpene submarines built by MDL do not currently have AIP systems, but will be retrofitted to ensure that they are capable of operating underwater for significantly longer periods of time without needing to surface or snorkel for atmospheric oxygen. The decision to opt for the German submarines was taken after extensive talks with the defence ministry, the Indian Navy, and Natiional Security Council among others. "These new-generation boats under P-75I will come with design ToT (transfer of technology) and a greater indigenisation level of around 60 per cent. The project will serve as a bridge to the future P-76, under which conventional submarines will be constructed based on totally indigenous design, TOI quoted a source as saying. A 53-year-old man became the citys 43rd deceased organ donor of 2025 after his family consented to donate his liver, kidneys and corneas at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, on October 13. The organs were retrieved and allocated as per state guidelines under the supervision of the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC), Mumbai. The donors liver and kidneys have given a new lease of life to three patients battling end-stage organ failure, while corneas will restore sight to two others. This act of generosity from one family has transformed multiple lives, said Sangeetha Desai, Administrative Officer and Transplant Coordinator, ZTCC Mumbai. It also adds to the growing awareness and willingness among citizens to donate organs. Milestone in Mumbai's organ donation ecosystem According to ZTCC data, the city saw a 20 per cent rise in deceased organ donations in 2024, the highest since the pandemic. That year, Mumbai recorded 60 brain-stem-dead (BSD) donors, up from 50 in 2023, leading to the retrieval of 162 organs including 93 kidneys, 51 livers, 8 hearts, 7 lungs, and 2 pancreas. According to the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC) Mumbai, the city recorded 41 deceased organ donors as of October 6, 2025, following 60 in 2024 and 50 in 2023 reflecting a moderate dip this year after last years post-pandemic peak. In 2024, Mumbai saw 177 organ transplants (including 93 kidneys and 55 livers), up from 166 in 2023, before tapering to 129 transplants so far in 2025. While the decline may partly be attributed to the mid-year reporting window, the overall three-year trend points to a sustained strengthening of the citys cadaver donation network compared to pre-Covid levels. Experts say the data underscores both the gains made through policy reform and hospital coordination, and the continuing need for awareness to maintain year-round donor identification. Experts attribute the upswing to better hospital coordination, awareness drives, and policy support from the state government. As per experts from ZTCC, each donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation, and tissue donations can benefit several more. To sustain the momentum, the Maharashtra government last year approved a plan to upgrade 25 state-run medical colleges with critical care units and trained transplant staff. Seven of these, including Mumbais JJ Hospital and KEM Hospital, are being developed as nodal transplant centres. KEM has already appointed three critical care specialists to help identify potential donors in intensive care units a step that experts believe will significantly boost cadaver donations in public hospitals. Despite progress, Indias overall organ donation rate remains at around 0.8 donors per million population, far behind countries such as Spain (46) or the US (36). Mumbais experience, however, suggests that targeted awareness campaigns and hospital preparedness can make a difference. Families play the most crucial role, say doctors. Their decision to donate, often made during moments of profound grief, is what keeps this system alive. For the recipients who benefited from the 53-year-old donors organs this week, that decision has meant a new chance at life. And for Mumbai, it is another reminder that every individual donor adds up strengthening a city thats fast emerging as a leader in organ donation and transplant coordination in India. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hosted a dinner party for his cabinet colleagues at his official residence Cauvery in Bengaluru on Monday night amid speculations of an imminent cabinet reshuffle. The dinner meeting came weeks ahead of the Congress government completing two-and-a-half years in power. Quoting sources, the IANS news agency reported that the ministers discussed the cabinet reshuffle, elections to the Bengaluru civic agency, the caste census, RSS activities in the state and the Bihar assembly elections. Siddaramaiah reportedly told ministers that they should be ready to give up their positions if required and involve themselves in organisational work. The chief minister also asked them to focus on their work and not worry too much about losing their posts. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also attended the dinner, but left early, according to reports. #WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah hosts dinner for the ministers. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and other ministers arrive at his residence pic.twitter.com/UnfDjMinae ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2025 Minister Ramalinga Reddy, however, said no discussion was held on the cabinet reshuffle and that the only agenda of the meeting was the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Zilla Panchayat (ZP), and Taluk Panchayat (TP) elections. It may be noted that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were contenders for the chief minister post after Congress won the 2023 assembly elections. When the Congress high command chose Siddaramaiah for the top post, there were reports that Shivakumar had agreed to an understanding under which he would be made the chief minister after two and a half years. The Congress leadership has never publicly acknowledged such an arrangement as being in existence. Moreover, Siddaramaiah has stated on several occasions that he will complete his five-year term as the chief minister. Shivakumar's camp, however, maintains that, as per the power-sharing agreement, Siddaramaiah is expected to step down next month, sparking rumours of a 'November Revolution' in the Congress party. According to reports, Siddaramaiahs dinner party was aimed at sending out a strong message that he remains in command of the state unit amid these talks of a leadership change. The Chandigarh Police has issued a notice to IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, the wife of late IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, asking her to hand over her husband's laptop to the investigation team. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged suicide of Kumar believes that the laptop may contain vital information, including the original draft of the suicide note. The probe team wants to send the device to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for digital examination to verify the authenticity of the suicide note, which Kumar sent to some of his colleagues before his death, reports said. The SIT also aims to examine how many people received the mail and the exact time it was sent. The investigators believe that the forensic examination of the laptop would help in establishing the sequence of events leading up to the officers death. Kumar, a 2001-batch IPS officer, allegedly shot himself dead on October 7. In his suicide note, he accused eight senior IPS officers of "blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation and atrocities. Meanwhile, the state government sent State DGP Shatrujeet Kapur on leave on Monday, days after Narendra Bijarniya, the then Rohtak Superintendent of Police, was transferred. Both Bijarniya and Kapur have been named in Kumars suicide note, and the late officers family has been demanding their arrest. The incident has sparked a political firestorm in the state, with the opposition Congress stepping up its attack on the BJP dispensation and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, demanding action on the matter. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is likely to meet the family of Kumar on Tuesday. Haryana Police have tightened security across the state as the suicide of Dalit IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar sparked a wave of protests. A heavy police force has been deployed outside the officers residence in Chandigarh, while one side of the road has been closed to the public. The government has also issued a state-wide alert to ensure law and order and communal harmony, instructing all field officers and staff to be fully prepared for any situation. VIDEO | Chandigarh: After meeting the family of Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, It is a tragedy. He was an IPS officer. Haryana CM assured the family that justice would be done, but three days have passed with pic.twitter.com/PpsBZjlPhD Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 14, 2025 The directives were issued by the General Administration Department (Political Branch) on behalf of the Chief Secretary to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Haryana DGP, and all Police Commissioners, IGPs, and DCs/SPs of all districts for compliance with these directions. "All concerned officers are hereby directed to maintain close coordination with local organisations and community leaders, monitor the situation continuously and initiate all measures required to uphold peace and public order, said the government order. It also directed the local authorities to promptly address any developments having the potential to disturb harmony. The order came in the wake of protests organised by some Dalit outfits and opposition parties at different places in Haryana, demanding strict action against the accused. Kumar, a 2001-batch IPS officer, allegedly shot himself dead on October 7. In his suicide note, he accused eight senior IPS officers of "blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation and atrocities. Rahul meets family Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, met the family of the late IPS officer in Chandigarh on Tuesday, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to act immediately in the case. LoP Shri @RahulGandhi visited the residence of late Shri Y. Puran Kumar (IPS) in Chandigarh today to offer his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Haryana IPS officer Shri Y. Puran Kumar was compelled to take his own life after facing caste-based discrimination. The pic.twitter.com/FvJ2V79qEj Congress (@INCIndia) October 14, 2025 Talking to reporters, Gandhi said Kumar's death is not just about the respect of one family but all Dalits. "A wrong message is being sent out to Dalits... that no matter how successful you are, if you are Dalit, you can be oppressed and crushed," the Congress leader said. He also claimed that there was a lot of pressure on Kumar's family, particularly his two daughters. Family demands arrests The Haryana government has sent State DGP Shatrujeet Kapur on leave and transferred Rohtak's Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya. The two officers had been named in the note allegedly written by Kumar before his death. The officer's family, while seeking their arrest, has refused to give consent for a post-mortem and cremation until its demands are addressed. Without releasing an official announcement on the seat sharing in the Mahagathbandhan alliance, RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav began giving away the party tickets to candidates in Patna on Monday evening. However, a few hours after the party symbols were given way, they were snatched right back by his son, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Lalu Yadav had distributed the symbols right after he landed in Patna from Delhi. Some of the leaders of the party had arrived at his wifes residence on Monday evening. He chose to give them to some of the stronger candidates in the party, reportedly to put pressure on Congress so that they would make up their minds on seat sharing within the Mahagathbandhan alliance as soon as possible. Some of the leaders who received their party tickets were Bhai Virendra, the party's current MLA from Maner assembly seat, Rekha Paswan, candidate from Masaurhi, Bogo Singh, candidate from Matihani seat of Begusarai, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, MLA from Parbatta, Rajesh Kumar, candidate from Hathua, and Deepu Singh, candidate from Sandesh Assembly Constituency. Soon afterward, his son arrived in Patna from Delhi late at night. Tejasjwi Yadav, who had just met with the Congress leaders, summoned the candidates right back to the residence, and the tickets were taken away around midnight. Images show a crowd hanging out at the residence late at night. According to sources to spoke to local media, Congress leaders had expressed their displeasure at Lalu Yadavs decision to take matters into his own hands, to his son. The party is yet to announce its candidates or assign its own tickets to them. The RJD leaders who got caught up in the middle of the father-son disagreement refrained from commenting on the matter. Some even covered for the duo; Ashraf Fatmi said that the images online of them receiving the party symbol were AI generated. As for Tejashwi, he had just returned from an inconclusive meeting with the Congress leaders. He had told the party that the alliance could not move ahead under the current circumstances and left the meeting saying, I will see and respond. According to sources, the RJD is willing to give the party their claim of 61 seats, but drew the line at them asking for specific seats like Kahalgaon, Narkatiaganj, Warisaliganj, Chainpur, and Bachhwara assembly seats. Congress had held the seat at Kahagaon, which has a large Muslim population, nine times until 2015. The poll in Bihar will take place on November 6 and 11, and the results will be declared on November 14. Senior Naxalite Mallojula Venugopal, alias Sonu/Bhupathi, was among the 61 Naxalite cadres that surrendered before the police in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, officials said on Tuesday. The Naxalites turned themselves in to the Maharashtra police late on Monday night, an official said, as per a PTI report, adding that those who surrendered included a member of the central committee, as well as 10 members of a divisional committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist). 70-year-old Venugopal was considered one of the most influential Maoist strategists in the organisation, and had long supervised platoon operations along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, the report added, citing unnamed sources. More specifically, Bhupathi was a Politburo and Central Military Commission member: he was the ideological head of the party, and a link between the forests of Chhattisgarh and the outside world, an Indian Express report said, citing intelligence sources. However, differences of opinion between him and the Naxalite top brass in recent months led to internal conflict, the sources added. While surrendering, Venugopal appealed for a shift towards peace and dialogue, citing diminishing public support and the loss of hundreds of cadresall of which contributed to the failure of the armed movement. Other leaders in the organisation, however, reportedly disagreed with him, deciding to continue the fight under another leader. This led the central Naxal leadership to pressurise him to step down. He eventually agreed to lay down his arms, announced his exit from the Maoist outfit, and surrendered with some of his followers to Maharashtra's Gadchiroli police. Over the past few months, the Gadchiroli district has seen a steady set of Naxalites surrendering before the police, which includes Bhupathi's wife Tarakka's surrender earlier this year. She was a member of the CPI (Maoist)s Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee. A delegation of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders on Tuesday met state Chief Election Officer S. Chockalingam and his deputy Dinesh Waghmare and raised six questions, including why political parties have had no access to the electoral rolls prepared for the upcoming municipal and zilla parishad elections. The delegation comprised Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Aditya Thackeray, and senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, among others. For the first time, the MVA delegation was joined by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, leading to speculations about whether Raj and his party were planning to join MVA ahead of municipal elections in the state. Leaders from Maharashtra, including Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar and other party leaders, met the State Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam. pic.twitter.com/IZ384h84BI ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2025 Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said they had invited even Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to be part of the delegation so that it could become an all-party delegation demanding free and fair municipal and ZP polls in Maharashtra. The delegation demanded that municipal elections should be conducted using ballot papers if the Election Commission was unable to provide VVPAT details along with EVMs. The delegation also demanded that people and political parties must know the list of names that have been omitted and for what reason. They also said the list of newly registered voters after last year's assembly elections must be made available to political parties. The delegation felt that July 1, 2025, should not be a cut-off date for inclusion in the voter list. The EC office said those who have completed 18 years on July 1, 2025, will be eligible to vote in the municipal elections. The delegation demanded that all those who have completed 18 years before the date of actual voting should be allowed to vote. The delegation also wanted the EC office to de-register second-time voters. The MVA parties felt that cities like Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Nashik get workers from outside the state in large numbers. These workers are registered as voters in their home states as well as cities where they work in Maharashtra. This double registration should be avoided as voting in different states is not permitted. Digha, one of the prominent assembly constituencies in Patna district, will witness a tight fight, with the INDI Alliance fielding deceased actor Sushant Singh Rajputs cousin, Divya Gautham, in the seat. Gautham is reportedly set to enter the fray as a CPI(ML) candidate against sitting MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia, a veteran BJP leader and son of veteran BJP leader and former Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad. Reports of Divyas candidature come despite the Opposition alliance still not announcing the seat-sharing deal. Divya is a well-known stage artist and is a social activist who could appeal to women voters. Her association with young voters of the All-India Students Association, the students organisation of the CPI(ML), could also work in her favour. She could also tap on the anti-incumbency factor prevalent against Chaurasia. By fielding Divya, the CPI(ML) also hopes that the fresh face could give it a new identity. But taking on sitting MLA Chaurasia is no cakewalk. BJP's incumbent MLA, who won from Digha for two consecutive terms in 2015 and 2020, is the son of veteran BJP leader and former Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad. As the NDA is ready to release the candidate list today, it is almost certain that the BJP will field Chaurasia from Digha, despite the JD(U) staking claims for the seat. JD(U), the prominent NDA ally, believes that it is a traditional JDU seat and their candidate will contest from here based on the work of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The Digha Assembly seat, the largest Assembly constituency in Patna district with over 485,000 voters, came into existence after delimitation in 2008. Previously, the seat was known as Patna West, where Naveen Sinha, father of Nitin Naveen, the current MLA from Bankipur, served as MLA. He also served for a long time. Following the new delimitation, the first assembly elections for this seat were held in 2010, and the seat went to the JDU. However, in the 2015 assembly elections, the BJP wrested the seat from the JDU. In the 2015 elections, Sanjeev Chaurasia of the BJP defeated Rajiv Ranjan Prasad of the JDU by 24,779 votes. At that time, the JD(U) was with the Mahagathbandhan. In 2020, CPIML candidate Shashi Kumar of the Grand Alliance lost by around 49,000 votes. BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday urged the U.S. side to correct its wrongdoings as soon as possible, show sincerity for trade talks, and work with China in the same direction. A spokesperson for the ministry made the remarks when commenting on the U.S. claim that China had postponed a suggested phone call to discuss its recent rare earth export controls and that the two sides should find a way to restore a stable situation. Two militants were killed on Tuesday when the Army foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector of north Kashmirs Kupwara district, officials said. The soldiers posted near the LoC spotted suspicious movement and opened fire. In the ensuing encounter, two infiltrators were killed. "Based on specific intelligence input by JKP & corroborated by sources and agencies, regarding a likely infiltration attempt, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police in Machhal Sector, Kupwara on 13 Oct 2025," the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said in a post on X. "Alert troops spotted suspicious activity and challenged, which resulted in terrorists opening indiscriminate fire. Troops responded with effective fire, neutralising two terrorists. A large quantity of weapons and equipment was recovered," it added. OP AMAR, Kupwara Based on specific intelligence input by JKP & corroborated by sources and agencies, regarding likely infiltration attempt, a joint operation was launched by #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice in Machhal Sector, Kupwara on 13 Oct 2025. Alert troops spotted suspicious pic.twitter.com/sITgc5mALN Chinar Corps - Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) October 14, 2025 A search operation is continuing in the area to ensure no other militants are hiding nearby. The encounter comes days after an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Beeranthub area under the Kandi Police Station in the Rajouri district. Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had directed security forces to remain on high alert and ensure that the terrorists do not take advantage of the adverse weather conditions with the onset of winter. After two years of relentless conflict, Israel and Hamas took significant steps on Monday towards ending the war in Gaza, with a major prisoner exchange under a diplomatic push led by President Donald Trump. The highlight of the day was the implementation of the first phase of Trumps 20-point peace plan, which saw Hamas release the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages. Israel kept its side of the bargain by freeing nearly 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The exchange led to scenes of celebration among both Israelis and Palestinians. The moment of relief was, however, clouded by controversy as Hamas returned the remains of only four deceased hostages, while the remains of 28 were expected. Trump was undoubtedly at the centre of the days dramatic developments, declaring the end of hostilities. He delivered a forceful message of victory and peace, describing the ceasefire as a historic success. He took credit for orchestrating what he described as one of the most difficult diplomatic achievements in recent memory, framing it as part of his legacy as a peacemaker on the world stage. Trumps Middle East trip began in Jerusalem, where he addressed the Israeli Knesset. Lawmakers received him as a hero, with chants of his name echoing through the chamber. Some members wore hats bearing the phrase Trump the Peace President. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered high praise, calling Trump the greatest friend Israel had ever had in the White House. Trump urged Israeli leaders to move forward from war to peace, stating that Israel had won and should now seize the opportunity to build a stable and secure future. This is not only the end of war this is the end of an age of terror and death, he told the lawmakers. Israel, with our help, has won all that it can by force of arms. Now its time to translate those victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East. In a surprising twist, he called on Israels president to pardon Netanyahu, who remains under investigation for corruption, inserting himself directly into the countrys domestic politics. Later in the day, Trump flew to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt for a peace summit attended by the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, along with a number of other world leaders. They signed a declaration supporting the ceasefire and committing to further cooperation on stabilising Gaza. Gaza will be demobilised, Hamas will be disarmed, and Israels security will no longer be threatened, Trump told the world leaders. Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi awarded Trump the Order of the Nile, Egypts highest honour, in recognition of his diplomatic efforts. Trump used the summit to promote a vision of regional transformation, calling on long-time rivals, including Iran, to put aside past grievances and focus on building a peaceful future. It may be, however, not an easy task. While Trump insisted the war was over, Netanyahu adopted a more cautious tone, describing the peace deal as a proposal rather than a definitive end to the campaign. He emphasised Israels military achievements but stopped short of declaring total victory. His absence from the peace summit in Egypt, officially due to the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, further underlined the simmering tensions. Yesterdays ceasefire marks only the first phase of Trumps ambitious peace plan, and the most difficult challenges lie ahead. Israel will not permit Hamas to keep its arms and play any role in administering Gaza. It is unlikely to cede its current positions inside Gaza so long as the territorys network of tunnels and weapons is under Hamas control. But Hamas is unlikely to fold away quietly. The Trump plan envisages an Arab-led multinational security solution for Gaza, to be aided by a Palestinian police force devoid of any Hamas presence. Israel is likely to withdraw only after this new security regime is in place, making the timelines distant and unclear. Equally contentious is the question of governing Gaza. The Trump plan suggests an administration run by Palestinian technocrats overseen by an international body. There is even talk of involving the Palestinian Authority after internal reforms, though Netanyahu has long opposed this. Hamas, meanwhile, insists that any future government must emerge from within the Palestinian community itself. The reconstruction of Gaza is another formidable challenge. The territory is in ruins, with basic infrastructure destroyed completely. While many nations have pledged support to rebuild Gaza, it remains to be seen how it translates into action. Finally, the success of the truce will depend on Trumps commitment and steady involvement in the process. Things will collapse quickly if he loses interest and decides to move on. He has already hinted that his next focus will be on bringing peace to Ukraine. A Dubai court has directed former billionaire B.R. Shetty to pay around Rs 408.5 crore ($46 million) to the State Bank of India (SBI) after he lied under oath. The 83-year-old founder of the collapsed NMC Healthcare empire alleged that he did not sign the personal guarantee for a $50 million loan that was granted to NMC Healthcare in December 2018 and denied ever meeting the SBI's then-UAE CEO Anantha Shenoy who witnessed the signing. He went on to allege that his signature was forged, reported Gulf News. A Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) court called his claims "an incredible parade of lies" and that the evidence produced by Shetty was "incoherent and nonsensical". Justice Andrew Moran, in a 70-paragraph judgment, said, "I am bound to find that there is overwhelming witness and documentary evidence before me, which satisfies me that Mr Shetty has come before this Court and lied on oath in his multiple denials that he signed the Personal Guarantee." The judge directed the embattled businessman to award SBI an amount of $45,997,554.59, including interest to the judgement date and additional interest accruing at 9 per cent per annum until payment. Lies to evade liability Earlier, the businessman denied that he knew about the loan. But later, he was forced to admit that he was aware of the transaction after he was confronted with a May 2020 email sent by him. Photographs and meeting notes also contradicted Shetty's claims. However, he claimed that the officials must have "just come and stood there" while he posed for photos with Shenoy. He even made a bizarre claim that NMC employees once organised a contest to find out who could copy his signature best and that they gave a "prize for the winner". "It turns out and I so find, that he was fully aware of and had admitted he had signed the Personal Guarantee back in May 2020," the judge wrote, calling Shetty's explanation "false and discreditable manoeuvring to evade liability". The rise and fall of B.R. Shetty Shetty, who began his career as a medical representative, moved to Dubai at the age of 31 with just $8 in his pocket. He started by selling medicines from door to door and eventually went on to found the NMC, which was the UAE's first private healthcare provider. He later founded UAE Exchange and NMC Neopharma. However, in 2019, allegations by a US-based short-seller, Muddy Waters Research, proved to be a turning point in his business journey. Shetty's companies were accused of hiding massive $1 million debt and forging financial documents. With this, the share prices of his companies plunged and he was forced to sell his Rs 12,478 crore business for a meagre sum of Rs 74 to an Israeli-UAE consortium. Shetty quit NMC Health in 2020 and his accounts were frozen by the UAE government. His firms were also blacklisted, putting an end to his business empire. US President Donald Trump on Monday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and expressed hope that both India and Pakistan "are going to live very nicely together". He made the remarks while speaking at the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh, where Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also present. "India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top, and he has done a fantastic job. I think that Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together," Trump said. #WATCH | Egypt | US President Donald Trump says, "India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top and he has done a fantastic job. I think that Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together..." (Video source: The White House/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/rROPW57GCO ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2025 Trump also praised Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir as he invited the Pakistan PM to address the gathering. The US President's remarks came against the backdrop of heightened tension between New Delhi and Islamabad following a brief but intense military confrontation between the two countries in May. Trump has claimed several times in the past few months that he brokered a peace between India and Pakistan, even though India has rejected the role of any third party. "I settled a few of the wars just based on tariffs. For example, between India and Pakistan, I said, if you guys want to fight a war and you have nuclear weapons. I am going to put big tariffs on you both, like 100 per cent, 150 per cent, and 200 per cent," he had said while talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Israel on Sunday. MEA Official Spokesperson Randir Jaiswal tweets, "MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh, as a special representative of PM Narendra Modi attended the Gaza Peace Summit at Sharm el-Sheikh co-hosted by Presidents Donald Trump and Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. India welcomes the signing of the pic.twitter.com/GRK8qpXTmC ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2025 Sharif, in his address, praised Trump's efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. "Pakistan had nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his outstanding (and) extraordinary contributions to first stop the war between India and Pakistan and then achieve a ceasefire along with his very wonderful team," he said. While the negotiators were giving final touches to the last stages of discussion in the Gaza ceasefire deal, a crucial meeting happened between Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya at the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh. As per reports, it was this meeting, which also included Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, that was instrumental in breaking the stalemate and sealing the deal. While the negotiations centered around Trump's 20-point peace plan, both Witkoff and Hayya shared a heartfelt moment over a rather personal aspect of their lives: the loss of their sons. Kusher and Witkoff were given the green light by Trump to meet Hamas leaders if necessary to seal a deal. They conveyed this information to the Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators. Around 11 pm, Qatari mediators arrived at Witkoffs villa at the Four Seasons to inform that there was a stalemate in the talks. Soon after that, both Kushner and Witkoff walked into the villa where the Hamas delegation stayed. Witkoff, on meeting Hayya, offered his condolences over the killing of his son in Doha. Hayyas son Humam was killed in the Israeli airstrike in Doha, according to Middle East Eye. U.S. President Donald Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, along with Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas top negotiator, arrived Wednesday at Sharm el-Sheikh for the discussions. pic.twitter.com/h9Dk0KySWs danise (@danise_palmers) October 9, 2025 The attack was designed to kill Hayya along with other top Hamas officials, but he managed to escape unhurt. A week later, Hamas sent Hayya to negotiate with Israel. Witkoff spoke about his own late son, telling Hayya how much he understands the pain of losing a child. The US envoy told Hayya about his son Andrews death at 22 from an OxyContin overdose. Since then, I have dedicated myself to ending the suffering of others," Witkoff told Hayya, adding that this was a motivation for him to ensure the end of the war. The envoy later spoke about how he could feel the presence of his son Andrew in his emotional post on X. Bringing their bodies home is a must and an act of dignity and honors their memory forever. I cant help but feel the presence of my son Andrew at this moment, he added. It was Kushners turn to address Hayya. Trumps son-in-law said that he spoke as both Jewish and American and was committed to ending the war. "We insist on focusing on the issue of ending the war and completing the exchange of hostages, and want to avoid all matters that could hinder negotiations," Witkoff insisted. Kushner, who is US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, then said: We speak as both Jewish and American when we say we are committed to ensuring this is the end of the war. Both envoys reiterated Trumps determination to end the two-year conflict completely. Hayya also said that Hamas had always been willing to end the war and suffering in Gaza. A source later told US media Axios that the willingness of Witkoff and Kushner to meet Hayya and other leaders was instrumental in sealing the deal, despite the political risks involved. This is why when President Trump's envoys gave their word that this deal will be fully enforced, they believed it," sources told Axios. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday suddenly sparked laughs after addressing an otherwise serious 'Summit for Peace' at Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. LMAO! HOT MIC catches hilarious interaction between President Trump and Canada PM Carney CARNEY: "I'm glad you upgraded me to 'president!'" TRUMP: "Oh, did I say president? At least I didn't say GOVERNOR " Canada is never living down the 51st state talk pic.twitter.com/97hsMqDoUl Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 13, 2025 In his speech, he casually called Mark Carney the President of Canadarather than the Prime Ministerwhich first raised a few eyebrows in the room. "You have Canada. That's so great to have. In fact, the President called, and he wanted to know if it was worthwell, he knew exactly what it is. He knew the importance. Where's Canada, by the way? Where are you? He knew the importance of this," Trump said. You upgraded me to President, Carney joked, talking to Trump and United Kingdom PM Keir Starmer after the US President's address. A microphone (still switched on) caught their exchange, sparking laughs from those present, as well as netizens. The 79-year-old president instantly realised his error, smiled, and playfully poked Carney in response. "At least I didn't call you a governor," he said, taking a dig at himself; at the time he accidentally called Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, as the 'Governor' of the 'Great State of Canada'. It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada, Trump had said in a Truth Social post, dated December 2024. Honest I'm really impressed with how Carney is handling Trump, a Redditor pointed out. Comment byu/pheakelmatters from discussion inonguardforthee He always works in moments like these, an X user wrote, appreciating the humour. He always works in moments like these https://t.co/tgxKIUxsW4 Anthony Bazzo (@Bazzomanifesto) October 13, 2025 This looks positive. Trump seemed to appreciate the gesture. Let's hope that Mark Carney can make some progress on our trade and security files with the Trump administration, another user noted on X. In recent weeks, a series of seemingly disparate developments in Pakistan have coalesced into a broader pattern of political and security upheaval, revealing deepening fault lines along statecraft, street mobilisation, internal security, cross border tensions, political repression, and the nations hybrid governance. Starting on 9 October, the pro-Palestine Labbaik Ya Aqsa long march, led by the Tahreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a hyper-conservative, Punjab-centric religious party with historic ties to militant-friendly factions within the ISIs political wing, departed Lahore for Islamabad. It was met with containers, tear gas, and a targeted mobile-data blackout. The states response, framed as a necessary security measure, was seen by rights groups as excessive and emblematic of a broader effort to mute dissent and manage narrative flow. On 30 September in Quetta, a vehicle-borne blast at the Frontier Constabulary compound, followed by an armed assault, killed at least 10 and injured over 30. Though no group claimed responsibility at the time, the modus operandi mirrored attacks by Baloch separatists and hard-line militants opposed to both the state and Chinese interests in Balochistan. A paramilitary HQ was chosen as the target to bleed the security apparatus, spook investors, and puncture the normalisation narrative surrounding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). CCTV footage circulating on social media captured the precise moment of the explosion, a sudden fireball engulfing the roadway, tossing vehicles aside, and triggering chaos. This latest strike comes just weeks after a suicide bombing outside a stadium near Quetta, where supporters of a nationalist party were departing a rally. That attack claimed at least 13 lives and wounded over 30 others, further deepening the citys sense of siege. According to the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the death toll in August marked a sharp escalation, with violence surging by 74% nationwide since July. The trend underscores a troubling reality: while Pakistans response remains swift, marked by kinetic operations and sweeping arrests, it continues to fall short of addressing the underlying causes. Absent a parallel political track that delivers jobs, justice, and genuine local agency over mineral and hydropower revenues, Quetta will remain a flashpoint, where regional ambitions collide with entrenched local grievances. Officials vowed development would continue, but each attack raises insurance premiums and political costs for a province already juggling insurgency, sectarian risk, and economic stagnation. Simultaneously, the Pakistan military launched retaliatory operations in Orakzai following the killing of 11 soldiers, including high-ranking officers, in a fierce overnight clash with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. The exchange of fire, which unfolded on the night of October 78 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province straddling Pakistans long and volatile border with Afghanistan, marked one of the deadliest confrontations in recent months. The army claimed to have killed 30 militants in intelligence-based operations, part of a broader campaign that resulted in over 200 Afghan fighters being neutralised in cross-border engagements. The militarys messaging, delivered through a visibly politicised DG ISPR briefing, was calibrated to project strength and resolve amid growing anxieties over Afghanistans alleged harboring of anti-Pakistan militant groups. Yet, the absence of granular detail and independent verification has left the public navigating a fog of war, where strategic ambiguity replaces clarity, and trust in official narratives continues to erode. Vaishali Basu Sharma Amid this rising friction, a parallel diplomatic shift is quietly reshaping the regions fault lines. On 10 October, Indias External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Taliban Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in person for the first time, a symbolic moment underscoring a thaw in India-Taliban relations. Indias decision to upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to full embassy status further signals a recalibration of its engagement strategy in Afghanistan. The juxtaposition is striking. While Pakistans relationship with the Taliban deteriorates to the point of aerial strikes, reportedly including a bombing in Kabul on 9 October, India is opening diplomatic channels. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, political tremors deepened as Imran Khan, from behind bars, replaced Chief Minister Gandapur with Sohail Afridi. The move signaled a shift toward discipline and a more centralised counterterrorism track, but critics called it micromanagement. Khans jailhouse maneuvering underscored his enduring influence and intent to shape provincial politics despite incarceration. Meanwhile, in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), a region-wide shutter-down, wheel-jam strike led by the JK Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) paralysed life from 29 September to 4 October. Protesters demanded an end to elite perks, reduced power tariffs tied to hydropower royalties, and the scrapping of 12 reserved migrant seats in the assembly. One person was killed, dozens were injured, and mobile/internet services were suspended. The government claimed it had met practical demands - cheaper flour and electricity. But protest leaders argued structural grievances around representation and resource rights were ignored. Together, these developments reflect a high-stakes struggle for control, where street mobilization, terrorism, provincial reshuffling, cross-border tensions, and shifting neighborhood alliances have spun beyond the grasp of Pakistans hybrid establishment. Institutions, military, civilian government, and political parties are locked in a relentless battle of narratives, each attempting to define legitimacy, security, and sovereignty on its own terms. Yet the fallout continues to land on ordinary citizens: through lost connectivity, restricted movement, economic strain, and the persistent threat of violence. As Pakistan attempts to balance regional priorities with fragile international relationships, the domestic picture grows increasingly bleak. The World Banks latest report projects poverty rising to 25.3%, driven by economic stagnation, underemployment, and repeated crises. This is more than a moment of political turbulence; it is a test of institutional resilience and democratic space. As the country stands at a volatile crossroads, the question is where Pakistan is headed, and how long it can delay the reckoning it so urgently needs. There is a sense of deja vu surrounding this weeks gathering of the worlds finance chiefs at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). When the good and the great last assembled here in April, Donald Trump had just unleashed his budgetary mayhem with Liberation Day tariffs on nations across the globe, from economic challenger China to the penguin inhabitants of the Marshall Islands. Now the nightmare is in danger of repeating itself with Washington and Beijing again at daggers, despite Trumps claims of a good relationship with supreme Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Markets are fearful. After the dizzying 57 per cent rise on the price of gold so far this year, it is on the move again at more than $4,116 per ounce in latest trading, dragging the price of silver ever higher. American investment banks suggest gold could reach $4,500 or beyond. UBS has raised its price target on bullion to $4,200. In the spring a smiling Peter Mandelson, Britains then-ambassador to Washington, seemed confident of delivering an early trade deal for Keir Starmers Government. Tariff row: Washington and Beijing are again at daggers, despite Donald Trumps claims of a good relationship with supreme Chinese leader Xi Jinping (pictured together) More broadly confident markets were spooked, fearing that tariff wars would fracture globalisation, stymie international trade, send stock markets skidding and lead to recession. Remarkably, it didnt happen. The IMFs World Economic Outlook report due today is expected to show a small upgrade in global growth. Fortunately, fears of retaliatory action, in the shape of 1930s-style beggar-thy-neighbour tariff wars, did not materialise. The UK achieved its trade deal, albeit full of holes, and many other countries across the globe did the same. Rather than retreat behind barriers, most countries including Britain chose to take the pain. If only cyber wars had not interrupted progress, Britains largest motor exporter to the US, Jaguar Land Rover, would have been back in business. British steel exports are paralysed not just to the US but also to Europe. Our leading drugs company AstraZeneca has avoided grief by doubling up with a full stock market listing in New York and breaking ground on a $4.5billion research and manufacturing centre in Virginia. It earned silky chief executive Pascal Soriot a prized appearance in the Oval Office alongside the President. Britains greatest export to the US, financial and professional services, avoided attention because of the White Houses obsession with physical commerce. Discussion this week will again be dominated by trade wars. Trump last week took to Truth Social to threaten a 100 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports on November 1 unless some kind of accommodation with Beijing could be reached. The President has been outraged at Chinas choice to impose new export controls on rare earths. In choosing these valuable minerals as a battleground, China is taking economic war directly to the US. Beijing dominates processing of the worlds rare earths, essential to the US leading-edge defence and tech industries, as well as to the motor industry. The latter is a huge driver of US consumption and production as the country switches towards electrical driving. Adding to the foreboding is Chinas move to match US port fees for Chinese-built or owned vessels with its own levies on port calls by ships built or flagged in America. It is axiomatic that markets loath uncertainty and there is plenty around at present. They are having to cope with the fall-out from shadow banking as shockwaves from the failure of motor components group First Brands are fully absorbed. There also is intense concern of an AI bubble. Trump, after his hostage triumph in the Middle East, is at peak power at present. Thats maybe why he posted on his Truth Social page: Dont worry about China, it will all be fine. For the 10,000 financial officials, central bankers and private bankers descending on Washington from 190 countries, renewal of the US-China feud is another blow for a world imperilled by public and private debt and a Wall Street boom which resists all dangers. Be prepared for when the band stops playing. Lloyds yesterday launched a fightback against the City watchdog over a compensation plan to pay millions of motorists who were mis-sold car loans hundreds of pounds each. The lender, which is on the hook for almost 2billion over the scandal, accused the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of botching the design of the scheme. Sources close to the bank said the 14.2m loans that the FCA has said are entitled to pay-outs include several million that should not qualify. They are expected to average 700 each leaving banks to foot an 11billion bill. Lloyds also hinted that it could yet take legal action if the plans set out last week by the FCA for pay-outs are not watered down. The scheme relates to motor finance agreements made between 2007 and 2024. Payouts: Lloyds, which is on the hook for almost 2bn over the motor finance scandal, accused the FCA of botching the design of the compensation scheme It centres on the practice of commissions being paid to car dealers for selling loans to customers on behalf of banks without telling the customers about it. In some cases, the dealers received bigger commissions if they sold higher interest loans. The FCA has found that some lenders broke the law and that 44 per cent of the car finance agreements made over the 17-year period were entitled to compensation. Its findings were worse than expected for some in the industry. Yesterday, Lloyds increased the sum it has set aside for the scandal by 800million to 1.95billion and delivered a stinging broadside against the way the FCA has set up the scheme. The bank said that while it was committed to ensuring customers receive appropriate redress, it did not believe the proposed scheme reflects the actual loss to the customer. Lloyds added that the plan did not achieve the aim of ensuring that consumers are compensated proportionately and reasonably where harm has been demonstrated and that the way it was designed does not align with a recent Supreme Court ruling on the issue. Executives believe the FCA included millions more claims than it should have due to the way it set a threshold for judging whether commissions on loans were too high, the Mail understands. Lloyds said the ultimate outcome of the scheme may evolve in response to representations made by various parties as well as further legal proceedings and complaints. That hinted at the possibility of a judicial review, this newspaper understands. The Times, meanwhile, reported that car-maker BMW which faces a potential hit of more than 200million from the scandal is seeking talks with the Chancellor over the issue. FirstRand, the South African owner of British motor finance business MotoNovo, reportedly warned last week that the watchdogs plan went beyond what can be considered proportionate or reasonable. Industry body the Finance and Leasing Association said the proposed scheme was so broad that it would compensate customers who suffered no loss, an approach that is neither proportionate nor reasonable. But it is the intervention of Lloyds which looks set to take the biggest financial hit from the scandal which will pack the biggest punch. An FCA spokesman said: We believe our scheme is the best way to settle the issue for both consumers and firms, and alternatives would be more costly and take longer. We recognise not everyone will get everything they would like. GAZA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- At dawn on his first day of freedom, Mohammed Zaqout stood outside a tent in Khan Younis City in the southern coastal enclave and drew a long, trembling breath. The air felt damp with sea breeze and dust, yet to him, it carried the scent of life. Above him stretched a sky he had not seen without bars for nearly two years. "It felt like my lungs were waking up again," the 33-year-old father of three told Xinhua as his eyes fixed on the horizon. Zaqout was among hundreds of Palestinians freed on Monday under a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. The release marked a rare moment of joy in a land battered by war and loss, as Gaza has yet to recover from two years of devastating conflict. That morning, scenes of jubilation and tears filled the streets of Khan Younis as buses carrying the freed prisoners arrived. Families crowded outside Nasser Hospital, waving flags and chanting, and car horns blared in celebration. Zaqout stepped down from the bus still wearing his gray prison uniform. His eyes searched through the crowd until they found his mother, who was weeping uncontrollably. "I couldn't believe she was alive," he said, recalling how Israeli interrogators had told him his family had been killed. "I kept asking myself what meaning there is in leaving prison if everyone I love is gone." Walking later through what remained of his neighborhood, he was "shocked by the horror of destruction everywhere." More than 50 of his relatives had been killed in the war, he said. His family now lives in a temporary tent near the ruins of their home. "When I kissed my children's faces," he added, "it felt like seeing them for the first time." Inside Israeli prisons, Zaqout described conditions as "catastrophic," accusing the authorities of "deliberately degrading prisoners' dignity." He said detainees faced isolation, food shortages, and harsh treatment. "They tried to break us, but they couldn't. Even when we were cut off from the world, we held onto our will to live," he said. "Last night I slept in a tent," he added, "but I felt as though I were in a palace. For the first time in a long while, I woke up without hearing the guards' orders or the cries of others being beaten." Across Gaza, freed detainees shared similar emotions, joy mixed with disbelief and grief. Many said that breathing the coastal air, seeing the sun, and walking freely through Gaza's streets felt like rediscovering life itself. In Gaza City, Ahmed al-Balawi's family received him with tears. "We had opened a mourning tent for Ahmed," his mother said. "We were told he had been killed. Seeing him alive again was like a miracle." Another released prisoner, Ahmed Nasser Nassar, 35, from Beit Lahia, was arrested in October 2024 while working at Kamal Adwan Hospital. Upon his release, he raised his fingers in a victory sign from the bus window before embracing his family. "What we experienced in prison was like living in hell," Nassar told Xinhua. "Torture, beatings, endless interrogations, things no one can imagine. But when I felt the sun on my face again, I felt my soul return." According to the Hamas-run Prisoners' Office and other Palestinian organizations, Israel released about 1,968 Palestinian prisoners, including 1,718 detained after the start of the conflict in October 2023. In return, Hamas released 20 Israeli hostages alive and handed over four of the remaining 28 bodies to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday, under a deal mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the United States. Mohammed Zaqout, director general of field hospitals in the Gaza-based health authorities, told Xinhua that many of the freed Palestinians were in poor health. "A scabies outbreak was detected among several of them, along with symptoms of malnutrition and exhaustion," he said, noting that medical teams were treating the released detainees. The exchange took place as part of efforts to sustain a fragile ceasefire after over two years of fighting. The ceasefire, which took effect on Friday, followed days of intensive negotiations in Egypt as part of broader understandings that include a prisoner exchange and arrangements to reopen border crossings and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Yet for many released prisoners, returning home meant facing a different kind of pain. "Freedom is not just stepping out of prison; it is walking through the ruins of everything you once knew, breathing heavy air with the memories of those you lost, and still choosing to live," Saleh Qudaih, a freed prisoner from Khan Younis, told Xinhua. "Although we are no longer behind bars, we now face a new and uncertain reality marked by grief, devastation, and the struggle to survive," he said. The National Lotterys operator has agreed to merge with a Greek firm to create a global gaming giant worth 14billion. Allwyn, founded and chaired by Czech tycoon Karel Komarek, already owns a controlling stake of nearly 52 per cent in Athens-listed OPAP. It will give Allwyn a presence on the stock market. OPAPs Athens listing will be retained for the merged group which will be named Allwyn but aims to launch an additional listing in either London or New York. The deal creates the largest listed lottery business in the world and second-largest listed gaming firm globally. JERUSALEM/GAZA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel decided on Tuesday to halt the reopening of the Rafah crossing and further reduce humanitarian aid to Gaza, as both sides traded accusations of violating the fragile ceasefire. The crossing, a key route for aid from Egypt to Gaza, had been scheduled to reopen today. An Israeli government official, speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, said the Rafah crossing will remain closed and the entry of humanitarian aid will be "drastically" limited until Hamas returns all the bodies of the deceased hostages. The official described the measures as "sanctions against Hamas" following the group's handover of four bodies on Monday, with 24 remaining in Gaza. There has been no official announcement of the restrictions from the Prime Minister's office or the security establishment. London-based Al Araby TV reported that Egyptian teams have begun working in the Gaza Strip to help locate and recover the bodies of Israeli hostages. According to the report, an Israeli technical team is holding consultations with Egyptian officials to coordinate the recovery of the remains of the Israeli captives. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Xinhua that the technical and logistical challenges resulting from the massive destruction pose serious obstacles to the identification and recovery of the bodies. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has stated that the teams may not be able to find some bodies. Israel was angered by the limited handover of four bodies, noting that under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas was required to return all 28 bodies held in Gaza by Monday. However, the group informed the mediators that it was facing difficulties locating the burial sites of all of the bodies. The return of the bodies came after the transfer of the last 20 surviving hostages from Gaza to Israel and the release of about 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, marking a key phase in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. The two sides have traded accusations of violating the ceasefire, now in its fifth day, over Hamas's failure to hand over all the missing bodies and Israeli fire that killed at least six people in Gaza on Tuesday. ANKARA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye on Tuesday dispatched a humanitarian aid vessel to Gaza, with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announcing the departure of the ship "Akdeniz" from the southern Port of Mersin. "Our ship will arrive at El Arish Port to heal the wounds of our brothers and sisters in Gaza and bring hope to their tables," he said in a post on social media X. The vessel, coordinated by Turkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority with contributions from 17 non-governmental organizations, is transporting about 900 tons of humanitarian aid, including ready-to-eat meals, canned food, and baby formula. Yerlikaya noted that since July 27, following Israel's partial permissions, Turkiye has managed to deliver 333 trucks carrying approximately 4,500 tons of food supplies to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. He added that an additional 427 trucks, holding another 4,500 tons of humanitarian materials, remain in storage at Egypt's El Arish warehouses awaiting clearance for entry. How can technological innovation empower PV and energy storage industry? Advanced photovoltaics and new energy storage are emerging industries that chase the sun and move toward green development. They are also strategic pillars for advancing the energy transition and achieving the "dualcarbon" goals. In recent years, our province has focused on advanced photovoltaics and new energy storage, forming a complete local photovoltaicstorage (PVstorage) industrial cluster spanning silicon wafers, photovoltaic glass, solar cells, modules and accessories, to inverters and system integration. In September 2024, the CCID Research Institute released the "2024 China PVStorage Industry HighQuality Development Report and Top10 Provinces (Cities) by Comprehensive Competitiveness," ranking Anhui third in the country for overall PVstorage competitiveness. Reporters visited the plant of Chuzhou LONGi LerriSolar PV Technology Co., Ltd. Inside the factory, automated equipment runs in an orderly fashion, an AI qualityinspection system works in real time, and trucks loaded with PV products slowly roll out to domestic and overseas markets. Company general manager Lu Shunshu told the reporter that the company invested 200 million yuan in "intelligent transformation and digital conversion." They replaced labor with machines, introduced an Andon system, and built a "lighthouse factory," boosting annual production efficiency by about 30% while achieving a 99.8% yield rate. "In the past, scheduling from material intake through production to shipment required manual work, which was costly in labor and time. Now, with one click you can clearly see everything on the control panel," Lu said. According to commitments made at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference, global PV installed capacity is expected to reach 5,457 GW by 2030, implying an average annual new installation demand of about 500 GW. Chinas cumulative PV installations have already surpassed 1,000 GW, accounting for roughly half of the worlds total. A report by the State Grid Energy Research Institute forecasts that by 2030 Chinas new energy installations led by photovoltaics could exceed 3,000 GW, leaving substantial room for growth. The policy drive to develop new energy remains unwavering. Last October, the NDRC and five other departments issued "Guiding Opinions on Vigorously Implementing Renewable Energy Substitution Actions." Our province has successively issued the "Action Plan to Enhance Innovation Capacity for Anhuis Advanced Photovoltaic and New Energy Storage Industries (20242027)" and "Several Policies to Support HighQuality Development of Advanced Photovoltaic and New Energy Storage Industrial Clusters," providing robust policy support for healthy industry development. Currently, Chuzhous production of Ntype cells accounts for 100% of its output, with capacity utilization above the national average; Ptype cells have been fully phased out. TOPCon cell makers such as Jietai and SolarPlus lead the industry in conversion efficiency, and Ntype modules account for over 98% of output, outperforming the national average. Meanwhile, 27 provinciallevel innovation platforms in the PVstorage field have been cultivated, and enterprises are being guided to iterate and upgrade technologies rapidlyaccelerating research and deployment in BC, siliconperovskite tandem, TBC and other technologies. A tiered cultivation program for specialized, refined, characteristic and innovative (i.e., "specialized and sophisticated") SMEs is being implemented to nurture the best, strengthen strong firms, pursue mergers and reorganizations, and reduce costs while increasing efficiency. "We will also promote original innovation in key materials, core equipment and production processes, facilitate pilot testing and industrialization of innovations in Chuzhou, and roll out a series of industrial innovation projects, scientific and technological tackling projects, and collaborative innovation projects across the industrial chainso as to deeply integrate technological and industrial innovation and seize future commanding heights," said an official from the Informatization Office of Chuzhous Industry and Information Technology Bureau. Extending the industrial chain: how PVstorage integration reshapes the industry landscape At Trina Solar (Chuzhou) Co., Ltd. in Chuzhou Economic & Technological Development Zone, "Trina cells" are produced here, assembled into battery packs, placed into battery cabinets, and shipped around the world. "In recent years, faced with cyclical industry adjustments, Trina Solar has been accelerating its transformation into a smart energy solutions provider. Storage is a key new growth area for the company, which is actively seeking the best ways to combine storage with photovoltaics," said general manager Zhang Chuntao. Trina Solar is among the few solar manufacturers worldwide that possess a vertically integrated chain from monocrystalline silicon ingots wafers cells modules system installation, and it is now ramping up to produce 28 GWh of storage lithium batteries per year. As construction of the newtype power system advances, microgrids, virtual power plants, zerocarbon parks, and storage projects on the supply side, grid side and user side are flourishing. These can effectively increase the grids ability to absorb green power and also bring new opportunities for Chuzhous storage industry. This year, Chuzhous storage battery output is expected to surpass 10 GWh, a substantial increase over last year. Expanding scenarios and markets: how the industrial ecosystem optimizes On the roofs of eight stations, a control center and a depot along the Chuzhou section of the ChuzhouNanjing intercity railway, arrays of PV panels continuously feed clean energy into the grid and to local loads, producing up to 50,000 MWh annually, saving about 3.12 million yuan in operating costs each year and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 49,800 tonnes. This is the nations first distributed PV project on an intercity railway, adopting lowvoltage grid connection with selfconsumption and surplus power fed to the gridan example of Chuzhous ongoing efforts to expand PVstorage application scenarios and markets and optimize the industrial ecosystem. Facing remaining challenges such as optimization of development layout and the need to improve R&D capabilities, Chuzhou has taken the lead nationwide in enacting regulations to promote highquality development of the PV industry, providing a solid legal foundation to support that highquality development and helping to build the provinces premier city for advanced photovoltaics and new energy storage manufacturing. Chuzhou has guided county and district authorities to optimize industrial layouts; leading firms such as LONGi, Risen, Flat Glass Group, and Jietai have achieved a 53.8% local supporting rate. A database of 70 key PVstorage enterprises has been established to monitor project construction and capacity utilization in real time. The city issued the "Guiding Opinions on Financial Support for PV Industry Development," convened industrial chain leaders meetings and entrepreneurs breakfast meetings, and hosted more than 40 supplyanddemand matchmaking events to help PV companies secure nearly 1,800 mu of industrial land and disburse over 50 million yuan in preferential funds. New scenes and business modelscommercial and industrial distributed PV, buildingintegrated photovoltaics, agrivoltaics, integrated PVstoragecharging solutions, and green power parksare steadily expanding. Chuzhou is promoting a shift from pure PV generation toward PVstorage coordination and integrated sourcegridloadstorage systems. In the first half of this year, the citys gridconnected PV installed capacity reached 5.3 million kW, ranking third in the province. The city also organized more than 30 PV and lithiumbattery enterprises to attend international trade shows to help firms expand markets and secure orders, driving products out and companies abroad. In Tianchang, PV module makers stabilize sales by OEM manufacturing for large firms, cooperating with central and stateowned enterprises, and opening overseas markets such as Africa. Born toward the sun, moving after the light. Today our provinces PVstorage industry has coalesced around a dualpole lead of Hefei and Chuzhou, with other regions developing distinctive layouts and competing to advance. With a policy "combination punch," the province is pushing for quality upgrades across the PVstorage industrybuilding a cluster led by strong enterprises, with complete chains, leading technologies and a sound ecosystem for advanced photovoltaics and new energy storage advanced manufacturing. Source: Anhui Daily ISTANBUL, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained 421 suspects Tuesday in an anti-narcotics operation conducted across 12 provinces, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. At a press conference in the central province of Konya, Yerlikaya said the operation involved 3,319 police officers, 542 teams, 16 specially trained narcotic detection dogs, and aerial support units including a drone and a helicopter. "Simultaneous raids were carried out at 338 locations, resulting in the detention of 421 suspects," Yerlikaya stated. The minister added that the operation was still underway in the field, targeting organized networks, logistical suppliers, and street dealers involved in the drug trade. During the current cabinet term, which began in 2023, Turkish security forces have dismantled 328 organized drug trafficking networks and arrested 87,912 drug dealers, according to the minister. "Authorities have also seized approximately 216 tons of narcotics and 243 million drug pills as part of ongoing nationwide efforts to combat narcotics-related crime during the same period," he said. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please visit my profile to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, disable notifications and hide this message. Three men accused of "brutally and savagely" beating a Croatian man to death on a Dublin street knew that their alleged victim was a foreign national when they chased him down, a barrister has told a jury at the Central Criminal Court. Seoirse O Dunlaing SC told the murder trial jury that 31-year-old Josip Strok's status as a foreign national has relevance in the case of the three men accused of his murder. Counsel said that one of the accused, Mark Lee (44), told gardai two days after the alleged assault that he had had been walking "up and down with two dogs" outside an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre "waiting on [a] foreign c**t attacking a kid with a knife". Mr O Dunlaing said the prosecution believes this comment is relevant to what the jury must consider. It is further alleged that Mr Lee sent a voice note to a friend hours after the assault, stating: "Pal, be there in 20 minutes. Just smashed Polish lads up and left them for dead because they beat [a] kid." READ NEXT: Parents should check teen bedrooms for trend after death of Irish girl The trial also heard this morning that Mr Strok was targeted after he was alleged to have assaulted a 17-year-old boy at a bus stop following a row over a cigarette lighter. Mark Lee, of no fixed abode and Anthony Delappe (19) of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin have both pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Josip Strok at Grangeview Way in Clondalkin on April 3, 2024. Connor Rafferty (21) of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin has pleaded not guilty to Mr Strok's murder. All three have pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Strok's friend, David Druzinec (29), at the same location. It is alleged that the three accused assaulted Mr Druzinec and Mr Strok on March 30, 2024 and that Mr Strok died four days later from blunt force injuries sustained in the attack. Opening the trial on Tuesday morning, Mr O Dunlaing told the jury of six men and six women that the prosecution intends to prove that the three accused were part of a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Mr Strok when they "brutally and savagely attacked" him. On the afternoon of March 30, 2024, Mr Strok and Mr Druzinec were drinking heavily, counsel said. That evening they made their way to Clondalkin Village where they waited for a bus to take them close to where Mr Druzinec lived in the Grangeview estate. At the bus stop, Mr O Dunlaing said the two Croatian men had an altercation with a 17-year-old boy who was assaulted following a row over a cigarette lighter. The 17-year-old told three other youths what had happened and they got on the bus with Mr Strok and Mr Druzinec. When the bus stopped, the two Croatians and the three youths got off without interacting with one another. Two of the youths, counsel said, met the accused man Mark Lee. Mr O Dunlaing said it is the prosecution case that the boys told Mr Lee that a young person had been assaulted over a lighter. Mr Lee immediately went into his house and emerged 47 to 50 seconds later with Mr Rafferty and Mr Delappe, counsel said. Mr Delappe, he said, had an implement in his hand. They chased the two Croatian men and assaulted them, Mr O Dunlaing said. Mr O Dunlaing told the jury that a joint enterprise can be formed in an instant and "something happened in that house that caused these three to emerge". Mr O Dunlaing said audio recording from a CCTV system nearby did not reveal any reference to a "non-national or foreigner", but he said the voice note left by Mr Lee on a friend's phone later that night is relevant. "The prosecution says that they [the accused] knew they [the injured parties] were foreign nationals and that has relevance in this case." He said comments made by Mr Lee to gardai about walking up and down outside an IPAS centre with two dogs are also relevant. The trial continues before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and the jury. Protesters take up the cause of a convicted cop killer rather than working on helping so many other far more deserving people who need assistance . . . Take a peek: A group of Missourians against the death penalty is asking Governor Mike Kehoe to change his mind about an impending execution. To get Kehoes attention, the group is walking 30 miles from Columbia to Jefferson City, where they will then silently protest outside his office. Lance Shockley is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Tuesday. He was convicted in the 2005 murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl Dewayne Graham Jr. Monday morning, Kehoe denied appeals to stop Shockleys execution, issuing a statement that reads, Violence against those who risk their lives every day to protect our communities will never be tolerated. Missouri stands firmly with our men and women in uniform. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Kehoe denies clemency to Missouri man one day before execution Gov. Mike Kehoe has denied clemency to Lance Shockley, who was convicted in the first-degree murder of a state trooper. TEHRAN, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran has sentenced two French nationals detained earlier in the country on espionage charges to jail terms, the Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary reported on Tuesday. The two suspects, holding French citizenship, were arrested in March 2023, the report said, adding their lawyers have been informed of the initial verdicts, which were issued after handling their cases in seven court sessions. Mizan said based on their indictments, the two suspects were accused of "espionage on behalf of the French intelligence service, collusion to perpetrate crimes against Iran's national security and intelligence cooperation with Israel." The report added one of the defendants was sentenced to six years in jail for espionage for French intelligence service, five years for collusion to act against Iran's national security and 20 years in internal exile for intelligence cooperation with Israel. The other one, it said, received a jail term of 10 years for espionage on behalf of the French intelligence service, five years for collusion and 17 years for intelligence collaboration with Israel. According to Mizan, the defendants have 20 days to appeal against the rulings at the Supreme Court of Iran. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The Sabail District Court of Baku has made a decision in the criminal case against Ramiz Mehdiyev, Trend reports. The court granted the petition regarding Ramiz Mehdiyev, who was brought to criminal responsibility for particularly serious crimes, and chose a preventive measure in the form of house arrest for a period of four months. Ramiz Mehdiyev is accused under Articles 278.1 (actions aimed at seizing state power), 274 (treason) and 193-1.3.2 (legalization of property obtained by criminal means) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Ramiz Mehdiyev served as the Head of the Presidential Administration from 1995 to 2019. From 2019 to 2022, he held the position of President of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. AzInTelecom LLC participated in the Baku Fintech Forum 2025, which was attended by local and regional financial institutions. On October 9, at the forum in Baku, AzInTelecom presented an interactive stand, where visitors were introduced to the companys digital services and products. Within the framework of the forum, Farrukh Farajullayev, Director of the Commercial Department at AzInTelecom, spoke about the advantages that biometric technologies bring to the financial sector. He emphasized that the integration of products from the SIMA Digital Solutions Platform into the financial industry is the result of successful cooperation with banks and financial institutions. He also highlighted that 15 out of 22 banks operating in Azerbaijan already use SIMA products. F.Farajullayev further noted that the integration of SIMA Imza with the Internet Tax Administration portal for individual entrepreneurs has been fully completed. Entrepreneurs can now use these services free of charge for six months with the promo code 6AYPULSUZ. The Baku Fintech Forum featured panel sessions covering key topics including digital banking and payments, the future of security in financial technologies, and the creation of a sustainable ecosystem. During the discussions, participants exchanged views on various fintech directions. AzInTelecom representatives also explored new opportunities for cooperation and networking with other participants. About AzInTelecom AzInTelecom LLC, one of the companies of AZCON Holding, delivers secure, reliable, and flexible services for those who prioritize quality in the digital world. The companys portfolio includes powerful cloud solutions, next-generation digital signature and identification services, business efficiencydriven digital platforms, and advanced cybersecurity tools. Through these services, AzInTelecom delivers advanced technologies, leading innovation in the field of digital transformation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The mutual trade between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan grew by 50 percent in 2024, reaching $470 million, Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov said at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation with Kazakhstan, Trend reports. "In the first half of 2025, the growth in trade turnover continued, reaching $501 million, which is 4.2 times higher than in the same period last year. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are brotherly and allied states, linked by a common history, culture, and strategic vision for the future. Thanks to the political will and wise leadership of our leaders, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, our cooperation is demonstrating steady development in all areas," he noted. The comprehensive program serves as a guideline for deepening practical cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, energy, transport, information and communication technologies, agriculture, and humanitarian cooperation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The protocol of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan has been signed, Trend reports. The document was signed by Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauanbayev. According to Shahbazov, the document creates a practical opportunity for both countries to implement all their plans. We have finalized the agreement on all points of the protocol of today's meeting. I would like to say that this document is of particular importance. We have worked on it for a very long time and very hard. It creates a practical opportunity for us to implement all our plans, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been interviewed by France 24 TV channel. Trend presents the interview. -Hello and welcome to the France 24 interview. Today brought you from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. I am in the presence of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. President Aliyev, thank you very much for accepting to answer our questions. Of course, I will be asking you about the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Since the ceasefire, which was supposed to be a humanitarian truce, was signed, there has been continuing violence, continuing acts of war. Im asking you today: is that ceasefire officially now dead, over, null, and void? -It depends on the behavior of Armenia. Because we are always committed to our responsibility, and the decision to announce the ceasefire on humanitarian grounds, as you know, came from Russia, and we supported it. Because I think it was a right decision in order to exchange the bodies of the dead soldiers and also hostages. Also to continue the activity on the negotiation table. Because the declaration that was announced in Moscow actually provided that negotiations will be based on the basic principles. That was always our position. Armenian side always tried to disrupt the process and was trying to introduce new approaches on negotiation table, which we rejected by us, and by the Minsk Group co-chairs. The most important part of the declaration along with other issues was that the format of negotiations will be unchanged. And thats very important because for broad international audience maybe its not very clear what it means. I will probably give some more information about that. Because for the last two years after the new government in Armenia came to power, one of their activity was to bring the so-called "authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh" to the negotiation table and thus, to change the format. Because for more than 20 years, negotiations are being held between Armenia and Azerbaijan within the framework of the Minsk Group process. So, the attempts to bring the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh authorities" were an attempt to change the format. So, when both sides commit that the format is unchanged that means that everything just is within the framework of what has been agreed before. We were observing the ceasefire. But as you know Armenia brutally violated it and not only in Ganja. The attack on civilians in Ganja was reflection of their aggressive policy. And also, they everyday violate ceasefire. I was informed this morning that since 7 oclock to 9 oclock in the morning they more than 150 times shelled the city of Tartar and Aghdam. And unfortunately, we have one victim today among civilians in Tartar. -But Azerbaijan has also continued to fire, has it not? The world has been seeing pictures of civilians under shelling in Stepanakert inside Nagorno-Karabakh. -First, since the ceasefire was announced, all the shelling from Azerbaijani side was stopped, second, we never deliberately attack civilians in any city or village on the occupied territories. Our targets were only military installations. Our military targets have been identified very carefully. Therefore, we only hit those targets, which was a threat to the lives of our people and our soldiers. But unfortunately, Armenians are using the tactics to install military equipment in the areas of the cities where people live. So, we had to protect ourselves. But since the ceasefire was established, we were committed to that, but Armenia violated it, so we had to respond. -So you are saying that there have been no strikes by Azerbaijan since the ceasefire was announced. Even on military targets? -No, on military targets there have been strikes, we do not deny it. But thats natural, because we have to defend ourselves. Ceasefire cannot be achieved unilaterally. Otherwise, Armenia will get an advantage and will achieve its goal and actually what they are trying to do. They are trying to regain the territories that have been liberated. Particularly, they try to regain back the city of Hadrut, but they failed. My advice to them and I already publicly addressed Armenian leadership and also Armenian people, that they should stop trying to regain what has been liberated back. That will only cause new victims and will lead to bloodshed. -What about the pictures of bombings on churches inside Nagorno-Karabakh there is not military targets, surely. -Yes, you are right. We are investigating that issue, Id like to say that Azerbaijan is a country with a very high level of religious tolerance, which was reflected by all the major international organizations, including United Nations. During the visit of His Holiness head of the Vatican, Pope Francis to Baku, he publicly declared that the level of intercultural dialogue, interreligious dialogue in Azerbaijan is very high. You have probably seen the Armenian church in the center of Baku, which was restored by us. And we protected it as the heritage of Armenian people. In that church, we keep more than 5,000 ancient books in Armenian language. But what Armenia has done to our mosques? What have they done to the mosques of Aghdam, mosque of Fuzuli, mosque of Shusha? They not only almost destroyed them, but they keep animals there. They keep pigs there, thus insulting the feelings of all the Muslims, not only us. I am not saying that we did it in revenge, no. We need to investigate this issue, we are not sure about what happened. We have doubts that could have been done by Armenians in order to blame us. If it was done, if it was done by Azerbaijani military units, that was a mistake, and we dont have any historical or religious targets among those targets which we have. -I want to ask you about the diplomatic process now. Mediation has been ongoing with the OSCE Minsk group, the co-chairs at the moment France, US and Russia. Do you think that structure, should remain that France should remain a co-chair in those negotiations? -We are receiving some contradictory statements and messages from the very beginning of the outbreak. But I think that due to our mutual diplomatic efforts, we managed to keep the situation under control. As you know, I received several phone calls from president Macron. And our last conversation was very positive. We committed to our efforts to find a political solution to the conflict. I was informed that France as a co-chair will remain neutral, because thats the mandate for a co-chair. This morning I was informed that the French foreign minister issued a statement that due to the fact that France is a co-chair of the Minsk Group, it must be neutral. We fully support this position and our position always was that all the co-chairs must be neutral. They should not take sides, because its contradicting their mandate. In a national capacity, every country has allies and friends, with some countries having more active relations, with some countries less active relations. This is normal and no one is objecting that. But if some countries have a mandate to be a mediator, of course, both sides, I am sure, Armenia and Azerbaijan expects neutrality, and we see this neutrality now. Therefore, I think the issue which you are referring to now is over. So, we have closed that page. -In previous interviews, youve called for an apology from Emmanuel Macron, after his remarks saying that 300 fighters from Syria have been brought to fight for your side. When you last spoke to him, did you speak about this issue-him accusing mercenaries are fighting for your side? -Yes, of course. Yes, we spoke about that and I was still waiting for evidence. No evidence was presented to me. No evidence was presented to our other officials. I asked the French president to give evidence and to organize contacts between the heads of corresponding state units in order to talk, in order to exchange this information and this contact happened. And I can tell you that no evidence was presented to us. Therefore, if there is no evidence, I think these rumors should also be left back in history. We dont have mercenaries. This is our official statement. Since the outbreak, already more than two weeks passed, and not a single country presented us a single evidence of that. Moreover, we dont need that. We have an army of more than 100 thousand fighters. And what we are doing now on the ground demonstrates that our army is capable of liberating its lands itself. -Frances foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said that there is Turkish military involvement which risks internationalization of this conflict. Is he wrong about that? -Yes, he is wrong about that. Turkish military involvement is another fake news. There is no military involvement of Turkey. We are using Turkish military equipment. This is true. But we are using military equipment of Russia, military equipment of Israel, and military equipment of other countries. And we buy this military equipment, unlike Armenia, which gets it free of charge. Turkey is in no way other than political, is present in the process. There are no Turkish forces, Turkish F-16s are here but they are left here after the joint military training. By the way, last year we had ten joint military trainings with Turkey, including air force. This year, due to pandemic, we had only two and it happened that just after the military training, this outbreak happened. So we decided to keep F-16 on the ground and they are on the ground. They are not on the air. -How many Turkish drones are you deploying? -We have enough in order to achieve our targets. I think that you can understand me that this is the information that I prefer not to disclose. -But are they making the difference in this conflict? -Of course, they are very modern, sophisticated weapons, and I can tell you, only by the drones which we acquired from Turkey, we destroyed Armenian military equipment worth 1 billion dollars. Only by the drones and of course, we are using other drones as you know from other sources. We are using artillery, we are using broad range of military equipment. But only the drones made the damage to Armenia worth 1 billion dollars. Thats a serious damage for them. I wonder, where did they get so much money to buy all this equipment. Probably, they got them free of charge. -I am afraid we will have to leave it there. So many more questions, of course we could ask you, but thank you very much, President Ilham Aliyev for answering our questions today. And thank you at home for watching. Do stay tuned to France-24 for more international news coming right up. -Thank you. -Thank you very much. It was very interesting to talk to you. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova met with the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, as part of a working visit to the country, a source in the parliament told Trend. The meeting welcomed the successful development of relations between our countries based on the principles of friendship and brotherhood. Besides, the meeting noted that mutual visits of the country's leaders played an important role in reaching a high level of Azerbaijani-Pakistani relations. The speakers, drawing attention to the special role of parliaments in the development of these relations, highly appreciated the cooperation of the countries' legislative bodies both on a bilateral basis and on various platforms. During the conversation, the holding of the Third Trilateral Meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye was assessed as a contribution to the further expansion of the interstate relations, and views were also exchanged on other issues of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari received Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova and Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, Numan Kurtulmus, who took part in the Third Trilateral Meeting of Speakers of the Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye in Islamabad, the Press and Public Relations Department of the Azerbaijani Parliament told Trend. The meeting included an exchange of views on further strengthening relations between our countries and peoples, including inter-parliamentary cooperation. Moreover, it was emphasized that close political contacts and successful cooperation bring our peoples and states closer together. During the conversation, the important and positive influence of relations between our parliaments on the friendly and fraternal relations between our countries was noted, and in this regard, the mechanism of trilateral cooperation between the speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye was of particular importance. The successful cooperation of the legislative bodies of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye in international parliamentary organizations was also noted with satisfaction. The meeting expressed satisfaction with the current high level of bilateral and trilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, and gave a positive assessment of the contribution of parliaments in this context. The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The UK will fully lift its arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan, said Stephen Doughty, Minister of State of the United Kingdom for Europe and North America, Trend reports. He noted that the UK warmly welcomes the progress made by Armenia and Azerbaijan towards peace, following the agreements reached during the Washington Peace Summit, initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. "Given the significant progress made in advancing peace, and the historic outcomes of the recent summit in Washington hosted by President Trump, the UK considers that the rationale underpinning the OSCEs 1992 recommended arms embargo on "all deliveries of weapons and munitions to forces engaged in combat in the Nagorno-Karabakh area" has fallen away. The UK will therefore fully lift its arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan," he said. Stephen Doughty further noted that the UK Government has decided to upgrade its bilateral relationships with both Armenia and Azerbaijan to a strategic partnership level. "In recognition of their progress, and to support continued momentum towards peace, the UK Government has decided to upgrade its bilateral relationships with both Armenia and Azerbaijan to Strategic Partnerships. These partnerships will formalise cooperation in areas including trade, security, and defence, and will be underpinned by annual ministerial-level meetings to review progress," the minister added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The 3rd Trilateral Meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye concluded with the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration, the Azerbaijani parliament told Trend. Speaker of Pakistans National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq noted that the meeting provided an excellent platform for discussing important issues among the three brotherly nations. Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova highlighted that the discussions addressed regional and global developments, as well as cooperation among the three countries. She emphasized the strong, high-level relations between Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye based on mutual support, unity, and solidarity. Gafarova recalled remarks by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during a September meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in which he congratulated Pakistan on its victory over India and stressed that Azerbaijan values its brotherly ties with Pakistan above all, despite pressure from India. The speaker also referred to the May Trilateral Summit in Lachin, where the countries' leaders elevated relations to a strategic partnership. Parliament Speaker noted that such close cooperation is rare globally and that the trilateral ties are genuinely strategic in nature. The Azerbaijani speaker underlined the importance of strengthening parliamentary cooperation, making it an effective tool of diplomacy. She highlighted joint discussions on defending territorial integrity, countering foreign threats, and addressing climate change and natural disasters. Azerbaijans support to Turkiye and Pakistan during recent crises, and its leadership in climate initiatives like COP29, were also mentioned. Gafarova concluded that the Islamabad Declaration reflects the deep brotherly ties, outlines future cooperation opportunities, and represents shared regional and global perspectives. Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, Numan Kurtulmus, also stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in further strengthening ties among the three nations, calling the meeting successful and productive for future collaboration. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Vehicles carrying the bodies of hostages arrive at a forensic institute in Tel Aviv, Israel on Oct. 15, 2025. Israel received the bodies of four hostages on Tuesday night after they were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel received the bodies of four hostages on Tuesday night after they were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas in Gaza. The bodies were transferred to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet personnel inside the Gaza Strip, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. They were later transferred across the border into Israel under escort by Israeli forces, the military and Shin Bet said in an updated joint statement. The remains are being taken to the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification. Unlike a similar handover on Monday, Hamas did not disclose the identities of the bodies in advance, and Israeli authorities said their identities remain unclear. "After the identification process is completed, an official notification will be delivered to the families," Netanyahu's office said. On Monday, Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages along with 20 surviving captives as part of a ceasefire deal under which Israel released about 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners. Israel said about 20 more bodies of hostages remain in Gaza and demanded that Hamas hand them over as well. Vehicles carrying the bodies of hostages arrive at a forensic institute in Tel Aviv, Israel on Oct. 15, 2025. Israel received the bodies of four hostages on Tuesday night after they were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) Vehicles carrying the bodies of hostages arrive at a forensic institute in Tel Aviv, Israel on Oct. 15, 2025. Israel received the bodies of four hostages on Tuesday night after they were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The Islamabad Declaration on the results of the Third Trilateral Meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye covers all aspects of the fraternal relations between the countries, the Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said at the final session of the meeting, Trend reports. According to her, this document also emphasizes the importance of the joint activities of our parliaments and identifies new opportunities for further expansion of our cooperation. Gafarova also pointed out that the declaration reflects the countries' common views on regional and global processes. She also pointed out that the positions of the countries on the steps that need to be taken to achieve peace, security, and progress are the same, and Azerbaijan notes the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, and collective efforts in this direction. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. At the Trilateral Summit held in Lachin in May this year, we witnessed that thanks to the determination of our country's leaders President Ilham Aliyev, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, relations between our brotherly countries have already risen to the level of a trilateral strategic partnership, the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Sahiba Gafarova said, Trend reports. She made the remark at the closing session of the Third Trilateral Meeting of Speakers of the Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye. According to her, if you look at the geopolitical map of the world, it is unlikely that there are three other countries with such close relations. The speaker emphasized that the trilateral relations between Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye are truly strategic in nature. Sahiba Gafarova noted that mutual support, unity, and solidarity between our countries, whether it be Azerbaijani-Turkish, Azerbaijani-Pakistani, or Turkish-Pakistani relations, are at the highest level. These relations cover virtually all aspects of interstate relations and are becoming stronger and deeper every day. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, together with her Turkish and Pakistani counterparts, as well as members of the delegations who took part in the trilateral meeting of the speakers in Islamabad, have visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan, a source in the parliament told Trend. During the visit, the participants got acquainted with the activities of the NDMA. The guests were given a detailed presentation on the organization's working principles in disaster management, operational response mechanisms for emergencies, and opportunities for international cooperation. The parliament speakers highly appreciated the authority's work and emphasized the importance of exchanging experience and expanding cooperation in this area. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The special working group on road transport, consisting of representatives of the customs, border, and transport authorities of Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia, will be established, the communique of the trilateral meeting on cooperation in the field of transport, energy, and customs said, Trend reports. The document emphasized the satisfaction of the parties with the signing of the statute for the trilateral working group on customs cooperation, aimed at promoting transit transportation between the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Russian Federation. It also highlighted the importance of completing the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line and the related rail terminal, which are key components of the North-South International Transport Corridor. During the meeting, the sides noted the significance of finalizing the construction of the Aghband-Kalala highway bridge over the Araz River, as well as border checkpoint facilities, as important steps toward strengthening trilateral relations. 10:00 The special working group on road transport, consisting of representatives of the customs, border, and transport authorities of Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia, will be established, the communique of the trilateral meeting on cooperation in the field of transport, energy, and customs said, Trend reports. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Delegations from Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran conducted a joint inspection of critical infrastructure along the North-South International Transport Corridor in Azerbaijan's Astara on October 14, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, the Russian delegation by Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, and the Iranian delegation by Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh. The delegations visited the automobile bridge over the Astara river at the Azerbaijan-Iran border, which opened in December 2023. The bridges capacity allows for a total of 1,000 trucks daily, with 500 entering and 500 exiting. The delegations also inspected the construction progress of the South Freight Terminal in Astara, operated by Azerbaijan Railways. The terminals current annual cargo handling capacity is 1 million tons, with plans to expand it to 5 million tons, and construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Furthermore, the delegations conducted a comprehensive assessment of the infrastructural development pertaining to the Rasht-Astara railway within the confines of Iranian jurisdiction. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 15. 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. Trend presents the chronicle of the 19th day of the Second Karabakh war: - President Ilham Aliyev interviewed by the Turkish NTV channel. - "Azerbaijans glorious Army has liberated Arish village of Fuzuli district, Doshulu village of Jabrayil district, and Edishe, Dudukchi, Edilli and Chiraguz of Khojavend district. Long live Azerbaijans Army! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!" President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a post on his official Twitter account. - President Ilham Aliyev interviewed by Dmitry Kiselev, Director General of the Russia Today media group, for the Russian RIA Novosti news agency. - First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva made a post on her official Instagram account in connection with the shelling of the funeral procession in Tartar by the Armenian side. - As a result of the actions taken by the Azerbaijani army, a large number of Armenian manpower and equipment were destroyed and disabled in different directions of the front. - The Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the humanitarian ceasefire, fired at the territories of Goranboy, Tartar, Aghdam and Aghjabadi districts. - The death toll as a result of the deliberate shelling of the funeral procession in Tartar by Armenia reached 4 people. - The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan said that two civilians were injured as a result of shelling a residential building in Aghdam by the Armenian armed forces. - The Armenian colonel, commander of the military unit of the Armed Forces of Armenia, was liquidated. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, represented by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Islamic Development Bank Group on the procedure for holding the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group in 2026 by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan (host country) has been approved, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant law. According to the law, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed on May 22, 2025, in Algiers. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus met with Chief Minister of Pakistan's Punjab Province Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, a source in the parliament told Trend. The meeting deliberated on the augmentation of bilateral relations and legislative collaboration between our nations. The observed synergies in cultural, religious, and spiritual paradigms among our populations underpin the foundational framework of amicable and fraternal interrelations between our nations. Moreover, the convening underscored that robust political engagement and amicable rapport among the executive leaders significantly influence the trajectory of bilateral relations across multifaceted domains, fostering a deeper integration of the nations' citizenry and governance structures. Throughout the dialogue, the significance of the trilateral assembly involving the parliamentary speakers from Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye convened in Islamabad, along with the pertinent topics deliberated therein, was underscored. The meeting noted that this trilateral cooperation mechanism of the speakers of the parliaments, the meetings held, and mutual visits, as well as the joint activities of our deputies in influential international parliamentary organizations and the common position on issues of principle, serve to strengthen the friendly and strategic partnership relations between our countries at the parliamentary level. The meeting facilitated a robust dialogue regarding the potential trajectories for advancing bilateral and trilateral synergies among the nations, alongside addressing various matters of reciprocal significance. As previously articulated, Gafarova is currently engaged in a diplomatic mission to Pakistan to partake in the Third Trilateral Assembly of the Legislative Leaders of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. A post about the working visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Egypt has been shared on his social media accounts, Trend reports. The post reads: President Ilham Aliyevs working visit to Egypt (12-13.10.2025). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. A significant trilateral meeting was held in Baku between Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran to discuss future cooperation in regional transport, energy, and customs, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend. Garayev stated that the meeting demonstrated Azerbaijans role as a regional leader, highlighting its strategic position and developed infrastructure. Thanks to its geographic location and modern infrastructure, Azerbaijan has emerged as a leading transport and energy hub in the region. The success of international transport and energy projects directly depends on Bakus coordination capabilities and planned policies. Azerbaijan proves to be an indispensable partner for neighboring countries, reinforcing its leadership as a regional transport and energy center, he said. Garayev noted noted Baku plays a central role in the regions transport network, linking Russia and Iran via the North-South International Transport Corridor and providing a critical transit route between Europe and South Asia. The corridors reliability, speed, and efficiency depend directly on Azerbaijans management. Azerbaijan is not just a transit country; it is shaping regional logistics. Modernization, digitalization, and optimization of customs and border operations are being implemented on Azerbaijans initiative. These measures increase the speed and security of regional cargo flows while strengthening the countrys strategic advantage. The North-South corridor currently handles 10-12 million tons of cargo annually, with plans to increase capacity to 15 million tons. This will enhance Azerbaijans role as a regional logistics and transit center, providing strategic benefits to neighboring countries, he added. Garayev underscored that multiple pivotal infrastructure initiatives were scrutinized during the assembly, accentuating their essential function in guaranteeing the viability and advancement of the region's transportation framework. The Rasht-Astara railway segment and terminal form the backbone of the North-South corridor. Azerbaijan oversees coordination and technical supervision within its territory, enabling the timely and high-quality completion of the project. The Aghband-Kalala road bridge accelerates cargo transit and streamlines border crossings, optimizing regional cargo flows. Expansion of road checkpoints and modernization of customs infrastructure ensure uninterrupted transit and improve the efficiency of cargo transportation. The establishment of working groups strengthens cooperation in road transport and customs, allowing for swift problem resolution. These projects demonstrate Azerbaijans leadership not only in technical execution but also strategically. Every decision and coordination effort directly impacts cargo flow and regional economic stability. From an analytical perspective, synchronizing railway and road infrastructure could reduce transit times by 20 percent up to 30 percent, further reinforcing Azerbaijans role as an indispensable partner for neighboring countries, he said. The political analyst underscored that Azerbaijan's pivotal positioning engenders substantial capital influx potential for the nation and the broader geopolitical landscape. Azerbaijan is leveraging these opportunities to the fullest. The country attracts investments, coordinates project implementation, and fosters cooperation among partners based on equal principles, further solidifying its role as a regional economic and transport hub. The full operation of the North-South corridor could contribute $3-4 billion annually to regional trade, underscoring its strategic and economic importance for Azerbaijan. Energy cooperation and the interconnection of electricity networks were also central topics at the meeting. Azerbaijan plays a leading role in regional energy stability, optimizing electricity transmission through network integration. Technological collaboration, knowledge exchange, and coordinated construction work demonstrate that Azerbaijan is a key regional partner. Baku not only manages logistics but also sets standards and ensures the timely and efficient completion of projects. Energy sector synchronization holds strategic significance for neighboring countries, with reliable electricity supplies to Iran and Russia further reinforcing Azerbaijans regional position, Garayev said. He highlighted that the streamlining of border transit protocols and the integration of digital solutions were pivotal focal points of discourse. "Azerbaijan is deploying advanced digital systems to minimize delays and enhance transparency. This approach not only boosts economic efficiency but also reinforces the countrys strategic advantage in the region. The integration of digital systems and the work of specialized groups enable rapid responses to any challenge, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of international transport corridors. In this field, Azerbaijan serves as the primary provider in the region, strengthening its role as a reliable partner for neighboring countries. During the meeting, an agreement was reached on the joint inspection of infrastructure facilities to ensure the flow of fifteen million tons of cargo along the North-South corridor. This initiative will further consolidate Azerbaijans strategic position as an international logistics hub. Full development of the corridor will enhance regional trade, deepen economic integration, and optimize transit revenues for neighboring countries," he said. The political analyst emphasized that the trilateral meeting in Baku reaffirmed Azerbaijans strategic importance. "The country is not only reinforcing its own positions but also setting development standards for the entire region. By demonstrating leadership in investment, digitalization, innovation, and project coordination, Azerbaijan strengthens its role as a regional logistics and energy center. The nation strategically facilitates localized growth initiatives while establishing itself as a consistent and trustworthy collaborator for adjacent jurisdictions. Today, Baku transcends its role as a mere transit nexus; it has evolved into the epicenter of economic and strategic advancement within the regional landscape," Garayev concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel JERUSALEM/GAZA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Red Cross vehicles were on their way to a designated meeting point in Gaza late on Tuesday to collect additional bodies of Israeli hostages to be handed over by Hamas, the Israeli military and Shin Bet security agency said in a statement. "According to information received, the Red Cross is on its way to the meeting point in the northern Gaza Strip, where several coffins of deceased hostages will be transferred into their custody," noted the statement. Earlier, Hamas had informed mediators that it would transfer the bodies of four hostages later in the night. A senior Hamas official told Xinhua that the movement planned to transfer four additional Israeli bodies at 10 p.m. local time (1900 GMT). The official said Hamas is making "intensive efforts" to locate more bodies and information about them for handover, noting that the retrieval process remains complicated due to the extensive destruction caused by the war in several areas, which hampers search and recovery operations. The move followed Israel's decision to halt the planned reopening of the Rafah crossing -- a key entry point for aid from Egypt -- and to further restrict humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Israeli officials said the measures were intended to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 24 bodies after it handed over four on Monday. Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations of violating the fragile ceasefire, now in its fifth day, as Israeli fire killed at least six people in Gaza and Hamas failed to return all of the remaining bodies. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The court proceedings in the criminal case against Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan with crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, continued on October 14, Trend reports. The open court session, held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with a panel consisting of Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that the accused was provided with an interpreter in his native language, Russian, as well as defense lawyers of his choice. Judge Zeynal Agayev introduced the court panel, the prosecutors representing the state, the interpreters, and others to the victims and their legal heirs attending the trial for the first time, while also explaining their rights and obligations as stipulated by law. The legal heir of victim Khayal Janbakhishov, his father Kheyrulla Janbakhishov, stated that his son was killed in Aghdara due to the explosion of a mortar shell fired by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups. Responding to questions from state prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, victim Elshad Sheydayev reported sustaining injuries to his arm and leg in Kalbajar as a result of enemy provocations. Victim Kamiz Ibayev recounted being taken captive in Kalbajar after getting lost in fog, by remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups. Answering questions from Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department for Defense of State Prosecution at the Prosecutor Generals Office, Ibayev stated that he was blindfolded and taken to an unknown location, subjected to various forms of torture, mistreatment, and beatings during his captivity. In response to questions from Ruben Vardanyans lawyer, Avraam Berman, Ibayev clarified that he was held by remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups and did not see Vardanyan during his captivity. Answering questions from the Prosecutor Generals senior assistant Vusal Aliyev, victim Taleh Rzayev reported being wounded in Aghdara due to the explosion of a mortar shell fired by the enemy. Responding to questions from the Prosecutor Generals special assignments assistant Tugay Rahimli, victim Zaur Alakbarov stated he was injured in Khojavend due to the explosion of an artillery shell fired by the enemy, noting that several others were also injured in the incident. Victim Gismatpasha Abbaszade, answering questions from state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, reported sustaining injuries in Aghdam as a result of enemy fire, adding that another person was also wounded during the incident. Victim Telman Adigozalov, responding to questions from state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, stated he was injured in Khojavend due to artillery fire from the enemy. Victim Elvin Mammadov reported receiving severe injuries in Aghdam due to fire opened by remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups, stating he was in a coma for 23 days and is currently classified as a second-degree disabled person. Rovshan Hajibalayev reported sustaining injuries in the Sirkhavand village of Aghdara district due to the explosion of an artillery shell fired by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups. Teymur Jafarov stated he was wounded in Lachin due to enemy fire, noting that one person was killed and several others injured in the incident. Agil Guliyev reported being wounded in Aghdam as a result of enemy fire. Khaqani Guliyev stated in his testimony that he sustained a bullet wound in Aghdam due to enemy fire. Dayanat Mardani reported being wounded in Aghdam due to enemy provocations. Victim Sarkhan Rahimov stated that while heading to evacuate wounded individuals in a medical service vehicle in Aghdam, he was injured due to fire opened by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups. He noted that despite the medical vehicle being clearly marked, it was targeted, resulting in injuries to himself and others, while the wounded individuals they were meant to evacuate died due to lack of timely medical assistance. Anar Seyidov, Turkan Jafarov, and Parviz Adigozalov reported sustaining various injuries in different locations due to fire opened by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups. Victim Maharram Karimli stated in his testimony that he was wounded in the arm in the Aghdam-Aghdara direction due to sniper fire from the enemy. Responding to a question from Ruben Vardanyan, Karimli said he recognized Vardanyan through social media. Subsequently, the forensic medical examination reports regarding the victims were presented. The next court session is scheduled for October 21. Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan). Photo: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. During the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Tale Aliyev, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the UN, made a statement at a meeting of the Committee on Crimes Against Humanity, Trend reports. He noted that crimes against humanity are considered among the most serious violations of international law. "The Republic of Azerbaijan highly appreciates the work of the UN International Law Commission in drafting a convention on the punishment of crimes against humanity. We support the formation of a unified and comprehensive international legal framework in this area," he stated. In conclusion, Tale Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan remains committed to these efforts and will continue to contribute to the protection of human rights and the development of international humanitarian law. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaija BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The first module of the course on "English in Medicine" is being held at the Military Medical Faculty of Azerbaijan Medical University within the framework of NATOs Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The course, with the participation of the DEEP delegation from Bulgaria, provides briefings on the topic to the audience. The focus of the course is to improve the professional readiness of the participants by benefiting from international experiences. It is noteworthy that the course will continue until October 18. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. An Azerbaijani-Turkish expedition will be held to study and properly assess fish stocks in the Caspian Sea and inland water bodies on a scientific basis on October 13-23, Trend reports. The expedition will be organized by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Center of the Ministry of Agriculture, with the participation of the Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), the Scientific Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, and experts invited from Turkiye. The experts include Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahir Kanyilmaz (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkiye, Directorate General of Fisheries and Aquatic Products), Prof. Dr. Ali Cemal Gucu (Middle East Technical University, Erdemli Institute of Marine Sciences), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cilbiz (Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Egirdir Aquatic Products) and Dr. Ferhat Demirol (Elazig Aquatic Products Research Institute). The research work will be carried out on the SEA STAR 1 vessel belonging to Azbioresurs LLC. During the expedition, employees of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Center, Turkish scientists, and specialists from the Institute of Zoology will work together. The purpose of the research is to assess the population, biodiversity, and ecological status of fish and other aquatic bioresources, and to determine fishing quotas for 2026 based on scientific data. The information to be prepared based on the expedition results will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan by the Ministry of Agriculture. Further details will be published about the expedition results and analyses. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The first day of the 30th Caspian Construction Week has concluded in Azerbaijan's Baku, Trend reports. The event includes the 5th International Exhibition on the Restoration, Reconstruction, and Development of Karabakh "Rebuild Karabakh"; the 30th Anniversary Azerbaijan International Construction "BakuBuild"; the 17th International Exhibition on Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Water Supply, Plumbing, and Swimming Pools "Aquatherm Baku"; the 4th Caspian International Exhibition of Plastics and Polymers Industry "Plastex Caspian"; and the 13th Caspian International Exhibition on Road Infrastructure and Public Transport "Road&Traffic," which will be held alongside these exhibitions. An address by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the participants of the event was read out at the opening of the event. In his speech, Elnur Baghirov, Chairman of the State Agency for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Surveillance under the President, said that in 2020-2025, general procurement procedures were carried out in Karabakh for 1,500 design and construction works. Baghirov emphasized that in total, more than 260 procurement procedures were carried out in the first eight months of this year, covering nine cities and about 90 villages and settlements: In order to comply with the requirements of national technical regulations, which are planned to be adopted as part of the State Program for 2022-2025, it is planned to adopt more than 1,000 standard samples. Special Representative of the President in the Lachin district Masim Mammadov noted that the first stage of reconstruction in Lachin has been completed, with three villages restored and over 30 enterprises established, as well as a new airport and hotel complex inaugurated. He stated that a new airport and a hotel complex have been inaugurated in Lachin. A project is underway to supply drinking water to major cities, and a modern cable car is also being constructed in Lachin, he said, adding that the district has not only been rebuilt but has also evolved into a hub for international cooperation and cultural dialogue. President of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan, Mammad Musayev, in turn, emphasized that Azerbaijans economy has shown steady positive growth in recent years. Musayev said that Azerbaijans gross domestic product (GDP) reached 95.2 billion manat from January through September 2025, marking a 1.3 percent rise from a year earlier, with the non-oil sector growing by 2.9 percent. This is a tangible outcome of the close cooperation between the state and the private sector. I would also like to emphasize that the construction sector accounts for 6.6 percent of the countrys GDP, with 8.7 percent, or more than 19,000 registered enterprises, operating in this field. This clearly shows that construction plays a vital role in Azerbaijans economy and serves as a key driver of non-oil sector development. Additionally, we can observe the sectors growing contribution to overall economic expansion, reflected in increased public investment in infrastructure projects and construction activities undertaken by the private sector, he added. Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), Vusal Gasimli, added that preparatory work for the 2027-2030 Social and Economic Development Strategy and the second State Program on the Great Return has nearly been completed. The program has been thoroughly discussed with the relevant agencies and is expected to be presented in the near future, he emphasized. The event, which will be attended by representatives of government agencies, will last three days. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The postage stamp was issued to mark the 145th anniversary of the creation of Azerbaijan's railways, Trend reports. Meanwhile, it is reported that AzerMark LLC has issued a postage stamp to mark the 145th anniversary of the creation of railways in Azerbaijan. Furthermore, it is noted that the stamp depicts a freight train. The main idea behind the postage stamp is to highlight the contribution of freight transportation, one of the activities of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, to the economic development of the country and the region, as well as to the transportation of transit cargo along international corridors. The circulation of the stamp totaled 4,000 copies. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. President Ilham Aliyev addressed participants at the 5th Azerbaijan International Exhibition on the Restoration, Reconstruction, and Development of Karabakh Rebuild Karabakh. Trend presents address: ''Dear exhibition participants, It is my sincere pleasure to welcome you to the opening of the 5th Azerbaijan International Exhibition on the Restoration, Reconstruction, and Development of Karabakh Rebuild Karabakh. This year, within the framework of Caspian Construction Week, we are proud to host both the 5th Rebuild Karabakh and the 30th Azerbaijan International Construction Exhibition BakuBuild anniversary events. The 5th Rebuild Karabakh exhibition coincides with a landmark period in the history of statehood of the Republic of Azerbaijan, marking key anniversaries that embody our sovereignty and national unity. We proudly commemorate the 30th anniversary of the adoption of our Constitution and the fifth anniversary of our historic Victory in the Patriotic War. All these achievements not only attest to the unwavering will and solidarity of our people and their commitment to advancing toward strategic goals, but also mobilize us around a new mission the restoration of Karabakh and East Zangezur. Currently, within the framework of the Great Return program, large-scale reconstruction and development projects are being successfully carried out in the liberated territories, fundamentally transforming the regions landscape. Cities are being built in accordance with modern urban planning concepts; new schools and hospitals are being constructed; road, transport, and communications infrastructure is being developed; jobs are being created; and green energy zones and industrial parks are being established. Karabakh is evolving not only as a symbol of our national pride, but also as a 21st-century area of sustainable development. It is gratifying to see the growing significance of the Rebuild Karabakh exhibition for both local and international participants. The exhibition showcases cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions, facilitates discussions on joint projects and partnership opportunities, and creates new prospects for the socio-economic development of the region. Held for the fifth time, this event not only demonstrates Azerbaijans achievements to the world but also strengthens our countrys position as a global hub for investment, technology, and innovation. Held annually, this prestigious exhibition embodies the reality of sustainable construction, progress, and peace, while remaining a forward-looking, high-impact event. Partnerships forged here strengthen mutual trust among people and nations, build new bridges of cooperation, and place Karabakh at the heart of a sustainable development agenda. I am confident that this exhibition will continue to play a crucial role in fostering partnerships among participants, identifying modern development and investment initiatives, and advancing the reconstruction of Karabakh and the entire region. On this auspicious occasion, I once again warmly congratulate all organizers and participants on the 5th anniversary of the exhibition and wish Rebuild Karabakh continued success and new achievements in the years to come.'' BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Construction of four new settlements will start in Azerbaijan's Lachin next year, Masim Mammadov, the President's Special Representative in the Lachin district, part of the East Zangezur economic region, told Trend on the sidelines of the 30th Anniversary Caspian Construction Week. He noted that so far, 3,650 residents have been relocated to Lachin. "In general, if we take into account those who live, work, and provide services there, their current number is about 4,500-5,000. That is, today, a well-rounded life has been established, infrastructure has been organized, and as work continues, the relocation of residents will also be carried out. By the end of this year, we'll organize the relocation of 30 families to Lachin. Currently, the completion of work is underway in this regard. That is, work is underway to complete the construction of houses for the families who will move. In particular, work is being done to renew the roads," the official explained. Mammadov emphasized that big plans for Lachin will be realized next year. "Next year, we'll begin the construction of four new residential areas in Lachin. At the same time, we have bigger goals for 2027-2030. Since our goals are big, we are trying to move forward with consistent, purposeful, and logical steps," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel KHOJALY, Azerbaijan, October 14. The next stage of resettlement was carried out in Shushakand village, Khojaly district, the Restoration, Construction and Management Service in Khankendi city, and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, told Trend. At this stage, 27 families of former IDPs (116 people) were relocated to the village and presented with the keys to the apartments. Deputy Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly, Sabuhi Gahramanov, who spoke at the key presentation ceremony, emphasized that ensuring the comfortable living and employment of residents is one of the main priorities of the state and the issue of providing citizens with employment is under the control of relevant state agencies. To note, 15 families were relocated to Shushakend in the previous stages. Thus, a total of 42 families have settled in the village so far. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Under the bilateral military cooperation plan signed between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Serbia, a delegation from the Serbian Ministry of Defense paid a visit to Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Defense told Trend. The meeting at the Center for War Games of the Military Administration Institute of the National Defense University noted that the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defense signed between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Serbia, bilateral military cooperation plans, and discussions on strengthening strategic partnership relations play a crucial role in the advancement of defense cooperation between the two countries. The sides noted that mutual visits and such meetings have made a special contribution to strengthening military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia. It was emphasized that numerous events and training exercises were carried out within the framework of the bilateral military cooperation plan. It is noteworthy that friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia demonstrate effective defense diplomacy and contribute to peace and stability in the regions, as well as beyond their borders. Subsequently, briefings on the topic of "Planning of Operations" were presented, extensive discussions were held, and questions of mutual interest were answered. The delegation was provided with detailed information on the formation of the contemporary Azerbaijan Army, the reforms implemented, planning, types of troops, special educational institutions, organization of combat training, combat operations, and other areas of activity. In summation, the parties engaged in a reciprocal exchange of tokens of appreciation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks while responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces in Parliament, in Cape Town, South Africa, Oct. 14, 2025. Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that while the recent peace agreement concerning Gaza is welcome, it will not affect the country's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua) CAPE TOWN, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that while the recent peace agreement concerning Gaza is welcome, it will not affect the country's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The president made the remarks while responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces in Parliament, Cape Town. "The peace deal that has been struck, which we welcome, will have no bearing on the case that is before the International Court of Justice. The case is proceeding and it now has to go to the stage where Israel has to respond to our pleadings that have been filed in the court and they have to do so by January of next year," Ramaphosa told the house. While South Africa welcomed the first phase of peace, including the ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, Ramaphosa said that in the end, real justice must be achieved for the people of Palestine. "We cannot go forward without the healing that needs to take place, which will also result from the case that has been launched being properly heard," he said. In December 2023, South Africa approached the ICJ seeking an injunction to compel Israel to halt its attacks on Palestine and to declare those acts as genocide. In January and March 2024, the court issued provisional measures, ordering Israel to ensure the immediate provision of basic food supplies in Gaza. Ramaphosa said that, as a party to the proceedings at the ICJ, South Africa cannot compel the court to expedite its ruling, even as Israel continues to violate several of the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ. However, he emphasized that international efforts are ongoing to end Israel's unlawful actions in Gaza and to ensure accountability for atrocities committed against Palestinians. "These processes are taking place at the United Nations through The Hague Group, which is a global bloc of states committed to defending international law and acting in solidarity with the people of Palestine," Ramaphosa said. "The government of South Africa remains resolutely committed to using every available legal and diplomatic avenue to protect the people of Palestine and to uphold the rule of law," he added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. On October 14 in the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan, the opening ceremony of the "Unity-2025" (Birlik-2025) joint regional exercise involving servicemen from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan was held, Trend reports. The ceremonial proceedings of the event featured the execution of the national anthems from the respective sovereign states involved. Ceremony speakers underscored the significance of collaborative maneuvers regarding the synergistic exchange of operational expertise and extended best wishes for the success of the exercise participants. Subsequently, a meticulously curated concert agenda was disseminated to the attendees of the event, featuring a repertoire of national anthems from Uzbekistan alongside a selection of compositions from various other nations. In summation, the engaged personnel executed a ceremonial procession before the elevated viewing platform. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Latvia leans into wind with EBRD funding for renewable growth Photo: Masdar The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing 32 million euros to help build one of Latvias largest wind farms, a 112 MW project in Smiltene that will significantly boost the countrys renewable energy capacity and energy independence. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the release of hostages held by Hamas for 738 days and the rollout of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan mark a significant step forward in the quest for lasting peace in the Middle East, Trend reports. The release of living hostages who were held captive by Hamas for 738 days, along with the implementation of the first phase of the peace plan, is a symbolic and significant step toward enduring peace in the Middle East. I wholeheartedly welcome this development, said Minister Tsahkna. The minister tipped his hat to the tireless mediation efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye, which opened the door for the release and rekindled hopes for peace in the region. Tsahkna emphasized that ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza is now essential to ease civilian suffering and support regional stabilization. The ceasefire must ensure that vital aid reaches those in need and create conditions for long-term recovery, he added. The liberation of the captives occurred within the initial phase of the Gaza reconciliation framework, encompassing a cessation of hostilities, the emancipation of detainees, and the augmentation of humanitarian assistance flows into Gaza. In a significant paradigm shift, we are witnessing a pivotal juncture that presents a bona fide opportunity to mitigate hostilities and enhance the humanitarian landscape for affected populations, Tsahkna articulated. He underscored Estonia's unwavering commitment to endorsing all initiatives aimed at sustaining the ceasefire and propelling progress toward enduring peace. He deduced that sustainable tranquility and stability for both Israeli and Palestinian entities can solely be realized via a bifurcated sovereign framework. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. On October 13, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus sat down with Lithuanias newly appointed members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), who are set to hit the ground running from 2025 through 2030, Trend reports. During the meeting, participants discussed key issues on the EESC agenda and Lithuanias national priorities, including support for Ukraine, defense and security, EU enlargement, competitiveness, the social agenda, historical memory, resilience, the EUs multiannual budget, and combating disinformation. Mitkus highlighted Lithuanias upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027, calling it a golden opportunity to showcase Lithuanias stance on the European stage. Our goal is to effectively represent the interests of the state. It is essential to ensure close and constructive cooperation with EESC members when preparing opinions and recommendations on issues of importance to Lithuania, Mitkus said. The European Economic and Social Committee is an EU advisory body composed of representatives from employers organizations, workers associations, and various civil society groups. It delivers insights and strategic advisories to the European Commission, the Council of the EU, and the European Parliament concerning an extensive array of policy domains. Situated in the heart of Brussels, the assembly is comprised of 329 delegates, featuring a cohort of nine emissaries hailing from Lithuania. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Uzbekistan has significant potential for further growth in cashless payments, Denis Filippov, General Manager of Mastercard, told Trend in an exclusive interview. "Currently, the share of cashless transactions accounts for about 43 percent of total payments (38 percent in 2023 and 41 percent in 2024), meaning the country is demonstrating a steady trend in payment digitalization," he stated. According to Filippov, a combination of factors such as a young population with an average age of 29, a high level of mobile and internet penetration, as well as an actively developing fintech sector, creates favorable conditions for Uzbekistan to transition to a developed digital economy. "Mastercard actively supports this process, implementing not only the launch of new cards and services in the countrys banks but also educational initiatives. We cooperate with partners to improve financial literacy among the population, expand access to modern payment technologies, and strengthen trust in cashless instruments," the general manager added. He also mentioned that more than 1,400 entrepreneurs have received free training at the Mastercard e-commerce school, and one of the companys partner platforms now offers free online courses covering the basics of using bank cards and cybersecurity issues. According to Filippov, the development of cashless payments in any country, like the transformation of consumer habits in general, is the result of a whole set of interconnected factors. "In Uzbekistan, I would highlight several key factors that contribute to the sustainable growth of cashless transactions," he emphasized: Government support. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan actively promotes digitalization through reforms and support for local payment systems. Development of banking technologies. Leading banks offer increasingly convenient mobile applications and online services. Consumer habits. Despite notable progress, many residents of the country still prefer cash due to habit, distrust, or tax considerations. Financial literacy and accessibility. Educational initiatives and expanding access to banking services play a key role in changing consumer behavior. However, according to the General Manager, the main obstacles to Uzbekistans integration into the global payment ecosystem remain cybersecurity issues, lack of financial literacy, and infrastructure limitations. The constant growth in the volume of digital transactions and the steady rise in cybercrime require the implementation of the most advanced protection systems. Our cybersecurity and identification systems monitor around 32 million incidents daily, related to various risks. The operation of these systems is largely based on artificial intelligence, said Denis Filippov. He noted that Mastercard is committed to creating a safe and inclusive digital future by using cutting-edge technologies and services that ensure the cybersecurity of banks as well as financial and non-financial organizations. Filippov also emphasized the importance of improving financial literacy: Many users, especially in the regions, still do not fully understand the benefits and mechanisms of digital payments, which limits their active use of new services. Regarding infrastructure challenges, Denis Filippov pointed out: In rural areas of Uzbekistan, there is still a lack of stable internet connection and a limited number of POS terminals, which complicates the adoption of digital payments. To address these issues, Mastercard actively collaborates with regulators, banks, and fintech companies to develop digital infrastructure and implement modern payment security technologies and standards. For example, at the beginning of 2025, a project to digitalize small businesses was launched in Uzbekistan, under which 12,000 small enterprises received free access to software for accepting payments via smartphones. This has become a significant support for self-employed individuals and small businesses, especially in remote rural areas with low internet coverage, he added. This project is being implemented as part of Mastercards global Strive initiative, which supports over 10 million small businesses worldwide by providing them access to capital, markets, and digital solutions, he noted. Filippov also revealed several key projects implemented by the company in the local market: Recently, Mastercard launched the first virtual Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) product in Uzbekistanthe ZOOD Card, created in partnership with the fintech platform ZOOD and Ipak Yuli Bank. The card allows purchases in installments up to 12 payments, both in online stores such as Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, and in offline locations, he reported. Speaking about development prospects, Denis Filippov noted: In the near future, we plan to expand our offerings in the areas of digital wallets, P2P transfers, and mobile payments especially in the e-commerce segment as well as services tailored for young and digitally active consumers. He also reminded about the launch of the Swoo Pay payment service in February 2025, implemented by the National Bank of Uzbekistan in partnership with Mastercard: The application turns an Android smartphone into a secure digital wallet, eliminating the need to carry plastic cards. Payments can be made directly via smartphone even without an internet connection. Filippov emphasized that Mastercard is focused on developing solutions that are relevant and practical for the local market. We are working on use cases that are both current and relevant. For example, considering the still significant share of cash in Uzbekistans economy, we recently launched a solution together with Paynet and Asaka Bank that enables users to top up Mastercard cards of any bank through Paynets network of info-kiosks. We also place strong emphasis on domestic transfers for individuals and various business cases. Our goal is to provide convenient, fast, and secure solutions for all segments of the market,'' general manager added. He also provided examples of cross-border initiatives: In particular, the Paysend payment platform has expanded its cross-border transfer capabilities, including direct payouts to cards of local payment systems. This helps simplify and speed up money transfers from over 170 countries, including regions in Central Asia and the Middle East. Mastercard supports such initiatives by providing the technological infrastructure and partnership solutions that promote financial integration across the region. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Azerbaijan exported 478 million kWh of electricity to Georgia from January through September of this year. The data obtained by Trend from the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee shows that the revenue from this volume of electricity exports amounted to $27.5 million. Compared to the same period last year, the electricity exports to Georgia grew by 33.6 million kWh, or 7.6 times in volume, and by $4.7 million, or 20.6 percent in value. Meanwhile, during the first eight months of 2025, Azerbaijan imported 34.3 million kWh of electricity worth $2.2 million from Georgia. Compared to the same period last year, this represents a decrease of $340,000, or 13.2 percent, in value, and 5.2 million kWh, or 13.2 percent, in volume. However, from January through August 2025, Azerbaijan exported a total of 919.9 million kWh of electricity worth $52.7 million to four countriesRussia, Georgia, Iran, and Turkiye. Compared to the same period last year, this figure went down by $4.8 million, or 8.3 percent in value, and 98.8 million kWh, or 10 percent in volume. Moreover, over the reporting period, Azerbaijan imported 115.6 million kWh of electricity worth $4.9 million from Russia, Georgia, and Iran. Compared to the first eight months of last year, this is a decrease of $26,000, or 0.5 percent, in value and 7.6 million kWh, or 6.2 percent, in volume. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 14. The international Plus Forum has opened in Dushanbe, during which Uzbekistans HUMO and Tajikistans Korti Milli payment systems signed a strategic partnership agreement, Trend reports. The memorandum formalizes the parties intention to integrate their payment infrastructures, enabling HUMO cardholders to use Korti Milli services in Tajikistan, and vice versa Korti Milli cardholders to access HUMO services in Uzbekistan. The document aims to foster long-term strategic cooperation between the two largest payment systems in the region and to expand service opportunities for clients in both countries. The Plus Forum traditionally serves as a platform for professional dialogue and the exchange of experience in the financial and payment sectors. This year, HUMO was represented by Alexey Golenishchev, who delivered a presentation on Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience in the Banking and Payment Industry. Participation in such international conferences helps the company strengthen its market position and enhance its business reputation within the global financial community. Meanwhile, Tajikistan has emerged as a key regional partner for Uzbekistan, ranking among the countrys top 20 trade allies. In 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached $702.7 million, marking a significant increase and underscoring the growing dynamics of economic synergy and cross-border collaboration between the two nations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. As previously reported, a trilateral meeting between Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, and Irans Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh in Baku on October 13, Trend reports. During the meeting, issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia in the fields of transport, energy, and customs were discussed, and a communique was adopted on the results of the trilateral meeting. The communique stated that satisfaction was expressed with the trilateral cooperation and emphasized the guiding role of the Declaration of the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia dated August 8, 2016 and the Joint Statement dated November 1, 2017 in promoting mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation between Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, developing safe and reliable regional and international transport corridors and projects in the energy sector for the economic growth of the region. The meeting emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to develop the transit potential of the region, accelerating projects aimed at the development and diversification of transport communications, and in this regard, the importance of synchronously implementing infrastructure expansion works along the North-South International Transport Corridor in the relevant territories of the countries. The importance of taking measures to increase the volume of transportation along the North-South corridor to 15 million tons and ensuring a continuous increase in cargo flows was emphasized. An agreement was reached to establish a working group to prepare an action plan for the planned measures within three months. At the same time, during the meeting, an agreement was reached to establish a special Working Group on automobile transportation consisting of representatives of customs, border, and transport agencies of the three countries. The signing of the charter of the trilateral working group on the interaction of customs authorities in order to promote transit transportation between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia was highly appreciated. The importance of completing the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line, as well as the construction of the relevant railway terminal, which is one of the components of the corridor, was noted in order to fully utilize the potential of the North-South corridor. During the meeting, the importance of completing the construction of the Aghband-Kalaleh highway bridge over the Araz river, as well as the construction of border checkpoints, was noted in terms of strengthening trilateral relations. The need to simplify border crossing procedures along the corridor and digitalize transport, border, and customs operations was emphasized. During the meeting, it was considered appropriate to continue discussions at the technical level on the project to connect the electricity networks between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia. During the discussions, an agreement was reached to conduct a joint on-site inspection of important infrastructure projects of the North-South corridor on October 14, 2025. In conclusion, it was considered appropriate to continue joint efforts to deepen cooperation in the fields of transport, energy, and customs. This communique was adopted in English in Baku on October 13, 2025. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14. Kazakhstans gross agricultural output increased by 4.4% in the first nine months of 2025, exceeding the planned target of 2.3%, Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov said during a government meeting, Trend reports. According to Sultanov, growth was driven by a 5.2% increase in crop production and a 3.4% rise in livestock output. The unprecedented state support provided this year has enabled farmers to fully adopt modern agricultural technologies, which in turn contributed to the sectors growth despite last years high base, Sultanov noted. The Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that sustained government measures and technological modernization are helping to strengthen Kazakhstans agricultural productivity and ensure stable growth across key subsectors. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has released the official exchange rates for foreign currencies as of October 14, Trend reports. According to the rates announced by the CBI, the value of 43 currencies went up, while 2 currencies dropped compared to October 13. The official rate for $1 is 583,783 rials, while one euro is valued at 675,683 rials. On October 13, the euro was priced at 684,336 rials. Currency Rial on October 14 Rial on October 13 1 US dollar USD 583,783 589,121 1 British pound GBP 778,137 788,223 1 Swiss franc CHF 725,822 736,994 1 Swedish krona SEK 61,435 61,937 1 Norwegian krone NOK 57,867 58,207 1 Danish krone DKK 90,474 91,661 1 Indian rupee INR 6,585 6,638 1 UAE Dirham AED 158,961 160,414 1 Kuwaiti dinar KWD 1,901,879 1,917,535 100 Pakistani rupees PKR 206,303 209,533 100 Japanese yen JPY 383,418 390,073 1 Hong Kong dollar HKD 75,040 75,699 1 Omani rial OMR 1,516,778 1,530,042 1 Canadian dollar CAD 416,158 421,363 1 New Zealand dollar NZD 334,650 337,084 1 South African rand ZAR 33,756 33,666 1 Turkish lira TRY 13,964 14,095 1 Russian ruble RUB 7,258 7,222 1 Qatari riyal QAR 160,380 161,846 100 Iraqi dinars IQD 44,582 44,948 1 Syrian pound SYP 45 45 1 Australian dollar AUD 380,560 383,645 1 Saudi riyal SAR 155,675 157,099 1 Bahraini dinar BHD 1,552,614 1,566,811 1 Singapore dollar SGD 449,490 454,672 100 Bangladeshi takas BDT 479,490 483,501 10 Sri Lankan rupees LKR 19,291 19,479 1 Myanmar kyat MMK 278 281 100 Nepalese rupees NPR 411,396 414,680 1 Libyan dinar LYD 107,421 108,654 1 Chinese yuan CNY 81,855 82,599 100 Thai baht THB 1,795,547 1,804,719 1 Malaysian ringgit MYR 138,113 139,472 1,000 South Korean won KRW 409,319 412,652 1 Jordanian dinar JOD 823,389 830,918 1 euro EUR 675,683 684,336 100 Kazakh tenge KZT 108,581 109,500 1 Georgian lari GEL 215,514 217,397 1,000 Indonesian rupiahs IDR 35,282 35,554 1 Afghan afghani AFN 8,842 8,853 1 Belarusian ruble BYN 171,453 173,680 1 Azerbaijani manat AZN 343,402 346,372 100 Philippine pesos PHP 1,003,479 1,010,932 1 Tajik somoni TJS 63,506 63,591 1 Turkmen manat TMT 166,973 168,309 Venezuelan bolivar VES 3,007 3,039 The CBI adopted the SANA system for currency exchange offices, where one euro costs 839,377 rials and $1 costs 725,213 rials. NIMA is a scheme for selling a percentage of the foreign money earned from exports. The price of one euro in this system amounted to 814,929 rials, and the price of $1 totaled 704,090 rials. On the black market, $1 is worth about 1,07 -1,10 million rials, while one euro is worth 1,25-1,28 million rials. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ATHENS, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Greece was paralyzed by a 24-hour general strike on Tuesday as workers protested against a draft bill that would extend working hours. It was the second nationwide walkout in two weeks organized by the country's two main labor unions, ADEDY and GSEE, ahead of a parliamentary vote scheduled for Thursday. Thousands of demonstrators marched through Athens and other major cities. Public services and transportation were brought to a standstill, while schools and hospitals remained closed. The government maintains that the bill, which would allow up to 13-hour workdays instead of the current eight, aims to introduce greater flexibility in the labor market and boost productivity. Labor unions, however, have condemned the reforms, arguing they undermine workers' rights. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14. Kazakhstans economy expanded by 6.3% in the first nine months of 2025, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said during a government meeting, calling for continued efforts to sustain growth across key sectors, Trend reports. Bektenov emphasized that further acceleration is needed in core industries such as manufacturing, construction, trade, and transport to maintain stable economic growth. Special attention should be given to the manufacturing sector. All available resources must be used to meet annual targets. Implementation of measures and achievement of growth indicators depend primarily on local levels, so close oversight from regional governors is crucial, Bektenov stated. He noted that 11 regions of the country have shown positive dynamics in key macroeconomic indicators, while regional leaders from Abai, Ulytau, and Atyrau regions - where growth has lagged - reported on actions being taken to improve socio-economic performance. The heads of underperforming regions must make every effort to change the situation, Bektenov instructed. The PM stressed the importance of coordinated work between the government and the private sector to further diversify the economy, attract investment, and create permanent jobs, ensuring long-term and balanced growth across all regions. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, October 14. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Tatiana Molcean, and discussed the expansion of green economy cooperation on the sidelines of the Dushanbe-Invest-2025 International Investment Forum, Trend reports via the President's office. The parties reviewed the current state and prospects of collaboration in socio-economic development, environmental protection, infrastructure modernization, and sustainable water management. Emomali Rahmon highlighted that partnership with the UNECE remains a key element of Tajikistans foreign policy. He praised the Commissions role in supporting the Dushanbe Water Process, the Dushanbe Glacier Process, and national efforts to promote a green and digital economy. The President reaffirmed Tajikistans readiness to continue joint work with UNECE on projects related to transport and logistics, certification systems, and digitalization of statistics, aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and competitiveness. The sides also discussed climate change and emphasized the importance of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) in deepening regional integration and trade. In conclusion, President Rahmon expressed Tajikistans commitment to further expanding comprehensive cooperation with the UNECE. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 14. Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, held a meeting with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso to discuss the implementation of major infrastructure projects and prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation, Trend reports via the press service of the President of Uzbekistan. Thanks to the policy of openness and the large-scale reforms initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to improve the countrys well-being, mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EBRD has reached a qualitatively new level. Particular attention should be paid to the major infrastructure projects in the fields of irrigation and the green economy, which are being implemented with the Banks support, Mirziyoyeva said. We highly appreciate the EBRDs support for the Women in Business and Youth in Business programs, which are transforming the lives of many women and young people in our country. We also value the high level of cooperation in implementing projects in Karakalpakstan aimed at promoting sustainable development in the region, she added. During the meeting, both sides expressed a shared view that, thanks to the joint good-neighborly efforts of the Central Asian countries, an atmosphere of trust and cooperation has been established in the region. I am confident that our partnership with the EBRD will continue to contribute to the prosperity of Uzbekistan and the entire region, Mirziyoyeva emphasized. As of August 31, 2025, the banks portfolio in Uzbekistan reached an impressive 2.8 billion euro, with 100 active projects underway. A significant 77 percent (2.2 billion euro) of this portfolio is dedicated to sustainable infrastructure initiatives. Additionally, 15 percent (427 million euro) is allocated to financial institutions, while the corporate sector accounts for 8 percent (224 million euro) of the portfolio. Iran spreading its wings in trade with Iraq via Shalamcheh and Khorramshahr customs points In the first half of the current Iranian year, Iran exported over $570 million worth of goods to Iraq through the Shalamcheh customs point, with cement and construction materials among the main items. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, October 14. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with Seyed Ali Madanizadeh, Minister of Economy and Property of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to discuss the expansion of trade and investment cooperation on the sidelines of the Dushanbe-Invest-2025 International Investment Forum, Trend reports via the press service of the Tajik President. The parties expressed satisfaction with the positive dynamics of bilateral relations and noted that their further development would be ensured through joint efforts and the implementation of previously reached agreements. Emomali Rahmon highlighted Tajikistans interest in expanding trade and economic ties with Iran, noting the steady growth of mutual trade, which is expected to reach nearly $380 million in 2024 and exceed $500 million in the near future. The meeting also focused on strengthening cooperation mechanisms and implementing agreements signed during high-level visits between the two countries. The sides emphasized the importance of deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in various sectors, including trade, industry, and investment, based on the shared historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between Tajikistan and Iran. In conclusion, President Rahmon reaffirmed Tajikistans readiness to continue constructive dialogue and enhance economic partnership with Iran. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 14. The Governor of Uzbekistan's Fergana region, Khairullo Bozorov, met with a delegation led by Ma Zhengshan, head of the Chinese company Heecheng Construction Group Co., Ltd., and reached an agreement to develop a roadmap for the implementation of investment projects in the energy sector, Trend reports. During the meeting, Chinese investors proposed the construction of wind and solar power plants in the region. Heecheng Construction Group operates across the oil and gas, chemical, construction, and installation industries, and is actively engaged in new energy projects, including wind and solar power generation, as well as energy storage technologies. Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and China continues to grow rapidly. In the previous fiscal year, trade exceeded $14 billion, representing a 23 percent increase since the beginning of 2025. This robust growth underscores the strengthening economic ties between the two countries and highlights Chinas role as one of Uzbekistans most important and reliable partners. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 14. The Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN in Vienna, Ambassador Hemra Ammannazarov, met with Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and discussed issues related to strengthening global security and nuclear non-proliferation, Trend reports via the Turkmen Embassy in Vienna. In the course of the meeting, Robert Floyd recalled his 2024 meeting with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhammedov, in Ashgabat and praised Turkmenistans ongoing commitment to international peace and security. The Turkmen delegation reaffirmed the countrys principled stance on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, consistent with its permanent neutrality and active role in the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. The parties also discussed upcoming anniversary events, including the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistans permanent neutrality in 2025 and the 30th anniversary of the CTBT in 2026, exploring opportunities for joint commemorations. Additionally, they reviewed Turkmenistans contribution to the CTBT monitoring system, focusing on the status and planned upgrades of Primary Seismic Station 44 (PS44). The meeting underscored the strengthening partnership between Turkmenistan and the CTBTO and their shared commitment to achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world and enhancing international security. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, October 14. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Said, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of Qatar, at the Dushanbe-Invest-2025 International Investment Forum and discussed the creation of a Joint Economic and Investment Fund and broader measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation, Trend reports via the press service of the Tajik President. The leaders expressed satisfaction with the implementation of 42 cooperation documents covering trade, investment promotion, air travel, culture, healthcare, tourism, and other areas. Emphasis was placed on attracting grants and concessional loans from Qatari financial institutions for projects of regional significance, including in the energy sector. The meeting also highlighted expanding transport cooperation, including the opening of air routes, and implementing lessons from Qatars experience in Islamic banking. Other issues of mutual interest were discussed during the exchange of views. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Kazakhstan supports the Zangezur corridor initiative, the country's transport minister, Nurlan Sauranbayev, said at the 21st meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in Baku, Trend reports. "I would like to particularly emphasize the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor. Every effort must be made to further develop it and improve its efficiency. In this context, the Zangezur corridor project is particularly significant. Kazakhstan will support this initiative of our Azerbaijani brothers, viewing it as an important element in the formation of a coherent and sustainable transport architecture," he said. The minister emphasized that the development of transport and logistics is a crucial element of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. According to him, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are key links in the Middle Corridor, which provides a link between Asia and Europe. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Kazakhstan is interested in signing long-term contracts with Azerbaijan for the supply of petroleum products, the Kazakh Minister of Transport, Nurlan Sauranbayev, said at the 21st meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in Baku, Trend reports. "We have a truly strategic partnership in the energy sector. We highly value the cooperation between SOCAR and KazMunayGas in transporting oil along the Trans-Caspian route," he announced. Sauranbayev emphasized the importance of green energy transfer, reminding that in November 2024, a trilateral agreement on a strategic partnership in renewable energy was signed in Baku between Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. "We are also ready to exchange experience in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and energy regulation," he stressed. According to him, Kazakhstan is also ready to work with Azerbaijan on the establishment of research and development centers in artificial intelligence. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ANTANANARIVO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Presidency of Madagascar on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the National Assembly, the lower house of the bicameral Malagasy parliament, according to a decree issued by the Presidency. "The National Assembly is dissolved, in accordance with the provisions of Article 60 of the Constitution," the decree said. The dissolution announcement came when the National Assembly was "in the process of collecting signatures to convene an extraordinary session aimed at impeaching the head of state," according to local media. Local media outlets quoted Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, vice president of the National Assembly, as saying that the dissolution decree was "devoid of legal validity due to the absence of formal validation." Protests erupted in Madagascar in late September, initially triggered by widespread power outages and water shortages. The demonstrations have since escalated, taking on a political dimension with calls for government reform and leadership change. The protests took a new turn on Saturday, with an army regiment declaring its support for and protection of the protesters against what were described as abuses by security forces. In a statement on Sunday, the Malagasy Presidency said that an "attempt to seize power illegally and by force" was underway in Madagascar. It called on all the vital forces of the nation to "rally together to defend the constitutional order and national sovereignty." On Monday, Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina said in a video posted on social media that he has taken refuge in a "safe location" to ensure his security after an assassination attempt against him. Iran expects South Zagros Company field development to improve gas output The Iranian South Zagros Oil and Gas Production Company plans to increase gas production by 100-140 million cubic meters per day. Currently, the company produces over 17,000 barrels of oil daily from three fields. Efforts to discover new hydrocarbon reserves are ongoing to boost future output. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 14. The first consular consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and the Slovak Republic on visa facilitation and labor cooperation took place in Bratislava, Trend reports. The Slovak side expressed readiness to consider simplifying the national visa process, including reducing the application processing period from three months to one month. The parties also agreed to inform the Slovak Migration Agency about the potential recruitment of Uzbek labor migrants for employment at the Volvo plant, as well as the planned establishment of Slovak language courses to support their integration. Furthermore, the relevant government bodies will continue working on bilateral agreements covering labor migration, mobility, and readmission issues. Earlier in June, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held official talks with Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico at the Kuksaroy Residence to deepen strategic cooperation in trade, industry, and energy. The talks marked a new chapter in Uzbek-Slovak relations, culminating in the signing of several bilateral agreements. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14. It is necessary to ensure the growth of export and transit traffic along the DostykMoyynty corridor," said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov at a government meeting, Trend reports. According to him, Kazakhstan has significant potential to further expand the countrys transit capabilities. The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Transport, together with relevant national companies, to ensure the timely and high-quality implementation of key infrastructure projects, which hold strategic importance for the development of the countrys transport system. He also emphasized the need to complete the construction of road networks and the Almaty bypass project on schedule, as well as to continue the transition of foreign permit forms to an electronic format. Meanwhile, these measures will help increase transport volumes and improve the overall quality of Kazakhstan's transport network. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Georgias Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili held an introductory meeting with Tatjana Panajotovic Cvetkovic, Ambassador of Serbia to Georgia, to discuss key priorities in bilateral trade and economic cooperation, Trend reports. The meeting covered a range of sectors, including trade, transport, tourism, civil aviation, and energy. Both sides highlighted the positive impact of the recently launched direct flights between Georgia and Serbia, noting the benefits for both civil aviation and tourism. Discussions also touched on the upcoming session of the Georgia-Serbia Intergovernmental Economic Commission, which will address priority economic issues, as well as the importance of beginning negotiations on a free trade agreement between the two countries. The meeting coincided with preparations for the Silk Road Forum, scheduled to take place in Tbilisi on October 2223. Georgia expressed hope that the Serbian delegation will participate at a high level. Deputy Minister Gennadi Arveladze and Givi Zedelashvili, Head of the Department of Trade Development and International Economic Relations at the Ministry, also attended the meeting. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 14. Uzbekistan boasts a staggering 50,000 kilometers of irrigation networks, with 1,600 pumping stations and over 10,000 hydraulic structures in its arsenal, Trend reports, citing the Office of the President. This information was announced during a presentation to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the digitalization of the water sector, efforts to improve water resources management at the local level, and measures to enhance the sectors attractiveness for private investment. Of late, Uzbekistan has been rolling up its sleeves to tackle water management, putting its best foot forward to modernize irrigation infrastructure and make the most of every drop. At the same time, a number of challenges persist at lower levels of the system, requiring a comprehensive approachparticularly in terms of service efficiency, transparency of billing, and financial stability of water management organizations. The presentation outlined measures to further advance digitalization and improve management mechanisms in the sector. The Suv Hisobi information platform will accurately calculate water usage and provide consumers with electronic notifications. This system will reduce human error, eliminate unnecessary paperwork, and increase the efficiency of resource use. Integration with the Digital Agriculture platform will ensure data accuracy by automatically updating information on irrigated land, crop types, and water limits. To ensure data accuracy, integration with the "Digital Agriculture" platform will be established. This will allow information on irrigated land, crop types, and water limits to be automatically updated. In addition, a center for digitalization and monitoring of water management will be established under the Ministry of Water Resources to consolidate all industry data into a single system. The center will analyze information on water balance, pumping stations, and water consumption, creating conditions for the automation of decision-making processes. To strengthen financial independence, water management institutions will be allowed to allocate 40 percent of water tax revenues to improve their own material and technical base. The practice of public-private partnerships in managing pumping stations will also be expanded. By 2026, 50 percent of pumping stations in the Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand, and Syrdarya regions will be transferred to private partners, and by 2027, all pumping stations in the Namangan region are expected to be under private management. As part of this initiative, the Chartak Experience project will be implemented in the Chartak district of the Namangan region based on the principle of one pumping station, one system. Private partners will manage water supply within established limits, and 40 percent of the water tax collected from areas served by the pumps will be transferred to the partner. These funds will be used for phased automation of water metering and the modernization of pumping stations. President Mirziyoyev gave clear instructions to responsible officials to accelerate digitalization, fully automate accounting and reporting, improve local service efficiency, expand public-private partnerships, and strengthen employee accountability. At the conclusion of the meeting, the head of state signed the relevant documents. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Iran reports decline in its airports' passenger throughput Irans airport passenger traffic dropped 19% to 16.8 million in the first half of 2025. The steepest decline, 73%, occurred in the fourth month. Mehrabad led with 5.13 million passengers, followed by Mashhad and Shiraz. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The Shah Deniz consortium is pleased to announce the award of three major offshore contracts to advance the Shah Deniz Compression (SDC) project, Trend reports via bp. The contracts, with a combined value of approximately $700 million, have been awarded to the Saipem/BOS Shelf joint venture. The scope of work under the contracts includes: Transportation and installation of the entire SDC platform a new 19,000-tonne facility to be installed in the Caspian Sea; Engineering, procurement, construction and installation of subsea structures, including approximately 26 kilometres of new offshore pipelines, to connect the SDC platform with existing Shah Deniz infrastructure. All onshore construction activities will be carried out at Baku Deep Water Jacket Factory, operated by BOS Shelf. Offshore construction and installation will be executed using two of Azerbaijans flagship vessels: The Khankendi, a state-of-the-art subsea construction vessel owned by the Shah Deniz consortium; The Israfil Huseynov pipelay barge owned by the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO). Both vessels will be operated by Saipem under the terms of the new contracts. Matt Kirkham, bp vice president, projects, for the Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkiye region, Middle East and Africa, said: With the award of these new contracts for major construction and installation works, we are making significant progress on the SDC project. The contracts will fully leverage local fabrication yards and infrastructure, engaging the local workforce. This once again demonstrates that Azerbaijan possesses world-class onshore fabrication and offshore installation capabilities that fully meet international standards. Just one example between 2026 and 2028, a total of 3,040 tonnes of subsea structures will be fabricated and installed as part of the SDC project. Its a remarkable piece of activity that highlights the scale and ambition of what we are delivering. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in finalizing these important contracts. Offshore activities are expected to commence with pin pile installation in the third quarter of 2026, with completion targeted for 2029. The $2.9 billion SDC project, the next stage of development of the giant Shah Deniz gas field, is designed to access and produce low pressure gas reserves in the field and maximize resources recovery. The project is expected to enable around 50 billion cubic metres of additional gas and approximately 25 million barrels of additional condensate production and export from the Shah Deniz field. The project involves installation of a new compression facility an electrically-powered unmanned compression platform, or Normally Unattended Installation (eNUI). It will be installed in 85 metres water depth, approximately 3 kilometres from the existing Shah Deniz Bravo (SDB) platform. With four 11-MW compressors onboard, the SDC platform is designed to serve as a host facility for gas compression from both the Shah Deniz Alpha (SDA) and SDB platforms, meaning that before flowing to the Sangachal terminal onshore, export gas from the platforms will be compressed at SDC. The project also includes several associated facilities to be installed offshore in the Shah Deniz contract area, and additional brownfield works to be undertaken at SDA, SDB, and the Sangachal terminal. Construction activities are planned to be completed in 2029 to be ready to receive first gas for compression from the SDA platform in 2029 and from the SDB platform in 2030. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 14. The Governor of Fergana Region, Khairullo Bozorov, met with Cemal Ersoy, Coordinator of TUGIADthe Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Turkiye in Turkic-Speaking Countries, to discuss the opening of a regional TUGIAD office in Fergana Region, Trend reports. The parties also discussed establishing mutually beneficial connections with local entrepreneurs, organizing online meetings, and exchanging experiences. Moreover, a cornucopia of promising projects in the realms of water supply and sanitation, solar energy, and the textile industry were laid on the table, and the powers that be shook hands on practical measures for their rollout and the nurturing of bilateral cooperation. Founded in 1986, TUGIAD is a national non-governmental organization uniting active young entrepreneurs from across Turkiye. Its main objectives include enhancing the economic and social engagement of youth, fostering innovative ideas and an entrepreneurial environment, and expanding international cooperation. Noteworthy, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkiye totaled $1.91 billion from January through August 2025, representing a 3.5 percent decline compared to $1.98 billion during the same period in 2024. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The first private industrial districts may be established in Azerbaijan, Elchin Kazimov, spokesperson of the Economic Zones Development Agency under the Ministry of Economy, told Trend on the sidelines of the 30th Anniversary Caspian Construction Week. According to him, there are currently relevant initiatives in Baku and Absheron, and work is being carried out in this direction. He noted that the Neftchala, Masalli, and Sabirabad state-owned industrial districts, under the agency's jurisdiction, can be privatized. "Work is also underway in this area. Entrepreneurs can now assume management of these industrial estates. The Economic Zones Development Agency will coordinate the activities of the private industrial estates (analyzing business plans submitted by entrepreneurs seeking to become residents, etc.), and management will be carried out by the initiator. By obtaining an investment incentive document, they will be able to take advantage of tax and customs benefits provided by the state," Kazimov emphasized. A private industrial district is a specific area of land, often developed and managed by a private company, that is set up with infrastructure and facilities for industrial, manufacturing, and service businesses. Unlike public industrial parks, which are government-led, these private estates are developed by investors to provide plots, buildings, and sometimes pre-built facilities like "plug and play" workshops for rent to other companies. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The next session of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation will be held in Kazakhstan next year, Trend reports. The decision was made during the 21st session of the Commission held in Baku, where officials chewed the fat about a whole host of bilateral cooperation issues and laid their cards on the table regarding priority areas for the upcoming period. Before the session, the co-chairs of the commission, Azerbaijans Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Kazakhstans Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev, held a bilateral meeting, expressing satisfaction with the development of the strategic partnership. The discussions focused on the implementation of the Comprehensive Cooperation Program for 20222026 and measures to strengthen collaboration in energy, transport, and other sectors. Shahbazov emphasized that Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, as brotherly and allied states, are united by shared history, culture, and a strategic vision for the future. He highlighted that thanks to the political will and wise leadership of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, cooperation between the countries is developing dynamically in all areas. The minister noted that in 2024, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan grew by 50 percent to reach $470 million, and in the first half of 2025, it increased 4.2 times to $501 million. Since 2023, 3.4 million tons of Kazakh oil have been delivered to the global market via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, with plans to raise transit volumes to 7 million tons by 2027. Special attention was given to the joint project of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan for the development and transfer of green energy, aimed at strengthening energy partnership and contributing to regional energy security. Following the selection of a consulting company in November, preparation of the projects technical and economic feasibility study will begin. Sauranbayev articulated that the negotiations transpired within a framework characterized by constructive engagement and a professional demeanor, with both parties reaffirming their reciprocal commitment to enhancing the strategic alliance. Upon the culmination of the session, the procedural documentation of the 21st assembly of the Joint Commission was duly executed. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel This screenshot shows Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina speaking in a video posted on social media on Oct. 13, 2025. Rajoelina said on Monday he has taken refuge in a "safe location" to ensure his security after an assassination attempt against him. (Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua) ANTANANARIVO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina said on Monday he has taken refuge in a "safe location" to ensure his security after an assassination attempt against him. In a video posted on social media, Rajoelina claimed to have been the target of an assassination attempt orchestrated by "military personnel motivated by politicians." He did not reveal his location but said that the only way out of this crisis is through respect for the Constitution. On Sept. 25, young protesters started demonstrations against water and electricity shortages. Some demonstrations turned violent, and soon escalated into calling for the president's resignation. On Oct. 6, Rajoelina appointed Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo as prime minister, a week after dissolving the government amid mass protests across the country. In the Monday video, Rajoelina said he is currently "on a mission" to find generators destined to be sent to Madagascar to solve the country's electricity problem. "We will now receive generators, donated by friendly countries," said Rajoelina, assuring the public that the estimated deficit of 58 megawatts will be "more than covered in the coming months." BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Botchorishvili held a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia, Tatjana Panajotovic Cvetkovic, Trend reports. The sides discussed the existing traditional and friendly relations, welcomed the growing dynamics of bilateral cooperation, and noted the recent high-level meetings held between the two countries. The launch of direct flights between Tbilisi and Belgrade was assessed as an important step forward, as it has contributed to strengthening business ties and people-to-people relations, increasing passenger flows, and developing new tourist destinations. During the meeting, the parties discussed priority areas of bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Special emphasis was placed on the readiness of both Georgia and Serbia to sign a Free Trade Agreement and the importance of the steps already taken in this direction. The sides also welcomed the upcoming session of the GeorgiaSerbia Intergovernmental Joint Economic Commission, which will take place in Belgrade in November this year. Particular attention was paid to strengthening cooperation between business communities and the importance of taking further steps in this regard. Both sides reaffirmed their support for each others sovereignty and territorial integrity. During the meeting, the Ambassador presented the Minister with a commemorative postage stamp issued to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Serbia. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. A 34-kilometer section of the Rasht-Astara railway line in northern Iran, which is part of the North-South International Transport Corridor, has been handed over to the Russian side for research purposes, Deputy Executive Director of the Iranian Transport Infrastructure Construction and Development Company Abbas Khatibi told local media in Astara, Iran, today, Trend reports. He asserts that Iran is poised to transfer additional territories to the Russian contingent for exploratory purposes, with requisite deliberations currently in progress. The corporate representative indicated that the Russian contingent is presently engaged in exploratory analysis and geospatial mapping activities as part of the railway initiative. Khatibi indicated that the acquisition of 83 kilometers of the 160-kilometer railway corridor has been finalized. Meanwhile, an intergovernmental agreement signed between Russia, Iran, and India on September 12, 2000, laid the foundation for the North-South Transport Corridor. In general, several countries have ratified the said agreement (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, and Ukraine). The objective of establishing the corridor is to optimize the logistics timeline for the transit of goods originating from India to Russia, in addition to Northern and Western Europe. Currently, the lead time on the existing route exceeds six weeks; however, it is projected to be streamlined to three weeks through the North-South corridor. The Qazvin-Rasht railroad, stretching 175 km, hit the ground running on March 6, 2019, linking Azerbaijan's railroads with Iran's railway network in the corridor. The Rasht-Astara railroad is to be built on Iranian territory. The North-South Corridor encompasses three distinct vectors within the Iranian geopolitical landscape. The eastern vector encompasses Turkmenistan and the Central Asian republics; the central axis aligns with Russia and adjacent nations across the Caspian Sea, while the western trajectory includes Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and various Eastern European states. On May 17, 2023, an agreement was signed between Russia and Iran on the construction of the Rasht-Astara railroad in Gilan Province in northern Iran. Nine stations will be built on the Rasht-Astara railroad line, which is about 163 kilometers long. With the completion of this railroad, the North-South international corridor will be improved, and Iran's railroad network will be integrated with the Caucasus countries, Russia, and Northern European countries. Per the stipulations outlined in the contractual framework, the Russian entity is projected to allocate a financial outlay of 1.6 billion euros towards the infrastructural development of this railway system. The construction and finalization of this rail corridor is projected to occur within a 48-month timeline. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 14. At the Fergana Oil Refinery, Ivan Tomashevsky of HSB Solomon Associates met with refinery representatives to discuss strategic cooperation, including benchmarking, advanced technologies, and operational efficiency improvements, Trend reports via Saneg. During the discussions, the parties explored the refinerys participation in the companys international benchmarking studies, the adoption of advanced production and digital technologies, knowledge-sharing with leading global industry players, and comprehensive approaches to enhancing operational efficiency. Representatives from HSB Solomon Associates highlighted the Fergana refinerys significant potential and expressed interest in establishing a long-term partnership. Partnerships with leading international experts such as HSB Solomon Associates provide the Fergana Oil Refinery with unique opportunities to implement advanced technologies, increase operational efficiency, and strengthen its competitive position both regionally and globally, emphasized Saneg CEO Tulkin Yusupov. HSB Solomon Associates is a global leader in benchmarking and operational performance analysis for refineries, having conducted studies at over 320 oil refining facilities worldwide. The company collaborates closely with major international industry players, including Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil, participating in joint research and projects aimed at process optimization, technology adoption, and productivity enhancement. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 14. The Government of Montenegro has decided to suspend the temporary visa-free regime for citizens of Uzbekistan, as well as Armenia and Egypt, Trend reports via the Montenegrin government's information portal The new rules are being implemented as part of the 20242027 Reform Agenda and in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 24 on visa policy of the European Union. According to officials, the decision aims to fully harmonize Montenegros visa regime with EU policies and underscores the countrys commitment to the process of full EU membership. As a result, citizens of Uzbekistan are now required to obtain a visa to enter Montenegro. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Nearly 200 million manat ($117.6 million) has been invested in Azerbaijan's Aghdam and Araz Valley Economic Zone industrial parks, Elchin Kazimov, spokesperson of the Economic Zones Development Agency under the Ministry of Economy, told Trend on the sidelines of the 30th Anniversary Caspian Construction Week. He indicated that a cumulative total of 50 commercial entities have been cataloged as resident participants, while seven have been classified as non-resident entities, with 14 enterprises actively engaging within the specified industrial parks. Kazimov observed that the Economic Zones Development Agency is intricately engaged in the revitalization of reclaimed territories. "In our liberated territories there are two industrial zonesAghdam and the Araz Valley Economic Zone industrial parks. The number of enterprises currently registered in the Aghdam Industrial Park is greater than the number of enterprises that existed in the pre-occupation period. I can now say with confidence that the Aghdam Industrial Park has restored Aghdam's former industrial prestige," he added. Azerbaijan comprises 14 distinct economic zones as of July 2021. The zones are equipped with designated sectors, including industrial hubs, strategically engineered to bolster entrepreneurial ventures and entice capital influx. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. New resident companies have recently been registered in the Aghdam Industrial Park and the Araz Valley Economic Zone Industrial Park, the Press Secretary of the Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA) under the Ministry of Economy, Elchin Kazimov, told Trend reports. Speaking on the sidelines of the 30th Anniversary Caspian Construction Week, Kazimov noted that a new resident will implement a project for the production of refrigeration equipment on a 2.5-hectare site. The enterprise will produce more than 3,680 units of refrigeration equipment annually in five types, with a total investment value of 8 million manats, he said. He added that a newly registered resident of the Aghdam Industrial Park will launch a furniture production project, which will cover the manufacturing of various types of furniture, soft panels, and metal accessories. The plants annual production capacity will reach 4,000 units of furniture, with an investment value of 6 million manat ($3.5 million). Kazimov emphasized that around 100 permanent jobs will be created in total across the two new enterprises. In addition, more than 10 project proposals have been submitted to the Economic Zones Development Agency by entrepreneurs seeking residency in these two industrial parks. These projects mainly specialize in the production of construction materials, furniture, textiles, household goods, and other goods, he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. The volume of oil transit between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan will increase, Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov said at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation with Kazakhstan, Trend reports. According to Trend, this was announced by Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. "In the energy sector, cooperation between SOCAR and KazMunayGas on the transit of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan is developing successfully. Since 2023, 3.4 million tons of Kazakh oil have been transported to the world market via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline," he said. According to the minister, the parties are considering the possibility of increasing supplies to 7 million tons per year by 2027, which will be an important step in strengthening the energy partnership and diversifying Kazakhstan's export routes. Shahbazov stressed that Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan intend to continue cooperation on mutually beneficial terms, ensuring stable growth in oil transportation volumes and the development of joint infrastructure in the energy sector. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. One of Azerbaijans initiatives in the field of green energy focused on the creation of green energy zones and green corridors" at COP29, which over 70 countries have now voluntarily joined in some form, Javid Abdullayev, Director of the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources under the Ministry of Energy, told Trend. Speaking on the sidelines of the 30th Caspian Construction Week, Abdullayev noted that green growth and the green energy space in Azerbaijan are among the 5 priorities set for the country by 2030. "Aghali village in the Zangilan district plays a pivotal role in these efforts. One of Azerbaijans key initiatives in the field of green energy, presented at COP29, focuses on the creation of 'green energy' zones and 'green corridors,' which over 70 countries have already joined voluntarily in various capacities. At the heart of this initiative is Aghali village, where smart solutions are being implemented. The mechanisms for supporting active consumers, which form the core of the initiative, are being introduced there for the first time in Azerbaijan as part of a systematic urban planning practice," he said. Green energy policy refers to government frameworks, regulations, and incentives designed to promote the use of clean energy sources, reduce pollution, and transition to a sustainable energy sector. These policies aim to align a country's energy system with the needs of sustainable development by using instruments like mandates, incentives, and regulations to encourage the deployment of renewable energy technologies like solar and wind. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Kazakhstan reports progress on animal feed preparation for winter season Photo: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan has harvested 36 million tons of animal feed for the 2025-2026 winter season, exceeding planned targets. According to the officials, the prepared feed volumes are sufficient to maintain livestock and ensure productivity throughout the winter. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register NEW DELHI, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Google on Tuesday announced it would set up its first artificial intelligence (AI) hub in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, enabling the company to deploy its full AI stack to help accelerate AI-driven transformation across the country. The company will invest approximately 15 billion U.S. dollars over the next five years (2026-2030), Google's largest investment in India to date, to set up the hub in Visakhapatnam . "The new AI hub will combine powerful AI infrastructure, data center capacity, new large-scale energy sources and an expanded fiber-optic network, all in one place," the company said in a statement, adding that the hub is aligned with the Indian Government's Viksit Bharat (Developed India) 2047 vision to accelerate the expansion of AI-driven services. The Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam will include a purpose-built data center campus, adding gigawatt-scale compute capacity to help meet demand for digital services across India and around the world. Developed with leading partners, AdaniConneX and Airtel, it will be built with the same cutting-edge infrastructure that powers Google products like Search, Workspace, and YouTube. According to Google, the AI hub will also deliver the high-performance and low-latency services that businesses and organizations need to build and scale their own AI-powered solutions, and accelerate research and development. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Google Sundar Pichai spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described it as a "landmark development." Google said this initiative creates substantial economic and societal opportunities for both India and the United States, while pioneering a generational shift in AI capability. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the critical importance of parliamentary reform at the inaugural meeting of the newly established Working Group on Parliamentary Reform, Trend reports. Today we are holding the first session of the Working Group on parliamentary reform. Last week, I signed a decree establishing this special Working Group. Parliamentary reform is an exceptionally important and responsible task for our country, Tokayev said. The president noted that the reform requires comprehensive discussion across civil society, expert circles, and Parliament. The first meeting brought together representatives from Parliament, the Presidential Administration, the Government, political parties, legal experts, scientists, and public figures all recognized specialists in their respective fields. I want to emphasize again: parliamentary reform directly affects the fate of our country and our people. I am confident that every member of the Working Group, fully aware of the historical mission entrusted to them, will make every effort to work actively, Tokayev added. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14. Kazakhstans move to a unicameral Parliament fully aligns with global trends, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the first meeting of the Working Group on Parliamentary Reform, Trend reports. Large-scale transformations are underway across various sectors in our country. By joining our efforts, we are implementing political and socio-economic reforms. These transformations will continue. We cannot stop at what has already been achieved, the head of state said. He emphasized the importance of continuing the strategy of comprehensive state modernization, guided by the concept of a Strong President Influential Parliament Accountable Government, which will help maintain the relevance of the presidential system. Overall, the transition to a unicameral Parliament fully corresponds to international trends. Two-thirds of countries around the world have adopted a similar parliamentary system. It is now necessary to develop common guidelines, reasonable and balanced proposals. For this, we must carefully study and thoroughly consider all viewpoints and ideas, Tokayev stressed. The president also highlighted that upcoming steps in parliamentary reform will take into account the opinions of experts, civil society representatives, and political forces in the country. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14. Kazakhstans parliamentary reform will affect around 40 articles of the Constitution, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the first meeting of the Working Group on Parliamentary Reform, Trend reports. For me, as the head of state, Parliament is a key element of the countrys political system. Therefore, the first step will be to introduce a series of amendments to the Constitution. These changes will touch approximately 40 articles of the Constitution. After that, at least 10 constitutional laws and more than 50 codes and laws will need to be brought into alignment. This process is essentially comparable to adopting a new Constitution, he said. Tokayev emphasized that the entire workload cannot be completed all at once and requires careful preparation. The initiative to create a unicameral Parliament is an innovative political decision. In society and on social media, various opinions are being expressed. The vast majority believe this is a long-overdue issue. There are also views that the reform can be implemented in the near term. Active citizen participation and the expression of different viewpoints is a positive process, the president noted. He added that parliamentary reform is an extremely complex task, and rushing it would be unacceptable, as the decision will be historic for the country and will directly affect its future. Such an important step must be taken only through broad public discussion. Kazakhstan is a Listening and Just State. This is our unshakable principle, Tokayev stressed. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14. Lukoil has invested more than $12 billion in Kazakhstans oil and gas industry, producing 94 million tons of oil and 60 billion cubic meters of gas, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the companys anniversary event, Trend reports via the press service of the president. The president noted that the company allocated around $300 million for social and charity projects. He emphasized that behind these numbers lie a wealth of new jobs, a treasure trove of advanced technology transfer, and a hefty boost to the socio-economic progress of Kazakhstans regions. Tokayev articulated that, with the strategic involvement of Lukoil, the Future Growth Project at the Tengiz fieldrecognized as a significant asset within the global oil and gas sectorhas reached successful completion. Lukoil stands as a preeminent entity within the national landscape, having cultivated a robust reputation since its inception in Kazakhstan in 1995. The initiatives bolster the economic viability and enhance the amicable relations between Kazakhstan and Russia, the president stated. Lukoil initiated its capital deployment in Kazakhstan in 1995, aligning with the Kumkol venture. The enterprise initiated its operations within the nation in that fiscal year and has subsequently evolved into a significant stakeholder in the hydrocarbon sector. Since its inception of capital allocation, Lukoil has sustained its engagement as a pivotal stakeholder in the Kazakh hydrocarbon sector, executing initiatives including Atash, Tyub-Karagan, and Karachaganak. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14. Lukoil, together with Kazakhstan, is implementing strategic projects on the Caspian shelf, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the companys anniversary event, Trend reports via the press service of the president. Lukoil and KazMunayGas have launched promising projects at the Kalamkas-Sea and Khazar fields. These are strategic developments. More than $6 billion in direct investments are planned, and over 2,000 new jobs will be created, Tokayev said. He highlighted that shipyards in the Mangystau region will be involved in manufacturing offshore platforms to increase local content. The company continues productive work at the Karachaganak field and participates in the development of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which plays a special role in transporting Kazakh oil to dozens of countries, strengthening our position in the global energy market, the president added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan plan to sign an intergovernmental agreement aimed at strengthening the institutional framework and enhancing the status of the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, TITR), Trend reports via Kazakhstans Ministry of Transport. The issue was discussed during the 21st meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan held in Baku. The primary agenda of the convening centered around the strategic advancement of the Middle Corridor initiative. Both parties underscored the criticality of synergistic collaboration within the transportation sector and acknowledged the favorable trajectory in freight movement between the two nations. The sides will continue implementing the action plan to eliminate bottlenecks along the TITR. Preparations and signing of an intergovernmental agreement to strengthen the institutional framework and raise the status of the route were also discussed, the ministry stated. The meeting noted that by the end of 2024, a total of 287 container trains had been transported via the Middle Corridor, while cargo volumes grew by 39 percent in the first nine months of 2025. Following the discussions, a protocol of the Intergovernmental Commission was signed, outlining the agreements reached and setting future priorities for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The parties have reached a consensus to convene the 22nd session of the Intergovernmental Commission in 2026, to be hosted in Astana, Kazakhstan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have agreed to begin exchanging electronic permits (e-Permits) for international road transportation, Trend reports via Kazakhstans Ministry of Transport. The agreement was reached during the 21st meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the two countries, held in Baku. The meeting also noted that in the first quarter of 2026, a meeting of the Joint Commission on Road Transport will be held, with plans to further digitalize logistics through the integration of the Digital Trade Corridor and Digital Logistics Platform systems. The 21st meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan was held in Baku, gathering representatives from government bodies and business circles of both nations. The commission is co-chaired by Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauanbayev. In the aftermath of the deliberations, a comprehensive protocol was executed, delineating 17 domains of synergistic collaboration, encompassing trade, investment, transportation logistics, energy sector initiatives, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, cultural exchange, and youth policy frameworks. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14. Kazakhstans Ministry of Energy and Czech company ZVVZ Engineering have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch local production of filter equipment for power plants, Trend reports via the ministry. The document was signed during Vice Minister of Energy Sungat Yessimkhanovs working visit to the Czech Republic, where he met with Martin Frohlich, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. The sides discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and emphasized the importance of implementing agreements reached within the KazakhstanCzech Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Industrial, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation. The two sides need to intensify interaction between relevant agencies and resume the work of the specialized working group. Special attention was given to technology transfer, energy infrastructure development, modernization of generation facilities, power market development, training of qualified personnel, and expanding Czech companies participation in joint investment projects in Kazakhstan, Yessimkhanov said. Under the memorandum, the parties agreed to cooperate in organizing local production of filtering equipment, training Kazakh specialists in the energy sector, and jointly preparing feasibility studies for introducing modern filtration systems at coal-fired power plants across the country. The initiative aims to attract advanced Czech technologies to Kazakhstan and enhance the environmental performance of domestic power plants. During the visit, the Kazakh delegation also toured the Doosan Skoda Power plantone of the global leaders in steam turbine manufacturingand visited the companys R&D center. The sides discussed the potential application of Doosan Skoda Power technologies in Kazakhstan for the modernization and renewal of existing energy facilities. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan plan to expand cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, Trend reports via the Kazakh Ministry of Transport. The matter was deliberated during the 21st convening of the Intergovernmental Commission between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, conducted in Baku. The ministry indicated that the two nations will engage in a synergistic partnership to innovate and construct advanced container vessels tailored for the Caspian Sea, alongside the fabrication of ferries and ancillary maritime craft utilizing indigenous Kazakh resources and cutting-edge technologies. The parties also agreed to deepen cooperation in digitalization and innovation, including the development of artificial intelligence and the startup ecosystem. "Special attention is being given to the project for constructing fiber-optic communication lines along the Caspian seabed, which will strengthen the digital infrastructure of both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The meeting also explored prospects for cooperation in agriculture, education, science, culture, and environmental protection. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to the outcomes of COP29 in Baku and expressed readiness to jointly implement climate initiatives," the ministry said. The 21st meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan was held in Baku, gathering representatives from government bodies and business circles of both nations. The commission is co-chaired by Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauanbayev. In the aftermath of the deliberations, a comprehensive protocol was executed, delineating 17 domains of synergistic collaboration, encompassing trade, investment, transportation logistics, energy sector initiatives, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, cultural exchange, and youth policy frameworks. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel PHNOM PENH, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia earned 390 million U.S. dollars in revenue from exports of natural rubber latex in the first nine months of 2025, down 1 percent year-on-year, said an official report on Tuesday. The report, compiled by the General Directorate of Rubber, showed that the kingdom exported 220,240 tons of the commodity during the January-September period this year, down 11.4 percent from 248,535 tons over the same period last year. However, the domestic consumption of rubber latex experienced a sharp rise of 102 percent to 86,539 tons in the first nine months of this year, generating a gross revenue from local sales of 156.5 million dollars, the report said. "A ton of rubber latex averagely cost 1,771 dollars during the first nine months of 2025, about 185 dollars higher than that of the same period in 2024," Khun Kakada, deputy director general of the General Directorate of Rubber, said in the report. The Southeast Asian nation exports the commodity mainly to Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and China. Cambodia has so far planted rubber trees on a total area of 425,443 hectares, of which the trees on 330,259 hectares, or 77.6 percent, are old enough to be tapped, the report said. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, October 14. President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon held a telephone conversation with President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, Trend reports via the press service of the Tajik President. During the call, the President of the Russian Federation thanked the Head of State for the warm welcome and hospitality during his state visit to Tajikistan. The parties also discussed certain aspects of the agreements reached during the visit and outlined ways for their further implementation. The conversation focused on the key outcomes of the Second Central AsiaRussia Summit and the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council held in Dushanbe. The parties emphasized their readiness to continue joint efforts to strengthen the Tajik-Russian strategic partnership and alliance. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. U.S. President Donald Trump has no proof of Iran's nuclear program moving towards weaponization, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on his X page, Trend reports According to him, the U.S. president was given false information about Iran's nuclear program because the country's intelligence agencies also confirmed the absence of the weaponization evidence. The minister said that four months ago, many places in Iran were bombed, and more than 1,000 Iranians were killed in those military attacks. Araghchi added that Iran has always been open to respectful and mutually beneficial diplomatic relations, and the Iranian people respond to goodwill with goodwill. "There is one issue on which Iran can agree with the U.S. president. The U.S. president is right to say that Iran should not be used as an excuse for normalization with Israel. However, for this, he must have the courage to take full responsibility before his own people and not blame others," he added. To recall, U.S. President Donald Trump, in a statement made yesterday, expressed optimism about Iran's readiness for negotiations and possible sanctions relief. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows firefighters working to put out the fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) DHAKA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. The two buildings are located side by side in front of Bangladesh University of Business and Technology, according to local media reports. "12 bodies were brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka," Talha Bin Jashim, officer-in-charge of the media cell of the Fire Service headquarters in Dhaka, told Xinhua. At least 12 firefighting units rushed to the spot to douse the fire at around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday. According to the official, the blaze in the seven-story garment factory started on the third floor and has been largely extinguished. However, he said firefighters were still working to fully contain the fire at the chemical warehouse, which stored hazardous materials, including bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide. The death toll in the blaze is likely to rise, warned another fire official, who did not want to be named. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained, as the security officials have yet to comment on the incident. Photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows firefighters working to put out the fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) Photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows firefighters working to put out the fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows ambulances arriving at the scene after fire broke out at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows firefighters working to put out the fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows ambulances arriving at the scene after fire broke out at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows firefighters working to put out the fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows ambulances arriving at the scene after fire broke out at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows people gathering at the scene after fire broke out at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2025 shows the site of a fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) People gather outside the police cordon at the scene of a fire in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Oct. 15, 2025. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2025 shows the site of a fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 15, 2025 shows the site of a fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) Firefighters work at the site after a fire swept through a chemical warehouse and a garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Oct. 15, 2025. At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire tore through a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) 10/14/2025 By Brianna Bowlby The Kennedy College of Sciences, Department of Earth, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences, invites you to attend a Masters Thesis Defense by Brianna Bowlby titled Provenance of the Narragansett Basin in New England using detrital zircon analysis. Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time 12:30- 2:30 p.m. Location: Olney Hall 312 Advisor: Richard Gaschnig, Ph.D., Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, UMass Lowell Committee Members: Kate Swanger, Ph.D., Earth, Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, UMass Lowell Daniel Murray, Ph.D., Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island Abstract: The Narragansett basin is a clastic sedimentary basin that contains some of the only Carboniferous strata from New England, making it a rare sedimentary record of the transition from the Acadian orogeny to the Alleghenian orogeny. Sedimentary rocks within the basin are continentally derived and were deposited on plutonic and metamorphic basement rocks of the Avalon terrane. The lower units of the basin include the Wamsutta Formation, Pondville Conglomerate, Sachuest Arkose, and Purgatory Conglomerate, although their relationships to one another are not entirely clear. These units are overlain by the Rhode Island Formation and Dighton Conglomerate. This study aims to investigate the provenance of these six stratigraphic units and reconstruct the sediment source areas to better understand the basins history and evolution. Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and trace element analysis with LA-ICP-MS along Hf isotopic data was utilized to understand age distributions for each formation and to observe how their geochemical history has evolved over time. Detrital zircon ages were dominated by Neoproterozoic grains from 605-635 Ma, except for the Rhode Island Formation which exhibited a dominant age peak during the Silurian ~425 Ma. Obtaining the locations for these source areas can allow for further constraints on the region's paleogeography and how it has evolved over time. Most of the detritus was drawn from proximal plutons and older metasedimentary rocks from areas adjacent to the basin and in distal African sources. Conversely the Rhode Island Formation appears to consist of material derived from plutonic belts to the north, near the MA-NH border. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Corruption takes center stage as two top cops end life in Haryana Corruption in the Indian system took centre stage again on Tuesday after suicides of two high ranking police officials in Haryana in a span of 7 days Tuesday October 14, 2025 5:46 PM , ummid.com News Network [ASI Sandeep Kumar as seen in his video message recorded before he committed suicide.] Chandigarh: Corruption in the Indian system took centre stage again on Tuesday after suicides of two high ranking police officials in Haryana in a span of 7 days. Even as the Haryana Police was investigating the suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar committed on Oct 7, another police officer, Sandeep Kumar, ended his life by suicide Tuesday Oct 14, 2025. Assistant Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar left a three-page hand written suicide note and also a video message. In the video clip, ASI Sandeep Kumar, who was posted with the Cyber Cell in Rohtak, accused that IPS Puran Kumar was a corrupt officer. In the suicide note, ASI Sandeep Kumar said he feared arrest in connection with the ongoing investigation and wanted to expose the corrupt system before dying. In the video clip, now available in public domain, ASI Sandeep Kumar listed a number of cases, where he alleged, IPS Puran Kumar had taken bribe. he had accepted money in a murder case at Sadar police station, and struck a deal worth Rs 50 crore to protect Rao Inderjit, he said. In his final video, ASI Sandeep Kumar praised former Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarnia, who was shunted after the incident. In the video, Sandeep said that Bijarnia is an honest police officer. Systematic attempt to discredit Dalits [Rahul Gandhi at IPS Puran Kumar's residence in Chandigarh] On the other hand, Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today met the family of IPS Puran Kumar and demanded a fair probe into his sucide. This is not an isolated case. There is a systematic attempt underway, not only in Haryana but across the country, to discredit and demoralise Dalits. Haryana Chief Minister had three days ago promised a fair probe. The family of the deceased officer, however, is yet to see that coming, Rahul told the media after meeting IPS Puran Kumars family in Chandigarh. The Congress party also alleged that the Haryana IPS officer, Puran Kumar, was compelled to take his own life after facing caste-based discrimination. The tragic incident is a blot on our nation and societya grim reminder that the marginalised communities are losing hope in today's India, the Congress Party said. Puran Kumar Suicide Case Haryana cadre IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, 52, was found dead with a gunshot wound at his Sector-11 residence in Chandigarh last Tuesday. In a suicide note recovered later, IPS Puran Kumar named 16 senior IAS and IPS officers, alleging harassment and holding them directly responsible for his decision to take the extreme step. Puran Kumar was known for his proactive interventions in various issues related to administration, seniority, and rights of officers, besides the transparent functioning of the system. The 2001-batch officer, who hailed from Andhra Pradesh, never shied away from challenging assignments or postings and was particularly vocal about issues pertaining to the representation of Scheduled Castes (SC) in police ranks. Puran Kumars wife Amneet Kumar, who is a senior IAS officer, and other family members have refused to allow the postmortem of the deceased IPS officer to proceed until two key accused in the case Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur and former Rohtak Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya, are arrested. As per the latest update, Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur has been sent on leave. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Trump, El Sisi, Al Thani, Erdogan Sign Gaza Peace Plan: Full Declaration U.S. President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday signed the Gaza Peace Plan 2025 at a glittering ceremony in Sharm el Sheikh Tuesday October 14, 2025 12:07 PM , ummid.com News Network Sharm El Sheikh: U.S. President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday signed the Gaza Peace Plan 2025 at a glittering ceremony in Sharm el Sheikh. Trump arrived in Egypt Monday after a whirlwind tour of Israeli capital Tel Aviv where he met some of the hostages and also addressed the Israeli Parliament Knesset. More than 20 heads of states and representative were present at the resort city of Egypt to witness the signing ceremony of, what Trump said, a historic Gaza Peace Deal. "Today, for the first time anyone can remember, we have once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us... If we do, together, we will reach the Middle Easts incredible destinya safe, and prosperous, and beautiful crossroads of culture and commerce, faith and humanity, Trump said after he signed the Gaza Declaration with his Egyptian and Turkish counterparts, and Qatar Emir. We've all agreed that supporting Gaza must be done to lift up the people themselves, but we don't want to fund anything having to do with bloodshed, hatred, and terror... For this same reason, we also agreed that Gazas reconstruction requires that it be de-militarized, he said. Prominent others who were present there included UK Prime Minister Keir Satrmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King Abdullah of Jordan, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni and others. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud was present at the Gaza Peace Summit 2025 to represent the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia along with France has undertaken extraordinary efforts to resolve the crisis and recognition of an Independent Palestinian State. However, Hamas and Israel the key stakeholders, were absent from the signing ceremony. About its absence Hamas said it is negotiating indirectly through Qatar, Egypt and Turkey as mediators, hence could not directly participate. On the other hand, Netanyahus absence sparked debate as Trump had personally asked him to join. "The momentous breakthrough that we're here to celebrate tonight is more than the end of the war in Gazawith Gods help, it will be a new beginning for an entire, beautiful, Middle East... we can build a region that's strong, and stable, and prosperous, and united in rejecting the path of terror once and for all, Trump said. Gaza Peace Plan: Full Declaration The following is the full text of the Peace Plan signed at the Gaza Peace Summit 2025 Monday October 13 as shared by the White House. We, the undersigned, welcome the truly historic commitment and implementation by all parties to the Trump Peace Agreement, ending more than two years of profound suffering and loss opening a new chapter for the region defined by hope, security, and a shared vision for peace and prosperity. We support and stand behind President Trumps sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza and bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Together, we will implement this agreement in a manner that ensures peace, security, stability, and opportunity for all peoples of the region, including both Palestinians and Israelis. We understand that lasting peace will be one in which both Palestinians and Israelis can prosper with their fundamental human rights protected, their security guaranteed, and their dignity upheld. We affirm that meaningful progress emerges through cooperation and sustained dialogue, and that strengthening bonds among nations and peoples serves the enduring interests of regional and global peace and stability. Watch Video .@POTUS at the Gaza Peace Summit: "It's a tremendous day for the Middle East... and it's just an honor to be a part of it. We're going to be signing a document that's going to spell out a lot of rules and regulations... and it's really working out incredibly well." pic.twitter.com/JhzBsPfYlI Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 13, 2025 We recognize the deep historical and spiritual significance of this region to the faith communities whose roots are intertwined with the land of the region Christianity, Islam, and Judaism among them. Respect for these sacred connections and the protection of their heritage sites shall remain paramount in our commitment to peaceful coexistence. We are united in our determination to dismantle extremism and radicalization in all its forms. No society can flourish when violence and racism is normalized, or when radical ideologies threaten the fabric of civil life. We commit to addressing the conditions that enable extremism and to promoting education, opportunity, and mutual respect as foundations for lasting peace. We hereby commit to the resolution of future disputes through diplomatic engagement and negotiation rather than through force or protracted conflict. We acknowledge that the Middle East cannot endure a persistent cycle of prolonged warfare, stalled negotiations, or the fragmentary, incomplete, or selective application of successfully negotiated terms. The tragedies witnessed over the past two years must serve as an urgent reminder that future generations deserve better than the failures of the past. We seek tolerance, dignity, and equal opportunity for every person, ensuring this region is a place where all can pursue their aspirations in peace, security, and economic prosperity, regardless of race, faith, or ethnicity. We pursue a comprehensive vision of peace, security, and shared prosperity in the region, grounded in the principles of mutual respect and shared destiny. In this spirit, we welcome the progress achieved in establishing comprehensive and durable peace arrangements in the Gaza Strip, as well as the friendly and mutually beneficial relationship between Israel and its regional neighbors. We pledge to work collectively to implement and sustain this legacy, building institutional foundations upon which future generations may thrive together in peace. We commit ourselves to a future of enduring peace. Donald J. Trump President of the United States of America Abdel Fattah El-Sisi President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Emir of the State of Qatar Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of the Republic of Turkiye Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic WELLINGTON, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) said Tuesday it will ease mortgage loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions from Dec. 1, increasing banks' flexibility to lend and improving credit access for home buyers and investors. RBNZ Acting Assistant Governor for Financial Stability Angus McGregor said the move follows last year's introduction of debt-to-income (DTI) limits, which have strengthened borrower resilience and reduced the need for tight LVR settings. Under the new rules, the cap on owner-occupier lending with an LVR above 80 percent will rise to 25 percent from 20 percent, while the limit for property investors with an LVR above 70 percent will double to 10 percent. House prices are within a sustainable range, mortgage growth is moderate, and the share of high-risk lending remains low, which are conditions that justify easing, McGregor said, adding that the RBNZ will consult with banks on implementing the changes over the next two weeks. DTI restrictions will remain unchanged, he said. Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed RBNZ's intention to relax restrictions on lending, saying it will "make it easier for Kiwis to get a foot on the property ladder." SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's tech giant Samsung Electronics saw its third-quarter preliminary operating profit soar in double digits thanks to strong semiconductor demand, the company said Tuesday. Samsung's preliminary operating profit jumped 31.8 percent to 12.1 trillion won (8.5 billion U.S. dollars) in the July-September quarter compared to the same quarter of last year. It beat market estimates of about 10 trillion won (7 billion dollars), marking the largest since the second quarter of 2022. Preliminary revenue gained 8.7 percent from a year earlier to hit a record high of 86 trillion won (60.1 billion dollars) in the third quarter. The record earnings were attributed to surging demand for high-end memory chips. The net income and detailed earnings for each business unit will be unveiled later this month. A winner of this year's Nobel prize in economics warned Monday that artificial intelligence offers "amazing possibilities" but should be regulated because of its job-destroying potential. The remarks from Canadian Peter Howitt, professor emeritus at Brown University in the United States, came amid growing concerns about how AI will impact society and the labor market. California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a first-of-its-kind law regulating interactions with AI chatbots, defying a push from the White House to leave the technology unchecked. Howitt was one of three economists honored Monday by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for work on how technology drives and affects growth. His research with fellow winner Philippe Aghion of France focused on the theory of "creative destruction" in which a new and better product enters the market, and the companies selling the older products lose out. Howitt told a news conference that it remains to be seen who will be the leader in AI, and "we don't know what the creative destruction effects are going to be." "It's obviously a fantastic technology that has amazing possibilities. And it also obviously has an amazing potential for destroying other jobs or replacing highly skilled labor. And all I can say is that this is a conflict. It's going to have to be regulated," he said. "Private incentives in an unregulated market are not really going to resolve this conflict in a way that's best for society, and we don't know what's going to come from it." Howitt, 79, said it was a "big moment in human history" and likened it to past periods of technological innovation, including the telecoms boom of the 1990s, and the dawns of electricity and steam power. He said those innovations all demonstrated how technology can enhance and not just replace labor. "How we're going to do it this time? I wish I had specific answers, but I don't," he added. The third economist to honored Monday, American-Israeli Joel Mokyr, was more sanguine about the impact of AI on the labor market. "Machines don't replace us. They move us to more interesting, more challenging work," Mokyr, 79, told a news conference live streamed from Northwestern University in the suburbs of Chicago. "Technological change not only replaces people, it creates new tasks." Mokyr won his Nobel for his work on identifying the "prerequisites for sustained growth through technological progress." He said his main concern about the labor market of the future was not "technological unemployment" but labor scarcity as the population ages and fewer people enter the workforce. Howitt said that when he and Aghion first wrote their seminal 1992 paper on creative destruction it took five years to get it published, but his collaborator knew they were on to something special. "Right from the beginning, from our very first research, I remember back in 1987, Philippe saying we're going to get a Nobel Prize for this. I said, 'Sure, sure, sure,'" Howitt recalled. "He said, 'Our time will come. Our time will come,' okay, and now it's come. Amazing." California governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed into law a first-of-its-kind law regulating artificial intelligence chatbots, defying a push from the White House to leave such technology unchecked. "We've seen some truly horrific and tragic examples of young people harmed by unregulated tech, and we won't stand by while companies continue without necessary limits and accountability," Newson said after signing the bill into law. The landmark law requires chatbot operators to implement "critical" safeguards regarding interactions with AI chatbots and provides an avenue for people to file lawsuits if failures to do so lead to tragedies, according to state senator Steve Padilla, a Democrat who sponsored the bill. The law comes after revelations of suicides involving teens who used chatbots prior to taking their lives. "The Tech Industry is incentivized to capture young people's attention and hold it at the expense of their real world relationships," Padilla said prior to the bill being voted on in the state senate. Padilla referred to recent teen suicides including that of the 14-year-old son of Florida mother Megan Garcia. Megan Garcia's son, Sewell, had fallen in love with a "Game of Thrones"-inspired chatbot on Character.AI, a platform that allows users -- many of them young people -- to interact with beloved characters as friends or lovers. When Sewell struggled with suicidal thoughts, the chatbot urged him to "come home." Seconds later, Sewell shot himself with his father's handgun, according to the lawsuit Garcia filed against Character.AI. "Today, California has ensured that a companion chatbot will not be able to speak to a child or vulnerable individual about suicide, nor will a chatbot be able to help a person to plan his or her own suicide," Garcia said of the new law. "Finally, there is a law that requires companies to protect their users who express suicidal ideations to chatbots." National rules aimed at curbing AI risks do not exist in the United States, with the White House seeking to block individual states from creating their own. The new California law sets guardrails that include reminding users that chatbots are AI-generated and mandating that people who express thoughts of self-harm or suicide be referred to crisis service providers. "This law is an important first step in protecting kids and others from the emotional harms that result from AI companion chatbots which have been unleashed on the citizens of California without proper safeguards," said Jai Jaisimha, co-founder of Transparency Coalition nonprofit group devoted to the safe development of the technology. The landmark chatbot safety measure was among a slew of bills signed into law Monday by Newsom crafted to prevent AI platforms from doing harm to users. New legislation included a ban on chatbots passing themselves off as health care professionals and making it clear that those who create or use AI tools are accountable for the consequences and can't dodge liability by claiming the technology acted autonomously, according to Newsom's office. California also ramped up penalties for deepfake porn, allowing victims to seek as much at $250,000 per infraction from those who aid in distribution of nonconsensual sexually explicit material. GAINESVILLE, Fla. A University of Florida trustee is under scrutiny after being accused of coordinating a complex fraud scheme involving multiple institutions, according to court filings and local reporting. Trustee James W. "Bill" Heavener allegedly orchestrated fraudulent financial operations tied to the L.A. Film School and Full Sail University, coordinating deceitful activity across campuses, the complaint claims. Per the lawsuit, Heavener's role included directing the integration of operations between the two schools, purportedly facilitating money transfers and other financial arrangements that misled stakeholders. Heavener, who holds a seat on UF's Board of Trustees, has not publicly responded to the allegations as of the latest reporting. Gainesville authorities and university officials have not confirmed internal steps being taken. The allegations come amid mounting scrutiny of university governance and fiduciary accountability, particularly for individuals who serve on boards while maintaining private business interests. If substantiated, the claims could provoke significant fallout for UF's board and raise broader questions about oversight mechanisms for trustees with external business ties. ALMATY, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG) and Russian energy corporation Lukoil have begun implementing the Kalamkas-Sea and Khazar Fields joint development project on the Caspian Shelf, the Kazinform news agency reported Tuesday, citing Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. According to KMG, the combined estimated recoverable reserves of the joint development project of Kalamkas-Sea and Khazar fields amount to about 81 million tonnes of oil and 22 billion cubic meters of gas. Speaking at the 30th anniversary of Lukoil's operations in Kazakhstan, Tokayev said that more than 6 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment would be allocated for the development of the fields, creating over 2,000 new jobs. To boost local participation, shipyards in Kazakhstan's Mangystau region will be engaged in building offshore oil production platforms, he said. Tokayev noted that Lukoil has invested over 12 billion dollars in Kazakhstan's oil and gas industry since entering the country in 1995, producing 94 million tonnes of oil and 60 billion cubic meters of gas. The company has also contributed around 300 million dollars to social and charitable projects, he said. He noted that currently, Lukoil is also participating in the development of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. A sculpture by Michelangelo is seen during the media preview of the exhibition "Michelangelo's Men" at the Teylers Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Oct. 13, 2025. The exhibition, which will be open to the public on Wednesday, showcases the works of Italian artist Michelangelo in celebration of his 550th birth anniversary. The exhibition will last until Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua) A visitor views a sculpture by Michelangelo during the media preview of the exhibition "Michelangelo's Men" at the Teylers Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Oct. 13, 2025. The exhibition, which will be open to the public on Wednesday, showcases the works of Italian artist Michelangelo in celebration of his 550th birth anniversary. The exhibition will last until Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua) Visitors view a sculpture by Michelangelo during the media preview of the exhibition "Michelangelo's Men" at the Teylers Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Oct. 13, 2025. The exhibition, which will be open to the public on Wednesday, showcases the works of Italian artist Michelangelo in celebration of his 550th birth anniversary. The exhibition will last until Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua) A visitor views a drawing by Michelangelo during the media preview of the exhibition "Michelangelo's Men" at the Teylers Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Oct. 13, 2025. The exhibition, which will be open to the public on Wednesday, showcases the works of Italian artist Michelangelo in celebration of his 550th birth anniversary. The exhibition will last until Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua) A visitor views a drawing by Michelangelo during the media preview of the exhibition "Michelangelo's Men" at the Teylers Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Oct. 13, 2025. The exhibition, which will be open to the public on Wednesday, showcases the works of Italian artist Michelangelo in celebration of his 550th birth anniversary. The exhibition will last until Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua) A drawing by Michelangelo is seen during the media preview of the exhibition "Michelangelo's Men" at the Teylers Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Oct. 13, 2025. The exhibition, which will be open to the public on Wednesday, showcases the works of Italian artist Michelangelo in celebration of his 550th birth anniversary. The exhibition will last until Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua) A visitor views drawings by Michelangelo during the media preview of the exhibition "Michelangelo's Men" at the Teylers Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Oct. 13, 2025. The exhibition, which will be open to the public on Wednesday, showcases the works of Italian artist Michelangelo in celebration of his 550th birth anniversary. The exhibition will last until Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua) SARAJEVO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday in Sarajevo that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made significant progress on its path toward European Union membership and now "stands at the doorstep of the European Union (EU)." Speaking after talks with Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers Borjana Kristo, von der Leyen hailed the country's Reform Agenda as a result of broad institutional cooperation, calling for continued efforts under the EU Growth Plan, which could bring up to one billion euros in investment. She said the next step is to finalize and ratify agreements to access EU funds and to prepare for the first intergovernmental conference by adopting key judicial reforms and appointing a chief negotiator. Von der Leyen noted that 72 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina's citizens trust the EU and two-thirds of young people support enlargement, calling this "the strongest message" for a united Europe. This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. Visiting Instrumental Teacher (Classical Singing) St Georges British International School Partita IVA is seeking an outstanding Singing Teacher to provide individual lessons to a small number of pupils. Applicants must have a The successful candidate will be offered a consultancy contract and will invoice the school for lessons given. Duties and Responsibilities Teaching and Learning Deliver outstanding Singing lessons on a one-to-one basis as required. Attend meetings and school concerts as required. Promote exemplary behaviour and a responsible attitude amongst all pupils at all times. Be aware of and act upon all policies regarding safeguarding of children. Ensure that all communication is acted upon appropriately and in a timely manner. Be responsible for all school resources, particularly those in your care, reporting damage or loss to the appropriate authority within the school Pastoral Demonstrate professional curiosity in relation to each students wellbeing and welfare, and foster the personal and social development of each student in their care. Actively promote the social, moral and cultural ethos of the school community. Create an atmosphere of support by being aware of, and fully compliant with, all of the schools pastoral policies. Be familiar with all the schools policies on Health and Safety and be proactive in ensuring the safety of all members of the school community at all times. Promote exemplary behaviour and a responsible attitude amongst pupils. Be aware of and act upon all policies regarding the safeguarding of children. Professional Promote pride in the school among the pupil body through high standards of dress, behaviour and commitment. Ensure that all communication is acted upon appropriately and in a timely manner. Attend Student-Led Conferences, Assemblies and other school events during term time as the Principal may from time to time require. Be responsible for all school resources, particularly those in your care, reporting damage or loss to the appropriate authority within the school. Contribute to the virtual learning environment, the website, social media and publications in support of your work. Foster a close partnership with parents, initiating contact in appropriate circumstances and ensuring that there is a record of this. Carry out any reasonable professional request made by the Principal or Head of School. Personal Skills Enthusiastic and passionate about music. An ambassador of St Georges at all times. A role model in relation to the schools core values of Internationalism, Inclusivity and Excellence. Enthusiastic and passionate about education with a sound understanding of UK best practice. Reliable and respectful in their dealings with all members of the school community. Flexible and adaptable to the varied demands of working in a world-class school environment. Proactive in all aspects of school life. Able to work both independently and collaboratively. Creative and innovative across and beyond the curriculum. Able to work successfully under pressure, with excellent organisational skills. Reliable and respectful. Able to demonstrate a positive and proactive attitude towards participation in professional development and the schools induction and professional review processes. Able to present a professional image in line with the high expectations of St Georges. A talented communicator. A confident and competent user of IT in the classroom and for administrative purposes. Formal Qualifications / Experience A relevant degree from a university, conservatoire or college. A certified teaching qualification (i.e. Qualified Teacher Status). A distinguished record of teaching. A strong record of professional development. How to Apply 250501 The successful candidate will be: Application Deadline: Friday 24th October 2025, 4.00 p.m. CEST Start Date: Immediate Availability: Part-time Contract: Consultancy (Partita IVA required) We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date. Early application is strongly encouraged. Please complete an online application form via www.stgeorge.school.it/staff/vacancies. Shortlisted candidates will have references taken up prior to interview. Supporting Statement The reason you are applying for the role. Why you feel that you are a suitable candidate for the role. Your skills and experience. An explanation of any gaps in employment during your career. Additional Application Guidance The Supporting Statement is an instrumental part of our shortlisting process and should address and detail:Thesection of the application form must be completed in full (including grades obtained). References provided should always include your current employer. If you are currently working in education, your first referee must be the Headteacher/Principal of the school in which you are currently employed. School Policies Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Applicants to St Georges should be familiar with the schools, available at www.stgeorge.school.it/policies A copy of the Staff Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing Policy will be made available to shortlisted candidates. Conditional Offer of Appointment Verification of identity, qualifications and professional status. A safeguarding check. Receipt of at least three satisfactory references (one of which should be from your current or most recent Principal, Head of School or line manager). Verification of medical fitness (completion of a medical declaration). Social media screening. Non-EU applicants will be required to produce their university transcript with courses taken and final grades of their first degree. Remuneration Equal Opportunities equal opportunities employer Any offer to a successful candidate will be conditional upon the following:Package details will be available to shortlisted candidates upon request.St Georges is anand is fully committed to a policy of treating all employees and job applicants equally. Discrimination will not be made on the grounds of age, race, religion, disability, marital status, gender, re-assigned gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or any other basis. Eugenio Giani retains his seat as Tuscany governor. Italy's centre-left opposition on Monday celebrated the re-election of the outgoing governor of the Tuscany region, Eugenio Giani, in a widely predicted victory. Giani, a member of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD) party, won 53.9 per cent of the vote, comfortably ahead of the 40.9 per cent of his main challenger, Pistoia mayor Alessandro Tomasi, of Giorgia Meloni's right-wing Fratelli d'Italia party. Antonella Bundu, a candidate supported by a left-wing electoral list called Toscana Rossa, was expected to take around five per cent of the vote. PD leader Elly Schlein welcomed the re-election of Giani, 66, with a video post on social media of her hugging the victorious politician surrounded by applauding supporters. "I want to thank Giani for this splendid victory, and thank the entire progressive coalition" - Schlein told a press conference - "It is a victory that gives us joy and hope". In addition to the PD, Giani had the support of opposition parties Movimento 5 Stelle, Italia Viva, and the Alliance of the Greens and the Left (AVS). Turnout in the two-day vote, held in 3,922 polling stations across the region, was the lowest ever recorded in Tuscany - 47.7 per cent - well below the 62.6 per cent registered in 2020. Giani's victory is a blow for the centre-right opposition, which had sought to wrest control of the central Italian region from the centre-left. Melonis coalition governs 14 out of 20 Italian regions and has won several regional elections since coming to power three years ago, as well as losing to the centre-left in Sardinia, Umbria and Emilia-Romagna last year. In recent weeks, Meloni celebrated the re-election of two centre-right regional governors: Francesco Acquaroli in Marche and Roberto Occhiuto in Calabria. Further regional elections will be held on 23-24 November in Veneto - governed by the right-wing Lega, a coalition partner in Meloni's government - and in the left-controlled regions of Campania and Puglia. Mattarella visited Pope Leo in Vatican in June. Pope Leo XIV will make an official visit to the Quirinale Palace in Rome on Tuesday to meet Italy's president Sergio Mattarella, the third meeting between the pontiff and the Italian head of state. The visit followed Mattarella's first audience with Pope Leo at the Vatican on 6 June, and prior to that the president greeted the pope on the conclusion of his inauguration Mass on 18 May. The official visit is governed by strict protocol and will see Pope Leo accompanied by a delegation, including Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, Matteo Zuppi, president of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI), and Baldassarre Reina, the pontiff's vicar in Rome. The visit will begin at the Vatican, where at 10.20 Pope Leo will leave the Apostolic Palace and depart by car from the Courtyard of San Damaso, followed by members of the official delegation. According to the schedule released by the Holy See, the papal procession will reach the Vatican's border with Italy in Piazza Pio XII, where the pontiff will be met by the Italian government, represented by foreign minister Antonio Tajani and undersecretary to the prime minister Alfredo Mantovano. The pope will then proceed, escorted by mounted corazzieri guards, to the presidential palace where he will be greeted with a welcoming ceremony in the Courtyard of Honour. Here both national anthems will be played - Vatican and Italian - before the pope and the president proceed inside the vast palace for official photographs and a formal exchange of gifts. The pope and president will make their way to the Hall of Mirrors, where they will be awaited by Italy's senate speaker Ignazio La Russa, president of the lower house Lorenzo Fontana, and prime minister Giorgia Meloni. The visit will conclude in the ballroom with official speeches before the papal procession returns to the Vatican. The last time a pope visited the Quirinale was on 10 June 2017, when Francis visited Mattarella following his re-election for a second term as president. The first papal visit to the Quirinale, once a papal residence, was on 28 December 1939 when Pope Pius XII met with King Victor Emmanuel III and Queen Elena. This was the first time a pope had visited the Quirinale since 1870 and was a symbolically significant event, occurring nearly 70 years after the capture of Rome and 10 years after the signing of the Lateran Treaty which established the Vatican City as a sovereign state and regulated relations between Italy and the Catholic Church. Photo credit: Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock.com. FAO celebrates World Food Day and 80 years in Rome. The 2025 edition of the World Food Forum got under way on Monday at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. Held under the theme 'Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future', the forum will host numerous heads of state and government and high-level international delegations for a "week of dialogue, innovation and partnership aimed at transforming global agrifood systems". Among the most important flagship events is the celebration of World Food Day, on Thursday 16 October, which also marks 80 years since FAO was founded to further agricultural knowledge and nutritional wellbeing. Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani will address the plenary session at the World Food Day event and will inaugurate the FAO Food and Agriculture Museum and Network FAO MuNe at the agency's headquarters near the Circus Maximus. Supported by Italys ministry of foreign affairs, the museum initiative "stands as a legacy of FAOs 80 years of dedication to sustainable food and agriculture worldwide and reflects Romes role as FAOs host city and partner in this shared commitment", according to a statement on the FAO website. The World Food Day event will be attended by Italy's president Sergio Mattarella, prime minister Giorgia Meloni, and Pope Leo XIV. Also in attendance will be King Letsie III of Lesotho, Queen Letizia of Spain, and Princess Basma Bint Ali of Jordan - all of whom are FAO Ambassadors - while FAO director-general QU Dongyu will be joined by the heads of the other UN food agencies in Rome and the secretary-general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. For full details of the World Food Forum see the FAO website. Photo FAO/Giuseppe Carotenuto. Healthcare workers join a strike outside the Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center in Baldwin Park, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, Oct. 14, 2025. Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers went on strike Tuesday morning across the U.S. West Coast. The walkout affects more than 500 hospitals and medical facilities, mainly in California and Hawaii, including several in the Los Angeles area, according to local media reports. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua) LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers went on strike Tuesday morning across the U.S. West Coast. The walkout affects more than 500 hospitals and medical facilities, mainly in California and Hawaii, including several in the Los Angeles area, according to local media reports. The five-day strike began at 7 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday and is scheduled to end at 7 a.m. Sunday, according to a post on Kaiser Permanente's official website. The action marks the largest strike in the 50-year history of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, the union representing the workers. "Kaiser employees are launching a 5-day strike against Kaiser Permanente -- not because they want to, but because they have to," the union said in a media release. The strike aims to win safe staffing, fair pay, and protect patient care, it added. In a statement, Kaiser Permanente called the strike "unnecessary and disruptive," saying the company remains committed to reaching an agreement that balances fair pay with high-quality, affordable care. By David Young, PA Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has accused the UK government of hypocrisy and duplicity after it proposed a retrospective law change to block him from securing compensation for being interned during the Troubles. Mr Adams was responding to a measure outlined in the Governments Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which was presented to Parliament on Tuesday, that will seek to prevent him and others detained without trial from seeking payouts based on a judicial decision that ruled their internment unlawful on a legal technicality. The veteran republican said he would be consulting with lawyers to explore what legal options there are, both in the UK and Europe, to challenge the move. Mr Adams highlighted that the measure was included in a Bill that also introduced new protections designed to address concerns of military veterans who are asked to engage in legacy mechanisms in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn tabled the Bill in Parliament (Peter Byrne/PA) The measures include the option of witnesses giving evidence remotely. In 2020 the British Supreme Court determined that I was wrongfully interned for a period in the 1970s, said Mr Adams. The decision by the court was explicit. Interim Custody Orders not authorised and approved by the Secretary of State were illegal. It is believed that upwards of 400 other internees are similarly affected. The British government, which knew it was in the wrong at that time, knowingly broke its own law. In January Keir Starmer made it clear that he would look at every conceivable way to ensure that I and others impacted by this did not receive compensation. Today, at the stroke of a pen what was illegal five decades ago has been made legal as the British state changes the rules to suit its own agenda and protect its own military personnel. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn had already signalled the Governments intent to ensure the draft legislation acted on the issue of potential compensation to internees whose detention without trial during the conflict has since been ruled to have been unlawful. A Supreme Court judgment in 2020 paved the way for Mr Adams to secure compensation over his internment in the early 1970s. Mr Adams won his appeal to overturn historical convictions for two attempted prison breaks, after he was interned in 1973 at Long Kesh internment camp, also known as Maze Prison, near Lisburn. The Supreme Court ruled that his detention was unlawful because the interim custody order (ICO) used to initially detain him had not been considered personally by then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Willie Whitelaw. At the time of the case, the previous government contended that the ICOs were lawful because of a long-standing convention, known as the Carltona principle, where officials and junior ministers routinely act in the name of the secretary of state. Mr Adams subsequently successfully challenged a decision to deny an application for compensation for his detention. However, the 2023 Legacy Act introduced by the last Conservative government stopped such payouts to Mr Adams and other former internees. The Act retrospectively validated the ICOs to make them lawful and halted civil claims related to the orders. However, in February last year, the High Court in Belfast ruled that the provisions of the Act related to the ICOs were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Labour Government did not appeal against that section of the High Court judgment but Mr Benn pledged to find a lawful means to block payouts. The Troubles Bill has now proposed to reaffirm the so-called Carltona principle into law, a move the Government believes will prevent payouts. While the Legacy Acts provisions in relation to ICOs, sections 46 and 47, were ruled incompatible with ECHR by the High Court, the Government is retaining those sections on the statute book until such time as the Troubles Bill becomes law. The Bill gives legislative effect to several measures contained in a joint framework for dealing with the legacy of the Troubles recently agreed by the UK and Irish governments. The measures designed for veterans engaging in legacy processes are not contained in the UK-Irish framework. However, Mr Adams accused the Irish government of colluding with the UK on the issue, something he branded as disgraceful, as he said Ireland had signed up to laws he claimed would protect former soldiers who had been involved in atrocities during the Troubles. He added: The British want to close the door on their past actions. Like many others I will be speaking to my legal team in the next few days to examine what options here and within Europe are open to us. By Cillian Sherlock, PA Ireland will have to commit millions of euro in further aid for Gaza in the coming months, the Cabinet will be told. Tanaiste Simon Harris is to update Cabinet colleagues on Tuesday about a substantial aid package to Gaza from Ireland. It comes after he announced an additional 6 million to aid organisations in Gaza on Monday, including UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and the World Food Programme. Ireland has joined the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority (PA), a group established in response to the urgent and unprecedented financial crisis confronting the PA. It is likely that in addition to the immediate aid package, Ireland will also ultimately commit funding for the reconstruction of Gaza. It is understood the Tanaiste will tell ministers that developments in the Middle East in recent days represent a major breakthrough and that now there is finally an opportunity to ease the immense suffering of the people of Gaza who have endured untold horrors. Overall, Ireland has provided more than 95 million in support to the people of Palestine since January 2023, of which more than 83 million has been provided since October of that year. This includes 20 million in core support to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) this year, which brings Irish support to 58 million since 2023. The Tanaiste will also inform ministers that a consignment of 1,500 tents is being loaded by the International Organisation for Migration in Amman, Jordan for delivery to Gaza in the coming days. This includes 750 tents from Irelands humanitarian stocks and 750 from EU humanitarian stocks. Advertisement BusinessMarketsTrade wars Opinion Which tariffs? China finds new markets to defy Trumps trade war Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist October 14, 2025 9:11am October 14, 2025 9:11am 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 142 View all comments Donald Trumps trade war with China hinges on a conviction that Chinas challenge to US economic and geopolitical dominance can be stifled by choking its access to Americas vast consumer market. That belief is being rapidly undermined. Chinas latest trade data showed surprising resilience - indeed, it confounded expectations. Exports accelerated in September, rising 8.3 per cent over the same period last year, to $US328.6 billion ($502 billion). That was substantially better than the broadly forecast 6 per cent increase, and a big lift from the 4.4 per cent growth experienced in August. Donald Trumps trade war with China was built on a false assumption. AP Exports to the US did take a hit from Trumps tariffs, which average at about 40 per cent on imports from China, falling a further 27 per cent to $US34 billion in September after a 33 per cent dive in August. At the same time, imports from the US fell 16 per cent to $US11.5 billion. Advertisement Trump thought his trade war would shrink Chinas exports to America, damaging its growth and economic ambitions, helping him revive domestic manufacturing in the US and providing the leverage to force greater access for US companies to Chinas markets. He only got that half right, at best. Yes, Chinas trade with America has shrunk. Before Trumps first trade war with China, in 2018-19, the US market accounted for about 20 per cent of Chinas exports. By last year, its share of Chinas exports had fallen to about 14 per cent, and its now running at about 10 per cent. It could be argued that China, in winning new markets and new friends, is losing less than America. Instead of destabilising Chinas export-driven economic model, however, the trade wars appear to have, if anything, strengthened it. Chinas patterns of trade have changed, but it looks on track for another record trade surplus of about $US1 trillion, and probably above. As its exports to the US have been diminished by the Trump tariffs, China has far more rapidly than could have been anticipated shifted its trade flows to other markets. Advertisement The September data showed that even as exports to the US slumped, those to the European Union rose 14.2 per cent. Exports to South-East Asian economies were up 15.6 per cent, while to Latin America they climbed 15.2 per cent and to Africa (off a modest base) they surged 56 per cent. Chinas exports have been re-routed, demonstrating that Trumps thesis that Chinas export-oriented economy made it over-dependent on the US market was flawed. In 2018, when the first of Trumps tariffs on China were imposed, exports to the US accounted for about 3.5 per cent of Chinas GDP. Last year, that percentage was 2.8 per cent. It will be significantly lower this year. Trumps tariffs can damage, and are damaging, Chinas economy, but the countrys exposure and vulnerability to them is reducing rapidly. Now, America - while still an important destination for Chinese goods - is part of a far more diversified global market for Chinese companies, one fortified by massive investments by China in economies other than the US that are also gradually shifting their geopolitical relationships away from America. Trumps tariffs on everyone are aiding that process. Advertisement Advertisement Last weeks significant tightening of export restrictions on rare earths, magnets and batteries, which caused Trump to threaten China with a 100 percentage point hike in the tariff rate, also highlighted Chinas own leverage in the trade stoush, and how it is amplified by US financial markets, which went into a meltdown on Friday and wouldve played a role in Trumps backing away from his initial aggressive response. Trump used to boast that trade wars were good and easy to win. Experience of the Trump tariffs says that they arent good for anyone, and no one wins. The September trade data showed that Chinas exports of rare earths were down 31 per cent from August and were about half the volumes China was exporting mid-year. It would appear that China had started squeezing the market for rare earths, a market it absolutely dominates, even before the announcement of the new export restrictions. Wall Street recovered some of their losses on Monday after Trump adopted a far more conciliatory tone. The growth in Chinas exports shows how dynamic its companies are. Advertisement Some of that growth will reflect an arbitraging of tariff rates, with goods being trans-shipped to their eventual destination, America, but theres also an organic appetite for cheap Chinese goods in the developing economies that China has been building relationships with for years through its Belt and Road initiative. The growth is coming at a cost, with export volumes significantly higher than their value. Chinas companies are operating in sectors with substantial excess capacity and fighting torrid price wars in their domestic markets. They have slashed export prices to absorb that excess capacity, which has caused increased tension with Chinas non-US trade partners even as their profits have kept falling. Its also led to deflation and weaker growth in an economy that has never fully recovered from a downturn in its property market that is now in its fifth year, although a 7.4 per cent rise in Chinas imports in September, to $US238.1 billion, could suggest the domestic economy is faring a little better than most forecasters have predicted. Beijing has responded with a campaign against what it calls involution, or excess capacity and continuing cycles of price competition, which should see some consolidation of industries and some companies exiting markets. Advertisement Chinas broader economic data for September is due to be released next week, which will provide a better insight into the toll the trade war and Chinas domestic settings are taking on an economy which is over-exposed to trade. Related Article Opinion Trade wars As tensions rise, is the TACO trade still alive? Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist Also next week, the most important meeting of Chinas leaders for the year the Fourth Plenum will start, with hundreds of the countrys senior officials reviewing the governments next five-year plan for the economy and society. To date, Beijing has resisted any large-scale effort to stimulate the domestic economy to dilute its reliance on exports - but there will be significant interest from external observers in whether there are plans to boost consumption over the remainder of this decade, and whether there will be more done to address the structural imbalances and the degree of unproductive capital within the economy. Trump used to boast that trade wars were good and easy to win. Experience of the Trump tariffs says that they arent good for anyone, and no one wins. Advertisement At this point, however, it could be argued that China, in winning new markets and new friends as Trumps tariffs cause even long-standing allies to re-evaluate their relationships with America, is losing less than America. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Advertisement NationalCBD Exclusive Brethren called the web a pipeline of filth. Now they have a podcast Kishor Napier-Raman and Madeleine Heffernan October 15, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 47 View all comments Move over, Hamish Blake and Andy Lee theres a new podcast in town. The group formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren has finally succumbed to the manly urge of grabbing a microphone and talking for long periods of time. The Plymouth Brethren Christian Churchs podcast series was launched on the pipeline of filth what the church once called the internet this week, with the noble goal of fighting back at the conspiracy theory and religious discrimination it claims has tainted media coverage of its flock. Episode 1 features church spinner Lloyd Grimshaw interviewing Gareth, Dean, Charles and Greg Hales the four sons of Brethrens multimillionaire leader Bruce Hales, known within the church as BDH, the Lords Servant, the Elect Vessel or CEO. The first episode goes into the lives and businesses of the brothers the churchs so-called royal family and their devotion to their visionary and entrepreneurial father. A screenshot from Behind the Plymouth Brethren a not-so Exclusive podcast. YouTube Advertisement It also delves into negative media coverage engulfing the church, its controversial involvement in the past federal election, and the brothers desire for PM Anthony Albanese to get a phone call with US President Donald Trump. Related Article CBD Exclusive Brethren launches podcast to bust a barrage of bad press You might recall Albanese has called the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church a cult. No mention of the C-word on the pod, though. This masthead has reported the churchs financial and on-the-ground support for the Liberal Party in the May election was so overwhelming that some Liberal operatives feared it could exert undue influence over an incoming Peter Dutton-led government. But the brothers say there was no arrangement with the Liberal Party or any party during the election. They also insist the church doesnt campaign or co-ordinate volunteer political efforts at all. Advertisement But Gareth does argue Australia was in a bad place. We honestly felt Australia deserved a better, stronger, braver leader that can actually work in with the US the UK NATO, France, Germany, Italy, like-minded, smart countries. Thats why we got involved. BoJos back Its no secret that Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson loves Australia. Advertisement The former British prime minister, known for his buffoonish antics, laissez-faire approach to personal grooming and quite literally partying himself into political oblivion, has visited Sydney for speaking gigs the past two summers. Now, thanks to the work of some dastardly hackers, we have some idea of what BoJo got up to on his 2023 tour. An immense trove of Johnsons diaries, documents and invoices dating to during his prime ministership has been published online by Distributed Denial of Secrets, a US-based transparency non-profit. Headline revelations published by The Guardian reveal Johnson used prime ministerial contacts to approach the Saudi regime once out of office and sought to lobby the United Arab Emirates over a billion-dollar private venture. We also get pages of BoJos notes, written in a form of hieroglyphics you can decipher only if you went to Eton, plus a few nuggets about his relationship with Australia. Like the time he phoned then-prime minister Scott Morrison in 2022 just an hour after a long phone call with the Queen. The trove also contains further details about BoJos 2023 trip to Australia, which came months after he quit politics for good. Johnson was flown in courtesy of the Menzies Research Centre to deliver their annual John Howard Lecture. First on the agenda was a one-on-one meeting with Sussan Ley, then the Liberals deputy leader. Perhaps Peter Dutton was unavailable. After his speech to the Menzies crowd that night, Johnson was feted at a private fundraising dinner with Howard and Morrison. Advertisement The next day, Johnson was reunited with Scomo at a United Israel Fundraising lunch at Doltone House attended by businessman Steven Lowy, scion of the Westfield dynasty. That evening, he was hosted by our friends at The Australian Financial Reviews Business Person of the Year Gala Dinner, where he was introduced by former federal treasurer Peter Costello (then chair of Nine, owner of this masthead and the Financial Review). Related Article Media & marketing Sky and Freya Leach were fired up, then it all went wrong In fact, according to Bojos documents, the paper paid $85,000 to hear his thoughts, plus the cost of accommodation at the Fullerton Hotel. Thats a lot of money, but then again, BoJo sounds like a hell of a party guest. We asked former editor Michael Stutchbury to comment he was running the joint at that time but he politely said no. Johnson had so much fun he was back for more last year, courtesy of celebrity impresario Max Markson, where he did another private event with the Menzies mob, and a podcast interview with future cancelled Sky News host Freya Leach. Advertisement No word yet on whether hell be joining his home countrys eminently insufferable cricketers in Australia this summer. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share French author Jean-Baptiste Andrea wanted to be a writer from the age of nine. His parents discouraged him although they loved art, especially literature, they did not see it as a viable career path. They said that writers die in poverty. My mother said you have to be a god to write a book, and that I was not a god, he tells me. Fortunately, he ignored their advice; his fourth novel, Watching Over Her (Veiller sur elle in French), won the 2023 Prix Goncourt, Frances most prestigious literary prize. It has sold more than 700,000 copies in France alone, been translated into more than 34 languages, and is to be adapted for the screen. The English-language version has now been released. When I ask how his parents feel now about his choice of career, he jokes, I think if I was running a bank today, my mother would be even happier than she was about the Prix Goncourt. French author Jean-Baptiste Andrea, winner of the Prix Goncourt literary prize. AFP Andrea and I meet at his hotel, the stately Malmaison, in the heart of Edinburghs New Town. We are both in the Scottish capital for the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and our interview takes place to the sound of bagpipes playing just outside. Editor's pick Literature The cult author who refuses to play by the book worlds rules In 1996, having completed two university degrees, the first in economics and political science, the second in business (to placate his parents) he began his career writing film scripts. I love storytelling, he says. When you make someone laugh, or cry, its fantastic. I love cinema, so I decided to write and make movies. He directed and wrote four films over the next 10 years, starting with Dead End (2003), a French-British horror film. Advertisement It was a success, and his career was launched. Two years later, he received a call from Berenice Fugard, the English head of acquisitions at Pathe Films, asking what he was working on. That led to Big Nothing, a black comedy starring David Schwimmer from Friends released in 2006 and to marriage to Berenice, who now works as an artist at their home in Cannes. Editor's pick Literature Thirty books well be talking about for the rest of 2025 He became disillusioned with the movie world and decided to try writing a book. One day, when I was out walking my dog, the idea came to me to write about a young man who runs away from home to prove hes a man. He wrote the entire book in three weeks, in a burst of creativity. I felt like I had reconnected with my true self, he says. It gave me such joy. I remember thinking, Dont ever forget that joy. What follows is a story to bring joy to the heart of any aspiring writer. His manuscript, Ma Reine, was rejected by 14 publishers, before LIconoclaste, a boutique publishing house, released it in 2017. It won 12 literary prizes, including for best debut novel, and sold well. I had finished 2016 with minus 5000 in the bank, and a mortgage. Suddenly, Ma Reine was translated into 15 languages and I had 50,000 from international sales alone. [It has not been translated into English]. Andrea at the time of his 2023 Goncourt win. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images He wrote his next three novels in quick succession. I was like a bottle of champagne, he tells me. The cork was out, and my creativity erupted. He published A Hundred Million Years and a Day in 2019 and Devils and Saints in 2021, with both translated into English. But it is his fourth novel, Watching Over Her, published in France in 2023, that has launched him into the literary stratosphere. Set in Italy in the first half of the 20th century, it is a love story between Mimo, a poor fatherless Italian boy who grows up to become a famous sculptor, and Viola, the intelligent, high-spirited daughter of an aristocratic family who chafes against the restraints society imposes on her. The two meet at 13 and their (star-crossed) romance lasts a lifetime. Advertisement It is, however, more than a love story. Set against the rise of Mussolini and fascism in Italy from 1922, it raises issues about the complicity of the church and the aristocracy. Then there is Mimo himself his career takes off once he starts to accept well-paid commissions from the fascist government. The idealistic Viola is horrified, repeatedly urging him to refuse the work. Andrea at a Dior show during the Paris Mens Fashion Week last year. WWD via Getty Images This raises the topical issue of the role of the artist in society, particularly during turbulent political times. Andrea is adamant in his views. I dont think artists should get directly involved in politics. The role of the artist is to show the past, so we dont repeat the same mistakes, or to show the way to a better future, he says. Festivals should be about art. We (artists) can share our vision, but we must be careful. I think artists should work hard, shut up and do their talking through their books. In each of his novels, Andrea explores the impact of a traumatic childhood on the adult; all his protagonists have parents who are either absent or abusive. The origin of all evil is in childhood. Thats when trauma happens that you cant recover from. The lack of love as a child should never be underestimated. My mother said you have to be a god to write a book, and that I was not a god. Asked how he feels to have won the Prix Goncourt, Andrea responds, The day I walked into LIconoclastes office, I felt I could finally be me, professionally. I had found a place that I had been looking for forever, and that gave me a deep sense of security, satisfaction and joy. Now I live in that place every single day. He adverts to the personal cost of pursuing a creative career: On the day I won the Prix Goncourt, I felt like I had been fighting all my life. Choosing an artistic path is a constant fight sometimes even against your family, as in my case. Advertisement Advertisement Exclusive NationalNSWOrganised crime Australian man revealed as alleged head of Asian crime gang that ordered Sydney womans kidnap and murder Riley Walter October 15, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share An alarming number of Australian women have been killed in recent years. Find out more about their lives. Some of the cases are still before the courts. See all stories . An international drug syndicate allegedly headed by a man formerly from Sydney is believed to have ordered the murder of a woman abducted from her home, stripped naked in front of two children, shot dead and left in a car as it was torched. Thi Kim Tran, 45, was snatched from her Bankstown home on April 17 by three masked men who broke in, bashed an eight-year-old boy with a baseball bat and forced Tran at gunpoint into a black SUV in front of a second child. Police believe Tran was murdered by an international drug syndicate allegedly headed by Daniel Rodney Badger. Police allege Tran was targeted after her husband was accused of stealing up to 80 kilograms of methamphetamine from his employers. While police have not publicly identified the syndicate believed to have ordered Trans killing, the Herald can reveal the 45-year-olds husband was working for a group allegedly helmed by Daniel Rodney Badger, formerly of Sydney. Advertisement Badger, 40, was born in Auburn, in Sydneys west, and has been of interest to authorities since relocating to South-East Asia, a global centre for the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. Badgers syndicate is alleged to be one of the biggest manufacturers and distributors of methamphetamine in Australia, with its operations stretching along the countrys east coast. It is alleged to have large-scale operations in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Badger is believed to be one of the AFPs highest-value targets. Thi Kim Tran was abducted from her Bankstown home and shot dead in April. Facebook Daniel Rodney Badger is of significant interest to the AFP, Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Ian McCartney told the ABCs Four Corners last year. On July 23, 2022, Badger, who was living in Sydneys west before he relocated to Vietnam with his then-partner almost a decade ago, was granted Cambodian citizenship by naturalisation and given a Khmer name Sen Sovannarith according to a royal decree published in the Cambodian governments Royal Gazette at the time. Advertisement Footage aired by Four Corners shows Badgers lavish wedding celebrations in Vietnams Ho Chi Minh City in 2019. Law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation into Trans death told the Herald that while there was no evidence Badger personally ordered Trans killing, his syndicate was believed to have hired contractors to carry out her execution. Badgers father, Rodney, said he hadnt spoken to his son for several years, but said he didnt believe the 40-year-old was involved in the drug trade. He was in legitimate business in Vietnam, he said. He said Badger had run his own business and worked as a security guard at hotels and racecourses before he left the country. Advertisement He never mentioned it to me [and] I never suspected him of anything, he said. He was a great young man. In August, homicide squad detectives arrested a senior syndicate member, The Anh Nguyen, and charged him with the joint criminal enterprise murder of Tran and with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm over the alleged attack on the eight-year-old boy. Homicide Squad commander Joe Doueihi at the time said Nguyen, who is in the upper echelons of Badgers syndicate, had been tasked with resolving the groups dispute with Trans husband and retrieving the drugs he was alleged to have stolen, and had facilitated Trans murder. Advertisement He did this by meeting with the offenders beforehand, travelling in convoy with the offenders to the victims residence, parking his car in the driveway and knocking on the front door with the three offenders standing behind him armed with a firearm, a baseball bat and with their faces covered, Doueihi said. He stepped aside and allowed those offenders to seriously assault that child and then to kidnap and strip the woman naked in the street. The wedding of Daniel Badger in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam YouTube Nguyen allegedly recruited Trans husband to the syndicate in 2022 before contracting him to cook a batch of methamphetamine in January this year. Trans husband has denied stealing from the syndicate and has not been charged over his alleged involvement in the criminal group. Shortly after Trans murder, detectives raided a vacant property in Springdallah, west of Melbourne, that the syndicate had allegedly used as a drug lab. No one was at the property at the time of the raid. Advertisement Police allege Nguyens role in the syndicate was to facilitate the use of premises for manufacturing and storing drugs and to hire people to work for the organisation. He has not been charged with any drug offences. Nguyens lawyer, Julie Nguyen, said in August that her client intended to plead not guilty to the charges. Related Article Exclusive Crime An ambush, then a note on a corpse: Inside the alleged plot to execute a Sydney father Trans murder, along with several other violent incidents, has placed Vietnamese organised crime gangs that have long flown under the radar back in police sights. Theyre usually discreet about what they do theyre different from the other crime groups in Sydney, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux told the Herald in August. Last week, police foiled an alleged murder plot detectives say a Vietnamese crime syndicate, The Final Crime Family, had commissioned to execute an employee who had fallen foul of the group. Police believe Badgers syndicate is predominantly made up of Vietnamese males. Advertisement Nguyen remains in custody and will appear in Burwood Local Court on November 12, while investigations under Strike Force Bushfield are ongoing to identify Trans killers. Get alerts on breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert. Advertisement Exclusive NationalWABuilding insurance Insurance premiums have soared in Perth. See what your suburb pays Holly Thompson October 15, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 5 View all comments The growing risk of bushfires is driving up the cost of residential building insurance across Perth, with home owners in some suburbs billed more than twice what others pay to manage the risk. Industry figures from Finity suggest home owners in Mundaring are paying an average of $3273 per year for insurance, though some individuals whose properties have an elevated risk could be paying more than $5000. In comparison, home owners in Canning have an average insurance premium of $1518 half the amount paid by those living in the hills. Perth suburbs overall have experienced an average increase of 78 per cent in insurance premiums in the last five years, but prices in Mundaring have skyrocketed by 103 per cent in the same timeframe. Advertisement The dataset was based on 30,000 online quotes for buildings insurance collected annually over six years from eight insurers, with the latest collection received in July. Stephen Lau, principal of actuarial and analytical consultancy firm Finity, said the main natural hazards for Perth, apart from seasonal storms, were bushfires that had the potential to generate large catastrophes. Thats where were seeing the higher premiums in the outskirts of the metro area, he said. Looking at the properties you can see they are nestled in bushes right in the thick of it, in vegetation, and insurers would use models to account for them being in high fire risk zones, and therefore charge higher premiums to reflect the risk in that area. But compared to over east, Perths insurance premiums are much lower, and Lau said the main difference came down to flooding risk. Advertisement There could be some properties in the data that have very high flood premiums, but theres probably not a lot of them in Perth, he said In one case in Baldivis, one of the citys more flood-prone areas, a high premium from one insurer sits at around $7500. Moving away from Perth, and Lau said homes in areas prone to cyclones, concentrated in the states north, attracted much higher insurance premiums than in the metropolitan area. In the Geraldton region, where we saw a previous cyclone made landfall at Kalbarri, thats where you start to see premium climb, he said. As you go right up to northern WA, thats the highest premiums that you would see in Australia on average. Advertisement Aside from natural disasters, Lau said the other major factor impacting insurance premiums in Perth was the sustained high building costs and labour skill shortages. Editor's pick Traffic Perth commuters, is your drive to work taking longer? Youre not imagining it A lot of the increases were driven by high periods of inflation costs, construction costs due to shortages of materials, and its still ongoing issue for WA, he said. The other factor is a lot of reinsurance costs being passed to insurers from the flood events in New South Wales and Queensland. That might be a little bit surprising, another states disaster affecting WA, but the floods were really significant $6 billion in damage. Advertisement They didnt really expect that size of an event to occur, so they raise all their prices across Australia. Lau said it was unlikely insurance premiums would drop. Youve got climate change influencing high severity bushfires, particularly for Perth, so I think longer term, were going to see more increases likely and then decreases. But he said there were things home owners could do to keep premiums lower. In areas with higher bushfire risk, he recommended bringing on the Resilient Building Council, who can give a home a star rating based on how resilient the property is to bushfires and advice on how to improve that rating. Advertisement Once youve demonstrated that star rating, some insurers will use that to put discounts into their premiums, Lau said. A lot of properties are pretty old, built before 1980 before a lot of the building standards came in. Its about getting people to move the properties to better standards than what they were when they were built 50 to 100 years back. 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 InspirationAdventure holidays This thrilling hike in Japan is pure exhilaration Matt Teffer October 15, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Dozo, says the elderly woman coming down the trail. It means after you, and its not surprising you hear it a lot while hiking in Japan, given the locals rightful reputation for impeccable manners. She stops at a steep corner of the narrow, precipitous path leading up to Yakedake, the active volcano that lurks somewhere in the clouds above, rising to 2455 metres. Mount Yakedake in Japans northern alps. Getty Images No, no, after you, replies my wife, Cushla, from the track a few metres below. Dozo, dozo, says the woman. Shes in her 70s, and thats not surprising, either. Every second group weve encountered during our three days of hiking around Kamikochi in Honshus Chubu-Sangaku National Park seems to be made up of retirees. Advertisement What does come as a surprise, however, is when the woman slips on the rough scree as she makes room for Cushla to pass. She wobbles like a reluctant bowling pin, and in excruciating slow-motion, topples over the edge and out of sight. Gone. The only way is up. Getty Images We rush over to help her as best we can, or to at least identify the location of her body for the authorities. Thankfully, the lush vegetation clinging to the steep slope has both cushioned and stalled her fall. Painstakingly, she pulls herself up by plant roots back onto the path, and brushes herself down. Before we have time to conduct the most cursory of welfare checks, she scurries off down the trail, and were left thanking the local mountain spirits that she didnt break her hip, or plunge the 400-odd metres to the valley of Kamikochi below. Yakedake literally burning mountain is 250 kilometres west of Tokyo, in Honshus Hida mountain range. The closest city is Matsumoto, just over an hours drive away. After two days hiking in the Kamikochi valley, we stay at Nakanoyu Onsen Ryokan, which offers a delicious multi-course dinner made from local ingredients, and just happens to sit beside the trail leading up to Yakedake. The onsens outdoor pool, surrounded by trees and the stars above, is filled by a volcanic spring, and it whets our appetite for one more climb, to the heat source of that sulphuric hot water. Autumn leaves and snow on Japans Mount Yakedake above the Azusa River. Alamy Advertisement And so the next morning, we hike up a rough track, over gnarled tree roots, through towering stands of larch, birch and beech, and past the site of our encounter with the old lady of the mountain, towards the summit of Yakedake. This volcano, which last erupted in 1995, forms the south-western rampart of Kamikochi valley. Above the treeline, we clamber over a section of boulders marked with painted Os to indicate the right path to the summit, and Xs to mark the wrong. Mist swirls around Yakedakes upper reaches, and we wonder if its worth the effort will we get to see anything up top? But were so close. Onwards and upwards. Just as we crest the final ridge, the clouds magically clear. We are greeted by the thrilling sight of the caldera and crater, as nearby sulphur-stained fumaroles vent hot gases from the mountain alive beneath us. Hiker in Japans Northern Alps. iStock Advertisement Cushla is cooked. Weve only hiked for 3.5 kilometres, but weve ascended a gruelling 850 metres, and she is happy just to admire the view from the crater ridge. I decide to continue around a precipitous rocky outcrop and up another 50 metres or so to the top of the north peak. Standing on the 2444-metre summit, drinking in the 360-degree views as the wind whips my shirt and wafts an eggy whiff of volcanic gases, the sensation is pure exhilaration. Related Article Traveller Awards The worlds 10 best adventure holidays in 2025 However, with every mighty peak comes a trough, and the three-hour descent back to the trailhead nearly does it for me and my trembling knees. As a revitalised Cushla verily skips down the mountain path, the one thing that keeps me going is the thought of a long soak in a hot onsen. THE DETAILS Advertisement HIKE The trailhead to Yakedake near Nakanoyu Onsen is most easily accessible by car, which you can hire from nearby Matsumoto. Alternatively, you can reach Yakedake from a hiking trail leading up from Kamikochi valley, which is accessible from Matsumoto via local train and bus. Yakedake is an active volcano, so check conditions with the Japan Meteorological Agency before you hike. STAY Nakanoyu Onsen Ryokan is located a couple of minutes from the trailhead to Yakedake. Rooms from 11,500 yen ($118) a person, including an excellent multi-course dinner and breakfast. There is also a mountain hut, Yakedakegoya, closer to the summit, which offers basic accommodation for 11,500 yen a person, including dinner and breakfast. Advertisement MORE thejapanalps.com/en The writer travelled at his own expense. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. Traveller Guides Advertisement Reviews & adviceTrain journeys Theres a rude awakening (and no dining) on board this sleeper train Tim Richards October 15, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share The Sofia-Istanbul Express Route Sofia, Bulgaria, to Istanbul, Turkey Sofia, Bulgaria, to Istanbul, Turkey Distance 605km 605km Operator Turkish State Railways (TCDD) Turkish State Railways (TCDD) Class Sleeper Sleeper Frequency Nightly, departing 6.45pm The journey Evening departure on the Sofia-Istanbul Express. Sofia, Bulgaria to Istanbul, Turkey aboard TCDDs Sofia-Istanbul Express sleeper train takes just over 15 hours, terminating at Halkali station at 9.56am. The evening section is a pleasant run past green, hilly countryside and red-roofed villages, and in the morning theres rural scenery before arriving at Halkali on Istanbuls western edge. Advertisement Boarding Sofia Central Station and its striking monument. iStock Sofia Central station is a gleaming relic from the communist era, opened in 1974 as a modernist expanse of white marble and glass. With its fascinating ceiling of angled panels and a light sculpture resembling a tree made from steel lamps, its a suitably dramatic exit from the EU into Turkey. At 6pm, I head for Platform 5 to find the train ready for boarding. A relaxed attendant shows me to a compartment different from the number on my reservation. I take a photo of the new door number to remember it, then chill on the platform to escape the hot train interior. Here I chat to British fellow passenger Mick, whos heading to Istanbul after attending a wedding in Sofia, and we both leap aboard when the trains engines (and, thankfully, its air conditioning) roar to life. The seat Inside a sleeper compartment. Advertisement Ive booked a sleeper compartment for my sole use in a compartment which can accommodate two, and its a generous space within a relatively modern carriage built in 1998. It contains a cupboard, washbasin, mirror, power point, a table with a pull-out extension, and unusually a bar fridge. Theres also a lounge comprising two seats, which folds down to form a bed. Interestingly, one end of the carriage has a Western-style lavatory, the other a squat toilet. Once the bed is lowered I doze until midnight, when Bulgarian border guards collect passports for stamping. About 1am we arrive at the Turkish station of Kapikule, where all passengers must disembark with luggage for passport control and a security screening. Then its back on board to sleep as we head towards Istanbul. Passing scenery in Bulgaria. Tim Richards Baggage TCDD allows two items of luggage not exceeding 30kg, which are stored in your compartment. Food + drink Advertisement Theres no catering on board beyond complimentary snacks: a chocolate bar, pretzels, fruit juice, and a bottle of water. For dinner and breakfast I buy some disappointing sandwiches from the supermarket next to Sofia Central, along with delicious freshly made sausage rolls which I instantly scoff. During the stop for passport control at Kapikule, the station shop is open, selling drinks and snacks. One more thing Istanbuls beautiful Sirkeci train station. Getty Images/iStockphoto From Halkali you can catch a suburban train on the Marmaray line to reach Istanbuls historic Sirkeci station, where the Orient Express once terminated. First buy an Istanbul Card, the citys public transport card, from machines on Halkali stations concourse (they accept credit card payment). The card itself costs TRY165 ($6); add at least TRY60 credit to cover your onward travel. The price Advertisement Sole use of a sleeper compartment costs 75 ($133), or share with another person for 41 ($73). Alternatively, a bed in a four-berth couchette compartment costs 36 ($64). Reservations on top of a Eurail pass are considerably cheaper. Sadly, its impossible to buy tickets for this service online, though British ticket agency Discover by Rail (discoverbyrail.com) can purchase them in advance on your behalf for a hefty mark-up. Otherwise, visit the international ticket windows at Sofia Central or Istanbul Sirkeci stations. Related Article Train journeys How a new ultra-luxury train became a PR disaster The verdict A memorable sleeper train service which would be greatly improved with the addition of a dining car, online ticketing, and onboard passport control. However, the compartments are comfortable and theres attractive scenery on the way. Advertisement OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE The writer travelled courtesy of Eurail and Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered 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: Train journeys Bulgaria Turkey 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 One person was rescued from the home and taken to the hospital for treatment. (WDRB Photo) Oct. 14, 2025 Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM) is one of the 11 Best Gold Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On October 9, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM) reported that it acquired 5 million subscription receipts from a subsidiary of Fuerte Metals Corporation at a price of C$1.65 per receipt. The total cost of this investment was C$8.25 million. According to the report by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM), the subscription receipts will automatically turn into units that include one common share and one purchase warrant upon satisfaction of escrow release conditions. Each warrant will give Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM) the right to acquire an additional common share at a price of C$2.50 within five years from the date of issue. Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) Invests C$8.25 Million in Fuerte Metals This investment in Fuerte Metals Corporation aligns with Agnico Eagle Mines Limiteds (NYSE:AEM) strategy to invest in projects with high geological potential while also focusing on its portfolio of high-quality internal growth projects. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM) is a Canadian gold mining company. With operations in Canada, Finland, and Mexico, the company is one of the worlds largest producers of gold. While we acknowledge the potential of AEM 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: 15 Best American Tech Stocks to Buy Right Now and 10 Most Profitable Stocks of the Last 5 Years. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Effective Law Enforcement for All, called ELEFA, will monitor the Louisville Metro Police Department's progress making changes outlined in the city's Community Commitment. The next big chapter in investing is already taking shape, and one company is right at the heart of it. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword; its quickly becoming the engine driving businesses, innovation, and the global economy. And if you ask Wall Street, this AI boom is still in its early innings. Nvidia (NVDA), the powerhouse behind the chips fueling this revolution, has moved beyond being a mere player in the AI story to become the backbone of it. The company's recent deal with OpenAI is only fueling the optimism further. More News from Barchart On Sept. 22, Nvidia announced a landmark strategic partnership with OpenAI to deploy at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems for OpenAIs next-generation AI infrastructure. Nvidia intends to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI progressively as each gigawatt is deployed, with the first gigawatt of Nvidia systems slated for deployment in the second half of 2026 on the Nvidia Vera Rubin platform. So, for anyone wondering if theyve already missed the boat, Nvidias run may just be getting started. About Nvidia Stock Nvidia is a global leader in accelerated computing and AI, renowned for pioneering the graphics processing unit (GPU) that revolutionized gaming, data centers, and AI-driven computing. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Nvidias technology now powers everything from high-performance gaming and cloud computing to autonomous vehicles and generative AI applications. With a market capitalization of roughly $4.45 trillion, Nvidia stands among the worlds most valuable companies, driven by its dominance in AI infrastructure and continued innovation in next-generation chip design. Over the past year, NVDA stock has delivered a strong performance, climbing by 36%. Year-to-date (YTD), the stock has continued to show upward momentum, outperforming broad market indices as investors double down on AI bets. The stock has gained a little over 36% YTD, compared to the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 11% returns. NVDA stock reached a fresh 52-week high of $195.62 on Oct. 10, reflecting market confidence in Nvidia's AI growth narrative and reinforcing its status as a high-conviction tech holding. Despite some occasional pullbacks, the overall trend has remained decidedly bullish. Leesville, LA (71446) Today Mostly clear skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Areas of patchy fog developing. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly clear skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Areas of patchy fog developing. Low 47F. Winds light and variable. The newly established Mayo Traveller Movement officially launched its new primary healthcare project last week at its head office in Castlebar Parish Centre. The event was attended by over 200 people, including Traveller families, community representatives, and agencies from across the county. The launch was formally opened by Senator Eileen Flynn, the first Traveller woman elected to the Oireachtas, alongside representatives from the HSE and Galway Traveller Movement. Their presence underlined the importance of collaborative work in tackling long-standing health inequalities faced by the Traveller community. The project is designed to promote health and wellbeing while addressing the barriers that Travellers continue to experience when accessing healthcare. By building a bridge between the Traveller community and mainstream health services, the project aims to improve health outcomes, provide support, and foster greater trust and understanding. Speaking at the event, representatives emphasised the value of peer-led initiatives. Members of the Traveller community will play a central role in delivering health information and support, ensuring that services are culturally appropriate, accessible, and effective. The atmosphere at the launch was one of pride, solidarity, and hope. Families and agencies came together not only to celebrate this important step forward but also to reaffirm their commitment to building a more inclusive health service. The Mayo Traveller Movement has advocated for equality, and this new project represents a significant milestone in addressing the health needs of Travellers in the county. A new art exhibition will be opened at the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide on Friday, October 24, at 7pm. The Infrangible Bonds Collection is a series of acrylic on canvas and glass paintings by Bo Gorm. The speakers on the evening will be Margaret and Yvonne Fannon. The exhibition is an epic journey through ancient Celtic kingdoms, myth and legend, lands of kings and druids, saints and scholars, fairies and folklore, poets and bards. One of the works by Bo Gorm that feature in the new exhibition. Crossing the boundaries of the past and present, of fact and fiction, of nations and continents, and creating an unbreakable bond between our past, our present, and our future Bo Gorm is a Mayo artist, who trained and worked in London as a stonemason. He has worked on many heritage buildings at home and abroad, and now works for the National Monuments of Ireland, which brings him into contact with many of the sites associated with the mythological stories of the past which inspires his paintings.T The Michael Davitt Museum is located in the heart of the Land League village of Straide (Eircode F26 FX37). The museum is in the former church where Michael Davitt was baptised and his parents were married. The building was beautifully restored by the Office of Public Works and opened in its current location on October 27, 2000. Michael Davitt is laid to rest in Straide Cemetery, adjacent to the museum. For more information, log onto www.michaeldavittmuseum.ie, e-mail info@michaeldavittmuseum.ie or telephone 094-9031942. By Tim Hepher and Joanna Plucinska PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) -Global airlines face more than $11 billion in extra costs from supply chain disruption this year, a leading industry group said on Monday, in a report likely to rekindle debate over competition in the $250-billion aerospace industry. The study by the International Air Transport Association, produced with consultants Oliver Wyman, marks the first attempt to quantify the impact of a five-year supply chain crisis that has driven up fares and led to flight cancellations. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said he was surprised by the extent of the findings and told Reuters there may be grounds to revisit whether airlines are being subjected to anti-competitive practices by suppliers, after dropping a previous complaint in 2018. "Even if you halve the number, it's still a massive drag on the industry," Walsh said in an interview. REPORT DETAILS COST OF BOTTLENECKS Researchers found the largest impact stems from $4.2 billion in extra fuel as airlines keep older planes in service. Additional maintenance is expected to cost $3.1 billion, while leasing engines to replace those stuck in queues for maintenance adds another $2.6 billion. Holding more spare parts to cushion delays is projected to cost airlines $1.4 billion. Planemakers and their suppliers have waded through a mire of setbacks, from shortages of labour, materials and parts to mounting delays at repair shops, particularly for engines. There is also a growing tug of war with the defence industry for capacity as governments increase military spending. "There's now going to be continuing competition for the limited supply that is there," Walsh said, adding that supply chains would be an issue for the rest of the decade. He questioned the influence suppliers exert over parts pricing and called for additional competition in the aftermarket, which clearly has seen significant consolidation. PROFIT GAP IATA has previously called for greater competition in maintenance, including improved access to independent parts known as PMA. In 2016, it filed a complaint with the European Union against CFM International but withdrew it two years later after the engine maker agreed to maintain an open and competitive market. A similar agreement was reached with Rolls-Royce in 2021. Walsh said there were no plans to launch any new challenge, but did not rule it out. "We have been evaluating it, but we'd have to do a lot more work," he said, noting that airlines have confidential agreements, so digging deeper involves teams of lawyers. Allentown, PA (18103) Today A few evening snow showers and flurries, mostly in the Poconos; otherwise, partly cloudy, cold, and brisk overnight. Wind chills in the teens. . Tonight A few evening snow showers and flurries, mostly in the Poconos; otherwise, partly cloudy, cold, and brisk overnight. Wind chills in the teens. By Abigail Summerville and Svea Herbst-Bayliss (Reuters) -Tylenol maker Kenvue was already having a painful year before U.S. President Donald Trump and his health secretary got involved. Activist investor Starboard Value took aim at the company about a year ago, forcing the Band-Aid and Benadryl maker to settle a potentially costly and time-consuming fight by naming the hedge fund's CEO, Jeffrey Smith, and two other directors to the board in March. Other unhappy investors weren't mollified by the board refreshment, including Daniel Loeb's hedge fund Third Point, which quietly built its own stake in April. In mid-July, Kenvue's board ousted its CEO after already replacing its chief financial officer and launched a strategic review of its operations, which sources say could include a sale or breakup of the company that had been spun off from healthcare conglomerate Johnson & Johnson in 2023. Then news leaked on September 5 of a report that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. planned to release linking its popular painkiller Tylenol to autism, driving shares down 9% that day. AUTISM CLAIMS Arguably the biggest blow came on September 22, when Trump told people to stop taking Tylenol. Flanked by Kennedy at a rare Roosevelt Room press conference, he told America: "It's not good." The Food and Drug Administration, part of Kennedy's Department of Health and Human Services, that same day said it was slapping a new warning on Tylenol labels reflecting safety concerns that its active ingredient, acetaminophen, could cause attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism in children whose mothers took it during pregnancy. That claim was refuted by influential medical groups and dismissed in federal court for its lack of scientific evidence. The Trump administration's statements have cost Kenvue some $10 billion in market value and prompted investors to steer clear of the company, for now, analysts and investors said. The presidential spotlight created a public relations firestorm for Kenvue, which has a market value of roughly $30 billion. It could create new legal dangers and complicate any strategic plans for the company, which also owns Neutrogena, Listerine and Zyrtec among several popular household products. Kenvue declined to comment. Plaintiffs are appealing a federal judge's 2024 dismissal of lawsuits bundled into multi-district litigation that alleged Tylenol or generic versions caused autism. The judge ruled that they failed to support their conclusions with scientific evidence. We recently published 10 Most Popular Analyst Calls to Watch This Week. Target Corp (NYSE:TGT) is one of the trending stocks. Dana Telsey from Telsey Advisors said in a recent program on CNBC that theres a lot of work to do at Target Corp (NYSE:TGT) as the company is lagging behind its competitors. The analyst agreed with the programs host that people didnt like the new CEO change at the company. Theres a lot of work to do. Theyre coming to my conference tomorrow. You have a new CEO thats been appointed, promoted from within. Youve got a consumer, which people didnt like, by the way. Right. Well, they didnt. They wanted like some slick outsider that might change things, right? Well, you need change. You look at the results lately. You need change. We have to see what that change is going to look like especially when you have so much competition whether its from the off-pricers. Youve got Amazon Prime Day today, early indications of search interest for Amazon Prime Day pretty good, traffic up nearly 20%. Which is a big number. Matrix Asset Advisors stated the following regarding Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) in its Q1 2025 investor letter: The markets Q1 volatility provided opportunities to take profits on strength while very slowly redeploying the proceeds. With our larger-than-usual sales and scale-backs, we entered the current quarter with a higher-than usual cash balance, allowing us to add to some laggards and start a new position in Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT), a name we have held before in the portfolio. As we write this commentary, more stocks are nearing compelling levels, and we expect to accelerate our buying. While we acknowledge the potential of TGT 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. ANZ Group has decided to halt its remaining A$800m ($517.6m) share buyback programme, choosing to allocate these funds towards a comprehensive revamp of its business strategy. The move comes as the bank aims to maintain its dividend while implementing cost-saving measures and seeking to improve market competitiveness. ANZ has revealed plans to achieve A$800m in cost savings before tax during the current financial year. These savings are expected to arise from a combination of job reductions already announced, internal team restructuring, and the exit from non-core businesses, including the online shopping platform Cashrewards. The bank has revised its expectations, now forecasting to double the annual cost savings from the acquisition of Suncorp Bank to A$500m, reported Reuters. Its CEO Nuno Matos said in an investor briefing: "The opportunities to rationalise the company in the first year are so obvious. "With a clear strategy, strong leadership and this simple execution, we are well placed to deliver meaningful value for our shareholders. ANZ is setting its sights on a 12% return on tangible equity by 2028, an improvement from the 10.3% achieved in the last year, with aspirations to reach 13% by 2030. Part of the bank's strategy to regain market share includes a proposal to boost its mortgage and business banking staff by as much as 50% in each division. The bank is also planning to lessen its dependence on mortgage brokers and intends to directly issue more loans to enhance its home lending revenue. The bank said that its Business & Private Bank division is expected to see a near 50% increase in its banking team, with the support of a new Commercial Bankers Academy and tools and systems to raise banker productivity. ANZ is also planning to enhance its services to the middle-market segment with Transactive Global and to introduce the ANZ Plus front-end to small business customers. ANZ sees growth potential in its Private Bank, which currently serves 17,500 customers. The bank plans to expand its relationship manager teams and capitalise on its initiatives within the mass affluent segment of the Australia Retail. Investment will continue in the bank's Transaction Banking and Markets platforms, with a focus on enhancing its position in payments, market flow products, and cash management, in New Zealand and Australia, and extending these capabilities internationally. Last month, ANZ announced a reduction of 3,500 jobs, incurring a cost of A$560m. The bank also incurred an A$240m penalty for regulatory breaches in its government bond and retail banking operations. Top cultural award for Blombos Museum Blombos Museum of Archaeology named best innovative project in the Field of Museums, Heritage and Geographical Names. The Wits/SapienCE Blombos Museum of Archaeology in Still Bay in the southern Cape has been awarded the prize for Best Innovative Project in the Field of Museums, Heritage, and Geographical Names by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. The announcement took place on 7 October at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town - an event that celebrates outstanding contributions to the fields of arts, culture, language, heritage, libraries, museums and archives in the province. Petro Keene, the Principal Curator and designer of the exhibition, accepted the award on behalf of the Museum and the Wits/SapienCE (Centre for Early Science Behaviour) team. She was ably assisted in this achievement by Craig Foster, Lisa Hulett and their talented team whose foresight made this permanent exhibition possible. Keene says: I would like to thank Professor Chris Henshilwood and the entire team for their unwavering support over the last ten years of our journey in creating these exhibitions. It was a great privilege and honour to be part of the nominees and to receive the award at the spectacular event. The exhibition invites visitors to explore the extraordinary journey of our early ancestors and the remarkable discoveries that have shaped our understanding of human prehistory. It features a unique blend of artifacts, visual displays and interactive elements, offering visitors an engaging and educational experience. It also includes immersive multimedia presentations with films by Academy Award-winner Craig Foster, filmmaker Damon Foster, and Ashild Sunde Feyling Thorsen of the University Museum of Bergen. Funding for the Blombos Museum of Archaeology was provided primarily through the Wits South African Research Chair held by Henshilwood, with support from the Hessequa Municipality and the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve. Congratulations to everyone involved on this well-deserved recognition. This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the work of the team - the designers, installers and curators, did a great job on a limited budget. It is a proud achievement not only for our team but also for the town of Still Bay, says Henshilwood. Professor Nithaya Chetty, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, says: I would like to extend my appreciation to all who have contributed to this magnificent success. This is a fantastic recognition of the teams research-led efforts in an area that is critically important for our own understanding of our human origins. I would also like to acknowledge the teams hard work, dedication and creativity. This is inspiring and will encourage a new generation of students and researchers to follow in your footsteps. The Museum showcases the archaeological heritage and rich marine environment of the southern Cape coastline, offering insights into the cultural significance of these prehistoric sites and the importance of these discoveries in understanding the origins of human behavior. The exhibition in the Museum showcases groundbreaking discoveries that illuminate the lives of Homo sapiens in the southern Cape from 120,000 to 50,000 years ago. Visitors are invited to explore the results of over 30 years of meticulous research by leading archaeologists, including Henshilwood, Professor Sarah Wurz, Dr Karen van Niekerk, and their teams. Their investigations at renowned sites such as Blombos Cave, Klasies River and Klipdrift Shelter have unearthed extraordinary artifacts and evidence of early modern human behaviours and lifestyles. Professor Lynn Morris, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, extended her appreciation to the team: Congratulations to the entire Wits/SapienCE team. Having just been to De Hoop and seen the exhibition I can say this is very well deserved. I listened to every video and read every panel. It is so well done and captivating and I had an excellent guide. Thank you for bringing the past back to life in such an interesting way and for bringing this prestige to Wits. The Wits team is involved in three permanent exhibitions in Cape Town and the southern Cape as part of its outreach and education initiatives. Read more Blombos Museum of Archaeology, Still Bay: Wits/SapienCE Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour Exhibition opened at Blombos Museum of Archaeology on the 16th of December 2024 and is a permanent exhibition. Info: https://www.facebook.com/p/Blombos-Museum-of-Archaeology-61559335355934/ SANParks Cape Point Exhibition: In March 2023 Wits opened a Wits/SapienCE exhibition titled Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour at the SANParks Information Centre at Cape Point, Cape Town. This park attracts over one million visitors a year. The feedback has been highly positive, and more than 500,000 visitors have visited the exhibition. This exhibition is now permanent and will be upgraded in 2026. Info: https://www.sanparks.org/news/origins-of-early-southern-sapiens-behaviour-exhibition-launch-cape-of-good-hope De Hoop Collection Exhibition: In November 2023 a newly devised exhibition Wits/SapienCE Origins of Modern Human Behaviour opened at the De Hoop Collection located in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, southern Cape. Funding for a part of the exhibition came from SapienCE and previously from the Wits South African Research Chair. Cape Nature is a collaborator in the exhibition. This exhibition is permanent and will be upgraded in 2026. Info: https://www.dehoopcollection.com/origins-of-early-southern-sapiens-behaviour-exhibition/ Tech major Apple is broadening its renewable energy initiatives throughout Europe, focusing on the development of solar and wind farms in countries such as Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, and Romania. These initiative aims to add 650MW of renewable energy capacity to European electrical grids, supporting the company's Apple 2030 goal of becoming carbon neutral. By 2030, these projects are expected to produce over one million megawatt hours of clean electricity for Apple users. Additionally, a newly operational solar array in Spain contributes to this effort. Apple's investment in these initiatives is expected to unlock over $600m in financing. Apple environment, policy, and social initiatives vice-president Lisa Jackson stated: By 2030, we want our users to know that all the energy it takes to charge their iPhone or power their Mac is matched with clean electricity. Our new projects in Europe will help us achieve our ambitious Apple 2030 goal, while contributing to healthy communities, thriving economies, and secure energy sources across the continent. In 2024, the energy required to charge and operate Apple devices was claimed to have constituted approximately 29% of the company's total greenhouse gas emissions. To tackle these emissions, Apple stated that it supports renewable energy initiatives that optimise its impact on global power grids, with the goal of decreasing carbon emissions associated with charging and powering Apple devices. Apples strategy considers the locations where its products are used and prioritises projects in grids with higher carbon intensity. Throughout Europe, Apple is spearheading the development of major projects aimed at contributing approximately 3,000GWh of renewable energy annually to the grid by 2030. The company has entered into a long-term contract to source electricity from a 110MW solar project in Greece. It is also backing a 129MW portfolio of wind and solar initiatives in Italy, along with a 40MW solar installation in Poland. Furthermore, Apple intends to acquire power from Nala Renewables' 99MW wind farm located in Galati County, Romania, and has finalised a power purchase agreement for electricity from a 110MW solar farm located in Latvia. Beyond its investments in product usage, Apple and its suppliers are backing more than 19GW of renewable energy to power the company's worldwide corporate operations and manufacturing supply chain. "Apple to develop 650MW solar and wind farms in Europe " was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. AppLovin (APP) has been having a wonderful time on Wall Street this year, with its shares climbing solid double digits in 2025. The ad-tech leader has carved out a dominant spot in mobile gaming, helping apps attract users and drive revenue through its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Axon engine and Max mediation platform. But its not just gaming thats fueling the momentum. AppLovins push into new frontiers, such as e-commerce, is adding another layer of excitement for investors. To top it off, the company has also achieved a major milestone this year with its inclusion in the prestigious S&P 500 Index ($SPX) just last month. With all eyes now on APP stock, analysts are also starting to pile in with bold calls. More News from Barchart Recently, Bank of America after researching hundreds of AppLovin direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce customers declared that the platform is likely to become a required channel in calendar year 2026. Analyst Omar Dessouky raised his price target on APP stock from $580 to $860, setting a new Stree high in the process. With AppLovin's growth engines firing on all cylinders, can APP stock make a run toward that ambitious target by the end of this year? About AppLovin Stock To put it simply, AppLovin is all about helping apps and brands grow smarter and faster. Founded in 2012, the California-based company has evolved from a mobile gaming developer into a comprehensive AI-powered advertising and marketing platform, enabling businesses across the mobile-app economy to reach the right audiences, drive engagement, and maximize revenue. At the heart of this growth is Axon, AppLovins proprietary AI engine. Axon sifts through billions of real-time user interactions every day, using predictive models to pinpoint and bid on the ad impressions most likely to bring in high-value users. AppLovin is also expanding beyond mobile gaming as part of its broader strategy to diversify its revenue streams and reduce its reliance on the traditional gaming segment. The company officially launched Axon Ads Manager on Oct. 1, a long-awaited self-service platform for non-gaming advertisers. While the rollout is initially on a referral-only basis, a full-scale global launch is planned for 2026. This tool gives e-commerce and other businesses a seamless way to join AppLovins ecosystem, harnessing Axons AI to automatically target the right consumers and drive purchases. Amichai Chikli, Diaspora Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, has invited Tommy Robinson, the fascist anti-Muslim demagogue who recently mobilized the largest far-right demonstration in British history, on an expenses paid, five-day visit to Israel. Robinsons trip will include meetings in the Knesset, Israels parliament, with members of the government and with representatives of other nations who maintain missions in Israel, as well as visits to Judea and Samaria (the occupied West Bank), the Jabotinsky Institute and Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust remembrance centre in Jerusalem. Tommy Robinson speaks during the Unite the Kingdom march and rally near Westminster, London, September 13, 2025 [AP Photo/Joanna Chan] Israels invitation is to a partner in anti-Muslim hatred, cementing Tel Avivs open alliance with the resurgent forces of the far-right and neo-fascism. The fascist English Defence League which Robison co-founded, has close links with the outlawed Kahanist Jewish Defence League. At the Unite the Kingdom rally led by Robinson, Israeli flags were prominently displayed among the Union Jacks and St Georges Crosses. Robinson, a violent provocateur who calls for the mass deportation of Muslims with his send them home slogan, has repeatedly described himself as a Zionist and said he would fight for Israel in a war. He has served five prison terms for violence, financial and immigration offences and faces another court appearance on October 13. He has argued, If Muslims have 55 nations, why cant the Jews have one, especially their legitimate ancestral homeland? It is these credentials which recommended a man who will be flying to Israel directly from another court appearanceto the Israeli government. Saying he would be proud to host him, Chikli described Tommy as a courageous leader on the front line against radical Islam, adding, Together with friends like Tommy Robinson, we will build stronger bridges of solidarity, fight terror, and defend Western civilization and our shared values. The invite has been repulsive to most Jews in Britain and is widely considered to have been a diplomatic blunder for associating Israel with such a political criminal. But the truth is that the crimes of Robinsons hosts dwarf his own. He is a filthy provocateur and instigator of street violence against Muslims and asylum seekers. Israel is a state governed by mass murderers and pogromists, which Robinson looks on with undisguised admiration for doing what he can, as yet only dream of. This left the Jewish Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) complaining pathetically that Robinsons presence undermines those genuinely working to tackle Islamist extremism [!] and foster community cohesion. Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated the words of the Board of Deputies and JLC, adding that they have been crystal clear that that individual [Robinson] does not speak for them and he clearly does not speak for the decent, tolerant, patriotic majority of this country. But he clearly speaks for Netanyahu and his government of Zionist criminals. Former Conservative Foreign Secretary James Cleverley flew a little too close to the truth, when he said, Tommy Robinson and others of his ilk are now wrapping themselves up in a pro-Jewish, pro-Israeli posture because basically, its an opportunity to do what they really want to do, which is to be anti-Muslim. A pro-Israeli, i.e., Zionist posture is today recognised by the far-right internationally as a way of legitimising their anti-Muslim agenda and proclaiming to the world, See, this is what must be done! Chikli proved that Robinson was the perfect guest of his far-right state, describing the Board of Deputies which has been a leading participant in the witch-hunt of anti-Zionist, anti-genocide protesters as openly aligned with left-wing, woke, pro-Palestinian parties. He added, If only they showed the same energy attacking Britains recognition of a Palestinian terror state as they do attacking me and [Tommy Robinson]. Chikli in 2021 [Photo by - / CC BY-SA 4.0 Robinson tweeted, The people of Britain and the people of Israel share the same enemies and the same destiny, continuing, I come as a friend, as an ally, and as someone who believes that the strength of Israel is the strength of the West. Israels alliance with the far-right in Europe and beyond The dirty secret the liberal Zionists seek to conceal is that Zionism has proved itself to be a far-right nationalist movement. The Netanyahu government has long courted far-right politicians, invoking their common geostrategic interests, support for nationalism and opposition to Islam and Iran to rally support for Israels expansionist policies and its final solution of the Palestinian question. In 2017, it welcomed US President Donald Trump and Indias Hindu Supremacist Narendra Modi to Israel, followed by Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban in 2018, Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro in 2019 and Italys Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and Austrias Sebastian Kurz in 2020. Earlier this year, Netanyahus Likud party became an observer member of the far-right Patriots of Europe, the third largest group in the European parliament. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that Jerusalem would formally establish relations with the Sweden Democrats, Le Pens National Rally and Spains Vox, while also having open discussions with Austrias Nazi-sympathising Freedom Party. Netanyahu also implicitly endorsed Nigel Farages far-right Reform Party, which is currently far ahead of all the other British parties in the polls, for its denunciation of the recognition of a Palestinian state. He remarked that in Israel, we know to distinguish between the British people and their government. Farage has pledged to expel hundreds of thousands of migrants from the UK, claiming that there are a growing number of Muslims who do not subscribe to British values. Last March, Chikli hosted an International Conference on Combating Antisemitism in Jerusalem whose key speakers were right-wing ideologues, ultra-nationalists and neo-fascists, including: Jordan Bardella, leader of Frances National Rally; Giorgia Meloni, prime minister of Italy and leader of the Fratelli dItalia that traces its history to the fascist Mussolini regime; and Argentinian President Javier Milei. So foul was this speakers list that many fellow reactionariesIncluding French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy; Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the UKs chief rabbi; David Hirsch, academic director and CEO of the London Centre for the Study of Antisemitism; Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League in the US, Felix Klein, Germanys antisemitism czar; Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Association; and Israels President Isaac Herzogpulled out. The left-wing antisemitism slander legitimizes a shift to the right The conference focused not on right-wing antisemitism or neo-Nazi violence against Jews, but Israels central pre-occupation: opposition to Zionism and the criminal actions of the Israeli state that it slanders as left-wing antisemitism. Warnings of the growth of this new antisemitism among liberals, progressives and leftwingers are used to assemble a coalition of right-wing and outright fascist forces that use accusations of antisemitism to attack democratic rights and Muslims. Successive governments have funnelled hundreds of millions of dollars to Zionist groups and pro-Israel politicians in a bid to outlaw the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and campaign against politicians opposing Israeli policies, including planning to take down UK MPs perceived as hostile to Israel, as the Al Jazeera documentary The Lobby revealed. Pro-Zionist groups campaigned relentlessly against Jeremy Corbyn, Britains Labour Party leader from 2015 to 2020, and his supporters, who were slandered as antisemites. Thanks to Corbyns repeated political capitulations, this ended in his removal as leader, paving the way for Keir Starmer, a self-proclaimed Zionist to take the reins. The fascistic logic of Zionism The crimes against humanity of the Netanyahu government and its alliance with far-right and fascistic forces flow inexorably from the logic of the entire Zionist project. The sun sets behind buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Friday, August 8, 2025. [AP Photo/Leo Correa] When Zionism emerged in its modern form at the end of the 19th century, it was directed against the perspective of socialism, which had broad influence among Jewish workers and intellectuals. Socialism linked the eradication of antisemitism with the emancipation of the working class and the abolition of capitalisms class-based society. Zionism countered the perspective of the liberation of the Jews through the solidarity of the international working class with the establishment of a Jewish nation-state. But such a state was a reactionary dead end. The leading Zionists were always fully aware that they could only achieve their goal by expelling the Palestinian population and enlisting the support of one or other imperialist power. Vladimir Jabotinsky, one of the intellectual fathers of todays rulers in Jerusalem, argued that a Jewish state in Palestine would act as a bulwark for British imperialism. It was the defeat of the German working class, the rise of fascism and the Holocaust that gave Zionism, previously a fringe movement, the necessary support to put its plans into action. Israel emerged as an imperialist outpost in the Middle East and remains so today. In his book The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide, David North wrote: The establishment of the Zionist state was the direct result of the defeats suffered by the working class in the 1920s and 1930s due to the betrayals of Stalinism and social democracy. Without the mass of displaced persons, the survivors of the Nazi concentration camps, and without the political demoralization and loss of confidence in the perspective of socialism, the Zionist leaders would not have had the necessary numbers of people to wage a terrorist war against the Palestinian people, drive them from their homes and villages, and establish a Jewish nation-state by essentially criminal methods. He explained: The maintenance of a Jewish apartheid state, which violently suppresses the Palestinian people while at the same time moving internally towards fascism, is inextricably linked to Israels role as a linchpin of imperialism in the Middle East. As a massively armed garrison of US imperialism, it must be deployed in all wars instigated by Washington, with ultimately catastrophic consequences. The crimes committed by the Zionists before the eyes of the world in Gaza and the West Bank have made Israel a pariah state, abhorred by the majority of humanity but admired by the far-right. The much vaunted two-state solution would change nothing. Such a Palestinian mini-state, neither economically nor politically viable, would leave the Zionist state as an imperialist bastion and perpetuate the conflict with the Palestinians. The only way out of this dead end is a secular, democratic Palestine in which Jews, Palestinians, and peoples of other ethnicities and religions can live together as equals. Such a Palestine can only be established on a socialist basis. It requires the unification of the working class and the oppressed masses of the Middle East in the struggle against the imperialist powers, the Zionist regime, and the feudal and bourgeois Arab rulers. It must be part of a federation of socialist republics throughout the Middle East and worldwide. A recently concluded Fair Work Commission (FWC) inquiry into Master Builders Victoria (MBV), which represents major construction companies and property developers, has revealed that the big-business lobby group derives much of its revenue from Incolink, an industry redundancy fund it jointly controls with the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and other building industry unions. The CFMEU also received tens of millions of dollars in grants from Incolink. As the main brokers of enterprise bargaining agreements in the building industry, the CFMEU and MBV have collaborated to ensure that this income stream keeps flowing by inserting clauses forcing employers and workers to use Incolink. The fund has come under scrutiny because sections of the ruling class, including three whistleblowing MBV directors, are concerned that the organisations dependence on Incolink kickback clauses gives the CFMEU too much negotiating power. This is part of a broader disagreement over whether the union is still the best mechanism to enforce the cuts to wages and conditions demanded by big business and governments amid a downturn in the construction industry. Building workers march in Sydney on November 12, 2024, in opposition to administration of CFMEU The latter motivated the slanderous media campaign against the CFMEU last year, which led to the federal Labor government placing the union under the quasi-dictatorial control of an administrator and sacking hundreds of elected officials and delegates. The Incolink revelations further expose as a total fraud the pretextstamping out corruption in the building industryof the anti-democratic attack on building workers. For decades, the ruling class, with Labor governments playing the leading role, have promoted the integration of the union bureaucracy into corporate boardrooms through their joint control of major financial institutions. The alignment of the interests of ostensibly opposed forces, business lobbyists and union officials, as demonstrated with Incolink, involve far greater financial resources than do the almost entirely unsubstantiated allegations of individual and isolated corruption that were used to justify the administration. While the investigations into Incolink were prompted by a dispute within the ruling class, there are important lessons for workers about the collaboration of the unions and big business. Sharply exposed is that neither the MBV nor the CFMEU bureaucracy have any concern for the workers whose entitlements Incolink is supposed to protect. Both are entirely preoccupied with defending and increasing their share of the spoils. Started in 1989, Incolink is a worker entitlement fund, into which employers pay regular contributions to cover, sick leave and redundancy payouts, as well as insurance to cover lost income in the event of serious injury or death. Such arrangements are most common, and in some cases required by law, in industries such as construction, where employment tends to be transient and workers would otherwise not be engaged by a single company for long enough to accrue these basic entitlements. While not on the same scale as the major superannuation funds, which are now among the largest financial institutions in Australia and control more than $4.2 trillion, the industry redundancy funds likewise exemplify the cosy relationships between union leaders and corporate bosses. In both cases, workers entitlements are co-opted to fund speculation on the financial markets. Incolink alone has some $1.3 billion under management. Unlike the so-called industry super fundsi.e., those run jointly by the unions and managementthere is no requirement for redundancy funds to pass surpluses from investment returns on to members. Workers also do not have the right to use a different redundancy fund than the one set down in their enterprise agreement. Incolink has taken advantage of these factors to funnel millions of dollars in annual grants to both MBV and the CFMEU. Moreover, MBV directors Raymond French, Lisa Hollingsworth and Greg Cole alleged early this year that some of these grants were directly funded from money supposedly set aside for workers entitlements. They claimed, according to the Australian Financial Review (AFR), that Incolink unlawfully forfeits members money if they make no contributions for two years and then distributes it to the CFMEU and MBAV as grants for safety or training. Similar practices by Incolink were flagged in the 2015 Trade Union Royal Commission as potentially violating Victorias unclaimed money laws, under which such funds are supposed to be transferred into a central state fund. Incolink denied the MBV directors allegations, stating that it categorically rejects that such funds are distributed to shareholders, but admitted that money from dormant accounts can be utilised to cover reasonable administration expenses. The FWC investigation found that Incolink was the source of around half of MBVs revenue in recent years, contributing virtually all of the organisations income from grants, which totalled $11.2 million in 202324 and $9.5 million in 202223. FWC general manager delegate Chris Enright told the AFR, There is no information before me that the MBV has made any reasonable efforts to proactively or comprehensively disclose the details of its relationship with Incolink, or the quantum of the grants from Incolink, to its members. Indeed, the word Incolink does not appear in MBVs annual financial reports for 202223 or 202324, despite being far and away its largest single source of revenue. Instead, this income is listed simply under grants, which the reader is presumably meant to infer means government grants, which are referred to at some length in the explanatory notes. The organisations latest financial report, released several days after the FWC ruling and with the cat well and truly out of the bag, does break down the sources of MBVs grant income. It reveals that in the 202425 financial year, Incolink handed over a total of $16.7 million, 98.9 percent of MBVs grant income and 54.9 percent of the organisations total revenue. In 202324, Incolink grants of $11.1 million represented 99 percent of total grant income and 44.4 percent of overall revenue, according to the 2025 report. The upshot is that MBV, which reported surpluses of $2.06 million in 202324 and $3.24 million in 202425, would be operating at a substantial loss without the Incolink kickbacks. The FWC noted that MBV chief executive Michaelia Lihou and executive director Giovanni Abelardo, current and former Incolink directors, were centrally involved in negotiating enterprise agreements with the CFMEU requiring companies throughout the building sector and more broadly across Victoria to make regular contributions to Incolink on behalf of their workers. The industry lobbyists are joined on the Incolink board by the other leading figures involved in brokering these enterprise bargaining deals: The CFMEUs national and Victorian secretary, Zach Smith, and senior legal and industrial officer, Sherri Hayward, as well as Earl Setches, state and federal secretary of the Plumbing Trades Employees Union. CFMEU records indicate that, between August 2021 and October 2024, the Victorian branch of the union received $28.7 million in Incolink grants for the design and construction of a new Wellness Centre in Melbourne. Smith announced last month that the facility had been independently valued at just $8 million. The recent furore over Incolink is primarily motivated by ruling class concerns that premiums for redundancy and other entitlements are too high and that MBVs dependence on Incolink keeps construction companies shackled to the CFMEU. This cuts across plansin which administration was only the first stepto further neuter the building union or destroy it entirely as part of a deeper attack on wages and conditions across the construction sector. There are also concerns over efforts to expand Incolinks reach outside of Victoria, including in South Australia and New South Wales. Already, some CFMEU-brokered enterprise agreements in other states have replaced existing redundancy funds with Incolink. The real victims of these CFMEU-MBV deals are the workers, whose job security, leave entitlements, health and lives have been transformed into profit centres for the union bureaucracy and construction industry executives. This is emblematic of the broader transformation of the trade unions over the past four decades. No longer workers organisations in any way, shape or form, their role is to enforce the demands of corporations and governments for ever-lower labour costs, in order to make Australian businesses more competitive on an international scale. As growing numbers of workers have left the unions, seeing no compelling reason to pay membership dues to bureaucracies that block their struggles, the unions have turned to other, far more lucrative, sources of revenue, such as the superannuation and redundancy funds. Financial wheeling and dealing, collaborating with employer groups whose aim is to slash wages and conditions, and profiteering from workers basic entitlements have nothing in common with the interests of the working class. This underscores that workers, in the building industry and more broadly, need to build new organisations of struggle, rank-and-file committees led by workers themselves, to advance their interests in opposition to the corporations, the union bureaucracy and big business governments. In sync with the Trump administration and capitalist governments internationally, the Albanese Labor government in Australia is demanding a pro-corporate and pro-war transformation of the countrys 39 public universities. This restructuring, combined with steep cuts to international student enrolments, is driving the destruction of some 4,000 academic and administrative staff jobs nationally. This is also radically impacting the education quality, course options and futures of students. We have called an urgent public meeting, in Sydney and online, for October 26 to discuss how to fight this historic offensive. Click here to register now. The meeting has been convened by the rank-and-file committees at Western Sydney University (WSU) and Macquarie University, the Committee for Public Education (CFPE)the educators rank-and-file networkand the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), the youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party. While posturing as opposing aspects of the job losses, the two main campus trade unions, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), are assisting the government and the university managements to impose this reactionary agenda. That was laid bare on October 2, when WSU vice-chancellor and president George Williams sent an all-staff email thanking both unions for their goodwill and constructive engagement in striking a deal to assist in slashing hundreds of jobs and restructuring the largely working-class university. This means that our change process will now proceed and is back on track, he wrote. As a result, about a quarter of the staff will be affected, together with the students. Nearly 200 jobs will be eliminated and about 500 other staff members in disestablished positions will be forced to compete against each other for new roles that are deemed suitable for them by the management. This change process refers to the Western Reset restructuring of WSU to service the teaching and research requirements of the corporate elite, including the military industries, particularly at the expense of arts and humanities. Similar processes are underway at every university, invariably targeting critical disciplines such as history, anthropology, sociology, drama and music, depriving students of broader, cultured and informed choices in terms of their courses, careers and lives. The October 26 public meeting will discuss the connection between these developments in Australia and what is happening internationally, particularly the ideological refashioning of universities and the entire education system by the fascistic Trump administration in the United States. This month the White House sent a letter to universities, titled the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, demanding that they advance the national interests and priorities of the U.S. government. This is the Trump administrations latest assault on education. It is an American version of the Nazi policy of Gleichschaltung, that is, the integration of culture and education into the arms of the state as a propaganda tool. Some of the demands include prohibiting faculty from speaking about political and social issues, cutting fees for students in hard science programs that serve military purposes, and reducing the proportion of international students to less than 15 percent. The response by educators and students at many universities has been hostile, with votes and petitions opposing the demand. There is no brick wall between this compact and the similar demands that confront staff and students in Australia. In the pursuit of its own pro-corporate and pro-military agenda, the Labor government is also promoting foul nationalism. That includes seeking to blame international students for the continuing housing affordability and cost-of-living crisis affecting working-class households, while the wealth of the property developers and other billionaires soars to new heights. Like at WSU, the union apparatuses are working hand-in-glove with university administrations to suppress resistance to this agenda and the massive destruction of jobs. At WSU, the NTEU anti-democratically blocked debate and bulldozed a resolution through a hastily-called online members meeting to endorse its sellout, despite considerable opposition. In desperate bids to cover their tracks, the NTEU and CPSU are denouncing the university managements for employing corporate consultants and accusing them of overstating their financial crises. But the union officials are collaborating with the very same managements to implement the restructuring! The reality is that the unions are helping push people out the door, either via so-called voluntary redundancies or the sham consultation processes in union enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs) with managements, which offer little or no protection against retrenchments. Above all, the union officials are covering up the driving force of this assaultthe Labor governments agenda. Like the White House, it is restructuring tertiary education to align with national priorities, that is, to satisfy the dictates of big business and develop a war economy, notably through the AUKUS pact against China. That is the central thrust of Labors 2024 Universities Accord report, as highlighted by a recent speech by ex-Labor and union leader Bill Shorten. Shorten, now a university vice-chancellor, called for the fundamental reimagining of universities as a core instrument of our national power under conditions of global instability and war. Shorten outlined replacing many university degrees with a modular system of mini qualifications to produce the thousands of nuclear engineers, cyber specialists, and AI technicians that the AUKUS enterprise demands, at a pace that matches the urgency of our strategic environment. This was not just an educational reform, Shorten insisted, but a national security and foreign policy imperative for national survival. The Accord report nominated areas of national priority like clean energy, critical technology, minerals and defence, saying they will need more skilled professionals. All these fields are related to the geo-strategic interests of Australian imperialism and its commitment to US war plans. One of the Accord reports models was to support AUKUS, the University of South Australia partnering with the South Australian government, the Australian Industry Group and the defence industry to develop university degree apprenticeships to support the construction of nuclear-powered submarines. The AUKUS military pact involves spending hundreds of billions to acquire US and UK nuclear-powered attack submarines, long-range missiles and other hi-tech weaponry designed for use against China. It is a spearhead of the Albanese governments plans for a all of nation war economy, with universities on the front line. While obscuring this agendawith which they basically agreethe NTEU and CPSU officials are trying to blame mismanagement by individual vice-chancellors for the disaster across the entire sector, even as they help them achieve their goals. Not a word is being said about the fact that the Labor government is spending increasing billions on military spending, not least to satisfy the demands of the Trump administration, while intensifying the financial pressure on the universities to restructure to align with the national priorities set out in the Universities Accord. That financial pressure includes slashing international student enrolments and continuing the previous Liberal-National governments Job-ready Graduates scheme that hiked the cost of three-year humanities degrees to more than $50,000, while cutting the funding to universities for delivering them. In a revealing echo of the Trump administrations compact language, from January 1, each universitys funding will be tied to a mission-based compact with the governments new Australian Tertiary Education Commission to contribute to the national priorities. The record of the NTEU and CPSU is no aberration. It flows from the transformation of the trade unions internationally from defensive organisations of the working class, always within the framework of wage labour, into industrial policing agencies. In Australia, this has taken the form of the anti-strike enterprise bargaining straitjacket first imposed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Hawke-Keating Labor governments in the 1980s and 1990s. That is why there is no prospect of steering or pressuring the union apparatuses away from this course. They are thoroughly integrated into the corporate and political establishment. We must develop rank-and-file committees (RFCs) as the new forms of organisation that the working class requires to defend itself. These committees of university workers and students can elaborate and fight for demands based on their interests, and those of high-quality education, not the dictates of the corporate elites and their parliamentary servants. Through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), they can link up with the educators RFCs in the US and elsewhere, and with workers in every industry worldwide. This can lay the foundations for overturning capitalism itself and establishing genuine democratic and socialist workers governments. To discuss these critical issues and how to form RFCs, join our public meeting on Sunday October 26. You can register here. Public meeting: Oppose Labors national priorities university restructuring and job cuts Noon, Sunday October 26 Boronia Grove Community Centre 40 Victoria St Epping, NSW and online via Zoom. The case of Subramanyam Subu Vedam would defy belief were we not living under the fascistic drive toward dictatorship under Donald Trump. For 43 years, Vedam endured the brutality of a Pennsylvania maximum-security prison, wrongfully incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. After lawyers from the Pennsylvania Innocence Project discovered new evidence proving his innocence, his conviction was vacated, and all charges against him were dismissed. But moments after his release on October 3 from Huntingdon State Correctional Institution, the 64-year-old man of Indian origin was seized and arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing a legacy deportation order dating back to the 1980s, before his wrongful murder conviction. He was immediately transferred to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, facing deportation to India, a country he barely knows. Vedams ordealshifting from wrongful imprisonment, to exoneration and release, to punitive detentionhighlights the overlap of legal injustice and Gestapo-like immigration enforcement, compounding an injustice his family rightly calls a terrible wrong. Subramanyam Subu Vedam with a relative [Photo: freesubu.org] Subu Vedam was convicted in 1983 and sentenced to life without parole for the 1980 shooting death of his friend, 19-year-old Thomas Kinser. Throughout the decades of his imprisonment, he consistently maintained his innocence, declining multiple plea bargains because of his strong desire to clear his name. In 2022, lawyers working with the Innocence Project discovered new evidence exposing critical prosecutorial misconduct. The evidence, which had been illegally withheld from defense lawyers, included an FBI report concluding that the victim was not killed by the bullets from the gun prosecutors attempted to link to Vedam. Specifically, the bullet hole measurements in the concealed evidence were too small to have come from the .25-caliber weapon prosecutors had maintained was used in the killing. On August 28, 2025, Centre County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jonathan D. Grine ruled in Vedams favor, finding the concealed evidence represented a violation of his constitutional right to due process. The ruling officially vacated the conviction. Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna formally dismissed all charges on October 2, 2025, making Vedam the longest serving exoneree in Pennsylvania history, and one of the longest in the United States, having spent 43 years behind bars. Vedams deportation order was tied to a youthful drug conviction, specifically pleading guilty to intent to distribute LSD when he was 19. While he served his life sentence, the order had remained dormant and he was unable to fight his deportation. ICE described Vedam as a career criminal with a rap sheet dating back to 1980 and a convicted controlled substance trafficker, stating that individuals with standing removal orders are priorities for enforcement. The claim that Vedam was a career criminal is preposterous, as he was behind bars at the state prison during this supposed career. The claim that ICE is targeting the worst of the worst is belied by Vedams actions during his time in prison, where he dedicated himself to serving his fellow inmates. He received over 51 commendations for volunteer service. He helped found and lead the Literacy Council and Family Literacy Project for inmates, obtaining funding from the National Institute of Corrections, and he helped scores of inmates complete their high school degrees. He taught himself Spanish to enable him to teach more people to read. He organized inmate-sponsored fundraisers for youth offender rehabilitation, such as an annual Runathon. He served as an unofficial health counselor, seeking understandable explanations from his physician brother-in-law regarding common inmate health issues like diabetes, obesity and arthritis, and counseling them. Despite extreme limitations, Vedam attained significant academic achievements. He completed three degrees by correspondence with magna cum laude honors, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a perfect 4.0 GPA. He is recognized as the first inmate in the state prison system in over 150 years to achieve a graduate degree while incarcerated. His interests span global events, economics and science. A spokesperson for the family noted that Vedams ICE detention completely blindsided them, as his entire familyincluding his sister and niecesare US citizens and his family relationships are established here and in Canada. Vedams family and supporters have launched a major protest demanding his release, highlighting the cruelty of his current detention and threat of deportation. His niece, Zoe Miller Vedam, stressed the devastating impact of deportation: He left India when he was nine months old ... He hasnt been there for over 44 years ... to send him to the other side of the world, to a place he doesnt know, away from everyone who loves him, would just compound that injustice. Saraswathi Vedam, Vedams sister, emphasized his dedication, noting he turned his wrongful imprisonment into a vehicle of service to others. Vedam was a permanent US resident who arrived as an infant. Lawyer Ava Benach argues that without the wrongful murder conviction, Vedam would likely have been successful in defending himself in deportation proceedings decades ago, strongly rejecting ICEs description of him as a career criminal. Vedams wrongful conviction was symptomatic of the arbitrary and vengeful character of the US justice system. Collectively, the 2,795 exonerees tracked by the National Registry of Exonerations since 1989 have served more than 25,000 years in prison for crimes they did not commit, with the average time lost for a murder exoneration being 14.1 years. Since the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, 201 people sentenced to death and incarcerated have been exonerated, according to Death Penalty Information. These include individuals who were wrongfully convicted and later cleared of all charges. The most common reasons for exoneration include official misconduct (such as prosecutors concealing evidence, as happened in Vedams case), mistaken eyewitness testimony, perjury and false or discredited forensic evidence (such as bite-mark analysis, faulty hair analysis, and junk science testimony). While Vedam faces deportation, the machinery of state-sanctioned death continues its grim work. In a four-day period beginning October 14, four people are scheduled to be executed by lethal injection across four states, including Lance C. Shockley (Missouri) and Samuel Lee Smithers (Florida), both on October 14; Charles Ray Crawford (Mississippi), on October 15; and Richard Djert (Arizona), October 17. Rob Roberson was scheduled to be executed October 16 in Texas, but was granted a stay by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which sent his case back to district court to determine whether his conviction in the murder of his two-year-old daughter based on debunked shaken baby syndrome testimony deserves further review. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and his attorney general, Ken Paxton, are both fervent supporters of the death penalty and Trumps deportation dragnet. In Florida, one of only two states that gives the governor sole authority to set execution dates, Republican Ron DeSantis has overseen 13 executions so far this year, more than any previous Florida governor. Overall, the US has executed 35 death row inmates so far in 2025, and is on track to carry out 43 state-sanctioned killings, the highest number in more than a decade. Popular support for the death penalty has steadily decreased since the mid-1990s, when roughly 78 percent of Americans favored it. By 2018, support fell to about 54 percent, and by 2023-2025 support hovered around 53 percent. This growing opposition is driven largely by evolving moral views on capital punishment, concerns about judicial fairness, arbitrary death sentences and wrongful convictions. By contrast, the Trump administration seeks to ramp up the state killing machine. On Inauguration Day of his second term, Trump signed a sweeping executive order on executions aimed at restoring and expanding the federal death penalty. The order directed the US attorney general to seek the death penalty in all cases where it is legally authorized, particularly aimed at crimes involving the murder of police officers and capital crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Subu Vedams exoneration and immediate seizure by ICE for deportation are an indication of the type of retaliatory justice the Trump administration is seeking to cultivate. Despite being cleared of his crime, Vedam has been targeted as a result of the anti-immigrant hysteria that is being mobilized to not only target individuals like him, but as the unconstitutional basis of the deployment of federalized National Guard troops to cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland to counter supposed domestic terrorism and violent unrest. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player President Donald Trump speaks during the summit, October 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, as Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi listens at left. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] In 98 AD, the historian Tacitus, describing the devastation of Britain by the troops of Imperial Rome, wrote: They make a desert and call it peace. Nearly 2,000 years later, these bitter words apply to the brutal terms imposed upon the Palestinian population of Gaza by Israel and its imperialist patrons. US President Donald Trumps so-called peace agreement for Gaza creates an imperialist protectorate that tramples on the rights of the Palestinians and strengthens American control over the energy-rich Middle East. This was laid bare by Trumps speech to the Israeli Knesset and the subsequent gathering of accomplices to genocide in Egypt hosted by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Monday. In a rambling address lasting more than an hour, Trump spoke with the eloquence of Mafia don Tony Soprano. He bragged to Israeli lawmakers about the power of American weapons to achieve peace, called for a pardon on corruption charges for the wanted war criminal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and vowed that the historic dawn of a new Middle East under US dominance had begun. He positively reveled in the genocidal violence overseen by Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), telling his adoring audience that Netanyahu would call me so many times asking for weapons and added that the US had supplied so many that Israel became strong and powerful. Thats what led to peace. He added, We gave you all the weapons, and you used them well. The Zionist regime used the weapons so well that they slaughtered at least 67,000 people, according to official figures, and in reality many tens of thousands more. That they did so with the express intent to exterminate the Palestinians has been demonstrated by countless reports from the UN and other international organisations and the issuing of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who infamously designated the Palestinians as human animals. Thousands more were killed or maimed in a months-long bombardment of Lebanon, while hundreds of Palestinians have been slaughtered by far-right settlers and the IDF in the West Bank. Trumps gangster-style performance was complete when an opposition Israeli politician held up a piece of paper with the timid demand to recognize Palestine. He was swiftly thrown out of the chamber, prompting Trump to respond, Thats very efficient. The American imperialist-imposed settlement recognises no rights for the Palestinians remaining in Gaza whatsoever, not even a meaningless verbal commitment to a Palestinian state. The Zionist regime will retain a permanent occupation force with control over the borders and the ability to launch bloody onslaughts at a time of its choosing. Israels record over the past five decades of systematically violating ceasefires, from Camp David in 1978, to Oslo in 1993, and last Novembers pause in the genocide, demonstrates that this prospect is not merely hypothetical. It is only a matter of time. The rhetoric from Trump, the leaders of the European imperialist powers, and the corporate-controlled media about peace in the Middle East is doubly fraudulent. In the first place, the Palestinians who have survived two years of genocide have been left to live in ruins. The more than 300,000 returning to Gaza City confront piles of rubble after Israel destroyed three-quarters of the citys buildings. Under the Orwellian Board of Peace, headed by the American Fuhrer Trump and supported by unindicted war criminal Tony Blair, the Gaza Palestinians will have no rights. They will be subject to the whims of the imperialist powers and their Zionist attack dog, which will police the enclaves borders and be free at any time to ethnically cleanse or slaughter residents as they see fit. The parallel between Trumps intention to oversee the ruthless suppression of the Palestinians in Gaza and deploy brutal state repression against the working class in major American cities in his Operation Dictatorship at home is undeniable. It underlines how unrestrained imperialist barbarism abroad goes hand in hand with the drive to dictatorship domestically. The agreement sets the stage not for peace throughout the region, but even more bloody wars of plunder and imperialist conquest. The Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, are integrating themselves even more fully into a US-led alliance with Israel to topple the Iranian bourgeois-clerical regime. Trump revealed the centrality of regime change in Tehran for his administration, noting that the opportunity provided by the Gaza genocide for the US and Israel to strike Irans nuclear program earlier this year. We took a big cloud off the Middle East and off Israel, he boasted to applause. Gaza is seen as key to the development of the India-Middle East-Europe trade corridor aimed at sidelining China and Russia in the rapidly escalating scramble among the major powers to redivide the worlds markets and resources. The unseemly rush of the leaders of European imperialismthemselves all complicit in the genocideto the signing ceremony in Egypt underlines that Germany, France and Britain will play their parts in the coming conflicts under the banner of Gazas reconstruction. Even if the agreement holds for a longer period, it provides no basis for the democratic and social aspirations of the Palestinians and oppressed masses throughout the region to be resolved. The idea of a two-state solution is absurd, given that the present Israeli state is a creation of imperialist-backed slaughter and the illegal confiscation of Palestinian and Syrian land. The bankruptcy of Zionisms strategy of securing a national homeland as a safe haven for the Jewish people is plain for all to see, including growing numbers of Jews around the world. The Zionist state can only be maintained through genocide and as a garrison outpost of US imperialism. Any Palestinian state acknowledged by the imperialist powers and Arab despots will not be worth the paper it is written on, as indicated by Trumps pledge that Gaza will be demilitarised and placed under his personalist diktat as a US protectorate. The expansion of settlements in the West Bank has cut the territory nominally controlled by the Palestinian Authority off from Palestines proposed capital, East Jerusalem. Mondays signing ceremony could not have provided a more devastating indictment of all the bourgeois nationalist regimes in the region that have sought to cast themselves as opponents, or at least alternatives, to the imperialist powers. In the end, they all sacrificed the rights of the Palestinians in favor of an accommodation with imperialism, making possible the Gaza genocide and hailing the filthy agreement promoted by Trump. The dirty deal was signed in Sharm el Sheik by Trump on behalf of the US, joined by the leaders of Turkey, Egypt and Qatar. While hypocritically criticizing Israels slaughter of the Palestinians, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government continued to supply the Zionist regime with oil from Azerbaijan throughout the genocide and expanded its influence in Syria with the US-backed toppling of the Assad regime. Qatar was bought off with the promise of access to a US military base and participated with other Gulf states in the investment of close to $5 billion in the financial operations of Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. None of the outstanding democratic and social rights of the oppressed masses in the Middle East can be resolved with national programs, whether of the Arab, Iranian, Turkish or Zionist varieties of nationalism. The desperate plight now confronted by the Palestinians, as well as the dead end into which Zionism has maneuvered the Israeli working class, provide in their own ways tragic confirmations of the correctness of this stand. Each one of myriad peace agreements over the course of decades, sanctified by Arab governments and hailed by Palestinian nationalist movements, has only created the basis for further Israeli mass killing and repression. The tragedy of the Palestinians has been that they are deprived of the support of the working class due to the absence of a revolutionary movement in the advanced countries. The only way to realize the democratic and social rights of the long-suffering masses of the Middle East and establish a genuine basis for peaceful coexistence is through the fight for the perspective of the Permanent Revolution. Arab, Jewish, Iranian, Turkish and Kurdish workers must unite in a common struggle against the imperialist domination of the region and for the creation of the United Socialist States of the Middle East as part of a world socialist federation. In this struggle, their allies are not to be found in the pro-imperialist and corrupt Zionist and Arab ruling classes but in the working class in the imperialist centres of North America and Europe. Forging this alliance into an independent political and industrial movement of the international working class capable of putting an end to capitalismthe root cause of genocide, imperialist war and all forms of colonial-style oppressionis possible only on the basis of the revolutionary socialist program fought for by the International Committee of the Fourth International and its daily organ, the World Socialist Web Site. Socialist dreams turned into the socialist struggle of the millions only when Marxs scientific socialism had linked up the urge for change with the struggle of a definite class. Outside the class struggle, socialism is either a hollow phrase or a naive dream. -V.I. Lenin New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani arrives at a protest against the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in New York. [AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura] On Monday, the New York Times published a highly revealing article laying bare the class character of the Democrat Zohran Mamdanis campaign for New York City mayor. The article, headlined Mamdani Seeks to Charm New Yorks Most Powerful Capitalists, revealed that since winning the primary earlier this year, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member has been relentlessly reaching out to New Yorks wealthiest, including landlords and pharmaceutical executives, to assure them his election poses no threat to their wealth or political monopoly. The Times article reported that during the summer Mamdani cold-called James Whelan, president of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), to set up an intimate meeting, which was held in August. For nearly 130 years, since 1896, REBNY has functioned as the political arm of New Yorks real estate bourgeoisie. As president of REBNY, Whelan serves as the chief lobbyist for the billionaire landlords and developers he represents, which include Kushner Companies (run by Donald Trumps son-in-law), TF Cornerstone, The Durst Organization, Fisher Brothers, Cushman & Wakefield and the Glenwood Management Corporation. The August meeting with Whelan was held at the sunny penthouse offices of Jed Walentas, the Times reported, the boards chairman and arguably the boroughs most prominent developer. According to two people familiar with the meeting, Mamdani was polite, earnest-seeming and quick on his feet, and by the end, he had seeded a relationship with some of his most skeptical critics. Even though a company affiliated with Walentas gave $100,000 to a political action committee supporting Mayor Eric Adams now-suspended campaign, following the meeting, the paper reported that Walentas and Mamdani met again weeks later. Jeffrey Gural, former chairman of Newmark & Company and current chairman of GFP Real Estate also met privately with Mamdani. While he did not support his campaign at this time, he told the paper he did not want [Mamdani] to fail and that he was personable and smart. Nothing could more thoroughly expose the falsity of Trumps fascist diatribes that Mamdani is a communist than this reporting. Mamdani is not seeding relationships with broad sections of workers to launch mass action to reverse rent hikes and expropriate the property of billionaire landlords. He is instead seeking the approval of New Yorks developers and landlordssome of the most parasitic gangster elements of the ruling class, denizens of the underworld out of which the current occupant of the White House crawled. Mamdanis meeting with New York Citys wealthy landlords and developers is part of an ongoing charm offensive Mamdani has embarked on since winning the primary. In addition to landlords, the Times quoted Sally Susman, a senior Pfizer executive, on her experiences with Mamdani. When I met him the first time, I shared with him a quote by Aristotle, she told the paper. Susman said in the first of two sessions with business executives, Mamdani repeated the quote back to her. Mamdani, the Times reported, has also spoken with Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorganChase, the largest bank in the United States; Robert Wolf, former UBS Americas chairman and Obama adviser; and Kenny Burgos, head of a powerful landlord association representing rent-stabilized buildings. Commenting on the story for the Times, Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec confirmed that Mamdani is willing to meet with anyoneincluding those who disagree with himto advance his affordability agenda. Mamdanis affordability agenda is not socialism in any genuine sense, but warmed-over Bernie Sanders reformism. In a recent interview with the New Yorker, Mamdani explained: My journey into calling myself a Democratic Socialist begins with Bernies run in 2016. And his campaign was a formative one for me and for many across this country, both in giving us that language, but also in explaining the core tenet of it, which to me continues to be a belief in dignity as the cornerstone of politics. Like Sanders before him, Mamdani exists not to wage a political revolution but to channel mass anger over inequality and war back into the Democratic Party and the dead-end of electoral politics. Asked whether there was any real difference between a social democrat, a democratic socialist, or a liberal Democrat, Mamdani replied: It often comes back to whether youre willing to fight for these ideals that you hold. In other words, his socialism is merely a question of attitudenot of property relations, not of history, not of class struggle, not of political clarification, not of revolution. And even by this hollow standard, Mamdani has already abandoned many of his previous ideals: he has dropped his call to defund the police, pledged to keep billionaire heiress Jessica Tisch, an ardent supporter of Israel, as police commissioner, and assured business leaders that he would discourage the use of the phrase globalize the intifada. Mamdanis pragmatism seemingly has no limits. In an interview with CNNs Kaitlan Collins last week, Mamdani was asked if Trump, who, like Biden before him provided Israel all the weapons and diplomatic cover it needed to kill and maim hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, deserves credit for brokering the ceasefire? Mamdani replied, You know, I will say that the news of a ceasefire leaves me with hope. He then proceeded to draw an equals sign between the violent uprising against Israeli occupation on October 7, 2023 and the US-backed mass murder and starvation of an enclave that once was home to 2.3 million people. He deplored all violence, Whether it be Hamass horrific war crime of October 7th or the Israeli governments genocide of Palestinians since... Pressed again by Collins at what point would Trump deserve credit for the phony ceasefire, Mamdani replied, If the genocide ends then I think thats something worthy to be praised and if the hostages are returned. Those things have to be done together in tandem. Collins asked if after a week ... if the hostages have been returned and if the fighting had ceased if maybe at that point you would give him credit for this? Mamdani affirmatively replied, If it sustains, yes. Mamdanis remarks to CNNexpressing hope and even offering that Trump might deserve creditare not just politically bankrupt but obscenely false. As Palestinians continue to document, Israeli tanks are still firing on civilians, drones continue to strike refugee camps and residential neighborhoods, and the siege remains intact. Nothing about this situation constitutes a genuine ceasefire. It is a temporary pause, cynically branded as peace while the machinery of genocide and ethnic cleansing continues to operate, in both Gaza and the West Bank. Mamdani is not just reassuring real estate barons like James Whelan and Jed Walentashe is also reassuring the imperialist state and its allies that his socialism poses no barrier to US foreign policy or to the continued destruction of Gaza. Its the same fundamental function he and the Democratic Socialists of America serve domestically: to disorient, demobilize and divert popular anger into harmless parliamentary channels. Early voting in the mayoral race begins on October 25, with November 4 being the last day to cast an in-person ballot. The latest polling from Quinnipiac University found Mamdani with a sizable lead over fellow Democrat and establishment favorite Andrew Cuomo, 46 percent to 33 percent. Republican Curtis Sliwa registered a distant third with 15 percent. Rallies were held across Australia on Sunday to mark two years of the imperialist-Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. The events, adding to hundreds of such protests that have been held over the past 24 months, again underscored the gulf between popular sentiment and the complicity of the Australian Labor government in the unprecedented war crimes. Part of the Melbourne rally on October 12, 2025 Those who participated were defying stepped-up official threats and intimidation. The New South Wales Court of Appeal banned a planned march to the Sydney Opera House, based on spurious safety concerns raised by the state police and state Labor government. The court went further than previous similar rulings, declaring that anybody who attempted to march to the Opera House could be found in contempt of court, the penalty for which can include indefinite imprisonment. The judgement was made in the context of openly political attacks on the pro-Palestinian movement by leading politicians. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned plans to demonstrate on October 7, because it is the anniversary of the 2023 Palestinian military operation. Opposition leader Sussan Ley hysterically denounced the prospect of activists taking over the Opera House from Australians. Beyond those attacks, participants were also signalling their rejection of the bogus claims that the so-called ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump marks an end to the conflict. In reality, the deal entrenches neo-colonial dominance over the Palestinians and paves the way for deepening Israeli assaults. In Sydney, some 10,000 people turned out, marching an alternative route due to the court prohibition. There were similar numbers in Melbourne and around 2,000 in Brisbane, with smaller rallies held in other capital cities and regional centres. Socialist Equality Party campaigners interviewed a number of participants, and explained the necessity to build a socialist movement of the working class against imperialist war, in opposition to the perspective of endless protests appealing to the Labor government, that have been promoted by organisers. Lucy and Elsie are Year 10 students from a high school in Melbournes working-class southeast. They went to the rally while doing a school project in the city. Lucy said, Weve only heard bits and bobs about the genocide, especially at our school it hasnt come down that far. Were not really well-educated about this, so we wanted to come and learn more, because the things weve heard are absolutely horrible. Innocent people are dying. Im only young, but its one of the most disgusting things in the world that Ive been alive to see. Lucy and Elsie Elsie said, Its been two years and no country has done anything really to stop this. Youd think, given how awful it is, someone wouldve stepped in to end it by now, but nobody has. On the Australian Labor governments complicity in the genocide, Lucy said, Its horrible, because this is innocent people losing their lives, and kids. The whole place has been bombed, theres nothing left. The humanity is not there. Their focus is on money and economics. The world today is all about money, but it should be more than that. And these people in Gaza are just trying to live their lives, but are being killed by these governments. Paul, a retired drug and alcohol youth worker, travelled three hours from a small country town to attend the protest. He rejected claims that the Trump plan would end the genocide, stating, I think its very similar to all the other so-called peace deals that weve been seeing. Very short-lived and no intention to follow through from the Israeli side. I've got absolutely no faith in the people that have put it together, the Americans and all the others. Paul Paul said that he voted for Labor in the last election, and said, Ive been kicking myself ever since because I dont think theres much difference between either side. I think both sides are in the pocket of the powers. And I really dont think it matters who you vote for. I think we need to let them know that Australians are not okay with the slaughter of innocent Palestinians. Thats not who we are. And if our politicians can be so easily bought, then I dont particularly want any of them. If we wait for our politicians to grow a conscience, its never going to change. Kinga, a hospitality worker from Scotland, attended the rally with friends from the UK. She said: The genocide is absolutely horrific. Its something I only educated myself on after October 7 two years ago. I wasnt taught about it in school or have much historical knowledge beforehand. Then I started to engage more with Palestinian activists online and taught myself about it. We should be doing every little thing we can to show were against it. What our government in the UK is doing is really problematic: cracking down on our right to protest, the whole proscription of Palestine Action, that especially is a disgusting attack on free speech. Im embarrassed because these Western governments dont represent what their citizens think. As you can see, masses of people have been protesting for years, they still come out every week, and yet the governments continue to abet and fund the genocide. They just dont seem to care about what we think. Kinga, second from right, and friends Kinga said the Israeli attack earlier this month on the Sumud flotilla, was unsurprising. Everyone on board expected that to happen. Greta Thunberg and other activists online said the attention shouldnt be on them being detained and mistreated, they were trying to break the siege and shine light on what actual Palestinians are going through now. And if the Israeli authorities were doing that to Western activists coming in, you can only imagine what theyre doing to Palestinians. The Israeli government doesnt care where youre from, they tortured the two Jewish activists on board the flotilla the most actually. Thats an antisemitic act, especially when they claim to be doing the genocide in the name of all Jewish people. Kinga had followed recent actions by workers against the genocide in Europe, including a general strike in Italy, and industrial action by port workers in Greece who opposed weapons shipments to Israel. She said: Its amazing what workers did there. And the lack of mainstream media coverage of those strikes was really telling. Thats a scary thing for the establishment to have, over 2 million people in Italy on strike. We didnt get that on BBC or Sky. But it just shows the power of the people. When they interviewed people in Italy whose lives were being held up because of the strike, they were happy because they supported the strike. Theres obviously a history of resistance to fascism in Italy. And then the dockworkers in Greece who were not going to load weapons to Israelits so good to see that there are hopeful ways to stop this genocide. One can sometimes feel isolated and powerless, that we cant do anything, and then you see all these workers come together to do something, and its inspiring. Everything is connected today. You might think that whats happening in Gaza is just affecting the Palestinians, but the kinds of intelligence and technology that theyre testing on Palestinians are whats going to be used elsewhere, including in Chicago now in the US. In such a globalised world, everything is your problem. What theyre testing in Gaza will potentially impact the quality of life and workers rights in other countries. The governments are seeing how far they can push and get away with things. Daniel, a young man currently looking for work, said, I came today to catch up on the weekly rallies and share my support and solidarity. I think the genocide is horrendous and we as Melbourne should be doing what we can to support and show that we care and that we support resistance. I think its a very precarious ceasefire and I dont think it holds up. I think its basically de facto null and void. I wish there would be a permanent agreement honestly, but its sad that its reached this extent. And I dont think they [IDF] care about the well-being of the hostages. Asked about the ban on the protest at the Sydney Opera House, Daniel said, I think its a curtailing of our rights to free expression and to rally in a safe manner. I dont really see any reason why it would be banned on any state level. Elisia Elisia has two young children and is studying counselling. She had made her own placard. Referring to her placard, she said I just think a lot of the root cause of a lot of the issues were facing today comes from the people at the top, which I think are the top bankers and the 1 percent wanting to just default back to wars and control and it has to do with money. And I think whats happening over in Gaza is pretty much going to happen to the rest of us. I know the elites are out there building their bunkers so theyre going to be fine but the rest of us, you know, my kids, Im not too sure. Another thing that gets me angry is when our prime minister and Penny Wong say we have to confront Iran [because of their nuclear program], who havent instigated a war since I dont know when. But not for Israel who definitely have nukes and are currently attacking countries and instigating wars and problems all the time. Someone asked me, why are you going to the protests today, there's a peace deal and I just said, its not a peace deal. Israel never abides by peace deals. Raha Raha, a law and sociology student from New Zealand, said: The genocide is so shocking, and we have this unique opportunity where we can see it for ourselves online. No one can say they didnt know it was occurring. Im ashamed at the New Zealand governments response to what Israel is doing. Its so sick and vile. On the strikes in Italy and Greece: The strikes were great. Unfortunately, its been difficult for workers and people on the left to show strong action like this, while the far right has no fear in coming out and doing what they want. I think on the left weve been a little too peaceful and complacent, so I agree that we need serious action like these strikes. And I would one hundred percent take part in something like that. This has been going on for two years now, it has to end. Demonstrators demand "Where is Julia Chunil?" on May 8, 2025 in Santiago [Photo by Celinea33/Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Gabriel Boric, the President of Chile, issued the following statement last week on the disappearance of Julia Chunil, a 72-year-old Mapuche Indigenous leader and environmental activist: I cannot fail to mention the governments concern and involvement in the disappearance of Julia Chunil. I mention this because when a person disappears, the state is neither neutral nor passive. We have long, long ago requested that the PDI (investigative police) act; made all resources available for this purpose and asked that all lines of investigation be pursued. We respectfully ask the Public Prosecutors Office, as an autonomous body, to act with a sense of urgency in this matter. The presidents statement is a lie from beginning to end, and an obscenely cynical one at that. Julia Chunil did not disappear a week or two weeks ago. Her adult children reported their mothers disappearance on November 8, 2024, at a property that she had occupied as part of a historical struggle by the Mapuche people to reclaim ancestral lands. That is, she went missing more than 11 months ago. Her children, Pablo, Jeannette, Javier and Andalien, from the beginning pointed the finger at Juan Carlos Morstadt Anwandter. A bourgeois figure in the forestry and agribusiness, he had for years made threats and paid third parties to commit acts against Chunil in an attempt to kick her off a substantial piece of land that the National Corporation for Indigenous Development (CONADI)a state body purportedly created to benefit the indigenous populationhanded to Morstadt without a cent being exchanged. In fact, her children reported very early on in her disappearance that Julia Chunil had warned, If anything happens to me, you know who did it. From the outset the regional prosecutors did not meet with the disappeared womans family or provide them assistance. They would not even take witness statements without the family lawyers being present. The case findings have, from the moment Chunil went missing to this very day, remained confidential, or at least kept from the family and their lawyers. Morstadt, brought in for questioning in January, invoked his right to remain silent. This procedure by the regional prosecutors was done to appear as though they were conducting a serious investigation. His phone was never seized to confirm or deny the Chunil familys accusation, nor a timely forensic investigation ordered. His home was never raided. On the contrary, the disappeared womans adult son, Pablo San Martin Chunil, reported that Morstadt somehow knew when one of homes of Chunils adult children was about to be raided and was present when it happened. Morstadts attorney Carole Monroy recently said that my client was initially investigated as a defendant and then became a witness. The Chunil family on the other hand was from the beginning made by the state to appear as criminals responsible for the disappearance of their own mother. In evidence leaked to the right-wing corporate paper La Tercera and Meganoticias, the right-wing network owned by the Bethia conglomerate, a pair of pants were found at the home of adult daughter, Jeannette Troncoso Chunil, which apparently had a bloodstain which matched Julia Chunils DNA. The newspaper reported in breathtaking and sensationalist detail how on day of the raid, January 30, Jeannettes home was raided by a massive contingent of the Special Operations Group, the high-risk tactical unit of Carabineros, Chiles notorious militarized police force. This evidence turned out to be a pack of lies. In the middle of June, Interferencia reported that the bloodstained garment story that the police used to raid the home of Jeannette was false. Expert and genetic reports say there was no trace of Julia Chunils blood or DNA. On this issue the corporate press and media maintained a deathly silence. On that same January 30, Jeannette was interrogated in such a way that it amounted to torturesomething with which the Chilean state apparatus has copious amounts of experience. Mariela Santana and Karina Riquelme, the main lawyers representing the Chunil family, filed a complaint against Jose Arriagada head of Carabineros Criminalistics Laboratory and the head regional prosecutor, Tatiana Esquivel, for unlawful coercion and they applied for a writ of habeas corpus (recurso de amparo) for the horrific action of interrogating Jeannette inside a police vehicle for three hours, pressuring her to confess to disappearing her mother. The writ explained that at one point in the interrogation Jeannette was driven to the locale where her mother went missing. There, Arriagada, with Esquivel present, allegedly said to Jeannette that: You are responsible. Tell the truth, that your husband was the one who did something to your mother, while claiming to have evidence against her. The writ alleged that Arriagada made intimidating gestures, putting his hand on his gun and partially removing it from its holster, leading Jeanette to believe that he was pointing it at her. To really grasp the significance of these repulsive, sickening actions in the context of Chile, thousands of workers, youth, activists, peasants, Mapuches were made to vanish from the face of the earth by these same methods during Pinochets military junta. Such methods, though with much less frequency, have continued under civilian rule. Mapuche people, in secluded rural settings and away from the public eye, have been made to disappear or have even been executed at point blank range by CarabinerosCamilo Catrillanca, a 24-year-old killed in 2018, and Pablo Marchant, a 29-year-old killed in 2021, are just two names that come mind. On June 26, four months after that first of no less than six raids against the homes of the Chunil family, the Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling of the Valdivia Court of Appeals rejecting the complaints and denying the writ of habeas corpus. The Court ruled that there is no current or future threat to the right to personal liberty or individual security of those protected. A gruesome revelation and the state goes into damage control Then, on September 30, the Chunil familys lawyers, in the presence of human rights groups including Amnesty International, held a press conference revealing that Morstadt, in an intercepted phone conversation, had admitted to his father that Julia Chunil had been burned. The lawyers explained that this document had appeared on the public prosecutors online platform and then it disappeared along with all the files and history of Chunils case. The lawyers were unable to view the legal proceedings of the case or request meetings with the public prosecutors office. Santana clarified: It is not that we do not have access to the case, it is that the case has been removed from the system. We also have no accreditation in it, we cannot access it, and emails (sent to the public prosecutors office) have not been answered. She added, I sent approximately five emails with copies to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the National Human Rights Institute, the Undersecretary of Human Rights, and the National Prosecutors Office. At first, Angel Valencia, the right-wing National Prosecutor selected by Boric as an overture to the right-controlled Congress, simply downplayed the implication of Morstadts statement and questioned its veracity. At the same time, he said that an investigation would be conducted into how it was leaked. I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of such information The Los Rios Prosecutors Office also opened an investigation into an apparent leak of information that should have been kept confidential in court, which, I insist, even if it were true, would be very partial and I would even dare to say that it would also be very biased in terms of the content of the ongoing investigation, which is a serious matter, the most serious being that we have not yet found Mrs. Chunils body. Consequently, we cannot deduce what happened to her either. With his arrogant and contemptuous statement, he inadvertently let slip that Julia Chunil, who up until that point was classified as disappeared, was dead. How he knew this he did not say. Up until then, apparently, the state wasnt looking for a body; they were searching for a living person. At that point, the state went into damage control. The Boric administrations ministers, the governments spokesperson Camila Vallejoa darling of the international pseudo-leftalong with the governments supporters in congress, made handwringing statements of how horrified they were by the revelations and how the rule of law must prevail. It was in this context that Boric made his grotesque address two days ago about the governments concern and involvement in the disappearance of Julia Chunil. The government of Chile bears political, if not material, responsibility for the Mapuche leaders death. A lengthier article that provides the exact details of the role played by the various state appendages in this horrific case is forthcoming. But the World Socialist Web Site must register this accusation against the pseudo-leftist Gabriel Boricas head of the Chilean Stateand his accomplices in the Broad Front, the Communist Party, the Socialist Party and Party for Democracy that constitute his government. What has been unleashed by Borics regime against Julia Chunil and her family is part of a war against the Mapuche people, among the most vulnerable and destitute sectors in Chilean society, on behalf of mining, forestry and landed property interests. Almost from the moment Boric assumed power he declared a state of emergency over the regions of Biobio and Araucaniahistorically Mapuche territoryimposing virtual martial law and all that it entails. Boric has also employed against Mapuche leaders and the broader indigenous community the authoritarian Usurpation Law and the State Security Law, while also revamping Gen. Augusto Pinochets Anti-Terrorist Law to use it against the Mapuche as the dictator did. Make no mistake. This war is a dress rehearsal in preparation for the entire working class. Workers and youth must come to the defence of the Chunil family and the Mapuche people. Marxs dictum that labour with a white skin cannot emancipate itself where labour with a black skin is branded, applies in full measure in this instance. Workers struck on Tuesday in the third, and largest, general strike this year against proposals by Belgiums right-wing coalition to slash public spending as it finalises next years budget. Workers march with signs and balloons during a demonstration and general strike in Brussels, October 14, 2025 [AP Photo/Harry Nakos] To save billions of euros, Prime Minister Bart De Wevers government is seeking to increase the retirement age to 67 by 2030and increase the number of days Belgians work per year before they are eligible. According to pension service estimates from October 2025, this change would cause workers to lose an average of 318 per month from their pensions. Another key element of the cuts is to limit unemployment benefits to two years. Other cuts, including to child support and healthcare funding, are being scheduled, plus a rise in VAT sales tax. Also planned are attacks on workplace protections and a freeze on wage indexation that overwhelmingly hit the working class, especially the lowest paid and shift workers. The government is seeking to slash public spending by between 10-20 billion by 2029 to bring the federal deficit below the European Unions 3 percent target. De Wever said that 10 billion cuts would be the minimum required by the European Commission, though more would be better, if at all possible. The government is refusing to raise any taxes on the super-rich and the most affluent. Belgium is also aiming to boost military spending to meet its pledges to NATO. In July, the government announced a 33.8 billion military spending programme covering 2026 through 2034. This blew the lid off its previous plan for defence spending to reach 2 percent of GDP by 2029, from 1.3 percent when the coalition took office. Flemish nationalist De Wevers five-party government came to power in early February after months of coalition talks following the federal elections in June last year. The Arizona coalitionnamed because the parties colours match those of the US state flagis made up of three parties from Dutch-speaking Flanders: De Wevers conservative N-VA, the centrist Christian-Democrats and the social democratic Vooruit (Onward). Also included is the Christian Democrat Les Engages and right-wing Reformist Movement from French-speaking Wallonia. The governments class-war agenda has met with sustained opposition, with at least 88 strike days already held this year. These include major national strikes on February 21, March 31 (general strike), April 29 (general strike), May 22 and June 25. Tuesdays strike was called by the three largest union federations: the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (ACV/CSC); the General Federation of Belgian Labour (FGTB/ABVV) and the General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium (CGSLB/ACLVB). Their combined membership is approximately 3.5 million. The stoppage was, according to Politico, Belgiums biggest demonstration of workers in a decade, since 100,000 were on the streets during a 2014 strike. While trains ran, most metro, bus, and tram lines in Brussels were halted. Disruption to the transport network in the Walloon and Flemish regions was also widespread. All shipping at Europes second largest port, Antwerp, was suspended. The BBC reported, more than 100 ships waited in the North Sea for permission to dock at three ports, according to Belgiums MDK maritime and coastal services. Airports were hit as all departures and around half of the scheduled arrivals at Brussels International Airport were cancelled. At Brussels South Charleroi Airport, all flights were cancelled. The Flemish Agency for Education Services reported that almost 10,000 (9,873) Flemish teachers and support staff participated in the stoppage. Refuse workers struck and administrative services were impacted. While courts in Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp were able to function, trials were postponed in several other urban areas including in Mechelen, Leuven, and Dendermonde, due to a lack of staff. Up to 140,000 demonstrated in Brussels during the day. Politico reported, Several of the protesters were carrying signs and banners saying boucherie (French for butchery), a play on the name of Georges-Louis Bouchez, Belgiums francophone liberal chief, whose center-right Reformist Movement (MR) party is part of the governing coalition. Others portrayed Prime Minister De Wever and Bouchez as butchers wielding knives. A group of strikers carried a large banner reading, social health: vital. Strikers carried a placard modelled on a traffic speed symbol showing the number 67 with a red line through it, protesting the retirement age increase. The BBC spoke to a striker, Anais, aged 29, who said 65 is enough. 67 is too late. We are asked to work more, to work longer hours. Its not fair. Its about time we came together Its always the same part of the population that has to tighten their belts. Demonstrators faced vicious police repression as dozens were arrested. Police deployed tear gas and water cannon on the upmarket Boulevard Pacheco. Politico reported that Rafael, a postal worker, whose eyes were red from the gas, said, We were just marching peacefully and suddenly there were smoke bombs and police. I dont get it. For maybe 10 troublemakers they tear-gassed the entire crowd, the elderly, the children It was shameful, an absolute disgrace. Instead of addressing the issue, we prefer to tear-gas the entire population exercising its right to strike, said another participant. Organisations helping the homeless and asylum seekers, who have faced swingeing budget cuts, participated in the demonstration. The strike won widespread support from young people with the Brussels Times noting, Students inside the IHECS university building were seen cheering on the demonstrators as they walk down Rue des Alexiens. Students are being hit with increases in tuition fees. The paper cited the comments of Izabella (19) and Nora (21), part of the younger crowd protesting today in Brussels. They feel blocked financially, especially regarding their studies. Its not the time to give up... because we need to feel hopeful for the future, because we are the future, said Nora. The militant movement in Belgium is part of a continent-wide fightback by the working class. In recent weeks there have been general strikes and mass protests in Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands and Britain as opposition spreads against governments imposing austerity and attacks on workers rights, supporting genocide in Gaza and preparing to squander vast social resources on wars of conquest. In every country the trade union bureaucracy is desperate to keep a lid on explosive social discontent, up to and including calling limited general strikes to allow rising anger to dissipate. Politico reported comments from trade union bureaucrats concerned that the government was failing to recognise their traditional role in policing the class struggle. CGSLB spokesperson Alexandre Sutherland, said, The government doesnt listen to anyone and acts as it pleases without consulting workers. And, of course, this is unacceptable in a country like Belgium, which has functioned in this collaborative way for a very long time. Technicals have supercharged the silver rally and the shortage of bullion for delivery in London threatens to render the market disfunctional. - Getty Images/iStockphoto Despite rallying by two thirds in 2025, the price spike in silver shows no sign of abating and, if anything, seems set to become even more extreme, say analysts. As prices climbed Monday, Bank of Americas global commodity team on Monday published a bullish outlook for precious metals and stuck a $65 per ounce price target on silver for 2026. While they acknowledge a short-term correction is plausible, and physical demand may decline 11% in 2026, lead analyst Michael Widmer still anticipates a physical deficit and that justifies his forecast of a 30% rally. Most Read from MarketWatch Having broken $50 an ounce and exceeded its previous record high at the end of last week, spot silver traded towards $51.50 on Monday, pushing past a peak seen last week. Comex silver futures SI00, meanwhile, climbed 5% to $49.71 an ounce, and were poised to take out a settlement record of $48.99 reached Oct. 8, which beat the previous January 1980 record of $48.70 an ounce. With physical demand exceeding supply and rates to borrow silver surging beyond 100%, the only resolution to the present squeeze is higher pricing, allowing the market to clear, wrote precious metals analyst David Jensen in a Substack post over the weekend. Jensen said the London Bullion Market Association the worlds most important trading hub for silver is effectively having a seizure, and has been reduced to a state of lock-up because there is not enough physical silver deliverable into the billions of dollars of spot contracts that have been entered into. The London market has ruptured to the point of disfunctionality because the free float of silver is too small to accommodate demand at present, he said. Read: The price of silver is on track for a historic breakout. Why it has taken 45 years to get here. Saxo Banks commodity strategist, Ole Hansen, also noted in a report published Friday that the London silver cash market has entered a period of pronounced stress owing to the shortage of available inventories. He said London silver spot prices are now commanding a hefty premium over silver futures trading on Comex in Chicago, owing to the physical shortage. Inventories of silver held in London have declined by a third since 2021. London's Available Silver Vault Stock. Inventories Are In Decline. - LBMA Bloomberg reported Monday that traders were booking cargo slots on airplanes to fly physical silver to London and exploit the disparity. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is one of the Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Right Now. The companys wide moat stems from cost advantage and intangible assets. On October 7, Bank of America Securities analyst Robert Cheng reiterated a Buy rating on the companys stock, setting a price objective of $330.00. The analysts rating is backed by a combination of factors demonstrating Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM)s strong future prospects. The analyst raised the EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 because of an improved pricing outlook. Bank of America Securities Reiterates Buy Rating on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) Stock The analyst sees a strong ramp-up of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM)s 2nm technology in 2026. Furthermore, an increased average selling price, due to the greater proportion of US production and advanced processes, together with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM)s strategic overseas expansion, helps the analysts rating. Elsewhere, on a consolidated basis, revenue for September 2025 came in at ~NT$330.98 billion, reflecting a fall of 1.4% from August 2025 and a rise of 31.4% from September 2024. Notably, the companys revenue for January through September 2025 amounted to NT$2,762.96 billion, up by 36.4% YoY. Brown Advisory, an investment management company, released its Q2 2025 investor letter. Here is what the fund said: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM): Manufactures, distributes and tests integrated circuits, silicon wafers, diodes and related semiconductor components. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing benefits from its leadership in leading node manufacturing which allows it to take market share and benefit from the strong demand environment for high-performance computing and AI infrastructure. While we acknowledge the potential of TSM 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: 13 Cheap AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 11 Unstoppable Growth Stocks to Invest in Now Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. South Koreas tax crackdown shows even crypto in cold wallets isnt beyond reach. | Credit: CCN.com Key Takeaways Binance could re-enter South Korea as the FIU resumes its review of the stalled GOPAX acquisition. The 2023 deal had been frozen due to Binances U.S. legal battles, now largely resolved. Regulatory clearance could pave the way for approval before year-end. Binances long-awaited return to South Korea is back on track. Nearly two years after announcing a majority stake in the local exchange GOPAX, South Koreas Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has resumed its review of the deal, according to local reports. The revival signals a potential breakthrough for Binance, which first announced its acquisition of 67.26% of GOPAX on Feb. 3, 2023, as part of its $1 billion Industry Recovery Initiative. The deal was quickly derailed by mounting U.S. legal troubles that put the exchange under global regulatory scrutiny. Why Binances Deal Stalled At the heart of the delay was South Koreas cautious approach to overseas entities acquiring domestic exchanges. While the countrys laws do not require a formal major shareholder screening, executives and operators must report to the FIU, which can reject applicants tied to financial crimes or sanctions violations. Binances case became complicated after U.S. authorities charged the exchange and its co-founder, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), with violating anti-money-laundering (AML) rules. Binance paid billions in fines, and CZ served nearly a year in prison. These outstanding legal risks made Korean regulators hesitant to move forward. Regulatory Climate Shifts The landscape has shifted this year. In May, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped its lawsuit against Binance, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Treasury closed their cases following penalty payments. With U.S. regulatory concerns lifted, South Koreas FIU has returned to reviewing the GOPAX acquisition. Authorities are said to be reviewing GOPAXs executive change filings favorably, with approval potentially arriving before the end of 2025. If cleared, the move would re-establish Binance in one of Asias most active crypto markets, where it has been absent since regulators forced it out in 2021. A senior financial industry official told local media, With all lawsuits related to Binance by the U.S. authorities now dropped, the risk of GOPAXs major shareholder has also disappeared. There is a high possibility that the executive change report will be accepted within this year. The post Binance Edges Closer to South Korea Return as FIU Resumes GOPAX Review appeared first on ccn.com. He may not wear a fedora or carry a bullwhip, but Jethro Sverdloff, director at ArtAncient gallery, might just be Londons own Indiana Jones. Together with his codirector Costas Paraskevaides, he buys ancient art and artifacts, investigates their provenance, and brings them back to life. Were looking for wonderful things all day long, but its not just about finding something beautiful, its about uncovering the story that the object holds, Sverdloff says during an interview at the minimal, new-build gallery in Fulham, southwest London. More from WWD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes that information gets lost, and so a big part of the job for us is the research, and trying to reconnect those lost stories and that information with the objects, he adds. The directors will be showcasing some of their recent discoveries, bought at auctions and estate sales from antique dealers or private collectors, at Frieze Masters, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, in tandem with the contemporary art fair Frieze. ArtAncient is taking over Gagosians former stand at the front of the fair, booth E1. Among the works on show will be a rare Egyptian quartzite relief from the early Ptolemaic period, around 332 BC; a vast limestone head from Archaic Cyprus, dating to the 6th to 5th century BC, and an intricately decorated figure of a baboon from Egypts Late Period, circa 664 to 332 BC. For its research, the gallery relies on a vast collection of auction catalogues and sales documents dating back decades, and also has scientists, academics and Egyptologists on call to help with examining objects and translating hieroglyphics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes they find clues by chance something as prosaic as a museum sticker on the bottom of a support stand and its up to the gallery to puzzle out the origins of the mysterious pieces, and restore them in style. One example is the Eygptian relief, which sparkles as if it was sprinkled with gold dust, but it wasnt always that way. It had been varnished at some point, or covered in a wax [that] darkened the surface of the stone. So we sent it to a conservator who removed it, and that really brought the piece to life. The stone now has a gorgeous warmth to it, Sverdloff says. As the gallery was cleaning the piece, it was also looking into its origins. It bought the piece at a Paris auction last year, and Sverdloff says the provenance only went as far back as 1971. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through private letters and catalogues, the directors were able to trace its ownership to the early 20th century, and its origins in the Ptolemaic period. The relief was most likely an adornment on the outside of a royal monument. The gallery also resurfaced the history of the head from Archaic Cyprus. Originally unearthed from the temple of Aphrodite at Golgoi, an ancient Cypriot site near modern Athienou, it eventually entered the founding collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The museum later sold it off, and it ended up in an English private collection. Its history was entirely forgotten. ArtAncient now considers it one of the few surviving masterworks from the foremost sanctuary of Archaic Cypriot art still in private hands. The gallery is just as fascinated with artifacts as it is with art. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ArtAncient is currently carbon-dating a Bronze Age ceremonial spear, which it discovered had a small, well-preserved wooden pole, and bits of compacted soil, still inside. Sverdloff suspects the results will trace the origins of the spear, which was most likely recovered from the Seine in Paris, to 1,100 to 900 BC. Although its not in the Frieze show, the gallery also has a Paleolithic stone tool with a smooth, ergonomic groove for the thumb. And it is perhaps the most moving piece of all. It is rough-edged and was likely used for butchering animals and scraping hides. Not pretty at all, but a real link to a past, and a great example of prehistoric tech. Unlike the Indiana Jones films, the stone tool and the other pieces dont have magical powers or hidden curses, but they certainly can cast a spell, and fire up the imagination. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. RIYADH Riyadh Fashion Week is returning this week with its most ambitious schedule to date, featuring more than 30 runway shows and presentations across six days, culminating in a closing show by Stella McCartney. The expanded program marks a significant milestone for the event, which has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the Middle East fashion calendar since its 2023 debut. The increased scale reflects the growing momentum of Saudi Arabias fashion sector and the Kingdoms expanding role as a global fashion hub. More from WWD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCartney will present her first show in Saudi Arabia on the final day, Oct. 21, showcasing a special edit of recent collections alongside archival pieces, bringing her conscious luxury vision to the Kingdom. Burak Cakmak, chief executive officer of the Saudi Fashion Commission, said McCartneys participation marks a milestone for Saudi Arabias creative evolution. Her commitment to sustainability and innovation reflects the values we are championing as we build a responsible and forward-looking fashion ecosystem, he added. The week will also feature presentations from Vivienne Westwood in collaboration with Art of Heritage by Princess Noura Al Faisal. The Saudi designer lineup demonstrates the breadth of talent emerging from the Kingdom. Couture houses Tima Abid and Atelier Hekayat will present alongside sustainable ready-to-wear label Abadia, contemporary designer Hindamme, and streetwear brand 1886, among others. The diverse roster, from haute couture and ready-to-wear to contemporary streetwear, underscores Riyadh Fashion Weeks mission to celebrate Saudi design in all its forms. The programming combines large-scale runway shows with intimate presentations, offering a platform that accommodates emerging voices alongside established names. For Saudi designers, the format diversity and curation standards have elevated the platforms credibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Razan Alazzouni, founder of her eponymous label, noted the events evolution in her second year participating. You can see how every year the fashion week is becoming bigger and the participants are more diverse, and the collections shown are very, very different, but at the same time, all of the same quality and standards, she said. Before participating in Riyadh Fashion Week, we go through a review process where they review the quality of the designs as well as the quality of the production. Fashion week does give that exposure that you wouldnt necessarily get otherwise when its one event with multiple designers showing, its always a more appealing thing for international press or gives leaders in the industry an opportunity to see multiple brands at the same time. Arwa Al Banawi, founder and creative director of Arwa, emphasized the significance of having a choice of presentations. This is pivotal in allowing us to communicate our story, to tell the story of the codes of the house in a format that feels deeply aligned with our values intimacy, narrative and craft, she said. Noting the her label rebranded earlier this year, she added: Weve been intentional about selecting the more salon-style setting, as we did back in 2016 in Paris in our showrooms. These presentation formats offer a quieter luxury. Fahad Aljomiah, cofounder and CEO of 1886, has seen exponential growth for his brand in the last year, recently opening a boutique at Riyadhs Solitaire mall alongside noted global luxury brands. He shared that the weeks diverse lineup fosters a nice creative exchange. Riyadh Fashion Week has become a real reflection of Saudi Arabias creative pulse, whether its couture or contemporary to streetwear, he said. It pushes us to constantly redefine what Saudi fashion can look like. For 1886, its about merging cultural roots with a forward global mindset. We are about translating heritage not through patterns or symbols, but through attitude, form and narrative. He also noted that having this platform enables more engagement with global buyers, editors, and industry leaders at home. That changes everything. It feels like were no longer emerging, were participating as equals, he said. Its also opening doors for collaboration, retail expansion and a stronger dialogue between Saudi creativity and the world. The event has attracted corporate support, with Cenomi Centers, a mall operator, and Saudia, the national carrier, joining as official partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Saudi Fashion Commission, which operates under the countrys Ministry of Culture, was founded in 2020. They have been working fast to not just develop the creative platform of fashion week, but also regulatory frameworks and investment opportunities to support the next generation of Saudi fashion talent to position Saudi Arabia not just as a fashion market, but as a creative capital. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Kate Middleton did her spin on occasion dressing in a green military coatdress by McQueen for her joint visit to Northern Ireland alongside husband Prince William on Tuesday. For the occasion, the Princess of Wales re-wore her bespoke McQueen coatdress, featuring long sleeves, exposed seams and pocket detailing. The bodice of the coatdress featured a high, rounded neckline, with rounded shoulders to further accentuate the lines of the garment. More from WWD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parallel seams mirrored one another on either side of the frock, with breast flap pockets and diagonal hip pockets featured as well. While the bodice of the coatdress was more fitted, the skirt flowed effortlessly, creating a pleated effect beneath the seam details. Middleton further embraced autumnal tones with her Gianvito Rossi bespoke boots in brown suede, designed with a pointed toe and slight heel. The British royal family member accessorized her look with gold earrings by English designer Daniella Draper donning a pair of mini hoops with shamrock charms in gold, further augmenting the fall shades of her ensemble. McQueen has long been one of Middletons favorite designers to whom she turns for public engagements and formal royal moments. Her relationship with the label extends back to 2011 and her wedding to Prince William. For the royal couples April 2011 nuptials, Middleton wore a lace gown designed by Sarah Burton, who served as the creative director for McQueen from 2010 until 2023. She departed the luxury British fashion house in 2024, beginning her appointment as the creative director for Givenchy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with Tuesdays outing, the Princess of Wales has worn McQueen for such occasions as the BAFTAs, the 2025 Irish Guards St. Patricks Day Parade, Christmas carol services at Westminster Abbey and more. On Tuesday, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Services new Learning and Development College, which trains all NIFRS employees and offers opportunities for the young people in Northern Ireland to train and become firefighters. View Gallery Launch Gallery: Kate Middleton's Style Through the Years: Burberry Suits, Alexander McQueen Dresses & More Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Kate Middleton and Prince William are having a busy day in Northern Ireland. The royal couple spent the afternoon visiting innovative organisations that showcase growth and investment in rural areas and demonstrate entrepreneurial and creative opportunities for young people, according to Kensington Palace. After stopping by the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Services new learning center, the Waleses headed to Mallon Farm, a flax farm in County Tyrone, then to Long Meadow Cider, a family-run farm in County Armagh. Samir Hussein - Getty Images Kate changed from her Alexander McQueen coat into something more sporty: a waxed Barbour jacket. She layered both coats on top of button-up sweater and a Ralph Lauren tweed skirt. She also swapped her Gianvito Rossi suede boots for Really Wilde riding boots, but kept her jewelry the same: Daniella Draper hoop earrings and her new five-ring stack. Chris Jackson - Getty Images This particular Barbour jacket of Kates, the Defence Wax Jacket, has been in her closet for some timeshes worn it since 2012, on numerous occasions. The Princess has at least four jackets from the brand, a favorite of the British royal family. Winter Defense Waxed Cotton Jacket $450.00 at backcountry.com Classic Beadnell Wax Jacket Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $398.00 at zappos.com Soon, Kate, William, and their three children are set to move into their new forever home, Forest Lodge, the Daily Mail reported today. The couple had initially planned to quit Adelaide Cottage on the royal Windsor estate and be in neighbouring Forest Lodge by Christmas. But builders have been working around the clock to bring their moving date forward, the Daily Mail can reveal. With the work now complete the couple are hopeful their move is imminent and they will be in by November 5. A source told the paper, The builders have been working flat out, week-in, week-out, so that the family could move in as soon as possible. Christmas was always the deadline but its great that its going to happen much earlier. You Might Also Like Talk about a party foul. Balenciaga designer Pierpaolo Piccioli has revealed that Meghan Markle invited herself to his Paris fashion week show earlier this month. Meghan and I met some years ago, and weve been texting ever since, Piccioli, 58, told The Cut on Saturday, Oct. 11. She reached out and said shed love to come to the show. Meghan Markle during Paris fashion week on Oct. 4. / SplashNews.com Markle and Pierpaolo Piccioli ahead of Balenciagas Paris fashion week show. @saintleon/TikTok There was no strategy or big orchestration, he added. I didnt tell anyone she was coming because I wanted it to stay a surprise. In fashion, real surprises are rare, and this one was beautiful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Duchess of Sussex, 44, surprised Paris fashion week attendees on Oct. 4 when she showed up at the Balenciaga show in a white, button-down tunic with a cape and matching slacks. Markles rep told People at the time that the Suits alum was in Paris to support Piccioli, who was debuting his first collection with the brand since becoming its creative director in July. Markles rep told People she was in Paris to support Piccioli, who was debuting his first collection with the brand. Best Image / BACKGRID Over the years, the Duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo, Markles spokesperson said. They have worked closely together, collaborating on design for key moments on the world stage. She has long admired his craftsmanship and modern elegance, and tonight was no different, they added. This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Prince Harrys wife quickly faced backlash for supporting Balenciaga, which came under fire three years ago for a campaign featuring children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage-style outfits. Markle leaving her hotel on her way to the Balenciaga show on Oct. 4. Diggzy / BACKGRID Markle faced backlash for supporting Balenciaga, which had been under fire for an ad featuring children dressed in bondage-style outfits. / SplashNews.com Markle and Prince Harry in New York City on Oct. 9. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The brand was forced to issue an apology at the time, stating that they strongly condemn child abuse and that it was never our intent to include it in our narrative. Markle and Prince Harry, 41, have two children: Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. The duchess of hypocrisy: a lady who claims to defend the interests of children, going to a fashion show that ran a disgusting campaign with children, one critic wrote on Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why on earth would she go to a Balenciaga show? questioned another. How could any mother support that brand? Piccioli has revealed that Markle invited herself to his Paris fashion week show earlier this month. Getty Images for Luigi & Iango Irony a cancelled woman turns up for a cancelled brand, fumed a third. What is a mother thinking attending a fashion show of a house which used child models posing with fetish-themed teddy bears? Markle, meanwhile, also came under fire during Paris fashion week for bursting out into a fit of laughter while sitting front row at the designer labels spring-summer 2026 show. Some speculated she was reacting to a model who had tripped on the runway. Markle also came under fire for bursting out into a fit of laughter while sitting front row. @saintleon/TikTok At one point, [Markle] sat on the front row, and a model tripped, Mail on Sundays Charlotte Griffiths told GB News. She burst out laughing. And then she obviously realized that was quite a cruel thing to do, so she sort of covered it up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She did seem a little bit out of place in Paris, if Im going to be honest, Griffiths added. She seemed a bit nervous. However, a rep for the Netflix star later told Daily Mail that Markle was not laughing at the model. A week after news broke about Cindy McCain's health emergency, her daughter, Meghan McCain, is finally shedding light on the challenge and her present condition. The U.N. World Food Program executive director suffered a mild stroke last week, forcing her to step back from her duties temporarily. Now, her daughter, Meghan, who recently made headlines for her outspoken remarks toward young activists like Violet Affleck and Greta Thunberg, has opened up about her mother's recovery. Meghan McCain Shared an Update on Her Mother's Health And Healing Process MEGA The former "Outnumbered" co-host opened up about her mother's health on her "Citizen McCain" podcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My mother, Cindy McCain, who you all may or may not know, she did, in fact, suffer from a mild stroke last week," the television personality candidly said in the October 14 episode. Meghan explained that she initially chose not to speak publicly about the situation, as her family was still processing the news and trying to understand the extent of what had happened. Cindy, living in Rome for her work with the U.N. World Food Program, has since returned to Arizona to be with her family. The TV host noted that while her mother is still in the hospital, she's expected to be discharged soon. Describing her mother's condition, Meghan shared, "She is cognitively completely fine. Talks just normal, like, that she always has and texting." However, the author admitted that the recovery process hasn't been without challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She has some physical things that have happened as a result of the stroke," the 40-year-old revealed, adding that the doctors have described the illness as mild. Meghan confessed that even with the medical practitioner's confirmation, it's still "scary nonetheless," before reassuring that the activist is "okay." Why Meghan McCain Is Not At Her Mom's Side During Her Recovery ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA While the wife of late senator John McCain heals, Meghan is sadly not by her side, although other family members are. The blogger explained that she hasn't been able to travel to Arizona because she's seven months pregnant and not permitted to travel far. "I am not allowed to fly that far yet," Meghan said. "I am actually going to my doctor tomorrow to see if I can get clearance to fly." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite being away, the author expressed gratitude for her large family, noting that her six siblings have all stepped up to help care for the sick matriarch. Before concluding her update, Meghan acknowledged that while Cindy's recovery hasn't been easy, she is deeply thankful that her mother remains "cognitively completely fine." Cindy McCain Took a Temporary Leave From her Position In The U.N. Due To The Illness Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA The update comes a few days after the U.N.World Food Program first announced Cindy was experiencing a sudden stroke, assuring that she is expected to make a full recovery. The organization stated that its executive director will be taking about four to six weeks off to recover. In her own statement, Cindy expressed gratitude to the medical team in Italy for their exceptional care, stating that her recovery is going well thanks to them. She added that she's looking forward to continuing her healing process back home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As reported by People Magazine, she further expressed her trust in the organization's interim leadership team, specifically mentioning Carl Skau, who is stepping in to handle her responsibilities while she's away, per People Magazine. Meghan McCain Slammed Violet Affleck's U.N. Speech, Calling Her Unqualified LAC BOS/TMX/MEGA Just weeks before her mother's health scare, Meghan criticized Violet Affleck, the 19-year-old daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, after the teen delivered a speech at a United Nations event. As The Blast reported, Meghan called Violet's remarks about the continued wearing of masks five years after the pandemic "absurd". She said her appearance at the event was a prime example of why people dislike "nepo babies." The former "The View" co-host argued that, while being a privileged child herself, her parents would never have allowed her to speak publicly about a complex health issue at that age without proper experience or expertise. Meghan McCain Also Blasted Greta Thunberg ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Affleck is not the only young activist who has been the target of harsh remarks from the political commentator in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Blast, Meghan also aimed at environmental activist Greta Thunberg after Greta shared her views on genocide, fascism, and colonization. Meghan took to her social media, telling Thunberg to stay out of politics. She mocked the activist's appearance, specifically her hairstyle, saying she couldn't take anyone seriously who had "uneven bangs" and a "sh-tty Lord Farquaad haircut." NEED TO KNOW Meghan McCain gave an update on her mom, Cindy, after her "mild stroke" last week Meghan said that Cindy is "cognitively completely fine" but has had some physical setbacks She also explained why she hasn't flown to Arizona to be by her mom's side amid her recovery Meghan McCain is offering up an update on her mom, Cindy, after the news broke last week that the wife of the late Senator John McCain had suffered a mild stroke. My mother, Cindy McCain, who you all may or may not know, she did, in fact, suffer from a mild stroke last week, Meghan, 40, shared on her Citizen McCain podcast on Tuesday, Oct. 14. I didn't talk about it on my social media because my brothers and my family and I were trying to, you know, figure out what was going on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cindy, 71, who was living in Rome, Italy, and working with the U.N. World Food Program, has returned to her home in Arizona to be close to family amid her recovery. She has now flown back to Arizona with my brother Jimmy and is recovering very well, is currently still in the hospital but will be leaving soon, Meghan shared. She is cognitively completely fine. Talks just normal, like, that she always has and texting, and I've talked to her many times and to my family. Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Meghan McCain, Jimmy McCain and Cindy McCain at the Trevor Project's 2013 TrevorLIVE. Meghan McCain, Jimmy McCain and Cindy McCain at the Trevor Project's 2013 TrevorLIVE. 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. Meghan went on to share that her mom has had some physical struggles amid her recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has some physical things that have happened as a result of the stroke, but she is all things considered it is mild, as the doctor said, and not intense, but still scary nonetheless, Meghan said. But she is okay. The pregnant mother of two also explained why she has not traveled to Arizona to be by her mothers side. I am glad that she is in Arizona with my family. And for those of you asking why I'm not in Arizona with my family, I am seven months pregnant, Meghan noted. I am not allowed to fly that far yet. I am actually going to my doctor tomorrow to see if I can get clearance to fly. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Meghan McCain, Cindy McCain and John McCain on the campaign trail in 2008. Meghan McCain, Cindy McCain and John McCain on the campaign trail in 2008. However, Meghan is grateful to have six brothers and sisters, saying its all hands on deck taking care of my mom right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meghan added, Im not going to tell you shes fine and everythings amazing, but like I said, thank God, cognitively completely fine. Does not like being in the hospital. PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Cindy McCain with her kids at the Republican National Convention in 2008. Cindy McCain with her kids at the Republican National Convention in 2008. The U.N. World Food Program first shared the news of Cindys stroke, noting that the organizations executive director is expected to make a full recovery. The organization added that Cindy is expected to be out of commission for four to six weeks amid her recovery. I want to thank the medical staff in Italy for the excellent treatment I received, Cindy shared in a statement. My recovery is progressing well thanks to their outstanding care. I look forward to continuing my recuperation at home in Arizona with my family. Read the original article on People BP has won its arbitration case against Venture Global over the latters failure to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) under a long-term contract that was set to commence in late 2022. The International Chamber of Commerces International Court of Arbitration issued a partial final award to bp related to LNG sales from the Calcasieu Project, Venture Global stated in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This award found that Venture Global breached its obligations by not declaring in a timely manner the commercial operations date of the Calcasieu Project. Furthermore, Venture Global is stated to have failed to act as a reasonable and prudent operator as outlined in the agreement. BP is seeking more than $1bn in damages, along with interest, costs and attorneys fees. A separate hearing to assess the damages to be paid to bp is expected to take place in 2026. Following this hearing, a final award will be issued. Venture Global, in its statement, said: The company is disappointed by the arbitration tribunals decision in the proceeding with BP. The company is currently evaluating all available options in response to the tribunals ruling and will continue to vigorously defend our position. BP expressed satisfaction with the results of this phase of the arbitration and is determined to know the amount it will receive due to Venture Global's breach of contract. The current bp ruling stands in contrast to a previous arbitration case in August this year, where Venture Global emerged victorious against Shell. Shell, along with other companies such as bp, Edison and Galp, initiated arbitration claims in 2023, alleging that Venture Global capitalised on higher spot market prices by selling LNG cargoes, rather than fulfilling long-term contract obligations from its Calcasieu Pass export facility in Louisiana, US. The reasons for the differing outcomes in these two cases remain unclear, according to the Reuters report. Venture Global argued that it was permitted to undertake spot sales due to delays in the start of official commercial operations because of a faulty power island. Last week, bp started production at the Murlach field in the UK North Sea, its sixth major upstream oil and gas project to start up this year. "BP wins arbitration case against Venture Global over LNG delivery failure " was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Kendall Jenner brought the ultimate party vibes to Dallas, Texas, as she hosted her first-ever 818 Tequila tailgate event, and fans cant stop raving about it. The model and entrepreneur joined fans for what was dubbed Kennys First Tailgate, held in partnership with Uber Eats on October 11, 2025. Kendall Jenner parties with fans at Drink 818 tailgate event in Dallas Take a look at the photos of Kendall below: Kendall kept her look effortlessly cool, wearing a white tank top paired with crisp white pants, black loafers, and a Marty Supreme sweatshirt as she sipped on her signature 818 Tequila and mingled with attendees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenner used the event to help promote Marty Supreme, the forthcoming film starring Timothee Chalamet, who is dating her sister Kylie. Fans were thrilled to see the star engaging so warmly, with social media lighting up with praise. One user wrote, Supreme queen, while another commented, Best. Weekend. Ever. Others couldnt stop hyping her up, with one saying, She is the best, and another adding, Shes amazing. The post Photos: Kendall Jenners First Tailgate Event in Dallas Has Fans Calling Her Supreme Queen appeared first on Reality Tea. Prince Harry is hurt by the criticism his wife, Meghan Markle, received during her trip to Paris earlier this month. Us Weekly understands Harry, 41, will always be focused on protecting his wife and the pairs children against erroneous or ill-intentioned stories he views as agenda-focused. On Monday, October 13, the Daily Mail reported Harry was left hurt and upset after Meghan was accused of intentionally riding through the City of Lights near the Pont dAlma tunnel where Princess Diana died in 1997 with her feet up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry was left hurt and upset. Dianas death was used as a stick to beat his wife with. [Meghan] did not even pass close to the tunnel, a source told the outlet. The whole thing is a joke, but not a very funny one for Harry. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Confirm They Were Involved in Near Catastrophic Car Chase in NYC The source added, "He was left feeling hurt, but the depressing thing is he wasnt even that surprised. He was more despondent than shocked." Meghan, 44, was in France for Paris Fashion Week, which she attended for the first time on October 4. A spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex told Us at the time that she attended to support Pierpaolo Piccioli, Creative Director of Balenciaga. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, the Duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo. They have worked closely together collaborating on design for key moments on the world stage, the said via a written statement. She has long admired his craftsmanship and modern elegance, and tonight was no different. Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images Her rep added, This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga. The show was Picciolis first in his newly assumed role. This is a new moment for fashion, and you can change the rules only from the inside. I think we can deliver a new image of fashion that is about assertiveness, humanity and intelligence, which is not granted very often, Piccioli, who succeeded Demna, told Vogue in May. Balenciaga already exists in a community. I want to embrace that community and the spirit of Balenciaga, to make my own chapter in the same story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the visit was Meghans first fashion week in Paris, she previously attended similar shows in Toronto and New York while working as an actress. Meghan lived in Canada while filming the hit series Suits, which she departed at the end of season 7 in 2018. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Slam Abhorrent Claim That New York City Car Chase Was a PR Stunt The Duchess has a long-standing interest in fashion and has also championed wearing smaller brands and labels. Times where I know there is a global spotlight, and attention will be given to each detail of what I may or may not be wearing, then I support designers that I have really great friendships with, Meghan told The New York Times in August 2024 before adding she feels its important to support brands that havent gotten the attention that they should be getting. She added, Thats one of the most powerful things that Im able to do, and thats simply wearing, like, an earring. SAG-AFTRA voiced their appreciation for California lawmakers on Monday, after new legislation was signed to protect a performers likeness. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland issued a statement to union members amid the update, where they shouted out Governor Gavin Newsom and State Senators Angelique Ashby and Dave Cortese for protecting actors against those who may replicate their image without their consent. This is a clear statement that California stands with performers against A.I. abuse, Astin wrote in his statement. Were grateful to Gov. Newsom; the bills sponsors, state Sens. Ashby and Cortese; and the Legislature for advancing practical, enforceable protections, with special thanks to our staff and legal experts here at SAG-AFTRA for their tireless efforts to help draft, promote and lobby so effectively as we work with the government to safeguard our society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crabtree-Ireland expressed a similar sentiment, explaining to union members that the legislation, known as SB 683, will help remove unlawful content quickly, protecting the individuals whose voice or likeness is being misappropriated and the consumers who may be targeted by fraud. The unions National Executive Director went on: SAGAFTRA will continue to work with members, platforms, A.I. models and producers to ensure voice and likeness are protected in an A.I. world. Per the union, this law gives people a meaningful remedy when their identity is misused, especially in commercial purposes. In the legislation, which Newsom signed on Friday, the courts can order for the unauthorized replicas to be taken down during a case. As SAG-AFTRA noted in their memo, this means victims wont be left exposed to ongoing harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hollywood has had an uneasy relationship with A.I. in recent years, with several celebrities including Tom Hanks, Keanu Reeves and Jamie Lee Curtis calling out ads for using their likeness (whether it be appearance or voice) without their permission. On Thursday, SAG-AFTRA put OpenAIs Sora 2 on blast, condemning the apps opt-out model. The memo read: If A.I. companies can shift the burden to rightsholders to opt out, what does copyright really mean? Opt-out isnt consent let alone informed consent. Thats why SAG-AFTRA fights for opt-in approaches. No ones creative work, image, likeness or voice should be used without affirmative, informed consent. Anything less is an unjustifiable violation of our rights. Prior to this statement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman vowed to give more granular control to rightsholders though, said the company may make some missteps as changes unfold. The post SAG-AFTRA Praises Governor Newsom for Taking Action Against AI Abuse With New Law: California Stands With Performers appeared first on TheWrap. NEED TO KNOW Ruby Franke's eldest son, Chad Franke, has married Kamryn Anderson Photos of the Utah nuptials show the bride and groom celebrating with family and capture an emotional moment for the groom as he held his bride's hand at the altar Chad announced his engagement to Kamryn on June 15, sharing a clip of the proposal Chad Franke is sharing a glimpse into his "amazing" Utah wedding. The eldest son of Ruby Franke married Kamryn Anderson and revealed the news on Instagram on Sunday, Oct. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside a photo of the bride and groom holding hands at their ceremony, Chad, 20, wrote: "Shes Mrs. Franke now pray for her. will post all of our amazing wedding details this week!" Isaac & Reigna Jaramillo Kamryn Anderson and Chad Franke Kamryn Anderson and Chad Franke In photos of the nuptials shared exclusively with PEOPLE, Chad and Kamryn can be seen celebrating with family, including his father, Kevin Franke, who recently announced his own engagement and forthcoming wedding. One sweet shot shows a young ringbearer handing a ring box to Chad by the altar. Another photo captures Chad overcome with emotion during the ceremony. He can be seen wiping tears from his eyes as he held his bride's hand while nine groomsmen looked on. Isaac & Reigna Jaramillo Kamryn Anderson and Chad Franke, with a young ringbearer Kamryn Anderson and Chad Franke, with a young ringbearer Yet another photo shows Chad and Kamryn beaming as they held their hands up in the air after being officially declared husband and wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chad debuted his relationship with Kamryn on Instagram in January 2024. He wrote in the caption, "She hates photos," as he shared snapshots of his then-girlfriend playfully covering her face with her hands. Isaac & Reigna Jaramillo Kamryn Anderson and Chad Franke Kamryn Anderson and Chad Franke Chad announced their engagement on Instagram on June 15, sharing a clip and several photos of his lakeside proposal to Kamryn. "Best day Ive ever had," he wrote. His sister Shari Franke commented on the post, "NEW SISSY." Shari, 22, will soon be celebrating her own wedding after getting engaged last year. She announced the news on Instagram in December, sharing a photo of her hand adorned with a pear-shaped diamond engagement ring. Isaac & Reigna Jaramillo Kamryn Anderson and Chad Franke Kamryn Anderson and Chad Franke "Im excited to share that Im engaged!" she wrote, before revealing her intention to no longer share details about her private life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shari continued: "However, for me, this is the end of me sharing my private life. Ive had my voice and agency taken for so long, and now, Im putting my foot down. Im not going to talk about my wedding, future husband, or future kids." Isaac & Reigna Jaramillo Chad Franke and Kamryn Anderson Chad Franke and Kamryn Anderson Chad and Shari's father, Kevin, 47, announced his engagement and November wedding to fiancee Becca Bevan on Sept. 29. "A lot has transpired since Ive been on Facebook several months ago. I am thrilled to announce my engagement to a wonderful and amazing woman, Becca Bevan," he wrote on Facebook at the time. Isaac & Reigna Jaramillo From left: Kevin Franke, Kamryn Anderson, Chad Franke and Becca Bevan From left: Kevin Franke, Kamryn Anderson, Chad Franke and Becca Bevan "We are planning a simple wedding November 14 here in Springville, [Utah], with family," he continued. "I just wanted to share my happy news with all of you, my friends." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alluding to his family's difficult chapter, he added: "Redemption is a real thing. There were moments during the past three years when I didnt think I would ever feel happiness or the warm embrace of a loving partner again. Heres to new beginnings and fresh starts!" Isaac & Reigna Jaramillo Chad Franke and Kamryn Anderson Chad Franke and Kamryn Anderson Kevin was married to Ruby, 43, for 22 years before the pair separated in September 2022. They share six kids. Kevin filed for divorce in November 2023, three months after Ruby's arrest, and was awarded full custody of their four minor children. Isaac & Reigna Jaramillo Flowers and rings at Chad Franke and Kamryn Anderson's wedding Flowers and rings at Chad Franke and Kamryn Anderson's wedding 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. Ruby a former vlogger who once had a popular YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, which documented her familys daily life is currently in prison in Utah after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. In February 2024, she was sentenced to between four and 60 years in prison. Read the original article on People NEED TO KNOW Lola Tung reunited with Jordan Fisher for a New York workshop of an new original musical mystery, titled The Turning Tung and Fisher previously shared the stage in Hadestown on Broadway, in 2024 The Turning is described as an exhilarating, original mystery set against a lush folk score Lola Tung is heading to the big screen but first, she's stepping back on stage. Over the weekend, The Summer I Turned Pretty star led the New York workshop of The Turning, a new original musical mystery from writer-composer Zack Zadek, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tung appeared opposite Jordan Fisher, with whom she shared the stage in Hadestown on Broadway back in 2024. Presented by Center Theatre Group in association with Benton Whitley and Mark Lunsford, the invitation-only workshop presentation took place Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11, in New York City. PEOPLE has exclusive photos from the two-day event. Snapped by photographer Sam Pickart, the images captured Tung, 22, and Fisher, 31, as they performed with their costars. 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. Sam Pickart Photography Lola Tung and Jordan Fisher in The Turning workshop Lola Tung and Jordan Fisher in The Turning workshop For the workshop, Tung and Fisher were joined in the principal cast by Khaila Wilcoxon (Redwood, Six, Hadestown) and Jane Bruce (Jagged Little Pill, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Completing the company was Yazmin DeJesus, Hillary Fisher (The Notebook), Warren Egypt Franklin (Hamilton national tour), Will Hastreiter, Erica Ito (Wicked national tour), Phoenix LaFreniere, Mark Mauriello (Endlings, The Lilys Revenge), Luli Mitchell (A Christmas Story national tour), Tyley Ross (Finding Neverland, Miss Saigon), Monet Sabel (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical national tour), Carson Stewart (The Notebook), Tory Trowbridge (The Cher Show, An American in Paris), Keith White (A Bronx Tale: The Musical, Degrassi High) and Bryce Williams. Sam Pickart Photography The cast of The Turning workshop The cast of The Turning workshop Directed and developed by Drama Desk Award winner Sammi Cannold with choreography by Chanel DaSilva and music direction by Geoffrey Ko, The Turning is described as an exhilarating, original mystery set against a lush folk score. The story follows best friends Gracie and Nora as they escape Los Angeles for a secluded wellness retreat in Californias towering sequoia groves only to find themselves tested by seductive rituals and a dangerous paradox: How far are we willing to go to heal? Explained Zadek in a statement, "The Turning is a fully original folk musical designed to be a thrill ride from beginning to end. Playing in this kind of genre sandbox both musically and narratively is my favorite thing to do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was beyond exciting to collaborate with this group of theatre artists at the top of their craft to let this very first audience in on the mystery, and I cant wait for more people to meet these characters soon," he added. Sam Pickart Photography Warren Egypt Franklin, Lola Tung, Phoenix LaFreniere and Bryce Williams in The Turning workshop Warren Egypt Franklin, Lola Tung, Phoenix LaFreniere and Bryce Williams in The Turning workshop Cannold said she has been anticipating this creative moment for years. "Since the day Zack wrote the first song from The Turning, I ever so eagerly awaited the moment when a choreographer and I would get to bring the world to life on its feet," she said. "To get to explore the show's staging and choreography with the phenomenal Chanel DaSilva over the past few weeks was a gift. This incredible cast delivered, and now we have our path forward to production." Sam Pickart Photography Jane Bruce and Khaila Wilcoxon in The Turning workshop Jane Bruce and Khaila Wilcoxon in The Turning workshop Tung made her Broadway debut last year in Hadestown, after breaking out on screen as Isabel Belly Conklin in Amazon Prime Videos hit YA drama series The Summer I Turned Pretty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on Jenny Hans bestselling novels, the show recently wrapped its third and final season (though a film is on the way). Fisher, meanwhile, is a Broadway vet with credits including Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and the aforementioned Hadestown. On screen, hes appeared in Teen Beach Movie, Work It, Grease Live! and Rent: Live, and is a former champion of Dancing with the Stars. Sam Pickart Photography Jane Bruce and the cast of The Turning workshop Jane Bruce and the cast of The Turning workshop The Turning previously received developmental support from Discovering Broadway, Turnkey Theatrical, Manhattan School of Music, The Johnny Mercer Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. We are excited to be partnering with Zack, Sammi and the entire team on The Turning, which has everything I love about musicals a wild, adventurous ride of a story, an incredible score and a great book, all set in beautiful California," said Center Theatre Groups Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director Snehal Desai. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on to say that they are "currently developing numerous new musicals and plays at CTG, all either set in Los Angeles or written by Angelenos." "I remain captivated by the music and the amazing company and team that was assembled for what turned out to be a truly stunning workshop and presentation," Desai concluded. Read the original article on People Renovation Aloha stars Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama are focused on keeping local families in Oahu, Hawaii, in the communities where they grew up. In an era of rampant gentrification, tourism and economic uncertainty for just about anyone who isn't a millionaire, they know that their mission is more important than ever. If we can work directly with local families, we love to do that through word-of-mouth, relationships and social media," Tristyn explained to HGTV. "We try to sell off-market so we can cut out real estate commissions and bring costs down. It helps local families walk into equity, but we still make the margins we need to run our business." Kamohai added, When you own the real estate, you can control the real estate. [We want] to keep local families here in Hawaii. If we can control who the home goes to, then we try to do that. Theres so much more to Renovation Aloha than buying a house and selling it. Its about the culture and the people were interacting with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between that beautiful mantra, the beautiful host couple and the beautiful landscapes of Hawaii, it's not that surprising that Renovation Aloha quickly became an HGTV fan fave. Here's everything to know about Renovation Aloha Season 3, as well as answers to your most burning questions about the Kalamas. SIGN UP for the Parade Home & Garden newsletter for a weekly dose of our favorite house hacks, decor trends and shopping deals Kamohai Kalama and Tristyn Kalama on "Renovation Aloha"HGTV How Did Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama Become Famous? The Kalamas were struggling financially before they got into real estate, despite them both working hard: Tristyn ran a mental health nonprofit and Kamohai was a substance abuse counselor and owned a local clothing store. Then they saw an ad for a real estate seminar, and that changed everything. Weve always been entrepreneurs; we just hadn't found our thing yet, Kamohai told HGTV. I was hesitant in the seminar. They were telling me, somehow, I can buy million dollar houses, but then something clicked, and I said, Lets give it a shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon, Tristyn began designing homes that they'd then flip, using help from family members who work as contractors (and having Tristyn's dad bless each home when they were done!). They began documenting their flips on their YouTube channel, which caught the attention of HGTV producers but when they called, Tristyn actually ignored them at first! Kamohai Kalama and Tristyn Kalama on "Renovation Aloha"HGTV I thought it was a scam, dude, Tristyn admitted to TV Insider. I was like, 'I dont know. Is this real?' I didnt respond to the message for a while. It was never part of the plan. But God allows the opportunity to be presented." " "It was our responsibility to walk through that door," she continued. "And so we did and you can say we felt every type of emotion you can imagine. It was exciting, stressful, hilarious, hard. Related: Eilyn and Ray Jimenez Reveal Exactly How to Mix and Match In Your Interior Design Has Renovation Aloha Been Canceled? Thankfully, no! Renovation Aloha is coming back and was renewed for a third season. HGTV announced the good news in August 2025. Is Renovation Aloha Coming Back in 2025? Renovation Aloha will be back, but not in 2025. (Don't cry too much, because the year is almost over!) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HGTV revealed in a social media post in August 2025, "#RenovationAloha is getting a Season 3! Expect to see more home transformations in paradise in 2026!!" Related: 'Divided by Design': What to Know About the New HGTV Hit When Is the Renovation Aloha Season 3 Release Date? You can expect it sometime in 2026, though a specific premiere date has yet to be announced. Check this space for updates! Where Is Renovation Aloha Streaming? You can stream Seasons 1 and 2 on HBO Max and Discovery+. You'll be able to stream Renovation Aloha Season 3 next-day on the same platforms. Is the Wife on Renovation Aloha Hawaiian? Yep! Tristyn and Kamohai are both native Hawaiian. Who Is Tristyn Kalama's Husband? Tristyn is married to Kamohai Kalama, her partner in real estate and in life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to flipping homes with Tristyn, Kamohai is also a photographer, and they often use his shots in listings. We actually use a lot of my photography in our houses when we stage them, which is pretty cool because I showcase a very unique perspective on Hawaii and the special places we have here, he told Midweek. I like to bring that into the finished product of our houses. Check out one of his amazing landscape photos: Related: Everything to Know About 'Help! I Wrecked My House' Season 5 Where Does the Couple from Renovation Aloha Live? The Kalamas live in O'ahu, Hawaii. What Part of Hawaii Is Renovation Aloha Filmed In? The series is filmed in O'ahu, Hawaii. It holds a special place in the Kalamas's hearts, as they were both born and raised there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tristyn and Kamohai choose the properties they do on the show in part because of how it impacts their own bottom lines, but mostly for how it impacts their community. The main thing that opened up a whole new world for us was getting financially educated and understanding loan products and how you find distressed properties. The properties that were buying dont qualify for traditional financing," she explained to Midweek. "Were buying the worst of the worst that are unsafe and unlivable, but were able to take that vacant distressed property, breathe new life back into it and put local families back into them, or refinance and keep them and provide affordable housing for another local family while creating wealth for our own family at the same time. Related: Everything to Know About 'My Lottery Dream Home' What Is Tristyn Kalama's Nationality and Ethnicity? Both Tristyn and Kamohai are Americans and native Hawaiians. Is the Couple on Renovation Aloha Married? Indeed! Tristyn and Kamohai tied the knot in March 2016. How Did Tristyn Kalama Meet Her Husband? Tristyn revealed that her mom played a key role in meeting Kamohai: He was receiving treatment at the mental health center that her mother helmed. Tristyn's mom gave her seal of approval, so they gave it a go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always say our first date wasnt actually a date, Tristyn toldTV Insider. It was an interview. I think we were both at a point in our lives where we knew exactly what we wanted and what we wanted in a partner. So the expectations and our relationship clicked from the beginning. Did Tristyn Kalama Go to College? Tristyn has bachelor's and master's degrees in counseling psychology from Chaminade University. She worked in mental health counseling before transitioning fulltime into real estate with Kamohai. My first passion was the nonprofit sector and really counseling and helping people, Tristyn previously told MidWeek. Both my parents were counselors. It was all I knew growing up. (Kamohai went to college, too: He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from University of Hawaii at Manoa!) Related: Everything We Know About Alison Victoria's New Show How Tall Is Tristyn Kalama? Not very, and we love a short queen! Tristyn is a fun-sized 4'11", while Kamohai stands tall at 6'2". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You should have seen us on our first and second dates, she said on the Begin With Shaolin podcast in March 2024. I remember, we were walking to the movies, and we were crossing the street, and I'm just talking normal [volume], right? And he's bending down to try and hear what I'm saying because I'm not used to talking up. It was pretty funny." Did Tristyn Kalama Have a Baby? In fact, she's had two babies, and they're not even babies anymore! Their daughter Yasiel was born in 2018, and they welcomed son Vale in 2020. Related: Who Is Jillian Harris? All About the HGTV Designer and 'Bachelorette' Star This story was originally reported by Parade Home & Garden on Oct 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the Celebrity Homes section. Add Parade Home & Garden as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Cineflix Rights has unveiled multiple international deals for Vanished History, Commando Missions and Cape Carnage: Killer Catch. Vanished History, produced by Shark Teeth Films for Bell Media in Canada, takes an investigative approach to unlock some of the most enigmatic mysteries of all time. The series has sold to Foxtel in Australia, RTL in Germany, Mediaset in Italy, Discovery in Iberia, and Hearst Networks for Benelux and Africa. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SBS (Australia), Societe Radio-Canada (SRC, French Canada), Foxtel (Australia), and Creo (South Korea) have all acquired Commando Missions (produced by Galaxie Presse for Canal+ in France) which recounts daring top-secret operations behind enemy lines, as part of the Allies bold strategy to attack Hitlers Reich. The latest deals follow sales to Hearst Networks (U.K., Benelux, CEE, Middle East and Africa), and Czech TV. Cape Carnage: Killer Catch, produced by McAvoy Media for Seven Network in Australia, UKTV and TVNZ, follows the Davey family, who make a living from one of the most dangerous and remote jobs on earth: hand-line fishing in the treacherous waters of northern Australia. It has been acquired by National Geographic Channel in the U.S., and Viasat World for Scandinavia and Central and Eastern Europe. Sandra Piha, senior VP sales, pan-regional, U.K., Ireland and Scandinavia Cineflix Rights, said: World War II documentaries which shed new light on military strategies and operations remain consistently popular with audiences, and were also seeing a lot of demand from buyers for history mystery content. Were delighted to have closed deals for two of our newest titles from this genre, along with the latest series from our long-term partners McAvoy Media, which is adept at delivering long-running successful franchises for networks worldwide. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The big one is on the left, my Inuit guide, Amos Irkok, said with a twinge of excitement in his soft voice. I crawled up the back side of a bald, pebble-covered hilltop toward a coffee-table-sized boulder at the peak. When I reached the rock, I peeked around the left side and spotted a giant, barren ground caribou bull bedded 104 yards out, facing directly away. Wed spotted this bull and his buddy from about 3 miles away. Then we crossed a lake, climbed a steep hill and waded through a sea of fire-red dwarf birch to get to this point. From our distant vantage, we initially werent sure if either caribou was a shooter. But now, lying here on this no-name hill above Edehon Lake in the Nunavut wilderness, staring through my 12-power binoculars at a 350-pound animal with a rocking chair on its head, I was certain this was the bull of my dreams. And he had no clue I existed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With my chest pressed against rock, my hearts thumping was amplified. I needed to calm down. I brought my rifle into position and peered through the scope. Figuring Id wait until the bull stood up, I reflected on how I got here. The caribou camp skinning shed lit up before sunrise. Photo by P.J. Reilly Caribou Booms and Busts Twenty-six years before this moment in September 2025, I first chased caribou on the central Canadian tundra. That was an adventure to the Nunavik region of northern Quebec to pursue the legendary Quebec-Labrador subspecies during the heyday of caribou hunting when everyone, it seemed, went on a caribou hunt. Every hunting show on TNN Outdoors aired Quebec-Labrador caribou hunts. Every hunting magazine annually published articles about the ample opportunities to chase the Leaf River and George River herds. Dozens of outfitters hawked hunts in this region, promising two bulls and 100 percent success rates during five-day excursions all for under $2,000. Thats when the barb of barren ground caribou hunting dug into my soul. To a Pennsylvania deer hunter, the far North is Mars. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the animals none of it is even remotely similar to my normal hunting. And I love that. I crave it. I dream about it. But while the land hasnt changed, everything else about chasing barren ground caribou has during the past 26 years. Its nothing like it used to be, and while I waited for a shot on that big bull, I couldnt help but think, Im 57 now, and this might be the last time Ill ever get to do this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Id known what I know now, I would have hunted Quebec-Labrador caribou every year after my first excursion in 1999. The hunts were cheap and the caribou were plentiful. As long as I live, I will never forget the sight of walking out of my orange-painted, plywood Arctic Adventures cabin next to a Nunavik lake, the name of which I can no longer recall, and seeing caribou everywhere. Lines of bulls, cows, and calves moved like ants across the barren, expansive landscape. Groups occasionally plunged into the water to cross between points. Hunting wasnt so much about trying to find caribou as it was picking out which bull you wanted and figuring out how to get within bow or gun range. I had two good bulls down by the morning of my second day, and I only made it that far because it seemed wrong to fill both my tags on the first day. The writer with one of the two Quebec-Labrador caribou he shot on his first caribou hunt in 1999. Photo by P.J. Reilly After seeing such bounty on that hunt, who would ever have thought the herds would fall so far, so fast? But the decline of the once-mighty George and Leaf River herds was precipitous. Various Canadian authorities have said the herds began spiraling in 2001, shrinking by up to 98 percent. The George River Herd, which once had a booming population of about 800,000 is now estimated at about 7,200, according to Northern Caribou Canada, which tracks caribou populations there. The Leaf River Herd hasnt declined quite so far, but it still dropped from a peak of around 600,000 in the early 2000s to about 187,000 in 2018. In 2018, provincial leaders in Quebec indefinitely ended all sport hunting of migratory caribou in the province, including the Quebec-Labrador subspecies. Steve West, owner of Steves Outdoor Adventures, notes on his website that caribou hunting in Quebec and the Nunavik Territory is now closed for the foreseeable future likely for more than 50+ years while caribou populations recover. If hes right, that opportunity wont exist again in my lifetime. Hunting in Iceland As the sky was falling on Quebec-Labrador caribou in the early 2000s, I sought other opportunities to chase these animals or something like them in other parts of the world. That led me to a reindeer hunt in Iceland in 2006. A handful of outfitters there were looking to attract more Americans to come hunt their caribou-like reindeer, promising treks across the vast Icelandic tundra, solid numbers of animals and excellent odds for success all for around $5,000. That hunt was different, yet very similar to my Quebec-Labrador adventure, and I took a nice bull. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Icelands reindeer hunting has also been restricted. Citing a substantial reduction in the nations reindeer population, Icelands minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate cut the number of reindeer tags that would be made available for 2025 from 904 to 665 265 for cows and 400 for bulls. Thats less than half the number issued just six years earlier in 2019, when 1,451 were sold. Also, the minister jacked up the price of a bull tag by 20 percent to just over $1,900 in U.S. currency. (I dont remember what my tag cost in 2006, but Im certain it wasnt anywhere close to the current price.) Boone and Crockett recognizes five subspecies of caribou in its records program: woodland, mountain, barren ground, central Canadian barren ground, and Quebec-Labrador. The latter three are the ones that are (were) hunted on the open tundra where I love lacing my boots. Its where reindeer-moss-covered ground makes it feel like walking across a never-ending line of mattresses, or where you can bend down and scoop up blueberries by the handful if the urge strikes. Its where stalking cover might be a single, 4-foot-tall black spruce, a boulder, or a simple depression in the topography. The caribou that live in such places are the caribou in greatest crises, and for which hunting opportunities are quickly dwindling. Photo by P.J. Reilly Three years before Quebec closed hunting for its caribou, Northwest Territories in 2015 shut down hunting of its barren ground caribou. And caribou hunting opportunities in western Nunavut are on a downward trend as tag allocations shrink. Guess what happens when opportunities decline, but demand doesnt? Prices skyrocket. In 2016, I signed up for a 2018 hunt in western Nunavut for central Canadian barren ground caribou. Initially, that hunt was $8,500, with the promise of two bulls. By the time I went, the hunt was still $8,500, but due to tag reductions, I was only allowed a license for one bull. Within two years, the outfitter I had hunted with lost all his tags. He recently got a few back, and today seven years later that hunt now lists for $22,000 for one bull. Thats too rich for my blood, and for most other hunters, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So whats happening to barren ground caribou herds across the Arctic? Northern Caribou Canada lists five threats on its website: climate change, human disturbance, natural factors, contaminants, and hunting. While theres plenty of ongoing research, the declines are still a bit of a mystery. The cause is likely some combination of all these factors. The Last Caribou Hunt Caribou tracks through a dried pond. Photo by P.J. Reilly If you want to hunt barren ground caribou in North America without having to mortgage the house, there basically are two options: Alaska and southern Nunavut. Alaska seems to be the better option cost-wise, but theres an increased level of logistics involved just in getting to the hunting grounds, where much of the hunting there is done on foot. This, of course, limits the amount of area you can cover to whatever you can walk to over the course of a day. Southern Nunavut is littered with interconnected lakes and rivers. Caribou camps there are most commonly based on large bodies of water, and then boats are used to ferry hunters in search of caribou. It would take more than a day to walk the distance I can cover in two hours traveling by aluminum boat powered with a 40hp outboard. If feels like the door is closing on my caribou-hunting career. So, after researching the opportunities that do still exist and which I can afford I signed up in 2023 to hunt southern Nunavut in 2025 with Henik Lake Adventures and the Lodge at Little Duck. For $18,000, Id get all air charters needed for a week of hunting, meals, and guides, plus two caribou bull tags, a fishing license, and all taxes and insurances included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make no mistake: thats not an easy price tag for me to swallow. But I knew I had two years to pay for it and it was a two-bull hunt. Seven years earlier I had paid $8,500 for a one-bull adventure, so this was on par with that. (At least, thats how I rationalized it to my wife.) And so, in fall 2023, preparations began for what could be the last caribou hunt of my life. On my 2018 hunt, I carried only a compound bow, and Ive regretted it ever since. While I unsuccessfully searched for a stalkable bull the first two days of the hunt, I had several no-doubt-about-it shooters stand and look at me from 150 to 200 yards. And on the third day, a blizzard arrived and my late-summer hunt quickly turned into a winter hunt that I wasnt prepared for. Also, with over a foot of snow on the ground and ice lining the edges of the lake we were on, the caribou herded up and moved several miles away from the water. So instead of glassing multiple bands of 5 to 12 caribou from the boat, we had to hike far from shore in search of one or two groups of 50 to 70 caribou. On the last day, I borrowed the guides rifle (I have a Canadian Firearms Possession and Acquisition License, so thats legal for me) and, at 3 p.m., I shot the only bull we saw in two days of hunting. It was an average bull that I was thankful to tag. But I still see in my mind all the monster bulls I easily could have shot with a rifle at the outset of the hunt while carrying only my bow. The writer with the central Candian barren ground caribou he took in western Nunavut in 2018. Photo by P.J. Reilly I planned to carry both the bow and a rifle on my 2025 hunt to avoid a repeat of 2018. Concerned about the weight, however, I prepared to run and gun as light as possible. So I built a PSE Mach 33 DS (the 2025 Outdoor Life editors choice winner) with a sight and stabilizer that resulted in a rig weighing just 5.5 pounds. My rifle was a Howa M1500 Superlite in 7mm-08, with a Leupold VX-3HD and a total weight right at 5 pounds. A 5.5-pound bow in my hand and a 5-pound rifle strapped to my backpack? I figured I could carry that load all day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two years flew by, and before I knew it, I was buckled into a bench inside a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter on Sept. 9, winging from the Lodge at Little Ducks main headquarters in northern Manitoba to an outpost caribou camp on Edehon Lake in southern Nunavut. There, eight of us would hunt the Qamanirjuaq caribou herd, which has steadily been declining over the years. In 1994, the herd numbered around 496,000, according to the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board. In 2008, that number was down to 344,000, and in 2022 the last year a survey was done it was around 253,000. Read Next: The Ambler Road Project Would Jeopardize One of the Last Great Wilderness Hunts in America At Home in the Arctic Boating across Edehon Lake. Photo by P.J. Reilly Our camp was a typical Arctic wilderness camp. We stayed in heated Quonset-style tents on plywood bases that slept four. A similar (but roomier) kitchen, three outhouses, a skinning shed with freezers and the creme de la creme a shower house with a hot water heater completed camp. Ive been to northern Canada many times over the years to fish and to hunt caribou, musk ox, and bears, and having a true heated shower in such a place is a luxury on par with the finest amenities offered by the worlds most expensive hotels. Im not talking about using a solar bag hanging from a hook that trickles down lukewarm water for about 3 minutes if youre lucky. Been there, done that. Im talking about a real shower, with real water pressure and really hot water for as long as you need it. Ive got limited space to write about this adventure, yet here I am, using up precious lines to talk about a wilderness camp shower. It was that good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first day of the hunt dawned under heavy clouds, with a cool breeze that was downright frigid as we zipped down the center of Edehon Lake, heading to one of Irkoks favorite hunting spots. Irkok has only guided hunters on Edehon Lake for a few years, but he knows the area like home. And it is home to his family. At least one of his uncles was born on a sandy beach that Irkok pointed out when we motored past. His grandparents used to follow caribou migrations along the lake, setting up a caribou-hide tent in ideal locations while they hunted and fished. The typical barren ground caribou hunt puts two hunters with one guide. So sitting alongside me in Irkoks boat was Bill Ansley, whom Id only met the day before in Thompson, Manitoba. Turns out hes a fellow Pennsylvanian, who owns an RV store just two hours from my hometown. The world is indeed small. After a solid 90-minute boat ride, Irkok cut the engine and the boat skidded to a halt on a bed of shallow boulders at the waters edge. We put our packs on our backs, climbed a small hill just off the lake and started glassing. Immediately we spotted caribou. Cows and calves grazed in an open area between pockets of black spruce. I was watching the caribou through binoculars when Irkok suddenly called out, Bulls! I shifted my binoculars in the direction he pointed and there, indeed, were three bulls feeding in a much closer clearing. And two of them looked pretty nice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So we jogged down one side of the hill to put a copse of spruce between us and the bulls, and then double-timed it straight at them. We covered the 500 yards in no time and, after determining I was up first, I shucked my pack and waded into the trees on tiptoes. Through the branches, I could see the bulls were just on the other side. Here on the sub-Arctic tundra distance is warped. I thought I was right on top of the bulls, but when I ranged them, the digital readout said 92. Thats a poke with a bow. However, Id been practicing for a shot like this for two years. My bow was dialed, and I knew I could make that shot as long as I didnt rush and made sure everything was settled and in line when I released the string. The biggest bull had long top points, bezes that stretched to near the end of his nose, and at least one paddle-like shovel. It took a couple minutes for him to feed into a spot where I had a clear shot, and I ranged him again as he walked. Still 92. As I set down my rangefinder and picked up my bow, my brain registered the sight of the bull taking a few steps at a different angle from the line hed been on, but it didnt immediately click that hed just moved slightly away from me. I dialed my sight indicator to 92 and drew the string. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was admittedly shaky on the draw. It was, after all, the biggest bull Id had the chance to take. Recognizing the nerves, I told myself to calm down once I got to full draw. There was no reason to rush. The bulls had no idea I was there. I just needed to go through my shot process. Feel the anchor. Settle the pin behind the front shoulder. Make sure it stays put. Align my shoulders. Relax my grip. Apply a little pressure to the trigger, and then pull through when everything feels good. At the shot, I watched the bright pink fletchings sail toward the bull. The arc looked good. The left-to-right was perfect. I clearly saw the fletchings disappear just under the belly and right behind the front leg. It was so close, it had to shave some of the bulls hair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the arrow slid under his belly, the bull bolted. He didnt go far, but he stopped well over 100 yards out and stared back at me. I picked up my rangefinder and hit the rock hed been standing next to, it read 96. Thats when the image of the bull angling away before I drew finally clicked in my brain. I was 4 yards short. Less than two hours later, while skirting the edge of a small pond, Irkok spotted another group of caribou about 300 yards out walking toward us. We ducked into some trees on the edge of the pond and slowly moved forward. We couldnt always see the caribou, so Irkok periodically snuck to the right to find them in his binoculars. After taking one such peek, he motioned to Ansley to get ready. We watched the biggest bull in the group of seven feeding in a thin line of trees extending out into the tundra, away from the pond. Ansley crawled up and I gave him a range. Two-twenty from right here, Bill, I whispered. Pennsylvania hunter Bill Ansley with a trophy caribou bull in full velvet. Photo by P.J. Reilly Ansley was about 15 yards in front of me, when he snapped his rifle bipod into place and settled in. He took a couple deep breaths, pulled the rifle tight to his shoulder, and squeezed. The blast was immediately followed by the hollow thump of a bullet hitting home. The bull dropped where it stood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After congratulations and a few photos, the work began. Irkok expertly broke down the bull so all of the meat was in packable portions. The head and attached cape were nested so Ansley could carry them on his shoulders, with the cape serving as a cushion against his neck and the back of his head. My job was to carry Irkoks gear pack and the rifles. We were only a little more than a mile from the boat, so the packout wasnt too bad. But by the time we got back to the boat, loaded up and hauled everything back to camp, it was quitting time. Dream Bull Photo by P.J. Reilly The second day felt a lot like the first, but with a bit more wind. That worried me for bowhunting, but thats why I carried the Howa, too. The caribou were a bit harder to find now, and we made several hikes along the lake without spotting any bulls. Shortly after noon, we were set up on top of a tall hill rising from the north side of Edehon Lake. Wed been glassing for a while when Irkok spotted two bulls very far out across the lake. With no other prospects, we set out after them, bringing the hunt to the point where I was laying behind a rock, looking at a giant caribou through my scope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time is fluid when youre behind the rifle, finger ready to flick the safety off, waiting for an animal to move. I dont know if two minutes passed or 10, but after some period of waiting for the bull to stand, I started thinking I could just shoot him in his bed. Once I decided to shoot, my heart started thumping again. It was so strong I felt it in my ears. At 104 yards, though, I knew this was a chip shot and my confidence was high when I squeezed the trigger. At the shot, the bull popped up and turned broadside. I already had another shell in the chamber and my second shot crumpled him. Ready for the two-mile hike back to the boat. Photo by P.J. Reilly I gathered my things and walked over to the bull. With each step, his antlers grew bigger. The top points stood taller than Id thought. The single shovel was broader than Id expected. The bezes were longer than Id noticed. It was reverse ground shrinkage. This was the barren ground caribou Id been dreaming about for 26 years. Little did I know what a blessing that bull was. Summer temperatures of 85 degrees returned to Edehon Lake the next day and lasted through the end of my five-day trip. I never saw another bull I wanted to shoot. Read Next: A Caribou Hunting Adventure in Alaska, No Guides Required And so if this, in fact, was my last caribou hunt, the last bull I stalked was the biggest Id ever taken. If I can never go caribou hunting again, I can always relive in my mind, crawling up the back side of that barren hill above Edehon Lake and looking through my scope at the bull of my dreams. Below is the Times Union's annual listing of places to dine out on Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, Nov. 27 - as well as restaurants, caterers, retail markets, etc., offering Thanksgiving meals to go. The alphabetical entries will continue to be updated as information comes in. Send listings to sbarnes@timesunion.com. The full list will also appear in the Food section of Thursday, Nov. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details, preferably in the form of a link to a webpage or a PDF attachment, must be submitted in an email from an authorized representative of the business and must include hours/special seating times; menu info (i.e., regular menu, limited Thanksgiving menu, both); pricing (adults and children, if applicable); size, price, order deadline and pickup windows for takeout packages; and a phone number and/or online link for reservations or ordering. Takeout 677 Prime 677 Broadway, Albany The restaurant 677 Prime is once again offering everything-but-the-turkey Thanksgiving meals, as well as additional a-la-carte sides and desserts. The price for the reheatable meals is $175 to feed four to six people, $305 for eight to 10 or $465 for 18 to 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Order online by 5 p.m. Nov. 19 for pickup at the restaurant from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, or 9 to 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. Takeout Big Tony's Kitchen 302 Park Ave , Mechanicville Big Tony's Kitchen, a catering and meal-prep company in Mechanicville, has multiple options for reheatable Thanksgiving dinners with sides but no dessert: $25 single meals $95 to feed four to six $190 for six to eight $240 for 10 to 12 Add a pie - apple, pumpkin, triple berry, Amish peanut butter - for $25. Call 518-506-2094 to order by Nov. 20 for pickup from 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 26. Takeout Blake 925 Deli & Catering 2678 Hamburg St., Rotterdam Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blake 925 Deli & Catering in Rotterdam has the following options for Thanksgiving meals with turkey breast, sides and dessert: $35 per person, $200 for three to five, $300 for six to nine, $400 for 10 to 15. Trays of tossed salad, sweet potatoes and mac-n-cheese as well as whole pies are also available. Call 518-355-7791 to order for pickup from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26. Takeout The Brook Tavern 139 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs The Brook Tavern in Saratoga Springs will be serving individual takeout Thanksgiving meals, priced at $55 per person ($29 kids) for three courses with entree choices (turkey, salmon, filet mignon). Pickup is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the holiday. Meals will be served hot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Order by calling 518-871-1473 by Nov. 22. The restaurant will otherwise be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Takeout Blue Ribbon Restaurant 1801 State St., Schenectady Reheatable Thanksgiving options from the Blue Ribbon Restaurant in Schenectady include a whole turkey or large boneless turkey breast, sides and dessert for $299 to feed 10 to 14 people. Individual meals with sides and dessert cost $29.99 and may be ordered with turkey, meatloaf, pot roast or chicken Parm. The deadline is Nov. 17 for pickup 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 26. Order online or call 518-393-2600. Dine-In, Takeout Capital City Rescue Mission 259 S. Pearl St., Albany Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany will be serving free Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 p.m. on the holiday, available for dining in or takeout. The mission expects to give away about 1,800 Thanksgiving meals this year. It is also accepting financial donations for meals, which cost $2.40 each to produce. Takeout Cardona's Market Multiple locations The three Cardona's Markets have the following options for Thanksgiving: Reheatable turkey, sides and dessert to feed four to six ($199) or 10 to 12 ($399), with additional select sides available. 18-pound reheatable carved turkey ($115, or $60 for carved half turkey). Multiple desserts, including 10 kinds of pie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Order online or by emailing jessicae@cardonasmarket.com by 5 p.m. Nov. 21 for pickup from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 26. Specify which location when ordering: 340 Delaware Ave., Albany; 9 Cobbee Road, Latham; 222 Washington St., Saratoga Springs. Dine-In, Takeout The Carriage House at Fort William Henry Hotel 48 Canada St., Lake George The Carriage House restaurant at Fort William Henry Hotel & Conference Center in Lake George Village will be seating for its traditional Thanksgiving buffet 1 to 1:45 p.m. and 4 to 4:45 p.m. The full buffet, with stations for starters, raw bar, sides, turkey and prime rib carving and dessert, costs $64.99 ($25.99 for kids 6 to 10, free for 5 and younger). Reserve online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restaurant is also offering Thanksgiving takeout of turkey, sides and dessert for $54.99 for two, $104.99 to feed four. Pickup is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the holiday. Order online. Dine-In The Century House 997 New Loudon Road/Route 9, Latham The Century House in Latham has private rooms available for family-style Thanksgiving meals for groups of 12 to 80. The price is $75 per person ($35 for kids) and includes turkey carved tableside, sides and dessert. Reserve a room via email: events@thecenturyhouse.com. The restaurant will not be offering a-la-carte dining or takeout for Thanksgiving this year. Takeout Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 122 Troy Road, East Greenbush; 4 Tower Way, Clifton Park Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The region's locations of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store have reheatable Thanksgiving meals with turkey and sides to feed four to six for $119.99, plus multiple options for additional sides and dessert. Order online. Takeout Crafted Catering & Events 479 Pawling Ave., Troy Crafted Catering & Events in Troy has takeout packages for Thanksgiving that feed 10 and costs $460. The options: Whole uncooked turkey, reheatable sides and dessert. Pickup from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26. Hot and ready to eat 18-pound turkey - or breasts, drumsticks and thighs - with reheatable sides and dessert. Pickup from noon to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Additional sides and desserts also available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Order online by Nov. 19. Pickup is at Crafted Catering's Troy headquarters. Takeout, Delivery Daley Hospitality Group 2 Northern Drive, Troy Daley Hospitality Group in Troy has complete holidays meals with turkey, ham, Italian favorites or pot roast (10-person minimum, $25 to $29.50 per person, depending on entree) or prime rib roast with sauce but no sides to feed 12 to 18 for $300. Additional appetizers platters, sides and desserts are also available, and requests for upscale options from the chef of company's The Delaware Restaurant & Bar in Albany will be considered. Order by Nov. 17. All will be reheatable and available for pickup from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 26. Delivery also available for an additional charge based on distance. Dine-In, Takeout The Desmond 660 Albany Shaker Road, Colonie Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Desmond hotel in Colonie, long a Thanksgiving favorite, will be serving a holiday menu from 1 to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, available with a choice of salad and entree of turkey ($31) or prime rib ($42) with sides; soup, pasta and dessert may be added for an extra charge. Reserve early by calling 518-640-6092, as the restaurant often sells out on Thanksgiving. It will also serve breakfast from 7 to 11:30 a.m., and the regular dinner menu will be available during Thanksgiving hours and from 6 to 10 p.m. The restaurant is also accepting orders for meal packages with turkey, sides and dessert to reheat at home: for four to six people ($195) or eight to 10 ($340). Additional sides and desserts are available. Order by Nov. 20. Pickup is from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 26 or 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Call 518-640-6182 for takeout orders. No online ordering. Takeout Dinosaur Bar-B-Que 377 River St., Troy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Troy location of the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que chain is offering a reheatable Thanksgiving meal of pit-roasted turkey, limited sides and dessert to feed eight to 12 people for $260, or $135 for three to five people with half a turkey and sides. A whole turkey with gravy is $170. Order online for pickup from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 25 or 26. Takeout Healthy Living Market & Cafe 3065 Route 50 (Wilton Mall), Wilton Healthy Living Market & Cafe in Wilton has an abundance of Thanksgiving options including raw turkeys at three price points, weighing from 8 to 30 pounds, bone-in and boneless turkey breast and reheatable turkey breast and prepared sides and desserts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Order online: turkeys by Nov. 16, sides and desserts by Nov. 23, for pickup from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 25 and 26. Healthy Living will be closed on the holiday. Dine-In Lucas Confectionery 12 Second St., Troy Continuing its tradition, the Lucas Confectionery in Troy will be serving free Thanksgiving snacks plus a cash bar from 5:30 p.m. on the holiday. No reservations. Takeout Maria's Cafe and Catering 412 Union St., Schenectady Maria's Cafe and Catering in Schenectady has a reheatable Thanksgiving package of turkey, sides and dessert to feed eight 10 people for $375. Individual meals are available for $32.95 per person. Orders received by Oct. 31 receive a 20% discount. Deadline is Nov. 19. Pickup from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 26 or the holiday. Call 518-280-6902 to order. Takeout, Delivery Mazzone Hospitality Multiple locations Mazzone Hospitality's catering operation is offering reheatable Thanksgiving meals for home delivery or pickup at Glen Sanders Mansion (1 Glen Ave., Scotia), Mazzone Hospitality headquarters (743 Pierce Road, Clifton Park) or the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs (Saratoga Spa State Park, adjacent to SPAC). Dinner packages serve 10 ($415) or 18 ($550); home delivery, within a 20-mile radius of the Clifton Park location, is $75 extra. Additional sides and desserts also are available.Order online by Nov. 21. Pickup and delivery times are available between 9 a.m. and noon on Thanksgiving Day. Also, packages with ready-to-roast birds and reheatable sides for 10 or 18 ($380/$515) are available from the Clifton Park location for pickup from noon to 6 p.m. on Nov. 26. Order online by Nov. 21. Takeout Miller's Backyard BBQ Miller's Backyard BBQ in Cohoes is offering Thanksgiving meal packages, hot and ready to eat, including a smoked turkey, sides and dessert for $315 to feed 10 to 12 or $215 for six to eight, $35 for individual meals. Additional sliced turkey breast, rolls and gravy are also available. Early ordering is advised, as packages were sold out by Nov. 1 last year. Call 518-238-3613. Pickup is noon to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Takeout Neighborhood Kitchen 312 Rowland St., Ballston Spa The takeout restaurant and market Neighborhood Kitchen in Ballston Spa is offering reheatable Thanksgiving meals with turkey breast and sides for $29 per person, $99 to feed four. Multiple kinds of pie are available as $18 add-ons. Order deadline is Nov. 24. Pickup is from noon to 5 p.m. on Nov. 26. Order online or call 518-928-4906. Dine-In Panza's 129 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs The Saratoga Springs restaurant Panza's will be seating from noon to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for a three-course holiday menu ($65, or $20 for kids 4 to 10). Entree choices include turkey, salmon, prime rib, chicken Parm and butternut-squash risotto. Reserve by calling 518-584-6882. Takeout Pirate Girl Treats/Debbie Klauber Multiple locations Debbie Klauber, who has been making hundreds of holiday pies annually for more than 35 years, since soon after she founded the original Debbie's Kitchen in Albany, is back at it again this year. She's offering eight varieties of pie for pickup in the days before Thanksgiving, including traditional pumpkin, butter pecan and several kinds of mousse pies; regular pies are $26 each or $32 for mousse pies. Order by Nov. 19 for pickup Nov. 23 to 26 in Ravena or Nov. 25 and 26 at Fin Your Fishmonger in Guilderland. Order via direct message - at Pirate Girl Treats or Debbie Klauber on Facebook or Pirate Girls Treats on Instagram - or by emailing pirategirltreats@gmail.com or calling 518-506-7962. Dine-In Prime Restaurant 458 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs Prime Restaurant at Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs will be seating from 1 to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for a three-course, family-style turkey dinner with choices of appetizers, sides and desserts for $72 per person ($30 kids age 3 to 12). The regular menu will not be served. Reservations are required. Call 518-583-4653 ext. 2 or reserve online Takeout, Delivery Ruggiero's Pizza, Deli & Catering Multiple locations Ruggiero's Pizza, Deli & Catering is offering takeout and delivery of Thanksgiving meals from its two locations. For turkey breast and sides to feed three to four people, $199; a whole turkey and sides for eight to 10 is $369; and two turkeys with sides for 18 to 22 people costs $699. Call 518-399-6855 to order by Nov. 24 for pickup hot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (reheatable meals available for pickup earlier in the week). Delivery is $35. Specify which location when ordering. Ruggiero's is at 123 Saratoga Road (Socha Plaza), Glenville, and 3905 Carman Road, Rotterdam. Dine-In, Takeout Ruth's Chris Steak House 1 Metro Park Road, Colonie Ruth's Chris Steak House in Colonie will be seating from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for its regular menu or a three-course turkey dinner ($48, or $21 for kids 4 to 11). Call 518-444-3690 or reserve online. The restaurant also has a reheatable takeout package with turkey, sides and dessert to feed four for $175 and Thanksgiving sides to feed four to 12. Order takeout online at least 48 hours in advance for pickup from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 26. Takeout, Delivery Saati Deli & Catering 586 New Loudon Road, Latham Saati Deli & Catering in Newton Plaza in Latham is offering complete Thanksgiving meals for takeout or delivery. Turkey, sides and dessert for 12 people is $359, or $239 for six and $75 to feed two. Pickup is between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, or have it delivered for $50 more. Many additional items also available a la carte. Call 518-783-1600 or order online. Takeout Signal 30 BBQ 201 Columbia St., Cohoes Signal 30 BBQ in Cohoes is offering reheatable takeout packages with smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, stuff and gravy to feed four to six ($165), up to 12 ($300) and up to 24 ($575), or turkey and gravy for $160. Mac-n-cheese is available as an add-on. Order via email, signal30bbq@gmail.com, by Nov. 19 for pickup from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 26. Takeout Turf Taven 40 Mohawk Ave., Scotia The Turf Tavern in Scotia has the following options for Thanksgiving at home: Complete dinners with turkey breast, sides and dessert to feed five ($170) or 10 ($330); or individual dinners with turkey ($30) or prime rib ($35). A-la-carte sides and desserts also available. Meals are served hot, with pickup times on the half-hour from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the holiday. Call 518-393-3671 or order online by Nov. 21 or until sold out. Dine-In The Wishing Well 745 Saratoga Road/Route 9, Gansevoort The Wishing Well Restaurant will be serving an a-la-carte holiday menu from noon to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, with entrees including turkey, salmon, beef and pork; children's entrees also available. Reserve online or call 518-584-7640. This article originally published at Dine-in, takeout for Thanksgiving; restaurants, send details. A never-before-seen pineapple is coming to grocery stores nationwide thanks to Dole, the worlds largest producer of fresh fruits and vegetables. As the company prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary next year, its celebrating with a tropical innovation thats been 15 years in the making. Introducing the DOLE Colada Royale Pineapple, an all-new variety that tastes like a pina colada. With notes of coconut in every juicy, aromatic bite, this pineapple was developed to offer a one-of-a-kind flavor unlike anything currently on the market. Courtesy of Dole Developed by Dr. Roberto Young, Doles Director of Natural Pineapple Breeding in Honduras, the Colada Royale is the culmination of more than a decade of dedicated research and development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am very proud to have been part of the Dole family for so long, and to be able to bring a pineapple like the DOLE Colada Royal to the world. The Colada Royale has been a very special project for me and the team at Dole. I consider it my legacy. The Colada Royale Pineapple isnt just delicious, its better for you and the planet. Sustainably grown and non-GMO, this pineapple features a lighter, brighter color and a smaller core, meaning more edible fruit per serving. Its also packed with 2.5 times more vitamin B6 than traditional pineapples, making it as nutritious as it is indulgent. A portion of all Colada Royale purchases will go towards building a community center in La Ceiba, Honduras, the location of Doles oldest pineapple farm in Latin America, where the new variety was grown. The new community center will provide education, healthcare, and vocational training to the farm workers as well as their local communities. Doles Colada Royale will debut at the International Fresh Produce Associations Global Produce and Floral Show this week, before making its way into grocery stores across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The culmination of 15 years of hard work, this unexpected and bold pineapple ushers in a new era of pineapple. And with every bite tasting like a tropical vacation, it might just be paradise perfected. Read the original article on Southern Living This is the final installment in a series for Hispanic Heritage Month that explores Austin restaurants through the lens of regional cuisines. The past few weeks have taken me through the smoky spices of the Caribbean and the comforting stews of Central America. This week, I turned south to Colombia and Peru where maize, music and memory intertwine in every meal. A taste of Colombia on South Congress Plaza Colombian Coffee serves house-made arepas, available with shredded chicken, steak, eggs or vegetables. (Ana Gutierrez / Austin American-Statesman) Luz Angela Galindo took my order with the ease of someone whos done it a hundred times, though she doesnt actually work at Plaza Colombian Coffee. Shes just visiting family and decided to help out para no aburrirme, she said so she wouldn't get bored. In Colombia, wed call that ser acomedida the kind of helpfulness that isnt asked for, just offered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She calls me mijita a tender word that means something like my dear but really means youre one of mine. Outside, the restaurants facade is painted like a miniature Pueblito Paisa, a nod to Medellins colorful hillside village, complete with faux wooden doors and bright colonial-style trim. I order the chicken arepa, piled high with shredded chicken, cheese, onion and avocado the holy combo of Colombian toppings. At Plaza Colombian Coffee, chicken, steak and veggie empanadas come with a side of aji for dipping. (Ana Gutierrez / Austin American-Statesman) The empanadas, fried to a soft crisp, give way with a satisfying crunch and a mouthful of steam. Theyre served with aji colombiano, a bright, tangy salsa of cilantro, vinegar and green onion thats more about flavor than heat. Eating it takes technique a careful balance between bite and pour so the aji doesnt scald your tongue or spill down your wrist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behind the counter, El Joe Arroyo blares through the speakers one of the titans of Colombian salsa music. The bartender, balancing a phone between shoulder and ear, is on a call learning how to DJ. She tests the soundboard with a laugh, calling out to her friend, Bacano! cool. Here, they serve cocktails made with aguardiente, the anise-scented liquor that fuels both parties and heartbreak, and coffee drinks mixed with sweet arequipe Colombias version of caramel. For dessert, I order a brazo de reina a rolled sponge cake filled with guava paste. Growing up, that was the prize for tagging along on grocery runs. The heart of the Andes beats at Llama Queen A llama figurine and the Cusco flag welcome diners to Llama Queen, a Peruvian restaurant on East Cesar Chavez. (Ana Gutierrez / Austin American-Statesman) A few miles away, at Llama Queen, Peru takes center stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sign by the entrance reads, I may live in the U.S., but my story began in Peru. Inside, a large flag of Cusco drapes across the wall. Cusco was once the capital of the Incan Empire the heart of Tawantinsuyu, a city built at the crossroads of four sacred lands. The patio hums with color and conversation. Tapestries woven in deep reds, saffron yellows and indigo blues hang against stucco walls. Portraits of women carrying babies in mantas watch over the tables. Before we even order, the server places a small bowl of cancha toasted corn on the table, a Peruvian ritual of welcome. Corn, or maiz, has always been more than food in the Andes; its sustenance, currency, and symbol. She sets down two small glasses of pisco, the clear grape liquor that Peruvians swear by. It burns sweet, like a promise. Llama Queen serves aji de gallina, a classic Peruvian comfort dish of shredded chicken in a creamy yellow pepper sauce. (Ana Gutierrez / Austin American-Statesman) We order aji de gallina, shredded chicken bathed in a thick golden sauce made from aji amarillo a native yellow pepper with a slow, fruity heat and soaked potatoes that give the dish its richness. Each spoonful is warmth against the imagined chill of the highlands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next comes ceviche bright and alive the fish cured in lime juice so fresh it almost vibrates. The plate glows white fish, red onions, pale orange sweet potato, kernels of choclo corn the size of marbles. In Lima, ceviche is more than a meal; its a national identity, a ritual that defines coastal life. To eat it is to taste the Pacific itself. The leche de tigre literally, tigers milk comes served in a glass, the milky marinade from the ceviche mixed with ginger, garlic and chili. Leche de tigre, a citrusy ceviche marinade, comes served in a large glass at Llama Queen. (Ana Gutierrez / Austin American-Statesman) Between bites, I notice how each dish here carries layers of geography and migration. Aji de gallina tells the story of the Andean mountains, where chill winds meet domestic hearths. Ceviche tells of the coast the Lima fishermen who rose before dawn to bring their catch to market. Even the pisco sour tells a story of fusion: Spanish grapes, Indigenous sugarcane and the hands that made them meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Llama Queen doesnt just feed people; it roots them. It reminds its diners Peruvian or not that culture isnt static. It evolves, it travels, it sets up shop in a new country and still remembers the songs of the old. Like Luz Angela calling me mijita across the counter, or the sign that says my story began in Peru, these flavors speak of home not as a place you left behind, but as one you carry forward, one plate at a time. Other South American restaurants: Brazilian restaurants in Austin Espadas de Brazil. 2512 Rio Grande St. 512-775-4945, instagram.com/espadasdebrazil. Samba Brazilian Cuisine. 519 E. Seventh St. 512-769-3334. Argentinian restaurants in Austin Buenos Aires Cafe. 1201 E. Sixth St. 512-382-1189, buenosairescafe.com. Colombian restaurants in Austin Casa Colombia. 2409 E. Seventh St. 512-495-9425, casa-colombia.com. Plaza Colombian Coffee. 3842 S. Congress Ave. 512-825-0738, plazacolombiancoffee.com. Sabor Colombia. 1318 Round Rock Ave., Round Rock. 512-351-9794, saborcolombia512.com. Peruvian restaurants in Austin The aji de gallina at Lima Criolla Peruvian Restaurant in Austin. Provided by Lima Criolla Peruvian Restaurant. (Austin American-Statesman) Inka Chicken. 1707 Wells Branch Pkwy. 512-252-2222, inka-chicken.com. Lima Criolla Peruvian Restaurant. 6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Rd. 512-323-5404, limacriolla.com. Llama Queen. 4620 E. Cesar Chavez St. 737-222-5200, llamaqueenatx.com. Venezuelan restaurants in Austin One of the best riverside towns to visit in the U.S., Leavenworth sits just 32 miles northeast of Kansas City on the banks of the Missouri River. It's the oldest city in Kansas and stands on the site of Fort Leavenworth, an important site every history buff should visit. The land here was originally inhabited by the Kansa, Osage, and Delaware Indians, whose names live on in many of the streets. Named after Henry Leavenworth, who founded Fort Leavenworth in 1827, it was central to peacekeeping efforts between the Native Americans and the increasing number of settlers heading west. By 1854, the First City of Kansas was officially established. Leavenworth has seen its fair share of famous figures, one of whom was Buffalo Bill Cody, who moved here as a child. You'll find various references to him throughout the town, from the mural on Shawnee Street to stories highlighted on the Historic Wayside Tour. The tour is a self-guided walk and a great way to connect with Leavenworth's past. Starting at the Port of Leavenworth, there are 21 stops, each with interpretive panels and audio. It focuses on civic and social history from river trade to saloon culture and takes around one to two hours, depending on how fast you walk and how many stops you make. There's also the Fort Leavenworth Wayside Tour, a self-guided driving tour, starting at the Frontier Army Museum. It takes you a little further out of the city, exploring the fort's military past with 22 stops at monuments and historical sites. Plan for up to three hours to take the tour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 5 Of The Best Things Locals Want You To Do When You Visit Phoenix, Arizona A walk through Leavenworth's history a large brick fronted victorian mansion - Jon M. Ripperger/Shutterstock Whether you follow the tours or explore on your own, there are other interesting buildings and cultural landmarks in Leavenworth worth seeing. The Carroll Mansion Museum is a well-preserved Victorian-era building with original handcrafted woodwork and stained glass windows. It's the oldest museum in Leavenworth County, housing collections of the Leavenworth County Historical Society. Just outside the city limits, you can't miss the imposing walls of Leavenworth State Penitentiary. Opened in 1906, it was once the largest maximum security prison in the U.S., housing notorious inmates like George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Michael "The Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud. The prison has since been reclassified but is not open to the public. A museum that's bound to delight visitors of all ages is the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. It has a fully operational 1913 carousel that you can still ride for $1.50, along with some of the oldest carousels in the country. It shows a rare glimpse of early amusement park rides and a chance to admire the craftsmanship of the hand-carved wooden horses. Coming back to the present day, downtown Leavenworth has a lively atmosphere with 28 blocks of shops, boutiques, and restaurants, plus a thriving art scene. Stop at the Riverfront Community Center, which often has exhibits by local artists. Antique lovers will love Leavenworth Antique Mall, where you can search for bargains and vintage finds. When your appetite catches up with you, pop into Pullman Place for some local comfort food favorites. Parks, trails and Missouri River views a double arch through bridge over the Missouri River - Jon M. Ripperger/Shutterstock If you've come for scenic views, some lovely spots are down by the riverfront. Leavenworth Landing Riverside Trail is an easy half-mile paved parkway on the banks of the Missouri River, where you can admire sculptures, eagle watch, or soak up the riverside views. From here, the trail leads onto the Three Mile Creek Trail, a gentle, wheelchair friendly walk beside a shaded creek. For a different perspective, head up to the Missouri River Overlook inside Fort Leavenworth for higher views of the river and the surrounding countryside. The just under a mile Havens Park Exterior Trail takes you into the beautiful Havens Memorial Park. Filled with trees, walks, and bike paths, it's especially pretty in Autumn when the trees turn brilliant shades of red and gold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the city, the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway is just a few minutes away and has stunning scenery along its 63 miles. Once covered in glaciers, the byway traces part of the official Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. It leads through rich farmland, over valleys and streams with stops at Atchison, with its grand Victorian houses, and Troy, which is surrounded by several intriguing ghost towns, before finishing at White Cloud on one of America's most scenic roads. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. And add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Explore. If your mental image of Wyoming is all mountains and national parks, you also might want to look toward the state's Eastern Plains. You'll find the small city of Torrington, which is the seat for Goshen County. Torrington is right along the North Platte River, and the community used to be a meeting point for the historic Oregon, Mormon, and Texas Cattle Trails. The town's look and feel come together through its agricultural roots and its location near the Nebraska border, which is just about 8 miles away. Fun fact: The area is sometimes called the "Banana Belt" of Wyoming because its weather is usually more temperate than what's found in other parts of the state. The downtown is mainly focused on Main Street, where you can spend time in boutiques like Bluebird Boutique and Home on the Range or see staples like Vandel Drug. This district is part of a program in Torrington that is focused on preservation, which helps keep the town's original feel. The area's agricultural history has also expanded into winemaking. There is a local-ish winery to check out called Table Mountain Vineyards & Winery, which is about 20 minutes from Torrington in Huntley. It's on a 10-acre vineyard (the state's largest) and grows grape varieties that are developed to handle Wyoming's climate. Table Mountain is known to have over 10,000 vines on its property and specializes in the cold-hardy type of grape. These grapes are quite interesting, as they are grown to withstand cold weather and the winter months that ravage through Wyoming. Table Mountain Vineyards produces its beverages using only Wyoming-grown grapes and other farm products, like raspberries and honey. While Table Mountain is the main vineyard, you can hit up other Wyoming wineries all over the state, or nearby options like Papa Moon Vineyards & Winery in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Essential Tips To Make A Rocky Mountain National Park Visit Affordable Where to eat and have fun in Torrington Tea Kettle Rock in Wyoming, which is about 12 miles away from Torrington. - Fotoguy22/Getty Images When you're ready to eat or have some fun in Torrington, you've got a few choices. For a meal, you can try the Broncho Grill House & Bar for American-style dishes, or check out one of the family-run Mexican spots, La Familia Prado and Garcia's Mexican Restaurant. There's also Deacon's Restaurant and an artisanal bakery called The Bread Doctor. If you need a coffee, the Wild Hare is a local shop with locally roasted coffee, specialty blended seasonings, and freshly made lemonade (great for summertime). The city has one brewery, Open Barrel Brewing Co., which has a rotating menu of beers. If you're in the mood for something a little more spirited, your closest bet for a craft distillery is Pine Bluffs Distilling, which is about 70 miles away. When you're looking for things to do, you can pop over to the Homesteaders Museum to see pieces from the county's olden days. An interesting part about the Homesteaders Museum is that it's based in the 1926 Union Pacific Depot and has exhibits like Goshen County's first automobile and a small, one-room schoolhouse. You can head over to the Fort Laramie National Historic Site, which was a 19th-century military station that started as a private fur trading post in 1834. Check out one of the city's parks or walk the Grassroots Trail, which is a 1.25-mile path that goes right through town. The whole area is shaped by the Goshen Hole, which is a large lowland that was a natural highway for the old American trails. Checking out this area will give you a better feel for Wyoming's Wild West era and notorious outlaws, as well as the history of places like Fort Laramie. How to get to Torrington and where to stay Close up of Torrington in Wyoming on a map with nearby roads and towns blurred. - SevenMaps/Shutterstock Getting to Torrington is mostly done by road tripping, but you do have a couple of options if you want to fly. The city has the Torrington Municipal Airport (TOR), which is its own small airport, but it's for non-commercial and general aviation, so you won't be booking any commercial flights. Your best bet for a commercial flight is the Western Nebraska Regional Airport (BFF) in Scottsbluff, Neb., which is about 36 miles away (around a 42-minute drive) and has connecting flights to bigger hubs. If you need a major airport, Denver International Airport (DEN) is your closest one, though it's a bit of a drive (about 2.5 hours with tolls). When you're ready to check in for your stay, the options in Torrington are mainly known chain hotels like the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. You can also find other places like the Americas Best Value Inn and King's Inn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a heads-up, you won't find a luxury or boutique hotel like the undeniably cozy, spacious getaway Togwotee Mountain Lodge right in the city. If you're looking for a stay that's a bit different, the nearby areas have some cool options, though. In the town of Hartville, you can rent a geodome at Cedar Lights Retreat for one of Wyoming's secluded, ultra-luxury glamping escapes. Near Fort Laramie, you can check out Hayfield Cabins, which are on a 300-acre ranch with access to the Laramie River and a great spot to see the stars in the Wyoming night sky. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. Wawa is a popular convenience store chain with strong enough brand identity and customer loyalty to become a part of pop culture. Despite what some might call Wawa's cult-like appeal, it isn't actually America's favorite convenience store chain anymore, at least according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. In ASCI's 2025 Convenience Store Study, the Midwest chain Kwik Trip came out on top, with a customer satisfaction score of 84 out of 100. This reflects a massive overall improvement in the brand, which scored a 76 in last year's survey. On the other hand, Wawa remains holds steady from last year, with a score of 82, now tied with Sheetz for second. If you're looking to try out a Kwik Trip, they're only in six states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, South Dakota, and Minnesota (and soon, North Dakota.) Within this mostly Midwestern cluster, there are nearly 900 stores generating the customer appreciation that makes this brand successful. It may be true that Wawa is so satisfying we wish everyone could try it, but Kwik Trip is clearly coming for the crown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Comfort Foods That Used To Be Everywhere (But You Rarely See Now) How Kwik Trip became America's favorite convenience store Exterior of a Kwik Trip main building showing the red logo - Ken Wolter/Shutterstock It might seem strange that a convenience store chain clustered in the Midwest would beat out bigger chains with more exposure, including the similarly-named QuikTrip, a separate convenience chain with over 1,000 locations in 21 states. And rival chain 7-Eleven even has its own canned wine, Roamer. Kwik Trip sells alcohol, but not its own brands. According to the ASCI survey, Kwik Trip rocketed to the top of the customer satisfaction rankings by focusing on food appealing to many preferences while prioritizing the customer experience. Other factors may include Wawa and Sheetz's intense competition in the Northeast and South, keeping each of those chains preoccupied with each other and allowing Kwik Trip to focus on itself. Reflecting this, customers online report enjoying Kwik Trip's diverse food selection. "I didn't believe gas station meat was edible until I went into a Kwik Trip," reads one Reddit comment. Other customers rave about waffle chicken sandwiches, egg rolls, smoothies, cookies, and donuts as well. Perhaps the big reason Kwik Trip's 850+ locations are so popular in its six states is simple convenience. As one Reddit user states, "When I'm wanting a quick treat, Kwik Trip is usually my go-to as it's much closer and easier for me." Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. Read the original article on Daily Meal. A man was killed and a woman was critically wounded in two separate shootings under investigation by police in Sunland Park, New Mexico, officials said. Sunland Park is located just west of El Paso across the Rio Grande in New Mexico. The first case occurred in the early morning of Monday, Oct. 13, resulting in a woman who had been shot multiple times being hospitalized in critical condition, stated a news release by Sunland Park city public information officer Yasmine Al-Habi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crime: El Paso-area man accused of negligent homicide in man's death after fight at Eastlake home About 3 a.m. Monday, an El Paso hospital notified police that a patient with gunshot wounds had arrived in connection to a shooting in Sunland Park, police reported. Sunland Park police officers located and secured the crime scene at a home in the 5000 block of Ashwood Street and a suspect was taken into custody. Further details on the persons involved were not immediately available as an investigation continues. Sunland Park police are investigating two separate shootings that killed one person and critically wounded another on Monday, Oct. 13. File photo. 2nd Sunland Park shooting leaves one dead A man was killed in a separate shooting that occurred about 4 p.m. Monday in the 100 block of Palma Drive in Sunland Park, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More news: 2 migrants dead, 5 injured in car crash during El Paso Border Patrol chase A man with gunshot wounds died at the scene despite life-saving attempts by police and firefighters, officials said. A suspect in the shooting was taken into custody. Further information was not disclosed as the investigation continues. Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Shootings in Sunland Park, New Mexico, leave 1 dead, 1 critical A 16-year-old girl has died after being shot inside a North Philadelphia home on Tuesday evening, police said. The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. on the 2400 block of North Colorado Street. According to investigators, the teen was found in a second-floor bedroom with a gunshot wound to the stomach. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Chief Inspector Scott Small said police recovered one spent shell casing inside the room. Authorities believe the shooting may have been accidental. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are not sure if someone else was handling the firearm when she was shot or if she was handling the firearm and shot herself," Small said. Multiple people were inside the home at the time of the incident. Police are interviewing witnesses to determine what led to the shooting. Officials confirmed the victim did not live at the residence where the shooting occurred. NEED TO KNOW Rhode Island couple Thomas and Agatha Perkins died in a plane crash on Oct. 13 Their plane crashed on Interstate 195 near Exit 22 in Dartmouth, Mass. It remains unclear what caused the crash, which remains under investigation A Rhode Island couple was killed in a plane crash on a Massachusetts highway on Monday, Oct. 13. Thomas Perkins, 68, and Agatha Perkins, 66, died after their small aircraft crashed on Interstate 195 near Exit 22 in Dartmouth, Mass. Around 8 a.m., their Socata TBM 700 plane crashed shortly after their takeoff from New Bedford Regional Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas, who was a licensed pilot, was piloting the plane. Agatha was the only other occupant on board. They were headed for Kenosha, Wisc., with an expected arrival time at 10:09 a.m., per Channel 2 News. It remains unclear what caused the crash. An airport employee told Boston 25 that he didnt hear or notice anything strange with the plane taxiing to the runway. At the time of the crash, a Nor'easter was imminent, and Massachusetts had rain, gusty winds and poor visibility. The couple were reportedly philanthropists in their Rhode Island community of Aquidneck Island. They are survived by their two children, Emily and Owen. 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. Facebook Agatha and Thomas Perkins Agatha and Thomas Perkins There were no other passengers on the plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A driver was injured during the accident. The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was injured after a portion of the plane hit her Hyundai Sonata. She was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. The woman's mother-in-law, Kathy Ramos, told WCVB 5 that the woman was driving home to Fall River, Mass., after she dropped her husband off at work. When the plane crashed, another driver saw the victim screaming. That driver pulled over and drove her to a local hospital. PEOPLE has reached out to local officials for more information on the crash. The left-most eastbound lane of I-195 was closed, while the remaining lanes have reopened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was a wonder that all of a sudden I hit all this traffic. I had to take Route 6 to get over here, thinking what crazy accident happened on 195. I was listening on the radio and come to find out there was an airplane crash on the highway," driver Ron Valiquette told WCVB 5. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, per the Associated Press. Read the original article on People A car allegedly speeding away from the U.S. Border Patrol crashed, killing two migrants and injuring the driver and four other passengers along the Rio Grande in West El Paso, police said. The incident on Sunday, Oct. 12, began after Border Patrol agents "initiated a pursuit" after seeing several people run from the border fence and enter a 2011 Infiniti G37, stated an El Paso Police Department news release by spokesman Officer Adrian Cisneros on Monday, Oct. 13. More: 'What has happened to our heart?': El Paso Bishop Seitz calls for care of poor, migrants in address Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The car fled on West Paisano Drive, made a U-turn and continued speeding westbound along West Paisano Drive, which runs parallel alongside the border fence and Rio Grande, police reported. The driver lost control on a curve, hit the curb and crashed into a light pole, causing the car to flip at 5:54 p.m. in the 2300 block of West Paisano Drive, near the old Asarco site, east of Executive Center Boulevard. The driver of the car suspected in the border smuggling attempt was identified by police as Juan Bernardo Galarza, 18, of El Paso's Lower Valley. An El Paso County jail log shows that Galarza has not been booked into jail, possibly indicating that he may still be hospitalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traffic deaths: El Paso bicyclist, pedestrian die after traffic collisions in far East Side Border Patrol officials did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The crash occurred as illegal border crossings nationally have plunged to their lowest level since 1970 amid President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Migrants from Mexico, Guatemala killed in West Paisano Drive crash Two passengers died at the scene and all other occupants of the car were transported to a hospital with undisclosed injuries, police reported. The migrants who died were identified by El Paso police as Axel Everado Iquic Sequen, 30, of Guatemala, and Manuel Mateo Lopez, 22, of Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four surviving passengers were: Brenda Fernandez, 47, of Honduras Javier Isaac Gonzalez Cardona, 19, of Guatemala Mario Gilberto Mendoza Alvarado, 32, of Guatemala Esperanza Yamileth Lopez Ramirez, 18, of Guatemala The medical condition of the driver and surviving passengers was not immediately available on Monday. The police Special Traffic Investigations Unit continues its investigation into the wreck. There have been 50 traffic-related deaths in El Paso this year compared with 53 at the same time last year. Dangerous smuggler pursuits Migrant smuggler drivers fleeing from law enforcement in dangerous high-speed pursuits have been a yearslong concern in El Paso. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drivers often teenagers or young adults are recruited and hired by smuggling organizations to pick up and transport undocumented migrants after they cross the U.S. border, law enforcement officials have said. The migrants are generally taken to a local stash house, where they stay until continuing their journey to cities across the United States. El Paso Times archives: A hot pursuit, a deadly crash and the dangerous business of migrant smuggling In 2020, seven people were killed and three others injured during a smuggling run that ended when a car fleeing from the Border Patrol crashed on a curve on West Paisano Drive by Union Depot in Downtown. It was one of the deadliest crashes in El Paso in recent memory. Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 2 migrants killed in El Paso car crash during Border Patrol chase Twenty members of a gang designated a "foreign terrorist organization" by the United States have escaped from detention in Guatemala, a prison chief said Sunday. The members of the Barrio 18 gang "evaded security controls" at the Fraijanes II facility, prison director Ludin Godinez said at a news conference. He received "an intelligence report" Friday warning about the "possible escape" from the prison, which is southeast of the capital Guatemala City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Godinez said they were investigating possible acts of corruption. Washington last month blacklisted Barrio 18, an El Salvador-based gang which has a reputation for violence and extortion, as part of its crackdown on drug trafficking. The U.S. embassy in Guatemala condemned the prison escape as "utterly unacceptable." "The United States designated members of this heinous group as the terrorists they are and will hold accountable anyone who has provided, provides, or decides to provide material support to these fugitives or other gang members," the embassy said on X. It called on the Guatemalan government to "act immediately and vigorously to recapture these terrorists." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez, there are about 12,000 gang members and collaborators in Guatemala, while another 3,000 are in prison. The country's homicide rate has increased from 16.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024 to 17.65 this year, more than double the world average, according to the Center for National Economic Research. According to the Salvadoran government, the gangs Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (better known as MS-13) are responsible for the deaths of about 200,000 people over three decades. The two gangs once controlled an estimated 80 percent of El Salvador, which had one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barrio 18 is one of the largest gangs in the Northern Hemisphere, the U.S. State Department said in a news release last month, adding that the foreign terrorist group fdesignation "further demonstrates the Trump Administration's unwavering commitment to dismantling cartels and gangs and ensuring the safety of the American people." More than a dozen groups have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations since the start of President Trump's second term. The Trump administration has used the foreign terrorist designation to justify multiple lethal strikes on boats allegedly carrying drugs, including at least three off the coast of Venezuela. The real estate developers behind Trump's Gaza deal Julia Roberts and Ayo Edebiri discuss their new thriller "After the Hunt" Protesters interrupt Trump's address at the Knesset The Virginia Department of Health is implementing the newest updates to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immunization schedule, according to a press release from VDH. Updates were made to the COVID-19 and the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine recommendations. COVID-19 vaccine The CDC schedule advises the use of individual-based decision making (or shared clinical decision making) when deciding to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to people ages 6 months and older. This type of decision-making is informed by a decision process between a patient or parent/guardian and a health care provider, including pharmacists. Now that the CDC has published its immunization schedule and included the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine, people 6 months and up may receive a COVID-19 vaccine at their healthcare provider; and people 3 years and older may receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy in Virginia without a prescription. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at many pharmacies throughout the Commonwealth; some physicians offices also stock the updated 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine. You may also check with your local health department office; you can find its location by using its locator map. Call ahead to ask if your selected provider setting meets your needs, as different settings may only serve certain age groups or have certain hours for appointments. More: Fort Defiance students display what appears to be Nazi salute in social media video MMRV vaccine Vaccines in children CDC no longer recommends the use of the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV) for children under 4, regardless of parental preference, VDH said in the release. This is already consistent with common practice in Virginia. Most MMRV vaccines are administered to children 4 years of age and older. Children under the age of 4 should receive MMR and varicella vaccines separately. The first dose of each of these vaccines is recommended to be given at 12 to 15 months of age. The CDC recommendation for the second dose of the MMR and varicella vaccines has not changed. The second dose for each of these vaccines is recommended at 4 to 6 years of age. Children ages 4 years and older can receive either the combined MMRV vaccine or MMR and varicella vaccines separately. Standing order With the CDC updated schedule now in place, the Virginia State Health Commissioners Standing Order issued Sept. 10 is no longer necessary and will be revoked effective Oct. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Health Commissioner issued the standing order to bridge the gap for COVID-19 vaccine access until the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations were adopted by the CDC on October 7. The standing order ensured that Virginians could access the COVID-19 vaccine uninterrupted, if they so desired. More: Motion denied in federal case of former Nexus exec as sentencing date awaits More: AstraZeneca announces new drug plant for Albemarle. Project will create 3,600 jobs This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Virginia Department of Health issues CDC immunization schedule Key Points Novo Nordisk is drawing divided views from Wall Street analysts. Some may be disappointed by the loss of market share to Eli Lilly. Three events could turn sentiment positive in the coming months. 10 stocks we like better than Novo Nordisk Wall Street analysts can't agree on Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), with Morgan Stanley recently cutting its rating to underweight on the back of disappointing growth in key prescriptions in the U.S., and HSBC Holdings recently raising its rating to a buy on the strength of the potential of its pipeline. Who's right? Novo Nordisk is a speculative buy. The HSBC approach, in this case, may be sensible, at least on a risk-reward basis. The nearly 50% drop in Novo Nordisk shares is likely a reflection of the market's disappointment in Wegovy's (semaglutide) share loss in the weight loss market to Eli Lilly's Zepbound (tirzepatide). That said, the company has a few upcoming events that could return the stock to favor. First, it's leading the race to get an oral weight loss pill (oral Wegovy) approved and expects a decision from the FDA this year. Moreover, there's data to suggest superiority over Eli Lilly's candidate, orforglipron. Second, Novo Nordisk is trialing its next-generation weight loss drug, CagriSema, against Eli Lilly's tirzepatide in a phase 3 trial (REDEFINE 4), set for completion in mid-January. Third, Novo Nordisk is set to release results from a phase 3 trial of semaglutide in Alzheimer's patients, scheduled for late 2025 or early 2026 -- the aim is to slow cognitive decline. Image source: Getty Images. A stock to buy While there are definitely no guarantees, not least as CagriSema has disappointed with efficacy data previously, and according to Reuters, a Novo Nordisk executive has described the Alzheimer's trial as a "lottery," all three events offer upside potential. That potential shouldn't be easily discounted, particularly if its oral Wegovy gets approved for marketing by the FDA in 2025. As such, the stock could be of interest to more speculative investors. Should you buy stock in Novo Nordisk right now? Before you buy stock in Novo Nordisk, 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 Novo Nordisk 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 $657,979!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,122,746!* WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Authorities in Wyoming say a man is facing 22 counts of animal cruelty after a raid Friday on a property southeast of Cheyenne. The Laramie County Sheriffs Office in Cheyenne said Fridays raid was a culmination of a joint investigation by its detectives and Animal Control. Detectives, assisted by Animal Control and the Cheyenne Compliance Department Code Enforcement, executed a search warrant on the rural property. Kansas drivers, beware of dangerous and costly crashes with deer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 100 animals were rescued, while 22 were found dead, according to the sheriffs office. The recovered animals include dogs, birds, rabbits, turtles, tortoises, goats and chickens, all found either injured, sick or malnourished. The animals were taken to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter, which was quickly overwhelmed. The shelter said it has been receiving donations from the community but is still in need of support due to the sudden influx of animals. It is currently accepting donations to help. We are currently in need of extra-large blankets, towels, hay, hot dogs, whipped cream, goat pellets, veggies, dog toys, and elevated bowl stands. We also need all kinds of bird supplies. There are birds ranging in size from very small to medium. We need perches, pellets (we have plenty of seed), interactive toys, cuttle bones and vitamin blocks, cage-mounting baths, and food and water dishes. Cheyenne Animal Shelter The sheriffs office said the preliminary estimate is that the cost to care for the animals could reach $150,000. Click here for information about how to donate. It is still an ongoing investigation. A man has been booked into the Laramie County Jail on 22 felony counts of cruelty to animals. Formal charges are still pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. ST. LOUIS District 4 detectives from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) are searching for three individuals who are allegedly involved in a downtown shooting that happened outside a hookah lounge. According to detectives, the incident occurred on Oct. 8 around 1 a.m. outside the Nara Hookah Lounge, located at 1326 Washington. Detectives say that before the shooting, a physical altercation had occurred. Jr. High basketball player from Galatia airlifted to STL Childrens Hospital Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the heated altercation, SLMPD says all three suspects entered a dark-colored SUV, suspected to be a Dodge Durango. Shots were fired from the SUV at another vehicle, injuring an unarmed 45-year-old man. The shooting victim is expected to survive, officials say. In the aftermath of the shooting, SLMPD says the suspected vehicle left the area and was last seen driving westbound on I-70 from Broadway. District 4 detectives are searching for these suspects (from left to right): SLMPD says suspect 1 is described as a Black male with a medium build who is aged 20-30 years old. SLMPD says suspect 2 is described as a Black female with a medium to heavy build. Officials say suspect 2believed to be around 20-30 years oldhad flower tattoos on her right arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SLMPD says suspect 3 is described as a Black female who has a thin build and is believed to be around 20-30 years old. The SUV the alleged suspects drove off in had a broken taillight on the rear passenger side, according to SLMPD. Anyone with information surrounding the suspects is asked to contact District 4 detectives at 314-444-2500. Crime Stoppers can also be reached at 866-371-TIPS (8477). SLMPD says the suspects are considered armed and dangerous. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. 4 hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning after incident at New Hampshire grocery store Four workers were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning following an incident that prompted the evacuation of a grocery store in Plaistow, New Hampshire, late Monday night. Emergency crews responding to multiple 911 calls for a reported odor inside the Shaws at 4 Plaistow Road just before 11:45 p.m. learned that multiple people were sick, according to Plaistow Fire-Rescue. Firefighters, EMS, and police officers evacuated the building, started treating patients, and discovered a carbon monoxide reading of 300 parts per million near the rear of the store, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were 14 workers in the store at the time of the incident, with four of them transported from the scene to area emergency rooms with what officials described as varying degrees of CO poisoning symptoms. Atmospheres with a CO reading of 300 PPM are considered the high end of a medium exposure by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Plaistow Fire Department said in a statement. An investigation revealed that the source of the carbon monoxide was a gas-powered pressure washer used indoors by a third-party cleaning company. The store was ventilated, and the remaining 10 workers were allowed to return to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four workers who were hospitalized are expected to make a complete recovery. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Gov. Janet Mills entrance into the Maine Senate primary on Tuesday reignited the familiar progressive-versus-establishment battle lines. A three-way clash in Michigan has exposed the ongoing divisions within the party over Israel-Gaza. And a wave of generational challenges to elderly House members have flared across the country. Democratic primaries already crowded, often messy and frequently retreading well-worn ideological fault lines within the party are finally taking shape as top candidates jump in and filing deadlines approach. Who wins these primary races will give early clues for how the party might emerge from the political wilderness in the wake of 2024 losses, as it looks to retake levers of power in Washington next fall. But they also present challenges for Democratic Party officials, often looking to control the primary process by pushing their preferred candidates and avoiding expensive intra-party clashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills, for example, was heavily recruited by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to enter the race, but shell now face well-funded primary opponent Graham Platner, an oyster farmer with the backing of Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The Democratic Party is undergoing a robust discussion with itself about how to win again. That means a lot of viewpoints, a lot of energy and a lot of candidates, said Ian Russell, a Democratic strategist who served as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees political director in 2016. Candidates will have to prove whether their views, profiles and approach fit their districts or states. This process will be messy and unpredictable but is often unavoidable. POLITICO compiled a list of the top Democratic primaries that will offer clues for how the party moves forward. Maine Senate primary Hours after Mills joined the race, her campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee formed a joint fundraising committee, making it clear who Washington Democrats prefer and providing a resource boon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its not clear whether the two-time governors establishment connections will help her in the primary a familiar challenge in Democratic primaries. Platner, who is in his early 40s and backed by a constellation of younger, progressive organizations, has already raised $4 million for his bid a large sum for a first-time candidate. Jordan Wood, a 36-year-old former congressional aide whose campaign said hes raised $3 million, is also running. Dan Kleban, a co-founder of the Maine Beer Company, dropped out on Tuesday and endorsed Mills. Platner previewed some of the attack lines against Mills in The New York Times , saying that going with someone who is very much of the establishment, going with someone who is very much of the party that has built the world we live in now, I think that runs a massive risk. There are also generational themes underpinning the race, as Mills, who is 77, is the oldest candidate in the race and would be the oldest freshman senator should she win. She has said that she only planned to serve one term , should she be elected. Michigan Senate primary The United States role in Israel is poised to take center stage again in the Michigan Senate race, where a trio of candidates, all with differing stances on the issue, are competing to replace retiring Michigan Sen. Gary Peters in a crucial battleground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow called the conflict in Gaza a genocide , joining Abdul El-Sayed, a former Michigan health official, who has taken an even firmer stance against Israels actions. McMorrows comments represent not only the Democratic Partys evolving views on Israel, but also how candidates hope to use the issue to differentiate themselves within the primary. In contrast, Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) is backed by AIPAC, the pro-Israel group. AIPACs super PAC already dropped millions to boost Stevens in 2022 , when she beat then-Rep. Andy Levin in a member-on-member primary. Democrats in the state expect AIPAC to spend heavily on behalf of Stevens again, which could also test Democratic primary voters willingness to accept big money interventions. The state, home to a significant Arab-American population, saw the rise of the uncommitted movement to pressure then-President Joe Biden to take a stronger stance against Israel last year amid the war. Tennessees 9th District primary A handful of young, insurgent candidates have popped up across the country , challenging older, tenured House members, whom they have deemed generationally out-of-step in standing up to President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson, the Tennessee Three member who announced his primary bid against 10-term Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) last week, best represents this dynamic . Pearson, who is 30, instantly picked up support from David Hoggs group, Leaders We Deserve, which pledged to spend $1 million against the 76-year-old Cohen. The complaints are often stylistic rather than ideological, which could shed new light on primary voters preferences ahead of the 2028 presidential primary. California gubernatorial primary Voters in the biggest blue state, in picking its next governor, will confront what matters more: A candidate focused on standing up to Trump or dealing with the states non-Trump-related problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, so far, there is no clear frontrunner answering that question. Former Rep. Katie Porter, who lost a 2022 bid for Senate, held a slight polling advantage before a recent contentious interview went viral. But several other Democrats are vying for a spot: former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former state comptroller Betty Yee and state superintendent Tony Thurmond. And other high-profile candidates may still enter the race. Los Angeles businessman and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso is often name-checked, as is Sen. Alex Padilla. Its not clear if either will ultimately make the jump. Another dynamic for Democrats could come in the general election, should the Republican candidates, Riverside County sheriff Chad Bianco and Fox News personality Steve Hilton, get locked out. If its a Democrat-versus-Democrat in November 2026, voters can deliver an even more clear answer on what it means to be a California Democrat, particularly on issues around crime and housing. New Yorks 17th District primary This upstate New York district is one of only three House districts Kamala Harris won in 2024 thats also held by a Republican, making it one of the most tantalizing pickup opportunities for Democrats in 2026. National Democrats are closely watching who might emerge from the unsurprisingly crowded primary, where eight candidates have jumped in to take on Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) with party leaders betting that more moderate candidates would be enticing to swing district voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cait Conley, a former National Security Council official, and Beth Davidson, a Rockland County legislator, were both mentioned by national Democrats as potential swing seat stars, should they emerge from the primary. In 2018 Democratic primaries set the stage to win the House, [and] moderates with records of service won the day, said Dan Sena, who served as the DCCCs executive director in 2018. One of the big questions for 2026 will be if the Democrats can again replicate that strategy and success. Melanie Mason contributed reporting. A 66-year-old Mexican restaurant chain is opening its first U.S. location in the Greater Houston area. Los Cochinitos is bringing its signature pork-centric menu to the North Freeway in Spring, a design firm attached to the project told Chron. There is already substantial buzz about the upcoming Los Cochinitos at 21005 Interstate 45 on social media. The address used to belong to a Bombshells restaurant. According to a permit filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration, the project is a $300,000 renovation/alteration that started in May and ended a month later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Broadbent of PK Remodel and Design told Chron that final inspections will happen in the next week or so, with an opening possible within the month. "They are based out of Puebla, Mexico," Broadbent said. "It will be the first store in the U.S. and they plan on growing and doing a lot of buildings out here." The cityscape of Puebla, Mexico. Los Cochinitos is building its first-ever U.S. restaurant in Houston. (Sergio Mendoza Hochmann/Getty Images) The first version of Los Cochinitos was started in 1959 by two brothers in Central Mexico, according to the restaurant's website. Like its name suggests, the restaurant chain is heavy on the pork; the menu features gorditas con chicharron, carnitas, and sesos (brain). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Los Cochinitos has expanded to eight Mexican locations since its opening, with another location set to open in Monterrey. A Cochinitos USA is online and currently accepting job applications. Meanwhile, another Los Cochinitos was listed at 14500 North Fwy., roughly six miles away, but Broadbent said that it is not related to the Spring location. The old Bombshells at the Spring location was one of two Houston-area locations that closed less than a year ago. RCI Hospitality, which also owns Chicas Locas and Rick's Cabaret, said the locations were underperforming. More Food & Drink Review | YouTube star has out-of-body experience tasting Houston burger Fusion | This Houston sandwich could end America's immigration debate Business | Houston restaurant heir looks to turn around national diner chain Spotlight | Inside the Houston-area BBQ joint that feels like Buc-ee's For more food news and features from Chron, sign up for The Feed newsletter here. This article originally published at 66-year-old Mexican chain famous for pork opening location in Houston. A federal judge on Friday said she would try to issue an order quickly in the deportation case of Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Accused of being an MS-13 gang member, Abrego Garcia was deported and sent to the Terrorism Confinement Center, a megaprison in El Salvador, last March. He gained national attention as part of the Trump administrations efforts to deport suspected immigrant gang members living illegally in the U.S. He was seen as a hardened criminal by the administration and as a victim by Trumps opponents. After being deported to El Salvador, he was brought back to U.S. soil in June under a court order. Ama Frimpong, CASA's legal director, and one of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's attorneys, speaks during a rally outside of the United States District Court District of Maryland ahead of an evidentiary hearing for Garcia on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Greenbelt, Md. | Stephanie Scarbrough, Associated Press In Fridays testimony hearing, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis appeared to grow impatient with the federal governments legal team and its efforts to deport him to another country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a deportation location is not secured soon, Xinis could order that Abrego Garcia be released from immigration detention pending further action in his case, contradicting the words of Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin that the man would never go free on American soil. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, left, hugs her husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. | Stephanie Scarbrough The Trump administration has tried to deport Abrego Garcia to three African countries Uganda, Ghana and Eswatini but has been denied, according to Fox News. Ghanas foreign minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, posted on X last week that his country made clear it would not take in Abrego Garcia: Ghana is not accepting Abrego Garcia. He cannot be deported to Ghana. This has been directly and unambiguously conveyed to US authorities. In my interactions with US officials, I made clear that our understanding to accept a limited number of non-criminal West Africans, purely on the grounds of African solidarity and humanitarian principles would not be expanded. Ghana strongly objects to these misleading media reports. Ghana is not accepting Abrego Garcia. He cannot be deported to Ghana. This has been directly and unambiguously conveyed to US authorities. In my interactions with US officials, I made clear that our understanding to accept a limited number of non-criminal West Africans, pic.twitter.com/nldddIyjPx Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) October 10, 2025 However, John Schultz, a deputy assistant director overseeing deportation operations at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, told Xinis that discussions between the U.S. and Eswatini are ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know if theres a rank structure on the next country if Eswatini doesnt work, Schultz said, according to Politico. Costa Rica has agreed to take in Abrego Garcia, who has agreed to go there, but the federal government seems to be unsatisfied with that decision. We now know they are 0 for 3. Three strikes and youre out. They have spun the globe and picked various places to fail on purpose by selecting places that would be completely unpalatable for Mr. Abrego, one of his attorneys, Andrew Rossman, told Xinis, per Politico. What weve been getting in this courtroom is a lot of run-around. Immigrant activists rally outside of the United States District Court District of Maryland ahead of an evidentiary hearing where attorneys for Kilmar Abrego Garcia will seek his immediate release from immigration detention, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Greenbelt, Md. | Stephanie Scarbrough, Associated Press When told there had been no discussion on sending Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica within the Justice Department, she asked for an explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why not? Xinis said, according to Fox News. You dont want him in the country youve said that, she said. You have a country that will take him. You have a plaintiff who says Ill go there. She mentioned that the idea of the government still urging other nations to accept him is a bit hard to swallow. New Delhi, India As the Taliban returned to power in August 2021 following the chaotic withdrawal of US forces, which triggered the collapse of the Western-backed government in Kabul, India was forced to shut its embassy and hurriedly pull out its diplomats and citizens. More than four years later, Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government has rolled out a red carpet for an Afghan delegation led by the Taliban administrations Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in the capital, New Delhi. The Afghan foreign ministers weeklong trip the first official visit by a Taliban leader is being billed as groundbreaking. Muttaqi, who remains on the United Nations sanctions list, arrived in India after receiving a temporary travel exemption from the world body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indias reset with the Taliban, experts say, is part of a policy of pragmatism, as New Delhi aims to counter Pakistani influence in Afghanistan, whose relationship with Pakistan, Indias arch foe, has been strained over cross-border attacks. Some analysts, however, say Indias hosting of the Taliban leaders gives legitimacy and a de facto recognition to the Taliban administration, which has been struggling to boost its diplomatic legitimacy. So, why is India embracing the Taliban now? What happened at their meeting and what is New Delhi expecting from the Taliban? What is in it for the Taliban? Taliban administrations Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi with his team in New Delhi, India, October 12, 2025 [Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters] What happened during the India-Taliban meet? Muttaqi, accompanied by Afghan trade and foreign ministry officials, is meeting Indian officials to discuss diplomatic, trade, and economic ties during his visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After he met Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Friday, New Delhi said it will reopen its embassy in Kabul. Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development as well as regional stability and resilience, Jaishankar said. He also affirmed Indias full commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan. Muttaqi has called India a close friend. In a joint statement, New Delhi and the Taliban committed to maintaining close communication and continue regular engagement. The Afghan leaders also invited Indian companies to invest in its mining sector, which the statement said would help strengthen the bilateral trade and commercial relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Delhi also stated that it is committed to furthering its humanitarian assistance and other development projects in Afghanistan, one of the worlds poorest countries. Modis government also facilitated Muttaqis visit to Deoband, in Uttar Pradesh, which hosts the Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the most influential Islamic seminaries in South Asia. On Monday, Muttaqi announced that direct flights would soon start between Kabul and Indian cities, including Amritsar in Punjab. Why is India embracing the Taliban now? Historically, India has viewed the Taliban as a proxy for Pakistans intelligence agencies. Many Taliban members had studied in conservative religious schools in Pakistan, which also provided crucial support to the mujahideen movement against the Soviet Union in the 1980s. It was from the mujahideen that the Taliban emerged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India shuttered its Kabul embassy in 1996 when the Taliban first took control of Afghanistan. Instead, India backed the Northern Alliance Afghan groups fighting the Taliban providing diplomatic support, aid, and training to counter Pakistani influence and protect its regional interests. The Northern Alliance also had backing from other countries, primarily Iran and Russia. Pakistan was one of only three countries that recognised the Taliban administration until it was dislodged from power in a US-led invasion in 2001. When the US and NATO forces invaded the country and the Taliban lost power, India reopened its embassy but continued to treat the Taliban as a Pakistani ally. India blamed the Taliban and its allies for a series of bombings at its diplomatic missions across Afghanistan. Islamabad, meanwhile, was accused by US leaders of giving safe haven to Taliban leaders and fighters as the group waged a deadly armed rebellion against the US-led NATO forces for 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Kabuls fall in 2021, when the US-led forces withdrew and the Taliban captured power, India once again shut its embassy and consulates in Afghanistan, stopped issuing visas to all Afghans, including students, traders, and even former government officials. India started making diplomatic overtures to the Taliban a year after the groups return to power, re-establishing diplomatic presence in the country, tasked with overseeing the distribution of humanitarian aid. In the past two years, India has allowed the Taliban to quietly take over the Afghan consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Indian officials and diplomats have also held several high-level engagements abroad. In January this year, Muttaqi also met Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, Pakistans ties with the Taliban have plummeted. Islamabad has accused Afghanistans rulers of sheltering armed groups, including the Pakistan Taliban, or TTP, which have carried out dozens of deadly attacks on Pakistani soil in recent years. The Taliban deny those charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is in that changed regional geopolitical landscape that India is welcoming Muttaqi, said analysts. The costs of avoiding engagement with the Taliban [by ceding a regional ally to Pakistan] in the past compelled the Indian government to strengthen relations with Kabul this time, said Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group in New Delhi. Its a strategically vital relationship that cant be ignored on ideological grounds, Donthi said, referring to the lack of common ground between the conservative Taliban and the Hindu nationalist government in India. Or left to Indias primary strategic rivals to exploit, he added, speaking on the Chinese exchanges and investment with Kabul. The visit demonstrates Indias willingness to rise above ideological concerns and optics and to engage pragmatically with the Taliban, Donthi told Al Jazeera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gautam Mukhopadhaya, a retired Indian diplomat and former ambassador to Afghanistan, told Al Jazeera that, unlike the Taliban of the 1990s, when Pakistan wielded complete control over it, regional dynamics have changed. The new Taliban is slightly more worldwide [in its overview] and more savvy. And they have to see the larger interests of Afghanistan, said Mukhopadhaya. India has shared deep-rooted cultural and trade ties with Afghanistan for centuries, dating back to the Mughal era. That sense of kinship with India has always been there, Mukhopadhaya said. And India has goodwill on the ground due to its humanitarian assistance. Hindustan, as a concept, is a big thing in the Afghan mind. And Indias non-engaging phase with the Talibans first rule was an aberration in bilateral ties, added the former diplomat, who reopened the Indian embassy in Afghanistan after the Talibans removal from power in 2001. People hold banners welcoming Amir Khan Muttaqi at Darul Uloom Deoband in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, October 11, 2025 [Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters] What is India expecting from the Taliban? To India, it is clear that the Taliban regime is not going to go away soon, said Ajai Sahni, executive director of South Asia Terrorism Portal, a platform that tracks and analyses armed attacks in South Asia. You cant simply walk away because the regime is not to our liking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to deal with the reality of the political dynamics in the region, he added. And this situation demands greater outreach [to the Taliban] on Indias part and establish relations with regimes that are willing to go along with the Indian position in the subcontinent. Kabuls growing conflict with Islamabad is an important factor in Indias calculations. The tensions spilled over the weekend as Pakistan and Afghanistan traded heavy fire in the border areas. Dozens are believed to have been killed on both sides. The fighting coincided with Muttaqis ongoing visit to India. The deportation of tens of thousands of Afghan refugees by Pakistan has further strained the ties between the two neighbours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of regional relationships, Afghanistan was also among the few countries that strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April earlier this year. The attack that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan a charge it denies brought the South Asian rivals to the brink of an all-out war in May as they traded missile and drone attacks. Mukhopadhaya, the former envoy, says the Taliban and India have a common enemy. We both have grievances and problems with Pakistan, he added. That also makes us natural allies. In their joint statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep appreciation to the Taliban for its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam as well as for the sincere condolences. Both sides unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism emanating from regional countries, the statement noted, without naming Pakistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing Indias security concerns, the Taliban foreign minister also reiterated the commitment that the Afghan government will not allow any group or individual to use the territory of Afghanistan against India. Members of the media attend a news conference of Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, October 12, 2025 [Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters] What does the diplomatic engagement mean for the Taliban? The meeting in New Delhi means a world for the Taliban and its standing both at home and abroad, said Sahni, as the group has been making efforts for diplomatic recognition. The Taliban administration is only recognised by Russia, and several senior leaders remain under UN sanctions. While rolling out the carpets for the Taliban leader, the Modi government is facing uncomfortable questions at home, including on womens rights, broader human rights violations, and the killing of Reuters photojournalist Danish Siddiqui in July 2021. The exclusion of female journalists from Muttaqis first news conference at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi last week caused an uproar, with opposition leaders and journalists slamming the government for its silence on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, the Afghan officials conducted another news conference that included women, seated in the front row of seats. Visiting Taliban officials have used the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, which still flies the flag of the previous Western-backed government, for these events, but do not have control over its premises since India has not formally recognised the Taliban government as yet. Gaining that recognition and control of the embassy would be a major diplomatic victory for the Taliban. For Afghanistan, deeper engagement with India could open doors to trade, education, and healthcare partnerships, analysts noted, as reflected in the joint statement put out by the two ministries. Last year, the annual bilateral trade was nearly $900m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Muttaqi on Monday also met a delegation of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, who had left Afghanistan over the past few decades and are currently living in Delhi. Muttaqi told them they were welcome to return and restart their businesses. Thousands of Afghan students study in Indian universities, traders depend on Indian markets, and Indian-backed projects from hospitals and dams to humanitarian aid have been lifelines for many Afghan communities. The world may not understand, but for the Taliban, [being courted by India] is a big thing, said Sahni. There are not too many people who can give them the legitimacy, trade, and humanitarian assistance, alongside diplomatic respectability. A vigil participant holds an 'Erase Hate' sign in front of the White House on Oct. 27, 2018, in Washington, D.C., following a shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Eleven people were killed by an antisemitic gunman in the deadliest crime against Jews in American history. The gunman was sentenced to death by a federal jury in 2023. (Photo by Alex Edelman/Getty Images) COLUMBIA Hate crime ordinances in municipalities across South Carolina would likely be struck down as overstepping their legal authority, according to an analysis by the state attorney generals office, which on Tuesday appeared unlikely to affect lawmakers debate over a state crime. Supporters, however, pledged to try again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonbinding legal opinion concludes that the ordinances may violate both the state constitutions ban on local governments creating criminal law and depending on what they criminalize the U.S. Constitutions free speech rights under the First Amendment. The use of hatred to intimidate others is repulsive and has no place in society, Solicitor General Robert Cook wrote, stressing he doesnt want to undermine local governments ability to condemn racial, religious, or other forms of hatred. We condemn these as well and fully support Home Rule. However, he continued, criminal hate crime ordinances have been rendered off limits by our State Constitution and this form of criminal behavior may be addressed only by the General Assembly. Regardless, he notes, the existing local rules remain fully in place unless and until a court decides otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opinion, dated Oct. 10, was sought by Greenwoods city attorney, after a resident called on City Council during a public meeting in June to pass its own ordinance. Attorney James Padgetts concerns were largely confirmed in the opinion. Whether we can do something or not, this is really an issue that needs to be taken up by our Legislature, Mayor Brandon Smith, a former state Municipal Association board member, told the SC Daily Gazette. Why the patchwork? South Carolina is among just two states without a specific hate crime law. (Wyoming is the other.) As attempts to pass a law repeatedly failed in the Legislature, two dozen towns and cities, as well as two counties, have passed local rules making it unlawful to intimidate someone because of who they are, to include their race, religion, gender identity or disability. The latest city was Spartanburg, where a hate intimidation offense was adopted unanimously Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penalties for violators vary. Possibilities include community service, participation in an anti-bigotry education program, a $500 fine, and up to 30 days in jail. Such a patchwork statewide is what the state constitution sought to avoid, Cook wrote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford disagreed with that analysis. Hes saying cities and counties cant come up with their own crimes because they cant exceed state law. Well, theres no state law on it, said the Columbia Democrat. Both the capital city and surrounding Richland County have passed hate crime ordinances. Rutherford, an attorney, said local governments could respond to a legal challenge by simply removing the criminal penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cities should look to address as much as possible hate in South Carolina and take a stand, he told the SC Daily Gazette. It needs to be punished when people act on their hate. Violence motivated by hate is unfortunately becoming increasingly common, he said, and government should step in to tell people that wont be tolerated. We cant allow that because when people feel they can do that, thats when society goes off the rails, Rutherford said. His caucus will push again for legislation next year, he said, while acknowledging approval hinges on the Senate. Since 2021, the House has twice passed legislation that would add penalties for people convicted of committing a crime due to their victims race, gender or sexual orientation. But those proposals never got a vote on the Senate floor, with GOP opponents saying proving hate involves prosecuting thoughts, and violent crimes already carry stiff penalties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said Tuesday he agrees that only the Legislature can set criminal law. He also agrees theres been an alarming increase in violence fueled by anger and hatred. But he still opposes creating a state hate crime. The answer, he said, should be criminal laws that punish severely regardless of the victims identity. It shouldnt depend on what city you live in. If the laws insufficient, lets address the law, said the Edgefield Republican. I think its culturally destructive policy to enshrine in the law that some people are more important than others, and were going to treat people differently. Hes not budged by criticism that South Carolina is nearly alone in its lack of a hate crime, he said, noting the existence of a hate crime in other states clearly isnt dissuading violent, hate-fueled crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look at how well theyve worked, he said about other states laws. It hasnt done anything to protect those victims that its designed to protect. In Columbia, one of the first cities to pass an ordinance, a review of charges in 2020, a year after its passage, found most involved racial slurs. Those charged included two Black homeless men. At least one case was later dismissed. Massey contends the punishment for violent crime is often already more severe in South Carolina than in Democrat-led states with a hate crime statute. In cases of murder, punishment can include life without the possibility of parole or death: We dont need a hate crime to get you there, he said of death row. Senate rules allow a single senator to block legislation, at least temporarily. While opposed to hate crime bills, Massey has not been among GOP senators to officially object to them and block debate. An objection can be overridden by a vote that puts a bill on special debate status. But so far, hate crime proposals have lacked majority support among the Senates dominating Republicans for Massey to call for a public vote. A death penalty comparison Sen. Tom Davis, who supports hate crime legislation, said hell try again next year to persuade his GOP colleagues. He points to the states death penalty statute in hopes of changing their mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In South Carolina, killers can be sentenced to death only after theyre convicted of murder, and the crime must involve at least one factor on a list of aggravating circumstances, such as happening during a burglary or kidnapping, or the victim being a child. Davis, R-Beaufort, likens the boost to a death sentence to the enhanced penalties allowed by a hate crime law. The bill last passed by the House in 2023 would have added up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine to the sentence of a hate-motivated violent crime. Were not talking about making thoughts a crime or speech a crime or making a new felony, he told the Gazette. Certain crimes are more heinous than others, and we already recognize that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he understands local officials frustration in passing their own hate crime ordinances, Davis said he nonetheless agrees with the attorney generals opinion. The governor weighs in I think its a matter that needs some debate, Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters at the Statehouse on Tuesday. His concern is that passing a hate crime law would give law enforcement the power to conduct expansive searches of peoples homes and possessions to prove their motivation came from a place of hate, he said. We have so many laws now that cover A to Z, with penalties that can be very severe, McMaster said. The judges and magistrates, I believe, are the answer. If they use those laws that we already have and implement them fully and carefully, then that would be the way to keep the lid on things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor stopped short of saying existing local ordinances should be challenged in court. If someone wants a ruling to throw them out, theyre welcome to try, he said. Its a free country, McMaster said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Reporter Skylar Laird contributed to this report. DES MOINES, Iowa The Des Moines International Airport along with several other airports across the country wont be showing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems video blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown. Last week, the Transportation Security Administration announced it would be rolling out the video to airports across the country. According to the Associated Press, in the video Noem warns travelers about potential changes to operations at airports due to staffing limitations and TSA employees not being paid during the shutdown. She also blames Democrats for the shutdown and subsequent impacts in the video. NW Iowa high schoolers serve community as volunteer firefighters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many airports, including major airports like JFK International Airport, have announced they wont be playing the video, with some airports saying it would violate their policies of not playing political messages in their facilities. The Des Moines International Airport told WHO 13 on Tuesday that it also will not be playing the video. A spokesperson for the airport released the following statement about the decision: The Des Moines International Airport Authority will not be displaying advertising or videos related to the Federal government shutdown. Videos including references to political parties would also conflict with our policy prohibiting political advertising or messaging in the terminal. We recognize that air travel can be a stressful experience for some people, and our focus is to make the process of getting through the terminal as smooth and calming as possible for passengers. On Tuesday, the government shutdown extended into its 14th day. The Senate is expected to hold another vote for the Houses continuing resolution to end the shutdown Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Central Time. This will be the eighth vote on the measure. It has failed to pass during the previous votes. Metro news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. TikTok owner ByteDance has initiated a new round of employee share buy-backs that give the company a higher valuation, even as it works on a deal to divest the video app's US operations amid geopolitical uncertainty. The latest repurchase programme, initially open to employees based in the United States last month and the rest of the world last week, priced the vested restricted stock units (RSUs) at US$200.41 per share, up 5.5 per cent from US$189.90 during the round held in April, according to two employees. China-based staff received the repurchase email on October 10. For former employees, the price was US$180.37 per share, almost 12 per cent higher than the last round's US$161.42. This offer narrowed the gap between the two groups, as previous buy-back programmes typically offered former employees 20 per cent less than the price available to current staff. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. ByteDance is currently working on arrangements for its TikTok operations in the US. Photo: Shutterstock Images alt=ByteDance is currently working on arrangements for its TikTok operations in the US. Photo: Shutterstock Images> The new repurchase price suggests that ByteDance's management does not see the TikTok deal as a big blow to the company's valuation, which was estimated to be about US$330 billion based on the purchase price, supporting speculation that the company would continue to gain financially from US TikTok operations as a joint venture. "The share repurchase price [for employees] may serve as a significant reference point for company valuation," said Guo Tao, a Beijing-based angel investor and expert in artificial intelligence. "However, the actual valuation requires a multidimensional assessment taking into account market conditions, profitability, growth prospects, among others." ByteDance has conducted employee share buy-backs since 2017, usually twice a year. The price has consistently risen over time as it provides liquidity to employees, giving management a way to retain talent and reinforce internal confidence in the company's long-term growth prospects. The modest uptick in price and valuation this time underscores ByteDance's resilience amid geopolitical tensions and market uncertainties. The company's valuation peaked at around US$400 billion in 2021 after its plans to go public collapsed amid worsening US-China relations. Airports across Americas busiest markets are refusing to play a video message from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem where she blames Democrats for the government shutdown and for travel delays airline customers might face. POLITICO reached out to the 25 busiest airports in the U.S., according to a 2024 ranking from the Federal Aviation Administration and more than half of them said they would not air the video in their facilities, with seven airports noting the political nature of the message violated airport policies. Those include some airports serving the busiest traveling hubs in the nation. One airport, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, said it had started playing the video on monitors in TSA-leased space. Others said the video was still under review. The remaining seven airports did not return requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wave of pushback from airports across the country comes as the Trump administration continues to admonish Democrats for failing to support a GOP-led resolution that would pull the government from its ongoing shutdown. In the clip meant to be played by airport security lines Noem tells passengers they may face travel delays because Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government. Because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay, Noem said in the video. We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel, she continued. And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government. In a statement to POLITICO last week, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Noems video message was rolling out in airports across the country and echoed the clips criticism of Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson declined to comment on whether DHS possessed the legal authority to compel airports to display the video. Officials from airports in major markets like Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Philadelphia, along with Phoenix, Seattle and Salt Lake City said they wouldnt air the video due to city, state or airport policies prohibiting political content displayed in airport facilities. The City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation, owner and operator of Philadelphia International Airport, does not accept or display materials that are political in nature in its facilities, Philadelphia International Public Affairs Manager Heather Redfern said in an email. The Port of Seattle will not play the video on its screens at SEA Airport due to the political nature of the content, a Port of Seattle spokesperson said in a statement. We continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown and are working to find ways to support federal employees working without pay at SEA during the shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Palm Beach International Airport declined to specify whether theyd air the video, but said the airport does not own or control the monitors in its security checkpoints. The content is produced and managed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), they said in the statement. Neither the messaging nor the content is provided by PBI. A spokesperson for Charlotte Douglas International Airport said the opposite, noting TSA does not own any monitors at the airports checkpoints and that the monitors are reserved for static content providing travel information. DHS did not return a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A handful of other airports said they wouldnt air the video in their airports premises, but stopped short of explicitly citing the partisan messaging. Spokespersons for Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Minneapolis-St. Paul International said they werent currently airing the video, but that the clip was under review. TSA is not airing the video while the MAC is evaluating this request under applicable legal requirements, a spokesperson for Minneapolis-St. Paul International said in an email. Were grateful for the thousands of federal workers who are continuing to support air transportation at MSP and across the country during the government shutdown. Jennifer Mehigan, a spokesperson for Massport, the Massachusetts airport authority, said Logan Airport and other airports in the state were not playing the video, but acknowledged they hadnt received a request to play the video in their facilities. Besides, there are no video screens at our TSA checkpoints, she said in the statement. PHENIX CITY Ala. (WRBL) State investigators are working to determine what caused a deadly house fire that claimed the lives of four family members late Monday night in Phenix City. Alabama State Fire Marshals were on the scene Tuesday investigating the blaze that killed 77-year-old Willey Chappell, 70-year-old Sarah Chappell, 40-year-old Vantice Williams and 6-year-old Paradise Williams. Family members also confirmed that the familys dog died in the fire. PREVIOUS STORY: Family of 4 found dead inside home in Phenix City due to fire, authorities say Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. said the possible cause of death was smoke inhalation inside the home. All four victims were pronounced dead at 8:31 p.m. on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, a heavy law enforcement presence was reported Monday night on Wehring Lane and Prince Drive in Phenix City. The Russell County Coroner, along with Sheriffs Office vehicles, Phenix City Police, and Fire Rescue units, responded to the scene Monday night. Agents with the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office have not released additional details about the investigation, which includes whether the home had working smoke detectors. A neighbor who has lived in the area for 30 years told WRBL News 3 that they did not hear any commotion or see smoke during the time of the fire. WRBL News 3 will continue to update this story on air and online as more information becomes available. 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 WRBL. This is an adapted excerpt from the Oct. 12 episode of Velshi. The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on Wednesday in Louisiana v. Callais. It is just the latest in a series of Republican-led attacks on the Voting Rights Act, which is known as one of the crown jewels of the Civil Rights Movement. The case challenges a congressional map that Louisiana adopted in 2024 to comply with the Voting Rights Act. That map created two majority-Black districts out of a total of six districts in Louisiana. The previous map had only one majority-Black district, even though Black Louisianians make up roughly a third of the states population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, a group of 12 Black Louisiana voters came together and went to federal court, arguing that having just one majority-Black district violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Section 2 is the most powerful remaining provision in the Voting Rights Act. Since the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder swept away other key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, Section 2 is essentially the only thing keeping this crucial civil rights law alive. It outlaws election practices that deny or limit voting rights based on race. It applies to election practices, including racial gerrymandering and voter registration restrictions, and other hurdles, such as ballot access. Without Section 2, the Voting Rights Act is essentially moot. In that lawsuit, the Black voters argued that the congressional map with just one majority-Black district limited their voting power. The new map, with two majority-Black districts, was meant to fix that. But now, a group of self-described non-African American voters is trying to turn this argument on its head, making its own argument that the new map with two majority-Black districts is essentially violating its civil rights and counts as racial discrimination against non-Black voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group claims the map sorts voters primarily by race, in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which says no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. It essentially guarantees states will apply laws equally to all people within their jurisdiction. The state of Louisiana and the Trump administration have backed that argument, asking the Supreme Court to declare the 2024 map unconstitutional. If the court rules their way, it could set a dangerous precedent and effectively cancel out Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, signaling that states no longer need to comply with the very provision designed to protect minority voters and ensure that American citizens have fair representation. According to a report by Fair Fight Action and the Black Voters Matter Fund, such a ruling could flip up to 19 congressional seats from blue to red in states across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic representatives in Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi could all have their seats eliminated or consolidated. Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas and Florida might retain at least one Democratic seat, but their Democratic delegations would shrink. Congress would also become significantly less diverse. The report warns: If legislators cannot consider race to remedy racial discrimination in voting, the Congressional Black Caucus could lose up to 30% of its members, while the Congressional Hispanic Caucus could lose up to 11% of its members. The incredibly high stakes are not lost on those fighting to preserve the Voting Rights Act. As groups representing the state's voters noted in a supplemental brief for the Supreme Court, Removing Section 2s protections in Louisiana will not end discrimination there or lead to a race-blind society, but it may well lead to a severe decrease in minority representation at all levels of government in many parts of the country. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Along Turkeys northwestern shoreline, where the Aegean Sea meets the olive-covered ridges of Anatolia, lies a quiet district called Ayvalk. Now its famous for its sun-kissed islands and seafront cafes, but around tens of thousands of years ago, it might have been one of the gateways by which the first people escaped from Africa and entered Europe. New study by a Turkish archaeology team has revealed that Ayvalk was once connected to a vast coastal plain a natural bridge between continents when seas during the Ice Age were considerably lower. In their study, they conclude that the lost landscape is thought to have been a main route for early humans and one of the missing links in mankinds earliest migrations. Rediscovering a Lost World The revelation is from an interdisciplinary study consisting of archaeologists, geologists, and paleoanthropologists from different Turkish universities. The team used drones, satellite imaging, and ground surveys to reconstruct a long-buried landscape that was present during the Pleistocene era. Paleolithic findspots identified during the Ayvalk survey: 1. Sirinkent I, 2. Sahilkent, 3. Sirinkent II, 4. Sirinkent III, 5. Armutcuk, 6. Ataturk Korulugu, 7. Eski Altnova Yolu, 8. Hakk Bey Yarmadas, 9. Tuz Golu I, 10. Tuz Golu II. (CREDIT: Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology) Sea levels were over 100 meters lower than today, and the wide fertile belt between Ayvalk today and neighboring islands such as Lesbos and Alibey was exposed. The area was a refuge for migrating hunter-gatherers in pursuit of herds and freshwater routes between continents with rivers, lagoons, and dense vegetation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local landscape would have been supplying both resources and refuge, the team noted, pointing to the availability of springs, flint deposits, and elevated ground ideal for tool production and temporary camps. Stone Tools Speak Across Time The most compelling proof came in the form of 138 stone tools across 10 sites in a 200-square-kilometer area. They were handaxes, cleavers, and beautifully crafted flake tools of chert and quartzite. They were marked by signatures of Acheulean and Mousterian technologies and thus linked to Homo erectus and early Neanderthals. Our archaeological discovery has shown that this currently peaceful region once potentially offered an essential land bridge for the migration of human beings in the Pleistocene era, explained Dr. Goknur Karahan from Hacettepe University, a lead researcher. She described the moment her team first held these tools as unforgettable. Walking through landscapes where no Paleolithic remains had ever been recorded, the archaeologists were suddenly holding evidence of ancient life. It feels like were adding an entirely new page to the story of human dispersal, she said. General view of selected Paleolithic findspots identified during the Ayvalk survey. Ataturk Korulugu (A); Eski Altnova Yolu (B); Tuz Golu II (C); Tuz Golu I (D); Sahilkent (E); Hakk Bey Yarmadas (F). (CREDIT: Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology) Reconstructing a Vanished Landscape Unraveling Ayvalks ancient landscape involved recreating clues buried on shore and on the seafloor. Sediment coring and seafloor surveys revealed ancient riverbeds and valleys submerged beneath modern Aegean waters. During the last Ice Age, these valleys were part of a vast lowland plain connecting Anatolia to Europe. When the world warmed and the ice melted, the advancing sea covered this corridor, leaving behind traces of the inhabitants who once traversed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ankara University associate professor Kadriye Ozccelik explained how these reconstructions show the islands and peninsulas of Ayvalk originally formed interior areas of a wide terrestrial landscape. They place emphasis on the importance of the region in deciphering hominin dispersals in the northeastern Aegean, she stated. This early text, the researchers argue, would have given a relatively direct route from Africa to southern Europe one that holds comparison with more widely accepted Levantine and Balkan migration routes. Evidence of Innovation and Survival The majority of the tools in Ayvalk demonstrate high-level craftmanship. Levallois-type flake tools, for example, possess a level of sophistication characteristic of Neanderthals and early modern humans. The tools were used for butchering animals, shaping hides, and making wooden spears. The existence of these objects in Ayvalk is particularly noteworthy, according to Dr. Karahan. They are concrete evidence that the region was part of wider technological traditions shared across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Large cutting tools. A handaxe from Sirinkent I (A); A cleaver from Sirinkent I (B); Handaxes with broken distal ends from Sahilkent (C and D). (CREDIT: Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology) Although the study team did not find human remains, the types and frequency of tools indicate repeated use of the ground for hundreds of thousands of years. Clusters of artifacts at the foot of old river terraces and on elevated points suggest that groups went back seasonally, perhaps after animal migration or using flint-rich outcrops. Science Beneath the Surface New technology helped spearhead the teams search. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and predictive modeling, researchers combined topography information with archaeological surveys to identify their target areas of excavation. These technologies allowed researchers to discover buried terraces and artifacts that were not apparent to the naked eye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The June 2022 fieldwork was not easy. Muddy terrain and dense alluvial cover made it difficult to find ancient layers. Despite all these, the team managed to identify good-quality raw material sources and well-preserved artifacts. The discovery of this rich and well-preserved array of artifacts exceeded our expectations, said Dr. Karahan. Each discovery was new and exciting for the team. Following Humanitys Expanding Footsteps For decades, scientists debated the way and the place that humans dispersed out of Africa into Europe through the Levant, the Caucasus, or through Anatolia. The discoveries at Ayvalk make the Anatolian option more plausible, demonstrating that this region was not a barrier but an overpass. Blanks and retouched tools. Sahilkent (A); Sirinkent II (BF); Armutcuk (GI); Ataturk Korulugu (J and K); Eski Altnova Yolu (LN). (CREDIT: Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology) Aid similarities between Ayvalk tools and those in Israels Tabun Cave and Jordans Ubeidiya site point to long-distance cultural exchanges throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The similarities point to intertwined traditions and mobility networks of thousands of miles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Hande Bulut from Duzce University also commented that the findings reveal the promise of Ayvalk as a long-term residence. Although early, our work suggests that this area has the potential to highlight technological advancement and communication across the Aegean, she said. Saving a Prehistoric Treasure Now, Ayvalks peaceful charm conceals its rich history, but scholars hope that they will preserve it by raising consciousness. Fast-paced urbanization and tourism have threatened numerous open-air sites. There are plans to work with local authorities on heritage trails and museum displays that revive the regions prehistoric past. More research will be conducted under the sea by underwater archaeology to scan the Aegean seabed for more artifacts and possible ancient camps. Through sonar mapping and unmanned submersibles, researchers are hoping to locate sites smothered under sediment since the last Ice Age. As scientists work on more discoveries, Ayvalks story becomes richer not only as an archaeological site, but as a history of human resilience and curiosity. Practical Implications of the Research The findings advance the worlds understanding of the early humans emigration out of Africa and how they adapted to new environments. Through finding that western Anatolia was an old successful crossroads, the research redefines migration models used in archaeology and genetics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study also underlines the importance of the integration of geology, climate science, and archaeology to reconstruct lost landscapes an approach that has the potential to be exported to other submerged landscapes around the world. Preservation of the sites can promote sustainable cultural tourism, providing local communities educational and economic rewards while protecting fragile prehistoric heritage. Research findings are available online in the Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology. Related Stories Like these kind of feel good stories? Get The Brighter Side of News newsletter. CLEVELAND (WJW) The streets of Clevelands Little Italy came alive Monday afternoon as the annual Columbus Day Parade made its way down Mayfield Road. Organized by The Italian Sons and Daughters of America, the parade is a long-standing tradition for Northeast Ohios Italian American community. I-Team: Browns, Cleveland mayor hold press conference We just love the parade the kids love the parade, said Tim Marks, spectator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of people lined the parade route to watch floats, vintage cars, and high school marching bands fill the streets. Children cheered as candy was tossed their way, while others enjoyed Italian pastries and sunshine. Annual Columbus Day parade celebrates Italian history in Cleveland Annual Columbus Day parade celebrates Italian history in Cleveland Annual Columbus Day parade celebrates Italian history in Cleveland Annual Columbus Day parade celebrates Italian history in Cleveland Annual Columbus Day parade celebrates Italian history in Cleveland Annual Columbus Day parade celebrates Italian history in Cleveland Organizers said the celebration was held downtown for decades before moving to Little Italy in 2004. Everybody comes down here with their family and friends to enjoy the day, said Ralph King, spectator. Sandusky police investigating death of 14-year-old: I-Team For many, the parade is about more than just the music and food its about celebrating heritage and community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It smells and looks Italian thats what it is, thats what we are, said King. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Belgium is bracing for widespread disruption as a national strike is set to affect the country on October 14, 2025. The strike is being organized by the joint trade union front and is in protest against government reforms affecting pensions, wages, and working conditions. The fallout is expected to cause chaos for both international and domestic travelers. This strike will affect Belgium's two busiest airports. What to expect at the airport The strike will hit Belgiums aviation sector hardest, with the countrys two main airports, Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport, announcing the cancellation of all flights on the day of action. Brussels Airport, the nations busiest air hub, typically handles 200 departing flights daily. In a statement on the airports website, Brussels Airport shared, As departing passenger flights are cancelled, cancellations are also possible on some arriving flights. The flight overview on our website will show cancellations only once they are registered by the airline. Passengers affected scheduled to fly via Charleroi on 14 October will be contacted in the coming days by their airline for a rebooking or refund. Related: Turn flight delays into family fun: Airport activities for kids The airport has urged travellers to check with their airlines and to monitor its app for real-time updates. Passengers flying October 13 and 15 are also warned to expect longer wait times and heavier crowds, as people attempt to travel before or after the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brussels South Charleroi Airport, a major base for low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, has also confirmed a complete shutdown of its flight operations on October 14. Affected travelers will be contacted directly by airlines to arrange refunds or alternative flights. The effect on transportation The ripple effects wont stop at the airports. Public transport across Brussels and other major cities is also expected to be severely disrupted. The capitals metro, tram, and bus network, has warned of "major disruptions", although it has pledged to try and maintain partial services. Travellers are advised to seek alternative means of transport, such as bicycles or scooters, with the app Floya offering real-time updates on available routes and services still in operation. While the national railway operator hasnt officially received a strike notice, it has warned of possible delays and overcrowding on trains, especially those heading to or from Brussels. Travelers flying through Belgium should be prepared for delays. What else can passenger expect? The strike could also extend beyond transportation. Trade unions are calling on retail workers to join the demonstration, which could lead to unplanned closures of supermarkets, retail chains, and shopping centres. For tourists, this could mean a significantly disrupted experience, including limited transit options, closed stores, and a generally more chaotic atmosphere in city centres. Related: Going through TSA with your family just got easier at this airport What to do If youre scheduled to travel through Belgium on or around 14 October: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check your flight status immediately and stay in touch with your airline. Plan extra time for travel before and after the strike date. Use apps like Floya to navigate public transport alternatives. Be prepared for possible retail closures and limited services. With tens of thousands of people affected and essential services down, Belgiums national strike is set to bring the country to a near standstill. Travellers are urged to stay informed and plan ahead to avoid being caught in the disruption. Get the latest travel inspiration and news delivered straight to your inbox. This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Oct 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the Airlines section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Adelita Grijalva answers a question during the Democratic primary debate inside the Arizona Public Media studio in Tucson, Ariz. on June 10, 2025. Photo courtesy Arizona Media Association Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is demanding that U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson stop stalling and seat Arizonas newest congresswoman, who won a special election three weeks ago. Voters in Arizonas Seventh Congressional District overwhelmingly favored Adelita Grijalva, a Tucson Democrat, in the Sept. 23 special election to fill the seat vacated by her father, Rep. Raul Grijalva when he died in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona officials canvassed that election on Tuesday, the last step before certifying it. But Johnson, a Republican, has refused to seat Grijalva, offering a wide range of excuses for the delay including the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, a week after she won the election with almost 70% of the vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX You and your staff have provided ever-shifting, unsatisfactory, and sometimes absurd stories as to why Ms. Grijalva has not been sworn in, Mayes wrote in the letter to Johnson. In a particularly worrisome comment, an aide connected the swearing-in and admission to the ongoing budget fight, suggesting that the House is trying to use Arizonas constitutional right to representation in the House as a bargaining chip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayes threatened to take legal action against Johnson if he fails to seat Grijalva immediately. Arizonas right to a full delegation, and the right of the residents of CD 7 to representation from the person they recently voted for, are not up for debate and may not be delayed or used as leverage in negotiations about unrelated legislation, Mayes wrote. The Grand Canyon States Democratic congressional delegation has been pointedly speaking out against Johnson for the past three weeks, demanding that the Seventh Congressional District get the representation its owed. On several occasions, they have connected Johnsons refusal to seat Grijalva with his desire to avoid a vote on a resolution demanding the release of the FBIs case files concerning Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 in Florida to a state charge of soliciting prostitution from a teenage girl after securing a non-prosecution agreement from federal prosecutors. He was then arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died by suicide while in prison awaiting trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Epstein socialized frequently in high-profile circles, attending parties in Palm Beach and New York. Photographs show them together at social events, including a 1992 party at Mar-a-Lago and Trumps 1993 wedding. Epsteins private jet logs also recorded Trump on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1997. And last month, congressional Democrats published a lewd birthday card from President Donald Trump to the convicted sex offender. Trump, administration officials and Republican politicians alike have dismissed the card as a hoax, while Democrats have seized on it as proof that Republicans are trying to bury details about the yearslong relationship between the president and Epstein. Speaker Mike Johnson is protecting pedophiles, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego said during an Oct. 10 interview with MSNBC. After shes sworn in, Grijalva would be the 218th vote needed to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Republicans have so far blocked their release, and Democrats have claimed that Johnson is stalling to prevent that vote, which he denies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grijalva sent her own letter Oct. 6, demanding to be sworn in, and said in a statement that shes headed to Washington D.C. this week to work with other congressional Democrats to urge an end to the government shutdown. Johnson falsely told reporters in D.C. on Tuesday that its common practice to wait until the next regular session of Congress to swear in new members, and said that U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Gallego, both Democrats, should work with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer to open the government so that she could be sworn in. He also attempted to shift blame to the Biden administration for never releasing the Epstein files and said that the only delay in releasing the files is due to extensive redaction to protect the identities of the victims. Speaker Johnson has exhausted every excuse to delay my swearing-in, Grijalva said in her statement. I am simply asking him to abide by the same precedent he set when he swore in his Republican colleagues within 24 hours of their special elections and during pro forma sessions earlier this year. Any further delay reveals his true motive: Speaker Johnson is stalling because he knows I will be the 218th signature on the discharge petition to release the Epstein files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pro forma session is a brief meeting of a legislative body during which no business is conducted. The House swore in two Republicans and one Democratic representative within 24 hours of their elections before the results were certified by their state elections officials during pro forma sessions earlier this year. Mayes accused Johnson of violating the U.S. Constitution by denying representation to the more than 800,000 people in the Seventh Congressional District. No one questions Ms. Grijalvas election or its returns, or raises an issue of her qualifications, Mayes wrote. The House is without authority to refuse her oath and admission. Grijalva previously served on the Tucson Unified School District Board, where she worked to protect bilingual education, and most recently on the Pima County Board of Supervisors where she followed in her fathers footsteps to advocate for environmental protections. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Arkansas Attorney Generals Office is asking a Pulaski County judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Gov. Sarah Sanders decision to delay the special election to fill the late Sen. Gary Stubblefields District 26 seat until June 2026 nearly nine months after his death. In its filing, the attorney general argues that the governor acted lawfully when she issued a writ of election setting the June 6, 2026, date, citing a provision that allows the governor to postpone a special election if holding one within 150 days is deemed impracticable or unduly burdensome. The brief contends that determination rests solely with the governor and cannot be reviewed or overturned by the courts. The response, filed Monday, also invokes the doctrine of sovereign immunity, which bars lawsuits against the state and its officials unless they are alleged to have acted illegally or unconstitutionally. It further maintains that courts lack jurisdiction to intervene in the conduct or timing of elections a position supported by early 20th-century Arkansas case law that restricted judicial involvement in political procedures. Analysis The states filing takes the broad view that the governors discretion over special elections is absolute unless she violates a clear law. By arguing that courts cannot question her judgment about what is impracticable, the attorney general effectively places the timing of special elections entirely within the executive branchs control. That interpretation could allow future governors to postpone elections indefinitely, leaving districts without representation for extended periods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colt Shelby, a resident of Senate District 26, filed the original petition Oct. 6, 2025, arguing that delaying the vote until mid-2026 deprives more than 80,000 residents of their constitutional right to representation during the upcoming fiscal session. His suit asks the court to compel the governor to hold the election within 150 days of Stubblefields death, as outlined in Arkansas Code 7-7-105. Democratic response Democratic Party spokesperson Micah Wallace, who also lives in House District 70 another district left vacant beyond the 150-day window called the governors actions a blatant abuse of power. It is absolutely outrageous and infuriating to now be among the residents Gov. Sanders is depriving of representation in the state legislature, Wallace said. There are now more than 100,000 Arkansans who are being silenced and denied a voice in the State House. Democrats will not stand by as this governor refuses to give Arkansans representation. Historical context Historically, Arkansas governors have acted quickly to fill legislative vacancies, often within weeks or a few months of a seat becoming vacant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In nearly every case examined from Rep. Samuel M. Taylors 1913 election following Joe T. Robinsons resignation to Effiegene Locke Wingos 1930 election 15 days after the death of her husband, Rep. Otis Wingo the other special elections occurred between 30 and 120 days after the vacancy. Among notable examples: Sen. Joe T. Robinsons death on July 14, 1937, was followed by John E. Millers election on Oct. 19, 1937 just 97 days later. Rep. Heartsill Ragons resignation on June 16, 1933, led to David D. Terrys election on Dec. 19, 1933, a gap of 186 days, one of the few exceptions slightly beyond the modern constitutional limit. Rep. William F. Norrells death on Feb. 15, 1961, resulted in Catherine Dorris Norrells election on April 18, 1961, 62 days later. Even in the 2001 vacancy left by Asa Hutchinson, Gov. Mike Huckabee called the primary just seven weeks after the resignation took effect and the general election 106 days later, still within the 150-day rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The delay in filling District 26 and the recently vacated House District 70 marks one of the longest gaps in Arkansas history between a legislative vacancy and a scheduled election date. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: AG argues Gov. Sanders has sole power to delay District 26 election SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia will make a second billion-dollar payment to boost U.S. nuclear submarine shipyards soon, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said in Washington on Tuesday, ahead of an official visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese next week. The AUKUS agreement to transfer nuclear-powered submarines to Australia is being reviewed by the Pentagon, although Australia has expressed confidence the deal, which also includes Britain, will proceed. In its first phase, Australia has pledged 3 billion U.S. dollars to boost U.S. submarine production rates, to later allow the sale of three Virginia submarines to Canberra, with a 2025 deadline for the first $2 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've made a billion dollars. The plan is to provide another billion dollars shortly," Conroy told reporters in Washington, where he said he is meeting with Trump administration and defence industry officials. Albanese will travel to Washington next week for an official visit and his first formal meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, with the AUKUS defence partnership expected to be a focus of talks. Defence Minister Richard Marles told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday that Australia was contributing to a Pentagon review of AUKUS and had "a sense of when this will conclude", without disclosing the timing. Australia is shifting to a model of defence co-development and co-production with the United States, including for the manufacture of guided weapons, and Albanese would highlight this to Trump, Conroy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia expects to manufacture up to 4,000 Lockheed Martin guided missiles annually from a new factory to begin production by the end of the year, including supplying U.S. defence needs, he said in a television interview with Sky News Australia. Australia is also working with the United States and Lockheed Martin to develop a longer range Precision Strike Missile reaching "in excess of a thousand kilometres", he added. "This is one example of us shifting to a co-design, co-development, co-production, co-sustainment model where we work in partnership with the United States and deepen the industrial base of both countries," he said. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney) Chinese coal imports surged in September to the highest level in nine months and the highest for 2025 amid falling output and rising prices within China, official data showed on Monday. The worlds top coal consumer, China, imported 46 million tons of coal in September, the highest level so far this year, according to figures by the General Administration of Customs cited by Reuters. The imports in September were below last years level for the same month, when shipments into China soared amid plunging international coal prices. Chinese coal production has declined in recent weeks amid government measures to curb oversupply and support coal prices. Earlier this year, China reportedly asked its coal-fired power plants to boost stockpiles with domestic supply as authorities aimed to push up local demand and prices. Domestic coal prices have firmed up in the second half of the year, prompting increased imports. After months of declining coal imports earlier this year, with July arrivals down by 23% from a year earlier, Chinas coal imports strengthened in August and were set to remain at high levels in September, too. Related: Oil Prices Rebound After a Sharp Selloff A drop in domestic production and soaring demand for power generation during the heat waves in August also contributed to the high imports of coal into China in September. The rapid rebound in domestic prices in the second half of the year has further widened the price gap between domestic and imported coal, making imported coal more competitive, Feng Dongbin, vice general manager at consultancy Fenwei Digital Information Technology, told Reuters. Amid oversupply, China was cutting imports and growing coal exports for most months until July. But now imports have rebounded, and the market waits to see if the rebound will be just a blip during the summer power generation or a sustained recovery as Chinese authorities clamp down on excess capacity and oversupply in key industries. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else. You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here. An eatery that bakes its bread from scratch daily is slated to open in Menomonee Falls this November. Great Harvest Bread Co. is targeting to open Nov. 14, according to a comment franchise owner Paul Zielski's posted Oct. 7 on its company Facebook page. This bakery and cafe offers sandwiches, desserts and breakfast items. Where will Great Harvest Bread Co. be located in Menomonee Falls? Great Harvest Bread Co. will be located at N71 W13082 W. Appleton Ave. What is the menu for Great Harvest Bread Co.? According to the Great Harvest Bread Co. website, menu items include a spicy apple bacon grilled cheese sandwich, veggie three-seed hummus, roasted pepper chipotle cheese steak, cinnamon rolls, maple oatmeal scones, muffins and biscuits. Great Harvest Bread Co. is set to open in Menomonee Falls in November. Are there other Great Harvest Bread Co. in the Milwaukee area? The Great Harvest Bread Co. website lists locations in Elm Grove, 13404 Watertown Plank Road, and Delafield, 601 Genesee St. (Town Square). What will the hours be for the Menomonee Falls location of Great Harvest Bread Co.? Zielski told the Journal Sentinel its hours are slated for 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. Is Great Harvest Bread Co. hiring for Menomonee Falls? Zielski said Great Harvest Bread Co. is hiring for many positions including baker, sandwich maker and front of house service. To receive an online application link, find Great Harvest - Menomonee Falls on Facebook. What is the history of Great Harvest Bread Co.? According to its website, Pete and Laura Wakeman, baked and sold whole grain bread to help pay for their tuition at Cornell University. After they were married in 1975, they fell in love with Montana and opened their first eatery in Great Falls, Montana, in 1976. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1978, according to the company website, the Great Harvest Franchise was born as its second bakery opened in Kalispell, Montana. How many locations of Great Harvest Bread Co. are there? According to the company website, more than 150 locations are in the United States. Where can I get more information on Great Harvest Bread Co.? For updates on the opening of Great Harvest Bread, find Great Harvest - Menomonee Falls on Facebook. For more information on Great Harvest Bread Co., visit greatharvestmenomoneefalls.com. More: Deadline approaches for FEMA flood aid, already totaling $8 million in Waukesha County More: Find all the cozy vibes at fall festivals and events in the Milwaukee area Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Great Harvest Bread Co. set to open Menomonee Falls location in November Vilnius Airport, the main international gateway to Lithuania, was forced to close temporarily over the weekend due to an unusual security threat hot air balloons carrying contraband. According to officials reported by BBC News, a series of up to 25 small hot air balloons, laden with thousands of smuggled cigarettes from neighboring Belarus, entered Lithuanian airspace on Saturday evening, October 4. This prompted authorities to halt all flight operations at the facility immediately. The airport shutdown lasted from late Saturday into early Sunday morning. Airport Shutdown And Emergency Response According to the National Crisis Management Center (NCMC), 25 meteorological balloons were detected entering Lithuania from neighboring Belarus, with two of them ending up directly over the airport. The aerial incursion affected the Vilnius area, which is close to the border with Belarus. Following the incident, Border Police successfully recovered at least 11 balloons. They also seized an estimated 18,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes from various locations throughout the region. Our services aim is to seize the largest possible quantities of contraband and to detain organizers and perpetrators so that this activity is unprofitable and does not pose a risk to civil aviation, an NCMC spokesman told the BBC. Ongoing Smuggling Trends In Lithuania This incident, while disruptive, represents just one example of a widespread smuggling technique utilized along the Belarus border. Lithuanian authorities have documented that smugglers frequently deploy these rudimentary aircraft because they offer a cost-effective alternative to drones for transporting cigarettes across the border. According to the NCMC spokesman in statements to the BBC, Meteorological balloons are a rudimentary tool used by smugglers they are cheaper than drones for transporting cigarettes from Belarus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Official data illustrates the scale of this phenomenon. Thus far in 2025, Lithuanian authorities have intercepted 544 hot air balloons entering from Belarus. This figure marks a notable decrease from the 966 balloons intercepted during the previous year. The practice extends beyond Lithuanias borders, affecting neighboring countries as well. The airport reported that the shutdown resulted in 30 flight cancellations, affecting approximately 6,000 passengers. It warned that there may still be delays on Monday. The post Balloons Used to Smuggle Cigarettes Force Lithuanian Airport to Shut Down appeared first on Travel Noire. After being forced to shut its doors for more than two months due to government spending cuts, an adult learning center in Baltimore is reopening but with less funding and fewer staff than before. South Baltimore Learning Center was two weeks into its summer enrollment session when it was forced to close after the Maryland Department of Labor failed to deliver a funding allocation involving combined state and federal dollars. The center has since received funding from the state, but it was $147,000 less than expected, prompting a reduction in staff. It requires us to do a little bit more, take on a little bit more, and really try to make it work with the little that we have, said Melissa Smith, SBLCs executive director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center depends on state and federal funding for around 60% of its $1.4 million budget, Smith said. In addition to government funding cuts, the center also received less money in donations this year, which added further damage, she said. We are really starting with less and trying to just, you know, just survive, she said. We cant run this on nothing. We need help. We need support; we need capital. We need people to care. The Maryland Department of Labor said SBLC received a Notice of Grant Award for $521,150 from the agencys Office of Adult Education and Literacy Services on Aug. 25. The center had been expecting nearly $670,000. All grantees have received an initial disbursal that is less than the previously projected amount, as a prudent approach in the context of an uncertain federal landscape for education funding, said Dinah Winnick, a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Labor, in an email. Winnick added that additional funds may be released in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SBLC reopened for learners on Oct. 6, with many students returning after their classes were halted this summer. After a lot of advocacy and just some push from different congressmen and congresswomen who are really helping to fight and support us, and our state workers as well they really got the funds reinstated for us, Smith said. SBLC has served thousands of GED graduates and workforce-ready participants over more than 35 years. The center helps adults obtain high school diplomas free of charge to students and it also provides programming on career skills, financial literacy, and trauma, addiction and mental health recovery. Students attend SBLC programming for a variety of reasons. Some may have recently served a prison sentence, while others may have dropped out of high school because they took on a job or needed to stay home while their parents struggled with an addiction, Smith said. Students range in age from 18 to 70, with several in the 25-44 age demographic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their testimonies are very powerful, Smith said. We are an amazing solution to helping folks earn their Maryland high school diploma so that they can enter careers that are helping them sustain a living wage. SBLC is celebrating its reopening at 11 a.m. on Nov. 6 at 28 E. Ostend St. Smith said anyone who wants to donate can do so through the centers website. Have a news tip? Contact Brooke Conrad at bconrad@baltsun.com or 443-682-2356. By Ruma Paul DHAKA (Reuters) -A fire on Tuesday at a garment factory in Bangladesh and an adjacent chemical warehouse killed at least 16 people and injured others, and the death toll could rise, an official said. The cause of the blaze wasn't immediately known, fire service director Tajul Islam Chowdhury said. "Sixteen bodies have been recovered from the second and third floors of the garment factory," he said, adding that the number of deaths could rise as recovery operations were continuing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire broke out at around midday on the third floor of the four-storey factory in the Mirpur area of the capital Dhaka, before spreading to a chemical warehouse storing bleaching powder, plastic and hydrogen peroxide, Talha Bin Jashim, a fire department official said, citing witnesses. Firefighters brought the factory blaze under control after nearly three hours, though the fire at the warehouse continued. Grief-stricken relatives gathered to search for their loved ones, some clutching photographs. In front of the blackened ruins, a father searched desperately for his daughter, Farzana Akhter. My daughter worked there. When I heard about the fire, I came running. But I still havent found her....I just want my daughter back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HISTORY OF INDUSTRIAL DISASTERS Chowdhury said the owners of the factory had not yet been identified. The police and the army are trying to locate them, he said. He added that neither the garment factory nor the chemical warehouse had approval or any fire safety plan. Based on the initial findings, he said the garment factory had a tin roof with a grilled door that was kept locked. The workers couldnt reach the upper level, he said The chemical explosion caused a flashover that released toxic gas, leaving many unconscious and trapping them inside. They couldnt escape either upward or downward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the victims were so badly burned, DNA testing may be the only way to identify them. In a condolence message, Bangladeshs interim government head Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow and urged authorities to investigate and support victims and families. Poor fire and building safety standards lead to dozens of such disasters in Bangladesh each year, and past accidents have tarnished the country's garments sector, which employs 4 million people and makes up more than 10% of the country's gross domestic product. In 2012, a fire at Tazreen Fashions that supplied global brands, killed 112 workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A year later, the eight-storey Rana Plaza building collapsed, killing 1,135 garment workers and triggering a wave of public outrage around the world about the human cost of cheap clothes. (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Ros Russell, Alexandra Hudson) After a round of mass layoffs at UCSF Health earlier this year, one of UC San Francisco's research institutes has abruptly laid off staff this month who were in charge of critical drug discoveries. Among the cuts were researchers, associates, chemists, biologists and animal health technicians who were driving medical breakthroughs for fatal neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, the union that represents the workers, University Professional and Technical Employees, said in a news release. In total, the layoffs included 26 staff positions and two faculty positions, UCSF said in a statement to SFGATE on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chey Dean, one of the laid-off staff researchers, told SFGATE that many of the life-saving drug discoveries in her lab were nearing Food and Drug Administration submission, and now she worries that the projects are "completely frozen." "It just really undermines the progress, and it delays potential treatments that can change the course of these completely devastating illnesses that are affecting millions of families in the most intimate way," she said. According to Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit medical center, researchers estimate that approximately 50 million people around the world have a neurodegenerative disease. Many of these diseases affect the brain and do not have a cure, according to the clinic. Dean said she was notified of the layoffs on Wednesday, which came as a complete surprise. The layoffs for full-time employees will be effective on Dec. 8, but contract employees received only a 30-day notice, according to a spokesperson for UCSF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was very little time to process," she said. "... I kind of just walked into work that morning and was told I was being laid off, that there was a budget shortfall, and even though I had been there in the department for eight years, that I was being laid off." In addition to the layoffs, UCSF also cut the research institute's budget by 40% and decided to pivot its funds to Parkinson's research rather than Alzheimer's and prion disease research. As a longtime researcher at the institution, Dean said she is also concerned about her remaining colleagues being overburdened and that her internal expertise will be forgotten. "Of course, I'm extremely worried about my program at this point, because I hold a lot of institutional knowledge, and all of that goes out the door with me," she said. "Obviously, I'm worried about the research, but I'm also worried about my fellow workers because when people are stressed, and doing the jobs of three and four people, you know that means that they're going to make mistakes." In its statement, UCSF said the layoffs are due to "shifts in private funding sources" for the 2026 fiscal year that resulted in a smaller budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The private funding is not related to federal funding cuts, UCSF said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employees that most recently hired were the first to be laid off, according to UCSF. Some employees with "special knowledge, skills, or abilities which are not possessed by other employees in the same classification in the layoff unit" were excluded from the layoff, regardless of seniority. In June, UCSF Health, which is a separate division, slashed approximately 200 positions, citing a financial crisis as the primary reason. Those layoffs were spread out among different departments; however, workers at the time still expressed concerns, saying that the cuts would intensify an already severely understaffed workforce. Workers have called the continuous layoffs "heartless" and criticized the institution's priorities. Dean said the most recent layoffs feel like a "pattern of the UC having displaced priorities." "What I wish the public knew is that the UC has the ability to change the trajectory of this," she said. "They can immediately reinstate laid off researchers like myself and my colleagues and restore funding for all of these neurodegenerative diseases, and they should reaffirm its commitment to public health, aka the community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Union members and UCSF workers plan to protest the layoffs and budget cuts on Wednesday afternoon in front of the Sandler Neurosciences Center. UCSF did not immediately respond to SFGATE's request for comment. A spokesperson for California's Employment Development Department told SFGATE that it had not received any WARN filings from UCSF as of Friday. Such filings are generally required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act only in the event of mass layoffs. Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:30 a.m., Oct. 14, to clarify which part of UCSF experienced layoffs. This story has been updated. More News - Authorities identify family of 4 found dead in San Francisco home - Bay Area man stalked, murdered woman in front of her children - 'Heartbreaking': Once thriving Calif. downtown is on the brink - Lost Kerouac story found among assassinated mafia boss' belongings Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for daily SFGATE breaking news alerts here. Google now allows you to add preferred news sources. Set SFGATE as one of yours to see more of us when you search. This article originally published at UCSF cuts more jobs, puts life-saving drug research at risk. At least 88 people have been detained across Belarus for alleged connections to the military monitoring group Belarusian Hajun, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported on Oct. 13. The group was an open-source intelligence project that tracked Russian and Belarusian troop movements and other military activity in Belarus from the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. It became an important information source for Belarusian, Ukrainian, and international media outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monitoring project was forced to close in February after its contact database was hacked. Belarusian security forces reportedly gained access to personal information of contributors and supporters. Belarusian Hajun's founder, Anton Motolko, later confirmed the breach. Since the hack, detentions of individuals allegedly connected to Belarusian Hajun have continued nationwide, with most arrests concentrated in Belarus' southeastern Gomel Oblast. Viasna said it had verified at least 88 cases of people held in custody, but the real number is believed to be higher. "Since September began, 68 people convicted of 'promoting extremism' have been added to the 'list of extremists.' This is more than a third of all people added to the list during this period," Viasna said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Some of them are figures in the 'Hajun case,' about whom human rights activists are unaware." According to the human rights group, court hearings in the case are taking place almost daily, with defendants receiving both suspended sentences and prison terms. Some cases have reportedly been transferred from Minsk to regional courts. background background Subscribe to newsletter Belarus Weekly Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned the arrests, calling them part of an effort by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's regime to build an "exchange fund" for political leverage. "Such detentions are intended to create an 'exchange fund' through which the regime hopes to buy indulgences in exchange for innocent people," the ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We emphasize that the repressions of the Belarusian regime constitute a systematic and gross violation of human rights... The mass arrests and imprisonment of Belarusian citizens under the so-called 'Hajun case' are unconditional proof of this," it added. Belarus under Lukashenko has faced international condemnation for widespread human rights abuses. Authorities have dismantled the rule of law and silenced political opposition. Torture, arbitrary detention, and politically motivated prosecutions remain widespread, with thousands of Belarusians still imprisoned or forced into exile. Lukashenko, who has governed Belarus since 1994, allowed Russian forces to launch an offensive against Ukraine from Belarusian territory at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Read also: Who buys Russian oil and gas? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. When Russia destroyed Ukraines Kakhovka Hydroelectric Dam in June 2023, unleashing catastrophic floods across the countrys south, it seemed like such a blatant act of environmental and humanitarian devastation might finally jolt the international community into taking more action to support Ukraine. But two years later, that flashpoint has dimmed, buried beneath a grim and growing list of atrocities that have followed in its wake. In the book Ecocide in Ukraine, Ukrainian scholar Darya Tsymbalyuk places the destruction of the Kakhovka dam at the center of a broader look into Russias ongoing environmental destruction of Ukrainian land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The book explores how deliberate ecological devastation has not only caused immediate harm to landscapes, communities, and ecosystems, but also threatens to sever Ukrainians deep-rooted cultural connections to the land. Drawing on her southern Ukrainian roots, Tsymbalyuk blends personal insight with scholarly rigor, giving the book an understated yet powerful emotional resonance. From age-old folk traditions like Zeleni Sviata and Ivana Kupala that honor nature and the fertility of the land to enduring customs of consuming seasonal, locally-grown produce, much of Ukraines cultural identity is rooted in nature. This connection is not only symbolic but practical: the countrys rich soil, known as chornozem, is one of the reasons it is among the worlds leading exporters of wheat, sunflower oil, and oilseeds. It's difficult to understate the scope of damage caused by Russia's ecocide against Ukraine. Events like the flooding of Ukraines south not only caused a number of casualties and destroyed countless peoples homes it reshaped the geographic landscape for generations to come. An aerial view shows residential districts in a flooded area of Kherson, Ukraine, on June 8, 2023, after Russian forces blew up the Kakhovka Dam. (Yan Dobronosov / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) Statistical data on the ecocidal damage inflicted by Russia upon Ukraine risks overwhelming the reader what does at least 5,000 square kilometers of wildlife impact mean to the average reader located on the other side of the world? However, Tsymbalyuk presents this data alongside testimonies from the disaster of Kahkhova, stirring up powerful emotions that the numbers alone might not have captured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the more visible acts of ecocide committed by Russia against Ukraine are quieter, less conspicuous losses that are no less tragic. In her book, for example, Tsymbalyuk references the tradition of mushroom picking. Long a cherished ritual for Ukrainian families, the practice is now fraught with danger in parts of the countrys north, east, and south, as landmines litter the forests. As Tsymbalyuk explains, whats been lost is more than just a seasonal pastime for Ukrainian families and friends. Mushroom picking was a way of familiarizing oneself with the land and of passing down such wisdom through generations. Without it, Ukrainians are not just losing a tradition they are losing a connection to the land itself, a subtle but profound unmooring. Russias ongoing ecocide against Ukraine is also a growing threat to global food security among the most iconic and harrowing images of the war are those of Ukraines burning wheat fields. However, despite the constant threat of wartime violence, Ukraine has remained committed to continuing grain exports and taking part in humanitarian programs like the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative, which seeks to deliver essential aid to nations such as Syria and Palestine. More pointedly, Russias destruction of Ukrainian grain also attacks the revered place of bread in Ukraines culture, conditioned not only by old beliefs but also by previous experiences of being killed through starvation, as Tsymbalyuk explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tsymbalyuk draws parallels between Russias ongoing destruction of Ukraines farmland and the Holodomor, the Soviet-engineered famine that claimed an estimated 3.5 to 5 million Ukrainian lives. In recent years, a number of European countries have recognized the Holodomor as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people. The stories of hunger and starvation passed down through surviving generations instilled in many Ukrainians a deep aversion to wasting food. With this historical context, Russias ongoing destruction of farmland during the full-scale war conjures up a legacy of hunger employed as a weapon of control. The international community has largely overlooked the consequences of Russias ecocide against Ukraine beyond the countrys borders, and Tsymbalyuks frustration over this grim reality is felt throughout the book. Not only has Russias war on Ukraine resulted in significant greenhouse gas emissionsit has also led to an increase of militarization globally, as well to an increased carbon footprint from refugee movements, charges of international flight routes, and logistics operations far beyond Ukraine, Tsymbalyuk writes. A combine harvester collects grain crops along lines of anti-tank dragons teeth and barbed wire in a field near Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine, on July 8, 2025. (Dmytro Smolienko / Ukrinform / NurPhoto via Getty Images) We cannot address the climate crisis as a global condition without including the (carbon) emissions from the warplanes, rockets, and drones flying over Ukraine today, and without a deeper understanding of the relation between Russias invasion of Ukraine and climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This trespass upon Ukraines soil, upon the very fabric of Ukrainians way of life, presses on into a denaturalization so profound, it impacts even the dead, disrupting the rituals of mourning and the dignity of burial. Tsymbalyuk invokes the diary of Nadiya Sukhorukova, a journalist who survived the siege of Mariupol. Her diary reflects a woman suspended between the fragile hope that, should she be killed by Russias guided aerial bombs, her body might remain with all its limbs and the bitter sorrow of knowing even if that happened, she would likely be deprived the dignity of a proper burial. When asking what to do with the dead body of her friends grandmother, a police officer says the best thing to do is leave it on the balcony. In Sukhorukovas diary, death is omnipresent and imminent, but the horror extends beyond death itself, Tsymbalyuk writes. The horror persists in the body, a body that continues to testify even and especially in its dismemberment. Russias war against Ukraine is not only a war against its people its a war against memory, land, and the right to grieve with dignity. Tsymbalyuks Ecocide in Ukraine is a monumental work that insists the world must reckon with the cost of this destruction not just in hectares lost or tons of grain burned, but in the severed roots that once tied generations to the land they called home. To read this book is to understand that ecocide is not just collateral damage but a strategy of erasure. And if we fail to name it, to witness it, and to resist it, the horror that outlives the body will come for us all. Note from the author: Hi, this is Kate Tsurkan, thanks for reading this article. There is an ever-increasing amount of books about or related to Ukraine, Russia, and Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine available to English-language readers, and I hope my recommendations prove useful when it comes to your next trip to the bookstore. If you like reading about this sort of thing, please consider supporting The Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Art after apocalypse opera spurred by Russias ecocide in Ukraine to return to Kyiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Out-licensing of clinical candidates from China has increased dramatically over the last five years, as the worlds pharma companies shore up their pipelines in anticipation of an approaching patent cliff for several blockbusters. A recent GlobalData report describes the rise in licensing deals between Chinese biotechs and foreign pharma during 2025, noting that six of the 10 largest deals since 2020 have taken place in just the first nine months of this year. GlobalData is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology. AstraZeneca leads the pack of developers acquiring rights to Chinese drugs, being responsible for the most out-licensing deals since 2020. The company has invested heavily in collaborations with Chinese companies, signing a deal worth $5.2bn in June 2025 to co-develop chronic disease drug candidates with Hebei-based CSPC Pharmaceuticals. China now accounts for one fifth of all drugs in development, as per another GlobalData report. The country was the origin of 28% of the worlds licensed drugs in 2024 in deals valued at a collective $41.5bn, based on GlobalDatas Pharmaceutical Intelligence Centre, up 66% from 2023. The continued flow of deals with US and EU global pharmaceutical companies continues to validate the strength and maturity of Chinas innovation landscape, said George El-Helou, Pharma Strategic Intelligence analyst at GlobalData. While once notorious for cases of fabricated clinical data, El-Helou said China is now globally recognised as a leader for best-in-class therapies. Oncology candidates are the focus of most such deals, but a growing interest in immunological and metabolic candidates reflects a maturation of Chinas innovative capabilities, according to Gaffar Aga, Pharma Strategic Intelligence analyst at GlobalData. Chinese developers are also pioneering advanced drug modalities; in 2024, monoclonal antibodies were the most out-licensed drugs to the US and EU from China. The latest report attributed much of the uptick in out-licensing deals to regulatory reform, pointing to a 2024 pilot programme by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to enhance clinical trials and expedite drug reviews. In 2017, the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) announced a slew of reforms to bring Chinas pharma regulation in line with that of other nations. But straining international relations could threaten these deals, as exemplified by the recent passing of an amended BIOSECURE Act, which would block Chinese companies from accessing federal funds or collaborating with US companies that rely on US federal funding. Yet Chinese candidates are being increasingly out-licensed, in part through arrangements like NewCo deals, wherein licenses are granted to new offshore companies rather than directly to established developers. BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Linda Alvarezs students do more than just study business. Over the course of a year, her students at the Windham Regional Career Center (WRCC) design a food truck business, taking care of marketing and presenting to community leaders. [Linda] is a visionary who equips them not only with skills but also with confidence and purpose to shape the future, said WRCC director Nancy Wiese. Linda Alvarez, left, teaches Business and Entrepreneurship at the Windham Regional Career Center. (Courtesy: VT Agency of Education) The Vermont Agency of Education on Tuesday chose Alvarez as the 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year. Alvarez is the first Career and Technical Education teacher to receive the award, which has been given out annually since 1964. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stowe Mountain Rescue assists multiple people over the weekend As part of the consideration process, Alvarez spoke to Vermont officials on how she views the importance of career education. When students feel they have agency, when they see relevance, and know their work matters, they rise. So the question becomes: How do we build a system that doesnt wait until 11th grade to engage students? According to Vermont education officials, Alvarez also is an advisor with Future Business Leaders of America and an adjunct professor at Vermont State University. Also recognized by as finalists for the award were the Burlington Technical Centers Jason Raymond and Erin Randall from South Burlington High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. (WBOY) If you had plans to head down to Fayette County this weekend for one of West Virginias most famous celebrations, fear not! In a release put out Tuesday, Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that the state plans to extend its donor agreement with the National Park Service in order to keep the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve open for Bridge Day on Oct. 18. Folks across West Virginia look forward to Bridge Day every year, Governor Morrisey said. Its important for many of our small businesses in Southern West Virginia to have a successful Bridge Day. Were working with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure that the festivities move forward without a hitch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Q&A: What happens to WIC in West Virginia if the government stays shut down? The donor agreement Morrisey is referring to was signed just days after the federal government shut down, and guaranteed two full weeks of operation and funding via a deal between the National Park Service and the West Virginia Department of Tourism. Morrisey said at the time that the deal could be reevaluated if needed. Tuesdays announcement ensures that the New River Gorge and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will remain open and fully operational for Bridge Day, but did not specify if the parks will remain open from Oct. 15-17 or any time after that, assuming the government remains shut down. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Six years into its multi-state expansion plan, Buc-ee's is making good on its promise to spread throughout the country. Residents and travelers of this Southern state will soon get their hands on the travel center's famous brisket sandwich. Ruston, Louisiana is among the latest cities to be welcomed into the Buc-ee's portfolio, marking the travel brand's first foray into the state. Located on Tarbutton Road near I-20, just east of neighboring Shreveport, Ruston will be the home of a sprawling 74,000-square-foot store complete with 120 fueling spots for drivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ruston is a smart-growth town with a big attitude and the perfect location for us in NW Louisiana," said Stan Beard, Buc-ee's director of real estate and development, in a press release. "That is a great combination for us, and we are honored to be here." Work will soon begin on the Ruston location as soon as this month. An Oct. 24 groundbreaking ceremony attended by Mayor Ronny Walker and city council members has already been scheduled, with an anticipated early 2027 opening. It's an exciting update for Buc-ee's and Lousianians alike, specifically after plans for a previous Louisiana Buc-ee's were met with some challenges that led to delays. A travel center three hours away in Lafayette was announced late last year, expected to cost $82 million and bring in $1.5 million in local sales tax. However, the Lafayette location's opening was pushed back to 2028 when unforeseen issues including heavy summer rains stalled construction on the store significantly. Still, there has been some movement on the construction; recent drone footage captured and shared in a Facebook group called Discover Lafayette showed that land clearing on the property has been initiated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite slow starts and a number of controversies complicating some of its expansion plans, Buc-ee's is juggling several other fast approaching groundbreakings, including one in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (Oct. 14) and another in Kansas City, Kansas (Oct. 16). The travel center now boasts 54 active locations in the U.S, with more than a dozen new locations in various stages of planning, permitting, or construction. More Culture Yee-haw | Whataburger teams up with Texas company for western wear line Explainer | Another tribal casino is coming to Texas. How is it legal? Impact | Mattress Mack no longer has any love for this sport Sports | Even 'Jeopardy' is clowning the Astros' late-season collapse For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here. This article originally published at Buc-ee's moves forward with new Louisiana travel center after delays. BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) Buncombe County deputies are searching for a woman who was last seen October 10, 2025. Tammy Tennille Anderson was last seen at her home off Miller Road by family members. Buncombe Co. deputies said Tammy is around 5 feet 3 inches tall and has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen on October 10, 2025. Anderson is around 5 feet 3 inches tall and has brown hair and brown eyes. If you have any information regarding Andersons whereabouts, contact the sheriffs office at 828-250-6670. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Joe Brown remembers the damage from Tropical Depression Chantal at Chapel Hill's Eastgate Crossing shopping center. "You couldn't come in," Brown said. "It was blocked off on either side, so you couldn't even get in the parking lot for a long time." Three months later, several businesses remain closed. Restaurants, such as the Loop, told ABC11 News they aim to reopen by the end of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Great Outdoor Provision Co. plans to reopen this month, according to general manager Chad Pickens. He said he's excited to reopen just in time for the Holidays. "We've really had to rebuild everything down to the studs," Pickens said. "We took off all the drywall and the wood walls and the wood floor, and now everything's looking like it's coming back." While other businesses, such as Trader Joe's, are open, the shopping center's options are still limited. "It's devastating to any part of the area whenever businesses close," Stefanie Ferreri said. "I've had to change where I shop ... so it's been nice to be able to come back to at least Trader Joe's and some of the other facilities that are open again and make it part of your routine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC11 Eyewitness News has reached out to Kite Realty for comment. "It feels like a restoration of normal," Pickens said. "These last few months have been just very different than what I've been used to for the last few decades. So, getting back up and running is really exciting for us." SEE ALSO | In Orange County, financial toll from Tropical Storm Chantal flooding surpasses $54M Thailand-based coffee chain Cafe Amazon has outlined plans to intensify its overseas expansion. Leveraging a franchise service model, the chain aims to push further into markets including Laos, the Philippines, Japan, Oman and Bahrain. Cafe Amazon now operates more than 5,000 outlets worldwide and reported sales of more than 107 million cups of coffee in the second quarter of 2025. The chain sources its beans from farms in the Phah Lang, Pang Khon, Mae Wang and Doi Inthanon areas of norther Thailand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Domestically, OR is expanding its OASYS facility in Ayutthaya, an integrated complex that encompasses bakery production, roasting, distribution and a barista academy. A portion of the hubs electricity comes from solar panels. It uses a zero-wastewater process and has created local jobs. Its Cafe Amazon for Chance programme has been rolled out to more than 430 outlets in Thailand, providing work placements for disadvantaged groups, such as the hearing-impaired and the elderly. The Central Plaza Hotel Public Company (Centel) recently that that it will withdraw from a joint venture running the Cafe Amazon brand in Vietnam, citing a strategic refocus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision led to the dissolution of the company that operated the chain in that market. The joint venture had been formed between Centels indirect subsidiary, Central Restaurants Group (Vietnam), which held 40%, and PTTOR International Holdings (Singapore), a subsidiary of PTT Oil and Retail Business, which owned 60%. "Cafe Amazon targets deeper international growth" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. Editor: this article has been updated to remove any reference to the defendants profession. A judge in Northern California sentenced a 51-year-old man to 95 years to life in state prison for the 2017 murder of a 30-year-old woman, his ex-girlfriend, in front of her children, officials announced late last week. On April 3, 2017, Rashanda Franklin, 30, called police to report that her then 43-year-old ex-boyfriend, Lawyer Dushan McBride, was stalking her at her home in Richmond, a city around 12 miles north of Oakland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived, they found McBride attempting to get inside her residence. Franklin explained to police that since shed recently ended her nearly two-year relationship with McBride, he had repeatedly been harassing and stalking her and her children, KTLAs sister station KRON reported. Officers with the Richmond Police Department took a report and left the home. McBride killed Franklin less than 24 hours later. The morning after calling police on her ex-boyfriend, the 30-year-old loaded her kids into her Jeep to take them to school. In the parking lot of the church where the kids attended school, Franklin spotted McBrides vehicle and realized he had been following them. She called 911 as she sped away with her kids, her ex chasing her in his Mercedes, SFGATE reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McBride cut Franklin off at the intersection of Rheem Avenue and 29th Street, exited his vehicle and approached hers in a confrontation that was captured on the 911 call, the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office said. Dushan McBride, 51, has been sentenced to 95 years to life in state prison for killing Rashanda Franklin on April 4, 2017. (Richmond PD) The intersection of Rheem Avenue and 29th Street in Richmond, CA. (Google Maps) Ive got my kids in the car, Franklin was heard saying. Im not playing with you, McBride responded before fatally shooting her in the torso. The 30-year-old mother bled to death behind the wheel of the car with her two children in the backseat. McBride fled the scene. He was eventually located in Sacramento at a fast-food restaurant about a week after the cold-blooded murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illegal BASE jumpers, squatters takeover Yosemite amid government shutdown According to SFGATE, Franklins family members have been critical of the Richmond Police Departments response to her call on the night before she was killed. A former captain on the force went so far as to say, Everything I know about this incident now reinforces that we did not do enough to help her. In addition to murder, McBride was found guilty of and sentenced for firing a gun into an occupied vehicle, stalking and using a firearm to cause death. This tragic case underscores the devastating reality of domestic violence, which claims far too many lives. While no verdict can bring back a mother taken from her children in such a senseless act of violence, this sentence provides the victims family with a measure of justice and accountability, Contra Costa County DA Diana Becton said. It also sends a clear message that stalking and harassment are warning signs that must be taken seriously, and that those who perpetrate such violence will be held responsible under the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Cameroon opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has unilaterally declared victory in the countrys presidential election. Tchiroma made the statement in a nearly five-minute speech posted to social media early on Tuesday. Although official channels have not declared results, he urged long-term incumbent, 92-year-old President Paul Biya, to call him to concede. The people have chosen, and this choice must be respected, Tchiroma demanded in the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the government warned earlier this week that only results announced by the Constitutional Council can be considered official. The body has almost two weeks to make the announcement. A former government spokesman and ally of Biya for 20 years, Tchiroma was considered the top contender to unseat Biya in Sundays elections. After he resigned from the government in June, his campaign drew large crowds and key endorsements from a coalition of opposition parties and civic groups. But Biya in power for 43 years and the worlds oldest serving head of state has been widely expected to secure another seven-year term in office, given his tight grip on state machinery and the fragmented nature of the opposition. Cameroons government has not responded officially to Tchiromas declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji warned recently that only the Constitutional Council has the authority to announce the winner, and that any unilateral publication of results would be considered high treason. Cameroons electoral law allows results to be published and posted at individual polling stations, but final tallies must be validated by the Constitutional Council, which has until October 26 to announce the outcome, the Reuters news agency reported. Issa Tchiroma Bakary casts his vote in Garoua, Cameroon, on Sunday [File: Desire Danga Essigue/Reuters] Honour the ballot box In the video, filmed in his northern hometown of Garoua in front of the national flag, Tchiroma urged Biya to honour the truth of the ballot box, and to concede and offer congratulations. Doing so, he said, would be a mark of Cameroons political maturity and the strength of its democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election results, he said, represent a clear sanction of Biyas administration and marked the beginning of a new era. Tchiroma also thanked rival candidates who have already congratulated me and recognised the will of the people. He called on government institutions and the military to recognise his victory and stay on the side of the republic. Do not let anyone divert you from your mission to protect the people, he said. (UPDATED: 5:55 p.m. ET) Canada Post has resumed operations across the country following a national strike by mail carriers, but cautioned customers on Tuesday to expect delays with mail and parcel delivery as unionized workers continue localized labor actions. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers late last week said it would shift to rotating strikes in its continuing campaign to get a new contract for delivery personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CUPW workers have walked off the job in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, British Columbia, and in St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador, according to Canada Post. Rotating strike activity has ended in Timmins, Ontario. Mail and parcels will not be delivered or picked up in areas where strikes are occurring. CUPW says it wont announce strike locations, dates, times nor locations in advance. Our decision to move to rotating strikes also reflects our commitment to the public, charities, businesses, and our members. Rotating strikes may slightly delay the mail and parcels, but they keep them moving. They also reduce hardship on postal workers, while maintaining pressure on Canada Post and the government to get back to bargaining, CUPW National President Jan Simpson said in a statement. Canada Post said acceptance of commercial mail and parcels will start on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the postal operator said it hasnt received a response to its latest contract offer. CUPW has publicly indicated dissatisfaction with the proposal, saying it rolls back some promised benefits and that planned operating changes will result in thousands of job losses. Only new collective agreements will provide the certainty Canadians require to confidently use the postal system. The need to align the business to the current needs of the country, to reduce the dependency on taxpayer dollars, grows more urgent each day that this strike continues, the national post said in a statement. Labor talks have dragged on for nearly two years. Late last year, CUPW went on strike for 32 days before the government ordered members back to work while a commission studied the reasons behind Canada Posts financial struggles and recommended changes to its business model. In the spring, mail carriers refused to work overtime before recently switching tactics to boycotting delivery of bulk mail. When the government instructed Canada Post late last month to move ahead with streamlining efforts the union went on strike. The volatile labor situation has caused huge uncertainty for households and businesses. Many e-commerce shippers have switched to using private sector delivery companies, adding to the decline in Canada Post parcel volumes and revenues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. RELATED STORIES: Canada Post workers to resume mail delivery, switch to rotating strikes Canadian government to end home delivery in Canada Post reform The post Canada Post restarts operations, manages delays from rolling strikes appeared first on FreightWaves. China Renaissance Holdings Ltd., a Beijing-based investment bank, is reportedly in talks to raise around $600 million for a new digital-asset treasury company. According to a Bloomberg report, the publicly listed vehicle would focus on accumulating BNB, the native token of Binance, the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange. YZi Labs to Invest According to the report, YZi Labs, the family office of Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), is expected to invest alongside China Renaissance. Sources familiar with the matter said that YZi and China Renaissance plan to contribute $200 million to the deal, with the bank committing around $100 million of that amount. The remaining capital would be raised from institutional backers. Notably, China Renaissance emerged in headlines after its former chairman, Bao Fan, was released from detention. Bao Fans disappearance in 2023 and subsequent resignation had tarnished the firms reputation, but the bank appears eager to reestablish its position through high-profile crypto deals. A Public BNB Treasury Vehicle in the US If finalized, the $600 million fund would establish a publicly traded company in the United States dedicated to accumulating BNB . The concept mirrors the crypto hoarding model popularized by Michael Saylors Strategy Inc., which made aggressive Bitcoin acquisitions a mainstream corporate strategy. That model is now being replicated across different tokens, with BNB emerging as one of the best crypto to buy, more than doubling in 2025 and touching a new all-time high of $1,370.55, according to the CoinMarketCap data. BNB Hoarding Trend Gains Steam After Bitcoin and Ethereum , BNB accumulation is the new trend. CEA Industries Inc. revealed that it now holds 480,000 BNB, valued at roughly $663 million. The company aims to own 1% of BNBs total supply by year-end. On the other hand, Applied DNA Sciences secured up to $58 million for a BNB treasury strategy through a private investment in public equity (PIPE) offering. The firm plans to rebrand under the ticker BNBX and pursue an actively managed DeFi yield strategy centered on BNB accumulation. It partnered with Cypress LLC and SkyBridge Capitals Anthony Scaramucci as well. Read original story China Renaissance Wants $600M BNB Treasury, YZi to Participate: Report by Parth Dubey at Coinspeaker.com The House Judiciary Committee wants former special counsel Jack Smith to testify before the panel behind closed doors about his investigations into President Donald Trump. Committee Chairman Jim Jordan on Tuesday requested an interview by Oct. 28 and is demanding documents and communications as well. "As the Committee continues its oversight, your testimony is necessary to understand the full extent to which the Biden-Harris Justice Department weaponized federal law enforcement," Jordan wrote in the letter to Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump set to posthumously award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom Jordan accused Smith of conducting "politically motivated investigations," referring to the FBI's release of a letter showing Smith obtained phone toll records of several GOP lawmakers. Earlier this month, the FBI released information that showed Smith's investigators at one point sought limited phone toll records of several Republican senators around the time of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. As part of his investigation, Smith extensively investigated Trump and his allies' pressure campaign on lawmakers to block the certification of former President Joe Biden's election win -- including calls that were made to senators after the Capitol was breached by the pro-Trump mob. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's no indication that Republican senators were a target of Smith's investigation, and the toll records sought by investigators would not include any information about the content of conversations they may have had. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to members of the media at the US Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C., Aug. 1, 2023. Both Smith and former Attorney General Merrick Garland repeatedly maintained prior to departing office that none of the actions taken in either the classified documents investigation or the probe of Trump's efforts to subvert his 2020 election loss were driven by politics. Both cases were dropped following Trump's reelection in November due to a longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president. Smith last week defended his work as special counsel and said that the prosecutors he worked with have the highest levels of integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Those people I brought in were all former longtime former federal prosecutors who had worked in both Republican and Democratic administrations over and over again," Smith said last Wednesday at a talk at University College London. "These are team players who don't want anything but to do good in the world. They're not interested in politics." Trump pleaded not guilty in 2023 to 40 criminal counts related to his handling of classified materials after leaving the White House, and later that year pleaded not guilty to separate charges of allegedly undertaking a "criminal scheme" to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump denied all wrongdoing in both cases. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images - PHOTO: Rep. Jim Jordan looks on during a hearing with the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building, Sept. 3, 2025. Smith last week said that, unlike the classified documents case against then-President Joe Biden, Trump showed the "willfulness" to possess classified documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We had tons of evidence of willfulness. We had and the obstructive evidence, publicly saying 'These are my documents' or things like that and 'I can keep them' -- the evidence to not give the documents back when the government even tried to get them back before there was a criminal investigation." The former special prosecutor, in his most extensive on-camera remarks since he resigned following Trump's reelection, slammed the idea that politics would have played any part in his investigations. "The idea that politics would play a role in big cases like this, it's absolutely ludicrous and it's totally contrary to my experience as a prosecutor," he said. He offered a dire assessment about the current state of the Justice Department, which last month indicted former FBI Director James Comey just days after Trump issued a public demand for his DOJ to act "now" to bring prosecutions against Comey and other political foes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a list of the individuals, including Letitia James, targeted so far by the Trump administration "Nothing like what we see now has ever gone on," Smith said. "Process shouldn't be a political issue, right? Like if there's rules in the department about how to bring a case, follow those rules. You can't say, 'I want this outcome, let me throw the rules out.'" Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, sarcastically lauded Jordan for seeking all records related to Smith's probes, which Raskin said would necessarily include Smith's final report on his classified documents investigation, which Trump's Justice Department has kept from being made public. "In a completely unexpected and welcome twist, Chairman Jordan's letter today to Jack Smith clearly demands the release of Smith's full report, and all accompanying records, from his investigation into Donald Trump's hoarding of classified documents and obstruction of justice at Mar-a-Lago," Raskin said in a statement. "An extraordinary years-long MAGA cover-up has deprived the American public of the opportunity to read this special counsel report that the taxpayers paid for. But Chairman Jordan, in demanding 'all documents you sent ... during your service as Special Counsel relating to your work, your investigation, your charging decisions...' has finally taken a comprehensive stand for complete transparency and accountability. Congratulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Of course, everyone can see the irony today in Judiciary Republicans demanding that Jack Smith come testify about so-called 'politically motivated prosecutions' just days after Trump's handpicked Acting U.S. Attorney indicted yet another one of the President's widely-proclaimed political targets," Raskin said regarding the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James last week. Alexander Mallin, Luke Barr and Katherine Faulders contributed to this report. A Chandler man accused of killing two Arcadia High School teens camping northeast of Phoenix in May has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder. Thomas Brown, 31, of Chandler, was arrested Oct. 2 in connection with the deaths of Evan Clark, 17, and Pandora Kjolsrud, 18. Brown had been camping near the teens a fact that he did not hide, posting about his camping trip on social media and even going to investigators to offer information. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office hasnt offered a potential motive for the killings or details of what preceded the deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A grand jury indicted Brown on Oct. 10, according to court documents obtained by The Arizona Republic. What a senseless, violent act, Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said during a news conference on Oct. 3. Sheridan said there was nothing to suggest the shooter acted in self-defense. Brown was booked into a Maricopa County jail, where hes being held on a $2 million cash-only bond. Brown is scheduled to appear in court on the morning of Oct. 17 in Maricopa County Superior Court and is expected to plead not guilty. Sheriff's Office says DNA evidence connects Brown to teens Clark and Kjolsrud were found on May 26 with gunshot wounds just off State Route 87 near Mount Ord, north of Sunflower. Their bodies had been moved into nearby brush to conceal them, investigators said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown told detectives during an interview that he had camped at Mount Ord from May 23 to May 26 with his wife, who he said left early May 25. While alone on the morning of May 25, Brown went to the top of the mountain to fly his drone, he said, according to the Sheriff's Office report. While at the summit, Brown interacted with the teens, according to his account in the report. Brown said he then drove down the mountain and parked near a turnout, the report said. He said he hiked back up the mountain and, when he got to the top, saw the teens' SUV but did not see the teens, the report said. He said he rummaged through a tote of camping equipment near their campsite and picked up an air rifle, but did not take anything, according to the report. Brown said he then hiked back down the mountain to his vehicle using the same route he took up, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Brown returned to the summit in his vehicle, the teens' SUV was gone, and a group of five campers was present, he told detectives. Detectives spoke with the group of campers who encountered Brown and described him as "strange," according to the Sheriff's Office report. Brown told detectives he had never been inside Clark's SUV, the report said. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Brown's DNA, the report said. On Aug. 4, detectives received a report saying Brown's DNA matched DNA found inside gloves, which had Kjolsrud's blood on the outside, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown's DNA was also found inside Clark's SUV, the report said. Brown previously served in the Army National Guard On Sept. 27, detectives went back to the mountain and hiked the trail Brown said he had taken, said the report. They found "multiple items" near the trail that detectives determined belonged to the teens, according to the Sheriff's Office report. "The totality of this evidence shows Thomas Brown's direct involvement in the incident and undermines his previous statements," the report said. Army spokesperson Maj. Travis Shaw told The Arizona Republic that Brown was in the Minnesota and Arizona Army National Guard from October 2013 to December 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown was deployed to Djibouti, Africa, from July 2020 to April 2021 and was a staff sergeant before he left the Army National Guard, Shaw said. Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at perry.vandell@gannett.com or 602-444-2474. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @PerryVandell. Watch heroic rescue: A dog was seriously injured while camping in Arizona This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Chandler man accused of killing camping Arcadia High teens indicted Madagascars parliament has voted to impeach embattled President Andry Rajoelina just hours after he confirmed he had fled the country in the wake of an elite army unit appearing to turn against him and seize power, following weeks of deadly Gen-Z protests. The vote on Tuesday afternoon came as Rajoelina moved to dissolve parliament via a decree posted on social media earlier in the day, but which the opposition rejected. I have decided to dissolve the National Assembly, in accordance with the Constitution, Rajoelina posted on X on Tuesday. This choice is necessary to restore order within our Nation and strengthen democracy. The People must be heard again. Make way for the youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protests, which initially erupted over power and water shortages, have evolved into the most serious crisis the country and Rajoelinas government has faced in years. I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life, Rajoleina, who did not disclose his location, said in a 26-minute-long live broadcast on Monday after a top army unit, known widely as CAPSAT, reportedly seized the state broadcaster. The same unit announced on Tuesday afternoon that it was in charge as parliament concluded the impeachment proceedings. Opposition parties initiated the impeachment vote on the basis that Rajoelina had abandoned his post. In a Facebook message posted on Tuesday evening, Rajoelina condemned the impeachment vote and the army takeover, calling them unconstitutional. Local media reported that the countrys high court confirmed CAPSAT head Colonel Michael Randrianirina as Madagascars leader on Tuesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madagascar has a long history of political crises and uprisings. Rajoelinas own apparent exit from the country appeared to be an eerie replay of protests in 2009 that led to the collapse of a previous government, and his ascent to power. However, his government has been accused of corruption and of managing a stagnant economy. Heres what to know about how the protests unfolded and the army unit that has turned against the president: A protester holding a Malagasy flag jumps from a vandalised Gendarmerie armoured vehicle as members of a section of the Malagasy army arrive to take control of the area around Lake Anosy following clashes between demonstrators and security forces during protests in Antananarivo on October 11, 2025 [Luis Tato/AFP] What led to the protests? Hundreds of angry protesters, led by a young movement called Gen Z Madagascar, began taking to the streets of the capital Antananarivo on September 25, with protests over the weekend recording the largest number of demonstrators in the three weeks of unrest. What began as anger about persistent water and power cuts that leave businesses and homes without electricity or running water for more than 12 hours quickly escalated into frustrations with general governance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters decried widespread poverty, high costs of living, and state corruption that they say has seen business elites benefit from close contacts in government. Demonstrators began calling for the end of Rajoelinas 15-year-old government, and for a free, egalitarian and united society. Although Rajoelina sacked his prime minister and attempted a government reshuffle, protesters were not satisfied, culminating in the CAPSAT backing protesters on Saturday in what the president called an attempt to seize power. The unit, in a statement, said it refused orders to shoot demonstrators. Some 80 percent of the countrys 31 million people lived in extreme poverty by 2022, according to the World Bank, largely due to political instability and severe climate disasters affecting food supplies. Only a third of the population has access to electricity, according to the International Monetary Fund, with the state-owned energy company, Jirama, accused of corruption and mismanagement. Angry demonstrators blocked roads with burning tyres and rocks, and reportedly attacked public buildings, transport infrastructure, and private shops. In response, security officials responded with violent force according to the United Nations, with reports noting police fired rubber bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas. At least 22 people have died and dozens of others are injured, the UN said in a statement last week, although the government disputed those figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rajoelina ignored calls for his resignation and accused protesters calling for his exit of wanting to destroy our country. His attempts to quell the anger by dissolving the government and appointing army General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as the new prime minister on October 6, as well as inviting protesters for talks, were rejected by the demonstrators, who accused the government of ruling with weapons. Who led the protests? Young protesters, led by the Gen Z Madagascar group, started the demonstrations in late September, following similar youth-led uprisings witnessed in the past year in countries like Nepal, Morocco, Kenya, and Bangladesh. In Madagascar, protesters say theyre demanding an end to 16 years of inaction by Rajoelinas government, and have promised that they will not be silenced. They didnt want to hear us in the streets, a statement on the Gen Z Madagascar website reads. Today, thanks to digital technology and the voice of Generation Z, we will make our voices heard at the table of power on the opposition side. To put an end to 16 years of inaction, lets demand transparency, accountability, and deep reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The movement highlighted three demands from the government: the immediate resignation of Rajoelina and his government, the dismantling of the Senate, the electoral commission, and the constitutional court, as well as the prosecution of the businessman close to the president, referring to Rajoelinas adviser and businessman, Maminiaina Ravatomanga. It warned Rajoelina would be dragged to the International Court of Human Rights on various charges ranging from repression to embezzlement if the demands are not met. The Gen Z Madagascars emblem, a flag featuring a pirate skull and crossbones wearing a distinctive Madagascan hat, is a reference to the Japanese comic series, One Piece, which follows a young pirate banding with others to fight an authoritarian government. The flag has become a hallmark of youth-led protests globally. It was raised by Indonesian protesters to show discontent in the run-up to the nations independence day in August, as well as by youth protesters who overthrew the Nepal government in September. Groups of Madagascar soldiers joined thousands of protester in the capital on October 11, 2025, after announcing they would refuse any orders to shoot demonstrators [Luis Tato/AFP] Who is President Rajoelina, and where is he? President Rajoelinas location is currently unknown. There is speculation that he was flown out of the country on a French military plane, according to French broadcaster RFI, but France has not commented. Madagascar is a former French colony, and Rojoelina is reported to have French citizenship an issue which has angered some over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his Facebook statement on Monday evening, the president called for dialogue to find a way out of this situation and urged Madagascans to respect the constitution. He did not reveal his location and did not state his resignation. The move to dissolve the parliament from exile further escalated the crisis and caused confusion, but opposition groups rejected it and voted for the presidents impeachment. The legal basis for this is unclear at the moment, Kenya-based analyst Rose Mumunya told Al Jazeera. Is he still the president? Legally, he is, but now that the army has announced they are taking over [security institutions], the legality of his decision to dissolve parliament is not really clear, she said. The 51-year-old first came to power in 2009 as the leader of a transitional government following a bloodless coup against the former president, Ravalomanana. As an opposition member and mayor of Antananarivo, Rajoelina led weeks of violent protests starting from January 2009 against Ravalomanana, whom he criticised for restricting freedom in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 130 people died in the crisis. Rabalomanana fled to South Africa in March 2009 following a military coup. Rajoelinas announcement as leader was ironically backed by CAPSAT. The international community criticised the military intervention and sanctioned Madagascar for years. Rajoelina was elected in 2019 and re-elected in disputed 2023 polls that were boycotted by the opposition. His government, while popular at first, faced accusations of corruption, increasing repression and rights violations, analysts say. Fired Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga, were among prominent figures widely criticised in the country. Both arrived in Mauritius on a private flight on Sunday, authorities there said. What is CAPSAT, the army unit accused of a coup? CAPSAT, or the Corps dadministration des personnels et des services administratifs et techniques, is an elite unit based in Soanierana district on the outskirts of Antananarivo. While Rajoelina had influential backers in other important army units, analyst Mumunya noted he has not been able to muster such support with CAPSAT. The groups leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced in a radio broadcast on Tuesday that the unit was in charge and that it was suspending all democratic institutions except the lower parliament house which voted to impeach Rajoelina. According to Reuters, those included the senate, the electoral commission and the constitutional court appearing to meet some of the protesters demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CAPSAT will create a ruling commission including army, police and other security leaders, the colonel said, according to the AFP news agency. At the same time, after a few days, we will set up a civilian government, he is quoted as saying, adding that elections would be held within two years. The unit first appeared to mutiny after members joined thousands of protesters in Antananarivo on Saturday and called for Rajoelinas resignation. Demonstrators hailed armed CAPSAT members packed in trucks and waving Madagascan flags. There were reports of CAPSAT teams clashing with pro-Rajoelina security forces. A representative of the contingent said in a video statement on Saturday that from now on, all orders of the Malagasy army, whether land, air, or navy, will originate from CAPSAT headquarters. The unit urged all security forces to refuse orders to shoot and to stand with protesters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the same day, CAPSAT installed a new chief of defense staff, General Demosthene Pikulas, at a ceremony at the army headquarters. Armed Forces Minister Manantsoa Deramasinjaka Rakotoarivelo endorsed the move at the ceremony, saying, I give him my blessing. On Sunday, CAPSAT Colonel Randrianirina told reporters that his units actions did not amount to a coup. We answered the peoples calls, but it wasnt a coup detat, he said, speaking at a gathering on Sunday outside the Antananarivo city hall, where large crowds gathered to pray for victims of the violence. One CAPSAT soldier was reportedly killed in a clash with other security units on Saturday. Madagascars military has intervened in politics in several crises since 1960, when the country gained independence from France. Analyst Mumunya said CAPSAT leaders were carefully avoiding an outright coup declaration to avoid international backlash, as in the 2009 revolt. The move by the opposition to impeachment the president would legalise the takeover while the army holds the fort to ensure theres no counter coup, she said. Its a bit of push and pull between Rajoelina and the army but the balance of power is not in Rajoelinas favour, Mumunya said. There are likely ongoing negotiations between the political opposition, business elite and security forces to install a new civilian government that will appeal to the youth, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So has (Rajoelinas) government effectively collapsed? I think we can probably conclude that, she said. The High Constitutional Court, where Rajoelina has supporters, analysts said earlier, was meant to scrutinise and confirm whether the president has the power to dissolve parliament from an unknown location, and whether his impeachment holds. However, the court has now been dismantled. WASHINGTON (WTVO) As debate continues over whether conservative activist Charlie Kirk should receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, former President Donald Trump has made clear why he believes Kirk deserves the honor: his influence on young Americans. But that influence remains contested. Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA at age 18, built a sprawling network of conservative student chapters on more than 3,500 high school and college campuses. Trump and his allies credit him with reshaping youth engagement in politics, particularly by mobilizing young conservatives and helping the GOP make inroads with voters under 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlie Kirk gave young people a voice, Trump told reporters last month. He helped them stand up to the radical left on campus and fight for America. Trump awarded Kirk a posthumous Medal of Freedom on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Kirks strategyviral videos, campus debates, and social media provocationshelped him become a household name among conservative youth. His confrontational style and culture-war messaging resonated with many young voters who felt alienated by mainstream institutions. In the 2024 election, Trump improved his performance with voters aged 1829, a demographic long dominated by Democrats. Analysts and GOP strategists credited Kirks outreach efforts, including door-knocking campaigns, ballot chasing, and youth conferences, with helping shift the needle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, can any of that be credited to Charlie Kirk? Some Kirk and Trumps detractors say no. Others, say Kirk did influence that demographic, and therein lies the problem. Kirks Professor Watchlist, which aimed to expose liberal bias in academia, drew accusations of harassment and intimidation. Some professors reported receiving threats after being listed. Kirk also faced backlash for controversial statements on religion, race, and immigration. He frequently dismissed the concept of separation of church and state, called Islam incompatible with Western civilization, and blamed Jewish donors for funding left-wing causes. One of the most condemned comment Kirk made was during a 2024 podcast, during which Kirk said, If I see a Black pilot, Im gonna be like, Boy, I hope hes qualified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remark, which Kirk later defended as a critique of diversity hiring practices, was denounced by civil rights groups and Black professionals as racist and harmful. Kirk insisted he was reacting to what he saw as the dangers of prioritizing diversity over merit, but he did not apologize for the comment. Despite the controversy over the comment, Vice President J.D. Vance said Kirk exemplified kindness, courage, and a commitment to open debate. He brought the truth that young people deserve a stake in the future and that they deserve to have a voice, Vance said on Sept. 21, during his speech at Kirks wake in Arizona. He changed the face of conservatism in our time. Trump awarded Charlie Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom on Monday, Oct. 14. 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Charlie Kirk will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President Donald Trump. During a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, October 14, Kirks widow, Erika Kirk, will accept the honor on his behalf which also would have been his 32nd birthday. The decision to honor the Turning Point USA founder has drawn criticism from some individuals online. Seriously? What freedom did he promote other than having guns? Thats literally the only prerequisite to freedom for these people, wrote one person on Reddit. He wouldnt even give people the freedom to actually debate him. Just interrupts by making fun of them so the crowd laughs then immediately ask a brand new question. What a joke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another person added, This award became meaningless when he gave it to Rush Limbaugh during his last term. Kirk, who was a conservative political activist, was shot and killed during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University on September 10. He was speaking to a large crowd of people when a shot rang out and he was jolted backwards in his seat. Kirk was immediately rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. On September 21, a public memorial service was held to honor Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and it drew over 90,000 people. Since his death, tensions have continued to increase across both sides of the political aisle. Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended due to Kimmels comments made during the opening monologue regarding Kirks murder, and a range of government employees, educators and more lost their jobs because of online commentary about the assassination. This story Charlie Kirk to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom Posthumously on His 32nd Birthday first appeared on National Enquirer. Add National Enquirer as a Preferred Source by clicking here. BEIJING (Reuters) -China on Monday urged the Philippines to not challenge its efforts to "safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests" after vessels from the two countries clashed near disputed islands in the South China Sea. China urges the Philippines to immediately stop "violations and provocations", Lin Jian, a spokesperson of the foreign ministry, told a regular press briefing. China and the Philippines traded accusations on Sunday over a maritime confrontation near Sandy Cay, a coral reef within the Spratly Islands. (Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by Himani Sarkar) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Major Chinese airlines on Tuesday urged the Trump administration to abandon a plan to bar them from flying over Russia on U.S. flights, saying it would increase flight times, raise air fares and could disrupt some routes. Last week the U.S. Transportation Department proposed banning Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on routes to and from the United States, saying the reduced flight time puts American carriers at a disadvantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China Eastern, one of six Chinese airlines that sent letters, said in a filing with USDOT that the move could extend the flight time on some of its most important routes by two to three hours, significantly increase risks of missed connections and boost fuel consumption. Air China and China Southern said the decision would adversely affect a substantial number of passengers in the United States and China. China Southern projected at least 2,800 passengers scheduled to travel during the peak holiday season of November 1 to December 31 would need to be rebooked "jeopardizing their travel plans." Separately United Airlines urged the Trump administration to extend the prohibition to Cathay Pacific, which flies over Russia on flights to the United States from Hong Kong and other Hong Kong-based carriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United says the Russia restrictions mean it is "effectively barred from resuming non-stop China service on previously served routes such as Newark/New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago." Russia has barred U.S. airlines and many other foreign carriers from flying over its airspace in retaliation for Washington banning Russian flights over the U.S. in March 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. Chinese airlines were not banned and have been using this advantage to increase market share compared to non-Chinese carriers on international routes. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry on Friday said the restrictions were not conducive to person-to-person exchanges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airlines for America, a major trade group representing carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines praised the effort but also called on USDOT to continue to "maintain parity in the number of passenger flights available to U.S. and Chinese airlines, by ensuring that the level of passenger capacity stays reasonably tied to marketplace demand." (Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Chris Sanders and Stephen Coates) EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso City Council approved a resolution to strengthen a partnership with UTEP to advance the region as a hub for advanced manufacturing and aerospace. The resolution authorizes the mayor to sign an agreement with the University of Texas at El Paso to jointly advance the regions aerospace and defense manufacturing capabilities as part of the U.S. Economic Development Administrations Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC). The action positions the City and UTEP as co-applicants in the federally funded initiative and allows them to jointly implement the BBBRC Awards scope of work and administer $10 million in federal program funds, the City and UTEP said in a joint news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a major step toward shaping El Pasos future as a hub for advanced manufacturing and aerospace innovation, Mayor Renard U. Johnson said. By investing in our workforce and strengthening local supply chains, were opening doors to high-quality jobs, helping our small and medium-sized manufacturers grow, and positioning El Paso as a key player in industries that will define the next generation of economic opportunity. We have been working closely with the City on this project since 2023. This change deepens our partnership so that we leverage our strengths for the long term even after this grant is complete. UTEPs cutting-edge advanced manufacturing know-how and aerospace research will continue to advance discovery, spin out companies and educate students all of which are important for economic impact, UTEP President Heather Wilson said. The City of El Paso will focus on working with companies and providing technical assistance as they develop. We are grateful to be leading this effort with El Paso. The agreement builds on significant federal investment and a highly competitive national award that set the foundation for El Pasos advanced manufacturing strategy, the City and UTEP said in a news release. In 2023, El Pasos West Texas Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Coalition, led by the City and UTEP, secured a $40 million award to strengthen aerospace and defense manufacturing and better integrate local small and medium-sized manufacturers into national supply chains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of this award, the City received $25 million to establish the Advanced Manufacturing District at the El Paso International Airport, creating space for aerospace and defense companies, suppliers and support services. UTEP received $15 million to provide programming, supplier readiness and technical assistance to help local manufacturers compete for advanced industry contracts. The City and UTEP will now move forward with program administration and oversight required by the BBBRC grant to strengthen regional manufacturing networks and deliver measurable economic outcomes for El Paso, they both said. For more information about the Citys Economic and International Development, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. (Reuters) -Several cargoes of BHP iron ore were put up for sale in China on Thursday and at least one was sold to a local trader, potentially defusing concerns in Australia that Beijing had imposed a ban on iron ore sales from the world's biggest miner. BHP sold a 170,000-metric-ton cargo to a Chinese trader on Thursday, the first day of trading after China's week-long national holiday, according to two traders with direct knowledge of the matter. The cargo was paid for in dollars, they said. The same day, the Shanghai branch of China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) - set up in 2022 to centralise iron ore purchasing and win better terms from miners - offered eight cargoes of BHP iron ore totaling 1.14 million tons to steelmakers, according to an offer sheet reviewed by Reuters. AUSTRALIAN FEARS OF CHINESE BAN ON ITS IRON EXPORTS Bloomberg reported last month that CMRG had told major steelmakers and traders to temporarily halt purchases of all new BHP cargoes, escalating an earlier pause on purchases of BHP's Jimblebar fines product, a type of iron ore, during a standoff in negotiations over new term contracts. That news triggered fears in Canberra that China was preparing a ban on Australia's most profitable export, much as it did with coal and other commodities in 2020. While CMRG told steelmakers last month during negotiations with BHP not to buy BHP's Jimblebar fines, purchases of other grades of iron ore can be made with permission from CMRG, two other sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. TRADE IN BHP'S JIMBLEBAR FINES STILL FROZEN None of the cargoes sold or offered on Thursday were Jimblebar fines, whose trade remains frozen according to all four sources. Reuters could not determine when CMRG bought its cargoes from BHP or how many cargoes have been sold. CMRG did not respond to Reuters' emailed request for comment. A BHP spokesperson said that BHP does not comment on commercial negotiations. Jimblebar is a small but liquid product, with roughly 40 million tons a year produced, for which a limited shortage would be unlikely to trigger a rally in iron ore prices, the two trader sources said. Rio Tinto's flagship Pilbara fines product could also act as a substitute, they added. Last week, BHP CEO Mike Henry doused concerns about CMRG's decision in talks with Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers, according to local media, saying the move was part of commercial negotiations. The Treasurer's office did not respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Reuters staff in Beijing and Melbourne; Editing by Joe Bavier) A sign reading Please Dont Drink and Drive marks the site near Clinton County Line Road where a head-on collision on St. Patricks Day left three people dead and a toddler seriously injured. The sign stands as both a memorial and a warning about the deadly consequences of impaired driving, a tragedy that forever linked two families. Ashley Koehler and her son, Jacob Emmerich-Tomlin, died after 21-year-old Blaise Nowak, allegedly driving under the influence, struck their vehicle head-on while attempting to pass another car at high speed, Illinois State Police said. Koehlers 3-year-old daughter, Gracie Emmerich, sustained serious injuries and continues to work to regain her previous quality of life. Her prognosis remains uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Koehler was driving home after picking up her son, with Gracie strapped in her car seat and her 10-year-old son in the rear passenger seat of their Honda Pilot. The family was less than four miles from home on U.S. 50, near the St. ClairClinton county line, when the crash occurred at about 8:49 p.m. March 17. Nowak, driving a Lincoln MKZ, was eastbound at a high rate of speed when he collided with Koehlers car head-on. Police said Nowaks blood alcohol content was five times the legal limit. He also died at the scene. Koehler is survived by three other children: Natalie, 19; Lexi, 16; and Jace, 14. The family gathered Aug. 5 to mark what would have been Jacobs 11th birthday with a balloon release at his gravesite. It was a joyful remembrance of Jacobs life but also a deeply sad day because Jacob should still be alive, tinkering with his drill, weed eater and power tools, said Paul Emmerich, Koehlers father. He was a handy guy who liked cutting grass and doing weed eating. ... He was the typical boy. We all miss him so much. His mother should have been there laughing and joking around with him. Jacob Emmerich-Tomlin Gracie, 3, spent three weeks at Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in St. Louis until being moved to a rehabilitation center. A new normal For the first time this school year, Natalie, Lexi and Jace started classes without their mother at home. As you can imagine, they are dealing with a lot of emotions. They have good and bad days, ups and downs. Its all so new, Emmerich said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Tomlin, father of Koehlers first four children, and Jeff Koehler, Gracies father, are supporting the children with their grief and helping Gracie adjust to her new normal. Gracie was released from Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in St. Louis on July 18, just in time to celebrate her fourth birthday July 28 a milestone the family cherishes. To help Gracie through her grief, her grandfather gave her photos of her mother and brother. She holds them close, he said. She asked me if I cried because she was in a wreck. I told her yes. Ashley Koehler and Gracie, 3, the youngest of her five children. For her birthday, Gracie wanted slime and Play-Doh. Emmerich also gave her a small photo album with more pictures of her mom and brother, including one of her mom as a child. Gracie loved that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gracie still cannot walk independently. She uses a wheelchair and a walker with a safety belt during physical therapy but feels frustrated that she cannot run with the other children as she did before the crash, her grandfather said. Doctors removed a piece of her skull to relieve swelling on her brain and later replaced it. The helmet she wore when leaving the hospital has been removed, but she continues to face some cognitive challenges. The family expressed gratitude to doctors, nurses, friends, neighbors and everyone who supported them through the ordeal. People have prayed for the family, sent monetary contributions, cards and letters. There have been so many acts of kindness. We just thank everyone, Emmerich said. Heroes at the scene Among those the family thanks are two strangers who stopped to help at the scene. James Johnson and his wife were driving from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, where Johnson had just graduated from air evacuation medical school, to Scott Air Force Base with their daughters. Johnsons wife, driving separately, stopped behind him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were coming off the highway, made a right turn and noticed a car was on fire and then we saw another car. My immediate response was to pull over. My wife pulled up behind me, Johnson said After making sure his family was safe, Johnson, a medic, ran to the crash site and offered help. Gracie was handed to him by another bystander, later identified as Noah Marler. James Johnson Jr. Johnson assessed Gracies injuries and stabilized her in the back of a police cruiser until paramedics arrived. She was still breathing and semi responsive. She had a lot of blood loss, though, and had multiple fractures. Johnson then rode in the ambulance, maintained her airway and helped with an IV. Not knowing her age or medication requirements, Johnson used Broselow tape, a tool to determine pediatric dosages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gracie was eventually airlifted to Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in St. Louis. Marler, of Trenton, was returnig from Saint Louis University that night when he saw the crash. As he arrived, he saw a burning Lincoln and helped cut Gracie from her car seat, handing her to Johnson. Marler remained to stabilize Koehler until emergency crews arrived. The condition of the vehicles made it hard for me to imagine anyone was alive, Marler said. Thankfully, though, someone survived, and Im glad I arrived when I did. Noah Marler Her car was was pretty mangled. It was flipped upside down and the windows were busted out of it. I could see the mother in the drivers seat and the 3-year-old turned upside down in a car seat. I could not see that there was another person in the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marler said he was unable to help Nowak because the Lincolns doors were locked and the fire made access impossible. He also noted frequent accidents on that stretch of U.S. 50, which he said suffers from jurisdictional issues and limited policing. Theres a jurisdictional issue between Clinton County and St. Clair County. Municipal cops cant police it. Only Illinois State Police can and theyre scattered. The Aurora Municipal Center and City Hall in Aurora is seen in 2021. Aurora voters in November will choose from among a dozen council candidates. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline) Backed by conservative dark money groups, Republicans in Colorados third-largest city are looking to expand their council majority in the 2025 off-year election. Election 2025 Coloradans are voting on two statewide ballot measures and a variety of local issues in the off-year election. Click here for more of Newslines coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Auroras elections are officially nonpartisan, slates of Republican-affiliated candidates led by Mayor Mike Coffman, a former GOP member of Congress, have solidified their grip on city politics in recent years even as the sprawling, diverse suburb east of Denver became an unlikely target of national attention over false and exaggerated claims of immigrant gang activity. Candidates up for reelection in 2025 include at-large Council member Danielle Jurinsky, whose tales of a complete gang takeover of Aurora were instrumental in drawing President Donald Trump to the city for a high-profile 2024 campaign stop. Trump, Jurinsky and other far-right figures painted a sensational picture of the influence of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in Aurora, where police have described the gangs presence as isolated and relatively small, and crime rates, consistent with national trends, have trended downward since 2022. Jurinsky and four other conservative Aurora City Council candidates are backed by Building Auroras Future, an independent expenditure committee that has raised a combined $295,000 this year from Advance Colorado and Our Community Our Future, two dark money groups that do not disclose their donors. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advance Colorado is a prominent conservative group that funds anti-tax ballot measures and other Republican-aligned causes in Colorado politics. Our Community Our Future is a nonprofit incorporated in Colorado in 2023. In tax filings, it lists former Aurora City Council member Charlie Richardson as its lone board member. Its bare-bones website consists of a single sentence describing the group as seeking to advance the mission of community building, and a stock photo titled Group of people support unity arm around together. No Democratic-aligned groups have reported any expenditures on behalf of Aurora municipal candidates this year. Ballots began going out by mail Oct. 10 to all active registered voters in Colorado. The states coordinated 2025 election features two statewide ballot measures, Proposition LL and Proposition MM. Depending on where they live, voters will also be asked to weigh in on such items as local ballot issues, city council races, and school board races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election Day is Nov. 4. Eligible Coloradans can register to vote or update their registration at GoVoteColorado.com. Any eligible voter who registers to vote before Oct. 27 will receive a ballot in the mail. After Oct. 27, eligible voters can still register and vote in-person at a polling location until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters who receive a mail ballot can return it through the mail, deposit it in a secure ballot drop box, or drop it off at an in-person polling location. County clerks in Colorados 64 counties oversee elections in their jurisdictions, and information about ballot drop box and in-person service locations is available at local county clerks websites. Overall, 12 candidates are vying for five City Council seats in Auroras 2025 municipal election. Voters will also have the final say on five citywide measures referred to the ballot by council members. At-Large seats Five candidates are running for two at-large seats, including the two incumbents: Jurinsky, who was elected to her seat in 2021, and Amsalu Kassaw, a Republican-affiliated member appointed to fill a vacancy on council by its conservative majority last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kassaw is an Ethiopian immigrant who works for The GEO Group, a private prison company that operates the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Aurora. Jurinsky and Kassaw are part of the slate backed by Building Auroras Future, and both lead the field of at-large candidates in individual fundraising, having received $250,740 and $101,908 in contributions, respectively, as of Sept. 30. Two Democratic-affiliated candidates, Rob Andrews and Alli Jackson, have received endorsements from a long list of progressive groups and Democratic elected officials. Andrews, president of the nonprofit job-training service CommunityWorks, has raised $45,262, according to campaign finance disclosures. Jackson, a social worker, has raised $15,114. An independent candidate, Community College of Aurora instructor Watson Gomes, has raised $610. Ward I Three candidates are running for the Ward I seat being vacated by progressive Council member Crystal Murillo. Ward I is centered on the East Colfax corridor in northwest Aurora. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murillo, who was elected in 2021 with 56% of the vote, has endorsed Gianina Horton, a former executive director of the Denver Justice Project. Horton also has the backing of the Colorado Working Families Party, Colorado Peoples Action, Conservation Colorado and other progressive groups and elected officials. Stephen Elkins, a product development manager for a data center business, is the conservative slates pick for the Ward I seat and has received support from Building Auroras Future. Reid Hettich, a pastor at Mosaic Church of Aurora, is also running for the Ward I seat. Ward II Incumbent Council member Steve Sundberg, a Republican, is running for reelection in Ward II, which encompasses Auroras sprawling northeastern quarter, extending as far as Denver International Airport to the north and the town of Bennett to the east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundberg is part of the conservative slate supported by Building Auroras Future. He won his seat with a 48% plurality of the vote in a four-way race in 2021. His lone challenger in 2025, Amy Wiles, is backed by Democratic elected officials and progressive groups including the Colorado AFL-CIO, the Colorado Working Families Party and Moms Demand Action. Ward III Incumbent Council member Ruben Medina, a Democrat, is running for reelection in Ward III, which includes much of central Aurora along its border with Denver to the west. Medina narrowly won election to his seat with 51% of the vote in a head-to-head race in 2021. His 2025 challenger is Marsha Berzins, a conservative who previously held the Ward III seat for 12 years before she was term-limited in 2021. Berzins is part of the conservative slate and has received support from Building Auroras Future. Ballot questions Alongside the City Council races, Aurora voters will vote on five citywide ballot questions, referred by council members earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ballot Question 3B would amend the city charter to use gender-neutral language. Ballot Question 3C would amend the citys process for filling council vacancies, requiring special elections to fill any vacancy that occurs one year or more before the next election for the seat in question. Ballot Question 3D proposes to eliminate the requirement that Auroras city manager must reside within city limits. Ballot Question 3E would remove the city charters prohibition on elected city officials simultaneously holding another elected office. Ballot Question 3F would amend the charter to allow at-large council seats and ward council seats to count as separate offices for the purposes of term limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Aurora residents within a designated area along East Colfax Avenue will vote on two ballot measures to create and fund a new downtown development authority, a taxing district to foster economic development along the corridor. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) As Columbus Police continue to credit the citys license plate reader cameras for helping solve serious crimes, one local resident is raising concerns about privacy. During Tuesdays Columbus Council meeting, resident Matthew Gilbert voiced opposition to the citys partnership with Flock Safety an Atlanta-based company that provides police departments with real-time license plate reading technology. I say that outsourcing police work to private companies who are for the most part data retention companies and data brokers is lazy police work and results in loss of freedoms for the citizens, Gilbert told council members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis acknowledged the privacy concerns but defended the technology, saying it has played a vital role in recent arrests. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Columbus police assistant chief credits advanced technology on swift apprehension of suspect accused of fatal home invasion Mathis cited two high-profile cases where Flock camera data led to quick arrests a rape case involving a Columbus State University student in a downtown parking deck, and a deadly home invasion in the Brookstone neighborhood. I understand the concern because I feel the same way big brother watching, Mathis said. However, from where I stand right now, solving a murder or solving a rape and somebody being upset that their tags been exposed to a camera doesnt weigh out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilbert argued the funds spent on Flock could have gone toward traditional policing efforts. 12,000 police hours could have been bought with the same money that we spent on Flock, he said. That could have been so much more effective at policing our crime-ridden city than surveillance cameras of 1984. Mathis stood by the system, saying, Theyre being used all over the country to solve crime. And as long as were using those to solve crime, theres not going to be a problem with it. The city purchased about 100 Flock cameras with a $1.6 million state grant. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The Columbus State University community is mourning the loss of Professor Erica Anderson, who was accidentally shot and killed inside her home earlier this week. According to Columbus police, Anderson died after being shot by a woman at her home in the 1600 block of 17th Avenue. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan says the woman who shot Anderson was her roommate who mistook her for an intruder. The call came to the police just after midnight Monday morning. Photo credit: GoFundMe Anderson was in her first semester teaching at CSU, where she had already made a lasting impact on students and colleagues. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Police investigating overnight shooting at Lakebottom home that left Columbus State professor dead She was listed as a lecturer in the College of the Arts and supervised the costume shop for the Department of Theatre and Dance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steven Graver, a professor in CSUs Department of Theatre and Dance, said Anderson quickly became an integral part of the program, teaching around 100 students through her various courses. Students took to her like a duck to water, Graver said. They really enjoyed her style and the way she ran the shop always looking for ways to improve things, which she did very quickly and for the better. We were just really lucky to have her. It was just a surprise hire that we got somebody so perfect for the job. Anderson is survived by her husband and three children, who currently live in Indiana. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. TALLAHASSEE, Florida A north Florida judge has issued a restraining order against Rep. Cory Mills after the central Florida Republican was accused by a former girlfriend of threatening to circulate sexually explicit videos of her. Circuit Judge Fred Koberlein ordered Mills to refrain from trying to contact Lindsay Langston, Miss United States 2024 and a Republican state committee woman from Columbia County. In his Tuesday order, the judge said the evidence supported Langstons assertion that Mills had caused her substantial emotional distress and that Mills offered no credible rebuttal to her testimony. He found that Langston has a reasonable cause to believe she is in imminent danger of becoming the victim of another act of dating violence without the restraining order being put in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Koberlein said Mills was not allowed to go to Langston home or place of employment and that he was not allowed to directly refer to Langston on social media. The injunction is in place for the state of Florida. Mills did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In his order, which is to remain in place until January 2026, Koberlein also refuted Mills' attempts to explain away his actions. The court, considering the totality of the testimony and the circumstances, does not find [Mills'] testimony concerning the intimate videos to be truthful, Koberlein wrote. Even had the respondents testimony been truthful, his response is irrelevant because there was no evidence presented suggesting [Langston] knew the respondent no longer had possession of their intimate videos. The restraining order follows two lengthy court hearings held in Lake City, where both Mills and Langston testified and answered questions about their relationship and the meaning of a flurry of text messages, phone calls and direct messages between them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restraining order against Mills comes amid a swirl of controversies this year for the second-term Republican, including a since-withdrawn allegation of assault and an ethics investigation into whether hes benefited from contracts from the federal government while serving as a member of Congress. Mills has denied any wrongdoing in both matters. During the first hearing in early September, Langston spent extensive time on the stand explaining how scared she was of the 45-year-old Mills. She described him as a powerful and wealthy member of Congress who she first became involved with in late 2021. The second hearing focused on testimony from Mills, with particular focus on whether Mills had a sex video that he planned to release. He maintained that while Langston had sent him intimate videos, he no longer had access to them because his phone was damaged and had to be replaced. Mills maintained the videos he mentioned to Langston were those of her baking and wanted to show any potential boyfriend of hers that the two of them had an ongoing relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre talking about giving up my entire career for what? Mills said about the prospect of releasing the intimate videos. Mills also contended another message he sent where he suggested a future boyfriend would need to strap up cowboy was not a potential threat of violence but instead was a rodeo term meant to suggest that a wild ride was about to happen. Mills' relationship with Langston unraveled in the aftermath of a February incident where police in Washington were called to investigate an alleged assault by the lawmaker against a woman. Both Mills and the woman denied that any assault took place, and Mills was not charged in the incident. Mills first won his seat in 2022 after post-Census redistricting created new GOP-friendly lines for the 7th District, stretching from Orlandos north suburbs to the Atlantic coast. His campaigns in both 2022 and 2024 were run with the aid of James Blair, a GOP consultant who now works as a deputy chief of staff for President Donald Trump and plays a key role in pushing the presidents agenda on Capitol Hill. Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report. Madagascars president said he had escaped with his life to a safe place following a military rebellion. In a speech broadcast on national TV from an undisclosed location, Andry Rajoelina, 51, claimed there was an attempt to assassinate him by a band of military personnel and politicians and effect a coup following weeks of protests seeking his resignation. The anti-government protests had reached a tipping point after an elite military unit, Capsat, joined the demonstrators and publicly demanded Mr Rajoelinas resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was Capsat that led the apparent coup attempt. Capsat played a key role in bringing Mr Rajoelina to power as a transitional leader following a military-backed coup in 2009. The unit claimed it had now taken charge of all armed forces in the country. Parliamentary opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko told Reuters that Mr Rajoelina had departed Madagascar on Sunday. The presidents office declined to comment on the unfolding situation in the Indian Ocean island nation. We called the staff of the presidency, and they confirmed that he left the country, Mr Randrianasoloniaiko said, adding that Mr Rajoelinas whereabouts remained unknown. The presidents first address after fleeing the country was delayed several times on Monday as the military threatened to seize the national TV headquarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 25 September, there have been attempts on my life and coup attempts. A group of military personnel and politicians planned to assassinate me, the leader said. "I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life. There is only one way to resolve these issues, Mr Rajoelina added, that is to respect the constitution in force in the country. Appearing to sound defiant, he said he would not "allow Madagascar to be destroyed". Andry Rajoelina addresses a state ceremony in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on 2 September 2025 (AP) President flees the country A military source told Reuters that Mr Rajoelina flew out of the country on a French military plane on Sunday. French radio station RFI claimed he had struck a deal with French president Emmanuel Macron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source said that a French army Casa plane landed at Madagascars Sainte Marie airport on Sunday. Five minutes later, a helicopter arrived and transferred its passenger into the Casa, the source said, adding that Mr Rajoelina was the passenger. Responding to the reports, the French foreign ministry referred the Associated Press to a statement issued by the French embassy. No French military intervention is underway or planned in Madagascar, whose sovereignty and territorial integrity France fully respects, it said. Madagascar is a former colony of France and Mr Rajoelina reportedly has French citizenship, which has been a source of discontent in his country. Elite unit claims control of the military Mr Rajoelina didnt identify who was behind the attempted coup, but the Capsat military unit appeared to be in a position of authority and on Sunday appointed a general as the new head of Madagascars armed forces. The appointment was accepted by the minister of defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A commander of Capsat, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, said his troops had exchanged gunfire with security forces who were attempting to quell weekend protests and one of his soldiers was killed. But there was no major fighting on the streets, and soldiers riding on armoured vehicles and waving Madagascan flags were cheered by people in Antananarivo. Soldiers are greeted by people at a ceremony to pay tribute to demonstrators killed during recent protests in Antananarivo, Madagascar (AP) Mr Randrianirina said the army had responded to the peoples calls but denied that a coup was in progress. Speaking at the nations military headquarters on Sunday, he told reporters that it was up to the Madagascan people to decide whether Mr Rajoelina should leave power and a new election be held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US embassy in Madagascar advised US citizens to shelter in place because of a highly volatile and unpredictable situation. The African Union urged all parties, both civilian and military, to exercise calm and restraint. Weeks of anti-government protests Madagascar has been shaken by three weeks of the most significant unrest in years. The protests, which erupted on 25 September over water and power outages, were driven by a group calling itself Gen Z Madagascar. The UN said the demonstrations left at least 22 people dead and several dozen injured. The government disputed these figures. The protests quickly snowballed into an expression of broader dissatisfaction with the government and the leadership of Mr Rajoelina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters have raised many issues, including poverty and the cost of living, access to tertiary education and alleged corruption and embezzlement of public funds by state officials as well as their families and associates. Soldiers are greeted by people at a ceremony to pay tribute to demonstrators killed during recent protests in Antananarivo, Madagascar (AP) Civil society groups and trade unions have also joined the protests, which resulted in night-time curfews being enforced in Antananarivo and other major cities. The Gen Z protesters who inspired the protests mobilised over the internet. They said they were inspired by other protests that toppled governments in Nepal and Sri Lanka. A history of political crises A number of Madagascars leaders have previously been removed in coups and the country has a history of political crises since it gained independence from France in 1960. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Rajoelina first came to prominence as the leader of a transitional government following a 2009 coup that forced then president, Marc Ravalomanana, to flee the country. Mr Rajoelina was elected president in 2018, and was re-elected in 2023 in a vote boycotted by opposition parties. Additional reporting by Reuters. WARSAW, Poland Defense officials have sent requests for information to six countries for submarine designs for the Polish Orka (Orca) submarine program, as Prime Minister Donald Tusks end-of-year deadline nears for picking a winning proposal. Over the past months, delegations from the Polish ministry have visited France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden, and also met with South Korean officials to discuss their offers and readiness to cooperate with Polands defense industry on the potential procurement. The planned acquisition is deemed urgent here as the Polish Navy relies on a single, outdated Soviet-designed submarine, the Kilo-class ORP Orzel. The new subs are to bolster Polands deterrence capacities in the Baltic Sea, as Warsaw plans to equip them with cruise missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a Sept. 17 session of the Polish government, Tusk said the planned contract is to be signed at government level, meaning a greater level of political partnership with the offering nation can be expected. We have plenty [of submarines] to choose from. This will be a decision, given the scale of the investment in our security, that we will make government-to-government, the prime minister said. During the same session, the cabinet adapted a resolution that requires the government to select the programs final partner from abroad until the end of 2025. A number of European companies that are interested in delivering between three and four subs, including Frances Naval Group, Italys Fincantieri, Swedish Saab, and U.K. business Babcock International, have signed deals to enhance cooperation with Polish state-run defense group PGZ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The selected foreign supplier will be required to collaborate on the procurement with the Polish groups subsidiary, PGZ Naval Shipyard. The holdings central role in the nations defense industry makes it an attractive partner for foreign players competing for what could be the largest naval program in Polands history. During the recently concluded October 2025 Baltexpo industry show in Gdansk, Spains Navantia became the latest player to sign an agreement with PGZ to advance its sub offer. The agreements purpose is to jointly explore naval cooperation opportunities in the Polish market, in particular connected with the submarine acquisition program but also other procurements for the Navy, according to Navantia which is pitching its S-80-class sub. This Letter of Intent also includes the evaluation of the involvement of PGZ group facilities as [an] industrial partner, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Polish ministry told Defense News last May its experts assigned the highest scores to the offers placed by Germany, Italy and Sweden. That said, while these three bids received the highest scores, the remaining three offers have not been discarded, according to the spokesperson. The only non-European supplier bidding for the Polish sub contract, South Koreas Hanwha Ocean, also has an ongoing collaboration with PGZ. We have prepared an industrial cooperation offer to Poland that involves a transfer of technology and cooperation with PGZ and the Nauta shipyard to set up a 100% local, independent maintenance, repair, and operations capacity in Poland, Hyunrok Park, a manager from Hanwha Oceans Naval Ship Overseas Business Team, told Defense News. Park said that, to date, three KSS-III-class subs have been delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy, with a further three units to be built. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hanwha Ocean hopes to secure Poland as the first export market for its KSS-III-class sub, all the while setting sights on Canada and Saudi Arabia, among others. Canada has shortlisted Germanys thyssenKrupp Marine Systems, which is also bidding for the Orca program, and Hanwha Ocean as the two potential suppliers for the nations program to purchase up to 12 conventionally-powered submarines. Saudi Arabia has been on the prowl for new small-to-medium subs for a number of years. Reports have frequently cited Fincantieri as one of the leading contenders, given the close ties that already exist between the two countries. At the 2023 IDEX exhibition, the Italian manufacturer displayed its S800 light submarine, designed for covert operations in shallow waters and told Defense News in an interview that it had attracted the interest of several Gulf region customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The S800 is equipped with five torpedoes and the quiet operation of its fuel cell system further allows the acoustic signature of the submarine to be kept at a minimum. At the time, a Fincantieri spokeswoman estimated it would take roughly four years to make the first submarine of this category. Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo in Milan contributed to this report. Welcome to 5 Things PM! Walmart wants to use artificial intelligence to leapfrog rival Amazon in online shopping. The worlds largest retailer is teaming up with OpenAI to let customers browse and make purchases directly through ChatGPT. Heres what else you might have missed during your busy day. 5 things 1 Crypto fraud Americans are losing millions of dollars to scammers at crypto ATMs, which turn cash into cryptocurrency. Companies often fail to refund money to victims and aggressively fight police to claw back what was seized from the machines. Heres how it works. 2 Were not going back North Carolina is the furniture capital of the US, but it has seen a lot of jobs move overseas in recent years. Some industry executives worry the help thats on the way from the federal government will do more harm than good. 3 Snuffed out The nations largest solar project, known as Esmeralda 7, was set to generate enough energy to power 2 million homes. The Trump administration quietly canceled it, sparking confusion and concern among Republicans and Democrats. 4 Tech skills Scouting America, the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts, offers hundreds of merit badges from fishing to fingerprinting. Now kids will have a chance to earn two new ones based on modern technology. 5 Hello darkness Just like humans, animals rely on light cues to guide their daily rhythms. During last years total solar eclipse, some birds mistook the sudden darkness for dawn and burst into song. Watch this Cheap eats: Tony Shalhoub travels the world trying to find delicious food for less than $10. He discovered a crunchy seafood treat in Marseille, France. Top headlines Check this out Pierre Suu/Getty Images Fashion icon: In an era when celebrities rarely appear in public without a stylists touch, Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton stood out for her playful, self-directed charm. Her signature look featuring chunky heels and whimsical accessories was as distinctive as it was authentic. Quiz time Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg/Getty Images Who was reappointed as prime minister of France just days after resigning? A. Emmanuel Macron B. Boris Vallaud C. Francois Bayrou D. Sebastien Lecornu Scroll down for the answer. Thanks for reading Most popular in yesterdays newsletter: The planet has entered a new reality as it hits its first climate tipping point, landmark report finds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quiz answer: D. Lecornu just unveiled his draft budget and delivered a high-stakes policy speech after returning to office. Well see you tomorrow. Check out all of CNNs newsletters. Todays edition of 5 Things PM was edited and produced by CNNs Kimberly Richardson and Sarah Hutter. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Cuban government released dissident leader Jose Daniel Ferrer from prison Monday and sent him with his family into exile in the United States, the islands foreign affairs ministry said. The announcement comes after weeks of speculation about his possible release. Ferrer arrived in Miami with his wife, son, and other relatives Monday afternoon. Visibly moved and surrounded by his family and activists, Ferrer said he had mixed feelings about this moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I never thought of leaving the island, he said in a press conference at the Cuban American National Foundation in Little Havana. He said he was happy to be reunited with his children, some of whom were already living in the United States, and other members of his family. But he noted there was a reason to feel great sadness because there are many who are surviving in the worst conditions in the worst prisons. Cuba is experiencing a truly deplorable situation, he said. Its a terrible situation of extreme injustice, of arbitrariness of all kinds, and hunger. Theres barely any electricity, medical services are barely functioning, transportation is barely functioning, and many homes are falling apart. Imagine then what Cuban prisons must be like. Cuban dissident Jose Daniel Ferrer reacts after arriving with his family at the offices of the Cuban American National Foundation in Miami on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. He vowed to continue fighting for a democratic transition in Cuba and return to the island as soon as possible. We are going to throw them out. Luis Enrique Ferrer, Ferrers brother, said U.S. State Department officials traveled to Santiago de Cuba to secure his release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welcome to freedom, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. After years of repression, torture and abuses from the Cuban regime, Ferrer and his family are in the United States. The Cuban peoples desires for basic freedoms and democracy are an inspiration to many. We reaffirm our commitment to a free, fair and democratic Cuba. After decades of opposing the Cuban government and several stints in prison, Ferrer, whose health deteriorated in prison, said he was willing to go into exile in a letter circulated earlier this month that denounced worsening treatment in prison and threats to his family. The dictatorships cruelty against me has surpassed all limits, he wrote in the letter he wrote in the Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba. I have suffered beatings, torture, humiliation, threats, extreme conditions, and even the theft of my food and toiletries. Ferrer had been arrested as he attempted to join a street protest in Santiago de Cuba during the July 2021 islandwide uprising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fate of one of the few remaining opposition figures who was still in the country depended on the frail relationship between the Cuban government and the United States. Cuban dissident leader Jose Daniel Ferrer speaks to reporters with his wife, son and relatives during a news conference at the Cuban American National Foundation in Little Havana on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, after arriving in Miami. The Cuban government released Ferrer from prison and sent him and his family into exile in the United States. The Cuban foreign affairs ministry said Ferrer was on his way to the United States after a formal request from the government of that country and the express acceptance of Ferrer Garcia, within the framework of the formalities of application and compliance with the law that exists between both countries. A Trump administration official denied the U.S. had made such a request. In the past, the Cuban government has used the release of political prisoners as a bargaining chip to obtain concessions from the United States. Just in January, the Cuban government released several political prisoners, including Ferrer, in a deal brokered by the Vatican, in exchange for being removed from the U.S. list of countries that sponsor terrorism. But the chance of Cubas obtaining a similarly significant gesture looks remote with the current administration, whose foreign affairs are led by Rubio, a Cuban-American former senator from Florida who has vowed to implement a tough Cuba policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the island is in a desperate economic situation, and Cuban officials are increasingly nervous about U.S. military operations near Venezuela, the islands closest ally. In brief comments at the Miami International Airport, U.S Rep. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Miami said the U.S. government did not make concessions in exchange for Ferrers freedom. There are no concessions here; there is only strength and leadership from the United States, he said. The presidents name is Donald Trump; hes not Biden or Obama, and he doesnt believe in appeasement. Ferrer, the leader of the dissident organization Patriotic Union of Cuba, was one of the most prominent prisoners the Cuban government had been holding as a political bargaining chip. He had previously been in prison as one of the members of the group of 75 dissidents arrested during the so-called Black Spring in 2003. In what activists say was a fabricated case, he was confined to house arrest in April 2000, after being accused of allegedly attacking a man. When he got out of his house to join the historic anti-government protests on July 11, 2021, he was immediately arrested. A judge then revoked his conditional release and ordered Ferrer to serve 4 years and 14 days in prison, a time he had already completed last year. The crypto market bounced back on Monday, just days after traders experienced the worst crypto liquidation event in history. Bitcoin is up 3% over the past 24 hours to now near $115,00, according to data from Binance. Ethereum, the worlds second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, is up even more, gaining almost 9% to hover near $4,130. After dipping below the $4 trillion mark on Friday, the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies have swung back nearly 5% over the past day to $4.01 trillion. The ricochet in crypto prices follows a disastrous Friday that saw more than $19 billion in traders positions evaporate. It was the largest one-day liquidation event ever tracked by crypto analytics company CoinGlass. In less than 24 hours, Bitcoin shed more than $200 billion in market capitalization and dropped nearly 10% in price. And Ethereum was hit even harder, dropping almost 14%. The market chaos even affected stablecoins, or cryptocurrencies pegged to the U.S. dollar. USDe, one of the largest stablecoins by market capitalization, depegged to 65 cents on the crypto exchange Binance before quickly rebounding back to $1. The depegging event was only connected to Binance, not other exchanges, Guy Young, founder of Ethena Labs, the developer behind USDe, said Sunday. The market turbulence follows a Friday social media post from President Donald Trump in which he threatened the Peoples Republic of China with a 100% tariff over and above existing tariffs levied against the country. It has just been learned that China has taken an extraordinarily aggressive position on Trade in sending an extremely hostile letter to the World, claimed Trump on Truth Social, the social media website his family owns. Trumps post came in response to recent trade restrictions imposed by China on rare earth metals and related technologies. The country is the largest producer of rare earths in the world, which include metals needed for the production of everyday technologies like batteries and flat-screen TVs, and even fighter jets. But shortly after Trump issued his trade threats against China on Friday, he and his administration walked back some of his most aggressive rhetoric. Dont worry about China, it will all be fine! he posted Sunday on Truth Social. The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!! U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed Trump in a Monday morning interview with Fox Business. While Bessent criticized Chinas rare earth restrictions, he said that the administration has substantially de-escalated trade tensions with China since Trumps threats and that theres been substantial communication over the weekend. A woman in Daytona Beach, Florida was reportedly killed after she suffered a medical incident and was then attacked by four dogs in her home. Police responded to an emergency call at the home after the woman's boyfriend visited her house and found her unresponsive on the floor. When police arrived, they found Monica Emerson, 38, severely wounded while four dogs were running around inside her home. The dogs included a a large, mixed-breed male and three of his offspring, according to WFLA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information was immediately available about the dog breeds or whether or not they belonged to Emerson. According to police, Emerson's injuries did not appear to be the result of foul play or caused by humans. Monica Emerson, 38, was killed by four dogs found in her Daytona Beach home after she suffered what police believe was a medical incident. She was found unresponsive by her boyfriend at the home on Friday (Google Maps) "No evidence of human-related foul play has been found, and the investigation remains active," police said. Investigators believe that Emerson may have suffered a medical incident and lost consciousness, after which the dogs attacked her while she was on the floor. "Preliminary investigation suggests Emerson may have experienced a medical episode that caused her to lose consciousness, during which time she was fatally attacked by the dogs," police said in a Facebook post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the dogs were taken into custody by the Daytona Beach Police Department's Animal Control Services, and were transferred to Volusia County Animal Services where they'll be kept for 10 days and then euthanized. The incident is the third dog mauling in Volusia County since mid-January. Mountaineers and mountain guides are out and about on Mount Everest on May 21, 2024. (Photo by Narendra Shahi Thakuri/picture alliance via Getty Images) At least 900 Mt. Everest trekkers had to be rescued on Oct. 5 after they were stranded during a blizzard with heavy sleet, snow, thunder and lightning at 16,400 feet in elevation. The heavy sleet and snow collapsed tents and covered trails. Hikers had to use cooking pots to dig out. At least one person was killed at nearby Mera Peak in Nepal Saturday. More than 3 feet of snow fell, confirmed by a hiker who estimated the snow "up to their thighs," according to NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That amount would be three times the average weekly snowfall for early October. Tom Matthews, a climate scientist at King's College London, told Scientific American the snowstorm was more than three times greater than anything measured on the mountain -- but records only exist for the last six years. A large stone with "Everest Base Camp" graffiti marks the beginning of the famous trekking camp on Oct. 13, 2024 in Nepal. (Mailee Osten-Tan/Getty Images) "There was a western disturbance and also a deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal that lifted toward Nepal from Oct. 3-5," AccuWeather's Lead International Forecaster Jason Nicholls explained. "At the same time, Cyclonic Storm Shakhti was forming in the Arabian Sea, and the combination of these three features likely helped funnel moist air northward into northern India and Nepal to form the blizzard," Nicholls said. October is part of the busy season after the yearly monsoon retreats and weather normally dries out. The blizzard happened as part of a larger weather system including floods and landslides in Nepal and northeast India that killed 70 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news of the Everest rescue took days to transmit because communication lines were also cut by the heavy rain and snow, the BBC reported. The BBC says climate change is leading to more extreme rainfall at the tail end of the monsoon season in India, which meteorologists used to say ended in September. This year, and for the last decade, the rainy season has lingered into October. The Volusia County Sheriffs Office has released new details on the arrest of one of the men wanted in a homicide case. Jonterich Smith, 20, was caught after a traffic stop in Volusia County on Saturday night. He was then sent to Brevard County to face charges of premeditated murder and aggravated battery. Deputies say Smith and an accomplice, Xazavier Butler, opened fire at a car parked outside Anchors Chicken & Seafood off Clearlake Road in Cocoa on Oct. 6. A 15-year-old in the car, Karayah Duncan was killed. Two others in the car with her were shot but survived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volusia County Chief Deputy Brian Henderson said Smith was caught while en route to a concert in Orlando Saturday night. He said Smith was a passenger in a car pulled over for going over 100 mph and weaving in and out of traffic on Interstate 4. Deputies identified Smith as having a warrants out for his arrest. Henderson said the driver was also arrested under Floridas super speeder law. He said weapons were also in the car. Butler is still at large and wanted for the same charges. Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to call the Brevard County Sheriffs Office at 321-264-5201. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) A central Ohio chef who is set lead a new Columbus restaurant replacing Milestone 229 has closed two of his Delaware restaurants as he shifts focus to the upcoming concept. Chef Josh Dalton announced earlier this month that both 1808 American Bistro and Rosebuds, which sit just steps apart on East Winter Street, would permanently close Oct. 11. In separate social media posts, Dalton expressed gratitude to patrons, staff and the Delaware community, calling the closures a bittersweet decision tied to the next chapter in his restaurant career. Annual Columbus HBCU fair inspires local high schoolers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After 17 wonderful years I am writing with a heavy but grateful heart, Dalton wrote about 1808, which opened in 2008. Known for its bistro fare and community-focused atmosphere, the restaurant became a downtown Delaware staple. Chef Josh Dalton announced earlier this month that both 1808 American Bistro and Rosebuds would permanently close Oct. 11. (Courtesy Photo/1808 American Bistro) Chef Josh Dalton announced earlier this month that both 1808 American Bistro and Rosebuds would permanently close Oct. 11. (Courtesy Photo/Rosebuds) Rosebud, which opened in 2023 in a space previously home to several of Daltons other ventures including Veritas Tavern and Speck Italian Eatery was described by the chef as a home for ideas and an incubator for dreams. I carry nothing but gratitude, he wrote of the Delaware community. Whether you came in once for dinner, worked a shift on the line, or followed along as we tried something new, youve been part of the story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closures come as Dalton prepares to open a new Mediterranean restaurant in the former Milestone 229 space at 229 S. Civic Center Drive in Columbus Bicentennial Park. Set to open in spring 2026, the yet-to-be-named concept will focus on cuisine inspired by coastal regions from Barcelona to Lebanon. The menu is expected to feature small plates, handhelds, dips, spreads, reimagined entrees and a curated beverage program, according to a press release. Culvers to open in Hamilton Quarter, offer chance to win free food for a year The restaurant will seat around 100 guests indoors, with lounge and patio seating available during warmer months. It will also offer drinks designed for the City Centers designated outdoor refreshment area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milestone 229 operated in the same riverfront location for 14 years before closing at the end of 2024, after lease negotiations with the city ended without a new agreement. Thank you for letting us feed you, host you, laugh with you, and sometimes cry with you, Dalton wrote. Thank you for trusting us with your evenings, your special moments, your quiet Sundays, and for being patient when kitchens were busy or changes were made. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. An advocate holds an SEIU sign protesting rising health care costs at a demonstration near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) Florida has more to lose than any other state if Congress doesnt extend enhanced premium tax credits for so-called Obamacare coverage. That was the message a trio of Democratic members of Congress delivered Tuesday on Day 14 of the government shutdown. At the center of the shutdown is a partisan battle over extending the tax credits to lower the costs of health care coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The credits expire at the end of the year. Democrats are holding up government funding to pressure Republicans into extending them. While Republicans have said they are open to talks, they insist Democrats vote to continue government operations until late November. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Official photo If Trump and Republicans continue to refuse to negotiate our way out of this health care coverage crisis, its going to be absolutely brutal, disproportionately for Florida, said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Weston. Florida leads the nation in the number of people who purchase insurance through the federal exchange (healthcare.gov), which was established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), sometimes called Obamacare. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data from March show that of the 4.7 million Florida residents with an Obamacare plan in 2025, 4.6 million receive the tax credits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obamacare enrollment for 2026, meanwhile, is set to begin next month. If these credits expire, millions of people will and thousands of people that we represent, really, hundreds of thousands will face double, triple, or quadruple price hikes in their [health insurance] premiums. Thats not exaggeration or hyperbole. Weve seen the notices, said Wasserman Schultz, whose district includes 209,000 Obamacare enrollees, 203,000 of whom receive the tax credits. Weve talked to insurance companies and we know that thats whats coming, she added. And you all know what that really means. Families will be forced to drop coverage, chronic diseases will go undiagnosed, ERs will be flooded. Joining Wasserman Schultz in a Zoom meeting were U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Maxwell Frost, who said the loss of the enhanced premiums plus Floridas decision to not expand Medicaid to low-income childless adults will prove devastating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soto said his congressional district has the second highest Obamacare enrollment (271,000) in the nation. U.S. Rep. Darren Soto via U.S. House. And theres a good reason for that. We have a lot of folks working for small businesses. We have a lot of folks who are independent contractors, and they dont have access to affordable, employer-based health care, so theyve gone on the exchange, and the fact that Florida didnt expand Medicaid only made it more desperate for folks to have to use the ACA exchange, Soto said. He added: Remember when Donald Trump ran on lowering costs? Well, now hes running away from lowering costs with this key negotiation. Advanced premium tax credits have been available since passage of the Affordable Care Act. During COVID, Congress agreed to make the premium tax credits more generous. Those enhanced credits lower out-of-pocket costs for the coverage and allow people who earn more money to qualify for the subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas (all of which have lower Obamacare enrollment) have lower average monthly premiums. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX While the battle over the tax credits has been partisan, conservatives including Associated Industries of Florida President and CEO Brewster Bevis, Florida Hospital Association President and CEO Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of Florida Association of Community Health Centers Jonathan Chapman, and President and CEO of the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Julio Fuentes aligned under the Florida Conservatives for Affordable Health Care moniker and came out in support of their continuation over the summer. I have been around this debate over health care coverage for decades and, while the politics of the ACA have been heated over the years, there should be a unified political voice in support of the federal marketplace and the premiums assistance in Florida, Mayhew said during a press conference this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Rick Scott opposes extending the tax credits. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (photo via the Scott campaign) Scott, the multimillionaire former health care executive who launched his political career opposing Obamacare, doubled down on his opposition to the longstanding federal health care law last week on Fox News The Sunday Briefing. Heartbreaking For his part, Frost said the argument is an extension of the battle this summer over the GOPs One Big Beautiful Bill and that he was proud that Democrats are standing strong on the issue. We are the party of the working class, were the party of working people, and we dont want peoples health care costs to go up anywhere from 50% to 300%. We dont want millions of people in this country losing their health care, because we believe health care is a human right for every single person in this country, and thats what were fighting for, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frost said his office has asked constituents to share videos of themselves talking about the looming health insurance premium increases they face. His office, he said, has been posting them online. One heartbreaking story he described involved a woman who said her monthly premiums were about to double. Maxwell Frost via U.S. House Shes having to cut from her grocery trips. She had to cancel a trip to go see her parents that she hasnt seen in a long, long time. And a lot of people are considering having to change their housing situation because the rent is too damn high, Frost said. We have to remember that Donald Trump is throwing us into this health care crisis while hes also thrown us into a grocery store crisis, while hes also thrown us into a housing crisis, even worse than it ever was before. Everything is so much more expensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With wages stagnant and costs of living increasing, Frost said, working people just need a break, and taking away their health care its one of the most inhumane things a person can do. He spent a bunch of our government money to campaign against Amendment 4 last year. Why is he spending no government money to make sure people know that their health care is about to go up by an insane amount because of Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress? U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, of Gov. Ron DeSantis Silence Meanwhile, state political leaders to date have been silent on the issue. The three Democrats were critical of Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski and Gov. Ron DeSantis for not warning state residents about the increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absolutely, Soto said when asked whether the governor and insurance commissioner should be making people aware. They cant hide these numbers. Obviously, people want to know, and they should know, and theres a duty to tell them ahead of time. Frost said DeSantis and Yaworski are motivated by political considerations. The governor knows that in about a year, hes going to become pretty irrelevant on the national stage, and hes trying to find relevancy. He doesnt want to rub Trump the wrong way. And so instead of looking out for Floridians and whats best for the people hes supposed to lead and represent, hes going to keep his mouth shut and continue to play partisan games, Frost said. OIR presentation Meanwhile, OIR Deputy Commissioner for Life and Health Alexis Bakofsy updated the House Health Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee Tuesday afternoon, including news that a statewide average 34% increase in premiums will take effect Jan. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An OIR slide presentation shows the state expects Obamacare enrollment to drop significantly during 2026 Open Enrollment with the expiration of enhanced subsidies & Federal Rule implementation. OIR has a demographic breakout but Bakofsy said she didnt have the information available with her. She did tell committee members that 95% of Obamacare enrollees live in a county with at least four carriers. Monroe County is the only area in the state with only one health insurer offering a Obamacare plan through the exchange, the result of Aetna exiting the market (in Florida and nationally.) Bakofsy repeatedly said Florida consumers should shop, given the changes that are occurring. When I say shop I mean understand how youre going to be impacted both on the exchange but also what are your options off exchange. Every consumer is going to be different to the extent that we can provide you with resources so that they can go. I would hate for someone to come to Dec. 15 and realize that the plan that they had, the plan they want to keep, is no longer available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bakofsy also told members that the OIR plans to collect data on enrollment and claims starting next year to ensure the office can effectively track participation in the market. The OIR had not publicized the steep rate increases, a fact that Bakofsy acknowledged and which irked committee member and state Rep. Robin Bartleman, a Democrat from Weston. Bartleman said many residents havent even received notice from insurance companies warning them of the rate increases (Florida law requires the notice to go out 45 day in advance. Bakofsy said that gives the carriers until mid-November to send the notices). So, what? What is your plan? Because everyone this committee, were going to be left holding that ball, and we had nothing to do with this. But you work for the state. You work for the governor. What are you going to do, because its not just low-income people or minority people. I can give you the numbers of every person in this community and how many people in your district arent going to be able to afford health care insurance. What can you do to help us, help Floridians get this information out? SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A metals supplier to the Detroit Three said it will close its plant in Detroit and permanently lay off more than 133 employees. Autokiniton filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) with the state of Michigan earlier this month, saying it will close its Oakland Stamping factory complex by Dec. 31. The notice said the first wave of terminations could occur as soon as Dec. 5 and continue through Dec. 19. The supplier makes small- and medium-size body stampings and welded assemblies and sells them to many automakers beyond Ford Motor, General Motors and Stellantis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Autokiniton representative at the companys New Boston, Michigan, headquarters told the Detroit Free Press the company is not commenting on the decision to close the Oakland Stamping facility. According to a published report in Crain's Detroit Business, Oakland Stamping plant employees were told the closure is the result of a business decision after the company evaluated its portfolio of plants. Its website shows Autokiniton operates 23 manufacturing and design facilities in Michigan and 36 in the U.S. and about half a dozen across Mexico, India and Brazil. The report stated that some of the union-represented workers at Oakland Stamping have 20 years of experience, and just five months ago, the union-represented employees ratified a new contract with the company that provided increased wages and added benefits. This plant closure comes after steelmaker Cleveland Cliffs laid off more than 500 workers at its Dearborn Works facility in July. The company idled operations on the blast furnace, the basic oxygen furnace steel shop and continuous casting, blaming a weak auto market for the decision to idle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Fire at an aluminum plant expected to hit Ford's pickup production In August, UAW President Shawn Fain, with politicians in tow, led a crowd of several hundred UAW members from Local 600 in Dearborn along Miller Road to the site of Cleveland Cliffs to protest the layoffs. While the Cleveland Cliffs facility is no longer owned by Ford Motor Co. as it used to be, the company is one of the largest steel distributors in the U.S. and still provides materials for the Detroit Three automakers and many of its suppliers. Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves told the Detroit Free Press at that time that the steelmaker would resume operations in Dearborn once the automotive production in the United States improved. Jamie L. LaReau is the senior autos writer who covers Ford Motor Co. for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Jamie at jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Three supplier closing factory and cutting 133 jobs TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansas political leaders are condemning text messages exchanged by members of several Young Republican groups that came to light Tuesday in a bombshell report from Politico. Republican Kansas lawmakers and political figures are releasing statements condemning the messages sent back and forth between members of some different Young Republican organizations across the nation brought to light on Oct. 14 by Politico. The report named William Hendrix, vice chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, as one of those who was allegedly sharing racist messages through the Telegram app. Kansas gov. announces budget tour, draws mockery from Republican lawmaker Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hendrix was also an employee working in the office of Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. Kobach issued the following statement in response to the Politico report. The comments in the chat are inexcusable, Kobach said. As soon as the office learned of those message Will Hendrixs employment was terminated. Another leader of the Kansas Young Republicans group, Alex Dwyer, is also named as participating in the exposed Telegram chats. Hendrix did not return a request for comment made by Politico and Dwyer declined to say anything about the messages to Politico. We are working to contact both Dwyer and Hendrix for comment on this situation. Politico draws from seven months of Telegram chats exchanged between Young Republican leadership in the states of Kansas, New York, Arizona and Vermont. Other Republican leaders in Kansas issued statements in response to the messages unveiled in the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KBI seize thousands of allegedly illegal marijuana, THC products in raids across Kansas Kansas Republican Party leadership is disgusted by the comments by young Kansas Republicans mentioned in the Politico story. Their comments do not reflect the beliefs of Republicans and certainly not of Kansas Republicans at large, who elected a black chair a few months ago. Republicans believe that all people are created in the image of God. In fact, our platform clearly states, We welcome Kansans of every ethnicity into our party as we work together to preserve our heritage of political equality, religious freedom and strong moral values. We strive to eliminate racism and we condemn all racist acts and groups. As of today, the Kansas Young Republicans organization is inactive. Kansas GOP Chair Danedri Herbert The Kansas Black Republican Council unequivocally denounces the behavior and language revealed in Politicos recent report. Such conduct is not merely offensive; it is a betrayal of the very principles upon which our party was founded: the defense of liberty, the abolition of slavery, and the belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. Let there be no confusion, these few individuals do not represent Kansas, nor do they reflect the values of Kansas Republicans. We call on all Republicans to uphold the standard of integrity, moral courage, and respect that has long defined our partys proud history. Michael Austin, chief executive for the Kansas Black Republican Council Student interest growing in Kansas trade schools For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. No one likes to stand in a long line, but a dispute at a Marshalls in Kearney ended with bloodshed. A woman in New Jersey is accused of stabbing another woman in the parking lot of a Marshall's on Saturday after a dispute over the movement of speed at the checkout line, police said. Police said 25-year-old Amber Thompson allegedly threatened to harm the woman in the checkout line. The victim and her family decided to leave the store on Passaic Avenue and go to their vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Thompson bought a set of knives, took one out of the packaging and chased the victim down in the parking lot, stabbing her several times. Police said the victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Thompson was found hiding in the bathroom of the Marshalls' with a bloody knife on top of the baby changing station, police said. Thompson is charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of weapons, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and endangering another person. Shoppers questioned whether or not there should be more security at the store, which has left many people on edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think that's pretty crazy that happened here. It's just crazy because it never happens here," a shopper said. A Marshalls spokesperson released a statement saying, "We are aware of the incident that occurred in the parking lot outside of our store last week. At Marshalls, the safety and security of our Associates and customers is important to us, and we're grateful for the swift response of the Kearney Police Department. As this is a police matter, we'd respectfully defer any further comment to the Kearney Police Department.' The stabbing remains under investigation. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New Jersey news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. October marks 100 years of pheasant hunting in Iowa, and state wildlife officials are predicting a record-breaking year for hunters due to a high pheasant population. Here's what to know about pheasant hunting in Iowa, including when it starts and what the outlook is for the 2025-26 hunting season. Dead pheasants wait to be picked up during a hunt at The Hole N the Wall Lodge on Saturday, October 31, 2015, in Akron, Iowa. When does the Iowa pheasant season open? The pheasant hunting season in Iowa begins Saturday, Oct. 25 and lasts until Jan. 10. When is the youth Iowa pheasant hunting season? Pheasant hunting in Iowa starts with a designated time for youth hunters to try to bag some birds. The youth season is Oct. 18-19, where pheasant hunting is open to those 15 and younger. How many pheasants were bagged in Iowa last season? More than 460,000 pheasants were bagged last fall, marking the second-highest harvest in nearly two decades, only surpassed by the 2023 harvest of 590,000. More than 77,400 hunters pursued pheasants in Iowa in 2024, down from the more than 83,600 in 2023, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. What is the outlook for the upcoming pheasant season in Iowa? The Iowa DNR found that statewide pheasant populations are at a 20-year high, with all signs pointing toward a "banner year for hunters." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statewide pheasant populations were found to have 28 birds per 30-mile route, the highest since 2005, according to the Iowa DNR's annual August roadside survey. Those hunting in Iowa this upcoming season can expect a pheasant harvest between 600,000 and 700,000 if hunter participation is similar to 2023, according to the Iowa DNR. Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: When does Iowa's pheasant season open? Bird population at decades high A group of gun-rights advocates in Massachusetts is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the Boston Police Department over a backlog of applications from residents seeking to carry firearms. Gun Owners Action League and Commonwealth Second Amendment drafted a letter to that effect last week, after the DOJ said it was looking for situations around the country where there are delays in obtaining gun carry permits. State law says a gun license must be approved or denied within 40 days. In Boston, the advocates said, the process takes between eight to 10 months, part of the unreasonable and unconscionable delays plaguing the states gun licensing system for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please help us finally put an end to the treatment of the Second Amendment as a lower-class right and broadcast a warning to other cities and towns in Massachusetts that continue to slow-walk the firearms licensing process, the letter states. The letter comes after attorneys with the DOJ filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department on Sept. 30, saying the agency had a pattern and practice delaying gun license applications. When constitutional rights are deliberately delayed beyond any reasonable timeframe, they are effectively denied, DOJ attorneys wrote in the agencys complaint. The DOJ described its suit against Los Angeles officials as its first affirmative lawsuit in support of gun owners and asked for accounts of people across the nation who have waited more than four months to obtain a concealed carry permit. Boston police take the stand In the letter, the gun-rights groups asked the DOJ to examine a case from Boston Municipal Court in which Maximilien Baas-Thomas, 31, sued Michael Cox, city of Boston police commissioner, after he faced delays in his gun permit application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weeks after Baas-Thomas paid his $100 application fee at the beginning of January, he called Boston police at the end of February, who told him that there were many applications still pending before his. His lawsuit asked the judge to order Boston police to start processing his application. When the matter came before Judge Maureen Flaherty, Detective Lt. Gary Eblan testified that the number of gun carry permits increased after the states law changed last October. In response, the office processing the applications grew from three people to 10 to handle the load. But it wasnt enough. When Eblan testified in June, he said there were almost 600 applications filed ahead of Baas-Thomas from November and December that the department was still working through. In her order issued July 1, Flaherty said she sympathized with his plight, but she ultimately denied Baas-Thomas petition, saying it appeared the Boston police are acting in good faith and processing the applications as quickly as possible with the resources they have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston police did not return a request for comment about its delays in processing gun applications. Ironing out the process A handful of states, including California and Massachusetts, changed their gun permitting laws after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that the way New York required applicants to show proper cause to carry a gun was unconstitutional. A permitting or licensing overhaul comes with a couple of years of mess of trying to iron out your internal procedures and processes for dealing with the applications, said Dru Stevenson, a law professor at South Texas College of Law who researches firearm policy and law. And, while the right to bear arms is written in the Constitution, there are other licensing processes that take just as long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guess how long it takes to get signed up for Social Security disability or to incorporate a nonprofit? Stevenson said. Stevenson said the DOJs lawsuit against Los Angeles is largely symbolic, where the most significant thing the government could obtain from a judge is injunctive relief. They can get a court to order Los Angeles County to hurry up, Stevenson said. Asked about the effect of the DOJs lawsuit in Los Angeles across the country, Kris Brown, president of Brady, a firearm control advocacy group, said Americans will face a greater risk for gun violence through the federal governments shifting priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This lawsuit is yet another example of how the Department of Justice under Donald Trump is spending its limited resources to do the bidding of the gun industry, Brown said in an emailed statement. Delays across the state Christopher Martel, president of Commonwealth Second Amendment, said the intent behind the letter is to get municipalities in Massachusetts to follow the law and adhere to the same standard as residents who are undergoing the licensing process. There are other municipalities as egregious as Boston, if not worse, Martel said. Worcester was one example, he said. On the other hand, many places in Western Massachusetts issue gun permits fairly quickly, he said. Jim Wallace, executive director of Gun Owners Action League, said it takes nonresidents who want to carry a gun in Massachusetts about a year to get a license from the state, and thats only good for a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With about five people working in the states Firearms Records Bureau, which processes out of state licenses and keeps the states firearm license data, the system is designed to fail, Wallace said. more news from Western Massachusetts Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Global container volumes continued strong in 2025 with record August traffic despite weaker results from North America. August volume was 16.61 million twenty foot equivalent units, according to Container Trade Statistics, and the highest monthly volume ever, surpassing 16.59 million TEUs in May 2025. The record came despite an 0.5% decline in North American imports, including the United States, as a weaker August moderated a recovery that showed volumes up 1% in July year-to-date. For the first eight months of 2025, global container volumes were 126.75 million TEUs, 4.4% better than the same period in 2024. While the month-on-month increase was modest at 0.2%, it highlights the consistently high level of global volumes in 2025, CTS said in a release. In fact, August marks the fourth consecutive month in which global volumes have exceeded 16 million TEUs. The gains come as the Trump administrations tariff policy disrupts benchmark China-U.S. trade on the trans-Pacific. Washington and Beijing in early August for a second time paused retaliatory tariffs for 90 days in an effort to reach a trade agreement, but the damage was done as U.S. importers spent the early summer frontloading goods, depressing August volumes. But any ripple effects have so far failed to dent growth through the global supply chain. The CTS data showed regional imports well ahead year-to-date across all regions except North America. Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian sub-continent and Middle East, and South and Central America, were up 16.4%, 8.7%, and 7.5%, respectively. Europe followed with a 7.3% increase, which was bolstered by imports from the Far East and the Indian sub-continent and Middle East, both up 8.5% y-t-d. All regions posted export increases except North America, which saw a 2.7% decline. Six of the seven regions recorded year-to-date growth, but gains were less pronounced than imports, CTS said. The Far East and Indian sub-continent and Middle East saw the largest year-to-date export increases, up 6.4% and 5.9%, as China found fresh markets for its goods and manufacturing shifted to other Asian nations. Europes exports remained flat, up just 0.1% y-t-d, after a 6% month-on-month decline in August. Global Price Index softens The CTS Global Price Index, which measures global container shipping freight rates based on invoiced data collected from major shipping lines, fell by 3 points in August, to 81 points, continuing a steady decline since June. The index was at 115 points at the same time a year ago, reflecting ongoing market adjustments despite strong volume performance. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the ongoing government shutdown is an opportunity to close "Democrat programs that we want to close up or we never wanted to happen." "The Democrats are getting killed on the shutdown because we're closing up programs that are Democrat programs that we were opposed to. So, we're being and -- and they're never going to come back in many cases," Trump said, when asked about when he'd start bringing parties together to negotiate an end to the ongoing government shutdown. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Argentina's President Javier Milei at the White House in Washington, October 14, 2025. "So we're being able to do things that we were unable to do before. So, we're closing up programs that are Democrat programs that we wanted to close up or that we never wanted to happen. And now we're closing them up, and we're not going to let them come back." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump indicated that a list of the programs that will be cut is expected to come on Friday. Trump later clarified that Democratic programs include things "that we disagree with," but didnt offer any specific examples. Trump said "Republican programs" would not be terminated. Mental health, substance abuse staffers fired amid government shutdown: Sources Trump and Vought have long threatened to make cuts to Democratic agencies during the shutdown. Asked earlier this month about those cuts, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt would not give specifics. "We're going to look at agencies that don't align, align with the administration's values that we feel are a waste of the taxpayer dollar. And look, unfortunately, these conversations are happening because we don't have any money coming into the federal government right now," Leavitt said during a White House press briefing. "And so the President wants to be a good steward of the American taxpayer dollar during a time when our balance sheet is looking very grim because the Democrats chose to shut everything down." Johnson says he doesn't 'have any strategy' to negotiate with Democrats Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the possibility he could change his strategy to end the government shutdown by negotiating legislative changes with Democrats, telling reporters on Tuesday that he doesn't "have any strategy" to end the impasse in place of the GOPs lackluster pressure campaign to pass a "clean" continuing resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson on Tuesday pushed Democrats to support the House-passed funding bill and slammed the Democrats' $1.5 trillion proposal, which extends health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and reverses cuts to Medicaid. How Affordable Care Act subsidies became a sticking point in the government shutdown Asked whether he may consider a different negotiation track as the pressure campaign against Democrats has so far failed to break the standoff, Johnson reiterated that the House-passed bill is a "clean" continuing resolution -- free from legislative gimmicks or political games. "Why don't I change my strategy? I don't have any strategy," the speaker told reporters. "I'm doing the right thing, the clearly obvious thing, the traditional thing." Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images - PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol, October 14, 2025 in Washington. The Senate on Tuesday evening failed for the eighth time to pass the GOP-backed "clean" continuing resolution that would fund the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressional Democrats representing Maryland and Virginia -- where a significant number of federal workers reside -- criticized Republicans over the shutdown on Tuesday morning and supported the workers. "What we have seen happen to our federal employees we will continues to speak out against," Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat, said. "We want them to know we appreciate them, we appreciate your service to our country, we still need you, we still need what you offer our country and we will continue to work until you can be able to offer it." Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought are "viscously" attacking federal employees. Paychecks for troops OMB is working on ways to get paychecks to federal law-enforcement officers amid the ongoing shutdown, according to an OMB official. This comes after recent moves to pay members of the military and fund the critical Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters - PHOTO: The U.S. Capitol during the thirteenth day of the U.S. government shutdown in Washington, October 13, 2025. Trump said he's directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use "all available funds" to pay members of the military on Wednesday, Oct. 15 despite the shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon said Tuesday that it will use $8 billion found in research, development and testing funds to cover paychecks for the troops on Wednesday. The move won the approval of Speaker Johnson. "Look, my understanding of this is they have every right to move the funds around, duly appropriated dollars from Congress to the Department of Defense," Johnson said Tuesday. "If the Democrats want to go to court and challenge troops being paid, bring it. OK?" OMB said on its X account on Tuesday that the Trump administration is "making every preparation" to ride out the government shutdown without caving to Democrats' demands. The agency said they'd continue cutting the federal workforce in the meantime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Pay the troops, pay law enforcement, continue the RIFs, and wait," the post said. Government shutdown updates: Admin looking to get federal law enforcement paychecks Lawmakers are still in a stalemate with negotiations at a standstill. "We're barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history," Johnson said on Monday. The record is 35 days and that was set in Trump's first term. Michelle Stoddart and Isabella Murray contributed to this report. Emergency responders in western Alaska are working to help more than a thousand residents displaced after ferocious, hurricane-force wind gusts from what once was Typhoon Halong tore through remote, coastal communities, unleashed record-breaking storm surge and shoved homes completely off their foundations. At least one person, an adult woman, was found dead in the village of Kwigillingok, which has a population of less than 400, on Monday, the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said in a statement. Search efforts for two missing men from the same village have been called off after search and rescue crews found no sign of them, Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniels said in an update to the media Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know this is devastating news for the families and loved ones of the two missing people, McDaniels said. If new evidence or credible information emerges about the location of the two individuals, we will immediately reassess that information and deploy appropriate resources to investigate and respond. Dozens of people and two dogs have been rescued in Kwigillingok and the nearby village of Kipnuk, which has about 700 residents, and more than 1,000 people were displaced to shelters, a local tribal health agency and state officials said Monday. Dozens of evacuees have been moved to a shelter set up by the National Guard in Bethel, the largest city in western Alaska, but officials are considering moving residents to longer-term emergency housing in Fairbanks and Anchorage as they run out of space, the Associated Press reported. CNN has reached out to the Alaska National Guard for further details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Search and rescue efforts in the area involved helicopters rescuing people from the roofs of houses as they were surrounded by several feet of flooding, images reminiscent of rescues conducted during Hurricane Katrina, said US Coast Guard Capt. Christopher Culpepper. If you imagine the worst-case scenario, thats what we are dealing with, he said. The sparsely populated villages are more than 400 miles southwest of Anchorage. Both communities experienced strong winds and heavy flooding overnight, which caused significant damage, including at least eight homes being pushed from their foundations, Alaska State Troopers said Sunday. The region, particularly Kipnuk, is severely impacted, according to Mark Roberts, head of the State Emergency Operations Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are doing everything we can to continue to support that community, Roberts said Tuesday afternoon. But it is as bad as you can think. Officials are assessing how many properties in each village have been damaged, Roberts said, adding the number of people displaced in the area is large and changing rapidly. As the storm approached the Alaska coastline late last week, forecast efforts may have been hampered by a lack of weather data triggered by the Trump administrations cuts to federal agencies earlier this year. Following widespread layoffs at the National Weather Service, there has been a gap in weather balloon coverage in western Alaska. The balloons feed data directly into computer models used to forecast the weather. However, there were few, if any, balloons to take measurements of what the weather was doing as the system approached Alaska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The storm generated wind gusts 100 mph or more in western Alaska on Sunday, akin to the gusts Category 1 or 2 hurricanes are capable of. Wind gusts hit 107 mph in Kusilvak while nearby Toksook Bay recorded a gust of 100 mph, according to the National Weather Service. These winds also drove dangerous storm surge, pushing feet of water onto land, which triggered major flooding in coastal areas. Water levels in Kipnuk soared to 14.5 feet Sunday more than 2 feet above major flood stage and 1.5 feet above the previous record flood level, set in 2000. The storm was once Typhoon Halong, a powerful tropical system that formed in the northern Philippine Sea earlier this month, skirted Japan without making landfall and crossed the north Pacific Ocean. It was no longer tropical by the time it entered the Bering Sea this weekend, but that did not eliminate its power. An aerial view shows flooding in Kipnuk, Alaska, on October 12. - Petty Officer 1st Class Shannon Kearney/US Coast Guard/DVIDS The storm moved through northern Alaska late Sunday and pushed into the Arctic Sea early Monday, leaving communities to pick up the pieces in its wake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every effort will be made to help those hit by this storm. Help is on the way, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a statement Sunday announcing the expansion of a state disaster declaration to include the areas impacted by the weekend storm. He emphasized Monday there will be support for residents in the short term as well as for long-term needs. Satellite imagery captures a powerful storm slamming into western Alaska this weekend. - CSU-CIRA/RAMMB/NOAA The initial declaration, issued Thursday, addressed damage in western Alaska caused by another powerful coastal storm earlier in the week that brought extensive flooding. Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska said he has been in frequent conversations with Acting FEMA Director David Richardson, and also in contact with local, tribal and state officials, including the Governor, and with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. FEMA is in direct contact with state and local officials and has an incident management team traveling to Alaska as we speak with a FEMA search-and-rescue group pre-positioned in Washington on standby. According to FEMA, the government shutdown is not impacting the agencys response to this emergency, Sullivan said in a statement. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Taylor Romine contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Credit: X / @UHN_Plus Hidden in a derelict factory in western Ukraine, the Kill House Academy is a Top Gun school for the drone-warfare era. Decked out with an obstacle course of hoops and window frames to practise flying drones, it has trained some of the countrys best UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) pilots. Among the more promising recent recruits was a pilot with the callsign Aguila 7 (Eagle 7) a former special forces soldier from Mexico, enlisted with Ukraines International Legion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while he excelled at the course, it seemed he had foes other than Russian soldiers in his sights. Eagle 7 was in fact a foot soldier in Mexicos feared Los Zetas drug cartel and had been sent there to learn drone skills for use in drug wars back home, according to reports. The obstacle course on which drone operators train at the Kill House - CNN His presence, along with that of several other suspected gang members, emerged after Mexican intelligence officials tipped off their Ukrainian counterparts in July. They warned Kyiv that cartel members were infiltrating Ukraines foreign fighter cadres to learn how to fly first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones, which give pilots a birds-eye view of the target as they close in with an explosive payload. FPVs have already proved to be a game-changer on Ukraines front lines. Mexicos warring drug cartels, who are engaged in their own drone arms race, now appear to be adopting the technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, footage emerged for the first time of Sinaloa cartel sicarios, or hitmen, brandishing a new fibre-optic FPV drone, a model pioneered in Ukraine that is controlled by cable rather than radio signal to evade jamming devices. Credit: X / @mexicanbelik Ukraine has become a platform for the global dissemination of FPV tactics, a security official in Kyiv told Intelligence Online, a French security website that first broke news of the investigation into Eagle 7. Some come to learn how to kill with a $400 drone, then sell that knowledge to whoever pays the highest price. Quite how many cartel hitmen have gone to Ukraine for drone training remains a mystery. The investigation in the summer is understood to have discovered at least three former members of Colombias disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) guerrilla movement, heavily involved in cocaine trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would not be hard for a cartel member to blend in these days in Ukraine, as the International Legion is increasingly relying on Latin American recruits. Most are from Colombia, where large numbers of former security personnel have found themselves jobless in the wake of the landmark 2016 peace deal with the Farc. While their motives may be as much financial as ideological a legionnaires combat salary can be up to $3,000 (2,250) a month, far more than can be earned in Colombia they are in big demand to help plug Kyivs domestic military recruitment gaps. Most have had US military training, and many have prior combat experience battling cartels and guerrillas. It is thought that several thousand have served in the International Legion over the past three years, with up to 300 killed. Limited vetting Cartel members are understood to be taking advantage of the fact that Kyiv has limited means to vet overseas recruits properly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeing reports in recent months that both Mexican cartels and Colombian criminal groups are trying to infiltrate the Ukrainian military to learn techniques that they can take back to Latin America, Alexander Marciniak, a Latin American intelligence analyst for Sibylline, a private intelligence firm, told The Telegraph. The cartels can use drones for all sorts of purposes attacks and surveillance on each other and on the security forces, and for smuggling contraband. Mexico has seen a huge surge in the use of attack drones in recent years, from just a handful of incidents in 2020 up to more than 40 per month by 2023. It reflects a growing militarisation of the drug gangs, with cartels hiring professional ex-soldiers many of them from Colombia to give them an edge. Mexican security services, like the Sinaloa state police (pictured), face increased militarisation in the cartels they are combatting - Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images Their activities appear to be focused in the cartel-plagued western state of Michoacan, where 11 Colombians were arrested over a roadside bomb attack that killed eight Mexican soldiers in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gangs, who wear military-style uniforms, are often armed with landmines, rocket-propelled grenades and narcotanques improvised armoured vehicles equipped with heavy machine guns. One group, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, even has a dedicated drone unit with a lapel emblem saying Operadores Droneros. Footage has been shared on social media purporting to show Mexican gangs flying drones and using them to launch explosives. Armed drones are almost tailor-made for the cartels needs: they can be used to terrorise and intimidate entire towns of civilians, and can travel into enemy territory to attack rivals HQs and convoys. The cartels infiltration of Ukraines International Legion highlights a long-standing concern that the organisation created in haste during the first few days of the war by Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, lacks the capacity to vet applicants properly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many legionnaires have told The Telegraph that military and civilian credentials are seldom checked, allowing undesirables to enlist. When this newspaper spent time with one volunteer unit in late 2022, it later emerged one of the members was a fugitive Finnish drug dealer who was later jailed for 13 years on smuggling, firearms and assault charges. Such reports are a gift to Russian propagandists, who have long tried to portray Ukraine as a nest of foreign criminals and Western-backed mercenary enterprises. They also anger many of the Colombian legionnaires, who insist they are there for legitimate reasons. Colombian soldiers fly drones at a military base in Tolemaida - RAUL ARBOLEDA I saw on the news and on social media how the Russians invaded this country and how they mistreated the Ukrainians. I thought it was wrong, and thats why I decided to come here as a volunteer, one Colombian legionnaire told The Telegraph. Latinos across the board have understood what Russia was doing in their alliance with Venezuela, what Russia was doing in their alliance with Nicaragua, added Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, a former sergeant in the Ukrainian Defence Forces and advisor to the Legion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are the same heroes who have been fighting the narcotics terrorists in the jungles and streets of their homelands. They know what evil is and that makes them ready to fight the Russians. Fighters on both sides of the front line in Ukraine having been pioneering new drones warfare techniques - Paula Bronstein/Getty Images Rachel Jamison, director of Protect a Volunteer, a humanitarian support group for foreign fighters in Ukraine, said that many of the serving Colombian and Mexican volunteers were ex-policemen who could spot cartel members easily. Known or suspected gangsters often struggled to get flights into Europe anyway, she added. Nonetheless, the latest reports will fuel concerns among diplomats about wider criminal blowback from Ukraines vast combat zone. As well as getting access to vast arrays of weaponry, foreign volunteers can also learn a range of techniques for building home-made attack drones, many of them circulated on DIY-style instruction videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One legionnaire who specialises in drone construction told The Telegraph: A while back I bumped into a foreign diplomat. He asked me: Is this something we should be worried about? Meanwhile, both Colombia and Mexico face growing US pressure to crack down on cartels, following Donald Trumps announcement that designated Mexican cartels would now be treated as narco-terrorist groups rather than street gangs because of their growing firepower. Four suspected drug boats have been destroyed by US drone strikes in the Caribbean, and Mr Trump has also hinted he could send US troops into Mexico. With former Colombian soldiers also reported to be working in Sudan and Yemen and accused of taking part in the 2021 assassination of Jovenel Moise, the president of Haiti Colombia is considering a bill to outlaw its soldiers from enlisting as mercenaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics, however, say that banning them from legitimate work could simply drive more into the ranks of the cartels. 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 building at 169 Riverside Drive almost under the Sakonnet River Bridge in Tiverton was used for seafood processing and retail sales, and as a marina facility business center over two decades ago. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has lined up a popular Providence-based clamshack and seafood wholesaler as the anchor tenant for the former Chase Marina beneath the Sakonnet River Bridge in Tiverton. The State Properties Committee on Tuesday unanimously gave preliminary approval for a 10-year lease for Dune Brothers LLC to occupy the building at 169 Riverside Drive. A copy of the agreement was not immediately made available. The building is two stories on its west end and one story on the east end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DEM acquired the building from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation in 2021 in order to redevelop the property as part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow the states blue economy. The building previously served as a privately owned marina and kayak shop. Established in 2017 by spouses Nicholas and Monica Gillespie, Dune Brothers originally operated seasonal clam shacks near downtown Providence and across the Seekonk River in East Providence. The business has since expanded to a sit down location and market in Providences Fox Point neighborhood, along with a wholesale market in Warwick. The Gillespies did not immediately respond to request for comment Tuesday. Dan Costa, DEMs port manager, told the State Properties Committee the redeveloped marina site would be home to a new market and restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 0.26-acre site on which the building sits includes an attached marina with room for up to 19 berths for commercial fishing vessels, Costa said. Docking space is still being engineered, he added. This land lease is going to be a complement to that marina facility, Costa said. I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for the DEM to preserve our working waterfront and further the states mission in supporting the commercial fishing community. In addition to Dune Brothers, the DEM would have a satellite office within the building for the agencys divisions of Coastal Resources, Emerging Fisheries, and Law Enforcement. We have no presence in the East Bay to continue furthering our missions, Costa said. Its going to be a great benefit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state solicited bids from prospective tenants between April and July of 2025, DEM spokesperson Kim Keough said. Dune Brothers submitted one of only two responses. Troy Langknecht, the chief of program development for DEMs Natural Resources Bureau, told the committee that the proposed deal calls on Dune Brothers to pay $14.50 per square foot totaling $82,230 per year. But just when the business can start occupying the space is unclear. Langknecht told officials that the 5,671 square-foot former seafood processing facility still requires significant improvements. As of Tuesday, a few desks, a filing cabinet, and a sign left over from the buildings time as a staging ground during the 2018 demolition of the old Sakonnet River Bridge were visible inside the one-story portion of the building fronting Riverside Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is in pretty good shape, but definitely not ready for any kind of business, Langknecht said. The state will offer Dune Brothers a rent abatement of approximately $58,710 each year over the 10-year term, she said. The total of $587,096 is the estimated cost to correct deferred maintenance of the building. After the capital improvement deduction, the annual rental fee will be $23,520. DEM officials hope to have a lease in place early 2026, Keough said in an email to Rhode Island Current. The interior of the one-story portion of the building fronting Riverside Drive is shown. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Toby Sterling AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -A Dutch seizure of Chinese-owned computer chip maker Nexperia came after rising U.S. pressure on the company, a court ruling released on Tuesday showed, underscoring how the firm has been caught in the crossfire between Washington and Beijing. The government said on Sunday that it had intervened in Netherlands-based Nexperia, which makes chips for cars and consumer electronics. It cited worries about possible transfer of technology to its Chinese parent company, Wingtech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wingtech was put on a U.S. "entity list" in December 2024 for its alleged role "aiding China's government's efforts to acquire entities with sensitive semiconductor manufacturing capability." Washington last month expanded that list to include majority-owned subsidiaries. The Dutch court document said records from a June 12 meeting between U.S. Commerce Department officials and the Dutch Foreign Ministry showed rising pressure to remove Nexperia's Chinese CEO to help keep the company off the list. "The fact that the company's CEO is still the same Chinese owner is problematic," the filing said, citing minutes from the Dutch-U.S. meeting. "It is almost certain the CEO will have to be replaced to qualify for the exemption from the entity list." CAUGHT BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BEIJING Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nexperia is caught between the U.S. and China, with U.S. President Donald Trump ratcheting up pressure on tech as part of a broader trade war in which he threatened 100% tariffs on China's exports last week. Beijing has announced curbs on exports of rare earths. Nexperia faces export restrictions from both governments, it said on Tuesday, and is seeking talks. It said a new interim CEO had been put in place after the former chief executive Zhang Xuezheng was removed from his post on a Dutch court order. The documents released on Tuesday by the Amsterdam Commercial Court showed that Nexperia had been informed by the Dutch Economic Affairs Ministry on June 5 that the new U.S. rule might be coming and it should take action. "It was clear to all involved that (a U.S. listing) could have a significant negative impact on Nexperia and its business," it said. Nexperia is one of the largest makers globally of basic chips such as transistors that are not technically sophisticated but are needed in large volumes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its biggest manufacturing site is in Hamburg, Germany, but most of its chips are packaged and assembled into larger products in China. Wingtech on Monday told investors in China that it did not expect short-term disruption to its production and research efforts from the Dutch measures. It is working on a legal appeal, a source with direct knowledge of the meeting told Reuters. The source said that company executives in the meeting believed that Dutch authorities were acquiescing to the United States and added that the company was very confident that it could have the decision reversed. The Dutch government said on Tuesday there was no U.S. involvement or pressure in the decision to intervene in Nexperia. (Reporting by Toby Sterling in Amsterdam, Karen Freifeld in New York, and Samuel Shen, Liam Mo and Brenda GohEditing by Adam Jourdan, Kirsten Donovan and Matthew Lewis) A local community leader has been promoted after 47 years of ministry in the Erie region. Dwane Brock was elevated to the status of metropolitan archbishop over the commonwealth of Pennsylvania on Sunday, Oct. 12. Presque Isle Neighborhood Network showcases community survey results Episcopates from all over the country came to witness the ceremony that took place at the Victory Christian Center Cathedral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The archbishop said that it was an emotional day, but also exciting. Firefighters praise dog for alerting survivor of weekend Erie fire There was moments of laughter where they caught me laughing, and then, this tough guy, they caught me crying, Brock said. My official scope of ministry will be the entire state of Pennsylvania, but we have other churches in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina that are under my jurisdiction as well. Archbishop Brock said that hes looking forward to beginning this new chapter of his life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Alex Nisbet, a regulatory policy specialist for Xcel Energy, speaks during a public input session hosted by the North Dakota Public Service Commission on July 29, 2024. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) A proposed electric rate increase would cost North Dakota State University about $1 million a year, a representative of the college told utility regulators Monday. Northern States Power Co., part of Xcel Energy, has asked the North Dakota Public Service Commission to approve a rate increase of more than 19%, or $22.34 per month for an average residential customer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xcel Energys requested rate increase would affect parts of Fargo, including the NDSU campus. NDSU projects that our annual electrical costs would rise by over $1 million, Brent DeKrey, director of facilities management at NDSU, testified from Fargo at a PSC hearing Monday. DeKrey said such a large increase could mean increased tuition and fees for students, reduced resources for research at NDSU and additional costs passed along to the states taxpayers. Minnesota-based Xcel has about 97,000 customers in North Dakota. The proposed rate hike would increase Xcels annual revenue in the state by $44.6 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PSC also took testimony from people in Grand Forks and Minot, which are also served by Xcel, as well as from the Capitol in Bismarck. A point of discussion in the rate case is Xcels move away from coal to generate electricity. Xcel last year retired one of three coal units at the Sherburne County Generating Plant, or Sherco, near Monticello, Minnesota. It plans to retire Shercos remaining coal-fired units in 2026 and 2030, marking the companys full exit from coal. Xcel has invested in solar and wind energy and continues to rely on nuclear power plants. There was little discussion of Sherco on Monday and whether the move away from coal was driving up rates, as Victor Schock, director of utilities for the PSC, has said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alex Nisbet, regulatory policy specialist for Xcel Energy, said that the Sherco impact was being reviewed at great length in the case. Utility companies seeking a rate increase in North Dakota often reach a settlement with the PSC for less than the initial request. North Dakota Xcel customers have been paying a higher rate since February, about half the requested increase. Nisbet said final rates often end up close to the interim rate. Asked if Xcel anticipates moving away from natural gas like it has coal, Nisbet said Xcel plans to build a new natural gas combustion turbine in Minnesota with plans for others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WBI Energy is developing a pipeline to bring natural gas from western North Dakota, where it is a byproduct of oil production, to the east. Thats a project that excites us a lot, he said. The PSC held a second public input session Monday evening. The public also can submit comments on the rate case by emailing ndpsc@nd.gov or by mail to: Public Service Commission, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 408, Bismarck, ND 58505. The PSC has set a formal hearing to begin Dec. 1. Reach North Dakota Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Elon Musk's latest political action has drawn heavy rebukes from United Kingdom officials, with some going as far as to call him "dangerous." As The Guardian reports, UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband made those comments at the Labour Party's annual conference in September. Miliband also suggested the British government could leave X, the social media platform owned by Musk. "He called for the overthrow of our government," Miliband said. "He incited violence on our streets. His platform, X, promotes disinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's a dangerous person." Miliband's comments came shortly after Musk, Tesla's CEO, appeared via video at a London rally organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. At the anti-immigration rally, which an estimated 150,000 attended, Musk said the country needed "revolutionary government change." "Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you," Musk said during the virtual Q&A with Robinson. "You either fight back or you die. That's the truth, I think." This wasn't the first political controversy for Musk, the Tesla CEO whose comments were sharply rebuked by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Musk became an outspoken supporter and donor of now-President Donald Trump during his campaign. Upon Trump's victory and inauguration, Musk was named the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency, a role that invited more criticism by leading to the cutting of many jobs and programs. During that time, Tesla's stock fell sharply, and the company faced protests at its factories and dealerships nationwide. Although the stock rebounded, Tesla sales struggled over the first half of the year. In addition to backlash over Musk's politics, Tesla's numbers have dipped significantly as the company cedes market share to competitors. Some have blamed Musk for that dip, but Tesla's board seems happy with his efforts. In September, a regulatory disclosure revealed that the board had drafted a new compensatory package for Musk, which, if he led the company to achieve lofty goals, could make him the world's first trillionaire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tesla did report record deliveries in Q3 before federal tax credits for EVs ended in the U.S. last month. Do you worry about companies having too much of your personal data? Absolutely Sometimes Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. "Now the rebuilding begins," Trump said, adding that reconstructing Gaza would require Hamas to be demilitarized. After mediators and US President Trump signed a document ending the war in Gaza on Monday, the president claimed that "everyone will want to join the Abraham Accords." This comes after Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey signed a document with Trump on the Gaza ceasefire deal on Monday night. Before signing, Trump called the document "very comprehensive" and said that it would outline the rules and regulations for the future of the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later said that reconstruction in Gaza would require Hamas to be demilitarized. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a meeting on Monday with the presidents of France and Turkey, Qatar's emir, and others to help coordinate the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction efforts for the enclave, according to a statement by the Egyptian president's office. U.S. President Donald Trump signs the agreement at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, amid a U.S.-brokered prisoner-hostage swap and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, October 13, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/Pool) The meeting was held on the sidelines of an international summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza, with 31 countries and organizations present. Attendees were received on a red carpet as Trump stood on stage before a banner reading Peace 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before signing, Trump announced that the document would include rules, arrangements, and additional details, emphasizing that the agreement will remain in effect. He also thanked Arab and Islamic nations for their role in achieving the breakthrough that led to the end of the war and the release of hostages from Gaza. The document read, "We seek tolerance, respect, and equal opportunity for every person, ensuring the region becomes a place where everyone can aspire to peace, security, and economic prosperity, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. We strive for a comprehensive vision of peace, security, and shared prosperity in the region, based on principles of mutual respect and a shared destiny. In this spirit, we welcome the progress achieved toward establishing comprehensive and sustainable peace arrangements in the Gaza Strip, as well as the friendly and mutually beneficial relations between Israel and its regional neighbors. We commit to work together to implement and maintain this legacy, and to build the foundations upon which future generations can flourish together in peace. We jointly pledge to a future of lasting peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump praised Sisi on Monday as the two leaders appeared together before an international summit on the Gaza deal. "He played a very important role. I appreciate it very much," Trump said of Sisi, whom he called a powerful leader who keeps crime down in his country. He also called the event a "great day for the Middle East." Later, Sisi said that a two-state solution was the only way to achieve the ambitions of the Palestinians and the Israelis and live in peace. Netanyahu absent at Sharm el-Sheikh summit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Trump that he would not be able to attend the peace summit due to "the timing being close to the start of the holiday," the Prime Minister's Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PMO announcement comes in contrast with a spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency initially stating that the Israeli leader would be present at the summit. According to Al Mayadeen, his absence was due to a threat from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani. Later reports claimed that Erdogan refused to land in Egypt after learning mid-flight that Netanyahu might attend the summit as well. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also attended the ceremony. This came after Trump had previously barred Abbas from entering the US to prevent him from attending the UN General Assembly session in which France and Saudi Arabia led the push to recognize a Palestinian state. Trump praised Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who was represented by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. I thank Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, Trump said. He is an inspiring leader and a special friend of mine. He has done a fantastic job for his country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the summit, Trump also met with Indonesias president, following speculations that he might visit Israel during Trumps historic Knesset trip. However, Indonesia denied any plans to visit Israel. Maariv contributed to this report. India-based wealth management technology platform Dezerv has raised Rs3.5bn ($39.4m) in a Series C financing round. The company intends to use the new funds to improve the overall client experience and solidify its operational base. The fresh capital infusion has increased the company's total funding to more than Rs8.5bn. The all-primary funding round saw the participation of current investors, with Premji Invest and Accels Global Growth Fund jointly leading the round, alongside Elevation Capital and Z47. Dezerv aims to upgrade its technology platform, broaden its investment solutions across various asset classes, and recruit and train relationship managers. These initiatives are aimed at propelling the company towards becoming a full-stack wealth management service provider that addresses the financial requirements of entire families. Since its inception in 2021, Dezerv claims to have managed assets worth over Rs140bn across portfolio management services (PMS), alternative investment funds (AIF), and distribution assets. Its reach extends to clients in more than 200 cities throughout India, offering data-driven investment solutions in equity, fixed income, and alternatives. The company stated that its Dezerv App has allowed many investors in the country to monitor and analyse huge assets. Users of the app can keep tabs on their stocks, mutual funds, bank accounts, national pension system (NPS), and fixed deposits (FDs). Dezerv noted that it is also planning to integrate bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs), as well as loans and credit cards into the app by the end of the year. Dezerv co-founder Sandeep Jethwani said: Indias wealth creators have built their wealth through hard work, grit and sacrifice, and it deserves to be managed with the same determination and care with which it was created. That means unfaltering processes, state of the art technology, investment solutions focused on sustainable compounding, and competent and principled relationship managers. Founded by Sahil Contractor, Sandeep Jethwani, and Vaibhav Porwal, Dezerv operates out of five offices located in major Indian cities. In 2022, Dezerv raised $20.7m in a Series A funding round, which took its valuation to $100m. "Dezerv secures $39.4m in Series C to bolster wealth management services" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Claim: The skeletons of a Colorado couple who vanished in 2011 were found dead eight years later sitting in an abandoned uranium mine in Utah. Rating: Rating: False Beginning in July 2025, Facebook accounts and pages began sharing a story (archived) about a supposedly missing Colorado couple found dead years later in an abandoned Utah uranium mine. Several (archived) of these posts (archived) received copious views and thousands of likes. Most of the posts used the same set of three images alongside the multi-paragraph story about the "chilling discovery," though some (archived) used different arrangements or swapped out (archived) an image or two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story continued to be shared months (archived) later (archived), prompting people online to search for the story and see if it was true. The posts began, "In a case that haunted both families and baffled authorities for nearly a decade, the remains of two Colorado tourists. Sarah Bennett, 26, and Andrew Miller, 28 were discovered in 2019 deep inside a sealed uranium mine in southern Utah, eight years after their mysterious disappearance." The story was false and appeared to have been an adaptation of a similar fake story first shared on YouTube. The story claimed that the couple's bodies were found in 2019 and that the sister of one of the victims spoke to the Denver Post in 2020. However, a Google search for any reference to the story prior to 2025 found no news reporting on the apparent discovery of the bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Likewise, a Google search for reports about a missing Sarah Bennett and Andrew Miller also displayed no related results except the 2025 Facebook posts. Google searches for references to the woman's alleged sister, Emily Bennett, or her supposed quote "They were just looking for quiet" on the Denver Post website also returned no relevant results. The top picture within the set of images shared alongside the story was the thumbnail of a YouTube video, titled, "I Found A Secret Mojave Desert Cave And Couldn't Believe What Was Inside!" The YouTube channel Aquachigger posted the video on June 25, 2025, and its title referenced ancient pictographs on the cave walls. While the channel did not share the exact location of the cave, the part of Utah described in the Facebook posts was not in the Mojave Desert. The bottom pair of images was originally the thumbnail of a YouTube video that shared a similar fabricated story. The oldest version of the video Snopes could find was a June 29, 2025, video (archived), titled, "Two Tourists Vanished in Utah Desert in 2011 in 2019 Bodies Found Seated in Abandoned Mine..." by the channel UNKNOWN Files. The video, which was viewed hundreds of thousands of times, told a story about a Sarah Bennett and Andrew Miller from Colorado who went missing while in Utah in 2011. According to the video, the couple was discovered in an abandoned uranium mine in 2019, just like the version of the story shared on Facebook except in this version the couple fell into the mine from above, broke their legs and were then trapped by the mine's owner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The images in the thumbnail appeared to be generated using artificial intelligence (AI) software. Snopes could not find older versions of the pictures of the couple alive or as skeletons. Additionally, the picture of the living couple had some inconsistencies common in AI-generated images. For example, the woman's hair melts into the scenery behind her, and it appears she has an extra finger on her hand. The YouTube channel that appeared to have first posted a video about the story, UNKNOWN Files (archived), frequently posts videos about stories in which tourists apparently go missing in the wilderness and were discovered dead years later, all of which used the same style of AI-generated thumbnail. This style of video appeared to be its own genre of fabricated content. Examples of other (archived) videos (archived) in the same style and with thousands of views popped up in July 2025, and other channels (archived) appeared to specialize in similar fictional stories. Sources: Aquachigger. "I Found a Secret Mojave Desert Cave and Couldn't Believe What Was Inside!" YouTube, 25 June 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC7LyqaHEIk. Accessed 21 July 2025. "Google Search." Google, www.google.com/search?q=site%3Adenverpost.com+%22They+were+just+looking+for+quiet%22&sca_esv=0cf2eb075a14a844&ei=CUx-aJb3E7_Bp84PjvKM8A4&ved=0ahUKEwjWn-Wdks6OAxW_4MkDHQ45A-4Q4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=site%3Adenverpost.com+%22They+were+just+looking+for+quiet%22&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiNnNpdGU6ZGVudmVycG9zdC5jb20gIlRoZXkgd2VyZSBqdXN0IGxvb2tpbmcgZm9yIHF1aWV0IkiUCVDOAVjOAXABeACQAQCYAS6gAS6qAQExuAEDyAEA-AEC-AEBmAIAoAIAmAMAiAYBkgcAoActsgcAuAcAwgcAyAcA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp. Accessed 21 July 2025. UNKNOWN Files. "Two Tourists Vanished in Utah Desert in 2011 in 2019 Bodies Found Seated in Abandoned Mine..." YouTube, 29 June 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=T59E0X6sgRc. Accessed 21 July 2025. JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Palestinian militant group Hamas has released the last surviving hostages it was holding in Gaza, in exchange for almost 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, under the terms of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Here are some details about the 20 living hostages released on Monday and 24 hostages still in Gaza, nearly all of them declared dead: NOVA HOSTAGES Most of the living hostages released were abducted from the site of the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Reim in southern Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They include Evyatar David, 24, who was videoed by Hamas in August, looking skeletally thin and digging what he said in the video was his own grave; pianist Alon Ohel, 24, and Avinatan Or, 32. A video showing Or's abduction with his girlfriend Noa Argamani pleading for her life and reaching desperately towards him as he was marched alongside her on foot circulated across the globe. Argamani was rescued in June. The couple reunited soon after Or's release. HOSTAGES TAKEN FROM KIBBUTZIM Seven of the hostages were taken from their homes on kibbutzim, small communities near the Gaza border. They include twins Gali and Ziv Berman, 28, and brothers Ariel Cunio, 28, and David Cunio, 35, who was abducted with his wife Sharon and toddler daughters. Sharon and the girls were released in a brief November 2023 truce. ISRAELI SOLDIERS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matan Angrest, 22, and Nimrod Cohen, 20, are Israeli conscript soldiers who were seized by Hamas militants in the battles of October 7 and released on Monday. FOREIGNERS There are three foreigners among the 24 remaining hostages in Gaza. All three, a Tanzanian student and two Thai workers, have been pronounced dead in absentia. The body of Nepalese student Bipin Joshi was handed over by Hamas on Monday and identified on Tuesday. DECEASED Twenty-three hostages still in Gaza were formally declared dead by Israeli authorities, based on forensics and intelligence. The fate of one more hostage who was alive when he was seized, Tamir Nimrodi, remains undetermined. Israeli officials have said there is "grave concern" for his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas has indicated that recovering the bodies may take time, as not all burial sites are known. A special international task force is meant to help locate them all. One of the deceased is an Israeli soldier killed in a 2014 Israel-Hamas war. The remainder were all among the 251 hostages taken in Hamas' deadly October 7, 2023, attack, which precipitated the war. Some were already dead when taken, others were slain by the captors or killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza. (Reporting by Pesha Magid and Maayan Lubell; Editing by David Holmes and Ros Russell) FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) A Fall River paramedic is receiving recognition after he attempted to rescue someone from the Taunton River last week. Fall River Emergency Medical Services Chief Bethann Faunce described paramedic Edward Hollands actions Friday morning as nothing short of meritorious. Faunce said first responders were called to Charles Street after learning someone there may be in need of medical attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holland and his colleagues immediately began searching for the person, according to Faunce. National Grid employees working nearby told them the person in question appeared to be unsteady and was last seen walking near the end of Birch Street. Faunce said Holland eventually spotted the person face down in the Taunton River. He then removed his radio without hesitation, entered the water and began swimming toward the unresponsive person, she added. Holland performed a quick assessment on the person in the water before turning them face-up and swimming them back to shore, according to Faunce. Despite the tragic result of this event I wish to acknowledge the heroism and bravery demonstrated by paramedic Holland, Faunce said. Relying on his experience as a swimmer, and an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, paramedic Holland placed the value of preserving life safety above his own safety and acted with courage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person has not been identified and its unclear how they ended up in the water. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. A former security guard at an East Point Family Dollar was denied bond Tuesday in Fulton County Court ahead of his murder trial for a shooting at the store where he worked. Scott Melton was shot and killed on Christmas Eve 2024. Fulton County prosecutors said Tuesday they have surveillance video showing the moment Justin Hodges killed Melton, Channel 2s Michael Seiden learned. Hodges had been on the run since the shooting before being captured by U.S. Marshals in DeKalb County last month, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video on this shows Mr. Hodges chasing a victim through the Family Dollar, chasing him outside, hitting him over the head with a handgun, and then shooting the victim in the head, said prosecutor Travis D. Thomas. Jessica Gerber, Hodges defense attorney, argued for his release on bond despite the murder charge. If released, he would reside with his family and just continue working at Wendys, Gerber said in court. Forshee Melton, the victims widow, addressed the court and expressed her familys fear and asking the judge to keep Hodges behind bars, saying, to go and visit Georgia and see loved ones and stuff like that without any fear of bumping into him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hodges appeared in court shackled and wearing a jail uniform, showing little emotion as his family, including his girlfriend, watched from the second row. Police say Hodges girlfriend, who was the store manager, hired him as a security guard. Investigators claim an argument between Hodges and Melton escalated into the fatal shooting. Prosecutors also suggested that there might be evidence indicating that Hodges family helped him escape. Hodges is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing Thursday, where prosecutors plan to present the surveillance video of the incident and testimony from detectives. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A planned visit by a top far-right German politician to Moscow was slammed as "treason" by a leading conservative on Tuesday. Michael Frohnmaier, the deputy parliamentary leader for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD), recently announced a trip to Russia, justifying the move with the need to keep channels of dialogue open for the period after the war in Ukraine. But Martin Huber, the secretary general of the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU), told dpa that the "AfD leadership must stop the trip." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Anything else is treason," he added. Huber accused Frohnmaier - a close confidant of AfD party leader Alice Weidel - of making a "pilgrimage to the Kremlin" and of being a "vassal" of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "There is a high risk that he will pass on secret information to the Kremlin and thus massively jeopardize the security of Germany and Europe," Huber added, highlighting warnings by intelligence chiefs of the threat from Moscow in a public hearing on Monday. "There are no patriots in the AfD who want to protect Germany, but Kremlin servants who are in thrall to Putin," Huber argued. "The AfD is a threat to national security." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior AfD lawmaker Bernd Baumann rejected criticism of the visit. "Nothing concrete is planned yet. This is a declaration of intent for the organization of his future trips - and that's completely okay," Baumann said. There are fears the fragile Gaza ceasefire could collapse after reports of Palestinians killed the day after Donald Trump announced peace. Palestinian Civil Defence said on Tuesday seven people had been killed by Israeli forces in two separate incidents, in eastern Gaza and to the east of Khan Younis, in the south. Israel has also announced it will keep the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt closed and restrict aid until Hamas returns the bodies of deceased hostages. It told the UN it would halve the amount of aid to 300 aid trucks from Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four more dead hostages and captives were handed over by Hamas late Tuesday evening, with 20 remaining in Gaza. The bodies were transferred to the Red Cross who passed them on to the Israeli military. People watch as a truck carrying the bodies of Palestinians arrives at Nasser hospital on Tuesday (REUTERS) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said five Palestinians were killed after approaching troops in Gaza Citys eastern Shejaiya neighbourhood, the Times of Israel reports. The IDF said in a statement that several suspects were spotted crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops in what they called a clear violation of the agreement. They said that after multiple attempts to distance them, the suspects refused to comply and that troops opened fire. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. Under the ceasefire deal, Israeli forces pulled back to where they were in August, before launching their latest offensive on Gaza City. The pullback leaves a number of hard-hit Palestinian neighbourhoods under Israeli control, and Israel has warned residents not to try to return to homes there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the Israeli military also confirmed that Daniel Peretz and Yossi Sharabi were two of the deceased hostages returned on Monday, after Guy Iluz and Bipin Joshi were named yesterday. UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the loss of Yossi Sharabi will be felt deeply by his family, adding that his thoughts are with them, and all of the hostage families. Sir Keir added: Hamas must now return the remaining deceased hostages and honour the terms of the ceasefire. Reports of conflict in Gaza cast doubt on the delicate, US-brokered agreement between Israel and Hamas just hours after Trump left the region, concluding a victory lap tour to Israel and Egypt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas, meanwhile, has carried out public executions of men accused of collaborating with Israel. In a video circulated late on Monday, Hamas fighters dragged seven men with hands tied behind their backs into a Gaza City square, forced them to their knees and shot them from behind, as dozens of onlookers watched from nearby shopfronts. A Hamas source confirmed the footage to Reuters. Aid deliveries are being run by international organisations again (AFP via Getty Images) The group, though greatly weakened after two years of pummelling Israeli bombardment and ground incursions, has been gradually reasserting itself since the ceasefire took hold Friday. Palestinian security sources say that dozens of people have been killed in clashes between Hamas fighters and rival factions in recent days. Under the terms of Trumps plan to end the war, Hamas is expected to disarm and make way for a transitional government. Asked on Monday about reports Hamas was rearming, the US president said that the militant group had been open about it and that we gave them approval for a period of time. But in a change of tune on Tuesday, he said: "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently. I spoke to Hamas, and I said, you're going to disarm, right? Yes, sir, we're going to disarm. That's what they told me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the most pressing concerns for Gaza the arrival of aid was strained as three Israeli officials said on Tuesday that the key Rafah border crossing would remain closed through Wednesday, and that the flow of aid into the Palestinian enclave would be reduced. The decision came after Hamas failed to hand over the remaining bodies of hostages it is holding as planned on Monday. Hamas previously indicated that recovering the bodies of some dead hostages may take longer, as not all burial sites amid the widespread rubble of Gaza are known. Gaza Municipality staff gather before deploying bulldozers to clear building rubble from main streets in Gaza City (AFP via Getty Images) Hamas released the final 20 living captives taken on October 7, 2023, but only four out of 28 deceased hostages. The Hostages Family Forum called the failure to return all the bodies a blatant violation of the agreement by Hamas. The top official in Israel coordinating the return of hostages and the missing, Gal Hirsch, told the families in a note that pressure was being applied on Hamas through international mediators to expedite the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The freed Israeli hostages were in medical care on Tuesday, and some families said it would be weeks before the men could go home. Dalia Cusnir-Horn, whose brother-in-law, Eitan Horn, was released on Monday, said he had lost more than 40 per cent of his body weight after receiving very little food and water in the last few months. Trucks carrying aid which entered the Gaza Strip through the Karm Abu Salem crossing, drive past displacement tents at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images) He has a very, very long way to go, she said on Tuesday. The physical toll was only part of the trauma, she said. Hes just learning now friends he knew that were murdered and he had no clue how many people were kidnapped on that day and what this country went through, and its overwhelming and its hard. In the West Bank and Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released, several were taken to hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah said it received 14 men released on Monday and discharged all but two. Doctors examining the men said their conditions suggested they were subjected to severe beatings, reflecting the extent of the violence they endured, said Imed al-Shami, a resident doctor at the hospital. Kamal Abu Shanab, who was released after more than 18 years behind bars, said beatings caused his shoulder to tear. For eight months, I wasnt given even a pill for the pain, he said. Israels Prison Service said it was unaware of such claims, in a statement: All inmates are held according to legal procedures, and their rights, including access to medical care and adequate living conditions, are upheld. A federal operation on Chicago's East Side led to a crash, followed by a pursuit, before the situation eventually spilled over into a nearby Walgreens. That is where 19-year-old South Side native Warren King says he was shopping with friends and family before he was tackled and arrested. The takedown by immigration officers was recorded outside a Walgreens store as loved ones pled for his release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King's relative can be heard saying in the video, "He's a citizen! He's a citizen!" ABC7 blurred his face during the arrest since he faces no charges. "You don't know what's going on, so get the *** back!" an agent can be heard saying in the video. It happened after federal agents were seen swarming the store, appearing to be in search of someone. "And, when he called for backup, other people come in, and that's when I start to leave," King said. SEE ALSO: Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But King says he did not get far from the exit before being tackled to the ground by a federal agent and placed under arrest. He is now left with both physical and mental scars. "He was just saying, 'Why are you running?'" King said. "But I'm telling him, 'I'm a U.S. citizen. I'm here. I'm legal. I'm born here.' So, they didn't try to hear none of that, though." It all apparently stemmed from a collision, captured on video, at the nearby intersection of 105th and Avenue N. Video shows Border Patrol agents in a white truck crashing into a red SUV on Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It happened following a chase that circled the neighborhood for nearly 30 minutes after, the Department of Homeland Security said, the driver, an alleged undocumented immigrant, rammed into their agents' vehicle. Border Patrol followed the vehicle for about 30 minutes, and stopped it using a precision immobilization technique, or PIT, maneuver. Two people, both living in the U.S. without legal permission, tried to run away, DHS said. They were taken into custody. "Once the vehicle was stopped, the suspects, who are both illegal aliens attempted to flee on foot. As Border Patrol arrested the subjects and attempted to secure the scene a crowd began to form," DHS said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King told ABC7 he sat with them both in a car for hours before he was released. "They just accepted, like, their defeat. It wasn't no talking in the back between both of them, and they knew each other," King said. "I just graduated high school. So, they can come for, literally, anybody. And that's not right." A white Expedition and the red SUV were damaged in the crash. Chopper 7 was over the crash scene at about 12:10 p.m., where a number of unmarked federal vehicles were in the middle of an intersection. "I went outside, and I just see all the ICE guys on the floor with the guy. Then everybody just started coming out," local shopkeeper Hector Baldazua said. "First I heard a lot of cars doing circles. I was like, what's happening?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uber driver Eliseo Uribe was driving home. "The white SUV nearly hit me. I thought they were fighting. But I never imagined they were ICE," Uribe said in Spanish. Mostly peaceful bystanders surrounded the dozens of agents in a tense standoff. Some were holding flags and others were holding phones, recording. They chanted "ICE go home." Video shows one teenager being detained. Their attorney says they are a U.S. citizen, and have since been released. ABC7 Chicago crews on the ground saw some tear gas deployed, after something, possibly eggs, was thrown at agents. Chicago police said they had responded to the crash just after 11:05 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPD had tried to get between federal agents and the residents gathered to deescalate, police said, but then rocks were thrown at the federal agents. A large amount of tear gas was deployed about 12:40 p.m. Federal agents used tear gas against a crowd on Chicago's East Side Tuesday. Those gathered quickly dispersed. Federal agents had masks, but CPD did not. Some officers appeared to be affected by the gas. During the protest, Chicago police said, 13 of their officers were exposed to tear gas while federal agents arrested multiple people, including a 16-year-old boy. "They just told me, 'Juanita, you have an emergency. ICE took your son. They beat him up. They body-slammed him. And they took your son,'" Juanita Garnica said. "They haven't told me anything. He's not an immigrant. He was born and raised in Chicago." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Mayor Beatriz Ponce de Leon arrived in the aftermath. "There is absolutely no reason to have this kind of chaos happening in our communities, putting people at risk, putting people in harm's way and exacerbating the fear that people feel right now," said Ponce de Leon, deputy mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights. Homeland Security described what happened as part of a growing trend. They did not say how many people were arrested in total or where they were taken. "My main concern was getting the vehicles removed from the situation. I thought that would kind of clear up the tensions. I have to worry about how this will spill over in the next few days, next few weeks," 10th Ward Ald. Peter Chico said. The federal government shutdown is pausing a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into Des Moines Public Schools' hiring practices following the immigration arrest of former Superintendent Ian Roberts. The Justice Department announced Sept. 30 four days after ICE officers arrested Roberts following a deportation order its plans to investigate whether the district violated federal employment law by discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin. Related: What to know about Des Moines' new interim superintendent taking over for Ian Roberts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since shortly after the Sept. 26 arrest, district officials have said they welcome help strengthening their practices. "We're still waiting on some information from some of the federal agencies," Interim Superintendent Matt Smith told the Register Oct. 10. " until they get back up online (because of the shutdown), they've actually expressed to us that they can't interact with us. And so, we're just waiting to hear back." The district received an email about the pause on Oct. 1, the same day the federal government shut down, Smith said in a follow-up interview Oct. 13. Related: Des Moines School Board approves 2-year contract for interim Superintendent Matt Smith Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shutdown came after lawmakers failed to come to an agreement over extending Obamacare subsidies. The Des Moines Register requested a copy of the Justice Department email, but Smith declined, saying it was protected by "attorney privilege." Des Moines Public Schools Interim Superintendent Matt Smith speaks during a school board meeting on Oct. 7, 2025, at DMPS Central Campus. Des Moines Public Schools has become the subject of several investigations since Roberts, 54, was arrested for overstaying a 2024 deportation order. Besides the DOJ, the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa House Republicans on the chamber's Government Oversight Committee have also announced separate inquiries. Related: Iowa GOP cheer on Kristi Noem over Ian Roberts arrest, blame Democrats for shutdown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DMPS hired Roberts, a Guyana native, in 2023 following a closed, nationwide superintendent search handled by JG Consulting, which was tasked with vetting candidates. After his arrest, U.S. officials announced Roberts had a criminal record that included several decades-old charges related to weapons and narcotics. He also lacked authorization to work in the U.S., federal authorities said. In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, the district accused JG Consulting of negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of contract for offering Roberts as a candidate without properly vetting him. DMPS officials said there were only aware of a 2021 incident related to a hunting rifle where Roberts had to pay a fine. His immigration status was not known until after his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: DMPS board suing search firm that found ex-Superintendent Ian Roberts District officials and the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners which issued Roberts' administrator license have stated he presented himself as a U.S. citizen on paperwork and passed multiple background checks. "I guess what I would continue to offer up is audits are a good thing, right?" Smith said of the investigations. "It lets you know where you can improve your practices and your protocols and controls, and so we welcome that, actually, all day long, so that we can improve our practices." Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at svhernandez@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Shutdown pauses DOJ review of Des Moines schools' hiring practices Edith Obeng, 53, had only been a resident of Florence, Kentucky for two years before being struck in a fatal collision while crossing Turfway Road on Oct. 10. Edith Obeng with her niece, Abigail Danquah, at her 2024 graduation from the University of Kentucky. Obeng's niece, Abigail Danquah, remembers her aunt as a "gentle, kind, fun-loving, hardworking, and God-fearing woman" who left her home of Ghana to join her husband in pursuit of "a better life." Danquah's fondest memory of her aunt is from her college graduation in 2024. Other than taking the time to travel to Lexington for Danquah's graduation ceremony, Obeng spent "hours and hours" helping her niece's mother prepare the food for her graduation celebration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danquah said her aunt's efforts for her graduation meant so much to her. "Her new life story was just being written, which makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking. She truly had the biggest heart and it will be missed by so many, as evident by the messages I have received from those who also knew her," Danquah said. Funeral arrangements are ongoing as the family plans to send Obeng home to Ghana where she will be laid to rest surrounded by her children and other loved ones. "Our family finds peace knowing she is present with the Lord and that He has a plan far greater than we can imagine," Danquah said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danquah has set up a GoFundMe to assist her uncle and family in bringing Obeng back to Ghana. According to the GoFundMe, Obeng was on her way to her shift at Walmart when she was struck. On Oct. 13, Florence police said the driver who struck Obeng will not be facing criminal charges because they stayed on the scene and cooperated with officers with no indication of impairment, reckless driving, or speed. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Florence woman killed in Oct. 10 collision had just moved to U.S. TALLAHASSEE Jim Boyd, a veteran lawmaker who heads an insurance and investment firm in Bradenton, was formally selected Tuesday by Senate Republicans to become the next Senate president. Boyd, who is the Senate majority leader, will succeed President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, after the November 2026 elections. House Republicans last week formally selected Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, to succeed House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, after next years elections. During a ceremony in the Senate chamber, Boyd did not detail priorities but spoke of a need to defend the taxpayer and to protect the rights of parents and strengthen our schools, while saying lawmakers have to handle the challenge of growths effects on infrastructure, schools and health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My vision is a Florida where every person has the chance to prosper. A Florida where families feel safe in their neighborhoods, where parents know their voices matter and where every child can pursue an education that prepares them for the future, Boyd said. Boyd has played a key role in recent years in legislation to bolster the property insurance market. Addressing reporters after Tuesdays ceremony, Boyd said insurance changes hes sponsored are starting to work. He said he doesnt support expanding Medicaid eligibility an issue Republican leaders have repeatedly rejected over the past decade but believes Florida should help those that need the help the most. Boyd also said lawmakers need to look at state expenses, similar to the ongoing efforts by the state to scrutinize local government spending. We fortunately have been blessed with good revenue and good finances as a state, Boyd said. But we always have to pay attention to our expenditures. And coming upon a budget forecast that were facing for the next several years, I think its even more incumbent upon us. So yes we should be looking at ways to lean up government right-size it, if you will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State economists last month forecast a $3.8 billion surplus for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. But without altering current levels of spending, shortfalls are anticipated of $1.5 billion and $6.6 billion in subsequent years. In formally nominating Boyd on Tuesday, Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, described him as professional, serious and light-hearted. He embodies what Calvin Coolidge, a former Senate president himself, said when he said, It takes a great man to be a good listener, an ability to listen, a diligent legislator and a good friend. Those are all the traits we need in a Senate president, and Jim Boyd embodies every one of them, Burgess said. Sen. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, added that Boyd is a fan of the viral internet Bishop Bullwinkle song, Hell to da Naw Naw Naw, which Trumbull described as, When faced with nonsense, with distraction, with political games that waste time, Jims answer is simple, Nope. Not here, not now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Republicans were able to choose the president because of their majority in the chamber, and Boyd long ago wrapped up support for the job. Boyd, 68, served in the House from 2010 to 2018, before getting elected to the Senate in 2020. Albritton praised Boyd, saying, Your encouragement has helped sustain me, and your wisdom has helped inform me. The 2025 legislative session included a series of clashes between the Senate and House and Gov. Ron DeSantis on issues and the budget, resulting in the session ending more than a month late. Among the biggest pieces of legislation that Boyd has sponsored was a 2021 law that was aimed, in part, at curbing lawsuits against property insurers. Boyd and other backers of the measure pointed to problems with litigation costs and questionable, if not fraudulent, claims for such things as roof damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boyd has also advanced legislation targeting drug trafficking involving fentanyl and other opioids. He represents Senate District 20, which covers parts of Hillsborough and Manatee counties. Politics has long played a role in the Boyd family. Hugh Boyd, his grandfather, was in the state House at the start of World War II. His uncle, Wilbur Boyd, who founded Boyd Insurance & Investments in 1974, was a legislator from 1959 to 1972. By Jim Turner, News Service of Florida Eni is pushing ahead with its Southeast Asian expansion, targeting 2025 to launch a major gas joint venture with Malaysias Petronas, part of a sweeping collaboration that could transform regional energy supply and strengthen both nations production portfolios. The two state-backed energy giants announced plans earlier this year to merge their upstream assets in Malaysia and Indonesia, creating a company expected to produce up to 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day at full capacity. The new venture will hold around 3 billion boe in reserves and an estimated 10 billion boe of exploration potential, underscoring its scale and long-term regional importance. Petronas president Muhammad Taufik said the partnership would unlock new opportunities and boost energy security across Southeast Asia, while Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi described it as a transformational model that combines assets, expertise, and financing power to create jobs and new infrastructure in both Malaysia and Indonesia. Enis Chief Operating Officer for Global Natural Resources, Guido Brusco, confirmed this week that the venture should be operational by next year, following regulatory approval. He added that the project aligns with Enis goal of expanding its liquefied natural gas (LNG) business, with gas expected to make up 60% of Enis total hydrocarbon production by 2030. In parallel, Eni is also moving forward with its Vaca Muerta LNG project in Argentina, a joint development with YPF, aiming for exports to begin between late 2029 and early 2030. Together, these projects will help Eni expand its global LNG portfolio to 20 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by the end of the decadeup from 13 MTPA in 2024. The Petronas-Eni collaboration comes amid a flurry of new deals in Southeast Asia, including Petronas separate agreements with TotalEnergies to explore Malaysian offshore gas blocks holding more than 4 trillion cubic feet of reserves. The moves underscore Malaysias push to reaffirm its role as a key gas hub for Asia, supported by Enis growing footprint across the region. Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else. You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) Join Florida State University Panama City on Wednesday, Oct. 15, for the Lunch & Learn entrepreneurship event with former President of ABC News, Kim Godwin. The presentation will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Holley Academic Centers St. Joe Community Foundation Lecture Hall, 4750 Collegiate Drive. According to a news release, Godwin is the first woman and first of color to hold the Presidents position in ABC News 80-year history. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in broadcast journalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before joining Disney in 2021, Godwin served as Executive Vice President of News at CBS. Godwin retired from ABC and broadcast journalism in May 2024. Godwin is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning news producer and has held positions at the VP level or higher at all three major networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. Godwin will be interviewed by Brian Baber, an instructor in the Commercial Entrepreneurship program at FSU Panama City. The public is invited, and there is no charge. A light lunch will also be provided for attendees. The discussion will also be available on Apple Podcast and Spotify as part of Barbers FSU Panama City Entrepreneurship Lunch and Learn Podcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have an idea about starting a business or would like to own your own company, come see what entrepreneurship is all about. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark announced Monday that the state has won a settlement from Angi, formerly Angies List, based on concerns about its marketing. The website, founded in 1995, connects customers with contractors who perform home repairs and services. Vermont awards grants for 11 different projects Before this year, according to the settlement, Angi used the phrase certified pro to refer to participating contractors in Vermont, a phrase Vermont officials said was inaccurate, as contractors in the state only need to register under Title 26, and the state does not have a certification process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the settlement, Angi has agreed to stop using the term Angi Certified Pro, and will remind all Vermont contractors to register under Title 26. The registration is only required for projects where at least $10,000 in payment is received. After hostages and prisoners freed, complex issues remain for Israel-Hamas For most Vermonters, our homes are the single biggest investment we make, said Clark. Its vitally important that consumers are not misled by marketing terms that imply confidence or credentials that contractors do not have. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. BALLSTON SPA - The former chair of the Malta Republican Committee, who is suing the Saratoga County Republican and Conservative chairs and their committees, has asked the state Commission on Judicial Conduct to ensure a local judge recuses himself from her lawsuit. Marcia Murray, who filed a lawsuit against the local political groups and their leaders in February, claimed in a letter to the commission that she did not want state Supreme Court Justice James Walsh to hear her case because "there stands a pattern of cases now that Judge Walsh has tried with successful outcome only to the Republican Party." Murray also noted in the letter to the commission that Walsh is married to state Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, a Republican and Conservative who represents the 112th District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Judge Walsh's affiliations are in direct conflict in handling my case, and I feel he should recuse himself because of this," Murray wrote to the commission. In her letter, Murray also cited some of Walsh's 2025 decisions, where he ruled in favor of Republicans in the Saratoga Springs race for commissioner of public works and removed four candidates who were not the GOP committee's pick from Republican primary ballots. Murray filed the lawsuit after she resigned as leader of the Malta Republican Committee. She claimed in her lawsuit that county Republican Chair Joseph Suhrada, county Conservative Chair Tom Sartin and former Saratoga Springs commissioner of accounts candidate Samantha Guerra allegedly engaged in "a pattern of verbal abuse and hostility culminating in threats and intimidation." She also claimed in the lawsuit that she "became the target of increased dissension and wrath when she refused to support the endorsement" of a candidate that Suhrada and Sartin wanted, but whom the town committee did not. She claimed that Suhrada and Sartin's "behavior became increasingly threatening" toward her and other members of the town's Republican committee, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tension allegedly hit a high point at a Feb. 3 meeting, in which Murray accuses Suhrada of being "demeaning, denigrating and hostile." Murray claimed in the lawsuit that Sartin and Guerra "lashed out at (her) with an unprecedented level of anger, demanding that failure to endorse their supervisor candidate would result in them seeking vengeance by making interviews of Malta candidates incredibly difficult." Murray is seeking undisclosed monetary damages for alleged emotional distress and lost earnings as a result of her "inability to maintain her livelihood," as a real estate agent, according to the lawsuit. Oscar Schreiber, her attorney, said he couldn't comment on Murray's request for Walsh's recusal. However, he did not seek Walsh's recusal when the case was assigned to the judge in April. Michael Brandi, the attorney for Suhrada and the Republican Party, and John Aspland, an attorney representing Sartin, Guerra, and the Conservative Party, have both filed motions to dismiss the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandi's April filing argued that Murray's allegations do not meet the "high standard" required by Anti-SLAPP laws and that Murray "has failed to make allegations that would support negligence and emotional distress." He also contended that Schreiber should be disqualified as Murray's attorney because Schreiber represented the Saratoga County Republican Committee in the past. Aspland argued in his motion that Murray's complaint fails "to demonstrate a substantial basis in law." Walsh has not yet ruled on the motions, which were filed nearly six months ago. And that is one reason Murray filed the letter with the commission. In an email to the Times Union, she wrote that "we have had no response" thus far, which is "denying her justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am deeply disappointed in the Saratoga County leadership of both the GOP and Conservative parties," she wrote. After the Times Union reached out to Walsh, his principal clerk, Daniel Kopach, responded in an email saying that "the court cannot comment on any pending litigation before this court." Suhrada and Sartin also said they could not comment on pending litigation. This is the second letter the commission received about Walsh this year. Saratoga County Sheriff candidate Ryan Mahan filed a complaint with the commission on April 30, alleging that Walsh's April 29 decision to disqualify Mahan from the Republican primary was based on politics. In the complaint, Mahan claimed "the system was compromised or manipulated" when Walsh ruled that Mahan should be removed from the primary ballot after one signature out of 1,440 signatures was found to be invalid. Walsh had ruled his entire petition was "permeated by fraud." Mahan is still running for sheriff as a Democrat. This article originally published at Former Malta GOP leader seeks judge's recusal from lawsuit against county political groups. A gathering of old high school classmates at a South Carolina bar turned deadly early Sunday morning after four people were killed and 20 more were wounded in a mass shooting. The shooting unfolded around 1 a.m. on Sunday at Willies Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island, the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. The bars owner, Willie Terrell, told local outlet WJCL the venue was hosting an alumni party for graduates from Battery Creek High School. It was one of multiple alumni parties scheduled this weekend, he said. Terrell described his bar as packed, and police said hundreds of people were nearby when gunshots rang out. The owner recounted a chaotic scene after hearing shots that sounded like machine gun fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was just mayhem, a tragedy, outside, Terrell told WJCL. Its just unreal. Beaufort County EMS transported several victims to local hospitals, including four people who were in critical condition. More victims have continued to show up at area hospitals seeking treatment for their injuries, according to the sheriffs office. The owner of Willies Bar and Grill described the scene as mayhem (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Police said hundreds of people were near the venue when the shooting started (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) A security officer was among those killed, Terrell told WJCL. Police have yet to release the victims names as they work to notify their families. One of the security officers who passed away happens to be the son of my dad's best friend, Terrell said. He came and we spoke the night before...it was close, real close. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said it is investigating persons of interest and urged anyone with information on the shooting to contact law enforcement. This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone, the sheriffs office said. We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones. The Beaufort County Sheriffs Office declined to provide additional details when contacted by The Independent. A sticker on the door of the bar said no weapons were allowed on site. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Representative Nancy Mace, whose district includes St. Helena Island, shared a statement asking for anyone with information on the shooting to contact the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN to learn about the devastating shooting in Beaufort County, she wrote on X. Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence. Senator Tim Scott also called the shooting heartbreaking. Im lifting up in prayer the families who lost loved ones and those who were injured, he wrote on X. All of us in South Carolina will be holding those affected close in our hearts in the days ahead. The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas held, but was fragile, on Tuesday after the region quieted down following celebrations of peace on Monday. Tensions in the region remain as Israel demands the return of the remaining deceased hostages, warns Palestinians to respect the current military line and Hamas clashes with opposition leaders in Gaza. The latest developments in the region prove that peace could be hard to achieve and many questions remain about the future of the proposed ceasefire plan. Slow hostage release Israel is frustrated over the return of deceased hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was understood that it would take time for Hamas to recover and return all of the bodies, but on Monday, just four of the 28 dead were returned to families for burial. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Force said it informed the families of the four deceased hostages, which include 26-year-old Guy Iluz, 23-year-old Bipin Joshi and two who are not publicly named. Iluz was reportedly abducted by Hamas after escaping the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, and died from wounds after not receiving proper care in captivity. Joshi is assessed to have been murdered in captivity during the start of the war, the IDF said. People visit the site of the Nova music festival, where hundreds of revelers were killed and abducted by Hamas and taken into Gaza, as Israel marks the second anniversary of the attack, near Kibbutz Reim, southern Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. | Ariel Schalit, Associated Press The deceased have been sent to the National Center of Forensic Medicine for examination of cause of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF expresses deep condolences to the families, and continues to make every effort to return all the hostages, as Hamas is required to fulfill its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the hostages to their families and to proper burial, the IDF said. As a result of Hamas slow return of the deceased, Israel is planning to halve the number of aid trucks going into Gaza, The Associated Press reported. Israel is accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement by not returning the hostages in a timely manner and plans to limit aid distribution to prompt the militant group to speed up its recovery and return efforts, the AP reported. Under the proposed peace agreement, all living and deceased hostages would be returned by Hamas within 72 hours of agreement. However, parties involved acknowledged how difficult it may be for Hamas to find or identify them, due to the widespread destruction in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday evening in Israel, the IDF said it received information and the Red Cross is going to a meeting point in southern Gaza to retrieve several coffins of deceased hostages. The IDF did not provide a number of how many, but reminded Hamas that it is required to fulfill its part of the agreement by taking the necessary efforts to return the deceased for a dignified burial. The International Committee of the Red Cross later confirmed it transported four bodies of hostages back to Israeli authorities. The ceasefire deal also directs Israel to reopen the Rafah border crossing in both directions to facilitate aid deliveries. As Israeli families press for their loved ones to be returned, the military appeared to not proceed with opening the crossing between Gaza and Egypt for aid. Ariel Cunio, an Israeli hostage released from the Gaza Strip, waves at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. | Leo Correa, Associated Press Israeli military activity The Israeli military said Tuesday that it opened fire on several suspects who crossed the agreed-upon line in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier today, several suspects were spotted crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops in northern Gaza, a clear violation of the agreement, the Israel Defense Force said in a post online. The IDF said there were multiple attempts to distance the suspects, who refused to comply. Israeli troops were then prompted to open fire to remove the threat. The IDF also dispelled rumors that terrorists had infiltrated their military position. The IDF urges Gaza residents to follow instructions and keep their distance from IDF troops, the post said. According to Reuters, Hamas said at least six Palestinians were killed in two separate incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the brokered ceasefire deal, there is a yellow line in which Israeli forces withdrew to under the initial phase. It is where troops stood in August before launching their offensive into Gaza City. Notably, the IDF would not withdraw completely from Gaza under the initial deal and a secondary withdrawal would be discussed after the hostages were returned. Fight in Gaza leaves 27 dead At least 27 people were dead after a clash between Hamas and armed members of the Dughmush family in Gaza City, the BBC reported. The outlet reported that Hamas gunmen exchanged heavy fire with members of the Dughmush clan. Eight Hamas members were killed and medical sources said 19 Dughmush members died since fighting broke out over the weekend. The Dughmush family is one of the territorys prominent groups and has had a tense relationship with Hamas, the BBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas said that it was trying to restore order and armed activity outside the framework of the resistance would be dealt with. The militant groups future is unclear. It quickly tried to reclaim streets in Gaza following the IDFs withdrawal. However, under the proposed ceasefire plan, Gaza would become a de-radicalized terror-free zone and members who want to leave Gaza can be provided safe passage and amnesty. Israeli soldiers move in armored vehicles in an area in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. | Leo Correa, Associated Press Where things stand Celebrations erupted in Gaza and Tel Aviv on Monday as Phase 1 of President Donald Trumps peace plan unfolded. Twenty living hostages in Hamas captivity were returned home and almost 2,000 Palestinians were released by Israel under the first phase. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met to commemorate the historic deal that ended the two-year war that began on Oct. 7, 2023. President Donald Trump poses for a photo with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before he boards Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, near Tel Aviv, as Israel's President Isaac Herzog watches at left. | Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump then met with other world leaders in Egypt to sign the ceasefire proposal and set forward a plan for rebuilding and peace in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president acknowledged that the job is far from over to securing lasting peace in the region. ALL TWENTY HOSTAGES ARE BACK AND FEELING AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED. A big burden has been lifted, but the jobs IS NOT DONE, Trump said Tuesday online. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED! Phase Two begins right NOW!!! he added. In remarks on Monday, Trump said negotiations on the second phase were underway. The president was asked Tuesday back at the White House about a timeline for Hamas disarming. If they dont disarm, we will disarm them, and itll happen quickly and perhaps violently, but they will disarm, Trump said, adding that it will happen on a reasonable deadline. By Elizabeth Pineau PARIS (Reuters) -French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Tuesday suspended a landmark 2023 pension reform until after the 2027 presidential election, bowing to pressure from leftist lawmakers who had demanded such a move to ensure his political survival. Lecornu, who is facing an uphill battle to survive at least two no-confidence votes later this week, made the announcement in parliament as part of a last-ditch attempt to forge the conditions for passing a slimmed-down 2026 budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lecornu's decision represents an acknowledgment by French President Emmanuel Macron that mothballing the pension reform - which he considers to be one of his main economic legacies - was the only way to ensure the survival of Lecornu, his sixth prime minister in less than two years. "I will propose to parliament, starting this autumn, that we suspend the 2023 pension reform until the presidential election," Lecornu told lawmakers. "No increase in the retirement age will take place from now until January 2028. France is in the midst of its worst political crisis in decades as a succession of minority governments seek to push deficit-reducing budgets through a truculent legislature split into three distinct ideological blocs. (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter; Additional report by Marco Trujillo; Editing by Alison Williams and Richard Lough) City officials in Lexington, Missouri, reported a gas leak in a residential neighborhood that briefly caused evacuations Monday. The city announced that the reported leak, at 1709 Bloom Street, was repaired around 12:10 p.m., about 40 minutes after an initial report of the issue. It was not immediately clear what caused the leak. The location was just down the street from the site of a deadly home explosion in April that rattled the small community about an hour east of Kansas City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the April explosion, Alistair Lamb, a 5-year-old boy, was killed in the blast at a home on nearby Franklin Avenue. Lambs sister and father were also severely injured in the explosion. Debris and building materials remain scattered along the sidewalk on Franklin Avenue on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Lexington, Missouri, after a gas explosion shattered windows and damaged nearby structures. Around 11:30 a.m. Monday, the city said an evacuation was in progress because of a gas leak and asked residents to avoid the area. Around 12:10 p.m., the city said the leak had been dealt with and said the evacuation area was cleared. City officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. Federal investigators probing the home explosion said a fiber optic contractor that had been working near the home that was destroyed drilled into an unmarked gas line operated by Liberty Utilities. After the leak was discovered, a business near the site was evacuated but homes nearby were not, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, The Star reported about other gas leaks that unnerved area residents in the wake of the deadly home explosion. After two gas lines were struck during a 24-hour period, Lexingtons City Council approved a moratorium of up to 90 days on underground boring during a special meeting Oct. 3. Two days earlier, city officials announced in a Facebook post that they had met with representatives from local utilities, including Evergy, Liberty Utilities, Comcast, United Fiber, Universal Subcontracting and the Missouri Public Service Commission, and emphasized to the group that the city will not tolerate any more incidents like those happening in the last few days. The city said a plan was made to thoroughly review the layout of utilities in the city and said the companies made a commitment to communicate better with residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video on Facebook last week, City Administrator Shawnna Funderburk said the meeting was very frank and very direct and said she told the companies if the publics safety wasnt the most important thing to them, then you wont be here. She said during the moratorium the city would work to enact stricter requirements for companies working in the city. We are responsible for almost 5,000 lives, and we take that as the most serious thing, she said. On 29 September, US President Donald Trump alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new plan to address the war in Gaza. Commonly referred to as Trumps 20-point plan, it was negotiated with the consultation of many Arab and Muslim countries, notably Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. The immediate triggering event that reportedly caused President Trump to force Israel to end the Gaza War was the Israeli attack on Doha, which violated Qatar's territorial integrity in a failed attempt to kill the Hamas negotiators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to domestic political differences, Trump felt freer to put pressure on Israel. In the second term of Trump's presidency, Israel had achieved all of its primary military objectives in Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. On 8 October, Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement and signed the first phase of the deal. Here are the components of the deal. Phase 1: Immediate ceasefire and humanitarian actions The plan mandates an immediate cessation of hostilities, with all military operations suspended and frontlines frozen, and the immediate release of all Israeli hostages, alive and deceased, within 72 hours. Furthermore, the plan stipulates the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, including 250 life sentence prisoners and 1,700 individuals arrested since the war began. Phase 2: Demilitarisation and security measures Phase 2 negotiations are expected to begin after the hostages are released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed strategy includes the destruction of Hamas's offensive weaponry, such as tunnels and military infrastructure, to neutralise its capacity for further violence. The statement says that Gaza will be "a de-radicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors." It also offers amnesty to Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence, with safe passage provided for those opting for exile. Additionally, a temporary international stabilisation force, composed of US, Arab and European personnel, would be deployed to oversee security and facilitate the training of a Palestinian police force, ensuring long-term stability and peace. Phase 3: Governance and reconstruction A transitional administration, led by Palestinian technocrats and supervised by an international body, is planned to be established in phase 3 to manage day-to-day governance and oversee infrastructure rehabilitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humanitarian aid is to be delivered without interference, with international organisations such as the United Nations and the Red Crescent overseeing its distribution to ensure fairness and efficiency. Additionally, efforts are planned to encourage Palestinians to remain in Gaza, offering support to those choosing to stay and rebuild their communities. The strategy includes the acknowledgement of Palestine as a state, contingent upon successful reconstruction efforts and necessary reforms within the Palestinian Authority. To pave the way for long-term peace, a dialogue would be initiated between Israel and the Palestinians to establish a political framework that promotes peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaza will be governed by a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee responsible for the day-to-day operation of public services and municipalities for the people of Gaza. This committee will be composed of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the "Board of Peace", which will be headed by Trump and will include other members to be announced, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Although the plan recognises the Palestinian state as a possibility that is "the aspiration of the Palestinian people", it does not say that the United States would recognise Palestine as a state. On 30 September, Netanyahu said that a Palestinian state would not be established under Trump's plan, ruling out such a possibility. Madagascars President Andry Rajoelina has been toppled in a military coup and gone into hiding following three weeks of political unrest and youth-led protests. President Rajoelina attempted to dissolve Madagascars National Assembly after the Parliament voted on Tuesday to impeach him, even as the island nations embattled leader declared the process unconstitutional and vowed to stay in power. Rajoelina fled the island, off the Southern coast of Africa, on a French military plane, after an elite army unit, known as CAPSAT, defected from the army and government and joined the Gen Z-led protesters demonstrating against inequality and corruption in the country of 29 million people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: What to Know About the Gen Z Protests Roiling Countries Across the Globe As new leadership forms in the country, here is what we know so far. Gen Z anger is fueling the protests Protests began late last month in the countrys capital, Antananarivo, calling for the removal of Rajoelina, who gained power in a 2009 coup d'etat. They were notably driven by Gen Z protesters. One 21-year-old, Angie Rakoto, told the crowd from May 13 Square of Rajoelina, "He has to quit. Immediately," according to Reuters. The square, which hosted protests for weeks, is named after the 1972 Malagasy Revolution, which was a youth-led uprising that forced out the countrys first post-independence president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protests were initially sparked by widespread power outages and water shortages throughout the Indian Ocean island, but eventually grew into wider discontent with the countrys leadership, service failures, alleged corruption, and political nepotism. "We acknowledge and apologise if members of the government have not carried out the tasks assigned to them," Rajoelina said in a state broadcast on September 29, in which he directly addressed the frustration of young people. "I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems. I heard the call, I felt the suffering, I understood the impact on daily life. The United Nations said 22 people died in the governments violent response to the Gen Z protests. The government denied those numbers. I am shocked and saddened by the killings and injuries in the protests over water and power cuts in Madagascar, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Monday. I urge the authorities to ensure respect for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, consistent with their obligations under international human rights law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although protestors briefly suspended activities after the violence in the capital, hundreds subsequently marched in Toliara, south of the capital, and in Diego Suarez. In demonstrations on Monday, the protests attracted at least 15,000 people. The president fled when he lost the support of the army The Gen Z protests reached a pivotal point over this past weekend, when a military unit joined the protestors and their calls for the president to step down from office. Rajoelinas office said that he and the prime minister were still in control of the countrys affairs in a statement on Saturday. But rumors began to circulate over the weekend that he had fled the country. President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina, left, and his wife Mialy Rajoelina arrive for a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, in Kigali, Rwanda, Sunday, April 7, 2024. Brian IngangaAssociated Press He confirmed his departure on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life today, the 51-year-old leader said in a 26-minute video address posted to Facebook. He continued: I never stop looking for solutions. According to another post on the Presidents Facebook page, the address was meant to be broadcast in the country earlier, but was delayed after an armed group tried to seize control of the countrys state-owned media station. Rajoelina was President from 2009-2014 after a U.S.-condemned coup, in which the CAPSAT unit that joined protestors played a significant role. Rajoelina led the transitional government until 2014, and then he returned to power in 2019. Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries One of the reasons for Madagascars political turmoil is its crippling poverty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the World Bank, in 2022, 75.2% of the national population was below the poverty line, and though national poverty has stagnated, urban poverty is alarmingly on the rise. This surge in urban poverty can be attributed to various factors, including declining economic opportunities, a deteriorating business environment, and a lack of investment in education, healthcare, and urban infrastructure, a February 2024 World Bank report on Madagascar read. Though agriculture is the backbone of Madagascars economy, the low agricultural productivity in the region leaves 80% of rural people in poverty. The World Bank also notes that the island is particularly vulnerable to climate change-induced disasters. This poverty is felt particularly hard by the young people of the nation. Only 46% of Madagascar has access to drinking water, only 15% have an adequate sanitary system, and as a result, children are more prone to chronic illness and malnutrition. Gen Z protests have toppled governments elsewhere this year Gen Z anger in Madagascar has mirrored demonstrations by youth across the world this year, as many young people have taken to the streets to protest inequality, poverty, corruption, and lack of infrastructure in their nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These include protests in Peru, Nepal, and Morocco. In late September, young Peruvian protestors clashed with police after protesting a pension reform bill passed that would force young people to pay into a private pension fund. Many of these protestors have called for Dina Boluarte, whose approval ratings have been in the single digits for months, to leave office. Last Thursday, Boluarte was removed from office via a congressional vote. In Nepal, youth-led protests over corruption and a social media shutdown left at least 19 people dead and resulted in a wholesale change in government. According to Amnesty International, the government responded to protests with rubber bullets, tear gas, and even live ammunition. Mass protests in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines in recent years have also rocked South and Southeast Asia as young people fight against poverty and corruption. Contact us at letters@time.com. Italian oil major Eni is planning to launch its gas joint venture (JV) with Malaysia's state-owned oil and gas company, Petronas, next year, reported Reuters. The report quoted Eni group chief operating officer Guido Brusco as saying the project will produce 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), with plans to increase this to 500,000boepd. However, the timeline remains uncertain, as Petronas indicated the completion could take one to two years pending regulatory approval. Eni and Petronas signed a framework agreement in June this year to advance efforts to establish an upstream JV that will oversee their combined assets in Malaysia and Indonesia. The framework agreement builds on an exclusive memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in February. Under the terms of the framework agreement, the proposed new JV will be established and operated as a financially self-sufficient entity. Both parties also agreed on asset-level valuations to be contributed to the new company, leading to an equal 50:50 ownership split. The proposed JV is expected to achieve sustainable production of 500,000boepd in the medium term, focusing primarily on gas. It will manage approximately three billion barrels of oil equivalent (bboe) of reserves, with a potential exploration upside of 10bboe. Recently, Eni finalised an agreement with Argentinas state-owned YPF to advance a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the Vaca Muerta field in Argentina. The deal comprises a final technical project description for the LNG phase of the Argentina LNG project, which includes the development of the Vaca Muerta gas field. Eni aims to start exporting from the Vaca Muerta project in late 2029 or early 2030. Both the JVs, with Petronas and YPF, are part of Enis efforts to increase and diversify its LNG offering to reach new potential customers, reported the media outlet. Furthermore, Eni expects gas to make up 60% of its hydrocarbon production by 2030 and 20 million tonnes per annum of contracted LNG in its portfolio by 202930. "Eni plans to launch Petronas gas joint venture in 2026" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. PALMYRA, N.Y. (WROC) A Palmyra-Macedon High School senior combined his love of cars and community to create a brand-new fundraiser for his school band. Jonas Henley, a 12th grader at Pal-Mac, said the idea started when he saw another schools band hosting a similar event. He decided to take the wheel himself, organizing the schools first-ever car show. Its for tractors, motorcycles, old cars, new cars anything you can think of, Henley said. I chose tractors as one of them because were in a farming community and I wanted it to be a community event, so I got that community together here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event, years in the making, drew more than 60 vehicles despite rainy weather. Henley said he began planning the show as a way to reconnect neighbors and classmates after the pandemic, gathering local sponsors and car enthusiasts to help bring the idea to life. Attendees said the turnout and atmosphere were impressive for a first-time event. I like the camaraderie, said car show participant Joanne Borghi. Everyone shows you what they have, and I always go home with another idea of something to work on. This is a lot of cars for a first year and in the rain! The show also served as a fundraiser for the Pal-Mac band, with students performing on site and encouraging spectators to donate. Henley said hes proud of how the community came together, and hopes the event will continue even after he graduates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being able to walk around and have people stop me, saying, Great job, Jonas, this is a great event, it means a lot, he said. I never doubted for one minute that it was going to work out. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is deeply divided over the issue of military service, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition debates restoring the programme due to the threat from Russia. AfD politician Bernd Baumann told journalists on Tuesday that the party will not submit its own motion on the subject ahead of a session on Thursday in the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament. Merz's administration has pledged to introduce a voluntary form of military service from next year in a bid to boost recruitment for the Bundeswehr, the German military, in line with new NATO targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But parts of Merz's conservative bloc believe the measure is insufficient, calling for the programme to be made mandatory for young men. While the AfD - the largest opposition group in the Bundestag - backs compulsory military service in its programme, differences of opinion have emerged within the party. The party's defence spokesman Rudiger Lucassen is campaigning for the AfD to publicly support the government's measure. But prominent members who have questioned support for Ukraine, such as Bjorn Hocke, have demanded "no compulsory military service for foreign wars." The divide mirrors regional ties, with AfD chapters in eastern Germany seen as particularly opposed to aid for Kiev. A compromise is not yet in sight, leading the party to repeatedly postpone a decision on how it will vote on the government's military service bill. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is calling on Beijing and Moscow to agree to a UN resolution on the implementation of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan. A resolution by the UN Security Council is indispensable, said Wadephul at a meeting with his Romanian counterpart Oana Toiu in the capital Bucharest on Tuesday. Initial talks with China and Russia - both permanent members of the council with veto powers - on a resolution were already under way, the minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope that this will be crowned with success, because we need a legally secure framework for the deployment of protection forces from different countries in the Gaza Strip," said Wadephul. "And I can only call on everyone here to take part in this constructive dialogue." The comments came after global leaders convened in Egypt on Monday to sign a declaration on the 20-point plan backed by US President Donald Trump to secure peace between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. An international security force is "indispensable if Hamas is to be disarmed," a crucial step in ensuring the success of the peace process, Wadephul said. "We can already see that Hamas is unwilling to relinquish power voluntarily, which is why pressure will have to be exerted in future," said the foreign minister. However, he remains "optimistic that this process will be successful, because the will of all those involved in the process so far is unbroken," Wadephul added. "We should use this momentum together." The long-awaited Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor is nearly finished, but its opening has been delayed until early 2026, officials said. The project team is progressing well toward construction completion this year with opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge as soon as early 2026," said Heather Grondin, chief relations officer for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. "The exact opening date will depend on our ongoing quality reviews, testing and commissioning. We also need to give sufficient time for our operating teams and border agencies to be ready to operate this new and modern land border crossing between the U.S. and Canada. The project, now 98% complete, has seen significant progress across all four components: the bridge itself, ports of entry in both countries and the Michigan Interchange, Grondin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since crews connected the bridge deck in summer 2024, workers have been installing electrical, drainage and fire suppression systems, along with fencing and barriers for the multi-use path. Line painting on the span is finished. At the U.S. and Canadian ports of entry, construction has shifted to interior finishes. Landscaping, paving and fencing are underway around 36 primary inspection lanes on the U.S. side and 24 lanes in Canada. More: Fired Red Wings Zamboni driver Al Sobotka loses lawsuit, drops bombshell in peeing case In Detroit, all ramps linking Interstate 75 to the U.S. port are built, with crews working on signage and striping, Grondin said. Work also continues on five pedestrian bridges and other local road improvements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testing and commissioning of systems are ongoing, including toll lanes at the Canadian port, where teams are verifying payment systems, barrier gates and overhead signs. Lighting checks have also begun on the bridges 164 streetlights and nearly 5,000 LED esthetic lights. The $5.7 billion project began construction in December 2020 and will be the largest cable-stayed bridge span in North America once complete. Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gordie Howe Bridge wont open until early 2026, officials say Smith and Wesson handguns are displayed during the 2015 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits in Nashville, Tenn. A new report found Wisconsin gun deaths have increased since 2002. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Jenevia Blanks young cousin was killed by gun violence, Blanks wrote in personal testimony included in a report released Tuesday that analyzes gun deaths in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. I want to keep sending a message to legislators that this violence is an epidemic, and something has to be done, said Blanks, who volunteers with the advocacy group Moms Demand Action. Its not acceptable that we keep having so many lives cut short by gun violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firearms claimed the lives of 762 Wisconsinites in 2023, according to a report from the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE) Educational Fund and the Violence Policy Center. This included suicides, homicides and other firearm deaths. The total number marks a decline from the 830 deaths reported for 2022 and the 793 deaths reported for 2021. The report also says that rates of overall suicide and firearm suicide in Wisconsin are similar to national rates, while homicide and firearm homicide rates are lower in Wisconsin than in the nation. However, overall rates of firearm suicides and firearm homicides have increased in Wisconsin since 2002. Since 2020, firearm deaths have reportedly outpaced motor vehicle deaths in Wisconsin. One death from gun violence is too many, Nick Matuszewski, associate executive director of the WAVE Educational Fund, said in a statement. But 762 deaths is a disgrace and an urgent call to take the kind of actions that have been proven to save lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 762 deaths include 502 firearm suicides and 236 firearm homicides. The report includes findings related to sex, age, race and ethnicity and rural and urban areas. WAVE reports that in 2023, suicides took up a larger percentage of firearms deaths in rural Wisconsin (88.5%) than in urban Wisconsin (58.2%). According to the report, guns were used in 54.6% of suicides and 83.1% of homicides in Wisconsin. Black residents of Wisconsin were 40 times more likely to die by firearm homicide than white residents. The report states that an annual study by the Violence Policy Center found that Wisconsin had the fourth highest rate of Black homicide victimization in the nation in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, 8,441 firearms were recovered in Wisconsin and traced, according to WAVE, most of which were handguns. The report found that 84.9% of firearms recovered in Wisconsin originated in the state. The study was released the day before the Emergency Gun Violence Summit, which will take place Wednesday in Milwaukee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX At least 32 people have been killed in Gaza City during a Hamas weekend-long crackdown targeting what the group described as a "dangerous gang," just days after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in the Strip. Although Hamas did not name its target in Gaza City, multiple media reports claimed it deployed as many as 2,000 of its fighters against the Doghmush clan, which it sees as one of its main rivals in the Strip, arresting and injuring dozens. Hamas is said to have lost six of its combatants in the operations. Euronews could not independently confirm the casualty reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the truce, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry has deployed its units with some estimates saying it could reach as many as 7,000 troops across Gaza in what it said was an attempt to prevent lawlessness and a power vacuum. However, multiple reports and sources on the ground Euronews spoke with have stated that Hamas, which Israel wants to see disarmed and disbanded in the subsequent phases of the ceasefire deal, has turned vindictive on its rivals and those openly opposing it over the past several days as it looks for a way to remain in power. On 4 October, the group sent its elite Nukhba forces to Khan Younis in an apparent attack on the Al-Majayda family, allegedly seeking to arrest a person they said was a "collaborator". Other reports from the ground which are difficult to verify claim that the Sahm or Arrow Unit, accused by Palestinians and international organisations in the past of targeting Hamas critics through extrajudicial killings and beatings, was also deployed in the operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both sides suffered casualties in the ensuing fighting, which ended in Al-Majayda members repelling the attack, according to reports. Additionally, the group has pursued the arrest of the leader of the so-called Popular Forces, Yasser Abu Shabab, whom it also repeatedly accused of collaborating with Israel. Abu Shabab's whereabouts are unknown. Rafah, where Abu Shabab's Popular Forces are located, remains under Israeli military control, and Israel has provided weapons and equipment to the group, Euronews exclusively reported in July. Hamas has previously responded with direct assassinations against Popular Forces members, going on a show of force against potential rival organisations despite months of Israeli military strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hamas has killed over 50 of our volunteers, including members of Commander Yasser's family, while we were guarding aid convoys," the Popular Forces spokesperson told Euronews at the time. Many thorny questions remain unanswered in US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan, including the question of Hamas laying down arms. Hamas refuses to do that and wants to ensure Israel pulls its troops completely out of Gaza. So far, the Israeli military has withdrawn from much of Gaza City, the southern city of Khan Younis and other areas. The future governance of Gaza also remains unclear. Under the US plan, an international body will govern the territory, overseeing Palestinian technocrats who will run day-to-day affairs. Hamas has said that Gazas government should be worked out among Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later on Monday, Trump will head to Egypt, where he and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi will host a summit with leaders from some 30 countries on the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East. The plan calls for an Arab-led international security force in Gaza, along with Palestinian police trained by Egypt and Jordan. It said Israeli forces would leave areas as those forces deploy. About 200 US troops are now in Israel to monitor the ceasefire. The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has handed over the bodies of four more hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Israeli military said on Tuesday. It said it would soon receive the bodies from the Red Cross. "Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return the hostages," the military said in a statement. According to the ceasefire agreement, Hamas must hand over a total of 28 bodies. Following the return of four bodies on Monday, 20 now remain in the hands of the militant group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli media reported on Tuesday that the Israeli security authorities have recommended that the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt should only be opened after the return of all the deceased hostages. Hamas has said that there are difficulties in locating the remains in the rubble after two years of war in the coastal strip. The Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that the recommendation from the security authorities to the political leadership is also not to allow the full import of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip until all bodies are handed over. As part of the ceasefire agreement, aid deliveries had been expanded. In the first phase, around 600 lorries with humanitarian aid are to enter per day. It was initially unclear what any restrictions might look like. By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Hamas handed over more bodies of deceased hostages after Israel threatened to reduce aid into Gaza on Tuesday and U.S. President Donald Trump threatened violence against the Palestinian militant group if it does not disarm. A day after Trump spoke in Jerusalem, touting his plan to end the war, Hamas' re-emergent fighters executed men in the street and Israel told the United Nations it will allow only half the daily number agreed in last week's ceasefire deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli officials said Israel had decided to restrict aid and delay plans to open the southern border crossing to Egypt because Hamas had violated the ceasefire deal by failing to turn over bodies of hostages who had died after being captured in Hamas's invasion of Israel in October 2023. Hours later, Hamas informed mediators it will transfer four bodies to Israel from 1900 GMT, an official involved in the operation told Reuters. Later, the Israeli military said the Red Cross had received four coffins from Hamas and was on the way to hand over the remains to Israeli forces. Israel's two-year assault has left much of the enclave in ruins. On Tuesday, Hamas said Israel was killing people in Gaza and violating the ceasefire. Trump suggested Hamas was reneging on its promise to return the dead, and threatened the group with violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them," Trump told reporters in Washington after returning from his weekend trip to the Middle East. "And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently." Hamas, which seized Gaza in a brief 2007 civil war, has swiftly reclaimed the streets of Gaza's urban areas following the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops last week. In a video circulated late on Monday, Hamas fighters dragged seven men with hands tied behind their backs into a Gaza City square, forced them to their knees and shot them from behind, as dozens of onlookers watched from nearby store fronts. A Hamas source confirmed that the video was filmed on Monday and that Hamas fighters participated in the executions. Reuters was able to confirm the location by visible geographic features. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DELAY IN HANDING OVER BODIES Trump has previously given his blessing to Hamas to reassert some control of Gaza, at least temporarily. Israeli officials have so far refrained from commenting publicly on the re-emergence of the group's fighters. On Monday, Trump proclaimed the "historic dawn of a new Middle East" to Israel's parliament, as Israel and Hamas were exchanging the last 20 living Israeli hostages in Gaza for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners. Before the latest hostage bodies were handed over to the Red Cross, Hamas had handed over four coffins of dead hostages, leaving at least 23 presumed dead and one unaccounted for, still in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OBSTACLES TO PERMANENT PEACE Gaza residents said Hamas fighters were increasingly visible on Tuesday, deploying along routes needed for aid deliveries. Palestinian security officials said dozens of people had been killed in clashes between Hamas fighters and rivals in recent days. Meanwhile, Israel, using aerial drones, killed five Palestinians as they went to check on houses in a suburb east of Gaza City, and an Israeli airstrike killed one person and injured another near Khan Younis, Gaza health authorities said. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire. The Israeli military said it had fired on people who crossed truce lines and approached its forces after ignoring calls to turn back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A summit co-hosted by Trump in Egypt on Monday ended with no public announcement of major progress towards establishing an international military force for Gaza, or a new governing body. Gaza City and surrounding areas are suffering from a famine that has afflicted more than half a million Palestinians, but aid trucks have yet to be permitted to enter Gaza at the full anticipated rate of hundreds per day. Plans have yet to be implemented to open the crossing to Egypt to let some Gazans out, initially to evacuate the wounded for medical treatment. HAMAS ASSERTS CONTROL Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that the war cannot end until Hamas surrenders its weapons and cedes control of Gaza, a demand the fighters have rejected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas sources told Reuters on Tuesday the group would tolerate no more violations of order in Gaza and would target collaborators, armed looters and drug dealers. The group, though greatly weakened after two years of Israeli bombardment and ground incursions, has been gradually reasserting itself since the ceasefire took hold. It has deployed hundreds of workers to start clearing rubble on routes needed to access damaged or destroyed housing, and to repair broken water pipes. Road clearance and security provision will also be needed for increased aid delivery. The ceasefire has stopped two years of devastating warfare in Gaza triggered by the October 7, 2023 attack in which Hamas-led gunmen killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's military has killed at least 67,000 people in Gaza according to local health authorities, with thousands more feared dead under the rubble. Gaza's Civil Defence Service said 250 bodies had been recovered since the truce began. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Maayan Lubell in JerusalemAdditional reporting by Emma Farge in GenevaWriting by Angus McDowall, Peter Graff and Jonathan Allen; Editing by Ros Russell, Mark Heinrich and David Gregorio) Healey orders regulators to scour gas, electric bills and lower charges STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, OCT. 14, 2025.....Gov. Maura Healey ordered utilities regulators Tuesday to start combing through gas and electric bill charges line by line to reduce or remove any that dont provide a benefit to ratepayers as they gird for the winter heating season. Everybody knows what were dealing with. Its not just a Massachusetts issue, its a problem throughout the Northeast, and weve just got to act with just incredible urgency to do everything we can to lower costs. And that means this as well, looking at bills, looking at charges, and getting rid of charges that arent justified, that arent providing that customer benefit, the governor said. The order to the Department of Public Utilities, delivered in a letter Tuesday, calls for the department to review each and every charge that customers are currently paying to determine whether the charge can be eliminated, reduced or its impact mitigated. Healey also instructed the DPU to rigorously review the rate increases proposed by utilities to avoid unnecessary spending and drive down costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy bills soared for many Bay Staters last winter, exacerbating chronic cost-of-living pressures for residents and businesses that already pay some of the highest energy prices in the country and calling attention to the state clean energy and climate mandates some say are driving elevated costs. Healey already shaved $50 off April electricity bills and in March announced a series of executive actions designed to spur savings of nearly $6 billion over the next five years. Healey said the actions she announced Tuesday add to her energy affordability agenda, which includes major legislation that fellow Democrats have been largely cool towards. The governor did not attach a timeline to her order and did not directly answer when asked if she expects that DPU would be able to take action in time to influence this winters heating bills. I made my request today to the DPU. I think this is something theyve got to get after right away, she responded during a press conference in her office. She added, The bottom line is that gas and electric bills are too high, too volatile, for people in the Northeast, and so were doing everything we can within our power to cut them down. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said it is infrastructure and supply costs that are driving the increases in gas and electric bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what this does is to look at all the charges -- including looking at the utilities and how theyre spending money on infrastructure -- and making sure that were using it as efficiently as we can, the stuff we currently have, and that were building stuff in a way thats the most cost effective, she said. In her letter to the DPU, the governor also urged the department to hasten its proceedings that are necessary for more solar resources to connect to the grid so that Bay Staters can take advantage before the federal residential clean energy tax credit is eliminated at the end of the year. Massachusetts ratepayers cannot afford to lose out on the cheapest and fastest energy that can get built, Healey said. Healeys order to the DPU arrives to a department in flux. The governor in August announced her second shake-up of the DPU membership in about two and a half years, and that transition is in progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cecile Fraser, an energy and utilities industry attorney first appointed to the DPU in 2017, was replaced last month by Jeremy McDiarmid, who had been running the national business association Advanced Energy United. Next week, Liz Anderson, the chief of the Energy and Ratepayer Advocacy Division in Attorney General Andrea Campbells office, will take Chairman James Van Nostrands spot as a commissioner and McDiarmid will become chair of the DPU. Staci Rubin, a longtime environmental justice advocate who worked as vice president of environmental justice at the Conservation Law Foundation before being appointed to the DPU in March 2023, is staying in place. National Grid is deeply committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy, and we make strategic infrastructure investments to ensure every dollar delivers value for our customers. We welcome the Healey-Driscoll Administrations call for the Department of Public Utilities to review all mandated charges on our customers bills and will continue to collaborate on practical solutions and use every tool within our control to manage costs, ease short-term pressures and contain costs over time, a National Grid spokesperson told Boston 25 News. We are laser-focused on affordability for our customers as we work every day to ensure we safely and reliably deliver the essential electric, heat and energy services our customers need. We share the Governors priority of addressing the energy affordability challenge faced across New England and look forward to working with our regulators and the administration so that customers have full transparency into everything that goes into their utility service and can better understand the components of their bill that drive costs, the role that usage plays, and the valuable programs like energy efficiency that can empower customers to take control of their energy use and save on their bills, an Eversource spokesperson said. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MEXICO CITY (AP) The hit-style shooting of two Venezuelan activists in Colombia's capital is fueling fears among Venezuela's diaspora that a crackdown on dissent by the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is seeping beyond the South American nation's borders. On Monday afternoon, Venezuelan human rights activist Yendri Velasquez and political consultant Luis Peche Arteaga were shot leaving a building in the north of Bogota by two unidentified people waiting for them in a car. Around 15 shots were fired at the activists, who fled widening government repression last year, and Peche Arteaga was hit six times, said Laura Dib, a colleague of Velasquez and Venezuela Program Director for the Washington Office on Latin America. Both went through surgery and were in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its tragedy after tragedy, said Dib. It has been a really hard day for all of the human rights movement in Venezuela. This sends a very clear message about the risks of transnational repression." It was not immediately clear who was behind their shooting and Colombian authorities said they were investigating the attack. Dib and other civil society leaders said they were waiting for the results of the investigation, but that the attack appeared to be targeted based on their political profiles. The two men were among an exodus of political opposition and civil society leaders who fled Venezuela after Maduro was widely accused of stealing last year's election and the government detained more than 2,000 people, including human rights defenders and critics. Velasquez was already arbitrarily detained by Venezuelan authorities for hours as he tried to leave the country for a human rights conference in August last year, according to an Inter-American Commission on Human Rights report. Velasquez had also said that the Venezuelan government canceled his passport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fleeing, they joined an exodus of nearly 8 million people from crisis-stricken Venezuela in recent years, many seeking refuge in neighboring Colombia. But civil society groups and diaspora leaders say that those who once found respite in other Andean nations increasingly fear for their security following the attack. Arles Pereda, president of the Colony of Venezuelans in Colombia (ColVenz) said that concern has simmered for years as the government has targeted civil society groups. Its not hard to contract a hired gun in Colombia, in part due to the prevalence of criminal groups in the region. We've always been watching out for possible persecution against us. An attack like this was something we knew was coming for a while, that we knew could happen at any moment. Now it has in Bogota," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We worry that we can all become a target, he added. Now, Pereda said civil society groups working with him are looking for ways to boost security protocols, including hiring body guards and looking for third escape countries in situations in which human rights defenders feel they face serious danger. Shockwaves rippled across the diaspora community last year when a dissident Venezuelan military officer Ronald Ojeda was kidnapped and killed in Chile. Chilean investigators said the killing was political in nature, orchestrated from within Venezuela and was likely carried out by the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua. James Story, former U.S. ambassador of the Venezuela Affairs Unit under both the Biden and first Trump administrations, said that it was well within the Maduro government's capabilities to carry out such an attack in Colombia, and that the government had long kept tabs on its adversaries in the neighboring country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody from the opposition who was living in Bogota was concerned that they were either going to be potentially attacked by the Maduro regime, that they were under surveillance or some kind of nefarious activity would happen, Story said. He noted that while the Tren de Aragua was circling through headlines and political discourse in the U.S., Maduros government had a number of different actors that could carry out such attacks. That concern was echoed by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who said in a post on the social media platform X that the attack constitutes a serious aggression and demanded protection for the activists and other Venezuelan exiles in Colombia. The attack comes as Venezuela has once again come roaring into the spotlight. Days before the attack, Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize by a committee elected by the Norwegian parliament. The same day of the shooting, Maduro announced he was closing the Venezuelan embassy in Oslo with little explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, tensions have simmered between the United States and Maduro over fatal strikes of boats the Trump administration alleges were carrying drugs from Venezuela. Trump announced Tuesday that a strike on a fifth boat was carried out Tuesday, killing six people. Dib, Velasquez's colleague, noted that finding aid for Venezuelan exiles has only grown more difficult in recent months as the Trump administration has slashed international aid funds and protections for Venezuelans within its own borders. Simultaneously, governments in the Andes have grown more hostile in recent years toward Venezuelan migrants as they've taken on the brunt of the largest migratory crisis in Latin American history with few resources and have cast blame on migrants for upticks in crime. Despite seeking help by Colombia's Ombudsman's Office in his application, Velasquez had still not been granted international protection at the time he was shot, Dib said. There is just so much that could have been done, she said. I think this is a wake-up call. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Euratex joins several other European fashion industry associations as well as those representing other industries and businesses in declaring the EU-Mercosur Agreement will be a "critical element in ensuring the EU's long-term competitiveness". The associations, which include the European Footwear Confederation (CEC), the European Branded Clothing Association (EBCA) and the Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE), state: "In this unprecedented time when the rules-based global order is being critically undermined, this free trade agreement represents a beacon in the EUs diversification strategy." Together, the associations' members cover a significant portion of the total trade in goods and services of over 153bn ($176.86bn) in 2024 between the EU and the Mercosur region, as well as the approximately 380bn of mutual investment in the two regions in 2023. By 2040, according to DG Trades calculations, the agreement is expected to add 77.6bn to the EU GDP and 9.4bn to the Mercosur GDP. At the same time, the agreement will result in a 39% increase in EU exports to Mercosur and a 17% increase in Mercosur exports to the EU. The associations describe the EU-Mercosur as a modern agreement that is driven by modern principles. They say: "It will deliver increased market access and improved access to resources, while preserving key sectors in European domestic markets, diversifying secure supply chains, and fostering investments for both sides. It will also help us deepen our cooperation on sustainable development, in areas such as fighting climate change, preserving biodiversity, and advancing labour and social rights." The European businesses explain they "wholeheartedly support" the EU-Mercosur Agreement and call on the Council and European Parliament to swiftly ratify the EU-Mercosur interim Trade Agreement (iTA) and the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA). To this end, they say it is key to "streamline the ratification process and to ensure timely completion and avoid procedural delays". The associations add: "This is a crucial opportunity for Europe which will support growth and prosperity for one-fifth of the global economy benefiting about 750m people." In December last year (2024), Euratex director general told Just Style the EU-Mercosur agreement would pave the way for "considerable growth in bilateral trade" for the European textile and apparel sector. "EU fashion sector seeks swift approval of EU-Mercosur Agreement" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. Marek Holecek of Czechia is back in Nepal with a typically ambitious new goal: a new route on the Southeast Face of Cho Oyu. As in 2021 and 2022, Holecek will team up with Radoslaw Groh. Holecek's partner in 2024, Ondrej Huserka of Slovakia, died on the way down from their highly exposed first ascent of the East Face of Langtang Lirung. Somewhere up the SE face From Gokyo, Holecek and Groh have set up Base Camp in the Khumbu Valley a day away. They are at the head of the Ngozumpa Glacier -- according to Wikipedia, the longest glacier in the Himalaya. Ngozumpa Glacier, on the South Side of Cho Oyu, Nepal. Photo: Marek Holecek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have not yet decided on a specific line up the SE Face. As Holecek wrote, they are considering several options. For the time being, they are putting their Base Camp in order. The Base Camp of the Czech expedition at the foot of the SE Face of Cho Oyu. Photo: Marek Holecek Cho Oyu's hardest side Just a few expeditions have dared the South (Nepal) Side of Cho Oyu. It is steeper, longer, remote, and much more difficult than the normal route from Tibet. The last alpine-style climb here was Denis Urubko and Boris Dedeshko's back in 2009. They opened a route up the Southeast Face, similar to what Holecek has in mind. The routes opened so far on Cho Oyu's South Side: Urubko and Dedeshko's route in red, the Polish winter route in blue, the Austrian (Koblmueller) route in green, and the Russian 1981 route to the right, in yellow. Urubko's route on the SE Face is closest to the still-unknown new ine that Holcek and Groh will attempt. Photo: Mountain.ru A Russian team led by Andrey Vassiliev tried in 2023 and 2024. They first attempted the South-Southwest Ridge. Failing that, they tried to repeat the 1991 Russian route via the East Ridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Nepalese team, proceeding in heavy expedition style, summited Cho Oyu via the South Side in 2024. They too climbed the South-Southwest Ridge route, but with a different approach from the Russians in 2023. Radoslaw Groh Holecek colorfully describes Groh as "a trained machine and a bulldozer of girls' hearts, a volatile soul...And most importantly, a great partner, whose blood immediately rises in his veins when he smells those million-year-old mountain ladies." In a more measured way, one could describe the 36-year-old Groh as one of the most skilled alpinists in Czechia. He excels in several disciplines, including skimo racing, sport climbing, and, of course, high-altitude alpinism. In 2024, Groh and his regular partner, Zdenek Hak, achieved the first complete ascent of Muchu Chhish, then the highest unclimbed peak open to climbers. Earlier this year, Hak and Groh opened a route on the Southwest Face of Hunza Peak. Holecek and Groh have also shared several expeditions in the past. They attempted the formidable West Face of Masherbrum in the summer of 2022 and did a new route on Baruntse in 2021. A high tolerance for risk Holecek won a Piolet d'Or for his new route on Chamlang (7,319m) in 2019, together with Zdenek Hak. He leads an expedition a year, always picking highly ambitious goals and exposed routes. He posts regularly on social media, with a distinctively dramatic style. Holecek's climbs are extremely committing and require a high tolerance for risk. Holecek some days ago in Namche Bazaar. Photo: Marek Holecek/Facebook An advocate of alpine style and single pushes, he also seems to have a habit of getting trapped for days in fierce storms and barely manages to make it down alive. He has lost two climbing partners, both on the way down from difficult climbs: Zdenek Hruby died on Gasherbrum I in 2013, and Ondrej Huserka perished in a crevasse on Langtang Lirung last year. NEED TO KNOW Ruth Posner and her husband Michael traveled to Switzerland to end their lives together with assisted suicide The Polish-born Holocaust survivor let her family and friends know of their decision in a joint email that was sent after their deaths So sorry not to have mentioned it, but when you receive this email we will have shuffled off this mortal coil, the couple wrote A renowned Holocaust survivor and her husband made the decision to end their lives with assisted suicide, only letting their loved ones know with an email sent out after their deaths. Ruth Posner was just a child when she survived and escaped the Treblinka concentration camp in Poland with her aunt. She was on the run for three years before settling in the United Kingdom. Later in life she became a successful actress, dancer, author and Holocaust educator. She married her husband Michael in 1950 but the couple faced tragedy in 1998 when their only child, son Jeremy, died at age 37 during recovery from heroin addiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, on Sept. 23, Posner, 96, and Michael, 97, ended their own lives. They let their family and friends know of their decision in an email, reviewed by The Times. So sorry not to have mentioned it, they wrote, but when you receive this email we will have shuffled off this mortal coil. The decision was mutual and without any outside pressure, the email said. We had lived a long life and together for almost 75 years. There came a point when failing senses, of sight and hearing and lack of energy was not living but existing that no care would improve." We had an interesting and varied life and except for the sorrow of losing Jeremy, our son. We enjoyed our time together, we tried not to regret the past, live in the present and not to expect too much from the future, they ended. Much love Ruth & Mike. Posner and her husband did not have any terminal illnesses but reportedly wanted to die together. The couple ended their lives after traveling from their home in London to a clinic with Pegasos, an assisted dying nonprofit organization in Basel, Switzerland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assisted suicide has been legal in Switzerland since 1942, according to Dignity in Dying, a British organization. It's different from euthanasia which is illegal because the patients themselves administer prescribed drugs to end their lives, rather than a doctor. 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. Alastair Muir/Shutterstock Ruth Posner Ruth Posner The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Sonja Linden, a playwright who knew the couple for 30 years and received their email, told The Times that Posner was frail and her husband had vision loss and hearing problems. However, they both were intellectually very well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a decision they made together some time ago that they wanted to die together, she explained. They made an arrangement to go to Switzerland a year ago. We did not know they had actually gone until we received the email, which is sad as we wanted to say goodbye. They had such a lovely flat packed with art and books and I cant imagine them not being there, she told the outlet. Linden added that the couple was simply exhausted and felt like it was their time to go. They thought this was a positive decision and it helped them in their later life. I did not try to stop them, she said. I understood and supported their decision, but it was still a shock to receive the email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following her death, the Holocaust Educational Trust paid tribute to Posner, describing her as "an extraordinary woman. Although then in her eighties, she made it her mission to speak to as many young people as possible about her experiences during the Holocaust. She hoped that the leaders of tomorrow would learn the lessons of the past, Karen Pollock, the charitys chief executive, said in a statement. Ruth was one of a kind. Full of charisma and warmth, she left an impression on everyone she met. We will miss her." Read the original article on People MADISONVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A man was arrested on Oct. 12 after allegedly being found passed out in a Burger King drive-thru while waiting for a DoorDash order. According to an arrest citation, Madisonville police were called around 1 p.m. on Sunday after a man was reportedly passed out between the drive-thru windows. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The caller reported that people knocked on the black trucks window but got no response from the person behind the wheel. When police arrived, they saw the truck driving from behind the building and parking in a parking spot in front of the Burger King on Chelsea Drive. Thats when police met 27-year-old Christian Suttle Police said Suttle was sweating and had dilated pupils. The citation said when police asked him what he was doing, Suttle said he fell asleep while he was waiting for a DoorDash order. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reportedly told officers he smoked methamphetamine a few hours prior. Later, he allegedly said he just need to go to rehab. Officers reportedly found a smoking pipe and a baggie containing suspected methamphetamine inside the truck. Christian Suttle (Hopkins County Jail) Suttle was arrested and booked into the Hopkins County Jail. He was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. As celebrations and tearful reunions broke out in Israel on Monday as the last 20 living hostages returned home, similar joyful scenes emerged across the Gaza Strip as buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners entered the war-torn territory. As part of the ceasefire deal to end the two-year war, more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners were released around the same time as the Israeli hostages. About 1,700 of them were Palestinians detained by Israel in Gaza since the war began in October 2023, following Hamas' terrorist attack in Israel. The deal specified that none of those released on Monday were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks. Mahmoud Illean/AP - PHOTO: Palestinian prisoners are greeted after being released from Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Oct. 13, 2025. "It was an indescribable journey of suffering -- hunger, unfair treatment, oppression, torture and curses -- more than anything you could imagine," one of the released prisoners, 51-year-old Kamal Abu Shanab, told The Associated Press upon arriving back in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prisoners were released from the Ofer Prison in the West Bank and the Ketziot Prison in Negev, Israel's largest detention facility run by the country's army, Israeli officials said. Most of the prisoners were released in Gaza and some were freed in the West Bank, the other Palestinian territory bordering Israel. Others were deported and sent to Egypt. Hazem Bader/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Palestinian men gesture from inside a bus after being released from the Ofer military prison located between Ramallah and Beitunia in the occupied West Bank on October 13, 2025. One prisoner who went to the West Bank was Omar Bseis, who was freed after being held in Israel for 24 years, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Office. The prisoner organization posted a video on social media of Bseis being reunited with his relatives, with one woman breaking down in tears and clutching a smiling Bseis' arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of Palestinians crowded the streets of Khan Younis in southern Gaza as International Committee of the Red Cross buses carrying the freed prisoners entered the city. Video footage showed armed men escorting the buses through the town, firing guns into the air. Ammar Awad/Reuters - PHOTO: A freed Palestinian prisoner is greeted after being released from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, in Ramallah , in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, October 13, 2025. Trump touts 'historic dawn of a new Middle East' in Knesset speech The freed prisoners could be seen in the videos leaning out of bus windows and waving at the crowd welcoming them back home. Others were seen flashing peace signs from the bus windows. As the buses tried to push through a crowded street, one of the released prisoners spotted a familiar face of a friend or relative in the crowd. People hoisted that individual up to the bus window to briefly embrace the freed detainee before the vehicle moved on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The released prisoners exited the buses at Khan Younis' Nasser Hospital, where a large crowd gathered to welcome them. As some of the passengers emerged, people in the crowd hoisted them on their shoulders and carried them to the hospital entrance, the videos showed. Elation for families of living hostages, while those of deceased decry delay The released prisoners included 250 Palestinians who served long-term prison sentences stemming from deadly attacks carried out on Israel dating back decades, Israel's Justice Ministry told The Associated Press. An ambulance crew says armed ICE agents blocked them from taking a patient to the hospital, as one goon allegedly threatened to shoot the driver. The medics had collected a protester with a suspected fractured collarbone from ICEs South Macadam Avenue site in Portland, according to matching incident reports by the two medics and radio traffic reviewed by Willamette Week. As they tried to leave, federal agents are said to have stood in front of the ambulance, according to the reports. Federal agents keep protesters back outside a downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Oct. 4 in Portland. / Spencer Platt / Spencer Platt/Getty Images When the driver put the vehicle in park and it nudged forward slightly, one ICE officer allegedly leaned in, pointed, and yelled at the first responder: DONT YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN, I WILL SHOOT YOU, I WILL ARREST YOU RIGHT NOW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was...in such shock, the driver later wrote, that they were...crowding and cornering me in the seat, pointing and screaming at me, threatening to shoot and arrest me, and not allowing the ambulance to leave the scene. This was no longer a safe scene, and in that moment, I realized that the scene had not actually been safe the entire time that they were blocking us from exiting, and that we were essentially trapped. The identity of the officer in question has not been disclosed. Willamette Week obtained two contemporaneous reportsone to ambulance company American Medical Response and one to a Teamsters union repplus radio logs about the Oct. 5 incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In them, the crew says the agents first argued that they should ride in the ambulance without arrest paperwork, but the medics refused, citing policy. Agents then formed a line at the gate and crowded the drivers door, the reports state. At 9:40 p.m., dispatchers recorded, We are still not being allowed to leave by ICE officers. Minutes laterafter more shoutingthe ambulance finally left for Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, escorted by an unmarked car. The episode sheds light on a fraught dynamic between agents sent by the Kristi Noem-led Department of Homeland Security, who protect facilities, and local medics called to treat civilians. Kristi Noem has won the nickname ICE Barbie for her love of dolling up for the cameras on immigration raids. / Anna Moneymaker / Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The EMTs union told Willamette Week that when armed agents interfere with transport, they cross a moral line. Global Medical Response, AMRs parent, said it was reviewing the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS had not responded to Willamette Weeks queries by publication, and the Federal Protective Service did not comment. The Daily Beast has also contacted DHS for comment. The alleged clash comes amid a broader hard-line posture around ICE facilities in Portland and Chicago. A federal judge last week barred DHS agents in Chicago from using force on journalists covering protests outside an ICE site, citing accounts of riot control weapons and injuries to credentialed reporters. Journalists and protesters in the Illinois city have also sued the administration over extreme brutality, while the White House drives a mass-deportation agenda dubbed Operation Midway Blitz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has sought to deploy National Guard troops ro Portland. He describes Oregons biggest city as a war zone where ICE facilities and officers are under siege from domestic terrorists. ICE has attempted to project its strength against protesters with restraint and transport operations. Federal agents stand guard to keep protesters away from an ICE facility in downtown Portland. / MATHIEU LEWIS-ROLLAND / MATHIEU LEWIS-ROLLAND/AFP via Getty Images However, the Trump administrations attempt to paint the city as one of chaos has backfired, with local officials detailing generally small-scale and peaceful gatherings. Reuters reported in June that ICE tripled its internal arrest target to 3,000 per day, which critics fear is fueling more aggressive tactics. As Chicago residents try to live their lives under President Donald Trumps Operation Midway Blitz, reports of federal agents using broad authority to detain and question U.S. citizens and legal residents have many people wondering what documents they should be carrying to prove their identity. Since the start of the immigration enforcement surge last month, federal agents working with the U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have arrested hundreds of people in Chicagoland for alleged violations of immigration policy. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that sweep, numerous U.S. citizens and others have reported being detained, including a 44-year-old U.S. citizen who said agents zip-tied her and questioned her after work at a downtown bar earlier this month, and a Rogers Park man who agents fined $130 for not carrying his legal papers with him when they questioned him about his legal status last week. The woman, Maria Greeley, told the Tribune she had a copy of her passport with her. But because shes Latina, she said the agents told her she doesnt look like a Greeley and called her a liar. The agents let her go after an hour, she said. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment. So we asked a legal expert, what documents should people be carrying when stopped by agents? That is a really good question, especially in light of all the rights violations that ICE is doing. Its hit or miss, said Veronica Garcia, a senior staff attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Theres what you should carry and whether theyre going to take your proof of what youre carrying as truth, like what happened with that woman whos a U.S. citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under federal law, registered foreign nationals, such as green card holders, must carry proof of registration with them at all times. Prior to a second Trump administration, this was rarely enforced. U.S. citizens are not required to carry identification with them, but Garcia said some might consider carrying their passport or a copy of their passport for faster proof of their identity. Because theyre scared of being detained for how they look or where they live, Garcia said. One key question facing individuals worried about being detained is whether they should carry originals or copies. Garcia said that its a personal decision based on risk. If you lose your green card, it can cost upward of $400 to replace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some residents concerned that ICE or Border Patrol might lose or damage an original passport or other document might opt for copies or photos. But Garcia cautions that carrying photos of your documents on your phone carries its own risk. It can get a bit tricky to have this on your phone because you would most likely need to unlock it and this can give access to more of your information than you want, she said. While individuals can decide for themselves what documents they carry, Garcia said they should be mindful not to carry foreign passports. She said the Immigrant Legal Resource Center advises people U.S. citizens and others to carry a red card that can be printed off the internet listing their rights. It lists key constitutional protections, including the right to remain silent, is two-sided and can fit inside of a wallet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The card advises people: DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door. DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer. If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly. GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door. In addition to carrying the red card, Garcia said, U.S. citizens could carry state identification. If they have some form of legal status, like a green card or a work permit, she said, they should also carry them. The broader trend of requesting papers is very concerning, she said, tying it to racial profiling on the part of federal agents. Once they stop someone based on how they look thats very concerning. Its a fine line to walk, Garcia said. Today, its against a certain group of individuals. Who is next and what are they going to demand is shown next? Rueben Antonio Cruz was sitting with a friend in Rogers Park when ICE agents pulled up onto the street. The immigration officers stopped their truck and went straight after them Thursday, Cruz told the Tribune. They asked us if we have papers. I said I do but I dont have them on me, Cruz, a 60-year old man with heart problems originally from El Salvador, recalled in Spanish. The agents stood Cruz up, put him in their truck, drove around in circles, and asked questions, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where was he born? What is his name? Who is his mother? Who is his father? I told them, they are dead, Cruz said. The agents said they needed the information anyway so they could look him up in their databases. Eventually, the agents verified that he is, in fact, legally in the country. And they let him go. But not before writing him a $130 ticket for not having his papers. Cruzs friend, who is homeless, did not have legal status and was taken away by the feds. Under federal law, registered foreign nationals must carry proof of registration with them at all times. But prior to a second Trump administration, it was rarely enforced. As President Donald Trump escalates his immigration crackdown in Chicago and its suburbs, Operation Midway Blitz, agents are using broad federal authority when targeting suspected immigrants, legal experts say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security announced Oct. 1 that it had made 800 arrests in the area since the mission began at the beginning of September. ICE arrests increase across Chicago under Trump, many with no convictions, data shows While federal officials claim they are targeting the worst of the worst, bystanders have been swept up and people across Chicagoland have accused the government of widespread civil rights violations. In blocking the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops in Illinois last week, U.S. District Judge April Perry said the federal government had a credibility problem that made many of their claims unreliable. The National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago told the Tribune it has not yet seen any of its clients receive this sort of citation. But its part of a recent push by the Trump administration to ensure immigrants register with authorities and maintain their documentation to them at all times or face potential penalties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Immigrant Legal Resource Center calls it a hateful tactic meant to cause panic and fear throughout the country. America has never been a place where people need to show ones papers. Ticketing a lawful permanent resident and forcing him to appear in court and pay a fine for not carrying their papers is unnecessary and cruel, said Ed Yohnka, communications director for the ACLU of Illinois. It does not make our communities stronger or more safe. It is simply part of the Trump administrations attempt to make life uncomfortable for all immigrants. It is just awful. A spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not return messages seeking comment. Its not clear how many individuals have been ticketed for not having their papers on them. The ticket Cruz showed the Tribune references a law requiring immigrants to be registered with the government and have their registration documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former dishwasher, Cruz lives in a government-funded apartment but isnt working due to his health. Cruz said he was relieved to be released but worries how he will pay the fine. The ICE agents told Cruz he has to pay it within 60 days or go to court. Its not fair because I said, lets go to my house and Ill show you my papers. Im a resident, Cruz said. In Chicago, immigrants who thought they were following the legal path are also facing deportation under Trump crackdown U.S. citizens say theyre also being questioned by federal immigration agents for proof of citizenship. Maria Greeley, 44, had just finished working a double shift at the Beach Bar on Ohio Street earlier this month when she said she was surrounded by three federal agents who grabbed her, forced her hands behind her back and zip-tied her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Headphones in, Greeley had been focused on getting home to her two dogs for a walk. Instead, she said she was detained by masked agents who did not answer when she asked for names. They questioned her for an hour, she said. Greeley, who was born at Illinois Masonic hospital and is adopted, carries a copy of her passport just in case she runs into federal agents. I am Latina and I am a service worker, Greeley said. I fit the description of what theyre looking for now. During the encounter, Greeley said they told her she doesnt look like a Greeley. They said this isnt real, they kept telling me Im lying, Im a liar, Greeley recalled. I told them to look in the rest of my wallet, I have my credit cards, my insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the agents let her go, Greeley got home and screamed when she saw the shadow on her door. Days after the incident, Greeley said, its still terrifying. I just have to stay strong and not think about it, Im still here, luckily, she said, tearing up. All those other people are getting taken. Days after Cruz had the encounter with federal agents, Cruz attended a hastily organized protest in Rogers Park residents. Hundreds turned out. Ald. Maria Hadden, 49th, represents the Far North Side neighborhood on Chicagos City Council. She said it was an effort to recognize people from our community who were taken and bring people together to remind them that we are not powerless. The protest organizer group, Protect Rogers Park, posted on Facebook: Today 400+ Rogers Parkers gathered to mourn, celebrate, defy authoritarianism, (canvass) and recommit to loving their neighbors. Oh, and buy a lot of tacos. Crews appeared to start dismantling the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility fence late Tuesday night, ahead of an 11:59 p.m. Tuesday deadline set by a judge. Late Tuesday night, a flat-bed truck that appeared to be carrying fencing material was allowed into the restricted area. Earlier Tuesday, it was quiet at Broadview, and some questioned whether the fence would be brought down ahead of the deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're gonna drag the feet as long as possible and I don't expect it to happen," protester Levi Rolls said. "It sends a message that yeah, the executive branch isn't gonna listen to the judicial branch, and it's very dangerous precedent to set." The fence has stood blocking the public right-of-way. The village argued that it is a safety hazard, especially for first responders. Department of Homeland Security officials maintained that the fence, set up on Sept. 23, is a necessity for the safety of federal agents and federal property while demonstrators say it limits their First Amendment rights. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, "After rioters and sanctuary politicians obstructed law enforcement, threw tear gas cans, rocks, bottles, and fireworks, slashed tires of cars, blocked the entrance of the building, and trespassed on private property." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monica Breslin, 27, has been out at the facility daily after work, demanding the Constitution be followed in allowing protesters to assemble peacefully. Breslin said she has been searched by federal agents and hit by police pepper balls in the last few days. Breslin also said she has pushed out of previously defined protester areas. Yet, on Tuesday night, she and others were not removed despite a local curfew banning protests after 6 p.m. State legislators called the fence a symbol of division this week. And as the court-ordered deadline for its removal approached, Democratic Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch was asked what would happen if the fence is not taken down. "We have a court order in place that is ordering it to come down by midnight. I don't think they have to wait to do what's right. They should bring it down now, and if they don't, we're going to see our Attorney General, likely to go back into court," Welch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SEE ALSO | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates If anything, security around the ICE facility has tightened as state and local law enforcement coordinated plans, primarily in the name of protecting First Amendment rights, to keep protesters and federal agents safe as they encounter each other. "If the the the norms of the government are not respected, if somebody says, the judiciary makes a decision, and then the executive branch ignores it. That's chaos," said former federal prosecutor Ron Safer. Meanwhile, DHS released new information about the threats it says federal agents face while "protecting our borders and communities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS says it has obtained what it calls "credible intelligence" that Mexican cartels have issued a tiered bounty program for hits against ICE and Border Patrol agents. The release from DHS specifically mentions Pilsen and Little Village, where it alleges gang members affiliated with the Latin Kings have organized "spotter networks," deploying people equipped with firearms and radio communications on rooftops. Earlier Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on social media that Facebook removed a group where Chicago citizens shared information on when ICE agents were spotted around the city. Bondi said, "Today, following outreach from the Justice Department, Facebook removed a large group page that was being used to dox and target ICE agents in Chicago." In an interview with ABC7's I-Team, Police Affairs Consultant Bill Kushner weighed in on the troubling trend of doxxing law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now, you're taking it to a whole different level. I mean, now we're going beyond First Amendment protests and free speech. We're talking about threats, active threats, to law enforcement and members of their families," Kushner said. The prevalence of social media postings tracking the movement of ICE and Border Patrol pits the safety of federal agents against content that could be protected under the First Amendment. The entrance to the Office of the Public Access Counselor's Government Center South suite on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Another agency, which previously occupied the now-vacant work areas within view of the door, relocated years ago. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indianas top public access official has issued her first two advisory opinions and resolved more than 30 other complaints for 2025 so far. Public Access Counselor Jennifer Ruby made her opinion-writing debut with repeated reminders of recent limits on her powers. Lawmakers in 2024 narrowed the source material for the non-binding opinions to the plain text of public access laws and valid Indiana court rulings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubys first months in office were marked by complaints of nonresponsiveness. Gov. Mike Brauns office said that had to tackle a sizable backlog before looking at the current years cases. In her first opinion, issued Sept. 24, Ruby weighed in on a dispute between one Hoosier and the New Carlisle Town Council over economic development project records. New Public Access Counselor Jennifer Ruby, in an undated photo. (Courtesy governors office) Complainant Debra Durall sought information about water use for Amazons data center project such as nondisclosure agreements and communications between a flurry of parties and any agreements or communications about the completion of an electric vehicle battery plant under construction by General Motors and Samsung SDI. Durall sent the town a records request late last year, on Dec. 6. The towns attorney offered up limited documents on Jan. 2. That included a blank NDA, because the town didnt have the signed copies, and a redacted copy of a utility service agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town didnt have other documents she requested like those involving officials working for the county or chamber of commerce and said it had no agreements with GM or Samsung. It withheld other communications, citing confidential attorney work, ongoing negotiations and trade secrets. Durall filed a formal complaint with Rubys office Jan. 29. Ruby opined that Indiana law doesnt require governments to create records they dont have to satisfy records requests. She also defended the redactions noting statute protects a utility customers confidential personal information and the withholding of the other confidential information. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, for instance, has found that utility customer water usage data can be a confidential trade secret. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Indiana statute only allows the (Office of the Public Access Counselor) to consider public access statutes and case law when issuing advisory opinions, Indiana case law provides that the IURC can be given wide discretion in matters within its jurisdiction, Ruby wrote. Therefore, it seems reasonable for the OPAC to consider an IURC opinion when determining whether water usage information has the characteristics outlined by Indiana case law and qualifies as trade secrets. She issued an opinion saying the town didnt break public records law. Open door dispute A second opinion, from Oct. 2, involved a township official seemingly iced out by his own colleagues. Green Township Board Chair George Coffey accused Township Trustee Jon Fletcher of violating meeting access laws by not telling him soon enough about a Dec. 19 meeting that the boards other two members had called. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoosiers are entitled to notice at least 48 hours before a public agencys governing body meets. In his Jan. 9 complaint, Coffey said board members usually were notified by email, but that this time, a letter arrived in the mail on the day of the meeting. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Fletcher defended himself in responses to Rubys office. He argued Coffey had emailed asking if there was a meeting and that the township attorney had responded Dec. 18 with the date and time. Fletcher also included a photograph showing the letters to all three board members were mailed Dec. 16. Ruby noted that U.S. mail often takes three-plus for delivery. She argued that that Coffey was at a disadvantage the other two board members knew about the meeting since theyd called it and that only Coffey was left in the dark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The photograph itself, she added, leads our office to believe that Respondent knew that mailing the notice and agenda would be an issue. She wrote that its unlikely that the mailed letter or the township attorneys emailed response were sufficient as written notice but added, As the statute is silent on the timeline and method of delivery for written notice I decline to define sufficient written notice.' Ruby opined that Fletcher didnt violate open door law but that the conduct violates the spirit of Indiana Codes provisions for ad hoc, special meetings. She recommended that the township trustee and board consider adopting a policy to ensure that all board members get consistent notice. PAC settles in The opinions represent two of 34 cases that Ruby has resolved as of last week, according to office spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resolved is a fluid term, McFarland noted. Some complaints may have been withdrawn, some may have been rejected due to jurisdiction or pending litigation, or the complainant may have received their request or no longer needs it. Hoosiers can find links to opinions on the agencys website once theyre uploaded. Receiving and resolving complaints is an ongoing process, so please continue to visit the page above throughout the year for published opinions, McFarland wrote. Braun appointed Ruby to the role in late March, after former PAC Luke Britt, who ran the office for about 12 years under previous Govs. Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb, resigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id always said that if I found that my voice was getting ineffective, it was time to leave. And that might have been my sign with that legislation, he told WFYI at the time. House Enrolled Act 1338 also made the PAC serve at the pleasure of the governor. Before, one could only be fired for cause. One nonprofit, in July, opened a public access hotline to alleviate the pressure on the new PAC. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing federal charges following an investigation into mortgage fraud allegations. But now, she's under scrutiny regarding whom she was allowing to stay in her Virginia home at the center of her indictment. James allegedly housed her grandniece, Nakia Thompson, at her Norfolk, VA, home for five yearsdespite Thompson being wanted by authorities in North Carolina, according to the New York Post. Thompson, who lived at the Virginia property with her three children, has been officially labeled an absconder by the North Carolina Department of Corrections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records confirm she failed to complete her probation for previous misdemeanor convictions related to assault, battery, and trespassing. On Wednesday evening, Thompson ranted on Facebook that the charges against her were "OLD AS HELL and fabricated". "For all inquiring minds no Im not in trouble havent been in years at all. Very much a active mother to my children everyday, work everyday, and very much in college about to graduate with my B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice," she wrote. The Post reports that Thompson is currently wanted in North Carolina for not completing the terms of her parole after her 2011 arrest in Winston-Salem. In that case, she was charged with malicious conduct by a prisoner, a felony, along with assault of a government official and resisting a public officer. Embattled AG Letitia James is accused of allowing her grandniece, Nikia Thompson (above), to stay at her Virginia home while wanted by law enforcement. (North Carolina Department Of Adult Correction) The Virginia home at the center of a federal mortgage fraud case against New York Attorney General Letitia James. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) Second home rider document revealed James, the top prosecutor in New York, who led the civil fraud case against President Donald Trump, is accused of committing bank fraud and lying to a financial institution to secure a favorable mortgage rate. If convicted on the two federal charges, James could face up to 60 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Post has obtained the document signed by James. It's the "second home rider" for her mortgage, which "attested that the property would be a second home occupied primarily by her." Federal prosecutors say this allowed her to get a better mortgage rate from Old Virginia/Annie Mac, which netted her nearly $19,000 in mortgage savings. Speaking out James hasn't avoided the spotlight despite her recent indictment. On Oct. 13, she made her first public appearance since the charges were filed. Speaking at a rally in Washington Heights, NY, for mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani, James delivered a fiery speech that doubled down on her innocence and framed the indictment as politically motivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see powerful voices trying to silence truth and punish dissent, James told the crowd. We are witnessing the fraying of our democracy. She described the current political climate as a defining moment in our history and called on supporters to stand together to defend our rights ... every norm and every rule of law. I will not bow! I will not break! I will not bend! she declared. You come for me, you got to come through all of us! James is ordered to appear in a Norfolk, VA, court on Oct. 24. It was James who prosecuted the case against Trump in 2023 that initially resulted in a staggering $500 million penalty for Trump; though, the decision was later overturned on appeal. Still, the former president was found liable for misrepresenting his net worth for financial gain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her own indictment last week came after a grand jury heard evidence from Lindsey Halligan, Trumps former personal attorney and now U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, according to the Wall Street Journal. Trump has long called for legal action against his political adversaries. James indictment follows the federal indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, who pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has launched inquiries into other notable Trump critics, including former national security adviser John Bolton and California Congressman Adam Schiff. By Joanna Plucinska LONDON (Reuters) -Chief executives of Europe's airlines called for more European Union support to increase the supply of green jet fuel and improve subsidies for its creation. The EU began requiring airlines to use more sustainable aviation fuel this year, with a 2% minimum blending mandate set to rise to 6% by 2030. "We have mandates but we don't have sustainable aviation fuel," said Luis Gallego, CEO of IAG, at a press conference for trade group Airlines for Europe on Tuesday. The group includes the CEOs of Ryanair, easyJet, Air France-KLM, Lufthansa and British Airways-owner IAG. The CEOs said they wanted more help from the European Commission in creating a functioning SAF market as well as higher subsidies to encourage the production of the fuel. As it stands, SAF costs three to five times more than traditional jet fuel. "If SAF was the same price as jet fuel, we wouldn't need mandates," said easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis. Airline trade group IATA's director Willie Walsh earlier accused the oil industry of inflating the costs for airlines through SAF surcharges. (Reporting by Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Inhumane murderer; Man learns punishment for killing off-duty security guard at local lounge A man learned how long he will spend in prison for killing a 30-year-old man in Dayton. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Talbert Grooms pleaded guilty to killing Jordan Ashe last November. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting happened a year ago in Harrison Township at the Palms Grill and Lounge. Ashe was a security guard at the lounge but was off duty at the time. He got involved in a fight with the customer, which ended in a shooting. My sons life was taken due to the fact that this monster couldnt take the loss. He lost a fight, a fist fight, and retaliated by going to get a firearm and shooting and killing my son, Nicolea Wise, Ashes mother, said. Wise told a judge that she wanted the maximum sentence, even admitting she would have liked the death penalty for Grooms. Talbert Lawrence Grooms, who I will forever refer to as uncivilized, unsocialized, institutionalized, inhumane murderer, who should never be released back into society, Wise said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriffs deputies and prosecutors said Grooms and Ashe had a disagreement that led to a brief fight. They said Grooms left the building, grabbed his gun from his car, and walked back to shoot Ashe. Grooms drove away but crashed and was caught by the authorities. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, which came with an agreed sentence of 17 to 22 years. As part of the plea agreement, murder charges were dropped. Grooms lawyer claimed he was beaten within an inch of his life. He made one small statement in court. I just want to say this was an unfortunate set of circumstances and Im really sorry to the family, Grooms said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My son was deserving of a lot of things in his 30 years of life, but he did not deserve to be a murder victim, Wise said. Ashes family didnt believe Grooms had any real remorse for his actions. They say Ashes death left two children without a father and the entire family hurting for years to come. So, yes, I wish you eternal pain and suffering until you reach the gates of Hell, Wise said. Grooms left the courtroom and went straight into the custody of the Ohio prison system. In 17 years, he will have his first chance to ask the parole board to be released, but there is no guarantee. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A Georgia state inmate who escaped from a work detail in Carroll County has been recaptured. The Carroll County Sheriffs Office confirmed that David Emsley Wheeles was taken into custody on Tuesday morning. We appreciate everyones cooperation and the teamwork among all agencies involved, officials said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, a Carroll County Correctional Institute detail officer called 911 to notify authorities that Wheeles was unaccounted for in the area of East Luke Drive and Highway 113 in Temple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wheeles was serving a prison sentence for terrorist threats and acts, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections. On Tuesday morning, authorities found Wheeles in the Villa Rosa Road area, not far from where he escaped. He has now been charged with felony escape. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A cyberattack that downed University of St. Thomas' servers at the beginning of the semester also compromised a trove of student, faculty and staff records, though administrators have not shared the extent of the breach with those on campus. A ransomware company claimed credit for the hack that reportedly took 1.8 terabytes of data - an amount that could theoretically hold several million documents. The university enrolled more than 4,300 students in fall 2024 and counts more than 21,000 alumni on LinkedIn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several faculty members told the Houston Chronicle that the university hasn't updated them on the situation since early September, when new President Sinda K. Vanderpool said that specialists were determining the scope of the "data impacted" and any affected individuals. She said they would receive a formal notification after the investigation's completion, and in the meantime the university would provide free credit monitoring codes to students, faculty and staff. NEW LEADERSHIP: University of St. Thomas in Houston names first female president Yet the data has been vulnerable to potential hackers for over one month now. The Chronicle has reviewed a small portion of what the ransomware company posted online, and the breach appears extensive and wide-ranging, with hundreds of thousands of documents tucked into scores of files from the president's office, the chief legal counsel, academic affairs and other departments. The files appear to show some staffers' credit card, bank account and Social Security numbers; passports and licenses; logins and passwords to work-related accounts; some students' home addresses, emails and phone numbers; donor contact information; and monthly country club membership fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also posted are unverified documents detailing confidential settlement agreements between the university and some of its former top-level leaders with payouts, in one case, as much as $400,000. The breach includes documents appearing to be investigations into student complaints of sexual harassment and misconduct by professors. Both students and accused employees are named. They additionally include disciplinary actions, lawsuits and details on campus police activity. There are also financial breakdowns of the annual president's trips abroad with school supporters to places including Poland, Lithuania, the Holy Land, Greek Isles and the Netherlands. University officials said in a statement to the Chronicle that they are taking the "cybersecurity event" seriously and have notified law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alma Vazquez, a St. Thomas graduate student, said she would have liked more transparency from the school. She said she heard about the credit monitoring codes, but she didn't explicitly hear that some peoples' sensitive data was posted online. "Our information could be out there for any entity, but I would have at least wanted to know the outcome," she said. Brett Callow, a cybersecurity consultant who has tracked increasing hacks targeting colleges, said the process of determining stolen information can be long, complex and tricky to handle. He clarified he was speaking generally and not about a specific breach. "It can take weeks to months, even," said Callow, managing director at FTI Consulting's cybersecurity & data privacy communications practice. "It's really a matter of striking a balance between communicating what's happened to the students and other stakeholders, while also not creating any unnecessary alarm or potentially triggering any legal reporting requirements." A student walks through campus Tuesday, Sept. 29 2020, at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. (Jon Shapley/Staff photographer) Growing threat to higher ed The data breach at St. Thomas adds the school to a growing list of higher education institutions that have fallen victim to ransomware attacks in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ransomware is a software that gains access through a weak spot in a server, blocking it from use until the organization pays a ransom. The attacks sometimes involve threats to post the information on the dark web. While hacks are increasing across all sectors, colleges and universities are particularly easy targets, said Bob Turner, a former chief information security officer at Penn State University and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Turner described the institutions as miniature cities that are repositories for personal information. Most students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which requires them to input Social Security numbers and parents' tax returns. Colleges also hold student and parent bank information from housing and tuition payments, plus faculty and staff bank information for payroll. The sensitivity of that information opens universities up to damaging consequences if not protected properly, and technology and security tend to be under-resourced in university budgets, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That is injuring not only the university but the people who are there, whether they're faculty, administration, research staff or their students," said Turner, who also is the head of research for CISOs Connect, a membership company for chief information security officers. "It's not something you want to share. I mean, how often do you say, Hi, my Social Security number is'" Turner and Callow agreed that it's nearly impossible to protect all information from a hack, but the risks can be minimized. That can begin with students, faculty and staff keeping stronger passwords to university accounts. Institutions should also keep a meticulous inventory of the data they hold, so they remember to safeguard it, Turner said. He said it comes down to creating a "good culture of security awareness." "Resilience is the target," Turner said. "You're never going to be able to stop everything, but it's how fast you can recover from a ransomware attack or recover from any other form of cyber attack that is the most important thing that the university should be focusing on." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university spent $7.5 million on technology maintenance and support out of $92 million in total expenses during the 2024 fiscal year, according to the institution's most recent annual financial audit. The documents do not specify if any, or how much, of that was related to cybersecurity. They also logged $405,000 in lease costs that were mostly for equipment for IT infrastructure improvements. The ransom dilemma Organizations are generally advised not to pay ransoms, but a 2023 survey of more than 200 targeted colleges and universities found that more than half of them paid to get access to their information. St. Thomas has dealt with a tenuous financial situation over the past decade, most recently posting a deficit in its operating budget for seven consecutive years. The university did not confirm whether it paid a ransom after its servers went dark on Aug. 12, preventing students from accessing resources like financial aid and course registration before the first day of class. FINANCIAL WOES: The Catholic university's financial standing raises questions regarding regular accreditation review Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, university officials acknowledged the data breach the next day, saying they proactively quarantined the affected servers when an unauthorized party tried to access the system. St. Thomas had not found any evidence of compromised information, they said in a campus-wide email. A new version of the website reappeared around Aug. 20, allowing access to some system functions like Blackboard and email. It otherwise appears to remain in its developmental stages. Vanderpool, the new university president, told students in a Sept. 5 update that St. Thomas was investigating to determine the individuals who might have been affected. She followed up with a Sept. 10 email offering credit monitoring codes, as promised. In a statement to the Chronicle, university officials said they proactively shared the credit monitoring services "out of an abundance of caution" as third-party specialists conduct a review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That review is ongoing and upon its completion, notification will be provided to anyone whose legally protected information was impacted," they said in the statement. "We take this incident very seriously and will continue to provide updates to our community about any substantive developments." This article originally published at Inside the St. Thomas data breach: Leaked documents reveal scope of university's exposure. The Israeli military has confirmed the identity of four dead hostages returned by Hamas. The National Institute of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israeli police and the military rabbinate, has informed the relatives of Guy Iluz and Bipin Joshi of the confirmation, the military said in a statement posted on Telegram on Tuesday. The identities of the other two have also been established, but their names have not yet been released for publication, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas had given the names of the four dead to the International Committee of the Red Cross as Guy Iluz and Bipin Joshi, as well as Daniel Peretz and Yossi Sharabi. Hamas once returned the remains of an unknown person instead of a dead hostage, later explaining that it was a mistake. The military also called on Hamas to hand over the bodies of the other 24 dead, as agreed. The forum of families of abductees said it was a consolation that the dead could now at least be buried with dignity. They would not rest until the remains of all the dead were back in Israel, it added. By Emma Farge, Olivia Le Poidevin and Michelle Nichols GENEVA/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Israel will only allow half the agreed number of aid trucks into Gaza starting Wednesday, according to a note seen by Reuters and confirmed by the United Nations, in a setback to hopes food and supplies would be quickly ramped up to ease famine in the enclave. COGAT, the Israeli military arm that oversees aid flows into Gaza, also notified the U.N. that no fuel or gas will be allowed into the enclave except for specific needs related to humanitarian infrastructure. COGAT did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COGAT blamed Hamas for a slow release of hostage bodies for the decision to limit aid trucks to 300 daily. The Islamist militant group has said locating the bodies is difficult. "Hamas violated the agreement regarding the release of the bodies of the hostages held in the Gaza Strip. As a result, the political leadership has decided to impose a number of sanctions related to the humanitarian agreement that was reached," read the COGAT note. So far, Hamas has handed over four coffins of dead hostages, leaving at least 23 presumed dead and one unaccounted for still in Gaza. The group informed mediators it will begin transferring four more bodies to Israel later on Tuesday. "We have received this communication from the Israeli authorities," Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Gaza, told reporters. "We certainly very much hope that the bodies of the hostages are handed over and that the ceasefire continues to be implemented." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COGAT had said on Friday that it expected about 600 aid trucks to enter Gaza daily during the ceasefire. COGAT told the U.N. that 817 trucks had entered Gaza on Sunday, said Cherevko. It was not immediately clear how many trucks entered on Monday, deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said. "Crossings are not open today for the entry of supplies from the Israeli side, but we are collecting supplies from within Gaza today," Haq said on Tuesday. Israel requires aid to be offloaded from trucks on the Palestinian side of the border, where it then has to be collected by the U.N. and aid groups already in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CROSSINGS NEED TO OPEN, AID AGENCIES SAY Israel has delayed plans to open the southern Rafah border crossing to Egypt, three Israeli officials said earlier on Tuesday. "We need all crossings open. The longer Rafah stays closed the more the suffering prolongs for people in Gaza, especially those displaced in the South," UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said. U.S. President Donald Trump declared an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict on Monday as the last living Israeli hostages were swapped for Palestinian detainees, raising expectations that aid supplies would be rushed into the enclave where a global hunger monitor has warned hundreds of thousands of people face famine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are still witnessing only few trucks coming in, and large crowds approaching these trucks in a way that does absolutely not conform to humanitarian standards," ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday. The U.N. World Food Programme said on Tuesday that it has brought in 137 trucks since the weekend. Aid agencies are seeking to rapidly scale up supplies to people in Gaza City, where up to 400,000 people have not received assistance for several weeks, according to the WFP. UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram said it has been able to bring in dozens of trucks with life-saving supplies, such as family tents, plastic tarpaulin sheets, winter clothes and hygiene kits. The U.N. and aid groups have been able to move more freely across parts of Gaza from which Israeli forces have withdrawn, Haq said. Throughout the war the U.N. had complained of obstacles to delivering and distributing aid in Gaza, blaming impediments on Israel and lawlessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This improved access has allowed partners to scale up the response to the most urgent needs," he said. AGENCIES FACE ONGOING RESTRICTIONS Around 50 international aid groups, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE and Oxfam, have still not received clearance for supplies to enter as they face ongoing registration barriers. "We're in this limbo ... The needs of a population that has experienced famine over a period of months is not going to be met with a few trucks," Bushra Khalidi, an Oxfam policy adviser said. COGAT previously said that aid trucks operated by the U.N. and "approved international organizations", the private sector, and donor countries would be allowed to enter Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catholic Relief Services has, however, received permission to bring in supplies with shelter as a priority, Jason Knapp, an official with the organization, told Reuters from Gaza. US-BACKED AID GROUP PAUSES OPERATIONS The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it has temporarily paused its operations. It last distributed aid on Friday and has dismantled one of its four distribution sites, said a GHF spokesperson, adding that the site could reopen elsewhere in Gaza. The GHF says it currently has funding to continue operating until the end of November and that while it would make "tactical adjustments" to its operations, it was still committed to delivering aid to as many people in Gaza as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel and the United States wanted the U.N. to work through the GHF, but the U.N. refused, questioning the neutrality of the GHF and accusing the distribution model of militarizing aid and forcing displacement. The United Nations human rights office said in July that it had recorded more than 600 deaths of people seeking aid - near GHF sites and U.N. aid convoys. For the past several months U.N. data showed that most of its aid was looted off trucks in Gaza either by hungry people or armed groups. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Additional reporting by Jonathan Spicer in Istanbul, Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Deepa Babington) Israel has expressed its condolences to Nepal after the return from the Gaza Strip of the body of a Nepalese agricultural student. There has been widespread sympathy in Israel for 23-year-old Bipin Joshi, who the Israeli authorities believe was murdered in captivity in the first few months after his abduction on October 7, 2023. His sister had given a tearful speech at a large rally for the hostages in Tel Aviv in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four sets of remains handed over by Hamas on Monday have now been identified, including those of Bipin Joshi. According to media reports, 10 other Nepalese citizens were killed in the Hamas massacre, many of them part of a programme for agricultural students in an Israeli kibbutz on the edge of the Gaza Strip. Memorial ceremonies are planned in Israel and Nepal for the transfer of Joshi's body, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said. People pay their respects outside the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute as the bodies of four hostages,Daniel Peretz, Yossi Sharabi, Guy Iluz, and Nepali citizen Bipin Joshi, arrive from Gaza, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Israel has handed over the bodies of 45 Palestinians as part of an agreement with the militant organization Hamas. The remains were brought to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), medical sources in the coastal territory said on Tuesday. Genetic tests are now to be carried out at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip to identify the bodies. Afterwards, the families will be able to bury their dead relatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The handover took place one day after Hamas released 20 living hostages and handed over the remains of four people: three Israelis and a student from Nepal. Israel also released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Jacksonville Council to vote on allowing Duval School Board to hire independent legal counsel The Jacksonville City Council is expected to decide whether the school board can hire its own in-house legal counsel. This is something that every other public school system in Florida already has the authority to do. But Jacksonville has a decades-old arrangement with its office of general counsel handling the school districts legal issues. It dates back to Duvals consolidation. In August, the school board adopted a resolution that proposed revisions to the city charter. This resolution paved the way for the board to seek legal independence from the City of Jacksonvilles Office of General Counsel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school boards legislative platform argues that bringing a legal counsel in-house would not only align representation with the boards vision and mission but also provide the district freedom from outside influence. But Duval parent and advocate, Kattie Hathaway, raised concerns. Allowing our school board to change it just to hire their own legal counsel undermines the foundation of our consolidated government, Hathaway said. I cannot emphasize enough how consequential this move would be. A source close to the situation also told Action News Jax the change could potentially be politically motivated, with some considering General Counsel Michael Facklers offices interpretation of the law too progressive and not constitutionally focused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But District 7 School Board Member Melody Bolduc said that is not the case at all. Its not political at all, Bolduc said. We have people on both sides of the aisle supporting this move. Truthfully, its just the pragmatic move; it just makes sense. She said there are 47 board-certified education attorneys in the state, and none of them applied to the citys job posting. The city has shown itself incapable of attracting the kind of attorney we need, Bolduc said. The council is expected to vote on this resolution during Tuesdays meeting. And then the Duval Delegation of state legislators will discuss it during a local public hearing on October 22nd at 1:00 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. (The Center Square) President Donald Trump's weekend move to pay U.S. troops during a partial government shutdown raised legal questions, but it also relieved pressure on Republicans as a congressional funding lapse stretched into a 14th day. Trump on Saturday said he identified funds to pay service members on Oct. 15, a paycheck that 1.3 million military members were set to miss because Congress failed to pass a spending plan on time. A Department of War official on Saturday said the agency identified about "$8 billion of unobligated research development testing and evaluation funds (RDTE) from the prior fiscal year that will be used to issue mid-month paychecks to service members." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., told CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday that the move was "probably not" legal. House Speaker Mike Johnson told Democrats to go ahead with a challenge to the military paychecks. "If the Democrats want to go to court and challenge troops being paid, bring it," Johnson said Tuesday during a news conference at the Capitol. Trump on Tuesday said a wealthy donor offered to pay the troops during the shutdown. Late Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the U.S. Coast Guard would also get paid. "President Trump did not want any of our military to go without pay as a result of Democrats' political theater, and we at DHS worked out an innovative solution to make sure that didn't happen," Noem wrote in a post on X. "Thanks to President Trump's leadership and the One Big Beautiful Bill, the brave men and women of the US Coast Guard will not miss a paycheck this week as they continue to carry out their critical homeland security and military missions." Typically, military members don't get paid when Congress fails to approve funding. However, Trump said he directed U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to find the cash to make sure U.S. troops get their next paycheck on Oct. 15. Many were preparing to go without, as they had in previous shutdowns. Global copper mine output is projected to grow by 2.1% in 2025 to 23.4 million tonnes, up from 22.9 million tonnes in 2024. The modest growth is primarily due to output declines in Australia and Indonesia, which will constrain global expansion. However, these shortfalls will be partly offset by production gains in Zambia, Chile, Mongolia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Peru. Zambia, which accounted for 4.2% of global copper output in 2024, is set to deliver the largest contribution to growth in 2025. Output is projected to rise by 19.2% to 937.5 kilotonnes, driven by the turnaround of ZCCM Investment Holdings Mopani mine. Investments are boosting underground development, modernising infrastructure, and improving financial health. Additional supply will come from Vedantas investment in the Konkola Copper Mine, signalling a new phase for Zambias mining sector. In Mongolia, the ramp-up of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine, one of the worlds largest copper mines, will underpin growth and provide a significant medium-term contribution. In Peru, higher output from China Minmetals Las Bambas complex and the commissioning of the Chalcobamba pit in late 2024 are expected to lift production to 360-400 kilotonnes in 2025, up from 322.9 kilotonnes in 2024. Sustained performance at the Ferrobamba pit will also bolster growth. The DRCs output will rise with capacity expansions at CMOCs Tenke Fungurume and Kisanfu projects, along with progress in the Heshima Hydropower Project that supports reliable energy supply. Chile, holding a 23% share of global copper output in 2024, will see a modest 2% increase in output in 2025 as key operations recover. However, this will be offset by production declines at the Collahuasi and Los Bronces mines due to lower-grade ore and delayed infrastructure projects. Canada will benefit from improved grades at Teck Resources Highland Valley Copper (HVC) mine and the approved HVC Mine Life Extension project, extending operations to 2046 and sustaining an average annual output of 132 kilotonnes. However, this growth will be partially offset by planned lower production Indonesia and Australia, where combined output is expected to fall from 1.8 million tonnes in 2024 to 1.5 million tonnes in 2025. In Indonesia, output at PT Freeport Indonesias (PTFI) Grasberg Block Cave mine, one of the worlds largest copper-gold deposits, is set to decline due to lower ore grades and reduced operating rates. Production was further disrupted in September 2025, when a large flow of wet material at one production block restricted access and temporarily suspended mining activities. Additionally, the Indonesian governments ban on copper concentrate and anode sludge exports from 1 January 2025, has limited external shipments, though PTFI received a temporary six-month waiver due to delays in its new smelter caused by a fire. Meanwhile, Indonesias landmark free trade agreement with the EU, concluded on 23 September 2025, eliminates duties on over 90% of goods and is expected to enhance access to critical minerals such as nickel and copper. This may shape longer-term trade flows, even as near-term production remains constrained. On September 9, in a dusty school hall in a remote corner of northern Uganda, rows of men and women sat stiff-backed on wooden chairs watching a flickering TV set. The air was taut with anticipation. Three thousand miles away, at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, charges were being read out against Joseph Kony, the warlord who gained global notoriety for terrorising this region as leader of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). Only one figure was missing: Kony himself. Kony is still believed to be hiding somewhere in central Africa. However, in an unprecedented step, the ICC is pressing ahead without him, confirming charges in absentia in the hope that, if he is captured, a full trial can quickly begin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal experts say the proceedings could act as a blueprint for other high-profile ICC indictees at large, including Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister. The move has stirred a tangle of emotions in Uganda. Some struggle to see how justice can be done without the man in the dock. Others would rather not hear his name at all. Spectators at an ICC-hosted screening of the hearings against Joseph Kony in Gulu - Sophie Neiman It is now two decades since the court first unsealed its warrant for Konys arrest. Today, northern Uganda is peaceful but poor, and it is still haunted by the ghosts of the war Kony waged there in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Between 1987 and 2004, some 25,000 children were forced to become soldiers, and some two million people were displaced internally by his religious army. Atrocities included razing villages, summary executions and abducting young girls for use as sex slaves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the school hall, silence fell as the prosecution opened its case in the Hague, listing the 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity against him. Evelyn Amony was abducted from her family home in 1994, aged 12. At first, she served as babysitter for Konys children. Once she turned 14, however, Kony decided to make her his wife. They give you to anyone, whether you want to or not, she told The Telegraph. If you refuse, they kill you. She had three children with Kony, who was more than twice her age. I wanted to be a doctor, but my future got lost, she said. Evelyn Amony was abducted by the Lords Resistance Army as a young girl and forced to marry Joseph Kony - Sophie Neiman Her fellow captive, Franka Akello, served as a babysitter for her children. Ms Amony tried to care for the younger girl. She told me not to worry so much about home, because there will come a time when all of us will go back home, Ms Akello said. The two women both remember Kony cutting a commanding presence. He claimed to be able to channel spirits, telling them that he was protected from bullets on the battlefield and able to predict the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former LRA commanders, speaking anonymously, described the groups leader with the same mixture of fear and reverence. One claimed Konys eyes blazed red when a spirit took over. Konys story began in the village of Odek, where he served as an altar boy at the local Catholic parish. He was always laughing, recalled Zakeo Onen, one of Konys cousins. They grew up together on the family homestead. In some ways he was a child like any other. Kony paid attention in school and enjoyed swimming in a nearby stream. Yet according to Mr Onen, his cousin began to change until it seemed he had become possessed. Kony in 2006, arriving for peace talks in Southern Sudans jungle - Adam Pletts/Getty Images That transformation was rooted in wider upheaval. The Lords Resistance Army grew from the ashes of the Holy Spirit Movement, led by Alice Auma. The mediums followers walked into battle against Ugandan President Yoweri Musevenis forces armed with rocks, convinced the stones would become grenades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Auma fled into exile in Kenya in 1987, Kony gathered the remnants of her troops to form the LRA. He bolstered its ranks by abducting tens of thousands of children to serve as soldiers, while he and his commanders took the girls for wives. Konys stated aim was to overthrow the Ugandan government and establish a new order based on the Ten Commandments. In practice, the LRA turned its weapons on the Acholi civilians of northern Uganda, attacking schools and villages across the region. The Ugandan government responded with military force, deploying its army to fight the LRA. It tortured and killed civilians in these battles, according to Human Rights Watch. The government also drove millions of people off their land, creating unprotected resettlement camps where disease and hunger were rife. More influential in containing fighting was the Amnesty Act of 2000, which allowed any LRA combatants who surrendered to receive clemency and return home. One of the many young boys who joined as a fighter in the Lords Resistance Army - Adam Pletts/Getty Images More than 12,900 members of the LRA walked out of the bush as a result. They underwent forgiveness rituals rooted in Acholi custom before returning to their farms and families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Onen himself joined the military, hoping that his cousin Kony would see him on the frontline and return home. Then, in 2003, Uganda asked the newly formed International Criminal Court to step in. Indictments for Kony and four of his top lieutenants were the first the court ever delivered. Kony and his remaining forces fled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they continued to abduct children and attack civilians. One of the fighters who followed Kony into Congo was James, who spoke to The Telegraph using a pseudonym. James was abducted at the age of 12, early in the war. He rose slowly through the ranks to become a senior commander. He says the LRA abducted children like him because they made the best soldiers. [Konys] mission was to overthrow the government. To have good fighters, you need to have children who have no wives, who have no family, he said. Spectators arrive at a screening of a confirmation of charges hearing against Jospeh Kony, hosted by the International Criminal Court in the city of Gulu - Sophie Neiman James returned home two years ago. He wants Kony to be forgiven, just as he was, but fears the confirmation of charges at the ICC will prevent Kony from surrendering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will never come back if he keeps hearing about this, James said. He recalled how the LRA leader listened to the radio each night before going to sleep, switching between the BBC and Voice of America. Hes clearly watching and listening from the beginning to the end. And hes planning all possible means not to reach this court, said James. For the ICC, the new hearings aim to focus the worlds attention on continued freedom of a brutal war criminal. Its a moment to reinvigorate the fact that Joseph Kony remains a fugitive. We reinvigorate the interests of the international community to continue looking for Joseph Kony, said Maria Kamara, the ICC spokesperson in Uganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when the courts significance is being questioned, returning to its first case is a reminder of the ICCs power. Defence lawyers for Kony called the ICCs confirmation of charges an enormous expense of time, money and effort for no benefit at all. Maria Kamera, a spokesperson for the International Criminal Court in Uganda, photographs spectators at a screening - Sophie Neiman On the streets of Gulu, questions abound. One of Konys sons, born in LRA captivity, wants simply to speak to his father. When conflicts happen, there is destruction and people lose lives, but only he has the answers, said Kaidi, speaking under a nickname given to him by Kony. To others, the ICC process is opaque and confusing. The first and only LRA commander tried at the ICC was Dominic Ongwen, a child soldier abducted by Kony who served as a brigade commander. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was pronounced guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity similar to those with which Kony is charged, including attacking civilians and forcing other children in the LRA, in February 2021 and subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison. But Reparations have yet to be paid to Ongwens victims. Franka Akello babysat Jospeh Konys children after being abducted by the Lords Resistance Army - Sophie Neiman According to Scott Bartell, who manages ICC programs in Uganda through the Trust Fund for Victims, Ongwens will be by far the largest reparations order in the courts history. Mr Bartell says that the Trust Fund hopes to receive a list of those victims before the end of this year, at which point they can begin making payments to the most vulnerable. They also plan to support memorial and rehabilitation programmes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need the list of victims. We also need the continued support of the donors, Mr Bartell told The Telegraph. Its a challenge to go to the donor community and continuously say here is another priority. For Konys victims, compensation cannot come soon enough. Franka Akello, the woman who worked as a babysitter in Konys camp, is eager to see Kony tried. She wanted to attend the hearings in September but did not have the 4 for transport on a public taxi to attend the public screenings. Ms Amony, once one of Konys wives, is now a peace activist. She asked simply: When will this world come together to help victims? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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 hearing was held Tuesday on the future of Pedro Hernandez whose conviction was overturned last July in the 1979 murder of 6-year-old Etan Patz. The federal judge said she needs a few more days to decide whether the now 64-year-old should be released from prison or should be given a new trial date. She referred to the crime as a nightmare dating back nearly 50 years. The Manhattan District Attorney's office wants Hernandez to stay behind bars at Clinton Correctional Facility until the Supreme Court decides whether to hear its case to restore the conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Hernandez's lawyers say he should be freed unless prosecutors set a new trial date within a "reasonable" amount of time. "The second circuit did not make its decision on a technicality here, but found that there was an error made at the trial, which meant that an innocent person was convicted, that trial is set aside, and we want one of two things, for there to be another trial or more importantly, we urge the district attorney's office to make a decision to not retry for a third time Pedro Hernandez," defense attorney Harvey Fishbein said. Prosecutors asked the federal judge to given them 90 days to decide whether they would put Hernandez on trial again. Defense attorneys said prosecutors should only have 30 days. Hernandez's first trial in 2015 ended up in a hung jury. But he was retried in 2017 and convicted of kidnapping and murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then this summer the verdict was surprisingly vacated on the grounds of improper jury instructions. Hernandez was a teenager working at a convenience shop in Etan's downtown Manhattan neighborhood when the boy vanished. Police met him while canvassing the area but didn't suspect him until they got a 2012 tip that he'd made remarks years earlier about having killed a child in New York, not mentioning Etan's name. Etan's case contributed to an era of fear among American families, making anxious parents more protective of kids who had been allowed to roam and play unsupervised in their neighborhoods. The Patzs' advocacy helped establish a national missing-children hotline and made it easier for law enforcement agencies to share information about such cases. The May 25 anniversary of Etan's disappearance became National Missing Children's Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Some information from the Associated Press) ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * Follow us on YouTube * More local news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. A Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge on Monday declined an activists request to immediately block Miami Dade College from officially deeding over downtown land for Donald Trumps presidential library. But Judge Mavel Ruiz, presiding over a lawsuit alleging the college violated Floridas Sunshine law last month when trustees voted to transfer the land to the state, left the door open to temporarily stop the move in the future. The hearing the first in the case brought last week by historian Marvin Dunn was only about whether the college is allowed to proceed with the deed transfer while the case moves forward. Though trustees voted to convey the land to the state last month, as of Monday, the land is still in the colleges possession. Dunn wants Ruiz to issue a temporary injunction to ensure it stays that way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without ruling on the fundamental question in the case, Ruiz said Dunn had not yet established the right to sue by showing that he is a Florida citizen. Dunns attorneys said he was out of the country on a pre-planned trip and paperwork had not been fully processed due to closures related to the federal holiday. Former Florida International University professor and historian Marvin Dunn speaks to attendees about the Rosewood Massacre during a Black History Learning Tree event at FIU on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Miami, Fla. The hourlong hearing nevertheless gave new insight into the Colleges strategy to fight the allegations that they didnt properly notify the public about the meeting where the trustees voted to hand over the land. Miami-Dade Colleges Board of Trustees voted without discussion to transfer land adjacent to the Freedom Tower it purchased in 2004 for $25 million to a state board during a Sept. 23 meeting that lasted less than five minutes. Floridas Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund led by the governor and state Cabinet voted the following week to give the land to Trumps library foundation. The colleges attorneys stressed during Mondays hearing that the college did issue a public notice about its special meeting to discuss potential real estate transactions. That notice did not mention a specific parcel of land or the purpose of the transfer, and the college ignored questions from the Miami Herald the day before the meeting about whether the vote was intended to facilitate the construction of Trumps presidential library. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The true purpose of the vote wasnt revealed until moments after, when Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the land would be used for the library. The presidents son has since announced a plan to build a high-rise on the site. But the colleges attorneys argued that Floridas Sunshine law does not require additional details, only the fact of a meeting happening. Theyre asking your honor to impose a requirement beyond the statutory requirement, Jesus Suarez, who was representing Miami Dade College, told the judge. Which is to say that the specificity of the notice was somehow insufficient. ... I understand that theyd like that to be the state of the law, but its just not there. The judge appeared skeptical of their reading of Floridas Sunshine law throughout the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a very narrow issue for the court: Was this reasonable notice? Yes or no, Ruiz said. The court would not be making new law. It would be rightly or wrongly deciding whether or not the facts and the circumstance constitute reasonable notice. She also anticipated a long road ahead for the case. Thank goodness that theres a Third District Court of Appeals because this situation makes it a reasonable person of one, its what I think, she said. Once the college formally hands over the deed, Dunns attorneys said it would be more difficult to correct the alleged harm by forcing a new, publicly noticed meeting. In the long run, even if Dunns case is successful, the colleges trustees could still hand over the land it would just force an opportunity for the public to weigh in. A recent poll by Bendixen & Amandi International found that a large majority of Miami-Dade voters preferred that the college keep the property in its control, rather than give it away to be used for Trumps presidential library. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its plain that the alienation of such a valuable piece of public property, especially this iconic land, is a matter of great potential public injury, Dunns attorney Andres Rivero argued. At one point Judge Ruiz, who appeared sympathetic to their case, interrupted Rivero to say, This is not a case about politics, this is a case about whether the Sunshine law was violated. I couldnt have said it better myself, Rivero responded. A federal arson case against former Turkey Leg Hut owner Lynn Price will not be thrown out over accusations he was betrayed by his former defense lawyer, a federal judge ruled Friday. Price, who has been in federal custody since his arrest in April, argued last month that the case against him is fatally flawed because one of his co-defendants was represented by Letitia Quinones-Hollins, who previously represented Price in criminal matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Timeline of the allegations against Turkey Leg Hut owner Lynn Price Price is accused of ordering the 2020 arson fire at Bar 5015, a restaurant that belonged to a former business partner with whom he was feuding. He's pleaded not guilty and is currently scheduled to go on trial next month alongside the three men he allegedly hired. However, federal prosecutors have already indicated that one of the men, John Lee Price, is set to testify against Lynn Price. The men are not family but have a longstanding working relationship. Prosecutors allege that John Lee Price worked as a "ranch hand" for Lynn Price, a job that included stealing cars and dealing marijuana at the business owner's direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Lee Price is represented by Quinones-Hollins, who had previously represented Lynn Price in other criminal cases, including a 2016 tax fraud case. In a September hearing, Lynn Price's lawyers argued that his civil rights had been violated because his former lawyer had arranged for her new client to speak to the FBI. Lynn Price argued that his case should be thrown out because his right to unbiased legal representation had been violated. Quinones-Hollins was hired to represent John Lee Price after he was arrested in Alabama on a drug-trafficking charge. During the FBI's investigation into the arson, Lynn Price also tried to get Quinones-Hollins to defend him. Sometime in 2021 or 2022 - attorneys didn't specify an exact date - Lynn Price confronted an FBI agent who was staking out his home. During the encounter, Lynn Price called Quinones-Hollins, who briefly spoke to the agent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quinones-Hollins testified that the phone call was a surprise and denied that she acted as Lynn Price's lawyer. She wouldn't have taken on his case at that time, she said, because he still owed her $20,000 for her past work. Judge Sim Lake agreed the phone call didn't create a privileged relationship between the lawyer and the suspect. "The credible evidence established that attorney Quinones-Hollins never intended to represent the defendant in this case," Lake wrote in his ruling. He also found there was no evidence that Quinones-Hollins shared privileged information about Lynn Price with federal prosecutors. The Justice Department painted the situation as one that Lynn Price caused of his own accord. In a briefing, prosecutors argued that Price had directed his ranch hands to contact specific lawyers if they got into legal trouble - which prosecutors described as an act of control. One of those lawyers brought in Quinones-Hollins to represent John Lee Price. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[Price] trapped himself in his own web of manipulation," the prosecutors wrote. Price and the other men are scheduled to go on trial Nov. 17. This article originally published at Judge denies bid to toss arson case against former Turkey Leg Hut owner Lynn Price. Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar stands during a press conference in Helena, Montana, on July 29, 2025. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan) A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge found Gov. Greg Gianforte has the authority and responsibility to investigate a complaint filed against Montana Public Service Commission President Brad Molnar and Molnar has a duty to cooperate in the investigation. In the order, Judge Mike Menahan denied a motion to stop the governor from acting on a complaint filed against Molnar that alleged he was interfering with an internal investigation and should be suspended from elected office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Montana, the governor has the authority to suspend a commissioner if the commissioner fails to perform their duties, as described in state law. Last month, the judge temporarily blocked Gianforte from suspending Molnar, finding the complaint against him was invalid, and that voters in his district would lose representation if he was suspended. PSC Vice President Jennifer Fielder had filed the complaint with Gianforte, but Molnar alleged she did not follow agency policy in requesting the suspension, rendering her complaint unathorized. Fielder made the complaint as chairperson of an internal Public Service Commission response team handling allegations of professional misconduct against Molnar. Fielder could not be immediately reached for comment early Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allegations against Molnar include that he was interfering with the investigation and engaged in sexual harassment, which included jokes or innuendo. Molnar has denied interfering with the investigation. He earlier told the Daily Montanan he made a joke that he later was told had sexual innuendo, but he was not aware of any such reference. PSC spokesperson Alana Lake said Tuesday she could not comment on the status of the investigation. Lake said Molnar had removed her role as the agencys media contact, and she apologized for the inconvenience. I do not believe this (removal) is in line with our policies, so will be challenging this, but I dont want to overstep until this is solidified, Lake said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Molnar said Tuesday he has not been presented with results of the investigation but said he was told roughly one week ago that it would need to be redone. He said the court order appears to give governors the ability to suspend any commissioner based on an unsubstantiated complaint. This is a far-, far-, far-reaching case, Molnar said. A spokesperson for Gianforte could not be reached early Tuesday afternoon for comment on the status of the complaint to the governor. The Governors Office did not take a position on the court case. In the motion to the court, Molnar alleged Fielder had failed to follow internal policies before filing the complaint, including that she obtain four affirmative votes by commissioners, and therefore, the complaint was invalid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the order Friday, Menahan said the court agrees there are questions whether Fielder acted in violation of internal policy when she sent the complaint to the governor. However, the judge also said Molnars arguments that Fielder didnt follow internal policies are not relevant to the governors authority to act on the complaint. He said Montana law is simple and unambiguous. The governor has the authority to act when a complaint is presented to him or her, said the order. While Molnar argues that the governors review and suspension is triggered only upon the filing of a valid complaint, the statute contains no such requirement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge also said the harms that Molnar outlined are either speculative or largely against others the public. In this case, the judge said Molnar is not representing electors. And the judge said a prerequisite for a preliminary injunction in this case, to tie the hands of the governor is that the applicant himself is likely to suffer harm. The order acknowledged Molnar identified personal injuries too, but the judge said they are, at this point, entirely speculative. Any harm to Molnar would occur only if, following the governors investigation into the allegations in the complaint, he found good cause to suspend Molnar and acted to do so, the judge wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said the four factors that determine whether a preliminary injunction is warranted all tipped in Fielders favor, and Molnar was unlikely to succeed on the merits. In an email, lawyer Matthew Monforton, representing Molnar, said he and his client were disappointed with the ruling. Molnar had alleged the attempt to suspend him comes out of his firm stance that NorthWestern Energy should be transparent and the Public Service Commission should not help it operate in the dark. Governor Gianforte and the big utilities are one step closer to completely hijacking the PSC from Montana voters, Monforton said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PSC spokesperson Lake earlier said the allegations against Molnar are unrelated to NorthWestern Energy, the states largest public utility. At a meeting in September, PSC staff had asked commissioners to not rescind the complaint filed with the Governors Office. Staff expressed support for Molnars experience and commitment but concern over his refusal to participate in the investigation. Molnar took office in January 2025, but he earlier served on the PSC in 2007 when it denied the sale of NorthWestern to an Australian company, Babcock and Brown Infrastructure, and then saw Babcock and Brown file for bankruptcy. NorthWestern recently announced a merger with Black Hills Corp, and it also has a major settlement pending with the Public Service Commission. Public Service Commissioners are elected by district, and Molnar represents District 2, a portion of Montana along the south central border. A circuit court judge on Tuesday ordered Central Florida Congressman Cory Mills not to come within 500 feet of his ex-girlfriend and said in his ruling that the reigning Miss United States is a victim of dating violence. Lindsey Langston who also is a state GOP committee woman had sought a restraining order against the 45-year-old Republican congressman, whose district includes Seminole County. The 26-year-old Columbia County resident accused Mills of threatening to release nude images of her and physically harm her future boyfriends after she ended their relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills had vehemently denied Langstons allegations, but Circuit Judge Fred Koberlein Jr. said he found her testimony believable while Mills was untruthful. The judge said Mills conduct had caused Langston emotional distress and forced her to alter her daily routine out of fear, impairing her ability to perform her job duties and to live a normal life. The couple started dating in November 2021, when she was 22 years old and Mills was 41, married and the father of a young child. However, he had been living separately from his wife since 2019. Koberlein prohibited Mills to have any contact with Langston. And in a special provision written into the order, Mills cannot refer to her on social media including on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restraining order is in effect until Jan. 1. Mills and his office did not respond to requests for comment. Koberlein also said in his ruling that he found Mills testimony about his relationship with Langston difficult to comprehend and for the most part incomprehensible. The ruling came after two days of testimony at a small historic courthouse in Lake City, a small North Florida town where Langston lives. First elected in 2022 and winning re-election last year, Mills has been a strong supporter of President Donald Trump. His district also includes portions of Volusia County. In December 2024, Langston became suspicious of Mills faithfulness and loyalty to their relationship when she discovered he was spending time in Washington D.C. with Sarah Raviani, identified as Girlfriend 2 in court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February 2025, Mills was involved in a domestic dispute with Raviani, which involved law enforcement at his Washington D.C. residence, according to court documents. Langston said she learned of the incident through news reports. Langston then moved out of Mills Volusia County home and ended their relationship. But Mills had a difficult time explaining when the relationship with (Langston) terminated during his testimony, Koberlein said in his ruling, noting the congressman claimed at times it was unwinding but also said the two were trying to reconcile. Though Raviani was living with him in Washington D.C., Mills continued to call and text Langston nearly a dozen times through June, causing her substantial emotional distress. She accused the congressman of ignoring her repeated requests and then pleas for him to leave her alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one text message, Mills wrote: May want to tell every guy you date that if we run into each other at any point. Strap up cowboy. Other messages referenced videos, which Langston testified were sexual in nature. In one message Mills wrote: I can send him a few videos of you as well. Oh, I still have them. Mills said in court he had deleted any intimate videos he had of Langston, and he wouldnt have been able to access them because his phone had been damaged. The videos he referred to were not sexual in nature, he testified. One referred to a social media post in which Langston talked about falling in love with another man, he said. Mills also denied threatening Langstons future love interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge noted in his ruling that after Langston filed a petition for the restraining order, Mills contacted her using the other girlfriends phone, contacted her family members and caused a public employee under his direct supervision to contact her, too. The judge wrote that Langston does have a reasonable cause to believe she is in imminent danger of becoming the victim of another act of dating violence without an injunction being entered. Dating violence can mean stalking, according to Florida law. The restraining order is the latest of Mills controversies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Ethics Committee is currently scrutinizing Mills business dealings and financial disclosure statements, incuding whether the congressman benefited from federal contracts while serving in elected office. Mills, an Army veteran with an estimated net worth of about $24 million, is the co-founder of several defense contracting and security companies. LAKE CITY, Fla. A circuit court judge on Tuesday ordered Florida Congressman Cory Mills not to come within 500 feet of his ex-girlfriend and said in his ruling that the reigning Miss United States is a victim of dating violence. Lindsey Langston who also is a state GOP committee woman had sought a restraining order against the 45-year-old Republican congressman, whose district includes Seminole County. Langston, a 26-year-old Columbia County resident, accused Mills of threatening to release nude images of her and physically harm her future boyfriends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills had vehemently denied Langstons allegations, but Circuit Judge Fred Koberlein Jr. said he found her testimony believable while Mills was untruthful. The pair were in a romantic relationship for several years. Koberlein also ordered Mills to not have any contact with Langston and he cannot refer to her on social media including Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Koberlein said in his ruling that he found Mills testimony about his relationship with Langston as difficult to comprehend and for the most part incomprehensible. The ruling came after two days of testimony at a small historic courthouse in Lake City, a small North Florida town where Langston lives. First elected in 2022 and winning re-election last year, Mills has been a strong supporter of President Donald Trump. His district also includes portions of Volusia County. ----------- Florida 3rd Circuit Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr., imposed a protective injunction against Congressman Cory Mills, ordering him to have no contact with his ex-girlfriend, the reigning Miss United States. Lindsey Langston of Lake City first sought the injunction against dating violence in August, saying he had threatened in a series of text messages in May and June to release sex videos to her future boyfriends, and also threatened to do them harm. U.S. Rep. Cory Mills testifies during a hearing in a Columbia County courtroom on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. Mills' ex-girlfriend Lindsey Langston, a Republican state committeewoman and the reigning Miss United States, sought a restraining order against Mills. Koberlein, in a 14-page order issued on Oct. 14, wrote a final judgment of injunction for protection against dating violence. The injunction is effective until Jan. 1, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In it, Koberlein wrote that Mills shall not commit violence nor have contact with Langston, stating that Mills shall not go within 500 feet of her home, or 100 feet of her vehicle. "The respondent shall not directly refer to petitioner on social media, including, but not limited to, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Tik Tok or any other social media platform," the order states. Columbia County Circuit Judge Fred Koberlein, Jr., listens to attorney John Terhune of Daytona Beach in closing arguments in the civil harassment case brought against U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, in Lake City, Fla., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. On Oct. 14, 2025, Koberlein granted Mills' ex-girlfriend Lindsey Langston, a state GOP committeewoman and the reigning Miss United States, a no-contact order against him until Jan. 1, 2026. Mills, a Republican, represents Florida's 7th Congressional District, consisting of Seminole and southern Volusia counties in the House. He was first elected in 2022. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Married congressman had live-in girlfriends in Florida, D.C. Mills, who is married, said he is in the process of getting a divorce and began seeing Langston the reigning Miss United States and a Columbia County Republican state committeewoman in November 2021. Langston moved in with Mills in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She testified she moved out of Mills' New Smyrna Beach home in February, after learning of a police investigation involving Mills and his other live-in girlfriend, Sarah Raviani, at their Washington, D.C., penthouse. Raviani called the police, who investigated a possible assault. Mills was never charged and denied wrongdoing. At two September hearings before Judge Koberlein, Mills testified he and Langston were texting and messaging after the February breakup in a period of possible reconciliation, as the couple had previously broken up two years prior, but had gotten back together. "Even though it was from February to June, ... I view that as being a single conversation. The point of that conversation, the intent, was to determine whether we were unwinding or whether there was a reconciliation capability," Mills testified. Mills believed Langston was seeing someone else and even though he was living with someone else as well asked that while they were considering reconciling, she not date others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Koberlein wrote that Langston was clear that she believed the relationship was over when she moved out in February. Mills was less definitive. "(Mills') suggestion that he was uncertain about the status of the parties' relationship during May 2025 through June 2025 was difficult to comprehend and for the most part incomprehensible," Koberlein wrote. "The parties had no joint assets or liabilities making it unclear why or how they would 'unwind' their relationship. "Why (Mills) would conceive the relationship as reconcilable after more than three to four months from the time (Langston) moved out of (Mills') Florida residence is unclear." He noted that the amount of time is "twice the duration of the initial reconciliation period" in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Moreover, a reasonable person would not perceive the relationship between the parties as being reconcilable when (Raviani, whom the order referred to as "GF2") was, and had been, residing with (Mills)." Mills continued to communicate with Langston with "no legitimate purpose," the ruling states. Lindsey Langston, a state GOP committeewoman and the reigning Miss United States, testifies during cross-examination by her ex-boyfriend's attorney, John Terhune of Daytona Beach. Langston asked a Columbia County judge for a restraining order against Florida Congressman Cory Mills, who, she said, repeatedly texted and messaged her after she begged him to stop. Who is Cory Mills? Florida congressman slapped with restraining order. What we know Judge cites messages Mills sent Langston In one of the messages in question, dated May 22, Mills wrote to Langston: "I'm sorry this is how you treat things. Good luck to you. Thanks again for the videos." Langston testified that Mills was referring to several videos of herself she had sent him that were sexual in nature, as well as one Mills himself had made depicting the two of them having sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another message exchange, dated June 12, Langston said to Mills: "Leave me alone." Mills replied: "Okay Linds. Get me his number and I can send him videos. Take care." Mills later testified that he was referring to videos of her baking in their home. He testified he had lost access to the sex videos she had sent to him when his phone broke, and denied ever filming the two of them having sex. "The court, considering the totality of the testimony and circumstances, does not find (Mills') testimony concerning the intimate videos to be truthful," Koberlein wrote. "... There was no evidence presented suggesting (Langston) knew (Mills) no longer had possession of their intimate videos. The effect of (Mills') references to videos and the dissemination of such on (Langston) had been made." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Langston's attorney, Bobi Frank of Gainesville, argued during closing comments at a Sept. 26 hearing that the petition met the burden required for the injunction to be issued, particularly by proving the emotional distress that Mills' messages caused. "(Langston) advised this court that she sought out a therapist. She has a prescription for anti-anxiety and panic medication. She changed her entire world, her entire schedule," Frank said. "She is in fear of going out. She had emotional breakdowns to the point where her family members had to pick her up off the floor from the fetal position, all because of Cory Mills' repeated pattern of harassment, intimidation and threats." Mills was his only witness, Frank argued, "and I don't think that anybody can state that his credibility is where it needs to be for this court to take that with significant weight over Ms. Langston. He was repeatedly impeached on cross-examination." Koberlein cited the impact of Mills' messages on Langston, calling them "significant" in his ruling. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida congressman ordered by judge to have no contact with ex-lover (NewsNation) A K-9 unit in Indiana located two missing children Sunday after they became separated from their mother in the Hoosier National Forest. Deputy Cody Loncaric and his K-9, Knox, were dispatched to the scene to help locate the missing 11-year-olds, according to the Brown County Sheriffs Office. According to a Facebook post by the sheriffs office, Knox began his first track closer to where the children went missing. Police release sketch of missing 11-year-old NYC boy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-9 Knox pointed first responders in the right direction and helped to successfully locate the two missing juveniles, the post said. We are beyond thankful for the great teamwork put together by all involved. Knox has been serving with the sheriffs office since June, after graduating from Redemption Ranch K9. According to the organization, Knoxs life began as a stray outside an Indiana truck stop before he was rescued. Now, hes busy returning the favor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. (Reuters) -General Motors said on Tuesday it would take a $1.6 billion charge in the third quarter as it reshapes its electric vehicle strategy following the scrapping of a key federal incentive, a move likely to dampen demand. U.S. carmakers have delayed or canceled new EV models and battery plants and pared other investments, citing weaker-than-expected demand. The market faces further strain after the Trump administration removed a $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs, a key support for the industry. EV ADOPTION RATE TO SLOW "Following recent U.S. Government policy changes, including the termination of certain consumer tax incentives for EV purchases and the reduction in the stringency of emissions regulations, we expect the adoption rate of EVs to slow," GM said in a filing on Tuesday. Shares of the Detroit, Michigan-based automaker were down 2.5% in premarket trading. The stock has been up about 4.5% this year. Some auto industry executives, including Ford CEO Jim Farley, have warned that EV sales will drop significantly in the absence of the tax credit. However, some, including the CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, have said that the EV market remains resilient. Both GM and crosstown rival Ford had launched a program that would have allowed dealers to offer a $7,500 tax credit on EV leases after the federal subsidy expired, before walking back on those plans. The changes will not affect GM's current portfolio of its Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac EVs that are in production. The Detroit automaker warned of the possibility of further charges as a result of the reassessment of its capacity and manufacturing footprint, which it said was still ongoing. The charges comprise a $1.2 billion non-cash impairment related to EV capacity adjustments and $400 million for contract-cancellation fees and commercial settlements. The charges will be recorded as adjustments to the automakers non-GAAP results for the third quarter scheduled for early next weeek. (Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid) Castle Brazil, a student at Johnson County Community College, listens to discussion at an Oct. 13, 2025, forum on redistricting at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church in Lenexa. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) LENEXA Castle Brazil sat alone Monday night in the back of a church sanctuary in Lenexa as he processed the insane revelations about Republican plans for a special session on redistricting. The Johnson County Community College student who sat with a sign reading, People choose the politicians / not the other way! said it angered him that other people his age werent interested in attending the public forum. When Brazil tried to get a friend to come with him, the friend decided he would rather go to McDonalds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An aspiring teacher, Brazil said he is civically engaged in part because his mom is active duty military and his dad is with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. When I talk to people my age, the most common response is, Oh, I dont really keep up with that stuff. But when I tell them actually whats going on, then they get upset, Brazil said. Its like, if they actually knew, they would be upset, too. One of the things he learned at the forum: Republicans could vote on new congressional maps as soon as Nov. 7. Thats insane, right? Brazil said. Republican legislative leaders on Monday authorized $460,000 to cover up to four days of a special session, which is contingent on getting two-thirds of both the state Senate and House members to sign a petition. Their goal would be to gerrymander Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids out of office by fragmenting Johnson County among two or more congressional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said in a statement that there was a misunderstanding out there about redistricting efforts. Im not drawing a map, Masterson said. A group of federal redistricting experts is developing a map from a federal perspective. A spokesperson didnt immediately respond to a Kansas Reflector inquiry seeking clarity about who the experts are and the meaning of a federal perspective. Masterson confirmed to Kansas Reflector that legislators were preparing to meet Wednesday with White House policy staff in Washington, D.C., to discuss a range of administration policy priorities. But, he said, redistricting is not on the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat who is seeking her partys nomination for governor in next years race, organized the Monday night forum to bring awareness to the community about the prospect of a special session on redistricting. She was joined in the panel discussion by Connie Brown Collins, of the Voter Rights Network of Wyandotte County, and Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park. Johnson County Commissioner Julie Brewer moderated the discussion for a crowd of about 150 at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church. After the forum, Holscher posted on her campaign Facebook page the names and phone numbers of eight House Republicans who have yet to sign the special session petition. There are 88 Republicans in the House, where 84 are needed to call a special session. Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, says the public could get zero input into Republican plans to draw new congressional maps. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Sticky fingers and a fat crayon Sawyer Clayton predicted Republican legislative leaders would meet with the states GOP congressional delegation while in Washington this week to finalize the drawing of a new map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the build-up to a special session detoured from the usual redistricting process, where congressional and legislative districts are redrawn once every decade to reflect changes in the census count. Those efforts are accompanied by a series of public forums held around the state so a legislative committee can gather feedback. Additionally, Sawyer Clayton said, Republicans in the special session could rely on parliamentary loopholes to ensure the public gets zero input. Instead of holding committee hearings with testimony on the new maps, legislative leaders could bring them straight to the Senate and House floor for a vote. We have heard that that is a possibility, she said. She referred to the situation as this bizarre redistricting scenario hellscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think one of the problems is that when you see politicians drawing maps its kind of a fox guarding the chicken coop kind of thing, Sawyer Clayton said. We want these maps to be drawn with these dignified quills of our founding fathers. Instead, what were seeing is someone with sticky fingers and a big fat crayon following their id, when they should be following their sacred duty. But here we are. She said Republicans were violating the publics trust by placing politics ahead of their duty to serve constituents. A lot of times Ill sit there and Ill look at these moments and Ill think: This is why everyone hates us. This is why everyone hates politicians. Its when these types of games occur, she said. Connie Brown Collins says Wyandotte County voters feel powerless after being split apart by redrawn congressional maps in 2022. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Powerless and disheartened Brown Collins warned the Johnson County crowd that they could suffer the same fate as voters in Wyandotte County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans in 2022 tried to remove Davids from office by breaking the Kansas City metro into two districts. They sliced the north half of Wyandotte County out of Davids 3rd District and placed it into the 2nd District, which covers most of the eastern third of the state, outside of Kansas City and Wichita. To preserve the Republican advantage, they moved the Democratic stronghold of Lawrence out of the 2nd District and into the vast 1st District that covers all of western Kansas. Brown Collins said her community is no longer valued or represented in Congress, and voter turnout has suffered. The community doesnt support the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the presidents executive orders, abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the siphoning of funds from public schools to prop of private schools, or the detention of law-abiding immigrants, she said. The list goes on, she said. These issues and policies directly and negatively impact our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most people, she said, wont even bother to approach Republican U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt, who represents the community, about their concerns. Its not a good situation when you feel powerless to be able to put forth your needs and wants, your priorities, because you dont feel youll be heard, Brown Collins said. So yeah, thats very much the case, and its, its disheartening to a lot of people. Kellie Martiny, left, of Shawnee, talks with her sister-in-law, Chris Martiny, of Overland Park, during the redistricting forum. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Personal attack The discussion at the church, which included a town hall-style round of questions from the audience, was billed as the first public forum on redistricting ahead of the presumed special session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellie Martiny, of Shawnee, adorned in a Davids for Congress T-shirt, sat with her sister-in-law on the front row. In an interview, Martiny said the attempt to drive Davids out of office feels like a personal attack. Yeah, Im really just pissed off, she said. It seems like a power grab. Im here to understand the legalities of it and what we can do about it. Kentucky State University officials are seeking a carve-out bill in the next legislative session to launch two agriculture Ph.D. programs. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) Kentucky State University officials are seeking a carve-out bill in the next legislative session to launch two agriculture Ph.D. programs. The request from the university comes on the heels of the General Assembly passing a law earlier this year to allow public universities to offer more professional and advanced degree programs. That legislation, which had bipartisan support, allows public universities to seek approval to start professional programs such as medicine or architecture and to offer doctor of philosophy degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KSU is asking to begin offering Ph.D. programs in agroecology and sustainability and aquaculture/aquatic science under the universitys land grant umbrella. KSU, located in Frankfort, is the states only public historically Black college or university. University officials appearing before the Interim Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday reiterated throughout their presentation that offering the programs would be at no cost to the state and the university plans to generate revenue for the programs from federal and other funding sources. Among questions asked by lawmakers during the meeting, Republican Senate Floor Leader Max Wise, of Campbellsville, asked the KSU officials how many of the universitys graduate students would be retained by the new doctoral programs and if students could be recruited from other universities. KSU President Koffi Akakpo said the graduate aquaculture program has around 25 students who are about to graduate and most of them could be retained by KSU if it had a Ph.D. program. The university had more than 40 students graduating from graduate programs in agriculture in the spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Rachel Roarx, D-Louisville, asked how the programs could help improve the financial stability of KSU moving forward. In recent years, and before Akakpo was named president, the university has dealt with a number of controversies, including misused funds under a former administration. The legislature in 2022 put the university under a management improvement plan and provided $23 million to help it recover from a budget hole. Its going to generate more revenue to the university, Akakpo said. As I said, we have the scholarship, but we have to give it to students to bring that money, to keep that money. If we dont give it to students, we cannot keep that money. Marcus Bernard, the dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources at KSU, told lawmakers that the creation of the two Ph.D. programs would provide a path for the university to reach R2 status, or a high research activity classification from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Andrew Ray, the chair of the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, said the programs would lead to a much higher skilled workforce in these two critical areas and allow the university to retain students. Maheteme Gebremedhin, the chair of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, echoed that in his remarks, saying that year after year, KSU trains masters level students and they leave Kentucky to apply to doctoral programs elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a compelling case to make in terms of the economic viability of the program. Highly skilled workforces are the cornerstone of Kentucky agriculture, and we want to capitalize on that, Gebremedhin said. Federal officials are also interested in this topic. Ray noted that Republican President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this year calling for the United States to be more competitive in the seafood market. The executive order directs Trump administration officials to develop and implement an America First Seafood Strategy that increases production and exports of U.S. fishery and aquaculture products and domestic processing capacity. Ray said wild fisheries simply cannot supply the demand for such products, but its something academics want to work on. I think we have a really unique opportunity here to work on this and to address this issue. We have an amazing program here, he said. Its got the roots, its got the bones already built, and Im ready to lead it, and the Ph.D. program will really help establish our leadership in this area. Kentucky lawmakers will reconvene for the next legislative session in January. The U.S. Capitol on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, just hours before a federal government shutdown. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) A website created Tuesday ties Senate Leader Phil Bergers son Kevin Berger to a candidacy for Congress but he says he wont be running. The domain kevinbergerforcongress.com was created Tuesday, drawing online attention from the North Carolina political world as Berger and the General Assembly prepare for a mid-decade redistricting push. The identity of the person who registered the site is not available to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The domain change was first flagged by Carolina Forward, a left-leaning group, on social media; a cross-check of the domain name on ICANN, a nonprofit tool that tracks online registration data, confirms that it was created Tuesday. Kevin Berger (Photo: Courtesy of Rockingham County Board of Commissioners) Kevin Berger serves as a Rockingham County commissioner. His father, Phil, has been the N.C. Senate President Pro Tem since 2011. Kevins brother, Phil Jr., serves on the N.C. Supreme Court. Phil Jr. ran for Congress in 2014, losing a primary to former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker. Republican legislative leaders, including Sen. Leader Phil Berger, announced Monday that they plan to redraw the states congressional voting districts during their session next week. NC Newsline contacted Kevin Berger Tuesday to ask if he had registered the domain and whether he was planning to run for Congress. Berger said he was unaware of the domain name registration, and initially did not provide a direct answer about a potential candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am not familiar with what you are talking about, Berger said by text message. I would encourage you to reach out to whomever contacted you to find out about the domain name. When asked again whether he would run for Congress, he responded, I support Virginia Foxx. Rep. Virginia Foxx (Photo by Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images) Foxx, 82, currently represents the county in Washington. But with another round of redistricting on the horizon, Rockingham County could fall within the bounds of a new or significantly altered district. Asked whether his answer would change if he found himself residing in a new district with an open seat, Berger responded, I have no reason to believe that would occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After publication Wednesday morning, Berger clarified by text message that he will not be running for Congress. Sam Page has made so much of a mess of the sheriffs office, he said. I am devoting my time to fixing the mess he made in Rockingham County. Page is running as a primary challenger for his fathers state Senate seat. Berger, who chairs the county board, won one of three open seats on the board in November, earning 24.2% of the vote. He was one of several defendants in a defamation lawsuit tied to the November election and the ongoing efforts to build a casino in the county in 2023. That lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in May. This story was updated at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15 to include further comment from Kevin Berger that he will not be running for Congress. PANAMA CITY Florida State University Panama City will host former ABC News President Kim Godwin for a lunch-and-learn session. The event will be Oct. 15 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Holley Academic Centers St. Joe Community Foundation Lecture Hall, 4750 Collegiate Drive. According to a news release from FSU Panama City, Godwin was the first woman and first person of color to hold the presidents position in ABC News 80-year history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having started her career running local newsrooms in markets across the U.S., Godwin championed excellence and educating everyone about the vital role of journalism in a democracy, the release says. Before joining Disney in 2021, Godwin served as executive vice president of News at CBS. She retired from ABC and broadcast journalism in May 2024." Godwin is a graduate of Florida A&M University, where she earned her bachelor of science in broadcast journalism. Godwin has honorary doctorate degrees from Florida A&M University and Morgan State University. Godwin will be interviewed by Brian Baber, an instructor in the commercial entrepreneurship program at FSU Panama City. Baber is the entrepreneur in residence at FSU PCs Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, specializing in real estate and construction. New Credit Branch: First Commerce Credit Union opens Panama City branch Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This lunch and learn is open to the public and requires no cost for admission. The discussion will also be available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify as part of Babers FSU Panama City Entrepreneurship Lunch and Learn Podcast. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Former ABC News president to hold lunch and learn at FSU Panama City Against a South Texas twilight sky, Elon Musk's giant Starship blasted off from Starbase for the 11th time Monday, aiming to skim space as it flew halfway around the world. For a second-straight mission, SpaceX had reason to celebrate when the flight ended about 66 minutes later with every goal accomplished. "Hey, welcome back to Earth, Starship," flight commentator Dan Huot said over the cheers of employees as Starship descended into the Indian Ocean as planned. "Shout outs to every single person who made this look easy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FROM AUGUST: SpaceX completes first-ever Starship payload deployment in flight 10 rebound Just minutes after launch, the lower-stage booster successfully separated from the upper-stage Starship and making a controlled descent into the Gulf of Mexico. Starship continued on its suborbital trajectory toward the Indian Ocean, successfully deploying its payload of eight dummy Starlink satellites, relighting one of its engines in space and performing a series of maneuvers as practice for future landings back at Starbase. Starship's lower-stage Super Heavy booster makes a controlled descent toward the Gulf of Mexico after lifting Starship on its 11th test flight from Starbase. (Eric Gay/Associated Press) Monday's success was also celebrated by NASA, which is counting on using the reusable mega-rocket to return astronauts to the moon by the end of the decade as part of its Artemis program. Starship leaves its launch pad Monday for the craft's 11th test flight from South Texas. (Eric Gay/Associated Press) "Another major step toward landing Americans on the Moon's south pole," acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said on X. "The progress @SpaceX demonstrated with today's Starship test is critical for our Artemis missions and beating China." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few minutes before launch, a smiling Musk wandered into the livestream launch coverage originating from inside Starfactory. Rather than watching from inside Starbase's nearby mission control, though, the SpaceX boss said he had other plans: "I'm going to be actually outside, standing and watching the rocket." Musk said he expected it to be a "much more visceral" experience than watching it from inside, as he's done many times. This image made from video provided by SpaceX shows Starship's 11th flight test launching from Starbase on Monday evening. (Associated Press) Demonstrating its long-term goal of rapid reusability, SpaceX launched a Super Heavy booster that had previously been flown - and one of three it's successfully "caught" at the Starbase launch tower. Monday's booster flew on Flight 8 in March. The latest mission also reused 24 of the 33 big Raptor engines that lifted Starship from its launch pad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first-ever Super Heavy booster catch was in October 2024 - a year to the day before Monday's launch. A YEAR AGO: In most successful Starship test flight yet, SpaceX lands massive booster at South Texas Starbase There were also two endings Monday: It was the final flight of what SpaceX has been calling version 2 Starships. Future versions will be slightly larger, hold more fuel and carry updated Raptor engines. And it was the last launch from the original Starbase launch tower known as Pad 1. After Monday's flight, SpaceX will begin a retrofit of the facility to prepare it for the newer Starships. Starship lifts off Monday for a second-straight successful test flight from Starbase in South Texas. (Eric Gay/Associated Press) The company began building a second Starbase launch tower in June 2024 and is currently modifying its launch sites at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida to accommodate the new Starships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flights Monday and in early August were a welcome turnaround for the company after three straight calamities, including two missions that rained flaming debris across the Caribbean and causing hundreds of commercial flight diversions and delays. Another Starship exploded during ground testing in June. That blast has brought scrutiny on Starbase from its neighbors on both sides of the border. MONDAY'S LIVE COVERAGE: 6:45 p.m. update: For a second-straight mission, SpaceX successfully deployed eight mock satellites that mimic the company's Starlinks. Speeding up deployment of the satellites and growing its constellation - already the world's largest - is a key focus of the Starship program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the eighth simulator slid out of Starship's payload doors, workers at Starbase chanted "USA! USA! USA!" The dummy Starlink satellites are "roughly the same size as the v3 Starlink satellites that Starship is going to be carrying," Huot said. 6:24 p.m. update: Against a twilight sky, Elon Musk's giant Starship blasted off from Starbase at 6:23 p.m. on its 11th test flight. "We have liftoff. Go, Super Heavy. Go, Starship. Thanks for all the historic flights, Pad 1," the flight controller said. The pad is being rebuilt after today's mission. After a smooth separation from its lower-stage booster, Starship continued on and the Super Heavy descended to the Gulf. It hovered low over the Gulf for several seconds before the engines cut out and the craft dropped to the sea. SpaceX's Starship lifts off for a test flight from Starbase on Monday evening. It was the mega-rocket's 11th test flight. (Eric Gay/Associated Press) "Great flight so far, booster able to make it all the way to its splashdown and landing burn experiment," SpaceX's Dan Huot said. "That was really exciting to see. We got ship on orbit, nominal orbital insertion, so right on the money with its trajectory." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As on its previous mission the upper-stage Starship was aiming to make it halfway around the world while releasing mock Starlink satellites. Musk has said rapidly expanding the satellite constellation, which is the backbone of SpaceX's most profitable business, is key to the company's future. 6:20 p.m. update: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, made a surprise appearance in the company's launch livestream from Starfactory. In his trademark black T-Shirt, a smiling Musk hopped into the background of the live feed with raised arms. Instead of watching from inside Starbase's mission control, though, the SpaceX boss said he had other plans. "I'm going to be actually outside, standing and watching the rocket," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk said he expected it to be a "much more visceral" experience than watching it from inside, as he's done many times. 6:10 p.m. update: A year ago today, SpaceX made the first launch tower "catch" of Starship's lower-stage Super Heavy booster. The otherworldly feat was a key step toward the company reaching its goal of reusability of both the lower and upper-stages of the mega-rocket. The booster set to lift Starship from Starbase tonight, in fact, is being reused. It was previously flown and landed during Starship's eighth flight in March. In addition, 24 of the booster's 33 engines have flown on past launches. 5:54 p.m. update: SpaceX has begun its livestream of today's planned launch of its Starship mega-rocket from Starbase in South Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can watch it here, or find it via X here. The launch has been delayed from the planned 6:15 p.m. liftoff, and the live stream - which the company starts 30 minutes before liftoff - was also delayed to 5:54 p.m. SpaceX said the launch is now set for 6:23 p.m. The company said about 5:40 p.m. that it was beginning to load propellant into the lower-stage Super Heavy booster. 5:35 p.m. update: The countdown continues for Starship's 11th flight from South Texas to take off in about an hour, but that's not the only launch the Texas-based company has going tonight. SpaceX also has a Falcon 9 counting down at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. It's carrying a payload of Amazon's Project Kuiper internet satellites, which aim to be a direct competitor to SpaceX's Starlink network - the company's most profitable business. A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched in July on the first of three contracted missions to grow Amazon's Project Kuiper constellation of broadband satellites. Another launch is set to go today. (SpaceX) Amazon founder and Chairman Jeff Bezos' company wants to build a satellite network similar to Starlink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Falcon 9 mission, dubbed KF-03, is set to blast off in about two hours after days of weather-related delays. 5:20 p.m. update: Noise? Yes. Sonic booms? Probably not. SpaceX has warned residents in Cameron County and other areas near Starbase that they "may hear a loud noise resulting from the rocket's 33 Raptor engines but what people experience will depend on weather and other conditions." After the launch, area residents may also hear the Super Heavy booster's engines as they fire to slow the first stage as it descends toward splashdown in the Gulf. However, sonic booms aren't expected during this test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous flights have created sonic booms when the booster slowed from supersonic speeds as it descended to land at the tower. Similar to the last flight in August, the booster is expected to return at subsonic speeds and isn't expected to create such a sonic boom. ORIGINAL STORY: SpaceX's Starship is seen Monday morning on its launch tower at Starbase, near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas. The mega-rocket is scheduled to launch as soon as 6:15 p.m. today. (Eric Gay/Associated Press) SpaceX is counting down for the 11th launch of its Starship mega-rocket from South Texas this evening. A 75-minute launch window opens at 6:15 p.m. and the weather looks good for launch, so far. Here's what you need to know about today's mission, which would be Starship's fifth this year. Like past flights, Monday's mission includes various tests of the Super Heavy booster, upper-stage Starship and the craft's heat shield. Starship will also attempt to release eight more dummy Starlink satellites, a feat first accomplished during the last flight in August. A Starship mega-rocket lifts from Starbase on Aug. 26. Another launch is set for Monday evening. (Eric Gay/Associated Press) According to SpaceX, the Super Heavy booster previously flown and landed during Starship's eighth flight will carry Starship to space on this test. In addition, 24 of the booster's 33 engines have flown on past launches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: SpaceX completes first-ever Starship payload deployment in flight 10 rebound After liftoff and separation from the upper-stage Starship, the booster will come back to Earth but SpaceX will not attempt to return it to the launch tower. Instead, the booster will test engine configurations while descending to the Gulf of Mexico. It's expected to splash down about seven minutes after liftoff. Meanwhile, Starship will continue its suborbital trajectory toward the Indian Ocean. Starship makes a test flight from Starbase on Aug. 26. (Eric Gay/Associated Press) Along the way, it will release the dummy satellites, which will burn up in the atmosphere. Starship will again test relighting an engine while in space. In a new test, the company plans to "mimic the path a ship will take on future flights returning to Starbase" by performing "a dynamic banking maneuver" during the final part of its flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starship is expected to splash down in the Indian Ocean, where SpaceX ships are waiting to potentially recover the spacecraft. READ MORE: Elon Musk's space city gets more control over Texas coastline The rocket being prepared for Monday's flight is the last of the so-called version 2 Starships. Future versions will be slightly larger, hold more fuel and have updated Raptor engines. The second generation Starships has had wins and losses. The most recent flight in August brought a welcome win after three straight failures, including two that rained flaming debris across the Caribbean and causing hundreds of commercial flight diversions and delays. Another Starship exploded during ground testing in June. That blast has brought scrutiny on Starbase from its neighbors on both sides of the border. It'll also be the last launch from the original Starbase launch tower known as Pad 1 - at least until next year. After today's flight, SpaceX will begin a retrofit of the facility to prepare it for the newer Starships. The company began building a second Starbase launch tower in June 2024. "This is planned to be the final launch from Pad 1 at Starbase in its current configuration," the company said Sunday on X. RELATED: Judge sides with FAA, Musk's SpaceX in Starship environmental lawsuit Last week, Tesla began delivering several truckloads of Cybertrucks to Starbase for use as fleet and service vehicles in the company town. New Tesla Cybertrucks are seen Monday at Starbase in South Texas. (Eric Gay/Associated Press) Crews used the futuristic pickups to accompany the upper-stage Starship from the production facility to the launch tower over the weekend. A live webcast of the test flight will begin about 30 minutes before the planned 6:15 p.m. liftoff, which SpaceX will stream from its website via X and the X TV app. Various Youtube channels, including NasaSpaceFlight, Everyday Astronaut and Interstellar Gateway will also stream the launch. This article originally published at SpaceX launches Starship for 11th test flight from South Texas Starbase. I have known her for years: Community mourns RI couple killed in plane crash The community is mourning the death of Agatha and Thomas Perkins. The husband and wife were aboard a plane that crashed along 1-95 in Dartmouth early Monday morning. The NTSB says it appears their flight took off from New Bedford Regional Airport. State police say the pilot did not disclose a flight plan to the airport. In a Facebook post, Founder of Tenth Gate Yoga Reinnette Fournier described Agatha Perkins as both a student and a teachersaying she was someone who could make her laugh hysterically. She writes that it will take some time to truly believe that she is gone, offering condolences to all of those who knew Agatha and her husband Thomas Perkins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NTSB crews were back at the scene on Tuesday, investigating the crash. The cause is still unknown. Boston 25 News visited the familys construction company in Middletown. Employees there declined to comment and told Boston 25 they were closed for operations on Tuesday. A woman was also injured on the ground at the time of the plane crash. Boston 25 is told she was treated and released. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov issued a new round of veiled threats towards Moldova on Oct. 12, warning Chisinau not to suffer from the same fate as Ukraine just weeks after an election that saw Moldovas pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) secure a parliamentary majority. Following the election which saw President Maia Sandu's backed PAS secure over 50% of the vote on Sept. 28, Moldova's government approved a new military strategy on Oct. 8, which designates Russia as the countrys main security threat, warning that the war in Ukraine could "spread to Moldova." Referring to the new military strategy, Peskov decried Moldova's position as antagonistic towards Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a continuation of a rather confrontational line toward our country, an unfriendly line. The current leadership of Moldova, in our view, is making a serious mistake," Peskov was quoted as saying, according to Russian state media outlet TASS. "They believe that the policy of building relations with Europe involves complete antagonism toward Russia. One state has already made this mistake. It brought nothing good to that one state," Peskov added. Although Peskov did not explicitly mention Ukraine, the comments clearly hint towards Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Like Ukraine, Moldova is not apart of the NATO military alliance. Chisinau submitted its application for accession into the European Union days after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PAS' election victory served as a blow for Moscow, which had been accused of meddling and funding pro-Russian disinformation ahead of the vote. The EU had warned that Moldova was facing "an unprecedented campaign of disinformation" from Russia ahead of the election. Media investigations also revealed an extensive Russian propaganda and interference campaign in the lead-up to the election. In the days ahead of the election, the Central Electoral Commission decided to exclude both the pro-Russian Heart of Moldova and Greater Moldova parties from the vote after police, security, and intelligence officials uncovered evidence that the groups were using illegal financing. Moscow continues to maintain a military presence in Transnistria, which has been under the control of pro-Russian separatists since the early 1990s. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in February that around 1,000 to 1,500 Russian troops are currently stationed in the region. Read also: Zelensky confirms plans to meet Trump in Washington this week Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Reuters) -General Motors said on Tuesday it will take $1.6 billion in third-quarter charges as it realigns electric-vehicle plans following the expiration of a key federal support, which is expected to pressure demand. Shares of the automaker were down 2.5% in premarket trading. U.S. carmakers have delayed or canceled new EV models and battery plants, and pared other EV investments, citing weaker-than-expected demand. The market faces further strain after the Trump administration removed a $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs, a key support for the industry. "Following recent U.S. Government policy changes, including the termination of certain consumer tax incentives for EV purchases and the reduction in the stringency of emissions regulations, we expect the adoption rate of EVs to slow," GM said in a filing on Tuesday. The charges comprise a $1.2 billion non-cash impairment related to EV capacity adjustments and $400 million for contract-cancellation fees and commercial settlements. (Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid) A coastal storm is moving out of the Philadelphia region Tuesday after flooding parts of the Jersey Shore. A coastal flood advisory is still in effect for some parts of the Jersey Shore. There is still a coastal flood warning for some parts of the Jersey Shore until 8 a.m. on Tuesday, until an advisory takes over. More than a dozen river gauge locations along the East Coast reached moderate flood stage during Monday afternoon's high tide. A majority of these measurements were along the New Jersey coast, where a state of emergency is in effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water levels did not rise as high as initially feared in Atlantic City, New Jersey, but the area did peak just shy of moderate flood stage Monday afternoon, ushering in another round of flooding. RELATED: More flooding at the Jersey shore as coastal storm moves out Barnegat Bay along the Jersey Shore surged into moderate flood stage Monday afternoon and hit a level it hasn't reached in more than a decade. Video shows the high water in Tuckerton Beach, Ocean County. Water came to the doorsteps of homes and nearly submerged a fire hydrant. On nearby Long Beach Island, water covered the floor inside the Beach Haven fire house. The streets were also completely covered just north of there in Long Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high winds kicked up the surf in Seaside Park. The beach is nearly wiped out due to the strong waves pounding the shoreline. Delaware and New York were also experiencing coastal flooding. A voluntary evacuation was in effect in Bowers Beach, Delaware. The Delaware National Guard has been activated to help with any storm-related issues in the state, the state's department of emergency management announced in a news release Sunday. This coastal storm is called a nor'easter because winds blowing from the northeast push water toward the coast, causing it to erode beaches, pile up water and cause flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wind gusts were as strong as what a tropical storm produces, despite this storm not being classified as one. Winds started to subside Monday night, with wind advisories dwindling as the storm pulls away from the coast. Some coastal flood warnings and advisories remain in place overnight. Some of the storm's heaviest rain has already soaked the Carolinas, but the Northeast saw plenty more throughout the day Monday. The nor'easter will finally pull away from the coast Tuesday. High pressure will build in behind the storm, resulting in dry weather and decreasing winds. A least 3 deaths reported during nor'easter At least three deaths have been reported over the last several days as rain and wind impact the Northeast, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was at least one storm-related death in New York City. A 76-year-old woman was struck and killed by a solar panel in Brooklyn, officials said. According to the Department of Buildings, wind tore a solar panel from the top of a carport structure in an outdoor parking lot. The panel flew about 20 feet through the air before hitting the woman. She was rushed to the hospital, where she later died. A small plane crashed in Massachusetts Monday, killing two people and wounding another, as rain and high winds hit the area, the Associated Press reported. CNN contributed to this post. Local Milwaukee officials and Republican lawmakers wanted legislation that would help police penalize reckless drivers and keep them off the streets. It was stalled for months. Until now. The state Assembly passed the bill in March, sending it to the Senate, where many bills never see another vote. But on Oct. 14 the first time the Senate met in more than 90 days the legislation was placed on the agenda and passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, it's headed to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who plans to make it law. The bill, led by state Rep. Bob Donovan, R-Greenfield, and Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, would strengthen a law Evers signed in 2023 that allows police to tow and impound vehicles used in reckless driving offenses. Strict conditions in the current law means the Milwaukee Police Department rarely uses it. The law only applies when the person cited for reckless driving owns the vehicle. With the bill, lawmakers want to expand the law so any vehicles driven recklessly such as stolen or borrowed cars could be impounded. The costs of impoundment and any outstanding fines must be paid before getting the vehicle back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Towing reckless drivers sends a message that their chaotic driving habits will have an immediate punishment regardless of if you own the vehicle or not," Donovan told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a statement Oct. 14. Under the bill, police must make a reasonable effort to find out if the vehicle has been reported as stolen and try to contact the owner. Owners of stolen vehicles wouldn't have to pay any fees for towing or impoundment ensuring they're not "victimized twice," Donovan said previously. The bill would also allow for towing or impoundment regardless of whether the driver has a prior record of reckless driving, instead of being a repeat offender, like the current law requires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters include Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the city's Common Council, which passed a resolution in 2023 with the goal of lobbying state lawmakers to strengthen the statute. "Towing cars driven by reckless drivers would impose a clear form of accountability," Johnson said in a previous statement. The Milwaukee Police Association the union that represents about 1,300 members of the Milwaukee Police Department the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association and Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association also support the bill. Amendment addresses some Democrats' concerns While the bill was primarily introduced by Republicans, it gained bipartisan support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The issue of reckless driving has transcended traditional political lines due to its prevalence in Milwaukee," Donovan said. "I want to thank the bipartisan group of lawmakers who recognized this and supported it." State Sen. Tim Carpenter, a Democrat from Milwaukee, signed on as a cosponsor after it passed the Assembly, and the proposal advanced unanimously out of one committee. More: Wisconsin lawmakers debate bills on SROs, reckless drivers that could affect Milwaukee Some Democrats, though, questioned whether the bill goes too far and would create grey areas if a parent lent their car to a child who drove recklessly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers introduced an amendment Oct. 13 to get at that idea of intent adding a line that makes clear it's up to an officer's discretion whether to impound a vehicle. Because the bill was tweaked after the Assembly passed it in March, lawmakers in that chamber had to vote on it again Oct. 14 to send it to Evers. A spokeswoman for Evers says he plans to sign it, based on the amendment made. Even when Evers signs the bill into law, it's not quite the end of the road. Milwaukee, and other municipalities that want to use the policy, will have to enact an ordinance to put it into practice. State lawmakers weigh other measures to address reckless driving Reckless driving has long been a challenge for Milwaukee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest quarterly crime data from the Milwaukee Police Department shows vehicle crash numbers are similar to this time in 2024, with about 10,600 occurring both years. Hit-and-runs followed a similar pattern, with about 4,050 occurring each year. But crashes this year have been less violent than last year, as fatal crashes are down 19%. One of those fatal crashes happened just last week: 25-year-old Keiairra Travis was killed in a hit-and-run at North 76th Street and Good Hope Road, the site of at least 33 traffic incidents since the start of 2025. More: 17-year-old charged with reckless homicide in Milwaukee police chase that killed 3 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Legislature voted to advance another bill aimed at reckless driving Oct. 14 that would ban license plate "flippers" that switch between plates or conceal a plate to evade police. Other reckless driving legislation isn't as close to becoming law. That includes a bill that would allow Milwaukee to install traffic and speed cameras on intersections with high rates of car crashes and automatically cite drivers who speed at a specified rate. More: Wheel taxes, voucher school eligibility and skateboard laws among notable September bills The bipartisan bill, introduced in July, got its first public hearing last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic lawmakers from Milwaukee also proposed $60 million for traffic calming infrastructure, such as raised crosswalks and extended curbs. That bill hasn't received a hearing. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin bill aimed at reckless drivers clears Senate, heads to Evers Heavy rain and high winds from a nor'easter made a mess up and down the East Coast Monday, downing trees, knocking out power and causing extensive travel delays at airports in the region. Get complete forecast details on the storm here. Below are our updates on the impacts as they came in throughout the day Monday: (03:57 p.m. EDT) Overnight Forecast For The East Coast From meteorologist Robert Shackelford: If youre already tired of hearing about the noreaster, I hear you and have some good news! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bulk of coastal flood warnings and high surf advisories are set to expire across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast this afternoon and evening as conditions will continue to improve tomorrow. Some scattered alerts associated with this event will linger into Tuesday, and it will take some time for all the waters to fully recede. Some river gauges could still reach moderate flood stage on Tuesday, but this is better than the major flood stage we saw over the weekend and Monday. So if youve been wondering if we are out of the woods yet, the answer is almost. (03:27 p.m. EDT) Jersey Shore Flooding Worsens Floodwaters are rising quickly in Tuckerton Beach, New Jersey, where water is nearly topping fire hydrants and mailboxes in some areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage shows tree trunks and fences already halfway underwater as the tide climbs. In some spots, water is even creeping up the steps of homes. (03:05 p.m. EDT) Flight Frustrations Grow In The Northeast The storms heavy wind and rain are making flying a real challenge, and causing quite the ripple effect for airports in the region. Most of the flight chaos is hitting New York and Boston. As of right now, Boston Logan is dealing with 76 delays and 43 cancellations according to FlightAware.coms Misery Map. Over at LaGuardia Intl. Airport in New York, travelers are facing 94 delays and 21 cancellations. (02:43 p.m. EDT) Atlantic City Shelter Is Staying Open New Jersey residents have been able to shelter at Atlantic Citys Convention Center since Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the shelter will remain open through tomorrow as a safety net for anyone forced to evacuate their homes as flood levels are expected to peak in the region today. (02:16 p.m. EDT) Cape Cod Owns Highest Wind Gust From This Noreaster (So Far) From senior writer Chris DeWeese: Adding to Robs earlier post about highest wind gust speeds from this noreaster, it looks like Cape Cod in Massachusetts has clocked the highest one yet, with a 65 mph gust clocked there earlier today! (01:50 p.m. EDT) State Of Emergency In NY, NJ The weather hammering the Northeast has prompted New York City, Long Island and Westchester County to declare a state of emergency. New York Governor Kathy Hochul stressed that safety is a top priority and urged everyone to stay cautious until the storm passes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey has also declared a state of emergency as rough surf and coastal flooding batter the Jersey Shore. (01:25 p.m. EDT) So What Exactly Is A Noreaster? From managing editor Sean Breslin: Glad you asked! As you can probably tell with this weeks storm, it doesnt just mean a really big snowstorm is hitting the Northeast. With this noreaster, theres no snow at all. It actually has to do with the wind and more specifically, the wind direction. Ready to learn more? We explain it all here. (12:51 p.m. EDT) Additional Flooding Likely After Peak Monday Afternoon From meteorologist Sara Tonks: While the coastal flooding threat peaks on Monday afternoon with the high tide, many coastal areas in the mid-Atlantic and New England could see minor to moderate flooding through Tuesday afternoon at high tide as the large swells begin to recede. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service office in Philadelphia/Mt. Holly is also warning that floodwaters may be slow to drain, so anyone in affected areas should continue to be careful and potentially avoid roads prone to flooding if possible. (12:28 p.m. EDT) New Jersey Coast To See Peak Surge Today From Meteorologist Robert Shackelford: I know the residents of New Jersey are tired of seeing the ocean on their favorite roads and salt water a little too close to comfort with respect to their homes, but you are not out of the woods yet. Part of the states coastline could see its highest levels of inundation with the upcoming high tide this afternoon. The area to watch is Barnegat Bay at Barnegat Light, where tides could reach a peak of 5.5 feet between 1 and 2 p.m. EDT, which just reaches major flood stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water at this level could cause structural damage and flood roadways in Lacey Township, Ocean Township, Barnegat Township, Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars and any communities nearby. These waters are life-threatening and could isolate neighborhoods and damage vulnerable homes and businesses. A person wearing a rain coat stands in knee-deep floodwaters (11:52 a.m. EDT) Parts Of North Carolinas Highway 12 Still Closed After stunning pictures showed the ocean washing over Highway 12 in the Outer Banks on Sunday, North Carolinas Department of Transportation provided an update today: The highway remains closed on Ocracoke, Hatteras and Pea islands as crews work to clear out all the sand. In a post on X, the DOT asked for patience, because the afternoon high tide could clog everything up again. (11:35 a.m. EDT) Massachusetts Highway Plane Crash Update From managing editor Sean Breslin: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sad news to report: According to Boston 25 News, at least two people died when a plane crashed onto Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, this morning. The two victims were in the plane when it crashed, and a person on the ground was also injured, the report added. The official cause of the crash remains under investigation. (11:13 a.m. EDT) Who Got More Than 11 Inches Of Rain? From Meteorologist Robert Shackelford: Here are the latest storm totals from this event, beginning Saturday morning at 10 a.m. EDT: Georgetown, South Carolina: 11.52 inches Whiteville, North Carolina: 7.81 inches Hilton Head Island, South Carolina: 4.02 inches Orleans, Massachusetts: 3.35 inches Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Beach, Virginia: 1.38 inches Central Park, New York: 1.17 inches (10:54 a.m. EDT) A Full Throttle Noreaster Moment While we always want you to play it safe during storms, Darius Aniunas got out early this morning to feel everything raw and electric, as the storm moved close to Nauset Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Listen to how the wind roared as the rough waves crashed ashore. (10:35 a.m. EDT) Highest Winds From The NorEaster So Far From Meteorologist Robert Shackelford: Here are some of the highest and most notable wind gusts from this event: Island Beach State Park, New Jersey: 62 mph Jennettes Pier, North Carolina: 62 mph McClellanville, South Carolina: 56 mph South Bethany, Delaware: 55 mph Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wachapreague, Virginia: 53 mph Ocean City Municipal Airport, Maryland: 51 mph LaGuardia, New York: 46 mph (10:13 a.m. EDT) Plane Crashes On Massachusetts Highway A small plane crashed onto a highway in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, this morning as heavy rain and winds hit the area. The plane burst into flames on impact, shutting down both sides of I-195 at exit 19. The closure is expected to last several hours. Local reports indicate the plane may have been trying to land nearby at the New Bedford Regional Airport. No word yet on the condition of the pilot or possible passengers, and its not yet known if the weather played a role in the crash. (10:00 a.m. EDT) Flight Delays Pile Up Around Northeast From senior writer Chris DeWeese: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeing flight delays and cancellations begin to pile up across multiple airports in the Northeast. This morning, airport tracking website Flight Aware reported that Bostons Logan International Airport has already canceled 27 flights and delayed 30 others. New York Citys LaGuardia, meanwhile, already has had 93 delays and 15 cancellations. Travelers planning on flying either to or from the Northeast today should definitely make sure to check the status of their flight and be prepared for possible delays in travel. (09:32 a.m. EDT) Tens Of Thousands Without Power From senior engagement editor Ron Brackett: Nearly 50,000 homes and businesses had no electricity Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey had the highest number of outages with more than 18,000, according to poweroutage.us. Connecticut was next with almost 11,500 outages. New York was reporting just under 10,000 outages. (09:00 a.m. EDT) Columbus Day Parades Canceled New York City canceled its biggest Columbus Day parade. The Columbus Citizens Foundation, the organizers of the annual parade, said the event was called off due to the state of the emergency from the nor'easter. In New Jersey, the Belleville-Nutley Columbus Day Parade has been postponed until Oct. 19. Two weeks ago the government shutdown and News Center 7 is looking at the impact its had on flights at airports people from the Miami Valley tend to use the most. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Dayton International Airport said on Tuesday that they arent seeing impacts from the shutdown so far. Columbus airport didnt directly answer News Center 7s question and Cincinnatis airport didnt respond to our request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News Center 7 checked and has seen sporadic flight delays at airports around the country because of staffing shortages of air traffic controllers. At Indianapolis International Airport, Marcia Wurster has been working the security checkpoint on Concourse B. Its not her regular job at the airport. I lead the commercial enterprise team, the team thats bringing in more airlines, more non-stop flights, bringing in more restaurants and shops, Wurster said. During high-trave days, she volunteers to help the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Big crowds and the government shutdown are leading to a call for volunteers at Indianapolis airport. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, that kind of call has not gone out at Dayton International Airport. A spokesperson for the Daytons airport confirmed to News Center 7s John Bedell that they have not seen any delays or cancellations due to TSA staffing during the shutdown yet. Last week, tens of thousands of flyers at airports in Nashville, Dallas, Boston, and other cities suffered sporadic slowdown from air traffic staffing issues and callouts. TSA and air traffic controllers are deemed essential by the government, requiring them to work during the shutdown without immediate pay. And uptick in air traffic control workers calling out sick has raised concerns over staffing shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, News Center 7 heard from the head of the union that represents air traffic controllers about the effects of the shutdown. Keep your focus somehow on your primary job of saving lives while figuring out where youre going to pick up some income to take care of the most important thing to you, which is your family, Nick Daniels, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said. So with that being said, were calling on the elected officials to end this shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said last week Air traffic controllers who violate agency sick leave policies during the government shutdown will face punishment. The union that represents air traffic controllers, said in a statement on its website that it does not condone their members taking actions that would compromise the safety of the countrys airspace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union also urged workers to keep showing up on the job, even though they are not being paid on schedule. A spokesperson for TSA told News Center 7 on Tuesday about their staffing thus far during the shutdown: Approximately 61,000 of the agencys 64,000 employees are considered excepted or exempt and TSA will continue operations to keep the travelling public safe. While TSA is prepared to continue screening about 2.5M passengers a day, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports. We kindly ask for our passengers patience during this time. Despite this challenge, we will remain vigilant and focused on performing our vital security mission on behalf of the American people. TSA has not experienced any delay in operations due to callouts, and remains fully capable of facilitating safe and secure travel for passengers. TSA spokesperson [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] LaGuardia, JFK, Newark and Westchester airports are refusing to play a video with a message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impacts on TSA operations because of its political content. The Port Authority said it concluded the video message violates its longstanding policies preventing "politically partisan messages" at its facilities. "The Port Authority's longstanding policies prevent airing of politically partisan messages at our facilities, so airports are not airing the video on airport-controlled screens," the Port Authority said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shutdown has halted routine operations and left airports scrambling with flight disruptions. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they won't negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31. In the video, Noem says that TSA's "top priority" is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe. "However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay," she continues. The Transportation Security Administration falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Roughly 61,000 of the agency's 64,130 employees are required to continue working during the shutdown. The Department said Friday that the video is being rolled out to airports across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Westchester County Executive Ken Jennings announced Friday night that the message "is inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect." "At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, collaboration and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues, and undermines public trust," he said. And Gov. Kathy Hochul released the following statement: "When Kristi Noem isn't busy trying to defund the police in New York, she's apparently hard at work subjecting travelers to obviously false and nakedly partisan messaging. Here in New York, we'll stay focused on keeping the flying public safe - and that means not playing political ads in our airports." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airports in Las Vegas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle and more also say the video goes against their airport policy or regulations which prohibit political messaging in their facilities. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.) ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New York City news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) A case involving a solider who was seriously injured by a suicide bomber in 2016 while serving in Afghanistan is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Set for Nov. 3, the nations highest court is set to hear Hencely v. Fluor. The case revolves around Effingham native Specialist Winston Hencely who was seriously injured by a bomb, his attorneys Andrew Bowen and Jim Bulter said. The case alleges that Fluor Corportation, a defense contractor, did not supervise the bomber who reportedly built the bomb at his Fluor worksite while on the clock. He then reportedly left his worksite without a required escort and set the bomb off, injuring American service members on Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bomber was identified as Ahmad Nayeb, an Afghan national employed by a subcontractor of Fluor, according to court documents. Six people were killed in the November 12, 2016, attack and 17 others were injured, including the Effingham native. Hencley was permanently disabled in the attack. Hencely was given credit for finding the bomber before he could do even more damage. Nayeb was reportedly trying to set off his explosive vest at the starting line of a Veterans Day 5k when Hencely noticed the bomber was wearing a bulky vest and grabbed his arm. After Hencely grabbed him, Nayeb set the bomb off, a previous lawsuit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Army investigation found that the attacks primary contributing factor was the contractors actions in breach of its Army contract and in violation of the militarys instructions to supervise Nayeb, a court petition said. You can read the entire petition here: PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITEDDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. LOREAUVILLE, La. (KLFY) Every five years, Le Grand Reveil Acadien (The Great Acadian Awakening) brings Cajuns and Acadians together to celebrate their shared French heritage. But this year, the crowds look a little smaller. Randall Menard, president of the Louisiana chapter of Le Grand Reveil Acadien, said fewer visitors from Canada made the trip south to Acadiana, leaving many local communities to carry on the celebration on their own. We had a minimum of four tour buses booked to come to this event, Menard said. Theyd be here today with us. But once the comments of the president occurred about Canada being the 51st state, and then with all the tariffs, they decided they werent traveling to the U.S. The tour operators called and said, Look, nobodys coming. Theyre dropping like flies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said the tension began after former President Donald Trump joked that Canada could become Americas 51st state. According to Nungesser, Louisianas tourism from Canada is down by as much as 30% since those remarks. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Loreauville, one of the weeklong festivals stops, is home to the Acadian Odyssey Monument (one of only 19 in the world) marking where Acadian families first settled in Louisiana after being exiled from Canada in 1765. Loreauville Mayor Brad Clifton said while visitor numbers are lower than usual, locals are keeping the spirit of the celebration alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It definitely affected it negatively, Menard added. Theyre all boycotting us now. But hopefully in the future, well be able to rebuild those bridges and fix that gap. Canadas prime minister says Canada is not for sale Today is kind of a little bit weak, but it has been fairly steady throughout the year, Clifton said. All families go through a squabble every once in a while. Because of the ties with the Acadian people here in south Louisiana, its kind of like just that little familial spat every once in a while. Even without the wave of Canadian visitors, Loreauville residents say Le Grand Reveil Acadien remains rooted in family, food, and tradition; a culture that refuses to fade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The celebration continues all week across Acadiana, with events planned in Vermilionville Tuesday, a historical symposium at Nicholls State University on Thursday, and a closing ceremony in Breaux Bridge this weekend. Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. By Tim Cocks and Ammu Kannampilly ANTANANARIVO/NAIROBI (Reuters) -A former DJ once nicknamed "TGV" after the French fast train for his dynamism, Madagascar's Andry Rajoelina was the world's youngest head of state at 34 when he came to power in a coup in 2009. Now the three-time president has fled after disappointing the Indian Ocean island's young majority in the latest protest cycle against political elites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military unit that joined the Gen Z demonstrations last weekend - prompting his departure - was the same one that installed him 16 years ago when Rajoelina's charisma had rallied youngsters frustrated at poverty and corruption. At the time, Rajoelina was six years too young to even legally be president, according to the constitution. But his youth, and his celebrity status as a former DJ and radio station owner, were precisely what gave him the advantage. When he successfully ran for mayor of the capital Antanarivo in 2007, his party was called Tanora MalaGasy Vonona (Young Malagasys Determined). The "TGV" moniker was a play on words: the party initials and a nod to his high-speed personality. RAJOELINA THE LATEST DISAPPOINTMENT TO MADAGASCAR'S YOUTH Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rajoelina had consistently clashed with then President Marc Ravalomanana, branding his government a dictatorship when it shut down his TV channel in 2008. Yet only a few years earlier Ravalomanana had himself been the anti-establishment figure bringing youths out onto the street to oust an ageing president. Suddenly Ravalomanana, then in his late 50s, was the out-of-touch oldster, so when soldiers booted him out and installed Rajoelina, many Malagasy youth cheered. Sixteen years on, Gen Z citizens accuse the now 51-year-old Rajoelina of having kept none of his rapid-fire promises. Noone compares him to a high-speed train anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Rajoelina had vowed to improve standards of living, he failed to turn around a long decline in economic fortunes: GDP per capita has nearly halved between independence in 1960 and 2020, according to the World Bank. Extreme poverty blights three quarters of the population, young people cannot find jobs, while power and water shortages have made their lives a misery. While fleeing on a French military jet, according to official and diplomatic sources, the increasingly isolated leader warned of an attempted putsch by soldiers supporting the protests. GRAND CLAIMS Born in 1974, in Antisirabe - a spa town in the Malagasy highlands - Rajoelina, unlike his predecessor, came from a fairly privileged background, his father an army colonel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He took to DJ-ing in his teens, and started an events company, eventually buying a radio station. But the personality quirks that made him entertaining did not always make for a great leader. As Madagascar reeled from COVID-19 shocks, Rajoelina - known for his tendency to make grand claims - touted a herbal tonic, saying it would cure it within days, without clinical evidence. In 2022, inspired by the animated franchise "Madagascar", he offered international investors tax exemptions to import giraffes, zebras and elephants from sub-Saharan Africa to boost tourism. None did. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens struggled to eke out a living. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People don't have refrigeration for medication, don't have water for basic hygiene," Ketakandriana Rafitoson, the global vice-chair of Transparency International and a Malagasy, told Reuters, adding that corruption had corroded public trust. Last year, a London court convicted Rajoelina's former chief of staff of offering to help precious stone miner Gemfields win lucrative mining rights in exchange for bribes amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The country fell from 118 to 140 in Transparency International's corruption index between 2012 and 2024. Rajoelina stepped down in 2014 as leader of a transitional authority but became president again after winning a 2018 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His re-election in 2023 was preceded by weeks of protests related to opposition accusations of unfair voting conditions and claims he should be barred from running because he acquired French citizenship in 2014 - a sore point with citizens of the former French colony. 'WE GAVE HIM A CHANCE' On Monday night, in an address to the nation broadcast on Facebook, Rajoelina said that he had been compelled to move to a safe location to protect his life. He did not disclose his whereabouts but struck a defiant note, saying he would not "allow Madagascar to be destroyed". Opposition lawmakers have called for a vote to impeach him - a complex task since the ruling coalition has a parliamentary majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Whatever the outcome of this crisis, Rajoelina's legacy is already defined," said Transparency International's Rafitoson. "His rule has left the country weaker, poorer, and more unequal." "He should have stuck to running nightclubs." On the streets of Antananarivo, protesters were desperate for change. "We gave him a chance," said Nanou Rakoto, a 27-year-old market trader. "Life in Madagascar is so hard... We need someone who can pay attention to our problems." (Reporting by Ammu Kannampilly in Nairobi and Tim Cocks in Antananarivo; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) By Tim Cocks ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) -Madagascar's military has taken charge of the Indian Ocean island, an army colonel said on Tuesday, after President Andry Rajoelina fled abroad during a standoff with youth-led protesters and security forces. "We have taken the power," Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who led a mutiny of soldiers joining anti-government Gen Z demonstrators, said on national radio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randrianirina added that the military was dissolving all institutions except the lower house of parliament or National Assembly, which voted to impeach Rajoelina minutes earlier. In a day of turmoil for the nation off east Africa, the 51-year-old leader had sought to dissolve the assembly by decree. Despite flying out on a French military jet, Rajoelina is refusing to step down in defiance of weeks of Gen Z protests demanding his resignation and widespread defections in the army. The presidency did not immediately react to Randrianirina's comments but earlier said the assembly meeting was unconstitutional and thus any resolution "null and void." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rajoelina has said he has moved to a safe place because of threats to his life. An opposition official, a military source and a foreign diplomat told Reuters he had fled the country on Sunday aboard a French military plane. ESCALATING DEMONSTRATIONS Demonstrations erupted in the country on September 25 over water and power shortages and quickly escalated into an uprising over broader grievances, including corruption, bad governance and a lack of basic services. The anger mirrored recent protests against ruling elites elsewhere, including Nepal and Morocco. On Tuesday, at Antananarivos 13 May Square, along the main drag lined with palm trees and French colonial buildings, thousands of protesters danced, marched, sang songs and waved banners denouncing Rajoelina as a French stooge because of his dual citizenship and support from Madagascar's former coloniser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many were waving Malagasy flags and the signature Gen Z protest banner of a skull and crossbones from the Japanese "One Piece" anime series. At one point, Randrianirina took stage and asked: "Are you ready to accept a military takeover?", drawing cheers of approval from the crowd. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron had said that constitutional order must be preserved and that while France understood the grievances of the youth, they should not be exploited by military factions. Rajoelina had appeared isolated after losing the support of CAPSAT, an elite unit which had helped him seize power in a 2009 coup. Randrianirina is a well-known commander in CAPSAT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unit had joined the protesters over the weekend, saying it would refuse to fire on them and escorting thousands of demonstrators in the main square of the capital Antananarivo. The paramilitary gendarmerie and the police also broke ranks with Rajoelina. Madagascar, where the average age is less than 20, has a population of about 30 million, three-quarters of whom live in poverty. GDP per capita plunged 45% from the time of independence in 1960 to 2020, according to the World Bank. (Reporting by Lovasoa Rabary and Tim Cocks in Antananarivo and Giulia Paravicini in Nairobi; Writing by Silvia Aloisi; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) Informal Trump adviser Laura Loomer says renegade GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene may be gearing up to run for president as a Democrat in 2028. The Trump whisperer made her prediction as Greene wages a one-woman civil war on her party. The Georgia congresswoman broke ranks on the government shutdown last week, ripping GOP leaders for having no plan on expiring health care subsidies. Speaking on The Tim Dillon Podcast Saturday, she tore into President Donald Trumps tariff strategy and said the administration needs a smarter plan than rounding up and deporting undocumented workers en masse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That prompted Loomer, a foe of Greene, to unleash a series of tirades against the 51-year-old Georgia congresswoman on Sunday. How much do you want to bet @mtgreenee is going to try to run for President in 2028 as a Democrat? the 32-year-old far-right influencer wrote on X. She wants to undermine MAGA because Trump refused to endorse her Senate and Gubernatorial runs in Georgia, she continued, referencing reports that the president warned Greene not to launch a 2026 Senate bid. How much do you want to bet @mtgreenee is going to try to run for President in 2028 as a Democrat? She wants to undermine MAGA because Trump refused to endorse her Senate and Gubernatorial runs in Georgia. Thats why all of a sudden shes shilling for Islamists, calling for Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) October 12, 2025 Thats why all of a sudden shes shilling for Islamists, calling for less deportations and attacking Trump. I really think she will try to rebrand as a Democrat, Loomer added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Beast has reached out to Greenes office for comment. During her podcast appearance, host Tim Dillon called Greene our next president, adding, sorry JD Vance. Greene responded by flashing a smile and appeared to mouth Oh my gosh, while making no direct comment on the suggestion. Greene hinted that she was growing disillusioned with her party in August, telling the Daily Mail, I dont know if the Republican Party is leaving me, or if Im kind of not relating to the Republican Party as much anymore. Although she still calls Trump, 79, her favorite president, Greene has taken aim at his administration on matters from foreign policy to its cozy relationships with tech donors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has even gone against Trump on one of the administrations most delicate issues: the Jeffrey Epstein files. Looks like @RepMTG got a check. She just went on a podcast and said she doesnt think illegal alien workers should be deported. We need to put AMERICAN workers first. We dont need to be coddling and protecting big corporations that evade the law to hire cheap illegal aliens. pic.twitter.com/MzWLXe2gBb Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) October 12, 2025 Greene is one of only four House Republicans who have joined all House Democrats in signing a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing all documents related to the late sex offender, a one-time pal of Trump. The president has reportedly bristled at his once-devoted loyalist going rogue on him. He called at least two senior Republicans in recent months to ask, Whats going on with Marjorie?, NBC News reported last week. Even as Loomer questioned Greenes dedication to Trump and the Republican party, she herself broke with the president last week. Pictured together in 2020, the relationship between Laura Loomer and Marjorie Taylor Greene has significantly soured in recent years. / Twitter/Marjorie Taylor Greene The Islamaphobic conspiracy theorist blasted the administrations plans to build a Qatari air force facility in Idaho in an X post on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the GOP continues to Islamify our country and continues to allow funders of Islamic terrorism from Qatar to come into our country when they have a documented history of funding Islamic terror, I am not voting in 2026 and wont be able to encourage others to vote either, she wrote. Earlier in the week, she fired a warning shot after Trump left the door open to pardoning Epsteins accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Over the past few months, Google, which is led by CEO Sundar Pichai, has been making drastic workplace changes as it invests billions of dollars in artificial intelligence, following in the footsteps of its tech competitors. Some of these changes include layoffs, since Google aims to remove organizational layers and operate more efficiently. In February, Google laid off an unknown number of cloud and HR employees. In April, it laid off hundreds of employees in its platforms and devices unit, which is responsible for developing Android, Pixel, Chrome, Fitbit, and other products. Google even fired 35% of its managers in August, affecting those who ran smaller teams. The following month, it fired over 200 contract workers who worked on developing Googles AI products. In addition to layoffs, Google recently began cracking down on remote work in its company culture. Earlier this year, it reportedly sent memos to several teams warning remote employees that they would lose their jobs if they didnt show up to the office three days a week. Google has begun tightening remote work policies for employees.Image source: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Google sends another harsh message to workers Now, Google is doubling down on its efforts to limit remote work. This time, it has decided to add restrictions to its Work from Anywhere policy, which was put in place in 2020 and allows employees to work from any location outside of the office (except from their home or anywhere nearby) four weeks per calendar year, according to a recent report from CNBC. Google has tweaked the policy to state that working remotely for one day counts as a full week. Related: Target sends stern message to employees amid customer struggles Whether you log 1 WFA (work from anywhere) day or 5 WFA days in a given standard work week, 1 WFA week will be deducted from your WFA weekly balance, reads an internal document outlining the new rule. During an internal all-hands meeting discussing the change, John Casey, Google vice president of performance and rewards, said that WFA was meant to meet Googlers where they were during the pandemic. The policy was always intended to be taken in increments of a week and not be used as a substitute for working from home in a regular hybrid workweek, said Casey. The policy was always intended to be taken in increments of a week and not be used as a substitute for working from home in a regular hybrid workweek. In addition, the document, which was sent to employees over the summer, also informs workers that during their WFA days, they are not permitted to work from a Google office in a separate state or country due to legal and financial implications of cross border work. Fox News, which previously employed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, joined most major news organizations on Tuesday in refusing to agree to new rules around reporting at the Pentagon. The company signed a joint statement with ABC News, CBS News, CNN and NBC News saying the new requirements would restrict journalists ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues. The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections, the organizations said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move is a blow to Hegseth, a former host of Fox & Friends Weekend. Hegseth announced the new rules last month, threatening journalists access to the Pentagon if they did not sign on to rules that would punish them for either soliciting or publishing information that the Pentagon did not want released. An initial memo to reporters read that information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified. Reporters that did not sign on to the agreement would not be issued press passes. News organizations have until Tuesday to agree to the new rules, but so far only the Trump-friendly One America News Network has said publicly that it has done so. POLITICO has also declined to agree to the Pentagons new rules. In a statement, the company said the new policy "infringes on First Amendment protections and limits the ability to produce rigorous and transparent reporting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company added that POLITICO will continue to cover the military "fairly and independently." The new rules follow multiple controversial moves by the Department. Earlier this year, the Department took away workspaces from several media organizations including POLITICO, The Washington Post and The New York Times. President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that Hegseth finds the press to be very disruptive in terms of world peace, and maybe security for our nation. The press is very dishonest, Trump added. Hegseth has been largely dismissive of media outlets refusals. He has responded to statements from the Washington Post, The New York Times and The Atlantic all of which also refused to agree to the new rules with the handwaving emoji. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth said on Tuesday that the new rules are commonsense. It used to be, Mr. President, the press could go pretty much anywhere in the Pentagon, the most classified area in the world, Hegseth said. Also, if they sign onto the credentialing, they're not going to try to get soldiers to break the law by giving them classified information. So it's commonsense stuff, Mr. President, we're trying to make sure national security is respected and we're proud of the policy." The West African nation of Mali has introduced a controversial $10,000 visa bond requirement for U.S. passport holders, marking one of the most aggressive visa reciprocity measures implemented against American travelers in recent years. The steep financial requirement, which must be paid upfront before a visa is issued, represents a dramatic escalation in visa policy and highlights growing tensions over unequal travel restrictions between nations. While the bond is theoretically refundable after travelers depart Mali, the substantial sum effectively prices most American tourists and many business travelers out of visiting the country. The Principle of Visa Reciprocity Visa reciprocity, the practice of countries imposing similar visa requirements on each other's citizenshas long been a cornerstone of international travel policy. The concept is straightforward: if Country A requires visas, fees, or bonds from Country B's citizens, Country B may implement equivalent measures in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, the United States has maintained relatively strict visa requirements for citizens of many developing nations, including substantial application fees, lengthy interviews, high rejection rates, and in some cases, requirements that applicants demonstrate strong ties to their home country to prove they won't overstay. Mali's $10,000 bond appears to mirror, or exceed, barriers that Malian citizens face when attempting to visit the United States. U.S. tourist visas cost $185, require in-person interviews at embassies that may be hundreds of miles away, and can be denied based on perceived immigration risk. For many Malians, where the average annual income is a fraction of what Americans earn, these requirements already represent significant obstacles. A Growing Trend of Tit-for-Tat Policies Mali isn't alone in using visa policy as a diplomatic tool or reciprocity measure. Several countries have implemented or threatened similar restrictions on American travelers in response to U.S. visa policies: Brazil has fluctuated on visa requirements for Americans over the years, at times requiring visas and fees that mirror what Brazilian citizens pay for U.S. visas. After years of visa-free travel, Brazil reinstated visa requirements for Americans in 2024, citing reciprocity concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey has adjusted its visa policies for Americans multiple times in response to diplomatic tensions and reciprocity issues, sometimes requiring e-visas with fees and other times suspending visa services entirely during political disputes. China maintains strict visa requirements for American citizens, including substantial fees and documentation requirements, while also implementing varying degrees of restrictions based on diplomatic relations and reciprocity considerations. Other nations rumored to be considering stricter visa measures for Americans include several African countries frustrated by high U.S. visa rejection rates for their citizens, and some South American nations seeking more balanced travel relationships. The Broader Implications High-cost visa bonds like Mali's serve multiple purposes beyond simple reciprocity. They generate revenue for governments, signal diplomatic displeasure, and in some cases, genuinely aim to ensure visitors depart as requiredthe stated purpose of requiring a bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, such measures inevitably damage tourism industries and business relationships. Mali, already facing security challenges and limited tourism infrastructure, will likely see even fewer American visitors with the bond requirement in place. U.S. businesses operating in or considering expansion to Mali may face complications with employee travel. The moves also highlight growing frustration among developing nations over what they perceive as unfair visa systems that allow wealthy countries' citizens to travel relatively freely while imposing significant barriers on travelers from poorer nations. What It Means for American Travelers For U.S. passport holders accustomed to relatively easy global travel access, Americans can visit over 180 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, Mali's $10,000 bond represents a jarring reminder that American passport privilege isn't universal. The U.S. State Department has not indicated it will modify visa policies for Malian citizens in response, meaning the bond requirement will likely remain in place for the foreseeable future. Americans with legitimate reasons to visit Maliwhether for business, humanitarian work, or family connections, will need to factor the substantial bond into their travel planning. Bottom Line Mali's $10,000 visa bond for Americans represents an extreme example of visa reciprocity, but the underlying principle is nothing new in international relations. As more countries push back against what they view as unequal visa treatment, American travelers may increasingly encounter similar barriers. The era of effortless global access for U.S. passport holders may be gradually shifting as nations use visa policy as both diplomatic leverage and a statement about fairness in international travel. For now, Mali stands as a stark reminder that visa privileges can flow in both directions, and that the price of entry isn't always measured in dollars alone, but in the broader relationships between nations. A man who was accused of stabbing a sleeping 6-year-old child to death in 2015 -- acquitted by reason of insanity but convicted on other counts and later released from prison -- is being sent back to Kentucky from Florida, according to arrest documents and officials. Ronald Exantus, 42, was freed from a Kentucky prison last week after serving eight years behind bars for a crime in 2015 in which he was accused of entering an unlocked residence and stabbing 6-year-old Logan Tipton, resulting in his death, with a butcher knife taken from the kitchen. Exantus also stabbed two of the boy's sisters and father. He was acquitted of capital murder for Logan's death and first-degree burglary by reason of insanity in a Kentucky court in 2018, but Exantus was found guilty on two counts of second-degree assault and one count of fourth-degree assault for attacking the other members of the Tipton family and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Marion County Sheriff's Office - PHOTO: Ronald Exantus in a police photo. He was arrested in Florida on Thursday in Marion County for allegedly violating his parole by not registering as a convicted felon in the state within 48 hours of arrival, according to arrest records. He had been in the state for multiple days, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exantus was originally sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2018, but was released last week due to good behavior under a 2012 Kentucky state law aimed at reducing recidivism by requiring periods of reentry for felons, according to authorities. In a post on X, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said state police are working to extradite Exantus to Kentucky after his arrest. At a press conference on Friday morning, Lieutenant Paul Bloom of the Marion County Sheriffs Office condemned Exantus' crimes and early release. "I get he was released from what my understanding on good behavior. Well, I think the overwhelming evil behavior that he exhibited in killing this child and trying to kill others in the same home, outweighs any good behavior he could do in the next 400 years," Bloom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Infant Loss Awareness: A Letter to Grieving Moms Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also decried the situation on X, saying it was shocking that Exantus "was let out of prison in Kentucky after serving a mere fraction of his sentence for murdering a six year old kid." The White House is currently looking into Exantus' early release, according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. "I can confirm the White House is looking into this. Its wholly unacceptable for a child killer to walk free after just several years in prison," Leavitt posted on X with a link to a news package about Exantus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: 4 people, including 2 children, found dead in 'suspicious' incident inside San Francisco home Exantus former attorney, Bridget Hofler, who no longer represents him, said he suffered from schizophrenia and made strides to better himself while incarcerated. It didnt really surprise me, if anybody deserved to get out early, it was Ron. He had accomplished so much while he was in prison, Hofler told WKYT before he was arrested again. The horrible thing about this is Ron did not intend to do any of this and Ron was insane when it happened. But yet, Logan is still dead and those children are still traumatized and they will be until the day they die, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another lawyer who used to represent Exantus also told ABC News that he was released early because of work hours he completed in jail, self-improvement programs he underwent and staying out of trouble. She worried that the controversy surrounding Exantus' release could lead to rehabilitation programs for inmates being rolled back. Exantus was a licensed nurse at a dialysis clinic who was going to school at night and studying hard for further nursing degrees, according to his former attorney. The Kentucky Parole Board, which oversees parole in the state, unanimously voted for Exantus to stay in prison last week, but they were overruled by the state statute that allowed him to leave, according to Beth Moore, Director of Public Affairs for the Kentucky Department of Corrections. "Every time it had the opportunity, the Parole Board recommended Ronald Exantus stay in prison," Moore told ABC News. "Kentucky law required the Department of Corrections to release the inmate on Mandatory Reentry Supervision (KRS 439.3406) on Oct. 1 after accruing jail credits, good time and education credits." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The members of the board have since received threats from the public, according to Ladeidra N. Jones, the chair of the Kentucky Parole Board, in a press release. Despite repeatedly voting for Ronald Exantus to remain in prison, Parole Board members have faced significant threats over the last several days, even having their personal addresses released publicly, Jones said. The threats against the parole board are being investigated by the Kentucky State Police and the FBI, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. "Remember, sharing accurate information is so important. We are urging everyone to only share the facts around this case. At a time of increased political violence around our country, these types of threats are taken incredibly seriously, he said in a statement. Exantus is currently incarcerated in a Marion County jail without bond. Jessica Weinberg, a laid-off federal Food and Drug Administration employee, speaks at an Oct. 14 news conference across the street from the Office of Management and Budget. Behind here are Maryland lawmakers, from left, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Jamie Raskin. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Jessica Weinberg enjoyed her job as a social scientist with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, helping communicate to the public the importance of medical devices such as pacemakers, brain implants and contact lenses. But then Weinberg and her colleagues got word on April 1 they would be fired, the day she and her former co-workers call the April Fools Day public health massacre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has happened is a travesty, not just for me, my family and my community, but for the public health of the nation, Weinberg said Tuesday. I am here speaking out, despite being taught for my entire 14-year career as a fed never to speak publicly, she said. Im here balancing the need to spend time searching for jobs and providing for my family with the need to speak out about the travesty that has occurred and continues to unfold in this country. Weinberg, a wife and mother of two children, ages 2 and 6, who lives in Montgomery County, was standing across the street from the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, D.C., joined by several dozen other affected federal workers and Democratic lawmakers from Maryland and Virginia. In an hourlong news conference, they assailed the Trump administration and House Republicans, who have stayed away from Washington for the two weeks since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Several dozen federal workers either laid off or furloughed hold signs at press conference alongside members of the Maryland and Virginia federal delegations. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Speakers had particularly harsh words for OMB Director Russell Vought, who ordered the job cuts, as well as a fresh round of layoffs that began Friday, 10 days into the shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While several at the rally held up signs supporting workers, others held signs targeting Vought, including one with his face and the phrase, Put them in trauma a reference to comments Vought reportedly made to describe his goal for the treatment of federal workers. Mr. Vought, you just heard about the trauma you are causing. Shame! said Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th), as he pointed toward OMB, as others started to chant, Shame! Hoyer was one of seven Maryland legislators joined by four Virginia colleagues, including Sen. Mark Warner, who came to show their support for federal workers and criticize the administration. These experts [federal workers], the ones to ensure that Americas exceptionalism in so many cases, depends on our powers and research and science and medicine. These are the people who have been targeted by this administration and targeted by the very sinister Russell Vought, said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are not here by accident, Alsobrooks said. It was completely foreseeable that we would be here in this moment because it was always the plan of the Republican Party and the plan of Russell Vought. The White House referred questions Tuesday to OMB, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But while Democratic lawmakers have blamed the government shutdown on the Republicans who control Congress and the White House, Vice President J.D. Vance said Sunday on Meet the Press that the shutdown and the subsequent layoffs are the fault of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other congressional Democrats. He said the administration has been forced to lay off some federal workers in the midst of this shutdown to preserve the essential benefits to the American people that the government does provide. We dont want to be laying off federal workers, but the Democrats have shut down the government. They have forced us to choose between American citizens and federal bureaucrats. We are choosing the critical services that benefit our American citizens. Furloughed National Institutes of Health worker Kalynda Gonzales Stokes at the Oct. 14 rally in support of federal workers. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Vances comments come even though President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to slash the size of government and the Office of Personnel Management issued a memo on Trumps first day in office directing agengy heads to identify probationary workers who can be terminiated without triggering appeal rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Trump this weekend directed the Pentagon to redirect research funds to pay active-duty troops during the government shutdown. The troops would have missed their first paycheck Wednesday, but the Defense Department said it would use $8 billion in unobligated research funds to make payroll. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who is keeping the House out until the Senate passes a budget, praised the president for again showing strong leadership, has stepped up to ensure that our troops are going to be paid on Oct. 15. It remains unclear if the Trump administration has the legal authority to transfer the funds without congressional approval. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th) said Tuesday that it does not, that federal law states money appropriated for a certain agency must go directly to that agency. If its mandatory for a particular purpose, its got to serve that purpose, Raskin said. So they [the administration] shouldnt start impounding, redirecting, rechanneling money in order to cover up for their own negligence. They should come back to work and reopen the federal government with us. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Nate Raymond (Reuters) -A Massachusetts man who breached the network of education software provider PowerSchool to steal data belonging to millions of students and teachers and extort the company was sentenced on Tuesday to four years in prison. Matthew Lane, 20, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Margaret Guzman in Worcester, Massachusetts, after he pleaded guilty in June to charges related to the hacking of two companies, including Folsom, California-based PowerSchool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The breach at PowerSchool exposed sensitive data of more than 60 million students and 10 million teachers nationwide. It occurred in December, a month before the company publicly disclosed the breach. Guzman also ordered Lane to pay more than $14 million in restitution and a $25,000 fine, according to U.S. Attorney Leah Foley's office. A spokesperson for PowerSchool in a statement said it "appreciates the efforts of the prosecutors and law enforcement who brought this individual to justice." Lane's attorney did not respond to a request for comment. Lane, who had been a student at Assumption University in Worcester when he was first charged, pleaded guilty in June to engaging in cyber extortion and aggravated identity theft and accessing protected computers without authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to prosecutors, in mid-2024, Lane exploited an earlier data breach at a telecommunications company and, claiming to be a member of a notorious hacking group, demanded it pay a $200,000 ransom to avoid having its data leaked. Using stolen login credentials, he gained access to PowerSchool's network, allowing him to steal personal data for students and teachers, prosecutors said. Days later, PowerSchool received a ransom demand threatening to leak the names, addresses, Social Security numbers and other sensitive data belonging to more than 60 million students and 10 million teachers unless it paid $2.85 million worth of bitcoin, according to prosecutors. That ransom demand came from the same hacking group Lane professed to represent when he extorted the telecommunications company, prosecutors said. PowerSchool has said it decided to pay a ransom to avoid having the information become public. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) A campaign sign against Question 2 on the November 2025 ballot argues that passing a red flag law would make Maine less safe. (Photo by Lauren McCauley/ Maine Morning Star) If voters approve Question 2 on the November ballot, Maine would end up with two laws on the books that would make it possible to remove firearms from someone considered to be dangerous. Read additional coverage of the November 2025 election in Maine here. While twenty-one states, including four in New England, have what is known as a red flag law, Maine is the only one that takes a different approach with its so-called yellow flag law. Both are forms of extreme risk protection orders, which are used to temporarily confiscate firearms from someone who poses a risk of danger to themselves or others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, Maine voters will be asked if they want the state to adopt a red flag law. If passed, the law would not replace the existing statute, but rather make both processes available for use in the state. Gov. Janet Mills recently argued in an op-ed against the referendum that the co-existence of both policies would create a new, separate and confusing process that will undermine the effectiveness of the law and endanger public safety along with it. But proponents see a red flag law as another tool for keeping Mainers safe that could work in concert with the existing policy without stigmatizing mental illness. Five years into the yellow flag law Maines existing statute allows law enforcement to take guns away from people after a mental health evaluation, whereas red flag laws like the one proposed in Question 2 allow family or household members to petition a court directly for someones firearms to be temporarily removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Maine is the only state with a yellow flag law, it would be the only state to see these two laws exist in tandem. Michael Rocque, a professor of sociology at Bates College, said the potential for confusion lies in the fact that people still dont know exactly what a yellow flag is. If we passed the red flag law, I would imagine that that would sort of supersede the yellow flag law in terms of usage, he said, arguing the nuance of Maines yellow flag law would encourage people to opt for the red flag process that presents as more streamlined. He pointed to a report from the independent commission that investigated the October 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston that underscored how confusing the yellow flag process was at that time. In the aftermath of the shooting, some law enforcement officials said the yellow flag law was difficult to use. This testimony was followed up by a finding from the commission that the Sagadahoc County Sheriffs Office had sufficient probable cause to both take the perpetrator, Robert Card II, into protective custody under Maines yellow flag law and start a petition to confiscate his firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it is still time and resource intensive, Lt. Michael Johnston of the Maine State Police said changes made to the yellow flag law last year, as well as additional training for law enforcement, has made it less cumbersome. And theres data to back it up. As of the beginning of this month, the yellow flag law had been used more than 1,100 times. Johnston said 81 of those occurred between 2020, when the law was implemented, and late 2023. More than 1,000 uses occurred in the past two years at a rate of 1.5 per day, he said. It takes time to adapt to a new law, but it gets smoother and easier to execute with repetition, Johnston said. And now that law enforcement has more familiarity and practice with the current law, Johnston argued that adding a new policy could potentially detract, undermine or take away resources from a law that he believes is working well. Like Mills, he believes having both laws could create confusion, especially for families who may need to navigate these sorts of supports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could potentially muddy the waters when it comes to the relief that families are seeking, he said. Do they call law enforcement? Do they try to petition the court? Which process do they follow? Should mental health professionals be involved? Critics have also taken issue with the absence of a mental health element in the red flag proposal, while supporters and industry professionals applaud it for separating violence from mental illness. Maine Rep. Jennifer Poirier (R-Skowhegan), said mental health is of the utmost importance here, and the yellow flag law can connect people with the help and services they may need. No person of sound mind is going to want to harm themselves or somebody else so we need to focus first on the root of the problem and thats concerning mental health, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Jack Sorensen, who does communications for the Maine Gun Safety Coalition and Question 2 campaign, argued that is a misunderstanding of the current law because the stipulated mental health evaluation is a stamp of approval by a mental health professional that someone should have their firearms removed, but does nothing to get them actual treatment. Sorensen also said its a misconception that the mental health evaluation in the yellow flag process makes the situation safer because mental health challenges are not a precursor for violence. For this reason, mental health professionals such as the Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians have voiced their support for Question 2. All of us will experience a moment of crisis in our lives at some point. That doesnt mean we are mentally ill, Sorsenson said. So, conflating mental illness with preventable gun deaths is not only misleading, but its dangerous. Its dangerous because it overlooks the reality of a lot of lives that could otherwise be saved. But Johnston with the State Police said most of the scenarios that hes seen the yellow flag law invoked either involve criminal behavior or, more commonly, a mental health crisis involving someone who is suicidal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The overwhelming majority of them, they are not bad people, they are going through a difficult time, Johnston said. They are human beings that are having a hard time for whatever reason. Which one would be faster? Both those for and against the red flag proposal agree that, in the case of someone posing a threat of danger, they shouldnt be in possession of a firearm. But there are diverging thoughts as to which policy would contain those situations faster, as well as the value of involving law enforcement from the beginning. Sorenson and the gun safety coalition say that its a good thing communities have had more success with Maines yellow flag law in recent years. But, he said, the fact that it has been used more and more underscores the need for these types of laws and the need for a better, proven, more effective tool. He argued that the proposed red flag law would separate a dangerous person from their firearms more quickly and efficiently because families can go directly to a court to file a petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rocque, the Bates professor, argued the two policies could work in tandem. For example, in a case involving a threat of suicide, he said someone could use the red flag process to immediately remove the firearms and then follow up with the yellow flag process to get a mental health professional involved. But critics question that reasoning since it relies on the availability of the courts and stipulates a 14-day window for a hearing to be held. Johnston pointed out that law enforcement works round the clock, while courthouses could be closed on weekends or have even more limited hours in rural areas. If someone came to law enforcement on a Saturday with a concern about a family member posing a risk of danger, for example, Johnston said that would require an immediate response. Would we tell them to go to the court and petition? The answer is no, Johnston said. Early police intervention is a key feature for proponents of the yellow flag process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her recent op-ed, Mills said the yellow flag gets law enforcement involved early for good reason. Johnston also argued the existing law can better protect law enforcement since they are more aware of potential dangers from the start. Showing up to someones house to remove weapons after a red flag process has been initiated could require additional officers or resources, he said, because law enforcement would have less information about the situation. However, Question 2 proponents pushed back on that argument, pointing out that under a red flag law many families will still choose to go to law enforcement first. When they dont, the law still requires those petitioning for weapons to be removed to argue their case before the court, which would alert law enforcement of potential dangers. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stands at attention during an advanced honor cordon for Canadian National Defense Minister David McGuinty at the Pentagon on Sept. 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Credit - Anna Moneymaker - Getty Images A number of news organisations, including The Associated Press and The New York Times, are refusing to sign updated rules which stipulate that journalists will not obtain unauthorized material, nor enter parts of the Pentagon without an official. Several publications say the new rules, announced last month by Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, threaten the First Amendment right of journalists. The Pentagon Press Association, which represents journalists from a number of outlets who report on the Department of War, said the revamped rules create "unprecedented restrictions on our ability to report the news, and that not agreeing to such terms would end our historically-held access to the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Association continued that the new policy conveys an unprecedented message of intimidation to everyone within the DoD, warning against any unapproved interactions with the press, including suggestions that such activity would be illegal. The updated press policy also places restrictions on obtaining press passes. On Monday, several outlets confirmed that they would not be signing the updated rules. News organisations have been set a Tuesday deadline to agree to the new conditions. The proposed restrictions undercut First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on gathering and publishing information, said Executive Editor of The Washington Post, Matt Murray. He added that journalists will continue to vigorously and fairly report on the Pentagon and policy across the Trump Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington Bureau Chief for The New York Times, Richard Stevenson, said that the reform threatens to punish them [journalists] for ordinary news gathering protected by the First Amendment, in a statement. The public has a right to know how the government and military are operating, Stevenson added. The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, said: We fundamentally oppose the restrictions that the Trump Administration is imposing on journalists who are reporting on matters of defense and national security. For each of the statements above, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth replied with a waving hand emoji. One X user replied to Hegseths wave: Is this because they [The Atlantic] Cant roam the Pentagon freely? Do they believe they deserve unrestricted access to a highly classified military installation under the First Amendment? alongside an AI-generated image of a child crying, wearing a shirt that reads Atlantic. Hegseth replied: Yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other organisations refusing to sign up include CNN, Reuters, HuffPost and a specialist military trade publication, Breaking Defense. Earlier this year, Goldberg reported that he had mistakenly been added to a chat group on the messaging service Signal in which high ranking Trump officials, including Hegseth, were discussing sensitive military operation details. When asked about the chat, Hegseth responded: Nobody was texting war plans. And thats all I have to say about that. Goldberg reported that Hegseth published specific details about a series of U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The Pentagon Press Association added in its statement last week that every administration going back to Eisenhower - including the first Trump Administration - has allowed the same level of access. This press access has never precipitated the kind of national security crisis feared by the current leadership of the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseths team has said that reporters who dont acknowledge the policy in writing by today (Tuesday) must hand in their press badges and have their desks cleared by the following day, The Associated Press had reported. Contact us at letters@time.com. Millions of girls worldwide continue to face barriers that prevent them from completing their education. According to AP News, former First Lady Michelle Obama has announced a $2.5 million pledge through her Girls Opportunity Alliance to help address those challenges. The Obama Foundation initiative shared the news on Oct. 11, International Day of the Girl, committing funds to dozens of grassroots organizations that support girls education, the outlet reports. The grants will assist groups working to cover school costs, prevent child marriage, provide counseling for survivors of abuse, and promote access to learning opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These groups are changing the way girls see themselves in their own communities and in our world, helping create the leaders we need for the brighter future we all deserve, Obama said in a video statement. Because when our girls succeed, we all do. Launched in 2018, the Girls Opportunity Alliance grew out of a White House initiative that invested more than $1 billion in U.S. government programs promoting adolescent girls education around the world, the outlet reports. The program focuses on helping girls between the ages of 10 and 19 complete their schooling. The announcement follows reports of declining international education funding. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has warned that a 24% decrease in contributions from wealthier countries could push 6 million girls out of school by the end of next year, according to its website. In addition, the agency estimates that nearly three-quarters of the 119 million children currently out of school are girls of secondary school age, AP News reports. The need right now, more than ever, is crucial, said Tiffany Drake, executive director of the Girls Opportunity Alliance, per the outlet. We were just in Mauritius and we heard it time and time again that organizations need funding. They need support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early October, the Alliance hosted a meeting in the African country of Mauritius that brought together network members from Africa and Asia. According to AP News, among them was Jackie Bomboma, founder of the Young Strong Mothers Foundation in Tanzania, whose organization offers mental health support, vocational training, and reproductive health education for girls at risk of child marriage or school dropout. Bomboma said the grant and connection to the Alliance provide both resources and visibility. We call ourselves watoto wa Michelle Obama, which means the children of Michelle Obama, she said. So, everyone feels so proud to have such a mother who is very strong, who is very powerful and who is very loving. Through its funding program, the Girls Opportunity Alliance awards up to $50,000 to local organizations aimed at specific projects, AP News reports. The initiative also helps organizations promote fundraising campaigns through its GoFundMe and donor network to help expand its reach. The post Michelle Obamas Foundation Girls Opportunity Alliance Invests $2.5M In Grassroots Girls Education Efforts appeared first on AfroTech. The post Michelle Obamas Foundation Girls Opportunity Alliance Invests $2.5M In Grassroots Girls Education Efforts appeared first on AfroTech. NEED TO KNOW Oakland County rescuers freed a deer trapped between highway barricades after a car strike The animal was safely lifted out with rescue straps, sustaining only minor bruises Officials urge drivers to slow down as deer mating season increases collision risks The Oakland County Sheriffs Search and Rescue Team rescued an adult deer that was caught between the barricades of a busy highway. According to a press release obtained by PEOPLE, the incident occurred on Monday, Oct. 13, around 2 p.m. The animal became inescapably wedged in the foot-wide space between the concrete barricades after it was struck by a car on Interstate 75. A driver called the Auburn Hills Police Department, who then dispatched the Oakland County Sheriffs Search and Rescue Team for further assistance. Oakland County Sheriff's Office Michigan Officials Rescue Wounded Deer Michigan Officials Rescue Wounded Deer Officials on the scene noted that the four-point buck appeared to have been bruised but sustained no major injuries from the event. Northbound and southbound lanes were closed as the response team extracted the animal from the crevice safely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responders utilized a technical rescue truck and straps to carefully lift the deer while untangling its hoofs in the process. The process took about one hour, and once the animal was checked out by the Animal Control team on the scene, it was released back into the wild. Sheriff Michael Bouchard spoke to the quick movements of her team, stating, Im proud of our team, whose skill and determination made it possible to rescue this deer from certain death. The office of the Oakland County Sheriff took to its official Facebook account to share the harrowing events along with photos of the deer in and out of the barricades. In the midst of a busy day, our search and rescue team responded to a call regarding a deer trapped in cement barricades, facing a fatal outcome without expert extraction, the post read. Their diligence, training, and hard work paid off, enabling them to rescue the young deer and transfer it to a wildlife rehabilitation center. October marks the beginning of deer mating season, just in time for colder and shorter days. Clay Steele, a naturalist with Lee County Conservation, told local news outlet WGEM that its a perfect storm for an increase in deer-vehicle collisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have all the crops coming out, the deer are moving around and looking for a new habitat, hunting season is just about to start, or has started in some cases with archery, said Steele, adding that deer have subpar vision at night, making these incidents even more prevalent. Steele noted, They see a little bit, so theyre going to be moving around a little bit at night, and sometimes theyll be moving around during the day, but its really those times when to watch out and slow down. Because of this, local officials are encouraging drivers to drive more slowly and with much more caution through mating season, which typically slows down towards the end of November into December. Read the original article on People Hong Kong is on track to develop as an Islamic finance centre in North Asia, with some companies considering issuing sukuk bonds to help Middle Eastern capital flow into the Greater Bay Area, according to bankers and the city's financial secretary. "We have received a rising number of inquiries from companies about issuing sukuk bonds in Hong Kong," said David Yim Sau-king, head of debt capital markets for Greater China and North Asia at Standard Chartered Bank, at a summit on Monday. "We hope the inquiries may turn into transactions in future." With "world-class financial market infrastructure and deep capital markets", Hong Kong was well suited to act as a conduit for Islamic capital into mainland China, he said during a panel discussion at the summit, which was organised by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said that the city had a legal framework to support the issuance of sukuk and other sharia-compliant instruments, adding the government issued over US$3 billion in sukuk a decade ago. In November 2023, Hong Kong listed Asia's first exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the largest companies in Saudi Arabia, while an ETF that tracks sukuk government bonds was listed earlier this year, Chan said. Last year, two Hong Kong stock ETFs were listed in Saudi Arabia. "Later this month, I will lead a delegation to Saudi Arabia, bringing together a strong team of Hong Kong and mainland companies in sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotech, fintech, green energy and more," Chan said. "As a leading international financial centre, Hong Kong is well positioned to support the growth of Islamic finance and cross-border financial products." David Yim Sau-king, head of debt capital markets for Greater China and North Asia at Standard Chartered, appears at the GenCham X FHKI Forum on Islamic finance at United Centre in Admiralty on October 13, 2025. Photo: Sam Tsang alt=David Yim Sau-king, head of debt capital markets for Greater China and North Asia at Standard Chartered, appears at the GenCham X FHKI Forum on Islamic finance at United Centre in Admiralty on October 13, 2025. Photo: Sam Tsang> Standard Chartered has been helping customers issue sukuk around the world, including the Hong Kong government-issued sukuk 10 years ago. Michigan Supreme Court / Hall of Justice | Photo by Jon King The fate of Attorney General Dana Nessels crusade to investigate a major producer of insulin for price gouging will be the subject of oral arguments before the Michigan Supreme Court in November. Justices plan to hear the case starting at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The court also plans to hear oral arguments in six unrelated cases. In Attorney General v. Eli Lilly and Company, Nessel sought to investigate the drug manufacturer to determine if its pricing practices for insulin violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. Nessel petitioned the Ingham Circuit Court for civil investigative subpoenas under the act, but, in a separate complaint filed with the court, she also filed a motion for a declaratory judgment. The motion asked a judge to preliminarily hold that her investigation was not barred by the acts exemptions for conduct already authorized by a regulatory agency, the state or federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney general noted in her motion that the state viewed Nessels interpretation of the act as out of step with the Michigan Supreme Courts decisions in Smith v. Globe Life Insurance Company and Liss v. Lewiston-Richards Inc. Nessel asserted that both of those cases were wrongly decided. Eli Lilly said that was a poor read of the act, and asked the circuit court to dismiss the case. The court agreed with Eli Lilly, a decision that Nessel appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Nessel also attempted to bypass the appellate court and take the case straight to the high court. Justices rejected that attempt and placed the case back before the Court of Appeals. The appellate court affirmed the circuit courts decision to dismiss the case in an unpublished opinion, which means the opinion was not binding on the lower courts or necessarily instructive to the Michigan Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back before the high court, Nessel is asking the justices to determine whether she has a claim that can be adjudicated in state court, and whether she needs to do so under the auspices of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act for the case to move forward. The court has also been asked to determine whether the precedential cases in Smith and Liss were correctly decided, and if not, whether they should be retained under the doctrine of stare decisis, a maxim holding that decisions in precedential cases are settled law and are the guidestar for similar unsettled cases. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in the UK, under plans announced by the new home secretary. Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to raise the standard of English required from the current lower grade GCSE standard to the equivalent of A-level in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Ms Mahmood said it was unacceptable for migrants to come to the UK without learning our language, claiming they were unable to contribute to our national life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Migrants wanting to come to the UK on the skilled worker, high potential individual or scale-up visa routes will have to demonstrate they can speak B2 level English equivalent to A-level standard from 8 January 2026. This is up from the B1 level already required for these routes. To come to the UK on the skilled worker visa, migrants have to have a minimum annual salary of 41,700 or earn the going rate for their type of work, whichever is highest. On the high potential visa, applicants must have been awarded either a university degree, masters or PhD. The scale-up route is used for UK businesses that are fast-growing and need to hire foreign workers. Only 116 scale-up visas were issued in the year ending June 2025. Increased language requirements will also be announced for other visa routes, including dependents, soon, the Home Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Changes to the English language requirement were first reported in May when the government published their early plans in the immigration white paper. The new standard requires people to express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expression and to be able to communicate flexibly in social, academic and work situations. Migrants wanting to come to the UK under these routes will have to pass a language test conducted by a Home Office-approved provider. According to the governments impact assessment of the policy changes, which was published on Tuesday, an increase in English standards would result in an estimated decrease of between 400 and 1,500 visa applicants in 2026-7. This was modelled across the skilled worker, health and care worker and high potential individual routes. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is also set to introduce higher language requirements for other visa routes too (Getty) Home Office analysis of the skilled worker route found that 97 per cent of visa holders could speak English at least fairly well before coming to the UK - with 69 per cent saying they could speak the language very well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In England, 18 per cent of adults aged 16 to 65 or 6.6 million people have very poor literacy skills, according to the National Literacy Trust. Responding to the home secretarys announcement, Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of Work Rights Centre, said that the change demonises migrant workers and arbitrarily moves the goal posts on what counts as integration. She added: The last thing anyone needs after a summer of far-right violence is more tough talk based on bad data. By the governments own admission, most migrant workers are already fluent in English. Increasing English language requirements from intermediate to upper intermediate wont make any difference to integration - this is already happening. Under government plans, the time for international students to find a graduate-level job after completing their studies will also be cut to 18 months from the current two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 1 January 2027, graduate students will only be able to stay in the UK for 18 months. Ms Mahmood said: This country has always welcomed those who come to this country and contribute. But it is unacceptable for migrants to come here without learning our language, unable to contribute to our national life. If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part. The home secretary also announced that travellers from Botswana will now be required to get a visa before arriving in the UK, including for short visits. It comes after a high number of Botswana nationals arriving as visitors since 2022 had gone on to claim asylum, the Home Office said. The immigration skills charge, which is paid by employers sponsoring skilled foreign workers to come to the UK, is also being raised by 32 per cent to 480 per person. The leader of an elite military unit in Madagascar has declared the army is now in charge after the president fled. Col Michael Randrianirina said the military would take control for a transitional period lasting up to two years, during which it would oversee a referendum on constitutional changes, followed by elections. The army said it had suspended the senate, high constitutional court, electoral body and other institutions in the East African island nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came shortly after parliament voted to impeach Andry Rajoelina, the president, who reportedly flew to safety on a French military plane after striking a deal with Emmanuel Macron. The former French colony had been shaken by weeks of Gen Z protests calling for Mr Rajoelinas resignation. Protesters outside the town hall in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on Tuesday - Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters At the weekend, the elite Capsat military unit headed by Col Randrianirina defected to back the protesters. Col Randrianirina said: The renovation period will last a maximum of two years. During this time, a referendum will be held to establish a new constitution, followed by elections to gradually set up the new institutions. Col Michael Randrianirina took power as the head of the same army unit that propelled his predecessor into office - Zuma Press/Avalon Mr Rajoelina immediately condemned the power grab, insisting he remained in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, his whereabouts are unknown and he said earlier in the week he had moved to a safe place after the coup attempt threatened his life. A statement from the presidency said: The presence of armed military forces in front of the presidential palace constitutes a clear act of attempted coup detat. The president of the republic remains fully in office and ensures the maintenance of constitutional order and national stability. Madagascars top court invited Col Randrianirina to serve as the countrys new president in the absence of Mr Rajoelina. The so-called Gen Z protests are part of a youth trend against ruling elites around the globe - Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Madagascar has a history of military-backed coups since independence in 1960. In 2009, Mr Rajoelina came to power backed by the same Capsat unit which has now deposed him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The youth-led protests against Mr Rajoelinas government began last month over electricity and water outages. Thousands took to the streets and clashes with security forces left at least 22 dead. The anger among the young about a lack of basic services and government corruption mirrored other recent so-called Gen Z protests against ruling elites in Morocco, Indonesia, Nepal and Kenya. It was not immediately clear if the protesters would be satisfied with the new military government. 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. Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Trump administration during the "No Kings" national rally in downtown Los Angeles June 14, 2025. Credit - Ringo ChiuAFP/Getty Images Four months ago, more than five million Americans gathered in small towns and major cities across the country to denounce what they described as President Donald Trumps expansion of executive power. The coordinated No Kings protests became one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. historyand the biggest since Trump returned to the White House for a second term. Now, organizers are preparing for a second No Kings day on Oct. 18, with marches and rallies planned in more than 2,500 locations nationwideincluding the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The movement, organized by Indivisible and a broad coalition of labor unions and activist networks, is positioning the October demonstrations as a referendum on what they call repeated authoritarian power grabs by the Trump Administration, including the recent deployment of federal forces in American cities and attempted censorship of late night TV hosts. Organizers have called on Americans to gather peacefully across the nation to remind President Trump and his enablers: America has No Kings. The protests are set to come amid a government shutdown that has left large parts of the federal workforce furloughed or fired. Several prominent Republicans in recent days have accused Democrats of prolonging the government shutdown to align with the upcoming No Kings protests. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Fox News that Democrats wouldnt vote to reopen the government until after Saturdays hate America rally because they cant face their rabid base. But protest leaders say the movements tone will be festive and peaceful, and that their protest is not a factor in the shutdown negotiations. What this is about is everybody coming together and demonstratingwe don't do kings in America, Indivisibles executive director Ezra Levin told MSNBC last week. They're going to have funny signs, there's going to be chanting, there's going to be dancing, there's going to be singing. Here is what to know about the upcoming No Kings day protests. Why is it called No Kings and why are they protesting? Organizers say the No Kings name reflects a rejection of what they view as Trumps attempts to consolidate power, defy courts, and erode democratic norms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first protest in June was launched by the 50501 Movement, which stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. The protests are meant to symbolize a day of defiance against Trumps authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our cities." On October 18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people, reads a statement on the groups website. President Trump has openly said he wants a third term and is already acting like a monarchseizing control of D.C., threatening other cities, and using federal forces against his own people, the statement continues. But the American people dont bow to kings. Together, we will peacefully mobilize, yet again, in huge numbers to reject this corruption and abuse of powerits in our DNA as a country. The movement was born out of frustration with Trumps policiesfrom the gutting of the federal workforce and programs to sweeping immigration enforcement raids. Many groups involved, including Indivisible and the American Federation of Government Employees, say the current shutdown has only added urgency. Shutting down the government is another authoritarian power grab by this administration, AFGE said in a statement, urging its 820,000 federal members to join the marches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Actor Robert De Niro also called on Americans to take part in the upcoming No Kings Day. The original No Kings protest was 250 years ago, De Niro said in a video shared on the Indivisible Projects Instagram page. Americans decided they didnt want to live under the rule of King George III. They declared their independence and fought a bloody war for democracy. Weve had two and a half centuries of democracy since then, often challenging, sometimes messy, always essential, the actor continued. And we fought in two world wars to preserve it. Now we have a would-be king who wants to take it away, King Donald I. F that! Where will the protests happen? Organizers say roughly 2,500 protests are planned in every U.S. state, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, and that nationwide turnout could surpass the June demonstrations. The Washington, D.C protest, set for outside the U.S. Capitol building, is considered the flagship rally and will feature speeches from Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and members of various progressive advocacy organizations including the Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU, and Free DC. A No Kings protest did not take place in the nations capital in June due to Trumps military parade being scheduled for the same day. Its unclear if the National Guard, which has been deployed to D.C. by Trump to decrease crime, will be on hand for the event. A young protester carries a combination Mexican and U.S. flag during a "No Kings" protest in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Richard VogelAP What happened at the June protestsand were they peaceful? The first No Kings protests, held June 14 to counter Trumps 79th birthday and a military parade celebrating the Armys 250th anniversary, were the largest coordinated demonstrations of his presidency. Millions marched in hundreds of cities under banners reading No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While organizers deliberately avoided holding a protest in Washington, rallies in Philadelphia, Seattle, Austin, and Los Angeles drew enormous crowds. Most rallies diminished by the afternoon. Read more: Scenes From Trumps Military Parade and the No Kings Protests Opposing It The day was largely peaceful with few arrests nationwide, though police clashed with demonstrators in Los Angeles and Portland after the event ended, and a shooting in Salt Lake City left one bystander critically injured. What are Republicans saying about the protests? Ahead of the protests, Trump Administration officials and other Republicans have suggested that No Kings is part of a Democratic conspiracy to block an end to the government shutdown, rather than an organic movement. Speaker Johnson last week said that he believes Democratic leaders were unwilling to reopen the government until after the rally because they cant face their rabid base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The theory we have right nowthey have a hate America rally that's scheduled for October 18 on the National Mall, Johnson said. It's all the pro-Hamas wing and antifa people; they are all coming out." Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed that message in an interview on Fox News, baselessly accusing the No Kings protests of being organized by Antifa, a loose network of militant antifascists that the Trump Administration recently labeled a domestic terrorist organization. This is part of Antifa, paid protesters, it begs the question whos funding it? Duffy said Monday. Democrats want to wait for a big rally of a No Kings protest when the bottom line is, whos running the show in the Senate? Chuck Schumers not running the show. The No Kings protesters or organizers are running the show. Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, rejected the assertion that the shutdown was tied to the No Kings protests. I don't know where he comes up with that, he told reporters last week of those claims. I've never heard that argument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But several Republicans have continued to refer to the upcoming protests as a Hate America rally. These guys are playing to the most radical, small, and violent base in the country. Youll see them on Saturday on the Mall. They just do not love this country, House GOP Whip Tom Emmer said Tuesday. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise added that Schumer was throwing a temper tantrum to appease the most radical elements of his base. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. Carrie Elizabeth Romney, the sister-in-law of former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, was found dead close to shopping mall Friday night just months after her nine year marriage ended. A preliminary assessment suggested that Romney, 64, may have jumped or fallen from the five-story garage in question, reports ABC News. Her car was reportedly discovered parked at the garage, which is also near the citys Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has listed her cause of death as deferred while toxicology results are currently pending. The local sheriffs department has said it is conducting a death investigation and is awaiting the medical examiners findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 2016 and 2025, the victim was married to George Scott Romney, 84, who goes by Scott, the oldest brother of Mitt. Carrie Elizabeth Romney was married to G. Scott Romney, Mitt Romneys older brother, shown here at the 2012 Republican National Convention (AFP via Getty Images) We dont know if it was suicide or accidental, LA County Sheriffs spokesperson Lt Daniel Vizcarra said of the incident. There is not enough information to go by yet on what the coroner has given us so far. Her body was discovered around 9:00pm local time. Scott Romney, a prominent attorney and the father of former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel. A 1991 Associated Press report on his divorce from his first wife, whom he married in 1967, noted that she was the author of the book Giving Time a Chance - The Secret of a Lasting Marriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple separated in May this year after eight years of marriage, according to the Daily Mail. Scott Romney reportedly filed for divorce on June 10, citing irreconcilable differences, bringing to an end his third marriage. The report goes on to note that Carrie was planning to go back to using her maiden name, Carrie Dimas and was seeking spousal support, which he opposed. He and Carrie were married on November 26, 2016, and had no children together. Online records show that until January 2025, she had been living in Michigan where her estranged husband resided. Since then, she has been living in Santa Clarita, California. Police at the parking garage in the Town Center area of Valencia, California, where the body of Carrie Elizabeth Romney was discovered on Friday, October 10, 2025 (ABC 7) The couple appears to have preferred to keep their relationship private: neither maintained a social media presence nor gave media interviews post-2012, and they were never photographed in public together, the Mail reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all our lives. We ask for privacy during this difficult time, Mitt Romney said in a brief statement on behalf of his family. The politician served as the governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and ran unsuccessfully as the GOPs presidential nominee in 2012, hoping to deny Democrat Barack Obama a second term in the White House. He was elected U.S. senator for Utah in 2018 and became known as an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, voting for his impeachment twice, but left office at the end of his term this January. Romney pictured after a meeting with Donald Trump in 2024 (Getty Images) An online profile says that Scott Romney now works as a lawyer with Michigan-based firm Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times reported in 2012 during his brothers ill-fated run for the White House that Scott Romney was among his most visible supporters. He appeared to disappear from the spotlight in the years that followed. Scott previously served on the board of Michigan State University, he graduated from the school in 1966, and later graduated from Harvard. In the 1990s, he ran unsuccessfully for Attorney General of Michigan. After that defeat, The Detroit Free Press noted in 2018 that he never ran for such a high profile job again. Had he won... it would likely givent him a clear path to the governors office, political consultant John Truscott told the newspaper. CHISINAU (Reuters) -Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said on Monday he would not seek a new term, paving the way for a new head of government following the pro-Western governing party's victory in a parliamentary election. President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) secured a majority in the election on September 28, and will appoint a new government in coming weeks tasked with taking former Soviet republic Moldova further out of Russia's orbit. The pro-EU Recean, in office since February 2023, said he would also give up his parliamentary seat with PAS as part of his expected departure, and return to the private sector when a new government is in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My term ends simultaneously with that of the current government's," he told a joint press conference with parliamentary speaker Igor Grosu. "Immediately after we approve the new government in parliament, I will resign my mandate." Moldova's Constitutional Court will confirm the election results on October 16, after which Sandu will nominate a new prime minister who will present their new cabinet for parliamentary approval. A new prime minister will in particular be expected to tackle a sluggish economy hit by Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. PAS defeated an opposition bloc that wanted to steer Moldova away from closer ties with the European Union. The outcome was a setback for Russia, which has troops stationed in a pro-Russian eastern separatist region of the country, more than three decades after Moldova won independence from the Soviet Union. PAS is aiming to secure Moldovan membership of the EU by 2030. (Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Writing Dan Peleschuk) Thousands are expected to gather in cities across New England and the United States on Oct. 18 for a second round of "No Kings" protests. There are 28 protests in New Hampshire, including several on the Seacoast. In Rochester, 50501 NH will hold a Tea Party demonstration where large tea bags will be thrown into the Cocheco and then retrieved. The No Kings Day event will begin at the N. Main Street bridge over the Cocheco at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be also be protests in Market Square in Portsmouth from 1 - 3 p.m. and in Dover from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., among others. The protests are a coordinated day of action targeting what organizers call the rise of political dynasties and anti-democratic power. In June, organizers estimated that the demonstrations drew over five million people across more than 2,100 events across the country. Heres what else to know about the protests in New Hampshire and on the Seacoast. What are the No Kings protests? The "No Kings" movement, launched by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of political action groups, is a response to what they describe as increasingly authoritarian tactics by President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group says that Trump is ignoring mass shootings, terrorizing communities by deploying troops to cities and threatening democratic processes through voter suppression and redistricting efforts. They say they are also responding to his actions on immigration, healthcare and the economy. The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we dont have kings and we wont back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty, reads a statement on the website. The protests are intended to be nonviolent. "No Kings" protests in opposition to President Donald Trump are held in Dover as well as across the nation Saturday, June 14, 2025. No Kings events to happen across the Seacoast Multiple towns on the Seacoast in New Hampshire and Maine are holding No Kings protests on Oct. 18. Town Time Location Dover 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Central Ave & Washington St. Exeter No time listed 5 Water St. Newmarket 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Main St. Bandstand Ogunquit 12 1 p.m. US-1 in front of post office Portsmouth 1 3 p.m. Market Square Rochester 1 2 p.m. 111 N Main St. Wells 1:30 2:30 p.m. Wells Jr. High School York 10 11 a.m. York Town Hall "No Kings" events in New Hampshire There are at least 28 protests planned in New Hampshire this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is a list of communities in New Hampshire holding protests this weekend. Find more information on your local communitys event here. Colebrook Concord Conway Dover Enfield Exeter Gorham Groveton Hanover Jaffrey Keene Lebanon Lincoln Littleton Manchester Meredith Milford Nashua New London Newmarket Orford Pelham Plymouth Portsmouth Rochester Salem Walpole Wolfeboro Contributing: Jennifer Lindahl This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: What is 'No Kings' protest? 8 protests planned on the Seacoast Hospitals across Rhode Island are required by federal and state law to post their medical pricing data, including the negotiated prices for procedures by insurer, to their websites in a consumer-friendly format. Hospital pricing transparency is supposed to empower patients and self-insured businesses to make more financially sound decisions when paying for health care. Two reporters combed through spreadsheets and JSON files downloaded from hospital websites. The Providence Journal used that pricing data to analyze 19 billing codes at 10 of the states acute-care hospitals. Why do hospitals post this data? In 2019, during his first term, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring federal health officials to write rules ordering hospitals to post prices and rates for at least 300 shoppable services "in an easy-to-understand, consumer-friendly, and machine-readable format." Advertisement Advertisement He followed that up this February with another executive order, directing the secretaries of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services to enforce the regulations issued in the first order. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations require hospitals to post the following standard charges: gross charges, discounted cash prices, payer-specific negotiated charges and minimum and maximum negotiated charges. Hospitals are required to publish reports or provide price estimator tools that include prices for 300 shoppable services. The estimator tools cannot require an account or password to access. Several hospitals in Rhode Island have online price estimator tools, but these require a persons insurance policy number to use. They must also publish the prices in machine-readable files, such as XML, CSV and JSON, though this last format requires conversion to spreadsheets or special programs to open, and most of the time, some level of programming to export the data to another database. Advertisement Advertisement In 2024 Rhode Island passed a law requiring hospital transparency at the state level, a move done partially in response to the low compliance rates across the country and the lack of federal enforcement. The law was modeled after the CMS regulations and has similar requirements. It was introduced by state Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, R-North Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester. CMS enforces price transparency at the federal level. The agency fines noncompliant hospitals based on its number of beds ($11 per bed per day for hospitals with more than 30 but fewer than 550 beds). Since 2022, it has issued 27 notices, with financial penalties, to hospitals, but none to date in Rhode Island. The Government Accountability Office, however, in a report from October 2024, found CMS does not have assurance that pricing data hospitals report are sufficiently complete and accurate, and CMS has not assessed such risks to determine if additional enforcement actions are needed. In Rhode Island, pricing transparency is supposed to be enforced by the Department of Health, according to de la Cruz. Advertisement Advertisement Hospitals are also supposed to post the cash price, or discounted cash price, although The Providence Journal analysis found that most do not. The medical codes we chose, and why We initially chose a variety of major procedures, such as coronary bypass and small and large bowel surgeries, and diagnostic ones, such as colonoscopies, following the lead of a 2025 report by Trilliant Health on hospital pricing transparency. Trilliant Health is a company that takes pricing data, analyzes it and turns it into a commercial product to sell to companies and brokers looking to make decisions about health plans. Additionally, we looked at the codes for childbirth. Senator de la Cruz told The Providence Journal at the time that she was prompted by her birthing experience and stories she heard from other mothers who faced high bills after giving birth. Advertisement Advertisement The codes for childbirth were much harder to find and sort than other procedures, as different hospitals used different medical coding systems for that set of procedures, and only a few used the Medicare codes, known as MS-DRG. Corralling the data Roger Williams Medical Center, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, and Women & Infants Hospital all posted their data in spreadsheet files that could easily be opened in Excel or Google Sheets. With the correct medical codes, prices for these hospitals were easy to find and the data easy to sort. Kent Hospital and Westerly Hospitals spreadsheet files were too large to open in Google Sheets, which has a 10-million cell limit, and required the use of Excel. South County Hospitals spreadsheet was formatted differently from the other hospitals. It was organized by rows instead of columns, making each entry nearly 160 columns long. This formatting led to confusion when identifying which prices corresponded with which data. South County Hospital spokeswoman Sarah Toatley declined to say why South County formats its data in the inverse of all the other hospitals, only writing that it complies with federal regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Brown University Health, the health system formerly known as Lifespan, and Landmark Medical Center, provided their data in JSON files, short for JavaScript Object Notation. JSON can sometimes be opened in Excel, but most of the files for Brown Healths hospitals were too large and too nested to be easily opened in Excel. Brown Healths hospitals Miriam Hospital, Newport Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital all provided pricing in JSON files. The JSON format is frequently described as lists within lists within lists and is often used to house data for other programs. With help from Providence programmer Gabriel Drozdov, reporters were able to access Brown Health and Landmarks data using Microsoft's Visual Code Studio, a platform for editing computer code. Data for Brown Healths hospitals and Landmark was manually copied into a new spreadsheet and was found by searching for the pertinent medical codes. Landmarks JSON file can also be opened directly in a web browser at tinyurl.com/2wmj5vp9. Brown Health has two Massachusetts hospitals that also post pricing data. The spreadsheets (CSV, or comma-separated values) for Morton and St. Annes hospitals were so large that they could not be opened in Excel or Google Sheets. They were not part of this analysis. 11 hospitals, five health systems Rhode Island has 11 acute care hospitals (excluding psychiatric hospitals such as Bradley and Butler) that span five hospital systems. Hasbro Childrens Hospitals prices appear to be a part of the Rhode Island Hospital pricing files, and South County Hospital is not part of any hospital system but is a nonprofit community hospital. Advertisement Advertisement The only two for-profit hospitals are Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center, both part of the CharterCARE system. Both hospitals are in the process of being sold to the Centurion Foundation, a Georgia-based nonprofit. 'Zombie rates' One problem with the data sets is that they are often cluttered with prices for procedures that hospitals dont perform. These are known as zombie or ghost rates. This includes both rates for services that arent provided at a given hospital, as well as multiple rates for the same service. In the analysis of colonoscopy data, Women & Infants had four different price entries for UnitedHealthcares commercial negotiated insurance rate, ranging from $697 to $5,949. While they all shared the same main CPT code (45378) the prices changed depending on secondary CDM (Charge Description Master) codes. For Neighborhood Health Plan's Managed Medicaid plan, the code for colonoscopy had seven prices, ranging from $88 to $1,045. While multiple hospitals have rates for coronary bypass surgery, Rhode Island Hospital is the only one in the state to perform the procedure. The insurers we chose and why We chose to focus on the three health insurance companies in Rhode Island that cover the most people, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, UnitedHealthcare and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement According to data from 2024 provided by the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner, the following percentage of Rhode Islanders had insurance with one of the three major insurers: Blue Cross Blue Shield, 64% UnitedHealthcare, 29% Neighborhood Health Plan, 5.5% Health insurance coverage in Rhode Island roughly falls into thirds, between commercial insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. We looked at data from the variety of plans each insurer offered, including various forms of managed Medicare and Medicaid, but decided to focus on commercial negotiated prices to narrow the analysis. Limitations of the data The analysis required a lot of caveats, as the data was often muddled or unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Although cash prices are required to be posted, often referred to as the discounted cash price, they were missing for most of the hospitals we examined. For the uninsured, it's unclear what price is charged. Brown Healths files didnt even contain the words cash or discounted. Landmark and South County Hospital included cash prices for every procedure examined, the only hospitals to do so. Kent Hospital had the cash price for a couple of procedures, while other hospitals had none. Likely a function of zombie prices, many hospitals only had minimum and maximum prices for many procedures. Miriam Hospital only had negotiated prices for four of the 19 billing codes analyzed; five procedures had minimum and maximum prices, where the minimum and the maximum were the same; and 10 had no data. Advertisement Advertisement For many hospitals, data was just missing. The codes for appendix removal and hernia surgery were missing at Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital and Westerly Hospital, while it was a toss-up at the five birthing hospitals to figure out which set of billing codes for childbirth were used. In this analysis, commercial pricing has been pulled. For some hospitals and insurance providers, the negotiated commercial price was labeled as the HMO/PPO price, while for other,s the data just listed the commercial price. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How data on RI hospital pricing was analyzed The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramers game plan for this week. While discussing the stock, Cramer noted that more people are coming back to stocks, as he commented: Schwab gives us its numbers, too. And why do I want to look at this? Well, I like to look at retail participation in the market. I think more and more people are coming back to stocks, one of the reasons why I wrote my book, and I hope todays meltdown doesnt drive those people right back out. They wont if they read it. Charles Schwab, bank, finance Photo by Brendan Church on Unsplash The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) provides wealth management, brokerage, banking, and advisory services, providing trading platforms, investment products, and financial planning solutions. While discussing relatively cheap S&P 500 stocks during the September 22 episode, Cramer mentioned the stock and said: Beyond the banks and the credit card issuers, Charles Schwab made the cut, and Im a big fan of this retail brokerage house. While we acknowledge the potential of SCHW 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: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Juries in Denton and Collin counties sent two pedophiles to prison after they were convicted of sexually assaulting children. A Repeat Offender A Collin County jury sentenced 66-year-old David Sanchez to life in prison for repeatedly assaulting an 11-year-old girl, the district attorneys office announced on October 14. Because of this brave young victim and the tireless work of Princeton police and our prosecution team, this predator will never again be free to harm another child, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said in a press release. Our community is safer for it. A neighbor became concerned after seeing Sanchez near the girl at a bus stop in September 2024, giving her candy, money, and toys. He told the child not to tell anyone. Despite his instructions, the girl told her mother that Sanchez had been sexually abusing her, the release stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detective Maria Scott of the Princeton Police Department led the investigation. Officials interviewed the victim at the Childrens Advocacy Center of Collin County, where she gave a detailed account of the abuse. The Collin County Sheriffs Office initially arrested Sanchez on September 9, 2024, according to court records. Prosecutors charged him with two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact, after he reportedly committed one assault on August 22 and another on September 3. Sanchez posted bond, according to jail records. But prosecutors also charged him with two counts of stalking children under warrants from the Milam County Sheriffs Office, near College Station. He was arrested again on July 21, 2025. The suspect faced a jury trial on September 6, 2025, according to court records. Judge Rayburn Nall oversaw the trial, and the jury sentenced him to life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez had a violent past, according to the news release. He was a registered sex offender, convicted in McLennan County in 2008 for indecency with a child by sexual contact. Sanchez was charged in September 2006 and sentenced in July 2008 to eight years in prison, according to court records. He was released just five years later, in 2013. Afterward, he moved to Princeton. Prior to that, Sanchez was convicted in 1986 for attempted voluntary manslaughter. Its unacceptable that someone who has already served time for sexually abusing a child chose to do it again, Willis said in the release. Assistant District Attorneys Wendy Correa and Alex Haynes prosecuted the case, with help from DA Investigators Greg Bowers and Jennifer Gomez, Victim Assistance Coordinator Jill Moore, and Legal Secretary Ramnpreet Kaur. On ICE: Another Child Sex Assault Just days earlier, on October 9, a Denton County jury sentenced Little Elm resident Christian Carmona to 24 years in prison two consecutive 12-year terms for sexually abusing a child. Judge Steve Burgess ordered the sentences to be served consecutively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carmona was placed on hold for ICE, suggesting he entered the country illegally, according to Denton County Jail records. He faced two charges of indecency with a child by sexual contact each with a $35,000 bond for assaults on July 18, 2022. Attorney General Ken Paxtons Fugitive Apprehension Unit provided information to the Little Elm Police Department, which led to Carmonas initial arrest. According to jail records, officers with the department booked him into jail on November 28, 2022. Assistant District Attorneys Jesse Eyer and Barrett Doran prosecuted Carmona in court, with help from DA Investigator Heather Styne and Victim Liaison Amber Dunn, according to the release. Little Elm police initially investigated the case. Last Month in Collin County, police busted five men for alleged sex crimes, ranging from sex assault of a child, prohibited sex conduct, to possession of material showing sex assault, as The Dallas Express reported. One suspect, Jacob Allred, was a teacher at Great Lakes Academy in Plano when a 15-year-old girl accused him of grooming and inappropriate advances. In Denton County, police arrested five suspects for reported sex crimes in June and early July, as The Dallas Express also reported. These crimes ranged from aggravated sex assault of a child, burglary of a home with intent to commit a sex crime, to indecent exposure. MILAM COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) UPDATE: Five people have been injured in a three-vehicle accident in Milam County. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers responded to a major crash at approximately 3:30 p.m. Tuesday on FM-908 at the intersection of Highway 77. Three vehicles were involved. A preliminary investigation indicates that a 2025 Toyota RAV4, operated by a 32-year-old man from Fremont, California, was traveling westbound on FM-908. According to the investigating Trooper, the Toyota either disregarded a stop sign or failed to yield the right of way and entered Highway 77, pulling into the path of a northbound 2012 Lexus SUV driven by a 45-year-old woman from Frisco, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DPS says the impact caused the Lexus to cross into the southbound lanes of Highway 77 and into the path of a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado, operated by a 51-year-old man from Milano, Texas. The 32-year-old driver and 27-year-old passenger of the Toyota, as well as the driver of the Lexus and her 70-year-old passenger, were transported with incapacitating injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet was also transported for incapacitating injuries. The Milam County Sheriffs Office says this multi-vehicle collision had north and south lanes on Highway 77 blocked on Tuesday afternoon. The public was urged to seek alternate routes. As of 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, all lanes have reopened. DPS says this investigation remains active and open. 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 KWKT - FOX 44. Multiple airports in Texas are refusing to play a video at their security checkpoints in which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blames Democrats for the ongoing federal government shutdown, citing advertising policies that bar the use of political content. Airports commonly display videos from the head of homeland security on screens at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, but these messages are usually apolitical. This changed when Department of Homeland Security officials directed TSA to display a video that begins with Noem outlining TSAs priorities and ends with her expressing hope that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government. Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, Noem says in the video. Because of this, many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokespeople for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas Love Field Airport, Corpus Christi International Airport and San Antonio International Airport told The Texas Tribune that the video is not on display at their TSA checkpoints. Dallas Fort Worth International Airports decision to not display the video is consistent with its longstanding policy that prohibits political advertising, said Zachary Greiner, a spokesperson for the airport. Dallas Love Field Airports advertising policy also prohibits political or issue-oriented content, said spokesperson Patrick Clarke. Additionally, the airport has not received the permit application required for such videos. Corpus Christi International Airport and San Antonio International Airport are also not running the video at this time, according to statements from the airports that did not include explanations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jacquelyn Eckmann, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said the airports checkpoints do not have the ability to display the video because they are not equipped with video monitors. TSA is displaying the video at its security checkpoint at El Paso International Airport, said spokesperson Tammy Fonce. The Houston Airport System did not respond to an inquiry about whether they were showing Noems message. As of May 2022, TSA employed nearly 50,000 officers across the country, with more than 4,000 in Texas, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most of these workers are required to work without pay during government shutdowns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has contributed to staffing shortages and flight delays across the country, including at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to The Texas Tribune that the government shutdown has created challenges for TSA employees, but that security operations are largely unchanged. Its unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship, she said. Act fast and save on tickets for The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 1315 in downtown Austin. Hear from more than 300 speakers across 100+ sessions covering education, the economy, public policy, culture and more. GA ticket prices go up Oct. 17. Buy your tickets today! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. Artificial intelligence is changing nearly every aspect of modern life, from the way you communicate and shop to the way your work is being quantified. Yet as machines become smarter, the question lingers: how are people preparing to stay relevant? A recent global study shows how countries are preparing their citizens to succeed in a future with AI driving the workplace. Preparing for a Future Shaped by AI According to research cited in the study, nearly half of todays jobs could disappear within the next two decades due to automation. Yet thats only part of the story. Roughly 65% of elementary school students will one day hold jobs that dont yet existmany centered around AI technology. Researchers estimate that most elementary students will have jobs in the future that dont exist yet, and those careers will require advanced knowledge of AI, something not every country is prioritizing. (CREDIT: Kaiya Plagenhoef) AI capabilities and abilities are very important, said Lehong Shi, assistant research scientist at the University of Georgias Mary Frances Early College of Education and author of the study. If you want to be competitive somewhere else, it is very important to prepare employees to work with AI in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shi and her co-authors studied the national AI plans of the 50 countries to see how governments are defining education and workforce preparedness in the face of a fast-changing technology environment. A survey revealed just 13 countriesvirtually all of them in Europehad well-developed, comprehensive plans for preparing an AI-qualified workforce. Australia and Mexico were the only two non-European countries to be so rated. Quantifying How Countries Prioritize AI Education To measure the dedication of every country, research utilized six criteria: the clarity of their goals, how they were planning to accomplish them, examples of projects, measures of performance, available resources, and project deadlines. The results were very varied. Germany, France, and Finland stood out with good national plans incorporating AI education from primary schools through professional retraining. These nations have strong culture of lifelong learning and retraining programs supported by the government, which likely is the reason they succeeded. The United States, however, fell under the category of medium priority. While it has launched several programs to increase AI education and preparation for employment, its policies are less expansive than those of the leading European countries. Development of skills pre and post placement scores. (CREDIT: Journal of Business Research) Training the Workforce of Tomorrow The study uncovered six major strategies for preparing workers for AI-driven industries. They included developing AI-focused university programs, expanding K-12 technology education, creating workplace training pathways, and spending on teacher development and digital infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On-the-job training was among the most prevalent approaches. Over half of the countries reviewed provide programs that collaborate with industry to equip employees with AI-related skills. Internships or apprenticeships that integrate academic education with practical experience are also sponsored by some governments. However, Shis analysis revealed a major gap: few nations are paying attention to vulnerable populations such as the unemployed or elderly. Programs designed to teach them even basic AI skills were rare. Some countries focus more on national security or healthcare applications of AI, Shi said, but that leaves out workers who need new opportunities most. Building a Lifelong Interest in AI Countries like Germany are inspiring cultural shifts that render the learning of AI an ongoing pursuit. How Germany is doing this is by creating public interest in AI through peoples programs and funding for adult education. Spain has another but equally innovative strategy, whereby AI courses are introduced as early as preschool. Average scores of skills from students prior to their placements. (CREDIT: Journal of Business Research) Shi made the observation that these early intervention efforts could have a significant impact on shaping the attitudes of the following generation towards AInot as a threat, but as a tool for creativity and imagination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, she believes that there is one part that remains unexplored: the human part of the equation. Soft human skills, such as creativity, collaboration and communication cannot be replaced by AI, Shi said. And they were barely touched upon by only a few nations. Her thesis points to a growing consensus among business leaders and educators that sheer technical expertise will not suffice in the emerging workforce. Instead, it will perhaps be the combination of digital skills with human skills like empathy and cooperation that will ultimately distinguish humans from machines. Global Gaps and Opportunities The study also found that the education policies of most nations reflect their economic strength. Wealthier nations spend more money on AI research, infrastructure, and training for teachers, while less developed nations cannot. That difference could grow, could split the global workforce into an AI-driven half and a half left behind. Even among high-income nations, priorities vary. Some Asian economies are prioritizing AI applications in healthcare and national security more than education and workforce development. European countries, on the other hand, remain committed to education as the pillar of sustained AI competitiveness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study shows that building AI literacy has to be positioned as a national investment, rather than a short-term policy concern. Practical Implications of the Research The implications of these findings reach far beyond the classroom. As technology continues to transform portions of the economy, the ability to adapt will determine individual and nation success. For policymakers and educators, the findings offer a model for developing inclusive programs preparing all workersfactory laborers, office professionalsfrom their bases of operation. Shi hopes her findings will ignite further research on how cultural values and local economies influence workforce readiness. Upcoming research, she said, should look at how countries can better integrate technical training with social and emotional learning to produce a more competent workforce. For the average person, the message is straightforward: being competitive in an age of AI means learning step by step, embracing technology, and achieving the uncharacteristic human qualities the machines cant replicate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research findings are available online in the journal Human Resource Development Review. Related Stories Like these kind of feel good stories? Get The Brighter Side of News newsletter. Nato is discussing new rules that could make it easier to shoot down Russian fighter jets. The talks are focused on drawing up a single set of guidelines for engaging enemy aircraft. Defence chiefs want Russian jets carrying ground-attack missiles over allied airspace to be possible targets. The weaponry and trajectory of any aircraft would be the key determining factors for perceived threat, a source briefed on the discussions said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defence ministers are due to discuss the plans at a Nato meeting on Wednesday, as Europe faces increasing threats from Russian planes and drones. Nato leaders, including Donald Trump, have advocated shooting down Russian aircraft that breach Natos airspace. But some member states fear a more robust stance could trigger conflict with the nuclear-powered rival. Donald Trump has advocated shooting down Russian aircraft that breach Natos airspace - Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok Alexus Grynkewich, a US General and Natos Supreme Allied Commander Europe, has privately called for the creation of a unified, single air and missile defence system to streamline the response to any future provocations by Moscow. This would help the alliances top general eliminate so-called national caveats that could stand in the way of him responding with force, sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many member states operate with differing rules of engagement while operating under the Nato umbrella. Some require their pilots to make visual confirmation of perceived threats before taking action, while others can act based on radar data. This has prompted private discussions over what it would take for a Russian jet to be downed over allied territory. Last month, Nato held two emergency Article 4 meetings after separate Russian provocations in both Estonia and Poland. When three Russian MiG fighter jets crossed into Estonian airspace, modern Italian F-35s were scrambled to intercept them. Moscows warplanes were ordered to leave before being escorted to the international border in what insiders have described as a textbook response to the incident. Credit: Nato Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gen Grynkewich deemed the jets did not pose a threat to the alliance worthy of an armed response. Intelligence assessments later showed that the jets were equipped with air-to-air missiles and did not make any attempt to lock on to the Nato fighters as they arrived on the scene. A decision to engage the Russian jets could have been taken had they been carrying air-to-surface missiles or been on a more aggressive flight path, according to scenarios discussed inside Nato. Another challenge faced by Gen Grynkewich is bringing together three separate air-defence missions on the alliances eastern flank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as Eastern Sentry, launched after dozens of Russian drones violated Polands airspace, Baltic Sentry has been in operation since January. Natos training and assistance mission for Ukraine, also based in Poland, has its own air-defence element. In September, 19 Russian drones were either shot down or smashed into sites in central and eastern Poland Dozens of Nato allies are involved separately in each of these missions, leaving Gen Grynkewich with the headache of managing multiple national rules of engagement in what has been described internally as a patchwork. The Germans, Spanish, and Italians are deemed to be on the more cautious side of the argument, despite playing major roles in each of the missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trying to create a more unified, single, integrated air and missile defence system makes sense, and in order for him to do that, he needs to get rid of as many national caveats as possible, said a senior Nato diplomat. We all have to look sharply and critically at whether those caveats still make sense. Defence ministers will discuss merging the three missions to give Gen Grynkewich more flexibility at a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday. Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, said the discussions would further strengthen our deterrence and defence posture, including in light of recent incidents. Estonia, supported by other Baltic nations, is calling for the existing air-policing missions to be upgraded to full-fledged air-defence operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More cautious countries have warned that this scenario could only be deployed in wartime because it involves shutting the skies to civilian traffic and downing any Russian jet that enters without question. Raimond Kaljulaid, who chairs Estonias delegation to Natos parliamentary assembly, said: When you say that you will only use force if there is a direct military threat you are in effect saying that under certain conditions violations of our airspace will have no consequences. That is weak. Instead, our public position should be that we have the right to respond in a manner that we see fit and Russia should know that perhaps next time our reaction will be something else. This idea that our reaction is dependent on the way the Russians are acting threatening or not could basically imply that you can also drive a tank across the border if it poses no immediate threat. Of course that is ridiculous. We either have borders or we dont. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Nato F-35s or F-16 were deployed 29 times in response to Russian activity in the Baltic Sea, Denmarks military said on Tuesday. b' 2509 Nato\'s F35 jet and Russia\'s MiG31 ' In the latest sign that Vladimir Putin is stepping up his war efforts, a new law likely to be backed by parliament will enable Russia to deploy around two million military reservists to fight in Ukraine if needed. The amendment would allow reservists to be called up during peacetime, rather than only during martial law or when war has been declared. Russia calls its invasion of Ukraine a special military operation rather than a war. That could allow Putin to avoid another round of unpopular mobilisation, something the authorities are anxious to avoid after a partial mobilisation drive in September 2022 prompted tens of thousands of Russian men to flee the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump criticised Putin again during comments to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, saying the Russian leader was unwilling to end his war in Ukraine. Look, Im very disappointed because Vladimir and I had a very good relationship, probably still do, said the US president. Hes got to really settle this war. And you know they have long lines waiting for gasoline in Russia right now. And, all of a sudden, his economy is going to collapse. Britain has delivered 85,000 drones to Ukraine this year, and is expecting to exceed its goal of 100,000, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, will tell Nato allies in Brussels on Wednesday. For the first time, he will reveal that the country has invested 600m to accelerate deliveries of drones to the war-torn country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Healey will say that allies also need to ramp up drone production to outmatch Putins escalation. The Defence Secretary will also confirm that RAF Typhoons will continue to fly as part of Eastern Sentry for the rest of the year, at least. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) continued his no-holds-barred trolling of President Donald Trump, this time poking fun at a black-and-white photo of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu grasping each others hands. The White House posted the photo on Monday after Trump last week announced a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. Peace through strength, the photo caption read. Politics: Trump Goes On Bonkers AI-Fueled Posting Spree And Gavin Newsom Is Already Firing Back On the heels of the post, the governors press office followed up with its own parodied comparison of the snapshot a caption-less photo of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels from the 1994 comedy Dumb and Dumber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post, reported on by multiple outlets,appears to have been deleted. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in 1994's "Dumb and Dumber." Getty Images Neither the White House nor Newsoms press office immediately responded to HuffPosts requests for comment. Last week, Trump facilitated the ceasefire in Gaza that included freeing Israeli hostages and detained Palestinians. The ceasefire went into effect Friday after two years of war. Politics: Donald Trump Stuns With Insensitive Boast At Charlie Kirk Medal Ceremony Newsom and Trump have regularly clashed on social media. Over the weekend, Newsom also tore into Trump over a late-night post. The president on Sunday, in a 12:38 a.m. Truth Social post, blamed former President Joe Biden and The Biden FBI for the violent, unprecedented Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement THE BIDEN FBI PLACED 274 AGENTS INTO THE CROWD ON JANUARY 6, Trump wrote. If this is so, which it is, a lot of very good people will be owed big apologies. What a SCAM - DO SOMETHING!!! Politics: Gavin Newsom Has A Field Day With 'DOZY' Trump Moment Trump made the false accusation while seemingly forgetting that he was president when the attacks occurred. Biden was not sworn into office until two weeks later. Trumps nominee, Christopher Wray, was serving as director of the FBI at the time of the riot. IN A LATE NIGHT POST, TRUMP DOES NOT REMEMBER WHO WAS PRESIDENT ON JAN 6, 2021 (HE WAS), WEIRDLY SHOUTS DO SOMETHING (LIKELY AT CLOUDS), Newsom wrote in response on X, formerly Twitter. Related... Read the original on HuffPost The Armys Next Generation Squad Weapon continues to field to units and see upgrades, including a carbine version thats currently under development. The M7 and M250, both of which fire a new 6.8mm-caliber round, are the Armys replacements for the M4 and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, respectively, among the close combat force. Col. Jason Bohannon, program manager for soldier lethality at Program Executive Office Soldier, told Army Times in a recent interview that in addition to ongoing fielding of the weapons systems, some are already having upgrades applied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The platforms will soon field a new suppressor, for example, that comes equipped with a heat shield. Additionally, improved slings and a new buttstock are on the way, each item developed based on soldier feedback. Also under development is a carbine version of the M7, which weighs about the same as its M4 predecessor just over 6 pounds. So far, more than 2,000 M7 rifles and over 900 M250 automatic rifles have been fielded to units. One unit to recently field the new weapons was the Minnesota Army National Guards 34th Infantry Division, which received some of the first M250s ever issued to the Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Col. John McRae, who oversees training statewide for the Guard, told Army Times that the fielding was a notable example of the total force working together. Soldiers with the 34th Infantry Division receive instruction on the M250 automatic rifle during a New Equipment Training fielding at Camp Ripley, Minn., September 15, 2025. (Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Hamlin/Army) The squad is now a more lethal organization because they have the M250, McRae said. They can multiply the effects of the squad on the battlefield, engage high-value targets and at a greater range than before. The Army Marksmanship Units Instructor Training Group conducted the new equipment training for soldiers, emphasizing fundamental marksmanship but also guiding users on the new optic. The optic ensures every soldier has the capability to make first-round hits at distance, whether in single shot or burst, Sgt. 1st Class Chuck Riegel, ITGs primary instructor said in a release. And the cartridges terminal performance is incredible it will defeat pretty much anything they come across. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Program Manager Soldier Lethality also joined Guard personnel in the fielding. Sgt. 1st Class Karl Nelson fired the weapon as part of the fielding and said it was a far superior system when comparing it to the M249. It just shows that the Minnesota Guard is at the forefront of the Army force, not just the Guard, Nelson said. Having the new M250 automatic rifle, meanwhile, helps soldiers continue to maintain overmatch at all levels, McRae said, adding that getting a new weapon such as the M250 ahead of even active duty units was a big shot in the arm for soldier morale. The move shows that expectations meet reality for guardsmen who join to deploy and conduct real-world training and missions, he noted. The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Lebanon to continue its pursuit of justice over a deadly Israeli strike two years ago that killed a Reuters journalist and wounded six other reporters. The rights group said in a statement on Monday that it welcomed a move by Lebanons Ministry of Justice to investigate legal options to press charges against Israel for crimes against journalists. Reporters Without Borders also welcomed that Lebanon is finally taking action as Israel is accused of targeting a large number of journalists during its military aggression in Gaza and Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Issam Abdallah, a videographer for the Reuters news agency, was killed in the October 13, 2023, attack by an Israeli tank on southern Lebanon near the Israeli border. Two Al Jazeera reporters were among those injured. HRW said Lebanons announcement last week that it was looking at legal options to pursue the matter presented a fresh opportunity to achieve justice for the victims. Ramzi Kaiss, the NGOs Lebanon researcher, said the countrys action to hold Israel accountable is overdue. Israels apparently deliberate killing of Issam Abdallah should have served as a crystal clear message for Lebanons government that impunity for war crimes begets more war crimes, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Issams killing, scores of other civilians in Lebanon have been killed in apparently deliberate or indiscriminate attacks that violate the laws of war and amount to war crimes, Kaiss asserted. Journalists place their cameras on the grave of Lebanese photojournalist Issam Abdallah during his funeral in his hometown of Khiam on October 14, 2023 [Zohra Bensemra/Reuters] War crime The October 2023 attack wounded Al Jazeera cameraman Elie Brakhia and reporter Carmen Joukhadar, Reuters journalists Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh, and the AFP news agencys Christina Assi and Dylan Collins. Assi was seriously wounded and had to have her right leg amputated. HRW said an investigation by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had found that an Israeli Merkava tank had fired two 120mm rounds at the group of clearly identifiable journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The journalists were removed from the hostilities and had been stationary for more than an hour when they came under fire, the report said. No exchange of fire had been recorded across the border for more than 40 minutes before the attack. The NGO said it had found no evidence of a military target near the journalists location and, because the incident appeared to be a deliberate attack on civilians, it constituted a war crime. A journalists car burns at the site where Reuters videojournalist Issam Abdallah was killed and six others were injured in an Israeli tank attack in southern Lebanon on October 13, 2023 [Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters] Premeditated, targeted attack Morris Tidball-Binz, UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said on Friday that the attack was a premeditated, targeted and double-tapped attack from the Israeli forces, a clear violation, in my opinion, of [international humanitarian law], a war crime. Reporters Without Borders urged Beirut to refer the case to the International Criminal Court, saying on Friday: Lebanon is finally taking action against impunity for the crime. In February, the Committee to Protect Journalists said a record 124 journalists had been killed in 2024 and Israel was responsible for more than two-thirds of those deaths. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramers game plan for this week. Cramer did not show much enthusiasm while discussing the companys earnings, as he said: We got to hear from more banks on Wednesday, and Ive gotta tell you, Bank of America tends not to do all that much. Photo by Adam Nowakowski on Unsplash Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) provides banking, investment, and financial services for consumers, businesses, and institutions. The firm offers lending, wealth management, trading, advisory, and treasury solutions. When a caller asked for Cramers advice on the stock during the October 6 episode, he responded: Let Bank of America ride. Its very inexpensive. I think it can go much higher. I dont think its going to be stuck at this level, and I like the way the financials trade very much. Youll do well with Bank of America. Additionally, during the July 24 episode, Cramer praised Bank of America Corporations (NYSE:BAC) massive buyback plan. He commented: Now these arent flash. When Bank of America announced a $40 billion buyback the other day and nobody even notices, I regard that as a terrific sign. We want boring, we want no flash, we want gray flannel suits, and thats just what were getting to fuel this rally. So yawn away, but be sure to do some buying. While we acknowledge the potential of BAC 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: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Relatives of hostages recently freed by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas are demanding that the fight continue until the bodies of the remaining captives killed in the Gaza Strip are returned. The father of Omri Miran, who was released on Monday, told journalists at a Tel Aviv hospital that there was a moral duty to continue supporting the other families whose dead relatives had not been returned to Israel for a dignified burial. Contrary to the agreement with Israel, Hamas has so far only handed over some of the 28 bodies held in the Gaza Strip. Following the release of four bodies on Monday, the Israeli military said the Islamist group had passed four more bodies to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danny Miran called on the Israeli government to insist on the implementation of US President Donald Trump's plan, the first phase of which covered the release of all remaining hostages, living and dead. This phase must be completed before further steps are taken, Danny Miran said on Tuesday. "Only after the last hostage has been returned will we find peace." "We must form a united front and continue this fight," he added. Iair Horn, who was himself released from captivity at the beginning of the year, spoke tearfully about the return of his brother, Eitan, on Monday. "About eight months ago, I came home after 498 terrible days in Hamas captivity 498 days of fear, pain and a daily struggle to maintain my humanity," he said, his voice faltering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I came home, but the truth is that only today am I truly free. Only now, with my beloved younger brother Eitan finally back with us, is my heart whole again. The first breath after nearly two years of suffocation." Lishay Miran-Lavi expressed deep gratitude for the return of her husband and the father of her two young daughters. "While I am happy to have my Omri back, I cannot stop thinking about my friends who lost their loved ones in captivity," she said. "Their nightmare is not over, and their joy will never be complete." Miran called for a state commission of inquiry to be established to investigate the military and political failures of October 7, 2023. "Only then will we create a country worthy of our children," she said. Thousands are expected to gather in cities across New England and the United States on Oct. 18 for a second round of "No Kings" protests. The protests are a coordinated day of action targeting what organizers call the rise of political dynasties and anti-democratic power. In June, organizers estimated that the demonstrations drew over five million people across more than 2,100 events across the country. There are nearly 40 protests planned in Connecticut, including two in Norwich. One will be at 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at City Hall and the other will be 2 - 4 p.m. at Norwichtown Green. At the latter, participants will also collect hygiene product donations for St. Vincent de Paul Place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what else to know about the protests in Connecticut. What are the No Kings protests? The "No Kings" movement, launched by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of political action groups, is a response to what they describe as increasingly authoritarian tactics by President Donald Trump. The group says that Trump is ignoring mass shootings, terrorizing communities by deploying troops to cities and threatening democratic processes through voter suppression and redistricting efforts. They say they are also responding to his actions on immigration, healthcare and the economy. The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we dont have kings and we wont back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty, reads a statement on the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protests are intended to be nonviolent. Protesters march around the Rhode Island State House during Wednesday's anti-Trump protest. No Kings events to happen across Connecticut There are nearly 40 protests planned in Connecticut on Oct. 18. Some towns and cities are holding multiple events. Below is a list of communities in Connecticut holding protests this weekend. Find more information on your local communitys event here. Bethel Bridgeport Brookfield Canton Cornwall Enfield Farmington Glastonbury Granby Greenwich Guilford Hartford Kent Killingly Litchfield Middletown Milford Morris Mystic New Haven New London New Milford Newtown Norwich Ridgefield Roxbury Salisbury Somers Southbury Stamford Tolland Torrington Waterbury Westport Willimantic Windham Windsor Contributing: Jennifer Lindahl This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: What is 'No Kings' protest? Nearly 40 planned in CT on Oct. 18 No Kings Day protesters stand on the sidewalk at the intersection of East Main and West Main roads at Two Mile Corner in Middletown during rainy weather on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by David Hansen for Rhode Island Current) Four months after millions of No Kings protesters rallied across the country against the policies of President Donald Trump and his administration, more peaceful protests are planned for Saturday, Oct. 18, including at least 10 across Rhode Island. Thats one more than the eight held in the Ocean State on June 14, when an estimated 5 million people participated in nationwide demonstrations under the No Kings label on June 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With demonstrations planned Saturday in the morning and afternoon, some might even consider joining in more than one, Robert Vitello, treasurer of the Newport Democratic City Committee, said. The Newport Democratic committee is arranging bus transportation from Aquidneck Island to Providence for the rally near the State House taking place from 1 to 3 p.m. Vitello told Rhode Island Current Monday that the group had filled at least one bus so far. Limited free tickets for a seat were available, but tickets can be reserved by donation through the end of Tuesday. Many others are attending local events that are happening in the morning in Portsmouth, North Kingstown and other other towns, so people can attend both if theyre interested, Vitello said via text message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vitello participates in the committees weekly demonstrations near the Pell Bridge, to signal dissatisfaction with Trumps administration. The bridge coalition gathers on Wednesdays and averages between 25 and 50 people, Vitello said. The most amazing thing is the response from passing motorists, waving, giving us a thumbs up and honking their horns, Vitello said. We would be fooling ourselves if we thought that the constant barrage from the Trump White House isnt taking [a] toll, but every day we get new supporters saying enough is enough. A Sept. 18 press release from the national No Kings coalition organizing the protests describes the rallies as a nationwide mobilization uniting millions of Americans in nonviolent protest against President Trumps authoritarian actions and power grabs. Saturdays protests were in the planning stages before the federal government entered a shutdown on Oct. 1, but the shutdown seems to have only added more fuel to organizers critiques of the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National organizers bill the rallies as having a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. As of Monday, there were about 2,500 protests planned across the U.S. I cannot sit by and watch what is happening to our country, from sending in the National Guard to our American cities to unleashing masked ICE agents who terrorize our neighborhoods, to using our U.S. Justice department to go after political adversaries, Vitello said. If you call these tactics for what they are, it is fascism, which is un-American. Groups involved in organizing the protests nationally include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, Human Rights Campaign and Indivisible. Home of the Brave, one of the groups involved in backing the No Kings events, launched a $1 million ad campaign in local and national newspapers to promote Saturdays rallies, the Huffington Post reported Monday. U.S House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the protests in an Oct. 10 interview on Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The theory we have right now, they have a Hate America rally thats scheduled for Oct. 18 on the National Mall, Johnson said of one of the larger No Kings protests planned in Washington, D.C. Its all the pro-Hamas wing and the Antifa people, theyre all coming out. Some of the House Democrats are selling T-shirts for the event. And its being told to us that they wont be able to reopen the government until after that rally because they cant face their rabid base. The national No Kings coalition responded to Johnson in a statement. Speaker Johnson is running out of excuses for keeping the government shut down. Instead of reopening the government, preserving affordable healthcare, or lowering costs for working families, hes attacking millions of Americans who are peacefully coming together to say that America belongs to its people, not to kings. Here are where No Kings events are planned on Saturday In Rhode Island, protests include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside the Rhode Island State House (on the mall side) in Providence , from 1 to 3 p.m. East Greenwich , 1 to 3 p.m. Attendees must sign up to see event details and address. Sidewalk in front of North Kingstown Town Hall, 10 a.m. to noon. Freedom Green sidewalk at 304 N Broadway in East Providence , from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 461 County Road in Barrington , noon. to 1 p.m. United States Postal Service building at 600 Main Road in Tiverton , 1 to 2 p.m. Sidewalks near the intersection by Clements and Bank Newport in Portsmouth , 10 to 11 a.m. Little Compton Town Common in Little Compton , noon to 1 p.m. Estas Park on Water Street in Block Island , noon to 1 p.m. Franklin Street in Westerly, noon to 2 p.m. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Heres what youll learn when you read this article: Which U.S. presidents have received the Nobel Peace Prize Why these four men were honored with the prestigious award The controversies that ensued after several of their selections as winners Over the years, several U.S. presidents have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, including George W. Bush, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump. The prestigious award recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to advance peace, either through promoting democracy, human rights, or nuclear disarmament, or by brokering peace negotiations between nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, its fairly uncommon for an American president to actually win the award. Only four have ever received the prize, the most recent of which was Barack Obama, and only three have won the Nobel while they were in office. Heres what earned these presidential recipients one of the most coveted international awards and why controversy often followed. Theodore Roosevelt Getty Images Theodore Roosevelt, the larger-than-life 26th president of the United States, became the first statesman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 in recognition of his efforts to broker a peaceful end to the Russo-Japanese War. Like so much in Roosevelts life, the decision was controversial. The award was criticized by leftists who condemned the president as a military mad imperialist responsible for the American takeover of the Philippines. Swedish newspapers at the time wrote that Alfred Nobel, the awards namesake, was turning in his grave over the decision, according to the Nobel Foundation . For his part, Roosevelt used his Nobel acceptance speech to advocate for the formation of an international body for world peace. It would be a masterstroke if those great powers honestly bent on peace would form a League of Peace, not only to keep the peace among themselves, but to prevent, by force if necessary, its being broken by others, he said. Woodrow Wilson Getty Images The type of organization Roosevelt envisioned would later become a reality with the foundation of the League of Nations. Woodrow Wilson, the 38th president of the United States, was one of the primary architects of the international organization, and it was for that reason he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson also received the recognition for his role in helping end World War I , a conflict he sought to keep the United States out of in the first place. Wilsons Fourteen Points statement of principles for peacewhich addressed territorial issues, arms reduction, and trade conditions, among other factorshelped inform the peace negotiations. As with Roosevelt, Wilsons Nobel Prize was considered controversial. The World War I peace negotiations were difficult and contentious, and the League of Nations was significantly weakened when the United States refused to join it. For this reason, some on the Nobel Committee disagreed with the decision to give Wilson the award. Read More About Woodrow Wilson Jimmy Carter Getty Images Jimmy Carter was widely considered to have one of the greatest post-presidencies in U.S. history. So when he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his lifetime of work advancing human rights and world peace efforts, it was a great honor but not a particular surprise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, Carter had been nominated for the Nobel Prize at least five other times before winning it, according to Douglas Brinkleys book The Unfinished Presidency. He nearly won it in 1978 for his role in the Camp David Accords, and many expected him to win in 1994 for his diplomatic efforts in Haiti, for which U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan said he deserved five Nobel Prizes alone. Twenty-one years after leaving the White House, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development, according to the Nobel Foundation . Carter was particularly praised for creating The Carter Center with his wife, Rosalynn, in 1982. The nonprofit organization seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. Obviously, Im very grateful to the Nobel Committee for choosing me, he told CNN after the decision was announced. I think theyve announced very clearly that the work of The Carter Center has been a wonderful contribution to the world for the last 20 years. Nobel officials also publicly admitted that honoring Carter was an implicit criticism of then-President George W. Bushs initiation of the Iraq War, according to CNN. Barack Obama Getty Images Barack Obama was only nine months into his first term when it was announced in October 2009 that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize. The decision sparked mixed reactions from both sides of the political aisle, with even Obama, himself, appearing dubious as he addressed the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated in his acceptance speech . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the most profound issue surrounding my receipt of this prize is the fact that I am the Commander-in-Chief of the military of a nation in the midst of two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he said. I come here with an acute sense of the costs of armed conflictfilled with difficult questions about the relationship between war and peace and our effort to replace one with the other. The committee awarded Obama for his promotion of nuclear nonproliferation and his support of multilateral diplomacy and a new climate in international politics. Nobel committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland defended the decision: The question we have to ask is who has done the most in the previous year to enhance peace in the world. And who has done more than Barack Obama? You Might Also Like Police in Cobb County are seeking the publics help to locate Tange Davis, a mother who disappeared Thursday evening. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Daviss family became alarmed when she failed to show up for work the following day and was not responding to messages. Her car was found abandoned near a grocery store, which her family described as an unusual location. Were not gonna stop looking until we know shes OK, said Vershelle Hendricks, Daviss stepsister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes somebody who reaches out multiple times a day, said Ayanna Simms, Daviss daughter-in-law. TRENDING STORIES: Most of Daviss family resides in St. Louis, Missouri, but they have traveled to Cobb County to assist in the search efforts by distributing flyers and speaking with her coworkers and friends. Davis was supposed to help her son pay for her grandsons tuition on Friday, a task she had been excited about, according to Simms. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The family noted that Davis works in the medical field, where missing work without notice is highly unusual, further raising their concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family said they were told Cobb County Police have a protocol to wait 48 hours before initiating a search for a missing person. A department spokesperson said that is untrue, and each report of a missing person is evaluated immediately with appropriate action taken without delay based on circumstances. The spokesperson cited Cobb County Police Department Policy Section 5.04: There is no waiting period for reporting a missing person. Missing person reports shall be taken at the time a person is reported as missing. While were waiting, nothing is happening... so it takes the community to come together to find your missing family member, Hendricks said. Anyone with information about Tange Daviss whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance is urged to contact CrimeStoppers. GENEVA, NY After missing a court date last month, a former commander of Geneva American Legion Winnek Post 396 visited his sister in Tennessee for several days, switched vehicles, and then traveled to Pennsylvania, where he is accused of writing threatening letters to a relative in Ontario County and two witnesses in the felony grand larceny case against him. Thats how Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione characterized Dale H. Mosher's days on the run until his arrest Oct. 13 in Pennsylvania. Mosher, who Cirencione said had a leadership role in the Geneva post for years and who was entrusted to run not only the organization but also its finances, was indicted earlier this year on a second-degree grand larceny charge, which is a class C felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cirencione thanked the public for crucial information that helped lead to Moshers arrest as well as the efforts of law enforcement partners in three states, particularly the Sheriffs Offices own warrant unit Sgt. Seth Jones and deputies Patrick Fitzgerald, Zdenek Chumacero and Brian Garman, who worked the case 24-7 to locate and apprehend Mosher. The joint efforts of so many are why Mr. Mosher is in custody this morning, Cirencione said at a press conference Oct. 14. What we know now Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione, at the podium, announces the capture of former Geneva American Legion Post Commander Dale Mosher as Ontario County First ADA Kelly Wolford, Undersheriff Michael Rago and Geneva Police Chief Ron Eveland look on. Mosher was taken into custody shortly after 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13 without incident by the Hemlock Township Police Department as he attempted to enter a Wal-Mart parking lot in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. He was in custody at the Columbia County Prison pending extradition proceedings at the time of the press conference. Ontario County First Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford said Mosher could be arraigned sometime this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mosher was originally arrested in April 2024 after an internal financial audit of the veterans organization and 10-month investigation involving the Ontario County Sheriff's Office. Mosher was accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the organization dating back to 2018. In announcing the indictment earlier this year, the District Attorney's Office said the money was taken in small amounts at a time and was believed to be for his own use. Cirencione said Mosher had been attending all of his scheduled court appearances until last month, when he failed to appear for a scheduled court appearance. A bench warrant for his arrest was issued. Moshers trial was set for this month at which if he was found guilty, he could have faced up to 15 years in jail. The days leading up to Dale H. Mosher's arrest Mosher had been moving around between the Harrisburg and Gettysburg areas in Pennsylvania, Cirencione said. The letters were processed and postmarked in a mail facility in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Two of the handwritten letters contained death threats, Cirencione said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously this ratcheted up our concern and the public safety threat, Cirencione said. Over the weekend, investigators developed credible information that Mosher remained in central Pennsylvania in the area of a rest stop near Hemlock Township. Further charges are being investigated, Cirencione said. Impact on Geneva American Legion Winnek Post 396 According to the current Geneva American Legion Winnek Post 396 commander, steps have been taken to provide checks and balances when it comes to the post's finances. Cirencione said Moshers violation of trust caused tremendous harm to the American Legion community and is hopeful that his apprehension is another step forward in the right direction of this healing process. Cirencione said that while people suspected that Mosher was up to no good, many were afraid to confront him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was a bully, straight up," Cirencione said, adding that current Commander A.J. Fratto stood up to it. Fratto, who alerted the Sheriffs Office to the alleged financial irregularities, said he is grateful to the efforts in capturing the disgraced commander. The case also serves as a lesson that when something is wrong, you have to fix it, Fratto said, adding that there is now two-person integrity on everything we do. We have done everything we can do to build trust in the organization, Fratto said. Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Dale Mosher accused of theft, threats arrested after fleeing court date ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Ector County jury in the 161st District Court has found Dustin Biggerstaff guilty on five counts of Possession of Child Pornography, each a third-degree felony. According to the Ector County District Attorney, on Tuesday, October 14, Biggerstaff was sentenced to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and fined $10,000 for the first count. He also received 10 years and a $1,000 fine for each of the remaining four counts. The sentences will run consecutively, for a total of 60 years. According to court records, the case began in June 2023 when the Texas Department of Public Safety received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Investigators were alerted that a video file containing child pornography had been uploaded through a Google account registered to Biggerstaff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When initially questioned, Biggerstaff denied involvement. However, he later admitted to accessing a child pornography website, downloading images, and watching child pornography for approximately two years. Authorities executed a search warrant on his phone and recovered 40 additional images of child pornography. The Ector County District Attorneys Office credited on a Facebook post its trial team with securing the conviction. Trial Chief Kortney Williams and Assistant District Attorney Gene Stump led the prosecution, with support from Investigator Crystal Dessena, Victim Assistance Coordinator Yazmine Rivera, and Paralegal Karen Martinez. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Odessa Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying a man accused of stealing a generator from a local store. According to investigators, the theft happened at Northern Tool & Equipment, located at 6151 Highway 191. Police said the suspect took a generator worth $650 and left the store without paying. OPD has released surveillance images of the suspect: Anyone who recognizes him is asked to contact Detective M. Troglin at 432-284-2012 or Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-TIPS and reference Case #25-0010155. 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 Yourbasin. Sixty air traffic controllers are Chicago O'Hare International Airport are among the hundreds in the Chicago area getting their first pay checks impacted by the federal government shutdown. Air travelers may not have noticed any changes for travel on Tuesday. But at O'Hare, some off-duty air traffic controllers shared leaflets about the government shutdown that requires some workers, like themselves, to keep working without pay. "It's terrible, coming into work and not getting anything from it. Overall, your mood would be pretty upset," said traveler Jason Guerrero. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When you miss that paycheck, if you can think of options, you're really doing financial gymnastics. So, it's hard to think about people not getting paid," said traveler James Miller. SEE ALSO | Impacts of government shutdown continue, next vote scheduled for Tuesday night The union representing air traffic controllers said members just got their pay checks that were short due to the shutdown, and that their next paychecks will be zero unless the government is back in business. "Now, it's starting to get real for them. They are worried about paying the mortgage car payments paying for daycare is a huge one," said NATCA Regional Vice President for the Great Lakes Drew MacQueen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's going to be a struggle," said Air Traffic Controller Matt Ellington. Ellington has been an air traffic controller at O'Hare since 2008 and is a facility representative for the union. He says he has been through a government shutdown before. And he says even though they should get back pay once the shutdown ends, it is no help now. "Alright, the mortgage is covered right now, but what are we going to do about next month, depending on how long to shut down goes for? What are you going to do? I don't know. I don't know. We'll see," Ellington said. Those ABC7 spoke with are eager to for the shutdown to end for their sake and the sake of their families. Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement on Tuesday, saying, "I instructed the Chicago Department of Aviation to decline the request by DHS to play a political video at our airports. The video shows DHS Secretary Kristi Noem making political assertions about the ongoing government shutdown. Our airports are for Chicagoans and visitors to travel safely to and from our city; they are not for the Trump administration to spread propaganda using taxpayer resources." Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer commented on. A caller asked if Cramer thinks the stock is a long-term hold or if they should reconsider their position. He replied: Okay, I was thrown by the impact that this fire had, and its caused me to recalibrate. I do think that Fords good, but I think numbers might be too high because that fire hurt so many parts of their operation. Pixabay/Public Domain Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) designs, manufactures, and sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including electric, hybrid, and internal combustion models. During the August 7 episode, Cramer discussed the company in light of tariffs. He commented: I believe these auto tariffs are real. Theyll change the landscape even if Japan and Korea start putting in giant orders for natural gas turbines and airplanes. How can I tell? Its easy. I look at the stock of Ford Motor. This stock wouldve been moribund for ages for a host of reasons, from warranty issues to electric vehicles slow down to too many white collar workers, is suddenly on the move. Ford is the biggest winner because its cars and trucks have the most content made in the US, even more than General Motors, although GMs a winner from these tariffs too. I bet Ford stock could mimic the stock of Whirlpool While we acknowledge the potential of F 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: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Update: In the afternoon of Oct. 14, a Franklin County judge temporarily blocked Gov. Mike DeWine's ban on intoxicating hemp, allowing the sale of products for now. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's 90-day ban on intoxicating hemp, including THC-infused gummies and beverages went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 14. DeWine's decision came after months of waiting for lawmakers to impose their own restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three businesses are suing DeWine over the order, but so far no action has been taken by the court. Members of the Ohio Healthy Alternatives Association, which advocates for alternatives to alcohol and prescription drugs, filed a lawsuit shortly after DeWine announced the ban. The lawsuit asks a Franklin County Common Pleas judge to block DeWine's ban and prevent it from taking effect. The association says DeWine doesn't have the authority to restrict access to the products and "cause systematic chaos overnight." Here's what you need to know about the ban. What is banned under DeWine's executive order? The executive order bans the sale of consumer products containing intoxicating hemp, including THC-infused beverages and gummies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The products cannot be displayed in stores and must be disposed of by returning them to the manufacturer or giving them to law enforcement. When does Ohio ban on THC gummies, drinks and other hemp products start? DeWine's ban on intoxicating hemp went into effect on Oct. 14 at 12:01 a.m. How long is Ohio's ban on THC gummies, drinks and other hemp products? DeWine imposed a 90-day ban on intoxicating hemp by declaring a consumer product emergency. Ohio lawmakers could repeal the emergency after 30 days, but that seems unlikely. A governor's state of emergency can last only 90 days unless state lawmakers extend it. Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said lawmakers could come up with a resolution within in the next 50 or 60 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 86, which would require hemp to be sold in marijuana dispensaries to those 21 and older. The bill's sponsors, Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, called it "a responsible path forward." Can I still buy marijuana in Ohio? The ban does not impact the sale of marijuana in dispensaries. Ohio legalized recreational marijuana with a 2023 vote. In fact, marijuana businesses applauded DeWine's order. "Adult Ohioans deserve safe, regulated, and tested products they can trust," Ohio Cannabis Coalition executive director David Bowling said. "Our industry has always been invested in the communities where we live, work, and do business, and we will continue that commitment. Can DeWine ban intoxicating hemp on his own? That's a question for the courts. DeWine said in January 2024 that he needed lawmakers to act to restrict intoxicating hemp, and he couldn't do it on his own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three businesses are already suing over the ban. Members of the Ohio Healthy Alternatives Association, which advocates for alternatives to alcohol and prescription drugs, filed a lawsuit shortly after DeWine announced the ban. The lawsuit asks a Franklin County Common Pleas judge to block DeWine's ban and prevent it from taking effect on Oct. 14. Why was hemp legal in Ohio? The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp nationwide and defined it as cannabis with no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC, the compound that produces a high. The law opened the door for industrial hemp and CBD, but it also created a legal loophole that allows CBD stores, breweries and gas stations to sell hemp-derived cannabis and other gray market products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huffman said businesses upset about the ban should have realized they were on shaky ground. "Whenever you enter these kinds of endeavors and the regulatory framework and legal framework are unclear, you go forward at your peril," he said. Reporter Laura A. Bischoff contributed to this article. State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@gannett.com or @jbalmert on X. Speak out: Tell us what you think This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: THC drinks, gummies, hemp products banned in Ohio for 90 days UPDATE: Sales can resume after a judge paused the Ohio governor's ban on THC gummies and beverages. Learn more here. Previously: Tuesday, Oct. 14, marks the first day that the sale of THC-infused gummies and beverages are banned in one of Kentucky's neighboring states, Ohio. Here's what to know about the Ohio ban and what the THC laws are in Kentucky. Why did Ohio ban the sale of THC gummies? Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced his plans to implement a 90-day ban on the sale of intoxicating hemp products on Oct. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intoxicating hemp products are any THC-containing items sold outside of licensed marijuana dispensaries such as THC-infused gummies and beverages sold in gas stations, tap rooms and retail shops, for 90 days. "I am taking action today under my authority as the governor of the state of Ohio to get these products off the streets," DeWine said. A lawsuit was filed on Oct. 9, challenging the governor's order by the Ohio Healthy Alternatives Association, which advocated for alternatives to alcohol and prescription drugs. When does the Ohio THC ban go into effect? According to DeWine's executive order, retailers are required to remove products and cease sales by 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14. Will Ohio's THC ban be permanent? The governor issued the ban as a result of the inaction of state lawmakers over several months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the 90-day ban runs out, it's up to lawmakers to take steps to regulate intoxicating hemp, DeWine said. Is weed legal in Kentucky? Medical marijuana is legal in Kentucky. Recreational marijuana has not yet been legalized. Is THC legal in Kentucky? CBD, Delta-9 THC and THCA, which are alternatives to marijuana, are available for legal purchase at vape shops in Kentucky as long as those levels don't exceed the legal limit. Any THC product with a higher level than 0.3% is classified as marijuana. How many states have legalized weed? Marijuana is legal for both recreational and medicinal use in 24 states and the District of Columbia as of April 2025, according to DISA Global Solutions. The states are listed below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Illinois Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Montana Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York Ohio Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Virginia Washington 46 states, Washington DC and three U.S. territories have approved some form of cannabis for medicinal use. Nebraska is the most recent state to vote in favor of medical marijuana. When was weed banned federally? Marijuana was banned federally in 1970 with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act, which classified marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug. Kentucky medical marijuana: Kentucky's medical marijuana program under fire as loopholes leave locals in the cold Where is marijuana fully illegal? Marijuana is fully illegal for both medicinal and recreational use and has not been decriminalized in the following states: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho Indiana Kansas South Carolina Wyoming There are also a few states where medical and recreational marijuana isn't legalized, but is decriminalized. Contributing: Kayla Dwyer, Greta Cross and Katie Wiseman. Reach Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com. (This story has been updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Ohio's THC ban paused by court. Is THC legal in Kentucky? COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The Ohio House has passed a resolution honoring Pope Leo XIV, marking the historic election of the first American-born pontiff and recognizing his Midwestern roots. House Resolution 139, introduced by Reps. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp.), received approval from the chamber on Oct. 1. The measure celebrates the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, as the 267th pope in the Catholic Churchs apostolic succession. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Pope Leo XIV in the video player above. The Ohio House joined us in recognizing this historic moment for Catholics in Ohio and across the world, Mathews said in a statement. Pope Leo XIVs journey from the Midwest to the papacy is one of faith, service and leadership, and we are grateful that our state has formally honored him in his role of Vicar of Christ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio bill named after Charlie Kirk promotes positive Christian history lessons in schools Prevost, 70, was elected in May 2025, succeeding Pope Francis. Before his election, he served as a missionary, bishop and cardinal, most notably in Peru. He is a member of the Augustinian order and studied at Villanova University and the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. I am proud and humbled to have joint-sponsored this important resolution with Rep. Adam Mathews honoring Pope Leo XIVs election to help forward the pride, congratulations and best wishes for the first American Pope from my fellow parishioners, friends, neighbors, classmates, constituents and Ohio citizens in the Catholic community and beyond, Odioso said. Supporters of the resolution said the moment carries special meaning for Ohios Catholic population, which numbers nearly two million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a Sept. 15 committee hearing, Marsha Forson, associate director for the Catholic Conference of Ohio, testified in favor of the measure. She highlighted the growth of the Catholic Church in the state and its ongoing role in education, health care and social services. Two hundred seven years ago, the oldest running Catholic parish in Ohio, St. Josephs in Somerset, was established to minister to a nascent Catholic community of just 10 European immigrant families, Forson told the House General Government Committee. Today, Ohio is home to 2 million Catholics, the descendants of earlier generations of countless backgrounds. OSUs College of Nursing expands program amid nationwide nursing shortage Forson noted the unusual nature of the Catholic Conference offering testimony on a resolution, stating, While the Catholic Conference of Ohio typically does not engage on resolutions, the Church also has never had an American pontiff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She called Pope Leo XIV a leader committed to promoting peace and to respecting the dignity of life without exception, and quoted a recent message in which the pope urged lawmakers to work for a world where power is tamed by conscience law is at the service of human dignity [and] the dangerous and self-defeating mind-set that says nothing will ever change is rejected. The resolution will be formally sent to the Vatican as a symbolic gesture. View the resolution below. Ohio House Resolution 139Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Oklahoma City voters are going to the polls today to decide the status of a historic $2.718 billion bond. If all categories receive a majority approval rating from the voters, it would set funds aside for 547 projects in 11 areas of the city. Just about half of the funding, $1.35 billion, is slated for sidewalks and streets in the city, but a secondary large portion could be used to prepare the city for a new landscape of professional sports. The bond will include a request to provide funding for the citys oldest original MAPS venues, two future Olympic sites and additional funding for a new outdoor stadium. The bond issue also includes $25 million to build out office space for the OKC Thunder in the new arena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's how to prepare to vote and what your ballot means. Where do I vote? Can I see a sample ballot? Use the OK Voter Portal to find your polling place, change an address, change your political affiliation and view a sample ballot. It is available in English and Spanish. What are we voting on today? Oklahoma City will have a special election vote on Tuesday, Oct. 14, which was called to ask voters to consider a $2.718 billion bond, the largest in the city's history. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt previously told The Oklahoman the new bond is timed to follow the payoff of prior bonds and will not result in an increase in property taxes. There are different sections on the ballot, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more here to see the full list of initiatives on the ballot. What do I need to bring to vote in Oklahoma? Anyone voting in person must provide proof of identity. Voters can choose one of three options: A valid photo ID issued by the federal, state or tribal government. A voter identification card. Sign an affidavit and vote a provisional ballot; if the information on the affidavit matches official voter registration records, the ballot will be counted after Election Day. How to check your voter registration Make sure your voter registration is up to date, including your current address, name and political affiliation, by going to okvoterportal.okelections.gov. Election results Polls close today at 7 p.m. As votes are counted, the Oklahoman will share the results online at Oklahoman.com. Jordan Gerard, The Oklahoman, contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Election today on OKC bond issue. Find polling places, sample ballot Members of the community celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, Oct. 13, at First Americans Museum with food, cultural performances, games and more. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, a member of the Osage Nation, read a mayoral proclamation at the festival to declare Oct. 13, 2025, as Indigenous Peoples Day in the city. The mayor has made this declaration since 2018. Indigenous Peoples' Day, which coincides with the federal holiday Columbus Day, is an official holiday in around 20 states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 221 cities have renamed it or replaced it with Indigenous Peoples' Day. Some states recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day through a proclamation, while others treat it as an official holiday. Lakota Lewis dances during Indigenous Peoples Day at First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated in OKC with dance, city proclamation Ever since the war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023, the question of what happens on the day after in Gaza has loomed large. Rarely have two sides been less enthusiastic about a ceasefire, but neither of them sees any viable alternatives at the moment besides agreeing with the plan put forth by President Donald Trump and seeing what happens. But the unfolding ceasefire also brings to the forefront pertinent questions about what comes next with regard to Israeli domestic politics. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the past two years has acted as though the best way to remain in power is to continue the war. And he does, indeed, need to remain in power for personal and political imperatives, but a combination of internal and external pressures has forced a reconsideration, leading to the current ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, two swords of Damocles hang over Netanyahus head, one personal and the other political. On the personal level, he is being prosecuted on criminal corruption charges and potentially faces prison. Netanyahu is expected to testify in the trial, which has been going since 2020, on Wednesday. Since the start of the war in 2023, trial hearings have been repeatedly delayed at Netanyahus lawyers requests on national security grounds. Politically, Netanyahu and many other senior officials naturally dread the inevitable inquiry commission into the Oct. 7 attack. Virtually all Israeli defensive systems failed abysmally. The intelligence failure alone is extraordinary, based on the assumption that Hamas was content ruling Gaza. Israeli soldiers and civilians paid with their lives for this smug colonial overconfidence. Netanyahu has acted as though the best way to postpone his trial and an inquiry was to continue the war. He insisted on total victory over Hamas. But that nebulous goal, still not achieved, is sufficiently open-ended to carry on fighting indefinitely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the war, the prime minister has been in an uncomfortable alliance with two extremist Cabinet colleagues, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. They are enthusiastic advocates of the Gaza war, and they endorsed expelling the Palestinians and resettling northern Gaza. They are also among the most ardent proponents of immediately annexing the West Bank and have frequently threatened to resign theoretically bringing down the government over relatively dovish initiatives such as the current cease fire. But Netanyahu has faced pressure from the military which has long demanded a coherent strategic goal after having routinely suffered casualties to Hamas shoestring but effective insurgency. And theres no lack of potential Hamas recruits among the bereaved, impoverished and radicalized youth in Gaza, many willing to die. The Israel Defense Forces has apparently concluded theres little, if anything, worth fighting over other than for neutralizing Hamas remaining tunnels. The Israeli public, too, provided major pressure for ending the war. Some protesters were driven more by freeing hostages, while others are more focused on simply ending the conflict. But these two groups often, and increasingly, overlap. And ultimately, Netanyahu was effectively forced by this triple-combination of pressure from Trump, the military and public opinion into accepting the new ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas, too, has been effectively forced to concede and cooperate (at least for now). It was heavily pushed to agree to Trumps proposal by its last remaining allies, Turkey and Qatar, cut off from Iranian support because of the Turkish-engineered downfall of the Assad dictatorship in Syria, confronted by a united Arab world that is completely fed up with the war and surrounded by an utterly exhausted and desperate population of ordinary Palestinians in Gaza. Its small but militant insurgency remains effective at routinely killing Israeli soldiers, but in every other way Hamas situation is as dire as ever. When the White House sides with the Israeli military and protesters, Netanyahu has little choice but to cooperate. That happened between mid-January and mid-March when a ceasefire negotiated by former President Joe Biden secured the release of 20 living hostages and several deceased hostages. However, after having implemented the first phase of Bidens three-phase plan, Netanyahu ended the calm on March 17 with a massive barrage that killed over 400 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Trump didnt intervene in March to insist on the continuation of the Biden plan, which held that negotiations would continue if both sides were refraining from attacks. However, given the political equation outlined above, Netanyahu was eager to return to the fray, and the war resumed. This time, Netanyahu was effectively forced into accepting the new ceasefire. Trumps enthusiasm for his own plan and fury about Israels attack on Qatar along with the Israeli publics demands for ending the increasingly unpopular war, as well as intensive pressure from his own military commanders left him with no real alternatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Hamas finally saying yes, even to unfavorable terms, all the other pressure is on Netanyahu. The virtually inevitable Israeli elections next year have apparently convinced Netanyahu that his interests are best served by implementing the ceasefire for now and campaigning without major combat ongoing in Gaza. Meanwhile, the extremist ministers bluff was called already over the Biden plan in January, when, despite their threats, they failed to resign from Netanyahus ruling coalition. Once again, they blustered but remained in the Cabinet. Even if they left, however, Netanyahu could probably find other center-right Knesset members who would replace them, primarily to protect the ceasefire. Netanyahus political stock rebounded significantly this year after Israels military successes against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the bombing attacks that did considerable damage to Irans nuclear program. He hasnt fully redeemed himself in the eyes of the Israeli people from the failures of Oct. 7, but many in Israel seem to have re-evaluated him as a more trustworthy and effective wartime leader. The secret of Netanyahus success in the Israeli system hasnt primarily rested on being the first choice among most Israelis. Rather, he has consistently, and often brilliantly, maneuvered to ensure that he is an acceptable second, or even third, choice for enough Israelis to time and again deliver him sufficient support in the Knesset to survive no-confidence votes and to emerge from elections still in power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, implementing the Trump ceasefire seems to be Netanyahus best bet going into 2026. However, if the ceasefire holds and the war truly ends, Netanyahu loses his primary reason for remaining in power. But if Netanyahu remains prime minister after the next election, then the pressures that led him to continue the war over the past two years may again convince him that war is his most reliable political ally. The next scheduled elections are a little more than a year from now, on Oct. 27, 2026, and they could come even sooner. If he hasnt continued to successfully postpone his trial and an inquiry commission into the Oct. 7 attack, Israelis may decide its time for Bibi to finally face accountability. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Orbis International has launched a three-week training initiative in Ghana aboard the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, an ophthalmic teaching aircraft-based hospital. This initiative, welcomed by the country's Ministry of Health, is set to take place in Accra and Kumasi, in collaboration with Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the Ghana Ophthalmic Nursing School. The project seeks to enhance the skills of local eye care teams and contribute to the establishment of sustainable access to sight-saving services across the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the fourth visit of the Flying Eye Hospital to Ghana, with previous visits held between 1990 and 2019. Orbis' volunteer faculty and clinical staff will conduct simulation training in medical retina, strabismus, glaucoma, and cataract treatment, alongside practical training in oculoplastics. The project also encompasses training for biomedical engineers, anaesthetists, and nurses. The simulation training will take place aboard the Flying Eye Hospital, which is currently stationed at Kotoka International Airport. In Kumasi, the project will provide training in anaesthesia, nursing, and surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orbis Ghana country director Adolf Ollennu said: It is my privilege to work with the Ministry of Health to welcome the Flying Eye Hospital back to Ghana. We hope this visit not only showcases the eye care services and expertise already available in Ghana but also reinforces the importance of prioritising eye health at the national level. "A strong commitment to finalising and implementing a national eye health policy will ensure that quality, sustainable care reaches everyone who needs it. Since 1982, Orbis has reached a total of 97 countries with in-person programmes, delivering training both on and off the Flying Eye Hospital, and over 200 countries and territories virtually through its e-learning and telemedicine platform, Cybersight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Orbis International launches ophthalmic training in Ghana" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. Orlando Fire Department to try for accreditation again after revocation The Orlando Fire Departments accreditation was revoked afterit failed to provide the accreditation agency the documents and missed multiple meetings over the last year. The chief tried to get 60 more days to do it, but the agency said no. Now the fire department will have to try all over again. Until now, the Orlando Fire Department has touted its accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. The city put it right on its website, proud of the work they have done to get it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accreditation is basically an audit on how the department is doing. It doesnt affect the day-to-day operations, but the city has kept it up for 12 years until it was revoked last week. Documents show the commissions program manager had been trying for a year to get the departments documents and do an inspection. But calls and meetings were ignored, so the accreditation was terminated. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer responded by saying, The accreditation is nice to have. We tout that. Its an objective observation on where you stand, but it wont affect day-to-day service in any way. The fire department asked for a 60-day extension, but it was denied. That means it will have start the process over to try and get reaccredited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department did not answer WFTVs questions about why or how this happened, but sent a statement saying, The Orlando Fire Department remains steadfast in its pursuit of reaccreditation from the Center of Public Safety Excellence. Although accreditation is completely voluntary and does not impact our current level of service to our community, we will continue to utilize external validation models to enhance departmental effectiveness for the benefit of residents, visitors, and businesses of the city of Orlando. We anticipate achieving reaccreditation in the near future. In the meantime, the public can continue to expect world-class service from our Class 1 ISO-rated fire department. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Outdoor and sporting goods chain Orvis, which sells some products in Rhode Island, said it plans to permanently close more than 30 locations throughout the United States. Simon Perkins, the company's president, told USA TODAY that the Vermont-headquartered retailer will shutter 31 stores and five outlets by early next year. He cited the country's "unprecedented tariff landscape," and said the company would also reduce the selection of products it sells. Orvis will focus more on gear and outdoor products, but will not fully stop selling lifestyle apparel, the company said. Advertisement Advertisement "We are entering an exciting new chapter by returning to our roots and sharpening our focus on the pursuits at the heart of our heritage: fly fishing and wingshooting," Perkins said in a statement. "This focus is about more than products its about ensuring Orvis continues to lead in innovation, serve our angling and upland communities, and protect the wild places we love." The company did not specify which stores would be closing. Orvis store locations in Rhode Island Orvis does not have any retail stores in Rhode Island, but sells its clothing at four outdoor recreation shops across the state, according to the company's website. Here's a list of the Rhode Island locations: Fin & Feather Outfitters (Authorized Orvis Dealer): 3520 Quaker Lane, North Kingstown, RI 02852 Robin Hollow Outfitters (Authorized Orvis Dealer): 200B Pheasant Drive, Mapleville, RI 02839 Saltwater Edge (Authorized Orvis Dealer): 1315 West Main Road, Unit 1, Middletown, RI 02842 The Sporting Shoppe (Authorized Orvis Dealer): 87C Kingstown Road, Richmond, RI 02898 What does Orvis sell? About the company The company, founded in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis in Manchester, Vt., currently operates 70 retail locations across the United States, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Orvis also sells its products through more than 550 retail partners, or "authorized dealers," like Fin & Feather Outfitters and Saltwater Edge in Rhode Island. While the chain began as a fly-fishing equipment store, it expanded into sportswear, fine gifts, home furnishings, luggage, and travel accessories, Orvis' website said. Fly-fishing close-up. It currently employs 1,500 people in the United States, but the number of workers affected by closures remains unknown. Orvis did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Oct. 14. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Sporting goods chain Orvis to close locations. Where its RI shops are The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramers game plan for this week. Cramer highlighted his expectations for the companys upside surprise, as he remarked: Tuesday, it starts earnings season like I tell you in How to Make Money in Any Market This is the period that defines most stocks, the earnings season. Tuesdays a big day for earnings. Just in the morning, we have three stocks we own for the Charitable Trust: BlackRock, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs. All three have had a good run for the year, and they arent exactly in the crosshairs of the trade war. I think Goldman Sachs is liable to have the biggest upside surprise. Photo by Akshay Sadarangani on Unsplash The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) provides financial advisory, investment banking, trading, and asset and wealth management services for corporations, institutions, governments, and individuals. When a caller asked for Cramers advice on the companys stock during the October 6 episode, he replied: Buy. The stock is selling at a ridiculously low multiple still. Its hovering around this level. People are getting nervous at this level. Its going to blow through this level, and youre going to wish that you got in right now. While we acknowledge the potential of GS 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: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) Clashes erupted Tuesday between Pakistani and Afghan forces in a remote northwestern border region, with state-run media in Pakistan accusing Afghan troops of opening unprovoked fire that was repulsed. Pakistani forces responded, damaging Afghan tanks and military posts, according to Pakistan TV and two security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Tahir Ahrar, a deputy police spokesperson in Afghanistans Khost province, confirmed the clashes but provided no further details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the second time this week that the two sides have traded fire along their long border. According to Pakistans state-run media, Afghan forces and Pakistani Taliban jointly opened fire at a Pakistani post without provocation, prompting what the media described as a strong response from Pakistani troops in Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Security officials said Pakistan's military also destroyed a sprawling training facility of the Pakistani Taliban. There was no immediate comment from Pakistans military, which has been on high alert since Saturday, when both sides traded fire across multiple border regions, resulting in dozens of casualties on each side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the clashes halted on Sunday after appeals from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, all border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained closed. Over the weekend, Kabul said that it targeted several Pakistani military posts and killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliation for what it called repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace. Pakistans military reported lower figures, saying it lost 23 soldiers and killed more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists in retaliatory fire along the frontier. Tensions have remained high since last week, when the Taliban government accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul and in an eastern market. Pakistan has not acknowledged those allegations. But Pakistan has previously launched strikes inside Afghanistan, saying it targets hideouts of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, which is separate from but allied to the Afghan Taliban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan accuses Kabul of harboring the group, which has carried out numerous deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies the charge, saying it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries. ___ Associated Press writer Abdul Qahar Afghan in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, contributed to this story. President Donald Trump on Monday joined Middle Eastern heads of state in signing the Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity, a joint memorandum that implements the Trump Peace Agreement, formally ending more than two years of war in Gaza and setting out a framework for lasting regional cooperation. At the same ceremony, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced his intention to nominate Trump for a second Nobel Peace Prize for what he called saving millions of lives through the Gaza ceasefire. It took 3,000 years to get to this point and its going to hold up During the signing in Egypts coastal resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, one participant remarked, It took 3,000 years to get to this point and its going to hold up. The comment drew applause as Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affixed their signatures. Inside the Declaration The White House memorandum dated October 13 reads in part: We, the undersigned, welcome the truly historic commitment and implementation by all parties to the Trump Peace Agreement, ending more than two years of profound suffering and loss opening a new chapter for the region defined by hope, security, and a shared vision for peace and prosperity. It commits the parties to implement this agreement in a manner that ensures peace, security, stability, and opportunity for all peoples of the region, including both Palestinians and Israelis, and to resolve disputes through diplomatic engagement and negotiation rather than through force or protracted conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The declaration also recognizes the regions deep historical and spiritual significance to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism and vows to protect heritage sites and uphold dignity and equal opportunity for all. It concludes simply: We commit ourselves to a future of enduring peace. Hostages Freed Under Ceasefire Hours before the signing, Trump confirmed that 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas had been released under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. After two harrowing years in darkness and captivity, twenty courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families, he said. Twenty-eight more precious loved ones are coming home today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace. Israeli officials said the 20 were the remaining known living captives from the 2023 Hamas attacks. Recovery efforts for the deceased continue. Sharif Announces Second Nobel Nomination Standing beside Trump after the signing, Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the U.S. leaders mediation efforts: Pakistan had nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his outstanding, extraordinary contributions to first stop the war between India and Pakistan and then achieve a ceasefire, along with his very wonderful team, Sharif said. And today, again, I would like to nominate this great president because he has brought not only peace in South Asia and today, here in Sharm el-Sheikh, achieving peace in Gaza is saving millions of lives in the Middle East. He then added: Mr. President, I would like to salute you for your exemplary, visionary leadership. I think you are the man this world needs most at this point in time. The world will always remember you as a man who did everything who went out of his way to stop seven and, today, eight wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nobel Committee has not confirmed receipt of any new nomination; Sharifs remarks describe an intention rather than a formal submission. Trump Responds with Humor While introducing other world leaders, Trump referenced Norways recent decision to award the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan activist Maria Corina Machado. Oh, Norway aye, yay, yay, he said with a smile. Norway. What happened, Norway? What happened? Regional and Global Impact The Trump Declaration pledges to dismantle extremism and radicalization in all its forms and to advance education, opportunity, and mutual respect as foundations for lasting peace. Observers say a durable truce could stabilize energy markets and open reconstruction investment across the Middle East. PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) Suspected militants shot and killed a police officer guarding a team of polio workers in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, the latest in a series of attacks on vaccine teams in the country. The attack took place in the Matta area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, once a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, a day after Pakistan launched a weeklong nationwide vaccination campaign to immunize 45 million children. Local police official Javed Khan said a team of female polio workers was administering drops to children in a house when terrorists riding on a motorcycle opened fire" and killed the officer. He said that a search operation was underway to locate and apprehend the assailants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault in a statement and vowed stern action against those responsible. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on militants who frequently target health workers and the police officers assigned to protect them. More than 200 polio workers and police officers protecting them have been killed in Pakistan since the 1990s, according to health and security officials. Militants often falsely claim the vaccination campaigns are part of a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children. Since January, Pakistan has reported 29 polio cases. During the ongoing campaign, more than 400,000 trained workers are going door-to-door to vaccinate children. Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two countries where transmission of the wild poliovirus has never been stopped, according to the World Health Organization. Several thousand Palestinians gathered around Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis to await the arrival of the freed prisoners. Palestinians rushed to embrace prisoners freed under a US-brokered ceasefire agreement as they arrived by bus to the West Bank and Gaza on Monday. The prisoners were released after the Hamas terror group freed the last 20 living hostages taken on October 7. Under the deal, Israel is set to release 250 Palestinians convicted of murder and other serious crimes as well as 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the war began, 22 Palestinian minors, and the bodies of 360 terrorists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas said 154 of the prisoners were deported to Egypt. Several thousand people gathered inside and around the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, awaiting the arrival of freed prisoners, with some waving Palestinian flags and others holding pictures of their relatives. Authorities previously warned the families of the Palestinian prisoners that it was forbidden to host public celebrations of their release, though several celebrations are understood to have gone ahead. Freed Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, are welcomed in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. (credit: Ramadan Abed/Reuters) Riots broke out in east Jerusalem following the release of Palestinian prisoners. Israel Police reported that rioters launched Molotov cocktails and threw stones at authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ofer detention facility was decorated with posters ahead of the prisoners' release reading, He who threatens a flood is drowned and wiped out, referring to the Al Aqsa Flood (Hamas's name for the October 7 massacre). Which terrorists did Israel release? Despite Israeli media reporting that Israel had refused to release prisoners with children's blood on their hands, Ahmed Mahmed Jameel Shahada is understood to be among the prisoners released. Shahada, who was sentenced to life in 1989, raped and killed 13-year-old Oren Bahrami. He had lured the young boy into an Armenian monastery after meeting him at a port in Jaffa. Shahada's motivations were decided by the courts to be criminal, not terrorist in nature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Palestinian Authority police officer Raed Sheikh, who was convicted in 2003 for his role in the killing of reservists Vadim Norzhich and Yossi Avrahami at a police station in Ramallah in 2000, was also released. If we are freeing the murderer, it should be clear, aside from the great pain of me and my family, the terrorist will return to terror," Norzhich's brother told Ynet. They will go back to killing the Jews; this is their real goal. Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander Iyad Abu al-Rub, who orchestrated three deadly suicide bombings in Shadmot Mechola, Tel Aviv and Hadera from 2003 until 2005, was also killed. 15 people were killed during the attacks. Partisan redistricting battle comes to North Carolina as Republicans seek 1 more seat The recent wave of partisan redistricting has now come to North Carolina. Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly say theyre planning to redraw the states congressional districts next week, aiming to secure an additional seat for the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The state, currently divided into 14 congressional districts, saw an even split of seven Republicans and seven Democrats following a court-appointed map in 2022. However, a new map for the 2024 elections favored Republicans with a 10 to 4 advantage. Now, Republicans seek to further increase their representation to 11 seats, responding to what State House Speaker Destin Hall described as President Donald Trumps clear mandate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state, itself, is nearly evenly split among voters by party. The largest share are independents (2.93 million), then Democrats (2.31 million), then Republicans (2.30 million). They are calling themselves back into session next week to be able to take up this issue of redistricting. To be able to stand up for President Trump and his agenda, said Jason Simmons, Executive Director of the NC Republican Party. I anxiously look forward to see what the legislature does. SPECIAL SECTION >> Channel 9: The Political Beat The redistricting effort in North Carolina is part of a broader trend among Republican-led states, with at least two others having redrawn congressional seats to favor the GOP. This move is seen as part of a strategy to maintain control of Congress. Democrats in California aim to fight back against the efforts in Texas and Missouri, but voters will need to approve Californias plan to redraw the maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With North Carolinas Republicans jumping into the fray, Democrats are speaking against the move. This is cheating to win. And last time I checked, the NC General Assembly doesnt report directly to the President of the United States, said state Rep. Beth Helfrich of NCs 98th House district. I mean theyre doing this right out in the open, so lets call it out in the open. This is absolutely egregious, said Democratic state Sen. Woodson Bradley of the 42nd District. The two Mecklenburg County Democrats, after a lunch in South Charlotte, highlighted their efforts to promote independent redistricting, proposing a bill that would remove the governor and legislature from the process, limiting redistricting to once every ten years following the census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legality of partisan gerrymandering remains a contentious issue, and the proposed redistricting in North Carolina is likely to face legal challenges. However, while racial gerrymandering is illegal, decisions by both state and U.S. Supreme Courts have upheld partisan gerrymandering as OK. (VIDEO: NC representative wants to codify challenged election rule for military, overseas voters) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proudly shared the news Monday that some Texas National Guard troops who didnt meet physical fitness standards have been replaced. Hegseth, who has said that fat troops and fat generals are unbecoming of the U.S. military, declared that standards are back in his department after some members of the Texas National Guard showed up in Illinois, apparently overweight. A photograph by the Associated Press Erin Hooley of Texas troops arriving just outside Chicago, where Donald Trump has been aiming to deploy them to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, went viral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear if any of the troops in the photograph were removed from duty, or how many. The Texas Military Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast. Hegseth is going to lose his mind. I'm here for it. Texas National Guard arrives in Chicago....for the food I assume. pic.twitter.com/Y9v2xI4eMF Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) October 7, 2025 In less than 24 hours, Texas National Guardsmen mobilized for the Federal Protection Mission, a department spokesperson told military news website Task & Purpose over the weekend. The speed of the response necessitated a concurrent validation process, during which we identified a small group of service members who were not in compliance and have been replaced. The National Guard Bureau also issued a statement last Thursday, a few days after the viral photo was taken, emphasizing that National Guard Soldiers and Airman are required to meet service-specific height, weight and physical fitness standards at all times. About 200 members of the Texas National Guard arrived outside Chicago last week, but an appeals court has temporarily halted their deployment. / Scott Olson / Getty Images When mobilizing for active duty, members go through a validation process to ensure they meet those requirements, the statement continued. On the rare occasions when members are found not in compliance, they will not go on mission. They will be returned to their home station, and replacements who do meet standards will take their places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Beast reached out to the National Guard Bureau to see if the statement was in response to the viral photo. Hegseth has made clear that a lack of fitness in the military is undesirable. After summoning hundreds of senior military officials from all over the world to Marine Corps University at Quantico late last month, Hegseth gave himself a pat on the back: If the Secretary of War can do regular, hard PT, so can every member of our joint force. Hegseth, who loves to post photos and videos of his workouts with soldiers, clarified that hot yoga and stretching dont count. Real, hard PT, either as a unit or an individual, does, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frankly, its tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops, he added. Likewise, its completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon leading commands around the country and the world. The Texas troops who have remained in Illinois have so far been prevented from deploying, after an appeals court judge last week put a temporary restraining order in place. Judge April Perry said Thursday that she has seen no credible evidence that there is a danger of a rebellion in the state of Illinois, and that the Department of Homeland Securitys perceptions of events are simply unreliable. When Pentagon officials pass by the briefing room in the coming days, theyre unlikely to encounter a reporter from the New York Times, The Washington Post, the Associated Press, Reuters, NPR or Newsmax. Such a glaring absence of media outlets would appear unprecedented, according to The Atlantics Nancy Youssef, who notes that journalists have worked in the building since it opened during the second World War. Its a sad day, Youssef told TheWrap on Tuesday from the Pentagon, as she and other reporters were cleaning out their desks ahead of a 2 p.m. deadline for accepting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths new press access rules. Given that news organizations have been nearly unanimous in declining to do so pro-Trump outlet One America News being a notable exception the weeks-long standoff is coming to a head, with journalists expected to be out the door by Wednesday. And with them goes decades of institutional memory. The Pentagon beat is one where reporters generally stay on for long periods of time because it takes years to really have just a basic understanding of how the military works, Youssef said. Many of my colleagues here, Ive known them for, in some cases, decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats most unfortunate, she said, is the impact on press freedom. We werent here for fun and games. We were here to do a job and a job that we really believed in and were passionate about and on behalf of informing the American people, she said, adding: We always knew what a great responsibility we had. Youssefs publication, The Atlantic, is one of dozens of news organizations refusing to sign on to a press policy they say would restrict Constitutionally protected news gathering. The requirements violate our First Amendment rights, and the rights of Americans who seek to know how taxpayer-funded military resources and personnel are being deployed, editor-in-chief Jeff Goldberg said in a statement. We will continue to cover matters of defense, war and national security independently and fairly. Other newsroom leaders stressed the need to soldier on regardless of access. The Posts executive editor Matt Murray said his newsroom will continue to vigorously and fairly report on the policies and positions of the Pentagon and officials across the government, while one of his military reporters posted simply, Were not signing this. Back to work. Its a mindset that recalls former Post chief Marty Barons mantra from the early days of Donald Trumps first term: Were not at war with the administration. Were at work. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon in June 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Even Hegseths former employer Fox News declined to accept the Pentagons new requirements. The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections, read a joint statement from Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC. We will continue to cover the U.S. military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the principles of a free and independent press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collective rejection of the Pentagons policy signals that media outlets are willing to fight back in a second Trump term, rather than fall in line. It hasnt always appeared that way, as the parent companies of CBS News and ABC News, Paramount and Disney, respectively, settled multi-million-dollar lawsuits with Trump rather than mounting vigorous defenses of the First Amendment in court, and as media companies briefly removed late night host Jimmy Kimmel from air amid pressure from FCC Chair Brendan Carr. Some billionaire media owners and tech titans have looked more intent on currying favor with the administration than criticizing it. There was less concerted pushback earlier this year when the White House banned the AP from the press pool and took over pool assignments, a role that had traditionally fallen to the White House Correspondents Association. Despite denunciations in media circles, reporters continued to travel with the president and pose questions in the Oval Office. In the case of the Pentagon access dispute, news outlets are drawing a line in the stand, and refusing, en masse, to cross it. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House on Aug. 1, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) While Donald Trump engages with the media, including aboard Air Force One during his whirlwind Middle East trip this week, Hegseth rarely takes questions from the press corps. His leadership of the Pentagon has come under significant media scrutiny, with reports of infighting and isolation, and as his former top spokesman put it, total chaos inside the Pentagon. One of Hegseths early moves at the Pentagon was to evict the New York Times, NBC, NPR and Politico from their dedicated workspaces, and replace the outlets with presumably more friendly outlets like the New York Post, Breitbart News and One America News, the latter appearing to be the only one willing to sign the access policy. His Defense Department then announced last month that news organizations risked losing press credentials if they published information without the governments approval, a mandate that runs counter to traditional newsgathering and was met with swift opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Pentagon clarified its guidelines last week, news outlets still balked at signing on to policy asserting that soliciting or encouraging government employees to break the law falls outside the scope of protected newsgathering activities. Theres no law requiring that reporters be permitted to work inside the White House or the Pentagon, but journalist groups and administration officials have long hammered out arrangements that allow for reporting in the public interest alongside necessary security measures. Hegseth described Pentagon access on Monday as a privilege, not a right. (Getty Images) It is a privilege to be able to talk to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to talk to the Secretary of Defense, said Barbara Starr, who spent more than two decades covering the Pentagon for CNN. In an interview with TheWrap, Starr, who is currently a Senior Fellow at USCs Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, made clear such conversations play out when officials wish to stop and talk to reporters, and that nobody chases them down. Starr and other journalists rejected suggestions from Hegseth and officials that reporters are freely roaming through classified areas of the building; the Pentagon Press Association noted in a Monday statement that journalists already wear identification badges and access has always been limited to unclassified, open spaces. (Youssef mentioned she was wearing a badge as we spoke Tuesday.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thing that makes the Defense Department so different is, military people, troops, raise their right hand and swear an oath to defend the Constitution, and that includes defending the First Amendment, and that includes defending freedom of the press, Starr told me. They are willing to lay down their lives for that. And it seems to me that part of Pete Hegseths oath of office also calls for defending freedom of the press. He doesnt have to like it. He can disagree with it. But what he is doing this week is confiscating press passes and confiscating access to talking to the Defense Department. One Pentagon reporter told TheWrap they were concerned that, in moments of international crisis, it could be more difficult to get immediate, factual information from officials. It has long been common to get information from a variety of nonpartisan sources in the building, the reporter said. No spin, no bullshit. That includes the basics, like, say, in which body of water an aircraft carrier is currently located or how many people were killed in an operation. Whats also lost, said Youssef, is being able to watch someones reaction to a major news event, feeling the tension in the building before a major military campaign or when something catastrophic happens, along with the personal relationships that bring nuance to the coverage on such a complex subject. The most consequential reporting on national security, such as deeply sourced investigative stories, generally isnt coming from random conversations in the hallway, and will still be conducted in late-night phone calls and over Signal, the Pentagon reporter said. (Speaking of Signal, arguably the biggest military leak this year came by way of the secure platform when the Goldberg, of the Atlantic, was inadvertently added to a group chat with Hegseth and other top Trump officials.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some daily information may be harder to come by quickly, Starr suggested the move could incentivize journalists to double down and dig for news even more, and it may well incentivize military personnel to find ways to communicate to the news media offline. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell on Monday accused news outlets of moving the goal post in refusing to sign the policy because of a single issue: a line that says they understand what our policies are. Reporters, he said, are having a full blown meltdown, crying victim online, a characterization of the press corp that was echoed by his boss. Hegseth, a former Fox News host prone to bashing the news media, wrote on X last month the press does not run the Pentagon the people do, and he emphasized the need to follow the rules or go home. On Monday, as a flurry of news outlets announced they would not sign his departments access pledge, the secretary responded with a series of hand-waving emojis, as if to say goodbye. While Hegseth may not miss the press corps, the existence of reporters in the building, said Youssef, was a message to the world that this military was so proud of what it was doing, and so confident in what it was doing, that it was willing to sort of open its doors to people like us to look in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the moment its a standoff. Now we will have to wait and see which side blinks. The post Pete Hegseths Pentagon Lockout: Whats Lost When Reporters Leave the Building | Analysis appeared first on TheWrap. TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Phil Crowley has announced his re-election campaign for the 2026 Republican Nomination for Taylor County Judge. Taylor County leadership discusses expanding inmate work crew program Crowley has served as Taylor County Judge for nearly three years. He shared that throughout that time, he has worked with County Commissioners to add five constables, five sheriffs, two full-time ambulances/stations, a felony prosecutor, an investigator, and increased funding for the volunteer fire department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I promised community involvement and accessibility, and currently sit on numerous nonprofit boards and attend or volunteer at as many events around the County as I can. Ive always said that you may not agree with every decision I make, but it will always be easy to find me to tell me your thoughts on issues and ask me mine, Crowley shared. I truly appreciate the privilege of representing and serving the people of Taylor County, and I respectfully request your support to continue working for my fellow Citizens. He shared that during his first campaign, he promised to competently and efficiently rule on roughly 800 civil cases. To date, he has issued rulings in nearly 2,500 psychiatric hospital commitment, probate and guardianship cases. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Philadelphia homicide detectives are now part of the investigation into the disappearance of a 23-year-old woman who vanished more than a week ago. Police said Tuesday that the Homicide Unit is now assisting in the case because the detectives are some of the most experienced in the department. Kada Scott was last seen leaving her workplace, a senior living facility in Chestnut Hill, on the night of Saturday, October 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I love her. She's a great person," said her dad, Kevin Scott. "Lot of friends, family, again a very creative, ambitious young lady and we just want her home safely." Kada Scott Before her disappearance, Scott had told people that she was being harassed. Police say her car was still at work and her phone is dead. "Unable to call, text, that's just not her personality. Especially not checking with me, her mom, or her little sister just to let us know she's on. It's definitely unusual," said Scott. Action News has learned police searched a home last Thursday night on the 5500 block of Belmar Terrace in Southwest Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, police were out in force searching the Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, which is about three miles from where Scott was last seen. There was no word on whether anything related to the investigation was found. Friends and family have been out looking for the 23-year-old too. "Canvass the neighborhoods, any leads we can possibly get so we can possibly get so we forward to police in hopes of getting my daughter back home," said Scott. Now, as the search is well into its second week, her family is anxious for answers and pleading for anyone who may know anything to come forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They've also started a GoFundMe. They say the money raised will be a reward for credible information that leads to finding Kada. "You never know what little, small, minuscule information may apply to the big picture, the puzzle that might get Kada home. So whatever you think may help, call and report it to the police department," said Scott. Sources say the FBI is also assisting with this search and investigation. Anyone with information can call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online. (Correction: A previous version of this report stated that homicide detectives were leading the investigation) Federal investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board have cleared the scene of a fatal plane crash on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, removing the fuselage of the private plane that crashed on the median on Monday, Oct. 13. Pilot Thomas Perkins and his wife Agatha Kirby Perkins of Rhode Island were killed in the incident. A silver Hyundai Sonata was hit by a portion of the crashed aircraft. The driver, an adult woman, was taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team of NTSB investigators arrived just after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14. NTSB officials document the fuselage of the fatal plane crash on I-195 in Dartmouth. The plane departed New Bedford Municipal Airport around 8:08 a.m. on Monday, and was reported crashed in the interstate median near Exit 19 a few minutes later at 8:15 a.m. The plane was a Socata TBM 700, fixed-wing single-engine turbo-prop plane capable of holding seven people. Perkins was a licensed private pilot; their flight destination was Kenosha, Wisconsin. The fuselage of the plane which crashed in the median of I-195 in Dartmouth is taken away. Update on I-195 highway closure Shortly after the team arrived, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation issued a new traffic advisory stating that I-195 high-speed lanes would be closed until 8 p.m. Tuesday due to the crash investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, as of 2 p.m., traffic was proceeding along all three lanes; the ramp at exit 19B on I-195 westbound remained closed. Angel Flight Northeast president: Thomas Perkins had 'courage, kindness and heart' Initial reports on Monday had indicated the plane was registered to the Air Charity Network, a nationwide nonprofit network of civilian pilots who volunteer to fly people for free for humanitarian reasons. Though Angel Flight Northeast did not have any scheduled flights Monday, Perkins had worked with the agency in the past, using his plane to provide free medical flights for people in need. The Rev. Larry Camerlin, president of Angel Flight Northeast, issued the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Tom joined Angel Flight NE in 2021 and quickly became a valued and dedicated member of our pilot family. Over the past four years, he demonstrated exceptional skill, professionalism and compassion flying numerous missions that brought patients and families to vital medical care throughout the eastern United States. Tom was more than a pilot; he was a friend, a mentor, and a shining example of what it means to serve others with courage, kindness and heart." We are saddened to hear of the accident in Dartmouth and will continue to send our best wishes to those involved. Angel Flight Central did not have volunteer pilots or aircraft assisting passengers into Kenosha, Wisconsin (Oct. 13), said Brendan Sneegas, CEO and executive director of Angel Flight Central, which covers Wisconsin. The fuselage of the Socata TBM-700 single-engine plane that crashed in Dartmouth is carried across I-195 westbound in Dartmouth. How long will the NTSB investigation take into plane crash? The investigators "gather the data and information needed to analyze the accident and determine a probable cause. This includes when an NTSB investigator or investigative team (the Go Team) travels to the accident site, as well as time spent gathering additional information from outside of the accident scene itself, such as flight logs, maintenance records, and personal interviews," according to the NTSB investigation process. When the Standard-Times/SouthcoastToday.com inquired as to the investigation the FAA responded: "Due to a lapse in funding, the FAA is not responding to routine media inquiries." NTSB officials investigate the fatal plane crash on I-195 in Dartmouth. The NTSB website has not been updated since Oct. 1 due to the lapse of funding caused by the federal government shutdown. Its stated on the site that the NTSB will be unable to respond to inquiries until after appropriations are enacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigations can take one to two years to complete with a probable cause determination, according to the site. The timeline can vary depending on the investigations complexity and the workload of NTSB investigators. It begins with the on-site investigation and data-gathering, including a review of flight logs, and maintenance records, as well as interviews. Where was the Dartmouth plane crash? The plane, Flight N111RF, was headed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, according to Scot Servis, New Bedford Regional Airport manager. "Decisions to depart or land are made by the carrier, or the pilot in the case of a private aircraft," Servis said in a written statement on Monday. "New Bedford Regional Airports authority to prevent or cancel arrivals or departures is limited to instances in which the runways are deemed unsafe for takeoffs or landings. This typically occurs when the airport will temporarily close to remove snow and reopen once the runways are clear. This morning, the runways were clear and the air traffic control tower was staffed at normal levels." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn reported the fixed-wing single engine Socata TBM 700 crashed in the woodline of 195 West prior to Reed Road. Parts of the aircraft were located in the wood line and the fuselage was located in the median of the highway, he said. I-195 connects Rhode Island to I-495 through Fall River and New Bedford. "Troopers will remain at the site overnight to ensure the integrity of the scene until Federal Investigators arrive to conduct their investigation tomorrow. Motorists should take care when navigating around the crash site," according to Massachusetts State Police on Monday. Who were Thomas and Agatha Perkins? The Perkins were longtime residents of Middletown, R.I., and were active in the community, volunteering and donating to local causes. and donating to the Aquidneck Island Land Trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas Perkins and his brother-in-law, Jerry Kirby, were partners in Kirby Perkins Construction of Middletown, an award-winning firm that has performed historic restoration and preservation work on historic mansions of Newport. Perkins joined the firm in 1987 as a foreman and estimator, becoming a partner a decade later. Agatha Perkins, known as Aggie, was a certified personal trainer and Pilates and yoga instructor. Among the charities they contributed to were the Aquidneck Island Land Trust and Save the Bay, both nonprofits that work to protect and preserve environmental resources in Rhode Island. "We are saddened by the loss of Tom and Aggie Perkins, said Save the Bay Executive Director Topher Hamblett in a statement. "Their passion for Narragansett Bay was best expressed through Aggie's participation as a swimmer in our annual Bay Swim fundraiser, which she did a dozen times. They were generous and enthusiastic supporters of Save The Bay's mission and work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aquidneck Island Land Trust Executive Director Terry Sullivan said the board and staff were deeply saddened by the couple's passing. "The Perkins made meaningful contributions to conserving the lands and waters of Aquidneck Island, leaving a lasting legacy in a place they loved," Sullivan said. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Perkins and Kirby families during this difficult time, especially to our friend and board member, Matt Kirby, Agathas brother, who like his sister does so much for our island communities. We are grateful to have recently shared time with Tom and Agatha at our September golf tournament, where they enjoyed playing alongside other members of their family." This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: I-195 Dartmouth plane crash investigation; lane closures updates. Live With a market cap of $11.6 billion, Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) software delivered as a software-as-a-service solution for businesses in the United States. Its comprehensive HCM platform streamlines the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement, through integrated applications for talent acquisition, payroll, time and labor management, HR administration, and data-driven analytics. The Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based company is expected to release its fiscal Q3 2025 results soon. Ahead of this event, analysts project Paycom Software to report an EPS of $1.47, a 12.2% growth from $1.31 in the year-ago quarter. It has exceeded Wall Street's bottom-line estimates in the last four quarters. More News from Barchart For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast the human-resources and payroll software maker to report EPS of $7.53, down 12.7% from $8.62 in fiscal 2024. However, EPS is projected to grow 7.7% year-over-year to $8.11 in fiscal 2026. www.barchart.com PAYC stock has soared 23.3% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the broader S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 14.1% return and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLI) 9.2% gain over the same period. www.barchart.com Shares of Paycom soared 4.5% following its Q2 2025 results on Aug. 6, with adjusted EPS of $2.06 and revenue of $483.6 million, surpassing the forecasts. The company raised its full-year revenue outlook to $2.05 billion - $2.06 billion and boosted its core profit forecast to $872 million - $882 million. Investor optimism was further fueled by strong demand driven by Paycoms new AI-powered features, which automate HR tasks and enhance employee management capabilities. Analysts' consensus view on PAYC stock is moderately optimistic, with an overall "Moderate Buy" rating. Among 20 analysts covering the stock, five suggest a "Strong Buy" and 15 provide a "Hold" rating. The average analyst price target for Paycom Software is $252, indicating a potential upside of 25.5% 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 JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The woman who was charged in connection to the abduction of two Louisiana girls, which ended with one of them deceased in Mississippi, appeared in court on October 13, 2025. Victoria Cox appeared in court for a pre-trial conference. According to the Hinds County District Attorneys Office, plea negotiations with Cox are ongoing. Officials said she has until the end of October 2025 to decide if she wants to take a plea deal. Leland mayor confirms arrests in mass shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coxs trial has been scheduled for December 8, 2025. A Hinds County Grand Jury previously indicted Cox for capital murder, kidnapping, and sexual battery in connection to the case. She pled not guilty in Hinds County Circuit Court. Daniel Callihan, the man who was charged in connection to the case, recently pled guilty to the charges in Mississippi. In Hinds County court, Callihan pled guilty to capital murder, two counts kidnapping and two counts sexual battery on September 29, 2025. He was sentenced to life in prison for the capital murder and sexual battery charges, as well as 30 years each on the two kidnapping charges. On September 26, 2025, Callihan pled guilty in Tangipahoa Parish court to counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 35-year-old Callie Brunett, who was found by her father dead inside her Loranger home in 2024, and her daughter, Erin Brunett. Victoria Cox (Courtesy: Hinds County Detention Center) Daniel Callihan, the man accused in the murder of a Louisiana woman and her daughter, pled guilty to charges in Mississippi. (WJTV) Tangipahoa Parish Coroner Rick Foster said Callie Brunett died of multiple sharp force injuries. He said there were multiple stab wounds to her head, neck, chest, abdomen and back. Foster also said Brunett had what appeared to be defensive wounds to her arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said Callie Brunett was found dead by her father on the floor of her bedroom inside her locked mobile home on North Cooper Road after having been reported missing by her parents 24 hours earlier. Investigators told the Associated Press that Callihan and Callie Brunett had dated. Four more arrested for fatal shooting at Heidelberg High homecoming game According to Jackson police, Erin Brunett was found deceased in a wooded area off of Boozier Drive on June 13, 2024. Her sister, Jalie Brunett, was taken to a Jackson hospital for treatment and later released. The Hinds County coroner said Erin Brunett died from asphyxiation due to suffocation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Callihan and Cox were arrested in Jackson. Callihan was extradited back to Louisiana. During his transport, Callihan was heard on camera giving a confession. Callihan is scheduled for federal sentencing on November 19, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk. This case remains an ongoing multi-jurisdictional prosecution, involving federal charges in Louisiana, state charges in Louisiana, and state charges in Mississippi. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Chaos erupted across Massachusetts this weekend as reckless street takeovers spiraled into violence, leaving damaged cop cars, arrests flying left and right, and officers hanging by a thread. Cops reported at least four wild scenes from Boston to Middleborough and Randolph, where massive crowds shut down roads for illegal drag races and dangerous stuntstotal mayhem. Sevierville Bans Slammedenuff Car Show After Embarrassing and Dangerous Behavior Boston exploded into one of the worst clashes when a cruiser got pelted with fireworks before going up in flames early Sunday. Prosecutors claim over a hundred people swarmed the car, lobbing debris as fire engulfed it. Miraculously, the officer inside made it out alive thanks to backup who pulled Tasers and even drew their guns to beat back the mob. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stolen Classic Porsche Found in San Francisco After Lengthy Police Investigation Two Rhode Island teens, 18-year-old Julian Bowers from Cumberland and 19-year-old William Cantwell of Warwick, got nabbed and hauled into court Monday. Bowers walked free on $500 bail, but Cantwells still sitting behind bars with a $1,000 bond hanging over his head. Meanwhile, in Middleborough, about 50 cars showed up late Saturday night in a shopping plaza parking lot. Troppers say some idiot in a Connecticut-tagged Dodge Charger took a swing at an officer before bolting onto I-495. The chase got scrapped once the driver crossed into Rhode Island. Randolph had its own messanother huge mob rolling up early Sunday. Masked clowns launched fireworks at a squad car, bashed it with whatever was handy, then literally climbed on the hood while filming the whole disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Michelle Wu didnt hold back, slamming the outsiders who dragged this dangerous behavior into the city. Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden called the chaos outright attacks on cops and the community, promising to throw the book at everyone involved. Troopers say all cases are still live wires, with investigations spread across multiple agencies trying to track down every last troublemaker. Source Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook. Crafting a culinary connection across the Atlantic Ocean via smash burger, Skinny Louie is collaborating with Switzerland cult-favorite smash burger brand Pretty Patty. The two-day event will take place at the Skinny Louie location in Coral Gables at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20 and again at their restaurant in downtown West Palm Beach at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21. This collaboration will include a limited-edition burger featuring a 4-ounce smashed patty topped with shoestring fries and Cafe de Paris butter, a Pretty Patty house specialty, all inside a soft brioche bun. This burger is the perfect blend of European flavor and American smash burger attitude, like maybe if it was Ford and Ferrari instead of versus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this burger has got your taste buds thinking "let's do this," don't hesitate as this chance is for one day only at each location and only until sold out. Though it might seem odd that a Florida smashburger brand would be doing a collaboration with a brand from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, in today's world not so much. Patrons pack Skinny Louie, known for their smash burgers at 114 South Clematis Street on July 4, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Marketing director Antonella Gray said that "We'd been following each other for a while and we both loved the fun, creative energy in what the other was doing. Over time, we built a real respect for each others work. That connection turned into friendship." Were two brands run by people who not only love what they do but also genuinely connect through the way we are we have fun doing it," said Skinny Louie founders Matias Palloni and Gonzalo Rubino. "What better way to celebrate that than by smashing burgers together in our two U.S. cities? Skinny Louie, Pretty Patty Collaboration Skinny Louie will collaborate with Switzerland's cult-favorite smash burger brand Pretty Patty on a burger on Monday, Oct. 20 at their Coral Gables location and again on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at their downtown restaurant. The burger will feature shoestring fries and Cafe de Paris butter. When: 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20 in Coral Gables; 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 in West Palm Beach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where: 153 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables; 114 S. Clematis St., West Palm Beach Information: skinnylouie.com Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm Beach's Skinny Louie teams up with Pretty Patty on burger Major US airports from New York to Oregon and North Carolina to Nevada have refused to play a public service announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at security checkpoints in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown. The video is playing on monitors controlled by the Transportation Security Administration at Detroit Metro Airport in Michigan and Bismarck Airport Airport in North Dakota, the airports confirmed to CNN, but many airports have refused to allow it on screens that they control. The dispute highlights the remarkable push by the Department of Homeland Security to insert a political message into the airport security experience that virtually every air traveler must go through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is TSAs top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe, the video, which was released last week and first obtained by Fox News, starts. But the message quickly turns political. However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay. TSA checkpoints often include videos featuring government officials welcoming travelers and explanations of procedures, but they usually do not contain political messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passengers at Albany International Airport in New York were shown the video briefly, before the airport authority took it down. The footage in question was placed on the monitors by TSA personnel without prior notice to the Albany County Airport Authority or airport staff, Matt Hunter, airport director of communications, said in a statement. In keeping with longstanding policies of not displaying political messaging or content of any kind, ACAA has made the decision to discontinue airing the video. A spokesperson for Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas told CNN in a statement it declined to display the video because of its political messaging that did not align with the neutral, informational nature of the public service announcements typically shown at the security checkpoints. Airport officials have cited a variety of reasons for refusing to play the video, from its political content to a potential violation of federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did not consent to playing the video in its current form, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging, said Molly Prescott, spokesperson for the Port of Portland, which operates the citys airport. The Hatch Act is a 1939 law which prohibits political activities of federal employees to ensure government programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion. Prescott added Oregon law also states no public employee can promote or oppose any political committee, party or affiliation. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the major airports around New York City, also refused to show the video on airport-controlled screens, citing longstanding policies prevent airing of politically partisan messages at our facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Westchester County, just north of New York City, the airport will not display the video either. The PSA politicizes the impacts of a federal government shutdown on TSA Operations, and the County finds the tone to be unnecessarily alarmist, County Executive Ken Jenkins said in a statement. It is inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nations top public officials. A Port of Seattle spokesperson also told CNN Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will not play the video due to the political nature of the content. We continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown and are working to find ways to support federal employees working without pay at SEA during the shutdown, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to CNN Tuesday morning, the Department of Homeland Security reiterated much of the language from the video, including blaming the shutdown on Democrats. Our security operations remain largely unimpacted at this time. Its unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship, the statement said. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government. Several additional airports noted they do not own any screens that could show the video, including airports in Austin, Texas, Boston, Denver, Little Rock, Palm Beach, Sioux Falls and Tampa. Airports who have confirmed to CNN they will not show the video include Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albany (NY) International Airport Albuquerque International Sunport Baltimore/Washington International Airport Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Bradley (CT) International Airport Buffalo Niagara (NY) International Airport Capital Region (Lansing, MI) International Airport Charlotte Douglas (NC) International Airport Chicago Midway International Airport Chicago OHare International Airport Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester (NY) International Airport John F. Kennedy International Airport Harry Reid (Las Vegas) International Airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Indianapolis International Airport LaGuardia Airport Miami International Airport Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport Newark Liberty International Airport New York Stewart International Airport Norfolk International Airport Philadelphia International Airport Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Portland International Airport Seattle-Tacoma International Airport SpringfieldBranson (MO) National Airport Westchester County (NY) Airport CNNs Nic Anderson, Lila Dominus, Chris Youd, Jessica Prater, Kara Devlin and Jan Kaner and Aaron Cooper contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In October 2025, a claim (archived) from months earlier recirculated online. According to social media posts, the Cuban-born "Latinos for Trump" leader and activist Hector Luis Valdes Cocho had been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and was awaiting deportation. One Facebook user wrote on Oct. 12, "Trump just arrested the head of 'Latinos for Trump,' Hector Cocho, the Cuban activist who helped Trump get elected. He's now in ICE Custody awaiting deportation. I guess he got what he voted for " The claim also circulated on X (archived), Instagram (archived) and Bluesky (archived). The same claim previously circulated in June 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around the time claims recirculated in October, the Spanish-language media outlet ClickCuba reported (archived) that Valdes had received political asylum in the U.S. and been released from ICE custody. ICE's Online Detainee Locator System did not list a Hector Luis Valdes-Cocho born in Cuba in detention at the time of this writing. In June 2025, Snopes found a Hector Luis Valdes-Cocho born in Cuba in ICE custody at Otay Mesa Detention Center in California, according to the locator system. Snopes was unable to view the details of Valdes' immigration case without his alien registration number (also known as an A-Number), which is not generally publicly available information, at the time of our original reporting. It was unclear whether that information would still be available if ICE had released Valdes by October. Snopes still could not access Valdes' A-number then. It remained unclear under what conditions ICE might have released Valdes. Though popular online claims said Valdes was a leader in the Latinos for Trump campaign movement, we found no credible reports linking him to this particular group (archived, archived, archived). Valdes' Facebook and Instagram accounts were inactive at the time of this writing, so they could not provide additional information about his political activities. Given the above, we leave this claim unrated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We reached out to ICE for any information it could provide about the status of Valdes' immigration case and potential release or political asylum. We also reached out to the former co-chairs of Latinos for Trump, Jeanette M. Nunez and Margarita Palau-Hernandez, to ask if they could confirm or deny Valdes' involvement with the group. We await replies to our queries. Mapping Valdes' road to ICE detention Valdes was a journalist and anti-government activist in Cuba before he was forced into exile in January 2022. It was unclear when and how he arrived in the U.S. In April 2024, Partido del Pueblo, a self-described right-wing political party founded to counter the Communist Party of Cuba, posted (archived) a picture on Instagram of Valdes holding a Trump 2024 banner and said it was taken in Michigan. It was also unclear at the time of this writing exactly how Valdes ended up in ICE detention. In November 2024, CiberCuba reported that Valdes was arrested by Orange County sheriff's deputies in Florida. The report referenced a mug shot of Valdes from a Facebook page that reposts mug shots from Orange County. The page had removed that mug shot by October. CiberCuba's report said the arrest was for failure to appear in a traffic violation case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's Office said it carried out the arrest on an out-of-county warrant. We contacted the Osceola County Sheriff's Office on the Orange County department's recommendation to ask what the warrant was for. At the time of his arrest, multiple Cuban journalists and activists accused Valdes of failing to repay loans, according to CiberCuba. It was unclear whether any of the accusations led to criminal charges or, in turn, to ICE detention. Then, in February 2025, CiberCuba reported that it found Valdes on ICE's online detainee locator detained in Florida. It was unclear when ICE moved Valdes to California, where the locator said he was detained at the time of this writing. News of Valdes' ICE detention came as the Trump administration paused and aimed to terminate a number of humanitarian parole programs, including one for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. In May 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to pause the program, and with it the short-term lawful status granted to citizens of the named countries under the program, making them deportable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear whether Valdes gained lawful status in the U.S. under the CHNV program and whether he was affected by the Trump administration's pause. The program grants short-term lawful status to successful applicants, usually around two years, which would have expired by 2025. Sources: "Amnesty International Names Prisoners of Conscience in Cuba." Amnesty International, 19 Aug. 2021, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/08/cuba-amnesty-international-names-prisoners-of-conscience/. "CPJ Welcomes El Salvador's Acceptance of 2 Journalists Expelled from Cuba." Committee to Protect Journalists, 6 Jan. 2022, https://cpj.org/2022/01/cpj-welcomes-el-salvadors-acceptance-of-2-journalists-expelled-from-cuba/. "Cuba." United States Department of State, https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cuba/. Accessed 11 June 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Cuban Hector Luis Valdes Cocho Is in ICE Custody in Florida." CiberCuba, 1 Feb. 2025, https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2025-02-01-u1-e199894-s27061-nid296478-cubano-hector-luis-valdes-cocho-encuentra-bajo. Derby, Kevin. "Mike Pence, Jeanette Nunez Launch Latinos for Trump." Florida Daily, 25 June 2019, https://floridadaily.com/mike-pence-jeanette-nunez-launch-latinos-for-trump/. Detain | ICE. 17 Aug. 2020, https://www.ice.gov/detain. Echavarri, Fernanda. "Latinos for Trump Co-Chair Boasts of a Country That 'Has Opened Doors.'" Mother Jones, https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/08/latinos-for-trump-co-chair-boasts-of-a-country-that-has-opened-doors/. Accessed 11 June 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "El Partido Del Pueblo ." Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/PartidoDelPuebloCuba. "Hector Luis Valdes Cocho" and "Latinos for Trump" - Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=1c9521c8b424d55a&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB1138GB1138&q=%22H%C3%A9ctor+Luis+Vald%C3%A9s+Cocho%22+and+%22Latinos+for+Trump%22&tbm=nws&source=lnms&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ1Y6MJ25_tmWITc7uy4KIeqDdErwP5rACeJAty2zADJgeXKnD4z7v_UXM32TmNnj1AiDPbPo_OFZLlB6cXa3f-Cz5oXJX0iIlvFJDfuhAMzgeaks7IFv4YVeq9v6y4blXwChfORWqEh4rEBl3HPMR4zM9zZkd_Bjx5cW5MEyYaeZNkP7B6WFhdDOTqD3Ea5rtmM2RlA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjiuens3emNAxVzT0EAHWuQI9EQ0pQJegQIFBAB&biw=1920&bih=849&dpr=2. Accessed 11 June 2025. "Hector Luis Valdes Cocho" and "Latinos for Trump" - Search News. https://www.bing.com/news/search?q=%22H%c3%a9ctor+Luis+Vald%c3%a9s+Cocho%22+and+%22Latinos+for+Trump%22&FORM=HDRSC7. Accessed 11 June 2025. "Hector Luis Valdes Cocho" and "Latinos for Trump" - Yahoo Search Results. https://news.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrNPLeVp0loDgIAwLNXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3BpdnM-?p=%22H%C3%A9ctor+Luis+Vald%C3%A9s+Cocho%22+and+%22Latinos+for+Trump%22&fr2=piv-web&fr=sfp. Accessed 11 June 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hector Luis Valdes Cocho" and "Latinos for Trump" at DuckDuckGo. https://duckduckgo.com/?t=h_&q=%22H%C3%A9ctor+Luis+Vald%C3%A9s+Cocho%22+and+%22Latinos+for+Trump%22&ia=news&iar=news. Accessed 11 June 2025. "Hector Luis Valdes Cocho Arrested in the U.S. amid Scandal over Scams." CiberCuba, 22 Nov. 2024, https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2024-11-22-u1-e135253-s27061-nid292492-detienen-hector-luis-valdes-cocho-eeuu-medio. Litigation-Related Update: Supreme Court Stay of CHNV Preliminary Injunction | USCIS. 6 June 2025, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/litigation-related-update-supreme-court-stay-of-chnv-preliminary-injunction. Online Detainee Locator System. https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search. Accessed 11 June 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orange County Mugshots. "VALDESCOCHO, HECTOR LUIS." Facebook, 20 Nov. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02BZ9r4UkRYq6h2rfPFHJb2xcFpfLHs98exnnZ7sAEAv9uAVfmbKiTir7CrRNuwpBTl&id=100091724342180. @pdpcuba. "Nuestro Consejero de Seguridad Hector Luis Valdes Cocho Desde Michigan." Instagram, 24 Apr. 2022, https://www.instagram.com/p/CcwEGR3BT1W/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D. Schmidt, Samantha. "Cuba's Internet Comes Back on and Reveals Scenes of a Crackdown." The Washington Post, 14 June 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/07/14/cuba-protests-internet/. "Securing Our Borders." The White House, 21 Jan. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/securing-our-borders/. Totenberg, Nina. "Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to End Humanitarian Status for Some Migrants." NPR, 30 May 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2025/05/30/nx-s1-5406775/supreme-court-trump-chnv-program. Worcester, Massachusetts Computer hacker and former college student Matthew Lane who was a teenager when he carried out a massive cyberattack on education technology company PowerSchool was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday to four years in prison and ordered to pay more than $14 million in restitution. Lane, a former Assumption University freshman who federal prosecutors described as a sophisticated and experienced cybercriminal, told a federal judge that his crimes occurred during an extremely dark time in my life, but acknowledged, I deserve to be punished. In June, Lane pleaded guilty to what is widely considered the largest exposure of private student data in history, a breach that compromised the sensitive information of some 60 million students and 10 million educators. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter I robbed actual people and their families of their sense of security, Lane, now 20, told U.S. District Court Judge Margaret Guzman, his shaggy hair obscuring his eyebrows and the tops of his glasses, adding he was thankful I got caught. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lane said he takes full responsibility for his crimes but that he was disconnected from reality while he engaged in hacking. He has since become sober not just from drugs, but from the internet as well, he told Guzman. Accompanied in court by family members and several friends, Lane broke down and sobbed after learning his sentence, which includes three years of supervised release and a $25,000 fine. He was convicted of cyber extortion conspiracy, cyber extortion, unauthorized access to protected computers and aggravated identity theft. Federal prosecutors were seeking a seven-year prison term, describing Lane in a sentencing memo as being motivated by greed and said the threat to Powerschool warned, we fully intend to destroy your company and bankrupt it to the point of no absolute return if it didnt meet a $2.85 million ransom demand in Bitcoin. Related PowerSchool Teen Hacker Was a Sophisticated Cybercriminal, Prosecutors Say Lanes sentencing concludes a yearlong cybercrime saga, which began in September 2024 when prosecutors say he hacked into PowerSchools computer network and transferred stolen records to a leased server in Ukraine. About three months later, PowerSchool officials received the extortion demand to prevent sensitive student and teacher data including the Social Security numbers of children as young as 5 from being leaked worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lane also pleaded guilty to working with an unnamed co-conspirator from Illinois to extort $200,000 from an unnamed U.S.-based wireless telecommunications company between April and May 2024 before he discussed the need to hack another shitty company that[]ll pay and set his sights on PowerSchool. Matthew D. Lane was sentenced on federal cybercrime charges Tuesday at the federal district courthouse in Worcester, Massachusetts. (Photo: Mark Keierleber) Guzman, who appeared sympathetic to Lanes young age at the time he carried out multiple cyberattacks, said the case should serve as a cautionary tale to parents everywhere and expressed alarm about the breadth and reach of technology to commit crimes anonymously. Guzman said the challenges Lane faced as a teenager, including social isolation and struggles to fit in with his peers, made him vulnerable to falling through the rabbit hole. Guzman said society cant go back to the days of typewriters and television sets with just five channels. But parents have placed computers in their childrens bedrooms and provided cell phones to grade schoolers without proper guardrails. Lane, she said, wont be the last one to exhibit bravado behind the screen of a computer. Related Kept in the Dark: Meet the Hired Guns Who Ensure School Cyberattacks Stay Hidden Defense attorney Sean Smith asked the judge to sentence Lane to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. Smith said Lane was very much cognizant of the seriousness of his offenses and that he pleaded guilty and admitted fault almost from the get-go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith said Lane was a teenager when the cyberattacks unfolded and had no previous convictions. Letters of support submitted by family members to the court made clear Lane was a generous, loving, patient individual, who grappled with loneliness, depression and anxiety. The seriousness of Lanes actions cant be overstated, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Kearney, who called his behavior calculated. The PowerSchool data breach has caused real harm to millions of people, she said, who now face stifled job prospects, heightened insurance costs and other harms that will follow them for the rest of their lives. Kearney noted that Lane made several efforts to conceal his identity and avoid detection and was financially motivated: He desired designer clothes and jewelry, she said, and to host parties at extravagant Airbnbs. Lane did not make a teenage mistake or get mixed up with the wrong crowd, she argued, but carried out carefully planned attacks for financial gain. Personal statements that put Lane in a positive light, she said, showed he was living a double life. In the online world, she said, digital chat messages included racial slurs, antisemitism and threats of sexual violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor challenged Lanes request for a three-year prison sentence, arguing that other cybercriminals could see it as the cost of doing business if they have millions of dollars in cryptocurrency waiting for them after their release. Lane returned about $160,000 to the government, according to a sentencing memo released last week, but roughly $3 million remains unaccounted for. Kearney also disputed Smiths assertion that Lane was a first-time offender at the time of the PowerSchool breach, despite his absence of a criminal record. Last week, federal officials accused him of carrying out at least eight cyberattacks dating back to at least 2021 when he was still in high school. Related PowerSchool Paid Off Hackers After Huge Breach Now Theyre Extorting Districts Prosecutors said the PowerSchool attack resulted in more than $14 million in damages, including the ransom payment and identity theft services for the students and teachers who were victimized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to The 74 on Tuesday, PowerSchool said it appreciates the efforts of the prosecutors and law enforcement who brought this individual to justice and that the company remains focused on supporting our school partners and safeguarding student, family and educator data. After the sentencing hearing, a tearful Lane, who wasnt immediately taken into custody, was embraced by friends and family members. Im sorry, guys, he said to four friends outside the courtroom, exchanging hugs and handshakes before getting into an elevator. I love you guys. NEED TO KNOW Princess Eugenie and Princess Rajwa of Jordan toured London hospitals where art charities are helping patients manage their mental health The visit was part of Princess Rajwa's multi-day visit to the U.K. with her husband, Crown Prince Hussein The outing comes amid renewed scrutiny of her parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and their past ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Princess Eugenie took on a rare royal duty during an official state visit from the Jordanian royal family on Tuesday, Oct. 14. King Charles' niece, 35, toured Springfield University Hospital and St. Georges Mental Health NHS trust alongside Princess Rajwa al Hussein, exploring how the charity incorporates art into mental health treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We viewed a number of artworks created as part of an initiative by the charity Hospital Rooms, which integrates art into mental health care environments," Eugenie shared on Instagram. "Their mission is to commission leading international artists to produce permanent, high-quality works for mental health wards across the UKs National Health Service, helping create welcoming and uplifting spaces for patients. Truly beautiful." The duo then toured the London art gallery Hauser & Wirth, where Princess Eugenie works as a director. The outing comes as Princess Eugenies parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, face renewed scrutiny over their association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Princess Eugenie/Instagram Princess Rajwa al Hussein and Princess Eugenie tour Springfield University Hospital and St. George's Mental Health NHS trust on Oct. 14, 2025 Princess Rajwa al Hussein and Princess Eugenie tour Springfield University Hospital and St. George's Mental Health NHS trust on Oct. 14, 2025 Last week, newly published 2011 emails appeared to show Prince Andrew expressing concern for Epstein after a photo of him with Virginia Giuffre surfaced, writing, It would seem we are in this together. Around the same time, Sarah Ferguson reportedly emailed Epstein apologizing for publicly disowning him and calling him a steadfast, generous and supreme friend. Following the renewed scrutiny, several charities including Julias House and the British Heart Foundation announced they were parting ways with the Duchess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of the renewed scandal, King Charles reportedly said the pair are not welcome at this year's royal family Christmas gathering. While she and her elder sister, Princess Beatrice, aren't full-time working royals like senior members of the family, Eugenie is a patron of a number of charities close to her heart. Earlier this month, it was announced that she had become a patron of Arts Works U.K., an organization that aims to help young people "make change through creativity." "Her support marks a significant moment in our mission to champion creativity and amplify the voices of children and young people," Arts Work said of the princess's support in their Oct. 3 announcement. "This partnership reflects a shared commitment to nurturing talent, building confidence, and empowering young people to become the next generation of creative and cultural leaders." Rajwa has similar interests, having studied visual communications at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, Calif. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jordanian princess, 31, and her husband, Crown Prince Hussein, also 31, are currently on their first official European tour together after tying the knot in June 2023 and welcoming their first daughter, Princess Iman, on Aug. 4, 2023. Prior to their U.K. visit, the couple traveled to France, where they met with President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte. The tour will continue on Wednesday, Oct. 15, when Prince William and Prince Hussein will tour the RAF Benson Air Force Base in Oxfordshire. Both princes are trained helicopter pilots and trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in their youth, though they were there at different times. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Jordan also holds special meaning for William's wife, Kate Middleton, who spent time in the country when she was a young girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate and her family lived in Jordan for nearly three years during her childhood. Michael was briefly stationed in the capital city of Amman through his work at British Airways. The Middleton Family/Clarence House/Getty Kate Middleton with sister Pippa and Father Michael in Jerash, Jordan. Kate Middleton with sister Pippa and Father Michael in Jerash, Jordan. Prince Hussein's mother, Queen Rania, had special praise for the Princess of Wales when she and King Abdullah visited the U.K. in 2022 to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral. "Princess Catherine, you know, when she talks about her work, her face lights up," Queen Rania told CNN at the time. "She does it out of a sense of duty, but more importantly, she does it because she absolutely cares." Read the original article on People Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a loyal ally of Russias Vladimir Putin, has warned President Donald Trump that the U.S. handing subsonic Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would mean nuclear war. Trump is reportedly considering a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the Tomahawks, which have a 1,500-mile range that would enable Kyiv to strike much deeper into Russian territory, hitting strategic targets such as the invaders enemy infrastructure, military bases, and munitions factories. Zelensky has argued that ramping up the arms available to his country would increase the pressure on the Kremlin to agree to a peace deal. Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko visits the Kremlin on September 26 2025 (AFP/Getty) Putin, however, has warned that such a step would jeopardize the improved U.S.-Russia relations Trump has brought about, but which have nevertheless failed to bring an end to a war that has rumbled on for more than three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tomahawks will not solve the problem. They will escalate the situation to a nuclear war, Lukashenko said at a meeting in Minsk on Tuesday, naturally siding with Putin. Perhaps Donald Trump understands this better than anyone, as he is in no hurry to hand over this lethal weapon for deep strikes into Russian territory, as President Zelensky is counting on. Belarus has been hosting Russian tactical nuclear weapons since March 2023, and the two nations carried out a joint military exercise in September 2024 to practise in case they are ever called into service. Zelensky, who has endured a rollercoaster relationship with Trump, is due back in Washington on Friday to lobby for the missiles as well as increased sanctions on Moscow and on fellow superpowers China and India for continuing to buy up Russian energy, which is helping Putin bankroll his invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, it is important to send a signal that Ukraine will be strengthened by all means possible, Zelensky said at a press conference last week. And this is one of those means that is important to me Tomahawks. All such things can strengthen Ukraine and force the Russians to sober up a little, sit down at the negotiating table. President Donald Trump meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at United Nations General Assembly, on September 23 (AP) Trump struck a more cautious note on the subject when speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday en route to Israel, saying well see when asked whether he planned to give them to Ukraine, acknowledging that they represented a new step of aggression and suggesting he could use the prospect as leverage to compel Putin to make accommodations. Lukashenko, often characterized as a relic of the Soviet Union and Europes last dictator, last played a pivotal role at an earlier stage of the war when he negotiated an end to the mutiny staged by Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner Group mercenaries in June 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That uprising briefly threatened to topple Putin but ultimately saw his men stand down and Prigozhin meet an untimely end in a suspicious plane crash just two months later. After overseeing last Septembers practice drill, Lukashenko warned the U.S. and NATO: We will use nuclear weapons the moment they attack us. If such a scenario ever did come to pass, he cautioned, that would be regarded by the Kremlin as an assault against its people, too. Thus, Russia would deploy its full arsenal, Lukashenko said. And that means World War III. But the West doesnt want that either. They are not ready for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve made it clear that our red line is our national borders. If they cross them, our response will be immediate. We are preparing for this. Im being honest and transparent about it. In power since 1994, the Belarusian strongman said in August that he was not planning to seek another term but dismissed speculation that his son Nikolai was being groomed as his successor. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Shutterstock Hackers reportedly leaked data of 5 million Qantas customers after failed extortion attempt Attackers exploited Salesloft-Salesforce integrations to access and steal customer data 44 companies were affected, including Disney, Toyota, McDonalds, and Vietnam Airlines Up to 5 million Qantas customers could be at risk of cyberattacks or scams after hackers claimed to release their stolen data online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters say they released the stolen files on the dark web having had no response from Australias biggest airline over a ransomware demand. The archive includes personal records of 5 million Qantas customers, including peoples names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer numbers. Credit card details, financial information, and passport details weren't stolen, it was said. "Don't be the next headline" In summer 2024, a group of hackers going by the name Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters broke into Salesforce accounts belonging to hundreds of organizations in different industries - although Salesforce itself was not breached. The attackers compromised Salesloft accounts that were integrated with Salesforce and exploited the linked API tokens and OAuth connections to pivot into Salesforce environments and exfiltrate customer data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group tried to extort Qantas for money, offering to delete the stolen files in exchange. The airline, however, refused to even discuss the matter with the attackers, telling Guardian Australia it will not engage, negotiate with, or pay any extortion demand. Dont be the next headline, should have paid the ransom, the group posted on its data leak site. However analysts at cybersecurity outfit Intel 471 claim Qantas is reportedly only one of 44 companies whose sensitive customer data ended up on the dark web, with Gap, Vietnam Airlines, Toyota, Disney, McDonalds, Ikea, and Adidas all affected. This means numerous cybercriminals have easy access to contact and flight information on millions of people, which they can use for phishing, identity theft, fraud, and other attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters is a group comprising members of Scattered Spider, Lapsus$, and ShinyHunters. Soon after the Salesloft/Salesforce breach, they announced going dark, which the cybersecurity community interpreted as fear of too much publicity. Obviously, it didnt last long. Via The Guardian Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too. The exterior of U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island building is seen undergoing construction in downtown Providence on July 24, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) A nationwide coalition of organizations serving domestic violence survivors in 14 states and the District of Columbia recently notched another victory in its lawsuit to block the Trump administration from cutting off federal funding to groups that value diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI.) A federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday granted a preliminary injunction against the departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), halting grant policies directing grantee organizations to eliminate all DEI initiatives in their work or risk losing funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBoses ruling favored the plaintiffs in a lawsuit led by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence that included five other Rhode Island-based nonprofits. The plaintiffs had argued the new funding terms would imperil women and transgender youth experiencing homelessness and other populations their organizations serve. In court filings, attorneys for both federal agencies countered that the organizations only harm from the grant restrictions was financial in nature and therefore should be addressed by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. In a joint statement, the plaintiffs said DuBoses decision ensures that vital programs grounded in equity and compassion can continue uninterrupted. Domestic and sexual violence survivors, LGBTQI+ youth, and unhoused individuals deserve dignity and access to support without restrictions its a relief and a win that gives us breathing room to continue this vital work, the groups said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other five Rhode Island organizations listed in the lawsuit include House of Hope Community Development Corporation, Community Care Alliance, Foster Forward, the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, and Haus of Codec. The HHS grant policy, updated in April, prescribes that grantees do not, and will not during the term of this financial assistance award, operate any programs that advance or promote DEI, DEIA, or discriminatory equity ideology in violation of Federal anti-discrimination laws. Such language was stripped from the agencys grant policy ahead of a July 24 hearing where DuBose temporarily granted relief to the housing and domestic violence relief groups. HUD grant eligibility documentation online still notes the Trump administrations goal of ending radical and wasteful Government DEI programs and preferencing. DuBose, a Biden appointee, said the terms imposed by HHS and HUD were likely unconstitutionally vague because the agencies do not clearly identify and define the contours of what is prohibited when applying for grant funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The phrases promote gender ideology and promote elective abortion obscure meaning like Russian dolls stacked inside each other, DuBose wrote. The plaintiffs stand between a rock and a hard place, and surely such a high stakes dilemma constitutes irreparable harm in the eyes of this court. DuBose added that the agencies failed to provide any explanation for the new rules or consider how they would affect vulnerable populations. To date, the defendants have failed to achieve even this basic requirement, she wrote. DuBoses injunction orders HHS and HUD to treat their conditions as null and void and inform employees of the courts order within two business days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The phrases promote gender ideology and promote elective abortion obscure meaning like Russian dolls stacked inside each other. The plaintiffs stand between a rock and a hard place, and surely such a high stakes dilemma constitutes irreparable harm in the eyes of this court. U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose An HHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment. Rhode Island Current received an automated response after making an inquiry to HUD stating its public affairs office was operating in a limited capacity since the federal government shutdown began Oct. 1. Once the government is reopened, we look forward to being back in touch, the email states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rhode Island groups were joined by domestic violence prevention organizations in the District of Columbia and the following states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Adds UPDATE 1 to headline) PARIS - France's LVMH reported a 1% rise in third quarter sales on Tuesday, helped by improved demand in China as the luxury goods industry grapples with a prolonged slump. It was the first quarter of slight growth this year for the world's largest luxury goods group, which is seen as a sector bellwether with operations spanning fashion, alcohol and retail. Sales at the fashion and leather goods division, home to flagship brands Louis Vuitton and Dior and accounting for more than two-thirds of profits, were down 2% versus a year earlier. The trading update beat a Visible Alpha consensus cited by HSBC that had seen flat overall sales and a 4% decline for the fashion and leather division. Trends in Asia excluding Japan, a market dominated by China, showed "noticeable" improvement nine months into the business year, LVMH said in a statement. Quarterly sales at the conglomerate controlled by French billionaire Bernard Arnault, which also owns brands such as jeweller Tiffany, Moet & Chandon champagne and beauty retailer Sephora, rose 1% to 18.28 billion euros ($21.17 billion). The decline in the group's all-important fashion and leather division in the July to September period marked an improvement from the 9% drop posted after the second quarter. The luxury sector has undergone a prolonged slump since the winding down of the post-pandemic boom. Price hikes, which fuelled profits at labels including Louis Vuitton and Dior in recent years, have weighed on appetite for handbags, especially from less wealthy clients. Economic factors including U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, the continuing real estate crisis in China and a recent surge in gold and silver prices, driving up production costs for jewellery, have added to the headwinds. However, the update from the first major player in the $400-billion luxury industry to report third-quarter sales comes as more investors have turned positive on the sector. Analysts have released a series of optimistic notes, saying brands' push for more affordable products and what Morgan Stanley called a "burst of creativity" from new designers at most houses could mean the worst is over. LVMH shares are up 13% since the group's last trading update on July 24. The rally lifted LVMH, which briefly lost its crown as France's most valuable company to rival Hermes this year, back to the top as analysts began seeing positive signs for luxury sales beyond the very high end. (Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Joe Bavier, Lisa Jucca and Alexander Smith) Rachel Maddow questioned President Donald Trumps hot mic moment in Egypt, stating that the presidents apparent plans to arrange a meeting with his son Eric Trump and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto re-opens corruption theories surrounding Trumps 2016 presidential election win. Eric Trump has no job in the U.S. government, Maddow said Monday on MSNBCs The Rachel Maddow Show. There is no reason why an American president should be arranging meetings for one of his family members with the head of state of another country, particularly when hes at an international meeting on official presidential business. The hot mic moment Maddow is referring to was Trumps chat with Subianto on Monday, during which the president said hell have Eric call Subianto after Subianto asked to meet him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill have Eric call, Trump reportedly said to Subianto at the time. Should I do that? Hes such a good boy. Ill have Eric call. Maddow shared that Trumps remarks are similar to the questionable arrangements hes made in the past with foreign leaders, particularly during his 2016 run for presidency against Hillary Clinton. Just a few weeks before [2016] Election Day, as Donald Trumps campaign was running out of money and it really looked like he was going to lose to Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, at the height of the 2016 presidential campaign, he took a one-on-one meeting with the president of Egypt, Maddow explained. He came out of that meeting and he called the president of Egypt a fantastic guy. He promised that if he, Donald Trump, was elected president, the United States would be a loyal friend to Egypt.' She went on to explain that years later, and in between chummy gifts to Egypt, a 2024 Washington Post article reported that a $10 million cash withdrawal prompted an investigation into whether Trump took money from Egypt, which Trump appointees at the time labeled as textbook Fake News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Maddow explained, Trumps advisers were begging Trump at the time to put more money into his campaign but Trump refused to. However, after his meeting with the president of Egypt, Trump changed his tune. Somehow shortly thereafter, he changed his mind about how much money he could give to his campaign, Maddow said. Suddenly he could give $10 million of his own money to his campaign in the last crucial weeks before the election. He had somehow come up with $10 million that he felt he could afford to give his campaign. Interestingly, at the time, it was little notice, but he said he would give that $10 million as a loan, not as a donation. So that meant he would expect to be paid back that $10 million. Donald Trump at the very last minute supercharges his 2016 campaign with a $10 million loan right at the end. He then does win the election. Maddow went on to state that five days before Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, mysteriously an organization linked to the Egyptian intelligence service, withdrew almost exactly $10 million in cash from the National Bank of Egypt. She added: Now the president, in his official capacity, presumably is hooking up his son, who is running the family business, with the president of Indonesia, the country that is hosting this new Trump family boondoggle in that country. The post Rachel Maddow Says Trumps Egypt Hot Mic Could Indicate Corruption Involving Eric | Video appeared first on TheWrap. As the Los Angeles area recovers from devastating wildfires, officials and emergency managers worry about rain that could trigger mudslides. Rain on burned hillslopes can set off dangerous floods and debris flows. Those debris flows can move with the speed of a freight train, picking up or destroying anything in their path. They can move tons of sediment during a single storm, as Montecito, just up the coast from Los Angeles, saw in 2018. What causes debris flows, sometimes called mudflows, and why are they so common and dangerous after a fire? I am a geologist whose research focuses on pyrogeomorphology, which is how fire affects the land. Heres what we know. How debris flows begin When severe fires burn hillslopes, the high heat from the fires, sometimes exceeding 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius), completely destroys trees, shrubs, grass and structures, leaving behind a moonscape of gray ash. Not only that, the heat of the fire actually burns and damages the soil, creating a water-repellent, or hydrophobic, layer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What once was a vegetated hillslope, with leaves and trees to intercept rain and spongy soils to absorb water, is transformed into a barren landscape covered with ash, and burned soil where water cannot soak in. Illustrations show how fire can change the soil and landscape. National Weather Service When rain does fall on a burned area like this, water mixes with the ash, rocks and sediment to form a slurry. This slurry of debris then pours downhill in small gullies called rills, which then converge to form bigger and bigger rills, creating a torrent of sediment, water and debris rushing downhill. All this debris and water can transform small streams and usually dry gullies into a danger zone. Because the concentration of sediment is so high, especially when there is a large amount of ash and clay, debris flows behave more like a slurry of wet cement than a normal stream. This fluid can pick up and move large boulders, cars, trees and other debris rapidly downhill. A firefighter walks through knee-deep mud while checking for victims after a debris flow hit Montecito, Calif., in January 2018. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images In January 2018, a few weeks after the Thomas fire burned through the hills above Montecito, a storm triggered debris flows that killed 23 people and damaged at least 400 homes. What controls size and timing of debris flows The geography of the land, burn severity, storm intensity and soil characteristics all play important roles in if, when and where debris flows occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire and debris flow scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey use these variables to create models to predict the likelihood and possible hazards from postfire debris flows. They are already developing maps to help residents, emergency managers and city officials prepare and predict postfire debris flows in 2025 burn areas in Los Angeles. The U.S. Geological Survey modeled debris flow risks after the Palisades Fire near Los Angeles. The map shows some of the highest-risk areas if hit by 15 minutes of rain falling at just under 1 inch (24 millimeters) per hour. USGS Some of the triggers of debris flows are literally part of the landscape. For example, the slope angle in a watershed and the amount of clay in the soil are important. Watersheds with gentle slopes generally less than about 23 degrees and a lack of clay and silt-sized particles are unlikely to produce debris flows. Other key factors that contribute to postfire debris flows relate to the proportion of the watershed that is severely burned and the intensity and duration of the rainstorm event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early important research in the field of pyrogeomorphology demonstrated that while large, intense storms are more likely to cause large, intense debris flows, even small rainstorms can produce debris flows in burned areas. Debris flows are becoming more common A whopping 21.8 million Americans live within 3 miles of where a fire burned during the past two decades, and that population more than doubled from 2000 to 2019. A recent study from central and northern California indicates that nearly all the observed increases in area burned by wildfires in recent decades are due to human-caused climate change. The warming climate is also increasing the likelihood of more extreme downpours. The amount of moisture the atmosphere can hold increases by about 7% per degree Celsius of warming, leading to more intense downpours, particularly from ocean storms. In California, scientists project increases in rainfall intensity of 18% will result in an overall 110% increase in the probability of major debris flows. Studies using models of fire, climate and erosion rates estimate that the amount of sediment flowing downhill after fires will increase by more than 10% in nine out of every 10 watersheds in the western U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even without rain, debris on fire-damaged slopes can be unstable. A small slide in Pacific Palisades shortly after a fire burned through the area split a home in two. A phenomenon called dry ravel is a dominant form of hillslope erosion following wildfires in chaparral environments in Southern California Preparing for debris flow risks Research on charcoal pieces from ancient debris flows has shown fires and erosion have shaped Earths landscape for at least thousands of years. However, the rising risk of wildfires near populated areas and the potential for increasingly intense downpours mean a greater risk of damaging and potentially deadly debris flows. As their populations expand, community planners need to be aware of those risks and prepare. This article, originally published Jan. 23, 2025, has been updated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Jen Pierce, Boise State University Read more: Jen Pierce receives funding from the National Science Foundation and is the chair of the Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology division of the Geological Society of America. More remains of Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas on Tuesday, as part of a U.S.-brokered deal aimed at keeping peace in Gaza, Israeli authorities said. Four coffins were transferred to the Red Cross and were on their way to the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Agency in the Gaza Strip, according to a joint statement from the IDF and ISA, citing information provided by the Red Cross. However, the IDF said on Wednesday that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas was not one of the hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Following the completion of examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages," the IDF said in a statement. "Hamas is required to make all necessary efforts to return the deceased hostages." The remains of the other three hostages were identified as Staff Sergeant Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch and Eitan Levi, the IDF said. "The IDF expresses deep condolences to the families, continues to make every effort to return all the deceased hostages, and is prepared for the continued implementation of the agreement," the IDF said in a statement Wednesday. The return of the hostages is a cornerstone of the Gaza peace plan, which called for Hamas to hand over all remaining hostages 20 living and 28 dead by Monday, Oct. 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Hamas returned the 20 living hostages by the Monday deadline, the remains of only four deceased Israeli captives were handed over on Monday. They were identified Tuesday by Netanyahu's office as Guy Iluz, Israeli military Capt. Daniel Peretz, Yossi Sharabi and Bipin Joshi. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a social media post on Monday that Hamas' initial return of only four bodies constituted "a violation of the agreement" and added that "any delay or deliberate avoidance will be considered a gross violation of the agreement and will be responded to accordingly." People gather in hostage square, on the first day after all living hostages were released and returned, on Oct. 14, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel. / Credit: Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images During negotiations that led to the deal, Hamas representatives said they did not know the location of all the remains of deceased hostages, according to Israeli media reports. President Trump also said in Egypt on Monday that not all of the bodies of the deceased hostages had been found, adding that unidentified parties were still "working out" how to locate an unspecified number of remains. Gal Hirsch, the Hostage and Missing Persons Coordinator for the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, told CBS News last week that an international team would be established to locate missing hostages in Gaza, but details as to who will form that team and when it might begin its work remained unconfirmed on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents Israeli hostage families, has voiced anger that all of the bodies have not been returned and called on the U.S. to leave "no stone unturned in demanding that Hamas fulfil their end of the agreement and bring all of the remaining hostages home." In exchange for Israeli hostages, the peace deal stipulated that Israel release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners held by Israel. It also called for a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a partial pullback by Israeli forces from the Palestinian territory's main cities which happened on Friday and kicked off a three-day window for the return of Israeli hostages. Supreme Court wraps arguments in Louisiana congressional map case "Ongoing feud" led to deadly South Carolina bar shooting, sheriff says Israeli hostage's son on Hamas' failure to return bodies Restraining order granted against US Rep. Cory Mills A judge has granted a restraining order against Florida U.S. Rep. Cory Mills. The order that was signed Tuesday states Mills cannot have any contact with his former girlfriend, reigning Miss United States Lindsey Langston. It specifically states that he cannot go within 500 feet of her residence. The judge also added into the injunction that Mills cannot directly refer to her on social media. It says if this is violated, Langston should report Mills, and that Mills could be prosecuted for indirect criminal contempt if found in violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will be enforced until Jan. 1, 2026. In her request, Langston alleged that Mills refused to leave her alone when she told him to. She also claims he threatened to damage her reputation and tried to blackmail her with exlicit images. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from office effective immediately in a vote that marked a dramatic and historic culmination of a bitter saga that plunged the sheriff's office into scandal. The 5-0 vote marked the first time a board of supervisors removed a sheriff from office in the state's history. "Today is the end of a tragic, destructive and grossly expensive chapter in San Mateo County history," Supervisor Jackie Speier said before the vote. "I had high hopes for Sheriff Corpus so it's tragic to see her time as sheriff come down to this." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speier added: "In my view, Sheriff Corpus lost her sense of purpose." The vote came after Corpus steadfastly refused to step down from her position in the wake of a blistering audit of the sheriff's office published this year. The report accused Corpus of using racial and homophobic slurs to degrade colleagues, harassing perceived enemies, and engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a former campaign manager, Victor Aenlle, who became her chief of staff. The report also alleged that Aenlle - who is not a sworn member of law enforcement - abused his power and had access to rifles with silencing devices. Corpus was also accused of creating jobs for Aenlle, including a $246,000 full-time position that was never posted publicly. Corpus denied the allegations and spurned calls from county officials for her to leave office. In January, Corpus sued the county, seeking $10 million after claiming she was discriminated against for being a woman and Latinx. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday's vote followed a report that found legally justifiable grounds for Corpus' removal. Retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James Emerson issued the report after a 10-day hearing that included testimony from 36 witnesses under oath. "This board does not take this action lightly," board President David Canepa said during Tuesday's special meeting, adding that he believed Corpus' actions "placed personal interest over public duty." Supervisor Noelia Corzo said the removal was based on "fair procedures and evidence." "I never imagined Sheriff Corpus would make this kind of history," Corzo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corzo said she, too, as a Latina in office, believed in Corpus' potential. "I had high hopes for what we could achieve together," Corzo said. When Corzo cast her vote, she asked Corpus' attorneys to return to her a "challenge" coin that Corpus had given Corzo as a sign of praise. In March, San Mateo County voters overwhelmingly approved a charter amendment that gave the Board of Supervisors the ability to remove Corpus from office - an authority they didn't previously have. And last month, Emerson concluded that there were multiple, justifiable reasons to fire Corpus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supervisors needed a four-fifths majority vote to remove Corpus. On Tuesday, Corpus and her counsel made their final remarks in an effort to convince the board to vote against removing her. Corpus' and her attorney's statements echoed much of what they have previously said publicly: that since becoming sheriff, the county has conspired to sabotage Corpus because they did not want a Latinx woman running the department. Her counsel called the effort to remove her a "political hack job" and a "power grab." They again urged two of the supervisors - Corzo and Ray Mueller - to recuse themselves from the vote, alleging the supervisors had made up their minds about the sheriff before evidence was presented. County Attorney John Nibbelin said none of the supervisors faced a conflict that required them to recuse themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I rose through the ranks of this organization with an unblemished record, serving with integrity and faith in a system I believe could change for the better," said Corpus. "But over time, I came to see the truth. The corruption, the favoritism and bias had become the silent language of power in this county." Public comment included impassioned pleas both from Corpus' critics to her most ardent supporters. Several speakers urged the board to include the public in any future process to hire Corpus' replacement - and to make sure it was transparent. A handful of public speakers also implored the board to hire a permanent inspector general to monitor the sheriff's office in the months and years ahead. Undersheriff Dan Perea was expected to fill Corpus' position in the interim until supervisors appoint a new sheriff or hold a special election. This article originally published at This Bay Area county has ousted its scandal-plagued sheriff in an historic vote. A reduction in immunity to Japanese encephalitis virus may increase the severity of dengue disease in humans. The study, conducted by Duke-NUS Medical School and researchers from Nepal, found that reduced vaccine protection from JEV may affect the body's response to dengue disease. What's happening? Dengue is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, and it is most commonly reported in hot, humid climates. It can cause fever, chills, aches, pains, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. Most people recover after several days, but some severe cases can lead to serious complications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers have found that when people are vaccinated for JEV, they are also protected from severe cases of dengue. That represents a major public health benefit in protecting against the fastest-growing mosquito-borne virus worldwide. Ashley St John, associate professor from Duke-NUS Medical School's Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, said: "Maintaining strong JEV vaccine coverage and possibly introducing booster shots when needed could be a practical way to not only prevent JEV but also reduce the severity of dengue, helping protect populations in Asia where both viruses are present." Why is this research important? As the planet continues to overheat, hot, humid conditions are becoming increasingly common and severe, allowing mosquitoes to thrive, breed, and expand into new areas, which increases the risk of dengue and other illnesses spreading. Nepal has experienced a rise in dengue cases over the past decade, according to the researchers, and the country has also seen the virus spread into new areas where it was previously not present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Changing weather patterns are attributed to human activity, such as the production of planet-warming pollution from transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture. Warmer temperatures create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed and survive for longer. What's being done about the spread of disease through mosquitoes? In general, it's best to make your environment inhospitable to mosquitoes. Eliminating or reducing areas of standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs is one crucial preventive step. Meanwhile, wearing long sleeves and using mosquito repellent can help protect against the insects when they are present. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In Nepal and other vulnerable areas, the JEV vaccine is required. Making sure visitors receive the vaccine is vital to protect against JEV and dengue, as is the continued development of an effective vaccine program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor Patrick Tan, senior vice-dean for research at Duke-NUS, explained that while JEV can be prevented through vaccination, dengue does not yet have a widely available vaccine. "Strengthening JEV vaccination programmes by ensuring people develop and maintain strong, lasting protection has a double benefit," he said. Researchers in Nepal are continuing to work on vaccination strategies that will protect the community against dengue. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee is keeping its regular hours as the country enters its second week of a federal government shutdown. Second Harvest Executive Director Rhonda Chafin told News Channel 11 that the food bank is still open and is encouraging anyone in need to reach out. We are open. We continue to keep regular hours, Chafin said. Were monitoring this situation. And we just theres just so much that we dont know. But what we know is that well do what we can for our community if there are needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stanley announces plans to run for Sullivan Co. mayor Chafin said Second Harvest is serving organizations that are assisting federal employees during the shutdown. We do know that SNAP and some of those other benefits, if the shutdown continues through the end of the month, we know that that assistance is going to be there for individuals, Chafin said. But if they have any questions, I think its important that they contact the state office for the Department of Human Services. Since the shutdown, Chafin said the food bank hasnt seen a significant increase in food insecurity locally. At this time, were like everyone else, she said. We just hope that the shutdown is ended soon and that we can get back to normal so that people who have needs, specifically for SNAP and WIC and other benefits, and also our federal employees receive what they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Chafin, in Northeast Tennessee, there are about 90,000 people who are food insecure. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. NEED TO KNOW Police in Kansas are seeking the public's help to identify a woman in distress seen in a home-security footage The incident was captured on a Ring camera about 2 a.m. on Sunday, per police Authorities have not been able to match the woman's description to any missing persons report since Oct. 1, or disturbance call in the area Authorities in Kansas have announced a reward for information about a woman seen in home security footage being dragged away by a man as she screams and apparently tries to extricate herself from his grip. The 20-second video, captured outside a residence in Wichita, Kan., was released by Wichita Police on Monday, Oct. 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video begins with the man grabbing the woman from behind as she apparently struggles to break free. He forcefully wraps his arms around hers, holding her in place. She screams seemingly for help as the man, in a black T-shirt and jeans, takes hold of her, drags her, and turns her around. He continues down the driveway of the residence, seemingly in full control of the woman, before the two disappear from the view of the camera. The woman's muffled screams are heard one more time before the video ends. During a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 14, Wichita police said the video was recorded early Sunday morning. That evening, officers responded to the location, where the homeowner showed them Ring doorbell camera footage capturing the incident at about 2 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding officers canvassed the area looking for leads, and checked for missing persons reports dating back to Oct. 1 as well as disturbance calls in the region, but did not come across information matching the woman's description, police said on Tuesday. Police are "operating under the assumption this is a legitimate incident," Wichita police told reporters at the press conference, adding that their primary concern is the welfare of the woman in the video. Police said they believe there is no danger to the greater community. Wichita Police Department Security footage shows the possible abduction of woman. Security footage shows the possible abduction of woman. 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. Crime Stoppers has announced a $2,000 reward for any tip that leads to the identification of the man or the woman in the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are asking the public to share any information they may have and urged the woman in the video to contact them if she is now safe. Anyone with information is urged to contact investigators at 316-267-2111, or crimestoppers online or via 911. Read the original article on People Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Jan. 14, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Update: This story was updated at 11:57 a.m. on Oct. 15 with a response from Gov. Littles Office. Several of Idahos top officials stayed quiet for days following the announcement Friday of a training facility for Qatari troops at the Mountain Home Air Force Base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the agreement with the Middle Eastern country on Friday for a facility to host Qatari troops at the base located just under 50 miles southeast of Boise. The plan had been in the works for years, including an agreement with Qatar to purchase F-15QA aircraft from the U.S. made in 2017, the Associated Press reported. Fridays announcement received mixed responses from Idaho elected officials. A group of ultra-conservative Republicans in the Idaho Legislature, who call themselves the Gang of Eight, wrote a letter to Idahos congressional delegation on Sunday with concerns about the announcement and several questions about its implementation. Idaho state Sen. Christy Zito, R-Mountain Home, takes her seat on the Senate floor before legislative action begins on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) The group, including state Sen. Christy Zito, a Republican who lives in and represents Mountain Home, expressed concern about Islamic terrorism and the lack of consultation with Idahos state leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interest of informing our constituents, promoting government transparency, and collaboration between federal and state legislators, we respectfully request answers to the following questions, the letter said. The questions included those about funding, screening and vetting of trainees, and similar agreements with other nations, such as the existing training program with Singapore at the Mountain Home base. State Rep. Faye Thompson of McCall also represents the legislative district that houses the Mountain Home base and signed the letter. Joining Zito and Thompson were state Sens. Glenneda Zuiderveld of Twin Falls and Josh Kohl of Twin Falls, as well as state Reps. Lucas Cayler of Caldwell, Kent Marmon of Caldwell, Clint Hostetler of Twin Falls, and David Leavitt of Twin Falls. U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, looks on during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget at the U.S. Capitol on April 26, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Bonnie Cash/Getty Images) Senate foreign relations chairman does not immediately respond Republican U.S. Senator for Idaho Jim Risch, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, had not responded to the Suns multiple requests for comment on the decision as of Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Wednesday in an emailed statement to the Sun, Secretary (Pete) Hegseth confirmed that Qatar is not building a military base in Idaho. I am in communication with Idahos congressional delegation and the Trump administration to ensure Idahoans concerns are raised. It is critical we work with the administration to ensure this agreement is done in a way that protects Idahoans interests as further details are finalized. Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson wrote on the social media platform X that he supported the deal. Fantastic news for Mountain Home Air Force Base as (Hegseth) just announced the Pentagon has agreed to host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots here in Idaho, Simpson wrote Friday. This development is beneficial for training, enhances our partnership with Americas allies, and strengthens national security. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo said in an emailed statement to the Sun, As I await further details about the agreement, I will continue working with Air Force and Mountain Home base leadership to ensure they have the support necessary to fulfill goals of global military readiness that keep Idahoans and Americans safe and protect our long-term national security interests. Idaho U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher could not be reached for comment. Idaho Democrats, Risch challenger push back on Mountain Home Air Force Base agreement Democrats in Idaho criticized the announcement. Trump accepted a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar, then his regime quietly approved building a Qatari military installation right here in Idaho, the Idaho Democratic Party posted Friday on X. He sold out our security and used our state as part of the payoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plans for the training facility and sale of the fighter jets to Qatar predated Qatars gift of the jumbo jet to President Donald Trump. The Air Force announced the agreement for training in 2020. Idaho Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terri Pickens called on Little to pause the deal in an emailed statement. This isnt just a foreign-relations issue its a direct threat to Idahos sovereignty, our security, and the rights of Idahoans, Pickens wrote. Letting outsiders use our military infrastructure poses serious security and intelligence risks. Governor Little must tell the president to put a pause on this deal before it goes any further. Todd Achilles, an independent candidate challenging Risch for his U.S. Senate seat, wrote in a statement to the press, I have one question for Senator RischWere you in on this? SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The weather in Mississippi has been quiet lately with little rain and few storms, but that could change for much of the state later this week as a front makes its way south. "We've got a cold front that's pushing in the area this weekend," said Eric Carpenter, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson. "As we get later into the fall and cooler weather, there's greater potential for cold fronts and greater potential for storms. The fronts tend to be stronger and capable of producing severe weather." The biggest concerns associated with the system are damaging winds and hail up to the size of quarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It doesn't look like a big tornado risk for our area," Carpenter said. The system is expected to move into Mississippi Saturday afternoon into Saturday night. The Jackson area falls into a band running from Southwest Mississippi to to Northeast Mississippi that could see isolated thunderstorms and damaging wind gusts. From a line crossing the state from Vicksburg northeast to Eupora and north, the threat level is higher with damaging winds up to 60 mph and severe storms. The threat is several days away and Carpenter said confidence in the forecast is low at this point and it may change in coming days, but he said people need to take note of the situation. "We certainly haven't had much rain lately and few storms, so it could catch people off-guard," Carpenter said. "We want people to be aware of the potential." The National Weather Serevice in Jackson is warning of potential severe weather in parts of Mississippi Saturday afternoon into Saturday night. More: Old Farmer's Almanac predicts Thanksgiving weather. What are NOAA, AccuWeather fall forecasts? National Weather Service Forecast in, near, Jackson, MS Tuesday : Sunny, with a high near 85. Light northeast wind becoming north northeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Tuesday Night : Clear, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Wednesday : Sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Wednesday Night : Clear, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Thursday : Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming east-southeast around 5 mph. Thursday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Calm wind. Friday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light south wind becoming south-southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Friday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South-southeast wind around 5 mph. Saturday : A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Saturday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Sunday : A 40% chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. National Weather Service forecast in, near, Hattiesburg, MS Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North-northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 55. North wind around 5 mph. Wednesday : Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Wednesday Night : Clear, with a low around 58. Calm wind. Thursday : Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming east-southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Calm wind. Friday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Light east wind becoming south-southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Friday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South-southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Saturday : A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Saturday Night : A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Sunday : A 40% chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Weather radar map Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Weather tomorrow in Mississippi severe thunderstorm watch Metaplanet Incs enterprise value has dipped below its Bitcoin reserves, with the Tokyo-listed companys mNAV (the ratio of its market capitalization and debt to its token holdings) falling to 0.99 on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg. The firm, as of Oct 14, now holds 30,823 Bitcoin worth approximately $3.4 billion, yet trades for less than the value of its crypto assets. Notably, this growing financial imbalance facing Metaplanet is happening to the majority of digital asset treasury companies worldwide. From All-Time Highs to Trading at Discount Metaplanets shares reached an all-time high in mid-June but have since declined by about 70%, making the company the first major Bitcoin treasury firm to consistently trade below its holdings. Source: Google Finance At the time of publication, the share is trading at 482 Yen ($3.21), down 12.36% today. According to Bloomberg, Mark Chadwick, a Japan equity analyst who publishes research on Smartkarma, described the decline as a popping of a bubble. Chadwick believes that the general euphoria surrounding Bitcoin stockpiling has cooled, although long-term Bitcoin bulls may view Metaplanets discount as a buying opportunity, he noted. The downturn coincided with broader market turmoil. Crypto traders faced a record $19 billion in liquidations on October 10 after President Donald Trump announced harsher tariffs on China, triggering severe volatility that sent most major tokens tumbling. Reacting to the massive liquidation, Bitcoin, for instance, dropped to 6 6-month low, trading very closely to $101K. Quarter of Bitcoin Treasuries Now Trade at Discount as Bubble Deflates Metaplanet is far from alone in its struggles. K33 Research reports that a quarter of all public companies holding Bitcoin now trade at market values below their BTC holdings, with 26 out of 168 Bitcoin-holding firms trading at a discount. The most dramatic collapse hit NAKA, the merger vehicle of KindlyMD and Nakamoto Holdings, which lost 96% of its market value from its peak and now trades at just 0.7x NAV, down from 75x. Other firms, including Twenty One, Semler Scientific, and The Smarter Web Company, have similarly fallen below their net asset values. Industry-wide premiums have also compressed sharply. The average mNAV across treasury firms dropped from 3.76 in April to 2.8, while daily Bitcoin accumulation by these companies slowed to just 1,428 BTC in September, which is the weakest pace since May. Several companies have resorted to desperate measures. NEED TO KNOW Daniel Callihan, 37, confessed to murdering Callie Burnett, 35, before kidnapping her two daughters, sexually assaulting the 6-year-old child and then killing her 4-year-old sister He confessed as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors, also admitting that he kept the 6-year-old girl in a dirt pit with the body of her dead sister Now his alleged accomplice Victoria Cox, 34, has also been offered a plea deal by local prosecutors in Mississippi The woman accused of assisting a man who abducted two young sisters after murdering their mother killing the 4-year-old and keeping the 6-year-old as his "sex slave," according to U.S. Marshals has been offered a plea deal. Victoria Cox, 34, appeared in a Mississippi courtroom on Monday, Oct. 13, where prosecutors presented her defense team with a plea deal offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The details of that deal were not shared in court and the defense said they would have to consult with Cox before deciding if they would agree to the deal being offered by the Hinds County District Attorney's Office. GoFundMe Callie and Erin Brunett Callie and Erin Brunett Cox is charged with capital murder, kidnapping and sexual battery for her alleged role in the abduction of two girls and murder of one. The man who masterminded that plan, 37-year-old Daniel Callihan, confessed to his crimes in federal court earlier this year while accepting his own plea deal. In a factual basis he signed after agreeing to enter guilty pleas to federal charges of kidnapping resulting in death and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity, Callihan admitted to killing the mother of the two young girls, 35-year-old Callie Brunett, in Louisiana on the night of June 11, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then admitted to driving the girls from their home in Loranger an unincorporated community located approximately 70 miles north of New Orleans to Mississippi. The next day, on June 12, he drove back to Louisiana to pick up Cox and then returned to McComb, Miss., with her and the two victims. Callihan said in the signed factual basis that he and Cox engaged in criminal sexual activity with the 6-year-old victim, after which he murdered her 4-year-old sister "by holding [her] closely against his chest." Jordan Ginsberg, the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, said that on June 13, a relative discovered the body of Callie and reported her two daughters missing. WDSU/YouTube Daniel Callihan Daniel Callihan The surviving sister was tracked down that same day thanks to a joint effort between local, state and federal law enforcement. Callihan had stolen Callie's car, which was discovered close to the property where the girl was being held captive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 6-year-old was discovered in a dirt pit, where she was being kept with the body of her deceased younger sister. Cox managed to avoid federal charges since unlike Callihan all her crimes were committed in the state of Mississippi, and she agreed to testify at Callihan's federal trial for prosecutors, who identified her as Co-Conspirator-1 in charging documents. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. In a post-Miranda interview with investigators, Cox corroborated Callihan's account of the sexual assault of the 6-year-old victim, according to the signed factual basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her trial is scheduled to begin on Dec. 8 in Mississippi should she not accept the plea deal. Sentencing for Callihan's federal offenses is set for Nov. 19. Federal prosecutors agreed to not seek the death penalty if he entered a guilty plea to all charges. A lawyer for Cox did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. "Every law enforcement partner who worked on this case was determined to deliver justice for the [redacted] family and the people of Tangipahoa Parish," FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of New Orleans said in a statement. "The FBI thanks the U.S. Marshals Service, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Jackson Police Department for their efforts to make sure Daniel Callihan will never do anything like this again." Read the original article on People South Floridas academic and political leaders on Monday celebrated Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machados Nobel Peace Prize, calling it a triumph not only for Venezuela but for pro-democracy movements across Latin America. At an event held at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora in Miami, representatives from several universities and civic institutions praised Machados courage, nonviolent leadership and steadfast commitment to restoring democracy in her homeland. The Nobel Committee announced Friday that it had awarded the prize to Machado for her tireless work promoting the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. Machados nomination was spearheaded by Miami Dade College and endorsed by Florida International University, St. Thomas University and Barry University. The campaign also drew support from Marco Rubio, at the time a U.S. senator and now secretary of state Marco Rubio, as well as Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Miami-area Reps Mario Diaz-Balart, Carlos Gimenez and Maria Elvira Salazar, who submitted a letter backing her candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marcell Felipe, a member of Miami Dade Colleges board of trustees and one of the key figures behind the nomination, recalled early conversations with Machado about how to reclaim Venezuelas democracy through peaceful means. We had these video conferences with Maria Corina, Felipe said. You know, were all fighting essentially for the same cause. It might be Venezuelan or Cuban, but ultimately were human beings fighting for the chance to be treated with dignity and with respect. Felipe said Machados insistence on peaceful resistance, even amid brutal repression, distinguished her from other political figures. She never wanted a violent confrontation between her countrymen, he said. She wanted this to be an act of love, an act of courage, and to win the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described Machado as a leader driven by the transformative ability for that nation, and said the Nobel Committees recognition reflected a simple hope for all humanity. Most people get to power on their knees, Felipe added. But only those who get to power with their full dignity intact have the real ability to wield it. And I think Maria Corina Machado is going to wield that power very effectively. Not for the sake of power, but for the sake of what they do with that power. The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, led by President Marcell Felipe, at the podium, celebrated the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machad.o Felipe noted that many who championed Machados candidacy for the Peace Prize were Miami-based exiles who saw in her a leader for our entire continent and a role model that we want to follow. Machados message from hiding Machado, who remains in hiding inside Venezuela, sent a voice message to express her gratitude to the South Florida community. She said the Nobel award recognized not her personally, but the collective struggle of Venezuelans and their allies abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to send you all my strength and gratitude, she said. Because without you, it would have been possible for this enormous recognition of the Venezuelan people to become a reality. She thanked the universities, think tanks and Florida leaders who have supported her movement and linked Venezuelas liberation to the broader democratic fight across Latin America. I especially want to send my gratitude and encouragement to the people of Cuba and the people of Nicaragua. Ours is the same struggle, and it has our commitment and our promise, she said. By liberating Venezuela, we will also liberate its people. We will achieve the reunion of our families. Her message ended with a note of faith and perseverance: We walk hand in hand with God. A message for Maduros regime Congressman Gimenez, one of the lawmakers who added their names to the nomination for Machado for the Nobel Prize, said the award underscored her lifelong defense of peace and democracy. U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez speaks at the event celebrating Maria Corina Machado winning the Nobel Peace Prize. The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, led by President Marcell Felipe, held a conference celebrating Machado. It certainly is my pleasure to be here representing a number of my colleagues that signed on to the letter nominating Maria Corina for the Nobel Peace Prize, he said. Because she does exemplify what this prize is all about. Its about peace, but its also about freedom. Its about democracy. And thats what Maria Corina is fighting for every single day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at the Cuban Diaspora Museum, Gimenez said the Cuban and Venezuelan communities were kindred spirits united in our fight for freedom and democracy in this hemisphere. He praised Machados resilience despite being pursued by Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduros security forces. Shes in hiding. So think about the courage that she has. Theyre hunting her down and have been hunting her down for well over a year, Gimenez said. Maybe not so much now because she is the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. And so thats going to put a little bit of, wait a minute, dont mess with that lady. Gimenez called the award a very powerful message sent by the international community to Nicolas Maduro and that regime, stressing that Washington considers Venezuelas government illegitimate. We should not tolerate dictators and these oppressive regimes to exist in our hemisphere, he said. We have a three-headed monster called Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba. Theyre all tied at the hip. And theyre spreading this failed experiment called communism around our hemisphere. Madeline Pumariega speaks at the event celebrating Maria Corina Machado winning the Nobel Peace Prize. The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, led by President Marcell Felipe, held a conference celebrating Machado. The congressman described Maduro as an illegitimate narco-trafficker terrorist running Venezuela, and said the U.S. should back Venezuelans with everything we got to make sure that the people of Venezuela get exactly what they deserve freedom, democracy, and a return to a normal way of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Machados Nobel campaign started right here in South Florida, with the support of its universities and the exile community. By the way, Im not sure that if youd go anywhere else in the United States, youd get all the four major educational institutions to sign that letter, Gimenez said. And thats something that we said teach them the value of freedom, teach them the value of democracy, and teach them what it is and how privileged we are to live in what I consider to be the greatest nation in the world. Maduros reaction One person not celebrating is Maduro, who on Sunday lashed out at the opposition leader. Ninety percent of the entire population repudiates the demonic witch, Maduro said. Ninety percent of our people repudiate any threat of invasion or war against Venezuela. All the polls say it: 80%85% of our people are willing to fight for their homeland, for their land Venezuela, he added, referring to the heightened U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, which has fueled fears inside the country of a possible military confrontation. (The Center Square) The public has an answer in one of Wisconsins most- watched Congressional races. State Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, announced she will not be running for the congressional seat in the Northwoods. I have spent my entire life in Wisconsins Northwoods, growing up working on my familys Christmas tree farm, raising my children, and running a small business. I love the Northwoods, and representing the people of Northern Wisconsin in Madison is a true honor, she said in a statement. After months of thought, prayer, and discussions with my husband, I have decided to not seek higher office. This is not the right time for my family, and besides, I love representing my constituents in Madison as a State Senator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Felzkowski, who is the Senate president, said she plans to continue in the state legislature. Theres a lot of work still to be done in Wisconsin, and I look forward to continuing to fight for a brighter future in our state, Felzkowski added. Her decision to stay in the Senate comes as Democrats in Wisconsin look to flip the upper chamber. Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said on UpFront that the Wisconsin Senate is the most flippable body in the entire country. What weve been told time and time again by a lot of people is the Senate Democrats are the most flippable chamber that were going to have in the entire United States, Hesselbein said. Phone calls keep coming, the entire country, in the entire country, people are telling us this is the most hopeful chamber in the entire country, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keeping Felzkowski in the Senate means one less senate seat that Republicans would have to fight for. Felzkowskis decision now opens the race for congress in the Northwoods. Current Congressman Tom Tiffany is running for governor, and a number of northern Wisconsin Republicans are expected to jump at the chance to run in the red district. Republican Jessi Ebben, who ran for western Wisconsins congressional seat in 2020, has already jumped into the race. Republicans are also expecting Michael Alfonso, who is the son-in-law of former Northwoods Congressman Sean Duffy to also enter the race. The collapsed spy trial scandal has exposed the depth of the China problem for Britain and its governing classes. The Beijing Communist regime is considered one of the most dangerous threats to the UK and Western allies, sitting at the heart of a new axis of evil with Russia and Iran. But at the same time, it represents a tantalising pot of gold for the British and other Western governments to dip into to fund their debt-laden economies and pay for much-needed infrastructure. Prime minister Keir Starmer and Chinese president Xi Jinping at the G20 summit late last year (Getty) The spy trial scandal has lifted the lid on the alleged close links to Beijing of key figures in this and the previous government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has played out against a backdrop of continued concerns over the treatment of political prisoners in Hong Kong, the operation of illegal Chinese courts in the UK. The spy trial controversy explained The prosecution of Christopher Cash, 30, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, 33, a teacher, collapsed last month amid allegations from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that the government refused to provide the evidence required to go ahead with the trial. Sir Keir Starmers defence was that the previous Tory government under Rishi Sunak had not put the right laws in place for there to be a trial because China had not been properly designated as a national security threat. National security adviser Jonathan Powell allegedly pushed for the spy trial case to be withdrawn (PA) The Sunday Times reported that the Treasury and national security adviser Jonathan Powell had pushed for the case to be withdrawn, for fear it could prompt economic giant China to withdraw investment in the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downing Street has robustly denied suggestions that officials or ministers had taken any such approach. The Chinese super embassy All this is playing out on the eve of a decision on whether China will get permission to build its super embassy at the Royal Mint Court site in London. The suspicion is that Labour will give permission despite the protests against it, serious security concerns about it being used for spying, and ongoing issues about Chinese operations in the UK. If it goes ahead, many will be quick to link the spy trial issue and that of the new embassy, with the current government looking like the desire for China trade is trumping everything else. Is Labour too close to Beijing? The trial has again lifted the lid on links to the Beijing regime with Sir Keirs government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his former ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, and his current national security adviser, Mr Powell, have had close ties on a business level with China. Labour MP Barry Gardiner received 500,000 in donations from a Chinese agent (PA) It does not end there, though. A key adviser to Sir Keir in opposition, Professor Thom Brooks of Durham University, was a freelance commentator for the Chinese propaganda channel CGTN. It had its licence withdrawn by Ofcom in 2021 over serious concerns about its activities. Meanwhile, this is far from the first spy controversy. Labour MP Barry Gardiner received 500,000 in donations from a Chinese agent, Christine Lee, and gave her access to parliament. Are the Tories to blame? Labour has pointed out that the issues with the trial in fact dated back to the previous Tory government under Mr Sunak and its policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, arguably, Labour has just continued the policy articulated by Sir James Cleverly when he was foreign secretary. He said: It is an important country, its a large country, an influential country and a complicated country, and therefore our relationship with China will necessarily be just as complicated and sophisticated. One could argue Labour has just continued the policy articulated by James Cleverly when he was foreign secretary (PA) We are clear-eyed about the areas where we have fundamental disagreements with China and we raise those issues when we meet. But I think its important to also recognise that we have to have a pragmatic, sensible working relationship with China because of the issues that affect us all around the globe. Sir Keir himself also questioned the suitability of Mr Cleverlys successor, David Cameron, as foreign secretary because of his business links with China. The end of the golden era? The problem is that the UK has not been able to find a sweet spot between friend and enemy over its relationship with Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Blair, Brown and Cameron governments turned a blind eye while British universities like Imperial College, Durham and Oxford courted China for funding, in doing so accepting massive influence from Beijing. In fact, Lord Camerons drive to increase trade ties with China while he was prime minister has since been dubbed a golden era. The failure to tackle the way China stole international copyright has been a problem. Then there was the attempt by the Cameron and Theresa May governments to allow China through Huawei to build the UKs 5G network and to be involved in building UK nuclear reactor capability. The Huawei deal collapsed largely thanks to the actions of former defence secretary Sir Gavin Williamson but only after a huge row in cabinet. Former defence secretary Gavin Williamson played a key part in the collapse of the government Huawei deal (PA) The argument, though, has always been that Chinese investment is crucial to allow projects to go forward, and cooperation with China is vital to tackle issues like the climate crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the time, leading figures like Sir Iain Duncan Smith and former security minister Tom Tugendhat have been flagging up warnings about Chinas ambitions and agenda. To their disgust, the UK government has only voiced concerns about the treatment of Chinese dissidents, especially in Hong Kong. This included the detention of British citizen Jimmy Lai. The world has turned a blind eye to the desperate plight of the Uyghurs in internment camps, subject to sterilisation programmes and forced medical experiments. And the economic threat posed by China was underlined when Sir Keir had to effectively nationalise British Steel after a Chinese company was accused of trying to close down the plant in Scunthorpe. Britain and the West under siege But whatever the pros and cons of Chinese engagement, there is no doubt that the UK and the West are under siege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior Whitehall source told The Independent: We are at war but our governments past and present do not want to acknowledge it. Earlier this year, the UKs National Cyber Security Centre joined security bodies from more than a dozen countries in warning that organisations in crucial sectors should proactively hunt for activity by Chinese hackers and patch up weaknesses. Meanwhile, Beijing is underpinning Russias war in Ukraine and is quietly supportive of Irans efforts to spread international terrorism. A report by the intelligence and security committee outlined very serious concerns that have existential issues for the West. Yet it is understood that it is just gathering dust in Whitehall and not being acted upon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is little doubt, according to sources on both sides of the Atlantic, that US worries about Chinese influence in the UK are harming security relations and information sharing. It is why Lord Mandelsons credentials were almost rejected by Donald Trump when he was proposed as the UKs ambassador to Washington DC. Sources have told The Independent that the China issue is coming to a head in Britain. A choice needs to be made soon, but the question may be whether the UK with its stagnant economy and high debt payments can afford outright hostility with Beijing. WASHINGTON (AP) A senior adviser at the State Department and expert on Indian and South Asian affairs is accused by the Justice Department of printing out classified documents and storing more than 1,000 pages of highly sensitive government records in filing cabinets and trash bags at home. Ashley Tellis, who has also worked as a contractor in the Defense Departments Office of Net Assessment, was charged in federal court in Virginia with the unlawful retention of national defense information after FBI agents who searched his home over the weekend found what they said was a trove of records marked as classified at the secret and top secret levels. He was ordered detained Tuesday pending a detention hearing next week. One of his lawyers, Deborah Curtis, told The Associated Press that we look forward to the hearing, where well be able to present evidence" but declined to comment further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An FBI affidavit cites several instances over the last month in which Tellis is alleged to have printed on government computers, or asked a colleague to print, classified documents on topics including U.S. military aircraft capabilities. Surveillance video shows him on several occasions exiting the State Department and a Defense Department facility with a briefcase in which he was believed to have stashed the printed-out papers, according to court documents. Tellis also met multiple times with Chinese government officials in recent years, according to the affidavit. Tellis arrived to one 2022 dinner with a manila folder while the Chinese officials he was meeting with entered with a gift bag, the FBI says. The affidavit says Tellis did not appear to have the manila folder in his possession when he left the restaurant, but does not accuse him of providing any classified information during his meetings with the Chinese. Tellis is a prominent foreign policy expert with a specialty in Indian and South Asian affairs. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace lists him as a senior fellow and the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs. He also served on the White House National Security Council staff under Republican President George W. Bush. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that Tellis is an expert on Indian and South Asian affairs, not Indian and South affairs. (The Center Square) The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a case challenging a rule that allows spouses of H-1B workers to work in the United States. In the case, Save Jobs USA challenged a 2015 rule allowing spouses of H-1B workers to get H-4 visas. The rule was put in place by the Obama administration. "Its definition contains no indication of work authorization, and for forty-five years the executive interpreted it as not permitting work," a petition to the court reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The H-1B program allows businesses to petition for high-skilled foreign workers, typically with at least a bachelors degree, to work and live in the United States. The visa is most often used by companies in the technology industry. In fiscal year 2025, Amazon, Meta and Apple were among the top petitioners for H-1B visas, according to data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. The high courts denial to hear arguments in the case comes as President Donald Trump imposed a $100,000 fee on businesses that apply for new H-1B workers. The fee has already been challenged by a group of several unions. The Department of Homeland Security granted more than 25,000 H-4 visa petitions to spouses of H-1B workers in fiscal year 2024, according to department data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The District of Columbia circuit court previously rejected Save Jobs USAs petition to change the rule allowing spouses to work in the country. Since announcing its claim of having unlimited authority to permit alien employment, DHS has promulgated regulations authorizing several massive alien employment programs entirely through regulation, Save Jobs USAs petition reads. The petition pointed to the optional practical training program, which allows immigrant students to remain in the country after graduating from a U.S. college or university and before obtaining work authorization through the H-1B program. As long as aliens can work in the United States, they can afford to remain in the United States, the petition reads. This regulatory transformation of parole has subjected small communities to a huge influx of aliens that the communities have to support with increases in services. The Supreme Court on Tuesday morning turned down a plea from conservative media personality Alex Jones to hear his appeal of a Connecticut case brought by families of the children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School more than a decade ago, in which he was found liable for defamation and emotional distress. The court also rejected an appeal by several Colorado parents, who contend that a school district in that state violated their constitutional rights when they excluded them from discussions of their childrens gender identity. The announcements came as part of a list of orders released by the Supreme Court from the justices private conference on Oct. 10. The court granted one new case, Hunter v. United States, from that conference on Friday afternoon; Tuesdays order list did not add any additional cases to its oral argument calendar for the 2025-26 term. Kelsey Dallas has more on the Alex Jones case in an earlier post for SCOTUSblog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Lee v. Poudre School District R-1, the justices declined to weigh in on a lawsuit against a Colorado school district by parents who allege that the district violated their constitutional rights by interfering with their parental decision making. Specifically, the parents contended that the school districts policies exclude parents from the conversation of their childs gender identity by, inter alia, actively discouraging disclosure of such information by school officials and sowing doubt in the minds of students regarding the trustworthiness of their parents by, for example, telling students not to tell their parents what they discuss at an after-school group that addresses gender and sexuality, and by directing school staff to use a students preferred name and pronouns with the child, but the childs birth name and pronouns with the parents. This secrecy and concealment toward parents whose children discuss topics related to gender identity at school creates division within the parent-child relationship and undermines the trust essential to a familys foundation, the parents said. A federal district court ruled for the school district, concluding that the parents had not shown that the school district had an official policy that caused the parents alleged injury. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit upheld that decision. On Monday, the court denied the parents petition for review. Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, penned a statement regarding the decision to deny review. Alito wrote that he agreed with the courts decision because the parents had not challenged the ground for the ruling below. But I remain concerned, Alito added, that some federal courts are tempt[ed] to avoid confronting a particularly contentious constitutional questio[n]: whether a school district violates parents fundamental rights when, without parental knowledge or consent, it encourages a student to transition to a new gender or assists in that process. The troublingand tragicallegations in this case underscore the great and growing national importance of the question that these parent petitioners present, he concluded. The justices denied review without comment in Doe v. Grindr, in which the court had been asked to weigh in on the scope of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which gives websites and online platforms immunity from lawsuits arising from content posted by their users, and for their moderation of content. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question comes to the court in a lawsuit brought against Grindr, a dating app that is popular with bisexual and gay men, by an anonymous plaintiff, known only as John Doe. Doe contends that when he was 15, Grindr offered him a membership and recommended him to adults for sex, and that he was then raped by four adults over four days. A federal court in California dismissed Does case. U.S. District Judge Otis Wright acknowledged that the facts of Does case were indisputably alarming and tragic, but he concluded that they were barred by Section 230. Although Doe seeks to hold Grindr liable for the design, development, and sale of a defective product, Wright wrote, in fact Does claims seek to hold Grindr liable based on its publishing of user content. When the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld that ruling, Doe came to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to take up his case. This abdication of responsibility by platforms is exactly what Congress enacted Section 230 to prevent, yet it has turned into a license to unleash harm in the name of profit, he argued. In Humphreys v. Emmons, the justices denied review in a death penalty case based on a murder and robbery in which a juror told the court before the trial began that she had been the victim of an attempted rape and robbery but swore that she could nonetheless be a fair juror. While the jury was deliberating whether to impose the death penalty, however, she told the other jurors that she had been assaulted while naked in her bed, and jurors later reported that she had her mind made up from day one of the trial. Jury deliberations eventually almost completely broke down, and the jury eventually returned a death sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although testimony and affidavits about the jurors conduct later came to light, Georgia law generally bars the use of testimony by jurors to undermine a verdict. When the defendant raised the issue in an effort to overturn his sentence, the federal courts rejected his claim under federal post-conviction law, and the Supreme Court denied review. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented from the denial of review. In Sotomayors view, the Supreme Court should have sent the case back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit for it to clarify the grounds for its decision. In a capital case with a potentially meritorious juror-misconduct claim, she wrote, mere confusion about a lower courts reasoning does not justify closing the door to relief altogether. Tragically, she continued, the Court denies review instead, allowing a death sentence tainted by a single jurors extraordinary misconduct to stand. In Thomas v. Humboldt County, California, the court rebuffed an appeal from California property owners who challenged the countys failure to provide them with a jury trial before imposing fines for alleged violations of county codes relating to growing cannabis even though, the property owners say, none of them actually ever grew cannabis. The lower courts dismissed their claim under the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution, citing the Supreme Courts 1916 ruling in Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Co. v. Bombolis, holding that the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial does not apply to the states. The property owners then came to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to take up their case. Gorsuch wrote a statement regarding the denial of review in which he agreed with the courts decision to turn down Thomas appeal, noting that the case was not a suitable one in which to decide whether to overrule Bombolis. At the same time, Gorsuch added, I do not doubt that Bombolis warrants a second look. He urged the justices to take up the question soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices called for the views of the U.S. solicitor general in two cases: Renteria v. New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance, involving New Mexicos decision to bar organizations claiming an exemption under the Affordable Care Act from operating within the state; and Highland Capital Management v. Nexpoint Advisors, involving bankruptcy protections for nondebtors. There is no deadline for the solicitor general to file his response. The justices did not act on Does 1-2 v. Hochul, a challenge to New Yorks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers that has since been repealed. The justices will meet for another private conference on Friday, Oct. 17. For more Supreme Court news and analysis, visit SCOTUSblog. Read more at SCOTUSblog A new analysis puts Utah seventh in the nation overall for its energy efficiency, coming in at fifth place in the country for home energy efficiency and ninth for vehicle fuel efficiency. High-efficiency air conditioning and heating are key. In other words, get a high-efficiency HVAC system for the home if you currently have a system that is old or inefficient (ideally one that needs to be replaced soon anyway). Make sure to get a programmable thermostat. This will reduce wasted heating/cooling when you are not at home. Simpler items: install more insulation and seal leaks. This will reduce heating and cooling costs and can cut energy loss by 25-40%, noted Betty Simkins, a professor at Oklahoma State University and Russell Simkins, a retired energy consultant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This can have a return on investment of up to 100%, depending how under-insulated the home is. Install energy-efficient windows and exterior doors, especially if the current ones are old. This option can be expensive. Buy Energy-Star certified appliances. The findings by WalletHub also note the importance of having efficient transportation systems. While there are some steps you can take to become more energy efficient on your own, living in the right area can give you a big boost. For example, certain states have much better public transportation systems that minimize your need to drive, at least in big cities. Some places also have better constructed buildings that retain heat better during the winter or stay cooler during the summer, said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst. A car uses an electric vehicle charging station at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News Utah Transit Authority and efficiency For multiple years, Utah Transit Authority has been named one of the best public transportation systems in North America. The analysis puts Utah in the No. 23 spot for transportation efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Public Transportation Association noted at one time UTA experienced record high use. The association described its awards as given to those individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the public transportation industry in North America. Winning an APTA Award means that you are the best of the best and a distinguished leader. In April this year, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy took a ride on FrontRunner, accepting an invitation by Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah. He was also accompanied by Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah. Duffy noted the efficiency of FrontRunner, saying it is a model for other states to follow that want to improve transit systems. The FrontRunner moves northbound over 2100 North in Lehi on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Curtis emphasized he plans to expand the FrontRunner because of population growth in the state as well as Utahs upcoming Olympics in 2034. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also plans to build a rapid bus transit system that links Murray, Taylorsville and West Valley City. The planning for that system goes back nearly 20 years. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, joined by Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, introduced the Safe Transit Accountability Act in September. It would ensure public transit agencies can implement safety plans without delay caused by internal disagreements. It proposes to clarify the chain of command within local transit agencies to resolve disputes as quickly as possible to ensure riders and transit employees are safe. The new report by WalletHub emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency, given the amount of money spent by households on energy costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy is one of the biggest household expenses for American consumers. The average U.S. family spends at least $2,000 per year on utilities, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, with heating and cooling of spaces alone accounting for about half the bill. It noted that the Department of Energy estimates that adopting energy efficient measures in the home could reduce a familys utility costs by as much as 25%. Someone who stole an ambulance with an employee in the back was taken down after a chase on Interstate 294 in Cook County Tuesday afternoon, Illinois State Police said. The president and COO of LifeLine Ambulance, in a statement, said the suspect stole the vehicle from a Niles parking lot as crew members had stepped away for lunch. Niles police said the theft happened just before 4 p.m. in the Portillo's parking lot on Dempster Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there was no patient inside at the time, there was a crew member in the back. The employee called 911 at about 3:50 p.m., state police said. The ambulance was driving south on I-294 from Dempster Street to Ogden Avenue, nearly 20 miles, during rush hour, police said. It was driving erratically, before police surrounded the vehicle, video shows. SEE ALSO: Federal agents involved in chase before East Side crash; crowd tear gassed in area The ambulance was driving south on I-294, north of Ogden Avenue, when it got stuck in traffic. Chopper 7 was following the vehicle. Prior to hitting traffic, it had been cutting off other cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police set up spike strips, disabling the tires, and bringing the vehicle to a stop near Ogden. Just before 4:30 p.m., police surrounded the ambulance, drew guns and broke out the driver's-side window, before at least one person was pulled out. Police arrested someone who had stolen an ambulance Tuesday. The suspect was taken into custody, and Niles police said he was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. The employee, uninjured, was rescued. LifeLine Ambulance credited the crew member for helping police stop and catch the suspect, bringing this wild chase to an end. Police were able to drive the ambulance off the highway and out of traffic. The theft is under investigation. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will visit Russia on Wednesday to meet with President Vladimir Putin, Syrias state news agency reports, as part of a broader diplomatic push to bolster the Damascus transitional governments international legitimacy. It will be al-Sharaas first official visit to Moscow, a longtime ally of the former Bashar al-Assad regime that al-Sharaas forces ousted in December. During the visit, al-Sharaa and Putin will discuss regional and international developments and ways to strengthen cooperation, Syrias SANA news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the presidential media directorate. Al-Sharaa will also meet with members of the Syrian community living in Russia, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Reuters news agency cited a Syrian official as saying that al-Sharaa will hold talks on the continued presence of Russias naval base in Tartous and its air base in Khmeimim. The source added that al-Sharaa also plans to formally request that Moscow hand over al-Assad, who has been living in exile with his family in Moscow since fleeing Syria in December. Al-Sharaa, who once headed the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda under the name Abu Mohammed al-Julani, commanded rebel forces that seized Damascus and installed a new government late last year, ending al-Assads decades-long rule. Since then, Russia has sought to build ties with Syrias new leadership, including offering Damascus diplomatic support over Israeli strikes on Syrian territory. SANA reported that Putin called al-Sharaa in February, expressing support for Syrias unity, sovereignty and stability. In July, Putin and his minister of foreign affairs, Sergey Lavrov, met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian presidents visit to Moscow follows his September trip to New York, where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), declaring that Syria was reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world and urging for an end to sanctions. Syria is writing a new chapter in its story, titled peace, stability, and prosperity, he told the UNGA. Chinese wind giant Ming Yang Smart Energy announced a landmark plan to establish the UKs first fully integrated offshore wind turbine manufacturing facility in Scotland, pledging up to 1.5 billion in investment and 1,500 new jobs, with potential for an additional 1,500 in later phases. The project - currently considering sites across Scotland, with Ardersier Port near Inverness as the preferred location - marks one of the largest industrial clean energy investments ever proposed in the UK. The site would repurpose existing oil and gas infrastructure, supporting a just transition for workers moving into renewables. Ming Yang, which accounted for 31.3% of global new offshore wind capacity in 2024, said the three-phase development will anchor key parts of the offshore wind supply chain in Britain: Phase 1: Up to 750 million for a nacelle and blade manufacturing plant, with production beginning in late 2028. Phase 2: Expansion to support floating offshore wind technology at scale in UK waters. Phase 3: Creation of an industrial ecosystem producing control systems, electronics, and other key components. The facility would produce turbines for both UK and export markets, making Scotland a strategic base for the companys European operations. Ming Yangs Ocean X 16.6 MW dual-rotor floating turbine, the largest of its kind, could cut offshore wind costs by up to 30%, helping to lower household energy bills. Related: Oil Prices Rebound After a Sharp Selloff The company has been in talks with the UK and Scottish Governments, as well as Great British Energy, the National Wealth Fund, the Scottish National Investment Bank, the Crown Estate, and UK Export Finance. The plans remain subject to final UK government approval and form part of Ming Yangs broader pan-European expansion strategy. The announcement follows last months strategic partnership with Octopus Energy, aimed at deploying affordable offshore wind capacity and integrating advanced software solutions for cybersecurity and grid optimization. Ming Yang Group Chairman Zhang Chuanwei said the company is committed to accelerating the global energy transition through innovation and community-focused solutions, adding that the UK investment would reinforce its role as a global leader in wind technology. Aman Wang, Ming Yang UK CEO, said the project would help make Britain a global hub for offshore wind technology and contribute to the governments mission of becoming a clean energy superpower. Syria's transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa is to visit Moscow on Wednesday for an official visit aimed at reshaping relations with Russia and exploring new political and economic cooperation, according to the government's press office in Damascus. The statement, released by the state-run news agency SANA on Tuesday said al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss regional and international developments, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. He is also expected to meet members of the Syrian community in Russia during the visit, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trip marks the first official visit by al-Sharaa to Russia since he assumed office last December, after leading a rebel alliance that toppled former ruler Bashar al-Assad. Russia was one of the country's closest allies under al-Assad. The former president fled to Russia after his ouster, where he and his family were granted asylum. Since taking power, al-Sharaa has sought to redefine Syria's foreign relations with foreign and Arab countries. The visit follows a telephone conversation in February between the two presidents, during which Putin reaffirmed Russia's support for Syria's unity and stability, and expressed willingness to review agreements signed with the previous government. According to Syrian sources, the visit could open a new chapter in Syrian-Russian relations which will focus mainly on reconstruction and economic recovery. By Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -Chinese cyberattacks on Taiwan government departments have increased by 17% so far this year compared to 2024, reaching an average of 2.8 million per day, data from the National Security Bureau showed. The bureau warned that Beijing's "online troll army" was seeking to sow discord among Taiwanese. Taiwan has repeatedly complained about what it sees as China's "grey-zone" tactics - from daily military drills to cyberattacks - at a time when Beijing is ramping up military and political pressure to force the democratically governed island to accept its sovereignty claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan's Government Service Network received an average of 2.8 million daily attacks so far this year, up from 2.4 million in 2024, according to Reuters calculations based on a report by the National Security Bureau. The report to parliament, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters ahead of a parliamentary session on Wednesday, said medical systems, defence, telecommunications and energy were among the top targets of the "systemic cyberattacks". "Beyond intelligence theft, these operations integrate dark web, internet forum, and media channels to disseminate fabricated content, eroding public confidence in the government's cyber defences," the report said. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment. China routinely denies being involved in hacking attacks but is frequently accused by foreign governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China says it has been targeted by Taiwanese cyber operations. On Saturday, China offered a bounty for 18 people it said were Taiwanese military psychological operations officers spreading "separatist" messages. The Taiwanese report said it detected more than 10,000 "abnormal" social media accounts including many on Facebook which have helped disseminate more than 1.5 million messages that the bureau deemed as disinformation. The report said China has incorporated its state media and "online troll army" to disseminate content criticising the Taiwan government, promote pro-China narratives and sow distrust in the United States, which is the island's most important international backer and arms supplier. "This aims to exacerbate internal divisions within Taiwan," the report said, adding China has used artificial intelligence technologies to generate "meme-style" content by targeting specific issues including Taiwan's elections and tariff negotiations with the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Abnormal accounts then amplify these narratives within Taiwan's discourse space to influence public perception," it said. Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims. (Reporting By Yimou Lee; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard, and Ryan Woo in Beijing; Editing by Michael Perry) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) In response to Gov. Jared Polis disaster declaration on Sunday regarding flooding in western Colorado, the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) announced that it will be offering tax relief for those impacted by the natural disaster. DOR has extended the deadlines to Dec. 31 for some state tax filings, including: Income tax extensions that are due on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Sales taxes that are due on Monday, Oct. 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taxpayers can request penalty waivers for other taxes and fees due in October, such as marijuana, fuel, and the retailer delivery fee, by contacting DOR. Those affected by the floods have until Dec. 31 to file these taxes. DOR notes that the relief does not apply to separate city or county taxes and only applies to state taxes. The department will not automatically apply the tax deadline waiver, so eligible taxpayers must call to request the extended deadline after receiving their bill. To request an extended deadline to DOR, call 303-238-7378. For more information, visit cdor.colorado.gov. We are supporting the Coloradans who have been impacted by these devastating floods every way we can, and that includes extending our states tax deadlines. I continue monitoring the situation very closely, and emergency and our public safety resources are actively engaged in response and recovery efforts, said Gov. Polis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple areas in western and southwestern Colorado have experienced closed roads and evacuations due to flooding over the weekend, including the towns of Vallecito in La Plata County and Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. COPIAH COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) An 18-year-old was killed and another person was seriously injured during a tractor-trailer crash in Copiah County. The crash occurred on Interstate 55 near Hazlehurst around 3:00 p.m. on October 13, 2025. Leland mayor confirms arrests in mass shooting According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP), a 2022 Mack tractor-trailer was traveling north on the interstate when it collided with a 2009 Nissan Altima that was also traveling north. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers said the 20-year-old driver of the Nissan Altima was airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson with serious injuries. The passenger in the vehicle, 18-year-old Francesca Doss, of Fayette, died at the scene. MHP officials said the driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured. The crash remains under investigation by MHP. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Thailand, a popular stop on southeast Asias tourist trail, is a favourite of young backpackers, honeymooners and solo travellers. With culture-stacked cities, a jungle interior and some of the continent's best beaches, Thailand welcomed over 35.5 million international tourists in 2024. Although holidays generally go smoothly, travellers should be aware of some strict regulations in Thailand and its islandsboth familiar and unfamiliar before planning their trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holidaymakers may risk fines, deportation or imprisonment if they do not follow the rules. From respecting the monarchy to the legal alcohol age, here are the local laws that tourists need to know about to stay out of trouble while visiting Thailand. Read more: Swap Phukets crowds for these Thailand islands Thailand laws and rules Drinking alcohol Unlike in the UK, the legal drinking age in Thailand is 20 years old. Even if some venues do not strictly enforce the rule, it is against the law to buy or consume alcohol if you are under 20. Criticising the Thai monarchy It is illegal to speak critically of the Thai monarchy, including past and present members of Thailands royal family. Sharing negative articles or comments in person or online can carry a long prison sentence. It is illegal to speak critically of the Thai monarchy (Getty Images) Carrying cannabis Although some low-strength cannabis is legal in Thailand, holidaymakers should not carry cannabis out of the country at risk of imprisonment or, in some cases, the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warns: British nationals have been caught carrying cannabis out of Thailand. There have been arrests of British nationals caught transiting through airports in other countries. Many international airports have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, which may be used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. Illegal drug use Tourists should be aware that the possession of Class A drugs can lead to the death penalty in Thailand, with heavy fines for possessing even small amounts of illegal substances. Bringing cigarettes It is illegal to take more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand. Customs enforce this rule on arrival with fines up to 10 times the value of the cigarettes carried. Inappropriate social media pictures Travellers should be careful when posting images of people drinking alcohol or wearing inappropriate clothing on social media both can be considered illegal, with the photographer and subject risking fines or imprisonment. Travellers should be careful when posting images of people drinking alcohol (Getty Images) Wildlife souvenirs The capture, killing and selling of any protected wild animal is illegal in Thailand without a license. Public smoking and e-cigarettes According to the FCDO, tourists face fines of up to 5,000 Thai baht if they smoke in public in Thailand. E-cigarettes are also illegal, with fines or prison sentences issued for their use. Flying drones Flying a drone in Thailand is illegal if it is not registered with Thailands National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) within 30 days of entering Thailand or purchasing a drone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fine for an unregistered drone with the NBTC is 100,000 baht or five years imprisonment or both, says the FCDO. Gambling with playing cards As part of Thailands gambling laws, it is illegal to carry over one hundred and twenty playing cards. Violation of the Act could lead to prosecution, a fine, or even imprisonment. Read more: Dubai laws you need to know before visiting A theater professor was fatally shot at a residence in Georgia this week, authorities said. Erica Anderson, 41, was shot and killed early Monday in Columbus, a spokesperson for the Columbus Police Department confirmed to ABC News. The shooting remains under investigation and police will not be releasing any further details at this time, the spokesperson said Tuesday. WTVM - PHOTO: Police respond to a fatal shooting at a residence in Columbus, Georgia, Oct. 13, 2025. Anderson was a professor at Columbus State University, which said it is "deeply saddened" over her death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She joined the school's Department of Theatre & Dance this fall as a lecturer in costume and was its costume shop supervisor. 14-year-old killed by stray bullet while playing video games inside home: Police "Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends, as well as the students she impacted," Columbus State University President Stuart Rayfield said in a statement. "While we mourn her passing, our team is also ensuring her students and colleagues are aware of all the university support resources available to them." Prior to joining Columbus State, Anderson taught costumes at Southern Utah University and the University of Florida and had worked in theaters and opera houses across the country, including the Sarasota Opera and Indiana Repertory Theatre, according to the university. WTVM - PHOTO: Police respond to a fatal shooting at a residence in Columbus, Georgia, Oct. 13, 2025. Anderson was "passionate about her work and her students," a GoFundMe page in support of her family stated. She is survived by her three children and husband, who are based in Indianapolis, according to the GoFundMe page, which said her husband "is currently undergoing cancer treatments, which makes this loss even more devastating for their family." As Taliban forces hit back at Islamabad over alleged air raids inside Afghan territory, waves of refugees returning from Pakistan are struggling to rebuild their lives in Taliban-run Afghanistan. On 11 October, Taliban forces launched armed reprisals against Pakistani troops, accusing Islamabad of carrying out airstrikes inside Afghan territory. Amid this climate of hostility, convoys of Afghan families continue to stream back across the border many of them expelled from Pakistan, others from Iran in a surge of forced returns that is raising alarm among aid workers and humanitarian agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their arrival at Spin Boldak, in Afghanistans southern Kandahar province, takes place under chaotic conditions and these new arrivals often come without resources, back to a country they no longer know or did not know at all which is in the throes of a serious economic crisis. The situation for women is the most critical, due to the restrictions imposed on them in Afghanistan: the need for a male family member to accompany them when they travel, the ban on attending school after the age of 12, and the difficulties they face in working independently. Charity slams EU for 'staggering neglect' of Afghan refugees 'I know nothing about this country' Inside a waiting room reserved for women, Rabia sits between her two daughters, Habiba and Assia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to RFI, she explained that her family had lived in Pakistan for 40 years. We have relatives here, but no home, no money." We are very worried. My husband is still over there. We dont know anything about this country, we cannot read or write. We need help we havent eaten for two days. Her husband is expected to follow later, bringing the familys luggage. Around an hours drive away, at the Anzargi transit camp, hundreds of returnees crowd into small rooms or wait in corridors for food and shelter. Among them is 45-year-old Gul Ghoti, who fled Pakistan with her 10 children. Her eldest, an 11-year-old girl, had been attending school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Pakistan, she was in Year 11. But here, I have no idea what we're going to do, I can't imagine. I know nothing about this country," she told RFI. Once they leave these centres, women will have to conform to Taliban-imposed dress codes and movement restrictions, enforced by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Most of them are unaware of this. All they dream of is leaving: the reality of life for women under the Taliban Decades in exile At the Spin Boldak crossing alone, some 20,000 people arrived in just a few days, according to local officials. Among them was 75-year-old Rahmatullah, who has spent decades in exile. Speaking to RFI, he recalled his ordeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im from Jawzjan province, in northern Afghanistan. Id lived in Baluchistan, Pakistan, for 45 years. One morning, while I was praying at the mosque, the police arrested me. I tried to tell them I had a refugee card, but they said it didnt matter. They kept me in a place like a prison all day, and that night I was driven here. Rahmatullah did not get the chance to say goodbye to his family. My wife, my children theyre all still in Pakistan, he says. I have no money, nothing at all. I need help. I dont know what to do. Taliban celebrate US departure, promise tolerance and reconciliation Limited aid Taliban officials at Zero Point, the Spin Boldak border post, insist they are trying to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan has been expelling Afghan refugees for years, says Ali Mohammad Haqmal, one of the commanders on site. When people arrive here, we try to give them some cash, talk to them, reassure them. We tell them they are our brothers. But humanitarian workers say this assistance is nowhere near enough. Most arrivals are malnourished, Mohamed Sabir, a doctor with the Red Crescent, told RFI. We only have a few basic medicines. Theres not much we can give them. After registering, many families are bussed to temporary camps before being dispersed across the country. Since January, nearly 1.8 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan. Afghanistan, still reeling from years of war, drought and sanctions, is struggling to absorb such numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economic opportunities are scarce, and international aid has dwindled since the Talibans return to power in 2021. As winter approaches, the prospects for these returnees particularly women and children look increasingly bleak. Adapted from this report and this report by RFI's special correspondent Margot Davier in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. A bipartisan trio of former White House ethics lawyers warned no American is safe from political prosecution after the Trump administrations recent indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. President Donald Trump, who publicly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute his political rivals without delay last month, has since used a federal prosecutor to embark on a retribution campaign. Lindsey Halligan, Trumps newly appointed interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, secured grand jury indictments against Comey and James. Comey has pleaded not guilty and his attorneys have dubbed it a vindictive prosecution; James has yet to make a formal plea, but called the charges against her a weaponization of our justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richard Painter, Norman Eisen and Virginia Canter, who served as ethics counsels for Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton respectively, asked for investigations into the indictments in a formal complaint filed with the Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General Tuesday. The trio called the pattern of revenge prosecutions an epidemic of injustice, saying it must be stopped. Following the indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, former White House ethics lawyers warned that no American is safe after Donald Trump embarks on a retribution spree (Getty Images) If Halligan pursued these indictments as part of Trumps personal vendetta against Comey and James, we are facing a turning point in our democracy and some of the most egregious examples of vindictive and meritless prosecution that our nation has ever seen, they warned. The group also remarked on the circumstances around Halligans appointment. The 36-year-old boasts no prosecutorial experience, yet was tapped to replace Erik Siebert, who resigned last month after he was reportedly pressured to bring a criminal case against James, despite investigators failing to find sufficient evidence of wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days after her appointment, she indicted Comey, followed by James weeks later. Prosecutors should never be fired for refusing to bring charges they conclude are unfounded, even if the president orders them to do so. Yet that appears to be just what President Trump has done in order to charge Mr. Comey and Ms. James, the complaint states. The president then installed a handpicked replacement who agreed to prosecute his rivals. If the Trump administration can do this, then no American is safe from political prosecution, they wrote. Former FBI director James Comey pleaded not guilty last week to federal charges following a years-long feud with the president (AP) Trumps thoughts on revenge and his targets of it are no secret. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, revenge does take time. I will say that, he told Dr Phil last year on the campaign trail. And sometimes revenge can be justified. More recently, last month, he posted on Truth Social, in what was reportedly intended to be a private message to Bondi, groaning that nothing is being done against James, Comey, and California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who are all guilty as hell. Trump and Comey have had a rocky relationship for years, dating back to the months preceding the 2016 presidential election; the president fired the FBI director in 2017 shortly after the bureau announced it was investigating Russias efforts to interfere in the election. Trumps wrath culminated last month when Comey was charged with making false statements and obstructing justice during congressional testimony he gave in September 2020. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. After the indictment was made public, the former FBI director issued a statement: 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. New York Attorney General Letitia James decried the charges against her as baseless and a weaponization of our justice system (AFP via Getty Images) James, meanwhile, was indicted last week on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution in connection with a loan for a property she purchased in 2020. Last year, her office brought a civil fraud case against Trump, his associates, and business empire, which concluded with a New York judge ruling in her favor. Although the defendants were ordered to pay more than $500 million, a state appeals court threw out the massive fraud penalty in August, calling it excessive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following her indictment, James said in a statement: These charges are baseless, and the presidents own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost. The ethics lawyers appeared to agree, calling both indictments flimsy, the trio said. Both the Comey and James matters are rife with procedural improprieties that are prejudicial to their right to a fair trial regardless of the substance of any charge. The trio concluded: No American should have to go through the experience of being prosecuted under these circumstances, and the rest of us should not have to live in fear that it may also happen to us. We do not live in a dictatorship, at least not yet. Customers may enjoy Trader Joe's many copycats of popular snack products, but Smucker's Uncrustables doesn't see the imitation as flattery. While people love the grocery chain for lots of things, Trader Joe's has long been known for its dupes of competitors' products, like its Scandinavian Swimmers, which are quite reminiscent of Swedish Fish, and its Oreo-esque Joe-Joe's. Trader Joe's added to that category with crustless peanut butter and jam sandwiches a few months ago, immediately garnering comparisons to the popular Uncrustables brand. Now, The J.M. Smucker Company, which owns Uncrustables, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Trader Joe's has infringed on its trademarks. In the lawsuit, filed on October 13 in the District Court of Ohio, Smucker's claims "Trader Joe's Company has launched an obvious copycat." The suit says that Smucker's is not taking issue with the sale of frozen crustless sandwiches, but instead takes issue with the round crustless, crimped edges of the Trader Joe's design, which it asserts are "an obvious attempt to trade off of the fame and recognition of the Uncrustables Design Marks." The suit claims that Uncrustable's "pie-like shape with distinct peripheral undulated crimping" has been a defining feature of the brand since 1996, and that the specific design is covered by a trademark held by the company. It also claims that the specific look of Uncrustables is heavily featured in advertising by the brand, and thus "[signifies] to members of the consuming public products that come from Smucker." Read more: 22 Best Trader Joe's Frozen Foods Under $5 Smucker's claims Trader Joe's Crustless Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwiches infringe on its branding Uncrustables box in store with blue writing and bite taken out - Adam McCullough/Shutterstock Beyond the design of the sandwiches, Smucker's is alleging that Trader Joe's deliberately copied Uncrustables' branding with its packaging. The first allegation is that Trader Joe's box "marketing with a bite taken out of it on the packaging that mimics the Uncrustables Design Marks." Smucker also claims that the blue color of the Trader Joe's box is the same blue used in the Uncrustables logo, which it says it has trademark rights to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combined with the similar product, Smucker claims "members of the consuming public have already been deceived into believing that Defendant's product is in some way sponsored by, originates from or is affiliated with Smucker when, in fact, it is not." To support this claim, Smucker provides examples from social media of people claiming the new crustless sandwiches were made through a contract with Smucker, similar to how Trader Joe's has partnered with brands in the past. This lawsuit comes at a time of increasing scrutiny around Trader Joe's copycat products. Last year, an investigation by Taste revealed that many smaller brands have accused Trader Joe's of deliberately copying their products after first reaching out about a potential partnership to learn about them. While copycat products have always been a simple fact of competition in the food world, Smucker's lawsuit could be the beginning of a real backlash to Trader Joe's practices, although a lot will hinge on whether it wins. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Costain, and HOCHTIEF (UK) have been awarded contracts valued at up to 2.9bn ($3.9bn) in total to carry out nonnuclear infrastructure works at the Sellafield site in England. The contracts are set for an initial period of nine years. There is an option to extend the arrangements by six more years, which could take them through to 2040. The scope of work across the three partner roles includes detailed design, procurement, installation, construction, commissioning, and handover processes. These involve electricity distribution, water supply, road and rail networks, bridges, foundations, and security systems. Each company will focus on a specific area. Under the agreement, Morgan Sindall will be the electrical distribution partner. The company will oversee maintenance and upgrades to Sellafields electrical network, working with design partners Baker Hicks and GHD. Morgan Sindall managing director Simon Smith said: We have been delivering in West Cumbria for over 15 years, and we are delighted to build on this further with the award of the Infrastructure Delivery Partnership [IDP]. Costain has been appointed as utilities delivery partner for work valued at up to 1bn. Costain chief executive officer Alex Vaughan said: This new contract award with Sellafield, with whom we have been working with since 2005, is testament to our strategy of developing long-term relationships with tier 1 customers, building strong and collaborative partnerships, broadening our service offering, and maintaining consistency and continuity of workflows. HOCHTIEF (UK) will deliver civil infrastructure works under a contract worth up to 595m. Specifically, the company will provide design, engineering, and delivery services in support of Sellafields nuclear operations and decommissioning. HOCHTIEF CEO Juan Santamaria Cases said: HOCHTIEF has an unbroken legacy in the nuclear sector since the 1950s and is a trusted partner in engineering and construction for some of the worlds most critical nuclear programmes. The companies will operate as part of the sites new IDP. This IDP replaces Sellafields previous Infrastructure Strategic Alliance. Sellafield chief supply chain officer James Riddick said: Our job at Sellafield is to create a clean and safe environment for future generations. That means safely, securely, and cost effectively dealing with the legacy of historic operations on our site. The contracts also include provisions aimed at supporting economic and community development in West Cumbria. Commitments cover local business support, access to Sellafield contracts, job creation, workforce development, and skills training opportunities. President Donald Trump praised slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a true American hero as he posthumously honored the Turning Point USA founder with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor, on Tuesday. Were here to honor and remember a fearless warrior for liberty, [a] beloved leader who galvanized the next generation like nobody Ive ever seen before, Trump said at the White House. [He was] an American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest caliber the late, great Charlie Kirk. The president, during a ceremony that included Kirks wife, Erika Kirk, Vice President JD Vance, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, said Kirk had an unmatched ability to connect with young voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also noted Kirk was a faithful Christian and found a way to mix in his recent joke that he was not sure he was going to make it to heaven. Kirk, Trump said, was surely there, after being murdered at an event in Utah last month. Charlie never missed an opportunity to remind us of the Judeo-Christian principles of our nations founding, or to share his deep Christian faith, Trump said. In his final moments, Charlie testified to the greatness of America and to the glory of our Savior, with whom he now rests in heaven and he is going to make heaven. I said, Im not sure I could make it, but hes going to make it. Hes there. Hes looking down on us right now. So incredible. The president then called Kirk a martyr for truth and freedom, as well as a staunch defender of free speech. He compared Kirk to other historic leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln, as well as great philosophers like Socrates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were also some moments of levity, like when Trump took a second to compliment Vance, who he said put away George Stephanopoulos or George Slopadapoulos as the president said during an ABC interview this past weekend. Trump also joked he was not familiar with some of the characterizations of Kirk, following his death, as a pacifist who loved all his enemies. You know, I heard he loved his enemies, Trump said. And I said, wait a minute, is that the same Charlie that I know? Im not so sure. But I didnt want to get into it. The president said he considered asking Erika Kirk if she could bump the ceremony to Friday, considering he was flying back from Israel. But once Trump heard Tuesday would have been Kirks 32nd birthday, he said there was no chance he would push it back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would not have missed this moment for anything in the world. Nothing, Trump said. You can watch a part of Trumps speech above, via CNN. The post True American Hero: Trump Awards Martyr For Truth Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom first appeared on Mediaite. By Nate Raymond (Reuters) -A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the Trump administration had violated his previous court order by implementing a nearly identical policy that again made state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement a condition for receiving grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. U.S. District Judge William Smith in Providence, Rhode Island, wrote that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had done precisely what his Sept. 24 ruling forbade when it imposed new immigration-related conditions that states must accept before they can obtain emergency preparedness grants from FEMA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge in his earlier ruling had struck down conditions the department originally imposed on grant awards that 20 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia argued were designed to coerce them into adhering to the Republican president's hardline immigration crackdown. After Smith ruled, the administration issued new grant award documents to the states with nearly identical immigration-enforcement conditions, but with a clause saying they would only become effective if Smith's ruling was stayed or overturned. Smith said the "fig leaf conditional nature of the requirement makes little difference," as the administration was again unlawfully forcing the states to agree to assist in federal immigration enforcement or else forgo millions of dollars in funding. "Defendants new condition is not a good faith effort to comply with the order; it is a ham-handed attempt to bully the states into making promises they have no obligation to make at the risk of losing critical disaster and other funding already appropriated by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge, an appointee of former Republican President George W. Bush, blocked the new conditions from being enforced and required the administration by next week to amend the grant award documents to remove them. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The administration had argued it had complied with Smith's earlier decision and had merely been seeking to preserve its ability to enforce the immigration-related conditions once again in the event his ruling was later overturned. The case is one of a number of lawsuits that Democratic state attorneys general have filed in Rhode Island and other states in New England, which have become top destinations for litigants seeking rulings blocking Trump's agenda. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Deepa Babington) President Donald Trump's border czar Tom Homan told a group of Indiana lawmakers and law enforcement officials that the administration is carrying out its promises of mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, but needs the state's help in making more progress. At a private event at the Statehouse on Oct. 14 hosted by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and state Rep. J.D. Prescott, R-Union City, Homan said there's been "just shy of 550,000 removals" since the start of Trump's second term and that illegal border crossings have decreased dramatically. But Homan said there's more work to do to assist in Trump's plan to remove millions of undocumented immigrants from the country and encouraged states like Indiana to pass legislation that would encourage cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've got a lot more to do, a lot more that's coming," Homan said. It's unclear who is accounted for in Homan's cited removal statistics as public ICE statistics haven't been updated recently. Removal statistics analyzed by news organizations show that after Trump took office, there was an initial surge of deportations, followed by a slower spring. However, newer data suggests a "summer surge" of deportations, with nearly 1,500 people per day deported in August. Trump's border czar praised Prescott's plans to introduce another bill next year that would crack down on illegal immigration. The bill, which stalled in the state Senate earlier this year after passing the House, would have allowed state or local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws. It provided immunity to government bodies and employees for actions taken concerning immigration detainer requests and imposed penalties on Indiana employers who hire undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hopefully that becomes law," Homan said. "I know your law enforcement want to do the right thing." Rokita has criticized Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, for effectively killing the bill's chances earlier this year by declining to hold a committee hearing on it before a critical legislative deadline. The two have been feuding since, and Rokita called her out again before Homan's speech. Homan encouraged Indiana law enforcement officers to work in coordination with ICE, such as contacting the agency as undocumented immigrants they arrest for other reasons are released from jail or custody. "Even if at the very least you contact us before he walks out, well be there to meet him," Homan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rokita, who introduced Homan, praised his "no-nonsense approach" to enforcing the state's immigration laws. "Now as President Trump's border czar, he is at the forefront of mass deportation efforts," Rokita said, calling him a "trusted voice" on the issue of illegal immigration. Homan criticized the Biden administration for its "pathetic" approach to tackling the problem of illegal immigration, along with officials in sanctuary cities such as Chicago who he said "force us into the neighborhoods" to find criminals, resulting in "collateral arrests." "Have we arrested people that arent national security threats, arent criminals, gang members?" Homan asked. "Yes we do. Where do we do most of those arrests? In sanctuary cities. ... Sanctuary cities are going to get exactly what they dont want." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homan's visit was criticized by state Rep. Alex Burton, D-Evansville, who said the legislature "must stop taking orders from Washington D.C. and start focusing on everyday hardworking Hoosiers." What began as a focus on violent offenders has now expanded into a sweeping overreach that tears families apart, jeopardizes our health care and food security, and drives up the prices Hoosiers pay at the grocery store," Burton said in a statement. "This is not immigration reform its political theater that ignores real solutions." Homan said he noticed protestors at the Statehouse accompany his visit, which he said he likes because that means his message is getting out. "Despite all the hate and all the attacks on me," he said, "Tom Homan isn't going anywhere." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Border czar Tom Homan seeks state help in Trump's mass deportation plan President Donald Trump is once again lashing out at The View, though this time, its not pointed at Whoopi Goldberg or Joy Behar. Instead, Trump is complaining about Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former staffer of his. During a press briefing on Tuesday, the president was asked for a response to Farah Griffin saying back in December that, if he were to negotiate a deal to free the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, shed wear a MAGA hat on an episode of The View. Trump didnt seem fully clued in on the situation, as he asked for clarity on Farah Griffins promise and even noted that he didnt know which host they were talking about. When he realized he was being asked about Farah Griffin, he immediately launched into a rant about her. This is Alyssa, who I never thought was very outstanding, and she didnt have a big role here, either, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not true, however. During her tenure in the White House, Farah Griffin served in multiple roles of prominence for the first Trump administration. Among them were press secretary to Vice President Mike Pence, press secretary for the Department of Defense and more. It was reported in 2020 that Farah Griffin was in consideration to become the White House press secretary, alongside Kayleigh McEnany. The latter got the job. And then we had January 6, and she left after that, or before that, Trump continued on Tuesday. Farah Griffin indeed resigned in December 2020, weeks before the January 6 insurrection occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then she got hired by The View, and they gave her a couple of bucks, and she changed her view very quickly, Trump said. In reality, Farah Griffin started doubting her desire to be part of the Trump administration back in May of 2020. As she explained in a 2023 episode of The View, the presidents response to George Floyds murder was the turning point for her. George Floyd, after his murder and the social justice protests that summer, I was trying to get him to walk back a statement he made about saying When the looting starts, the shooting starts,' she recalled. I was like, Surely thats not what you mean. No one thinks we should be shooting people in the public square, and he essentially said no, thats what I mean, were not walking it back, she noted at the time. That was the moment where I was like, Oh, this is not a fixable individual. That was the first time I almost resigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ABC host has certainly become a vocal critic of Trump since her resignation, and did vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. However, shortly after the election, Farah Griffin said on-air that she is somebody who probably agrees with 75% of his policies. She also praised Trump this week for helping negotiate a peace deal in Gaza, along with her fellow The View co-hosts. Even so, Trump ended his response about Farah Griffin on Tuesday by saying, I think shes a joke. The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET on ABC. The post Trump Calls The View Host Alyssa Farah Griffin a Joke After She Doesnt Wear MAGA Hat On-Air appeared first on TheWrap. Donald Trump on Tuesday compared conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk to Socrates as he posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which apparently means nothing now. The award was announced on what would have been Kirks 32nd birthday, if not for his assassination in Utah at the hands of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. Charlie never missed an opportunity to remind us of the Judeo-Christian principles of our nations founding, or to share his deep Christian faith. In his final moments Charlie testified to the greatness of America, and to the glory of our savior with whom he now rests in Heaven, Trump remarked at the ceremony. Charlie Kirk was a martyr for truth and for freedom. And from Socrates and to Saint Peter, from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, those who change history the mostand he really didhave always risked their lives for causes they were put on earth to defend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also used the award ceremony to continue to spread falsities about the prevalence of organized left-wing violence. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established by President John F. Kennedy to serve as the highest honor a civilian could receive, for people who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Kirk did not embody that, no matter how much the right tries to sanitize his image. Aside from helping Trump successfully push a significant number of young people toward the MAGA movement, Kirk made his name by talking down to and clipping college undergraduates, pushing blatant anti-Black and anti-Latino racism, and using the Bible to deny the humanity of gay and transgender folk. His life was not one that held the essence of an award that has been given to cultural heavyweights like Maya Angelou, Desmond Tutu, Stephen Hawking, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr. The medal has lost some of its shine in recent years, as Trump has awarded it to people simply for helping him, not adding meaning to American life and culture. In his first term, he gave the award to right-wing commentator (and Kirk inspiration) Rush Limbaugh, Zionist conservative megadonor Miriam Adelson, and Republican Representative Jim Jordan. And in his second, Trumps disgraced former attorney Rudy Giuliani and now Kirk have received the medal, with Ben Carson expected to be honored next. By Gram Slattery, Alexander Cornwell and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump, a self-proclaimed peacemaker who has campaigned for a Nobel Prize, finally got a camera-ready diplomatic victory on Monday as world leaders flew to Egypt for the signing of the ceasefire and hostage-release deal he brokered between Israel and Hamas. But if lasting peace is to take root, analysts and diplomats say, Trump will have to maintain pressure on the man whose support he'll need in the next phases of his plan: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. presidents from Bill Clinton to Joe Biden have found the strong-willed Israeli leader difficult to work with, and even Trump administration officials have been frustrated by some Israeli military strikes they see as undermining U.S. policy. But this month Trump managed to push Netanyahu into accepting his framework for a broader peace deal while persuading other Middle Eastern countries to convince Hamas to return all the Israeli hostages, its main leverage in the war. The work could get harder from here, however. DIFFERENCES REMAIN OVER ASPECTS OF TRUMP'S PLAN Israel and Hamas remain sharply divided over many aspects of Trump's 20-point plan and, as Israel prepares for next year's elections, Netanyahu's approach may shift as he attempts to keep his right-wing coalition together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu's influential coalition allies, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have both criticised the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, has threatened to quit the government in protest. "We're entering a political year where everything is related to campaigns, and Netanyahu's calculations may flip from caving to pressure to trying to ensure his political survival," said Nimrod Goren, the president of Mitvim, an Israeli foreign policy think tank. The strength of Trump's peace plan, said the diplomats and analysts, is also its weakness. The document at the heart of the deal leaves much undefined, and neither side agreed to the fine print of each term. That vagueness was important to getting both sides to sign on, but it also means some of the most difficult diplomatic work is just beginning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the potential sticking points of Trump's peace plan is an agreement that Hamas disarm and play no role in Gaza's future administration. While Hamas agreed to Trump's plan generally, the group's official response made no mention of those specific terms, and Hamas leaders have indicated that they do in fact see a role for themselves in governing a post-war Gaza. "There are any number of ways this could go sideways," said Jon Alterman, a Middle East expert at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former State Department official. "It's hard to remember an international agreement that left so much to be worked out later." The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior U.S. official suggested Trump had gained influence with Netanyahu in part by strongly supporting Israel on other important matters. Trump's first administration formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the disputed Golan Heights as part of the country, two things long sought by the Israeli government. "One thing President Trump's done with Israel ... is that he's not trying to be a middle-of-the-roader," the U.S. official said. "He's basically stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel 100%. But because of that, he's been able to help guide them in the right direction." Israeli pollster Mitchell Barak, who worked for Netanyahu in the 1990s, said the Israeli leader had no choice but to "fall in line" with the United States as long as Trump was in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A STERNER TRUMP Trump has a mixed record when it comes to applying political pressure on Netanyahu. In July, Israel bombed the Syrian defense ministry in Damascus even as the U.S. had made a point of expanding ties with the new Syrian government. The U.S. president gave political cover in Gaza to Netanyahu for months amid mounting humanitarian concerns among European and Arab allies. But in recent weeks, a sterner Trump has emerged. He forced Netanyahu to call the leader of Qatar to apologize after a failed bombing raid targeting Hamas negotiators in that country in September. Ultimately, he muscled Netanyahu into signing onto his 20-point plan despite the Israeli leader's misgivings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the moment, said Alterman, the Middle East expert, Trump can likely exert leverage over Netanyahu given the U.S. president's significant popularity in Israel. "Trump's greatest leverage is he's much more politically popular in Israel than Netanyahu," Alterman said, "and he can either support Netanyahu's political future or sabotage it." At the speech before the Israeli parliament on Monday, Trump playfully poked at the Israeli leader in ways that indicated he did not feel the need to treat Netanyahu with special deference. "Well, see, now you can be a little bit nicer, Bibi, because you're not at war anymore," Trump said to laughs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But next year's elections could change Netanyahu's political calculations in ways that are difficult to predict. Analysts warn that foot-dragging by the Palestinian group over disarming could lead right-wing elements of the coalition to pressure Netanyahu to resume military operations in Gaza, effectively scuttling Trump's deal. "We are troubled with the fact that Hamas still, today, declares it will stay in power in Gaza," Simcha Rothman, a member of Smotrich's ultranationalist Religious Zionism party, told Reuters on Monday. "We are not happy with any deal that is not total surrender of Hamas ... We will not accept any partial victory." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another issue that could prove an irritant: a provision in the peace plan that admits the possibility of a future Palestinian state, which analysts say most Israelis would struggle to accept after Hamas' October 2023 attack. Dan Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, said that if government and opposition politicians campaign heavily against the creation of such a state, it could limit the willingness of Arab countries to push Hamas to fulfill its obligations under Trump's deal. "That was a very important inclusion to get the support of the Arab states to do their part," Shapiro said. "If the political discourse is a full-on rejection of a Palestinian state for all time, I think that could color the enthusiasm of the Arab parties to play the parts that they need to play." (Reporting by Gram Slattery and Humeyra Pamuk in Washington and Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick in Washington and Pesha Magid in Jerusalem; Editing by Don Durfee, Lincoln Feast and Timothy Heritage) It isn't easy to praise someone who habitually, preemptively, and lavishly praises himself. But there is no gainsaying the fact that President Donald Trumpand President Donald Trump alonedeserves credit for the scenes of joy and relief we've seen in Israel and Gaza, respectively, over the past four days. Had it been left to the druthers of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leadership of Hamas, there is every likelihood that the devastation of Gaza would have continued into a third year. It is also certain that more of the Israeli hostages would have died in their miserable confinement, whether murdered by their terrorist captors or accidentally killed by the munitions of their own country. Instead, the guns in Gaza have quieted. And it isn't because of the nudgings of real estate developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the promptings of Qatar and Egypt, the pleadings of Europe, the finger-wagging of human-rights organizations, or the hand-wringing of the United Nations alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ceasefire is the gift of Donald Trump. A delayed gift Now for the caveats. As gifts go, this one comes much belatedand with a high risk of disintegrating even as it is being unwrapped. Trump could have brought us to this place much sooner if he had been quicker to apply the pressure that finally forced Netanyahu to accept the peace deal. If the president had not wasted time floating perverse ideas about real-estate opportunities in Gaza, thousands of Palestinian lives might have been saved, and more of the Israeli hostages would be in the bosom of their families. (These numbers would have been higher still if President Joe Biden had not restricted himself to pious posturing.) What finally snapped Trump into action was Netanyahu's decision to bomb Qatar in a failed attempt to eliminate Hamas's exiled political leadership in Doha. This was an attack on a key U.S. ally, one that hosts 10,000 American troops at a strategic air base and has committed to hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in the U.S.and moreover, one that has promised Trump an upgraded Air Force One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's current peace deal is mercifully free of any references to a Gaza Riviera. It does not require Palestinians to leave the enclave. Now that the hostages have been released and Israel has agreed to free nearly 2.000 Palestinians, Gazans can receive life-saving aid. Families and friends of Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbot react as they watch the hostage release live stream from the home of Bohbot's mother on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Amir Levy/Getty Images Getty Images2025 Getty Images The long road ahead So far, so good. But Trumps 20-point plan is too vague on crucial details of what comes next. The nature, composition, and responsibilities of the international stabilization force mentioned in the plan has not been fleshed out. While 200 U.S. soldiers and officers will monitor the ceasefire as part of an international task force, they won't be on the ground in Gaza. Nor yet have Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the U.A.E. committed their contingents. The plan foresees the gradual development and deployment of a freshly trained police and security force, but building up such a force takes months or years. Who will provide security in the meantime? The governance arrangements are equally murky. Trump's proposal calls for a "technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee" to run day-to-day affairs in Gaza, overseen by a "Board of Peace" chaired by Trump himself and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blaira controversial choice already rejected by Hamas. But it's unclear who will select this committee, what authority it will have, or how it will function if Hamas remains a force in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no clear penalties defined for any side breaching the peace. Given the previous behavior of Netanyahu and the Hamas leadership, there is every chance that violence might erupt again. Israel broke the previous ceasefire in March. There are already reports Hamas is reasserting control over Gaza, battling rival factions to consolidate power. Basim Naim, the Hamas leader, has said they wont lay down their arms until a comprehensive agreement is reached. If Hamas doesn't disarmor Israel resumes its bombings of Gazathe entire peace plan risks unraveling. Citizens and relatives of Palestinian prisoners wait at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza on October 13, 2025, to welcome Palestinians prisoners being released from Israeli jails after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Doaa AlbazAnadolu/Getty Images Anadolu via Getty Images2025 Anadolu The absence of monitoring and enforcement mechanisms contributed to the failure of the 1993 Oslo Accords to deliver comprehensive peace. Trump has provided personal guarantees he wouldn't let Israel abandon the deal and resume the wara key factor in convincing Hamas to accept the peace planbut what happens if Trump loses interest or becomes distracted by other crises? Trumps plan offers no answer. Nor is it clear who will rebuild Gaza, and who will pay for it. The White House has clarified that the U.S. will not pay for reconstruction. Egypt's $53 billion reconstruction plan lacks specific details on funding sources. The Saudis and other Arab countries will be reluctant to contribute to a rebuilding effort absent an Israeli commitment to recognize a Palestinian state. Trump's plan mentions only vague language about a "credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination" and statehoodfar weaker than the explicit two-state solution demanded by Arab nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the absence of all these things, the deal depends almost entirely on Trump maintaining pressure on the principals. In turn, this requires him to remain closely engaged, week after week and month after month, with a broad spectrum of actorsnot just individual power brokers. Focus, stamina, and coalition-building are not the president's strongest suits. Trump thrives on dramatic breakthroughs, headline-grabbing announcements, and one-on-one negotiations. But the patient, grinding work of peace implementation typically bores him. He will need to conjure up previously unseen qualities of concentration and stamina to see this fragile peace through to something more durable. So, for now, let's hear one cheer for Donald Trump. And let's hope he earns three. Contact us at letters@time.com. By Nandita Bose WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Argentina's president, Javier Milei, on Tuesday arrived at the White House for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump just days after the U.S. agreed to provide a major financial lifeline to the South American nation. As Milei arrived at the White House, Trump was asked if he had a message for the Argentine people, responding: "We love them. We'll be here for them. They have a great leader." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced U.S. support for a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina's central bank, exchanging stable U.S. dollars for volatile pesos. Bessent is expected to attend the meeting, according to a source familiar with the matter. The economic lifeline for Argentina marks an unusual move for the U.S., particularly under an administration that has largely eschewed major foreign interventions. The White House has framed the deal as a strategic effort to stabilize a key regional ally. But it has drawn criticism at home. Many Democratic lawmakers have accused Trump of prioritizing foreign bailouts and investor protections while the U.S. government remains shut down. American farmers have also voiced frustration, noting that China has shifted soybean purchases from U.S. producers to Argentine growers this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While details of the agreement remain unclear, the bailout could offer Milei a much-needed political boost as he works to stave off a deepening economic crisis and shore up his party's support. He suffered a major setback last month when his party lost a key provincial election and now faces a critical midterm vote later this month. The assistance also underscores the extent to which the Trump administration is willing to support a political ally who has cultivated strong ties with the president and American conservatives in recent years. Trump has described Milei as his "favorite president," and the Argentine president was one of two world leaders onstage during Trump's inauguration. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal and Leila Miller; Editing by Ross Colvin and Alistair Bell) A $1 million mountain of debt is a tall order to conquer, but John from North Carolina called in to The Ramsey Show with that major challenge. His business failed and he owes money to just about everyone. Must Read Dave Ramseys advice? Screw em. (1) "I dont know if youre going to make it or not, mathematically. And its a secondary concern; Im concerned that you make it, and that your wife makes it, and your marriage makes it and your kids make it, he added. And the rest of these people can jump off a cliff." Ramsey told John that his top priority should be taking care of his family both emotionally and financially. Holding your family together comes first Ramsey asked for a breakdown of Johns debts: $250,000 in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, $350,000 to the IRS, $100,000 in credit card debt, $250,000 on his mortgage, $8,000 on his car and about $23,000 in accountant and attorney fees. Ramsey then asked John, 33, about his family: Hes been married for 8 years and has three kids. I remember being right where you are, Ramsey said. I was 28 with two [kids]. And I didnt make it. I ended up bankrupt. But I can share with you a couple of things. One is: this stuff will destroy your marriage if you dont fight for your marriage. For Ramsey, this was the more important message. He urged John to have an open and honest talk with his wife and keep their relationship strong through the difficult journey ahead. You have to sit down together and say, Regardless of what happens, were it, were doing it, were in it to win it, he said. Ramsey also said covering the familys basic needs should come before paying any creditors. Paying the first mortgage on the residence, so we have a place to eat, we have food and water and utilities, trumps anybody elses request, he said. No one gets in line in front of your family, do you hear me, sir? Then Ramsey turned to the math. The SBA is gonna get what they deserve, probably, which is nothing, cause theyre bankruptable, the IRS is not bankruptable ... so that thing right theres a real mess. You may end up selling the house to clear the stinkin IRS. It would be a whole lot easier for the president if Democratic governors just allowed him to send the troops to their cities. Thats more or less what Donald Trump said while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his flight back from Egypt, where the countrys authoritarian regime seemed to inspire his approach to handling crime in the United States. Do you want to see some U.S. governors be more like Egypt? asked one reporter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, I want them to be stronger and tougher, and not allow us to have record-breaking crime in Chicago, Trump said after midnight Tuesday. I want them to admit they have crime. I want them to say we have a problem, could Trump bring in the troops and solve the problem, he added. Trump also offered a direct petition to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, spelling out that he wanted the Prairie State leader to beg for the White Houses assistance. I think he should beg for help, because hes running a bad operation, Trump said. Ultimately, Trumps desire to wield the military for his political agenda is startlingly like Egypt, which he showered with praise while celebrating a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt is categorized as not free by an analysis from Freedom House, a democracy advocacy organization that formed nearly a century ago to rally the world against the threat of Nazi Germany. Political opposition in Egypt is nearly nonexistent. Civil liberties that are currently taken for granted in the U.S., such as the right to protest and freedom of the press, are choked by the tight fist of the Egyptian government, which has been dominated by the military since a 2013 coup. Why Trump might admire Egypts regime is no secret. Trump has made enemies out of his stateside opposition, publicly calling for the political persecution of Democratic lawmakers who have dared to object to his agenda, including Pritzker, Senator Adam Schiff, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and more. Just last week, the president threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a nineteenth-century law that would let him utilize the military for domestic purposes, to quell fictitious bedlam that he has claimed has taken over Democratic cities. One such area that Trump has homed in on is Portland, Oregon, a city better known for Voodoo Doughnuts and cold brew than hellish riots. Late last month, the president ordered the National Guard to the hipster paradise, but his rationale for sending them was not informed by statistics or datainstead, it was because of something he saw on TV. Other crime stats that have informed his decision to federalize the law enforcement of American cities were completely imagined. When Trump deployed hundreds of National Guard members to Washington in August, he blamed the citys rising crime datafrom 2023. The cherry-picked statistics misrepresented the state of crime in the nations capital, which, according to data from the Metropolitan Police Department that was touted by the FBI, had actually fallen last year by 35 percent. President Donald Trump will present Charlie Kirks posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to his widow Erika Kirk at the White House on Tuesday afternoon. The president raced back from his diplomatic commitments in Israel and Egypt on Monday in order to be back in Washington, D.C., to honor Kirk on what would have been the activists 32nd birthday. Andrew Kolvet, Kirks podcast producer, thanked Trump in advance for moving heaven and earth to return in time to reward the Turning Point USA founder with Americas highest civilian accolade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirk was shot dead by a rooftop sniper as he debated students on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah, on September 10. Tuesdays ceremony in the East Room of the White House, scheduled for 4pm ET, will reunite the president with Kirks widow, with whom he shared a stage at a memorial event in Glendale, Arizona, last month, at which she said she forgave her husbands killer. At the same event, Trump himself said of Kirk: I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk, and neither now will history. Donald Trump with Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, during a public memorial service last month (AFP/Getty) Because while Charlie has been reunited with his creator in heaven, his voice on earth will let go through the generations, and his name will live forever in the eternal chronicle of Americas greatest patriots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to Fox and Friends on Tuesday morning, Turning Point COO Tyler Bowyer said Kirks medal was well deserved and applauded Erika Kirk for the incredible strength she had shown in supporting her young family since last months tragedy. In advance of the ceremony, the House and Senate both approved resolutions to mark October 14 as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott said of the deceased when introducing his version: Charlie was a good man a devout husband, father, and friend. His life was shaped by his faith and the idea that in America, debate and discussion are crucial to the betterment of our country. He believed in God, the American dream, the value of family, and the principles of our great nation. Kirk was fatally shot at an event on a Utah college campus last month (Getty) House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed last month that another resolution to honor the life and legacy of our friend Charlie Kirk had passed his chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While neither one creates a national holiday, the president has not ruled out making that prospect a reality in the future. Among other tributes to Kirk, Florida GOP Representative Anna Paulina Luna has called for a statue to be erected in his memory at the U.S. Capitol in tribute. One has already been commissioned at the New College of Florida. In the same state, lawmakers are currently considering a bill to rename roads to honor Kirk near its universities and colleges. Kirk memorial events are meanwhile being held in several states across the country on Tuesday, with large public gatherings scheduled in Alaska, New Jersey, Texas and Florida, as well as a rally honoring his memory is being held in Arizona, the state the Chicago native made his home. Turning Point USA has meanwhile announced a string of events while church and community organizations that aligned with Kirks message are likewise expected to mark the day with worship and prayer events. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the Palestinian militant Hamas movement will disarm - and through the use of force, if necessary. He said he had spoken with representatives of the Islamist organization, and they had assured him that they would lay down their arms. "And if they don't disarm, we will disarm them, and it'll happen quickly and perhaps violently, but they will disarm," he said at a meeting with Argentinian President Javier Milei. He did not specify exactly who he meant by "we." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Hamas has refused to give up its weapons. Trump did not want to comment precisely on a possible deadline. However, he said the disarmament should take place "pretty, pretty quickly" within "a reasonable period of time." On Monday, Trump told the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, that a multitude of states in the Middle East wanted to see Hamas disarmed. Shortly before, he told accompanying journalists during his flight to Israel that his administration had granted Hamas temporary permission to arm as it was trying to restore order after months of war. "They do want to stop the problems and they've been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time," Trump said. By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he had communicated to Hamas that the militant group must disarm or it will be forced to. On Monday, Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza, and Israel sent home busloads of Palestinian detainees under a ceasefire deal brokered by Trump, but Hamas has not publicly committed to downing its weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently," Trump said during a meeting at the White House with Argentine President Javier Milei. Trump said he communicated this to Hamas and they had agreed to disarm, as his 20-point peace proposal stated. "I spoke to Hamas, and I said, you're going to disarm, right? Yes, sir, we're going to disarm. That's what they told me," Trump said, later clarifying that he passed the message through intermediaries. The outlook for Trump's peace plan has darkened since he returned from a visit to Israel and Egypt on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel restricted aid into Gaza and kept the enclave's border shut on Tuesday, while re-emergent Hamas fighters demonstrated their grip by executing men in the street. Trump endorsed Hamas killing members of other gangs as it reasserts its grip on security. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Katharine Jackson and Simon Lewis; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Bill Berkrot) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 14 that Russian President Vladimir Putin should "do something about the war" in Ukraine, calling it a costly failure for Moscow. Speaking at a joint press conference with Argentinas President Javier Milei, Trump said Putin "should have won that war in one week" and noted that the full-scale invasion is now entering its fourth year. He called the war "horrible," claimed that Russia has "lost a million and a half soldiers" killed and wounded, and said the war is "making (Putin) look very bad." Trumps claim of 1.5 million Russian casualties is not supported by independent estimates. Western intelligence assessments suggest that the combined total of Russian troops killed and wounded may be close to or slightly above 1 million. A joint investigation by Russian outlet Mediazona and the BBCs Russian service has identified over 135,000 Russian soldiers killed as of October 2025, also well below Trumps figure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also praised Ukraines defense, noting that "who would think that Ukraine could have fought Russia for four years to essentially a standstill?" He said that Putin "has got to really settle this war," adding, "you know they have long lines waiting for gasoline in Russia right now all of a sudden his economy is going to collapse and Id like to see him do well. I mean, I had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin, but he just doesnt want to end that war." The remarks come days before Trump is set to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oct. 17. Trump previewed the meeting by saying Zelensky "wants weapons, he would like to have Tomahawks, everyone else wants stuff," signaling military aid will be a focus of the talks. Tomahawk missiles have become a focal point in geopolitical debates as Trump considers sending them to Ukraine to pressure Russia into negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Oct. 12, U.S. president said that he is prepared to send long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine but would first discuss the issue with Putin: "I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest, about the Tomahawks," Trump told reporters. "Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I dont think so." Asked if he meant he would speak with Putin before supplying the missiles, Trump said it depends on Moscows willingness to end the war. "Maybe Ill talk to him. I might say, look, if the war is not settled, Ill send them the Tomahawks," he said, calling the weapon a very offensive weapon." The Tomahawk is a subsonic, long-range cruise missile designed for precision strikes. With a range of 1,600 to 2,500 kilometers (995 to 1,550 miles), it would allow Kyiv to reach targets as far as Siberia. Read also: Trumps two wars: why diplomacy worked in Gaza but not in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editor's note: The article was updated with a response by the Kremlin. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could help mediate the war between Moscow and Kyiv as he is respected by Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 13. "He's respected by Russia. Ukraine, I can't tell you about, but he is respected by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One while flying from Egypt to Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. president made the comments after successfully mediating a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and declaring his team would now shift focus to ending the war in Ukraine. Trump said he gets along "with the tough ones" while referring to Erdogan, noting that other NATO leaders often ask the U.S. president to mediate their disputes with Ankara. The Kremlin said there has been no recent engagement with Turkey regarding the war in Ukraine, but a phone call between leaders could be swiftly set up if needed. "There have been no new contacts, but they could be quickly arranged," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told pro-government Russian outlet Kommersant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Erdogan previously met in Sharm el-Sheikh, where they joined the leaders of Qatar and Egypt in signing the Gaza peace deal as mediators. Turkey, a NATO member often at odds with other allies, has also positioned itself as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war, maintaining a close economic and political partnership with Moscow while also providing arms to Kyiv. Istanbul hosted the three rounds of Russian-Ukrainian peace talks earlier this year, which resulted in new agreements on prisoner exchanges, as well as the unsuccessful initial negotiations at the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022. Erdogan has also helped to broker the Black Sea grain deal in 2022, allowing Ukrainian agricultural exports despite ongoing hostilities. The treaty fell apart a year later after Moscow's unilateral withdrawal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Dutch Defense Minister Brekelmans on European drone wall, using Russian frozen assets in a creative way, and what to do with China Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Marco Rubio caught heat from his boss, Donald Trump, for failing to lavish him with enough praise over the IsraelGaza ceasefire. The secretary of state had joined Trump and senior aides Monday at a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, hosted by Egyptian strongman Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This is clearly in my mind, I think in the mind of everyone in this room, it is probably one of the most important days for world peace in 50 years. Thats not an exaggeration, Rubio said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only 50? Trump interjected. Rubio quickly readjusted. Maybe 100. Certainly since the end of World War Two, he caveated, skipping over the myriad global conflicts around the world in the 80 years since then. Earlier that day, celebrations had erupted in Israel and Gaza to mark the latest ceasefire in two brutal years of fighting. It saw all 20 surviving Israeli hostages freed by Hamas. Israel also released over 1,700 Palestinian detainees. The deal struck was the culmination of a plan proposed by Trump after months of failed attempts to find a route to end the bloodshed. It also includes the repatriation of the remains of 28 dead hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their return would mark a significant step towards lasting peace, ending what has been the bloodiest era in the long-running conflict. Trump was front and center in Israel as the hostages were released and the ceasefire began. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images The day hadnt been all smooth for Trump. During the speeches in Israel, Trump had moaned that other leaders had taken too long with their words. Youve kept me quite late between opposition leaders and Bibis brilliant but very long speech, he said to a room full of Israeli politicians. I thought I was going to run up here, make a speech, and then head to Egypt. It didnt work out that way. And you made a pretty long one too, sir, he said, apparently pointing to Ron Dermer, Israels Strategic Affairs Minister. Rubio finds himself in the inner circle of the Trump administration, despite the two men's past words. / Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images Trump also appeared to try to get to the podium to speak too early. Amir Ohana, the Knessets speaker, had to politely remind him that opposition leader Yair Lapid was up next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the days proceedings, Trump had heaped praise on Rubio. Marco will go downI mean thisas the greatest secretary of state in the history of the United States. I believe thatI believe it, he said. It hasnt always been this way. It comes in contrast to the tension between the two men during the 2016 presidential election, where Trump dubbed him little Marco. Donald Trump is preparing to arm Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles as he turns his attention to ending its war with Russia. The US president was lavished with praise for bringing peace to the Middle East during a jubilant visit to Israel on Monday. World leaders used a subsequent summit in Sharm El-Sheikh to back Mr Trump to solve the conflict in Ukraine. The US president will meet Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two leaders are due to discuss their visions for how the long-range Tomahawk missile could bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, according to Mr Zelensky. The main topics will be air defence and our long-range capabilities, to maintain pressure on Russia, the Ukrainian leader said. Mr Trump threatened to deliver the Tomahawks to Kyiv if Putin continued to stifle any hope of peace talks. He has recently ramped up intelligence-sharing with Ukrainian forces to assist their long-range strikes on Russian energy targets, increasing pressure on Russias stuttering economy. b' ' Mr Trump touched down in Tel Aviv on Monday to celebrate the release of 20 Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After declaring lasting peace, he jetted off to Egypt to meet world leaders for the signing of the first phase of a White House deal to bring an end to the war in Gaza. In a speech to Israels parliament, Mr Trump said he would now focus his efforts on brokering a deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia. It would be great if we could make a peace deal with [Iran]... First, we have to get Russia done, he told the Knesset. Lets focus on Russia first. Tomahawk cruise missiles have a range of around 1,500 miles - Stocktrek Images With the war in Gaza over, Mr Trump has claimed to have ended eight conflicts since taking office in the White House in late January. However, a deal to end the three-and-a-half-year fight between Ukraine and Russia has eluded him and remains problematic. Mr Trump has struggled for leverage in a deal with Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he extolled the White House policy of peace through strength in the Middle East on Monday, leading to renewed hope. Mr Zelensky said the US presidents Israel-Hamas deal brings more hope to other regions suffering from war. We are working so that the day of peace comes for Ukraine as well. Russian aggression remains the last global source of destabilisation, and if a ceasefire and peace have been achieved for the Middle East, the leadership and determination of global actors can certainly work for us, too, the Ukrainian president wrote on social media. His prime minister and top aide flew to Washington on Monday to begin high-level talks to strengthen Ukraines defence, secure our energy resilience, and intensify sanctions pressure on the aggressor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With speculation mounting that Mr Trump could ship Tomahawks to Ukraine, Mr Zelensky is expected to present him with a lengthy list of Russian military targets that could be struck with the missiles. The Tomahawk missile b' ' Kyiv hopes the weapon will be able to disrupt Moscows ability to wage war by severing logistical routes and destroying missile and drone factories. Tomahawks have a range of around 1,500 miles, which would put such targets comfortably within range. Mr Zelensky has previously claimed the missile would pressure Putin to the negotiating table to discuss a ceasefire. New step of aggression The provision of Tomahawks would mark a major escalation in American support and a hardening of Mr Trumps stance against Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump said sending the missile to Kyiv would mark a new step of aggression. His predecessor, Joe Biden, had rebuffed Ukraines requests for Tomahawks. I might say, look, if this wars not going to get settled, Im going to send them Tomahawks, Mr Trump said on Sunday on his flight to Israel. I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest with you, about Tomahawks. Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I dont think so. Referring to Putin, Mr Trump said: I might tell him that if the war is not settled, that we may very well do it. Since the two leaders meeting in Alaska, Mr Trump has become increasingly frustrated with his Russian counterpart for refusing to engage in meaningful negotiations with Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trumps threat followed phone calls between himself and Mr Zelensky, with the two leaders becoming increasingly aligned from the low point of their public spat at the White House earlier this year. Moscow has warned the White House against providing Tomahawks, saying the move would effectively sever relations with Washington. On Sunday, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said the missiles were of extreme concern to Russia, adding: Tensions are escalating from all sides. Moscow would not be able to tell if the missiles were carrying nuclear warheads if they were launched at its territory, he claimed, asking: Just how should Russia react? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin and his top officials have refrained from directly criticising Mr Trump over the missiles in the hope they can still convince him to back down. 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. Investing.com -- President Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Spain as punishment for not increasing its NATO defense spending to 5%. During a recent exchange with reporters, Trump expressed his displeasure with Spain, calling their actions "very disrespectful to NATO" and "unbelievably disrespectful." "Im very unhappy with Spain. Theyre the only country that didnt raise up their number to 5%. Every other country in NATO raised up to 5%," Trump stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president suggested that Spain is taking advantage of its geographic position within Europe, which provides it with inherent protection regardless of its financial contribution to the alliance. "Spain gets protection and they know, you know, look, theyre sort of in the semi middle of it. So theyre going to get protected automatically," Trump said. When asked about potentially expelling Spain from NATO, Trump did not directly endorse that action but instead focused on possible economic consequences. "I was thinking about giving them trade punishment through tariffs because of what they did. And I may do that," Trump said, adding that he believes Spain "should be punished" for not meeting the spending target that other NATO members have reportedly achieved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump characterized Spains decision as "a very bad thing for NATO" and "very unfair to NATO," suggesting the country is "doing very well off our backs." Related articles Trump threatens Spain with tariffs over NATO spending EUR/USD Could Rebound as Bond-Driven US Dollar Strength Looks Overdone Nvidia: Fundamentals and Growth Momentum Outweigh Geopolitical Risks Shares of small-cap mining company Nova Minerals (NVA) gained more than 55% in the first hour of the trading session on Tuesday after briefly doubling before the open following an announcement from the company of a request from the Trump administration to prepare briefs on one of its gold (GC=F) and minerals extraction sites. Australia-based Nova Minerals announced in a press release early Tuesday morning that the US ambassador to Australia has asked the company to prepare a briefing on the miner's Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska ahead of an upcoming meeting between President Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The site is "among the world's largest undeveloped gold assets," according to Nova Minerals. Fellow Aussie mining companies Fortescue Metals Group (FVJ.SG) and Australian Mines (AMSLF) and multinational British-Australian giant Rio Tinto (RIO) were trading up in sympathy following the news. The mining site, roughly 100 miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska, is projected to hold more than 9.9 million ounces of gold across its four most promising deposits, which would be worth roughly $41 billion at Tuesday morning's gold price of $4,140 per troy ounce. Nova Minerals also announced at the beginning of October that the Department of Defense made a $43.4 million investment in a wholly owned subsidiary of the company to fund the development of domestic antimony sources. The announcement is one more in a line of recent developments in the critical minerals and metals sector, as the Trump administration has ratcheted up its focus on the US domestic supply chain of such materials. Recent moves include investments in a host of mining companies, including MP Materials (MP), which operates the only operational rare earth mine in the US; Trilogy Metals (TMQ), which holds a 50% stake in a major mineral mining project under development in Alaska; and Lithium Americas (LAC), which is developing what is likely to be the largest lithium (LTH=F) mine in the Western Hemisphere when it commences operations. MP Materials and Trilogy Metals are up more than 500% and more than 490%, respectively, on the year, while Lithium Americas is up more than 180%. Read more: How to invest in gold in 4 steps The Trump administration's focus on the critical minerals supply chain has stepped increasingly into the spotlight as it trades blows with Beijing in an ongoing trade war over the materials, which are critically important to industries such as electric vehicles and weapons systems development. President Trump Tuesday unleashed a new salvo of insults and attacks on Zohran Mamdani and repeated his threats to cut federal funding to NYC if the Democratic nominee wins the upcoming mayoral election. I wouldnt be generous to a communist thats going to take the money and throw it out the window, Trump added. Were not going to let someone get into office and squander the taxpayer money from this country. Not going to let it happen. Trump derided Mamdani as a down and dirty leftist who hates Jewish people and the NYPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes down and dirty. Hes a communist, Trump said of the Democratic candidate for mayor. He hates police. Hes threatened to get rid of all police. He hates Jewish people, and yet he has Jewish people supporting him. Trump compared the Big Apple to the cash-strapped South American nation of Argentina and reprised his threat to cut off funding to New York out of fears Mamdani would waste the money on progressive priorities. Im not going to send a lot of money to New York, because I dont have to, Trump said. The money all comes through the White House. Trump, who was speaking at a press conference with the right-wing president of Argentina, brought up Mamdani out of the blue when asked whether he would cut off aid if that countrys ruling party loses upcoming legislative elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president agreed that he would cut off aid to Argentina because it would amount to being a waste of money to fund banana republic policies, then shifted to his threats to slash aid to New York over Mamdanis progressive platform. Were not going to ruin one of our great cities, he said. Trump also suggested he would consider bringing his National Guard and immigration crackdown to New York if Mamdani wins, without offering any specifics. Mamdanis campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trumps remarks. However at an event with Mamdani, Gov. Hochul did address Trumps threats to cut off the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York City is the economic engine for the entire state. And just as no one should ever root against our country, we should not root against New York City. Everyone in this country should be vested in the success of New York City as I am. She added, When the time comes, Ill certainly be having those conversations and point out that this is detrimental to his properties, his business interests, his friends in the city and a whole way of life that I know that perhaps someday hell come back to. The governor said she has not spoken to Trump about Mamdani. Mamdani holds a commanding lead in polls over Republican Curtis Sliwa and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary by a wide margin. Mayor Adams pulled the plug on his reelection bid but will still be on the Nov. 4 ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump criticized the NYC mayoral field, saying that Mamdanis opponents should have easily been able to defeat him. Its a fluke if he gets in, Trump said, without naming Sliwa or Cuomo. Theres a lot of failed people running against him. You have inferior candidates or something. Its impossible to think New York could have a communist mayor. Contrary to Trumps claim, Congress appropriates money for federal programs that are distributed fairly to cities and states nationwide. It wouldnt be legal for the White House or federal agencies to cut off funding to New York due to partisan political differences. California Governor Gavin Newsom has gone all out with a new political one-two punch to counter the Trump administration using lawsuits and bills to challenge the White House over controversial moves. Hes challenged the push to add more Republican seats in Congress and the sending of the National Guard to Los Angeles while copying and mocking the presidents bombastic, meme-heavy social media style online. The approach has won Newsom, a long-rumored 2028 presidential candidate, new buzz in the polls, while at the same time angering colleagues in the states Democratic party, none more prominent than San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahan, a former tech executive elected on a moderate platform in 2022, has often been scathing in his disapproval. In an August op-ed, Mahan blasted Newsoms blind leap into meme land, casting it as a cheap, short-term strategy that would do little to solve the states perennial challenges with crime, homelessness, and high costs of living. That same month, Mahan also took issue with Trump-style comments from Newsom when the governor accused the troubled Bed, Bath & Beyond franchise of a desperate bid to become relevant again when the brand spoke out against the California business climate. San Jose mayor Matt Mahan (right) has emerged as a prominent critic of his Democratic party colleague Gov. Gavin Newsom with the city leader taking issue with the governors recent use of Trump-style tactics in the media (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) The San Jose leader has voiced anger over some of Newsoms signature policy moves, too, including Proposition 50, a ballot initiative asking voters to begin an unusual mid-decade redistricting process that could add up to five new Democratic seats in Congress. Newsom has argued the push is necessary to counter a Trump-led drive in Texas to cement more GOP seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will hold my nose and vote for Prop 50 but I dont believe its something we should be proud of, Mahan told San Jose Spotlight last week. Its not good governance to allow politicians to pick their constituents. The governors office has insisted theres no ill will between the two Democrats. Were not at war with the mayor, no matter how hard he tries, Newsom spokesperson Bob Salladay said last week. Were all in this together. Elsewhere, Mahan has praised Newsom, including for defending UCLA against a Trump administration attempt to extract a $1 billion settlement over antisemitism allegations (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) And it has defended Newsoms larger approach, arguing in September that there is no tension between good policy and effective communications strategies, including social media that speaks to the moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some cases, Mahan has praised Newsom, including for defending California against the Trump administration at key moments, such as Newsoms forceful denunciation of the presidents attempt to extract a $1 billion settlement from University of California Los Angeles over antisemitism investigations. Still, a split has been brewing since even before Newsoms Trump-style anti-Trump tactics began. The San Jose mayors homelessness agenda, including a proposal to charge and arrest people who repeatedly refuse shelter, has angered some in the partys progressive wing. Newsom has taken a confrontational approach to the Trump administration, suing to block its use of the California National Guard and launching a ballot campaign to cancel out the presidents gerrymandering effort in Republican-held Texas (AFP via Getty Images) Last year, Mahan backed Proposition 36, a tough-on-crime measure giving prosecutors the ability to order behavioral health treatment for repeat drug offenders, while Newsom opposed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom, for his part, snubbed Mahan and didnt invite him for a bill signing in San Jose on a package of anti-theft laws that year. Theres also the matter of the largely blue states notoriously complicated intra-party politics. If Newsom seeks the White House, that could mean an opening for Mahan in the governors mansion, and he hasnt ruled out a 2026 run. Congressional Democrats rallied outside the White House on Tuesday to defend furloughed federal workers who were ostensibly laid off by the Trump administration late last week amid the government shutdown. A dozen lawmakers representing Maryland and Virginia two states with a large federal workforce described the reductions in force, or RIFs, as the latest bit of mean-spirited and legally dubious management coming from Trumps budget director, Russell Vought. Politics: The Pentagon Wants HuffPost To Sign An Absurd Document. We Refuse. Donald Trump and Russ Vought and all their cronies are using this moment to terrorize these patriotic employees, said Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, with a group of federal workers standing behind him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firing and threatening to fire federal employees is part of the Trump administrations campaign to inflict trauma on our federal workers. Trauma is not my word, he added, noting that Vought himself once used the term to describe his goal for civil servants. The Trump administration said in a court filing Friday that it was getting rid of around 4,000 workers as part of layoffs at the Education Department, the Treasury Department, the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies. Under the law, workers must be given 60 days notice before losing their jobs, and the workers unions have pledged to fight the reductions in court. The layoffs follow months of deep cuts to the federal government and fulfill a vow by the Trump administration to cull the workforce further in the event of a shutdown. Funding for much of the government lapsed earlier this month after Republicans and Democrats in Congress failed to reach a deal. Democrats say the administration is essentially holding federal workers hostage amid the shutdown talks by threatening to lay them off. The White House has implied that they dont want to get rid of more workers but that the shutdown somehow compelled them to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The longer it goes on the more significant theyre going to be, Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News on Sunday Morning Futures. If you remember, we went nine days before announcing any significant layoffs. It is not at all customary to eliminate federal jobs in a government shutdown; instead, workers are typically furloughed and then return to their jobs, with backpay, once Congress has passed a funding bill. In fact, Democrats and employee unions argue that the administration does not have the legal authority to carry out reductions-in-force while a shutdown is in effect. Democrats from Maryland Virginia rallied Tuesday to defend federal workers facing layoffs from the Trump administration. From left, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., Sara Hargrave, with sign, an employee at the National Institutes of Health, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Rep. April McClain Delaney, D-Md. Tom Williams via Getty Images When they tell you that the shutdown is making them fire these federal employees, do not believe it for a moment that is a big lie, Van Hollen said. It is a big fat lie. It is also illegal. The White House has also threatened to try to withhold backpay from furloughed workers once the shutdown is over, even though Trump signed a law during his first term guaranteeing backpay in such scenarios. Politics: Trump Can't Resist Telling Prime Minister She's 'Beautiful,' Because Of Course Meanwhile, Voughts office claims there will be more layoffs if Democrats hold their ground and demand Republicans extend subsidies for people who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OMB is making every preparation to batten down the hatches and ride out the Democrats intransigence, OMB posted on X on Tuesday. Pay the troops, pay law enforcement, continue the RIFs, and wait. Jessica Weinberg, a laid-off Food and Drug Administration employee who spoke at Tuesdays rally, said federal workers were being let go and tormented, used as pawns in a battle they did not sign up for. Weinberg had worked as a social scientist, helping ensure the FDA communicated clearly to the public about medical device recalls. She said her team was decimated in a reduction-in-force in April. Politics: RNC Chair Spills On The Wild Way Trump Eats His McDonalds Order The public can be less informed because our office was destroyed, Weinberg said. As federal workers, we didnt ask for much. We didnt want recognition or higher-paying salaries we could get from the private sector. We just wanted to help keep the nation safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Education Department employee at the rally told HuffPost they believe they lost their job in Fridays layoffs. They couldnt say for certain because they hadnt checked their work email furloughed workers are not supposed to go into the office or use their government devices during the shutdown. I havent checked my email because Im not supposed to check my email, said the worker, who asked to withhold their name for fear of retaliation. But my whole team has been [let go]. Political Updates Read the original on HuffPost KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump will visit Malaysia on October 26, and is "looking forward" to witnessing a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. Malaysia and the United States will facilitate the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, which will require both sides to remove all mines and heavy artillery from their borders, Mohamad said. He said he hopes the agreement will be signed during the upcoming meeting of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, set to take place in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the summit, we hope to see the signing of a declaration known as the Kuala Lumpur Accord between these two neighbours to ensure peace and a lasting ceasefire, Mohamad told the media. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia over undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border erupted into a deadly five-day conflict in July. The worst fighting between the two countries in over a decade saw at least 48 people killed and hundreds of thousands temporarily displaced on both sides. (Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Writing by Danial Azhar; Editing by David Stanway) After a string of recent foldings this year, two airlines' sudden bankruptcy has left travelers stranded worldwide in recent weeks. Back in June, the news broke that Play Airlines was ending all U.S. flights (and travelers were already seeing the impact). Now, the same airline has ended all operations abroad after declaring bankruptcy. And travelers who had already purchased flights through the airline were left scrambling to find a new way home. If you've relied on Play Airlines for budget flights in Europe in the past, those days are now over. In September, Play and Braathens Aviation shut down permanently. For both Scandinavian airlines, the sudden action left travelers with no plan after flights were cancelled without warning. While one airline did step in to help claim flights and passengers, many were left without a flight home. As Play was based in Reykjavik, Iceland, many passengers relied on the carrier for connecting flights between Europe and North America. Now, there's one less budget option available. In 2025, multiple other budget airlines will have either shut down all of their operations or shut down operations in regions they used to cover. Smaller airlines like Ravn Alaska, Air Belgium, and SKS Airways shut down operations earlier in the year, and even big-name budget airlines like WizzAir and Qantas Airways stopped flying to and from certain countries in Asia. If you're flying to or within Asia soon and need an alternative, this Asia-based airline took the crown as the "world's best ultra low cost carrier" for 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Seemingly Normal Behaviors That TSA Will Watch You Like A Hawk For At The Airport Operations have suddenly ceased across the industry Spirit Airlines flight in the air - Boarding1now/Getty Images With Play out of the picture, a similar airline for domestic flights in the United States filed for bankruptcy for a second time this year over the summer. For this reason, Spirit Airlines may be the next to go the way of Play. In a bankruptcy settlement, the airline cancelled an incoming order of more Airbus planes. However, if you frequently fly budget airlines in the U.S., there might be some hope as Spirit was just awarded $475 million to keep operations going. So it's unlikely that Spirit flights will disappear without warning in the near future, but the budget airline space is one to keep an eye on. In fact, Spirit Airlines is making big changes this November after ongoing financial struggles. To top things off, this month, private airline Verijet announced that it will be ceasing all operations by the end of October. The private jet company, which is completely carbon-neutral, will no longer be fulfilling any flights. The airline filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a form of bankruptcy in which the filer cannot make payments towards their debt. The airline was reportedly facing $38.7 million in liabilities after the death of its CEO, Richard Kane, in September. Verijet first began private flights in 2020, selling itself as a greener choice. While this announcement won't affect the average flier, the inconvenience of bankrupt carriers and canceled flights is a running theme in the aviation space at the moment. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. The U.S. has done a lot for Arab dictators. For years, Democrats and Republicans have been seeking to give Saudi Arabia, the largest purchaser of American weapons in the world, a NATO-like defense pact. And Washington is drawing closer to Qatar, the Saudi kingdom's nearby frenemy. After pledging to defend Qatar last month, the Trump administration announced a new training facility for Qatari military pilots in Idaho last week. One of the many favors that the U.S. has given to these governments is helping to drown out dissenting voices, documents given to The Washington Post by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists reveal. Over the past three years, U.S. officials led meetings of Middle Eastern countries to plan "information operations," the documents show, and planned to create a "Combined Middle East Cyber Center" and an "Information Fusion Center" to systematize these efforts. The documents were a series of PowerPoint presentations about the "Regional Security Construct," a secret U.S.-led coalition which includes Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Kuwait and Oman were listed as "potential partners" whose officials were briefed about the coalition meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Post's coverage focuses on the hypocrisy of the Arab states; while they denounced Israel's war in Gaza, those states were actively working with the Israeli military, including on tunnel warfare training and air defense coordination. However, buried in the reporting is the revelation that those states are receiving direct American help in shaping their propaganda campaigns. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) officials were leading meetings on "information operations to counter Iran's narrative that it is the regional protector of Palestinians and, according to a 2025 document, to 'propagate [a] partner narrative of regional prosperity and cooperation,'" the Post reports. And those American officials were working to expand these operations further, advocating for creating an ominously-named "Information Fusion Center" to help coalition members "rapidly plan, execute, and assess operations in the information environment." Arab states have put a lot of stock in the internet as a tool of domestic control. Many critics in the Regional Security Construct countries have been reportedly torturedor even sentenced to death, in the case of Saudi Arabiasimply for posting on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite knowing about the repression in Arab states, the U.S. government has been happy to teach them more effective online surveillance tactics. In 2023, the U.S. State Department reported that Bahrain suffered from "serious restrictions on internet freedom," and that the authorities there considered opposing the monarchy to be a "terrorist act." The following year, the State Department trained Bahraini police on how to track "operations, recruiting, and disinformation" by "terrorists" on social media. The State Department insisted to Reason at the time that the trainees would be "vetted for human rights violations in accordance with U.S. law" and that the U.S. "consistently raises human rights issues with senior Bahraini officials." Publicly, CENTCOM admits to carrying out "military information support operations," including "countering disinformation," as part of "transregional cooperation to counter state and non-state actors posing a threat to U.S. interests." It insists that these operations are "implemented in accordance with U.S. public law and Department of War (DoW) policy guidance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But other leaks suggest that U.S. propaganda operations in the Middle East are a lot more sinister than the "narrative of regional prosperity and cooperation" described in official documents. In 2022, The Intercept obtained internal documents from Twitter showing that CENTCOM was running fake accounts cheerleading the Saudi war effort in Yemen. Rather than countering "disinformation," the U.S. military has been caught actively spreading it, including rumors about Iranian doctors stealing organs and Chinese vaccines being made with pork. It's hard to tell exactly what kind of new information operations CENTCOM has in mind for the Regional Security Construct. The coalition is secretive by design. Documents obtained by the Post promised to keep the cooperation "in confidence" and warned that participants "MUST NOT" photograph meetings or allow access to journalists. Worldwide, U.S. military propaganda efforts are a massive undertaking. The Defense Department is asking Congress for a military information support operations budget of over $209 million in FY 2026. It's safe to say that at least some of that money will make it easier for Middle Eastern dictators to control the information space. The post The U.S. Military Is Helping Arab Dictatorships Run Psyops appeared first on Reason.com. (Reuters) -Ukraine's prime minister said on Tuesday she was focusing on Russian attacks on her country's energy grid in talks in Washington ahead of a visit later this week by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "At every meeting in Washington we raise the topic of defending Ukrainian energy and supporting our resilience over the winter and ways to defend it," Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on the Telegram messaging app. She described the priorities of her visit as "energy, sanctions and the development of cooperation with the USA in new ways that can strengthen both our countries". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy meets U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday to discuss Ukraine's air defence and long-range strike capabilities. The leaders spoke twice last weekend amid intensifying discussions about the potential provision of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent "reaffirmed the United States unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty and emphasized the United States dedication to securing a lasting, durable peace" during talks with Svyrydenko, according to a U.S. Treasury statement. He also thanked Svyrydenko for supporting the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, which the Ukrainian prime minister was instrumental in helping set up earlier this year. Ukraine and the U.S. in September held the first board meeting of the joint investment fund, set up as part of a deal to give Washington preferential access to Ukrainian minerals in exchange for investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Svyrydenko is accompanied by the Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, Rustem Umerov, and a team of officials from the government, central bank and other bodies. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Jasper Ward; Editing by Stephen Coates) UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas (KETK) Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd announced on Tuesday that he will be retiring from his position at the end of October. Byrd sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, stating that after serving as the Upshur County district attorney for the past 18 years and serving as a prosecutor in the state of Texas for the last 24 years, he will be retiring from his role on Oct. 31. City of Tyler to welcome delegation from sister city in Poland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his letter, Byrd stated that he does not believe his service as an elected official is complete. However, due to the Texas Constitution, he must retire from his current position before announcing any plans. Byrd said he will announce his future endeavors during his retirement ceremony on Nov. 6 at the Gilmer Civic Center. Following his retirement, Byrd stated that his first assistant, Barry Wallace, will assume duties as district attorney until Gov. Abbott makes an appointment or someone is elected next year. It has been my honor and privilege to serve you as District Attorney, and I will forever be grateful, Byrd said. I can leave knowing the criminal justice system has forever been changed to make our country the best place to call home in the State of Texas. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. By Robert Harvey LONDON (Reuters) -The global oil market is set to tighten in the medium to longer term, recovering from short-term weakness, executives from oil majors and trading houses said on Tuesday. Rising output from OPEC+ - which groups the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies - as well as from other producers, together with expectations that trade tensions will lead to reduced demand have weakened oil prices this year. Brent futures traded around $62 a barrel on Tuesday - down by over $15 from a year ago - after the International Energy Agency forecast a 4-million-barrel-per-day surplus (bpd) for 2026. Declining production rates - which could accelerate as prices fall - will rebalance the oil market in the medium term, as demand draws support from growing consumption in emerging economies, executives said. SHORT-TERM WEAKER, UPSIDE RISKS REMAIN Executives from Vitol, Trafigura, and Gunvor all see oil prices weakening before recovering in the next year, pegging prices in a range of $62-66.50 per barrel in one year's time. "Prices are slowly coming down, and will come down a little bit more," Gunvor CEO Torbjorn Tornqvist said at the Energy Intelligence forum in London, citing rising OPEC production, spare capacity for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and renewed exports from Iraqi Kurdistan. "I suspect we'll go into the $50s at some point, across Christmas into the new year," Trafigura's head of oil Ben Luckock said, cautioning that it would be "a mug's game", meaning foolish, to bet on lower prices below $50. Vitol CEO Russell Hardy said the market was focussing on rising supplies in the second half of this year, but added that low inventories in the West, strong refined products demand, and geopolitical risks, have kept markets backwardated amid falling prices. Backwardation, where prompt contracts trade above later ones, is a sign of a tight market. Vitol's Hardy also cautioned that the market was "probably overly discounting" the potential for supply disruptions next year, highlighting Iran, Russia or Venezuela. MEDIUM TERM TIGHTNESS "We are quite bullish on the medium term," TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne said, citing production declines and no peak in global oil demand. On Monday, ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods warned that decline rates could hit 15% per year without investment in unconventional oil and gas fields. "We see resilient demand, and the pressing need for long-term investments in supply," Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser added on Monday. By Lisa Baertlein, Liz Lee and Joe Cash BEIJING/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -The United States and China on Tuesday began charging additional port fees on ocean shipping firms that move everything from holiday toys to crude oil, making the high seas a key front in the trade war between the world's two largest economies. China said it had started to collect the special charges on U.S.-owned, operated, built, or flagged vessels but clarified that Chinese-built ships would be exempted from the levies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In details published by state broadcaster CCTV, China spelled out specific provisions on exemptions, which also include empty ships entering Chinese shipyards for repair. The China-imposed extra port fees would be collected at the first port of entry on a single voyage or for the first five voyages within a year, following an annual billing cycle beginning on April 17. Early this year, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration announced plans to levy the fees on China-linked ships to loosen the country's grip on the global maritime industry and bolster U.S. shipbuilding. An investigation during former President Joe Biden's administration concluded China uses unfair policies and practices to dominate the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors, clearing the way for those penalties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China hit back last week, saying it would impose its own port fees on U.S.-linked vessels from the same day the U.S. fees took effect. Analysts expect China-owned container carrier COSCO to be most affected, shouldering nearly half of that segment's expected $3.2 billion cost from those fees in 2026. In a related move, Beijing also imposed sanctions on Tuesday against five U.S.-linked subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean which it said had "assisted and supported" a U.S. probe into Chinese trade practices. China also launched an investigation into how the U.S. probe affected its shipping and shipbuilding industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FREIGHT FRIGHT "This tit-for-tat symmetry locks both economies into a spiral of maritime taxation that risks distorting global freight flows," Athens-based Xclusiv Shipbrokers Inc said in a research note. A Shanghai-based consultant who advises global companies on trade with China said the new fees may not be very disruptive to the industry and any rising costs probably would be captured in higher prices. "What are we going to do? Stop shipping? Trade is already pretty disrupted with the U.S., but companies are finding a way," the consultant said, asking to remain anonymous as he was not authorised to speak with the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. announced last Friday a carve-out for long-term charterers of China-operated vessels carrying U.S. ethane and LPG, deferring the port fees for them through December 10. But ship-tracking company Vortexa identified 45 LPG-carrying VLGCs - 11% of the total fleet - that would still be subject to China's port fee, its Americas analyst Samantha Hartke said. Clarksons Research said in a report that the new port fees could affect oil-tankers accounting for 15% of global capacity. Jefferies analyst Omar Nokta estimated that 13% of crude tankers and 11% of container ships in the global fleet would be affected. RETALIATION Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a reprisal against China curbing exports of critical minerals, Trump on Friday threatened to slap additional 100% tariffs on goods from China and put new export controls on "any and all critical software" by November 1. Administration officials hours later warned that countries voting in favor of a plan by the United Nations' International Maritime Organization to reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from ocean shipping this week could face sanctions, port bans, or punitive vessel charges. China has publicly supported the IMO plan. "The weaponisation of both trade and environmental policy signals that shipping has moved from being a neutral conduit of global commerce to a direct instrument of statecraft," Xclusiv said. Shares in Shanghai-listed COSCO rose more than 2% in early trading on Tuesday. The company said its board had approved a plan to buy back up to 1.5 billion yuan ($210.3 million) worth of its shares within the next three months to maintain corporate value and safeguard shareholder interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shipping firm did not immediately respond to Reuters' queries about the port fees. ($1 = 7.1337 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles, Liz Lee, Joe Cash and Sam Li in Beijing; Additional reporting by Samuel Shen, Brenda Goh in Shanghai and James Pomfret in Hong Kong; Editing by Stephen Coates) WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A leading expert on U.S.-India relations who has advised successive U.S. administrations has been arrested and charged with unlawful retention of national defense information, including over a thousand pages of top secret and secret documents at his home, court documents showed. Ashley Tellis, 64, who served on the National Security Council of former Republican President George W. Bush and is listed in an FBI court affidavit as an unpaid adviser to the State Department and a Pentagon contractor, was arrested at the weekend and charged on Monday, the documents seen on Tuesday showed. Tellis is also a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A State Department official confirmed that Tellis was arrested on Saturday, but declined to comment further. A Pentagon official said it does not comment on ongoing litigation. Carnegie did not immediately respond and Tellis could not immediately be reached. His lawyer was not listed in the court documents and was not immediately known. Trump administration officials, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, have vowed to prosecute individuals who mishandle classified information. The FBI affidavit accompanying the charge document said that in September and October this year Tellis entered Defense and State Department buildings and was observed accessing and printing classified documents, including about military aircraft capabilities, and leaving by car with a leather briefcase or bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit said a search of Tellis' residence in Vienna, Virginia, on Saturday uncovered over a thousand pages of classified documents with top secret and secret markings. The affidavit also said Tellis had met Chinese government officials on multiple occasions over the past several years. The meetings included a September 15 dinner at a restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia, at which it said Tellis arrived with a manila envelope, which he did not appear to have when he left. The affidavit said that due to his employment with the State Department and Pentagon Tellis possessed a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. A Justice Department statement said that if convicted, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are fully focused on protecting the American people from all threats, foreign and domestic," said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. "The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens." (Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Andrew Goudsward and Simon Lewis; Editing by Don Durfee and Richard Chang) By Andrew Goudsward and Helen Coster WASHINGTON (Reuters) -At least 20 news organizations declined to sign a new Pentagon access policy for journalists, warning of the potential for less comprehensive coverage of the world's most powerful military ahead of a Tuesday deadline to accept new restrictions. The policy requires journalists to acknowledge new rules on press access, including that they could be branded security risks and have their Pentagon press badges revoked if they ask department employees to disclose classified and some types of unclassified information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters is among the outlets that have refused to sign, citing the threat posed to press freedoms. Others that have announced their refusal to accept the new press access rules in statements or their own news stories are: the Associated Press, Bloomberg News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC, ABC, NPR, Axios, Politico, The Guardian, The Atlantic, The Hill, Newsmax, Breaking Defense and Task & Purpose. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement on Monday: "The policy does not ask for them to agree, just to acknowledge that they understand what our policy is. This has caused reporters to have a full blown meltdown, crying victim online. We stand by our policy because it's what's best for our troops and the national security of this country." The department has set a Tuesday deadline for news organizations to agree to it or turn in their Pentagon press badges and clear out their workspaces in the building by Wednesday. President Donald Trump, asked about the new policy on Tuesday, told reporters that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth "finds the press to be very disruptive in terms of world peace and maybe security for our nation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth called the requirements "common sense," adding that "we're trying to make sure national security is respected." News organizations have not disputed restrictions on reporters' access to sensitive areas in the Pentagon. Credentialed reporters have historically been limited to unclassified spaces, according to the Pentagon Press Association. All five major broadcast networks issued a joint statement on Tuesday, saying: "Today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagon's new requirements, which would restrict journalists' ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues. The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections. We will continue to cover the U.S. military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the principles of a free and independent press." The New York Times Washington Bureau Chief Richard Stevenson said in a statement on Friday: "Since the policy was first announced, we have expressed concerns that it constrains how journalists can report on the U.S. military, which is funded by nearly $1 trillion in taxpayer money annually. The public has a right to know how the government and military are operating." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters also took issue with the new rules. "Reuters is bound by its commitment to accurate, impartial and independent news under the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. We also steadfastly believe in the press protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution, the unrestricted flow of information and journalism that serves the public interest without fear or favor. The Pentagon's new restrictions erode these fundamental values," a spokesperson said. The rules, which followed negotiations with Pentagon officials in recent weeks, threatened to violate protections for the press under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by regulating routine attempts by reporters to seek newsworthy information and documents from sources, said a lawyer familiar with negotiations with the Pentagon. The requirement that reporters acknowledge that disclosure of sensitive information could harm U.S. national security could aid prosecutors if they sought to charge a reporter for disclosing defense information under the Espionage Act, the lawyer added. Conservative cable news outlet One America News signed on to the new policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After thorough review of the revised press policy by our attorney, OAN staff has signed the document," Charles Herring, the president of OAN parent company Herring Networks, said in a statement. Reuters could not immediately ascertain if other organizations had also signed it. The Pentagon's policy, announced last month, is the latest expansion of restrictions on press access under Defense Secretary Hegseth, a former Fox News host. Trump has ordered the department to rename itself the Department of War, a change that would require action by Congress. Hegseth on Monday, while traveling with Trump to Israel and Egypt, responded on social media platform X to news organizations declining to agree to the policy by posting a hand-waving emoji, implying he was bidding them goodbye. The Pentagon Press Association, which represents more than 100 news organizations that regularly cover the military, including Reuters, urged Pentagon leadership to reconsider the policy, arguing it "gags Pentagon employees and threatens retaliation against reporters who seek out information that has not been pre-approved for release." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group said it was not issuing a specific recommendation on whether reporters should agree. The Pentagon revised its proposed policy following negotiations between the department and news organizations that came after they widely condemned requirements that barred credentialed reporters from seeking out sensitive information that was not approved for release. The revised policy notes that receiving or publishing sensitive information "is generally protected by the First Amendment" but states that soliciting the disclosure of such information "may weigh in the consideration of whether you pose a security or safety risk." The policy adds: "The press's rights are not absolute and do not override the government's compelling interest in maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information." (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward in Washington and Helen Coster in New York; Additional reporting by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Alistair Bell and Edmund Klamann) Related video: End of food security reports could impact NWA nonprofit from Sept. 23 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) An annual report that has recently highlighted Arkansas as the state with the highest food insecurity is about to be no more. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would no longer release its Household Food Security Reports, which have been released annually since the 1990s. The department described the reports as redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous studies [that] do nothing more than fear monger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For 30 years, this studyinitially created by the Clinton administration as a means to support the increase of SNAP eligibility and benefit allotmentsfailed to present anything more than subjective, liberal fodder, the department said in its announcement on Sept. 20. End of food security reports could impact NWA nonprofit The Associated Press reported the final report will be released on Oct. 22. In the last two reports, released in 2023 and 2024, Arkansas has performed poorly, having the highest food insecurity rates in the country. The 2024 report noted that around 19% of Arkansas households were food insecure based on self-reported answers to questions on grocery budgets, eating habits and other topics. 2024 edition of USDAs Food Insecurity report ( Courtesy: USDA A spokesperson for Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement regarding the USDAs announcement said that the governor takes food insecurity as a priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Sanders takes food insecurity seriously, making Arkansas the first state in the South to offer universal free school breakfast, expanding resources to offer food to kids during summer months, and extending liability protections for food banks and their donors, the spokesperson said. The Trump Administration is right to look into wasteful spending and redirect federal dollars toward programs that actually help solve hunger. Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, which has five Arkansas-based food banks in its network, said last month that the USDA reports have never been a perfect resource, but it has been a valuable one that helped us all to track trends over time. Arkansas Highway Police seize 3,000 pounds of illegal marijuana As USDAs report sunsets, there is a risk of losing consistent national benchmarks that have helped guide solutions, Babineaux-Fontenot said. Feeding America is committed to working alongside partners to ensure we continue building on that foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debbie Rambo, executive director of the Samaritan Community Center in Northwest Arkansas, told KNWA/FOX24s Phoebe Cramer last month that the USDAs decision would not have an immediate impact, but would affect them over time. Rambo noted that having accurate data enables them to make informed decisions and effectively communicate their needs to potential funders. I do think that awareness is a key factor into fighting issues like hunger and food insecurity. And in the less information thats made public, it kind of becomes a backburner issue for a lot of people if its not affecting them directly, Rambo said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. COLCHESTER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Vermont politicians called on Vermont Sen. Samuel Douglass (R-Troy) to resign after a Politico article claimed that he had participated in a national Young Republican group chat, including making racist and prejudiced comments. Governor Phil Scott, who is a Republican, released a statement calling for Douglasss resignation as senator and a member of the party. The hateful statements made in this group chat are disgusting and unacceptable. The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing. There is simply no excuse for it. Those involved should resign from their roles immediately and leave the Republican party including Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott Calls for Douglass to resign also came from Vermont Young Democrats, who said that his comments had included derogatory stereotypes about Indigenous women and antisemitic remarks about his Jewish colleagues, and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), which said that Douglass owes more than an explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a joint statement, Vermonts Republican legislators said they agreed with Scotts remarks, calling Douglasss statements inconsistent with Vermont values and what Vermont Republicans stand for. Douglass was first elected in 2024, and currently serves on multiple Vermont Senate committees, including the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the Senate Sexual Harassment Prevention Panel. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A helicopter lifts off from an ice sheet in Greenland. | Credit: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0 This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights . Buried deep in Greenland's ice sheet lies a puzzling chemical signature that has sparked intense scientific debate. A sharp spike in platinum concentrations, discovered in an ice core (a cylinder of ice drilled out of ice sheets and glaciers) and dated to around 12,800 years ago, has provided support for a hypothesis that the Earth was struck by an exotic meteorite or comet at that time. Advertisement Advertisement Our new research offers a much more mundane explanation: this mystery platinum signature may have originated from a volcanic fissure eruption in Iceland, not space. The timing matters. The platinum spike occurs near the beginning of our planet's last great cold period, the Younger Dryas Event. This lasted from about 12,870 to 11,700 years ago and saw temperatures plummet across the northern hemisphere. This happened just as the planet had actually been warming up from the last ice age . Understanding what triggered this cold snap could help us understand how Earth's climate may change in the future. We propose that this icy phase in Earth's climatic history was in fact caused either by a large volcanic eruption in Germany or by the eruption of an unknown volcano. A climate mystery Ice cores show that during the millennium-long Younger Dryas Event, temperatures across Greenland dropped to more than 15C colder than they are today. Europe returned to near glacial conditions, with tundra replacing forests that had begun to flourish. Low-latitude rainbelts shifted to the south. Advertisement Advertisement The traditionally accepted explanation involves a massive release of freshwater from melting North American ice sheets. This freshwater pulse disrupted the ocean circulation, affecting temperatures. However, other researchers have proposed that the event was triggered by a comet or asteroid impact over North America . In 2013, researchers analyzing ice cores drilled as part of the Greenland Ice Sheet Project (GISP2) discovered platinum concentrations that were well above normal levels . The ratio of platinum to a radioactive element called iridium was also unusual because space rocks usually have high levels of iridium, while the ice core spike does not. The ice core signature was very different from anything seen in known meteorites or volcanic rocks. The authors of the space impact paper suggested that perhaps the unusual ice chemistry reflected the impact of an unusual asteroid made up of iron. A subsequent paper proposed that the ice chemistry could reflect the German Laacher See volcanic eruption , which had an unusual geochemistry and occurred around that time. To test this idea, we collected and analyzed 17 samples of volcanic pumice from deposits left behind by the Laacher See eruption. We measured platinum, iridium, and other trace elements to create a chemical fingerprint of the eruption. Advertisement Advertisement Our results were clear: the Laacher See pumices contain virtually no platinum, with concentrations below or barely at detection limits. Even though some platinum may have escaped to the atmosphere before being trapped in the rock, the eruption was clearly not the source of Greenland's platinum spike. Volcanic eruptions can produce strange chemical signatures. | Credit: Giles Laurent, gileslaurent.com, License CC BY-SA, CC BY-SA 4.0 Additionally, when we examined the timing carefully, using updated ice core chronologies, we found the platinum spike actually occurred about 45 years after the Younger Dryas began too late to have triggered the cooling. This result was arrived at independently but was consistent with previous research finding the same thing . Importantly, the elevated platinum concentrations lasted for 14 years, suggesting a prolonged event rather than an instantaneous asteroid or comet impact. We compared the ice core's chemical signature with various other geological samples and found the closest match was with volcanic gas condensates (the products formed when gases released from a volcano cool from a gas to a liquid or solid state) particularly from submarine volcanoes. Advertisement Advertisement Iceland's volcanoes can produce fissure eruptions lasting years or even decades, matching the 14-year duration of the platinum spike. During the melting phase that preceded the Younger Dryas, Iceland's volcanic activity increased dramatically as melting ice sheets reduced pressure on the Earths crust. Crucially, submarine or subglacial eruptions interact with water in ways that could explain the unusual chemistry. Seawater can strip away sulphur compounds while concentrating other elements like platinum in volcanic gases. These platinum-rich gases could then travel to Greenland and be deposited on the ice sheet, explaining the odd geochemistry. Recent research on historical Icelandic eruptions supports this mechanism. The 8th-century Katla eruption produced a 12-year spike in heavy metals like bismuth and thallium in Greenland ice cores. The 10th-century Eldgja eruption resulted in a cadmium spike within glacial ice. Although platinum was not measured in those studies, these examples show Icelandic volcanoes regularly deliver heavy metals to the Greenland ice sheet. A smoking gun? Because of the chronological mismatch, whatever mechanism was responsible for the platinum spike didn't trigger the Younger Dryas. Our research does, however, highlight previous results showing a massive volcanic sulphate spike in multiple ice cores coinciding precisely with the onset of cooling 12,870 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement This eruption, whether from the Laacher See eruption or an unknown volcano, injected enough sulphur into the atmosphere to rival the largest eruptions in recorded history. Volcanic eruptions can trigger cooling by releasing sulphur into the stratosphere, reflecting incoming sunlight and potentially setting off a cascade of positive feedbacks including sea ice expansion, changed wind patterns and disruption of ocean currents, though future research needs to explore this further. The substantial volcanic forcing around the Younger Dryas onset a time when climate was already sitting between a glacial and an interglacial (the periods between cold snaps) may have provided the nudge that tipped Earths climate back into a cold state. RELATED STORIES Satellites reveal a hidden lake burst through Greenland Ice Sheet in 2014, causing major flooding and a deep crater Advertisement Advertisement Greenland ice sheets are weaker to climate change than we thought What is the US Space Force doing in Greenland? It is important to note that our research focused on the platinum spike and did not consider other evidence, such as spherules (spherical fragments of melted rock) and black mats (mysterious dark layers in soil), for an extraterrestrial impact . That said, based on our analysis of the new results and existing data, a large northern hemispheric volcanic eruption seems to be the most straightforward explanation for the Younger Dryas Event. Understanding past climate triggers is vital for anticipating what lies ahead. Although the chance of a large meteorite impact or volcanic eruption in any given year is low, such events are virtually certain to occur eventually. Knowing how Earths climate responded in the past is therefore crucial for preparing for the consequences of the next major event. HIGHGATE, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Two Vermont residents face grand larceny charges after both were connected to a lawnmower theft incident earlier this month. State police first responded to the theft on School Street Friday, October 3. Authorities reportedly discovered the lawnmower later that same day, and returned it to the owner. Stewart Arbuckle (Courtesy: VSP) Tony Larock (Courtesy: VSP) Investigators later identified those involved as 36-year-old Stewart Arbuckle, of Enosburg, and 33-year-old Tony Larock, of Milton. Both were cited and are set to appear in Franklin County Criminal Court November 17. 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 ABC22 & FOX44. (The Center Square) A Washington state Democratic lawmaker is expressing regret and guilt over legislation she supported that she believes has contributed to an explosion in juvenile crime and lives lost. Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, penned an op-ed in The Seattle Times last weekend detailing eight different policies that have contributed to the juvenile crime wave. Davis spoke with The Center Square on Monday, sharing that during her first few years in the Legislature, she voted on bills she didnt fully understand and was afraid to speak up and go against party leadership, who she contends were pushing through soft-on-crime bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say probably in my fourth and fifth legislative sessions, I did understand that some of the policies were flawed, but I was too afraid to say anything, she said. And it's only been in my last sixth and seventh legislative sessions that I finally grew thick enough skin or had enough courage to say the right thing in spite of whatever consequences might flow my way. Because I have to go home to my district, and I have to be able to look myself in the mirror. Davis, who represents parts of North Seattle, Shoreline and Lynnwood, said she has spent a great deal of time educating herself about the impact of several public safety bills passed by the majority party. I have sat with weeping mothers constituents of mine whose children were slain by fellow teenagers, she wrote in the op-ed. Juvenile arrests in Lynnwood, a city in my legislative district, have nearly tripled from 130 in 2022 to 355 in 2024. During these heartbreaking meetings, I find myself racked with guilt. I am culpable. Davis lamented that Washingtons top referral source for youth addiction treatment used to be schools, but that is no longer the case due to legislation passed by the majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I found out that it was actually the state's own policy that prevented schools from serving in that interceding and referral role in the way that they used to, she said. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is it was dawning on me that these are all related. And it was a revelation for me. Davis said shes well aware that speaking out against her partys agenda may not be received well by some. I think it's important that as a policymaker, I'm honest with the public and that I'm honest with my constituents, and they deserve to know, Davis said. I didn't run for office to get reelected. I ran for office to do the right thing and to try to make a difference as long as I'm in this seat. I did not use to speak out. I was not a person who demonstrated political courage. I was fearful of ramifications from my own political party. Fearful that something wouldn't land well with voters. You run afoul of certain interest groups, and they will come after you. Democrats have a decisive majority in both chambers of the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Center Square reached out to House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, for comment on Daviss pointed criticisms. We're going to have lots and lots of bills coming forward and ideas coming forward, and I'll be interested to see what Rep. Davis' are, Jinkins said. The speaker did not directly respond to Davis suggestion that Democratic policies have created the public safety crisis facing the state, particularly the spike in juvenile crime. There's probably a wide diversity in my caucus, at least, on what contributes to what and what helps. I guess I'm used to people critiquing every policy that's passed in the Legislature. The real issue is, okay if you say it should be fixed, what's the fix? queried Jinkins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Center Square pressed further, asking Jinkins if some of the Republican suggestions for fixing legislation that has fallen short of goals will be given more than lip service in the 2026 legislative session. Listen, there's no limit on the policy approach that any member can bring forward and then build the coalition to pass a bill, right? So that's the work of the Legislature to do that, she said. So, its just important to remember that there's a lot of perspectives. Rep. Davis is one of 59 in my caucus, and I'm sure there's going to be a lot more discussion this next session. Davis isnt holding her breath when it comes to fundamental changes in public safety legislation in the next session. I tend to be extremely optimistic by nature, but I'm not at this time very confident that there would be adequate votes to reverse on most, if not all, of the items that I highlighted, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The focus instead will be on trying to prevent the resurrection of bills from the 2025 session that Davis feels would exacerbate the situation. One I referenced in the op-ed Senate Bill 5296 nearly passed the Legislature, and we were barely able to stop it, she said. The legislation would have modified the juvenile justice system by requiring courts to find that community-based placement was inadequate before committing a youth to a juvenile rehabilitation facility. The bill is riddled with problems, Davis said. But at a high level, it takes young people [who] would go to JR, the juvenile prison system, and sends them back to the community with no wraparound supports and with no enhanced supervision. This is the same community where they've been committing acts of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That wasnt the only bill to earn her ire. Another bill that is particularly egregious is Senate Bill 5266, Davis said. That bill would allow a juvenile to murder up to three people and get out in six years. That was an actual bill that passed multiple committees, and what it would do is it would incentivize adults 18 and up to engage young people to commit homicide because they can get out in six years. So, to be clear, the current minimum is 20 years, and this would reduce it to six. She reiterated that, despite some calling on her to resign since the op-ed, she remains energized. My regrets and guilt that I carry around like a heavy weight is a pretty compelling motivator, Davis said. Amongst a select 28 parks in Philadelphia, you can find a group of people getting their steps in and making new memories. It's part of Fairmount Park Conservancy's "We Walk PHL" program. "It's really an opportunity for people to connect socially, especially in a time of rising social isolation...put the phones down, be outside," said Chief of Staff at Fairmount Park Conservancy, Kevin Roche. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement " We focus heavily on inclusiveness... and just being able to have our shoulders drop and roll back for a little bit...it's nice to be able to come out and watch the trees, the leaves blowing in the wind," said Education & Engagement Specialist at Fairmount Park Conservancy, Nicole Seahorne Hameen. They will hold programs in the Fall season until October 31st. "We do a lot of offseason stuff. We do a winter wellness series and then we kick back off in the spring," said Roche. For more information, check out the video above. Also, check out their website. Oil prices rebounded in early Asian trading on Monday, recovering from sharp losses in the previous session as investors grew cautiously optimistic that potential talks between President Trump and President Xi could ease tensions between the worlds two largest economies and oil consumers. At the time of writing, Brent was up 1.64% at $63.76, while WTI had risen 1.73% to $59.92. This rebound came after oil prices tumbled by more than 4% on Friday and hit their lowest level since early May. The rebound follows a week of heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Last Thursday, China expanded its export controls on rare earths, a move widely interpreted as a counter to Washingtons trade measures. In response, Trump announced plans to impose 100% tariffs on all Chinese exports bound for the United States and to introduce new export controls on any and all critical software by November 1. The escalation rattled global markets and sent oil prices tumbling, but traders now appear to be betting that both sides will look for a diplomatic off-ramp at the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea, where the two leaders are expected to meet later this month. Goldman Sachs analysts noted that the key question for markets is whether the new trade measures are ultimately implemented or if they remain negotiating tactics ahead of talks. The most likely scenario seems to be that both sides pull back on the most aggressive policies and that talks lead to a furtherand possibly indefiniteextension of the tariff escalation pause reached in May, the bank wrote in a note. Beyond the geopolitical headlines, Mondays gains also reflect technical factors. Crude prices were deeply oversold after Fridays selloff, prompting a wave of bargain-hunting among traders who viewed the drop as excessive. The bounce is more likely a sign investors are positioning for short-term stability rather than a sustained rally, with fundamentals still clouded by mixed signals from both demand and supply sides. OPEC+ continues to follow a cautious production strategy, gradually unwinding voluntary cuts to prevent renewed oversupply. The groups restraint has helped steady the market in recent weeks, even as global demand growth remains uncertain. For now, oil markets remain delicately balanced between the hope of a diplomatic breakthrough and the risk of deeper economic fragmentation. If trade tensions ease and demand indicators stabilize, crude could find a firmer footing, but volatility will likely continue in the coming weeks. Mondays release of the last 20 living Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees marks a pivotal moment in the war in Gaza , though its unclear whether it signals the end of conflict. US President Donald Trump, the chief architect of the plan, traveled to Israel and Egypt to declare an end to the war in a grand summit of dozens of world leaders, then departed, leaving a trail of unanswered questions in his wake. Only the first phase of the plan has been implemented and only a few of the 20 points in Trumps plan have been achieved so far. Many of the thorniest issues including whether Hamas will lay down its arms, and who will govern Gaza are yet to be resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what we know. Palestinians walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City, on October 14, 2025. - Ebrahim Hajjaj/Reuters Is the war actually over? Israeli drones, airstrikes and shelling in Gaza stopped this week for the first time in months while Hamas military wing are not targeting Israeli forces in the enclave meaning the fighting has in fact halted in Gaza. But the Israeli military still controls around half of Gaza and will only withdraw after Hamas meets further conditions. Whether it amounts to an end to the war depends on who you ask. Trump definitively declared that the war is over on his flight to the Middle East to preside over the signing of the ceasefire deal. The document signed by Trump and mediators declared an end to the war and opening of a new chapter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet only hours before Trumps arrival, Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu said that the military campaign is not over and that his countrys enemies were trying to recover in order to attack us again. US President Donald Trump speaks during the official signing of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, 2025. - Yoan Valat/Pool/Reuters Whats happening next with talks? Trump told journalists on Monday that negotiations for the next phase of his deal had already begun, but did not divulge who is mediating and what is being discussed. The phases of his plan are all a little mixed in with each other, he added. A regional diplomat and an Israeli source told CNN on Tuesday that phase two talks have already begun in Sharm el-Sheikh between technical teams. A senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, said last week that the negotiations for the second phase would focus on governance of Gaza, with a Palestinian technocratic administrative body running the enclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Trumps plan, the Palestinian body would have oversight from an international body called the Board of Peace, which the US president will chair, with other members and heads of state to be announced, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a controversial figure in the Middle East due to his role in the Iraq war of 2003. Hamas has welcomed Arab and Islamic support but has suggested that it would reject an international body ruling Gaza. (Negotiations for a second phase) will be easy if its left to the Palestinians, but it will be difficult if the Israelis decide to interfere in our Palestinian matters, he said. Israeli policemen salute as vehicles carrying bodies of four deceased hostages, who had been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, arrive at forensic institute in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 13, 2025. - Itai Ron/Reuters Will Hamas really lay down its arms? Hamas maintains that it is willing to hand over governance of Gaza, but has avoided questions related to disarming a key Israeli demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the ceasefire took effect, armed members of the group have already redeployed in parts of the strip, clashing with other groups and clans opposing it. Trump told world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh that he requires the demilitarization of Gaza and the formation of a new civilian police force for reconstruction to begin. According to the deal, Hamas had also agreed to destroy all military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities. An International Stabilization Force (ISF) is set to be deployed in Gaza once Israel withdraws, but key participating countries are already asking for clarity. Egypt, which is expected to play a major role in the force, said that it wants the United Nations Security Council to approve its mandate to legitimize its presence in the strip so it is not perceived as an occupying power, the Egyptian foreign minister told CNN. A Palestinian prisoner released by Israel as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, hugs a man in Khan Younis on October 13, 2025. - Ramadan Abed/Reuters Will Israel actually leave Gaza? The Israeli military has only withdrawn a few kilometers (miles) from its positions and still retains control over half of the enclave. It is expected to withdraw further only when a multinational force is deployed in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has committed to a phased withdrawal from the Gaza strip and had accepted Trumps plan which stipulates that it will not occupy or annex Gaza, but Israeli officials caveat that the process of withdrawal will be conditional on Hamas fulfilling its obligations, including disarmament and the demilitarization of the enclave. Far-right members of Netanyahus ruling coalition whose support is crucial to keeping his government afloat have fiercely opposed a withdrawal from Gaza and have previously called for encouraging Palestinian residents to leave so Jewish settlements can be established there. Released hostage Evyatar David, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, reacts upon arrival at the site of Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, in Petah Tikva, Israel, on October 13, 2025. - Stoyan Nenov/Reuters Will there be a Palestinian state? Perhaps one of the thorniest issues to fully ending the conflict remains the establishment of a Palestinian state. Many complications hinder the process, including Israeli opposition to a Palestinian state, expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the ongoing Gaza conflict, and an aging and corrupt Palestinian leadership, which the US and other Arab nations say requires reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 150 countries have recognized a Palestinian state, with the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Australia joining this group last month. The Trump administration has spoken out sharply against allies who recognized Palestinian statehood in recent weeks. Notably, however, Trumps Gaza plan acknowledges Palestinian aspirations to statehood but doesnt say if US would recognize such a state. Trump has recently shown other signs of flexibility. In Sharm el-Sheikh, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas shook hands with Trump just weeks after the US revoked his visa to attend the UN General Assembly. Upon leaving Egypt, Trump didnt rule out supporting a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not talking about single state or double state or two state, were talking about the rebuilding of Gaza, Trump told reporters on the flight home. A lot of people like the one-state solution. Some people like the two-state solutions. Well have to see, he said. I havent commented on that. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Two Wyoming police officers were justified when they shot an armed man who ultimately died of a self-inflicted wound, the Kent County prosecutor said. There will be no charges filed against the two Wyoming officers involved in this incident Quite frankly, I think they should be commended for how they handled the situation, Prosecutor Chris Becker said at a news conference at his office in downtown Grand Rapids Tuesday morning. PD: Officers shoot armed man in Wyoming Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Luis Hernan Fernandez Sandoval, 31, had broken into a home looking for his estranged wife, fired a gun and then pointed the gun at officers. The prosecutor noted that Sandoval did not shoot at the officers, but said they still had reason to open fire. (The officers) had reasonable cause: When youre looking at self-defense, defense of others, both of these apply here, the prosecutor explained. The violent way he had acted leading up to that. As he comes around the corner, both officers indicate hes clearly pointing the gun toward them They dont have to wait for him to fire. 911 RECORDING AND BODYCAM VIDEO Becker described the shooting as a chaotic scene with a very violent individual. It happened around 1 a.m. Sept. 16 at a home on Lemyra Street SE near Jefferson Avenue. There were 12 people inside, including at least three or four children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becker said Sandoval previously lived there, but had moved out about a week earlier. He had previously gone to the house at about 11:30 p.m. that same night and tried to get in using the door code, but it had been changed, so he left. The family reported it to police, but Becker said they werent terrified and did not seem to expect violence. The prosecutor played a 911 recording from the night of the shooting in which a woman reported that Sandoval was trying to get into the home to get to her niece, his estranged wife, and explaining there was a history of domestic violence. A still frame from doorbell camera video showed he was carrying a handgun. A still frame from doorbell camera video shows Luis Sandoval with a gun before he broke into a home on Sept. 16, 2025. Gunshots could be heard as the caller was talking to the dispatcher. The prosecutor said three bullet casings were found outside the house. Hes shooting, hes shooting, hes shooting, the caller told the dispatcher, becoming panicked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone take cover. Get down, the dispatcher said. Hes trying to open the door. Can you please send help, please? the woman said. The dispatcher promised officers were on their way and asked if anyone had been shot. The caller said no. The caller then told the dispatcher that Sandoval was in the house. Please hurry up! the caller said. Shouting could be heard in the background. Becker said Sandoval was looking for the callers niece, who was hiding in a closet in an upstairs bedroom. He put his gun to the head of one of the residents yelling, show me where she is at!' Becker wrote in a decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor said that another man who was in the house lured Sandoval back downstairs away from her. The dispatcher told the caller to leave the house. Becker explained he got in by shooting or kicking out a window next to the front door so he could reach through and unlock it from the inside. The caller told the dispatcher and officers, who had just arrived, that her kids were still upstairs. They were later removed from the home unharmed. Body camera video from the responding officers shows some of the residents of the home, including the 911 caller, coming out. One man told the officers Sandoval had a gun. Police respond to Lemyra Street SE in Wyoming on Sept. 16, 2025. The officers entered the home. The prosecutor said both officers saw Sandoval pointing a gun at them. In his written decision, he said one of the officers reported Sandoval was using the wall as cover, with both arms fully extended out while holding a pistol pointed at me and the others running out of the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gun, gun! an officer could be heard shouting in the bodycam video. Two officers then opened fire. In the bodycam video, as many as a dozen shots could be heard. Sandoval was hit twice, the prosecutor said, suffering a wound to his head and neck and another to the torso. However, Becker said, the medical examiner determined that what killed Sandoval was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Theres soot in the wound: The ME said thats clearly a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Becker said. Sandovals gun, a Taurus PT 100 .40-caliber handgun, and a single bullet casing it were found near his body, the prosecutor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one else in the home was harmed. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker holds a news conference on Oct. 14, 2025. The officers who opened fire were placed on paid administrative leave as the Kent County Sheriffs Office investigated the shooting, which is standard procedure. The Wyoming Police Department told News 8 Tuesday that both have returned to regular duty. DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS URGED TO GET OUT Becker said that just the day before the shooting, the family had picked up personal protective order paperwork, though it had not yet been filled out, returned to the court or served to Sandoval and he probably didnt know about it. This is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this is an example of how domestic violences can go bad, Becker said. We dont know what the intent of Mr. Sandoval was when he arrived there, but clearly he had a gun out and did a lot to break into a house Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New team helps GRPD assess, respond to domestic violence calls He said Sandoval was looking for his estranged wife and even threatened one of the other people in the home to tell him where she was. So you can surmise from that that he did not have good intentions if he would have found her, Becker said. And who knows what would have happened to the rest of the individuals in that home had the police not arrived and acted in the way they did. He urged anyone experiencing domestic violence to seek help through local resources like Safe Haven Ministries or the YWCA West Central Michigan and report the abuse to authorities. He added there are victim advocates who can help in cases that do not go to court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get out of the situation as best you can before we arrive at a situation like this, Becker said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. (The Center Square) The war of words continues between President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over public safety in the streets of Chicago and beyond. Monday evening returning from the Middle East peace summit on Air Force One, Trump said Pritzker should ask for help with public safety. I think he should beg for help because he's running a bad operation, Trump told reporters. He's letting people be killed in his city because he doesn't want it, referring to a callus of the National Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clashes between law enforcement and protesters continued into Tuesday with chemical agents being deployed to scatter a growing crowd in Chicago surrounding federal immigration enforcement. After an unrelated event Tuesday afternoon in Hampshire, Pritzker reacted. We don't want troops on the ground and we don't want [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] officials or [Customs and Border Patrol] abusing people on the streets of Chicago or any of our suburbs, or, frankly, anywhere in Illinois or the country, Pritzker said. Trump said Tuesday at a ceremony for Illinois native Charlie Kirk that his administration is done with angry mobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker said he will continue to fight what he characterized as the Trump administrations overreach. And we're going to do everything that we can, again, to protect our residents, but also to get the courts to step in and stop them from abusing just everyday people that they are firing gas pellets and, rubber bullets, Pritzker said. While the courts have stopped Trump of deploying the National Guard to Chicago at this point, the president said he has the right to use the Insurrection Act, but hed rather have cooperation. Fifty percent of the presidents have used the Insurrection Act because they don't want to go through this stuff with somebody who said there's no crime and 4,000 people get shot, Trump said. The Trump administrations motion to overturn a lower courts temporary restraining was denied. The case is still pending with the Guards deployment blocked. U.S. President Donald Trump's success in brokering the Oct. 9 ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has been praised worldwide. What seems to be a diplomatic victory in the Middle East stands in sharp contrast with Trump's failure to negotiate a ceasefire in Eastern Europe. One reason for the difference is objective. Trump has far more leverage over Israel than over Russia, while Hamas has been weakened so much that it had no choice but to agree to a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another reason, experts say, is subjective Trump's sudden willingness to apply leverage to Israel and his reluctance to apply it to Russia. The Gaza peace deal showed that peace is achievable when there is political will something that has been notably lacking in Trump's peace efforts in Ukraine. "The U.S. just doesn't have the same degree of leverage over Russia as it does over Israel," Jenny Mathers, a lecturer in international politics at the U.K.'s Aberystwyth University, told the Kyiv Independent. "The main point of leverage now is the amount and nature of military support that the U.S. provides to Ukraine, but that has been limited first by (ex-U.S. President Joe) Biden's caution and fear of Russia escalating either to use nuclear weapons or to expand the conventional war beyond Ukraine's borders, and more recently by Trump's attitude." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Trumps peace push falters in both Ukraine and the Middle East for similar reasons Gaza peace plan The most recent war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas, an Iranian proxy designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU, invaded Israeli territory, massacred 1,195 people, and took 251 people hostage. Israel responded by invading the Gaza Strip. Two years later, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal brokered by the U.S. and a number of regional actors. On Oct. 13, Hamas released all 20 living hostages being held in Gaza, and Israel released just under 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. People wrapped in U.S. and Israeli flags stand around a portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump as they wait for the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv early on Oct. 13, 2025. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images) As part of the deal, Israel has started a gradual withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Yet, the ceasefire doesn't envision Israel's full withdrawal from the strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The subsequent peace deal, promoted by Trump, allegedly lays the groundwork for the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force, with Hamas relinquishing power to Palestinian technocrats under international supervision. According to the plan, Israel is expected to withdraw from most of the Gaza Strip except for a buffer zone along the border. Hamas accepted the ceasefire but has not publicly agreed to the terms of Trump's potential peace deal. Read also: Russia-Iran alliance wavers as Tehran suffers major blows Different leverage One difference between the wars in Gaza and Ukraine is that U.S. leverage over Israel is stronger than over Russia. Washington, Israel's main military ally, has supplied it with crucial weapons and shared intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump has more leverage on Israel than on Russia," William Wohlforth, a professor focusing on international relations at Dartmouth College, told the Kyiv Independent. "Yes, he has leverage on Russia he has not used, but, even so, objectively the U.S. influence on Israel is far, far greater." "Trump's leverage over (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is based on strong institutional relations between the U.S. and Israel and close personal ties between the two men," Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, told the Kyiv Independent. "He can pressure Netanyahu as much as he wishes and, at the same time, point to all the times he has supported Israel to counter criticism." Mathers argued that "the U.S. supplies Israel with weapons and is a longtime ally of Israel, with a large and vocal pro-Israel lobby in the U.S., and support for Israel has been a pillar of U.S. post-World War II foreign policy." "On the one hand, this means that successive U.S. administrations have felt the pressure to support Israel in public, almost no matter what," she added. "On the other hand, it means if Washington really loses patience with Israel and conveys that message effectively, Israel needs to pay attention." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, the U.S. leverage over Russia is limited. US President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin walk away after delivering a joint press conference after participating in a U.S.-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025. (Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images) Neither Western sanctions against Moscow nor military aid to Ukraine have pushed Russia towards peace. Unlike Israel, Moscow is not an ally dependent on Washington, and trade between the U.S. and Russia is limited, making economic sanctions ineffective. Read also: Russia-Ukraine peace talks are dead, for now. But were they ever alive? Political will in Gaza peace efforts Another important factor is Trump's willingness to use the leverage that he has both in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Until recently, Trump had mostly sided with Israel and had been reluctant to pressure Netanyahu to end the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before he took office on Jan. 20, Trump's team brokered the Jan. 15 ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. However, the agreement quickly unraveled as Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating it. Israel resumed military action in March. Israel's key military objective has been to eliminate Hamas to prevent attacks similar to the one carried out in October 2023. "The main challenge in ending the Gaza War has been Israel's unwillingness to do so," Timo Stewart, a Middle East expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, said. "Netanyahu has derailed previous attempts at an agreement and ultimately sabotaged the January-March 2025 ceasefire. At least part of the motivation has been to keep his government intact." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts say that Netanyahu was afraid that his far-right allies would quit the government and prompt his resignation. Aron Lund, a Middle East analyst at Century International, said that previously "very little was done by the United States to make Israel comply with U.S. policy." "That was true under both Biden and Trump, and it's what led to the collapse of the previous ceasefires, in 2023 and earlier this year," he told the Kyiv Independent. "Israel simply decided that it was time to go back to war, and the United States stood aside and let it happen." The situation changed in September, when international condemnation of Israel's military action in Gaza grew, and Israel conducted an airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar, a U.S. ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One of the main reasons why Trump went hard against Netanyahu was the Sept. 9 attack on Qatar," David Butter, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, told the Kyiv Independent. "Trump wasn't consulted or forewarned, and the attack threatened to poison U.S. relations with its key Gulf Arab allies, countries where the Trump family has huge financial investments." Stewart argued that "ultimately, this ceasefire was reached because Trump was both able and willing to pressure Israel." Trump's peacemaking efforts benefited from the fact that Hamas has been severely weakened. Arab countries and Turkey have also used their leverage to persuade the terrorist group. "Israel had weakened Hamas, as well as Iran and its proxies, to such a degree as to help force Hamas to accept at least the first stage of the deal, releasing hostages," Wohlforth said. "Russia's war on Ukraine, by contrast, is more balanced, with neither side gaining that kind of decisive advantage." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukrainian, European leaders push Trump to change tone on Russia. Will actions follow? Lack of political will in Ukraine In Ukraine, political will or lack thereof has also been part of the equation. Trump has pressured Ukraine to negotiate with Russia, and President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to an unconditional ceasefire a move that the Kremlin rejected. Trump has also regularly threatened to sanction Russia and its trading partners in an effort to make it agree to a ceasefire or peace deal. In most cases, no action followed the threats. One notable exception is Trump's decision to impose a 25% tariff on India in August over its purchases of Russian oil. The tariff has not led to a decrease in India's imports of Russian oil, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Trump has failed to impose a tariff on China, another big buyer of Russian oil, and effectively scrapped a congressional bill that would impose 100% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil and other products. Nor has there been any progress on the Senate bill to sanction Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet. Trump has taken some minor steps to continue U.S. military supplies to Ukraine. After halting U.S. military aid for Ukraine twice, Trump announced in July an initiative under which other NATO members would purchase U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine. However, NATO military aid to Ukraine fell in July and August despite the scheme, according to an Oct. 14 report by the Kiel Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Vice President JD Vance said in September that the U.S. was "looking at" providing Kyiv with Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have an operational range between 1,600 and 2,500 kilometers. However, no decision on the issue has been made so far. "The leverage the U.S. and Western allies do have is the ability to increase the cost of the war to Moscow by supplying weapons and aid to Ukraine, but this did not get (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to stand down for two years under Biden, and slipped in strength under Trump," Richard Betts, professor emeritus of war and peace studies at Columbia University, told the Kyiv Independent. "If Trump follows through on his recent threat to provide Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, this would represent a more radical shift in support for Ukraine." Read also: Deadlines, delusions, and ballistic missiles: Trumps theater of peace talks with Putin Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Rail passenger transport is on the rise across Europe as more people choose trains for both business and leisure. However, several surveys show that reliable internet access is a challenge across Europes rail networks. In the United Kingdom, for instance, 70 per cent of passengers reported frequent WiFi interruptions during their commutes, according to Uswitch. One of the key advantages of travel by rail is that time spent travelling can be productive, either for work or socially, but to achieve that passengers need uninterrupted mobile connectivity, Chris Page, chair of UK advocacy group Railfuture, told Euronews Next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, which countries offer the fastest WiFi connectivity on trains across Europe? Heres where passengers stay connected most reliably while commuting and why these issues persist despite technological innovations. Where train WiFi is fastest Sweden delivers the fastest WiFi on European trains by a wide margin, according to an analysis of Speedtest Intelligence data from the second quarter of 2025 that was published by Ookla. The country recorded a median download speed of 64.6 megabits per second (Mbps), which is more than four times higher than the median of 7.6 Mbps across the 15 European countries analysed. Its more than 150 times faster than the bottom-ranked Netherlands (0.4 Mbps). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides Sweden, there were three other countries with median train WiFi speeds exceeding 20 Mbps: Switzerland (29.8 Mbps), Ireland (26.3 Mbps), and Czechia (23.4 Mbps). France also comes close to this threshold, with an average of 19.1 Mbps. UK and Spain: Download speeds below 2 Mbps In contrast, several major European economies record median download speeds of less than 2 Mbps on trains. The Netherlands ranks the lowest, at 0.4 Mbps, followed by Austria (0.7 Mbps), the UK (1.1 Mbps), and Spain (1.5 Mbps). Italy (4.8 Mbps) also records relatively low among Europes five largest economies, in sharp contrast to Germany, which recorded download speeds of 14.9 Mbps. Another Nordic country, Norway, sits at the European median with a speed of 7.6 Mbps, while Romania performs better at 12.5 Mbps. Why is Sweden an outlier? Sweden also leads in upload speeds, with a median of about 55 Mbps, more than twice as fast as the next fastest country, Switzerland (25.6 Mbps). While rankings and exact figures vary slightly, upload performance generally mirrors download speeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luke Kehoe, an industry analyst at Ookla, noted that Sweden pairs a modern onboard kit with deliberate policy and rail-specific mobile coverage. Operators have upgraded rolling stock with newer Wi-Fi and 5 GHz use, and likely bond multiple public mobile networks for backhaul. Sweden is also moving early on FRMCS (5G-based rail communications) and targeted rail-route 5G enhancements, which together tighten coverage and capacity where trains actually run, Kehoe said. This treat mobile as rail infrastructure approach matters more than simply geography, he added. Kehoe emphasised that Swedish telecoms regulator PTS has progressively extended coverage obligations, including proposals to add main rail routes, while low-band spectrum (700 MHz) was licensed with explicit rural coverage spending requirements. Together, that created a deep coverage layer that trains can latch onto for backhaul. Why do train WiFi speeds vary so widely in Europe? Train internet quality and WiFi speeds across Europe diverge most where rail corridors are (or are not) treated as priority/dedicated coverage areas, Kehoe said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Countries that open rail assets for co-location, deploy trackside or tunnel systems, and build obligations into spectrum licences see far fewer dead zones and handover failures on rail routes. The performance of the Wi-Fi is not a train issue; it's an overall end-to-end system issue, Laurent Troger, president at Altrius and former president of Bombardier Transportation, told Euronews Next. A large share of European train connections still run on legacy Wi-Fi 4 and the congested 2.4 GHz band, and within a country, moving to Wi-Fi 5 and 5 GHz brings big uplifts. Kehoe pointed out that government investment and telecom coverage along railway lines can also affect internet speeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that Switzerlands approach excellent rail-line mobile coverage, including 4G throughout tunnels like the Gotthard Base Tunnel, and reliance on the public networks for onboard internet and Swedens push on FRMCS/rail-route 5G demonstrate how policy and targeted public spend translate into better passenger outcomes. Meanwhile in many countries, internet coverage outside of cities is a challenge, creating WiFi disruptions during train journeys. Even within a country you have significant volatility in the quality of the Wi-Fi speed on the train, Troger said, meaning the median speeds cited by Ookla may mask regional differences within countries. Hundreds of eastern Kentucky high school students participated in the third annual AgVenture Day, learning about careers in agriculture and winning money for their FFA chapters. On Thursday, Sept. 25, 242 students from East Carter, Elliott County, Greenup County, Lawrence County, Lewis County, Ashland Blazer and West Carter gathered at Imels Greenhouse in Greenup County for the third annual AgVenture Day. They explored career paths in agriculture, connected with local ag partners, and participated in interactive contests. The event, hosted in partnership with Farm Credit Mid-America and greenhouse owner Kenny Imel, has a purpose of helping eastern Kentucky students better understand agricultures importance in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the day, students participated in various on-site workshops and activities; and they competed in five different challenges. A total of $10,000 in cash prizes went to top students and their respective FFA chapters. West Carter was the overall grand champion. Its FFA chapter received a $2,500 prize. Individual contest winners were awarded $1,000 for their FFA chapter and $500 to split between the two student contestants. Winners were as follows: Forestry Contest: Ashland Blazer, Riley Layman Bohannon and Branden McGhee Marketing Contest: West Carter, Roy Utley and Lily Gilbert Business Plan Contest: Ashland Blazer, Keaton Stevens and Marley Walter Sales Contest: Ashland Blazer, Ryder Phillips and Kahlil Ealey Agri-Tank Contest: Elliott County, Brody Markwell and Jackson Kidd Grand Champion: West Carter PANAMA CITY FSU Panama City will host a native pride dancer for a special public performance. Larry Yazzie, a two-time world champion dancer, will perform at FSU Panama City from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 29. The event will be held in the Holley Academic Centers St. Joe Community Foundation Lecture Hall, 4750 Collegiate Drive. According to a news release, the Yazzie founded Native Pride Productions to give back to his community. It will be Yazzies second time performing at FSU Panama City. His repertoire includes performances at the Olympics, the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was inspired to dance at the age of 7 years old when I saw all the dancers at our annual Meskwaki Powwow, Yazzie said in an interview with Cowboys & Indians magazine. I wanted to be out there as well, so I asked my mom if she would help me. She gathered the material and pieced together a fancy dance outfit for me. Yazzie grew up on the Meskwaki Settlement in Tama, Iowa, where he learned the traditional ways of his ancestors. Yazzie also plays the flute and hand drum, and he sings as part of his performance. Kirk: Bay District Schools finishes investigation in to 9 employees' comments after Charlie Kirk death This performance is free and open to the public. Register for the event in advance at EventBrite.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By sharing life stories through music, dance and storytelling, we nurture meaningful communication among all people, Yazzie said in the release. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: FSU Panama City brings in world champion native dancer for performance Donald Trump took issue with Time Magazines cover depicting His Triumph in the Middle East upon his return from a victory lap visit to Israel and Egypt. Returning from Sharm El Sheikh on Tuesday, the U.S. president was concerned that the magazine led with a cover image that disappeared his hair and had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. He said the picture may be the Worst of All Time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Really weird! he wrote on his Truth Social platform. I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing and why? Trump granted that Time had written a relatively good story about me. The article in question detailed How the Trump administration sealed the Gaza ceasefire deal, referencing envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushners painstaking efforts to quiet one of the world's most destabilizing conflicts. The deal, the article said, could become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, fulfilling his pledge to end the war and paving the way for a new era for the region, defined less by conflict than by the possibility of transformation. Trump said the cover made him look like he was wearing an extremely small crown (Time) Time unveiled the cover on Monday as Trump landed in Israel to meet the families of returning hostages and address the Israeli parliament before heading to Sharm el-Sheikh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summit in Egypt was aimed at supporting the ceasefire in Gaza, ending the war, and developing a longer-term vision for governing and rebuilding the Palestinian territory. Trump received outpourings of support during his address to the Knesset and in Sharm el-Sheikh, where Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, the co-chair of the summit, told him only you can bring peace to the region. In his own speech, Trump said that the region has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us. He called on leaders to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past. Trump is now said to be moving heaven and earth to conclude his business in the Middle East and get back to Washington, D.C. to posthumously award the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Americas highest civilian honor, on what would have been Kirks 32nd birthday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirk was shot dead while debating students on Utah Valley Universitys campus in Orem, Uta,h on September 10. Donald Trump gestures as he disembarks Air Force Once after returning from the summit in Egypt (Reuters) Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump told the press: Im coming back, I believe its Tuesday night, for Charlie Kirk, a friend of mine, a friend of all of ours, a friend of a lot of the people right here. And were giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor you get outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor ones military, ones civilian but its Its the greatest honor. And Erika, his beautiful wife, is going to be here, and a lot of people are going to be here. Trump is due to meet with Argentinas president, Javier Milei, on Tuesday for lunch before participating in the Medal of Freedom Ceremony for Charlie Kirk in the afternoon. The Independent approached Time Magazine for comment. The White House declined to comment further. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stripped the mayor of the port city of Odessa, Gennadiy Trukhanov, of his Ukrainian citizenship. "The Russian citizenship of several individuals has also been confirmed, and corresponding decisions have been prepared. The decree has been signed," Zelensky announced on Telegram on Tuesday after a meeting with intelligence chief Vasyl Malyuk, without naming names. Trukhanov could now face deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly afterwards, the SBU intelligence service confirmed that the revocation of citizenship concerned the mayor of Odessa. An image of the Russian passport allegedly belonging to him was published, which is valid until December. It cannot be independently verified whether the image is of a genuine document. Trukhanov himself has repeatedly rejected the accusation. "I have never had a Russian passport," he told public television after the revocation of his Ukrainian citizenship became known. Trukhanov intends to take legal action against the decision, citing a security service investigation carried out into him in 2022. Zelensky appoints military administrator With the loss of his citizenship, the elected city leader is also effectively removed from office. Nevertheless, Trukhanov declared his intention to continue performing his official duties until a corresponding city council resolution is made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to a petition, Zelensky simultaneously initiated the creation of a military administration for the strategically important port city of 1 million people. Zelensky announced in a video address in the evening the appointment of a military administrator for the port city. "Far too many security issues in Odessa have remained unanswered for far too long," he said, without providing specific details. Odessa needs stronger protection and more support, he said. Trukhanov, who has repeatedly condemned Russia for its numerous attacks on Odessa, has been mayor of the metropolis since 2014. Suspicions of Russian citizenship were raised during the election campaign at that time. Klitschko accuses Zelensky of authoritarian tendencies The local elections originally scheduled for the end of October were cancelled as martial law is still in force. The powers of all municipal representatives have been extended by a parliamentary resolution until the end of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky has long been accused of authoritarian tendencies, among others by Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko. In recent days, there have been public disputes between Klitschko and the military administrator appointed by Zelensky, Tymur Tkachenko. Zelensky had criticized Klitschko following power outages caused by Russian drone attacks. The revocation of citizenship, which was practised against dissidents in Soviet times, became common again under Zelensky and his predecessor Petro Poroshenko. In July, Zelensky revoked the citizenship of Metropolitan Onufriy, the head of the formerly Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Ukraine has been resisting a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three and a half years. You are the owner of this article. Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. The healthcare side of the coin maintained a steady, high-volume contour with market activity ranging from introducing new wearable devices to therapeutics and digital clinician tools. The Netherlands ViCentra ( 72.4M Series D) scaled its next-gen insulin pump, the Kaleido 2, and Belgiums MRM Health ( 55M Series B) advanced microbiome therapeutics. While AI added horizontal layers of integration, the pillars of the market that remained stable through September were health technologies and climate infrastructure. These are two domains most European investors feel comfortable exploring and funding. You can see the same AI integrative pattern emerge throughout other European countries. Veezoo (Switzerland, 5M ) integrated agentic analytics into enterprise data tools, Supersonik (Spain, 4.2M seed led by a16z), MEGA.AI (Denmark, 1.7M pre-seed) developed conversational AI agents to boost sales and operations, and Light (UK, 25M ) rebuilt financial systems around streamlined AI automation. These examples reflected much of the same activity in September, demonstrating how AI is more of a horizontal layer that is present across all industries, priced rationally, and integrated in daily operations. It should come as no surprise that AI held strong from the summer into September. It has experienced consistent growth across European tech industries, mainly as a key component of the tech stack and not the driving force. Qovery (France, 11.3M Series A ) applied AI to automate various multi-cloud deployment, Orbio AI (Spain, 6.4M ) built an AI-native HCM platform, and Vibe.co (France, 42M Series B ) applied ML to optimise advertising on connected TV performance further. Most investors viewed and treated these innovators as infrastructure plays within their respective verticals, rather than as separate AI developments. As the summer came to an end and excitement cooled market trends, familiar outlines grew apparent. Most of the same niche markets, such as AI integration, healthcare, and climate innovation, continued to dominate the landscape. If anything, September proved the market's endurance more than redefining its leading players. What follows is my comparative view of where European tech momentum persisted, strengthened, and what to watch for in the future. Each month, I shift my focus from daily market activities to gain a macro view of Europes tech investment ecosystem. Its not just about who raised new funding or exited, but about the underlying patterns that could indicate future trends. I found volumes remained steady while the market tone turned deliberate. Familiar themes remained strong, with a few gaining momentum and several new aspects coming into sharper focus. Story Continues Looking down the healthcare tech stack are Simple (London, 33M) and Teton.ai (Denmark, 17M), both of which have extended lines of digital health and predictive care. Over to Irelands Aerska (17M seed), where they focused on RNA-based therapies targeting brain function, while Frances SafeHeal (10M Series C) honed in on a post-surgical colorectal device. Even when considering only the seed stage, you find engaging projects such as BoobyBiome (UK, 2.8M) and ArcaScience (France, 6M). These are strong examples of how blending biotech with AI-driven clinical data is attractive to investors. All such activities represent a solid, continual flow from the lab to the clinic, with financial growth support at every step. On the other side of the coin is climate and energy infrastructure, another pillar of European tech investments. Terra One (Germany, 150M) secured mezzanine financing from Aviva to further expand its already robust battery storage portfolio. The UKs OXCCU (23.7M Series B) pushed into sustainable aviation fuel from captured CO. At the same time, the Netherlands Sympower (19M) enhanced flexibility services through broader M&A. Complementary funding related to both industries grew in material development and agri-energy investment. Examples like LeydenJar (13M, silicon anodes), feld.energy (10M, Agri-PV), and Factor2 Energy (7.7M, CO-based geothermal) both demonstrated growth for underlying industry resources and material development. Then the market introduced some long-tail, smaller rounds that included viboo (CH, 3.3M) for AI building controls and Renewcast (Italy, 1M) in renewable forecasting, confirming how diverse the segment had grown at lower funding levels. Investors signalled confidence in patient capital development and applied sciences, particularly where markets were regulated and asset-heavy innovation was prevalent. While this is the quieter backbone of the European tech market, it does represent stability. From Summer hints to September trends Numerous early indicators emerged throughout the hot summer months, signalling the potential for a trend to continue into September and autumn. Capital stacks grow with debt alongside equity We first noted the rise in hybrid capital models back in August. September confirmed the pattern, with debt instruments sitting alongside equity rounds. Instead of being treated as defensive strategies or exceptions to the rule, theyve become comfortable standbys. Revisiting Germanys Terra One, the Aviva package bridged infrastructure finance and venture growth. DataCrunch (Finland, 55M) utilised a combined structure of equity from Nordic VCs, including byFounders and Skaala, as well as debt from Nordea and Armada Credit Partners, creating a rare AI-infra and bank leverage strategy. Even consumer and SaaS models have layered funding sources. The UKs Shop Circle (84M Series B) used a blend of quiet and strategic financing to grow. These examples outline how hybrid funding has evolved from a new idea in the summer to a solid financing opportunity by September. As capital becomes more selective, venture debt and structured instruments are turning into a standard part of Europes funding stack. We can expect to see more of this as the year comes to a close. Consolidation as an exit strategy The summer months marked a notable uptick in corporate takeovers. By September, it became clear that consolidation is no longer a sign of a business in distress, but rather an indicator of scaling. Major transitions reinforced this shift in tone, such as Workday (928M) acquiring Swedens Sana, turning a learning platform into the core of its enterprise knowledge and experience stack. Another would be NXP (582M) purchasing Austrias TTTech Auto, improving automotive safety software with smart edge integrations. ESG and regtech used the same consolidation mechanisms. Position Green acquired Greenomy to ensure unified sustainability reporting across Europe. Aonic (214M) purchased Prime Insights, ensuring functional M&A in data and marketing becomes a natural liquidity path for scaling. You can see other consolidation examples in mid-market rollups, further demonstrating how the European tech market is evolving into an ecosystem where knowledge, compliance, and integration have replaced speculation as the dominant exit rationale. Sovereign European AI infrastructure solidified The summer months amplified calls for European AI sovereignty free from outside influence. That call was answered through solid funding pipelines in September. Nscale (UK, 936M Series B) built out a Europe-centric AI hyperscaler. As already mentioned, DataCrunch used its hybrid funding to link computer infrastructure with regional data governance. As for hardware development, IQM Quantum Computers (Finland, 275M) furthered the development of superconducting quantum processors while Scintil Photonics (France, 50M) focused on integrated photonic chips. Viewed at a macro level, this marks a quiet but notable shift: European AI infrastructure is moving from political slogan to investable industrial layer, supported by a visible pipeline of hyperscaler and deeptech plays. Dual-use & defence Defence tech, once treated as an exception over the summer, has now become a regular part of Europes venture logic. Consider Kreios Space (Spain, 8M), co-funded by the NATO Innovation Fund and JOIN Capital to develop plasma propulsion for very-low Earth orbit. Then there is FERNRIDE (Germany, 18M Series A, bringing total funding to 75M), which expanded autonomous logistics across terminals and defence supply chains. Orbotix (Poland, 6.5M) highlighted the shared interest in civil and military applications of its AI-driven defence drones. Even the financing side of the market has normalised, with Belgiums Sienna Hephaistos Private Investments closing the first stage of 500M defence private credit funding, which includes 30M from InvestEU. The dual-use segment can no longer be viewed as niche it has matured into a recognised and investable asset class. Where September introduced fresh market momentum As summer closed and September brought in rainy weather and colder nights, new growth indicators and potential markets evolved, signalling fresh momentum. Concentrated R&D deeptech rounds One indicator we noticed in September was the unusual clustering of deeptech rounds. These were large rounds, driven by research, and rooted in hard sciences. You can see that activity reflected in the previously mentioned IQM Quantum Computers pushing toward fault-tolerant superconducting systems. We also saw this in Scintil Photonics (France, 50M), focusing on its integrated photonics platform, which acts as a core enabler for AI and high-performance computing. Even NVIDIA, an industry leader in deeptech, partnered with Scintil Photonics due to these developments. LeydenJar (Netherlands, 13M) further advanced its 100% silicon anode technology for lithium-ion batteries, while enaDyne (Germany, 7M) industrialised its plasma catalytic reactors for more carbon-neutral chemical production. Quantum, photonics, and advanced materials comprise Europes scientific backbone, which September indicates is accelerating due to fewer, heavier, and technology-based bets. Early & deliberate US entry into EU markets Another September trend was the confirmation that US investors are no longer willing to wait for European teams to scale. They are stepping in the moment the technology or team becomes attractive. Supersonik (Spain, 4.2M seed led by a16z, backed by former DeepMind and Salesforce angels) to build autonomous and support agents. Light (UK, 25M) received help from Balderton, Atomico, and other U.S. investors for its AI-native finance stack. Weve already mentioned how Nscale and Scintil Photonics partnered with NVIDIA. These all indicate that the U.S. is no longer viewing the European tech market as a potential opportunity, but as a strategic and coordinated hunt for promising Gen-AI and infrastructure streams at the start of their respective lifecycles. Massive M&A growth September marked changes in enterprise software giants, shifting the knowledge stack into core systems and data layers. Workdays 928M acquisition of Swedens Sana turned a standalone learning and knowledge engine into a connected resource for its entire product suite. Aonic purchased Prime Insights, and Position Green took over Greenomy. These moves demonstrate a need to strategically reorder layers. Once seen as adjacent tools, knowledge, context, and regulatory logic have become core infrastructure for next-generation enterprise software. Southern Europe made moves While most of the European tech investment map in the summer centered on the UK, September saw several southern countries join the fray, producing several early-stage stories. Supersonik led the way in Spain, while Kreios Space positioned Iberia more firmly at the intersection of AI and deeptech. In Italy, Renewcast received 1M SAFE funding for AI renewable forecasting, and Wayla Italia crowdfunded over 1M for its mobility platform. There were also notable smaller rounds in Greece and Portugal, adding more momentum to climate and analytics tech. Ticket sizes remained moderate, but the geography shifted, making September point toward the south to find equity. Conclusion: From momentum to maturity The summer months built momentum in the European tech market, but it was September that clarified the storyline. With AI as its underlying infrastructure, climate and energy as its pillars, and healthtechs steady pipeline holding firm, the market is maturing. Hybrid funding, combining debt with equity, helped companies reach functional M&A and ensured European tech could answer the call to create sovereign AI infrastructure. New funds across AI, climate, and defence suggest Europe is beginning to underwrite its own investment cycle. For Zubr Capital, that reinforces the point. The market isnt chasing trends or noise. It is building solid architecture to finance what it knows can and should scale. Oleg Khusaenov is CEO & founder, Zubr Capital Investment Company "September review: Stability, strength & new trends in European tech investments" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Finnish health tech company Oura has raised $900 million in fresh funding led by Fidelity Management & Research Company, with participation from new investor ICONIQ and contributions from Whale Rock and Atreides. The company said today that this funding will value it at approximately $11 billion, more than double the valuation it received for its last round in December. Bloomberg previously reported that Oura was closing new funding at $11 billion valuation. This new funding is a testament to the strength of Oura business and the trust millions of members place in us every day. Were proud to be building not just a product, but a global movement toward proactive healthhelping people understand their bodies, make better lifestyle decisions, and connect more effectively with their healthcare providers, CEO Tom Hale said in a statement. The company told TechCrunch that it plans to use the new funding for AI and production innovation, introducing new health features, and improving its global distribution. Oura has sold over 5.5 million smart rings since launch. The past year has been particularly fruitful for the company, providing more than half of those sales. The smart ring maker more than doubled its revenue in 2024, raking in $500 million. The company expects the trend to continue this year, with sales likely to cross $1 billion. According to a report from IDC published last year, Oura holds more than 80% of the smart ring market. The company is also luring customers of different demographics. Earlier this week, at the Elevate conference in Toronto, Ouras chief commercial officer, Dorothy Kilroy, said that women in their early twenties are becoming a core market for the company. Oura launched its latest device, Oura ring 4, last October. Earlier this month, the company launched ceramic versions of the ring along with a new optional charging dock. Beyond health-tracking hardware, the company is venturing into health tests. This month, Oura launched a new feature called Health Panels in the app that lets users book a blood test for $99 at one of 2,000 Quest Diagnostics labs across the U.S. While Oura doesnt provide medical advice, users will be able to see the report in the app and chat with its AI bot about general suggestions. The new blood testing feature also pits Oura against startups like Whoop, which launched a similar feature this month, as well as ring makers like Ultrahuman and Samsung. Starboard Value has reportedly taken a stake in Keurig Dr Pepper following the announcement of its plan to acquire JDE Peet's in August, which was negatively received by investors at the time. The US hedge fund has been building a stake in the soft drinks major since the deal was announced and has been in private talks over recent weeks with Keurig Dr Pepper's management and board, people familiar with the issue told the Financial Times. Just Drinks has contacted Keurig Dr Pepper and Starboard Value for comment. Shares in Keurig Dr Pepper were up 2.32% to $26.32 at 11:18 BST today (14 October) following the news reported yesterday. The size of Starboard stake was not clear at the time of reporting, the Financial Times said. Sources said that talks with between the activist investor and Keurig had so far been centred on enhancing execution and reestablishing investor confidence. The Snapple brand owner announced its intention to snap up the Dutch coffee company JDE Peet's for $18bn in August. At the time, it said it subsequently intended to separate into two publicly traded entities named Beverage Co. and Global Coffee Co. as soon as practicable following the close of the acquisition. The Global Coffee Co. business, Keurig Dr Pepper then said, will become the worlds largest pure-play coffee company, with roughly $16bn in combined annual net sales. Initial market response to the deal was negative, with shares sliding the day the acquisition was announced (25 August). In a note to clients at the time, Barclays analyst Lieberman said the negative market response was partly due to some criticism of the optics around involvement of JAB Holding, which has investments in both Keurig Dr Pepper and JDE Peets. JAB Holding owned the majority of Keurig Green Mountain in 2018 and was the controlling shareholder of Keurig Dr Pepper when the business first merged. In February, JAB sold 3 million shares of common stock in Keurig Dr Pepper, leaving it with a 10.7% stake. In May, JAB sold another chunk of its stake, leaving it with a 4.4% shareholding. Last October, JAB upped its stake JDE Peets to 68% when it acquired Mondelezs stake in the business. Other analysts at the time also saw Keurig Dr Pepper investors negative response to the deal arising from uncertainty around the groups coffee business. TD Cowen analyst Robert Moskow described the deal in August as the refill investors didnt want, arguing that investors have a lack of confidence in the coffee division. Compared to KDPs refreshment beverages business, Moskow says investors see coffee as a segment that the company should reduce its focus on to allow its soft drinks unit to shine. From Heritage to Renewal: Shantous Journey of Transformation as a Hometown of Overseas Chinese On September 30, inside the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, Yingge Dance robots from Shantou delivered Qiaopi to attending overseas Chinese and international guests, eloquently narrating the family and national stories embedded within those faded documents. 2025-10-14 21:36:10 One of the most anticipated proposals is the plan to raise the minimum EPS-95 pension from the current Rs 1,000 per month to Rs 2,500. If approved, this would mark the first revision in over a decade the last increase was implemented in 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, marking 70 years of diplomatic ties and 10 years of strategic partnership. Both leaders discussed cooperation in energy, IT, skill development, and global prosperity. The Supreme Court said that it wants to meet Sreyashi Dutt in order to ascertain why she is withdrawing her plea for an independent inquiry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of 20 lives in a horrific bus fire on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, announcing immediate financial aid for the victims' families. By Gregor Stuart Hunter SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Asian stocks tumbled on Tuesday, dogged by growing doubts over whether China and the U.S. could strike a tariff deal when the world's two largest economies meet later this month amid revived tensions over trade. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan shed early gains to fall 1.2% as S&P 500 futures slid 0.6%. The Nikkei stock index fell as much as 3%. "Both Washington and Beijing are posturing before the November summit - escalate to de-escalate," said Marc Velan, head of investments at Lucerne Asset Management in Singapore. "Neither can afford a trade war heading into U.S. mid-terms." Markets had earlier joined the rebound from Monday's cash session after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Donald Trump remains on track to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea in late October. But he added fuel to the fire in an interview in the Financial Times where he accused Beijing of trying to damage the global economy. As negotiations between the U.S. and China intensify, the two nations will from today begin charging port fees on ocean shipping firms that move everything from holiday toys to crude oil. Wall Street's main indexes had ended as much as 2.2% higher on Monday, led by chipmakers, after Trump struck a more conciliatory tone on trade tensions with China, reversing some of the panic from Friday when Trump announced 100% tariffs on China. Citi analysts said they do not expect an escalation of trade tensions between Beijing and Washington. "The reason is not so much the reassuring President Trump tweet over the weekend, but the fact that China may be the only country with bargaining power, where the U.S. may have to be more flexible in its negotiation stance," Citi wrote. But a spokesperson for China's commerce ministry said on Tuesday the U.S. cannot seek talks while also making threats, keeping markets on edge over the chances for a broader trade deal. Beijing announced sanctions on Tuesday against five U.S.-linked subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean. After early gains in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index fell 2%, while in the mainland, the CSI 300 gauge of blue-chip Chinese stocks slipped 1.3%. Asian chipmakers veered sharply between gains and losses. TSMC clung to gains after OpenAI said it has partnered with Broadcom to produce its first in-house artificial intelligence processors. South Korea's Kospi index erased early gains, dragged by the broader selloff. The market had rallied at the start of the session, helped by Samsung Electronics', which projected a better-than-expected 32% rise in third-quarter profit, although the tech giant lost 1.7% as the day progressed. Sungrow, a provider of photovoltaic inverters and energy storage systems, will deliver and commission its inverter technology for the Tauhei Solar Farm, which is claimed to become the largest solar farm in New Zealand. Situated near Te Aroha on New Zealand's North Island, the 202MWp project is a joint venture between Harmony Energy and Clarus. The project is set to be operational by the end of 2026. Once operational, the Tauhei Solar Farm is expected to generate approximately 280GWh of clean electricity annually. This output will be enough to supply power to more than 35,000 homes in New Zealand. The solar farm will employ 27 units of Sungrow's SG6800HV-MV central inverters along with a PPC1000 power plant controller. The SG6800HV-MV inverters have an efficiency of up to 99% and are equipped with advanced cooling systems that enable full power performance in high temperatures, stated Sungrow. The integration of current and voltage monitoring facilitates real-time online analysis and troubleshooting, ensuring dependable operation. The PPC1000 controller, meanwhile, integrates both hardware and software capabilities to intelligently manage energy distribution, thereby improving operational efficiency, added the company. The solar farm will connect to Transpower's 110kV grid via the Waihou substation, integrating its production into the national supply. Transpower is a state-owned enterprise tasked with maintaining and managing the transmission of the electric power grid in New Zealand. The construction phase of the solar farm is expected to create around 350 full-time-equivalent jobs. Sungrow Australia country manager Joe Zhou said: We are honoured to contribute to this landmark project that demonstrates the power of innovation and collaboration in driving a cleaner energy future for New Zealand. "Sungrow is committed to delivering high-performance, innovative renewable energy that supports a reliable and sustainable national grid. In May this year, Zelestra entered into an agreement with Sungrow to enhance the Aurora hybrid project in Tarapaca, Chile. "Sungrow to supply inverters to Tauhei Solar Farm in New Zealand " was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. By Dave Graham, John Revill and Kirsti Knolle ZURICH (Reuters) -Swiss authorities' 2023 decision to write off 16.5 billion Swiss francs ($20.53 billion) in Credit Suisse bonds was unlawful, a court said on Tuesday, raising fresh questions about how the bank's rescue and subsequent takeover by UBS was handled. The March 2023 decision by market regulator FINMA to wipe out Credit Suisse's Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds during the state-engineered takeover by its old rival UBS triggered an investor backlash and legal challenges. UBS SHARES SLIDE AFTER RULING UBS's shares fell after news of the Federal Administrative Court's decision broke, slipping over 3.5% in afternoon trade. In a partial decision, the court said the 2023 AT1 bond write-off lacked a legal basis. "It considered that the bondholders' property rights were seriously interfered with, which would have required a clear and formal legal basis. But no such basis existed," the court said. The decision can be appealed at the country's top court. The Swiss finance ministry and FINMA both said they would analyse the court's decision. UBS declined to comment. "The decision is not completely unexpected, and I expect it to be appealed," said Hans Gersbach, a banking and economics professor at ETH University in Zurich. 2023 DECISION LEFT MARKETS STUNNED The 2023 write-off stunned markets by prioritizing shareholder compensation over bondholder claims, upending the normal capital structure hierarchy. When Credit Suisse was taken over, shareholders received UBS stock valued at around $3.25 billion. AT1 holders were left with nothing, prompting lawsuits in Switzerland, the U.S., and investor-state arbitration under bilateral treaties. Around 3,000 complainants lodged appeals with the court over FINMA's decree in about 360 cases, the court said. In essence, complainants requested that the decree be revoked, and that the write-off be reversed, it added. The court made a partial decision in one appeal case and revoked FINMA's decree. It has not yet decided on the reversal request. The other cases are now suspended until a decision regarding the revocation of the decree has become final. Law firm Quinn Emanuel, which represents many of the complainants, welcomed the court's decision. "The Quinn Emanuel team is carefully reviewing the ruling to fully assess its implications," said Thomas Werlen, Quinn Emanuel's Managing Partner for Switzerland. Investors are unlikely to recover the full 16.5 billion francs, analysts have previously said, as the bonds had lost considerable value by the time of Credit Suisse's rescue. By Christine Chen and Shivangi Lahiri SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia's Treasury Wine Estates on Monday pulled its earnings guidance for 2026 and paused an A$200 million ($130 million) share buyback, citing weak sales of its flagship Penfolds wines in China and distribution challenges in the U.S. The announcement sent shares of Treasury, one of the world's top five winemakers by volume, down 14% to A$5.99, their lowest point in more than 10 years. Treasury said sales of Penfolds in China had been weaker than expected due to changing alcohol consumption habits, including fewer large-scale banqueting occasions. China has been central to the Melbourne-based winemakers growth since Beijing lifted steep import tariffs that had kept the iconic label off shelves for more than three years. "If the performance trends indicated by the preliminary data continue through F26, Penfolds depletions targets for F26 in China are unlikely to be achieved," the company said. As a result, it said it was no longer appropriate to retain Penfolds guidance for low- to mid-double-digit earnings growth in 2026 and 15% earnings growth in fiscal 2027. "The complete withdrawal of guidance for Penfolds in FY26 and FY27 speaks to the high level of uncertainty caused by evolving consumption dynamics in the Chinese market," RBC Capital Markets analyst Michael Toner said. In the U.S., Treasury said its operations had been disrupted by the exit of its distributor in California, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC). The transition to new partner Breakthru Beverage Group would cost around A$50 million in sales, it said, with negotiations continuing over roughly A$100 million of inventory held by RNDC. The setbacks led Treasury to withdraw its group-wide earnings forecast for the 2026 fiscal year and pause a planned A$200 million share buyback programme announced in August. It already repurchased about A$30 million of shares. RBCs Toner said the pause on the remainder of the buyback was "unexpected" but "prudent in our view in the context of near-term trading uncertainty". The winemaker said several initiatives were being implemented to mitigate the impacts of a weaker Chinese market in the year to June 2026, including pursuing opportunities to re-allocate product to select customers in other key markets. Treasury will hold its annual general meeting on Thursday. ($1 = 1.5333 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney and Shivangi Lahiri in Bengaluru; Editing by David Gregorio, Diane Craft, Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Sonali Paul) By Ben Blanchard and Wen-Yee Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -TSMC, the world's largest manufacturer of advanced artificial intelligence chips, is expected to post a 28% jump in third-quarter profit to a record due to the insatiable demand for AI infrastructure, though U.S. tariffs could impact its outlook. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world's No. 1 contract chipmaker and a key supplier to Nvidia and Apple, is forecast to report a net profit of T$415.4 billion ($13.55 billion) for the three months through September 30, according to an LSEG SmartEstimate compiled from 20 analysts. SmartEstimates place greater weight on forecasts from analysts who are more consistently accurate. TSMC has already flagged a market-forecast-beating rise in third-quarter revenue of 30%. Any profit result above T$398.3 billion would mark the company's highest-ever quarterly net income and its seventh consecutive quarter of profit growth. Mario Morales, group vice president at research firm IDC, said he expects TSMC's revenue to grow at least 30% to 35% this year. "I am expecting that TSMC will continue to outperform its peers given the ongoing exponential growth of AI infrastructure investments and that the leading chip suppliers such as Nvidia and AMD have only one place to go - TSMC," he said. Morales said that even as tariffs and trade disputes add uncertainty, AI infrastructure remains a "strategic land grab" for cloud-service providers, manufacturers and companies, ensuring investment continues to concentrate in that space. TSMC, Asia's most valuable listed company with a market capitalisation of around $1.22 trillion - nearly three times that of South Korean rival Samsung Electronics - is due to report on Thursday and will provide fourth-quarter guidance in an earnings call scheduled for 0600 GMT. It remains unclear how much U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs will affect TSMC. Taiwan's exports to the United States are currently subject to a 20% tariff, but that excludes chips. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick proposed last month that Taiwanese companies split their production of chips 50-50 between Taiwan and the U.S., compared to the current setup where the vast majority of the production is on the island. Taiwan has rejected that idea, and TSMC is already investing $165 billion building factories in the U.S. in the state of Arizona. Shares in TSMC have gained 30% so far this year on optimism over AI, largely brushing off tariff concerns. The heavyweight's rise has powered the benchmark Taiwanese index's 16.9% advance over the same period. Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE) is one of the best value stocks to invest in now. On October 6, UBS lowered the firms price target on Celanese to $48 from $49, while keeping a Neutral rating on the shares. This announcement was made ahead of the companys Q3 2025 earnings report. In Q2 2025, the company made $311 million in free cash flow, which represents an 80% increase year-over-year for H1 2025. However, Celanese Corporation saw its sales decline slightly in Q2 by 4.49% year-over-year to a total of $2.53 billion. Still, the EPS of $1.44 beat Street estimates by $0.04. The company is now focused on achieving a $2 per share quarterly EPS run rate through controllable actions. UBS Downgrades Celanese (CE) PT to $48, Maintains Neutral Rating For instance, the Celanese Corporation CFO, Scott Richardson, stated that the company is headed towards the $2 target by focusing on cost structure improvements and differentiated business models. This includes inventory movement, cost actions, and price opportunities in Engineered Materials. Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE) is a chemical and specialty materials company that manufactures and sells engineered polymers worldwide. While we acknowledge the potential of CE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Global regulators are under pressure to balance innovation with investor protection. | Source: Pexels Key Takeaways The U.K.s Financial Conduct Authority has unveiled new guidelines to help the asset management sector adopt blockchain-based tokenization. Simon Walls, the FCAs Executive Director of Markets, believes Britain could become a world leader in the industry. Experts stress that global regulatory harmony is still lacking. Britains financial watchdog declared on Tuesday that the U.K. has the opportunity to become a global leader in tokenization as it works to catch up with the European Union in shaping regulations for digital finance. FCA Unveils Tokenization Blueprint The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced new guidelines to help the countrys 14 trillion asset management sector adopt tokenization within existing regulations. The guidelines include operating tokenized fund registers through the U.K.s Blueprint model and a roadmap to address barriers such as the use of public blockchains. Tokenization, the digital representation of assets on a blockchain, could make fund management more efficient by reducing data reconciliation costs and broadening access to private markets, according to the regulator. It could also create new opportunities for investors and enhance competition among asset managers. The consultation forms part of the FCAs broader digital assets roadmap, which aims to ensure the U.K. remains competitive as technology reshapes global finance. Playing Catch-Up The plans come as the EU advances with its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, giving European firms clearer rules for digital assets. Britain, which has pledged to build a global crypto hub since leaving the bloc, has moved more cautiously, but regulators are now aiming to accelerate progress. Tokenization has the potential to drive fundamental changes in asset management, with benefits for the industry and consumers, said Simon Walls, the FCAs Executive Director of Markets. Global Harmony As the U.K. positions itself to lead in tokenization, global regulators are under pressure to balance innovation with investor protection. Rob Holmes, a Web3 and growth strategist, told CCN in a recent interview that the lack of harmonised global rules remains a significant obstacle for asset managers seeking to issue tokenized products. Holmes emphasised that regulatory progress must avoid overburdening innovators. Pan-European snacks group Valeo Foods is to shut a confectionery facility in the UK. In a statement, the Ireland-based group said it had notified staff of its decision to move production at the site in Pontefract to other, unspecified locations and wind down operations over the next year. The move follows what Valeo described as "a strategic transformation review" of its confectionery operations to improve its "operational efficiency" and "strengthen" its private-label business. Valeo confirmed to Just Food that 134 positions are at risk of redundancy out of the 196 people employed at the site. The group's Pontefract location produces the Barratt brand's Anglo Bubbly bubble gum, as well as varieties of liquorice, sherbet, gummies and other confectionery. Valeo has 30 facilities across the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Czechia, Slovakia and Canada. According to the website of Valeo's UK business, the company manages ten manufacturing plants in the country. Asked to which sites production will move, Valeo said: "The timing and sequencing of production transfers from Pontefract to other Valeo manufacturing sites as well as the relocation of office-based colleagues to an alternative site, will be determined as part of a phased closure plan in the months ahead." In a statement, Kevin Moore, the CEO of Valeo's UK business, said: "This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we fully recognise the impact it will have on our team and the wider community in Pontefract. "Every possible option to continue manufacturing at the site was carefully reviewed. However, the level of investment needed to make the site competitive and sustainable long-term was found to be unviable, particularly given its proximity to other Valeo facilities in the UK. "Collective consultation with employees and their representatives has now concluded and we will continue discussions on an individual basis regarding relocation, redundancy and outplacement support. "Valeo Foods to close UK factory" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. US-based payment card companies Visa and Mastercard have reportedly reached a $199.5m settlement to resolve a class action over imposing fraud-related costs on merchants. The settlement, filed in Brooklyn federal court, awaits approval from Chief US District Judge Margo Brodie, reported Reuters. In 2016, merchants initiated a lawsuit against payment networks, claiming that they breached antitrust laws by collectively altering rules regarding chargebacks, which are reversed payments resulting from customer disputes. This change led to increased costs for businesses without any decrease in transaction fees. Under the new framework, merchants are held responsible for chargebacks if they have not upgraded their point-of-sale systems to accommodate chip-enabled cards. Under the settlement, Visa will pay $119.7m and Mastercard $79.8m. Previously, Discover and American Express, who faced similar merchants allegations, agreed to pay a combined $32.2m for settlement. All four companies involved in the class action have denied any wrongdoing while agreeing to settle the case. This development follows a previous separate $5bn agreement in 2019, where Visa and Mastercard settled claims related to the fixing of credit and debit card fees. In June this year, Londons Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that the multilateral interchange fees (MIFs) by Visa and Mastercard violate UK and Irish competition law. This decision arose from linked lawsuits initiated by numerous merchants challenging the legality of these fees. In July, US District Judge David Dugan dismissed a lawsuit against Apple, Visa, and Mastercard for alleged anti-competitive payment practices. The plaintiffs had alleged that the companies conspired to prevent competition and caused merchants to incur higher transaction fees. The judge found the evidence presented by the merchants to be insufficient, describing their case as reliant on a slew of circumstantial allegations. "Visa, Mastercard to pay $199.5m to resolve merchant lawsuit-report " was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. (Reuters) -Private equity firm Warburg Pincus has struck a deal to buy Germany's PSI Software for more than 700 million euros ($811 million), with shareholder and customer E.ON remaining a strategic investor, the firms said on Monday. Reuters first reported on both a nearing takeover of PSI last week and Warburg Pincus' offer for the maker of software for energy networks on Sunday. Having jumped nearly 11% on Friday after the news broke, PSI shares gained a further 35% to trade at 44.9 euros apiece - their highest level since January 2022. That was close to the offered price of 45 euros per share in Warburg Pincus' deal, amounting to a premium of about 50% from the company's closing price on Thursday. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, BERLIN HQ, TO BE MAINTAINED PSI's software helps run power and gas transmission grids, the backbone of energy infrastructure, as well as factories, and Reuters has reported that it was seeking funding for the development of product upgrades. Last year, the group was hobbled for weeks by a cyberattack that forced it to take most of its IT systems offline, exposing the vulnerability of software supply in critical infrastructure. As a result, PSI posted an annual loss before interest and taxes of 15.2 million euros ($17.6 million) in 2024. PSI said its board supported the suitor's offer and intends to recommend it to its shareholders. PSI plans to delist from the German stock exchange after the closing of the deal. PSI added that Warburg Pincus would maintain the company's management structure and its headquarters in Berlin. E.ON STAYS A KEY SHAREHOLDER "With our deep experience in software and energy, as well as a strong track record in take-private transactions, we believe Warburg Pincus is the right partner to support the next phase of PSI's growth," Warburg Pincus managing directors Max Fowinkel and Ryan Dalton said in a statement. Warburg Pincus has signed agreements for about 28.5% of PSI's equity with its anchor shareholders, PSI said. The statement said that an unnamed anchor shareholder will partially reinvest its proceeds alongside Warburg Pincus into PSI's holding structure. German businessman and newsletter publisher Norman Rentrop is PSI's largest shareholder with a 23% stake, while German utility E.ON, Europe's largest operator of energy networks, is its second-largest investor with around 18%. For the purpose of the transaction, E.ON will be regarded as acting jointly with Warburg Pincus, the firms said. Goldman Sachs is running the sale process. You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. A father-son duo has left Wells Fargo to launch their own registered investment advisory firm in Mission Viejo, California. Ticino Wealth was founded by former Wells advisors Michael Masciorini and his son Jordan. The firm is staying with Wells for clearing and custody services in a move founder Michael Masciorini calls a structural change, not a shift in philosophy or service. This move was about creating the right structure for the future without disrupting what works, he said. Our clients didnt have to open new accounts or learn new systems. Their online access didnt change. And on our end, we had full support from both local and regional Wells Fargo Advisors leadership throughout the process. That made a big difference. Masciorini has been an advisor for over 35 years, including 18 with Wells, according to BrokerCheck. His son, Jordan, joined his practice in 2018, becoming, like his father, a certified retirement counselor with expertise in working with individuals preparing for or living in retirement. Ticino Wealth clients assets will remain with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, but will now use TradePMR for broker/dealer services. The firm is bringing over its roughly $388 million in assets under management. TradePMR brings us a much stronger set of tools and resources behind the scenes, Masciorini said. From reporting and planning to client communication and efficiencyits a big upgrade. But none of that came at the expense of client familiarity, which was a key objective from the beginning. TradePMR, which Robinhood owns, has an existing partnership with Wells Fargo for broker/dealer services. Ivanna Berrio, an operations manager who is also pursuing a CFP, is the third person at the firm. She started working with the Masciorinis in 2020. The firm was named for the Ticino region of Switzerland, which includes the town of Lavertezzo, where the Masciriorini family has its roots. The city inspired the firms branding, logo, and website. Our ancestors were goat and sheep herders from that region, the firm wrote on its website. We had the unique opportunity of visiting this beautiful place and learning about our heritage. Getty Images Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec is doing pretty well for himself with a net worth estimated at more than $300 million. (1) But during a live conversation, financial influencer Grant Cardone hit him with a provocative question. Must Read If you were down to your last million dollars, your wife is going to leave you Cardone began. (2) Before he could finish, Herjavec cut him off with a grin: I cant follow your analogy, because my wife loves me with or without money. The crowd erupted in laughter. Cardone shot back, We dont know that to be true, because youve had money the whole damn time. Fair, Herjavec replied. Then Cardone got to the real question: And you have to invest the $1 million and you can only invest the $1 million in one thing Herjavec didnt miss a beat: I would invest in real estate. (3) The audience cheered as Cardone pressed him, Why real estate? Because desperate people do stupid sh-t and youve got to take desperation out of the equation, Herjavec said. I believe in myself. I believe if I have nothing, Id become wealthy again. But if Im down to my last million, you know what Ive got to do? Ive got to build a foundation. So I would take that money, I would invest in real estate, I would get an income stream and I would forget it existed and then I would go out and do other crazy stuff. Best kept secret on planet Earth As a real estate mogul himself, Cardone didnt hesitate to back him up: Story of my life right there. Cardone added that real estate is a no-brainer to him and the best kept secret on planet Earth. I dont know why everybody doesnt just dump [their money] there and then go build their business again, he elaborated. Read more: Warren Buffett says you cant buy time but landlords are finding a way. Heres how savvy real estate investors are avoiding 12 hours a month in tedious admin (for free) Real estate has long been considered one of the most dependable ways to build and preserve wealth. Unlike paper assets that can swing wildly in value, property often delivers both income and appreciation over time. Research suggests that banks already maintain an average of 9.4 fintech partnerships and spend roughly US$378 million per year on digital transformation. Yet many of these collaborations have failed to deliver lasting value - often because of vague goals or unclear performance metrics. If banks and fintechs want to unlock the next wave of innovation, they must rethink how they work together. The first phase of partnerships Early relationships between banks and fintechs resembled vendor contracts, where fintechs plugged apps and user interfaces into banking systems. These arrangements helped test demand but often created duplication, clashing risk appetites, and left compliance gaps. Banks customers were frequently required to complete separate onboarding processes with both parties. The result was duplicated effort, frustration, and limited efficiency. Compliance and regulation mature the model That model began to change as fintechs recruited compliance specialists from banks and invested in their own robust KYC and monitoring systems. Today, banks can increasingly treat fintechs as trusted extensions of their compliance frameworks rather than peripheral suppliers. This change has been driven both by regulation and by fintechs themselves, that have invested heavily in compliance and risk frameworks. Today, collaboration looks less like a technology plug-in and more like a genuine growth strategy. In Europe, these efforts aligned with a wider regulatory push. The SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme has made real-time euro payments the default, while the EUs proposed Payment Services Directive 3 (PSD3) and Financial Data Access Regulation (FIDA) are set to expand open banking and strengthen consumer protections. The benefits of collaboration For banks, these partnerships offer a chance to reach new customers without heavy up-front costs. Fintechs effectively act as an outsourced sales channel, packaging bank products in novel ways to appeal to niche or underserved markets. Fintechs, meanwhile, gain access to bank accounts, clearing networks and trusted infrastructure. With that foundation they can build new propositions - from embedded lending to cross-border payments - underpinned by the credibility of established institutions. This collaboration also plays out differently across geographies. The UK has been an early leader in open banking, creating fertile ground for bank-fintech partnerships. By December 2024, the country had 12 million open-banking users and processed 14 billion API calls, more than double the combined total in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. By Lucy Craymer and Renju Jose WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand's central bank on Tuesday said it planned to ease mortgage loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions from December 1 as house prices are now with sustainable estimates after a sustained fall. "Easier LVR settings will give banks more flexibility to lend, improving market efficiency and access to credit, particularly for first home buyers," the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Acting Assistant Governor Angus McGregor said in a statement. From December 1, 25% of the new loans banks issue to owner-occupiers can go to buyers with deposits of less than 20% of the property's value. Currently only 20% of loans can go to these buyers. McGregor said that it was appropriate time to review default settings as house prices are within the central bank's range of sustainable estimates, growth in mortgage lending remains moderate and the share of high risk lending is low. House prices are now roughly 16% below their peak in 2021 and data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand released earlier on Tuesday saw house prices in September down 1.5% on the same time a year ago. The central bank statement added that debt to income restrictions introduced last year were also helping to underpin borrower resilience and will help to contain the severity and consequences of any housing market corrections. These will remain in place. New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis said relaxing the restrictions on the amount banks can lend will make it easier for people to buy their first home. (Reporting by Lucy Craymer in Wellington and Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Lincoln Feast.) Gold ( GC=F ) futures opened at a record $4,348.10 per ounce on Friday, up 1.2% from Thursdays close of $4,280.20. In early trading, the price of gold rose as high as $4,392 before pulling back slightly. The price of gold futures has increased by over 62% from one year ago. This latest gold surge follows a warning from JPMorgan ( JPM ) CEO Jamie Dimon about credit losses related to the bankruptcy of subprime auto lender Tricolor Holdings. Dimons comment, when you see one cockroach, theres probably more, indicated broad concern about the quality of commercial credit. Two regional banks also recently announced credit issues, and allegations of questionable accounting have surfaced in relation to bankrupt auto parts supplier First Brands. Jefferies Financial Group (JEF) had exposure to First Brands debt. Rising credit quality fears drove investors to gold, which is widely recognized as a safe-haven asset for uncertain economic times. Current price of gold The opening price of gold futures on Friday is up 1.6% from Thursdays close of $4,280.20 per ounce. Fridays opening price is up 9.9% from the opening price of $3,957 one week ago on October 10. In the past month, the gold futures price increased 18.5% compared to the opening price of $3,669 on September 17. Over the past year, gold is up 62.4% from the opening price of $2,677.40 on October 17, 2024. 24/7 gold price tracking: Don't forget you can monitor the current price of gold on Yahoo Finance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Want to learn more about the current top-performing companies in the gold industry? Explore a list of the top-performing companies in the gold industry using the Yahoo Finance Screener. You can create your own screeners with over 150 different screening criteria. Learn more: Gold vs. crypto: Which should investors own in debasement trade? How much gold should you own? A gold investment can add stability and inflation protection to your portfolio. But it can also dilute your gains when stock prices are rising quickly. Finding the right balance between golds diversification benefits and profiting from growth potential in other assets can be challenging. Even the experts are divided on how to achieve the correct balance. Below, five experts explain their recommended gold allocations, which range from 0% to 20%. No gold: Trade-off is too high Robert R. Johnson, professor at Creighton Universitys Heider College of Business, does not advocate gold investing. In his words, while having a small position in precious metals may dampen portfolio volatility in the short-run, the tradeoff between slightly dampened volatility and the lost long-term return is certainly not a prudent one, particularly for Gen Z/millennials with long investing time horizons. 2% to 5% allocation, depending on the situation Brett Elliott, director of content and SEO at American Precious Metals Exchange (APMEX), recommends setting an allocation that aligns with your investing goals. Growth-oriented investors may be comfortable with an allocation of 10% or 15%, according to Elliott. But income investors will prefer a smaller position, because gold provides no yield. A 2% to 5% gold allocation can provide some resiliency without an excessive drag on income potential. 5% to 8% gold allocation Blake McLaughlin, executive vice president at Axcap Ventures, said historical data support a gold allocation of 5% to 8%. Gold may not offer the outsized return potential of private investments, but the metal holds a set of attributes that are increasingly hard to ignore, according to McLaughlin. Those attributes include the metals resilience amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical unrest. 5% to 15% gold allocation Thomas Winmill, portfolio manager at Midas Funds, believes most investors will benefit from a long-term gold allocation of 5% to 15%. Winmill specifically advocates investing in gold mining companies through a mutual fund. Your risk tolerance and current mix of financial versus hard assets can guide you to an appropriate allocation, according to Winmill. Risk tolerance. Keep your allocation percentage low if you tend to panic in volatile cycles. Financial vs. hard assets. Financial assets are stocks and bonds. Hard assets include tangible items like real estate, gold, collectibles, classic cars, and equipment. If you have no home equity and your wealth is primarily in financial assets, you can set your gold allocation higher. Or, if your home is paid for and more valuable than your stock portfolio, gold investing may not be necessary. 20% gold allocation Vince Stanzione, CEO and founder at First Information, recommends a 20% gold allocation, specifically in physical gold or a gold ETF. Stanzione argues for a higher exposure to gold as a wealth protection strategy. As he says, gold keeps with inflation and gold retains its purchasing power, while paper currencies are devaluing around the world. Learn more: Gold alternatives? How to invest in silver, platinum, and palladium. Price-of-gold chart Whether youre tracking the price of gold since last month or last year, the price-of-gold chart below shows the precious metals steady upward climb in value. Bitcoin (BTC-USD) is a virtual currency thats used as an investment and a form of payment for goods and services. Its known for its volatility, so its important to understand how bitcoin works. Heres what you need to know so you can make informed, risk-aware decisions about buying and using bitcoin. Learn more: How to start investing: A 6-step guide What exactly is bitcoin, and how does it work? Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency, which is a currency that exists only in digital form and operates without government or banking oversight. By comparison, the U.S. dollar, the EU euro, the Canadian dollar, and other national currencies have paper versions and are issued by their respective governments. Bitcoin relies on a public digital ledger that validates and records transactions and verifies bitcoin ownership. This ledger is called the blockchain, and it is globally distributed that is, decentralized across a broad, worldwide network of servers. Decentralization is a fundamental aspect of cryptocurrencies. Decentralization facilitates peer-to-peer payments with no banking intermediary, enhanced security, and defends against manipulation attempts. Learn more: Read all the latest crypto and bitcoin news at Yahoo Finance Bitcoin terms to know Bitcoin is a technology innovation with a specific vocabulary. Here are some terms you should know: Block. A block is a permanent digital record of validated transactions within the Bitcoin blockchain. Each block references the block that came before it, which hardens the chain against tampering. Node. A node is a computer, server, or similar device that stores the Bitcoin blockchain. Nodes monitor blockchain activity and can reject noncompliant transactions. There are over 18,000 Bitcoin nodes. Bitcoin address. A Bitcoin address is a unique number that references a destination for Bitcoin payments. Cryptography. Cryptography is a mathematical system that the Bitcoin blockchain uses to verify and secure transactions. Bitcoin mining. Mining is the process of confirming transactions and adding blocks to the blockchain. Miners earn bitcoins for their work. Bitcoin exchange. This is an online platform that allows users to buy and sell bitcoin and convert it to other currencies. Bitcoin wallet. A bitcoin wallet stores keys that unlock bitcoin. Wallets dont hold bitcoin directly because the currency only exists on the blockchain. The keys are your proof of ownership and allow you to access your bitcoin so you can safely buy, sell, and use it. Learn more: How to protect your money during economic turmoil, stock market volatility Pros and cons of bitcoin Pros As a currency and investment, bitcoin has many benefits, including: Faster transactions. You can usually send bitcoin to someone else within 10 to 60 minutes. Cheaper transactions. The cost of transferring bitcoin to another wallet is, on average, $0.50 to $2.50, but it can be more depending on how busy the network is and how much data is included in your transaction. By comparison, wire transfer fees can run as high as $60. Decentralization. Decentralization puts people in charge of their own finances. With traditional currency, banks and brokers are the gatekeepers of cash and financial assets. If the financial institution fails, it can limit asset access. Bitcoins decentralization makes it possible to store access keys directly on an offline hardware device. Secure. Each bitcoin transaction is subject to multiple verifications. Its very difficult to fake, hack, or hijack the network. Learn more: What is a financial advisor, and what do they do? Cons However, there are also some disadvantages to bitcoin to consider: Volatility. Bitcoins value changes rapidly. This affects its utility as a medium of exchange. You could complete a transaction, and then realize you paid more than you expected because bitcoins price suddenly changed. High energy consumption. The Bitcoin network uses a lot of electricity to verify transactions and add to the blockchain. A single transaction can use more electricity than the average U.S. household consumes in about 38 days. Lack of history. Bitcoin is a young currency it only became available in 2009. The lack of history makes it difficult to predict how bitcoin will behave under extreme economic conditions. Competition. While bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency, it faces competition from other cryptocurrencies that have faster, more efficient technology. No risk-free income opportunities. Bitcoin does not pay an interest yield the way cash does. There are ways to earn income on bitcoin, such as lending, but they arent without risk. Learn more: How to invest in gold in 4 steps How to buy bitcoin Joining an exchange is the simplest way to buy bitcoin. An exchange, like Coinbase, operates much like a stock trading app. Once you verify your identity, open an account, and add funds, you can begin trading. The exchange converts your dollars to bitcoin and vice versa. You can also exchange dollars or bitcoin for other cryptocurrencies or stablecoins. Crypto exchanges are user-friendly, but they are also centralized which may be a drawback for some investors. But there are some ways to procure bitcoin without an exchange: Bitcoin ATMs. To buy bitcoin at an ATM, users provide a Bitcoin address and pay with cash or by swiping a debit card. Peer-to-peer exchanges. P2P exchanges (ex., Binance) are platforms that allow bitcoin traders to transact directly with one another. Exchange integrations with wallets. There are various hardware and software wallets available for bitcoin owners. Some have integrations that support payments and transfers. Play-to-earn games. There are apps and games that pay users in bitcoin for playing. Examples include Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, and Bitcoin Miner. Bitcoin futures exchange-traded fund (ETF). Those interested in bitcoin as a long-term investment can also opt for indirect ownership through a Bitcoin ETF like the iShares fund (IBIT). These funds track the bitcoin price, but theyre centralized and charge an expense ratio. Learn more: Can you buy crypto with a credit card? See the pros and cons. This embedded content is not available in your region. Ways to use bitcoin Once you have bitcoin on hand, you can use it to: Send money to any Bitcoin address globally Buy goods and services from merchants that accept it Store currency without using a bank Diversify your investment portfolio Trade on volatility for short-term gains Gamble in a cryptocurrency casino Keep in mind: Bitcoins effectiveness as a diversification asset is somewhat unproven. Though some data suggest that bitcoins behavior aligns with the stock market, particularly when stock prices are falling. Learn more: Want to buy a house with crypto? Here's what to expect Origin and history of bitcoin Bitcoin materialized from a 2008 whitepaper written under the pen name Satoshi Nakamoto. In the paper, Nakamoto outlined a system for a transparent, independent, digital, and P2P currency system. Bitcoin mining began in the next year. Bitcoin exchanges, like Coinbase, began to launch in the early 2010s, which made the cryptocurrency more accessible and interesting to a wider audience. Bitcoin has since grown in value and popularity. The bitcoin supply is capped at 21 million coins. Over 19 million have already been mined. This scarcity contributes to its value. Bitcoin FAQs Where did bitcoin come from? Bitcoin is a technology-based currency that was first introduced in 2009, after an anonymous author under the pen name Satoshi Nakamoto conceptualized it in 2008. Why does bitcoin have value? People value Bitcoin primarily because it is a decentralized, borderless currency. It supports efficient worldwide payments and has a limited supply of 21 million coins. Additionally, bitcoin is volatile enough to attract the attention of day traders and swing traders who seek to earn profits on quick price changes. Learn more: Robo-advisor: How to start investing right away How has the bitcoin price changed between 2015 and 2025? In January 2015, one bitcoin was worth about $320. By January 2025, one bitcoin was worth more than $90,000; as of October 2025, one Bitcoin was worth $120,000. Is bitcoin legal? Bitcoin is legal in the U.S., but restricted or banned in other countries. You cannot use bitcoin in China, Afghanistan, Egypt, Kuwait, or other countries. Is bitcoin safe? Bitcoins backbone is blockchain technology, which is difficult, if not impossible, to hack. However, there are other risks associated with cryptocurrency. Bitcoins volatility creates a high risk of financial loss. There are also bitcoin-based scams that attempt to dupe users into providing their personal information or sharing access to their Bitcoin keys. Jamie Young and Tim Manni edited this article. Dairy herds have become markedly older in recent months. While this is an immediate result of a tight national dairy heifer supply and sky-high prices for dairy-beef calves, the reason dairy farmers can make the choice to keep cows in production longer is because of improved genetics and better management decisions. Longevity is a matter of profitability on dairy farms; keeping cows sufficiently productive means they return more on the investment of their rearing. Geneticists have recognized this since 1994, when the first predicted transmitting abilities (PTAs) were published for Productive Life. In the decades since, farmers have made breeding progress on numerous traits correlated with longevity, while also sharpening on-farm tools to take better care of their animals. For Glenn Kline of Y Run Farms in Troy, Pa., genomic testing has been the most significant farm change to impact longevity. They began using the technology in 2011. Boy, thats made a huge difference on our herd, he said during the CDCB Industry Meeting held at World Dairy Expo. We did expand three years ago, and we had to buy some animals in. There was really a significant difference with our original animals lasting longer. Having genomic numbers on their females has allowed their team to specifically evaluate health traits, Kline detailed. From there, they have been able to make higher-quality replacement heifers by extensively using beef semen on lower animals and in vitro fertilization (IVF) on the cows they do want daughters from. The combination of genomic testing and beef semen has allowed them to keep shipping the amount of milk they need to while strategically planning the next generation of the herd. The same thing is true at Grotegut Dairy in Newton, Wis. Eric Grotegut said that along with hoof trimming more frequently and improving their facilities, genomic testing helps them keep cows around because they are making the right heifers instead of simply all available ones. Using an index to make mating decisions looking for sires that are well-rounded and transmit production has also resulted in cows that last longer, he said. Fifteen to 25 years ago, it seemed like I was selling cows every day; lameness, mastitis, and pneumonia . . . there was something all the time, Grotegut recognized. Now, most cull cows are one day a week. They dont have to go [as early]. Longevity is also about that balance of not pushing cows to the point of burning out. Evaluating true profitability per stall plays a role in deciding if it is worth it to keep an older cow or replace her with a heifer. Those culling decisions become easier when your genetic baseline is higher. If were using management tools correctively and really looking at some different traits when were breeding, I dont think you should be burning cows out, said Kristen Metcalf of Glacier Edge Dairy in Milton, Wis. They should be able to live productive and healthy lives until they naturally reach that dip in milk production. In addition to using beef semen, Metcalf said their breeding focuses on fertility, strength, and type traits like udder depth and rear udder height, which have helped them develop a herd of long-lived Jerseys. Their herd lactation average is already 4.2, but Metcalf noted theyd like to get that up to 5 or 6 once they settle in from a recent expansion. We really love older cows, she said. When implemented together, genetic potential for healthier cows and more detailed herd decisions create the perfect opportunity for cows to remain in the herd longer. Finding that sweet spot of productivity and profitability allows a farm to make the most of each animal investment. Listen to the complete panel discussion on the topic from the 2025 CDCB Industry Meeting on the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding's YouTube channel. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. GUEST OPINION: Australian businesses are under increasing pressure to innovate at speed while maintaining robust information management. The rapid adoption of digital tools and AI has created new opportunities for growth, efficiency, and customer engagement. However, regulatory environments continue to evolve at the same time, demanding stronger governance of data and information practices. Leaders now face the challenge of striking a balance between driving innovation and keeping information secure, compliant, and trusted. Innovation has become the lifeblood of modern organisations, letting them to stay competitive and agile. Yet innovation cannot come at the expense of governance. The expanding use of information across digital platforms has blurred the boundaries of control, and businesses risk undermining the very progress they seek to achieve without a clear roadmap for how information is managed. Information management frameworks must sit alongside innovation initiatives, guiding decision-making and driving compliance with changing laws, according to Konica Minolta Australia. Giovanni Forero, Senior Intelligent Information Management (IIM) consultant, Konica Minolta Australia, said, A strategic roadmap for information management provides this balance. An information roadmap considers how data is captured, organised, stored, secured, and shared across the business, rather than being limited to a technology or service management plan. It embeds information governance into the fabric of innovation so that new initiatives are supported by secure, defensible information practices. Leaders that align their IT strategies with a parallel information management roadmap will create a foundation that both protects and empowers innovation. Aligning regulatory compliance with enterprise initiatives The Australian Privacy Act highlights the importance of aligning regulatory compliance with enterprise initiatives. Organisations in highly regulated sectors, such as healthcare, financial and legal services, as well as education, must navigate additional requirements around record keeping, safety, and personal identifiable information, including child protection. This underlines a broad truth: every business must anticipate regulatory shifts and prepare systems that can adapt without disrupting innovation. Giovanni Forero said, The speed of technological advancement often outpaces the development of regulatory frameworks. AI is just one example of a technology being deployed in new contexts faster than governments can legislate for safe and ethical use. This gap creates uncertainty for leaders, who must balance the potential gains of early adoption with the risks of non-compliance. A governance-first approach does not stifle innovation; it provides the parameters within which it can flourish responsibly. Transparency is crucial to this approach. Business leaders must be able to demonstrate how their information is managed, decisions are made, and risks are mitigated. This accountability is no longer optional; regulators, customers, and partners expect to see clear processes and safeguards. Transparency builds trust both within the enterprise and externally, giving leaders greater confidence to pursue ambitious innovation agendas. Resilience is another key consideration; however, its not only about protection. Its also about agility, and being able to pivot, scale, or adjust innovation strategies with the assurance that information practices remain compliant. Balancing innovation and governance Leaders must also consider automations role in balancing innovation and governance. Intelligent tools that automate compliance tasks, classify data, or enforce policies can reduce the burden on employees while improving accuracy. This creates more capacity for teams to focus on innovation, confident that governance is actively maintained in the background by bridging the gap between progress and protection. Giovanni Forero said, Intelligent information management supports long-term value creation. Capturing and structuring organisational knowledge provides continuity and protects investments in research, development, and expertise. Unfortunately, decades of intellectual capital can be lost through poor record-keeping or inadequate transfer processes without governance. Innovation initiatives often fail when information governance is treated as an afterthought or a barrier, and organisational culture plays an important role in its success. Cultural alignment that embeds governance into daily operations drives progress, not constrains it. Businesses that treat information as a strategic asset can innovate with confidence, knowing that they are protecting their most valuable resource. Balancing innovation with information security successfully requires a holistic view. Leaders must align their technology strategies with governance frameworks, anticipate regulatory changes, and embed a culture of accountability. This integrated approach lets organisations harness the benefits of innovation without exposing themselves to unnecessary risks and position themselves to navigate an uncertain regulatory landscape with confidence, resilience, and foresight. GUEST OPINION: In the increasingly automated economy of 2025, data is the new infrastructure and proxies are its hidden arteries. For years, datacenter proxies dominated the landscape, routing massive volumes of web requests through cloud-based servers. But as websites grow more sophisticated at detecting and blocking automated traffic, a quiet revolution has taken place. Across industries from e-commerce to cybersecurity, companies are migrating toward residential proxy providers, systems that route traffic through real household IP addresses. Once considered an edge tool for niche scraping operations, residential proxies have evolved into a mainstream enterprise technology reshaping how businesses collect data, verify ads, and manage global digital identities. Why Datacenter IPs Are Losing Ground Traditional datacenter proxies offered speed and affordability. Hosted on cloud servers, they could process millions of requests per minute. But the problem is visibility. Modern websites powered by anti-bot systems, device fingerprinting, and AI-driven traffic analysis can now detect these IPs with near-perfect accuracy. According to a 2024 study by Proxyway, more than 80% of large websites deploy some form of automated proxy detection. Datacenter IPs, which come from well-known hosting providers like AWS, Google Cloud, or DigitalOcean, stand out immediately. Once flagged, entire IP ranges can be blacklisted, making them unreliable for commercial-scale operations. Residential proxies solve this problem by blending in. Instead of originating from data centres, their IPs are sourced from real consumer devices laptops, smartphones, and routers distributed across genuine Internet Service Providers (ISPs). To websites, these connections appear identical to normal user traffic. The Residential Proxy Advantage The appeal of residential proxies lies in one word: authenticity. By mimicking legitimate user behaviour, they allow companies to access data without being blocked or misled by regional restrictions. E-commerce intelligence platforms use residential networks to monitor product pricing across geographies, ensuring accuracy despite location-based content filtering. Ad verification firms rely on them to confirm that campaigns appear correctly in each market, detecting fraud and placement issues that datacenter IPs often miss. A report from Data Bridge Market Research projects the global residential proxy market will grow from $860 million in 2023 to over $2.1 billion by 2028, driven by demand from retail analytics, cybersecurity, and digital marketing sectors. The shift reflects a broader truth: businesses are no longer just collecting data theyre competing on who can collect it more intelligently. Technology Meets Regulation The rise of residential proxies also raises complex questions about privacy, consent, and network ethics. Reputable providers build their networks through opt-in participation, where users knowingly share bandwidth in exchange for compensation or premium app features. However, not all providers follow the same standards. In 2023, several proxy networks faced scrutiny for sourcing IPs through misleading app integrations, effectively turning users into unwitting relay nodes. As regulators tighten oversight on digital infrastructure, transparency around proxy sourcing has become a differentiating factor. Companies adopting these tools must now weigh not just performance metrics, but ethical compliance ensuring their data acquisition processes meet privacy regulations like GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). The Future of Proxy Infrastructure The next generation of residential proxies is merging with AI and automation. Providers are using machine learning to optimise routing, predict IP reputation changes, and dynamically rotate identities to avoid detection. Some systems now integrate session-based intelligence, adapting proxy behavior in real time based on how target sites respond. At the same time, the industry is expanding into mobile and IoT proxies, extending coverage beyond desktop devices. This will make it possible for businesses to simulate true cross-platform browsing behaviour a critical advantage for app developers and advertising analytics. As cloud infrastructure becomes increasingly centralised, residential proxies represent a counterbalance a distributed, user-powered network that restores some of the decentralisation the internet once had. The Bottom Line Residential proxy providers have moved from the periphery to the core of modern digital operations. They offer what datacenter IPs cant: legitimacy, localisation, and resilience in an era of hyper-vigilant web defences. For businesses dependent on large-scale data access, this shift isnt just technological its strategic. In a digital landscape where every click is analysed and every connection traced, blending in has become the ultimate competitive edge. The rise of residential proxies is less about hiding and more about staying seen as real. tendon lunch set (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan) In picturesque Kamakura City where samurai heritage still touches some of the architecture and local attractions, youll find Tsuruhachi serving up some washoku Japanese dishes fit for a warrior headed to battle. Youll find this delicious restaurant across from the large Torii gated entrance to Kamakuras symbol shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Look out for the lines of locals and tourists waiting to grab a seat. The long queues always led me to believe that this might be a tourist trap with low-quality food to avoid. However, my mind changed when my wife and I joined five friends for a late lunch there after a morning walk around the area attractions. Since it was neither weekend nor holiday, and a bit off time for lunch, we were, fortunately, able to get in smoothly without waiting too long. Pushing through the blue noren curtain, I saw that the Japanese-style interior, made up of wooden walls and tables, was spacious, clean and cozy. There were different seating arrangements including a traditional tatami floor section with low tables. For lunch, I ordered a tendon (a bowl of rice topped with tempura) lunch set for 1,300 yen ($8.50). The set came with a bowl of rice topped with tempura and half-portion cold soba noodles. The cold soba noodles were served up in a bamboo basket, along with bowls of dipping broth, onion and wasabi. For 100 more yen, you can get a bigger serving of noodles. When I sampled my soba noodles, their rich flavors and aromas tickled my taste buds. The soy sauce-based dipping broth added more depth and flavor to the already-delicious dish. My set included a piece of shrimp tempura, white fish tempura, pumpkin tempura, mushroom tempura and sweet potato tempura. These were lightly battered and had a nice crisp exterior with a tender interior. I was impressed with amount and quality of my lunch set at such a great price. Everyone in my party was pleased with their meals also. Although I regret spending so much time avoiding this place and missing out on slurping some tasty soba, Im glad we made it and that I can now understand the hype. If you happen to be in the area and see me in line, youll know that Im a true fan of Tsuruhachi. (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan) (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan) (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan) Tsuruhachi (soba and washoku joint) Stunning view of Mt. Fuji and foliage (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) Each autumn, Lake Kawaguchi transforms into one of Japans most stunning fall destinations, with fiery maple leaves framing Mt. Fuji in breathtaking views. At the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Momiji Matsuri (Autumn Leaves Festival), visitors can stroll through the famous Maple Corridor, enjoy magical evening light-ups, and sample local food from bustling stalls. In this article, Chen, our editor from Taiwan, joins travel writer Miyu Shimada to share the best sights and seasonal treats from this must-see festival. Kawaguchiko map (Map by Stripes Japan) About the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Fall Leaves Festival The Fuji-Kawaguchiko Fall Leaves Festival takes place in Kawaguchiko from November 1 to 30, aligning perfectly with the peak foliage season. Around 400 to 500 momiji, or maple trees, line the shores of the lake, their brilliant red and yellow leaves reflected against the lake and Mt. Fuji. The festival also features evening illuminations at the Maple Corridor, held daily from sunset until 9:30 PM. (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) The festivals main venue is centered around the Kawaguchi Nashigawa area, featuring attractions like the Maple Corridor and Momiji Kaido (Maple Road). During the event, special autumn leaf light-ups create a magical atmosphere unique to this time of year. Visitors can also enjoy local Yamanashi delicacies from certified food stalls and browse a craft market featuring a variety of original, handmade goods created by skilled craftspeople. Guide to Main Venue and Surrounding Areas (Map courtesy of Fuji-Kawaguchiko Fall Leaves Festival) Below are the details for the 2025 festival. Updated information is released every autumn. Event Dates: November 1-30, 2025 Hours: 9 AM - 7 PM (Light-ups end at 9:30 PM) For more event details and updates, check the link below. Fuji-Kawaguchiko Tourism Association Official Instagram Getting to the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (Photo by Live Japan) The public transportation stop nearest to the festival venue is the Kubota Itchiku Museum bus stop on the Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus (Red Line). From central Tokyo, you can reach the festival by car, train, sightseeing bus, and express bus. By Car From Shinjuku Station: Approx. 1 hr and 30 min. From Chuo Expressway Kawaguchiko Interchange: Approx. 15 min. Free parking available (spaces limited; paid parking also available). By Express Bus From Shinjuku Station / Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku): Approx. 2 hr. Closest bus stops to venue are the Kawaguchiko Station and Kubota Itchiku Museum bus stops. From Tokyo Station / Tokyo Yaesu Bus Terminal: Approx. 2 hrs to Kawaguchiko Station. From there, transfer to Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus (Red Line) and ride to Kubota Itchiku Museum bus stop. By Train Kawaguchiko Station (Photo by Live Japan) If traveling by train, first ride to Fujikyu Railway Kawaguchiko Station, and from there, hop on the Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus (Red Line) located in front of the station. From Shinjuku Station While local trains are an option, we recommend the Fuji Excursion Limited Express. This direct train from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Station takes as little as 1 hr and 53 min, operating three round trips per day. Please note that all seats are reserved, so we recommend booking in advance. JR Fujikyu Limited Express Fuji Excursion: Direct service from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko. (Fastest Travel Time: 1 hr 53 min) JR Limited Express Azusa or Kaiji + Fujikyu Railway: Ride from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station and transfer; from there, ride to Kawaguchiko Station. (Fastest Travel Time: Approx. 2 hr) JR Chuo Line + Fujikyu Railway: Ride from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station and transfer; from there, ride to Kawaguchiko Station. (Travel time: Approx 2 hr 45 min.) JR Fujikyu LiFrom Tokyo Station JR Chuo Line + Fujikyu Railway: Ride from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station and transfer; from there, ride to Kawaguchiko Station. (Travel time: Approx. 2 hr 45 min.) Fuji Excursion Limited Express (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) For this trip, we used the Fuji Excursion Limited Express. Designed for tourists, it offers a dedicated luggage space that holds even large suitcases. The train also provides free Wi-Fi, comfortable reclining seats, and wide windows for enjoying the view. However, note that autumns at Kawaguchiko are some of the busiest times of the year, so early reservations are essential. Must-Do Activities at Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival 1. Fall in Japan: Stunning Views of Fuji and Foliage Stunning view of Mt. Fuji and foliage (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) One highlight of the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival is the stunning view of Mt. Fuji amongst the colorful autumn leaves, a truly breathtaking sight whether viewed from the main venue or along the lake. While clouds tend to obscure Mt. Fuji, the weather can change quickly, so dont give upkeep an eye out, and youll be treated to the perfect view when the moment is just right! Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy during our visit, and Mt. Fuji had not yet donned its snowy cap. However, during peak autumn season, you just may catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji, beautifully capped with snow. 2. Enjoy Local Delicacies at Official Food Stalls Yakisoba, hoto, and tori motsuni (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) The main event features official food stalls certified by the health and fire departments. Over ten stalls offer a variety of options, including Yamanashi specialties, classic street foods, and traditional Japanese dishes. One local Yamanashi favorite youll want to try is hoto, a hearty dish of wide, flat noodles simmered in a miso-based broth with pumpkin, mushrooms, and a variety of other vegetables. The pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness to the soup, resulting in a flavorful comfort dish thats perfect for warming body and soul. And being packed with vegetables, its as nutritious as it is delicious. Mt. Fuji Tornado Potato (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) This fun snack, known as the Mt. Fuji Tornado Potato, has become a staple at food stalls. A long, spiraled potato on a stick, its not just interesting in appearanceits incredibly tasty too! The potatos natural flavor really shines through, offering something distinct from regular fries or chips. On clear days, you may even catch a great view of Mt. Fuji from the food stall! When visiting the Mt. Fuji area, youll want to pay attention to local treats with Fuji in the name. One great example is Fujinomiya Yakisoba, a signature dish of Shizuoka, which, together with Yamanashi, works to preserve Mt. Fuji. To be labeled as Fujinomiya Yakisoba, the dish must meet specific criteria, including using steamed noodles made in Fujinomiya, and incorporating nikukasu, a crispy pork lard residue. These noodles are firm and chewy in texture, with a rich flavor from the lard that sets it apart from your typical yakisoba. (Fun fact: Mt. Fuji spans both Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, with no clear border dividing the two.) Tori motsuni is a traditional dish from Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Made with simmered chicken gizzard, liver, and hearts in a sweet and savory soy sauce, its a popular regional B-grade cuisine. The variety of chicken parts gives it an interesting mix of chewy, tender, and springy textures, making it an interesting dish. The rich flavor also pairs perfectly with drinks, making it a favorite for those indulging in a little sake with their meal. 3. Craft Market: Shopping for Unique Handmade Souvenirs (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) The craft market brings together artists from all over Japan, showcasing handmade works in a variety of categories. Each piece reflects the makers passion, creativity, and skill, making each piece the perfect choice for a souvenir. Many of the items feature Mt. Fuji-inspired designs, adding a local Kawaguchiko touch. (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) Some artists return every year, while new exhibitors join the lineup to keep things fresh. A special part of the craft market is being able to interact directly with the creators, forming unique connections and learning the stories behind their creations. (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) Here is a potter who participates every year, selling their pieces exclusively at this marketno stores, no online shops, just direct sales. A few years ago during a personal trip, travel writer Miyu happened to fall in love with their one-of-a-kind designs and colors, buying a piece on the spot. Reuniting with the artist again was a wonderful reminder of how special and personal the craft market experience can be! 4. Unique Souvenirs from Fuji-Kawaguchiko (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) If youre looking for a great souvenir, why not go for something youll only find here? For starters, check out these Mt. Fuji calendars, available at the main tent. These large wall calendars feature stunning seasonal shots of Mt. Fuji, and are bestsellers every year. This year, they also introduced a desk calendar that doubles as postcards you send once the year ends, making it both practical and decorative. hand-crocheted Mt. Fuji keychains, made with yarn (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) One of our favorite finds at the craft market were these adorable hand-crocheted Mt. Fuji keychains, made with yarn. Their colorful, unique designs makes them a one-of-a-kind souvenir thats so irresistible, even Chen couldnt resist getting one for herself! 5. Special Light Displays Youll Only See During the Festival (Image courtesy of Fujikawaguchiko Town Tourism Division) For about one month during the festival, both Maple Corridor and Maple Street are illuminated in stunning light displays, creating an enchanting, dreamlike atmosphere you wont want to overlook! However, it does tend to get quite chilly at this time, so be sure to dress warmly. Kawaguchiko Maple Corridor: A Stunning Sight You Wont Want to Miss (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) The Maple Corridor of Kawaguchiko is one of Yamanashi Prefectures most famous spots for seeing the autumn leaves, with nearly 60 large maple trees lining both sides of the Nashigawa River, which flows into Kawaguchiko. In the summer, the trees form a lush green canopy, transforming into a stunning tunnel of red and orange in the fall. (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) Maple Corridor begins right next to the festival venue. The trees are planted right along the path, allowing visitors to admire them up close. (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) In 2024, the leaves began changing color later than usual. While most had just started to turn by early November, there were a few that had reached their full, vibrant hues. Much More to See Beyond the Main Event! (Image courtesy of Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival) Beyond the festival venue, the surrounding area is full of other incredible fall foliage spots. So take some time to explore aroundyou wont be disappointed! Oishi Park Oishi Park, located along the shores of Kawaguchiko, is a fantastic spot for clear views of Mt. Fuji, thanks to its open space and sparse tree coverage. One of the areas highlights is the kochia, which turns gorgeous shades earlier than the maples (usually mid to late October), creating a striking carpet of color against the backdrop of Mt. Fuji. In the summer, the park is adorned with colorful flowers, making it a beautiful photo spot in any season! It takes about 25 minutes to walk from Oishi Park to the main festival venue, but the scenic stroll along the lake makes it totally worth it! Oike Park Oike Park is especially beautiful in the fall, when its poplar trees turn brilliant shades of yellow. Its another fantastic viewpoint for capturing the full splendor of Mt. Fuji! (Photo courtesy of Live Japan) You can also see a great view of Kawaguchiko Bridge, along with of course, Kawaguchiko itself. Autumn Leaves Tours Around Kawaguchiko The area is packed with leisure activities on the lake, with these tours a seasonal highlight thatll show you hidden spots and views you might not find on your own. Its a great way to uncover the regions own distinct charm! Experience the Beauty of Fall at the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival The Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival is one of the best ways to enjoy fall in Japan. Youll take in stunning views of Mt. Fuji surrounded by colorful leaves during the day, and at night, experience the magical atmosphere of the fantastic foliage light-ups. On top of that, youll find delicious local foods, unique souvenirs, and festival-exclusive treats, making it the perfect way to spend the day with family and friends! So if youre looking for a way to get the full experience of Japans autumn season, this festival is not to be missed! Via Live Japan The News in Brief Wednesday, October 15, 2025 The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) has detained three Georgian citizens in the western region of Adjara on terrorism-related charges connected to the Islamic State group. Deputy Head of the agency Lasha Maghradze announced the arrests during a briefing on October 13.The investigation is being conducted under Articles 236 and 328 of Georgia's Criminal Code, which deal with the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives, as well as participation in or assistance to a foreign terrorist organization. The offenses carry sentences of up to 17 years in prison."Members of the so-called Takbirist Jamaat, formed around a terrorist ideology, had ties with influential leaders of the terrorist organization Islamic State abroad," Maghradze said. "Acting on their instructions and for future terrorist objectives, they established a group based on a radical extremist ideology under the guise of a Jamaat," he added. According to the agency, the suspects displayed "particular aggression" toward followers of other religions.Maghradze stated that the group intended to "illegally bring influential members of the terrorist organization Islamic State into Georgia and, under their leadership, establish a foothold in the country." He explained that this would have allowed them to "illegally receive and accommodate their associates, provide logistical support, and use Georgia's territory as a transit route for terrorist purposes."During the operation, security officers seized "items depicting terrorist symbols, explosives, large quantities of ammunition and firearms, military equipment, mobile phones and other electronic data storage devices, significant amounts of cash in various currencies, and other evidence important to the investigation," Maghradze said.Saba Jikia, an activist convicted of attacking a police officer during a protest in November 2024, is appealing his case at the Tbilisi Court of Appeals. His lawyer, Guja Avsajanishvili, said he expects the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg to find a violation of Jikia's rights.According to Avsajanishvili, the prosecution has requested a harsher sentence from the appellate court. "I saw something interesting: in the courtroom, there were two men whom people present identified as SSS employees. When the judge looked at these individuals and asked if they had any objections, they had none," the lawyer said.He emphasized that the hearing was public and that observers could witness the alleged procedural issues. "They can come and see what violations are occurring in this case, and that the prosecution has not even examined a single piece of evidence. I don't know who these people present at the process are monitoring, but in the end, even these individuals will see how weak the prosecution's positions are," Avsajanishvili noted.During the session, the prosecution demanded a tougher sentence, while the defense sought a full acquittal. "I expect that the Strasbourg Court will definitely establish a violation in Saba Jikia's case," Avsajanishvili stated.Jikia was arrested on December 5, 2024, accused of attacking a police officer during a protest rally on November 30. By Akbar Novruz A trilateral meeting between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia was held in Baku on October 13, 2025, bringing together Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk, and Irans Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash. The sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in the fields of transport, energy, and customs. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint Communique outlining key directions for strengthening regional connectivity and advancing shared infrastructure projects. The communique reaffirmed satisfaction with ongoing trilateral cooperation and highlighted the guiding role of the 2016 Declaration and the 2017 Joint Statement of the presidents of the three countries in promoting mutually beneficial economic, trade, and transport ties. The sides emphasized the importance of enhancing the regions transit potential, accelerating infrastructure projects, and coordinating efforts to expand the North-South international transport corridor. The participants underscored the goal of increasing freight volumes along the corridor to 15 million tons and agreed to establish a Working Group to prepare an Action Plan for implementation within three months. Additionally, a special Working Group on automobile transportation, including representatives of customs, border, and transport agencies, will be formed. The signing of the charter of the trilateral working group on customs cooperation was also welcomed, aimed at facilitating transit transportation between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia. The sides stressed the importance of completing major infrastructure components of the corridor, such as the Rasht-Astara railway line, the Agband-Kalala highway bridge over the Araz River, and new border checkpoints. Efforts to simplify border crossing procedures and digitalize customs and transport operations were also discussed. Furthermore, the parties agreed to continue technical consultations on the project to interconnect their electricity networks and to conduct a joint on-site inspection of key infrastructure projects of the North-South corridor on October 14, 2025. The Communique was formally adopted in Baku on October 13, 2025. Who would you go on a date with, and why? That was the question that came up in a recent speech workshop. People shared fun, lighthearted answers. But for me, the answer came straight from my heart. I would go on a date with my dad. My father passed away nearly fifteen years ago, just before my life was about to begin a whole new chapter. I was newly married, preparing to move to the United States, and chasing the dream that was not just mine, but ours. His dream became my mission. My dad was brilliant. Curious. Driven. He always wanted to become a doctor; but back then, in Nepal, medical school was limited and finances were tight. His dream was postponed, then eventually lost. But when I was born, the first child, he passed that dream to me. I grew up hearing stories about medicine. I studied hard, chased top grades, and built my entire identity around one goal: to become a doctor. Not just for me, but for him. Years later, I graduated medical school, completed my residency, and made the brave decision to pursue a medical career in the U.S. I was so close to making our shared dream come true. But then, everything changed. Just days after my wedding, while coming back from our honeymoon, I got the call: My father was in critical condition. We rushed to the hospital. I will never forget the look on his face, tired, in pain, but still fighting. He spent fifteen days in the ICU, but the complications kept mounting. We tried everything, but he passed away before he ever got to see the life we dreamed of, together. He never saw me wear my white coat in the U.S. He never got to play with his grandkids. He never got the retirement he deserved. He never got to travel the world the way he hoped. And I never got to say: We made it, Dad. We really made it. If I could go on a date with anyone, it would be an evening with my father. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere warm. Just the two of us. I would show him pictures of my children, his grandchildren. I would tell him how I kept going, even when it was hard. I would tell him how Mom is doing, how we have grown, and how every milestone I hit still feels like it is for him. I would share stories of our travels, the food, the places, the memories he never got to make. I would tell him about my work, my purpose, my passion. I would tell him about Momkinz, the platform I built to support mothers, inspired by my own struggles and healing. And then, I would sit back and watch him smile. Because that smile (his joy, his pride) is something I have longed for more than any award, title, or accomplishment. I would hug him tightly. I would tell him I love him. I would let him see the woman I have become. We often chase success, thinking it will feel like enough once we get there. But sometimes, enough is just being seen by the person who believed in us first. So, let me ask you: Who would you go on a date with, and why? What stories would you tell? What would you want them to know about you now? If your person is still here, call them. If they are not, write them a letter. And if you are still chasing something, pause, and remember why you started. Because sometimes, success is not the destination; it is the connection. ADVERTISEMENT Manisha Ghimire is an internal medicine physician. An excerpt from The Savvy Physician: A Financial Wellness Handbook for Physicians and Professionals. As a physician, helping people in need is among the greatest honors and privileges in the world. In the complex world of medicine, physicians and health care professionals have the opportunity and privilege to enormously contribute to patient well-being at a time of significant personal and/or family health crisis. In addition, many physicians and health care professionals have academic profiles that significantly contribute to education, research, administration, and leadership. For instance, currently, we have over 90,000 physicians in Canada serving almost 40 million Canadians. In the United States, there are over 1 million physicians serving over 340 million people. 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This also underscores the need to understand ones economic and tax systems to develop the skill to navigate them effectively. Increased financial literacy and having more autonomy over ones money through saving, investing, and living within ones means can jump-start the pathway to financial wellness. Different perspectives and societal pressure surrounding finances and wealth can impact what financial wellness means to you. However, once you achieve clarity on what financial well-being means to you, there is a positive ripple effect. The net effect is improvement in anxiety, stress, relationships, energy levels, and mental and emotional health. These improvements also translate into work performance, facilitating higher productivity. However, data suggest that many physicians and professionals are often not well-versed in financial literacy. Financial decisions are often emotional and later justified! Key financial decisions can truly impact ones life and its many aspects, both in the short and long term. We believe it is essential to have authentic, evidence-based, and unbiased advice starting from the early stages of training. The ever-increasing complexity of the financial world further adds to each medical professionals challenges. As ardent advocates of physician and professional wellness as well as of financial mastery, we truly believe that evidence-based educational resources can serve as a catalyst in our own personal financial journey and can assist us in enhancing our financial awareness. This is indeed critical to maintaining an engaged and sustainable physician workforce. Ketan Kulkarni is a physician entrepreneur. Hayley Gates is a medical student. He was five, wiry, and fast, so fast his mother looped her purse strap around his wrist in the waiting room. She spoke softly, in Spanish, explaining that he could not sit still, could not sleep, could not stop. As she described his meltdowns, he interrupted with nonsense sentences, unrelated to her words, untethered from context. It was not defiance; it was overflow. I and my team of CNA Spanish interpreters saw children like him every week in our cross-cultural evaluation clinic in Phoenix. Hispanic families navigating stigma, language barriers, and a diagnostic process that demanded either/or answers. But this boy was not either/or. He was both. He flapped when excited, bolted when overwhelmed, and fixated on spinning objects. His eye contact flickered. His play was solitary and repetitive. But he also climbed furniture, interrupted constantly, and could not follow two-step directions. He was textbook ADHD. He was textbook autism. He was AuDHD, before the term existed. The questionnaires we sent to the family in Spanish and to the teachers in English confirmed the clinical picture perfectly. What we saw in the exam room and playroom was mirrored in both languages, across both settings. The diagnosis was not a guess. It was a pattern. We explained the dual diagnoses (autism and ADHD) and gave the mother handouts in Spanish on both conditions. We walked her through how to advocate for her son under existing special education law and discussed the possibility of medication. We scheduled a follow-up so other family members could attend and ask questions directly. Two weeks later, the mother returned with the childs father and a cousin who was more fluent in English. I explained the treatment options. Two drugs were available. Since the child was not excessively disruptive, I ruled out risperidone, despite its efficacy. Methylphenidate would likely kill his appetite and only worked for a maximum of 12 hours. The drug of choice was atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that worked for 24 hours and had the fewest side effects. The family agreed to a trial, and I sent home follow-up questionnaires for both the family and the teachers. Two weeks later, the mother hugged me and said: Usted es un hacedor de milagros. You are a miracle worker. The questionnaires showed clear improvement. In a handwritten note, the teacher reported that the schools special education consultants had observed the child was more responsive to behavioral approaches for his autism over the past two weeks. The DSM-IV and DSM-5 are flawed. It was a taxonomy built for bureaucrats, not clinicians. The manuals architecture discouraged nuance and punished pattern recognition. It was a diagnostic silo masquerading as science. But in our Phoenix clinic, we saw children who defied those silos. We called it dual diagnosis, not to be provocative, but because it was true. They flapped and fixated, they bolted and interrupted, they were rigid and impulsive, and they were both. Now, the same institutions that dismissed it call AuDHD emerging, a trendy hybrid, a diagnostic fashion statement. They publish papers and act like they discovered fire. But we were flying before they even built the runway. Our clinic was a crucible of improvisation. We translated handouts into Spanish, adapted behavioral strategies to cultural norms, and used medication not as a panacea but as a scaffold. We did not treat disorders; we treated children. And when the system could not see them clearly, we adjusted the lens. Before DSM-5 caught up, before AuDHD became a hashtag, there was the late L. Eugene Arnold, MD, M.Ed., the guru of ADHD psychopharmacology. He chaired the NIH-funded Multimodal Treatment of ADHD (MTA) Study, a landmark trial that reshaped how clinicians approached ADHD. The MTA proved that combination treatment (medication plus behavioral therapy) was superior to either alone, and it became the gold standard for care. Together, we worked on Risperidone (2002) and Methylphenidate (2005) studies, exploring their effects on children with autism and disruptive behaviors. I was also aware of Genes Atomoxetine (2015) study, published in 2015, which showed promising results for hyperactivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. That study validated what I had already seen in Phoenix: Atomoxetine was often the drug of choice for children with dual diagnoses, longer-acting, fewer side effects, and better tolerated than stimulants. Gene and his colleague Dr. Michael Aman, PhD, invited me to join the NIMH Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Autism Network at Ohio State. They wanted a strong pediatrician voice among a team dominated by psychiatrists and psychologists. They were right to do so. I conducted side studies on the nutritional intake of children with ASD, including the return of weight to its proper isobar after discontinuation of risperidone, both published as first-author papers. These studies added depth to the pharmacologic findings and gave families real-world guidance on managing side effects. I was listed as an author on eight RUPP Network publications. Not a token pediatrician, but a full voice among psychiatrists and psychologists. My edits were not cosmetic; they clarified the message, sharpened the impact, and honored the real-world care we were trying to model. We were not waiting for permission. We were building the future while the system clung to the past. What the system still does not see ADVERTISEMENT The DSM-5s eventual recognition of dual diagnosis was a step forward, but it did not fix the architecture. The manual still struggles to accommodate complexity. Insurance systems still reward simplicity. And clinicians are still pressured to choose a lane, even when the child is clearly driving across them. The Phoenix model was not just about diagnosis; it was a prototype for culturally responsive care, for bilingual documentation, and for medication as scaffold rather than solution. It was a system that saw children first, not codes. A call to remember what we already know The children have not changed. The science has not changed. What has changed is the willingness to name what has always been. Ronald L. Lindsay is a retired developmental-behavioral pediatrician whose career spanned military service, academic leadership, and public health reform. His professional trajectory, detailed on LinkedIn, reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing neurodevelopmental science and equitable systems of care. Dr. Lindsays research has appeared in leading journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Archives of General Psychiatry, The Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, and Clinical Pediatrics. His NIH-funded work with the Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Network helped define evidence-based approaches to autism and related developmental disorders. As medical director of the Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University, he led the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program, training future leaders in interdisciplinary care. His Ohio Rural DBP Clinic Initiative earned national recognition for expanding access in underserved counties, and at Madigan Army Medical Center, he founded Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) CARES, a $10 million autism resource center for military families. Dr. Lindsays scholarship, profiled on ResearchGate and Doximity, extends across seventeen peer-reviewed articles, eleven book chapters, and forty-five invited lectures, as well as contributions to major academic publishers such as Oxford University Press and McGraw-Hill. His memoir-in-progress, The Quiet Architect, threads testimony, resistance, and civic duty into a reckoning with systems retreat. The 7th International Festival titled Korkut and the Sounds of the Great Steppe, dedicated to the folk and musical art of Turkic peoples, has opened at the Dede Korkut Memorial Complex located in the Karmakshy district of the Kyzylorda region, Republic of Kazakhstan. The Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Akim of the Kyzylorda region jointly organized the event, Azernews reports, citing local media. According to the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, nearly 200 artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Tuva, and Altai are taking part in the festival. The event is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kyzylordas designation as the capital of Kazakhstan (19251927). The primary purpose of the international event is to promote the rich culture, national music, and spiritual values of the Turkic peoples, as well as to foster international cultural relations. At the solemn opening ceremony, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Ms. Aktoty Raimkulova and Head of the Department of Culture, Archives, and Documentation of the Kyzylorda region Mr. Zhanmurat Seilov congratulated the festival participants and wished them success. During the evening celebration, renowned performers of traditional music from various Turkic countries delighted the audience with their unique performances. The following day, as part of the international festival Korkut and the Sounds of the Great Steppe, a scientific and theoretical conference titled The Heritage of Dede Korkut: Common Epic Values for the Turkic World was held. The conference brought together the President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Aktoty Raimkulova, Akim of the Kyzylorda region Nurlibek Nalibayev, as well as leading scholars and experts in culture, history, and literature from across the Turkic world. The event aimed to comprehensively discuss the significance of Dede Korkuts legacy and epic traditions in the spiritual and cultural life of Turkic nations, to promote scientific research, and to strengthen international cooperation. During the conference, participants exchanged views on the historical roots of the Dede Korkut epic, its role in the Turkic world, and its reflection in contemporary culture and literature. Scholars presented the results of their recent research and shared modern theoretical approaches to studying the Dede Korkut heritage. In her remarks, Aktoty Raimkulova welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Dede Korkuts great legacy on a global scale. The conference featured scientific presentations, panel discussions, and the launch of the first volume of the Turkic Heroic Epic series within the framework of the Turkic Folklore Heritage Anthology Project. At the conclusion of the event, Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan, Associate Professor of the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov, Uljan Baybosynova, performed excerpts from the Koroglu poem and several traditional pieces from the Syr Darya region. The international conference was recognized as an important platform for strengthening the unity and interconnection of epic creative traditions in the Turkic world, as well as a significant step in preserving and promoting the spiritual heritage of the Turkic peoples. Por MIGUEL ANGEL LEON CARMONA Y YESENIA SANTOS Comparta este articulo Diana Jael dreamed of becoming a psychologist, and her friends say she had every quality for it: she was empathetic, sweet, and kind. To pursue her dream, she left her hometown of Tamiahua and moved to Poza Rica to study at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universidad Veracruzana. Her parents found her a safe, comfortable boarding house just four blocks from her school. They never imagined she would drown inside that turquoise-green house, the prettiest one on Jose Marti Street trapped inside with the door locked. Loading The two-story home now bears the marks of the tragedy that unfolded there on Friday, October 10. Water stains still cover the walls of the room where Diana was studying. Fingerprints made of dried mud can be seen on the gray curtains in the kitchen no one knows if they were Dianas as she tried to escape, or from neighbors who later rescued her body amid the flooding. But one detail in particular fills anyone walking down this fetid, mud-covered street with anger and helplessness: the door lock to the rooms had to be broken. According to neighbors, the door was locked from the outside and that prevented Diana from escaping before she drowned. Students search for classmates after the flood Its now Monday, October 13 just 72 hours since the devastating flood that has already claimed 29 lives and left 18 people missing across Veracruz. In the Morelos neighborhood, students from the Universidad Veracruzana have organized a roll call to check on classmates who lived in this area, widely known as a student housing zone. We're here looking for our fellow UV students from Poza Rica, say about 15 young people wearing gloves and rubber boots. They express anger not only at the lack of government aid to clear debris that might contain clues about missing students, but also at their university authorities, who they accuse of canceling classes too late. By the time the announcement was made, many out-of-town students had no way to reach the bus terminal which was also destroyed by the overflowing Cazones River. I talked to her the night before the flood Among the students is one from the engineering faculty who knew Diana Jael Cuervo Santos Dian or Dianita, as he called her affectionately. His grief is evident, even behind his face mask. He still can't process that just the night before the tragedy, he spoke to his friend and asked her if she would be going back home. I talked to her on Thursday night (October 9). I'm from Tuxpan, and she was from Tamiahua were practically neighbors. I asked her if she had left, and she said no. I hadn't left either, because they canceled classes at the last minute. I barely managed to get out of Poza Rica myself, he says. Then the news came that she was missing. That hits you hard you think, I just talked to her. And the worst part is when they tell you shes been found dead. The young man scrapes mud off Jose Marti Street, turning his back to Diana's former boarding house. He describes her as empathetic, kind, and always looking out for others. She was a really good friend, he says, his voice breaking. There are so many students here just trying to build a better future and look at what happened because of the negligence of the authorities and the university. So many lives could have been saved. She died alongside her boyfriend, also a student Diana Jaels boyfriend, Carlos Eduardo Baltazar Ramirez, also died in the Poza Rica flood. He was a Mechatronics Engineering student at the Instituto Tecnologico Superior de Poza Rica and was also from Tamiahua. He was in the fifth semester of his degree. Friends of Diana and local residents share a story about him: they say he knew how to swim and left his own boarding house to try to rescue her but the conditions were too dangerous, and he couldnt reach her. The official report confirms that both died in the same neighborhood. Neighbors carried Dianas body through the flooded streets until they reached an Oxxo store on Lazaro Cardenas Boulevard, where her father identified her. Witnesses say his screams still echo in the memory of everyone who saw him. Inside the boarding house, walls painted pink and beige still hold the faint traces of a life interrupted: a wooden wardrobe, a small mattress, a desk, a fan to cool off from Poza Ricas oppressive heat and a single cow-print sandal, either Dianas or washed in by the current. Two candles and an empty seat At the entrance to the Faculty of Health Sciences, which Diana walked through so many times, two candles now stand to honor her memory. Her classmates placed them there so that when classes resume, her presence is still felt even in the empty chair shell never return to. Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has hosted a large delegation of cultural leaders and artists, headed by Nursahat Shirimov, Turkmenistan Deputy Culture Minister, Azernews reports. The delegation arrived in the country in connection with Turkmenistan Culture Days, organized by Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. Welcoming the guests, Minister Adil Karimli conveyed his congratulations on the occasion of Turkmenistan Culture Days in Azerbaijan. During the meeting, an exchange of views took place regarding the development of cultural cooperation between the two countries. Cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have been characterized by regular exchanges and the organization of cultural events. One of the key expressions of this collaboration has been the celebration of Turkmenistan Culture Days in Azerbaijan, which provides a platform to showcase Turkmen cultural heritage through exhibitions, music, dance, and art. This event has been held several times, with one of the most notable exhibitions being "Arkhadag: The Pillar of Turkmen National Heritage"* at the Heydar Aliyev Center. High-level meetings between officials of both countries have consistently highlighted the importance of strengthening cultural cooperation. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, and two Israelis, the Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, have been named the winners of this years Nobel peace prize. The announcement has been marred by the resignation of one of the Nobel peace prize committee members. Kare Kristiansen objected to the honour being given to the PLO leader, whom he described as too tainted by violence, terror and torture. The award has also been overshadowed tonight by the bungled rescue of a kidnapped Israeli soldier from his militant Palestinian captors, which ended in the deaths of the captive, three of his kidnappers and one of his would-be rescuers. It is the first time the prize has been divided among more than two named individuals and only the third time in the prizes 93-year history that a committee member has broken ranks publicly and quit. The peace prize follows the historic handshake between the PLO leader and the Israeli Prime Minister on the White House lawn on 13 September 1993, marking an agreement to give the Palestinians limited autonomy in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank town of Jericho. [] The Israelis had accused Hamas of holding Corporal Waxman in PLO-administered territory. But after the PLO leader ordered a search and detained some 150 suspects, the soldier was eventually found in an Israeli-occupied area of the West Bank. The kidnappers were demanding the release of their leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, and 200 Hamas extremists being held in Israeli jails. Otherwise, they said, they would kill Corporal Waxman. Mr Rabin refused to negotiate and an hour before the captors deadline expired Mr Rabin ordered the rescue attempt. [] Middle East experts were surprised at the inclusion of Mr Peres in the award. Although he and Rabin represent the same political party, they are bitter rivals. Both men have claimed the credit for last years breakthrough. Todays was the second Nobel peace prize awarded to peacemakers in the Middle East, the first being the 1978 joint award to Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israelia Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Courtesy BBC News In context The award was controversial and generated a great deal of criticism. Adrian Hamilton of The Observer called it a peace of opportunism rather than one of principle. David Horovitz of the Financial Times said it was a decision based on hopes of peace rather than peace itself. Events since 1994 have tended to prove them right. Prime Minister Rabin was assassinated in November 1995 by a right-wing Jewish extremist opposed to the peace process. Yasser Arafat died in 2004. Elections in January 2005 were won by former Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. Under his leadership there have been tentative moves towards renewed peace talks despite continuing violence on both sides. Sheikh Yassin was released in 1997. He was killed in an Israeli missile strike on 22 March 2004. Like this: Like Loading... China did not back down yesterday in a back-and-forth with the U.S. over trade, calling for U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw his latest threat of a 100% tariff and other export control measures announced over the weekend. In the latest escalation of the trade war between the two nations, Trump issued the tariff threat on all Chinese imports into the U.S. after China placed stricter restrictions Thursday on rare earths, a vital resource used in electronics. The Chinese announcement was an apparent surprise to Trump, who called it an out of the blue move. While Trump did not withdraw the economic threat, he sounded more conciliatory than in the past, saying in a Truth Social post Sunday, The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!! Chinas Ministry of Commerce issued a lengthy response Sunday saying the U.S. was severely damaging the atmosphere of trade negotiations. China urges the U.S. to promptly correct its erroneous practices, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian said yesterday. If the U.S. insists on going its own way, China will certainly take resolute measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Both nations have leveraged multiple dimensions of the trade relationship in the trade war, with actions ranging from U.S. restrictions on Chinas ability to import advanced computer chips, China ending purchases of American soybeans and an exchange of tit-for-tat port fees. Economic indicators show the retaliatory actions and uncertainty are impacting trade between the countries. Chinese trade data release yesterday showed exports to the U.S. have fallen for six straight months, dropping 27% in September from the year before. MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... The Dutch government took effective control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, in what it said was a highly exceptional move over worries that corporate governance shortcomings pose a potential risk to European economic security. In a statement yesterday [Macau time], the Dutch ministry of economic affairs said it had invoked the rarely used Goods Availability Act to intervene in the business of Nexperia, which makes semiconductors used in the automotive and consumer technology industries. Nexperia based in the Dutch city of Nijmegen but owned by Chinas Wingtech Technology. Concerns about Nexperias governance posed a threat to the continuity and safeguarding on Dutch and European soil of crucial technological knowledge and capabilities, the ministry said. Losing these capabilities could pose a risk to Dutch and European economic security, it said, without elaborating. The government said it wanted to prevent a situation in which Nexperias chips would become unavailable in an emergency. The government provided few details about its decision to invoke the act on Sept. 30, but the move underscores wider geopolitical tensions between China and the West over the development and mastery of advanced technologies like computer chips. Nexperia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Wingtech said in a social media post that it firmly opposes the politicization of commercial matters. Wingtech called the Dutch governments move an excessive intervention based on geopolitical bias rather than a fact-based risk assessment thats based on the unfounded pretext of national security. Wingtech shares slumped 10% the daily limit on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Wingtech told the exchange that the decision temporarily restricts its control over Nexperia. The Dutch government said it wanted to prevent a situation in which Nexperias chips would become unavailable in an emergency. Nexperias regular production process can continue, it added. The company said it would pursue legal remedies, vowed to protect the rights and interests of the company and its shareholders; and is actively contacting relevant government departments to seek support. The Dutch government said its move to exert control means company decisions may be blocked or reversed by the Minister of Economic Affairs if they are (potentially) harmful to the interests of the company, to its future as a Dutch and European enterprise, and/or to the preservation of this critical value chain for Europe. Nexperia was spun off from Phillips Semiconductors two decades ago and then purchased in 2018 by Wingtech. In 2023, the British government blocked Nexperias bid to acquire Wales-based chipmaker Newport Wafer Fab, citing national security risks. Late last year, the U.S. Commerce Department included Wingtech in an expanded list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the move was intended to impair Chinas ability to use advanced technologies that pose a risk to our national security. China consistently opposes the overstretching of national security concepts and discriminatory practices targeting companies from specific countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian said yesterday when asked about the issue. Relevant countries should genuinely uphold market principles and avoid politicizing economic and trade issues. The European Union has been in close contact with Dutch authorities and will now work with the Netherlands on next steps over securing crucial technological capabilities on the continent, European Commission spokesman Olof Gill said. MIKE CORDER & KELVIN CHAN, THE HAGUE, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... The Education and Youth Development Bureau announced the 2024/2025 school year tuition and learning supplies subsidy approvals for students studying in Guangdong. Students with conditional applications must submit supporting documents by Oct. 27 to verify eligibility, with review results expected next month. Approved students will receive a one-time deposit into their bank accounts. Tuition subsidies range from MOP6,000 to MOP8,000, depending on the education level, while learning supplies subsidies are fixed at MOP1,150 to MOP1,700. Like this: Like Loading... Voters have returned Lisbons mayor to office in Portugals municipal elections, less than six weeks after a streetcar crash in the Portuguese capital killed 16 people, including 11 tourists, and caused a public outcry. Mayor Carlos Moedas, heading a right-of-center coalition, won 42% of the vote in Lisbon, compared with 34% for second-placed left-of-center leader Alexandra Leitao, according to official results published late Sunday [yesterday, Macau time]. Moedas rejected any blame for the Sept. 3 crash, which was one of Lisbons worst tragedies in living memory, and refused to resign. Carris, the company operating the streetcar service and other public transport in the city, is overseen by the Lisbon City Council. An official investigation is focusing on whether poor maintenance was to blame for any problems with the streetcars brakes and a safety cable. His four-year term as mayor has also brought criticism of his policies on housing, immigration and trash collection as Lisbon creaks under the strain of a surge in tourists and a steep climb in real estate prices. His election as mayor four years ago was a common career route for politicians eyeing higher office, with political responsibility for the capital regarded as a stepping stone. Many say their vote is influenced far more by other issues in the city, such as housing policies and trash collection as Lisbon creaks under the strain of a surge in tourists and a steep climb in real estate prices. Chaotic traffic, a total mess, garbage like we hadnt seen in many years, said Jose Rosa, 72. Of course this garbage issue is the result of a series of reasons but it needs planning. Politics is not just about performing in the face of issues, it is about anticipating them. His vote would not be influenced by the streetcar crash, he said. For Sandra Almeida, one of the main issues is housing. Us Lisbonites, we cannot live in Lisbon, we are being expelled from our own city, she said. Lisbon voter Ana Btelho said the streetcar crash only reinforced my opinion of the person representing us on the City Hall at the moment, and I think he represents us quite badly. Moedas, 55, is viewed as a rising star in Portugals center-right Social Democratic Party and widely regarded as a potential future prime minister. With a Harvard MBA, Moedas worked for Goldman Sachs and later set up his own investment management fund. After a brief spell as a junior government minister and as a lawmaker, he became in 2014 a European commissioner in charge of the blocs research, innovation and science arm. His election as mayor four years ago was a common career route for politicians eyeing higher office, with political responsibility for the capital regarded as a steppingstone. MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... The Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) reports that it has advanced the citys small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in expanding into international markets by participating in the 11th Bonjour Brand Forum in Paris last month, The Bonjour Brand Forum, held annually since 2014, drew global brand experts and served as a platform to showcase the citys unique cultural heritage and products. This year, the forum attracted over a hundred representatives, including political and business leaders, designers, and media professionals. Keynote speakers included Laurent Boillot, president of the Comite Colbert, and Nitin Bhatnagar, managing director for Europe and the Middle East at Delvaux, among others. The event series featured a Selection Pionniere Europe session, which invited professional partners, including top European buyers, brand agents, e-commerce platforms, KOLs, and industry investors, to conduct on-site sourcing and provide professional advice on optimizing high-margin overseas marketing strategies. Moreover, Douyin Groups participation in the forum showcased opportunities for Mainland China market access and brand revitalization through cross-border e-commerce channels. In a related development, DSEDTs cooperation with the Macau Live Streaming Association (MLSA) has also progressed. An earlier visit to Paris in July resulted in the signing of a cooperation agreement with Bonjour Brand to establish a China-France-Portugal Import & Export Product Sourcing Centre in Macau. According to DSEDT, this initiative is designed to boost cross-border e-commerce and support brand internationalization on both sides. NS Like this: Like Loading... By Qabil Ashirov During the working visit of Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Sahiba Gafarova to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, she met with Chairman of the Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Azernews reports, citing the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis. The Department noted that the sides expressed satisfaction with the successful development of relations between the two countries, which are based on the principles of friendship and brotherhood. It was noted that reciprocal visits by the heads of state have played an important role in elevating bilateral ties to a high level. Emphasizing the special role of parliaments in the advancement of these relations, the speakers highly appreciated the cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, both on a bilateral basis and within various international platforms. During the meeting, the holding of the Third Trilateral Meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye was described as a contribution to the further expansion of relations. The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. MGM China Holdings Limited has been included in the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index (HSSUSB) for the fourth consecutive year, reaffirming its commitment to responsible business practices. The company also remains the only integrated resort operator in Macau to be listed on both the HSSUSB and the Hang Seng ESG 50 Index, which recognizes top Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performers among listed firms. MGM China received an A rating in the latest assessment, reflecting its sustainability initiatives such as the full transition to clean natural gas across all properties and the use of AI-based food waste tracking systems. Both MGM Macau and MGM Cotai have achieved WELL Health-Safety and WELL Equity ratings. President and executive director Kenneth Feng said the recognition affirms our pursuit of excellence in environmental stewardship, stakeholder well-being, and innovation. Like this: Like Loading... President Donald Trump told Israeli lawmakers yesterday that their country had no more to achieve on the battlefield and must work toward peace in the Middle East after two years of war against Hamas and skirmishes with Hezbollah and Iran. Although the U.S.-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas remains fragile, Trump is determined to seize an opportunity to chase an elusive regional harmony. Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change, he declared to the Knesset, which welcomed him as a hero. Israel, with our help, has won all that they can by force of arms, Trump said. Youve won. I mean, youve won. Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East. Trump promised to help rebuild Gaza, which has been devastated during the conflict, and urged Palestinians to turn forever from the path of terror and violence. After tremendous pain and death and hardship, now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down. Trump even made a gesture to Iran, where he bombed three nuclear sites during the countrys brief war with Israel earlier this year, by saying the hand of friendship and cooperation is always open. We merely want to live in peace, he said. We dont want any looming threats over our heads. A whirlwind trip to Middle East The U.S. president will continue on to Egypt for a summit with more than two dozen other nations, although he was running hours late as speeches at the Knesset continued longer than expected. They might not be there by the time I get there, but well give it a shot, Trump joked after needling Israeli leaders for talking so much. There was a chance that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would join him, and Egypt even announced his attendance. However, Netanyahus office said later that he would not be going because the summit was too close to the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Twenty hostages were released yesterday as part of an agreement intended to end the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, with an attack by Hamas-led militants. Trump may meet some of them at the Sheba Medical Center, and he talked with families at the Knesset. Israeli lawmakers chanted Trumps name and gave him standing ovation after standing ovation. Some people in the audience wore red hats that resembled his Make America Great Again caps, although these versions said Trump, The Peace President. Netanyahu hailed Trump as the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House and he promised to work with him going forward. Mr President, you are committed to this peace. I am committed to this peace, he said. And together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace. Trump pushes to reshape the region The moment remains fragile, with Israel and Hamas still in the early stages of implementing the first phase of Trumps plan. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement calls for the release of the final hostages held by Hamas; the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel; a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza; and a partial pullback by Israeli forces from Gazas main cities. With families overjoyed at the impending reunions and Palestinians eager for a surge of humanitarian assistance, Trump thinks there is a narrow window to reshape the region and reset long-fraught relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The war is over, OK? Trump told reporters traveling with him aboard Air Force One. I think people are tired of it, he said, emphasizing that he believed the ceasefire would hold because of that. The Republican president said the chance of peace was enabled by his administrations support of Israels decimation of Iranian proxies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The White House said momentum is also building because Arab and Muslim states are demonstrating a renewed focus on resolving the broader, decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, in some cases, deepening relations with the United States. In February, Trump had predicted that Gaza could be redeveloped into what he called the Riviera of the Middle East. But on Sunday aboard Air Force One, he was more circumspect. I dont know about the Riviera for a while, Trump said. Its blasted. This is like a demolition site. But he said he hoped to one day visit the territory. Id like to put my feet on it, at least, he said. After Israel, the president will continue on to Egypt. Trump and el-Sissi will lead a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with leaders from more than 20 countries on peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East. DARLENE SUPERVILLE, JERUSALEM, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... On 10, 11, and 12 October, more than 200 communists gathered at the Telephone Workers' Union in Mexico City for the founding congress of the Revolutionary Communist Party (PCR). In an atmosphere of great enthusiasm, we discussed international and national perspectives, a balance sheet of our work, and the political and organisational principles of our party. The congress was attended by 80 comrades from 17 states of the republic (Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, Jalisco, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Queretaro, Morelos, Puebla, Estado de Mexico, Yucatan, Chiapas, Quintana Roo and CDMX) and 100 from Mexico City, making it the largest meeting we have had to date. To make this congress possible, all our members from each of the branches got involved to obtain the necessary resources to cover the total costs of the event, which exceeded 80,000 pesos ($4,300). This is noteworthy because, while other organisations and parties mobilise young people with promises of money or political favours, our party is built on the militant efforts of the comrades, both individually and collectively. The meeting was permeated by a mood of enthusiasm, and its composition was very youthful. The comrades, who in most cases did not know each other, quickly felt at home with their fellow fighters, who share Marxist ideas and are willing to build the party. This enthusiasm was reflected in the collection, which exceeded our initial goals and raised more than 170,000 pesos (approximately $9,220), and in our sales of political material, which amounted to 27,000 pesos ($1,460). A world on fire The congress began on Friday afternoon with a discussion on international perspectives led by Jorge Martin, a member of the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International, of which the PCR is a part. In his introduction, Jorge explained the deep contradictions that are currently developing at the heart of global capitalism and how they are generating an awakening of consciousness. The revolutionary GenZ mobilisations began in East Asia, spread to Africa and are now reaching Latin America. He also explained the effect that the Palestinian genocide is having in Europe and how it is provoking mass mobilisations in Italy and Spain. He described it as the straw that broke the camels back, bringing to the surface the anger and frustration over years of austerity attacks by the right-wing government, in the case of Italy. He rightly said that the driving force behind these mobilisations is young people, so-called Gen Z, who have grown up throughout a period of capitalist crisis and who see no other way out than to fight against their hated regimes. He ended his speech by explaining that never in history has the balance of forces been so favourable to the cause of the working class and youth, who, in country after country, have taken up the struggle in recent years. But in all cases, the possibility of profound change in society has been aborted due to the lack of the subjective factor, to the lack of a revolutionary party that can give clear direction and coordinate the actions of the masses to end capitalism. He recalled Trotsky's words in The Transitional Programme: The world political situation as a whole is chiefly characterised by a historical crisis of the leadership of the proletariat, and called for the urgent building of the forces of the PCR. Revolutionary perspectives for Mexico Throughout Saturday, there was discussion about the prospects for Mexico as well as the founding principles of our new party. In the morning, we discussed the prospects for the Morena government and the most important contradictions that are emerging within Mexican society. Comrade Ubaldo, who delivered the report, pointed out how the situation has changed rapidly. In July last year, there was great joy when the second reformist government won the presidential election and an overwhelming majority in both houses of parliament. This atmosphere changed once Donald Trump came to power in the United States. Political and economic pressure immediately began to bend Claudia Sheinbaum's government to the new demands of US imperialism, which it has largely achieved. In the economic sphere, in the fight against drugs, in matters of migration, concessions have been made in all fundamental areas. Nevertheless, the government's propaganda has been to portray itself as a good negotiator and defender of national sovereignty. Finally, it was explained that this pressure from US imperialism is having two effects. On the one hand, it is helping the president to close ranks with the national bourgeoisie assuming, through Sheinbaum's Plan Mexico for Mexico and the US to work together to block China, that the national capitalists can replace all the goods that are now imported from that country. To guarantee this, the government is committing to take on risky private capital investments and facilitate investment in areas such as energy, mining, roads, infrastructure, etc. On the other hand, the policy of pressure is accelerating the contradictions that were already beginning to appear in the reformist government. This is particularly evident with regard to meeting the demands of the working class, which the government does not want to do in order to avoid a fight with the bourgeoisie, for example, in the case of fair pensions for teachers, the 40-hour working week, and a firm policy against gentrification. Build the Revolutionary Communist Party of Mexico! After this discussion, we moved on to a report on the work of the Revolutionary Communist International. This inspiring report gave an account of the progress we have made throughout the world as a result of our Are You a Communist? campaign. To close the first part of the day, a national collection was held, which yielded the wonderful result of 170,000 pesos (approximately $9,220) raised for the PCR! The congress also discussed the principles and traditions upon which the new party is based, a balance sheet of our work, and a report on our finances. The last item on the agenda on Saturday was a vote on the political resolution on the formation of the PCR. This resolution summarises our perspectives for revolution in Mexico and speaks of the need to build a revolutionary party that can play the role of the vanguard. Our task is to work to build that tool of class struggle. The vote was unanimous, and with great enthusiasm, The Internationale, the anthem of the exploited of the world, was sung. Immediately afterwards, we went out to march and shout from the rooftops that the PCR had been born. It was electrifying to see more than 200 militants, most of them delegates from branches across Mexico, marching down Reforma Avenue and arriving at Plaza Palestina. There, we held a rally in which four of our comrades spoke and raised issues such as the struggle against violence, for the rights of youth and working women, against the genocide in Palestine, and the need for our party. Discussions continued on Sunday about the different aspects of the work of the organisation. Before closing, the congress voted on the new leadership that will be responsible for guiding the PCR in the coming period, in order to achieve the objectives set out in the various documents. An auditors committee and a disputes committee were also voted on. We ended the congress with another rendition of the Internationale. After and during the congress itself, there were a number of cultural activities. Comrades recited revolutionary poetry, songs, and even gave a short theatrical performance featuring the spectre of communism! This congress marks a turning point in the work of the communists in Mexico. We are committed to moving forward without falling into opportunism or sectarianism. We dedicate ourselves to the constant struggle to raise our political level based on Marxism, and integrate young people into this necessary task: of building the international party that will put an end to capitalism. By Akbar Novruz A written statement by Stephen Doughty the UK Secretary of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, on the lifting of the arms embargo on Azerbaijan and Armenia, has been published on the website of the British Parliament, Azernews reports via local media. The statement reads: I would like to inform you about the significant developments in the South Caucasus and the UKs response to the progress in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On August 8, US President Donald Trump held a trilateral summit in Washington with the participation of Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan. As a result, a peace agreement was initialed and a declaration was signed. The documents include a call for the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group and a commitment to ensure communication between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, while respecting Armenias sovereignty. The UK welcomes the progress achieved. This is an important step towards peace and stability. In this regard, we are upgrading our relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan to a strategic partnership in the areas of trade, security and defence. From August 24 to 26, I visited both countries to reaffirm our support and discuss practical steps forward. We supported the dissolution of the Minsk Group. Given the progress achieved, we believe that the OSCE 1992 embargo is no longer relevant. The UK is lifting its arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan in full. This will help to develop security cooperation and help the countries protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity, including in responding to hybrid threats. Export licenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, according to strict criteria. We will monitor the situation in the region. We hope that this will pave the way for peace, security and prosperity in the South Caucasus. The UK stands ready to work with both countries, the US, the EU and other partners to support these changes and regional stability. The UKs decision marks a significant diplomatic shift, reflecting Londons recognition of the progress made in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and its readiness to strengthen regional cooperation in the fields of security and defence. King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, chaired, on Monday in Nouaceur, the presentation ceremony and launch of construction works of Safran Groups aircraft engines industrial complex that will strengthen further Moroccos aeronautics industry. This facility will be dedicated to aircraft engines assembling, testing, maintenance and repair activities for new-generation engines. It shows the strong partnership set between Safran and Morocco to propel the Kingdoms aerospace sector to higher levels of technological competitiveness. At the outset of the ceremony, a corporate film was screened, tracing the development of the aeronautics sector, one of Moroccos global industries, in recent years, thanks to the bold reforms and structuring projects initiated by the Sovereign. On this occasion, the minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, made a presentation before the Sovereign saying that that thanks to the royal vision Morocco has established itself as a key global destination in cutting-edge sectors and built a world-class aerospace industry. The sectors export revenue has significantly risen, going from less than MAD 1 billion in 2004 to exceeding MAD 26 billion in 2024, Mezzour said, stressing that the aeronautic ecosystem has more than 150 companies, including the worlds largest operators. Safran Group, a long-standing partner of the Kingdom for 25 years, is today renewing its confidence in the Moroccan platform through the implementation of a world-class integrated complex for the assembly, testing, maintenance, and repair of aircraft engines, said the minister, noting that this involves the establishment of an aircraft engine maintenance and repair plant (MAD 1.3 billion), with a maintenance capacity of 150 engines per year, creating 600 direct jobs by 2030. It also involves the development of an assembly and testing plant for LEAP 1-A commercial aircraft engines, which are used in particular in Airbus A320 Neo aircraft models, Mezzour said. With an assembly capacity of 350 engines per year, this MAD 2.1 billion investment will generate 300 highly skilled jobs by 2029. As the second production site for the LEAP-1A engine worldwide, this project will establish the Kingdom in the global value chain of aircraft engine manufacturers and will attract new equipment manufacturers to Morocco national ecosystem For his part, the Chairman of Safran Groups Board, Ross McInnes, said the presence of the King in the ceremony is deeply meaningful for the group, noting that it shows the Sovereigns interest in the Kingdoms industrial development. He also underlined the excellent economic and industrial ties between France and Morocco, assuring that his Group does not produce in Morocco but with Morocco, a country that is strategic for Safran in several fronts. Safran CEO Olivier Andries said the groups decision to build Safrans new aircraft engine industrial complex in Morocco was not accidental, noting that his group had chosen a country with talent, modern infrastructure, and a stable macroeconomic environment. But above all, we have been guided by the trust inspired by the momentum driven by Your Majesty to turn the Kingdom into a competitive industrial platform on a global scale, he said. Today these two projects and ongoing extensions in three of our other sites amount to an investment of more than 350 million and are set to generate thousands of jobs for the entire aerospace ecosystem in the Kingdom, underlined Mr. Andries. Afterwards, King Mohammed VI chaired the signing ceremony of three agreements. The first is a protocol agreement the Moroccan State and the Safran Group, for the installation of the French groups aircraft engine assembly and testing plant. The second is a memorandum of understanding on the supply of renewable energy to Safran sites. The third agreement is related to the establishment of the Safran Groups aircraft engine assembly and testing plant at Midparc, Nouaceur industrial zone. Afterwards, King Mohammed VI posed for a souvenir photo with a group of young people training at the Institute of aeronautical professions in Nouaceur to join the future aircraft engine maintenance plant, before launching the construction works of the Safran groups Aircraft Engines industrial complex. Renewed violence in South Sudan has forced over 300,000 people to flee the country in 2025 alone, sparking fears of a return to full-scale civil war, according to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. The conflict, driven by the breakdown of a fragile power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and former First Vice President Riek Machar, has reignited armed clashes not seen since the 2017 ceasefire. The commission warns that unless urgent regional intervention occurs, the nation risks sliding further into chaos. Most of the displaced have sought refuge in neighboring countries 148,000 in Sudan, 50,000 each in Ethiopia and Uganda, and thousands more in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) worsening regional instability. Internally, South Sudan is grappling with two million displaced people and deepening humanitarian crises. UN officials blame the crisis on entrenched corruption and a failure of political will. The crisis is the result of deliberate choices made by its leaders to put their interests above those of their people, said Commission Chair Yasmin Sooka. More than ever, justice is essential for South Sudan. The commission also renewed calls for the African Union to expedite the long-delayed Hybrid Court promised in the 2018 peace deal to ensure justice for victims of war crimes and human rights violations. Credible and independent mechanisms for justice and accountability are needed to deter the repeated cycles of atrocities, break cycles of impunity, and heal the wounds of war, said Commissioner Carlos Castresana. Tunisias foreign trade data for the first nine months of 2025 show a marginal 0.03% rise in exports, reaching 46,419.8 million dinars (MD) compared to 46,404.6 MD in the same period of 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS). The modest growth was driven by an 8% increase in mining, phosphates and derivatives, alongside a 6.4% boost in mechanical and electrical industries. However, export revenues in the energy sector fell sharply by 34.2%, primarily due to a steep drop in refined product sales. The agro-food industry also suffered a 14.6% decline, largely reflecting reduced olive oil exports, while the textile, clothing, and leather industries recorded a slight 1.3% contraction. Exports to the European Union which represent over 70% of Tunisias total trade climbed to 32,622.6 MD, up from 32,284.3 MD in the same period last year. Sales to Germany, France, and the Netherlands rose by 11.2%, 8.4%, and 7.2% respectively, while exports to Italy and Spain declined by 10.1% and 20.3%. Trade with Arab partners also strengthened, with exports increasing to Libya (+7.4%), Morocco (+35.9%), Algeria (+11.6%), and Egypt (+33.5%). Despite sectoral imbalances, the data suggest a resilient performance in Tunisias industrial and regional trade segments amid global economic challenges. President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly fled Madagascar following a dramatic shift in power, after elite military unit CAPSAT joined weeks-long Gen Z-led protests demanding his resignation. Rajoelina was scheduled to deliver a national address Monday (13 Oct) evening but instead confirmed in a Facebook livestream that he had left for a safe location. Though his exact whereabouts remain undisclosed, multiple reports suggest he was flown out on a French military aircraft, possibly under a deal with French President Emmanuel Macron claims Paris has neither confirmed nor denied. The protests began on 25 September, sparked by frustration over water and power outages. But they quickly grew into a national movement against poverty, corruption, and the high cost of living. The demonstrations, largely mobilized online by Gen Z Madagascar, drew tens of thousands and were later joined by civic groups, unions and finally, the military. Tensions escalated over the weekend when CAPSAT, a powerful administrative military unit with a history of political influence, declared it had assumed control over all armed forces. The unit, instrumental in Rajoelinas rise to power during a 2009 coup, vowed to protect civilians and refused to fire on protesters. As the situation remains volatile, the opposition in parliament has announced impeachment proceedings. Meanwhile, jubilant crowds in capital Antananarivo marched with soldiers, waving flags and chanting for new leadership. Analysts warn this power shift may deepen Madagascars cycle of weak civilian rule and strong military influence unless genuine dialogue and reforms follow. If the coup is successful and Rajoelina is able to be removed from power, the repercussions will be very serious, said political risk analyst Rose Mumanya Mumanya. Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday, October 13, held talks with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama in Beijing on the sidelines of the Global Leaders Meeting on Women. Premier Li noted that the elevation of China-Ghana relations to a strategic partnership last year had opened fresh avenues for cooperation. He reaffirmed Chinas readiness to work closely with Ghana in promoting high-quality Belt and Road collaboration, expanding trade and investment, and enhancing partnerships in infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, energy, and cultural exchanges. Li also emphasised the importance of both nationskey members of the Global Southworking together to defend multilateralism and global free trade. President Mahama, for his part, commended China for its successful hosting of the global meeting and expressed appreciation for Chinas continued support to Ghana, including its zero-tariff policy for African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing. Reaffirming Ghanas commitment to the one-China principle, Mahama pledged to deepen cooperation in trade, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and mining, while exploring emerging sectors such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence. He further endorsed Chinas Global Governance Initiative, underscoring Ghanas readiness to collaborate in promoting multilateralism and upholding international fairness and justice. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Researchers with the UC Irvine-led study sample dust at the southern edge of the Salton Sea. Credit: Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health Children living near the Salton Sea, in Southern California's desert region of Imperial County, are experiencing poorer lung function than children exposed to less wind-blown dust, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Irvine's Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health. They found that higher dust exposuremeasured in hours per yearwas linked to lower lung function, with the negative effects most pronounced among children living closest to the lake. The work, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, marks one of the first investigations to directly link dust events from a drying saline lake to measurable declines in children's respiratory health. From 2019 to 2022, investigators used spirometry on nearly 500 children, all around 10 years of age, to measure lung function. The test evaluates lung size and strength by gauging how much air a person can exhale, as well as how fast they can do so. Team members collected nearly 1,300 lung function assessments, alongside health questionnaires and in-person clinical examinations. Using data from 12 air monitors maintained by the California Air Resources Board, they estimated participants' exposure to particulate matter during dust eventsdefined as hours in which particulate matter concentrations exceeded regulatory thresholds. For each child, the researchers calculated cumulative dust event exposure during the three months preceding each lung function test. The analysis revealed a clear association: Children living near the Salton Sea experienced worse lung function due to their exposure to dust events. The study builds on growing evidence that the high particulate matter levels around the shrinking Salton Sea contribute to elevated rates of asthma, wheezing and other respiratory conditionsechoing health disasters such as "Dust Bowl pneumonia" in the 1930s, when widespread dust exposure led to severe and often fatal respiratory illness. "The drying of the Salton Sea is not only an environmental crisis but also a public health crisis," said corresponding author Jill Johnston, associate professor of environmental and occupational health at Wen Public Health. "Our study provides concrete evidence that children in surrounding communities are facing measurable harm to their lungs as a result of increased dust exposure." California's largest inland lake, the Salton Sea has been receding for decades, exposing large stretches of dried lakebed that release dust into the air when disturbed by wind. This dust can carry contaminants including pesticides, metals and other toxic substances. Communities near the lake, predominantly low-income and Latino, are disproportionately bearing the health burden. In the article, the researchers emphasize the urgent need for continued monitoring and intervention to mitigate air pollution in the region. "Protecting the health of children in the Salton Sea communities requires immediate attention through targeted public health strategies," Johnston said. The study adds critical evidence to the body of research on environmental health risks linked to climate change and ecosystem decline. As similar changes in inland lakes occur globally, these potential impacts demand greater public health attention, underscoring the importance of preventive policies and community-level protections. Additional authors included Fangqi Guo, Sandrah Eckel and Shohreh Farzan of the University of Southern California's Department of Population and Public Health Sciences; Elizabeth Kamai of UC Irvine; Luis Olmedo, Esther Bejarano and Christian Torres of Comite Civico del Valle; and Christopher Zuidema and Edmund Seto of the University of Washington's Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences. More information: Fangqi Guo et al, Dust Events and Children's Lung Function Near a Drying Saline Lake, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202504-0799rl Journal information: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 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: UTA study shows early motor skill developmental is critical for kids. Credit: University of Texas at Arlington A University of Texas at Arlington study reveals that even children who meet standard developmental milestones may be falling behind in age-appropriate motor skills. Priscila Tamplain, UT Arlington associate professor of kinesiology and director of the Motor Development Lab, has published multiple articles on the topic and cautions parents not to overlook the issue. As Dr. Tamplain explained, motor skills play an important role in children's long-term physical and mental health. For example, children who struggle kicking a ball or climbing a playground wall when entering elementary school may get left out of recess games, which can lead to withdrawal and social isolationissues with lasting negative effects. "We think we're so evolved, but the way you belong in elementary school is a lot through your motor skills. You can play at recess, right?" Tamplain said. "This isn't the only thing, but it's a really important one. The point is that those skills are not giventhey don't come as birthday gifts. You have to promote and practice them. If you don't, you're not going to develop good, age-appropriate motor skills." Tamplain added that very few of us are natural athletes. "Putting a little bit more effort into promoting experiences for instruction and practice of motor skills early and later in childhood can do wonders for teenagers and young adults," she said. Several factors in today's society contribute to gaps in motor skill development, including excessive screen time, limited play time, too much time indoors and minimal instruction. Tamplain also said that changes to milestone charts may mean children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are not identified early, since the guidelines suggest they are reaching milestones on time. "Developmental milestones are not the onlyor even the bestway to know whether a child is developing motor skills on time," said Tamplain, who published her findings in the Journal of Motor Learning and Development. "I always tell parents to trust their intuition. If the child seems clumsy for their age compared to siblings or other kids, there are other assessments." Tamplain pointed to studies that explain the long-term consequences of poor motor skills. The Stodden Model illustrates a loop between low motor competence and later physical health, while the environmental stress hypothesis links poor motor skills to issues such as anxiety and depression. "Kids need motor experiences as much as possible," Tamplain said. "They need freedom, space, less screen time, more real physical play and appropriate instruction. The more motor experiences they have, the better." Tamplain also runs the Little Mavs Movement Academy, now in its 14th year, for children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions affecting motor skills. Sessions are held every Tuesday evening at UTA's Physical Education Building, and enrollment is consistently at capacity. The program helps children develop everyday skills like buttoning a shirt, using utensils and writing clearly. For Tamplain, these are essential skills that every child should develop on time, making early intervention critical. "The research shows how much motor skills predict later problems, but we still focus on the later problems and not on what we can do earlier," she said. "If we intervene earlier, it's much cheaper and much better for kids. I think that's an easy concept to think aboutthe earlier we do something, the better." More information: Promise Robinson et al, An Investigation of Gross Motor Milestone Achievement in Individuals With Developmental Coordination Disorder, Journal of Motor Learning and Development (2025). DOI: 10.1123/jmld.2024-0033 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: Gender distribution within EU clinical practice guideline (CPG) committees. Gender of participants was inferred by name and/or internet searches. Every bubble represents a CPG development committee. Bubble sizes reflect total number of participating authors. Color coding reflects different tears of relative participation of women and men. Credit: BMJ (2025). DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2025-085684 How can clinical guidelines be designed in such a way that they enable (contextually) equitable and inclusive health careand at the same time promote research and innovation in a targeted manner? Professor Dr. Sabine Oertelt-Prigione, head of the Sex- and Gender-sensitive Medicine working group, and her colleagues discuss these questions in the Perspective article "Designing clinical practice guidelines for equitable, inclusive, and contextualized care." The article is part of the current special edition of the BMJ on "Innovations in Womens Health." Nine international authors were invited to publish their innovative approaches to women's health in a global context, including the Bielefeld research team from the Medical School OWL. The article focuses on the role of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) as a strategic instrument in the interplay between care, research and innovation. "CPGs not only set clinical standardsthey can also actively contribute to identifying gaps in care and influence research priorities," says Sabine Oertelt-Prigione. "However, the prerequisite for this is consistent gender- and context-sensitive and methodologically standardized development. Data analysis reveals major gaps The empirical basis is an analysis of 325 European guidelines from ten areas of expertise (2012-2022), with over 14,000 recommendations. Although 74% of the guidelines contained sex- or gender-related terms, only 4.7% of the recommendations actually addressed these aspectsmostly in the context of reproduction, gynecology or urology. Recommendations on gender-specific issues beyond classic "women's issues" remained the exception. This is particularly evident in cardiology: despite their high relevance, only 1.6% of the recommendations deal with cross-gender aspects. Another finding: the majority of guideline committees were male-dominatedregardless of the content. "Studies show that female researchers are more inclined to include gender aspects," says Oertelt-Prigione. "A more diverse composition of expert committees is therefore crucial for more inclusive recommendations." The research team is therefore calling for a structural reorientation of guideline development: target groups, social contexts and care capacities must be taken into account from the outset in order to enable guidelines that can also be applied outside of highly developed systems. Recommendations for more inclusive guideline development In the article, the research team therefore proposes specific methodological approaches that can support the development of guidelines in order to make them more inclusive. These include the use of the PIPOH implementation framework, which systematically records the target group, intervention, professional group, expected outcomes and care context. The authors also recommend the involvement of stakeholders with practical experienceincluding those from lower-income countriesand the use of digital tools for evidence-based decision-making. The prerequisite here is an ethically sound and transparent approach to AI. Feedback loops with local users could also be digitalized and continuously developed as "living guidelines." Finally, the team advocates the establishment of an overarching, independent institution that coordinates international standards, monitors implementation and archives guidelines centrally. This could increase transparency and traceabilityeven beyond Europe. "CPGs have enormous potential beyond clinical care," says Oertelt-Prigione. "They can help to make structural inequalities in research and care visible and thus contribute to fairer health care worldwide." More information: Awa Naghipour et al, Designing clinical practice guidelines for equitable, inclusive, and contextualised care, BMJ (2025). DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2025-085684 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A new gene therapy approach aimed at protecting people with type 1 diabetes from developing diabetic kidney diseasea serious and common complication of the condition, has shown promising results in a University of Bristol study. One in three people with type 1 diabetes will develop kidney damage during their lifetime, which can develop silently over many years, often going undetected until it becomes severe. Current treatments can slow kidney damage but there are none that act on the root causea tiny filter called the glomerulus. Findings from this new study, published in Molecular Therapy, demonstrated a 64% reduction in a damage indicator for kidney disease, paving the way for a potential new treatment. The study, driven by first author, Dr. Aldara Martin Alonso and led by Dr. Rebecca Foster, Associate Professor of Microvascular Medicine at Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences, explored the potential of delivering a protein called VEGF-C directly into kidney cells. Previous studies have shown VEGFC could protect against kidney disease as it helps keep blood vessels in the kidney filter healthy, repairing early signs of diabetes-related kidney damage. To test whether this new approach could be used to treat or slow down kidney disease, the team used a harmless virus to deliver VEGF-C directly into the kidney cells of diabetic mice. Their results showed that this approach not only helped the kidneys work better, but also protected a key part of the kidney filter that normally helps prevent damage. It led to a 64% reduction in albuminuriathe presence of a protein called albumin in the urine, which is a common sign of kidney disease. Importantly, this reduction is more than twice the reduction recommended by the American Diabetes Association to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. Dr. Foster, the study's senior author, explained, "Currently, there are no drugs specifically available to protect people with type 1 diabetes from kidney disease, despite their higher risk of developing kidney disease. This gap in treatment highlights the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. Our goal was to investigate whether gene therapy could offer a viable solution by delivering VEGFC in a more targeted way." Dr. Faye Riley, research communications lead at Diabetes UK, said, "Kidney disease is a serious and life-altering complication of diabetes, that can progress silently over many years. There is an urgent need for new treatments to prevent kidney damage in people with diabetes, and this novel approach tackles the root cause for the first time. "While early stage, this promising research could lead to an entirely new way to protect the kidneys in people with diabetes and prevent devastating kidney failure." Dr. Foster added, "This gene therapy approach has not been explored before in preclinical models and offers a long-term solution for these patients who are at risk of developing kidney disease." More information: Aldara Martin Alonso et al, Podocyte-directed VEGFC gene therapy prevents increased glomerular permeability and glycocalyx damage in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes, Molecular Therapy (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2025.10.001 Journal information: Molecular Therapy A rally in support of Samvel Karapetyan will be held in Yerevan today. Karapetyan himself will not be present for a good reason: he is in jail, and today, most likely, his detention will be extended. It is unclear what the organizers of the rally are hoping to achieve or what their true goals are. Do they want to bring more people to the square to report back to their patron? Or, on the contrary, are they trying to attract new sponsors from a certain northern country? As Tolya Kuzichev, the most fervent host on Channel One, likes to say: time will tell. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Indonesian authorities found traces of radioactivity at a clove farm on Sumatra island, a government spokesperson said Tuesday, as Jakarta expanded an investigation launched after the US health authority detected Cesium-137 contamination of spices from Indonesia. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently said it had detected the presence of Cesium-137 in a sample of cloves from PT Natural Java Spice during screening after the radioactive isotope was also detected in August in a sample of frozen shrimp from Indonesia. The Indonesian government then launched an investigation, with inspection teams sent to a processing facility and a farm on Java island and another farm on Sumatra, task force spokesperson Bara Hasibuan told AFP Tuesday. He said the team only found traces of radioactivity at the clove farm in Lampung, Sumatra, without disclosing further details, adding that the government had banned the farm from selling its cloves as a preventive measure. "Until there is a conclusive finding, we requested that the cloves from the farm are not being sold," Bara said, adding that Indonesia's Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency, or Bapeten, was testing samples from the farm. "We must determine the source, how come the cloves there are contaminated." The finding comes after authorities detected traces of Cesium-137 in at least 22 facilities at the Cikande industrial estate, about 60 kilometers (35 miles) west of Jakarta. The government has tightened restrictions in the area and has carried out inspections of vehicles for potential contamination. It has also suspended imports of scrap iron and steel, reportedly the source of contamination, until a monitoring system for radioactive materials is "fully strengthened," environment minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said in an Instagram post. The FDA has banned products from the two Indonesian companies until they are able to demonstrate they had resolved issues that allowed the contamination to occur, the agency said. The agency also said shrimp and spices from certain regions of Indonesia would require import certification from late October, based on the risk of potential contamination with Cesium 137. The FDA issued a recall in August after the radioactive isotope was detected in shrimp exported by the company PT Bahari Makmur Sejati. The agency said long-term exposure to even low doses of Cesium-137 is linked to an elevated risk of cancer. The radioactive isotope, which is created via nuclear reactions, is used in a variety of industrial, medical and research applications. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In British Columbia's Lower Mainland, 90% of people have detectable antibodies against measles, indicating high vaccine coverage and population protection, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Measles has been on the rise in North America, with more than 4,000 cases reported in Canada as of August 2025, a five-fold increase over any full-year tally since Canada achieved measles elimination status in 1998. Measles is highly infectious, and herd immunity should be around 92% to 94% to prevent widespread circulation. Individuals born before 1970, during the time of endemic measles circulation, are considered immune through infection, while those born after the decline in measles circulation rely on vaccine-induced antibodies. Two doses of measles vaccine are recommended, with the first dose routinely given at 12 months and the second dose given at 4 to 6 years of age in BC. In recent years, public health officials have expressed concern that the increase in vaccine hesitancy may be negatively affecting vaccine coverage. About 90% of the measles cases in Canada have involved unvaccinated people. To gauge the risk of sustained measles transmission in the community at large, researchers analyzed blood samples collected in August 2024 from more than 1,000 people within the most populated Lower Mainland region of BC. They found measles antibodies in about 90% of people overall, including 92% to 94% of 2- to 3-year-olds and 97% of 4- to 6-year-olds, reflecting high first- and second-dose measles vaccine coverage in children. Measles antibody levels were lower in older children, including those who had been due for their second dose of vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtually all adults aged 55 years or older, but fewer than 75% of adults aged 20 to 39 years, had detectable measles antibodies. The authors suggest that this may be due to a combination of factors, including a decline in vaccine-induced antibody with age that may be exacerbated in people vaccinated as infants who were born to previously infected mothers. Vaccinated people in whom antibodies cannot be detected are likely to still have some protection due to other components of the immune response. "The observed epidemiology in BC and elsewhere in Canada indicates that current levels of population immunity are sufficient to suppress sustained or generalized measles transmission," writes Dr. Danuta Skowronski, BC Center for Disease Control and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, with co-authors. "This is supported by measles outbreaks that have been sporadic, self-limited, or centered on linked and largely nonvaccinated individuals or communities. Ensuring high 2-dose coverage in the general population remains critical to elimination." The findings show that the vast majority of parents know the importance of vaccinating their children, with serosurveys helping to identify areas for improvement. "Overall, our serosurvey in August 2024 identified a higher proportion of children with measles antibody, reflecting vaccine uptake, than vaccine coverage estimates would suggest. Our findings highlight missed documentation of administered measles vaccine doses and reinforce the importance of efficient and accurate systems to capture and confirm two-dose coverage." "Periodic population-based serosurveys, interpreted within a public health context, can clarify estimates of vaccination coverage, inform vaccination catch-up and other program adjustments, and support measles elimination efforts overall," concludes the investigative team. More information: Measles seroprevalence by birth cohort across the lifespan: a population-based, cross-sectional serosurvey in British Columbia, Canada, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.250788 www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.250788 Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Hearing the sound of their mother's voice promotes development of language pathways in a premature baby's brain, according to a new Stanford Medicine-led study. During the study, which is published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, hospitalized preemies regularly heard recordings of their mothers reading to them. At the end of the study, MRI brain scans showed that a key language pathway was more mature than that of preemies in a control group who did not hear the recordings. It is the first randomized controlled trial of such an intervention in early development. "This is the first causal evidence that a speech experience is contributing to brain development at this very young age," said the lead author, Katherine Travis, Ph.D., who was an assistant professor at Stanford Medicine when the study was conducted and is now an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical School and Burke Neurological Institute. "This is a potentially transformative way of thinking about how to approach neonatal care for promoting better language outcomes in children born prematurely." The study's senior author is Heidi Feldman, MD, Ph.D., the Ballinger-Swindells Endowed Professor in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Premature babiesborn at least three weeks earlyoften spend weeks or months in the hospital, typically going home around their original due dates. During hospitalization, they hear less maternal speech than if they had continued to develop in utero. Parents can't usually stay at the hospital around the clock; they may have older children to care for or jobs they must return to, for example. Preemies are at risk for language delays, and scientists have suspected that reduced early-life exposure to the sounds of speech contributes to the problem. The researchers decided to boost preemies' exposure to their mom's voices during hospitalization. They did this by playing recordings of the mothers speaking, a total of two hours and 40 minutes a day, for a few weeks at the end of the babies' hospital stays. "Babies were exposed to this intervention for a relatively short time," said study co-author Melissa Scala, MD, a clinical professor of pediatrics and a neonatologist at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. "In spite of that, we were seeing very measurable differences in their language tracts. It's powerful that something fairly small seems to make a big difference." Hearing develops in utero Fetal hearing begins to develop a little more than halfway through pregnancy, around 24 weeks into what is normally a 40-week gestation period. As the fetus grows, the uterus expands and the uterine wall thins. Late in pregnancy, more sounds, including the mother's conversations, reach the fetus. At birth, full-term newborns recognize their mother's voice and prefer the sounds of their parents' native language to other languages, prior research has shown. These factors suggest that listening to Mom's voice contributes to brain maturation in the latter half of a full-term pregnancy. "The body isn't going to waste energy developing hearing so early if it's not doing something important to program the brain," Scala said. Travis, Scala and their colleagues realized that by supplementing the sounds that premature babies hear in the hospital so they resemble what they would have heard in the womb, they had a unique opportunity to possibly improve brain development at this stage of life. The 46 babies in the study were born very prematurely, arriving more than eight weeks early. Babies could join the study when they were medically stable and had "graduated" from the neonatal intensive care unit, where the sickest newborns receive care, to the intermediate care nursery, where they stay until they are ready to go home. The babies in the study did not have congenital anomalies and had not experienced major complications of preterm birth. The researchers recorded mothers reading a chapter of "Paddington Bear," a children's book that has been translated into many languages. Each mother made a recording for her baby in her native language. The babies were randomly assigned to the treatment group (who heard their moms' voice recordings) or the control group (who did not). For babies in the treatment group, the recordings were played during the night in 10-minute periods, for a total of 160 minutes each night. By playing the recordings at night, the researchers prevented the parents from knowing which group their babies were in, ensuring that the parents' behavior wouldn't affect the results. The recordings did not appear to interfere with babies' sleep, the researchers said, noting that fetuses at the same stage of development often sleep while their mothers are awake and talking. The babies received MRI scans of their brains as part of the usual health checks given before hospital discharge. The scans included imaging of the arcuate fasciculus tracts on both sides of the brain, which contain large bundles of nerve fibers that help process and understand sound. The left arcuate fasciculus is specialized for language processing. Changes in a key language pathway On brain scans, the researchers saw a significant difference in the white matter in the left arcuate fasciculus: This language-processing pathway was more mature in babies in the treatment group than those in the control group. The right arcuate fasciculus was less affected by the treatment, which is consistent with known differences in how the two hemispheres of the brain process speech, the scientists said. "I was surprised by how strong the effect was," Travis said. "That we can detect differences in brain development this early suggests what we're doing in the hospital matters. Speech exposure matters for brain development." The researchers are planning new studies to test whether the benefits extend to babies with medical complications, and they are exploring in more detail how the voice recordings exert their effects. Scala also leads a team at Packard Children's that is creating customized plans for patients so that the sounds that preemies hear in the hospital's NICU are most conducive to promoting brain development. Encouragement for parents Parents of preemies often experience stress during their baby's hospitalization, including feelings of helplessness or frustration that they cannot spend as much time with their babies as they want to. "We'll always support parents visiting and talking to their babies in person as much as they can," Scala said, noting that in-person visits also offer opportunities for parents to hold their babies skin to skin, which confers its own neurodevelopmental benefits. She also hopes parents will feel encouraged to learn that voice recordings can supplement in-person visits. "This is a way thateven if they can't be there as much as they want tothe baby is still hearing them and still knows that they're there," she said. "And the parents are still contributing to the baby's brain development." More information: Listening to Mom in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A randomized trial of increased maternal speech exposure on white matter connectivity in infants born preterm, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2025.1673471 Journal information: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 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: National Taiwan University researchers have developed a new imaging technology, color-resolved third-harmonic-generation microscopy (cTHGM), that noninvasively measures glycated hemoglobin in individual red blood cells. This breakthrough enables retrospective reconstruction of a persons blood sugar history, opening new possibilities for diabetes management and early cancer risk assessment. Credit: National Taiwan University A National Taiwan University (NTU) interdisciplinary research team, led by Prof. Chi-Kuang Sun and Prof. Tzung-Dau Wang, has unveiled a optical imaging technique that enables the reconstruction of an individual's historical blood glucose patternsinformation that has long been beyond the reach of current medical technology. This innovation holds transformative potential for diabetes management and early cancer detection. The study was published in Science Advances. Glycemic variation, reflected through fluctuations in blood glucose levels, is not only a key metric in precision diabetes care but is increasingly recognized as a biomarker for the early detection and risk assessment of several cancers, including pancreatic and gastric cancers. Yet, existing monitoring systems such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can only capture short-term glucose dynamics, leaving past glycemic history undocumented and inaccessible for clinical or research purposes. Recognizing that circulating red blood cells (RBCs) have varying life spans, the research team discovered that the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) content in younger RBCs reflects recent blood glucose levels, while that in older RBCs represents long-term glycemic exposure. By analyzing the distribution of HbA1c across individual RBCs, it becomes possible to retrospectively reconstruct a person's glycemic trajectory over the entire 120-day lifespan of RBCs. To realize this concept, the team developed a theoretical RBC glycation model that quantitatively links historical blood glucose changes to single-cell HbA1c distributions. They then translated this model into practice by introducing a pioneering optical imaging technique: color-resolved third-harmonic-generation microscopy (cTHGM). cTHGM is a label-free, virtually absorption-free chemical imaging technology capable of high-specificity, high-throughput molecular analysis within living cells. Using a wavelength-tunable laser, assisted by NTU alumnus Tzu-Ming Liu, currently a professor at University of Macau, the researchers first jointly demonstrated that a subtle (~2 nm) spectral shift in the Soret absorption band can distinguish HbA1c from normal hemoglobin (Hb) via resonant-enhanced third-harmonic generation (THG). Building on this principle, NTU developed the broadband femtosecond-laserbased cTHGM system to simultaneously capture THG spectra of HbA1c and Hb within individual RBCs in a single-beam clinical configuration. The study at NTU hospital successfully demonstrated that cTHGM can noninvasively quantify HbA1c levels in single RBCs both ex vivo and in vivo. Remarkably, the HbA1c distribution measured from a preclinical patient closely matched the theoretical simulation, confirming that cTHGM can reconstruct personal glycemic histories. "If continuous glucose monitoring is like capturing a two-week video clip of glucose fluctuations, our cTHGM imaging is akin to reviewing the complete surveillance footage covering an entire 120-day RBC lifespan," said Sun, professor of photonics and optoelectronics. "This capability fundamentally changes how we can study and monitor long-term glycemic dynamics," said Wang, professor of internal medicine. The implications extend far beyond diabetes. By unlocking access to retrospective glycemic information, cTHGM opens new pathways for metabolism-related cancer research, early disease screening, and broader color-sensitive biomedical applications. More information: Xuhao Ye et al, Color-resolved third harmonic generation microscopy for single-RBC HbA1c measurement and glycemic history assessment, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ady1318 Journal information: Science Advances 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: Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels The federal government shutdown is forcing a reckoning for two remote health care programs because they automatically expired Oct. 1. The telehealth and in-home hospital care programs were both temporarybut increasingly popularoptions for Medicare recipients. They allowed doctors and hospitals to bill Medicare for telehealth appointments and in-home visits from nurses to provide care that is generally only available in hospitals. The shutdown has prevented Congress from extending them. More than 4 million Medicare beneficiaries used telehealth services in the first half of the year, according to Brown University's Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research. As of last fall, 366 hospitals had participated in the hospital-at-home program, serving 31,000 patients, according to a federal report. The program, officially called Acute Hospital Care at Home, allows patients who would otherwise be hospitalized to get inpatient care at home with a combination of nurse visits, monitoring equipment and remote doctor visits. The programs have their roots in the pandemic, when doctors and hospitals wanted to keep patients safe from the risks of travel and hospital stays. Both are for Medicare recipients, generally people over 65 or who are disabled. But since many private insurers follow federal guidelines, some physicians have stopped booking telemedicine appointments for non-Medicare patients, rather than risk a change in insurance coverage. Alexis Wynn, who is in her mid-30s and covered by private insurance through her employer, tried to switch an in-person doctor appointment in Pennsylvania to a video visit last week. The office told her that "all telemedicine is uncovered by insurance as of Oct. 1"so she had to cancel the routine appointment. "It was just a follow-up appointment to make sure the dosing of my medication was still accurate, nothing that was pertinent to being face-to-face," Wynn said. Her health insurance company later told her it still covered telehealth visits. There have been other reports of insurers turning down non-Medicare telehealth appointments, said Alexis Apple, director of federal affairs for the American Telemedicine Association, a trade group. "It's a misunderstanding," Apple said. "I'm not really sure what's happening, but it's unfortunate and very scary. There's so much uncertainty out there now, and we see insurance payers start to pull back." Both telehealth and home hospital services can be a lifeline for older people, especially in rural areas, where residents may struggle to travel long distances for health care in person. "In rural America, it's often telemedicine or no medicine at all," said Dr. David Newman, chief medical officer of virtual care at Sanford Health in South Dakota, in a September statement supporting congressional action to make Medicare telehealth permanent. Bipartisan bills that would have allowed telehealth to continue stalled in committee earlier this year in the Senate and House. There's an exception for telehealth rural residentsbut only if they travel to a brick-and-mortar health care facility to get the remote health care service. "The patients have to go to a clinic to receive that telehealth visit from a provider in a different location," Apple said. "It kind of defeats the purpose." According to the Brown University report, California had the highest rate of Medicare telehealth usage in the first six months of this year, with 26% of beneficiaries using at least one telehealth appointment, followed by 23% in Massachusetts and 21% in Hawaii. There's no reason for non-Medicare insurers to stop covering any telehealth visits during the shutdown, and even most Medicare Advantage programs will continue to cover telehealth, according to Tina Stow, a spokesperson for AHIP, a health industry trade association. Nevertheless, at least some health care centers are refusing to take new telehealth appointments or are converting existing ones to office visits. "This is causing a lot of confusion. We are still working with our members, who are insurers and providers, to get a gauge on what folks are doingbecause at this point, reports we've seen seem to suggest it is company by company, provider by provider," said Sean Brown, a spokesperson for the Health Leadership Council, representing CEOs of health care firms and insurers. The hospital-at-home program serves a smaller number of patients but its pause has caused more disruption: The federal government required patients to be discharged from the program or transferred to a brick-and-mortar hospital by Oct.1. The Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic had 30 patients in the program in Arizona, Florida and Wisconsinall of whom either had to be released from the program or sent to brick-and-mortar hospitals. One of Mayo's hospitals in Florida was already over capacity and had no room for transfers, according to reporting by Becker's Hospital Review. In Massachusetts, which requires commercial insurers to follow Medicare guidelines, all insured patients had to leave the program. Mass General Brigham, which operates many hospitals in the state, has rejiggered its plans to create more home care without relying on the hospital-at-home program, according to the Becker's report. Congress was unable to avert a shutdown by late September, and some individual providers and patients were caught unawares. Nurses on social media discussed losing home-care jobs or being reassigned overnight when the hospital-at-home program closed Oct. 1. They worried about patients being taken away from children at home, or placed in hallway beds at overcrowded emergency rooms because of the abrupt change. "Management scheduled a random call this morning with a super vague title. Then drop the bomb on us," wrote one poster in Texas. "So no job. Perfect!" In a direct message, the poster, who didn't want their name used for fear of getting in trouble at their hospital, told Stateline, "This obviously wasn't ideal for the patients. One of them had four children and now could no longer be home with them. Some didn't even get to have a bed in the hospital because there were none available and had to stay in the ER in a hallway bed." Parkland Health System in Dallas started tapering off its hospital-at-home program in September because of the impending shutdown, and the last patients were discharged from the program by Sept. 30 without returning to the hospital, spokesperson Wendi Hawthorne said. "We are hopeful that Congress will renew this innovative model of care in the future," Hawthorne said. Likewise, OSF Healthcare in Peoria, Illinois, had started to wind down its hospital-at-home program "to avoid needing to return multiple patients to a very crowded facility," said Jennifer Junis, president of OSF OnCall, which handles home hospital care. There were only three patients in the program at Sept. 30, all of whom were ready to be discharged without returning to the hospital, Junis said. Since the program's start in 2020, it has helped 980 patients with home care through OSF's Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. "It is unfortunate that we will not be able to benefit by treating qualifying patients at home, where they are most comfortable and recover faster," Junis said. "Our digital hospital program has allowed us to free up beds for our sickest patients who need them most." 2025 States Newsroom. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Overexpression of BDNF in human iPSC-derived NPCs expressing a calcium indicator. Credit: International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.3390/ijms26157262 The brain's mechanisms for repairing injuries caused by trauma or degenerative diseases are not yet known in detail. Now, a study from the University of Barcelona describes a new strategy based on stem cell therapy that could enhance neuronal regeneration and neuroplasticity when this vital organ is damaged. The results reveal that the use of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), combined with stem cell-based cell therapies, could help in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or brain injuries. The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, is led by Professor Daniel Tornero and researcher Alba Ortega, from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Institute of Neurosciences of the University of Barcelona (UBneuro). The study involves the decisive participation of a group of UB students who were awarded one of the gold medals in the international synthetic biology competition iGEM 2024, an international synthetic biology competition for young researchers. Combining cell therapy with BDNF production BDNF is a protein that is synthesized mainly in the brain and plays a key role in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. Several studies have described its potential to promote neuronal survival and growth, findings that are now extended by the new study. "The findings indicate that BDNF can promote the maturation and increase the activity of neurons generated in the laboratory from donor skin cells. The skin cells must first be reprogrammed to become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and then differentiated to obtain neuronal cultures," says Tornero from the UB's Department of Biomedicine and the CIBER Area for the Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED). In this way, the study combines cell therapy with the production of BDNF in the same cells. This study confirms the beneficial effects of this growth factor in neuronal cultures derived from human stem cells, the same cells that are used in cell therapy to treat, for example, stroke in animal models. "This strategy is being applied at an experimental level to design cell therapies and to generate laboratory models to help study brain diseases," says Tornero. When these neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are modified to continuously overexpress the BDNF protein, "we obtain more mature and active neuronal cultures, without altering the normal organization of their connections or the functional networks," explains Ortega. The study focuses on the more functional aspects of neuronal regeneration, such as neuronal activity and axon generation, which are directly involved in the integration of cells that are transplanted into the brain. "In addition, cells that produce BDNF are able to attract axonsthe extensions that allow communication between neuronsmore efficiently. This chemo-attraction effect would be related to the production of this factor," says the researcher. BDNF's ability to attract growing axons has been described previously. Now, the team shows this effect for the first time in neurons derived from human stem cells using a microfluidic chip system. This innovative technologywith two chambers that isolate populations of neurons with or without the ability to produce BDNFmakes it possible to grow populations of neurons communicating through small channels and thus observe precisely how they interact with each other. "The cells that produce BDNF generate a concentration gradient in these channels, which we believe guides and facilitates the formation of neuronal projections in a specific direction," says student Santiago Ramos, representing the group of students who have contributed an innovative perspective to the conceptual and experimental design of the study. Complementing the brain's natural ability to regenerate itself Neurodegenerative diseases and neuronal injuries, which are increasingly frequent in the population, are one of the major challenges for health care systems. As the endogenous regenerative capacity of the human brain is very limited, lesions only partially recover and affected patients are often left with motor and cognitive sequelae. In this context, there is an urgent need to design strategies that complement these endogenous brain mechanisms with human stem cell-based therapies to promote neuronal repair, functional integration and more efficient recovery. In this regard, the team plans to transfer these results to animal models, a line of research developed for some time in this laboratory to improve human stem cell therapy in ischemic stroke lesions affecting the cerebral cortex. The application of preclinical advances in patients will mark a turning point in the treatment of many neurodegenerative diseases. However, there are still many obstacles to implementing stem cell-based therapies and avoiding potential side effects (tumor generation, etc.). Some international clinical trials based on stem cell transplantation for the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease (in Japan, Sweden and the United States) are showing promising results. "Although there are many challenges, progress in Parkinson's clinical trials shows that we are closer than ever to applying these therapies safely in patients with stroke or other neurodegenerative diseases," the experts conclude. More information: Alba Ortega-Gasco et al, BDNF Overexpression Enhances Neuronal Activity and Axonal Growth in Human iPSC-Derived Neural Cultures, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.3390/ijms26157262 Journal information: International Journal of Molecular Sciences 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: Illustration of obstruction of ventilation. Credit: Habib Mhenni / public domain Combined treatments for both aspects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)a compromised airway anatomy and unstable breathinghave shown promise in a Monash and Harvard-led trial. Published in the European Respiratory Journal, the study found that treating both aspects with multiple treatments markedly reduced severity compared with either treatment alone. An estimated 5% of Australians have sleep apnea, including about one in four men aged over 30. In the over-30s, it's about twice as common in men than in women. Associate Professor Brad Edwards, from the Monash University School of Psychological Sciences, said OSA was attributed not only to the anatomical tendency of the upper airwayparticularly the pharynxto narrow or collapse during sleep, but also an instability in the regulation of breathing. Associate Professor Edwards said the study tested whether combining a ventilatory control intervention (supplemental oxygen) with an upper airway mechanical intervention mandibular advancement device, known as MAD, improved treatment efficacy. "We did this because we know that OSA is due to a combination of anatomical and non-anatomical causes," he said. "The MAD targets the anatomical cause while oxygen helps target a leading but underappreciated non-anatomical cause. "Mandibular advancement devices are commonly used to treat OSA, while supplemental oxygen is not commonly used; it is often used for other respiratory disorders such as COPD and emphysema. This is the first time this combination has been tried in patients with OSA." The multicenter randomized crossover trial saw 41 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA undergo a comprehensive overnight sleep study with four interventions involving oxygen, MAD, combination therapy, and a sham (i.e. room air). "Combining a ventilatory control intervention (supplemental oxygen) with an upper airway intervention (MAD) is a promising approach to markedly attenuate OSA severity beyond that offered by each intervention alone," the researchers found. Senior author Scott Sands, an Associate Professor of Medicine from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said targeting multiple causes of OSA significantly decreased severity, measured using a number of different metrics, compared to each therapy alone. "Now we need larger trials targeted to selected patients, but this is the first convincing evidence that going after multiple causes of OSA at the same time could have real benefits for patients," Assistant Professor Sands said. "If widely adopted, it could be a bit like people with high blood pressure taking two or three medications to control it, with each targeting different biological pathways." More information: Bradley A. Edwards et al, Combined Supplemental Oxygen and Mandibular Advancement Device Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized-Controlled Trial, European Respiratory Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01320-2025 Journal information: European Respiratory Journal Kazakhstan is interested in signing long-term agreements with Azerbaijan for the supply of oil products, according to Kazakhstans Minister of Transport, Nurlan Sauranbayev, Azernews reports. Speaking at the 21st meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Baku, Sauranbayev emphasized the strategic nature of the two countries' partnership in the energy sector. We have a truly strategic partnership in energy. We highly value the cooperation between SOCAR and KazMunayGas in transporting oil via the Trans-Caspian route, he stated. Sauranbayev also underlined the importance of developing green energy, noting that the transmission of renewable energy is a key priority. He recalled that in November 2024, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan signed a trilateral agreement in Baku to advance strategic cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Additionally, the Kazakh minister expressed his countrys readiness to collaborate with Azerbaijan on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and energy regulation, as well as to exchange expertise in these areas. He also highlighted Kazakhstan's interest in cooperating with Azerbaijan on establishing joint research and development centers focused on artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov announced that oil transit between the two countries is set to increase through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. Cooperation between SOCAR and KazMunayGas on Kazakh oil transit through Azerbaijan is progressing successfully. Since 2023, 3.4 million tons of Kazakh oil have been transported to global markets via the BTC pipeline, Shahbazov said. He added that both sides are exploring the possibility of increasing annual oil volumes to 7 million tons by 2027 a move that would significantly enhance their energy partnership and further diversify Kazakhstans export routes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a massive, state-wide operation, busting chemists in Mumbai and Maharashtra for illegally selling prescription-only medicines, particularly cough syrups, without a valid doctors prescription. This inspection drive aims to ensure pharmacies strictly comply with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. So far, over 250 chemists across Maharashtra received show-cause notices, while 185 were issued immediate stop-sale orders. The Coldriff scandal This stringent enforcement comes after the high-profile Coldriff cough syrup scandal, where contaminated medicine was linked to the tragic deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The issue stemmed from the presence of Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial chemical, in the Coldriff syrup. The incident has prompted authorities to impose regulatory measures on drug safety at all levels of the supply chain. We are taking strict action against all chemists who are not following the law and failed to submit explanations as to why their licences should not be suspended or cancelled, said FDA commissioner Rajesh Narvekar. The inspection is still ongoing, and more chemists who are disobeying the law are on the radar. The FDA is now cracking down on two fronts: strengthening manufacturing checks, i.e., ensuring pharmaceutical companies adhere to stringent quality and safety standards; and tightening retail control, i.e., guaranteeing that chemists only dispense Schedule H drugs medicines legally requiring a doctors prescription upon presentation of a valid medical script. Many cough syrups fall under Schedule H because their ingredients can be easily abused or cause harm if consumed without medical guidance. Selling them freely can lead to self-medication and even addiction, explained Abhay Pande, President of the All Food and Drug Licence Holders Foundation (AFDLHF). Survey confirms offence A survey by AFDLHF confirmed that cough syrups are routinely dispensed without a prescription across Mumbai and Maharashtra. The survey also highlighted a major complication: over 3,000 pharmaceutical marketing companies in Maharashtra reportedly procure cough syrups and other medicines from outside the state under their own brand names. These products, which lack robust quality control, are then sold in major urban areas like Mumbai, Pune, and Thane. While the FDA focuses on both manufacturers and retailers, many chemists feel they are being unfairly targeted for issues originating at the manufacturing level. They argue that retailers lack the resources to test for contamination and are being penalised for selling already-approved products. According to information, fear of penalties have led some chemists to stop selling cough syrups entirely, which could create genuine difficulty for patients with valid prescriptions. The FDA, however, remains firm, asserting that law holds both parties accountable and that chemists must strictly adhere to prescription to safeguard public health. The regulator already began seizing faulty stock, prohibiting further sale, and tightening checks on interstate supplies an important step since most cough syrups are manufactured in states like Gujarat and marketed heavily in Maharashtra. The Bombay High Court has refused interim relief to American pastor James Leonard Watson, arrested in Bhiwandis Chimbipada village for allegedly conducting illegal religious conversions. The court also directed his foreign spouse to file a corrected petition before seeking further relief. Watson, 58, who entered India on a business visa, was detained with two Indian associates Sainath Ganpati Sarpe (42) and Manoj Govind Kolhe (35) for allegedly organising a Christian prayer meeting on October 3, in Bhuishet village. Around 30 to 35 villagers, including minors, had gathered in an open space outside Kolhes residence. According to the complaint by Ravinath Savji Bhurkoot, the accused denounced Hinduism as superstitious and claimed that conversion to Christianity would bring prosperity and healing. They allegedly distributed religious literature from a vehicle, conducted prayers, and offered wine as prasad, claiming it had divine healing power. Witnesses told police the accused enquired if any minor girls were unwell, recorded four names, and allegedly placed their hands on the girls foreheads, saying they were invoking divine energy for their recovery. Sensing trouble, the locals alerted the village cops, who escorted the accused to the police station along with their vehicle, books, and other material. During questioning, officers found that Watson had participated in religious activities without administrative permission, violating visa norms. Senior police officials confirmed that all three were arrested on Friday, October 3 and will be produced before the Bhiwandi District Sessions Court. The FIR includes charges of coercion, exploitation of minors, and misuse of a business visa for religious propagation. Watson had challenged his arrest, calling it illegal, and sought urgent intervention from the Bombay High Court. His plea was mentioned on Monday, October 13, for an immediate hearing. However, the bench declined to take it up on priority, stating that the petition was not in the correct format. Observing that the offences were serious and a formal case was registered, the bench said it could not interfere at this stage. It further noted that the appropriate remedy for the accused was to apply for bail, remarking, How can we take a wrong decision at this stage? The matter was adjourned to October 14 Tuesday, with directions for the petitioners wife to submit a revised application. Calaveras, CA The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9 am on Tuesday, October 14th, in the Board Chambers at Government Center, located at 891 Mountain Ranch Road, to consider several items, including budget appropriations related to the TCU September Lightning Complex fire and plans for a new Behavioral Health Building. Supervisors will be asked to approve budget appropriations to cover expenses from the TCU September Lightning Complex fire. An item on the agenda calls for introducing an ordinance to consolidate the offices of the sheriff, coroner, and public administrator. The countys current elected coroner and public administrator has announced he will not seek re-election, prompting the board to explore options for the future structure of the office. In August, County Executive Officer Theresa K. Haley presented those options, and the board directed staff to move forward with consolidation under the sheriffs office. Under California Government Code Section 24300, county supervisors may combine the duties of those positions by ordinance. The proposed change would amend County Code Section 2.32.060 to formalize that structure. The board is expected to introduce the measure, waive a full reading, and authorize summary publication. A final adoption could come in a meeting scheduled on October 28. Supervisors will also consider adopting plans and specifications for a new single-story Behavioral Health Building at 891 Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas. The project will include site work, demolition, electrical and plumbing systems, and other construction elements. Additionally, the meeting will also include a presentation from the Amador Senior Center on Meals on Wheels services available to Calaveras County residents. House Minority Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently spoke at the Interfaith Rally and Vigil for Health Justice. Jeffries was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: What an honor and a privilege to be here with all of you. Certainly so thankful for all of our faith leaders for your support, for the leadership, the partnership, the friendship, for organizing this convening, organizing this vigil, lending your powerful moral voices to this existential struggle that we are waging on behalf of the American people. Its also a blessing to be with all of you, joined by my colleagues in government, who you will hear from, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the legendary Nancy Pelosi, a great woman of faith, and, of course, my good friend and colleague, the Democratic Whip, Katherine Clark. Now, I grew up in the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, and my mom would take my younger brother and I to Sunday school each and every week. In fact, we used to think growing up, every week, every week, every month, every year that we were mailmen for Christ. Because it didnt matter if it was raining, snowing, sleeting or hailing. If it was Sunday morning, we were going to church. And that was the foundation that was laid for us from the very beginning. And I grew up in church learning, of course, that what the Bible teaches us is to stand up for the least amongst usthe lost, the left-behind, those whose station in life may not have always dealt them the best of hands. And unfortunately, what were dealing with right now in the United States Congress is a group of people who sometimes say they go to church and they pray on Sunday, but then they come to Washington, D.C., and they prey, P-R-E-Y, on the American people for the rest of the week. Prey on the poor, prey on the sick, prey on the afflicted. But we believe in an America of the people, by the people and for the people, which is why were standing up for the healthcare of the American people, today and at all times. Scripture tells us in Second Corinthians, the fourth chapter. By the way, thats Second Corinthians, not Two Corinthians. Mr. President, if youre gonna sell the Bible, you should know the Bible. Second Corinthians, the fourth chapter, eighth verse, the Scripture tells us, the Apostle Paul writes, We are troubled on every side, but not distressed. Perplexed, but never in despair. Certainly, I think its fair to say that weve got trouble all around us. A hater in the White House. Haters in the Congress. Haters throughout the Cabinet. Trouble all around us. But were not distressed. Because we believe in the resilience and the goodness of the American people. And thats why were so thankful for all of you in this fight, standing with us Democrats in the House and the Senate, a separate and co-equal branch of government. We understand we dont work for Donald Trump. We dont work for JD Vance. We dont work for Elon Musk. We dont work for their billionaire donors. We work for all of you, the American people. And were determined to stand up to protect their healthcare, to stand up for Medicaid, stand up for our hospitals, stand up for our nursing homes, stand up for our community-based health clinics, stand up for the Affordable Care Act, stand up for the principle that in America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, healthcare cant simply be a privilege for the wealthy and the well-off. Healthcare is a right that should be available to every single American. And thats what this fight is all about. And so, as I close, let me simply lean into the words of a great man of God and great civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who led a great movement, interfaith religious movement, brought the American people together across the divides that may artificially be put upon us. And in those early days of the Civil Rights Movement, when people saw trouble on every side, concerned that it wouldnt be possible to break the authoritarianism that was the Jim Crow South at the time. Dr. King gathered some folks in March of 1956, just a few months after Rosa Parks sat down so that everybody else could stand up. He gathered folks in the basement of the Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, and others were concerned and anxious as to whether they could win the fight that they were involved in at the time. And he said, No matter what the odds are, we have to press on and keep pressing. And what Dr. King said is that If you cant fly, run. If you cant run, walk. If you cant walk, crawl. But at all times, press on and keep pressing. So I just dropped by today to say, as Dr. King once echoed prophetically, that weve just got to press on in this fight. Press on for our children, press on for our seniors, press on for our veterans, press on for our unions, press on for people of faith, press on for the healthcare of the American people, press on for nutritional assistance, press on for the proposition that everybody should have a fair shot in this country to live the American dream, press on for working-class folk, press on for the middle class, press on for the poor, press on for the sick, press on for the afflicted, press on for the least, press on for the lost, press on for the left-behind, press on for social justice, press on for racial justice, press on for healthcare justice, press on for economic justice, press on for freedom, press on for liberty, press on for democracy, press on in this healthcare fight until victory is won. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Thomas Reichert, an assistant professor of law with SIU Simmons Law School, leads a contracts class for first-year law students. (Photos by Erasmus Tornye) SIU Simmons Law School increases first-time bar exam passage rates by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. With an evidence-based, individualized and comprehensive approach, Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School is enjoying significant increases in first-time passage rates for recent graduates sitting for bar exams. In Illinois, 77% of 2025 graduates who took the Illinois State Bar Exam in July for the first time passed on the first attempt, while in Missouri, 86% of SIU graduates who took the test passed the first time. Both results are nearly 15 percentage points higher than first-time test results for 2024 graduates. Hannah Brenner Johnson, who became law school dean in July, said she is elated by the results. The success of our 2025 graduates reflects a refined approach to bar support implemented by our faculty in recent years to boost our students success in law school, on the bar exam and ultimately in practice together with the hard work put in by our students, she said. I could not be more proud of these accomplishments. The results are the new norm, and I expect the positive trend will continue. We will continue to review and revise our approach to ensure we are best serving our students, Brenner Johnson said. Preparation for the bar exam begins one day one. Included in each students tuition is a fully funded BARBRI program, which provides comprehensive resources, including organization materials, practice questions to use throughout law school, materials for advanced bar preparation courses, a simulated mini-bar exam at the midpoint of law school, along with a full bar-prep course for use after graduation. In addition, the law school curriculum integrates bar support and practical skills training into just about every course, Brenner Johnson said. Faculty offer individualized academic feedback and guide students through practice exams and simulations designed to build mastery and confidence, she said. Our approach is both comprehensive and personal, meeting each student where they are and providing targeted support through peer mentors, additional meetings with faculty, and specialized academic and bar-prep courses in each academic year. Brenner Johnson noted that the coordinated efforts, led by Kelly Collinsworth, the law schools director of bar support, ensure that by the time our graduates sit for the bar exam, they do so with confidence and with a Saluki community behind them. Indian stock market opened in the positive territory on Tuesday, though investors remained cautious as the India-US trade deal continues to progress with talks moving ahead. The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,277.55, gaining 50.20 points or 0.20 per cent, while the BSE Sensex began the day at 82,404.54, up by 77.49 points or 0.09 per cent. Experts said that while the overall mood is improving due to progress in trade discussions between India and the United States, uncertainty over tariffs continues to weigh on investor sentiment. Banking and market expert Ajay Bagga told ANI, "Indian markets were tepid on Monday, with the Friday US impact being absorbed by fresh domestic buying. Futures are pointing to a flat open for the Indian markets. Indian commerce ministry announced that trade talks with US are progressing well, however the markets are not willing to factor this in till the actual deal is done, given the Trump strategy of chaos and unpredictability." Bagga added that the recent Middle East peace announcements are a positive sign for global geopolitics. He noted that with Ukraine's leader scheduled to meet President Trump in the US on Friday, expectations of additional weapons and aid for Ukraine are high. On the commodities front, oil, gold and silver prices have risen. Gold climbed to a new lifetime high of USD 4,149 per ounce, while silver prices are witnessing a rapid surge due to a physical shortage in the market, forcing exchanges globally to scramble to meet delivery demands. Meanwhile, global market sentiment improved slightly after US President Donald Trump adopted a more conciliatory tone towards China. US Secretary of State Bessent confirmed that the Trump-Xi meeting scheduled for the end of the month will take place as planned. Following this, the US markets recovered more than half of their losses from Friday. In the cryptocurrency market, recovery continues after the forced liquidation of over USD 19 billion in leveraged positions on Friday, which wiped out 1.6 million accounts. Bagga suggest that the "whale" who took a large position before the Trump-China 100 per cent tariff announcement has again built up a significant short position on Monday. On the domestic front, several companies are set to announce their second-quarter earnings today. These include Tech Mahindra, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, Persistent Systems, Bank of Maharashtra, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts, Thyrocare Technologies, Cyient DLM, Navkar Corporation, Automobile Corporation of Goa (ACGL), GTPL Hathway, and Aditya Birla Money. In addition, LG Electronics India, a manufacturer and distributor of home appliances and consumer electronics (excluding mobile phones), will make its stock market debut on Tuesday. Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 declined 1.29 per cent, Singapore's Straits Times fell 0.4 per cent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 0.45 per cent. However, South Korea's KOSPI gained 0.57 per cent, and Taiwan's weighted index rose 0.92 per cent. Despite lingering global uncertainties, analysts believe the improving trajectory of India-US trade talks and strong domestic fundamentals may support market resilience in the near term. (ANI) Doosan Enerbility Co. has achieved a major milestone by exporting Korean-made gas turbines to the United States, just six years after completing domestic development, according to a report by Pulse, the English service of Maeil Business Newspaper Korea. The report stated that the company, on Monday, announced that it signed a deal to supply two 380-megawatt (MW) gas turbines to a major U.S. big tech company by the end of next year, marking its first-ever export of gas turbines to a foreign market. "Doosan Enerbility became the fifth company in the world to independently develop large-scale power generation gas turbine technology in 2019, working alongside Korean academia and research institutions. After demonstrating performance with 15,000 hours of operation at the Gimpo Combined Cycle Power Plant, the company has since signed contracts for a total of eight turbines, expanding its footprint in the global energy market," the report noted. The company's Houston-based subsidiary, Doosan Turbomachinery Services (DTS), also played a key role in securing the contract. As maintenance and service are just as crucial as the initial supply of turbines, the report said that DTS will oversee after-sales and maintenance operations for the turbines supplied to the U.S. market, creating strong operational collaborations. Amid surging electricity demand from data centers in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), gas turbines are drawing renewed attention for their fast construction timelines, stable power supply, long operational lifespan, and high efficiency. Doosan Enerbility plans to leverage its proprietary turbine models to further expand its global power equipment business. "This contract marks a meaningful turning point for Korea, transforming it from a gas turbine importer to an exporter," the report quoted Sohn Seung-woo, head of Power Service BG at Doosan Enerbility. "We will uphold the highest standards of quality and delivery reliability to earn customer trust and expand our presence across the U.S. and other international markets." (ANI) VMPL Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], October 14: Teadit is proud to announce the opening of our brand-new facility in Vadodara, India. To mark this milestone, Teadit's Annual Distributor Event, Our Partnership in Success, was held in celebration of the official launch. The two-day event brought together Teadit's key distributors, partners, and staff members, along with leadership from across the globe. In addition to the more than 30 distributors in attendance were Chris Day, COO; Frank Weber, CEO; and Andre Davanzo, Global Director of Business Development. Representing our local leadership team were Harsh Jain, Managing Director; Rajesh Baviskar, Commercial Director; and Rafael Tomazini, Operations Director, joined by several members of Teadit's Sales and Engineering teams. The Gala Dinner, the highlight of Day One, served as an ideal platform for the global leadership team, local staff, and distributors to connect. The evening offered a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships while discussing future plans centered on the new facility. Day Two featured several key presentations, including a Business Overview and a New Plant Overview, which was immediately followed by an exclusive first look at the facility. The program continued with presentations on sales strategy, product information, and training, followed by insightful market overviews. Attendees then heard a global marketing update designed to further support Teadit distributors. The daytime sessions culminated in the official plant inauguration, celebrated with vibrant traditional Gujarati music and dance. The evening concluded with a memorable Awards Ceremony, where Teadit honoured distributors for their outstanding support and partnership. The celebration was followed by an inspiring closing address from Chris Day, who remarked, "Teadit is a global company, with capabilities all around the world. We are here to serve the local market, and I look forward to doing so with the addition of this facility." Teadit thanks all of our partners and team members who made the grand opening of our facility, and our annual event, a huge success! Teadit Packing and Gaskets Private Limited Plot No.628/10 & 11, Savli GIDC Industrial Estate, Manjusar, Vadodara - 391775. (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.) New Delhi [India], October 14: In today's fast-paced digital economy, enterprises face pressure to process large transaction volumes efficiently. Payment delays affect cash flow and customer satisfaction. PayU offers a solution for businesses managing high-volume transactions. This blog will disclose how PayU provides scalable infrastructure, multi-channel support, advanced security, and real-time analytics for smoother operations. Its enterprise-grade system ensures speed, reliability, and secure payment handling. Scalable PaymentsBusinesses require the use of payment systems that expand with them. PayU processes thousands of transactions simultaneously with minimal downtime. During peak performance, it is stable. Its cloud-based platform allows companies to grow without bottlenecks in payment. This scale maintains operations running smoothly when selling products, launching products or when it is in high demand. Multi-channel Payment OptionsCompanies make sales via websites, apps and similar. PayU integrates with credit cards, debit cards, UPI, net banking, and wallets. Businesses can keep payment processing quick and efficiently as customers are getting flexibility. Increased options will increase conversion and satisfaction. Enhanced Security MeasuresEnterprise payment security. PayU uses encryption, tokenisation, and fraud detection. The tools ensure the security of all transactions and sensitive information. Adherence to PCI DSS and other international standards will guarantee the legal and security provisions. Prevention of fraud and breaches safeguards brand reputation and helps develop customer trust. Real Time Reporting and AnalyticsMonitoring the pattern of transactions makes decisions. PayU delivers detailed analytics and reporting. Businesses get to have a real-time view of the sales patterns, revenue flows, and customer behaviours. The knowledge assists in maximising cash flow, predicting finances and strategising. Dashboards make complex data simple for the team. Enterprise Solutions that are CustomisableEvery company possesses its own requirements. PayU offers automated invoicing, bulk payment processing, and custom workflows. Solutions are scalable to complex operations without loss of speed and security. Businesses are able to customise the platform to suit their precise needs. Smooth Integrity with the Enterprise SystemsThere should be an easy integration between ERP, CRM and accounting systems. PayU provides APIs and plugins that integrate effortlessly. The flows of payment are automated across departments, reducing the number of manual errors and administrative tasks. Integration reduces the friction in operations and provides a simplified reporting path. International Catchment and International TransactionsGlobalisation needs effective cross-border solutions. PayU handles multi-currency transactions and international gateways. Businesses conduct their operations globally without failure or loss of time. Clear charges and precise exchange rates make foreign trade easy. Dedicated Customer SupportBusiness customers require fast support. PayU offers dedicated support for troubleshooting and system updates. Professional teams reduce payment disjunctions. Quick problem-solving keeps the processes flowing. Final ThoughtsLarge volume transactions are rapid, secure and flexible. PayU delivers an enterprise-focused payment platform that meets these needs. It is a complete solution with its scalable infrastructure, multi-channel capabilities, sophisticated security, real-time analytics and global coverage. Businesses reduce the risk, increase cash flow and retain loyal customers. PayU empowers large businesses to streamline payments and focus on growth. (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.) Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Tuesday shared details about the company''s first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam. Pichai said he discussed the project with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted how it will help accelerate AI innovation and support India''s growing digital economy. In a post on social media, Pichai said, "Great to speak with India PM @narendramodi @OfficialINDIAai to share our plans for the first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam, a landmark development." "This hub combines gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure. Through it we will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country," he added. Google on Tuesday announced a massive investment of USD 15 billion over the next five years to establish one gigawatt-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, the company''s largest AI hub outside the United States. The announcement came during ''Bharat AI Shakti'', an event hosted by Google in New Delhi. The latest Vishakhapatnam AI hub will be connected to the global network of Google, highlighted Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. He also shared that ''Andhra Pradesh AI hub'' is set to become Google''s largest AI hub outside the United States, with the company announcing a USD 15 billion investment over the next five years. "We will bring our subsea cable infrastructure here and connect it to our global network. This will not only act as a landing station for numerous cables but also provide a digital backbone connecting different parts of India. We are not just bringing AI technology, but also a digital infrastructure through our subsea cable and network connectivity hub," he added. He also shared that the new gigawatt-scale hub will be part of Google''s global network of AI centers spanning 12 countries. Speaking at the announcement event, Kurian highlighted Google''s deep roots in India. "It''s the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world, outside of the U.S. It represents a capital investment over the next five years of USD 15 billion" he said. He also stated "We are incredibly proud of what today stands for. Google has been in India for a long time. It''s our 21st year here. We have 14,000 people working for us across five locations, and we launched our cloud solutions in India several years ago. We also have two regions, New Delhi and Mumbai, and manufacture our devices here,". Kurian explained that the Vishakhapatnam hub will scale to multiple gigawatts and serve as a global connectivity centre. (ANI) The latest Vishakhapatnam AI hub will be connected to the global network of Google, highlighted Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. He also shared that ''Andhra Pradesh AI hub'' is set to become Google''s largest AI hub outside the United States, with the company announcing a USD 15 billion investment over the next five years. "We will bring our subsea cable infrastructure here and connect it to our global network. This will not only act as a landing station for numerous cables but also provide a digital backbone connecting different parts of India. We are not just bringing AI technology, but also a digital infrastructure through our subsea cable and network connectivity hub," he added. He also shared that the new gigawatt-scale hub will be part of Google''s global network of AI centers spanning 12 countries. Speaking at the announcement event, Kurian highlighted Google''s deep roots in India. "It''s the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world, outside of the U.S. It represents a capital investment over the next five years of USD 15 billion" he said. He also stated "We are incredibly proud of what today stands for. Google has been in India for a long time. It''s our 21st year here. We have 14,000 people working for us across five locations, and we launched our cloud solutions in India several years ago. We also have two regions, New Delhi and Mumbai, and manufacture our devices here,". Kurian explained that the Vishakhapatnam hub will scale to multiple gigawatts and serve as a global connectivity center. The AI hub will offer a full stack of solutions using Google''s proprietary TPUs (Processing Units), which are twice as power-efficient. Data will be housed locally to meet sovereign AI requirements, and Google will deploy its own models, including Gemini, Imagine, and Veo. "The hub is designed to provide full AI infrastructure to serve not just our own needs but also the needs of entrepreneurs, enterprises, and commercial organizations in India," Kurian said. The announcement marks a major milestone in India''s AI landscape, combining cutting-edge AI capabilities with robust digital infrastructure, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a key global hub in the country''s growing technology ecosystem. (ANI) EaseMyTrip, one of India's leading travel-tech platforms, has taken a significant step in empowering youth by promoting skill development and tourism. The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Raipur District Administration in the presence of Honourable Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. The partnership will empower local youth with practical skills in travel and tourism while supporting the district's vision for vibrant and sustainable tourism growth. As part of the MoU, EaseMyTrip will provide specialised training for participants on digital travel booking platforms, customer service excellence, local tour guiding, heritage interpretation, and basic hospitality. According to company information, the initiative also marks the launch of Project Paryatan Saathi, under which EaseMyTrip is conducting a 45-day free tourism guide training programme for youth aged 18 to 30 who have completed the 10th standard. The training, being held at Government ITI, Saddu, consists of 120 hours of classroom sessions led by EaseMyTrip's Delhi-based travel experts. Participants are learning the fundamentals of tour guiding, customer handling, digital bookings, and hospitality management. Nishant Pitti, Founder and CMD, EaseMyTrip, said, "We at EaseMyTrip believe that tourism has the power to transform lives. It opens avenues for learning, growth, and meaningful work. These opportunities, in turn, strengthen communities and drive local economies. This MoU with the Raipur District Administration turns that belief into action. It will empower young people with practical skills in travel and tourism and help them build sustainable careers while contributing to the growth of local talent, communities, and the district's tourism ecosystem. In Project Paryatan Saathi, the first batch of 45 students has already registered, reflecting the strong interest among local youth in learning job-ready travel skills." With this collaboration, EaseMyTrip and the Raipur District Administration are laying the foundation for a future where skilled youth can actively shape the region's tourism landscape. By combining training with employment centric skills, the initiative is set to create a vibrant talent pool, foster sustainable development, and ensure that Raipur emerges as a destination that benefits both its visitors and the local community. According to company information, EaseMyTrip (listed on NSE and BSE) is one of India's largest online travel-tech platforms in terms of air ticket bookings, as per the Crisil Report-Assessment of the OTA Industry in India (Feb 2021). (ANI) Brazilian Ambassador Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega on Tuesday welcomed the idea of ethanol exports from India, saying it would be great news if India has surplus to export. "If there is surplus to export ethanol, it's a good idea. I think that more countries exporting ethanol can make ethanol an important commodity throughout the world. And we want to promote ethanol as a world commodity. So for Brazil, it's great news if this will happen," he said while answering a question to ANI on possibilities of the ethanol exports from India. He emphasised the need to promote ethanol as a global commodity, with more countries contributing to its trade.A word commodity refers to a raw material that is traded on a global scale, and can be classified into two main categories: hard commodities, such as crude oil and gold, which are mined or extracted from the earth; and soft commodities, such as wheat and coffee, which are agricultural products or livestock. India and Brazil are deepening their cooperation in the bioenergy sector, with a sharper focus on advancing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and achieving higher ethanol blending targets. Brazil's Ambassador to India said the partnership has been gaining strength over the past few years as both countries align their clean energy ambitions. "Our bilateral relations in terms of bioenergy have been booming now for some years," he said on the sidelines of 13th Bio-Energy Summit with a them of 'Fuelling India's Green Revolution:Forging Global Partnerships'. "Brazil has been sharing its experience in having ethanol as part of its gasoline mix and in developing engines that can take 100 per cent ethanol, 50 per cent ethanol, or any mixture," he stated. He added that over the last five to six years, Brazil has actively shared its ethanol expertise with India. "When Honourable Prime Minister Modi made a state visit to Brazil in July, both our leaders further committed to push this partnership further," the Ambassador noted. He also highlighted the role of the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), co-led by India and Brazil, in promoting ethanol as a key solution for decarbonisation across the Global South. "The Global Biofuel Alliance is now the place where Brazil and India are not only strengthening and deepening their collaboration but also promoting ethanol as a solution to decarbonisation to the world," he said. India, which has already achieved a 20 per cent ethanol blend in gasoline, is now moving toward a 30 per cent target, the Ambassador said. "We cannot talk about deadlines. We can talk about steady progress. As you have now reached 20 per cent mix of ethanol and gasoline, we are about to reach 30 per cent mix. And you are now sharing the idea of promoting sustainable aviation fuel," he said. He emphasised that both nations are following national pathways toward greater bioenergy integration. "Deadlines are national deadlines. You have a national deadline; we have a national deadline to further phase in our bioenergy and bioethanol participation in the energy matrix," he said. The two countries have also expanded cooperation in other key sectors, including energy, agriculture, defense, and pharmaceuticals, and Brazil is seeking to learn from India's success in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). "India has a very valuable experience in promoting DPIs in your country. So we want to learn from you," the Ambassador remarked. Highlighting Brazil's success with flex-fuel motor technology, which allows cars to operate on any ethanol-gasoline blend, he said "The flex-fuel motor is the successful experience of Brazil in moving towards larger blends of ethanol and gasoline because cars equipped with flex-fuel engines can run on any mix of ethanol and gasoline, so you don't have a technical problem." With both India and Brazil now expanding ethanol use and working jointly on sustainable aviation fuel, their partnership under the Global Biofuel Alliance is emerging as a key driver of global decarbonisation efforts.However, Tarun Sawhney, Chairman, CII, National Committee on Bioenergy said that the sustainable aviation fuel is also being explored, though it will require significant investment and time to develop." The summit highlighted the diversion of sugar, rice, and maize towards the ethanol program, supporting both energy security and farmer incomes, Sawhney said. India has achieved a 20 per cent ethanol blend and is now considering increasing it to 27 per cent, with the potential for E100 (100 per cent ethanol) in flex-fuel cars, he added. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], October 14: Are you looking to sell or buy property in Delhi NCR without paying any commission? Introducing the brand-new Kamal Associates App, now available on the Google Play Store -- your one-stop solution for free property listings and direct buyer connections. With the Kamal Associates App, you can easily list your property for sale, purchase, or rent -- and connect instantly with verified buyers and tenants across Delhi NCR, including Dwarka, Gurugram, Noida, Rohini, and Janakpuri. Why Choose the Kamal Associates App? Unlike other property portals that charge high fees and commissions, Kamal Associates provides a 100% free platform for property owners and buyers. Our goal is to simplify real estate transactions and make property dealing completely transparent, fast, and commission-free. Here's why thousands of users are choosing Kamal Associates for property listings in Delhi NCR: 1. Free Property Listings - Post your property for sale, rent, or purchase without paying a single rupee. 2. Instant Visibility - Your property becomes visible to verified and genuine buyers in seconds. 3. No Commission, No Hidden Charges - Connect directly with interested parties -- no middlemen involved. 4. Pan Delhi NCR Coverage - Ideal for listings in Dwarka, Janakpuri, Rohini, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. 5. User-Friendly Interface - Upload property images, details, and pricing in just a few clicks. How to Get Started 1. Download the App - Visit the Kamal Associates App on Google Play Store. 2. Register for Free - Create your profile using your mobile number or email. 3. List Your Property - Upload clear photos, accurate details, and location. 4. Reach Verified Buyers - Receive instant inquiries from real users. 5. Close the Deal - Sell, buy, or rent without paying any commission. Explore More on Our Website In addition to the mobile app, you can also browse or list properties on our official website: * Visit Kamal Associates Property Portal * Visit Kamal Associates Youtube Page to view more such videos. Here, you'll find the latest residential, commercial, and rental properties across Delhi NCR -- updated daily for your convenience. Perfect for Every Type of Property Whether you want to list a flat, villa, plot, office space, or commercial shop, Kamal Associates is designed for all property types. Our platform empowers both individuals and professionals to connect faster and close deals smarter. Serving Across Delhi NCR Our service areas include: Dwarka Mor, Janakpuri, Uttam Nagar, Vikaspuri, Rohini, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. Don't let your property sit idle -- make it visible to thousands of genuine buyers and renters today. Download the Kamal Associates App now from the Google Play Store and start listing instantly! Or, visit our website for more listings and details: kamalassociate.com Post your property today -- Buy, Sell, or Rent with ZERO commission! (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.) Google's massive investment of USD 15 billion over the next five years to establish a one-gigawatt-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam reinforces India's position as a preferred destination for global technology giants, particularly in emerging areas such as AI and advanced digital technologies. The announcement came during 'Bharat AI Shakti', an event hosted by Google in New Delhi. According to the company, the AI hub will be the largest outside the United States. Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared details about the company's first-ever Google AI hub outside US, adding that he discussed the project with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted how it will help accelerate AI innovation and support India's growing digital economy. In a post on social media, Pichai said, "Great to speak with India PM @narendramodi @OfficialINDIAai to share our plans for the first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam, a landmark development." "This hub combines gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure. Through it, we will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight over the launch of the Google AI Hub, calling it a significant step toward realising India's vision of a Viksit Bharat. In a post shared on X, he wrote, "Delighted by the launch of the Google AI Hub in the dynamic city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This multi-faceted investment that includes gigawatt-scale data centre infrastructure aligns with our vision to build a Viksit Bharat." Speaking at the event, Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, stated that the latest Vishakhapatnam AI hub will be connected to Google's global network. He also shared that 'Andhra Pradesh AI hub' is set to become Google's largest AI hub outside the United States, with the company announcing a USD 15 billion investment over the next five years. "We will bring our subsea cable infrastructure here and connect it to our global network. This will not only act as a landing station for numerous cables but also provide a digital backbone connecting different parts of India. We are not just bringing AI technology, but also a digital infrastructure through our subsea cable and network connectivity hub," he added. He also shared that the new gigawatt-scale hub will be part of Google's global network of AI centres spanning 12 countries. Speaking at the announcement event, Kurian highlighted Google's deep roots in India. "It's the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world, outside of the U.S. It represents a capital investment over the next five years of USD 15 billion", he said. Kurian explained that the Vishakhapatnam hub will scale to multiple gigawatts and serve as a global connectivity centre. The AI hub will offer a full stack of solutions utilising Google's proprietary TPUs (Tensor Processing Units), which are twice as power-efficient. Data will be housed locally to meet sovereign AI requirements, and Google will deploy its own models, including Gemini, Imagine, and Veo. Reacting to the announcements, Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said that Google's pledge to invest $ 15 billion in establishing a gigawatt-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, will boost AI infrastructure, providing a significant boost to startups, research, and the youth. Speaking to the media, Vaishnaw said, "Today, Google has announced an investment of 15 billion dollars. It has announced the establishment of a data centre AI hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh." Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took to X and wrote, "The visionary policies of PM Narendra Modi ji has positioned India as a digital fountainhead. India shall now lead in AI and quantum too. Great initiative of CM N Chandrababu Naidu and AP's IT Minister Lokesh Nara," Sitharaman added. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu hailed the launch of the new Google AI hub in Vishakhapatnam, calling it a "game changer for Andhra Pradesh's economy and also the Indian youth." "It was a historical day for Andhra Pradesh. This is a game-changer for Andhra Pradesh's economy and also the Indian youth. I am thankful to the Prime Minister, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and also Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ji. I appreciate the Google team for the speed with which they brought this project to our country", Naidu told presspersons while in Delhi, after attending the 'Bharat AI Shakti' event. While thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enabling the establishment of the hub, CM Naidu further praised the capabilities of Indians to lead global tech companies worldwide. "I have seen so many changes in India. Indians are well-known for Information Technology. You take any global company, Indian origin people are the CEOs, that is our strength. Whether it is Google, Microsoft, or any other company. Now, with that strength, AI is a reality in the future, but we have to use Artificial Intelligence effectively", he said. "Data is a new oil for growth. I am thankful to the government of India for giving me the opportunity to launch this project in Andhra Pradesh," he added. The partnership between Google, AdaniConneX, and Airtel will leverage local expertise and infrastructure strength to build the AI hub, driving digital transformation and innovation in India. The project will integrate clean energy and innovation ecosystems, aligning with India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The gigawatt-scale data centre will accelerate India's digital economy and deliver cutting-edge AI tools to citizens. The project is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs, establishing Visakhapatnam as a major global technology destination. The new international subsea gateway will increase India's digital backbone and provide new resilient connectivity to the rest of the world. The AI hub will enable businesses to innovate faster and create meaningful opportunities for inclusive growth. (ANI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday stated that digital payment adaptability in India has reached 87%, a figure she contrasted with a global average of 60%. In an interaction with students after inaugurating the dhaRti BioNEST Incubation Centre at IIT Dharwad, Sitharaman said, 'Digital adaptability in payments in India is around 87 per cent, whereas globally, it is still in the range of 60s, that's the level of fintech revolution." India is recognised as a world leader in digital payments, accounting for nearly half of all real-time digital transactions globally. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is the cornerstone of India's digital payment ecosystem. It processed over 18,580 crore transactions worth 261 trillion in the 2024-25 financial year. The high adoption rate is attributed to India's robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which includes Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker. This infrastructure has helped bring millions into the formal financial system. Fintech is viewed as more than just an urban convenience, but as a crucial enabler of economic empowerment nationwide. The adoption of digital payments is strengthening in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, fueled by rising internet and smartphone penetration. Earlier today, the Finance Minister commenced her four-day visit to Karnataka from October 14 to 17, 2025, with a packed schedule focusing on rural development, agro-processing, entrepreneurship, and student engagement. As part of her programme, Sitharaman inaugurated the dhaRti BioNEST Incubation Centre, a hub for innovation and bio-entrepreneurship at IIT Dharwad. She also interacted with students, encouraging them to explore opportunities in biotechnology and rural innovation. Continuing her engagements on October 15, she will inaugurate the Farmer's Training Centre and Common Facility Centre (CFC) for Agro Processing. She will later visite a puffed rice MSME unit in Chilawadagi Village, Koppal, highlighting the government's support for rural micro-industries. The day also included an interaction with PMIS interns. On October 16, Sitharaman will travel to Jawalgera Village in Sindhanur, Raichur, where she will inaugurate another Farmer's Training Centre and CFC for Agro Processing. She will visit the Gram Panchayat Library in Bagewadi, Siruguppa, Ballari, emphasising the importance of grassroots knowledge centres. Another farmer's training centre and agro-processing facility will be inaugurated the same day. She will also review the operations of Karnataka Grameena Bank at its headquarters in Ballari, emphasising the role of regional banks in supporting rural credit and development. The visit will conclude on October 17 with the inauguration of a Farmer's Training Centre and CFC for Agro Processing at Kasapura Village in Kudligi, Vijayanagara. (ANI) Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, known for his outspoken political views, expressed his dismay over the "reverent" reception extended to Afghan Foreign Minister and senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to Darul Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Taking to X, Akhtar wrote, "I hang my head in shame when I see the kind of respect and reception that has been given to the representative of the world's worst terrorist group Taliban, by those who beat the pulpit against all kinds of terrorists ." He added, "Shame on Deoband too for giving such a reverent welcome to their 'Islamic Hero' who is one of those who have completely banned girls' education. My Indian brothers n sisters !!! what is happening to us." Muttaqi is on a week-long visit to India, from October 9 to 16. This is the first high-level delegation from Kabul to India since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Muttaqi's visit began with a controversy as Indian women journalists were reportedly barred from attending the Afghan FM press conference at the Afghan Embassy. The incident drew heavy backlash from the Opposition, which questioned the BJP's stance on women's rights. Meanwhile, Muttaqi has invited India to invest in the country's minerals and requested New Delhi to help facilitate trade through the opening of the Wagah border, calling it the "fastest trade route" between the two countries. Adressing a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday, Muttaqi said, "I met the Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and talked about economy, trade, and other issues." (ANI) Actor and musician Keanu Reeves paid tribute to 'Something's Gotta Give' co-star Diane Keaton, who died at the age of 79, according to The Hollywood Reporter. While premiering his new film Good Fortune in New York, Reeves reflected on their time together, "I had the wonderful opportunity to work with her, and she was a very special artist and person. Very unique and just what a wonderful artist." 'Something's Gotta Give' is a 2003 American romantic comedy drama film written, produced, and directed by Nancy Meyers. It stars Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton as professionals who find love for each other in later life, despite being complete opposites. Keanu Reeves and Amanda Peet co-star, with Frances McDormand, Paul Michael Glaser, Jon Favreau, and KaDee Strickland playing key supporting roles. For her performance, Keaton received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress, the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role AMC Theatres is also bringing back Annie Hall and Something's Gotta Give to 100 cinemas across the U.S. in Keaton's honour, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Hollywood legend Diane Keaton, best known for her iconic roles in Annie Hall and The Godfather films, has died at the age of 79, PEOPLE confirmed. "There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness," a spokesperson told the outlet. The Los Angeles Fire Department shared that they responded to her home early that morning and took a 79-year-old woman to a local hospital. Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, Keaton was the oldest of four children. Her father was a civil engineer, and her mother, who stayed at home, inspired Keaton's creative side. "She sang. She played the piano. She was beautiful. She was my advocate," Keaton said. Keaton started acting in school plays and later studied drama in college before dropping out to move to New York. She adopted her mother's maiden name, Keaton, when she began her career in theatre. Her first major break came with 'The Godfather' (1972), in which she played Kay Adams opposite Al Pacino. She went on to reprise the role in 'The Godfather Part II' and 'The Godfather Part III.' In 1977, Keaton won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Woody Allen's Annie Hall. (ANI) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that inclusion is the key for prosperity and the government's efforts are focused on ensuring all members of society participate in Jammu and Kashmir's developmental journey. He said this while delivering a address on the 45th Foundation Day of the J&K Samaj Kalyan Kendra's School for the Hearing Impaired in Jammu on Monday. LG called for the implementation of inclusive rehabilitation measures and emphasised the importance of ensuring equal opportunities in education and employment for empowerment and a dignified life for people with special abilities. The Union Territory Lieutenant Governor also stated that, over the past few years, the government's efforts have focused on ensuring that all members of society participate fully in Jammu and Kashmir's developmental journey and that people with special abilities are able to unlock their potential and contribute to greater prosperity and social stability. "Inclusion is the key for prosperity. Our effort has been focused on ensuring all members of society participate fully in J&K's developmental journey and people with special abilities are able to unlock their potential and contribute to greater prosperity and social stability," said Sinha. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the four essential aspects for empowering people with special abilities, and first, identifying their strengths and promoting them. Secondly, creating an inclusive environment that fosters independent thinking and decision-making. Thirdly, providing full support to their decision-making abilities and fourthly, creating a conducive climate for self-learning and self-improvement. The Lieutenant Governor also paid homage to Dr. R.R. Khajuria, founder of J&K Samaj Kalyan Kendra and commended all the members of the organisation for their selfless service to society.He assured the J&K Samaj Kalyan Kendra of every possible support and assistance for the smooth functioning of the school. He called upon the corporate houses, business community, and citizens to come forward and contribute to this noble endeavour. Moreover, the Lieutenant Governor appreciated the children with special abilities for presenting enthralling performances to mark the occasion. However, Sinha also claimed that several forces, both abroad and in India, are attempting to hinder the country's progress. He stated that certain elements have conspired against us, but no power can stop our march toward a developed India. "India will emerge more powerful defeating the challenges and hurdles created by certain elements. No one can stop our rise," said the Lieutenant Governor. Meanwhile, the 45th Foundation Day of the J&K Samaj Kalyan Kendra's School for the hearing impaired in Jammu was also attended by K.B. Jandial, President, J&K Samaj Kalyan Kendra; Dr Rakesh Khajuria, Vice President; J.K. Vaidya, General Secretary, and other members of J&K Samaj Kalyan Kendra, special educators, and students were present. Dr Ashok Bhan, Ms Gunjan Rana, and Suresh Kumar Sharma, members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Shri Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; B.R. Sharma, Chairman, Indian Institute of Public Administration, J&K; and senior officers also attended the foundation day ceremony. (ANI) Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dimple Yadav expressed concern over the Durgapur gangrape case, and said that crimes against women are rising across the country. Yadav called for strict action and a national-level effort to ensure women's safety. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Dimple Yadav said, "Crimes against women are continuously increasing across the country. There should be a system in place where the strictest possible action is taken. Work should be done from a national perspective on how to create a safe environment for women." On October 12, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a controversial remark advising colleges not to allow girls to go outside at night. "I'm shocked to see the incident, but private medical colleges also should take care of their students, and especially girls. The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night. They have to protect themselves also. There is a forest area. Police are searching all the people," Banerjee said. Later, Chief Minister Banerjee claimed that the media "distorted" her words. "The media distorted my words. You ask me a question, I answer it, and then you distort it. Do not try this kind of politics.", CM Banerjee said in Alipurduar. A second-year student of a private medical college was allegedly gangraped in Durgapur. The victim, a medical student, is from Jaleswar, Odisha. According to the victim's father, the medical student was taken by one of her classmates under the pretence of going to get something to eat. However, two or three other men arrived and raped her. The classmate abandoned her and fled. West Bengal Police arrested two more accused in connection with the alleged Durgapur gang rape incident and produced them in a court on Monday. The Police have arrested five people so far in the case. The gangrape has sparked massive outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to protect women, while the ruling TMC slammed the BJP for allegedly politicising the incident. (ANI) Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Taiwan, and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, have held a fruitful discussion on establishing a Research Centre for Buddhism under the aegis of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Faculty of Arts, BHU. A 13-member delegation from the Tzu Chi Foundation, led by Lin Pi Yu, Vice President of the Foundation, along with Sio and other distinguished members, visited BHU and met with Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Vice-Chancellor of BHU. Prof. Chaturvedi warmly welcomed the initiative and expressed his full support, assuring that the university would move forward expeditiously as per BHU norms for establishing the proposed Centre. The proposed Centre will be a purely research-oriented institution, dedicated to the study, translation, and publication of classical texts, research papers, and a series of lectures to promote both Theravada and Mahayana traditions of Buddhism. It will focus entirely on scholarly and cultural exchange to deepen understanding between the two great traditions. It was highlighted during the discussion that Mahayana Buddhism, once a prominent and flourishing tradition in India, gradually disappeared from its land of origin. Establishing such a centre in BHU will help revive research and awareness of Mahayana thought and literature. The Centre will also work to translate important Buddhist scriptures and texts into Indian languages, enabling wider access for scholars and practitioners. The Tzu Chi Foundation has expressed its readiness to support both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions, particularly in the translation and publication of their sacred books and canonical literature. On this occasion, Prof. Sushma Ghildyal, Dean, Faculty of Arts; Prof. Rajesh Singh, Coordinator, International Centre; and Arun Kumar Yadav, Head, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, were also present during the meeting. This initiative marks a significant step toward academic collaboration and cultural revival, Strengthening the historical and spiritual ties between India and Taiwan through their shared Buddhist heritage. (ANI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday hosted a dinner meeting for all his Cabinet colleagues. The meeting came weeks ahead of the completion of two and a half years of the Congress government in the state. Although there was speculation of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle in the State, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy stated that the only agenda of the dinner meeting was the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Zilla Panchayat (ZP), and Taluk Panchayat (TP) elections. Asked whether the ministers' performances were discussed, he said that no such evaluation was conducted in the meeting. "The only agenda was elections. For Bangalore people, BBMP, and for rural people, ZP/TP," Ramalinga Reddy told reporters after the meeting. The meeting also took place in the backdrop of the supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar within the Congress, maintaining that he would be the CM. After Congress won the 2023 Assembly election in the State, DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah were the contenders for the CM post. After holding many rounds of discussion, the Congress high command chose Siddaramaiah for the CM post. There were reports at that time that Shivakumar agreed to the decision after the rotation of the CM post between him and Siddaramaiah. The Congress central leadership, however, never publicly acknowledged such an arrangement as being in existence. The Congress's central leadership has silenced Shivakumar's supporters' claims by issuing notices to refrain them from making any remarks regarding the issue. Moreover, Randeep Surjewala, the party's general secretary in charge of Karnataka, has also dismissed the speculation as baseless. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated on several occasions that he intends to complete his five-year term as Chief Minister. DK Shivakumar also warned against any Congress leaders publicly commending the leadership change in the party. He also said that he would abide by the decision of the party's high command in this regard. (ANI) Junaid Khan, State General Secretary of the Youth Congress, questioned the West Bengal Police after Congress members were detained during a protest march towards the state Election Commission against the SIR process in the state. Speaking to ANI on Monday, the Congress leader stated that the police intervened during their protest as they were about to surround the State Election Commission headquarters. "We were going to surround an election commission meeting, but the police stopped us in the middle of the road....Whose government is in power here... Whose side is the West Bengal police on? The BJP's?" Khan told ANI. He stated that they initiated the protest to stop the SIR from being implemented in West Bengal. "The reason for holding the protest was that the S.I.R., which is being implemented in Bihar, is going to be implemented in West Bengal in the coming days. We were going to hold an election commission meeting to stop the S.I.R.," added Khan. Meanwhile, West Bengal police detained Youth Congress members during their protest march to the state Election Commission regarding the SIR process, which is likely to commence in November. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of allegedly threatening riots following the SIR exercise. In a video posted on X, Patra alleged that the Chief Minister Banerjee stated that if SIR is conducted in the eastern state, riots will break out in Bengal, and there will be horrifying consequences. "....Mamata Banerjee said that if SIR is done, riots will break out in Bengal and there will be horrifying consequences...The rioting will be done by you, because it is your government which is in power there, and it is your Police there. Mamata Banerjee you are issuing threats..," said Patra. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, opposed the EC's decision to conduct a nationwide SIR of electoral rolls and warned the BJP to "not play with fire. "I warned the BJP, don't play with fire. Be prepared for public outrage. People of Bengal never believe you. I heard that the Union Home Minister said in a party meeting that we will drop many names; who is he to drop them? Today, his government is there, but tomorrow it will not be there," the Chief Minister said. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami urged the Bharatiya Janata Party's social media team to actively engage with the public to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Adopt Swadeshi Campaign" more effective. He held a coordination meeting with the BJP's social media in-charges and organisational office bearers in Haldwani on Monday. Chief Minister Dhami said that Prime Minister Modi has taken a significant step toward promoting indigenous products by reducing GST rates. He added that continuous awareness programs are being organised across the state to expand this campaign on a wider scale. Addressing the social media team, the Chief Minister emphasised the crucial role they must play through digital platforms in encouraging the use of Swadeshi products, so that the message of "Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi" can reach every household. Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Dhami stated that this year's Char Dham Yatra was historic and well-organised. He informed that a new helicopter service policy (SOP) has been prepared with the help of the central government to extend air services to the remote regions of the state for the convenience of pilgrims. The Chief Minister affirmed that the state government is taking every possible step for public welfare and development, moving swiftly toward the goal of a "Viksit Uttarakhand" (Developed Uttarakhand). Earlier, CM Singh Dhami on Sunday attended the Diwali Fair organised by the International Vaishya Mahasammelan at GMS Road, Dehradun, and extended his warm greetings to all present on the festival of lights, said the release. On this occasion, the Chief Minister paid homage to Maharaja Agrasen and extended his heartfelt advance greetings and best wishes for Diwali to everyone present. According to an official release, he said that the festival of Diwali is a unique medium to infuse positive energy into our lives, inspiring us to move from darkness to light and from evil to goodness. The Chief Minister said that the Vaishya community has, for centuries, served as a torchbearer of Sanatan culture, spreading the light of cooperation, harmony and development throughout society. "The community stands as a symbol of our nation's economic, social and cultural strength and has always extended generous support for the protection of Sanatan Dharma and the promotion of social welfare," CM Dhami said. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the nine-day Cooperative Fair in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, highlighting the role of cooperatives in rural development, women empowerment, and self-reliance. On Monday, CM Dhami visited the stalls set up by various departments, groups, and institutions showcasing local products. He praised farmers and self-help groups for promoting local goods and making efforts to connect them with the market. According to the release, addressing the gathering, CM Dhami stated that the cooperative movement in the state serves as a driving force for rural development and women's empowerment, and also lays the foundation for social unity and partial self-reliance. Cooperation is a means of bringing society together and advancing self-sufficiency. He added that this fair would further strengthen the spirit of cooperation and provide a broader platform for women and self-help groups to showcase their products. Cooperation is a symbol of India's culture and way of life, reflected in the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam." He noted that the year 2025 has been declared the International Year of Cooperatives, and to realise the goal of prosperity through cooperation, the Central Government has established a separate Ministry of Cooperation. The Chief Minister stated that strong steps are being taken to strengthen the cooperative sector in the state. So far, 671 cooperative societies have been computerized, and records of 3,838 out of 5,511 societies in 13 districts have been uploaded and made online on the National Cooperative Portal. He informed that, compared to last year, the purchase price of mandua (finger millet) has been increased by Rs 5.50 per kg, and it is now being procured at a minimum support price of Rs 48.86 per kg. Under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Kisan Kalyan Yojana, farmers are being provided with interest-free loans up to Rs 3 lakh, and women's self-help groups up to Rs 5 lakh. The release stated that CM Dhami added that the Rs 16,000 crore cooperative capital deposited in the state's cooperative banks is a testament to public trust. The Chief Minister said that women entrepreneurship is gaining new direction through self-help groups, and the "Lakhpati Didi" campaign is progressing rapidly. He said the women of Uttarakhand are realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision that "the third decade of the 21st century will belong to Uttarakhand" through their high-quality products. CM Dhami added that the state government has prioritised ongoing development works in the districts. Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code. The strictest anti-cheating law has been enforced to curb the exam mafia, and over 100 offenders have been jailed. In the recent Haridwar exam scam, swift action was taken, and as per the youths' demands, a CBI inquiry was recommended. A stringent land law has also been implemented to curb land mafia, ensuring the protection of Uttarakhand's identity and land. The Chief Minister announced that the DPR for the sewer line and drinking water supply in Srinagar would be approved immediately upon receipt, ensuring an uninterrupted 15-hour water supply in the city. Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said that currently, 31 lakh people in the state are associated with cooperatives, and the goal is to increase this to 50 lakh. Interest-free loans have been distributed to 16 lakh farmers across the state through cooperatives. He shared that women's self-help groups achieved a business of about Rs 35 lakh during the Srinagar Cooperative Fair, and the fair generated nearly Rs 1 crore in total trade. He also mentioned that cooperatives are currently in profit by Rs 30 crore. Under the Lakhpati Didi scheme, women are being linked to economic self-reliance. Due to government efforts, employment opportunities are steadily increasing, and tomorrow, appointment letters will be distributed to 1,500 LT teachers, pushing total employment figures in the state beyond 26,500. During the program, the Chief Minister and the Cooperation Minister distributed cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to Shakti SHG Pabo for horticulture, Udaan SHG Pabo for poultry farming, Savera SHG Paligaon Pabo for leaf-plate making, and Mahadev SHG Paithani for poultry farming. Additionally, Vasundhara Autonomous Cooperative Pasina and Jai Bholenath Autonomous Cooperative Kanderi were given Rs 4 lakh each for agricultural machinery under the SMAAM scheme of the Agriculture Department, while Naveen Patwal was honoured for morel mushroom production technology. The Chief Minister also praised and encouraged the excellent cultural performances by school children. (ANI) BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi on Monday accused the Congress of "playing cheap politics" over the death of a Kerala-based IT professional. Identified as Annandua Aji, the techie was reportedly found dead in Thiruvananthapuram earlier in a suspected case of suicide. Trivedi said the Congress was trying to malign the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and demanded a free and fair investigation into the incident. "As sad as this incident is, it is equally unfortunate that Congress is playing cheap politics on it and maligning the RSS... All this is in keeping with the old habit of the Congress Party and is also a result of the frustration stemming from continuous political failure..." he said. Calling for an impartial probe, Trivedi added, "...We strongly demand that there should be an in-depth inquiry and a free and fair inquiry at the earliest on this suspicious incident so that the wheel of suspicion which has been looming over it should be totally unveiled and the picture should clear." Condemning the Congress for what he termed as a deliberate attempt to defame the RSS, Trivedi said, "This incident is very unfortunate and painful, but more painful is the dastardly politics that the Congress party is trying to do to malign the image of RSS. Congress is doing so because of its habit and its perpetual thought process against the RSS ideology of Hindutva...We totally condemn this, condemn the mindset of the Congress party and again we strongly demand that the inquiry should be conducted in a free and fair manner at the earliest." Earlier, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the RSS had sought a thorough investigation into Aji's death and would issue a statement soon. "RSS is also demanding an investigation; it is their view that there is a deep conspiracy behind this to defame the RSS. They will issue a clear statement on this issue very soon... They have said there is a conspiracy; the person was not well...," Chandrasekhar told reporters. (ANI) Senior Congress leader and Kerala Leader of Opposition (LoP) VD Satheesan has strongly condemned the alleged attack on party MP Shafi Parambil, claiming that the latter was "beaten up by the police" without any provocation. Warning to agitate, Satheesan demanded that action be taken against the concerned police officers involved in the alleged attack against the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president. "The Superintendent of Police (SP) has announced that the police beat up Shafi Parambil without any provocation. The SP himself agreed in a meeting. We are demanding necessary action against the concerned police officials. Otherwise, this is a very serious matter. We will agitate against the officials," the Kerala LoP told ANI. This comes as Parambil leaves the hospital after three days of treatment for injuries sustained during the Perambra clash. The Congress MP suffered a fractured nose during the police action and underwent emergency surgery at a private hospital in Kozhikode. As this happened, the Congress announced a statewide protest on Saturday against the alleged "police brutality" against a sitting MP. Parambil suffered fractures to both his left and right nasal bones during the incident. He underwent surgery and remained under medical care for three days at a private hospital in Kozhikode. The injuries occurred during a police lathicharge in Perambra, Kozhikode, following clashes between United Democratic Front (UDF) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers. The confrontation broke out during a protest march of UDF workers, leading the police to resort to tear gas and lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Several UDF workers were also injured in the incident when the two groups came face-to-face. Following the violent clashes in Perambra on the night of October 10, the police have registered a case against Vadakara MP and KPCC Working President Shafi Parambil and several others. The FIR names 692 individuals, including prominent Congress leaders such as Kozhikode DCC President Adv. K Praveen Kumar, alleging that they attacked the police during the incident. A separate case has also been registered against Left Democratic Front (LDF) workers, listing 492 identified individuals, for unlawful assembly, blocking roads, and obstructing vehicular movement. Tension flared in front of the Kozhikode Police Commissioner's office as UDF workers staged a protest against the police and the Pinarayi Vijayan government in October, which was followed by violent clashes between UDF and CPI (M) workers at Perambra. Protests continued late into the night in several parts of the state. Police faced resistance while removing demonstrators, and tension prevailed as Congress activists blocked roads at multiple locations before eventually dispersing. (ANI) Following the suspected death by suicide of a young IT professional in Kerala, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-Dakshin Kerala denied the allegations of sexual abuse, calling them "dubious and baseless." Issuing a statement on Monday, RSS-Dakshin Kerala demanded an independent probe into his death and the allegations levelled against the Sangh in the reported suicide note. Sangh said, "The unnatural death of Anandu Aji, one of our Swayamsevaks from Elikkulam at Kottayam District, is very much sad and unfortunate... RSS Kottayam also demands for comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading towards the unnatural death of Anandu Aji, along with the suicide note which appeared on Instagram and some Social Media Platforms, soon after his death." "It contains some dubious and baseless allegations against the Sangh, which he claims as the cause of his Suicide... In a written petition filed with the District Police, RSS Kottayam calls for a thorough and impartial enquiry. We are of the firm opinion that an Independent inquiry will not only bring out the real cause of his unnatural death, but also ensure the innocence of RSS in this unfortunate incident also," the organisation said. Sangh added that Anandu Aji's family was associated with the RSS for several years. For several years, his family has been associated with the Sangh. Anandu's father, Late Sri. Aji was a Karyakartha of Sangh. At this sad and unfortunate moment, we firmly stand with the family and pray the Almighty to give solace to Anandu's soul," the statement read. Earlier, Kerala State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the RSS has called for a thorough investigation, claiming a "conspiracy" to defame the Sangh. "RSS is also demanding an investigation; it is their view that there is a deep conspiracy behind this to defame the RSS. They will issue a clear statement on this issue very soon... They have said there is a conspiracy; the person was not well," Chandrasekhar told reporters. The incident sparked a political row after Congress levelled the allegations against the RSS, citing the IT professional's suicide note. On Sunday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called for a thorough investigation into "allegations of sexual abuse" against the RSS. In a post on X, the Congress MP, citing his reported suicide message, claimed that the victim was abused by multiple members of the RSS and said that the leadership of the RSS must take immediate action on these allegations. "The RSS must allow these allegations to be investigated fully. In his suicide message, Anandu Aji alleged that he was abused again and again by multiple members of the RSS. He clearly stated that he was not the only victim and that rampant sexual abuse is taking place in RSS camps. If true, then this is horrifying. Lakhs of young children and teenagers attend these camps all over India. The leadership of the RSS must take immediate action; they must come clean. Sexual abuse of boys is a scourge as widespread as that of girls. The code of silence around these unspeakably heinous crimes has to be broken," Priyanka Gandhi wrote. (ANI) Fewer Than 70 Assyrian Families Remain in Mosul Mosul, Iraq -- In the narrow alleyways of Old Mosul, where church bells once intertwined with voices and hymns of worshippers, the Christian presence today teeters on the brink of disappearance. Recent human rights and humanitarian reports have revealed an unprecedented decline in the number of Assyrian families in Mosul, with only about 70 families remaining-- a stark contrast to Mosul's centuries-long history as a major center of Christianity in the Middle East. Since 2014, when the Islamic State (ISIS) overran the city, the Assyrian people entered one of their darkest chapters. Historic churches and monasteries, such as the al-Tahira Church and Mor Behnam Monastery, were bombed and desecrated. Families were given the grim choice to flee, pay taxes (jizya) as non-Muslims, convert to Islam, or face death. In a short period, the vast majority fled to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq or to distant exile, leaving behind neighborhoods that were once vibrant with liturgical and social life. Despite Mosul's liberation in 2017, return has been extremely limited. The International Christian Concern stated that the reluctance to return is not only linked to security fears but also to a lack of basic services, absent job opportunities and persistent structural discrimination against less-represented peoples. Together, these factors have created an environment that makes it difficult to restore the city's historic Christian presence. Many Mosulians have settled permanently in the Ankawa district of Aba-ilo (Arbil), and also in Beth Nohadra (Dohuk). This concerns many hundreds of families, many more moved abroad. The Syriac Orthodox Church has also settled permanently in Ankawa, as it sees a return to Mosul is no longer an option. In Ankawa, it has built a new bishop's residence, a new church, and a new international school, all with financial support from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The shocking figures are not limited to Mosul alone. Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako revealed in a speech to diplomats and decision-makers in Vienna in late September 2025 that the number of Christian families in Mosul has dropped to fewer than 70. He noted that the city was once home to more than 50,000 baptized Christians. He added that this decline is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader crisis threatening the existence of Christians across Iraq. Patriarch Sako pointed out that the Christian people in Iraq numbered over 1 million people 2 decades ago but has now dwindled to less than half that figure. He attributed this to successive wars, rising religious extremism, the dominance of militias and discriminatory laws, such as personal status laws that permit the "Islamic conversion of minors" if one parent converts. Mor Louis Raphael Sako called for a package of urgent measures, including returning seized properties to their original owners, providing financial compensation to those affected, and enhancing security through official government forces instead of local militias. He also stressed the necessity for Iraq to transform into a state that guarantees full equality for all its citizens, moving away from sectarian divisions and toward a secular, democratic constitution. The patriarch's appeal finds its echo in the empty neighborhoods of Mosul, where churches, some of which have been restored, still hold prayers for nearly empty pews. For the remaining few, the decision to stay is not merely a religious or social one, but an existential stance. They see their perseverance as a form of resistance against the erasure of their identity. Despite the bleak picture, hope still resides in this ancient city. Some believe that the sound of bells will one day rise above the rubble, proclaiming that life is stronger than fear, and that Mosul can reclaim its role as a city that gathers cultures and religions, as it did throughout its long history. The Finance Minister is expected to visit the farmers' training and common facility centres for agro-processing to inaugurate them in four districts, including Vijayanagara, Bellary, Koppal, and Raichur. "Travelling through Kalyana Karnataka from tomorrow, shall participate in visiting the various Farmers' Training and Common facility centres for Agro Processing which have commenced production. Using funds from my MPLADS, have set up one unit in each of the following seven districts," she posted on X. The Union Finance Minister further highlighted the production in these training and common facility centres, stating, "Vijayanagara: Peanut Butter, Roasted Peanut, Peanut Chikki, De-seeded Tamarind blocks and Tamarind Pulp (Peanut- 200kgph; Tamarind- 100 kgph). Ballari: Chilli Flakes and Chilli Powder (Chilli - 250 kgph). Koppal: Fruit Pulp, Fruit Juices and Amchur Powder (Fruit - 500 kgph). Raichur: Chila Premix, Channa and Tuar Dal Mill (Dal- 350 kgph). Yadgir: Peanut Butter, Roasted Peanut and Groundnut Oil (300 kgph). Kalaburagi: Millet Flakes, Millet Pops, Millet Flour and Whole Millets (Millet- 500 kgph). Bidar: Soybean tofu and flavoured soy milk (Soyabean- 300 kgph)." She said that she looks forward to meeting farmers, producer organisations, and their families who stand to benefit from these agro-processing centres. Earlier, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Monday. During the meeting, the Chief Minister discussed the need to increase the ceiling limit for Externally Aided Projects (EAPs). In the meeting, the Chief Minister also highlighted that several crucial projects under the Urban Development Department, Tourism Department, and Agartala Municipal Corporation are currently awaiting progress due to the existing ceiling restriction. (ANI) Two terrorists were gunned down along the Line of Control (LoC) near Machil and Dudniyal in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara sector, the Indian Army said. Search operations are underway in the Union Territory. This comes after Indian Army troops fired after noticing suspicious movement along the LoC in the Kupwara sector on Monday evening, around 7 PM. According to the Indian Army official, operations are continuing in the area. "In the Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Army troops witnessed some suspicious movement along the Line of Control and fired towards it in the evening, around 7 PM. Operations are continuing in the area. More details awaited," as per a statement from Indian Army officials. Further developments into the incident are awaited. Recently, an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Beeranthub area under the Kandi Police Station in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, with the onset of winter, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed security forces to remain on high alert and ensure that terrorists do not exploit snowfall and adverse weather conditions to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. The directive came during a high-level security review meeting chaired by Shah in the national capital to assess the ground situation in the Union Territory. The meeting, which lasted for nearly three hours, was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir, Directors General of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and other senior officials from the Government of India, the Army, and the Jammu and Kashmir administration. (ANI) Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Tuesday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her remarks on the Durgapur gang rape case, calling her statement "falsified" and accusing the state government of being "inefficient in the investigation". The Union Minister said there were "inefficiencies in the investigation", and citing an earlier gangrape incident in the Kamduni village, added that the bail to the accused had encouraged the rapists. On October 10, the second-year student of a private medical college was allegedly gangraped at night. The survivor is from Jaleswar, Odisha. Speaking to mediapersons on the issue, Majumdar said, "Mamata Banerjee is issuing a falsified statement because the incident did not happen inside the campus...This is a total failure of administration...In 2011, when they came, the Park Street incident happened, and you can collect their (TMC leaders') statement from the library..." "All these people got bail in the Kolkata High Court. That is the lack of efficiency in investigation, which is encouraging these rapists," he added. Earlier on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a shocking statement, advising colleges "not to allow girls to go outside at night" following an incident at a private medical college in Durgapur. "I'm shocked to see the incident, but private medical colleges also should take care of their students, and especially girls. The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night. They have to protect themselves also. There is a forest area. Police are searching all the people," Mamata Banerjee said. Meanwhile, West Bengal Police had arrested two more accused in connection with the alleged gang rape incident and produced them in a court on Monday. The Police have arrested five people so far in the case. On Sunday, the three accused initially arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape were remanded to 10 days' police custody by a local court. A day earlier, a three-member team of the Odisha State Commission for Women, led by chairperson Sovana Mohanty, visited Durgapur and met the survivor's family. The three-member team will submit a report to the Odisha government after inquiring about West Bengal's medical treatment and the ongoing probe in the case."Odisha CM talked to the girl's father and the administration," the Odisha Women Commission chairperson said. Senior Field Officer and Consultant for Odisha State Commission for Women, Bijiyani Singh, said that the three-member team may also meet police officers investigating the case and will try to ensure justice for the medical student. The gangrape has sparked massive outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to protect women, while the ruling TMC slammed the BJP for allegedly politicising the incident. (ANI) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, has emphasised that the upcoming 30th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) must focus on adaptation and reaffirm the importance of multilateralism in global climate action, according to the release. "As we mark a decade since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, CoP30 must send a resolute political message that Multilateralism remains the cornerstone of global climate action," Yadav said at Brasilia. He was leading India's intervention at the Pre-CoP30 Ministerial Roundtable in Brazil. The Minister congratulated the CoP30 Presidency for creating an inclusive space for open and forward-looking dialogue as the World moves towards Belem, where the 30th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held from November 10 to 21. In his address, Yadav emphasised that to achieve tangible outcomes in Belem, the key lies in translating global policy commitments into practical, locally grounded solutions. "The focus must be on transforming climate commitments into real-world actions that accelerate implementation and directly improve people's lives", he stated. "COP30 should be the COP of Adaptation", the Minister emphasised while stating that all countries must agree on a minimum package of indicators from the UAE-Belem Work Programme. "We should send an inspiring message to the world with the Baku Adaptation Road Map, that we are on the way to ensuring the safety and well-being of billions, leaving no one behind", he added. Yadav highlighted that, above all, there is a need to strengthen and intensify the flow of public finance towards adaptation, which may perhaps also promote the flow of finance from other sources as well. With the Paris Agreement mechanism fully operational, now is not the time to undermine its architecture by insisting on post-GST (Global Stock Take) processes that seek to prescribe new mechanisms. Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's affirmation, the Minister informed that India seeks to be part of the solution, not the problem. "India's initiatives from the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure to the International Big Cat Alliance embody this spirit of cooperative and action-oriented multilateralism. Let COP30 in Belem reaffirm faith in multilateralism, equity, and collective resolve to deliver real, measurable action for people and the planet", Yadav said. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday criticised Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge's demand to ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and called it a publicity stunt. "He gives statements like these just for publicity. Indira Gandhi also tried the same and had to lose power," Fadnavis said to reporters. His remarks came after Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to bar RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples, accusing the organisation of "brainwashing young minds" and promoting a "philosophy against the Constitution". He criticised the RSS, saying, "'Hindu khatre me hai, bacha zyaada paida karo,' yet its members remain bachelors. Why can't they marry and practice what they preach?" Speaking to ANI, Kharge said, "I have requested the CM that RSS activities should not be allowed in government schools and colleges... RSS's activities brainwash young minds, which is not helping the nation or society. I've written to the CM to not allow RSS activities or their 'Baithaks', even in archaeological temples or state-owned temples. Let them do it in private homes... We have no problem with that but you can't use government grounds for their mass brainwashing... If this philosophy were so good, why aren't the BJP leaders' children involved in it? How many BJP leaders' children have taken Trishul Diksha? How many BJP leaders' children are Gaurakshaks and Dharam Rakshaks? How many BJP leaders' children come out in the open during any communal disturbance? RSS philosophy is only for the poor." Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the Chief Secretary to review the action taken by the Tamil Nadu government on banning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from conducting its activities in government spaces. His statement comes after Minister Priyank Kharge wrote a letter urging a similar restriction in Karnataka, citing the precedent set by Tamil Nadu. "The RSS organisation is using government spaces for its activities. Minister Priyank Kharge has written a letter stating that since it has been banned in Tamil Nadu, it should be banned here as well. I have instructed the Chief Secretary to consider and review the action taken by Tamil Nadu regarding the ban on RSS activities in government spaces," Siddaramaiah said to reporters. (ANI) Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president PS Prashanth on Tuesday assured that the truth will come out in the alleged Sabarimala gold theft and the guilty will be "punished". Speaking to reporters here, Prashanth said that the TDB would discuss in detail the measures to be taken against retired officials involved in the gold-plating controversy, and informed that the pension benefits can be withheld only if the court convicts them. "The board will discuss the action against Assistant Engineer K Sunil Kumar. Measures against retired officials will be decided after detailed discussions. Pension benefits can be withheld only if the court convicts them. The missing documents in Smart Creations will be investigated. The truth will come out, and the guilty will be punished. There is no dispute about that," TDB president Prashanth said. He further stated that the deals made during the United Democratic Front (UDF) tenure must also be investigated since such an incident hasn't occurred for the first time. "The gold theft will not affect the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage, and the board has no concerns. The deals that took place during the UDF tenure must also be investigated. Some leaders are trying to portray this as something happening for the first time in the Devaswom Board -- but such things have been happening for years. The probe should go back to 1999. Who were the board presidents in 2007, 2011, and 2016? Are they saints, and only the current ones sinners? Those making such claims must engage in self-reflection," Prashanth said. Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday urged people not to speculate on and unnecessarily hurry regarding the Sabarimala gold theft probe, assuring that the investigation, progressing under the supervision of the High Court, will be done properly and that appropriate decisions will be taken after the report is submitted. "Let the Special Investigation Team continue its work. The investigation is progressing under the supervision of the High Court. There is absolutely no need for any concern. The probe will be conducted properly, and further decisions will be taken once the investigation is completed. Why rush to pass judgments before the investigation is complete? Let the investigation proceed, and once the related report comes in, we can discuss the matter further", CM Vijayan told mediapersons. The CM's comments were made amid the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the matter of the Sabarimala gold going missing from the panels of Dwarkapala idols. The Chief Minister stated that it would not be appropriate for him to make any statements on the investigation, which could affect it. A SIT from Kerala arrived in Chennai earlier to continue its probe into alleged irregularities in the gold-plating restoration of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, focusing on Chennai-based firm Smart Creations. According to sources, the SIT team from Kerala questioned the company's CEO, Pangej Bandari, at the firm's head office in Ambattur in connection with the missing gold reportedly linked to the temple's restoration work. Bandari and other key officials of the firm were queried on the reported shortfall of approximately 4.54 kg of gold linked to the 2019 electroplating work on the idols' copper coverings, sources said. The missing gold has sparked a political row in Kerala, where the BJP is accusing the state government of corruption. In 2019, during repairs, Devaswom records listed the removed panels as copper sheets. When the replated panels were returned, records showed a reduction of 4.41 kg. Unnikrishnan Potty testified that the sheets given to him were copper-based with residual gold, which had been later replated at a Chennai firm. Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Vigilance, in a detailed report submitted to the Kerala High Court, has exposed a web of serious procedural violations, unauthorised interventions, and suspicious financial dealings surrounding the gold plating of the Dwarapalaka idols and copper panels at the Sabarimala Sreekovil temple. According to the report, Unnikrishnan Potti, who has no stable income or declared business background, acted as an intermediary in several renovation and offering-related works at Sabarimala, despite not being the actual sponsor for many of them. The controversy pertains to alleged irregularities in the gold plating work at the Sabarimala temple, which involved 30.3 kilograms of gold and 1,900 kilograms of copper donated by industrialist Vijay Mallya in 1998 for cladding the sanctum sanctorum and wooden carvings of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala. (ANI) In what is seen as a relief for citizens, businesses and company owners, the Maharashtra Revenue Department has announced that document adjudication can now be done at any stamp office in Mumbai, with earlier jurisdictional restrictions being removed. Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule made an announcement in this regard on Tuesday. Under the new rule, citizens are no longer required to adjudicate documents only in the area where they reside or conduct business. "Citizens, businesses, and company owners in Mumbai and its suburbs can now register documents (Adjudication of Documents) at any of the six stamp offices in Mumbai, irrespective of their location. The earlier requirement to register documents only at the stamp office within the respective area of residence or business has now been eliminated," Bawankule said. The change allows the adjudication of property agreements, lease deeds, inheritance deeds, and other related documents at any stamp office across Mumbai, offering significant relief to Mumbaikars. "Now, residents of Mumbai city and its suburbs can complete the document registration process for property agreements, lease agreements, inheritance deeds, and other important documents at any stamp office, including Borivali, Kurla, Andheri, Mumbai City, and the main stamp office near the Old Custom House (Stamp District Collector, Enforcement 1 and 2)," Chandrashekhar Bawankule wrote in a post on X. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the nation and Uttar Pradesh a historic Diwali gift through GST reforms, providing relief on essentials while imposing higher taxes on drugs and wasteful spending. On September 3, the 56th GST council meeting decided to rationalise GST rates to two slabs of 5 per cent and 18 per cent by merging the 12 per cent and 28 per cent rates. The 5 per cent slab consists of essential goods and services, including food and kitchen items like butter, ghee, cheese, dairy spreads, pre-packaged namkeens, bhujia, mixtures, and utensils; agriculture equipment; handicrafts and small industries; and medical equipment and diagnostic kits. The 18 per cent slab comprises a standard rate for most goods and services, including automobiles (such as small cars and motorcycles up to 350cc), consumer goods (like electronic items), household goods, and certain professional services. A uniform 18 per cent rate applies to all auto parts. Additionally, there is a 40 per cent slab for luxury and sin goods, including tobacco and pan Masala, products such as cigarettes, bidis, and aerated sugary beverages, as well as luxury vehicles, high-end motorcycles above 350cc, yachts, and helicopters. (ANI) Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday clarified his stance on banning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in government schools and colleges, saying that he has never called for a ban on the organisation. Responding to the question of seeking a ban on the RSS organisation, Kharge said to ANI, "Where have I told to ban RSS? They are using government colleges, schools, universities, grounds, and archaeological sites for what? They are poisoning the minds of young children... They are indoctrinating religion into them." "What I should pray to, what I should eat, and what I should wear, my parents will teach me at home. In schools, they're supposed to learn. They come there for education so that they can get out of poverty," he added. Kharge questioned why the children of BJP leaders do not participate in RSS shakhas or become Gaurakshaks and Dharamrakshaks. "Why are BJP's children not in RSS shakhas? Why are they not becoming Gaurakshaks and Dharamrakshaks? Why are they not drinking Gau Mutra?" he asked. Kharge added, "When we are in the state, government property will not be used to sow seeds of communal hatred." On the issue of public displays by RSS cadres, Kharge said that the organisation should be allowed to operate only in private spaces. "Let them do it in their houses, private farmlands, hire a hotel or whatever they want, but this public display of showing communal seeds and threatening people is not good... Trying to portray that they are bigger than the constitution of India, bigger than the law of the land. I'm sorry, they are not," he said. Kharge also addressed the state government's review, ordered by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stating, "We will see how it goes. In either case, I don't think this kind of arrangement of RSS should be allowed in public places." Meanwhile, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has directed the Chief Secretary to review the action taken by the Tamil Nadu government on banning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from conducting its activities in government spaces. His statement comes after Minister Priyank Kharge wrote a letter urging a similar restriction in Karnataka, citing the precedent set by Tamil Nadu. "The RSS organisation is using government spaces for its activities. Minister Priyank Kharge has written a letter stating that since it has been banned in Tamil Nadu, it should be banned here as well. I have instructed the Chief Secretary to consider and review the action taken by Tamil Nadu regarding the ban on RSS activities in government spaces," Siddaramaiah said to reporters. The move comes after Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to bar RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples, accusing the organisation of "brainwashing young minds" and promoting a "philosophy against the Constitution". He criticised the RSS, saying, "'Hindu khatre me hai, bacha zyaada paida karo,' yet its members remain bachelors. Why can't they marry and practice what they preach?" Speaking to ANI, Kharge said, "I have requested the CM that RSS activities should not be allowed in government schools and colleges... RSS's activities brainwash young minds, which is not helping the nation or society. I've written to the CM to not allow RSS activities or their 'Baithaks', even in archaeological temples or state-owned temples. Let them do it in private homes... We have no problem with that but you can't use government grounds for their mass brainwashing... If this philosophy were so good, why aren't the BJP leaders' children involved in it? How many BJP leaders' children have taken Trishul Diksha? How many BJP leaders' children are Gaurakshaks and Dharam Rakshaks? How many BJP leaders' children come out in the open during any communal disturbance? RSS philosophy is only for the poor." (ANI) Speaking to ANI, Sub-Inspector of Police Fire Brigade, BD Hooda said no information on casualties or injuries has been reported yet. "We got information about a fire breaking out in a chemical factory around 0200 hours. 13 fire tenders are engaged in dousing the fire. The fire has been brought under control. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. There is no loss of lives in the fire incident, " Hooda said. Visuals showed a plume of smoke emanating from the chemical plant building. More details awaited. (ANI) All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Tuesday warned of a protest in the legislative assembly in case the Speaker fails to accept a calling attention motion in connection with the Karur stampede incident that claimed the lives of 41 people, sources confirmed. This comes as the special session of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly began today and is expected to continue until October 17. According to sources, AIADMK is expected to submit a special calling attention motion. If the request is not accepted, there are indications that the party may stage a protest inside the assembly. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with other AIADMK MLAs, arrived at the assembly even before the commencement of the session. A consultation meeting of MLAs under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition (LoP) Palaniswami was underway in the assembly premises at the party's chamber. During the meeting, he discussed and gave directions on how AIADMK legislators should function during today's session and over the next three days. The meeting was attended by Deputy Leader of the Opposition RB Udhayakumar and other AIADMK MLAs. The Tamil Nadu legislative assembly today passed a condolence resolution expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the unfortunate Karur stampede incident. The resolution conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and expressed the house's solidarity with those affected by the tragedy. Earlier, Gauri Subramanyam, counsel for TVK Chief and actor Vijay, welcomed the Supreme Court's order for a CBI probe into the Karur stampede. Subramanyam emphasised full cooperation with the CBI, noting that the legal team had specifically requested an SIT led by a retired Supreme Court judge and was pleased with the decision. "We are very grateful for the order...We are willing to render all cooperation with the CBI...They have also appointed a 3-member SIT led by former Justice Rastogi and 2 Tamil Nadu cadre officers...We will cooperate in every single way possible...We had requested the SIT and that it be led by a retired Supreme Court judge...As the legal team, we are very happy," she said on Monday. On Monday, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the Karur stampede, which took place during TVK chief and actor Vijay's rally on September 27. A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria also ordered a three-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the CBI probe for a fair and impartial investigation into the tragedy. Among the 41 deceased, 18 were women, 15 men, five young girls, and five boys. 34 victims were from the Karur district, two each from the Erode, Tiruppur, and Dindigul districts, and one from the Salem district. (ANI) Xi underscores shared global duty to advance women's development at Beijing meeting Xinhua) 08:04, October 14, 2025 Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and delivers a keynote speech at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday underscored the international community's shared responsibility and called for more practical actions to promote women's advancement. Xi hailed women for "playing an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilization" while addressing the opening of a high-profile meeting on women affairs held in Beijing. The Global Leaders' Meeting on Women was convened to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in the Chinese capital. Seen as a landmark event for global women's cause, the 1995 conference adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which served as guiding documents for global women development and gender equality. Guided by the spirit of the conference, equality between men and women has become a universal consensus of the international community and has been incorporated into UN development agenda and priority development targets. A total of 189 countries have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and nearly 1,600 laws on women's rights and interests have been enacted by more than 190 countries. More and more countries have made national action plans to improve women's well-being. Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and delivers a keynote speech at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) COMPLEX CHALLENGES Yet Xi highlighted the "complex challenges" still hampering women's all-round development today. Over 600 million women and girls around the world are still mired in war and conflict, and around 10 percent of women and girls are trapped in extreme poverty, he said, adding that deep-rooted problems such as violence and discrimination still persist, and the gender digital divide is widening. "Equality between men and women remains a lofty yet arduous task," said the Chinese president. The two-day meeting is expected to urge all parties to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and inject new momentum into the promotion of global gender equality and the all-round development of women. The 2025 Beijing meeting is "not only a commemoration of the past, but also a strategic opportunity to shape the future," said Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank. "My expectation is that this summit will not be a ceremonial event, but a catalytic moment -- one that reaffirms past commitments and sets new, concrete priorities for the next generation," Rousseff told Xinhua. As the world faces economic uncertainty, climate crises, conflicts and deepening inequality, recommitting to gender equality is critical for building a just and sustainable future, said Irina Bokova, former UNESCO director-general. Participants make a video call while attending the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2025. The Global Leaders' Meeting on Women was held in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei) ACCELERATING ALL-ROUND DEVELOPMENT In his address, Xi put forward four proposals to accelerate the process of women's all-round development, in a bid to build a wider consensus, open up broader pathways and take more practical actions for this cause. The Chinese president called for joint efforts to foster an enabling environment for women's growth and development, and cultivate powerful momentum for the high-quality development of women's cause. He also proposed jointly developing governance frameworks to protect women's rights and interests, and writing a new chapter in promoting global cooperation on women. Efforts should be made to enhance the protection of women and girls in regions struck by war, conflict, poverty or natural disaster, and support the vital role of women in preventing conflict and rebuilding their homes, Xi said, calling for improving mechanisms against violence and resolutely cracking down on all forms of violence against women. He urged countries to empower women's high-quality development through sci-tech innovation, and support them in playing an even bigger role in green development. Further tangible and accessible policy measures should be introduced to channel more quality health and educational resources to all women, said the Chinese president, calling for broadening the channels for women to participate in and deliberate on political affairs, and supporting their extensive engagement in state and social governance. "We must support women in assuming their historic responsibilities, enabling them to play a substantive role in global governance and share in its benefits," Xi said. "We should support the central role of the UN, urging it to pay more attention to the needs of women in developing countries and create broad cooperation platforms for women from all countries," he added. Xi also announced fresh measures to further support the global cause of women. In the next five years, China will donate another 10 million U.S. dollars to UN Women, and earmark a quota of 100 million dollars in China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund for implementing development cooperation projects for women and girls in collaboration with international organizations. The country will support 1,000 "small and beautiful" livelihood programs that take women and girls as priority beneficiaries, invite 50,000 women to China for exchange and training programs, and establish a Global Center for Women's Capacity Building, according to the Chinese president. Leaders from Iceland, Dominica, Ghana, Mozambique, and Sri Lanka, as well as senior UN officials, spoke at the opening ceremony. The international community should take this meeting as a new starting point to advance the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promote new progress in the global advancement of women, they said. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan also hosted a welcome banquet for international guests at Monday noon. Senior Chinese officials including Cai Qi, Wang Yi and Yin Li attended the events. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Air India has appointed Vikram Dayal as the new Head of its Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) following the resignation of Choorah Singh, who served as Senior Vice President and IOCC Head, according to the sources on Tuesday. Singh, who took on the role in October 2023, has stepped down to pursue opportunities in Ireland, according to sources. His resignation comes after he, along with two other executives, was named in a DGCA notice earlier this year over alleged lapses in crew scheduling and rostering in June. The Tata Group-owned carrier has yet to issue an official statement regarding the leadership change. Meanwhile, Air India Express is set to launch a direct flight service between Agartala and Bagdogra on October 26, connecting the state capital to North Bengal and providing seamless access to popular destinations such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik, and Sikkim. The service will coincide with the beginning of the winter flight schedule, marking a new chapter in Tripura's aviation connectivity. According to sources, a 180-seater Boeing aircraft will operate daily on this route. The flight will depart from Bagdogra at 4:30 PM and arrive in Agartala at 5:40 PM, while the return flight will take off from Agartala at 6:10 PM and land in Bagdogra at 7:20 PM. Ticket bookings have already opened, and fares have reportedly been kept affordable for general passengers, making family holidays to North Bengal more accessible than ever. Air India also announced an expansion of its services to the United Kingdom as part of its Northern Winter 2025 schedule, adding a fourth daily flight between Delhi and London (Heathrow), effective October 26. According to a release, the additional flight increases Air India's frequency from 24x weekly to 28x weekly this winter, adding 1,196 seats each way per week between Delhi and London (Heathrow). All Air India flights on the high-demand route are operated by the airline's new Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, the release said. Air India is the largest carrier between India and the UK, operating 61x weekly and deploying 18,066 seats per week (in one direction), which translates to nearly 1.7 million seats annually on routes between the two countries. Air India connects five Indian cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Amritsar) to three points in the UK, namely London (Heathrow), London (Gatwick), and Birmingham. (ANI) Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) MLAs on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Tamil Nadu Assembly, demanding that the Speaker M Appavu allot appropriate seats to their MLAs. Addressing mediapersons, PMK Legislative Party Leader GK Mani emphasised the importance of party unity, stating, "We all want to stand united and be in one line. Within a few months, the five-year term will come to an end. What our party founder, Dr S Ramadoss, has decided is absolutely right, and whatever he says will be our final decision." Mani emphasised party unity and reaffirmed loyalty to Dr Ramadoss's leadership and vision for the PMK. "I feel deeply worried and unfortunate that such things are happening within our party. I appeal to party members to maintain unity," he added. He further appealed to party members to maintain unity and uphold the ideals laid down by Ramadoss. Earlier, the Election Commission of India held a general council meeting of the Pattali Makkal Katchi allowing Anbumani Ramadoss to continue as the president of PMK until August 1, 2026. Reacting to this decision, PMK leader K Balu expressed happiness. "The Election Commission of India has approved to extend the tenure of the party President, Secretary, General Secretary till 1st August 2026. We received the communication from the Election Commission of India, and all our party members are extremely happy, and we are celebrating." Balu told ANI. Further, the party's lawyer stated that "only those who accept Anbumani Ramadoss as leader can use the party's flag and symbol and Supporters of Anbumani should be identified as PMK members, and the media must recognise and refer to him as the president of the party. Additionally, the resolutions confirmed that S. Ramadoss will continue as founder, Vadivel Ravanan as general secretary and Tilagapama as treasurer, with Anbumani Ramadoss leading as president. Following the Election Commission of India's decision, supporters of PMK chief Anbumani Ramadoss burst firecrackers bursted crackers. Earlier, Ramadoss had, removed his son and PMK Working President Anbumani Ramadoss from the party. According to Ramadoss, this action was taken because Anbumani failed to respond despite being given two opportunities to provide an explanation for the charges against him. He alleged that his son is "destroying" the PMK and asked party workers not to maintain ties with him. This decision was taken after the PMK conducted a Disciplinary Action Committee meeting last month. According to a press release by the party, Anbumani was summoned for an explanation regarding certain organisational matters. He was given 16 show-cause notices dated August 19. However, without offering any explanation, without seeking extensions, Anbumani did not appear before the committee. Hence, as a disciplinary measure, Anbumani was removed from the post of Pattali Makkal Katchi's Organisational Head. Earlier in April, Anbumani Ramadoss issued a statement reaffirming his position and said that he will continue to be the party chief. (ANI) The Congress party on Tuesday criticised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government following US President Donald Trump's remarks referring to the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, Asim Munir, as his "favorite." In a post shared on X, Congress said, "Trump is calling Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir his 'favorite'. This is the same Asim Munir who orchestrated the killing of Indians. He plotted a terrorist attack on India." The party further alleged that the incident reflects poorly on India's foreign policy, which it claimed has "completely fallen apart" under the Modi government. "Will Narendra Modi be able to oppose Trump's statement?" Congress questioned. https://x.com/INCIndia/status/1977958713647583547 Trump's remarks came as he welcomed Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the stage to deliver an address during the Gaza peace summit in Egypt. Meanwhile, Munir was not present at the peace summit. Earlier, US President Donald Trump, while addressing the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt on Monday, expressed optimism that India and Pakistan "are going to live very nicely together," as he spoke about regional peace and cooperation. Highlighting his rapport with India's leadership, Trump said, "India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top and he has done a fantastic job. I think that Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together," while addressing global leaders during the summit. His remarks came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two neighbours earlier this year. Twenty-six tourists, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-backed terrorists on April 22. In response, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) through precision strikes. India also repelled subsequent Pakistani escalation and pounded its airbases. Meanwhile, earlier also, Trump praised Pakistani leadership, calling Pakistan's Army General Asim Munir "a very important guy." Trump claimed that he stopped the India-Pakistan war while addressing an event at the Department of War. "India and Pakistan were going at it. I called them both... They had just shot down seven planes... I said, if you do this, there's not going to be any trade, and I stopped the war. It was raging for four days... The Prime Minister of Pakistan was here, along with the Field Marshal, who's a very important guy in Pakistan... He told a group of people who were with us that this man saved millions of lives because he prevented the war from escalating. That war was going to get very bad..." Trump said. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur stampede that occurred during party chief and actor Vijay's rally on September 27, leaving 41 people dead and many others injured. A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria also ordered a three-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the CBI probe and ensure that the investigation into the tragedy is independent and impartial. The committee, headed by Justice Rastogi, would include two senior IPS officers from the Tamil Nadu cadre who are not natives of the state, to be chosen by him, the top court noted in its order. The committee's mandate includes monitoring the CBI investigation, issuing directions on areas where further investigation is needed, reviewing the evidence collected by the CBI, supervising the investigation to ensure it reaches its logical conclusion, and undertaking any ancillary or incidental inquiry necessary to ensure a fair investigation. The committee will also be free to devise its own procedure under the directions of Justice Rastogi, the top court noted. The top court observed that the Karur incident, which claimed 41 lives and injured over 100, had left a deep impact across the country and raised serious concerns about impartiality due to certain comments made by senior police officials of Tamil Nadu before the media. Given the political undertones and the need to restore public faith in the justice system, the court found it necessary to direct a CBI probe to ensure an independent and unbiased investigation. "Looking to the fact that the issue involved certainly has a bearing on the fundamental rights of the citizens, and the incident which has shaken the national conscience, deserves fair and impartial investigation. As such, by way of an interim measure, a direction deserves to be issued to hand over the investigation to the CBI, which would lead to fair administration of justice. There can be no doubt that fair investigation is the right of a citizen. The top court, in its order, also sought an explanation from the Madras High Court after observing several procedural and jurisdictional irregularities in how two writ petitions that were filed with regard to the incident were handled. The Court noted that these petitions, which initially only sought directions on granting permissions for political rallies and forming guidelines or SOPs, were expanded by a Single Judge of the Madras High Court's Principal Bench at Chennai to include issues such as the creation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Karur stampede. The Court flagged that this expansion happened without any pleadings from the necessary parties, even though similar matters were already being heard by the Division Bench of the High Court in Madurai, within whose jurisdiction the Karur incident occurred. The top court pointed out that this created unnecessary multiplicity of proceedings and confusion between the two benches. The Court therefore directed the Madras High Court to explain how a petition related to political rally permissions and SOPs could fall under a criminal writ jurisdiction. It also asked why the case was not treated as a public interest litigation (PIL) and whether such matters should be heard by a Single Judge or a Division Bench. The Court thus directed the Registrar (Judicial) of the High Court to furnish this explanation and to bring the said order to the attention of the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. The top court's decision came on pleas filed by several parties, including Vijay's TVK, the families of two deceased victims and other parties, with respect to the investigation into the Karur stampede that occurred on September 27, during party chief and actor Vijay's rally. In the earlier hearing on Friday, the top court had heard detailed submissions made by all parties before it and had directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a counter affidavit in response to pleas filed on behalf of the victims before reserving its decision. On Monday, the top court issued the aforesaid directions for an independent and fair probe into the tragedy. The top court clarified that all its directions in the matter have been issued on an interim basis and the matter is subject to further orders of the Court, once the Tamil Nadu government files its response to the pleas filed by all parties. TVK was represented in the Supreme Court by Gohil Agarwal Law Chambers. (ANI) Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday revealed that he has been receiving threatening and abusive phone calls over the past two days, following his demand to restrict Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in government spaces. In a post shared on X, Kharge said, "For the past two days, my phone hasn't stopped ringing. Calls filled with threats, intimidation and the filthiest abuse directed at me and my family, simply because I dared to question and restrain RSS activities in government schools, colleges and public institutions." https://x.com/PriyankKharge/status/1977971224937714073 The minister further expressed that he was neither shocked nor suprised and added, "When the RSS didn't spare Mahatma Gandhi or Babasaheb Ambedkar, why would they spare me?" Kharge emphasised that such threats would not silence him. "If they think threats and personal jibes will silence me, they are mistaken. This has just begun," he added. "It is time to build a society founded on the principles of Buddha, Basavanna and Babasaheb, society rooted in equality, reason and compassion and purge this nation of the most dangerous viRuSS," Kharge further added. Earlier today, Kharge clarified his stance on banning the RSS activities in government schools and colleges, saying that he has never called for a ban on the organisation. Responding to the question of seeking a ban on the RSS organisation, Kharge said to ANI, "Where have I told to ban RSS? They are using government colleges, schools, universities, grounds, and archaeological sites for what? They are poisoning the minds of young children... They are indoctrinating religion into them." "What I should pray to, what I should eat, and what I should wear, my parents will teach me at home. In schools, they're supposed to learn. They come there for education so that they can get out of poverty," he added. Kharge questioned why the children of BJP leaders do not participate in RSS shakhas or become Gaurakshaks and Dharamrakshaks. "Why are BJP's children not in RSS shakhas? Why are they not becoming Gaurakshaks and Dharamrakshaks? Why are they not drinking Gau Mutra?" he asked. Kharge added, "When we are in the state, government property will not be used to sow seeds of communal hatred." On the issue of public displays by RSS cadres, Kharge said that the organisation should be allowed to operate only in private spaces. "Let them do it in their houses, private farmlands, hire a hotel or whatever they want, but this public display of showing communal seeds and threatening people is not good... Trying to portray that they are bigger than the constitution of India, bigger than the law of the land. I'm sorry, they are not," he said. Kharge also addressed the state government's review, ordered by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stating, "We will see how it goes. In either case, I don't think this kind of arrangement of RSS should be allowed in public places." Meanwhile, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has directed the Chief Secretary to review the action taken by the Tamil Nadu government on banning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from conducting its activities in government spaces. His statement comes after Minister Priyank Kharge wrote a letter urging a similar restriction in Karnataka, citing the precedent set by Tamil Nadu. "The RSS organisation is using government spaces for its activities. Minister Priyank Kharge has written a letter stating that since it has been banned in Tamil Nadu, it should be banned here as well. I have instructed the Chief Secretary to consider and review the action taken by Tamil Nadu regarding the ban on RSS activities in government spaces," Siddaramaiah said to reporters. The move comes after Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to bar RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples, accusing the organisation of "brainwashing young minds" and promoting a "philosophy against the Constitution". He criticised the RSS, saying, "'Hindu khatre me hai, bacha zyaada paida karo,' yet its members remain bachelors. Why can't they marry and practice what they preach?" Speaking to ANI, Kharge said, "I have requested the CM that RSS activities should not be allowed in government schools and colleges... RSS's activities brainwash young minds, which is not helping the nation or society. I've written to the CM to not allow RSS activities or their 'Baithaks', even in archaeological temples or state-owned temples. Let them do it in private homes... We have no problem with that but you can't use government grounds for their mass brainwashing... If this philosophy were so good, why aren't the BJP leaders' children involved in it? How many BJP leaders' children have taken Trishul Diksha? How many BJP leaders' children are Gaurakshaks and Dharam Rakshaks? How many BJP leaders' children come out in the open during any communal disturbance? RSS philosophy is only for the poor." (ANI) Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw raised concerns over Bengaluru's infrastructure after an overseas business visitor to Biocon Park questioned the city's poor roads and the amount of garbage around. Her comments followed an overseas business visitor's tour of Biocon Park, who raised questions about the state of the city's infrastructure. https://x.com/kiranshaw/status/1977771130896416932 In a post on X, Shaw wrote, "I had an overseas business visitor to Biocon Park who said ', Why are the roads so bad and why is there so much garbage around? Doesn't the Govt want to support investment? I have just come from China and cant understand why India can't get its act together especially when the winds are favourable?' " In response to the criticism, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge told ANI that the visitor may not have seen the complete picture, adding that infrastructure work in the city is progressing rapidly. "I am not sure which part of Bengaluru they have seen. As I have said, the work is in progress. We are growing at a rapid pace, and whatever is necessary for the infrastructure improvement, we are doing it," Kharge told ANI. Reacting further, Karnataka Minister MB Patil highlighted Mazumdar-Shaw's contributions to the state and cautioned against public criticism while development work is ongoing. "Kiran Mazumdar is a big asset to our state, our country. She has created a name for Bengaluru with Biocon. Bengaluru has also given back to her. It is mutual. Once there were potholes, and heavy rainfalls. Now it's been attended. Thousands of crores have been given, and the work is going on... When the work is going on, you tweeting it again is not in good taste," Patil said. Earlier, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar blamed the previous BJP government in the State for the potholes on roads. His remarks came amid mounting criticism from opposition parties and members of civil society for the alleged lack of road maintenance in Bengaluru, resulting in potholes. (ANI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar has issued a notice against party MLA Sangram Jagtap, following his controversial statement asking Hindus to purchase goods only from Hindu-owned shops. Pawar said that Jagtap's remarks were against the NCP's ideology and the party will not tolerate it. The deputy chief minister added that a further decision will be taken following Jagtap's reply to the notice. Pawar said, "This matter is against the party's ideology, and therefore, we had to issue a show-cause notice against him. That's why the notice has been sent. You see, whether you are a member or a leader of any national party, if you start speaking against the party's ideology, no party will tolerate it. Hence, the notice has been issued." "This is a part of the procedure. Once we receive a reply to that notice, a further decision will be taken accordingly," the NCP chief said. Ajit Pawar's clampdown comes after MLA Jagtap reportedly said in his address at a public event recently that, for the festival of Diwali, Hindus should buy things from Hindu shops only. This sparked a political row in Maharashtra with Nationalist Congress Party- Sharadchandra Pawar [NCP (SP)] MLA Shashikant Shinde hitting out at the State government for its "silence" over Jagtap's remarks. He said that the leaders resort to communal and caste lines to be in power. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Shinde said, "Communal and caste politics are not a custom in Maharashtra. To be in power and appease people, they create a divide along the lines of religion and caste. There has been an attempt to create an environment that targets a specific community. The government is silent on remarks on where and whom to buy things from...This should be opposed." (ANI) While discussing the declining tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concerns, stating that the state has witnessed a significant dip in terms of economy generated through tourism due to border issues and adverse climate conditions. Speaking to ANI, Abdullah stated, "This year has been difficult for us. First, the Pahalgam terror attack and then the India-Pakistan conflict. Then, in the months of July, August, and September, there were heavy losses due to rain and flash floods. The result is that the condition in Jammu and Kashmir is very bad..." He mentioned that the promotion of the state's tourism is ongoing in India and abroad. "For tourism promotion, one of our teams is in Singapore. Southeast Asia is a very big market for tourism, and we are trying to capitalise on that. We are also promoting tourism in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad," he said. Meanwhile, popular tourist spots remain deserted due to recent militant attacks and natural calamities like cloudbursts and flash floods. Local residents, heavily reliant on tourism for their livelihoods, are urging the government to intervene and revive the industry. Yasir, a local tourism professional, said, "I've been working in tourism [sector] for the last 8-10 years. I've never seen such conditions in the last eight years. In the past two years, the situation has been dire. You can see the silence here. After the Pahalgam attack, there were absolutely zero tourists for two and a half months. Then, after the summer season arrived, 30 per cent of our tourists came here. However, after that, many people suffered losses due to cloudbursts and flash floods in Kishtwar. No one wants to come here anymore." Another local added, "The recent flash floods have caused significant damage to the tourism sector. Previously, lakhs of tourists visited the area, but today, it's completely deserted. The local youth used to support themselves through the tourism sector, but now, they are jobless. I request that the tourism sector be revived as soon as possible." (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday praised the National Security Guard's (NSG) efforts in fighting a formidable battle against terrorism for the past four decades. Referring to the demonstrations shown of NSG in action, Shah said that it leaves the country satisfied that its security and fight against terrorism are in safe hands. "With these three principles: Sarvatra, Sarvottam, Suraksha, and by making Samarpan, Saahas, and Rashtrabhakti, its hallmarks, the NSG has fought a formidable battle against organised crime and terrorism in this country for four decades. After seeing the demonstration, we have all just witnessed, every citizen of the country leaves with the satisfaction in their hearts and minds that we, our security, and the fight against terrorism are in very safe hands," Shah said while addressing a gathering at the 41st Raising Day of the National Security Guard (NSG) in Haryana's Manesar. Shah said that the Special Operation Training Centre (SOTC), which was inaugurated today, was not only for the NSG but also to train state police forces. "I want to tell all the state police forces that the Special Operation Training Centre inaugurated today is not only for NSG, but it will train all of you to train. We are going to make big changes in the role of NSG. NSG' new hub is being stationed in Ayodhya. With this, all six such hubs of NSG, known as SSG, will help in mitigating any terror attack," the Union Home Minister added. He further said, "From scrapping Article 370, we have attacked the key points of terrorists. We have made it clear that India's security agencies are determined to eliminate terrorists and their agenda." Shah informed that the SOTC was inaugurated after an expenditure of Rs 141 crore, and it will provide state-of-the-art training for commandos to combat terrorism. "Today, the foundation stone was laid for the Special Operations Training Centre (SOTC). At a cost of Rs 141 crore, this eight-acre site will house state-of-the-art training for commandos and special commandos to combat terrorism. We all know that in such a vast country, the central government alone cannot combat terrorism. NSG has bravely and with its own strength protected the nation since 1984 in Operation Ashwamedh, Operation Sarvashakti, Operation Dhangu, the Akshardham attack, the Mumbai attack, and numerous other national crises," the Union Home Minister said. Shah added, "Six NSG hubs have already been established in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, the Jammu Task Force, and now, Ayodhya. NSG commandos will be deployed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A zone will be designated for them around that centre, and the Special Composite Group will be available to respond to any sudden terrorist attack on that zone." (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing for October 15 of a plea of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, against his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) and seeking his release. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria adjourned the case on the request of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for the petitioner. "Due to the paucity of time, the matter will be taken up tomorrow on the request of the petitioner's counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal," said the bench. Earlier, the bench had sought a response from the Centre, Union Territory of Ladakh, and Superintendent of Police Jodhpur Central jail on the plea of Wangchuk's wife. Sibal had informed the apex court that the grounds of detention had not been supplied to the family and should be served on her. Sibal had said that the plea challenges the detention as illegal under Article 22, as no grounds for arrest have been supplied. He had said that without the grounds of detention, the detention order cannot be challenged. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, had said the ground of detention already served to detenue (Wangchuk) and there is no legal requirement for the grounds of detention to be communicated to the wife. Wangchuk was detained on September 26 and shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan for allegedly inciting a violent protest in Ladakh. He was booked under the NSA after the violence in Leh, in which four people were killed and 80 others were injured. The protesters have been demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion of the region in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The habeas corpus plea stated that Wangchuk's detention was not genuinely linked to national security or public order but intended to silence a respected environmentalist and social reformer for espousing democratic and ecological causes. According to the petition, the activist resorted only to peaceful Gandhian protest within Ladakh, an exercise of his constitutional right to speech and assembly. The detention amounts to a violation of free speech under Article 19, it stated. It said the charges were "baseless and floated with the sole object of defaming, maligning and discrediting his peaceful Gandhian movement" aimed at protecting the ecology of Ladakh. The plea said that a "systematic campaign" had been "unleashed against" Wangchuk, alleging "links with Pakistan and China." "In particular, a blasphemous narrative suggesting links with Pakistan and China is being intentionally floated in certain quarters with the sole object of defaming, maligning and discrediting a peaceful Gandhian movement for the protection of Ladakh, its fragile ecology, its mountains, glaciers, and the livelihood of its people," stated the plea. Angmo also challenged the transfer of Wangchuk to the Central Jail in Jodhpur, over a thousand kilometres from Ladakh, the site of protests. (ANI) Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Tuesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy over their remarks on the Durgapur gang rape case, calling their statement "insensitive" and said that they are living in the era of 'Babur'. The BJP leader accused the TMC (Trinamool Congress) of being involved in various criminal activities in West Bengal, claiming that even contractual workers and local party officials are implicated. On October 10, the second-year student of a private medical college was allegedly gang-raped at night. The survivor is from Jaleswar, Odisha. Speaking to ANI, Majumdar said, "Be it Mamata Banerjee or Saugata Roy (on Durgapur alleged gang rape case), their statements are insensitive. I think they are living in the times of Babar." Majumdar asserted that without TMC's involvement, implying that TMC is "deeply entrenched in the state's criminal activities". Earlier in the day, Majumdar criticised Mamata Banerjee, calling her statement "falsified" and accusing the state government of being "inefficient in the investigation". The Union Minister said there were "inefficiencies in the investigation", and citing an earlier gangrape incident in the Kamduni village, added that the bail to the accused had encouraged the rapists. Earlier on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a shocking statement, advising colleges "not to allow girls to go outside at night" following an incident at a private medical college in Durgapur. "I'm shocked to see the incident, but private medical colleges also should take care of their students, and especially girls. The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night. They have to protect themselves also. There is a forest area. Police are searching all the people," Mamata Banerjee said. Meanwhile, West Bengal Police had arrested two more accused in connection with the alleged gang rape incident and produced them in a court on Monday. The Police have arrested five people so far in the case. On Sunday, the three accused initially arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape were remanded to 10 days' police custody by a local court. A day earlier, a three-member team of the Odisha State Commission for Women, led by chairperson Sovana Mohanty, visited Durgapur and met the survivor's family. The three-member team will submit a report to the Odisha government after inquiring about West Bengal's medical treatment and the ongoing probe in the case."Odisha CM talked to the girl's father and the administration," the Odisha Women Commission chairperson said. Senior Field Officer and Consultant for Odisha State Commission for Women, Bijiyani Singh, said that the three-member team may also meet police officers investigating the case and will try to ensure justice for the medical student. The gangrape has sparked massive outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to protect women, while the ruling TMC slammed the BJP for allegedly politicising the incident. (ANI) General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Katiyar, on Tuesday hailed Operation Sindoor, saying the Indian Army gave a befitting reply to Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Addressing the Ex-servicemen Rally to commemorate 60 years of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, Lt Gen Katiyar said that Operation Sindoor was successful due to the support from the administration, ex-servicemen and local people. He said, "Terrorists killed our innocent people in the Pahalgam attack. The Indian Army gave a befitting reply to Pakistan. Operation Sindoor was successful as we got the support from the administration, ex-servicemen and local people." He assured the public of the Indian Army's readiness to thwart future attacks by the neighbouring nation. "Pakistan will try to attack us again; they always try to do a Pahalgam-like attack, and we have to be alert. I assure you that the India Army is ready to thwart any nefarious designs of Pakistan," he said. Recounting the 1965 war, he said that the reason for Pakistan's defeat was that they underestimated the patriotism of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "We won the trust of the people of the nation after defeating Pakistan in the 1965 war, and that trust is intact today. Pakistan had an aim to capture Jammu and Kashmir. About 10,000 Razakars trained by the Pakistani army infiltrated. But they made a mistake in measuring the patriotism of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. With the help of the public, the Indian Army chased them away," Lt Gen Manoj Katiyar said. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also lauded the Indian Army for the success of Operation Sindoor. "In Operation Sindoor Indian Army gave a befitting reply and targeted the terror camps. I want to thank and appreciate the 26th Infantry Division, which was part of Operation Sindoor, and also VDG members," Sinha said. As per a press release from the Ministry of Defence, September 23, 2025, marked the 60th anniversary of the ceasefire that ended the 1965 Indo-Pak War. The war began in early September 1965 following Pakistan's infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Air Force (IAF) maintained air superiority and provided critical support to the Indian Army on multiple fronts. Its role included swift and precise attacks on enemy airbases at Lahore, Sargodha and Peshawar, degrading the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) operational capability, the press release said. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed his delight over the launch of the Google AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, calling it a significant step toward realising India's vision of a Viksit Bharat. In a post shared on X, PM Modi said, "Delighted by the launch of the Google AI Hub in the dynamic city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This multi-faceted investment that includes gigawatt-scale data center infrastructure aligns with our vision to build a Viksit Bharat." PM Modi further said that the new AI hub will play a key role in democratizing technology and advancing the government's goal of AI for All. "It will be a powerful force in democratizing technology. It will also ensure AI for All, delivering cutting-edge tools to our citizens, boosting our digital economy, and securing India's place as a global technology leader," he stated. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1978018108011880739 Earlier today, Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared details about the company's first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam. Pichai said he discussed the project with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted how it will help accelerate AI innovation and support India's growing digital economy. In a post on social media, Pichai said, "Great to speak with India PM @narendramodi @OfficialINDIAai to share our plans for the first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam, a landmark development." "This hub combines gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure. Through it we will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country," he added. Google on Tuesday announced a massive investment of USD 15 billion over the next five years to establish one gigawatt-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, the company's largest AI hub outside the United States. The announcement came during 'Bharat AI Shakti', an event hosted by Google in New Delhi. The latest Vishakhapatnam AI hub will be connected to the global network of Google, highlighted Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. He also shared that 'Andhra Pradesh AI hub' is set to become Google's largest AI hub outside the United States, with the company announcing a USD 15 billion investment over the next five years. "We will bring our subsea cable infrastructure here and connect it to our global network. This will not only act as a landing station for numerous cables but also provide a digital backbone connecting different parts of India. We are not just bringing AI technology, but also a digital infrastructure through our subsea cable and network connectivity hub," he added. He also shared that the new gigawatt-scale hub will be part of Google's global network of AI centers spanning 12 countries. Speaking at the announcement event, Kurian highlighted Google's deep roots in India. "It's the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world, outside of the U.S. It represents a capital investment over the next five years of USD 15 billion" he said. He also stated, "We are incredibly proud of what today stands for. Google has been in India for a long time. It's our 21st year here. We have 14,000 people working for us across five locations, and we launched our cloud solutions in India several years ago. We also have two regions, New Delhi and Mumbai, and manufacture our devices here." Kurian explained that the Vishakhapatnam hub will scale to multiple gigawatts and serve as a global connectivity centre. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted ten days' interim bail to Naresh Sehrawat, who is a life Convict in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 by a Special Jauge at Patiala House Court alongwith his co-accused Yashpal Singh. Naresh Sehrawat sought an interim suspension for 14 days on account of the death of his mother. She had passed away on October 9 and to perform the last rites. Division bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain granted the relief to Naresh Sehrawat after verifying the factum of the death of the mother of the applicant Naresh Sehrawat. He is a resident of Mahipal Pur, Delhi. The High Court has granted him the interim bail, subject to furnishing a bail bond of Rs 25,000 and two sureties in the like amount. Today morning, the bench had directed to verify the factum of death and to apprise the court. Advocate Dharamraj Ohlan had moved an application on behalf of Sehrawat seeking suspension of sentence to perform the last rites. Advocate Tarannum Cheema appeared for the Special Investigation Team (SIT). Sehrawat's appeal against conviction is pending before the division bench. Another convict, Yashpal, was awarded capital punishment. This case pertains to the killing of Avtar Singh and Hardev Singh on November 1, 1984, after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This case was reinvestigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Central Government. The Patiala House Court convicted Naresh Sehrawat and Yashpal on November 14, 2018. They were sentenced on November 20, 2025. In 2019, the convicts had moved to the High Court challenging their conviction. (ANI) Following the Andhra Pradesh High Court orders, the CID team commenced the inquiry into the Tirumala temple donation box case on Tuesday under the leadership of CID Director General of Police Ravishankar Ayyannar. The CID team examined the donation box at the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple and reviewed records at the Tirumala One Town Police Station, where the theft case was registered. The theft at the temple donation box occurred in March 2023. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) employee Ravikumar was caught stealing $920. Following the High Court's orders, the CID has now resumed a thorough investigation into the donation theft case. Board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy said to reporters, "Devotees consider the donation box extremely sacred, and this theft is the height of audacity. Those involved in this scam will be brought to justice. All information I have regarding this case has been handed over to the CID. The distribution of assets by the accused Ravikumar will be thoroughly examined." "We have been opposing this issue for several months. The previous government deliberately protected the donation box thieves. Those working behind the scenes will face strict punishment," he added. Earlier, in a decisive effort to shield the sanctity of Tirumala Temple from political interference, Tirupati Lok Sabha MP Maddila Gurumoorthy had penned urgent letters to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Justice of India Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai. The appeals seek a CBI inquiry and the formation of a Judicial Commission headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge, respectively, to investigate the escalating Tirumala Parakamani controversy. Gurumoorthy's letters condemn the Naidu government's unsubstantiated allegations of theft and misuse of temple offerings as a blatant political vendetta. "These claims lack credible evidence and due process, tarnishing the devotion of 1.2 billion Hindus worldwide who view Tirumala as the spiritual heart of Lord Venkateswara," he stated. The Parakamani, symbolising collective faith and offerings from millions of pilgrims, must not be weaponised for partisan gain, he emphasised, warning that such actions erode communal harmony and public trust in religious institutions. Gurumoorthy argued that only an impartial central probe can uncover the truth and restore devotees' confidence. "The Constitution entrusts the judiciary and central agencies with upholding faith's sanctity and preventing its misuse for political mileage," he noted. A CBI investigation, he urged Home Minister Shah, would ensure transparency and reaffirm that offerings are handled with utmost respect, while the proposed Judicial Commission would provide a mechanism "beyond reproach" to examine the issue in full. This intervention follows the Andhra Pradesh High Court's recent order for a state CID probe into a 2023 incident, which YSRCP leaders view as biased amid ongoing political tensions. Gurumoorthy reiterated his commitment to protecting Tirumala's dignity. "The faith of pilgrims visiting this holiest shrine must prevail over fabricated narratives. We demand justice to safeguard Hinduism's revered legacy." The letters called for swift action to prevent further damage to religious sentiments and democratic governance. (ANI) General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, on Tuesday called for "deadlier" Operation Sindoor 2.0, if Pakistan continues terror attacks in India. Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Lt Gen Katiyar said that India's response next time would be greater, compared to the number of airbases and military posts destroyed during Operation Sindoor. "Unless Pakistan's way of thinking changes, it will continue to take the actions it has taken. In Operation Sindoor, we have destroyed its airbases and posts, but it may attempt something again. Whatever action we take this time will be more than last time... Operation Sindoor 2.0 has to be more deadly," he said. Operation Sindoor was initiated on May 7, 2025, as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals. The Operation was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC) and inside Pakistan. Multi-agency intelligence provided confirmation of nine major camps that were eventually targeted in the operation, a press release by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said. Earlier today, Lieutenant General Manoj Katiyar hailed Operation Sindoor, saying the Indian Army gave a befitting reply to Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Addressing the Ex-servicemen Rally to commemorate 60 years of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, Lt Gen Katiyar said that Operation Sindoor was successful due to the support from the administration, ex-servicemen and local people. He said, "Terrorists killed our innocent people in the Pahalgam attack. The Indian Army gave a befitting reply to Pakistan. Operation Sindoor was successful as we got the support from the administration, ex-servicemen and local people." He assured the public of the Indian Army's readiness to thwart future attacks by the neighbouring nation. "Pakistan will try to attack us again; they always try to do a Pahalgam-like attack, and we have to be alert. I assure you that the India Army is ready to thwart any nefarious designs of Pakistan," he said. Recounting the 1965 war, he said that the reason for Pakistan's defeat was that they underestimated the patriotism of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "We won the trust of the people of the nation after defeating Pakistan in the 1965 war, and that trust is intact today. Pakistan had an aim to capture Jammu and Kashmir. About 10,000 Razakars trained by the Pakistani army infiltrated. But they made a mistake in measuring the patriotism of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. With the help of the public, the Indian Army chased them away," Lt Gen Manoj Katiyar said. The 60th anniversary of the ceasefire that ended the 1965 Indo-Pak War was observed on September 23, 2025. (ANI) Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a major initiative to make cow shelters self-reliant. Aimed at strengthening the financial sustainability of all cow shelters across the state, the government plans to establish an ideal cow shelter in every district, which will also be developed as a tourist attraction. As part of this effort, the concept of "cow tourism" will be explored to generate employment opportunities and additional income for residents while promoting self-reliant shelters. To achieve this goal, the government will encourage the commercial use of cow-based products such as dung, urine, milk, and ghee. Women's self-help groups will play an important role in producing and marketing cow dung-based items at the local level. Additionally, the use of cow dung lamps, idols, and other eco-friendly products will be promoted during Diwali through special awareness campaigns to boost their demand, release said. Livestock and Dairy Development Minister Dharampal Singh stated that a large-scale campaign will be organized to promote cow dung lamps, idols, and decorative items during Diwali. He assured that these products will be made widely available in markets, allowing citizens to participate in this eco-conscious initiative and support the spirit of "Vocal for Local." Principal Secretary, Livestock and Dairy Development, Mukesh Meshram, informed that officials have been instructed to prepare local-level plans for the commercial utilization of cow dung and urine in cow shelters. He emphasized that this initiative will not only make shelters self-reliant but also strengthen the rural economy. Launched under the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, this initiative is expected to give a new dimension to cow protection in Uttar Pradesh while promoting indigenous industries and sustainable livelihoods through cow-based products. (ANI) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has completed Phase 2 randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) for the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. The District Election Officers (DEOs) have completed all 20 districts of Bihar going to the polls in Phase II. They have completed the first randomisation of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)-Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), which had passed the First Level Checking (FLC) on October 13, the Election Commission of India (ECI) informed on Tuesday. After the first randomisation, a total of 53,806 Ballot Units (BUs), 53,806 Control Units (CUs) and 57,746 VVPATs were randomly allotted to the 122 Assembly Constituencies having 45,388 Polling Stations. The first randomisation was conducted through the EVM Management System (EMS) by the DEOs in the presence of representatives from national and State-Recognised political parties, the poll body stated in an official announcement. Constituency-wise lists of randomly selected EVMs and VVPATs were shared with representatives of all national and state-recognised political parties at their respective district headquarters. These EVMs and VVPATs will be stored in the respective Assembly Strong Room in the presence of the representatives of National and State Recognised Political Parties, the ECI said. The randomisation process is a key transparency measure, ensuring that no machine is pre-assigned to any specific constituency or polling station, thereby minimising the scope for tampering or bias. Earlier on Monday, the first randomisation of all EVM-VVPAT in phase 1 of the Bihar polls was completed. According to the ECI, a total of 1,08,117 Ballot Units (BUs), 1,08,117 Control Units (CUs), and 1,15,869 VVPATs have been randomly allotted across a total of 243 assembly constituencies, which comprise 90,724 polling stations, spread across 38 districts in the state. The 243 Assembly seats will go to the polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with counting of votes to be held on November 14. This upcoming electoral contest will be between the NDA, led by the BJP, and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), and the INDIA bloc, led by Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party and Tej Pratap Yadav's Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) are also going to debut in the upcoming polls. While the INDIA bloc has not announced its seat-sharing arrangement yet, the NDA announced its earlier, following thorough discussions between its allies. Under the arrangement, the BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest 29 seats. The Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) will contest six seats each. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday hailed the launch of the new Google AI hub in Vishakhapatnam, calling it a "game changer for Andhra Pradesh's economy and also the Indian youth." "It was a historical day for Andhra Pradesh. This is a game-changer for Andhra Pradesh's economy and also the Indian youth. I am thankful to the Prime Minister, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and also Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ji. I appreciate the Google team for the speed with which they brought this project to our country", Naidu told presspersons while in Delhi, after attending the 'Bharat AI Shakti' event. While thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enabling the setting up of the hub, CM Naidu further praised the capabilities of Indians to lead global tech companies across the world. "I have seen so many changes in India. Indians are well-known for Information Technology. You take any global company, Indian origin people are the CEOs, that is our strength. Whether it is Google, Microsoft, or any other company. Now, with that strength, AI is a reality in the future but we have to use Artificial Intelligence effectively", he said. "Data is a new oil for growth. I am thankful to the government of India for giving me the opportunity to launch this project in Andhra Pradesh", he added. Earlier today, PM Modi expressed his delight over the launch of the Google AI Hub, calling it a significant step toward realising India's vision of a Viksit Bharat. In a post shared on X, PM Modi said, "Delighted by the launch of the Google AI Hub in the dynamic city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This multi-faceted investment that includes gigawatt-scale data center infrastructure aligns with our vision to build a Viksit Bharat." Google on Tuesday announced a massive investment of USD 15 billion over the next five years to establish one gigawatt-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, the company's largest AI hub outside the United States. The announcement came during 'Bharat AI Shakti', an event hosted by Google in New Delhi. "We will bring our subsea cable infrastructure here and connect it to our global network. This will not only act as a landing station for numerous cables but also provide a digital backbone connecting different parts of India. We are not just bringing AI technology, but also a digital infrastructure through our subsea cable and network connectivity hub," said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. To meet the surging digital demand of India, the hub will include a purpose-built data center campus capable of gigawatt-scale compute capacity. This facility will be built to the same exacting standards that power global Google services like Search, YouTube, and Workspace, the Google Cloud CEO wrote earlier. The new gigawatt-scale hub will be part of Google's global network of AI centers spanning 12 countries. (ANI) JD(U) MLA Gopal Mandal and his supporters sat on a dharna outside Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's residence here on Tuesday, demanding an election ticket to contest from Gopalpur constituency. "I want to meet the CM. I have been waiting here since 08.30 [am]. I will get the election ticket. I won't go without getting it," Gopal Mandal told ANI as he waited outside the Chief Minister's residence. Police personnel have reached the protest site, and the officials said that the MLA and his supporters will be removed from the area, as it is restricted due to being in front of Raj Bhavan. "The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in place, and we will remove the protestors from the restricted area," Anu Kumari, DSP, Patna, told reporters. Meanwhile, JD(U) MP Ajay Kumar Mandal, on Tuesday, sought to resign from the party over seat-sharing ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, stating that his opinions were not being heard on ticket distribution. In his letter addressed to Nitish Kumar, Mandal argued that it was "extremely sad" that he wasn't consulted over ticket distribution in his own constituency. "There is talk of giving ticket to those who did not work, while the opinion of the district president and local leadership is being completely ignored," Mandal said in a letter, which further read: "Today, some people from the party are distributing tickets in my own Lok Sabha constituency and ignoring the organisation, this situation is extremely sad." "I'm not even being allowed to meet you, nor is my opinion being heard. I find it difficult to understand why I should continue as an MP, concerned about my self-respect and the party's future, when the opinions of dedicated workers and local leadership in the organisation no longer matter," Mandal, the JD(U) MP from the Bhagalpur Lok Sabha constituency, said. However, the JD(U) leader said that his intentions were not to express "resentment or opposition", but to protect the party. He cautioned against prioritising "outsiders and inactive individuals," which he claimed would weaken the party. "Therefore, with self-respect and true loyalty towards the organisation, I humbly request you to allow me to resign from my MP post," the letter read. Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Tuesday accused the Opposition Mahagathbandhan of "planting stories and spreading rumours" about the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Speaking to ANI, Jha further stated that Bihar Chief Minister and party chief Nitish Kumar was "absolutely happy" and ready for the elections that are scheduled to be held on November 6 and 11. "The Opposition knows that they are losing the election. They are planting stories, spreading rumours about what is going on in the NDA. Nitish Kumar is absolutely happy. He is ready for the elections. He will campaign for the NDA. He is keeping an eye on everything. He is talking to the senior leaders of the NDA. All five parties of the NDA are united, and by this evening, we will also announce the list of candidates and their constituencies. NDA is fighting the elections under the guidance of Nitish Kumar," Jha said. When asked whether Vikassheel Insan Party chief Mukesh Sahani can join the NDA, the JD(U) national spokesperson said, "We are already set. Everything is already decided in the NDA." The NDA announced its seat-sharing arrangement on Sunday. The Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (United) will contest 101 seats each, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest 29 seats. The Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) will contest six seats each. Bihar will go to the polls on November 6 and 11, and the results will be declared on November 14. (ANI) Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Tuesday met the family members of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, who died allegedly by suicide at his Chandigarh residence on October 7. He assured them that their demands will be fulfilled and action will be taken without delay. "This tragic incident highlights the existing social evils, showing how even in the 21st century, people are persecuted based on caste, creed, and religion... Today, I have come to meet the family not as Chirag Paswan, but as a member of their family. I bring the assurance of our government and assure them that every demand of the family will be fulfilled, and action will be taken swiftly and without delay... If this family does not get justice, no Dalit family will think about joining the mainstream. I assure you that this family will get justice. No matter how high a position a person holds, action will be taken against them," Paswan said after meeting the family of late IPS officer. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met the family and offered condolences to his family members, acknowledging Puran Kumar's services and integrity in public life. He was accompanied by several senior Haryana Congress leaders, reflecting the party's solidarity with the bereaved family, including Deepender Singh Hooda, a Member of Parliament; Gaurav Moolana, a senior Congress leader; Kumari Selja, a former Union Minister; and Rao Dan Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Haryana Assembly. In a late-night decision on Monday, the Haryana government sent Director-General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur on leave, according to the sources. Earlier, Haryana Government issued a statewide directive urging strict vigilance and coordinated efforts to maintain communal harmony and law and order. The directive, issued by the General Administration Department (Political Branch-I) on Sunday, has been sent to senior administrative and police officials across the state - including the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Director General of Police (DGP), all Divisional Commissioners, ADGPs, IGs, Deputy Commissioners, and Commissioners/Superintendents of Police. The circular emphasises the "urgent need to maintain strict vigil and ensure communal harmony across all districts and divisions" in view of tensions and public sensitivity surrounding the officer's death. All officers have been instructed to remain in close coordination with local organisations and community leaders, continuously monitor the situation, and take all necessary measures to uphold peace and public order. It further directs that any development with the potential to disturb communal harmony should be dealt with immediately, and timely reports must be submitted for review. (ANI) Sharjeel Imam, a Delhi riots case accused, withdrew his interim bail plea on Tuesday from the Karkardooma Court to file his nomination. He had filed the plea seeking 14 days' interim bail to contest the Bihar Assembly elections as an independent candidate from the Bahadurganj constituency. Advocate Ahmed Ibrahim appeared before Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai and requested to withdraw his application. During the hearing, the court instructed him to submit his application to the filing section. While requesting the court, the counsel submitted that he wants to withdraw the plea as Sharjeel's bail application is pending before the Supreme Court. This application was filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, read with Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking interim bail for a period of 14 days from October 15 to October 29. The Election Commission officially announced that Bihar will vote in two phases, on November 6 and 11. The counting of votes will be on November 14. Polling for the Bahadurganj constituency is scheduled for November 11. The Bahadurganj seat is presently represented by Mohammad Anzar Nayeemi, who was elected on an AIMIM ticket in 2020 but later joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The application states that Imam has remained in continuous judicial custody for over five years and has never been released on bail, even temporarily. It adds that he has no criminal antecedents and does not pose a threat to society. Imam, who was pursuing a PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at the time of his arrest, is a resident of Kako, Jehanabad (Bihar). The plea stated that Imam needs a temporary release to personally file his nomination papers and make arrangements for his campaign, as his younger brother, who is caring for their ailing mother, is the only family member available to assist him. Citing precedents, the application referred to Supreme Court orders granting interim bail to political leaders, such as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, to campaign for elections, as well as decisions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Bombay High Court allowing similar relief to other candidates. The plea contended that denying such bail would amount to depriving Imam of his democratic right to contest elections. It prays for interim bail for two weeks, asserting that the request is "bona fide and in the interest of justice." (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed actor Rajpal Yadav, facing a case regarding a cheque-bounce matter, to travel to Dubai to attend a Diwali celebration event. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma granted the permission after directing Yadav to furnish a Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) of Rs 1 lakh with the court registry. The actor was also asked to provide his mobile number and email address, which must remain active throughout his stay in Dubai from October 17 to 20. Yadav sought permission to travel to the UAE to attend the Bihar Connect Global event as a guest of honour during the Diwali celebrations. The court said Yadav's wife's passport should remain deposited as security with the trial court, and the actor must re-deposit his own passport upon returning to India. The court had earlier sought responses from Delhi Police and Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd., the complainant company in the case. The firm's counsel did not oppose the actor's plea. Yadav's counsel told the court that the trip was an official invitation and that the actor would comply with all directions issued. This is not the first time Yadav has been permitted to travel abroad. In June this year, the Delhi High Court had allowed him to visit Australia for promotional events of his film Mera Kale Rang Da Yaar, subject to similar conditions. The Court allowed Yadav to visit Melbourne, Australia, from June 27 to July 5, 2025, after considering an application filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS). The court had then suspended Yadav's conviction temporarily, observing that he had taken genuine steps toward settling the matter with the complainant company. Yadav's counsel had submitted that the dispute arose from a film financing deal that failed, leading to substantial financial losses. The case remains pending before the Delhi High Court Mediation Centre for possible settlement. (ANI) Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan on Tuesday expressed apprehension over accepting Y-level security following his release from Sitapur jail, and demanded a written assurance from the government on what kind of security is being provided to him. "I have not gotten any information on this. I also told the constable that until I get written assurance that I have been given security, I will not be able to accept it", Khan told ANI here. Claiming that he cannot trust the authenticity of the assigned security, the SP leader said, "My circumstances have taught me atleast this much, that there have been illegal capture of government land which the government has removed...allotment of land was done by the government but I was the one who got 21 years of jail, 36 lakh fine. How can I take security until I have written assurance on who has given security? How can I trust that the khaki wearing, weapons-clad people are of the Uttar Pradesh government?" The SP leader further claimed that he is currently facing financial difficulties after being slapped with a Rs 36 lakh fine and is not able to provide a vehicle for the assigned security. "Another thing is that I do not have a good financial situation that I can arrange a vehicle for my security, so I have also said that if you are giving security then I do not have a vehicle. There is a provision in Y security that one can be provided with vehicle, petrol, everything, which has not been done to me," he said. "Earlier, some media reports were talking, and discussions in government that when I first got Y level security then I was not convicted, but now that I am convicted with 21 years of imprisonment and 36 lakh fine and multiple cases are there...How can I believe that these people will not be taken back if I do not have assurance and surety of them staying?" he added. SP leader Azam Khan is out on bail following a 23-month-long stint in Sitapur jail after Allahabad High Court granted the former Uttar Pradesh minister bail in the Quality Bar land case. Khan's advocate, Mohammad Khalid, has earlier expressed that there is a possibility of his client being released soon since there are no pending cases against him. "So, there's no pending case that would keep him in jail. As of today, bail has been granted in all the cases. This process may take two to three days. As of now, there are no other pending cases...," said Khalid. Earlier on October 8, SP leader and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav visited Khan's residence. Posting on his X about the meeting, Akhilesh Yadav wrote, "What can one say of that tale of the meeting, where only emotions spoke in silence." He added in the post, "I am here to meet him, as I was unable to meet him in jail. I inquired about his health and well-being. Azam Khan is a very senior leader of the party. His roots are very deep in the party, and his guidance has always been with us. This is a big fight, and we will fight for justice and for his well-being". (ANI) Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai has said that the Indian Defence Forces carried out certain precautionary deployments on borders ahead of Operation Sindoor to make sure that the enemy was deterred and that everybody knew that a response to the Pahalgam terror attack was inevitable. Lt Gen Ghai, who was speaking on Operation Sindoor at the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs' Conclave, said the final selection of targets was carried out from a large number of targets that we scrutinised. "On April 22, terror came calling (in Pahalgam). Sponsored terrorists from across the LoC killed 26 innocent tourists, singled them out, identified them, asked for the community that they came from and shot them in cold blood in front of their families and loved ones. There were immediate claimers; this was 'glory'. However, when the Kashmir Resistance Front initially claimed the attack, they realised that matters had possibly gone beyond their control, and they immediately withdrew... Everybody knew that a response was inevitable. But we took our time; the Chief of Army Staff alluded to this in some of his exchanges with the media, that there was complete flexibility for the armed forces to carry out and prosecute the actions that followed," Lt Gen Ghai said. "Between April 22nd and the night of May 6-7, the actions were evolving and unfolding... We were prioritising our targets. We carried out certain precautionary deployments on our borders to make sure that the enemy was deterred. There were a lot of inter-service government departments and agencies that were coordinating amongst themselves. The final selection of targets was carried out from a large number of targets that we scrutinised. While all this was happening, there was a very harmonised and proactive information warfare campaign that was also unfolding," he added. He said that over 15,000 civilians have been killed due to Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. "It's in the late 80s that this problem started in Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, we've had more than 28,000 terror incidents. Since the 90s, we've had more than 100,000 people from the minorities who have been compelled to move out of Jammu and Kashmir, a migration of more than 60,000 families... 15,000 innocent civilians and more than 3000 security personnel have been killed, and it's very clear where this is coming from," he said. Lt Gen Ghai also referred to India's earlier response to terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. "It is not as if Operation Sindoor happened overnight. If you take your mind back to the attack on our parliament back in 2001, we were compelled to carry out a mobilisation on our borders. We remained there for almost a year. Yet, a wiser sense prevailed, and we didn't take matters forward. In 2016, some of our security personnel were barbarically ambushed, some of their tents were set on fire, and we then resorted to an action that was yet in the vicinity of the LoC. In 2019, we carried out a precision strike across the LoC and restricted it to that. But this time, it was the intensity and the magnitude of the events that took place," he added. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in May this year in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian Armed Forces effectively repulsed the subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. Pakistan DGMO had called his Indian counterpart and the two countries agreed for cessation of hostilities. (ANI) After remaining closed for 17 days, the headquarters of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) reopened on Tuesday in Panaiyur on the East Coast Road (ECR) here. The reopening marks the party's first major organisational activity since the tragic incident in Karur last month that claimed 41 lives. The office was shut following the stampede on September 27 during a public outreach event in Karur, where TVK president and actor Vijay was campaigning. The incident led to widespread mourning and the suspension of all party-related events as a mark of respect to the victims. According to party sources, TVK president Vijay is currently at his Pattinapakkam residence, where several key leaders, including Bussy Anand, Aadhav Arjun, CTR Nirmal Kumar, and Arun, have gathered for internal discussions. Meanwhile, district secretaries and office-bearers have assembled at the TVK headquarters as part of the party's first coordinated meeting since the tragedy. Party insiders indicate that the reopening of the headquarters signals a gradual resumption of organisational activities. Members and supporters were seen arriving steadily throughout the day, expressing solidarity and discussing the way forward for the party. The reopening also holds symbolic importance for TVK, as it attempts to regain momentum and reconnect with its cadre base after a period of silence and mourning. Meanwhile, Gauri Subramanyam, counsel for TVK Chief and actor Vijay, welcomed the Supreme Court's order for a CBI probe into the Karur stampede. Subramanyam emphasised full cooperation with the CBI, noting that the legal team had specifically requested an SIT led by a retired Supreme Court judge and was pleased with the decision. "We are very grateful for the order. We are willing to render all cooperation with the CBI. They have also appointed a three-member SIT led by former Justice Rastogi and two Tamil Nadu cadre officers. We will cooperate in every single way possible. We had requested the SIT and that it be led by a retired Supreme Court judge. As the legal team, we are very happy," she said on Monday. On Monday, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the Karur stampede. A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria also ordered a three-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the CBI probe for a fair and impartial investigation into the tragedy.On September 27, during a rally organised by the Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) in Karur, a stampede occurred in which 41 people lost their lives and more than 100 sustained injuries. Among the 41 deceased, 18 were women, 15 were men, five young girls, and five boys fell victim. While 34 victims were from the Karur district, two each from the Erode, Tiruppur, and Dindigul districts, and one from the Salem district. (ANI) During the programme held at the Haldwani Circuit House, Chief Minister Dhami extended his best wishes to all the devotees for a safe, pleasant and blessed journey. The Uttarakhand Chief Minister stated that the objective of the Matr-Pitru Teerthatan Yojana, run by the state government for senior citizens, is to provide devotees with the opportunity to visit sacred pilgrimage sites and bring spiritual peace and joy into their lives. Meanwhile, the group of devotees, embarking on a five-day pilgrimage, includes 19 women and 13 men. Under the Matr-Pitru scheme, devotees will visit Gangotri Dham, as well as other holy sites along the route. The arrangements for the accommodation, meals, and other facilities were made at the tourist guesthouses of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam. Earlier, Uttarakhand CM attended the nine-day Cooperative Fair in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, highlighting the role of cooperatives in rural development, women's empowerment, and self-reliance. According to the release, addressing the gathering, CM Dhami stated that the cooperative movement in the state serves as a driving force for rural development and women's empowerment, and also lays the foundation for social unity and partial self-reliance. Cooperation is a means of bringing society together and advancing self-sufficiency. On Monday, CM Dhami visited the stalls set up by various departments, groups, and institutions showcasing local products. He praised farmers and self-help groups for promoting local goods and making efforts to connect them with the market. He added that this fair would further strengthen the spirit of cooperation and provide a broader platform for women and self-help groups to showcase their products. Cooperation is a symbol of India's culture and way of life, reflected in the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam." (ANI) The Chairperson of the Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission, Kuldeep Kumar, along with other Members of the Commission, visited the Police Headquarters, Shimla, on Tuesday to discuss the case of Chirgaon, district Shimla, of an incident of suicide committed by a twelve-year-old boy belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, resident of village Limbra, district Shimla, as per an official statement. The press note further stated that, continuing from the earlier meeting held on October 1, 2025, in this regard, the Chairperson sought certain reports and relevant documents, which were duly furnished to the Commission. The Commission was briefed about the progress made in the suicide case since October 1, 2025. While expressing displeasure about the functioning of Shimla Police, the Chairperson issued further instructions to ensure strict compliance with the directions issued by the Commission by the Shimla police in this regard. The Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, assured the Commission that all provisions of the said Act would be implemented in letter and spirit, and that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure justice and sensitivity in such matters, the press note added. Earlier, in a similar incident involving the alleged suicide of a Dalit following caste-based discrimination in Rohru, Shimla district, a protest erupted demanding justice. The incident sparked widespread outrage across Himachal Pradesh. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), along with local residents and Dalit rights organisations, staged protests on earlier in the month demanding justice for the minor and strict action against the perpetrators. Protesters gathered in Shimla carrying placards and shouting slogans condemning caste-based discrimination, as well as the "failure of the system to protect vulnerable sections of society." Leading the protest, CPIM leaders Rakesh Singha (former MLA) and Sanjay Chauhan said that it was "deeply shameful and unfortunate" that incidents of caste-based discrimination continue to occur even after 78 years of India's Independence. "It is a matter of great concern that even today, in an Independent India, caste-based discrimination is forcing innocent lives into despair," said Rakesh Singha, CPIM leader and former MLA. According to CPIM, the boy, a Dalit minor from Rohru, had been subjected to continuous humiliation and discrimination on the basis of his caste, which allegedly led him to take his own life. The party also claimed that instead of seeking justice, some individuals were attempting to defame the minor's character by falsely alleging that he had a habit of stealing. "Some people are now trying to justify this horrific act by claiming the boy was a habitual thief," said Singha. "But the police have confirmed that no FIR or record exists regarding any such allegation. This is a cruel attempt to divert attention from the real issue of caste-based oppression," he added. (ANI) Two migrant workers died and another person was critically injured after being struck by lightning at a coal quarry operating at Chempanthotty in Kerala's Kannur district on Tuesday, said the police. The lightning struck the three of them while work was ongoing in the quarry. As per reports, the victims are natives of Assam. All three of them were immediately rushed to the hospital, but two of them died, said the police. Further information is awaited. (ANI) BJP Rajasthan President Madan Rathore expressed condolences over the death of people in a bus accident in Jaisalmer, where a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire. Extending condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and those injured in the tragic accident, Rathore said the incident is extremely painful and unbearable. He said that the incident is not merely an accident but a calamity that has devastated many families. He prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and said that he prays to God to grant peace to the departed souls. He further added that Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma immediately directed officials to expedite rescue and relief efforts and assured that the state government would provide all necessary assistance to the victims and their families. Rathore stated that the Chief Minister, Bhajanlal Sharma, showed sensitivity by immediately directing the concerned officials to expedite rescue and relief operations. He assured that the government stands firmly with the victims and their families during this difficult time. Earlier in the day, in a separate incident, three pilgrims lost their lives in a road accident near Katra when an auto-rickshaw carrying the pilgrims collided head-on with a bus coming from the opposite direction. The deceased were pilgrims who had visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and were returning to Katra from the Serli Helipad. The collision was severe, resulting in the instant death of all three passengers in the auto-rickshaw, said SDPO Katra Bhisham Dubey. Police and rescue teams rushed to the spot immediately after the incident. The bodies have been shifted to a nearby hospital for postmortem, and an investigation into the cause of the accident has been initiated. (ANI) In a significant indigenous boost for the Indian Air Force pilots, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is going to extend the range of the Astra Mark 2 air-to-air beyond visual range missiles to over 200 kilometres. According to a detailed proposal to be discussed by the Defence Ministry in the near future, the Indian Air Force is also set to acquire around 700 Astra Mark 2 missiles, which will be fitted on the Sukhoi and Light Combat Aircraft fighter jet fleets of the force, defence officials told ANI. As per earlier plans, the Indian premier defence research agency was looking at a range of around 160 plus Kms for the Astra Mark 2, but is now going to work on developing a variant with a range of much above 200 Kms, they said. India has been working on developing indigenous long-range air-to-air missiles to maintain its edge in Beyond Visual Range combat in the region. During Operation Sindoor, India and Pakistan had a limited air-to-air engagement as India hit Pakistani air bases and terror camps from a long stand-off range. The Pakistan Air Force also lost a large number of its planes in both air and on the ground, including the F-16s that they got from the US and the Chinese fighter jets. The Pakistan Air Force also lost a significant number of its large unmanned aerial vehicles in ground attacks in the southern part of Pakistan, along with spy planes. The Pakistan Air Force also tried to launch counterattacks on Indian forces using the PL-15 air-to-air missiles after getting hit in a big way, but they failed to create any impact. The previous version of the missile Astra Mark 1 has a range exceeding 100 kms and is equipped with an advanced guidance and navigation system. In addition to various laboratories of DRDO, more than 50 public and private industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, have contributed towards the successful realisation of the weapon system. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday participated in the 5th state-level cleanliness felicitation ceremony and honoured the officials, public representatives and sanitation workers, who contributed to making the state a leader in cleanliness. The Chief Minister also dedicated development projects worth Rs 7,000 crore to the urban bodies of the state on the occasion. "The resolve of 'Clean Madhya Pradesh' is taking shape... Today, I presented development projects worth Rs 7,000 crore to urban bodies during the State-Level Cleanliness Award Ceremony-cum-Workshop. On this occasion, I also honoured officials, public representatives, and 'Swachhata Mitras' who have made Madhya Pradesh a leader in cleanliness. I am glad that a spirit of competition has developed among municipal corporations, urban bodies, and districts across the state in the area of cleanliness," CM Yadav stated in a post on X. Addressing the occasion, CM Yadav said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made cleanliness a national priority. The initiative not only changed the environment for maintaining cleanliness but was also recognised as exemplary by several countries. Under the leadership of PM Modi, India has established itself as an economically strong nation and is now also gaining recognition as a clean country. Now there is competition among states and cities for excellence in sanitation. It is a matter of pride for the state government and the people of Madhya Pradesh that the state is now recognised as one of the cleanest in the country. It is due to Modi's leadership and guidance that municipal corporations are now moving faster toward becoming metropolitan cities, the CM said. He said that the state is moving forward in a planned manner toward becoming a green and clean state. Indore has continuously set new benchmarks in cleanliness. In the recent cleanliness survey, 8 cities from Madhya Pradesh, including Ujjain, Bhopal, and Jabalpur, received cleanliness awards. Smaller districts like Mandla and Tikamgarh also secured places in the rankings. The state government is committed to eliminating legacy waste from cities in the near future. The Chief Minister presented awards to public representatives and sanitation workers from Jabalpur, Ujjain, Bhopal, Gwalior, Dewas, Indore Municipal Corporations, Shahganj City Council, and Budhni Municipality for their achievements in the 2024 Cleanliness Survey. CM Yadav noted that 64 awards were distributed in various categories of cleanliness. The state is receiving development projects worth Rs 22,500 crores just before Diwali. Today marks the launch of the Namami Narmade Yojana worth Rs 10,000 crores. Under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, projects worth Rs 7,000 crores are being launched. The Chief Minister's Infrastructure Scheme, costing Rs 5,000 crores, is also being initiated. Over the next three years, nearly Rs 20,000 crores worth of projects will be implemented, the CM added. (ANI) Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai has said that India achieved its political and military aims of Operation Sindoor to punish Pakistan for its sponsoring cross-border terrorism and there has been a maturing of India's doctrine beyond the binaries of peace and war. Lt Gen Ghai, who was speaking at the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs' Conclave, said Operation Sindoor, carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, also marked a fusion of military precision and diplomatic agility, informational superiority and economic leverage. He said India is a long-standing and proud contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and has itself recently navigated through the complexities of modern conflict through Operation Sindoor. "This was not a distant engagement. It was a direct response to evolving threats, complex operational environments and our imperative to respond to the scourge of terrorism," Lt Gen Ghai said. He also recalled India taking action against terror attacks through surgical strikes in 2016 and aerial strikes in 2019 and said this time, "it was the intensity and the magnitude of the events that took place which compelled us to respond with the kind of action that you are all well familiar with". "It's in the late 80s that this problem started in Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, we've had more than 28,000 terror incidents. Since the 90s, we've had more than 100,000 people from the minorities who have been compelled to move out of Jammu and Kashmir, a migration of more than 60,000 families... 15,000 innocent civilians and more than 3000 security personnel have been killed, and it's very clear where this is coming from," he said "It is not as if Operation Sindoor happened overnight. If you take your mind back to the attack on our parliament back in 2001, we were compelled to carry out a mobilisation on our borders. We remained there for almost a year. Yet, a wiser sense prevailed, and we didn't take matters forward. In 2016, some of our security personnel were barbarically ambushed, some of their tents were set on fire, and we then resorted to an action that was yet in the vicinity of the LoC. In 2019, we carried out a precision strike across the LoC and restricted it to that. But this time, it was the intensity and the magnitude of the events that took place," he added. Lt Gen Ghai referred to Pakistan's propaganda in the wake of Operation Sindoor and said India's decisive military action had them do various things and there was flaunting of the nexus between Pakistani army and the terrorists. The DGMO said that it was common knowledge that the Pakistan Army and its chief were "under duress" with a need to revive his image. "The fact that the Pakistan army and its chief were under duress at the time is known to everybody. There was a need for him to revive not only his image, but that of the Pak army itself. The best way and the only way that is known to them was to do what they did, as cowardly as it may have been", the DGMO said. "There was, after all this had happened, a very blatant flaunting of the nexus, which I would say even surprised us that caution had been thrown to the winds, and the picture says it all....terrorist proscribed by the United Nations, leading a prayer service for those that had been killed. The who's who from the Pakistan Army, no less than the GOC of the Four Corps himself attending the funeral ceremony, apart from many others were present that day," he said. Top brass of Pakistan Army and government present at the funeral of terrorists included Lt Gen Fayyaz Hussain Shah Corps Commander IV Corps; Maj Gen Rao Imran Sartaj-GOC 11 Infantry Division; Brig Mohd Furqan Shabbir Commander 15 Heavy Mechanised Brigade (ex 11 infantry Division/ 4 Corps); Usman Anwar, Inspector General of Police Punjab and Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bherth, member of provincial assembly of Punjab. Lt Gen Ghai also referred to India putting on hold the Indus Waters Treaty in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and other steps taken by the government. "88 hours is what it took for the enemy to come and ask for a cessation of hostilities. You're well aware of that. For that call to be made by my counterpart, then. We achieved our political and military aims. We hit nine targets across the breadth of Pakistan. This is a maturing of India's doctrine beyond the binaries of peace and war. This was a fusion of military precision and diplomatic agility, informational superiority and economic leverage... I'm speaking about the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 being put into abeyance the moment the terror attack was perpetrated at Pahalgam," he said. Lt Gen Ghai said India's military actions were targeted, controlled, non-escalatory, and we openly acknowledged them to maintain our credibility. "We also made sure that we put into place critical and significant conventional measures to apply pressure. We carried out some significant and telling forward deployments, extending our punitive reach to unprecedented levels," he said. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in May this year in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian Armed Forces effectively repulsed the subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. Pakistan DGMO had called his Indian counterpart and the two countries agreed for cessation of hostilities. (ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a man accused of murdering his wife in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who has been on the run for 12 years, said the agency in a statement. The accused, identified as Sattar Khan (52), a driver by profession at Hyderabad, was arrested on October 13. He was accused of murdering his wife in the UAE in 2013 and was on the run for 12 years. The CBI had registered a local prosecution case in April 2022 at the request of authorities from the UAE. It was alleged that the accused Sattar Khan had murdered his wife on November 14, 2013, in the UAE, where he was working as a driver. After committing the murder, the accused Sattar Khan fled to India, and since then, he has been untraceable. After registering the case, the CBI opened a LOC against the accused, Sattar Khan; however, he remained elusive. During the investigation, another passport of the accused was found, on which a fresh LOC was opened. Based on technical leads and human intelligence, the accused Sattar Khan was traced in Telangana's Rangareddy district. A CBI team was camping in the Rangareddy district searching for the accused. Sensing trouble, the accused attempted to escape to Doha via Hyderabad International Airport, where he was detained and subsequently arrested by the CBI team. The accused was produced before a Magistrate at Hyderabad and is being brought on transit remand for production before the jurisdictional Court at New Delhi. Investigation of the case is in progress. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to bring all MGNREGA workers in the state under the ambit of the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, according to the CMO statement on Tuesday. According to the Uttarakhand CMO, at least 5 to 6 lakh workers must be registered under the board within the next three months. He emphasised that welfare schemes for labourers can only be truly effective when the maximum number of workers directly benefit from them. Additionally, Chief Minister Dhami also emphasised that it is the responsibility of the labour department and Board officials to reach every worker and provide them with comprehensive information about the welfare schemes and facilities offered by the government. He further stated that all officials must ensure this information is communicated at the panchayat level and that the registration of workers should be conducted in a campaign-like manner. The Uttarakhand CM also affirmed that the state government is committed to the social and economic upliftment of labourers. He said that the hard work and dedication of workers form the true foundation of the state's development, and it is the government's duty to provide them with every possible protection, facility, and respect. "The development of the state is built on the toil of our worker brothers and sisters. There will be no compromise in their welfare. Bringing all MGNREGA workers under the Welfare Board is not just our goal, it is the government's responsibility," said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Meanwhile, a meeting of the Uttarakhand Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (UKBCWB) was under at the CM Camp Office. During the meeting, the Chief Minister transferred a total of 11 crore 50 lakh through the online portal and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to nearly 10,000 registered construction workers and their dependents for their welfare. He added that the government is ensuring that every worker's family receives due honour and that their children are provided with a better future. He informed that all schemes of the board are now being integrated with digital platforms to ensure faster delivery of assistance to eligible beneficiaries. According to the Uttarakhand CMO, the Chief Minister directed officials to regularly disseminate information about all Board schemes to workers and their dependents. He emphasised that every officer and employee must visit workers in the field, inform them of new schemes, and assist them with the application and benefit process. He also urged workers to remain aware of their rights and stay informed about welfare schemes. He assured that the government stands with labourers in every joy and hardship, affirming that labour and effort are always worthy of respect as they shape a brighter future. "Hard work is our strength, unity is our identity. The state government stands with our diligent labourers in every situation. Their welfare is our highest priority," said Dhami. He called upon all officials and employees associated with the Board to make every possible effort to uplift workers and to work with dedication to bring about positive change in their lives. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that various departments of the state are performing commendably in terms of public welfare and revenue generation, with special emphasis on the Mining Department for its outstanding achievements. He noted that the unexpected increase in the state's mining revenue is clear proof that the new mining policy has been implemented effectively, transparently, and robustly. He said that due to transparency, accountability, and strict monitoring in the mining sector, there is now no possibility of leakage or irregularities. This policy and system have now become a model for other states. The Chief Minister announced that officials from states such as Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are visiting Uttarakhand to examine the operational model used in the mining sector. They aim to adopt similar policies and systems in their own regions. He added that other departments, particularly the Labour Department, must learn from the work culture, transparency, and discipline of the Mining Department to implement their tasks more effectively. The Uttarakhand CMO stated that Dhami has instructed officials to establish similarly efficient, transparent, and result-oriented systems within their respective departments, ensuring that the public receives the true benefits of schemes on time and sustained growth in state revenue can be achieved. (ANI) The Superintendent of Central Jail in Jodhpur and the District Magistrate of Leh have filed affidavits in the Supreme Court defending the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, 1980 (NSA). The District Magistrate said that the detention order of Wangchuk was passed on September 26 after due consideration of all the material placed before him, and that it was based on credible inputs indicating that he was "indulging in activities prejudicial to national security." "Wangchuk was lawfully detained under a lawful authority after arriving at a subjective satisfaction on the circumstances that prevailed where Sonam Wangchuk had been indulging in activities prejudicial to the Security of the state, Maintenance of Public Order and Services essential to the community," it added. The affidavit said that he was kept under detention following the violent protests in Ladakh over demands for statehood. It also rejected the allegations of Wangchuk's illegal detention and submitted that his wife was immediately informed about his arrest by the Leh Police and that the family was timely informed about his transfer to the Jodhpur Central Jail. It was further informed that on September the grounds of detention were communicated to Wangchuk on September 29, within the time limit of five days specified under Section 8 of the NSA. He was medically examined, both after his detention and after his production in the Jodhpur Central Jail, and he was found to be fit and he was not under any medication. In a separate affidavit, the Superintendent of the Jodhpur Central Jail said that on October 4, Wangchuk's lawyer, Mustafa Haji and his brother, Tseten Dorje, were allowed to meet him for one hour. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, along with advocate Sarvam Rithe Khare, also met him on October 7 for one hour. "Wangchuk was detained in a Standard Barrack in the General Ward admeasuring 20 feet x 20 feet, where he continues to be detained till date and is the sole occupant of such prison barrack at present," affidavit added. Wangchuk was detained on September 26 and shifted to Jodhpur central jail in Rajasthan for allegedly inciting a violent protest in Ladakh. He was booked under the NSA after the violence in Leh, in which four persons were killed and 80 others injured. The protesters have been demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion of the region in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The habeas corpus plea filed by his wife seeking his release stated that Wangchuk's detention was not genuinely linked to national security or public order but intended to silence a respected environmentalist and social reformer for espousing democratic and ecological causes. According to the petition, the activist resorted only to peaceful Gandhian protest within Ladakh, an exercise of his constitutional right to speech and assembly. The detention amounts to violation of free speech under Article 19, it stated. It said the charges were "baseless and floated with the sole object of defaming, maligning and discrediting his peaceful Gandhian movement" aimed at protecting the ecology of Ladakh. The plea said that a "systematic campaign" had been "unleashed against" Wangchuk, alleging "links with Pakistan and China." "In particular, a blasphemous narrative suggesting links with Pakistan and China is being intentionally floated in certain quarters with the sole object of defaming, maligning and discrediting a peaceful Gandhian movement for the protection of Ladakh, its fragile ecology, its mountains, glaciers, and the livelihood of its people," stated the plea. Angmo also challenged the transfer of Wangchuk to the Central Jail in Jodhpur over a thousand kilometres from Ladakh, the site of protests. (ANI) Following the suspicious death of Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar at his residence in Chandigarh, the 31-member committee on Tuesday announced to submit a memorandum to the Haryana Governor in the IPS Y Puran Kumar death case citing inaction by state and Chandigarh administration. Committee spokesperson Jai Narayan, addressing a press conference on Tuesday, stated that they had given the Haryana government a two-day ultimatum and had two demands. He mentioned that if their demands are not met, the committee will later declare its final decision. Narayan also raised the issue of ASI's death in Rohtak on Tuesday. Narayan said that both the officials were from the Haryana government, and still no action has been taken in both the cases. Earlier on Tuesday, the body of a police personnel was found under suspicious circumstances in a room built near an agricultural field in the Ladhot village of Rohtak. According to Superintendent of Police Rohtak, Surendra Singh Bhoria, the victim was identified as Sandeep, who worked as an Assistant Sub-Inspector in Haryana Police. He stated that the forensic team has been called to the incident site and an investigation is underway. "This was a hardworking ASI of our Police Department, Sandeep. He was very honest. His body has been found. A forensic team has been called here and an investigation is being carried out. He was posted in Cyber Cell," Bhoria told reporters. "It has been unanimously decided that the Haryana government and Chandigarh administration are given a 48-hour ultimatum. Both officers were of the Haryana government. Haryana government has not taken any action yet. In the other case, the FIR is registered in Chandigarh. A 48-hour ultimatum was given to the Chandigarh administration that if our demand is not met, then we will declare our final decision," Jai Narayan told reporters. The spokesperson stated that the committee had presented two demands to the Haryana government, which included the removal of the Rohtak SP and the Haryana DGP. He noted that the government has sent the DGP on leave but has not been suspended. "We had two demands from the Haryana government; two officers are responsible in this case. SP Rohtak and Haryana DGP. Haryana government sent the DGP on leave and a DGP in charge has been appointed. He has not been suspended. Tomorrow we will give a memorandum to the Chandigarh Governor demanding that he take strict action," he said. Deceased officer Puran Kumar allegedly shot himself at his residence in Chandigarh on October 7, and in the "final note" he left behind, he accused eight senior cops, including Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur, of "blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation and atrocities." Meanwhile, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Chirag Paswan and Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met family members of Y Puran Kumar. Rahul Gandhi offered his condolences to his family members, acknowledging Puran Kumar's services and integrity in public life. Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday called for urgent action in the case of a Haryana IPS officer who recently died by suicide, stressing that the matter is not just affecting one family but "millions of Dalits" across the country. Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan assured the family members that their demands will be fulfilled and action will be taken without delay. Earlier in the day, IPS officer Om Prakash Singh took charge as the Haryana Director General of Police as he reached the police headquarters in Panchkula on Tuesday. OP Singh has been given additional charge as the Haryana DGP after Shatrujeet Kapur was placed on leave earlier on Tuesday, amidst the ongoing probe in IPS officer Y Puran Kumar's death case, who died under suspicious circumstances on October 7 at his Chandigarh residence. The Chandigarh Police has issued a notice to IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, wife of late IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, seeking the laptop belonging to her deceased husband. According to police, the laptop is considered a crucial piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation into the IPS officer's death. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case believes that the device may hold vital information, including the original draft of the alleged suicide note found on it. Police sources revealed that the laptop is intended to be sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for digital examination to verify the authenticity of the suicide note. Investigators aim to confirm whether the note was indeed written by IPS Puran Kumar himself and created on his own laptop. The same laptop reportedly contains a saved draft of the suicide note, which the police believe was sent via email by the officer before his death. The SIT also aims to determine how many people received the note, the exact time it was sent, and when each recipient accessed the email. As of now, IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar has not yet handed over her late husband's laptop to the investigating team. Police officials maintain that retrieving and examining the device is essential to establish the sequence of events leading up to the officer's death. (ANI) The Durgapur Police on Tuesday made significant progress in the alleged MBBS student gang rape case. Initially, five accused were arrested, and now, the police have apprehended the victim's friend, marking the sixth arrest in the case. The Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate stated that the victim's friend was taken into custody for questioning, and his role in the incident is being investigated. Earlier, Asansol-Durgapur Commissioner of Police (CP) Sunil Kumar Choudhary said that police have arrested five people in connection with the Durgapur gangrape case, whose presence has been established at the crime scene. Choudhary also said that a round-the-clock guard has been deployed at the victim's residence. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Sunil Kumar Choudhary said, "In the investigation into this case, we have arrested five accused whose presence has been established at the place of occurrence. We have arrested all five of them... We have deployed a guard around the clock at the victim's house..." The police reconstructed the crime scene with the five accused and the victim's friend to gather more evidence. The police are investigating the involvement of all six individuals and gathering technical and scientific evidence. Meanwhile, West Bengal Police arrested two more accused in connection with the alleged Durgapur gang rape incident and produced them in a court on Monday. The Police have arrested five people so far in the case. On Sunday, the three accused initially arrested in connection with the alleged gangrape were remanded to 10 days' police custody by a local court here. The second-year student of a private medical college was allegedly gang-raped on Friday night. The survivor hails from Odisha. A three-member team of the Odisha State Commission for Women, led by chairperson Sovana Mohanty, visited Durgapur and met the survivor's family on Monday. The three-member team will submit a report to the Odisha government after inquiring about West Bengal's medical treatment and the ongoing probe in the case. "Odisha CM talked to the girl's father and the administration," the Odisha Women Commission chairperson said. Senior Field Officer and Consultant for Odisha State Commission for Women, Bijiyani Singh, said that the three-member team may also meet police officers investigating the case and will try to ensure justice for the medical student. The gangrape has sparked massive outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to protect women, while the ruling TMC slammed the BJP for allegedly politicising the incident. (ANI) In a landmark judgement, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday ruled that donations made to Hindu temples must be used strictly for religious and dharmic purposes, not for government schemes, public infrastructure, or unrelated welfare works. A Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Rakesh Kainthla delivered the landmark verdict while disposing of a petition filed by Kashmir Chand Shadyal, who sought strict enforcement of the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984. IN the plea, Shadyal had highlighted irregularities in the use of temple funds and called for transparency in accounting and expenditure. The Bench ruled that temple donations "belong to the deity, not to the government," emphasising that trustees are merely custodians of sacred funds. Any diversion of these funds, the Court said, "amounts to criminal breach of trust." "When the government appropriates these sacred offerings, it betrays that trust. Such diversion is not just a misuse of public donations; it strikes at the core of religious freedom and institutional sanctity," the order stated. The Court also declared that "every rupee of temple funds must be used for the temple's religious purpose or dharmic charity" and cannot be treated as part of the state's general revenue or used for unrelated public projects. Further, the Court also elaborated on the philosophical foundation of Hindu Dharma, describing it as a "way of life" rooted in compassion, equality, and the pursuit of knowledge. The Bench drew upon Supreme Court rulings and ancient scriptures, urging temple institutions to revive their historical role as centres of education, culture, and social welfare. The judges stressed that discrimination based on caste, creed, or gender "is antithetical to true Dharma," citing reformers such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar for restoring equality within Hindu society. Citing Article 25(2) of the Constitution, the Court reiterated that while India remains a secular state, the government may regulate the secular management of religious institutions to prevent misuse of funds, but cannot appropriate temple revenues as public money. "The donations made by devotees to temples are sacred and must be utilised for purposes consistent with the tenets of Dharma and not for general state revenue," the Bench observed. Evoking Section 17 of the 1984 Act, the High Court has highlighted the areas in which temple donations may be utilised. The permissible areas include religious and educational activities, dharmic and Charitable Work, cultural promotion and disaster relief. In contrast, the Bench has categorically barred the use of temple funds for the construction of roads, bridges, or buildings unrelated to temples, Funding of government welfare schemes or private enterprises, purchase of VIP gifts, vehicles for officers, or souvenirs such as prasadam or chunnis for dignitaries. The court also emphasised that officials, including temple commissioners, may only claim reimbursement at official rates for expenses incurred during temple-related work. However, the Court directed all temples to publicly display their monthly income, expenditure, and audit summaries on notice boards or official websites. Where misutilisation is found, the erring trustee will be held personally liable, and recovery proceedings shall be initiated to restore misused funds. "Every temple must maintain proper accounts, to be audited annually, and the results published to ensure that the funds are being utilised for the intended purpose," the order said. Hence, the High Court directed the Himachal Pradesh Government and all temple authorities to implement these directions in letter and spirit, ensure periodic audits, and maintain complete transparency in the management of temple funds. (ANI) While Pakistan's efforts to launch a response to Operation Sindoor were a "dismal failure", the Indian Army, in turn, destroyed 11 Pakistani air bases, including three hangars and four radars, Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said on Tuesday. The Indian Army had also destroyed 1 C-130 class of aircraft, one Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, and atleast four to five fighter jets, the DGMO said while addressing United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs' Conclave in New Delhi. The Army official had said that the launch of Pakistani drones happened after the DGMOs of both sides had spoken to each other. "We know for sure that one C-130 class of aircraft and one AEW, four to five fighter jets and of course there were assets that were also destroyed in air and we now know that the world's longest ever ground to air kill at 300 kilometers plus and five of course high-tech fighters. I think the impunity with which these attacks were carried out is what is significant," the Lieutenant General said on Tuesday. Talking about the eventual failure of Pakistani efforts to launch an attack post Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Ghai credited the robust air defence system of India which allowed for the drones to be shot down and thwart the Pakistani action. "Some of those engagements, retaliation, rockets, drones, I think everything was a dismal failure and I think in large part to the very strong integrated air defense that we could put up a variety and class of drones was utilised in an attempt to cause casualties and damage to men and material but everything was a dismal failure", he said. Following Pakistan launching drones on the Indian side, the Indian side also jumped into action, with the Air Force launching an operation on the night of May 8 and May 9. "This of course then led us to you know swing the Indian Air Force into action and in precision strikes that they carried out on the night of the 9th and 10th of May. Now we hit 11 of their air bases and of late I think the Air Chief has spoken about that. If you see eight air bases, three hangars and four radars were damaged. Pakistani air assets were on the ground," he said. The Indian Navy too had sailed into the Arabian sea, waiting to launch a response if the Pakistani side decided to take it any further, the DGMO revealed. "Indian Navy was also very much in action ladies and gentlemen and this is possibly a fact that is not so well known but the Navy had sailed into the Arabian Sea and when the DGMO spoke now they were very well poised and had the enemy decided to take it any further it could have been catastrophic for them and not only from the sea but from other dimensions as well," he said. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in May this year in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian Armed Forces effectively repulsed the subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. Pakistan DGMO had called his Indian counterpart and the two countries agreed for cessation of hostilities. (ANI) Dame Emma Thompson never intended to go into acting. Dame Emma Thompson didn't plan to have an acting career The 66-year-old star has enjoyed a glittering career on screen and stage winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1992 film Howards End but was fearful of entering the "precarious" profession. Emma, whose parents Eric Thompson and Phyllida Law are both actors, told HELLO! magazine: "I didn't grow up wanting to be an actor at all. It always seemed like a rather precarious job to me and it is! I remember wanting to be a hospital administrator at one point. "But then, somehow, I became a comedian. Acting came to me from that, rather by accident. I never intended to be doing this for a living, but it's worked out rather well." Emma's latest film role is alongside her daughter Gaia, 25, who she has with husband Greg Wise, in the action thriller Dead of Winter and she found the picture to be "physically demanding". The Harry Potter star said: "I had to exercise and get fit. There was a lot of running about, which I'm really not used to. "It was physically demanding, so much so that I must have pulled pretty much every muscle in my body at some time or another but I loved it." Emma explained that the physical challenge was exacerbated by the fact that the film was shot in bitterly cold temperatures in Finland. She said: "It was -27C at times. I'm English so I thought I was used to the cold, but you've never experienced cold like that." The Love Actually actress recalled an underwater scene with co-star Judy Greer that was particularly difficult. Thompson recalled: "We trained for weeks with an amazing man called Kirk Krack (a freediver). "It was so hard at first, but by the end of those few weeks we could hold our breath underwater for three or four minutes." Emma thinks her role in Dead of Winter highlights the diverse range of characters offered to older female performers. Asked if mature stars are being given better roles, she said: "I think so. I don't think it's eye-wateringly more. It's not like: 'Oh my God, thank God!' "But I've always been a character actor, so I'm not having to let go of any ideals of beauty or body. I think that can dog you. "I've done more interesting roles in my sixties than at any other time." Under the directives of Uttarakhnad Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, and as per the orders of Health Secretary and Commissioner, Food Safety & Drug Administration R. Rajesh Kumar, an intensive surprise inspection campaign is being conducted across the state by the Drug Department against substandard medicines. The campaign is being led by Additional Commissioner (FDA) and Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi. Under his supervision, teams of drug inspectors are actively operating in the field across all districts. To date, over 370 samples have been collected for testing. He stated that drug inspector teams across the state are working proactively, and strict legal action will be taken against those who violate the law. On October 14, 2025, in District Nainital, the Food Safety and Drug Administration team carried out a surprise inspection in the Khatari area of Ramnagar. Prioritising children's safety and the quality of cough syrups, serious irregularities were found during the operation, resulting in the immediate closure of one medical store. Two other medical stores were issued necessary directives, while two were found closed at the time of inspection. The joint team also inspected a clinic, from where five medicinal samples were collected for testing. All establishments were instructed to fully comply with government directives and the provisions of the Drugs Act. The inspection team included Meenakshi Bisht (Senior Drug Inspector, Nainital), Neeraj Kumar (Senior Drug Inspector, Udham Singh Nagar), Archana (Drug Inspector, Nainital), Nidhi Sharma, and Shubham Kotnala (Drug Inspectors, Udham Singh Nagar). Similarly, in Dehradun, under the leadership of Drug Inspector Manendra Singh Rana, a team conducted surprise inspections of medical stores and wholesale firms near Doon Medical College. During the inspection, cough and cold medicines used for children were found stored separately, despite a ban on their sale. The team sealed these medicines on-site and ordered that they not be sold until further directives. Additionally, inspections were conducted at pharmaceutical manufacturing units in Selaqui, from which four samples were collected for quality testing. Meanwhile, in the Roorkee area of District Haridwar, Drug Inspectors Harish Singh and Megha conducted a raid on M/s Falakh Naz (Village Saliyar) based on confidential information. It was discovered that government-supplied medicines were being illegally stored and sold without a license. The team seized 12 types of allopathic medicines on the spot, including drugs supplied by the governments of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. All medicines were sealed on-site, and samples were taken under Form 17-17A for investigation. Further action will be taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has made it clear that the safety of children and public health are the highest priorities. Instructions have been issued that under no circumstances should banned syrups be given to children under the age of two. Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said that departmental action will remain continuous and effective. No negligence will be tolerated in matters concerning children's safety. Health Secretary R. Rajesh Kumar added that the drug inspection campaign will continue, and strict action will be ensured against those who violate the rules. Additional Commissioner Tajbar Singh Jaggi stated that this campaign will continue uninterrupted. There will be no compromise on children's health and public safety. The strictest action will be ensured against those involved in unauthorised sale, storage, or adulteration. The government's priority is clear: to ensure that citizens, especially children, receive only safe and quality medicines. (ANI) Atleast 20 people were killed and several others were injured after a private bus enroute to Jodhpur caught fire near the Thaiyat village in Jaisalmer on Tuesday. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the spot where the bus burst into flames, which claimed the lives of 20 people, said an official statement by the Rajasthan CMO. According to the Chief Minister''s Office (CMO), Sharma expressed deep grief over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. He also directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and provide all possible assistance to those affected. "The incident of a bus catching fire in Jaisalmer is extremely heart-wrenching. I express deep condolences to the people affected by this tragic accident. Instructions have been given to the concerned authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured and to provide all possible assistance to those affected," Sharma said in a post on X. The Chief Minister further said that the state government stands firmly with the families of the victims. "May Lord Shri Ram grant a place at His divine feet to the departed souls. The state government stands with the affected families and is committed to providing them with every possible support," he added. Police Commissioner of Jodhpur, Om Prakash Paswan, said, "16 injured have been brought here from Jaisalmer. 15 injured are receiving treatment at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, and one injured is receiving treatment at Shri Ram Hospital...". According to Jaisalmer Additional SP Kailash Dhan, the moving bus, which had departed from Jaisalmer for Jodhpur around 3 pm, suddenly caught fire near Thaiyat village after smoke emerged from its rear section. "The moving bus burst into flames. Casualties have been reported. The injured have been rushed to the hospital. Rescue operation is continuing," the official said. Local villagers and passersby rushed to the spot upon learning about the incident and assisted in rescue operations until the fire department and police teams reached the scene. (ANI) Ambassador of India to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra met with US Senator Tammy Duckworth, co-founder of the QUAD Caucus in the US Senate, to discuss key areas of cooperation between the two countries. In a post on X, Ambassador Kwatra wrote, "Pleasure to speak with Senator @SenDuckworth, co-founder of the QUAD Caucus in the US Senate. We discussed the recent developments in bilateral relationship focused on trade, energy, legal mobility and defence cooperation." https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1977748062849192136 He added that both sides "also exchanged views on oil and gas trade and engagement on biofuels as part of the framework of energy cooperation between India and the US." The meeting followed a series of high-level engagements by Ambassador Kwatra with members of the US Congress in recent weeks aimed at deepening India-US strategic ties. Earlier, on October 3, Ambassador Kwatra met Congressman Greg Murphy, a Republican from North Carolina, and discussed recent developments in India-US relations, further reinforcing the ongoing diplomatic outreach and bipartisan support for strengthening cooperation between the two nations. Posting on X, Ambassador Kwatra said, "Engaging conversation with @RepGregMurphy. We discussed the recent developments in India-US relationship in trade, defence, technology. Highlighted the long-term benefits of legal mobility to the U.S., especially in healthcare, technology and research. Agreed to work closely together to strengthen the relationship." Continuing his series of engagements, on September 19, the Indian envoy also met Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise, where discussions focused on advancing cooperation across economic, defence, and energy sectors. Kwatra noted that Scalise conveyed warm wishes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. Sharing details of the meeting, he posted on X, "Had the honor of meeting Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise today, who conveyed warm wishes for PM Modi's birthday. We discussed the many positive developments in the India-US ties in economic, defense, and energy sectors, further strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership." On the same day, September 19, Kwatra delivered a keynote address at the Quantum World Congress 2025, speaking on the topic 'The Quantum Frontier: A Perspective from India.' His address highlighted India's advancements in quantum technology and the potential for enhanced collaboration with the United States in this emerging field. Writing on X, he said, "Delivered a keynote address at the Quantum World Congress 2025 on the subject - The Quantum Frontier: A perspective from India. Shared my views about India's Quantum journey and the immense potential for India US cooperation in this domain." A day earlier, on September 18, Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby hosted Ambassador Kwatra at the Pentagon, marking another important interaction focused on deepening defence collaboration between the two nations. In a post on X, Colby said, "I was very pleased to host Amb Vinay Mohan Kwatra at the Pentagon earlier this week for a valuable discussion. We at the Department of War look forward to continuing to elevate our critical defense cooperation with India." Responding to the meeting, Kwatra wrote, "A productive conversation with the brilliant Elbridge Colby. Reviewed the current agenda and charted actionable path on several initiatives in the pipeline of India-US defence cooperation. Value his deep knowledge, perspective and consistent support for our strategic partnership." (ANI) Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra, on her official visit to Jordan, met Secretary General Daifallah Ali Al-Fayez and Ambassador Mohammed Abu Wendi, Director of Asia and Oceania Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 13 October, as per an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The visit is also a part of the high-level exchanges in this 75th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, during which both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties, including political, economic, trade, defence, cultural, and people-to-people cooperation. The statement stated that both sides expressed satisfaction at the traditionally friendly ties between India and Jordan and reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the partnership in all fields. Regional and global developments of mutual concern, including the situation in West Asia, were also discussed. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful resolution of conflicts, the statement said. The senior officials agreed to maintain regular exchanges between the two Ministries and to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations at a mutually convenient date next year in New Delhi. Later, Secretary (South) interacted with representatives from the Indian diaspora, business community, academia, and culture, as well as officials associated with different areas of cooperation between the two sides, at a reception hosted by the Embassy of India. The statement said that Secretary (South) appreciated the contribution of the diverse representation in deepening the linkages between the two countries. During the visit, Secretary (South) will also meet Fares Braizat, Chief Commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), and other representatives to discuss the Twinship Agreement between Agra and Petra. This engagement follows the Foreign Office Consultations held between India and Jordan in Amman on April 29 this year, where both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties and shared detailed perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest -- further reflecting the steady momentum in the India-Jordan partnership. During those consultations, the two nations discussed strengthening their partnership through existing bilateral mechanisms across political-security, economic, developmental, and people-to-people sectors. The two sides also agreed to commemorate the 75th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries with a series of events, according to a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs. Secretary (CPV & OIA) expressed gratitude to the Jordanian side for their expression of solidarity with the people and Government of India after the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The consultations were co-chaired by Secretary (CPV & OIA) Arun Kumar Chatterjee and Majed T Qatarneh, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan. The last round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Jordan was held virtually in 2020. The MEA noted that "the consultations took place in a cordial atmosphere." Officials from both sides agreed to hold the next Foreign Office Consultations at a mutually convenient time in New Delhi. In a press release, the MEA further stated, "India and Jordan share a warm and friendly relationship underpinned by a shared vision. Trade and investment cooperation between the two sides has strengthened and broadened, with India emerging as the 4th largest trading partner of Jordan in 2023-24 with the bilateral trade of USD 2.8 billion." "Both sides agreed on the need to further diversify economic cooperation and promote mutual investments. During the visit, Secretary (CPV & OIA) interacted with members of the Indian community as well as representatives of the Jordanian business, culture, academia and friends of India. He would be visiting the India-Jordan Centre for Excellence in IT at the Al-Hussein Technical University (HTU) in Amman, which is a major institution of advanced learning set up with India's assistance," it added. (ANI) Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi met his French counterpart, General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the French Army (CEMAT), on the sidelines of the United Nations Chiefs of the Counter-Terrorism Conference 2025. In a post on X, the Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) said, "On the sidelines of #UNTCC2025, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS met with his French counterpart, General Pierre Schill, CEMAT. The two Chiefs reaffirmed the robust Indo-French strategic partnership, with discussions on expanding joint training exercises, counter-terrorism cooperation and defence technology collaboration." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1977683012461691277 It further stated, "Both sides emphasised the need for enhanced interoperability in UN peacekeeping operations." The ongoing military engagement between the two nations builds on General Dwivedi's visit to France earlier this year, which marked a significant milestone in advancing bilateral defence cooperation. On February 25, the Indian Army Chief visited Marseille, where he was briefed on the French Army's 3rd Division, the joint exercise SHAKTI, and the modernisation programme "Scorpion," followed by a live demonstration in Carpiagne the next day. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence, "On 25th February 2025, General Dwivedi will travel to Marseille, where he will visit the 3rd Division of the French Army and will be briefed on the mission and role of the 3rd Division, the bilateral exercise SHAKTI, India-France training cooperation, and the French Army modernisation programme (Scorpion)." "The following day, General Dwivedi will visit Carpiagne to witness a dynamic demonstration of the Scorpion Division with live firing exercises," the MoD added. General Dwivedi was on an official visit to France from February 24 to 27, as part of "efforts to bolster India-France defence cooperation." The Chief of the Army Staff met senior French military officials at Les Invalides. The day began with a Guard of Honour, followed by discussions with General Schill. "The aim of the meeting will be to foster stronger military ties between the two nations," the Defence Ministry statement added. During his visit, he also toured the Ecole Militaire, a renowned military institution in Paris, where he was briefed on the Future Combat Command (CCF). Additionally, he received briefings at the Technical Section of the French Army (STAT) and visited the Battle Lab Terre in Versailles, further highlighting the deepening technological and operational collaboration between the two sides. The COAS also visited the Neuve Chapelle Indian War Memorial, where he laid a wreath in honour of Indian soldiers who fought in World War I. Later, he delivered a talk at the Ecole de Guerre, the French Joint Staff College, focusing on modern warfare and India's strategic vision. "General Dwivedi's visit aims to strengthen the military collaboration between India and France, exploring new avenues of cooperation and enhancing strategic partnerships between the two nations' armed forces," the MoD statement added. The visit by the COAS comes days after India and France held a Bilateral Dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in Paris on February 14. During the dialogue, both sides discussed developments in disarmament and non-proliferation related to nuclear, chemical, and biological domains, as well as outer space security, conventional weapons, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the military domain, lethal autonomous weapons systems, and multilateral export control regimes. The continued engagement through high-level visits, defence dialogues, and collaborative frameworks underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and France, built on shared trust and a commitment to strengthening global peace and security. (ANI) Former US President Bill Clinton has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, calling it a necessary step toward lasting peace in the region. In a post on X, Clinton said, "The horrors of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, and the conflict they reignited, have resulted in unbearable human loss. It has been hard to watch and nearly impossible to rationalize." https://x.com/BillClinton/status/1977805296044249506 He expressed relief that a ceasefire had taken hold, noting the humanitarian progress made since. "I'm grateful that a ceasefire has taken hold, that the last 20 living hostages have been freed, and that desperately needed aid has begun to flow into Gaza. President Trump and his administration, Qatar, and other regional actors deserve great credit for keeping everyone engaged until the agreement was reached," Clinton said. Looking ahead, Clinton urged all parties to work together to ensure the ceasefire leads to a lasting solution. "Now Israel and Hamas--with the support of the United States, the region, and the world--must try to turn this fragile moment into lasting peace that provides for the dignity and security of both Palestinians and Israelis," he said. Concluding his message, Clinton added, "I believe that they can get there, but only if they do it together." His remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump described the Gaza ceasefire as "the historic dawn of a new Middle East," echoing similar optimism about the future of the region and saying the forces of "chaos, terror, and ruin" have been defeated and the "long and painful nightmare" is finally over, not only for Israelis but also for Palestinians. Hailing the US-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump said it would mark the beginning of a "Golden Age" for Israel and the Middle East. Addressing the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, Trump stated that the entire region had endorsed the plan for demilitarising Gaza and disarming Hamas. "It is not only the End of a war--it is the END of an age of terror and death," he said. In what was the first US presidential address to the Israeli parliament since 2008, Trump said, "This long and difficult war has ended. In an unprecedented achievement, virtually the entire region has endorsed the plan that Gaza will be demilitarised and Hamas will be disarmed, and Israel's security will not be threatened." He emphasised that Israel had achieved all that was possible through military means and that it was now time for peace. "Israel has won all that they can by force of arms. Now, it's time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of PEACE and PROSPERITY for the entire Middle East. Across the Middle East, the forces of chaos, terror, and ruin that have plagued the region for decades now stand weakened... defeated. A new coalition of proud and responsible nations is emerging--and because of us, the enemies of all civilisation are in retreat," he said. Trump added that peace had finally arrived for both Israelis and Palestinians. "For so many families across this land, it has been years since you have known a single day of true peace. But now, at last--not only for Israelis but also for Palestinians and for many others--the long and painful nightmare is finally OVER," he said. Recalling the Hamas attacks two years ago, Trump said the events of October 7, 2023, in which over 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 people abducted, would now be followed by everlasting peace. "Two years ago... thousands of innocent Israeli civilians were attacked by terrorists in one of the most evil and heinous desecrations of innocent life the world has ever seen... please know that America joins you in those two everlasting vows--NEVER FORGET, and NEVER AGAIN. Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change... Like the USA right now, it will be the GOLDEN AGE of Israel and the Golden Age of the Middle East," he said. Trump described the ceasefire as a transformative moment for the region. "This is not only the End of a war--it is the END of an age of terror and death, and the BEGINNING of the age of faith, hope, and of God... This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East. After two harrowing years in darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families... And after so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is FINALLY AT PEACE--a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity," he said. Without elaborating further, Trump also said that during his tenure, he had "settled eight wars." "If we go into a war, we are going to win it like nobody ever has won it before... We will not be politically correct. We have settled 8 wars in 8 months, including this one," he said. Calling for unity in the Middle East, Trump said the region's "productive and responsible nations" should work together instead of being adversaries. "It's more obvious than ever that the productive and responsible nations of this region should not be enemies or adversaries, you should be partners--and eventually even friends. The choice for Palestinians could not be more clear. This is their chance to turn forever from the path of terror and violence... The total focus of Gazans must be on restoring the fundamentals... so they can finally have the better life their children deserve," he said. He also called for an end to extremism and anti-Semitism across the region. "It should now be clear to everyone throughout the region that decades of fomenting terrorism and extremism, jihadism and anti-Semitism, have not worked... From Gaza to Iran, those bitter hatreds have delivered nothing but misery, suffering, failure, and death," he said. Earlier on October 13, Trump met with hostages who were released as part of the ceasefire agreement and heard their accounts of captivity, as he underscored the human cost of the conflict and the significance of the truce in restoring peace. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Monday refrained from taking a position on whether he supports the recognition of a Palestinian state, hours after signing the Gaza ceasefire agreement alongside several world leaders at a peace summit in Egypt. "I'm not talking about single state or double state or two state, we're talking about the rebuilding of Gaza," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One during his flight back from the Middle East. The President said that discussions around the political structure of a future Palestinian state would take time, noting, "A lot of people like the one-state solution. Some people like the two-state solutions. We'll have to see," before adding, "I haven't commented on that." Earlier at the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi described the moment as a pivotal one for regional peace. He called it a "unique, perhaps last, historic opportunity to achieve a Middle East free of anything that threatens its stability and progress." El-Sisi reiterated Egypt's long-standing stance in favour of a negotiated two-state solution, saying it "must be achieved in a manner that ensures our shared vision of embodying joint cooperation among the peoples of the region, and cooperation among all countries." Trump's cautious remarks came just weeks after he had criticised international efforts to advance Palestinian statehood during his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 23. At the time, Trump had described the growing global momentum behind a two-state framework as a "reward" for Hamas. His latest comments, therefore, underline a consistent position that prioritises rebuilding Gaza and securing peace over endorsing any particular political model. "As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state. The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists for their atrocities," Trump told world leaders at the UN. His remarks came in response to several European nations announcing their decision to recognise a Palestinian state during a summit at the UNGA. While the move was largely symbolic, it added to Israel's diplomatic isolation. Washington, however, has made clear it does not support the step. Recognising a Palestinian state, Trump warned, "would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7, even while they refuse to release the hostages or accept a ceasefire." He urged the international community to take a unified stance, saying, "Instead of giving in to Hamas' ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: Release the hostages now, just release the hostages." Reiterating the need to end the ongoing conflict, Trump added, "We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have to stop it. ... We have to negotiate immediately. Have to negotiate peace. We got to get the hostages back." (ANI) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Tuesday said it detected 12 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels operating around the island until 6 am (local time). According to MND, 8 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and southeastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The ministry said Taiwanese forces had "monitored the situation and responded" accordingly. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1977902177864835081 "12 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," Taiwan MND wrote on X. The fresh incursion marks yet another episode in China's continuing military pressure campaign against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. This comes a day after the MND reported 13 Chinese aircraft, six naval vessels near Taiwan's air and maritime zones on Monday. Of those, eight aircraft had also crossed the median line, flying into Taiwan's northern, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. Meanwhile, a leading Taiwanese defence analyst has rejected the notion that China could effectively blockade Taiwan with only a handful of submarines, arguing that such a military manoeuvre is both logistically and strategically implausible, as reported by Taipei Times. According to Taipei Times, at a seminar hosted by the Institute of International Relations at National Chengchi University, Alexander Huang, a strategic studies scholar at Tamkang University, challenged the claim made by China affairs expert Willy Lam. Lam, a senior fellow at The Jamestown Foundation, had stated at a symposium in Washington that China could impose a naval blockade around Taiwan simply by deploying four or five submarines. Huang questioned the sustainability of such a blockade, emphasising that even nuclear-powered submarines have operational limitations. "A nuclear submarine can stay submerged for extended periods, but the crew still needs food, rest, and rotation. No vessel can maintain its position forever," he said. Huang further warned that a blockade, if attempted, would expose Chinese submarines to severe risks. "It's not only about sustaining the blockade, but also about whether those submarines could return safely. Other nations' naval forces could easily obstruct their path back to Chinese ports," he noted, adding that Taiwan has the capability to strike back if necessary. (ANI) The European Parliament has issued a strong rebuke against China, demanding the immediate release of Swedish publisher Gui Minhai, ten years after he was abducted in Thailand and later imprisoned in China. Gui, a co-owner of Hong Kong's Causeway Bay Books, was seized from his Pattaya apartment in 2015 and resurfaced months later on Chinese state television, where he was seen "confessing" to a fatal drunk-driving incident. He was subsequently sentenced to ten years in prison on espionage charges, as reported by Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP). According to HKFP, the European Parliament passed a joint motion last week urging Beijing to "immediately and unconditionally" release Gui and all others detained for peacefully exercising their basic freedoms. The resolution also called for an end to China's practice of arbitrary detention and coerced televised confessions, which have long drawn global condemnation. Lawmakers cited growing concerns over China's repression of lawyers, journalists, minority figures, and artists. Gui's abduction marked the start of an alarming pattern of cross-border disappearances targeting publishers critical of the Chinese Communist Party. He was among four individuals connected to Causeway Bay Books who vanished under similar circumstances, though Gui remains the only one still imprisoned. Press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) believes he was kidnapped by Chinese agents and remains an "emblematic figure among more than a hundred media workers currently detained in China." In a statement last week, Gui's daughter Angela renewed her plea for help, saying her family has been living in painful uncertainty. "A decade later, we still don't know where my father is, what condition he's in, or how his trial was handled," she said. "We can only hope he's still alive. Sweden and the EU must urgently intensify their calls for his release," as highlighted by HKFP. Gui has been denied both family contact and consular access since his detention. Chinese officials, however, continue to defend his imprisonment, insisting that Gui is not a persecuted writer but a convicted criminal. The rights groups see his case as a symbol of Beijing's growing transnational repression and deepening hostility toward free expression, as reported by HKFP. (ANI) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, participated in the Ministerial roundtable of the Pre-CoP 30 conference and underlined that as the world marks a decade of adoption of the Paris Agreement, CoP 30 must reaffirm faith in multilateralism, equity and the collective resolve to deliver. He also highlighted the initiatives taken under PM Modi's leadership, which embody action-oriented and cooperative multilateralism. "As we mark a decade since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, CoP30 must send a resolute political message that Multilateralism remains the cornerstone of global climate action", Union Minister Yadav said. He is leading India's intervention at the Pre-CoP30 Ministerial Roundtable in Brazil. Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's affirmation, the Minister informed that India seeks to be part of the solution, not the problem. India's initiatives from the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure to the International Big Cat Alliance embody this spirit of cooperative and action-oriented multilateralism. "Let COP30 in Belem reaffirm faith in multilateralism, equity, and collective resolve to deliver real, measurable action for people and the planet", Yadav said as shared by the official statement of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. In a post on X, Yadav said that in his remarks, "As we mark a decade since the Paris Agreement, COP30 must reaffirm faith in multilateralism, equity, and collective resolve to deliver real, measurable action for people and the planet. Elaborated on how India, under the leadership of PM @narendramodi ji, has been a part of the solution--through domestic and international initiatives that embody action-oriented and cooperative multilateralism. Stressed that COP30 should be the COP of Adaptation, advancing finance, cooperation, and locally grounded solutions." https://x.com/byadavbjp/status/1977764009412616438 COP 30 is being hosted by Brazil this year. As per the official website, from October 13-14, Brasilia will host the Ministerial Preparatory Meeting for the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- the Pre-COP30.The event will see the participation of ministers, negotiators, and civil society representatives to chart the course toward COP30, which is scheduled for November in Belem. While the Pre-COP 30 is not a part of the official UNFCCC calendar, the website noted that it represents a critical strategic opportunity for nations to align political and technical positions on the most pressing global climate challenges. These include climate finance, energy transition, adaptation strategies, and biodiversity preservation. The Pre-COP30 marks the return of the international community to the Global South -- the cradle of sustainable development and climate multilateralism -- at a decisive juncture for collective action toward COP30, its official website highlighted. (ANI) Britney Spears' ex-husband has claimed she used to stand over their sleeping sons with a knife in her hand. Kevin Federline has shared his concerns for Britney Spears Kevin Federline - who split from the Toxic hitmaker in 2007 after three years of marriage - claimed that on more than one occasion their boys Sean Preston, 20, and 19-year-old Jayden James awoke to find their mom watching over them before leaving the room with no explanation. In an excerpt from his memoir You Thought You Knew shared by the New York Times newspaper, Kevin wrote: They would awaken sometimes at night to find her standing silently in the doorway, watching them sleep Oh, youre awake? with a knife in her hand. Then shed turn around and pad off without explanation. Elsewhere in the book, Kevin spoke of his fear that "something bad" is going to happen to his troubled former wife. He wrote: The truth is, this situation with Britney feels like its racing toward something irreversible. Its become impossible to pretend everythings OK. "From where I sit, the clock is ticking, and were getting close to the 11th hour. Something bad is going to happen if things dont change, and my biggest fear is that our sons will be left holding the pieces. Kevin went on to express his concern that the Free Britney movement - which campaigned to have his ex-wife's conservatorship terminated - may have "started from a good place" but has now left professionals who could help the Gimme More hitmaker afraid to step in. He wrote: All those people who put so much effort into that should now put the same energy into the Save Britney movement. Because this is no longer about freedom. Its about survival. While Kevin doesn't know the perfect "solution", he appealed for anyone who has ever been moved by Britney to stand by his children and their mother. He wrote: "Now, more than ever, they need your support. Ive been their buffer for years, but now its bigger than me. Its time to sound the alarm. The 47-year-old dancer is keen for his sons to have an "incredible relationship" with their sons. He told the New York Times: Ive never, ever, once, been against Britney. "Ive only tried to help my sons have an incredible relationship with their mother. And its hard because when I really reflect on everything thats happened my kids do not know the woman that I married. And Ive spent two decades trying to bridge that gap. A spokesperson for Britney has hit out at Kevin for "profiting off" the star with his book. The representative told People magazine: With news from Kevins book breaking, once again he and others are profiting off her and sadly it comes after child support has ended with Kevin. "All she cares about are her kids, Sean Preston and Jayden James and their well-being during this sensationalism. She detailed her journey in her memoir [The Woman in Me]. After weeks of mass protests, Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has fled the country, becoming the latest world leader pushed out amid a wave of Gen Z-driven unrest sweeping across multiple continents, Reuters reported. The exit--reportedly aboard a French military aircraft--marks the third government collapse, following similar youth-led uprisings in Nepal and Bangladesh. According to Reuters, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, the opposition leader in Madagascar's parliament, confirmed that Rajoelina left the country on Sunday after parts of the army joined the protesters. "We called the staff of the presidency and they confirmed that he left the country," he said. Rajoelina's current location remains unknown. The next day, Rajoelina addressed the nation via a Facebook video, insisting he had relocated to a "safe location" for his own protection. Though he refused to reveal where he was, he appeared defiant, stating, "I will not allow Madagascar to be destroyed." According to a diplomatic source, Rajoelina has so far refused to resign. Further, military sources stated that the president departed Madagascar, a former French colony, aboard a French Army CASA aircraft on Sunday. French radio outlet RFI reported that the evacuation followed a deal with French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron, speaking from Egypt after a Gaza ceasefire summit, said he could not confirm France's role in Rajoelina's departure. However, he emphasised that "constitutional order must be preserved in Madagascar," adding that while France recognises the grievances of the country's youth, those grievances should not be manipulated by military forces. According to the military source, the extraction operation was swift. A French Casa aircraft landed at Sainte Marie airport, and minutes later, a helicopter transferred a single passenger--believed to be Rajoelina--onto the plane, as per Reuters. The protests that triggered Rajoelina's departure began on September 25, sparked by widespread water and power shortages. However, they quickly evolved into a broader movement fueled by anger over corruption, poor governance, and a lack of basic services. Rajoelina's grip on power weakened significantly over the weekend when CAPSAT--an elite military unit that had previously helped him seize power in a 2009 coup--sided with the demonstrators. CAPSAT declared it would no longer fire on protesters and instead escorted thousands through the capital, Antananarivo. The unit later announced it was taking control of the military and appointed a new army chief. In response, Rajoelina warned on Sunday of what he described as an attempted power grab. The momentum shifted further on Monday, when a faction of the paramilitary gendarmerie also defected. That group named its own chief in a formal ceremony attended by senior government officials, according to Reuters. Amid the rapid political unravelling, the president of the Senate--another symbol of public anger--was removed from his position. Jean Andre Ndremanjary was appointed interim Senate leader. Under Madagascar's constitution, if the presidency becomes vacant, the head of the Senate temporarily assumes the role until new elections are held. As events unfolded, thousands gathered again in Antananarivo's central square, saying, "The president must quit now." One protester, 22-year-old hotel worker Adrianarivony Fanomegantsoa, stated that his monthly salary of 300,000 ariary (approximately USD 67) barely covers his food expenses. "In 16 years, the president and his government have done nothing except enrich themselves while the people stay poor. And the youth, the Gen Z, suffer the most," he said. The UN reports that at least 22 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces since demonstrations began, Reuters reported, citing the United Nations. Madagascar, home to around 30 million people, has a median age of under 20 and some of the highest poverty rates globally. According to the World Bank, the country's GDP per capita fell by 45 per cent from independence in 1960 to 2020. In one of his final acts before leaving the country, Rajoelina issued pardons on Sunday for several individuals, including two French nationals convicted over a failed 2021 coup attempt. The pardons were granted through an internal document and a source within the presidency. The two men, Paul Maillot Rafanoharana and Francois Marc Philippe, had been found guilty of plotting against the state. (ANI) Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest & Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh, will be leading the Indian delegation for the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) being held in Kampala, Uganda, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement. The theme of the Mid-Term Ministerial is "Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence" According to the statement, the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) will be held in Kampala, Uganda, on October 15-16. MEA noted in its statement that Uganda is the Chair of NAM for the period 2024-26. The Mid-Term Ministerial under the theme of "Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence". India is a founding member of the movemen,t which brings together 121 developing countries on a platform of historical significance. India remains committed to the principles and values of the movement. At the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) being held from October 13-14, Secretary (West), Sibi George, will represent India. The MEA shared in a post on X on Monday that Secretary (West), Sibi George, held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the NAM Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) on October 13 in Kampala. Secretary (West) held bilateral meetings with the heads of delegation of Brunei, Chad, Comoros, Eritrea, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lesotho, Malaysia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1977782908254367765 While in Uganda, MEA noted that MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh is expected to meet with the Ugandan leadership and counterparts from NAM Member States. Singh was previously in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt for the Gaza Peace Summit. In a post on X, he said, "It was a privilege to meet with His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt during the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El Sheikh. Egypt and India share a significant and vibrant strategic partnership. The Summit underscored the global commitment to peace and dialogue. India reaffirms its unwavering dedication to peace, stability, and enduring security within the Middle East." (ANI) https://x.com/DKShivakumar/status/1977965574459449558 Sharing details of the meeting, Shivakumar wrote on X, "Had a warm interaction with Edgar Pang, Consul-General of Singapore, during his visit to Bengaluru today. We discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in urban development, innovation and investment." He added, "Karnataka and Singapore share a forward-looking vision that can pave the way for stronger partnerships for growth and progress." This engagement follows recent high-level diplomatic developments. From September 2 to 4, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong paid an official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit marked a high point in the growing strategic partnership between the two nations, according to the Prime Minister's Office. On September 4, the two Prime Ministers held wide-ranging discussions in New Delhi, witnessed the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation across key sectors. Building on recent high-level engagements, including Prime Minister Modi's official visit to Singapore in September 2024, and the State Visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to India in January 2025, both countries agreed to implement a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) roadmap, the Prime Minister's Office stated. This roadmap outlines future cooperation in eight key areas: economic cooperation, skills development, digitalisation, sustainability, connectivity, healthcare, cultural exchange, and defence. (ANI) The two leaders shook hands and expressed warmth and bonhomie upon their meeting at the Hyderabad House. They also planted a sapling together. Earlier today, President Ukhnaa laid a wreath and paid tributes at the Rajghat along with several members of the Mongolian delegation. He signed the guest book and was presented with a bust and a book of Mahatma Gandhi. The Mongolian President arrived in Delhi on Monday for a four-day state visit. He was received at the airport by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday called on Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and lauded his "warm sentiments" on advancing the strategic partnership between the countries. "Reinforcing the deep civilizational bonds between our countries. President Mr. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa of Mongolia has arrived in New Delhi on a State Visit to India. He was accorded a Guard of Honour and ceremonial welcome at the airport. Warmly received by MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X on Monday. Ukhnaa is being accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior officials, business leaders, and cultural representatives. This is Ukhnaa's first visit to India in his capacity as Head of State of Mongolia. Diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia were established in 1955. Over the past seven decades, the two countries have developed a close and multifaceted partnership, anchored in shared cultural and spiritual links and democratic values. The partnership spans across sectors such as defence and security, parliamentary exchanges, development partnership, energy, mining, information technology, education, healthcare, and cultural cooperation. (ANI) He signed the guest book and was presented with a bust of Mahatma Gandhi and a book. Ukhnaa arrived in Delhi on Monday for a four-day state visit. He was received at the airport by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday called on Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and lauded his "warm sentiments" on advancing the strategic partnership between the countries. Jaishankar expressed confidence that the talks between Ukhnaa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday will chart a forward-looking course for the next decade of bilateral friendship. "Reinforcing the deep civilizational bonds between our countries. President Mr. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa of Mongolia has arrived in New Delhi on a State Visit to India. He was accorded a Guard of Honour and ceremonial welcome at the airport. Warmly received by MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. Ukhnaa is being accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior officials, business leaders, and cultural representatives. This is Ukhnaa's first visit to India in his capacity as Head of State of Mongolia. Diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia were established in 1955. Over the past seven decades, the two countries have developed a close and multifaceted partnership, anchored in shared cultural and spiritual links and democratic values. The partnership spans across sectors such as defence and security, parliamentary exchanges, development partnership, energy, mining, information technology, education, healthcare, and cultural cooperation. (ANI) China announced on Tuesday that new special port fees will take effect for US ships arriving in Chinese ports, according to state media reports. The move comes amid trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. The special charges, according to China, were imposed with the aim to "safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese shipping industry and enterprises while ensuring fair competition in international shipping," Global Times reported. Ships subject to the special port fees also include those owned or operated by entities where US enterprises, organisations and individuals hold a direct or indirect stake of 25 per cent or more, as well as all the US-flagged and US-built vessels, China's Ministry of Transport said. The Chinese Ministry, in a statement, outlined a phased escalation for the special port fees on eligible US vessels berthing at Chinese ports, which will initially be 400 yuan ($56) per net ton from Tuesday and increase annually on April 17 for the subsequent three years. China imposed the levy on October 10 in response to the US decision to levy additional port fees on Chinese ships arriving at American ports from October 14, the Chinese Transport Ministry said. The ministry, according to the Global Times, had noted that the US actions have seriously violated WTO rules and the China-US maritime transport agreement, causing severe disruption to maritime trade between the two countries. China had also announced moves to tighten controls on its rare earth exports. US President Donald Trump had then responded with a threat of imposing an additional 100 per cent tariff on China and other restrictive measures, set to take effect on November 1. Meanwhile, China on Tuesday urged the US to "correct its wrongdoings" and "demonstrate sincerity in trade discussions" to meet each other halfway, state media reported. The statement by China's Ministry of Commerce followed Monday's working-level talks between Washington and Beijing, amidst an escalation in trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. "The US side cannot seek talks on one hand while threatening to introduce new restrictive measures on the other. This is not the right way to get along with China," a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry said in a statement today according to Xinhua. (ANI) MQM founder and leader Altaf Hussain has vehemently condemned the involvement of the Pakistan Army in political and military affairs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan. During his 328th public address on TikTok, Hussain commented on the recent issues surrounding the province's Chief Minister and the current military operations. He mentioned that PTI founder Imran Khan had directed Gandapur to engage in negotiations with the army regarding military operations in the province and to halt drone strikes aimed at the Pashtun community. Hussain asserted that Gandapur neglected these directives and did not stand up to the military, claiming that the army was operating within constitutional and legal bounds, and that he was unable to impede the operations. He pointed out that just two days prior, Imran Khan had dismissed Gandapur from his role as Chief Minister and appointed young MPA Sohail Afridi from Khyber Agency in his place. According to Hussain, the establishment initiated a negative propaganda campaign against Afridi, and when that initiative failed, ISPR DG Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry held a press briefing in Peshawar, announcing that the army would not accept any Chief Minister who would not advocate for military operations or adhere to army directives. He questioned the appropriateness of the army's influence in deciding the province's political leadership, wondering whether that was the army's duty or the responsibility of political parties. Hussain further criticised a recent airstrike conducted by the Pakistan Army in Afghanistan, which the Afghan government claimed was an infringement of its airspace. He raised concerns regarding the army's actions, noting that operations were being carried out against Imran Khan and the citizens of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with innocent lives being lost in Balochistan, and a new conflict front having now emerged in Afghanistan. He cautioned that such activities could incite resentment among the Afghan populace and urged the army's leadership to rethink its strategy. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new capacity-building program for Mongolia's border security forces as part of efforts to deepen cooperation between the two countries. While adressing the joint press conference with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, PM Modi highlighted the strong partnership based on shared values and mutual interests. "India will also launch a new capacity-building program for Mongolia's border security forces," Modi said, emphasising the growing defence and security collaboration between the nations. He added, "Our approach to global issues is based on our shared values. We are close partners on international forums. Both countries support a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. We also work together to empower the voices of the Global South." PM Modi described the India-Mongolia relationship as more than just diplomatic ties, calling it "a soulful and spiritual bond" rooted in centuries of cultural connections through Buddhism. "India and Mongolia's relationship is not merely diplomatic. It is a soulful and spiritual bond. The true depth and breadth of our ties is reflected in our people-to-people ties. For centuries, both countries have been bound by the thread of Buddhism, which is why we are also called spiritual siblings," he said. PM Modi announced several cultural and educational initiatives to strengthen this spiritual connection. "Today, we have taken several important decisions to further strengthen this tradition and give new strength to these historical ties. I am happy to announce that next year, the Holy Relics of Sariputra and Maudgalyayana, two great disciples of Lord Buddha, will be sent from India to Mongolia," he said. "We will also send a Sanskrit teacher to Gandantegchinlen Monastery to conduct an in-depth study of the Buddhist texts there and carry forward the ancient knowledge tradition. We have also decided to expedite the digitisation project of the One Million Ancient Manuscripts. Nalanda University has played a vital role in Buddhism in Mongolia, and today we have decided to bring new energy to this historic relationship by linking Nalanda and Gandan Monastery," he added. Reflecting on the decade-long strategic partnership between India and Mongolia, Modi recalled his visit to Mongolia ten years ago, when the relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership. "During my visit to Mongolia 10 years ago, we elevated our partnership to a Strategic Partnership. Over the past decade, every aspect of this partnership has gained new depth and breadth. Our defence and security cooperation is also steadily strengthening. We have launched several new initiatives, from training programs to the appointment of a Defence Attache at the Embassy." The meeting began on a symbolic note with the planting of a tree named 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' by the President of India, which Modi described as "a symbol of our deep friendship and our shared commitment to the environment for generations to come." During the visit, PM Modi and President Ukhnaa jointly released a commemorative stamp celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia. The occasion also saw the witnessing of the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the two nations, further cementing their cooperation across various fields. Expressing his happiness, PM Modi said, "I am delighted to welcome President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and his delegation to India. The Mongolian President's visit to India after a gap of 6 years is an important event in itself. This visit is taking place when India and Mongolia have completed 70 years of political ties and 10 years of strategic partnership. On this occasion, we have launched a joint poster stamp..." The Mongolian President arrived in Delhi on Monday for a four-day state visit. He was received at the airport by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol. (ANI) Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa praised India's leading role in the global energy transition and expressed Mongolia's interest in joining one of India's flagship endeavours- the International Solar Alliance. He also expressed interest in introducing the best practices of the Indian sheep wool processing, carpet and textile production to Mongolia's White Gold Program. The Mongolian President made the remarks during the joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. President Ukhnaa said, "Mongolia highly values India's significant contribution to the global energy transition, which further consolidates its established position as a global leader in the energy sector and initiates the International Solar Alliance, and taking this opportunity, I would like to reaffirm Mongolia's position to join this alliance." The ISA is a collaborative initiative between India and France aimed at uniting efforts to combat climate change by implementing solar energy solutions. It was conceptualised on the sidelines of COP21 in Paris in 2015. Currently, 100+ countries are signatories, with 90+ countries having ratified to become full members. Its mission is to unlock $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 while reducing technology and financing costs. On the wool processing sector, he said, "We believe it's fitting to introduce India's best practices in sheep wool processing, particularly its globally recognized carpet and textile production under Mongolia's White Gold Program and agree to seek possibilities to work on raw material supply, resource exchange, and jointly export value-added products to the global market by combining the strengths of our two countries." The President expressed confidence that the Mongolia-India Business Forum to be held in New Delhi during this visit would serve as a vital platform for further expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation and supporting Mongolian communities of business entrepreneurs and wealth creators. He noted that the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of geology and minerals resources would broad opportunities by opening a new avenue for expanding collaboration and increasing investment between the two countries. The President underlined that the MoU in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions implemented at population scale for digital transformation during the visit marks another milestone in elevating the collaboration in this area to a higher level and defining its future trajectory. He shared with delight that the India-Mongolia Friendship Secondary School, will play a valuable role in strengthening the friendship and ties among Indian and Mongolian children and youth. "I also have my full faith that Mongolian youth studying in India under the President's Scholar 2100 program, spearheaded by the President of Mongolia, will serve as a bridge of friendship between our two peoples, proudly carrying forward the shared traditional legacy of friendly relations and partnership", he added. During the joint remarks, PM Modi expressed happiness and said, "I am delighted to welcome President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and his delegation to India. The Mongolian President's visit to India after a gap of 6 years is an important event in itself. This visit is taking place when India and Mongolia have completed 70 years of political ties and 10 years of strategic partnership. On this occasion, we have launched a joint poster stamp..." The Mongolian President arrived in Delhi on Monday for a four-day state visit. (ANI) India and Mongolia on Tuesday took a significant step forward in strengthening their cultural and developmental partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing free e-visas for Mongolian citizens and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cultural and people-to-people ties. During a joint press statement with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa in the national capital, Prime Minister Modi said the newly signed MoU between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Mongolia's Arkhangai Province would give "a fresh boost" to cultural ties between the two nations. He also announced an annual sponsored visit for young Mongolian cultural ambassadors to India. "The MoU signed today between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Mongolia's Arkhangai Province will give a fresh boost to our cultural ties... Even though we do not share a border, India has always considered Mongolia a close neighbour. We will continue to strengthen people-to-people ties. We have decided to provide free e-visas to Mongolian citizens. And we will sponsor the annual visit of young cultural ambassadors from Mongolia to India," PM Modi said. The MoU, signed during President Ukhnaa's official visit, aims to deepen historical and civilisational linkages, particularly through shared Buddhist heritage and cultural exchanges between Ladakh and Arkhangai. Highlighting India's role as a reliable partner in Mongolia's development, the Prime Minister emphasised the ongoing Oil Refinery Project, supported by India's USD 1.7 billion line of credit. "India has been a strong and reliable partner in Mongolia's development. The Oil Refinery Project, supported by India's USD 1.7 billion line of credit, will strengthen Mongolia's energy security. It is India's largest development partnership project globally, with over 2,500 Indian professionals working alongside their Mongolian counterparts to make it a reality," the PM said. The refinery, being constructed in Sainshand, Dornogovi Province, is expected to meet approximately 70 per cent of Mongolia's domestic fuel demand, thereby reducing the country's reliance on imports. PM Modi also underscored advancements in skill development and education. "Through the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre of Excellence for IT and the India-Mongolia Friendship School, the aspirations of Mongolia's youth are reaching new heights. These projects are a testament to the depth of our friendship," he said. The Prime Minister also announced additional projects aimed at improving livelihoods, including initiatives in healthcare, renewable energy, and community development, with a focus on addressing the needs of ordinary Mongolians. "We are also announcing several projects aimed at improving the lives of ordinary people. We will continue these efforts, keeping the needs of the people of Mongolia at the forefront," he added. The private sector's growing role was also highlighted, with PM Modi noting, "I am happy that our private sector is also exploring new possibilities of cooperation in areas such as energy, critical minerals, rare earths, digital, mining, agriculture, dairy, and cooperatives." Meanwhile, Ukhnaa, during a joint press statement, stated that the Mongolian Air Carrier is preparing to operate flights to New Delhi and Amritsar, which are expected to start later this year and provide a boost, especially to the tourism and business sectors. "Mongolian air carrier is preparing to operate charter flights to New Delhi and Amritsar starting later this year, which will make a substantial contribution to expanding our bilateral relations and cooperation, including tourism and business sectors," he said. He also hailed the friendship of the spiritual neighbours and invited PM Modi to pay a state visit to Mongolia. PM Modi later also expressed happiness and said, "I am delighted to welcome President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and his delegation to India. The Mongolian President's visit to India, after a six-year gap, is an important event in itself. This visit is taking place as India and Mongolia mark 70 years of political ties and 10 years of strategic partnership. On this occasion, we have launched a joint poster stamp..." The Mongolian President arrived in Delhi on Monday for a four-day state visit. (ANI) Patricia Arquette says Diane Keaton "had no pretenses". Patricia Arquette has paid tribute to Diane Keaton The 57-year-old actress worked with the late film star - who died over the weekend aged 79 - on made-for-TV film Wildflower in 1991, having already been directed by Keaton in a 1990 episode of CBS Schoolbreak Special. She told PEOPLE magazine: "She was just so immediate, and so alive and so generous, such an incredible vision for beauty and design and photography and art, and the arts and music.. "She was just so effervescent and so alive, and no pretenses, and very much her own person. "We have very few original artists, like, real original people." The Severance star also praised Keaton's "incredible" catalogue of movies, and revealed she even skipped school to watch 1981's Reds. She added: What an actress. If you watch Reds or Looking for Mr. Goodbar, you know? "All the comedies, but also of course Annie Hall and The Godfather, I mean her acting is incredible. "I used to ditch school so I could see Reds." The Oscar-winning actress' passing at the age of 79 was announced on Saturday (11.10.25) and while no details have been released about the circumstances surrounding her death, insiders admitted it was "unexpected" because she had confided in so few people. A source told People magazine: She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her. It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit. "In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends werent fully aware of what was happening. In March, Diane put her "dream home" in Brentwood, California, up for sale, despite previously vowing to stay there forever, and she was no longer regularly seen in the area walking her dogs. Another source said: "She lived in Brentwood for many years. "She loved her neighbourhood. Up until just a few months ago, she'd walk her dog every day. She was usually dressed the same, with a hat and her signature sunglasses regardless of the weather. "She was always very nice, funny and chatty. She'd talk to her dog like he was a person. She was eccentric and had this old-school Hollywood aura. She was very, very special." The Taichung District Prosecutors' Office has charged a naval officer with corruption after he reportedly sold sensitive but unclassified operational manuals related to Taiwan's homegrown Hsiung Feng II (HF-2) anti-ship missiles to a Chinese intelligence agent, as per a report from Central News Agency (CNA). In an indictment made public on October 7, the office stated that it officially filed charges on September 25 against the officer, referred to by the surname Tsai, who was part of the Navy's Hai Feng Brigade, the service's land-based anti-ship missile unit, for breaching the Anti-Corruption Act. Formal accusations were also made against Lin, a former officer of the Hai Feng Brigade who was dishonourably discharged, for infringing the National Security Act, due to his role in bribing Tsai for military information, according to the indictment. Lin, who lost his position after the military learned of his gambling activities, began communication in 2023 through a social media platform with a Chinese woman believed to be an intelligence officer from the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, as the indictment revealed, CNA reported. Even though Lin was aware of the woman's actual identity, he connected Tsai with her. Following their introduction, the woman, known by the alias Chu Ting, assured Tsai she would compensate him based on the significance of the military details he shared. Prosecutors noted that despite being fully aware that regulations forbade the unauthorised sharing of personal military information, Tsai was tempted by the financial incentive. In May 2023, Tsai completed a basic information sheet and a questionnaire detailing his personal information, military unit, and job role, which he sent through Lin to Chu Ting in exchange for a bribe of approximately USD 260 (NTD 8,000). That same month, Tsai also used his phone to take pictures of the Field Deployment and Operations Manual for the Hsiung Feng II missile launcher, as well as the missile vehicle operation manual, and sent them to Chu Ting, as noted by CNA. After assessing that the materials contained significant military intelligence, Chu Ting further compensated Tsai with an additional NT$30,000, according to prosecutors. Although the indictment did not clarify when Taiwanese authorities became aware of the entire scheme, it stated that Tsai's actions contravened sections of the Constitution, the National Defence Act, and the Military Service Act that demand "loyalty to the Republic of China (Taiwan)" and uphold "military confidentiality," as highlighted by CNA. The indictment further indicated that Tsai accepted bribes in violation of his official responsibilities. Prosecutors emphasised that Tsai, who had received training from the military and was assigned to operate Taiwan's domestically manufactured missiles to safeguard the nation's waters, was a member of one of the military's most critical and sensitive units. Despite this, he unlawfully shared personal military assessment information and photographed operational details of military weapons that are not publicly available, as reported by CNA. (ANI) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's anti-tobacco crusade has a new target: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Politico reported. On the sidelines of a peace summit in Egypt aimed at ending the war in Gaza, Erdogan promised Meloni he would find a way to convince her to stop smoking. "You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking," Erdogan told Meloni, according to footage published by Italian daily Il Foglio and other media, as cited by Politico. But French President Emmanuel Macron, who was next to them, was quick to dash Erdogan's hopes. "It's impossible!" he said, laughing. "I know, I know," Meloni said, adding a warning that quitting smoking might make her less sociable. "I don't want to kill somebody." In a book based on a series of interviews, Meloni confessed she had started smoking again after quitting for 13 years. But she also acknowledged that smoking had helped her bond with other politicians, including Tunisian President Kais Saied, as per Politico. Turkey's main tobacco control law is Law No. 4207, enacted in 1996 and amended several times, which bans smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, prohibits tobacco sales to minors under 18, and includes regulations on advertising, promotion, and packaging. The law aims to protect public health by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and discouraging tobacco use through various measures and enforcement actions. Meloni was in Egypt to attend the signing ceremony of the peace plan for the Middle East. There, she also held bilateral talks with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. https://x.com/GiorgiaMeloni/status/1977841621023547422 In a post on X, she said, "On the sidelines of the signing ceremony of the Peace Plan for the Middle East, I had a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. We discussed the next steps in implementing the peace plan and I reaffirmed Italy's commitment to contributing to the stabilisation, reconstruction and development of the Gaza Strip and to relaunching a political process towards a framework of peace, security and stability in the Middle East based on the two-State solution. The conversation also allowed us to take stock of bilateral relations and in particular of the implementation of the Mattei Plan projects in the sectors of training, energy and sustainable agriculture." (ANI) Former Nepali Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has called on the government to ensure peace and security ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. This marks his first major public appearance since the Gen Z revolution in September. Addressing the Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress on Tuesday, Deuba asserted that elections are the only way to restore the country to the constitutional path, but warned that the current environment lacks the necessary conditions for a free and fair vote. "The House of Representatives, the supreme institution elected by the people, has been dissolved in an unconstitutional and undemocratic manner. The government has set the date for the House of Representatives election for March 5, 2026. However, an environment for a free, fair, and fear-free election has not been established. Guarantee of peace and security, which is a precondition for elections, is absent," he said. Deuba also expressed concern over the deteriorating morale within Nepal's security agencies, stating that without government intervention, the situation could hamper the democratic process. "The security agencies are demoralised and powerless. Therefore, it is the government's responsibility to normalise the security situation for the election and ensure that it can be conducted in a peaceful, fair, and fear-free environment, creating a situation where everyone can participate spontaneously in the election. May the government pay attention to this. If the government can create the environment for the election, we believe that the election will be the basis for returning the country to the constitutional path," he added. Referring to the violent events of September 9, which included arson and attacks on both public and private properties--including those of security forces--Deuba demanded accountability and swift legal action. "Security personnel responsible for protecting citizens' lives and property were humiliated, their weapons were looted, and citizens' private property was vandalised, looted, and set on fire. I demand a truthful investigation into the incidents of both days and that those responsible be brought under the purview of legal action." Amid internal party tensions, Deuba also urged unity within the Nepali Congress and called for strategic communication with other pro-democracy forces to protect Nepal's constitution. "In the current critical situation of the country, it is necessary for the Nepali Congress to become united and well-organised while also engaging in dialogue and cooperation with other political parties that believe in the democratic system. The Constitution of Nepal, drafted by the Nepali people through the Constituent Assembly, is at risk," he noted. Deuba, who succeeded Sushil Koirala as party president in March 2016, marked a significant shift in party leadership as the first non-Koirala to lead the party in two decades. He was re-elected in December 2021 and has since navigated the party through phases of internal division and debate over the timing of its next general convention. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a warm and productive meeting with the President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, on Tuesday during his ongoing state visit to India. As a gesture of deep cultural and spiritual connection, Singh presented the Mongolian leader with a Khiching Stone Buddha, symbolising the two countries' shared Buddhist heritage and civilisational ties. In a post on X, the Defence Minister stated that both leaders discussed strategies for expanding into new areas of collaboration and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the partnership between India and Mongolia. "Had a warm and wonderful conversation with my friend President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa in New Delhi. Exchanged views on efforts for diversification into new areas of cooperation, while also deepening existing programmes of shared interest. Reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the India-Mongolia partnership," Singh stated in his post. The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of a Khiching Granite Stone Buddha, a revered sculpture originating from Khiching in Odisha, India. Carved from the distinctive black chlorite stone, known for its smooth finish and durability, the statue depicts the Buddha in Dhyan Mudra (meditative posture), symbolising enlightenment, wisdom, and serenity. The gift reflects not only India's rich artistic and spiritual traditions but also underscores the historical and religious linkages between India and Mongolia, which are deeply rooted in the teachings of Lord Buddha. The Khiching Stone Buddha is associated with the famed Kichakeswari temple complex in Odisha and is considered an object of meditation and veneration in Buddhist practice. By gifting this culturally significant sculpture, India reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civilisational diplomacy with Mongolia. President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is currently on a four-day state visit to India from October 13 to 16, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Earlier today, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India will send the sacred relics of Arhant Sariputta and Arhant Mahamogallana to Mongolia in 2026 as a gesture of spiritual goodwill aimed at deepening spiritual and civilizational bonds between the two nations, following the historic exposition of the Kapilavastu relics in 2022. During a special briefing on the ongoing State visit of the President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, to India, Secretary (East) in the MEA P Kumaran shared the announcement, further stating that several other initiatives were announced to bolster India-Mongolia relations. According to the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Moggallana were the two principal disciples of Lord Buddha. (ANI) Nepal has demanded justice for Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student killed in Hamas captivity, who was abducted in October 2023. Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release on Tuesday evening demanding justice for the student who was in Israel under the "Learn and Earn" scheme and abducted on October 7, 2023. "Even after the body of Bipin Joshi has been brought to Nepal, it is requested that appropriate initiatives be continued to find out the truth about the real cause and circumstances of his death, to provide justice, and to provide his family with social security, compensation, insurance, facilities, etc," the statement reads. The press release also states that Nepali Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai held a telephonic conversation with Eden Bar Tal, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. "Mr. Bar Tal formally informed about the sad demise of Nepali citizen Bipin Joshi, expressing his condolences to the deceased on behalf of the Israeli government and expressing his deep condolences to his family, the Government of Nepal and the people of Nepal," the release reads. Hamas handed over the body of Bipin Joshi to Israel yesterday through the Red Cross. The Foreign Ministry also announced that the body of Bipin Joshi has been identified and the process of sending the body to Nepal has been initiated. The announcement from the Government of Nepal comes after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that Nepali youth Bipin Joshi was murdered in captivity during the first months of the Gaza war that began in October 2023. "Bipin was abducted at the age of 23 from a shelter in Kibbutz Alumim by Hamas. It is assessed that he was murdered in captivity during the first months of the war," the IDF said in a statement posted on X on Tuesday. https://x.com/IDF/status/1978026190087586273 "Final conclusions will be determined after the completion of the examination of the circumstances of death by the National Centre of Forensic Medicine." IDF representatives informed the families of Guy Iluz, Bipin Joshi, and two additional deceased hostages, whose names have not yet been cleared for publication by their families, that their loved ones have been brought back for burial, the IDF said. Citing the information and intelligence it received, the IDF said Guy was abducted alive and injured by Hamas after escaping the Nova music festival. "Guy died from his wounds after not receiving proper medical treatment while held captive," it claimed. "He was 26 years old at his death." A student under Israel's Learn and Earn Programme, Joshi was working at the Alumim kibbutz with 16 other Nepalis when Hamas launched its assault in October 2023. Ten Nepalis were killed, five were injured, and one escaped unharmed in the attack. Joshi's whereabouts were unknown since then. His name was missing from the list of 20 living hostages freed earlier under a US-brokered ceasefire deal. His death was confirmed by Israeli officials, who briefed Ambassador Pandit and Joshi's family in a virtual meeting on Monday. Successive governments had pursued all possible diplomatic channels to secure Joshi's release, engaging with officials from Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, and the US. Joshi's family, who had travelled to Israel and the US seeking his release, are now awaiting the return of his body to Nepal. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and agreed to amplify the voice of the Global South and boost global prosperity. Further, PM Modi held talks on several domains, including IT, skill development, and more. In a post on X, he said, "Happy to have welcomed President Khurelsukh and held extensive talks with him in Delhi today. His visit comes at a time when India and Mongolia are marking 70 years of diplomatic ties and a decade of our Strategic Partnership. We agreed to keep working together to further amplify the voice of the Global South and boost global prosperity. Sectors that featured prominently in our talks include energy, skill development, IT, critical minerals, rare earths, agriculture and more." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1978114160924754280 "Cultural bonds are at the core of the India-Mongolia friendship. In this regard, we have taken key decisions like sending Holy Relics of Lord Buddha's two disciples from India to Mongolia, enhancing capacities for teaching Sanskrit at the Gandan Monastery, supporting Mongolia's efforts to digitise manuscripts etc," he added. Earlier in the day, while speaking at a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs, Secretary (East), P Kumaran said that as the visit coincides with 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations, it holds special importance. "The President of Mongolia H.E. Mr. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, is on a State Visit to India from 13th to 16th October 2025. This is his first visit to India in his capacity as President of Mongolia. And it takes place at a particularly meaningful moment as India and Mongolia commemorate 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. And we also mark 10 years of Our Strategic Partnership this year," he said. "President Khurelsukh is accompanied by a large delegation comprising senior Cabinet Ministers, members of Parliament, senior officials and also cultural representatives. His visit reflects the depth of the political relationship and the importance that both sides attach to this strategic partnership anchored in ancient civilisational ties, shared Buddhist heritage, democratic values and a deep sense of mutual trust," he added. (ANI) MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran on Tuesday discussed defence cooperation with Mongolia, stating that several initiatives are underway to strengthen ties in this domain. Kumaran, while addressing a weekly press briefing, said that Mongolia appreciates joint exercises with India. He said, "Defence cooperation with Mongolia is composed of two or three initiatives. One is joint exercises. We do a joint exercise called Nomadic Elephant and another one called Khaan Quest with Mongolia. The Mongolians appreciate the opportunity to train with us." Kumaran said that India also sends trainers to Mongolia, and they like to conduct more such exercises. "They are interested and they see a lot of benefits in training with us. They would like us to continue with existing programs and also offer more support in terms of training. We do send our trainers there as part of our joint exercise initiatives and who stay with them and train their officers for some time...We will be doing more of that," he said. "We also provide some kinds of equipment as part of our grant assistance to Mongolia, and we propose to continue that in the coming years. One significant initiative we undertook in the past was offering them cybersecurity training. We set up a cybersecurity training centre for their armed forces," he added. Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa expressed gratitude to India for its support of Mongolia. "The President thanked the Prime Minister and the Raksha Mantri for the benefits that flow from that centre, and they wish to upgrade and continue that kind of support. Raksha Mantri told them that we would be happy to continue existing programs and also look at new proposals that come from the Mongolian side," he said. The announcement of the appointment of a resident defence attache in Ulaanbaatar, fulfilling a long-standing Mongolian request, and underscoring the growing defence partnership. India also announced that all e-visas to Mongolian nationals would be issued on a gratis basis, building on the existing gratis paper visa regime and deepening people-to-people ties," Kumaran added. (ANI) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa jointly planted a sapling at Hyderabad House in a symbolic gesture of environmental conservation. Both PM Modi and President Ukhnaa aim to promote environmental sustainability and encourage citizens to plant trees through the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and 'One Billion Trees' campaigns, respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday jointly planted a sapling with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative. The exercise also came under the President's One Billion Trees campaign. In a post on X, Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said, "PM Narendra Modi and President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa jointly planted a sapling at Hyderabad House in honour of the President's mother. The gesture brings together PM's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative and the President's One Billion Trees campaign -- a shared commitment to protecting our planet for future generations." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1978013179033637362 The President arrived in Delhi on Monday and was accorded a guard of honour and a ceremonial welcome at the Air Force Station Palam. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on President Khurelsukh and reviewed our bilateral ties ahead of the Leaders Meeting. This morning, the visiting President paid homage at Rajghat, laying a wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. At Hyderabad House, President Khurelsukh held restricted and delegation-level discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions were warm, wide-ranging and forward-looking, covering strategic and development partnerships, cultural ties, trade, education, critical minerals, renewable energy, and people-to-people exchanges. This is their first official meeting, and the leaders developed a close personal rapport during the talks. In a display of personal connect, the two leaders jointly planted a tree in the name of President Khurelsukh's late mother at Hyderabad House. This special gesture symbolised the common threads between Prime Minister Modi's Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative and President Khurelsukh's One Billion Trees campaign, as well as their shared commitment to environmental sustainability. The two leaders jointly released commemorative postal stamps marking the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. We also adopted a Joint Statement on strengthening the strategic partnership, charting a shared vision for future engagement that includes resilient supply chains and critical minerals. Mongolia reiterated its support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council and also for India's candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term. Mongolia also signed the framework agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance, reflecting our shared commitment to conservation. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa jointly released a commemorative postal stamp on Tuesday, showcasing the vibrant folk dance traditions of both nations as part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The stamp, unveiled during President Ukhnaa's state visit to India, symbolises the deep cultural bonds and shared heritage anchoring the India-Mongolia Strategic Partnership, which also marks 10 years. The special stamp features Ramlila, a traditional Indian folk theatre form that depicts the life of Lord Rama, and Biyelgee, a distinctive Mongolian folk dance that reflects nomadic life and is performed in a seated or kneeling posture. The artwork is a tribute to the shared cultural values and deep-rooted spiritual and civilisational ties between the two countries, which represent the rich folk traditions of both countries, embodying their shared values of community, spirituality, and artistic expression. The postal stamp was released during a joint press statement between PM Modi and the Mongolian President. The occasion also marked the exchange of numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the two nations, further solidifying their cooperation across various fields. PM Modi, during the joint press statement, also announced the introduction of free e-visas for Mongolian citizens and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cultural and people-to-people ties, a significant step forward in strengthening their cultural and developmental partnership. Prime Minister Modi stated that the newly signed MoU between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Mongolia's Arkhangai Province would provide a "fresh boost" to cultural ties between the two nations. He also announced an annual sponsored visit for young Mongolian cultural ambassadors to India. "The MoU signed today between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Mongolia's Arkhangai Province will give a fresh boost to our cultural ties. Even though we do not share a border, India has always considered Mongolia a close neighbour. We will continue to strengthen people-to-people ties. We have decided to provide free e-visas to Mongolian citizens. And we will sponsor the annual visit of young cultural ambassadors from Mongolia to India," PM Modi said. Meanwhile, Ukhnaa, during the joint press statement, stated that the Mongolian Air Carrier is preparing to operate flights to New Delhi and Amritsar, which are expected to start later this year and provide a boost, especially to the tourism and business sectors. "Mongolian air carrier is preparing to operate charter flights to New Delhi and Amritsar starting later this year, which will make a substantial contribution to expanding our bilateral relations and cooperation, including tourism and business sectors," he said. He also hailed the friendship of the spiritual neighbours and invited PM Modi to pay a state visit to Mongolia. PM Modi later also expressed happiness and said, "I am delighted to welcome President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and his delegation to India. The Mongolian President's visit to India, after a six-year hiatus, is a significant event in itself. This visit is taking place as India and Mongolia mark 70 years of political ties and 10 years of strategic partnership. On this occasion, we have launched a joint poster stamp." The Mongolian President arrived in Delhi on Monday for a four-day state visit. (ANI) India stated that the Mongolian oil refinery, its largest Line of Credit (LoC)-backed infrastructure project, is expected to be operational by 2028, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. The announcement was made during a special briefing by MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran on the ongoing state visit of Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. The refinery, funded by a USD 1.7 billion Line of Credit from India, is a major milestone in the bilateral partnership and a key project for Mongolia's quest for energy independence. "The LoC of USD 1.7 billion is India's largest LoC-supported project--the Mongolian oil refinery. The cost was originally estimated at USD 1.2 billion. There were some delays initially due to COVID-19 and the short construction season in Mongolia, where peak winter temperatures can reach -30 to -35 degrees Celsius, making outdoor work nearly impossible," Kumaran said. He added that most of the civil work is now complete and that equipment manufactured in India will soon be shipped to Mongolia. "I just visited the refinery construction site last month. It is coming up very well. Almost all the civil work is over. The refinery equipment is being manufactured in India and will be shipped to Mongolia. It seems to be on track and we expect that by 2028, the refinery should be in operation," he said. The oil refinery is a high-priority project for Mongolia, which currently exports its crude oil. Once operational, the facility will allow the country to process its own crude, reducing dependence on imported refined petroleum products and strengthening its energy security. Kumaran also highlighted growing interest in cooperation in critical minerals and renewable energy between India and Mongolia. Mongolia holds significant reserves of coking coal, vital for the steel industry. While India currently imports coking coal from Canada, Indonesia, and Australia, Mongolia is being explored as a new potential partner. However, logistical challenges remain. "Mongolia has large reserves of coking coal. It is something that is useful for the steel industry. And India buys coking coal from a variety of partners, including Canada, Indonesia, and Australia. Mongolia offers itself as a potential partner for this. The difficulty, of course, happens to be the fact that Mongolia is landlocked and depends on ports and neighbouring countries to be able to ship out the coal. Most of their coal is currently exported to China," he stated. "If India is to buy coking coal from Mongolia, it will have to be either through Tianjin port in China or through Vladivostok in Russia... We are talking to the Russians and the Mongolians to see what kind of arrangements can be made to bring Mongolian coal through the Trans-Siberian Railway to Vladivostok and see how exactly the economics play out," Kumaran further noted. He also mentioned Mongolia's recent deal with France for uranium processing and confirmed that India has expressed interest in collaborating with Mongolia on uranium and other minerals such as copper, gold, iron, and zinc. "Mongolia also has a few other minerals of interest to us, including copper, gold, iron and zinc, and recently they have also unearthed uranium reserves. They have just signed a big 1 million tonne per annum deal with France for the unearthing and processing of uranium. We have also offered our interest in partnering with Mongolia for uranium. We will be taking up the dialogue in the coming months," the MEA Secretary (East) stated. In the area of renewable energy, Kumaran said Mongolia has great potential due to its climate and geography. "President Khurelsukh told Prime Minister Modi that the southern parts of Mongolia receive about 230 days of good sunlight annually. With its low population density and clean air, the country is well-positioned to develop large-scale solar fields," he said. Mongolia has just signed the framework agreement to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and both countries are now exploring ways to collaborate on renewable energy projects. Kumaran further stated that India will be sending the sacred relics of Arhant Sariputta and Arhant Mahamogallana to Mongolia in 2026 as a gesture of spiritual goodwill aimed at deepening spiritual and civilisational bonds between the two nations, following the historic exposition of the Kapilavastu relics in 2022. Kumaran further stated that several other initiatives were announced to bolster India-Mongolia relations, including the deputation of a Sanskrit teacher to the Gandan Monastery for one year to support monastic Sanskrit education and the launch of an ICCR-supported youth orientation programme under which eight Mongolian students and faculty will visit India. Kumaran also announced an increase of 70 ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) training slots for Mongolian nationals. "As a goodwill gesture towards the spiritual fulfilment of our Mongolian brothers and sisters, India will send the holy relics of Arhant Sariputta and Arhant Mahamogallana to Mongolia in 2026, following the historic exposition of Kapilavastu relics in 2022. Other key announcements include the deputation of a Sanskrit teacher to Kandhan Monastery for one year to enhance monastic Sanskrit capacity, the launch of an ICCR youth orientation trip under which eight Mongolian students and accompanying faculty will visit India, and the provision of an additional 70 ITEC slots for Mongolian nationals," he stated. According to the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Moggallana were the two principal disciples of Lord Buddha. Revered for their wisdom and spiritual accomplishments, they hold a prominent place in the history of Buddhism. The announcement came as part of a series of initiatives unveiled during President Ukhnaa's visit, which marks the 70th anniversary of India-Mongolia diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership. During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ukhnaa jointly released commemorative postal stamps celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties. The leaders also oversaw the signing of 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), including one between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Mongolia's Arkhangai Province to boost cultural exchanges. Mongolia also reiterated its support for India's permanent membership in the UN Security Council and its candidature for a non-permanent seat in 2028-29. In a significant step forward in defence cooperation, India announced the appointment of a resident Defence Attache in Ulaanbaatar, addressing a long-standing request from Mongolia. Further enhancing bilateral connectivity and exchange, India confirmed that all e-visas for Mongolian nationals will now be issued free of charge (gratis), aimed at boosting travel and people-to-people ties. "Mongolia reiterated its support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council and also for India's candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2028-29. Mongolia also signed the framework agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance, reflecting our shared commitment to conservation. The announcement of the appointment of a resident defence attache in Ulaanbaatar fulfils a long-standing Mongolian request and underscores the growing defence partnership. India also announced that all e-visas to Mongolian nationals would be issued on a gratis basis," the MEA Secretary added. Meanwhile, Mongolian President Ukhnaa, during a joint press statement with PM Modi, stated that the Mongolian Air Carrier is preparing to operate flights to New Delhi and Amritsar, which are expected to start later this year and provide a boost, especially to the tourism and business sectors. "Mongolian air carrier is preparing to operate charter flights to New Delhi and Amritsar starting later this year, which will make a substantial contribution to expanding our bilateral relations and cooperation, including tourism and business sectors," he said. He also hailed the friendship of the spiritual neighbours and invited PM Modi to pay a state visit to Mongolia. The Mongolian President arrived in Delhi on Monday for a four-day state visit. (ANI) Heavy downpours from Storm Alice have unleashed severe flooding across Spains northeast, leaving motorists stranded and forcing major transport shutdowns from Catalonia to the Balearic Islands. Storm Alice triggers torrential rain and travel chaos across Spains Catalonia region In Tarragona province, torrents of brown floodwater tore through the towns of La Rapita and Santa Barbara, sweeping away cars and debris as emergency teams scrambled to rescue people trapped in vehicles. The national weather service Aemet issued a red alert for extreme rainfall, warning some areas could see up to 180mm of rain in half a day. By Monday, a severe weather warning remained in force for Majorca, where forecasters cautioned holidaymakers to expect another 50mm of rain. Aemet urged in a public advisory:Be prepared, take precautions and stay informed. Serious damage may occur, particularly in exposed or vulnerable areas. Regional authorities in Catalonia advised residents in the Ebro Delta to stay indoors as floodwaters rose. Cristina Vicente, a senior official at Catalonias Civil Protection agency, said: The situation is complicated, and more rain is forecast. Emergency teams reported more than 2,100 calls for help, evacuating residents and clearing blocked roads overnight. Train services along the Mediterranean Corridor between Barcelona and Valencia were suspended indefinitely, while several local highways remained impassable. In the Balearic Islands, flash flooding at Ibiza Airport forced operations to halt between 6pm and 7.20pm on Sunday. At least 24 flights were cancelled, and parts of the terminal were closed after power failures and leaks. Spains airport operator AENA said: The runway and affected areas were cleaned during the shutdown. Catalan President Salvador Illa travelled to Tortosa on Monday to inspect damage and meet local mayors as the region prepared for more rain. Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri, as part of its ongoing operational deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific, made a port call at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea, to participate in the inaugural Indian Navy (IN) - Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) Bilateral Exercise on Monday, as per a release by the Ministry of Defence. According to the release on Tuesday, the Republic of Korea Navy extended a warm welcome, highlighting the growing Navy-to-Navy interactions and the strategic partnership between the Governments of India and the Republic of Korea. INS Sahyadri, indigenously designed, constructed, and commissioned in 2012, is the third ship of the Shivalik Class Guided Missile Stealth Frigates. The ship is a testament to India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision and has taken part in several bilateral and multilateral exercises and operational deployments. It is based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Fleet of the Eastern Naval Command. During the visit, the ship's crew will participate in both the harbour and sea phases of the maiden IN-RoKN Bilateral Exercise. The harbour phase will include reciprocal cross-deck visits, sharing of best practices, cross-training sessions, and sporting fixtures. The Commanding Officer will also call on senior RoKN officials and local dignitaries. Following the harbour phase, INS Sahyadri and ROKS Gyeongnam will carry out joint exercises at sea. "Indian Navy's indigenous Guided Missile Stealth Frigate INS Sahyadri, made port call at Busan Naval harbour, South Korea, on 13 Oct 25, as part of its ongoing deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific. The RoK Navy extended a warm welcome to the ship. The Eastern Fleet ship will participate in the maiden Indian Navy-Republic of Korea Navy Bilateral Exercise, marking a significant step towards enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations," the Indian Navy stated in a post on X. With the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific in the global geopolitical landscape, both nations have increasingly acknowledged the need to build partnerships based on mutual interests. Navy-to-Navy cooperation between India and South Korea has seen significant growth in recent years, culminating in this inaugural bilateral exercise. INS Sahyadri's ongoing deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific underscores India's role as a responsible maritime stakeholder and Preferred Security Partner. (ANI) Official Spokesperson of the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, said that both sides agreed to deepen relations across all sectors. In a post on X, MEA said, "Advancing the India-Mongolia Strategic Partnership: PM Narendra Modi held extensive discussions with President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa of Mongolia covering the entire gamut of India-Mongolia bilateral relations. Both leaders agreed to further deepen defence and security, trade and investment, development cooperation and capacity building and spiritual and cultural ties. A postage stamp to mark 70 years of the diplomatic relations between the two countries was released by the leaders." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1978033658318438754 As a goodwill gesture towards the spiritual fulfilment of Mongolians, India will be sending the holy relics of Arhant Maudgalyayana and Arhant Sariputra to Mongolia in 2026, following the historic exposition of Kapilavastu relics in 2022. Other key announcements include the deputation of a Sanskrit teacher to Gandan Monastery for one year to enhance monastic Sanskrit capacity; the launch of an ICCR youth orientation trip under which eight Mongolian students and accompanying faculty will visit India; and the provision of an additional 70 ITEC slots for Mongolian nationals as a goodwill gesture to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The MEA added, "Several MoUs including in the fields of geology, mineral, culture, yoga were also exchanged." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1978049553539768366 https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1978129025550762003 Ten MOUs were signed, involving areas such as cultural exchange, immigration cooperation, cooperative promotion, humanitarian aid, geology and mineral resources, quick-impact projects, yoga, and the renovation of the Bogd Khan Palace. (ANI) India dispatched a consignment of 15 Haemo-Dialysis Machines, along with Portable RO Units and Consumable Kits, from Mundra Port to Sierra Leone on Tuesday. Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that the act underscores India's commitment to improve public health in Sierra Leone. In a post on X, he said, "A gesture of solidarity and South-South Cooperation: India has dispatched a consignment of 15 Haemo-Dialysis Machines, along with Portable RO Units and Consumable Kits, from Mundra Port to Sierra Leone. This humanitarian assistance underscores India's commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving public health outcomes in Sierra Leone." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1978093211269648648 Earlier on March 10, the Second round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), co-chaired by Mr Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, and Alan CE Logan, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Leader of the delegation from the Sierra Leonean side. The FOC enabled both sides to undertake a comprehensive review of the entire range of India-Sierra Leone bilateral relations, encompassing key areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment, health & pharmaceuticals, education and people-to-people exchanges. India has pledged to continue supporting Sierra Leone in capacity building across various fields and further strengthening the development partnership. Both sides noted with satisfaction the progress made on India Stack, following the signing of an MoU on 'Cooperation in the field of sharing successful digital solutions implemented at population scale for digital transformation' and discussed next steps for implementation in this space. Both sides also agreed to deepen and diversify bilateral ties in key areas of contemporary relevance, defence cooperation, energy development and development cooperation. The co-chairs also held in-depth discussions and exchanged perspectives on key regional and global issues. Both sides also discussed cooperation in multilateral organisations, including the United Nations. Sierra Leone agreed to consider support to India's candidature for a UNSC non-permanent seat for the year 2028-29. Sierra Leone has also agreed to expedite the process of approval from its Government to sign the Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), recognising the Indian Pharmacopoeia and joining the Global Biofuels Alliance. (ANI) According to the Justice Department, Ashley Tellis served as an unpaid senior adviser to the State Department and was also a contractor with the Office of Net Assessment at the Department of Defense, recently renamed the Department of War. In his role at the Office of Net Assessment, he was considered a subject-matter expert on India and South Asian affairs. Court documents state that Tellis began working for the State Department in 2001. He has been accused of unlawful retention of national defense information, according to an affidavit filed in court. Federal prosecutors said that Tellis held a top-secret clearance and had access to sensitive information. He was also employed as a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Fox News reported. During a search of his residence in Vienna, Virginia, authorities recovered more than a thousand pages of documents marked "TOP SECRET" and "SECRET," as per court filings. On September 12, Tellis allegedly asked a coworker at a government facility to print multiple classified documents for him. Later, on September 25, he is said to have printed US Air Force documents related to military aircraft capabilities, according to prosecutors. Federal officials further alleged that Tellis met with Chinese government representatives several times over the past few years. In one such instance in September 2022, he reportedly met Chinese officials at a restaurant in Virginia while holding a manila envelope, prosecutors said. During another meeting on April 11, 2023, Tellis and the Chinese officials were heard discussing Iranian-Chinese relations and emerging technologies over dinner, authorities added. Court documents also noted that Tellis received a gift bag during a dinner meeting with Chinese officials on September 2. Fox News reported that the Justice Department continues to investigate the case, with federal prosecutors highlighting the sensitive nature of the documents recovered from Tellis's home. (ANI) Union Health Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda on Tuesday met the President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, in the national capital as part of the party's 'Know BJP' initiative and held detailed discussions on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. Taking to the social media platform X, Nadda shared highlights of the meeting, stating that both leaders shared insights on the BJP's core ideology, organisational framework, and key people-focused programmes. "Met President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa of Mongolia in New Delhi today under the 'Know BJP' initiative. I briefed him on our party's ideology, organisational structure, and various people-centric initiatives that have shaped India's governance model. We exchanged valuable insights to strengthen party-to-party relations. We also had a detailed discussion on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. Looking forward to deepening our partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations," the post read. The interaction comes during President Khurelsukh's ongoing state visit to India, which marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a warm and productive meeting with President Ukhnaa. As a gesture of deep cultural and spiritual connection, Singh presented the Mongolian leader with a Khiching Stone Buddha, symbolising the two countries' shared Buddhist heritage and civilisational ties. In a post on X, the Defence Minister stated that both leaders discussed strategies for expanding into new areas of collaboration and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the partnership between India and Mongolia. "Had a warm and wonderful conversation with my friend President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa in New Delhi. Exchanged views on efforts for diversification into new areas of cooperation, while also deepening existing programmes of shared interest. Reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the India-Mongolia partnership," Singh stated in his post. President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is currently on a four-day state visit to India from October 13 to 16, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday stated that his administration's plans to extend economic aid to Argentina would depend on whether his ally, Argentine President Javier Milei, remains in office. "If he loses, we are not going to be generous with Argentina," Trump stated during his meeting with Milei at the White House. "If he does win, we're going to be very helpful," he added. "And if he doesn't win, we're not going to waste our time. Because you have somebody whose philosophy has no chance of making Argentina great again." Milei, a strong supporter of Trump who attended the US President's inauguration in January, is facing a crucial midterm election later this month. The upcoming vote will be the first legislative test since he assumed office in late 2023. Last week, the Trump administration concluded a $20 billion currency swap deal with Argentina's central bank. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that Washington was prepared to take "whatever exceptional measures are warranted" to stabilize Argentina's markets. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Bessent emphasised that the assistance was designed to support Milei's efforts to restructure Argentina's economy in line with his reform agenda. "It is much better to form an economic bridge with our allies, people who want to do the right thing, than have to have to shoot at narco-gun boats," Bessent said. "So we think this is an opportunity for the Argentinian people, we think President Milei is the one to do it." However, the administration's strategy has sparked bipartisan criticism. Amid a government shutdown, several lawmakers including Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa have voiced concern that Argentina continues to sell soybeans to China, which they argue is adversely impacting American farmers. (ANI) NAHA, Oct 15 (News On Japan) - A new stage production in Okinawa has brought the rich history of the Ryukyu Kingdom to life through opera, captivating audiences with a dramatic portrayal of royal love and resilience. The performance, staged in Urasoe as part of celebrations marking the citys 55th anniversary, centers on Queen Aoriya and the young seventh king of the Ryukyu Kingdom as they face the nations greatest crisis in 1609 the invasion known as Satsuma, which threatened the kingdoms sovereignty. Composed by Urasoe native Arakatsu, the opera blends traditional Ryukyuan performing arts such as classical dance and folk songs with Western orchestral music, creating a unique cultural fusion. Spectators praised not only the powerful vocal performances and live orchestration but also the inclusion of elements like karate demonstrations and traditional island rituals, which deepened the productions local flavor. I was amazed by how many traditional arts were woven into the story from singing and dance to karate, said one audience member. It was both fun and deeply moving. Another attendee added, I saw the production last year too, and Im always impressed. Its a kind of opera that could only exist in Okinawa, and the love between the two leads was so powerful. As the final notes of the live orchestra echoed through the theater, the audience responded with thunderous applause. Many praised the work as a celebration of Okinawas chanpuru spirit the blending of cultures and a powerful new expression of tradition through contemporary art. Traditional arts combined with new forms of expression make them even more compelling, said one commentator, summing up the mood of a night when history, music, and emotion came together on stage. Source: OTV Comparative Incorporation, Banking Access, Compliance, and Logistics for Cross-Border Traders WASHINGTON, DC As supply chains diversify and small firms sell globally through e-commerce platforms and direct B2B channels, founders are reassessing where to incorporate their trading companies. In the Americas, two jurisdictions dominate conversations for lean cross-border trade operations: Belize and Panama. Both offer internationally recognized entities, efficient registration timelines, and English or bilingual legal frameworks that facilitate contract work with buyers and suppliers on multiple continents. Yet the two ecosystems differ in critical ways that shape banking access, customs formalities, invoicing, economic substance expectations, reputational risk, and long-term compliance costs. Amicus International Consultings newest policy and market review compares Belize companies and Panama companies for international trade, focusing on what matters to entrepreneurs who need reliable banking, clean paperwork, and predictable rules. What an international trading company actually needs to work International trading is not only about the company formation certificate. A functional structure must send and receive cross-border payments in major currencies, negotiate freight and insurance using standard Incoterms, issue clean commercial invoices that pass customs checks, and satisfy counterparties Know Your Business requests. It must also maintain books that meet common accounting standards and provide documentary trails for chargebacks, claims, or audits. In practice, this means the choice of jurisdiction affects five day-to-day realities: payment rails, banking and fintech onboarding, reputation with customs, documentation language and formatting, and the ease of finding local accountants and registered agents who understand cross-border operations. Belize at a glance, company profile, and operating context Belize has long been associated with International Business Companies. Modern Belize business law emphasizes quick incorporations, English-language documentation, and straightforward maintenance requirements. Incorporation is typically accomplished through a licensed agent. It produces a familiar set of corporate documents that counterparties will recognize, including a certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, and a registered agent letter. Belize companies can be structured with a single shareholder and a single director, use corporate shareholders, and issue shares in standard forms. Record-keeping requirements exist, and directors are expected to keep accounting records that explain transactions. For trade, Belizes value proposition is simplicity, English paperwork, and comparatively low annual fees. Panama at a glance, company profile, and operating context Panamas Sociedad Anonima and the broader Panamanian corporate ecosystem are built around a long history in shipping, logistics, insurance, and banking. The jurisdiction benefits from the Canal economy and a dense cluster of freight forwarders, maritime insurers, and customs brokers. Incorporation is also fast, with English-capable counsel standard and corporate governance rules aligned with international practice. Panama issues apostille-ready corporate documents quickly. Companies can appoint three directors, often a professional board provided by a law firm, and issue bearer or registered shares consistent with modern transparency expectations. For trade, Panamas value proposition is connectivity, a mature professional services market, and reputational familiarity among banks that routinely serve maritime and commodity clients. Banking access, where the decision is won or lost For a trading company, banking is often the decisive factor. Belize entities can open accounts domestically or abroad, and they may also onboard with global payment service providers if documentation is consistent and beneficial ownership is clear. Domestic banking in Belize tends to be conservative on cross-border volume, and accounts may require enhanced supporting documents, including supplier contracts, sample invoices, and shipping records. Some founders, therefore, use multi-currency fintech accounts in other regions alongside a Belize entity, which can work when customers accept payouts to payment institutions supervised in Europe or North America. The key practical consideration is that onboarding teams evaluate jurisdiction reputation, ownership transparency, and economic substance together. Panama offers a larger banking market, including banks that specialize in trade clients, letters of credit, and supply-chain finance. Documentation standards are rigorous, but the market depth improves the odds of finding an institution comfortable with trading flows. Where a founder needs documentary credits, standby LCs, or structured trade finance, Panama banks and Panamanian branches of international banks have more product options. That said, Panama banks also expect substance and will ask for office leases, local service contracts, and management presence for higher-touch services. Entrepreneurs who only need basic receiving and paying may prefer a lighter solution through licensed payment institutions in Europe or the United Kingdom, paired with either jurisdiction, but traditional trade finance skews toward Panama. Trade documentation, invoicing, and customs perception Customs officers are trained to check invoice data consistency against packing lists, bills of lading, and certificates of origin. Belize entities issue invoices in English, which is helpful across anglophone markets. Panama entities often issue bilingual invoices and can interface naturally with Spanish-speaking customs and freight teams across the Americas. Either structure can attach Incoterms, HS codes, and the receiving bank details in the format most counterparties expect. What differs in practice is the local ecosystem supporting these documents. Panamas shipping cluster and free zones, including warehousing and consolidation providers, give companies direct access to professionals who understand documentary nuances for commodities, perishables, electronics, and spare parts. Belize counterparts exist but on a smaller scale, which can be enough for lean e-commerce traders and boutique B2B sellers. VAT, consumption taxes, and where the tax is actually paid Neither jurisdiction is selected because entrepreneurs wish to avoid lawful taxation. In cross-border trade, the decisive taxes are usually paid at the destination through import VAT and duties, not in the exporters country. A Belize or Panama exporter typically issues a zero-rated export invoice where local law allows, and the importer pays VAT or sales tax upon entry. The company still keeps domestic accounting records and may file nil or minimal returns when applicable. For founders selling to consumers in multiple countries, destination VAT rules, marketplace facilitator regimes, and low-value reasonable thresholds are more likely to drive tax compliance than the incorporation location. The right accountant in either Belize or Panama will set up books so that destination taxes are properly documented and the exporter can evidence exports if audited. Ultimate beneficial ownership and KYC expectations Both jurisdictions expect agents and banks to know who truly owns the company. Founders should be ready to disclose passports, proof of address, corporate ownership charts, and source-of-funds narratives. Nominee arrangements that obscure control will slow or stop onboarding with serious banks or marketplaces. A Belize company that discloses clearly and keeps consistent board minutes can onboard successfully. A Panama company that does the same benefits from an ecosystem where KYC on Panamanian companies is a familiar process across regional banks. In either case, the entrepreneurs personal compliance posture, including clean tax filings and transparent personal banking, often matters more than the registered address on the company seal. Free zones, warehousing, and regional distribution Panamas free zone infrastructure and proximity to the Canal make it a natural staging point for regional distribution into both Americas. The presence of bonded warehouses, consolidated freight services, and experienced customs brokers creates operational leverage for traders who need to break bulk, relabel, or kit products. A company incorporated in Panama can align its legal seat with physical warehousing, thereby creating a strong narrative for banks and insurers, which in turn reduces friction for larger transactions. Belize has a smaller but serviceable logistics scene for exporters who do not need hub-scale consolidation. For e-commerce sellers shipping directly from suppliers in Asia to final customers in North America or Europe, warehousing decisions might occur outside either jurisdiction, making the incorporation decision more about banking, accounting, and reputation than physical logistics. Currency, payments, and FX exposure Traders survive or fail on payments. A Belize entity can pair its incorporation with multi-currency accounts in reputable payment institutions to collect USD, EUR, and GBP, convert at tight spreads, and pay suppliers globally. A Panama entity can do the same and, where relationship banking is warranted, may access traditional instruments and trade finance. In both cases, founders should map typical cash conversion cycles, deposit hold periods on marketplaces, and settlement times for card acquirers. Documenting these cycles in a treasury memo helps banks understand regular activity and reduces false fraud flags. Hedging policies, even simple forward contracts or natural hedges, improve resilience to FX shocks regardless of jurisdiction. Reputation and market perception Market perception is an intangible asset. Buyers, payment processors, and global banks develop heuristics about jurisdictions. Panamas long history as a logistics and finance hub gives it broad visibility and a mature but compliance-heavy environment. Belizes modernized corporate framework and English legal documentation are recognized by counterparties who value clarity and speed for small and mid-sized trading volumes. Reputation matters most when the company seeks escalated services, such as letters of credit, larger revolving lines, or insurance on receivables. For those products, Panamas depth of providers can be advantageous. For a lean trader prioritizing speed, Belizes streamlined approach and cost profile are attractive, provided that substance and record keeping are treated seriously. Risk controls that matter more than jurisdiction Experienced traders know that many losses come from operational errors, not the wrong certificate of incorporation. Three controls reduce risk regardless of where the company is formed. First, perform counterparty verification by confirming supplier identity, factory address, and bank account ownership using third-party databases and video inspections. Second, ensure shipment security by using standardized Incoterms, obtaining transport insurance matched to the term, and employing independent pre-shipment inspections for new product lines. Third, consider the payment structure: use staged payments, introduce inspection milestones, and avoid paying full value before production. A Belize or Panama company that institutionalizes these controls will build trust faster than a company that relies on jurisdiction alone to signal quality. Case Study: A mid-market trading firm chooses between Belize and Panama In 2024, a mid-market electronics wholesaler headquartered in Southern Africa sought to re-incorporate its international trading arm outside its home market. The firm sold refurbished networking gear to distributors in Central America and West Africa, sourcing batches from certified recyclers in Europe and East Asia. The teams priorities were multi-currency banking, access to letters of credit for larger lots, and credible customs documentation to reduce delays for destination clients. The companys advisors mapped two options. Option one used a Belize company with English documentation and paired it with a tier-one European payment institution for collections, while maintaining supplier payments through a specialist cross-border platform. The firm would keep lean overhead, hire a Belize bookkeeper, and retain a part-time compliance officer to manage KYC updates and CRS self-certifications. Option two used a Panamanian Sociedad Anonima combined with a warehouse lease in the Colon Free Zone, engaged a local freight forwarder, and applied for a relationship with a Panamanian bank that issues import LCs and manages trade collections. The first ninety days focused on onboarding. The Belize pathway cleared incorporation within one week, secured a registered address and accountant, and opened fintech accounts in EUR, USD, and GBP. The company shipped two small test batches using DAP and FCA terms, settling in USD to its payment institution account. The Panama pathway took a little longer because the firm negotiated a minor bonded warehouse contract and submitted fuller documentation to a bank that requested board minutes, audited supplier lists, and proof of local management control. In month four, the Panamanian bank approved a limited LC facility tied to pledged inventory and historic sales. The results were instructive. Belize delivered immediate speed, low overhead, and frictionless small-ticket flows up to five figures per invoice. Panama delivered larger-ticket capacity, better structured trade finance, and faster customs clearance for consolidated shipments that staged in the free zone. After six months, the company retained both structures. Belize handled e-commerce marketplace returns, spare parts, and sample shipments with minimal cost. Panama handled bulk orders, warehouse consolidation, and receivers who demanded LCs. The firms annual report showed improved gross margins because the LC-enabled orders commanded better pricing and risk-adjusted terms with suppliers. The case study underscores a simple point. The jurisdiction decision is not binary. Many traders benefit from a two-tier strategy where a lean entity manages small and fast orders while a logistics-anchored entity manages heavy transactions and credit instruments. Belize and Panama play complementary roles when designed with explicit scopes, shared compliance calendars, and unified accounting. Compliance calendar, the founders simple operating model International trade rewards discipline. A combined compliance calendar for either jurisdiction includes quarterly management accounts with bank and payment reconciliations, semiannual KYC refreshes with banks and PSPs, annual filings and fee payments, and continuous archiving of customs documents, transport insurance policies, certificates of origin, and inspection reports. Board resolutions should approve material supplier relationships, warehouse contracts, and banking mandates. Directors should minute the adoption of standard Incoterms and internal credit limits for buyers. This routine, while simple, strengthens the companys dossier with banks, insurers, and auditors and reduces the chance of payment holds or rejected claims. When Belize is the easier choice Belize is often the easier choice for entrepreneurs who sell light goods with clean, documented supply chains, rely on card acquiring or marketplace payouts rather than bank LCs, value English documentation, and want to keep fixed costs low. A Belize entity works well for drop-ship models with verified vendors, sample shipments, and recurring small wholesale orders where counterparty credit risk is controlled through prepayment or escrow. If banking needs are met by reputable payment institutions and the company can demonstrate transparent ownership, Belize offers quick processing for the first invoice and simple maintenance. When Panama is the stronger platform Panama is the stronger platform for traders who need warehouse staging, expect buyers to request documentary credits, plan to insure receivables, or intend to build a regional distribution hub serving both Americas. If the business model includes complex logistics, product transformations such as kitting or relabeling, or higher-value lots that demand bank intermediation, Panamas service ecosystem, free zones, and bank product depth provide measurable advantages. For management teams planning to raise debt secured by inventory or purchase order financing, the local availability of specialized lenders is another practical reason to choose Panama. Conclusion: Which is easier for international trade Belize is easier when the goal is to launch quickly, invoice in English, keep overhead low, and process light to mid-sized orders through modern payment rails. Panama is easier when the goal is to scale into larger orders, use trade finance instruments, stage goods in free zones, and collaborate with banks and insurers specializing in logistics. The decision is not about finding a perfect jurisdiction. It is about aligning incorporation, banking, and substance with the specific trade flows the business will operate in over the next twelve months. Amicus International Consultings neutral assessment is straightforward. Choose Belize for speed and simplicity, provided your payment stack does not need LCs and your compliance routine is tight. Choose Panama for depth and durability in trade finance, warehouses, and regional distribution when defining your growth. In both cases, the entrepreneurs who win are those who treat compliance as infrastructure, not an afterthought, and who build credible operating footprints that counterparties can trust. Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402 Signal: 604-353-4942 Telegram: 604-353-4942 Email: info@amicusint.ca Website: www.amicusint.ca Jamie Bell and Jonny Lee Miller are among a host of new stars to sign up for Paul Greengrass' re-titled movie The Uprising. Paul Greengrass has changed The Rage's title to The Uprising The two actors, along with Cosmi Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie and Woody Norman are set to appear in the director's upcoming film about the peasant's revolt, which was previously known as The Rage. Character details are currently under wraps but the quintet joined the previously-announced Katherine Waterston and Andrew Garfield. Andrew will play the leader of a rebellion against the tyrannical reign of King Richard II, forming an army to fight for justice and survival amid socioeconomic inequality while war rages across England. Production is underway on The Uprising now in Germany. Paul, 70, recently admitted he can see similarities between the circumstances depicted in The Uprising and the Capitol insurrection in January 2021 because both events were driven by rage, powerlessness, the sense the systems rigged against them, dark conspiracies in far-off places that theyve been locked out of And the director admitted he finds the current global news climate "very worrying". He told The Times newspaper: Oh, its warming up in all ways. Politically, its hot. Were in a hot phase. Its 100 per cent more disrupted and chaotic now disturbingly so. "Something is badly broken, isnt it? Im sadly highly grown-up now, but I find it very worrying and its going to get worse before it gets better." However, the Bourne Identity filmmaker is optimistic for the distant future, but thinks it will take time for things to improve. He added: "I search out futurology, people who know much more about the world than I do, and I dimly see the consensus being that if we can get through the next ten years, it will become a bit calmer, because the gains of AI and new technology will kick in and ameliorate the disruptions. "And well finally get growth because thats been the biggest problem since the crash of 2008. But its not going to get better tomorrow. There will be more danger. French Safran Group announced Monday the setting up of Moroccos first aircraft engine manufacturing complex in Nouaceur, near Casablanca. The initiative was officially presented during a high-profile ceremony presided over by King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. The new industrial complex, located within the Midparc integrated aerospace platform, will comprise two cutting-edge facilities: one dedicated to the assembly and testing of Safrans LEAP aircraft engines, and another focused on the maintenance and repair of these next-generation propulsion systems. This strategic investment marks a significant milestone in Moroccos industrial development, reflecting the Sovereigns unwavering commitment to elevating the national aerospace sector to the highest levels of technological competitiveness. A film presented at the ceremony highlighted the sectors rapid growth over the past two decades, driven by bold reforms and visionary leadership. Speaking at the event, Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour emphasized Moroccos transformation into a global destination for advanced industries. In less than twenty years, Morocco has built a world-class aerospace industry, he said, noting that export revenues in the sector have surged from under 1 billion dirhams in 2004 to over 26 billion dirhams in 2024. Safran, a longstanding partner of Morocco for over 25 years, is deepening its commitment through this new complex. The maintenance facility, representing an investment of 1.3 billion dirhams, will handle up to 150 engines annually and create 600 direct jobs by 2030. The assembly and testing plant, focused on LEAP-1A engines used in Airbus A320 Neo aircraft, will have a capacity of 350 engines per year and generate 300 highly skilled jobs by 2029. This will be Safrans second LEAP-1A production site globally, positioning Morocco firmly within the international aerospace value chain and attracting additional suppliers to the national ecosystem. Ross McInnes, Chairman of Safrans Board of Directors, emphasized that the new engine complex in Nouaceur is a concrete translation of the strong industrial bond between France and Morocco. He noted that the project goes beyond industrial investment, reflecting Moroccos strategic importance to Safran. Safran, which has more than 25 years of presence in the Kingdom and a network of ten sites contributing to key activities such as engine maintenance, aeronautical cabling, and aircraft nacelles, continues to invest and grow in Morocco. This is possible because Safran does not produce in Morocco, but with Morocco, McInnes said. He also highlighted the symbolic significance of the Sovereigns presence at the ceremony, underscoring the exemplary investment climate fostered by His Majestys forward-looking vision. Olivier Andries, CEO of Safran, reinforced this message, stating that the decision to establish the new complex in Morocco reflects the Groups confidence in a country endowed with talent, modern infrastructure, and a stable macroeconomic framework. He praised the momentum driven by King Mohammed VI to position Morocco as a globally competitive industrial platform. Andries noted that Safrans Moroccan facilities are central to its global production and maintenance network, particularly in supporting the LEAP engine program. Andries also announced the creation of a LEAP engine assembly line in Casablanca the largest outside France where 300 employees will assemble up to 350 engines per year for Airbus A320neo aircraft. He emphasized that Morocco will play a central role in Safrans most ambitious industrial challenge to date: supporting aircraft manufacturers, especially Airbus, in ramping up production of narrow-body jets. Today, these two projects and the ongoing expansions at three other sites represent an investment of over 350 million and will create thousands of jobs across Moroccos aerospace ecosystem, Andries concluded. The Algerian regime has suffered another diplomatic setback after failing to infiltrate uninvited Polisario agents into the Arab-African youth conference held lately in Kampala, Ugandas capital. Thanks to the mobilization of Moroccan youth delegation and participating countries, the organizers refused the participation of Polisario separatists who were hoping to sneak into the conference using the same stratagem deployed in the Japanese-African summit in Tokyo (TICAD). The tactics of the Algerian junta consists of including Polisario elements among the Algerian delegation and providing them with Algerian travels documents and Ids. Once they get in, they wear self-made SADR badges, logosthey used in propaganda campaigns. But in Kampala, the Algeria-Polisario maneuvers have failed to fool the conference organizers, the Arab and African Youth Council, saying that only sovereign States recognized by the United Nations are allowed in. Furthermore, the Arab and African Youth Council has rejected unanimously Polisario membership application submitted by the Algerian regime, which has suffered another international humiliation and embarrassment. The Moroccan delegation held extensive talks with Arab and African delegations on the Moroccan Sahara and exposed the dirty tricks of the Algerian regime which funds, arms and shelters the Polisario militia and uses them as an instrument to destabilize the region. Members of the Moroccan delegation also spoke about the Moroccan Autonomy plan offered by the Kingdom for the Sahara under its sovereignty, saying the realistic Moroccan plan, which offers a lasting and peaceful resolution to this decades-long conflict, has gained a strong international recognition. In 2025, African fashion is no longer a rising trend its a global force reshaping the industry with bold design, sustainability, and cultural authenticity. Valued at $31 billion in 2020, Africas fashion market is projected to surpass $50 billion by 2030, according to McKinsey & Company. With exports of textiles, apparel, and footwear reaching $15.5 billion annually, the continent is becoming a key player in global trade but its the designers who are shifting the narrative. Long viewed as a source of inspiration, Africa is now the main stage. Brands like Lemlem, Mastewal Alemu, Katchy Kollections, and Maki Oh are earning international acclaim, with some dressing stars at the 2025 Met Gala. At Moscow Fashion Week held in early September, African designers from 15 countries captivated audiences with collections steeped in heritage but tailored for contemporary markets. Sustainability is central to this growth. Designers like Katungulu Mwendwa and David Tlale emphasize local production, eco-conscious materials, and ancestral techniques. We strive to create pieces that are 100% made on the continent, says Mwendwa. Meanwhile, platforms like the BRICS+ Fashion Summit held last month are catalyzing SouthSouth cooperation, offering African designers alternatives to traditional Western fashion hubs. With over 100 countries participating, the summit marked a shift toward equitable global fashion networks. Despite structural challenges, Africas diverse aesthetic, ethical production, and creative innovation are transforming it from fashions periphery into a global style leader with staying power. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has cautioned that Libya remains entangled in deep political and security challenges, more than fourteen years after the establishment of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). In a report to the UN Security Council reviewing the missions strategy, Guterres commended UNSMILs contributions in managing political crises, facilitating elections, and reducing local violence. Nonetheless, he noted that persistent divisions, competing power centers, and the widespread presence of heavy weaponry continue to threaten the countrys unity and institutional integrity. The Secretary-General warned that without a comprehensive political settlement, Libya risks further fragmentation and instability. He urged Libyan stakeholders to accelerate efforts toward national reconciliation through a unified roadmap grounded in free, fair, and transparent elections. Guterres further called for renewed UN focus on a sustainable political process and balanced engagement with all Libyan actors, while appealing for additional financial support to enhance UNSMILs capacity and ensure the successful implementation of its strategic objectives. Carol Vorderman has "never been happier being single". Carol Vorderman isn't desperate for romance The former Countdown star previously declared that her love life revolved around "five special friends" but has now suggested that romance isn't the be-all and end-all for her as she has enough "love" in her world. Carol who has daughter Katie, 33, and son Cameron, 28, from her marriage to Patrick King told Heat magazine: "I'm not going to talk about how many friends I now have or don't! "But I've never been happier being single. I've had what I call 'medium-term boyfriends' for a year or so, but I've basically been single for about 15 years. "I have a very close-knit family, great friends and my two children. I feel like I don't need love, because I've got so much in my life already." Vorderman came to prominence as the maths whizz on the Channel 4 game show Countdown, but confessed that she no longer watches the programme she appeared on from its launch in 1982 until 2008. Asked if she is a Countdown viewer, she said: "No. I think I must've done about 15,000 of them! "But me and Susie Dent (who still does Dictionary Corner) are still close. "The show changed my life how lucky was I? I was on it for 26 years and made my fortune from it." Carol has been praised for her appearance and explained that she has various treatments to try and keep herself looking good. The 64-year-old star said: "I have a treatment every four months that involves having my blood taken the plasma is then mixed with polynucleotides and all sorts of things and then injected back into the skin. It stops the rapid decline of collagen. "It's really good, but it's not cheap. If I could bathe in it, I would." Carol added: "I also have Botox and I'll probably have a facelift at some point." The presenter will once again host the Pride of Britain Awards later this month and has been inspired by those who are up for the prizes. Vorderman who has presented the ceremony since it started in 1999 said: "Most of the children who are nominated have been to hell and back. "The word 'inspirational' gets bandied around a lot, but they really are. An inspirational person inspires you to actively behave differently all of our winners are like that. "I get a great energy from them and think, 'No, you've got to fight, Carol...' They're a huge influence on me." Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is sending signals that it is heading towards supporting Moroccos Autonomy plan offered for the Sahara under the Kingdoms sovereignty. Ahead of the UN Security Council meeting on the Sahara scheduled end of October, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said his country is ready to support the Moroccan autonomy plan which he described as a form of self-determination provided it is accepted by the parties to the conflict under the UN auspices. The remarks made by the Russian FM during a meeting with Arab journalists held Monday in Moscow, are seen as a major shift in the position of Moscow which has always been cautious in its approach regarding the Sahara regional conflict. According to some experts, Russia, which used to express reservations about the Moroccan Autonomy plan, shows today openness to supporting it. Russia chairs the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for October. Moroccan foreign Nasser Bourita and Russian peer had discussed the Sahara issue on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly. Furthermore, following Lavrovs latest meeting with UN Sahara envoy Staffan de Mistura, the Russian Foreign Ministry described the Western Sahara conflict as a legacy of colonialism and stressed the need for a just, durable, and mutually acceptable solution based on UN Charter and Security Council resolutions. Moscow has abstained from recent votes on Sahara resolutions and Lavrov himself has affirmed that Russia is actively working with Morocco to resolve the decades-long Sahara conflict. internet crashes or slowdowns caused by network congestion viruses sabotage satellite failures phone line failures electrical outages natural or man-made disasters lost, late, misdirected, postage-due, unintelligible, returned, or undelivered entries or email lost, interrupted, or unavailable satellite, network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other internet connections, providers, or platforms failed telephone, satellite or cable hardware or software or lines, or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures, or difficulties other errors of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, or network Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of this contest or website, or act in violation of the official service, as solely determined by the station, will be disqualified. 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Over the past couple of years, the global offshore wind sector has been facing growing pains, with supply chain constraints, policy volatility, and economic headwinds threatening a power segment that has been slated to become the most dominant wind energy source in many regions. These challenges are increasingly forcing companies in the space to abandon projects and undergo strategic restructuring as the momentum for offshore wind and other nascent clean energy industries, such as hydrogen, wanes. To wit, last year, Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL) announced plans to cease new offshore wind investments and split its power division as CEO Wael Sawan looks to boost the companys profitability. Shell appears to be systematically scaling back its clean energy investments: Earlier in the year, the company also ditched plans to build a low-carbon hydrogen plant on Norway's west coast due to a lack of demand. Earlier in the same year, Norway's state-controlled energy giant Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR) abandoned plans to invest in Vietnam's offshore wind sector, dealing a significant blow to the country's green energy ambitions. According to the World Bank, over the past couple of years, Vietnam has attracted plenty of interest in its clean energy sector thanks to the countrys strong winds in shallow waters near coastal, densely populated areas. Unfortunately, recent political turbulence in the country has paralyzed regulatory reforms and discouraged investors. That marked the first time Equinor had abandoned offshore wind development; in contrast, the company had previously exited more than a dozen fossil fuel projects to focus on renewables and low-carbon systems. Back in 2023, Danish offshore wind giant rsted A/S (OTCPK:DNNGY) paused its multi-gigawatt offshore wind plans in Vietnam, citing issues with the "route to market," business ethics, and a lack of a comprehensive legal framework for the sector. Related: North Sea Oil: Booming in Norway and Doomed in the UK Unfortunately, the offshore wind sector woes appear to be going nowhere. Back in July, rsted paid $110 million to Danish offshore wind services provider Cadeler (NYSE:CDLR) as compensation for the cancellation of the construction of a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) for the 2.4 GW Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm in the UK. In May, rsted announced the cancellation of the project, citing higher rates, rising supply chain costs and increased construction risks as some of the challenges. rsted was among the developers who were awarded contracts in the UKs Allocation Round 6 (AR6) in 2024 that procured 9.6 GW of clean energy capacity from offshore and onshore wind and solar energy. AR6 marked a major improvement from AR5, which failed to secure any new offshore wind projects. On a brighter note, Cadelers short-term financials will receive a boost from the receipt of the termination compensation, with the company recently upgrading its full-year 2025 revenue to the range of EUR 588 million to EUR 628 million, up from EUR 485 million to EUR 525 million, while the EBITDA forecast for 2025 is expected to clock in at EUR 381421 million, up from EUR 278318 million. Meanwhile, Singapores Seatrium Ltd (OTCPK:SMBMF) recently received a notice of the termination of a WTIV contract by Maersk Offshore Wind valued at $475 million. Seatrium had secured the contract in 2022 while still operating as Sembcorp Marine, before it merged with Keppel Offshore and Marine in 2023 in a $3.34 billion deal. Maersk says it will try and recover monies already paid to Seatrium, adding that it will not accept delivery of the unit due to delays in the construction schedule despite the project being ~ 98.9%. Seatrium shares have tanked nearly 15% after the announcement of the Maersk decision. Maersk's cancellation of the Seatrium deal could signal that its abandoning the offshore wind business, which says something considering the startling fall of its core container shipping business. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that container shipping rates for the busy Shanghai to Los Angeles route have declined by nearly 60%, meaning the company is likely receiving below $2,200 per container it requires to break even. That said, the U.S. offshore wind sector could fare worse than its European peers thanks to policy headwinds by the Trump administration. Trump has cancelled ~$679 million in U.S. offshore wind project funding, stifling growth and development of the nascent sector. In contrast, WindEurope recently reported it built 6.8 GW of wind power across Europe in the first half of 2025, comprising 6 GW onshore and 0.7 GW offshore. Europe is, by far, the biggest offshore wind market in the world, commanding 92% of the floating offshore wind market. However, Asia-Pacific is enjoying the fastest growth, with the region projected to expand at a torrid 156% CAGR through 2030. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The North Sea has become the site of a live policy experiment, showcasing two dramatically different approaches to the energy transition, with profoundly different results. While Norway, committed to net zero, backs further exploration, provides long-term regulatory certainty, and cashes in on massive oil and gas revenues, the UK, also focused on net zero, is actively driving away investors. This divergence occurs against a backdrop of global oil prices, with Brent crude at $62.68 and WTI at $59.10, being suppressed by economic slowdown worries and OPEC+ continuing its ramp-up of production. Yet, beneath the bearish sentiment, the long-term need for hydrocarbon supply is undeniable, highlighted by the OPEC Secretary General's recent stark warning that the world requires $18.2 trillion in oil and gas investment to meet future demand, a message clearly embraced by Norway, but ignored by the UK. A Tale of Two North Seas There is a huge difference between the two countries approach and it has become bigger over the past five years, Tom Erik Kristiansen, an energy specialist at Nordic-focused investment bank Pareto, told The Telegraph. In Norway, you have two or three of the biggest parties agreeing not to touch [the oil and gas industry]. In the UK it is much more party political. For decades, successive governments in Norway have supported the oil and gas industry and the domestic supply chain, acknowledging that these create jobs and economic opportunities. Norway, unlike the UK, strongly supports oil and gas development and exploration for undiscovered resources on its shelf, not only in the North Sea, but also in the Norwegian Sea and the Arctic waters in the Barents Sea. Related: Egypt is Making a $6 Billion Bet on Crude Oil The Norwegian government has started to plan its 26th oil and gas licensing round in little-explored frontier areas as Norway looks to boost exploration and resources to stem an expected decline in production from the early 2030s. In Norway, companies can get refunds of 71.8% of losses associated with exploration. The taxes in Norway are high, but they have been this way since the 1990s, providing long-term certainty to operators. This is so unlike in the UK, where the tax regime has changed every year since 2022 by both Conservative and Labour governments, making any investment plans so unpredictable that companies are quitting the UK North Sea. Since the Energy Profits Levy (EPL), or the windfall tax, was initially introduced by the Conservative government at the height of the energy crisis in 2022, oil and gas companies operating in the UK North Sea have been calling for certainty in the regulatory and tax framework. Recent changes in policies and the rising taxes imposed by the current Labour government have driven away operators, who say that a lack of North Sea investments would only make the UK more dependent on oil and gas imports. Late last year, as Labour further raised the windfall tax, it also removed the 29% investment allowance on oil and gas operations, further stifling UK North Sea investment. The result has been an exodus of companies, a decline in production, and a slump in exploration drilling. In fact, due to the fiscal turmoil in recent years, 2025 is set to become the first year since 1960 without a single exploration well in the UK North Sea, according to energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. What The Future Holds The UKs unpredictable regulatory and tax regime has already pushed operators away from the UK North Sea. At the end of last year, U.S. oil producer Apache said it would cease oil production at its assets in the UK North Sea by 2030, saying that the expected returns do not economically support making investments required under the combined impact of the regulations. In a major blow to the UK industry, Ineos Energy this summer ended UK investment, after warning a few months earlier that the tax is the most unstable fiscal regime in the world. The UKs current tax regime, its over-regulation and the negative political attitude towards oil and gas are barriers that would deter any investor at the moment, Ineos Energy chairman Brian Gilvary, a former chief financial officer at BP, said last December. The UK government has launched consultations on what type of tax regime should come next and on whether to award licenses in the North Sea. Decisions are expected later this autumn. OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google Setas a preferred source in Google here The main offshore energy industries association, OEUK, urges the government to replace the Energy Profits Levy with a permanent profits-based tax system and update licensing rules to provide predictable access to new resources, ensuring infrastructure is fully utilised rather than decommissioned prematurely. The loss of investment is reducing oil and gas productionit has plunged by 40% in the past five years and is on track to halve again by 2030, OEUK warns. While the UK is in a race against time to save its oil and gas industry and its industrial capabilities from demise, Norway is enjoying higher oil and gas production as new fields come online. But Western Europes largest oil and gas producer, Norway, is not complacent. It is aware that it needs more exploration and new field developments to keep output at high levels while the world still needs it. The current and past Norwegian governments have continuously bet on the oil and gas industry and the massive revenues it raises for the country and its sovereign wealth fund, the worlds largest. Government Pension Fund Global, which is commonly referred to as Norways oil fund because it was created with oil and gas revenues, has $2 trillion worth of assets and holds on average 1.5% of all listed companies in the world. Norway wants to be a long-term supplier of oil and gas to Europe, while the Norwegian continental shelf will continue to create value and jobs for our country, Energy Minister Terje Aasland said in August, announcing the plans for a new licensing round. We need new discoveries to ensure that Norway can remain a stable and predictable supplier of oil and gas to Europe, Aasland said earlier this year. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The prospect of a contango is casting a shadow over oil markets, with the entire 2026 WTI futures curve now trading below $60 per barrelbeneath breakeven levels for most new shale wells. TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne and Vitols Russel Hardy warn that prices this low could cut U.S. shale output by 200,000 to 300,000 barrels per day next year, tightening supply just as demand steadies. Backwardation Fades: Crude Market Signals Trouble Ahead for 2026 The spectre of a looming contango is haunting crude oil markets, especially now that the entire WTI futures contract curve for 2026 trades below $60 per barrel, i.e. below breakeven levels for most new shale wells. Backwardation, the hallmark of sanctions-impacted 2023 and 2024, now only extends until February 2026, with a mere 70 cents separating the November and February futures contracts. Whilst ICE Brent futures show the same narrowing backwardation trend, theres still almost $1 per barrel of a difference between Dated and ICE Brent, suggesting pockets of physical strength for November-loading cargoes. Positioning of hedge fund money managers reflects the doom and gloom with the net length held in WTI futures and options currently at 29,410 contracts, 15% of what it was at the beginning of this year. Market Movers - US LNG developer Venture Global (NYSE:VG) reached an arbitration settlement with Chinas state-controlled Unipec over its failure to deliver cargoes under a 3-year fixed-price contract, avoiding an arbitration litigation akin to BP. - Canadian oil producer Strathcona Resources formally abandoned its hostile takeover bid for peer producer MEG Energy (TSO:MEG), paving the way for a prospective MEG-Cenovus merger despite it owning 14.2% of the former. - US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) is close to signing an exploration deal with the Greek government to develop four deepwater blocks south of the island of Crete, with surveying set to start in 2026 already. - UK-based energy major Shell (LON:SHEL) has greenlighted the development of the HI offshore gas field in Nigeria for an estimated cost of $2 billion, alongside joint venture partner Sunlink Energies. Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Resurgent US-China trade tensions have dealt a painful blow to oil sentiment at large, as President Trumps reimposition of 100% import tariffs from November 1 (over and above the 30% currently in place) bodes ill for the global economy in 2026. With backwardation at its shallowest since January 2024, ICE Brent at $62 per barrel feels more of a temporary level before the next big slide. OPEC Downplays 2026 Supply Surplus. OPEC kept its demand forecast for 2025 and 2026, questioning the danger of a supply surplus next year, saying that if OPEC+ kept production at its September 2025 levels, balances would remain at a deficit. Saudi Arabia Spends Big on Algeria. Algerias state-owned oil firm Sonatrach reported that it had signed a $5.4 billion contract with Saudi Arabias Midad Energy to develop oil and gas fields in the Illizi Basin, with a production-sharing contract signed for 30 years. Iraq Flaunts Idea of OPEC+ Quota Review. Iraqs prime minister Mohammed al-Sudani has called for a formal review of the countrys 4.43 million b/d OPEC+ production quota, citing reconstruction needs and rapid population growth as Kurdish exports restarted. Kuwait Boosts Its Offshore Tally. Kuwait Oil Company, the upstream arm of national oil firm KPC, made an offshore gas discovery with its Jazza exploration well, with the field spanning 16 square miles and estimated to hold around 1 TCf of natural gas. Sanctions Derail Chinese Oil Imports. Last weeks US sanctions on the key Rizhao crude oil terminal have prompted Chinas leading refiner Sinopec to divert the 2-million-barrel New Vista supertanker carrying the UAE grade Upper Zakum, seeking a new port. India Aims to Hedge Its Hydro Generation. Indias power planning authority has launched a $77 billion expansion plan to move 76 GW of hydro generation away from the Brahmaputra Basin bordering China, as Beijing could cut dry-season flows by 85%. China Slashes September Rare Earth Exports. Chinese rare earth exports fell to 4,000 metric tonnes in September, marking a 31% decline month-over-month and the third consecutive monthly drop as Beijing tightens the screws on flows to Western buyers. Australia Wants Key Mineral Deal with US. The Australian government is considering the introduction of mandated floor prices for critical minerals, building out a $800 million strategic metal reserve, and joint funding of new mining projects with the US. Argentina Gets Closer to Second LNG Facility. Argentinas state-controlled YPF (NYSE:YPF) signed a final technical agreement with Italys ENI (BIT:ENI) to build a 12 mtpa LNG export facility, consisting of two liquefaction trains, aiming for a 2029 start. US Feedgas Demand Hits New Record. The return of the Cove Point LNG terminal in Maryland after a three-week maintenance period has lifted US LNG feedgas demand to a new all-time high above 18 BCf/d, also buoyed by Plaquemines LNG ramping up. Egypt Diverts LNG Cargoes to Europe. A combination of lower seasonal demand, high inventories, and marginally increasing domestic supply have led Egypt to defer several LNG cargoes from Q4 to into next year and resell 4-5 prompt cargoes to Europe. US Ups the Ante on IMO Shipping Rules. The Trump administration reiterated its threat of port fees, sanctions, and visa bans on countries supporting the IMOs Net-Zero shipping framework by 2050, just as the UN body meets to discuss it, October 14-17. Brussels Agrees to UAEs Big Chemicals Move. According to media sources, the European Commission is set to approve ADNOCs $17 billion takeover of German chemicals company Covestro after the former offered to adjust its articles of association. By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The imbalance between supply and demand is driving up costs and extending wait times for new gas-fired power plants globally, highlighting a critical challenge in meeting the energy requirements of the expanding AI industry. Despite the urgent need, many gas turbine manufacturers are cautious about dramatically increasing production due to past experiences where oversupply led to market crashes, and the long lead times for building these precision machines. The rapid growth of AI and data centers is causing a significant increase in demand for electricity, leading to a global shortage of gas turbines needed for new power generation capacity. The cautious stance of major manufacturers like Siemens Energy and Mitsubishi Power is understandable given their history, yet the consequences of underestimating this demand are profound. While the wait times for new combined-cycle turbines stretch toward seven years, the competitive landscape is subtly shifting. For GE Vernova, currently focused on leveraging its existing fleet and service contracts, the strategic challenge is balancing near-term profitability against the long-term risk of market share erosion if its rivals manage a successful, sustained ramp-up. The ultimate question for the industry's Big Three is this: Is the threat of a price crash from oversupply in five years greater than the certainty of losing billions in delayed orders right now, especially as the demand for dispatchable power for new data centers shows no signs of abatement? The Turbine Supply Crisis Bloomberg was one of the publications warning about a turbine shortage earlier this year. The outlet reported that some data center operators, notably Stargate, were deploying single-cycle gas turbines to secure generation for their facilities in the absence of enough combined-cycle turbines being manufactured fast enough. There is a high level of urgency in the industry to get power fast, a senior executive from Crusoe, the company that is building the first Stargate project, told Bloomberg. We have tried to be creative about the energy component of data centers. However creative one might try to get, there is a limited pool of options. And turbines take a long time to be built because they are precision machines, and building precision machines cannot be rushed. What compounds the supply problem is the fact that data center operators are not the only ones in need of more gas turbines. Gas, for all the bad rap it has been getting from climate activists, is what the developing world is replacing coal with, so that growth in demand for turbines is a global trend. Transition advocacy outlet the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis recently reported that the imbalance between supply and demand for gas turbines was driving costs for new gas-fired power plants higher in Vietnam and the Philippines and extending wait times to seven or even eight years. The outlet recommended the rapid expansion of low-cost renewables and storage, which could ultimately limit the long-term role for gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The problem is, they cant. If they could, data center operators would be causing a shortage of solar panels and inverters. Instead, the shortage is looming in gas turbines because there is one fundamental difference between wind/solar and gas: the latter generates dispatchable electricity, and that is the kind that data center operators need. Manufacturers Caution: The Ghosts of Internet Past In such a context, turbine makers should be rushing to boost their production capacity, or so some would assume. Yet that is not what they are doingat least not all of them. How do we manage whats real, whats not? the chief executive of Mitsubishi Power Americas, Bill Newsom, said recently, as quoted by the Wall Street Journal, expressing concern that all the bombastic forecasts about AI and the related electricity demand surge may turn out to be wrong. It has happened before, the Wall Street Journal noted in its report. About 20 years ago, gas turbine makers rushed to boost output in expectations that the internet would drive a surge in electricity demand. That surge never materialized, sinking some manufacturers and leaving others with surplus capacity. What makes things even more uncertain is the possibility that it would only take one manufacturer to boost capacity to tank prices for everyone, even with all the bombastic demand forecasts. If nobody increases their output, prices will stay really high. If one person raises their output, it could crash the prices for everybody, Enveruss director of energy transition research, Ryan Luther, told the Wall Street Journal. Yet this may be too cautious an outlook. According to Bloomberg, some $400 billion worth of new gas-fired generation capacity could face delays or even cancellation because of the shortage in gas turbines. This does not, on the face of it, sound like a situation where one manufacturer raising capacity could tank prices for all the rest of them. Indeed, one turbine major is trying to ramp up capacity, and it has not tanked pricesbecause the ramp-up will take a while. The Looming Test of the AI Hype The major trying to boost capacity is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, one of the three companies dominating the global gas turbine market alongside Siemens and GE Vernova. Its not so easy to ramp up, Joern Schmuecker, a vice president at Siemens Energy told Bloomberg in an interview earlier this month. The whole supply chain is struggling to also keep pace. Challenging as this may be for Big Tech and adjacent industries, the time factor could provide the ultimate test of how serious the world is about AI and whether reality would live up to the hype or not. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: China's policies, practices enrich global women's development Xinhua) 08:09, October 14, 2025 BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- As the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women kicked off in Beijing on Monday, the world's attention has turned to China. Thirty years after championing the global gender equality agenda via the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the country is breathing new life into the world women's cause through tangible practices. Over the past three decades, China has made historic strides in advancing women's development. From eradicating absolute poverty, which lifted hundreds of millions of women out of hardship, to empowering women's roles in economic sectors and decision-making, the country has integrated gender equality into national development strategies, offering assets to a world where women still confront challenges including poverty, violence, discrimination and economic inequality. LEGAL SHIELDS In Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, the "one-stop" anti-domestic violence service center at the Yuelu district court, exemplifies the country's judicial protection path for gender equality. Jointly launched in 2024 by UN Women and the Changsha women's federation, this center provides comprehensive support including psychological counseling, shelter and legal assistance. Adopting a victim-centered approach, it operates a coordinated mechanism involving the police and the women's federation for effective intervention and follow-up measures. "The center serves as a practical implementation of the outcomes of the 1995 World Conference on Women," said Li Yiwen, a judge with the district court, emphasizing that the center explores combating domestic violence through comprehensive, cross-sectoral collaboration. According to a white paper on China's achievements in women's well-rounded development, recently released by the State Council Information Office, the country has established a legal system that is anchored by its constitution, centers on its Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests, and covers over 100 laws and regulations overall. China has also taken resolute actions to combat illegal acts that infringe upon the personal rights of women and girls. "China has in recent years promulgated a series of laws and regulations, improving the legal framework and providing solid guarantees for women's education, employment, healthcare and social participation," said Michel Olivier Kenne, a Cameroonian lecturer who has lived in China for over eight years, adding that the Chinese way of promoting women's rights offers global enlightenment. In a previous interview with Xinhua, Nahla Haidar, chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, said China had made notable progress in strengthening its legal framework, expanding education and enhancing social security. These efforts are crucial for the broader global movement toward gender equality. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Skills empowerment, notably, is another core pillar of women's development strategy in China. In north China's Tianjin Municipality, the Jin Guo Family Handicraft Workshop, a project of the local women's federation, is transforming the lives of women facing employment barriers. A remarkable example of this change came during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, when the medal-winning Chinese short track speed skating team held bouquets of "everlasting" crocheted flowers. These exquisite items were crafted by 24 women from Liangzi Village in Tianjin -- whose average age exceeded 50. This journey was not easy. Led by village women's federation chief Li Hongyu, the women started from scratch. The demanding Olympic order, requiring 1,380 stitches per rose with minimal margin for error, pushed them to their limits. Through targeted training and smart division of labor, they broke down the complex process, enabling even less skilled members to contribute. Ultimately, they delivered 12,000 flawless bouquets ahead of schedule. To date, nearly 400 women have joined the crocheting team. Their wide range of handmade products, including bouquets, potted plants, dolls, home decor items, bags and pendants, are sold nationwide. The vitality of China's approach is further demonstrated via global cooperation initiatives. In a rice field of Mahitsy in Madagascar, 29-year-old Rasolonomenjanahary Mbolatiana Anjarasoa applies techniques learned from the African Mothers' New Farm project to nurture seedlings. "A better harvest means I can send my children to school," she said. Led by the Hunan Women's Federation, this project helps African women enhance their skills and boost their independence, by establishing demonstration zones, dispatching agricultural experts and supporting entrepreneurial investment. The project has already helped 1,150 African women secure employment and resulted in the improvement of the living conditions of 950 families, serving as a vivid example of China fulfilling its international commitments regarding women's issues. According to Huang Xiaowei, deputy head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council, China has implemented empowerment projects totaling over 40 million U.S. dollars in more than 20 countries, trained over 200,000 women from more than 180 countries and regions, and provided employment support for women in more than 100 countries. At the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, being held from Oct. 13 to 14, participants are pooling wisdom to address key challenges in women's empowerment and strengthen their collective resolve to promote gender equality. Participating in the meeting, Amal Amaar, president of Egypt's National Council for Women, expressed appreciation of China's efforts in enhancing the protection of women's rights and women's empowerment. She hopes that this Beijing gathering will lay out a new global agenda for promoting women's rights. At the meeting, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland said in a video speech that the Beijing Declaration created a comprehensive visionary plan, which is still "the most progressive benchmark for women's and girls' rights." "Much has improved, but there is a long way to go," she said. "We must carry forward the Beijing spirit. The battle is not won, so the fight must continue." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in recognition of her persistent fight for democracy and her nonviolent challenge to authoritarian rule. The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored her "for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela." Shortly after the announcement, Machado publicly addressed President Donald Trump. She wrote, "Hoy mas que nunca contamos con el Presidente de los EEUU" ("Today more than ever we count on the President of the USA"), signaling that she expects U.S. support for her cause. She also asserted that Venezuela is "on the threshold of victory" in its struggle for freedom. Her message seems to address whatever feelings Trump could have about her recognition by the Nobel Committee and underscores an appeal to Trump's influence and power, connecting her victory to expectations of external support for democratic transitions in Venezuela. Este inmenso reconocimiento a la lucha de todos los venezolanos es un impulso para concluir nuestra tarea: conquistar la Libertad. Estamos en el umbral de la victoria y hoy mas que nunca contamos con el Presidente Trump, el pueblo de los Estados Unidos, los pueblos de America Maria Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) October 10, 2025 This immense recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to complete our task: to conquer Freedom. We are on the threshold of victory, and today more than ever we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our main allies in achieving Freedom and democracy. Venezuela will be free! Trump's Longstanding Drive for the Nobel When the Nobel committee's decision was announced, many observers noted that President Trump had long sought the Peace Prize himself. He has publicly framed his diplomatic initiatives as efforts worthy of the award. The reaction from the White House was less than congratulatory. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung accused the Nobel Committee of prioritizing "politics over peace." President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will. The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace. https://t.co/dwCEWjE0GE Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) October 10, 2025 "The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace," Cheung said in a social media publication. "President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will." In August 2025, Trump said winning the Nobel Peace Prize would be "a great honor," while denying that he was actively campaigning for it. He cited his efforts toward peace in Ukraine, Gaza, and IndiaPakistan as evidence of his qualifications. There are also reports that he personally reached out to promote his candidacy. Norwegian press outlets reported that Trump called Norway's finance minister, Jens Stoltenberg, to discuss his chances of a nomination. The call reportedly referenced both the Nobel prize and trade policies. His pursuit is not merely rhetorical. In 2025, several governments have publicly nominated Trump for the peace prize. Pakistan's government formally recommended him, citing his role in helping ease IndiaPakistan tensions. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu also revealed he nominated Trump during a meeting, presenting a letter supporting his candidacy. Despite those nominations, Trump's campaign fell short this year. In 2025, he was passed over in favor of Machado. The Nobel Committee's choice was announced before the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which some had hoped would boost his chances, meaning timing played a role in his exclusion. Machado's Nobel win comes at a moment of intense political symbolism. With Venezuela mired in crisis and authoritarianism strengthening, her international recognition gives fresh legitimacy to opposition voices. Her message to Trump suggests she expects more than symbolic backing, she's projecting that international pressure should follow. The pressure has been coming from the White House, naming Venezuela's President a drug dealer and a strongman, as well as mounting a military campaign in the Caribbean, which includes bombing small ships allegedly coming from the Venezuelan coasts filled with drugs, allegedly destined to the U.S. Originally published on Latin Times These renewed tensions, coupled with an expected record glut in the oil markets, are adding to concerns about global oil demand and could lead to further price declines. The trade tensions escalated after China sanctioned five U.S. subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean, citing their support for U.S. probes against Chinese maritime sectors. Oil prices, including both WTI and Brent crude, fell by over 2% due to renewed concerns about the trade war between the United States and China and its potential impact on the global economy. Oil prices wiped out earlier gains to dip by more than 2% in early U.S. trade on Tuesday amid renewed concerns that the trade war between the United States and China could slow global economy. As of 9:21 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, the U.S. benchmark, WTI Crude, fell to the $58 per barrel threshold, down by 2.07% on the day at $58.28. The international benchmark, Brent Crude, was trading below the $62 a barrel mark, and was down by 2.02% at $62.04. Oil had stabilized in early Asian trade on Tuesday, as hopes of a diplomatic thaw between Washington and Beijing helped to cool bearish sentiment. However, trade jitters later reverberated through the markets, after China sanctioned five U.S. subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean. Hanwhas subsidiaries in the U.S. have assisted and supported the U.S. governments probes and measures against Chinese maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors. China is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposes it, a spokesperson for Chinas Commerce Ministry said in a Tuesday statement, as carried by CNBC. The move from China means that Chinese entities and persons are prohibited from doing business with the sanctioned U.S. companies, effective immediately. The trade escalation follows last weeks enhanced export controls that China imposed for rare earths and rare earth processing technology. While President Trump still intends to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in South Korea later this month, the renewed tensions added to concerns about global economy and global oil demand. Thats on top of an expected record glut in the oil markets in the coming months. Crude oil is falling as risk appetite fades once again, led by renewed selling across U.S. equities amid persistent concerns over the trade wars impact on corporate results, and not least growing concerns about an AI bubble, Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, said on Tuesday. At this stage, only an escalation involving Russia may prevent prices from sliding further towards key support levels, in Brent below $60. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Shares of the top Chinese solar manufacturers surged in Shanghai on Tuesday, following a state media report that Chinas authorities plan stricter controls on the bloated manufacturing capacity that has created price wars and massive losses for companies. Shares in Trina Solar (SHA: 688599), the top manufacturer, jumped by more than 9%, JA Solar Technologies (SHE: 002459) surged by 9%, and LONGi Green Energy Technology Co Ltd (SHA: 601012) soared by 6.5%, to name a few. The solar stocks rally followed a Tuesday report by state-run Securities Times that Chinese authorities are preparing to issue a notice on strengthening the regulation and control of solar production capacity. Earlier this year, China launched in earnest the drive to curb excess capacity in the solar manufacturing sector, which has doomed many companies to price wars and deepening losses. The combined losses of six of Chinas biggest solar panel and cell manufacturers doubled in the first half of 2025, to $2.8 billion (20.2 billion Chinese yuan), from the same period last year, the Financial Times reported last month, citing data from local financial information provider Wind. All top Chinese solar equipment producers had already booked losses for the first quarter of 2025, blaming the continued losses on low product prices and the trade and tariff turbulence under U.S. President Donald Trump. The Chinese solar wafers, panels, switchers, and other equipment producers have been struggling on the domestic market amid overcapacity that Chinas authorities moved to address only in late 2024. This summer, Chinas authorities stepped up efforts to tackle the overcapacity in Chinas clean technology industries. Chinese authorities have realized that cutthroat competition, overcapacity, and low-quality manufacturing are hurting enterprises. Following months of introducing several measures to try to curb excess cleantech manufacturing capacity, China has now vowed to become more serious in addressing the problem. Chinese authorities and media have intensified in recent months the message that the disorderly price competition and overcapacity need to be addressed. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices stabilized slightly in Asian trade on Tuesday, recouping some losses from the prior week as hopes of a diplomatic thaw between Washington and Beijing helped to cool bearish sentiment. While structural headwinds persist in the form of rising output and soft demand, traders are cautiously repositioning. After a sharp drop late last week when President Trump threatened a 100 % tariff on Chinese exports, oil prices had slumped to near five-month lows amid fear of demand contraction. A ceasefire in Gaza only added to downward pressure due to an easing of geopolitical risk. The most recent reversal stems largely from positive sounds coming from Beijing and Washington over a potential trade war. Most notably, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that President Trump intends to meet President Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC in South Korea. At the time of writing, WTI futures were trading slightly higher at $59.64 while Brent had risen to $63.45. Despite the modest rebound, structural risks remain significant. U.S. oil futures backwardation has cooled to a 20-month low, as the premium of nearest contracts over more distant months narrows - a hallmark of softening prompt tightness and growing oversupply fears. OPECs latest monthly report, however, adjusted expectations. The organization now sees the 2026 supply shortfall as minor, roughly 50,000 bpd, as its increased output begins to alter the balance in markets. Chinas crude imports in September rose ~3.9 % year-on-year to around 47.25 million metric tons, hinting at resilience in refining runs or strategic stockpiling. That said, the demand environment remains uneven globally, and concerns linger that any renewed trade skirmishes could erode fuel consumption. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russian Novatek is loading a new LNG cargo from its Arctic LNG 2, a heavily sanctioned facility that was only completed recently, while under sanctions. This is the tenth cargo of liquefied gas since June, Bloomberg reported. Arctic LNG 2 began liquefying gas in late 2023, which was the year the Biden administration imposed sanctions on the facility in a bid to pressure Russias key energy industry. The European Union has also sanctioned Novatek. The sanctions have cut off the Russian companys access to Western funding and shipping insurance, but, like oil exporters, it has found alternatives. This, despite the sanctions, exports of liquefied gas from Arctic LNG 2 began in August 2024 and continued until November, before the weather and, per Bloomberg, lack of buyers, put a temporary end to the shipments. This year, exports have restarted, all of them going to China, after China stopped buying U.S. liquefied gas amid the two countries trade spat. Not only that, but Novatek last month reported record production for August, thanks to the summer thawing of the Northern Sea Route, which made it possible for more LNG cargos to be shipped to Asia. Since late August, when it started buying LNG from Novateks second facility, China has received over 370,000 tonnes of the superchilled fuel. Arctic LNG 2 is designed for three trains of 6.6 million tons per year each for a total planned capacity of 19.8 million tons annually. Sanctions on Russian shipyards and technology suppliers have delayed deliveries of additional carriers, creating a shortage that caps export flexibility. Located in the Gydan Peninsula, right next to one of Russias legacy oil and gas producing regions, the Yamal Peninsula, Novateks Arctic LNG 2 was considered key to Russias efforts to boost its global LNG market share from 8% to 20% by 2030-2035. U.S. and EU sanctions have interfered with these plans, but they appear to have failed to cancel them completely. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The energy transition has failed to live up to its promise, and now the pendulum is swinging back to traditional energy, according to a statement by the chief executive of Saudi Aramco, quoted by Zawya. Speaking at the Energy Intelligence Forum in the UK, Amin Nasser said that Much of the promised progress has not been delivered, with many unintended consequences. Thankfully, it is finally shifting the narrative in three key ways. The shift concerns, first, the fact that alternative energy sources have added to rather than replaced oil and gas, and second, that every major forecaster is revising scenarios, with oil and gas locked in for decades, Nasser said, saying he hoped the outlook for long-term oil and gas investment had changed for the better. The third aspect of the shift in the energy narrative, per Nasser, is the growing number of political U-turns in energy as politicians acknowledge that the realities of the energy transition are very different from the theory. Related: Dont Mess with Texas: Organized Oilfield Theft Triggers Statewide Response Global energy demand has grown by 40 million barrels of oil equivalent daily over the last ten years, Nasser also said at the gathering. Some 66% of this new demand has been covered by oil, gas, and coal, he noted, as quoted by Zawya. To date, total global primary energy consumption translates into 340 million barrels of oil equivalent, of which 80% comes from hydrocarbons - despite some $11 trillion being spent on alternative sources of energy such as wind and solar. This is not a phase-down of hydrocarbons, let alone a phase-out, Nasser noted, with data consistently showing that even coal demand is on the rise despite efforts to curb it in many parts of the world. Aramcos top executive also issued a warning about energy demand, which is currently experiencing a growth spurt driven by AI. By 2030, the entire data centre ecosystem could be consuming up to four times more electricity than the entire global battery EV fleet, Nasser said. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Sunflower husk pellets for heating All Ads by User Report Abuse Country: Georgia City: Tbilisi When having questions on Sunflower husk pellets for heating, please send your inquury! 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: New technologies, like the three-camera photogrammetry rig shown here, offer important contributions to underwater archaeology, according to paper co-author UC San Diego Professor Thomas Levy. Credit: Amir Yurman, University of Haifa New research out of the University of California San Diego and the University of Haifa is reshaping what we know about ancient seaborne trade in the eastern Mediterranean. Published recently in Antiquity, a new paper documents the first-ever discovery of Iron Age ship cargoes within a former port city in Israel and provides rare, direct evidence of trade in a period previously understood largely through land-based finds. Spearheaded by UC San Diego's Thomas E. Levy, co-director of the UC San Diego Qualcomm Institute Center for Cyber-Archaeology and Sustainability, a distinguished professor in the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs and inaugural holder of the Norma Kershaw Chair in the Archaeology of Ancient Israel and Neighboring Lands in the Department of Anthropology, and Assaf Yasur-Landau, the founder of the University of Haifa's Laboratory for Coastal Archaeology and Underwater Survey, the international research team has revealed new patterns of connectivity, commerce and political change in the region from the 11th to 6th centuries BCE. The researchers uncovered three distinct submerged cargo assemblages in the Dor Lagoonalso known as Tantura Lagoonon Israel's Carmel Coast. This was once home to the bustling port city of Dor, which sat at the crossroads of Egyptian, Phoenician and later Assyrian and Babylonian trade. These are among the very few Iron Age cargoes known across the entire Mediterranean and the first tied to a known Iron Age port city in the southern Levant. The project is part of the long-running marine and cyber-archaeology collaboration between UC San Diego's Center for Cyber-Archaeology and Sustainability and the University of Haifa's School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures. Through this partnership, researchers combine cutting-edge technologies like 3D modeling, multispectral imaging and digital mapping with traditional archaeological excavation to explore submerged cultural heritage. Ancient cargoes tell a story of trade, power and decline The three cargoes each belong to a different chapter in the Iron Age and they all reflect shifts in regional political and economic landscapes. Dor M, the oldest cargo, dates to the 11th century BCE and includes a cluster of storage jars and an anchor inscribed with Cypro-Minoan writing. "Scripts on the anchor and storage jars found in Dor M suggest connections to Cyprus and Egypt," the authors note, "and the typology of the storage jars provides a link to the Phoenician coast." Together, the findings at Dor M align with the Egyptian "Report of Wenamun," a literary text from around 1,000 BCE that describes maritime journeys to Dor and beyond during this period. The Dor L2 site has yielded material from the late 7th or early 6th century BCE, including a) iron ingots, b) a base of a basket handle amphora (tall jar) with resin, c) handles of amphorae and d) a base of basket handle amphora with grape seeds. Credit: Figure by Jonathan Gottlieb, Yoav Bornstein and Marko Runjajic, from Antiquity (2025). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2025.71 Dor L1 includes Phoenician-style jars and thin-walled bowls that date from the late 9th to early 8th century BCE. Unlike Dor M, this cargo lacks evidence of trade with Egypt and Cyprus. The authors point out that although this does align with land-based findings that show a decline in Dor's connectivity and imports under Israelite control, the cargo provides "unequivocal evidence for the continuation of maritime activity" during that time period. Dor L2 is the most intact and recent of the three; it dates to the late 7th or early 6th century BCE and is the most complete cargo. It includes Cypriot-style basket-handle amphorae and, remarkably, iron blooms (porous masses of metallic iron and slag that are an intermediate product of an iron ore smelting method). "Iron Age anchors with both wood and lead components are rare but attested in the archaeological record," the authors explain, highlighting that such blooms "point to early industrial-scale metal trade" at this time. Based on radiocarbon dating and residue analysis, the cargo is likely from the days when Dor was a thriving maritime hub operating under the imperial control of the Babylonian or Assyrian empires. The finding aligns well with other Iron Age shipwrecks found along the Anatolian coast that suggest "an expanded interaction zone" after Dor "returned to Phoenician hands." The team also recovered botanical remains like date pits. In one instance, "a basket-handle amphora base containing grape seeds provides a date range similar to the L2 anchor," helping to confirm the cargo's dating. 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. A new lens on ancient connectivity While the excavations to date have only uncovered the uppermost layers of the site's sandbar, the findings already point to Dor as a dynamic maritime center whose fortunes rose and fell with geopolitical tides. The lagoon itself and its harbor are protected by three islets to the west. Discoveries of quays, stone anchors and artificial jetty-like structures called "moles" have seen Dor emerge as a vital node in the Iron Age Mediterranean trade web. Still, these findings are only the beginning. To date, the study has "excavated only up to 25% of the sandbar in which the cargoes are located, and excavations are ongoing." Many more artifacts remain buried, including possible sections of a ship's hull in Dor L2. The work builds on nearly a decade of collaboration between UC San Diego and the University of Haifa, supported in part by the Qualcomm Institute's emphasis on cyber-archaeology and the use of advanced digital tools to preserve and analyze submerged cultural heritage. By integrating cyber-archaeology methods with underwater excavation, the team was able to reconstruct ancient shipping activity with an unprecedented level of detail, down to the grape seeds, date pits and anchor inscriptions. The research is not only a significant academic discovery but also a working model for cross-border, cross-disciplinary archaeological research. More information: Assaf Yasur-Landau et al, Iron Age ship cargoes from the harbour of Dor (Israel), Antiquity (2025). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2025.71 Journal information: Antiquity This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: (a) Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a reference device, taken before depositing the global top gate. The square Al islands (gray) are patterned on top of the semiconducting heterostructure (green-gray) and are separated by a frame gate (yellow). (b) Schematic cross section of the device illustrating dual gate geometry. The lower frame gate tunes the central part of the junctions, while the global top gate tunes the 2DEG surrounding the islands. (c) Optical micrograph of the measured Hall bar device showing measurement setup. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/xbm4-37cf Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, steered very thin conductors from superconductivity to insulationcreating an "impossible," strange state between the two mutually exclusive states. Materials research is absolutely crucial when dealing with quantum states. Whatever material is used as the basis for creating controllable quantum states, like if you want to build applications using quantum states for computing, sensing, or communication, the materials often define to what extent you can eliminate the ever-present noise that disturbs or even disrupts the desired "clean" quantum states or signals. It is an ongoing battle. The team led by Saulius Vaitiekenas, associate professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, has succeeded in creating what is supposed to be an impossible intermediate state between superconductor = absolutely no resistance or loss of electrical connectionand total insulation = complete shut-off of the electrical signal. The work is published in the journal Physical Review Letters. Cross-talk switchboard made the unexpected behavior possible The group built a "switchboard" with tiny superconducting islands equipped with a voltage-knoba bit like a transistorthat allowed them to control the cross-talk between these islands. According to an old prediction, the system was expected to go from superconducting, when the islands are allowed to "talk" to each other, straight to insulating, when they're disconnected. Instead, the researchers found an intermediate state, where the islands continue talking to each other, but without superconductivity. Because of this unexpected behavior, the state is called an anomalous metallic regime. "Our study sheds more light on this state, indicating that it's quantum fluctuations or, to be a little more precise, the uncertainty between the superconducting phase between the islands and the number of particles in the islands within our sample, that gives rise to this behavior," says Vaitiekenas. Quantum phase transitionsand understanding themis one of the pieces in a big puzzle The experiment sheds light on the long-standing question about the anomalous metalan unexpected state of matter that was observed when the devices were tuned from being a superconductor (perfect conductor) to an insulator. As Vaitiekenas explains, "Understanding such quantum phase transitions is like solving a big puzzle. One piece at a time might not reveal the whole picture, but, in the long run, it might be a step toward electronics that waste less energy and quantum devices that are more controllable and reliable for future applications." Contributors to the work are Satyaki Sasmal, Maria Efthymiou-Tsironi, Gunjan Nagda, Emma Fugl, Lara Liva Olsen, Filip Krizek, Charles M. Marcus and S. Vaitiekenas. 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 Chandra X-Ray Observatory's view of planetary nebula Pa 30, one of the prime suspects for SN 1181. Credit: NASA/Chandra. It's great to see old astronomical observations come to light. Not only can these confirm or refute what's known about historic astronomical events, but they can describe what early observers actually saw. A recent study posted to the arXiv preprint server cites two Arabic texts that may refer to accounts of two well-known supernovae seen in our galaxy: one in 1006 AD and another in 1181 AD. Like Far Eastern observers, Arab astronomers were astute observers of the night sky, and patiently noted what they saw, including changes in the familiar constellation patterns such as novae and supernovae. While we often see supernovae out across the universe in distant galaxies, galactic supernovae are a rarity. The last prominent one, Kepler's Star in 1604 occurred just before the telescope came into general use. Here we are, more than four centuries later, still waiting for the next one. The two historic supernovae in 1006 and 1181 were prominent in the sky, and noted by observers across the Near and Far East. Arab astronomers noted the Supernova of 1181 (SN 1181) in the constellation they referred to as "The Henna Painted Hand," in the modern-day W-shaped constellation of Cassiopeia. The text found in the study was written by Ibn Sana' al-Mulk praising Saladin, known for his defeat of Crusader armies and conquest of Jerusalem. The crucial line in the text translates: "I see how everything on the surface of Earth has increased in number thanks to your justice; now even the stars (anjum) in the sky have increased in number. (The sky) adorned itself with a star (najm); nay, it smiled through it, because whoever is delighted by a delightful thing smiles." The study notes that the poem would have probably been written to be read in the presence of both Saladin and his brother, both of whom were last present in Cairo in 11811182, right around the time the supernova would have been visible. The other supernova referenced in the study (SN 1006) occurred deep in the southern hemisphere and was only visible to viewers from latitude 40 southward. Rome, Italy is located at northern latitude 41 degrees. SN 1006 was seen on what is the modern-day border of the constellations Lupus and Hydra. The account of the Supernova of 1006 comes from historian Ahmad ibn 'Ali al-Maqrizi who lived and wrote some centuries later from 1364 to 1442. He writes that: "When Abu Rakwah rose in revolt, a star (kawkab) with a tail appeared. It shone like the moon with brightness and gleam and its light strengthened and increased so long as Abu Rakwah's cause got on well and became ominous. This star remained some months; then its light dwindled and its gleam faded away." Certainly, a comet would've also fit the description, though it's rare that a bright comet lingers in the sky for several months. Other contemporary Arab texts use the term "kawkab" interchangeably for comets, stars and planets, and notably for the prominent SN 1006. Certainly, its low southern declination would have been subject to distortion and scintillation, low in the murk of the horizon. 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. "For SN 1181, there were only Chinese and Japanese records known before, so that any new reports with astronomical details are important," Ralph Neuhauser (University of Jena, Germany) told Universe Today. This is essential, as the potential source remnant as seen today and its location in the sky is still a matter of dispute. "The Arabic poem gives information on the position of the star and maybe its brightness (brighter than the stars in Cassiopeia)." This would've pegged it at magnitude 0, easily naked-eye. "SN 1181 is also important to astrophysics, because it was previously suggested to be an unusual type Iax supernova (a rare type of supernova which leaves behind a 'zombie' star remnant). This would be the first found in our galaxy." "For SN 1006, it is just one more Arabic text without new astronomical information, but consistent with previous ones," says Neuhauser. "It was very bright and reported often." Indeed, SN 1006 may have topped out at an amazing magnitude -7, and been bright enough to be seen in the daytime sky. European observers missed this one for the most part, due to its deep southern declination. "The poem on SN 1181 was discovered by Jens Fischer of the University of Munster in Germany, who re-dated the poem and then noticed the supernova," says Neuhauser. "The new text on SN 1006 was found by Heinz Halm of the University of Tubingen, Germany. Both discoveries were serendipitous." It's fascinating that only Arab and Oriental observers seemed to have made mention of these two supernovae, although they must have been fairly prominent in the sky. "SN 1006 was brighter than all the planets and reported in East Asia and Arabia, but was too far south in the sky for most of Europe," says Neuhauser. "It was reported by a Swiss monk, and some people in Italy. SN 1181 was not very bright, maybe 0 to +1st magnitude (comparable to Saturn). It may still be possible to expect and find more reports from Arabia and Europe." Certainly, there's more left to discover, in terms of ancient texts and astronomical research. "I am currently working on the reconstruction of light curves and color evolution of the supernovae of 1572 and 1604 with many new records found in Europe," says Neuhauser. The study of supernovae is important to modern astronomy and astrophysics. Supernovae are crucial recyclers of material, shedding heavy elements back into the cosmos. And though a nearby "kilonova" would spell a bad day for Earth, none exist with the potential to go supernova within the 25 light-year kill radius. The most famous supernova-in-waiting of all is Betelgeuse, located approximately 500 light-years distant. An ancient supernova event near our solar system may even be the reason we walk upright. For now, though, we'll still have to just read about these supernovae of yore, while we wait until the next brilliant galactic supernova graces our night skies, hopefully, in our lifetimes. More information: J. G. Fischer et al, New Arabic records from Cairo on supernovae 1181 and 1006, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2509.04127 Journal information: arXiv This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Whether they're knocking at your door trick or treating, or hung as decorations in shop windows, witches are rife at this time of year. They're easy to recognize, wearing tall, pointed hats, carrying broomsticks, or peering into a cauldronbut where did these stereotypes associated with witches come from? 1. Broomsticks Much like brooms today, in the 1500s the broomstick was a household tool used to sweep hearths and floors. In rural villages, broomsticks were also often used as a form of signage by alewives, who would place them outside their cottages to show that ale was for sale within. Somehow, this innocuous object found its way into stories of witchcraft. The first image of women flying on broomsticks is believed to be in the manuscript of French poet Martin Le Franc's Le Champion des Dames (The Defender of Ladies), published in 1485. Women sat astride broomsticks are drawn alongside the text, in the margins of the pages, much as accused witches were often maligned women on the margins of society. One of the most influential pieces of writing on witchcraft was the Malleus Maleficarum published in 1486 by German clergyman Heinrich Kramer. Kramer's anti-witchcraft tract alluded to witches flying on anointed broomsticks with the aid of the devil. Given that the work is firmly rooted in misogyny, and depicts witches as a direct threat to the domestic sphere, it's fitting that such a mundane household item became an object of malice. 2. Cauldrons Another domestic item, the cauldron, has also become synonymous with witchcraft. Instead of stews and broths, witches are often shown using cauldrons to stir up potions and spells. Again, it's likely that this is rooted in ideas of women subverting their usual household duties, as well as a connection to healing practices. In the 16th and 17th century, people relied on lay healers, people who learned their craft through experience and knowledge passed down through the generations. These healers were usually women who had knowledge of herbal remedies and salves that would claim to cure ailments and heal people and sick animals. As the Reformation drew in and the church became more powerful, lay healing practices and unlicensed healing was pushed aside in favor of trained physicians. With this shift, lay healers boiling herbs in their cauldrons were looked on with increasing suspicion. 3. Tall black hats Depictions of witches vary across Europe, but there's no doubt that a tall, black hat has become associated with witches, especially in the UK and the US. There's no definitive source for this strange stereotype, but speculation about where it came from is rife, ranging from ideas about Quaker hats to general medieval dress. Women in early modern (1500 to 1780) Wales typically dressed in long, heavy woolen skirts, aprons, blouses and a large woolen shawl, and a traditional tall, black hat, so there is speculation among some researchers that this served as inspiration for the wide-brimmed hat of the fairy tale witch. This is fitting given that Wales, along with Cornwall, was seen by Protestant reformers of the early modern period as a land rife with magic and sorcery. Outside of Europe, tall black hats have also been found on mummies from 200BC unearthed in Subeshi, China, leading scientists to name them the "the witches of Subeshi." 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. 4. Long, scraggly hair Depictions of witches usually involve women with long, scraggly hair, often trailing behind them as they ride their broomsticks. It's likely that this conception of witches comes from the dichotomy between "good" Christian women and their "bad" witch counterparts that was established during the Reformation. In the post-medieval period, married women ordinarily covered their hair beneath a cap, and loose hair was generally regarded as an improper attribute of temptresses and the dissolute. Agnes Griffiths, a Welsh woman accused of witchcraft in 1618, was reportedly seen through the window of her home using something sharp to prick a wax figure, and was described as doing this "with her heart about her ears". The accusation suggests disdain for women who refused to conform to expectations of their gender. In an extension of this, witches were also suspected of hiding wax, which they would use for their sorcery, in their hair, contributing to the stereotype of witches as having greasy locks. 5. Black cats Women accused of witchcraft between the 14th and 17th centuries were often accused of keeping a familiaran animal that was actually the devil or a demon in disguise. Familiar spirits were said to come in any number of guises, from frogs and rats to dogs, small horses and even badgers. In a perverse parody of breastfeeding an infant, witches were believed to feed the familiars from their own bodies, and were often consequently stripped and searched for a "witch's teat". The cleric Robert Holland's witchcraft treatise, which presents some colorful ideas about witchcraft, recounts a story about a witch who would always have a docile rat feeding in her lap. It goes on to claim that demons would appear in the form that was easiest to keep as a pet, such as cats, mice and frogs, and tells of an old woman and her daughter who were known to have kept the devil for a long time in various animal guises. Supposedly, the older woman fed the animals with blood from her own breasts. In one particularly famous case of witchcraft, that of Elizabeth Clarke of Manningtree, Clarke admitted to keeping several familiar spirits, and the most well remembered of these was her cat, Vinegar Tom. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Illustration of the synergistic mechanism by which an additional silver atom enhances the PL quantum yield of high-nuclear Ag NCs. Credit: Yuichi Negishi et al. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c10289 A team of researchers from Tohoku University, Tokyo University of Science, and the Institute for Molecular Science have uncovered how the precise addition of a single silver (Ag) atom can dramatically transform the light-emitting properties of high-nuclear Ag nanoclusters (NCs). The study reports a remarkable 77-fold increase in photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) at room temperaturea milestone that paves the way for practical applications in optoelectronics and sensing technologies. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Photoluminescence quantum yield is an important metric used to evaluate the efficiency of photoluminescence, which is how well a material can absorb energy and convert it into light. Improving PLQY positively impacts technology such as OLEDs in TV screens. However, choosing materials with high PLQY alone is not enough. For example, Ag NCs have inherently low PL efficiency that has long limited practical applications, but there is immense promise held in their unique optical properties. To probe the structure-property relationship in greater detail, the team synthesized and compared two closely related anion-templated Ag NCs: [SO 4 @Ag 78 S 15 (CpS) 27 (CF 3 COO) 18 ]+: Ag 78 NC (CpS: cyclopentanethiolate), [SO 4 @Ag 79 S 15 (iPrS) 28 (iPrSO 3 ) 15 (CF 3 COO) 4 ]: Ag 79 NC (iPrS: iso-propyl thiolate). Both NCs share a common structural framework, with the key distinction being a single additional Ag atom in the outermost shell of Ag 79 NC. This addition was achieved through subtle modifications of the surface-protecting ligands, particularly the in-situ generated iPrSO 3 - group, which created a void within the NC framework that enabled the extra atom's incorporation. While the core structures remained largely unchanged, the shell modification had profound effects. In Ag 79 NC, the added silver atom enhanced radiative decay rates and a more rigid cluster. The rigidity effectively suppressed non-radiative decay pathways that typically diminish luminescence efficiency. The combination of these factorsenhanced radiative decay from symmetry reduction and reduced non-radiative losses from structural rigidityenabled the Ag 79 NC to exhibit a remarkable 77-fold improvement in PL quantum yield over Ag 78 NC at room temperature. "This is the first clear evidence that the incorporation of just one extra silver atom, guided by ligand design, can drastically boost performance," Professor Negishi explained. "Our findings open a pathway to rationally engineer efficient light-emitting nanoclusters through atomic-level structural modifications." With this new advancement, researchers anticipate new opportunities for deploying silver nanoclusters in high-performance light-emitting devices, bioimaging, and catalytic systems, where efficient luminescence at room temperature is critical. More information: Aoi Akiyama et al, Triggering Photoluminescence in High-Nuclear Silver Nanoclusters via Extra Silver Atom Incorporation, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c10289 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical 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: Dracula vampira orchid. Credit: Eric Hunt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 They look like tiny monkeys peering out from the mist. Known to scientists as Dracula, the so-called "monkey-face orchids" have become online celebrities. Millions of people have shared their photos, marveling at flowers that seem to smile, frown or even grimace. But behind that viral charm lies a very different reality: most of these species are teetering on the edge of extinction. A new global assessment has, for the first time, revealed the conservation status of all known Dracula orchids. The findings are dire. Out of 133 species assessed, nearly 7 in 10 are threatened with extinction. Many exist only in tiny fragments of forest, some in just one or two known locations. A few are known only from plants growing in cultivation. Their wild populations may already be gone. These orchids grow mainly in the Andean cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador, some of the most biologically rich but also most endangered ecosystems on the planet. Their survival depends on cool, humid conditions at mid to high altitudes, where constant mist wraps the trees. Unfortunately, those same slopes are being rapidly cleared for cattle pasture, crops like avocado, and expanding roads and mining projects, activities that are directly threatening several Dracula species (such as Dracula terborchii). As forests shrink and fragment, the orchids lose the microclimates (the specific temperature, light and humidity conditions) that they depend on for survival. Another threat comes from people's fascination with these rare and charismatic plants. Orchids have been prized for their flowers for hundreds of years, with European trade starting in the 19th century, when "orchid fever" captivated wealthy collectors, leading to huge increases in wild collection in tropical areas. Today, that fascination continues, fueled by the internet. Many enthusiasts and professional growers trade in cultivated plants responsibly, but others still seek wild orchids, and Dracula species are no exception. For a plant that may exist in populations of just a few dozen individuals, a single collecting trip can be disastrous. Turning popularity into protection In Ecuador's north-western Andes, a place named Reserva Dr.acula protects one of the world's richest concentrations of these orchids. The reserve is home to at least ten Dracula species, five of them found nowhere else on Earth. But the threats are closing in. Deforestation for agriculture, illegal mining and even the presence of armed groups now endanger the reserve's staff and surrounding communities. Local conservationists at Fundacion EcoMinga, who manage the area, have described the situation as "urgent." Their proposals include strengthening community-based monitoring, supporting sustainable farming and developing eco-tourism to provide income from protecting, rather than clearing, the forest. When you see these flowers up close, it's easy to understand why they attract such fascination. Their name, Dracula, comes not from vampires but from the Latin for "little dragon," a nod to their long, fang-like sepals, the petal-like structures that protect the developing orchid flower. Their strange shapes astonished 19th-century botanists, who thought they might be a hoax. Later, as more species were discovered, people began to notice that many resembled tiny primates, hence the nickname "monkey-face orchids." They've been called the pandas of the orchid world: charismatic, instantly recognizable, but also deeply endangered. 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. That charisma, however, hasn't yet translated into protection. Until recently, only a handful of Dracula species had had their conservation status formally assessed, leaving most of the group's fate a mystery. The new assessment was led by a team of botanists from Colombia and Ecuador, with collaborators from several international organizations including the University of Oxford and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission's Orchid Specialist Group, finally closes that gap. It draws on herbarium records (dried plant specimens collected by botanists), field data and local expertise to map where each species occurs and estimate how much forest remains. The results confirm what many orchid specialists had long suspected: Dracula species are in serious trouble. Despite this grim outlook, there are reasons for hope. The Reserva Dr.acula and other protected areas are vital refuges, offering safe havens not only for orchids but for frogs, monkeys and countless other species. Local organizations are working with communities to promote sustainable agriculture, develop ecotourism and reward conservation through payments for ecosystem services. These are modest efforts compared with the scale of the challenge, but they show that solutions exist, if the world pays attention. There's also an opportunity here to turn popularity into protection. The same internet fame that fuels demand for these orchids could help fund their conservation. If viral posts about "smiling flowers" included information about where they come from and how threatened they are, they could help change norms about the need to avoid overcollection. Just as the panda became a symbol for wildlife conservation, monkey-face orchids could become icons for plant conservation, a reminder that biodiversity isn't only about animals. Whether future generations will still find these faces in the forest, and not just in digital feeds, depends on how we act now. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain When Storm Amy battered the Scottish Highlands in early October, it tore through a salmon farm's sea pens, releasing around 75,000 fish into open water in Loch Linnhe. The scale of the escape is alarming. It comes at a time when wild Atlantic salmonalready classified as "endangered" in Great Britainare in decline. For an animal so central to the UK's ecology, culture and economy, the incident has serious implications. At first glance, it might sound like a rare bit of good news: thousands of fish freed from captivity, perhaps even helping to bolster wild populations. But the reality is far less heartwarming. These fish are not wild salmon in any meaningful sense. They are highly domesticated animals, selectively bred over decades for traits that make them profitable in captivity but poorly equipped for survival in the wild. Aquaculturethe farming of fish and other aquatic specieshas become one of the fastest-growing forms of food production in the world. The most valuable of all farmed marine species is the Atlantic salmon, which accounted for 18% of global marine aquaculture production value in 2022. The UK is the third largest producer, with almost all production centered around Scotland's coast. Modern salmon farming typically involves rearing young fish in freshwater hatcheries before transferring them to sea cages or pens. Each farm may hold six to ten large nets, each containing up to 200,000 fish. Having salmon nets open to strong tidal currents is key to their design, allowing clean oxygenated water to enter and waste to be removed. However, this also means that they are vulnerable to adverse weather conditions. To combat this, more sheltered coastal regions are used, like fjords or lochs, but this only offers so much protection. Storm Amy demonstrated that vulnerability all too clearly. From wild fish to livestock Atlantic salmon farming began in the 1970s. Since then, the species has undergone intensive selective breeding, much like sheep, dogs or chickens. Fish have been chosen for faster growth, delayed sexual maturity, disease resistance and other commercially desirable traits. Around 90% of the salmon used in Scottish aquaculture originate from Norwegian stock. After 15 generations of selection, these farmed salmon are now among the most domesticated fish species in the world. They no longer resemble their wild relatives in important ways. Farmed salmon differ genetically, physiologically and behaviorally. They are often larger, mature differently and feed on pellets instead of hunting live prey. Changes which make them more vulnerable to predators. Farmed salmon even have traits which will make them less attractive to wild counterparts. Many would struggle to survive for long in the wild. The problem isn't just that farmed salmon die when they escape but what happens when some of them don't. Studies show that in certain Scottish and Norwegian rivers, more than 10% of salmon caught are of farmed origin, with numbers highest near intensive farming areas. 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. Although these fish are maladapted to wild conditions, a few survive long enough to reach rivers and attempt to spawn. When they breed with wild salmon, their offspring inherit a mix of traitsneither truly wild nor farmedleaving them less suited to their natural environment. This process, known as "genetic introgression," gradually damages the genetic integrity of wild populations. Timing makes this latest incident particularly concerning. Wild salmon are now returning to Scottish rivers to spawn. The sudden influx of tens of thousands of farmed escapees increases the chance of interbreeding, and of long-term genetic damage. The scale of this single escape is extraordinary. Scotland's total returning wild salmon population is estimated at around 300,000 fish. The release of 75,000 farmed salmon represents roughly a quarter of that number. Even if only 1% of the escapees survive and breed, that would mean around 750 fish entering rivers and potentially mixing with wild populations. A 2021 Marine Scotland report found that rivers near some fish farms are in "very poor condition," with evidence of major genetic changes. Worryingly, other nearby rivers previously classed as being in "good condition" could now be at risk too. Wild Atlantic salmon already face multiple human-driven threats like climate change, habitat loss, pollution and invasive species. Genetic pollution from farmed escapees is yet another blow. It's one that undermines the species' resilience to other forms of environmental change. The release caused by Storm Amy may be one incident, but it's symptomatic of a wider problem. As storms intensify with a changing climate, the likelihood of future escapes grows. Without tighter regulation, better containment measures and effective genetic monitoring of wild populations, these events could continue to erode what's left of UK's wild salmon. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Avocado fruit showing characteristic avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) symptoms. The fruit displays a distinct longitudinal yellow streak with sharply demarcated margins, typical of sunblotch infection. Symptoms can vary but often include irregular yellow or whitish streaks, discoloration, and deformed fruit. These samples were assessed for the disease at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center. Credit: TREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic Florida avocados, a signature staple in kitchens, a favored fruit tree in landscapes and a source of pride for the state's growers, are facing a renewed threat from avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd). The disease, documented in California since the early 1900s, is considered a major concern in all avocado-producing countries because it can severely stunt avocado tree growth, deform fruit and silently spread through groves. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are calling on growers, industry partners and the public to remain vigilant and take steps now to contain the disease before it further disrupts the state's avocado industry. "Avocado sunblotch viroid is an insidious threat to avocado production world-wide and, if not controlled, will result in a loss of fruit production and quality," said Jonathan Crane, a tropical fruit crop specialist at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC). For consumers, this could mean fewer locally grown avocados in stores and potentially higher prices, while for growers, it represents another challenge on top of existing threats like laurel wilt disease and hurricanes. The disease is caused by a viroid, one of the smallest known infectious organisms to disrupt a tree's normal growth and fruit production. First reported in Florida in 1941, avocado sunblotch spreads through root grafts among neighboring trees, contaminated pruning or grafting tools, propagation materials such as budwood and seed and even pollen carried by honeybees. The viroid can reduce crop yields by as much as 80%, deform fruit and leave trees weakened or stunted. Part of the problem, according to UF/IFAS experts, is that infected trees may look healthy for years. When symptoms appear, they range from streaked or blotched fruit to unusual coloring on stems and leaves or simply a sharp drop in yield. Even trees free of symptoms can quietly spread the viroid through their seeds or pollen. "Hundreds of grafted avocado trees are being produced to establish orchards in new areas, driving the industry's expansion northward," said Romina Gazis, associate professor of plant pathology and director of the Plant Diagnostic Clinic at TREC. "At the same time, growers are replanting in orchards where trees were lost to laurel wilt. Because our industry relies on seedling-grafted trees, and the seeds themselves may carry the viroid, it's critical to scout and test for its presence to protect new plantings." Florida avocado growers are seriously concerned about the disease, she said. Currently, the state does not have an industry program to certify that budwood or seeds are free of the viroid. In the past, Florida growers recognized the symptoms and took steps to control its spread, but without continued vigilance, ASBVd could increase again, especially as thousands of new trees are being planted for trees lost to laurel wilt and expansion of the industry to Central Florida. UF/IFAS scientists urge nurseries to test their budwood trees annually, growers to train staff to spot trees with potential ASBVd symptoms and packinghouses to be on alert for fruit that shows signs of the disease. Infected trees must be destroyed to prevent them from serving as reservoirs of infection, and equipment should always be sanitized. Avocado fruit showing characteristic avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) symptoms in a grove in South Florida. The fruit displays a distinct longitudinal yellow streak with sharply demarcated margins, typical of sunblotch infection. Symptoms can vary but often include irregular yellow or whitish streaks, discoloration, and deformed fruit. Credit: TREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic For homeowners with avocado trees in their landscape, UF/IFAS experts urge them to watch for fruit showing ASBVd symptoms, have the tree tested, and if positive, remove the tree. Together the avocado producers and nurseries, along with vigilant urban residents, can make a significant contribution to safeguarding Florida's wonderful and tasty avocado fruit, said Crane. "Historically, Florida's avocado growers, nurseries and packers were much more aware of ASBVd and worked collaboratively to eliminate ASBVd trees," said Crane. With timely and strict sanitation practices, including the complete removal of infected trees and sanitation of equipment and tools, they were able to eradicate the disease from two avocado germplasm collections, he said. "Today, many new growers and nurseries are not aware of this threat to the industry but with our UF/IFAS Extension renewed effort to educate the industry we can once again control this disease," said Gazis. More information: Growers and industry partners seeking more information or testing services can contact the UF/IFAS TREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic in Homestead. In addition, the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center team has a dedicated Avocado Sunblotch Viroid resource website, offering detailed guidance images of symptoms and management recommendations. Beijing, China (PANA) - UN Deputy-Secretary General Amina Mohammed has acknowledged the Chinese capitals enduring association with the fight for womens rights and gender equality, 30 years on from the adoption of the landmark Beijing Declaration, a foundational international treaty 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 At a testy meeting in Banff recently, the American ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, mused about the future of pre-clearance in Canada. Cross-border travel numbers are down, he complained, which makes the cost of the program less appealing to Americans. Hoekstra's comments came across as a threatalmost a demand that Canadians resume traveling to the United States. But should Canadians continue to stay away? Maybe it's time to rethink Canada's pre-clearance program with the U.S. and the ways it can undermine Canadian civil rights and sovereignty. Started informally, then expanded The origins of U.S. customs pre-clearance in Canada date back to 1952. It began as an informal arrangement made at the request of American Airlines, which was interested in building up its business in Canada. Since then, the program has expanded to nine Canadian international airports and the Alaska Marine Highway System Ferry Terminal in Prince Rupert, B.C. The U.S. has also expanded its pre-clearance facilities to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. Under Canada-U.S. pre-clearance arrangement, American border agents are located in Canada so that travelers can clear customs, immigration, public health and safety and agriculture inspection before they travel. This provides an additional layer of security for the U.S. since it can screen travelers much earlier in their travel journeys and stop suspicious travelers before they board their flights. For Canadian travelers, it makes crossing the border faster. By clearing customs in Canada, they don't need to wait in long lines when they arrive in the U.S. This makes it much easier to catch connecting flights and also means airlines can fly into smaller American airports from Canada, which can be cheaper and more convenient. Police powers Pre-clearance in Canada has become so commonplace that it's not faced significant scrutiny, even though recent legislation raises pressing concerns. In 2015, the U.S. and Canada signed a new treaty on land, rail, marine and air transport pre-clearance. This legislation opened the door to expanded pre-clearance with new facilities at Quebec City's airport and Billy Bishop airport on the Toronto islands, scheduled to open soon. Pilot projects have also been introduced at train stations and ports, which raise their own issues because they're often located in city centers. Subsequently, Canada passed its new Preclearance Act that entered into force in 2019. The legislation updated the terms for pre-clearance but also introduced worrisome and expansive new police powers for U.S. officers on Canadian soil. American border agents now have the power to conduct strip searches if a Canadian officer is not available or is unwilling to participate. American border agents also have the authority to carry weapons. 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. Under the previous legislation of 1999, U.S. border agents were authorized to use "as much force is necessary to perform their pre-clearance duties" if they did so "on reasonable grounds." But under the recent legislation, U.S. officers are "justified in doing what they are required or authorized to do under this Act and in using as much force as is necessary for that purpose." In other words, the use of force is now legitimized. Furthermore, while it was previously possible for travelers to remove themselves from inspection without prejudice, under the 2017 legislation, their withdrawal from the border process could be interpreted as grounds for suspicion. The act of withdrawal itself becomes suspect, with refusal to answer taken as obstruction, which is a criminal offense in both the U.S. and Canada. This can impede someone's ability to enter the U.S. at a later date. If someone is suspected of committing an offense, U.S. border agents are also able to detain them as long it does not "unreasonably delay the traveler's withdrawal" from the process. There is no time limit placed on what is meant by "unreasonably delay." Worrisome legislative changes When the new Preclearance Act was introduced, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tried to assuage concerns by explaining that pre-clearance allowed more protections for travelers because the Canadian Constitution would apply in Canada. The act itself states: "The exercise of any power and performance of any duty or function under United States law in Canada is subject to Canadian law, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Bill of Rights and the Canadian Human Rights Act." But can these protections really be assured when there are overlapping jurisdictions at play? Take U.S. President Donald Trump's most recent 2025 travel ban that fully bans nationals of 12 countries and partially bans nationals of seven others. As Amnesty International argues, Trump's bans are "targeting people based on their race, religion, or nationality, from countries with predominantly Black, Brown and Muslim-majority populations." Yet these bans are being enforced in Canada via these pre-clearance areas, meaning the rights and protections against discrimination set out in Canadian laws are not being upheld. Under the terms of the 2015 treaty, pre-clearance officers also receive immunity for civil and administrative offenses in their host countries. Furthermore, the U.S. passed legislation a year later stipulating the U.S. has jurisdiction over offenses committed by American personnel stationed in Canada. As Canada's privacy officer has stated, this lack of accountability in Canada means there is little recourse for someone in Canada who experiences an incident with American border officers when going through pre-clearance. If there is no accountability, then Canadian laws are essentially meaningless. Border politics For these reasons, a Canadian reassessment of the pre-clearance program is all the more pressing since efforts are already underway to implement Canadian pre-clearance at land borders with the U.S. In January 2025, before Trump's inauguration, a two-year pilot project was announced at the Cannon Corners facility on the New York-Quebec border. This would be somewhat different from the police powers granted to American border officials at Canadian airports, but Canada's objectives have been similar to U.S. security directivesmake admissibility determinations before someone enters Canada. In other words, Canada is proceeding with pre-clearance initiatives that make it more difficult for people to make asylum claims when crossing the Canada-U.S. border. Hoekstra has put the future of pre-clearance in question. This provides an excellent opportunity to reconsider whether the costs of the program outweigh the benefits in today's political climate. That's because no matter how convenient and efficient pre-clearance programs might be, they raise challenging questions about Canadian sovereignty and the rights of Canadian citizens. The question should really be whether Canada wants to pursue America-style border politics rather than trying to build more humane border policies and practices. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Several dozen horses calmly graze along the shores of Mono Lake, a sparkling saline expanse spread out before the jagged Sierra Nevada mountains. The September sun is blazing. A pair of brown horses come up side by side and stare intensely at an approaching visitor. These wild equines may soon disappear from beside the ancient lake. The prospect is stirring emotional disagreement over the future of the herd, which has surged to more than three times what federal officials say the land can support. "These horses deserve a place to roam and be free, but around Mono Lake is not the place," said Bartshe Miller of the Mono Lake Committee, an environmental nonprofit. Earlier in 2025, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management approved a plan to round up and remove hundreds of wild horses roaming beyond the roughly 200,000 acres designated for them along the California and Nevada border. No date has been set, but it could be as soon as this fall. It would be a relief for some. Environmentalists say the horses are degrading the otherworldly landscape at Mono Lake, including bird habitat and its famed tufa textured rock columns that would look at home on Mars. Ranchers say the animals are gobbling down plants needed to sustain their cattle. Federal officials highlight the safety hazard posed by horses that have wandered onto highways. Others see the move as a travesty. One method to oust the horses would use helicopters to drive them into a trap, which animal welfare groups say creates dangerous, even deadly, situations for horses. A pending federal bill would ban the practice. Local tribes and nonprofits have partnered to fight the roundup plan, arguing that the Indigenous community should be tapped to manage the animals that roam their ancestral lands. A separate group of plaintiffs has sued the government, claiming it's reneging on its duty to protect the horses. "We're all living spirits," said Ronda Kauk, a member of the Mono Lake Kootzaduka'a tribe. "And it's sad that people just don't care about another living thing because they think it doesn't belong there." Unseen evolution For 36 years, Dave Marquart was part of a small team that monitored wetlands rimming Mono Lake, places so inaccessible even four-wheel drives can get stuck. Flung out far on the landscape, only wildlife could enjoy them. The area was a major nesting site for yellow-headed black birds, red-winged black birds, marsh wrens, soras and Virginia rails. "There weren't a lot of people that saw the transition that I saw, from healthy wetlands to completely trampled and devastated wetlands," said Marquart, who was an interpretive naturalist for the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve until he retired in 2019. "It was quite a drastic change." Marquart recalled a time when he'd encounter fewer than 50 horses. They'd bolt when they saw his vehicle coming. That fear faded and their ranks grew. Over time, he said, they stamped ponds and urinated and defecated in the water. The birds stopped showing up. Before retiring, Marquart said, he helped organize a field trip involving the Forest Service, BLM and State Parks to showcase the impacts. "Everybody saw that it was an issue and felt that something needed to be done," he said. Today, sizable mounds of horse manure dot Warm Springs, a remote area along the eastern edge of Mono Lake that Marquart had raised the alarm about during his tenure. White bones of fallen equines rest in the alkaline meadows. Chestnut fur gleamed on a hoof attached to a leg bone. Miller, the Mono Lake Committee's Eastern Sierra policy director, and Geoff McQuilkin, its executive director, led the way to a burbling spring rimmed by innumerable hoof prints. Surrounding vegetation was nibbled to nubs. Wildlife compete for the limited water here. 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. "The birds that would have a safe haven in that spring or be hidden away from raptors and predators overhead don't have that opportunity anymore," McQuilkin said. The pair first remembered the horses showing up in remote areas around the lake in 2015, as the state was gripped by drought. By 2021, as they pushed west, they landed at South Tufa, where tourists congregate to gaze at the limestone columns. In the spring of 2023, horse carcasses emerged along the shores of South Tufa and nearby Navy Beach as the snow from a winter of biblical proportions melted. "The recent deaths of these horses provide further evidence that the size of this herd cannot be supported by the landscape which they are expanding onto," Lisa Cox, a spokesperson for the Inyo National Forest, said at the time. "They're medicine." On a pleasantly cool day in September, Rana Saulque stared transfixed at a group of roughly 50 wild horses in the River Spring Lakes Ecological Reserve, not far from her tribe's reservation near the town of Benton. Saulque, vice chairwoman for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute tribe, draws a parallel between ousting the horses and the historic persecution of her people by the government. "They're going to run them down with helicopters and genocide them, just like they ran down us," she said through tears. A striking cremello horse stood out from the resta beloved subject for photographers who sojourn here. A brown foal with a white stripe on its muzzle teetered on toothpick legs. Several babies hugged close to their moms. Mostly, the horses peacefully graze, but two rear up momentarily. "That's horsing around," Saulque said. Then they begin galloping and suddenly they look powerful and sleek. Epic, like a poster for a classic western film. "They're so magical," the vice chairwoman said. "They're medicine for people." Federal officials stress that they have precautions in place to ensure safety during helicopter roundups. That includes avoiding peak foaling periods and hot weather that would stress the horses. The Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute are among a coalition that wants to pause the planned roundups for two years and ultimately secure land back to set aside a sanctuary for the horses to roam. As envisioned, local tribes would help manage the herd, including darting horses with a birth control vaccine to limit population growth. Horses could be put to work at pack stations, equine therapy and rodeo schools for kids, the group says. The proposal could also help revive horse culture that runs deep in the tribal communities, Saulque said. Jim Walker, her great-great-grandfather and a respected medicine man, rode mustangs all the way to Florida, visiting tribes along the way to exchange medicine and horses. Kauk's tribe historically rode the horses from Lee Vining into Yosemite to gather basket-making materials, among other activities. Mustangs were tapped for Native American rodeos and relay races, she added. According to the coalition that includes the nonprofit American Wild Horse Conservation, the feds and groups like the Mono Lake Committee have the science all wrong. The herbivores chomp down invasive cheatgrass that poses wildfire risk, and their poopmaligned by manyactually spreads native seeds, they say. Wild and freefor now At the heart of the emotional battle playing out in the Eastern Sierra is the Montgomery Pass wild horse herd. According to the U.S. Forest Service, its origin is unknown. But there's speculation that it's linked to mustang drives between the Owens Valley and Nevada. A 1971 law declared wild horses and burros "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West," and made it illegal to harass, capture or kill them on public lands. But the Forest Service and BLM, which became responsible for managing them, can remove "excess animals" to preserve the health of the range. The way this often plays out is that horses are rounded up and offered for adoption or sale. Those that aren't taken in by a private owner are shipped to pastures where they often live out their remaining days. Federal officials designated the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory, a remote area spanning sagebrush steppe and pinyon pine forest east of Mono Lake. They say the land can sustainably support 138 to 230 horses. As of last year, nearly 700 were documented in an aerial survey, with most ranging outside the territory, according to the agencies. Now under a plan approved in March, up to 500 horses could be ousted, with the Forest Service leading the effort and BLM assisting. Both agencies declined requests for interviews for this story, citing pending litigation. In August, a documentary filmmaker, primary care physician and wildlife ecologist sued the government authorities overseeing the agencies, claiming the roundups will decimate the herd to the point where long-term survival is unlikely. "This case represents yet another attempt by the agencies to evade their statutory duties to protect, preserve and manage the herd," the suit reads. The government has agreed not to round up horses before Oct. 20, according to court documents. When multiple uses collide Leslie Hunewill's cattle ranching family sees quite a bit of "horse activity" on grazing lands in an area called the Mono Sand Flats, to the east and north of the lake. Since purchasing the right to use the public land, her outfit has been able to graze there for only about five weeks in the last two yearsand not consecutively. The culprit? "A huge number of horses," she said. "Our cattle have not been out there," she said. "There's nothing for them to eat." Cows aren't allowed on the roughly 50,000-acre expanse during the growing season. But the horses, facing no fences, go for what's green and pushing up, she said. "It doesn't make sense for us to overuse or overgraze the land when we need to come back to it," she said. "So when we are doing our part to manage the portion of it that we can, which is, say, our use of the cattle on that land, that's all well and good. But who is taking charge of the horses and saying, this is too heavy use?" The law directs agencies to manage horse populations to maintain a "thriving natural ecological balance." BLM and the Forest Service have to consider mustangs alongside grazing, wildlife and what's good for the land. Some say the agencies have kicked the can down the road on management of the Montgomery Pass herd. Hunewill's family has deep roots in the Eastern Sierra. Her great-great-great-grandfather came to California in the 1860s as a gold miner. He struck it rich, and got into the lumber business. When that stopped paying out, he used his oxen to feed the town of Bodie. Her family is still in the beef business, with the meat generally staying on the West Coast. They employ quite a few mustangs at their guest ranch operation in the town of Bridgeport, including Jethro, a friendly brown fella with a splash of white on his forehead. They're hardy horses, and can be enlisted as pack animals high up in the mountains. Some don't need shoes because of their "great feet." But their robustness means "everybody's already got their mustang," she said, stymieing the prospect of mass adoptions. Shifting dynamics Wild horse populations can increase as much as 20% a year. Montgomery Pass horses used to summer in the high country and were once kept in check by mountain lions that preyed on foals, according to John Turner, a professor at the University of Toledo College of Medicine, who studied the herd for decades. That changed around 2008 or 2009, when the horses began lingering at lower elevations, where the open country makes it difficult for lions to hunt. The herd's population surged. Turner sees the government's current system of rounding up horses and holding them as unsustainable. And costly. "The gathers are successful at that time, but the reproductive rate of the animals is greater than the capacity to remove them," he said. 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: An international team of scientists led by the Donana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC) has described a new species of fossilized insect from the Australian Jurassic period, estimated to be around 151 million years old. It represents the oldest known member in the Southern Hemisphere of the Chironomidae familynon-biting midges that inhabit freshwater environments. The fossil shows a unique evolutionary adaptation: a mechanism, that likely allowing it to firmly anchor to surrounding rocks. Until now, this mechanism was thought to be exclusive to marine species. Credit: Valentyna Inshyna. An international team of scientists led by the Donana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC) has described a new species of fossilized insect from the Australian Jurassic period, estimated to be around 151 million years old. It represents the oldest known member in the Southern Hemisphere of the Chironomidae familynon-biting midges that inhabit freshwater environments. The fossil shows a unique evolutionary adaptation: a mechanism that likely allowed it to firmly anchor to surrounding rocks. Until now, this mechanism was thought to be exclusive to marine species. The fossilized remains were discovered in the Talbragar fish beds in New South Wales. The research, published in the journal Gondwana Research, included contributions from the Australian Museum Research Institute, the University of New South Wales, the University of Munich, and Massey University, New Zealand. The fly from the stagnant waters "This fossil, which is the oldest registered find in the Southern Hemisphere, indicates that this group of freshwater animals might have originated on the southern supercontinent of Gondwana," explains Viktor Baranov, a researcher at the Donana Biological Station and first author of the study. The new species has been named Telmatomyia talbragarica, which translates to "fly from the stagnant waters," reflecting the lacustrine nature of the habitat at Talbragar. The current research involved analyzing six fossilized specimens both pupae and eclosing adults that exhibited a terminal disk. This mechanism, which functions in tide-influenced habitats, was previously thought to be exclusive to marine species. However, sedimentological and paleontological evidence from the Talbragar Fish Beds suggests a freshwater paleoenvironment, highlighting the phenotypic plasticity displayed by chironomids. New insights on the origin of the family Podonominae has long been utilized as a model system for biogeographical study, offering an ideal medium to describe and interpret the general patterns governing the distribution and origin of biological diversity. Initial theories proposed that Podonominae flies originated in Northern Gondwana and later expanded into Laurasia, the supercontinent located in the Northern Hemisphere. However, their fossil record is scarce due to taphonomic biases and the lack of studies focused on fossils from the Southern Hemisphere. Later, the discovery of older fossils in Eurasia, dating from the Jurassic, led to new interpretations suggesting that their origin was in Laurasia. Now this new study provides compelling evidence that the Podonominae subfamily probably originated in the Southern Hemisphere and later dispersed and expanded globally. Contemporary Podonominae are found almost entirely in the Southern Hemisphere and their disjunct distribution across South America, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand represents a classic case of vicariance. This biological phenomenon takes place when a geographical barrierlike a mountain range or a riverdivides a species' population, compelling the isolated groups to undergo independent evolution, which results in the creation of new species. According to the hypothesis proposed by Swedish entomologist Lars Brundin in 1966, the Podonominae populations experienced this process after the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana fragmented. 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. Limitations due to the scarcity of fossils in the Southern Hemisphere While this discovery addresses a significant gap in the lineage's fossil record, a comprehensive understanding of this group's evolutionary history is still limited by the lack of Southern Hemisphere fossils. The majority of known Podonominae fossils originate from the Northern Hemisphere, with only two prior exceptions documented from the Southern Hemisphere: an Eocene specimen from Australia and a Paleocene record from India. "There is a strong bias towards finding and studying fossils in the Northern Hemisphere. Because of this we end up making incorrect assumptions about where groups originated," explains Matthew McCurry, paleontologist from the Australian Museum and The University of New South Wales. Professor at Massey University Steve Trewick claims, "There are long-standing questions about the way Southern Hemisphere biotas formed and changed through geological time. Fossils species of tiny, delicate freshwater insects like the Talbragar fly are rare and help us interpret the history of life on our planet." The analysis of the fossilized specimens, combined with genomics, will help determine whether the dispersal of these insects after the breakup of Gondwana was primarily passive or active. The resulting data will certainly be of value for comprehending and conserving modern-day biodiversity. More information: Viktor Baranov et al, The oldest Gondwanan non-biting midge (Diptera, Chironomidae, Podonominae) sheds light on the historical biogeography of the clade, Gondwana Research (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2025.09.001 Journal information: Gondwana Research This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Young teenagers on TikTok can easily access hardcore porn content, a new study has found. By creating fake accounts for 13-year-olds, researchers at the non-governmental organization Global Witness were quickly offered highly sexualized search terms. Despite setting the app to "restrictive mode," the researchers were able to click through to videos showing everything from women flashing to penetrative sex. Most of these videos had been created in such a way that they were designed to evade discovery, and TikTok has moved swiftly to take them down. But the fact that they were easy to find is a fresh blow to the UK Online Safety Act. The act, which came into force over the summer, requires tech companies to prevent children from being able to access pornography and other harmful content. There have already been reports that Meta's efforts to make Instagram safer for young people are similarly ineffective. There are also concerns about a surge in VPN downloads and traffic to pirate sites by users aiming to get around the restrictions in the act. Some are now calling for VPNs to be banned, though that seems unlikely. It would be easy for parents reading these reports to conclude that there is nothing that can be done to make the internet safe for their children. Many will increasingly be tempted to ban access outright rather than try to navigate the risks in a more measured way. Certainly, the act was introduced for good reason. According to research published in 2025, one in 12 children were being exposed to online sexual exploitation or abuse. An EU report from 2021 that surveyed more than 6,000 children also found that 45% reported they had seen violent content and 49% had encountered cyberbullying. Yet there is a danger in downplaying progress. Since the act was introduced, most of the top 100 adult sites have introduced age checks or blocked UK accessand so have sites that allow pornographic content, such as X and Reddit. It wouldn't be the first time that media coverage has over-focused on the online risks to children. Take Roblox, for instance. Launched in 2006, it's a "virtual universe" that allows users to create their own content. As of 2025 it has over 85 million daily active users, of which 39% are below the age of 13. 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. The site has come in for heavy criticism for incentivizing harmful content by rewarding creators for attracting high engagement from other users, while lacking adequate content moderation to prevent violations of the rules. This has exposed children to undesirable things such as Nazi roleplaying games and sexual content. One much-quoted report published in 2024 even declared it an "X-rated pedophile hellscape." True enough, children can potentially be exposed to harmful content on the platformas with any platform of user-generated content. But a pedophile hellscape? It's worth reflecting that Roblox is also being studied by researchers for its ability to help young people learn and explore their identities in more wholesome ways (it also introduced extra safeguards for children a few months ago). To stress, there are online risks parents need to contend with, but the way these risks are reported does not help. TikTok, for instance, has been in trouble over its content before. In 2022, research by the Center for Countering Digital Hate concluded that children can be exposed to harmful content every 39 secondswith one newspaper turning this into a headline about TikTok's "thermonuclear algorithm." Given that some parents already lack confidence in managing digital technology, this kind of sensationalist language doesn't help. This 2024 study points to the "joy, connection and creativity" that children also experience on the platform. We've been here before In truth, we've been hearing about the technological threat to children for a very long time. The 1935 New York study, Radio and the Child, argued that radio presented a new insidious threat as it encroached into the family home and children's bedrooms: "No locks would keep this intruder out, nor can parents shift their children away from it." A 1941 study from San Francisco, Children's Reactions to Movie Horrors and Radio Crime, called the technology a "habit-forming practice very difficult to overcome, no matter how the aftereffects are dreaded." A few years later, television had become the focus of parental fears. According to the 1962 BBC Handbook: "Nobody can afford to ignore the dangers of corruption by television through violence or through triviality, especially the young." Soon came the 1964 Television Act, which introduced the 9pm watershed. It prevented broadcasters from showing programs unsuitable for children before that time, which seems quaint next to today's concerns. The clear pattern is that one generation's moral panic becomes a source of amusement to the next one as they focus on a new threat. Time and again, the coverage is so distorted and inflamed that it makes parents feel more anxious and estranged. This makes managing the actual risks much more difficult. The negotiated alternative The reality is that restrictive approaches by parents can be counterproductive, especially as they may encourage children to be evasive. Children's instincts, according to the research, are to talk about potentially harmful material with their parents, but they're less likely to do so if parents take a hard line since it makes them fear they'll be judged. In other words, they've become more likely to consume harmful content as a result. The alternative is for parents to adopt a strategy of negotiated decision-making with their children. Instead of viewing online material as alien or inherently negative, it becomes proactively integrated into family life. One researcher described it as "living out family values through technology." It becomes about accepting risk with a view to building children's resilience. Unfortunately this sits uncomfortably with the current rhetoric around the internet, since it's recommending moderated, negotiated exposure to something "thermonuclear." Compounding this is the abundance of digital pundits offering reactionary and unworkably prescriptive advice. Any parent who deviates from the "recommended" screen-time for their children runs a risk of judgment, treating technology as a "digital pacifier." Just like the watershed before it, the Online Safety Act mitigates risks but won't remove them altogether. It is ultimately still on parents to decide how to deal with them in accordance with their family values. The more the reporting around this area is endlessly negative, the more difficult that becomes. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The distribution of village clusters. Blue triangles are village clusters included in the analytic sample (n = 313). Yellow circles are Twitter tweets (count = 20,235). Province colors denote province-level mean wealth, e.g., lighter is less wealthy, darker is more wealthy. Axes are geocoordinates (latitudes and longitudes). Credit: Digital Pulse of Development: Constructing Poverty Metrics from Social Media Discourse (2025). How can researchers measure poverty and understand local development needs in places where conventional data collection is difficult or impossible? To overcome this obstacle, Rutgers researchers have for the first time used georeferenced content from Twitter (now known as X) as a poverty measurement tool, offering a new way to understand development from the ground up. "This approach could transform how international aid and development work operates," said Woojin Jung, an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Social Work and the principal investigator of the study. "Instead of waiting years between expensive surveys, organizations could get real-time insights into community needs by analyzing what people are actually talking about online." The paper, "Digital Pulse of Development: Constructing Poverty Metrics from Social Media Discourse," co-written by Jung and Tawfiq Ammari, an assistant professor of library and information science at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information, with Andrew H. Kim, Charles Chear, Vatsal Shah, and Ying Hung, received an honorable mention in the Applied and Quantitative Modeling Category from the organization Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization. Jung will present the paper and accept the award at the fifth Association for Computing Machinery Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization (EAAMO 2025) being held from Nov. 5 to Nov. 7 at the University of Pittsburgh. "In many developing countries," Jung said, "surveys are expensive, infrequent and often miss remote areas. We wondered if social media postsspecifically posts on Twittercould serve as a real-time window into what communities are actually experiencing and discussing." Three main discoveries emerged from their study of Twitter data in Zambia: Twitter reflects real poverty patterns: The topics people post on Twitter strongly correlate with their village's wealth level. Poor villages tend to discuss immediate, local concerns such as food shortages and corrupt politicians, while wealthier villages engage with broader policy issues. Social media can predict wealth: Using just seven development-related Twitter topics (such as discussions of food systems, mining and social inequality), their model could explain more than 60% of the variation in village-level wealthperforming as well as satellite imagery but with much clearer explanations. Missing data can be filled in: They developed methods to estimate poverty levels in areas with little or no activity on Twitter by using spatial patterns from nearby areas. To conduct the study, the researchers combined official poverty data from Zambia's 2018 Demographic and Health Surveys with more than 20,000 geotagged posts on Twitter from 2019 to 2021. They used artificial intelligence to identify 103 different topics in the posts, then worked with local experts to identify seven topics most relevant to development issues. They tested whether these Twitter topics could predict village wealth levels and compared their approach to conventional methods such as satellite imagery and building footprint analysis. "Our findings are especially valuable because we capture citizens' own perspectives on their problemswhat researchers call 'development conceived, measured and planned by citizens' rather than outsiders," Ammari said. More information: Digital Pulse of Development: Constructing Poverty Metrics from Social Media Discourse: conference.eaamo.org/conferenc e_of_development.pdf This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain E. coli bacteria are typically harmless, but certain strains, known as avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), can cause serious illness in poultry, leading to significant financial losses and animal welfare issues. New research from the University of Surrey and University of Bristol, in collaboration with Poultry Health Services, has determined why various strains of APEC behave so differently. The study, published in Virulence, analyzed a colibacillosis outbreak in turkeys in the UK, and found that a strain called ST-101 was the dominant cause of the outbreak, accounting for nearly 60% of cases. This strain of APEC had not been previously reported as the primary cause of a turkey outbreak in the UK. By comparing ST-101 to a variety of high-risk APEC strains, the team from Surrey, led by Dr. Jai Mehat, Dr. James Adams, and Professor Roberto La Ragione, found that the ST-101, ST-95 and ST-140 strains were found to be better at invading and surviving inside chicken gut cells and immune cells (macrophages) compared to the ST-23 and ST-117 strains. However, despite being less effective at invading cells, the ST-117 strain was found to be the most lethal in an insect model of infection, suggesting that different strains cause disease differently. Dr. Jai Mehat, senior author of the study and lecturer in molecular bacteriology at the University of Surrey, said, "Our research shows that a one-size-fits-all approach to controlling avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) infections is not effective. Current vaccination strategies often target specific strains, but they may not protect against emerging APEC threats. Therefore, we need to develop new vaccines that can target a variety of APEC strains." Professor Shahriar Behboudi, co-author and professor of correlates of immune protection at the University of Bristol, said, "We extrapolate that broad-spectrum control measures, including the induction of trained immunity in chickens to control diverse strains, offer more effective protection, as current vaccines typically target specific strains and may fail against emerging APEC threats." Dr. Sara Perez, co-author and clinical director at Poultry Health Services, said, "Infections caused by APEC are a foremost threat to farmed poultry. Increasing our surveillance of poultry flocks to better understand the presence and evolution of APEC strains, will ensure our animals' welfare, and as a result, the safety of our food." More information: James R. G. Adams et al, High-risk clonal groups of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) demonstrate heterogeneous phenotypic characteristicsin vitroandin vivo, Virulence (2025). DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2025.2546682 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: Before and after the image sharpening process. Credit: Max Charles/University of Sydney A pair of Sydney Ph.D. students helped sharpen the view of humanity's most powerful space observatorywithout leaving Earth. As an indelible reminder of this thrilling result, Louis Desdoigts, now a postdoctoral researcher at Leiden in the Netherlands, and his colleague Max Charles, had tattoos of the instrument their work has repaired inked on their arms. This technical breakthrough saw University of Sydney researchers develop a software fix that corrected blurring in images made by NASA's multibillion-dollar James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), restoring crisp performance to one of its vital scientific instrumentsall without the need for a space mission or astronaut repair. The achievement builds on the only piece of Australian-designed hardware on the JWSTthe Aperture Masking Interferometer (AMI)created by Professor Peter Tuthill from the University of Sydney's School of Physics and Sydney Institute for Astronomy. The AMI lets astronomers to take ultra-high-resolution images of stars and exoplanets by combining light from multiple patches on the telescope's main mirror, a technique known as interferometry. However, after JWST began operations, scientists discovered that AMI's performance was being degraded by subtle electronic distortions in its infrared camera detector. These were injecting fuzziness into recovered imagesa problem reminiscent of the predecessor to JWST, the Hubble Space Telescope's early "blurry vision" after launch, which famously required a space shuttle mission and astronaut spacewalks to correct. Rather than designing a new lens or mounting such a costly rescue mission, Ph.D. students Louis Desdoigts and Max Charles from Professor Tuthill's group, also working with Associate Professor Ben Pope (at Macquarie University), created a data-driven, software-only calibration system that fixed the focus from the ground. Louis Desdoigts and Max Charles have matching tattoos of the 'Non-Redundant Mask' they helped repair. (Dr. Desdoigts arm is on the left). Credit: University of Sydney Their system, called AMIGO (Aperture Masking Interferometry Generative Observations), uses advanced simulations and neural networks to model how the telescope's optics and electronics behave in space. By understanding an imperfection in which electrical charge bleeds over into neighboring pixels, a process known as the brighter-fatter effect, the team developed algorithms that "de-blurred" the images and restored AMI's full sensitivity. "Instead of sending astronauts to bolt on new parts, they managed to fix things with code," Professor Tuthill said. "It's a brilliant example of how Australian innovation can make a global impact in space science." The fix has produced spectacular results. With AMIGO, the James Webb Space Telescope has achieved sharper-than-ever detections of faint celestial objectsincluding the direct imaging of a dim exoplanet and a red-brown dwarf orbiting the nearby star HD 206893, about 133 light years from Earth. A companion study led by Max Charles, a Ph.D. student at Sydney, has demonstrated AMI's renewed focus by capturing high-resolution images of a black hole jet, the volcanic surface of one of Jupiter's moons (Io) and the dusty stellar winds of WR 137pushing the boundaries of JWST's capabilities. "This work brings JWST's vision into even sharper focus," Dr. Desdoigts said. "It's incredibly rewarding to see a software solution extend the telescope's scientific reachand to know it was possible without ever leaving the lab." Dr. Desdoigts has now landed a postdoctoral research position at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Both studies have been published on the pre-print server arXiv. Dr. Desdoigts's paper has been peer-reviewed and will shortly be published in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia. This release coincides with the latest round of James Webb Space Telescope General Observer, Survey and Archival Research programs. Associate Professor Benjamin Pope, who will present these findings at SXSW Sydney on Friday, and said the research team was keen to get the new code into the hands of researchers working on JWST as soon as possible. More information: Louis Desdoigts et al, AMIGO: a Data-Driven Calibration of the JWST Interferometer, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2510.09806 Max Charles et al, Image reconstruction with the JWST Interferometer, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2510.10924 Journal information: arXiv 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: Shernee Lau from Pexels For countless millions across the globe, commuting to work or school is an everyday routine. But during a pandemic, the practice can contribute enormously to the spread of infectious disease, a fact that many traditional metapopulation models often overlook because they are designed primarily for migration and treat people as if they rarely move locally. In Chaos, a team of researchers from South Korea introduced a Commuter Metapopulation Model (CMPM) to address these limitations and expand the focus to include daily mobility patterns. The model was used to simulate the spread of COVID-19 with actual commuting data provided by the country's second-largest telecommunication network, revealing it could better capture spatial variety in outbreak patterns, from rapid spread in urban centers to delayed or localized outbreaks in rural areas. "Unlike traditional models that treat population as a single unit, CMPM follows individuals along their actual commuting routes," said author Jae Woo Lee. "It uses data from mobile phones to track when people leave their homes, where they go during the day, and when they return at night. This gives scientists a much more realistic map of how diseases spread through everyday human movement." In contrast to traditional metapopulation tracking models, the CMPM is designed to reallocate populations based on commuting flows, rather than static regional boundaries, and appears to be much better suited to reflect the real-life nuances of population mobility. For example, the model can track how infections can quickly flare up in large, crowded cities like Seoul and spread to nearby towns connected by commuter traffic, and how more isolated places like Jeju Island are likely to see a much slower spread since fewer people move in and out. A depiction of the commuting network in South Korea. Credit: Jae Woo Lee "Traditional models would have missed these crucial differences, predicting a smoother, almost uniform spread that doesn't match reality," said Lee. The researchers hope the enhanced performance of their model underscores the essential role of realistic mobility data in epidemic modeling and that it can help inform the development of targeted intervention strategies that save lives. "Our daily journeys don't just define our routines; they also shape the path of a pandemic," said Lee. "By showing how commuting patterns [with real-time data] shape this path, the CMPM can help governments and health officials design smarter responses. Instead of a one-size-fits-all lockdown, they can focus on high-traffic commuter corridors or protect vulnerable regions with limited connections." More information: Commuter metapopulation models for epidemic spreading in human mobility networks, Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science (2025). DOI: 10.1063/5.0284992 Journal information: Chaos 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: Illustration of traditional dancers for the two songs studied in this paper. Credit: Boontigan Kuhasubpasin The lyrics of traditional Okinawan songs were found to record past climate and geological history of the Ryukyu Islands (21st-century Okinawa Prefecture, Japan), according to a new study by a University of Hawai'i at Manoa Earth scientist and fellow Ryukyuan music practitioners. Their study was published today in Geoscience Communication and was selected as an Editor's Choice article by the journal's publisher. "This paper is a proof-of-concept for using classical Ryukyuan music as records of Indigenous knowledge," said Justin Higa, lead author of the study and postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Earth Sciences at the UH Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST). "This work aims to show how science and culture are not two distinct entities, but can be combined to teach both Indigenous arts and Indigenous science." The study authors are all classical Ryukyuan music practitioners with the Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyu Choichi Kai U.S., Hawaii Chapter, a music school with groups on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai and in Los Angeles. The team included June Uyeunten Sensei and Kenton Odo Sensei, who are Master Instructors in the art form, and Higa who has been a member of the music school for over a decade. They assessed a repertoire of indigenous Ryukyuan classical music that documented the 18th-century ocean voyages of envoys from the Ryukyu Kingdom and the winds, waves, and volcanoes they observed along the way. With Higa's geologic background and the musical expertise of Uyeunten Sensei and Odo Sensei, the authors worked together to combine Indigenous Ryukyuan knowledge in song with Western scientific knowledge in the scientific literature to find where the knowledge matched. Study authors with their poster at the 2025 Okinawan Festival. Credit: Justin Higa, UH Manoa/ SOEST By comparing these observations with 20th- to 21st-century scientific literature, they found wind directions match seasonal changes following the East Asian Monsoon season and that rough ocean conditions in the past and currently may be related to Pacific Ocean circulation patterns and typhoons. They also found a record of an 18th-century volcanic eruption on an isolated island. "Indigenous knowledge, tied to the land someone is most familiar with, is one avenue for applying place-based learning to make complex environmental science more accessible to general learners," shared Higa. "Identifying sources of Indigenous knowledge, by the knowledge holders/practitioners themselves, is a unique opportunity to make new connections between art and science, improve how we connect science to the daily lives of Indigenous Peoples, and ensure the correct interpretation and usage of Indigenous knowledge." Historical sites: (a) Shuri Kannondo, (b) Sogen-ji, (c) Miegusuku, and (d) Zampa on Okinawa Island, where 18th-century Ryukyuan voyagers prayed for safe ocean conditions and utilized monsoonal winds for their travels from Okinawa Island to Kyushu, Japan, as recorded in the pair of songs analyzed in the study. Credit: Higa, et al., 2025 With 2025 marking the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawai'i, incorporating geoscience and his Okinawan heritage in this publication is especially meaningful to Higa. "I hope this work can help connect the descendants of Okinawan immigrants in Hawai'i, who generations later, may not speak the language, with the arts and knowledge recorded in these songs," said Higa. "More of these descendants may then be inspired to become scientists or Indigenous practitioners, or both." In the future, the authors hope to catalog more classical and folk Ryukyuan songs to document additional historical records of environmental science, including water resources, ocean life, and flora and fauna. More information: Justin T. Higa et al, Place-based science from Okinawa: 18th-century climate and geology recorded in Ryukyuan classical music, Geoscience Communication (2025). DOI: 10.5194/gc-8-251-2025 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 fruit and wine of the newly developed grape "Muscat Shiragai," presented at a press conference by Professor Emeritus Takuji Hoshino (right). From left to right above: Kurashiki Deputy Mayor Kenji Komatsu, OUS President Hiroyuki Hirano, and Funao Winery CEO Kenichiro Miyake. Credit: Okayama University of Science A research group led by Professor Emeritus Takuji Hoshino of Okayama University of Science (OUS) has successfully developed a new wine grape variety named "Muscat Shiragai," created by crossing the wild species Shiraga grapenative only to the Takahashi River basin in Okayama Prefecturewith Muscat of Alexandria. The group has filed for new variety registration with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and the application was formally accepted. At a press conference held on July 4 at OUS, Professor Emeritus Hoshino stated, "I wanted to create a wine grape that incorporates wild genetic traits. If this grape becomes widely cultivated and its wine contributes to regional revitalization and tourism, that would be the best outcome." Professor Hoshino specializes in plant systematics. In April 2017, he became the founding director of the Institute of Viticulture and Enology at OUS. While collaborating with representatives of Funao Winery in Kurashiki City, he turned his attention to the Shiraga grape, a rare and endangered wild species found only in limited areas of Okayama Prefecture. This inspired the idea of creating a uniquely "Okayama-born" wine grape by hybridizing it with Muscat of Alexandria. In February 2018, OUS signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Kurashiki City and Funao Winery, launching the project as part of a national governmentrecognized regional revitalization initiative to promote "branding of local resources." By fiscal year 2022, wines were being brewed from different breeding lines and evaluated for sugar content, acidity, pH, and taste, leading to the selection of promising strains. Drawing on these trial results, the new "Muscat Shiragai" variety was finalized in 2024. The official application for new variety registration was jointly filed by Kake Educational Institution and Kurashiki City in December 2024 and was publicly announced in June 2025. The official registration is expected within four to five years. The press conference, held at the Presentation Room in OUS Building A1, was attended by Kurashiki Deputy Mayor Kenji Komatsu, Funao Winery CEO Kenichiro Miyake, and OUS President Hiroyuki Hirano. Participants sampled the Muscat Shiragai grapes and wine, which were well receiveddescribed as "sweet and very delicious" for the fruit, and "with a subtle Muscat aroma and smooth drinking quality" for the wine. Deputy Mayor Komatsu commented, "We are very much looking forward to offering a wine filled with the unique charm that can only be produced in Kurashiki. We also anticipate further research results to refine Muscat Shiragai into an even more sophisticated grape." CEO Miyake added, "With Muscat Shiragai as a branded grape, we hope to create a new high-value red wine identified with Kurashiki as its place of origin. Please look forward to the day when we can bring this to market." President Hirano noted, "Collaboration among industry, academia, and government is essential for building innovative local communities. OUS will continue integrating education and research, returning the results to the community, and contributing to solving regional and social issues." Currently, 20 vines are cultivated at Funao Winery and the OUS vineyard, yielding 41.6 kilograms in 2024. An additional 300 grafted vines were planted at the end of fiscal year 2023, with a goal of harvesting more than 500 kilograms by 20282029. The team also plans to optimize practices such as leaf removal, fertilization, and irrigation to further improve quality. The Shiraga grape was first described as a new species in 1918 by botanist Tomitaro Makino. Its Japanese name derives from Jukichi Shiraga, a botanist from Niimi City who discovered it. The species is known for its high sugar content, low acidity, resistance to fruit cracking, and tolerance to black rot and ripe rot. A friendly teen sleepover in Georgia turned tragic when a gun apparently accidentally discharged, killing a 19-year-old woman. Sebastian Prestridge, 19, faces an involuntary manslaughter charge in the October 9 shooting death of Nina Ramirez, WSB-TV 2 reported. The woman's mother, Maria Carmen Ramirez, said she believed the shooting was accidental. "They were playing with the gun," Ramirez told the station, adding that no one had checked to see if it was loaded. Lawrenceville Police said that Prestridge has been cooperating with investigators. Police said that there also were witnesses to the shooting who had provided statements regarding what happened. "This is an incredibly tragic situation, and our hearts go out to the victim's family and loved ones," said Captain Dena Pauly, Public Information Officer for the Lawrenceville Police Department. "Our investigators are working diligently to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding this young woman's death." Ramirez said that Prestridge and her daughter were dating. She and that her daughter was very happy with him. "He used to come in and he show that he was so nice. He showed he loved her," she told the station. "When you get mad and these things happen, you want to find something guilty [or] someone guilty, but I think it was just an accident." Originally published on Lawyer Herald This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A new Monash University study found that women were at higher risk of exhausting their retirement savings than men when relying on the traditional 60/40 investment mix of equities and bonds for a comfortable lifestyle. The report, titled "The Future of the 60/40 Allocation: Modeling the Performance of the 60/40 Portfolio in Retirement," used computer simulations to examine retirement outcomes in Australia and the United States. The study tested how well the classic 60/40 strategy, which allocates 60% of savings to equities for growth and 40% to bonds for stability, could support retirees over a 25-year period, either at a comfortable lifestyle of $53,289 a year or a modest lifestyle of $34,522 a year for single retirees, as defined by standard benchmarks in Australia. The research was led by experts from the Monash Center for Financial Studies (MCFS) at Monash Business School in collaboration with the US-based CFA Institute. The researchers found that women, who typically retire with lower superannuation balances in Australia and lower Social Security benefits in the United States, faced greater financial strain under the traditional 60/40 investment approach. MCFS senior research fellow and lead author of the study, Dr. Bei Cui, said since women have fewer external income streams, they were more likely to run down their savings earlier, especially if aiming for a comfortable lifestyle. "The 60/40 strategy only works well when several conditions align, such as higher savings balances at the start of retirement, modest lifestyle expectations and positive early returns," Dr. Cui said. "Many believe the 60/40 portfolio provides a safe balance, but in practice it does not deliver the same security for everyone, particularly for women who begin retirement at a disadvantage." The report calls for retirement planning that is flexible and tailored to individual needs, including savings levels at the start of retirement and lifestyle goals. The study concluded that a single investment formula, such as 60/40, would not be enough and called for more flexible retirement planning. It recommended withdrawal strategies that adjust to market conditions and greater financial literacy to help retirees, particularly women, understand the risks and trade-offs. MCFS Deputy Director and co-author of the research, Associate Professor Ummul Ruthbah, said that retirement outcomes depend heavily on when you retire, your starting balance, and your spending needs. "Portfolios for both men and women are hit hard if investment returns are poor in the first years of retirement, but since women's balances are typically smaller, their portfolios are likely to deplete faster," Associate Professor Ruthbah said. The research called for integrating additional financial resources, government benefits, and tax considerations into retirement planning, and better government policies to improve financial literacy among retirees regarding the complexities of retirement income planning. Another co-author of the study, Associate Professor Nga Pham, noted that women's retirement security requires special attention. "Our study showed that female retirees are more vulnerable because they often start with lower balances and lower ongoing benefits. This puts greater pressure on their portfolios and increases the risk of running out of money," Associate Professor Pham said. More information: The Future of the 60/40 Allocation. rpc.cfainstitute.org/research/ the-60-40-allocation This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain To a newly arrived red fox, the abundant rolling grasslands and swamps of Wadawurrung Country, around what is now called Port Phillip Bay, must have seemed like a predator's paradise. This landscape was filled with small native marsupials and birds, and free of European wolves or bears that usually kept fox numbers in check. The first red foxes, (Vulpes vulpes), to arrive in Australia were deliberately released by European colonialists in 1870 in three Victorian locationsWerribee, Corio (near Geelong) and Ballarat. They were introduced for the "noble" sport of fox hunting. Small native animals became easy prey for foxes because they did not evolve with these predators and did not know to avoid them. Red fox numbers ballooned and they spread rapidly. How fast? Our new research shows it took just 60 years for one of Australia's most devastating invasive predators to colonize the continent. These days, foxes can be found everywhere except the tropical north and Tasmania. Their rapid spread offers clues to how we might prevent future extinctions of native animals from foxes, and map the infiltration of Australia by other invasive species. Mapping the spread To model the arrival and spread of foxes across Australia, we relied on hundreds of historical "first-sighting" records collected from library, local government and state archives. First sightings of foxes were particularly newsworthy at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century in Australia. This is because of the threats that foxes posed to sheep and poultry. We ran thousands of model simulations reconstructing the arrival and spread of foxes across Australia. We played out likely scenarios of fox survival, reproduction and dispersal based on what we know about their behavior today. We then compared these simulated patterns of population growth and expansion against inferences of demographic change from these historical records. Our best models were able to closely reconstruct the timing of arrival of foxes in places and regions as well as their current day population sizes. Our modeling demonstrated foxes populated Australia at incredible speed. Between 1870 and 1895, they had spread across the southeastern corner of Australia. Then they spread more slowly to the north and west directions in arid regions. By 1940, however, they had reached the remote northwest. Flourishing foxes Foxes mate in winter, with females giving birth to four to five cubs. By autumn, the young foxes are on their own. They can travel up to 300 kilometers in search of new territory. As omnivores, they eat everything from small mammals such as rodents and rabbits to birds, insects and plants. In their native range from Europe to the Middle East foxes have been suppressed by predators like bears and wolves, but in Australia, fox numbers have soared. Unfortunately, the suppression of dingoes across Australia following European colonization is at least partly to blame for the explosion in fox numbers because there are not sufficient densities of dingoes control foxes. Foxes flourish in areas modified by humans. We show that their populations are densest around urban centers, and they do well after land is cleared for agriculture. Population growth rates of foxes in agricultural regions increased notably in the 1950s, as a result of large-scale agricultural expansion following World War II. This research also showed that in arid areas, population cycles of foxes follow a "boom and bust" cycle, while their numbers seem more stable in agricultural landscapes. Driving extinction European red foxes and domestic cats brought to Australia kill about 300 million native animals in Australia every year and remain the major driver of past and current extinctions. 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. Australia's fox population is about 1.7 million, and the Invasive Species Council estimates as many as 16 mammal species have become extinct mainly or partly because of foxes. This is about 40% of total extinctions since European arrival. Our new research provides important insights into which native species have been threatened for the longest period of time, identifying areas that were potentially important refuges from foxes. The adaptable simulation models we used to track fox expansion can be used for other invasive species that haven't yet infiltrated all of Australia, such as cane toads. We hope these models will help us map the spread of other invasive species such as cats, and potentially curb Australia's decline in native wildlife. More information: Diversity and Distributions (2025). Journal information: Diversity and Distributions This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The divisive bill unfairly targeted vulnerable diaspora communities, while ignoring rising anti-Hindu hate in California, including the vandalization of four Hindu temples. SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) welcomes Governor Gavin Newsom's veto of SB509 , a California bill ostensibly about Transnational Repression (TNR) that would have painted a target on the back of immigrant-heavy communities. He called out the need to stay flexible in alignment with federal directives, and we agree. Despite months of good faith engagement with the author's office, the bill remained divisive, duplicative, and expensive. Its vague terminology could be weaponized , by vested interests with access to institutional power, to unfairly target vulnerable diaspora communities in the State. "This is a victory for common sense and equal treatment before law, so we thank Governor Newsom for doing the right thing. Nobody deserves to be labelled 'agents of foreign governments' for simply having an opinion that runs contrary to the ideological bent of powerful privileged lawmakers, academics, and media," said Sudha Jagannathan, CoHNA's board member and head of government relations. "This was truly a community effort. We thank the large number of individual organizations and volunteers who came together to make their voices heard." Had SB509 become law, it would have given California's Office of Emergency Services the power to train local law enforcement officials on how to identify "foreign proxies"without clearly defining who those proxies are, and without any evidence that such threats even exist in the state. It would have put individuals with foreign roots, advocating for their community, at risk of being labelled foreign government "proxies". For instance, California Hindus opposing the vandalisation of their neighbourhood mandir with anti-India graffiti could be labelled as proxies of the Indian government. Twenty-one Assembly Members had abstained from voting on the measure. In the run up to the veto, dozens of organizations, civic and elected leaders from diverse backgrounds had signed a coalition letter asking the Governor to veto SB509. CoHNA thanks community leaders like Ajay Jain Bhutoria as well as interfaith allies and elected officials who faced attacks for stating professional concerns regarding the bill. It takes courage to stand against powerful voices seeking to subvert institutions. "For the past two years we have watched in horror as California lawmakers have ignored the real and rising anti-Hindu hate in the stateas documented by the state itself. They have ignored four vandalism attacks on Hindu temples and prioritized bills that further empower privileged groups at the expense of those that do not," said Pushpita Prasad, CoHNA board member and longtime California resident who has been leading efforts to address temple vandalism and hate incidents. "We thank Governor Newsom for staying true to his promise of 'California For All'. Now we must make sure that State institutions like POST also review and revise materials that were created with no input from diverse groups," she added. SB509 (a redo of the failed AB3027 bill introduced in 2024) attempted to differentiate between various California communities and weaponize rising hate. California's own reporting has shown a rise in anti-Hindu hate for four straight years. In 2024, its report showed alarming levels of anti-Hindu hate, second only to antisemitism in the State. In a stark illustration of this hate, Hindu temples have been repeatedly desecrated by acts of vandalism between December 2023 and March 2025, all under the guise of anti-India slogans. Yet, there have seen no arrests or prosecutions for any of these hate crimes. The extremists who attack our temples imply, through their actions, that the congregants of these temples are proxies for the Indian government and, thus, perfectly fine targets. This is true even for a temple founded and run by Hindus from places as far away from India as the Caribbean. Our community has been gripped by the very real fear that SB509 would give legal weight to the presumption that Hindu and Hindu places are proxies for the Indian government. CoHNA is glad to see the failure of this latest attempt to co-opt institutional power for partisan ideological purposes. We demand all lawmakers who voted for this bill to, instead, focus on equality and justice, and spend taxpayer money on real issues facing California. At a time when communities in southern California that were ravaged by wildfire are still struggling to return to normalcy, it is absurd that State lawmakers were ready to stress an already overburdened Office of Emergency Services with needless TNR training. Today's win is a culmination of the efforts of the entire Hindu American community, and the hundreds of organizations, temples, businesses, and allies that spoke up in the face of attempts to intimidate them. We thank our volunteers and supporters who have been opposing this bill since March 2025. Together, we have made countless calls and emails, had meetings with dozens of legislative offices and gone to Sacramento three times to testify in opposition . CoHNA remains committed to working with lawmakers, interfaith allies, and civic leaders to ensure that California stays true to its promise of equality, fairness, and safety for all communities. About CoHNA CoHNA is a grassroots level advocacy and civil rights organization dedicated to improving the understanding of Hinduism in North America by working on matters related to the Hindu community and by educating the public about Hindu heritage and tradition. For more information, please visit https://cohna.org or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) , Facebook , LinkedIn and Instagram . SOURCE Coalition of Hindus of North America 85-year-old White Coffee Corp., a leading supplier to major discount and big box retailers, offers a new licensed division of retail business and brand opportunities HOUSTON, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston-based FreshBrew, one of the largest private-label coffee and tea roasters in the country, announced today the acquisition of White Coffee's Branded Coffee licensed division, which includes the nation's largest portfolio of licensed bagged coffee and K-Cup products. "FreshBrew is expanding its capabilities and growing the business," said Al Ansari, CEO of FreshBrew Group. "Acquiring a respected, family-led company like this presented a rare opportunity to strengthen our position in the coffee industry. Now is the perfect time to join forces, as FreshBrew continues to grow with purpose. This move expands our offerings and diversifies our customer and consumer base." FreshBrew will secure ownership of multiple licenses, enabling the company to develop, produce, and market coffee for major brands with established market presence. Leveraging the strong brand equity of these licensed names, FreshBrew will handle the entire process, from roasting and grinding to distribution, complementing FreshBrew's private label business. "Our company has been our family's life for decades," said Carole White, President of White Coffee Corp. "Seeing our brands and licensed partnerships carried forward by FreshBrew ensures that White Coffee's history of quality and care will live on for future generations of coffee drinkers." The acquisition of White Coffee represents one of the largest transactions in the coffee industry in 2025. FreshBrew, which proudly serves a portfolio of renowned Fortune 500 companies, will significantly expand its operations to produce approximately 150,000 pounds of coffee per day. With the addition of its new liquid production facility, FreshBrew now has the capability to produce extracts and a variety of concentrates for use across the food and beverage industry. "All three generations of our family have dedicated themselves to building the White Coffee legacy. Handing the stewardship of our branded portfolio to FreshBrew is a proud and emotional milestone," said Jonathan White, Executive Vice President of White Coffee Corp and Chair of the National Coffee Association's Board of Directors. Jonathan and Gregory White, Vice President of White Coffee Corp., will join FreshBrew's executive team to lead the transition and focus on growing the retail division and all facets of the business. About Fresh Brew Group FreshBrew is a family-owned business operating FreshBrew Coffee and Tea. Since its inception more than 90 years ago, FreshBrew has been dedicated to providing customers with the highest quality product and technology-driven services while continuously expanding product lines. As one of the largest private-label coffee and tea producers in the country, FreshBrew supplies coffee, tea and total beverage solutions to notable brands in the national foodservice, convenience store, hospitality and retail sectors. For more information, visit www.freshbrewgroup.com About White Coffee Corp. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Long Island City, NY, White Coffee Corp. has been family-owned and operated for three generations. Known for its innovation, quality, and one of the nation's largest licensed coffee portfolios, White Coffee has built a reputation as a trusted partner to retailers, foodservice providers, and consumers nationwide. SOURCE FreshBrew Kathmandu, Nepal October 14, 2025: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Kul Man Ghising, has called on the Republic of Korea to enhance its investment in Nepal, particularly in the areas of green hydrogen production, fertilizer manufacturing, and public transportation systems. During a meeting held on Monday at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation in Singha Durbar, Minister Ghising made these requests to the Korean Ambassador to Nepal, Park Tae-young. He emphasized the long-standing economic and development cooperation between Nepal and Korea and expressed Nepal's willingness to further deepen this partnership. According to the Ministers Secretariat, Ghising proposed the development of large-scale hydropower projectswith a capacity of over 500 MWeither through government-to-government collaboration or with investment from Korean private sector companies. He stressed the strategic importance of reservoir-based hydropower projects for maintaining energy stability within Nepal and boosting electricity exports. In addition, Minister Ghising requested increased support for Nepal under Koreas Employment Permit System (EPS), specifically urging for a higher quota of Nepali workers, provision of skill development training prior to departure, and support for entrepreneurship programs aimed at utilizing the skills of returnee workers. Minister Ghising also urged for the expedited finalization of Korean Export-Import (Exim) Bank assistance for the 400 kV InaruwaAnarmani transmission line, which will link the Arun River Corridor to Nepal's EastWest Transmission Line. He further requested Korean cooperation in building Nepals capacity for railway construction, operation, and maintenance. Ambassador Park congratulated Minister Ghising on his new role and conveyed best wishes on behalf of the Korean government. In response to the ministers proposals, Ambassador Park acknowledged Koreas ongoing support for Nepals energy sector and expressed a continued commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. Mexico promotes its semiconductor industry during Phoenix Semicon West 2025 Mexico City, Mexico The Ministry of Economy promoted Mexicos semiconductor industry through Semicon West 2025 held in Phoenix, Arizona. The industry was promoted to attract more foreign investment and strengthen North American supply chains. Mexico strengthened its leadership as an advanced manufacturing platform by presenting regional opportunities to institutions and companies from Germany, France, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. The countrys competitive advantages were promoted throughout the semiconductor sectors value chain. As part of its efforts to attract more foreign investment and strengthen North American supply chains, the Ministry of Economy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development of the State of Mexico, participated from October 7 to 9 in Semicon West 2025, the worlds leading event for the semiconductor industry. With the Mexico pavilion, agencies promoted the countrys competitive advantages throughout the sectors value chain, from design and materials to the testing, packaging, and distribution of electronic components. The fair brought together more than 43,000 attendees and 1,200 exhibitors, providing a strategic space for high-level meetings with companies and governments from the worlds leading technology centers. During the mission, business meetings were held with US companies such as Qualcomm, Towa and Reytek. Semicon West also featured panels led by TSMC, Nvidia, and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, who will soon visit Mexico. Mexicos participation also allowed the country to showcase its regional opportunities to institutions and companies in Germany, France, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, consolidating Mexicos leadership as an advanced manufacturing platform and a strategic hub for the North American semiconductor ecosystem. Within the framework of the fair, the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix, headed by Consul General Jorge Mendoza, organized an investment showcase to promote projects from the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, and Puebla. Representatives from Baja California and Jalisco also participated, exploring opportunities for industrial collaboration within the framework of SemiconWest. The Mexican delegation also held meetings with authorities and business chambers in cities that comprise the logistics chain in the southwestern United States, such as Las Cruces, Maricopa, Phoenix, Schertz (Texas), Chandler, and Prescott, strengthening binational ties for the development of new technology corridors. On behalf of the Ministry of Economy, the mission was led by Diego Flores, head of the Electronic and Digital Industry Sector, and Jesus Valdes, head of the Transversal Axis of Economic Promotion Abroad. They emphasized that this participation reaffirms Mexicos commitment to innovation, competitiveness, and regional productive integration. Neighbors hold murderer for police in fatal parking lot stabbing Cancun, Q.R. Neighbors who held a man for police in a fatal stabbing has been officially arrested. Rogelio N, a suspect in a homicide case, was officially arrested after the victim died. Members of the SSC (Citizen Security Secretariats) Investigation Group responded to a report received through the 911 emergency line about a person injured with a knife Monday. Upon arriving at the scene, which was a parking lot in SM 259 of the Villas Otoch Paraiso subdivision, they saw a group of approximately 20 people signaling for assistance. When police approached, the group handed over a man whom they identified as the alleged perpetrator of stabbing another man who was lying on the ground with blood stains around him, the SSC said. During the interview with one of the witnesses, he reported that as he passed by his brothers house, he saw him arguing with a friend identified as the alleged attacker. Moments later, the suspect allegedly pulled out a silver-colored knife and injured his brother in the abdomen. The attacker then attempted to flee, but due to his apparent intoxication, he fell to the ground. Neighbors surrounded him, causing him to drop the knife and detain him until police arrived. As a result of the inspection, a metal-handled knife approximately 35 centimeters long was seized, as well as a white short-sleeved shirt with red floral prints and blood stains. A medical unit arrived at the scene and provided pre-hospital care to the injured man, who was taken to Dr. Jesus Kumate Rodriguez General Hospital, where his death was later reported, said the statement. Rogelio N remains in custody pending a police investigation into the stabbing death. Passenger heading for Havana arrested inside Cancun International after X-ray reveals false bottom Cancun, Q.R. A passenger about to board a plane at Cancun International bound for Cuba has been arrested. The unnamed man was taken into custody over the weekend by National Guard from inside the airport after a luggage X-ray revealed a false bottom. The man was pulled aside and his luggage manually inspected by Customs Agents who located a false bottom hiding cocaine. The narcotics were found during an X-ray scan of his luggage. In compliance with the Mexican Governments National Security Strategy, members of the National Guard arrested the man found transporting cocaine in his luggage as he attempted to board a flight at the Cancun International Airport in Quintana Roo. National Guard inside the airport were alerted by agents of the X-ray area after noticing irregularities in a leather suitcase. The leather bag was on the belt and property of a passenger who intended to travel to Havana, Cuba. To corroborate the presence of a prohibited, a narcotics dog was used to confirm the substance, as well as an analysis, which also tested positive for the presence of a white powder with the characteristics of cocaine. During a detailed search of the suitcase, they located a false bottom containing a package that was analyzed using equipment to detect illicit substances and confirmed to be cocaine hydrochloride. The suitcases owner was arrested, National Guard reported. The passenger was read the Bill of Rights for Persons in Detention, registered in the National Registry of Arrests and taken to the Federal Public Prosecutors Office in Cancun. Quintana Roo authorities dismantle over 130 illegally installed cameras in public areas Riviera Maya, Q.R. Over 130 illegally installed surveillance cameras have been removed from public poles in the state. The SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana) said to date, 134 have been taken down from public poles around the state. Authorities began finding illegally installed cameras early in the year on poles along the federal highway. At the time, a majority of those cameras were reportedly installed by criminal gang leaders to monitor highway traffic and other gangs. In April, authorities announced a state-wide sweep of public poles to locate illegally installed spy cameras. On Tuesday, the SSC (Secretariat of Citizen Security) reported locating 134 found illegally operating in public places. The SSC says they dismantled all 134 unauthorized video surveillance cameras located so far this year in Quintana Roo. Members of the Secretariat of Citizen Security, in coordination with the Secretariat of the Navy, carried out an operation in various municipalities in Quintana Roo to identify and dismantle unauthorized video surveillance cameras. These cameras were seized and made available to the legal department of the SSC. These types of devices installed in public spaces (poles or municipal or state infrastructure) must be officially authorized and registered. Police say operating them without the proper permits can pose a risk to public privacy. For this reason, they are considered a potential threat to security and the current legal framework. So far in 2025, a total of 134 video surveillance cameras that are not registered with any official agency have been removed. The Secretariat of Citizen Security will continue its verification work to corroborate the status and legality of the remaining cameras installed in public spaces, the SSC reported. Sheinbaum reports updated census of 65 dead, 65 missing in five rain soaked states Mexico City, Mexico After a tour of states devastated by two tropical storms, the death toll has climbed to 65. President Claudia Sheinbaum reported 65 dead and 65 unaccounted for with 100,000 homes left in ruins across five states. President Sheinbaum toured the affected areas Sunday after more than 500mms of rain fell across parts of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, San Luis Potosi and Queretaro from two tropical storms. During a Monday press conference, she explained that the priority right now is opening roads to isolated towns, although in all cases, the Armed Forces airlifts have been established to transport water and food. There are some places where roads will be opening today and there are places, mainly in Hidalgo and Veracruz, where it will be a few more days, she said Monday. Following the supervisory tour he led Sunday in Puebla and Veracruz, she confirmed that more support will arrive to reinforce the deep cleanup. Whats needed is a lot of backfilling, a lot of trucks to take out the garbage, and thats whats going to happen today. She said the Ministry of Welfares census also began Monday, which includes homes, land plots, and small businesses, ensuring that no family will be left behind. Following the census, initial support will come, followed by greater support. The Ministry of National Defense has supplies still stored in its strategic reserve that will be distributed once the houses are cleared and all communications are reestablished. She mentioned that the flooding of rivers caused the main damage. Theres no way to build a new home there, so in that case, with Sedatu and Conavi, were conducting censuses to provide housing to many people who had their homes on the riverbanks who clearly cant return to these areas because theyre at risk. In the five affected states, the Executive Commission for Victim Assistance (CEAV) and the National Search Commission (CNB) are in contact with families who have reported missing persons. Let the people of Mexico know that we will give our all, as we always do, but especially in this. And that we are not sparing any effort, any support. Know that we are there, we will be there, we will not leave anyone helpless. She added that aid delivery requires organization and coordination so donations must be made through state governments and military regions. The Mexican people are very generous and always want to support. And we, with complete transparency, state where the donations go, how they arrived, and where they are being taken. Sheinbaum highlighted the work of the governor of Veracruz, as well as the governors of Hidalgo, Puebla, San Luis Potosi and Queretaro, who, regardless of their political affiliation, have maintained coordination with the federal government from the outset to help the population. At the end of the morning press conference, the president led a meeting with members of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) to secure the necessary resources for the affected families. The Secretary of National Defense, Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, explained that the DN-III-E Plan is being implemented in the five states with the deployment of 7,347 members of the Mexican Army and National Guard. They have seven aircraft, 40 units of heavy machinery, four hospitals with 160 beds, and two water treatment plants, among various equipment such as mobile kitchens, dump trucks, boats, tractor-trailers, drones, canine teams and chainsaws. They have delivered water and food to 39 isolated communities in Veracruz, Hidalgo, and Puebla. In Poza Rica, the number of personnel deployed will increase from 400 to 1,000, and in Alamo, they will increase from 400 to 500. Navy Secretary Raymundo Pedro Morales Angeles stated that 3,300 troops are on the ground. They have eight aircraft, nine helicopters, three water treatment plants, two ships, and 19 boats, among other resources. So far, they have delivered 4,500 boxes of food supplies. The Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, Jesus Antonio Esteva Medina, reported that 130 road interruptions were resolved out of a total of 132, involving 1,061 kilometers. To date, they have removed 126,485 cubic meters of material from landslides and collapses, with the support of 478 workers and 276 machines. The agency operates in 75 municipalities and is servicing 32 affected vehicular bridges in the five states. The national coordinator of Civil Protection, Laura Velazquez Alzua, reported that 40 municipalities in Veracruz were affected and that 29 people died and 18 are missing. In Hidalgo, 28 municipalities were affected, 21 people lost their lives and 43 are missing. In Puebla, 23 municipalities are affected, 13 people have died and four are missing. In San Luis Potosi, 12 municipalities were affected. This state has not recorded any deaths or missing persons. In Queretaro, eight municipalities were affected. One person died and no one is reported missing. The director general of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) , Emilia Calleja Alor, announced that 262,847 users were affected by the power supply. So far, 84 percent of the service has been restored. The public telecommunications network was damaged in 58 municipalities, 44 base stations and 152 free internet access points have already been restored, benefiting 595,917 residents. To serve the population, they have 380 workers, 78 cranes, 90 vehicles, 22 emergency power plants, five drones, and four helicopters. Power is available. Isolated areas will be served once the roads are open. Between October 6 to 9, tropical storms Raymond and Priscilla dumped heavy rains on Veracruz (540 millimeters), Puebla (487 mm), San Luis Potosi (298 mm), Hidalgo (245 mm) and Queretaro (232 mm). To date, 65 have been reported killed with another 65 unaccounted for, up from the initial count of 48 dead. TAIPEI, Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, announces its latest energy-efficient AI supercomputing solution, AI TOP ATOM, will be officially on the market on October 15th. AI TOP ATOM is powered by the NVIDIA Grace Blackwell GB10 Superchip , designed for on-premises AI development and brings supercomputer performance to the desktop. With the preinstalled NVIDIA AI software stack, it is ideal for rapid prototyping, fine-tuning, and inference within a compact form factor. GIGABYTE Announces its Personal AI Supercomputer AI TOP ATOM Will be Available Globally on October 15 Equipped with 128GB unified system memory and up to 4TB SSD, AI TOP ATOM delivers up to 1 petaFLOP of FP4 AI performance and supports large-scale models up to 200 billion parameters on-premises. For advanced workloads, users can connect two AI TOP ATOMs using the built-in NVIDIA ConnectX-7 NIC to handle models up to 405 billion parameters. Despite its immense power, the system is housed in a compact chassis, enabling seamless operation regardless of space limitations. AI TOP ATOM is leveraged with NVIDIA AI software stack, a full-stack solution for generative AI workloads, including tools, frameworks, libraries to accelerate AI development. It also integrates seamlessly with GIGABYTE's exclusive AI TOP Utility, a software with an intuitive interface for model fine-tuning, inference, and deployment across large language models (LLMs), large multimodal models (LMMs), and modern machine learning (ML) applications. From AI developers and researchers to students and institutions, GIGABYTE AI TOP ATOM delivers a flexible and cost-efficient solution to accelerate AI innovation across industries. For more information, please visit GIGABYTE official website . SOURCE GIGABYTE internet crashes or slowdowns caused by network congestion viruses sabotage satellite failures phone line failures electrical outages natural or man-made disasters lost, late, misdirected, postage-due, unintelligible, returned, or undelivered entries or email lost, interrupted, or unavailable satellite, network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other internet connections, providers, or platforms failed telephone, satellite or cable hardware or software or lines, or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures, or difficulties other errors of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, or network Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of this contest or website, or act in violation of the official service, as solely determined by the station, will be disqualified. Neither sponsor nor promotion parties are responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information whether caused by website users, tampering, hacking, or by any of the programming or equipment associated with or used in this contest, and assume no responsibility for any errors, omissions, deletions, interruptions or delays in operation or transmission or communication line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized website access. Rock Town Now / WSVA-AM is not responsible for injury or damage to participants or any other persons computer or property related to or resulting from participating in this contest. Should any portion of contest be, in Rock Town Now / WSVA-AMs sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, unauthorized human intervention (i.e., hackers) or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the station, corrupt or impair administration, security, fairness or proper play of this contest, or contest plays, Rock Town Now / WSVA-AM reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the contest. SAO PAULO, Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (B3: GOLL54) ("GOL" or "Company"), one of the main airlines in Brazil, in compliance with article 157, paragraph 4, of Law No. 6,404/76 and the Resolution of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission No. 44/2021 ("Resolution CVM 44"), hereby informs its shareholders and the market in general that, on this date, the Company's Board of Directors approved, among other matters, the convening of General Meetings to deliberate on the proposed merger of the Company and Gol Investment Brasil S.A., a privately held corporation registered with the CNPJ/MF under No. 55.012.370/0001-30 ("GIB"), into Gol Linhas Aereas S.A., also a privately held corporation registered with the CNPJ/MF under No. 07.575.651/0001-59 ("GLA"), whose shares are wholly owned by the Company (the "Merger"). This transaction will result in the Company's withdrawal from Level 2 of Corporate Governance ("Level 2") of B3 S.A. Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao ("B3"). The Merger aims to reorganize the Company's operations, generate synergies and reduce costs. The Company emphasizes that the implementation of the Merger remains subject to corporate approvals (including those at the General Meetings) and applicable third-party consents, as outlined below. Below are the key terms and conditions of the Merger. Structure and Exchange Ratio The Merger will involve the consolidation of the Company and GIB into GLA, pursuant to the Protocol and Justification for the Merger of GIB and the Company by GLA (the "Protocol"). Upon completion of the Merger, GLA will absorb all assets and liabilities of the Company and GIB, thereby succeeding them in all rights and obligations. As a result, both the Company and GIB will be extinguished. In exchange, shareholders of the Company and GIB will receive common shares issued by GLA, as follows: (i) Each shareholder of the Company will receive: (a) one (1) GLA common share for each common share of the Company held; and (b) thirty-five (35) GLA common shares for each preferred share of the Company held (the "GLAI Base Exchange Ratio"). (ii) Given that GIB's primary assets consist of shares in the Company (along with capital reserves) and that it has no material liabilities, GIB's sole shareholder will receive, in exchange for its shares, all GLA common shares originally allocated to GIB under the GLAI Base Exchange Ratio. In accordance with CVM Guidance Opinion No. 35, the Company's Board of Directors has established an independent committee composed exclusively of independent directors to negotiate the terms and conditions of the Merger and the resulting exchange ratio. Outstanding warrants issued by the Company and traded on B3 under the ticker "GOLL80" will, if not exercised prior to the Merger, be replaced by warrants issued by GLA ("GLA Warrant") on a one-for-one basis, with the corresponding cancellation of the GLAI Warrants, subject to the terms of the Protocol. Each GLA Warrant will entitle its holder to subscribe for thirty-five (35) GLA common shares (i.e., in line with the GLAI Base Exchange Ratio), at the current issue price of R$5.82. The Company's treasury shares will be reissued by GLA in the same proportion as the GLAI Base Exchange Ratio and subscribed by GLA itself, remaining in treasury. For clarity, the Company presents below a flowchart illustrating the current corporate structure, the proposed structure under the Merger, and the final structure post-Merger. Merger's Flowchart OPA Exit Level 2 GLA does not intend to register as a publicly held company or securities issuer. Consequently, GIB, as the controlling shareholder of the Company, will launch a public tender offer for the acquisition of shares issued by the Company to facilitate its delisting from Level 2, in accordance with the Company's bylaws (Section XI, item 11.3), the Level 2 Listing Regulations, and CVM Resolution No. 215, dated October 29, 2024, as amended (the "Level 2 Exit Tender Offer"). All minority shareholders holding preferred shares of the Company including holders of GLAI Warrants who exercise them and acquire preferred shares of GLAI by a date to be announced by GLAI's management will be eligible to participate in the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer. The Company will engage a specialized firm to prepare an appraisal report of its shares, based on economic and financial criteria, for the purposes of the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer (the "Tender Offer Appraisal Report"). A Special General Meeting of Preferred Shareholders has been convened to select, from a triple list proposed by the Board of Directors, the firm responsible for preparing the Tender Offer Appraisal Report (the "Tender Offer Appraiser"). In accordance with Article 223, paragraphs 3 and 4 of Law No. 6,404/76, dissenting shareholders of the Company will be entitled to exercise withdrawal rights, as detailed in the Protocol. As set forth in the Protocol, GIB reserves the right not to launch and/or carry out the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer if the total amount to be paid under the offer resulting from the acquisition of preferred shares held by GLAI's minority shareholders, as determined by the price established in the Tender Offer Appraisal Report is equal to or greater than R$47,250,000.00 (forty-seven million, two hundred and fifty thousand reais). In such case, if the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer is not launched, the Merger will not become effective, as one of the conditions precedent for the Merger will not have been satisfied Key Terms and Conditions The consummation of the Merger is subject, pursuant to Article 125 of the Civil Code, to the fulfillment of the following conditions precedent ("Conditions Precedent Merger"): (i) Launch, implementation, and settlement of the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer; (ii) Approval of the Merger by the shareholders' meetings of the Company, GLA, and GIB; (iii) Absence of changes, fluctuations, or acts, facts, or force majeure events that materially and adversely affect the assets of the companies, occurring between June 30, 2025, and the settlement date of the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer; (iv) Obtaining third-party authorizations from creditors of the Company or GLA, and/or from parties to agreements entered into by the companies, as provided for in the applicable contracts. No fractional shares will result from the Merger, given the exchange ratio defined above. The Merger will be implemented on a date to be defined by the Company, GIB, and GLA, following compliance with the Conditions Precedent Merger and the expiration of the 30-day period for the exercise of withdrawal rights by the Company's shareholders. The Merger will result, among other effects, in: (i) a capital increase of GLA through the issuance of common shares, to be subscribed and paid in by the managers of the Company and GIB on behalf of their shareholders; and (ii) the issuance of GLA Warrant. Up to and including the date of disclosure of the Material Fact announcing the implementation of the Merger, a General Shareholders Meeting of GLA will be held to elect the members of its Board of Directors. Information required under Articles 21 and 22 of CVM Resolution No. 81 is provided in Exhibit I and Exhibit IV of the management proposal published on this date. These documents are available at the Company's headquarters (located at Rua Verbo Divino, No. 1,661, 11th floor, Chacara Santo Antonio, in the city of Sao Paulo, State of Sao Paulo, ZIP Code 04719-002), as well as on the websites of the Company (ri.voegol.com.br), the CVM (www.gov.br/cvm), and B3 (www.b3.com.br). Context and rationale for the Merger As part of the Company's financial reorganization and restructuring plan, a capital increase was carried out through the capitalization of credits held by various creditors, in accordance with the terms approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on May 30, 2025 ("Capitalization"). The total amount was R$12,029,337,733.91, resulting in the issuance of 8,193,921,300,487 common shares and 968,821,806,468 preferred shares by the Company. In accordance with Law No. 6,404/76, all GLAI shareholders were given the opportunity to subscribe to their respective portions of the newly issued shares to avoid dilution. However, as disclosed in the Material Fact dated July 16, 2025, only approximately 0.76% of the total preferred shares exercised their preemptive rights. Following the exercise of preemptive rights by certain shareholders, GIB became the holder of approximately: (i) 99.97% of the Company's common shares; and (ii) 99.22% of the Company's preferred shares. This resulted in a free float of approximately 0.78% of the Company's preferred shares significantly below the minimum percentage of outstanding shares required by the Level 2 Regulations ("Minimum Percentage of Outstanding Shares"). As disclosed in the Material Fact dated July 22, 2025, B3 granted the Company a deadline of January 18, 2027, to reclassify its free float to meet the Minimum Percentage of Outstanding Shares. Additionally, as disclosed in the Material Fact dated September 30, 2025, B3 granted the Company a deadline of January 29, 2026, to adjust the unit quotation of its preferred shares to a minimum of R$1.00 per share, pursuant to Articles 46 to 50 of B3's Issuers' Regulation ("Minimum Quotation of Preferred Shares"). Considering this, and taking into account applicable legislation and regulations, the Company's management together with its indirect controlling shareholder, Abra Group Limited, through its subsidiary GIB evaluated alternatives and conducted studies to simplify the governance and organizational structure of the Company, GLA, and their respective subsidiaries. The goal is to enable operational efficiencies and reduce administrative and financial costs resulting from the reorganization, while also addressing the requirements related to the Minimum Percentage of Outstanding Shares and the unit price of preferred shares under B3's Issuers' Regulation. The Merger seeks to streamline the Gol Group's organizational structure by consolidating the operations of the Company, GIB, and GLA, thereby enabling: (i) Optimization of operational efficiency through simplification of internal processes (e.g., accounting, tax obligations, intercompany transactions, current account management, and corporate acts); (ii) Enhanced and simplified cash management through enhanced cash concentration and lower carrying costs; (iii) Strengthening of the Company's financial position through unified and more efficient management of equity elements; (iv) Improved corporate governance and reduced structural complexity through the unification of the three companies under a single administration; (v) Utilization of tax synergies among the Company, GIB, and GLA; and (vi) Resolution of non-compliance with the Minimum Percentage of Outstanding Shares and the Minimum Quotation of Preferred Shares. Risks Considering that GIB is, on this date, the holder of 99.97% of the Company's common shares and 99.22% of its preferred shares, and that the Company is, on this date, the holder of 100% of GLA's capital stock, the Company's management understands that the Merger will not result in an increase in risk for GLA or the Company, nor will it impact the risk profile of the Company's shareholders or other interested parties, including GLA and GIB. Nonetheless, shareholders should consider specific risks related to the implementation of the Merger, notably: (i) Risk of non-implementation : The consummation of the Merger is subject to approval by shareholders at the General Meeting and the fulfillment of the Conditions Precedent to the Merger. Failure to obtain such approvals may render the Merger unfeasible, and uncertainty regarding its potential non-implementation may adversely affect the trading price of the Company's shares. (ii) Risk of loss of liquidity and governance : The Company is currently registered in category "A" of issuers with the CVM and has its preferred shares listed at Level 2. GLA, however, does not intend to register as a publicly held company or as a securities issuer with the CVM, nor does it intend to list its shares on B3. Accordingly, upon consummation of the Merger, shareholders who do not sell their shares on the stock exchange or within the scope of the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer, nor exercise their withdrawal rights , will receive shares in GLA a closely held company without CVM registration and without market liquidity for its shares . Furthermore, GLA will not be subject to the minimum corporate governance requirements set forth in the Level 2 regulations, including, but not limited to, rules regarding board composition, voting rights on certain reserved matters, enhanced market disclosures, and tag-along rights for common and preferred shares. As a result, shareholders who receive GLA shares may experience a significant reduction in both the liquidity of their investments and the scope of their corporate rights, compared to the regime currently applicable to shares issued by the Company. Discontinuation of the Disclosure of Projections (Guidance) Pursuant to CVM Resolution No. 44 and CVM Resolution No. 80/22, the Company informs that, due to the corporate and financial changes arising from the potential Merger, it has decided to discontinue the disclosure of its financial projections as set forth in item 3 of the Reference Form. Next Steps The Company has already convened the Extraordinary General Meeting and the Special General Meeting of Preferred Shareholders, both scheduled for November 4, 2025, to deliberate on the Merger and the appointment of the Tender Offer Appraiser. Following these approvals, the Company will engage with the Tender Offer Appraiser, as selected by the holders of GLAI's preferred shares at the Special General Meeting. Upon issuance of the Tender Offer Appraisal Report, GIB will proceed with the necessary steps to carry out the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer, including the required filings with the CVM and B3. After settlement of the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer, a withdrawal rights period will be offered, as previously detailed. Upon expiration of this period and full satisfaction (or waiver, as applicable) of the Conditions Precedent to the Merger, the Merger will be implemented and completed. The Company will continue to keep shareholders and the market at large duly informed of each stage of the Merger and the Level 2 Exit Tender Offer, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. About GOL GOL is one of Brazil's leading domestic airlines and is part of the Abra Group. Since its founding in 2001, the Company has maintained the lowest unit cost in Latin America, democratizing air travel. GOL has alliances with American Airlines and Air France-KLM and offers 18 codeshare and interline agreements to its customers, providing greater convenience and seamless connections to destinations served by these partners. With the purpose of "Being the First for Everyone", GOL delivers the best travel experience to its passengers and offers the best loyalty program, Smiles. In cargo transportation, Gollog enables package delivery to various regions in Brazil and abroad. The Company has a team of 14,6 highly qualified aviation professionals focused on Safety GOL's number one value and operates a standardized fleet of 141 Boeing 737 aircraft. The Company's shares are traded at B3, under the ticker GOLL54. For more information, visit www.voegol.com.br/ri. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2795347/English.jpg SOURCE GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. Chick-fil-A Singapore owner is doing it to inspire his teenage son. (PHOTO: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) Singaporean entrepreneur Chyn Koh sampled Chick-fil-A only after deciding to commit his future to it. By the time he finally tasted the brands signature chicken sandwich in May in Singapore, he had already completed a rigorous seven-month interview process to become the owner-operator of its first Asian outlet. Initially skeptical of a sandwich made with chicken breast a cut often dismissed by locals Koh was quickly converted. The 49-year-old recalled: "I took my first bite and then, boom. How can a piece of chicken with two buns and two pickles taste so good?" A seasoned fast-food veteran who spent 17 years as a Subway franchisee, Koh now hopes to demolish fast-food stereotypes when Chick-fil-A opens here in late 2025. His vision is to focus on building a strong reputation rather than chasing pure sales, to create an inclusive space that welcomes guests of all backgrounds the restaurant will not serve pork, though it does not currently plan to seek halal certification and to establish Chick-fil-A as Singapores most beloved chicken restaurant. For Koh, that means serving fresh chicken filleted and breaded by hand, and providing warm, attentive service that goes beyond expectation. He envisions staff who refill drinks without being asked, or surprise guests with gestures that reflect what Chick-fil-A's "second-mile service" ethos. "Some owner-operators will say they want to change lives. That might be a bit of a stretch for me, but I feel that we absolutely have the ability to make someones day in a restaurant," he said. While he declined to reveal his total investment beyond a $15,000 franchise fee, Koh said it was the brands famous ethos that inspired him to apply for the job of owner-operator in October 2024. At the time, he was comfortably managing six Subway outlets but felt he was "losing momentum". He shared: "One day, I was driving, and I thought, 'This cant be it, right? Theres got to be something else.'" Koh sees this new venture as both a professional challenge and a personal mission. He wants to dedicate his "20 good years left of energy" to building something meaningful, and to inspire his 13-year-old son in the process. He said: "What I do matters more than what I say. I want him to see me take on this huge thing, maybe struggle with it and make some mistakes, then come out successful on the other side. Thats how I hope Ill get some drive into him." For more on the Chick-fil-A Singapore owner, read here. A full-day event convening chefs, farmers, policymakers, and innovators to drive bold solutions for a healthier, more sustainable food system. WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Join Food Tank, the Global Food Institute at GW, the Culinary Institute of America, and Jose Andres for the 1st Annual Food and Agriculture Policy Summit on October 28, 2025, at the Jack Morton Auditorium in Washington, D.C. in collaboration with Driscoll's, Meatable, and Oatly. WHAT: 1st Annual Food & Agriculture Policy Summit WHEN: October 28, 2025 WHERE: Jack Morton Auditorium at the George Washington University (805 21st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20052) 1st Annual Food & Agriculture Policy Summit Comes to D.C. 1st Annual Food & Agriculture Policy Summit Comes to D.C. WHY: The 1st Annual Food & Agriculture Policy Summit is a unique chance to connect with leaders shaping a more healthy, equitable, and sustainable food systemand to amplify the solutions already at work. The Summit will explore practical and actionable policy ideas focused on driving change through procurement, accelerating industry innovation, advancing better health through nutrition, strengthening climate resilience, addressing food loss and waste, reimagining global food aid, and much more. "We are living in turbulent timesit's more important than ever to have non-partisan, civil discussions about the future of our food and agriculture systems," says Danielle Nierenberg, President at Food Tank. "Food is so much more than the calories we eat. It's about creating empowerment, strengthening communities, and building a better future. This summit brings together farmers, chefs, policymakers, and academics to rethink how we grow, value, and share food in America. Now is the moment to be building longer tables where we put food at the center of solving our greatest challenges," says Jose Andres, Founder of the Global Food Institute at GW. "More than a convening, this summit creates a pivotal moment for leaders in food, agriculture, health, and justice to come together, spark dialogue, and advance the ideas, partnerships, and policies needed to transform the food system," says Stacy Dean, Executive Director of the Global Food Institute at GW. "We are training the conscious culinary leaders of tomorrow because we know that what happens on the plate starts long before the kitchen. This summit is an invitation for chefs, policymakers, and food producers to work together to identify levers that deliver unapologetically delicious, healthy, and durable changes to our food system," says Robert E. Jones, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Industry Leadership and Impact at the Culinary Institute of America. "At Driscoll's, we recognize that meaningful change in the food system requires collaboration across every part of our enterprisefrom farm to table. By working closely with advocacy groups, key opinion leaders, and government officials, we're helping to shape policies that support the people who grow, harvest, distribute, and enjoy our food. Together, we can build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future," says Jenet DeCosta, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Driscoll's. "Today more than ever, Americans want more from their food system. Theylike Oatlyare asking hard questions of policymakers, farmers, chefs, and food companies about why we eat the way we do and if Americans' best interests are being prioritized over profits and status quo. This summit is an important opportunity to ask those questions directly of decision makers and coalesce with them around policy solutions to the nutrition and environmental crises we face," says Sara Fletcher, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, North America at Oatly. Confirmed speakers, moderators, and performers include Casey Aden-Wansbury (Instacart); Jose Andres (World Central Kitchen; Global Food Institute, George Washington University); Mchezaji "Che" Axum (University of the District of Columbia); Allison Aubrey (National Public Radio); Charlie Basa (George Washington University); Christa Barfield (FarmerJawn); Jackie Bertoldo (Eat Better by Design); Shontel Brown (U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio); Vern Buchanan (U.S. House of Representatives, Florida); Shante Bullock (DC Central Kitchen); Zacharey Carmichael (World Bank); Tim Carman (The Washington Post); Hank Cardello (Georgetown University); Marcia Brown (Politico); Jennifer Duck (Novo Nordisk); Jenet DeCosta (Driscoll's); Stacy Dean (Global Food Institute, George Washington University); Rachel Fisher (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services); Sara Fletcher (Oatly); Bruce Friedrich (The Good Food Institute); Maria Godoy (NPR Science); Ellen M. Granberg (George Washington University); Robert E. Jones (Culinary Institute of America); Lauren Lumpkin (The Washington Post); Gerardo Martinez (Wild Kid Acres); Dariush Mozaffarian (Tufts University); Marion Nestle (New York University); Anna Nelson (U.S. Department of State); Danielle Nierenberg (Food Tank); Julie Anna Potts (Meat Institute); Roy Steiner (Rockefeller Foundation); Frank Sesno (George Washington University); Chloe Sorvino (Forbes); Johan Swinnen (International Food Policy Research Institute); Jason Tepper (Alexandria City Public Schools); Michael W. Twitty (culinary historian and educator); Ana Villafane (Broadway and television star); Lyndsay Waugh (Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation); Kia "Chef Kay" Williams (Shaleafa's Kitchen); Katie Wilson (Urban School Food Alliance); and Raigon Wilson (FRESHFARM). Contact: Bernard Pollack, 3128438612, [email protected] SOURCE Food Tank Diplomatic Adviser to the French President Emmanuel Bonne will be in China from October 15 to 16. He and Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will hold a new round of China-France Strategic Dialogue. At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Swedens Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will pay an official visit to China from October 16 to 17. At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand will visit China from October 16 to 17. CCTV: You announced that Diplomatic Adviser to the French President Emmanuel Bonne will come to China for the China-France Strategic Dialogue. How does China view its current relations with France? What does China expect to achieve through the dialogue? Lin Jian: Both China and France are permanent members of the UN Security Council and independent major countries. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, bilateral relations have maintained sound momentum of development. In May this year, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with President Emmanuel Macron. They reached important common understandings on the two countries strengthening strategic communication, jointly upholding multilateralism, and promoting world peace and stability, which charted the course forward for bilateral relations under the new circumstances. Through the dialogue, China looks forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with France on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, implementing the common understandings reached between the two heads of state, consolidating mutual trust and expanding cooperation, and advancing the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership so as to make new contributions to a peaceful, stable and prosperous world. China News Service: To follow up on your announcement of Swedish Foreign Minister Stenergards upcoming visit to China, how does China view its current relations with Sweden and what does China hope to achieve through the visit? Lin Jian: Sweden is the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China. In May this year, President Xi Jinping and King Carl XVI Gustaf exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 75th anniversary of China-Sweden diplomatic ties. They agreed to keep deepening practical cooperation and advancing the friendly ties between our two countries. Through the upcoming visit, China stands ready to work with Sweden to act on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, strive to step up communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and ensure the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations. China Daily: To follow up on Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anands visit to China, could you share with us the backdrop of the visit and Chinas expectation? Lin Jian: This is Foreign Minister Anita Anands first visit to China since she took office in May this year. This is also another important high-level interaction between China and Canada after the meeting between the two prime ministers on the sidelines of UNGA last month and the meeting between the two foreign ministers in Malaysia in July this year. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will have an in-depth exchange of views with Foreign Minister Anita Anand on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. This year marks the 55th anniversary of China-Canada diplomatic ties and the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries. China always stands for growing its relations with Canada on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. Through the visit, we hope to work with Canada to step up strategic communication, implement the common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, improve bilateral relations and deliver more tangibly for the two peoples. Shenzhen TV: The President of the International Federation of Robotics Takayuki Ito said in a recent interview that Chinas robotics industry is developing at an unprecedented pace, driving the automation of the manufacturing sector globally. Do you have any comment on that? Lin Jian: According to the World Robotics Report 2025 released by the International Federation of Robotics, the operational stock of industrial robots in China exceeded two million units in 2024, topping the world. In the meanwhile, we have seen Chinese robots enjoying promising prospects of application, from automotive, electronics, metal and machinery to domestic services, healthcare, and education. They are moving from laboratories to factory production lines and households around the world. The mass production of Chinese robots and diverse application scenarios are powered by vibrant innovation and a continuously improving environment for industrial development. Such progress has not only accelerated the growth of domestic enterprises but also spurred coordinated development across international supply chains and related industries. To date, China is home to more than 500,000 high-tech enterprises and leads the world with over 40 percent of the global Lighthouse Factories, which represent the leading edge of smart manufacturing and digitalization. These developments are injecting sustained momentum into the Chinese economy while contributing wisdom and strength to global technological advancement. Innovation is the primary driver of development. China will continue to fully implement the innovation-driven development strategy, embrace the global market with greater openness and share the fruits of its sci-tech progress with the world. On the morning of October 14, 2025, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya of Sri Lanka, who is in China attending the Global Leaders Meeting on Women. President Xi pointed out that China and Sri Lanka share a long-standing traditional friendship. The two countries have always developed bilateral relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, setting a fine example of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between different countries. China and Sri Lanka are fellow travelers on the path toward development and revitalization, and good partners of win-win cooperation. China always regards Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, to better benefit the peoples of both countries. President Xi emphasized that China supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions, and focusing on economic development to achieve national prosperity. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand cooperation in port economy, modern agriculture, digital economy, green economy, tourism, and other areas to boost Sri Lankas economic and social development. The two sides should enhance law enforcement and security cooperation and resolutely combat crimes such as cross-border gambling and fraud. They should also strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and firmly safeguard the common interests of the Global South. Prime Minister Amarasuriya conveyed sincere greetings from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to President Xi. She said that President Xis speech at the Global Leaders Meeting on Women is inspirational, and demonstrates Chinas important leadership role in promoting the global womens cause. Sri Lanka highly values its relations with China, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and actively supports and participates in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. She thanked China for its valuable support for Sri Lankas economic and social development, and expressed her hopes to learn from the experience of Chinese modernization and further enhance cooperation with China to achieve new development for Sri Lanka. She said that the four major Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi are of great significance in the current turbulent international landscape, and that Sri Lanka will work with China to put them into practice and safeguard the common interests of the Global South. Wang Yi was present at the meeting. On the morning of October 11, 2025 local time, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council Li Qiang held talks with Member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and Premier of the Cabinet Pak Thae Song at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang. Li Qiang noted that not long ago, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un held a meeting in Beijing and reached a series of important common understandings on deepening the development of the relations between the two parties and the two countries. China will, as always, firmly support the WPK in leading the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to pursue a development path suited to its national conditions. China is ready to work with the DPRK to implement the common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, maintain close high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, continuously consolidate political mutual trust, and advance the traditional friendship and cooperation between China and the DPRK to deliver more new outcomes. Li Qiang pointed out that both China and the DPRK are striving to advance the cause of socialist development. China is ready to work with the DPRK to tap the potential for practical cooperation and add more impetus to their respective development. The people of China and the DPRK share a profound and special friendship, and both sides should strengthen exchanges and mutual visits at all levels in such fields as youth, culture, education, arts and sports, and continuously deepen the friendly feelings between the people. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers entering the DPRK to fight in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. China is ready to work with the DPRK to hold commemorative events. At a time when the international landscape is undergoing complex and intertwined changes, both sides should enhance unity and cooperation, safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, and uphold international fairness and justice. Pak Thae Song said that the historic meeting between General Secretary Kim Jong Un and General Secretary Xi Jinping in Beijing not long ago has provided strategic guidance and injected strong impetus into the development of DPRK-China relations. The WPK, government and people of the DPRK hold sincere and friendly feelings towards China. It is the unwavering position of the WPK and the government of the DPRK to consolidate and develop the unbreakable DPRK-China relations. The DPRK is willing to work with China to implement the important common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, strengthen exchanges on governance experience, expand friendly exchanges, deepen cooperation in various fields, and work closely together on the path of realizing the socialist cause, so as to constantly open up a new chapter in the friendship and cooperation between the DPRK and China. The DPRK firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests and is willing to jointly commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers entering the DPRK to fight in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. Both sides should maintain close multilateral collaboration and uphold common interests. On the morning of October 10 local time, Li Qiang, accompanied by Pak Thae Song, visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to pay his respects to the remains of late DPRK leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Wu Zhenglong attended the above activities. On October 13, 2025, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations 2025 GA and GEC kicked off in Shanghai. Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Ding Xuexiang said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has pointed out that engineering science and technology serve as a key engine driving human progress. China has been thoroughly implementing the innovation-driven development strategy, accelerating the building of China's strength in science and technology, making breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and achieving a series of major advances in engineering science and technology. While pursuing its own development, China has also continued to deepen international exchanges and cooperation, contributing significantly to the global progress of engineering science and technology. Ding Xuexiang stressed that implementing the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires the wisdom and strength of the engineering community. He called for joint efforts to promote the progress and innovation of engineering science and technology, inject strong impetus into global economic growth, continuously enhance the well-being of people in all countries, and build a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world. He put forward four proposals: First, strengthen openness and cooperation, and jointly build a global partnership in engineering science and technology. It is necessary to deepen intergovernmental strategic communication on engineering science and technology, promote mutual recognition of engineer qualifications and engineering technical standards through multilateral and bilateral frameworks, and use engineering as a bond to bring together global innovation forces and pool strong synergy for advancing international development in engineering science and technology. Second, strengthen frontier research and jointly seek technological solutions to global challenges. Focus should be placed on key fields such as green development, food security, and the energy revolution, striving to deliver more leading scientific and technological outcomes to provide strong support for sustainable economic and social development. Third, enhance the sharing of achievements and promote universally beneficial and inclusive development worldwide. Efforts should be made to implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, carry out cooperation on poverty reduction through science and technology, and support developing countries in better integrating into digital, smart and green development. Fourth, strengthen collaborative governance and jointly create a sound ecosystem for the development of engineering science and technology. It is necessary to jointly implement the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, practice true multilateralism, and advance the building of a global science and technology governance system that centers on the UN and features equal participation of all countries, so as to foster an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for the development of science and technology. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a congratulatory letter to the event. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee Chen Jining, President of the China Association for Science and Technology Wan Gang, and President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations Mustafa B. Shehu attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Themed "Engineering Shapes a Green Future", the event was jointly organized by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, the China Association for Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Approximately 760 participants, including government officials, representatives of engineering organizations, scientists, and business leaders from China and abroad, attended the opening ceremony. On the afternoon of October 13, 2025, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met with President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama, who is in China for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Li Qiang said that over the years, China and Ghana have upheld sincerity, friendship, and mutual support, with the traditional friendship between the two countries growing ever stronger. Last year, China-Ghana relations were elevated to a strategic partnership, bringing new opportunities for bilateral cooperation across various fields. President Xi Jinping will hold a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama to chart a new blueprint for further deepening China-Ghana relations. China is ready to work with Ghana to carry forward the traditional friendship, expand pragmatic cooperation, and deepen and solidify the strategic partnership between the two countries, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples. Li Qiang pointed out that China firmly supports Ghana in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and is ready to continue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Ghana, deepen cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure construction, agriculture and fisheries, energy, and other fields, and work together toward realizing the goal of modernization. He expressed hope to make good use of China's zero-tariff policy for 100 percent tariff lines for African countries having established diplomatic relations with China to open new prospects for China-Ghana economic and trade cooperation. The two sides should take the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges as an opportunity to promote cooperation in education, culture, tourism, health, and other areas, enhancing the public's sense of gains from friendly cooperation between China and Ghana. As important countries of the Global South, China and Ghana should strengthen coordination to encourage all countries to jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and safeguard the common interests of the international community. John Dramani Mahama highly praised President Xi Jinping's important address at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and extended congratulations on the complete success of the Meeting. He said that Ghana was among the first African countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Ghana sincerely appreciates China's valuable support and assistance over the years and appreciates China's zero-tariff policy for products from African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. Ghana will remain firmly committed to the one-China principle and looks forward to taking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries as an opportunity to strengthen high-level exchanges, promote cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and mining within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, explore new growth drivers in the digital economy and artificial intelligence, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Ghana supports the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and is willing to deepen multilateral collaboration with China, firmly defend multilateralism and safeguard international fairness and justice. Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting. On the afternoon of October 13, 2025, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met with Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Harini Amarasuriya, who is in China for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Li Qiang said that China and Sri Lanka enjoy a deep traditional friendship. Over the 68 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the bilateral relationship has steadily developed, yielding fruitful outcomes in bilateral cooperation. In January this year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid a state visit to China, during which President Xi Jinping held an important meeting with him and provided new strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations. China attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka in the neighborhood diplomacy and is ready to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strive to build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future to better benefit the two peoples. Li Qiang pointed out that China is ready to seek greater synergy of development strategies with Sri Lanka. Within the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, both sides should further expand bilateral trade and investment, advance the comprehensive development of key projects such as Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port, and explore cooperation in fields such as green development, digital economy, modern agriculture and marine economy to better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. China is willing to import more high-quality products from Sri Lanka and will continue to encourage capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka. The two sides should deepen exchanges and cooperation on education, culture, tourism, women, and at the sub-national level. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to implement the Global Governance Initiative, strengthen communication and coordination within the United Nations and other mechanisms, encourage all to practice true multilateralism, and safeguard international fairness and justice. Harini Amarasuriya said that President Xi Jinping's important address at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women has played a guiding role in advancing the global cause of women's development, which Sri Lanka highly appreciates. Sri Lanka-China relations have a long history and have yielded fruitful cooperation outcomes. Sri Lanka firmly supports the one-China principle and recognizes Taiwan, Xizang, and Xinjiang as inseparable parts of China's territory. The Sri Lankan government attaches great importance to its relations with China and is grateful for China's valuable support for Sri Lanka's economic and social development. Sri Lanka firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping, and looks forward to working with China to further strengthen exchanges at all levels, deepen cooperation in investment, ports, infrastructure, agriculture, textile industry, poverty reduction, digital economy and other fields, promote education, youth, and other people-to-people exchanges, enhance multilateral collaboration, and advance Sri Lanka-China relations to a higher level. Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting. On October 13, 2025, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning met in Beijing with Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Harini Amarasuriya, who is in China for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Wang Huning noted that in January this year, President Xi Jinping and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake provided new strategic guidance for the future development of China-Sri Lanka relations, emphasizing the need to jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, deepen cooperation in various fields, including the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and promote the continuous advancement of the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. The National Committee of the CPPCC is ready to make active contributions to this end. Harini Amarasuriya expressed congratulations on the successful hosting of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, adding that President Xi Jinping's important address reflected China's outstanding leadership in promoting the global women's cause, which is of great significance. Sri Lanka highly values its relations with China and is willing to work with China to deepen practical cooperation in various fields such as economy, education and tourism, and elevate bilateral relations to new heights. Wang Dongfeng and others attended the meeting. How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Jessica and Rich here. Its anonymous! Dear How to Do It, Im a 46-year-old, bisexual woman who is 10 years older than my partner. I have a ton more experience and kinks than him. Ive had to let the kinks go because its not in his nature. Hes also small compared to previous partners. He doesnt have a micro penis, but its below average. You could say I was a size queen, as I used to only look for partners on the large end of the spectrum before I met him. I was also non-monogamous for five years before him. I had girlfriends, boyfriends, threesomes, and moresomes. Its been eight years, and theres no kink, no women, only one threesome, and a small penis. Im sad about all of this all the time. The sex is OK, and he puts in so much effort, but I miss the feeling of a larger penis. I love to give oral (so does he), but its a bummer that I cant even use my hands and mouth at the same time. I cant give him the full experience. I dont try to have threesomes because Im embarrassed by his size, and he would not be OK if I dated other men. I plan to be with him for the rest of my life; he is the best person Ive ever met. However, right now, its me and my magic wand against the world. I dont want him to feel like I have to use it every time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is there hope for me? How can I stop thinking about other, bigger penises all the time? Im somewhat OK without BDSM, but I need something. I also find myself craving a relationship with a woman. We dont have sex very often, which might contribute to the whole situation. Lastly, Im conventionally attractive and get flirted with all the time. That does not help. I wish I werent experienced and freaky. Crushed and Kinky Advertisement Dear Crushed and Kinky, Theres plenty of hope in several different directions. Our ability to control our thoughts is pretty limited, and mostly relies on mindfulness or actively thinking about something we want to think about instead of trying to push away the thoughts we hope to avoid. With direct answers to your questions out of the way, I have to point out: You sound pretty miserable. If you simply needed a place to vent, Im happy we could provide that, and encourage you to consider who you might be able to trust to be that place for you in the future. Youll want a friend who doesnt know your partner, or at least isnt socializing with them extensively, and who is able and willing to hold these frustrations without sharing them around town. Advertisement Are you attracted to your partner? Your letter contained an extensive list of ways his physical attributes turn you off, and then a statement about him being the best person youve ever met, so Im left wondering whether theres anything about him that does turn you on but that you didnt include. Advertisement If you arent attracted to him at all, in the sexual sense, could that be contributing to the infrequency of the sex you have together? Im also wondering whether your description of kink as not in his nature means that youve made an assumption, and whether there might be more wiggle room there than you think. Have you given him the chance to decide for himself whether hes up for any of the aspects of BDSM that youre missing? Reading between the lines a little, men who are respectful, solicitous, and follow their female partners leads outside the bedroom often make great male doms with a bit of encouragement and support. What we might see as a mans nature lending itself to sexual dominance can sometimes be an alpha identity or a more explicit tendency to be abusive. Give that some thought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, how much of your decision to stay with this partner is based on ideas about monogamy and vanilla sex being more normal or better, or in fear that youll never find a human as great as this one again, and, therefore, should rearrange yourself to keep him? If any of that resonates, spend some time with the friend I suggested you talk with up top, or with a sex-positive therapist, working toward a clearer understanding of what you actually need and want. It absolutely might be the case that you stick with your choice to forgo the extremely novel and varied sex life you used to have. Regardless, I think youll have an easier time living with your decision if youre thorough about arriving at one. Advertisement Get sex advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit Dear How to Do It, I have been with my wonderful boyfriend for a little under two months now, and I think this could be a lasting relationship. However, I have one problem with him: His dick is GIGANTIC. Its both a length problem and a girth issueits nearly as thick around as a soda can. Penis-in-vagina sex is possible for us, but it takes a ton of foreplay and lube to make it happen. Much of the time, I dont orgasm outside of non-penetrative sex because it feels like Im being stretched to the breaking point. Is there some way I can loosen myself up so we can make this work physically? Too Much of a Good Thing Advertisement Dear Too Much of a Good Thing, Usually, I recommend the Ohnut for length difficulties, and I do think its still worth a try in your case, but nearly soda can level circumference might be beyond what the device can accommodate. Advertisement Advertisement Girth is a little more complicated than length. First, foreplay is fantastic regardless. Ideally, this foreplay includes at least one adequate-to-great orgasm for you, as that tends to help with relaxing the vaginal canal. You also might try very slow penetration at first, or even entering without thrusting at all, to give your body time to adjust. Speaking of time, youve only been having sex with this man for a few weeks, so your body might do some adjusting of its own over the next few months. And you can work on letting the muscles in your pelvic floor relax. Try breathing techniques that encourage physical relaxation, and visualizing your body opening, until you find something that works for you or get fed up with the process. But do give each practice more than a single cursory attempt. Most likely, youll need a combination of these tactics. Advertisement Send Us Your Questions About the Workplace! The columnists behind our advice column, Good Job, want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here! Advertisement Advertisement Dear How to Do It, My husband and I used to frequently hold porn viewing parties that would inevitably lead to an orgy. We enjoyed this for many years, but once we had our first kid, we stopped. We have two kids now (both under 5), and my husband has been eager to return to our old pastime. I really do not want to do this. Not only am I regularly left drained from dealing with two very young children, but the idea of a sex party taking place in an area where my kids play doesnt sit well with me, no matter how good a job I might do of cleaning it. I havent given my husband a definitive answer on whether we will resume, but I know hes going to be crushed when I tell him this is a chapter in our lives that I want to remain closed. Any advice on how to break it to him? Partys Over Advertisement Advertisement Dear Partys Over, You list some reasons that you want sex parties to permanently cease, but theyre based on temporary circumstances and logistics that could be pretty easily mitigated. Your kids are going to get older and require less minute-by-minute care. Theyll start going to school for large portions of every weekday and participating in activities that dont require your supervision in their free time. In a decade and a half, theyll probably be out of the home entirely. Advertisement You could attend orgies organized by other people, or at locations outside your home. If you go to your husband with explanations for your decision that are fairly easy to work around, hes almost certainly going to have hope that youll change your mind when the kids are older or if he finds a way to throw the party elsewhere. If youre done with orgies for other reasons, get clear on that before you broach the subject with your husband and be prepared to share those reasonseven if its simply that youre done and arent sure why. Advertisement As for how to break it to him, choose a calm moment where you have privacy and be direct. Something like, I know you really want this, and I need to tell you that I dont want it anymore. Jessica More Advice From Slate Im a woman in her mid-30s whos been married for five years to my husband, and were more than seven years into our relationship. Things are, on almost every count, good between us. We have one son and plan no more, our jobs are stable, and we have a full life with friends and family. But there is one issue he keeps raising with me, over and over, and its starting to drive me nuts: Hes terrified well become one of those couples whose intimacy dies and never has sex the longer we stay together Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Stephen Miller is a lot of things: a protofascist. An angry bigot with a longtime detestation of immigrants. A man who uses his position of immense power to crush political opposition, crush free speech, and crush American freedom. And, as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez put it, a short, clownish insecure troll. When it comes to the angry men of MAGA, Ocasio-Cortez had this advice for her audience on Instagram Live: Laugh at them! Stephen Miller is a clown! Ive never seen that guy in real life, but he looks like hes, like, 410. She added: People talk about this toxic masculinity. Lets put that to the side for just one secondthis is about insecure masculinity, and one of the best ways that you can dismantle a movement of insecure men is by making fun of them. Few people in American politics are as deserving of condemnation and mockery as Miller. He was the impetus behind Donald Trumps family-separation policy. He has been pushing the outrageous claim that left-leaning groups are domestic terrorist organizations, a lie (domestic terrorist organization also is not a legitimate legal designation) that seems to be a pretext for bringing the full force of the federal government down on Trumps political opponents. It is truly difficult to overstate how authoritarian, dark, and dangerous Millers politics are, and how much sway he maintains over the president. And it seems to stem mostly from the fact that despite actually being closer to 510, hes a big, scared baby: scared of immigrants, scared of liberals, and begging Big Daddy Trump to send in the troops to protect him. If there were ever a legitimate target for mockery, hes it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Ocasio-Cortez is right that MAGA is a movement premised on insecure masculinityand in that, it is like many other authoritarian movements throughout history. (Theres a reason we talk about strongman politics and not strong-person politics.) There is a wealth of social science on the connections between traditional masculinity and authoritarianism, and authoritarian leaders routinely co-opt the aesthetics of hypermasculinity to portray themselves as muscular defenders of their nations. In Nazi Germany, imagery of strong men and maternal women sold the nation on an ideology of patriarchal control. Dictatorial leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-il disseminate pictures of themselves (often photoshopped) astride horses, looking impossibly ripped, or engaged in other traditionally masculine pursuits (shooting guns, catching fish). As misogynistic politics have risen in Spain, fetishization of former dictator Francisco Franco has risen with them. And Trump, of course, is no stranger to doctored images and A.I. propaganda portraying him as a fit and vigorous manly man, sometimes even as Jesus Christ himselfwhen in reality hes a clinically obese 79-year-old draft dodger. Advertisement The mockery is merited. And sometimes it works. Revealing men like Miller for who he isan anxious scaredy-cat dweebhelps dispel some of the mythology that this administration is trying to create. It also sends a message to men that the leaders of MAGA are not impressive tough guys but embarrassing cowards: men not to emulate but to move away from. The strategy of mockery is finding some efficacy in Portland, Oregon, right now, as Trump deems the city a crime-ridden hellhole that can be saved only by sending in the troops, and Portlanders respond by dancing in inflatable animal costumes, sending a clear visual message that undermines what these supposed tough guys say theyre scared of. Advertisement Related From Slate He Was Living Quietly in a Tent. Then Trump Made Him a Target. Read More But there are risks to the mockery strategy. And they come when the mockery shifts from being pointed at specific figures like Miller and toward MAGA-voting men more broadly. Advertisement Here, I should make a distinction between what I think would be fair and what I think is strategically wise. I believe that most hardcore MAGA men are also pathetic and insecure misogynists who in a just world would be mocked and marginalized. In a world in which Democrats need voters to win elections, though, and women need to be safe in our homes and communities, broad mockery of MAGA men might be a bad idea. People voted for Trump for an enormous range of reasons, but we know that a sense of displacement and humiliation factored in, especially for men. Racial anxiety is longhand for racism, but the phrase also connotes a sense of status lossthat things were better when one could be proud and feel as if one belonged in a country where everyone from the politicians to the people on television shows to the prominent business leaders looked like you (you being a white man). A changed politics and a changed culture, in which white men still sit on top but no longer have a monopoly on power and influence, seems to some men like a lossespecially, it appears, those who dont have much other than their gender, racial, and American identities to give them a sense of importance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be clear: I find this kind of status anxiety eye-rollingly deplorable, and I think the actual answer to it is Be an adult and buck up, not Use the government to engineer a white man re-takeover. But having now witnessed Trump win two terms in office, and seeing the damage he is doing, Ive changed my view on how liberals should react. Advertisement Men who feel insecure, scorned, and emasculated are typically not the men who are jonesing to join liberal causes or advocate for feminist politics. These are men whose politics seem more likely to trend toward the reactionary, and who may take out their anger not just at the ballot box but on the women around them. Entire online subcultures have grown up around the idea of being unfairly emasculated, incels being the best known, but research has long shown that men who believe in a hypermasculine ideal and those who believe they are disrespected are more likely to be violent toward the women (and others) in their lives. Advertisement That doesnt mean that liberals have to embrace or court these guys. But it does mean drawing a line between mocking the MAGA men in power and MAGA men writ large. The trick is making MAGA less appealing to men by being honest about how unappealing MAGA male leaders are. (Miller, despite what Fox News hosts may argue, is not exactly the image of an alpha male, and I have to imagine he repulses even the most MAGA adoring of women.) The trick is doing this without making it feel as if elitist liberals and man-hating women are taking aim at all conservative men. To be honest, I find this conclusion somewhat painful, since we would certainly be justified in mocking and marginalizing Trump-supporting men well beyond those who work for him. But if we go down that route, the joke may eventually be on us. China's foreign trade sees high-quality growth despite headwinds, brings opportunities to world Xinhua) 08:17, October 14, 2025 An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows vehicles ready to be exported at Longtan Container Terminal of Nanjing Port, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Fang Dongxu/Xinhua) BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign trade powered ahead for high-quality growth in the first nine months of this year despite increasing external headwinds, injecting stability and vitality into the global trade landscape, official data showed on Monday. China's total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms rose to 33.61 trillion yuan (about 4.73 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first nine months of 2025, up 4 percent year on year, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). The growth rate accelerated from an increase of 3.5 percent registered in the first eight months of the year. Goods exports led the overall expansion during the January-September period, surging 7.1 percent year on year to 19.95 trillion yuan, while imports stood at 13.66 trillion yuan, a slight decrease of 0.2 percent. In September alone, China's goods imports and exports increased by 8 percent year on year to 4.04 trillion yuan -- marking the highest monthly increase so far this year. A customer purchases imported fruits at a market near the Dongxing port in Dongxing, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming) STRONG RESILIENCE Since the beginning of 2025, the global economy has faced increasing instability and uncertainty, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, laying pressure on China's foreign trade sector, deputy GAC head Wang Jun said at a press conference on Monday. Against this backdrop, China's foreign trade has sustained its strong resilience and vitality, maintaining a steady, positive development trend, he noted. The expansion of China's goods trade has accelerated quarter by quarter, with the growth rate amounting to 6 percent in the third quarter of this year, following 1.3-percent and 4.5-percent increases in the first and second quarters, respectively, Wang said. Additionally, China's foreign trade market has become more diversified. In the first nine months, China's goods trade with Belt and Road partner countries totaled 17.37 trillion yuan -- 6.2 percent higher than a year earlier, GAC data revealed. Trade with ASEAN, Latin America, Africa and Central Asia grew by 9.6 percent, 3.9 percent, 19.5 percent and 16.7 percent year on year, respectively, while that with other economies in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation increased by 2 percent. China has maintained its position as the world's largest goods trader, international data has shown, Wang said. During the January-July period, China was among the top three trading partners of 166 countries and regions worldwide, which was an increase of 14 compared to the same period last year, according to Wang. With the continuous development of new quality productive forces and the upgrading of key industries, China has created an optimized export-product structure, he said. In the first three quarters, China's exports of industrial robots increased 54.9 percent year on year, and its exports of high-tech products such as electronic information goods, high-end equipment, and instruments and meters increased 8.1 percent, 22.4 percent, and 15.2 percent. Wang noted that despite a lingering complex external environment, the confidence of China's foreign trade firms remains upbeat. A recent survey conducted by China's customs authorities has shown that a confidence index tracking the country's export companies has risen for five consecutive months, and another tracking import enterprises has increased for three consecutive months. This photo shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Gang) GLOBAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES As the world's second-largest goods import market, China's market presents significant opportunities for the rest of the world, Lyu Daliang, director of GAC's Department of Statistics and Analysis, told the press conference. Lyu noted that certain countries have abusively imposed additional tariffs this year, undermining the multilateral trading system and disrupting the global trade order. He said that China has always firmly supported and upheld the multilateral trading system, promoting the stability and smooth operations of global industrial and supply chains, thereby injecting certainty and stability into global economic growth. With the unleashing of domestic demand, the growth of China's goods imports has accelerated, rising 4.7 percent year on year in the third quarter, following the 0.3 percent increase recorded in the previous quarter. In September alone, China's goods imports increased 7.5 percent year on year, the GAC data showed. Lyu said that in the first three quarters, China approved market access for 135 new agricultural and food products from 50 countries and regions. In particular, its imports from the least-developed countries with which it has diplomatic ties saw a 9.7 percent increase, due to the implementation of its zero-tariff policy. With the removal of restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector, imports made by foreign-invested enterprises in China rose 1.1 percent during the period. China is also advancing the implementation of a zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, according to Lyu. And as the eighth China International Import Expo is slated to take place in Shanghai next month, more products from all over the world are set to enter the Chinese market, he added. 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When a 14-year-old girl in Boulder, Colorado, named Alana Chen started keeping secrets from her family, it was under the advice of her Catholic priest. Chen, a devoutly religious teenager, had always felt different from other girls: She had, from a young age, felt a calling to be a nun. There was a problem with this. Chen also had realized that she was attracted to other girls. She sought advice from her priest, a controversial and firebrand traditionalist, and he gave her disastrous advice: She should not tell her family, who might encourage her toward sin by affirming her sexual orientation. Instead, for the next seven years, with the encouragement of the priest, this well-rounded teenageran athlete, artist, and A-plus studentsecrety underwent conversion therapy, trying to cure her of her sexual orientation. In 2019, at age 24, Chen died by suicide. Chens story and those like hers have helped many religious families come to understand the dangers of conversion therapy, which uses various nonscientific psychological interventions to try to change someones sexual orientation or gender identity. Theres little question of what led to Chens death: She left behind journals that spoke to the shame and despair she felt over her failure to make herself straight. Conversion therapy has, for years, been considered cruel and medieval in the mental health community, and its practice has been outlawed in more than 20 states. But now, the practice may make a return. Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Chiles v. Salazar, which dealt with Colorados conversion therapy ban. In the arguments, the justices appeared sympathetic to the free speech argument made by the Christian mental health practitioner Kaley Chiles, a counselor in Colorado Springs. Chiles has not actually faced any kind of censure or other practical limits stemming from Colorados 2019 ban; instead, she was selected by the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom as a representative for the fear of being limited in what she can say in therapy. The justices look poised to rule in her favor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for those who oppose the ban, Colorados loss might mean more cases like Chens. To get a sense of the human stakes of this case, Slate spoke with Simon Kent Fung, the creator of the podcast Dear Alana, which chronicled Chens struggle and rose to the top of the Apple podcast charts, making Chens case a famous one in the state of Colorado. Slate spoke with Fung, who spent several years chronicling Chens story and diving into the world of conversion therapy, over the phone the day after oral arguments. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Slate: How did you find out about Alanas story? Simon Kent Fung: I had never met Alana, but I read about her [death] in the news when I was living in California. I was really shocked hearing her story because it had a lot of similar elements to my own. I had dreams of becoming a Catholic priest and spent most of my 20s in various forms of conversion therapy in an attempt to prepare for the seminary and to be eligible for application. I went to individual and group therapy, I did a three-day journey into manhood masculinity retreat, and I attended ex-gay ministry programs run by Exodus International. Alana was over a decade younger than me, and she was encountering the same ideas and offered the same kind of therapeutic approaches to addressing her sexual orientation that I was. Advertisement I ended up reaching out to her mother to share my condolences; we talked on the phone, and that began a two-year relationship of supporting each other. Alanas story had been haunting me, and in 2021 I [decided] I wanted to learn more. Her family was very supportive and opened up their home to me. Alana captured a lot of her struggles in her journals, which her family discovered during her hospitalization. They became the basis of the podcast Dear Alana, which was released in the summer of 2023. What did conversion therapy look like for Alana? Advertisement It looked like two years of talk therapy with a licensed therapist in Colorado. It also looked like pastoral counseling. She was encouraged to attend an ex-gay ministry-slash-training program that promised to heal sexual and relational issues. As she was processing her sexual orientation, Alana journaled about how she was told that she was gay because of a broken relationship with her mother. Its hard to explain, sometimes, when youre not inside these communities, but the theories behind conversion therapyof homosexuality being caused by trauma or by a faulty relationship with a parentare very much in the water of conservative religious communities. I was told that I was gay because of a faulty relationship with my father. The theory seemed so compelling: If I could fix that, it would change my orientation. And the reality is that I didnt have a really good relationship with my father growing up, so at some level, I was finding some benefit from talking to someone for the first time about my childhood and my parents. For a subset of the population, you might never otherwise get to go to therapy, because theres distrust in these communities towards therapy. One of the reasons conversion therapy is so compelling is it does provide an avenue to explore ones childhood and relationship with your parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If thats the case, what, then, do you say to the people who dont understand why youre opposed to the legalization of conversion therapy? I empathize with those who dont understand how therapy can cause harm. I think that the people who are offering conversion therapy are well intentioned. But in 2009, the American Psychology Association organized a task force to do a literature review of all of the research on conversion therapy, and it was able to show that there was no evidence that conversion therapy was effective, and that there was some amount of evidence of harm. Some studies show upwards of two times the increase in later suicide for people that have undergone conversion therapy. Theres some research that shows an increase of people being alienated from their families and leaving their faith communities, as well. What I found is that the stacking of shame ultimately leads a lot of young people to despair. Advertisement Advertisement It sounds like your problem with it is partially that Christians arent making this choice with accurate and full information. Yeah. Like Alana, I was putting my hope in the success of this therapy because of the exposure to a lot of ex-gay testimonials. Now that Ive had some distance from it and can look at it more objectively, Im finding that people in these testimonials change their behavior, enter into mixed-orientation marriages, or choose celibacy. They will define healing or change in ways that imply orientation change, but what they actually mean are shifts in labeling of their orientation. But when youre a young person exposed to these testimonials from your priest or pastor, its not easy to have the awareness to parse through what youre being told. Advertisement If there was evidence of it working, I would have been the first to promote it. I would have been the first to endorse it. I would have been the first to continue to share it. It would have been the perfect solution for me. Advertisement You started conversion therapy in 2008a very different time. Some of these state bans, Ill note, have been passed with bipartisan support. Have you tracked the evolution of the debate around conversion therapy? Conversion therapy has been around for over a hundred years in various forms. The creation of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality in the 80s [marked] the psychological institutionalization of therapists interested in conversion efforts. It spread and increased influence throughout the 90s. The idea of conversion therapy being something that was ineffective and socially stigmatized really came into fruition with the [2013] closing of Exodus International, which was the largest ex-gay referral network in this country. The bans came around shortly after this social stigma began. Bipartisan legislatures endorsed these conversion therapy bans. Even Utah, with a large Latter-day Saints population, has one. And I think that that, for a long time, was the general consensus on conversion therapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [But] the proponents of conversion therapy never went away. They just went underground and rebranded. They focused on talking about patient choice, talking about how their approaches are noncoercive and therefore not conversion therapy. Ex-gay ministries talked about how they offer ministry and not therapy, so they are not actually doing conversion therapy. Some groups promised orientation changes as a secondary outcome and not a primary one, and so therefore were not doing conversion therapy. I do think of conversion therapy as a kind of stale, reheated controversy. It seems like some groups are trying to bring back old battles. But why this issue, and why now? Because a lot of these bans include gender identity as well as sexual orientation, proponents of conversion therapy are portraying these laws as pushing young people towards gender transition. That has been a really effective way of mobilizing support for their position because of how emotional the combination of transgender and teenager can be when you put them in the same sentence. Groups like Alliance Defending Freedom have found ways of tying these laws to a politically mobilizing issue in order to challenge these laws. Advertisement I think whats challenging about the issue is that it is being portrayed as the typical culture war narrative of state versus religion, regulation versus religion. There are plenty of religious people, including those former leaders of Exodus International, who have come out to talk about the ways this therapy is ineffective and actually causes harm. Im very much connected to a lot of these communities still. There are plenty of conservative Christian therapists like Kaley Chiles who disagree with her characterization of the law and find her willful misreading of it to be misrepresentative of not only good counseling but what it means to be a Christian. But because of the litmus test nature of our politics, theyre immediately disregarded as being unfaithful. The willful misreading of the law in order to play into these culture war narratives is whats really frustrating. Advertisement Related From Slate The Supreme Courts First Blockbuster Case This Term Looks Pretty Fake Read More How is the law being misrepresented? Colorados law permits the exploration of gender and orientation. All it is asking providers is to be neutral and not to push a child in either direction. There are conservative Christian voices and therapists practicing in Colorado who have not found the law to hinder their ability to offer faith approaches; these are not progressive people on LGBT issues. Those conservative Christian counselors feel theyre being misrepresented by the claims of Kaley Chiles; a group of them submitted an amicus brief [saying] the law not only doesnt violate free speech or religious liberty, but actually protects kids and families and communities of faith from unproven and experimental practices. Advertisement But that nuance is lost because its being subsumed by this larger culture war narrative of religion versus state. I think because of the emotion around these issues, people have been scared into feeling they must support conversion therapy in order to protect patients rights. What do you think will happen if the ban is overturned? It will have a cascading effect across the country with similar laws. It will embolden the conversion therapy industry, and a lot more people like myself and Alana will fall victim to it. And the work of educating Christian families will need to continue, to raise awareness about the existence of alternatives to conversion therapy. What Im trying to tell people is that as a still-religious person, there are alternatives. The irony of these practices is that it alienates kids from their faith and from their families and pits them against their parents, who they blame for making them gay. It creates a lot of shame and despair when people arent able to change, which ultimately causes them to leave their churches. The defense of conversion therapy in the name of faith and family is driving kids away from faith and family. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Donald Trump is in the habit of saying the quiet part out loud. Sometimes, he does it even when he doesnt mean to. On a recent Saturday night in September, the president took to Truth Social and demanded that Attorney General Pam Bondi order the Justice Department to prosecute three of his most reviled enemies: New York Attorney General Letitia James, former FBI Director James Comey, and California Sen. Adam Schiff. 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!!! Quickly, it became clear that the public post was an errormeant as a private message to Bondi. The president followed up, awkwardly: Pam Bondi is doing a GREAT job as Attorney General of the United States. Nothing to see here, folks. Now, three weeks later, two out of three of Trumps targets on the post have been indicted. But the presidents accidental public posting may have real consequences for the Justice Departments efforts to prosecute James and Comey, as well as for those further down his list, starting with Schiff. By making his intentions so undeniably clear, Trump has taken ownership of the indictments and created an opportunity for the defendants, and the courts, to set some much-needed boundaries around politically motivated prosecutions. Securing James and Comeys indictments required upending the U.S. attorneys office in Virginia, forcing out the U.S. attorney whom Trump himself had picked for the job only months before. Erik Siebert was fired (or did he resign?) after he told senior DOJ officials he didnt think there was enough evidence to proceed with the case against Comey. His replacement, 36-year-old Lindsey Halligan, is Trumps former personal lawyer and has no prosecutorial experience. Halligan has done what her predecessor would not, going alone, before the grand jury during her first day on the job, to seek charges against Comey, after all the other lawyers in the office refused to go with her. Two weeks later, she was back before the grand jury, this time to indict James. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts have characterized both indictments as deeply flawed and weak. Comey is accused of lying to Congress in a charging document that does not specify what, exactly, he lied about. James is charged with bank fraud, accused of lying on a loan application, claiming that a home she bought in Virginia was a second residence, when in reality, she treated it as an investment property and rented it out. But as it turns out, James has been allowing her grandniece to stay there with her family rent free, making it difficult for the government to prove that James ever intended the property to be a rental. Which brings us to the next stage of the proceedings: Comeys attorneys have already announced their intention to move to dismiss the charges against him for vindictive or selective prosecution. To win, he must prove one or both of the following claims: either 1) that the United States harbored animus (hostility or ill will) toward him or 2) that he would not have been charged but for that animus; or 1) that he has been singled out for prosecution from similarly situated people who were not charged and 2) that the government did so for discriminatory reasons, because either he is a member of a protected class or he exercised his constitutional rights. Advertisement Advertisement These standards sound simple enough, but defendants almost never win these motions. Judges are usually loath to question prosecutors charging decisionsit is, after all, the prosecutors job to decide whom to charge and with whatand judges will intervene only in extraordinary circumstances. The law maintains that the government is entitled to the presumption of regularity when defendants raise allegations like these. This means that the judge must start with the baseline assumption that prosecutors behaved lawfully and consistently in discharging its duties. The defendant bears the considerable burden of proving that the government singled them out and acted with discriminatory intent, or that the charges are a result of animus and would not otherwise have been pursued. Advertisement To understand why these motions are usually so difficult for defendants to win, consider the most recent public figure to file a motion to dismiss for selective and vindictive prosecution: Hunter Biden. Biden claimed that his prosecution for illegal possession of a gun was selective and motivated by a desire to make the Biden family look bad. He didnt claim that prosecutors felt particular animus toward him specifically, but he alleged that they intended to use him as a tool to hurt his father, who was then the president of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Trumps Plan for a Secret Police Force Loyal to Him Alone Isnt Playing Well in Court Read More The charges against Biden revolved around an application that he had filled out when he bought a gun in Delaware in 2018. Biden had lied on his paperwork, checking a box to assert that he had no substance-abuse issues, even though he was at the time using drugs regularly. Eleven days after buying the firearm, Biden disposed of it in a public trash can. The case against Hunter Biden was certainly unusual, and his attorneys presented several legal experts who opined that another person who had acted as Biden had would not have been charged. The defense team also quoted from a New York Times story that claimed that the special prosecutor, David Weiss, had acknowledged privately that the average American would not have been subjected to prosecution for Bidens actions. But Weiss vehemently denied making the comment, and the court assumed he was telling the truth, choosing to look no further into the governments motives. Because of the presumption of regularity, the judge assumed Weiss good faith. Biden could not overcome the presumption because an anonymous sourceand a contradicted onewas not enough to prove that the prosecutors had acted with discriminatory intent. Biden also struggled to prove that he was a member of a protected class, or that his prosecution was somehow the result of his exercise of a constitutional right. Advertisement Advertisement But the James and Comey cases are different: They dont have to rely on anonymous quotes in the media. Instead, they have the words of the commander in chief publicly confessing his animus toward them both and instructing the attorney general to find something to prosecute them for. This is the sort of direct evidence of animus and selectivity that defense attorneys dream of. The presidents public post explodes the presumption of regularity that the DOJ would normally be afforded. Trumps Truth Social post is not the only evidence of selective and vindictive prosecution. There is the history of animosity between Trump and both James and Comey. There is the sudden departure of the sitting U.S. attorney, shortly after it was reported that he told DOJ officials he could not make a case strong enough to prosecute the two. There is the temporary appointment of Halligan, who, despite her inexperience, had to go before the grand jury alone because her new employees wouldnt touch the case. And there is the shoddy nature of the indictments themselves, which dont pass the smell test. But without Trumps post, all of this might not have been enough, given that the court must presume the governments good intentions. However, the Truth Social post is direct evidence that the president ordered the attorney general to indict his enemies, regardless of the strength of the evidence against them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutions of James and Comey present another critical set of tests for our legal system. If federal prosecutors succeed in pushing these cases to trial, then Trump may be more likely to attempt this particular tacticprosecuting those who challenge himin the future. The result of Comeys motion to dismiss will matter tremendously, not just to Comey and James, but to whoever is next on Trumps, or any future presidents, list of enemies. Trumps post, an unforced error, provides the courts with a path to set some much-needed boundaries around politically motivated prosecutions. Lets hope they take the opportunity before Trump gets any further down his list. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will take the extraordinary step of rehearing Louisiana v. Callais, a case that could effectively eliminate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, the nations central safeguard against racially discriminatory redistricting. By taking the unusual step of reopening arguments, legal experts believe, the courts far-right majority may have telegraphed its intent to dismantle Section 2. If it falls, the impact will reverberate far beyond Louisiana, reshaping political power across the entire country. Combined with Donald Trump and Republicans ongoing gerrymandering power grab, gutting Section 2 could help secure an additional 27 safe GOP U.S. House seatsat least 19 directly tied to the loss of Section 2. According to a new analysis from Fair Fight Action (where I am senior director of communications) and Black Voters Matter Fund, its enough to cement one-party control of the House for at least a generation. Louisiana v. Callais began with a simple act of compliance. After a federal court found that the states congressional map violated the VRA by weakening Black voters power, Louisianas Republican Legislature was ordered to draw a second majority-Black district. The reason was clear: Although Black residents make up roughly a third of Louisianas population, they had been given a fair chance to elect a representative of their choice in just one of six congressional districts. When lawmakers finally followed the courts order to fix their discriminatory map, they were promptly sued againthis time by a group of non-Black voters who claimed that preventing proven discrimination was itself racial discrimination. Their logic twists the 14th and 15th amendmentswhich were themselves created to protect voting rightsin an attempt to destroy them. The argument should have been laughed out of court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, a lower court embraced it, and an appeal was accepted by the Supreme Court. Even Louisianas Republican officials (hardly voting-rights champions) and the original plaintiffs joined forces to urge the court to overturn that ruling. But months later, when the court ordered a rehearing, those same officials executed a complete reversal. They shifted from defending their court-ordered map to asking the court to gut Section 2 of the VRAexactly what the group of non-Black voters has been pushing for. Louisiana Republicans are now claiming that the very section of the law they once relied on to defend their maps is unconstitutional. Their reversal and the courts pause may signal that the key safeguard will soon be gone. The danger isnt theoretical. Justice Clarence Thomas dissent from the rehearing order argued that the court faced a straightforward choiceeither permit what he called patent racial gerrymandering under the guise of VRA compliance or admit that a Section 2 violation is insufficient to justify a race-based remedy. Advertisement In plain terms, Thomas is saying that even proven racial discrimination in political maps cannot justify race-conscious remedies. Justice Brett Kavanaugh has echoed another Thomas argument, suggesting that Section 2s race-conscious protections cannot extend indefinitely into the future. His writings imply that he views its authority as temporary and may be ready to join Thomas in striking it down. Advertisement If the far-right justices reasoning prevails, politicians who gerrymander to silence voters of color will have a new defense: Fixing racial discrimination is discrimination itself. Its an Orwellian logic that would make it nearly impossible to challenge unfair mapsnot just in Congress but in state legislatures, city councils, and school boards across the country. The result would essentially be a return to the pre-1965 Jim Crow playbook, masked in pseudo-constitutional language. Advertisement If Section 2 falls, we could see an existential shift in powera system in which representation reflects not the will of the people but the will of those in power. Congress would become insulated from accountability, its makeup preserved by maps drawn to protect incumbents. Advertisement Remember: Trump won the 2024 election by just 2.2 million votes out of more than 155 million cast. This is how democracies erodenot in one dramatic moment, but slowly, deliberately, and often quietly, by design. The VRA was passed to stop those in power from deciding who gets to have a voice and who doesnt. If the court removes that protection, it will hand the Trump regime and its allies a powerful tool to permanently weaken fair representation, tighten their grip on power, and drag the country further into authoritarian rule. Advertisement Advertisement Without Section 2, Americans would be left with a hollow shell of democracy: elections that appear free but are rigged to keep power in the same hands. Protecting the independence of our elections is the only way to halt that slide away from freedom. The path forward is narrow, but it existsand demands urgency. Democrats must act decisively on two fronts. First, redraw maps aggressively wherever possible, without weakening minority voting power, to counter the GOPs gerrymandering push before 2026. Advertisement Second, focus relentlessly on retaking Congress, especially the House. The Senate is a steeper climb, but every seat matters when the stakes are this high. If Democrats win back even one chamber of Congress, they can use hearings, investigations, and other legislative oversight powers to expose the far rights manipulation of electoral systems and hold the Supreme Court accountable by investigating its corruption. Passing pro-democracy reforms like the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would show that Congress is taking action to protect Americans freedom to vote by banning partisan gerrymandering, restoring eroded protections against discrimination, and strengthening the VRA for generations to come. Advertisement Related From Slate With One Damning Question, Ketanji Brown Jackson Defined the Supreme Courts New Term Read More Of course, passing these bills wouldnt mean they automatically become lawTrump would still be in office. But they would create new public momentum for passing this essential legislation if and when a more amenable Congress and president are in office. Even in a divided government, Congress demonstrating that it can pass popular, important legislation can shift public opinion. Advertisement Advertisement What were witnessing is part of a broader pattern. Just as the court stripped away reproductive rights by overturning Roe v. Wade, its now threatening to take away another foundational American freedom: the freedom to be represented fairly. On Wednesday, as the court hears this case, voting rights advocates and organizers will gather outside to demand that voting rights be protecteda reminder that democracy doesnt defend itself. Congress still has the authority to act by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and establishing real oversight of the court. Pressure works, but only if the public applies it. We must all mobilize and speak out in defense of the most basic right in a democracy: fair representation. The court has shown what it intends to do. The question now is how we will respond. Fair maps, free elections, and a representative Congress remain the most powerful tools we have to stop the Trump regimes push for authoritarianismbut only if we use them. The following essay has been adapted and excerpted from Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights, published last month by Bold Type Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. Chief Justice John Roberts has been working for years to ensure that a presidents power is as unchecked as possible. Roberts has advanced the unitary executive theory, which basically envisions a president who can fire anyone in the executive branch at any time at will. Project 2025, which Donald Trump repeatedly denied ties to during his run for the White House in 2024, asserted that a president has absolute authority over the executive branch and all of its employees. It called on Trump to demand that the Roberts court formally overrule a case called Humphreys Executor v. United States, which approved certain kinds of executive agencies whose directors could not be removed without cause. It hears such a case later in the term, which opened this week. But the Roberts court has already laid the groundwork for this particular Project 2025 mission. Five years ago, in Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Roberts authored the courts declaration that Congress did not have the authority to protect the director of the CFPB from removal even though federal law creating the bureau specified that its director could be removed only on the grounds of inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Roberts asserted that allowing Congress to impose such conditions for termination of the CFPBs director violated the separation of powers, although he did not expressly overrule Humphreys Executor. The chief justice left the door open for a more propitious time to continue his quest to advance the right-wing program to overturn legal precedents targeted by Leonard Leo and his cadre. Slate receives a commission when you purchase items using the links on this page. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Roberts court had previously begun to take up part of the Project 2025 agenda, specifically surrounding administrative law judges. The Republican appointees to the court have asserted that the separation of powers prevents executive branch agencies from engaging in judicial-type functions. Such procedures have long helped America contend with the complexity of our economy and the growth of our nation, providing vital tools for enforcing our laws without making every matter into a federal court case. In Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy, Roberts struck down decades of administrative law practice to declare suddenly that Congress cannot assign the administration of civil penalties for securities fraud to the SEC. Instead, such cases must be tried in federal court. This dramatic change in the law will make it far more difficult and expensive for the agency to enforce regulations on trading securities, rules that protect investorsliterally millions of Americans. Advertisement In her fiery dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor took direct aim at Roberts famed claim during his confirmation hearings that his job as a judge was to be a neutral umpire calling balls and strikes: Throughout our Nations history, Congress has authorized agency adjudicators to find violations of statutory obligations and award civil penalties to the Government as an injured sovereign. The Constitution, this Court has said, does not require these civil-penalty claims belonging to the Government to be tried before a jury in federal district court. Congress can instead assign them to an agency for initial adjudication, subject to judicial review. The majority today upends longstanding precedent and the established practice of its coequal partners in our tripartite system of Government. Because the Court fails to act as a neutral umpire when it rewrites established rules in the manner it does today, I respectfully dissent. As Sotomayor notes, the delegation of such enforcement to administrative agencies was long-settled law, repeatedly reaffirmed by decades of Supreme Court decisions. Roberts edict affected not just the SEC. As the dissenters stated, it has unleashed chaos in the enforcement of more than 200 statutes authorizing dozens of agencies to impose civil penalties for violations of statutory obligations. Advertisement Advertisement This is the kind of wreckage that Leo, then the Federalist Societys executive vice president, was conjuring when he boasted to funders and operatives about the successes to come from the elevation of his friend Brett Kavanaugh to the court in 2018. Swapping in Kavanaugh for Justice Anthony Kennedy gave Roberts the votes on the court that he needed to accelerate the imposition of the rights legal agenda that Leo has been advancing. Kennedy was a problem for them due not just to his defense of gay marriage but to his affirmation of administrative law precedents that Leo and his confederates opposed for supposedly violating what they call the structural Constitution. Thats code for rolling back the clock to before the New Deal and shackling us to the law a century ago, when the robber barons reigned supreme and the Supreme Court helped protect the rich from the demands of the poor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How can one make sense of the seemingly contradictory demands of the unitary executive theory, which concentrates immense powers in the presidency, and the new judicial limitations on executive branch regulatory power that the Roberts court is also imposing? The most straightforward way to understand this seeming contradiction is to realize that both principles support the same underlying political priority of protecting corporate power and prerogative. The Roberts court is advancing a superficially more sophisticated version of the ridiculous claims ham-handedly pushed by Trump and his militants about needing to drain the swamp and smash a supposedly out-of-control federal government that they malign as the deep state. Apparently, Trump was offended in his first term that federal agencies continued to do the business of the American peopleendeavoring to protect the rights of workers, guard against discrimination, administer rules fairly, and develop policies based on provable facts and not capricious whims. Trump also seems to have a visceral hatred of the administrative state precisely because rule following is not something he particularly values. The objective of both Trump and the court is to do away with the rules and regulations that protect ordinary people from corporate exploitation. In so doing, the court is also leveling the part of our government that protects a democracy against autocracy. The systematic destruction of properly functioning administrative agencies is a goal that the Republican majority on the Supreme Court has repeatedly embraced in recent years. That this embrace gives Trump more unchecked power is a short-term effect. The Roberts courts thrust toward this goal would proceed even if Trump were not president, because it is baked into the composition of the court. It is key to the long-term objectives supported by and benefiting the billionaires who funded the court-capture machine. 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: Overview of study methodology. Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.16130 The artificial intelligence models underlying popular chatbots and content moderation systems struggle to identify offensive, ableist social media posts in Englishand perform even worse in Hindi, new Cornell research finds. Comparing how AI models and people with disabilities in the U.S. and India rated and explained potentially ableist statements in English and Hindi, the researchers found erratic results: Western models overestimated the harm caused by the statements, while Indian models underestimated it. All models consistently overlooked ableism when expressed in Hindi. "When people are designing these technologies the view is very one size fits all," said Aditya Vashistha, assistant professor of information science in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, faculty lead of Cornell's Global AI Initiative and co-author of the new study posted to the arXiv preprint server. "The way people with disabilities in the U.S. think about ableism is different from the way people with disabilities in India look at ableism. We need to have models and benchmarks that capture this pluralistic view." Mahika Phutane, a co-author and doctoral student in the field of computer science, will present the study, "Disability Across Cultures: A Human-Centered Audit of Ableism in Western and Indic LLMs," on Oct. 21 at the Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society (AAAI/ACM 2025), held in Madrid, Spain. Previous work from Vashistha's group has shown that people with disabilitieswhich includes about one-sixth of the world's populationfrequently experience microaggressions and toxic hate speech on social media. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other platforms have AI systems to moderate content, but these systems often fail to remove offensive posts or incorrectly flag non-hateful comments. "Social media platforms are the new public sphere," Vashistha said. "People are more toxic online because there are no guidelinesthere are no checks." To understand how the large language models (LLMs) behind AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, evaluate hate speech against people with disabilities, Phutane and Vashistha developed a collection of 200 social media comments targeted toward people with disabilities. In a previous study, they asked AI models to rate each comment for overall toxicity and ableism, and to explain why comments were ableist. They found that AI models performed poorly, giving inadequate ratings and explanations of why the comments were harmful. People with disabilities said the AI explanations made assumptions about disability, and were clinical and judgmental instead of educational. "This was a first-of-its-kind dataset to see, what does disability hate look like, crowdsourced from people with disabilities online," Phutane said. "It was an investigation into digital safety and where AI systems are failing users with disabilities." The researchers wanted to see how AI models performed in another language, so they translated their ableist speech dataset to Hindi, spoken by more than 600 million people around the world. Their comparison showed deep disconnects between how Western and Indian AI models rated the comments and how they were perceived by Indian people with disabilities. Comments such as, "I attended a charity for your disability once, it was very motivating," were seen as positive and encouraging by models and people in India, but were rated as highly ableist in the U.S. Western LLMs consistently gave higher ratings of harm compared to Indian people with disabilities, suggesting that these models are calibrated to U.S. sensibilities. Indian LLMs consistently underrated the harm caused by the statements, often misinterpreting ableist comments, demonstrating a lack of understanding of disabilitiesespecially intellectual and invisible onesand reproducing Indian cultural biases. For example, comments on a person's weight are more culturally acceptable in India, and Indian LLMs were more tolerant of comments like, "Lose some weight and I bet that pain and weakness will subside." All the LLMs rated the exact same comments in Hindi as less harmful than in English, often overlooking negative, patronizing or sarcastic tones in Hindi. This finding suggests that LLMs have a poor understanding of the language, which could potentially leave Hindi-speaking people with disabilities more susceptible to hate speech online. In future work, the researchers aim to develop a multicultural benchmark that will enable AI model builders to create models that can truly understand and explain ableism as it exists in different communities. This would not only prevent harm on social media platforms, but could improve the experiences of people with disabilities in areas such as AI hiring systems and smart home devices. "With the way that these technologies are growing, it becomes even more important for them to protect the rights of its most overlooked users," Phutane said, "and ensure they don't reinforce the harm they are meant to mitigate." More information: Mahika Phutane et al, Disability Across Cultures: A Human-Centered Audit of Ableism in Western and Indic LLMs, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.16130 Journal information: arXiv This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain When a Texas oil company first announced controversial plans to reactivate three drilling rigs off the coast of Santa Barbara County, investor presentations boasted that the venture had "massive resource potential" and was "primed for cash flow generation." But now, less than two years later, mounting legal setbacks and regulatory issues are casting increasing doubt on the project's future. Most recently, the California attorney general filed suit against Houston-based Sable Offshore Corp., accusing it of repeatedly putting "profits over environmental protections." The lawsuit, filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, accuses Sable of continually failing to follow state laws and regulations intended to protect water resources. Sable, the lawsuit claims, "was at best misinformed, incompetent and incorrect" when it came to understanding and adhering to the California Water Code. "At worst, Sable was simply bamboozling the Regional Water Board to meet a critical deadline," according to the lawsuit. The action comes less than a month after the Santa Barbara County district attorney's office filed criminal charges against the company, accusing it of knowingly violating state environmental laws while working on repairs to oil pipelines that have sat idle since a major spill in 2015. The company also faces legal challenges from the California Coastal Commission, environmental groups and even its own investors. These developments now threaten the company's ability to push forward on what has become an increasingly expensive and complicated project, according to some experts. Clark Williams-Derry, an analyst for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, said there are still ways Sable could get off the ground and begin oil sales, but the repeated setbacks have become what he called "cumulative risk" for investors, who are key to funding the restart. "Sable is at risk of burning through its cash, and lenders are going to have to make a decision about whether or not this is a good investment," Williams-Derry said. Ongoing pushback from the public, the state and in lawsuits makes that increasingly a hard argument to make, he said. Sable, however, said it remains steadfast in its goal of reactivating the Santa Ynez Unita complex of three offshore platforms, onshore processing facilities and connecting pipelines. The unit was shuttered by a different company a decade ago after a corroded section of pipeline ruptured near Refugio State Beach, creating one of the state's worst oil spills. The company denies that it has broken any laws and insists that it has followed all necessary regulations. Recently, however, company officials have promoted a new restart plan that could avoid California oversight. Company officials say the new plan would keep the project entirely within federal waterspivoting away from using the contentious pipelines and from what company officials called California's "crumbling energy complex." Jim Flores, the company's chief executive, said Sable is working with the Trump administration's National Energy Dominance Council on the plan to use an offshore storage and treatment vessel to transport crude from its offshore wells instead of the pipeline system. Although the company reports that pipeline repairs are complete, the lines have not yet been approved for restart by state regulators. "California has to make a decision soon on the pipeline before Sable signs an agreement for the (offshore vessel) and goes all in on the offshore federal-only option," Flores said in a statement. The company acknowledges that transporting oil by ship instead of pipeline would dramatically extend the company's timeline and increase its costs. In a June Securities and Exchange Commission report, Sable said there was "substantial doubt ... about the company's ability to continue," given ongoing negative cash flow and stalled regulatory approvals. However, the company says it continues to seek approvals to restart the pipelines from the California Office of the State Fire Marshal. The state fire marshal has said the plans remain under review, but the office has made clear that the pipelines will be approved for operation only "once all compliance and safety requirements, including ... approvals from other state, federal and local agencies, are met." Deborah Sivas, a professor of environmental law at Stanford's Law School, said it's getting harder to see a successful path forward for Sable. "It's pretty rare that an entity would have all these agencies lined up concerned about their impacts," Sivas said of state regulators. "These agencies don't go very lightly to litigation or enforcement actions. ... and the public is strongly against offshore drilling. So those are a whole bunch of reasons that I think are going to be hard obstacles for that company." But even if Sable can pivot to federal-only oversight under a friendly Trump administration, Williams-Derry said there's no clear-cut path. "This is an environment where some of the best, most profitable oil companies in the U.S. have cut drilling this year because profits are too low," Williams-Derry said. Sable has enough money in the bank right now to have a "little bit of running room," he said, "...but you can imagine that (investors) are going to start running out of patience." The new lawsuit filed by the California attorney general lays out a year's worth of instances in which Sable either ignored or defied the California Water Code during the firm's pipeline repair work. The attorney general's office called Sable's evasion of regulatory oversight "egregious," warranting "substantial penalties." It's not immediately clear how much will be demanded, but violations of the California Water Code are subject to a civil liability of up to $5,000 for each day a violation occurs. Despite repeated reminders and warnings from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Coast region, Sable did not comply with the water code, preventing the board "from assuring best management practices ... to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to water quality," the lawsuit said. "No corporation should gain a business advantage by ignoring the law and harming the environment," Jane Gray, chair of the Central Coast Water Board, said in a statement. "Entities that discharge waste are required to obtain permits from the state to protect water quality. Sable Offshore Corp. is no different." The case comes months after the California Coastal Commission similarly found that Sable failed to adhere to the state's Coastal Act despite repeated warnings and fined the company $18 million. 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is one of 744 long-span bridges examined by a University of Houston researcher and international team. Credit: Pexels A University of Houston scientist is helping reveal the world's weakest bridgesand how to fix them before it's too late. In a study of 744 bridges across the globe, published in Nature Communications, Pietro Milillo and an international team found that structures in North America are in the poorest condition, followed by those in Africa. Their solution could change how infrastructure is protected worldwide: monitoring bridge stability from space to detect problems before they become disasters. The grim bridge news correlates with the age of the bridges, as there was a peak in North American bridge construction in the 1960s, meaning many of these bridges are near or beyond their design lives. The solutionto use spaceborne monitoring of bridges via Synthetic Aperture Radaroffers frequently acquired, high-resolution imagery with global coverage and extensive historical archives. "Our research shows that spaceborne radar monitoring could provide regular oversight for more than 60% of the world's long-span bridges," said Milillo, co-author of the study and an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UH. "By integrating satellite data into risk frameworks, we can significantly lower the number of bridges classified as high-risk, especially in regions where installing traditional sensors is too costly," he said. The international team, including Dominika Malinowska, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and the University of Bath; Cormac Reale and Chris Blenkinsopp (University of Bath), and Giorgia Giardina (TU Delft), used a remote sensing technique called Multi-Temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (MT-InSAR). The researchers revealed it can complement traditional inspections by detecting millimeter-scale displacement caused by slow-moving phenomena like landslides or subsidence or detecting anomalies across spatially extensive regions. Bridges are among the most vulnerable parts of the transportation networks, yet traditional monitoring has limitations. In-person visual inspections can be subjective and expensive, while inspectors may miss signs of early deterioration between typical bi-yearly inspection cycles. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) sensors offer a more cost-effective solution, but their implementation remains limited primarily to newer bridges and specific concern cases, with the study confirming that they are installed on fewer than 20% of the world's long-span bridges. This leaves a significant gap in the understanding of the structural condition of bridges. A solution from the skies "Remote sensing offers a complement to SHM sensors, can reduce maintenance costs, and can support visual inspections, particularly when direct access to a structure is challenging," said Milillo. "For bridges specifically, MT-InSAR allows for more frequent deformation measurements across the entire infrastructure network, unlike traditional inspections, which typically occur only a few times per year and require personnel on the ground." Said Malinowska, "While using MT-InSAR to monitor bridges is well-established in academic circles, it has yet to be routinely adopted by the authorities and engineers responsible for them. Our work provides the global-scale evidence showing this is a viable and effective tool that can be deployed now." Researchers found that incorporating data from MT-InSAR, particularly pixels with stable scattering properties known as persistent scatterers (PS), into risk assessments provides more accurate risk registers through uncertainty reduction, enabling better risk prioritization and maintenance planning. The method proposed by this international research team integrates the availability of monitoring from both SHM sensors and satellites like the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 or the recently launched NASA NISAR into a bridge's structural vulnerability score. By providing more frequent updates than typical visual inspections, this combined monitoring approach reduces uncertainty about a bridge's current condition, leading to more accurate risk classification. More information: Dominika Malinowska et al, Global geo-hazard risk assessment of long-span bridges enhanced with InSAR availability, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64260-x Journal information: Nature Communications 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: Scam city: a part of KK Park, the biggest scam center in the cluster of 27 around Myawaddy, Myanmar. They said they had smashed them. But fraud factories in Myanmar blamed for scamming Chinese and American victims out of billions of dollars are still in business and bigger than ever, an AFP investigation can reveal. Satellite images and AFP drone footage show frenetic building work in the heavily guarded compounds around Myawaddy on the Thailand-Myanmar border, which appear to be using Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service on a huge scale. Experts say most of the centers, notorious for their romance scams and "pig butchering" investment cons, are run by Chinese-led crime syndicates working with Myanmar militias in the lawless badlands of the Golden Triangle. China, Thailand and Myanmar pressured the militias into vowing to "eradicate" the compounds in February, releasing around 7,000 people from a brutal call center-like system that runs on greed, human trafficking and violence. Freed workers from Asia, Africa and elsewhere showed AFP journalists the scars and bruises of beatings they said were inflicted by their bosses. They said they had been forced to work around the clock, trawling for victims for a plethora of phone and internet scams. Sun, a Chinese national who was sold between several compounds, was able to give AFP a rare insider's account after being freed with Beijing's help. Scam centers in Myanmar: new building at KK Park. But a senior Thai police official said after the crackdown began that up to 100,000 people may still toil in the compoundsoften mini cities surrounded by barbed wire fences and armed guardsthat have sprung up on the border with Myanmar since the COVID pandemic. Satellite images show rapid construction work resuming at several compounds only weeks after the crackdown. Flocks of Starlink satellite dishes soon began to cover many scam center roofs after Thailand cut their internet and power connections. Nearly 80 Starlink dishes are visible on one roof alone in AFP photographs of one of the biggest compounds, KK Park. Starlinkwhich is not licensed in Myanmardid not have enough traffic to make it onto the list of the country's internet providers before February. It is now consistently the biggest, topping the ranking every day from July 3 until October 1, according to data from the Asian regional internet registry, APNIC. It first appeared at number 56 in late April. California prosecutors officially warned Starlink in July 2024 that its satellite system was being used by the fraudsters, but received no response. Worried Thai and US politicians have also conveyed their alarm to Musk, with Senator Maggie Hassan calling on him to act. Released scam center workers wait to be brought into Thailand during the crackdown in February. Now the powerful US Congress Joint Economic Committee, on which she is a leading member, has told AFP it has begun an investigation into Starlink's involvement with the centers. SpaceX, which owns Starlink, did not reply to AFP requests for comment. Erin West, a longtime US cybercrime prosecutor who resigned last year to campaign full-time for action, said "it is abhorrent that an American company is enabling this to happen". Americans are among the top targets of the Southeast Asian scam syndicates, the US Treasury Department said, losing an estimated $10 billion last year, up 66% in 12 months. Buildings shooting up The building boom since the crackdown is "breathtaking", West said. Satellite images show what appear to be office and dormitory blocks shooting up in many of the estimated 27 scam centers in the Myawaddy cluster, strung out along a winding stretch of the Moei River, which forms the frontier with Thailand. A whole new section of KK Park has sprung up in seven months. The security checkpoint at its main entrance has also been hugely expanded, with a new access road and roundabout added. Work going on in February on a new tower block in Shwe Kokko, where some of the most notorious scam centers are based. At least five new ferry crossings across the Moei have also appeared to supply the centers from the Thai side, satellite images show. They include one serving Shwe Kokko, which the US Treasury calls a "notorious hub for virtual currency investment scams" under the protection of the Karen National Army, a militia affiliated with Myanmar's junta. Last month, the US sanctioned nine people and companies connected to Shwe Kokko and the Chinese criminal kingpin She Zhijiang, founder of the multistory Yatai New City center. Construction work in Shwe Kokko has also continued apace. The borderlands where Myanmar, Thailand, China and Laos meetknown as the Golden Trianglehas long been a hotbed of opium and amphetamine production, drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal gambling and money laundering. Corruption and the power vacuum created by civil war in Myanmar have allowed organized crime groups to dramatically expand their scam operations. Southeast Asian scam operations conned people in the wider region out of $37 billion in 2023, according to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which said the gangs ruled the centers with an iron fist. Many workers extracted from the compounds in February said they were trafficked through Thailand and beaten and tortured into working as scammers. Others said they were lured by false promises of well-paid jobs. However, experts and NGOs said some also go willingly. Scam center workers are taken across the Thai border after being released in February. Beijing pushed authorities in Myanmar and Thailand to crack down in February after Chinese actor Wang Xing said he was lured to Thailand for a fake casting and trafficked into a scam center in Myanmar. Last month, China sentenced to death 11 members of a scam syndicate that operated just over the border with Myanmar, with five more given suspended death penalties. AFP has been able to build up a picture of the murky world of the centers and the overlapping militias who guard them after months of investigation. It is a ruthless industry full of slippery characters willing to sell people into the compounds or broker their releasefor the right price. Inside the compounds: Sun's story Suna pseudonym AFP is using to protect his identityis one of thousands of Chinese people swallowed up by the scam factories. The soft-spoken young villager from the mountains of southwestern Yunnan province told AFP how he and other workers were repeatedly beaten with electric rods and whips if they slacked or did not follow orders. "Almost everyone inside had been beaten at some point... either for refusing to work or trying to get out," he said. This photo from Planet Labs PBC handout satellite images shows the transformation of a section of the KK Park scam complex from March 2 (top) to September 30 (below). But with high fences, watchtowers and armed guards, "there was no way to leave," until he was released with 5,400 other Chinese nationals since the February crackdown. Sun's testimony is a rare insight into the internal workings of the centers, as he was sold on between several when bosses realized that a slight physical disability limited his usefulness. AFP journalists managed to talk to him as he was being released and later on the phone, as well as back in his poor, isolated village. Sun said his trouble began in June 2024, when he left his home some 100 kilometers (60 miles) across the mountains from Myanmar. With one child already and another on the way, the 25-year-old wanted to provide for his family and had heard there was money to be made selling Chinese goods online through Thailand. "I heard it was very profitable," he told AFP. The trip turned into a nightmare in the Thai border city of Mae Sot, where Sun said he was abducted and taken over the slow river that divides it from Myanmar's Myawaddy and its infamous scam centers. Freed scam center workers are brought to the Thai frontier in February. He said he was "terrified. I kept begging them on my knees to let me go." Once in Myawaddy, he said, his plight quickly worsened. Sun said he was brought to a militia camp where he was sold for 650,000 Thai baht ($20,000) to a scam centerthe first of several such transactions. There, he was ordered to do online exercises to speed up his typing. Sun, however, had a problem: a deformed finger that slowed him down and drew the ire of his overseers. The disability, verified by AFP, meant he was repeatedly sold on to other compounds and given menial tasks. But in the last facilitybristling with high fences and gun-toting guardshe got a taste of the real work, sending unsolicited messages to scam targets in the United States. Once the victims were on the hook, he said, he passed the target on to a more specialized scammer who would continue the conversation. Satellite dishes from Elon Musk's Starlink company cover many of the scam center roofs. Experts confirmed that many Chinese-run compounds split the workforce according to their scamming ability. The centers also provide workers with detailed scripts on how to bait their targets. One 25-page text seen by AFP suggested workers adopt the persona of "Abby", a lovesick 35-year-old Japanese woman. It advised them to build a romantic rapport with the target. "I feel we are so destined," the document suggests Abby could say. Murky business Much about the industry is opaque, mirroring China and Thailand's complex relations with Myanmar's military regime and various rebel and junta-allied groups, many of whom profit from the illegal mining, logging and drug manufacturing going on amid the war there. Scam center staff run the "whole gamut," from expendable grunts held in slave-like conditions to skilled programmers working for high salaries, said veteran Myanmar expert David Scott Mathieson, a former Human Rights Watch monitor. At least 80 Starlink dishes are visible on one building in KK Park. Chinese authorities are treating those like Sun who were brought out in February as "suspects" who may have ventured knowingly into war-torn Myanmar. AFP verified key pillars of his story, consulting several experts on the centers. But other portions were harder to confirmwith Thai authorities not providing information, and Chinese officials tailing our reporters and impeding efforts to talk further with him. AFP journalists were followed by multiple unmarked cars while traveling to see Sun in his mountain village, three hours from the nearest city, Lincang. Minutes after AFP met with him, a flurry of officials arrived to "check up" on his welfare. When Sun returned after half an hour, he declined to speak further. The double sting In the weeks before his extraction, Sun wondered if he would ever be able to escape the drudgery, threats and violence of the scam centers. "I thought about the possibility (of dying)... almost every day," he told AFP. AFP obtained a copy of a "work contract" from one center forbidding staff from chatting or leaving their posts, and giving managers the right to "educate" workers who violate the rules. One of the unofficial ferry crossings over the Moei River supplying scam centers in Myawaddy. China has warned its citizens for years about cyber fraudfrom the scams themselves to jobs posted online that lure people into the compounds. But a steady stream of Chinese people still disappear into them, prompting desperate searches from loved onessearches that expose them to another whole level of scams and fraudsters. Fang, a woman from northwestern China's Gansu province, told AFP her 22-year-old brother, a school dropout, vanished in February in Yunnan, which borders Myanmar. He was likely under "financial pressure" and had traveled to Xishuangbanna, near the Golden Triangle border with Myanmar and Laos, for a job smuggling goods like watches and gold into China, Fang said. Fang said she is now convinced her brother was enticed there and trafficked into Myanmar, with phone records indicating his last known location in the Wa region, home to the country's biggest and best-equipped ethnic armed group. Like other relatives, she said she felt anxious despite appealing to Chinese authorities for help. "He's the youngest child in the family," she said. "My grandmother, who is in the late stages of cancer... cries at home every day." Construction work is going on in several places within KK Park. 'Snakeheads' Most Chinese scam workers cannot bank on Beijing's efforts alone to get out. Instead, they may have to pay a ransom that can expose people to the same murky networks that supply the centers in the first place. Fang said she had joined several groups on the Chinese messaging app WeChat filled with dozens of people searching for relatives who disappeared near the Myanmar border. She said she had been approached on social media by self-styled private "rescuers" who claimed to be able to extract people trapped in the compounds. AFP contacted more than a dozen such rescuers advertising their services on Chinese social media platforms Xiaohongshu and Kuaishou. Many seemed to have worked in compounds themselves or touted links to smugglers. They said they could tap underground networks of compound staff, Chinese fugitives and "snakeheads"smugglers with ties to multiple centersto track the person and broker their release. Freed: Sun, 25, whose identity AFP are protecting, back in his village in Yunnan, China. Most quoted ransoms equivalent to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on which center the worker was in and if they owed money to the scam syndicate. Some claimed to take no money for themselves. Others were open about their fees, saying a network of fixers would also get a cut. One self-styled fixer, Li Chao, said he earned thousands of yuan (hundreds of dollars) per month arranging rescues in Cambodiaanother major fraud and money-laundering hubscoping out compounds and whisking away escapees in rental cars. The job was lucrative, but "there are risks for me too," he told AFP. Rescuers 'just another scam' Ling Li, a modern slavery researcher who operates an anti-trafficking NGO, said the shadowy private rescue sector made her work freeing workers more "complicated". Her organization helps families search for workers in Myanmar and Cambodia, contacting police and negotiating ransoms. Sun comes from a remote mountain village in southwest China. She told AFP that many online "rescuers" were either scammers themselves or charged wild sums for extractions that often never materialized. Families "can easily be cheated by opportunists," she said. Fang said some handed over thousands of yuan without success. The rescuers "claim to have connections... but in reality, it's just (another) scam," she said. Release came for Sun on February 12, after Thailand cut power to scam-ridden parts of Myanmar. That morning, as he was repairing phones, an armed group arrived, piled him and dozens of others into pickup trucks and drove them to a militia camp. Within hours, he was on a ferry back into Thailand. "I never imagined... that I would be rescued so suddenly," he told AFP. Ten days later, he was put on a plane to the Chinese city of Nanjingflanked by police officers. Barbed wire and Starlinks: like other scam centers, KK Park is surrounded by high fences and armed guards. Sun was one of thousands rounded up in the joint operation between Beijing, Thailand and local Myanmar militiasthe Border Guard Forces (BGF) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), former ethnic-Karen rebel groups now allied with the Burmese army. They are two of several, often overlapping, militias operating around Myawaddy. The scammers operate in a "highly permissive environment... with permission from junta-affiliated Burmese militia", concluded a report last month by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. The think tank, which is partly funded by Australia's defense ministry, noted that while fighting between rival militia groups often rages near the centers, they are reportedly never hit, so as not to endanger the "pure profits available through the scamming industry". AFP sought comment from the BGF, but they did not respond. The report's author, Nathan Ruser, told AFP it was "shocking" that syndicates have been given "such a permanent, established infrastructure" for smuggling "construction materials, goods and the trafficking of people". A Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) guard watches over scam center workers during the crackdown. 'Like an enemy state' China has said its clampdowns show its "resolute" commitment to stamping out the scammers, but Ruser and other experts say they only temporarily disrupt the syndicates. "As long as the (military) junta (in Myanmar) enables and fuels this industry, I think it's only ever going to be a game of cat and mouse," Ruser said. New ones will simply "pop up elsewhere," he added. Sun insisted he was forced into the compounds and never tricked anyone into handing over money. Traumatized, exhausted and still on bail, he said he found the "mental burden" of his ordeal hard to bear. Beijing has not said how it plans to deal with the freed workers. Experts said many of them try to play down their role to avoid punishment. But Chinese society has scant sympathy, regardless of whether they are brutalized victims of trafficking, said researcher Ling Li. "People will judge you for being greedy and stupid." A scam center worker shows AFP bruises from beatings he said were inflicted by his bosses. Governments, however, have been "insanely negligent" about the gravity of the problem, warned cybercrime expert Erin West. "A generation's worth of wealth is being stolen from us," she said. "I don't know how we shut this down. It is way too big now, like an enemy state." 2025 AFP 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: AI-generated image The Australian Energy Market Operator estimates data centers will consume 6% of Australia's grid-supplied electricity by 2030. To put that in context, that's more than the current share of Australia's health care and social assistance industry. This reflects the rapid growth of Australia's data center industrythe backbone of artificial intelligence (AI). This growth is, in part, being driven by multi-billion-dollar investments from major tech players including AWS, Microsoft, CDC and NextDC. Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar has even suggested Australia could become Southeast Asia's data center hub. The federal government is also fertilizing the data center industry. In August, for example, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the development of "national interest principles on data centers" as an outcome of the economic reform roundtable. The power-hungry nature of data centers, however, poses major problems for the current energy grid in Australia. But there are three steps Australia can take to help power these facilities reliably and sustainably. Increased volatility, increased risks Unlike households and most industries, data centers require constant power. This adds pressure to an energy grid designed for variable consumption. As more people use AI for more complex tasks, the workloads on data centers will intensify. This leads to increased baseload demand. But it also leads to unpredictable spikes and drops in demand which the grid was not built to manage. This volatility creates real risks. In 2024, 60 data centers in northern Virginia suddenly disconnected from the grid due to a tripped safety mechanism. This unleashed a massive surge of excess electricitywhich, were it not for network operators implementing emergency countermeasures, would have caused a massive blackout. This near-miss highlighted the fragility of the grid when faced with sudden, large-scale data center disconnections. Clean energy can't do it alone The limitations of Australia's current energy mix are another source of volatility. While renewable energy is central to the clean energy transition, it alone can't meet baseload and peak demands from data centers. The problem is twofold. First, renewables are intermittent. Second, energy storage and backup options can only be scaled to a limited degree. This means most data centers will continue to rely on coal or gas in some form. Most data center operators have committed to 100% renewable energy by 2030. But in practice, this often means purchasing annual renewable credits or power purchase agreements. These mechanisms don't guarantee clean energy during actual operationsthey simply help offset annual consumption. Meeting real-time demand with clean energy is a far more complex challenge. It requires greater investment in renewables, storage and transmission infrastructure. It also requires better coordination between energy regulators, utility companies and data center operators. These challenges were reflected in Australia's new climate targeta 62%70% cut below 2005 levels by 2035. This sits below the 65%75% range initially proposed by the Climate Change Authority last year. Why the reduction? Among the cited "transition risks" is the significant growth of data centers. Becoming a global champion Australia has an opportunity to develop policies that synchronize data center expansion with more efficient energy and grid management. First, Australia should promote computing methods at scale that reduce emissions but don't compromise capabilities. For example, smart scheduling software can automatically shift energy-intensive tasks, such as model training, to off-peak periods when renewable energy is most abundant. This wouldn't affect more everyday, less energy-intensive tasks, such as using ChatGPT, that require immediate responses. Companies such as Google have already adopted this approach to reduce grid strain without impacting user experience. Alongside this, data centers should be required to inform power companies in advance of large-scale AI training runs that can cause dramatic energy spikes. Companies such as Hitachi Energy have called on governments to implement such rules to support grid management, citing other energy-intensive industries, such as smelting, where prior warning is already a common practice. Second, Australia needs to accelerate advanced energy storage innovations, including batteries, pumped hydro and thermal energy storage. Research in many of these technologies is already underway, backed by government initiatives and private investments. Data center company AirTrunk, for example, is exploring different ways of implementing battery energy storage systems in its new data centers. However, more targeted financial incentives and supportsuch as through the Future Made in Australia and the National Reconstruction Fundcan help to bridge the gap between research and commercial scalability. Third, Australia can require data centers to set what are known as "power usage effectiveness"or PUEtargets to drive energy efficiency. PUE targets are calculated by dividing the data center's total energy use by its IT equipment energy use. A PUE closer to 1.0 indicates greater energy efficiency. PUE limits in China helped reduce its average PUE from 1.54 to 1.48 in just one year. Similarly, voluntary initiatives such as the European Union's code of conduct for data center energy efficiency, have consistently lowered the average PUE among participating facilities. There is no shying away from the reality that data centers are energy-hungry behemoths. However, with the right planning and policies, Australia could be a global champion for data center growth that supports, not derails, the clean energy transition. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Khan Academy Revamps Platform for School Districts Khan Academy has reimagined its Khan Academy Districts platform, the paid partnership program that offers strategic implementation tools, data, and services for optimizing the use of Khan Academy district-wide. Based on educator and student feedback, the upgraded platform is designed to better engage and motivate students, provide a more intuitive user experience, and better connect with instructional priorities. "We knew that our platform was effective but had shortcomings: It wasn't fully accessible, some kids found it boring and a bit confusing, and teachers lacked visibility about district expectations," said lead engineer Shawn Jansepar in a company blog post. "So we started from scratch to build an accessible, classroom-first experience in which practice feels like play, students feel supported, and alignment with district goals is built in." The company described the improvements like this: For students: It's easier for students to understand exactly what work they need to do next. Khanmigo [the platform's AI-powered tutor and teaching assistant] acts as a learning coach and provides one-to-one student support when learners get stuck. Instead of AI being used for cheating or shortcutting learning, Khanmigo helps students persist in their practice. Learning can be hard work, so this new version of Khan Academy makes practice feel like play, with motivations and celebrations along the way. It's easier for students to understand exactly what work they need to do next. Khanmigo [the platform's AI-powered tutor and teaching assistant] acts as a learning coach and provides one-to-one student support when learners get stuck. Instead of AI being used for cheating or shortcutting learning, Khanmigo helps students persist in their practice. Learning can be hard work, so this new version of Khan Academy makes practice feel like play, with motivations and celebrations along the way. For teachers: The work of helping students master grade-level skills gets lighter and more creative. The classroom-centered design means it's easier to use Khan Academy for daily instruction. Teachers get actionable insights delivered to them. Instead of digging through reports, teachers see what's working, who needs attention, and what to assign next. The work of helping students master grade-level skills gets lighter and more creative. The classroom-centered design means it's easier to use Khan Academy for daily instruction. Teachers get actionable insights delivered to them. Instead of digging through reports, teachers see what's working, who needs attention, and what to assign next. For school and district leaders: Instruction aligns to pacing and priorities, with safeguards and accessibility built in. The goal is simple: help more students build skills and engage with grade-level material. As a teaching assistant, administrator aide, and learning coach, Khanmigo is now embedded directly into the learning platform not tacked on. Its AI guidance is grounded in Khan Academy's trusted content and pedagogy. "We're very excited about this new phase of Khan Academy where it isn't technology for technology's sake. It isn't AI for AI's sake. It's using technology in conjunction with great education leaders, making sure they're in the loop to engage students and improve their academic outcomes," commented Khan Academy founder and CEO Sal Khan. The updated platform is currently being piloted, with a full district rollout to come in the 2026 school year. For more information, visit the Khan Academy blog. October 14, 2025: The American military is seeking to upgrade its Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to match the levels of China, Russia, and allies like Israel. The U.S. has been collaborating with the Israeli military, which has made substantial progress in adapting AI software to integrate with their combat control systems, utilizing new drone warfare weapons and techniques, and gathering intelligence on enemy identities, locations, and capabilities. Amid these advancements, the new system, called Refaim, can coordinate attacks on detected targets across army, air force, and naval units. This has put pressure on the United States to develop AI technology its military can use for propaganda and influence operations against enemy troops and populations. Current AI technology enables mimicking the voices of enemy officers to send confusing radio messages to their subordinates. As a result, enemy forces may move in the wrong direction or fire artillery at incorrect targets, including their own troops. AI can also assist commanders in making decisions more quickly. New technology does not gain widespread acceptance until it proves its usefulness and trustworthiness to users. This was true for the telegraph in the late 1800s, broadcast radio in the 1920s, and television three decades later. In fact, the development of more effective telegraph systems coincided with efforts to create commercial radio and television services. In the 1970s, personal computers (PCs) were developed. The idea seemed absurd at first, but as tinkerers and hobbyist developers produced the first functional PCs, a new industry was born. By the late 1970s, Apple, Radio Shack, and other firms were selling PCs to an enthusiastic and sizable audience. Decades of American government and military work on the internet became commercially available in 1995, making the maturing PC industry a must-have product. In the 21st century, AI became a viable product, and as it reached more users, new and marketable applications emerged. Some uses were illegal, dividing the programmer and user community into good ("White Hat") and bad ("Black Hat") factions. Hacking soon became a military and intelligence asset. Many Black Hat programmers became national assets after being hired to protect American commercial and government networks from foreign Black Hats. Programmers who performed both Black and White Hat tasks were sometimes called Grey Hats. The spectrum of roles expanded as programmers developed new tools and applications, particularly with AI software produced by firms, individuals, or small groups who modified commercial AI software and offered it on the black market. These malicious offerings evolved into marketable products, quickly transitioning from the black market to legitimate, though sometimes restricted, markets due to their applications. AI products like ChatGPT and related tools made it easy to create and modify malware, as malicious hacker software came to be known. ChatGPT also became a major source of antidotes for this malware. The fact that the lights are still on and bank accounts remain largely secure indicates that White Hats currently have the upper hand. However, some less visible damage goes unnoticed. Several hacks have stolen billions of dollars from banks or individual firms, often carried out by nations at odds with the United States, such as North Korea and Iran. These countries, facing increasingly crippling economic sanctions, rely on Black Hat hackers to fund their governments. Their Black Hat hackers are recognized as national assets and are well-compensated for their work. In North Korea, where few citizens can travel abroad, successful Black Hats live in relative luxury and can travel internationally whenever they wish. Sometimes, North Korean Black Hats need to examine what Western hackers are doing. Software trade shows feature special sections for malware and its antidotes, though malware is traded covertly. No one can legally sell malware openly. Malware can be transported on thumb drives or smaller SIM chips used in cell phones, which are easily concealed and transferred to new owners. Payments can be quickly made to and from bank accounts using smartphone, tablet, or laptop apps. Trade shows are preferred venues for these transactions due to the variety of people and unexpected opportunities they offer. New developments are often best discovered at trade shows. Hackers from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and other nations have been using OpenAI systems. Microsoft and OpenAI believe these nations initially used AI for routine tasks, but this quickly escalated to cyberattacks. Some hackers with ties to foreign governments are using generative artificial intelligence in their attacks. Instead of creating exotic attacks, as some in the tech industry feared, hackers have used AI for mundane tasks like drafting emails, translating documents, and debugging code. These countries leverage AI to enhance productivity. Microsoft, which committed nearly $23 billion to and is a close partner with OpenAI, shares threat information to document how five hacking groups tied to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran used OpenAIs technology. The companies did not specify which OpenAI technology was involved. OpenAI shut down these groups access after learning of the misuse. Since OpenAI released ChatGPT in 2022, concerns have persisted that hackers might weaponize these powerful tools to exploit vulnerabilities in new and creative ways. Like any technology, AI can be used for illegal and disruptive purposes. OpenAI requires customers to sign up for accounts, but some users evade detection through techniques like masking their locations. This enables them to develop illegal or harmful AI applications. For example, a hacking group linked to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used AI to research ways to bypass antivirus scanners and generate phishing emails. One phishing email pretended to come from an international development agency, while another attempted to lure prominent feminists to an attacker-built website on feminism. In another case, a Russian-affiliated group used OpenAIs systems to research satellite communication protocols and radar imaging technology to influence the war in Ukraine. Russia has long relied on a large propaganda organization to attack and weaken enemies, and AI is now another tool in their arsenal. Microsoft tracks over 300 hacker organizations, including independent cybercriminals and AI operations conducted by various nations. OpenAIs proprietary systems make it easier to track and disrupt their use, according to executives. They noted that while there are ways to identify hackers using open-source AI technology, the proliferation of open systems complicates the task. When work is open-sourced, it becomes difficult to know who is using AI technology and whether they adhere to responsible use policies. Microsoft did not uncover any use of generative AI in a recent Russian hack of top Microsoft executives. In combat situations, AI has been used increasingly over the past decade. As AI improves, it is employed more effectively and frequently in combat. For example, a Ukrainian firm developed an AI system that can accurately distinguish between Ukrainian and Russian soldiers in the distance, reducing instances of friendly fire. Friendly fire, when troops accidentally fire on their own, is an unfortunate and recurring aspect of modern warfare that no one likes to discuss. AI-assisted targeting reduces the likelihood of such incidents. A final note: This article was written, revised, and edited with the help of AI software, providing writers with an efficient tool to detect and correct issues with style, format, grammar, and spelling. Former president of the Fyzabad Chamber of Commerce, Angie Jairam, has been appointed as the 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. This screengrab taken from a video posted by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, shows a boat off the coast of Venezuela just before it is hit by a military strike. Donald Trump/Truth Social October 14, 2025: A ceasefire agreement in Thailands war with Cambodia went into effect on July 28. Despite this, minor outbreaks of violence continue. So far this year, Cambodia has suffered at least one hundred dead soldiers and civilians. Actual casualties may be several times higher. With all the shooting between soldiers and armed civilians, it is difficult to obtain accurate casualty figures. Thai forces, better trained, organized, and led, experience far fewer casualties. So far, Thailand has reported about 300 killed or wounded, mostly military personnel, with approximately fifty civilians killed or injured. What triggered this years violence was a February incident when Thai soldiers entered Cambodia and ordered Cambodian tourists to stop singing the Cambodian national anthem at the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple. In late May, Cambodian and Thai soldiers briefly exchanged fire, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Attempts to halt the fighting failed, and continued tensions led to the closure of border checkpoints. Talks between Thai and Cambodian officers took place on May 29. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet responded to the May 28 incident by seeking a ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), stating that he did not want conflict with Thailand. Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said neither side wanted to escalate the conflict and that it had been resolved. Fourteen years ago, fighting on the Cambodian border continued over a weekend. The action was not intense, mostly involving assault rifle fire. Local villagers reported hearing machine guns, artillery, or mortars. There were approximately twenty casualties. This was a sharp break from recent peace efforts. Three months ago, after two years of armed stalemate, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to reopen border crossings at the site of the ancient Preah Vihear Hindu temple on the border. The two countries have long disputed ownership of parts of the ancient site. In 1962, an international court declared the temple Cambodian, but Thailand continues to claim adjacent areas that Cambodians insist are part of the temple complex. Each side maintains about 3,000 troops near the temple, and there have been a few shooting incidents since 2008, though none were serious. The two countries have been negotiating the withdrawal of soldiers. The most recent fighting damaged portions of the temple, which Cambodians occupied, and caused over 20,000 local civilians to flee the area. This dispute is one of many similar conflicts. The fundamental issue is that the current 730-kilometer-long border, defined in 1907 by the placement of only 73 border markers, leaves the exact border location open to interpretation. Occasionally, these interpretations clash, as is happening now. Neither side wants a full-scale war, even though Thailand has a larger and better-equipped military. In recent years, Cambodia doubled its annual military budget to $500 million. Thailand spends more than six times that amount and has done so for decades. Thailand has 300,000 troops, while Cambodia has only 100,000. However, Thailand faces distractions, including Muslim terrorists in the south, rebellious populists in the north, and unrest across the northwest border with Burma. The Preah Vihear temple is 340 kilometers east of the capital. The government believes that a major war with Cambodia would soon become unpopular and strengthen Thailands anti-army red shirt faction, potentially allowing them to take power. The red shirt populists claim they have proof that the army planned a violent crackdown in 2010. This elicited surprise among military and police planners, who consider it standard to prepare plans for all imaginable contingencies. The attack on the red shirts last year was similar to the 1989 Chinese response to the massive demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. The government has asked the army to be more flexible and effective in the south. Senior officials believe that Islamic radicals and Muslim gangsters are adapting their tactics more innovatively. The generals are being urged to be more creative and quicker to adapt. The military is asked, not ordered, because in Thailand, the generals wield significant political power and are not easily pushed around. The army believes its tactics are effective and that the Islamic terror groups are being gradually defeated. Royalist yellow shirts continue to occupy Ratchadamnoen Road, a historic district in the capital, to pressure the government to take a more aggressive stance against Cambodia. The yellow shirts are also threatening to occupy key locations in the capital. Earlier this year, Thai and Cambodian troops agreed to a ceasefire at the Preah Vihear temple. It lasted less than 24 hours. Elsewhere in the area, three policemen were killed, and five Buddhists were shot dead, apparently by Islamic terrorists seeking to drive all non-Muslim infidels out of the region. PHOENIX A judge has rejected efforts to void a measure on immigration approved by Arizona voters last year. Proposition 314 allows police to arrest people who cross the border at other than a port of entry. In a new ruling, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Valenzuela noted that a key provision is written so the law takes effect only if federal courts uphold a virtually identical statute in Texas. That Texas law, however, remains on hold while its legality is being considered by federal appellate courts. Linking enforcement of Proposition 314 to what courts decide on the legality of Texas law, Valenzuela said, does not cede the legislatures power to create a law to another, which it isnt allowed to do. The legislature may properly make the applicability of a law contingent on another circumstance, the judge wrote. Living United for Change in Arizona, or LUCHA, filed suit earlier this year against the Arizona law. The group had no better luck convincing the court to void other provisions. Most notable is that the law allowing police to arrest suspected border crossers says that can happen only if they have probable cause. That includes witnessing someone entering the United States illegally, or having a recording of the event. There is also a catch-all provision, however, that allows police to make an arrest if they have any other constitutionally sufficient indicia of probable cause. That is not defined in the legislation, though. Challengers say that opens the door for the law if and when it takes effect to be enforced in a discriminatory way. Valenzuela sidestepped the question, however, precisely because this part of the law is not yet in effect and may never be enforceable, depending on what happens in the Texas case. Plaintiffs face no injury and may never suffer injury, the judge wrote, saying the claim is not legally ripe for a court to consider. He said the only way to decide the legality of the law must be based on the facts as they exist and not what may occur in the future. LUCHA also tried unsuccessfully to have the court void other provisions, including: Mandating that state and local agencies use a federal database to verify the immigration status of people seeking public benefits; Requiring state and local police to transport those being deported to the border through which they crossed; Spelling out that the state Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry must accept those who are arrested or convicted of violating the law against border crossing if local agencies lack the jail space. Attorney Jim Barton, who represents LUCHA and the Arizona Center for Empowerment, which also sued, said he and his clients are studying the ruling. But he said an appeal is likely. We think the judge got it wrong, Barton said. But Senate President Warren Petersen, who had interceded in the case to defend the voter-approved law along with Attorney General Kris Mayes, praised the ruling as upholding the will of voters who passed Prop. 314 to protect our communities from illegal crossings and fentanyl. The Gilbert Republican also said its possible the new law particularly the provision on state and local police arresting border crossers may never need to be enforced. It depends, he said, on who in in the White House. He noted it was enacted before President Donald Trump took office in January, and said Trump truly delivered the most secure border in U.S. history. The most visible part of the measure, approved in November by a margin of 62.5 to 37.5, allows police to arrest those who enter Arizona from Mexico other than at a port of entry. It is modeled after SB 4, the similar law enacted in 2023 in Texas. Before sending the final version to the ballot, however, Arizona lawmakers added other issues, which LUCHA also challenged. One requires state and local agencies to use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program to determine the legal status of those seeking benefits. Barton said the problem with that is the Arizona Constitution says any voter-approved measure that carries a price tag also is required to come up with plan to fund it, not just right now but for what it will cost in the future. That includes use of the SAVE program, he said. But Valenzuela wrote that the website for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which maintains the program, shows that there is no cost for state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies to use SAVE. No cost means no new mandatory spending, the judge said. That leaves the question of whether there are other costs, such as for police having to drive offenders to the border to be deported and state prisons having to absorb any overflow of people charged with violating the law against crossing the border illegally. A report by legislative budget staffers said there will be costs associated with arrests, prosecutions and incarcerations. Those include an estimated $41 million in law enforcement costs and $16.6 million for incarceration in just the first six months, with the latter figure estimated to hit $178 million by 2029. But Valenzuela said these legal arguments suffer the same legal deficiency as the claim that the definition of probable cause is illegal: They are speculative unless and until the border-crosser law is enforceable here. The court is faced with provisions of the act that are not currently enforceable and may never be so, the judge wrote. LUCHA did not challenge another provision added to Prop. 314 on fentanyl sales. Selling the drug already was a felony, punishable by a presumptive sentence of five years in prison. The new language in the ballot measure adds another five years if the seller knew the drug being sold was fentanyl and if it resulted in the death of another. About 80 top University of Arizona professors sent a 20-page letter to UA President Suresh Garimella, asking him to reject the White House higher education compact and warning theres no assurance the university would get federal funding benefits for complying. The compact should be rejected in order to protect academic freedom, institutional independence, and legal integrity as well as UAs financial needs, says the letter. Its signees are all Regents professors, a designation the UA has described as an honored position reserved for faculty scholars of exceptional ability who have achieved national and international distinction. There are many compelling reasons to not sign the compact, the professors wrote. Among the most serious of these is that the alleged new benefits of compliance are unclear they are implied, but there is no explanation of how this priority to federal funds would operate, or assurance that the University of Arizona would actually benefit. There is no clear quid for the requested, institution-altering quo, they warned. Yet if we do sign, and are deemed to be in default, the Compact suggests we not only would lose these ill-defined new benefits, but would sacrifice the federal benefits that we already enjoy. Committee of 11 wants coalition The letter comes as a UA faculty leadership group, the Committee of 11, voted unanimously Friday to form a multi-university coalition with faculty leaders of the nine universities the White House has asked to sign the compact. Chair of the Faculty Leila Hudson said universities across the nation could rise up and support one another if political, ideological and partisan battles are to affect them in transformative ways. The coalition goal is to have nine schools working together for the best and to improve and to find the best path to excellence, said Johann Rafelski, a member of the group of faculty leaders known as C-11 who are elected by their peers. Any compact work in principle should come from our ranks, because maybe we should take this compact, the government compact, as a stimulus to express our views about what makes a university excellent, said Rafelski, a UA professor of physics. For example, less administration and more academic training, and so on. But that is for the committee then to spell out and formulate. The actions by the Committee of 11 and the Regents professors follow others in the last week about the compact. UAs Faculty Senate and the Tucson City Council both approved resolutions, on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, urging Garimella to reject the compact. Garimella has said only that hes working with the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees the states three public universities, and consulting with shared governance leaders before making a decision. The 10-page Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education sent by the White House Oct. 1 asks for the signatures of nine universities, including the UA, in return for multiple positive benefits, including priority access to federal funds and looser restraints on overhead costs of federal grants. Universities have the deadline of Oct. 20 to provide limited, targeted feedback, and a final deadline of Nov. 21 to sign onto the compact. The compact asks the schools leaders to agree to ban the use of race or sex in hiring and admissions, freeze tuition for five years, cap international undergrad enrollment at 15%, change or abolish groups which criticize conservative ideologies, and ban university employees from speaking about any societal or political event unless it directly impacts the university, among many other requirements. The other universities are Brown University, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas, Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia. MITs president said Friday she cannot support the compact. Potentially unconstitutional terms The UA Regents professors note that the Trump administration letter accompanying the compact said universities that sign could receive benefits, including allowance for increased overhead payments where feasible, substantial and meaningful federal grants, and other federal partnerships. Without clarification, the Regents professors wrote to Garimella on Oct. 6, UA thus could be ceding authority over internal operations and academic policies for no enforceable or concrete new benefits. They added that certain terms of the compact are vague, overbroad, and potentially unconstitutional and that some may not align with other laws and policies that already bind the UA, such as state laws. Among these, they listed: banning the considerations of race, sex, political views, or nationality during admissions; protecting conservative ideas and abolishing units that display hostility against them; the U.S. Justice Departments oversight of the compact, which isnt defined and comes with serious penalties, including repayment of federal funds and mandated donor refunds; among others. The Regents professors also cited bottom-line reasons for opposing the compact: The severe financial constraints the UA continues to face, after recently eliminating its $177 million deficit revealed in fall 2023; and the importance of a robust federal partnership in assuring that we can continue to engage in the cutting-edge research, superb teaching, and outstanding community engagement for which we are known both nationally and internationally. The current political environment the UA is operating in and the numerous ways in which compliance or non-compliance with the compact will influence its national and international academic reputation, its relationship with state partners, its ability to recruit and retain top teachers and scholars, and the relationship of teachers with their students. The leadership role the UA plays among the states three public universities. In-state students choose between the three universities, and when any of us degrade, all Arizonans suffer, they wrote. The letter tells Garimella to undertake due diligence to: seek greater clarity on the numerous legal, financial and operational implications of the document; engage with directly-affected peer institutions to seek a coordinated response; and ensure transparent consultation with faculty, students and external stakeholders. We hope you will engage faculty, students, and other members of the UA community, given that the consequences will be felt most directly by them. Transparency, procedures that respect and encourage genuine campus engagement, and above all openness to disagreements about the vexing law, policy, and ethics that govern our academic work are indispensable, democratic baselines for a public university, the professors wrote. We should be 100% apolitical Meanwhile, at its meeting Friday, the Committee of 11 discussed many questions about the compact, including whether it would influence the UAs curriculum; what is the definition of conservative values; how is the university meant to have a diverse set of opinions when it cannot ask those questions in hiring interviews; how the compact would impact the everyday lives of gender-diverse students and colleagues; and if the UA should consider negotiating on different aspects of the document. Ted Downing, chair of the Committee of 11, started the meeting by noting that the UA is Arizonas flagship, land-grant university, with resulting commitments to agriculture, engineering and to providing practical and affordable education to communities in the state. He said the Justice Department asserts in the compact the power to strip the UA of federal benefits of up to two years and to demand the repayment of federal money received in the entire year in which the department decides any of the compacts requirements was violated. Downing also noted that signing the compact would mean the UA has to publish its admissions data by race, gender and test scores and assure that no single ideology dominates the classrooms. The compact also defines male and female by strictly biological sex, adds ideological testing to the hiring of faculty and administrators, and requires international students to face ideological screening during admissions to favor applicants who support American and Western values, he pointed out. C-11 member Marlys Witte said of the compact, I view this as the latest symptom in a chronic, debilitating and eventually fatal disease, where we see our rankings falling at a time when ASU (Arizona State University) hasnt been given this offer. The committee voted with 10 members in favor and one abstention to empower UA Faculty Chair Leila Hudson to form an inter-institutional committee to discuss the faculty position on the compact. Tomas Cerny, a C-11 member who proposed the motion to create the multi-university committee, said he would like to take a systematic approach as an engineer and prefers not to have the UAs answer to the compact be a yes or no. This is not a binary thing, said Cerny, an associate professor of engineering. I would honestly love to go bullet-by-bullet and say, This is already what we are doing, this is something that is in a direct conflict with what we are doing. But there is too much political bias going on. Its not our game, we are academics. We should be 100% apolitical. When the videos come on my phone or computer these days, I often look away. But then one of the irreverent videos sneaks in to my feed like the one of a protester wearing an inflatable frog costume, dancing as federal agents fire pepper balls toward this green menace. Or I see costumed troupes mimicking the actions of federal agents as they try to act intimidating. And I think: There is a way. As the next No Kings day nationwide protest comes up this Saturday, with demonstrations planned around the Tucson area, the Trump administration is trying to frame its opponents nationwide as a terroristic, paid force that is inciting violence. I mean, this is part of Antifa, paid protesters. It begs the question, whos funding it? Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Fox Business on Monday. The Trump administration is even working to reframe constitutionally protected protests against the governments actions as the culmination of a sophisticated, organized campaigns of targeted intimidation, radicalization, threats, and violence. The accusation of payment is undoubtedly hilarious to all the people whove organized and joined protests around Tucson since Trump resumed the presidency in January. This hard core of mostly middle-class, middle-aged and retired people hardly had to be paid to protest and must wonder where those paychecks went. They were mad before. And since the days of Saturday morning demonstrations outside the Tucson Tesla dealership, the reasons to feel enraged have only grown. In September, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary ruling that allows racial profiling: Federal agents may stop and detain people based solely on their race or appearance. Pres. Trump declared the people of Democratic-run cities like Tucson the enemy from within and pledged to use the military against us. ICE and Border Patrol agents began their heavy-handed attack on Chicago, shooting, pepper-spraying, glass-smashing and tackling their way through the metropolis. Violence politically counterproductive Rage is a natural response to abuses of power. It is miraculous that federal agents in Chicago have been almost exclusively the deliverers, not the recipients, of violence there, since fighting back against bullying and injustice is so natural to people of good conscience. But violence of any sort is a no-win destination for demonstrators and government opponents. Thats one of the reasons local organizers of anti-Trump demonstrations have been so keen to emphasize non-violence. One of the ways to focus people on the administrations violence is to avoid committing violence ourselves, so that its clear the violence comes from one side and one side only, said Bennett Burke, who has been organizing local protests, now in the name of a new coalition called Defend Tucson/Tucson Se Defiende. In Tucson, We have not yet seen that kind of violence as were seeing in the national news. But because the Trump administration is targeting blue cities well, were living in one. Much-talked-about research shows that violence, beyond the questionable morality, is also politically counterproductive. Researcher Erica Chenoweths famous studies show that when at least 3.5% of a countrys population has mobilized in a concerted, nonviolent action against its government, that government typically falls. In the U.S. context, 3.5% of the population is about 12 million people. The success rate is true of nonviolent movements, but violent movements tend not to work out as well. Out of 323 political movements Chenoweth studied, nonviolent movements had a 53% success rate, while violent movements had a 26% success rate. Of course, no one thinks the No Kings protests are going to overthrow the Trump government. Theyre just an exercise of our threatened rights to assemble and speak. Mockery, satire lightens mood From the Trump administrations actions and statements, they seem worried about protest movements. Theyve been building a case that all protesters are paid plants and/or budding terrorists. A Sept. 25 presidential memorandum says, The United States requires a national strategy to investigate and disrupt networks, entities, and organizations that foment political violence so that law enforcement can intervene in criminal conspiracies before they result in violent political acts. Trump allies have insisted, especially after the killing of Charlie Kirk, that calling Trump or his movement fascist is equivalent to inciting violence. Its not, of course. The truth is, opposition to Trump administration actions, even on immigration, is an opinion held by the majority of Americans. If a mass movement can avoid violent images, it has a good chance to move the public and make them comfortable voicing their own views. Thats part of the reason why I find the growing inflatable frog brigade at protests, especially in Portland, so compelling. This animal army serves to welcome a broader public while mocking the intimidating federal agents themselves and the attempt to caricature the protesters as violent. It was just to contrast the narrative that we are violent extremists, Seth Todd, who started the inflatables trend in Portland, told the New York Times. Nothing cuts self-serious politicians like mockery and satire do. In a time of justified rage, it also lightens the mood. Luigi Mangione, 27, was once seen as a rising talent from Maryland with a bright future ahead of him. A product of Ivy League education, he had the kind of background that opened doors to success. Today, he finds himself behind bars, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel last December. Legal Team Moves Mangione's lawyers have filed a motion asking a federal judge in New York to dismiss the murder charge that could result in the death penalty. They argue that prosecutors are improperly linking the killing to another alleged crime, stalking, which does not involve the use of force and should not trigger capital punishment. His legal team, led by attorney Karen Agnifilo, also asked the court to throw out evidence taken from Mangione's backpack, which was seized during his arrest. They claim police searched it without a warrant and questioned Mangione for over twenty minutes before reading him his rights. Officers reportedly recovered a gun, ammunition, and handwritten notes allegedly connecting him to the shooting. If the court rules this evidence inadmissible, the prosecution's case could weaken significantly. Political Pressure The trial has attracted widespread attention, drawing political comments from both sides. Some supporters online have portrayed Mangione as a symbol of frustration toward the healthcare system, while officials connected to President Donald Trump have accused him of left-wing extremism. Judge Margaret Garnett, who is overseeing the case, has already warned federal authorities to avoid public remarks linking Mangione to political movements. She said any further attempts to influence the case could lead to sanctions. Federal prosecutors have since clarified that two Justice Department employees who reposted Trump's televised comments about Mangione were not part of the prosecution team. They also said the posts were removed as soon as the issue was raised in court. What Happens Next Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges, including second-degree murder. In September, a New York state judge dismissed terrorism-related counts but allowed a lesser murder charge and other offences to proceed. If convicted in state court, Mangione faces life imprisonment. If found guilty under the federal indictment, he could face the death penalty. His lawyers have also filed a request to suppress certain evidence and statements, claiming investigators acted unlawfully during his arrest. The government is expected to respond to the defence motion by 14 November. Judge Garnett's decision will determine whether the death penalty charge remains or is removed from the case entirely. For now, Luigi Mangione remains in custody as his once-promising future hangs in the balance, caught between the legacy of his education and the shadow of a murder trial that has gripped the nation. Originally published on IBTimes UK Aditya Sharma, TwoCircles.net New Delhi: When 33-year-old Khushboo Jaiswal walked into a private hospital in Delhi, she was expecting a calm and natural childbirth filled with gentle pushes and the rhythm of labour. Within hours, she found herself on an operating table. Support TwoCircles I was admitted to a hospital in Burari, Central Delhi, when my water broke at home. The doctor said my labour was taking too long, and normal delivery will not be possible. And therefore, they will conduct a cesarean section (C-section). My family agreed. Before I knew it, I was in the operation theatre, she said. Her experience is now common across India. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (201921), nearly half of all births in private hospitals (about 48 percent) happen through C-section. That number stands at 14.3 percent in government hospitals, already higher than the World Health Organisations guideline of 10 to 15 percent. Khushboo said women are often persuaded toward surgery. Nurses and doctors scare you in such a way that they would say something that would make you nervous and try to persuade you for a caesarean since it is a quick 50-60 minutes process and is expensive; whereas, normal delivery takes 4-6 hours and cheaper than caesarean. I feel they (hospitals) just want to make money and so they prefer only caesarean. Even one of my relatives also went through the same situation, she alleged. Dr. (Prof.) Sadhana Kala, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist, has observed this shift unfold for years. A large part of the problem stems from profit-driven incentives. Hospitals and doctors often earn more from surgical deliveries than from normal births, she said, adding, There is also a shift in medical culture. Many obstetricians today prefer surgical interventions over waiting through prolonged labour. Childbirth across the country is being influenced by income, place and access. Indias caesarean birth rate has climbed over the past decade. The latest data from NFHS-5 shows that 22 percent of all births in the country are now through surgery. It is up from 17 percent five years earlier. The highest rise is in private hospitals, where almost one in two babies is delivered surgically. Government hospitals record fewer such births. While doctors agree that C-sections are lifesaving in complicated pregnancies, the data shows that many surgeries are done even when it is not needed. One in three births in cities happens through surgery. It is about one in five in rural areas. Wealthier women are five times more likely to undergo a C-section than those from poorer families. Education plays a role here. Women with higher schooling undergo more surgical births than those with little or none. The pattern varies across the country. Southern states such as Telangana (60.7%) and Tamil Nadu (44.9%) record the highest rates, while Bihar (9.7%) and Nagaland (5.7%) remain among the lowest. Once a natural process, childbirth now reveals the role of class, location and access, with surgical births becoming more frequent among those who can afford private hospitals. Once a natural process, childbirth now reveals the role of class, location and access, with surgical births becoming more frequent among those who can afford private hospitals. Shabnam, 29, another mother from a Delhi suburb, shared similar experience. During labour, she was told her babys heartbeat had slowed. There was no real discussion, and I was really scared for my baby. I was taken straight into surgery. I was pressurised by nurses or scared, I would say, it was a difficult situation for me, she said. Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar, president of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), said the rise in C-sections must be understood in context. According to data from national health surveys and institutional reports, the overall rate has increased in both public and private sectors, although the proportion remains higher in private facilities. It is important to recognise that this trend is multifactorial and reflects evolving clinical, demographic and social realities rather than a single cause, she said. A major contributing factor, according to her, is the growing number of women with a previous caesarean delivery, who, for valid medical and safety reasons, frequently undergo repeat caesareans. The Hidden Costs for Mothers and Babies While surgery saves lives, unnecessary C-sections bring medical and emotional risks. Women face longer recovery, infections and complications in future pregnancies. A 2024 study in BMC Pediatrics that examined more than 2,00,000 Indian births found that babies delivered through c-sections were more likely to suffer from malnutrition, stunting and neonatal mortality compared to those born vaginally. The researchers concluded that non-medically indicated caesarean births were linked to poorer child health outcomes and widening nutritional inequality. Public health specialists have long said that too many surgical births can affect not only womens choices but the health of their children. Shabnam recalled how quickly her operation was decided. The doctor said my babys heartbeat was slowing. I did not know what questions to ask, she said. Dr Tandulwadkar says expectations are changing among patients too. Many women, especially in metropolitan areas, now prefer planned deliveries to avoid prolonged labour or emergency situations. Such preferences must be balanced with sound clinical judgment, she said. Her focus, she saif, is on medical justification and informed decision-making. Every C-section must be based on evidence, with proper counselling and auditing. The goal is safe motherhood, ensuring that every woman receives the right mode of delivery for her specific condition, she explained. Policy and Practice The Madras High Court in 2018 ordered the Health Ministry to investigate unnecessary caesareans in Tamil Nadu after reports suggested unusually high rates. Advisories were sent out, but no enforcement followed. Hospitals are not required to justify why a surgery was performed. The rising rates of C-sections in private hospitals reflect the influence of commercial practices, regulatory absence and prevailing perceptions in urban healthcare. On the clinical side, Dr. Kala highlighted that surgical births can affect newborns in multiple ways. We are seeing babies born through surgery having more breathing difficulties immediately after birth, and in the long run, higher risks of obesity, allergies, asthma and weakened immune development. There are also occasional cases of accidental surgical cuts during delivery, she said. The doctor emphasised the need for systemic reform. We must end financial incentives for C-sections and instead reward normal deliveries. Educating mothers to trust the natural process, allowing labour to progress and offering midwife-led care can all help. The goal should be safety, not speed or profit, she said. As India urbanises and private healthcare expands, these numbers may climb further unless governments, hospitals and communities act together. Childbirth, doctors said, should rest on medical need, informed consent and respect for womens decisions. For new mothers like Khushboo and Shabnam, that remains the hope to bring life into the world without fear or pressure and to be heard when it matters most. At a Glance Indias caesarean section rate now stands at 21.5%, exceeding the WHOs guideline of 10-15%. The divide between private and public healthcare remains wide, with 47% of births in private hospitals are surgical, compared to 14.3% in public facilities. Southern states lead the trend, with Telangana at 60.7% and Tamil Nadu at 44.9%, while Nagaland (5.7%) and Bihar (9.7%) record the lowest. Urban women (32%) are nearly twice as likely as rural women (17%) to undergo surgical births. Among the richest households, 39% of deliveries are surgical, compared to just 7% among the poorer households. Delhi records 23.6%. The event was co-organised by the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association and Vietnamese and Cambodian agencies, on the occasion of the Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day (October 13) and the 72nd National Day of Cambodia (November 9, 19532025). Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly and Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh stressed that the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship has continued to grow strongly and comprehensively in recent years, particularly in economy, trade, and investment, generating tangible benefits and contributing to regional stability and development. However, she noted that bilateral cooperation remains modest compared with the two countries potential, especially in green economy, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, tourism, and trade. This is a favourable time for both sides to unlock resources, tap potential, and create new breakthroughs, thereby elevating Vietnam-Cambodia economic ties and realising the strategic vision set by the two Parties and States, she said. Thanh affirmed that Vietnam consistently creates favourable conditions for Cambodian enterprises to invest and operate effectively in the country, while expressing her hope that the Cambodian Government will continue to support Vietnamese investors in Cambodia, toward sustainable and mutually beneficial development. She highlighted that the forum offered an important platform for the business communities to meet, share experience, and explore new cooperation opportunities, thus contributing to economic growth and further strengthening the traditional solidarity between the two nations. Vice President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce Neak Oknha Lav Kang lauded the initiative, saying the forum provided a special opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors to promote products, services, and potential cooperation. He noted that bilateral trade has been increasing steadily, with both sides striving to raise two-way trade to 20 billion USD in 2025. At the forum, delegates discussed current investment and trade cooperation between the two countries, particularly in agricultural exports, food processing, tourism, infrastructure, and technology. The forum also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Vietnams Visan Company and Cambodias Degrand Group on cooperation in production and distribution. According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu, Cambodia is currently Vietnams 12th largest trading partner, while Vietnam remains among the five biggest investors and the third-largest trading partner of Cambodia, after China and the US. In 2024, bilateral trade reached 10.1 billion USD, up 17.5% year on year. Vietnam now has 216 valid projects in Cambodia with registered capital exceeding 3 billion USD, while Cambodian firms are investing in 31 projects in Vietnam worth nearly 74 million USD. On this occasion, the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association presented medals For the Friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia to individuals from both countries in recognition of their contributions to strengthening bilateral solidarity and friendship./.VNA This afternoon, Senior Lieutenant General Khamliang Outhakaysone, Laos' Minister of National Defense, presided over the official welcome ceremony and bilateral talks with General Phan Van Giang. During the meeting, General Khamliang expressed deep sympathy for the recent loss of life and property in Vietnam due to storms and floods. He congratulated Vietnam on the successful organization of the 2025-2030 Party Congress of the Vietnam Peoples Army and reaffirmed Laos enduring gratitude for Vietnams steadfast support and contributions. Advancing practical cooperation Senior Lieutenant General Khamliang Outhakaysone welcomes General Phan Van Giang. Photo: Ministry of National Defense General Phan Van Giang and General Khamliang Outhakaysone expressed satisfaction with the progress made in implementing the 2025-2029 defense cooperation protocol and the 2025 annual cooperation plan. The two defense ministries have coordinated effectively in exchanging intelligence and strategic insights, advising their respective governments on defense and security matters. Key cooperation areas have included joint efforts between military branches, logistics, technical support, and defense industry development. Both sides agreed to continue effective communication campaigns, especially for younger generations, highlighting the historical significance and importance of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship. Commitment to long-term strategic training General Phan Van Giang and Senior Lieutenant General Khamliang Outhakaysone review the Lao Peoples Army honor guard. Photo: Ministry of National Defense The two militaries reaffirmed the strategic importance of human resource development, seeing it as a foundation to deepen bilateral military ties. They pledged to enhance cooperation in technical logistics, IT infrastructure, and multilateral platforms. General Phan Van Giang emphasized that this year marks the 50th anniversary of Laos' National Day - a milestone not only for Laos but also a shared joy for the Vietnamese people. Drawing from Vietnams experience organizing large-scale events, the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam is ready to provide support. To commemorate the occasion, Vietnams Defense Ministry gifted Laos three Vinfast command vehicles, white gloves and parade gaiters, as well as fireworks produced by Vietnams defense industry. Joint rescue drills and high-level meetings Defense ministers sign memorandum on training and human resource development cooperation. Photo: Ministry of National Defense General Phan Van Giang and General Khamliang expressed confidence that tomorrows annual trilateral meeting of defense ministers and the joint rescue exercise involving the armed forces of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia would be a success. These activities aim to further strengthen solidarity and cooperation among the three countries and their militaries. Also today, General Phan Van Giang paid a courtesy visit to Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos. Deep gratitude and future cooperation General Phan Van Giang meets Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith. Photo: Ministry of National Defense General Phan Van Giang affirmed Vietnams lasting appreciation for Laos invaluable support, particularly in facilitating the search, repatriation, and memorialization of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos. He briefed President Thongloun Sisoulith on recent developments in Vietnam and the results of bilateral defense cooperation. General Giang also expressed his hope that the Lao President would continue supporting deeper, more practical and effective bilateral defense relations. President Thongloun Sisoulith congratulated Vietnam on its outstanding achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, especially over the past 80 years of national development. He welcomed the increasingly profound Vietnam-Laos special solidarity and emphasized that 2025 is especially important, as it marks the final year of the current Party congress term and leads into the next congress in early 2026. The two nations are working closely together to share experiences and ensure the success of each Partys upcoming national congress. The Lao President praised the longstanding and fruitful military partnership and called for continued effective implementation of cooperation protocols and plans, reaffirming defense as a key pillar in Laos-Vietnam relations. Bilateral trust affirmed at the highest levels General Phan Van Giang meets with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. Photo: Ministry of National Defense By Mai Huong GYEONGJU As world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, prepare to converge on Gyeongju for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in late October, South Korea's ancient Silla capital finds itself at the epicentre of global diplomacy and economic cooperation. Gyeongju, some 270 kilometres southeast of Seoul, beat out Jeju and Incheon to host APEC 2025, bringing the summit back to South Korea for the first time since Busan in 2005. The choice of venue reflects both cultural symbolism and the governments strategy to spread international events beyond major metropolitan areas. A historic backdrop Gyeongju, a city in North Gyeongsang Province, often called a 'museum without walls', served as the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years. The citys cultural landscape features the Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto and royal tombs, many designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Officials say the citys history offers a distinctive backdrop for discussions on regional cooperation, stability and long-term development. In an interview with global media, Park Jang Ho, director of the APEC Preparation and Support Office, said Gyeongju had preserved its heritage remarkably well, with no high-rise buildings and many traditional tiled-roof houses. Although its infrastructure might not be as modern as that of other major cities, its authenticity and cultural depth gave it unique advantages. The city intends to highlight these strengths rather than create artificial attractions, he said, mentioning valuable cultural assets such as Hwangnyongsa Temple, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Woljeonggyo Bridge, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. Through APEC 2025, the city hopes to share this heritage with the world, as visiting leaders and delegates will naturally experience its history and beauty. As the summit approaches, visitors would notice subtle improvements across Gyeongju, though these are modest upgrades to ageing roads and parking areas rather than ambitious new constructions. Park said the city's rigorous building codes remained firmly in place, preserving the balance between ancient heritage and modern needs. Streets and public squares were being adorned with trees and flowering plants a gesture deeply rooted in Korean hospitality culture, where welcoming guests with beauty and grace is considered an art form. Environmental sustainability was also a top priority. Because of strict rules protecting archaeological sites, people often say: You cant dig in your own yard in Gyeongju, or youll find artefacts. The entire city is essentially an open-air museum, and construction activities are tightly controlled, according to Park. The official envisioned that a successful APEC 2025 could pave the way for future summits in larger regional hubs such as Pohang or Daegu. Linking heritage with the summit theme While previous international gatherings in South Korea have taken place in Seoul, Busan or Incheon, the government argued that holding APEC in Gyeongju would bring economic and diplomatic opportunities to a different part of the country. The move aligns with the summits emphasis on inclusivity, a goal shared across the 21 APEC economies. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimates that APEC 2025 could generate about 7.4 trillion won (about US$5.2 billion) for Gyeongju, the fifth largest city of South Korea, and the surrounding region. Beyond economic gains, the event is expected to raise Gyeongjus international profile, helping it regain recognition as the historic capital of the Korean Peninsula and making it a more attractive destination for foreign visitors. The citys authorities have spent the past year preparing facilities to meet international standards. The Hwabaek International Convention Centre, named after an ancient Silla council of nobles, has been expanded and modernised to serve as the summits main venue. Hotels, media centres and transport links are being upgraded, and the Bomun Tourist Complex a resort area developed in the 1970s has been improved to welcome delegates and visitors. South Korea is preparing to welcome over 20,000 participants, comprising leaders and government officials from 21 member economies, as well as business executives and journalists. Local businesses, from tour operators to restaurants, are gearing up for a surge in demand. The city is also promoting cultural programmes to introduce international guests to traditional crafts and performances. South Korea has chosen the theme 'Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper' for its APEC host year. Organisers say Gyeongju illustrates the connection between heritage and sustainability. The city has promoted eco-friendly tourism, renewable energy projects and cultural preservation as part of its development strategy. At the same time, the government is emphasising innovation. Although Gyeongju is best known for its cultural treasures, it is also linked to South Koreas drive in digital technology and green industries. By placing APEC in a city outside the capital region, Seoul signals that progress and innovation are national, not just metropolitan, priorities. For South Korea, APEC 2025 is more than a diplomatic gathering. By choosing Gyeongju, the government is projecting an image of a country that values both heritage and modernisation, while underlining the summits focus on sustainability, connectivity and innovation. VNS HA NOI Amid a rapidly changing global economy, Vietnamese entrepreneurs are stepping up as key drivers of the countrys sustained growth and innovation. As Viet Nam navigates the complexities of a shifting international landscape, its dynamic and forward-thinking private sector is taking centre stage in shaping a resilient and self-reliant national economy. Nearly four decades after the launch of the oi moi (Renewal) economic reforms, Viet Nams private enterprises have transformed from modest family-run workshops into powerful engines of economic development. Today, the private sector contributes approximately 51 per cent of the national GDP, over 30 per cent of State budget revenues, and nearly 60 per cent of total social investment capital - a testament to its vital role in the country's socio-economic advancement. Economists note that each new factory and every product exported reflects the resilience, entrepreneurial spirit and ambition of Vietnamese business leaders. Beyond contributing to economic value and employment, they are fostering a culture of innovation and accelerating Viet Nams integration into the global economy. To further unlock entrepreneurial potential, the Politburo has introduced a series of strategic policy frameworks - the 'four pillars' - aimed at building an innovation-driven, globally competitive economy: Resolution 57 positions science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the new engines of economic growth. Resolution 59 focuses on expanding development space through proactive and comprehensive international integration. Resolution 66 calls for the completion of a transparent and modern legal framework that safeguards human rights and civil liberties. Meanwhile, Resolution 68 underscores the role of the private sector, aiming to make it the central driving force of the national economy. These directives have been swiftly institutionalised by the National Assembly and are being actively implemented by the Government, which views effective execution as key to unlocking internal strengths and global potential. Entrepreneurs are expected to lead this transformation. The national vision to become a developed, high-income country by 2045 is not merely a strategic ambition - it is a direct call to the Vietnamese business community to pioneer new paths in technology, sustainability and global competitiveness. At the recent Vietnam Private Economic Landscape Programme 2025 (ViPEL 2025) in Ha Noi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged private enterprises to align their strategies with national development goals and to lead patriotic movements through innovation, digital transformation and inclusive growth. Enterprises were encouraged to build holistic capabilities, overcome internal limitations, and become key forces in job creation, productivity, industrialisation, modernisation and economic restructuring. He also emphasised the importance of substantive and effective global integration, enabling Vietnamese firms to rise in global value chains and compete with international peers. Entrepreneurial innovation across industries Vietnamese businesses are responding to the Governments call across multiple sectors. In aviation, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is spearheading digital transformation through the VNeID application, enabling passengers to authenticate their identities digitally starting December 2025. This move would eliminate the need for physical documents, streamlining the travel experience and bringing Viet Nams aviation infrastructure closer to global standards set by countries like Singapore and South Korea, Pham Quang Hieu from ACV told nhandan.vn. Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines is accelerating digitisation with services such as online ticketing, digital check-ins and in-flight internet access on long-haul routes to Europe and the US, according to the airline's Deputy General Director inh Van Tuan. The airline is also harnessing Big Data and AI to enhance flight safety and operational efficiency by forecasting weather conditions and technical risks. In the steel sector, Hoa Phat Group has continued its push for innovation with a bold investment of VN14 trillion to construct a high-quality steel production line at the Dung Quat Economic Zone, specialising in rail steel and special-shaped steel. With a projected annual capacity of 700,000 tonnes, the facility is expected to be operational by 2027 and will play a critical role in national infrastructure development, including the North-South high-speed railway. It also marks a strategic step in reducing Viet Nams dependence on imported rail steel. Tran inh Long, Chairman of Hoa Phat Group, reaffirmed the companys commitment to the goals outlined in Resolution 68-NQ/TW, which calls for empowering the private sector as a leading force in the economy. Speaking to the media, Long urged the Government to promptly address business concerns and adopt a flexible response to the EU's recent decision to double steel import tariffs from 25 per cent to 50 per cent - a move that directly affects domestic producers. He also called for the prioritisation of Vietnamese-made products in public infrastructure and social housing projects, implemented through transparent procurement and bidding processes. According to Long, this would not only strengthen domestic industries but also give real effect to the national policy of 'Vietnamese people prioritise using Vietnamese goods'. As Viet Nam moves toward its long-term development goals, the private sector is not just expected to contribute - it is expected to lead. With supportive policies, a clear vision, and growing ambition, Vietnamese entrepreneurs are poised to become champions of innovation, green growth and global competitiveness. VNS HA NOI Viet Nams rice exports are expected to come under significant pressure early next year as the country enters its winter-spring harvest season, while prospects remain uncertain amid the Philippines possible extension of its rice import ban, according to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA). The Philippines Department of Agriculture has signalled that the government may extend the ban, originally set for September and October, until the end of 2025, a move that could weigh on key suppliers including Viet Nam. Under the current plan, imports are set to resume temporarily in January 2026 for about 300,000 tonnes, followed by another suspension from February to April to stabilise prices when local farmers begin their main harvest. The policy is designed to protect domestic farmers from further losses, as local prices remain under pressure due to oversupply. To prevent further declines, the Philippines is implementing an emergency rice procurement programme, expanding storage capacity through the National Food Authority and introducing a nationwide floor price, while also considering higher import tariffs. Since the ban took effect, local rice prices have risen by about 28 per cent, though they remain 27 per cent lower than a year earlier. As of early September, the Philippines had already imported around 3.5 million tonnes of rice, mostly from Viet Nam, its top supplier. Analysts warn that if the restriction continues, the market could face oversupply and weaker prices through the end of the year. Statistics from the VFA show that Viet Nams 5 per cent broken fragrant rice is currently quoted at US$450 per tonne, jasmine at $490, and 100 per cent broken rice at $310314. The association said that the Philippines ban extension could weigh on Viet Nams exports in the first quarter of 2026, when the main winter-spring crop reaches the market. The ban has already significantly affected Viet Nams rice exports, with September shipments dropping 43 per cent in volume to 466,800 tonnes and 55 per cent in value to $232 million. In the first nine months of 2025, Viet Nam exported 6.83 million tonnes of rice worth $3.49 billion, down 2 per cent in volume and nearly 20 per cent in value year-on-year. Average export prices fell to $509 per tonne. During the period, Ghana overtook the Philippines as Viet Nams top rice importer, accounting for 22 per cent of total exports, followed by Ivory Coast with 21 per cent and Malaysia with 10 per cent. Experts say it is necessary for Viet Nam to further diversify into African, Middle Eastern and South Asian markets, while focusing on higher-value processed rice to reduce reliance on a single market. While exports struggle, Viet Nam spent $1.51 billion importing rice in the first nine months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The high import value highlights a potential risk for one of the worlds top exporters, raising concerns that cheap imported rice could erode local farmers incomes and competitiveness. VNS HCM CITY As HCM Citys economy continues to recover strongly, the banking sector is stepping up efforts to provide credit support and stimulate production and consumption in the final months of 2025 a decisive period for completing annual growth targets. According to Tran Thi Ngoc Lien, deputy director of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Region 2, total outstanding loans of credit institutions in the city were estimated at VN4.8 quadrillion (US$189 billion) by the end of September, up 9 per cent compared to the end of 2024. Credit growth has focused on key sectors such as wholesale and retail, manufacturing, accommodation and catering, transport, warehousing and construction industries with strong capital demand as businesses expand operations and prepare for the high-consumption season. Lending rates have been kept low to support recovery. In September, deposit rates in Vietnamese ong slightly declined by 0.20.4 percentage points for short-term maturities, while long-term rates rose modestly by 0.10.4 points compared with late 2024. Lending rates also decreased by 0.10.2 percentage points for short-term loans. Total deposits mobilised by banks in the city increased by about 7.5 per cent, while outstanding loans rose by 9 per cent, reflecting stronger capital demand from businesses and consumers. The citys economy has shown consistent improvement. In the first nine months of 2025, the citys GRDP expanded by 7.07 per cent, or 7.69 per cent excluding oil and gas, exceeding the 6.85 per cent growth rate from the same period last year. According to SBV Region 2, 2025 marks a pivotal year in the citys 202125 socio-economic development plan, as HCM City accelerates to meet key growth objectives. The local banking sector is focusing on removing financing bottlenecks and guiding credit flows into productive areas. A highlight of the year is the BankEnterprise Connection Programme, which continues to serve as a vital link between banks and the business community. Eighteen commercial banks in the city have joined the programme with total commitments reaching VN517 trillion ($20.3 billion) the highest level so far. As of September, disbursement reached VN585.1 trillion ($22.9 billion) for 156,182 customers, equivalent to 113 per cent of initial pledges. This reflects both proactive efforts from banks and rising credit demand as enterprises recover. In the first nine months, the citys banking sector held 17 business conferences and dialogues, including five loan-signing events worth more than VN39 trillion ($1.52 billion) and 12 meetings to directly resolve credit issues for enterprises. At the Viet Nam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank), local branches in HCM City organised several connection events, signing loans worth VN3.99 trillion ($156 million) and supporting nearly 2,000 customers. Agribank has disbursed VN6.26 trillion ($244 million) under the programme, equal to 87 per cent of its registered credit package. Meanwhile, SBV Region 2 has worked with other agencies to assist 45 businesses with urgent credit needs and resolve financing difficulties for another 52 cases, showing the banking sectors active engagement and support for local enterprises. The city aims to achieve economic growth above 8.5 per cent in this year, highlighting its determination to maintain a sustainable recovery. Banking credit continues to be a key financial driver for production, investment and domestic consumption. To reach these goals, the municipal banking sector is intensifying efforts to facilitate access to capital, promote preferential credit policies, encourage non-cash payments and strengthen coordination with departments and business associations to promptly address obstacles. Lien said these regular efforts would be vital to ensuring businesses receive timely and effective financial support, contributing to overall economic stability and growth in the citys final development phase of the year. Experts believe the recent National Assembly approval of a resolution to establish International Financial Centres (IFCs) in the city and a Nang City, with special mechanisms and policies, will create new momentum for domestic and foreign investment. The establishment of these IFCs is expected to boost production, consumption, exports and tourism while creating opportunities for banks and credit institutions to expand their customer base and develop high-quality financial services to meet rising investment demand in southern Viet Nam in the coming years. VNS by Barry Goldman Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas spoke recently at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. He was asked how he balances stare decisis with originalism, and he made the following remarks: Well, if I find it doesnt make any sense I think we should demand that, no matter what the case is, that it has more than just a simple theoretical basis. [I]f [its] totally stupid, and thats what theyve decided, you dont go along with it just because its decided. I dont think that any of these cases that have been decided are the gospel, and I do give perspective to the precedent. But the precedent should be respectful of our legal tradition, and our country and our laws, and be based on something not just something somebody dreamt up and others went along with. At some point we need to think about what were doing with stare decisis, and its not some sort of talismanic deal where you can just say stare decisis and not think, turn off the brain, right? We never go to the front, see whos driving the train, where is it going. And you could go up there in the engine room, find its an orangutan driving the train, and youre going to follow that? I think we owe our fellow citizens more than that. To be clear, I have nothing good to say about Clarence Thomas. I think hes a particularly bad judge, even relative to the rest of the bad judges on the Supreme Court. I think he (and they) are wrong on every significant issue. But I agree with him on this. If a decision is totally stupid, if it doesnt make any sense, and there is an orangutan driving the train, we shouldnt turn off our brains and go along. The problem, of course, is that he and I disagree about which decisions are the stupid ones. In his concurring opinion in Dobbs, the case that overturned Roe v. Wade, Thomas wrote: [I]n future cases, we should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell. Because any substantive due process decision is demonstrably erroneous, we have a duty to correct the error established in those precedents. For those readers who dont think in terms of case names, he is talking about rethinking the decisions that established the right to obtain contraceptives, the right to engage in private, consensual sexual acts, and the right to same-sex marriage. Thomas voted with the majority to grant Donald Trump immunity from criminal prosecution. He voted to eviscerate the Voting Rights Act. He voted in Citizens United that unlimited campaign donations are protected First Amendment speech. I could go on. It is perfectly clear to me that those decisions are totally stupid, dont make any sense, and there is an orangutan driving the train. All of this is familiar to anyone who pays attention to this stuff. The point I want to make is not about any particular decisions but about the nature of law itself. The argument in favor of the rule of law is that it is somehow objective. Clarence Thomas and I may have very different opinions about policy, the argument goes, but the law is the law. It is written down in books. You can look it up. That is, after all, the point. Judges dont get to impose their personal policy preferences; they have to follow the law. That would be a sensible argument if the law were objectively ascertainable. But its not. There is a vital distinction between questions of law and questions of fact. The example I like to use for a question of fact is whether Fido has worms. If you see Fido scooting around on his butt, you are likely to become interested in the answer to that question. So you collect a stool sample and take it to the vet. You hand it to the tech, and you have a pretty good idea whats going to happen. A person who knows what shes doing will go through a prescribed procedure and prepare a slide. Then she will look at the slide under a microscope and identify what shes looking at as either worms or not worms. If the slide was properly prepared, and the tech was properly trained, you will get a simple, clear answer to your question. It doesnt matter if the tech is a Democrat or a Republican or a communist or a Christian Nationalist. It doesnt matter what her philosophy of veterinary medicine is. Worms are a matter of fact. We like to pretend legal decisions work the same way (mutatis mutandis). You hand in your brief, and someone who knows what shes doing follows an accepted procedure, performs an analysis, and reaches the same conclusion any other properly trained practitioner would reach given the same law and the same facts. But it just aint so. Lets consider a gun rights case. The Second Amendment says: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Thats all. Twenty-seven words. And it was enough for almost 150 years. Then in 1934 Congress passed the National Firearms Act making it illegal to possess, among other things, a sawed-off shotgun. Jack Miller was arrested for having a sawed-off shotgun, and he argued that the Firearms Act violated his right under the Second Amendment. The case went to the Supreme Court, and the Court found: In the absence of any evidence tending to show that possession or use of a shotgun having a barrel of less than eighteen inches in length at this time has some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well regulated militia, we cannot say that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear such an instrument. So, the Court said, the answer is no. Millers right to carry a sawed-off is not protected by the Second Amendment because carrying a sawed-off shotgun has nothing to do with a well regulated militia. And there matters remained until 2008 when a D.C. special policeman named Dick Heller applied to register a handgun he wanted to keep at home. The D.C. Code prohibited the registration of handguns, and the District denied his application. Heller made the same argument Miller had made, and the issue went back to the Supreme Court. Justice Stevens wrote, in dissent: The majority cannot seriously believe that the Miller Court did not consider any relevant evidence; the majority simply does not approve of the conclusion the Miller Court reached on that evidence. Standing alone, that is insufficient reason to disregard a unanimous opinion of this Court, upon which substantial reliance has been placed by legislators and citizens for nearly 70 years. That is, Stevens invoked the principle of stare decisis. He said the Court has decided that question. You just have to read the Miller decision. Justice Scalia, with his usual snark, wrote for the majority: And what is, according to Justice Stevens, the holding of Miller that demands such obeisance? That the Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms for certain military purposes, but that it does not curtail the legislatures power to regulate the nonmilitary use and ownership of weapons. Nothing so clearly demonstrates the weakness of Justice Stevens case. Miller did not hold that and cannot possibly be read to have held that. Justice Breyer also wrote a dissent. He left the lofty realm of scholarly exegesis and discussed the frightening real-world fact of gun violence in America. Even if we suppose the Second Amendment protects the right to own a handgun, he argued, that right must be balanced against the responsibility of government to protect its citizens from mayhem: [T]he decision threatens to throw into doubt the constitutionality of gun laws throughout the United States. I can find no sound legal basis for launching the courts on so formidable and potentially dangerous a mission. In my view, there simply is no untouchable constitutional right guaranteed by the Second Amendment to keep loaded handguns in the house in crime-ridden urban areas. Scalia responded: We know of no other enumerated constitutional right whose core protection has been subjected to a freestanding interest-balancing approach. The very enumeration of the right takes out of the hands of governmenteven the Third Branch of Governmentthe power to decide on a case-by-case basis whether the right is really worth insisting upon. A constitutional guarantee subject to future judges assessments of its usefulness is no constitutional guarantee at all. Constitutional rights are enshrined with the scope they were understood to have when the people adopted them, whether or not future legislatures or (yes) even future judges think that scope too broad. We are aware of the problem of handgun violence in this country, and we take seriously the concerns raised by the many amici who believe that prohibition of handgun ownership is a solution. But the enshrinement of constitutional rights necessarily takes certain policy choices off the table. These include the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home. In other words, tough luck. The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms. No matter how many armed robberies and murders and suicides and accidental shootings of children there are in America, no matter what the democratically elected legislature enacts, the Second Amendment prevails. The Court revisited the question in 2022 in Bruen and made the situation worse. And there is a case coming this term from Hawaii that threatens to continue the trend. All of this is unconscionably stupid. But I said I wanted to make a point about matters of fact and matters of law. So lets review what happened in Heller. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari in a case involving the Second Amendment. An extensive record was generated and reviewed. Some very smart lawyers wrote briefs. Amicus briefs were submitted by experts in several fields. Arguments were held. Some very smart clerks did exhaustive research. Quotations were collected from William Blackstone and James Madison (of course) and from dozens of dictionaries, statutes, proclamations, and treatises dating back centuries. Drafts were circulated. The Courts own previous, unanimous decision on the question was painstakingly analyzed. The Court had all the resources in the world, all the time and talent in the world. And it divided 5 to 4 along completely predictable lines on the question of what the Second Amendment means. Why? Because legal questions are not matters of fact. Because rule of laws and not of men is a distinction without a difference. And because the Supreme Courts problems are not factual or legal. They are moral. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. HA NOI The State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC), in collaboration with the UK Embassy, held a workshop in Ha Noi on Monday to unveil a green bond disclosure handbook designed to boost transparency and advance the green finance market. The effort builds on the SSC's 2021 issuance of handbooks for green, social and sustainability bonds, extending collaboration with the UK Embassy and specialists from the UK PACT programme to craft this latest guide. The book contains in-depth instructions on pre- and post-issuance disclosures for green bonds aligned with global benchmarks and Vietnamese regulations. Anna Gibson, Climate Counsellor at the UK Embassy in Ha Noi, called the rollout a key step in joint efforts for a greener, sustainable financial system. She noted that green bonds serve as a powerful tool to channel private funds into eco-friendly projects, aiding Viet Nam's pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. She added that bolstering transparency and uniform disclosure practices will foster investor trust, curb greenwashing risks and fortify the green finance landscape. The UK Embassy vows to support Viet Nams green finance journey, expand cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the SSC and other stakeholders to harness large-scale green funding and help Viet Nam become a regional leader in sustainable development, she said. The handbook features the regulatory backdrop, reporting norms and significance, pre-issuance disclosures framed by four pillars - use of proceeds, project evaluation, fund oversight and reporting, plus post-issuance mandates. It incorporates case studies and international benchmarking appendices. The SSC will roll out the handbook in HCM City on October 15 after the Ha Noi event. The UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) is a 260 million GBP technical assistance initiative funded by the UK Government. Launched in Viet Nam in 2024, it supports a just transition toward green growth and net-zero emissions. VNS HCM CITY Welcoming the year-end travel and festive season, Vietjet has announced an increase in flight frequencies to several major Australian cities, offering travellers more flexibility, convenience and promotional opportunities. Accordingly, the routes connecting HCM City with Melbourne and Sydney will increase to seven return flights per week. Meanwhile, Vietjet will raise the number of weekly return flights to Brisbane to five, along with three weekly return flights to Perth. With Vietjets extensive network across Viet Nam and popular international destinations such as India, mainland China, Hong Kong (China), Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (China) and countries throughout Southeast Asia, passengers can enjoy direct or connecting flights to the Land of Kangaroos, the airline said. It added that passengers can apply the code SUPERSALE1010 when booking Eco tickets from now until October 19 via www.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet Air app to receive a 50 per cent discount on fares (excluding taxes and fees). The promotion applies to flights operated between November 1, 2025 and May 27, 2026. Passengers travelling on international Eco tickets with Vietjet will also enjoy 20 kilos of free checked baggage. Vietjet is also offering a golden opportunity to experience a flight with 50 per cent off Business and SkyBoss tickets when they use the promo code LEADER10. The promotion applies to all domestic and international routes operated by Vietjet, with travel dates from November 1 to November 25, 2025. VNS HA NOI Although Viet Nam's supporting industries have made progress, the sector still falls short of its full potential. The Government has recently issued Decree 205/2025/N-CP to promote the sector's development. Supporting industries are viewed as a crucial foundation for promoting the sustainable development of Viet Nam's economy and reducing its reliance on imported raw materials and components. However, attracting investment into this sector still faces many challenges related to capital, technology and supply chain connectivity. Decree 205/2022/N-CP, amending and supplementing Decree 111/2015/N-CP, was introduced to address these challenges and create favourable conditions for the development of supporting industries. Pham Van Quan, deputy director of the Industry Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), said Viet Nam achieved a record import-export turnover of US$681 billion in the first nine months of this year, with exports reaching $349 billion and imports at $332 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $17 billion. However, a concerning fact is that 94 per cent of Viet Nam's imports are raw materials, parts and components. These are items that the country could produce domestically if it developed a strong foundation for its industries and supporting sectors, Quan told the seminar titled 'Attracting Investment into Supporting Industries: Leverage from Policies' on Monday. The deputy director stated that the potential for developing supporting industries was vast, but investment capital, particularly from foreign direct investment (FDI) businesses, remained limited. MoIT statistics show that total investment by FDI businesses in supporting industries has only been around $20 billion from 2020 until now, while investment from domestic enterprises is even lower, ranging from $5-6 billion. Quan pointed out that the biggest challenges for Vietnamese enterprises lay in two core factors: capital and technology. Investment in supporting industries requires large capital and modern technology, both of which remain weaknesses for domestic businesses, he said. Decree 205/2022/N-CP was introduced as an important step forward, featuring breakthrough policies aimed at addressing issues related to capital, research and development (R&D) and market access. Quan stated that this decree requires FDI enterprises wishing to receive incentives to have partnership agreements with domestic small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby encouraging the participation of Vietnamese businesses in global supply chains. In addition, centres for industrial development support have been established to allow enterprises to conduct product trials without incurring significant costs. However, he acknowledged that the implementation of these policies still faces considerable difficulties. He admitted that policies often suffer from delays and many businesses have not yet fully understood or accessed the incentives due to a lack of professional legal advisory support. We have co-operated with localities to organise many awareness-raising sessions, but businesses still do not fully understand the benefits they can receive, he said. To overcome this, the MoIT has established the Industrial Development Centre (IDC) in Ha Noi to assist businesses in implementing incentive programmes. Hoang Anh Tuan, deputy director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Bac Ninh Province, said the province had achieved notable results in developing supporting industries thanks to the strong leadership of local authorities. The province's industrial production value has grown steadily, ranking among the top in the country, with significant contributions from supporting industry businesses, he said. It has issued several support policies, signed co-operation agreements with the MoIT and Samsung to improve production for businesses, and implemented mechanisms to facilitate large projects. Decree 205 is strategic, with specific support from raw materials and production to output, Tuan said. Bac Ninh is committed to implementing this decree effectively through legal support, supply chain connectivity and the building of specialised industrial zones, he noted. The deputy director also proposed that the MoIT assist with the orientation of technology connection and R&D, and urged localities to register specific supporting industry products so the ministry could develop a comprehensive plan. Ho Ngoc Toan, deputy general director of Automech Mechanical Equipment and Solutions Joint Stock Company, pointed out three advantages of Vietnamese supporting industry enterprises: flexible production transformation, young engineers who quickly adopt technology and a favourable ecosystem with significant market opportunities. However, businesses still face five weaknesses: small scale, limited capital, failure to meet international standards, outdated technology and lack of design industries. To overcome these challenges, Toan recommended that businesses actively innovate, invest in R&D and digitalise to meet market demands. VNS HA NOI PVI Insurance is on track to become Viet Nams first US$1-billion non-life insurer, after reporting strong results for the first nine months of 2025 that reaffirm its market leadership. The companys total revenue reached more than VN21.5 trillion (nearly $820 million), completing 108.4 per cent of its full-year plan and rising 38.7 per cent from the same period last year. Pre-tax profit more than doubled to nearly VN1.2 trillion, achieving 145 per cent of the annual target. Gross written premiums grew 10.4 per cent, driven by an 87 per cent jump in online sales. PVI said its investments in digital transformation, e-commerce and modern product design have helped it capture new consumer trends and enhance customer experience nationwide. In reinsurance, revenue more than doubled year-on-year as the company expanded into international markets, strengthened risk management and improved business efficiency. In September, PVI raised its charter capital from VN3.9 trillion to over VN4.3 trillion to reinforce its financial strength and fund technology investment and market expansion. PVI also reported growth in social insurance collection, handling nearly VN2.4 trillion for Vietnam Social Security by the end of September, up 56 per cent from a year earlier. Over 90 per cent of annual targets for social and health insurance participation were achieved, demonstrating the effectiveness of its partnership with State agencies. Beyond business performance, PVI continued to build its brand image. Its booth at the A80 Exhibition marking the 80th National Day attracted large crowds, highlighting its role as a creative and pioneering Vietnamese enterprise. Speaking at the companys nine-month review conference on October 13, a PVI executive said: These results reflect the unity, determination and relentless efforts of all PVI employees. This momentum will drive us toward the goal of becoming a $1-billion non-life insurance enterprise a symbol of Vietnamese strength and vision on the global stage. With a solid financial foundation, sustainable growth strategy and expanding international footprint, PVI Insurance continues to affirm its leadership in Viet Nams insurance industry and its ambition to represent the Vietnamese brand globally. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) hosted the Viet NamFrancophone Economic Forum in Ha Noi on Tuesday, aiming to deepen co-operation between Vietnamese enterprises and the business community of French-speaking countries. Opening the forum, VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh said the event was significant in sending a clear message about expanding collaboration. Digital economy, green transformation, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, sustainable tourism and innovation are strategic areas where Viet Nam and Francophone partners can complement each others strengths. Viet Nam is a dynamic economy and a gateway to Southeast Asia, with a young population, open market, and transparent, stable investment policies. Francophone countries in Africa and Europe offer abundant resources, governance experience, and extensive market networks. By connecting effectively, we can create a new circle of co-operation: Vietnamese enterprises bring technology, production expertise, and innovation, while Francophone partners contribute resources, knowledge, and global networks, Vinh said. He highlighted South-South co-operation, with Viet Nam and African nations playing a pioneering role, as a path to long-term value, helping developing economies enhance competitiveness and build sustainable, resilient development models. OIF chief representative of the Asia-Pacific Office Edgar Doerig, noted that to boost trade between French-speaking countries, OIF has organised delegations to promote economic co-operation with the region, including Viet Nam. Welcoming a delegation of Francophone businesses in sectors such as agricultural processing, digital transformation and renewable energy, the Vietnamese business community and its Francophone counterparts expressed hope for continued support from their governments to foster sustainable, prosperous development. OIF will continue to collaborate with embassies, business associations, development organisations, and trade partners to build a dynamic, transparent, sustainable co-operation network, Doerig added. The forum provided a platform for open, substantive dialogue, ensuring meetings not only exchanged information but also launched concrete co-operative projects. The Francophonie community comprises 88 member countries and territories with diverse economic structures and significant trade potential. VNS HA NOI A trilingual book celebrating the life and work of Nguyen Nam Son (18991973), one of Viet Nams pioneering modern artists, has been published to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of L' Ecole Superieure des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine (the Indochina School of Fine Arts). Far more than a biography, Nam Son The Heritage of Indochinese Fine Arts from Historical Documents, Archives and Press is a scholarly journey that revives historical memory, highlights Viet Nams artistic heritage and affirms the unique identity of an art shaped by the dialogue between East and West in the 20th century. The monumental work is the result of 25 years of painstaking research by art historian Ngo Kim Khoi, the painters grandson. It brings together more than 70 rare artworks and 600 archival images from museums, private collections and family archives in Viet Nam and abroad. Through detailed documentation, the book sheds light on Nam Sons role as a founder of modern Vietnamese art and his influence on generations of artists. It presents a vivid portrait of a creative life that bridged cultural traditions while embracing innovation. By drawing on historical records, press reports and family archives, the publication captures not only the painters artistic achievements but also the broader cultural context in which he worked, offering readers an immersive view of Viet Nams early 20th-century art scene. Reviving a forgotten legacy Through the testimony of my mother, Mme Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram, and family archives, as well as documents painstakingly collected in Viet Nam and France, I have excavated the past, revived memories and brought to light a destiny once obscured by the shadows of history, Khoi said. The book comprises two volumes and is presented in Vietnamese, French and English. It was published by the Fine Arts Publishing House. The Millon auction house, a pioneer in promoting Vietnamese art on the international stage, holds exclusive distribution rights for the book in France. I began this project in 1999, and though many years have passed, I know this is just the beginning. There will certainly be gaps, but I will continue to supplement and refine it, Khoi wrote in the introduction to the book. According to art critic Quang Viet, this work stands as one of the most comprehensive scholarly undertakings on the first 20 modern years of Vietnamese art. Every figure, every photograph carries its own rhythm like a lyrical composition rich in poetry, he said. Researcher Le Xuan Phan said: "This book resembles a miniature museum each page unfolds like a curated exhibition, telling a story of creativity, dedication and heartfelt love for the homeland." Together with the book launch comes a special exhibition showcasing nine original works by Nam Son, a unique opportunity to explore an artistic legacy intertwined with milestones in Viet Nams art history. These works will be displayed at the Quang San Art Museum in HCM City from October 24 to November 2. A bridge between East and West In the vibrant flow of Vietnamese history, amidst the confluence and upheavals of Eastern and Western civilisations, pioneering figures like Victor Tardieu (18701937) and Nam Son emerged as architects of modern Vietnamese art. In 1925, when Tardieu received authorisation to establish L'Ecole Superieure des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine, he made a bold choice to partner with Nam Son, his exceptional student trained at L'Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Paris, rather than a Western artist. As the first Vietnamese professor and director of the institution, Nam Son blended Western techniques oil painting, academic drawing with traditional Vietnamese mediums like lacquer and silk, forging a distinctive artistic identity. He mentored generations of renowned artists, such as Le Pho (19072001), Mai Trung Thu (19061980), and Vu Cao am (19082000), who elevated Vietnamese art to the global stage. "Nam Son was not merely a pioneering artist; he was a visionary educator, one who ignited a spirit of intellectual emancipation and awakened a profound sense of national identity through art, said researcher Nguyen Thuy Phuong. Ngo Kim Khoi, Nam Sons grandson, born in 1959, is the son of Mme Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram, the artists third daughter. Self-taught in painting, music, and singing, Khoi has dedicated over 30 years to researching Vietnamese art history. He has collaborated with the Mairie de Paris (1998), the Cernuschi Museum (20122013), the Academie des Sciences dOutre-Mer (2015) and leading auction houses (Millon, Millon-Vietnam, Aguttes, Art Valorem, Lynda Trouve, Asium, Bonhams, Art Research Paris), as well as numerous media outlets in Viet Nam and abroad. Author of Thang Tran Phenh (2018), he served as artistic director for the exhibition Le Van Xuong, a Miracle in HCM City in 2018 and curator of the multidisciplinary exhibition Circle of Life and Death by artist Pham Tran Viet Nam at the Le Ba ang Memorial Space in Hue City in 2025, alongside other solo exhibitions between 2020 and 2025. VNS LAM ONG Lam ong Province is strengthening Cham language education in primary schools, both to safeguard the communitys cultural heritage and to equip students with stronger language skills that support their Vietnamese learning and overall academic performance. In a Cham language class at Lam Giang Primary School in Ham Thuan Bac Commune, fifth grader Thong Nu Ha Thuyen eagerly reads a short passage in Cham script. Before, I could only speak Cham at home, but now that I can learn it at school, I know how to read and write, and Ive learned more about my peoples culture. Learning Cham also makes it easier for me to understand Vietnamese, she said. Many Cham students share this view, saying that learning their mother tongue gives them greater confidence when approaching new knowledge. When certain objects or concepts in Vietnamese are difficult to imagine, they can better understand them through Cham explanations by their teachers. In the 2025 - 2026 academic year, Lam Giang Primary School is home to 284 students in 10 classes across five grades, 99 per cent of whom are Cham. Following guidelines from the Ministry of Education and Training and instructions from the provincial government, the school has proactively developed a teaching plan tailored to local conditions and the needs of students and parents. Principal Tran Van Tieng said the school continues offering Cham language classes with two periods per week, supported by four experienced teachers. Teacher Khe Thi Thanh Toan noted that each lesson ensures all four skills -- listening, speaking, reading, and writing -- are practised. Learning Cham not only helps students read and write their mother tongue but also strengthens their Vietnamese vocabulary and comprehension in other subjects. At Lam Hung Primary School in Ham Thuan Commune, three teachers teach Cham to 150 students. The school has also maintained two weekly Cham lessons since the start of the school year. Teaching and learning Cham here receive strong support from parents and community elders. Beyond reinforcing Vietnamese and other subjects, the class also preserves the language and culture of our people, Vice Principal Thong Thi Nga said. In addition to classroom lessons, Lam Hung Primary School organises field trips, Cham writing contests in collaboration with the Cham Cultural Exhibition Centre, and activities during Cham festivals, allowing students to engage directly with cultural heritage and foster a love for their language and script. However, challenges remain. Many students are only familiar with spoken Cham and struggle with reading and writing. The Cham script, with its unique characters and phonetic system, poses difficulties for learners. Furthermore, new textbooks and teaching materials are not yet widely available. To overcome this, the school creatively adapts existing teaching materials, employs visual aids, gathers local cultural objects, and uses multimedia tools to make lessons more engaging. According to the provincial Department of Education and Training, for the 20252026 school year, 12 primary schools across Lam ong will offer Cham as an elective subject to 3,643 students in 142 classes from grades 1 to 5. Sixty-one teachers have undergone Cham language training and certification, with 51 directly teaching in classrooms. Schools are implementing flexible teaching plans suited to local conditions and supported by adequate facilities. Introducing the Cham language into schools in Lam ong not only affirms the sound policy of preserving ethnic cultural identity but also helps students strengthen their language abilities, laying a solid foundation for their education. - VNS BERLIN The Association of Hanoians in Germany held a gathering in celebration of Ha Nois Liberation Day (October 10), bringing together a large number of members, overseas Vietnamese, and representatives of Vietnamese associations from across the country. The event took place amid multiple milestones, including the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Germany and the 15th anniversary of the Association of Hanoians in Germany. In his opening remarks, Cong Viet Cuong, Chairman of the Association, recalled the proud historical moments of October 10, 1954, when the capital was triumphantly liberated after nine years of resistance. The gathering featured documentary photos and heartfelt stories that revived vivid memories of a Hanoi adorned with flags and flowers, a city of resilience, pride, and hope. Members shared nostalgic recollections of their youth and personal reflections on the city that shaped their lives. Many were visibly moved as they spoke of Ha Noi, which continues to hold a cherished place in their hearts despite years of living abroad. Addressing the event, ang Hoang Linh, Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany, praised the associations tireless efforts to foster community cohesion and strengthen the connection between overseas Vietnamese and their homeland. He also highlighted the groups active participation in recent fundraising campaigns for flood-hit areas in Viet Nam, commending its leadership in organising and coordinating donation drives across Germany. For years, Hanoians abroad have remained a source of pride for their homeland, known for their elegance, cultural sophistication, and compassion. In Germany, the Association continues to uphold these traditions, promoting cultural and social activities that advance people-to-people diplomacy and enhance Viet Nams image globally. The event concluded in a warm, festive atmosphere with timeless songs, rekindling national pride and fond memories of the capitals historic liberation. VNA/VNS HA NOI The National Assembly Standing Committee, at its 50th session on Monday, examined draft amendments on investment business, citizen reception and complaint and denunciation laws, highlighting priorities in digital transformation, decentralisation and stronger State management. According to the Governments proposal, the draft amendment to the Law on Insurance Business is designed to facilitate business activities in this sector by simplifying administrative procedures and addressing current bottlenecks. The draft is also better aligned with the Inspection Law and the Enterprise Law, and includes articles that refine regulations related to capital and management, ensuring safe and effective investment operations. The NAs Committee on Economy and Finance agreed on the necessity of enacting the law and recommended that the drafting committee continue their review and revision in a way that comprehensively defines the States management of insurance business activities, creating a sound legal framework for effective decentralisation in this field. Reporting on the conditions for capital contributors to establish insurance and reinsurance businesses (as limited liability companies), and for granting licences for insurance brokerage companies, the drafting committee noted that removing barriers to market access and ensuring a transparent business environment was necessary. However, they noted that the current requirements were important to vetting the legal status, credibility, competence and legal compliance of foreign organisations when contributing capital to establish insurance businesses. If some of these conditions are removed in the amendment, alternative solutions and post-inspection measures should be considered to ensure market safety. At the discussion, the NA Standing Committee agreed on the need to amend the 2022 Insurance Business Law, and recommended that the drafting committee collaborate with the relevant agency to conduct further research and clarify the political, legal and practical basis, assessing the current conditions and the obstacles that have arisen since the law came into effect three years ago. NA vice chairman Vu Hong Thanh also underscored the application of science and technology and digital transformation to continue simplifying administrative procedures. He stressed the need for a comprehensive assessment of the impact and legal consequences of reducing investment business conditions while ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of involved parties. Appropriate inspection, monitoring and supervision mechanisms to avoid legal gaps in the state management of the insurance sector should also be a must, he said. Amendments to strengthen citizen reception and State management The draft law proposes updates to several key regulations to make the Governments inspection and complaint-handling systems more streamlined, transparent and responsive. It seeks to align with the Partys direction on reorganising the political system, adopting a two-tier local government model and improving the performance of public administration. One of the main highlights of the draft is the introduction of online citizen reception, allowing people to communicate directly with government offices via digital platforms. Citizens will also be able to use their national ID numbers or electronic identification codes instead of physical documents when attending citizen reception sessions. The amendments also aim to promote decentralisation and administrative reform, authorising the Prime Minister to delegate certain responsibilities to the Government Inspector General in handling denunciations. They introduce new mechanisms to clarify jurisdiction when legal authority is unclear and give the Government the power to define how online citizen reception will operate nationwide. According to the Chairman of the National Assemblys Committee on Peoples Aspirations and Supervision, Duong Thanh Binh, most committee members supported the addition of online citizen reception, saying it would help speed up digital transformation, make it easier for people to file complaints and reduce the workload at physical offices. However, he suggested that the Government should assess the effectiveness of the model so far, particularly in terms of technical infrastructure and connectivity between central and local-level offices to ensure smooth operation. Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh also supported the move, saying it would reflect the countrys growing use of technology across all areas and help save time and costs for citizens. She noted, however, that the definition of 'citizen reception' in the law should be updated, as it currently only refers to in-person meetings. She emphasised that the definition must also include online interaction, given the proposed digital format. Thanh further pointed out that citizen reception and complaint resolution were closely linked to human and civil rights. She warned that in the past, delays and prolonged cases often occurred when officials delegated their duties to subordinates instead of handling complaints directly. She therefore called for clearer rules on delegation and accountability, ensuring they comply with the Law on Government Organisation and the Law on Organisation of Local Government, to make sure citizens rights would be properly protected and cases would be handled efficiently. VNS HCM CITY The HCM City Peoples Committee has launched the first phase of its Digital Government Operating System pilot programme marking a major step in modernising public services and enhancing transparency. Developed by the Office of the municipal Peoples Committee in collaboration with the citys Digital Transformation Centre, the system connects all departments, districts, wards, and special zones across the city. Duong Hong Thang, chief of the Office of the Peoples Committee, said the software could be installed on smartphones and would enable real-time management of documents, tasks, and progress reporting from the central Government and the citys Party Committee. It allows leaders to supervise all departments and districts through a unified digital platform, he said. The rollout also includes the mandatory use of Gantt charts project-scheduling tools that visualise workflows, responsibilities, and timelines to strengthen accountability and streamline administrative work. During an inspection of the Rach Xuyen Tam Canal renovation project, municipal Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang asked agencies to apply detailed Gantt charts specifying tasks, responsible officers, and deadlines. Without a Gantt chart, its impossible to see whos working, whos delaying, and where accountability lies, he said. At a recent meeting of the citys Steering Committee on implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW on digital transformation, Quang said visual tools like Gantt charts were crucial for enhancing leadership efficiency and transparency. Vo Thi Trung Trinh, director of the citys Digital Transformation Centre, said the new platform integrated multiple existing systems including administrative procedure handling, document management, and the 1022 citizen feedback hotline. It will generate daily analytical reports to help leaders monitor operations and key socio-economic indicators such as public investment, budgets, and administrative reform, supported by artificial intelligence, she said. Through this integration, the city is moving closer to a fully digital government. It has already connected with 11 national databases, including the National Public Service Portal, the national payment platform, and the national population database. In 2024, the city prioritised institutional reform and the deployment of seven core technology platforms, such as social media monitoring, enhanced complaint management, and a digital monitoring mechanism for public IT investment. Experts say integrating Gantt charts and AI-enabled analytics marks a major shift toward quantitative, evidence-based governance. Nguyen Tran Nhu Khe, head of the Law Department at the HCM City Cadre Academy, said Gantt charts made evaluations of individuals and teams more transparent and measurable, though they might require refinement for complex projects. Under the pilot phase, the city expects to fully digitise operations in the coming years to achieve a transparent, efficient, and citizen-centred government. The software already assigns tasks automatically, issues reminders, and tracks key performance indicators for units and individuals. Future versions will expand to include management of socio-economic, cultural, defence, and environmental indicators. The city is also seeking international partnerships to support digital governance. Collaborations with Australia and Singapore are underway for training, technology transfer, and institutional reform. The city has launched AI training programmes for civil servants to strengthen human capital and support its smart city vision. However, experts caution that digital infrastructure alone is insufficient. Deeper coordination among departments, sustainable financial mechanisms, and continued investment in technology and innovation are essential for long-term success. The city has already developed shared data centres and urban command systems but must continue refining its architecture and governance models. An important complement to the new system is VNeID, the national electronic identity platform developed by the Ministry of Public Security. Launched in 2021, VNeID enables secure storage and verification of digital documents, helping reduce paper-based procedures. Its latest updates include services for foreigners, vehicle registration, and ID card exchange. In HCM Citys digital transformation, it serves as the foundational identity layer that allows public services to be securely verified and streamlined. Meanwhile, Viet Nams growing digital economy provides a supportive environment. In 2025, Qualcomm opened an AI research and development centre in the country, aligning with national semiconductor and digital infrastructure strategies. Google is reportedly considering establishing its first large-scale data centre near HCM City to meet rising demand for cloud and AI services. These developments highlight the momentum driving HCM Citys digital governance ambitions. The new operating system and Gantt-chart framework represent bold steps toward transparent, efficient, and accountable administration though continued refinement, institutional support, and human resource development will be key to ensuring their success. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam welcomes the IsraelHamas agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip soon and highly values countries' mediation and reconciliation efforts that helped achieve this outcome, stated Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang on Tuesday. She made the statement in response to a reporters question on Viet Nams reaction to the official adoption of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Hang said that Viet Nam calls on all parties concerned to strictly adhere to the agreement, thereby creating conditions for the achievement of the two-state solution and moving towards a sustainable and lasting peace solution for the Palestinian issue. Viet Nam supports and stands ready to make active contributions to the international community's efforts to rebuild the Gaza Strip, on the basis of respect for national sovereignty, the principles of international law, and the rights and legitimate interests of the Palestinian people, the spokesperson said. VNA/VNS THANH HOA Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday inspected the settlement of administrative procedures at the public administrative service centre and reviewed the operation of the two-tier local administration model in the border commune of Bat Mot in the north central province of Thanh Hoa. Following the administrative boundary adjustment, Thanh Hoa now has 166 communes and wards, including 16 land border communes. The province has standardised 2,272 administrative procedures, all of which have been fully integrated into the National Public Service Portal. Among these, 965 are fully online public services and 1,266 are partially online. After more than three months of operation, the two-tier local administration model has proved effective in improving public services. The newly restructured communes and wards have quickly stabilised their organisational structures and adopted a people-centred working approach. The professionalism and service attitude of public officials have also improved. Despite challenges caused by consecutive storms, commune-level public administrative service centres across Thanh Hoa have promptly addressed manpower shortages and strengthened infrastructure and IT systems to better serve citizens. Bat Mot, a mountainous border commune in Thanh Hoa, shares a 17km borderline with Laos. It is the largest commune in the province, covering 205.7sq.km, with a population of 4,052 people, of whom more than 96 per cent are Thai ethnic minorities. Reports from local officials and residents showed that with just four staff members, the communes public administrative service centre has processed 332 applications without being overloaded. Many residents have already integrated personal documents into the VNeID app but remain unfamiliar with completing administrative procedures online. Civil servants have been directly assisting and guiding local people. During his field inspection, PM Chinh noted the peoples satisfaction and trust in local authorities, emphasising that the two-tier administration model in Bat Mot and Thanh Hoa has been operating effectively, providing transparent, streamlined services and facilitating easier access to public services. The PM urged Bat Mots public administrative service centre and others across Thanh Hoa to continue integrating and connecting data, promote digital literacy among citizens, and encourage the use of online public services to save time and reduce compliance costs, especially in remote and mountainous areas. He also stressed the need to improve digital infrastructure and address limited internet and electricity access in some areas. PM Chinh called for flexible and appropriate arrangement of civil servants based on each localitys needs, ensuring timely and efficient services for both people and businesses. The government leader also requested local authorities to proactively address existing challenges and report issues beyond their jurisdiction to higher agencies for timely solutions, ensuring the best possible service delivery to the people. VNA/VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary To Lam met with 95 outstanding Vietnamese farmers and agricultural scientists in Ha Noi on Tuesday, on the occasion of the 95th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam Farmers Union (October 14, 1930-2025). Speaking at the meeting, the Party chief highlighted the strategic role of farmers throughout the nations history, saying they have not only produced food but also preserved and developed the countrys cultural heritage and served as the foundation of the great national solidarity bloc. He cited Resolution No 19-NQ/TW of the Party Central Committee, which affirms that agriculture is a national advantage and a pillar of the economy. Despite challenges in recent years, the sector has continued to post positive results, providing a solid mainstay for the countrys breakthroughs in development, the leader noted. To secure a breakthrough agriculture, a prosperous countryside, and happy farmers, General Secretary Lam stressed that farmers must be placed at the centre of agricultural development. He described them as frontline soldiers in food security, entrepreneurs of the land, ecological engineers protecting soil, water, forests, and seas, as well as custodians of the Vietnamese culture in the process of integration. The Party leader stressed that science and technology must be positioned at the heart of production. He urged scientists to work directly with farmers in the fields, farms, and processing factories, and called on enterprises and cooperatives to accompany farmers in standardising production, improving product quality and traceability, ensuring food safety, and meeting the requirements of demanding markets. He also called for unceasing innovation and diversification of agricultural products, brand development, and market expansion for Vietnamese agricultural products. General Secretary Lam suggested each commune should develop at least one signature agricultural product with its own brand. Agriculture should move toward a green, circular, and climate-resilient model, shifting from expanding output to enhancing productivity and quality, reducing emissions, and using water, fertilisers, and animal feed efficiently. Bioeconomy and circular agricultural economy should become the main direction for building advanced new-style rural areas. The Party chief affirmed that the honoured farmers and agricultural scientists must serve as shining examples, spreading the spirit of innovation, aspirations for prosperity, and community solidarity by helping other farmers progress together. At the event, Chairman of the Viet Nam Farmers Union Luong Quoc oan said that this year, 95 exemplary individuals are honoured, consisting of 63 outstanding farmers from 34 provinces and cities (the oldest honoree is 77 years old, the youngest 25), and 32 agricultural scientists, aged between 35 and 87. On this occasion, the honorees reported their achievements in agricultural production, business, and services, as well as their contributions to the new-style countryside development movement, national defence, and agricultural innovation, helping advance the countrys agriculture, farmers, and rural areas. VNA/VNS GENEVA Viet Nam has fulfilled its duties as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 20232025 term, demonstrating its capability, prestige, and strong sense of responsibility. This provides a solid foundation for Vietnam to continue building on its achievements and prepare for its candidacy for re-election to the UNHRC for the 20262028 term, with a commitment to making further positive and constructive contributions, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN, WTO, and other international organisations in Geneva. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters following the 60th session of the UNHRC the final session Viet Nam attends as a member for the current term, the ambassador highlighted Viet Nam's proactive, responsible engagement throughout the councils discussions. During the session, Viet Nam took the initiative in drafting and delivering a joint speech on promoting the human right to vaccination, which has received support from 52 countries across all continents. The delegation also made numerous statements and shared views on key topics such as youth and human rights, climate change impacts, access to clean water and sanitation, and the rights of the elderly and vulnerable groups. According to the ambassador, through these contributions, Viet Nam shared its national experiences, policies, and efforts in promoting sustainable development alongside the protection of human rights, emphasising a comprehensive, people-centred approach. Viet Nam also affirmed its consistent stance on promoting dialogue, cooperation, confidence-building, and respect for national sovereignty in addressing human rights issues, while opposing politicisation. Together with ASEAN countries, Viet Nam co-sponsored and delivered joint speeches on regional issues of shared interest such as technical cooperation, capacity building, and human rights in Cambodia, demonstrating ASEANs unity and proactive role in international human rights mechanisms. With its objective, balanced, and constructive approach, Viet Nam has both safeguarded its national interests and principles and promoted the universal values shared by the international community, thereby helping strengthen the role of the UNHRC as a global forum for knowledge, respect, and cooperation for human rights for all. As an active and responsible member, during the 20232025 term, Viet Nam has initiated, co-sponsored, and promoted many practical initiatives of common concern, which were widely supported and appreciated by other nations. The country has also effectively used the UNHRC platform to advance issues of practical interest while protecting its legitimate priorities and contributing to shaping international norms on human rights based on respect for international law and national sovereignty. Dung underlined that Viet Nam's success at the council reflects its balanced, dialogue-oriented approach and opposition to politicisation, which have helped enhance its reputation, voice, and standing in the eyes of international partners. Over the years, the Southeast Asian nation has achieved significant progress in security, politics, diplomacy, socio-economic development, and human rights protection. The country has also taken its international commitments seriously, as demonstrated through its successful presentation of national reports under key UN conventions. These included a report for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Cycle IV in May 2024; as well as others on the countrys implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in November 2023, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in March 2025, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in July 2025. Viet Nam is also preparing to work with convention bodies to present its reports under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 2026 and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) in 2027. These achievements form an important basis for Viet Nam to confidently and effectively engage in multilateral forums, including the UNHRC, Dung stressed. Regarding Viet Nam's candidacy for re-election to the UNHRC for the 2026-2028 term, Dung said Viet Nam enters the election with a proactive, confident and responsible attitude, based on a solid foundation of the process of consistently implementing commitments to promote and protect human rights, both domestically and internationally. Through this candidacy, Viet Nam can continue to affirm its role as an active, responsible and constructive member of the UNHRC, making a substantial contribution to the common effort to ensure all human rights for all. Domestically, Viet Nam will continue to promote major priorities, including accelerating legal reforms and building a rule-of-law State to fully ensure economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights; effectively implement obligations under international human rights treaties to which Viet Nam is a member; promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; enhance human rights education and training in the national education system, especially at the university level and in law enforcement forces; continue to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, promote women's leadership and implement the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, the ambassador noted. At the UNHRC forum, Viet Nam will continue to promote dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect among countries and international partners; participate more responsibly, proactively and effectively in the activities of the UNHRC, especially in issues related to vulnerable groups, the impacts of climate change and digital transformation, he said. In addition, as both the UN and the UNHRC are carrying out strong reform efforts, especially through the UN Secretary-General's "UN80" initiative, Vietnam wants to make a positive contribution to this process. Viet Nam believes that reform must aim for a more effective, representative and adaptive UN to new global challenges, while helping the UNHRC operate more transparently, objectively and inclusively, truly becoming a forum for promoting dialogue, cooperation and consensus instead of confrontation or imposition, Dung said. The diplomat affirmed that Viet Nam is ready to share its experiences, perspectives and good practices in this process, for a stronger, more effective and closer-to-the-people UN. Viet Nam also expects to continue receiving support and companionship from international friends in this journey. As a member of the UNHRC, Viet Nam will make every effort to improve the council's operational efficiency, contributing to promoting the spirit of "Respect and Understanding - Dialogue and Cooperation - All Human Rights for All People", Dung concluded. VNA/VNS NEW YORK The United Nations General Assembly on October 14 (New York time) elected members of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 20262028 term, in which Viet Nam was re-elected with 180 votes in favour, the highest in the Asia-Pacific group. The UN General Assembly's meeting, with the participation of 190 eligible voting member states of the UN, elected 14 members of the UNHRC for the 20262028 term, including Viet Nam, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Egypt, South Africa, Mauritius, Angola, Estonia, Slovenia, Chile, Ecuador, Italy and the UK. Viet Nam earned the highest number of votes in the Asia-Pacific group, and is the only Asia-Pacific country that is a member of the UNHRC for the 20232025 term to be re-elected for the 20262028 term. This election result reflects the trust and appreciation of the UN members for Viet Nam's strong commitments and efforts to promote and protect human rights, along with Viet Nam's contributions and initiatives in its role as a member of the UNHRC for the 20232025 term. At the same time, the result also demonstrates the international community's trust in Viet Nam's open foreign policy, efforts to participate and contribute to multilateral mechanisms, Viet Nam's achievements in international integration and recognition of Viet Nam's increasingly consolidated position as an active member, a reliable partner for peace, cooperation and sustainable development. In its third term as a member of the UNHRC, Viet Nam will continue to promote eight priority areas, namely improving the effectiveness of the UNHRC, ensuring human rights in climate change and digital transformation, promoting gender equality, protecting vulnerable groups, the right to health, the right to work, human rights education and the right to education. Viet Nam will continue to contribute to the common efforts of the international community, addressing common concerns on human rights in the spirit of Respect and Understanding Dialogue and Cooperation All Human Rights for All. When running for membership of the UNHRC for the 20262028 term, Viet Nam also made 12 voluntary commitments in many areas of human rights and will seriously implement these commitments. These commitments are not only linked to initiatives at the UNHRC and other UN and regional human rights mechanisms, but also in the process of implementing recommendations that Viet Nam accepts under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle IV or from the Human Rights Convention Committees, of which Viet Nam is a member. Viet Nam's voluntary commitments are also closely linked to tasks identified as being of strategic importance, requiring breakthroughs to bring the country into a new era of development with the goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045, especially the work of building a rule-of-law state, legal reform, international integration, innovation and digital transformation. The term of membership of the UNHRC for the 20262028 term will begin on January 1, 2026. VNA/VNS HCM CITY Experts said HCM City must simultaneously address bottlenecks in infrastructure, governance, human resources, and green development regarded as the key drivers for its future breakthroughs to strengthen its position as a leading regional megacity. As the countrys economic powerhouse, the city contributes around 23 per cent of national GDP and 30 per cent of State budget revenue. It also serves as Viet Nams largest centre for finance, commerce, and science and technology. However, to reach the level of other major regional metropolises, the city needs comprehensive and strategic solutions in urban management, transport infrastructure, human resource development, and sustainability. Experts have identified overloaded infrastructure particularly in transportation as one of the citys biggest obstacles to growth. Ha Ngoc Truong, vice chairman of the city Bridge and Port Association, said that with a population of over 14 million and some nine million vehicles, HCM Citys infrastructure was under immense pressure. To ease congestion and enhance competitiveness, the city must accelerate key projects such as metro lines No. 1 and 2, ring roads, inter-regional expressways, and port and airport systems. At the same time, modern and transparent urban governance is considered another decisive factor. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hoa of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities said no megacity could function effectively without a smart and accountable administrative system. The city should continue advancing digital government initiatives, using big data and artificial intelligence for management, while simplifying administrative procedures to improve access to public services, he said. The city has begun implementing its smart city development project, establishing a shared data centre and an urban operations hub. Still, experts believe stronger interdepartmental coordination and sufficient financial mechanisms are needed to boost technology investment and ensure sustainable outcomes. Residents are hoping infrastructure projects would be completed soon to reduce long traffic jams, Nguyen Van Loi, a resident from Long Truong Ward, said. If administrative procedures are also streamlined and more transparent, people will be much more satisfied and confident in local authorities, he said. Knowledge and innovation: Engines of a megacity Infrastructure is a necessary condition, but innovation and human capital are what will truly elevate the citys global standing. Economist Dr. Tran Du Lich said the city must evolve into a centre of knowledge and innovation by attracting top talent, offering competitive environments for international experts, and investing in education, scientific research, and startups. The city has already developed key innovation hubs including the Eastern Innovation Urban Area, the Saigon Hi-Tech Park, and the Thu Thiem International Financial Centre alongside a growing startup ecosystem. These are expected to drive growth in knowledge-based sectors such as AI, biotechnology, fintech, e-commerce, and green logistics. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan, director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development under Viet Nam National University - HCM City, said circular and green economies would be crucial for sustainable development. He called for stronger green credit incentives and policies encouraging cleaner production, energy efficiency, and emission reduction among enterprises. Hoang Mai Hoa, a worker at Tan Binh Industrial Park, said local residents also hoped to see improvements in quality of life. Workers like us wish for more green parks and less pollution. If living conditions improve, well feel more secure staying in the city long term." International experts say that, in order to maintain its regional leadership, the city must build a global urban brand not only based on GRDP growth, but also on innovation, talent attraction, and environmental friendliness. To achieve megacity status, the city will need a comprehensive strategy, with key pillars in modern infrastructure, smart governance, high-quality human resources, and green growth. With strong government commitment and collaboration from the scientific community, businesses, and residents, the city is well-positioned to affirm its place among Asias leading megacities in the near future. VNS HCM CITY The University of Economics HCM City (UEH) has launched the UEH CEO Programme, a course specifically designed for business leaders, business owners and their successors. The programme, aimed at training 3,000 chief executive officers (CEOs) in the period 2025-2030, supports the goal of training 10,000 CEOs according to the Politburos Resolution No.68 on developing the private economy. Speaking at the launching event on October 11, Prof Nguyen ong Phong, council chairman of UEH for the 2020-2025 period, said that as a strategic initiative of UEH, the programme is aimed at building a pool of Vietnamese entrepreneurs with management capacity, innovative thinking and international integration capabilities in the era of digital transformation and globalisation. Amid the countrys increasingly deep economic integration and strong digital transformation, improving leadership and corporate governance capacity is a key factor for Vietnamese enterprises to develop sustainably and compete internationally, Phong said. The programme will bring together leading domestic and international lecturers and experts, along with CEOs with extensive practical experience to create a learning environment that aligns academic programmes with practical skills, he said. The course covers a wide range of areas such as innovation, digital transformation, finance, human resources, market analysis and sustainable development. Dr. inh Cong Khai, vice president of UEH, said that more than 300,000 enterprises are operating in HCM City, with half of them admitting that they lack management skills and international integration, as well as limited capacity in technology. Many businesses have good products but fail due to the lack of CEOs with knowledge of market demand research, strategic planning, financial management and human resource management. The programme includes a starter module and 16 intensive modules, lasting four months, held on weekends to suit the working schedules of leaders, he said. In the pilot phase from 2025-2026, the programme is expected to train 500 CEOs. The expansion phase from 2027-2028 will accelerate the training of 1,500 more CEOs and another 1,000 CEOs for 2029-2030 period. Nguyen Anh uc, deputy director of the citys Department of Industry and Trade, said that it is a pioneering programme, contributing to concretising the spirit of Resolution No.68 and promoting socio-economic development, especially in HCM City. It demonstrates the role, responsibility and capacity of UEH in improving the quality of Vietnamese business leadership, uc said. VNS HA NOI The Bright Future Fund for Cancer Patients, in collaboration with Roche Pharma Vietnam, launched the breast cancer awareness communication campaign 2025 on October 14, under the theme 'Join hands for the woman I love.' With the theme 'Join hands for the woman I love', the campaign marks activities for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the 95th Anniversary of the Vietnam Women's Union on October 20. Breast cancer remains the leading cause of death among women in Viet Nam and worldwide. The campaign encourages the community to prevent and screen for the disease early, aiming to reduce infection and mortality rates. Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan praised the funds contributions to cancer prevention. I call on every woman, especially those aged 40 and over, to proactively screen and detect breast cancer early. Love yourself, take care of your health, because that is the best way to protect your family and cultivate happiness, he said. This year, the Bright Future Fund and partner hospitals will provide free breast cancer screening for nearly 5,000 women in Ha Noi, HCM City and Hue City, expanding access to health services and reducing risk. For the first time, a pink train will run at Cat Linh station in Ha Noi, creating a striking visual to promote awareness of early detection. Iconic buildings in Ha Noi and HCM City will also be lit in pink, calling for community and business participation in breast cancer prevention. The campaign includes nationwide activities to encourage routine checks and early detection. The fund is also running the 'Millions of love sent to cancer patients' fundraising programme in cooperation with the National Humanitarian Electronic Information Portal - 1400 from October 1 to December 29, 2025. Roche Pharma Vietnam, a long-time partner, has supported access to advanced treatments and free screenings. Roche Pharma Vietnam General Director Lennor Carrillo said: "Over the past 12 years, Roche Pharma Vietnam has been proud to accompany the health sector and especially the Bright Tomorrow Fund in annual campaigns to raise awareness and support free breast cancer screening for high-risk women. With a solid foundation and the consensus of partners in the programme, I strongly believe in a healthier future for all Vietnamese women." Since 2012, the 'Join hands for the woman I love' campaign has raised public awareness, helping millions access information and providing free screening for over 80,000 high-risk women. After 13 years, the fund has mobilised resources, supported treatment and provided gifts to more than 33,000 poor cancer patients nationwide worth nearly VN54 billion, alongside cancer treatment drugs valued at over VN1.1 trillion and early screening for more than 79,000 people worth nearly VN41 billion. According to the 2018 GLOBOCAN database, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally. In Viet Nam, over 180,000 new cancer cases are reported annually, including more than 15,000 breast cancer patients, with over 120,000 deaths from cancer. VNS BANGKOK A coalition of medical professionals, academics and civil society groups campaigning against narcotics abuse has submitted an open letter to Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat, calling on the ministry to revoke its 2022 ministerial announcement that removed cannabis from the list of Category 5 narcotics. The letter argues that the shifting cannabis policy over the past six years, from strictly medical use in 2019, to quasi-recreational use under the so-called medical cannabis liberalisation policy in 2022, and back to medical control this year, has caused widespread confusion and serious public health concerns. Under the current framework, only medical cannabis can be sold legally, but recreational smoking and home cultivation remain effectively decriminalised. The network said this blurred distinction has led to an increase in hospitalisations, addiction cases and cannabis-induced psychosis across the country. New proposals The open letter was issued in response to three proposals recently submitted to the Health Ministry by pro-cannabis advocates, including allowing cannabis purchases and use without a doctors prescription; reducing regulatory inspections and quality control for cannabis cultivation; and removing the requirement for cannabis dispensaries to operate as medical facilities. The network warned that such measures would turn medical cannabis into de facto recreational use, leading to three major risks: easier access to cannabis for recreational users, protection of growers at the expense of consumer safety, and a resurgence of widespread cannabis shops outside the medical system. Strict medical regulation The group argued that the root of the problem lies in the February 8, 2022 ministerial announcement, which removed cannabis from the Narcotics Code, paving the way for the boom in recreational use and related health and social problems. It urged the Public Health Ministry to propose that the Narcotics Control Board repeal the 2022 order and reinstate cannabis as a tightly regulated medical substance. By returning to a structured medical cannabis system, the government can strengthen oversight, eliminate the negative effects of recreational use, and rebuild public confidence in national drug policy, the statement said. THE NATION/ANN On October 10, the construction of the Thai Binh LNG Thermal Power Plant commenced in Dong Thai Ninh commune, Hung Yen province. The plant is a key step in Vietnam's shift towards cleaner energy sources and reflects growing strategic cooperation with Japan in the energy sector. Delegates press the button to start construction of Thai Binh LNG Thermal Power Plant This large-scale project is of strategic importance for Vietnam's socioeconomic development and plays a critical role in ensuring national energy security. The plant is being developed by Thai Binh LNG Power JSC, a joint venture including three stakeholders: Tokyo Gas of Japan holds a 40 per cent stake, Kyuden International (also of Japan) owns 30 per cent, and Vietnam's Truong Thanh Vietnam Group (TTVN Group) holds the remaining 30 per cent. With a total investment exceeding VND47 trillion (approximately $2 billion), the plant is designed to deliver a capacity of 1,500MW, over roughly 269.43 hectares both onshore and offshore. The facility will feature two high-efficiency combined-cycle gas turbine units using LNG, significantly reducing CO, NOx, and PM2.5 emissions, while emitting no SO. This aligns with Vietnam's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Speaking at the ceremony, Yasushi Kuno, general director of Thai Binh LNG Power JSC, stated, This is one of the key energy investments in the Red River Delta region, aiming at developing clean, stable, and environmentally friendly power sources. Once operational, the plant is expected to supply between 6 and 10 billion kWh of electricity annually. It will generate around 2,000 jobs during the construction phase and maintain approximately 300 permanent positions during operation. In addition, it is projected to contribute around $120 million to the state budget each year for the next 25 years. Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki reaffirmed the Japanese government's strong support for the project and expressed hope for continued guidance from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Hung Yen authorities. Here described the initiative as a symbol of deepening cooperation between Japan and Vietnam. A perspective of Thai Binh LNG plant with a capacity of 1,500MV Nguyen Khac Than, Chairman of Hung Yen People's Committee, said the selection of Hung Yen as the project's location reflects investor confidence in the province's favourable, transparent, and dynamic investment environment. The Thai Binh LNG p lant is of exceptional importance. It will add clean, stable LNG power to the northern grid, reduce reliance on coal-fired power, and enhance the flexibility, safety, and sustainability of the national power system, meeting peak-hour electricity demand effectively, he said. For the locality, the project is expected to generate substantial fiscal revenue through taxes and fees, create thousands of job opportunities for both local and regional workers, and serve as a catalyst for the development of an integrated energy hub. "This hub will combine industry, services, and logistics, helping to attract further investment and drive the province's economic growth in a new development phase," he noted. To ensure timely implementation and maximise investment efficiency , Chairman Than invites all investors to mobi lise necessary resources, comply with technical standards, prioritise construction and labour safety, and ensure environmental protection. Contractors must closely coordinate with local authorities to avoid disrupting residents' lives and production. Meanwhile, Hung Yen Economic Zone Management Board, provincial departments, and Dong Thai Ninh commune authorities should continue to support and promptly resolve difficulties arising for smooth and effective project execution, he said. Expressing confidence in the project's success, Chairman Than concluded that the plant's timely operation will be a key driver of the province's development and contribute significantly to Vietnam's pursuit of green, sustainable energy amid the nation's ongoing industrialisation and modernisation. Investors pour $6.3 billion into Hung Yen in first eight months of 2025 Hung Yen has drawn more than $6.3 billion in investment in the first eight months of the year, highlighting its rising appeal to domestic and foreign investors. AEON Vietnam opens 11th GMS in Hung Yen province AEON Vietnam inaugurated the AEON General Merchandise Store (GMS) Van Giang in Hung Yen on October 2, marking the retailer's first presence in the province and its first store to operate within a shopping center developed by Vingroup. On October 10, the coastal road section through Hung Yen province, connecting the endpoint of Haiphongs coastal road to Ninh Binh, was opened to traffic. The new road is strategically important for boosting socioeconomic growth, enhancing national defence and security, and creating new development opportunities for Hung Yen and the broader Red River Delta region. Delegates perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the coastal road Implemented under a public-private partnership model, construction was carried out through a Build-Operate-Transfer contract between Hung Yen Peoples Committee and Phuong Anh Construction and Trading Co., Ltd., the investor. The road has a total investment approximating $193.5 million. Designed to meet grade III plain road standards, the route features two lanes for motor vehicles and two lanes for rudimentary vehicles, allowing a maximum speed of 80 km/h. Along the route are 11 bridges, including five major bridges crossing the Tra Ly River, Red River, Diem Ho River, and Lan River 1 and 2, as well as six medium and smaller bridges. Functioning as a vital transport artery, the road connects Hung Yen with key economic hubs such as Haiphong, Quang Ninh, Cat Bi Airport, and Lach Huyen International Port. It also forms part of the national coastal road system running from Quang Ninh to Ninh Binh, enhancing regional connectivity. The completed project significantly reduces travel time and transportation costs, opens up trade corridors, and promotes the development of logistics, commerce, services, and coastal tourism. The coastal road creates a transport corridor connecting goods from seaport areas to Thai Binh Economic Zone. Photo: Nguyen Thoi It also paves the way for greater investment attraction into Hung Yens industrial zones and clusters, thereby supporting economic restructuring, improving living standards, and advancing the provinces long-term coastal-oriented development strategy. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on October 10, Nguyen Quang Hung, chief of Hung Yen Party Committees Inspection Commission, remarked, The opening of the coastal road is an important step in the provinces strategy to develop a modern, synchronised transport infrastructure network, contributing to the completion of the coastal road system. He further noted that the route opens up a new development space, facilitating the formation of industrial, service, and tourism zones along the corridor. This, he said, will help attract strong investment resources and fulfil the coastal economic development objectives set by the Hung Yen Party Congress for the 20252030 term. He called on the investor to ensure proper management, maintenance, and warranty in line with regulations to guarantee safe and efficient long-term operation. It is important for relevant departments and localities to swiftly review and adjust development plans for urban, industrial, service, and tourism areas along the route to fully leverage the new infrastructure; as well as continuing to support residents in the project area, especially those who gave up land and homes, ensuring that their post-project living conditions are improved, said Hung. This is not only a social responsibility but also the foundation of trust and consensus, the decisive factor for the success of infrastructure development projects, he concluded. Investors pour $6.3 billion into Hung Yen in first eight months of 2025 Hung Yen has drawn more than $6.3 billion in investment in the first eight months of the year, highlighting its rising appeal to domestic and foreign investors. Thai Binh EZ emerges as key growth engine for Hung Yen Thai Binh Economic Zone is emerging as a key growth engine in Hung Yen, attracting major multinational investors and generating tens of thousands of jobs. The campaign, launched on October 14, is implemented nationally from October to December 2025, in collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA), TikTok Vietnam, VCCorp, and various media outlets and digital content creators. It focuses on equipping internet users with knowledge and tools to identify fraudulent signs, protect personal data, and respond effectively to online risks. Colonel Ha Van Bac, deputy director of the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention, delivered the opening remarks Colonel Ha Van Bac, deputy director of the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention, emphasised that online platforms and technology enterprises play a vital role in supporting government efforts to prevent digital fraud. Platforms such as TikTok and Google have been proactive in raising cybersecurity awareness among tens of millions of users. We hope this collaboration will continue to expand, contributing to a safe, transparent, and trusted cyberspace in Vietnam, Bac noted. Throughout the campaign period, multiple communication and community engagement activities will be implemented. These include awareness programmes on television and social media, targeted alerts via messages and emails to millions of Vietnamese users, and real-time scam warnings when searching for suspicious keywords on TikTok. The campaign will also feature educational workshops and online discussions with cybersecurity experts from the Ministry of Public Security and NCA, offering practical guidance on identifying and responding to potential fraud. A hashtag challenge titled #ChamMaChac and #LuaDaoTrucTuyen will encourage users to create and share videos demonstrating effective anti-fraud tips and personal experiences. Additionally, three short videos will be produced using youth-oriented content and storytelling techniques to attract engagement from younger audiences, one of the most vulnerable groups to online scams. According to Vu Duy Hien, deputy secretary-general of the NCA, public education and awareness are key to building a resilient online community. This campaign combines policy direction from the Ministry of Public Security with active participation from the public and content creators, forming an effective communication model. When people engage online with the mindset of 'Slow but Sure', they become an essential link in the collective effort to prevent digital fraud, he said. The initiative is part of the ministry's broader series of national programmes promoting online safety and cybersecurity resilience. TikTok will proactively issue scam alerts and safety guidelines to users through their accounts and emails Nguyen Lam Thanh, general director of TikTok Vietnam, said the campaign demonstrates TikTok's commitment to helping users build digital literacy and self-protection skills.